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7/21/2019 Meridien Case SP120236-3
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Court of AppealsMANILA
FORMER SPECIAL SIXTH DIVISION
MERIDIEN VISTA GAMING
CORPORATION,
Petitioner,
- versus -
HON. LEILA M. DE LIMA, in her
!"!i#$ !s Sere#!r$ %& #he
De"!r#'en# %& (us#ie )DO(*, HON.
(ESSE M. ROBREDO, in his !"!i#$
!s Sere#!r$ %& #he De"!r#'en# %&In#eri%r !n+ L%! G%vern'en# )DILG*,
!n+ ! "ers%ns !#in un+er #heir
%n#r% !n+ +ire#i%n, inu+in #he
ee'en#s %& #he Phii""ine N!#i%n!
P%ie !n+ %#her ! en&%re'en#
!enies %& #he N!#i%n!
G%vern'en#,
Respondents.
CA-G.R. SP NO. 120236
Me'/ers0
ENRIQUEZ, JR ., Ch!ir"ers%n
BATO, (R., R. M., !n+
1LANTION, (. A. C., ((.
Promulgat!"
20 SEP#E$%ER 2011
2- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
R E S O & U # I O N
ENRIQUEZ, JR., J."
This is ! s"ei! ivi !#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+ Pr%hi/i#i%n un+er Rule
65 %& #he 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended , hih see3s #%
44444444444444444444444
* Vice J. lorito !. "acalino, per #ffice #rder $o. %1&'11 A(R dated Jul) %1, %&11.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 6
R E S O L U T I O N
!nnu !n+ se# !si+e #he )5* O"ini%n N%. 6:, Series %& 6755, +!#e+ (une 68,
6755, )re&erre+ #% !s O"ini%n N%. 6:*, issue+ /$ H%n%r!/e Sere#!r$ Lei!
M. De Li'! )here!&#er Sere#!r$ De Li'!* %& #he De"!r#'en# %& (us#ie
)DO(* !n+ #he )6* (%in# DO(-DILG Me'%r!n+u' T% A Pu/i Pr%seu#%rs,
! En&%re'en# O&&iers !n+ L%! G%vern'en# E2eu#ives, +!#e+ (une 6;,
6755 )re&erre+ #% !s (%in# Me'%r!n+u'*, issue+ /$ Sere#!r$ De Li'! !n+
H%n%r!/e Sere#!r$ (esse M. R%/re+% )here!&#er Sere#!r$ R%/re+%* %& #he
De"!r#'en# %& In#eri%r !n+ L%! %vern'en# )DILG*. The res"e#ive
"er#inen# "%r#i%ns #here%& !re, !s &%%s0
<Fr%' #he &%re%in +isussi%n, $%ur =uer$ is !nsere+
#hus0
5. CE>A is !u#h%ri?e+ #% iense !n+ r!n# ! @!i-!!i &r!nhise
#% Meri+ien, in !%r+!ne i#h #he &in! !n+ e2eu#%r$ O#%/er
87, 677 Deisi%n %& #he RTC %& A"!rri, /u# s% !u#h%ri?e+
Meri+ien #% %"er!#e %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in!'in s#!#i%ns only i
it is !llo"ed #y l!", in !%r+!ne i#h CE>As %n Fe/ru!r$6, 677 Cer#i&i!#i%n issue+ #% Meri+ien.
6. H%ever, sine n% ! !%s #he %"er!#i%n %& %&&-&r%n#%n
/e##in s#!#i%ns, !s in &!# #he$ !re "r%hi/i#e+ !n+ ri'in!i?e+
un+er Se. %& RA :, Meri+ien !n %n$ se#-u" i#s @!i-!!i
/e##in!'in s#!#i%ns "it$in t$e pre%ises o t$e pl!&e,
en&los're, or ronton "$ere t$e #!s('e pelot! )!%e is $eld ,
i.e., insi+e i#s @!i-!!i &r%n#%n %!#e+ i#hin #he C!!$!n
Free"%r# >%ne, !nd no"$ere else o'tside s!id ronton, in
!%r+!ne i#h #he #er's !n+ %n+i#i%ns %& i#s CE>A iense!s i# !s u"he+ in #he !ses %& Meri+ien v. CE>A !n+ CE>A v.
Meri+ien.
<In ih# %& #his %"ini%n, #he &%%in ui+eines !re
/ein issue+ &r%' %'"i!ne /$ %! e2eu#ives, !
en&%rers, !n+ "u/i "r%seu#%rs0
5. A""i!#i%ns &%r /usiness "er'i#s &ie+ /$ Meri+ien i#h #he
LGUs, !s e !s e2is#in LGU /usiness "er'i#s !re!+$ issue+
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 8
R E S O L U T I O N
#% Meri+ien, sh%u+ /e +enie+ %r !nee+, !s #he !se '!$ /e,
"ursu!n# #% Ses. !n+ ; %& RA : hih '!3es i# ! ri'in!
%&&ense #% #!3e /e#s %r !ers %u#si+e #he @!i-!!i &r%n#%n here
#he !'e is he+, hih neess!ri$ inu+es #he es#!/ish'en#
!n+ %"er!#i%n %& %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in !n+ !'in s#!#i%ns, i#h
%r i#h%u# #he use %& ! #%#!i?!#%r %r !n$ %#her +evie %r s$s#e'.
