DENR VS.

DARAMAN
G.R. NO. 125797
FEB. 15, 2002
J. PANGANIBAN

FACTS
A vehicle named "St.Jude" was stopped by Pablo and found some lumber. He asked the
drive for the owner of the lumber and he was informed that it was a certain Asan of
Brgy. Blanca Aurora. The driver also informed him that the vehicle was owned by his
employer, Narciso Lucenecio of the Holy Cross Funeral Services. He then took hold
of the vehicle and the assorted lumber and, thereafter, he issued a Seizure
Receipt. The driver, Daraman, was charged for violation of Section 68 of
Presidential Decree No. 705. After trial, the RTC acquitted the accused and ordered
the return of the disputed vehicle.

ISSUE
Whether or not the RTC has the jurisdiction to issue order of return of vehicle

RULING
NO.

The jurisdiction of the RTC covers the confiscation of the timber or forest
products as well as the machinery, equipment, implements and tools illegally used
in the area where the timber or forest products are found; it is the DENR that has
jurisdiction over the confiscation of forest products and, to stress, all
conveyances used in the commission of the offense. Hence, the original and
exclusive jurisdiction over the confiscation of "all conveyances used either by
land, water or air in the commission of the offense and to dispose of the same" is
vested in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary or a
duly authorized representative. Therefore, the RTC has no the jurisdiction to issue
order of return of vehicle.