Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
KEI
MARIE
and
BIANCA
ANGELICA, all surnamed ABRERA, minors
and represented by their parent EVELYN C.
ABRERA; ASTRID NOELLE S. ALMEDA,
minor, represented by his parent MA. ROMINA
FRANCHESCA
S.
ALMEDA;
JOHN
KENNETH P. ANDALIS, minor, represented by
his parent ELSA P. ANDALIS; RONALD B.
ANG, minor, represented by his parent MA.
JUDY B. ANG; MARIEL ANGELES, minor,
represented by her parent ENRIQUE E.
ANGELES; JEREMIAH M. ANTONIO, minor,
represented by his parent ELSA M. ANTONIO;
LESTER C. ARAO, minor, represented by his
parent ROSALINA C. ARAO; MA. LIRIO A.
AROMIN, minor, represented by his parent
FREDERICK A. AROMIN; ELDY S. AZURIN,
minor, represented by her parent ELSA S.
AZURIN; MARION JANINE J. AZURIN,
minor, represented by her parent MA.
THERESA J. AZURIN; PIOLO MIGUEL G.
BARLETA, minor, represented by his parent
HENRY LUIS E. BARLETA; VIANCA
SOPHIA, VINCE PATRICK and VOLTAIRE
BYRONE, all surnamed BASAS, minors, and
respresented by their parents NERIO and
MARIBEL D. BASAS; LAWRENCE CARLOS
and LUIS PAULO, all surnamed BATAC,
minors, and represented by their parent
RAQUEL C. BATAC; DARREL L. BAUTISTA,
minor, represented by his parent NILDA L.
BAUTISTA; JUAN CARLOS and MARIA
ANGELA, all surnamed BAUZA, minors, and
represented by their parent NESTOR A.
BAUZA; MARK GERALD and LUIGI, all
surnamed BENTULAN, minors, and represented
by their parent FLORENCIO M. BENTULAN;
PIERRE ANGELI M. BLASCO, minor,
represented by her parent NARDA A. BLASCO;
SARAH CATHERINE A. CABACES, minor,
represented by her parent LUZ A. CABACES;

G.R. No. 171681

KIRK ANTHONY and JOHN MICHAEL, all

surnamed CAMUS, minors, represented by their
parent MABEL B. CAMUS; PRECIOUS JOY V.
CAPISTRANO, minor, represented by her
parent JOSEPH F. CAPISTRANO; SHELLAH
MAE P. CARINO, minor, represented by her
parent RUPERTO L. CARINO; JOHN
LAWRENCE A. CATAN, minor, represented by
his parent BERNARDINO O. CATAN, JR.;
CZARINA ROSE S. CHAN, minor, represented
by her parent LUCILA S. CHAN; ANTHONY S.
CHAN, minor, represented by his parent WILLY
L. CHAN; ADRIAN CHRISTIAN S. CHUA,
minor, represented by his parent VINSON G.
CHUA; CHRISTOFFER RYAN and CARL
BENEDICT, all surnamed CHUA, minors,
represented by their parent EDGARDO A.
CHUA; SHIELA CERNIAS, minor, represented
by her parent YOLANDA CERNIAS; GENE
LOUISE
B.
COMENDADOR,
minor,
represented by his parent HERMOGENES A.
COMENDADOR; JOHN KENNETH and
MICHAEL ANGELO, all surnamed CRUZ,
minors, and represented by their parent AIDA L.
CRUZ; WENDELL JAKE D. CRUZ, minor,
represented by his parent EDWIN I. CRUZ;
SYMON GABRIEL M. DAVID, minor,
represented by his parent ARSENIO P. DAVID;
JENNILYN M. DE JESUS, minor, represented
by her parent MARCIAL S. DE JESUS;
DYLEEN MAY M. DELA ROSA, minor,
represented by her parent ANALEN M. DELA
ROSA; MA. ANGELIKA B. DELA ROSA,
minor, represented by her parent ROMULO R.
DELA ROSA; MARK KEVIN H. DELA
TORRE, minor, represented by his parent
LEONORA H. DELA TORRE; ALVIN MERCK
C. DE LEON, minor, represented by his parent
MERCEDITA C. DE LEON; RICHARD
ANTHONY B. DELIZO, minor, represented by
his parent RICHMOND JOHN DELIZO;
REYNOLD JOHN A. DEMIN, minor,
represented by his parents MERLIN and
HERNANDO A. DEMIN; MIRCO M.
DESPABELADERA, minor, represented by his
parent ELINITA M. DESPABELADERA;
CARLO D. DIALA, minor, represented by his
parent LEONOR D. DIALA; PATRICK
JEROME and FRANCIS, all surnamed DIAZ,

minors,
represented
by
their
parents
ESMERALDO and CARMENCITA DIAZ;
HILTELYN C. DOMINGUIANO, minor,
represented by her parent HILTON D.
DOMINGUIANO; ROGIELYN G. EBETO,
minor, represented by his parent ROGER R.
EBETO; ERIN and EINRE, all surnamed
ERMINO, minors, and represented by their
parent EVA H. ERMINO; ARRON LEVIN G.
ESGUERRA, minor, represented by his parent
RICHARD MARTIN G. ESGUERRA; MA.
ANGELICA GRACIA C. ESTRADA, minor,
represented by her parent CHARITA C.
ESTRADA; FEDERICO C. FAUSTINO, JR.,
minor, represented by his parent SALVACION
C. FAUSTINO; MIA RUTH M. FERNANDEZ,
minor, represented by her parent MILAGROS
M. FERNANDEZ; FAITH and CHARITY, all
surnamed GABRIEL, minors, and represented
by their parent FE G. GABRIEL; C JAY and
ELAINE JOY, all surnamed GAHUMAN,
minors, and represented by their parents
JOSEPHINE and CASTOR V. GAHUMAN, JR.;
MARY KAYCY N. GALLARDO, minor,
represented by her parent GRIZELA N.
GALLARDO; DALRU MARPIN C. GAVIOLA,
minor, represented by his parent DALIA C.
GAVIOLA; MARIEL CARLA and JONALYN,
all surnamed GEPULLANO, minors, and
represented by their parent MANUELA A.
GEPULLANO; JOEL ROY D. GONZALES,
minor, represented by his parent ENELIA D.
GONZALES; KIM ARRIZA P. HENSON,
minor, represented by her parent MERCEDITA
G.
PASTRANA;
EFFIE
FIELLE
and
GIUSEPPE
LORENZO,
all
surnamed
IGNACIO, minors, and represented by their
parent GEMMA M. IGNACIO; HANS
CHRISTIAN C. GOLONG, minor, represented
by his parent BENSON C. GOLONG;
JOSEPHINE V. JORGE, minor, represented by
her parent ELEUTERIO C. JORGE; MARY
JUDE C. LOMARDA, minor, represented by her
parent BENJAMIN A. LOMARDA; JERLIN
and JERUSALEM, all surnamed LOPEZ,
minors, and represented by their parents
MERLINDA and JERUSALEM P. LOPEZ, SR.;
DHAN COLINS, MA. LIANA, MARIA
VIRGINIA and RIZALDY, all surnamed

