DESAMA v. Elisea Gozun, GR No.157882, March 30, 2006.doc

8/10/2019 DESAMA v. Elisea Gozun, GR No.157882, March 30, 2006.doc

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FIRST DIVISION

DIDIPIO EARTH-SAVERS MULTI-PURPOSE ASSOCIATION,INCORPORATED (DESAMA),MANUEL BUTIC, CESAR MARIANO, LAURO ABANCE, BENTAYABAN, ANTONIO DINGCOG,TEDDY B. KIMAYONG, ALONZOANANAYO, ANTONIO MALAN-UYA,JOSE BAHAG, ANDRES INLAB,RUFINO LICYAYO, ALFREDOCULHI, CATALILNA INABYUHAN,GUAY DUMMANG, GINA PULIDO,EDWIN ANSIBEY, CORAZONSICUAN, LOPEZ DUMULAG,

FREDDIE AYDINON, VILMA JOSE,FLORENTINA MADDAWAT, LINDADINGCOG, ELMER SICUAN, GARYANSIBEY, JIMMY MADDAWAT,JIMMY GUAY, ALFREDO CUT-ING,ANGELINA UDAN, OSCAR INLAB,JUANITA CUT-ING, ALBERTPINKIHAN, CECILIA TAYABAN,CRISTA BINWAK, PEDRO DUGAY,SR., EDUARDO ANANAYO, ROBININLAB, JR., LORENZO PULIDO,TOMAS BINWAG, EVELYN BUYA,JAIME DINGCOG, DINAOAN CUT-ING, PEDRO DONATO, MYRNAGUAY, FLORA ANSIBEY, GRACEDINAMLING, EDUARDO MENCIAS,ROSENDA JACOB, SIONITADINGCOG, GLORIA JACOB,MA IMA GUAY, RODRIGO

PAGGADUT, MARINA ANSIBEY,TOLENTINO INLAB, RUBENDULNUAN, GERONIMO LICYAYO,LEONCIO CUMTI, MARYDULNUAN, FELISA BALANBAN,MYRNA DUYAN, MARY MALAN-

G.R. N!. "#$%%&

Present:

PANGANIBAN, C.J. Chairperson,YNARES-SANTIAGO,AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,CALLE O, SR!, an"C#ICO-NAZARIO, JJ !


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UYA, PRUDENCIO ANSIBEY,GUILLERMO GUAY, MARGARITACULHI, ALADIN ANSIBEY, PABLODUYAN, PEDRO PUGUON, JULIANINLAB, JOSEPH NACULON,ROGER BAJITA, DINAON GUAY,JAIME ANANAYO, MARY ANSIBEY,LINA ANANAYO, MAURADUYAPAT, ARTEMEO ANANAYO,MARY BABLING, NORA ANSIBEY,DAVID DULNUAN, AVELINOPUGUON, LUCAS GUMAWI, LUISAABBAC, CATHRIN GUWAY,CLARITA TAYABAN, FLORAJAVERA, RANDY SICOAN, FELIZAPUTAKI, CORAZON P. DULNUAN,NENA D. BULLONG, ERMELYNGUWAY, GILBERT BUTALE,JOSEPH B. BULLONG, FRANCISCO

PATNAAN, JR., SHERWIN DUGAY,TIRSO GULLINGAY, BENEDICT T.NABALLIN, RAMON PUN-ADWAN,ALFONSO DULNUAN, CARMEN D.BUTALE, LOLITA ANSIBEY,ABRAHAM DULNUAN, ARLYNDABUTALE, MODESTO A. ANSIBEY,EDUARDO LUGAY, ANTONIOHUMIWAT, ALFREDO PUMIHIC,MIKE TINO, TONY CABARROGUIS,BASILIO TAMLIWOK, JR., NESTOR TANGID, ALEJO TUGUINAY,BENITO LORENZO, RUDYBAHIWAG, ANALIZA BUTALE,NALLEM LUBYOC, JOSEPHDUHAYON, RAFAEL CAMPOL,MANUEL PUMALO, DELFINAGALOOS, PABLO CAYANGA,PERFECTO SISON, ELIAS

NATAMA, LITO PUMALO,SEVERINA DUGAY, GABRIELPAKAYAO, JEOFFREY SINDAP,FELI TICUAN, MARIANO S.MADDELA, MENZI TICAWA,DOMINGA DUGAY, JOE BOLINEY,


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JASON ASANG, TOMMYATENYAYO, ALEJO AGMALIW,DIZON AGMALIW, EDDIE ATOS,FELIMON BLANCO, DARRILDIGOY, LUCAS BUAY, ARTEMIOBRAZIL, NICANOR MODI, LUISREDULFIN, NESTOR JUSTINO,JAIME CUMILA, BENEDICTGUINID, EDITHA ANIN, INOH-YABAN BANDAO, LUIS BAYWONG,FELIPE DUHALNGON, PETER BENNEL, JOSEPH T. BUNGGALAN,JIMMY B. KIMAYONG, HENRYPUGUON, PEDRO BUHONG,BUGAN NADIAHAN, SR., MARIAEDEN ORLINO, SPC, PERLAVISSORO, ' BISHOP RAMONVILLENA,

Petitioners,

- versus -

ELISEA GOZUN, * + '/' *01 '2SECRETARY !3 0+ DEPARTMENTOF ENVIRONMENT ' NATURALRESOURCES (DENR), HORACIORAMOS, * +*2 '/' *01 '2 D* 0! !3 0+ M* 2 ' G !2 * 2 B4 '4(MGB-DENR), ALBERTO ROMULO,* +*2 '/' *01 '2 0+ E5 40*6S 0' 1 !3 0+ O33* !3 0+ P 2* 0,RICHARD N. FERRER, * +*2'/' *01 '2 A 0* 7 U 2 0' 1 !3 0+ O33* !3 0+ P 2* 0, IANHEATH SANDERCOCK, * +*2'/' *01 '2 P 2* 0 !3 CLIMA -

ARIMCO MINING CORPORATION. Respon"ents! Pro$%&'ate":

Mar(h )*, +**- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


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. E C I S I O N

C#ICO-NAZARIO, J !:

