13. William c Yao, Sr., Vs. People of the Philippines, Petron and Pilipinas Shell g.r. Nr. 168306,...

7/25/2019 13. William c Yao, Sr., Vs. People of the Philippines, Petron and Pilipinas Shell g.r. Nr. 168306, June 19, 2007

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THIRD DIVISION

WILLIAM C. YAO, SR.,

LUISA C. YAO, RICHARD

C. YAO, WILLIAM C. YAO

JR., and ROGER C. YAO,

Petitioners,

-versus

THE PEOPLE OF THE

PHILIPPINES, PETRON

CORPORATION and

PILIPINAS SHELL

PETROLEUM CORP., and

its Prini!a", SHELL INTL

PETROLEUM CO. LTD.,

Respondents.

G.R. N#. $%&'(%

Present:

YNARES-SANTIAGO,

Chairperson,

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CICO-NAZARIO, andNACURA,JJ.

Pro!"#$ated:

%"ne &', ())*+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

D E C I S I O N

CICO-NAZARIO,J.:

In this Petition or Reie on Certiorari/&0"nder R"#e 12 o the R"#es o Co"rt,

petitioners 3i##ia! C. Yao, Sr., 4"isa C. Yao, Ri5hard C. Yao, 3i##ia! C. Yao, %r.,

and Ro$er C. Yao pra6 or the reersa# o the 7e5ision dated 8) Septe!9er ())1,/(0and Reso#"tion dated & %"ne ())2, o the Co"rt o Appea#s in CA G.R. SP No.

*'(2,/80air!in$ the to Orders, 9oth dated 2 %"ne ())8, o the Re$iona# Tria#

Co"rt ;RTC


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No. 8-())8./10In the said Orders, the RTC denied the petitioners Motion to >"ash

Sear5h 3arrant/20and Motion or the Ret"rn o the Motor Co!pressor

and4i?"iied Petro#e"! Gas ;4PG< Rei##in$ Ma5hine./0

The o##oin$ are the a5ts:

Petitioners are in5orporators and oi5ers o MASAGANA GAS

CORPORATION ;MASAGANA


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the tradena!es, trade!ar@s, and dei5es o Petron and Pi#ipinas She##, itho"t

a"thorit6 and in io#ation o the ri$hts o the said entities.

In his to separate aidaits/'0atta5hed to the to app#i5ations or sear5h

arrant, O9#an5a a##e$ed:&. /That0 on && De9r"ar6 ())8, the Nationa# ="rea" o Inesti$ation

;N=I< re5eied a #etter-5o!p#aint ro! Att6. =ienenido I. So!era %r.

o i##araa and An$an$5o, on 9eha# o a!on$ others, /Petron Corporation

;PETRON


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o"t that MASAGANA de#ier6 tr"5@s ith P#ate Nos. UMN-'*&, PEZ-&(,

3TE-2(*, HAM-'*) and 3DC-)8 5o!in$ in and o"t o the rei##in$ p#ant

#o5ated at the aore!entioned address 5ontained !"#ti-9rand 4PG 56#indersin5#"din$ /Gas"# and0 She##ane. + + +.

*. /That0 on &8 De9r"ar6 ())8, I 5ond"5ted a test-9"6a55o!panied 96 Mr. =erna9e C. A#aFar. Ater as@in$ the p"rpose o o"r

isit, MASAGANAs $"ard a##oed "s to enter the MASAGANA rei##in$ p#ant

to p"r5hase GASU4 and SE44ANE 4PGs. + + +. 3e ere iss"ed an orders#ip hi5h e presented to the 5ashiers oi5e #o5ated near the rei##in$

station. Ater pa6in$ the a!o"nt + + + 5oerin$ the 5ost o the 56#inders and

their 5ontents, the6 ere iss"ed Cash Inoi5e No. 2(&) dated De9r"ar6 &8,

())8.3e ere, thereater, assisted 96 the p#ant attendant in 5hoosin$ e!pt6GASU4 and SE44ANE && @$. 56#inders, + + + ere 9ro"$ht to the rei##in$

station /and i##ed in their presen5e.0 I noti5ed that no a#e sea#s ere p#a5ed

on the 56#inders.

/That0 hi#e inside the rei##in$ p#ant doin$ the test-9"6, I noti5ed that

sto5@pi#es o !"#ti-9randed 56#inders in5#"din$ GASU4 and SE44ANE56#inders ere stored near the rei##in$ station. I a#so noti5ed that the tota# #and

area o the rei##in$ p#ant is a9o"t *,))) to &),))) s?"are !eters. At the 5orner

ri$ht side o the 5o!po"nd i!!ediate#6 "pon enterin$ the $ate is a 5oered areahere the !aintenan5e o the 56#inders is ta@in$ p#a5e. 4o5ated at the 9a5@ ri$ht

5orner o the 5o!po"nd are to stora$e tan@s hi#e at the #et side a#so at the

5orner portion is another stora$e tan@. Seera# !eters and rontin$ the said

stora$e tan@ is here the rei##in$ station and the oi5e are #o5ated. It is a#so inthis stora$e tan@ here the e#eated 9#"e ater tan@ depi5tin$ MASAGANA

CORP. is #o5ated. A9o"t e#een ;&&< rei##in$ p"!ps and sto5@ pi#es o !"#ti-

9randed 56#inders in5#"din$ She##ane and GASU4 are stored in the rei##in$station. At the #et side o the entran5e $ate is the $"ard ho"se ith s!a## door

or the pedestrians and at the ri$ht is a 9#"e stee# $ate "sed or in5o!in$ and

o"t$oin$ ehi5#es.

B. /That0 on (* De9r"ar6 ())8, I 5ond"5ted another test-9"6

a55o!panied 96 Mr. =erna9e C. A#aFar. + + + Ater 5hoosin$ the 56#inders, e

ere iss"ed an order s#ip hi5h e presented to the 5ashier. Upon pa6!ent,Cash Inoi5e No. 28'B as iss"ed 5oerin$ the 5ost o 9oth GASU4

and SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders and their 5ontents. + ++ =oth 56#inders ere

rei##ed in o"r presen5e and no a#e sea#s ere p#a5ed on the 56#inders.

Copies o the photo$raphs o the de#ier6 tr"5@s, 4PG 56#inders and

re$istration papers ere a#so atta5hed to the aore!entioned aidaits./&)0

=erna9e C. A#aFar ;A#aFar


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=rand Prote5tion Pro$ra!. A#aFar a55o!panied O9#an5a d"rin$ the s"rei##an5e o

and test-9"6s at the rei##in$ p#ant o MASAGANA. e a#so e+e5"ted to separate

aidaits 5orro9oratin$ the state!ents o O9#an5a. These ere anne+ed to the to

app#i5ations or sear5h arrant./&&0

Ater 5ond"5tin$ the pre#i!inar6 e+a!ination on O9#an5a and A#aFar, and

"pon reiein$ their sorn aidaits and other atta5hed do5"!ents,

%"d$e Me#5hor>.C. Sadan$ ;%"d$e Sadan$


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Under Sear5h 3arrant No. 8-())8:

a. E!pt6i##ed 4PG 56#inder tan@s5ontainers, 9earin$ Petron Corporations

;Petron< tradena!e and its tradena!e GASU4 and other dei5es oned

andor "sed e+5#"sie#6 96 Petron

9. Ma5hiner6 andor e?"ip!ent 9ein$ "sed or intended to 9e "sed or the

p"rpose o i##e$a##6 rei##in$ 4PG 56#inders 9e#on$in$

to Petron en"!erated here"nder

&. ="#@="##et 4PG stora$e tan@s

(. Co!pressors ;or pne"!ati5 i##in$ s6ste!


