Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PACIFIC ACE FINANCE LTD. (PAFIN) v. EIJI YANAGISAWA
PACIFIC ACE FINANCE LTD. (PAFIN) v. EIJI YANAGISAWA
*Adherance to jurisdiction/ Jurisdiction cannot be ousted* At the hearing on the said motion, Evelyn and her lawyer voluntarily undertook not
to dispose of the properties registered in her name during the pendency of the
PACIFIC ACE FINANCE LTD. (PAFIN) v. EIJI* YANAGISAWA case, thus rendering Eijis application and motion moot.
G.R. No. 175303 | April 11, 2012 | DEL CASTILLO, J.
In its its October 2, 1996 Order on Evelyns commitment not to dispose of or
…This is a Petition for Review filed by PAFIN of the August 1, 2006 Decision of the encumber the properties registered in her name was annotated on the TCT of the
Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV No. 78944 which annulled and set aside Paranque Townhose Unit.
the decision dated April 20, 2003 of the RTC Branch 258, and entered the
annulment of the Real Estate Mortgage executed on Aug. 25, 1998 in favor Sometime in after, Evelyn obtained a loan of P500,000.00 PAFIN. To secure the
of PAFIN. loan, Evelyn executed on August 25, 1998 a real estate mortgage (REM) in favor
of PAFIN over the Paranaque townhouse unit covered by TCT No. 99791. Which
Doctrine: when a court of competent jurisdiction acquires jurisdiction over the was duly annotated on the TCT by the Registry of Deeds on the same date.
subject matter of a case, its authority continues, subject only to the appellate
authority, until the matter is finally and completely disposed of, and that no court of At the time of the mortgage, Eijis appeal in the nullity of marriage case was pending
co-ordinate authority is at liberty to interfere with its action. This doctrine is before the CA. The Makati RTC had dissolved Eiji and Evelyns marriage, and
applicable to civil cases, to criminal prosecutions, and to courts-martial. The had ordered the liquidation of their registered properties, including the
principle is essential to the proper and orderly administration of the laws; and while Paraaque townhouse unit, with its proceeds to be divided between the
its observance might be required on the grounds of judicial comity and courtesy, it parties. The Decision of the Makati RTC did not lift or dissolve its October 2, 1996
does not rest upon such considerations exclusively, but is enforced to prevent Order.
unseemly, expensive, and dangerous conflicts of jurisdiction and of the process.
Eiji learned of the REM upon its annotation on the TCT. Deeming the mortgage as
Facts a violation of the Makati RTCs October 2, 1996 Order, Eiji filed a complaint for
the annulment of REM (annulment of mortgage case) against Evelyn and
Respondent Eiji Yanagisawa (Eiji), a Japanese married Evelyn F. Castaeda (Evelyn), PAFIN. The complaint, docketed as Civil Case No. 98-0431, was raffled to Branch
a Filipina, on July 12, 1989l 258 of the Regional Trial Court of Paranaque City (Paranaque RTC).
On August 1995, Evelyn purchased a 152 square-meter townhouse unit located at Bo. Both PAFIN and Evelyn denied being aware of the impediment on the mortgage.
Sto. Nio, Paranaque, Metro Manila (Paranaque townhouse unit). The Registry of
Deeds for Paraaque issued Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 99791 to Evelyn Paranaque Regional Trial Court Decision
P. Castaeda, Filipino, married to Ejie Yanagisawa, Japanese citizen[,] both of
legal age. The RTC dismissed Eijis complaint. The RTC explained that Eiji, as a foreign
national, cannot possibly own the mortgaged property. Without ownership, or any
In 1996, Eiji filed a complaint for the declaration of nullity of his marriage with other law or contract binding the defendants to him, Eiji has no cause of action that
Evelyn on the ground of bigamy (nullity of marriage case). The complaint, may be asserted against them.
docketed as Civil Case No. 96-776, was raffled to Branch 149 of the Regional Trial
Court of Makati (Makati RTC). Eiji appealed the trial courts decision arguing that the trial court erred in holding that
his inability to own real estate property in the Philippines deprives him of all interest
During the pendency of the case, Eiji filed a Motion for the Issuance of a Restraining in the mortgaged property, which was bought with his money. He added that the
Order against Evelyn and an Application for a Writ of a Preliminary Injunction. Makati RTC has even recognized his contribution in the purchase of the property by
its declaration that he is entitled to half of the proceeds that would be obtained from Ruling:
its sale.
