THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 153810, August 12, 2015
WINSTON R. GARCIA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), Petitioners, v. ANGELITA TOLENTINO, EDELITO ZOLLO EDRALINDA, KATHLYN A. UMALI, VIVIAN ROSIELLE CERVANTES, EDITH MEDINA, ROMELO CABANGON, ET AL., Respondents.
[G.R. NO. 167297]
MELINA I. GARCIA, CECILIA V. LAS, NIMFA PENALOSA, ROSANA R. ZEPEDA, RACHELLE L. JACOB, MARIBEL B. TENA, AND EDUVIGIS S. ANGELES (IN LIEU OF ANGELITA TOLENTINO FOR THE NATIONAL FORESTATION DEVELOPMENT OFFICE-DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, ET AL.), Petitioners, v. WINSTON GARCIA, ET AL., Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
JARDELEZA, J.:
Before us are consolidated cases originating from the Decision1 dated March 11, 2002 rendered by Branch 88 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City in Civil Case No. Q-99-39153 which annulled Joint Circular No. 99-3 for violating Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as "The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997" (RA 8291).
xxx
4.0 Guidelines
4.1 Effective January 1, 1999, the required government share of premiums on RLIP, ECIP, MEDICARE and PAG-IBIG of contractual personnel shall be paid out of the 20% premium given them pursuant to Section 44 of the 1999 GAA.
4.2 No additional funds shall be released by the DBM for the purpose. The premium pay to be received by a contractual employee shall be adjusted accordingly net of the government statutory expenditures on Personal Services consistent with Item 4.1 above.
4.3 It is understood that the employee's share for RLIP, MEDICARE and PAG-IBIG shall be paid by the individual contractual employees.xxx
(Emphasis supplied.)
xxx the Court finds merit in the petitioners' contention that indeed the joint circular runs afoul of the provisions of RA 8291. xxx
Under this circular, the contractual personnel shall in effect be paying the government's share of the contributions inasmuch as no additional funds shall be appropriated for the purpose. This is a clear contravention of the very law it seeks to implement.
GSIS as an administrative agency vested with quasi legislative powers shall exercise such delegated legislative power with no discretion as to what the law shall be, but merely the authority to fix the details in the execution of enforcement of a policy set out in the law itself.xxx
Clearly, the joint circular had been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction for being violative of the letter of the law it seeks to implement. "Indeed, administrative regulations must not override, but must remain consistent with the law they seek to apply and implement. They are intended to carry out, not to supplant nor to modify the law." (Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Court of Appeals, 240 SCRA 149)
Finally, respondents assail the jurisdiction of this Court citing Sec. 30 of RA 8291 and Sec. 14.1 and 14.3 of the Implementing Rules. Granting arguendo tbat the GSIS has primary jurisdiction over the instant case as it appears that petitioners did not avail nor exhaust the administrative remedies by not moving for the reconsideration of their coverage under RA 8291, the Court, however, deemed it just and equitable under the circumstances to give due course to the instant petition because the petitioners bad no other speedy and adequate remedy available to them in view of the impending implementation of the questioned circular.
Moreover, the Court's act to take cognizance of the instant case finds justification in the provisions of the (sic) par. 2, Sec. 1, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which provides:ChanRoblesvirtualLawlibraryxxx
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the GSIS-DBM Joint Circular No. 99-3 is hereby annulled for being contrary to law. The preliminary injunction previously issued is hereby made permanent.
SO ORDERED.17cralawrednad
(Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
WHEREFORE, the assailed Decision dated March 11, 2002, and the Order dated May 27, 2002 denying the Motion for Reconsideration of the said Decision, in Civil Case No. Q-99-39153 of Branch 88 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City are hereby ANNULLED and SET ASIDE, and a new one is entered DISMISSING the petition for lack of merit, prematurity and lack of cause of action.
