THIRD DIVISION ISIDRO PABLITO M. PALANA, G.R. No. 149995Petitioner,Present:Ynres!Snti"o, #. $%&ir'erson(,! )ers*s ! A*stri!Mrtine+,%&i,o!N+rio,N,&*r, n-Re.es, ##.P/OPL/ O0 TH/ PHILIPPIN/S,Res'on-ent. Pro1*2"te-: Se'te13er 45, 4667 8 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8 D/%ISION YNAR/S!SANTIAGO, #.: 0or re)ie9 is t&e De,ision o: t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s in %A!G.R. %R No. 41579 -te- Se'te13er 17, 4661,;1< =r1in" t&e Se'te13er 4>, 1997 De,ision o: t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt o: M?ti %it., Brn,& @>, in %ri1in2 %se No. 91!5@17 ,on)i,tin" 'etitioner Isi-ro P32ito P2n 9it& )io2tion o: Bts P13ns $B.P.( B2". 44 ot&er9ise ?no9n s t&e Bo*n,in" %&e,?s L9. On A*"*st 19, 1991, 'etitioner 9s ,&r"e- 9it& )io2tion o: B.P. B2". 44 in n In:or1tion 9&i,& re-s s :o22o9s: T&t on or 3o*t Se'te13er 1957, in t&e M*ni,i'2it. o: M?ti, Metro Mni2, P&i2i''ines,'2,e 9it&in t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&is Honor32e %o*rt, t&e 3o)e!n1e- ,,*se- -i-, t&en n- t&ere, 9i22:*22., *n29:*22. n- ?no9in"2. 1?e or -r9 n- iss*e to A2e8 B. %r2os to ''2. on ,,o*nt or :or t&e )2*e t&e ,&e,? -es,ri3e- 3e2o9: %&e,? No. : >4@>17PRDr9n A"inst : Asin S)in"s Bn?Pseo -e Ro8s Brn,&In t&e 1o*nt o: : P596,666.66Post-te- : 0e3r*r. 15, 1955P.32e to : Dr. A2e8 B. %r2os si- ,,*se- 9e22 ?no9in" t&t t t&e ti1e o: iss*e, &e -i- not &)es*=,ient :*n-s in or ,re-it 9it& t&e -r9ee 3n? :or t&e '.1ent in :*22 o: t&e :,e 1o*nt o: s*,& ,&e,? 9&en 'resente- :or '.1ent 9it&in $96( -.s :ro1 t&e -te t&ereo:, 9s s*3seB*ent2. -is&onore- 3. t&e -r9ee 3n? :or t&e reson Dr9n A"inst Ins*=,ient 0*n-s n- -es'ite re,ei't o: noti,e o: s*,& -is&onor, t&e ,,*se- :i2e- to '. si- '.ee t&e :,e 1o*nt o: si- ,&e,? or 1?e rrn"e1ent :or :*22 '.1ent 9it&in C)e $5( 3n?in" -.s :ter re,ei)in" noti,e.;4< On #n*r. >6, 1994, t&e ,se 9s r,&i)e- -*e to 'etitioners non!''re&ension -es'ite t&e iss*n,e o:9rrnt :or &is rrest.;>< On#*ne 47, 1995, t&e 9rrnt o: rrest 9s re,22e- n- set si-e;4< :ter 'etitioner 'oste- t&e reB*ire- 3i2. He 9s rri"ne- on #*2. 45, 1995 9&en &e '2e-e- not "*i2t. to t&e oDense ,&r"e-.;5< Pri)te ,o1'2innt A2e8 B. %r2os testiCe- t&t so1eti1e in Se'te13er 1957, 'etitioner n- &is 9i:e 3orro9e- 1one. :ro1 &i1 in t&e 1o*nt o: P596,666.66. To se,*re t&e '.1ent o: t&e 2on, 'etitioner iss*e-'ost-te- ,&e,? :or t&e s1e 1o*nt in :)or o:t&e ,o1'2innt.;@< Ho9e)er, 9&en t&e ,&e,? 9s 'resente- :or '.1ent, it 9s -is&onore- 3. t&e 3n? :or ins*=,ien,. o: :*n-s. S*3seB*ent -e1n- not9it&stn-in", 'etitioner :i2e- to 1?e "oo- t&e si- -is&onore- ,&e,?.;7< Petitioner 22e"e- t&t t&e 1o*nts "i)en to &i1 3. 'ri)te ,o1'2innt 9s n in)est1ent 3. t&e 2tter 9&o 9s &is 3*siness 'rtner. He r"*e- t&t t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? 9s not iss*e- in Se'te13er 1957 to "*rntee t&e '.1ent o:2on sin,e &is ,&e,?in" ,,o*nt 9s o'ene- on2. on De,e13er 1, 1957.;5< He ,2i1e- t&t 'ri)te ,o1'2innt ,Ao2e- &i1 to iss*e,&e,? in &is:)or 22e"e-2. to 3e s&o9n tote8ti2e s*''2ier 9&o 9o*2- 'ro)i-e t&e 'rtners&i' 9it& t&e ne,essr. r9 1teri2s. Petitioner 22e"e-t&t 9&en t&e ,&e,? 9s iss*e- so1eti1e in 0e3r*r. 1955,;9< ,o1'2innt ?ne9 t&t t&e s1e 9s not :*n-e-.;16< A:ter tri2 on t&e 1erits, t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt ren-ere- on Se'te13er 4>, 1997De,ision;11< Cn-in" 'etitioner "*i2t. s ,&r"e-, t&e -is'ositi)e 'ortion o: 9&i,& re-s: E&ere:ore, t&is ,o*rt Cn-s t&e ,,*se- Isi-ro P32ito M. P2n "*i2t. s ,&r"e- n- senten,es &i1 to'rison ter1 o: Si8 $@( 1ont&s n- to in-e1ni:. t&e 'ri)te ,o1'2innt t&e s*1 o: P596,666.66 '2*s 2e"2 interest :ro1 C2in" o: t&is ,se *nti2 :*22 '.1ent. SO ORD/R/D. Petitioner ''e2e- 3*t it 9s -is1isse- 3. t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s 9&i,& =r1e- t&e tri2 ,o*rts -e,ision in toto.;14< Bot& t&e tri2 ,o*rt n- t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s :o*n- t&t t&e ,&e,? 9s iss*e- s"*rnt. :or t&e 2on, t&ere3. reAe,tin" 'etitioners in)est1ent t&eor.. In r*2in" "inst t&e e8isten,e o:'rtners&i' 3et9een t&e1, t&e tri2 ,o*rt note- t&t t&e so!,22e- 'rtners&i' )ent*re, P2ns Gener2 Mer,&n-isin", 9s re"istere- on De,e13er 1, 1957 on2. in t&e n1e o: 'etitioner.;1>< T&e %o*rt o: A''e2s 2so &e2- t&t t&e ,t o: 2en-in" 1one. -oes not ne,essri2. 1o*nt to n in)est1ent o: ,'it2.Hen,e, t&e instnt 'etition risin" t&e :o22o9in" iss*es: I. TH/ %OFRT O0 APP/ALS /RR/D IN A00IRMING TH/ 0INDING O0 TH/LOE/R %OFRT DISR/GARDING TH/ D/0/NS/ O0 TH/ A%%FS/D THAT TH/ ISSFAN%/ O0 TH/ SFB#/%T ASIAN BANG %H/%G, EAS NOT 0OR A %ONSID/RATION OR 0OR VALF/, AS TH/ A%%FS/D EAS ONLY TRI%G/D BY TH/ PRIVAT/ %OMPLAINANT TO ISSF/ TH/ SAID %H/%G AS A M/ANS O0 BINDING TH/ A%%FS/D TO R/TFRN HIS INV/STM/NT IN TH/ PARTN/RSHIP EHI%H EAS TH/N SF00/RING 0ROM BFSIN/SS R/V/RSALS. II.TH/ %OFRT O0 APP/ALS /RR/D IN A00IRMING TH/ 0INDINGS O0 TH/ LOE/R %OFRT THAT TH/ R/GIONAL TRIAL %OFRT HAS #FRISDI%TION OV/R TH/ %AS/, D/SPIT/ TH/ 0A%T THAT AT TH/ TIM/ TH/ A%%FS/D EAS ARRAIGN/D ON #FLY 45, 1995 R.A. 7@91 /HPANDING TH/ #FRISDI%TION O0 TH/ M/TROPOLITAN TRIAL %OFRT EAS ALR/ADY IN /00/%T.;14< T&e iss*es to 3e reso2)e- re: 1( 9&et&er 'etitioner 9s "*i2t. o: )io2tion o: B.P. B2". 