This petition /or prohi0ition an" mandamus %n"er R%&e 1 o/ the

R%&es o/ Co%rt assai&s the (onstit%tiona&it2 o/ Rep%0&i( A(t No! 345+

other6ise 7no6n as the Phi&ippine Minin' A(t o/ 8441, to'ether 6ith theI$p&e$entin' R%&es an" Re'%&ations iss%e" p%rs%ant thereto, .epart$ent o/

En9iron$ent an" Nat%ra& Reso%r(es .ENR; A"$inistrati9e Or"er No! 4 -

5*, s! 844 .AO 4 -5*; an" o/ the on C! A?%ino pro$%&'ate"

E e(%ti9e Or"er No! +34 6hi(h a%thori>e" the .ENR Se(retar2 to a((ept,

(onsi"er an" e9a&%ate proposa&s /ro$ /orei'n-o6ne" (orporations or /orei'n

in9estors /or (ontra(ts o/ a'ree$ents in9o&9in' either te(hni(a& or /inan(ia&

assistan(e /or &ar'e-s(a&e e p&oration, "e9e&op$ent, an" %ti&i>ation o/

$inera&s, 6hi(h, %pon appropriate re(o$$en"ation o/ the Se(retar2, the

Presi"ent $a2 e e(%te 6ith the /orei'n proponent!

On ) Mar(h 8441, then Presi"ent


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02 .AO No! 4 -5*, s! 844 , 6hi(h too7 e//e(t on +) an%ar2 8443 a/ter "%e p%0&i(ation!

Pre9io%s&2, ho6e9er, or spe(i/i(a&&2 on +* %ne 8445, Presi"ent

Ra$os e e(%te" an


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Yet a'ain, (o%nse&s /or petitioners sent Presi"ent Arro2o another "e$an" &etter "ate" = No9e$0er +**+! Sai" &etter 6as a'ain /or6ar"e" to

the .ENR Se(retar2 6ho re/erre" the sa$e to the MGB, %e>on Cit2!

In a &etter "ate" 84


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H#ET#ER OR NOT T#E STATE, T#ROUG# REPUBLIC ACT NO!345+ AN. T#E CAMC an(e o/!

A F%sti(ia0&e (ontro9ers2 is "e/ine" as a "e/inite an" (on(rete "isp%te

to%(hin' on the &e'a& re&ations o/ parties ha9in' a"9erse &e'a& interests 6hi(h

$a2 0e reso&9e" 02 a (o%rt o/ &a6 thro%'h the app&i(ation o/ a &a6! + Th%s,

(o%rts ha9e no F%"i(ia& po6er to re9ie6 (ases in9o&9in' po&iti(a& ?%estions

an" as a r%&e, 6i&& "esist /ro$ ta7in' (o'ni>an(e o/ spe(%&ati9e or

h2potheti(a& (ases, a"9isor2 opinions an" (ases that ha9e 0e(o$e $oot! )

The Constit%tion is ?%ite e p&i(it on this $atter! 5 It pro9i"es that F%"i(ia&8 Rollo, pp! 141-14 !+ Velarde v. Social Justice Society , G!R! No! 814)13, += Apri& +**5, 5+= SCRA +=), +48!) P#ILIPPINE POLITICAL LAH, Isa'ani Cr%>, p! +) 8441 e"!;!5 Arti(&e @III, Se(tion 8! %"i(ia& po6er in(&%"es the "%t2 o/ the (o%rts o/ F%sti(e to

sett&e a(t%a& (ontro9ersies in9o&9in' ri'hts 6hi(h are &e'a&&2 "e$an"a0&e an" en/or(ea0&e, an" to"eter$ine 6hether or not there has 0een a 'ra9e a0%se o/ "is(retion a$o%ntin' to &a(7 or e (ess o/


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po6er in(&%"es the "%t2 o/ the (o%rts o/ F%sti(e to sett&e a(t%a& (ontro9ersiesin9o&9in' ri'hts 6hi(h are &e'a&&2 "e$an"a0&e an" en/or(ea0&e! P%rs%ant to

this (onstit%tiona& $an"ate, (o%rts, thro%'h the po6er o/ F%"i(ia& re9ie6, are

to entertain on&2 rea& "isp%tes 0et6een (on/&i(tin' parties thro%'h the

app&i(ation o/ &a6!


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i&&%$ination o/ "i//i(%&t (onstit%tiona& ?%estions!4 Un&ess a person isinF%rio%s&2 a//e(te" in an2 o/ his (onstit%tiona& ri'hts 02 the operation o/

stat%te or or"inan(e, he has no stan"in'! 8*

In the instant (ase, there e ists a &i9e (ontro9ers2 in9o&9in' a (&ash o/

&e'a& ri'hts as Rep! A(t No! 345+ has 0een ena(te", .AO 4 -5* has 0een

appro9e" an" an


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o/ the ?%estione"


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(orrespon"in' pa2$ent o/ F%st (o$pensation! The2 assert that p%0&i(respon"ent .ENR, thro%'h the Minin' A(t an" its I$p&e$entin' R%&es an"

Re'%&ations, (annot, on its o6n, per$it entr2 into a pri9ate propert2 an"

a&&o6 ta7in' o/ &an" 6itho%t pa2$ent o/ F%st (o$pensation!

Interpretin' Se(tion 3 o/ Rep! A(t No! 345+ an" Se(tion 8*3 o/ .AO

4 -5*, F% tapose" 6ith the (on(ept o/ ta7in' o/ propert2 /or p%rposes o/

e$inent "o$ain in the (ase o/ Repu/lic v. Vda. de Castellvi, 01 petitioners

assert that there is in"ee" a ta7in' %pon entr2 into pri9ate &an"s an"

(on(ession areas!

Repu/lic v. Vda. de Castellvi "e/ines ta7in' %n"er the (on(ept o/

e$inent "o$ain as enterin' %pon pri9ate propert2 /or $ore than a

$o$entar2 perio", an", %n"er the 6arrant or (o&or o/ &e'a& a%thorit2,

"e9otin' it to a p%0&i( %se, or other6ise in/or$a&&2 appropriatin' or

inF%rio%s&2 a//e(tin' it in s%(h a 6a2 as to s%0stantia&&2 o%st the o6ner an"

"epri9e hi$ o/ a&& 0ene/i(ia& enFo2$ent thereo/!