SO ORDERED.28
- Whether or not the GSIS is guilty of forum-shopping;32cralawrednad
- Whether or not the trial court had jurisdiction to resolve the petition filed by Tolentino et al. in Civil Case No. Q-99-39153;33 and
- Whether or not JC No. 99-3 is valid (assuming the trial court has jurisdiction to hear Tolentino et al.'s petition).34
We uphold the decision of the Court of Appeals finding PCIB guilty of forum-shopping.chanrobleslawThe Court of Appeals opined:cralawlawlibraryTrue it is, that petitioner PCIB was not a party to the appeal made by the four other banks belonging to the consortium, but equally true is the rule that where the rights equally true is the rule that where the rights and liabilities of the parties appealing are so interwoven and dependent on each other as to be inseparable, a reversal of the appealed decision as to those who appealed, operates as a reversal to all and will inure to the benefit of those who did not join the appeal. Such principal, premised upon communality of interest of the parties, is recognized in this jurisdiction. The four other banks which were part of the consortium, filed their notice of appeal under date of March 16, 1990, furnishing a copy thereof upon the lawyers of petitioner. The petition for certiorari in the present case was tiled on April 10, 1990, long after the other members of the consortium had appealed from the assailed order of December 19, 1989.xxx
PCIB cannot hide behind the subterfuge that Supreme Court Circular 28-91 was not yet m force when it filed the certiorari proceedings in the Court of Appeals. The rule against forum-shopping has long been established. Supreme Court Circular 28-91 merely formalized the prohibition and provided the appropriate penalties against transgressors.xxx
Forum-shopping or the act of a party against whom an adverse judgment has been rendered in one forum, of seeking another (and possibly favorable) opinion in another forum (other than by appeal or the special civil action of certiorari), or the institution of two (2) or more actions or proceedings grounded on the san1e cause on the supposition that one or the other court would make a favorable disposition, has been characterized as an act of malpractice that is prohibited and condemned as trifling with the Courts and abusing their processes. It constitutes improper conduct which tends to degrade the administration of justice. It has also been aptly described as deplorable because it adds to the congestion of the already heavily burdened dockets of the courts.42(Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
xxx
Basic is the rule in statutory construction that where the law is clear and categorical, there is no room for construction, only application. xxx
Thus, [the concerned government agencies] are correct in their contention that the GSIS has the original and exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising from the implementation of R.A. No. 8291.
Indeed, the doctrine of primary jurisdiction or prior resort and, its corollary doctrine, exhaustion of administrative remedies, are applicable in the instant case.xxx
[Tolentino et al], therefore, should have first ventilated their complaint or grievance before the GSIS as R.A. No. 8291 expressly provides that it is the agency which has the primary jurisdiction to rule on any dispute arising from the implementation of the said law and other laws administered by the GSIS. The jurisdiction includes the determination of the employees covered by the GSIS, which the law itself delimited under Section 3 thereof.xxx
Be it noted that [Tolentino et al] did not at the first instance bring their grievance to the proper government agency, which is the GSIS. They did not even bother to have the matter resolved within their department (DENR). Thus, their failure to resort to administrative remedies available to them belies the pronouncement of the court a quo that there was no other speedy and adequate remedy available to them.46cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
In the exercise of its plenary legislative power, Congress may create administrative agencies endowed with quasi legislative and quasi-judicial powers. Necessarily, Congress likewise defines the limits of an agency's jurisdiction in the same manner as it defines the jurisdiction of courts. As a result, it may happen that either a court or an administrative agency has exclusive jurisdiction over a specific matter or both have concurrent jurisdiction on the same. xxx48cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
SEC. 30. Settlement of Disputes. - The GSIS shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising under this Act and any other laws administered by the GSIS. xxx
(Emphasis supplied.)
Section 14.1 Quasi-Judicial Functions of the GSIS. -The settle any dispute arising under Republic Act No. 8291, Commonwealth Act No. 186, as amended, and other laws administered by the GSIS with respect to:
- Coverage of employers and employees;
- Entitlement of members to the following benefits under these rules:
xxx - Collection and payment of contributions;
- xxx;
- Any other matter related to any or all of the foregoing which is necessary for their determination.
xxx
Section 14.3 Body vested with quasi-judicial functions. The quasi-judicial function of the GSIS shall be vested in its Board of Trustees.50cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
Sec. 21. Original jurisdiction in other cases. - Regional Trial Courts shall exercise original jurisdiction:
(1) In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions; xxx(Emphasis supplied.)
