SPECIAL SECOND DIVISION

COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION (CHREA)
Represented by ts Presdent!
MARCIAL A" SANCHE#! $R"!
Petitioner,


- versus -


COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS!
Respondent.

G"R" N%" &''(()

Present:

PUNO,
Chairman,
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,
CALLEO, SR.,
TIN!A, and
C"ICO-NAZARIO, JJ.

Prom#$%ated:

#$& '(, '))*
+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+


R E S O L U T I ON


C"ICO-NAZARIO, J.:

On ', No-em.er '))/, the Co#rt prom#$%ated its 0e1ision
2(3
in the a.o-e-
entit$ed 1ase, r#$in% in 4a-or o4 the petitioner. The dispositi-e portion reads as
4o$$o5s:

6"ERE7ORE, the petition is GRANTED, the 0e1ision dated '8
No-em.er '))( o4 the Co#rt o4 Appea$s in CA-!.R. SP No. ,8*9: and its
Reso$#tion dated (( Septem.er '))'are here.& REVERSED and SET
ASIDE. The r#$in% dated '8 Mar1h (888 o4 the Ci-i$ Ser-i1e Commission-
Nationa$ Capita$ Re%ion is REINSTATE0. The Commission on "#man Ri%hts
Reso$#tion No. A8:-)/9 dated )/ Septem.er (88:, Reso$#tion No. A8:-),,
dated (8 O1to.er (88: and Reso$#tion No. A8:-)*' dated (9 No-em.er
(88: 5itho#t the appro-a$ o4 the 0epartment o4 ;#d%et and Mana%ement are
disa$$o5ed. No prono#n1ement as to 1osts.
2'3


A Motion 4or Re1onsideration
2<3
5as 1onse=#ent$& 4i$ed .& the respondent to
5hi1h petitioner 4i$ed an Opposition.
2/3

In its Motion, respondent pra&s in the main that this Co#rt re1onsiders its
r#$in% that respondent is not amon% the 1onstit#tiona$ .odies 1$othed 5ith 4is1a$
a#tonom&.

To re1a$$, the 4a1ts
2,3
o4 the 1ase are as 4o$$o5s:

On (/ 7e.r#ar& (88:, Con%ress passed Rep#.$i1 A1t No. :,'', other5ise
>no5n as the !enera$ Appropriations A1t o4 (88:. It pro-ided 4or Special
Provisions Applicable to All Constitutional Offices Enjoying Fiscal
Autonomy. The $ast portion o4 Arti1$e ???III 1o-ers the appropriations o4 the
C"R. These spe1ia$ pro-isions state:

(. Or%ani@ationa$ Str#1t#re. An& pro-ision o4 $a5 to the 1ontrar&
not5ithstandin% and 5ithin the $imits o4 their respe1ti-e
appropriations as a#thori@ed in this A1t, the Constitutional
Commissions and Offices enjoying fiscal autonomy are
authoried to formulate and implement the organiational
structures of their respective offices! to fi" and determine the
salaries! allo#ances! and other benefits of their personnel! and
#henever public interest so re$uires! ma%e adjustments in their
personal services itemiation including! but not limited to! the
transfer of item or creation of ne# positions in their respective
offices& PROAI0E0, That o44i1ers and emp$o&ees 5hose
positions are a44e1ted .& s#1h reorganiation or adB#stments
sha$$ .e %ranted retirement %rat#ities and separation pa& in
a11ordan1e 5ith e+istin% $a5s, 5hi1h sha$$ .e pa&a.$e 4rom
an& #ne+pended .a$an1e o4, or savings in the appropriations o4
their respe1ti-e o44i1es: PROAI0E0, 7URT"ER, That the
imp$ementation hereo4 sha$$ .e in a11ordan1e 5ith sa$ar& rates,
a$$o5an1es and other .ene4its a#thori@ed #nder 1ompensation
standardi@ation $a5s.

'. Use o4 Sa-in%s. The Constit#tiona$ Commissions and O44i1es
enBo&in% 4is1a$ a#tonom& are here.& a#thori@ed to #se sa-in%s
in their respe1ti-e appropriations 4or: CaD printin% andEor
p#.$i1ation o4 de1isions, reso$#tions, and trainin% in4ormation
materia$sF C.D repair, maintenan1e and impro-ement o4 1entra$
and re%iona$ o44i1es, 4a1i$ities and e=#ipmentF C1D p#r1hase o4
.oo>s, Bo#rna$s, periodi1a$s and e=#ipmentF CdD ne1essar&
e+penses 4or the emp$o&ment o4 temporar&, 1ontra1t#a$ and
1as#a$ emp$o&eesF CeD pa&ment o4 e+traordinar& and
mis1e$$aneo#s e+penses, 1omm#ta.$e representation and
transportation a$$o5an1es, and fringe benefits for their officials
and employees as may be authoried by la#' and C4D other
official purposes! subject to accounting and auditing rules and
regulations. CEmphasis s#pp$iedD

On the stren%th o4 this spe1ia$ pro-isions, the Commission on "#man
Ri%hts 2or C"R3, thro#%h its then Chairperson A#rora P. Na-arette-Re1iGa and
Commissioners Nasser A. Marohomsa$i1, Mer1edes A. Contreras, Ai1ente P.
Si.#$o, and or%e R. Co=#ia, prom#$%ated Reso$#tion No. A8:-)/9 on )/
Septem.er (88:, adoptin% an #p%radin% and re1$assi4i1ation s1heme amon%
se$e1ted positions in the Commission, to 5it:

6"EREAS, the !enera$ Appropriations A1t, 7H (88:,
R.A. No. :,'' has pro-ided spe1ia$ pro-isions app$i1a.$e to a$$
Constit#tiona$ O44i1es enBo&in% 7is1a$ A#tonom&, parti1#$ar$& on
or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#res and a#thori@es the same to 4orm#$ate and
imp$ement the or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#res o4 their respe1ti-e o44i1es
to 4i+ and determine the sa$aries, a$$o5an1es and other .ene4its o4
their respe1ti-e personne$ and 5hene-er p#.$i1 interest so re=#ires,
ma>e adB#stments in the personne$ ser-i1es itemi@ation in1$#din%,
.#t not $imited to, the trans4er o4 item or 1reation o4 ne5 positions
in their respe1ti-e o44i1es: PROAI0E0, That o44i1ers and
emp$o&ees 5hose positions are a44e1ted .& s#1h reor%ani@ation or
adB#stments sha$$ .e %ranted retirement %rat#ities and separation
pa& in a11ordan1e 5ith e+istin% $a5s, 5hi1h sha$$ .e pa&a.$e 4rom
an& #ne+panded .a$an1e o4, or sa-in%s in the appropriations o4
their respe1ti-e o44i1esF

6"EREAS, the Commission on "#man Ri%hts is a
mem.er o4 the Constit#tiona$ 7is1a$ A#tonom& !ro#p CC7A!D and
on #$& '/, (88:, C7A! passed an appro-ed oint Reso$#tion No.
/8 adoptin% interna$ r#$es imp$ementin% the spe1ia$ pro-isions
hereto4orth mentionedF

NO6 T"ERE7ORE, the Commission .& -irt#e o4 its 4is1a$
a#tonom& hereby approves and authories the upgrading and
augmentation of the commensurate amount generated from
savings under Personal Services to support the implementation of
this resolution effective Calendar (ear )**+F

Let the "#man Reso#r1es 0e-e$opment 0i-ision C"R00D
prepare the ne1essar& Noti1e o4 Sa$ar& AdB#stment and other
appropriate do1#ments to imp$ement this reso$#tionF + + +
CEmphasis s#pp$iedD.

Anne+ed to said reso$#tion is the proposed 1reation o4 ten additiona$
p$anti$$a positions, name$&: one 0ire1tor IA position, 5ith Sa$ar& !rade ': 4or the
Cara%a Re%iona$ O44i1e, 4o#r Se1#rit& O44i1er II 5ith Sa$ar& !rade (,, and 4i-e
Pro1ess Ser-ers, 5ith Sa$ar& !rade , #nder the O44i1e o4 the Commissioners.

On (8 O1to.er (88:, C"R iss#ed Reso$#tion No. A8:-),, pro-idin% 4or
the #p%radin% or raisin% o4 sa$ar& %rade o4 the 4o$$o5in% positions in the
Commission:

+ + + +

To s#pport the imp$ementation o4 s#1h s1heme, the C"R, in the same
reso$#tion, a#thori@ed the a#%mentation o4 a 1ommens#rate amo#nt %enerated
4rom sa-in%s #nder Personne$ Ser-i1es.

