all cases(doctrine of state immunity)

7/23/2019 All Cases(Doctrine of State Immunity)

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Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT

Manila

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. !"#$%& No'e(be) $* #+$$

CIVI ,ERON,UTICS ,DMINISTR,TION* petitione)*

's.

COURT O- ,PPE,S an ERNEST E. SIM/E* )esponents.

The Solicito) Gene)al fo) petitione).

ees(a* Gu0tin1co* Veleasco 2 ,ssociates fo) )esponent E)nest E. Si(3e.

CORTES* 4.5

,ssaile in this petition fo) )e'ie6 on ce)tio)a)i is the ecision of the Cou)t of ,ppeals affi)(in1

the t)ial cou)t ecision 6hich )eas as follo6s5

7HERE-ORE* 8u1(ent is he)eb0 )ene)e o)e)in1 efenant to pa0 plaintiff the a(ount ofP#"*"$+."" as full )ei(bu)se(ent of his actual (eical an hospital e9penses* 6ith inte)est at the

le1al )ate f)o( the co((ence(ent of the suit: the a(ount of P;%*;%%.%% as conse%*%%%.%% as e9e(pla)0

a(a1es: the fu)the) a(ount of P;%*%%%.%% as atto)ne0?s fees an the costs @Rollo* p. ;>A.

The facts of the case a)e as follo6s5

P)i'ate )esponent is a natu)aliBe -ilipino citiBen an at the ti(e of the incient 6as the

Hono)a)0 Consul Geile)al of Is)ael in the Philippines.

In the afte)noon of Dece(be) #=* #+&$* p)i'ate )esponent 6ith se'e)al othe) pe)sons 6ent to the

Manila Inte)national ,i)po)t to (eet his futu)e son!in!la6. In o)e) to 1et a bette) 'ie6 of the

inco(in1 passen1e)s* he an his 1)oup p)oceee to the 'ie6in1 ec3 o) te))ace of the ai)po)t.

7hile 6al3in1 on the te))ace* then fille 6ith othe) people* p)i'ate )esponent slippe o'e) an

ele'ation about fou) > inches hi1h at the fa) en of the te))ace. ,s a )esult* p)i'ate )esponent fell

on his bac3 an b)o3e his thi1h bone.

The ne9t a0* Dece(be) #>* #+&$* p)i'ate )esponent 6as ope)ate on fo) about th)ee hou)s.


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P)i'ate )esponent then file an action fo) a(a1es base on * R.,. &A.

Sai clai( fo) a(a1es inclue* asie f)o( the (eical an hospital bills* conse


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conclusion that petitione) 6as o)1aniBe fo) business an not fo) 1o'e)n(ental pu)poses. @Rollo*

pp. +>!+A.

Such a)1u(ents a)e untenable.

-i)st* the Teoo)o case* fa) f)o( st)essin1 the point that the C,, 6as onl0 substitute fo) the

National ,i)po)ts Co)po)ation* in fact t)eate the C,, as the )eal pa)t0 in inte)est 6hen it state

that5

999 999 999

... To all le1al intents an p)actical pu)poses* the National ,i)po)ts Co)po)ation is ea an the

Ci'il ,e)onautics ,(inist)ation is its hei) o) le1al )ep)esentati'e* actin1 b0 the la6 of its c)eation

upon its o6n )i1hts an in its o6n na(e. The bette) p)actice the)e shoul ha'e been to (a3e the

Ci'il ,e)onautics ,(inist)ation the thi) pa)t0 efenant instea of the National ,i)po)ts

Co)po)ation. @National ,i)po)ts Co)p. '. Teoo)o* sup)a* p. ;%$.A

999 999 999

Secon* the Teoo)o case i not (a3e an0 of E9ecuti'e O)e) =&" confe) upon the C,,* 6ithout an0


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Reo)1aniBin1 the Ci'il ,e)onautics ,(inist)ation an ,bolishin1 the National ,i)po)ts

Co)po)ation. Republic ,ct No. & Ci'il ,e)onautics ,ct of the Philippines* subse an ;".)eJJanK#L6 Sai ,ct p)o'ies5

Sec. =;. Po6e)s an Duties of the ,(inist)ato). Sub8ect to the 1ene)alcont)ol an supe)'ision

of the Depa)t(ent Hea* the ,(inist)ato) shall ha'e a(on1 othe)s* the follo6in1 po6e)s an

uties5

999 999 999

;> To a(iniste)* ope)ate* (ana1e* cont)ol* (aintain an e'elop the Manila Inte)national

,i)po)t an all 1o'e)n(ent!o6ne ae)o)o(es e9cept those cont)olle o) ope)ate b0 the ,)(e

-o)ces of the Philippines incluin1 such po6e)s an uties as5 a to plan* esi1n* const)uct* e


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@National ,i)po)t Co)po)ation '. Teoo)o* sup)a* pp. ;%&!;%: E(phasis supplie.A

This oct)ine has been )eaffi)(e in the )ecent case of Malon1 '. Philippine National Rail6a0s

@G.R. No. !>++=%* ,u1ust * #+$"* #=$ SCR, &=#* 6he)e it 6as hel that the Philippine

National Rail6a0s* althou1h o6ne an ope)ate b0 the 1o'e)n(ent* 6as not i((une f)o( suit asit oes not e9e)cise so'e)ei1n but pu)el0 p)op)ieta)0 an business functions. ,cco)in1l0* as the

C,, 6as c)eate to une)ta3e the (ana1e(ent of ai)po)t ope)ations 6hich p)i(a)il0 in'ol'e

p)op)ieta)0 functions* it cannot a'ail of the i((unit0 f)o( suit acco)e to 1o'e)n(ent a1encies

pe)fo)(in1 st)ictl0 1o'e)n(ental functions.

II

Petitione) t)ies to escape liabilit0 on the 1)oun that the)e 6as no basis fo) a finin1 of ne1li1ence.

The)e can be no ne1li1ence on its pa)t* it alle1e* because the ele'ation in


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="* I. @)ollo* p. ;+.A

These factual finin1s a)e binin1 an conclusi'e upon this Cou)t. Hence* the C,, cannot

isclai( its liabilit0 fo) the ne1li1ent const)uction of the ele'ation since une) Republic ,ct No.

&* it 6as cha)1e 6ith the ut0 of plannin1* esi1nin1* const)uctin1* e


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intelli1ence an p)uence an ete)(ines liabilit0 b0 that.

The


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7ith )espect to actual o) co(pensato)0 a(a1es* the la6 (anates that the sa(e be p)o'en.

,)t. ;#++. E9cept as p)o'ie b0 la6 o) b0 stipulation* one a)e entitle to an ae# 6hich* as

ha been hel ti(e an a1ain* a)e* as a 1ene)al )ule* conclusi'e befo)e this Cou)t @Sese '.

Inte)(eiate ,ppellate Cou)t* G.R. No. &$&* 4ul0 =#* #+$*#"; SCR, "$"A.

7ith )espect to the P=%*%%%.%% a6a)e as (o)al a(a1es* the Cou)t hols p)i'ate )esponent

entitle the)eto because of the ph0sical suffe)in1 an ph0sical in8u)ies cause b0 the ne1li1ence of

the C,, @,)ts. ;;# an ;;#+ ;* Ne6 Ci'il CoeA.

7ith )espect to the a6a) of e9e(pla)0 a(a1es* the Ci'il Coe e9plicitl0* states5

,)t. ;;;+. E9e(pla)0 o) co))ecti'e a(a1es* a)e i(pose* b0 6a0 of e9a(ple o) co))ection

fo) the public 1oo* in aition to the (o)al* li%*%%%.%% b0 the t)ial cou)t as e9e(pla)0


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a(a1es app)op)iatel0 une)sco)es the point that as an entit0 chan1e 6ith p)o'iin1 se)'ice to

the public* the C,,. li3e all othe) entities se)'in1 the public. has the obli1ation to p)o'ie the

public 6ith )easonabl0 safe se)'ice.

-inall0* the a6a) of atto)ne0?s fees is also uphel consie)in1 that une) ,)t. ;;%$ # of the Ci'ilCoe* the sa(e (a0 be a6a)e 6hene'e) e9e(pla)0 a(a1es a)e a6a)e* as in this case* an*at

an0 )ate* une) ,)t. ;;%$ ##* the Cou)t has the isc)etion to 1)ant the sa(e 6hen it is 8ust an

e

of the sai E9ec. O)e) $* the MI,, has assu(e all the ebts* liabilities an obli1ations of the

no6 efunct Ci'il ,e)onautics ,(inist)ation C,,* the liabilities of the C,, ha'e no6 been

t)ansfe))e to the MI,,.

7HERE-ORE* finin1 no )e'e)sible e))o)* the Petition fo) )e'ie6 on ce)tio)a)i is DENIED an

the ecision of the Cou)t of ,ppeals in C,!G.R. No. "##;!R is ,--IRMED.

SO ORDERED.

THIRD DIVISION

@G.R. No. #%;#. Septe(be) #%* ;%%=A

CIT O- C,OOC,N an NORM, M. ,R,CI,* petitione)s* 's. HON. M,URO T.

,,RDE* P)esiin1 4u1e of )anch #;=* RTC of Caloocan Cit0* ,ERTO ,. C,STIO*

Deput0 She)iff of )anch #;=* RTC of Caloocan Cit0* an DE-IN, HERN,NDE S,NTI,GO

an PHIIPPINE N,TION, ,N/ PN* )esponents.

D E C I S I O N

CORON,* 4.5

,ssaile in this petition fo) ce)tio)a)i is the ecision@#A ate ,u1ust =#* #++;* of the Cou)t of

,ppeals in C, G.R. SP No. ;>;=* o)e)in1 the Re1ional T)ial Cou)t of Caloocan Cit0* )anch

#;=* to i(ple(ent an alias 6)it of e9ecution ate 4anua)0 #&* #++;. The ispositi'e po)tion )ea

as follo6s5

7HERE-ORE the petition is he)eb0 1)ante o)e)in1 the Re1ional T)ial Cou)t of /aloocan Cit0*

)anch #;=* to i((eiatel0 effect the alias 6)it of e9ecution ate 4anua)0 #&* #++; 6ithout

fu)the) ela0.

Counsel fo) the )esponents a)e 6a)ne that a )epetition of thei) conte(ptuous act to ela0 the

e9ecution of a final an e9ecuto)0 8u1(ent 6ill be ealt 6ith (o)e se'e)el0.

SO ORDERED.@;A

It is i(po)tant to state at the outset that the ispute bet6een petitione) an p)i'ate )esponent has

been liti1ate th)ice befo)e this Cou)t5 fi)st* in G.R. No. !=+;$$!$+* entitle Hei)s of ,bela)oPalo(i


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+$=&&* entitle Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan 's. Cou)t of ,ppeals* et al.* )esol'e on Ma0 #&*

#++#* an thi)* in G.R. No. #%;&;"* entitle Santia1o 's. Sto. To(as* et al.* ecie on ,u1ust #*

#++". This is not to (ention the nu(e)ous concu))ent effo)ts b0 the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan

to see3 )elief f)o( othe) 8uicial an


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the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan file a (otion to %!#++&;+: Chassis No.

M!+#%=&+C:

ONE # Unit Moto) Vehicle Hunte) Se)ies ##!Diesel: En1ine No. >-#!#>=;$* Chassis No.

M!+#%=>"C: Plate No. SD!&"=:

ONE # Unit Moto) Vehicle Hunte) Se)ies ##!Diesel: En1ine No. >-!#&"#+&: Chassis No.

M +#%=>+C.

,ll the 'ehicles* incluin1 that p)e'iousl0 sol in the auction sale* 6e)e o6ne b0 the Cit0 an

assi1ne fo) the use of he)ein petitione) No)(a ,b)acia* Di'ision Supe)intenent of Caloocan

Cit0* an othe) officials of the Di'ision of Cit0 Schools.

Mean6hile* the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan sou1ht cla)ification f)o( the Ci'il Se)'ice

Co((ission CSC on 6hethe) )esponent Santia1o 6as consie)e to ha'e )ene)e se)'ices

f)o( #+$=!#+$& as to be entitle to bac36a1es fo) that pe)io. In its Resolution No. +#!##;>* the

CSC )ule in the ne1ati'e.On No'e(be) ;;* #++#* p)i'ate )esponent Santia1o challen1e the CSC )esolution befo)e this

Cou)t in G.R. No. #%;&;"* Santia1o 's. Sto. To(as* et al. On 4ul0 $* #++=* 6e initiall0 is(isse

the petition fo) lac3 of (e)it: ho6e'e)* 6e )econsie)e the is(issal of the petition in ou)

Resolution ate ,u1ust #* #++"* this ti(e )ulin1 in fa'o) of )esponent Santia1o5

The issue of petitione) Santia1os )i1ht to bac3 sala)ies fo) the pe)io f)o( Octobe) #+$= to

Dece(be) #+$& ha'in1 been )esol'e in G.R. No. +$=&& on #& Ma0 #++#* CSC Resolution No.

+#!##;> p)o(ul1ate late) on ;> Septe(be) #++# in pa)ticula)* its )ulin1 on the e9tent of

bac36a1es ue petitione) Santia1o 6as in fact (oot an acae(ic at the ti(e of its p)o(ul1ation.

CSC Resolution No. +#!##;> coul not* of cou)se* set asie 6hat ha been 8uiciall0 ecie 6ith

finalit0 9 9 9 9 the cou)t consie)s that )eso)t b0 the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan to )esponent

CSC 6as but anothe) atte(pt to ep)i'e petitione) Santia1o of he) clai( to bac3 sala)ies 9 9 9 an

a continuation of the Cit0s abuse an (isuse of the )ules of 8uicial p)oceu)e. The Cit0s acts ha'e

)esulte in 6astin1 the p)ecious ti(e an )esou)ces of the cou)ts an )esponent CSC.

