Adm in Ist Rati Ve Law: Development of Administrative Law As A Distinct Field of Public Law
Adm in Ist Rati Ve Law: Development of Administrative Law As A Distinct Field of Public Law
d. Body of doctrines and decisions be but merely prescribes details for the
2. Administrative Agency
1. Government grant or gratuity, special
privilege.
• Meaning: Any governmental organ or
• Bureau of Lands, Phil. Veterans
authority, other than a court or legislative
Admin., GSIS, SSS, PAO, etc.
body, which affects the rights of private
parties, through rule-making and 2. Carrying out the actual business of
controversies to carry out its regulatory • Philpost, PNR, MWSS, NFA, NHA, etc.
duty. On its rule-making authority, it is
Commission.
• Commission on Elections. [Art. IX-C]
• Philippine Patent Office.
• Commission on Audit. [Art. IX-B]
• Professional Regulation Commission.
• Commission on Human Rights. [Art.
• UP, NPC, MWSS, NDC, DBP. d. It permits the rules for the prevention of
socially hurtful conduct to be flexible rules
based on discretion, and thus make possible
5. Kinds of Administrative Rules or Regulations
the introduction of order in fields not
a) Supplementary / detailed legislation: To “fix
advantageously permitting the application of
the details” in the execution and enforcement rules of a rigid permanent character.
of a legislative policy (e.g. Rules and [Dickinson]
Regulations Implementing the Labor Code).
The legislature could not have intended for the judicial duties.
1. Legislative control
a. Powers of the Legislative
1. Creation and abolition.
• Radical view: Courts should review not technical matters coming under the
special technical knowledge and
only agency’s conclusions of law but even
training of the agency or officer.
its determinations of fact and policy.
[Concerned Officials of the MWSS
• Traditional/Accepted view: Judicial review
v Vasquez (1995)]
is allowed on questions of law and
• All elective and appointive officials,
jurisdiction, but not on questions of fact
including cabinet members, GOCC’s
and policy. Courts defer to the expertise
and local government are within its
and experience of agencies in their areas
jurisdiction, except those who may
of specialization. Courts are confined to
be removed only by impeachment.
seeing to it that agencies stay within the
limits of their power or to checking • The office of the Ombudsman has the
• Publication in OG or newspaper
• General rule: Administrative
of general circulation is
rules and regulations are subject
indispensable in every case for
to the publication and effectivity
the effectivity of administrative
rules of the Admin Code in
rules and regulations. But the
relation to the Civil Code:
legislature may in its discretion
Effectivity is 15 days after
provide that the usual 15-day
publication, not 15 days from
period be shortened or extended.
date of filing with the UP Law
[Tanada v Tuvera]
Center. [Republic v Express
3. Penal regulations
Telecomm (2002)]
Exceptions:
Some Rules. – (2) Every rule establishing an are appropriate aids toward
offense or defining an act which, pursuant to eliminating construction and
law is punishable as a crime or subject to a uncertainty in doubtful cases.
penalty shall in all cases be published in full When laws are susceptible of two
text. or more interpretations, the
administrative agency should
• If a rule is penal in character, the make known its official position.
rule must be published before it
• Construction and interpretation
takes effect. (People v Que Po
by an administrative agency of
Lay (1954)]
the law under which it acts
• The law itself must so declare provide a practical guide as to
the act as punishable. The law how the agency will seek to
should also define or fix the apply the law, and to which
penalty for the violation. courts and litigants may properly
Sec. 2(3), 1987 Admin Code. “Rate” means Note, however, that the
any charge to the public for a service open to Administrative Code now does not
all and upon the same terms, including
individual or joint rates, tolls, classification or differentiate legislative from quasi-
schedules thereof, as well as communication, judicial rate-fixing: notice and
mileage, kilometrage and other special rates
which shall be imposed by law of regulation to hearing is required for both.
be observed and followed by any person.