;& -irt#e o4 Reso$#tion No. A8:-)*' dated (9 No-em.er (88:, the C"R
I1o$$apsedJ the -a1ant positions in the .od& to pro-ide additiona$ so#r1e o4
4#ndin% 4or said sta44in% modi4i1ation. Amon% the positions 1o$$apsed 5ere: one
Attorne& III, 4o#r Attorne& IA, one Chemist III, three Spe1ia$ In-esti%ator I, one
C$er> III, and one a11o#ntin% C$er> II.

The C"R 4or5arded said sta44in% modi4i1ation and #p%radin% s1heme to
the 0epartment o4 ;#d%et and Mana%ement 20;M3 5ith a re=#est 4or its
appro-a$, .#t the 0;M se1retar& ;enBamin 0io>no denied the re=#est on the
4o$$o5in% B#sti4i1ation:

. . . ;ased on the e-a$#ations made the re=#est 5as not 4a-ora.$&
1onsidered as it effectively involved the elevation of the field units from divisions
to services.

The present proposa$ see>s 4#rther to #p%rade the t5e$-e C('D positions o4
Attorne& AI, S!-'* to 0ire1tor IA, S!-':. This 5o#$d e$e-ate the 4ie$d #nits to a
.#rea# or re%iona$ o44i1e, a $e-e$ e-en hi%her than the one pre-io#s$& denied.

The re=#est to #p%rade the three C<D positions o4 0ire1tor III, S!-'9 to
0ire1tor IA, S!-':, in the Centra$ O44i1e in e44e1t 5o#$d e$e-ate the ser-i1es to
O44i1e and 1han%e the 1onte+t 4rom s#pport to s#.stanti-e 5itho#t a1t#a$ 1han%e
in 4#n1tions.

In the a.sen1e o4 a spe1i4i1 pro-ision o4 $a5 5hi1h ma& .e #sed as a $e%a$
.asis to e$e-ate the $e-e$ o4 di-isions to a .#rea# or re%iona$ o44i1e, and the
ser-i1es to o44i1es, 5e reiterate o#r pre-io#s stand den&in% the #p%radin% o4 the
t5e$-e C('D positions o4 Attorne& AI, S!-'* to 0ire1tor III, S!-'9 or 0ire1tor IA,
S!-':, in the 7ie$d Operations O44i1e C7OOD and three C<D 0ire1tor III, S!-'9 to
0ire1tor IA, S!-': in the Centra$ O44i1e.

As represented, President Ramos then iss#ed a Memorand#m to the 0;M
Se1retar& dated () 0e1em.er (889, dire1tin% the $atter to in1rease the n#m.er o4
P$anti$$a positions in the C"R .oth Centra$ and Re%iona$ O44i1es to imp$ement the
Phi$ippine 0e1ade P$an on "#man Ri%hts Ed#1ation, the Phi$ippine "#man
Ri%hts P$an and ;aran%a& Ri%hts A1tions Center in accordance #ith e"isting
la#s. CEmphasis in the ori%ina$D

P#rs#ant to Se1tion 9: o4 the !enera$ Pro-isions o4 the !enera$
Appropriations A1t C!AAD 7H (88:, no or%ani@ationa$ #nit or 1han%es in >e&
positions sha$$ .e a#thori@ed #n$ess pro-ided .& $a5 or dire1ted .& the President,
th#s, the 1reation o4 a 7inan1e Mana%ement O44i1e and a P#.$i1 A44airs O44i1e
1annot .e %i-en 4a-ora.$e re1ommendation.

Moreo-er, as pro-ided #nder Se1tion ' o4 RA No. *9,:, other5ise >no5n
as the Compensation Standardi@ation La5, the 0epartment o4 ;#d%et and
Mana%ement is dire1ted to esta.$ish and administer a #ni4ied 1ompensation and
position 1$assi4i1ation s&stem in the %o-ernment. The S#preme Co#rt r#$ed in the
1ase o4 Ai1torina Cr#@ -s. Co#rt o4 Appea$s, !.R. No. ((8(,,, dated an#ar& <),
(88*, that this 0epartment has the so$e po5er and dis1retion to administer the
1ompensation and position 1$assi4i1ation s&stem o4 the Nationa$ !o-ernment.

;ein% a mem.er o4 the 4is1a$ a#tonom& %ro#p does not -est the agency
#ith the authority to reclassify! upgrade! and create positions #ithout approval of
the ,-.. /hile the members of the 0roup are authoried to formulate and
implement the organiational structures of their respective offices and determine
the compensation of their personnel! such authority is not absolute and must be
e"ercised #ithin the parameters of the 1nified Position Classification and
Compensation System established under 2A 345+ more popularly %no#n as the
Compensation Standardiation 6a#. /e therefore reiterate our previous stand on
the matter. CEmphasis s#pp$iedD

In $i%ht o4 the 0;MKs disappro-a$ o4 the proposed personne$ modi4i1ation
s1heme, the CSC-Nationa$ Capita$ Re%ion O44i1e, thro#%h a memorand#m dated
'8 Mar1h (888 re1ommended to the CSC-Centra$ O44i1e that the s#.Be1t
appointments .e reBe1ted o5in% to the 0;MKs disappro-a$ o4 the p$anti$$a
re1$assi4i1ation.

Mean5hi$e, the o44i1ers o4 petitioner Commission on "#man Ri%hts
Emp$o&eesK Asso1iation 2C"REA3, in representation o4 the ran> and 4i$e
emp$o&ees o4 the C"R, re=#ested the CSC-Centra$ o44i1e to a44irm the
re1ommendation o4 the CSC-Re%iona$ O44i1e. C"REA stood its %ro#nd in sa&in%
that the 0;M is the on$& a%en1& 5ith appropriate a#thorit& mandated .& $a5 to
e-a$#ate and appro-e matters o4 re1$assi4i1ation and #p%radin%, as 5e$$ as 1reation
o4 positions.

The CSC-Centra$ O44i1e denied C"REAKs re=#est in a Reso$#tion dated (*
0e1em.er (888, and re-ersed the re1ommendation o4 the CSC-Re%iona$ O44i1e
that the #p%radin% s1heme .e 1ens#red. The de1reta$ portion o4 5hi1h reads:

6"ERE7ORE, the re=#est o4 Ronnie N. Rosero, "#.ert A.
R#i@, 7$orde$i@a A. ;riones, !eor%e L. 0#m$ao 2and3, Cora@on A.
Santos-Ti#, is here.& denied.

C"REA 4i$ed a motion 4or re1onsideration, .#t the CSC-Centra$ O44i1e
denied the same on )8 #ne '))).

!i-en the 1a1ophon& o4 B#d%ments .et5een the 0;M and the CSC,
petitioner C"REA e$e-ated the matter to the Co#rt o4 Appea$s. The Co#rt o4
Appea$s a44irmed the prono#n1ement o4 the CSC-Centra$ O44i1e and #phe$d the
-a$idit& o4 the #p%radin%, retit$in%, and re1$assi4i1ation s1heme in the C"R on the
B#sti4i1ation that s#1h a1tion is 5ithin the am.it o4 C"RKs 4is1a$
a#tonom&. The fallo o4 the Co#rt o4 Appea$s de1ision pro-ides:

IN AIE6 O7 ALL T"E 7ORE!OIN!, the instant petition
is ordered 0ISMISSE0 and the =#estioned Ci-i$ Ser-i1e
Commission Reso$#tion No. 88-':)) dated0e1em.er (*, (888 as
5e$$ as No. ))(<,/ dated #ne 8, '))), are here.&
A77IRME0. No 1ost.


Un4a@ed, the petitioner e$e-ated its 1ase to this Co#rt and s#11ess4#$$&
o.tained the 4a-ora.$e a1tion in its 0e1ision dated ', No-em.er '))/. In its
Motion 4or Re1onsideration o4 the said 0e1ision, the respondent de4ined the
assi%nment o4 errors
2*3
4or reso$#tion, name$&:

I. 6IT" ALL 0UE RESPECT, T"E SECON0 0IAISION O7 T"E
"ONORA;LE SUPREME COURT !RAAELH AN0 SERIOUSLH ERRE0
6"EN IT RULE0 T"AT T"ERE IS NO LE!AL ;ASIS TO SUPPORT
T"E CONTENTION T"AT T"E C"R ENOHS 7ISCAL AUTONOMH.