The %nerne+ LGUs here %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in !n+ !'in
s#!#i%ns h!ve !re!+$ /een %"er!#in sh! re=uire #he !ssis#!ne%& #he PNP !n+ %#her ! en&%re'en# !enies in #he %sure %&
%&&-&r%n#%n s#!#i%ns, #he sei?ure %& #%#!i?!#%rs, +evies, %r
s$s#e's u#ii?e+ &%r #!3in /e#s !n+ !ers, !s e !s %#her
&!ii#ies use+ !s 'e!ns &%r %''i##in #he %&&ense "en!i?e+
un+er RA :, !n+ #he !rres# %& #heir %"er!#%rs !n+ '!in#!iners.
6. The Phii""ine N!#i%n! P%ie !n+ %#her ! en&%re'en#
!enies %& #he %vern'en# !re +ire#e+ #% "r%ee+ i#h #he
se!rh !n+ sei?ure %& %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns, i.e., @!i-!!i /e##in !n+ !'in s#!#i%ns %!#e+ outside %& Meri+iens
C!!$!n Free"%r# &r%n#%n en%sure, in !%r+!ne i#h Rue
569 %& #he Revise+ Rues %& Cri'in! Pr%e+ure, "!r#iu!r$
Se#i%n 8 #here%& %n Personal Propert) to +e !eied-, !s e
!s e&&e# #he !rres# !n+ "r%seu#i%n %& %"er!#%rs !n+ '!in#!iners
%& %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in !n+ !'in s#!#i%ns, he#her %r n%# #he$
!re u#ii?in #%#!i?!#%rs %r %#her +evies !n+ s$s#e's, &%r
vi%!#i%n %& Se#i%n %& RA :.
O&&-&r%n#%n /e##in !#ivi#ies %n+u#e+ in flarante delicto, %rin "!in vie, %r %"en$ in "u/i, even hen %n+u#e+ i#hin
"riv!#e "re'ises, !re #% /e %nsi+ere+ ri'es /ein %''i##e+
%r h!ve @us# /een %''i##e+ un+er iru's#!nes %& "ers%n!
3n%e+e !n+ "r%/!/e !use, !s '!$ /e !""i!/e, in
!%r+!ne i#h Se. %& Rue 558 %& #he Revise+ Rues %&
Cri'in! Pr%e+ure, !n+ #he neess!r$ !rres# !n+ se!rh !n+
sei?ure ini+en#! #% #he !rres# '!$ #hus /e e&&e#e+ i#h%u#
nee+ %& @u+ii! !rr!n#s.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 :
R E S O L U T I O N
These !#i%ns sh! /e un+er#!3en re!r+ess %& he#her %r
n%# #he %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns !re !s% /ein use+ &%r %#her
ie! !'/in !#ivi#ies, !s #he '!in#en!ne !n+ %"er!#i%n %&
#hese /e##in s#!#i%ns !re per se ie! !n+ "unish!/e /$ !,
/u# #h%se &%un+ %''i##in !#s %& ie! !'/in %#her #h!n
vi%!#i%ns %& RA : sh! /e se"!r!#e$ h!re+ i#h #he
!++i#i%n! %&&ense, in !%r+!ne i#h Se#i%n 58, Rue 557 %&
#he Revise+ Rues %& Cri'in! Pr%e+ure.
8. Pu/i "r%seu#%rs !re +ire#e+ #% %n+u# e2"e+i#i%us$ #he
neess!r$ in=ues# %r "rei'in!r$ inves#i!#i%n "r%ee+ins
!!ins# #h%se !rres#e+ &%r vi%!#i%n %& Se#i%n %& RA :, !n+
#% "r%vi+e #he neess!r$ su""%r# #% ! en&%re'en# %&&ii!s
!n+ "ers%nne in #he "r%seu#i%n %& %"er!#%rs !n+ '!in#!iners
%& %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns. In n% !se sh! #he ri'in!
%'"!in# !!ins# s!i+ in+ivi+u!s /e +is'isse+ %n #he 'ere
r%un+ %r inv%!#i%n %& Meri+iens CE>A iense %r #he RTC %&
A"!rris in@un#i%n %r+er in Meri+ien v. GAB.
Cri'in! !se &ie+ %r #% /e &ie+ /$ Meri+ien, i#s %&&ii!s, %r
!en#s, %r !n$ "ers%n !#in in #heir s#e!+ %r in#eres#, !!ins#
%! e2eu#ives %r ! en&%re'en# %&&ii!s in #he %urse %&
#he !##ers !#i%ns #% e&&e# #he %sure !n+ sei?ure %& Meri+iens
%&&-&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns, %r #he !rres# %& #heir %"er!#%rs !n+
'!in#!iners, !re #% /e %nsi+ere+ h!r!ss'en# !ses, si'i!r #%
S#r!#ei !sui#s A!ins# Pu/i P!r#ii"!#i%n )SLAPP* sui#s,
!n+ sh%u+ /e +e!# i#h e2"e+i#i%us$ !n+ +is'isse+
!%r+in$ in !%r+!ne i#h Se#i%n 8 )/* %& Rue 556 %& #heRevise+ Rues %& Cri'in! Pr%e+ure, !s '!$ /e !""r%"ri!#e
un+er #he iru's#!nes.
A !#i%ns &in+in "r%/!/e !use !!ins# ! en&%re'en#
%&&ii!s, i& !n$, sh! /e %nsi+ere+ !u#%'!#i!$ !""e!e+ #%
#he Sere#!r$ %& (us#ie !n+ #he re%r+s &%r!r+e+ !%r+in$.
