Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2018 > January 2018 Decisions > G.R. No. 226355, January 24, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF CIRILO GOTENGCO, Respondents.:




G.R. No. 226355, January 24, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF CIRILO GOTENGCO, Respondents.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 226355, January 24, 2018

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF CIRILO GOTENGCO, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

GESMUNDO, J.:

This is a petition for review on certiorari filed under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court assailing the Decision1 and Resolution2 of the Court of Appeals (CA) dated February 26, 2016 and August 9, 2016, respectively, which denied the petition for certiorari filed by the Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, imputing grave abuse of discretion on the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Calamba City, Laguna, Branch 35, for amending the Modified Partial Decision3 dated February 15, 2001, which has become final and executory.

The Antecedents

The facts of this case are undisputed.

On May 16, 1977, the Republic of the Philippines, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), hereinafter referred to as "Republic" for brevity, expropriated the property of respondents Cirilo Gotengco (Gotengco), Preciosa B. Garcia (Garcia), and Emilia de Jesus (de Jesus) for the purpose of constructing the Manila South Expressway Extension, now known as the South Luzon Expressway.4 The expropriation complaint was filed before the RTC of Calamba City, Laguna, Branch 35, docketed as Civil Case No. 184-83-C.

On January 31, 2000, the RTC rendered a Partial Decision5 and ordered Republic to pay Gotengco, Garcia, and de Jesus, in the following amounts:

TABLE I:

Property Owner
Lot Expropriated
Just Compensation
Gotengco 13,637 sq.m. at P2,130.00 per sq.m.
P29,046,810.00
de Jesus 15,000 sq.m. at P2,500.00 per sq.m.
P37,500,000.00
Garcia 23,353 sq.m. at P2,130.00 per sq.m.
P49,741,890.00

On February 22, 2000, Republic moved for the reconsideration of the Partial Decision to correct the land area covered for expropriation, which the RTC granted. In view of the change in the land area, the trial court accordingly adjusted the amount of just compensation, to wit:

TABLE II:

Property Owner
Lot Expropriated
Just Compensation
Gotengco 12,322 sq.m. at P2,130.00 per sq.m.
P26,245,860.00
de Jesus 16,095 sq.m. at P2,500.00 per sq.m.
P40,237,500.00
Garcia 23,353 sq.m. at P2,130.00 per sq.m.
P49,741,890.00

In detail, Gotengco's property, totalling to 12,322 square meters, consisted of three (3) separate lots, to wit:

TABLE III:

Lot No.
Area
For brevity, shall hereinafter referred to as:
Lot 1735-B 9,704 sq. m.
Lot A
Lot 1735-A-7-A 2,148 sq. m.
Lot B
Lot 1735-C-2 470 sq. m.
Lot C

Thus, the dispositive portion of the Modified Partial Decision dated February 15, 2001 of the RTC reads as:

WHEREFORE, conformably with all the foregoing, the Court hereby rules:

1.) The Partial Decision of January 31, 2000, is hereby modified with respect to its dispositive portion to reads as follows:

Wherefore, premises considered, this Court renders judgment fixing the amount of Two Thousand One Hundred Thirty (Php 2,130.00) Pesos per square meter as the just compensation for the properties of defendants Heirs of Cirilo Gotengco and Preciosa B. Garcia and the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred (P2,500.00) Pesos as just compensation for the property of defendant Emilia De Jesus in accordance with the areas appearing on the above-quoted survey report, to wit:

Heirs of Cirilo Gotenco c/o Atty. Gregorio Alcaraz
------------
12,322 sq.m.
Emilia De Jesus
------------
16,095 sq.m.
Preciosa B. Garcia
------------
23,353 sq.m.

2) The plaintiff Republic of the Philippines represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby ordered to pay the above defendants accordingly.

SO ORDERED.6

After the Modified Partial Decision had lapsed into finality, Gotengco, de Jesus, and Garcia, jointly moved for its execution, which the RTC approved on March 30, 2001. Accordingly, Republic and Gotengco executed a Deed of Absolute Sale7 on one of the three lots of the latter's expropriated property, Lot A, covered by TCT No. T-334198, in the amount of P20,669,520.00. In three separate installments, Republic paid Gotengco the following amounts:

Table IV:

Date of Payment
Amount
July 2002
P4,068,111.40
October 4, 2004
P8,931,733.88
October 24, 2012
P7,669,520.00

Hence, as the total amount of just compensation was P26,245,860.00 and the amount paid was only P20,669,365.28,8 Republic had P5,576,494.729 balance left to pay Gotengco.

Nine years after the promulgation of the Modified Partial Decision, Gotengco filed an Omnibus Motion10 dated May 19, 2010, pleading for the payment of accrued interest on the just compensation, computed from the date of finality of judgment until fully paid and to compel Carmela Alcaraz Nonato, the person in possession of the title covering Lot A, to surrender the same; otherwise, said title be declared null and void and a new title be issued in the name of Republic. Republic having filed no opposition thereto, the RTC, on July 20, 2010, granted the omnibus motion and ordered Republic to pay Gotengco the balance of the just compensation with interest at 6% per annum counted from July 15, 1977, the date of the actual taking, until fully paid, to which Republic also posed no motion for reconsideration.

Subsequently, Gotengco filed a Motion for Writ of Execution Re Payment of Interest11 to the RTC, which Republic opposed.12 It contended that Gotengco was already estopped by laches from claiming legal interest because he failed to raise such matter as early as when the Partial Decision was rendered and waited until it has lapsed into finality. In reply, Gotengco posited that it was Republic which was estopped from questioning his claim to legal interest13 because it previously agreed that he was entitled to payment of interest as shown in Republic's Comment dated October 14, 1999. Disputing that Gotengco had misconstrued its statement, Republic explained in its Rejoinder, quoting its Comment dated February 16, 1999, that while it mentioned that the value of the just compensation was reasonable and acceptable, it clarified that interest should no longer be awarded.14

On May 6, 2013, the RTC granted the motion and amended the Modified Partial Decision.15 The RTC determined the interest rate was inadvertently excluded and the Modified Partial Decision had to be amended and modified in the interest of justice. Notwithstanding the granting of the motion, RTC took note of Gotengco's lapse that even in his omnibus motion, he did not pray for the award of legal interest as the "prayer was merely for the payment of interest at legal rate, computed from the date of finality of judgment until the entire amount of just compensation is paid in full."16 But the lapse Republic committed also did not escape the RTC. The RTC observed that besides Republic's failure to oppose the omnibus motion, it also failed to file any motion for reconsideration of the July 20, 2010 Order. The dispositive portion of the Order17 dated May 6, 2013 ordering Republic to pay interest at the legal rate of 6% per annum reads as:

WHEREFORE, the Order dated 20 July 2010 is amended and modified with respect to the order of plaintiff for the payment of interest and should now read, as prayed for by the movants in their Omnibus Motion, as follows:

'Plaintiff is ordered to pay interest at the legal rate of 6% per annum from the date of finality of judgment, until the entire amount of just compensation is paid in full.