At the outset, the Court's attention is drawn to the fact that since the filing ofthis suit before the trial court, none of the substantial issues have been resolved. To avoid and gloss over the issues raised by the parties, as what the trial court and respondent Court of Appeals did, would unduly prolong this litigation involving a rather simple case of foreclosure of mortgage. Undoubtedly, this will run counter to the avowed purpose of the rules, i.e., to assist the parties in obtaining just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action or proceeding. The Court, therefore, feels that the central issues of the case, xxx, should now be settled specially as they involved pure questions of law. Furthermore, the pleadings of the respective parties on file have amply ventilated their various positions and arguments on the matter necessitating prompt adjudication.
SEC. 5. Contributions. (a) It shall be mandatory for the member and employer to pay the monthly contributions specified in the following schedule:ChanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Monthly Compensation Compensation Payable by Member Employer I. Maximum Average Monthly Compensation (AMC) Limit and Below 9.0% 12.0%II.
Over the Maximum AMC Limit -Up to the Maximum AMC Limit 9.0% 12.0% -In Excess of the AMC Limit 2.0% 12.0%Members of the judiciary and constitutional commissioners shall pay three percent (3%) of their monthly compensation as personal share and their employers a corresponding three percent (3%) share for their life insurance coverage.
(b) The employer shall include in its annual appropriation the necessary amounts for its share of the contributions indicated above, plus any additional premiums that may be required on account of the hazards or risks of its employee's occupation.
(c) It shall be mandatory and compulsory for all employers to include the payment of contributions in their annual appropriations. Penal sanctions shall be imposed upon employers who fail to include the payment of contributions in their annual appropriations or otherwise fail to remit the accurate/exact amount of contributions on time, or delay the remittance of premium contributions to the GSIS. The heads of offices and agencies shall be administratively liable for non-remittance or delayed remittance of premium contributions to the GSIS.(Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
Before dealing on the issue of whether payment of the government share corresponding to the GSIS contributions of [Tolentino et al.] can be validly sourced from the twenty percent (20%) of their premium pay, it is imperative to revisit the origin of the twenty percent (20%) premium pay and the rationale for the grant thereof.xxx
xxx the rationale behind the grant of the twenty percent (20%) premium pay to contractual employees was that they were not then entitled as a matter of right to vacation, sick and other special leave privileges like the regular government personnel. xxx
Subsequently, however, or on August 23, 1999, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 1999, granting contractual employees the same special and privilege leave benefits being granted to regular personnel in the government service. xxx
Of necessity, therefore, the rationale for the grant of the twenty percent (20%) premium pay to contractual employees ceased to exist with the issuance of the aforesaid resolution.xxx
There is no dimunition of benefits to speak of in this case because effective August 23, 1999, all contractual employees were already entitled to leave benefits in lieu of the twenty percent (20%) premium pay. In fact, pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 1999, the DENR granted its contractual employees leave benefits starting September 1999. Thus, the government share on the GSIS contributions could be validly sourced from the twenty percent (20%) premium pay effective September of 1999.63cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
SEC. 4. Contractual employees are not entitled to leave credits as a matter of right.— In view of the nature of their employment, employees hired on contractual basis are not entitled to vacation, sick, and other special leave privileges. To offset their non-entitlement to leave benefits, contractual employees may be paid compensation twenty percent (20%) higher than the salaries of regular employees occupying equivalent positions. If contractual employees are not given the 20% premium, they should be entitled to vacation and sick leave.
(Emphasis supplied.)
SEC. 44. Employment of Contractual Personnel. Heads of departments, bureaus, offices or agencies, when authorized in their respective appropriations provided in this Act, may hire contractual personnel as part of the organization to perform regular Agency functions and specific vital activities or services which cannot be provided by the regular or permanent staff of the hiring agency.
