Title
Adlawan vs. Lustre
Case
G.R. No. L-37787
Decision Date
Feb 27, 1978
Petitioners, bona fide occupants of Tatalon Estate, sought to halt execution and demolition orders favoring private respondent, citing expropriation under Letter of Instruction No. 34. Supreme Court ruled in favor of petitioners, staying execution pending determination of their status under the expropriation.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-37787)

Facts:

  1. Background of the Case

    • Petitioners Atilano Adlawan and Isidro Nepomuceno sought to prevent the implementation of a writ of execution and demolition order issued by respondent Judge Julian E. Lustre in favor of private respondent Wilson Sia.
    • The case arose from a civil case for ejectment filed by Wilson Sia, which had reached finality, and the writ of execution and demolition order were issued in his favor.
  2. Letter of Instruction No. 34

    • On October 27, 1972, President Marcos issued Letter of Instruction No. 34, directing the expropriation of the Tatalon Estate for distribution to bona fide occupants.
    • The General Manager of the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation (PHHC) was tasked with implementing the subdivision and distribution of the estate.
  3. Supervening Events

    • A complaint for expropriation of a 25-hectare portion of the Tatalon Estate was filed on January 23, 1973, and the government took possession of the property.
    • The PHHC General Manager requested the suspension of writs of execution and demolition orders pending the determination of the status of occupants.
    • The Secretary of Justice concurred with this request, citing Letter of Instruction No. 34.
  4. Petitioners' Claim

    • Petitioners argued that they were bona fide occupants of the Tatalon Estate and potential beneficiaries of the expropriation under Letter of Instruction No. 34.
    • They sought to stay the execution and demolition orders to protect their rights as occupants.
  5. Private Respondent's Position

    • Wilson Sia, the private respondent, contended that the execution and demolition orders were valid and enforceable, as the civil case had already been decided in his favor.
    • He argued that the petitioners' claims were vexatious and intended to delay the enforcement of his property rights.

Issue:

  1. Whether the writ of execution and demolition orders issued in favor of Wilson Sia could still be enforced given the supervening issuance of Letter of Instruction No. 34 and the government's expropriation of the Tatalon Estate.
  2. Whether the petitioners, as alleged bona fide occupants, were entitled to a stay of execution pending the determination of their status under Letter of Instruction No. 34.
  3. Whether the private respondent's property rights could be curtailed under the social justice provisions of the Constitution and the expropriation proceedings.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)


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