Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1818)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1818 is to prohibit courts in the Philippines from issuing restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions in cases involving government infrastructure projects, natural resource development projects, and public utilities operated by the government to avoid disruption or hampering of essential government projects.
The decree covers infrastructure projects, mining, fishery, forest, and other natural resource development projects of the government, as well as public utilities operated by the government including transport of goods or commodities, stevedoring, and arrastre contracts.
The issuance of restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and preliminary mandatory injunctions by any court in the Philippines in cases involving the specified government projects and utilities is prohibited.
No, the decree specifically applies to public utilities operated by the government.
Courts are deprived of jurisdiction to issue certain preliminary reliefs that could delay or stop government projects, ensuring uninterrupted execution, implementation, or operation of these projects regardless of disputes or controversies.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 1818 into law.
The decree took effect immediately upon its signing on January 16, 1981.
Presidential Decree No. 605 prohibits courts from issuing restraining orders or injunctions in cases involving concessions, licenses, and other permits for natural resource exploitation. Presidential Decree No. 1818 broadens this prohibition to include infrastructure projects and other government-operated public utilities.
No, the decree explicitly prohibits courts from issuing orders that would stop or delay any person or persons, entity, or government official from executing or continuing government projects covered by the decree.
Public utilities operated by the government, including those involved in the transport of goods or commodities, stevedoring, and arrastre contracts, are covered under this decree.