No. The Paranaque RTC cannot rule on the issue of ownership. Contrary to petitioners
Eiji also brought up the undertaking of Evelyn to not dispose of, alienate, or encumber stance, the CA did not make any disposition as to who between Eiji and Evelyn owns
[dae] the properties registered in her name while the case was pending. This the Paraaque townhouse unit. It simply ruled that the Makati RTC had acquired
commitment incapacitates Evelyn from entering into the REM contract. jurisdiction over the said question and should not have been interfered with by
the Paranaque RTC. The CA only clarified that it was improper for the Paranaque
Court of Appeals Decision RTC to have reviewed the ruling of a co-equal court.
The CA found merit in Eijis appeal. The Court agrees with the CA. The issue of ownership and liquidation of properties
acquired during the cohabitation of Eiji and Evelyn has been submitted for the
The CA noted that the Makati RTC ruled on Eijis and Evelyns ownership rights over resolution of the Makati RTC, and is pending appeal before the CA. The doctrine of
the properties that were acquired during their marriage, including the Paranaque judicial stability or non-interference dictates that the assumption by the Makati
townhouse unit. It was determined therein that the registered properties should be RTC over the issue operates as an insurmountable barrier to the subsequent
sold at public auction and the proceeds thereof to be divided between Eiji and assumption by the Paranaque RTC.
Evelyn.
It has been held that "even in cases of concurrent jurisdiction, it is, also, axiomatic
The appellate court determined that the Paranaque RTCs Decision was that the court first acquiring jurisdiction excludes the other courts."
improper because it violated the doctrine of non-interference. Courts of equal
jurisdiction, such as regional trial courts, have no appellate jurisdiction over each In addition, it is a familiar principle that when a court of competent jurisdiction
other. For this reason, the CA annulled and set aside the Paranaque RTCs decision to acquires jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case, its authority continues,
dismiss Eijis complaint. subject only to the appellate authority, until the matter is finally and completely
disposed of, and that no court of co-ordinate authority is at liberty to interfere
The CA noted that Eiji anchored his complaint upon Evelyns violation of her with its action. This doctrine is applicable to civil cases, to criminal
commitment to the Makati RTC. This commitment created a right in favor of Eiji to prosecutions, and to courts-martial. The principle is essential to the proper and
rely thereon and a correlative obligation on Evelyns part not to encumber the Paraaque orderly administration of the laws; and while its observance might be required
townhouse unit. Since Evelyns commitment was annotated on TCT No. 99791, all on the grounds of judicial comity and courtesy, it does not rest upon such
those who deal with the said property are notified of the burdens on the property and considerations exclusively, but is enforced to prevent unseemly, expensive, and
its registered owner. That being said, Evelyn would have been aware of her dangerous conflicts of jurisdiction and of the process.
impediment, while PAFIN showed wanton disregard of ordinary prudence
Thus, the CA annulled the REM executed by Evelyn in favor of PAFIN. The October 2, 1996 Order, embodying Evelyns commitment not to dispose of or
encumber the property, is akin to an injunction order against the disposition or
The Evelyn and Pafin filed separately motions for reconsideration on August 22, encumbrance of the property. Jurisprudence holds that all acts done in violation of a
2006, which were both denied for lack of merit by the appellate court in its November standing injunction order are voidable as to the party enjoined and third parties who
7, 2006 Resolution. are not in good faith.
The case was then set for pre-trial conference. During the pre-trial, RBCIs Ruling:
counsel filed a motion to withdraw after being informed that Philippine
Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) would handle the case as RBCI had YES. The Court recognizes the doctrine on adherence of jurisdiction Such is
already been closed and placed under the receivership of the not without exceptions. It is well to quote the ruling of the CA on this matter,
thus: One of the exceptions is that when the change in jurisdiction is Superintendents of Banks and regulate his operations (citing Central Bank of
curative in character. For sure, Section 30, R.A. 7653 is curative in the Philippines, et al. v. CA, et al., 163 SCRA 482 [1988]).[9]
character when it declared that the liquidation court shall have jurisdiction in
the same proceedings to assist in the adjudication of the disputed claims The cited Morfe case held that after the Monetary Board has declared that a
against the Bank. bank is insolvent and has ordered it to cease operations, the Board becomes
the trustee of its assets for the equal benefit of all the creditors, including
depositors. The assets of the insolvent banking institution are held in trust for
Sec. 30. Proceedings in Receivership and Liquidation. - Whenever, the equal benefit of all creditors, and after its insolvency, one cannot obtain
upon report of the head of the supervising or examining department, an advantage or a preference over another by an attachment, execution or
the Monetary Board finds that a bank or quasi-bank: otherwise.