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5. Ei$ht ;B< i##ed 2) @$. 4PG 56#inders, 9earin$

the tradena!e o Pi#ipinas She## Petro#e"! Corporation and thetrade!ar@s and other dei5es oned 96 She## Internationa# Petro#e"!

Co!pan6, 4td.

d. Three ;8< e!pt6 2) @$. 4PG 56#inders, 9earin$

the tradena!e o Pi#ipinas She## Petro#e"! Corporation and the

trade!ar@s and other dei5es oned 96 She## Internationa# Petro#e"!Co!pan6, 4td.

e. One ;&< set o !otor 5o!pressor or i##in$ s6ste!.

P"rs"ant to Sear5h 3arrant No. 8-())8, the o##oin$ arti5#es ere a#so

seied:

a. Si+ ;< i##ed && @$. 4PG 56#inders itho"t sea#,

9earin$ Petrons tradena!e and its trade!ar@ GASU4 and other dei5esoned andor "sed e+5#"sie#6 96 Petron

9. Si+t6-three ;8< e!pt6 && @$. 4PG 56#inders,9earin$ Petrons tradena!e and its trade!ar@ GASU4 and other dei5es

oned andor "sed e+5#"sie#6 96 Petron

5. Seen ;*< ta!pered && @$. 4PG 56#inders, 9earin$ Petrons tradena!e and

its trade!ar@ GASU4 and other dei5es oned andor "sed e+5#"sie#696 Petron

d. Die ;2< ta!pered 2) @$. 4PG 56#inders, 9earin$ Petrons tradena!e and

its trade!ar@ GASU4 and other dei5es oned andor "sed e+5#"sie#6

96 Petron ith ta!pered GASU4 #o$o

e. One ;&< set o !otor 5o!pressor or i##in$ s6ste! and

. One ;&< set o 4PG rei##in$ !a5hine.

On (( Apri# ())8, petitioners i#ed ith the RTC a Motion to >"ash Sear5h3arrants No. (-())8 and No. 8-())8/&10on the o##oin$ $ro"nds:

&. There is no pro9a9#e 5a"se or the iss"an5e o the sear5h

arrant and the 5onditions or the iss"an5e o a sear5h arrant

ere not 5o!p#ied ith
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(. App#i5ant N=I A$ent Rit5hie N. O9#an5a and his

itness =erna9e C. A#aFar do not hae an6 a"thorit6 to app#6 or

a sear5h arrant. D"rther!ore, the6 5o!!itted perF"r6 henthe6 a##e$ed in their sorn state!ents that the6 5ond"5ted a test-

9"6 on to o55asions

8. The p#a5e to 9e sear5hed as not spe5iied in the Sear5h

3arrant as the p#a5e has an area o &),))) s?"are !eters ;one

he5tare< !ore or #ess, or hi5h reason the p#a5e to 9e sear5hed!"st 9e indi5ated ith parti5"#arit6

1. The sear5h arrant is 5hara5teried as a $enera# arrant as the

ite!s to 9e seied as !entioned in the sear5h arrant are 9ein$"sed in the 5ond"5t o the #a"# 9"siness o respondents and the

sa!e are not 9ein$ "sed in rei##in$ She##ane and Gas"# 4PGs.

On 8) Apri# ())8, MASAGANA, as third part6 5#ai!ant, i#ed ith the

RTC a Motion or the Ret"rn o Motor Co!pressor and 4PG Rei##in$ Ma5hine./&20It 5#ai!ed that it is the oner o the said !otor 5o!pressor and 4PG rei##in$

!a5hine that these ite!s ere "sed in the operation o its #e$iti!ate 9"siness

and that their sei"re i## Feopardie its 9"siness interests.

On 2 %"ne ())8, the RTC iss"ed to Orders, one o hi5h denied the

petitioners Motion to >"ash Sear5h 3arrants No. (-())8 and No. 8-())8, and

the other one a#so denied the Motion or the Ret"rn o Motor Co!pressor and4PG Rei##in$ Ma5hine o MASAGANA, or #a5@ o !erit. /&0

3ith respe5t to the Order den6in$ the petitioners !otion to ?"ash Sear5h

3arrants No. (-())8 and No. 8-())8, the RTC he#d that 9ased on the testi!onies

oO9#an5a and A#aFar, as e## as the do5"!entar6 eiden5e 5onsistin$ o

re5eipts, photo$raphs, inte##e5t"a# propert6 and 5orporate re$istration papers,

there is pro9a9#e 5a"se to 9e#iee that petitioners are en$a$ed in the 9"siness o

rei##in$ or "sin$ 56#inders hi5h 9ear the trade!ar@s or dei5eso Petron and Pi#ipinasShe## in the p#a5e so"$ht to 9e sear5hed and that s"5h

a5tiit6 is pro9a9#6 in io#ation o Se5tion &22 in re#ation to Se5tion &*) o

Rep"9#i5 A5t No. B('8.
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It a#so r"#ed that O9#an5a and A#aFar had persona# @no#ed$e o the a5ts

5o!p#ained o sin5e the6 ere the ones ho !onitored the a5tiities o and

5ond"5ted test-9"6s on MASAGANA that the sear5h arrants in ?"estion are

not $enera# arrants 9e5a"se the 5o!po"nd sear5hed are so#e#6 "sed and

o55"pied 96 MASAGANA, and as s"5h, there as no need to parti5"#arie theareas ithin the 5o!po"nd that o"#d 9e sear5hed and that the ite!s to 9e

seied in the s"9Fe5t sear5h arrants ere s"i5ient#6 des5ri9ed ith

parti5"#arit6 as the sa!e as #i!ited to 56#inder tan@s 9earin$ the trade!ar@s

GASU4 and SE44ANE.

As re$ards the Order den6in$ the !otion o MASAGANA or the ret"rn o

its !otor 5o!pressor and 4PG rei##in$ !a5hine, the RTC reso#ed that

MASAGANA 5annot 9e 5onsidered a third part6 5#ai!ant hose ri$hts ereio#ated as a res"#t o the sei"re sin5e the eiden5e dis5#osed that petitioners are

sto5@ho#ders o MASAGANA and that the6 5ond"5t their 9"siness thro"$h the

sa!e F"ridi5a# entit6. It !aintained that to r"#e otherise o"#d res"#t in the

!isapp#i5ation and de9ase!ent o the ei# o 5orporate i5tion. It a#so stated that

the ei# o 5orporate i5tion 5annot 9e "sed as a re"$e ro! #ia9i#it6.

D"rther, the RTC ratio5inated that onership 96 another person or entit6 o

the seied ite!s is not a $ro"nd to order its ret"rn that in sei"res p"rs"ant to a

sear5h arrant, hat is i!portant is that the seied ite!s ere "sed or intendedto 9e "sed as !eans o 5o!!ittin$ the oense 5o!p#ained o that 96 its er6

nat"re, the properties so"$ht to 9e ret"rned in the instant 5ase appear to 9e re#ated

to and intended or the i##e$a# a5tiit6 or hi5h the sear5h arrants ere app#ied

or and that the ite!s seied are instr"!ents o an oense.

