Public Officers Flashcards
Public Office (Mechem)
The right, authority and duty, created and conferred by law, by which, for a given period either fixed by law or enduring at the pleasure of the creating power, an individual is invested with some portion of the sovereign functions of government, to be exercised by that individual for the benefit of the public.
Essential elements of a public office
- Created by the Constitution, law, or by authority of law.
- A delegation of some portion of the sovereign power.
- Powers and functions are defined by the Constitution, law, or legislative authority.
- Duties pertaining thereto are performed independently, without control of a superior power.
- Continuing and permanent in nature. [DE LEON]
vs. Public employment
- Originates from contract
- Obligations are imposed only on the person entering the contract
- Limited duration and specific in its object
- Duties are very specific
Modes of creation
- Constitution
- Statute
- Tribunal/body to which the power to create the office has been deegated
Public officer (RA 3019)
Elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, classified or unclassified or exempt, receiving compensation (even if nominal) from the government.
Public officer (RPC)
Any person who, by direct provision of the law, popular election or appointment by competent authority, shall take part in the performance of public functions in the Government of the Philippine Islands, or shall perform in said Government or in any of its branches public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official, of any rank or class, shall be deemed to be a public officer.
Modes of acquiring title
- Election
- Appointment
- Succession by operation of law
- Direct provision of law
Appointment as an executive function
EXCs:
- Congress appoints its own staff
- Consti vests power of appointment in another branch (Judiciary, Consti Commissions)
To whom can Congress vest appointment powers to?
Heads of depts, agencies, commissions, or boards (Sec. 16, Art. 7)
Congress limitation over President
- When concurring as the COA
- When exercising limited legislative power to prescribe qualifications to a given appointive office
Congress power over local chief execs
Congress may “provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local units” (Sec. 3, Art. 10)
Designation vs. appointment
- Addtl duties upon an existing office; Already a set certain public office
- Limited powers; Comprehensive
- No security of tenure;
- When assuming this office, there is no abandonment of “prior” office
Permanent vs. temporary
- Includes regular and ad interim appointments; acting appointments
- Eligibility reqs: Must be eligible and qualified; In the absence of appropriate eligibles, an ineligible person may nonetheless be appointed
- Confirmation is required by CA; Not required
- Security of tenure; no such thing
- Lasts until lawful termination; Lasts until a permanent appointment issued to another, or the appointee is removed (EXC: Fixed-period appointments which may be revoked only for valid cause)
Temporary appointment
One made in an acting capacity; temporary in character and its terminability is at the pleasure of the appointing power
When are temporary appointments NOT allowed?
Members or Chairs of CSC, COMELEC or COA cannot be appointed in a temporary capacity ( Sec. 1(2), Art. IX-B, IX-C and IX-D)
Presidential appointments
1) His appointment with consent of CA:
(a) Heads of the executive departments;
(b) Ambassadors;
(c)Other public ministers and consuls;
(d) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or nava captain;
(e) Other officers whose appointments are vested in him by the Constitution;
2) All other gov’t officers whose appointments are not otherwise provided by law
3) Those the Pres. may be authorized by law to appoint
4) Those vested by Congress unto the PH – other officers lower in rank than the Pres
Presidential appointments that don’t need CA confirmation
- VP as a member of Cabinet (Sec. 3, Art. 7)
- SC and judges of lower court (Sec. 9, Art. 8)
- Ombudsman and deputies (Sec. 9, Art. 11)
What other appointments are vested in the PH by the Constitution?
- Chairmen and members of the Constitutional Commissions
- Regular members of JBC
Regular vs. Ad interim
- Congress is in session; Congress is in recess whether voluntary or compulsory
- Permanent nature
- Nomination –> Confirmation –> Commission issuance –> Acceptance; Nomination –> Commission issuance –> Acceptance –> Confirmation
- Takes oath upon confirmation of CA: Takes oath after appointment (subject to CA disapproval or “bypass”)
Are ad interim appointments to Consti Comms permanent and irrevocable?
YES. This doesn’t violate the prohibition against acting appointments
When does ad interim appointment end?