(a) is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary
course of business: Provided, That this shall not include inability to Thus, to allow Lucias case to proceed independently of the
pay caused by extraordinary demands induced by financial panic in liquidation case, a possibility of favorable judgment and execution thereof
the banking community; against the assets of RBCI would not only prejudice the other creditors
and depositors but would defeat the very purpose for which a liquidation
(b) has insufficient realizable assets, as determined by the Bangko court was constituted as well.
Sentral, to meet its liabilities; or
In sum, this Court holds that the consolidation is proper considering
(c) cannot continue in business without involving probable losses to that the liquidation court has jurisdiction over Lucias action. It would be more
its depositors or creditors; or in keeping with law and equity if Lucias case is consolidated with the
(d) has wilfully violated a cease and desist order under Section 37 liquidation case in order to expeditiously determine whether she is entitled to
that has become final, involving acts or transactions which amount recover the property subject of mortgage from RBCI and, if so, how much
to fraud or a dissipation of the assets of the institution; in which she is entitled to receive from the remaining assets of the bank.
cases, the Monetary Board may summarily and without need for
prior hearing forbid the institution from doing business in the WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED.
Philippines and designate the Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation as receiver of the banking institution. SO ORDERED.
In Manalo v. Court of Appeals (366 SCRA 752, [2001]), the Supreme Court
says: The requirement that all claims against the bank be pursued in the *in this case liquidation proceeding was explained*
liquidation proceedings filed by the Central Bank is intended to prevent
multiplicity of actions against the insolvent bank and designed to establish
due process and orderliness in the liquidation of the bank, to obviate the
proliferation of litigations and to avoid injustice and arbitrariness (citing Ong
v. CA, 253 SCRA 105 [1996]). The lawmaking body contemplated that for
convenience, only one court, if possible, should pass upon the claims against
the insolvent bank and that the liquidation court should assist the
54. *Adherance to jurisdiction/ Jurisdiction cannot be ousted* Of relevance is the first, a complaint for a sum of money instituted
on September 23, 1997 before the RTC-Makati, against four (4)
UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES v. DANILO L. CONCEPCION members of the EYCO Group and spouses Eulogio and Bee Kuan
G.R. No. 160727 | June 26, 2007 | GARCIA, J.: Yutingco, as sureties of the corporate obligations, with application for
preliminary attachment. The next day, the Makati RTC issued the desired
writ of preliminary attachment, pursuant to which levy on attachment was
In this petition for review under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, petitioner annotated on the titles, i.e., TCT Nos. V-48192 and V-48193 of the
Union Bank of the Philippines (Union Bank) assails and seeks the setting Registry of Deeds of Valenzuela City, of two parcels of land under the
aside of the Decision[1]dated July 22, 2003 of the Court of Appeals (CA) name of Nikon Plaza, Inc. and EYCO Properties, Inc., respectively.
in CA-G.R. SP No. 75355, as effectively reiterated in its Resolution[2] of Also attached, per herein respondent Danilo L. Concepcion (Concepcion,
November 7, 2003 denying the petitioners motion for reconsideration. for brevity), without denial from the petitioner, is a parcel of land covered
by TCT No. V-49678 of the same registry allegedly held by the Yutingcos
FACTS: in trust for Nikon Industrial Corporation.[11]
On September 16, 1997, the EYCO Group of Companies (EYCO or On October 22, 1997, Union Bank moved, on jurisdictional ground, for
EYCO Group) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the dismissal of SEC Case No. 09-97-5764. On the same date, EYCO
a PETITION for the declaration of suspension of payment, submitted its rehabilitation plan.
appointment of a rehabilitation receiver/committee and approval of
rehabilitation plan with an alternative prayer for liquidation and In January 1998, the SEC Hearing Panel appointed the regular members of
dissolution of corporations (Petition for Suspension of Payment, the newly created ManCom for EYCO.
hereinafter). In it, EYCO depicted the Groups composite corporations as
having a combined asset that are more than enough to pay off all their Meanwhile, Union Bank, without awaiting for the SECs ruling on its motion
debts, but nonetheless unable to pay them as they fall due. Joining EYCO to dismiss SEC Case No. 09-97-5764, filed with the CA a petition
as co-petitioners were Eulogio Yutingco and two other individuals for certiorari to nullify what it tagged as the precipitate September 19, 1997
holding controlling interests in the composite corporations (collectively, SEC suspension order[12] and its creation of the ManCom. In the same
the Yutingcos). petition, docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 45774, Union Bank alleged that the
jurisdiction over the basic petition for declaration of suspension of
SEC Hearing Panel, by an order of September 19, 1997, directed the payment pertains to the RTC under Act No. 1956, as amended, or
suspension of all actions, claims and proceedings against EYCO, et al. the Insolvency Law.
