Thursday, November 11, 2010

Case Digest: Ortigas & Co. vs Feati Bank & Trust Co.

Facts:

On March 4, 1952, Ortigas sold Lot 5 and 6, Block 31 of the Highway Hills Subdivision at Mandaluyong to Augusto Padilla y Angeles and Natividad Angeles. The latter transferred their rights in favour of Emma Chavez, upon completion of payment a deed was executed with stipulations, one of which is that the use of the lots are to be exclusive for residential purposes only. This was annotated in the Transfer Certificate of Titles No. 101509 and 101511. Feati then acquired Lot 5 directly from Emma Chavez and Lot 6 from Republic Flour Mills. On May 5, 1963, Feati started construction of a building on both lots to be devoted for banking purposes but could also be for residential use. Ortigas sent a written demand to stop construction but Feati continued contending that the building was being constructed according to the zoning regulations as stated in Municipal Resolution 27 declaring the area along the West part of EDSA to be a commercial and industrial zone. Civil case No. 7706 was made and decided in favour of Feati.

Issue:

Whether or not Resolution number 27 declaring Lot 5 and 6 to be part of an industrial and commercial zone is valid considering the contract stipulation in the Transfer Certificate of Titles.

Held:

Resolution No. 27 prevails over the contract stipulations. Section 3 of RA 2264 of the Local Autonomy Act empowers a Municipal Council to adopt zoning and subdivision ordinances or regulations for the Municipality. Section 12 or RA 2264 states that implied power of the municipality should be “liberally construed in it’s favour”, “to give more power to the local government in promoting economic conditions, social welfare, and material progress in the community”. This is found in the General Welfare Clause of the said act. Although non-impairment of contracts is constitutionally guaranteed, it is not absolute since it has to be reconciled with the legitimate exercise of police power, e.g. the power to promote health, morals, peace, education, good order or safety and general welfare of the people. Resolution No. 27 was obviously passed in exercise of police power to safeguard health, safety, peace and order and the general welfare of the people in the locality as it would not be a conducive residential area considering the amount of traffic, pollution, and noise which results in the surrounding industrial and commercial establishments.

Decision dismissing the complaint of Ortigas is AFFIRMED.

2 comments:

  1. Hey thanks for this information. Advocate Narender Singh is Practicing in Supreme Court of India, High court of Delhi and Delhi district courts from 8 years.He is dedicated towards the litigants with results oriented approach. They are a group of highly qualified Indian advocates, Indian attorneys and Indian legal advisers for all kinds of legal services. They have an in-house team of lawyers providing seamless legal services in all the fields of law under one roof at all levels with a wide network. They provide solutions to all multi-jurisdictional legal problems through our highly qualified and experienced team. They have best advocate for supreme court of India who have lots of experience. For more details please visit here:- http://advocatenarendersingh.com/


    ReplyDelete