agra cases 2

8/11/2019 Agra Cases 2

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G.R. Nos. 78742, 79310, 79744 & 79777

ASSOCIATION OF SMALL LANDOWNERS IN THE PHILIPPINES VS. HONORABLE SECRETARY OF

AGRARIAN REFORM

FACTS:These are 3 cases consolia!e "#es!ionin$ !he cons!i!#!ionali!% o !he A$rarian Reor' Ac!. Ar!icle ())) on

Social *#s!ice an +#'an Ri$h!s incl#es a call or !he ao!ion -% !he S!a!e o an a$rarian reor' ro$ra'. The S!a!e

shall, -% la, #ner!a/e an a$rarian reor' ro$ra' o#ne on !he ri$h! o ar'ers an re$#lar ar'or/ers, ho are

lanless, !o on irec!l% or collec!iel% !he lans !he% !ill or, in !he case o o!her ar'or/ers, !o receie a #s! share o

!he r#i!s !hereo. RA 3844, A$ric#l!#ral an Reor' Coe, ha alrea% -een enac!e -% Con$ress on A#$#s! 8, 193.

This as s#-s!an!iall% s#ersee al'os! a ecae la!er -% 5 27, hich as ro'#l$a!e on 6c! 21, 1972, alon$ i!h

'ar!ial la, !o roie or !he co'#lsor% ac"#isi!ion o ria!e lans or is!ri-#!ion a'on$ !enan!ar'ers an !o

seci% 'ai'#' re!en!ion li'i!s or lanoners. 6n *#l% 17, 1987, Cor% iss#e 6 228, eclarin$ #ll lan onershi in

aor o !he -eneiciaries o 5 27 an roiin$ or !he al#a!ion o s!ill #nal#e lans coere -% !he ecree as ell as

!he 'anner o !heir a%'en!. This as olloe on *#l% 22, 1987 -% 131, ins!i!#!in$ a co'rehensie a$rarian

reor' ro$ra' CAR;, an 6 229, roiin$ !he 'echanics or i!s i'le'en!a!ion. A!erhich is !he enac!'en! o RA


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G.R. No. 78742

e!i!ioners clai' !he% canno! eec! !heir !enan!s an so are #na-le !o eno% !heir ri$h! o re!en!ion -eca#se !he 5ear!'en!

o A$rarian Reor' has so ar no! iss#e !he i'le'en!in$ r#les re"#ire #ner !he a-oe"#o!e ecree.

ISSUE: =he!her or no! !here as a iola!ion o !he e"#al ro!ec!ion cla#se.

HELD: The SC r#le air'in$ !he SolGen. The ar$#'en! o !he s'all ar'ers !ha! !he% hae -een enie e"#al

ro!ec!ion -eca#se o !he a-sence o re!en!ion li'i!s has also -eco'e acae'ic #ner Sec o RA

=+RF6R, !he ecision renere -% !his Co#r! on Noe'-er an

3. ec!in$ ro' !he lan !he socalle !enan!s, na'el%> Ga-ino Ali!a, *es#s *#lian, Sr., *es#s *#lian, *r.,

ero Ricale, icen!e Ricale an Rolano Sala'ar, as !he oners o#l an! !o c#l!ia!e !he

ar'holin$ !he'seles.

No rono#nce'en! as !o cos!s.

S6 6R5R5. . 31, Rollo;

The ac!s are #nis#!e. The s#-ec! 'a!!er o !he case consis!s o !o 2; arcels o lan, ac"#ire -% ria!eresonen!sB reecessorsinin!eres! !hro#$h ho'es!ea a!en! #ner !he roisions o Co''oneal!h Ac! No. 141. Sai

lans are si!#a!e a! G#ilinan, T#n$aan, Da'-oan$a el S#r.

ria!e resonen!s herein are esiro#s o ersonall% c#l!ia!in$ !hese lans, -#! e!i!ioners re#se !o aca!e, rel%in$ on

!he roisions o .5. 27 an .5. 31 an a#r!enan! re$#la!ions iss#e -% !he !hen inis!r% o A$rarian Reor' 5AR

or shor!;, no 5ear!'en! o A$rarian Reor' AR or shor!;.

6n *#ne 18, 1981, ria!e resonen!s !hen lain!is;, ins!i!#!e a co'lain! a$ains! +on. Conrao s!rella as !hen

inis!er o A$rarian Reor', .5. acara'-on as Re$ional 5irec!or o AR Re$ion )(, an herein e!i!ioners !hen


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eenan!s; or !he eclara!ion o .5. 27 an all o!her 5ecrees, e!!ers o )ns!r#c!ions an General 6rers iss#e in

connec!ion !herei!h as inalica-le !o ho'es!ea lans.

5eenan!s ile !heir anser i!h secial an air'a!ie eenses o *#l% 8, 1981.

S#-se"#en!l%, on *#l% 19, 1982, lain!is ile an #r$en! 'o!ion !o enoin !he eenan!s ro' eclarin$ !he lans in

li!i$a!ion #ner 6era!ion an Transer an ro' -ein$ iss#e lan !ranser cer!iica!es !o hich !he eenan!s ile!heir oosi!ion a!e A#$#s! 4, 1982.

