Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 173863 September 15, 2010
CHEVRON PHILIPPINES, INC. (Formerly CALTEX PHILIPPINES, INC.), Petitioner,
vs.
BASES CONVERSION DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY and CLARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
VILLARAMA, JR., J.:
This petition for review on certiorari assails the Decision1 dated November 30, 2005 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. SP No. 87117, which affirmed the Resolution2 dated August 2, 2004 and the Order3 dated September 30, 2004 of the Office of the President in O.P. Case No. 04-D-170.
The facts follow.
On June 28, 2002, the Board of Directors of respondent Clark Development Corporation (CDC) issued and approved Policy Guidelines on the Movement of Petroleum Fuel to and from the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ)4 which provided, among others, for the following fees and charges:
1. Accreditation Fee
x x x x
2. Annual Inspection Fee
x x x x
3. Royalty Fees
Suppliers delivering fuel from outside sources shall be assessed the following royalty fees:
- Php0.50 per liter – those delivering Coastal petroleum fuel to CSEZ locators not sanctioned by CDC
- Php1.00 per liter – those bringing-in petroleum fuel (except Jet A-1) from outside sources
x x x x
4. Gate Pass Fee
x x x x5
The above policy guidelines were implemented effective July 27, 2002. On October 1, 2002, CDC sent a letter6 to herein petitioner Chevron Philippines, Inc. (formerly Caltex Philippines, Inc.), a domestic corporation which has been supplying fuel to Nanox Philippines, a locator inside the CSEZ since 2001, informing the petitioner that a royalty fee of ₱0.50 per liter shall be assessed on its deliveries to Nanox Philippines effective August 1, 2002. Thereafter, on October 21, 2002 a Statement of Account7 was sent by CDC billing the petitioner for royalty fees in the amount of ₱115,000.00 for its fuel sales from Coastal depot to Nanox Philippines from August 1-31 to September 3-21, 2002.
Claiming that nothing in the law authorizes CDC to impose royalty fees or any fees based on a per unit measurement of any commodity sold within the special economic zone, petitioner sent a letter8 dated October 30, 2002 to the President and Chief Executive Officer of CDC, Mr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, to protest the assessment for royalty fees. Petitioner nevertheless paid the said fees under protest on November 4, 2002.
On August 18, 2003, CDC again wrote a letter9 to petitioner regarding the latter’s unsettled royalty fees covering the period of December 2002 to July 2003. Petitioner responded through a letter10 dated September 8, 2003 reiterating its continuing objection over the assessed royalty fees and requested a refund of the amount paid under protest on November 4, 2002. The letter also asked CDC to revoke the imposition of such royalty fees. The request was denied by CDC in a letter11 dated September 29, 2003.
Petitioner elevated its protest before respondent Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) arguing that the royalty fees imposed had no reasonable relation to the probable expenses of regulation and that the imposition on a per unit measurement of fuel sales was for a revenue generating purpose, thus, akin to a "tax". The protest was however denied by BCDA in a letter12 dated March 3, 2004.
Petitioner appealed to the Office of the President which dismissed13 the appeal for lack of merit on August 2, 2004 and denied14 petitioner’s motion for reconsideration thereof on September 30, 2004.
Aggrieved, petitioner elevated the case to the CA which likewise dismissed15 the appeal for lack of merit on November 30, 2005 and denied16 the motion for reconsideration on July 26, 2006.
The CA held that in imposing the challenged royalty fees, respondent CDC was exercising its right to regulate the flow of fuel into CSEZ, which is bolstered by the fact that it possesses exclusive right to distribute fuel within CSEZ pursuant to its Joint Venture Agreement (JVA)17 with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Coastal Subic Bay Terminal, Inc. (CSBTI) dated April 11, 1996. The appellate court also found that royalty fees were assessed on fuel delivered, not on the sale, by petitioner and that the basis of such imposition was petitioner’s delivery receipts to Nanox Philippines. The fact that revenue is incidentally also obtained does not make the imposition a tax as long as the primary purpose of such imposition is regulation.18
Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration but the CA denied the same in its Resolution19 dated July 26, 2006.