MABBORANG, minors, represented by their

parents MERCELITA and DANIEL T.
MABBORANG, JR.; OSCAR R. MACHICA,
minor, represented by his parent ROSE R.
MACHICA; NERSON and NERIEL, all
surnamed
MADRIAGA,
minors,
and
represented by their parent NOEL B.
MADRIAGA; MOISES M. MADRID, minor,
represented by his parent, FEDERICO S.
MADRID II; CHRISTINE ALYSSA A.
MARQUEZ, minor, represented by her parent
BERNARDO T. MARQUEZ, JR.; CATHLEEN
R. MARQUEZ, minor represented by her parent
CARMELITA P. MARQUEZ; KRISTEL CANE
A. MARQUEZ, minor, represented by her parent
FILOMENA A. MARQUEZ; CHRYL BHEFER
M. MARTINEZ, minor, represented by
ESPERANZA M. MARTINEZ; JESSICA J.
MARTINEZ, minor, represented by her parent
DAISY J. MARTINEZ; IVAN GERARD G.
MASILUNGAN, minor, represented by his
parent LILIAN G. MASILUNGAN; MONA
JAMYLA and KARLA VENICE, all surnamed
MENDOZA, minors, and represented by their
parents LILIBETH and OSCAR U. MENDOZA;
MARY JOYCE O. MONTEVERDE, minor,
represented by her parent MANUELITO C.
MONTEVERDE; CHRISTIAN PAULO O.
MORALES, minor, represented by his parent
ELY O. MORALES; JOHN ADRIAN M.
DADOR and KRIZIA ARRA G. MUNCAL,
minors, and represented by their parent LOLITA
C. MUNCAL; KENNETH R. MUYA, minor,
represented by his parent EMILY R. MUYA;
JACOB YSRAEL C. NUCUM, minor,
represented by his parent MARIA VICI C.
NUCUM; JERIEL JAMES S. NG, minor,
represented by his parent JAIME RAMON J.
NG; JOHN MARVIN and JOHN MICHAEL, all
surnamed NORADA, minors, and represented
by their parents NORMA and RODEL P.
NORADA; KERVIN M. OCAMPO, minor,
represented by his parent JESUS V. OCAMPO;
MARIA ANA and ANGELO LEO, all surnamed
OLANDAY, minors, and represented by their
parent ROLANDO P. OLANDAY; PHOEBE
GAYLE Y. ONG, minor, rerepsented by her
parent PEPITO C. ONG; MARTIN JOHN and
MARC JASON, all surnamed ORIBIANA,

minors, and represented by their parents

MYRNA and JOSE JERRY G. ORIBIANA;
MARY ANN M. ORTEGA, minor, represented
by her parent VIRGILIO L. ORTEGA;
PHILLIP JULIUS, PHILLIP JOBILL, all
surnamed PARANE and HAYLEY G.
SABANGAN, minors, and represented by their
parent and guardian ANNABELLE G.
PARANE; RAY BERNARD and REYNEDEN,
all surnamed PAYUYO, minors, represented by
their parent EDEN A. PAYUYO; JUSTIN
GODFRED B. PERALTA, minor, represented by
his parent MA. TERESA B. PERALTA;
PATRICK JOHN C. PEREZ, minor, represented
by his parent ROSILYN C. PEREZ; RAMON
MIGUEL C. PINEDA, minor, represented by his
parent MELINA C. PINEDA; ERIKA R.
PRADO, minor, represented by her parent
VIRGILIO C. PRADO; LAARNI YVETTE M.
QUIJANO, minor, represented by her parent
ARNELSON R. QUIJANO; JOSEPH DAVID Q.
SERRANO, minor, represented by his parents
MA. AIDA F. QUINIT; SHAYNE ANNE and
SHEENA APRIL, all surnamed RABIT, minors,
and represented by their parent MILA S.
RABIT; JELYNNE and JENNIFER, all
surnamed REYES, minors, and represented by
their parents FE and JUANITO G. REYES;
PAULA
KATE
ROCABERTE,
minor,
represented by her parent MA. KATHRYN A.
ROCABERTE; EDRIANE
JAMES
E.
ROMERO, minor, represented by his parent
RIZALITA E. ROMERO; CHRISTOPHER
NEIL B. SACLOLO, minor, represented by
his parent ROBERTO C. SACLOLO; FRANZ
HENDRIX FELIX G. SALCEDO, minor,
represented by his parent ROXANIETTE G.
SALCEDO; JOHN EDWARD F. SANTOS,
minor, represented by his parent ANITA
F. SANTOS; DAVID T. SANTOS, minor,
represented by his parent ESTRELLA T.
SANTOS; MARK ANTHONY E. SINOHIN,
minor, represented by his parents DOLORES
and MAMERTO M. SINOHIN; FRANCIS
ADRIAN and FRANCIS DAVID, all surnamed
SUMULONG, minors, represented by their
parent
FRANCISCO
M.
SUMULONG;
SEAN LAWRENCE A. SY, minor, represented
by his parent ERLANI S. SY; JOSEPH MAR G.

TALAG, minor, represented by his parent JOSE

MARCIAL P. TALAG; KIM ANDREW D.
TAMPO, minor, represented by her parent
FRANCISCO S. TAMPO, JR.; LANCE
MICHAEL S. TIU, minor, represented by his
parent
GIRLIELYN
S. TIU;
JULIAN
BERNARDO FERICO TORRALBA, minor,
represented by his parent FEDERICO C.
TORRALBA; JENAVEE A. VALENZUELA,
minor, represented by her parent EDNA A.
VALENZUELA; MYSTICA R. VARGAS, minor,
represented by her parent ROSA R. VARGAS;
DIANE V. VERGARA, minor, represented by
her parent VILMA VERGARA; KRISTOFER
LORENZ J. VICEDO, minor, represented by his
parent CESAR M. VICEDO; MERRY GRACE
and
MIZZAH-MYRRH,
all
surnamed VILLALON, minors, and represented
by their parent MYRNA M. VILLALON; BILLY
JOE P. VILLAREAL, minor, represented by his
parent ANITA P. VILLAREAL; REGINE A.
VINA; minor, represented by her parent MA.
ERMINDA A. VINA, ROWAME LAR, DING
BERNALD and KAMILLE SHANE, all
surnamed WAJE, minors, and represented by
their parent ZOILA M. WAJE; KRISTINE RAY
O. ZAPANTA, represented by her parent
CRISTINA
O.
ZAPANTA;
JEANAFE
ABELARDE, represented by her guardian FE
LILIA M. ABELARDE; JOHN JASPER C.
ABRERA, represented by his parent EVELYN
C. ABRERA; AILEEN and ALLAN, all
surnamed ACIELO, represented by their parent
ALBERTO P. ACIELO; MARJORIE, MARK
DAVE, OLIVE MARIE, all surnamed ADANZA
and LUIS EDISON RANA, represented by their
guardian/parents MYRNA and ORESTE P.
ADANZA; JOSEL AMOR E. AGUILAR,
represented by his parent JOSE L. AGUILAR;
JOSUELLE A. ALCANTARA, represented by
her parent ALICIA A. ALCANTARA; ELINOR
JOY J. ANTONIO, represented by her parent
TERESITA
J.
ANTONIO;
DESIREE
CLARRISSE K. ARANZASO, represented by
her
parent
GERMELYN
GRACE
K.
ARANZASO; MARK JEREMIAH J. AZURIN,
represented by his parent MA. THERESA J.
AZURIN; ADAMSON S. BAETA, represented
by his parent ADAM Q. BAETA; LEO A.