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respon"ents /ai&e" to pro9e that the entr2 into pri9ate propert2 is "e9ote" /or p%0&i( %se!

Petitioners a&so stress that e9en 6itho%t the "o(trine in the Castellvi

(ase, the nat%re o/ the $inin' a(ti9it2, the e tent o/ the &an" area (o9ere" 02

the CAMC


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the &atter 0ein' %se" as an i$p&e$ent o/ the /or$er, there are sti&& tra"itiona&"istin(tions 0et6een the t6o!

Propert2 (on"e$ne" %n"er po&i(e po6er is %s%a&&2 no io%s or

inten"e" /or a no io%s p%rpose hen(e, no (o$pensation sha&& 0e pai"! +*

Li7e6ise, in the e er(ise o/ po&i(e po6er, propert2 ri'hts o/ pri9ate

in"i9i"%a&s are s%0Fe(te" to restraints an" 0%r"ens in or"er to se(%re the

'enera& (o$/ort, hea&th, an" prosperit2 o/ the state! Th%s, an or"inan(e

prohi0itin' theaters /ro$ se&&in' ti(7ets in e (ess o/ their seatin' (apa(it2

6hi(h 6o%&" res%&t in the "i$in%tion o/ pro/its o/ the theater-o6ners; 6as

%phe&" 9a&i" as this 6o%&" pro$ote the (o$/ort, (on9enien(e an" sa/et2 o/

the (%sto$ers! +8 In 5.S. v. ori/io, 66 the (o%rt %phe&" the pro9isions o/ A(t

No! 8853, a stat%te re'%&atin' the s&a%'hter o/ (ara0ao /or the p%rpose o/

(onser9in' an a"e?%ate s%pp&2 o/ "ra/t ani$a&s, as a 9a&i" e er(ise o/ po&i(e

po6er, not6ithstan"in' the propert2 ri'hts i$pair$ent that the or"inan(e

i$pose" on (att&e o6ners! A >onin' or"inan(e prohi0itin' the operation o/ a

&%$0er 2ar" 6ithin (ertain areas 6as assai&e" as %n(onstit%tiona& in that it

6as an in9asion o/ the propert2 ri'hts o/ the &%$0er 2ar" o6ners in "eople

v. de Gu)man. 67 The Co%rt nonethe&ess r%&e" that the re'%&ation 6as a 9a&i"

e er(ise o/ po&i(e po6er! A si$i&ar r%&in' 6as arri9e" at in Seng 8ee S Co.v. %arns!a2 and "iatt 69 6here an or"inan(e "i9i"e" the Cit2 o/ Mani&a into

in"%stria& an" resi"entia& areas!

A thoro%'h s(r%tin2 o/ the e tant F%rispr%"en(e &ea"s to a (o'ent

"e"%(tion that 6here a propert2 interest is $ere&2 restri(te" 0e(a%se the

(ontin%e" %se thereo/ 6o%&" 0e inF%rio%s to p%0&i( 6e&/are, or 6here

propert2 is "estro2e" 0e(a%se its (ontin%e" e isten(e 6o%&" 0e inF%rio%s to

+* 5.S. v. ori/io, s%pra note 8=, p! )3*!+8 "eople v. C!an , 1 Phi&! 88 84)=;!++ S%pra note 8=, p! 43!+) 4* Phi&! 8)+ 8418;!+5 1 Phi&! +*5 84)8;!


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p%0&i( interest, there is no (o$pensa0&e ta7in'! +1 #o6e9er, 6hen a propert2interest is appropriate" an" app&ie" to so$e p%0&i( p%rpose, there is

(o$pensa0&e ta7in'! +

A((or"in' to note" (onstit%tiona&ist,


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pa2$ent o/ F%st (o$pensation, the sa$e 6as ren"ere" in9a&i" as it 9io&ate"the prin(ip&es 'o9ernin' e$inent "o$ain!

In "eople v. :a;ardo ,)8 the $%ni(ipa& $a2or re/%se"


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An", (onsi"erin' that the ease$ent inten"e" to 0e esta0&ishe",6hate9er $a2 0e the o0Fe(t thereo/, is not $ere&2 a rea& ri'ht that 6i&&en(%$0er the propert2, 0%t is one ten"in' to pre9ent the e (&%si9e %se o/ one portion o/ the sa$e, 02 e propriatin' it /or p%0&i( %se 6hi(h, 0e it6hat it $a2, (an not 0e a((o$p&ishe" %n&ess the o6ner o/ the propert2(on"e$ne" or sei>e" 0e pre9io%s&2 an" "%&2 in"e$ni/ie", it is proper to

prote(t the appe&&ant 02 $eans o/ the re$e"2 e$p&o2e" in s%(h (ases, as itis on&2 a"e?%ate re$e"2 6hen no other &e'a& a(tion (an 0e resorte" to,a'ainst an intent 6hi(h is nothin' short o/ an ar0itrar2 restri(tion i$pose"

02 the (it2 02 9irt%e o/ the (oer(i9e po6er 6ith 6hi(h the sa$e isin9este"!

An" in the (ase o/ +ational "o2er Corporation v. Gutierre) ,)1 "espite

the NPC s protestation that the o6ners 6ere not tota&&2 "epri9e" o/ the %se

o/ the &an" an" (o%&" sti&& p&ant the sa$e (rops as &on' as the2 "i" not (o$e

into (onta(t 6ith the 6ires, the Co%rt ne9erthe&ess he&" that the ease$ent o/

ri'ht-o/-6a2 6as a ta7in' %n"er the po6er o/ e$inent "o$ain! The Co%rt

sai":

In the (ase at 0ar, the ease$ent o/ ri'ht-o/-6a2 is "e/inite&2 ata7in' %n"er the po6er o/ e$inent "o$ain! Consi"erin' the nat%re an"e//e(t o/ the insta&&ation o/ +)* D@ Me i(o-Li$a2 trans$ission &ines, the&i$itation i$pose" 02 NPC a'ainst the %se o/ the &an" /or an in"e/inite

perio" "epri9es pri9ate respon"ents o/ its or"inar2 %se!