pending before any court, tribunal, board or office [6] (the Suspension
Order). At the same time, the Panel set the petition for hearing. On December 22, 1997, in CA-G.R. SP No. 45774, the CA rendered judgment
declaring Union Bank guilty of forum shopping and accordingly dismissed
Meanwhile, a consortium of private banks which had granted credit its petition for certiorari. This Court, in its Decision] dated May 19, 1998
facilities to EYCO, among them, Union Bank, convened to map out their in G.R. No. 131729, in turn affirmed that of the CA, but proceeded further to
collective collection options. The formation of a management committee declare the SEC as possessed of jurisdiction over EYCOs petition for
(ManCom) to represent the creditor banks was agreed upon in that suspension of payments filed pursuant to Section 5(d) of Presidential
meeting. Decree (P.D.) No. 902-A, but not insofar as the Yutingcos petition was
concerned. With respect to the Yutingcos, the Court held that the SECs
Subsequently, Union Bank decided to break away from the consortium jurisdiction on matters of suspension of payments is confined only to those
and, without notifying its members, filed a slew of civil cases against initiated by corporate entities, as the aforecited section does not allow an
EYCO, et al. individual to file, or join in, the corresponding petition. In line with the rule
on misjoinder of parties, the Court directed the SEC to drop the individual Another en banc order[15] of March 31, 2001 followed, with the SEC this
petitioners from the petition for suspension of payment. time appointing respondent Concepcion to act, vice the dissolved
Liquidation Committee, as EYCO Liquidator. Among Concepcions first
Conformably with this Courts Decision aforementioned, the Makati RTC act as such liquidator was to file, on March 8, 2002, in Civil Case No. 97-
issued, in Civil Case No. 97-2184, an Order[14] dated August 17, 1998 2184, a Motion to Intervene and To Admit Motion to Set Aside Order of
thereunder indefinitely suspending the proceedings in that collection suit Attachment[16] (Motion to Intervene, for brevity). Three days
until further orders. later, Concepcion submitted before the SEC a Liquidation Plan[17] for the
In a related development, the SEC Hearing Panel, over the objection of EYCO Group.
the consortium of EYCOs creditor banks, approved, on December 18,
1998, the rehabilitation plan prepared by the Strategies and Alliance
Corporation for EYCO. The consortium lost no time in appealing to the After due proceedings, the SEC approved, on April 11, 2002, the
SEC en banc the Hearing Panels Concepcion-submitted Liquidation Plan.[18] Concepcions motion to
approval order and prayed for the liquidation and dissolution of EYCO, intervene, however, met a different fate. For, by Order[19] of August 8,
the appellate recourse docketed as SEC AC No. 649. 2002, the Makati RTC denied Concepcions motion to intervene in Civil
Case No. 97-2184 on the ground of lack of standing to intervene, his
appointment as Liquidator being, according to the court, of doubtful
On September 14, 1999, the SEC en banc issued in SEC AC No. 649 an validity. The order, in addition, granted Union Banks earlier motion to
order finding for the consortium, disposing as follows: declare EYCO in default, and set a date for the ex-parte reception of
Union Banks evidence.
The Commission, likewise, orders the liquidation and Earlier, however, Union Bank presented evidence ex parte, on the basis
dissolution of the [EYCO Group]. The case is hereby of which the Makati RTC rendered, on December 27, 2002, partial
remanded to the hearing panel below for that judgment[21] ordering EYCO to pay the bank P400 million plus interests and
purpose. xxx (Words in brackets and emphasis attorneys fees.
supplied.)
SO ORDERED. It is the petitioners posture, following the Makati RTCs line, that the
respondents appointment as liquidator of EYCO was invalid for lack of
Following the denial of its motion for reconsideration,[23] Union Bank has jurisdiction on the part of SEC to preside, in first place, over EYCOs
interposed this petition ascribing to the CA the following errors: liquidation and dissolution. Pressing on, the petitioner states that EYCO is
already insolvent and insolvency proceedings fall under the jurisdiction of
regular courts under the Insolvency Law (Act No. 1956, as amended) in
1. In ruling in favor of respondent Concepcions right to relation to the pertinent provision of R.A. No. 8799, otherwise
intervene in Civil Case No. 97-2184 pending in the lower known as the Securities Regulation Code.
court despite his lack of legal interest in the matter in
litigation. We are not persuaded.