Une)sco)in1 supplie.

On Octobe) "* #++;* the Cit0 Council of Caloocan passe O)inance No. %#=>* Se)ies of #++;*

6hich inclue the a(ount of P>=+*=.#> clai(e b0 )esponent Santia1o as bac3 sala)ies* plus

inte)est.@A Pu)suant to the sub8ect o)inance* 4u1e ,lla)e issue an o)e) ate No'e(be) #%*

#++;* ec)eein1 that5

7HERE-ORE* the Cit0 T)easu)e) of Caloocan* No)be)to ,Ba)con is he)eb0 o)e)e to eli'e)to this Cou)t 6ithin fi'e " a0s f)o( )eceipt he)eof* a (ana1e)s chec3 co'e)in1 the a(ount of


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P>=+*=$.%% )ep)esentin1 the bac3 sala)ies of petitione) Delfina H. Santia1o in acco)ance 6ith

O)inance No. %#=> S. #++; an pu)suant to the final an e9ecuto)0 ecision in these cases.

Then Caloocan Ma0o) Maca)io ,. ,sistio* 4).* ho6e'e)* )efuse to si1n the chec3 intene as

pa0(ent fo) )esponent Santia1os clai(s. This* espite the fact that he 6as one of the si1nato)ies

of the o)inance autho)iBin1 such pa0(ent. On ,p)il ;+* #++=* 4u1e ,lla)e issue anothe) o)e)i)ectin1 the ,ctin1 Cit0 Ma0o) of Caloocan* Re0nalo O. MalonBo* to si1n the chec3 6hich ha

been penin1 befo)e the Office of the Ma0o) since Dece(be) ##* #++;. ,ctin1 Cit0 Ma0o)

MalonBo info)(e the t)ial cou)t that he coul not co(pl0 6ith the o)e) since the sub8ect chec3

6as not fo)(all0 tu)ne o'e) to hi( b0 the Cit0 Ma0o) 6ho 6ent on official lea'e of absence on

,p)il #"* #++=* an that he oubte 6hethe) he ha autho)it0 to si1n the sa(e.@$A

Thus* in an o)e) ate Ma0 * #++=* 4u1e ,lla)e o)e)e She)iff ,lbe)to ,. Castillo to

i((eiatel0 1a)nish the funs of the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of Caloocan co))esponin1 to the clai( of

)esponent Santia1o.@+A On the sa(e a0* She)iff ,lbe)to ,. Castillo se)'e a cop0 of the Notice

of Ga)nish(ent on the Philippine National an3 PN* San1anaan )anch* Caloocan Cit0.

7hen PN i((eiatel0 notifie the Cit0 of Caloocan of the Notice of Ga)nish(ent* the Cit0

T)easu)e) sent a lette)!a'ice info)(in1 PN that the o)e) of 1a)nish(ent 6as ille1al* 6ith a

6a)nin1 that it 6oul hol PN liable fo) an0 a(a1es 6hich (a0 be cause b0 the 6ithholin1

of the funs of the cit0. PN opte to co(pl0 6ith the o)e) of 4u1e ,lla)e an )elease to the

She)iff a (ana1e)s chec3 a(ountin1 to P>=+*=$. ,fte) ;# lon1 0ea)s* the clai( of p)i'ate

)esponent Santia1o 6as finall0 settle in full.

On 4une >* #++=* ho6e'e)* 6hile the instant petition 6as penin1* the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of

Caloocan file 0et anothe) (otion 6ith this Cou)t* a Motion to Decla)e in Conte(pt of Cou)t: to

Set ,sie the Ga)nish(ent an ,(inist)ati'e Co(plaint a1ainst 4u1e ,lla)e* )esponent

Santia1o an PN. Subse


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capable of (anual eli'e)0 (ust be sol 6ithin the 'ie6 of those attenin1 the sale: an*

i'. the She)iffs Ce)tificate of Sale containe false na))ation of facts )espectin1 the actual ti(e of

the public auction:

the enfo)ce(ent of the le'0 (ae b0 the She)iff co'e)in1 the th)ee = (oto) 'ehicles base on

an alias 6)it that has lon1 e9pi)e.The petition has absolutel0 no (e)it. The t)ial cou)t co((itte no 1)a'e abuse of isc)etion in

i(ple(entin1 the alias 6)it of e9ecution to settle the clai( of )esponent Santia1o* the satisfaction

of 6hich petitione) ha been (aliciousl0 e'ain1 fo) ;# 0ea)s.

Petitione) a)1ues that the 1a)nish(ent of its funs in PN 6as in'ali inas(uch as these 6e)e

public funs an thus e9e(pt f)o( e9ecution. Ga)nish(ent is consie)e a specie of attach(ent

b0 (eans of 6hich the plaintiff see3s to sub8ect to his clai( p)ope)t0 of the efenant in the hans

of a thi) pe)son* o) (one0 o6e b0 such thi) pe)son o) 1a)nishee to the efenant.@#%A

The )ule is an has al6a0s been that all 1o'e)n(ent funs eposite in the PN o) an0 othe)

official eposita)0 of the Philippine Go'e)n(ent b0 an0 of its a1encies o) inst)u(entalities*

6hethe) b0 1ene)al o) special eposit* )e(ain 1o'e)n(ent funs an (a0 not be sub8ect to

1a)nish(ent o) le'0* in the absence of a co))esponin1 app)op)iation as )eA

6he)e petitione)s challen1e the t)ial cou)ts o)e) 1a)nishin1 its funs in pa0(ent of the cont)act

p)ice fo) the const)uction of the Cit0 Hall* 6e )ule that* 6hile 1o'e)n(ent funs eposite in the

PN a)e e9e(pt f)o( e9ecution o) 1a)nish(ent* this )ule oes not appl0 if an o)inance has

al)ea0 been enacte fo) the pa0(ent of the Cit0s obli1ations

Upon the issuance of the 6)it of e9ecution* the petitione)!appellants (o'e fo) its


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In the instant case* the Cit0 Council of Caloocan al)ea0 app)o'e an passe O)inance No.

%#=>* Se)ies of #++;* allocatin1 the a(ount of P>=+*=.#> fo) )esponent Santia1os bac3 sala)ies

plus inte)est. Thus this case fell s* Se)ies of #++;* 6as the co))esponin1 app)op)iation as )e


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)etu)n the sa(e to the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent in 'ie6 of the satisfaction of the ecision in these cases 9

9 9 9

It is thus unnecessa)0 fo) us to iscuss a (oot issue.

7e tu)n to the thi) issue )aise b0 petitione)s that the auction sale b0 She)iff ,lbe)to ,. Castillo

of the (oto) 'ehicle 6ith plate no. SH!#&" 6as tainte 6ith se)ious i))e1ula)ities. 7e nee note(phasiBe that the she)iff en8o0s the p)esu(ption of )e1ula)it0 in the pe)fo)(ance of the functions

of his office. This p)esu(ption p)e'ails in the absence of substantial e'ience to the cont)a)0 an

cannot be o'e)co(e b0 ba)e an self!se)'in1 alle1ations. The petitione)s faile to con'ince us that

the auction sale conucte b0 the she)iff inee suffe)e f)o( fatal fla6s. No e'ience 6as

auce to p)o'e that the she)iff ha been )e(iss in the pe)fo)(ance of his uties u)in1 the

public auction sale. Inee it 6oul be in8uicious fo) us to assu(e* as petitione)s 6ant us to o*

that the she)iff faile to follo6 the establishe p)oceu)es 1o'e)nin1 public auctions.

On the cont)a)0* a )e'ie6 of the )eco)s sho6s that the she)iff co(plie 6ith the )ules on public

auction. The sale of the Cit0s 'ehicle 6as (ae publicl0 in f)ont of the Caloocan Cit0 Hall on the

ate fi9e in the notice 4ul0 ;* #++;. In fact* petitione)s in thei) Motion to Decla)e in Conte(pt

of Cou)t: to Set ,sie the Ga)nish(ent an ,(inist)ati'e Co(plaint a(itte as (uch5

On 4ul0 ;* #++;* b0 'i)tue of an alias 6)it of e9ecution issue b0 the )esponent cou)t* a 'ehicle

o6ne b0 the petitione) 999 6as le'ie an sol at public auction fo) the a(ount of P#%%*%%%.%%

an 6hich a(ount 6as i((eiatel0 eli'e)e to the p)i'ate )esponent 9 9 9 9@;#A

Hence* petitione)s cannot no6 be hea) to i(pu1n the 'aliit0 of the auction sale.

Petitione)s* in espe)ation* li3e6ise (a3e (uch of the p)oceein1s befo)e the t)ial cou)t on

Octobe) $* #++;* 6he)ein petitione) No)(a ,b)acia* Supe)intenent of the Di'ision of Cit0

Schools of Caloocan* 6as co((ane to appea) an sho6 cause 6h0 she shoul not be cite in

conte(pt fo) ela0in1 the e9ecution of 8u1(ent. This 6as in connection 6ith he) failu)e o))efusal to su))ene) the th)ee (oto) 'ehicles assi1ne to the Di'ision of Cit0 Schools to the

custo0 of the she)iff. Petitione) ,b)acia* assiste b0 M). Rica)o Na1pacan of the Di'ision of

Cit0 Schools* appea)e u)in1 the hea)in1 but )e


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6as petitione) ,b)acia he)self 6ho i(pose the conition that )esponent Santia1o shoul

6ith)a6 he) (otion fo) conte(pt in e9chan1e fo) he) p)o(ise to su))ene) the sub8ect 'ehicles.

Thus* petitione) ,b)acias clai( that she 6as coe)ce into su))ene)in1 the 'ehicles ha no basis.

E'en assu(in1 e9 1)atia a)1u(enti that the)e inee e9iste ce)tain le1al infi)(ities in connection

6ith the assaile o)e)s of 4u1e ,lla)e* still* consie)in1 the totalit0 of ci)cu(stances of thiscase* the nullification of the conteste o)e)s 6oul be 6a0 out of line. -o) ;# lon1 0ea)s* sta)tin1

#+; 6hen this cont)o'e)s0 sta)te up to #++= 6hen he) clai( 6as full0 pai out of the 1a)nishe

funs of the Cit0 of Caloocan* )esponent Santia1o 6as c)uell0 an un8ustl0 ep)i'e of 6hat 6as

ue he). It 6oul be* at the 'e)0 least* (e)ciless an unch)istian to (a3e p)i'ate )esponent )efun

the Cit0 of Caloocan the a(ount al)ea0 pai to he)* onl0 to fo)ce he) to 1o th)ou1h the sa(e

ni1ht(a)e all o'e) a1ain.

,t an0 )ate* of pa)a(ount i(po)tance to us is that 8ustice has been se)'e. No )i1ht of the public

6as 'iolate an public inte)est 6as p)ese)'e.

-inall0* 6e cannot si(pl0 pass o'e) in silence the eplo)able act of the fo)(e) Ma0o) of Caloocan

Cit0 in )efusin1 to si1n the chec3 in pa0(ent of the Cit0s obli1ation to p)i'ate )esponent. It 6as

an open efiance of 8uicial p)ocesses* s(ac3in1 of political a))o1ance* an a i)ect 'iolation of

the 'e)0 o)inance he hi(self app)o'e. Ou) Resolution in G.R. No. +$=&&* Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of

Caloocan 's. Cou)t of ,ppeals* et al.* ate Ma0 #&* #++#* is(issin1 the petition of the Cit0 of

Caloocan assailin1 the issuance of a 6)it of e9ecution b0 the t)ial cou)t* al)ea0 )esol'e 6ith

finalit0 all i(pei(ents to the e9ecution of 8u1(ent in this case. et* the Cit0 Go'e)n(ent of

Caloocan* in a blatant ispla0 of (alice an ba faith* )efuse to co(pl0 6ith the ecision. No6*

it has the te(e)it0 to co(e to this Cou)t once (o)e an continue inflictin1 in8ustice on a hapless

citiBen* as if all the ha)( an p)e8uice it has al)ea0 heape upon )esponent Santia1o a)e still

not enou1h.This Cou)t 6ill not conone the )epuiation of 8ust obli1ations cont)acte b0 (unicipal

co)po)ations. On the cont)a)0* 6e 6ill e9ten ou) ai an e'e)0 8uicial facilit0 to an0 citiBen in

the enfo)ce(ent of 8ust an 'ali clai(s a1ainst abusi'e local 1o'e)n(ent units.

7HERE-ORE* the petition is he)eb0 DISMISSED fo) utte) lac3 of (e)it. The assaile o)e)s of

the t)ial cou)t ate Octobe) #* #++;* Octobe) $* #++; an Ma0 * #++=* )especti'el0* a)e

,--IRMED.

Petitione)s an thei) counsels a)e he)eb0 6a)ne a1ainst filin1 an0 (o)e pleain1s in connection

6ith the issues al)ea0 )esol'e 6ith finalit0 he)ein an in )elate cases.

Costs a1ainst petitione)s.

SO ORDERED.


SUPREME COURT

Manila

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. #"+>%; -eb)ua)0 ;=* ;%##

,IR TR,NSPORT,TION O--ICE* Petitione)*


17/136


18/136

7HERE-ORE* the 8u1(ent is )ene)e ORDERING the efenant ,i) T)anspo)tation Office to

pa0 the plaintiffs D,VID an EISE, R,MOS the follo6in15 # The a(ount of P$*#"%.%%

bein1 the 'alue of the pa)cel of lan app)op)iate b0 the efenant ,TO as e(boie in the Dee

of Sale* plus an annual inte)est of #; f)o( ,u1ust ##* #++"* the ate of the Dee of Sale untilfull0 pai: ; The a(ount of P#"%*%%%.%% b0 6a0 of (o)al a(a1es an P#"%*%%%.%% as

e9e(pla)0 a(a1es: = the a(ount of P"%*%%%.%% b0 6a0 of atto)ne0s fees plus P#"*%%%.%%

)ep)esentin1 the #%* (o)e o) less* cou)t appea)ances of plaintiffs counsel: > The costs of this

suit.