The contractual personnel employed pursuant to this Section shall be considered as an employee of the hiring agency, limited to such period when their services are reasonably required. Such contractual personnel may be paid compensation, inclusive of fees, honoraria, per diems and allowances not exceeding 120% of the minimum salary of an equivalent position in the Position Classification and Compensation System, but not to exceed the salary of his immediate superior, chargeable against the Personal Services funds of the Agency in accordance with the National Government Chart of Accounts.(Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
SEC. 34. Funding of Personnel Benefits. - The personnel benefits costs of government officials and employees shall be charged against the respective funds from which their compensations are paid. All authorized supplemental or additional compensation, fringe benefits and other personal services costs xxx shall similarly be charged against the corresponding fund from which their basic salaries are drawn and in no case shall such personnel benefits costs be charged against the General Fund of the National Government. Officials and employees on detail with other offices, including the representatives and support personnel of auditing units assigned to serve other offices or agencies, shall be paid their salaries, emoluments, allowances and the foregoing supplemental compensation, fringe benefits and other personal services costs from the appropriations of their parent agencies, and in no case shall such be charged against the appropriations of the agencies where they are assigned or detailed, except when authorized by law.(Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
What respondents had done was, effective the October 1999 payroll, the 20% premium pay would be deducted and applied retroactively for the months of January to September 1999 when, during said period, petitioners were not entitled to leave credits. This situation "undeniably created an absurdity" because petitioners did not enjoy leave credits and yet they are being made to return the 20% premium pay contrary to CSC Resolution No. 983142.
In order to give justice to the rationale for the grant of the 20% premium pay vis-a-vis the entitlement to leave credits of contract-based project employees, the removal thereof should be made prospectively on new or renewed contracts and not retroactively as Respondents GSIS, DBM and
DENR intend to do or worst, have already done. What is disturbing is, respondent GSIS required petitioners to pay their contributions, including penalties and surcharges to the GSIS retroactive to the year 1997 even when petitioners were exempted by the GSIS from the coverage of RA 8291 xxx Individually, petitioners were being denied by the GSIS to avail of benefits unless they would pay for their contributions retroactive to year 1997. It must be noted that as of October 25, 1999, the exemption granted to petitioners has not been revoked.xxx
Based on the foregoing, to give retroactive effect to the assailed circular is prejudicial to the substantial rights of herein petitioners.
The antecedent facts show that the government exempted herein petitioners from the coverage of RA 8291 xxx as early as January 8, 1998 and the unnumbered Memorandum that will enforce the GSIS-DBM circular was disseminated to the contractual employees concerned only on September 16, 1999. Thus, the circular, if valid, should only be made to apply prospectively - that is on the date the contract-based project employees were informed that they are now being covered by the circular and with a new contract indicating the changes in their compensation package. Assuming without admitting that the said exemption had been revoked, the GSIS-DBM failed to inform the DENR administrative services of the alleged revocation. In fact, the DENR was officially informed about the GSIS-DBM circular sometime in September 1999. Thus, it would be contrary to due process and fair play if the circular is implemented retroactively as the contract-based employees are not at fault. xxx(Emphasis supplied.)
[Tolentino et al.] cannot invoke the letter dated January 12, 1998 of Atty. Quilatan citing the letter-opinion of Senior Vice President Lourdes G. Patag of the GSIS as basis for claiming that they are exempted from the coverage of compulsory membership with the GSIS.
To begin with, R.A. No. 8291 does not provide any exception to the applicability of the compulsory membership of government employees with the GSIS.
Assuming arguendo that such an issue may be legitimately raised, the same can only be passed upon by the GSIS Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 30 of R.A. No. 8291:ChanRoblesvirtualLawlibraryxxx
Thus, Senior Vice President Patag is absolutely devoid of authority to make an official determination of whether [Tolentino et al.] are exempt from compulsory membership with the GSIS.73cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
On the presumption that whenever the legislature enacts a provision it has in mind tl1e previous statutes relating to the same subject matter, it is held that in the absence of any express repeal or amendment therein, the new provision was enacted in accord with the legislative policy embodied in those prior statutes, and they all should be construed together. Provisions in an act which are omitted in another act relating to the same subject matter will be applied in a proceeding under the other act, when not inconsistent with its purpose. Prior statutes relating to the same subject matter are to be compared with the new provisions; and if possible by reasonable construction, both are to be construed that effect is given to every provision of each. Statutes in pan (sic) materia, although in apparent conflict, are so far as reasonable possible construed to be m harmony with each other.78cralawrednad(Emphasis supplied.)
Endnotes:
* Designated as Acting Member in view of the leave of absence of Hon. Bienvenido L. Reyes, per Special Order No. 2084 dated June 29, 2015.