• The power to fix rates cannot be
application parties
166
e. Licensing Function 1. Investigation and adjudication:
Sec. 2(10), 1987 Admin Code. “License” Sec. 12. Rules of Evidence. - In a contested
includes the whole or any party of any agency case:
permit, certificate, passport, clearance, (1) The agency may admit and give probative
approval, registration, charter, membership, value to evidence commonly accepted by
statutory exemption or other form of reasonably prudent men in the conduct of
permission, or regulation of the exercise of a their affairs.
right or privilege. (2) Documentary evidence may be received in
the form of copies or excerpts, if the
Sec. 2(11), 1987 Admin Code. “Licensing” original is not readily available. Upon
includes agency process involving the grant, request, the parties shall be given
renewal, denial, revocation, suspension, opportunity to compare the copy with the
annulment, withdrawal, limitation, amendment, original. If the original is in the official
modification or conditioning or a license. custody of a public officer, a certified copy
thereof may be accepted.
(3) Every party shall have the right to cross-
• No expiry date does not mean the examine witnesses presented against him
and to submit rebuttal evidence.
license is perpetual. A license permit (4) The agency may take notice of judicially
cognizable facts and of generally cognizable
is a special privilege, a permission or
technical or scientific facts within its
authority to do what is within its specialized knowledge. The parties shall be
notified and afforded an opportunity to
terms. It is not vested, permanent
contest the facts so noticed.
or absolute, but is always revocable.
Sec. 13. Subpoena. - In any contested case,
[Gonzalo Sy Trading v Central
the agency shall have the power to require the
Bank (1976)] attendance of witnesses or the production of
books, papers, documents and other pertinent
• Notice and hearing in licensing is only
data, upon request of any party before or
required if it is a contested case. during the hearing upon showing of general
relevance. Unless otherwise provided by law,
Otherwise, it can be dispensed with,
the agency may, in case of disobedience, invoke
as in the issuance of driver’s licenses. the aid of the Regional Trial Court within whose
jurisdiction the contested case being heard
falls. The Court may punish contumacy or
B. Judicial Function refusal as contempt.
• Administrative agencies have the power Sec. 13, 1987 Admin Code. Subpoena. – In
any contested case, the agency shall have the
to conduct investigations and hearings, power to require the attendance of witnesses or
the production of books, papers, documents
and make findings and recommendations
and other pertinent data, upon request of any
thereon, since these are inherent in party before or during the hearing upon
showing or general relevance. Unless otherwise
their functions as administrative
provided by law, the agency may, in case of
agencies. The findings of facts by disobedience, invoke the aid of the Regional
Trial Court within whose jurisdiction the
administrative bodies which observed
contested case being heard falls. The Court
procedural safeguards (e.g. notice and may punish contumacy or refusal as contempt.
hearing parties, and a full consideration
of evidence) are recorded the greatest
respect by courts.
have the power to issue subpoena, even administration of a statute. If the matter
silent as to such power. Rationale: Power means necessary to give it force and
necessary that a specific charge or agency through which the will of the
pending charge but upon which to make act. [Tolentino v Inciong (1979)]
• The phrase “or such other responsible authorized agent, the power granted to
officer as may be authorized by law” in the latter does not extend to the power
the 1973 Constitution was deleted to to arrest. The exercise of such power
forestall human rights abuses as during demands the exercise of discretion by the
Martial Law, when one could be arrested one exercising the same, to determine
or PDA issued by the Ministry of National And while ministerial duties may be
justification for relaxing 4th Amendment • Where the statute does not authorize
intended for the enforcement of laws the penalty, recourse will have to be
not in the nature of a criminal penalty) level of production & real income. [People v
every law. [Wisconsin v Whitman (1928)] at least contained in the record and
disclosed to the parties affected.
