Source: https://fr.scribd.com/document/170973014/Buklod-Ng-Kawaning-EIIB-v-ES
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 04:03:44+00:00

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providing. (f) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Minister or his deputies. hear and file. former President Estrada ordered the deactivation of EIIB and the transfer of its functions to the Bureau of Customs and the National Bureau of Investigation. 191 and 223 should be annulled as they are unconstitutional for being violative of Section 2(3). . Meanwhile. division. 1989. 2000. President Aquino issued Memorandum Order No. that the EIIB “shall be the agency of primary responsibility for anti-smuggling operations in all land areas and inland waters and waterways outside the areas of sole jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs. Article IX-B of the Philippine Constitution and/or for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. On March 29. 223 providing that all EIIB personnel occupying positions specified therein shall be deemed separated from the service effective April 30. (e) Investigate. merger.” Motivated by the fact that “the designated functions of the EIIB are also being performed by the other existing agencies of the government” and that “there is a need to constantly monitor the overlapping of functions” among these agencies.” In a desire to achieve harmony of efforts and to prevent possible conflicts among agencies in the course of their anti-smuggling operations.” Then the day feared by the EIIB employees came. 225 on March 17. among others. upon clearance by the Minister.” Eleven years after. or consolidation of positions. pursuant to a bona fide reorganization resulting to abolition. anti-graft and corruption cases against personnel of the Ministry and its constituents units. 191 and 223. They anchor their petition on the following arguments: “A Executive Order Nos. 2000. President Joseph Estrada issued Executive Order No. redundancy. petitioners now come before this Court invoking our power of judicial review of Executive Order Nos. (d) Supervise. President Estrada issued Executive Order No. 2000. Agonizing over the loss of their employment.(c) Provide all intelligence units of operating Bureaus or Offices under the Ministry with the general framework and guidelines in the conduct of intelligence and investigating works. monitor and coordinate all the intelligence and investigation operations of the operating Bureaus and Offices under the Ministry. or on January 7. 196 creating the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force “Aduana. 191 entitled “Deactivation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. President Estrada issued Executive Order No.
abrogate or destroy completely. Article VII of the Constitution. Similarly. petitioners’ disregard of the hierarchy of courts and the non-exhaustion of administrative remedies. Arguing in behalf of respondents.Does the “deactivation” of EIIB constitute “abolition” of an office? However. b) How should the reorganization be carried out? Surely.' and because of the serious implications of these cases on the administration of the Philippine civil service and the rights of public servants. 191 and 223.” it was only “deactivated. if Executive Order Nos. In essence. such reorganization was made in bad faith.B. `[b]ecause of the demands of public interest. we liberally decreed: “The Court disregards the questions raised as to procedure. while to “abolish” means to do away with. (b) the said executive orders were issued in the interest of national economy. thus. after coming to terms with the prevailing law and jurisprudence. the office ceases to exist. such as. while in abolition. the Solicitor General maintains that: (a) the President enjoys the totality of the executive power provided under Sections 1 and 7. we deem it necessary to address the issues.” the functions of which are essentially and substantially the same as that of EIIB. there exists a distinction between the words “deactivate” and “abolish. we are certain that the ultimate queries should be – a) Does the President have the authority to reorganize the executive department? and. to annul. to avoid duplicity of work and to streamline the functions of the bureaucracy. failure to exhaust administrative remedies. the same is . Despite the presence of some procedural flaws in the instant petition.” At first glance. abolition denotes an intention to do away with the office wholly and permanently.” The petition is bereft of merit.” Petitioners contend that the issuance of the afore-mentioned executive orders is: (a) a violation of their right to security of tenure. Mison. The abolition of the EIIB is a hoax. he has the authority to issue Executive Order Nos. Thus. The President has no authority to abolish the EIIB. the standing of certain parties to sue. (b) tainted with bad faith as they were not actually intended to make the bureaucracy more efficient but to give way to Task Force “Aduana. C. 191 and 223 are considered to effect a reorganization of the EIIB. including the need for stability in the public service. We are not without precedent. it seems that the resolution of this case hinges on the question . and (c) a usurpation of the power of Congress to decide whether or not to abolish the EIIB. In Dario v. and (c) the EIIB was not “abolished. It is in the interest of the State that questions relating to the status and existence of a public office be settled without delay.” To “deactivate” means to render inactive or ineffective or to break up by discharging or reassigning personnel. for two reasons.