Meanwhile, the resolution of the Motion for Execution re Payment of Interest filed by movant Heirs of Cirilo Gotengco is held in abeyance pending finality of this Order.

SO ORDERED.18

Republic filed a motion for reconsideration, but it was denied. 19

Aggrieved, Republic filed before the CA a petition for certiorari through Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, dated April 4, 2014, imputing grave abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court for modifying a judgment, which has become final and executory. It opined that the RTC exceeded its judicial authority and completely disregarded the well-settled principle of immutability of judgments m modifying the Modified Partial Decision, which had attained finality.

Meanwhile, Republic discovered that Gotengco sold Lots B and C to Mario V. Tiaoqui (Tiaoqui) during the pendency of the case.

The CA Ruling

On February 26, 2016, the CA denied the petition for certiorari. It resolved that payment of interest is a matter of law as provided in Section 10, Rule 67 of the Rules of Court20 and it is against public policy to not impose legal interest. The CA, citing Apo Fruits Corporation and Hijo Plantation, Inc. v. Land Bank of the Philippines (Apo Fruits),21 concluded that while the judgment has become final and executory, the court may modify the judgment and impose legal interest. Directly quoting the pronouncement of the Court in the same case, the Court stated, "[w]ithout prompt payment, compensation cannot be considered 'just' if the property is immediately taken as the property owner suffers the immediate deprivation of both his land and its fruits or income."22 The CA, citing Apo Fruits in reference to Republic v. CA,23 explained that for just compensation to be considered as "just", the payment must be prompt and there must be necessity of the payment of interest to compensate for any delay in the payment of compensation for property already taken, thus:

xxx if property is taken for public use before compensation is deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the case, the final compensation must include interest[s] on its just value to be computed from the time the property is taken to the time when compensation is actually paid or deposited with the court. In fine, between the taking of the property and the actual payment, legal interest[s] accrue in order to place the owner in a position as good as (but not better than) the position he was in before the taking occurred.24

Since Gotengco was deprived of his property and of its income since its taking on March 30, 2001 (date of execution of judgment),25 the CA found that legal interest, therefore, should be imposed and, accordingly, adjudged the RTC not guilty of grave abuse of discretion in imposing the payment of 6% legal interest on the amount of just compensation for being in accordance with law and jurisprudence.

Hence, the present petition. Republic contends that the appellate court committed a reversible error in finding no grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess in jurisdiction on the part of the trial court when it modified and altered a judgment that had already become final; therefore, violating the doctrine of immutability and finality of judgments. The arguments of Republic as raised in the instant petition are as follows:

THE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED A REVERSIBLE ERROR IN RENDERING THE ASSAILED DECISION DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2016 AND RESOLUTION DATED AUGUST 9, 2016, FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION ON THE PART OF THE TRIAL COURT IN ISSUING THE ORDERS DATED JULY 20, 2010, MAY 6, 2013, AND FEBRUARY 4, 2014, GRANTING LEGAL INTEREST IN FAVOR OF THE RESPONDENT.

I.

THE ORDERS DATED JULY 20, 2010, MAY 6, 2013 AND FEBRUARY 4, 2014 OF THE TRIAL COURT WERE ISSUED WITH GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION, CONSIDERING THAT SUCH ORDERS RUN AFOUL WITH WELL-SETTLED PRINCIPLES AND JURISPRUDENCE REGARDING FINALITY AND IMMUTABILITY OF JUDGMENTS.

II.

THE ORDERS OF THE TRIAL COURT IMPOSING LEGAL INTEREST DUE TO THE ALLEGED DELAY ON THE PART OF THE PETITIONER IN THE PAYMENT OF JUST COMPENSATION, WHICH WERE EFFECTIVELY AFFIRMED BY THE COURT OF APPEALS, WERE ISSUED WITH GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION AND WITHOUT BASIS, CONSIDERING THAT THERE WAS NO DELAY IN PAYMENT.26

Meanwhile, pending resolution of the case, Gotengco submitted to the RTC for approval, the Compromise Agreement27 he entered into with Tiaoqui to equally share the remainder of the just compensation amounting to P5,576,340.00. On the other hand, Republic manifested its readiness to release the final payment. Finding the compromise agreement valid and not contrary to law, morals, and public policy, the RTC approved the same in an order dated September 23, 2016.28

Hence, the sole issue for resolution is whether or not the trial court violated the well-settled doctrine of immutability of judgments in modifying its own decision that had already attained finality to the extent that it granted interest.

The Court's Ruling

The petition is granted.

Immutability of Judgments

It is a well-established rule that a judgment, once it has attained finality, can never be altered, amended, or modified, even if the alteration, amendment or modification is to correct an erroneous of judgment.29 This is the principle of immutability of judgments�to put an end to what would be an endless litigation. Interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium. In the interest of society as a whole, litigation must come to an end. But this tenet admits several exceptions, these are: (1) the correction of clerical errors; (2) the so-called nunc pro tunc entries which cause no prejudice to any party; (3) void judgments; and (4) whenever circumstances transpire after the finality of the decision rendering its execution unjust and inequitable.30

Based on the foregoing, the case does not fall within any of the aforesaid exceptions. For the first and second exceptions, the imposition of the 6% legal interest is neither a mere clerical error nor a nunc pro tunc entry because it imposed a considerable burden on the part of Republic. The purpose of the modification was to correct the trial court's purported lapse to impose a legal interest, which the court ought to have rendered, in place of the one it actually erroneously rendered.31 Indeed, the modification imposed a substantial change on the assailed judgment. As regards the third exception, there was neither an allegation nor proof that the judgment was void for what was sought for was the inclusion of the 6% legal interest that was purportedly overlooked by the trial court that ought to have been imposed. Anent the fourth exception, there were no supervening events that would render its execution unjust and inequitable. Therefore, the surrounding circumstances of the present case do not warrant the Court's exercise of its ultimate power to abandon the long-held standing rule of immutability of judgments.

Doctrine Laid in Apo Fruits is Inapplicable

Not even the Court's pronouncement in the en banc decision in the landmark case of Apo Fruits32 where the Court, speaking through Associate Justice Arturo Brion, rendered valid the amendment and modification of the judgment despite its lapse into finality applies to the case at bar. In Apo Fruits, the rules of procedure were relaxed in order to serve the ends of justice. Despite the finality of the judgment, due to the existence of extraordinary circumstances, the Court amended and modified the final and executory decision. But the doctrine laid in Apo Fruits is the exception and not the general rule. Perhaps a brief introduction of the factual circumstances of Apo Fruits would shed light on the controversy.

