Case Digest (G.R. No. 238762)
Facts:
Heirs of Sotero A. Punongbayan, represented by Clarita M. Punongbayan [deceased], substituted by her heirs, namely: Leticia M. Mapoy, Luisito A. Mendoza, Yolanda M. Dimagiba, and Elvira M. Burayag; and Henie N. Punongbayan v. St. Peter's College, Inc., G.R. No. 238762, June 27, 2022, Supreme Court Second Division, Leonen, J., writing for the Court.The dispute arose in Special Proceeding No. 1053 (“In the Matter of the Intestate Estate of the Deceased Escolastica Punongbayan Paguio”) before the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 19, Cagayan de Oro. During the intestate proceedings, Sotero Punongbayan, co‑administrator of the Estate, filed a Manifestation/Motion to levy and attach a P40,000,000 deposit in Security Bank under the name of St. Peter’s College, Inc. (the College), alleging the funds represented unpaid rent due the Estate. The RTC found prima facie that the funds belonged to the Estate and, by Order dated May 23, 2001, froze the Security Bank account and prohibited withdrawals pending further proceedings.
The College filed a Complaint in Intervention which the RTC denied by Resolution dated September 27, 2001. Thereafter the RTC ordered (February 4, 2004) the transfer of the funds (then P68,000,000) to the court in trust, and their deposit, in equal parts, with BPI and Land Bank under a joint account of the Estate and the College; withdrawals were barred until a proper court determined ownership. On May 30, 2013 the College moved for lifting of the attachment; in an Omnibus Order dated July 3, 2013 the RTC held that the College lacked personality to seek redress and declared the deposited funds to belong to the Estate.
Aggrieved, the College filed a Petition for Certiorari before the Court of Appeals (CA-G.R. SP No. 05678-MIN). The Court of Appeals granted the petition in an August 31, 2017 Decision, nullifying the RTC orders as rendered in excess of jurisdiction, and ordered BPI and Land Bank to restore P66,000,000 plus interest to the Colleg...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Did the Court of Appeals err in not dismissing the Petition for Certiorari for being defective in form and substance?
- Does St. Peter’s College, Inc. have legal personality to file a Petition for Certiorari before the Court of Appeals?
- Did the Regional Trial Court have jurisdiction to issue the May 23, 2001, February 4, 2004, and July 3, 2013 Orders affecting the College’s deposited funds?
- Is St. Peter’s College, Inc. estopped...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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