The %verin 'e'%r!n+u' &%r!r+in #he re%r+s %& suh
!ses sh! i#e #his ui+eine +esri/in #he !se !s ! Meri+ien
%'"!in#.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689
R E S O L U T I O N
A##!he+ is ! %"$ %& DO( O"ini%n N%. 6:, s. 6755 %n #he
'!##er !# h!n+, &%r &ur#her re&erene !n+ ui+!ne %& !
%nerne+.
Pe!se /e ui+e+ !%r+in$.
The &!#u! !n#ee+en#s %& #he !se, !s ue+ &r%' #he re%r+s !re, !s
&%%s0
On M!rh :, 5, RA N%. ;66, %#herise 3n%n !s #he <C!!$!n
S"ei! E%n%'i >%ne A# %& 5 !s en!#e+ in#% !. The s!i+ !
es#!/ishe+ #he C!!$!n Free"%r# E%n%'i >%ne )CE>A* !n+ !u#h%ri?es i#,
!'%n %#hers, <#% %"er!#e %n i#s %n, ei#her +ire#$ %r #hr%uh ! su/si+i!r$
en#i#$, %r iense #% %#hers, #%uris'-re!#e+ !#ivi#ies, inu+in !'es,
!'use'en#s, rere!#i%n! !n+ s"%r#s &!ii#ies, suh !s h%rse r!in, +%
r!in, !'/in !sin%s, %& %urses, !n+ %#hers, un+er "ri%ri#ies !n+
s#!n+!r+s se# /$ #he CE>A.
The Meri+ien Vis#! G!'in C%r"%r!#i%n )here!&#er Meri+ien* is !
+%'es#i %r"%r!#i%n e2is#in un+er #he !s %& #he Phii""ines !n+ urren#$
en!e+ in !'in !#ivi#ies i#hin !n+ %u#si+e #he C!!$!n S"ei!
E%n%'i >%ne !n+ Free"%r#. Meri+ien !s !/e #% %n+u# @!i-!!i !'in
%"er!#i%ns i#hin #he &ree"%r# !n+ es#!/ish /e##in s#!#i%ns in su""%r#
#here#% #hr%uh #he iense %/#!ine+ &r%' #he C!!$!n E2"%r# >%ne
Au#h%ri#$ )CE>A*.
U"%n in=uir$ reeive+ /$ CE>A %n #he &e!si/ii#$ %& %"er!#in ! @!i-
!!i &r%n#%n i#hin #he ?%ne, %n N%ve'/er 66, 677;, #he O&&ie %& #heG%vern'en# C%r"%r!#e C%unse )OGCC*, #hr%uh A/er#% Ar!, issue+
O"ini%n N%. 65, Series %& 677;. I# "er#inen#$ "r%vi+es #h!# CE>A h!s #he
eis!#ive &r!nhise #% %"er!#e !n+%r iense @!i-!!i, inu+in #he !u#h%ri#$
#% es#!/ish, '!n!e !n+ %"er!#e @!i-!!i /e##in s#!#i%ns %!#e+ insi+e !n+
%u#si+e #he C!!$!n S"ei! E%n%'i >%ne !n+ Free P%r# )CSE>P*.
A#in %n #he !""i!#i%n %& Meri+ien, %n Fe/ru!r$ 69, 677, CE>A
issue+ ! Pr%visi%n! Liense e&&e#ive &%r si2 )9* '%n#hs =u!i&$in Meri+ien
!s ! C!!$!n S"ei! E%n%'i >%ne !n+ Free"%r# En#er"rise en!e+ in!'in %"er!#i%ns.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 9
R E S O L U T I O N
In M!rh 677, #he CE>A B%!r+ r!n#e+ Meri+ien #he !u#h%ri#$ !n+
iense #% %"er!#e @!i-!!i !n+ ! i#s +eriv!#ives %n !n e2usive /!sis &%r !
"eri%+ %& #en#$-&ive )6* $e!rs &r%' +!#e %& !#u! %"er!#i%n. CE>A
i3eise, !u#h%ri?e+ Meri+ien #% es#!/ish !n+ se# u" ! @!i-!!i &r%n#%n i#hin
#he Free"%r#, !n+ %#her su""%r# servie &!ii#ies in %nne#i%n i#h #he
+eve%"'en#, %"er!#i%n !n+ %n+u# %& @!i-!!i i#h #he CSE>P.
On Fe/ru!r$ 6, 677, #he CE>A issue+ ! er#i&i!#i%n !##es#in #h!#
Meri+ien is iense+ /$ #he CE>A #% %n+u# !'in %"er!#i%ns in #heC!!$!n Free"%r# !n+ se# u" /e##in s#!#i%ns in !n$ "!e !s '!$ /e !%e+
/$ ! in su""%r# %& #he @!i-!!i %n+u#e+. Meri+ien #hen se# u" &ie+ #es#in
%& %&&si#e !'in s#!#i%ns in #he "r%vines %& Is!/e!, C!'!rines Sur !n+
Nuev! Vi?!$!, ! %u#si+e #he C!!$!n Free"%r# Are!. The CE>A issue+ !
se%n+ er#i&i!#i%n !u#h%ri?in Meri+ien #% %n+u# !'in %"er!#i%ns in
#he C!!$!n Free"%r# !n+ se# u" /e##in s#!#i%ns in !n$ "!e !s '!$ /e
!%e+ /$ !.
