VICENTE DELOS SANTOS, ROBERTO DELOS SANTOS, PACIFICO DELOS SANTOS, CORAZON DELOS SANTOS, CONSTANCIA DELOS SANTOS,

joined by her husband ELEODORO PRADO NOR!A DELOS SANTOS, joined by her husband "ILFREDO PRADO L#DOVICO DELOS SANTOS, ALICIA DELOS SANTOS, joined by her husband RONALDO DE$RAS DE!OCRITO DELOS SANTOS, FELICISI!A DELOS SANTOS, joined by her husband TEOD#LO ARCIBAL ADELA S% CASTRO, joined by her husband L#BERATO LA&AND#LA FELISA S% CASTRO, joined by her husband PA'#ITO CASIDSID NELL( C% S#ALO$, joined by her husband LEONARDO (AN&( RE!EDIOS C% S#ALO$, !ARIA C% S#ALO$, "INIFREDO S#ALO$, VICENTE C% S#ALO$, FELO$ENIA C% S#ALO$, joined by her husband DANILO DI$NADICE PATRICIO C% S#ALO$, B#ENAVENT#RA C% S#ALO$, RO!EO C% S#ALO$, CONCEPCION ANDRES, A$NES LEVI A% S#ALO$, DIONESIO C% SERRANO, ZENAIDA C% SERRANO, CESAR C% SERRANO, AB#NDIO C% SERRANO, VIOLETA C% SERRANO, RO!EO C% SERRANO, EFREN C% SERRANO, T)EL!A CASTRO* SALIBIO, +ES#S S% FERNANDO, RODRI$O DELOS SANTOS, CLARITA DELOS SANTOS, DANILO T#!ALA, ERLINDA T#!ALA, ED$ARDO T#!ALA, DO!IN$O T#!ALA, !ARIO T#!ALA, RONALD T#!ALA, FERDINAND T#!ALA, ANASTACIA DELOS SANTOS, joined by her husband FRANCISCO T#!ALA ARSENIO DELOS SANTOS, +R%, VICTORINO DELOS SANTOS, ERLINDA DELOS SANTOS, NATIVIDAD DELOS SANTOS, joined by her husband LITO PRADO )ER!INI$ILDO DELOS SANTOS, and PETER DELOS SANTOS, Pe,i,ioners,

* -ersus *

Pro.u/0a,ed1

February 2, 2334

FRED ELIZALDE and +OAN ELIZALDE, +ES#S DELOS SANTOS and ROSITA DELOS SANTOS*FLORES, $LORIA !ARTIN, DO!IN$O CASI!ERO, SER$IO CASI!ERO, AB#NDIO CASI!ERO, and TEODORO CASI!ERO, Res5onden,s%

6*****************************************************************************************6

DECISION

VELASCO, +R%, +%1

Di/i0en7e is ,he .o,her o8 0ood 8or,une% 99!i0ue/ De Cer-an,es

Par,ies shou/d no, /ea-e ,he en,ire business o8 /i,i0a,ion so/e/y ,o ,heir 7ounse/s% Basi7 di/i0en7e re:uires ,ha, 5ar,ies ,he.se/-es shou/d 7/ose/y .oni,or ,he de-e/o5.en,s in ,heir 7ases% They shou/d 5ro-ide 8u// su55or, ,o ,heir /a;yers and e-en ;or< hand in hand ;i,h ,he. ,o ensure ,he di/i0en, 5ursui, and e88e7,i-e 5rose7u,ion o8 ,heir 7ases% Ine-i,ab/y, ,heir 8ai/ure ,o do so 7ou/d resu/, in 5rejudi7ia/ 7onse:uen7es%

The Case

This Pe,i,ion 8or Re-ie; on Cer,iorari under Ru/e => o8 ,he Ru/es o8 Cour, see<s ,o re-erse and se, aside ,he !ay ??, ?@@@ De7isionA?B o8 ,he Cour, o8 A55ea/s CCAD, dis.issin0 5e,i,ionersE a55ea/ based on a 7o.5ro.ise a0ree.en, and 7onsiderin0 ,heir a55ea/ as abandoned in CA*$%R% CV No% >=?FG and CA*$%R% SP No% =H=4> and ,he +anuary F?, 2333 Reso/u,ionA2B o8 ,he CA, denyin0 5e,i,ionersE !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion%AFB The CA a55ea/ s,e..ed 8ro. ,he &a/ibo, A</an Re0iona/ Tria/ Cour, CRTCD, Bran7h VI A5ri/ 2@, ?@@G De7isionA=B in Ci-i/ Case No% FGHF, de7/arin0 in,er-enors +esus de/os San,os and Rosi,a de/os San,os*F/ores as /a;8u/ o;ners o8 ,;o*,hirds C2IFD o8 ,he dis5u,ed /and, and Fred and +oan E/iJa/de as o;ners o8 ,he re.ainin0 one*,hird C?IFD o8 ,he /and%

The Fa7,s

On De7e.ber ?>, ?@HG, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed a Co.5/ain, 8or 'uie,in0 o8 Ti,/e, Da.a0es and A,,orneyEs Fees be8ore ,he &a/ibo, A</an RTC, in-o/-in0 8our C=D adjoinin0 /o,s desi0na,ed as Lo,s F@F*A, F@F*B, F@=*D, and F@=*E, ;i,h areas o8 ?,>?> s:uare .e,ers Cs:.D, ?,3?3 s:., >,4G= s:., and G,=H2 s:., res5e7,i-e/y, 8or a ,o,a/ /and area o8 ?=,44? s:., /o7a,ed in Bora7ay Is/and, !a/ay, A</an%A>B An a.ended 7o.5/ain, ;as ,herea8,er 8i/ed on !ay H, ?@@?%

Pe,i,ioners 7/ai.ed ,he a8ore.en,ioned /o,s as ,heir inheri,an7e 8ro. ,he /a,e !ariano de/os San,os, ,heir 7o..on as7endan,, ei,her by ,heir o;n ri0h, or by ri0h, o8 re5resen,a,ion% Pe,i,ioners a//e0ed ,ha, ,he /a,e !ariano de/os San,os ;as ,he ori0ina/ o;ner o8 ,he /o,s% On ,he o,her hand, res5onden,s s5ouses Fred and +oan E/iJa/de, ,he 8irs, se, o8 in,er-enors be8ore ,he ,ria/ 7our,, 7/ai.ed ,ha, ,hey 5ur7hased ,he /o,s on +une ?H, ?@4= 8ro. ,he heirs o8 Leonardo de/os San,os, he bein0 ,he ri0h,8u/ and e67/usi-e o;ner o8 ,he said /o,s% Res5onden,s $/oria !ar,in, Do.in0o Casi.ero, Ser0io Casi.ero, Abundio Casi.ero, and Teodoro Casi.ero, ,he se7ond se, o8 in,er-enors be8ore ,he ,ria/ 7our,, 7/ai.ed o;nershi5 o-er Lo,s F@F*B and F@=*E, as heirs o8 To.asa Prado, ;ho a/so a//e0ed/y o;ned said /o,s% Res5onden,s Rosi,a de/os San,os*F/ores and +esus de/os San,os, ,he ,hird se, o8 in,er-enors and ,;o o8 ,he ,hree /e0i,i.a,e 7hi/dren o8 ,he /a,e Leonardo de/os San,os, 7/ai.ed 2IF o8 ,he dis5u,ed /o,s as ,heir ri0h,8u/ inheri,an7e% Res5onden,s de/os San,os a//e0ed ,ha, ,hey did no, se// nor assi0n ,heir share in ,he 5ro5er,y ,o anyone, in7/udin0 res5onden, Fred E/iJa/de%