2. In ruling in favor of respondent Concepcions right to As it were, the underlying petition[24] EYCO filed with and
intervene in said Civil Case No. 97-2184 despite his lack over which the SEC assumed jurisdiction was one for declaration of
of legal personality, his appointment by the SEC as suspension of payment, appointment of a rehabilitation
liquidator of EYCO being null and void for lack of receiver/committee, approval of rehabilitation plan with alternative prayer
jurisdiction; and for liquidation and dissolution. That the SEC, along the way, ordained
EYCOs liquidation and dissolution did not, without more, strip the SEC
of jurisdiction over the liquidation process. Albeit jurisdiction over a
petition to declare a corporation in a state of insolvency strictly lies with
3. In giving due course to respondent Concepcions petition regular courts, the SEC possessed, during the period material, ample
for certiorari under Rule 65 of the 1997 Rules of Civil power under P.D. No. 902-A,[25] as amended, to declare a corporation
Procedure despite its being the improper remedy. insolvent as an incident of and in continuation of its already acquired
jurisdiction over the petition to be declared in the state of suspension of
payments in the two instances provided in Section 5(d) thereof. [26] Said
Section 5(d)[27] vests the SEC with exclusive and original
jurisdiction over petitions for suspension of payments which may either properties hence suspension of payments with the SEC is
be: (a) a simple petition for suspension of payments based on the not the proper remedy.
provisions of the Insolvency Law, i.e., the petitioning corporation has
sufficient assets to cover all its debts, but foresees the impossibility of
meeting the obligations as they fall due, or (b) a similar petition filed by Such argument does not persuade us. Petitioners
an insolvent corporation accompanied by a prayer for the creation of a allegations of [EYCOs] supposed insolvency are hardly
management committee and/or rehabilitation receiver based on the of any consequence to the assumption of jurisdiction by
provisions of P.D. No. 902-A, as amended by P.D. No. 1758.[28] the SEC over the nature or subject matter of the petition
In the case at bench, EYCOs petition for suspension of payment was, at for suspension of payments. Aside from the fact that these
bottom, a mix of both situations adverted to above. For, while EYCO, in the allegations are evidentiary in nature , we have likewise
said petition, alleged being solvent but illiquid, it nonetheless pleaded for the consistently ruled that what determines the nature of an
constitution of a rehabilitation receiver/committee, with an alternative prayer action, as well as which court or body has jurisdiction over
for liquidation, if warranted. Clearly then, the SEC has, from the start, it, are the allegations of the complaint, or a petition as in
jurisdiction over EYCOs petition for suspension of payment, such this case, and the character of the relief sought. That the
jurisdiction, following Ching,[29] continuing for purposes of liquidation after it merits of the case after due proceedings are later found
(SEC) declared EYCO insolvent. The SEC appeared to be aware of the to veer away from the claims asserted by EYCO in its
continuity angle as it even ordered the remand to the SEC Hearing Panel of petition, as when it is shown later that it is actually
SEC Case No. 09-97-5764 for purposes of liquidating and dissolving the insolvent and may not be entitled to suspension of
EYCO Group. payments, does not divest the SEC at all of its
jurisdiction already acquired as its inception . (Words
in brackets and emphasis added.)
If the SEC contextually retained jurisdiction over the liquidation of EYCO, is
it not but logical then that it has competence to appoint the respondent or any
qualified individual for that matter as liquidator?