II. 6IT" ALL 0UE RESPECT, T"E SECON0 0IAISION O7 T"E
"ONORA;LE SUPREME COURT ERRE0 IN STATIN! T"AT T"E
SPECIAL PROAISION O7 T"E REP. ACT. CSICD NO. :,'' 0I0 NOT
SPECI7ICALLH MENTION C"R AS AMON! T"OSE O77ICES TO
6"IC" T"E SPECIAL PROAISION TO 7ORMULATE AN0
IMPLEMENT OR!ANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES APPLH, ;UT MERELH
STATES ITS COAERA!E TO INCLU0E CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSIONS AN0 O77ICES ENOHIN! 7ISCAL AUTONOMHF

III. 6IT" ALL 0UE RESPECT, T"E SECON0 0IAISION O7 T"E
"ONORA;LE SUPREME COURT ERRE0 6"EN IT RULE0 T"AT T"E
C"R ALT"OU!" A0MITTE0LH A CONSTITUTIONAL CREATION IS
NONET"ELESS NOT INCLU0E0 IN T"E !ENUS O7 T"E O77ICES
ACCOR0E0 7ISCAL AUTONOMH ;H CONSTITUTIONAL OR
LE!ISLATIAE 7IAT.

IA. 6IT" ALL 0UE RESPECT, T"E SECON0 0IAISION O7 T"E
"ONORA;LE SUPREME COURT ERRE0 IN 0ECI0IN! TO
REINSTATE T"E RULIN! 0ATE0 '8 MARC" (888 O7 T"E CIAIL
SERAICE COMMISSION M NATIONAL CAPITAL RE!IONF

A. 6IT" ALL 0UE RESPECT, T"E SECON0 0IAISION O7 T"E
"ONORA;LE SUPREME COURT ERRE0 IN 0ECI0IN! TO
0ISALLO6 T"E COMMISSION ON "UMAN RI!"TS RESOLUTION
NO. A8:-)/9 0ATE0 SEPTEM;ER )/, (88:, RESOLUTION NO. A8:-),,
0ATE0 (8 OCTO;ER (88: AN0 RESOLUTION NO. A8:-)*' 0ATE0 (9
NOAEM;ER (88: 6IT"OUT T"E APPROAAL O7 T"E 0EPARTMENT
O7 ;U0!ET AN0 MANA!EMENT.


A$tho#%h this Co#rt ma& ha-e .een pers#aded to ta>e a se1ond $oo> at this
1ase and part$& modi4& the assai$ed 0e1ision, s#1h modi4i1ation sha$$ not
materia$$& a44e1t the dispositi-e portion thereo4.

As a$read& sett$ed in the assai$ed 0e1ision o4 this Co#rt, the 1reation o4
respondent ma& .e 1onstit#tiona$$& mandated, .#t it is not, in the stri1t sense, a
1onstit#tiona$ 1ommission. Arti1$e I? o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion, p$ain$& entit$ed
IConstit#tiona$ Commissions,J identi4ies on$& the Ci-i$ Ser-i1e Commission, the
Commission on E$e1tions, and the Commission on A#dit. The mandate 4or the
1reation o4 the respondent is 4o#nd in Se1tion (9 o4 Arti1$e ?III o4 the (8:9
Constit#tion on "#man Ri%hts, 5hi1h reads that M

Se1. (9. C(D There is here.& 1reated an independent o44i1e 1a$$ed the
Commission on "#man Ri%hts.


Th#s, the respondent 1annot in-o>e pro-isions #nder Arti1$e I? o4 the (8:9
Constit#tion on 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions 4or its .ene4it. It m#st .e a.$e to
present 1onstit#tiona$ andEor stat#tor& .asis parti1#$ar$& pertainin% to it to s#pport
its 1$aim o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&.

The (8:9 Constit#tion e+press$& and #nam.i%#o#s$& %rants 4is1a$ a#tonom&
on$& to the #di1iar&, the 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, and the O44i1e o4 the
Om.#dsman.

The (8:9 Constit#tion re1o%ni@es the 4is1a$ a#tonom& o4 the #di1iar& in
Arti1$e AIII, Se1tion <, reprod#1ed .e$o5 M

Se1. <. The #di1iar& sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&. Appropriations 4or the
#di1iar& ma& not .e red#1ed .& the $e%is$at#re .e$o5 the amo#nt appropriated
4or the pre-io#s &ear and, a4ter appro-a$, sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$&
re$eased.


Constit#tiona$ 1ommissions are %ranted 4is1a$ a#tonom& .& the (8:9
Constit#tion in Arti1$e I?, Part A, Se1tion ,, a pro-ision app$ied in 1ommon to a$$
1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, to 5it M

Se1. ,. The Commission sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&. Their appro-ed
ann#a$ appropriations sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.

The O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman enBo&s 4is1a$ a#tonom& .& -irt#e o4 Arti1$e
?I, Se1tion (/, o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion, 5hi1h pro-ides that M

Se1. (/. The O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&. Its
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.


Ea1h o4 the a4ore-=#oted pro-isions 1onsists o4 t5o senten1es statin% that:
C(D The %o-ernment entit& sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&F and C'D its appro-ed ann#a$
appropriation sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased. The respondent
an1hors its 1$aim to 4is1a$ a#tonom& on the 4o#rth para%raph o4 Arti1$e ?III,
Se1tion (9, a11ordin% to 5hi1h M

Se1. (9. + + +

+ + + +

C/D The appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations o4 the Commission sha$$ .e
a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.


As 1ompared to the pre-io#s$& =#oted Arti1$e AIII, Se1tion <F Arti1$e I?, Part A,
Se1tion ,F and Arti1$e ?I, Se1tion (/ o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion on the #di1iar&, the
1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, and the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman, respe1ti-e$&,
Arti1$e ?III, Se1tion (9C/D on the Commission o4 "#man Ri%hts CC"RD e-ident$&
does not 1ontain the 4irst senten1e on the e+press %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, and
reprod#1es on$& the se1ond senten1e on the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 its
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations. L#estion no5 arises as to the si%ni4i1an1e o4 s#1h
a di44eren1e in the 5a& the said pro-isions are 5orded.

To sett$e this am.i%#it&, a per#sa$ o4 the re1ords o4 the Constit#tiona$
Commission CConComD is en$i%htenin%.

0#rin% the dra4tin% o4 Arti1$e ?III, Se1tion (9C/D, o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion,
the ConCom mem.ers had the 4o$$o5in% dis1#ssion
293
M

MR. ;EN!ZON. I ha-e another para%raph, Madam President. This
1o#$d .e a separate se1tion or another para%raph dependin% on 5hat the
1ommittee desires and 5hat the Committee on St&$e 5o#$d 5ish: IT"E
COMMISSION S"ALL ENOH 7ISCAL AUTONOMH. T"E APPROAE0
ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS O7 T"E COMMISSION S"ALL ;E
AUTOMATICALLH AN0 RE!ULARLH RELEASE0.J It 5i$$ a$i%n this
"#man Ri%hts Commission 5ith other 1ommissions that 5e ha-e 1reated in the
Constit#tion in order to 4#rther ins#re the independen1e o4 the "#man Ri%hts
Commission.

MR. 0AAI0E. Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. Commissioner 0a-ide is re1o%ni@ed.

MR. 0AAI0E. I introd#1ed that parti1#$ar amendment &esterda&, .#t
there 5as a proposed modi4i1ation presented .& Commissioner Maam.on% to
de$ete the 4irst senten1e. I am in 4a-or o4 the modi4i1ation presented ear$ier. So,
ma& I propose that the parti1#$ar amendment sho#$d not 1arr& the 4irst senten1e,
on$& the se1ond senten1e 5hi1h reads: IT"E APPROAE0 ANNUAL
APPROPRIATIONS O7 T"E COMMISSION S"ALL ;E AUTOMATICALLH
AN0 RE!ULARLH RELEASE0.J

MR. ;EN!ZON. 6h& do 5e 5ant to de$ete the senten1e 5hi1h sa&s
IT"E COMMISSION S"ALL ENOH 7ISCAL AUTONOMHJN

MR. 0AAI0E. That would be a surplusage because the autonomy
actually intended is the automatic release of these appropriations.