7. To promote simplicity, economy or efficiency.
[Cervantes v Auditor-General (1952)] • Only by confining the
administrative tribunal to the
evidence disclosed to the parties,
can the latter be protected in
• The right against self-incrimination Sec. 2(8), 1987 Admin Code. ”Decision”
may be invoked by the respondent at means the whole or any part of the final
the time he is called by the disposition, not an interlocutory character,
complainant as a witness. However, whether affirmative, negative, or injunctive in
if he voluntarily takes the witness form, of an agency in any matter, including
stand, he can be cross examined; but licensing, rate fixing, and granting of rights and
he may still invoke the right when privileges.
the question calls for an answer
which incriminates him of an offense Sec. 14. Decision. — Every decision rendered
other than that charged. [People v by the agency in a contested case shall be in
Ayson] writing and shall state clearly the facts and the
b. Notice and hearing: law on which it is based. The agency shall
1. When required: decide each case within thirty days following its
(a) When the law specifically submission. The parties shall be notified of the
decision personally or by registered mail
requires notice and hearing.
make its own discussion of the proceedings, the evidence and law
the examiner which already contains Absent a reversal, the decision of the
the discussions of the findings and BSI prevails and becomes final after
conclusions. The rule is otherwise the lapse of 1 year from the rendition
when the court disagrees with the of the decision. However, in the case
case the court must specify and sent even after the lapse of 1 year.
[Sichangco v Board of
issue rules and regulations necessary There are defenses, excuses, and
exercise such powers as are explicitly or upheld. Conviction does not ex proprio
agency depends on the terms of the carry with it relief from administrative
enabling statute delegating powers to it. liability. Different standards apply. The
Without jurisdiction, the decision administrative case may generally
rendered by the tribunal is void. proceed independently of a criminal
• Refer to the enabling statute creating the action for the same act or omission and
• The practice in the Philippines has been criminal case and an acquittal in the
same time so long as the 2 actions are Note: Can there be an acquittal in a
entitled to hearing. But if the issue can the division was precisely on the
• A generalization as to when judicial review is shopping shall state that the party “has
available is hazardous. Here are factors to not theretofore commenced any action or
Nor does res judicata apply where the that finality be written on judicial
controversies. Non quieta movere: What
administrative decision gives an award
was already terminated cannot be disturbed.
that is less than what the law provides.
[Antique Sawmill v Zayco (1966)]
[B.F. Goodrich v WCC (1988)].
• The Courts will not interfere with the decision
• When a court reviews an agency’s and unjust, and (c) not based upon any
reasonable interpretation of the law. [Sotto v
construction, it deals first with the question
Ruiz (1921)]
whether Congress has directly spoken to the
precise question at issue. If intent of • General rule: Courts refuse to interfere with
well as the agency must give effect to the bodies or officials in the exercise of
not, the court does not simply impose its own Exceptions: administrative proceedings
construction on the statute. If the statute is may be reviewed by the courts upon a
silent or ambiguous with respect to the issue, showing that the board or official:
the question for the court is whether the a. Has gone beyond his statutory authority;
agency’s answer is based on a permissible b. Exercised unconstitutional powers;
construction of the statute. [Chevron v c. Clearly acted arbitrarily and without
Natural Resources Defense Council regard to his duty, or with grave abuse of
(1984)] discretion; or
• When no one seasonably filed a motion for d. The decision is vitiated by fraud,
reconsideration, the Office of the President imposition or mistake. [Manuel v
lost jurisdiction to reopen the case, more so Villena (1971)]
modify its decision. It thus had no more • There is an underlying power in the courts to
authority to entertain the second motion for
scrutinize the acts of administrative agencies
reconsideration. The orderly administration of
exercising quasi-judicial or legislative power
justice requires that the judgments of a court
on questions of law and jurisdiction even
or quasi-judicial body reach a point of finality
though no right of review is given by statute.
set by the law, rules and regulations.
The purpose of judicial review is to keep the
[Fortich v Corona (1998)]
administrative agency within its jurisdiction
• Compliance with the period provided by law and protect substantial rights of parties
for the perfection of an appeal is not merely affected by its decisions. Judicial review is
mandatory but also a jurisdictional proper in case of lack of jurisdiction, grave
(b) Manifestly arbitrary, capricious, unjust rank equal to or higher than the RTC.
(d) Administrative body or officer has gone limitations, as well as the period required by
the statute or rules for the filing of appeals.
beyond its/his statutory authority.
(e) Administrative agency exercised 6. Whether the case is ripe for adjudication.
When a person has not exhausted all the
unconstitutional powers.
administrative remedies available to him, his
(f) Decision vitiated by fraud, imposition or
case is said to be not ripe for judicial review
mistake.
yet. He is said to have invoked the
(g) Lack of jurisdiction.
intervention of the court prematurely.