SO ORDERED.

In ue cou)se* the ,TO appeale to the C,* 6hich affi)(e the RTCs ecision on Ma0 #>*

;%%=*" 'iB5

IN VIE7 O- , THE -OREGOING* the appeale ecision is he)eb0 ,--IRMED* 6ith

MODI-IC,TION that the a6a)e cost the)ein is elete* 6hile that of (o)al an e9e(pla)0

a(a1es is )euce to P=%*%%%.%% each* an atto)ne0s fees is lo6e)e to P#%*%%%.%%.

No cost.

SO ORDERED.

Hence* this appeal b0 petition fo) )e'ie6 on ce)tio)a)i.

Issue

The onl0 issue p)esente fo) )esolution is 6hethe) the ,TO coul be sue 6ithout the States

consent.

Rulin1

The petition fo) )e'ie6 has no (e)it.

The i((unit0 of the State f)o( suit* 3no6n also as the oct)ine of so'e)ei1n i((unit0 o) non!

suabilit0 of the State* is e9p)essl0 p)o'ie in ,)ticle QVI of the #+$ Constitution* 'iB5

Section =. The State (a0 not be sue 6ithout its consent.

The i((unit0 f)o( suit is base on the political t)uis( that the State* as a so'e)ei1n* can o no

6)on1. Mo)eo'e)* as the e(inent 4ustice Hol(es sai in /a6anana3oa '. Pol0blan35&

The te))ito)0 @of Ha6aiiA* of cou)se* coul 6ai'e its e9e(ption S(ith '. Ree'es* #$ US >=&* >> e ##>%* ;% Sup. Ct. Rep. +#+* an it too3 no ob8ection to the p)oceein1s in the cases cite if it


19/136

coul ha'e one so. 999 ut in the case at ba) it i ob8ect* an the +&* fol. "#b*

e. #"=+* fol. .

P)actical consie)ations ictate the establish(ent of an i((unit0 f)o( suit in fa'o) of the State.

Othe)6ise* an the State is suable at the instance of e'e)0 othe) ini'iual* 1o'e)n(ent se)'ice

(a0 be se'e)el0 obst)ucte an public safet0 enan1e)e because of the nu(be) of suits that the

State has to efen a1ainst.$ Se'e)al 8ustifications ha'e been offe)e to suppo)t the aoption of the

oct)ine in the Philippines* but that offe)e in P)o'ience 7ashin1ton Insu)ance Co. '. Republic

of the Philippines+ is Fthe (ost acceptable e9planation*F acco)in1 to -athe) e)nas* a )eco1niBe

co((entato) on Constitutional a6*#% to 6it5

@,A continue ahe)ence to the oct)ine of non!suabilit0 is not to be eplo)e fo) as a1ainst the

incon'enience that (a0 be cause p)i'ate pa)ties* the loss of 1o'e)n(ental efficienc0 an the

obstacle to the pe)fo)(ance of its (ultifa)ious functions a)e fa) 1)eate) if such a funa(ental

p)inciple 6e)e abanone an the a'ailabilit0 of 8uicial )e(e0 6e)e not thus )est)icte. 7ith the

6ell!3no6n p)opensit0 on the pa)t of ou) people to 1o to cou)t* at the least p)o'ocation* the loss ofti(e an ene)10 )e


20/136


21/136

o) p)i'ate co)po)ation o) entit0:

;" To ete)(ine* fi9* i(pose* collect an )ecei'e lanin1 fees* pa)3in1 space fees* )o0alties on

sales o) eli'e)ies* i)ect o) ini)ect* to an0 ai)c)aft fo) its use of a'iation 1asoline* oil an

lub)icants* spa)e pa)ts* accesso)ies an supplies* tools* othe) )o0alties* fees o) )entals fo) the use ofan0 of the p)ope)t0 une) its (ana1e(ent an cont)ol.

9 9 9

-)o( the fo)e1oin1* it can be seen that the C,, is tas3e 6ith p)i'ate o) non!1o'e)n(ental

functions 6hich ope)ate to )e(o'e it f)o( the pu)'ie6 of the )ule on State i((unit0 f)o( suit.

-o) the co))ect )ule as set fo)th in the Teoo)o case states5

9 9 9

Not all 1o'e)n(ent entities* 6hethe) co)po)ate o) non!co)po)ate* a)e i((une f)o( suits.

I((unit0 f)o( suits is ete)(ine b0 the cha)acte) of the ob8ects fo) 6hich the entit0 6as

o)1aniBe. The )ule is thus state in Co)pus 4u)is5

Suits a1ainst State a1encies 6ith )elation to (atte)s in 6hich the0 ha'e assu(e to act in p)i'ate

o) non!1o'e)n(ental capacit0* an 'a)ious suits a1ainst ce)tain co)po)ations c)eate b0 the state

fo) public pu)poses* but to en1a1e in (atte)s pa)ta3in1 (o)e of the natu)e of o)ina)0 business

)athe) than functions of a 1o'e)n(ental o) political cha)acte)* a)e not )e1a)e as suits a1ainst the

state. The latte) is t)ue* althou1h the state (a0 o6n stoc3 o) p)ope)t0 of such a co)po)ation fo) b0en1a1in1 in business ope)ations th)ou1h a co)po)ation* the state i'ests itself so fa) of its

so'e)ei1n cha)acte)* an b0 i(plication consents to suits a1ainst the co)po)ation. "+ C.4.* =#=

@National ,i)po)ts Co)po)ation '. Teoo)o* sup)a* pp. ;%&!;%: Italics supplie.A

This oct)ine has been )eaffi)(e in the )ecent case of Malon1 '. Philippine National Rail6a0s

@G.R. No. !>++=%* ,u1ust * #+$"* #=$ SCR, &=A* 6he)e it 6as hel that the Philippine National

Rail6a0s* althou1h o6ne an ope)ate b0 the 1o'e)n(ent* 6as not i((une f)o( suit as it oes

not e9e)cise so'e)ei1n but pu)el0 p)op)ieta)0 an business functions. ,cco)in1l0* as the C,,

6as c)eate to une)ta3e the (ana1e(ent of ai)po)t ope)ations 6hich p)i(a)il0 in'ol'e

p)op)ieta)0 functions* it cannot a'ail of the i((unit0 f)o( suit acco)e to 1o'e)n(ent a1encies

pe)fo)(in1 st)ictl0 1o'e)n(ental functions.#"

In ou) 'ie6* the C, the)eb0 co))ectl0 app)eciate the 8u)iical cha)acte) of the ,TO as an a1enc0

of the Go'e)n(ent not pe)fo)(in1 a pu)el0 1o'e)n(ental o) so'e)ei1n function* but 6as instea

in'ol'e in the (ana1e(ent an (aintenance of the oa3an ,i)po)t* an acti'it0 that 6as not the

e9clusi'e p)e)o1ati'e of the State in its so'e)ei1n capacit0. Hence* the ,TO ha no clai( to the

States i((unit0 f)o( suit. 7e uphol the C,s afo)e


22/136

p)ope) e9p)op)iation p)oceein1s bein1 fi)st )eso)te to of the plaintiffsp)ope)t0.#& Thus* in De

los Santos '. Inte)(eiate ,ppellate Cou)t*# the t)ial cou)ts is(issal base on the oct)ine of

non!suabilit0 of the State of t6o cases one of 6hich 6as fo) a(a1es file b0 o6ne)s of

p)ope)t0 6he)e a )oa + (ete)s 6ie an #;$.% (ete)s lon1 occup0in1 a total a)ea of #*#&"

s+* othe)6ise 3no6n as the Ci'il ,'iation

,utho)it0 ,ct of ;%%$.

R.,. No. +>+ abolishe the ,TO* to 6it5

Section >. C)eation of the ,utho)it0. The)e is he)eb0 c)eate an inepenent )e1ulato)0 bo0

6ith


23/136

offices of the ,TO a)e t)ansfe))e to the ,utho)it0. ,ll cont)acts* )eco)s an ocu(ents )elatin1

to the ope)ations of the abolishe a1enc0 an its offices an b)anches a)e li3e6ise t)ansfe))e to

the ,utho)it0. ,n0 )eal p)ope)t0 o6ne b0 the national 1o'e)n(ent o) 1o'e)n(ent!o6ne

co)po)ation o) autho)it0 6hich is bein1 use an utiliBe as office o) facilit0 b0 the ,TO shall be

t)ansfe))e an title in fa'o) of the ,utho)it0.

Section ;= of R.,. No. +>+ enu(e)ates the co)po)ate po6e)s 'este in the C,,P* incluin1 the

po6e) to sue an be sue* to ente) into cont)acts of e'e)0 class* 3in an esc)iption* to const)uct*

ac+* the obli1ations that

the ,TO ha incu))e b0 'i)tue of the ee of sale 6ith the Ra(os spouses (i1ht no6 be enfo)ce

a1ainst the C,,P.

7HERE-ORE* the Cou)t enies the petition fo) )e'ie6 on ce)tio)a)i* an affi)(s the ecision

p)o(ul1ate b0 the Cou)t of ,ppeals.

No p)onounce(ent on costs of suit.

SO ORDERED.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT

Manila

-IRST DIVISION

G.R. No. !";#+ ,p)il $* #++#

MUNICIP,IT O- S,N -ERN,NDO* , UNION* petitione)

's.

HON. 4UDGE ROMEO N. -IRME* 4U,N, RIM,NDO!,NI,* I,URE,NO ,NI,* 4R.*

SOR M,RIET, ,NI,* MONT,NO ,NI,* OR4, ,NI,* ,ND DI, R. ,NI,*

)esponents.

Mau)o C. Cabain1* 4). fo) petitione).

Si(eon G. Hipol fo) p)i'ate )esponent.

MEDI,DE,* 4.5

This is a petition fo) ce)tio)a)i 6ith p)a0e) fo) the issuance of a 6)it of p)eli(ina)0 (anato)0


24/136


25/136

# O)e) ate No'e(be) >* #+" is(issin1 the c)oss!clai( a1ainst e)na)o ala1ot:

; O)e) ate 4ul0 #=* #+& a(ittin1 the ,(ene ,ns6e) of the Municipalit0 of San

-e)nano* a Union an isli1 an settin1 the hea)in1 on the affi)(ati'e efenses onl0 6ith)espect to the suppose lac3 of 8u)isiction:

= O)e) ate ,u1ust ;=* #+& efe))in1 the)e )esolution of the 1)ouns fo) the Motion to

Dis(iss until the t)ial:

> O)e) ate -eb)ua)0 ;=* #+ en0in1 the (otion fo) )econsie)ation of the o)e) of 4ul0

#=* #+& file b0 the Municipalit0 an isli1 fo) ha'in1 been file out of ti(e:

" O)e) ate Ma)ch #&* #+ )eite)atin1 the enial of the (otion fo) )econsie)ation of the

o)e) of 4ul0 #=* #+&:

& O)e) ate 4ul0 ;&* #++ ecla)in1 the case ee(e sub(itte fo) ecision it appea)in1 that

pa)ties ha'e not 0et sub(itte thei) )especti'e (e(o)ana espite the cou)t?s i)ection: an

O)e) ate Septe(be) * #++ en0in1 the petitione)?s (otion fo) )econsie)ation ano)

o)e) to )ecall p)osecution 6itnesses fo) c)oss e9a(ination.

On Octobe) #%* #++ the t)ial cou)t )ene)e a ecision* the ispositi'e po)tion is he)eune)


26/136

such shoul be ele'ate to a hi1he) cou)t in acco)ance 6ith the Rules of Cou)t. Hence* this

petition.

Petitione) (aintains that the )esponent 8u1e co((itte 1)a'e abuse of isc)etion a(ountin1 to

e9cess of 8u)isiction in issuin1 the afo)esai o)e)s an in )ene)in1 a ecision. -u)the)(o)e*petitione) asse)ts that 6hile appeal of the ecision (a0be a'ailable* the sa(e is not the spee0 an

ae


27/136

to a counte)clai(. Ibi

Municipal co)po)ations* fo) e9a(ple* li3e p)o'inces an cities* a)e a1encies of the State 6hen the0

a)e en1a1e in 1o'e)n(ental functions an the)efo)e shoul en8o0 the so'e)ei1n i((unit0 f)o(

suit. Ne'e)theless* the0 a)e sub8ect to suit e'en in the pe)fo)(ance of such functions because thei)cha)te) p)o'ie that the0 can sue an be sue. C)uB* Philippine Political a6* #+$ Eition* p.

=+

, istinction shoul fi)st be (ae bet6een suabilit0 an liabilit0. FSuabilit0 epens on the

consent of the state to be sue* liabilit0 on the applicable la6 an the establishe facts. The

ci)cu(stance that a state is suable oes not necessa)il0 (ean that it is liable: on the othe) han* it

can ne'e) be hel liable if it oes not fi)st consent to be sue. iabilit0 is not concee b0 the

(e)e fact that the state has allo6e itself to be sue. 7hen the state oes 6ai'e its so'e)ei1n

i((unit0* it is onl0 1i'in1 the plaintiff the chance to p)o'e* if it can* that the efenant is liable.F

Unite States of ,(e)ica 's. Guinto* sup)a* p. &"+!&&%

,nent the issue of 6hethe) o) not the (unicipalit0 is liable fo) the to)ts co((itte b0 its

e(plo0ee* the test of liabilit0 of the (unicipalit0 epens on 6hethe) o) not the )i'e)* actin1 in

behalf of the (unicipalit0* is pe)fo)(in1 1o'e)n(ental o) p)op)ieta)0 functions. ,s e(phasiBe in

the case of To)io 's. -ontanilla G. R. No. !;+++=* Octobe) ;=* #+$. $" SCR, "++* &%&* the

istinction of po6e)s beco(es i(po)tant fo) pu)poses of ete)(inin1 the liabilit0 of the

(unicipalit0 fo) the acts of its a1ents 6hich )esult in an in8u)0 to thi) pe)sons.