- Disapproval by CA
- Bypass AKA CA doesn’t act on it prior to the next adjournemtn of CA
- Revocation by President (unless prohibited by Consti like in members of Consti Comms)
Prohibition on midnight appointments (Sec. 15, Art. 7)
2 months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.
De Castro v. JBC
The midnight appointments ban does not apply to the Judiciary
Kida v. Senate
President may appoint OICs in ARMM pursuant to the authority granted in RA 10153
Valid, effective and complete appointment
(1) Authority to appoint and evidence of the exercise of the authority;
(2) Transmittal of the appointment paper and evidence of the transmittal;
(3) A vacant position at the time of appointment; and
(4) Receipt of the appointment paper and acceptance of the appointment by the appointee who possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications.
Velicaria-Garafil v. Office of the President
An appointment letter was was transmitted to the MRO after the cut-off date, the appointment is unconstitutional.
Rule on acceptance
GEN: Can’t be compelled
EXC: When citizens are required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service (Sec. 4, Art. 2)
Removal
Only (1) for cause and (2) with due process
EXC: Absolute nullity, fraud
Eligibility vs. qualification
- Quality of being legally fitted to be chosen
- Endowment/act which a person must do before occupying office
“Reasonable relation” rule
Congress can only prescribe qualifications germane to the position
Examples of prohibited qualifications
- A proviso which limits the choices of the appointing authority to only one eligible
- Designating an unqualified person
- Automatic transfer to a new office
- Requiring inclusion in a list
Time of possession of qualifications?
If time is unspecified:
- “holding of office”: Qualified at the time of commencement of term or induction into office
President and VP Qualifications (Sec. 2-3, Art. 7)
(1) Natural-born citizen
(2) Registered voter
(3) Able to read and write
(4) 40 years old on day of election
(5) Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding election day
Senator (Sec. 3, Art. 6)
(1) Natural-born citizen
(2) 35 years old on election day
(3) Able to read and write
(4) Registered voter
(5) Resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years immediately preceding election day
HoR Rep (Sec. 6, Art. 7)
(1) Natural-born citizen
(2) 25 years old on election day
(3) Able to read and write
(4) Registered voter in district in which he shall be elected
(5) Resident thereof for not less than one year immediately preceding election day
SC and collegiate courts (Sec. 7(1), Art. 8)
(1) Natural born citizen
(2) At least 40
(3) 15 years or more as a judge or engaged in law practice
(4) Of proven Competence, Integrity, Probity and Independence
CSC (Art. 9-B)
(1) Natural-born
(2) 35 years at time of appointment
(3) Not a candidate in the election preceding
(4) With proven capacity for public administration
COMELEC (9-C)
(1) Natural-born
(2) 35 years at time of appointment
(3) College-degree
(4) Chairman + majority should be lawyers engaged in practice at least 10 years
CoA (Art. 9-D)
(1) Natural-born
(2) 35 years at time of appointment
(3) CPA with at least 10 years expi; OR Lawyer engaged in practice for at least 10 years
(4) Members cannot all belong to the same profession
(5) Was not a canddiate for any position in the preceding elections
When should one be a citizen?
Liberal: Upon proclamation and on start of term
EXC: Constitutional offices
Residency (Aquino v. COMELEC)
Domicile– place where a party actually or constructively has his permanent home
Domicile (Romualdez-Marcos v. COMELEC)
- Actual habitual residence
- Animus manendi (intent to permanently remain)
Political qualifications (EXCs)
- Electoral tribunals in HoR or Senate require proportational representation (Sec. 17, Art. 6)
- Party-list
- CoApp – proportional representation (Sec. 18, Art. 7)
- Vacancies in local Sanggunians require that the appointee come from the same political party as that of the vacated sanggu member
Effect of pardon upon disqualification to hold public office
GEN: Won’t restore
EXC: When the pardon expressly restores it
Constitutional disqualifications
- Losing candidates can’t be appointed to any gov’t office within 1 year after the election (Art. 9-B, Sec. 6)
- Elective officials can’t be appointed in any capacity to any public office/position unless they forfeit their seat (Art. 9-B, Sec. 7(1))
- Appointive officials can’t hold any other governmental position (EXC: Allowed by law or his position’s primary functions)
- Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office and disqualification to hold any office under the Republic of the Philippines.