MR. ;EN!ZON. I4 that is the 1ase, then ma&.e 5e sho#$d a$so de$ete
s#1h senten1e in the other arti1$es that 5e ha-e appro-ed. I 5i$$ B#st $ea-e it #p to
the Committee on St&$e, as $on% as it is in the re1ord that that is the sense o4 the
Commission, Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. 6hat does the 1ommittee sa& on this pointN

MR. SARMIENTO. A11epted, Madam President. 6e $ea-e it to the
Committee on St&$e, so $on% as the intent is there.

MR. ;EN!ZON. In other 5ords, 5hat 5e are rea$$& sa&in% is that i4 the
Committee on St&$e 4ee$s that it 5o#$d .e more e$e%ant and it is a s#rp$#sa%e to
in1$#de the 4irst senten1e, then so .e it as $on% as it is re1orded in the o#rna$ that
it is the sense o4 the Commission that the "#man Ri%hts Commission 5i$$ enBo&
4is1a$ a#tonom&.

MR. !UIN!ONA. Madam President.

MR. MONSO0. Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. Commissioner !#in%ona is re1o%ni@ed.

MR. !UIN!ONA. Ma& I respe1t4#$$& in-ite the attention o4 the
honora.$e Commissioners that there are t5o 1ommittees that are tas>ed 5ith the
same 5or> and, there4ore, re4eren1e 1an .e made not on$& to the Committee on
St&$e .#t a$so to the Sponsorship Committee.

Than> &o#, Madam President.

MR. MONSO0. Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. Commissioner Monsod is re1o%ni@ed.

MR. MONSO0. Ma&.e 5e sho#$d B#st sa& that the minim#m 1ondition
that the 1ommittee a%rees to is: IT"E APPROAE0 ANNUAL
APPROPRIATIONS O7 T"E COMMISSION S"ALL ;E AUTOMATICALLH
AN0 RE!ULARLH RELEASE0.J That is a minim#m 1ondition and 5e B#st
a$$o5 the 1ommittees to add the 4irst senten1e i4 the& 5ish. ;#t 5ith the se1ond
senten1e, the sense is a$read& there.

MR. ;EN!ZON. No pro.$em, Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. This 5as ta>en #p &esterda&.

MR. ;EN!ZON. ;#t it 5as de4erred, I #nderstand, Madam
President. So i4 5e appro-e this no5, then it 5i$$ .e 4irm$& in1$#ded.

T"E PRESI0ENT. So, 5i$$ the Commissioner p$ease read it no5 as it isN

MR. ;EN!ZON. I 5i$$ read the amendment as a11epted. IT"E
APPROAE0 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS O7 T"E COMMISSION S"ALL
;E AUTOMATICALLH AN0 RE!ULARLH RELEASE0.J

T"E PRESI0ENT. Is there an& o.Be1tion to this proposed amendment
5hi1h has .een a11epted .& the 1ommitteeN

MR. PA0ILLA. Madam President.

T"E PRESI0ENT. Commissioner Padi$$a is re1o%ni@ed.

MR. PA0ILLA. The 5ordin% reminds me o4 the pro-isions #nder the
B#di1iar& and the 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions. Is the intention to e$e-ate the
position o4 this proposed 1ommission 5hi1h is on$& in-esti%ati-e and
re1ommendator& to the hi%h di%nit& o4 a 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommission, as 5e$$ as the
independen1e o4 the B#di1iar&, .& ma>in% a positi-e statement in the Constit#tion
that its appropriation sha$$ .e re$eased a#tomati1a$$& and so 4orthN It seems that
5e are 1omp$i1atin% and a$so reiteratin% se-era$ pro-isions that 5o#$d ma>e o#r
Constit#tion not on$& too $on% .#t too 1omp$i1ated. I 5onder i4 that is the p#rpose
.e1a#se e-en other .odies 5ith semi-B#di1ia$ 4#n1tions do not enBo& s#1h >ind o4
1onstit#tiona$ %#arantee. It is B#st an in=#ir&.

MR. ;EN!ZON. It is not so m#1h the 4a1t that 5e 5ant to e$e-ate this
into a 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommission as it is more o4 an ins#ran1e that the
independen1e o4 the "#man Ri%hts Commission, e-en tho#%h it is not 1onsidered
as a 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommission as 1ontemp$ated and as 1ompared to the Ci-i$
Ser-i1e Commission, the COMELEC and COA, is maintained. And this is as
e$e%ant as the other senten1es. So, 5e s#.mit the same to the .od&.

MR. SARMIENTO. The proposed amendment has .een a11epted .& the
1ommittee, .#t 5e ha-e this o.Be1tion 4rom Commissioner Padi$$a. So, ma& 5e
thro5 the iss#e to the .od&N

MR. !UIN!ONA. Madam President, B#st 4or 1$ari4i1ation. 0oes the
amendment o4 the honora.$e Commissioner ;en%@on re4er on$& to the re$easeN I
5as thin>in% that a$tho#%h I am -er&, -er& stron%$& in 4a-or o4 this 1ommission
and 5o#$d %i-e it one o4 the top priorities, there are other top priorities that 5e
ma& 5ant to address o#rse$-es to. 7or e+amp$e, in the Committee on "#man
Reso#r1es, 5e 5o#$d $i>e to %i-e top priorit& to ed#1ationF there4ore, i4 this does
not re4er on$& to an a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease .#t 5o#$d re4er to the matter o4
priorities in the preparation o4 the .#d%et, then I am a4raid that 5e mi%ht a$read&
.e 1#rtai$in% too m#1h the dis1retion on the part o4 .oth the $e%is$at#re and the
e+e1#ti-e to determine the priorities that sho#$d .e %i-en at a %i-en time.

MR. ;EN!ZON. Madam President, the sentence means what it says
and it is clear.

T"E PRESI0ENT. 6i$$ the Commissioner p$ease read.

MR. ;EN!ZON. It only refers to the release which should be
automatic and regular.

T"E PRESI0ENT. P$ease state it a%ain so that 5e 5i$$ .e 1$ari4ied .e4ore
5e ta>e a -ote.

MR. !UIN!ONA. Than> &o#, Madam President.

MR. ;EN!ZON. It 5i$$ read: IT"E APPROAE0 ANNUAL
APPROPRIATIONS O7 T"E COMMISSION S"ALL ;E AUTOMATICALLH
AN0 RE!ULARLH RELEASE0.J

AOTIN!

T"E PRESI0ENT. As man& as are in 4a-or o4 this parti1#$ar se1tion,
p$ease raise their hand. CSeveral .embers raised their hand.D

As man& as are a%ainst, p$ease raise their hand. CFe# .embers raised
their hand.D

As man& as are a.stainin%, p$ease raise their hand. C7#o .embers raised
their hand.D

The res#$ts sho5 '* -otes in 4a-or, / a%ainst and ' a.stentionsF the
amendment is appro-ed. CEmphases s#pp$ied.D


The respondent re$ies on the statement o4 then Constit#tiona$ Commissioner
"i$ario !. 0a-ide, r. that the 4irst senten1e on the e+press %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&
to the respondent 5as de$eted 4rom Arti1$e ?III, Se1tion (9C/D o4 the (8:9
Constit#tion .e1a#se it 5as a s#rp$#sa%e. Respondent posits that the se1ond
senten1e, dire1tin% the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 its appro-ed ann#a$
appropriations, has the same essen1e as the e+press %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, th#s
renderin% the 4irst senten1e red#ndant and #nne1essar&.

This Co#rt, ho5e-er, .e$ie-es other5ise. The statement o4 then
Constit#tiona$ Commissioner 0a-ide sho#$d .e read in 4#$$. Re4errin% to the
de$etion o4 the 4irst senten1e on the e+press %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, he e+p$ained
that the 4irst senten1e I5o#$d .e a s#rp$#sa%e .e1a#se the a#tonom& actually
intended is the a#tomati1 re$ease o4 these appropriations.
2:3
J CEmphasis s#pp$ied.D

E-en in the $atter dis1#ssion .et5een Constit#tiona$ Commissioners ose
7.S. ;en%@on, r. and Sera4in A.C. !#in%ona, 5herein Constit#tiona$
Commissioner !#in%ona as>ed 4or 1$ari4i1ation 5hether respondent sha$$ a$so .e
e+tended priorities in the preparation o4 the nationa$ .#d%et, Constit#tiona$
Commissioner ;en%@on rep$ied that I+ + + the senten1e means 5hat it sa&s and it
is 1$ear,J
283
and that I2i3t on$& re4ers to the re$ease 5hi1h sho#$d .e a#tomati1 and
re%#$ar.J
2()3


There4ore, a4ter re-ie5in% the de$i.erations o4 the ConCom on Arti1$e ?III,
Se1tion (9C/D, o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion, in its entiret&, not B#st .its and pie1es
thereo4, this Co#rt is 1on-in1ed that the ConCom had intended to %rant to the
respondent the pri-i$e%e o4 ha-in% its appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations
a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased, .#t nothin% more. 6hi$e it ma& .e 1on1eded
that the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations is an
aspe1t o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, it is B#st one o4 man& others.

