CIVPRO Cases for Digest DEC 2015

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G.R. No. 174082 January 16, 2012

GEORGIA T. ESTEL,Petitioner,vs.RECAREDO P. DIEGO, SR. and RECAREDO R. DIEGO, JR.,Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

PERALTA, J.

Before the Court is a petition for review on certiorariseeking to annul and set aside theDeision!pro"ulgated on Septe"#er $%, &%%' and Resolution&dated (ugust !%, &%%) #* the Courtof (ppeals +C( in C(-.R. SP No. //!0/. 1he assailed Deision affir"ed the Deision datedOto#er /, &%%& of the Regional 1rial Court +R1C of ingoog Cit*, Branh &/, 2isa"is Oriental,while the 3uestioned Resolution denied petitioner4s 2otion for Reonsideration.

1he fatual and proedural anteedents of the ase are as follows5

1he present petition originated fro" a Co"plaint for 6ori#le Entr*, Da"ages and In7untion with(ppliation for 1e"porar* Restraining Order filed #* herein respondents Rearedo P. Diego, Sr., andRearedo R. Diego, 8r. with the 2uniipal 1rial Court in Cities +21CC of ingoog Cit*, 2isa"isOriental. Respondents alleged that on (pril !), !00!, the* entered into a ontrat of sale of a $%) 9s3uare-"eter parel of land, deno"inated as :ot !0, with petitioner; after reeiving the a"ountof P!/,%%%.%% as downpa*"ent, petitioner voluntaril* delivered the ph*sial and "aterial possessionof the su#7et propert* to respondents; respondents had #een in atual, adverse and uninterruptedpossession of the su#7et lot sine then and that petitioner never distur#ed, "olested, anno*ed norveagainst petitioner and an*person ating in her #ehalf.

In her (nswer with Speial?(ffir"ative Defenses and Counterlai"s, petitioner denied the "aterialallegations in the Co"plaint ontending that respondents were never in ph*sial, atual, pu#li,adverse and uninterrupted possession of the su#7et lot; full possession and a#solute ownership ofthe disputed parel of land, with all i"prove"ents thereon, had alwa*s #een that of petitioner andher daughter; the agree"ent she entered into with the wife of respondent Rearedo P. Diego, Sr. forthe sale of the su#7et lot had #een a#rogated; she even offered to return the a"ount she reeivedfro" respondents, #ut the latter refused to aept the sa"e and instead offered an additionala"ount of P!&,%%%.%% as part of the purhase prie #ut she also refused to aept their offer; thesu#7et of the deed of sale #etween petitioner and respondents and what has #een delivered torespondents was atuall* :ot !) whih is ad7aent to the disputed :ot !0; that the* did not destro*the i"prove"ents found on the su#7et lot and, in fat, an* i"prove"ents therein were planted #*petitioner4s parents.'
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On 6e#ruar* !), &%%&, the 21CC rendered a Deision, the dispositive portion of whih reads asfollows5

@AERE6ORE, viewed in the light of the foregoing, 7udg"ent is here#* rendered in favor of theplaintiffs herein respondents, dis"issing defendant4s herein petitioner4s ounterlai" and orderingthe defendant, her agents and representatives5

!. 1o vaate the pre"ises of the land in 3uestion and return the sa"e to the plaintiffs;

&. 1o pa* plaintiffs, the following, to wit5

a P!%%.%% a "onth as rentals for the use of the litigated propert* rekoned fro" thefiling of the o"plaint until the defendant vaates the propert*;

# P',%%%.%% representing the value of the fene and plants da"aged #* thedefendants as atual da"ages;

P&%,%%%.%% as and for attorne*4s fees;

d P&,%%%.%% for litigation e


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1AE COR1 O6 (PPE(:S ERRED IN NO1 RECONIGIN 1A(1 1AE R1C BR(NCA &/ O6INOO CI1F 6(I:ED 1O 2(HE ( 6INDIN O6 6(C1 1A(1 1AE CO2P:(IN1 S1(1ES NOC(SE O6 (C1ION.

1AE COR1 O6 (PPE(:S ERRED :IHE@ISE IN (66IR2IN 1AE DECISION O6 1AEREION(: 1RI(: COR1 BR(NCA &/ O6 INOO CI1F OER:OOHIN 1AE 6(C1 1A(1

I1S 6INDIN O6 6(C1S (ND CONC:SIONS (RE ((INS1 OR NO1 SPPOR1ED BFCO2PE1EN1 2(1ERI(: EIDENCE.0

Petitioner ontends that sine respondents failed to allege the loation of the disputed parel of landin their o"plaint, the 21CC did not a3uire 7urisdition over the su#7et "atter of the saido"plaint. Petitioner also avers that the 21CC did not a3uire 7urisdition over the ase for failure ofrespondents to speifiall* allege fats onstitutive of fori#le entr*. On the #ases of these twogrounds, petitioner argues that the 21CC should have dis"issed the o"plaint motu proprio.

Petitioner also avers that the o"plaint states no ause of ation #eause the verifiation andertifiate of non-foru" shopping ao"pan*ing the o"plaint are defetive and, as suh, theo"plaint should #e treated as an unsigned pleading. (s to the verifiation, petitioner ontends that

it should #e #ased on respondent4s personal knowledge or on authenti reord and not si"pl* uponknowledge, infor"ation and #elief. @ith respet to the ertifiate of non-foru" shopping, petitionerlai"s that its defet onsists in respondents4 failure to "ake an undertaking therein that if the*should learn that a si"ilar ation or proeeding has #een filed or is pending #efore the Supre"eCourt, the Court of (ppeals or an* other tri#unal or agen*, the* shall report that fat within five +'da*s therefro" to the ourt or agen* wherein the original pleading and sworn ertifiation have#een filed.

1he Court does not agree.

( review of the reords shows that petitioner did not raise the issue of 7urisdition or venue in her(nswer filed with the 21CC. 1he C( orretl* held that even if the geographial loation of thesu#7et propert* was not alleged in the Co"plaint, petitioner failed to seasona#l* o#7et to the sa"ein her (ffir"ative Defense, and even ativel* partiipated in the proeedings #efore the 21CC. Infat, petitioner did not even raise this issue in her appeal filed with the R1C. 1hus, she is alread*estopped fro" raising the said issue in the C( or #efore this Court. Estoppel sets in when a part*partiipates in all stages of a ase #efore hallenging the 7urisdition of the lower ourt.!%One annot#elatedl* re7et or repudiate the lower ourt4s deision after voluntaril* su#"itting to its 7urisdition,7ust to seure affir"ative relief against one4s opponent or after failing to o#tain suh relief.!!1heCourt has, ti"e and again, frowned upon the undesira#le pratie of a part* su#"itting a ase fordeision and then aepting the 7udg"ent, onl* if favora#le, and attaking it for lak of 7urisditionwhen adverse.!&

In an* ase, sine the Co"plaint is learl* and ad"ittedl* one for fori#le entr*, the 7urisdition overthe su#7et "atter of the ase is, thus, upon the 21CC of ingoog Cit*. Setion $$ of Batas

Pa"#ansa Bilang !&0, as a"ended #* Setion $ of Repu#li (t +R.(. No. /)0!, as well as Setion!, Rule /% of the Rules of Court, learl* provides that fori#le entr* and unlawful detainer ases fallwithin the e


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indeed loated in ingoog Cit*, and that it was onl* through "ere inadvertene or oversight thatsuh infor"ation was o"itted in the Co"plaint, petitioner4s o#7etion #ea"e a pure tehnialit*.

(s to respondents4 supposed failure to allege fats onstitutive of fori#le entr*, it is settled that inations for fori#le entr*, two allegations are "andator* for the "uniipal ourt to a3uire7urisdition.!>First, the plaintiff "ust allege his prior ph*sial possession of the propert*.!'Second, he

"ust also allege that he was deprived of his possession #* an* of the "eans provided for in Setion!, Rule /% of the Revised Rules of Court, na"el*, fore, inti"idation, threats, strateg*, and stealth.!)

In the present ase, it is lear that respondents suffiientl* alleged in their Co"plaint the "aterialfats onstituting fori#le entr*, as the* e. Verification. 9 E


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(s to respondents4 ertifiation on non-foru" shopping, a reading of respondentsJerifiation?Certifiation reveals that the*, in fat, ertified therein that the* have not o""ened an*si"ilar ation #efore an* other ourt or tri#unal and to the #est of their knowledge no suh otheration is pending therein. 1he onl* "issing state"ent is respondents4 undertaking that if the* shouldthereafter learn that the sa"e or si"ilar ation has #een filed or is pending, the* shall report suhfat to the ourt. 1his, notwithstanding, the Court finds that there has #een su#stantial o"pliane

on the part of respondents.