Petitioners i#ed Motions or Re5onsideration o the assai#ed Orders, /&*09"t

these ere denied 96 the RTC in its Order dated (& %"#6 ())8 or #a5@ o

5o!pe##in$ reasons.

/&B0

S"9se?"ent#6, petitioners appea#ed the to Orders o the RTC to the Co"rt

o Appea#s viaa spe5ia# 5ii# a5tion or certiorari "nder R"#e 2 o the R"#es o

Co"rt./&'0On 8) Septe!9er ())1, the Co"rt o Appea#s pro!"#$ated its 7e5ision

air!in$ the Orders o the RTC./()0It adopted in essen5e the 9ases and reasons o

the RTC in its to Orders. The de5reta# portion thereo reads:
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=ased on the ore$oin$, this Co"rt inds no reason to dist"r9 the assai#ed

Orders o the respondent F"d$e. Grae a9"se o dis5retion has not 9een proen toe+ist in this 5ase.

3EREDORE, the petition is here96DISMISSEDor #a5@ o !erit. Theassai#ed orders 9oth dated %"ne 2, ())8 are here96 ADDIRME7.

Petitioners i#ed a Motion or Re5onsideration/(&0o the 7e5ision o the

Co"rt o Appea#s, 9"t this as denied in its Reso#"tion dated & %"ne ())2 or #a5@

o !erit./((0

Petitioners i#ed the instant petition on the o##oin$ $ro"nds:

I.

TE ONORA=4E COURT OD APPEA4S ERRE7 IN RU4ING TAT TE

PRESI7ING %U7GE OD RTC CAITE CITY A7 SUDDICIENT =ASIS IN

7EC4ARING TE EHISTENCE OD PRO=A=4E CAUSE

II.

TE ONORA=4E COURT OD APPEA4S ERRE7 IN RU4ING TAT N=I

AGENT ;RITCIE O=4ANCA< CAN APP4Y DOR TE SEARC3ARRANTS NOT3ITSTAN7ING IS 4AC OD AUTORITY

III.

TE ONORA=4E COURT OD APPEA4S ERRE7 IN RU4ING TAT TERE>UIREMENT OD GIING A PARTICU4AR 7ESCRIPTION OD TE

P4ACE TO =E SEARCE7 3AS COMP4IE7 3IT

I.

TE ONORA=4E COURT OD APPEA4S ERRE7 IN RU4ING TAT TEAPP4ICATIONS AN7 TE SEARC 3ARRANTS TEMSE4ES SO3 NO

AM=IGUITY OD TE ITEMS TO =E SEIZE7

.


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TE ONORA=4E COURT OD APPEA4S ERRE7 IN RU4ING TAT TE

COMP4AINT IS 7IRECTE7 AGAINST MASAGANA GAS CORPORATION,

ACTING TROUG ITS ODDICERS AN7 7IRECTORS, ENCEMASAGANA GAS CORPORATION MAY NOT =E CONSI7ERE7 AS TIR7

PARTY C4AIMANT 3OSE RIGTS 3ERE IO4ATE7 AS A RESU4T OD

TE SEIZURE./(80

Apropos the irst iss"e, petitioners a##e$e that O9#an5a and A#aFar had no

persona# @no#ed$e o the !atters on hi5h the6 testiied

that O9#an5a and A#aFar#ied to %"d$e Sadan$ hen the6 stated "nder oath that the6

ere the ones ho 5ond"5ted the test-9"6s on to dierent o55asions that the

tr"th o the !atter is thatO9#an5a and A#aFar neer !ade the p"r5hases persona##6

that the transa5tions ere "nderta@en 96 other persons na!e#6, Ni@@o %aier and

G. i##an"ea as shon in the Entr6E+it S#ips o MASAGANA and that een i itere tr"e that O9#an5a and A#aFar as@ed Ni@@o %aier and G. i##an"ea to 5ond"5t

the test-9"6s, the inor!ation re#a6ed 96 the #atter to to the or!er as !ere

hearsa6./(10

Petitioners a#so 5ontend that i O9#an5a and A#aFar had indeed "sed dierent

na!es in p"r5hasin$ the 4PG 56#inders, the6 sho"#d hae !entioned it in their

app#i5ations or sear5h arrants and in their testi!onies d"rin$ the pre#i!inar6

e+a!ination that it as on#6 ater the petitioners had s"9!itted to the RTC the

entr6e+it s#ips shoin$ dierent persona#ities ho !ade the p"r5hases

that O9#an5a and A#aFar e+p#ained that the6 had to "se dierent na!es in order to

aoid dete5tion that A#aFar is not 5onne5ted ith either o the priate respondents

that A#aFar as not in a position to inor! the RTC as to the distin$"ishin$

trade!ar@s o SE44ANE and GASU4 that O9#an5a as not a#so 5o!petent to

testi6 on the !ar@s a##e$ed#6 inrin$ed 96 petitioners that %"d$e Sadan$ ai#ed to

as@ pro9in$ ?"estions on the distin$"ishin$ !ar@s o SE44ANE and GASU4

that the indin$s o the =rand Prote5tion Co!!ittee o Pi#ipinas She## ere not

s"9!itted nor presented to the RTC that a#tho"$h%"d$e Sadan$ e+a!ined O9#an5a and A#aFar, the or!er did not as@ e+ha"stie

?"estions and that the ?"estions %"d$e Sadan$as@ed ere !ere#6 rehash o the

5ontents o the aidaits o O9#an5a and A#aFar./(20

These 5ontentions are deoid o !erit.
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Arti5#e III, Se5tion (, o the present Constit"tion states the re?"ire!ents

9eore a sear5h arrant !a6 9e a#id#6 iss"ed, to it:

Section 2. The ri$ht o the peop#e to 9e se5"re in their persons, ho"ses,papers, and ee5ts a$ainst "nreasona9#e sear5hes and sei"res o hateer nat"re

and or an6 p"rpose sha## 9e inio#a9#e, and n# s)ar*+arrantor arrant o

arrest s*a"" iss) )-)!t !#n !r#a") as) t# ) d)t)r/in)d !)rs#na""0 0

t*) 1d2) a3t)r )-a/inati#n nd)r #at* #r a33ir/ati#n #3 t*) #/!"ainant

and t*) +itn)ss)s *) /a0 !r#d), and !arti"ar"0 d)sriin2 t*) !"a) t#

) s)ar*)d and t*) !)rs#ns #r t*in2s t# ) s)i4)d. 5)/!*asis s!!"i)d6.

Se5tion 1 o R"#e &( o the Reised R"#es on Cri!ina# Pro5ed"re, proides

ith !ore parti5"#arit6 the re?"isites in iss"in$ a sear5h arrant, viz:

SEC. 1.Requisites for issuing search warrant. A sear5h arrant sha## not

iss"e e+5ept "pon pro9a9#e 5a"se in 5onne5tion ith one spe5ii5 oense to 9edeter!ined persona##6 96 the F"d$e ater e+a!ination "nder oath or air!ation o

the 5o!p#ainant and the itnesses he !a6 prod"5e, and parti5"#ar#6 des5ri9in$ the

p#a5e to 9e sear5hed and the thin$s to 9e seied hi5h !a6 9e an6here in thePhi#ippines.