6n Noe'-er


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A'()# *. CA +DIGEST,

e!i!ion see/in$ !he reersal Co#r! o Aeals ecision: 1;5eclarin$ resien!ial 5ecree No. 27 inalica-le !o lans

o-!aine !hr# !he ho'es!ea la> 2; 5eclarin$ !ha! !he 4 re$is!ere cooners ill c#l!ia!e an oera!e !he ar'holin$

!he'seles as oners> & 3; ec!in$ !enan!s, na'el%> Ga-ino Ali!a, *es#s *#lian, Sr., *es#s *#lian, *r., ero Ricale,

icen!e Ricale an Rolano Sala'ar, as !he oners o#l an! !o c#l!ia!e !he ar'holin$ !he'seles.

2 arcels o lan a! G#ilinan, T#n$aan, Da'-oan$a el S#r ac"#ire -% resonen!s Re%es !hro#$h ho'es!ea a!en!

#ner Co''oneal!h Ac! No. 141

Re%es an!s !o ersonall% c#l!ia!e !hese lans, -#! Ali!a re#se !o aca!e, rel%in$ on !he roisions o .5. 27 an .5.

31 an re$#la!ions o AR5AR

*#ne 18, 1981: Resonen!s Re%es lain!i; ins!i!#!e a co'lain! a$ains! inis!er o A$rarian Reor' s!rella,

Re$ional 5irec!or o AR Re$ion )( .5. acara'-on, an Ali!a e!.al or !he eclara!ion o .5. 27 an all o!her

5ecrees, e!!ers o )ns!r#c!ions an General 6rers inalica-le !o ho'es!ea lans. 5eenan!s Ali!a ile !heir anser

i!h secial an air'a!ie eenses.

*#l% 19, 1982: Re%es ile #r$en! 'o!ion !o enoin !he eenan!s ro' eclarin$ !he lans in li!i$a!ion #ner 6era!ion

an Transer an ro' -ein$ iss#e lan !ranser cer!iica!es

Noe'-er


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DAR VS. SUTTON

F#)0:

This is a e!i!ion or reie ile -% !he 5ear!'en! o A$rarian Reor' 5AR; o !he 5ecision an Resol#!ion o

!he Co#r! o Aeals, a!e Se!e'-er 19, 2003 an Fe-r#ar% 4, 2004, resec!iel%, hich eclare 5AR

A'inis!ra!ie 6rer A.6.; No. 9, series o 1993, n#ll an oi or -ein$ iola!ie o !he Cons!i!#!ion.

The case inoles a lan in Aroro%, as-a!e, inheri!e -% resonen!s hich has -een eo!e ecl#siel% !o co

an cal -reein$. 6n 6c!o-er 2, 1987, #rs#an! !o !he !hen eis!in$ a$rarian reor' ro$ra' o !he $oern'en!,

resonen!s 'ae a ol#n!ar% oer !o sell 6S; !heir lanholin$s !o e!i!ioner 5AR !o aail o cer!ain

incen!ies #ner !he la.

6n *#ne 10, 1988, a ne a$rarian la, Re#-lic Ac! R.A.; No.


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Whether or not DAR Administrative Order No. 09, Series of 1993 which rescribes a ma!im"m retention for

owners of #ands devoted to #ivestoc$ raisin% is constit"tiona#&

He'3:

The i'#$ne A.6. is inali as i! con!raenes !he Cons!i!#!ion. The A.6. so#$h! !o re$#la!e lies!oc/ ar's -%

incl#in$ !he' in !he coera$e o a$rarian reor' an rescri-in$ a 'ai'#' re!en!ion li'i! or !heir onershi

+oeer, !he eli-era!ions o !he 1987 Cons!i!#!ional Co''ission sho a clear in!en! !o ecl#e, inter a#ia,al

lans ecl#siel% eo!e !o lies!oc/, sine an o#l!r%raisin$. The Co#r! clariie in !he #E Far's case !ha!

lies!oc/, sine an o#l!r%raisin$ are in#s!rial ac!ii!ies an o no! all i!hin !he eini!ion o Ia$ric#l!#reI or

Ia$ric#l!#ral ac!ii!%.I The raisin$ o lies!oc/, sine an o#l!r% is ieren! ro' cro or !ree ar'in$. )! is an

in#s!rial, no! an a$ric#l!#ral, ac!ii!%. A $rea! or!ion o !he ines!'en! in !his en!errise is in !he or' o

in#s!rial ie asse!s, s#ch as: ani'al ho#sin$ s!r#c!#res an acili!ies, raina$e, a!erers an -loers, ee'ill

i!h $riners, 'iers, cone%ors, eha#s!s an $enera!ors, e!ensie areho#sin$ acili!ies or ees an o!her

s#lies, an!ioll#!ion e"#i'en! li/e -io$as an i$es!er lan!s a#$'en!e -% la$oons an concre!e ons,

eeells, elea!e a!er !an/s, #'ho#ses, sra%ers, an o!her !echnolo$ical a#r!enance.

e!i!ioner 5AR has no oer !o re$#la!e lies!oc/ ar's hich hae -een ee'!e -% !he Cons!i!#!ion ro' !he

coera$e o a$rarian reor'. )! has eceee i!s oer in iss#in$ !he assaile A.6.

oreoer, i! is a #na'en!al r#le o s!a!#!or% cons!r#c!ion !ha! !he reenac!'en! o a s!a!#!e -% Con$ress i!ho#!

s#-s!an!ial chan$e is an i'lie le$isla!ie aroal an ao!ion o !he reio#s la. 6n !he o!her han, -%

'a/in$ a ne la, Con$ress see/s !o s#ersee an earlier one. )n !he case a! -ar, a!er !he assa$e o !he 1988CAR, Con$ress enac!e R.A. No. 7881 hich a'ene cer!ain roisions o !he CAR. Seciicall%, !he ne

la chan$e !he eini!ion o !he !er's Ia$ric#l!#ral ac!ii!%I an Ico''ercial ar'in$I -% roin$ ro' i!s

coera$e lans !ha! are eo!e !o co''ercial lies!oc/, o#l!r% an sineraisin$. =i!h !his si$niican!

