Local Government Units (LGU) | Power of Control and Supervision | Powers of the President | EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

POLITICAL LAW AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

X. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

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C. Powers of the President

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3. Power of Control and Supervision

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c. Local Government Units (LGU)

The powers of the President over Local Government Units (LGUs) are delineated under the Constitution, laws, and jurisprudence. This concerns the critical distinction between the power of control and the power of supervision, the President's authority in relation to LGUs, and the limitations placed on executive intervention in local governance. Let’s examine each in detail:

1. Power of Control vs. Power of Supervision

Control refers to the power to alter or modify decisions made by subordinates and to direct the manner in which they perform their functions, whereas supervision is merely the authority to ensure that such subordinates act within the law.

• Control: When a superior officer exercises control over a subordinate, they can substitute their judgment for that of the subordinate, reverse or modify decisions, or even exercise the power themselves.

• Supervision: This is a more limited power, confined to ensuring that laws are faithfully executed. In supervision, the superior officer can only intervene if there is a violation of law or abuse of discretion.

In the context of LGUs, the President does not have control but only supervision, as provided for under the 1987 Constitution.

2. Constitutional Framework

Article X, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution clearly provides that:

"The President of the Philippines shall exercise general supervision over local governments."

This provision establishes that the President's relationship with LGUs is supervisory, not one of control. This limitation is a manifestation of the principle of local autonomy, which is constitutionally recognized and protected.

• Local Autonomy: Local government autonomy allows LGUs to govern themselves with minimal interference from the national government. It aims to decentralize power and enhance accountability and responsiveness to local needs.

3. Statutory Basis - Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160)

The Local Government Code of 1991 further operationalizes the supervisory role of the President over LGUs. The Code empowers LGUs to manage their affairs within the bounds of the law and grants them considerable discretion in decision-making, including the power to generate revenues, legislate local policies, and implement development programs.

• Section 25 of the Local Government Code expressly states that the President shall exercise general supervision over LGUs "to ensure that the acts of their chief executives and other local officials are within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions."

• Section 4 further underscores local autonomy, stipulating that "no rules or regulations shall diminish the autonomy of local governments."

Thus, the President cannot encroach upon the functions or operations of LGUs unless they act in violation of law.

4. Scope of the President's Supervision over LGUs

The President’s supervisory powers are limited to ensuring compliance with national laws. This is operationalized through mechanisms such as:

• Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): The DILG is the primary agency that ensures LGUs follow laws, policies, and directives from the national government. It provides guidance and monitors LGUs' adherence to legal frameworks.

• Oversight Functions: Through the DILG, the President may:

  • Review and approve budgets of LGUs.
  • Ensure compliance with laws in LGU ordinances, decisions, and actions.
  • Suspend or remove local officials in cases of gross misconduct, abuse of authority, or violation of law, as prescribed by the Local Government Code.

However, the President cannot dictate policy or interfere in purely local matters unless there is a clear breach of law.

5. Grounds for Intervention by the President

The Constitution and law allow for Presidential intervention in LGU affairs under certain circumstances. These include:

• Illegality of LGU Acts: The President may step in if an LGU enacts measures or policies contrary to the law. For instance, local ordinances that conflict with national statutes may be struck down after review.

• Gross Misconduct or Abuse of Authority: The President can initiate actions against local officials guilty of gross misconduct or abuse of authority. The Local Government Code provides mechanisms for the suspension or removal of erring officials, subject to the procedural requirements outlined in the law (e.g., due process, investigation).

• Emergency Powers and Takeover: In extreme cases, such as during a national emergency, the President can take over certain functions of local governments to preserve public safety and order. This is permissible under Section 17, Article XII of the Constitution but must meet stringent requirements, such as ensuring it is for the duration of the emergency.

6. Limitations on the Power of Supervision

While the President has the power to ensure LGU compliance with the law, this power is subject to limitations:

• No Substitution of Judgment: The President, through the DILG or other means, cannot substitute his or her judgment for that of local officials in matters within the LGU's discretion. This principle prevents the overreach of national power into local governance.