This Co#rt has a$read& de4ined the s1ope and e+tent o4 4is1a$ a#tonom& in
the 1ase o4 -engon v. ,rilon,
2((3
as 4o$$o5s M

As en-isioned in the Constit#tion, the 4is1a$ a#tonom& enBo&ed .& the
#di1iar&, the Ci-i$ Ser-i1e Commission, the Commission on A#dit, the
Commission on E$e1tions, and the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman 1ontemp$ates a
%#arantee o4 4#$$ 4$e+i.i$it& to a$$o1ate and #ti$i@e their reso#r1es 5ith the 5isdom
and dispat1h that their needs re=#ire. It re1o%ni@es the po5er and a#thorit& to
$e-&, assess and 1o$$e1t 4ees, 4i+ rates o4 1ompensation not e+1eedin% the hi%hest
rates a#thori@ed .& $a5 4or 1ompensation and pa& p$ans o4 the %o-ernment and
a$$o1ate and dis.#rse s#1h s#ms as ma& .e pro-ided .& $a5 or pres1ri.ed .& them
in the 1o#rse o4 the dis1har%e o4 their 4#n1tions.

7is1a$ a#tonom& means 4reedom 4rom o#tside 1ontro$. + + +


The 4ore%oin% e+1erpt s#44i1ient$& e$#1idates that the %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom& is
more e+tensi-e than the mere a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 appro-ed ann#a$
appropriations o4 the %o-ernment entit&. It is a$so 5orth stressin% herein that
in -engon v. ,rilon, this Co#rt, r#$in% En -anc, on$& re1o%ni@ed the 4is1a$
a#tonom& o4 the #di1iar&F the 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, name$&, the Ci-i$
Ser-i1e Commission, the Commission on A#dit, and the Commission on E$e1tionsF
and the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman. Respondent is 1onspi1#o#s$& $e4t o#t o4 the
en#meration.

Moreo-er, the ConCom had the 4o$$o5in% de$i.erations
2('3
on the meanin% o4
the 4is1a$ a#tonom& e+tended to the 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions in 5hat is to
.e1ome $ater Arti1$e I?, Part A, Se1tion ,, o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion M

T"E PRESI0IN! O77ICER CMr. TreGasD. Commissioner de Castro is
re1o%ni@ed.

MR. 0E CASTRO: Than> &o#.
This mornin%, I as>ed the proponent o4 this reso$#tion 5hat is in1$#ded in
the term I4is1a$ a#tonom&.J The ans5er I %ot is that it is 4or the a#tomati1 re$ease
o4 the .#d%et. I propose that the senten1e IThe Commissions sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$
a#tonom&J .e de$eted .#t the se1ond senten1e sha$$ remain. The reason is that it
is a$read& red#ndant. 7is1a$ a#tonom& means the a#tomati1 re$ease o4
appropriations.

MR. MONSO0. Mr. Presidin% O44i1er, ma& 5e ans5er the honora.$e
Commissioner.
I think the answer of the Chairman of our Committee this morning was
that it would involve the automatic and regular release of the funds once
approved. In addition, we are suggesting that fiscal autonomy include the
nonimposition of any other procedures, for example, a preaudit system in the
commissions or bodies that enoy fiscal autonomy. !o, actually, the definition
of fiscal autonomy would be a bit broader than ust the automatic release.

MR. 0E CASTRO. 0oes the Commissioner mean that these 1ommissions
5i$$ not .e s#.Be1ted to prea#ditN

MR. MONSO0. O#r proposa$ a1t#a$$& in the pro-isions on the
Commission on A#dit is that the& .e s#.Be1ted to 1omprehensi-e posta#dit
pro1ed#res and 5here their interna$ 1ontro$ s&stem is inade=#ate, in the opinion o4
the Commission on A#dit, then the 1ommission ma& a$so ta>e s#1h meas#res as
are ne1essar& to 1orre1t the inade=#a1ies 5hi1h mi%ht in1$#de spe1ia$ prea#dit
s&stems.

T"E PRESI0IN! O77ICER CMr. TreGasD. The Chair #nderstands,
there4ore, that the proposed amendment o4 Commissioner de Castro is not
a11epta.$e to the CommitteeN

MR. 0E CASTRO. Not &et, Mr. Presidin% O44i1er, .e1a#se 5e are sti$$ on
the ans5er to me this mornin%, 5hi1h stated M the re1ord 5i$$ .ear me o#t M that
4is1a$ a#tonom& means the a#tomati1 re$ease o4 appropriations. It means the
a#tomati1 re$ease and nothin% more. 6e 5ere in the same Committee and 5hen
5e as>ed the COA a.o#t this, the& insisted that there m#st .e prea#dit. I4 4is1a$
a#tonom& means that there 5i$$ .e no prea#dit, I do not >no5 5hat 5i$$ happen to
this.

T"E PRESI0IN! O77ICER CMr. TreGasD. So, 5hat is the stand o4 the
Committee inso4ar as the proposed amendment o4 Commissioner de Castro is
1on1ernedN

MR. 0E CASTRO. Ma& I B#st sa& one senten1e, Mr. Presidin%
O44i1erN I4 the CommitteeKs stand is that 4is1a$ a#tonom& means the a#tomati1
re$ease o4 the appropriations, then I sa& that the 4irst senten1e M IThe
Commissions sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&J -- sho#$d .e de$eted .e1a#se it is a
repetition o4 the se1ond senten1e.
Than> &o#.

MR. MONSO0. Mr. Presiding "fficer, the position of the Committee is
that fiscal autonomy may include other things than ust the automatic and
regular release of the funds.

T"E PRESI0IN! O77ICER CMr. TreGasD. 6ith that e+p$anation, 5hat is
the p$eas#re o4 Commissioner de CastroN 0oes he insist on his amendmentN

MR. 0E CASTRO. Is the Chairman 1han%in% his ans5er 4rom this
mornin%Ks =#estionN I4 he does, I 5i$$ as> some more =#estions a.o#t 4is1a$
a#tonom&.

MR. MONSO0. Mr. Presidin% O44i1er, I thin> at the .e%innin% o4 this
e+1han%e, 5e a$read& to$d the honora.$e Commissioner that the Chairman o4 the
Committee had not meant to ma>e it an a$$-in1$#si-e de4inition. And i4 he 5as
mis$ed into thin>in% o4 another meanin%, 5e apo$o%i@e 4or it. #ut our position is
that fiscal autonomy would include other rights than ust merely automatic and
regular disbursement.

MR. 0E CASTRO. 0oes it in1$#de e+1eption 4rom prea#ditN

MR. MONSO0. Hes, it 5o#$d in1$#de the imposition o4 1ertain prea#dit
re=#irements 4or re$ease, .e1a#se i4 the prea#dit re=#irements are inserted into the
pro1ess o4 re$ease, it 5o#$d de4eat the o.Be1ti-e o4 a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease.


;ased on the pre1edin% e+1han%e, it 1an .e deri-ed that the 4irst senten1e o4 Arti1$e
I?, Part A, Se1tion ,, o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion, e+press$& %rantin% 4is1a$ a#tonom&
to 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, does not ha-e the same meanin% as the se1ond
senten1e, dire1tin% the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 their appro-ed ann#a$
appropriations, hen1e, the resistan1e o4 Constit#tiona$ Commissioner Christian S.
Monsod to the s#%%ested amendment o4 Constit#tiona$ Commissioner Crispino M.
0e Castro to B#st de$ete the 4irst senten1e.