It is settled that with respet to the ontents of the ertifiation against foru" shopping, the rule ofsu#stantial o"pliane "a* #e availed of.&&1his is #eause the re3uire"ent of strit o"pliane withthe provisions regarding the ertifiation of non-foru" shopping "erel* undersores its "andator*nature in that the ertifiation annot #e altogether dispensed with or its re3uire"ents o"pletel*disregarded.&$It does not there#* interdit su#stantial o"pliane with its provisions under 7ustifia#leiru"stanes, as the Court finds in the instant ase.&>

!ERE"ORE, the instant petition is DENIED. 1he assailed Deision and Resolution of the Court of(ppeals areA""IR#ED.

SO ORDERED.

DIOSDADO #. PERALTA(ssoiate 8ustie

@E CONCR5

PRES$ITERO J. %ELASCO, JR.(ssoiate 8ustie

Chairperson

RO$ERTO A. A$AD

(ssoiate 8ustie

JOSE CATRAL #ENDO&A

(ssoiate 8ustie

ESTELA #. PERLAS'$ERNA$E(ssoiate 8ustie

( 1 1 E S 1 ( 1 I O N

I attest that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of the CourtJs Division.


1hird Division, Chairperson

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

Pursuant to Setion !$, (rtile III of the Constitution and the Division ChairpersonJs (ttestation, Iertif* that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of the CourtJs Division.
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RENATO C. CORONAChief 8ustie

"oo(no()*

!Penned #* (ssoiate 8ustie Nor"andie B. PiKarro, with (ssoiate 8usties Edgardo (.Ca"ello and Rodrigo 6. :i", 8r., onurring; (nne< ( to Petition, rollo, pp. !)-&).

&Penned #* (ssoiate 8ustie Rodrigo 6. :i", 8r., with (ssoiate 8usties Ro"ulo . Bor7aand Edgardo (. Ca"ello onurring; (nne< (-& to Petition, rollo, pp. $$-$>.

$Reords, pp. !-'.

>Id. at. &/.

'Id. at '/-)$.

)Id.at &00-$%%.

/See Notie of (ppeal, id. at $%/.

=Reords, pp. $/$-$=>.

0Rollo, pp. =, !% and !!.

!%Bernardo v. Heirs of use!io Ville"as, .R. No. !=$$'/, 2arh !', &%!%, )!' SCR( >)),>/'.

!!Id.

!&Id.

!$#e $eon v. %ra"on, !!$ Phil. $&$, $&' +!0)!.

!>$ee v. #ela &a', .R. No. !=$)%), Oto#er &/, &%%0, )%> SCR( '&&, '$'.

!'Id.

!)

Id.

!/Spouses (anuel and Florentina del Rosario v. )err* Roas Foundation, Inc.,.R. No.!/%'/', 8une =, &%!!.

!=%nta'o v. #o!lada, .R. No. !/=0%=, 6e#ruar* >, &%!%, )!! SCR( '=), '0>.

!0Id.
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&%-ational Housin" %uthorit* v. Basa, r., .R. No. !>0!&!, (pril &%, &%!%, )!= SCR( >)!,>//.

&!-ellie Vda. de Formoso, et al., v. &hilippine -ational Ban/,et al., .R. No. !'>/%>, 8une !,&%!!.

&&$i"a*a B. Santos v. $itton (ills Inc. and0or %tt*. Rodolfo (ariao, .R. No. !/%)>), 8une&&, &%!!;(ediserv, Inc. v. 2ourt of %ppeals 3Special Former 14th #ivision5, .R. No. !)!$)=,(pril ', &%!%, )!/ SCR( &=>, &0', iting%teneo de -a"a 6niversit* v. (analo, .R. No.!)%>'', 2a* 0, &%%', >'= SCR( $&', $$)-$$/.

&$Heirs of uan Valde' v. 2ourt of %ppeals, .R. No. !)$&%=, (ugust !$, &%%=, ')& SCR(=0, 0/; #onato v. 2ourt of %ppeals, .R. No. !&0)$=, Dee"#er =, &%%$, >!/ SCR( &!),&&>-&&'.

&>Benedicto v. $acson, .R. No. !>!'%=, 2a* ', &%!%, )&% SCR( =&, 00;Valmonte v. %lcala,.R. No. !)=))/, 8ul* &$, &%%=, ''0 SCR( '$), '>0;(2 n"ineerin", Inc. v. -ational$a!or Relations 2ommission, .R. No. !>&$!>, 8une &=, &%%!, $)% SCR( !=$, !0%.

G. R. No. 162+22 #ar- 14, 2012

REP$LIC O" T!E P!ILIPPINES,Petitioner,vs.$ANTIGE POINT DE%ELOP#ENT CORPORATION,Respondent.

D E C I S I O N

SERENO, J.:

1his Rule >' Petition re3uires this Court to address the issue of the proper sope of the delegated

7urisdition of "uniipal trial ourts in land registration ases. Petit ioner Repu#li of the Philippines+Repu#li assails the Deision of the Court of (ppeals +C(!in C(-.R. C No. /%$>0, whihaffir"ed the Deision of the 2uniipal 1rial Court +21C of San 8uan, Batangas&in :RC Case No. N-0=-&%, :R( Reord No. )=$&0, granting respondent Bantigue Point Develop"ent CorporationJs+Corporation appliation for original registration of a parel of land. Sine onl* 3uestions of law have#een raised, petitioner need not have filed a 2otion for Reonsideration of the assailed C( Deision#efore filing this Petition for Review.

T-) "a(*

On !/ 8ul* !00/, respondent Bantigue Point Develop"ent Corporation filed with the Regional 1rialCourt +R1C of Rosario, Batangas an appliation for original registration of title over a parel of land

with an assessed value of >,$$%, !,0&% and =,)/%, or a total assessed value of !>,0&% for the

entire propert*, "ore partiularl* desri#ed as :ot =%)% of Cad >'$-D, San 8uan Cadastre, with anarea of "ore or less !%,/$& s3uare "eters, loated at Baranga* Barualte, San 8uan, Batangas.$

On != 8ul* !00/, the R1C issued an Order setting the ase for initial hearing on && Oto#er!00/.>On / (ugust !00/, it issued a seond Order setting the initial hearing on > Nove"#er !00/.'

Petitioner Repu#li filed its Opposition to the appliation for registration on = 8anuar* !00= while thereords were still with the R1C.)
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On $! 2arh !00=, the R1C Clerk of Court trans"itted "otu proprio the reords of the ase to the21C of San 8uan, #eause the assessed value of the propert* was allegedl* less than !%%,%%%. /

1hereafter, the 21C entered an Order of eneral Default=and o""ened with the reeption ofevidene.0("ong the dou"ents presented #* respondent in support of its appliation are 1athe C( ruled that sine the for"er had ativel*partiipated in the proeedings #efore the lower ourt, #ut failed to raise the 7urisditional hallengetherein, petitioner is there#* estopped fro" 3uestioning the 7urisdition of the lower ourt onappeal.!'1he C( further found that respondent Corporation had suffiientl* esta#lished the latterJsregistra#le title over the su#7et propert* after having proven open, ontinuous, e' Petition and raised thefollowing argu"ents in support of its appeal5

I.

1AE REPB:IC C(NNO1 BE ES1OPPED 6RO2 LES1IONIN 1AE 8RISDIC1ION O61AE 2NICIP(: 1RI(: COR1 OER 1AE (PP:IC(1ION 6OR ORIIN(:REIS1R(1ION O6 :(ND 1I1:E EEN 6OR 1AE 6IRS1 1I2E ON (PPE(:

II.

1AE 2NICIP(: 1RI(: COR1 6(I:ED 1O (CLIRE 8RISDIC1ION OER 1AE

(PP:IC(1ION 6OR ORIIN(: REIS1R(1ION O6 :(ND 1I1:E.!/

T-) Cour(/* Run

@e uphold the 7urisdition of the 21C, #ut re"and the ase to the ourt a 3uo for furtherproeedings in order to deter"ine if the propert* in 3uestion for"s part of the aliena#le anddisposa#le land of the pu#li do"ain.

I

1he Repu#li is not estopped fro" raising the issue of 7urisdition in this ase.