And lest it be overlooked, the Court had, in G.R. No. 131729, already rejected The Court is certainly aware of the transfer, effected by R.A. No. 8799, to the
the petitioners thesis about the SECs purported lack of jurisdiction over RTC of the SECs jurisdiction defined under Section 5(d) of P.D. No. 902-
EYCOs suspension of payment case owing to its supervening insolvency. A.[30] Such transfer, however, did not, as the petitioner and the RTC posit,
Therein, the Court stated: divest the SEC of its jurisdiction over SEC Case No. 09-97-5764, given that it
had already issued, as early as September 19, 1998, the suspension order after
it found the petition for suspension filed on September 16, 1998 to be
sufficient in form and substance. Subsection 5.2 of R.A. No. 8799 prescribing
We are of course aware of the argument [of] petitioner the jurisdiction transfer and the rules on transition provides as follows:
[Union Bank] that the petition of [EYCO] should be
entirely dismissed and taken out of the SECs jurisdiction
on account of the alleged insolvency of [the latter]. In this
regard, petitioner theorizes that [EYCO has] already 5.2. The [Securities and Exchange] Commissions
become insolvent when [the composite corporations] jurisdiction over all cases enumerated under Section 5
allegedly disposed of a substantial portion of their of [P.D.] No. 902-A is hereby transferred to the
appropriate [RTC]: Provided that the Supreme Court
may designate the [RTC] branches that shall exercise statute is clearly intended to apply to actions pending before its
jurisdiction over these cases. xxx The Commission enactment.[34]
shall retain jurisdiction over pending suspension of
payments/rehabilitation cases filed as of 30 June
2000 until finally disposed. (Words in bracket and Given the above perspective, the Court is at a loss to understand
emphasis added.) petitioners challenge against the right of the respondent to intervene in
Civil Case No. 97-2184, on the postulate that the latter lacks legal interest
in the matter in litigation.
EYCOs petition for suspension for payment was, for all intents and
purposes, still pending with the SEC as of June 30, 2000. Accordingly, Intervention is a procedure by which a third person, not originally party
the SECs jurisdiction thereon, by the express terms of R.A. No. 8999, to the suit, but claiming an interest in the subject matter, comes into the
still subsists until [the suspension of payment case and its incidents are] case, in order to protect his right or interpose his claim. [35] Its main
finally disposed. In the words of the CA: purpose is to settle in one action and by a single judgment all conflicting
claims of or the whole controversy among the persons involved. [36] To
warrant intervention under Rule 19, Section 1 of the Rules of
Court,[37] two requisites must concur: (a) the movant has a legal interest
As held by this Court Section 5.2 of RA 8799 in the matter in litigation, and (b) intervention must not unduly delay
specifically provided that the SEC shall retain or prejudice the adjudication of the rights of the parties, nor should the
jurisdiction over pending suspension of claim of the intervenor be capable of being properly decided in a separate
payments/rehabilitation cases filed as of June 30, proceeding. The interest, which entitles one to intervene, must involve the
2000until finally disposed. The records are clear that matter in litigation and of such direct and immediate character[38]that the
the suspension of payment was filed on September 7, intervenor will either gain or lose by the direct legal operation and effect
1998. As such, the petition is still pending with the of the judgment.[39]
SEC as of the cut-off date set in the rules. xxx[31]
Just like the CA, the Court has no doubt about the respondent, as the duly-
appointed liquidator of EYCOs remaining assets, having a legal interest
When the law speaks of until finally disposed, the reference should in the matter litigated in Civil Case No. 97-2184. This is particularly true
include the final disposition of the liquidation and dissolution processes with respect to the parcels of land covered by the writ of attachment
since it is within the power of the SEC by law,[32] or as incident of or in which, in the implementation of the SEC-approved Liquidation Plan for
continuation of its already acquired jurisdiction over the petition for EYCO, had been conveyed to the respondent[40] in trust for the benefit of
suspension of payment,[33] to order the dissolution/liquidation of a creditors, EYCOs stockholders and other persons in interest. At the very
corporation and accordingly appoint a liquidator. In fine, the continuing least, the respondent, as liquidator-trustee, is so situated as to be affected
exercise of jurisdiction by the SEC over the liquidation and dissolution of by the distribution or disposition of the attached properties which were
the EYCO Group is warranted. Once jurisdiction attaches, the court under threat of being levied on execution and sold at public
cannot be ousted from the case by any subsequent events, such as a new auction. Respondent would be unfaithful to his trust if he does take a bona
legislation placing such proceedings under the jurisdiction of another fide effort to intervene in Civil Case No. 97-2184 to thwart the attempt of
body. The only recognized exceptions to the rule, which find no sway in the petitioner to collect unpaid loans ahead of other legitimate creditors
the present case, arise when the statute expressly so provides or when the similarly situated. Under the SEC Rules of Procedure on Corporate
Recovery pursuant to which the SEC appointed the respondent to liquidate
the remaining assets of EYCO, the liquidator is empowered and duty Petitioners statement of the rule on the availability of the extraordinary