44I n- 4( 9&et&er t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt &sA*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,se. Petitioners r"*1ent t&t it is t&e Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rt n- not t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt 9&i,& &s A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,se '*rs*nt to R.A. 7@91 is 9it&o*t 1erit. It is &orn3oo? -o,trine t&t A*ris-i,tion to tr.,ri1in2 ,tion is -eter1ine- 3. t&e 29 in :or,e t t&e ti1e o: t&e instit*tion o: t&e ,tion;15< n- not -*rin" t&e rri"n1ent o: t&e ,,*se-. T&e In:or1tion ,&r"in" 'etitioner 9it& )io2tion o: B.P. B2". 44 9s C2e- on A*"*st 19, 1991. At t&t ti1e, t&e "o)ernin" 29 -eter1inti)e o: A*ris-i,tion is B.P. B2". 149;1@< 9&i,& 'ro)i-es: Se,. 46. #*ris-i,tion in ,ri1in2 ,ses. Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts s&22 e8er,ise e8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion in 22 ,ri1in2 ,ses not 9it&in t&e e8,2*si)e A*ris-i,tion o: n. ,o*rt, tri3*n2 or 3o-., e8,e't t&ose no9 :22in" *n-er t&e e8,2*si)e n- ,on,*rrent A*ris-i,tion o: t&e Sn-i"n3.n 9&i,& s&22 &ere:ter 3e e8,2*si)e2. t?en ,o"ni+n,e 3. t&e 2tter. 8 8 8 8 Se,. >4. #*ris-i,tion o: Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts n- M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts in %ri1in2 %ses. /8,e't in ,ses :22in" 9it&in t&e e8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion o: Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts n- t&e Sn-i"n3.n, t&e Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts, n- M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts s&22 e8er,ise: 8 8 8 8 $4( /8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion o)er 22 oDenses '*nis&32e 9it& i1'rison1ent o: not e8,ee-in" :o*r .ers n- t9o 1ont&s, orCne o: not 1ore t&n :o*r t&o*sn- 'esos, or 3ot& s*,& Cne n- i1'rison1ent, re"r-2ess o: ot&er i1'os32e ,,essor. or ot&er 'en2ties, in,2*-in" t&e ,i)i2 2i3i2it. risin" :ro1 s*,& oDenses or 're-i,te- t&ereon, irres'e,ti)e o: ?in-, nt*re, )2*e or 1o*nt t&ereo:: Pro)i-e-, &o9e)er, T&t in oDenses in)o2)in" -1"e to 'ro'ert. t&ro*"& ,ri1in2 ne"2i"en,e t&e. s&22 &)e e8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion 9&ere t&e i1'os32e Cne -oes not e8,ee- t9ent. t&o*sn- 'esos. Vio2tion o: B.P. B2". 44 is '*nis&32e 9it& i1'rison1ent o: not 2ess t&n >6 -.s 3*t not 1ore t&n one .er or 3.Cne o: not 2ess t&n 3*t not 1ore t&n -o*32e t&e 1o*nt o: t&e ,&e,? 9&i,& Cne s&22 in no ,se e8,ee- P466,666.66, or 3ot& Cne n- i1'rison1ent;17< t t&e -is,retion o: t&e ,o*rt. In t&e 'resent ,se, t&e Cne i1'os32e is P466,666.66 &en,e, t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt 'ro'er2. ,B*ire- A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,se.;15< T&e Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rt ,o*2- not ,B*ire A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,ri1in2 ,tion 3e,*se its A*ris-i,tion is on2. :or oDenses '*nis&32e 9it&Cne o: not 1ore t&n P4,666.66. T&e s*3seB*ent 1en-1ent o: B.P. 149 3. R.A. No. 7@91, An A,t /8'n-in" t&e #*ris-i,tion o: t&e M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts n- t&e Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rt;19< on #*ne 15, 1994 ,nnot -i)est t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt o: A*ris-i,tion o)er 'etitioners ,se. E&ere,o*rt &s 2re-. o3tine- n- is e8er,isin" A*ris-i,tion o)er,ontro)ers., its A*ris-i,tion to 'ro,ee-to t&e Cn2 -eter1intion o: t&e ,*se is not De,te- 3. ne9 2e"is2tion '2,in" A*ris-i,tion o)er s*,& 'ro,ee-in"s in not&er tri3*n2 *n2ess t&e stt*te e8'ress2. 'ro)i-es, or is ,onstr*e- to t&e eDe,t t&t it is inten-e- to o'erte on ,tions 'en-in" 3e:ore its en,t1ent.In-ee-, R.A. No. 7@91 ,ontins retro,ti)e 'ro)isions. Ho9e)er, t&ese on2. ''2. to ,i)i2 ,ses t&t &)e not .et re,&e- t&e 're!tri2 st"e.Neit&er :ro1 n e8'ress 'ro)iso nor 3. i1'2i,tion ,n it 3e ,onstr*e- t&t R.A. No. 7@91 &s retro,ti)e ''2i,tion to ,ri1in2 ,ses 'en-in" or -e,i-e- 3. t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts 'rior to its eDe,ti)it..;46< T&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e RT% o)er t&e ,se tt,&e- *'on t&e ,o11en,e1ent o: t&e ,tion 3. t&e C2in" o: t&e In:or1tion n- ,o*2- not 3e o*ste- 3. t&e 'ss"e o: R.A. No. 7@91 re''ortionin" t&e A*ris-i,tion o: in:erior ,o*rts, t&e ''2i,tion o: 9&i,& to ,ri1in2 ,ses is 'ros'e,ti)e in nt*re.;41< A:ter,re:*2 re)ie9 o: t&e re,or-s, t&is %o*rt s*stins 'etitioners ,on)i,tion :or )io2tion o: B.P. B2". 44. T&e e2e1ents o: t&e oDense 'en2i+e- *n-er B.P. B2". 44 re s :o22o9s: $1( t&e ,,*se- 1?es, -r9s, or iss*es n. ,&e,? to ''2. on ,,o*nt or :or )2*eI $4( t&e ,,*se- ?no9s t t&e ti1e o: iss*e t&t &e -oes not &)e s*=,ient :*n-s in or ,re-it 9it& t&e -r9ee 3n? :or t&e '.1ent o: s*,& ,&e,? in :*22 *'on its 'resent1entI n- $>( t&e ,&e,? is s*3seB*ent2. -is&onore- 3. t&e -r9ee 3n? :or ins*=,ien,. o: :*n-s or ,re-it or 9o*2- &)e 3een -is&onore- :or t&e s1e reson &- not t&e -r9er, 9it&o*t n. )2i- reson, or-ere- t&e 3n? to sto' '.1ent. /,& e2e1ent o: t&e oDense 9s -*2. 