G.R. No. L-32370 - Sierra Madre Trust vs. Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Petitioner Gonzalo Sy Trading, an importer of fresh fruits for 19 years, sought authority on September 28, 1968 to import fresh fruits from Japan on a “no-dollar” basis in the amount of US$715,000.
Initial request denied on October 2, 1968; petitioner reiterated need for Christmas season in letters of October 22 and November 6, 1968.

Monetary Board Resolution No. 2038 (November 19, 1968) authorized importation of fresh fruits from Japan valued at US$350,000, on no-dollar basis, subject to 100% special time deposit for 120 days and normal duties.
Petitioner’s November 27, 1968 request to reduce deposit to 20% was denied December 9, 1968.

First importation under the permit occurred February 25, 1969; bulk shipments followed through November 1969 from various countries; further imports in January and March 1970.
By June 1970, petitioner had utilized US$314,142.51 of the US$350,000 permit, leaving US$35,857.49.

Petitioner’s October 30, 1969 request to amend country of origin denied November 19, 1969—permit “intended only for the Christmas season of 1968.”
Antiporda’s November 21, 1969 letter to agent bank allowed continued issuance of release certificates “subject to the same terms and conditions.”
April 17, 1970 CB letter reiterated that permit did not extend beyond Christmas 1968. Petitioner’s June 1970 shipments seized under CB Circulars and Tariff Code §2530(f).
Court of First Instance issued injunction for release on bond; September 1970 shipments likewise seized and petitioner filed mandamus case (Civil Case No. 81051), which was later dismissed.

Whether the Special Import Permit remained valid for importations made in June and September 1970.
Whether petitioner can rely on promissory estoppel, based on Antiporda’s letter, to extend the permit’s validity.
Whether Customs lawfully seized the June and September 1970 shipments and properly enforced the bonds posted for release.