Joya vs Presidential Commission on Good Governance GR No 96541 24 August 1993

Facts: The PCGG Chairman Mateo Caparas wrote on 09 August 1990 to President Corazon Aquino regarding the scheduled sale
between the Republic of the Philippines and Christie’s of 82 Old Masers Painting housed in Metropolitan Museum of Manila
and 7 boxes of antique silverware in the custody of Central Bank. This was approved on 14 August 1990 and the consignment
was signed the following day. On 26 October 1990 the Commission on Audit submitted audit findings to the President – the
assets subject of auction were historical relics and had cultural significance and thereby prohibited by law. As Filipino citizens,
taxpayers and artists, petitioners Dean Jose Joya et al contended that they have legal personality to restrain respondent from
acting contrary to preserving artistic creations pursuant to Sec 14-18 Article XIV of the Constitution.

Issue: Whether or not the petitioners have legal standing.

Decision: Petition for prohibition and mandamus dismissed for lack of merit. Legal standing means a personal and substantial
interest ion the case such that the party has sustained or will sustain direct injury as a result of the governmental act that is
being challenged. The paintings legally belongs to the foundation or the members of thereof and the silverware are gifts to the
Marcos couple. When the Marcos administration was toppled and the said objects were confiscated it did not mean that
ownership has passed to the government without complying with constitutional and statutory requirements of due process and
just compensation. If these were already acquired, any defect in the acquisition must be raised by the true owners. Petitioners
failed to show that they are the legal owners of the said objects that have become publicly owned.