'oiica!ion, Con$ress clearl% so#$h! !o ali$n !he roisions o o#r a$rarian las i!h !he in!en! o !he 1987

Cons!i!#!ional Co''ission !o ecl#e lies!oc/ ar's ro' !he coera$e o a$rarian reor'.

)! is oc!rinal !ha! r#les o a'inis!ra!ie -oies '#s! -e in har'on% i!h !he roisions o !he Cons!i!#!ion. The%

canno! a'en or e!en !he Cons!i!#!ion. To -e ali, !he% '#s! conor' !o an -e consis!en! i!h !he

Cons!i!#!ion. )n case o conlic! -e!een an a'inis!ra!ie orer an !he roisions o !he Cons!i!#!ion, !he la!!er

reails. The assaile A.6. o e!i!ioner 5AR as roerl% s!ric/en on as #ncons!i!#!ional as i! enlar$es !he

coera$e o a$rarian reor' -e%on !he scoe in!ene -% !he 1987 Cons!i!#!ion.

MILESTONE FARMS% INC vs. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

G.R. No. 1822 Fe-r#ar% 23, 2011

?eore !his Co#r! is a e!i!ion or Reie on'ertiorari 1 #ner R#le 4< o !he R#les o Ciil roce#re, see/in$

!he reersal o !he Co#r! o Aeals CA; A'ene 5ecision 2 a!e 6c!o-er 4, 200 an i!s Resol#!ion 3 a!e arch 27

2008.

The Facts

e!i!ioner iles!one Far's, )nc. e!i!ioner; as incorora!e i!h !he Sec#ri!ies an chan$e Co''ission on

*an#ar% 8, 190. 4 A'on$ i!s er!inen! seconar% #roses are: 1; !o en$a$e in !he raisin$ o ca!!le, i$s, an o!her

lies!oc/> !o ac"#ire lans -% #rchase or lease, hich 'a% -e neee or !his #rose> an !o sell an o!herise isose

o sai ca!!le, i$s, an o!her lies!oc/ an !heir ro#ce hen aisa-le an -eneicial !o !he corora!ion> 2; !o -ree,

raise, an sell o#l!r%> !o #rchase or ac"#ire an sell, or o!herise isose o !he s#lies, s!oc/s, e"#i'en!,

accessories, a#r!enances, ro#c!s, an -%ro#c!s o sai -#siness> an 3; !o i'or! ca!!le, i$s, an o!her lies!oc/,

an ani'al oo necessar% or !he raisin$ o sai ca!!le, i$s, an o!her lies!oc/ as 'a% -e a#!horiEe -% la. ii; An% A'ahi! 1< heas> an iii; ?er! an$an 2 heas>!ha! !hese inii#als as!#re !he her o ca!!le o#!sie !he s#-ec! roer!%, hile Ro$er !oo/ care o 8 heas o ca!!le

insie !he alo Al!o area> !ha! 21 heas o ca!!le one -% e!i!ioner ere seen in !he area aacen! !o alo Al!o> !ha!

*oseino conir'e !o !he )nes!i$a!in$ Tea' !ha! he !a/es care o 18 heas o ca!!le one -% e!i!ioner> !ha! !he sai

)nes!i$a!in$ Tea' sa 9 heas o ca!!le in !he alo Al!o area, 2 o hich -ore IF)I 'ar/s> an !ha! !he 9 heas o ca!!le

aear !o hae 'a!che !he Cer!iica!es o 6nershi o ar$e Ca!!le s#-'i!!e -% e!i!ioner.

?eca#se o !he con!en!io#s ac!#al iss#es an !he conlic!in$ aer'en!s o !he ar!ies, !he CA se! !he case or hearin$

an rece!ion o eience on Aril 24, 2007. 44Therea!er, as narra!e -% !he CA, !he olloin$ een!s !ransire:

6n a% 17, 2007, Ke!i!ionerL resen!e !he"dicia# Affidavits o i!s i!nesses, na'el%, Ke!i!ionerBsL co#nsel, KA!!%. O#eL

an !he alle$e care!a/er o Ke!i!ionerBsL ar', KRo$erL, ho ere -o!h crossea'ine -% co#nsel or ar'ers'oan!s

an SAAG. Ke!i!ionerL an SAAG !hen 'ar/e !heir oc#'en!ar% ehi-i!s.

6n a% 24, 2007, Ke!i!ionerBsL sec#ri!% $#ar an !hir i!ness, Roolo G. Fe-raa, s#-'i!!e his"dicia# Affidavit an

as crossea'ine -% co#nsel or aKrL'ers'oan!s an SAAG. Far'ers'oan!s also 'ar/e !heir oc#'en!ar%

ehi-i!s.

Therea!er, !he ar!ies s#-'i!!e !heir resec!ie)orma# Offers of /vidence. Far'ers'oan!s an SAAG ile !heir

o-ec!ions !o Ke!i!ionerBsL)orma# Offer of /vidence. a!er, Ke!i!ionerL an ar'ers'oan!s ile !heir

resec!ieemoranda.