In Apo Fruits, the government, through Land Bank of the Philippines (Land Bank), expropriated the private properties of Apo Fruits Corporation (AFC) and Hijo Plantation (Hijo) pursuant to its agrarian reform program. First of the series of decisions of the expropriation proceedings was the trial court's decision dated September 25, 2001 that in addition to the principal obligation to pay just compensation, Land Bank must also pay interest "equivalent to the market interest rates aligned with the 91-day Treasury Bills." Second was the December 5, 2001 RTC Decision, which modified the interest rate to 12% per annum from the time the complaint was filed until finality of the decision. When the case reached the CA, it nullified the ruling of the trial court. Subsequently, in its decision dated February 6, 2007, the Court through the Third Division, affirmed the RTC Decision and imposed legal interest. Thereafter, in its resolution dated December 19, 2007, the Court deleted the 12% legal interest on the ground that there was no delay in the payment of just compensation because Land Bank had deposited pertinent amounts due to AFC and Hijo within 14 months after they filed their complaints for just compensation. Then, in its resolution dated April 30, 2008, the Third Division reiterated this ruling. After the resolution attained finality, an entry of judgment was issued subsequently on May 16, 2008. However, despite the finality of the judgment, in view of the motion for reconsideration of AFC and Hijo, the Court resolved to refer the case to the Court en banc. On December 4, 2009, the Court en banc denied the motion for reconsideration and sustained the finality of the April 30, 2008 Decision of the Court.

Undaunted, AFC and Hijo filed a second motion for reconsideration, which the Court, this time, granted. In its resolution dated October 12, 2010, the Court reversed itself and ordered Land Bank to pay AFC and Hijo legal interest, computed from the date of taking until Land Bank paid the balance on the principal amount on May 9, 2008. The last of the series of rulings which finally laid to rest the dispute was on April 5, 2011, where the Court adjudged that the power of eminent domain involves public interest and the Court, in its duty to serve and protect the ends of justice, may relax the rules of procedure.

After several drawbacks since the property's taking on December 9, 1996, it took twelve (12) long years thereafter, or on May 9, 2008, when Land Bank was able to pay AFC and Hijo the total amount of the principal obligation, excluding the legal interest subsequently imposed.

At first glance, the present case seems similar with the factual circumstances in Apo Fruits as both cases involve the expropriation of private properties, which controversy invokes the relaxation of the rule of immutability of judgments in the quest to modify an otherwise final and executory decision to include the payment of legal interest. However, contrary to our ruling in Apo Fruits, the exception to the immutability of judgment does not apply to the present case. In Apo Fruits, we underscore, lest it may cause confusion, that although the assailed decision became final and executory and an entry of judgment was issued after the lapse of 15 days from the issuance of the assailed decision, as to the petitioners, the motion for reconsideration was timely filed as it was filed within 15 days from their receipt of the assailed judgment33�a decisive circumstance that does not obtain in the present case.

Estoppel by Laches

The stark differences lie on whether legal interest was imposed by the trial court and the concomitant undertaking of the litigants to protect them from the adverse judgment. In Apo Fruits, the RTC categorically ordered the government, though Land Bank, to pay AFC and Hijo just compensation with legal interest.34 Here, the RTC, as early as in the Partial Decision and even in the subsequent Modified Partial Decision, never adjudicated the payment of such legal interest�it was clear at its inception that legal interest was not imposed. Yet, despite the apparent adverse decision to impose no legal interest, Gotengco chose to acquiesce. It was only after nine (9) long years from finality of the assailed Modified Partial Decision when Gotengco filed his motion for reconsideration. Such fact, without a doubt, this Court cannot turn a blind eye to.

While, indeed, aside from Gotengco's motion for reconsideration was obviously filed out of time,35 it was also barred by laches. As defined, laches is the failure or neglect for an unreasonable and unexplained length of time to do that, which, by exercising diligence, could or should have been done earlier. It is the negligence or omission to assert a right within a reasonable time warranting a presumption that the party entitled to assert it either has abandoned it or declined to assert it.36 The elements of laches are all present, to wit:

  1. Conduct on the part of the defendant, or one under whom he claims, giving rise to the situation that led to the complaint and for which the complaint seeks a remedy;
  2. Delay in asserting the complainant's rights, the complainant having had knowledge or notice of the defendant's conduct and having been afforded an opportunity to institute a suit;
  3. Lack of knowledge or notice on the part of the defendant that the complainant would assert the right on which he bases his suit; and
  4. Injury or prejudice to the defendant in the event relief is accorded to the complainant or the suit is not held barred.37

As borne by the records of the case, Gotengco had notice of the Modified Partial Decision, manifested by the fact that Gotengco himself, together with the other affected owners, moved for the issuance of a writ of execution of the Modified Partial Decision, to which a deed of absolute sale was issued pursuant thereto; hence, he cannot feign ignorance of the rendition of the Modified Partial Decision. Even with the grace period afforded to him by the law, for reasons known only to Gotengco, he squandered his right and, instead, waited nine (9) unreasonable years to disturb the otherwise final and executory Modified Partial Decision. Clearly, estoppel by laches has set in against him.38 His belated action in asserting his right within a reasonable time to dispute the assailed judgment in the guise of this Court's protection from miscarriage of justice cannot be disregarded.39 Indeed, Gotengco is guilty of laches.

Verily, while the present case involves a private property expropriated by the government, the exception as applied in Apo Fruits does not apply to those who sleep on their rights. Vigilantibus non dormientibus equitas subvenit. Equity aids the vigilant, not the ones who sleep over their rights.

The Doctrine of Urtula v. Republic40

What is applicable in the present case is our ruling in Urtula v. Republic (Urtula),41 where the Court stood faithfully with the doctrine of res judicata and immutability of judgments. In Urtula, the civil action for collection of legal interest subsequently filed by the defendant was dismissed because the Court, in its judgment in the expropriation case previously promulgated ordering the government to pay Urtula just compensation, failed to award legal interest. According to the Court, the civil action for collection of legal interest was already barred by res judicata pursuant to Section 3, Rule 67 of the Rules of Court, which directs the defendant in an expropriation case to present all objections and defences; otherwise, they are deemed waived.42

Clearly, Gotengco, in the same manner as Urtula, is already barred by res judicata to claim legal interest for failure to timely raise his objection thereto. Borrowing the words of the Court in Urtula, "[a]s the issue of interest could have been raised in the former case but was not raised, res judicata blocks the recovery of interest in the present case. It is settled that a former judgment constitutes a bar, as between the parties, not only as to matters expressly adjudged, but all matters that could have been adjudged at the time. It follows that interest upon the unrecoverable interest, which plaintiff also seeks, cannot, likewise, be granted."43

To affirm the ruling of the appellate court would violate the doctrine of immutability and inalterability of a final judgment and would concede to the evils the doctrine seeks to prevent, namely: (1) to avoid delay in the administration of justice and thus, procedurally, to make orderly the discharge of judicial business and (2) to put an end to judicial controversies, at the risk of occasional errors, which is precisely why courts exist.44 Indeed, to rule otherwise would trivialize the time-honored principle of procedural law.

