QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 613)
Executive Order No. 613 cites the powers vested in the President by Section 3 of Republic Act No. 509, which authorizes the President for a limited period to fix ceiling prices of commodities and to promulgate rules and regulations regarding commodity prices to effectuate national policy, including authorization for appropriation for the purpose.
EO No. 613 amends Executive Order No. 448, specifically Section 1 of EO No. 448 (dated June 9, 1951).
Its purpose is to revise (reduce and set new) ceiling prices for galvanized roofing nails, and to provide other related purposes.
The Order sets new ceiling prices for galvanized roofing nails under 'Construction Materials (Imported)'. It provides separate ceiling prices for wholesalers and retailers (wholesaler’s price and retailer’s price), both per kilo, and specifies ceiling prices for two nail size categories: (1) 2 x 1/2 x 6 to 7 BWG and (2) 2 x 3 x 8 BWG (as reflected in the text).
Section 2 states that the ceiling prices include: (1) 17% special excise tax on foreign exchange, (2) 7% sales tax, and (3) 1% municipal tax.
It describes a '17 per cent Special Excise Tax on Foreign Exchange' (as part of the pricing/inclusion for imported construction materials).
EO No. 613 provides that it shall take effect three days after the date of the Order (three days after September 12, 1953).
The commodity covered is galvanized roofing nails.
It provides two columns: a wholesaler’s ceiling price and a higher retailer’s ceiling price for each specified nail size category, both expressed per kilo.
Because the ceiling prices are expressly stated to include the 17% special excise tax on foreign exchange (tied to imported goods). Thus, the regulated ceiling prices account for import-related taxation and cannot be treated as excluding that specific foreign exchange tax.
EO No. 613 states it is issued upon the recommendation of the Price Administration Board.
It shows the President (Elpidio Quirino) signed it, lists the acting executive secretary (Marciano Roque), and records the date and place of issuance: September 12, 1953, City of Manila.
It implies that sellers cannot add those included taxes on top of the ceiling prices; the total selling price within the ceiling must already account for those taxes.
It reflects delegated authority because the President acts 'by virtue of the powers vested' under RA 509 (Section 3). This suggests the power to set ceiling prices is exercised within the statutory framework (including any limits described by RA 509), rather than as an unbounded executive discretion.