A8,er due hearin0 o8 ,he 7ase, ,he ,ria/ 7our, issued ,he A5ri/ 2@, ?@@G De7ision, ,he dis5osi,i-e 5or,ion o8 ;hi7h reads1

")EREFORE, in -ie; o8 ,he 8ore0oin0 7onsidera,ions, jud0.en, is hereby rendered as 8o//o;s1

C?%D Dis.issin0 ,he 7o.5/ain, 8i/ed by ,he 5/ain,i88s as ;e// as ,he 7o.5/ain, in in,er-en,ion 8i/ed by ,he se7ond se, o8 in,er-enors Casi.eros, e, a/% 8or /a7< o8 .eri,

C2%D De7/arin0 ,he ,;o deeds o8 sa/e CE6hibi,s 2@ and F3D as nu// and -oid inso8ar as ,hey a88e7, ,he ,;o*,hirds C2IFD share o8 in,er-enors +esus and Rosi,a

CF%D De7/arin0 in,er-enors +esus de/os San,os and Rosi,a de/os San,os F/ores as ,he /a;8u/ o;ners o8 ,he ,;o*,hirds 5or,ion o8 ,he /and in :ues,ion or @,@?> s:uare .e,ers on ,he nor,h;es, 5or,ion, re5resen,in0 as ,heir shares in ,he in,es,a,e es,a,e o8 Leonardo de/os San,os

C=%D De7/arin0 de8endan, Fred E/iJa/de as ,he ri0h,8u/ o;ner o8 one*,hird o8 ,he /and in :ues,ion or =,@>4 s:uare .e,ers on ,he sou,heas, 5or,ion, se0re0a,ed by a boundary /ine runnin0 8ro. ,he seashore ,o ,he in/and or 8ro. ,he sou,h;es, ,o nor,heas,

C>%D Orderin0 ,he 7an7e//a,ion or re-ision o8 Ta6 De7/ara,ion No% ==22 in ,he na.e o8 Fred E/iJa/de CE6hibi, 2GD and a// ,a6 de7/ara,ions issued subse:uen, ,here,o ,o 7on8or. ,o 5ara0ra5hs F and = hereo8 as ;e// as ,he issuan7e o8 a ne; ,a6 de7/ara,ion ,o in,er-enors +esus de/os San,os and Rosi,a F/ores 7o-erin0 ,heir ,;o*,hirds C2IFD share

CG%D Orderin0 ,he 5/ain,i88s or any 5ersons 7/ai.in0 in,eres, ,herein ,o de/i-er 7o.5/e,e 5ossession o8 ,he /and ,o de8endan,s and 8irs, se, in,er-enors%

No 5ronoun7e.en, as ,o 7os,s%

SO ORDERED%AGB

Thus, 5e,i,ioners and res5onden, Fred E/iJa/de 8i/ed ,heir se5ara,e No,i7es o8 A55ea/ da,ed +une G, ?@@GA4B and !ay ?G, ?@@G,AHB res5e7,i-e/y% The 7ases ;ere do7<e,ed as CA*$%R% SP No% =H=4> 8or res5onden, E/iJa/de and CA*$%R% CV No% >=?FG 8or 5e,i,ioners% Subse:uen,/y, ,he CA issued ,he +une 2, ?@@H No,i7e ,o Fi/e Brie8,A@B re:uirin0 5e,i,ioners and res5onden, E/iJa/de ,o 8i/e ,heir brie8s ;i,hin 8or,y*8i-e C=>D days 8ro. re7ei5, o8 said no,i7e%

On +u/y 24, ?@@H, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed by re0is,ered .ai/ a +u/y 24, ?@@H !o,ion 8or E6,ension o8 Ti.e ,o Fi/e Brie8 8or P/ain,i88s*A55e//an,s%A?3B In ,heir .o,ion, 5e,i,ioners ad.i,,ed ha-in0 re7ei-ed a 7o5y o8 ,he No,i7e ,o Fi/e Brie8 on +une ?>, ?@@H ,hus, ,hey had un,i/ +u/y F3, ?@@H ,o 8i/e ,heir brie8, and 5rayed 8or an e6,ension o8 8or,y*8i-e C=>D days 8ro. +u/y F3, ?@@H ,o Se5,e.ber ?F, ?@@H% On Se5,e.ber ?3, ?@@H, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed ano,her .o,ion 8or e6,ension, A??B see<in0 ano,her 8or,y 8i-e C=>D*day e6,ension, or un,i/ O7,ober 24, ?@@H, ;i,hin ;hi7h ,o 8i/e ,heir brie8%

In ,he .ean,i.e, res5onden,s Fred E/iJa/de, +esus de/os San,os, and Rosi,a de/os San,os*F/ores 8i/ed an O7,ober G, ?@@H +oin, !ani8es,a,ion and !o,ion,A?2B ;hereby res5onden, E/iJa/de abandoned his a55ea/ by -ir,ue o8 an a.i7ab/e se,,/e.en, be,;een ,he 5ar,ies ,hrou0h ,he !ay 24, ?@@4 A0ree.en,%A?FB They a0reed ,o s;a5 and re*adjus, ,he areas adjud0ed by ,he ,ria/ 7our, in ,heir 8a-or, ;i,hou, 5rejudi7e ,o a 8ina/ jud0.en, by ,he CA% In addi,ion, E/iJa/de .o-ed ,ha, his a55ea/ be 7onsidered as ;i,hdra;n and ,ha, he be e67used 8ro. 8i/in0 an a55e//an,Es brie8%

On O7,ober 24, ?@@H, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed an E6*Par,e !o,ion 8or Fina/ E6,ension o8 Period ,o Fi/e Brie8 8or P/ain,i88s*A55e//an,s,A?=B see<in0 an e6,ension o8 ,hir,y CF3D days, or un,i/ No-e.ber 24, ?@@H, ;i,hin ;hi7h ,o 8i/e ,heir brie8% On No-e.ber 24, ?@@H, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed ano,her .o,ion 8or e6,ension,A?>B as<in0 8or ano,her ,hir,y CF3D*day e6,ension% And ye, a0ain, on De7e.ber 2H, ?@@H, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed ano,her .o,ion 8or e6,ension,A?GB as<in0 8or ano,her ,hir,y CF3D*day e6,ension ,o 8i/e ,heir brie8, su7h ,ha, ,he 5eriod sou0h, ,o 8i/e a55e//an,Es brie8 ;ou/d be un,i/ +anuary 24, ?@@@% In su., 5e,i,ioners had a ,o,a/ e6,ension o8 one hundred ei0h,y C?H3D days 8ro. +u/y 24, ?@@H, ;hen ,hey 8i/ed a .o,ion 8or e6,ension be8ore ,he CA 8or ,he 8irs, ,i.e%