Civil Liberties Union v. Exec Sec
The prohibition in Sec. 13, Art. 7 does not apply to ALL officers of cabinet rank
EXC:
- Provided by consti (SoJ as ex officio member of jBC)
- Other ex officio positions
Sec. 13, Art. 7
The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office.
DQs on Legislative
- Can’t hold any other office in government, inc GOCCs or their subsidiaries
- Can’t be appointed to any office when such was created/its emoluments were increased during his term
DQs on Judiciary
- Shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative functions (Art. 8, Sec. 12)
DQs on Consti Comms
- Can’t hold any other office/employment during tenure (Sec. 2)
- Was not a candidate for the previous election
DQs on Ombudsman and Deputies
- Same as Consti Comms
- Disqualified to run for office in the succeeding election from their cessation from office
President’s spouse + relatives by C/A within the 4th civil degree
Cannot be appointed during President’s tenure as:
- Consti Comm members
- Ombudsman
- Secs, Undersec, Chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including GOCCs
Valid ex-officio holding
- The holding of the office is provided by law
- The holding is required by the primary functions of their position
- Held without additional compensation
Consecutive term limits
VP: 2
Senator: 2
HoR: 3
Elective local officials: 3
Private Practice
GEN: Prohibited during incumbency
EXC: (1) It’s authorized by Consti/law, and (2) the practice won’t conflict/tend to conflict with official functions
Nepotism
GEN: Civil Service Law prohibits those made in favor of the relative of:
- appointing authority
- recommending authority
- chief of bureau/office; or
- person exercising immediate supervision
*Doesn’t matter who is the appointing/recommending authority
EXC:
- employed in a confidential capacity
- teachers
- physicians
- AFP
Relative
Within the 3rd degree of C or A
Disqualified in Local Gov’t
- Final judgment (moral turpitude) or offense with 1 year or more imprisonment (MAX 2 years after serving)
- Removal due to admin case
- Final judgment for violation of oath of allegiance to PH
- Dual citizenship (AKA dual allegiance)
- Fugitive in criminal or non-poli cases here or abroad
- Permanent foreign residence or those who acquired the right to reside abroad
- Insane or feeble-minded
Dual citizenship vs. Dual allegiance
- Concurrent application of laws of 2 or more states –> a national of both
- A person simultaneously owes, by some positive act, loyalty to 2 or more states.
Ministerial
- Involves merely execution of a specific duty that arises from fixed and designated facts
- May be delegated (EXC: Prohibited by law, or law requires it be performed by the officer in person)
Discretionary
Acts that require the exercise of reason in the adaptation of means to an end + discretion in determining how or whether the act shall be done or the course pursued
- When the law commits to any officer the duty of looking into facts and acting upon them, not in a way which it specifically directs, but after a discretion in its nature
- GEN: No delegation
- EXC: Substitution allowed by law
Mandatory
- Powers conferred are generally mandatory even if the language is permissive when they are for the benefit of the public or individuals
Permissive
- Those designed merely to secure order, uniformity, system, and dispatch in public business
Power of control
Power to manage, direct or govern, alter or modify or set aside what has been done and to substitute his judgment for the latter
Power of supervision
Mere oversight over an inferior body; does not include restraining authority
Scope of authority
- Those expressly conferred by law;
- Those incidental to powers granted; and
- Those necessarily implied
Doctrine of necessary implication
All powers necessary for the effective exercise of the express powers are deemed impliedly granted
Standard of diligence?
Reasonable skill and diligence
Duty to make public disclosure of SALN (Sec. 17, Art. 11)
Must accomplish and submit declarations under oath of their ALNs and financial and business interests inc those of their spouse and unmarried children under 18 in their household
Rights
- Incident to public office
- ## To exercise the powers and responsibilities of public office
Term vs. Tenure
- Period during which officer may claim to hold the office
- period which the officer actually holds office
Salary
May not be seized before being paid to him
Freedom of members of Congress from arrest and from being questioned
Senators or Members of House (in offenses punishable by not more than 6 years imprisonment) are privileged from arrest while Congress is in session
- Cannot be questioned or held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee (Sec. 11, Art. 6)
Temporary employee
- NO security of tenure
Next-in-rank rule
One who is “next-in-rank” to a vacancy is given preferential consideration for promotion to a vacant position, but it does not necessarily follow that he alone and no one else can be appointed.