On M!rh 85, 677, #he OGCC &urnishe+ CE>A O"ini%n N%. 9;,Series %& 677, hih "r%vi+es #h!# #he <CE>A !s n%# s% e'"%ere+ #%
!u#h%ri?e, iense, %"er!#e !n+ reu!#e @!i-!!i. In vie %& #he s!i+ %"ini%n,
%n A"ri 5, 677, CE>A %r+ere+ Meri+ien #% i''e+i!#e$ e!se !n+ +esis#
&r%' ! i#s /usiness %"er!#i%ns.
Thus, Meri+ien !s %'"ee+ #% see3 @u+ii! reie& /$ &iin !
C%'"!in# &%r M!n+!'us )i#h "r!$er &%r #he issu!ne %& ! Te'"%r!r$
Res#r!inin Or+er )TRO* !n+ ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n* !!ins# CE>A
/e&%re #he Rei%n! Tri! C%ur# )RTC*, Br!nh ;, A"!rri, C!!$!n, +%3e#e+
!s Civi C!se N%. 55-:;:.
In !n Or+er +!#e+ A"ri , 677, #he RTC %& A"!rri issue+ ! TRO,
#hus0
<In #he 'e!n#i'e, !n+ in %r+er #% '!in#!in #he s#!#us =u%
s% !s n%# #% ren+er !n$ res%u#i%n %r %r+er %& #his C%ur# in
res"e# i#h #he !&%re'en#i%ne+ in@un#ive "r%ee+ins '%%#
!n+ !!+e'i, res"%n+en# CE>A !n+ ! "ers%ns !#in un+er
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 ;
R E S O L U T I O N
i#s %n#r% !n+ +ire#i%n inu+in #he ee'en#s %& #he Phii""ine
N!#i%n! P%ie !n+ %#her ! en&%re'en# !enies %& #he
%vern'en#, !re here/$ en@%ine+ !n+ res#r!ine+ &%r ! n%n-
e2#en+i/e "eri%+ %& #en#$ )67* +!$s &r%' s#%""in #he
G!'in O"er!#i%ns %& #he "e#i#i%ner, %r uness !n$ %#her %r+er
is issue+ /$ #his C%ur# +urin s!i+ #en#$ )67* +!$ "eri%+ ei#her
#% "re-#er'in!#e s!i+ res#r!inin %r+er, %r is re"!e+ /$ !n%#her
ri# !s '!$ /e !""i!/e.
ACCOR'ING&(, !s ! %n+i#i%n &%r #he e2eu#i%n !n+
i'"e'en#!#i%n %& #he #e'"%r!r$ res#r!inin %r+er, "e#i#i%ner is
here/$ +ire#e+ !n+ re=uire+ #% "%s# #% )6* Mii%n Pes%s /%n+
#% #he O&&ie %& #he Cer3 %& C%ur#, A"!rri, C!!$!n #% !nser
&%r !n$ +!'!e #he res"%n+en# '!$ su&&er !s ! %nse=uene %&
#he issu!ne %& s!i+ ri#.
SO OR'ERE'.
On A"ri 66, 677, #he RTC %& A"!rri, i3eise, r!n#e+ #he
!""i!#i%n &%r ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n, #hus0
<)*ERE+ORE, "e#i#i%ners !""i!#i%n &%r #he issu!ne
%& ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ M!n+!#%r$ In@un#i%n is here/$
GRAN#E'. Un#i &ur#her %r+ers &r%' #his C%ur#, res"%n+en#
!n+ ! "ers%ns !#in un+er i#s %n#r% !n+ +ire#i%n !re here/$
+ire#e+ #% !% #he "e#i#i%ner #% %n#inue i#h i#s !'in
%"er!#i%ns inu+in #he #es#in %& s%&#!re !n+
#ee%''uni!#i%n in&r!s#ru#ure re!#ive #here#%. The /%n+e!rier issue+ /$ #he "e#i#i%n #% !nser &%r !n$ +!'!es #h!#
'!$ /e sus#!ine+ /$ #he res"%n+en# i&, i# is !#er +e#er'ine+, #he
"e#i#i%ner is n%# en#i#e+ #% in@un#ive reie&, is here/$
'!in#!ine+ !n+ #% /e 3e"# in &u &%re !n+ e&&e# ins%&!r !s #he
ri# %& Prei'in!r$ M!n+!#%r$ In@un#i%n is %nerne+.
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
SO OR'ERE'.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689
R E S O L U T I O N
A&#er #ri! %n #he 'eri#s, %n O#%/er 87, 677, #he RTC %& A"!rri
ren+ere+ #he Deisi%n, #he +is"%si#ive "%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
<)*ERE+ORE, "re'ises %nsi+ere+, @u+'en# is
here/$ ren+ere+ in &!v%r %& #he "e#i#i%ner !n+ !!ins# #he
res"%n+en#. A%r+in$, e# ! ri# %& M!n+!'us issue
+ire#in res"%n+en# %r !n$ %#her "ers%ns !#in un+er i#s
%n#r% !n+ +ire#i%n #% !% #he "e#i#i%ner #% %n#inue i#h i#s
!'in %"er!#i%ns in !%r+!ne i#h #he iense !re!+$r!n#e+. The /%n+ e!rier "%s#e+ /$ Pe#i#i%ner is here/$
ree!se+ in i#s &!v%r.