(t the outset, we rule that petit ioner Repu#li is not estopped fro" 3uestioning the 7urisdition of thelower ourt, even if the for"er raised the 7urisditional 3uestion onl* on appeal. 1he rule is settledthat lak of 7urisdition over the su#7et "atter "a* #e raised at an* stage of theproeedings.!=8urisdition over the su#7et "atter is onferred onl* #* the Constitution or the law.!0Itannot #e a3uired through a waiver or enlarged #* the o"ission of the parties or onferred #* thea3uiesene of the ourt.&%Conse3uentl*, 3uestions of 7urisdition "a* #e ogniKa#le even if raisedfor the first ti"e on appeal.&!
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1he ruling of the Court of (ppeals that a part* "a* #e estopped fro" raising suh 7urisditional3uestion if he has ativel* taken part in the ver* proeeding whih he 3uestions, #elatedl* o#7etingto the ourtJs 7urisdition in the event that the 7udg"ent or order su#se3uentl* rendered is adverse tohi"&&is #ased on the dotrine of estoppel #* lahes. @e are aware of that dotrine first enuniated#* this Court in 7i8am v. Si!on"hano*.&$In7i8am, the part*-litigant ativel* partiipated in theproeedings #efore the lower ourt and filed pleadings therein. Onl* !' *ears thereafter, and after

reeiving an adverse Deision on the "erits fro" the appellate ourt, did the part*-litigant 3uestionthe lower ourtJs 7urisdition. Considering the uni3ue fats in that ase, we held that estoppel #*lahes had alread* preluded the part*-litigant fro" raising the 3uestion of lak of 7urisdition onappeal. In Fi"ueroa v. &eople,&>we autioned that 7i8am "ust #e onstrued as an e


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was #e*ond the 0%-da* period provided for in Setion &$, this fat did not affet the 7urisdition of thetrial ourt. In Repu!lic v. (anna &roperties, Inc.,$!petitioner Repu#li therein ontended that therewas failure to o"pl* with the 7urisditional re3uire"ents for original registration, #eause there were!&' da*s #etween the Order setting the date of the initial hearing and the initial hearing itself. @eruled that the lapse of ti"e #etween the issuane of the Order setting the date of initial hearing andthe date of the initial hearing itself was not fatal to the appliation. 1hus, we held5

< < < ( part* to an ation has no ontrol over the (d"inistrator or the Clerk of Court ating as aland ourt; he has no right to "eddle undul* with the #usiness of suh offiial in the perfor"ane ofhis duties. ( part* annot intervene in "atters within the e

Petitioner is inorret.

1he R1CJs failure to issue the Order setting the date and hour of the initial hearing within five da*sfro" the filing of the appliation for registration, as provided in the Propert* Registration Deree, didnot affet the ourtJs its 7urisdition. O#servane of the five-da* period was "erel* diretor*, andfailure to issue the Order within that period did not deprive the R1C of its 7urisdition over the ase.1o rule that o"pliane with the five-da* period is "andator* would "ake 7urisdition over thesu#7et "atter dependent upon the trial ourt. 8urisdition over the su#7et "atter is onferred onl*#* the Constitution or the law.$'It annot #e ontingent upon the ation or ination of the ourt.

1his does not "ean that ourts "a* disregard the statutor* periods with i"punit*. @e annotassu"e that the law deli#eratel* "eant the provision to #eo"e "eaningless and to #e treated as adead letter.$)Aowever, the reords of this ase do not show suh #latant disregard for the law. Infat, the R1C i""ediatel* set the ase for initial hearing a da* after the filing of the appliation forregistration,$/e


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Se. $>. #ele"ated urisdiction in 2adastral and $and Re"istration 2ases. 9 2etropolitan 1rialCourts, 2uniipal 1rial Courts, and 2uniipal Ciruit 1rial Courts "a* #e assigned #* the Supre"eCourt to hear and deter"ine adastral or land registration ases overing lots where there is noontrovers* or opposition, or ontested lots where the value of whih does not e of the 8udiiar* ReorganiKation (t provides that the value of thepropert* sought to #e registered "a* #e asertained in three wa*s5 first, #* the affidavit of thelai"ant; second, #* agree"ent of the respetive lai"ants, if there are "ore than one; or,third,fro" the orresponding ta< delaration of the real propert*.>&

In this ase, the value of the propert* annot #e deter"ined using the first "ethod, #eause thereords are #ereft of an* affidavit e>1he appliantfor land registration has the #urden of overo"ing the presu"ption of State ownership #*
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esta#lishing through inontroverti#le evidene that the land sought to #e registered is aliena#le ordisposa#le #ased on a positive at of the govern"ent.>'@e held in Repu#li v. 1.(.N. Properties,In. that a CENRO ertifiation is insuffiient to prove the aliena#le and disposa#le harater of theland sought to #e registered.>)1he appliant "ust also show suffiient proof that the DENRSeretar* has approved the land lassifiation and released the land in 3uestion as aliena#le anddisposa#le.>/

1hus, the present rule is that an appliation for original registration "ust #e ao"panied #* +! aCENRO or PENRO>=Certifiation; and +& a op* of the original lassifiation approved #* the DENRSeretar* and ertified as a true op* #* the legal ustodian of the offiial reords.>0

Aere, respondent Corporation onl* presented a CENRO ertifiation in support of itsappliation.'%Clearl*, this falls short of the re3uire"ents for original registration.1wphi1

@e therefore re"and this ase to the ourt a 3uo for reeption of further evidene to prove that thepropert* in 3uestion for"s part of the aliena#le and disposa#le land of the pu#li do"ain. Ifrespondent Bantigue Point Develop"ent Corporation presents a ertified true op* of the originallassifiation approved #* the DENR Seretar*, the appliation for original registration should #e

granted. If it fails to present suffiient proof that the land in 3uestion is aliena#le and disposa#le#ased on a positive at of the govern"ent, the appliation should #e denied.

!ERE"ORE, pre"ises onsidered, the instant Petition for Review is DENIED. :et this ase #eRE2(NDED to the 2uniipal 1rial Court of San 8uan, Batangas, for reeption of evidene to provethat the propert* sought to #e registered is aliena#le and disposa#le land of the pu#li do"ain.

SO ORDERED.

#ARIA LORDES P. A. SERENO(ssoiate 8ustie

@E CONCR5

ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ssoiate 8ustie

Chairperson

ARTRO D. $RION(ssoiate 8ustie

JOSE PORTGAL PERE&(ssoiate 8ustie

$IEN%ENIDO L. RE3ES(ssoiate 8ustie

( 1 1 E S 1 ( 1 I O N


ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ssoiate 8ustieChairperson, Seond Division
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C E R 1 I 6 I C ( 1 I O N

Pursuant to Setion !$, (rtile III of the Constitution and the Division ChairpersonJs (ttestation, Iertif* that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of the CourtJs Division.

RENATO C. CORONAChief 8ustie

"oo(no()*

!C( Deision dated !$ 6e#ruar* &%%>, penned #* 8ustie Elvi 8ohn S. (sunion andonurred in #* 8usties odardo (. 8ainto and :uas P. Bersa"in, rollo, pp. $!-$'.

&21C Deision dated && 8anuar* &%%!, penned #* 8udge 6er"in 2. ChaveK, rollo, pp. $/-

>!.

$(ppliation for Original Registration of 1itle dated !/ 8ul* !00/, 21C reords, pp. !-&.

>Order dated != 8ul* !00/, 21C reords, pp. &'-&/.

'Order dated / (ugust !00/, 21C reords, pp. &=-&0.

)Opposition dated = 8anuar* !00=, 21C reords, pp. '%-'&.

/Order dated $% (pril !00=, 21C reords, p. '0.

=Order dated &/ (ugust !00=, 21C reords, p. )&.

0Id.

!%1a< Delarations, E, ENotie of (ppeal dated !& 6e#ruar* &%%!, 21C reords, p. =)-=/.

!'C( Deision dated !$ 6e#ruar* &%%>, p. $; rollo, p. =.
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!)C( Deision dated !$ 6e#ruar* &%%>, pp. $->; rollo, pp. =-0.

!/Petition for Review on Certiorari dated !& (pril &%%>, p. =; rollo, p. &%.

!=Sps. &asco v. &ison9%rceo %"ricultural and #evelopment 2orp., '&% Phil. $=/ +&%%).

!0Sps. )enato v. Viola, .R. No. !)0/%), ' 6e#ruar* &%!%, )!! SCR( )//.

&%)ome'92astillo v. 2:($2, .R. No. !=/&$!, && 8une &%!%, )&! SCR( >00.

&!$a -aval #ru" 2orporation v. 2ourt of %ppeals, .R. No. !%$&%%, $! (ugust !00>, &$)SCR( /=.

&&C( Deision dated !$ 6e#ruar* &%%>, p. $; rollo, p. =.

&$!$! Phil. '') +!0)=.

&>.R. No. !>/>%), !> 8ul* &%%=, ''= SCR( )$.

&'Opposition dated = 8anuar* !00=, 21C reords, pp. '%-'&.

&)Brief for the (ppellant dated &/ Nove"#er &%%!, pp. =-!%; C(rollo, pp. &'-&/.

&/1i7a" v. Si#onghano*, supra note &$, at ')$.

&=Petition for Review on Certiorari dated !& (pril &%%>, pp. !!-!$; rollo, pp. &$-&'.

&0(ppliation for Original Registration of 1itle dated !/ 8ul* !00/, 21C reords, pp. !-&.

$%

Order dated != 8ul* !00/, 21C reords, pp. &'-&/.

$!>0% Phil. )'> +&%%'.

$&Id. at ))>.

$$Order dated / (ugust !00/, 21C reords, pp. &=-&0.

$>Petition for Review on Certiorari dated !& (pril &%%>, p. !&; rollo, p. &>.

$'Sps. )enato v. Viola, supranote !0.

$)7atad v. Sandi"an!a*an, &>& Phil. ')$, '/' +!0==.

$/Order dated != 8ul* !00/, 21C reords, pp. &'-&/.

