The Supreme Court’s decision striking down Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 deserves attention beyond the fishing industry. The ruling is not merely about vessel monitoring systems or administrative regulations. It quietly affirms a larger principle of governance: public policy must lead public procurement—not the other way around. FAO No. 266 required every commercial fishing vessel to install a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) transmitting real-time location data to the government. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) argued that the system would help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. But the High Court struck down the said memorandum after hearing the arguments of both sides.

Gagni, L. (2026, August 10). Procurement cannot precede policy: Supreme Court rebukes BFAR in landmark fisheries ruling. BusinessMirror, p. A14.