Le# ! %"$ %& #his Deisi%n /e &urnishe+ #he De"!r#'en#
%& (us#ie, #he De"!r#'en# %& In#eri%r !n+ L%! G%vern'en#
!n+ Phii""ine N!#i%n! P%ie !n+ %#her ! en&%re'en#
!enies %& #he %vern'en# &%r #heir re&erene !n+ ui+!ne.
N% %s#s.
SO OR'ERE'.
The CE>A &!ie+ #% !""e! #he !/%ve +eisi%n i#hin #he ree'en#!r$
"eri%+ &%r &!iure %& #he h!n+in OGCC !$er #% n%#i&$ #he OGCC %r
CE>A %& #he issu!ne %& #he s!i+ +eisi%n, n%r his reei"# #here%&.
On Dee'/er 8, 677, ! %"$ %& #he Deisi%n !s h!n+e+ #% #he
OGGC u"%n i#s '!ni&es#!#i%n.. The OGCC &ie+ ! N%#ie %& A""e! /u# #he
s!'e !s +enie+ /$ #he RTC %& A"!rri in #he Or+er +!#e+ Dee'/er ,677.
On (!nu!r$ 6, 6757, #he CE>A, #hr%uh #he OGCC, &ie+ ! Pe#i#i%n
&%r Reie& &r%' (u+'en# %& #he Deisi%n +!#e+ O#%/er 87, 677 !n+ #he
Or+er +!#e+ Dee'/er 8, 677, hih !s h%ever, +enie+ in #he
Res%u#i%n +!#e+ M!rh :, 6757. The M%#i%n &%r Re%nsi+er!#i%n #here#%
!s +enie+ in #he Res%u#i%n +!#e+ M!rh 56, 6757.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689
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On (u$ 5, 6757, CE>A, #hr%uh #he OGCC, &ie+ ! Pe#i#i%n &%r
Cer#i%r!ri !n+ Pr%hi/i#i%n i#h #his C%ur# !ss!iin #he Res%u#i%n +!#e+
M!rh :, 6757 !n+ Or+er +!#e+ M!rh 56, 6757.
On Auus# 58, 6757, #he #hen 55#h Divisi%n %& #his C%ur# ren+ere+ !
Deisi%n, #he +is"%si#ive "%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
<)*ERE+ORE, #he ins#!n# Pe#i#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+
Pr%hi/i#i%n is here/$ +enie+ %u#rih#.
SO OR'ERE'.
CE>As M%#i%n &%r Re%nsi+er!#i%n !s +enie+ in #he Res%u#i%n
+!#e+ Dee'/er , 6757, #he "er#inen# "%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
< Perforce, ! '!n+!'us #% +ire# Pe#i#i%ner CE>A, hih
"reven#e+ Res"%n+en# Meri+ien #% "er&%r' !#s in !%r+!ne
i#h #he iense, is "r%"er in %r+er #% !% Res"%n+en#Meri+ien #% %n#inue %"er!#in (!i-!!i i#hin #he C!!$!n
Free"%r# !n+ #% es#!/ish /e##in #er'in!s in %nne#i%n
#here#%.
*HEREFORE, #he Pe#i#i%ners M%#i%n &%r
Re%nsi+er!#i%n is here/$ DENIED.
SO OR'ERE'.
On Fe/ru!r$ 68, 6755, #he OGCC &ie+ ! Pe#i#i%n &%r Revie %nCer#i%r!ri i#h #he Su"re'e C%ur#, +%3e#e+ !s G.R. N%. 5:96. S!i+
"e#i#i%n is "en+in res%u#i%n !s %& #his +!#e.
On M!rh 8, 6755, #he G!'es !n+ A'use'en# B%!r+ )GAB* issue+ !
Ce!se !n+ Desis# Or+er )CDO* !!ins# Meri+ien !n+ #he %"er!#%rs %& i#s %&&-
&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns, hih ere %n+u#in #heir /usinesses i#h%u#
!u#h%ri#$ &r%' #he GAB.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 57
R E S O L U T I O N
On M!rh 5:, 6755, Meri+ien &ie+ ! C%'"!in# &%r In@un#i%n !!ins#
GAB i#h #he RTC, A"!rri, hih !s !#er re-r!&&e+ #% Br!nh ;.
On M!rh 65, 6755, #he RTC, A"!rri, Br!nh ;, issue+ ! TRO
e&&e#ive &%r ;6 h%urs +ue #% #he e2is#in e2#re'e uren$ es# Meri+ien
su&&er r!ve in@us#ie !n+ irre"!r!/e in@ur$ sh%u+ GABs e!se !n+ +esis#
%r+er /e &ur#her i'"e'en#e+. The TRO !s e2#en+e+ &%r 5; +!$s hen,
!%r+in #% #he RTC, Meri+ien !s !/e #% es#!/ish #h!# i# h!s #he !u#h%ri#$
in !%r+!ne i#h ! !n+ %ur# +eisi%ns #% "ursue i#s !'in %"er!#i%nsun+er i#s eis!#ive &r!nhise &r%' #he CE>A.
