Article VIII Section 5 Joya v. PCGG G.R. No.

96541, August 24, 1993 Facts: - After the fall of the Marcos regime, the Aquino administration set to take hold of the different properties that belonged to the fallen dictator. In this case at hand, the properties which are at stake are the Old Masters Painting and 18th and 19th century silverware seized from Malacanan and Metropolitan Museum of Manila and placed in the custody of the Central Bank. Issue: - WON the petitioners have legal standing (locus standi) to file the local petition. Held/Ratio: - NO. The petitioners allege, as taxpayers and concerned artists, that they have the right to protect such pieces of art. They also contend that the pieces of art are public properties collectively owned by them. However, the pieces of art discussed here are donations by private individuals to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation. Therefore, on this basis, the properties belong to the foundation or its members. The silverwares were gifts to the Marcoses which the government seized and transferred to the Central Bank Museum. The only individuals who could question such seizure would be the original owners because of propriety rights. In the end, the petition was denied because the petitioners did not have the legal standing.
WHEREFORE, for lack of merit, the petition for prohibition and mandamus is DISMISSED.