G.R. No. L-7375 - Palawan Manganese Mines, Inc. vs. Hon. Ferdo Lopez, in his capacity as Sec. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, et al.

Hon. Fernando Lopez in his capacity as Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Pacifico Bautista, Alfredo L. Romero, Edita Torres, Bernardino Manabat, and S. Lasqueti – negotiating under the name Kalawag Mining Enterprises

Kalawag Mining filed administrative case No. 26 with the Bureau of Mines on February 13, 1948
The complaint alleged that Palawan Manganese extracted minerals from the disputed claim
The Bureau of Mines dismissed the case, leading the appeal to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Secretary rendered decision on March 10, 1953, which was promulgated on April 23, 1953

Following the administrative resolution, Palawan Manganese Mines, Inc. initiated judicial proceedings

The filing date was July 6, 1953
This date is critical as it determines compliance with statutory time limits for judicial appeal

Commonwealth Act 137 (as amended by Republic Act 746, effective June 18, 1952) – Section 61

Provides that disputes arising out of mining locations are initially submitted to the Director of Mines
Allows for an appeal from the decision of the Director of Mines to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources within 30 days
Stipulates that if any party disagrees with the decision of the Director or the Secretary, the matter may be taken to the court of competent jurisdiction within 30 days from the receipt of the decision or order
Failure to file within the prescribed period renders the administrative decision final and binding

The appellant seemingly operated under the assumption that the original 90-day period provided in Commonwealth Act 137 was still applicable
The appellant apparently overlooked the amendment by Republic Act 746, which reduced the filing period to 30 days
This oversight is central to the issue of whether the judicial complaint was filed within the allowed timeframe

Whether the complaint was filed within the statutory period prescribed in Section 61 of Commonwealth Act 137 as amended by Republic Act 746
Whether the appellant’s failure to observe the amended time limit (30 days) renders the filing untimely

The implication of the amendment reducing the period from 90 days to 30 days
The effect of adhering to the amended provision on the right to seek judicial redress