On A"ri ;, 6755, #he RTC, A"!rri, Br!nh ;, issue+ !n Or+er
r!n#in #he !""i!#i%n &%r ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n, #he +is"%si#ive
"%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
<)*ERE+ORE, "!in#i&&s )Meri+ien* !""i!#i%n &%r
#he issu!ne %& ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n is here/$
GRANTED. Un#i &ur#her %r+ers &r%' #his C%ur#, #he +e&en+!n#GAB !n+ ! "ers%ns !#in un+er i#s %n#r% !n+ su"ervisi%n
!re here/$ +ire#e+ #% !% #he "!in#i&& #% %n#inue i#h i#s
(!i-A!i un+er #he !u#h%ri#$ %& #he CE>A.
SO OR'ERE'.
GAB &ie+ ! Pe#i#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+ Pr%hi/i#i%n !!ins# Meri+ien
!n+ #he RTC-A"!rri, Br!nh ;, i#h #his C%ur#, +%3e#e+ !s CA-G.R. SP N%.
55:6.
On (une 68, 6755, #he #hen 8r+ Divisi%n %& #his C%ur# issue+ !
Res%u#i%n, #he +is"%si#ive "%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
<)*ERE+ORE, e# ! #e'"%r!r$ res#r!inin %r+er,
e&&e#ive &%r si2#$ )97* +!$s &r%' servie, /e issue+ en@%inin
#he RTC &r%' i'"e'en#in #he n% !ss!ie+ %r+ers !n+ &r%'
%n+u#in &ur#her "r%ee+ins in #he !se ! =u%. Pursu!n#
#% Se#i%n 66, Rue 5:5 %& #he Rues %& C%ur# !n+ #he +%#rine
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 55
R E S O L U T I O N
enuni!#e+ in S"%uses Os!r !n+ H!$+ee B!+i% vs H%n.
Ar#ur% T!$! !s Presi+in (u+e %& #he RTC, Br!nh ;,
M!%%s, Bu!!n !n+ N!#i%n! H%usin Au#h%ri#$, "e#i#i%ner,
/ein ! %vern'en#! ins#ru'en#!i#$, is e2e'"# &r%' "!$'en#
%& #he /%n+ hih is %#herise re=uire+ un+er Se#i%n : )/*,
rue %& #he Rues %& C%ur#.
SO OR'ERE'.
On (une 58, 6755, Sere#!r$ R%/re+% s%uh# ! e! %"ini%n &r%'
Sere#!r$ De Li'! %n he#her %r n%# #he &r!nhise r!n#e+ /$ CE>A &%r #he
%"er!#i%n %& @!i-!!i &r%n#%n in #he C!!$!n Free"%r# !u#h%ri?es ! &r!nhise
#% es#!/ish%"er!#e @!i-!!i %n ine /e##in!'in s#!#i%ns %u#si+e #he
Free"%r#.
On (une 68, 6755, Sere#!r$ De Li'! issue+ #he !ss!ie+ DO(
O"ini%n N%. 6:, Series %& 6755 in #he #er's e!rier se# &%r#h. Pursu!n# #%
s!i+ e! %"ini%n, #he !ss!ie+ (%in# DO(-DILG Me'%r!n+u' Ciru!r N%.775-6755 !s issue+.
Hene, #his Pe#i#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+ Pr%hi/i#i%n.
On (u$ 66, 6755, e r!n#e+ #he "r!$er &%r #he issu!ne %& !
#e'"%r!r$ res#r!inin %r+er.
Me!nhie, %n Auus# 5, 6755, #he S"ei! Thir+ Divisi%n %& #his
C%ur#, ren+ere+ #he +eisi%n in CA-G.R. SP N%. 55:6, #he +is"%si#ive
"%r#i%n %& hih re!+s, !s &%%s0
<HEREFORE, IN VIE OF THE FOREGOING, #he
ins#!n# Pe#i#i%n is GRANTED. The !ss!ie+ Or+ers issue+ /$
#he RTC %n M!rh 65 !n+ 68, A"ri ;, !n+ M!$ 6, 6755 !re
REVERSED AND SET ASIDE. A%r+in$, MVGCs
C%'"!in# &%r In@un#i%n &ie+ i#h #he RTC is DISMISSED.
SO ORDERED.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 56
R E S O L U T I O N
The "resen# "e#i#i%n is !nh%re+ %n #he &%%in r%un+0
BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF (USTICE AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COMMITTED GRAVE ABUSE OF
DISCRETION AMOUNTING TO LAC OR ECESS OF
(URISDICTION IN ARROGATING UNTO ITSELF THE
EERCISE OF (UDICIAL AUTHORITJ IN ISSUING THE
ASSAILED OPINION AND (OINT MEMORANDUM,CONSIDERING THAT0
A* THE HONORABLE SECRETARJ LEILA M.
DE LIMA OVERSTEPPED THE BOUNDARIES
ACCORDED TO HER OFFICE HEN SHE
ISSUED OPINION NO. 6: SERIES OF 6755
AND RESOLVED THE LEGAL ISSUES HICH
ARE STILL THE SUB(ECT OF (UDICIAL
REVIE IN G.R. NO. 5:96 PENDINGBEFORE THE SUPREME COURTK
B* THE ASSAILED OPINION ISSUED BJ THE
HONORABLE SECRETARJ OF (USTICE HAS
NO BASIS, IN FACT OR IN LA, THE LA
SOLELJ RELIED UPON REPUBLIC ACT NO.