'ro)en 3. t&e 'rose,*tion. Petitioner -1itte- t&t t t&e ti1e &e iss*e- t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,?, &e?ne9 t&t &e -oes not &)e s*=,ient :*n-s in or ,re-it 9it& t&e -r9ee 3n? :or '.1ent o: s*,& ,&e,?. %onseB*ent2., 9&en t&e ,&e,? 9s 'resente- :or '.1ent, it 9s -is&onore- 3. t&e -r9ee3n? :or ins*=,ien,. o: :*n-s. T&ere:ter, &e re,ei)e- -e1n- 2etters to '. t&e 1o*nt o: t&e ,&e,? :ro1 'ri)te ,o1'2innt 3*t &e -i- not ,o1'2. 9it& it.;44< In r*2in" t&t t&e 1o*nt o: t&e ,&e,? 9s :or ,onsi-ertion or )2*e, 3ot& t&e tri2 ,o*rt n- t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s *'&e2- 'ri)te ,o1'2innts ,2i1 t&t t&e ,&e,? 9s iss*e- s"*rnt. :or t&e2on n- reAe,te- 'etitioners in)est1ent t&eor.. T&e iss*e s to 9&et&er t&e 1o*nt o: t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? re'resents t&e 1o*nt o: t&e 1one. 2one- 3. 'ri)te ,o1'2innt to 'etitioner or s n in)est1ent in t&e 22e"e- 'rtners&i' is:,t*2 B*estion in)o2)in"t&e ,re-i3i2it. o: 9itnesses. E&ere t&e iss*e is one o: ,re-i3i2it., t&e''e22te ,o*rt 9i22 not "ener22. -ist*r3 t&e Cn-in"s o: t&e 2o9er ,o*rt ,onsi-erin" t&t it is in3etter 'osition to sett2e t&t iss*e sin,e it &- t&e -)nt"e o: &erin" t&e 9itnesses n- o3ser)in" t&eir ,on-*,t -*rin" t&e tri2, 9&i,& ,ir,*1stn,es ,rr. "ret 9ei"&t in ssessin" t&eir ,re-i3i2it.. In t&e 'resent ,se, 9e see no reson to re)erse t&e Cn-in" o: t&e tri2 ,o*rt s =r1e- 3. t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s t&t t&e 1o*nt o: t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? 9s2on n- not n in)est1ent.;4>< F'on iss*n,e o:,&e,?, in t&e 3sen,e o: e)i-en,e to t&e ,ontrr., it is 'res*1e- t&t t&e s1e 9s iss*e- :or )2*32e ,onsi-ertion, 9&i,& 1. ,onsist eit&er in so1e ri"&t, interest, 'roCt or 3eneCt ,,r*in" to t&e 'rt. 9&o 1?es t&e ,ontr,t, or so1e :or3ern,e, -etri1ent, 2oss or so1e res'onsi3i2it., to ,t, or 23or, or ser)i,e "i)en, s*Dere- or *n-ert?en 3. t&e ot&er si-e. Sin,e it 9s est32is&e- t&t 'etitioner re,ei)e- 1one. :ro1 'ri)te ,o1'2innt in )rio*s 1o*nts,;44< 'etitioner ,nnot no9 ,2i1 t&t t&e ,&e,?s 9ere not iss*e- :or )2*e.;45< T&e 22e"tion t&t t&e ,&e,? 9s inten-e- to 3e s&o9n to 'otenti2 s*''2iers is not)2i- -e:ense. In %*e1e ). Peo'2e,;4@< t&e %o*rt &e2- t&*s: T&e 22e"tion o: 'etitioner t&t t&e ,&e,?s 9ere 1ere2. inten-e- to 3e s&o9n to 'ros'e,ti)e in)estors o: &er ,or'ortion is, to s. t&e 2est, not-e:ense. T&e "r)1en o: t&e oDense '*nis&e- *n-er B.P. B2". 44 is t&e ,t o: 1?in" or iss*in"9ort&2ess ,&e,? or,&e,? t&t is -is&onore- *'on its 'resent1ent :or '.1ent. T&e 29 &s 1-e t&e 1ere ,t o: iss*in"3- ,&e,? 12*1 'ro&i3it*1, n ,t 'ros,ri3e- 3. t&e 2e"is2t*re :or 3ein" -ee1e- 'erni,io*s n- ini1i,2 to '*32i, 9e2:re. %onsi-erin" t&e r*2e in 12 'ro&i3it ,ses, t&e on2. inB*ir. is 9&et&er t&e 29 &s 3een 3re,&e-. %ri1in2 intent 3e,o1es *nne,essr. 9&ere t&e ,ts re'ro&i3ite- :or resons o: '*32i, 'o2i,., n- t&e -e:enses o: "oo- :it& n- 3sen,e o: ,ri1in2 intent re *n)i2in". T&e ,&e,?s iss*e-, e)en ss*1in" t&e. 9ere not inten-e- to 3e en,s&e- or -e'osite- in3n?, 'ro-*,e t&e s1e eDe,t s or-inr. ,&e,?s. E&t t&e 29 '*nis&es is t&e iss*n,e o:r*33er ,&e,? itse2: n- not t&e '*r'ose :or 9&i,& t&e ,&e,? 9s iss*e- nort&e ter1s n- ,on-itions re2tin" to its iss*n,e. T&is is not 9it&o*t"oo- resons. To -eter1ine t&e '*r'ose s 9e22 s t&e ter1s n- ,on-itions :or 9&i,& ,&e,?s re iss*e- 9i22 "ret2. ero-e t&e :it& t&e '*32i, re'oses in t&e st3i2it. n- ,o11er,i2 )2*e o: ,&e,?s s ,*rren,. s*3stit*tes, n- 3rin" 3o*t &)o, in t&e tr-in" n- 3n?in" ,o11*nities. Besi-es, t&e 29 -oes not 1?e n. -istin,tion s to t&e ?in- o: ,&e,?s 9&i,& re t&e s*3Ae,t o: its 'ro)isions, &en,e, no s*,& -istin,tion ,n 3e 1-e 3. 1ens o: inter'rettion or ''2i,tion. E&t is i1'ortnt is t&e :,t t&t 'etitioner -e2i3erte2. iss*e- t&e ,&e,?s in B*estion n- t&ose ,&e,?s 9ere -is&onore- *'on 'resent1ent :or '.1ent.Hen,e, t&e "ree1ent s*rro*n-in" t&e iss*n,e o:,&e,? is irre2e)nt to t&e 'rose,*tion n- ,on)i,tion o: t&e 'etitioner.;47< T&e 22e"e- in,onsisten,. in t&e -te o: iss*n,e o: t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? is 2i?e9ise i11teri2. Iss*n,e, s -eCne- *n-er t&e Ne"oti32e Instr*1ents L9, is t&e Crst -e2i)er. o: t&e ,&e,?.;45< Int&e ,se t 3r, t&e In:or1tion 22e"e- t&t t&e ,&e,? 9s 'ost-te- 0e3r*r. 15, 1955 2t&o*"& iss*e- in or 3o*t Se'te13er 1957. D*rin" tri2, 'etitioner testiCe- t&t t&e %&e,?in" A,,o*nt 9s o'ene- on2. on De,e13er 1, 1957 n- t&t t&e ,&e,? 9s iss*e- so1eti1e in 0e3r*r. 1955. T&e r*2e is t&t)rin,e 3et9een t&e 22e"tion in t&e in:or1tion n- 'roo: --*,e- -*rin" tri2 s&22 3e :t2 to t&e ,ri1in2 ,se i: it is 1teri2 n- 'reA*-i,i2 to t&e ,,*se- so 1*,&so t&t it De,ts &is s*3stnti2 ri"&ts.;49< In'rose,*tion :or )io2tion o: B.P. 44, t&e ti1e o: t&e iss*n,e o: t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? is 1teri2 sin,e it :or1s 'rt o: t&e se,on- e2e1ent o: t&e oDense t&t t t&e ti1e o: its iss*n,e, 'etitioner ?ne9 o: t&e ins*=,ien,. o: :*n-s. Ho9e)er, it ,nnot 3e si- t&t 'etitioner 9s 'reA*-i,e- 3. s*,& )rin,e nor 9s s*r'rise- 3. it. Re,or-s s&o9 t&t 'etitioner ?ne9 t t&e ti1e &e iss*e- t&e ,&e,? t&t &e -oes not &)e s*=,ient :*n-s in t&e 3n? to ,o)er t&e 1o*nt o: t&e ,&e,?. Yet, &e 'ro,ee-e- to iss*e t&e s1e ,2i1in" t&t t&e s1e 9o*2- on2. 