)n 5ece'-er 2007, !his Co#r! iss#e aReso#"tion on !he ar!iesB oer o eience an consiere Ke!i!ionerBsLotion for

Reconsideration s#-'i!!e or resol#!ion. 4 an !ha!

5AR A.6. No. 9 hain$ -een eclare as #ncons!i!#!ional, 5AR ha no 'ore le$al -asis !o con#c! a con!in#in$ reie

an eriica!ion roceein$s oer lies!oc/ ar's. e!i!ioner ar$#es !ha!, in cases here reersion o roer!ies !o

a$ric#l!#ral #se is roer, onl% !he 5AR has !he ecl#sie ori$inal #risic!ion !o hear an ecie !he sa'e> hence, !he

CA, in !his case, co''i!!e serio#s errors hen i! orere !he reersion o !he roer!% an hen i! consiere ieces o

eience no! eis!in$ as o *#ne 1 !ha! !he CA sho#l hae re'ane !he case !o

!he 5AR #e !o conlic!in$ ac!#al clai's> !ha! !he CA canno! en!ila!e alle$a!ions o ac! !ha! ere in!ro#ce or !he irs!

!i'e on aeal as a s#le'en! !o a 'o!ion or reconsiera!ion o i!s irs! ecision, #se !he sa'e !o eia!e ro' !he iss#es

enin$ reie, an, on !he -asis !hereo, eclare ee'! lans reer!e !o a$ric#l!#ral #se an co'#lsoril% coere -%

!he CAR> !ha! !he Inel% iscoere Kieces oL eienceI ere no! in!ro#ce in !he roceein$s -eore !he 5AR,

hence, i! as erroneo#s or !he CA !o consier !he'> an !ha! iece'eal resen!a!ion o eience is no! in accor i!h

orerl% #s!ice. Finall%, e!i!ioner s#-'i!s !ha!, in an% case, !he CA $rael% erre an co''i!!e $rae a-#se o iscre!ionhen i! hel !ha! !he s#-ec! roer!% as no lon$er #se or lies!oc/ ar'in$ as shon -% !he Reor! o !he

)nes!i$a!in$ Tea'. e!i!ioner relies on !he 1997 JCC an 5AR inin$s !ha! !he s#-ec! roer!% as eo!e !o

lies!oc/ ar'in$, an on !he 1999 CA 5ecision hich hel !ha! !he occ#an!s o !he roer!% ere s"#a!!ers, -ere! o

an% a#!hori!% !o s!a% an ossess !he roer!%.


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Secre!ar%> !ha! e!i!ionerBs -a ai!h is 'ore aaren! since, esi!e !he conersion o !he 1 !ha! ee'!ions #e !o ca!!le raisin$ are

no! er'anen!> !ha! !he eclara!ion o 5AR A.6. No. 9 as #ncons!i!#!ional oes no! a! all i'inish !he 'ana!e #!% o

!he 5AR, as !he lea a$enc% o !he Goern'en!, !o i'le'en! !he CAR> !ha! !he 5AR, es!e i!h !he oer !o ien!i%

lans s#-ec! !o CAR, lo$icall% also has !he oer !o ien!i% lans hich are ecl#e anor ee'!e !herero'> !ha!

!o isre$ar 5ARBs a#!hori!% on !he 'a!!er o#l oen !he loo$a!es !o a-#se an ra# -% #nscr##lo#s lanoners>

!ha! !he ac!#al inin$ o !he CA !ha! !he s#-ec! roer!% is no lon$er a lies!oc/ ar' 'a% no! -e is!#r-e on aeal, as

en#ncia!e -% !his Co#r!> !ha! 5AR con#c!e a reie an 'oni!orin$ o !he s#-ec! roer!% -% ir!#e o i!s oers

#ner !he CAR> an !ha! !he CA has s#icien! iscre!ion !o a'i! eience in orer !ha! i! co#l arrie a! a air, #s!, an

e"#i!a-le r#lin$ in !his case. !ha! #e !o !he ier$ence in !he ac!#al inin$s o !he 5AR an !he

6, !he CA as #!% -o#n !o reie an ascer!ain hich o !he sai inin$s are #l% s#or!e -% s#-s!an!ial eience>!ha! !he s#-ec! roer!% as s#-ec! !o con!in#in$ reie an eriica!ion roceein$s #e !o !he !hen reailin$ 5AR

A.6. No. 9> !ha! !here is no "#es!ion !ha! !he oer !o e!er'ine i a roer!% is s#-ec! !o CAR coera$e lies i!h !he

5AR Secre!ar%> !ha! #rs#an! !o s#ch oer, !he AR6 renere !he assaile reor!s an cer!iica!ion, an !he 5AR

i!sel 'anies!e -eore !he CA !ha! !he s#-ec! roer!% is no lon$er eo!e !o lies!oc/ ar'in$> an !ha!, hile i! is

!r#e !ha! !his Co#r!Bs r#lin$ in("z )arms eclare !ha! a$ric#l!#ral lans eo!e !o lies!oc/, o#l!r%, anor sine

raisin$ are ecl#e ro' !he CAR, !he sai r#lin$ is no! i!ho#! an% "#aliica!ion. an !ha!,

inas'#ch as !he s#-ec! roer!% as no! a$ric#l!#ral ro' !he er% -e$innin$, 5AR has no oer !o re$#la!e !he sa'e.

e!i!ioner also asser!s !ha! !he CA canno! #ncharac!eris!icall% ass#'e !he role o !rier o ac!s an resole ac!#al "#es!ions

no! reio#sl% a#ica!e -% !he loer !ri-#nals> !ha! AR6 l'a renere !he assaile AR6 reor!s i!h -ias

a$ains! e!i!ioner, an !he sa'e ere con!raic!e -% !he )nes!i$a!in$ Tea'Bs Reor!, hich conir'e !ha! !he s#-ec!

roer!% is s!ill eo!e !o lies!oc/ ar'in$> an !ha! !here has -een no chan$e in e!i!ionerBs -#siness in!eres! as an

en!i!% en$a$e in lies!oc/ ar'in$ since i!s ince!ion in 190, !ho#$h !here as a'i!!el% a ecline in !he scale o i!s

oera!ions #e !o !he ille$al ac!s o !he s"#a!!erocc#an!s.