Res5onden,s de/os San,os o55osed ,he 8ore0oin0 .o,ions 8or e6,ension and .o-ed 8or ,he dis.issa/ o8 ,he a55ea/ 8or 5e,i,ionersE 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e ,he re:uired a55e//an,sE brie8%

)o;e-er, on A5ri/ H, ?@@@, 5e,i,ioners, ,hrou0h ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/ A,,y% Na5o/eon !% Vi7,oriano, 8i/ed an E6*Par,e !o,ion ,o "i,hdra; A55ea/%A?4B Said .o,ion sou0h, ,he ;i,hdra;a/ o8 ,he a55ea/ on ,he 0round ,ha, 5e,i,ioners and res5onden,s de/os San,os en,ered in,o an a.i7ab/e se,,/e.en,, deno.ina,ed as an #nder,a<in0 e6e7u,ed on Se5,e.ber ?@, ?@@H,A?HB ;hereby 5e,i,ioners ;ou/d be 5aid ,he a.oun, o8 Four !i//ion Pesos CPhP =,333,333%33D, in 7onsidera,ion o8 ,heir /ea-in0 ,he dis5u,ed /o,s 5ea7e8u//y% No,ab/y, ,he #nder,a<in0 ;as si0ned by F@ o8 ,he =G 5e,i,ioners,A?@B and no,ariJed by A,,y% Ed0ar S% Ca/iJo% !ore so, i, ;as a//e0ed in said .o,ion ,ha, ,he 7ounse/ 8or res5onden,s de/os San,os, A,,y% Ro.eo R% Robiso, e6e7u,ed a 5ro.issory no,e on O7,ober ?>, ?@@HA23B on beha/8 o8 5e,i,ioners, 8or ,he a.oun, o8 Four !i//ion Pesos CPhP =,333,333%33D%

On !ay ??, ?@@@, ,he CA issued ,he assai/ed De7ision dis.issin0 CA*$%R% CV No% >=?FG and SP No% =H=4> and 7onsiderin0 ,he. ;i,hdra;n% I, jus,i8ied i,s De7ision in ,his ;ise1 KFor 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e ,heir res5e7,i-e a55e//an,sE brie8s, and in a77ordan7e ;i,h ,he 5rayer in ,he L+oin, !ani8es,a,ion and !o,ionE, and in ,he LE6*Par,e !o,ion ,o "i,hdra; A55ea/E, ,he a55ea/ shou/d be dis.issed, and 7onsidered as ;i,hdra;n%MA2?B

Therea8,er, an En,ry o8 A55earan7eA22B ;as 8i/ed on +une ?4, ?@@@ by A,,y% Cesar T% Verano, a//e0ed/y in re5resen,a,ion o8 5e,i,ioners% The en,ry 7on,ained ,he so/i,ary 7on8or.i,y o8 5e,i,ioner Vi7en,e de/os San,os% On ,he sa.e day, 5e,i,ioners 8i/ed a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion o8 De7ision ;i,h Prayer 8or Reins,a,e.en, o8 A55ea/,A2FB ;hi7h ;as -eri8ied so/e/y by 5e,i,ioner Vi7en,e de/os San,os% In ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion, 5e,i,ioners a//e0ed ,ha,1 C?D ,hey did no, ha-e any <no;/ed0e o8 ,he 5ro.u/0a,ion o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision o8 ,he CA C2D ,hey ne-er en,ered in,o any a.i7ab/e se,,/e.en, ;i,h res5onden,s de/os San,os CFD ,heir a//e0ed si0na,ures in ,he !ay 24, ?@@4 A0ree.en, ;ere 8or0ed and C=D ,hey ne-er au,horiJed ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/, A,,y% Vi7,oriano, ,o ;i,hdra; ,heir a55ea/% Thus, 5e,i,ioners 5rayed ,ha,1 C?D ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion be 7onsidered as 8i/ed on ,i.e C2D ,he said A0ree.en, a//e0ed/y en,ered in,o by 5e,i,ioners and res5onden,s de/os San,os be 7onsidered as in-a/id CFD ,he 5or,ion o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision dis.issin0 ,heir a55ea/ be re7onsidered C=D ,heir a55ea/ be reins,a,ed and C>D ,hey be 0ran,ed a 5eriod o8 nine,y C@3D days ;i,hin ;hi7h ,o 8i/e ,heir a55e//an,sE brie8%

On +u/y ?G, ?@@@, res5onden,s de/os San,os ,hen 8i/ed an O55osi,ion ,o !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion%A2=B The o55osi,ion ;as based on ,he 8o//o;in01 C?D ,ha, 5e,i,ionersE .o,ion shou/d be 7onsidered as .ere s7ra5 o8 5a5er 8or no, 7on,ainin0 any no,i7e o8 hearin0 C2D ,ha, ,he a55ea/ ;as -a/id/y dis.issed 8or 5e,i,ionersE 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e ,heir a55e//an,sE brie8 and CFD ,ha, ,he A0ree.en, ;as -a/id%

Pe,i,ioners subse:uen,/y 8i/ed a Re5/y CTo O55osi,ionD on +u/y F3, ?@@@,A2>B re8u,in0 ,he a//e0a,ions .ade by res5onden,s de/os San,os and a,,a7hed ,o ,he re5/y a hand;ri,,en no,e in Fi/i5ino,A2GB s,a,in0 ,ha,1 C?D ,he si0na,ories did no, si0n ,he a//e0ed A0ree.en, C2D ,hey did no, re7ei-e a sin0/e 7en,a-o o8 ,he .oney a//e0ed in ,he A0ree.en, CFD ,hey did no, au,horiJe A,,y% Vi7,oriano ,o ;i,hdra; ,heir a55ea/ and C=D A,,y% Vi7,oriano did no, 8urnish ,he. a 7o5y o8 ,he De7ision o8 ,he CA% The no,e ;as 5ur5or,ed/y si0ned by Vi7en,e de/os San,os, Cons,an7ia de/os San,os, Terry Ann S% Carna7e,e, $re,a de/os San,os, Daisy de/os San,os, +ose de/os San,os, )er.ini0i/do de/os San,os, Pe,er de/os San,os, Vi-ar de/os San,os, Ibarra de/os San,os, Rose.arie TuaJon, Na,i-idad Prado, Li,o Prado, Fe/isa Casidsid, Ri7ardo Fernando, +esus Fernando, Ro0e/io La7andu/a, !er0ie C% Nie-es, Ani,a C% Ba/,aJar, and C/aire S% La7andu/a% O8 ,he si0na,ories, on/y ei0h, CHD are a.on0 ,he 8or,y*si6 C=GD 5e,i,ioners be8ore ,he a55e//a,e 7our,%

