Facts:

• The case involves the expropriation of several contiguous parcels of land owned by Manotok Realty, Inc.
• The Land Tenure Administration filed a complaint to expropriate the land for the purpose of subdividing it into smaller lots and selling them to the tenants and occupants.
• The defendant opposed the petition, arguing that the aggregate area of the land was only about seven hectares, which does not meet the legal requirements for expropriation.
• The lower court dismissed the case, citing previous Supreme Court decisions that stated that the power to expropriate lands for resale to tenants is limited to landed estates or haciendas that cover a town or a greater part of it.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of the case.
• The Court held that the legislation allowing for the expropriation of land with at least fifty houses of tenants erected on it does not apply to parcels of land smaller than seven hectares.
• The Court emphasized that the determination of whether a piece of land is a landed estate should be based on its area, not necessarily the number of tenants.
• The Court also s...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court based its decision on the interpretation of the relevant laws and the Constitution.
• It held that the power to expropriate lands for resale to tenants is limited to landed estates or haciendas that cover a town or a greater part of ...continue reading