Case Digest Compilation

JURISDICTION
CASE DIGEST COMPILATION
A. DISTINGUISH JURISDICTION FROM EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION
1. ANTONINO V. REGISTER OF DEEDS OF MAKATI CITY, G.R. NO. 185663, JUNE

2012
FACTS: Since March 21, 1978, petitioner Remedios Antonino (Antonino) had been
leasing a residential property located at Makati City and owned by private
respondent Tan Tian Su (Su). Under the governing lease contract, Antonino was
accorded with the right of first refusal in the event Su would decide to sell the
subject property. On July 7, 2004, the parties executed a document denominated
as Undertaking Agreement where Su agreed to sell to Antonino the subject
property for P39,500,000.00. However, in view of a disagreement as to who
between them would shoulder the payment of the capital gains tax, the sale did
not proceed as intended. On July 9, 2004, Antonino filed a complaint against Su
with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, for the reimbursement of the
cost of repairs on the subject property and payment of damages. RTC dismissed
Antoninos complaint on the grounds of improper venue and nonpayment of the
appropriate docket fees. Antoninos complaint is one for specific performance,
damages and sum of money, which are personal actions that should have been
filed in the court of the place where any of the parties resides. Antonino and Su
reside in Muntinlupa and Manila, respectively, thus Makati City is not the proper
venue. Antoninos complaint is one for specific performance, damages and sum of
money, which are personal actions that should have been filed in the court of the
place where any of the parties resides. Antonino and Su reside in Muntinlupa and
Manila, respectively, thus Makati City is not the proper venue. Antonino filed a
Motion for Reconsideration, claiming that her complaint is a real action and the
location of the subject property is determinative of its venue. Alternatively, she
submitted a certification issued by the Commission on Elections, stating that she
is a resident of Makati City. She then prayed for the reinstatement of her
complaint and issuance of an order directing the clerk of court to assess the
proper docket fees. This was denied by the RTC.
ISSUE: WON the RTC committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of
jurisdiction when it dismissed Antoninos complaint.
RULING: Petitioner should have filed the case either in Muntinlupa City, where
she resides, or in Manila, where private respondent maintains his residence.
Other than filing the complaint in any of these places, petitioner proceeds with
the risk of a possible dismissal of her case. Unfortunately for petitioner, private
respondent forthwith raised improper venue as an affirmative defense and his
stand was sustained by trial court, thus, resulting to the dismissal of the case.
Further, it is important to note that in a petition for annulment of judgment based
on lack of jurisdiction, the petitioner must show not merely an abuse of
jurisdictional discretion but an absolute lack of jurisdiction. The concept of lack of
jurisdiction as a ground to annul a judgment does not embrace abuse of
discretion. Petitioner, by claiming grave abuse of discretion on the part of the trial
court, actually concedes and presupposes the jurisdiction of the court to take
cognizance of the case. In this case where the court refused to exercise
jurisdiction due to improper venue, neither lack of jurisdiction nor grave abuse of
discretion is available to challenge the assailed order of dismissal of the trial
court.
Jurisdiction is not the same as the exercise of jurisdiction. As distinguished

from the exercise of jurisdiction, jurisdiction is the authority to decide a
cause, and not the decision rendered therein. Where there is jurisdiction over
the person and the subject matter, the decision on all other questions arising
in the case is but an exercise of the jurisdiction. And the errors which the
court may commit in the exercise of jurisdiction are merely errors of
judgment which are the proper subject of an appeal.
In fact, the RTC did not gravely abuse its discretion or err in dismissing Antoninos
complaint. The RTC was correct in classifying Antoninos cause of action as
personal and in holding that it was instituted in the wrong venue.
2. SPOUSES ABRENICA V. LAW FIRM OF ABRENICA, G.R. NO. 180572, JUNE 18,
2012
FACTS: In 1998, respondents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) two cases against petitioner. The first was SEC Case No. 05-98-5959, for
Accounting and Return and Transfer of Partnership Funds With Damages and
Application for Issuance of Preliminary Attachment, where they alleged that
petitioner refused to return partnership funds representing profits from the sale of
a parcel of land in Lemery, Batangas. The second was SEC Case No. 10-98-6123,
also for Accounting and Return and Transfer of Partnership Funds where
respondents sought to recover from petitioner retainer fees that he received from
two clients of the firm and the balance of the cash advance that he obtained in
1997.
The SEC initially heard the cases but they were later transferred to the Regional
Trial Court of Quezon City pursuant to Republic Act No. 8799, which transferred
jurisdiction over intra-corporate controversies from the SEC to the courts. In a
Consolidated Decision dated November 23, 2004, the Regional Trial Court of
Quezon City, Branch 226, held that:
WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, judgment is hereby rendered as follows:

1. Ordering the respondent Atty. Erlando Abrenica to render full accounting of
the amounts he received as profits from the sale and resale of the Lemery
property in the amount of P4,524,000.00;
2. Ordering the respondent Atty. Erlando Abrenica to remit to the law firm the
said amount of P4,524,000.00 plus interest of 12% per annum from the time he
received the same and converted the same to his own personal use or from
September 1997 until fully paid; and
3.To pay the costs of suit. Two days later, respondents filed a Motion for
Issuance of Writ of Execution pursuant to A.M. 01-2-04-SC, which provides that
decisions in intra-corporate disputes are immediately executory and not subject
to appeal unless stayed by an appellate court.
Two days later, respondents filed a Motion for Issuance of Writ of Execution
pursuant to A.M. 01-2-04-SC, which provides that decisions in intra-corporate
disputes are immediately executory and not subject to appeal unless stayed by
an appellate court. On January 7, 2005, respondents filed an Opposition (To
Defendants Notice of Appeal) on the ground that it violated A.M. No. 04-9-07-SC2
prescribing appeal by certiorari under Rule 43, which was later on denied by the
trial court.
Apparently not wanting to be bound by this Courts Decision in G.R. No. 169420,
petitioners Erlando and Joena subsequently filed with the Court of Appeals.
ISSUE: WON the lower court not only erred in the exercise of its jurisdiction but
more importantly it acted without jurisdiction or with lack of jurisdiction.
RULING: The CA stated that the grounds alleged in the Petition delved on the
merits of the case and the appreciation by the trial court of the evidence
presented to the latter. Under Rule 47, the grounds for annulment are limited only
to extrinsic fraud and lack of jurisdiction. Lastly, the CA held that the fact that the
trial court was not designated as a special commercial court did not mean that
the latter had no jurisdiction over the case. The appellate court stated that, in
any event, petitioners could have raised this matter on appeal or through a
petition for certiorari under Rule 65, but they did not do so. In the case at bar, not
only has the court a quo jurisdiction over the subject matter and over the persons
of the parties, what petitioner is truly complaining [of] here is only a possible
error in the exercise of jurisdiction, not on the issue of jurisdiction itself. Where
there is jurisdiction over the person and the subject matter (as in this case), the
decision on all other questions arising in the case is but an exercise of the
jurisdiction. And the errors which the court may commit in the exercise of
jurisdiction are merely errors of judgment which are the proper subject of an
appeal.
Petitioners elevated this case to this Court, because they were allegedly denied
due process when the CA rejected their second attempt at the annulment of the
Decision of the RTC and their Humble Motion for Reconsideration.
We DENY petitioners claims.
The rules of procedure were formulated to achieve the ends of justice, not to
thwart them. Petitioners may not defy the pronouncement of this Court in G.R.
No. 169420 by pursuing remedies that are no longer available to them. Twice, the
CA correctly ruled that the remedy of annulment of judgment was no longer
available to them, because they had already filed an appeal under Rule 41. Due
to their own actions, that appeal was dismissed.
It must be emphasized that the RTC Decision became final and executory through
the fault of petitioners themselves when petitioner Erlando (1) filed an appeal
under Rule 41 instead of Rule 43; and (2) filed a Petition for Review directly with
the CA, without waiting for the resolution by the RTC of the issues still pending
before the trial court.
It is true that the Rules should be interpreted so as to give litigants ample

opportunity to prove their respective claims and that a possible denial of
substantial justice due to legal technicalities should be avoided. But it is equally
true that an appeal being a purely statutory right, an appealing party must
strictly comply with the requisites laid down in the Rules of Court. In other words,
he who seeks to avail of the right to appeal must play by the rules.
3. SPOUSES MANILA V. SPOUSES MANZO, G.R. NO. 163602, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
FACTS: The controversy stemmed from an action for ejectment3 filed by the
respondents, spouses Ederlinda Gallardo-Manzo and Daniel Manzo, against the
petitioners, spouses Ramon and Eulogia Manila, before the Metropolitan Trial
Court (MeTC) of Las Pias City, Branch 79 (Civil Case No. 3537). The facts as
summarized by the said court are as follows:
On June 30, 1982, Ederlinda Gallardo leased two (2) parcels of land situated
along Real St., Manuyo, Las Pias, Metro Manila, to Eulogia Manila for a period
of ten (10) years at a monthly rental(s) of P2,000.00 for the first two years,
and thereafter an increase of ten (10) percent every after two years. They also
agreed that the lessee shall have the option to buy the property within two (2)
years from the date of execution of the contract of lease at a fair market value
of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00) The contract of lease
expired on July 1, 1992 but the lessee continued in possession of the property
despite a formal demand letter dated August 8, 1992, to vacate the same and
pay the rental arrearages. In a letter reply dated August 12, 1992, herein
defendant claimed that no rental fee is due because she allegedly became the
owner of the property at the time she communicated to the plaintiff her desire
to exercise the option to buy the said property.
The MTC rendered a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. Petitioners appealed to