In addition, the Constit#tiona$ 7is1a$ A#tonom& !ro#p CC7A!D, to 5hi1h
respondent a-ers mem.ership, de4ined the term I4is1a$ a#tonom&J in its oint
Reso$#tion No. /8, dated '/ #$& (88:, as 4o$$o5s M

IV" $efinition of Terms%

(. 7is1a$ A#tonom& sha$$ mean independen1e or 4reedom re%ardin% 4inan1ia$
matters 4rom o#tside 1ontro$ and is 1hara1teri@ed .& se$4 dire1tion or se$4
determination. It does not mean mere automatic and regular release of
approved appropriations to a%en1ies -ested 5ith s#1h po5er in a -er& rea$
sense, the 4is1a$ a#tonom& 1ontemp$ated in the 1onstit#tion is enBo&ed
e-en .e4ore and, 5ith more reasons, a4ter the re$ease o4 the
appropriations. 7is1a$ a#tonom& en1ompasses, amon% others, .#d%et
preparation and imp$ementation, 4$e+i.i$it& in 4#nd #ti$i@ation o4 appro-ed
appropriations, #se o4 sa-in%s and disposition o4 re1eipts. + + + CEmphasis
s#pp$ied.D


6hi$e the assai$ed 0e1ision and the present Reso$#tion ma& render the stat#s
o4 respondentKs mem.ership in C7A! #n1ertain, the then Chairperson o4
respondent, A#rora P. Na-arrete-Re1ina, d#$& si%ned C7A! oint Reso$#tion No.
/8, and respondent sho#$d .e he$d .o#nd .& the de4inition o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&
therein. C7A! oint Reso$#tion No. /8 1ate%ori1a$$& de1$ares that 4is1a$ a#tonom&
means more than B#st the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 appro-ed appropriation,
and a$so en1ompasses, amon% other thin%s: C(D .#d%et preparation and
imp$ementationF C'D 4$e+i.i$it& in 4#nd #ti$i@ation o4 appro-ed appropriationsF and
C<D #se o4 sa-in%s and disposition o4 re1eipts. "a-in% a%reed to s#1h a de4inition
o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, respondent has done a 1omp$ete t#rn-a.o#t herein and is no5
1ontradi1tin% itse$4 .& ar%#in% that the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 its
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations is a$read& tantamo#nt to 4is1a$ a#tonom&.

Conse=#ent$&, this Co#rt 1on1$#des that the (8:9 Constit#tion e+tends to
respondent a 1ertain de%ree o4 4is1a$ a#tonom& thro#%h the pri-i$e%e o4 ha-in% its
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations re$eased a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$&. "o5e-er, it
5ithho$ds 4rom respondent 4is1a$ a#tonom&, in its .road or e+tensi-e sense, as
%ranted to the #di1iar&, 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions, and the O44i1e o4 the
Om.#dsman. Operati-e herein is the r#$e o4 stat#tor& 1onstr#1tion, e"pressio
unius est e"clusio alterius, 5herein the e+press mention o4 one person, thin%, or
1onse=#en1e imp$ies the e+1$#sion o4 a$$ others.
2(<3
The r#$e pro1eeds 4rom the
premise that the $e%is$at#re Cor in this 1ase, the ConComD 5o#$d not ha-e made
spe1i4i1 en#merations in a stat#te Cor the Constit#tionD had the intention not .een to
restri1t its meanin% and to 1on4ine its terms to those e+press$& mentioned.
2(/3

The pro-isions o4 E+e1#ti-e Order No. '8', other5ise >no5n as the
Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9, on the 4is1a$ a#tonom& o4 1onstit#tiona$
1ommissions, the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman, and the respondent, mere$& 4o$$o5 the
phraseo$o%& #sed in the 1orrespondin% pro-isions o4 the (8:9 Constit#tion, th#s M

;oo> II, Chapter ,, Se1tion '*. Fiscal Autonomy. M The Constit#tiona$
Commissions sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&. The appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations
sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.

;oo> A, Tit$e II, S#.tit$e ;, Se1tion /. Fiscal Autonomy. M The O44i1e o4
the Om.#dsman sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&. Its appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations
sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.

;oo> A, Tit$e II, S#.tit$e A, Se1tion *. Annual Appropriations. M The
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations o4 the Commission on "#man Ri%hts sha$$ .e
a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased.

6hi$e the Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9 has no re4eren1e to the 4is1a$ a#tonom& o4
the #di1iar&, it does ha-e pro-isions on the 4is1a$ a#tonom& o4 the 1onstit#tiona$
1ommissions and the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman. It is -er& interestin% to note that
5hi$e ;oo> II, Chapter ,, Se1tion '* Con 1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissionsD and ;oo> A,
Tit$e ', S#.tit$e ;, Se1tion / Con the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsmanD o4 the Code are
entit$ed I7is1a$ A#tonom&,J ;oo> A, Tit$e ', S#.tit$e A, Se1tion * Con respondentD
.ears the tit$e IAnn#a$ Appropriations.J 7#rther, the pro-isions on the
1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions and the O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman in the
Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9, B#st $i>e in the (8:9 Constit#tion, are 1omposed o4
t5o senten1es: C(D The %o-ernment entit& sha$$ enBo& 4is1a$ a#tonom&F and C'D Its
appro-ed ann#a$ appropriation sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased. The
pro-ision on respondent in the same Code is $imited on$& to the se1ond senten1e.

Respondent asserts that it is %ranted 4is1a$ a#tonom& .& ;oo> AI, Chapter (,
Se1tion (, para%raph 8, o4 the Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9, 5hi1h reads M

SEC. (. Constitutional Policies on the -udget. M

+ + + +

C8D 7is1a$ a#tonom& sha$$ .e enBo&ed .& the #di1iar&, Constit#tiona$
Commissions, O44i1e o4 the Om.#dsman, Lo1a$ !o-ernment and Commission on
"#man Ri%hts.


As its tit$e s#%%ests, the a4ore-1ited pro-ision is s#pposed to mere$& re-state the
po$i1ies on .#d%et as de1$ared .& the (8:9 Constit#tion and, there4ore, 1annot
%rant or e+tend to the respondent a pri-i$e%e not 4o#nd in the (8:9
Constit#tion. ;oo> AI o4 the Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9, #nder 5hi1h the said
pro-ision is 4o#nd, pertains to Nationa$ !o-ernment ;#d%etin%. Respondent ma&
ha-e .een in1$#ded in the en#meration o4 4is1a$$& a#tonomo#s %o-ernment entities
.e1a#se it does enBo& an aspe1t o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&, that o4 the a#tomati1 and
re%#$ar re$ease o4 its appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations 4rom the nationa$
.#d%et. The %enera$ de1$aration o4 4is1a$ a#tonom& o4 the respondent in Se1tion (,
para%raph 8, o4 ;oo> A o4 the Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9 on Nationa$
!o-ernment ;#d%etin%, m#st .e =#a$i4ied and $imited .& Se1tion * o4 ;oo> A,
Tit$e II, S#.tit$e A o4 the same Code spe1i4i1a$$& pertainin% to respondent. It
sho#$d .e .orne in mind that the %enera$ r#$e is that a 5ord, phrase or pro-ision
sho#$d not .e 1onstr#ed in iso$ation, .#t m#st .e interpreted in re$ation to other
pro-isions o4 the $a5.
2(,3

To reiterate, #nder the Constit#tion, as 5e$$ as the Administrati-e Code o4
(8:9, respondent enBo&s 4is1a$ a#tonom& on$& to the e+tent that its appro-ed
ann#a$ appropriations sha$$ .e a#tomati1a$$& and re%#$ar$& re$eased, .#t nothin%
more.

On the main iss#e o4 5hether or not the appro-a$ .& the 0epartment o4
;#d%et and Mana%ement C0;MD is a 1ondition pre1edent to the ena1tment o4 an
#p%radin%, re1$assi4i1ation, 1reation and 1o$$apsin% o4 p$anti$$a positions in the
C"R, this Co#rt sta#n1h$& ho$ds that as pres1indin% 4rom the $e%a$ and
B#rispr#dentia$ &ardsti1>s dis1#ssed in $en%th in the assai$ed 0e1ision, the
imprimat#r o4 the 0;M m#st 4irst .e so#%ht prior to imp$ementation o4 an&
re1$assi4i1ation or #p%radin% o4 positions in %o-ernment.