$=Petition for Review on Certiorari dated !& (pril &%%>, pp. !$-!'; rollo, pp. &'-&/.

$0Deed of (#solute Sale dated !' Septe"#er !00>, (nne< ( to the (ppliation for OriginalRegistration of 1itle, 21C reords pp. >-'.
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>%Batas Pa"#ansa Bilang !&0, as a"ended.

>!Opposition dated = 8anuar* !00=, 21C reords, pp. '%-'&.

>&1he 8udiiar* ReorganiKation (t, as a"ended, Se. $>.

>$1a< Delaration Nos. %%>-%%>)', %%>-%%>)) and %%>-%%>)/; (nne>Constitution, (rtile MII, Setion &.

>'Seretar* of the Depart"ent of Environ"ent and Natural Resoures v. Fap, .R. No.!)//%/, = Oto#er &%%=, ')= SCR( !)>.

>).R. No. !'>0'$, &) 8une &%%=, ''' SCR( >//.

>/Id.

>=Provinial Environ"ent and Natural Resoures Offie.

>0Repu#li v. ega, .R. No. !///0%, 8anuar* !/, &%!!, )$0 SCR( '>!.

'%Certifiation #* the Co""unit* Environ"ent and Natural Resoures Offie of BatangasCit* dated ' 2a* !00/, E


16/136

On (ugust !0, &%%$, the petitioner filed a o"plaint-affidavit>with the Offie of the Cit* Proseutor of2andalu*ong Cit* against the respondents for s*ndiated and large sale illegal reruit"ent.'1hepetitioner alleged that the respondents falsel* represented their stokholdings in 12SIJs artiles ofinorporation)to seure a liense to operate as a reruit"ent agen* fro" the Philippine OverseasE"plo*"ent (gen* +&:%.

On Oto#er 0, &%%$, respondents (ntKoulatos and aKa filed their 7oint ounter-affidavit den*ing theo"plaint-affidavitJs allegations./Respondents (vgoustis and (la"il did not su#"it an* ounter-affidavit.

In a 2a* >, &%%> resolution,=the $rd (ssistant Cit* Proseutor reo""ended the filing of aninfor"ation for s*ndiated and large sale illegal reruit"ent against the respondents. 1he Cit*Proseutor approved his reo""endation and filed the orresponding ri"inal infor"ation with theRegional 1rial Court +R72 of 2andalu*ong Cit* +doketed as Cri"inal Case No. 2C%>-='!> andraffled to Branh &!& presided #* 8udge RiKalina 1. Capo-"ali.

Su#se3uentl*, in a Dee"#er !>, &%%> resolution, the Cit* Proseutor reonsidered the 2a* >, &%%>resolution and filed a "otion with the R1C to withdraw the infor"ation.01he petitioner and

respondents (ntKoulatos and aKa filed their opposition!%

and o""ent to the opposition,respetivel*.

In an (ugust !, &%%' resolution,!!the R1C denied the "otion to withdraw infor"ation as it found theethe R1Cdenied the o"ni#us "otion, reiterating that the trial ourt is the sole 7udge on whether a ri"inalase should #e dis"issed or not.

On Septe"#er &), &%%', respondent (la"il filed a "otion for 7udiial deter"ination of pro#a#leause with a re3uest to defer enfore"ent of the warrants of arrest.!'

On Septe"#er &0, &%%', the petitioner filed his opposition with "otion to e


17/136

In its 2arh =, &%%) order,&!the R1C granted respondent (la"ilJs "otion for reonsideration. Ittreated respondent (la"ilJs "otion for 7udiial deter"ination as a "otion to dis"iss for lak ofpro#a#le ause. It found5 +! no evidene on reord to indiate that the respondents gave an* falseinfor"ation to seure a liense to operate as a reruit"ent agen* fro" the POE(; and +& thatrespondent (la"il voluntaril* su#"itted to the R1CJs 7urisdition through the filing of pleadingsseeking affir"ative relief. 1hus, the R1C dis"issed the ase, and set aside the earlier issued

warrants of arrest.

On (pril $, &%%), the petitioner "oved for reonsideration, stressing the e


18/136

pre7udied #* the respondentsJ illegal ats; respondent (la"il has no legal standing to seek an*relief fro" the R1C sine she is a fugitive fro" 7ustie.

T-) Ca*) 9or (-) R)*ond)n(*

1he respondents$&su#"it that the petitioner laks a legal standing to assail the dis"issal of the

ri"inal ase sine the power to proseute lies solel* with the State, ating through a pu#liproseutor; the petitioner ated independentl* and without the authorit* of a pu#li proseutor in theproseution and appeal of the ase.

T-) I**u)

1he ase presents to us the issue of whether the C( o""itted a reversi#le error in dis"issingoutright the petitionerJs Rule )' petition for certiorari for lak of legal personalit* to file the petition on#ehalf of the People of the Philippines.

Our Run

T-) )((on a>* )r(.

The petitioner has no legal personality to assail the dismissal of the criminal case

It is well-settled that ever* ation "ust #e proseuted or defended in the na"e of the real part* ininterest, who stands to #e #enefited or in7ured #* the 7udg"ent in the suit, or #* the part* entitledto the avails of the suit.$$Interest "eans "aterial interest or an interest in issue to #e affeted #* thederee or 7udg"ent of the ase, as distinguished fro" "ere interest in the 3uestion involved.$>B*real interest is "eant a present su#stantial interest, as distinguished fro" a "ere e


19/136

@hile there "a* #e rare oasions when the offended part* "a* #e allowed to pursue the ri"inalation on his own #ehalf$0+as when there is a denial of due proess, this e!

1hus, #* filing several "otions #efore the R1C seeking the dis"issal of the ri"inal ase,

respondent (la"il voluntaril* su#"itted to the 7urisdition of the R1C. Custod* of the law is notre3uired for the ad7udiation of reliefs other than an appliation for #ail.>&

!ERE"ORE, we here#* DEN3 the appeal. 1he twin resolutions of the Co8t of (ppeals datedNove"#er &$, &%%) and 8une &=, &%%/ in C(. R. SP No. 0)'=> areA""IR#ED. Costs against thepetitioner.

SO ORDERED.


@E CONCR5

ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ting Chief 8ustie

Chairperson

#ARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO(ssoiate 8ustie


ESTELA #. PERLAS'$ERNA$E(ssoiate 8ustie

C E R 1 I 6 I C ( 1 I O N

I ertif* that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court4s Division.

ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ting Chief 8ustie
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"oo(no()*

Designated as (ting Chief 8ustie in lieu of Chief 8ustie 2aria :ourdes P. (. Sereno per

Speial Order No. !$=> dated Dee"#er >, &%!&.

!nder Rule >' ofthe !00/ Rules of Civil Proedure; rollo, pp. !%->$.

&Penned #* (ssoiate 8ustie Elvi 8ohnS (sunion, un8 onurred in #* (ssoiate 8usties8ose Catral 2endoKa +now a "e"#er of this Court and CeliaC I .i#rea-I.eagogo; id at >=-'%.

$Penned #* (ssoiate 8ustie 8nse Catral 2e"#Ka, and onurred in #* (ssoiate 8ustiesCelia C. :i#rea-:eagogo and 2ari8lor PunKtlan-Castillo; id at ;Id. at /)-=&.

'nder Setion )+, in relation to Setion /, of Repu#li (t No. =%>& +2igrant @orkers andOverseas 6ilipinos (t of !00', effetive 8ul* !', !00'.

)Rollo, pp. '/-)$.

/Id. at =$-0&.

=Id. at !%>-!%=.

0Id. at !%0-!!%.

!%Id. at !!!-!!).

!!Id. at !!=-!!0.

!&Id.

!$Id. at !&%-!&>.

!>Id. at !&'-!&0.

!'Id. at !$%-!>&.

!)

Id. at !>$-!>=.

!/Id. at !'%-!'!.

!=Id. at !'&-!/!.

!0Id. at !/&-!=/.

&%Id. at !=0-!0!.
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21/136

&!Id. at !0&-!0).

&&Id. at !0/-&%/.

&$Id. at &%0-&!&

&>Id. at &!=.

&'Id. at &!0-&&%.

&)Id. at &&!-&&>.

&/Id. at &&'-&&0.

&=Id. at &>%-&>!.

&0Supra note &.

$%Supra note $.

$!Rollo, pp. &>&-&>/.

$&Per the Oto#er !&, &%%0 Resolution, the Court dispensed with respondent (vgoustisJo""ent to the petition sine, as per the petitionerJs report, he ould not #e loated;id. at$&&-$&$.

$$!00/ R:ES O6 CII: PROCEDRE, Rule $, Setion &.

$>7heodore and -anc* %n", represented !* ldri"e (arvin B. %ceron v. Spouses %lan and

m %n", .R. No. !=)00$, (ugust &&, &%!&; and)oco v. 2ourt of %ppeals, .R. No.!'/>>0, (pril ), &%!%, )!/ SCR( $0/, >%'.

