The Supreme Court ordered a Pasig court to resolve the Municipality of Pateros’ claims over parcels of land at Fort Bonifacio.
This came after the Court affirmed with finality a December 2021 decision that ruled that the disputed land belongs to Taguig City, and which urged the Makati City government to cease from “exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory, parcels 3 and 4, psu-2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio.”
In a 28-page decision, the Supreme Court First Division granted Pateros’ petition and directed the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 to reinstate Civil Case 73387, where Pateros filed a complaint against both Makati and Taguig seeking judicial declaration over several parcels of land.
“The finality of G.R. No. 235316 does not constitute res judicata in any of its three concepts as to foreclose Pateros’ right to pursue its claims,” the Court said.
The Court said it ruled in favor of Taguig based on the appreciation of the evidence presented. However, it added that Pateros was not part of that case.
“Pateros was not a party to the case, and in fact sought to intervene but was denied by the trial court. It has not yet had the opportunity to present its own evidence to prove its allegation of a historical claim to the disputed area,” it said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