bound to [R]epresent the debtor in any case filed by or against the debtor writ of certiorari under the premises is impeccable. So too is its citation
in any tribunal and [B]ring any action on behalf of the debtor to collect, of supporting jurisprudence. Petitioner conveniently forgot, however, to
recover or preserve any of its assets, or to resist or defend against any include in its formulation settled exceptions to and qualifications of the
claim.[41] rule, even as it glossed over another holding that intervention is merely
accessory to the principal action and, as such, is an interlocutory
proceeding dependent on the case between the original parties.[42]
Any suggestion that allowing intervention would unduly It is true that certiorari may not be resorted to when appeal is available as
delay the final closure of the collection case cannot be accepted. Far from a remedy. However, it is also true that the Court has allowed the issuance
unnecessarily prolonging or complicating the case, the desired of a writ of certiorari when appeal does not afford a speedy and adequate
intervention, if allowed, would possibly enable the court in one single remedy in the ordinary course of law. As in the past, the Court has ruled
action and judgment to protect the collective interests of the creditors of that the availability of an appeal does not foreclose recourse to the
the EYCO Group that are seriously threatened by the imminent exclusion ordinary remedies or certiorari or prohibition where appeal is not
of certain properties from the pool of assets that should legally, if not adequate, equally beneficial, expeditious and sufficient.[43] Stated a bit
ideally, be equitably distributed among them. Disallowing intervention differently, certiorarimay be availed of where an appeal would be slow,
would pave the way for the petitioner to seize the proceedings before the inadequate and insufficient. The determination as to what exactly
Makati RTC to work entirely in its favor. Such course of action trifles constitutes plain, speedy and adequate remedy rests on judicial discretion
with the entire liquidation process. And any decision rendered therein and depends on the particular circumstances of each case.
would unlikely be left undisturbed by other legitimate but unpaid creditors
whose interest in the attached properties can hardly be disputed.
In the case at bar, the CA did not commit any reversible error in allowing
the petition for certiorari filed by the respondent. As it were, the
Moreover, the claim of the respondent over the attached properties could respondent was able to convince the CA of the urgency of his cause and
not possibly be better threshed out in a separate but subsequent that an appeal from the denial of the motion for intervention would not
proceedings given that he had already secured titles over them. constitute speedy and adequate remedy, thus necessitating the resort to the
extraordinary remedy of certiorari. And in an instance justifying the
invocation of the remedy of certiorari, it would appear too that the CA
The third and last issue turns on the propriety of certiorari as a recourse to found the RTC to have exercised its judicial authority in an oppressive
the denial of a motion for intervention. The correct remedy, according to manner,[44] so much so that the CA stated the apt observation that: In the
the petitioner, is an appeal under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, an order first place, it [RTC] should not have taken cognizance of the case when it
denying intervention being final in character, not merely interlocutory. was notified of the pending petition [for suspension of payments] before
Petitioner thus faults the CA for allowing respondent Concepcions the SEC at the time the complaint was filed.[45]
petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules as a vehicle to impugn
the denial of his motion for intervention. It stresses that the availability of Certainly not lost on the Court is an obvious reality: the Makati RTC
appeal proscribes recourse to the special civil action of certiorari. virtually interfered with and invalidated the appointment made by the
SEC when it has no jurisdiction over the latter.
We are not convinced.
WHEREFORE, the instant petition is DENIED and the impugned
Decision and Resolution of the Court of Appeals dated July 22,
2003 and November 7, 2003, respectively, are AFFIRMED.
Costs against the petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
55. *Adherance to jurisdiction/ Jurisdiction cannot be ousted* The DENR Regional Office decreed that portions of the subject mining
claims be awarded to Mingson, considering that said claims have
APO CEMENT CORPORATION vs. MINGSON MINING encroached its Yellow Eagle I to VII claims.
INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
PERLAS-BERNABE,J. | G.R. No. 206728 | November 12, 2014 However, upon Apocemco’s motion for reconsideration, the DENR Regional
Office’s Legal Division issued a Resolution, recommending that the subject
Assailed in this petition for review on certiorari are the Decision dated June mining claims be awarded, instead, to Apocemco, subject, however, to the
13, 2012 and the Resolution dated April 23, 2013 of the Court of Appeals outcome of Luvimin’s appeal. In a subsequent Order, the DENR Regional
(CA) in CA-G.R. SP No. 100456 which affirmed the Decision dated July 31, Director affirmed the foregoing resolution, but subject to the review and
2007 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) concurrence of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7 - Panel of
Mines Adjudication Board (MAB) in MAB Case No. 02-96 (POA Case No. Arbitrators (POA), considering that pursuant to Section 218 of DENR
CEB-001 ). Department Administrative Order No. (DAO) 95-23, Series of 1995, the
POA has been mandated to resolve, among others, disputes involving
Facts: rights to mining areas.