A (ase e e$p&i/2in' an instan(e o/ (o$pensa0&e ta7in' 6hi(h "oes

not entai& trans/er o/ tit&e is Repu/lic v. "!ilippine ong $istance elep!one

Co. ) #ere, the B%rea% o/ Te&e(o$$%ni(ations, a 'o9ern$ent

instr%$enta&it2, ha" (ontra(te" 6ith the PL.T /or the inter(onne(tion

0et6een the Go9ern$ent Te&ephone S2ste$ an" that o/ the PL.T, so that

the /or$er (o%&" $a7e %se o/ the &ines an" /a(i&ities o/ the PL.T! In its

"esire to e pan" ser9i(es to 'o9ern$ent o//i(es, the B%rea% o/

Te&e(o$$%ni(ations "e$an"e" to e pan" its %se o/ the PL.T &ines!

.isa'ree$ent ens%e" on the ter$s o/ the (ontra(t /or the %se o/ the PL.T

/a(i&ities! The Co%rt r%$inate":

)1 S%pra note 8 !) 8) Phi&! +* 84 4;!


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Nor$a&&2, o/ (o%rse, the po6er o/ e$inent "o$ain res%&ts in theta7in' or appropriation o/ tit&e to, an" possession o/, the e propriate"

propert2 0%t no (o'ent reason appears 6h2 sai" po6er $a2 not 0e a9ai&e"o/ to i$pose on&2 a 0%r"en %pon the o6ner o/ the (on"e$ne" propert2,6itho%t &oss o/ tit&e an" possession! It is %n?%estiona0&e that rea& propert2$a2, thro%'h e propriation, 0e s%0Fe(te" to an ease$ent ri'ht o/ 6a2! )3

In Repu/lic v. Castellvi ,)= this Co%rt ha" the o((asion to spe&& o%t the

re?%isites o/ ta7in' in e$inent "o$ain, to 6it:

8; the e propriator $%st enter a pri9ate propert2

+; the entr2 $%st 0e /or $ore than a $o$entar2 perio"!

); the entr2 $%st 0e %n"er 6arrant or (o&or o/ &e'a& a%thorit2

5; the propert2 $%st 0e "e9ote" to p%0&i( %se or other6ise in/or$a&&2appropriate" or inF%rio%s&2 a//e(te"

1; the %ti&i>ation o/ the propert2 /or p%0&i( %se $%st 0e in s%(h a 6a2 asto o%st the o6ner an" "epri9e hi$ o/ 0ene/i(ia& enFo2$ent o/ the

propert2!

As sho6n 02 the /ore'oin' F%rispr%"en(e, a re'%&ation 6hi(h

s%0stantia&&2 "epri9es the o6ner o/ his proprietar2 ri'hts an" restri(ts the

0ene/i(ia& %se an" enFo2$ent /or p%0&i( %se a$o%nts to (o$pensa0&e ta7in'!

In the (ase %n"er (onsi"eration, the entr2 re/erre" to in Se(tion 3 an" the

ease$ent ri'hts %n"er Se(tion 31 o/ Rep! A(t No! 345+ as 6e&& as the

9ario%s ri'hts to CAMC %n"er its


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te&e'raph &ines, "a$s an" their nor$a& /&oo" an" (at(h$ent areas, sites /or 6ater 6e&&s, "it(hes, (ana&s, ne6 ri9er 0e"s, pipe&ines, /&%$es, (%ts, sha/ts,t%nne&s, or $i&&s, the (ontra(tor, %pon pa2$ent o/ F%st (o$pensation, sha&&

0e entit&e" to enter an" o((%p2 sai" $inin' areas or &an"s!

Se(tion 3 pro9i"es:

Entr2 into pri9ate &an"s an" (on(ession areas S%0Fe(t to prior noti/i(ation, ho&"ers o/ $inin' ri'hts sha&& not 0e pre9ente" /ro$ entr2into pri9ate &an"s an" (on(ession areas 02 s%r/a(e o6ners, o((%pants, or (on(essionaires 6hen (on"%(tin' $inin' operations therein!

The CAMC


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Moreo9er, it 6o%&" not 0e a$iss to re9isit the histor2 o/ $inin' &a6s

o/ this (o%ntr2 6hi(h 6o%&" he&p %s %n"erstan" Se(tion 3 o/ Rep! A(t No!

345+!

This pro9ision is /irst /o%n" in Se(tion +3 o/ Co$$on6ea&th A(t No!

8)3 6hi(h too7 e//e(t on 3 No9e$0er 84) , vi) :

Be/ore enterin' pri9ate &an"s the prospe(tor sha&& /irst app&2 in6ritin' /or 6ritten per$ission o/ the pri9ate o6ner, (&ai$ant, or ho&"er thereo/, an" in (ase o/ re/%sa& 02 s%(h pri9ate o6ner, (&ai$ant, or ho&"er to 'rant s%(h per$ission, or in (ase o/ "isa'ree$ent as to the a$o%nt o/ (o$pensation to 0e pai" /or s%(h pri9i&e'e o/ prospe(tin' therein, thea$o%nt o/ s%(h (o$pensation sha&& 0e /i e" 02 a'ree$ent a$on' the

prospe(tor, the .ire(tor o/ the B%rea% o/ Mines an" the s%r/a(e o6ner, an"in (ase o/ their /ai&%re to %nani$o%s&2 a'ree as to the a$o%nt o/

(o$pensation, a&& ?%estions at iss%e sha&& 0e "eter$ine" 02 the Co%rt o/


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#a$pere" 02 the "i//i(%&ties an" "e&a2s in se(%rin' s%r/a(e ri'hts /or

the entr2 into pri9ate &an"s /or p%rposes o/ $inin' operations, Presi"entia&

.e(ree No! 18+ "ate" 84 %&2 8435 6as passe" into &a6 in or"er to a(hie9e

/%&& an" a((e&erate" $inera& reso%r(es "e9e&op$ent! Th%s, Presi"entia&

.e(ree No! 18+ pro9i"es /or a ne6 s2ste$ o/ s%r/a(e ri'hts a(?%isition 02

$inin' prospe(tors an" (&ai$ants! Hhereas in Co$$on6ea&th A(t No! 8)3an" Presi"entia& .e(ree No! 5 ) e$inent "o$ain $a2 on&2 0e 5 *2 in

or"er that the $inin' (&ai$ants (an 0%i&", (onstr%(t or insta&& roa"s,

rai&roa"s, $i&&s, 6areho%ses an" other /a(i&ities, this ti$e, the po6er o/

e$inent "o$ain $a2 no6 0e * 6!? 02 $inin' operators /or the entr2,

a(?%isition an" %se o/ pri9ate &an"s, vi) :

SECTION 8! Minera& prospe(tin', &o(ation, e p&oration,"e9e&op$ent an" e p&oitation is here02 "e(&are" o/ p%0&i( %se an" 0ene/it,an" /or 6hi(h the po6er o/ e$inent "o$ain $a2 0e in9o7e" an" e er(ise"/or the entr2, a(?%isition an" %se o/ pri9ate &an"s! !

