ADMIN LAW

Title: Disomangcop v. Datumanong G.R. No. 149848

Date: November 25, 2004
Ponente: Tinga, J.
THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS SIMEON A. DATUMANONG and THE
ARSADI M. DISOMANGCOP and RAMIR M. DIMALOTANG,
SECRETARY OF BUDGET and MANAGEMENT EMILIA T.
petitioners
BONCODIN,
respondents
FACTS
 Challenged in the instant petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus with prayer for a temporary restraining
order and/or writ of preliminary injunction are the constitutionality and validity of Republic Act No. 8999 entitled “An
Act Establishing An Engineering District in the First District of the Province of Lanao del Sur and Appropriating Funds
Therefor,” and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department Order No. 119 on the subject,
“Creation of Marawi Sub-District Engineering Office.”
 Pursuant to the constitutional mandate, Republic Act No. 6734 (R.A. 6734), entitled “An Act Providing for An Organic
Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” was enacted and signed into law on 1 August 1989. The law
called for the holding of a plebiscite in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del
Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga
del Sur, and the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa and
Zamboanga. In the plebiscite, only four (4) provinces voted for the creation of an autonomous region, namely: Lanao
del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. These provinces became the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). The law contains elaborate provisions on the powers of the Regional Government and the areas of
jurisdiction which are reserved for the National Government. President Aquino issued E.O. 426, entitled “Placing the
Control and Supervision of the Offices of the DPWH within the ARMM under the Autonomous Regional Government,
and for other purposes.”
 Nearly nine (9) years later, then DPWH Secretary Gregorio R. Vigilar issued D.O. 119 (Creation of Marawi Sub-District
Engineering Office which shall have jurisdiction over all national infrastructure projects and facilities under the DPWH
within Marawi City and the province of Lanao del Sur.)
 Almost two years later, President Estrada approved and signed into law R.A. 8999 (establishing engineering district in
Lanao del Sur).
 Congress later passed R.A. 9054, entitled “An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 6734, entitled An Act Providing for the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as Amended.”
 On 23 July 2001, petitioners addressed a petition to DPWH Secretary Simeon Datumanong, seeking the revocation of
D.O. 119 and the non-implementation of R.A. 8999. No action, however, was taken on the petition.
 Petitioners allege that D.O. 119 was issued with grave abuse of discretion and that it violates the constitutional
autonomy of the ARMM. They point out that the challenged Department Order has tasked the Marawi Sub-District
Engineering Office with functions that have already been devolved to the DPWH-ARMM First Engineering District in
Lanao del Sur.
 Petitioners also contend that R.A. 8999 is a piece of legislation that was not intelligently and thoroughly studied, and
that the explanatory note to House Bill No. 995 (H.B. 995) from which the law originated is questionable. Petitioners
assert as well that prior to the sponsorship of the law, no public hearing nor consultation with the DPWH-ARMM was
made. The House Committee on Public Works and Highways (Committee) failed to invite a single official from the
affected agency. Finally, petitioners argue that the law was skillfully timed for signature by former President Joseph E.
Estrada during the pendency of the impeachment proceedings.
ISSUE/S
1. Whether or not Republic Act No. 8999 is valid. NO
2. Whether or not DPWH Department Order No. 119 is valid. NO
RATIO
1. No. The challenged law never became operative and was superseded or repealed by a subsequent enactment.
 The ARMM Organic Acts are deemed a part of the regional autonomy scheme. While they are classified as
statutes, the Organic Acts are more than ordinary statutes because they enjoy affirmation by a plebiscite. Hence,
 the provisions thereof cannot be amended by an ordinary statute, such as R.A. 8999 in this case. The amendatory
law has to be submitted to a plebiscite.
 Although R.A. 9054 was enacted later, it reaffirmed the imperativeness of the plebiscite requirement. In fact, R.A.
9054 itself, being the second or later ARMM Organic Act, was subjected to and ratified in a plebiscite.
 The first ARMM Organic Act, R.A. 6074, as implemented by E.O. 426, devolved the functions of the DPWH in the
ARMM which includes Lanao del Sur (minus Marawi City at the time) to the Regional Government. By creating an
office with previously devolved functions, R.A. 8999, in essence, sought to amend R.A. 6074. The amendatory law
should therefore first obtain the approval of the people of the ARMM before it could validly take effect. Absent
compliance with this requirement, R.A. 8999 has not even become operative.
 From another perspective, R.A. 8999 was repealed and superseded by R.A. 9054. Where a statute of later date
clearly reveals an intention on the part of the legislature to abrogate a prior act on the subject, that intention
must be given effect. R.A. 9054 is anchored on the 1987 Constitution. It advances the constitutional grant of
autonomy by detailing the powers of the ARG covering, among others, Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, one of
which is its jurisdiction over regional urban and rural planning. R.A. 8999, however, ventures to reestablish the
National Government’s jurisdiction over infrastructure programs in Lanao del Sur. R.A. 8999 is patently
inconsistent with R.A. 9054, and it destroys the latter law’s objective.
 Clearly, R.A. 8999 is antagonistic to and cannot be reconciled with both ARMM Organic Acts, R.A. 6734 and R.A.