Time and again, the Court has reiterated the maxim that rules of procedure must be faithfully followed and cannot be ignored due to its indispensability for the orderly and speedy discharge of the administration of justice. While rules of procedure may be relaxed to better serve the ends of justice, the Court, however, must take precaution as the exception to this tenet is applied only to the most persuasive of reasons and the most deserving.45

WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The Decision of the Court of Appeals dated February 26, 2016 in CA-G.R. SP No. 134944, affirming the Order of the Regional Trial Court dated May 6, 2013, which ordered the Republic to pay Gotengco legal interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of finality of judgment until the entire amount of just compensation is paid in full is REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accordingly, the Modified Partial Decision dated February 15, 2001 of the Regional Trial Court in Civil Case No. 184-83-C ordering the Republic to pay Gotengco just compensation sans legal interest is hereby REINSTATED.

SO ORDERED.

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Bersamin, and Leonen, JJ., concur.
Martires, J., on official leave.




March 8, 2018


NOTICE OF JUDGMENT

Sirs/Mesdames:

Please take notice that on January 24, 2018 a Decision, copy attached hereto, was rendered by the Supreme Court in the above-entitled case, the original of which was received by this Office on March 8, 2018 at 1:05 p.m.

Very truly yours,

(SGD.) WILFREDO V. LAPITAN
Division Clerk of Court


Endnotes:


1 Penned by Associate Justice Ma. Luisa C. Quijano-Padilla with Associate Justices Normandie B. Pizarro and Samuel H. Gaerlan concurring; rollo, pp. 49-57.

2 Id. at 59-61.

3 Id. at 131-115.

4 Id. at 103.

5 Id. at 103-108.

6Rollo, p. 115.

7 Id. at 120-122.

8 See Table IV.

9Rollo, p. 390; Compare with rollo, pp. 55 and 390.

10 Id. at. 123-128.

11 Id. at 131-134.

12 Id. at 139-145.

13 Id. at 146-150.

14 Id. at 156-158.

15 Id. at 165-166.

16 Id. at 165.

17 Id. at 165-166.

18 Id. at 166.

19 Id. at 197.

20 Section 10, Rule 67, Rules of Court.

21Apo Fruits Corp., et al., v. Land Bank of the Phils., 647 Phil. 251 (2010); Resolution, 662 Phil. 572 (2011).

22Rollo, p. 53.

23Republic of the Phils., v. CA, 433 Phil. 106, 122-123 (2002).

24Rollo, p. 54.

25 Id. at 55-56.

26 Id. at 21-22.

27 Id. at 374-376; 377-378; 387-388; 389-390.

28 Id. at 389-390.

29FGU Insurance Corporation (now BPI/MS Insurance Corporation) v. RTC, et al., 659 Phil. 117, 123 (2011).

30 Id.

31Briones-Vasquez v. Court of Appeals, et al., 491 Phil. 81, 92 (2005).

32Apo Fruits Corp., et al., v. Land Bank of the Phils., 647 Phil. 251 (2010); Resolution, 662 Phil. 572 (2011).

33Apo Fruits Corp., et al., v. Land Bank of the Phils., 647 Phil. 251, 265 & 267 (2010).

34Apo Fruits Corp., et al. v. Land Bank of the Phils., 543 Phil. 497, 507 (2007).

35 Section 1, Rule 37, Rules of Court, in relation to Section 2, Rule 40, Rules of Court.

36Espa�o, Sr., v. CA, et al., 335 Phil. 983, 986 (1997).

37Buenaventura, et al. v. Court of Appeals, 290-A Phil. 628, 635 (1992) citing Yusingco v. Ong Hing Lian, 149 Phil. 688, 710 (1971).

38Ochagabia, et al. v. Court of Appeals, et al., 364 Phil. 233, 240 (1999).

39Republic v. Limbonhai and Sons, G.R. No. 217956, November 16, 2016.

40Urtula, et al., v. Republic, 130 Phil. 449 (1968).

41 Id.

42 Section 3, Rule 67, Revised Rules of Court; Urtula, et al., v. Republic, 130 Phil. 449, 454 (1968)

43Supra note 40 at 454.

44Apo Fruits Corp., et al., v. Land Bank of the Phils., 622 Phil. 215, 231 (2009).

45Spouses Bergonia and Castillo v. CA. et al., 680 Phil. 334, 344-345 (2012).




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  • A.M. No. P-17-3645 (formerly OCA IPI No. 15-4415-P), January 30, 2018 - MARITA B. BALLOGUING, PRESIDING JUDGE, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRAPCH 20, VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR, Complainant, v. CRESENTE B. DAGAN, UTILITY WORKER I, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 20, VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11111, January 10, 2018 - IN RE: G.R. NO. 157659 "ELIGIO P. MALLARI V. GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM AND THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF OF PAMPANGA."