On +anuary F?, 2333, ,he CA issued ,he assai/ed Reso/u,ion, ;herein i, ;as ru/ed ,ha,1

The K!o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion "i,h Prayer 8or ,he Reins,a,e.en, o8 A55ea/M 8i/ed on +une ?4, ?@@@ by ,he said ne; 7ounse/ 8or 5/ain,i88s*a55e//an,s, ,o ;hi7h an O55osi,ion has been 8i/ed by ,he 8irs, se, o8 in,er-enors*a55e//ees, is DENIED ad.ission 8or bein0 /a,e by nine C@D days% The re7ords sho; ,ha, 5/ain,i88s*a55e//an,sE 7ounse/ o8 re7ord, A,,y% Na5o/eon !% Vi7,oriano, ;ho has no, 8i/ed any no,i7e o8 ;i,hdra;a/ as 7ounse/ as 5er re5or, o8 ,he +udi7ia/ Re7ords Di-ision, re7ei-ed 7o5y o8 ,he Cour,Es De7ision da,ed !ay ??, ?@@H, on !ay 2=, ?@@@% Thus, a55e//an,s had on/y un,i/ +une H, ?@@@ ,o 8i/e ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion%A24B

)en7e, ,his 5e,i,ion is be8ore us%

The Issues

Pe,i,ioners raise ,he 8o//o;in0 issues1

I%

T)E )ONORABLE CO#RT OF APPEALS SERIO#SL( ERRED IN DEN(IN$ AD!ISSION TO PETITIONERSE !OTION FOR RECONSIDERATION "IT) PRA(ER FOR T)E REINSTATE!ENT OF APPEAL FILED B( T)EIR NE" CO#NSEL FOR )AVIN$ BEEN FILED NINE C@D DA(S LATE, OVERLOO&IN$ AND DISRE$ARDIN$ T)E FACT1

A% T)AT PETITIONERS LEARNED OF T)E DECISION OF T)E CO#RT OF APPEALS DATED !A( ??, ?@@@ ONL( ON +#NE 2, ?@@@, AND ON +#NE ?4, ?@@@, OR "IT)IN T)E FIFTEEN C?>D*DA( RE$LE!ENTAR( PERIOD T)E( FILED T)EIR AFORESAID !OTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

B% T)AT PETITIONERSE FOR!ER CO#NSEL, ATT(% NAPOLEON !% VICTORIANO, DID NOT FILE A !OTION FOR RECONSIDERATION "IT)IN T)E FIFTEEN A?>B*DA( RE$LE!ENTAR( PERIOD FRO! )IS RECEIPT OF A COP( OF T)E CO#RT OF APPEALSE DECISION ON !A( 2=, ?@@@, SAID CO#NSEL "AS CLEARL( AT FA#LT ANDIOR $ROSSL( NE$LI$ENT IN T)E PERFOR!ANCE OF )IS D#TIES TO )IS CLIENTS% !OREOVER, T)E CO#NTIN$ OF T)E ?>*DA( PERIOD TO FILE !OTION FOR RECONSIDERATION S)O#LD BE CO#NTED FRO! PETITIONERSE &NO"LED$E OF T)E

DECISION ON +#NE 2, ?@@@, AND NOT ON ATT(% VICTORIANOES RECEIPT OF A COP( T)EREOF AND

C% T)AT T)E NON*AD!ISSION OF PETITIONERSE !OTION FOR RECONSIDERATION FOR )AVIN$ BEEN FILED NINE C@D DA(S LATE IS !ANIFESTL( #N+#ST AND INE'#ITABLE BECA#SE IT $IVES PRE!I#! TO TEC)NICALITIES RAT)ER ON S#BSTANTIAL +#STICE%

II%

T)E )ONORABLE CO#RT OF APPEALS $RAVEL( ERRED IN DIS!ISSIN$ PETITIONERSE APPEAL FRO! T)E TRIAL CO#RTES DECISION AND CONSIDERIN$ T)E APPEAL "IT)DRA"N AS PRA(ED FOR B( CO#NSEL FOR PETITIONERS CONSIDERIN$ T)AT T)E ALLE$ED A$REE!ENT BET"EEN PETITIONERS AND FIRST SET AOFB INTERVENORS T)RO#$) T)EIR CO#NSEL IS N#LL AND VOID AND "IT)O#T FORCE AND EFFECT BECA#SE T)EIR ALLE$ED SI$NAT#RES T)EREIN "ERE FOR$ED, AAND BESIDES,B T)E( NEVER RECEIVED A SIN$LE CENTAVO OF T)E ALLE$ED CONSIDERATION OF T)E A$REE!ENT% !OREOVER, PETITIONERSE APPEAL FRO! T)E TRIAL CO#RTES DECISION IS !ERITORIO#S AS T)EIR CLAI! T)AT T)E( ARE O"NERS OF T)E DISP#TED PROPERTIES ARE S#PPORTED B( S#SBTANTIAL AND CO!PETENT EVIDENCE%A2HB

The Ru/in0 o8 ,he Cour,

The 5e,i,ion .us, be denied%

Pe,i,ioners ar0ue ,ha, ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion ;as 8i/ed on ,i.e as ,he re0/e.en,ary 5eriod 8or ,he 8i/in0 o8 i, shou/d be 7oun,ed 8ro. ,he ,i.e ;hen 5e,i,ioners ,he.se/-es ob,ained a 7o5y o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision o8 ,he CA on +une 2, ?@@@, and no, 8ro. ,he ,i.e ,ha, ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/, A,,y% Vi7,oriano, re7ei-ed a 7o5y o8 said De7ision on !ay 2=, ?@@@%

)o;e-er, 5e,i,ionersE a//e0a,ion is in7orre7,%

Re0/e.en,ary 5eriod 8or 8i/in0 a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion

Se7,ion ? o8 Ru/e F4, in 7onjun7,ion ;i,h Se7,ion F o8 Ru/e =? o8 ,he Ru/es o8 Cour,, 5ro-ides 8or ,he 5eriod ;i,hin ;hi7h a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion .ay be 8i/ed, ,o ;i,1

Se7,ion ?% $rounds o8 and 5eriod 8or 8i/in0 .o,ion 8or ne; ,ria/ or re7onsidera,ion%N"i,hin ,he 5eriod 8or ,a<in0 an a55ea/, ,he a00rie-ed 5ar,y .ay .o-e ,he ,ria/ 7our, ,o se, aside ,he jud0.en, or 8ina/ order and 0ran, a ne; ,ria/ 8or one or .ore o8 ,he 8o//o;in0 7auses .a,eria//y a88e7,in0 ,he subs,an,ia/ ri0h,s o8 said 5ar,y1