1 Penned by Judge Abednego O. Adre.
2Rollo (G.R. No. 167297), p. 53
3 Id. at 54.
4 Id. at 55.
5 Id. at 58.
6 Id. at 67-68.
7 Id at 59-66.
8 Id. at 72.
9 Respondents are sued in their official capacities: Frederico B. Pascual as President and General Manager of GSIS; Benjamin E. Diokno as Secretary of DBM; Antonio H. Cerilles as Secretary of DENR; Adrian B. Nava as Asst. Secretary of DENR; Elvira Caparas as Chief, Accounting Division, DENR.
10Rollo (G.R. No. 197297), p. 77.
11 RTC records, p. 69-71
12 Id. at 87-91.
13 Section 30. Settlement of Disputes. - The GSIS shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising under this Act and any other laws administered by the GSIS.
The Board may designate any member of the Board, or official of the GSIS who is a lawyer, to act as hearing officer to receive evidence, make findings of fact and submit recommendations thereon. The hearing officer shall submit his findings and recommendations, together with all the documentary and testimonial evidence to the Board within thirty (30) working days from the time the parties have closed their respective evidence and filed their last pleading. The Board shall decide the case within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the hearing officer's findings and recommendations. The cases heard directly by the Board shall be decided within thirty (30) working days from the time they are submitted by the parties for decision.
14 RTC records, p. 118.
15 Id. at 84.
16 Id. at 127-128.
17 Id. at 281-285.
18 Id. at 286-288 and 293-296, respectively.
19 Id. at 307.
20 Id. at 310.
21 Dated July 11, 2002, rollo, p. 97-110.
22CA rollo, p. 1 03.
23 Id. at 47-48.
24 Id. at 78- 100.
25cralawred Id. at 88.
26 Id. at 14-17.
27 Penned by Associate Justice Sergio L. Pestafio with Associate Justices Marina L. Buzon and Jose C. Mendoza, concurring. Rollo (G.R. No. 167297), pp. 34-45.
28 Id. at 45.
29 CA rollo, pp. 127-136.
30Rollo (G.R. No. 167297), pp. 47-48.
31 G.R. No. 167297 was filed by Melina I. Garcia, et al., also contractual employees of the various projects and programs under the DENR, in lieu of Angelita Tolentino, et al. For purposes of consistency, however, we will continue to refer to contractual employees-parties as Tolentino et al.
32 Comment to G.R. No. 153810, rollo (G..R. No. 167297), pp. 159-17,.
31 Petition for Review on Certiorari, rollo (G..R. No. 167297), p. 15.
34 Id. at 17.
35 Supra note 31.
36 DBM Notice of Appeal, RTC records, pp. 310-311.
37Rollo (G.R. No. 153810), pp. 56-68.
38 Id at 100.
39 Reply to Respondents' Comment, rollo (G.R. No. 153810), p. 119-124.
40 Citing a photocopy of Case Status, attached as annex "A" t GSIS' Reply to Respondents' Comment, id. at 119.
41 G.R. Nos. 112438-39 December 12, 1995, 251 SCRA 257.
42 Citations omitted.
43FPIC v. CA, G.R. No. 115849, January 24, 1996, 252 S7.C25
44 Rules of Court, Rule 7, Sec. 5.
45Supra note 13.
46 CA Decision, rollo (G.R. No. 167297), pp. 40-44.
47 Garcia v. Ferro Chemicals, Inc., G.R. No. 172505, October 1, 2014, citing People v. Sps. Vanzuela, G.R. No. 178266, July 21, 2008, 559 SCRA 234.
48 G.R. No. 154470-71, September 24, 2012, 681 SCRA 521, 548, 564.
49 United Housing Corporation v. Dayrit, G.R. No. 76422, January 22, 1990, 181 SCRA 285, 292, citing Tropical Homes Inc. v. National Housing Authority, 152 SCRA 540.