  • A.C. No. 10689 [Formerly CBD Case No. 11-3171], January 08, 2018 - ROMEO A. ALMARIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. DOMINICA LLERA-AGNO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190286, January 11, 2018 - RAMON E. REYES AND CLARA R. PASTOR, Petitioners, v. BANCOM DEVELOPMENT CORP., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190289, January 17, 2018 - THE CITY OF BACOLOD, HON. MAYOR EVELIO R. LEONARDIA, ATTY. ALLAN L. ZAMORA AND ARCH. LEMUEL D. REYNALDO, IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES AND IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF BACOLOD, Petitioners, v. PHUTURE VISIONS CO., INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218208, January 24, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BRIAN VILLAHERMOSO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. Nos. 225642-43, January 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JUVY D. AMARELA AND JUNARD G. RACHO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 196890, January 11, 2018 - CAREER EXECUTIVE SERVICE BOARD, REPRESENTED BY CHAIRPERSON BERNARDO P. ABESAMIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MA. ANTHONETTE VELASCO-ALLONES, AND DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARTURO M. LACHICA, Petitioners, v. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, REPRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III AND BLESILDA V. LODEVICO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212472, January 11, 2018 - SPECIFIED CONTRACTORS & DEVELOPMENT, INC., AND SPOUSES ARCHITECT ENRIQUE O. OLONAN AND CECILIA R. OLONAN, Petitioners, v. JOSE A. POBOCAN, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-18-2514 (Formerly A.M. No. 16-10-387-RTC), January 30, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. JUDGE HECTOR B. SALISE, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 7, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BAYUGAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212448, January 11, 2018 - AAA, Petitioner, v. BBB, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218630, January 11, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. KATRINA S. TOBORA-TIONGLICO, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5473, January 23, 2018 - GENE M. DOMINGO, Complainant, v. ATTY. ANASTACIO E. REVILLA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227215, January 10, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. LEONOR MACABAGDAL, REPRESENTED BY EULOGIA MACABAGDAL PASCUAL (FORMERLY JOHN DOE "DDD"), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201501, January 22, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE POLLUTION ADJUDICATION BOARD, Petitioner, v. N. DELA MERCED & SONS, INC., Respondent.; G.R. No. 201658, January 22, 2018 - N. DELA MERCED & SONS, INC., Petitioner, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE POLLUTION ADJUDICATION BOARD, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10783, January 31, 2018 - ATTY. BENIGNO BARTOLOME, Complainant, v. ATTY. CHRISTOPHER A. BASILIO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 205307, January 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDUARDO GOLIDAN Y COTO-ONG, FRANCIS NACIONALES Y FERNANDEZ, AND TEDDY OGSILA Y TAHIL, ACCUSED, EDUARDO GOLIDAN Y COTO-ONG AND FRANCIS NACIONALES Y FERNANDEZ, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 189609, January 29, 2018 - VICTORIA N. RACELIS, IN HER CAPACITY AS ADMINISTRATOR, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES GERMIL JAVIER AND REBECCA JAVIER, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224498, January 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PFC ENRIQUE REYES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 228087, January 24, 2018 - H. VILLARICA PAWNSHOP, INC., HL VILLARICA PAWNSHOP, INC., HRV VILLARICA PAWNSHOP, INC. AND VILLARICA PAWNSHOP, INC., Petitioners, v. SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION, SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AMADOR M. MONTEIRO, SANTIAGO DIONISIO R. AGDEPPA, MA. LUZ N. BARROS-MAGSINO, MILAGROS N. CASUGA AND JOCELYN Q. GARCIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 206079-80, January 17, 2018 - PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC. (PAL), Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.; G.R. No. 206309, January 17, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC. (PAL), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192396, January 17, 2018 - STEPHEN A. ANTIG, AS REPRESENTATIVE OF AMS BANANA EXPORTER, INC. [FORMERLY AMS FARMING CORPORATION], BERNARDITA S. LEMOSNERO, JEMARIE J. TESTADO, THOMAS BERNARD C. ALLADIN, AND GERARDO ARANGOSO, Petitioners, v. ANASTACIO ANTIPUESTO, IN HIS OWN CAPACITY AND AS REPRESENTATIVE OF AMS KAPALONG AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (AMSKARBEMCO) AND ITS MEMBERS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225735, January 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BELEN MEJARES Y VALENCIA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 8208, January 10, 2018 - RET. JUDGE VIRGILIO ALPAJORA, Complainant, v. ATTY. RONALDO ANTONIO V. CALAYAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227698, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. HERNANDO BONGOS, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 219889, January 29, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDWIN DAGSA Y BANTAS @ "WING WING," Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 210161, January 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BIENVINIDO UDANG, SR. Y SEVILLA,1 Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 202612, January 17, 2018 - TEODORO C. TORTONA, RODRIGO C. TORTONA, PEDRO C. TORTONA, ERNESTO C. TORTONA, AND PATRICIO C. TORTONA, Petitioners, v. JULIAN C. GREGORIO, FLORENTINO GREGORIO, JR., ISAGANI C. GREGORIO, CELEDONIA G. IGNACIO, TEODOCIA G. CHAN, LEONILA G. CAAMPUED, CONCORDIA G. MIJARES, ROMEO C. GREGORIO, EDNA S. TAN, NELIA S. REYES, CECILIA S. FRIEDMAN, LAMBERTO SUANTE, JULIUS SUANTE, CORAZON YASAY-GREGORIO, DONALDO Y. GREGORIO, ELMER Y. GREGORIO, AND ROY JOHN Y. GREGORIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209582, January 19, 2018 - TEEKAY SHIPPING PHILIPPINES, INC., AND/OR TEEKAY SHIPPING LTD., AND/OR ALEX VERCHEZ, Petitioners, v. ROBERTO M. RAMOGA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201792, January 24, 2018 - WILFREDO P. ASAYAS, Petitioner, v. SEA POWER SHIPPING ENTERPRISES, INC., AND/OR AVIN INTERNATIONAL S.A., AND/OR ANTONIETTE GUERRERO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 219581, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MAXIMO DELA PE�A, Accused-Appellant.; ROMY REAL, DANNY REAL AND ONYONG REYES, Accused.