A55ordin$ to the ore$oin$ proisions, a sear5h arrant 5an 9e iss"ed on#6

"pon a indin$ o pro9a9#e 5a"se. Pro9a9#e 5a"se or sear5h arrant !eans s"5h

a5ts and 5ir5"!stan5es hi5h o"#d #ead a reasona9#6 dis5reet and pr"dent !an

to 9e#iee that an oense has 9een 5o!!itted and that the o9Fe5ts so"$ht in

5onne5tion ith the oense are in the p#a5e to 9e sear5hed./(0

The a5ts and 5ir5"!stan5es 9ein$ reerred thereto pertain to a5ts, data or

inor!ation persona##6 @non to the app#i5ant and the itnesses he !a6 present./(*0The app#i5ant or his itnesses !"st hae persona# @no#ed$e o the

5ir5"!stan5es s"rro"ndin$ the 5o!!ission o the oense 9ein$ 5o!p#ainedo. Re#ia9#e inor!ation is ins"i5ient. Mere aidaits are not eno"$h, and the

F"d$e !"st depose in ritin$ the 5o!p#ainant and his itnesses./(B0

Se5tion &22 o Rep"9#i5 A5t No. B('8 identiies the a5ts 5onstit"tin$

trade!ar@ inrin$e!ent, th"s:
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13/26

SEC. &22.Remedies; Infringement. An6 person ho sha##, itho"t the

5onsent o the oner o the re$istered !ar@:

&22.&. Use in 5o!!er5e an6 reprod"5tion, 5o"ntereit, 5op6, or 5o#ora9#e

i!itation o a re$istered !ar@ or the sa!e 5ontainer or a do!inant eat"re thereoin 5onne5tion ith the sa#e, oerin$ or sa#e, distri9"tion, adertisin$ o an6

$oods or seri5es in5#"din$ other preparator6 steps ne5essar6 to 5arr6 o"t the sa#e

o an6 $oods or seri5es on or in 5onne5tion ith hi5h s"5h "se is #i@e#6 to5a"se 5on"sion, or to 5a"se !ista@e, or to de5eie or

&22.(. Reprod"5e, 5o"ntereit, 5op6 or 5o#ora9#6 i!itate a re$istered !ar@or a do!inant eat"re thereo and app#6 s"5h reprod"5tion, 5o"ntereit, 5op6 or

5o#ora9#e i!itation to #a9e#s, si$ns, prints, pa5@a$es, rappers, re5epta5#es or

adertise!ents intended to 9e "sed in 5o!!er5e "pon or in 5onne5tion ith the

sa#e, oerin$ or sa#e, distri9"tion, or adertisin$ o $oods or seri5es on or in

5onne5tion ith hi5h s"5h "se is #i@e#6 to 5a"se 5on"sion, or to 5a"se !ista@e,or to de5eie, sha## 9e #ia9#e in a 5ii# a5tion or inrin$e!ent 96 the re$istrant or

the re!edies hereinater set orth:rovided!That the inrin$e!ent ta@es p#a5e atthe !o!ent an6 o the a5ts stated in S"9se5tion &22.& or this s"9se5tion are

5o!!itted re$ard#ess o hether there is a5t"a# sa#e o $oods or seri5es "sin$ the

inrin$in$ !ateria#.

As 5an 9e $#eaned in Se5tion &22.&, !ere "na"thoried "se o a 5ontainer

9earin$ a re$istered trade!ar@ in 5onne5tion ith the sa#e, distri9"tion or

adertisin$ o $oods or seri5es hi5h is "i#e"$to 5a"se 5on"sion, !ista@e orde5eption a!on$ the 9"6ers5ons"!ers 5an 9e 5onsidered as trade!ar@

inrin$e!ent.

In his sorn aidaits,/('0O9#an5a stated that 9eore 5ond"5tin$ an

inesti$ation on the a##e$ed i##e$a# a5tiities o MASAGANA, he reieed the

5ertii5ates o trade!ar@ re$istrations iss"ed 96 the Phi#ippine Inte##e5t"a# Propert6

Oi5e in aor o Petron and Pi#ipinas She## that he 5onir!ed

ro! Petron and Pi#ipinasShe## that MASAGANA is not a"thoried to se##, "se,

rei## or distri9"te GASU4 and SE44ANE 4PG 56#inder 5ontainers that he

and A#aFar !onitored the a5tiities o MASAGANA in its rei##in$ p#ant station

#o5ated ithin its 5o!po"nd at Goernors

7rie, =aran$a6 4apidario, Tre5e Martires, Caite Cit6 that, "sin$ dierent

na!es, the6 5ond"5ted to test-9"6s therein here the6 p"r5hased 4PG 56#inders

9earin$ the trade!ar@s GASU4 and SE44ANE that the said GASU4 and
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SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders ere rei##ed in their presen5e 96 the MASAGANA

e!p#o6ees that hi#e the6 ere inside the MASAGANA 5o!po"nd, he noti5ed

sto5@ pi#es o !"#ti-9randed 56#inders in5#"din$ GASU4 and SE44ANE 4PG

56#inders and that the6 o9sered de#ier6 tr"5@s #oaded ith GASU4 and

SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders 5o!in$ in and o"t o the MASAGANA 5o!po"nd and!a@in$ de#ieries to ario"s retai# o"t#ets. These a##e$ations ere 5orro9orated

96A#aFar in his separate aidaits.

In s"pport o the ore$oin$ state!ents, O9#an5a a#so s"9!itted the o##oin$

do5"!entar6 and o9Fe5t eiden5e:

&. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. 11)1 or

SE44 ;7EICE< in the na!e o She## Internationa#

(. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. 1&*B' or


8. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. 8*2(2 or


1. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. R-(B&8 orSE44 in the na!e o She## Internationa#

2. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. 8&118 or

SE44ANE in the na!e o She## Internationa#

. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. 2*'12 or the!ar@ GASU4 in the na!e o Petron

*. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. C-&1* or

GASU4 CY4IN7ER CONTAINING 4I>UEDIE7 PETRO4EUM GASin the na!e o Petron

B. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Certii5ate o Re$istration No. &'() or the!ar@ GASU4 AN7 7EICE in the na!e o Petron

'. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the Arti5#es o In5orporation o Masa$ana

&). Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the =6-#as o Masa$ana

&&. Certiied tr"e 5op6 o the #atest Genera# Inor!ation Sheet

o Masa$ana on i#e ith the Se5"rities and E+5han$e Co!!ission


15/26

&(. Pi5t"res o de#ier6 tr"5@s 5o!in$ in and o"t o Masa$ana hi#e it

de#iered Gas"# and She##ane 4PG

&8. Cash Inoi5e No. 2(&) dated &8 De9r"ar6 ())8 iss"ed 96 Masa$ana or

the Gas"# and She##ane 4PG p"r5hased 96 A$ent O9#an5a and

itness A#aFar

&1. Pi5t"res o the She##ane and Gas"# 4PGs 5oered 96 Cash Inoi5e No.