$'6nited 2hurch of 2hrist in the &hilippines, Inc. v. Bradford 6nited 2hurch of 2hrist, Inc., etal., .R. No. !/!0%', 8une &%, &%!&; andel!ert B. )alicto v. H.. &resident Beni"noSimeon 2. %quino III, etc., et al.,.R. No. !0$0/=, 6e#ruar* &=, &%!&.

$)6nited 2hurch of 2hrist in the &hilippines, Inc. v. Bradford 6nited 2hurch of 2hrist, Inc., etal., supra= andShipside Inc. v. 2ourt of %ppeals, >%> Phil. 0=!, !%%% +&%%!.

$/REISED R:ES O6 CRI2IN(: PROCEDRE, Rule !!%, Setion '.

$=

Bureau of 2ustoms v. Sherman, .R. No. !0%>=/, (pril !$, &%!!, )>= SCR( =%0;:n" v.)enio, .R. No. !=&$$), Dee"#er &$, &%%0, )%0 SCR( !==;&eople of the &hilippines v.%rturo F. #uca, .R. No. !/!!/', Oto#er $%, &%%0= Heirs of Federico 2. #el"ado v.)on'ale', .R. No. !=>$$/, (ugust /, &%%0, '0' SCR( '%!;2ari>o v. #e 2astro, .R. No.!/)%=>, (pril $%, &%%=, ''$ SCR( )==; (o!ilia &roducts, Inc. v. 6me'awa, >0$ Phil. ='+&%%'; -arciso v. Sta. Romana92ru', $=' Phil. &%= +&%%%; &ere' v. Ha"ono* Rural Ban/,Inc., $=> Phil. $&& +&%%%; $a!aro v. Hon. &ana*, $)% Phil. !%& +!00=; &eople v. ud"eSantia"o, &'' Phil. ='! +!0=0; and 2it* Fiscal of 7aclo!an v. ud"e spina, &>= Phil. =>$+!0==.
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$0(erciales v. 2ourt of %ppeals, >&0 Phil. /% +&%%&.

>%See 2inute Resolution, 2arina $. #acer, Sa!ina #acer9Re*es, et al. v. &anfilo (. $acson,.R. No. !0)&%0, 8une =, &%!!.

>!(iranda v. 7uliao, .R. No. !'=/)$, 2arh $!, &%%), >=) SCR( $//, $==, $0%;

and Sapu"a* v. 2ourt of %ppeals, .R. No. =)/0&, 2arh &!, !00%, !=$ SCR( >)>, >/!.

>&%lmvi*a v. #atumanon", .R. No. !)>!/%, (pril !), &%%0, '=' SCR( &)/, &=%;and (iranda v. 7uliao, supra at $0!.

G.R. No. 1?2?7 No)5)r 12, 2012

REP$LIC O" T!E P!ILIPPINES, r)r)*)n()d 5y (-) R)ona E@)u() Dr)(or o9 (-)D)ar()n( o9 Enron)n( and Na(ura R)*our)*, R)ona O99) No. +,Petitioner,vs.RO#AN CAT!OLIC ARC!$IS!OP O" #ANILA,Respondent.

< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - for onsolidation of the two +& ases on theground that the* involve a o""on issue, have the sa"e parties and assail the sa"e Deision andResolution of the C( whih was granted #* the Court in its 8anuar* !&, &%!! Resolution.'

1he 6ats

On 8anuar* $%, &%%/, petitioner Repu#li filed a o"plaint doketed as Civil Case No. )&-2-&%%/#efore the R1C of 2alolos Cit*, Bulaan, for anellation of titles and reversion against respondentRC(2 and several others.)1he o"plaint alleged, inter alia, that RC(2 appears as the registeredowner of eight += parels of land, :ot Nos. >$ to '%, with a total area of $0,/0% s3uare "eters,situated in Panghulo, O#ando, Bulaan under Original Certifiate of 1itle +OC1 No. '== supposedl*issued #* the Register of Deeds of Bulaan on Nove"#er /, !0!/. OC1 No. '== allegedl* e"anatedfro" Deree No. '/>=) issued on Oto#er $%, !0!/ #* the Chief of the eneral :and RegistrationOffie pursuant to a deision dated Septe"#er &!, !0!' in :and Registration Case No. ', .:.R.O.
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23/136

Reord No. 0&)0 in favor of RC(2.( reading, however, of the said deision reveals that it onl* refersto :ot Nos. >0', >0), >0/, >0= and )$= and not to :ot Nos. >$ to '%.In !0$>, RC(2 sold the saideight += parels of land to the other na"ed defendants in the o"plaint resulting in the anellationof OC1 No.'== and issuane of transfer ertifiates of title in the na"es of the orrespondingtransferees. Su#se3uentl*, the :ands 2anage"ent Bureau onduted an investigation andasertained that the su#7et lots are idential to :ot No. &%//, Cad-$%&-D and :ot Nos. !&0$, !$%)

and !$&%, Cad-$%&-D with a total area of &&,/%$ s3uare "eters. 1hese parels of land were ertified#* the Bureau of 6orest Develop"ent on 8anuar* !/, !0=$ as falling within the unlassified lands ofthe pu#li do"ain and it was onl* on 2a* =, !0=> that the* were delared aliena#le and disposa#leper 6orestr* (d"inistrative Order No. >-!//), with no pu#li land appliation? land patent./

On (pril !), &%%/, petitioner Repu#li reeived a op* of a "otion for leave to intervene and to ad"ito"plaint-in-intervention filed #* the Sa"ahang Ha#uha*ang San :orenKo HHH, In.+HHH,=oupants of the su#7et propert*, whih was su#se3uentl* granted #* theR1C.01heneforth, answers and various other pleadings were filed #* the appropriate parties.

During the ourse of the pre-trial, RC(2 filed a "otion to dis"iss assailing the 7urisdition!%of theR1C over the o"plaint. It alleged that the ation for reversion of title was essentiall* one for

annul"ent of 7udg"ent of the then Court of 6irst Instane +C6I of Bulaan, ating as a :andRegistration Court,!!hene, #e*ond the o"petene of the R1C to at upon.

Ruling of the 1rial Court

In its Orderdated 8anuar* &/, &%%0,!&the R1C denied RC(24s "otion to dis"iss for #eingpre"ature. It delaredthat while the deision of the C6I dated Septe"#er &!, !0!' pertains onl* toparels >0', >0), >0/ and >0= and did not "ention :ot Nos. >$ '%, an e


24/136

1he CourtJs Ruling

1he petitions are "eritorious.

Petitioners insist that the* do not seek the annul"ent of 7udg"ent of the R1C +then C6I ating as:and Registration Court #ut the nullifiation of the su#7et OC1 No. '== and the derivative titles over

:ot Nos. >$ to '%. 1he* lai" that these parels of land ould not have #een validl* titled in !0!/#eause the* were not the su#7et of :and Registration Case No. ', .:.R.O. Reord No. 0&)0.2oreover, these lots were not *et lassified as aliena#le and disposa#le at that ti"e, having #eendelared as suh onl* on 2a* =, !0=>. On the other hand, the respondent "aintains that petitioners4suit essentiall* seeks the annul"ent of 7udg"ent of the R1C, hene, 7urisdition lies with the C(under Rule >/ of the Rules of Court. Conse3uentl*, the R1C was orretl* ordered #* the C( togrant the "otion to dis"iss.

(n order den*ing a "otion to dis"iss is an interloutor* order whih neither ter"inates nor finall*disposes of a ase as it leaves so"ething to #e done #* the ourt #efore the ase is finall* deidedon the "erits.!'1hus, as a general rule, the denial of a "otion to dis"iss annot #e 3uestioned in aspeial ivil ation for ertiorari whih is a re"ed* designed to orret errors of 7urisdition and not

errors of 7udg"ent.!)

Aowever, when the denial of the "otion to dis"iss is tainted with grave a#useof disretion, the grant of the e


25/136

2oreover, it should #e stressed that the onl* inident #efore the C( for resolution was the propriet*of RC(2Js "otion to dis"iss, thus, it was pre"ature for the C( at this stage to appl* the dotrine ofe3uita#le estoppel as the parties have not presented an* evidene that would support suh finding.

@AERE6ORE, the petitions are R(N1ED. 1he assailed (pril &&, &%!% Deision and 8ul* !0, &%!%Resolution of the Court of (ppeals are here#* (NN::ED and SE1 (SIDE. 1he Order of the

Regional 1rial Court, Branh => of 2alolos, Bulaan is (66IR2ED.

SO ORDERED.

ESTELA #. PERLAS'$ERNA$E(ssoiated 8ustie

@E CONCR5

ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ssoiate 8ustie

Chairperson


#ARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO(ssoiate 8ustie


( 1 1 E S 1 ( 1 I O N


ANTONIO T. CARPIO(ssoiate 8ustieChairpersonSeond Division

C E R 1 I 6 I C ( 1 I O N

I ertif* that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of the CourtJs Division.