Our Ruling

The e!i!ion is -ere! o 'eri!.e! i! -e s!resse !ha! hen !he CA roie in i!s irs! 5ecision !ha! con!in#in$ reie an eriica!ion 'a% -e

con#c!e -% !he 5AR #rs#an! !o 5AR A.6. No. 9, !he la!!er as no! %e! eclare #ncons!i!#!ional -% !his Co#r!. The

irs! CA 5ecision as ro'#l$a!e on Aril 29, 200


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no! i!ho#! ece!ion,


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3.8 cl#sion ro' CAR coera$e o a$ric#l!#ral lan #se or lies!oc/, sine, an o#l!r% raisin$.

Th#s, e canno!, i!ho#! $oin$ a$ains! !he la, ar-i!raril% s!ri !he 5AR Secre!ar% o his le$al 'ana!e !o eercise

#risic!ion an a#!hori!% oer all A) cases. To s#cc#'- !o e!i!ionerBs con!en!ion !ha!when a #and is dec#ared e!emt

from the 'AR on the %ro"nd that it is not a%ric"#t"ra# as of the time the 'AR( too$ effect, the "se and disosition of that

#and is entire#* and forever be*ond DAR:s ;"risdiction is an$ero#s, s#$$es!ie o selre$#la!ion. recisel%, i! is !he

5AR Secre!ar% ho is es!e i!h s#ch #risic!ion an a#!hori!% !o ee'! anor ecl#e a roer!% ro' CAR

coera$e -ase on !he ac!#al circ#'s!ances o each case an in accorance i!h la an alica-le #risr#ence. )n

ai!ion, al-ei! aren!he!icall%, Secre!ar% illa ha alrea% $ran!e !he conersion in!o resien!ial an $ol co#rses #se o

nearl% onehal o !he en!ire area ori$inall% clai'e as ee'! ro' CAR coera$e -eca#se i! as alle$el% eo!e !o

lies!oc/ ro#c!ion.

)n s#', e in no reersi-le error in !he assaile A'ene 5ecision an Resol#!ion o !he CA hich o#l

arran! !he 'oiica!ion, '#ch less !he reersal, !hereo.

WHEREFORE, !he e!i!ion is DENIEDan !he Co#r! o Aeals A'ene 5ecision a!e 6c!o-er 4, 200 an

Resol#!ion a!e arch 27, 2008 areAFFIRMED.

G.R. No. 1&1% O)oe! 22% 1&&2

CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY *0. DARAB% e).#'.

FACTS: The e)()(oe!% )4e CMU%is an a$ric#l!#ral e#ca!ion ins!i!#!ion one an r#n -% !he es!a!e loca!e in !he !on

o #s#an, ?#/inon roince. )! s!ar!e as a ar' school a! arila$, ?#/inon, in earl% 1910, in resonse !o !he #-lic

e'an or an a$ric#l!#ral school in inanao. )n !he earl% 190Bs, i! as coner!e in!o a colle$e #n!il i! -eca'e ha! is

no /non as !he CJ, -#! s!ill ri'aril% an a$ric#l!#ral #niersi!%. 6n *an#ar% 1, 19


15/21

!er'ina!ion or seara!ion ro' !he serice an !he alle$e harass'en! -% school a#!hori!ies, all con!ri-#!e !o, an

recii!a!e !he ilin$ o, !he co'lain!.

ISSUES:

1.; =he!her or no! !he 5ARA? has #risic!ion !o hear an ecie Case No. 00< or 5eclara!ion o S!a!#s o Tenan!s

an coera$e o lan #ner !he CAR.

2.; =he!her or no! resonen! Co#r! o Aeals co''i!!e serio#s errors an $rae a-#se o iscre!ion a'o#n!in$ !o

lac/ o #risic!ion in is'issin$ !he e!i!ion or Reie on Cer!iorari an air'in$ !he ecision o 5ARA?.

RULING:5ARA? *JR)S5)CT)6N ))T5 6NQ T6 ATTRS )N6)NG )NTAT)6N 6F CAR. Jner

Sec!ion 4 an Sec!ion 10 o R.A.


16/21

A!er ines!i$a!ion, AR6 *acin!o R. iosa, sen! a No!ice o Coera$e !o resonen! 5CS, s!a!in$ !ha! !he lans are

coere -% CAR an ini!in$ i!s reresen!a!ies or a conerence i!h !he ar'er -eneiciaries. Then, AR6 iosa

s#-'i!!e his reor! !o 6)CAR6 S!ehen . eonias, ho reco''ene !o !he 5AR Re$ional 5irec!or !he aroal

o !he coera$e o !he lanholin$s.

