Preamble
WHEREAS, it has been common practice for courts to issue preliminary injunctions and/or preliminary mandatory injunctions in disputes involving or growing out of the issuance, suspension, revocation, approval or disapproval of any concession, license, permit, patent or public grant of any kind for the disposition exploitation, utilization, exploration and development of the natural resources of the country; WHEREAS, such undesirable practice has resulted in confusion and in the disruption of the smooth functioning of the administrative machinery having charge of the natural resources of the country; WHEREAS, another consequence of such practice is the substitution by courts of their judgments for those of the public administrative officials or bodies entrusted by law with the above mentioned functions and jurisdiction; WHEREAS, such practice has likewise been a contributory deterrent to the development, and exploitation of our natural resources, thereby hindering the economic development of the country; WHEREAS, even under the Industrial Peace Act (R.A. No. 875) issuance by courts of restraining orders or injunctive reliefs in cases involving or growing out of labor disputes are proscribed in order not to frustrate, blunt or destroy the effect of concerted coercive measures which employees are allowed to resort to under the Act, and a similar purpose of preventing the nullification or the defeat of grants or denials to citizens of privileges in the development of the country's natural resources would be served by banning the issuance of injunctions in cases involving such privileges. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order the following as part of the law of the land: