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The Constitution and shared power
How fundamental rules distribute and limit authority.
Rules for the other rules
Puerto Rico’s Constitution establishes the organization of government and a Bill of Rights. An ordinary statute cannot override its provisions. The analysis must also consider applicable federal constitutional and statutory law: Puerto Rico’s Constitution is not the entire legal framework.
Separation and collaboration
Articles III, IV, and V organize the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Separation distributes responsibilities; it does not isolate the branches. For example, the Legislature considers a bill, the governor can approve or veto it, and courts can examine a constitutional dispute properly brought before them.
Rights are part of the structure
The Bill of Rights limits government action toward people. An agency’s authority is explained by more than its position in a chart: its enabling law, jurisdiction, and constitutional limits matter too. When reading a profile, ask what the institution can do and where that authority comes from.
Check your understanding: Can an ordinary law override the Constitution?
No. Government action must respect applicable constitutional limits.