3e s&o9n to 'ros'e,ti)e s*''2iers,-e:ense 9&i,& is not )2i-. Moreo)er, t&ere is no 1erit in 'etitioners 22e"tion t&t 'ri)te ,o1'2innt ?ne9 t&t t&e ,&e,? is not :*n-e-. Bot& t&e tri2 ,o*rt n- t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s :o*n- t&t t&e s*3Ae,t ,&e,? 9s iss*e- s "*rnt. :or '.1ent o: t&e 2on &en,e, 9s inten-e- to ''2. :or ,,o*nt or :or )2*e. As s*,&, it 9s in,*13ent *'on 'etitioner to see to it t&t t&e ,&e,? is -*2. ,o)ere- 9&en 'resente- :or '.1ent. P*rs*nt to S*'re1e %o*rt A-1inistrti)e %ir,*2r No. 14!4666, s ,2riCe- 3. A-1inistrti)e %ir,*2r No. 1>!4661, t&e 2ternti)e 'en2t. o: Cne 1. 3e i1'ose- in 2ie* o: i1'rison1ent ,onsi-erin"t&t t&e 'rose,*tion :i2e- to 'ro)e or 22e"e t&t 'etitioner is not Crst!ti1e oDen-er.;>6< Hen,e, in 2ie* o: i1'rison1ent,Cne o: P466,666.66 s&22 3e i1'ose- *'on 'etitioner.;>1< 3. &er Crst 1rri"e. MILA 1rrie- Tro. in 1997 *'on t&e -et& o: &er Crst &*s3n-.;4< T&e ,o*'2e 2i)e- 9it& MILAs ,&i2-ren in P*,s*sn Brn"., Ito"on, Ben"*et, t t&e 3o*n-r. o: B"*io %it..;5< D/S testiCe- t&t s&e 9s 2one in t&e &o*se on A*"*st 16, 1997 -oin" so1e ,2enin" sin,e &er 1ot&er 9s t 9or? n- &er t9o si32in"s 9ere o*tsi-e '2.in". E&en Tro. entere- t&e &o*se, &e 2o,?e- t&e -oor, ,2ose- t&e 9in-o9s, re1o)e- &is ,2ot&es, n- or-ere- D/S to re1o)e &ers. E&en s&e resiste-, Tro. 'o?e-?ni:e t &er &e- n- :or,e- &er to s*31it to &is 3esti2 -esires. Tro. 9rne- &er :ter9r-s not to te22 n.one 3o*t it, 2est MILA n- &er si32in"s 9o*2- s*Der so1e &r1. D/S 9s 16 .ers o2- t&en.;@< D/S testiCe- t&t Tro. se8*22. 3*se- &er "in in Se'te13er 1995. T&is ti1e, &e entere- &er roo1, 2o,?e- t&e -oor, ,2ose- t&e 9in-o9s, *n-resse- &i1se2:, n- or-ere- &er to -o t&e s1e. E&en s&e re:*se-, Tro. 'ointe-?ni:e t &er. T&is ,o1'e22e- &er to .ie2- to &i1. 0o*r .ers 2ter or on No)e13er 1, 4664, 9&en D/S 9s 15, s&e to2- &er *nt n- MILA 3o*t 9&t &- &''ene- 3et9een Tro. n- &er. T&e. ,,o1'nie- D/S to t&e Ntion2 B*re* o: In)esti"tion to ,o1'2in. MILA n-,ertin A2*1no testiCe- t&t t&e. 2ter ,,o1'nie- D/S to t&e &os'it2 :or e81intion. MILA ,orro3orte- D/S testi1on. re"r-in" &o9 s&e re)e2e- to &er n- n *nt t&e -eti2s o: t&e r'e in,i-ents. T&e -o,tor 9&o e81ine- D/S testiCe- t&t t&e 2tter &- t9o nrro9 not,&es in &er &.1en t t&ree o,2o,? n- C)e o,2o,? 'ositions. S&e e8'2ine- t&t t&ese not,&es or V!s&'e- or s&r' in-entions o)er t&e &.1en2 e-"es s*""este-&istor. o: 're)io*s 32*nt :or,e or tr*1 'ossi32. ,*se- 3. t&e insertion o: n ere,t 12e 'enis. 0or t&e -e:ense, Tro. -enie- r'in" D/S on t&e o,,sions 1entione-. He )erre- t&t t&e testi1on. 9s:3ri,tion 1-e *'on t&e 'ro--in" o: &er *nt 9&o -is2i?e- &i1. T&e RT% :o*n- Tro. "*i2t. o: t9o ,o*nts o: r'e n- senten,e- &i1 to s*Der t&e 'en2t. o: re,2*sion 'er'et*. It 2so or-ere- &i1 to '. D/S :or e,& ,o*nt: P75,666.66 s ,i)i2 in-e1nit., P75,666.66 s 1or2 -1"es, n- P45,666.66 s e8e1'2r. -1"es.;7< T&e RT% :o*n- t&e testi1on. o: D/S ,re-i32e n- 9ort&. o: 3e2ie:. Tro. ,&22en"e- t&e Ben"*et RT%s A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,ri1es ,&r"e-, &e &)in" testiCe- t&t t&eir resi-en,e 9&en t&e 22e"e- oDenses too? '2,e 9s in P*,s*sn Brn"., B"*io %it.. T&e RT% &e2-, &o9e)er, t&t Tro.s testi1on. t&t t&eir resi-en,e 9s in B"*io %it. -i- not stri' t&e ,o*rt o: its A*ris-i,tion sin,e &e 9i)e- t&e A*ris-i,tion2 reB*ire1ent. On #n*r. 19, 4616 t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s $%A( =r1e- t&e -e,ision o: t&e RT%.;5< T&e %A ")e 9ei"&t to t&e RT%s ssess1ent o: D/S ,re-i3i2it. n- :o*n- no e)i2 1oti)e in &er. T&e %A 2so &e2- t&t t&e 'rose,*tion &s s*=,ient2. est32is&e- t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e RT% t&ro*"& t&e testi1on. o: MILA, D/S, n- A2*1no. Tro. see?s &is ,B*itt2 :ro1 t&is %o*rt. T&e Iss*es Presente- T&e iss*es 'resente- to t&e %o*rt re: 1. E&et&er or not t&e RT% o: L Trini--, Ben"*et, &s A*ris-i,tion to &er n- -e,i-e t&e ,ses o: r'e "inst Tro.I n- 4. E&et&er or not t&e 'rose,*tion &s 'ro)e- &is "*i2t in t&e t9o ,ses 3e.on- reson32e -o*3t. T&e %o*rts R*2in"s One. Ven*e is A*ris-i,tion2 in ,ri1in2 ,ses. It ,n neit&er 3e 9i)e- nor s*3Ae,te- to sti'*2tion. T&e ri"&t )en*e 1*st e8ist s 1tter o: 29.;9< T&*s, :or territori2 A*ris-i,tion to tt,&, t&e ,ri1in2 ,tion 1*st 3e instit*te- n- trie- in t&e 'ro'er ,o*rt o: t&e 1*ni,i'2it., ,it., or 'ro)in,e 9&ere t&e oDense 9s ,o11itte-or 9&ere n. o: its essenti2 in"re-ients too? '2,e.;16< T&e In:or1tions;11< C2e- 9it& t&e RT% o: L Trini-- stte t&t t&e ,ri1es 9ere ,o11itte- in t&e )i,ti1 n- t&e oDen-ers &o*se in %it. Li1it, T*-in", M*ni,i'2it. o: Ito"on, Pro)in,e o: Ben"*et. T&is 22e"tion ,on:erre- territori2 A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e s*3Ae,t oDenses on t&e RT% o: L Trini--, Ben"*et. T&e testi1onies o: MILA n- D/S s 9e22 s t&e =-)it o: rrest;14< 'oint to t&is :,t. %2er2., Tro.s *n,orro3orte- ssertion t&t t&e s*3Ae,t oDenses too? '2,e in B"*io %it. is not entit2e- to 3e2ie:. Besi-es, &e -1itte- -*rin" t&e 're!tri2 in t&e ,se t&t it 9s t&e RT% o: L Trini-- t&t &- A*ris-i,tion to &er t&e ,se.;1>< T?en 2to"et&er, t&t RT%s A*ris-i,tion to &er t&e ,se is 3e.on- -is'*te. T9o. E&t is ne,essr. :or t&e 'rose,*tion to ens*re ,on)i,tion is not 3so2*te ,ertint. 