:, HICH HAS ALREADJ BEEN
IMPLIEDLJ REPEALED BJ OTHER
SUBSEUENT LAS ALLOING THE SET-
UP OF OFF-FRONTON BETTING STATIONSOUTSIDE THE FRONTON HERE THE
BASUE PELOTA GAMES ARE BEING HELDK
AND
C* THE (OINT MEMORANDUM OF THE DO(-
DILG HAS THE FORCE AND EFFECT
OF LA, HICH IN EFFECT, CLEARLJ
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 58
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DEPRIVES MVGC AND ALL OF ITS
PERSONNEL TO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.
The CE>A B%!r+ r!n#e+ Meri+ien !n !u#h%ri#$ !n+ iense #% %"er!#e
@!i-!!i !n+ se# u" /e##in s#!#i%ns in su""%r# #here#%, i#hin #he C!!$!n
Free"%r# in !%r+!ne i#h #he eis!#ive &r!nhise r!n#e+ #% CE>A in
R.A. N% ;66. hen OGCC issue+ O"ini%n N%. 9;, Series %& 677
"r%vi+in #h!# CE>A !s n%# e'"%ere+ #% iense !n+ %"er!#e @!i-!!i,Meri+ien !s %r+ere+ #% i''e+i!#e$ e!se !n+ +esis# &r%' ! i#s /usiness
%"er!#i%ns. Thus, Meri+ien s%uh# @u+ii! reie&.
In Civi C!se N%. 55-:;:, #he RTC %& A"!rri, C!!$!n +ire#e+
CE>A #% !% Meri+ien #% %n#inue i#h i#s !'in %"er!#i%ns. The
!&%res!i+ +eisi%n %& #he RTC %& A"!rri, C!!$!n !s !&&ir'e+ /$ #he #hen
55#h Divisi%n %& #his C%ur# in #he Deisi%n +!#e+ Auus# 58, 6757 in CA
G.R. SP N%. 5578:. B%#h %ur#s rue+ #h!# "ursu!n# #% i#s eis!#ive
h!r#er r!n#e+ /$ R.A. N%. ;66, CE>A !n "ursue @!i-!!i !'es.
The !&%res!i+ +eisi%n %& #his C%ur# !s !""e!e+ #% #he Su"re'e
C%ur# /$ !$ %& ! Pe#i#i%n &%r Revie %n Cer#i%r!ri, +%3e#e+ !s G.R. N%.
5:96. One %& #he issues r!ise+ #herein is he#her %r n%# CE>A h!s #he
"%er #% %"er!#e %n i#s %n %r iense %#hers #% %n+u# @!i-!!i !'in
%"er!#i%ns. A%r+in #% CE>A, ! re!+in %& Se#i%n 9 %& R.A. N%. ;66
e!r$ sh%s #h!# #he %"er!#i%n %r '!in#en!ne %& @!i-!!i is n%# inu+e+
!'%n #he "%ers r!n#e+ #% CE>A /$ C%nress. CE>A !rues #h!# sine
i# is n%# !u#h%ri?e+ un+er R.A. N%. ;66 #% %"er!#e %r #% r!n# !n$ iense
&%r @!i-!!i !'in %"er!#i%ns, Meri+ien !nn%# !s% %"er!#e %r '!in#!in @!i-!!i.
The issue %n #he e!i#$ %& #he !u#h%ri#$ %& CE>A #% %"er!#e @!i-!!i
!n+ #% !u#h%ri?e %r iense !n$ en#i#$ &%r #he %"er!#i%n #here%& un+er R.A.
N%. ;66, !s r!ise+ in G.R. N%. 5:96, !n+ #he issue !s #% he#her %r n%#
Meri+ien !n se#-u" %&&-&r%n#%n /e##in s#!#i%ns %u#si+e #he C!!$!n
Free"%r#, !s e'/%+ie+ in #he "resen# "e#i#i%n vis-!-vis #he !ss!ie+ (%in#
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 5:
R E S O L U T I O N
Me'%r!n+u', !re %se$ in#erre!#e+, suh #h!# #he res%u#i%n /$ #he
Su"re'e C%ur# %& #he Pe#i#i%n &%r Revie in G.R. N%. 5:96 i sure$
!&&e# !n+%r +ei+e #he &!#e %& #he "resen# "e#i#i%n.
As %rre#$ !rue+ /$ Meri+ien +urin #he he!rin %n #he !""i!#i%n
&%r #he issu!ne %& ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n %n Auus# 57, 6755, i&
#he Su"re'e C%ur# %u+ r!n# #he "e#i#i%n !n+ +ei+e #h!# un+er R.A. N%.
;66, CE>A +%es n%# "%ssess #he eis!#ive &r!nhise #% %"er!#e @!i-!!i %riense !n$ en#i#$ #% %n+u# @!i-!!i !'in %"er!#i%ns, #he "resen# "e#i#i%n
%u+ /e ren+ere+ '%%# /e!use #ehni!$, #here i /e n% '%re rih#
#h!# !n /e inv%3e+ /$ Meri+ien.
An issue /e%'es '%%# !n+ !!+e'i hen i# e!ses #% "resen# !
@us#ii!/e %n#r%vers$ s% #h!# ! +e!r!#i%n %n #he issue %u+ /e %& n%
"r!#i! use %r v!ue. In suh ! !se, #here is n% !#u! su/s#!n#i! reie& #%
hih #he "!in#i&& %u+ /e en#i#e+ #% !n+ hih %u+ /e ne!#e+ /$ #he
+is'iss! %& #he %'"!in# /Vda. de 0a+ao v. Court of Appeals, %6 !CRA 912.