Hence, this petition raising the following grounds:
I. THE ISSUE RAISED BEFORE THE COURT A QUO IS A QUESTION OF SUBSTANCE NOT HERETOFORE DETERMINED BY THE HONORABLE SUPREME COURT.
II. THE RULING OF THE COURT OF APPEALS THAT THE CDC HAS THE POWER TO IMPOSE THE QUESTIONED "ROYALTY FEES" IS CONTRARY TO LAW.
III. THE COURT OF APPEALS WAS MANIFESTLY MISTAKEN AND COMMITTED GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION AND A CLEAR MISUNDERSTANDING OF FACTS WHEN IT RULED CONTRARY TO THE EVIDENCE THAT: (i) THE QUESTIONED "ROYALTY FEE" IS PRIMARILY FOR REGULATION; AND (ii) ANY REVENUE EARNED THEREFROM IS MERELY INCIDENTAL TO THE PURPOSE OF REGULATION.
IV. THE COURT OF APPEALS FAILED TO GIVE DUE WEIGHT AND CONSIDERATION TO THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED BY CPI SUCH AS THE LETTERS COMING FROM RESPONDENT CDC ITSELF PROVING THAT THE QUESTIONED ROYALTY FEES ARE IMPOSED ON THE BASIS OF FUEL SALES (NOT DELIVERY OF FUEL) AND NOT FOR REGULATION BUT PURELY FOR INCOME GENERATION, I.E. AS PRICE OR CONSIDERATION FOR THE RIGHT TO MARKET AND DISTRIBUTE FUEL INSIDE THE CSEZ.20
Petitioner argues that CDC does not have any power to impose royalty fees on sale of fuel inside the CSEZ on the basis of purely income generating functions and its exclusive right to market and distribute goods inside the CSEZ. Such imposition of royalty fees for revenue generating purposes would amount to a tax, which the respondents have no power to impose. Petitioner stresses that the royalty fee imposed by CDC is not regulatory in nature but a revenue generating measure to increase its profits and to further enhance its exclusive right to market and distribute fuel in CSEZ.21
Petitioner would also like this Court to note that the fees imposed, assuming arguendo they are regulatory in nature, are unreasonable and are grossly in excess of regulation costs. It adds that the amount of the fees should be presumed to be unreasonable and that the burden of proving that the fees are not unreasonable lies with the respondents.22
On the part of the respondents, they argue that the purpose of the royalty fees is to regulate the flow of fuel to and from the CSEZ. Such being its main purpose, and revenue (if any) just an incidental product, the imposition cannot be considered a tax. It is their position that the regulation is a valid exercise of police power since it is aimed at promoting the general welfare of the public. They claim that being the administrator of the CSEZ, CDC is responsible for the safe distribution of fuel products inside the CSEZ.23
The petition has no merit.
In distinguishing tax and regulation as a form of police power, the determining factor is the purpose of the implemented measure. If the purpose is primarily to raise revenue, then it will be deemed a tax even though the measure results in some form of regulation. On the other hand, if the purpose is primarily to regulate, then it is deemed a regulation and an exercise of the police power of the state, even though incidentally, revenue is generated. Thus, in Gerochi v. Department of Energy,24 the Court stated:
The conservative and pivotal distinction between these two (2) powers rests in the purpose for which the charge is made. If generation of revenue is the primary purpose and regulation is merely incidental, the imposition is a tax; but if regulation is the primary purpose, the fact that revenue is incidentally raised does not make the imposition a tax.
In the case at bar, we hold that the subject royalty fee was imposed primarily for regulatory purposes, and not for the generation of income or profits as petitioner claims. The Policy Guidelines on the Movement of Petroleum Fuel to and from the Clark Special Economic Zone25 provides:
DECLARATION OF POLICY
It is hereby declared the policy of CDC to develop and maintain the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) as a highly secured zone free from threats of any kind, which could possibly endanger the lives and properties of locators, would-be investors, visitors, and employees.