3*t on2. 1or2 ,ertint. t&t t&e ,,*se- is "*i2t. o: t&e ,ri1e ,&r"e-.;14< Here, t&e 'rose,*tion &s s*=,ient2. 'ro)e- t&e "*i2t o: Tro. 3e.on- reson32e -o*3t. D/S testi1on. is 9ort&. o: 3e2ie:, s&e &)in" no i22!1oti)e to :3ri,te 9&t s&e si- "inst &er ste':t&er. More, ,ontrr. to t&e ,2i1s o: Tro., t&ere is not&in" in t&e testi1on. o: D/S t&t 9o*2- e2i,it s*s'i,ion s to t&e )er,it. o: &er stor.. 0or one t&in", t&e :,t t&t s&e -i- not s&o*t :or &e2' or resist t&e se8*2 -)n,es o: Tro. -oes not -is'ro)e t&e :,t t&t &e r'e- &er. Eo1en 9&o e8'erien,e tr*1ti, n- terri:.in" e8'erien,es s*,& s r'e -o not re,t in*ni:or1 'ttern o: &.steri n- 3re?-o9n. Lst2., t&ere is not&in" *n*s*2 :or D/S to re1in in t&e :1i2. -9e22in" -es'ite t&e in,i-ents t&t &- &''ene- to &er. S&e 9s A*st,&i2-. E&ere e2se 9o*2- s&e "o e8,e't st. 9it& &er 1ot&er 9&o &''ene- to 3e 1rrie- to t&e 1n 9&o 3*se- &erM E&i2e 9e -o =r1 t&e "*i2t o: Tro. :or t&e ,ri1e o: r'e, 9e 1o-i:. t&e 9r- o: e8e1'2r. -1"es in ,,or-n,e 9it& Peo'2e). AroAo.;15< T&e 'rose,*tion &s s*=,ient2. est32is&e- t&e re2tions&i' o: Tro. to t&e )i,ti1, s 9e22 s t&e 1inorit. o: D/S ne,essittin" t&e in,rese o: t&e 9r- o: e8e1'2r. -1"es :ro1 P45,666.66 to P>6,666.66. EH/R/0OR/, t&is %o*rt DISMISS/S t&e ''e2 n- A00IRMS t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s -e,ision in %A!G.R. %R!H% 6>516 -te- #n*r. 19, 4616 9it& t&e MODI0I%ATION t&t t&e 9r- o: e8e1'2r. -1"es 3e in,rese- :ro1 P45,666.66 to P>6,666.66. SO ORD/R/D. Re'*32i, o: t&e P&i2i''inesSFPR/M/ %OFRTMni2THIRD DIVISIONG.R. No. L!565>5 No)e13er 49, 1955/L/FT/RIO %. P/R/L, 'etitioner, )s.%OFRT O0 APP/ALS n- TH/ P/OPL/ O0 TH/ PHILIPPIN/S, res'on-ents./ste3n %. Mn*e2 :or 'etitioner.T&e So2i,itor Gener2 :or res'on-ents. %ORT/S, #.:Petitioner /2e*terio Pere+ rises 3ot& 'ro,e-*r2 n- s*3stnti)e iss*es in t&is 'etition to re)ie9 t&e -e,ision o: res'on-ent %o*rt o: A''e2s in %A!G.R. %R No. 64759 -te- O,to3er 5, 1957 n- its reso2*tion o: No)e13er 14, 1957 -en.in" &is 1otion :or re,onsi-ertion.T&e :,ts o: t&is ,se re *n-is'*te-.On O,to3er 41, 1974 Yo2n- Men-o+ C2e-,ri1in2 ,o1'2int "inst /2e*terio Pere+ :or %onsente- A3-*,tion -o,?ete- s %ri1in2 %se No. @15 o: t&e %o*rt o: 0irst Instn,e o: P1'n", Brn,& VI. T&e ,,*se- '2e-e- not "*i2t. n- tri2 on t&e 1erits ens*e-. On #*ne 45, 1956A*-"1ent o: ,on)i,tion 9s ren-ere- "inst Pere+.On ''e2, t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s re)erse-, n- ,B*itte- Pere+ o: t&e ,ri1e o: %onsente- A3-*,tion. In si- -e,ision, 'ro1*2"te- onO,to3er 49, 1954, t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s 1-e t&e :o22o9in" stte1ent:888888888T&is is not to s. t&t t&e ''e22nt -i- not&in" 9ron". Eit& 'ro1ises o: 1rri"e, ''e22nt s*,,ee-e- in &)in" se8*2 inter,o*rse 9it& &er, t9i,e, t&t ni"&t 3e:ore t&e. ret*rne-. S&e 9s se-*,e- 3. ''e22nt, s it t*rne- o*t t&t &e 1-e t&ose 'ro1ises A*st to ,,o1'2is& &is 2e9- -esi"ns T&t 9s Nse-*,tion n- not 3-*,tion,N s e8'2ine- 3. #*sti,e R1on AB*ino. $Ro22o, '. 46.(888888888S*3seB*ent to 'etitionerOs ,B*itt2 ,o1'2innt Yo2n- Men-o+ C2e- not&er ,ri1in2 ,o1'2int "inst Pere+ on #*2. 44, 195>, t&isti1e :or P*2iCe- Se-*,tion, -o,?ete- s %ri1in2 %se No. 5>!5445 o: t&e M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rt o: P1'n", Brn,& VI. K Petitioner Pere+ C2e-1otion to B*s& in)o?in" -o*32e Aeo'r-. n- 9i)er n-Qor esto''e2 on t&e 'rt o: t&e ,o1'2innt. Ho9e)er, t&is 1otion n- 'etitionerOs 1otion :or re,onsi-ertion 9ere -enie-.E&ere*'on, 'etitioner Pere+ C2e-'etition :or ,ertiorri n- 'ro&i3ition 9it& t&e S*'re1e %o*rt -o,?ete- s G.R. No. @5144 B*estionin" t&e -eni2 o: &is 1otions to B*s& n- :or re,onsi-ertion C2e- 9it& t&e M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rt in %ri1in2 %se No. 5>!5445. Inreso2*tion o: t&e Se,on- Di)ision -te- A*"*st 5, 1954, t&e %o*rt re:erre- t&e ,se to t&e Inter1e-ite A''e22te %o*rt.On De,e13er 1@, 1955 t&e Inter1e-ite A''e22te %o*rt -is1isse- t&e 'etition, 9it&o*t 'reA*-i,e to its reC2in" in t&e 'ro'er Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt. Si- t&e Inter1e-ite A''e22te %o*rt:As t&e or-er so*"&t to 3e nn*22e- is t&t o: n in:erior ,o*rt, t&e 'etition in t&is ,se s&o*2- &)e 3een C2e- 9it& t&e ''ro'rite Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt in ,,or-n,e 9it& R*2e @5, Se,. 4. Ee &)e 2re-. r*2e- in se)er2 ,ses t&t BP 149, See. 9, in "i)in" t&is ,o*rt A*ris-i,tion o)er ''2i,tions :or 9rits o: ,ertiorri n- 'ro&i3ition N9&et&er or not in i- o: its ''e22te A*ris-i,tion,N 9s ne)er 1ent to *t&ori+e t&e C2in" o: 'etitions 9&i,&, ,on:or132. to R*2e @5, Se,. 4, s&o*2- 3e C2e- 9it& t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts 3e,*se t&e. re2te to ,ts o: in:erior ,o*rts. T&e '*r'ose o: BP 149 is to en32e t&is %o*rt to t?e ,o"ni+n,e o: 'etitions 9&i,&, 3e,*se o: t&e 2i1ittion i1'ose- 3. t&e reB*ire1ent t&t t&e 'etition 1*st 3e Nin i- o: its ''e22te A*ris-i,tionN ,o*2- or on2. 