,nothe) state(ent of the test is 1i'en in Cit0 of /o3o(o 's. o0* ecie b0 the Sup)e(e Cou)tof Iniana in #+#&* thus5

Municipal co)po)ations e9ist in a ual capacit0* an thei) functions a)e t6ofol. In one the0

e9e)cise the )i1ht sp)in1in1 f)o( so'e)ei1nt0* an 6hile in the pe)fo)(ance of the uties

pe)tainin1 the)eto* thei) acts a)e political an 1o'e)n(ental. Thei) office)s an a1ents in such

capacit0* thou1h electe o) appointe b0 the(* a)e ne'e)theless public functiona)ies pe)fo)(in1 a

public se)'ice* an as such the0 a)e office)s* a1ents* an se)'ants of the state. In the othe) capacit0

the (unicipalities e9e)cise a p)i'ate* p)op)ieta)0 o) co)po)ate )i1ht* a)isin1 f)o( thei) e9istence as

le1al pe)sons an not as public a1encies. Thei) office)s an a1ents in the pe)fo)(ance of such

functions act in behalf of the (unicipalities in thei) co)po)ate o) ini'iual capacit0* an not fo)

the state o) so'e)ei1n po6e).F ##; N.E.* ++>!++" Ibi* pp. &%"!&%&.

It has al)ea0 been )e(a)3e that (unicipal co)po)ations a)e suable because thei) cha)te)s 1)ant

the( the co(petence to sue an be sue. Ne'e)theless* the0 a)e 1ene)all0 not liable fo) to)ts

co((itte b0 the( in the ischa)1e of 1o'e)n(ental functions an can be hel ans6e)able onl0 if

it can be sho6n that the0 6e)e actin1 in a p)op)ieta)0 capacit0. In pe)(ittin1 such entities to be

sue* the State (e)el0 1i'es the clai(ant the )i1ht to sho6 that the efenant 6as not actin1 in its

1o'e)n(ental capacit0 6hen the in8u)0 6as co((itte o) that the case co(es une) the e9ceptions

)eco1niBe b0 la6. -ailin1 this* the clai(ant cannot )eco'e). C)uB* sup)a* p. >>.


28/136

In the case at ba)* the )i'e) of the u(p t)uc3 of the (unicipalit0 insists that Fhe 6as on his 6a0

to the Na1uilian )i'e) to 1et a loa of san an 1)a'el fo) the )epai) of San -e)nano?s (unicipal

st)eets.F Rollo* p. ;+.

In the absence of an0 e'ience to the cont)a)0* the )e1ula)it0 of the pe)fo)(ance of official ut0 isp)esu(e pu)suant to Section =( of Rule #=# of the Re'ise Rules of Cou)t. Hence* 7e )ule

that the )i'e) of the u(p t)uc3 6as pe)fo)(in1 uties o) tas3s pe)tainin1 to his office.

7e al)ea0 st)esse in the case of Palafo9* et. al. 's. P)o'ince of Ilocos No)te* the Dist)ict

En1inee)* an the P)o'incial T)easu)e) #%; Phil ##$& that Fthe const)uction o) (aintenance of

)oas in 6hich the t)uc3 an the )i'e) 6o)3e at the ti(e of the accient a)e a(ittel0

1o'e)n(ental acti'ities.F

,fte) a ca)eful e9a(ination of e9istin1 la6s an 8u)isp)uence* 7e a))i'e at the conclusion that

the (unicipalit0 cannot be hel liable fo) the to)ts co((itte b0 its )e1ula) e(plo0ee* 6ho 6as

then en1a1e in the ischa)1e of 1o'e)n(ental functions. Hence* the eath of the passen1e)

t)a1ic an eplo)able thou1h it (a0 bei(pose on the (unicipalit0 no ut0 to pa0 (oneta)0

co(pensation.

,ll p)e(ises consie)e* the Cou)t is con'ince that the )esponent 8u1e?s e)eliction in failin1 to

)esol'e the issue of non!suabilit0 i not a(ount to 1)a'e abuse of isc)etion. ut sai 8u1e

e9ceee his 8u)isiction 6hen it )ule on the issue of liabilit0.

,CCORDING* the petition is GR,NTED an the ecision of the )esponent cou)t is he)eb0(oifie* absol'in1 the petitione) (unicipalit0 of an0 liabilit0 in fa'o) of p)i'ate )esponents.

SO ORDERED.


SUPREME COURT

Manila

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. Nos. $+$+$!++ Octobe) #* #++%

MUNICIP,IT O- M,/,TI* petitione)*

's.

THE HONOR,E COURT O- ,PPE,S* HON. S,V,DOR P. DE GUM,N* 4R.* as 4u1e

RTC of Ma3ati* )anch CQII ,DMIR, -IN,NCE CREDITORS CONSORTIUM* INC.* anSHERI-- SIVINO R. P,STR,N,* )esponents.


29/136

Defante 2 Ele1ao fo) petitione).

Robe)to . u1ue fo) p)i'ate )esponent ,(i)al -inance C)eito)s? Conso)tiu(* Inc.

R E S O U T I O N

CORTWS* 4.5

The p)esent petition fo) )e'ie6 is an off!shoot of e9p)op)iation p)oceein1s initiate b0 petitione)

Municipalit0 of Ma3ati a1ainst p)i'ate )esponent ,(i)al -inance C)eito)s Conso)tiu(* Inc.*

Ho(e uilin1 S0ste( 2 Realt0 Co)po)ation an one ,)celi P. 4o* in'ol'in1 a pa)cel of lan an

i(p)o'e(ents the)eon locate at Ma0apis St.* San ,ntonio Villa1e* Ma3ati an )e1iste)e in the

na(e of ,)celi P. 4o une) TCT No. S!">++.

It appea)s that the action fo) e(inent o(ain 6as file on Ma0 ;%* #+$&* oc3ete as Ci'il Case

No. #=&++. ,ttache to petitione)?s co(plaint 6as a ce)tification that a ban3 account ,ccount No.

S, ;&"!"=#">!= ha been opene 6ith the PN uenia )anch une) petitione)?s na(e

containin1 the su( of P>#*"#%.%%* (ae pu)suant to the p)o'isions of P)es. Dec)ee No. >;. ,fte)

ue hea)in1 6he)e the pa)ties p)esente thei) )especti'e app)aisal )epo)ts )e1a)in1 the 'alue of

the p)ope)t0* )esponent RTC 8u1e )ene)e a ecision on 4une >* #+$* fi9in1 the app)aise

'alue of the p)ope)t0 at P"*;+#*&&&.%%* an o)e)in1 petitione) to pa0 this a(ount (inus thea'ance pa0(ent of P==$*#&%.%% 6hich 6as ea)lie) )elease to p)i'ate )esponent.

,fte) this ecision beca(e final an e9ecuto)0* p)i'ate )esponent (o'e fo) the issuance of a

6)it of e9ecution. This (otion 6as 1)ante b0 )esponent RTC 8u1e. ,fte) issuance of the 6)it of

e9ecution* a Notice of Ga)nish(ent ate 4anua)0 #>* #+$$ 6as se)'e b0 )esponent she)iff

Sil'ino R. Past)ana upon the (ana1e) of the PN uenia )anch. Ho6e'e)* )esponent she)iff

6as info)(e that a Fhol coeF 6as place on the account of petitione). ,s a )esult of this* p)i'ate

)esponent file a (otion ate 4anua)0 ;* #+$$ p)a0in1 that an o)e) be issue i)ectin1 the

ban3 to eli'e) to )esponent she)iff the a(ount e


30/136

)anch to )e'eal the a(ount in petitione)?s account 6hich 6as 1a)nishe b0 )esponent she)iff. In

co(pliance 6ith this o)e)* PS file a (anifestation info)(in1 the cou)t that it ha consoliate

its o6ne)ship o'e) the p)ope)t0 as (o)t1a1eepu)chase) at an e9t)a8uicial fo)eclosu)e sale hel on

,p)il ;%* #+$. ,fte) se'e)al confe)ences* PS an p)i'ate )esponent ente)e into a co(p)o(ise

a1)ee(ent 6he)eb0 the0 a1)ee to i'ie bet6een the(sel'es the co(pensation ue f)o( thee9p)op)iation p)oceein1s.

Responent t)ial 8u1e subse* #+$* f)o( the 1a)nishe account of petitione):

an* = o)e)e PS an p)i'ate )esponent to e9ecute the necessa)0 ee of con'e0ance o'e) the

sub8ect p)ope)t0 in fa'o) of petitione). Petitione)?s (otion to lift the 1a)nish(ent 6as enie.

Petitione) file a (otion fo) )econsie)ation* 6hich 6as ul0 oppose b0 p)i'ate )esponent. On

the othe) han* fo) failu)e of the (ana1e) of the PN uenia )anch to co(pl0 6ith the o)e)

ate Septe(be) $* #+$$* p)i'ate )esponent file t6o succeein1 (otions to )e!=*

an affi)(e his autho)it0 to le'0 on such funs.

Its (otion fo) )econsie)ation ha'in1 been enie b0 the Cou)t of ,ppeals* petitione) no6 files the

p)esent petition fo) )e'ie6 6ith p)a0e) fo) p)eli(ina)0 in8unction.

On No'e(be) ;%* #+$+* the Cou)t )esol'e to issue a te(po)a)0 )est)ainin1 o)e) en8oinin1


31/136

)esponent RTC 8u1e* )esponent she)iff* an thei) )ep)esentati'es* f)o( enfo)cin1 ano)

ca))0in1 out the RTC o)e) ate Dece(be) ;#* #+$$ an the 6)it of 1a)nish(ent issue pu)suant

the)eto. P)i'ate )esponent then file its co((ent to the petition* 6hile petitione) file its )epl0.

Petitione) not onl0 )eite)ates the a)1u(ents auce in its petition befo)e the Cou)t of ,ppeals* butalso alle1es fo) the fi)st ti(e that it has actuall0 t6o accounts 6ith the PN uenia )anch* to

6it5

999 999 999

# ,ccount No. S, ;&"!"=#">!=e9clusi'el0 fo) the e9p)op)iation of the sub8ect p)ope)t0*

6ith an outstanin1 balance of P++*>=.+>.

; ,ccount No. S, ;&=!"=%$"%! fo) statuto)0 obli1ations an othe) pu)poses of the

(unicipal 1o'e)n(ent* 6ith a balance of P#%*%+$*>;#.;* as of 4ul0 #;* #+$+.

999 999 999

@Petition* pp. &!: Rollo* pp. ##!#;.A

ecause the petitione) has belatel0 alle1e onl0 in this Cou)t the e9istence of t6o ban3 accounts*

it (a0 fai)l0 be as3e 6hethe) the secon account 6as opene onl0 fo) the pu)pose of

une)(inin1 the le1al basis of the assaile o)e)s of )esponent RTC 8u1e an the ecision of the

Cou)t of ,ppeals* an st)en1thenin1 its )eliance on the oct)ine that public funs a)e e9e(ptef)o( 1a)nish(ent o) e9ecution as enunciate in Republic '. Palacio @sup)a.A ,t an0 )ate* the Cou)t

6ill 1i'e petitione) the benefit of the oubt* an p)ocee to )esol'e the p)incipal issues p)esente

base on the factual ci)cu(stances thus alle1e b0 petitione).

,(ittin1 that its PN ,ccount No. S, ;&"!"=#">!= 6as specificall0 opene fo) e9p)op)iation

p)oceein1s it ha initiate o'e) the sub8ect p)ope)t0* petitione) poses no ob8ection to the

1a)nish(ent o) the le'0 une) e9ecution of the funs eposite the)ein a(ountin1 to P++*>=.+>.

Ho6e'e)* it is petitione)?s (ain contention that inas(uch as the assaile o)e)s of )esponent RTC

8u1e in'ol'e the net a(ount of P>*+&"*"%&.>"* the funs 1a)nishe b0 )esponent she)iff in

e9cess of P++*>=.+>* 6hich a)e public funs ea)(a)3e fo) the (unicipal 1o'e)n(ent?s othe)

statuto)0 obli1ations* a)e e9e(pte f)o( e9ecution 6ithout the p)ope) app)op)iation )e


32/136

f)o( ta9es* licenses an (a)3et fees* an 6hich a)e intene p)i(a)il0 an e9clusi'el0 fo) the

pu)pose of financin1 the 1o'e)n(ental acti'ities an functions of the (unicipalit0* a)e e9e(pt

f)o( e9ecution @See Viua De Tan Toco '. The Municipal Council of Iloilo* >+ Phil. "; #+;&5

The Municipalit0 of Paoa0* Ilocos No)te '. Manaois* $& Phil. &;+ #+"%: Municipalit0 of San

Mi1uel* ulacan '. -e)naneB* G.R. No. >>* 4une ;"* #+$>* #=% SCR, "&A. The fo)e1oin1 )ulefins application in the case at ba). ,bsent a sho6in1 that the (unicipal council of Ma3ati has

passe an o)inance app)op)iatin1 f)o( its public funs an a(ount co))esponin1 to the balance

ue une) the RTC ecision ate 4une >* #+$* less the su( of P++*>=.+> eposite in ,ccount

No. S, ;&"!"=#">!=* no le'0 une) e9ecution (a0 be 'alil0 effecte on the public funs of

petitione) eposite in ,ccount No. S, ;&=!"=%$"%!.