6666

"i,hin ,he sa.e 5eriod, ,he a00rie-ed 5ar,y .ay a/so .o-e 8or re7onsidera,ion u5on ,he 0rounds ,ha, ,he da.a0es a;arded are e67essi-e, ,ha, ,he e-iden7e is insu88i7ien, ,o jus,i8y ,he de7ision or 8ina/ order, or ,ha, ,he de7ision or 8ina/ order is 7on,rary ,o /a;%

Se7,ion F% Period o8 ordinary a55ea/%NThe a55ea/ sha// be ,a<en ;i,hin 8i8,een C?>D days 8ro. no,i7e o8 ,he jud0.en, or 8ina/ order a55ea/ed 8ro.% "here a re7ord on a55ea/ is re:uired, ,he a55e//an, sha// 8i/e a no,i7e o8 a55ea/ and a re7ord on a55ea/ ;i,hin ,hir,y CF3D days 8ro. no,i7e o8 ,he jud0.en, or 8ina/ order%

The 5eriod o8 a55ea/ sha// be in,erru5,ed by a ,i.e/y .o,ion 8or ne; ,ria/ or re7onsidera,ion% No .o,ion 8or e6,ension o8 ,i.e ,o 8i/e a .o,ion 8or ne; ,ria/ or re7onsidera,ion sha// be a//o;ed% CE.5hasis su55/ied%D

The abo-e.en,ioned 8i8,een C?>D*day 5eriod be0ins ,o run u5on re7ei5, o8 no,i7e o8 ,he de7ision or 8ina/ order a55ea/ed 8ro.% Su7h 5eriod has been 7onsidered ,o be0in u5on re7ei5, o8 no,i7e by ,he 7ounse/ o8 re7ord, ;hi7h is 7onsidered no,i7e ,o ,he 5ar,ies%A2@B Ser-i7e o8 jud0.en, on ,he 5ar,y is 5rohibi,ed and is no, 7onsidered ,he o88i7ia/ re7ei5, o8 ,he jud0.en,%AF3B

Thus, ,he 8i8,een C?>D*day 5eriod shou/d run 8ro. !ay 2=, ?@@@, ;hen A,,y% Vi7,oriano re7ei-ed a 7o5y o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision o8 ,he CA, and no, 8ro. +une 2, ?@@@, ;hen 5e,i,ioners 7/ai.ed ,o ha-e been in8or.ed o8 ,he CA de7ision%AF?B

To rei,era,e, ser-i7e u5on ,he 5ar,iesE 7ounse/s o8 re7ord is ,an,a.oun, ,o ser-i7e u5on ,he 5ar,ies ,he.se/-es, bu, ser-i7e u5on ,he 5ar,ies ,he.se/-es is no, 7onsidered ser-i7e u5on ,heir /a;yers% The reason is si.5/eN,he 5ar,ies, 0enera//y, ha-e no 8or.a/ edu7a,ion or <no;/ed0e o8 ,he ru/es o8 5ro7edure, s5e7i8i7a//y, ,he .e7hani7s o8 an a55ea/ or a-ai/.en, o8 /e0a/ re.edies ,hus, ,hey .ay a/so be una;are o8 ,he ri0h,s and du,ies o8 a /i,i0an, re/a,i-e ,o ,he re7ei5, o8 a de7ision% !ore i.5or,an,/y, i, is bes, 8or ,he 7our,s ,o dea/ on/y ;i,h one 5erson in ,he in,eres, o8 order/y 5ro7edureNei,her ,he /a;yer re,ained by ,he 5ar,y or ,he 5ar,y hi.Iherse/8 i8 sIhe does no, in,end ,o hire a /a;yer%

E-en assu.in0 ,ha, 5e,i,ioners had re5/a7ed A,,y% Vi7,oriano 5rior ,o his re7ei5, o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision, ,he re0/e.en,ary 5eriod 8or 8i/in0 a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion ;ou/d s,i// be re7<oned 8ro. his re7ei5, o8 ,he De7ision%

Se7,ion 2G o8 Ru/e ?FH o8 ,he Ru/es o8 Cour, re:uires ,ha, KAiBn 7ase o8 subs,i,u,ion, ,he na.e o8 ,he a,,orney ne;/y e.5/oyed sha// be en,ered on ,he do7<e, o8 ,he 7our, in 5/a7e o8 ,he 8or.er one, and ;ri,,en no,i7e o8 ,he 7han0e sha// be 0i-en ,o ,he ad-erse 5ar,y%M

In $CP*!anny Trans5or, Ser-i7es, In7% -% Prin7i5e, ,he Cour, ru/ed ,ha, un/ess ,he 7han0e o8 a,,orneys is 7arried ou, 5ro5er/y, ,he 7ounse/ o8 re7ord sha// s,i// be 7onsidered as ,he 5ar,yEs 7ounse/, and ,he no,i7e sen, ,o su7h 7ounse/ sha// be 7onsidered as no,i7e ,o ,he 5ar,y re5resen,ed%AF2B In ,he 5resen, 7ase, ,he assai/ed CA De7ision ;as rendered on !ay ??, ?@@@, and ,he no,i7e o8 i, ;as re7ei-ed by A,,y% Vi7,oriano on !ay 2=, ?@@@% Pe,i,ionersE 7urren, 7ounse/, A,,y% Verano, 8i/ed his a55earan7e on/y on +une ?4, ?@@@, ;i,h ,he so/e 7on8or.i,y o8 Vi7en,e de/os San,os% The CA 7orre7,/y ser-ed a 7o5y o8 ,he De7ision on A,,y% Vi7,oriano, ;hi7h is 7onsidered no,i7e ,o 5e,i,ioners ,he.se/-es% There8ore, !ay 2=, ?@@@ is ,he 7orre7, re7<onin0 5oin, 8or ,he

re0/e.en,ary 5eriod o8 8i/in0 a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion ,o ,he assai/ed De7ision ;hi7h ended on +une H, ?@@@% )en7e, 5e,i,ionersE !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion 8i/ed on +une ?4, ?@@@ ;as be/a,ed/y 8i/ed and 7orre7,/y reje7,ed by ,he CA%

Libera/ a55/i7a,ion o8 ,he 5eriod 8or 8i/in0 a !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion

E-en assu.in0 ,ha,, indeed, ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion ;as 8i/ed ou, o8 ,i.e, 5e,i,ioners 8ur,her a//e0e ,ha, a de/ay o8 nine C@D days in ,he 8i/in0 o8 ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion 7anno, jus,i8y ;hy ,he CA did no, ad.i, i,% In su55or, o8 su7h 7on,en,ion, 5e,i,ioners 7i,e Re5ub/i7 -% Cour, o8 A55ea/s,AFFB and Ra.os -% Ba0asao,AF=B ;here ,his Cour, a//o;ed ,he 8i/in0 o8 an a55ea/ si6 CGD and 8our C=D days beyond ,he re0/e.en,ary 5eriod, res5e7,i-e/y%

In Ney5es -% Cour, o8 A55ea/s, ,he Cour, s,ressed ,ha, KAsBe/do. ha-e ;e 7ondoned /a,e 8i/in0 o8 no,i7es o8 a55ea/, and on/y in -ery e67e5,iona/ ins,an7es ,o be,,er ser-e ,he ends o8 jus,i7eM and a/so e.5hasiJed ,ha, ,he /ibera/ a55/i7a,ion o8 ,he ru/es is 7on8ined ,o Ksi,ua,ions ;here ,e7hni7a/i,ies ;ere dis5ensed ;i,h, our de7isions ;ere no, .ean, ,o under.ine ,he 8or7e and e88e7,i-i,y o8 ,he 5eriods se, by /a;% Bu, ;e has,en ,o add ,ha, in ,hose rare 7ases ;here 5ro7edura/ ru/es ;ere no, s,rin0en,/y a55/ied, ,here a/;ays e6is,ed a 7/ear need ,o 5re-en, ,he 7o..ission o8 a 0ra-e injus,i7e Ce.5hasis su55/iedD%MAF>B In Re5ub/i7,AFGB 7i,ed by 5e,i,ioners, "e ru/ed ,ha, ,he CA shou/d ha-e ad.i,,ed ,he !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion 8i/ed by 5e,i,ioners ,o 5re-en, 0ross .is7arria0e o8 jus,i7e, as ,he 0o-ern.en, s,ood ,o /ose 7/ose ,o ,hree hundred CF33D he7,ares o8 5ri.e su0ar /and a/ready ,i,/ed in i,s na.e and de-o,ed ,o edu7a,iona/ 5ur5oses ;hi/e in Ra.os, i, ;as enun7ia,ed ,ha, a 8our C=D*day de/ay Kin 8i/in0 a no,i7e o8 a55ea/ and a .o,ion o8 e6,ension o8 ,i.e ,o 8i/e a re7ord on a55ea/ 7an be e67used on ,he basis o8 e:ui,y and 7onsiderin0 ,ha, ,he re7ord on a55ea/ is no; ;i,h ,he res5onden, jud0e%MAF4B

In ,he ins,an, 7ase, ,here is no e67e5,iona/ 7ir7u.s,an7e ,o jus,i8y ,he disre0ard o8 ,he re0/e.en,ary 5eriod 8or 8i/in0 a .o,ion 8or re7onsidera,ion% )en7e, 5e,i,ionersE 5osi,ion is de-oid o8 .eri,%

Fur,her.ore, 5e,i,ioners 7on,end ,ha, des5i,e ,heir !o,ion 8or Re7onsidera,ion had been 8i/ed ou, o8 ,i.e, ,his shou/d ha-e been ad.i,,ed on ,he 0round o8 e:ui,y% )o;e-er, e:ui,ab/e 0rounds 7anno, be sou0h, ;hen ,he 5ar,y is 0ui/,y o8 ne0/i0en7e% Thus, "e ru/ed in !esina -% !eer ,ha, K,his Cour, ;i// no, a//o; 5e,i,ioners, in 0uise o8 e:ui,y, ,o bene8i, 8ro. ,heir o;n ne0/i0en7e%MAFHB

Pe,i,ionersE are 0ui/,y o8 ine67usab/e ne0/i0en7e

Pe,i,ioners a,,ribu,e ,he dis.issa/ o8 ,heir a55ea/ and ,heir 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e a .o,ion 8or re7onsidera,ion ;i,hin ,he re0/e.en,ary 5eriod ,o ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/Es ne0/i0en7e, A,,y% Vi7,oriano% Thus, 5e,i,ioners see< ,he /ibera/ a55/i7a,ion o8 ,he ru/es, 7i,in0 $ine,e -% Cour, o8 A55ea/s, ;herein ,he 7ounse/ o8 re7ord did no, 8i/e an a55e//an,Es brie8 ;i,hin ,he 5res7ribed 5eriod and 7on,inued ;i,h ,he 7ase 8or 8ear o8 re5risa/ 8ro. res5onden,s ;ho ;ere jud0es% In said 7ase, "e ru/ed ,ha, ,he ne0/i0en7e o8 ,he 7/ien,sE 7ounse/ does no, bind ,he.% The de5ar,ure 8ro. ,he ru/e ;as e65/ained, ,hus1

ATBhe /a;yerEs ne0/i0en7e ;i,hou, any 5ar,i7i5a,ory ne0/i0en7e on ,he 5ar, o8 5e,i,ioners is a su88i7ien, reason ,o se, aside ,he reso/u,ions o8 ,he Cour, o8 A55ea/s% Aside 8ro. .a,,ers o8 /i8e, /iber,y, honor or 5ro5er,y ;hi7h ;ou/d ;arran, ,he sus5ension o8 ,he ru/es o8 ,he .os, .anda,ory 7hara7,er and an e6a.ina,ion and re-ie; by ,he a55e//a,e 7our, o8 ,he /o;er 7our,Es 8indin0s o8 8a7,, ,he o,her e/e.en,s ,ha, shou/d be 7onsidered are ,he 8o//o;in01 C?D ,he e6is,en7e o8 s5e7ia/ or 7o.5e//in0 7ir7u.s,an7es, C2D ,he .eri,s o8 ,he 7ase, CFD a 7ause no, en,ire/y a,,ribu,ab/e ,o ,he 8au/, or ne0/i0en7e o8 ,he 5ar,y 8a-ored by ,he sus5ension o8 ,he ru/es, C=D a /a7< o8 any sho;in0 ,ha, ,he re-ie; sou0h, is .ere/y 8ri-o/ous and di/a,ory, C>D ,he o,her 5ar,y ;i// no, be unjus,/y 5rejudi7ed ,hereby%AF@B CE.5hasis su55/ied%D

)o;e-er, ,he $ine,e 7ase is no, a 5re7eden, ,o ,he 7ase a, bar be7ause in said 7ase, ,he 5ar,y had no 5ar,i7i5a,ory ne0/i0en7e, ;hi/e in ,he 7ase a, bar, 5e,i,ioners ;ere ne0/i0en, in no, .oni,orin0 ,he de-e/o5.en,s in ,heir 7ase% Pe,i,ionersE a7,s are 7onsidered ine67usab/e ne0/i0en7e in /ine ;i,h our ru/in0 in Bernardo -% Cour, o8 A55ea/s CS5e7ia/ Si6,h Di-isionD, ;here ;e e65/i7a,ed ,he -i,a/ 5ar,i7i5a,ion o8 ,he 5ar,ies in ,he e88e7,i-e hand/in0 o8 ,he 7ase by ,heir /a;yers, ,hus1

"or,h .en,ionin0 is ,he 8a7, ,ha, 5e,i,ioner ;as /i<e;ise no, en,ire/y b/a.e/ess in his a//e0ed de5ri-a,ion o8 his day in 7our,% In a re7en, 7ase, ,his Cour, enun7ia,ed1