(h) Grave abuse of discretion.
Although this is not a jurisdictional
(i) Decision violates or fails to comply with
requirement, failure to abide by the doctrine
some mandatory provision of law.
affects petitioner’s cause of action.
1. Whether the enabling statute permits judicial 1. When the doctrine applies
review. There is no problem when the
a. The administrative agency is performing
statute itself expressly grants or prohibits
a quasi-judicial function.
judicial review. But when it is silent,
b. Judicial review is available.
generally, judicial review is available. Since
c. The court acts in its appellate jurisdiction.
an administrative agency has a narrower view
• The regular courts have jurisdiction to
of the case, and its existence derogates the
judicial prerogative lodged in the courts by pass upon the validity or constitutionality
a. Legal reason: The law prescribes a controversy the jurisdiction over which is
3. General Rule: Where the law has delineated c. Administrative remedy not exclusive but
be followed before recourse to judicial action d. Validity and urgency of judicial action or
can be initiated. [Pascual v Provincial intervention. [Paat v CA (1997)]
Board (1959)] e. No other plain, speedy, adequate remedy
a. If a remedy within the administrative in the ordinary course of the law. [Paat;
machinery can still be resorted to by Information Technology Found’n v
giving the administrative officer COMELEC (2004)]
concerned every opportunity to decide on f. Resort to exhaustion will only be
a mater that comes within his oppressive and patently unreasonable.
jurisdiction, then such remedy should be [Paat; Cipriano v Marcelino (1972)]
exhausted first before the court’s juridical g. Where the administrative remedy is only
power can be invoked. Premature permissive or voluntary and not a
invocation of court’s intervention is fatal prerequisite to the institution of judicial
to one’s cause of action. [Paat v CA proceedings. [Corpuz v Cuaderno
(1997)] (1962)]
b. Courts will not interfere in matters which h. Application of the doctrine will only cause
are addressed to the sound discretion of great and irreparable damage which
government agencies entrusted with the cannot be prevented except by taking the
regulations of activities coming under the appropriate court action. [Cipriano;
special technical knowledge and training Paat]
of such agencies. [Lopez v City of i. When it involves the rule-making or
Manila (1999] quasi-legislative functions of an
c. Recourse through court action cannot administrative agency. [Smart v NTC
prosper until after all such administrative (2003)]
remedies would have first been j. Administrative agency is in estoppel.
exhausted. The doctrine does not warrant [Republic v Sandiganbayan (1996)]
a court to arrogate unto itself the
acted on behalf (as alter ego) of the effect of non-compliance is it will deprive
• Where the law expressly provides proper time, this ground is deemed waived.
the President was not acted upon 1. When the doctrine applies
despite follow-ups, and in the a. The administrative body and the regular
G. Mootness
F. Ripeness
1987 Constitution, which provides that the judicial (1) Statutory v Non-statutory:
power includes the power of the courts of justice • Statutory methods are available pursuant
to determine WON there has been a grave abuse to specific statutory provisions.
of discretion amounting to lack or excess of • Non-statutory methods are those taken
jurisdiction on the part of any government agency when there is no express statute granting
or instrumentality, clearly means that judicial review, and relief is obtained by means of
review of administrative decisions cannot be the common law remedies or by the
denied the courts when there is an allegation of prerogative writs of certiorari,
grave abuse of discretion. mandamus, habeas corpus, quo warranto
or prohibition.
1987 Consti, Art IX-A, Sec 7. Each Commission • If statutory methods for judicial review
shall decide by a majority vote of all its Members are available, they are ordinarily
any case or matter brought before it within 60 days exclusive, and the use of non-statutory
from the date of its submission for decision or methods will not likely be permitted.
resolution. A case or matter is deemed submitted (2) Direct v Collateral:
for decision or resolution upon the filing of the last • Direct attacks are those which attempt to
pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the question in subsequent proceedings the
rules of the Commission or by the Commission administrative action for lack of
itself. Unless otherwise provided by this jurisdiction, grave abuse of discretion,
Constitution or by law, any decision, order, or ruling etc.