Ne'e)theless* this is not to sa0 that p)i'ate )esponent an PS a)e left 6ith no le1al )ecou)se.

7he)e a (unicipalit0 fails o) )efuses* 6ithout 8ustifiable )eason* to effect pa0(ent of a final

(one0 8u1(ent )ene)e a1ainst it* the clai(ant (a0 a'ail of the )e(e0 of (ana(us in o)e)

to co(pel the enact(ent an app)o'al of the necessa)0 app)op)iation o)inance* an the

co))esponin1 isbu)se(ent of (unicipal funs the)efo) @See Viua De Tan Toco '. The

Municipal Council of Iloilo* sup)a: ali'ia '. ota* #% Phil. #%++ #+&%: u'ien1co '.

GonBales* #%$ Phil. ;> #+&%A.

In the case at ba)* the 'aliit0 of the RTC ecision ate 4une >* #+$ is not ispute b0 petitione).

No appeal 6as ta3en the)ef)o(. -o) th)ee 0ea)s no6* petitione) has en8o0e possession an use of

the sub8ect p)ope)t0 not6ithstanin1 its ine9cusable failu)e to co(pl0 6ith its le1al obli1ation to

pa0 8ust co(pensation. Petitione) has benefite f)o( its possession of the p)ope)t0 since the sa(e

has been the site of Ma3ati 7est Hi1h School since the school 0ea) #+$&!#+$. This Cou)t 6ill notconone petitione)?s blatant )efusal to settle its le1al obli1ation a)isin1 f)o( e9p)op)iation

p)oceein1s it ha in fact initiate. It cannot be o'e)!e(phasiBe that* 6ithin the conte9t of the

State?s inhe)ent po6e) of e(inent o(ain*

. . . @8Aust co(pensation (eans not onl0 the co))ect ete)(ination of the a(ount to be pai to the

o6ne) of the lan but also the pa0(ent of the lan 6ithin a )easonable ti(e f)o( its ta3in1.

7ithout p)o(pt pa0(ent* co(pensation cannot be consie)e F8ustF fo) the p)ope)t0 o6ne) is

(ae to suffe) the conse%=*

,u1ust ;* #+$* #"= SCR, ;+#A.

The State?s po6e) of e(inent o(ain shoul be e9e)cise 6ithin the bouns of fai) pla0 an

8ustice. In the case at ba)* consie)in1 that 'aluable p)ope)t0 has been ta3en* the co(pensation to

be pai fi9e an the (unicipalit0 is in full possession an utiliBin1 the p)ope)t0 fo) public

pu)pose* fo) th)ee = 0ea)s* the Cou)t fins that the (unicipalit0 has ha (o)e than )easonable

ti(e to pa0 full co(pensation.

7HERE-ORE* the Cou)t Resol'e to ORDER petitione) Municipalit0 of Ma3ati to i((eiatel0


33/136

pa0 Philippine Sa'in1s an3* Inc. an p)i'ate )esponent the a(ount of P>*+"=*"%&.>". Petitione)

is he)eb0 )e&+=% 4une #%* #+$$

D,E S,NDERS* ,ND ,.S. MORE,U* 4R* petitione)s*

's.

HON. REGINO T. VERIDI,NO II* as P)esiin1 4u1e* )anch I* Cou)t of -i)st Instance of

a(bales* Olon1apo Cit0* ,NTHON M. ROSSI an R,PH . 7ERS* )esponents.

CRU* 4.5

The basic issue to be )esol'e in this case is 6hethe) o) not the petitione)s 6e)e pe)fo)(in1 thei)

official uties 6hen the0 i the acts fo) 6hich the0 ha'e been sue fo) a(a1es b0 the p)i'ate

)esponents. Once this


34/136

pe)tinent )ules an )e1ulations of the U.S. Depa)t(ent of Defense. The )esult 6as a

)eco((enation f)o( the hea)in1 office) 6ho conucte the p)oceein1s fo) the )einstate(ent of

the p)i'ate )esponents to pe)(anent full!ti(e status plus bac36a1es. The )epo)t on the hea)in1

containe the obse)'ation that FSpecial Se)'ices (ana1e(ent p)actices an autoc)atic fo)( of

supe)'ision.F

In a lette) a)esse to petitione) Mo)eau on Ma0 #* #+& ,nne9 F,F of the co(plaint* Sane)s

isa1)ee 6ith the hea)in1 office)?s )epo)t an as3e fo) the )e8ection of the abo'estate

)eco((enation. The lette) containe the state(ents that5 a FM). Rossi tens to alienate (ost co!

6o)3e)s an supe)'iso)s:F b FMess)s. Rossi an 70e)s ha'e p)o'en* acco)in1 to thei) i((eiate

supe)'iso)s* to be ifficult e(plo0ees to supe)'ise:F an c Fe'en thou1h the 1)ie'ants 6e)e une)

oath not to iscuss the case 6ith an0one* the0 place the )eco)s in public places 6he)e othe)s

not in'ol'e in the case coul hea).F

On No'e(be) * #+"* befo)e the sta)t of the 1)ie'ance hea)in1s* a!lette) ,nne9 FF of the

co(plaint pu)po)tel0 co)nin1 f)o( petitione) Mo)eau as the co((anin1 1ene)al of the U.S.

Na'al Station in Subic a0 6as sent to the Chief of Na'al Pe)sonnel e9plainin1 the chan1e of the

p)i'ate )esponent?s e(plo0(ent status an )e


35/136

This petition fo) ce)tio)a)i* p)ohibition an p)eli(ina)0 in8unction 6as the)eafte) file befo)e this

Cou)t* on the contention that the abo'e!na))ate acts of the )esponent cou)t a)e tainte 6ith 1)a'e

abuse of isc)etion a(ountin1 to lac3 of 8u)isiction.

7e )etu)n no6 to the basic


36/136

It is abunantl0 clea) in the p)esent case that the acts fo) 6hich the petitione)s a)e bein1 calle to

account 6e)e pe)fo)(e b0 the( in the ischa)1e of thei) official uties. Sane)s* as i)ecto) of

the special se)'ices epa)t(ent of N,VST,* unoubtel0 ha supe)'ision o'e) its pe)sonnel*

incluin1 the p)i'ate )esponents* an ha a han in thei) e(plo0(ent* 6o)3 assi1n(ents*iscipline* is(issal an othe) )elate (atte)s. It is not ispute that the lette) he ha 6)itten 6as

in fact a )epl0 to a )e


37/136

,ll this is not to sa0 that in no case (a0 a public office) be sue as such 6ithout the p)e'ious

consent of the state. To be su)e* the)e a)e a nu(be) of 6ell!)eco1niBe e9ceptions. It is clea) that a

public office) (a0 be sue as such to co(pel hi( to o an act )e This* to*

is 6ell settle . ;" -u)the)(o)e* appl0in1 no6 ou) o6n penal la6s* the lette)s co(e une) the

concept of p)i'ile1e co((unications an a)e not punishable* ;& let alone the fact that the

)esente )e(a)3s a)e not efa(ato)0 b0 ou) stana)s. It see(s the p)i'ate )esponents ha'e

o'e)state thei) case.

, final consie)ation is that since the


38/136

7hile these ecisions o ha'e pe)suasi'e effect upon us* the0 can at best be in'o3e onl0 to

suppo)t ou) o6n 8u)isp)uence* 6hich 6e ha'e e'elope an en)iche on the basis of ou) o6n

pe)suasions as a people* pa)ticula)l0 since 6e beca(e inepenent in #+>&.

7e app)eciate the assistance fo)ei1n ecisions offe) us* an not onl0 f)o( the Unite States butalso f)o( Spain an othe) count)ies f)o( 6hich 6e ha'e e)i'e so(e if not (ost of ou) o6n

la6s. ut 6e shoul not place unue an fa6nin1 )eliance upon the( an )e1a) the( as

inispensable (ental c)utches 6ithout 6hich 6e cannot co(e to ou) o6n ecisions th)ou1h the

e(plo0(ent of ou) o6n eno6(ents 7e li'e in a iffe)ent a(bience an (ust ecie ou) o6n

p)oble(s in the li1ht of ou) o6n inte)ests an nees* an of ou) &% Ma)ch #+* #++=

REPUIC O- THE PHIIPPINES* GEN. R,MON MONT,NO* GEN. ,-REDO IM* GEN.

,EQ,NDER ,GUIRRE* CO. EDG,R DU, TORRES* CO. CE,R N,,RENO* M,4.

-IEMON G,SMEN* P,T. NIC,NOR ,,NDO* P-C SER,-IN CEU* 4R.* GEN. RIGIDO

P,REDES* CO. ROGEIO MON-ORTE* P-C ,NTONIO UCERO* P,T. 4OSE MENDIO,*

P,T. NESON TU,SON* POICE CORPOR, P,N-IO ROGOS* POICE T. 4U,N .

ETR,N* P,T. NOE M,N,G,O* M,RINE THIRD C,SS TR,INEE =CT NOITONOG,TO* =CT ,E4,NDRO . N,GUIO* 4R.* E-REN ,RCI,S* =CT ,GERICO UN,*


39/136

=CT ,SIIO OR4,* =CT M,NOITO USPO* =CT CRISTITUTO GERV,CIO* =CT

M,NUE DE, CRU* 4R.* M,RINE CDC N.* CIVI DISTUR,NCE CONTRO*

MOIE DISPERS, TE,M MDT* T. ROMEO P,XUINTO* T. ,ONG,,NG GOCE*

M,4. DEMETRIO DE , CRU* POICE C,PT,IN RODO-O N,V,* 4OHN DOE*

RICH,RD DOE* ROERTO DOE ,ND OTHER DOES* petitione)s*'s.

HON. EDIERTO G. S,NDOV,* Re1ional T)ial Cou)t of Manila* )anch IQ* ERIND, C.

C,,O* ,N,T,I, ,NGEES PERE* MRN, ,UTIST,* CIPRI,N, EV,NGEIO*

EM, GR,MP,* ,MEI, GUTIERRE* NEMESIO ,/IND,NUM* PURIT, UMU*

MIGUE ,R,E* TERESIT, ,R4ON,* RON,DO C,MPOM,NES ,ND C,RMENCIT,

,RDONI VD,. DE C,MPOM,NES* ROGEIO DOMUNICO* in thei) capacit0 as hei)s of the

ecease ROERTO C. C,,O* SONN FOF PERE* DIONESIO ,UTIST,* D,NTE

EV,NGEIO* ,DE-, ,RIE* D,NIO ,R4ON,* VICENTE C,MPOM,NES* RONIO

DOMUNICO )especti'el0: an na(es of si9t0!t6o in8u)e 'icti(s EDDIE ,GUIN,DO*

-EICISIMO ,,SI,* N,POEON ,UTIST,* D,NIO CRU* EDDIE MENSO,*

,ERT PIT,O* VICENTE ROSE* RUEN C,RRIEDO* 4O CRU* HONORIO

,,M,* 4R.* E-REN M,C,R,IG* SOOMON M,N,OTO* ROMEO DUR,N* NIO

T,GU,T* 4UN C,RSE,R* 4OE CEMENTE* GER,RDO COOC,* UISITO D,CO*

EN4,MIN DE, CRU* ,RTHUR -ONT,NI,* 7ISON G,RCI,* C,ROS SIR,*

4OSE PERR,S* TOM,S V,OS* ,RNOD EN,4E* M,RI,NIT, DIM,PIIS*

-R,NCISCO ,NGEES* M,RCEO ESGUERR,* 4OSE -ERRER* RODE DE GUI,* EVIS

MENDO,* VICTORI,NO XUI4,NO* 4OE ,DIME* RESIENO ,DU* ,ERTO

T,RSON,* C,ROS ,C,NT,R,* M,MERTO ,I,S* EMEITO ,MONTE* ENID,

,ONUEVO* EMM, ,,DIO* REN,DO C,,ES* 4R.* 4,IME C,DETO*-,I,N C,NTEE4O* RODRIGO C,R,,R,* ENRIXUE DEG,DO* 4UN DEOS

S,NTOS* M,RIO DEM,S,C,* -R,NCISCO GON,ES* ERNESTO GON,ES*

R,MIRO 4,MI* 4U,N UCEN,* PERITO S,,S,* 4OHNN S,NTOS* M,RCEO

S,NTOS* EMI S,,O* ,,NI UM,I* REMIGIO M,H,IN* ONG M,NUO*

,RM,NDO M,TIENO* C,RO MEDIN,* ITO NOVEN,RIO* an ROSE, RO,E*

)esponents.