BALACUIT; SYDNEY ADRIANE C. BALOD,

represented by her parent ANDRES P. BALOD,
SR.; ANTONIO A. BALTAZAR; JAY-R B.
BANOGON, represented by his parent
EDUARDO E. BANOGON; SHARYLEN C.
BARLIN, represented by her parent MAXIMA
C. BARLIN; JAYZON S. BAUTISTA,
represented
by
his
parent ESTER S.
BAUTISTA; ROSALITA B. BENIG, repesented
by her parent LILLOSA B. BENIG; ROSIELYN
and REMILYN, all surnamed BERMUDEZ,
represented by their parent MARINA C.
BERMUDEZ; JUDITH L. BERNAL; JOELIE
LELAINE D. BOCAR, represented by her
parent JOSEPH G. BOCAR; JEAN CARLO
BUENO, represented by her guardian JEMMA
G. TERRADO;
JANINA S.
BUSTOS,
represented by her parent CRISTINA S.
BUSTOS; DOMINADOR D. CAMACHO; EVA
CAMERO, represented by her parent
MERLINDA C. CAMERO; DENNIS ANGELO
C. CANLAS, represented by his parent
ARMANDO L. CANLAS; EZRA P. CANLAS,
represented by her parent ROMULO T.
CANLAS; MARIA VICTORIA B. CARLOS;
VISAMINDA Z. CARLOS, represented by her
parent MA. JOSEFINA Z. CARLOS; RHENY
FRANCES F. CATIMBANG, represented by her
parent HENRY T. CATIMBANG; ADDISON S.
CHAN, represented by his parent WILLY
CHAN;
ACE
PAREJA
CHUMACERA,
represented by his parent YOLANDA PAREJA
CHUMACERA; ELLAN MARIE P. CIPRIANO,
represented by her parent MARIZA P.
CIPRIANO;
JASON
CARLO
U.
CONCEPCION, represented by his parent
FEDERICO A.
CONCEPCION;
MARK
SHERWIN A. CREUS, represented by his parent
MEDENCIA A. CREUS; IMELDA V. CRUZ;
ARVILYNNE L. DALANGIN, represented by
her parent EVA L. DALANGIN; DENNIS and
KATHRYN,
all
surnamed DE
JESUS,
represented by their parent MARCIAL S. DE
JESUS; RHODA PIA B. DELIZO; RANIER
SAN JOSE DEL ROSARIO, represented by his
parent CEFERINO S. DEL ROSARIO;
FRANCIS J. DIAZ, represented by his parent
ESMERALDO G. DIAZ; MEDYLEN P.
DIMDIMAN, represented by her parent

DANILO D. DIMDIMAN; ARMAND ARNEL

MILLAN T. DIVINAGRACIA, represented by
his parent MARIETTA T. DIVINAGRACIA;
ROBERTO NEIL DIZON, represented by his
parent ROBERTO V. DIZON; CATHERINE
DONES, represented by her parent TERESITA
L.
DONES;
SHERYL BUDIONGAN ESQUILLA,
represented by her parent EUSEBIA B.
ESQUILLA; RUEL A. FERNANDO, represented
by his parent REMEDIOS C. FERNANDO;
RAYES, RYAN and RICHARD, all surnamed
FRIAS, represented by their parent ESTELLA P.
FRIAS; KATRINA GRACE R. GALANG,
represented by her parent MA. VICTORIA R.
GALANG; JIMMY and JOANNE MARIE, all
surnamed GO, represented by their parent
MIRIAM MARGARETTE M. GO; JUNALIN B.
AQUINO, represented by her guardian SUSANA
B. GOLOCINO; HANS CHRISTIAN C.
GOLONG, represented by his parent BENSON
C.
GOLONG;
KRISTINE
GONZALES,
represented by her parent EDNA L.
GONZALES; AGNES L. GUIANG; LOURDES
JOY and ERIK MARKUS, all surnamed
HERNAL, represented by their parent
NORMAN HERNAL; MARK TIMOTHY A.
HERNANDEZ, represented by his parent
MARIO G. HERNANDEZ; RACHEL JOY M.
IBANEZ, represented by her parent BRENDA
M. IBANEZ; CARLO MIGUEL A. IBARRA,
represented by his parent MARY CLAIR A.
IBARRA;
SHALIMAR
S.
ICABANDI,
represented by his parent LADISLAO I.
ICABANDI; DANILO IDOS; EDISON O.
INGALLA,
represented
by
his
parent
EDUARDO
I.
INGALLA;
JOMARI M.
JAVILINAR, represented by his parent
MILAGROS M. JAVILINAR; JOSEPHINE S.
JOVES; VICTORIA P. JUMANOG; ANNA
CAMILLE R. LALATA, represented by her
parent CORAZON R. LALATA; LAWRENCE
CHRISTIAN LAM, represented by his parent
MILA DE LEON LAM; KATHERINE and
JULIE ANN, all surnamed CABALLA,
represented by their guardian CECILIA C.
LUBBERTS; DANICA MAE M. MABBORANG,
represented by her parent DANIEL T.
MABBORANG, JR.; GRACE, ROBERTO

