Case Digest (G.R. No. L-24882)
Facts:
- Petitioners: Director of Forestry, Valerio O. Ergino, Agustin B. Kapuno, Feliciano Barrer, and Bueno Industrial and Development Corporation
- Respondents: Judge Jesus S. Ruiz, R.C. Aquino, Timber & Plywood Co., Inc., and Rafael C. Aquino
- Bueno Industrial and Development Corporation filed a letter-complaint against R.C. Aquino Timber and Plywood Co., Inc. and Rafael C. Aquino, requesting suspension and cancellation of their Timber License Agreement and Ordinary Road Right-of-Way Permit
- Director of Forestry created a committee to investigate the allegations
- TIMPLY moved to dismiss the letter-complaint, but the Director deferred resolution until after the proper hearing
- TIMPLY appealed to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, requesting suspension of the investigatory hearings
- TIMPLY filed a petition for injunction with the Court of First Instance of Agusan, seeking a writ of preliminary injunction to restrain the Director and other forestry officials from continuing the hearing
- Judge Jesus S. Ruiz issued an order giving due course to the petition and granted a writ of preliminary injunction
- Petitioners filed motions to dismiss the petition on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and non-exhaustion of administrative remedies, but Judge Ruiz denied these motions
- Petitioners filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify the writ of preliminary injunction
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court rules in favor of the petitioners and declares the writ of preliminary injunction null and void for lack of jurisdiction
- The Court affirms that courts of first...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The jurisdiction of courts of first instance is limited to acts being committed or about to be committed within their respective provinces or districts
- The provisions of Rule 135 of the Rules of Court, which allows the enforceability of orders, processes, and judgments of courts of first instance throughout the Philippines, do not override this limitation
- The court reiterates ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-24882)
Facts:
The case of Director of Forestry v. Ruiz involves a dispute between Bueno Industrial and Development Corporation (BIDCOR) and R.C. Aquino Timber and Plywood Co., Inc. (TIMPLY) regarding the suspension and cancellation of Timber License Agreement 68 and Ordinary Road Right-of-Way Permit 237. BIDCOR filed a letter-complaint against TIMPLY, alleging violations of their agreements and forestry laws. The Director of Forestry deferred resolution on TIMPLY's motion to dismiss and created a committee to conduct an investigation. TIMPLY filed a petition for injunction with the Court of First Instance (CFI) of Agusan, seeking to restrain the Director and forestry officials from continuing the investigation. The CFI issued a writ of preliminary injunction, which the petitioners argue is null and void due to lack of jurisdiction.
Issue:
The main issue in this case is whether the CFI of Agusan has jurisdiction to issue a writ of preliminary injunction restraining administrative offic...