AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO REORGANIZE WITHIN ONE YEAR THE DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 51

Reorganization of the Executive Branch
- The President is authorized to reorganize the different executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and other instrumentalities of the Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, for a period not exceeding one year from the approval of the Act. (Section 1)
- The President has the power to:
    - Diminish, add to, or abolish existing entities and create new ones. (Section 1)
    - Consolidate related undertakings. (Section 1)
    - Transfer functions, appropriations, equipment, property, records, and personnel from one entity to another. (Section 1)
    - Eliminate duplicated services or authorize new ones not provided for. (Section 1)
    - Classify, combine, split or abolish positions. (Section 1)
    - Standardize salaries. (Section 1)
    - Take any necessary and desirable action to effect economy and promote efficiency in the government service. (Section 1)

Protection for Separated Employees
- Officers and employees whose positions are abolished or who are separated from service due to the reorganization shall not lose their civil service eligibility for a period of ten years from the date of their separation. (Section 2)
- In case an office needs additional personnel, preference in appointment shall be given to the officers or employees separated due to the reorganization, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service. (Section 2)

Congressional Oversight
- Any action taken by the President pursuant to this Act shall be immediately reported to Congress and shall be valid and subsisting until Congress provides otherwise. (Section 3)

Effectivity
- This Act shall take effect upon its approval, which was on October 4, 1946. (Section 4)