RADIOWEALTH, INC. v.
AGREGADO
Section 3 | Fiscal Autonomy
FACTS:
• Clerk of the SC certified the purchase and installation of a Webster
Tetetalk, Model 206 MA, and Webster Telephone speakers, totaling
P585
• Dacanay, Chairman of the Property Requisition Committee disapproved
the purchase and installation, for being contrary to the following
o EO 302, series of 1940, paragraph 4 (**which I cannot find,
sorry)
o Policy of discontinuing open market purchases adopted by the
Cabinet in the preceding year
o Violated the requirements of EO 298, series of 1940
• Petitioner Radiowealth Inc requested with the Auditor General that the
payment be approved; that the treasury warrant was in the process of
issuance; that the auditor for the SC refused to countersign it
ISSUE:
WON the court’s independence is limited to the exercise of judicial functions,
and does not include the purchase of property
HELD:
NO. The Constitution secures against interference not only in the power to
adjudicate, but in all things reasonably necessary for the administration of
justice.
RATIO:
Maxim of distribution of powers: The SC is independent of executive or
legislative control.
Tarlac v. Gale
• POWER: The judiciary has power to preserve their integrity, maintain
their dignity, and to insure effectiveness in the administration of
justice.
• PROVINCIAL OFFICERS: May not deprive the court of anything which is
vital to their function nor exercise discretion to escape an obligation to
the court which the law lays upon them (Power to interfere is the power
to control. Power to control is the power to abrogate).
• DUTY OF PROV OFFICERS:
o Furnish court room, furniture, fixtures, supplies, equipment which
must be of such character as to permit the court to exercise its
functions in a reasonably effective manner (Act No 83, Sec 10);
o Provide construction or purchase or renting offices (Act No 83,
Sec 13)
o IN CASE OF CONFLICT: Yield to the court
• FINAL AUTHORITY OF THE COURT: Certain discretion lies with the
officials but is subject to the paramount and final authority of the court
in determining what is necessary for the proper administration of
justice
o The court has power to purchase things (purchase, legal charge
on the province)
1. directly or
2. by proper proceedings to compel officials to perform their
duty imposed by law
With regard to acquisition of fixtures: Subject to its dependence upon
Congress for appropriation, but supreme and independent of the executive.
o The court could not maintain its independence and dignity as the
Constitution intends if the executive personally or through a
subordinate could determine for the court what it should have or use in
the discharge of its functions.