The instant case arose from a dispute involving the mining claims known as In a Decision, the POA upheld the Resolution and the Order, reiterating the
"Allied 1 and 2" and "Lapulapu 31 and 32" (subject mining claims) between findings therein made, without, however, requiring the parties to file any
petitioner Apo Cement Corporation (Apocemco) and respondent Mingson pleading or setting the matter for hearing.
Mining Industries Corporation (Mingson).
Aggrieved, Mingson appealed the POA’s Decision before the DENR MAB,
For the supposed failure of the old locators to develop and put to productive averring that the said Decision was not supported by facts and the evidence
use the mineral properties found in the area, Apocemco submitted a Mineral on record, and that it was arbitrary and issued with grave abuse of authority.
Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) proposal on June 19, 1991 before the Subsequently, in Mingson’s letter dated August 8, 1996, it claimed denial of
DENR, essentially seeking to take over their current holder, Luvimin Cebu due process.
Mining Corporation (Luvimin).
In a Decision dated July 31, 2007, the DENR MAB granted Mingson’s
On August 18, 1992 and March 2, 1993, the DENR Regional Office declared appeal and thereby reversed and set aside the POA’s Decision. It found
the subject mining claims, among others, abandoned and open for location to that the POA merely conducted a review of the case and Mingson, in
other interested parties, prompting Luvimin to file an appeal. Similarly, particular, was not given an opportunity to be heard, which is repugnant to
Mingson assailed the aforementioned declarations on the ground that its own due process.
mining claims, i.e., "Yellow Eagle I to VII," overlapped with the subject
mining claims. Particularly, Mingson averred that its "Yellow Eagle IV" Apocema appealed to the CA.
claim was registered on February 7, 1983 and was found to have overlapped
with the "Allied 1 and 2" claims, while its "Yellow Eagle III" claim was In a Decision dated June 13, 2012, the CA dismissed Apocemco’s appeal
registered on April 12, 1982 and overlapped with the "Lapulapu 31 and and sustained the DENR MAB’s finding that Mingson was not afforded
32" claims. by the POA its right to due process, given that none of the applicable
procedures found in DENR DAO 95-23 were followed. As an added ground
for dismissal, the CA held that Apocemco failed to perfect its appeal in
accordance with the Rules of Court, considering that the DENR MAB was Besides, an apparent lack of due process may be raised by a party at any time
not served a copy of its petition. since due process is a jurisdictional requisite that all tribunals, whether
administrative or judicial, are duty bound to observe.
Unconvinced, Apocemco filed a motion for reconsideration which was,
however, denied in a Resolution dated April 23, 2013. Hence the petition. In Salva v. Valle,43 the Court pronounced that "[a]decision rendered without
due process is void ab initio and may be attacked at any time directly or
Issue: collaterally by means of a separate action, or by resisting such decision
in any action or proceeding where it is invoked." The Court sees no
defensible reason as to why this principle should not be herein applied.
Whether the CA correctly ordered the dismissal of Apocemco’s appeal.
That being said, and considering too Apocemco’s failure to comply with
Ruling:
Sections 5 and 7, Rule 43 of the Rules of Court in the proceedings before the
appellate court, the instant petition is hereby denied and the rulings of the CA
Yes. It has been established thatthe POA proceeded to resolve the present are affirmed.
mining dispute without affording either party any fair and reasonable
opportunity to be heard in violation of the aforementioned provisions of
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision dated June 13, 2012
DENR DAO 95-23. Thus, as correctly ruled by the DENR MAB and later
affirmed by the CA, Mingson’s due process rights were violated, thereby and the Resolution dated April 23, 2013 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R.
rendering the POA’s Decision null and void. SP No. 100456 are hereby AFFIRMED.
Sections 223 (on preliminary conference), 224 (on hearing), and 227 (on the
proceedings before the POA), as well as Sections 221 (on due course) and
222 (on answers) of DENR DAO95-23, or the Implementing Rules of the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995, clearly require that the parties involved in
mining disputes be given the opportunity to be heard. These rules – which
were already in effect during the time the dispute between the parties arose –
flesh out the core requirement of due process; thus, a stark and unjustified
contravention of the same would oust the errant tribunal of its jurisdiction
and, in effect, render its decision null and void. As explained in PO2 Montoya
v. Police Director Varilla: