City of Lapu-Lapu v. PEZA

SECOND DIVISION
[G.R. No. 184203. November 26, 2014.]
CITY OF LAPU-LAPU , petitioner, vs . PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC ZONE

AUTHORITY , respondent.
[G.R. No. 187583. November 26, 2014.]
PROVINCE OF BATAAN, represented by GOVERNOR ENRIQUE T.

GARCIA, JR., and EMERLINDA S. TALENTO, in her capacity as
Provincial Treasurer of Bataan , petitioners, v s . PHILIPPINE
ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY , respondent.
DECISION
LEONEN , J : p
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority is exempt from payment of real property
taxes.
These are consolidated 1 petitions for review on certiorari the City of Lapu-Lapu
and the Province of Bataan separately led against the Philippine Economic Zone
Authority (PEZA).
In G.R. No. 184203, the City of Lapu-Lapu (the City) assails the Court of Appeals'
decision 2 dated January 11, 2008 and resolution 3 dated August 6, 2008, dismissing
the City's appeal for being the wrong mode of appeal. The City appealed the Regional
Trial Court, Branch 111, Pasay City's decision nding the PEZA exempt from payment
of real property taxes.
In G.R. No. 187583, the Province of Bataan (the Province) assails the Court of
Appeals' decision 4 dated August 27, 2008 and resolution 5 dated April 16, 2009,
granting the PEZA's petition for certiorari. The Court of Appeals ruled that the Regional
Trial Court, Branch 115, Pasay City gravely abused its discretion in nding the PEZA
liable for real property taxes to the Province of Bataan. EISCaD
Facts common to the consolidated petitions

In the exercise of his legislative powers, 6 President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued
Presidential Decree No. 66 in 1972, declaring as government policy the establishment
of export processing zones in strategic locations in the Philippines. Presidential Decree
No. 66 aimed "to encourage and promote foreign commerce as a means of making the
Philippines a center of international trade, of strengthening our export trade and foreign
exchange position, of hastening industrialization, of reducing domestic unemployment,
and of accelerating the development of the country." 7
To carry out this policy, the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) was
created to operate, administer, and manage the export processing zones established in
the Port of Mariveles, Bataan 8 and such other export processing zones that may be
created by virtue of the decree. 9
CD Technologies Asia, Inc. 2017 cdasiaonline.com
The decree declared the EPZA non-pro t in character 10 with all its revenues
devoted to its development, improvement, and maintenance. 11 To maintain this non-
pro t character, the EPZA was declared exempt from all taxes that may be due to the
Republic of the Philippines, its provinces, cities, municipalities, and other government
agencies and instrumentalities. 12 Speci cally, Section 21 of Presidential Decree No. 66
declared the EPZA exempt from payment of real property taxes:
Section 21. Non-pro t Character of the Authority; Exemption from Taxes. The
Authority shall be non-pro t and shall devote and use all its returns from its
capital investment, as well as excess revenues from its operations, for the
development, improvement and maintenance and other related expenditures of
the Authority to pay its indebtedness and obligations and in furtherance and
effective implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 1 of this Decree. In
consonance therewith, the Authority is hereby declared exempt: EHSTDA
xxx xxx xxx
(b) From all income taxes, franchise taxes, realty taxes and all other kinds
of taxes and licenses to be paid to the National Government, its provinces,
cities, municipalities and other government agencies and
instrumentalities[.]
In 1979, President Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1811, establishing the

Mactan Export Processing Zone. Certain parcels of land of the public domain located in
the City of Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, Cebu were reserved to serve as site of the Mactan
Export Processing Zone.
In 1995, the PEZA was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 7916 or "the Special
Economic Zone Act of 1995" 13 to operate, administer, manage, and develop economic
zones in the country. 14 The PEZA was granted the power to register, regulate, and
supervise the enterprises located in the economic zones. 15 By virtue of the law, the
export processing zone in Mariveles, Bataan became the Bataan Economic Zone 16 and
the Mactan Export Processing Zone the Mactan Economic Zone. 17
As for the EPZA, the law required it to "evolve into the PEZA in accordance with
the guidelines and regulations set forth in an executive order issued for [the] purpose."
18 EHSIcT
On October 30, 1995, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 282,
directing the PEZA to assume and exercise all of the EPZA's powers, functions, and
responsibilities "as provided in Presidential Decree No. 66, as amended, insofar as they
are not inconsistent with the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the PEZA, as
mandated under [the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995]." 19 All of EPZA's properties,
equipment, and assets, among others, were ordered transferred to the PEZA. 20
Facts of G.R. No. 184203
In the letter 21 dated March 25, 1998, the City of Lapu-Lapu, through the O ce of
the Treasurer, demanded from the PEZA P32,912,350.08 in real property taxes for the
period from 1992 to 1998 on the PEZA's properties located in the Mactan Economic
Zone.
The City reiterated its demand in the letter 22 dated May 21, 1998. It cited
Sections 193 and 234 of the Local Government Code of 1991 that withdrew the real
property tax exemptions previously granted to or presently enjoyed by all persons. The
City pointed out that no provision in the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 specifically
exempted the PEZA from payment of real property taxes, unlike Section 21 of
Presidential Decree No. 66 that explicitly provided for EPZA's exemption. Since no legal
provision explicitly exempted the PEZA from payment of real property taxes, the City
argued that it can tax the PEZA.
The City made subsequent demands 23 on the PEZA. In its last reminder 24 dated
May 13, 2002, the City assessed the PEZA P86,843,503.48 as real property taxes for
the period from 1992 to 2002.
On September 11, 2002, the PEZA filed a petition for declaratory relief 25 with the
Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, praying that the trial court declare it exempt from
payment of real property taxes. The case was raffled to Branch 111.
The City answered 26 the petition, maintaining that the PEZA is liable for real
property taxes. To support its argument, the City cited a legal opinion dated September
6, 1999 issued by the Department of Justice, 27 which stated that the PEZA is not
exempt from payment of real property taxes. The Department of Justice based its
opinion on Sections 193 and 234 of the Local Government Code that withdrew the tax
exemptions, including real property tax exemptions, previously granted to all persons.
DCcSHE
A reply 28 was filed by the PEZA to which the City filed a rejoinder. 29
Pursuant to Rule 63, Section 3 of Rules of Court, 30 the O ce of the Solicitor
General led a comment 31 on the PEZA's petition for declaratory relief. It agreed that
the PEZA is exempt from payment of real property taxes, citing Sections 24 and 51 of
the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.
The trial court agreed with the Solicitor General. Section 24 of the Special
Economic Zone Act of 1995 provides:
SEC. 24. Exemption from National and Local Taxes. Except for real property
taxes on land owned by developers, no taxes, local and national, shall be imposed
on business establishments operating within the ECOZONE. In lieu thereof, ve
percent (5%) of the gross income earned by all business enterprises within the
ECOZONE shall be paid and remitted as follows:
a. Three percent (3%) to the National Government;

b. Two percent (2%) which shall be directly remitted by the business
establishments to the treasurer's o ce of the municipality or city where the
enterprise is located.
Section 51 of the law, on the other hand, provides:

SEC. 51. Ipso-Facto Clause. All privileges, bene ts, advantages or exemptions
granted to special economic zones under Republic Act No. 7227, shall ipso-facto
be accorded to special economic zones already created or to be created under this
Act. The free port status shall not be vested upon new special economic zones.
Based on Section 51, the trial court held that all privileges, bene ts, advantages,
or exemptions granted to special economic zones created under the Bases Conversion
and Development Act of 1992 apply to special economic zones created under the
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. Since these bene ts include exemption from
payment of national or local taxes, these bene ts apply to special economic zones
owned by the PEZA.
According to the trial court, the PEZA remained tax-exempt regardless of Section
24 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. It ruled that Section 24, which taxes real
property owned by developers of economic zones, only applies to private developers of
economic zones, not to public developers like the PEZA. The PEZA, therefore, is not
liable for real property taxes on the land it owns. HCEaDI
Characterizing the PEZA as an agency of the National Government, the trial court
ruled that the City had no authority to tax the PEZA under Sections 133 (o) and 234 (a)
of the Local Government Code of 1991.
In the resolution 32 dated June 14, 2006, the trial court granted the PEZA's
petition for declaratory relief and declared it exempt from payment of real property
taxes.
The City led a motion for reconsideration, 33 which the trial court denied in its
resolution 34 dated September 26, 2006.
The City then appealed 35 to the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals noted the following issues the City raised in its appellant's
brief: (1) whether the trial court had jurisdiction over the PEZA's petition for declaratory
relief; (2) whether the PEZA is a government agency performing governmental
functions; and (3) whether the PEZA is exempt from payment of real property taxes.
The issues presented by the City, according to the Court of Appeals, are pure questions
of law which should have been raised in a petition for review on certiorari directly led
before this court. Since the City availed itself of the wrong mode of appeal, the Court of
Appeals dismissed the City's appeal in the decision 36 dated January 11, 2008.
The City led a motion for extension of time to le a motion for reconsideration,
37 which the Court of Appeals denied in the resolution 38 dated April 11, 2008.
Despite the denial of its motion for extension, the City led a motion for
reconsideration. 39 In the resolution 40 dated August 6, 2008, the Court of Appeals
denied that motion.
In its petition for review on certiorari with this court, 41 the City argues that the
Court of Appeals "hid under the skirts of technical rules" 42 in resolving its appeal. The
City maintains that its appeal involved mixed questions of fact and law. According to
the City, whether the PEZA performed governmental functions "cannot completely be
addressed by law but [by] the factual and actual activities [the PEZA is] carrying out." 43
EcASIC
Even assuming that the petition involves pure questions of law, the City contends
that the subject matter of the case "is of extreme importance with [far-reaching]
consequence that [its magnitude] would surely shape and determine the course of our
nation's future." 44 The Court of Appeals, the City argues, should have resolved the case
on the merits.
The City insists that the trial court had no jurisdiction to hear the PEZA's petition
for declaratory relief. According to the City, the case involves real property located in
the City of Lapu-Lapu. The petition for declaratory relief should have been led before
the Regional Trial Court of the City of Lapu-Lapu. 45
Moreover, the Province of Bataan, the City of Baguio, and the Province of Cavite
allegedly demanded real property taxes from the PEZA. The City argues that the PEZA
should have likewise impleaded these local government units as respondents in its
petition for declaratory relief. For its failure to do so, the PEZA violated Rule 63, Section
2 of the Rules of Court, and the trial court should have dismissed the petition. 46
This court ordered the PEZA to comment on the City's petition for review on
certiorari. 47
At the outset of its comment, the PEZA argues that the Court of Appeals'
decision dated January 11, 2008 had become nal and executory. After the Court of
Appeals had denied the City's appeal, the City led a motion for extension of time to le
a motion for reconsideration. Arguing that the time to le a motion for reconsideration
is not extendible, the PEZA led its motion for reconsideration out of time. The City has
no more right to appeal to this court. 48
The PEZA maintains that the City availed itself of the wrong mode of appeal
before the Court of Appeals. Since the City raised pure questions of law in its appeal,
the PEZA argues that the proper remedy is a petition for review on certiorari with this
court, not an ordinary appeal before the appellate court. The Court of Appeals,
therefore, correctly dismissed outright the City's appeal under Rule 50, Section 2 of the
Rules of Court. 49
On the merits, the PEZA argues that it is an agency and instrumentality of the
National Government. It is therefore exempt from payment of real property taxes under
Sections 133 (o) and 234 (a) of the Local Government Code. 50 It adds that the tax
privileges under Sections 24 and 51 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 applied
to it. 51 cIECaS
Considering that the site of the Mactan Economic Zone is a reserved land under
Proclamation No. 1811, the PEZA claims that the properties sought to be taxed are
lands of public dominion exempt from real property taxes. 52
As to the jurisdiction issue, the PEZA counters that the Regional Trial Court of
Pasay had jurisdiction to hear its petition for declaratory relief under Rule 63, Section 1
of the Rules of Court. 53 It also argued that it need not implead the Province of Bataan,
the City of Baguio, and the Province of Cavite as respondents considering that their
demands came after the PEZA had already filed the petition in court. 54
Facts of G.R. No. 187583
After the City of Lapu-Lapu had demanded payment of real property taxes from
the PEZA, the Province of Bataan followed suit. In its letter 55 dated May 29, 2003, the
Province, through the O ce of the Provincial Treasurer, informed the PEZA that it
would be sending a real property tax billing to the PEZA. Arguing that the PEZA is a
developer of economic zones, the Province claimed that the PEZA is liable for real
property taxes under Section 24 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.
In its reply letter 56 dated June 18, 2003, the PEZA requested the Province to
suspend the service of the real property tax billing. It cited its petition for declaratory
relief against the City of Lapu-Lapu pending before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 111,
Pasay City as basis.
The Province argued that serving a real property tax billing on the PEZA "would
not in any way affect [its] petition for declaratory relief before [the Regional Trial Court]
of Pasay City." 57 Thus, in its letter 58 dated June 27, 2003, the Province noti ed the
PEZA of its real property tax liabilities for June 1, 1995 to December 31, 2002 totalling
P110,549,032.55.
After having been served a tax billing, the PEZA again requested the Province to
suspend collecting its alleged real property tax liabilities until the Regional Trial Court of
Pasay City resolves its petition for declaratory relief. 59
The Province ignored the PEZA's request. On January 20, 2004, the Province
served on the PEZA a statement of unpaid real property tax for the period from June
1995 to December 2004. 60
The PEZA again requested the Province to suspend collecting its alleged real
property taxes. 61 The Province denied the request in its letter 62 dated January 29,
2004, then served on the PEZA a warrant of levy 63 covering the PEZA's real properties
located in Mariveles, Bataan. CTacSE
The PEZA's subsequent requests 64 for suspension of collection were all denied
by the Province. 65 The Province then served on the PEZA a notice of delinquency in the
payment of real property taxes 66 and a notice of sale of real property for unpaid real
property tax. 67 The Province nally sent the PEZA a notice of public auction of the
latter's properties in Mariveles, Bataan. 68
On June 14, 2004, the PEZA led a petition for injunction 69 with prayer for
issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction before
the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, arguing that it is exempt from payment of real
property taxes. It added that the notice of sale issued by the Province was void
because it was not published in a newspaper of general circulation as required by
Section 260 of the Local Government Code. 70
The case was raffled to Branch 115. aTAEHc
In its order 71 dated June 18, 2004, the trial court issued a temporary restraining
order against the Province. After the PEZA had led a P100,000.00 bond, 72 the trial
court issued a writ of preliminary injunction, 73 enjoining the Province from selling the
PEZA's real properties at public auction.
On March 3, 2006, the PEZA and Province both manifested that each would le a
memorandum after which the case would be deemed submitted for decision. The
parties then filed their respective memoranda. 74
In the order 75 dated January 31, 2007, the trial court denied the PEZA's petition
for injunction. The trial court ruled that the PEZA is not exempt from payment of real
property taxes. According to the trial court, Sections 193 and 234 of the Local
Government Code had withdrawn the real property tax exemptions previously granted
to all persons, whether natural or juridical. 76 As to the tax exemptions under Section 51
of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, the trial court ruled that the provision only
applies to businesses operating within the economic zones, not to the PEZA. 77
The PEZA led before the Court of Appeals a petition for certiorari 78 with prayer
for issuance of a temporary restraining order.
The Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order, enjoining the
Province and its Provincial Treasurer from selling PEZA's properties at public auction
scheduled on October 17, 2007. 79 It also ordered the Province to comment on the
PEZA's petition.
In its comment, 80 the Province alleged that it received a copy of the temporary
restraining order only on October 18, 2007 when it had already sold the PEZA's
properties at public auction. Arguing that the act sought to be enjoined was already fait
accompli, the Province prayed for the dismissal of the petition for certiorari.
The PEZA then led a supplemental petition for certiorari, prohibition, and
mandamus 81 against the Province, arguing that the Provincial Treasurer of Bataan
acted with grave abuse of discretion in issuing the notice of delinquency and notice of
sale. It maintained that it is exempt from payment of real property taxes because it is a
government instrumentality. It added that its lands are property of public dominion
which cannot be sold at public auction.
The PEZA also led a motion 82 for issuance of an order a rming the temporary
restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin the Province from
consolidating title over the PEZA's properties. LexLib
In its resolution 83 dated January 16, 2008, the Court of Appeals admitted the
supplemental petition for certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus. It required the
Province to comment on the supplemental petition and to le a memorandum on the
PEZA's prayer for issuance of temporary restraining order.
The Province commented 84 on the PEZA's supplemental petition, to which the
PEZA replied. 85
The Province then led a motion 86 for leave to admit attached rejoinder with
motion to dismiss. In the rejoinder with motion to dismiss, 87 the Province argued for
the rst time that the Court of Appeals had no jurisdiction over the subject matter of
the action.
According to the Province, the PEZA erred in ling a petition for certiorari.
Arguing that the PEZA sought to reverse a Regional Trial Court decision in a local tax
case, the Province claimed that the court with appellate jurisdiction over the action is
the Court of Tax Appeals. The PEZA then prayed that the Court of Appeals dismiss the
petition for certiorari for lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action.
The Court of Appeals held that the issue before it was whether the trial court
judge gravely abused his discretion in dismissing the PEZA's petition for prohibition.
This issue, according to the Court of Appeals, is properly addressed in a petition for
certiorari over which it has jurisdiction to resolve. It, therefore, maintained jurisdiction
to resolve the PEZA's petition for certiorari. 88
Although it admitted that appeal, not certiorari, was the PEZA's proper remedy to
reverse the trial court's decision, 89 the Court of Appeals proceeded to decide the
petition for certiorari in "the broader interest of justice." 90
The Court of Appeals ruled that the trial court judge gravely abused his discretion
in dismissing the PEZA's petition for prohibition. It held that Section 21 of Presidential
Decree No. 66 and Section 51 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 granted the
PEZA exemption from payment of real property taxes. 91 Based on the criteria set in
Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 92 the Court of Appeals found
that the PEZA is an instrumentality of the national government. No taxes, therefore,
could be levied on it by local government units. 93
In the decision 94 dated August 27, 2008, the Court of Appeals granted the
PEZA's petition for certiorari. It set aside the trial court's decision and nulli ed all the
Province's proceedings with respect to the collection of real property taxes from the
PEZA.
The Province led a motion for reconsideration, 95 which the Court of Appeals
denied in the resolution 96 dated April 16, 2009 for lack of merit.
In its petition for review on certiorari with this court, 97 the Province of Bataan
insists that the Court of Appeals had no jurisdiction to take cognizance of the PEZA's
petition for certiorari. The Province maintains that the Court of Tax Appeals had
jurisdiction to hear the PEZA's petition since it involved a local tax case decided by a
Regional Trial Court. 98 TSHEIc
The Province reiterates that the PEZA is not exempt from payment of real
property taxes. The Province points out that the EPZA, the PEZA's predecessor, had to
be categorically exempted from payment of real property taxes. The EPZA, therefore,
was not inherently exempt from payment of real property taxes and so is the PEZA.
Since Congress omitted from the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 a provision
speci cally exempting the PEZA from payment of real property taxes, the Province
argues that the PEZA is a taxable entity. It cited the rule in statutory construction that
provisions omitted in revised statutes are deemed repealed. 99
With respect to Sections 24 and 51 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995
granting tax exemptions and bene ts, the Province argues that these provisions only
apply to business establishments operating within special economic zones, 100 not to
the PEZA.
This court ordered the PEZA to comment on the Province's petition for review on
certiorari. 101
In its comment, 102 the PEZA argues that the Court of Appeals had jurisdiction to
hear its petition for certiorari since the issue was whether the trial court committed
grave abuse of discretion in denying its petition for injunction. The PEZA maintains that
it is exempt from payment of real property taxes under Section 21 of Presidential
Decree No. 66 and Section 51 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.
The Province led its reply, 103 reiterating its arguments in its petition for review
on certiorari.
On the PEZA's motion, 104 this court consolidated the petitions led by the City
of Lapu-Lapu and the Province of Bataan. 105
The issues for our resolution are the following:
I. Whether the Court of Appeals erred in dismissing the City of Lapu-Lapu's
appeal for raising pure questions of law;
II. Whether the Regional Trial Court, Branch 111, Pasay City had jurisdiction to
hear, try, and decide the City of Lapu-Lapu's petition for declaratory relief; EAISDH
III. Whether the petition for injunction led before the Regional Trial Court, Branch
115, Pasay City, is a local tax case appealable to the Court of Tax Appeals; and
IV. Whether the PEZA is exempt from payment of real property taxes.
We deny the consolidated petitions.
I.
The Court of Appeals did not err in
dismissing the City of Lapu-Lapu's
appeal for raising pure questions of law
Under the Rules of Court, there are three modes of appeal from Regional Trial
Court decisions. The rst mode is through an ordinary appeal before the Court of
Appeals where the decision assailed was rendered in the exercise of the Regional Trial
Court's original jurisdiction. Ordinary appeals are governed by Rule 41, Sections 3 to 13
of the Rules of Court. In ordinary appeals, questions of fact or mixed questions of fact
and law may be raised. 106
The second mode is through a petition for review before the Court of Appeals
where the decision assailed was rendered by the Regional Trial Court in the exercise of
its appellate jurisdiction. Rule 42 of the Rules of Court governs petitions for review
before the Court of Appeals. In petitions for review under Rule 42, questions of fact, of
law, or mixed questions of fact and law may be raised. 107 caEIDA
The third mode is through an appeal by certiorari before this court under Rule 45
where only questions of law shall be raised. 108
A question of fact exists when there is doubt as to the truth or falsity of the
alleged facts. 109 On the other hand, there is a question of law if the appeal raises doubt
as to the applicable law on a certain set of facts. 110
Under Rule 50, Section 2, an improper appeal before the Court of Appeals is
dismissed outright and shall not be referred to the proper court:
SEC. 2. Dismissal of improper appeal to the Court of Appeals. An appeal under
Rule 41 taken from the Regional Trial Court to the Court of Appeals raising only
questions of law shall be dismissed, issues purely of law not being reviewable by
said court. Similarly, an appeal by notice of appeal instead of by petition for
review from the appellate judgment of a Regional Trial Court shall be dismissed.
EIAaDC
An appeal erroneously taken to the Court of Appeals shall not be transferred to

the appropriate court but shall be dismissed outright.
Rule 50, Section 2 repealed Rule 50, Section 3 of the 1964 Rules of Court, which
provided that improper appeals to the Court of Appeals shall not be dismissed but
shall be certified to the proper court for resolution:
Sec. 3. Where appealed case erroneously, brought. Where the appealed case
has been erroneously brought to the Court of Appeals, it shall not dismiss the
appeal, but shall certify the case to the proper court, with a speci c and clear
statement of the grounds therefor.
With respect to appeals by certiorari directly led before this court but which
raise questions of fact, paragraph 4 (b) of Circular No. 2-90 dated March 9, 1990 states
that this court "retains the option, in the exercise of its sound discretion and
considering the attendant circumstances, either itself to take cognizance of and decide
such issues or to refer them to the Court of Appeals for determination." cACTaI
In Indoyon, Jr. v. Court of Appeals , 111 we said that this court "cannot tolerate
ignorance of the law on appeals." 112 It is not this court's task to determine for litigants
their proper remedies under the Rules. 113
We agree that the City availed itself of the wrong mode of appeal before the
Court of Appeals. The City raised pure questions of law in its appeal. The issue of
whether the Regional Trial Court of Pasay had jurisdiction over the PEZA's petition for
declaratory relief is a question of law, jurisdiction being a matter of law. 114 The issue
of whether the PEZA is a government instrumentality exempt from payment of real
property taxes is likewise a question of law since this question is resolved by examining
the provisions of the PEZA's charter as well as other laws relating to the PEZA. 115
The Court of Appeals, therefore, did not err in dismissing the City's appeal
pursuant to Rule 50, Section 2 of the Rules of Court.
Nevertheless, considering the important questions involved in this case, we take
cognizance of the City's petition for review on certiorari in the interest of justice.

In Municipality of Pateros v. The Honorable Court of Appeals , 116 the Municipality
of Pateros filed an appeal under Rule 42 before the Court of Appeals, which the Court of
Appeals denied outright for raising pure questions of law. This court agreed that the
Municipality of Pateros "committed a procedural infraction" 117 and should have
directly led a petition for review on certiorari before this court. Nevertheless, "in the
interest of justice and in order to write finis to [the] controversy," 118 this court "opt[ed]
to relax the rules" 119 and proceeded to decide the case. This court said: DcTSHa
While it is true that rules of procedure are intended to promote rather than
frustrate the ends of justice, and while the swift unclogging of the dockets of the
courts is a laudable objective, it nevertheless must not be met at the expense of
substantial justice.
The Court has allowed some meritorious cases to proceed despite inherent
procedural defects and lapses. This is in keeping with the principle that rules of
procedure are mere tools designed to facilitate the attainment of justice, and that
strict and rigid application of rules which should result in technicalities that tend
to frustrate rather than promote substantial justice must always be avoided. It is a
far better and more prudent cause of action for the court to excuse a technical
lapse and afford the parties a review of the case to attain the ends of justice,
rather than dispose of the case on technicality and cause grave injustice to the
parties, giving a false impression of speedy disposal of cases while actually
resulting in more delay, if not a miscarriage of justice. 120
Similar to Municipality of Pateros, we opt to relax the rules in this case. The PEZA
operates or otherwise administers special economic zones all over the country.
Resolving the substantive issue of whether the PEZA is taxable for real property taxes
will clarify the taxing powers of all local government units where special economic
zones are operated. This case, therefore, should be decided on the merits.
II.
The Regional Trial Court of Pasay had no
jurisdiction to hear, try, and decide the
PEZA's petition for declaratory relief
against the City of Lapu-Lapu
Rule 63 of the Rules of Court governs actions for declaratory relief. Section 1 of
Rule 63 provides:
SECTION 1. Who may le petition. Any person interested under a deed, will,
contract or other written instrument, or whose rights are affected by a statute,
executive order or regulation, ordinance, or any other governmental regulation
may, before breach or violation, thereof, bring an action in the appropriate
Regional Trial Court to determine any question of construction or validity arising,
and for a declaration of his rights or duties, thereunder.
An action for reformation of an instrument, to quiet title to real property or remove
clouds therefrom, or to consolidate ownership under Article 1607 of the Civil Code,
may be brought under this Rule.
The court with jurisdiction over petitions for declaratory relief is the Regional
Trial Court, the subject matter of litigation in an action for declaratory relief being
incapable of pecuniary estimation. 121 Section 19 of the Judiciary Reorganization Act of
1980 provides: aHECST

SEC. 19. Jurisdiction in Civil Cases. Regional Trial Courts shall exercise
exclusive original jurisdiction:
(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of litigation is incapable of pecuniary
estimation[.]
Consistent with the law, the Rules state that a petition for declaratory relief is
filed "in the appropriate Regional Trial Court." 122
A special civil action for declaratory relief is led for a judicial determination of
any question of construction or validity arising from, and for a declaration of rights and
duties, under any of the following subject matters: a deed, will, contract or other written
instrument, statute, executive order or regulation, ordinance, or any other governmental
regulation. 123 However, a declaratory judgment may issue only if there has been "no
breach of the documents in question." 124 If the contract or statute subject matter of
the action has already been breached, the appropriate ordinary civil action must be
led. 125 If adequate relief is available through another form of action or proceeding,
the other action must be preferred over an action for declaratory relief. 126
In Ollada v. Central Bank of the Philippines , 127 the Central Bank issued CB-IED
Form No. 5 requiring certi ed public accountants to submit an accreditation under oath
before they were allowed to certify nancial statements submitted to the bank. Among
those nancial statements the Central Bank disallowed were those certi ed by
accountant Felipe B. Ollada. 128 TEDaAc
Claiming that the requirement "restrained the legitimate pursuit of one's trade,"
129 Ollada filed a petition for declaratory relief against the Central Bank.
This court ordered the dismissal of Ollada's petition "without prejudice to [his]
seeking relief in another appropriate action." 130 According to this court, Ollada's right
had already been violated when the Central Bank refused to accept the nancial
statements he prepared. Since there was already a breach, a petition for declaratory
relief was not proper. Ollada must pursue the "appropriate ordinary civil action or
proceeding." 131 This court explained:
Petitioner commenced this action as, and clearly intended it to be one for
Declaratory Relief under the provisions of Rule 66 of the Rules of Court. On the
question of when a special civil action of this nature would prosper, we have
already held that the complaint for declaratory relief will not prosper if filed after a
contract, statute or right has been breached or violated. In the present case such
is precisely the situation arising from the facts alleged in the petition for
declaratory relief. As vigorously claimed by petitioner himself, respondent had
already invaded or violated his right and caused him injury all these giving him
a complete cause of action enforceable in an appropriate ordinary civil action or
proceeding. The dismissal of the action was, therefore, proper in the light of our
ruling in De Borja vs. Villadolid, 47 O.G. (5) p. 2315, and Samson vs. Andal, G.R.
No. L-3439, July 31, 1951, where we held that an action for declaratory relief
should be led before there has been a breach of a contract, statutes or right, and
that it is sufficient to bar such action, that there had been a breach which would
constitute actionable violation. The rule is that an action for Declaratory Relief is
proper only if adequate relief is not available through the means of other existing
forms of action or proceeding (1 C.J.S. 1027-1028). 132 cDHCAE
It is also required that the parties to the action for declaratory relief be those
whose rights or interests are affected by the contract or statute in question. 133 "There
must be an actual justiciable controversy or the 'ripening seeds' of one" 134 between the
parties. The issue between the parties "must be ripe for judicial determination." 135 An
action for declaratory relief based on theoretical or hypothetical questions cannot be
filed for our courts are not advisory courts. 136
In Republic v. Roque , 137 this court dismissed respondents' petition for
declaratory relief for lack of justiciable controversy. According to this court, "[the
respondents'] fear of prospective prosecution [under the Human Security Act] was
solely based on remarks of certain government o cials which were addressed to the
general public." 138
In Velarde v. Social Justice Society , 139 this court refused to resolve the issue of
"whether or not [a religious leader's endorsement] of a candidate for elective office or in
urging or requiring the members of his ock to vote for a speci c candidate is violative
[of the separation clause]." 140 According to the court, there was no justiciable
controversy and ordered the dismissal of the Social Justice Society's petition for
declaratory relief. This court explained:
Indeed, SJS merely speculated or anticipated without factual moorings that, as
religious leaders, the petitioner and his co-respondents below had endorsed or
threatened to endorse a candidate or candidates for elective o ces; and that
such actual or threatened endorsement "will enable [them] to elect men to public
o ce who [would] in turn be forever beholden to their leaders, enabling them to
control the government"[;] and "pos[ing] a clear and present danger of serious
erosion of the people's faith in the electoral process[;] and reinforc[ing] their belief
that religious leaders determine the ultimate result of elections," which would then
be violative of the separation clause.
Such premise is highly speculative and merely theoretical, to say the least. Clearly,
it does not su ce to constitute a justiciable controversy. The Petition does not
even allege any indication or manifest intent on the part of any of the
respondents below to champion an electoral candidate, or to urge their so-called
ock to vote for, or not to vote for, a particular candidate. It is a time-honored rule
that sheer speculation does not give rise to an actionable right. IAcTaC
Obviously, there is no factual allegation that SJS' rights are being subjected to
any threatened, imminent and inevitable violation that should be prevented by the
declaratory relief sought. The judicial power and duty of the courts to settle actual
controversies involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable
cannot be exercised when there is no actual or threatened violation of a legal
right.
All that the 5-page SJS Petition prayed for was "that the question raised in
paragraph 9 hereof be resolved." In other words, it merely sought an opinion of the
trial court on whether the speculated acts of religious leaders endorsing elective
candidates for political o ces violated the constitutional principle on the
separation of church and state. SJS did not ask for a declaration of its rights and
duties; neither did it pray for the stoppage of any threatened violation of its
declared rights. Courts, however, are proscribed from rendering an advisory
opinion. 141
In sum, a petition for declaratory relief must satisfy six requisites:

[F]irst, the subject matter of the controversy must be a deed, will, contract or other
written instrument, statute, executive order or regulation, or ordinance; second, the
terms of said documents and the validity thereof are doubtful and require judicial
construction; third, there must have been no breach of the documents in question;
fourth, there must be an actual justiciable controversy or the "ripening seeds" of
one between persons whose interests are adverse; fth, the issue must be ripe for
judicial determination; and sixth, adequate relief is not available through other
means or other forms of action or proceeding. 142 (Emphases omitted) HTCAED
We rule that the PEZA erred in availing itself of a petition for declaratory relief
against the City. The City had already issued demand letters and real property tax
assessment against the PEZA, in violation of the PEZA's alleged tax-exempt status
under its charter. The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, the subject matter of PEZA's
petition for declaratory relief, had already been breached. The trial court, therefore, had
no jurisdiction over the petition for declaratory relief.
There are several aspects of jurisdiction. 143 Jurisdiction over the subject matter
is "the power to hear and determine cases of the general class to which the
proceedings in question belong." 144 It is conferred by law, which may either be the
Constitution or a statute. 145 Jurisdiction over the subject matter means "the nature of
the cause of action and the relief sought." 146 Thus, the cause of action and character of
the relief sought as alleged in the complaint are examined to determine whether a court
had jurisdiction over the subject matter. 147 Any decision rendered by a court without
jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action is void. 148 TaDAHE
Another aspect of jurisdiction is jurisdiction over the person. It is "the power of

[a] court to render a personal judgment or to subject the parties in a particular action to
the judgment and other rulings rendered in the action." 149 A court automatically
acquires jurisdiction over the person of the plaintiff upon the ling of the initiatory
pleading. 150 With respect to the defendant, voluntary appearance in court or a valid
service of summons vests the court with jurisdiction over the defendant's person. 151
Jurisdiction over the person of the defendant is indispensable in actions in personam
or those actions based on a party's personal liability. 152 The proceedings in an action
in personam are void if the court had no jurisdiction over the person of the defendant.
153 DSacAE
Jurisdiction over the res or the thing under litigation is acquired either "by the
seizure of the property under legal process, whereby it is brought into actual custody of
the law; or as a result of the institution of legal proceedings, in which the power of the
court is recognized and made effective." 154 Jurisdiction over the res is necessary in
actions in rem or those actions "directed against the thing or property or status of a
person and seek judgments with respect thereto as against the whole world." 155 The
proceedings in an action in rem are void if the court had no jurisdiction over the thing
under litigation. 156
In the present case, the Regional Trial Court had no jurisdiction over the subject
matter of the action, speci cally, over the remedy sought. As this court explained in
Malana v. Tappa: 157
. . . an action for declaratory relief presupposes that there has been no actual
breach of the instruments involved or of rights arising thereunder. Since the
purpose of an action for declaratory relief is to secure an authoritative statement
of the rights and obligations of the parties under a statute, deed, or contract for
their guidance in the enforcement thereof, or compliance therewith, and not to
settle issues arising from an alleged breach thereof, it may be entertained only
before the breach or violation of the statute, deed, or contract to which it refers. A
petition for declaratory relief gives a practical remedy for ending controversies
that have not reached the state where another relief is immediately available; and
supplies the need for a form of action that will set controversies at rest before
they lead to a repudiation of obligations, an invasion of rights, and a commission
of wrongs. HSCATc
Where the law or contract has already been contravened prior to the ling of an
action for declaratory relief, the courts can no longer assume jurisdiction over the
action. In other words, a court has no more jurisdiction over an action for
declaratory relief if its subject has already been infringed or transgressed before
the institution of the action. 158 (Emphasis supplied)
The trial court should have dismissed the PEZA's petition for declaratory relief
for lack of jurisdiction.
Once an assessment has already been issued by the assessor, the proper
remedy of a taxpayer depends on whether the assessment was erroneous or illegal.
An erroneous assessment "presupposes that the taxpayer is subject to the tax
but is disputing the correctness of the amount assessed." 159 With an erroneous
assessment, the taxpayer claims that the local assessor erred in determining any of the
items for computing the real property tax, i.e., the value of the real property or the
portion thereof subject to tax and the proper assessment levels. In case of an
erroneous assessment, the taxpayer must exhaust the administrative remedies
provided under the Local Government Code before resorting to judicial action.
The taxpayer must rst pay the real property tax under protest. Section 252 of
the Local Government Code provides:
SECTION 252. Payment Under Protest. (a) No protest shall be entertained
unless the taxpayer rst pays the tax. There shall be annotated on the tax receipts
the words "paid under protest". The protest in writing must be led within thirty
(30) days from payment of the tax to the provincial, city treasurer or municipal
treasurer, in the case of a municipality within Metropolitan Manila Area, who shall
decide the protest within sixty (60) days from receipt.
(b) The tax or a portion thereof paid under protest, shall be held in trust by the
treasurer concerned.
(c) In the event that the protest is nally decided in favor of the taxpayer, the
amount or portion of the tax protested shall be refunded to the protestant, or
applied as tax credit against his existing or future tax liability.
(d) In the event that the protest is denied or upon the lapse of the sixty day period
prescribed in subparagraph (a), the taxpayer may avail of the remedies as
provided for in Chapter 3, Title II, Book II of this Code.
aCcADT
Should the taxpayer nd the action on the protest unsatisfactory, the taxpayer
may appeal with the Local Board of Assessment Appeals within 60 days from receipt
of the decision on the protest:
SECTION 226. Local Board of Assessment Appeals. Any owner or person
having legal interest in the property who is not satis ed with the action of the
provincial, city or municipal assessor in the assessment of his property may,
within sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the written notice of assessment,
appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals of the provincial or city by ling a
petition under oath in the form prescribed for the purpose, together with copies of
the tax declarations and such affidavits or documents submitted in support of the
appeal. EICDSA
Payment under protest and appeal to the Local Board of Assessment Appeals
are "successive administrative remedies to a taxpayer who questions the correctness
of an assessment." 160 The Local Board Assessment Appeals shall not entertain an
appeal "without the action of the local assessor" 161 on the protest.
If the taxpayer is still unsatis ed after appealing with the Local Board of
Assessment Appeals, the taxpayer may appeal with the Central Board of Assessment
Appeals within 30 days from receipt of the Local Board's decision:
SECTION 229. Action by the Local Board of Assessment Appeals. (a) The Board
shall decide the appeal within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of
receipt of such appeal. The Board, after hearing, shall render its decision based on
substantial evidence or such relevant evidence on record as a reasonable mind
might accept as adequate to support the conclusion.
(b) In the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, the Board shall have the power to
summon witnesses, administer oaths, conduct ocular inspection, take
depositions, and issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum. The proceedings of
the Board shall be conducted solely for the purpose of ascertaining the facts
without necessarily adhering to technical rules applicable in judicial proceedings.
(c) The secretary of the Board shall furnish the owner of the property or the
person having legal interest therein and the provincial or city assessor with a copy
of the decision of the Board. In case the provincial or city assessor concurs in the
revision or the assessment, it shall be his duty to notify the owner of the property
or the person having legal interest therein of such fact using the form prescribed
for the purpose. The owner of the property or the person having legal interest
therein or the assessor who is not satis ed with the decision of the Board, may,
within thirty (30) days after receipt of the decision of said Board, appeal to the
Central Board of Assessment Appeals, as herein provided. The decision of the
Central Board shall be final and executory. (Emphasis supplied)
On the other hand, an assessment is illegal if it was made without authority under
the law. 162 In case of an illegal assessment, the taxpayer may directly resort to judicial
action without paying under protest the assessed tax and filing an appeal with the Local
and Central Board of Assessment Appeals.
In Ty v. Trampe, 163 the Municipal Assessor of Pasig sent Alejandro B. Ty a notice
of assessment with respect to Ty's real properties in Pasig. Without resorting to the
administrative remedies under the Local Government Code, Ty led before the Regional
Trial Court a petition, praying that the trial court nullify the notice of assessment. In
assessing the real property taxes due, the Municipal Assessor used a schedule of
market values solely prepared by him. This, Ty argued, was void for being contrary to
the Local Government Code requiring that the schedule of market values be jointly
prepared by the provincial, city, and municipal assessors of the municipalities within the
Metropolitan Manila Area. ETISAc
This court ruled that the assessment was illegal for having been issued without
authority of the Municipal Assessor. Reconciling provisions of the Real Property Tax
Code and the Local Government Code, this court held that the schedule of market
values must be jointly prepared by the provincial, city, and municipal assessors of the
municipalities within the Metropolitan Manila Area.
As to the issue of exhaustion of administrative remedies, this court held that Ty
did not err in directly resorting to judicial action. According to this court, payment under
protest is required only "where there is a question as to the reasonableness of the
amount assessed." 164 As to appeals before the Local and Central Board of
Assessment Appeals, they are "fruitful only where questions of fact are involved." 165 TCADEc
Ty raised the issue of the legality of the notice of assessment, an issue that did
not go into the reasonableness of the amount assessed. Neither did the issue involve a
question of fact. Ty raised a question of law and, therefore, need not resort to the
administrative remedies provided under the Local Government Code.
In the present case, the PEZA did not avail itself of any of the remedies against a
notice of assessment. A petition for declaratory relief is not the proper remedy once a
notice of assessment was already issued.
Instead of a petition for declaratory relief, the PEZA should have directly resorted
to a judicial action. The PEZA should have led a complaint for injunction, the
"appropriate ordinary civil action" 166 to enjoin the City from enforcing its demand and
collecting the assessed taxes from the PEZA. After all, a declaratory judgment as to the
PEZA's tax-exempt status is useless unless the City is enjoined from enforcing its
demand.
Injunction "is a judicial writ, process or proceeding whereby a party is ordered to
do or refrain from doing a certain act." 167 "It may be the main action or merely a
provisional remedy for and as incident in the main action." 168 The essential requisites
of a writ of injunction are: "(1) there must be a right in esse or the existence of a right to
be protected; and (2) the act against which the injunction is directed to constitute a
violation of such right." 169 aIcETS
We note, however, that the City confused the concepts of jurisdiction and venue
in contending that the Regional Trial Court of Pasay had no jurisdiction because the real
properties involved in this case are located in the City of Lapu-Lapu.
On the one hand, jurisdiction is "the power to hear and determine cases of the
general class to which the proceedings in question belong." 170 Jurisdiction is a matter
of substantive law. 171 Thus, an action may be led only with the court or tribunal where
the Constitution or a statute says it can be brought. 172 Objections to jurisdiction
cannot be waived and may be brought at any stage of the proceedings, even on appeal.
173 When a case is led with a court which has no jurisdiction over the action, the court
shall motu proprio dismiss the case. 174
On the other hand, venue is "the place of trial or geographical location in which an
action or proceeding should be brought." 175 In civil cases, venue is a matter of
procedural law. 176 A party's objections to venue must be brought at the earliest
opportunity either in a motion to dismiss or in the answer; otherwise the objection shall
be deemed waived. 177 When the venue of a civil action is improperly laid, the court
cannot motu proprio dismiss the case. 178
The venue of an action depends on whether the action is a real or personal
action. Should the action affect title to or possession of real property, or interest
therein, it is a real action. The action should be led in the proper court which has
jurisdiction over the area wherein the real property involved, or a portion thereof, is
situated. 179 If the action is a personal action, the action shall be led with the proper
court where the plaintiff or any of the principal plaintiffs resides, or where the defendant
or any of the principal defendants resides, or in the case of a non-resident defendant
where he may be found, at the election of the plaintiff. 180 AEIcTD

The City was objecting to the venue of the action, not to the jurisdiction of the
Regional Trial Court of Pasay. In essence, the City was contending that the PEZA's
petition is a real action as it affects title to or possession of real property, and,
therefore, the PEZA should have led the petition with the Regional Trial Court of Lapu-
Lapu City where the real properties are located.
However, whatever objections the City has against the venue of the PEZA's action
for declaratory relief are already deemed waived. Objections to venue must be raised at
the earliest possible opportunity. 181 The City did not le a motion to dismiss the
petition on the ground that the venue was improperly laid. Neither did the City raise this
objection in its answer.
In any event, the law sought to be judicially interpreted in this case had already
been breached. The Regional Trial Court of Pasay, therefore, had no jurisdiction over the
PEZA's petition for declaratory relief against the City.
III.
The Court of Appeals had no jurisdiction
over the PEZA's petition for certiorari
against the Province of Bataan
Appeal is the remedy "to obtain a reversal or modi cation of a judgment on the
merits." 182 A judgment on the merits is one which "determines the rights and liabilities
of the parties based on the disclosed facts, irrespective of the formal, technical or
dilatory objections." 183 It is not even necessary that the case proceeded to trial. 184 So
long as the "judgment is general" 185 and "the parties had a full legal opportunity to be
heard on their respective claims and contentions," 186 the judgment is on the merits. DaTICE
On the other hand, certiorari is a special civil action led to annul or modify a
proceeding of a tribunal, board, or o cer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.
187 Certiorari, which in Latin means "to be more fully informed," 188 was originally a
remedy in the common law. This court discussed the history of the remedy of certiorari
in Spouses Delos Santos v. Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company: 189 SDEHCc
In the common law, from which the remedy of certiorari evolved, the writ of
certiorari was issued out of Chancery, or the King's Bench, commanding agents or
o cers of the inferior courts to return the record of a cause pending before them,
so as to give the party more sure and speedy justice, for the writ would enable the
superior court to determine from an inspection of the record whether the inferior
court's judgment was rendered without authority. The errors were of such a nature
that, if allowed to stand, they would result in a substantial injury to the petitioner
to whom no other remedy was available. If the inferior court acted without
authority, the record was then revised and corrected in matters of law. The writ of
certiorari was limited to cases in which the inferior court was said to be exceeding
its jurisdiction or was not proceeding according to essential requirements of law
and would lie only to review judicial or quasi-judicial acts. 190
In our jurisdiction, the term "certiorari" is used in two ways. An appeal before this
court raising pure questions of law is commenced by ling a petition for review on
certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. An appeal by certiorari, which continues
the proceedings commenced before the lower courts, 191 is led to reverse or modify
judgments or nal orders. 192 Under the Rules, an appeal by certiorari must be led
within 15 days from notice of the judgment or nal order, or of the denial of the
appellant's motion for new trial or reconsideration. 193
A petition for certiorari under Rule 65, on the other hand, is an independent and
original action led to set aside proceedings conducted without or in excess of
jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction. 194 Under the Rules, a petition for certiorari may only be led if there is no
appeal or any plain, speedy, or adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law. 195 The
petition must be led within 60 days from notice of the judgment, order, or resolution.
196 DTSIEc
Because of the longer period to le a petition for certiorari, some litigants

attempt to le petitions for certiorari as substitutes for lost appeals by certiorari.
However, Rule 65 is clear that a petition for certiorari will not prosper if appeal is
available. Appeal is the proper remedy even if the error, or one of the errors, raised is
grave abuse of discretion on the part of the court rendering judgment. 197 If appeal is
available, a petition for certiorari cannot be filed.
In this case, the trial court's decision dated January 31, 2007 is a judgment on
the merits. Based on the facts disclosed by the parties, the trial court declared the
PEZA liable to the Province of Bataan for real property taxes. The PEZA's proper
remedy against the trial court's decision, therefore, is appeal.
Since the PEZA led a petition for certiorari against the trial court's decision, it
availed itself of the wrong remedy. As the Province of Bataan contended, the trial
court's decision dated January 31, 2007 "is only an error of judgment appealable to the
higher level court and may not be corrected by ling a petition for certiorari." 198 That
the trial court judge allegedly committed grave abuse of discretion does not make the
petition for certiorari the correct remedy. The PEZA should have raised this ground in
an appeal filed within 15 days from notice of the assailed resolution.
This court, "in the liberal spirit pervading the Rules of Court and in the interest of
substantial justice," 199 has treated petitions for certiorari as an appeal: "(1) if the
petition for certiorari was led within the reglementary period within which to le a
petition for review on certiorari; (2) when errors of judgment are averred; and (3) when
there is su cient reason to justify the relaxation of the rules." 200 Considering that "the
nature of an action is determined by the allegations of the complaint or the petition and
the character of the relief sought," 201 a petition which "actually avers errors of
judgment rather than errors than that of jurisdiction" 202 may be considered a petition
for review.
However, suspending the application of the Rules has its disadvantages. Relaxing
procedural rules may reduce the "effective enforcement of substantive rights," 203
leading to "arbitrariness, caprice, despotism, or whimsicality in the settlement of
disputes." 204 Therefore, for this court to suspend the application of the Rules, the
accomplishment of substantial justice must outweigh the importance of predictability
of court procedures.
The PEZA's petition for certiorari may be treated as an appeal. First, the petition
for certiorari was led within the 15-day reglementary period for ling an appeal. The
PEZA led its petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals on October 15, 2007,
205 which was 12 days from October 3, 2007 206 when the PEZA had notice of the trial
court's order denying the motion for reconsideration. ECDaTI
Second, the petition for certiorari raised errors of judgment. The PEZA argued
that the trial court erred in ruling that it is not exempt from payment of real property
taxes given Section 21 of Presidential Decree No. 66 and Sections 11 and 51 of the
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. 207
Third, there is su cient reason to relax the rules given the importance of the
substantive issue presented in this case.
However, the PEZA's petition for certiorari was led before the wrong court. The
PEZA should have filed its petition before the Court of Tax Appeals.
The Court of Tax Appeals has the exclusive appellate jurisdiction over local tax
cases decided by Regional Trial Courts. Section 7, paragraph (a) (3) of Republic Act No.
1125, as amended by Republic Act No. 9282, provides:
Sec. 7. Jurisdiction. The [Court of Tax Appeals] shall exercise:
a. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal, as herein provided:
xxx xxx xxx
3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the Regional Trial Courts in local tax cases
originally decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their original or appellate
jurisdiction[.] ISCaDH
The local tax cases referred to in Section 7, paragraph (a) (3) of Republic Act No.
1125, as amended, include cases involving real property taxes. Real property taxation is
governed by Book II of the Local Government Code on "Local Taxation and Fiscal
Matters." Real property taxes are collected by the Local Treasurer, 208 not by the Bureau
of Internal Revenue in charge of collecting national internal revenue taxes, fees, and
charges. 209
Section 7, paragraph (a) (5) of Republic Act No. 1125, as amended by Republic
Act No. 9282, separately provides for the exclusive appellate jurisdiction of the Court of
Tax Appeals over decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals involving the
assessment or collection of real property taxes: DTISaH
Sec. 7. Jurisdiction. The [Court of Tax Appeals] shall exercise:

a. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal, as herein provided:
xxx xxx xxx

5. Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals in the exercise of its
appellate jurisdiction over cases involving the assessment and taxation of real
property originally decided by the provincial or city board of assessment
appeals[.]
This separate provision, nevertheless, does not bar the Court of Tax Appeals
from taking cognizance of trial court decisions involving the collection of real property
tax cases. Sections 256 210 and 266 211 of the Local Government Code expressly allow
local government units to le "in any court of competent jurisdiction" civil actions to
collect basic real property taxes. Should the trial court rule against them, local
government units cannot be barred from appealing before the Court of Tax Appeals
the "highly specialized body speci cally created for the purpose of reviewing tax
cases." 212
We have also ruled that the Court of Tax Appeals, not the Court of Appeals, has
the exclusive original jurisdiction over petitions for certiorari assailing interlocutory
orders issued by Regional Trial Courts in a local tax case. We explained in The City of
Manila v. Hon. Grecia-Cuerdo 213 that while the Court of Tax Appeals has no express
grant of power to issue writs of certiorari under Republic Act No. 1125, 214 as
amended, the tax court's judicial power as de ned in the Constitution 215 includes the
power to determine "whether or not there has been grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of the [Regional Trial Court] in
issuing an interlocutory order of jurisdiction in cases falling within the exclusive
appellate jurisdiction of the tax court." 216 We further elaborated: AEDcIH
Indeed, in order for any appellate court to effectively exercise its appellate
jurisdiction, it must have the authority to issue, among others, a writ of certiorari.
In transferring exclusive jurisdiction over appealed tax cases to the CTA, it can
reasonably be assumed that the law intended to transfer also such power as is
deemed necessary, if not indispensable, in aid of such appellate jurisdiction.
There is no perceivable reason why the transfer should only be considered as
partial, not total.
xxx xxx xxx

If this Court were to sustain petitioners' contention that jurisdiction over their
certiorari petition lies with the CA, this Court would be con rming the exercise by
two judicial bodies, the CA and the CTA, of jurisdiction over basically the same
subject matter precisely the split-jurisdiction situation which is anathema to the
orderly administration of justice. The Court cannot accept that such was the
legislative motive, especially considering that the law expressly confers on the
CTA, the tribunal with the specialized competence over tax and tariff matters, the
role of judicial review over local tax cases without mention of any other court that
may exercise such power. Thus, the Court agrees with the ruling of the CA that
since appellate jurisdiction over private respondents' complaint for tax refund is
vested in the CTA, it follows that a petition for certiorari seeking nulli cation of an
interlocutory order issued in the said case should, likewise, be led with the same
court. To rule otherwise would lead to an absurd situation where one court
decides an appeal in the main case while another court rules on an incident in the
very same case. HAECID
Stated differently, it would be somewhat incongruent with the pronounced judicial

abhorrence to split jurisdiction to conclude that the intention of the law is to
divide the authority over a local tax case led with the RTC by giving to the CA or
this Court jurisdiction to issue a writ of certiorari against interlocutory orders of
the RTC but giving to the CTA the jurisdiction over the appeal from the decision of
the trial court in the same case. It is more in consonance with logic and legal
soundness to conclude that the grant of appellate jurisdiction to the CTA over tax
cases led in and decided by the RTC carries with it the power to issue a writ of
certiorari when necessary in aid of such appellate jurisdiction. The supervisory
power or jurisdiction of the CTA to issue a writ of certiorari in aid of its appellate
jurisdiction should co-exist with, and be a complement to, its appellate jurisdiction
to review, by appeal, the nal orders and decisions of the RTC, in order to have
complete supervision over the acts of the latter. 217 (Citations omitted)
In this case, the petition for injunction led before the Regional Trial Court of
Pasay was a local tax case originally decided by the trial court in its original jurisdiction.
Since the PEZA assailed a judgment, not an interlocutory order, of the Regional Trial
Court, the PEZA's proper remedy was an appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals.
Considering that the appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals is to the
exclusion of all other courts, the Court of Appeals had no jurisdiction to take
cognizance of the PEZA's petition. The Court of Appeals acted without jurisdiction in
rendering the decision in CA-G.R. SP No. 100984. Its decision in CA-G.R. SP No. 100984
is void. 218 TAaEIc
The ling of appeal in the wrong court does not toll the period to appeal.
Consequently, the decision of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 115, Pasay City, became
nal and executory after the lapse of the 15th day from the PEZA's receipt of the trial
court's decision. 219 The denial of the petition for injunction became nal and
executory.
IV.
The remedy of a taxpayer depends on the
stage in which the local government unit
is enforcing its authority to impose real
property taxes
The proper remedy of a taxpayer depends on the stage in which the local
government unit is enforcing its authority to collect real property taxes. For the
guidance of the members of the bench and the bar, we reiterate the taxpayer's
remedies against the erroneous or illegal assessment of real property taxes.
Exhaustion of administrative remedies under the Local Government Code is
necessary in cases of erroneous assessments where the correctness of the amount
assessed is assailed. The taxpayer must rst pay the tax then le a protest with the
Local Treasurer within 30 days from date of payment of tax. 220 If protest is denied or
upon the lapse of the 60-day period to decide the protest, the taxpayer may appeal to
the Local Board of Assessment Appeals within 60 days from the denial of the protest
or the lapse of the 60-day period to decide the protest. 221 The Local Board of
Assessment Appeals has 120 days to decide the appeal. 222
If the taxpayer is unsatis ed with the Local Board's decision, the taxpayer may
appeal before the Central Board of Assessment Appeals within 30 days from receipt of
the Local Board's decision. 223
The decision of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals is appealable before
the Court of Tax Appeals En Banc. 224 The appeal before the Court of Tax Appeals shall
be filed following the procedure under Rule 43 of the Rules of Court. 225
The Court of Tax Appeals' decision may then be appealed before this court
through a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court raising
pure questions of law. 226
In case of an illegal assessment where the assessment was issued without
authority, exhaustion of administrative remedies is not necessary and the taxpayer may
directly resort to judicial action. 227 The taxpayer shall le a complaint for injunction
before the Regional Trial Court 228 to enjoin the local government unit from collecting
real property taxes.
The party unsatis ed with the decision of the Regional Trial Court shall le an
appeal, not a petition for certiorari, before the Court of Tax Appeals, the complaint
being a local tax case decided by the Regional Trial Court. 229 The appeal shall be led
within fifteen (15) days from notice of the trial court's decision.
HAECID
The Court of Tax Appeals' decision may then be appealed before this court
through a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court raising
pure questions of law. 230
In case the local government unit has issued a notice of delinquency, the taxpayer
may le a complaint for injunction to enjoin the impending sale of the real property at
public auction. In case the local government unit has already sold the property at public
auction, the taxpayer must rst deposit with the court the amount for which the real
property was sold, together with interest of 2% per month from the date of sale to the
time of the institution of action. The taxpayer may then le a complaint to assail the
validity of the public auction. 231 The decisions of the Regional Trial Court in these
cases shall be appealable before the Court of Tax Appeals, 232 and the latter's
decisions appealable before this court through a petition for review on certiorari under
Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. 233 cSCADE
V.
The PEZA is exempt from payment of
real property taxes
The jurisdictional errors in this case render these consolidated petitions moot.
We do not review void decisions rendered without jurisdiction.
However, the PEZA alleged that several local government units, including the City
of Baguio and the Province of Cavite, have issued their respective real property tax
assessments against the PEZA. Other local government units will likely follow suit, and
either the PEZA or the local government units taxing the PEZA may le their respective
actions against each other.
In the interest of judicial economy 234 and avoidance of con icting decisions
involving the same issues, 235 we resolve the substantive issue of whether the PEZA is
exempt from payment of real property taxes.
Real property taxes are annual taxes levied on real property such as lands,
buildings, machinery, and other improvements not otherwise speci cally exempted
under the Local Government Code. 236 Real property taxes are ad valorem, with the
amount charged based on a xed proportion of the value of the property. 237 Under the
law, provinces, cities, and municipalities within the Metropolitan Manila Area have the
power to levy real property taxes within their respective territories. 238 SCHTac
The general rule is that real properties are subject to real property taxes. This is
true especially since the Local Government Code has withdrawn exemptions from real
property taxes of all persons, whether natural or juridical:
SEC. 234. Exemptions from Real Property Tax. The following are exempted
from payment of real property tax:
(a) Real property owned by the Republic of the Philippines or any of its political
subdivisions except when the bene cial use thereof has been granted, for
consideration or otherwise, to a taxable person;
(b) Charitable institutions, churches, parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto,

mosques, nonpro t or religious cemeteries and all lands, buildings, and
improvements actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable or
educational purposes;
(c) All machineries and equipment that are actually, directly and exclusively used
by local water districts and government-owned or -controlled corporations
engaged in the supply and distribution of water and/or generation and
transmission of electric power;
(d) All real property owned by duly registered cooperatives as provided under R.A.
No. 6938; and CAaSHI

(e) Machinery and equipment used for pollution control and environmental
protection.
Except as provided herein, any exemption from payment of real property taxes
previously granted to, or presently enjoyed by, all persons, whether natural or
juridical, including government-owned or -controlled corporations are hereby
withdrawn upon the effectivity of this Code. (Emphasis supplied)
The person liable for real property taxes is the "taxable person who had actual or
bene cial use and possession [of the real property for the taxable period,] whether or
not [the person owned the property for the period he or she is being taxed]." 239
The exceptions to the rule are provided in the Local Government Code. Under
Section 133 (o), local government units have no power to levy taxes of any kind on the
national government, its agencies and instrumentalities and local government units:
SEC. 133. Common Limitations on the Taxing Powers of Local Government Units.
Unless otherwise provided herein, the exercise of taxing powers of provinces,
cities, municipalities, and barangays shall not extend to the levy of the following:
xxx xxx xxx
(o) Taxes, fees or charges of any kind on the National Government, its agencies
and instrumentalities and local government units.
Speci cally on real property taxes, Section 234 enumerates the persons and real
property exempt from real property taxes:
consideration or otherwise, to a taxable person;
(b) Charitable institutions, churches, parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto,
mosques, nonpro t or religious cemeteries and all lands, buildings, and
improvements actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable or
educational purposes;
(c) All machineries and equipment that are actually, directly and exclusively used
by local water districts and government-owned or -controlled corporations
engaged in the supply and distribution of water and/or generation and
transmission of electric power;
(d) All real property owned by duly registered cooperatives as provided under R.A.
No. 6938; and DECcAS
(e) Machinery and equipment used for pollution control and environmental
protection.
Except as provided herein, any exemption from payment of real property tax
previously granted to, or presently enjoyed by, all persons, whether natural or
juridical, including all government-owned or -controlled corporations are hereby
withdrawn upon the effectivity of this Code. (Emphasis supplied)
For persons granted tax exemptions or incentives before the effectivity of the
Local Government Code, Section 193 withdrew these tax exemption privileges. These
persons consist of both natural and juridical persons, including government-owned or
controlled corporations:
SEC. 193. Withdrawal of Tax Exemption Privileges. Unless otherwise provided
in this code, tax exemptions or incentives granted to or presently enjoyed by all
persons, whether natural or juridical, including government-owned or controlled
corporations, except local water districts, cooperatives duly registered under R.A.
6938, non stock and non pro t hospitals and educational institutions, are hereby
withdrawn upon effectivity of this Code.
As discussed, Section 234 withdrew all tax privileges with respect to real
property taxes. DTEIaC
Nevertheless, local government units may grant tax exemptions under such
terms and conditions as they may deem necessary:
SEC. 192. Authority to Grant Tax Exemption Privileges. Local government units
may, through ordinances duly approved, grant tax exemptions, incentives or
reliefs under such terms and conditions as they may deem necessary.
In Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority v. Hon. Marcos , 240 this court
classi ed the exemptions from real property taxes into ownership, character, and
usage exemptions.
Ownership exemptions are exemptions based on the ownership of the real
property. The exemptions of real property owned by the Republic of the Philippines,
provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and registered cooperatives fall under this
classification. 241
Character exemptions are exemptions based on the character of the real
property. Thus, no real property taxes may be levied on charitable institutions, houses
and temples of prayer like churches, parsonages, or convents appurtenant thereto,
mosques, and non profit or religious cemeteries. 242
Usage exemptions are exemptions based on the use of the real property. Thus,
no real property taxes may be levied on real property such as: (1) lands and buildings
actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable or educational purpose;
(2) machineries and equipment actually, directly and exclusively used by local water
districts or by government-owned or controlled corporations engaged in the supply and
distribution of water and/or generation and transmission of electric power; and (3)
machinery and equipment used for pollution control and environmental protection. 243
TEHDIA
Persons may likewise be exempt from payment of real properties if their

charters, which were enacted or reenacted after the effectivity of the Local Government
Code, exempt them payment of real property taxes. 244
V. (A)
The PEZA is an instrumentality of the national government
An instrumentality is "any agency of the National Government, not integrated
within the department framework, vested with special functions or jurisdiction by law,
endowed with some if not all corporate powers, administering special funds, and
enjoying operational autonomy, usually through a charter." 245
Examples of instrumentalities of the national government are the Manila
International Airport Authority, 246 the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, 247
the Government Service Insurance System, 248 and the Philippine Reclamation
Authority. 249 These entities are not integrated within the department framework but
are nevertheless vested with special functions to carry out a declared policy of the
national government.
Similarly, the PEZA is an instrumentality of the national government. It is not
integrated within the department framework but is an agency attached to the
Department of Trade and Industry. 250 Book IV, Chapter 7, Section 38 (3) (a) of the
Administrative Code of 1987 defines "attachment": DaTHAc
SEC. 38. De nition of Administrative Relationship. Unless otherwise expressly

stated in the Code or in other laws de ning the special relationships of particular
agencies, administrative relationships shall be categorized and de ned as
follows:
xxx xxx xxx

(3) Attachment. (a) This refers to the lateral relationship between the
department or its equivalent and the attached agency or corporation for purposes
of policy and program coordination. The coordination may be accomplished by
having the department represented in the governing board of the attached agency
or corporation, either as chairman or as a member, with or without voting rights, if
this is permitted by the charter; having the attached corporation or agency comply
with a system of periodic reporting which shall re ect the progress of the
programs and projects; and having the department or its equivalent provide
general policies through its representative in the board, which shall serve as the
framework for the internal policies of the attached corporation or agency[.]
Attachment, which enjoys "a larger measure of independence" 251 compared with
other administrative relationships such as supervision and control, is further explained
in Beja, Sr. v. Court of Appeals: 252
An attached agency has a larger measure of independence from the Department
to which it is attached than one which is under departmental supervision and
control or administrative supervision. This is borne out by the "lateral relationship"
between the Department and the attached agency. The attachment is merely for
"policy and program coordination." With respect to administrative matters, the
independence of an attached agency from Departmental control and supervision
is further reinforced by the fact that even an agency under a Department's
administrative supervision is free from Departmental interference with respect to
appointments and other personnel actions "in accordance with the
decentralization of personnel functions" under the Administrative Code of 1987.
Moreover, the Administrative Code explicitly provides that Chapter 8 of Book IV on
supervision and control shall not apply to chartered institutions attached to a
Department. 253 SAEHaC
With the PEZA as an attached agency to the Department of Trade and Industry,
the 13-person PEZA Board is chaired by the Department Secretary. 254 Among the
powers and functions of the PEZA is its ability to coordinate with the Department of
Trade and Industry for policy and program formulation and implementation. 255 In
strategizing and prioritizing the development of special economic zones, the PEZA
coordinates with the Department of Trade and Industry. 256
The PEZA also administers its own funds and operates autonomously, with the
PEZA Board formulating and approving the PEZA's annual budget. 257 Appointments
and other personnel actions in the PEZA are also free from departmental interference,
with the PEZA Board having the exclusive and nal authority to promote, transfer,
assign and reassign officers of the PEZA. 258
As an instrumentality of the national government, the PEZA is vested with special
functions or jurisdiction by law. Congress created the PEZA to operate, administer,
manage and develop special economic zones in the Philippines. 259 Special economic
zones are areas with highly developed or which have the potential to be developed into
agro-industrial, industrial tourist/recreational, commercial, banking, investment and
nancial centers. 260 By operating, administering, managing, and developing special
economic zones which attract investments and promote use of domestic labor, the
PEZA carries out the following policy of the Government:
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the government to
translate into practical realities the following State policies and mandates in the
1987 Constitution, namely:
(a) "The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages
private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments." (Sec. 20, Art. II)
CSDTac
(b) "The State shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic
materials and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them
competitive." (Sec. 12, Art. XII)
In pursuance of these policies, the government shall actively encourage, promote,
induce and accelerate a sound and balanced industrial, economic and social
development of the country in order to provide jobs to the people especially those
in the rural areas, increase their productivity and their individual and family
income, and thereby improve the level and quality of their living condition through
the establishment, among others, of special economic zones in suitable and
strategic locations in the country and through measures that shall effectively
attract legitimate and productive foreign investments. 261
Being an instrumentality of the national government, the PEZA cannot be taxed

by local government units.
Although a body corporate vested with some corporate powers, 262 the PEZA is
not a government-owned or controlled corporation taxable for real property taxes.
Section 2 (13) of the Introductory Provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987
defines the term "government-owned or controlled corporation":
SEC. 2. General Terms De ned. Unless the speci c words of the text, or the
context as a whole, or a particular statute, shall require a different meaning: aAHISE
xxx xxx xxx

(13) Government-owned or controlled corporation refers to any agency
organized as a stock or non-stock corporation, vested with functions
relating to public needs whether governmental or proprietary in nature, and
owned by the Government directly or through its instrumentalities either
wholly, or, where applicable as in the case of stock corporations, to the
extent of at least fty-one (51) per cent of its capital stock: Provided, That
government-owned or controlled corporations may be further categorized
by the Department of the Budget, the Civil Service Commission, and the
Commission on Audit for purposes of the exercise and discharge of their
respective powers, functions and responsibilities with respect to such
corporations.
Government entities are created by law, speci cally, by the Constitution or by

statute. In the case of government-owned or controlled corporations, they are
incorporated by virtue of special charters 263 to participate in the market for special
reasons which may be related to dysfunctions or ine ciencies of the market structure.
This is to adjust reality as against the concept of full competition where all market
players are price takers. Thus, under the Constitution, government-owned or controlled
corporations are created in the interest of the common good and should satisfy the
test of economic viability. 264 Article XII, Section 16 of the Constitution provides:
Section 16. The Congress shall not, except by general law, provide for the
formation, organization, or regulation of private corporations. Government-owned
or controlled corporations may be created or established by special charters in the
interest of the common good and subject to the test of economic viability.
Economic viability is "the capacity to function e ciently in business." 265 To be

economically viable, the entity "should not go into activities which the private sector can
do better." 266 TCASIH
To be considered a government-owned or controlled corporation, the entity must

have been organized as a stock or non-stock corporation. 267
Government instrumentalities, on the other hand, are also created by law but
partake of sovereign functions. When a government entity performs sovereign
functions, it need not meet the test of economic viability. In Manila International Airport
Authority v. Court of Appeals, 268 this court explained:
In contrast, government instrumentalities vested with corporate powers and
performing governmental or public functions need not meet the test of economic
viability. These instrumentalities perform essential public services for the
common good, services that every modern State must provide its citizens. These
instrumentalities need not be economically viable since the government may even
subsidize their entire operations. These instrumentalities are not the "government-
owned or controlled corporations" referred to in Section 16, Article XII of the 1987
Constitution.
Thus, the Constitution imposes no limitation when the legislature creates
government instrumentalities vested with corporate powers but performing
essential governmental or public functions. Congress has plenary authority to
create government instrumentalities vested with corporate powers provided these
instrumentalities perform essential government functions or public services.
However, when the legislature creates through special charters corporations that
perform economic or commercial activities, such entities known as
"government-owned or controlled corporations" must meet the test of economic
viability because they compete in the market place.
xxx xxx xxx
Commissioner Blas F. Ople, proponent of the test of economic viability, explained
to the Constitutional Commission the purpose of this test, as follows: CSaITD
MR. OPLE: Madam President, the reason for this concern is really that
when the government creates a corporation, there is a sense in which this
corporation becomes exempt from the test of economic performance. We
know what happened in the past. If a government corporation loses, then it
makes its claim upon the taxpayers' money through new equity infusions
from the government and what is always invoked is the common good.
That is the reason why this year, out of a budget of P115 billion for the
entire government, about P28 billion of this will go into equity infusions to
support a few government nancial institutions. And this is all taxpayers'
money which could have been relocated to agrarian reform, to social
services like health and education, to augment the salaries of grossly
underpaid public employees. And yet this is all going down the drain.
Therefore, when we insert the phrase "ECONOMIC VIABILITY" together with
the "common good," this becomes a restraint on future enthusiasts for
state capitalism to excuse themselves from the responsibility of meeting
the market test so that they become viable. And so, Madam President, I
reiterate, for the committee's consideration and I am glad that I am joined
in this proposal by Commissioner Foz, the insertion of the standard of
"ECONOMIC VIABILITY OR THE ECONOMIC TEST," together with the
common good.
xxx xxx xxx
Clearly, the test of economic viability does not apply to government entities
vested with corporate powers and performing essential public services. The State
is obligated to render essential public services regardless of the economic
viability of providing such service. The non-economic viability of rendering such
essential public service does not excuse the State from withholding such
essential services from the public. 269 (Emphases and citations omitted) SHcDAI
The law created the PEZA's charter. Under the Special Economic Zone Act of
1995, the PEZA was established primarily to perform the governmental function of
operating, administering, managing, and developing special economic zones to attract
investments and provide opportunities for preferential use of Filipino labor.
Under its charter, the PEZA was created a body corporate endowed with some
corporate powers. However, it was not organized as a stock 270 or non-stock 271
corporation. Nothing in the PEZA's charter provides that the PEZA's capital is divided
into shares. 272 The PEZA also has no members who shall share in the PEZA's pro ts.
DAEaTS
The PEZA does not compete with other economic zone authorities in the country.
The government may even subsidize the PEZA's operations. Under Section 47 of the
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, "any sum necessary to augment [the PEZA's]
capital outlay shall be included in the General Appropriations Act to be treated as an
equity of the national government." 273
The PEZA, therefore, need not be economically viable. It is not a government-
owned or controlled corporation liable for real property taxes.
V. (B)
The PEZA assumed the non-profit character, including the tax exempt
status, of the EPZA
The PEZA's predecessor, the EPZA, was declared non-pro t in character with all
its revenues devoted for its development, improvement, and maintenance. Consistent
with this non-pro t character, the EPZA was explicitly declared exempt from real
property taxes under its charter. Section 21 of Presidential Decree No. 66 provides: HEcSDa
Section 21. Non-pro t Character of the Authority; Exemption from Taxes. The
Authority shall be non-pro t and shall devote and use all its returns from its
capital investment, as well as excess revenues from its operations, for the
development, improvement and maintenance and other related expenditures of
the Authority to pay its indebtedness and obligations and in furtherance and
effective implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 1 of this Decree. In
consonance therewith, the Authority is hereby declared exempt:
xxx xxx xxx
(b) From all income taxes, franchise taxes, realty taxes and all other kinds
of taxes and licenses to be paid to the National Government, its provinces,
cities, municipalities and other government agencies and
instrumentalities[.]
ADEaHT
The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, on the other hand, does not speci cally
exempt the PEZA from payment of real property taxes.
Nevertheless, we rule that the PEZA is exempt from real property taxes by virtue
of its charter. A provision in the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 explicitly
exempting the PEZA is unnecessary. The PEZA assumed the real property exemption of
the EPZA under Presidential Decree No. 66.
Section 11 of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 mandated the EPZA "to
evolve into the PEZA in accordance with the guidelines and regulations set forth in an
executive order issued for this purpose." President Ramos then issued Executive Order
No. 282 in 1995, ordering the PEZA to assume the EPZA's powers, functions, and
responsibilities under Presidential Decree No. 66 not inconsistent with the Special
Economic Zone Act of 1995:
SECTION 1. Assumption of EPZA's Powers and Functions by PEZA. All the
powers, functions and responsibilities of EPZA as provided under its Charter,
Presidential Decree No. 66, as amended, insofar as they are not inconsistent with
the powers, functions and responsibilities of the PEZA, as mandated under
Republic Act No. 7916, shall hereafter be assumed and exercised by the PEZA.
Henceforth, the EPZA shall be referred to as the PEZA. TICaEc
The following sections of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 provide for the
PEZA's powers, functions, and responsibilities:
SEC. 5. Establishment of ECOZONES. To ensure the viability and geographical
dispersal of ECOZONES through a system of prioritization, the following areas are
initially identified as ECOZONES, subject to the criteria specified in Section 6:
xxx xxx xxx

The metes and bounds of each ECOZONE are to be delineated and more
particularly described in a proclamation to be issued by the President of the
Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
(PEZA), which shall be established under this Act, in coordination with the
municipal and/or city council, National Land Use Coordinating Committee and/or
the Regional Land Use Committee.
SEC. 6. Criteria for the Establishment of Other ECOZONES. In addition to the

ECOZONES identi ed in Section 5 of this Act, other areas may be established as
ECOZONES in a proclamation to be issued by the President of the Philippines
subject to the evaluation and recommendation of the PEZA, based on a detailed
feasibility and engineering study which must conform to the following criteria:
(a) The proposed area must be identi ed as a regional growth center in the
Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan or by the Regional Development
Council;
(b) The existence of required infrastructure in the proposed ECOZONE, such as
roads, railways, telephones, ports, airports, etc., and the suitability and capacity of
the proposed site to absorb such improvements; cSCTID
(c) The availability of water source and electric power supply for use of the
ECOZONE;
(d) The extent of vacant lands available for industrial and commercial
development and future expansion of the ECOZONE as well as of lands adjacent
to the ECOZONE available for development of residential areas for the ECOZONE
workers;
(e) The availability of skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled trainable labor force in
and around the ECOZONE;
(f) The area must have a signi cant incremental advantage over the existing
economic zones and its potential profitability can be established;
(g) The area must be strategically located; and
(h) The area must be situated where controls can easily be established to curtail
smuggling activities.
Other areas which do not meet the foregoing criteria may be established as
ECOZONES: Provided, That the said area shall be developed only through local
government and/or private sector initiative under any of the schemes allowed in
Republic Act No. 6957 (the build-operate-transfer law), and without any nancial
exposure on the part of the national government: Provided, further, That the area
can be easily secured to curtail smuggling activities: Provided, nally, That after
ve (5) years the area must have attained a substantial degree of development,
the indicators of which shall be formulated by the PEZA. AHDaET
SEC. 7. ECOZONE to be a Decentralized Agro-Industrial, Industrial,

Commercial/Trading, Tourist, Investment and Financial Community. Within the
framework of the Constitution, the interest of national sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the Republic, ECOZONE shall be developed, as much as possible, into
a decentralized, self-reliant and self-sustaining industrial, commercial/trading,
agro-industrial, tourist, banking, nancial and investment center with minimum
government intervention. Each ECOZONE shall be provided with transportation,
telecommunications, and other facilities needed to generate linkage with
industries and employment opportunities for its own inhabitants and those of
nearby towns and cities. SaIEcA
The ECOZONE shall administer itself on economic, nancial, industrial, tourism

development and such other matters within the exclusive competence of the
The ECOZONE may establish mutually bene cial economic relations with other
entities within the country, or, subject to the administrative guidance of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and/or the Department of Trade and Industry, with
foreign entities or enterprises.
Foreign citizens and companies owned by non-Filipinos in whatever proportion
may set up enterprises in the ECOZONE, either by themselves or in joint venture
with Filipinos in any sector of industry, international trade and commerce within
the ECOZONE. Their assets, pro ts and other legitimate interests shall be
protected: Provided, That the ECOZONE through the PEZA may require a
minimum investment for any ECOZONE enterprises in freely convertible
currencies: Provided, further, That the new investment shall fall under the
priorities, thrusts and limits provided for in the Act.
SEC. 8. ECOZONE to be Operated and Managed as Separate Customs Territory.

The ECOZONE shall be managed and operated by the PEZA as separate customs
territory.
The PEZA is hereby vested with the authority to issue certi cate of origin for
products manufactured or processed in each ECOZONE in accordance with the
prevailing rules or origin, and the pertinent regulations of the Department of Trade
and Industry and/or the Department of Finance.
SEC. 9. Defense and Security. The defense of the ECOZONE and the security of
its perimeter fence shall be the responsibility of the national government in
coordination with the PEZA. Military forces sent by the national government for
the purpose of defense shall not interfere in the internal affairs of any of the
ECOZONE and expenditure for these military forces shall be borne by the national
government. The PEZA may provide and establish the ECOZONES' internal
security and firefighting forces.
SEC. 10. Immigration. Any investor within the ECOZONE whose initial
investment shall not be less than One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($150,000.00), his/her spouse and dependent children under twenty-one (21)
years of age shall be granted permanent resident status within the ECOZONE.
They shall have freedom of ingress and egress to and from the ECOZONE without
any need of special authorization from the Bureau of Immigration.
The PEZA shall issue working visas renewable every two (2) years to foreign
executives and other aliens, processing highly-technical skills which no Filipino
within the ECOZONE possesses, as certi ed by the Department of Labor and
Employment. The names of aliens granted permanent resident status and
working visas by the PEZA shall be reported to the Bureau of Immigration within
thirty (30) days after issuance thereof.
SEC. 13. General Powers and Functions of the Authority. The PEZA shall have
the following powers and functions:
(a) To operate, administer, manage and develop the ECOZONE according to the
principles and provisions set forth in this Act;
ADcEST
(b) To register, regulate and supervise the enterprises in the ECOZONE in an

efficient and decentralized manner;
(c) To coordinate with local government units and exercise general supervision
over the development, plans, activities and operations of the ECOZONES,
industrial estates, export processing zones, free trade zones, and the like;
(d) In coordination with local government units concerned and appropriate

agencies, to construct, acquire, own, lease, operate and maintain on its own or
through contract, franchise, license, bulk purchase from the private sector and
build-operate-transfer scheme or joint venture, adequate facilities and
infrastructure, such as light and power systems, water supply and distribution
systems, telecommunication and transportation, buildings, structures,
warehouses, roads, bridges, ports and other facilities for the operation and
development of the ECOZONE;
(e) To create, operate and/or contract to operate such agencies and functional
units or offices of the authority as it may deem necessary;
(f) To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; make contracts, lease, own or
otherwise dispose of personal or real property; sue and be sued; and otherwise
carry out its duties and functions as provided for in this Act;
(g) To coordinate the formulation and preparation of the development plans of

