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[G.R. No. 126449.August 17, 1999]

MARIA CLARA L. LOBREGAT, et. al. vs. HON. RUBEN D. TORRES, et. al.

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated AUG 17, 1999.

G.R. No. 126449 (Maria Clara L Lobregat, et al. vs. Honorable Ruben D. Torres, in his official capacity as Executive Secretary, et al.)

This resolves the Motion for Leave of Court to Intervene filed by Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute on October 30, 1996.Movant alleges that it is a duly registered non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization which represents the citizens in supporting the peace process and advocating citizen participation therein.It also serves as the secretariat for several peace formations, namely the Coalition for Peace (CfP), the National Peace Conference (NPC), the former Multi-Sectoral Peace Advocates (MSPA), and the Philippine Independent Peace Advocates (PIPA).It claims a legal interest in the matter in litigation in the instant case since it involves the Peace Agreement concluded between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), now sought to be implemented by Executive Order No. 371.

Petitioners oppose the Motion for Leave of Court to Intervene, stating that the movant has no legal interest in the matter in litigation since it did not specify the rights, programs, activities, beliefs or interests it has as a group, or detail the rights of its individual members that may be violated or irreparably damaged by the suit.Moreover, petitioners argue that the grant of intervention will cause undue delay in the disposition of this case.

By way of reply to petitioner's opposition, movant maintained that the rules on intervention should be liberally construed; that its legal interest is the attainment of peace through the Peace Agreement, E.O. 371 and other related executive issuances the validity and constitutionality of which movant has a stake in defending, being likewise citizens of the Philippines; and that the proposed intervention will not cause undue delay but will rather avoid multiplicity of suits.

Finding that movant represents citizens who possess sufficient interest in the peace-making process, in the interest of justice and in order to allow a complete determination of the issues involved in this case, leave of court to intervene in the instant petition is granted to movant Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute.Consequently, it is directed to file its pleading-in-intervention within a period of ten (10) days from receipt hereof.

IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the Motion for Leave of Court to Intervene is GRANTED. Movant-intervenor Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute is directed to file its pleading-in-intervention within a period of ten (10) days from receipt hereof.

Very truly yours,

LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO

Clerk of Court

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Asst. Clerk of Court

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