JOSHUE and JOSEPH, all

surnamed
MALAZARTE, represented by their parent
LUCAS L. MALAZARTE, JR.; ADAM LESTER
E. MANALANG, represented by his parent
MARISSA E. MANALANG; CHIARA A.
MARASIGAN, represented by her parent
EUFROSINA A. MARASIGAN; ROSE E.
MARQUEZ,
represented
by her
parent
FEDERICO T. MARQUEZ; RICHARD J.
MARTINEZ, represented by his parent DAISY
J. MARTINEZ; IVAN ISRA and EXEQUIEL, all
surnamed MASILUNGAN, represented by their
parent LILIAN G. MASILUNGAN; KENO A.
MENDEZ, represented by his parent MA.
CLARA A. MENDEZ; LIGAYA J. MENESES;
RIA and RUBY, all surnamed MIRASOL,
represented by their parent MARILOU S.
MIRASOL; EMMANUEL L. MISA, represented
by his parent LETICIA L. MISA; MA.
KATRINA M. MAYO; NATHANIEL and
MARVIN NOEL, all surnamed MURILLO,
represented by their parent NERISSA T.
MURILLO; ERIC and MICHAEL, all surnamed
MUYA, represented by their parent EMILY R.
MUYA; IDA AYESAW. NECIA, represented by
her parent ROBERTO P. NECIA; JETHRO
FRANCIS S. NG, represented by his parent
PRISCILLA S. NG; MARY ANN G.
MERCADO, represented by her guardian
CYNTHIA M. NOVENCIDO; MA. KATRINA
M. OCAMPO, represented by her parent JESUS
V. OCAMPO; KATHLEEN KAY and RUFFA,
all surnamed OLIMAN, represented by their
parent ANGELES L. OLIMAN; RAYMOND
JOSEPH
R.
OLIVERA;
RONA
M.
OPULENCIA, represented by her parent
GLORIA M. OPULENCIA; JESSICA MAE G.
ORIBIANA, represented by her parent JOSE
JERRY G. ORIBIANA; JOSE CONRADO T.
OROPILLA, represented by his parent
REBECCA T. OROPILLA; ANN FRANCIS M.
ORTIZ, represented by her parent ANTONIO S.
ORTIZ; JOHN PETER PALENCIA, represented
by his parent TSG. PETER K. PALENCIA;
DOM DANIEL M. PATERNO, represented by
his parent MYRNA M. PATERNO; AUSTIN
RAINER M. PEREZ, represented by his parent
FE M. PEREZ; FRANCISCO and ANGELICA,
all surnamed POBOCAN, represented by their

parent MEDALLA T. POBOCAN; DIANA and

CARMELA, all surnamed PRADO, represented
by their parents ARCELI and VIRGILIO C.
PRADO; FELIX and SAHARA, all surnamed
RABIT, represented by their parent MILA S.
RABIT; MA. CRISTINA PAULA A. RAMIREZ,
represented by her parent ISMAEL M.
RAMIREZ; GLENN JOSEPH R. ARBOLEDA,
represented by his guardian NANETTE S.
RAMIREZ; RICARDO R. ONG, represented by
his guardian CARMEN R. RAMOS; GIAN
FRANCIS B. RAMOS, represented by his parent
ELIZABETH B. RAMOS; CHRISTIAN REY G.
RAMOS, represented by his parent IRINEO B.
RAMOS, JR.; PRINCESS RUTH L. RAYNERA,
represented by her parent PURISIMA L.
RAYNERA; MARISSA TESSA Y. REDOR,
represented by her parent FLORDELIZA Y.
REDOR; PAULO and DENNIS, all surnamed
ROMERO, represented by their parents
LERMA and EDUARDO C. ROMERO;
JILLIAN ROSE L. ROSARIO, represented by
her parent LYDIA L. ROSARIO; VALERIE C.
RUBIALES, represented by her parent DELFIN
A. RUBIALES; ANITA S. SAAVEDRA; GIAN
CARLO L. SALAZAR, represented by his
parent VIRGILIO B. SALAZAR; TROT
ZARDOZ and GAIA KASSIOPEIA, all
surnamed SALCEDO, represented by their
parent
ROXANIETTE
G.
SALCEDO;
RICHARD D. SANTOS, represented by his
parent ELENA D. SANTOS; TWINKLE I.
SAQUITAN, represented by her parent
DOLORES I. SAQUITAN; ROCKY and
JENNIFER,
all
surnamed
SARDUAL,
represented by their parent JEFFERSON
SARDUAL; MARIA LOURDES SARMIENTO,
represented by her parent MA. EVELYN L.
SARMIENTO; OINECA LOVE Q. MANUEL,
represented by her guardian GRACE Q.
SHARIEM; JOHN RUSSELL I. SUAREZ,
represented by his parent SONIA I. SUAREZ;
KRESTA J. SUICO, represented by her parent
MARISSA J. SUICO; ANNA MICHELLE and
MAY JOANNA, all surnamed SUMULONG,
represented by their parent FRANCISCO M.
SUMULONG; MA. ELAINE TALOSIG,
represented by her parent AURORA A.
TALOSIG;
CHARLENE
AIKA
TAN,

Present:

YNARES-SANTIAGO, J.,
Chairperson,
CHICO-NAZARIO,
VELASCO, JR.,
NACHURA, and
PERALTA, JJ

Promulgated:
September 11, 2009

represented by her parent ENG KUI C. TAN;

KENO B. TIMPUG, represented by his parent
JAIME A. TIMPUG; MA. KATRINA M.
TOLENTINO, represented by her parent
ASTERIA M. TOLENTINO; ROMMEL JOHN
PAUL and ROLANDO, all surnamed TORRES,
represented by their parent DOMINGA
TORRES; KIM CHARLES R. TRINIDAD,
represented by his parent MELCHOR S.
TRINIDAD; LIBERY ANNE A. TICZON,
represented by LIBRADO D. TICZON; CINDY
ANNE T. UMAGUING, represented by her
parent ZENAIDA T. UMAGUING; APRIL
ABIGAIL A. VALENZUELA, represented by her
parent EDNA A. VALENZUELA; ORLANDO
and EVELINA, all surnamed VERGARA,
represented by their parent EVELINA R.
VERGARA; JOHANN and DERIKKO, all
surnamed VICENTE, represented by their
parent CECILIA M. VICENTE; DIANA RUBY
and
CLAIRE
ANN,
all
surnamed
VILLANUEVA, represented by their parent
LYDIA VILLANUEVA; MARIE FRANCE and
ANTHONY, all surnamed VILLAREAL,
represented by their parent ANITA P.
VILLAREAL; TASEI YOSHIDA and NEMUEL
O. VILLAROJAS, JR., represented by their
guardian NELIA G. VILLAROXAS; NILO P.
VILLARUEL;
FREDERICK A. VINAS,
represented by his parent BONIFACIO B.
VINAS, JR.; DIANE CHRISTINE and
DARLENE, all surnamed VISPO, represented
by their parent ADELAIDA P. VISPO; RAY
KRISTOFFER O. ZAPANTA, represented by his
parent CRISTINA O. ZAPANTA, in their
individual capacities as defrauded purchasers of
policies of CAP shares and for and in behalf of
780,603 others similarly situated,
Petitioners,
- versus HON.
ROMEO
F.
BARZA, in
his capacity as the
Presiding
Judge of
the
Regional Trial Court of Makati City,
Branch 61,
and
COLLEGE
ASSURANCE PLAN PHILIPPINES,
INC.,