It is also declared the policy of CDC to operate and manage the CSEZ as a separate customs territory ensuring free flow or movement of goods and capital within, into and exported out of the CSEZ.26 (Emphasis supplied.)
From the foregoing, it can be gleaned that the Policy Guidelines was issued, first and foremost, to ensure the safety, security, and good condition of the petroleum fuel industry within the CSEZ. The questioned royalty fees form part of the regulatory framework to ensure "free flow or movement" of petroleum fuel to and from the CSEZ. The fact that respondents have the exclusive right to distribute and market petroleum products within CSEZ pursuant to its JVA with SBMA and CSBTI does not diminish the regulatory purpose of the royalty fee for fuel products supplied by petitioner to its client at the CSEZ.
As pointed out by the respondents in their Comment, from the time the JVA took effect up to the time CDC implemented its Policy Guidelines on the Movement of Petroleum Fuel to and from the CSEZ, suppliers/distributors were allowed to bring in petroleum products inside CSEZ without any charge at all. But this arrangement clearly negates CDC’s mandate under the JVA as exclusive distributor of CSBTI’s fuel products within CSEZ and respondents’ ownership of the Subic-Clark Pipeline.27 On this score, respondents were justified in charging royalty fees on fuel delivered by outside suppliers.
However, it was erroneous for petitioner to argue that such exclusive right of respondent CDC to market and distribute fuel inside CSEZ is the sole basis of the royalty fees imposed under the Policy Guidelines. Being the administrator of CSEZ, the responsibility of ensuring the safe, efficient and orderly distribution of fuel products within the Zone falls on CDC. Addressing specific concerns demanded by the nature of goods or products involved is encompassed in the range of services which respondent CDC is expected to provide under the law, in pursuance of its general power of supervision and control over the movement of all supplies and equipment into the CSEZ.
Section 2 of Executive Order No. 8028 provides:
SEC. 2. Powers and Functions of the Clark Development Corporation. – The BCDA, as the incorporator and holding company of its Clark subsidiary, shall determine the powers and functions of the CDC. Pursuant to Section 15 of RA 7227, the CDC shall have the specific powers of the Export Processing Zone Authority as provided for in Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 66 (1972) as amended.
Among those specific powers granted to CDC under Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 66 are:
(a) To operate, administer and manage the export processing zone established in the Port of Mariveles, Bataan, and such other export processing zones as may be established under this Decree; to construct, acquire, own, lease, operate and maintain infrastructure facilities, factory building, warehouses, dams, reservoir, water distribution, electric light and power system, telecommunications and transportation, or such other facilities and services necessary or useful in the conduct of commerce or in the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Decree;
x x x x
(g) To fix, assess and collect storage charges and fees, including rentals for the lease, use or occupancy of lands, buildings, structure, warehouses, facilities and other properties owned and administered by the Authority; and to fix and collect the fees and charges for the issuance of permits, licenses and the rendering of services not enumerated herein, the provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding;
(h) For the due and effective exercise of the powers conferred by law and to the extend (sic) [extent] requisite therefor, to exercise exclusive jurisdiction and sole police authority over all areas owned or administered by the Authority. For this purpose, the Authority shall have supervision and control over the bringing in or taking out of the Zone, including the movement therein, of all cargoes, wares, articles, machineries, equipment, supplies or merchandise of every type and description;
x x x x (Emphasis supplied.)
In relation to the regulatory purpose of the imposed fees, this Court in Progressive Development Corporation v. Quezon City,29 stated that "x x x the imposition questioned must relate to an occupation or activity that so engages the public interest in health, morals, safety and development as to require regulation for the protection and promotion of such public interest; the imposition must also bear a reasonable relation to the probable expenses of regulation, taking into account not only the costs of direct regulation but also its incidental consequences as well."