When is an employee entitled to indemnity?
- He was expressly/impliedly required to perform upon the public account
- Not manifestly illegal
- He does not know to be wrong
Rule on liability
GEN: Not liable for injuries sustained by another as a consequence of official done within the scope of his authority
GEN: Not civilly liable for acts done in the performance of official duties
EXC: Clear showing of bad faith, malice or negligence
Rule on liability for subordinates
GEN: Not civilly liable for acts done by him in good faith in the performance of his duties
EXC: Liable for wilful or negligent acts done by him which are contrary to law, morals, public policy, and good customs even if he acted under orders or instructions of his superiors.
Rule on local officials
Not exempt from liability for death or injury to persons or damage to property
Sec. 27, NCC
Right of any person to file an action for damages for material or moral loss he suffered because a public servant or employee refuses or neglects to perform his official duty without just cause.
This is without prejudice to any disciplinary administrative action that may be taken against the public official.
Art. 32, NCC
Damages when any public officer or employee, or any private individual, directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs:
Consti rights
No need for malice or bad faith
Criminal liability
The mere fact that an officer is acting in an official capacity will not relieve him from criminal liability.
Art. 34, NCC
A member of a city or municipal police force refuses or fails to render aid or protection in case of danger to life or property:
Primary Liability for damages: Peace officer
Subsidiary Liabqility: The city or municipality
Liability on contracts
- Personally liable on contracts entered into if he acted without or exceeded his authority
Liability on Tort
Personally liable if he goes beyond the scope of his authority, or exceeds the powers conferred upon him by law
Three-fold Responsibility of Public Officers for violation of duty or for wrongful act or omission
Civil
Criminal
Administrative
Liability of Ministerial Officers
- Nonfeasance
- Misfeasance
- Malfeasance
Nonfeasance
Neglect or refusal to perform an act which is the officer’s legal obligation to perform
Misfeasance
Failure to use that degree of care, skill, and diligence required in the performance of official duty
Malfeasance
The doing, through ignorance, inattention or malice, of an act which he had no legal right to perform
Command Responsibility (Admin Code)
A head of a department or a superior officer shall not be civilly liable for the wrongful acts, omissions of duty, negligence or misfeasance of his subordinates
EXC: (1) Actually authorized by written order the act/misconduct complained of
EXC: President as commander-in-chief over AFP makes him a superior
There must be evidence of the superior’s own negligence
Preventive suspension
Disciplinary measure which is intended to enable the disciplinary authority to investigate charges against the respondent by preventing the latter from using his position or office to influence witnesses, to intimidate them, or to tamper with the records which may be vital in the prosecution of the case against him.
Kinds of Preventive Suspension
(1) Pending investigation; Charge involves dishonesty, oppression or grave misconduct or neglect in the performance of duty or if there are reasons to believe that the respondent is guilty of the charges which would warrant his removal; NO COMPENSATION even if innocent unless suspension was unjustified
(2) Pending appeal; Penalty imposed is suspension or dismissal and, after review, the respondent is exonerated
How long is the admin investigation?
Single admin: 60 days
Several:90 days; otherwise, respondent is automatically reinstated; UNLESS there was delay caused by the respondent
Discipline over presidential appointee
Due notice and hearing by President
Discipline over elective officials
- President > Province, HUC, ICC
- Governor > CC, Municipality
- Mayor > Barangay
When can you impose preventive suspension?
- After joining of issues
- Evidence of guilt is strong
- Great probability that continuance in office would: influence the witnesses OR pose a threat to the safety and integrity of the records and evidence
Liability for backwages
- If unlawfully removed, he may recover
- “No work, no pay” does not apply if official was wrongfully prevented from entering office
- If dismissal was made in bad faith, superior office will be personally liable
- Max 5 years
Immunity of public officers
Applies to complaints filed against public officials for acts done in the performance of their duties.