No.. Thus. – The heads of departments. Actual scaling down.’ Said provision clearly mentions the acts of “scaling down. We do not agree. is that as far as bureaus. it was argued that there is no law which empowers the President to reorganize the BIR. the act of creating and decentralizing is included in the subsequent provision of Section 62 which provides that: ‘Sec. it may be abolished by the same legislature that brought it into existence. however. this Court sustained the following legal basis. 62. 7645 provides that: ‘Sec. The general rule has always been that the power to abolish a public office is lodged with the legislature. The case in point is Larin v.not true indeactivation where the office continues to exist. the President’s power of control may justify him to inactivate the functions of a particular office. 132 or to reorganize the BIR. deactivation and abolition are both reorganization measures. The Solicitor General only invokes the above distinctions on the mistaken assumption that the President has no power to abolish an office. This proceeds from the legal precept that the power to create includes the power to destroy. or by authority of law. subject to civil service rules and regulations. In this case. except where the office was created by the Constitution itself. Be that as it may.Unless otherwise created by law or directed by the President of the Philippines. no organizational unit or changes in key positions in any department or agency shall be authorized in their respective organization structures and be funded from appropriations by this Act. X x x.A. In decreeing otherwise. Executive Secretary. Unauthorized organizational charges. by statute. 48. agencies or offices in the executive department are concerned. phasing out and abolition” of offices only and does not cover the creation of offices or transfer of functions. bureaus and offices and agencies are hereby directed to identify their respective activities which are no longer essential in the delivery of public services and which may be scaled down. A public office is either created by the Constitution. The exception. phasing out or abolition of the activities shall be effected pursuant to Circulars or Orders issued for the purpose by the Office of the President. x x x x x x Section 48 of R.’ (italics ours) . Nevertheless. it is argued that there is no law yet which empowers the President to issue E. or certain laws may grant him the broad authority to carry out reorganization measures. phased out or abolished. albeit remaining dormant or inoperative. thus: “Initially.O. Scaling Down and Phase Out of Activities of Agencies Within the Executive Branch.
7645 quoted in Larin. – Unless Congress provides otherwise. executive orders. Under this law. “Sec. What law then gives him the power to reorganize? It is Presidential Decree No. Book III of E. 292 which states: ‘Sec. the President shall exercise such other powers and functions vested in the President which are provided for under the laws and which are not specifically enumerated above or which are not delegated by the President in accordance with law. bureaus. x x x x x x Another legal basis of E. No. functions. So far. former President Estrada anchored his authority to deactivate EIIB on Section 77 of Republic Act 8745 (FY 1999 General Appropriations Act). Unless otherwise provided by law or directed by the President of the Philippines. proclamations. No. repealed or revoked. In the whereas clause of E. services and activities and to standardize salaries and materials. objectives. to create and classify functions. projects. The validity of these two decrees are unquestionable. Organized Changes. letters of instructions and other executive issuances not inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative until amended. decrees. consolidate bureaus and agencies. These decrees expressly grant the President of the Philippines the continuing authority to reorganize the national government. 1416. 132 is Section 20. missions. to abolish offices. Residual Powers. (b) identify . 77. activities and systems and procedures. there is yet no law amending or repealing said decrees.’ (italic ours) This provision speaks of such other powers vested in the President under the law.” (Emphasis supplied) Now. 8760. no changes in key positions or organizational units in any department or agency shall be authorized in their respective organizational structures and funded from appropriations provided by this Act. a provision similar to Section 62 of R.” We adhere to the precedent or ruling in Larin that this provision recognizes the authority of the President to effect organizational changes in the department or agency under the executive structure.A.The foregoing provision evidently shows that the President is authorized to effect organizational changes including the creation of offices in the department or agency concerned. thus. let us take a look at the assailed executive order. 191. The 1987 Constitution clearly provides that “all laws. No.O. 1772 which amended Presidential Decree No. the heads of departments. 20. programs. offices and agencies and other entities in the Executive Branch are directed (a) to conduct a comprehensive review of their respective mandates. to transfer functions. Such a ruling further finds support in Section 78 of Republic Act No.O.O. which includes the power to group.