2(&) p"r5hased ro! Masa$ana 96 A$ent O9#an5a and itness A#aFar

&2. Cash Inoi5e No. 28'B dated (* De9r"ar6 ())8 iss"ed 96 Masa$ana or

the Gas"# and She##ane 4PG p"r5hased 96 A$ent O9#an5a and

itness A#aFar and

&. Pi5t"res o the She##ane and Gas"# 4PGs 5oered 96 Cash Inoi5e No.

28'B p"r5hased ro! Masa$ana 96 A$ent O9#an5a and itness A#aFar./8)0

E+tant ro! the ore$oin$ testi!onia#, do5"!entar6 and o9Fe5t eiden5e is

that O9#an5a and A#aFar hae persona# @no#ed$e o the a5t that petitioners,

thro"$h MASAGANA, hae 9een "sin$ the 4PG 56#inders 9earin$ the !ar@s

GASU4 and SE44ANE itho"t per!ission ro! Petron and Pi#ipinas She##, a

pro9a9#e 5a"se or trade!ar@ inrin$e!ent. =oth O9#an5a and A#aFar ere 5#ear

and insistent that the6 ere the er6 sa!e persons ho !onitored the a5tiities o

MASAGANA that the6 5ond"5ted test-9"6s thereon and that in order to aoid

s"spi5ion, the6 "sed dierent na!es d"rin$ the test-9"6s. The6 a#so persona##6

itnessed the rei##in$ o 4PG 56#inders 9earin$ the !ar@s GASU4 and

SE44ANE inside the MASAGANA rei##in$ p#ant station and the de#ieries o

these rei##ed 5ontainers to so!e o"t#ets "sin$ !ini-tr"5@s.

Indeed, the aoresaid a5ts and 5ir5"!stan5es are s"i5ient to esta9#ish

pro9a9#e 5a"se. It sho"#d 9e 9orne in !ind that the deter!ination o pro9a9#e 5a"se

does not 5a## or the app#i5ation o the r"#es and standards o proo that a F"d$!ent

o 5oni5tion re?"ires ater tria# on the !erits. As the ter! i!p#ies, pro9a9#e 5a"seis 5on5erned ith pro9a9i#it6, not a9so#"te or een !ora# 5ertaint6. The standards

o F"d$!ent are those o a reasona9#6 pr"dent !an, not the e+a5tin$ 5a#i9rations o

a F"d$e ater a "## 9#on tria#./8&0


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The a5t that O9#an5a and A#aFar "sed dierent na!es in the p"r5hase

re5eipts do not ne$ate persona# @no#ed$e on their part. It is a 5o!!on pra5ti5e o

the #a enor5ers s"5h as N=I a$ents d"rin$ 5oert inesti$ations to "se dierent

na!es in order to 5on5ea# their tr"e identities. This is reasona9#e and

"nderstanda9#e so as not to endan$er the #ie o the "nder5oer a$ents and toa5i#itate the #a"# arrest or apprehension o s"spe5ted io#ators o the #a.

Petitioners 5ontention that O9#an5a and A#aFar sho"#d hae !entioned the

a5t that the6 "sed dierent na!es in their respe5tie aidaits and d"rin$ the

pre#i!inar6 e+a!ination is p"eri#e. The ar$"!ent is too a5"o"s to !erit serio"s

5onsideration. There is nothin$ in the proisions o #a 5on5ernin$ the iss"an5e o

a sear5h arrant hi5h dire5t#6 or indire5t#6 !andates that the app#i5ant o the

sear5h arrant or his itnesses sho"#d state in their aidaits the a5t that the6"sed dierent na!es hi#e 5ond"5tin$ "nder5oer inesti$ations, or to di"#$e

s"5h a5t d"rin$ the pre#i!inar6 e+a!ination. In the #i$ht o other !ore !ateria#

a5ts hi5h needed to 9e esta9#ished or a indin$ o pro9a9#e 5a"se, it is not

dii5"#t to 9e#iee that O9#an5a and A#aFar ai#ed to !ention that the6 "sed a#iases

in enterin$ the MASAGANA 5o!po"nd d"e to !ere oersi$ht.

It 5annot 9e $ain"##6 said that O9#an5a and A#aFar are not 5o!petent to

testi6 on the trade!ar@s inrin$ed 96 the petitioners. As ear#ier

dis5"ssed, O9#an5ade5#ared "nder oath that 9eore 5ond"5tin$ an inesti$ation onthe a##e$ed i##e$a# a5tiities o MASAGANA, he reieed the 5ertii5ates o

trade!ar@ re$istrations iss"ed 96 the Phi#ippine Inte##e5t"a# Propert6 Oi5e in

aor o Petron and Pi#ipinas She##. These 5ertii5ations o trade!ar@ re$istrations

ere atta5hed 96 O9#an5a in his app#i5ations or the sear5h arrants. A#aFar, on the

other hand, or@s as a priate inesti$ator and, in a5t, ons a priate

inesti$ation and resear5h5ons"#tation ir!. is ir! as hired and a"thoried,

p"rs"ant to the =rand Prote5tion Pro$ra! o Petron and Pi#ipinas She##, to eri6

reports that MASAGANA is ino#ed in the i##e$a# sa#e and rei## o GASU4 andSE44ANE 4PG 56#inders./8(0As part o the Fo9, he st"died and a!i#iaried

hi!se# ith the re$istered trade!ar@s o GASU4 and SE44ANE, and the

distin5t eat"res o the 4PG 56#inders 9earin$ the sa!e trade!ar@s 9eore

5ond"5tin$ s"rei##an5e and test-9"6s on MASAGANA./880e a#so s"9!itted

to O9#an5a seera# 5opies o the sa!e re$istered trade!ar@ re$istrations and

a55o!panied O9#an5a d"rin$ the s"rei##an5e and test-9"6s.


17/26

As to hether the or! and !anner o ?"estionin$ !ade 96

%"d$e Sadan$ 5o!p#ies ith the re?"ire!ents o #a, Se5tion 2 o R"#e &( o the

Reised R"#es on Cri!ina# Pro5ed"re, pres5ri9es the r"#es in the e+a!ination o

the 5o!p#ainant and his itnesses hen app#6in$ or sear5h arrant, to it:

SEC. 7.E%amination of com&"ainant; record.- The F"d$e !"st, 9eore

iss"in$ the arrant, persona##6 e+a!ine in the or! o sear5hin$ ?"estions and

ansers, in ritin$ "nder oath, the 5o!p#ainant and the itnesses he !a6 prod"5eon a5ts persona##6 @non to the! and atta5h to the re5ord their sorn state!ents,

to$ether ith the aidaits s"9!itted.