The e9o&%tion o/ $inin' &a6s 'i9es positi9e in"i(ation that $inin'

operators 6ho are ?%a&i/ie" to o6n &an"s 6ere 'rante" the a%thorit2 to

e er(ise e$inent "o$ain /or the entr2, a(?%isition, an" %se o/ pri9ate &an"s

in areas open /or $inin' operations! This 'rant o/ a%thorit2 e tant in

Se(tion 8 o/ Presi"entia& .e(ree No! 18+ is not e press&2 repea&e" 02

Se(tion 3 o/ Rep! A(t No! 345+ an" neither are the /or$er stat%tes

i$p&ie"&2 repea&e" 02 the /or$er! These t6o pro9isions (an stan" to'ether

e9en i/ Se(tion 3 o/ Rep! A(t No! 345+ "oes not spe&& o%t the 'rant o/ the

pri9i&e'e to e er(ise e$inent "o$ain 6hi(h 6as present in the o&" &a6!

It is an esta0&ishe" r%&e in stat%tor2 (onstr%(tion that in or"er that one

&a6 $a2 operate to repea& another &a6, the t6o &a6s $%st 0e in(onsistent! )4

The /or$er $%st 0e so rep%'nant as to 0e irre(on(i&ia0&e 6ith the &atter a(t!)4 Valera v. uason, Jr !, =* Phi&! =+), =+3 844=;!


22/39

Si$p&2 0e(a%se a &atter ena(t$ent $a2 re&ate to the sa$e s%0Fe(t $atter asthat o/ an ear&ier stat%te is not o/ itse&/ s%//i(ient to (a%se an i$p&ie" repea&

o/ the &atter, sin(e the ne6 &a6 $a2 0e (%$%&ati9e or a (ontin%ation o/ the

o&" one! As has 0een the r%&e", repea&s 02 i$p&i(ation are not /a9ore", an"

6i&& not 0e "e(ree" %n&ess it is $ani/est that the &e'is&at%re so inten"e"! 5* As

&a6s are pres%$e" to 0e passe" 6ith "e&i0eration an" 6ith /%&& 7no6&e"'e o/

a&& e istin' ones on the s%0Fe(t, it is 0%t reasona0&e to (on(&%"e that in

passin' a stat%te it 6as not inten"e" to inter/ere 6ith or a0ro'ate an2 /or$er

&a6 re&atin' to the sa$e $atter, %n&ess the rep%'nan(2 0et6een the t6o is

not on&2 irre(on(i&a0&e, 0%t a&so (&ear an" (on9in(in', an" /&o6in'

ne(essari&2 /ro$ the &an'%a'e %se", %n&ess the &ater a(t /%&&2 e$0ra(es the

s%0Fe(t $atter o/ the ear&ier, or %n&ess the reason /or the ear&ier a(t is 0e2on"

pera"9ent%re re$o9e"! 58 #en(e, e9er2 e//ort $%st 0e %se" to $a7e a&& a(ts

stan" an" i/, 02 an2 reasona0&e (onstr%(tion, the2 (an 0e re(on(i&e", the

&atter a(t 6i&& not operate as a repea& o/ the ear&ier!

Consi"erin' that Se(tion 8 o/ Presi"entia& .e(ree No! 18+ 'rante" the

?%a&i/ie" $inin' operators the a%thorit2 to e er(ise e$inent "o$ain an"

sin(e this 'rant o/ a%thorit2 is "ee$e" in(orporate" in Se(tion 3 o/ Rep!

A(t No! 345+, the ines(apa0&e (on(&%sion is that the &atter pro9ision is ata7in' pro9ision!

Hhi&e this Co%rt "e(&ares that the assai&e" pro9ision is a ta7in'

pro9ision, this "oes not $ean that it is %n(onstit%tiona& on the 'ro%n" that it

a&&o6s ta7in' o/ pri9ate propert2 6itho%t the "eter$ination o/ p%0&i( %se an"

the pa2$ent o/ F%st (o$pensation!

5* 5nited States v. "alacio , )) Phi&! +*=, +8 848 ;!58 I"!


23/39

The ta7in' to 0e 9a&i" $%st 0e /or p%0&i( %se! 5+ P%0&i( %se as are?%ire$ent /or the 9a&i" e er(ise o/ the po6er o/ e$inent "o$ain is no6

s2non2$o%s 6ith p%0&i( interest, p%0&i( 0ene/it, p%0&i( 6e&/are an" p%0&i(

(on9enien(e! 5) It in(&%"es the 0roa"er notion o/ in"ire(t p%0&i( 0ene/it or

a"9anta'e! P%0&i( %se as tra"itiona&&2 %n"erstoo" as a(t%a& %se 02 the

p%0&i( has a&rea"2 0een a0an"one"! 55

Minin' in"%str2 p&a2s a pi9ota& ro&e in the e(ono$i( "e9e&op$ent o/

the (o%ntr2 an" is a 9ita& too& in the 'o9ern$ent s thr%st o/ a((e&erate"

re(o9er2 !51 The i$portan(e o/ the $inin' in"%str2 /or nationa& "e9e&op$ent

is e presse" in Presi"entia& .e(ree No! 5 ):

H#EREAS, $inera& pro"%(tion is a $aFor s%pport o/ the nationa&

e(ono$2, an" there/ore the intensi/ie" "is(o9er2, e p&oration,"e9e&op$ent an" 6ise %ti&i>ation o/ the (o%ntr2 s $inera& reso%r(es are%r'ent&2 nee"e" /or nationa& "e9e&op$ent!

Irre/ra'a0&2, $inin' is an in"%str2 6hi(h is o/ p%0&i( 0ene/it!