G.R. No. $>&>" Ma)ch #+* #++=

ERIND, C. C,,O* ,N,T,I, ,NGEES PERE* MRN, ,UTIST,* CIPRI,N,

EV,NGEIO* EM, GR,MP,* ,MEI, GUTIERRE* NEMESIO ,/IND,NUM* PURIT,

UMU* MIGUE ,R,E* TERESIT, ,R4ON,* RON,DO C,MPOM,NES ,ND

C,RMENCIT, ,RDONI VD,. DE C,MPOM,NES* ROGEIO DOMUNICO* in thei)

capacit0 as hei)s of the ecease ROERTO C. C,,O* SONN FOF PERE* DIONESIO

GR,MP,* ,NGEITO GUTIERRE* ERN,E ,/IND,NUM* ROERTO UMU*

EOPODO ,ONO* ,DE-, ,RIE* D,NIO ,R4ON,* VICENTE C,MPOM,NES*

RONIO DOMUNICO )especti'el0: an na(es of si9t0!t6o in8u)e 'icti(s EDDIE

,GUIN,DO* -EICISIMO ,,SI,* N,POEON ,UTIST,* D,NIO CRU* EDDIE

MENSO,* ,ERT PIT,O* VICENTE ROSE* RUEN C,RRIEDO* 4O CRU*HONORIO ,,M,* 4R. E-REN M,C,R,IG* SOOMON M,N,OTO* ROMEO


40/136

DUR,N* NIO T,GU,T* 4UN C,RSE,R* 4OE CEMENTE* GER,RDO COOC,*

UISITO D,CO* EN4,MIN DE, CRU* ,RTHUR -ONT,NI,* 7ISON G,RCI,*

C,ROS SIR,* 4OSE PERR,S TOM,S V,OS* ,RNOD EN,4E* M,RI,NIT,

DIM,PIIS* -R,NCISCO ,NGEES* M,RCEO ESGUERR,* 4OSE -ERRER* RODE DE

GUI,* EVIS MENDO,* VICTORINO XUI4,NO* 4OE ,DIME* RESIENO ,DU*,ERTO T,RSON,* C,ROS ,C,NT,R,* M,MERTO ,I,S* EMEITO ,MONTE*

ENID, ,ONUEVO* EMM, ,,DIO* REN,DO C,,ES* 4R.* 4,IME

C,DETO* -,I,N C,NTEE4O* RODRIGO C,R,,R,* ENRIXUE DEG,DO* 4UN

DEOS S,NTOS* M,RIO DEM,S,C,* -R,NCISCO GON,ES* ERNESTO GON,ES*

R,MIRO 4,MI* 4U,N UCEN,* PERITO S,,S,* 4OHNN S,NTOS* M,RCEO

S,NTOS* EMI S,,O* ,,NI UM,I* REMIGIO M,H,IN* ONG M,NUO*

,RM,NDO M,TIENO* C,RO MEDIN,* ITO NOVEN,RIO* ROSE, RO,E*

petitione)s*

's.

REPUIC O- THE PHIIPPINES* an HONOR,E EDIERTO G. S,NDOV,*

Re1ional T)ial Cou)t of Manila* )anch +* )esponents.

The Solicito) Gene)al fo) the Republic of the Philippines.

St)uctu)al ,lte)nati'e e1al ,ssistance fo) G)ass)oots fo) petitione)s in $>&>" 2 p)i'ate

)esponents in $>&%.

C,MPOS* 4R.* 4.5

People (a0 ha'e al)ea0 fo)1otten the t)a1e0 that t)anspi)e on 4anua)0 ;;* #+$. It is =="#.

Petitione)* the Republic of the Philippines* th)ou1h a si(ila) )e(e0* oc3ete as G.R. No. $>&%*

see3s to set asie the O)e) of )esponent 4u1e ate Ma0 =#* #+$$* in Ci'il Case No. $$!>=="#

entitle FE)lina Ca0lao* et al. 's. Republic of the Philippines* et al.F

The pe)tinent po)tion of the


41/136

7ith )espect ho6e'e) to the othe) efenants* the i(pleae Milita)0 Office)s* since the0 a)e

bein1 cha)1e in thei) pe)sonal an official capacit0* an holin1 the( liable* if at all* 6oul not

)esult in financial )esponsibilit0 of the 1o'e)n(ent* the p)inciple of i((unit0 f)o( suit can not

con'enientl0 an co))esponin1l0 be applie to the(.

7HERE-ORE* the case as a1ainst the efenant Republic of the Philippines is he)eb0 is(isse.

,s a1ainst the )est of the efenants the (otion to is(iss is enie. The0 a)e 1i'en a pe)io of

ten #% a0s f)o( )eceipt of this o)e) 6ithin 6hich to file thei) )especti'e pleain1s.

On the othe) han* the O)e) =* ate ,u1ust $* #+$$* enie the (otions file b0 both pa)ties* fo)

a )econsie)ation of the abo'ecite O)e)* )esponent 4u1e finin1 no co1ent )eason to istu)b

the sai o)e).

The (assac)e 6as the cul(ination of ei1ht a0s an se'en ni1hts of enca(p(ent b0 (e(be)s of

the (ilitant /ilusan1 Ma1bubu3i sa Pilipinas /MP at the then Minist)0 no6 Depa)t(ent of

,1)a)ian Refo)( M,R at the Philippine Tobacco ,(inist)ation uilin1 alon1 Elliptical Roa

in Dili(an* XueBon Cit0.

The fa)(e)s an thei) s0(pathiBe)s p)esente thei) e(ans fo) 6hat the0 calle F1enuine

a1)a)ian )efo)(F. The /MP* le b0 its national p)esient* 4ai(e Taeo* p)esente thei) p)oble(s

an e(ans* a(on1 6hich 6e)e5 a 1i'in1 lans fo) f)ee to fa)(e)s: b Be)o )etention of lans

b0 lanlo)s: an c stop a(o)tiBations of lan pa0(ents.

The ialo1ue bet6een the fa)(e)s an the M,R officials be1an on 4anua)0 #"* #+$. The t6o

a0s that follo6e sa6 a (a)3e inc)ease in people at the enca(p(ent. It 6as onl0 on 4anua)0 #+*

#+$ that 4ai(e Taeo a))i'e to (eet 6ith then Ministe) Hehe)son ,l'a)eB* onl0 to be info)(e

that the Ministe) can onl0 (eet 6ith hi( the follo6in1 a0. On 4anua)0 ;%* #+$* the (eetin1 6as

hel at the M,R confe)ence )oo(. Taeo e(ane that the (ini(u( co(p)ehensi'e lan

)efo)( p)o1)a( be 1)ante i((eiatel0. Ministe) ,l'a)eB* fo) his pa)t* can onl0 p)o(ise to o his

best to b)in1 the (atte) to the attention of then P)esient ,


42/136

On 4anua)0 ;;* #+$* Taeo?s 1)oup instea ecie to (a)ch to Malacaan1 to ai) thei) e(ans.

efo)e the (a)ch sta)te* Taeo tal3e to the p)ess an TV (eia. He utte)e fie)0 6o)s* the

(ost tellin1 of 6hich 6e)e5

F. . . inalis na(in an1 ba)i3aa bilan1 3ahilin1an n1 atin1 P)esiente* pe)o 3ina3ailan1an alisin inni0a an1 ba)i3aa sa Meniola sapa13at bubutasin in na(in i0on at aana3 an1 u1o . . . .F >

The fa)(e)s then p)oceee to (a)ch to Malacaan1* f)o( XueBon Me(o)ial Ci)cle* at #%5%% a.(.

The0 6e)e late) 8oine b0 (e(be)s of othe) secto)al o)1aniBations such as the /ilusan1 Ma0o

Uno /MU* a1on1 ,l0ansan1 Ma3aba0an ,,N* ea1ue of -ilipino Stuents -S an

/on1)eso n1 Pa13a3aisa n1 Ma)alitan1 un1so /PM.

,t a)oun #5%% p.(.* the (a)che)s )eache i6asan1 onifacio 6he)e the0 hel a b)ief p)o1)a(.

It 6as at this point that so(e of the (a)che)s ente)e the easte)n sie of the Post Office uilin1*

an )e(o'e the steel ba)s su))ounin1 the 1a)en. The)eafte)* the0 8oine the (a)ch to

Malacaan1. ,t about >5=% p.(.* the0 )eache C.M. Recto ,'enue.

In anticipation of a ci'il istu)bance* an actin1 upon )epo)ts )ecei'e b0 the Capital Re1ional

Co((an C,PCOM that the )all0ists 6oul p)ocee to Meniola to b)ea3 th)ou1h the police

lines an )ush to6a)s Malacaan1* C,PCOM Co((ane) Gene)al Ra(on E. Montao

inspecte the p)epa)ations an ae


43/136

ele(ents of the Inte1)ate National Police INP -iel -o)ce statione at -o)t onifacio f)o( the

st an &;n INP -iel -o)ce* 6ho ca))ie also the stana) CDC e of Malacaan1 stoo the VOVO Mobile

Co((unications Van of the Co((anin1 Gene)al of C,PCOMINP* Gene)al Ra(on E.

Montao. ,t this co((an post* afte) Gene)al Montao ha confe))e 6ith T- NaBa)enoCo((ane)* Colonel CeBa) NaBa)eno* about the ae


44/136

Meniola. ,fte) ispe)sin1 the c)o6* the t6o MDTs* to1ethe) 6ith the t6o 7PD MDTs*

p)oceee to i6asan1 onifacio upon o)e) of Gene)al Montao to ispe)se the )all0ists

asse(ble the)eat. ,ssistin1 the MDTs 6e)e a nu(be) of police(en f)o( the 7PD* atti)e in

ci'ilian clothes 6ith 6hite hea bans* 6ho 6e)e a)(e 6ith lon1 fi)ea)(s. & E(phasis ou)s

,fte) the clash* t6el'e #; (a)che)s 6e)e officiall0 confi)(e ea* althou1h acco)in1 to

Taeo* the)e 6e)e thi)teen #= ea* but he 6as not able to 1i'e the na(e an a)ess of sai

'icti(. Thi)t0!nine =+ 6e)e 6oune b0 1unshots an t6el'e #; sustaine (ino) in8u)ies* all

belon1in1 to the 1)oup of the (a)che)s.

Of the police an (ilita)0 pe)sonnel* th)ee = sustaine 1unshot 6ouns an t6ent0 ;% suffe)e

(ino) ph0sical in8u)ies such as ab)asions* contusions an the li3e.

In the afte)(ath of the conf)ontation* then P)esient Co)aBon C. ,1* Section #=*

an punishable une) pa)a1)aph b* Section #> of atas Pa(bansa l1. $$%.

= The secu)it0 (en assi1ne to p)otect the 7PD* INP -iel -o)ce* the Ma)ines an suppo)tin1

(ilita)0 units* as 6ell as the secu)it0 office)s of the police an (ilita)0 co((ane)s 6e)e in

ci'ilian atti)e in 'iolation of pa)a1)aph a* Section #%* atas Pa(bansa $$%.

> The)e 6as unnecessa)0 fi)in1 b0 the police an (ilita)0 c)o6 ispe)sal cont)ol units in

ispe)sin1 the (a)che)s* a p)ohibite act une) pa)a1)aph e* Section #=* an punishable une)pa)a1)aph b* Section #>* atas Pa(bansa l1. $$%.


45/136

" The ca))0in1 an use of steel ba)s* pillbo9es* a)ts* lea pipe* 6ooen clubs 6ith spi3es* an

1uns b0 the (a)che)s as offensi'e 6eapons a)e p)ohibite acts punishable une) pa)a1)aph 1*

Section #=* an punishable une) pa)a1)aph e* Section #> of atas Pa(bansa l1. $$%.

& The /MP fa)(e)s b)o3e off fu)the) ne1otiations 6ith the M,R officials an 6e)e ete)(ine

to (a)ch to Malacaan1* e(bolene as the0 a)e* b0 the infla((ato)0 an incenia)0 utte)ances

of thei) leae)* 4ai(e TaeoFbubutasin na(in an1 ba)i3aa . . Daana3 an u1o . . . ,n1

na1u1uto( na (a1sasa3a a0 1a1a6a n1 sa)ilin1 butas. . .

The)e 6as no ialo1ue bet6een the )all0ists an the 1o'e)n(ent fo)ces. Upon app)oachin1

the inte)sections of e1a)a an Meniola* the (a)che)s be1an pushin1 the police lines an

penet)ate an b)o3e th)ou1h the fi)st line of the CDC contin1ent.

$ The police fou1ht bac3 6ith thei) t)uncheons an shiels. The0 stoo thei) 1)oun but the

CDC line 6as b)eache. The)e ensue 1unfi)e f)o( both sies. It is not clea) 6ho sta)te the

fi)in1.

+ ,t the onset of the istu)bance an 'iolence* the 6ate) cannons an tea) 1as 6e)e not put into

effecti'e use to ispe)se the )iotin1 c)o6.

#% The 6ate) cannons an fi)e t)uc3s 6e)e not put into ope)ation because a the)e 6as no o)e)

to use the(: b the0 6e)e inco))ectl0 p)epositione: an c the0 6e)e out of )an1e of the

(a)che)s.

## Tea) 1as 6as not use at the sta)t of the istu)bance to ispe)se the )iote)s. ,fte) the c)o6

ha ispe)se an the 6oune an ea 6e)e bein1 ca))ie a6a0* the MDTs of the police an the

(ilita)0 6ith thei) tea) 1as e1 of Section #=* atas Pa(bansa l1. $$%* the Public ,sse(bl0 ,ct of

#+$". The Co((ission?s )eco((enation also inclue the p)osecution of the (a)che)s* fo)

ca))0in1 eal0 o) offensi'e 6eapons* but 6hose ientities ha'e 0et to be establishe. ,s fo)4ai(e Taeo* the Co((ission sai that he shoul be p)osecute both fo) 'iolation of pa)a1)aph


46/136

a* Section #=* atas Pa(bansa l1. $$% fo) holin1 the )all0 6ithout a pe)(it an fo) 'iolation

of ,)ticle #>;* as a(ene* of the Re'ise Penal Coe fo) incitin1 to seition. ,s fo) the

follo6in1 office)s* na(el05 # Gen. Ra(on E. Montao: ; Police Gen. ,lf)eo S. i(: =

Police Gen. E1a) Dula To))es: > Police Ma8. De(et)io ela C)uB: " Col. CeBa) NaBa)eno: an

" Ma8. -eli(on Gas(in* fo) thei) failu)e to (a3e effecti'e use of thei) s3ill an e9pe)ience ini)ectin1 the ispe)sal ope)ations in Meniola* a(inist)ati'e sanctions 6e)e )eco((ene to be

i(pose.