of each Commission may be brought to the • Collateral attack is when relief from
Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party administrative action is sought in a
within 30 days from receipt of a copy thereof. proceeding where the primary objective
is the grant of a relief other than the
• There is an underlying power in the courts to setting aside of the judgment, although
law and jurisdiction even though no right of • Judicial review is not trial de novo. It is merely an
review is given by the statute. Judicial review ascertainment of WON the findings of the
keeps the administrative agency within its administrative agency are consistent with law,
jurisdiction and protects substantial rights of free from fraud or imposition, and supported by
and conduct new trials or further proceedings. Trials competent jurisdiction may not be opened,
or hearings in the Court of Appeals must be modified or vacated by any court of equal rank.
continuous and must be completed within 3 months, Note that there are cases which held that
unless extended by the Chief Justice. review by the RTC of certain administrative
agencies (Commission on Immigration and
Deportation, Laguna Lake Development Authority,
• Authority of the CA to review decision of quasi-
and court martials) is valid.
judicial agencies is exclusive, if such is listed in
the law or if its charter so indicates. If it is not
B. Certiorari
listed, its decisions can be reviewed by the RTC
through the special civil action for certiorari under
1. Kinds
Rule 65.
a. Simple or ordinary, Rule 45 (Appeal by
• SC Revised Administrative Circular 1-95
Certiorari to the SC)
(Rule 43, Rules of Court):
Note, however, that in the case of
Rule 43 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure
administrative agencies performing
provides that the Court of Appeals shall have
quasi-judicial functions, the proper mode
appellate jurisdiction over awards, judgments,
of appeal is through Rule 43 (Appeals
final orders of resolutions of or authorized by any
from the Court of Tax Appeals and Quasi-
quasi-judicial agency in the exercise of its quasi-
Judicial Agencies to the CA).
judicial functions.
• Grants the CA with exclusive jurisdiction to
Rule 45: Considered as a “gatekeeper
provision”, it is applicable only when
review decisions of 19 administrative
questions of law are raised. Review
agencies.
under this rule is not a matter of right,
• Excludes the NLRC by virtue of BP 129 (as
but of sound judicial discretion, and will
amended by RA 7902).
be granted only when there are special
• Mentions only one constitutional body – the
and important reasons therefore (Rule
Civil Service Commission.
45, Sec. 6)
• Listing is not exclusive since it provides
b. Special civil action, Rule 65 (Petition for
“among these agencies” – ejusdem generis.
Certiorari)
• SC retains the special civil action for certiorari
if there is grave abuse of discretion
Rule 65, Sec 1. Petition for certiorari. -
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. When any tribunal, board or officer
exercising judicial or quasi-judicial
• Where the law provides for an appeal from the
functions has acted without or in excess of
decisions of administrative bodies to the SC or to its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse
of discretion amounting to lack or excess
the CA, it means that such bodies are co-equal
of jurisdiction, and there is not appeal, nor
with the RTC in terms of rank and stature and, any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in
the ordinary course of law, a person
logically, beyond the control of the latter.
aggrieved thereby may file a verified
[Philippine Sinter v Cagayan Electric (2002)] petition in the proper court, alleging the
facts with certainty and praying that
This doctrine of non-interference by trial courts
judgment be rendered annulling or
with co-equal administrative bodies is intended to modifying the proceedings of such tribunal,
board or officer, and granting such
ensure judicial stability in the administration of
While findings of facts of administrative engaged does not deprive it of the jurisdiction
bodies are entitled to great weight and should being exercised when the error is committed.
not generally be disturbed, there is grave If it did, every error committed by a court
abuse of discretion justifying the issuance of would deprive it of its jurisdiction and every
the writ of certiorari when there is such erroneous judgment would be a void
in an arbitrary or despotic manner by reason judgment that the court may commit in the
amounting to an evasion of positive duty, or through the original civil action of certiorari.