That p%0&i( %se is ne'ate" 02 the /a(t that the state 6o%&" 0e ta7in'

pri9ate properties /or the 0ene/it o/ pri9ate $inin' /ir$s or $inin'

(ontra(tors is not at a&& tr%e! In Heirs of Juanc!o Ardona v. Reyes, 93

petitioners therein (onten"e" that the pro$otion o/ to%ris$ is not /or p%0&i(

%se 0e(a%se pri9ate (on(essionaires 6o%&" 0e a&&o6e" to $aintain 9ario%s

/a(i&ities s%(h as resta%rants, hote&s, stores, et(!, insi"e the to%rist area! The

Co%rt th%s (onte$p&ate":

The r%&e in Ber$an 9! Par7er )5= U!S! +1 44 L! e"! +3 o/ "e/eren(e to &e'is&ati9e po&i(2 e9en i/ s%(h po&i(2 $i'ht $ean ta7in' /ro$

5+ Heirs of Juanc!o Ardona v. Reyes , +8* Phi&! 8=3, 843 84=);!5) I"!55 I"!, p! 84=!51 E e(%ti9e Or"er No! +88!5 S%pra note 5+!


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one pri9ate person an" (on/errin' on another pri9ate person app&ies as6e&& in the Phi&ippines!

! ! ! On(e the o0Fe(t is 6ithin the a%thorit2 o/ Con'ress, the $eans 02 6hi(h it 6i&& 0e attaine" is a&so /or Con'ress to "eter$ine! #ere one o/ the $eans (hosen is the%se o/ pri9ate enterprise /or re"e9e&op$ent o/ the area!Appe&&ants ar'%e that this $a7es the proFe(t a ta7in' /ro$one 0%siness$an /or the 0ene/it o/ another 0%siness$an!B%t the $eans o/ e e(%tin' the proFe(t are /or Con'ress an"Con'ress a&one to "eter$ine, on(e the p%0&i( p%rpose has

0een esta0&ishe"! 53

Petitioners /%rther $aintain that the state s "is(retion to "e(i"e 6hen

to ta7e pri9ate propert2 is re"%(e" (ontra(t%a&&2 02 Se(tion 8)!1 o/ the

CAMC


25/39

o6nership o/ the s%r/a(e &an" areas on 0eha&/ o/ the (ontra(tor, thro%'h a9o&%ntar2 transa(tion in or"er to ena0&e the &atter to pro(ee" to /%&&2

i$p&e$ent the


26/39

res%&t o/ the (onstr%(tion or insta&&ation o/ the in/rastr%(t%re $entione" in8*5 a0o9e s!all /e properly and ;ustly compensated !

S%(h (o$pensation sha&& 0e 0ase" on the a'ree$ent entere" into 0et6een the ho&"er o/ $inin' ri'hts an" the s%r/a(e o6ner, o((%pant or (on(essionaire thereo/, 6here appropriate, in a((or"an(e 6ith P!.! No!18+! E$phasis s%pp&ie"!;

S ! S4820' 0*6 I224 9 P! !3 C!4 02 0! D 0 @* J420C!@/ 2'0*!

C&ose&2-7nit to the iss%e o/ ta7in' is the "eter$ination o/ F%st

(o$pensation! It is (onten"e" that Rep! A(t No! 345+ an" Se(tion 8*3 o/

.AO 4 -5* en(roa(h on the po6er o/ the tria& (o%rts to "eter$ine F%st

(o$pensation in e$inent "o$ain (ases inas$%(h as the sa$e "eter$ination

o/ proper (o$pensation are (o'ni>a0&e on&2 02 the Pane& o/ Ar0itrators!

The ?%estion on the F%"i(ia& "eter$ination o/ F%st (o$pensation has

0een sett&e" in the (ase o/ %


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enter an" %se the s%r/a(e o6ners &an"s sha&& 0e re'istere" 6ith the Re'iona&O//i(e o/ the MGB! In (onne(tion 6ith Se(tion 8* , Se(tion 8*3 pro9i"es

that the (o$pensation /or the "a$a'e "one to the s%r/a(e o6ner, o((%pant or

(on(essionaire as a (onse?%en(e o/ $inin' operations or as a res%&t o/ the

(onstr%(tion or insta&&ation o/ the in/rastr%(t%re sha&& 0e proper&2 an" F%st&2

(o$pensate" an" that s%(h (o$pensation sha&& 0e 0ase" on the a'ree$ent

0et6een the ho&"er o/ $inin' ri'hts an" s%r/a(e o6ner, o((%pant or

(on(essionaire, or 6here appropriate, in a((or"an(e 6ith Presi"entia& .e(ree

No! 18+! In (ases 6here there is "isa'ree$ent to the (o$pensation or 6here

there is no a'ree$ent, the $atter sha&& 0e 0ro%'ht 0e/ore the Pane& o/

Ar0itrators! Se(tion +* o/ the i$p&e$entin' r%&es an" re'%&ations pro9i"es

an a''rie9e" part2 the re$e"2 to appea& the "e(ision o/ the Pane& o/

Ar0itrators to the Mines A"F%"i(ation Boar", an" the &atter s "e(ision $a2

0e re9ie6e" 02 the S%pre$e Co%rt 02 /i&in' a petition /or re9ie6 on

certiorari !18

An e a$ination o/ the /ore'oin' pro9isions 'i9es no in"i(ation that

the (o%rts are e (&%"e" /ro$ ta7in' (o'ni>an(e o/ e propriation (ases %n"er

the $inin' &a6! The "isa'ree$ent re/erre" to in Se(tion 8*3 "oes not

in9o&9e the e er(ise o/ e$inent "o$ain, rather it (onte$p&ates o/ a sit%ation6herein the per$it ho&"ers are a&&o6e" 02 the s%r/a(e o6ners entr2 into the

&atters &an"s an" "isa'ree$ent ens%es as re'ar"in' the proper (o$pensation

/or the a&&o6e" entr2 an" %se o/ the pri9ate &an"s! Noti(ea0&2, the pro9ision

points to a 9o&%ntar2 sa&e or transa(tion, 0%t not to an in9o&%ntar2 sa&e!