3eC2e- 3e:ore 9it& t&e S*'re1e %o*rt $Dio,ese o: %3nt*n ). De2i+o, A%!G.R. SP No. 6@416, O,t. 45, 1955I F. ). Antonio, A% G.R R. SP No. 655@5, Mr,& 7, 1955I De G*+1n ). An-res, A%!G.R. SP No. 64494, O,t. 45, 1954(. ;Ro22o '. 76. o: t&e Re)ise- Pen2 %o-e :or ,ri1es '*nis&32e 3.,orre,tion2 'en2t. s*,& s P*2iCe- Se-*,tion ;See Arti,2e 44 o: t&e Re)ise- Pen2 %o-e.< 9&i,& 1en-e- Bts P13ns B2". 149;44< n- 9&i,& 9s 2re-. in eDe,t;45< 9&en res'on-ents C2e-t&eir ,o1'2int 9it& t&e RT% on O,to3er 47, 1994,;4@< e8'ress2. 'ro)i-es: S/%. 19. #*ris-i,tion in ,i)i2 ,ses Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts s&22 e8er,ise e8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion:8 8 8 8$4( In 22 ,i)i2 ,tions 9&i,& in)o2)e t&e tit2e to or 'ossession o:, re2'ro'ert., or n. interest t&erein, 9&ere t&e ssesse- )2*e o: t&e 'ro'ert. in)o2)e- e8,ee-s T9ent. t&o*sn- 'esos $P46,666.66( or, :or ,i)i2 ,tions in Metro Mni2, 9&ere s*,& )2*e e8,ee-s 0i:t. t&o*sn- 'esos $P56,666.66( e8,e't :or :or,i32e entr. into n- *n29:*2 -etiner o: 2n-s or 3*i2-in"s, ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion o)er 9&i,& is ,on:erre- *'on t&e Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts, n- M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts.8 8 8 8S/%. >>. #*ris-i,tion o: Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts n- M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts in %i)i2 %ses. !!! Metro'o2itn Tri2 %o*rts, M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rts, n- M*ni,i'2 %ir,*it Tri2 %o*rts s&22 e8er,ise:8 8 8 8$>( /8,2*si)e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion in 22 ,i)i2 ,tions 9&i,& in)o2)e tit2e to, or 'ossession o: , re2 'ro'ert., or n. interest t&erein 9&ere t&e ssesse- )2*e o: t&e 'ro'ert. or interest t&erein -oes not e8,ee- T9ent. t&o*sn- 'esos $P46,666.66( or, in ,i)i2 ,tions in Metro Mni2, 9&ere s*,& ssesse- )2*e -oes not e8,ee- 0i:t. t&o*sn- 'esos $P56,666.66( e8,2*si)e o: interest, -1"es or 9&te)er ?in-, ttorne.Os :ees, 2iti"tion e8'enses n- ,osts: Pro)i-e- T&t in ,ses o: 2n- not -e,2re- :or t8tion '*r'oses, t&e )2*e o: s*,& 'ro'ert. s&22 3e -eter1ine- 3. t&e ssesse- )2*e o: t&e -A,ent 2ots.$/1'&sis s*''2ie-( T&e %o*rt &s 2so -e,2re- t&t 22 ,ses in)o2)in" tit2e to or 'ossession o: re2 'ro'ert. 9it& n ssesse- )2*e o: 2ess t&n P46,666.66 i: o*tsi-e Metro Mni2, :22s *n-er t&e ori"in2 A*ris-i,tion o: t&e 1*ni,i'2 tri2 ,o*rt.;47>< In-ee-, 3sent n. 22e"tion in t&e ,o1'2int o: t&e ssesse- )2*e o: t&e 'ro'ert., it ,nnot 3e -eter1ine- 9&et&er t&e RT% or t&e MT% &s ori"in2 n- e8,2*si)e A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e 'etitionerOs ,tion.;>4< T&e ,o*rts ,nnot t?e A*-i,i2 noti,e o: t&e ssesse- or 1r?et )2*e o: t&e 2n-.;>5< #*ris-i,tion o: t&e ,o*rt -oes not -e'en- *'on t&e ns9er o: t&e -e:en-nt or e)en *'on "ree1ent, 9i)er or ,B*ies,en,e o: t&e 'rties.;>@< In-ee-, t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e ,o*rt o)er t&e nt*re o: t&e ,tion n- t&e s*3Ae,t 1tter t&ereo: ,nnot 3e 1-e to -e'en- *'on t&e -e:enses set *' in t&e ,o*rt or *'on1otion to -is1iss :or, ot&er9ise, t&e B*estion o: A*ris-i,tion 9o*2- -e'en- 21ost entire2. on t&e -e:en-nt.;>7< %onsi-erin" t&t t&e res'on-ents :i2e- to 22e"e in t&eir ,o1'2int t&e ssesse- )2*e o: t&e s*3Ae,t 'ro'ert., t&e RT% serio*s2. erre- in -en.in" t&e 1otion to -is1iss. %onseB*ent2., 22 'ro,ee-in"s in t&e RT% re n*22 n- )oi-,;>5< n- t&e %A erre- in =r1in" t&e RT%.;>9< EH/R/0OR/, t&e 'etition is GRANT/D. T&e %o*rt o: A''e2sOs De,ision in %A!GR SP No. @644> -te- M. 47, 4664 n- its Reso2*tion -te- A*"*st 45, 4664, re R/V/RS/D n- S/T ASID/. T&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rts Or-ers -te- No)e13er 11, 1999 n- M.11, 4666, n- 22 'ro,ee-in"s t&erein re -e,2re- NFLL n- VOID. T&e ,o1'2int in %i)i2 %se No. 446!T is -is1isse- 9it&o*t 'reA*-i,e. No ,osts. SO ORD/R/D.0IRST DIVISION IR/N/ SANT/ AND R/YNALDO SANT/,Petitioners, ! )ers*s ! HON. /DILB/RTO T. %LARAVALL, in &is ,',it. s Presi-in" #*-"e o:Brn,& @6, Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt o: B"*io %it., n- VITA N. GALASHIAN,Res'on-ents. G.R. No. 17>915 Present: PFNO, %.#., %&ir'erson,%ARPIO MORAL/S,L/ONARDO!D/ %ASTRO,B/RSAMIN, n-VILLARAMA, #R., ##. Pro1*2"te-: 0e3r*r. 44, 46168! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!8 D/%ISIONVILLARAMA, #R., #.:Be:ore t&is %o*rt is'etition :or ,ertiorri;1< *n-er R*2e @5 o: t&e 1997 R*2es o: %i)i2 Pro,e-*re, s 1en-e-, C2e- 3. 'etitioners Irene n- Re.n2-o Snte ssi2in" t&e De,ision;4< -te- #n*r. >1, 466@ n- t&e Reso2*tion;>< -te- #*ne 4>, 466@ o: t&e Se)enteent& Di)ision o: t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s in %A!G.R. SP No. 575@>. T&e ssi2e- -e,ision =r1e- t&e or-ers o: t&e Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt $RT%( o: B"*io %it., Brn,& @6, -en.in" t&eir 1otion to -is1iss t&e ,o1'2int :or -1"es C2e- 3. res'on-ent Vit G2s&in "inst t&e1.T&e :,ts, ,*22e- :ro1 t&e re,or-s, re s :o22o9s:On A'ri2 5, 4664, res'on-ent C2e- 3e:ore t&e RT% o: B"*io %it.,o1'2int :or -1"es;4< "inst 'etitioners. In &er ,o1'2int, -o,?ete- s %i)i2 %se No. 5794!R, res'on-ent 22e"e- t&t 9&i2e s&e 9s insi-e t&e Po2i,e Sttion o: Nti)i--, Pn"sinn, n- in t&e 'resen,e o: ot&er 'ersons n- 'o2i,e o=,ers, 'etitioner Irene Snte *ttere- 9or-s, 9&i,& 9&en trns2te- in /n"2is& re s :o22o9s, Ho9 1n. ro*n-s o: se8 -i- .o* &)e 2st ni"&t 9it& .o*r 3oss, BertM Yo* :*,?in 3it,&[ Bert re:ers to A23ert G,*sn, res'on-ents :rien- n- one $1( o: &er &ire- 'erson2 se,*rit. "*r-s -etine- t t&e si- sttion n- 9&o iss*s'e,t in t&e ?i22in" o: 'etitioners ,2ose re2ti)e. Petitioners 2so 22e"e-2. 9ent ro*n- Nti)i--, Pn"sinn te22in" 'eo'2e t&t s&e is 'rote,tin" n- ,*--2in" t&e s*s'e,ts in t&e :oresi- ?i22in". T&*s, res'on-ent'r.e- t&t 'etitioners 3e &e2- 2i32e to '. 1or2 -1"es in t&e 1o*nt o: P>66,666.66I P56,666.66 s e8e1'2r. -1"esI P56,666.66 ttorne.s :eesI P46,666.66 2iti"tion e8'ensesI n- ,osts o: s*it.Petitioners C2e-Motion to Dis1iss;5< on t&e "ro*n- t&t it 9s t&e M*ni,i'2 Tri2 %o*rt in %ities $MT%%( n- not t&e RT% o: B"*io,t&t &- A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,se. T&e. r"*e- t&t t&e 1o*nt o: t&e ,2i1 :or 1or2 -1"es 9s not 1ore t&n t&e A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt o: P>66,666.66, 3e,*se t&e ,2i1 :or e8e1'2r. -1"es s&o*2- 3e e8,2*-e- in ,o1'*tin" t&e tot2 ,2i1.On #*ne 44, 4664,;@< t&e tri2 ,o*rt -enie- t&e 1otion to -is1iss ,itin" o*r r*2in" in Mo)ers!Bse,o Inte"rte- Port Ser)i,es, In,. ). %.3or" Lesin" %or'ortion.;7< T&e tri2 ,o*rt &e2- t&t t&e tot2 ,2i1 o: res'on-ent 1o*nte- to P446,666.66 9&i,& 9s 3o)e t&e A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt :or MT%%s o*tsi-e Metro Mni2. T&e tri2 ,o*rt 2so 2ter iss*e- Or-ers on #*2. 7, 4664;5< n- #*2. 19, 4664,;9< res'e,ti)e2. reitertin" its -eni2 o: t&e 1otion to -is1iss n- -en.in" 'etitioners 1otion :or re,onsi-ertion.A""rie)e-, 'etitioners C2e- on A*"*st 4, 4664,Petition :or %ertiorri n- Pro&i3ition,;16< -o,?ete- s %A!G.R. SP No. 554@5, 3e:ore t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s. Men9&i2e, on #*2. 14, 4664, res'on-ent n- &er &*s3n- C2e- n A1en-e- %o1'2int;11< in,resin" t&e ,2i1 :or 1or2 -1"es :ro1 P>66,666.66 to P1,666,666.66. Petitioners C2e-Motion to Dis1iss 9it& Ans9er A-%*te21 n- %o*nter,2i1, 3*t t&e tri2 ,o*rt -enie- t&eir 1otion in n Or-er;14< -te- Se'te13er 17, 4664.Hen,e, 'etitioners "in C2e-Petition :or %ertiorri n- Pro&i3ition;1>< 3e:ore t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s, -o,?ete- s %A!G.R. SPNo. 575@>, ,2i1in" t&t t&e tri2 ,o*rt ,o11itte- "r)e 3*se o: -is,retion in 22o9in" t&e 1en-1ent o: t&e ,o1'2int to in,rese t&e 1o*nt o: 1or2 -1"es :ro1 P>66,666.66 to P1,666,666.66. T&e ,se 9s r\e- to t&e Se)enteent& Di)ision o: t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s.On #n*r. 4>, 466@, t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s, Se)ent& Di)ision, 'ro1*2"te--e,ision in %A!G.R. SP No. 554@5, s :o22o9s:EH/R/0OR/, Cn-in" "r)e 3*se o: -is,retion on t&e 'rt o: ;t&e< Re"ion2 Tri2 %o*rt o: B"*io, Brn,& @6, in ren-erin" t&e ssi2e- Or-ers -te- #*ne 44, 4664 n- #*2. ;1966,666.66, 9&i,& 1o*nt 9s 9e22 9it&in t&e A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt o: t&e MT%%. T&e %o*rt o: A''e2s --e- t&t t&e tot2it. o: ,2i1 r*2e *se- :or -eter1inin" 9&i,& ,o*rt &- A*ris-i,tion ,o*2- not 3e ''2ie- to t&e instnt ,se 3e,*se '2intiDs ,2i1 :or e8e1'2r. -1"es 9s notse'rte n- -istin,t ,*se o: ,tion :ro1 &er ,2i1 o: 1or2 -1"es, 3*t 1ere2. in,i-ent2 to it. T&*s, t&e 'r.er :or e8e1'2r. -1"es s&o*2- 3e e8,2*-e- in ,o1'*tin" t&e tot2 1o*nt o: t&e ,2i1.On #n*r. >1, 466@, t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s, t&is ti1e in %A!G.R. SP No. 575@>, ren-ere--e,ision =r1in" t&e Se'te13er 17, 4664 Or-er o: t&e RT% -en.in" 'etitioners Motion to Dis1iss A- %*te21. In t&e si- -e,ision, t&e ''e22te ,o*rt &e2- t&t t&e tot2 or ""re"te 1o*nt -e1n-e- in t&e ,o1'2int ,onstit*tes t&e 3sis o: A*ris-i,tion. T&e %o*rt o: A''e2s -i- not Cn- 1erit in 'etitioners 'ost*re t&t t&e ,2i1s :or e8e1'2r. -1"es n- ttorne.s :ees re 1ere2. in,i-ent2 to t&e 1in ,*se n- s&o*2- not 3e in,2*-e- in t&e ,o1'*ttion o: t&e tot2 ,2i1.T&e %o*rt o: A''e2s --ition22. r*2e- t&t res'on-ent ,n 1en- &er ,o1'2int 3. in,resin" t&e 1o*nt o: 1or2 -1"es :ro1 P>66,666.66 to P1,666,666.66, on t&e "ro*n- t&t t&e tri2 ,o*rt &s A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ori"in2 ,o1'2int n- res'on-ent is entit2e- to 1en- &er ,o1'2int s1tter o: ri"&t *n-er t&e R*2es.Fn32e to ,,e't t&e -e,ision, 'etitioners re no9 3e:ore *s risin"t&e :o22o9in" iss*es:I.EH/TH/R OR NOT TH/R/ EAS GRAV/ ABFS/ O0 DIS%R/TION AMOFNTING TO LA%G OR IN /H%/SS O0 #FRISDI%TION ON TH/ PARTO0 TH/ $0ORM/R( S/V/NT//NTH DIVISION O0 TH/ HONORABL/ %OFRT O0 APP/ALS EH/N IT R/SOLV/D THAT TH/ R/GIONAL TRIAL%OFRT O0 BAGFIO %ITY BRAN%H @6 HAS #FRISDI%TION OV/R TH/ SFB#/%T MATT/R O0 TH/ %AS/ 0OR DAMAG/S AMOFNTING TO P>66,666.66III.EH/TH/R OR NOT TH/R/ EAS GRAV/ ABFS/ O0 DIS%R/TION ON TH/ PART O0 TH/ HONORABL/ R/SPOND/NT #FDG/ O0 TH/ R/GIONAL TRIAL %OFRT O0 BAGFIO BRAN%H @6 0OR ALLOEING TH/ %OMPLAINANT TO AM/ND TH/ %OMPLAINT $IN%R/ASING TH/ AMOFNT O0 DAMAG/S TO 1,666,666.66 TO %ON0/R #FRISDI%TION OV/R TH/ SFB#/%T MATT/R O0 TH/ %AS/ D/SPIT/ TH/ P/ND/N%Y O0 A P/TITION 0OR %/RTIORARI 0IL/D AT TH/ %OFRT O0 APP/ALS, S/V/NTH DIVISION, DO%G/T/D AS %A G.R. NO. 554@5.;15(, $4(, n- $5(I n- Se,. >>$1( o: Bts P13ns B2". 