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that would suggest that the same or similar jurisdiction has been granted to the Bureau of Energy
Utilization. It is a fundamental rule that an administrative agency has only such powers as are expressly
granted to it by law and those that are necessarily implied in the exercise thereof. That issuing the order to
vacate was the most effective way of stopping any illegal trading in petroleum products is no excuse for a
deviation from this rule. Otherwise, adherence to the rule of law would be rendered meaningless.
Moreover, contrary to the Solicitor General's theory, the text of the assailed order leaves no room for doubt
that it was issued in connection with an adjudication of the contractual dispute between respondent Shell
and petitioner. But then the Bureau of Energy Utilization, like its predecessor, the defunct Oil Industry
Commission, has no power to decide contractual disputes between gasoline dealers and oil companies, in
the absence of an express provision of law granting to it such power. As explicitly stated in the law, in
connection with the exercise of quasi-judicial powers, the Bureau's jurisdiction is limited to cases involving
violation or non-compliance with any term or condition of any certificate, license or permit issued by it or
of any of its orders, decisions, rules or regulations.
RATIO: Grant of particular power must be found in the law itself. Where there is nothing in the law that
would suggest that a particular power has been granted, such as the power to decide contractual disputes,
the same cannot be exercised.
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