(2) Any public officer who, without just cause, neglects to perform a duty within a period
fixed by law or regulation, or within a reasonable period if none is fixed, shall be
liable for damages to the private party concerned without prejudice to such other
liability as may be prescribed by law; and
(3) A head of a department or a superior officer shall not be civilly liable for the wrongful
acts, omissions of duty, negligence, or misfeasance of his/her subordinates, unless he
has actually authorized by order the specific act or misconduct complained of.
SEC. 25. Liability of Subordinate Officers. - No subordinate officer or employee shall
be civilly liable for acts done by him in good faith in the performance of his/her duties. However,
he/she shall be liable for willful or negligent acts done by him/her which are contrary to law,
morals, public policy and good customs even if he acted under orders or instructions of his/her
superiors.
Chapter 7
Official Oaths
SEC. 26. Oaths of Office for Public Officers and Employees. - All public officers and
employees of the government before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take an
oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and the Organic Act; that he or she will bear true faith
and allegiance to it; obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the duly constituted
authorities; will well and faithfully discharge to the best of his/her ability the duties of the office
or position upon which he or she is about to enter; and that he voluntarily assumes the obligation
imposed by his oath of office, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion. Copies of the
oath shall be deposited with the Civil Service Commission and the human resource department
of the concerned agency.
SEC. 27. Officers Authorized to Administer Oath. - (1) The following officers have
general authority to administer oath: Regional Governor, Notaries public, members of the
judiciary, clerks of courts, members of the Regional Assembly and the Secretary-General, heads
of departments and regional offices and Chief Executives of local government units;
(2) Oaths may also be administered by any officer whose duties, as defined by law or
regulation, require presentation to him/her of any statement under oath.
SEC. 28. Duty to Administer Oath. - Officers authorized to administer oaths, with the
exception of notaries public, municipal and district judges, and clerks of court, are not obliged to
administer oaths or execute certificates save in matters of official business; and with the
exception of notaries public, the officer performing the service in those matters shall charge no
fee, unless specifically authorized by law.
Chapter 8
Reports
SEC. 29. Annual and Special Reports. - The heads of the departments and agencies or
instrumentalities of the Regional Government shall prepare and submit annual reports to the
Regional Governor who shall furnish a consolidated report to the Regional Assembly on or
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