50 Now Sections 27 and 27.1, respectively, of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 8291.
51RULE 43: Appeals From the Court of Tax Appeals and Quasi-Judicial Agencies to the Court of Appeals
Section 1. Scope. This Rule shall apply to appeals from judgments or final orders of the Court of Tax Appeals and from awards, judgments, final orders or resolutions of or authorized by any quasi-judicial agency in the exercise of its quasijudicial functions. Among these agencies are the Civil Service Commission, Central Board of Assessment Appeals, Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of the President, Land Registration Authority, Social Security Commission, Civil Aeronautics Board, Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer, National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Board, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Agrarian Reform under Republic Act No. 6657, Government Service Insurance System, Employees Compensation Commission, Agricultural Invention Board, Insurance Commission, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, Board of Investments, Construction Industry Arbitration Commission, and voluntary arbitrators authorized by law. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied.)
52 G.R. No. 138381, November 10, 2004, 441 SCRA 532, 542-543.
53Bank of Commerce v. Planters Development Bank, G.R. No. 154470-71, September 24, 2012, 681 SCRA 521, 548 citing Section 19(6) of BP 129.
53Bank of Commerce v. Planters Development Bank, G.R. No. 154470-71, September 24, 2012, 681 SCRA 521, 548 citing Section 19(6) of BP 129.
54 Supra note 31 at 169.
55Samar II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SAMELCO) v. Seludo, Jr., G.R. No. 173840, April 25, 2012, 671 SCRA 78, 88. See also Province of Zamboanga del Norte v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 109853, October 11, 2000, 342 SCRA 549, 557, citing, among others, Paat v. Court of Appeals, 266 SCRA 167.
56Ros v. Department of Agrarian Reform, G.R. No. 132477, August 31, 2005 468 SCRA 471, 483-484, citing Bautista v. Mag-isa Vda. De Villena, G.R. No. 152564, September 13, 2004, 483 SCRA 259.
57 G.R. No. 121158, December 5, 1996, 265 SCRA 327, 335.
58Government Service Insurance System v. Commission on Audit, G.R. No. 138381, November 10, 2004, 441 SCRA 532, 543.
59 Id.
60 Id. at 544.
61 Section 4.2 No additional funds shall be released by the DBM for the purpose. The premium pay to be received by a contractual employee shall be adjusted accordingly net of the government statutory expenditures on Personal Services consistent with Item 4.1 above.
62 Section 3.3 Collection of Contributions
3.3.1 - xxx
3.3.2 - It is prohibited for the Employer to deduct, directly or indirectly, from the compensation of ao employee or otherwise recover from him, the Employer's contribution in behalf of such employee. xxx
63 CA rollo, pp. 12-17.
64 Republic Act No. 8745 (1999).
65 See Section Republic Act No. 8250 ( 1997 GAA) and Section 44 of Republic Act No. 8522 (1998 GAA).
66 CSC Memorandum Circular No. 14 (1999).
Section 4. Leave of Contractual Employees. Contractual employees are likewise entitled to vacation and sick leave credits as well as special leave privileges provided in Section 21 hereof.
67 Section 44 of Republic Act No. 8760 (2000 GAA) reads:ChanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Section 44. Employment of Contractual Personnel. - Heads of departments, bureaus, offices or agencies, when authorized in their respective appropriations provided in this Act, may hire contractual personnel as part of the organization to perform regular Agency functions and specific vital activities or services which cannot be provided by the regular or permanent staff ofthe hiring agency.
The contractual personnel employed pursuant to this Section shall be considered as an employee of the hiring agency, limited to such period when their services are reasonably required.
See also Republic Act No. 9137 (2001 GAA), which, save for additional appropriations, reenacted the provisions of RA 8760. See also Republic Act No. 9162 (2002 GAA).
68 DBM/DENR Comment, rollo (G.R. No. 167297), p. 302.
69Rollo (GR. No. 167297), p. 379.
70Guadines v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 164891, June 6, 2011, 650 SCRA 422, 442.
71Rollo (G.R. No. 167297), p. 379.
72 Id. at 380.
73 Id. at 155-156.
74 RTC Petition, rollo (G.R. No. 167297, p. 81.
75United Harbor Pilots' Association of the Philippines, Inc. v. Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc., G.R. No. 133763, November 13, 2002, 391 SCRA 522, 532-532.
76 G.R. No. 137904, October 19, 2001, 367 SCRA 672.
77 G.R. No. L-27275, November 18, 1967, 21 SCRA 984.
78 Supra note 75 at 691.