cannot stand on its own and is therefore not a. Lack of jurisdiction or grave abuse of
upon the Court in any event, there would available only when there are no other
have been no reason at all to offer the plain, speedy and adequate remedies in
this only and last resort to the courts of c. Agency performs quasi-judicial and/or
Rule 65, Sec 4, Revised Rules of Court: Rule 63, Sec 1. Who may file petition. –
When and where petition filed. – The Any person interested under a deed, will,
brought in the RTC. It is not among the actions construction and (2) declaration of rights
within the original jurisdiction of the SC even if apply to statutes, executive orders, etc.,
only questions of law are involved. [Remotigue v validity/construction does not apply to cases
Osmeña (1967); Rural Bank of Olongapo v involving deeds, will, contracts or other
4. Cases
• Mejoff v Director of Prisons (1951) 2. Purpose:
The writ of habeas corpus will issue when: a. Prevent the commission of certain acts
complained of; or
a. An alien has been detained by the DOJ
for an unreasonably long period of time b. Order the continued performance of some act
after it has become apparent that the for the purpose of preventing further injury.
detention. In such case, the order of complained of would probably work injustice
dependent upon a question of law as to be in corrected and is not conclusive upon the
substance and effect a decision on the latter, courts. [Ortua v Singson (1934)]
the court will, in order to decide the legal • When the conclusion drawn by an
question, examine the entire record including administrative official from the facts found is
the evidence if necessary. erroneous or not warranted by law, it is a
• If the reviewing court is convinced that question of law reserved to the court’s
determination. [Mejia vs. Mapa (1954)]
substantial evidence supports the agency’s
ruling, the court may confirm findings. • Judicial review is proper where the act of the
• If officials refuse to implement a final and The term includes memoranda or statements
mandamus. [Vda. De Corpuz v The management of an agency not affecting the rights of,
Army (1978)] (3) "Rate" means any charge to the public for a
service open to all and upon the same terms,
• Execution must conform to that ordained or
including individual or joint rates, tolls, classifications,
decreed in the dispositive part of the
or schedules thereof, as well as commutation,
decision. Where the order of execution is not
mileage, kilometerage and other special rates which
in harmony with and exceeds the judgment
shall be imposed by law or regulation to be observed
which gives it life, the order pro tanto has no
and followed by any person.
validity. [Clavano v HLURB (2002)]
(4) "Rule making" means an agency process for the
formulation, amendment, or repeal of a rule.
-END-
(5) "Contested case" means any proceeding,
including licensing, in which the legal rights, duties or
APPENDIX
privileges asserted by specific parties as required by
BOOK VII: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
the Constitution or by law are to be determined after
hearing.
Chapter 1
(6) "Person" includes an individual, partnership,
GENERAL PROVISIONS
corporation, association, public or private organization
Sec. 1. Scope. - This Book shall be applicable to all
of any character other than an agency.
agencies as defined in the next succeeding section,
(7) "Party" includes a person or agency named or
except the Congress, the Judiciary, the Constitutional
admitted as a party, or properly seeking and entitled
Commissions, military establishments in all matters
as of right to be admitted as a party, in any agency
relating exclusively to Armed Forces personnel, the
proceeding; but nothing herein shall be construed to
Board of Pardons and Parole, and state universities
prevent an agency from admitting any person or
and colleges.
agency as a party for limited purposes.
Sec. 2. Definitions. - As used in this Book:
(8) "Decision" means the whole or any part of the
(1) "Agency" includes any department, bureau,
final disposition, not of an interlocutory character,
office, commission, authority or officer of the National
whether affirmative, negative, or injunctive in form, of
Government authorized by law or executive order to
an agency in any matter, including licensing, rate
make rules, issue licenses, grant rights or privileges,
fixing and granting of rights and privileges.
and adjudicate cases; research institutions with
(9) "Adjudication" means an agency process for the
respect to licensing functions; government
formulation of a final order.
corporations with respect to functions regulating
(10) "License" includes the whole or any part of
private right, privileges, occupation or business; and
any agency permit, certificate, passport, clearance,
officials in the exercise of disciplinary power as
approval, registration, charter, membership, statutory
provided by law.
exemption or other form of permission, or regulation
(2) "Rule" means any agency statement of general
of the exercise of a right or privilege.
applicability that implements or interprets a law, fixes