Respondents.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
DECISION
PERALTA, J.:
This is a petition for certiorari and prohibition alleging that respondent
Judge Romeo F. Barza of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, Branch
61, committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction
in issuing the Orders dated September 13, 2005 and December 16, 2005 in Special
Proceedings (Sp. Proc.) No. M-6144. The Order dated September 13, 2005 found
the petition for corporate rehabilitation of the College Assurance Plan Philippines,
Inc. (CAP) to be sufficient in form and substance and stayed the enforcement of all
claims against CAP. While the Order dated December 16, 2005 gave due course to
CAPs petition for corporate rehabilitation.
The facts are as follows:
CAP was incorporated on February 14, 1980 for the purpose of engaging in
the sale of pre-need educational plans. Initially, it sold open-ended educational
plans which guaranteed the payment of tuition and other standard school fees to the
planholder irrespective of the cost at the time of availment. Later, it engaged in the
sale of fixed value plans which guaranteed the payment of a predetermined amount
to the planholder. In 1982, CAP was among the countrys top 2000
corporations. It started sending its scholars to college in 1984 and saw its first

batch of graduates in 1988. However, it subsequently suffered financial

difficulties.[1]
On April 28, 2005, six petitioners herein,[2] together with other CAP
planholders, filed an action with the RTC of Makati City for Specific Performance
and/or Annulment of Contract due to Fraud, Return and Disgorgement of Illegal
Profits, Damages with Application for Receiver and/or Management Committee
against CAP, its Directors and Officers, and the Fil-Estate Group of Companies.
The case, docketed as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Case. No. 05365,[3] was assigned to respondent Judge Romeo Barza of the RTC of Makati City,
Branch 61.
Petitioners alleged that proceedings commenced in SEC Case No. 05-365,
but the prayer for the appointment of a receiver and creation of a management
committee was not acted upon by the RTC.
On September 8, 2005, CAP filed a Petition for Corporate Rehabilitation,
docketed as Sp. Proc. No. M-6144, which was raffled to the RTC of Makati
City, Branch 61, presided by respondent Judge Romeo F. Barza.
On September 13, 2005, Judge Barza issued an Order[4] in Sp. Proc. No. M6144 staying the enforcement of all claims against CAP, thus:
Before this court is a Petition for Rehabilitation filed by COLLEGE
ASSURANCE [PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC. (CAP), a corporation with principal
office address at CAP Building, Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.
Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the
enforcement of all claims, whether for money or otherwise, and whether such
enforcement is by court action or otherwise, against COLLEGE ASSURANCE
[PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC., its guarantors and sureties not solidarily liable with
it, is stayed.
As a consequence of the stay order, the COLLEGE ASSURANCE
[PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC. is prohibited from selling, encumbering,
transferring, or disposing in any manner any of its properties except in the
ordinary course of business. It is further prohibited from making any payment of
its liabilities outstanding as of the date of the filing of this petition on September
8, 2005. Its suppliers of goods and services are likewise prohibited from
withholding supply of goods and services in the ordinary course of business for as
long as it makes payments for the services and goods supplied after the issuance
of the stay order.
x x x x
All creditors and interested parties, including the Securities and Exchange
Commission,
are
directed
to
file
and
serve
on petitioner COLLEGE ASSURANCE [PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC., a verified
comment on or opposition to the petition with supporting affidavits and
documents, not later than ten (10) days before the date of the initial
hearing. Failure to do so will bar them from participating in the

proceedings. Copies of the petition and its annexes may be secured from the
court within such time as to enable them to file their comment on or opposition to
the petition to prepare for its initial hearing.
x x x x
Mr. Mamerto A. Marcelo, Jr., CPA, with address at 1407 Cityland
Condominium 10 Tower 2, Ayala Avenue, cor. H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo
Village, Makati City is appointed Interim Rehabilitation Receiver of COLLEGE
ASSURANCE [PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC. He may discharge his duties and
functions as such after taking his oath to perform his powers, duties and functions
faithfully and posting a bond in the amount of P100,000.00 to guarantee the
faithful discharge of his duties and obedience to the orders of the court.
Petitioner COLLEGE ASSURANCE [PLAN] PHILIPPINES, INC. is
directed to immediately serve a copy of this Order to Mr. Mamerto A. Marcelo,
Jr., who is directed to manifest his acceptance or non-acceptance of his
appointment not later than ten (10) days from receipt of this Order.
SO ORDERED.

On October 17, 2005, ten planholders, who are also petitioners in this case,
filed an Opposition to the Rehabilitation and Motion to Exclude Planholders
from Stay Order and Terminate Proceeding on the ground that planholders are not
creditors as they have a trust relationship with the pre-need company.
[5]

On December 16, 2005, Judge Barza issued an Order[6] in Sp. Proc. No. M6144 giving due course to the petition for rehabilitation, thus:
For determination is the issue of whether or not the petition for corporate
rehabilitation of College Assurance [Plan] Philippines, Inc. (CAP) should be
given due course.
The petition alleges that CAP is a domestic corporation engaged in the
business of selling pre-need educational plans. It was incorporated in 1980 with
an initial authorized capital ofP10,000,000.00. Within two years of starting
business, it was among the countrys top 2000 corporations, and by 2004, it had
climbed in ranking to 146th place with a 21% share of the pre-need market. CAP
has had 110,000 scholars enrolled; 84,490 scholars graduated; 780,000
planholders; 174,720 planholders being served; and has paid over P11.3 billion in
tuition fees. However, it was brought to financial difficulties by reason of the
policy of deregulation adopted by the Department of Education which resulted in
the unbridled increase in tuition fees over the years; the effect of the Asian
financial crisis on CAPs trust fund investments; the onerous application by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Pre-Need Uniform Chart
Accounts (PNUCA) beginning in 2002; and the refusal of the SEC to renew
CAPs dealership license after its expiration in September 2004 and the
cancellation of its permit to sell in August 2004. It is unable to service its debts as
they fall due and its assets are insufficient to cover its liabilities, owing in great
part to a bloated yet theoretical trust fund deficit and capital deficiency reflected
in its financial statements under the SECs Pre-Need Rules, which it has asked the
SEC to re-audit in light of the essential nature of pre-need plans as investment
contracts rather than insurance contracts.

In support of its petition, CAP has submitted an eight-year Business

Development Plan under which it proposes to build up its equity and liquidity to
meet projected cash requirements and eliminate any equity impairment, and to
build up the asset base and liquidity of its trust fund to cover its trust variance and
meet its maturing obligations.
Pursuant to this courts Stay Order of September 13, 2005, several
pleadings were filed with the Court by interested parties, including the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), by way of comment on the verified Petition
dated August 23, 2005.
During the summary hearing on November 23, 2005, representatives from
the SEC admitted that actuarial reserve liabilities are not actual and present
liabilities of the petitioner.
The Court has carefully evaluated the Petition and the comments filed by
the various parties relative thereto, and hereby resolves to give due course to the
petition. Even as the Court notes the substantial questions posed by the SEC and
some creditors on the solvency of the corporation, it finds the interests of the
planholder/investing public as an overriding consideration which cannot be
summarily or injudiciously dismissed without a thorough evaluation by the
Rehabilitation Receiver of the corporations chances of being restored to a
successful operation and solvency if given the opportunity and considering
particularly the adverse results to the planholders of a liquidation scenario as
against its proposed rehabilitation under which they may possibly recover 100%
of their contributions.
On the basis of the allegations of the petition and the Business
Development Plan, and in order that it may be well-guided in its final disposition
of the petition, the Court finds merit in the Petition sufficient to warrant its
referral to the Rehabilitation Receiver for study and evaluation.
WHEREFORE, the Court resolves to GIVE DUE COURSE to the petition
and to REFER the same, together with its Annexes and the comments on the
Petition, to the court-appointed Rehabilitation Receiver who is directed to
evaluate the rehabilitation plan and submit his recommendation within thirty (30)
days from receipt hereof.