The last an the (ost si1nificant )eco((enation of the Co((ission 6as fo) the ecease an

6oune 'icti(s of the Meniola incient to be co(pensate b0 the 1o'e)n(ent. It 6as this

po)tion that petitione)s Ca0lao 1)oup in'o3e in thei) clai( fo) a(a1es f)o( the 1o'e)n(ent.

Not6ithstanin1 such )eco((enation* no conc)ete fo)( of co(pensation 6as )ecei'e b0 the

'icti(s. Thus* on 4ul0 ;* #+$* he)ein petitione)s* Ca0lao 1)oup file a fo)(al lette) of e(an

fo) co(pensation f)o( the Go'e)n(ent. #% This fo)(al e(an 6as ino)se b0 the office of the

E9ecuti'e Sec)eta)0 to the Depa)t(ent of u1et an Mana1e(ent DM on ,u1ust #=* #+$.

The House Co((ittee on Hu(an Ri1hts* on -eb)ua)0 #%* #+$$* )eco((ene the e9peitious

pa0(ent of co(pensation to the Meniola 'icti(s. ##

,fte) al(ost a 0ea)* on 4anua)0 ;%* #+$$* petitione)s Ca0lao 1)oup 6e)e const)aine to institute

an action fo) a(a1es a1ainst the Republic of the Philippines* to1ethe) 6ith the (ilita)0 office)s*

an pe)sonnel in'ol'e in the Meniola incient* befo)e the t)ial cou)t. The co(plaint 6as

oc3ete as Ci'il Case No. $$!>=="#.

On -eb)ua)0 ;=* #+$$* the Solicito) Gene)al file a Motion to Dis(iss on the 1)oun that the State

cannot be sue 6ithout its consent. Petitione)s oppose sai (otion on Ma)ch #&* #+$$*

(aintainin1 that the State has 6ai'e its i((unit0 f)o( suit an that the is(issal of the instant

action is cont)a)0 to both the Constitution an the Inte)national a6 on Hu(an Ri1hts.

Responent 4u1e Sano'al* in his fi)st


47/136

Petitione)s Ca0lao 1)oup a'ance the a)1u(ent that the State has i(pliel0 6ai'e its so'e)ei1n

i((unit0 f)o( suit. It is thei) consie)e 'ie6 that b0 the )eco((enation (ae b0 the

Co((ission fo) the 1o'e)n(ent to ine(nif0 the hei)s an 'icti(s of the Meniola incient an

b0 the public a)esses (ae b0 then P)esient , In the e9e)cise of its functions* ,.O. ##

p)o'ies 1uielines* an 6hat is )ele'ant to Ou) iscussion )eas5

# Its conclusions )e1a)in1 the e9istence of p)obable cause fo) the co((ission of an0 offensean of the pe)sons p)obabl0 1uilt0 of the sa(e shall be sufficient co(pliance 6ith the )ules on

p)eli(ina)0 in'esti1ation an the cha)1es a)isin1 the)ef)o( (a0 be file i)ectl0 6ith the p)ope)

cou)t. #"

In effect* 6hate'e) (a0 be the finin1s of the Co((ission* the sa(e shall onl0 se)'e as the cause

of action in the e'ent that an0 pa)t0 ecies to liti1ate hishe) clai(. The)efo)e* the Co((ission is

(e)el0 a p)eli(ina)0 'enue. The Co((ission is not the en in itself. 7hate'e) )eco((enation it

(a3es cannot in an0 6a0 bin the State i((eiatel0* such )eco((enation not ha'in1 beco(e

final an* e9ecuto)0. This is p)ecisel0 the essence of it bein1 a fact!finin1 bo0.

Seconl0* 6hate'e) acts o) utte)ances that then P)esient ,


48/136

consent 6as 1i'en consie)in1 the ci)cu(stances obtainin1 in the instant case.

Thi)l0* the case oes not


49/136

ha'in1 been foun to ha'e acte be0on the scope of thei) autho)it0* (a0 be hel liable fo)

a(a1es.

7HERE-ORE* finin1 no )e'e)sible e))o) an no 1)a'e abuse of isc)etion co((itte b0

)esponent 4u1e in issuin1 the


50/136

. . . to )etu)n o) cause to be )etu)ne the possession of the po)tions of lan unla6full0 occupie an

app)op)iate in the a11)e1ate a)ea of ;>*#+ s*#+ s


51/136

a oct)ina sob)e la )esponsabilia ci'il e los funciona)ios en casos pa)ecios se )esu(e co(o

si1ue5

O)ina)il0 the office) o) e(plo0ee co((ittin1 the to)t is pe)sonall0 liable the)efo)* an (a0 besue as an0 othe) citiBen an hel ans6e)able fo) 6hate'e) in8u)0 o) a(a1e )esults f)o( his

to)tious act.>+ ,(. 4u). ;$+.

. . . If an office)* e'en 6hile actin1 une) colo) of his office* e9cees the po6e) confe))e on hi(

b0 la6* he cannot shelte) hi(self une) the plea that he is a public a1ent.>= ,(. 4u). $&.

It is a 1ene)al )ule that an office)!e9ecuti'e* a(inist)ati'e $* ,1osto #*

#+>: Ma)


52/136

Pailla* Re0es* 4u1o* autista ,n1elo an ab)ao)* MM.* estan confo)(es.

Sepa)ate Opinions

CONCEPCION* 4.* issentin15

To (0 (in* the alle1ations of the co(plaint lea to no othe) conclusion than that appellee Isaias

-e)nano is a pa)t0 in this case* not in his pe)sonal capacit0* but as an office) of the Go'e)n(ent.

,cco)in1 to sai pleain1 the efenant is FIsaias -e)nano* Di)ecto)* u)eau of Public 7o)3s.F

Mo)eo'e)* in pa)a1)aphs > an " of the co(plaint* it is alle1e5

>. That the efenant as Di)ecto) of the u)eau of Public 7o)3s* is in cha)1e of i))i1ation p)o8ects

an s0ste(s* an the official )esponsible fo) the const)uction of i))i1ation s0ste( in the

Philippines:

". That the efenant* as Di)ecto) of the u)eau of Public 7o)3s* 6ithout autho)it0 obtaine fi)st

f)o( the Cou)t of -i)st Instance of Ilocos Su)* 6ithout obtainin1 fi)st a )i1ht of 6a0* an 6ithout

the consent an 3no6le1e of the plaintiff* an a1ainst he) e9p)ess ob8ection* unla6full0 too3

possession of po)tions of the th)ee pa)cels of lan esc)ibe abo'e* an cause an i))i1ation canal

to be const)ucte on the po)tion of the th)ee pa)cels of lan on o) about the (onth of -eb)ua)0

#+"# the a11)e1ate a)ea bein1 ;>*#+ s*#+ s


53/136

i))i1ation canal* an* 6hat is 6o)se* to cause sai p)ope)t0 of the Go'e)n(ent to be )e(o'e o)

est)o0e. ,s hel in S0


54/136

's.

HON. CONCEPCION S. ,,RCON VERG,R,* as P)esiin1 4u1e* )anch &; REGION,

TRI, COURT* ,n1eles Cit0* an RIC/ S,NCHE* -REDDIE S,NCHE ,/, -REDDIE

RIVER,* ED7IN M,RI,NO* ,/, 4ESSIE DOORES S,NG,,NG* ET ,.* )esponents.

una* Sison 2 Manas a6 Office fo) petitione)s.

CRU* 4.5

These cases ha'e been consoliate because the0 all in'ol'e the oct)ine of state i((unit0. The

Unite States of ,(e)ica 6as not i(pleae in the co(plaints belo6 but has (o'e to is(iss on

the 1)oun that the0 a)e in effect suits a1ainst it to 6hich it has not consente. It is no6 contestin1

the enial of its (otions b0 the )esponent 8u1es.

In G.R. No. &&%* the p)i'ate )esponents a)e suin1 se'e)al office)s of the U.S. ,i) -o)ce

statione in Cla)3 ,i) ase in connection 6ith the biin1 conucte b0 the( fo) cont)acts fo)

ba)be) se)'ices in the sai base.

On -eb)ua)0 ;>* #+$&* the 7este)n Pacific Cont)actin1 Office* O3ina6a ,)ea E9chan1e* U.S. ,i)

-o)ce* solicite bis fo) such cont)acts th)ou1h its cont)actin1 office)* 4a(es -. Sha6. ,(on1

those 6ho sub(itte thei) bis 6e)e p)i'ate )esponents Robe)to T. Valencia* E(e)enciana C.

Tan1lao* an Pablo C. el Pila). Valencia ha been a concessionai)e insie Cla)3 fo) => 0ea)s: elPila) fo) #; 0ea)s: an Tan1lao fo) "% 0ea)s.

The biin1 6as 6on b0 Ra(on DiBon* o'e) the ob8ection of the p)i'ate )esponents* 6ho

clai(e that he ha (ae a bi fo) fou) facilities* incluin1 the Ci'il En1inee)in1 ,)ea* 6hich 6as

not inclue in the in'itation to bi.

The p)i'ate )esponents co(plaine to the Philippine ,)ea E9chan1e PH,Q. The latte)* th)ou1h

its )ep)esentati'es* petitione)s 'onne Ree'es an -)ee)ic M. S(ouse e9plaine that the Ci'il

En1inee)in1 concession ha not been a6a)e to DiBon as a )esult of the -eb)ua)0 ;>* #+$&

solicitation. DiBon 6as al)ea0 ope)atin1 this concession* then 3no6n as the NCO club

concession* an the e9pi)ation of the cont)act ha been e9tene f)o( 4une =%* #+$& to ,u1ust =#*

#+$&. The0 fu)the) e9plaine that the solicitation of the CE ba)be)shop 6oul be a'ailable onl0 b0

the en of 4une an the p)i'ate )esponents 6oul be notifie.

On 4une =%* #+$&* the p)i'ate )esponents file a co(plaint in the cou)t belo6 to co(pel PH,Q

an the ini'iual petitione)s to cancel the a6a) to efenant DiBon* to conuct a )ebiin1 fo)

the ba)be)shop concessions an to allo6 the p)i'ate )esponents b0 a 6)it of p)eli(ina)0

in8unction to continue ope)atin1 the concessions penin1 liti1ation. #

Upon the filin1 of the co(plaint* the )esponent cou)t issue an e9 pa)te o)e) i)ectin1 the


55/136

ini'iual petitione)s to (aintain the status %* -abian Geno'e file a co(plaint fo) a(a1es a1ainst petitione)s ,nthon0

a(achia* 7ilf)eo elsa* Rose Ca)talla an Pete) O)ascion fo) his is(issal as coo3 in the U.S.

,i) -o)ce Rec)eation Cente) at the 4ohn Ha0 ,i) Station in a1uio Cit0. It ha been asce)taine

afte) in'esti1ation* f)o( the testi(on0 of elsa Ca)talla an O)ascion* that Geno'e ha pou)e

u)ine into the soup stoc3 use in coo3in1 the 'e1etables se)'e to the club custo(e)s. a(achia*

as club (ana1e)* suspene hi( an the)eafte) )efe))e the case to a boa) of a)bit)ato)s

confo)(abl0 to the collecti'e ba)1ainin1 a1)ee(ent bet6een the Cente) an its e(plo0ees. The

boa) unani(ousl0 foun hi( 1uilt0 an )eco((ene his is(issal. This 6as effecte on Ma)ch

"* #+$&* b0 Col. Da'i C. /i(ball* Co((ane) of the =) Co(bat Suppo)t G)oup* P,C,- Cla)3

,i) -o)ce ase. Geno'e?s )eaction 6as to file Ms co(plaint in the Re1ional T)ial Cou)t of a1uioCit0 a1ainst the ini'iual petitione)s. >


56/136

On Ma)ch #=* #+$* the efenants* 8oine b0 the Unite States of ,(e)ica* (o'e to is(iss the

co(plaint* alle1in1 that a(achia* as an office) of the U.S. ,i) -o)ce statione at 4ohn Ha0 ,i)

Station* 6as i((une f)o( suit fo) the acts one b0 hi( in his official capacit0. The0 a)1ue that

the suit 6as in effect a1ainst the Unite States* 6hich ha not 1i'en its consent to be sue.

This (otion 6as enie b0 the )esponent 8u1e on 4une >* #+$* in an o)e) 6hich )ea in pa)t5

It is the une)stanin1 of the Cou)t* base on the alle1ations of the co(plaint 6hich ha'e been

h0potheticall0 a(itte b0 efenants upon the filin1 of thei) (otion to is(iss that althou1h

efenants acte initiall0 in thei) official capacities* thei) 1oin1 be0on 6hat thei) functions calle

fo) b)ou1ht the( out of the p)otecti'e (antle of 6hate'e) i((unities the0 (a0 ha'e ha in the

be1innin1. Thus* the alle1ation that the acts co(plaine of 6e)e ille1al* one. 6ith e9t)e(e ba

faith an 6ith p)e!concei'e siniste) plan to ha)ass an finall0 is(iss the plaintiff* 1ains

si1nificance. "

The petitione)s then ca(e to this Cou)t see3in1 ce)tio)a)i an p)ohibition 6ith p)eli(ina)0

in8unction.

In G.R. No. $%%#$* uis autista* 6ho 6as e(plo0e as a ba))ac3s bo0 in Ca(p O? Donnell* an

e9tension of Cla)3 ,i) ase* 6as a))este follo6in1 a bu0!bust ope)ation conucte b0 the

ini'iual petitione)s he)ein* na(el0* To(i 4. /in1* Da))el D. D0e an Stephen -. ostic3* office)s

of the U.S. ,i) -o)ce an special a1ents of the ,i) -o)ce Office of Special In'esti1ato)s ,-OSI.

