G.R. No. 254208 - People vs. Ma. Del Pilar Rosario C. Casa a.k.a. "Marfy Calumpang," "Madam," and "Mah-Mah"

Petitioners Alfredo Sy, for himself and as attorney-in-fact for Gonzalo Sy, Veronica Sy, Rosario Sy, Manuel Sy, and Jose See, were respondents in an ejectment case filed by Dolores F. Posadas through respondent Leon Maria F. Magsaysay, her attorney-in-fact, in 1985, over an 8,295 sq.m. parcel of land in Paco, Manila where petitioners’ residence and sari-sari store were located.
The trial court ruled in favor of Dolores F. Posadas; the Regional Trial Court upheld this decision on appeal, but the Court of Appeals eventually set aside the RTC ruling and dismissed the ejectment case.

While the ejectment case was pending in the Court of Appeals, respondent Magsaysay obtained a Notice of Condemnation from the Manila Building Official dated February 8, 1996, targeting the structures on the contested property.
Petitioners caused a structural inspection certification on February 20, 1996, confirming the general integrity of their building with only minor repairs needed.
In October 1997, petitioners received a letter from the Office of the Building Official stating that respondent Magsaysay requested condemnation of certain structures including petitioners’ building, and ordered petitioners to file their answer/comment and supporting documents.
An ocular inspection was postponed by petitioners’ counsel. Subsequently, on February 3, 1998, Manila Building Official Hermogenes B. Garcia issued an order of demolition based on a committee resolution dated the same day and a letter from respondent Magsaysay.

Petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration of the demolition order with the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Petitioners secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining enforcement of the demolition order.
On the morning of August 28, 1998, respondent Emmanuel T. Lalin, together with several men armed with tools such as hammers and axes, arrived at petitioners’ residence and demolished the building despite protestations and opposition from petitioners.

Petitioners alleged that respondents’ demolition of their building without legal authority constituted grave coercion punishable under Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code.
Respondent Magsaysay claimed he was a co-owner of the land and that the demolition was lawfully carried out under orders from the Building Official and affirmed by DPWH.
Respondent Lalin admitted being hired by Magsaysay to implement the demolition order but denied acting under any official capacity.
The City Prosecutor dismissed the grave coercion complaint; upon appeal, the Secretary of Justice upheld the dismissal, ruling the demolition was carried out pursuant to a duly issued order.
Petitioners filed a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Secretary of Justice’s dismissal; motion for reconsideration was likewise denied.

Whether there was probable cause to file an information against respondents Leon Maria F. Magsaysay and Emmanuel T. Lalin for grave coercion under Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code.
Whether the dismissal of petitioners’ complaint for grave coercion by the Secretary of Justice and subsequent affirmations by the Court of Appeals were proper or constituted grave abuse of discretion.