KLi,i0an,s, re5resen,ed by 7ounse/, shou/d no, e65e7, ,ha, a// ,hey need ,o do is si, ba7<, re/a6 and a;ai, ,he ou,7o.e o8 ,heir 7ase% They shou/d 0i-e ,he ne7essary assis,an7e ,o ,heir 7ounse/ 8or ;ha, is a, s,a<e is ,heir in,eres, in ,he 7ase%M

In his 7on7urrin0 o5inion in Re5ub/i7 -s% Sandi0anbayan, !r% +us,i7e Teodoro R% Padi//a e.5hasiJed ,he -a/ue and si0ni8i7an7e o8 ,he 5ar,yEs 5resen7e and di/i0en7e in ,he ad-an7e.en, o8 his 7ause, ,hus1

K6 6 6 An a/.os, /i8e,i.e o8 e65erien7e in /i,i0a,ion is ,he bes, ;i,ness ,o ,he indis5ensabi/i,y o8 5ar,yEs 5resen7e Caside 8ro. his /a;yer, in 7ase he has ,he assis,an7e o8 7ounse/D in order ,o /i,i0a,e ;i,h any reasonab/e o55or,uni,y o8 su77ess% 6 6 6 es5e7ia//y durin0 ,he 7ross* e6a.ina,ion o8 ad-erse 5ar,yEs ;i,nessesN;here ,he ,ru,h .us, be de,er.inedNe-ery 7ounse/ ;or,h his sa/, .us, ha-e ,he assis,an7e and 5resen7e o8 his 7/ien, on ,he s5o,, 8or ,he 7/ien, in-ariab/y <no;s ,he 8a7,s 8ar be,,er ,han his 7ounse/% In shor,, e-en in 7i-i/ 7ases, ,he 5resen7e o8 5ar,y Cas dis,in0uished 8ro. his /a;yer a/oneD is essen,ia/ ,o due 5ro7ess%M

True enou0h, ,he 5ar,y*/i,i0an, shou/d no, re/y ,o,a//y on his 7ounse/ ,o /i,i0a,e his 7ase e-en i8 ,he /a,,er e65ress/y assures ,ha, ,he 8or.erEs 5resen7e in 7our, ;i// no /on0er be needed% No 5ruden, 5ar,y ;i// /ea-e ,he 8a,e o8 his 7ase en,ire/y ,o his /a;yer% Absen7e in one or ,;o hearin0s .ay be ne0/i0ib/e bu, ;an, o8 in:uiry or u5da,e on ,he s,a,us o8 his 7ase 8or se-era/ .on,hs C8our, in ,his 7aseD is ine67usab/e% I, is ,he du,y o8 a 5ar,y*/i,i0an, ,o be in 7on,a7, ;i,h his 7ounse/ 8ro. ,i.e ,o ,i.e in order ,o be in8or.ed o8 ,he 5ro0ress o8 his 7ase% Pe,i,ioner si.5/y 7/ai.s ,ha, he ;as busy ;i,h his 0ra-e/ and sand and ,radin0 businesses ;hi7h in-o/-ed 8re:uen, ,ra-e/in0 8ro. !ani/a ,o ou,/yin0 5ro-in7es% Bu, ,his ;as no, a jus,i8iab/e e67use 8or hi. ,o 8ai/ ,o as< abou, ,he de-e/o5.en,s in his 7ase or ,o as< so.ebody ,o .a<e ,he :uery 8or hi.% Pe,i,ioner 8ai/ed ,o a7, ;i,h 5ruden7e and di/i0en7e hen7e, his 5/ea ,ha, he ;as no, a77orded ,he ri0h, ,o due 5ro7ess 7anno, e/i7i, ,his Cour,Es a55ro-a/ or e-en sy.5a,hy%A=3B CE.5hasis su55/ied%D

Con7urren,/y, 5e,i,ioners did no, e-en <no; ,ha, A,,y% Vi7,oriano 8ai/ed ,o 8i/e an a55e//an,sE brie8 on ,heir beha/8 durin0 ,he .ore ,han one hundred ei0h,y C?H3D*day e6,ension ,ha, he sou0h, 8ro. ,he CA, aside 8ro. ,heir 8ai/ure ,o /earn o8 ,he De7ision o8 ,he a55e//a,e 7our,% Ordinary 5ruden7e ;ou/d di7,a,e ,ha, 5e,i,ioners .us, 0i-e u,.os, i.5or,an7e ,o ,he 7ase 7onsiderin0 ,ha, i, in-o/-es ,heir residen7es, 5resu.ab/y ,heir .os, -a/ued .a,eria/ 5ossession, and 7onsiderin0 8ur,her ,ha, ,hey had a/ready /os, a, ,he ,ria/ 7our,% Pe,i,ionersE 8ai/ure ,o a55rise ,he.se/-es o8 ,he s,a,us o8 ,he 7ase 8ro. ,he ,i.e ,ha, A,,y% Vi7,oriano re7ei-ed a 7o5y o8 ,he no,i7e ,o 8i/e brie8 on +une ?>, ?@@H u5 ,o +une 2, ?@@@, ;hen 5e,i,ioners a//e0ed/y ob,ained a

7o5y o8 ,he assai/ed De7ision 8ro. ,he CA, is unjus,i8ied% Pe,i,ioners 7anno, be shie/ded 8ro. ,he re5er7ussions o8 ,heir 7ounse/Es and ,heir o;n ne0/i0en7e% Pe,i,ioners ,he.se/-es are as .u7h ,o b/a.e in /osin0 ,heir a55ea/%

The Su5re.e Cour, is no, a ,rier o8 8a7,s

Fina//y, 5e,i,ioners 7/ai. ,ha, ,he #nder,a<in0 or A0ree.en, a//e0ed/y en,ered in,o by ,he. and res5onden,s de/os San,os is in-a/id 7onsiderin0 ,ha, ,heir 5ur5or,ed si0na,ures in i, ;ere 8or0ed% They ar0ue ,ha, ,he .o,ion ,o ;i,hdra; is /i<e;ise in-a/id ,here8ore, ,here is no basis 8or ,he ;i,hdra;a/ o8 ,he a55ea/% In o,her ;ords, 5e,i,ioners :ues,ion ,he au,hen,i7i,y o8 said do7u.en,s, raisin0 a :ues,ion o8 8a7,%

There is a K:ues,ion o8 8a7,M ;hen K,he doub, or 7on,ro-ersy arises as ,o ,he ,ru,h or 8a/si,y o8 ,he a//e0ed 8a7,s%MA=?B This is dis,in0uished 8ro. a :ues,ion o8 /a; ;hen ,he doub, or di88eren7e arises as ,o ;ha, ,he /a; is on a 7er,ain s,a,e o8 8a7,s, and ;hi7h does no, 7a// 8or an e6a.ina,ion o8 ,he 5roba,i-e -a/ue o8 ,he e-iden7e 5resen,ed by ,he 5ar,ies*/i,i0an,s%

