Flashcards Studio

In a regional development program, the Provincial Administrator signs a contract with RiverFlow Digital for the supply of ICT equipment and services valued at 18 million pesos, although the province’s approved annual appropriation for infrastructure and technology is only 10 million and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has not authorized any debt beyond that appropriation. The Governor directed the Administrator to proceed due to urgent climate risk mitigation needs, and deliveries have begun with invoices submitted. The province later refuses to pay, contending the Administrator had no authority to bind the province beyond the appropriation. (a) Identify the controlling doctrine on whether a public officer’s acts bind the government when performed outside the officer’s lawful authority. (b) Distinguish express, implied, apparent authority, and ratification, and apply these concepts to the Administrator’s act to determine whether the province can be bound. (c) If there is no ratification, what are the likely consequences for the province and for the Administrator?