November 11, 2023

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) has hailed a Supreme Court ruling affirming that only registered and licensed architects are authorized to prepare, sign, and seal architectural documents. This decision resolves a longstanding dispute between architects and civil engineers over responsibilities in architectural design.

UAP National President Richard Garcia celebrated the ruling as a historic win, emphasizing its reinforcement of architects' vital role in community development.

“Ang makasaysayang desisyon na ito ay hindi lamang tagumpay sa aspetong legal. Ito’y mariing patatangkilik sa mahahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng mga arkitekto sa pagbuo ng ating komunidad,” he said.

The Supreme Court's Second Division, led by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, issued a ruling that resolves the conflicting provisions between Republic Act No. 544 (the Civil Engineering Law) and RA 9266 (the Architecture Act of 2002). This decision establishes clear professional boundaries and fosters cooperative relationships among various professionals in the design and construction industry.

It adheres to the principles of the Architecture Act of 2004, which indirectly supersedes the provisions of the Civil Engineering Law that permitted civil engineers to manage architectural documents. This judgment reverses a prior verdict by the Court of Appeals that was in favor of civil engineers.

For more information, the document (G.R. No. 200015/G.R. No. 205846. March 15, 2023) was uploaded last November 9, 2023, on the official website of the Supreme Court of the Philippines -  https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph