MMDA v.

Concerned Residents of Manila Bay RULE 8

Velasco, J.

Facts:

 A group of concerned citizens filed a complaint against several government agencies, among the
the MMDA, alleging that the water quality of the Manila Bay had fallen way below the allowable
standards set by law.
 The Court affirmed judgment of RTC ordering MMDA and other government agencies, jointly
and solidarily, to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay and restore its wasters to pristine quality,
making it fit for swimming, skin diving, and other forms of contact recreation
 See pages 619-620 of our book for dispositive portion
 Most vital part: Heads of petitioner agencies in line with the principle of continuing mandamus
shall submit quarterly progressive reports to Manila Bay Advisory Committee who will evaluate
and monitor compliance and execution of judgment
 However, on Feb. 15, 2011, despite the case judgment’s finality in Jan. 2009, the concerned
agencies questioned the absence of specific completion periods of submission.
 The MBAC recommended that time frames be set for it would already amount to an
encroachment of the powers of the executive.

Held:

 The Court averred that it is merely an exercise of judicial functions.

 However, it made resolutions which set concrete guidelines on the completion periods of the
submissions.

Dissenting opinions from Sereno and Carpio, JJ.

 What will the Court do with the reports? It cannot grant approvals. It even lacks technical
knowledge regarding the content of the reports submitted by the government agencies.