• Due Process Requirements: Any attempt to suspend or remove local officials must follow strict procedural rules, including due notice, the opportunity for the official to defend themselves, and a fair hearing. The process is outlined in the Local Government Code.

• Decentralization and Autonomy: The principle of decentralization restricts the national government's interference in purely local matters, reinforcing the LGU's autonomy in areas such as budgeting, legislative powers, and local development. The national government can only intervene to correct violations of law or abuse of discretion.

7. Jurisprudence on Presidential Supervision Over LGUs

Jurisprudence has clarified and reaffirmed the supervisory nature of the President's powers over LGUs:

• Ganzon v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 93252, 1991): The Supreme Court emphasized the distinction between control and supervision, ruling that the President's power over LGUs is merely supervisory. This means that while the President may ensure that LGUs comply with the law, he or she cannot dictate or overrule discretionary decisions within the LGU's jurisdiction.

• Dadole v. COA (G.R. No. 125350, 1998): The Court reiterated that local governments enjoy local autonomy under the Constitution and the Local Government Code, and the President’s role is confined to ensuring that their actions comply with the law.

• Pimentel v. Aguirre (G.R. No. 132988, 2000): This case struck down the national government's attempt to unilaterally impose restrictions on the use of LGU funds without legislative authority. The Court underscored that the President could not interfere in LGU budgeting processes absent a legal basis.

8. Summary

The President of the Philippines exercises supervision but not control over Local Government Units (LGUs). This supervisory power is limited to ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations, but it does not extend to dictating policies or decisions on purely local matters. LGUs enjoy considerable autonomy under the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991, which protects them from undue interference by the national government.

The President may only intervene in LGU affairs in specific instances, such as violations of law, gross misconduct, abuse of authority, or national emergencies. This framework ensures a balance between local autonomy and national oversight, preventing over-centralization of power while maintaining legal compliance across different levels of government.

The jurisprudential backdrop reinforces the President's limited role in LGU governance, underscoring the importance of decentralization and local autonomy in the Philippine system of governance.

Executive Departments and Offices | Power of Control and Supervision | Powers of the President | EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

POLITICAL LAW AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

X. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

C. Powers of the President

3. Power of Control and Supervision

b. Executive Departments and Offices

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The power of control and supervision over executive departments and offices is a key aspect of the powers of the President under the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This power ensures the President’s ability to effectively enforce laws and manage the operations of the executive branch. A clear distinction between "control" and "supervision" has been established both in constitutional law and jurisprudence.

1. Power of Control

The power of control is the broader of the two powers. It refers to the authority of the President to alter, modify, reverse, or nullify actions or decisions of subordinates within the executive branch. In the Philippines, this power is grounded in Section 17, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which states that:

"The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed."

This constitutional provision grants the President full control over all officials and employees within the executive department, unless the Constitution itself or a law expressly provides otherwise.

Key aspects of the power of control include:

• Comprehensive authority: The President has full and plenary power to direct the actions of all executive officers. This means the President can substitute his or her judgment for that of the subordinate, and the President can step in to personally perform an act that the subordinate is empowered to perform.

• Hierarchy in the Executive Department: The President’s control flows down the hierarchy of executive officials. Department Secretaries, for example, act as the alter egos of the President. Their actions are presumed to be in accordance with the President’s directives, but the President has the power to modify or reverse these actions.

• Delegation of Control: While the President has the ultimate control over the executive branch, many functions are delegated to heads of departments or agencies. The delegation of authority does not dilute the President's power, as the President may still exercise direct control over the subordinate's actions.

• Limits: The President’s power of control does not extend to independent constitutional commissions (e.g., the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Audit, and the Commission on Elections) or other offices and bodies which the Constitution expressly provides to be independent.