Petitioners alleged that the Stay Order dated September 13, 2005 and the
Order dated December 16, 2005 had been cited for the non-resolution of pending
matters in SEC Case. No. 05-365 for Specific Performance and/or Annulment of
Contract due to Fraud, Return and Disgorgement of Illegal Profits and Damages.
Petitioners averred that the proceedings in Sp. Proc. Case No. M-6144 were
summary and non-adversarial in nature, and the filing of a petition for relief or a
motion to dismiss or for reconsideration was prohibited. Having no speedy and
adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, they filed this petition.
The pertinent issues raised are as follows:

1. WHETHER THE STAY ORDER AND THE ORDER GRANTING THE

PETITION FOR REHABILITATION WAS ISSUED WITHOUT OR IN
EXCESS OF JURISDICTION, CONSIDERING THAT THE TUITION FEE
PAYMENTS DUE PLANHOLDERS BENEFICIARIES ARE FROM TRUST
FUND ASSETS NOT INCLUDED IN REHABILITATION PROCEEDINGS,
IT BEING PROPERTY NOT BELONGING TO THE DEBTOR.
2. WHETHER THE STAY ORDER AND ORDER GRANTING THE
PETITION FOR REHABILITATION WAS ISSUED WITHOUT OR IN
EXCESS OF JURISDICTION CONSIDERING THAT ALL THE
REMAINING ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION IS TRACEABLE FROM
FUNDS COLLECTED FROM PLANHOLDERS; HENCE, SUBJECT TO
TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PLANHOLDERS BENEFICIARIES.
3. WHETHER THE ORDER APPOINTING A REHABILITATION RECEIVER
WAS ISSUED IN EXCESS OF JURISDICTION CONSIDERING THAT A
PREVIOUS INTRACORPORATE DISPUTE WITH PRAYER FOR [THE]
IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT FOR RECEIVER WAS FILED AHEAD OF
THE REHABILITATION PROCEEDINGS.
4. WHETHER THE PUBLIC RESPONDENTS ORDER DATED DECEMBER
16, 2005 WAS ISSUED IN EXCESS OF JURISDICTION BY NOT
ACCORDING DUE RESPECT TO THE FINDINGS OF A SPECIALIZED
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY.[7]

At the outset, it must be pointed out that the special civil action
for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court [8] is a remedy designed only for
the correction of errors of jurisdiction or grave abuse of discretion amounting to
lack or excess of jurisdiction.[9] In this case, it is undisputed that the RTC has
jurisdiction over the petition for rehabilitation under Section 2, Rule 3 of the
Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation (2000).[10]
The main issue is whether or not respondent Judge committed grave abuse
of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in issuing the Order
dated September 13, 2005 staying enforcement of all claims against CAP and the
Order dated December 16, 2005 giving due course to CAPs petition for
rehabilitation.
Petitioners allege that the relationship between a planholder and a pre-need
corporation was one of trust and not a debtor-creditor relationship. They avered
that in 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented the
New Pre-Need Rules, which mandated a pre-need company to set up a trust fund
for the benefit of the beneficiary and in compliance with the agreement; hence,
they contend that an express trust relationship exists between the policyholder as

trustor, the pre-need firm as trustee, and the beneficiary as cestui que
trust. Petitioners add that Section 1.9 of the Pre-Need Rules defines trust fund as
a fund set up from the planholders payments, separate and distinct from the paidup capital of a registered Pre-Need Company, established with a trustee under a
trust agreement approved by the Commission, to pay for the benefits as provided in
the Pre-Need Plan.
Petitioners assert that since a trust relationship exists between a planholder
and a pre-need company, CAP may not avail itself of rehabilitation proceedings to
stop payments from its trust assets to the beneficiaries.
Petitioners contend that respondent Judge acted completely without
jurisdiction in giving due course to the petition for rehabilitation, including
planholders in the Stay Order and including trust assets in the rehabilitation
proceedings notwithstanding the fact that there was a prior case filed by
planholders for receivership and management committee and that the assets of
debtors do not include the funds collected from planholders.
Petitioners arguments do not persuade.
CAP is a domestic corporation engaged in the business of selling pre-need
educational plans. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8799, otherwise known as The
Securities Regulation Code, defines pre-need plans as contracts which provide
for the performance of future services or the payment of future monetary
considerations at the time of actual need, for which planholders pay in cash or
installment at stated prices, with or without interest or insurance coverage, and
includes life, pension, education, interment, and other plans which the Commission
may from time to time approve.
Section 16, Chapter IV of R.A. No. 8799 provides for the regulation of preneed plans by SEC, thus:
SEC.16. Pre-Need Plans. -- No person shall sell or offer for sale to the
public any pre-need plan except in accordance with rules and regulations which
the Commission (SEC) shall prescribe. Such rules shall regulate the sale of preneed plans by, among other things, requiring the registration of pre-need plans,
licensing persons involved in the sale of pre-need plans, requiring disclosures to
prospective planholders, prescribing advertising guidelines, providing for uniform
accounting system, reports and recordkeeping with respect to such plans,
imposing capital, bonding and other financial responsibility, and establishing trust
funds for the payment of benefits under such plans.

The law governing corporate rehabilitation and suspension of actions for

claims against corporations is Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 902-A, [11] as
amended. Section 5 of P.D. No. 902-A, as amended by P.D. No. 1758,
enumerates the cases over which SEC has jurisdiction to hear and decide, which
includes [p]etitions of corporations, partnerships or associations to be declared in
the state of suspension of payments in cases where the corporation, partnership or
association possesses sufficient property to cover all its debts, but foresees the
impossibility of meeting them when they respectively fall due or in cases where the

corporation, partnership or association has no sufficient assets to cover its

liabilities, but is under the management of a Rehabilitation Receiver or
Management Committee. R.A. No. 8799, which took effect on August 8, 2000,
transferred SECs jurisdiction over all cases enumerated under Section 5 of P.D.
No. 902-A, as amended, to the courts of general jurisdiction or the appropriate
Regional Trial Court.
On November 21, 2000, this Court approved the Interim Rules of
Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation of 2000 (Interim Rules), which took effect
on December 15, 2000. The Interim Rules apply to petitions for rehabilitation filed
by corporations, partnerships, and associations pursuant to P.D. No. 902-A, as
amended.
The Interim Rules governed the proceedings in Sp. Proc. No. M-6144. CAP
filed the petition for corporate rehabilitation, because it is unable to service its
debts as they fall due and its assets are insufficient to cover its liabilities.[12] CAP
filed the petition under Section 1, Rule 4 of the Interim Rules, which provides:
SECTION 1. Who May Petition. Any debtor who foresees the
impossibility of meeting its debts when they respectively fall due, or any creditor
or creditors holding at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the debtors total
liabilities, may petition the proper Regional Trial Court to have the debtor placed
under rehabilitation.[13]