The &e'is&at%re, in ena(tin' the $inin' a(t, is pres%$e" to ha9e

"e&i0erate" 6ith /%&& 7no6&e"'e o/ a&& e istin' &a6s an" F%rispr%"en(e on the

s%0Fe(t! Th%s, it is 0%t reasona0&e to (on(&%"e that in passin' s%(h stat%te it

18 Se(tion +88 o/ .AO 4 -5* pro9i"es: The "e(ision o/ the Boar" $a2 0e re9ie6e" 02/i&in' a petition /or re9ie6 6ith the S%pre$e Co%rt 6ithin thirt2 )*; "a2s /ro$ re(eipt o/ theor"er or "e(ision o/ the Boar"!


28/39

6as in a((or" 6ith the e istin' &a6s an" F%rispr%"en(e on the F%ris"i(tion o/ (o%rts in the "eter$ination o/ F%st (o$pensation an" that it 6as not inten"e"

to inter/ere 6ith or a0ro'ate an2 /or$er &a6 re&atin' to the sa$e $atter!

In"ee", there is nothin' in the pro9isions o/ the assai&e" &a6 an" its

i$p&e$entin' r%&es an" re'%&ations that e (&%"e the (o%rts /ro$ their

F%ris"i(tion to "eter$ine F%st (o$pensation in e propriation pro(ee"in's

in9o&9in' $inin' operations! A&tho%'h Se(tion 8*1 (on/ers %pon the Pane&

o/ Ar0itrators the a%thorit2 to "e(i"e (ases 6here s%r/a(e o6ners, o((%pants,

(on(essionaires re/%se per$it ho&"ers entr2, th%s, ne(essitatin' in9o&%ntar2

ta7in', this "oes not $ean that the "eter$ination o/ the F%st (o$pensation 02

the Pane& o/ Ar0itrators or the Mines A"F%"i(ation Boar" is /ina& an"

(on(&%si9e! The "eter$ination is on&2 pre&i$inar2 %n&ess a((epte" 02 a&&

parties (on(erne"! There is nothin' 6ron' 6ith the 'rant o/ pri$ar2

F%ris"i(tion 02 the Pane& o/ Ar0itrators or the Mines A"F%"i(ation Boar" to

"eter$ine in a pre&i$inar2 $atter the reasona0&e (o$pensation "%e the

a//e(te" &an"o6ners or o((%pants! 1+ The ori'ina& an" e (&%si9e F%ris"i(tion

o/ the (o%rts to "e(i"e "eter$ination o/ F%st (o$pensation re$ains inta(t

"espite the pre&i$inar2 "eter$ination $a"e 02 the a"$inistrati9e a'en(2!

As he&" in "!ilippine Veterans Ban> v. Court of Appeals 1) :

The F%ris"i(tion o/ the Re'iona& Tria& Co%rts is not an2 &essori'ina& an" e (&%si9e 0e(a%se the ?%estion is /irst passe" %pon 02 the.AR, as the F%"i(ia& pro(ee"in's are not a (ontin%ation o/ thea"$inistrati9e "eter$ination!

T+* S4820' 0*6 I224 9 S433* * 0 C! 0 !: 81 0+ S0'0 O6 M* * 7O/ '0*! 2

Anent the thir" iss%e, petitioners (har'e that Rep! A(t No! 345+, as

6e&& as its I$p&e$entin' R%&es an" Re'%&ations, $a7es it possi0&e /or v. Court of Appeals , )34 Phi&! 858, 853 +***;!1) I"!, p! 854!


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$ana'e$ent o/ $inin' enterprises, 6ith the res%&t that the State is a&&e'e"&2re"%(e" to a passi9e re'%&ator "epen"ent on s%0$itte" p&ans an" reports,

6ith 6ea7 re9ie6 an" a%"it po6ers! The State is not a(tin' as the s%ppose"

o6ner o/ the nat%ra& reso%r(es /or an" on 0eha&/ o/ the ation NGO; or an2 ?%a&i/ie" person to

po&i(e $inin' a(ti9ities

)! Se(! 6hi(h 9ests in the Re'iona& .ire(tor e (&%si9e F%ris"i(tion o9er sa/et2 inspe(tions o/ a&& insta&&ations,6hether s%r/a(e or %n"er'ro%n" , %ti&i>e" in $inin'operations!

5! Se(! )1, 6hi(h in(orporates into a&&


30/39

'; Minin' operations sha&& 0e (on"%(te" ina((or"an(e 6ith the pro9isions o/ the A(t an" itsIRR!

h; Hor7 pro'ra$s an" $ini$%$ e pen"it%res(o$$it$ents!

7; Re?%irin' proponent to e//e(ti9e&2 %seappropriate anti-po&&%tion te(hno&o'2 an"/a(i&ities to prote(t the en9iron$ent an" restoreor reha0i&itate $ine"-o%t areas!

&; The (ontra(tors sha&& /%rnish the Go9ern$entre(or"s o/ 'eo&o'i(, a((o%ntin' an" other re&e9ant "ata /or its $inin' operation, an" that

0oo7s o/ a((o%nts an" re(or"s sha&& 0e open /or inspe(tion 02 the 'o9ern$ent! !

$; Re?%irin' the proponent to "ispose o/ the$inera&s at the hi'hest pri(e an" $orea"9anta'eo%s ter$s an" (on"itions!

o; S%(h other ter$s an" (on"itions (onsistent 6ith

the Constit%tion an" 6ith this A(t as theSe(retar2 $a2 "ee$ to 0e /or the 0est interest o/ the State an" the 6e&/are o/ the


31/39


32/39

the representations an" 6arranties o/ the (ontra(tor that it has a((essto a&& the /inan(in', $ana'eria& an" te(hni(a& e pertise an"te(hno&o'2 ne(essar2 to (arr2 o%t the o0Fe(ti9es o/ the


33/39

non(o$p&ian(e 02 the (ontra(tor &i7e6ise, it has the (apa0i&it2 to en/or(e(o$p&ian(e an" to i$pose san(tions, sho%&" the o((asion there/or arise!

In other 6or"s, the


34/39

'o9ern$ent in(&%"in' those 6hi(h in9o&9e (o-pro"%(tion, Foint 9ent%re or pro"%(tion sharin' a'ree$ents! The2 &i7e6ise insist that the /o%rth

para'raph a&&o6s /orei'n-o6ne" (orporations to parti(ipate in the &ar'e-s(a&e

e p&oration, "e9e&op$ent an" %ti&i>ation o/ nat%ra& reso%r(es, 0%t s%(h

parti(ipation, ho6e9er, is $ere&2 &i$ite" to an a'ree$ent /or either /inan(ia&

or te(hni(a& assistan(e on&2!