The sear5hin$ ?"estions propo"nded to the app#i5ant and the itnesses

depend #ar$e#6 on the dis5retion o the F"d$e. A#tho"$h there is no hard-andast

r"#e $oernin$ ho a F"d$e sho"#d 5ond"5t his inesti$ation, it is a+io!ati5 that

the e+a!ination !"st 9e pro9in$ and e+ha"stie, not !ere#6 ro"tinar6, $enera#,

periphera#, per"n5tor6 or&ro forma.The F"d$e !"st not si!p#6 rehash the

5ontents o the aidait 9"t !"st !a@e his on in?"ir6 on the intent and

F"stii5ation o the app#i5ation./810

Ater per"sin$ the Trans5ript o Steno$raphi5 Notes o the pre#i!inar6

e+a!ination, e o"nd the ?"estions o %"d$e Sadan$ to 9e s"i5ient#6 pro9in$,

not at a## s"peri5ia# and per"n5tor6./820

The testi!onieso O9#an5a and A#aFar ere 5onsistent ith ea5h other and their narration o a5ts

as 5redi9#e. As 5orre5t#6 o"nd 96 the Co"rt o Appea#s:

This Co"rt is #i@eise not 5onin5ed that respondent %"d$e ai#ed to as@

pro9in$ ?"estions in his deter!ination o the e+isten5e o pro9a9#e 5a"se. This

Co"rt has thoro"$h#6 e+a!ined the Trans5ript o Steno$raphi5 Notes ta@en d"rin$the inesti$ation 5ond"5ted 96 the respondent %"d$e and o"nd that respondent

%"d$e #en$thi#6 in?"ired into the 5ir5"!stan5es o the 5ase. Dor instan5e, he

re?"ired the N=I a$ent to 5onir! the 5ontents o his aidait, in?"ired as to

here the test-9"6s ere 5ond"5ted and 96 ho!, eriied hether PSPC andPETRON hae re$istered trade!ar@s or tradena!es, re?"ired the N=I itness to

e+p#ain ho the test-9"6s ere 5ond"5ted and to des5ri9e the 4PG 56#inders

p"r5hased ro! Masa$ana Gas Corporation, in?"ired h6 the app#i5ations orSear5h 3arrant ere i#ed in Caite Cit6 5onsiderin$ that Masa$ana Gas

Corporation as #o5ated in Tre5e Martires, Caite, in?"ired hether the N=I

A$ent has a s@et5h o the p#a5e and i there as an6 distin$"ishin$ si$n to identi6


18/26

the p#a5e to 9e sear5hed, and in?"ired a9o"t their a##e$ed tai#in$ and !onitorin$

o the de#ier6 tr"5@s. + + +./80

Sin5e pro9a9#e 5a"se is dependent #ar$e#6 on the opinion and indin$s o the

F"d$e ho 5ond"5ted the e+a!ination and ho had the opport"nit6 to ?"estion the

app#i5ant and his itnesses, the indin$s o the F"d$e deseres $reat ei$ht. The

reiein$ 5o"rt 5an oert"rn s"5h indin$s on#6 "pon proo that the F"d$e

disre$arded the a5ts 9eore hi! or i$nored the 5#ear di5tates o reason. /8*03e ind

no 5o!pe##in$ reason to dist"r9 %"d$e Sadan$s indin$s herein.

Anent the se5ond iss"e, petitioners ar$"e that %"d$e Sadan$ ai#ed to

re?"ire O9#an5a to sho his a"thorit6 to app#6 or sear5h arrants that O9#an5a is

a !e!9er o the Anti-Or$anied Cri!e and not that o the Inte##e5t"a# Propert67iision o the N=I that a## 5o!p#aints or inrin$e!ent sho"#d 9e inesti$ated 96

the Inte##e5t"a# Propert6 7iision o the N=I that it is hi$h#6 irre$"#ar that an

a$ent not assi$ned to the Inte##e5t"a# Propert6 7iision o"#d app#6 or a sear5h

arrant and itho"t a"thorit6 ro! the N=I 7ire5tor that the a##e$ed #etter-

5o!p#aint o Att6. =ienenido So!era, %r. o i##araa and An$an$5o 4a Oi5e

as not prod"5ed in 5o"rt that %"d$e Sadan$ did not re?"ire O9#an5a to prod"5e

the a##e$ed #etter-5o!p#aint hi5h is !ateria# and re#eant to the deter!ination o

the e+isten5e o pro9a9#e 5a"se and that Petron and Pi#ipinas She##, 9ein$ to

dierent 5orporations, sho"#d hae iss"ed a 9oard reso#"tion a"thoriin$

the i##araa andAn$an$5o 4a Oi5e to app#6 or sear5h arrant in their 9eha#./8B0

3e reFe5t these protestations.

The a"thorit6 o O9#an5a to app#6 or the sear5h arrants in ?"estion is

5#ear#6 dis5"ssed and e+p#ained in his aidait, viz:

/That0 on && De9r"ar6 ())8, the Nationa# ="rea" o Inesti$ation ;N=I< re5eied

a #etter-5o!p#aint ro! Att6. =ienenido I. So!era, %r.

o i##araa and An$an$5o, on 9eha# o a!on$ others, Petron Corporation;PETRON< /and Pi#ipinas She## Petro#e"! Corporation ;PSPC


19/26

o io#atin$ the inte##e5t"a# propert6 ri$hts o PETRON /and o PSPC and She##

Internationa#.0

&&. /That0 on the 9asis o the #etter-5o!p#aint, I, to$ether ith A$ent

An$e#o Zaroso, as assi$ned as the N=I a$ent on the 5ase./8'0

The a5t that O9#an5a is a !e!9er o the Anti-Or$anied Cri!e 7iision

and not that o the Inte##e5t"a# Propert6 7iision does not a9ro$ate his a"thorit6 to

app#6 or sear5h arrant. As apt#6 stated 96 the RTC and the Co"rt o Appea#s,

there is nothin$ in the proisions on sear5h arrant "nder R"#e &( o the Reised

R"#es on Cri!ina# Pro5ed"re, hi5h spe5ii5a##6 5o!!ands that the app#i5ant #a

enor5er !"st 9e a !e!9er o a diision that is assi$ned or re#ated to the s"9Fe5t

5ri!e or oense 9eore the app#i5ation or sear5h arrant !a6 9e a5ted "pon. The

petitioners did not a#so 5ite an6 #a, r"#e or re$"#ation !andatin$ s"5hre?"ire!ent. At !ost, petitioners !a6 on#6 9e reerrin$ to the ad!inistratie

or$aniation andor interna# r"#e or pra5ti5e o the N=I. oeer, not on#6 did

petitioners ai#ed to esta9#ish the e+isten5e thereo, 9"t the6 a#so did not proe that

s"5h ad!inistratie or$aniation andor interna# r"#e or pra5ti5e are inio#a9#e.

Neither is the presentation o the #etter-5o!p#aint o Att6. So!era and 9oard

reso#"tions ro! Petron and Pi#ipinas She## re?"ired or ne5essar6 in deter!inin$

pro9a9#e 5a"se. As heretoore dis5"ssed, the aidaits o O9#an5a and A#aFar,

5o"p#ed ith the o9Fe5t and do5"!entar6 eiden5e the6 presented, are s"i5ient to

esta9#ish pro9a9#e 5a"se. It 5an a#so 9e pres"!ed that O9#an5a, as an N=I a$ent, is

a p"9#i5 oi5er ho had re$"#ar#6 peror!ed his oi5ia# d"t6./1)0e o"#d not

hae initiated an inesti$ation on MASAGANA itho"t a proper 5o!p#aint.

D"rther!ore, Att6. So!era did not step "p to den6 his #etter-5o!p#aint.