  • G.R. No. 219238, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MOISES DEJOLDE, JR. Y SALINO, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-17-3772 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 12-3999-P), January 10, 2018 - JOVITA B. LAMSIS, Complainant, v. JUDE F. SALES, SR., PROCESS SERVER, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 10, LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229829, January 22, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARNEL KALIPAYAN Y ANIANO, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-05-1938, January 30, 2018 - THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. MR. CRISPIN C. EGIPTO, JR., CLERK OF COURT IV, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, PAGADIAN CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 226355, January 24, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF CIRILO GOTENGCO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203298, January 17, 2018 - INTERLINK MOVIE HOUSES, INC. AND EDMER Y. LIM, Petitioners, v. HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS, STATIONERY EXPRESSIONS SHOP, INC. AND JOSEPHINE LIM BON HUAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 223099, January 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LINO ALEJANDRO Y PIMENTEL, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 207354, January 10, 2018 - CHARLIE HUBILLA, JOEL NAYRE, NENITA A. TAN, PEDRO MAGALLANES, JR., ARNEL YUSON, JANICE CABATBAT, JUDY PAPINA, VANESSA ESPIRITU, NOEMI YALUNG, GENALYN RESCOBILLO, FIDEL ZAQUITA, NYL B. CALINGASAN, JANICE MIRADORA, EVANGELINE CHUA, ROSCHELLE MISSION, MELANIE BALLESTEROS, MARILYN BACALSO, RENALYN ALCANTARA, FEDERICO B. VIERNES, CHRISTOPHER B. YARES, ANA MARY R. AGUILAR, MELANIE SAN MARCOS, EMERLOVE MONTE, CHONALYN LUCAS, THERESA MALICOSIO, MA. FE CERCARES, RUBELYN R. CLARO, JONALYN M. YALUNG, MARY ANN V. MACANAG, RESLYN L. FLORES, CRISTEL C. ROQUE, TERESA G. MUNAR, SUSAN A. DELA CRUZ, SHEENA KAY P. DE VERA, ARLENE R. ANES, GINA B. BINIBINI, CHERINE V. ZORILLA, MA. CRISTINE MAGTOTO, FRANCIS MARIE O. DE CASTRO, VANESSA R. ESPIRITU, RACHELLE V. QUISTORIA, JULIE ANN ILAN, ANGELIE F. PANOTES, ANABEL PAYOS, MELISSA M. PERLAS, MELANIE B. BERSES, BARVI ROSE PERALTA, RESIE AQUE, ROWENA RIVERA, MELANIE M. DY, CHERYLYN CORO, RANELYN SUBONG, ANGELA SUBILLAGA, THELMA BARTOLABAC, MICHELLE C. ILAGAN, PRECIOUS MAE DE GUZMAN, MARY CAROLINE COLINA, FRELYN HIPOLITO, MYLINE A. CALLOS, JANETH B. SEMBILLO, LEA LYN F. FERRANCO, MAY C. SANTOS, ROSELLE A. NOBLE, JENNIFER D. SUYOM, WARREN PETCHIE C. CAJES, ROWELYN F. CATALAN, RIEZEL ANN A. ALEGRE, DEMETRIA B. PEREZ, GENALYN OSOC, JUVILYN N. NERI, JOY B. PIMENTEL, AIRENE LAYON, MARY JOY TURQUEZA, MARY ANN VALENTIN, ROSIE L. NIEBRES, MELCA MALLORCA, JOY CAGATCAGAT, DIANA CAMARO, MARIVEL DIJUMO, SHEILA DELA CRUZ, ELIZABETH ARINGO, JENALYN G. DISMAYA, MELANIE G. TRIA, GRETCHEN D. MEJOS, AND JANELIE R. JIMENEZ, Petitioners, v. HSY MARKETING LTD., CO., WANTOFREE ORIENTAL TRADING, INC., COEN FASHION HOUSE AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE, ASIA CONSUMER VALUE TRADING, INC., FABULOUS JEANS & SHIRT & GENERAL MERCHANDISE, LSG MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, UNITE GENERAL MERCHANDISE, ROSARIO Q. CO, LUCIA PUN LING YEUNG, AND ALEXANDER ARQUEZA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215713, January 22, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BOBBY S. ABELARDE, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-17-3771 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3689-P), January 24, 2018 - JUDGE DENNIS B. CASTILLA, Complainant, v. MARIA LUZ A. DUNCANO, CLERK OF COURT IV, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, BUTUAN, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203081, January 17, 2018 - LINDA CACHO, MINORS SARAH JANE, JACQUELINE, FIRE RINA AND MARK LOUISE ALL SURNAMED CACHO, ALL REPRESENTED BY THEIR MOTHER AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM LINDA CACHO, Petitioners, v. GERARDO MANAHAN, DAGUPAN BUS CO., INC., AND RENATO DE VERA DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME R. M. DE VERA CONSTRUCTION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210766, January 08, 2018 - MARIA CONCEPCION N. SINGSON A.K.A. CONCEPCION N. SINGSON, Petitioner, v. BENJAMIN L. SINGSON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207074, January 17, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. MICHELLE SORIANO GALLO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195878, January 10, 2018 - MAGSAYSAY MITSUI OSK MARINE, INC., KOYO MARINE, CO. LTD., AND CONRADO DELA CRUZ, Petitioners, v. OLIVER G. BUENAVENTURA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 230404, January 31, 2018 - IN THE MATTER OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF REYNALDO GUZMAN RODRIGUEZ; ANITA ONG TAN, Petitioner, v. ROLANDO C. RODRIGUEZ, RACQUEL R. GEGAJO*, ROSALINDA R. LANDON, REYNALDO C. RODRIGUEZ, JR., ESTER R. FULGENCIO, RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ AND REYNEST C. RODRIGUEZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 216057, January 08, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. CEFERINO VILLACAMPA Y CADIENTE @ "DADDY GAGA," Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 9000, January 10, 2018 - TOMAS P. TAN, JR., Complainant, v. ATTY. HAIDE V. GUMBA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 205813, January 10, 2018 - ALFREDO F. LAYA, JR., Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK AND RICARDO A. BALBIDO, JR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192971, January 10, 2018 - FLORO MERCENE, Petitioner, v. GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-11-2301 [Formerly A.M. No. 11-3-55-RTC], January 16, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. JUDGE PERLA V. CABRERA� FALLER, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OPHELIA G. SULUEN AND PROCESS SERVER RIZALINO RINALDI B. PONTEJOS, ALL OF THE RTC, BRANCH 90, DASMARI�AS, CAVITE, Respondents.; A.M. No. RTJ-11-2302 [FORMERLY A.M. No. 11-7-125-RTC] - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE FERNANDO L. FELICEN, CLERK OF COURT V ATTY. ALLAN SLY M. MARASIGAN, SHERIFF IV ANSELMO P. PAGUNSAN, JR., COURT STENOGRAPHERS ROSALIE MARANAN AND TERESITA P. REYES, COURT INTERPRETER IMELDA M. JUNTILLA, AND PROCESS SERVER HIPOLITO O. FERRER, ALL OF THE RTC, BRANCH 20, IMUS, CAVITE; PRESIDING JUDGE NORBERTO J. QUISUMBING, JR., CLERK OF COURT ATTY. MARIA CRISTITA A. RIVAS�SANTOS, LEGAL RESEARCHER MANUELA O. OSORIO, SHERIFF IV FILMAR M. DE VILLA, COURT STENOGRAPHERS MARILOU CAJIGAL, WENDILYN T. ALMEDA AND HELEN B. CARALUT, COURT INTERPRETER ELENITA T. DE VILLA, AND PROCESS SERVER ELMER S. AZCUETA, ALL OF THE RTC, BRANCH 21, IMUS, CAVITE; PRESIDING JUDGE CESAR A. MANGROBANG, CLERK OF COURT VI ATTY. REGALADO E. EUSEBIO, CLERK OF COURT V ATTY. SETER M. DELA CRUZ-CORDEZ, LEGAL RESEARCHER DEVINA A. REYES BERMUDEZ, COURT STENOGRAPHERS PRISCILLA P. HERNANDEZ, NORMITA Z. FABIA, MERLY O. PARCERO, AND JOYCE ANN F. SINGIAN, COURT INTERPRETER MICHELLE A. ALARCON, AND PROCESS SERVER ELMER S. AZCUETA, ALL OF THE RTC, BRANCH 22, IMUS, CAVITE; EXECUTIVE JUDGE PERLA V. CABRERA�FALLER, CLERK OF COURT ZENAIDA C. NOGUERA, SHERIFF IV TOMAS C. AZURIN, OIC LEGAL RESEARCHER OPHELIA G. SULUEN, COURT STENOGRAPHERS JESUSA B. SAN JOSE, ROSALINA A. COSTUNA, AND MARIA LOURDES M. SAPINOSO, COURT INTERPRETER MERLINA S. FERMA, AND PROCESS SERVER RIZALINO RINALDI B. PONTEJOS, ALL OF THE RTC, BRANCH 90, DASMARI�AS, CAVITE, Respondents.; A.M. No. 12-9-188-RTC - RE: ANONYMOUS LETTER� COMPLAINT AGAINST JUDGE PERLA V. CABRERA-FALLER, BRANCH 90, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, DASMARI�AS CITY, CAVITE, RELATIVE TO CIVIL CASE NO. 1998-08