the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, Branch 63 (Civil Case No. 93-
3733) which reversed the MeTC. The RTC found that petitioners have in fact
exercised their option to buy the leased property but the respondents refused
to honor the same. It noted that respondents even informed the petitioners
about foreclosure proceedings on their property, whereupon the petitioners
tried to intervene by tendering rental payments but the respondents advised
them to withhold such payments until the appeal of respondents in the case
they filed against the Rural Bank of Bombon (Camarines Sur), Inc. (Civil Case
No. 6062) is resolved. It further noted that respondents intention to sell the
lot to petitioners is confirmed by the fact that the former allowed the latter to
construct a building of strong materials on the premises.
Respondents filed an appeal before the CA. The CA granted the petition,
annulled the November 18, 1994 RTC decision and reinstated the July 14, 1993
MeTC decision. On the issue of lack of jurisdiction raised by the respondents,
the CA ruled as follows:
It must be stressed that the main action before the Metropolitan Trial Court is
one for ejectment grounded on the expiration of the parties contract of lease.
And said court, finding that petitioners have a valid right to ask for the
ejectment of private respondents, ordered the latter to vacate the premises
and to pay their rentals in arrears. To Our mind, what the respondent court
should have done in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, was to confine
itself to the issue of whether or not petitioners have a valid cause of action for
ejectment against the private respondents. Unfortunately, in the decision
herein sought to be annulled, the respondent court went further than what is
required of it as an appellate court when it ordered the petitioners to sell their
properties to the private respondents.
In a very real sense, the respondent court materially changed the nature of
petitioners cause of action by deciding the question of ownership even as the
appealed case involves only the issue of prior physical possession which, in
every ejectment suit, is the only question to be resolved. As it were, the
respondent court converted the issue to one for specific performance which
falls under its original, not appellate jurisdiction. Sad to say, this cannot be
done by the respondent court in an appealed ejectment case because the
essential criterion of appellate jurisdiction is that it revises and corrects the
proceedings in a cause already instituted and does not create that cause. It
follows that the respondent Regional Trial Court clearly acted without
jurisdiction when it ordered the petitioners to sell their properties to the
private respondents. The order to sell can be made only by the respondent
court in an action for specific performance under its exclusive original
jurisdiction, and not in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction in an appealed
ejectment suit, as in this case. Worse, the relief granted by the same court
was not even prayed for by the private respondents in their Answer and
position paper before the MTC, whereat they only asked for the dismissal of
the complaint filed against them.
ISSUE: WHETHER THE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED A GRAVE ERROR IN

ANNULLING THE JUDGMENT BY THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAKATI CITY
ON THE GROUND OF LACK OF JURISDICTION WHEN IT HAS NOT BEEN
SHOWN THAT THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAKATI CITY HAD NO
JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSON OF THE RESPONDENTS OR THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF THE CLAIM.
RULING: The petition is meritorious.
A petition for annulment of judgments or final orders of a Regional Trial Court

in civil actions can only be availed of where the ordinary remedies of new
trial, appeal, petition for relief or other appropriate remedies are no longer
available through no fault of the petitioner. It is a remedy granted only under
exceptional circumstances and such action is never resorted to as a substitute
for a partys own neglect in not promptly availing of the ordinary or other
appropriate remedies.13 The only grounds provided in Sec. 2, Rule 47 are
extrinsic fraud and lack of jurisdiction.
In this case, respondents alleged that the loss of remedies against the RTC
decision was attributable to their former counsels late filing of their motion
for reconsideration and failure to file any proper petition to set aside the said
decision. They claimed that they had been constantly following up the status
of the case with their counsel, Atty. Jose Atienza, who repeatedly assured them
he was on top of the situation and would even get angry if repeatedly asked
about the case. Out of their long and close relationship with Atty. Atienza and
due regard for his poor health due to his numerous and chronic illnesses which
required frequent prolonged confinement at the hospital, respondents likewise
desisted from hiring the services of another lawyer to assist Atty. Atienza, until
the latters death on September 10, 1998. Thus, it was only on November
1998 that respondents engaged the services of their new counsel who filed
the petition for annulment of judgment in the CA.
Lack of jurisdiction as a ground for annulment of judgment refers to either lack

of jurisdiction over the person of the defending party or over the subject
matter of the claim.16 In a petition for annulment of judgment based on lack
of jurisdiction, petitioner must show not merely an abuse of jurisdictional
discretion but an absolute lack of jurisdiction. Lack of jurisdiction means
absence of or no jurisdiction, that is, the court should not have taken
cognizance of the petition because the law does not vest it with jurisdiction
over the subject matter. Jurisdiction over the nature of the action or subject
matter is conferred by law. There is no dispute that the RTC is vested with
appellate jurisdiction over ejectment cases decided by the MeTC, MTC or
MCTC.
While the Court in an ejectment case may delve on the issue of ownership or
possession de jure solely for the purpose of resolving the issue of possession de
facto, it has no jurisdiction to settle with finality the issue of ownership19 and any
pronouncement made by it on the question of ownership is provisional in nature.20
A judgment in a forcible entry or detainer case disposes of no other issue than
possession and establishes only who has the right of possession, but by no means
constitutes a bar to an action for determination of who has the right or title of
ownership. We have held that although it was proper for the RTC, on appeal in the
ejectment suit, to delve on the issue of ownership and receive evidence on
possession de jure, it cannot adjudicate with semblance of finality the ownership of
the property to either party by ordering the cancellation of the TCT. In this case, the
RTC acted in excess of its jurisdiction in deciding the appeal of respondents when,
instead of simply dismissing the complaint and awarding any counterclaim for costs
due to the defendants (petitioners), it ordered the respondents-lessors to execute a
deed of absolute sale in favor of the petitioners-lessees, on the basis of its own
interpretation of the Contract of Lease which granted petitioners the option to buy
the leased premises within a certain period (two years from date of execution) and
for a fixed price (P150,000.00). This cannot be done in an ejectment case where the
only issue for resolution is who between the parties is entitled to the physical
possession of the property.
Such erroneous grant of relief to the defendants on appeal, however, is but an
exercise of jurisdiction by the RTC. Jurisdiction is not the same as the exercise
of jurisdiction. As distinguished from the exercise of jurisdiction, jurisdiction is
the authority to decide a cause, and not the decision rendered therein.24 The
ground for annulment of the decision is absence of, or no, jurisdiction; that is,
the court should not have taken cognizance of the petition because the law
does not vest it with jurisdiction over the subject matter.
On the timeliness of the petition for annulment of judgment filed with the CA,
Section 3, Rule 47 of the Rules of Court provides that a petition for annulment of
judgment based on extrinsic fraud must be filed within four years from its discovery;
and if based on lack of jurisdiction, before it is barred by laches or estoppel. The
principle of laches or stale demands ordains that the failure or neglect, for an
unreasonable and unexplained length of time, to do that which by exercising due
diligence could or should have been done earliernegligence or omission to assert
a right within a reasonable time, warrants a presumption that the party entitled to
assert it has abandoned it or declined to assert it.
4. NAVIDA V. DIZON JR. G.R. NOS. 125078, MAY 30, 2011
FACTS: Proceedings before the Texas Courts
Beginning 1993, a number of personal injury suits were filed in different Texas
state courts by citizens of twelve foreign countries, including the Philippines.
The thousands of plaintiffs sought damages for injuries they allegedly
sustained from their exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP), a chemical
used to kill nematodes (worms), while working on farms in 23 foreign
countries. The cases were eventually transferred to, and consolidated in, the
Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The
cases therein that involved plaintiffs from the Philippines were Jorge Colindres
Carcamo, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., which was docketed as Civil Action No.
H-94-1359, and Juan Ramon Valdez, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., which was
docketed as Civil Action No. H-95-1356. The defendants in the consolidated
cases prayed for the dismissal of all the actions under the doctrine of forum
non conveniens.
In a Memorandum and Order dated July 11, 1995, the Federal District Court
conditionally granted the defendants motion to dismiss. Pertinently, the court
ordered that:
_______________
9 Rollo (G.R. No. 126654), pp. 34-35; penned by Judge Romeo D. Marasigan.
10 Id., at p. 224.
11 Rollo (G.R. No. 128398), p. 104.
12 Rollo (G.R. No. 127856), p. 238.
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Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.
Delgado, Jorge Carcamo, Valdez and Isae Carcamo will be dismissed 90 days
after the entry of this Memorandum and Order provided that defendants and
third- and fourth-party defendants have:
(1)participated in expedited discovery in the United States x x x;
(2)either waived or accepted service of process and waived any other

jurisdictional defense within 40 days after the entry of this Memorandum and
Order in any action commenced by a plaintiff in these actions in his home
country or the country in which his injury occurred. Any plaintiff desiring to
bring such an action will do so within 30 days after the entry of this
Memorandum and Order;
(3)waived within 40 days after the entry of this Memorandum and Order any
limitations-based defense that has matured since the commencement of these
actions in the courts of Texas;
(4)stipulated within 40 days after the entry of this Memorandum and Order
that any discovery conducted during the pendency of these actions may be
used in any foreign proceeding to the same extent as if it had been conducted
in proceedings initiated there; and
(5)submitted within 40 days after the entry of this Memorandum and Order
an agreement binding them to satisfy any final judgment rendered in favor of
plaintiffs by a foreign court.
xxxx
Notwithstanding the dismissals that may result from this Memorandum and
Order, in the event that the highest court of any foreign country finally affirms
the dismissal for lack of jurisdiction of an action commenced by a plaintiff in
these actions in his home country or the country in which he was injured, that
plaintiff may return to this court and, upon proper motion, the court will
resume jurisdiction over the action as if the case had never been dismissed for
[forum non conveniens].13
_______________
13 Records, Vol. I, pp. 92-98.
56
56
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Civil Case No. 5617 before the RTC of
General Santos City and G.R. Nos.
125078 and 125598
In accordance with the above Memorandum and Order, a total of 336 plaintiffs
from General Santos City (the petitioners in G.R. No. 125078, hereinafter
referred to as NAVIDA, et al.) filed a Joint Complaint14 in the RTC of General
Santos City on August 10, 1995. The case was docketed as Civil Case No.
5617. Named as defendants therein were: Shell Oil Co. (SHELL); Dow Chemical
Co. (DOW); Occidental Chemical Corp. (OCCIDENTAL); Dole Food Co., Inc., Dole
Fresh Fruit Co., Standard Fruit Co., Standard Fruit and Steamship Co.
(hereinafter collectively referred to as DOLE); Chiquita Brands, Inc. and
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (CHIQUITA); Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A.
and Del Monte Tropical Fruit Co. (hereinafter collectively referred to as DEL
MONTE); Dead Sea Bromine Co., Ltd.; Ameribrom, Inc.; Bromine Compounds,
Ltd.; and Amvac Chemical Corp. (The aforementioned defendants are
hereinafter collectively referred to as defendant companies.)
Navida, et al., prayed for the payment of damages in view of the illnesses and
injuries to the reproductive systems which they allegedly suffered because of
their exposure to DBCP. They claimed, among others, that they were exposed
to this chemical during the early 1970s up to the early 1980s when they
used the same in the banana plantations where they worked at; and/or when
they resided within the agricultural area where such chemical was used.
Navida, et al., claimed that their illnesses and injuries were due to the fault or
negligence of each of the defendant companies in that they produced, sold
and/or otherwise put into the stream of commerce DBCP-containing products.
According to NAVIDA, et al., they were allowed to be exposed to the said
products, which the
_______________
14 Id., at pp. 1-12.
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VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
57
defendant companies knew, or ought to have known, were highly injurious to

the formers health and well-being.
Instead of answering the complaint, most of the defendant companies

respectively filed their Motions for Bill of Particulars.15 During the pendency of
the motions, on March 13, 1996, NAVIDA, et al., filed an Amended Joint
Complaint,16 excluding Dead Sea Bromine Co., Ltd., Ameribrom, Inc., Bromine
Compounds, Ltd. and Amvac Chemical Corp. as party defendants.Again, the
remaining defendant companies filed their various Motions for Bill of
Particulars.17 On May 15, 1996, DOW filed an Answer with Counterclaim.18
On May 20, 1996, without resolving the motions filed by the parties, the RTC of
General Santos City issued an Order dismissing the complaint. First, the trial
court determined that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case, to wit:
THE COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES
FILED WITH THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT SHOULD BE DISMISSED FOR
LACK OF JURISDICTION
xxxx
_______________
15 DOLE filed its motion on December 28, 1995 (Records, Vol. I, pp. 527-535).
DOW filed a similar motion on January 22, 1996 (id., at 581-586), while SHELL
filed its own motion on February 12, 1996 (id., at 669-674). DEL MONTE filed
its motion on February 29, 1996 (Records, Vol. II, pp. 699-714) and CHIQUITA
filed its motion on February 29, 1996 (id., at pp. 716-719).
16 Records, Vol. II, pp. 720-735.
17 SHELL filed a Manifestation with Second Motion for Bill of Particulars on

April 3, 1996 (Records, Vol. II, pp. 879-882). On even date, DOW and DOLE
also filed their separate Motions for Bill of Particulars (id., at pp. 895-901, 903-
911). CHIQUITA filed its motion on April 8, 1996 (id., at pp. 935-938), while
DEL MONTE filed its motion on April 12, 1996 (id., at pp. 940-956).
OCCIDENTAL filed its motion on May 15, 1996 (id., at pp. 1100-1105).
18 Records, Vol. II, pp. 1085-1092.
58
58
The substance of the cause of action as stated in the complaint against the
defendant foreign companies cites activity on their part which took place
abroad and had occurred outside and beyond the territorial domain of the
Philippines. These acts of defendants cited in the complaint included the
manufacture of pesticides, their packaging in containers, their distribution
through sale or other disposition, resulting in their becoming part of the
stream of commerce.
Accordingly, the subject matter stated in the complaint and which is uniquely
particular to the present case, consisted of activity or course of conduct
engaged in by foreign defendants outside Philippine territory, hence, outside
and beyond the jurisdiction of Philippine Courts, including the present Regional
Trial Court.19
Second, the RTC of General Santos City declared that the tort alleged by
Navida, et al., in their complaint is a tort category that is not recognized in
Philippine laws. Said the trial court:
THE TORT ASSERTED IN THE

PRESENT COMPLAINT AGAINST
DEFENDANT FOREIGN COMPANIES IS
NOT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A
TORT CATEGORY WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THE PHILIPPINE LAW
The specific tort asserted against defendant foreign companies in the present
complaint is product liability tort. When the averments in the present
complaint are examined in terms of the particular categories of tort
recognized in the Philippine Civil Code, it becomes stark clear that such
averments describe and identify the category of specific tort known as product
liability tort. This is necessarily so, because it is the product manufactured by
defendant foreign companies, which is asserted to be the proximate cause of
the damages sustained by the plaintiff workers, and the liability of the
defendant foreign companies, is premised on being the manufacturer of the
pesticides.
_______________
19 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. I, pp. 74A-75.
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59
It is clear, therefore, that the Regional Trial Court has jurisdiction over the
present case, if and only if the Civil Code of the Philippines, or a suppletory
special law prescribes a product liability tort, inclusive of and comprehending
the specific tort described in the complaint of the plaintiff workers.20
Third, the RTC of General Santos City adjudged that Navida, et al., were
coerced into submitting their case to the Philippine courts, viz.:
FILING OF CASES IN THE PHILIPPINES
-COERCED AND ANOMALOUS
The Court views that the plaintiffs did not freely choose to file the instant
action, but rather were coerced to do so, merely to comply with the U.S.
District Courts Order dated July 11, 1995, and in order to keep open to the
plaintiffs the opportunity to return to the U.S. District Court.21
Fourth, the trial court ascribed little significance to the voluntary appearance
of the defendant companies therein, thus:
THE DEFENDANTS SUBMISSION TO
JURISDICTION IS CONDITIONAL AS IT
IS ILLUSORY
Defendants have appointed their agents authorized to accept service of

summons/processes in the Philippines pursuant to the agreement in the U.S.
court that defendants will voluntarily submit to the jurisdiction of this court.
While it is true that this court acquires jurisdiction over persons of the
defendants through their voluntary appearance, it appears that such voluntary
appearance of the defendants in this case is conditional. Thus in the
Defendants Amended Agreement Regarding Conditions of Dismissal for
Forum Non Conveniens (Annex to the Complaint) filed with the U.S. District
Court, defendants declared that (t)he authority of each designated
representative to accept service of process will become effec-
_______________
20 Id., at p. 77.
21 Id., at p. 78.
60
60

tive upon final dismissal of these actions by the Court. The decision of the
U.S. District Court dismissing the case is not yet final and executory since both
the plaintiffs and defendants appealed therefrom (par. 3(h), 3(i), Amended
Complaint). Consequently, since the authority of the agent of the defendants
in the Philippines is conditioned on the final adjudication of the case pending
with the U.S. courts, the acquisition of jurisdiction by this court over the
persons of the defendants is also conditional. x x x.
The appointment of agents by the defendants, being subject to a suspensive

condition, thus produces no legal effect and is ineffective at the moment.22
Fifth, the RTC of General Santos City ruled that the act of NAVIDA, et al., of
filing the case in the Philippine courts violated the rules on forum shopping
and litis pendencia. The trial court expounded:
THE JURISDICTION FROWNS UPON
AND PROHIBITS FORUM SHOPPING
This court frowns upon the fact that the parties herein are both vigorously
pursuing their appeal of the decision of the U.S. District court dismissing the
case filed thereat. To allow the parties to litigate in this court when they are
actively pursuing the same cases in another forum, violates the rule on forum
shopping so abhorred in this jurisdiction. x x x.
x x x x
THE FILING OF THE CASE IN U.S.
DIVESTED THIS COURT OF ITS OWN
JURISDICTION
Moreover, the filing of the case in the U.S. courts divested this court of its
own jurisdiction. This court takes note that the U.S. District Court did not
decline jurisdiction over the cause of action. The case was dismissed on the
ground of forum non conveniens, which is really a matter of venue. By taking
cognizance of the case, the U.S. District Court has, in essence, concurrent
jurisdiction with
_______________
22 Id., at pp. 79-80.
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61
this court over the subject matter of this case. It is settled that initial
acquisition of jurisdiction divests another of its own jurisdiction. x x x.
x x x x
THIS CASE IS BARRED BY THE RULE
OF LITIS PENDENCIA
Furthermore, the case filed in the U.S. court involves the same parties, same
rights and interests, as in this case. There exists litis pendencia since there are
two cases involving the same parties and interests. The court would like to
emphasize that in accordance with the rule on litis pendencia x x x; the
subsequent case must be dismissed. Applying the foregoing [precept] to the
case-at-bar, this court concludes that since the case between the parties in
the U.S. is still pending, then this case is barred by the rule on litis
pendencia.23
In fine, the trial court held that:
It behooves this Court, then to dismiss this case. For to continue with these
proceedings, would be violative of the constitutional provision on the Bill of
Rights guaranteeing speedy disposition of cases (Ref. Sec. 16, Article III,
Constitution). The court has no other choice. To insist on further proceedings
with this case, as it is now presented, might accord this court a charming
appearance. But the same insistence would actually thwart the very ends of
justice which it seeks to achieve.
This evaluation and action is made not on account of but rather with due
consideration to the fact that the dismissal of this case does not necessarily
deprive the partiesespecially the plaintiffsof their possible remedies. The
court is cognizant that the Federal Court may resume proceedings of that
earlier case between the herein parties involving the same acts or omissions
as in this case.
WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing considerations, this case is now

considered DISMISSED.24
_______________
23 Id., at pp. 82-84.
24 Id., at p. 85.
62
62
On June 4, 1996, the RTC of General Santos City likewise issued an Order,25
dismissing DOWs Answer with Counterclaim.
CHIQUITA, DEL MONTE and SHELL each filed a motion for reconsideration26 of
the RTC Order dated May 20, 1996, while DOW filed a motion for
reconsideration27 of the RTC Order dated June 4, 1996. Subsequently, DOW
and OCCIDENTAL also filed a Joint Motion for Reconsideration28 of the RTC
Order dated May 20, 1996.
In an Order29 dated July 9, 1996, the RTC of General Santos City declared that
it had already lost its jurisdiction over the case as it took into consideration
the Manifestation of the counsel of NAVIDA, et al., which stated that the latter
had already filed a petition for review on certiorari before this Court.
CHIQUITA and SHELL filed their motions for reconsideration30 of the above
order.
On July 11, 1996, NAVIDA, et al., filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari in
order to assail the RTC Order dated May 20, 1996, which was docketed as G.R.
No. 125078.
The RTC of General Santos City then issued an Order31 dated August 14,
1996, which merely noted the incidents still pending in Civil Case No. 5617
and reiterated that it no longer had any jurisdiction over the case.
On August 30, 1996, DOW and OCCIDENTAL filed their Petition for Review on
Certiorari,32 challenging the orders of
_______________
25 Records, Vol. III, pp. 1205-1206.
26 Id., at pp. 1222-1241, 1243-1257, 1258-1278.

27 Id., at pp. 1303-1307.
28 Id., at pp. 1867-1879.
29 Id., at pp. 1410-1411.
30 Id., at pp. 1669-1674, 1689-1692.
31 Records, Vol. IV, pp. 2064-2066.
32 Rollo (G.R. No. 125598), pp. 10-59.
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63
the RTC of General Santos City dated May 20, 1996, June 4, 1996 and July 9,
1996. Their petition was docketed as G.R. No. 125598.
In their petition, DOW and OCCIDENTAL aver that the RTC of General Santos
City erred in ruling that it has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the
case as well as the persons of the defendant companies.
In a Resolution33 dated October 7, 1996, this Court resolved to consolidate

G.R. No. 125598 with G.R. No. 125078.
CHIQUITA filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari,34 which sought the reversal
of the RTC Orders dated May 20, 1996, July 9, 1996 and August 14, 1996. The
petition was docketed as G.R. No. 126018. In a Resolution35 dated November
13, 1996, the Court dismissed the aforesaid petition for failure of CHIQUITA to
show that the RTC committed grave abuse of discretion. CHIQUITA filed a
Motion for Reconsideration,36 but the same was denied through a
Resolution37 dated January 27, 1997.
Civil Case No. 24,251-96 before the
RTC of Davao City and G.R. Nos.
126654, 127856, and 128398
Another joint complaint for damages against SHELL, DOW, OCCIDENTAL,

DOLE, DEL MONTE, and CHIQUITA was filed before Branch 16 of the RTC of
Davao City by 155 plaintiffs from Davao City. This case was docketed as Civil
Case No. 24,251-96. These plaintiffs (the petitioners in G.R.
_______________
33 Id., at p. 158.
34 Records, Vol. IV, pp. 1931-1969.
35 Id., at pp. 2465-2466.
36 Id., at pp. 2474-2485.
37 Id., at p. 2512.
64
64
No. 126654, hereinafter referred to as ABELLA, et al.) amended their Joint-

Complaint on May 21, 1996.38
Similar to the complaint of NAVIDA, et al., ABELLA, et al., alleged that, as

workers in the banana plantation and/or as residents near the said plantation,
they were made to use and/or were exposed to nematocides, which contained
the chemical DBCP. According to ABELLA, et al., such exposure resulted in
serious and permanent injuries to their health, including, but not limited to,
sterility and severe injuries to their reproductive capacities.39 ABELLA, et al.,
claimed that the defendant companies manufactured, produced, sold,
distributed, used, and/or made available in commerce, DBCP without warning
the users of its hazardous effects on health, and without providing instructions
on its proper use and application, which the defendant companies knew or
ought to have known, had they exercised ordinary care and prudence.
Except for DOW, the other defendant companies filed their respective motions
for bill of particulars to which ABELLA, et al., filed their opposition. DOW and
DEL MONTE filed their respective Answers dated May 17, 1996 and June 24,
1996.
The RTC of Davao City, however, junked Civil Case No. 24,251-96 in its Order
dated October 1, 1996, which, in its entirety, reads:
Upon a thorough review of the Complaint and Amended Complaint For:
Damages filed by the plaintiffs against the defendants Shell Oil Company,
DOW Chemicals Company, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Standard Fruit
Company, Standard Fruit and Steamship, DOLE Food Company, DOLE Fresh
Fruit Company, Chiquita Brands, Inc., Chiquita Brands International, Del Monte
Fresh Produce, N.A. and Del Monte Tropical Fruits Co., all foreign corporations
with Philippine Representatives, the Court, as correctly pointed out by one of
the defendants, is convinced that plaintiffs
_______________
38 Jesus Abayon, the first plaintiff named in the original complaint, was
dropped in the amended joint complaint.
39 Rollo (G.R. No. 126654), p. 47.
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65
would have this Honorable Court dismiss the case to pave the way for their
getting an affirmance by the Supreme Court (#10 of Defendants Del Monte
Fresh Produce, N.A. and Del Monte Tropical Fruit Co., Reply to Opposition dated
July 22, 1996). Consider these:
1)In the original Joint Complaint, plaintiffs state that: defendants have no
properties in the Philippines; they have no agents as well (par. 18); plaintiffs
are suing the defendants for tortuous acts committed by these foreign
corporations on their respective countries, as plaintiffs, after having elected to
sue in the place of defendants residence, are now compelled by a decision of
a Texas District Court to file cases under torts in this jurisdiction for causes of
actions which occurred abroad (par. 19); a petition was filed by same plaintiffs
against same defendants in the Courts of Texas, USA, plaintiffs seeking for
payment of damages based on negligence, strict liability, conspiracy and
international tort theories (par. 27); upon defendants Motion to Dismiss on
Forum non [conveniens], said petition was provisionally dismissed on
condition that these cases be filed in the Philippines or before 11 August 1995
(Philippine date; Should the Philippine Courts refuse or deny jurisdiction, the
U. S. Courts will reassume jurisdiction.)
11.In the Amended Joint Complaint, plaintiffs aver that: on 11 July 1995, the
Federal District Court issued a Memorandum and Order conditionally
dismissing several of the consolidated actions including those filed by the
Filipino complainants. One of the conditions imposed was for the plaintiffs to
file actions in their home countries or the countries in which they were injured
x x x. Notwithstanding, the Memorandum and [O]rder further provided that
should the highest court of any foreign country affirm the dismissal for lack of
jurisdictions over these actions filed by the plaintiffs in their home countries
[or] the countries where they were injured, the said plaintiffs may return to
that court and, upon proper motion, the Court will resume jurisdiction as if the
case had never been dismissed for forum non conveniens.
The Court however is constrained to dismiss the case at bar not solely on the
basis of the above but because it shares the opinion of legal experts given in
the interview made by the Inquirer in its Special report Pesticide Cause Mass
Sterility, to wit:
66
66
1.Former Justice Secretary Demetrio Demetria in a May 1995 opinion said:

The Philippines should be an inconvenient forum to file this kind of damage
suit against foreign companies since the causes of action alleged in the
petition do not exist under Philippine laws. There has been no decided case in
Philippine Jurisprudence awarding to those adversely affected by DBCP. This
means there is no available evidence which will prove and disprove the
relation between sterility and DBCP.
2.Retired Supreme Court Justice Abraham Sarmiento opined that while a

class suit is allowed in the Philippines the device has been employed strictly.
Mass sterility will not qualify as a class suit injury within the contemplation of
Philippine statute.
3.Retired High Court Justice Rodolfo Nocom stated that there is simply an
absence of doctrine here that permits these causes to be heard. No product
liability ever filed or tried here.
Case ordered dismissed.40

Docketed as G.R. No. 126654, the petition for review, filed on November 12,
1996 by ABELLA, et al., assails before this Court the above-quoted order of the
RTC of Davao City.
ABELLA, et al., claim that the RTC of Davao City erred in dismissing Civil Case
No. 24,251-96 on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
According to ABELLA, et al., the RTC of Davao City has jurisdiction over the
subject matter of the case since Articles 2176 and 2187 of the Civil Code are
broad enough to cover the acts complained of and to support their claims for
damages.
ABELLA, et al., further aver that the dismissal of the case, based on the
opinions of legal luminaries reported in a newspaper, by the RTC of Davao City
is bereft of basis. According to them, their cause of action is based on quasi-
delict under Article 2176 of the Civil Code. They also maintain that the
_______________
40 Id., at pp. 37-38.
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67
absence of jurisprudence regarding the award of damages in favor of those

adversely affected by the DBCP does not preclude them from presenting
evidence to prove their allegations that their exposure to DBCP caused their
sterility and/or infertility.
SHELL, DOW, and CHIQUITA each filed their respective motions for
reconsideration of the Order dated October 1, 1996 of the RTC of Davao City.
DEL MONTE also filed its motion for reconsideration, which contained an
additional motion for the inhibition of the presiding judge.
The presiding judge of Branch 16 then issued an Order41 dated December 2,

1996, voluntarily inhibiting himself from trying the case. Thus, the case was
re-raffled to Branch 13 of the RTC of Davao City.
In an Order42 dated December 16, 1996, the RTC of Davao City affirmed the
Order dated October 1, 1996, and denied the respective motions for
reconsideration filed by defendant companies.
Thereafter, CHIQUITA filed a Petition for Review dated March 5, 1997,

questioning the Orders dated October 1, 1996 and December 16, 1996 of the
RTC of Davao City. This case was docketed as G.R. No. 128398.
In its petition, CHIQUITA argues that the RTC of Davao City erred in dismissing
the case motu proprio as it acquired jurisdiction over the subject matter of the
case as well as over the persons of the defendant companies which voluntarily
appeared before it. CHIQUITA also claims that the RTC of Davao City cannot
dismiss the case simply on the basis of opinions of alleged legal experts
appearing in a newspaper article.
_______________
41 Rollo (G.R. No. 128398), p. 81.
42 Id., at p. 82.
68
68
Initially, this Court in its Resolution43 dated July 28, 1997, dismissed the
petition filed by CHIQUITA for submitting a defective certificate against forum
shopping. CHIQUITA, however, filed a motion for reconsideration, which was
granted by this Court in the Resolution44 dated October 8, 1997.
On March 7, 1997, DEL MONTE also filed its petition for review on certiorari
before this Court assailing the above-mentioned orders of the RTC of Davao
City. Its petition was docketed as G.R. No. 127856.
DEL MONTE claims that the RTC of Davao City has jurisdiction over Civil Case
No. 24,251-96, as defined under the law and that the said court already
obtained jurisdiction over its person by its voluntary appearance and the filing
of a motion for bill of particulars and, later, an answer to the complaint.
According to DEL MONTE, the RTC of Davao City, therefore, acted beyond its
authority when it dismissed the case motu proprio or without any motion to
dismiss from any of the parties to the case.
In the Resolutions dated February 10, 1997, April 28, 1997, and March 10,
1999, this Court consolidated G.R. Nos. 125078, 125598, 126654, 127856,
and 128398.
The Consolidated Motion to Drop
DOW, OCCIDENTAL, and SHELL
as Party-Respondents filed by
NAVIDA, et al. and ABELLA, et al.
On September 26, 1997, NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., filed before this
Court a Consolidated Motion (to Drop Party-Respondents).45 The plaintiff
claimants alleged that they had amicably settled their cases with DOW,
OCCIDEN-
_______________
43 Id., at pp. 106-107.
44 Id., at pp. 211-212.
45 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. I, pp. 1053-1056.
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69
TAL, and SHELL sometime in July 1997. This settlement agreement was
evidenced by facsimiles of the Compromise Settlement, Indemnity, and Hold
Harmless Agreement, which were attached to the said motion. Pursuant to
said agreement, the plaintiff claimants sought to withdraw their petitions as
against DOW, OCCIDENTAL, and SHELL.
DOLE, DEL MONTE and CHIQUITA, however, opposed the motion, as well as
the settlement entered into between the plaintiff claimants and DOW,
OCCIDENTAL, and SHELL.
The Memoranda of the Parties
Considering the allegations, issues, and arguments adduced by the parties,

this Court, in a Resolution dated June 22, 1998,46 required all the parties to
submit their respective memoranda.
CHIQUITA filed its Memorandum on August 28, 1998;47 SHELL asked to be

excused from the filing of a memorandum alleging that it had already
executed a compromise agreement with the plaintiff claimants.48 DOLE filed
its Memorandum on October 12, 199849 while DEL MONTE filed on October
13, 1998.50 NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., filed their Consolidated
Memorandum on February 3, 1999;51 and DOW and OCCIDENTAL jointly filed
a Memorandum on December 23, 1999.52
_______________
46 Rollo (G.R. No. 128398), pp. 238-240.
48 Rollo (G.R. No. 126654), pp. 777-781.
50 Id., at pp. 2421-2460.
51 Id., at pp. 2486-2511.
52 Id., Vol. II, pp. 2551-2559.
70
70
The Motion to Withdraw Petition for
Review in G.R. No. 125598
On July 13, 2004, DOW and OCCIDENTAL filed a Motion to Withdraw Petition
for Review in G.R. No. 125598,53 explaining that the said petition is already
moot and academic and no longer presents a justiciable controversy since
they have already entered into an amicable settlement with NAVIDA, et al.
DOW and OCCIDENTAL added that they have fully complied with their
obligations set forth in the 1997 Compromise Agreements.
DOLE filed its Manifestation dated September 6, 2004,54 interposing no

objection to the withdrawal of the petition, and further stating that they
maintain their position that DOW and OCCIDENTAL, as well as other settling
defendant companies, should be retained as defendants for purposes of
prosecuting the cross-claims of DOLE, in the event that the complaint below is
reinstated.
NAVIDA, et al., also filed their Comment dated September 14, 2004,55 stating
that they agree with the view of DOW and OCCIDENTAL that the petition in
G.R. No. 125598 has become moot and academic because Civil Case No. 5617
had already been amicably settled by the parties in 1997.
On September 27, 2004, DEL MONTE filed its Comment on Motion to Withdraw
Petition for Review Filed by Petitioners in G.R. No. 125598,56 stating that it
has no objections to the withdrawal of the petition filed by DOW and
OCCIDENTAL in G.R. No. 125598.
_______________
53 Rollo (G.R. No. 125598), pp. 796-804.
54 Id., at pp. 807-811.
55 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. II, pp. 2901-2903.
56 Id., at pp. 2916-2921.
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71
In a Resolution57 dated October 11, 2004, this Court granted, among others,
the motion to withdraw petition for review filed by DOW and OCCIDENTAL.
The Issues
In their Consolidated Memorandum, NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al.,

presented the following issues for our consideration:
IN REFUTATION
I.THE COURT DISMISSED THE CASE DUE TO LACK OF JURISDICTION.
a)The court did not simply dismiss the case because it was filed in bad faith
with petitioners intending to have the same dismissed and returned to the
Texas court.
b)The court dismissed the case because it was convinced that it did not
have jurisdiction.
IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION
II.THE TRIAL COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE
CASE.
a.The acts complained of occurred within Philippine territory.
b.Art. 2176 of the Civil Code of the Philippines is broad enough to cover the
acts complained of.
c.Assumption of jurisdiction by the U.S. District Court over petitioner[s]

claims did not divest Philippine [c]ourts of jurisdiction over the same.
d.The Compromise Agreement and the subsequent Consolidated Motion to

Drop Party Respondents Dow, Occidental and Shell does not unjustifiably
prejudice remaining respondents Dole, Del Monte and Chiquita.58
_______________
57 Rollo (G.R. No. 125598), pp. 812-813.
58 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. I, p. 2496.
72
72
DISCUSSION
On the issue of jurisdiction

Essentially, the crux of the controversy in the petitions at bar is whether the
RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City erred in dismissing Civil
Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96, respectively, for lack of jurisdiction.
Remarkably, none of the parties to this case claims that the courts a quo are
bereft of jurisdiction to determine and resolve the above-stated cases. All
parties contend that the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City
have jurisdiction over the action for damages, specifically for approximately
P2.7 million for each of the plaintiff claimants.
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., argue that the allegedly tortious acts and/or
omissions of defendant companies occurred within Philippine territory.
Specifically, the use of and exposure to DBCP that was manufactured,
distributed or otherwise put into the stream of commerce by defendant
companies happened in the Philippines. Said fact allegedly constitutes
reasonable basis for our courts to assume jurisdiction over the case.
Furthermore, NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., assert that the provisions of
Chapter 2 of the Preliminary Title of the Civil Code, as well as Article 2176
thereof, are broad enough to cover their claim for damages. Thus, NAVIDA, et
al., and ABELLA, et al., pray that the respective rulings of the RTC of General
Santos City and the RTC of Davao City in Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96
be reversed and that the said cases be remanded to the courts a quo for
further proceedings.
DOLE similarly maintains that the acts attributed to defendant companies

constitute a quasi-delict, which falls under Article 2176 of the Civil Code. In
addition, DOLE states that if there were no actionable wrongs committed
under Philippine law, the courts a quo should have dismissed the civil cases on
the ground that the Amended Joint-Complaints of
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73
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., stated no cause of action against the
defendant companies. DOLE also argues that if indeed there is no positive law
defining the alleged acts of defendant companies as actionable wrong, Article
9 of the Civil Code dictates that a judge may not refuse to render a decision
on the ground of insufficiency of the law. The court may still resolve the case,
applying the customs of the place and, in the absence thereof, the general
principles of law. DOLE posits that the Philippines is the situs of the tortious
acts allegedly committed by defendant companies as NAVIDA, et al., and
ABELLA, et al., point to their alleged exposure to DBCP which occurred in the
Philippines, as the cause of the sterility and other reproductive system
problems that they allegedly suffered. Finally, DOLE adds that the RTC of
Davao City gravely erred in relying upon newspaper reports in dismissing Civil
Case No. 24,251-96 given that newspaper articles are hearsay and without
any evidentiary value. Likewise, the alleged legal opinions cited in the
newspaper reports were taken judicial notice of, without any notice to the
parties. DOLE, however, opines that the dismissal of Civil Case Nos. 5617 and
24,251-96 was proper, given that plaintiff claimants merely prosecuted the
cases with the sole intent of securing a dismissal of the actions for the
purpose of convincing the U.S. Federal District Court to re-assume jurisdiction
over the cases.
In a similar vein, CHIQUITA argues that the courts a quo had jurisdiction over
the subject matter of the cases filed before them. The Amended Joint-
Complaints sought approximately P2.7 million in damages for each plaintiff
claimant, which amount falls within the jurisdiction of the RTC. CHIQUITA avers
that the pertinent matter is the place of the alleged exposure to DBCP, not the
place of manufacture, packaging, distribution, sale, etc., of the said chemical.
This is in consonance with the lex loci delicti commisi theory in determining
the situs of a tort, which states that the law of the place where the alleged
wrong was committed will govern the action. CHIQUITA and the other
defendant companies also
74
74
submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the RTC by making voluntary

appearances and seeking for affirmative reliefs during the course of the
proceedings. None of the defendant companies ever objected to the exercise
of jurisdiction by the courts a quo over their persons. CHIQUITA, thus, prays for
the remand of Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96 to the RTC of General
Santos City and the RTC of Davao City, respectively.
The RTC of General Santos City and
the RTC of Davao City have
jurisdiction over Civil Case Nos.

5617 and 24,251-96, respectively
The rule is settled that jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case is
conferred by law and is determined by the allegations in the complaint and
the character of the relief sought, irrespective of whether the plaintiffs are
entitled to all or some of the claims asserted therein.59 Once vested by law,
on a particular court or body, the jurisdiction over the subject matter or nature
of the action cannot be dislodged by anybody other than by the legislature
through the enactment of a law.
At the time of the filing of the complaints, the jurisdiction of the RTC in civil
cases under Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended by Republic Act No. 7691,
was:
SEC.19.Jurisdiction in civil cases.Regional Trial Courts shall exercise

exclusive original jurisdiction:
xxxx
(8)In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of
whatever kind, attorneys fees, litigation expenses, and costs or the value of
the property in controversy exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in such other cases in
_______________
59 Barangay Piapi v. Talip, 506 Phil. 392, 396; 469 SCRA 409, 413 (2005);
Radio Communications of the Philippines, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 435 Phil. 62,
66; 386 SCRA 67, 70 (2002).
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75
Metro Manila, where the demand, exclusive of the abovementioned items

exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).60
Corollary thereto, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 09-94, states:
2.The exclusion of the term damages of whatever kind in determining the

jurisdictional amount under Section 19 (8) and Section 33 (1) of B.P. Blg. 129,
as amended by R.A. No. 7691, applies to cases where the damages are merely
incidental to or a consequence of the main cause of action. However, in cases
where the claim for damages is the main cause of action, or one of the causes
of action, the amount of such claim shall be considered in determining the
jurisdiction of the court.
Here, NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., sought in their similarly-worded

Amended Joint-Complaints filed before the courts a quo, the following prayer:
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that after

hearing, judgment be rendered in favor of the plaintiffs ordering the
defendants:
a)TO PAY EACH PLAINTIFF moral damages in the amount of One Million Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P1,500,00.00);
b)TO PAY EACH PLAINTIFF nominal damages in the amount of Four Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P400,000.00) each;
_______________
60 Under Republic Act No. 7691, the jurisdictional amounts in civil cases would
later be adjusted as provided in Section 5, to wit:
SEC. 5.After five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the jurisdictional
amounts mentioned in Sec. 19(3), (4), and (8); and Sec. 33(1) of Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129 as amended by this Act, shall be adjusted to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00). Five (5) years thereafter, such jurisdictional
amounts shall be adjusted further to Three hundred thousand pesos
(P300,000.00): Provided, however, That in the case of Metro Manila, the
abovementioned jurisdictional amounts shall be adjusted after five (5) years
from the effectivity of this Act to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00).
76
76

c)TO PAY EACH PLAINTIFF exemplary damages in the amount of Six Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P600,000.00);
d)TO PAY EACH PLAINTIFF attorneys fees of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P200,000.00); and
e)TO PAY THE COSTS of the suit.61
From the foregoing, it is clear that the claim for damages is the main cause of
action and that the total amount sought in the complaints is approximately
P2.7 million for each of the plaintiff claimants. The RTCs unmistakably have
jurisdiction over the cases filed in General Santos City and Davao City, as both
claims by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., fall within the purview of the
definition of the jurisdiction of the RTC under Batas Pambansa Blg. 129.
Moreover, the allegations in both Amended Joint-Complaints narrate that:
THE CAUSES OF ACTION
4.The Defendants manufactured, sold, distributed, used, AND/OR MADE

AVAILABLE IN COMMERCE nematocides containing the chemical
dibromochloropropane, commonly known as DBCP. THE CHEMICAL WAS USED
AGAINST the parasite known as the nematode, which plagued banana
plantations, INCLUDING THOSE in the Philippines. AS IT TURNED OUT, DBCP
not only destroyed nematodes. IT ALSO CAUSED ILL-EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH
OF PERSONS EXPOSED TO IT AFFECTING the human reproductive system as
well.
5.The plaintiffs were exposed to DBCP in the 1970s up to the early 1980s
WHILE (a) they used this product in the banana plantations WHERE they were
employed, and/or (b) they resided within the agricultural area WHERE IT WAS
USED. As a result of such exposure, the plaintiffs suffered serious and
permanent injuries TO THEIR HEALTH, including, but not limited to, STERILITY
and severe injuries to their reproductive capacities.
_______________
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77
6.THE DEFENDANTS WERE AT FAULT OR WERE NEGLIGENT IN THAT THEY

MANUFACTURED, produced, sold, and/or USED DBCP and/or otherwise, PUT
THE SAME into the stream of commerce, WITHOUT INFORMING THE USERS OF
ITS HAZARDOUS EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND/OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS ON
ITS PROPER USE AND APPLICATION. THEY allowed Plaintiffs to be exposed to,
DBCP-containing materials which THEY knew, or in the exercise of ordinary
care and prudence ought to have known, were highly harmful and injurious to
the Plaintiffs health and well-being.
7.The Defendants WHO MANUFACTURED, PRODUCED, SOLD, DISTRIBUTED,

MADE AVAILABLE OR PUT DBCP INTO THE STREAM OF COMMERCE were
negligent OR AT FAULT in that they, AMONG OTHERS:
a.Failed to adequately warn Plaintiffs of the dangerous characteristics of

DBCP, or to cause their subsidiaries or affiliates to so warn plaintiffs;
b.Failed to provide plaintiffs with information as to what should be

reasonably safe and sufficient clothing and proper protective equipment and
appliances, if any, to protect plaintiffs from the harmful effects of exposure to
DBCP, or to cause their subsidiaries or affiliates to do so;
c.Failed to place adequate warnings, in a language understandable to the

worker, on containers of DBCP-containing materials to warn of the dangers to
health of coming into contact with DBCP, or to cause their subsidiaries or
affiliates to do so;
d.Failed to take reasonable precaution or to exercise reasonable care to

publish, adopt and enforce a safety plan and a safe method of handling and
applying DBCP, or to cause their subsidiaries or affiliates to do so;
e.Failed to test DBCP prior to releasing these products for sale, or to cause
their subsidiaries or affiliates to do so; and
f.Failed to reveal the results of tests conducted on DBCP to each plaintiff,

governmental agencies and the public, or to cause their subsidiaries or
affiliate to do so.
78
78

8.The illnesses and injuries of each plaintiff are also due to the FAULT or
negligence of defendants Standard Fruit Company, Dole Fresh Fruit Company,
Dole Food Company, Inc., Chiquita Brands, Inc. and Chiquita Brands
International, Inc. in that they failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent
each plaintiffs harmful exposure to DBCP-containing products which
defendants knew or should have known were hazardous to each plaintiff in
that they, AMONG OTHERS:
a.Failed to adequately supervise and instruct Plaintiffs in the safe and proper
application of DBCP-containing products;
b.Failed to implement proper methods and techniques of application of said

products, or to cause such to be implemented;
c.Failed to warn Plaintiffs of the hazards of exposure to said products or to

cause them to be so warned;
d.Failed to test said products for adverse health effects, or to cause said
products to be tested;
e.Concealed from Plaintiffs information concerning the observed effects of

said products on Plaintiffs;
f.Failed to monitor the health of plaintiffs exposed to said products;
g.Failed to place adequate labels on containers of said products to warn

them of the damages of said products; and
h.Failed to use substitute nematocides for said products or to cause such

substitutes to [be] used.62 (Emphasis supplied and words in brackets ours.)
Quite evidently, the allegations in the Amended Joint-Complaints of NAVIDA, et

al., and ABELLA, et al., attribute to defendant companies certain acts and/or
omissions which led to their exposure to nematocides containing the chemical
DBCP. According to NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., such
_______________
62 Id., at pp. 95-98.
79
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
79
exposure to the said chemical caused ill effects, injuries and illnesses,
specifically to their reproductive system.
Thus, these allegations in the complaints constitute the cause of action of

plaintiff claimantsa quasi-delict, which under the Civil Code is defined as an
act, or omission which causes damage to another, there being fault or
negligence. To be precise, Article 2176 of the Civil Code provides:
Article2176.Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there

being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or
negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties,
is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
As specifically enumerated in the amended complaints, NAVIDA, et al., and

ABELLA, et al., point to the acts and/or omissions of the defendant companies
in manufacturing, producing, selling, using, and/or otherwise putting into the
stream of commerce, nematocides which contain DBCP, without informing
the users of its hazardous effects on health and/or without instructions on its
proper use and application.63
Verily, in Citibank, N.A. v. Court of Appeals,64 this Court has always reminded
that jurisdiction of the court over the subject matter of the action is
determined by the allegations of the complaint, irrespective of whether or not
the plaintiffs are entitled to recover upon all or some of the claims asserted
therein. The jurisdiction of the court cannot be made to depend upon the
defenses set up in the answer or upon the motion to dismiss, for otherwise,
the question of jurisdiction would almost entirely depend upon the defendants.
What determines the jurisdiction of the court is the nature of the action
pleaded as appearing from the allegations in the com-
_______________
63 Rollo (G.R. No. 126654), p. 47.
64 359 Phil. 719, 727; 299 SCRA 390, 394 (1998).
80
80

plaint. The averments therein and the character of the relief sought are the
ones to be consulted.
Clearly then, the acts and/or omissions attributed to the defendant companies
constitute a quasi-delict which is the basis for the claim for damages filed by
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., with individual claims of approximately P2.7
million for each plaintiff claimant, which obviously falls within the purview of
the civil action jurisdiction of the RTCs.
Moreover, the injuries and illnesses, which NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al.,
allegedly suffered resulted from their exposure to DBCP while they were
employed in the banana plantations located in the Philippines or while they
were residing within the agricultural areas also located in the Philippines. The
factual allegations in the Amended Joint-Complaints all point to their cause of
action, which undeniably occurred in the Philippines. The RTC of General
Santos City and the RTC of Davao City obviously have reasonable basis to
assume jurisdiction over the cases.
It is, therefore, error on the part of the courts a quo when they dismissed the
cases on the ground of lack of jurisdiction on the mistaken assumption that
the cause of action narrated by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., took place
abroad and had occurred outside and beyond the territorial boundaries of the
Philippines, i.e., the manufacture of the pesticides, their packaging in
containers, their distribution through sale or other disposition, resulting in
their becoming part of the stream of commerce,65 and, hence, outside the
jurisdiction of the RTCs.
Certainly, the cases below are not criminal cases where territoriality, or the
situs of the act complained of, would be determinative of jurisdiction and
venue for trial of cases. In personal civil actions, such as claims for payment of
damages,
_______________
65 Order dated May 20, 1996 of the General Santos City RTC, Rollo (G.R. No.
125078), Vol. I, pp. 72-86; penned by Judge Teodoro A. Dizon, Jr.
81
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
81
the Rules of Court allow the action to be commenced and tried in the
appropriate court, where any of the plaintiffs or defendants resides, or in the
case of a non-resident defendant, where he may be found, at the election of
the plaintiff.66
In a very real sense, most of the evidence required to prove the claims of
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., are available only in the Philippines. First,
plaintiff claimants are all residents of the Philippines, either in General Santos
City or in Davao City. Second, the specific areas where they were allegedly
exposed to the chemical DBCP are within the territorial jurisdiction of the
courts a quo wherein NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., initially filed their
claims for damages. Third, the testimonial and documentary evidence from
important witnesses, such as doctors, co-workers, family members and other
members of the community, would be easier to gather in the Philippines.
Considering the great number of plaintiff claimants involved in this case, it is
not far-fetched to assume that voluminous records are involved in the
presentation of evidence to support the claim of plaintiff claimants. Thus,
these additional factors, coupled with the fact that the alleged cause of action
of NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., against the defendant companies for
damages occurred in the Philippines, demonstrate that, apart from the RTC of
General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City having jurisdiction over the
subject matter in the instant civil cases, they are, indeed, the convenient fora
for trying these cases.67
The RTC of General Santos City and
the RTC of Davao City validly acquired
jurisdiction over the persons of all the
defendant companies
_______________
66 Rules of Court, Rule 4, Section 2.
67 See Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Court of Appeals, 358 Phil. 105; 297 SCRA 469
(1998).
82
82
It is well to stress again that none of the parties claims that the courts a quo
lack jurisdiction over the cases filed before them. All parties are one in
asserting that the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City have
validly acquired jurisdiction over the persons of the defendant companies in
the action below. All parties voluntarily, unconditionally and knowingly
appeared and submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the courts a quo.
Rule 14, Section 20 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure provides that [t]he
defendants voluntary appearance in the action shall be equivalent to service
of summons. In this connection, all the defendant companies designated and
authorized representatives to receive summons and to represent them in the
proceedings before the courts a quo. All the defendant companies submitted
themselves to the jurisdiction of the courts a quo by making several voluntary
appearances, by praying for various affirmative reliefs, and by actively
participating during the course of the proceedings below.
In line herewith, this Court, in Meat Packing Corporation of the Philippines v.

Sandiganbayan,68 held that jurisdiction over the person of the defendant in
civil cases is acquired either by his voluntary appearance in court and his
submission to its authority or by service of summons. Furthermore, the active
participation of a party in the proceedings is tantamount to an invocation of
the courts jurisdiction and a willingness to abide by the resolution of the case,
and will bar said party from later on impugning the court or bodys
jurisdiction.69
Thus, the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City have validly
acquired jurisdiction over the persons of the defendant companies, as well as
over the subject matter of the instant case. What is more, this jurisdiction,
which has
_______________
68 411 Phil. 959; 359 SCRA 409 (2001).
69 Id., at pp. 977-978; p. 425.
83
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011

83
been acquired and has been vested on the courts a quo, continues until the
termination of the proceedings.
It may also be pertinently stressed that jurisdiction is different from the

exercise of jurisdiction. Jurisdiction refers to the authority to decide a case,
not the orders or the decision rendered therein. Accordingly, where a court has
jurisdiction over the persons of the defendants and the subject matter, as in
the case of the courts a quo, the decision on all questions arising therefrom is
but an exercise of such jurisdiction. Any error that the court may commit in
the exercise of its jurisdiction is merely an error of judgment, which does not
affect its authority to decide the case, much less divest the court of the
jurisdiction over the case.70
Plaintiffs purported bad faith in
filing the subject civil cases in
Philippine courts
Anent the insinuation by DOLE that the plaintiff claimants filed their cases in
bad faith merely to procure a dismissal of the same and to allow them to
return to the forum of their choice, this Court finds such argument much too
speculative to deserve any merit.
It must be remembered that this Court does not rule on allegations that are
unsupported by evidence on record. This Court does not rule on allegations
which are manifestly conjectural, as these may not exist at all. This Court
deals with facts, not fancies; on realities, not appearances. When this Court
acts on appearances instead of realities, justice and law will be short-lived.71
This is especially true with respect to
_______________
70 Platinum Tours and Travel, Inc. v. Panlilio, 457 Phil. 961, 967-968; 411 SCRA
142, 146 (2003).
71 ABAKADA Guro Party List Officers Alcantara & Albano v. The Honorable
Executive Secretary Ermita, 506 Phil. 1, 116; 469 SCRA 14, 125 (2005).
84
84
allegations of bad faith, in line with the basic rule that good faith is always
presumed and bad faith must be proved.72
In sum, considering the fact that the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of
Davao City have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the amended
complaints filed by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., and that the courts a
quo have also acquired jurisdiction over the persons of all the defendant
companies, it therefore, behooves this Court to order the remand of Civil Case
Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96 to the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of
Davao City, respectively.
On the issue of the dropping of
DOW, OCCIDENTAL and SHELL
as respondents in view of their
amicable settlement with NAVIDA,
et al., and ABELLA, et al.
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., are further praying that DOW, OCCIDENTAL
and SHELL be dropped as respondents in G.R. Nos. 125078 and 126654, as
well as in Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96. The non-settling defendants
allegedly manifested that they intended to file their cross-claims against their
co-defendants who entered into compromise agreements. NAVIDA, et al., and
ABELLA, et al., argue that the non-settling defendants did not aver any cross-
claim in their answers to the complaint and that they subsequently sought to
amend their answers to plead their cross-claims only after the settlement
between the plaintiff claimants and DOW, OCCIDENTAL, and SHELL were
executed. NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., therefore, assert that the cross-
claims are already barred.
In their Memoranda, CHIQUITA and DOLE are opposing the above motion of
NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., since
_______________
72 Andrade v. Court of Appeals, 423 Phil. 30, 43; 371 SCRA 555, 565 (2001).
85
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
85
the latters Amended Complaints cited several instances of tortious conduct

that were allegedly committed jointly and severally by the defendant
companies. This solidary obligation on the part of all the defendants allegedly
gives any co-defendant the statutory right to proceed against the other co-
defendants for the payment of their respective shares. Should the subject
motion of NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., be granted, and the Court
subsequently orders the remand of the action to the trial court for
continuance, CHIQUITA and DOLE would allegedly be deprived of their right to
prosecute their cross-claims against their other co-defendants. Moreover, a
third party complaint or a separate trial, according to CHIQUITA, would only
unduly delay and complicate the proceedings. CHIQUITA and DOLE similarly
insist that the motion of NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., to drop DOW,
SHELL and OCCIDENTAL as respondents in G.R. Nos. 125078 and 126654, as
well as in Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96, be denied.
Incidentally, on April 2, 2007, after the parties have submitted their respective
memoranda, DEL MONTE filed a Manifestation and Motion73 before the Court,
stating that similar settlement agreements were allegedly executed by the
plaintiff claimants with DEL MONTE and CHIQUITA sometime in 1999.
Purportedly included in the agreements were Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-
96. Attached to the said manifestation were copies of the Compromise
Settlement, Indemnity, and Hold Harmless Agreement between DEL MONTE
and the settling plaintiffs, as well as the Release in Full executed by the
latter.74 DEL MONTE specified therein that there were only four (4) plaintiffs
in Civil Case No. 5617 who are claiming against the Del Monte parties75 and
that
_______________
73 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. II, pp. 3220-3234.
74 Id., at pp. 3235-3272.
75 The Release In Full bore the names of plaintiffs Leoncio Serdoncillo, Edgar
M. Penaranda and Leonardo Burdeos, Jr. The Release in Full under the name of
Bernabe Navida [Rollo (G.R. No.
86
86
the latter have executed amicable settlements which completely satisfied any
claims against DEL MONTE. In accordance with the alleged compromise
agreements with the four plaintiffs in Civil Case No. 5617, DEL MONTE sought
the dismissal of the Amended Joint-Complaint in the said civil case.
Furthermore, in view of the above settlement agreements with ABELLA, et al.,
in Civil Case No. 24,251-96, DEL MONTE stated that it no longer wished to
pursue its petition in G.R. No. 127856 and accordingly prayed that it be
allowed to withdraw the same.
Having adjudged that Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96 should be
remanded to the RTC of General Santos City and the RTC of Davao City,
respectively, the Court deems that the Consolidated Motions (to Drop Party-
Respondents) filed by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., should likewise be
referred to the said trial courts for appropriate disposition.
Under Article 2028 of the Civil Code, [a] compromise is a contract whereby
the parties, by making reciprocal concessions, avoid a litigation or put an end
to one already commenced. Like any other contract, an extrajudicial
compromise agreement is not excepted from rules and principles of a
contract. It is a consensual contract, perfected by mere consent, the latter
being manifested by the meeting of the offer and the acceptance upon the
thing and the cause which are to constitute the contract.76 Judicial approval is
not required for its perfection.77 A compromise has upon the parties the effect
and authority of res judicata78 and this holds true even if the
_______________
125078), Vol. II, pp. 3390-3404] was attached to DEL MONTEs Supplement to
Manifestation and Motion dated April 2, 2007.
76 Armed Forces of the Philippines Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. v. Court of

Appeals, 370 Phil. 150, 163; 311 SCRA 143, 154 (1999).
77 Sanchez v. Court of Appeals, 345 Phil. 155, 182; 279 SCRA 647, 675 (1997).
78 Article 2037 of the Civil Code reads:
87
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
87
agreement has not been judicially approved.79 In addition, as a binding

contract, a compromise agreement determines the rights and obligations of
only the parties to it.80
In light of the foregoing legal precepts, the RTC of General Santos City and the
RTC of Davao City should first receive in evidence and examine all of the
alleged compromise settlements involved in the cases at bar to determine the
propriety of dropping any party as a defendant therefrom.
The Court notes that the Consolidated Motions (to Drop Party-Respondents)
that was filed by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., only pertained to DOW,
OCCIDENTAL and SHELL in view of the latter companies alleged compromise
agreements with the plaintiff claimants. However, in subsequent
developments, DEL MONTE and CHIQUITA supposedly reached their own
amicable settlements with the plaintiff claimants, but DEL MONTE qualified
that it entered into a settlement agreement with only four of the plaintiff
claimants in Civil Case No. 5617. These four plaintiff claimants were allegedly
the only ones who were asserting claims against DEL MONTE. However, the
said allegation of DEL MONTE was simply stipulated in their Compromise
Settlement, Indemnity, and Hold Harmless Agreement and its truth could not
be verified with certainty based on the records elevated to this Court.
Significantly, the 336 plaintiff claimants in Civil Case No. 5617 jointly filed a
complaint without individually specifying their claims against DEL MONTE or
any of the other defendant companies. Furthermore, not one plaintiff claimant
filed a motion for the removal of either DEL
_______________
Art.2037.A compromise has upon the parties the effect and authority of res
judicata; but there shall be no execution except in compliance with a judicial
compromise.
79 Santos Ventura Hocorma Foundation, Inc. v. Santos, 484 Phil. 447, 455; 441
SCRA 472, 480 (2004).
80 California Bus Lines, Inc. v. State Investment House, Inc., 463 Phil. 689,
710; 418 SCRA 297, 316 (2003).
88
88
MONTE or CHIQUITA as defendants in Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96.
There is, thus, a primary need to establish who the specific parties to the
alleged compromise agreements are, as well as their corresponding rights and
obligations therein. For this purpose, the courts a quo may require the
presentation of additional evidence from the parties. Thereafter, on the basis
of the records of the cases at bar and the additional evidence submitted by
the parties, if any, the trial courts can then determine who among the
defendants may be dropped from the said cases.
It is true that, under Article 2194 of the Civil Code, the responsibility of two or
more persons who are liable for the same quasi-delict is solidary. A solidary
obligation is one in which each of the debtors is liable for the entire obligation,
and each of the creditors is entitled to demand the satisfaction of the whole
obligation from any or all of the debtors.81
In solidary obligations, the paying debtors right of reimbursement is provided

for under Article 1217 of the Civil Code, to wit:
Art.1217.Payment made by one of the solidary debtors extinguishes the

obligation. If two or more solidary debtors offer to pay, the creditor may
choose which offer to accept.
He who made the payment may claim from his co-debtors only the share
which corresponds to each, with the interest for the payment already made. If
the payment is made before the debt is due, no interest for the intervening
period may be demanded.
When one of the solidary debtors cannot, because of his insolvency, reimburse
his share to the debtor paying the obligation, such share shall be borne by all
his co-debtors, in proportion to the debt of each.
_______________
81 PH Credit Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 421 Phil. 821, 832; 370 SCRA
155, 165 (2001).
89
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
89
The above right of reimbursement of a paying debtor, and the corresponding

liability of the co-debtors to reimburse, will only arise, however, if a solidary
debtor who is made to answer for an obligation actually delivers payment to
the creditor. As succinctly held in Lapanday Agricultural Development
Corporation v. Court of Appeals,82[p]ayment, which means not only the
delivery of money but also the performance, in any other manner, of the
obligation, is the operative fact which will entitle either of the solidary debtors
to seek reimbursement for the share which corresponds to each of the [other]
debtors.83
In the cases at bar, there is no right of reimbursement to speak of as yet. A

trial on the merits must necessarily be conducted first in order to establish
whether or not defendant companies are liable for the claims for damages
filed by the plaintiff claimants, which would necessarily give rise to an
obligation to pay on the part of the defendants.
At the point in time where the proceedings below were prematurely halted, no
cross-claims have been interposed by any defendant against another
defendant. If and when such a cross-claim is made by a non-settling defendant
against a settling defendant, it is within the discretion of the trial court to
determine the propriety of allowing such a cross-claim and if the settling
defendant must remain a party to the case purely in relation to the cross
claim.
In Armed Forces of the Philippines Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. v. Court of

Appeals,84 the Court had the occasion to state that where there are, along
with the parties to the compromise, other persons involved in the litigation
who have not taken part in concluding the compromise agreement but are
adversely affected or feel prejudiced thereby, should not
_______________
82 381 Phil. 41; 324 SCRA 39 (2000).

83 Id., at pp. 52-53; p. 50.
84 Supra note 76.
90
90
be precluded from invoking in the same proceedings an adequate relief

therefor.85
Relevantly, in Philippine International Surety Co., Inc. v. Gonzales,86 the Court

upheld the ruling of the trial court that, in a joint and solidary obligation, the
paying debtor may file a third-party complaint and/or a cross-claim to enforce
his right to seek contribution from his co-debtors.
Hence, the right of the remaining defendant(s) to seek reimbursement in the

above situation, if proper, is not affected by the compromise agreements
allegedly entered into by NAVIDA, et al., and ABELLA, et al., with some of the
defendant companies
WHEREFORE, the Court hereby GRANTS the petitions for review on certiorari in
G.R. Nos. 125078, 126654, and 128398. We REVERSE and SET ASIDE the
Order dated May 20, 1996 of the Regional Trial Court of General Santos City,
Branch 37, in Civil Case No. 5617, and the Order dated October 1, 1996 of the
Regional Trial Court of Davao City, Branch 16, and its subsequent Order dated
December 16, 1996 denying reconsideration in Civil Case No. 24,251-96, and
REMAND the records of this case to the respective Regional Trial Courts of
origin for further and appropriate proceedings in line with the ruling herein
that said courts have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the amended
complaints in Civil Case Nos. 5617 and 24,251-96.
The Court likewise GRANTS the motion filed by Del Monte to withdraw its
petition in G.R. No. 127856. In view of the previous grant of the motion to
withdraw the petition in G.R. No. 125598, both G.R. Nos. 127856 and 125598
are considered CLOSED AND TERMINATED.
No pronouncement as to costs.
_______________
85 Id., at p. 164; pp. 155-156.
86 113 Phil. 373, 376-377; 3 SCRA 391, 394 (1961).
91
VOL. 649, MAY 30, 2011
91
SO ORDERED.
Corona (C.J., Chairperson), Velasco, Jr., Peralta** and Perez, JJ., concur.
Petitions in G.R. Nos. 125078, 126654 and 128398 granted, orders dated May
20, 1996 and order dated October 1, 1996 reversed and set aside.
ISSUE:
RULING: Once vested by law, on a particular court or body, the jurisdiction

over the subject matter or nature of the action cannot be dislodged by
anybody other than by the legislature through the enactment of a law.The
rule is settled that jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case is conferred
by law and is determined by the allegations in the complaint and the
character of the relief sought, irrespective of whether the plaintiffs are entitled
to all or some of the claims asserted therein. Once vested by law, on a
particular court or body, the jurisdiction over the subject matter or nature of
the action cannot be dislodged by anybody other than by the legislature
through the enactment of a law.
Jurisdiction of the court over the subject matter of the action is determined by
the allegations of the complaint, irrespective of whether or not the plaintiffs
are entitled to recover upon all or some of the claims asserted thereinit
cannot be made to depend upon the defenses set up in the answer or upon
the motion to dismiss, for otherwise, the question of jurisdiction would almost
entirely depend upon the defendants.
5. BIACO V. PHILIPPINE COUNTRYSIDE RURAL BANK, G.R. NO. 161417, FEBRUARY

8, 2007
FACTS:
ISSUE:
RULING:
6. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES V. JUDGE MANGOTARA, G.R. NOS. 170375, MAIN

DECISION
FACTS:
ISSUE:
RULING:
7. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES V. JUDGE MANGOTARA, G.R. NOS. 170375

RESOLUTION
FACTS:
ISSUE:
RULING:
B. ERRORS OF JURISDICTION AND ERRORS OF JUDGMENT

CONTRADISTINGUISH
8. DIPAD V. OLIVAN, 677 SCRA 469, 2012
9. UCPB V. LUMBO, G.R. NO. 162757, DECEMBER 11, 2013
10.LIGOT V. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. NO. 176944, MARCH 6, 2013
11.SABILI V. COMELEC, G.R. NO. 193261, APRIL 24, 2012
12.AGG TRUCKING V. YUAG, G.R. NO 195033, OCTOBER 12, 2011
13.PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES V. SANDIGANBAYAN, G.R. NO. 173396,

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
14.METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY V. VERIDIANO III, G.R. NO. 118251,
JUNE 29, 2001
15.PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES V. ASIS, G.R. NO. 173089, AUGUST 25, 2010
16.PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES V. TRIA-TRONA, G.R. NO. 130106, JULY 15, 2005
17.LEE V. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. NO .159288, OCTOBER 19, 2004
18.TAN Y CHUA V. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE, G.R. NO. 148194, APRIL 12, 2002
C. JURISDICTION CONFERRED BY LAW NOT BY PARTIES NOR BY THEIR
AGREEMENT OR CONSENT
19.HEIRS OF SANTIAGO NISPERAS V. NISPERAS-DUCUSIN, 702 SCRA 721, 2013
20.COJUANCO, JR. V. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, 686 SCRA 472, 2013
21.BAGUIO MARKET VENDORS V. CABATO-CORTES, 613 SCRA 733, 2007
D. HOW IS JURISDICTION DETERMINED?
22.BASES CONVERSION DEVELOPMENT AUTH. V. PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM,

675 SCRA 7, 2013
23.REPUBLIC OF THE PGILIPPINES V. ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA,

685 SCRA 216, 2013
24.BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES ISLANDS V. HONG, 666 SCRA 71, 2013
25.HEIRS OF CANDIDO DEL ROSARIO V. DEL ROSARIO, 674 SCRA 180, 2013
26.BANK OF COMMERCE V. PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK, 681 SCRA 521,

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
E. ALLOCATION OF JURSIDICTION
27.GOMEZ-CASTILLO V. COMELEC, 621 SCRA 499, 2007
28.DBM PROCUREMENT SERVICE V. KOLONWELL TRADING, 524 SCRA 591, 2007
29.COMELEC V. AGUIRRE, 532 SCRA 545, 2007
30.SEVILLENO V. COMELEC, 533 SCRA 385, 2007
31.COSCO PHILIPPINE SHIPPING INC. V. KEMPER INSURANCE COMPANY, 670 SCRA

343, 2012
32.GO V. DISTINCTION PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INC., 671

SCRA 461, 2012
33.IN RE: LETTER OF ATTY. ESTELITO P. MENDOZA RE: G.R. NO. 178083, 668 SCRA
11, 2012
F. WHEN ACT IS DONE WITHOUT JURISDICTION EFFECT/S

34.PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES V. SANDIGANBAYAN, 665 SCRA 89, 2012
35.TAGLAY V. DARAY, 678 SCRA 640, 2013

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JURISDICTION

CASE DIGEST COMPILATION

A. DISTINGUISH JURISDICTION FROM EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION

1. ANTONINO V. REGISTER OF DEEDS OF MAKATI CITY, G.R. NO. 185663, JUNE

Jurisdiction is not the same as the exercise of jurisdiction. As distinguished

WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, judgment is hereby rendered as follows:

We DENY petitioners claims.

It is true that the Rules should be interpreted so as to give litigants ample

3. SPOUSES MANILA V. SPOUSES MANZO, G.R. NO. 163602, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

The MTC rendered a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. Petitioners appealed to

ISSUE: WHETHER THE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED A GRAVE ERROR IN

RULING: The petition is meritorious.

A petition for annulment of judgments or final orders of a Regional Trial Court

Lack of jurisdiction as a ground for annulment of judgment refers to either lack

4. NAVIDA V. DIZON JR. G.R. NOS. 125078, MAY 30, 2011

FACTS: Proceedings before the Texas Courts

11 Rollo (G.R. No. 128398), p. 104.

12 Rollo (G.R. No. 127856), p. 238.

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Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

(1)participated in expedited discovery in the United States x x x;

(2)either waived or accepted service of process and waived any other

13 Records, Vol. I, pp. 92-98.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

Civil Case No. 5617 before the RTC of

General Santos City and G.R. Nos.

125078 and 125598

14 Id., at pp. 1-12.

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Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

defendant companies knew, or ought to have known, were highly injurious to

Instead of answering the complaint, most of the defendant companies

THE COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

FILED WITH THE REGIONAL TRIAL

COURT SHOULD BE DISMISSED FOR

16 Records, Vol. II, pp. 720-735.

17 SHELL filed a Manifestation with Second Motion for Bill of Particulars on

18 Records, Vol. II, pp. 1085-1092.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

THE TORT ASSERTED IN THE

DEFENDANT FOREIGN COMPANIES IS

NOT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER

JURISDICTION OF THE REGIONAL

TRIAL COURT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A

TORT CATEGORY WITHIN THE

PURVIEW OF THE PHILIPPINE LAW

19 Rollo (G.R. No. 125078), Vol. I, pp. 74A-75.

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Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

FILING OF CASES IN THE PHILIPPINES

-COERCED AND ANOMALOUS

THE DEFENDANTS SUBMISSION TO

Defendants have appointed their agents authorized to accept service of

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Navida vs. Dizon, Jr.

The appointment of agents by the defendants, being subject to a suspensive

THE JURISDICTION FROWNS UPON