Re%ard$ess o4 5hether or not respondent enBo&s 4is1a$ a#tonom&, this Co#rt
shares the stan1e o4 the 0;M that the %rant o4 4is1a$ a#tonom& not5ithstandin%, a$$
%o-ernment o44i1es m#st, a$$ the same, >o5to5 to the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation
La5. This Co#rt is o4 the same mind 5ith the 0;M
2(*3
on its standpoint, th#s M

;ein% a mem.er o4 the 4is1a$ a#tonom& %ro#p does not -est the a%en1&
5ith the a#thorit& to re1$assi4&, #p%rade, and 1reate positions 5itho#t appro-a$ o4
the 0;M. 6hi$e the mem.ers o4 the !ro#p are a#thori@ed to 4orm#$ate and
imp$ement the or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#res o4 their respe1ti-e o44i1es and determine
the 1ompensation o4 their personne$, s#1h a#thorit& is not absolute and must be
e"ercised #ithin the parameters of the 1nified Position Classification and
Compensation System established under 2A 345+ more popularly %no#n as the
Compensation Standardiation 6a#. + + + CEmphasis s#pp$iedD.

To dri-e home this point, in the spe1ia$ pro-ision 1o-erin% the #di1iar& as
=#oted a.o-e, the #di1iar& 5as not -ested 5ith the po5er to 4orm#$ate and
imp$ement or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#res beyond the sa$ar& rates, a$$o5an1es and other
.ene4its #nder the 1ompensation standardi@ation $a5s. Stated di44erent$&, a$tho#%h
the #di1iar& is a$$o5ed to reor%ani@e, an& s#1h reor%ani@ation m#st, ne-erthe$ess,
.e in stri1t adheren1e to the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5. Ergo, an& reor%ani@ation
therein m#st .e 5ith the 1on4ormit& o4 the 0;M inasm#1h as it is the %o-ernment
arm tas>ed .& $a5 to imp$ement the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5.

In Rep#.$i1 A1t No. 8''9, or IAn Act 0ranting Additional Compensation in
the Form of Special Allo#ances for Justices! Judges and All Other Positions in the
Judiciary #ith the E$uivalent 2an% of Justices of the Court of Appeals and Judges
of the 2egional 7rial Court! and for Other Purposes!J the %rant o4 Spe1ia$
A$$o5an1es to mem.ers o4 the #di1iar& did not operate to e+empt mem.ers
thereo4 4rom the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5. In Se1tion 9 o4 Rep#.$i1 A1t No.
8''9, the S#preme Co#rt and the 0;M 5ere spe1i4i1a$$& tas>ed to iss#e the
ne1essar& %#ide$ines 4or the proper imp$ementation o4 this A1t in respe1t to 4#nds
1omin% 4rom the Nationa$ Treas#r&.
2(93
Res#$tant$&, the S#preme Co#rt and the
0;M iss#ed oint Cir1#$ar No. '))/-( on (< an#ar& '))/ 5hi1h pro-ided
%#ide$ines on the 4#ndin% so#r1e 4or the %rant o4 this spe1ia$ a$$o5an1e. Th#s,
a$tho#%h Administrati-e Order No. (<9, iss#ed .& President !$oria Ma1apa%a$-
Arro&o on '9 0e1em.er ')),, e+tended to the Chairman and Commissioners or
Mem.ers o4 the C"R the same .ene4its and pri-i$e%es enBo&ed .& mem.ers o4
1onstit#tiona$ 1ommissions and the #di1iar& in the matter o4 rationa$i@ed rate o4
a$$o5an1es and $i.era$i@ed 1omp#tation o4 retirement .ene4its and a11#m#$ated
$ea-e 1redits, it sti$$ does not e+empt respondent 4rom the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation
La5.

I4 the #di1iar&, a 1o-e=#a$ .ran1h o4 %o-ernment, 5hi1h 5as e+press$&
%ranted .& the Constit#tion 5ith 4is1a$ a#tonom&, is re=#ired to 1on4orm to the
Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5 and is s#.Be1t to the s1r#tin& o4 the 0;M, sa%a1io#s$&,
the respondent 1annot .e deemed to enBo& a .etter position than the #di1iar&. The
respondent m#st, $i>e5ise, toe the $ine.

This Co#rt sha$$ no $on%er .e$a.or the point it has a$read& de$-ed #pon in
$en%th in its 0e1ision that Con%ress has de$e%ated to the 0;M the po5er to
administer the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5, 5hi1h po5er is part o4 the s&stem o4
1he1>s and .a$an1es or s&stem o4 restraints in the Phi$ippine %o-ernment. This
Co#rt, th#s, reiterates the point that the 0;MKs e+er1ise o4 s#1h a#thorit& is not in
itse$4 an arro%ation inasm#1h as it is p#rs#ant to the (8:9 Constit#tion, the
paramo#nt $a5 o4 the $andF the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5F and the Administrati-e
Code o4 (8:9.

In $ine 5ith its ro$e to .reathe $i4e into the po$i1& .ehind the Sa$ar&
Standardi@ation La5 o4 Ipro-idin% e=#a$ pa& 4or s#.stantia$$& e=#a$ 5or> and to
.ase di44eren1es in pa& #pon s#.stanti-e di44eren1es in d#ties and responsi.i$ities,
and =#a$i4i1ation re=#irements o4 the positions,J the 0;M, in the 1ase #nder
re-ie5, made a determination, a4ter a thoro#%h e-a$#ation, that the re1$assi4i1ation
and #p%radin% s1heme proposed .& the respondent $a1>s $e%a$ rationa$i@ation.

The 0;M e+po#nded that Se1tion 9: o4 the !enera$ Pro-isions o4 the
!enera$ Appropriations A1t C!AAD, 7H (88:, 5hi1h the respondent hea-i$& re$ies
#pon to B#sti4& its re1$assi4i1ation s1heme, e+p$i1it$& pro-ides that Ino
organiational unit or changes in %ey positions shall be authoried unless provided
by la# or directed by the President.J "ere, the 0;M dis1erned that there is no $a5
a#thori@in% the 1reation o4 a 7inan1e Mana%ement O44i1e and a P#.$i1 A44airs
O44i1e in the C"R. Anent respondentKs proposa$ to #p%rade t5e$-e C('D positions
o4 Attorne& AI, S!-': to 0ire1tor IA, S!-':, and three C<D positions o4 0ire1tor
III, S!-'9 to 0ire1tor IA, S!-':, in its Centra$ O44i1e, the 0;M denied the same
as this 5o#$d 1han%e the 1onte+t 4rom s#pport to s#.stanti-e 5itho#t a1t#a$ 1han%e
in 4#n1tions.

This -ie5 o4 the 0;M, as the $a5Ks desi%nated .od&
to implement and administer a #ni4ied 1ompensation s&stem, is .e&ond 1a-i$. The
interpretation o4 an administrati-e %o-ernment a%en1&, 5hi1h is tas>ed to
imp$ement a stat#te, is a11orded %reat respe1t and ordinari$& 1ontro$s the
1onstr#1tion o4 the 1o#rts. In Energy 2egulatory -oard v. Court of Appeals,
2(:3
the
Co#rt e1hoed the .asi1 r#$e that the 1o#rts 5i$$ not inter4ere in matters 5hi1h are
addressed to the so#nd dis1retion o4 %o-ernment a%en1ies entr#sted 5ith the
re%#$ation o4 a1ti-ities 1omin% #nder the spe1ia$ te1hni1a$ >no5$ed%e and trainin%
o4 s#1h a%en1ies.

To .e s#re, 1onsiderin% his e+pertise on matters a44e1tin% the nationKs
1o44ers, the Se1retar& o4 the 0;M, as the PresidentKs alter ego, >no5s 4rom 5here
he spea>s inasm#1h as he has the 4ront seat -ie5 o4 the ad-erse e44e1ts o4 an
#n5arranted #p%radin% or 1reation o4 positions in the C"R in parti1#$ar and in the
entire %o-ernment in %enera$.