EXCs:
- Acts that are unlawful and injurious to the rights of others
- Official is being sued in his personal capacity
- Suit to compel performance or restrain performance
State immunity
“King can do no wrong”
Presidential immunity from suit
General Rule: The President shall be immune from suit during his tenure. Exception: Impeachment complaint
De facto doctrine
A person admitted and sworn into office is deemed to be rightfully in such office UNLESS:
- Ousted by judicial declaration; or
- Admission is declared void
De facto officer
(1) Valid existing public office
(2) Acted as an officer for a length of time (actual physical possession)
(3) Under color of title and circumstances of reputation or acquiescence by public and public authorities
EFFECT
- Enough to afford a presumption of election or appointment; and
- Induce people (without inquiry) on the basis of the fact that he is the assumed officer, to submit or invoke his action
De facto officer’s color of title
Duties are exercised under any of the ff. circumstances:
(a) No known appointment or election but people are induced to suppose that he is the officer he assumes to be (Reputation or acquiescence)
(b) Possesses public office under color of a known and valid appointment or election, but he failed to conform to some precedent requirement or condition
(c) Possesses public office under color of a known and valid appointment or election BUT it is void bec:
(1) he is ineligible;
(2) electing/appointing body is not empowered to do such;
(3) his exercise was defective or irregular originating from his a or E; or
(4) public does not know of such ineligibility
(d) Possessed public office under color of an election or an appointment by or pursuant to a public, unconstitutional law, before the same is adjudged to be such.
De jure v. De facto (Reqs)
- Office exists
- Legally qualified; Has color of right or general acquiescence
- Lawfully chosen
- Performs duties of such office according to law; Actually and physically possesses it in good faith
De jure v. De facto (Basis)
- He has lawful right/title
- Color of right, but he is not technically qualified to act in all points of law
De jure v. De facto (Ousting)
Cannot be ousted; Quo warranto
De jure v. De facto (Validity)
- Valid
- Valid until title is adjudged insufficient
De jure v. De facto (Compensation)
- Rightfully entitled;
- Conditionally entitled until de jure officer is declared
De facto vs. Intruder
- Becomes an officer under the aforementioned circumstances; Has no actual or apparent authority
Basis
- Color of right/title
- has none
Validity
- Valid until title is adjudged insufficient
- Void; acts may be impeached any time in any proceeding (EXC: Acts for so long creating a presumption of his right to act)
Compensation
- Conditionally entitled until de jure officer is declared
- Not entitled at all
Quo warranto
- Filed by the person claiming entitlement to the office or The Republic
- FIled within 1 year after cause of ouster
Possible penalties for de facto officer
- Usurping or unlawfully holding office
- Exercising the functions of public office without lawful right
- Ineligibility for the public office as required by law
Right to compensation for de facto officer
GEN: Cannot sue for ecovery of salary because his acts are void
EXC:
- When there is no de jure officer and he acted in good faith and had possession of the office and discharged duties thereto
Expiration of term/tenure
GEN: Upon expiry, rights and duties stop
EXC: Authorized by law to hold over
Compulsory Retirement
- Judiciary: 70
- Other gov’t officers and employees: 65
Resignation
(1) intention to relinquish a part of the term
(2) Act of relinquishment
(3) Acceptance by proper authority (either E/I)
Form of resignation when none prescribed
- Need not be in writing unless so required
- A written resignation is prima facie (but not conclusive) evidence of the intention to relinquish the office
When resignaton effective?
- As per the date specified in the tender
- If no date, then when the officer RECEIVES notice of acceptance of resignation
Revocation of resignation
- Can be validly withdrawn before the public official is notified of its acceptance
- Art. 238, RPC: Officer, before acceptance of his resignation, abandons his office to the detriment of public service is CRIMINALLY LIABLE
Who accepts resignation?
- Appointing authority
- Congress > Pres & VP
- House > Congress mems
- Pres > Gov., Vice Gov., Mayor, Vice-Mayor of HUC & ICC
- Governor > City Mayor, Vice-Mayor of CC, Municipal Mayor, Municipal Vice-Mayor
- Sanggu concerned > Sanggunian Members
- Municipal/City Mayors > Elective brgy. officials