phased-out or abolished. Section 78 ends up with the mandate that the actual streamlining and productivity improvement in agency organization and operation shall be effected pursuant to Circulars or Orders issued for the purpose by the Office of the President.O. he may transfer the functions of other Departments or Agencies to the Office of the President. what is then left for us to resolve is whether or not the reorganization is valid. (d) where there is a classification of offices in the department or agency concerned and the reclassified offices perform substantially the same functions as the original offices. President Estrada created the Task Force Aduana. In Canonizado v. and (e) where the removal violates the order of separation. which is economy. economy and efficiency. It falls under the Office of the President. Republic Act No. shall have the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President. We must not lose sight of the very source of the power – that which constitutes an express grant of power. Reorganization is carried out in ‘good faith’ if it is for the purpose of economy or to make bureaucracy more efficient.Pertinently. We are not convinced. It having been duly established that the President has the authority to carry out reorganization in any branch or agency of the executive department. the list of legal basis authorizing the President to reorganize any department or agency in the executive branch does not have to end here. reorganizations have been regarded as valid provided they are pursued in good faith. or abolition thereof by reason of economy or redundancy of functions. and (c) adopt measures that will result in the streamlined organization and improved overall performance of their respective agencies. (c) where incumbents are replaced by those less qualified in terms of status of appointment. 191. its creation does not entail expense to the government. but to achieve the ultimate purpose of E. We are left only with the duty to sustain. Book III of Executive Order No. we ruled that reorganization “involves the reduction of personnel. While Task Force Aduana was created to take the place of EIIB. (b) where an office is abolished and another performing substantially the same functions is created. It was not for the purpose of removing the EIIB employees. 6656 provides for the circumstances which may be considered as evidence of bad faith in the removal of civil service employees made as a result of reorganization. 292 (otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987).” It takes place when there is an alteration of the existing structure of government offices or units therein. Under Section 31. it is subject to the President’s continuing authority to reorganize. The EIIB is a bureau attached to the Department of Finance. Hence. “the President. to wit: (a) where there is a significant increase in the number of positions in the new staffing pattern of the department or agency concerned. Petitioners claim that the deactivation of EIIB was done in bad faith because four days after its deactivation. Aguirre. An examination of the pertinent Executive Orders shows that the deactivation of EIIB and the creation of Task Force Aduana were done in good faith. subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to achieve simplicity. But of course.activities which are no longer essential in the delivery of public services and which may be scaled down. including the lines of control. The law has spoken clearly. authority and responsibility between them. performance and merit. In this jurisdiction. consolidation of offices. . No.” For this purpose.
The Task Force Aduana has the power to enlist the assistance of any department. The EIIB had proven itself burdensome for the government because it maintained separate offices in every region in the Philippines. the idea is to encourage the utilization of personnel. it is evident from the yearly budget appropriation of the government that the creation of the Task Force Aduana was especially intended to lessen EIIB’s expenses. and operations for the year 1995. seizures and arrests.000. a reorganization is carried out in “good . Consequently. bureaus. 196 provides that the technical. Lastly. and 2) “to select and recruit personnel from within the PSG and ISAFP for assignment to the Task Force. facilities and resources. While basically. administrative and special staffs of EIIB are to be composed of people who are already in the public service. No. bureau. 196 is to have a small group of military men under the direct control and supervision of the President as base of the government’s anti-smuggling campaign.Firstly. Secondly. was P128.O.  we ruled that a reorganization in good faith is one designed to trim the fat off the bureaucracy and institute economy and greater efficiency in its operation. the functions of the EIIB have devolved upon the Task Force Aduana. Sarmiento: Reorganizations in this jurisdiction have been regarded as valid provided they are pursued in good faith. In Blaquera v. it appears that the allotted amount for the EIIB’s general administration.743. No. Nothing is better settled in our law than that the abolition of an office within the competence of a legitimate body if done in good faith suffers from no infirmity. Their tenure with the Task Force would only be temporary. for 1999.000. facilities and resources of the already existing departments. bureau.” Obviously. Again. Theseamounts were far above the P50. they would be sent back to the agency concerned. support. Mison. agencies. office. has the essential power to effect searches. In the instructive words laid down by this Court in Dario v. we hold that petitioners’ right to security of tenure is not violated. or office and to use their respective personnel.e. through Justice Abraham F. we find the latter to have additional new powers. Since their employment with the Task force is only by way of detail or assignment.000. Civil Sevice Commission.000. The EIIB did not have this power.000 allocation to the Task Force Aduana for the year 2000. including governmentowned or controlled corporations. And. the EIIB did not have this power. This was not expressly granted to the EIIB. Valid abolition of offices is neither removal nor separation of the incumbents. As a general rule.156. they being employees of other existing agencies. i. P238. P219. facilities and resources. And thirdly. the thrust of E. the Task Force Aduana has the additional authority to conduct investigation of cases involving ill-gotten wealth. and to use their personnel. Tracing from the yearly General Appropriations Act. The Task Force Aduana. And should the need for them cease. only when the agency where they belong is called upon to assist the Task Force. for 1998.O. Such a smaller base has the necessary powers 1) to enlist the assistance of any department. or instrumentality of the government.889. etc..031. E. and.. for 1996. there is no employment of new personnel to man the Task Force. it cannot be said that there is a feigned reorganization. P182. instead of maintaining an independent office with a whole set of personnel and facilities. they retain their employment with the existing agencies. being composed of elements from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).000.
