3 Inherent Powers of the State:

1. Police Power;
2. Power of Eminent Domain or Power of Expropriation; and
3. Power of Taxation

Purpose:

1. for public good or welfare - Police Power

2. for public use - Power of Eminent Domain
3. for revenue - Power of Taxation

1. POLICE POWER is the power of promoting the public welfare by restraining and
regulating the use of both liberty and property of all the people. It is considered to be the
most all-encompassing of the three powers. It may be exercised only by the government.
The property taken in the exercise of this power is destroyed because it is noxious or
intended for a noxious purpose.
It lies primarily in the discretion of the legislature. Hence, the President, and administrative
boards as well as the lawmaking bodies on all municipal levels, including the barangay may
not exercise it without a valid delegation of legislative power. Municipal governments
exercise this power by virtue of the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code of
1991. Even the courts cannot compel the exercise of this power through mandamus or any
judicial process.

Requisites of a valid police measure:

(a.) Lawful Subject – the activity or property sought to be regulated affects the public
welfare. It requires the primacy of the welfare of the many over the interests of
the few.

(b.) Lawful Means – the means employed must be reasonable and must conform to the
safeguards guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

2. POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN affects only property RIGHTS. It may be exercised by

some private entities. The property forcibly taken under this power, upon payment of just
compensation, is needed for conversion to public use or purpose.

The taking of property in law may include:

- trespass without actual eviction of the owner;

- material impairment of the value of the property; or
- prevention of the ordinary uses for which the property was intended.

The property that may be subject for appropriation shall not be limited to private property.
Public property may be expropriated provided there is a SPECIFIC grant of authority to the
delegate. Money and a chose in action are the only things exempt from expropriation.
Although it is also lodged primarily in the national legislature, the courts have the power to
inquire the legality of the right of eminent domain and to determine whether or not there is a
genuine necessity therefore.

3. POWER OF TAXATION affects only property rights and may be exercised only by the
government. The property taken under this power shall likewise be intended for a public use
or purpose. It is used solely for the purpose of raising revenues, to protect the people and
extend them benefits in the form of public projects and services (I hope so). Hence, it cannot
be allowed to be confiscatory, except if it is intended for destruction as an instrument of the
police power.

It must conform to the requirements of due process. Therefore, taxpayers are entitled to be
notified of the assessment proceedings and to be heard therein on the correct valuation to
be given the property. It is also subject to the general requirements of the equal protection
clause that the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable.

http://lawreal.blogspot.com/2009/06/3-inherent-powers-of-state-1.html