  • G.R. No. 194214, January 10, 2018 - MARILOU PUNONGBAYAN-VISITACION, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND CARMELITA P. PUNONGBAYAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200469, January 15, 2018 - PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Petitioner, v. JOSEPHINE L. PAPA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 205440, January 15, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. YOLANDO B. PANERIO ALIAS JOHN "YOLLY" LABOR AND ALEX (JOJO) F. ORTEZA, ACCUSED, YOLANDO B. PANERIO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 214291, January 11, 2018 - AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION; AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.; AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION (A.P.C.), B.V.; AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION (PHILS.) B.V.; DAVID W. PLUMER, JR.; GEORGE KONG; AND ALICIA HENDY, Petitioners, v. JASON YU LIM, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225596, January 10, 2018 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALEXANDER ALVARO Y DE LEON AND ROSALIE GERONIMO Y MADERA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 210610, January 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARILOU HILARIO Y DIANA AND LALAINE GUADAYO Y ROYO, ACCUSED. MARILOU HILARIO Y DIANA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. Nos. 206841-42, January 19, 2018 - ARMANDO GO, Petitioner, v. EAST OCEANIC LEASING AND FINANCE CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208835, January 19, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NOEL BEJIM Y ROMERO, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-17-3639 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 14-4314-P), January 23, 2018 - MA. CECILIA FERMINA T. ROXAS, Complainant, v. ALLEN FRANCISCO S. SICAT, SHERIFF III, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219683, January 23, 2018 - HON. JONATHAN A. DELA CRUZ AND HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING, AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND AS TAXPAYERS, Petitioners, v. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; HON. JOSEPH EMILIO A. ABAYA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS; HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; AND HON. ROSALIA V. DE LEON, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE NATIONAL TREASURER, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225690, January 17, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GERALD ARVIN ELINTO RAMIREZ AND BELINDA GALIENBA LACHICA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 204039, January 10, 2018 - UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES WALTER UY AND LILY UY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195887, January 10, 2018 - BEN LINE AGENCIES PHILIPPINES, INC., REP. BY RICARDO J. JAMANDRE, Petitioner, v. CHARLES M.C. MADSON AND ALFREDO P. AMORADO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212994, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSHUA QUE Y UTUANIS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 230144, January 22, 2018 - THE MANILA BANKING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 216017, January 19, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NI�O FLOR Y MORA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 188243, January 24, 2018 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. RAUL T. MANZANO, JOSE R. JUGO, RAMON H. MANZANO, AND HEIRS OF PILAR T. MANZANO, NAMELY: RICARDO T. MANZANO, JR., RENATO T. MANZANO, JR., RAMON T. MANZANO, JR., RAUL T. MANZANO, RAFAEL T. MANZANO, ROBERTO T. MANZANO, AND REGINA T. MANZANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 231792, January 29, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALVIN JUGO Y VILLANUEVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 197920, January 22, 2018 - DEMOSTHENES R. ARBILON, Petitioner, v. SOFRONIO MANLANGIT, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-18-3796 (Formerly OCA IPI No.16-4545-P), January 22, 2018 - ATTY. MA. JASMINE P. LOOD, MARY JANE G. CORPUZ, AND MA. HAZEL P. SEBIAL, Complainants, v. RUEL V. DELICANA, LEGAL RESEARCHER, BRANCH 3, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES [MTCC], GENERAL SANTOS CITY, SOUTH COTABATO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208775, January 22, 2018 - JORGE DABON, a.k.a. GEORGE DEBONE @ GEORGE, Petitioner, v. THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208638, January 24, 2018 - SPOUSES FRANCISCO ONG AND BETTY LIM ONG, AND SPOUSES JOSEPH ONG CHUAN AND ESPERANZA ONG CHUAN, Petitioners, v. BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191460, January 31, 2018 - PERFECTO M. PASCUA, Petitioner, v. BANK WISE, INC. AND PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK, Respondent.; G.R. No. 191464, January 31, 2018 - BANKWISE, INC., Petitioner, v. PERFECTO M. PASCUA AND PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 226400, January 24, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSELITO BRINGCULA Y FERNANDEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 10684, January 24, 2018 - ILUMINADA D. YUZON, Complainant, v. ATTY. ARNULFO M. AGLERON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227577, January 24, 2018 - ANGEL FUELLAS DIZON, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILLIPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229512, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RONALDO PAZ Y DIONISIO @ "JEFF", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 195472, January 08, 2018 - SAMSON LIM BIO HIAN, Petitioner, v. JOAQUIN LIM ENG TIAN, Respondent.; G.R. No. 195568, January 08, 2018 - JOHNSON LIM BIO TIONG, Petitioner, v. JOAQUIN LIM ENG TIAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200401, January 17, 2018 - METRO RAIL TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. GAMMON PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-18-1908 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 14-2674-MTJ), January 16, 2018 - BERNARDITA F. ANTIPORDA, Complainant, v. FRANCISCO A. ANTE, JR., PRESIDING JUDGE, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, VIGAN, CITY, ILOCOS SUR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207613, January 31, 2018 - REYMAN G. MINSOLA, Petitioner, v. NEW CITY BUILDERS, INC. AND ENGR. ERNEL FAJARDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 222317, January 24, 2018 - ST. PAUL COLLEGE, PASIG, AND SISTER TERESITA BARICAUA, SPC, Petitioners, v. ANNA LIZA L. MANCOL AND JENNIFER CECILE S. VALERA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 213465, January 08, 2018 - CAREER PHILIPPINES SHIPMANAGEMENT, INC.; COLUMBIA SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD. LIBERIA; AND/OR SAMPAGUITA D. MARAVE, Petitioners, v. DONARD P. SILVESTRE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228799, January 10, 2018 - MACTAN ROCK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND ANTONIO TOMPAR, Petitioners, v. BENFREI S. GERMO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224673, January 22, 2018 - CECILIA RIVAC, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 226103, January 24, 2018 - GENERATO M. HERNANDEZ, Petitioner, v. MAGSAYSAY MARITIME CORPORATION, SAFFRON MARITIME LIMITED AND/OR MARLON R. RO�O, Respondents.

