The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that a group of minors, represented by their parents, had legal standing to file a class action lawsuit against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The lawsuit sought to cancel existing timber license agreements and stop new ones from being issued, claiming the resulting deforestation violated the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology. While the lower court dismissed the case based on non-impairment of contracts, the Supreme Court found for the petitioners, recognizing the concept of "intergenerational responsibility" and that the right to a healthy environment includes preserving it for future generations. The ruling established legal standing to sue on behalf of future generations and that this right supersedes contracts.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that a group of minors, represented by their parents, had legal standing to file a class action lawsuit against the Department of Environment and N…