The commencement of an administrative procedure is subject to determination to be made by the administrative authority ex officio; provided that, this shall not apply where the administrative authority is bound by this Act or any other law to commence the administrative procedure or where an application therefor has been filed by the party under law or regulation.

Unless otherwise prescribed by law or regulations, an application filed under law with an administrative authority may be in writing or oral. In the case of an oral application, the administrative authority entertaining the application shall keep a record thereof and shall cause it to be signed by or affixed with the personal seal of the applicant after it is read aloud to or examined by and confirmed to be free of errors by the applicant.