#ARIA LORDES P. A. SERENOChief 8ustie

"oo(no()*

!Penned #* Presiding 8ustie (ndres B. Re*es, 8r. with (ssoiate 8usties 8apar B.Di"aa"pao and Stephen C. CruK, onurring,.R. No. !0&0/'rollo, pp. >/-)'.
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&Id. at ))-)/.

$Erroneousl* referred to as Branh =0 in the C( DeisionJs dispositive portion.Id. at )'.

>.R. No. !0&00> rollo, pp. &!>-&!/.

'Id. at &!=-&!0.

).R. No. !0&0/'rollo, pp. && )=.

/Id. at /!-/).

=Id. at &$.

0Id. at &'.

!%Id. at &/-&=.

!!Id. at &%!.

!&Id. at &%!-&%$.Penned #* Presiding 8udge @ilfredo 1. Nieves.

!$Id. at !!$-!!).

!>Supra note !.

!'N2 Rothshild Sons +(ustralia v. :epanto Consolidated 2ining Co"pan*, .R. No.!/'/00, Nove"#er &=, &%!!,))! SCR( $&=.

!)

Id.

!/Id.

!=Id.

!0Id.

&%(rKaga v. Copias, >>= Phil. !/!, !=% +&%%$; Del 2ar v. P(COR, >%% Phil. $%/, $&)+&%%%.

&!Id.

&&SeeRepu#li v. Caho, .R. !/$>%!, 8ul* /, &%!%, )&> SCR( $)%, >/!->0!.

&$Batas Pa"#ansaBlg. !&0, Se. !0+&. Santos v. C(, .R. No. )!&!=, Septe"#er &$, !00&,&!> SCR( !)&, !)$.

&>Repu#li (t /)0!, (n (t E


27/136

Pa"#ansaBlg. !&0, otherwise known as the 8udiiar* ReorganiKation (t of !0=%,approved on 2arh &', !00>.

&'Se. !0.8urisdition in ivil ases. - Regional 1rial Courts shall e)d ur*d(on o)r (-) a*), *-) no( -a)n 5))n

arran)d 5)9or) (-) RTC. T-) RTC d)n)d -)r o(on (o d***,

run (-a( (-) (ran*9)r o9 (-) a*) 9ro (-) #CTC * au(-or)d

und)r Adn*(ra() #a(()r No. ??'1'1+'SC and Cruar No. 11'??T-) RTC a*o -)d (-a( ))n ran(n (-a( (-)r) a* d)9)( or

rr)uar(y n (-) ro)dur) 5)au*) )((on)r a* no( arran)d

5)9or) (-) RTC, *u- d)9)( a* 9uy ur)d -)n )((on)r/*
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oun*) )n()r)d n(o (ra (-ou( o5)(n (-a( -* )n( -ad no(

y)( 5))n arran)d.

E*(r)a (-u* )((on a )((on 9or r)) on )r(orar 5)9or) (-)

Sur)) Cour(, Fu)*(onn (-) d)na o9 -)r o(on (o d***.Aordn (o -)r, Crua No, 11'?? -- au(-or*)* (-) (ran*9)r o9

(-) a*) (o (-) RTC * aa5) ony (o a*)* -- )r) 9)d

ror (o (-) )99)((y o9 (-) *ad ruar on #ar- 1, 1???. S-)

n**(* (-a( *-) *-oud -a) 5))n arran)d an) 5)9or) (-) RTC.

T-) Sur)) Cour(

HAn)n( (-) 9r*( **u) ra*)d, (-) Cour( ar))* (-a( (-) R)*ou(on

o9 (-* Cour( n Adn*(ra() #a(()r No. ??'1'1+'SC and CruarNo. 11'??, **u)d ur*uan( (-)r)(o, * aa5) ony (o "ay

Cour(* a*)* -- )r) 9)d (- 9r*(')) our(* ror (o (-)

)99)((y o9 (-) *ad R)*ou(on on #ar- 1, 1???. T-* * )d)n(

n (-) anua) u*)d 5y (-) Cour( n (-) (-rd H-)r)a* au*) o9

(-) *u5)( R)*ou(on -)r)n ( a* *(a()d (-a( H)ndn (-)

on*((u(on and orana(on o9 (-) "ay Cour(* and (-)

d)*na(on o9 5ran-)* o9 (-) R)ona Tra Cour(* a* "ay

Cour(* n aordan) (- S)(on 17 ;Tran*(ory Pro*on*< o9

R.A. 8+6?, (-)r) * a n))d (o rod) ud)n)* n (-) -)arn and

d)()rna(on o9 rna a*)* 9an (-n (-) ur*d(on o9

"ay Cour(* -- -a) -)r)(o9or) 5))n 9)d (- 9r*('))

our(*. T-) o)ra() ord, a* orr)(y ()d 5y )((on)r, *

H-)r)(o9or) -- )an* H5)9or) (-* or Hu (o (-* ().

#or)o)r, S)(on 1 o9 (-) *a) R)*ou(on dr)(* a 9r*('))

our(*, (-n ()n ;10< day* 9ro r))( o9 a oy o9 (-) *u5)(

R)*ou(on, (o (a>) an n)n(ory o9 a rna a*)* 9an (-n

(-) ur*d(on o9 (-) "ay Cour(* -- )r) 9)d (- (-)

;9r*(')) our(*


29/136

(-) Cour( Adn*(ra(or. Lo d(a()* (-a( ony (-o*) a*)* --

)r) 9)d ror (o (-) **uan) o9 (-) R)*ou(on *-a 5) nud)d

n (-) n)n(ory and, (-)r)9or), *-a 5) *u5)( (o (ran*9)r 5y 9r*('

)) our(* (o (-) arora() RTC*. T-) n))**ary a(on(-)n * (-a( a a*)* 9)d (- 9r*(')) our(* a9()r (-) )99)((y

o9 (-) R)*ou(on on #ar- 1, 1??? *-oud 5) d***)d 9or a> o9

ur*d(on. In (-) r)*)n( a*), (-) In9ora(on a* 9)d aan*(

)((on)r on No)5)r 1?, 2001. T-u*, (-) #CTC * ar)ady 5)r)9(

o9 any au(-or(y (o (ran*9)r (-) a*) (o (-) RTC a* (-) *a) no

on)r 9a* und)r (-) o)ra) o9 Cruar No. 11'??. -a( (-)

#CTC *-oud -a) don) a* (o d*** (-) a*) 9or a> o9ur*d(on.

#or) or(an(y, -a( u*(9)* (-) d***a o9 (-) a*) * (-a( (-)

In9ora(on 9)d (- (-) #CTC anno( 5) u*)d a* a 5a** 9or (-)

ad nd()n( o9 )((on)r 5)9or) (-) RTC a(n a* a "ay

Cour(, 5)au*) (-)r) a* no a)a(on (-)r)n o9 ra()

oanan(/* nor(y. To ro))d (o (ra 5)9or) (-) RTC on (-)

5a** o9 (-) In9ora(on 9)d (- (-) #CTC oud 5) an )@)r*)

n 9u((y a* (-)r) * an n9r(y n (-) In9ora(on on*((u(n a

ur*d(ona d)9)( -- anno( 5) ur)d. T-)r) * no on( n

ro))dn und)r a d)9)() In9ora(on (-a( oud n))r 5) (-)

5a** o9 a ad on(on. T-) In9ora(on 9)d (- (-) #CTC

u*( (-u* 9r*( 5) a)nd)d and (-)r)a9()r 9)d (- (-) RTC.

P)ndn (-) 9n o9 *u- In9ora(on, (-) RTC -a* no( y)(

aFur)d ur*d(on 5)au*) -) a our( ay -a) ur*d(on

o)r (-) *u5)( a(()r, ( do)* no( aFur) ur*d(on o)r (-)

a*) (*)9 un( (* ur*d(on * no>)d (- (-) 9n o9 a ad

In9ora(on.

@ @ @


30/136

HI( * (ru) (-a( )((on)r a* arran)d 5y (-) #CTC. !o))r, (-)

#CTC -a* no ur*d(on o)r (-) *u5)( a(()r o9 (-) r)*)n(

a*). I( * *)(()d (-a( (-) ro))dn* 5)9or) a our( or (r5una

(-ou( ur*d(on, nudn (* d)*on, ar) nu and od.24KCon*d)rn (-a( (-) #CTC -a* no ur*d(on, a (-) ro))dn*

ondu()d (-)r)n, nudn )((on)r/* arran)n(, ar) nu and

od. T-u*, (-) n))d 9or )((on)r/* arran)n( on (-) 5a** o9 a

ad In9ora(on 9)d (- (-) RTC.

I( * a*o (ru) (-a( )((on)r/* oun*) ar(a()d n (-)

ro))dn* -)d 5)9or) (-) RTC (-ou( o5)(n (-a( -* )n(

-ad no( y)( 5))n arran)d. !o))r, ( * ron 9or (-) RTC (o r)yon (-) a*) o9 P)o) . Ca5a), 5)au*) (-) au*)d (-)r)n a*

n 9a( arran)d, a(-ou- (-) *a) a* ad) ony a9()r (-) a*)

a* *u5(()d 9or d)*on. In (-) *ar a*)* o9 P)o) .

