Under Secretaries: Roles and Succession
- Each Department may have one or more Under Secretaries as authorized by appropriation laws.
- Under Secretaries perform duties assigned by the Department Secretary or mandated by law.
- If the Department Secretary is incapacitated or the position is vacant, the designated Under Secretary temporarily performs the Secretary’s duties.
- If neither the Secretary nor Under Secretaries can perform their functions, the Governor-General may designate another Department's Secretary or Under Secretary to temporarily assume duties.
Initiative in Issuance of Executive Orders
- Executive orders, regulations, decrees, and proclamations under a Department's jurisdiction to be issued by the Governor-General must generally be proposed and recommended by the respective Department.
Department Head's Power to Regulate
- Department Heads can promulgate necessary rules, regulations, orders, and instructions to ensure efficient department administration and law enforcement.
- Such rules must not impose penalties except where expressly authorized by law.
- Rules and orders of a general and permanent nature must be consecutively numbered yearly and published.
- Bureau or office chiefs may issue internal circulars that do not require publication.
Power of Direction and Supervision
- Department Heads have direct and supreme control over all bureaus and offices within their jurisdiction.
- They may repeal or modify decisions of bureau or office chiefs if in the public interest, overriding contrary legal provisions.
Appointment and Removal Powers
- Department Heads appoint subordinate officers and employees upon recommendation, except where appointments are reserved for the Governor-General by law.
- They may remove or discipline subordinates according to Civil Service Law provisions.
- Laborers and employees receiving low compensation may be appointed or removed by bureau or office chiefs under general departmental control.
- Department Heads may redistribute employees among their bureaus and offices to serve departmental interests.
Leave Provisions for Secretaries and Under Secretaries
- Department Heads have unrestricted right to leave, provided absence does not conflict with service interests.
- Leave for Under Secretaries is regulated at the discretion of the Department Head, either by judicial leave rules or other means.
Handling Conveyances and Contracts Involving Government Property
- For government conveyances or contracts exceeding one hundred thousand pesos, the respective Department Secretary must prepare relevant papers.
- These papers, with recommendations, require approval from the Philippine Legislature.
- Execution and signing of such deeds or contracts are by the Governor-General unless legally assigned to another officer.
Repeal and Effectivity
- All conflicting laws, executive orders, and decrees are repealed.
- The Act became effective immediately upon approval on February 28, 1919.