Manila, April 8 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) has no authority to deputize local government units (LGUs) as special sheriffs to conduct homeowners' association (HOA) elections.

The DOJ issued the legal opinion on March 30 in response to a query on whether HSAC could designate LGUs to execute HOA elections via orders or writs.

It said consistent with the provisions of Republic Act 11201, a law that created the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in 2019, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the DHSUD, through its Regional Offices, holds authority to call for, conduct, supervise and observe special elections "pursuant to its ...