Law Summary
Definitions and Terms
- Defines key terms such as Government, National Government, Local Government, Agency, Department, Bureau, Office.
- Specifies distinctions among instrumentalities, regulatory agencies, chartered institutions, government corporations.
- Clarifies roles and definitions of officers and employees.
National Territory and Subdivisions
- Defines national territory including land, waters, airspace, and internal waters.
- Recognizes autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays as political subdivisions.
Citizenship
- Defines who are citizens, natural-born citizens.
- Specifies effects of marriage on citizenship.
- Notes loss or reacquisition and dual allegiance issues.
State Immunity and Responsibility
- The State is not subject to suit except by its consent.
- State bound only by acts of duly authorized representatives.
- No liability for errors of officers.
National Symbols and Language
- Specifies design and use of the national flag, anthem, arms, and great seal.
- Official languages are Pilipino and English.
Effect of Laws
- Laws take effect 15 days after official publication.
- Laws have prospective effect unless stated.
- No implied revival of repealed laws unless expressly provided.
- Ignorance of law is not an excuse.
Official Gazette
- Publication of legislative acts, executive issuances, important court decisions.
- Edited by the Office of the President and published weekly.
Holidays
- Lists regular and special national holidays.
- President can proclaim local special days.
- Provides rules on pretermission of holidays.
Weights, Measures, and Time Calculation
- Metric system mandated for official use.
- Defines computation of day, night, month, and year.
Public Officers: Principles and Ethics
- Public office is a public trust.
- Obligations include accountability, integrity, service, patriotism.
- Declares policies on citizenship changes, asset declarations.
- Ethics code to be promulgated.
- Prohibits government officers buying property at government tax sales.
Taking of Oaths
- All public officers/employees must take oath before assuming duties.
- Specifies who may administer oaths.
Official Reports
- Annual and special reports by government heads to the President.
- Reports open to public inspection.
Contracts and Conveyances
- Procedures for executing contracts and conveyance of government property.
- Specifies authority levels for property conveyance depending on ownership and value.
- Allows the President to authorize conveyances to local governments.
Government Powers of Each Branch
- Legislative power vested in Congress (Senate and House).
- Executive power vested in the President with defined line of succession.
- Judicial power vested in Supreme Court and lower courts.
- Independent Constitutional Commissions: Civil Service, Elections, Audit.
- Other bodies: Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Human Rights, Central Monetary Authority, National Police Commission.
Organization and Functions of the Executive Branch
- Departments organized to plan and implement national policies.
- Secretaries head departments; Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries assist.
- Department services include planning, financial, administrative, technical, and legal.
- Bureaus classified as staff or line with defined functions.
- Regional offices implement field operations.
- Specifies supervisory and administrative relationships among agencies.
- Government-owned or controlled corporations attached to corresponding departments.
Administrative Issuances and Documentation
- Secretaries issue circulars and orders.
- Requirements for numbering, filing, and publication of issuances.
- Logbooks for recording official acts required.
Department-Specific Mandates
- Detailed organization, powers, and functions are set for departments such as Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Agriculture, Public Works and Highways, Education, Labor, National Defense, Trade and Industry, Agrarian Reform, Local Government, Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation and Communications, Social Welfare, Budget and Management, Science and Technology.
- Each department is responsible for policy formulation, program implementation, and administration within its scope.
Budgeting and Management
- National budgeting aligned with socio-economic development plans.
- Establishes budget preparation, authorization, execution, monitoring, and accountability.
- Relates budgeting with planning and fiscal policies.
Administrative Procedure
- Establishes guidelines for agency rules, regulations, and adjudications.
- Provides for rule-making, public participation, adjudication processes.
- Specifies rights to appeal and judicial review.
Civil Service Commission
- Ensures merit-based appointments and promotions.
- Defines career and non-career service classifications.
- Administers examinations, personnel policies and disciplinary actions.
Commission on Audit
- Responsible for auditing and settling government accounts.
- Exercises visitorial powers over certain entities.
- Manages accounting standards, financial reports, and special audits.
Commission on Elections
- Has exclusive administration over election laws and processes.
- Authorized to supervise elections, enforce laws, and resolve disputes.
Other Constitutional Commissions
- Includes the Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Ombudsman with defined compositions and functions.
National Economic and Development Authority
- Central agency for socio-economic plan formulation and coordination.
- Composed of a Board and Secretariat with inter-agency committees.
- Provides technical and planning support.
General Legal and Administrative Provisions
- Repeals inconsistent laws.
- Provides for severability of provisions.
- The Code takes effect one year after publication.
This summary encapsulates the core provisions and legal concepts of the Philippine Administrative Code of 1987, covering its scope, definitions, organizational structures, procedures, and inter-agency relationships within the government framework.