A()na and Co*a and P)o) . Pannan, (-) au*)d n (-) *ad

a*)* )r) a*o 5)a()dy arran)d. T-) Cour(, n (-)*) (-r))

a*)*, -)d (-a( (-) a() ar(a(on o9 (-) oun*)* o9 (-)

au*)d, a* ) a* (-)r oor(un(y (o ro**')@an) (-)

ro*)u(on (n)**)* durn (ra (-ou( o5)(n on (-) round

(-a( (-)r )n(* -ad no( y)( 5))n arran)d, -ad (-) )99)( o9

urn (-) d)9)( n (-) 5)a()d arran)n(. #or)o)r, (-) au*)d

n (-)*) a*)* dd no( o5)( -)n (-)y )r) 5)a()dy arran)d.

T-) *a), -o))r, anno( 5) *ad n (-) n*(an( a*). T-)r) * no

arran)n( a( a 5)9or) (-) RTC. On (-) o(-)r -and, (-)

arran)n( ondu()d 5y (-) #CTC * nu and od. T-u*, (-)r) *

no(-n (o 5) ur)d. P)((on)r/* oun*) a*o ()y ra*)d 5)9or)

(-) RTC (-) 9a( (-a( -)r )n(, -)r)n )((on)r, a* no( arran)d.

Arran)n( * (-) 9ora od) and ann)r o9 ))n(n (-)

on*((u(ona r-( o9 an au*)d (o 5) n9or)d o9 (-) na(ur) and

au*) o9 (-) au*a(on aan*( -. T-) uro*) o9 arran)n(


31/136

*, (-u*, (o ar*) (-) au*)d o9 (-) o**5) o** o9 9r))do,

))n o9 -* 9), d))ndn on (-) na(ur) o9 (-) r) u()d (o

-, or a( (-) )ry )a*( (o n9or - o9 -y (-) ro*)u(n ar

o9 (-) S(a() * o5)d aan*( -. A* an nd*)n*a5)r)Fur))n( o9 du) ro)**, an arran)n( anno( 5) r)ard)d

-(y or 5ru*-)d a*d) )r)(ory. O(-)r*), a5*)n) o9

arran)n( r)*u(* n (-) nu(y o9 (-) ro))dn* 5)9or) (-) (ra

our(.

A* a 9na no(), ( ay no( 5) a** (o *(r)** (-a( a( a *(a)* o9 (-)

ro))dn* )adn (o -* (ra and on(on, (-) au*)d u*(

5) -ar)d and (r)d aordn (o (-) ro)dur) r)*r5)d 5y aand ar>)d 5y o5*)ran) o9 (-) r-(* )n (o - 5y (-)

Con*((u(on. In (-) *a) ay (-a( (-) r)adn o9 (-) In9ora(on (o

(-) au*)d durn arran)n( * no( a u*))** 9ora(y, *o * (-)

ad(y o9 (-) n9ora(on 5)n r)ad no( an d) )r)ony.

Crna du) ro)** r)Fur)* (-a( (-) au*)d u*( 5) ro))d)d

aan*( und)r (-) ord)ry ro)**)* o9 a. In a rna a*)*,

(-) ud) *-oud 9oo (-) *()'5y'*() ro)dur) r)Fur)d 5y (-)

Ru)*. T-) r)a*on 9or (-* * (o a**ur) (-a( (-) S(a() a>)* no

*(a>) n (a>n (-) 9) or 5)r(y )@)( (-a( o9 (-) u(y.

T!IRD DI%ISION, G.R. No. 16428, Auu*( 22, 2012, ESTRELLA

TAGLA3, PETITIONER, %S. JDGE #ARI%IC TRA$AJO DARA3 AND

LO%ERIE PALACA3, RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 1718 O(o5)r 1, 2012

"E %. RAPSING, TITA C. %ILLANE%A and ANNIE ". APAREJADO, r)r)*)n()d 5y EDGAR APAREJADO,Petitioners,vs.!ON. JDGE #AI#INO R. A$LES, o9 RTC'$ran- 47, #a*5a() C(y SSGT. EDISON RRAL,CAA JOSE #AT, CAA #ORIE "LORES, CAA GILLEN TOPAS, CAA DAND3 "LORES, CAALEONARDO CALI#TAN and CAA RENE RO#,Respondents.


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D E C I S I O N

PERALTA, J.:

Before this Court is a Petition for Certiorari and Prohi#ition under Rule )' of the Rules of Court, filed#* petitioners 6e Rapsing, 1ita C. illanueva and (nnie (pare7ado, Q as represented #* Edgar

(pare7ado, seeking to set aside the Orders dated Dee"#er ), &%%'!and 8anuar* !!,&%%),&respetivel*, of the Regional 1rial Court +R1C of 2as#ate Cit*, Branh >/, in Cri"inal CaseNo. !!=>).

1he anteedents are as follows5

Respondents SSgt. Edison Rural, C(( 8ose 2atu, C(( 2orie 6lores, C(( uillien 1opas, C((Dand* 6lores, C(( :eonardo Cali"utan and C(( Rene Ro" are "e"#ers of the (lpha Co"pan*,&&nd Infantr* Battalion, 0th Division of the Philippine (r"* #ased at Ca#angalan Detah"ent,(roro*, 2as#ate.

Petitioners, on the other hand, are the widows of 1eogenes Rapsing, 1eofilo illanueva and Edwin

(pare7ado, who were allegedl* killed in old #lood #* the respondents.

Respondents alleged that on 2a* $, &%%>, around ! o4lok in the afternoon, the* reeivedinfor"ation a#out the presene of ar"ed ele"ents reputed to #e New PeopleJs (r"* +NP(partisans in Sitio awa*-gawa*, Baranga* :agta, Baleno, 2as#ate. (ting on the infor"ation, the*oordinated with the Philippine National Polie and proeeded to the plae. 1hereat, the*enountered ar"ed ele"ents whih resulted in an intense firefight. @hen the #attle eased, seven+/ persons, na"el*5 1eogenes Rapsing * 2anlapaK, 1eofilo illanueva * Prisado, 2arianitoillanueva * Oliva, Edwin (pare7ado * alde"oro, Isidro Espino * (revalo, Ro3ue 1o"e * 2orgadoand Nor#erto (ranilla * Cordova were found sprawled on the ground lifeless. 1he post-inidentreport of the Philippine (r"* states that a legiti"ate "ilitar* operation was onduted and in theourse of whih, the viti"s, ar"ed with high-powered firear"s, engaged in a shoot-out with the

"ilitar*.

On the other hand, petitioners o"plained that there was no enounter that ensued and that theviti"s were su""aril* e, at around !5%% o4lok in the afternoon thereof, at Baranga* :agta,2uniipalit* of Baleno, Provine of 2as#ate, Philippines, and within the 7urisdition of this Aonora#leCourt, the a#ove-na"ed aused, onspiring together and "utuall* helping with one another, taking
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33/136

advantage of their superior strength as ele"ents of the Philippine (r"*, ar"ed with theirgovern"ent issued firear"s, with intent to kill, #* "eans of treaher* and evident pre"editation, didthen and there willfull*, unlawfull* and feloniousl* attak, assault and shoot 1eogenes Rapsing *2anlapaK, 1eofilo illanueva * Prisado, 2arianito illanueva * Oliva, Edwin (pare7ado * alde"oro,Isidro Espino * (revalo, Ro3ue 1o"e * 2orgado and Nor#erto (ranilla * Cordova, hitting the" ondifferent parts of their #odies, there#* infliting upon the" "ultiple gunshot wounds whih aused

their deaths.

CON1R(RF 1O :(@.

2as#ate Cit*, 6e#ruar* !', &%%'.

On 8ul* &=, &%%', a warrant'for the arrest of respondents was issued #* the R1C of 2as#ate Cit*,Branh >/, #ut #efore respondents ould #e arrested, the 8udge (dvoate eneral4s Offie +8(Oof the (r"ed 6ores of the Philippines +(6P filed an O"ni#us 2otion)dated 8ul* &%, &%%', with thetrial ourt seeking the ases against respondents #e transferred to the 7urisdition of the "ilitar*tri#unal./Initiall*, the trial ourt denied the "otion filed #* the 8(O on the ground that respondentshave not #een arrested. 1he 8(O filed a 2otion for Reonsideration,=and in an Order0dated

Dee"#er ), &%%', the trial ourt granted the O"ni#us 2otion and the entire reords of the asewere turned over to the Co""anding eneral of the 0th Infantr* Division, Philippine (r"*, forappropriate ation.

Petitioners sought reonsideration!%of the Order, #ut was denied #* the trial ourt in an Order!!dated8anuar* !!, &%%).

