Oposa vs.

Factoran 224 SCRA 792

224 SCRA 792 Political Law Harmony in Nature Inter-Generational Responsibility Inter-Generational Justice

A taxpayers class suit was initiated by the Philippine Ecological Network, Inc. (PENI) together with the minors Juan

Antonio Oposa et al and their parents. All were duly represented. They claimed that as taxpayers they have the right to

the full benefit, use and enjoyment of the natural resources of the countrys rainforests. They prayed that a judgment be

rendered ordering Secretary Fulgencio Factoran, Jr, his agents, representatives, and other persons acting in his behalf to

cancel all existing timber license agreements in the country and cease and desist from receiving, accepting, processing,

renewing or approving new timber license agreements, Factoran being the secretary of the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources (DENR).

ISSUE: Whether or not petitioners have a cause of action?

HELD: Yes, petitioners have a cause of action. The case at bar is of common interest to all Filipinos. The right to a

balanced and healthy ecology carries with it the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment. The said

right implies the judicious management of the countrys forests. This right is also the mandate of the government through

DENR. A denial or violation of that right by the other who has the correlative duty or obligation to respect or protect the

same gives rise to a cause of action. All licenses may thus be revoked or rescinded by executive action.