9054. The kernel of the antagonism and disharmony lies in the regional autonomy which the ARMM Organic Acts
ordain pursuant to the Constitution. On the other hand, R.A. 8999 contravenes true decentralization which is the
essence of regional autonomy.
 The idea behind the Constitutional provisions for autonomous regions is to allow the separate development of
peoples with distinctive cultures and traditions. These cultures, as a matter of right, must be allowed to flourish.
 Autonomy, as a national policy, recognizes the wholeness of the Philippine society in its ethnolinguistic, cultural,
and even religious diversities. It strives to free Philippine society of the strain and wastage caused by the
assimilationist approach. Policies emanating from the legislature are invariably assimilationist in character despite
channels being open for minority representation. As a result, democracy becomes an irony to the minority group.
 The need for regional autonomy is more pressing in the case of the Filipino Muslims and the Cordillera people
who have been fighting for it. Their political struggle highlights their unique cultures and the unresponsiveness of
the unitary system to their aspirations. The Moros’ struggle for self-determination dates as far back as the Spanish
conquest in the Philippines. Even at present, the struggle goes on.
 However, the creation of autonomous regions does not signify the establishment of a sovereignty distinct from
that of the Republic, as it can be installed only “within the framework of this Constitution and the national
sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.”
 The objective of the autonomy system is to permit determined groups, with a common tradition and shared social-
cultural characteristics, to develop freely their ways of life and heritage, exercise their rights, and be in charge of
their own business. This is achieved through the establishment of a special governance regime for certain member
communities who choose their own authorities from within the community and exercise the jurisdictional
authority legally accorded to them to decide internal community affairs.
 In the Philippine setting, regional autonomy implies the cultivation of more positive means for national
integration. It would remove the wariness among the Muslims, increase their trust in the government and pave
the way for the unhampered implementation of the development programs in the region
 A necessary prerequisite of autonomy is decentralization. Decentralization is a decision by the central government
authorizing its subordinates, whether geographically or functionally defined, to exercise authority in certain areas.
It involves decision-making by subnational units. It is typically a delegated power, wherein a larger government
chooses to delegate certain authority to more local governments. Federalism implies some measure of
decentralization, but unitary systems may also decentralize. Decentralization differs intrinsically from federalism
in that the sub-units that have been authorized to act (by delegation) do not possess any claim of right against the
central government.
 Decentralization comes in two forms—deconcentration and devolution. Deconcentration is administrative in
nature; it involves the transfer of functions or the delegation of authority and responsibility from the national
office to the regional and local offices. This mode of decentralization is also referred to as administrative
decentralization.
 Devolution, on the other hand, connotes political decentralization, or the transfer of powers, responsibilities, and
resources for the performance of certain functions from the central government to local government units. This
is a more liberal form of decentralization since there is an actual transfer of powers and responsibilities. It aims to
 grant greater autonomy to local government units in cognizance of their right to self-government, to make them
self-reliant, and to improve their administrative and technical capabilities.
 The diminution of Congress’ powers over autonomous regions was confirmed in Ganzon v. CA wherein this Court
held that “the omission (of “as may be provided by law”) signifies nothing more than to underscore local
governments’ autonomy from Congress and to break Congress’ ‘control’ over local government affairs.”
 This is true to subjects over which autonomous regions have powers, as specified in Sections 18 and 20, Article X
of the 1987 Constitution. Expressly not included therein are powers over certain areas. Worthy of note is that the
area of public works is not excluded and neither is it reserved for the National Government.
 E.O. 426 officially devolved the powers and functions of the DPWH in ARMM to the Autonomous Regional
Government (ARG). More importantly, Congress itself through R.A. 9054 transferred and devolved the
administrative and fiscal management of public works and funds for public works to the ARG.
 In treading their chosen path of development, the Muslims in Mindanao are to be given freedom and
independence with minimum interference from the National Government. This necessarily includes the freedom
to decide on, build, supervise and maintain the public works and infrastructure projects within the autonomous
region. The devolution of the powers and functions of the DPWH in the ARMM and transfer of the administrative
and fiscal management of public works and funds to the ARG are meant to be true, meaningful and unfettered.
This unassailable conclusion is grounded on a clear consensus, reached at the Constitutional Commission and
ratified by the entire Filipino electorate, on the centrality of decentralization of power as the appropriate vessel
of deliverance for Muslim Filipinos and the ultimate unity of Muslims and Christians in this country.
 With R.A. 8999, however, this freedom is taken away, and the National Government takes control again. The
hands, once more, of the autonomous peoples are reined in and tied up.
 The challenged law creates an office with functions and powers which, by virtue of E.O. 426, have been previously
devolved to the DPWH-ARMM, First Engineering District in Lanao del Sur. E.O. 426 clearly ordains the transfer of
the control and supervision of the offices of the DPWH within the ARMM, including their functions, powers and
responsibilities, personnel, equipment, properties, and budgets to the ARG. Among its other functions, the DPWH-
ARMM, under the control of the Regional Government shall be responsible for highways, flood control and water
resource development systems, and other public works within the ARMM. Its scope of power includes the
planning, design, construction and supervision of public works. According to RA 9054, the reach of the Regional
Government enables it to appropriate, manage and disburse all public work funds allocated for the region by the
central government. The use of the word “powers” in EO 426 manifests an unmistakable case of devolution.