Under the Interim Rules, debtor shall mean any corporation,

partnership, or association, whether supervised or regulated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission or other government agencies, on whose behalf a
petition for rehabilitation has been filed under these Rules.[14]
The Interim Rules does not distinguish whether a pre-need corporation like
CAP cannot file a petition for rehabilitation before the RTC. Courts are not
authorized to distinguish where the Interim Rules makes no distinction.[15]
Moreover, under the Interim Rules, claim shall include all claims or
demands of whatever nature or character against a debtor or its property,
whether for money or otherwise. Creditor shall mean any holder of a claim.
Hence, the claim of petitioners for payment of tuition fees from CAP is
included in the definition of claims under the Interim Rules.
What is to be determined at this point is whether or not claims arising
from the pre-need contracts between petitioners and CAP can be stayed under
Section 6, Rule 4 of the Interim Rules or Section 6(c) of P.D. No. 902-A.
Section 6, Rule 4 of the Interim Rules provides:
SEC. 6. Stay Order. -- If the court finds the petition to be sufficient in
form and substance, it shall, not later than five (5) days from the filing of the
petition, issue an Order: (a) appointing a Rehabilitation Receiver and fixing his
bond; (b) staying enforcement of all claims, whether for money or otherwise,

and whether such enforcement is by court action or otherwise, against the

debtor, its guarantors and sureties not solidarily liable with the
debtor; (c) prohibiting the debtor from selling, encumbering, transferring, or
disposing in any manner any of its properties except in the ordinary course of
business; (d) prohibiting the debtor from making any payment of its liabilities
outstanding as of the date of filing of the petition; (e) prohibiting the debtor's
suppliers of goods or services from withholding supply of goods and services in
the ordinary course of business for as long as the debtor makes payments for the
services and goods supplied after the issuance of the stay order; (f) directing the
payment, in full, of all administrative expenses incurred after the issuance of the
stay order; (g) fixing the initial hearing on the petition not earlier than fortyfive (45) days but not later than sixty (60) days from the filing thereof; (h)
directing the petitioner to publish the Order in a newspaper of general circulation
in the Philippines once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks; (i) directing all
creditors and all interested parties (including the Securities and Exchange
Commission) to file and serve on the debtor a verified comment on or opposition
to the petition, with supporting affidavits and documents, not later than ten (10)
days before the date of the initial hearing and putting them on notice that their
failure to do so will bar them from participating in the proceedings; and
(j) directing the creditors and interested parties to secure from the court copies of
the petition and its annexes within such time as to enable themselves to file their
comment on or opposition to the petition and to prepare for the initial hearing of
the petition.

The above provision does not provide that a claim arising from a pre-need
contract is an exception to the power of the trial court to stay enforcement
of all claims upon the finding that the petition for rehabilitation is sufficient in
form and substance.
The foregoing provision echoes the provision in Section 6(c) of the
governing law, P.D. No. 602-A, as amended by P.D. No. 1758, which mandates
that upon appointment of a management committee, rehabilitation receiver, board
or body, x x x all actions for claims against corporations, partnerships or
associations under management or receivership pending before any court,
tribunal, board or body shall be suspended accordingly.
In Negros Navigation Co., Inc. v. Court of Appeals,[16] the Court held that
P.D. No. 902-A does not make any distinction as to what claims are covered by
the suspension of actions for claims against corporations under rehabilitation x x x
Thus, since the law does not make any exemptions or distinctions, neither should
we.
The Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation of 2000 has
been amended by the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation of 2009,
which took effect on January 16, 2009. Under the 2009 Rules of Procedure, the
power of the RTC to issue a Stay Order when it finds the petition for rehabilitation
to be sufficient in form and substance is contained in Section 7, Rule 3,
[17]
which likewise does not exempt claims arising from pre-need contracts from
the Stay Order.

Petitioners contend that the relationship between a planholder and a pre-need

corporation is one of trust and not a debtor-creditor relationship. However, such a
relationship has not been properly established by petitioners. This Court is not a
trier of facts and cannot rule in this petition on whether the relationship between
CAP and the planholders is one of trust, absent a factual finding by the trial court.
Nevertheless, even if the relationship is one of trust, there is no provision in the
Interim Rules that a claim arising from a trust relationship is excluded from the
Stay Order.
Negros Navigation Co., Inc. v. Court of Appeals[18] explained the reason for
suspending all pending claims against a corporation under receivership, thus:
x x x x The stay order is effective on all creditors of the corporation
without distinction, whether secured or unsecured. All assets of a corporation
under rehabilitation receivership are held in trust for the equal benefit of all
creditors to preclude one from obtaining an advantage or preference over another
by the expedience of attachment, execution or otherwise. As between the
creditors, the key phrase is equality in equity. Once the corporation threatened by
bankruptcy is taken over by a receiver, all the creditors ought to stand on equal
footing. Not one of them should be paid ahead of the others.

Petitioners also contend that the Rehabilitation Court may not appoint a
rehabilitation receiver when a previous intra-corporate dispute (SEC Case No. 05365) with prayer for the immediate appointment of a receiver has been filed ahead
of the petition for rehabilitation.
The contention is without merit.
The case for specific performance and/or annulment of contract (SEC Case
No. 05-365) and CAPs petition for rehabilitation (Sp. Proc. No. M 6144) are two
different cases; hence, respondent Judge has the discretion to decide each case
according to its merits. The case for specific performance and/or annulment of
contract was filed pursuant to the Interim Rules of Procedure for Intra-Corporate
Controversies, while CAPs petition for rehabilitation was filed under the Interim
Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation. Under Section 6, Rule 4 of the
latter Interim Rules,[19] respondent Judge has the authority to appoint a
rehabilitation receiver after finding the petition for rehabilitation to be sufficient in
form and substance.
Absent any provision in the Interim Rules, as amended, or P.D. No. 902-A
exempting claims arising from pre-need contracts from a court order staying
enforcement of all claims against the debtor/pre-need company, the Court holds
that respondent Judge did not commit grave abuse of discretion in enforcing the
Stay Order against petitioners.