Re$ardin$ the third iss"e, petitioners posit that the app#i5ations or sear5h

arrants o O9#an5a did not spe5i6 the parti5"#ar area to 9e sear5hed, hen5e,

$iin$ the raidin$ tea! ide #atit"de in deter!inin$ hat areas the6 5an sear5h.The6 aer that the sear5h arrants ere $enera# arrants, and are

thereore io#atie o the Constit"tion. Petitioners a#so assert that sin5e the

MASAGANA 5o!po"nd is a9o"t &),))).)) s?"are !eters ith seera# str"5t"res

ere5ted on the #ot, the sear5h arrants sho"#d hae deined the areas to 9e

sear5hed.
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The #on$ standin$ r"#e is that a des5ription o the p#a5e to 9e sear5hed is

s"i5ient i the oi5er ith the arrant 5an, ith reasona9#e eort, as5ertain and

identi6 the p#a5e intended and distin$"ish it ro! other p#a5es in the 5o!!"nit6.

An6 desi$nation or des5ription @non to the #o5a#it6 that points o"t the p#a5e to thee+5#"sion o a## others, and on in?"ir6 #eads the oi5ers "nerrin$#6 to it, satisies

the 5onstit"tiona# re?"ire!ent./1&0

Moreoer, in the deter!ination o hether a sear5h arrant des5ri9es the

pre!ises to 9e sear5hed ith s"i5ient parti5"#arit6, it has 9een he#d that the

e+e5"tin$ oi5ers prior @no#ed$e as to the p#a5e intended in the arrant is

re#eant. This o"#d see! to 9e espe5ia##6 tr"e here the e+e5"tin$ oi5er is the

aiant on hose aidait the arrant had 9een iss"ed, and hen he @nos that theF"d$e ho iss"ed the arrant intended the 5o!po"nd des5ri9ed in the aidait./1(0

The sear5h arrants in ?"estion 5o!!anded an6 pea5e oi5er to !a@e an

i!!ediate sear5h on MASAGANA 5o!po"nd #o5ated at Goernors

7rie, =aran$a64apidario, Tre5e Martires, Caite Cit6. It appears that the raidin$

tea! had as5ertained and rea5hed MASAGANA 5o!po"nd itho"t dii5"#t6

sin5e MASAGANA does not hae an6 other oi5esp#ants

in Tre5e Martires, Caite Cit6. Moreoer, O9#an5a, ho as ith the raidin$ tea!,

as a#read6 a!i#iar ith the MASAGANA 5o!po"nd as he and A#aFar had!onitored and 5ond"5ted test-9"6s thereat.

Een i there are seera# str"5t"res inside the MASAGANA 5o!po"nd,

there as no need to parti5"#arie the areas to 9e sear5hed 9e5a"se, as 5orre5t#6

stated 96 Petron and Pi#ipinas She##, these str"5t"res 5onstit"te the essentia# and

ne5essar6 5o!ponents o the petitioners 9"siness and 5annot 9e treated separate#6

as the6 or! part o one entire 5o!po"nd. The 5o!po"nd is oned and "sed so#e#6

96 MASAGANA. 3hat the 5ase #a !ere#6 re?"ires is that, the p#a5e to 9esear5hed 5an 9e distin$"ished in re#ation to the other p#a5es in the 5o!!"nit6.

Ind"9ita9#6, this re?"isite as 5o!p#ied ith in the instant 5ase.

As to the o"rth iss"e, petitioners asseerate that the sear5h arrants did not

indi5ate ith parti5"#arit6 the ite!s to 9e seied sin5e the sear5h arrants !ere#6


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des5ri9ed the ite!s to 9e seied as 4PG 56#inders 9earin$ the trade!ar@s GASU4

and SE44ANE itho"t spe5i6in$ their sies.

A sear5h arrant !a6 9e said to parti5"#ar#6 des5ri9e the thin$s to 9e seied

hen the des5ription therein is as spe5ii5 as the 5ir5"!stan5es i## ordinari#6a##o or hen the des5ription e+presses a 5on5#"sion o a5t not o #a 96 hi5h

the arrant oi5er !a6 9e $"ided in !a@in$ the sear5h and sei"re or hen the

thin$s des5ri9ed are #i!ited to those hi5h 9ear dire5t re#ation to the oense or

hi5h the arrant is 9ein$ iss"ed./180

3hi#e it is tr"e that the propert6 to 9e seied "nder a arrant !"st 9e

parti5"#ar#6 des5ri9ed therein and no other propert6 5an 9e ta@en there"nder, 6et

the des5ription is re?"ired to 9e spe5ii5 on#6 in so ar as the 5ir5"!stan5es i##ordinari#6 a##o. The #a does not re?"ire that the thin$s to 9e seied !"st 9e

des5ri9ed in pre5ise and !in"te detai#s as to #eae no roo! or do"9t on the part o

the sear5hin$ a"thorities otherise it o"#d 9e irt"a##6 i!possi9#e or the

app#i5ants to o9tain a sear5h arrant as the6 o"#d not @no e+a5t#6 hat @ind o

thin$s the6 are #oo@in$ or. On5e des5ri9ed, hoeer, the arti5#es s"9Fe5t o the

sear5h and sei"re need not 9e so inariant as to re?"ire a9so#"te 5on5ordan5e, in

o"r ie, 9eteen those seied and those des5ri9ed in the arrant. S"9stantia#

si!i#arit6 o those arti5#es des5ri9ed as a 5#ass or spe5ie o"#d s"i5e./110

Meas"red a$ainst this standard, e ind that the ite!s to 9e seied "nder the

sear5h arrants in ?"estion ere s"i5ient#6 des5ri9ed ith parti5"#arit6. The

arti5#es to 9e 5onis5ated ere restri5ted to the o##oin$: ;&< 4PG 56#inders

9earin$ the trade!ar@s GASU4 and SE44ANE ;(< Ma5hines and e?"ip!ents

"sed or intended to 9e "sed in the i##e$a# rei##in$ o GASU4 and SE44ANE

56#inders. These !a5hines ere a#so spe5ii5a##6 en"!erated and #isted in the

sear5h arrants ;8< 7o5"!ents hi5h pertain on#6 to the prod"5tion, sa#e and

distri9"tion o the GASU4 and SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders and ;1< 7e#ier6tr"5@s 9earin$ P#ate Nos. 3TE-2(*, HAM-'*) and 3DC-)8, ha"#in$ tr"5@s,

andor other de#ier6 tr"5@s or ehi5#es or 5one6an5es 9ein$ "sed or intended to

9e "sed or the p"rpose o se##in$ andor distri9"tin$ GASU4 and SE44ANE

4PG 56#inders./120
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn44http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn45http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn44http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn45


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Additiona##6, sin5e the des5ri9ed ite!s are 5#ear#6 #i!ited on#6 to those

hi5h 9ear dire5t re#ation to the oense, i.e., io#ation o se5tion &22 o Rep"9#i5

A5t No. B('8, or hi5h the arrant as iss"ed, the re?"ire!ent o parti5"#arit6 o

des5ription is satisied.

Gien the ore$oin$, the indi5ation o the a55"rate sies o the GASU4 and

SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders or tan@s o"#d 9e "nne5essar6.

Dina##6, petitioners 5#ai! that MASAGANA has the ri$ht to interene and to

!oe or the ret"rn o the seied ite!s that the ite!s seied 96 the raidin$ tea!

ere 9ein$ "sed in the #e$iti!ate 9"siness o MASAGANA that the raidin$ tea!

had no ri$ht to seie the! "nder the $"ise that the sa!e ere 9ein$ "sed in

rei##in$ GASU4 and SE44ANE 4PG 56#inders and that there 9ein$ no a5tionor inrin$e!ent i#ed a$ainst the! andor MASAGANA ro! the sei"re o the

ite!s "p to the present, it is on#6 air that the seied arti5#es 9e ret"rned to the

#a"# oner in a55ordan5e ith Se5tion () o A.M. No. )(-&-)-SC.