A#$#s! 7, 1998: 5AR Re$ional 5irec!or Anres aroe !he reco''ena!ion an irec!e roincial A$rarian Reor'

6ice !o acili!a!e ac"#isi!ion an is!ri-#!ion o lanholin$s !o "#aliie -eneiciaries.

5CS aeale !he case !o !he Secre!ar% o A$rarian Reor' hich air'e !he 6rer o !he Re$ional 5irec!or.

A$$riee 5CS ile a e!i!ion or certiorarii!h !he Co#r! o Aeals, hich se! asie !he ecision o !he Secre!ar% o

A$rarian Reor'. +ence, !he ins!an! e!i!ion or reie.

ISSUES:

1. =he!her or no! !he s#-ec! roer!ies are ee'! ro' !he coera$e o Re#-lic Ac! No. >57 se!s o#! !he coera$e o CAR. The ro$ra' shall: H coer, re$arless o !en#rial arran$e'en! an

co''oi!% ro#ce, all"b#ican ria!e a$ric#l!#ral lans as roie in rocla'a!ion No. 131 an ec#!ie 6rer

No. 229, incl#in$ o!her lans o !he #-lic o'ain s#i!a-le or a$ric#l!#re.

Fo''o?(6 '#30 #!e o*e!e3 $ )4e Co/!e4e0(*e A6!#!(# Reo!/ P!o6!#/:

a; All aliena-le an isosa-le lans o !he #-lic o'ain eo!e !o or s#i!a-le or a$ric#l!#re. No

reclassiica!ion o ores! or 'ineral lans !o a$ric#l!#ral lans shall -e #ner!a/en a!er !he aroal o !hisAc! #n!il Con$ress, !a/in$ in!o acco#n!, ecolo$ical, eelo'en!al an e"#i!% consiera!ions, shall hae

e!er'ine -% la, !he seciic li'i!s o !he #-lic o'ain>

-; All lans o !he #-lic o'ain in ecess o !he seciic li'i!s as e!er'ine -% Con$ress in !he

recein$ ara$rah>

c; All o!her lans one -% !he Goern'en! eo!e !o or s#i!a-le or a$ric#l!#re> an

; All ria!e lans eo!e !o or s#i!a-le or a$ric#l!#re re$arless o !he a$ric#l!#ral ro#c!s raise or

!ha! can -e raise !hereon.

Sec!ion 3c;: #6!("')"!#' '#3 lan eo!e !o a$ric#l!#ral ac!ii!% as eine in !his Ac! an no! classiie as

'ineral, ores!, resien!ial, co''ercial or in#s!rial lan.

@#6!("')"!e o! @#6!("')"!#' #)(*()$ 'eans !he c#l!ia!ion o !he soil, lan!in$ o cros, $roin$ o r#i! !rees,

raisin$ o lies!oc/, o#l!r% or ish, incl#in$ !he hares!in$ o s#ch ar' ro#c!s, an o!her ar' ac!ii!ies, an rac!iceseror'e -% a ar'er in con#nc!ion i!h s#ch ar'in$ oera!ions one -% ersons he!her na!#ral or #riical.

The recors o !he case sho !ha! !he s#-ec! roer!ies ere or'erl% ria!e a$ric#l!#ral lans one -% !he la!e

s!e-an *alanoni, an ere ona!e !o resonen! 5CS. Fro' !ha! !i'e #n!il !he% ere lease !o An$lo A$ric#l!#ra

Corora!ion, !he lans con!in#e !o -e a$ric#l!#ral ri'aril% lan!e !o s#$arcane, al-ei! ar! o !he #-lic o'ain -ein$

one -% an a$enc% o !he $oern'en!. There is no le$isla!ie or resien!ial ac!, -eore an a!er !he enac!'en! o R.A.No. >57 en#'era!es !he !%es o '#30 ?4(4 #!e ee/)e3 !o/ )4e o*e!#6e o CARPas

ell as !he #roses o !heir ee'!ion:

c; ans ac!#all%, irec!l% an ecl#siel% #se an o#n !o -e necessar% or na!ional eense,schoo# sites and

cam"ses, inc#"din% e!erimenta# farm stations oerated b* "b#ic or rivate schoo#s for ed"cationa# "roses,H , shall-e ee'! ro' !he coera$e o !his Ac!.


17/21

)n orer !o -e ee'! ro' !he coera$e: 1; !he lan '#s! -e act"a##*, direct#*, and e!c#"sive#* "sed andfo"nd to be

necessar*7an2; !he #rose is for schoo# sites and cam"ses, inc#"din% e!erimenta# farm stations oerated b* "b#ic

or rivate schoo#s for ed"cationa# "roses.

The i'or!ance o !he hrase act"a##*, direct#*, and e!c#"sive#* "sed andfo"nd to be necessar* canno! -e

#ners!a!e. The ors o !he la are clear an #na'-i$#o#s. The lain 'eanin$ r#le orverba #e%isis

alica-le. =here !he ors o a s!a!#!e are clear, lain an ree ro' a'-i$#i!%, i! '#s! -e $ien i!s li!eral 'eanin$ an

alie i!ho#! a!!e'!e in!erre!a!ion.

=e are no! #naare o o#r r#lin$ in !he case o 'entra# indanao niversit* v. Deartment of A%rarian Reform

Ad;"dication -oard, herein e eclare !he lan s#-ec! ee'! ro' CAR coera$e. +oeer, 5CS reliance is'islace -eca#se !he ac!#al circ#'s!ances are ieren! in !he case a! -ar.