In addition, respondent Judge did not gravely abuse its discretion in giving
due course to the petition for rehabilitation. In the Order dated December 16,
2005, the RTC considered the comments of the SEC and CAPs creditors before
resolving the petition. It explained its decision, thus:
The Court has carefully evaluated the Petition and the comments filed by
the various parties relative thereto, and hereby resolves to give due course to the
petition. Even as the Court notes the substantial questions posed by the SEC and
some creditors on the solvency of the corporation, it finds the interests of the
planholder/investing public as an overriding consideration which cannot be
summarily or injudiciously dismissed without a thorough evaluation by the
Rehabilitation Receiver of the corporations chances of being restored to a
successful operation and solvency if given the opportunity and considering
particularly the adverse results to the planholders of a liquidation scenario as
against its proposed rehabilitation under which they may possibly recover
100% of their contributions.
On the basis of the allegations of the petition and the Business
Development Plan, and in order that it may be well-guided in its final disposition
of the petition, the Court finds merit in the Petition sufficient to warrant its
referral to the Rehabilitation Receiver for study and evaluation.[20]

Grave abuse of discretion implies capricious and whimsical exercise of

judgment amounting to lack of jurisdiction, or arbitrary and despotic exercise of
power because of passion or personal hostility.[21] It must be as patent and gross as
to amount to an evasion or refusal to perform a duty enjoined by law.[22] It is absent
in this case.
Despite the Courts finding that respondent judge did not gravely abuse his
discretion in issuing the Orders staying the enforcement of all claims against CAP
and in giving due course to CAPs petition for rehabilitation, petitioners are not
precluded from seeking other remedies available to them with the lower court.
The other issues raised pertain to matters that were not discussed in the
subject RTC Orders or are not pertinent to the main issue of whether or not
respondent Judge gravely abused its discretion in including the claims of
petitioners in the Stay Order; hence, they do not fall within the scope of this
petition for certiorari.
WHEREFORE, the petition for certiorari is DISMISSED. No costs.
SO ORDERED.

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice

WE CONCUR:
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Chairperson

MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO
Associate Justice

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Associate Justice

ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

Associate Justice
ATTESTATION
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in
consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Courts
Division.

CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Third Division, Chairperson
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division
Chairpersons Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision were
reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of
the Courts Division.

REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice


[1]
[2]

Now an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals.

Comment, rollo, pp. 852-913
Edna Valenzuela, Elsa S. Azurin, Theresa J. Azurin, Mabel B. Camus, Eden A. Payuyo and Remedios C.

Fernando.
[3]

Valenzuela, et al. v. Sobrepea, Jr., et al.

Rollo, pp. 336-337.
[5]
Rosalina C. Arao, Florencion Bentulan, Yolanda Cernias, Juancito Dacanay, Richard Martin Esguerra,
Manuela Gepullano, Nancy Hilario, Marilyn Lajo, Carmen Ramos, and Lydia Rosario.
[6]
Rollo, pp. 341-342.
[7]
Memorandum, rollo, pp. 1057-1058.
[8]
Rule 65, Sec. 1. Petition for certiorari.When any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial or quasijudicial functions has acted without or in excess of its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, or any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the
ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts
with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered annulling or modifying the proceedings of such tribunal, board
or officer, and granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require.
[9]
Land Bank of the Philippines v. Court of Appeals, 456 Phil. 755 (2003).
[10]
Rule 3, Sec. 2. Venue. Petitions for rehabilitation pursuant to these Rules shall be filed in the Regional
Trial Court having jurisdiction over the territory where the debtors principal office is located.
[4]

[11]

P.D. No. 902-A is entitled Reorganization of the Securities and Exchange Commission with Additional
Powers and Placing the Said Agency under the Administrative Supervision of the Office of the President.

[12]

RTC Order dated December 16, 2005, rollo, pp. 341-342.

(Emphasis supplied.)
[14]
(Emphasis supplied.)
[15]
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, Fifth Edition (2003), p. 198.
[16]
G.R. Nos. 163156 & 166845, December 10, 2008.
[17]
SEC. 7. Stay Order. -- If the court finds the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it shall, not
later than five (5) working days from the filing of the petition, issue an Order: (a) appointing a Rehabilitation
Receiver and fixing his bond; (b) staying enforcement of all claims, whether for money or otherwise and whether
such enforcement is by court action or otherwise, against the debtor, its guarantors and persons not solidarily liable
with the debtor; provided, that the stay order shall not cover claims against letters of credit and similar security
arrangements issued by a third party to secure the payment of the debtor's obligations; provided, further, that the stay
order shall not cover foreclosure by a creditor of property not belonging to a debtor under corporate
rehabilitation; provided, however, that where the owner of such property sought to be foreclosed is also a guarantor
or one who is not solidarily liable, said owner shall be entitled to the benefit of excussion as such guarantor; (c)
prohibiting the debtor from selling, encumbering, transferring, or disposing in any manner any of its properties
except in the ordinary course of business; (d) prohibiting the debtor from making any payment of its liabilities
except as provided in items (e), (f) and (g) of this Section or when ordered by the court pursuant to Section 10 of
Rule 3; (e) prohibiting the debtor's suppliers of goods or services from withholding supply of goods and services in
the ordinary course of business for as long as the debtor makes payments for the services and goods supplied after
the issuance of the stay order; (f) directing the payment in full of all administrative expenses incurred after the
issuance of the stay order; (g) directing the payment of new loans or other forms of credit accommodations obtained
for the rehabilitation of the debtor with prior court approval; (h) fixing the dates of the initial hearing on the petition
not earlier than forty-five (45) days but not later than sixty (60) days from the filing thereof; (i) directing the
petitioner to publish the Order in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for two (2)
consecutive weeks; (j) directing the petitioner to furnish a copy of the petition and its annexes, as well as the stay
order, to the creditors named in the petition and the appropriate regulatory agencies such as, but not limited to, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Insurance Commission, the National
Telecommunications Commission, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and the Energy Regulatory
Commission; (k) directing the petitioner that foreign creditors with no known addresses in the Philippines be
individually given a copy of the stay order at their foreign addresses; (l) directing all creditors and all interested
parties (including the regulatory agencies concerned) to file and serve on the debtor a verified comment on or
opposition to the petition, with supporting affidavits and documents, not later than fifteen (15) days before the date
of the first initial hearing and putting them on notice that their failure to do so will bar them from participating in the
proceedings; and (m) directing the creditors and interested parties to secure from the court copies of the petition and
its annexes within such time as to enable themselves to file their comment on or opposition to the petition and to
prepare for the initial hearing of the petition.
The issuance of a stay order does not affect the right to commence actions or proceedings insofar as it is
necessary to preserve a claim against the debtor.
[18]
Supra note 16.
[19]
SEC. 6. Stay Order. -- If the court finds the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it
shall, not later than five (5) working days from the filing of the petition, issue an Order: (a) appointing a
Rehabilitation Receiver and fixing his bond; (b) staying enforcement of all claims, whether for money or
[13]

otherwise and whether such enforcement is by court action or otherwise, against the debtor, its guarantors and
sureties not solidarily liable with the debtor; x x x .
[20]
Rollo, p. 342. (Emphasis supplied.)
[21]
Batul v. Bayron, 468 Phil. 131, 148 (2004).
[22]
Id.