Case Digest (G.R. No. L-2007) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
This case involves petitioner William Chiongbian, who sought to prevent respondent Customs officials, namely Alfredo De Leon, Commissioner of Customs; Jose Gallofin, Collector of Customs of the Port of Cebu; and Vicente De La Cruz, General Manager of the Philippine Shipping Administration, from canceling the registration certificates of his vessels and from rescinding the sale of three vessels sold to him by the Philippine Shipping Administration. The intervention of the Philippine Shipowners' Association added further opposition to petitioner’s claim. The respondents contended that petitioner William Chiongbian was not a Filipino citizen and, therefore, was ineligible to own and operate vessels under Philippine registry. They also charged petitioner with misrepresentation for stating, in the contract of sale, that his father was a naturalized Filipino citizen. However, issues arose whether William Chiongbian was indeed a Filipino citizen under Article IV of the 1935 Consti
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-2007) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Context
- Petitioner: William Chiongbian, owner of three vessels registered under Philippine registry.
- Respondents: Alfredo De Leon (Commissioner of Customs), Jose Gallofin (Collector of Customs of the Port of Cebu), Vicente De La Cruz (General Manager of the Philippine Shipping Administration).
- Intervenor: Philippine Shipowners’ Association.
- Nature of the Petition
- Petitioner sought a writ of prohibition to prevent:
- Respondent Customs officials from cancelling the registration certificates of petitioner’s vessels.
- Philippine Shipping Administration from rescinding the sale of three vessels to petitioner.
- Respondents and Intervenor alleged that:
- Petitioner was not a Filipino citizen, thus not qualified by law to own and operate vessels under Philippine registry.
- Petitioner violated the contract of sale due to misrepresentation regarding his father’s citizenship.
- Pertinent Background on Citizenship Claim
- William Chiongbian’s father, Victoriano Chiongbian:
- Chinese citizen originally.
- Elected municipal councilor of Plaridel, Occidental Misamis in 1925.
- At the time of the 1935 Constitution’s adoption, petitioner William Chiongbian was still a minor.
- Petitioner claimed Filipino citizenship by virtue of his father’s status.
Issues:
- Whether William Chiongbian is a Filipino citizen under the 1935 Constitution.
- Whether the Philippine Shipping Administration validly rescinded the sale of the vessels on grounds of alleged misrepresentation by petitioner.
- Whether petitioner is qualified by law to own and operate vessels of Philippine registry.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)