 It is clear from the foregoing provision of law that except for the areas of executive power mentioned therein, all
other such areas shall be exercised by the Autonomous Regional Government (“ARG”) of the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao. It is noted that programs relative to infrastructure facilities, health, education, women in
development, agricultural extension and watershed management do not fall under any of the exempted areas
listed in the provision of law. Thus, the inevitable conclusion is that all these spheres of executive responsibility
have been transferred to the ARG.
 R.A. 8999 has made the DPWH-ARMM effete and rendered regional autonomy illusory with respect to
infrastructure projects. The Congressional Record shows, on the other hand, that the “lack of an implementing
and monitoring body within the area” has hindered the speedy implementation, of infrastructure projects.
Apparently, in the legislature’s estimation, the existing DPWH-ARMM engineering districts failed to measure up
to the task. But if it was indeed the case, the problem could not be solved through the simple legislative creation
of an incongruous engineering district for the central government in the ARMM. As it was, House Bill No. 995
which ultimately became R.A. 8999 was passed in record time on second reading (not more than 10 minutes),
absolutely without the usual sponsorship speech and debates. The precipitate speed which characterized the
passage of R.A. 8999 is difficult to comprehend since R.A. 8999 could have resulted in the amendment of the first
ARMM Organic Act and, therefore, could not take effect without first being ratified in a plebiscite. What is more
baffling is that in March 2001, or barely two (2) months after it enacted R.A. 8999 in January 2001, Congress
passed R.A. 9054, the second ARMM Organic Act, where it reaffirmed the devolution of the DPWH in ARMM,
including Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, to the Regional Government and effectively repealed R.A. 8999.
2. No. D.O. 119 creating the Marawi Sub-District Engineering Office which has jurisdiction over infrastructure projects
within Marawi City and Lanao del Sur is violative of the provisions of E.O. 426.
 The Executive Order was issued pursuant to R.A. 6734—which initiated the creation of the constitutionally-
mandated autonomous region and which defined the basic structure of the autonomous government. E.O. 426
sought to implement the transfer of the control and supervision of the DPWH within the ARMM to the
Autonomous Regional Government. In particular, it identified four (4) District Engineering Offices in each of the
 four (4) provinces, namely: Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Accordingly, the First Engineering
District of the DPWH-ARMM in Lanao del Sur has jurisdiction over the public works within the province.
 The office created under D.O. 119, having essentially the same powers, is a duplication of the DPWH-ARMM First
Engineering District in Lanao del Sur formed under the aegis of E.O. 426. The department order, in effect, takes
back powers which have been previously devolved under the said executive order. D.O. 119 runs counter to the
provisions of E.O. 426. The DPWH’s order, like spring water, cannot rise higher than its source of power—the
Executive.
 The fact that the department order was issued pursuant to E.O. 124—signed and approved by President Aquino
in her residual legislative powers—is of no moment. It is a finely-imbedded principle in statutory construction
that a special provision or law prevails over a general one. Lex specialis derogant generali. As this Court expressed
in the case of Leveriza v. Intermediate Appellate Court, “another basic principle of statutory construction
mandates that general legislation must give way to special legislation on the same subject, and generally be so
interpreted as to embrace only cases in which the special provisions are not applicable, that specific statute
prevails over a general statute and that where two statutes are of equal theoretical application to a particular
case, the one designed therefor specially should prevail.”
 E.O. No. 124, upon which D.O. 119 is based, is a general law reorganizing the Ministry of Public Works and
Highways while E.O. 426 is a special law transferring the control and supervision of the DPWH offices within ARMM
to the Autonomous Regional Government. The latter statute specifically applies to DPWH-ARMM offices. E.O. 124
should therefore give way to E.O. 426 in the instant case.
 In any event, the ARMM Organic Acts and their ratification in a plebiscite in effect superseded E.O. 124. In case of
an irreconcilable conflict between two laws of different vintages, the later enactment prevails because it is the
later legislative will.
 Further, in its repealing clause, R.A. 9054 states that “all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Organic Act, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.” With the repeal of E.O. 124 which is the basis of D.O. 119, it necessarily follows that D.O. 119 was
also rendered functus officio by the ARMM Organic Acts.
RULING
WHEREFORE, considering that Republic Act No. 9054 repealed Republic Act No. 8999 and rendered DPWH Department
Order No. 119 functus officio, the petition insofar as it seeks the writs of certiorari and prohibition is GRANTED.
Accordingly, let a writ of prohibition ISSUE commanding respondents to desist from implementing R.A. 8999 and D.O.
119, and maintaining the DPWH Marawi Sub-District Engineering Office and the First Engineering District of the Province
of Lanao del Sur comprising the City of Marawi and the municipalities within the First District of Lanao del Sur. However,
the petition insofar as it seeks a writ of mandamus against respondents is DENIED.
(SANTOS, 2B 2017-2018)