1st, in !he 'case, !he lan inole as no! aliena-le an isosa-le lan o !he #-lic o'ain -eca#se i! as

resere -% !he la!e resien! Carlos . Garcia #ner roc. No. 47 or !he #se o inanao A$ric#l!#ral Colle$e no

CJ;. )n !his case, hoeer, !he lans all #ner !he ca!e$or% o aliena-le an isosa-le lans o !he #-lic o'ain

s#i!a-le or a$ric#l!#re.

>57:

SCT)6N 1


18/21

G.R. No. 10312


19/21

G.R. No. 149


20/21

5. R6(AS K& C6.L )SRA?Q FA)5 T6 )5NT)FQ SJ?*CT 6TS ?6T+ )N ARAS C6R5 AN5

6CAT)6NS.

)). GRANT)NGAR@/NDO T+AT T+ SJ?*CT NASJG?J JN)C)A D6N)NG 6R5)NANC N6. 4,

SR)S 6F 1982 )S A A)5 ?AS)S F6R (T)6N FR6 CAR C6RAG 6F SJ?*CT ARCS 6F

AN5, AN5 FJRT+R GRANT)NGAR@/NDO T+AT R6(AS =AS A? T6 R6 T+AT T+ SJ?*CT

6TS AR =)T+)N T+ JKRL6RT5 JR?AN C6R D6N . . ., ST) T+ KC6JRTL C6)TT5 A

RRS)? RR6R )N J+65)NG T+ C6JRT 6F AAS AN5 T+ 5AR SCRTARQBKSL 6R5R 6F

CAR (T)6N =)T+6JT 6?SR)NG T+ R)G+T 6F T+ FARR?NF)C)AR)S T6 R6C5JRA

5J R6CSS.

reli'inaril%, !he Co#r! enies Roas & Co.Bsotion to ?o#d in Abe*ance the Reso#"tion of its ear#ier otion for

Reconsideration or lac/ o 'eri!. Roas & Co. as/s !he Co#r! !o hol i!s #$'en! on i!s 'o!ion or reconsiera!ion

enin$ !he o#!co'e o i!s alica!ion i!h !he To#ris' )nras!r#c!#re an n!errise Done A#!hori!% T)DA; or !he

esi$na!ion o Io#r!een B$eo$rahic areasB o !he Roas roer!ies as K!o#ris' en!errise EonesL, #rs#an! !o . . . !he

To#ris' Ac!.I

)! -ears s!ressin$ !ha! Roas & Co.Bs enin$ alica!ion i!h T)DA is !o!all% i''a!erial !o !he resol#!ion o !he

resen! e!i!ions hich ele 'ainl% on !he iss#e o he!her !he s#-ec! lans are ee'! ro' Co'rehensie A$rarian

Reor' ro$ra' CAR; coera$e.

+AT)Cc

=hile !he Co#r! ac/nole$e !he assa$e o !he To#ris' Ac! as ano!her ehicle or o!en!ial !o#ris' areas !o -e

ee'!e ro' CAR coera$e, !ha! i no! in an% a% rono#nce as 'eri!orio#s Roas & Co.Bs s#-se"#en! alica!ion

i!h !he T)DA !o eclare i!s roer!ies as !o#ris' en!errise Eones. Tha! is or !he T)DA, no! !his Co#r!, !o e!er'ine.

=ha!eer ecision !he T)DA reners in Roas & Co.Bs alica!ion oes no! in an% a% aec! !he 'eri!s o !hese

consolia!e cases.

Roas & Co. canno! hae i! -o!h a%s. )! '#s! ei!her Eealo#sl% ar$#e i!s le$al osi!ion i i! -eliees i! !o -e 'eri!orio#s

or al!o$e!her a-anon i! i i! has resera!ions. )!sotion to ?o#d in Abe*ance the Reso#"tion of its ear#ier otion for

Reconsideration eec!iel% coaes !he Co#r! !o ai! or !he o#!co'e o i!s T)DA alica!ion an #l!i'a!el% ela% !he

inal resol#!ion o !hese consolia!e cases.

6n Roas & Co.Bsotion for Reconsideration, no s#-s!an!ial ar$#'en!s ere raise !o arran! a reconsiera!ion o

!he 5ecision. Theotion con!ains 'erel% an a'liica!ion o !he 'ain ar$#'en!s an ac!#al 'a!!ers alrea% s#-'i!!e !o

an rono#nce i!ho#! 'eri! -% !he Co#r! in i!s 5ecision. )n !he Co#r!Bs consiere ie, no!hin$ 'ore is le! !o -e

isc#sse, clariie or one in !hese cases since all !he 'ain iss#es raise hae -een asse #on an eini!el% resole.

Roas & Co. raises !he rin$e iss#e !ha! 5AR e'oran#' Circ#lar No. 7 Series o 2004; has no orce an eec!

since !he sai 5AR e'oran#' Circ#lar as no! #-lishe an ile i!h !he 6ice o !he Na!ional A'inis!ra!ie

Re$is!er.