A'ain, this iss%e has a&rea"2 0een s%((in(t&2 passe" %pon 02 this

Co%rt in a Bugal'B- aan ri/al Association, nc. v. Ramos !11 In

"is(re"itin' s%(h ar'%$ent, the Co%rt ratio(inate":

Petitioners (&ai$ that the phrase ?agreements < < < involving eit!er tec!nical or financial assistance@ si$p&2 $eans te(hni(a& assistan(e or /inan(ia& assistan(e a'ree$ents, nothin' $ore an" nothin' e&se! The2insist that there is no a$0i'%it2 in the phrase, an" that a p&ain rea"in' o/

para'raph 5 ?%ote" a0o9e &ea"s to the ines(apa0&e (on(&%sion that 6hat a/orei'n-o6ne" (orporation $a2 enter into 6ith the 'o9ern$ent is $ere&2an a'ree$ent /or eit!er /inan(ia& or te(hni(a& assistan(e only, /or the&ar'e-s(a&e e p&oration, "e9e&op$ent an" %ti&i>ation o/ $inera&s,

petro&e%$ an" other $inera& oi&s s%(h a &i$itation, the2 ar'%e, e (&%"es/orei'n $ana'e$ent an" operation o/ a $inin' enterprise!

This restri(ti9e interpretation, petitioners 0e&ie9e, is in &ine 6ith the'enera& po&i(2 en%n(iate" 02 the Constit%tion reser9in' to ensan" (orporations the %se an" enFo2$ent o/ the (o%ntr2 s nat%ra& reso%r(es!

The2 $aintain that this Co%rt s .e(ision o/ an%ar2 +3, +**5 (orre(t&2"e(&are" the HMCP


35/39

He "o not see ho6 app&2in' a stri(t&2 &itera& or ver/a legisinterpretation o/ para'raph 5 (o%&" ine ora0&2 &ea" to the (on(&%sionsarri9e" at in the ponencia. :irst , the "ra/ters (hoi(e o/ 6or"s -- their %seo/ the phrase agreements < < < involving eit!er tec!nical or financial assistance -- "oes not in"i(ate the intent to e


36/39

Last&2, petitioners stress that the ser9i(e (ontra(t re'i$e %n"er the843) Constit%tion is e press&2 prohi0ite" %n"er the 84=3 Constit%tion as the

ter$ ser9i(e (ontra(ts /o%n" in the /or$er 6as "e&ete" in the &atter to a9oi"

the (ir(%$9ention o/ (onstit%tiona& prohi0itions that 6ere pre9a&ent in the

84=3 Constit%tion! A((or"in' to the$, the /ra$ers o/ the 84=3 Constit%tion

on&2 inten"e" /or /orei'n-o6ne" (orporations to pro9i"e either te(hni(a&

assistan(e or /inan(ia& assistan(e! Upon per%sa& o/ the CAMC


37/39

omission o/ the ter$s service contract /ro$ or the /ai&%re to (arr2 the$o9er to the ne6 Constit%tion! There has to 0e a $%(h $ore "e/inite an"e9en %nar'%a0&e 0asis /or s%(h a "rasti( re9ersa& o/ po&i(ies!

The /ore'oin' are $ere /ra'$ents o/ the /ra$ers &en'th2"is(%ssions o/ the pro9ision "ea&in' 6ith agreements < < < involving eit!er tec!nical or financial assistance, 6hi(h %&ti$ate&2 0e(a$e para'raph 5 o/ Se(tion + o/ Arti(&e JII o/ the Constit%tion! Be2on" an2 "o%0t, the$e$0ers o/ the ConCo$ 6ere a(t%a&&2 "e0atin' a0o%t the $artia&-&a6-era2 6* ! 0 ' 02 for 2!ic! t!ey 2ere crafting '// !/ *'0 2'3 74' 2 !

In the 9otin' that &e" to the appro9a& o/ Arti(&e JII 02 theConCo$, the e p&anations 'i9en 02 Co$$issioners Gas(on, Gar(ia an"Ta"eo in"i(ate" that the2 ha" 9ote" to reFe(t this pro9ision on a((o%nt o/ their o0Fe(tions to the (onstit%tiona&i>ation o/ the ser9i(e (ontra(t(on(ept!

Mr! Gas(on sai", ? felt t!at if 2e 2ould constitutionali)e any provision on service contracts , t!is s!ould al2ays /e 2it! t!e concurrenceof Congress and not guided only /y a general la2 to /e promulgated /yCongress.@ Mr! Gar(ia e p&aine", ? Service contracts are givenconstitutional legitimi)ation in Sec. 7, even 2!en t!ey !ave /een proven to

/e inimical to t!e interests of t!e nation, providing, as t!ey do, t!e legal loop!ole for t!e e


38/39

%se o/ ser9i(e (ontra(ts 6ith /orei'n (orporations -- as (ontra(tors 6ho6o%&" in9est in an" operate an" $ana'e e tra(ti9e enterprises, s%0Fe(t tothe /%&& (ontro& an" s%per9ision o/ the State -- sans the a0%ses o/ the pastre'i$e! The p%rpose is (&ear: to "e9e&op an" %ti&i>e o%r $inera&,

petro&e%$ an" other reso%r(es on a &ar'e s(a&e /or the i$$e"iate an"tan'i0&e 0ene/it o/ the


39/39

ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.Asso(iate %sti(e

C E R T I < I C A T I O N

P%rs%ant to Arti(&e @III, Se(tion 8) o/ the Constit%tion, it is here02(erti/ie" that the (on(&%sions in the a0o9e .e(ision 6ere rea(he" in(ons%&tation 0e/ore the (ase 6as assi'ne" to the 6riter o/ the opinion o/ theCo%rt s .i9ision!

ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN

Chie/ %sti(e

DESAMA v. Elisea Gozun, GR No.157882, March 30, 2006.doc

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Transcript of DESAMA v. Elisea Gozun, GR No.157882, March 30, 2006.doc