concur. We cannot frustrate valid measures which are designed to rebuild the executive department. . Unless the government is given the chance to recuperate by instituting economy and efficiency in its system.O.’ which is nothing else but a separation or removal. 7. no one can be said to have any vested right in an office or its salary.. By virtue of E. the petition is hereby DENIED. Be that as it may. Buena. is done for political reasons or purposely to defeat security of tenure. 11. Pardo. JJ. 1987. No costs. Vitug.J. in the result.. WHEREFORE. otherwise not in good faith. J. and Regional Office.faith” if it is for the purpose of economy or to make bureaucracy more efficient. Except constitutional offices which provide for special immunity as regards salary and tenure. 191 on the Deactivation of the Economic Intell igence and Investigation Bureau and for Other Matters”  “Reorganizing the Ministry of Finance” Approved on January 30. President Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. On March 16. Gonzaga-Reyes. No. no dismissal (in case of dismissal) or separation actually occurs because the position itself ceases to exist. Melo. 1971.. JJ. Indeed. there is no such thing as an absolute right to hold office. Kapunan.O. Jr. 1966 through E. C. the ASAC was transferred from the Office of the President to theDepartment of National Defense. Jr..  Section 26 of E. And in that case. Panganiban and Quisumbing. The Ministry. SO ORDERED. the Offices of the Deputy and Assistant Ministers. no valid ‘abolition’ takes and whatever ‘abolition’ is done. In that event. Puno. Davide. No. we cannot ignore the unfortunate reality that our government is also battling the impact of a plummeting economy. Bellosillo.. aside from the Ministry Proper comprising the Office of the Minister. On June 11. 1978. or where claims of economy are belied by the existence of ample funds. While we cast a commiserating look upon the plight of all the EIIB employees whose lives perhaps are now torn with uncertainties. the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau and the Services.. if the ‘abolition. is void ab initio. 1970). 220 (March 1. and De Leon. No. 303. shall consist of the Operation Groups and their co nstituent units.O.O. There is an invalid ‘abolition’ as where there is merely a change of nomenclature of positions. ASAC was placed under the direct control and supervision of the Secretary of Finance by E. Structural Organization. the EIIB will not be the last agency to suffer the impact. Mendoza. security of tenure would not be a Chinese wall. No. on leave.   “Deactivation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau” “Supplementing Executive Order No. 127. 1458 creating the Finance Department Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.  “SEC.YnaresSantiago.” NOTE: The precursor of EIIB was the Anti-Smuggling Action Center (ASAC) created by former President Marcos on February 24.