  • GR. No. 199081, January 24, 2018 - ASIGA MINING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. MANILA MINING CORPORATION AND BASIANA MINING EXPLORATION CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203160, January 24, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. COVANTA ENERGY PHILIPPINE HOLDINGS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218984, January 24, 2018 - ARMANDO M. TOLENTINO (DECEASED), HEREIN REPRESENTED BY HIS SURVIVING SPOUSE MERLA F. TOLENTINO AND CHILDREN NAMELY: MARIENELA, ALYSSA, ALEXA, AND AZALEA, ALL SURNAMED TOLENTINO, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217135, January 31, 2018 - MANILA SHIPMANAGEMENT & MANNING, INC., AND/OR HELLESPONT HAMMONIA GMBH & CO. KG AND/OR AZUCENA C. DETERA, Petitioners, v. RAMON T. ANINANG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210504, January 24, 2018 - HEIRS OF ALFONSO YUSINGCO, REPRESENTED BY THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, TEODORO K. YUSINGCO, Petitioners, v. AMELITA BUSILAK, COSCA NAVARRO, FLAVIA CURAYAG AND LIXBERTO1 CASTRO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 229404, January 24, 2018 - MARILYN B. ASENTISTA, Petitioner, v. JUPP & COMPANY, INC., AND/OR MR. JOSEPH V. ASCUTIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 233922, January 24, 2018 - MA. VICTORIA M. GALANG, Petitioner, v. PEAKHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF CALOOCAN CITY, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 17-11-272-RTC, January 31, 2018 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF LEMUEL H. VENDIOLA, SHERIFF IV, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT (OCC), REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BI�AN CITY, LAGUNA (RTC).

  • A.C. No. 9129, January 31, 2018 - MARIA EVA DE MESA, Complainant, v. ATTY. OLIVER O. OLAYBAL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 9067, January 31, 2018 - MARJORIE A. APOLINAR-PETILO, Complainant, v. ATTY. ARISTEDES A. MARAMOT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229671, January 31, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOVENCITO MIRANDA Y TIGAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 207252, January 24, 2018 - PHILIPPINE GEOTHERMAL, INC. EMPLOYEES UNION (PGIEU), Petitioner, v. CHEVRON GEOTHERMAL PHILS. HOLDINGS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225929, January 24, 2018 - JOSE V. GAMBITO, Petitioner, v. ADRIAN OSCAR Z. BACENA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222159, January 31, 2018 - PAZ E. REBADULLA, PERRAIN E. REBADULLA, JOCELYN E. REBADULLA, CLEVIS E. REBADULLA, HAZEL R. RIGUERA, ARIEL E. REBADULLA,GIOVANNI CLYDE E. REBADULLA, ROEL E. STA. MARIA, KLEINER KYLE R. STA. MARIA, AND KERSCHEL R. STA. MARIA, Petitioners, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS, AND ENGR. TOMAS L. BUEN, PROJECT MANAGER, DPWH-PMO-SWIM PROJECT, Respondents.; G.R. No. 222171, January 31, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, AND ENGR. TOMAS L. BUEN, PROJECT MANAGER, DPWH-PMO-SWIM PROJECT, Petitioners, v. PAZ E. REBADULLA, PERRAIN E. REBADULLA, JOCELYN E. REBADULLA, CLEVIS E. REBADULLA, PAZ R. STA. MARIA, REPRESENTED BY HER COMPULSORY HEIRS HAZEL R. RIGUERA, ARIEL E. REBADULLA, GIOVANNI CLYDE E. REBADULLA, ROEL E. STA. MARIA, KLEINER KYLE R. STA. MARIA, AND KERSCHEL R. STA. MARIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 213945, January 24, 2018 - LUCILA YARED AND HEIRS OF THE LATE ERNESTO YARED, SR., Petitioners, v. LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 220103, January 31, 2018 - SAN MIGUEL FOODS, INC., Petitioner, v. HANNIVAL V. RIVERA, JOVICELL B. FUJA, ENCENARIO B. CORONADO, JR., LEYLANIE O. GULANE, JOSE PEDRO, REY RELLOROSA, CHERRY MAY BRAGA, ROGELIO ALSONADO, JOHN DE VERA, ALBERTO DAGANIO, RHENE PURA, EFREN ESCOBIDO, ALEXANDER D. BUENAOBRA, SUSIE VERIDIANO, ROBERTO E. GERMAN, JR., HERMAN B. ESPANUEVA, JR., MARIONITO D. JUMAO-AS, ANTHONY ANTONIO, JESSIE GLENN DELA CRUZ, SOFRONIO SIMPORIOS, JR., RICHARD FLAUTA, ENRIQUE BUNA, JOJIT ORILLOSA, JONATHAN PENA, JENNIFER B. CASTILLO, EDGARDO BARBACENA, JOSE WARLITO INTING, MICHAEL FLORES, LEONCIO M. ISON, ALEXANDER C. ARELLANO, CARMELITO F. FUNTANBA, ALMARO M. ROSEL, NORBERTO PONCE B. PULIDO, JR., ARIAMHER OGANA, DOMINADOR B. SALAZAR, ANGELITO C. TABUCOL, RENATO C. ILLUSTRISIMO, ROGELIO M. DE LEON, FELIPE P. GUILLANO, AND SHIRLY M. TOLENTINO, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-16-2470 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 12-3987-RTJ), January 10, 2018 - PROSECUTOR LEO T. CAHANAP, Complainant, v. JUDGE LEONOR S. QUI�ONES, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 6, ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208197, January 10, 2018 - ARACELI MAYUGA, SUBSTITUTED BY MARILYN MAYUGA SANTILLAN FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ALL THE HEIRS, Petitioner, v. ANTONIO ATIENZA, REPRESENTING THE HEIRS OF ARMANDO* ATIENZA; BENJAMIN ATIENZA, JR., REPRESENTING THE HEIRS OF BENJAMIN A. ATIENZA, SR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227395, January 10, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. OSCAR GIMPAYA AND ROEL GIMPAYA, ACCUSED, OSCAR GIMPAYA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 229102, January 29, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PHILIP MAMANGON Y ESPIRITU, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 210961, January 24, 2018 - LEO V. MAGO AND LEILANIE E. COLOBONG, Petitioners, v. SUN POWER MANUFACTURING LIMITED, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221862, January 23, 2018 - GEN. EMMANUEL BAUTISTA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), GEN. EDUARDO A�O, IN HIS CAPACITY AS COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE INTELLIGENCE SERVICE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (ISAFP), GEN. HERNANDO IRIBERRI, IN HIS CAPACITY AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY, GEN. BENITO ANTONIO T. DE LEON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION, AND PC/SUPT. MIGUEL DE MAYO LAUREL, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHIEF OF THE ISABELA PROVINCIAL POLICE OFFICE, Petitioners, v. ATTY. MARIA CATHERINE DANNUG-SALUCON, Respondent.