As the 4ina$ thr#st, %i-en this Co#rtKs pre-io#s prono#n1ement in the present
Reso$#tion that the 4is1a$ a#tonom& %ranted to the respondent .& the (8:9
Constit#tion and the Administrati-e Code o4 (8:9 sha$$ .e $imited on$& to the
a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 its appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations, respondent is
pre1$#ded 4rom in-o>in% the Spe1ia$ Pro-isions App$i1a.$e to A$$ Constit#tiona$
O44i1es EnBo&in% 7is1a$ A#tonom& in the (88: !AA. The said Spe1ia$ Pro-isions
read M

Spe1ia$ Pro-isions App$i1a.$e to A$$ Constit#tiona$ O44i1es EnBo&in% 7is1a$
A#tonom&
(. Or%ani@ation Str#1t#re. An& pro-ision o4 $a5 to the 1ontrar&
not5ithstandin% and 5ithin the $imits o4 their respe1ti-e appropriations as
a#thori@ed in this A1t, the Constit#tiona$ Commissions and O44i1es enBo&in% 4is1a$
a#tonom& are a#thori@ed to 4orm#$ate and imp$ement the or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#res
o4 their respe1ti-e o44i1es, to 4i+ and determine the sa$aries, a$$o5an1es, and other
.ene4its o4 their personne$, and 5hene-er p#.$i1 interest so re=#ires, ma>e
adB#stments in the persona$ ser-i1es itemi@ation in1$#din%, .#t not $imited to, the
trans4er o4 item or 1reation o4 ne5 positions in their respe1ti-e o44i1es:
PROAI0E0, That the o44i1ers and emp$o&ees 5hose positions are a44e1ted .&
s#1h reor%ani@ation or adB#stments sha$$ .e %ranted retirement %rat#ities and
separation pa& in a11ordan1e 5ith e+istin% $a5s, 5hi1h sha$$ .e pa&a.$e 4rom an&
#ne+pended .a$an1e o4, or sa-in%s in the appropriations o4 their respe1ti-e
o44i1es: PROAI0E0, 7URT"ER, That the imp$ementation hereo4 sha$$ .e in
a11ordan1e 5ith sa$ar& rates, a$$o5an1es and other .ene4its a#thori@ed #nder
1ompensation standardi@ation $a5s.
'. Use o4 Sa-in%s. The Constit#tiona$ Commissions and O44i1es
enBo&in% 4is1a$ a#tonom& are here.& a#thori@ed to #se sa-in%s in their respe1ti-e
appropriations 4orF CaD printin% andEor p#.$i1ation o4 de1isions, reso$#tions, and
trainin% in4ormation materia$sF C.D repair, maintenan1e and impro-ement o4
1entra$ and re%iona$ o44i1es, 4a1i$ities and e=#ipmentF C1D p#r1hase o4 .oo>s,
Bo#rna$s, periodi1a$s and e=#ipmentF CdD ne1essar& e+penses 4or the emp$o&ment
or temporar&, 1ontra1t#a$ and 1as#a$ emp$o&eesF CeD pa&ment o4 e+traordinar& and
mis1e$$aneo#s e+penses, 1omm#ta.$e representation and transportation
a$$o5an1es, and 4rin%e .ene4its 4or their o44i1ia$s and emp$o&ees as ma& .e
a#thori@ed .& $a5F and C4D other o44i1ia$ p#rposes, s#.Be1t to a11o#ntin% and
a#ditin% r#$es and re%#$ations.

It is #ne=#i-o1a$ that the a4ore-=#oted Spe1ia$ Pro-isions o4 the (88: !AA re4er to
the .road and e+tensi-e 1on1ept o4 4is1a$ a#tonom&. The& a$read& %o .e&ond
ens#rin% the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 the appro-ed ann#a$ appropriations,
.#t a$read& en#merate the 5a&s .& 5hi1h the named %o-ernment entities 1an #se
their appropriations to e44e1t 1han%es in their or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#re and their
sa-in%s 4or 1ertain o44i1ia$ p#rposes. E-en ass#min% arguendo that the said
Spe1ia$ Pro-isions are app$i1a.$e to respondent, it sho#$d .e noted that the $ast
senten1e in para%raph ( =#a$i4ies the po5er o4 a 4is1a$$& a#tonomo#s %o-ernment
entit& to 4orm#$ate and imp$ement 1han%es in its or%ani@ationa$ str#1t#re so that, I+
+ + the imp$ementation hereo4 sha$$ .e in a11ordan1e 5ith sa$ar& rates, a$$o5an1es
and other .ene4its a#thori@ed #nder 1ompensation standardi@ation $a5s.J And, as
e+ha#sti-e$& e+po#nded in the assai$ed 0e1ision and the herein Reso$#tion, on$&
the 0;M has the a#thorit& and the te1hni1a$ e+pertise to determine 1omp$ian1e .&
respondent to the pro-isions o4 the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation La5.

*HERE+ORE, the Motion 4or Re1onsideration
is PARTIALLY GRANTED. The assai$ed 0e1ision o4 this Co#rt dated ',
No-em.er '))/ is here.&MODI+IED! de1$arin% the respondent C"R as a
1onstit#tiona$ .od& enBo&in% limited 4is1a$ a#tonom&, in the sense that it is entit$ed
to the a#tomati1 and re%#$ar re$ease o4 its appro-ed ann#a$ appropriationsF
nonethe$ess, it is sti$$ re=#ired to 1on4orm to the Sa$ar& Standardi@ation
La5. A11ordin%$&, its entire re1$assi4i1ation s1heme remains s#.Be1t to the
appro-a$ o4 the 0;M. No prono#n1ement as to 1osts.

SO ORDERED.




MINITA V" CHICO,NA#ARIO
Asso1iate #sti1e



6E CONCUR:



REYNATO S" PUNO
Asso1iate #sti1e
Chairman



MA" ALICIA AUSTRIA,MARTINE#
Asso1iate #sti1e
ROMEO $" CALLE$O! SR"
Asso1iate #sti1e



DANTE O" TINGA
Asso1iate #sti1e


A T T E S T A T I O N

I attest that the 1on1$#sions in the a.o-e Reso$#tion 5ere rea1hed in
1ons#$tation .e4ore the 1ase 5as assi%ned to the 5riter o4 the opinion o4 the Co#rtKs
0i-ision.



REYNATO S" PUNO
Asso1iate #sti1e
Chairman, Se1ond 0i-ision



C E R T I + I C A T I O N

P#rs#ant to Arti1$e AIII, Se1tion (< o4 the Constit#tion, and the 0i-ision
ChairmanKs Attestation, it is here.& 1erti4ied that the 1on1$#sions in the a.o-e
Reso$#tion 5ere rea1hed in 1ons#$tation .e4ore the 1ase 5as assi%ned to the 5riter
o4 the opinion o4 the Co#rtKs 0i-ision.



ARTEMIO V" PANGANI-AN
Chie4 #sti1e

2(3
Penned .& Asso1iate #sti1e Minita A. Chi1o-Na@ario 5ith A1tin% Chie4 #sti1e Re&nato S. P#no,
Asso1iate #sti1es Ma. A$i1ia A#stria-Martine@, Romeo . Ca$$eBo, Sr., and 0ante O. Tin%a,
1on1#rrin%F 2ollo, pp. (8:-''*.
2'3
Id. at ''/-'',.
2<3
Id. at ''9-',).
2/3
Id. at '*'-'*,.
2,3
Id. at '))-'):.
2*3
Id. at '':-''8.
293
Re1ord o4 Constit#tiona$ Commission, Ao$. IA, pp. ()-(' C': A#%#st (8:*D.
2:3
Id. at ().
283
Id. at ((.
2()3
Id.
2((3
!.R. No. ()<,'/, (, Apri$ (88', '): SCRA (<<, (,).
2('3
RECOR0 O7 CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION, AOL. I, pp. ,,8-,*) C(, #$& (8:*D.

2(<3
R#.en E. A%pa$o, STATUTORH CONSTRUCTION, p. ''' C'))<D. See Centeno v. 8illalon9Pornillos,
!.R. No. ((<)8', ( Septem.er (88/, '<* SCRA (89.
2(/3
Commissioner of Customs v. Court of 7a" Appeals! !.R. No. /:::*-::, '( #$& (88<, ''/ SCRA **,,
*9).
2(,3
S#pra note (' at (8(.
2(*3
Letter, dated ') an#ar& (888, o4 0;M Se1retar& ;enBamin E. 0io>no addressed to C"R Chairperson
A#rora P. Na-arette-Re1iGaF 2ollo, p. *<.
2(93
SEC. 9. :ssuance of :mplementing 0uidelines. M The S#preme Co#rt and the 0epartment
o4 ;#d%et and Mana%ement sha$$ iss#e the ne1essar& %#ide$ines 4or the proper imp$ementation o4
this A1t in respe1t to 4#nds 1omin% 4rom the Nationa$ Treas#r& 5ithin ninet& C8)D da&s 4rom
appro-a$ hereo4.
2(:3
!.R. No. ((<)98, ') Apri$ '))(, <,9 SCRA <), /)F 1itin% ;estl< Philippines! :ncorporated
v. Court of Appeals, !.R. No. :*9<:, (< No-em.er (88(, ')< SCRA ,)/, ,()-,((.