Facts:

This case, Republic of the Philippines v. Juan C. Tuvera, Victor P. Tuvera, and Twin Peaks Development Corporation (G.R. No. 148246), was decided by the Philippine Supreme Court on February 16, 2007. The matter originated from a civil complaint filed by the Republic against former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, his aide Juan Tuvera, and Tuvera's son Victor, as well as the corporation Twin Peaks Development Corporation (Twin Peaks). The complaint sought restitution and damages for alleged ill-gotten wealth acquired through fraudulent practices connected to the issuance of Timber License Agreement (TLA) No. 356, which allowed Twin Peaks to conduct logging operations over a 26,000-hectare area of forest land.

Juan Tuvera served as Presidential Executive Assistant to Marcos and was alleged to have utilized his position to influence the award of the TLA to Twin Peaks, which was primarily owned by his son Victor. The TLA was granted without the required public bidding and in brea

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Facts:

Corporate Formation and Timber License Agreement:
Twin Peaks Development Corporation (Twin Peaks) was incorporated on March 5, 1984, with Victor P. Tuvera, son of Juan C. Tuvera (Presidential Executive Assistant to President Ferdinand Marcos), owning 48% of its shares. On May 31, 1984, Twin Peaks Vice President Evelyn Fontanilla wrote to President Marcos requesting a Timber License Agreement (TLA) for logging operations. President Marcos approved the request, granting Twin Peaks TLA No. 356, covering 26,000 hectares of forest land with an annual allowable cut of 60,000 cubic meters of timber and the right to export 10,000 cubic meters of mahogany.

Sequestration and Complaint:
After President Marcos was ousted in 1986, President Corazon Aquino established the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to recover ill-gotten wealth. On June 13, 1988, the PCGG issued a Writ of Sequestration against Twin Peaks, alleging its assets were ill-gotten. On December 9, 1988, the Republic filed a complaint against Juan C. Tuvera, Victor P. Tuvera, and Twin Peaks, seeking restitution of P48 million, cancellation of TLA No. 356, and damages.

Defenses and Proceedings:
Respondents denied the allegations, claiming Twin Peaks legally amended its articles of incorporation to engage in logging and that the PCGG lacked authority to file the case. The Sandiganbayan granted respondents' demurrer to evidence, dismissing the case based on res judicata, citing a prior case, Felipe Ysmael, Jr. & Co., Inc. v. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, which upheld TLA No. 356's validity.

Issue:

1. Whether the Sandiganbayan correctly granted the demurrer to evidence based on res judicata.
2. Whether the Republic presented sufficient evidence to prove the illegality of TLA No. 356 and the respondents' liability for unjust enrichment.
3. Whether the Republic is entitled to restitution, actual damages, moral damages, temperate damages, and exemplary damages.

Ruling:

• (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

• (Subscriber-Only)