Jurisprudence on Control

Several Supreme Court rulings have clarified the scope of the President's control:

• Villena v. Secretary of the Interior (1939): The Court held that the President’s control is the authority to substitute his or her judgment for that of the subordinate, and it extends to correcting errors and reversing acts of subordinate officials.

• Lacson-Magallanes Co. v. Paño (1986): The Court clarified that control includes the power to annul, reverse, or modify the acts and decisions of subordinates. The President’s control is total, unqualified, and direct over all executive officials.

2. Power of Supervision

The power of supervision, on the other hand, is more limited. It refers to the authority of the President to oversee the actions of subordinates to ensure that they are compliant with the law, but it does not include the authority to substitute one's judgment for that of the subordinate. Supervision involves ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, but it stops short of direct control.

Supervision is fundamentally passive, with the supervising authority stepping in only when the law is violated or the subordinate acts beyond the scope of their powers.

Jurisprudence on Supervision

• Mondano v. Silvosa (1955): The Supreme Court distinguished between control and supervision, holding that control implies the authority to alter or reverse decisions of subordinates, while supervision only means overseeing and ensuring that the law is followed, without intervening in the subordinate's exercise of discretion.

• Pimentel v. Aguirre (2000): This case further delineated the boundaries between control and supervision. The President was held to have control over executive officials and supervision over local governments. Supervision meant ensuring compliance with the law without the power to modify or substitute decisions of local government officials.

3. Application of Control and Supervision to Executive Departments and Offices

The President's powers of control and supervision extend over various executive departments and offices. These departments, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Education (DepEd), and other agencies, are directly accountable to the President. Their actions, decisions, and policies can be reviewed, modified, or reversed by the President.

• Department Secretaries: As alter egos of the President, department secretaries act in the President's name and authority. The presumption of regularity applies to their actions, but the President retains the authority to override or reverse their decisions.

• Administrative Agencies: Many administrative agencies and regulatory bodies, while having specific mandates under law, also fall under the President's power of control. However, certain agencies, particularly those created by special laws with quasi-judicial or quasi-legislative functions, may operate with a degree of independence but remain subject to the President's general supervision.

Exception: Independent Constitutional Bodies

Certain offices are constitutionally independent and are not subject to the President's control or supervision, such as:

• Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
• Civil Service Commission (CSC)
• Commission on Audit (COA)

These bodies are insulated from executive interference to maintain impartiality and independence in their functions.

Conclusion

The President’s power of control over executive departments and offices is one of the most potent tools for ensuring the faithful execution of the law and maintaining the orderly functioning of the executive branch. The distinction between control and supervision is critical in delineating the President’s authority over officials within the executive branch and other independent bodies. Control grants the President full authority to direct the actions of subordinates, while supervision limits the President to ensuring that the law is followed without intervening in decisions or substituting discretion.

Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency | Power of Control and Supervision | Powers of the President | EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

The Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency is a fundamental principle in Philippine political law, specifically concerning the exercise of the powers of the Executive Department. This doctrine helps define the relationship between the President and subordinate executive officials, and it addresses the delegation of executive powers and the scope of the President’s control and supervision over executive departments and officials.

1. Origin of the Doctrine

The Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency originates from American jurisprudence, particularly from the case In re Aurelio Tolentino, G.R. No. L-23057, where the Supreme Court of the Philippines explicitly recognized and adopted the doctrine. The premise of the doctrine is rooted in the principle that the President, as the Chief Executive, cannot perform all executive functions alone, and thus must rely on subordinate officials to exercise powers and implement policies on his or her behalf.

2. Nature and Scope of the Doctrine

Under the Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency, the acts of the President’s alter egos or assistants are deemed to be the acts of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by the President. This means that Cabinet members, as alter egos of the President, have the authority to make decisions and act within their respective areas of responsibility, and their actions are presumed to carry the authority of the President. However, these acts are subject to the President’s power of control.

