Oposa et al. v. Fulgencio S. Factoran, Jr. et al (G.R.No.

101083)
FactsThis case is unique in that it is a class suit brought
by 44children, through their parents, claiming that they
bring the case in the name of their generation as well
as those generations yet unborn. Aiming to
stopdeforestation, it was filed against the Secretary of the
Department, seeking to have him cancel all the timber
license agreements (TLAs) in the country and to cease
and desist from accepting and approvingmore timber
license agreements. The children invoked their right to a
balanced and healthful ecology andto protection by the
State in its capacity as parens patriae. The petitioners
claimed that the DENRSecretary's refusal to cancel the
TLAs and to stop issuing them was "contrary to the
highest law of humankind-- the natural law

and violative of plaintiffs' right to self-preservation and
perpetuation." Thecase was dismissed in the lower court,
invoking the law on non-impairment of contracts, so it
was broughtto theSupreme Courton
certiorari.IssueWhether or not the children have the legal
standing to file the case.RulingYes. The Supreme Court in
granting the petition ruled that the children had the legal
standing to file the
case based on the concept of intergenerational
responsibility. Their right to a healthy environment
carried with it an obligation to preserve that environment
for the succeeding generations. In this, the
Courtrecognized legal standing to sue on behalf of future
generations. Also, the Court said, the law on non-
impairment of contracts must give way to the exercise of
the police power of the state in the interest of public
welfare