149 s 1en-e- 3. t&is A,t, s&22 3e -A*ste- to T9o &*n-re- t&o*sn- 'esos $P466,666.66(. 0i)e $5( .ers t&ere:ter, s*,& A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nts s&22 3e -A*ste- :*rt&er to T&ree &*n-re- t&o*sn- 'esos $P>66,666.66(: Pro)i-e-, &o9e)er, T&t in t&e ,se o: Metro Mni2, t&e 3o)e1entione- A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nts s&22 3e -A*ste- :ter C)e $5( .ers :ro1 t&e eDe,ti)it. o: t&is A,t to 0o*r &*n-re- t&o*sn- 'esos $P466,666.66(.Re2te-2., S*'re1e %o*rt %ir,*2r No. 41!99 9s iss*e- -e,2rin" t&t t&e Crst -A*st1ent in A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt o: Crst 2e)e2 ,o*rtso*tsi-e o: Metro Mni2 :ro1 P166,666.66 to P466,666.66 too? eDe,t on Mr,& 46, 1999.Men9&i2e, t&e se,on- -A*st1ent :ro1 P466,666.66 to P>66,666.66 3e,1e eDe,ti)e on 0e3r*r. 44, 4664 in ,,or-n,e 9it& O%A %ir,*2r No. @5!4664 iss*e- 3. t&e O=,e o: t&e %o*rt A-1inistrtor on M. 1>, 4664.Bse- on t&e :ore"oin", t&ere is no B*estion t&t t t&e ti1e o: t&e C2in" o: t&e ,o1'2int on A'ri2 5, 4664, t&e MT%%s A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt &s 3een -A*ste- to P>66,666.66.B*t 9&ere -1"es is t&e 1in ,*se o: ,tion, s&o*2- t&e 1o*nto: 1or2 -1"es 'r.e- :or in t&e ,o1'2int 3e t&e so2e 3sis :or -eter1inin" 9&i,& ,o*rt &s A*ris-i,tion or s&o*2- t&e tot2 1o*nt o: 22 t&e -1"es ,2i1e- re"r-2ess o: ?in- n- nt*re, s*,& s e8e1'2r. -1"es, no1in2 -1"es, n- ttorne.s :ees, et,., 3e*se-M In t&is re"r-, A-1inistrti)e %ir,*2r No. 69!94;19< is instr*,ti)e:8 8 8 84.T&e e8,2*sion o: t&e ter1 -1"es o: 9&te)er ?in- in -eter1inin" t&e A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt *n-er Se,tion 19 $5( n- Se,tion >> $1( o: B.P. B2". 149, s 1en-e- 3. R.A. No. 7@91, ''2ies to ,ses 9&ere t&e -1"es re 1ere2. in,i-ent2 to or,onseB*en,e o: t&e 1in ,*se o: ,tion.Ho9e)er, in ,ses 9&eret&e ,2i1 :or -1"es is t&e 1in ,*se o: ,tion, or one o: t&e ,*ses o: ,tion, t&e 1o*nt o: s*,& ,2i1 s&22 3e ,onsi-ere- in -eter1inin" t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e ,o*rt. $/1'&sis o*rs.(In t&e instnt ,se, t&e ,o1'2int C2e- in %i)i2 %se No. 5794!R is :or t&e re,o)er. o: -1"es :or t&e 22e"e- 12i,io*s ,ts o: 'etitioners. T&e ,o1'2int 'rin,i'22. so*"&t n 9r- o: 1or2 n-e8e1'2r. -1"es, s 9e22 s ttorne.s :ees n- 2iti"tion e8'enses, :or t&e 22e"e- s&1e n- inA*r. s*Dere- 3. res'on-ent 3. reson o: 'etitioners *ttern,e 9&i2e t&e. 9ere t'o2i,e sttion in Pn"sinn. It is sett2e- t&t A*ris-i,tion is ,on:erre- 3. 29 3se- on t&e :,ts 22e"e- in t&e ,o1'2int sin,e t&e 2tter ,o1'rises,on,ise stte1ent o: t&e *2ti1te :,ts ,onstit*tin" t&e '2intiDs ,*ses o: ,tion.;46< It is ,2er, 3se- on t&e 22e"tions o: t&e ,o1'2int, t&t res'on-ents 1in ,tion is :or -1"es. Hen,e, t&e ot&er :or1s o: -1"es 3ein" ,2i1e- 3. res'on-ent, e."., e8e1'2r. -1"es, ttorne.s :ees n- 2iti"tion e8'enses, re not 1ere2. in,i-ent2 to or ,onseB*en,es o: t&e 1in,tion 3*t ,onstit*te t&e 'ri1r. re2ie: 'r.e- :or in t&e ,o1'2int.In Men-o+ ). Sorino,;41< it 9s &e2- t&t in ,ses 9&ere t&e ,2i1:or -1"es is t&e 1in ,*se o: ,tion, or one o: t&e ,*ses o: ,tion, t&e 1o*nt o: s*,& ,2i1 s&22 3e ,onsi-ere- in -eter1inin"t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e ,o*rt. In t&e si- ,se, t&e res'on-ents ,2i1o: P949,666.6@ in -1"es n- P45,666 ttorne.s :ees '2*s P566 'er ,o*rt ''ern,e 9s &e2- to re'resent t&e 1onetr. eB*i)2ent :or ,o1'enstion o: t&e 22e"e- inA*r.. T&e %o*rt t&erein&e2- t&t t&e tot2 1o*nt o: 1onetr. ,2i1s in,2*-in" t&e ,2i1s :or -1"es 9s t&e 3sis to -eter1ine t&e A*ris-i,tion2 1o*nt.A2so, in Inie"o ). P*r"nn,;44< t&e %o*rt &s &e2-:T&e 1o*nt o: -1"es ,2i1e- is 9it&in t&e A*ris-i,tion o: t&e RT%, sin,e it is t&e ,2i1 :or 22 ?in-s o: -1"es t&t is t&e 3sis o:-eter1inin" t&e A*ris-i,tion o: ,o*rts, 9&et&er t&e ,2i1s :or -1"es rise :ro1 t&e s1e or :ro1 -iDerent ,*ses o: ,tion.8 8 8 8%onsi-erin" t&t t&e tot2 1o*nt o: -1"es ,2i1e- 9s P446,666.66, t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s 9s ,orre,t in r*2in" t&t t&e RT% &- A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ,se.Lst2., 9e Cn- no error, 1*,& 2ess "r)e 3*se o: -is,retion, on t&e'rt o: t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s in =r1in" t&e RT%s or-er 22o9in" t&e1en-1ent o: t&e ori"in2 ,o1'2int :ro1 P>66,666.66 to P1,666,666.66 -es'ite t&e 'en-en,. o:'etition :or ,ertiorri C2e-3e:ore t&e %o*rt o: A''e2s. E&i2e it is3si, A*ris'r*-enti2 'rin,i'2e t&t n 1en-1ent ,nnot 3e 22o9e- 9&en t&e ,o*rt &sno A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ori"in2 ,o1'2int n- t&e '*r'ose o: t&e 1en-1ent is to ,on:er A*ris-i,tion on t&e ,o*rt,;4>< &ere, t&e RT% ,2er2. &- A*ris-i,tion o)er t&e ori"in2 ,o1'2int n- 1en-1ent o: t&e ,o1'2int 9s t&en sti221tter o: ri"&t.;44