. 8. bureau. office or agency or instrumentality of the government. and for the Task Force Commander to file administrative and criminal cases conformably with the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. “Section 1. Creation of Task Force. in coordination with other government agencies. Civil Service Commission. 3. as amended and the Rules of Criminal Procedure. 191 on the Deactivation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau and for Other Matters. To conduct verification with the Bureau of Customs of all documents pertaining to payment of duties and taxes of all imported articles. 3. 6. To effect searches. No. Arizabal.” under the control and supervision of the Office of the President principally to combat smuggling.There is hereby created a Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force hereinafter called “Task Force Aduana. facilities and resources. To perform such functions and carry out such activities as may be directed by the President. Section 2 of Memorandum No.” Done on January 12. seizures and arrests. To prepare and implement appropriate and effective measures to prevent and suppress large-scale smuggling and other prohibited and unlawful importations. as amended. pertinent provisions of the Revised Penal Code. the Court ruled: .. 176 SCRA 84 (1989) Webster’s Third New International Dictionary. 9. circumstances. p. p. including government-owned or controlled corporations to carry out its functions. groups and entities who are involved in smuggling activities. including the use of their respective personnel.”  X x x x x x “SEC. 4. Law of Public Administration. Deactivation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. To suppress and prevent all other economic frauds as may be directed by the President.”  “SECTION 1. – The Task force shall have the following powers and functions: 1. including the monitoring of situations.  Done on January 7. To select and recruit personnel from within the PSG and ISAFP for assignment to the Task Force with the conformity of the office or agency concerned. The Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIIB) under the Department of Finance is hereby deactivated. To enlist the assistance of any department. p. unlawful importations and other frauds upon customs committed in large scale or by organized and syndicated groups. 5. 225.O. 243 SCRA 196 (1995). “Creating the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force “Aduana” to Investigate and Prosecute Crimes Involving Large-Scale Smuggling and Other Frauds Upon Customs. 5 Rivera.”       Section 3 of E. Other Economic Crimes and Providing Measures to Expedite Seizure Proceedings. Guerrero v. 2000. 579. Powers and Functions. Philippine Law Dictionary. 223. To conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence on smuggling and other unlawful importations. activities of individual. 3rd ed. 7. 2. Moreno. First Edition. To conduct investigation of ill-gotten wealth of all persons including government officials involved in smuggling activities. 1986 ed. 2000. 186 SCRA 108 (1990)  In Eugenio v. 634.” “Supplementing Executive Order No.
the creation of a public offices is primarily a legislative function. 3 dated March 25. supra. . 8760. had been accepted. signed into law on February 16. p. Cruz v. 4.O. Executive Secretary. 8745. Quisumbing 186 SCRA 108 (1990). No. Career civil service employees from the separated from the service not for cause but as a result of the reorganization pursuant to Proclamation No. 23 SCRA 998 (1968) De Leon.O. No. Department of Trade and Industry v. This provision also applies to career officers whose resignation. Book IV. p.“Except for such offices as are created by the Constitution. 2000.”     Ibid. 24. p. 196." Mendoza v. 1987 Constitution provides: “Sec.  Section 78 of Republic Act No. E. 323 SCRA 312 (2000).  226 SCRA 278 (1993). E. No.. Chairman and Commissioners of the Civil Service Commission 227 SCRA 198 (1993). 8174. “An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees in the Implementation of Government Reorganization”-Approved on June 10. 196. including government owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries. at the option of the employees. 1986 and the reorganization following the ratification of this Constitution shall be entitled to appropriate separation pay and to retirement and other benefits accruing to them under the laws of general application in force at the time of their separation. the legislative department has the discretion to determine whether additional offices shall be created. and Section 7 and Section 26. No. Administrative Law: Text and Cases. Ibid. 1999 General Appropriation Act Section 10.A.A. 8522. Section 17. R. General Appropriation Act FY 2000.A. Mison. Philippine Political Law.. 280 SCRA 713 (1997) ibid. 24       Cruz. Section 2 of E. and. p. E. Mendoza v. 292. 127. 1995 General Appropriation Act R. 1998 Ed. and the legislature may decide for itself what offices are suitable.O. Title II. Chapter 4. Section 17. 1988” (84 Official Gazette No. 196. it is supreme. No.O. Dario v. tendered in line with the existing policy. Book IV. p. and it may prescribe the mode of filling the office and the powers and duties of the incumbent. No. they may be considered for employment in the Government or in any of its subdivision. Quisumbing.. or agencies. 1996 General Appropriation Act R. E.A. necessary. The Law of Public Officers. abolish the office. Article XVIII. 292. No. In lieu thereof. or convenient. 1999 Ed. When in the exigencies of government it is necessary to create and define duties.O. Section 16. Title II. supra. if it sees fit. Primicias. 199 Martin. 16. or whether these duties shall be attached to and become ex-officio duties of existing offices. S -1)          Section 2 of Republic Act No.1998 General Appropriation Act R. 276 Larin v. No. E.. No. 7845. In so far as the legislative power in this respect is not restricted by constitutional provisions. instrumentalities.O. 6656. An office created by the legislature is wholly within the power of that body. No.
supra. De la Llana v.   Mendoza v. Quisumbing. National Land Titles and Deeds Registration Administration v. supra. supra. Civil Service Commission. supra. . Alba.

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