In the case at bar, there can be no doubt that the oil industry is greatly imbued with public interest as it vitally affects the general welfare.30 In addition, fuel is a highly combustible product which, if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to life and property. Also, the reasonable relation between the royalty fees imposed on a "per liter" basis and the regulation sought to be attained is that the higher the volume of fuel entering CSEZ, the greater the extent and frequency of supervision and inspection required to ensure safety, security, and order within the Zone.
Respondents submit that increased administrative costs were triggered by security risks that have recently emerged, such as terrorist strikes in airlines and military/government facilities. Explaining the regulatory feature of the charges imposed under the Policy Guidelines, then BCDA President Rufo Colayco in his letter dated March 3, 2004 addressed to petitioner’s Chief Corporate Counsel, stressed:
The need for regulation is more evident in the light of the 9/11 tragedy considering that what is being moved from one location to another are highly combustible fuel products that could cause loss of lives and damage to properties, hence, a set of guidelines was promulgated on 28 June 2002. It must be emphasized also that greater security measure must be observed in the CSEZ because of the presence of the airport which is a vital public infrastructure.1avvphi1
We are therefore constrained to sustain the imposition of the royalty fees on deliveries of CPI’s fuel products to Nanox Philippines.31
As to the issue of reasonableness of the amount of the fees, we hold that no evidence was adduced by the petitioner to show that the fees imposed are unreasonable.
Administrative issuances have the force and effect of law.32 They benefit from the same presumption of validity and constitutionality enjoyed by statutes. These two precepts place a heavy burden upon any party assailing governmental regulations.33 Petitioner’s plain allegations are simply not enough to overcome the presumption of validity and reasonableness of the subject imposition.
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED for lack of merit and the Decision of the Court of Appeals dated November 30, 2005 in CA-G.R. SP No. 87117 is hereby AFFIRMED.
With costs against the petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice
Chairperson
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA*
Associate Justice |
LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice |
MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO
Associate Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice
Chairperson, Third Division
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution and the Division Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief Justice
Footnotes
* Designated additional member per Special Order No. 885 dated September 1, 2010.
1 Rollo, pp. 33-40. Penned by Associate Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman, with Associate Justices Ruben T. Reyes (now a retired member of this Court) and Rebecca De Guia-Salvador, concurring.
2 CA rollo, pp. 35-37.
3 Id. at 38-40.
4 Id. at 41-50.
5 Id. at 45-46.
6 Id. at 51.
7 Id. at 52.
8 Id. at 53.
9 Id. at 54.
10 Id. at 55.
11 Id. at 56-57.
12 Id. at 61-62.
13 Id. at 35-37.
14 Id. at 38-40.
15 Rollo, p. 40.
16 Id. at 41.
17 Id. at 154-167.
18 Id. at 39.
19 Id. at 41.
20 Id. at 13-14.
21 Id. at 220-229.
22 Id. at 230-234.
23 Id. at 255-256.
24 G.R. No. 159796, July 17, 2007, 527 SCRA 696, 715, citing Progressive Development Corporation v. Quezon City, G.R. No. 36081, April 24, 1989, 172 SCRA 629, 635.
25 Rollo, pp. 43-51.
26 Id. at 43.
27 Id. at 139-140.
28 Authorizing the Establishment of the Clark Development Corporation as the Implementing Arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the Clark Special Economic Zone, and Directing All Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of Government to Support the Program.
29 Supra note 24, at 636.
30 Caltex Philippines, Inc. v. Commission on Audit, G.R. No. 92585, May 8, 1992, 208 SCRA 726, 756.
31 CA rollo, p. 61.
32 Mirasol v. Department of Public Works and Highways, G.R. No. 158793, June 8, 2006, 490 SCRA 318, 347, citing Eslao v. Commission on Audit, G.R. No. 108310, September 1, 1994, 236 SCRA 161, 175.
33 Id. at 347-348, citing JMM Promotion and Management, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 120095, August 5, 1996, 260 SCRA 319.
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
