Commonwealth Act No. 500 (CA 500) — An Act to Authorize the President, in View of the Existence of a State of National Emergency to Decrease Expenditures of the Executive Department of the National, Government Through the Suspension or Abandonment of Services Activities, or Operations of No Immediate Necessity.
Data as of July 4, 2026 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
SECTION. 1. The decrease in customs revenues as a result of the existing state of war among some nations of the world has created a national emergency which requires the decrease in the expenditures of the Government by the suspension or abandonment of services, activities, or operations of no immediate necessity.
SEC. 2. In addition to the authority vested in the President of the Philippines under section 7-1, subsection (2), of Commonwealth Act Numbered Two hundred and forty-six, he is further empowered to reduce the expenditures of the Executive Department of the National Government by the suspension or abandonment of services, activities,or operations of no immediate necessity: Provided, That the authority herein given shall be exercised only when the National Assembly is not in session, and any action taken thereunder shall be valid and subsisting until the National Assembly provides otherwise.
SEC. 3. The President shall report to the National Assembly within the first ten days of its next regular session any action taken under the authority herein granted.
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved, September 30, 1939.
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).