Case Summary (G.R. No. 235016)
Antecedent Facts
On December 15, 1995, the Court of Appeals rendered a decision in CA GR No. 15386, which involved the People of the Philippines versus Reynaldo Cartalla y Abasolo. Following this, Dra. Nepomuceno filed a motion for reconsideration on January 12, 1996. The Court of Appeals then mandated the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to file a comment within ten days, which prompted the OSG to submit its comment over four months later on June 4, 1996. Subsequently, Dra. Nepomuceno filed a "Motion To Strike Off The Record" concerning the OSG's late comment, claiming it was submitted beyond the specified timeframe.
Court of Appeals' Ruling
On September 20, 1996, the Court of Appeals rejected both the motion to strike and the motion for reconsideration. The court reasoned that the Solicitor General's comment was timely filed due to a series of extensions granted for its submission, culminating in a final allowance until June 8, 1996. Furthermore, the court found the grounds for reconsideration insufficient, reiterating that they had already been addressed in the earlier decision and that no compelling new reason justifying reconsideration had been presented.
Petitioner’s Claims and Arguments
Dra. Nepomuceno contested the Court of Appeals' resolution by subsequently filing a petition for relief, asserting that the OSG’s comment should have been disregarded due to its tardiness. She argued that the delay hindered her right to a fair resolution and violated procedural rules.
Supreme Court's Decision
The Supreme Court found the petition devoid of merit, stating that the OSG's comment was appropriately filed within the granted extensions. The court highlighted the necessity of granting sufficient time for the Solicitor General to respond in the interest of justice. Citing precedents, the court established that grave abuse of discretion transpi
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 235016)
Background of the Case
- The case involves Dra. Josefa E. Nepomuceno as the petitioner against the Court of Appeals and the People of the Philippines as respondents.
- It is a special civil action for Certiorari filed under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court.
- The central question is whether the Court of Appeals exhibited grave abuse of discretion in denying the petitioner's Motion To Strike Off the Record the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) Comment dated June 4, 1996, and in denying her motion for reconsideration of its December 15, 1995 Decision.
Antecedent Facts
- On December 15, 1995, the Court of Appeals issued a decision in CA GR No. 15386, in which the People of the Philippines were the petitioners against Reynaldo Cartalla y Abasolo.
- Dra. Nepomuceno filed a motion for reconsideration on January 12, 1996.
- The Court of Appeals subsequently required the OSG to comment on the motion within ten days from notice on January 23, 1996.
- The OSG submitted their comment on June 4, 1996, over four months after the requested date.
- On June 19, 1996, while the motion for reconsideration was still pending, Dra. Nepomuceno filed a "Motion To Strike Off The Record the OSG's Comment," arguing that it was filed beyond the deadline set