Fur,her.ore, in Sa.5ayan -% Cour, o8 A55ea/s, ,his Cour, ru/ed, ,hus1

ASBe,,/ed is ,he ru/e ,ha, ,his Cour, is no, a ,rier o8 8a7,s and does no, nor.a//y e.bar< on a re*e6a.ina,ion o8 ,he e-iden7e addu7ed by ,he 5ar,ies durin0 ,ria/% O8 7ourse, ,he ru/e ad.i,s o8 e67e5,ions% So i, is ,ha, in Insu/ar Li8e Assuran7e Co.5any, L,d% -s% CA, ;e ;ro,e1

KAiB, is a se,,/ed ru/e ,ha, in ,he e6er7ise o8 ,he Su5re.e Cour,Os 5o;er o8 re-ie;, ,he Cour, is no, a ,rier o8 8a7,s and does no, nor.a//y under,a<e ,he re*e6a.ina,ion o8 ,he e-iden7e 5resen,ed by ,he 7on,endin0 5ar,iesO durin0 ,he ,ria/ o8 ,he 7ase 7onsiderin0 ,ha, ,he 8indin0s o8 8a7,s o8 ,he CA are 7on7/usi-e and bindin0 on ,he Cour,% )o;e-er, ,he Cour, had re7o0niJed se-era/ e67e5,ions ,o ,his ru/e, ,o ;i,1 C?D ;hen ,he 8indin0s are 0rounded en,ire/y on s5e7u/a,ion, sur.ises or 7onje7,ures C2D ;hen ,he in8eren7e .ade is .ani8es,/y .is,a<en, absurd or i.5ossib/e CFD ;hen ,here is 0ra-e abuse o8 dis7re,ion C=D ;hen ,he jud0.en, is based on a .isa55rehension o8 8a7,s C>D ;hen ,he 8indin0s o8 8a7,s are 7on8/i7,in0 CGD ;hen in .a<in0 i,s 8indin0s ,he Cour, o8 A55ea/s ;en, beyond ,he issues o8 ,he 7ase, or i,s 8indin0s are 7on,rary ,o ,he ad.issions o8 bo,h ,he a55e//an, and ,he a55e//ee C4D ;hen ,he 8indin0s are 7on,rary ,o ,he ,ria/ 7our, CHD ;hen ,he 8indin0s are 7on7/usions ;i,hou, 7i,a,ion o8 s5e7i8i7 e-iden7e on ;hi7h ,hey are based C@D ;hen ,he 8a7,s se, 8or,h in ,he 5e,i,ion as ;e// as in ,he 5e,i,ionerOs .ain and re5/y brie8s are no, dis5u,ed by ,he res5onden, C?3D ;hen ,he 8indin0s o8 8a7, are 5re.ised on

,he su55osed absen7e o8 e-iden7e and 7on,radi7,ed by ,he e-iden7e on re7ord and C??D ;hen ,he Cour, o8 A55ea/s .ani8es,/y o-er/oo<ed 7er,ain re/e-an, 8a7,s no, dis5u,ed by ,he 5ar,ies, ;hi7h, i8 5ro5er/y 7onsidered, ;ou/d jus,i8y a di88eren, 7on7/usion%MA=2B

A 5erusa/ o8 ,he e67e5,ions enu.era,ed abo-e re-ea/s ,ha, ,he ins,an, 7ase does no, 8a// under any o8 ,he.% Thus, ,his Cour, 7anno, en,er,ain ,he 8a7,ua/ issues raised in ,he 5e,i,ion, ;hi7h in7/ude ,he issue o8 au,hen,i7i,y o8 ,he #nder,a<in0 or A0ree.en,, as ;e// as ,he issue o8 non*5ay.en, o8 ,he a.oun, .en,ioned, 5ar,i7u/ar/y, in ,he #nder,a<in0%

Fai/ure ,o 8i/e a55e//an,sE brie8

Assu.in0 ar0uendo ,ha, ,he ;i,hdra;a/ o8 ,he a55ea/ ;as 0round/ess, ,he CA s,i// did no, 7o..i, a re-ersib/e error in dis.issin0 ,he a55ea/ 8or 5e,i,ionersE 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e an a55e//an,Es brie8%

Con,rary ,o 5e,i,ionersE a//e0a,ion, ,he assai/ed De7ision did no, dis.iss ,he 7ase so/e/y on ,he basis o8 ,he .o,ion ,o ;i,hdra; 8i/ed by ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/% To rei,era,e, ,he De7ision s,a,ed ,ha, KA8Bor 8ai/ure ,o 8i/e ,heir res5e7,i-e a55e//an,sE brie8s, and in a77ordan7e ;i,h ,he 5rayer in ,he L+oin, !ani8es,a,ion and !o,ionE, and in ,he LE6*Par,e !o,ion ,o "i,hdra; A55ea/E, ,he a55ea/ shou/d be dis.issed, and 7onsidered as ;i,hdra;n Ce.5hasis su55/iedD%MA=FB

Se7,ion 4 o8 Ru/e == o8 ,he Ru/es o8 Cour, 5ro-ides 8or,y*8i-e C=>D days 8ro. re7ei5, o8 no,i7e ;i,hin ;hi7h ,o 8i/e an a55e//an,Es brie8, ;hi/e Se7,ion ?2 de7/ares ,ha, an e6,ension o8 ,i.e 8or 8i/in0 o8 brie8s sha// no, be a//o;ed e67e5, 8or a 0ood and su88i7ien, 7ause%

The 0enera/ ru/e is ,ha, .o,ions 8or e6,ension o8 ,i.e ,o 8i/e an a55e//an,Es brie8 sha// no, be 0ran,ed e67e5, 8or a 0ood 7ause% No su7h jus,i8i7a,ion is 5resen, in ,his 7ase% Pe,i,ionersE 8ai/ure ,o a55rise ,he.se/-es o8 ,he s,a,us o8 ,heir 7ase durin0 i,s 5enden7y be8ore ,he CA is ine67usab/e% !oreo-er, ,heir 8or.er 7ounse/Es 8ai/ure or ne0/e7, ,o 8i/e ,he re:uired a55e//an,Es brie8 sha// bind ,he.%

No .eri,orious 7ause

"i,h ,he /oss o8 ,heir ri0h, o8 a55ea/ ,o ,he CA, ;e see no need ,o reso/-e ,he issue o8 o;nershi5% Su7h issue shou/d ha-e been 8irs, reso/-ed by ,he CA, bu, i, ;as no, ab/e ,o do so be7ause o8 ,he dis.issa/ o8 ,he a55ea/% Thus, ,he 7/ai. o8 o;nershi5 is a non*issue be8ore ,his Cour,%

")EREFORE, "e DEN( ,he 5e,i,ion and AFFIR! ,he !ay ??, ?@@@ De7ision and ,he +anuary F?, 2333 Reso/u,ion o8 ,he CA in CA*$%R% CV No% >=?FG and SP No% =H=4>, ;i,h no 7os,s%

SO ORDERED%