On the basis of the s6o)n state(ents (ae b0 the(* an info)(ation fo) 'iolation of R.,. &>;"*othe)6ise 3no6n as the Dan1e)ous D)u1s ,ct* 6as file a1ainst autista in the Re1ional T)ial

Cou)t of Ta)lac. The abo'e!na(e office)s testifie a1ainst hi( at his t)ial. ,s a )esult of the filin1

of the cha)1e* autista 6as is(isse f)o( his e(plo0(ent. He then file a co(plaint fo)

a(a1es a1ainst the ini'iual petitione)s he)ein clai(in1 that it 6as because of thei) acts that he

6as )e(o'e. &

Du)in1 the pe)io fo) filin1 of the ans6e)* Ma)iano . Na'a))o a special counsel assi1ne to the

Inte)national a6 Di'ision* Office of the Staff 4u1e ,'ocate of Cla)3 ,i) ase* ente)e a

special appea)ance fo) the efenants an (o'e fo) an e9tension 6ithin 6hich to file an Fans6e)

ano) othe) pleain1s.F His )eason 6as that the ,tto)ne0 Gene)al of the Unite States ha not 0et

esi1nate counsel to )ep)esent the efenants* 6ho 6e)e bein1 sue fo) thei) official acts. 7ithin

the e9tene pe)io* the efenants* 6ithout the assistance of counsel o) autho)it0 f)o( the U.S.

Depa)t(ent of 4ustice* file thei) ans6e). The0 alle1e the)ein as affi)(ati'e efenses that the0

ha onl0 one thei) ut0 in the enfo)ce(ent of the la6s of the Philippines insie the ,(e)ican

bases pu)suant to the RP!US Milita)0 ases ,1)ee(ent.

On Ma0 * #+$* the la6 fi)( of una* Sison an Manas* ha'in1 been )etaine to )ep)esent the

efenants* file 6ith lea'e of cou)t a (otion to 6ith)a6 the ans6e) an is(iss the co(plaint.

The 1)oun in'o3e 6as that the efenants 6e)e actin1 in thei) official capacit0 6hen the0 ithe acts co(plaine of an that the co(plaint a1ainst the( 6as in effect a suit a1ainst the Unite


57/136

States 6ithout its consent.

The (otion 6as enie b0 the )esponent 8u1e in his o)e) ate Septe(be) ##* #+$* 6hich

hel that the clai(e i((unit0 une) the Milita)0 ases ,1)ee(ent co'e)e onl0 c)i(inal an not

ci'il cases. Mo)eo'e)* the efenants ha co(e une) the 8u)isiction of the cou)t 6hen the0sub(itte thei) ans6e).

-ollo6in1 the filin1 of the he)ein petition fo) ce)tio)a)i an p)ohibition 6ith p)eli(ina)0

in8unction* 6e issue on Octobe) #>* #+$* a te(po)a)0 )est)ainin1 o)e). $

In G.R. No. $%;"$* a co(plaint fo) a(a1es 6as file b0 the p)i'ate )esponents a1ainst the

he)ein petitione)s e9cept the Unite States of ,(e)ica* fo) in8u)ies alle1el0 sustaine b0 the

plaintiffs as a )esult of the acts of the efenants. + The)e is a conflict of factual alle1ations he)e.

,cco)in1 to the plaintiffs* the efenants beat the( up* hancuffe the( an unleashe o1s on

the( 6hich bit the( in se'e)al pa)ts of thei) boies an cause e9tensi'e in8u)ies to the(. The

efenants en0 this an clai( the plaintiffs 6e)e a))este fo) theft an 6e)e bitten b0 the o1s

because the0 6e)e st)u11lin1 an )esistin1 a))est* The efenants st)ess that the o1s 6e)e calle

off an the plaintiffs 6e)e i((eiatel0 ta3en to the (eical cente) fo) t)eat(ent of thei) 6ouns.

In a (otion to is(iss the co(plaint* the Unite States of ,(e)ica an the ini'iuall0 na(e

efenants a)1ue that the suit 6as in effect a suit a1ainst the Unite States* 6hich ha not 1i'en

its consent to be sue. The efenants 6e)e also i((une f)o( suit une) the RP!US ases T)eat0

fo) acts one b0 the( in the pe)fo)(ance of thei) official functions.

The (otion to is(iss 6as enie b0 the t)ial cou)t in its o)e) ate ,u1ust #%* #+$* )eain1 in

pa)t as follo6s5

The efenants ce)tainl0 cannot co))ectl0 a)1ue that the0 a)e i((une f)o( suit. The alle1ations*

of the co(plaint 6hich is sou1ht to be is(isse* ha to be h0potheticall0 a(itte an 6hate'e)

1)oun the efenants (a0 ha'e* ha to be 'entilate u)in1 the t)ial of the case on the (e)its.

The co(plaint alle1e c)i(inal acts a1ainst the ini'iuall0!na(e efenants an f)o( the

natu)e of sai acts it coul not be sai that the0 a)e ,cts of State* fo) 6hich i((unit0 shoul be

in'o3e. If the -ilipinos the(sel'es a)e ut0 boun to )espect* obe0 an sub(it the(sel'es to the

la6s of the count)0* 6ith (o)e )eason* the (e(be)s of the Unite States ,)(e -o)ces 6ho a)e

bein1 t)eate as 1uests of this count)0 shoul )espect* obe0 an sub(it the(sel'es to its la6s. #%

an so 6as the (otion fo) )econsie)ation. The efenants sub(itte thei) ans6e) as )e


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ha'e aopte as pa)t of the la6 of ou) lan une) ,)ticle II* Section ;. This latte) p)o'ision (e)el0

)eite)ates a polic0 ea)lie) e(boie in the #+=" an #+= Constitutions an also intene to

(anifest ou) )esol'e to abie b0 the )ules of the inte)national co((unit0.

E'en 6ithout such affi)(ation* 6e 6oul still be boun b0 the 1ene)all0 accepte p)inciples ofinte)national la6 une) the oct)ine of inco)po)ation. Une) this oct)ine* as accepte b0 the

(a8o)it0 of states* such p)inciples a)e ee(e inco)po)ate in the la6 of e'e)0 ci'iliBe state as a

conition an conse


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an i'este of its so'e)ei1n i((unit0 f)o( suit 6ith its i(plie consent. #& 7ai'e) is also

i(plie 6hen the 1o'e)n(ent files a co(plaint* thus openin1 itself to a counte)clai(. #

The abo'e )ules a)e sub8ect to


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the cou)ts of the Philippines incluin1 the Municipal Cou)t of Manila ha'e no 8u)isiction o'e) the

p)esent case fo) unla6ful etaine). The


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The t)aitional )ule of i((unit0 e9e(pts a State f)o( bein1 sue in the cou)ts of anothe) State

6ithout its consent o) 6ai'e). This )ule is a necessa)0 conse


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actin1 in thei) p)i'ate o) unofficial capacit0 6hen the0 app)ehene an late) testifie a1ainst the

co(plainant. It follo6s that fo) ischa)1in1 thei) uties as a1ents of the Unite States* the0 cannot

be i)ectl0 i(pleae fo) acts i(putable to thei) p)incipal* 6hich has not 1i'en its consent to be

sue. ,s 6e obse)'e in Sane)s '. Ve)iiano5 ;>

Gi'en the official cha)acte) of the abo'e!esc)ibe lette)s* 6e ha'e to conclue that the petitione)s

6e)e* le1all0 spea3in1* bein1 sue as office)s of the Unite States 1o'e)n(ent. ,s the0 ha'e acte

on behalf of that 1o'e)n(ent* an 6ithin the scope of thei) autho)it0* it is that 1o'e)n(ent* an not

the petitione)s pe)sonall0* that is )esponsible fo) thei) acts.

The p)i'ate )esponent in'o3es ,)ticle ;#$% of the Ci'il Coe 6hich hols the 1o'e)n(ent liable

if it acts th)ou1h a special a1ent. The a)1u(ent* it 6oul see(* is p)e(ise on the 1)oun that

since the office)s a)e esi1nate Fspecial a1ents*F the Unite States 1o'e)n(ent shoul be liable

fo) thei) to)ts.

The)e see(s to be a failu)e to istin1uish bet6een suabilit0 an liabilit0 an a (isconception that

the t6o te)(s a)e s0non0(ous. Suabilit0 epens on the consent of the state to be sue* liabilit0

on the applicable la6 an the establishe facts. The ci)cu(stance that a state is suable oes not

necessa)il0 (ean that it is liable: on the othe) han* it can ne'e) be hel liable if it oes not fi)st

consent to be sue. iabilit0 is not concee b0 the (e)e fact that the state has allo6e itself to be

sue. 7hen the state oes 6ai'e its so'e)ei1n i((unit0* it is onl0 1i'in1 the plaintiff the chance

to p)o'e* if it can* that the efenant is liable.

The sai a)ticle establishes a )ule of liabilit0* not suabilit0. The 1o'e)n(ent (a0 be hel liableune) this )ule onl0 if it fi)st allo6s itself to be sue th)ou1h an0 of the accepte fo)(s of consent.

Mo)eo'e)* the a1ent pe)fo)(in1 his )e1ula) functions is not a special a1ent e'en if he is so

eno(inate* as in the case at ba). No less i(po)tant* the sai p)o'ision appea)s to )e1ulate onl0

the )elations of the local state 6ith its inhabitants an* hence* applies onl0 to the Philippine

1o'e)n(ent an not to fo)ei1n 1o'e)n(ents i(pleae in ou) cou)ts.

7e )e8ect the conclusion of the t)ial cou)t that the ans6e) file b0 the special counsel of the Office

of the She)iff 4u1e ,'ocate of Cla)3 ,i) ase 6as a sub(ission b0 the Unite States

1o'e)n(ent to its 8u)isiction. ,s 6e note in Republic '. Pu)isi(a* ;" e9p)ess 6ai'e) of

i((unit0 cannot be (ae b0 a (e)e counsel of the 1o'e)n(ent but (ust be effecte th)ou1h a

ul0!enacte statute. Neithe) oes such ans6e) co(e une) the i(plie fo)(s of consent as ea)lie)

iscusse.

ut e'en as 6e a)e ce)tain that the ini'iual petitione)s in G.R. No. $%%#$ 6e)e actin1 in the

ischa)1e of thei) official functions* 6e hesitate to (a3e the sa(e conclusion in G.R. No. $%;"$.

The cont)aicto)0 factual alle1ations in this case ese)'e in ou) 'ie6 a close) stu0 of 6hat

actuall0 happene to the plaintiffs. The )eco) is too (ea1e) to inicate if the efenants 6e)e

)eall0 ischa)1in1 thei) official uties o) ha actuall0 e9ceee thei) autho)it0 6hen the incient in


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neee in


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65/136


66/136

secu)it0 fo)ces (ust )e1iste) as (e(be)s of an0 P,DP,O Chapte) o)1aniBe 6ithin the Re1ion

6he)e thei) (ain offices a)e locate.... ,s such (e(be)ship )e


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pa0(ent of its (oneta)0 clai(s (a0 not be enfo)ce because the State i not consent to

app)op)iate the necessa)0 funs fo) that pu)pose.

7hile the oct)ine of state i((unit0 appea)s to p)ohibit onl0 suits a1ainst the state 6ithout its

consent* it is also applicable to co(plaints file a1ainst officials of the state fo) acts alle1el0pe)fo)(e b0 the( in the ischa)1e of thei) uties. The )ule is that if the 8u1(ent a1ainst such

officials 6ill )e


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-elipe T. Cuison fo) efenants!appellees.

ENGON* 4.P.* 4.5

-ou) cases of )ota)0 )ill pa)ts 6e)e shippe f)o( ab)oa on S.S. Feo'illeF so(eti(e inNo'e(be) of #+&;* consi1ne to Mobil Philippines E9plo)ation* Inc.* Manila. The ship(ent

a))i'e at the Po)t of Manila on ,p)il #%* #+&=* an 6as ischa)1e to the custo0 of the Custo(s

,))ast)e Se)'ice* the unit of the u)eau of Custo(s then hanlin1 a))ast)e ope)ations the)ein. The

Custo(s ,))ast)e Se)'ice late) eli'e)e to the b)o3e) of the consi1nee th)ee cases onl0 of the

ship(ent.

On ,p)il >* #+&> Mobil Philippines E9plo)ation* Inc.* file suit in the Cou)t of -i)st Instance of

Manila a1ainst the Custo(s ,))ast)e Se)'ice an the u)eau of Custo(s to )eco'e) the 'alue of

the uneli'e)e case in the a(ount of P#$*>+=.= plus othe) a(a1es.

On ,p)il ;%* #+&> the efenants file a (otion to is(iss the co(plaint on the 1)oun that not

bein1 pe)sons une) the la6* efenants cannot be sue.

,fte) plaintiff oppose the (otion* the cou)t* on ,p)il ;"* #+&>* is(isse the co(plaint on the

1)oun that neithe) the Custo(s ,))ast)e Se)'ice no) the u)eau of Custo(s is suable. Plaintiff

appeale to Us f)o( the o)e) of is(issal.

Raise* the)efo)e* in this appeal is the pu)el0 le1al


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la6 the)eb0 i(pliel0 autho)iBes it to be sue as a))ast)e ope)ato)* fo) the )eason that the natu)e of

this function a))ast)e se)'ice is p)op)ieta)0* not 1o'e)n(ental. Thus* insofa) as a))ast)e ope)ation

is conce)ne* appellant 6oul put efenants une) the thi) cate1o)0 of Fentities autho)iBe b0

la6F to be sue. State iffe)entl0* it is a)1ue that 6hile the)e is no la6

all cases(doctrine of state immunity)

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