Section 50 of E.O. 40 provides that it “shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,” and considering that it was published on the October 12, 2001 issue of the Manila Times, counting fifteen (15) days thereafter, the date of its effectivity is October 27, 2001.
As regards the effectivity of the IRR of E.O. 40, the records of the National Printing Office show that the said IRR was published on Volume 98, No. 6, February 11, 2002 supplementary issue of the Official Gazette publication, and was released on March 20, 2002. Counting fifteen (15) days after the actual release of the Official Gazette, its date of effectivity is April 4, 2002.
There being no express provision in E.O. 40 and its IRR on its retroactive application, public biddings pending at the date of its effectivity shall be subject to the rules of Presidential Decree No. 1594.
