Facts:

• The case involves the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) as the petitioner against the Court of Appeals, regional trial court judges, and various private entities and municipalities.
• The LLDA was established by Republic Act No. 4850 to promote development and environmental protection in the Laguna Lake area.
• Amendments through Presidential Decree No. 813 and Executive Order No. 927 expanded the LLDA's powers, granting it exclusive jurisdiction over permits for activities affecting Laguna de Bay.
• The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) was interpreted by municipalities to grant them exclusive authority to issue fishing privileges in their waters.
• This led to an increase in unregulated fishpens and fishcages, worsening environmental issues.
• The LLDA declared unregistered fishpens illegal and initiated demolition proceedings.
• Fishpen owners filed injunction cases against the LLDA in regional trial courts, which denied the LLDA's motions to dismiss and issued temporary restraining orders.
• The LLDA subsequently filed a petition for certiorari, prohibition, and injunction with the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the LLDA, granting its petitions for prohibition, certiorari, and injunction.
• The Court declared the temporary restraining orders and writs of injunction from regional trial courts null and void.
• The LLDA was affirmed to have exclusive jurisdiction over permits for fishery privileges in the Laguna Lak...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that the Local Government Code of 1991 did not expressly repeal the LLDA's charter, a special law.
• The principle of statutory construction states that a general law does not repeal a special law unless there is clear intent.
• The LLDA's charter grants it exclusive authority to regulate activities affecting Laguna de Bay, essential for environmental protection a...continue reading