The con!en!ion ails. )! sho#l -e s!resse !ha! !here is no nee or !he #-lica!ion an ilin$ o !he sai 5ARe'oran#' Circ#lar i!h !he 6NAR as i! is 'erel% an a'inis!ra!ie in!erre!a!ion. 2

)n!erre!a!ie r#le . . . . is ro'#l$a!e -% !he a'inis!ra!ie a$enc% !o in!erre!, clari% or elain s!a!#!or% re$#la!ions

#ner hich !he a'inis!ra!ie -o% oera!es. The #rose or o-ec!ie o an in!erre!a!ie r#le is 'erel% !o cons!r#e !he

s!a!#!e -ein$ a'inis!ere. )! #ror!s !o o no 'ore !han in!erre! !he s!a!#!e. Si'l%, !he r#les !ries !o sa% ha! !he

s!a!#!e 'eans. Generall%, i! reers !o no sin$le erson or ar!% in ar!ic#lar -#! concerns all !hose -elon$in$ !o !he sa'e

class hich 'a% -e coere -% !he sai in!erre!a!ie r#le. I) ee3 o) e "'(04e3 #3 e()4e! (0 # 4e#!(6 !e9"(!e3


21/21

0(e () (0 (00"e3 $ )4e #3/((0)!#)(*e o3$ #0 # ((3e) o ()0 o?e! )o eo!e )4e '#? #3 (0 ()e3e3 /e!e'$ )o

'#!($ 0)#)")o!$ !o*(0(o0 o! !oe! o0e!*#e $ )4e eo'e. . . . . 3'hasis an #nerscorin$ s#lie;

Roas & Co. $oes on !o con!en !ha! i!s lia-ili!% !o a% is!#r-ance co'ensa!ion is li'i!e !o i!sa$ric#l!#ral

lessees onl% an no! !o ar'er-eneiciaries, ci!in$ Re#-lic Ac! No. 3844 RA 3844;, as a'ene, an -aca#in% v.

"*a. 4

Roas & Co. is 'erel% ni!ic/in$ on !he iss#e. Since !he 5AR ha ini!iall% iss#e C6As !o !he ar'er-eneiciarieso !he nine arcels o lan in?acienda a#ico, !he assaile 5ecision 'erel% rei!era!e !he ori$inal esi$na!ion o !he

aec!e inii#als as ar'er-eneiciaries ho sho#l -e en!i!le !o is!#r-ance co'ensa!ion -eore !he cancella!ion o

!heir resec!ie C6As is eec!e. This is in #rs#ance o !he irec!ie o 5AR A'inis!ra!ie 6rer No. Series o

1994; hich 'ana!es !he a%'en! o is!#r-ance co'ensa!ion -eore Roas & Co.Bs alica!ion or ee'!ion 'a% -e

co'le!el% $ran!e.

As or !heotion for artia# Reconsideration o 5A?ANFS= an PAA+AR), et a#., !he sa'e li/eise ails as

i! onl% rehashes earlier ar$#'en!s hich hae -een ae"#a!el% asse #on -% !he Co#r!. No!a-l%, !he 'ain ar$#'en!s

raise -% !he o!ion are eien!iar% in na!#re !ha! hae -een resole -% !he 5AR Secre!ar%, hose ecision on ac!#al

con!roersies esere #!'os! resec!, i no! inali!%.

Finall%, !he Co#r! rei!era!es !he elana!ion o !he 5AR Secre!ar% h% C6A holers nee no! -e inor'e o !he

enin$ alica!ion or ee'!ion, !o i!:

As re$ars !he irs! $ro#n raise -% K5A?ANSF=;, i! sho#l -e re'e'-ere !ha! an alica!ion or CAR

ee'!ion #rs#an! !o 56* 6inion No. 44, series o 1990, as i'le'en!e -% 5AR A'inis!ra!ie 6rer No. , series

o 1994, is nonaersarial or nonli!i$io#s in na!#re. +ence, alican! is correc! in sa%in$ !ha! nohere in !he r#les is i!

re"#ire !ha! occ#an!s o a lanholin$ sho#l -e no!iie o an ini!ia!e or enin$ ee'!ion alica!ion.

=i!h re$ar K!oL !he alle$a!ion !ha! oosi!ors'oan!s are alrea% C6A holers o s#-ec! roer!KiesL an esere !o

-e no!iie, as oners, o !he ini!ia!e "#es!ione ee'!ion alica!ion, is o no 'o'en!. The S#re'e Co#r! in !he case

oRo!as BC 'o., 6nc. v. 'o"rt of Aea#s, 321 SCRA 10, hel: aCS+)

I=e s!ress !ha! !he ail#re o resonen! 5AR !o co'l% i!h !he re"#isi!es o #e rocess in !he ac"#isi!ion roceein$s

oes no! $ie !his Co#r! !he oer !o n#lli% !he C6ABs alrea% iss#e !o !he ar'er -eneiciaries. . . . . An%ho, !he

ar'erKL-eneiciaries hol !he roer!% in !r#s! or !he ri$h!#l oner o !he lan.I

Since s#-ec! lanholin$ has -een alil% e!er'ine !o -e CARee'!, !hereore, !he reio#s iss#ance o !he C6A

o oosi!ors'oan!s is erroneo#s. +ence, si'ilar !o !he si!#a!ion o !he a-oe"#o!e S#re'e Co#r! 5ecision,

oosi!ors'oan!s onl% hol !he roer!% in !r#s! or !he ri$h!#l oners o !he lan an are no! !he oners o s#-ec!

lanholin$ ho sho#l -e no!iie o !he ee'!ion alica!ion o alican! Roas & Co'an%, )ncorora!e.

Finall%, !his 6ice ins no s#-s!an!ial -asis !o reerse !he assaile 6rers since !here is s#-s!an!ial co'liance -% !he

alican! i!h !he re"#ire'en!s or !he iss#ance o ee'!ion clearance #ner 5AR A6 1994;.

agra cases 2

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