In+ee+, e +ee' i# @u+ii%us #% !!i# #he @u+ii! +e#er'in!#i%n /$
#he Su"re'e C%ur# %& #he "e#i#i%n &ie+ in G.R. N%. 5:96, s% !s n%# #%
ren+er '%%# !n+ !!+e'i #he "resen# Pe#i#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+
Pr%hi/i#i%n, !n+ in %r+er n%# #% "ree'"# #he Su"re'e C%ur# h%ever i# i
res%ve #he "e#i#i%n "en+in /e&%re i#. T% +% %#herise %u+ /e ini'i!
#% #he %r+er$ !+'inis#r!#i%n %& @us#ie !s i# re!#es #he "%ssi/ii#$ %&
%n&i#in +eisi%ns /ein ren+ere+ /$ #% %ur#s %n #he s!'e %r
in#erre!#e+ issues "resen#e+ un+er +i&&eren# re'e+ies /e&%re #he s!'e
&%ru' !n+ "r!$in &%r e2!#$ #he s!'e u#i'!#e reie&. e %u+ h!ve#here/$ ! @u+'en# %n ! '!##er hih !nn%# h!ve !n$ "r!#i! e! e&&e#
u"%n ! %n#r%vers$, even i& e2is#in, !n+ hih, in #he n!#ure %& #hins,
!nn%# /e en&%re+. e 'us# %nse=uen#$ !/i+e /$ %ur %nsis#en# ruin
#h!# here er#!in even#s %r iru's#!nes h!ve #!3en "!e +urin #he
"en+en$ %& #he !se hih %u+ ren+er #he !se '%%# !n+ !!+e'i, #he
"e#i#i%n sh%u+ /e +is'isse+ /3onesto (. Villarosa vs 3on. Cresenciano (. 4raano,
%11 !CRA 652.
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 5
R E S O L U T I O N
In ! "!r!e '%ve, @u+ii! %ur#es$ !n+ res"e# +i#!#e #h!# #he DO(
!n+ #he DILG sh%u+ re&r!in &r%' i'"e'en#in #he (%in# Me'%r!n+u' #%
"!ve #he !$ &%r #he res%u#i%n %& #he e! issues r!ise+ in #he "e#i#i%n in
G.R. N%. 5:96 "en+in i#h #he Su"re'e C%ur# hih !re in#erre!#e+ #%
#he "resen# Pe#i#i%n &%r Cer#i%r!ri !n+ Pr%hi/i#i%n s% #h!# #he s!'e %u+
n%# /e ren+ere+ '%%# !n+ !!+e'i. Li3eise, #he "!r#ies in #his !se !re
!s% +ire#e+ #% #!3e n%#e %& #he +eisi%n %& #he Thir+ Divisi%n %& #his C%ur#
in CA-G.R. SP N%. 55:6.
(u+ii! %ur#es$ !""ies hen #here is ! s#r%n "r%/!/ii#$ #h!# #he
issues /e&%re #he hiher %ur# %u+ /e ren+ere+ '%%# !n+ '%ri/un+ !s !
resu# %& #he %n#inu!#i%n %& #he "r%ee+ins in #he %er %ur# %r %ur# %&
%riin /o vs A+roar, 89 !CRA 1662.
)*ERE+ORE, %nsi+erin #h!# #he issues inv%ve+ in #he "resen#
"e#i#i%n !re %se$ in#erre!#e+ i#h #he issues r!ise+ in G.R. N%. 5:96
n% "en+in /e&%re #he Su"re'e C%ur#, e# ! ri# %& Prei'in!r$ In@un#i%n
/e issue+ en@%inin #he Sere#!r$ %& (us#ie )DO(* !n+ #he Sere#!r$ %& #heDe"!r#'en# %& In#eri%r !n+ L%! G%vern'en# )DILG*, !n+ #heir !en#s
!n+%r re"resen#!#ives &r%' i'"e'en#in #he (%in# DO(-DILG
Me'%r!n+u' T% A Pu/i Pr%seu#%rs, L! En&%re'en# O&&iers !n+
L%! G%vern'en# E2eu#ives +!#e+ (une 6;, 6755, u"%n #he &iin %& !
/%n+ in #he !'%un# %& Five Hun+re+ Th%us!n+ Pes%s )P77,777.77*, &%r !n$
+!'!e #h!# '!$ /e sus#!ine+ /$ #he res"%n+en#s, /$ re!s%n %& #he
in@un#i%n, i& #he C%ur# i &in!$ +ei+e #h!# #he "e#i#i%ner is n%# en#i#e+
#here#%.
The "!r#ies !re +ire#e+ #% &ie #heir res"e#ive 'e'%r!n+! %&
!u#h%ri#ies %n #he issues r!ise+, i#hin &i&#een )5* +!$s &r%' n%#ie here%&.
There!&#er, #he "e#i#i%n i /e +ee'e+ su/'i##e+ &%r +eisi%n.
SO OR'ERE'.
JUAN Q. ENRIQUEZ JR.
Ass%i!#e (us#ie
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CA-G.R. SP NO. 567689 59
R E S O L U T I O N
)E CONCUR"
RA$ON $. %A#O, JR. JANE AURORA C. &AN#ION
Ass%i!#e (us#ie Ass%i!#e (us#ie
R((ms