It is an e#e!entar6 and "nda!enta# prin5ip#e o 5orporation #a that a

5orporation is an entit6 separate and distin5t ro! its sto5@ho#ders, dire5tors or

oi5ers. oeer, hen the notion o #e$a# entit6 is "sed to deeat p"9#i5

5onenien5e, F"sti6 ron$, prote5t ra"d, or deend 5ri!e, the #a i## re$ard the

5orporation as an asso5iation o persons, or in the 5ase o to 5orporations !er$ethe! into one./10In other ords, the #a i## not re5o$nie the separate 5orporate

e+isten5e i the 5orporation is 9ein$ "sed p"rs"ant to the ore$oin$ "n#a"#

o9Fe5ties. This non-re5o$nition is so!eti!es reerred to as the do5trine o

pier5in$ the ei# o 5orporate entit6 or disre$ardin$ the i5tion o 5orporate entit6.

3here the separate 5orporate entit6 is disre$arded, the 5orporation i## 9e treated

!ere#6 as an asso5iation o persons and the sto5@ho#ders or !e!9ers i## 9e

5onsidered as the 5orporation, that is, #ia9i#it6 i## atta5h persona##6 or dire5t#6 to

the oi5ers and sto5@ho#ders.

/1*0

As e no ind, the petitioners, as dire5torsoi5ers o MASAGANA, are

"ti#iin$ the #atter in io#atin$ the inte##e5t"a# propert6 ri$hts

o Petron and Pi#ipinasShe##. Th"s, petitioners 5o##e5tie#6 and MASAGANA

sho"#d 9e 5onsidered as one and the sa!e person or #ia9i#it6 p"rposes.

Conse?"ent#6, MASAGANAs third part6 5#ai! seres no re"$e or petitioners.


23/26

Een i e ere to s"stain the separate persona#it6 o MASAGANA ro!

that o the petitioners, the ee5t i## 9e the sa!e. The #a does not re?"ire that the

propert6 to 9e seied sho"#d 9e oned 96 the person a$ainst ho! the sear5h

arrants is dire5ted. Onership, thereore, is o no 5onse?"en5e, and it is s"i5ientthat the person a$ainst ho! the arrant is dire5ted has 5ontro# or possession o

the propert6 so"$ht to 9e seied./1B0en5e, een i, as petitioners 5#ai!ed, the

properties seied 9e#on$ to MASAGANA as a separate entit6, their sei"re

p"rs"ant to the sear5h arrants is sti## a#id.

D"rther, it is apparent that the !otor 5o!pressor, 4PG rei##in$ !a5hine and

the GASU4 and SE44 4PG 56#inders seied ere the cor&us de"icti, the 9od6 or

s"9stan5e o the 5ri!e, or the eiden5e o the 5o!!ission o trade!ar@inrin$e!ent. These ere the er6 instr"!ents "sed or intended to 9e "sed 96 the

petitioners in trade!ar@ inrin$e!ent. It is possi9#e that, i ret"rned to

MASAGANA, these ite!s i## 9e "sed a$ain in io#atin$ the inte##e5t"a# propert6

ri$hts o Petron andPi#ipinas She##./1'0Th"s, the RTC as F"stiied in den6in$ the

petitioners !otion or their ret"rn so as to preent the petitioners andor

MASAGANA ro! "sin$ the! a$ain in trade!ar@ inrin$e!ent.

Petitioners re#ian5e on Se5tion () o A.M. No. )(-&-)-SC, /2)0is not tena9#e.

As 5orre5t#6 o9sered 96 the So#i5itor Genera#, A.M. )(-&-)-SC is not app#i5a9#ein the present 5ase 9e5a"se it $oerns on#6 sear5hes and sei"res in 5ii# a5tions or

inrin$e!ent o inte##e5t"a# propert6 ri$hts./2&0The oense 5o!p#ained o herein is

or 5ri!ina# io#ation o Se5tion &22 in re#ation to Se5tion &*) /2(0o Rep"9#i5 A5t

No. B('8.

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The 7e5ision and Reso#"tion o

the Co"rt o Appea#s in CA-G.R. SP No. *'(2, dated 8) Septe!9er ())1 and &

%"ne ())2, respe5tie#6, are here96 AFFIRMED. Costs a$ainst petitioners.

SO ORDERED.

MINITA V. CHICO8NA9ARIO
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn48http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn49http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn50http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn51http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn52http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn48http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn49http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn50http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn51http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/june2007/168306.htm#_ftn52


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Asso5iate %"sti5e

3E CONCUR:

CONSUELO YNARES8SANTIAGO

Asso5iate %"sti5e

Chairperson

MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA8MARTINE9

Asso5iate %"sti5e

ANTONIO EDUARDO :. NACHURA

Asso5iate %"sti5e

A T T E S T A T I O N

I attest that the 5on5#"sions in the a9oe 7e5ision ere rea5hed in 5ons"#tation

9eore the 5ase as assi$ned to the riter o the opinion o the Co"rts 7iision.

CONSUELO YNARES8SANTIAGO

Asso5iate %"sti5e

Chairperson, Third 7iision

C E R T I D I C A T I O N

P"rs"ant to Arti5#e III, Se5tion &8 o the Constit"tion, and the 7iision

Chair!ans Attestation, it is here96 5ertiied that the 5on5#"sions in the a9oe

7e5ision ere rea5hed in 5ons"#tation 9eore the 5ase as assi$ned to the riter o

the opinion o the Co"rts 7iision.


25/26

REYNATO S. PUNO

Chie %"sti5e

/&0Ro""o, pp. B-(B./(0Penned 96 Asso5iate %"sti5e Rosa#inda As"n5ion-i5ente ith Asso5iate %"sti5es E"$enio S. 4a9itoria and

Re9e55a 7e G"ia Sa#ador, 5on5"rrin$ id. at 8)-12./80Id. at 1B-1'./10Penned 96 %"d$e Me#5hor >.C. Sadan$ id. at &)2-&&)./20Id. at *B-BB./0Id. at '*-'B./*0Re5ords, pp. 1-B8./B0Ro""o, pp. 2&-21 and &-8./'0Id./&)0Re5ords, pp. 12-2B./&&0Ro""o, pp. 2B-) and *-'./&(0Id. at *)-*8./&80Id. at *1-**./&10Id. at *B-B'./&20Id. at '*-''./&0Id. at &)2-&&)./&*0Re5ords, pp. ((8-(88./&B0Ro""o, p. &&(./&'0Id. at &&8-&8&./()0Id. at 8)-12.

/(&0Id. at &8(-&8'./((0Id. at 1B-1'./(80Id. at &*./(10Id. at &B./(20Id. at &'-(&./(0'urgos! Sr. v. Chief of Staff! (), (&B Phi#. *21, ** ;&'B1


26/26

/1&0$ v. 'ureau of Interna" Revenue, 8'* Phi#. B'(, ')*-')B ;()))

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13. William c Yao, Sr., Vs. People of the Philippines, Petron and Pilipinas Shell g.r. Nr. 168306,...

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