The doctrine operates on the following principles:

• Alter Ego Principle: The President’s Cabinet members and other executive officials are considered his alter egos. Their actions are presumed to be with the consent and approval of the President unless explicitly countermanded by the latter.
• Delegation of Executive Power: The President cannot feasibly exercise all executive powers alone. Thus, powers are delegated to subordinate officials. This delegation does not diminish the President’s control but allows for the efficient functioning of government.
• Power of Control: The President retains the power of control over the entire Executive Department. This power of control is absolute in the sense that the President can revise, alter, or reverse any action or decision of a subordinate official. Control is the power to “alter or modify” decisions, as well as the power to replace an official or intervene in the performance of their duties.

3. Control vs. Supervision

It is crucial to distinguish between the President’s power of control and the power of supervision, as both terms have distinct legal implications under Philippine law:

• Power of Control refers to the authority to direct the performance of duties, and to alter or nullify the actions of subordinates. This means the President has the authority to directly interfere in the decisions and actions of his subordinates. All executive officials exercise their functions subject to this overarching control of the President.

• Power of Supervision, on the other hand, is more limited. It refers to the authority of an officer to ensure that laws are faithfully executed and that subordinate officers perform their duties in accordance with law. Supervision implies a lesser degree of intervention, allowing subordinates to perform their functions without interference unless they violate the law or engage in irregularities.

4. Application of the Doctrine

The Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency is applied primarily within the context of executive functions. It ensures a hierarchical delegation of responsibilities but maintains the President’s ultimate control over decisions and policies.

Some key cases that illustrate the application of the doctrine are:

• Villena v. Secretary of the Interior (1939)
  This case is one of the most notable cases that discussed the Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency. The Supreme Court ruled that the heads of departments are mere assistants and agents of the Chief Executive, and the latter's authority is deemed to be that of the President unless disapproved or reprobated by him.

• Lacson-Magallanes Co., Inc. v. Pano (1971)
  In this case, the Supreme Court reiterated the doctrine, holding that all acts of department secretaries are presumed to be the acts of the President unless disapproved or revoked.

• Araullo v. Aquino (2014)
  This case involved the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), where the Supreme Court discussed the application of the doctrine in relation to the actions taken by Cabinet members and executive officials. The Court upheld that the President is ultimately responsible for the acts of his subordinates, unless those acts are repudiated.

5. Implications for the President’s Accountability

While the Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency allows for the delegation of executive functions, it does not absolve the President from accountability for the actions of his or her alter egos. The President remains politically responsible for the actions taken by the Cabinet and other executive officials, especially if such actions are not repudiated or disapproved by the President.

The doctrine thus embodies the following essential principles in terms of accountability:

• Presumption of Presidential Approval: The actions of Cabinet members are presumed to carry the President’s authority unless expressly overturned or disapproved by the President.
• Continuing Responsibility: The President cannot evade responsibility for unlawful or irregular actions of subordinates simply by claiming ignorance. If the President does not act to countermand or correct such actions, they become politically attributable to him or her.

6. Limitations of the Doctrine

While the Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency provides a broad scope of authority to executive officials, it is not without limits. The following are significant limitations:

• Explicit Presidential Disapproval: The President can negate the acts of his alter egos by explicitly revoking or disapproving such acts.
• Acts Beyond Authority: If an executive official acts beyond the scope of delegated authority or violates the law, such acts may not be covered by the presumption of presidential authority.
• Judicial Review: The actions of executive officials, although presumed to be the acts of the President, are still subject to judicial review to ensure they comply with the Constitution and existing laws.

Conclusion

The Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency serves as a crucial mechanism in the operation of the Executive Department in the Philippines. It allows for efficient governance by enabling the President’s alter egos to act on his or her behalf while maintaining the President’s control over the entire Executive Department. The doctrine reinforces the hierarchical structure of the executive branch, ensuring accountability, delegation of authority, and central control by the President. However, the exercise of delegated powers remains subject to legal constraints and the overarching principles of transparency, responsibility, and the rule of law.