Aene, the present petition with the following argu"ents5

I

AON. 8DE 2(MI2INO (B:ES R(E:F (BSED AIS DISCRE1ION (2ON1IN 1O

EMCESS O6 8RISDIC1ION IN R(N1IN 1AE 2O1ION 1O 1R(NS6ER 1AE INS1(N1CRI2IN(: C(SE O6 2:1IP:E 2RDER 1O 1AE 8RISDIC1ION O6 1AE 2I:I1(RFCOR1 2(R1I(:, (S 1AE S(ID 1RIBN(:, B(SED ON 6(C1S (ND IN :(@, A(S NO8RISDIC1ION OER 1AE INS1(N1 2RDER C(SE.

II

I1 IS R(E (BSE O6 DISCRE1ION (2ON1IN 1O EMCESS IN 8RISDIC1ION I6NO1 ROSS INOR(NCE O6 1AE :(@ ON 1AE P(R1 O6 AONOR(B:E 8DE2(MI2INO (B:ES 1O AO:D 1A(1 AIS ORDER D(1ED DECE2BER ), &%%' CO:DON:F BE REIE@ED 1AROA (N (PPE(:, (S 1AERE IS NO 1RI(: ON 1AE 2ERI1FE1 ON 1AE INS1(N1 CRI2IN(: C(SE.!&

Petitioners alleged that the trial ourt gravel* a#used its disretion a"ounting to e


34/136

1he petition is "eritorious. 1he trial ourt gravel* a#used its disretion in not taking ogniKane ofthe ase, whih atuall* falls within its 7urisdition.

It is an ele"entar* rule of proedural law that 7urisdition over the su#7et "atter of the ase isonferred #* law and is deter"ined #* the allegations of the o"plaint irrespetive of whether theplaintiff is entitled to reover upon all or so"e of the lai"s asserted therein.!>(s a neessar*

onse3uene, the 7urisdition of the ourt annot #e "ade to depend upon the defenses set up inthe answer or upon the "otion to dis"iss, for otherwise, the 3uestion of 7urisdition would al"ostentirel* depend upon the defendant. @hat deter"ines the 7urisdition of the ourt is the nature of theation pleaded as appearing fro" the allegations in the o"plaint. 1he aver"ents in the o"plaintand the harater of the relief sought are the "atters to #e onsulted.!'

In the ase at #ar, the infor"ation states that respondents, onspiring together and "utuall* helpingwith one another, taking advantage of their superior strength, as ele"ents of the Philippine (r"*,ar"ed with their govern"ent-issued firear"s with intent to kill, #* "eans of treaher* and evidentpre"editation, did then and there willfull*, unlawfull* and feloniousl* attak, assault and shoot theviti"s, hitting the" on different parts of their #odies, there#* infliting upon the" "ultiple gunshotwounds whih aused their deaths.!)2urder is a ri"e punisha#le under (rtile &>= of the Revised

Penal Code +RPC, as a"ended, and is within the 7urisdition of the R1C.

!/

Aene, irrespetive ofwhether the killing was atuall* 7ustified or not, 7urisdition to tr* the ri"e harged against therespondents has #een vested upon the R1C #* law.

Respondents, however, ontend that the "ilitar* tri#unal has 7urisdition over the ase at #ar#eause the ri"e harged was a servie-onneted offense allegedl* o""itted #* "e"#ers ofthe (6P. 1o support their position, respondents ite the senate deli#erations on R.(. /%''.

Respondents stress in partiular the proposal "ade #* Senator :etiia Ra"os Shahani to define aservie-onneted offense as those o""itted #* "ilitar* personnel pursuant to the lawful order oftheir superior offier or within the onte


35/136

SSPENSION O6 1AE SESSION

1he President. @ill the entle"an kindl* tr* to work it out #etween the two of *ou I will suspend thesession for a "inute, if there is no o#7etion. 1here was none.

It was '5%& p.".

RES2P1ION O6 1AE SESSION

(t '5%) p."., the session was resu"ed.

1he President. 1he session is resu"ed.

Senator 1aada. 2r. President, Senator Shahani has graiousl* aepted "* a"end"ent to hera"end"ent, su#7et to refine"ent and st*le.

1he President. Is there an* o#7etion Silene 1here #eing none, the a"end"ent is approved.!0

In the sa"e session, Senator 1aada e"phasiKed5

Senator 1aada. Setion !, alread* provides that ri"es of offenses o""itted #* persons su#7etto "ilitar* law ... will #e tried #* the ivil ourts, e%=.&%+E"phasis supplied.

1he said a"end"ent was later on refleted in the final version of the statute as Paragraph & ofSetion !. Setion ! of R.(. /%'' reads in full5

Setion !. 2e"#ers of the (r"ed 6ores of the Philippines and other persons su#7et to "ilitar* law,inluding "e"#ers of the Cit iKens (r"ed 6ores eographial nits, who o""it ri"es oroffenses penaliKed under the Revised Penal Code, other speial penal laws, or loal govern"entordinanes, regardless of whether or not ivilians are o-aused, viti"s, or offended parties whih"a* #e natural or 7uridial persons, shall #e tried #* the proper ivil ourt, e%= +C( >%=, as a"ended,&!to wit5

(rtiles '> to /%5

(rt. '>. 6raudulent Enlist"ent.

(rt. ''. Offier 2aking nlawful Enlist"ent.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt19http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt20http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt21http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt21http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt19http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt20http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/oct2012/gr_171855_2012.html#fnt21


36/136

(rt. '). 6alse 2uster.

(rt. '/. 6alse Returns.

(rt. '=. Certain (ts to Constitute Desertion.

(rt. '0. Desertion.

(rt. )%. (dvising or (iding (nother to Desert.

(rt. )!. Entertaining a Deserter.

(rt. )&. (#sene @ithout :eave.

(rt. )$. Disrespet 1oward the President, ie-President, Congress of the Philippines, or Seretar*of National Defense.

(rt. )>. Disrespet 1oward Superior Offier.

(rt. )'. (ssaulting or @illfull* Diso#e*ing Superior Offier.

(rt. )). Insu#ordinate Condut 1oward Non-Co""issioned Offier.

(rt. )/. 2utin* or Sedition.

(rt. )=. 6ailure to Suppress 2utin* or Sedition.

(rt. )0. Luarrels; 6ra*s; Disorders.

(rt. /%. (rrest or Confine"ent.

(rtiles /& to 0&

(rt. /&. Refusal to Reeive and Heep Prisoners.

(rt. /$. Report of Prisoners Reeived.

(rt. />. Releasing Prisoner @ithout (uthorit*.

(rt. /'. Deliver* of Offenders to Civil (uthorities.

(rt. /). 2is#ehavior Before the Ene"*.

(rt. //. Su#ordinates Co"pelling Co""ander to Surrender.

(rt. /=. I"proper se of Countersign.

(rt. /0. 6oring a Safeguard.


37/136

(rt. =%. Captured Propert* to #e Seured for Pu#li Servie.

(rt. =!. Dealing in Captured or (#andoned Propert*.

(rt. =&. Relieving, Corresponding @ith, or (iding the Ene"*.

(rt. =$. Spies.

(rt. =>. 2ilitar* Propert*. 9 @illful or Negligent :oss, Da"age or @rongful Disposition.

(rt. ='. @aste or nlawful Disposition of 2ilitar* Propert* Issued to Soldiers.

(rt. =). Drunk on Dut*.

(rt. =/. 2is#ehavior of Sentinel.

(rt. ==. Personal Interest in Sale of Provisions.

(rt. ==-(. nlawfull* Influening (tion of Court.

(rt. =0. Inti"idation of Persons Bringing Provisions.

(rt. 0%. ood Order to #e 2aintained and @rongs Redressed.

(rt. 0!. Provoking Speehes or estures.

(rt. 0&. Dueling.

(rtiles 0' to 0/5

(rt. 0'. 6rauds (gainst the overn"ent.

(rt. 0). Condut n#eo"ing an Offier and entle"an.

(rt. 0/ eneral (rtile.

In view of the provisions of R.(. /%'', the "ilitar* tri#unals annot e


38/136

SO ORDERED.

DIOSDADO #. PERALTA(ssoiate 8ustie

@E CONCR5


Chairperson

TERESITA J. LEONARDO'DE CASTRO

(ssoiate 8ustieRO$ERTO A. A$AD(ssoiate 8ustie

JOSE CATRAL #ENDO&A(ssoiate 8ustie

( 1 1 E S 1 ( 1 I O N

I attest that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the asewas assigned to the writer of the opinion of tile Court4s Division.

PRES$ITERO J. %ELASCO, JR.(ssoiate 8ustieChairperson, 1hird Division

C E R 1 I 6 I C ( 1 I O N

Pursuant to Setion !$, (rtile III of the Constitution and the Division Chairperson4s (ttestation, Iertif* that the onlusions in the a#ove Deision had #een reahed in onsultation #efore the ase

was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court4s Division.

#ARIA LORDES P. A. SERENOChief 8ustie

"oo(no()*

Designated (ting 2e"#er, per Speial Order No. !$>$ dated Oto#er 0, &%!&.

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