the different entities mentioned above;
(h) To coordinate with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), and the local government units and appropriate government
agencies for policy and program formulation and implementation; and
(i) To monitor and evaluate the development and requirements of entities in
subsection (a) and recommend to the local government units or other appropriate
authorities the location, incentives, basic services, utilities and infrastructure
required or to be made available for said entities.
SEC. 17. Investigation and Inquiries. Upon a written formal complaint made
under oath, which on its face provides reasonable basis to believe that some
anomaly or irregularity might have been committed, the PEZA or the administrator
of the ECOZONE concerned, shall have the power to inquire into the conduct of
rms or employees of the ECOZONE and to conduct investigations, and for that
purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the production
of books, papers, and other evidences: Provided, That to arrive at the truth, the
investigator(s) may grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose
testimony or whose possessions of documents or other evidence is necessary or
convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by him or under
the authority of the PEZA or the administrator of the ECOZONE concerned.
SEC. 21. Development Strategy of the ECOZONE. The strategy and priority of
development of each ECOZONE established pursuant to this Act shall be
formulated by the PEZA, in coordination with the Department of Trade and
Industry and the National Economic and Development Authority; Provided, That
such development strategy is consistent with the priorities of the national
government as outlined in the medium-term Philippine development plan. It shall
be the policy of the government and the PEZA to encourage and provide
Incentives and facilitate private sector participation in the construction and
operation of public utilities and infrastructure in the ECOZONE, using any of the
schemes allowed in Republic Act No. 6957 (the build-operate-transfer law). AaHcIT
SEC. 22. Survey of Resources. The PEZA shall, in coordination with appropriate
authorities and neighboring cities and municipalities, immediately conduct a
survey of the physical, natural assets and potentialities of the ECOZONE areas
under its jurisdiction.
SEC. 26. Domestic Sales. Goods manufactured by an ECOZONE enterprise shall
be made available for immediate retail sales in the domestic market, subject to
payment of corresponding taxes on the raw materials and other regulations that
may be adopted by the Board of the PEZA.
However, in order to protect the domestic industry, there shall be a negative list of
Industries that will be drawn up by the PEZA. Enterprises engaged in the
industries included in the negative list shall not be allowed to sell their products
locally. Said negative list shall be regularly updated by the PEZA.
The PEZA, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the
Bureau of Customs, shall jointly issue the necessary implementing rules and
guidelines for the effective Implementation of this section. THaDAE
SEC. 29. Eminent Domain. The areas comprising an ECOZONE may be

expanded or reduced when necessary. For this purpose, the government shall
have the power to acquire, either by purchase, negotiation or condemnation
proceedings, any private lands within or adjacent to the ECOZONE for:
a. Consolidation of lands for zone development purposes;
b. Acquisition of right of way to the ECOZONE; and
c. The protection of watershed areas and natural assets valuable to the prosperity
of the ECOZONE.
If in the establishment of a publicly-owned ECOZONE, any person or group of

persons who has been occupying a parcel of land within the Zone has to be
evicted, the PEZA shall provide the person or group of persons concerned with
proper disturbance compensation: Provided, however, That in the case of
displaced agrarian reform bene ciaries, they shall be entitled to the bene ts
under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, including but not limited to
Section 36 of Republic Act No. 3844, in addition to a homelot in the relocation site
and preferential employment in the project being undertaken.
SEC. 32. Shipping and Shipping Register. Private shipping and related business
including private container terminals may operate freely in the ECOZONE, subject
only to such minimum reasonable regulations of local application which the
PEZA may prescribe.
The PEZA shall, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and

Communications, maintain a shipping register for each ECOZONE as a business
register of convenience for ocean-going vessels and issue related certification.
Ships of all sizes, descriptions and nationalities shall enjoy access to the ports of
the ECOZONE, subject only to such reasonable requirement as may be prescribed
by the PEZA in coordination with the appropriate agencies of the national
government.
SEC. 33. Protection of Environment. The PEZA, in coordination with the
appropriate agencies, shall take concrete and appropriate steps and enact the
proper measure for the protection of the local environment. aSIAHC
SEC. 34. Termination of Business. Investors in the ECOZONE who desire to

terminate business or operations shall comply with such requirements and
procedures which the PEZA shall set, particularly those relating to the clearing of
debts. The assets of the closed enterprise can be transferred and the funds con
be remitted out of the ECOZONE subject to the rules, guidelines and procedures
prescribed jointly by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Finance
and the PEZA.
SEC. 35. Registration of Business Enterprises. Business enterprises within a
designated ECOZONE shall register with the PEZA to avail of all incentives and
benefits provided for in this Act.
SEC. 36. One Stop Shop Center. The PEZA shall establish a one stop shop
center for the purpose of facilitating the registration of new enterprises in the
ECOZONE. Thus, all appropriate government agencies that are involved in
registering, licensing or issuing permits to investors shall assign their
representatives to the ECOZONE to attend to Investor's requirements.
SEC. 39. Master Employment Contracts. The PEZA, in coordination with the
Department of Labor and Employment, shall prescribe a master employment
contract for all ECOZONE enterprise staff members and workers, the terms of
which provide salaries and bene ts not less than those provided under this Act,
the Philippine Labor Code, as amended, and other relevant issuances of the
SEC. 41. Migrant Worker. The PEZA, in coordination with the Department of
Labor and Employment, shall promulgate appropriate measures and programs
leading to the expansion of the services of the ECOZONE to help the local
governments of nearby areas meet the needs of the migrant workers. HCaDIS
SEC. 42. Incentive Scheme. An additional deduction equivalent to one-half (1/2)

of the value of training expenses incurred in developing skilled or unskilled labor
or for managerial or other management development programs incurred by
enterprises in the ECOZONE can be deducted from the national government's
share of three percent (3%) as provided in Section 24.
The PEZA, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of
Finance shall jointly make a review of the incentive scheme provided in this
section every two (2) years or when circumstances so warrant.
SEC. 43. Relationship with the Regional Development Council. The PEZA shall
determine the development goals for the ECOZONE within the framework of
national development plans, policies and goals, and the administrator shall, upon
approval by the PEZA Board, submit the ECOZONE plans, programs and projects
to the regional development council for inclusion in and as inputs to the overall
regional development plan. cHTCaI
SEC. 44. Relationship with the Local Government Units. Except as herein
provided, the local government units comprising the ECOZONE shall retain their
basic autonomy and identity. The cities shall be governed by their respective
charters and the municipalities shall operate and function in accordance with
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
SEC. 45. Relationship of PEZA to Privately-Owned Industrial Estates. Privately-
owned industrial estates shall retain their autonomy and independence and shall
be monitored by the PEZA for the implementation of incentives. HIaTDS
SEC. 46. Transfer of Resources. The relevant functions of the Board of

Investments over industrial estates and agri-export processing estates shall be
transferred to the PEZA. The resources of government-owned Industrial estates
and similar bodies except the Bases Conversion Development Authority and those
areas identi ed under Republic Act No. 7227, are hereby transferred to the PEZA
as the holding agency. They are hereby detached from their mother agencies and
attached to the PEZA for policy, program and operational supervision.
The Boards of the affected government-owned industrial estates shall be phased
out and only the management level and an appropriate number of personnel shall
be retained. ScTIAH
Government personnel whose services are not retained by the PEZA or any
government o ce within the ECOZONE shall be entitled to separation pay and
such retirement and other bene ts they are entitled to under the laws then in force
at the time of their separation: Provided, That in no case shall the separation pay
be less than one and one-fourth (1 1/4) month of every year of service.
The non-pro t character of the EPZA under Presidential Decree No. 66 is not
inconsistent with any of the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the PEZA. The
EPZA's non-pro t character, including the EPZA's exemption from real property taxes,
must be deemed assumed by the PEZA.
In addition, the Local Government Code exempting instrumentalities of the
national government from real property taxes was already in force 274 when the PEZA's
charter was enacted in 1995. It would have been redundant to provide for the PEZA's
exemption in its charter considering that the PEZA is already exempt by virtue of
Section 133 (o) of the Local Government Code.
As for the EPZA, Commonwealth Act No. 470 or the Assessment Law was in
force when the EPZA's charter was enacted. Unlike the Local Government Code,
Commonwealth Act No. 470 does not contain a provision speci cally exempting
instrumentalities of the national government from payment of real property taxes. 275 It
was necessary to put an exempting provision in the EPZA's charter.
Contrary to the PEZA's claim, however, Section 24 of the Special Economic Zone
Act of 1995 is not a basis for the PEZA's exemption. Section 24 of the Special
Economic Zone Act of 1995 provides: DEaCSA
Sec. 24. Exemption from National and Local Taxes. Except for real property
taxes on land owned by developers, no taxes, local and national, shall be imposed
on business establishments operating within the ECOZONE. In lieu thereof, ve
ECOZONE shall be paid and remitted as follows:
(a) Three percent (3%) to the National Government;
(b) Two percent (2%) which shall be directly remitted by the business
establishments to the treasurer's o ce of the municipality or city where
the enterprise is located. (Emphasis supplied)
Tax exemptions provided under Section 24 apply only to business

establishments operating within economic zones. Considering that the PEZA is not a
business establishment but an instrumentality performing governmental functions,
Section 24 is inapplicable to the PEZA.
Also, contrary to the PEZA's claim, developers of economic zones, whether public
or private developers, are liable for real property taxes on lands they own. Section 24
does not distinguish between a public and private developer. Thus, courts cannot
distinguish. 276 Unless the public developer is exempt under the Local Government
Code or under its charter enacted after the Local Government Code's effectivity, the
public developer must pay real property taxes on their land. HAIaEc
At any rate, the PEZA cannot be taxed for real property taxes even if it acts as a
developer or operator of special economic zones. The PEZA is an instrumentality of the
national government exempt from payment of real property taxes under Section 133
(o) of the Local Government Code. As this court said in Manila International Airport
Authority, "there must be express language in the law empowering local governments
to tax national government instrumentalities. Any doubt whether such power exists is
resolved against local governments." 277
V. (C)
Real properties under the PEZA's title are owned by the Republic of the
Philippines
Under Section 234 (a) of the Local Government Code, real properties owned by
the Republic of the Philippines are exempt from real property taxes:
consideration or otherwise, to a taxable person[.]
Properties owned by the state are either property of public dominion or

patrimonial property. Article 420 of the Civil Code of the Philippines enumerates
property of public dominion:
Art. 420. The following things are property of public dominion:
(1) Those intended for public use, such as roads, canals, rivers, torrents, ports and
bridges constructed by the State, banks, shores, roadsteads, and others of similar
character; HcSDIE
(2) Those which belong to the State, without belonging for public use, and are
intended for some public service or for the development of the national wealth.
Properties of public dominion are outside the commerce of man. These

properties are exempt from "levy, encumbrance or disposition through public or private
sale." 278 As this court explained in Manila International Airport Authority:
Properties of public dominion, being for public use, are not subject to levy,
encumbrance or disposition through public or private sale. Any encumbrance, levy
on execution or auction sale of any property of public dominion is void for being
contrary to public policy. Essential public services will stop if properties of public
dominion are subject to encumbrances, foreclosures and auction sale[.] 279 THAICD
On the other hand, all other properties of the state that are not intended for
public use or are not intended for some public service or for the development of the
national wealth are patrimonial properties. Article 421 of the Civil Code of the
Philippines provides:
Art. 421. All other property of the State, which is not of the character stated in the
preceding article, is patrimonial property.
Patrimonial properties are also properties of the state, but the state may dispose
of its patrimonial property similar to private persons disposing of their property.
Patrimonial properties are within the commerce of man and are susceptible to
prescription, unless otherwise provided. 280
In this case, the properties sought to be taxed are located in publicly owned
economic zones. These economic zones are property of public dominion. The City
seeks to tax properties located within the Mactan Economic Zone, 281 the site of which
was reserved by President Marcos under Proclamation No. 1811, Series of 1979.
Reserved lands are lands of the public domain set aside for settlement or public use,
and for speci c public purposes by virtue of a presidential proclamation. 282 Reserved
lands are inalienable and outside the commerce of man, 283 and remain property of the
Republic until withdrawn from public use either by law or presidential proclamation. 284
Since no law or presidential proclamation has been issued withdrawing the site of the
Mactan Economic Zone from public use, the property remains reserved land.
As for the Bataan Economic Zone, the law consistently characterized the
property as a port. Under Republic Act No. 5490, Congress declared Mariveles, Bataan
"a principal port of entry" 285 to serve as site of a foreign trade zone where foreign and
domestic merchandise may be brought in without being subject to customs and
internal revenue laws and regulations of the Philippines. 286 Section 4 of Republic Act
No. 5490 provided that the foreign trade zone in Mariveles, Bataan "shall at all times
remain to be owned by the Government": cAISTC
SEC. 4. Powers and Duties. The Foreign Trade Zone Authority shall have the
following powers and duties:
a. To x and delimit the site of the Zone which at all times remain to be
owned by the Government, and which shall have a contiguous and
adequate area with well de ned and policed boundaries, with
adequate enclosures to segregate the Zone from the customs
territory for protection of revenues, together with suitable provisions
for ingress and egress of persons, conveyance, vessels and
merchandise su cient for the purpose of this Act[.] (Emphasis
supplied)
The port in Mariveles, Bataan then became the Bataan Economic Zone under the
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. 287 Republic Act No. 9728 then converted the
Bataan Economic Zone into the Freeport Area of Bataan. 288
A port of entry, where imported goods are unloaded then introduced in the
market for public consumption, is considered property for public use. Thus, Article 420
of the Civil Code classi es a port as property of public dominion. The Freeport Area of
Bataan, where the government allows tax and duty-free importation of goods, 289 is
considered property of public dominion. The Freeport Area of Bataan is owned by the
state and cannot be taxed under Section 234 (a) of the Local Government Code. cTCaEA
Properties of public dominion, even if titled in the name of an instrumentality as

in this case, remain owned by the Republic of the Philippines. If property registered in
the name of an instrumentality is conveyed to another person, the property is
considered conveyed on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines. Book I, Chapter 12,
Section 48 of the Administrative Code of 1987 provides:
SEC. 48. O cial Authorized to Convey Real Property. Whenever real property of
the government is authorized by law to be conveyed, the deed of conveyance
shall be executed in behalf of the government by the following:
xxx xxx xxx
(2) For property belonging to the Republic of the Philippines, but titled in the name
of any political subdivision or of any corporate agency or instrumentality , by the
executive head of the agency or instrumentality. (Emphasis supplied)
In Manila International Airport Authority, this court explained:

[The exemption under Section 234(a) of the Local Government Code] should be
read in relation with Section 133(o) of the same Code, which prohibits local
governments from imposing "[t]axes, fees or charges of any kind on the National
Government, its agencies and instrumentalities . . . ." The real properties owned
by the Republic are titled either in the name of the Republic itself or in the name of
agencies or instrumentalities of the National Government. The Administrative
Code allows real property owned by the Republic to be titled in the name of
agencies or instrumentalities of the national government. Such real properties
remained owned by the Republic of the Philippines and continue to be exempt
from real estate tax.aIcDCH
The Republic may grant the bene cial use of its real property to an agency or
instrumentality of the national government. This happens when title of the real
property is transferred to an agency or instrumentality even as the Republic
remains the owner of the real property. Such arrangement does not result in the
loss of the tax exemption/Section 234(a) of the Local Government Code states
that real property owned by the Republic loses its tax exemption only if the
"bene cial use thereof has been granted, for consideration or otherwise, to a
taxable person ." 290 (Emphasis in the original; italics supplied)
Even the PEZA's lands and buildings whose bene cial use have been granted to
other persons may not be taxed with real property taxes. The PEZA may only lease its
lands and buildings to PEZA-registered economic zone enterprises and entities. 291
These PEZA-registered enterprises and entities, which operate within economic zones,
are not subject to real property taxes. Under Section 24 of the Special Economic Zone
Act of 1995, no taxes, whether local or national, shall be imposed on all business
establishments operating within the economic zones:
SEC. 24. Exemption from National and Local Taxes. Except for real property on
land owned by developers, no taxes, local and national, shall be imposed on
business establishments operating within the ECOZONE. In lieu thereof, ve
ECOZONE shall be paid and remitted as follows: DTcHaA

enterprise is located. 292 (Emphasis supplied)
In lieu of revenues from real property taxes, the City of Lapu-Lapu collects two-
fths of 5% nal tax on gross income paid by all business establishments operating
within the Mactan Economic Zone:
SEC. 24. Exemption from National and Local Taxes. Except for real property on
land owned by developers, no taxes, local and national, shall be imposed on
business establishments operating within the ECOZONE. In lieu thereof, ve
ECOZONE shall be paid and remitted as follows: CITaSA

enterprise is located. 293 (Emphasis supplied)
For its part, the Province of Bataan collects a fth of the 5% nal tax on gross
income paid by all business establishments operating within the Freeport Area of
Bataan:
Section 6. Imposition of a Tax Rate of Five Percent (5%) on Gross Income Earned.
No taxes, local and national, shall be imposed on business establishments
operating within the FAB. In lieu thereof, said business establishments shall pay a
ve percent (5%) nal tax on their gross income earned in the following
percentages:
(a) One per centum (1%) to the National Government;

(b) One per centum (1%) to the Province of Bataan;
(c) One per centum (1%) to the treasurer's o ce of the Municipality of Mariveles;
and
(d) Two per centum (2%) to the Authority of the Freeport of Area of Bataan. 294
(Emphasis supplied) ATcaEH
Petitioners, therefore, are not deprived of revenues from the operations of

economic zones within their respective territorial jurisdictions. The national government
ensured that local government units comprising economic zones shall retain their basic
autonomy and identity. 295
All told, the PEZA is an instrumentality of the national government. Furthermore,
the lands owned by the PEZA are real properties owned by the Republic of the
Philippines. The City of Lapu-Lapu and the Province of Bataan cannot collect real
property taxes from the PEZA.
WHEREFORE , the consolidated petitions are DENIED .
SO ORDERED .
Carpio, Del Castillo, Mendoza and Reyes, * JJ., concur.
Footnotes
* Designated Acting Member per Special Order No. 1881 dated November 25, 2014.
1. Resolution dated March 14, 2011.

2. Rollo (G.R. No. 184203), pp. 51-54. This decision in CA-G.R. CV No. 88318 was penned by
Associate Justice Josefina Guevara-Salonga with Associate Justices Vicente Q. Roxas
and Ramon R. Garcia concurring.
3. Id. at 48-49.
4. Rollo (G.R. No. 187583), pp. 57-68. This decision in CA-G.R. SP No. 100984 was penned by
Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales-Sison with Associate Justices Juan Q. Enriquez, Jr.
and Isaias P. Dicdican concurring.
5. Id. at 69-71.
6. Proc. No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972.
7. Pres. Decree No. 66 (1972), sec. 1.
8. Rep. Act No. 5490 (1969), sec. 2.
9. Pres. Decree No. 66 (1972), sec. 4 (a).

12. Pres. Decree No. 66 (1972), sec. 21 (a).
13. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 11.

14. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 13 (a).
15. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 13 (b).
16. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 5 (ll).
17. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 5 (m).

18. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 11.
19. Exec. Order No. 282 (1995), sec. 1.
20. Exec. Order No. 282 (1995), sec. 2.

21. RTC records (Civil Case No. 02-0410), p. 16.
22. Id. at 17-20.
23. RTC records, pp. 20-21, dated July 14, 1998; p. 22, dated December 22, 1998; p. 23, dated
January 28, 1999; pp. 24-25, dated March 8, 1999; p. 26, dated May 29, 2000; pp. 27-31,
dated December 13, 1999; pp. 32-33, dated May 2, 2000.
24. RTC records, pp. 34-35.

25. Id. at 2-15.
26. Id. at 79-88.
27. Id. at 83-87.

28. Id. at 119-124.
29. Id. at 167-173.
30. RULES OF COURT, Rule 63, sec. 3 provides:

Notice on Solicitor General. In any action which involves the validity of a statute, executive
order or regulation, or any other governmental regulation, the Solicitor General shall be
noti ed by the party assailing the same and shall be entitled to be heard upon such
question.
31. RTC records, pp. 137-166.
32. Id. at 179-191. This resolution was penned by Judge Wilhelmina B. Jorge-Wagan.
33. Id. at 200-227.

34. Id. at 262.
35. CA rollo (CA-G.R. CV No. 88318), pp. 12-44.
36. Rollo (G.R. No. 184203), pp. 51-54.
37. CA rollo (CA-G.R. CV No. 88318), pp. 127-130.
38. Id. at 131.

39. Id. at 132-149.
40. Rollo (G.R. No. 184203), pp. 48-49.
41. Id. at 21-46.

42. Id. at 36.
43. Id. at 33.
44. Id. at 34.

45. Id. at 40-42.
46. Id. at 76.
47. Rollo (G.R. No. 184203), p. 91, resolution dated November 17, 2008.
48. Id. at 118-124.
49. Id. at 124-128.
50. Id. at 129-135.
51. Id. at 136-138.

52. Id. at 138-139.
53. Id. at 141-145.
54. Id. at 145-149.

55. CA rollo (CA-G.R. SP No. 100984), p. 100.
56. Id. at 101.
57. Id. at 102.

58. Id.
59. Id. at 103.
60. Id. at 104-106.
61. Id. at 107.

62. Id. at 108-109.
63. Id. at 110-111.
64. CA rollo (CA-G.R. SP No. 100984), pp. 112-113, dated April 28, 2004; pp. 115-116, dated May
5, 2004.
65. Id. at 114, dated April 30, 2004; p. 117, dated May 7, 2004.

66. Id. at 118-119.
67. Id. at 120-122.
68. Id. at 123-125.

69. Id. at 126-135.
70. Rep. Act No. 7160 (1991), sec. 260 provides:
SECTION 260. Advertisement and Sale. Within thirty (30) days after service of the
warrant of levy, the local treasurer shall proceed to publicly advertise for sale or auction
the property or a usable portion thereof as may be necessary to satisfy the tax
delinquency and expenses of sale. The advertisement shall be effected by posing a
notice at the main entrance of the provincial, city or municipal building, and in a publicly
accessible and conspicuous place in the barangay where the real property is located,
and by publication once a week for two (2) weeks in a newspaper of general circulation
in the province, city or municipality where the property is located. The advertisement
shall specify the amount of the delinquent tax, the interest due thereon and expense of
sale, the date and place of sale, the name of the owner of the real property or person
having legal interest therein, and a description of the property to be sold[.]
72. Id. at 143-144.

73. Id. at 141-142.
74. Id. at 14.
75. Id. at 51-52. This decision was penned by Judge Francisco G. Mendiola.
76. Id. at 52.

77. Id. at 53.
78. Id. at 2-49.
79. Id. at 244-245.

80. Id. at 251-260.
81. Id. at 261-299.
82. Id. at 300-330.

83. Id. at 332-334.
84. Id. at 369-393.
85. Id. at 414-440.
86. Id. at 459-163.
87. Id. at 464-482.

88. Rollo (G.R. No. 187583), p. 68.
89. Id. at 61.
90. Id. at 62.
91. Id. at 62-64.
92. 528 Phil. 181 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
93. Rollo (G.R. No. 187583), p. 65.
94. Id. at 57-68.

95. CA rollo (CA-G.R. SP No. 100984), pp. 496-520.
96. Rollo (G.R. No. 187583), pp. 69-70.
97. Id. at 16-56.
98. Id. at 25-29.
99. Id. at 41-42.
100. Id. at 46-48.

101. Id. at 76, resolution dated July 29, 2009.
102. Id. at 94-120.
103. Id. at 129-143.
104. Id. at 158-190.
105. Resolution dated March 14, 2011.
106. RULES OF COURT, Rule 41, sec. 2 (a).
107. RULES OF COURT, Rule 41, sec. 2 (h).

108. RULES OF COURT, Rule 41, sec. 2 (c).
109. Far Eastern Surety and Insurance Co., Inc. v. People , G.R. No. 170618, November 20, 2013,
710 SCRA 358, 365 [Per J. Brion, Second Division]; Republic v. Malabanan , G.R. No.
169067, October 6, 2010, 632 SCRA 338, 345 [Per J. Villarama, Jr., Third Division].
110. Far Eastern Surety and Insurance Co., Inc. v. People , G.R. No. 170618, November 20, 2013,
710 SCRA 358, 365 [Per J. Brion, Second Division]; Republic v. Malabanan , G.R. No.
169067, October 6, 2010, 632 SCRA 338, 345 [Per J. Villarama, Jr., Third Division].
111. G.R. No. 193706, March 12, 2013, 693 SCRA 201 [Per C.J. Sereno, En Banc].
112. Id. at 207, citing Ybaez v. Court of Appeals , 323 Phil. 643 (1996) [Per J. Francisco, Third
Division].
113. Id. at 207-208.
114. Municipality of Pateros v. Hon. Court of Appeals, et al. , 607 Phil. 104, 114 (2009) [Per J.
Nachura, Third Division]; Sevilleno v. Carilo , 559 Phil. 789, 792 (2007) [Per J. Sandoval-
Gutierrez, First Division].
115. See Republic v. City of Paraaque, G.R. No. 191109, July 18, 2012, 677 SCRA 246, 257-260
[Per J. Mendoza, Third Division]; Government Service Insurance System v. City Assessor
of Manila, G.R. No. 186242, December 23, 2009, 609 SCRA 330, 349 [Per J. Velasco, Jr.,
Third Division]; National Housing Authority v. Iloilo City, et al. , 584 Phil. 604, 609-610
(2008) (Per J. Tinga, Second Division]; Philippine Fisheries Development Authority v. The
Honorable Court of Appeals, 560 Phil. 738, 748 (2007) [Per J. Azcuna, First Division];
Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 209-213 (2006)
[Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
116. Municipality of Pateros v. The Honorable Court of Appeals , 607 Phil. 104 (2009) [Per J.
Nachura, Third Division].
117. Id. at 114.
118. Id.
119. Id.
120. Id. at 115, citing Tabujara III v. People , 591 Phil. 216, 231 (2008) [Per J. Chico-Nazario,
Third Division].
121. See Spouses Sabitsana v. Muertegui , G.R. No. 181359, August 5, 2013, 703 SCRA 145,
158-159 [Per J. Del Castillo, Second Division]; See also Allied Broadcasting Center, Inc. v.
Republic, 268 Phil. 852, 857 (1990) [Per J. Gancayco, En Banc] cited in W. B. RIANO, II
CIVIL PROCEDURE (THE BAR LECTURE SERIES) 216 (2012).
122. RULES OF COURT, Rule 63, sec. 1.

124. Republic v. Roque , G.R. No. 204603, September 24, 2013, 706 SCRA 273, 283 [Per J.
Perlas-Bernabe, En Banc].
125. Ollada v. Central Bank of the Philippines, 115 Phil. 284, 291 (1962) [Per J. Dizon, En Banc].
127. 115 Phil. 284 (1962) [Per J. Dizon, En Banc].
128. Id.
129. Id. at 285.

130. Id. at 291.
131. Id.
132. Id.
134. Id.
135. Id.
136. Velarde v. Social Justice Society , G.R. No. 159357, April 28, 2004, 428 SCRA 283, 293 [Per
J. Panganiban, En Banc].
137. G.R. No. 204603, September 24, 2013, 706 SCRA 273 [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe, En Banc].
138. Id. at 284.
139. G.R. No. 159357, April 28, 2004, 428 SCRA 283 [Per J. Panganiban, En Banc].
140. Id. at 286.
141. Id. at 291-293.
142. Id. at 283, citing Almeda v. Bathala Marketing Industries, Inc. , 566 Phil. 458, 467 (2008)
[Per J. Nachura, Third Division].
143. Boston Equity Resources, Inc. v. Court of Appeals , G.R. No. 173946, June 19, 2013, 699
SCRA 16, 28 [Per J. Perez, Second Division].
144. Villagracia v. Fifth (5th) Shari'a District Court , G.R. No. 188832, April 23, 2014
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?
file=/jurisprudence/2014/april2014/188832.pdf> [Per J. Leonen, Third Division].
145. Id.
146. Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions (PAFLU) v. Padilla , 106 Phil. 591, 593 (1959)
[Per J. Labrador, En Banc]; Perkins v. Roxas , 72 Phil. 514, 517 (1941) [Per J. Laurel, En
Banc].
148. Id.
149. Id.
150. Id.
151. Id.
152. Id.
153. Id.
154. Id.
155. Id.
156. Id.
157. 616 Phil. 177 (2009) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Third Division].
158. Id. at 188-189.

159. National Power Corporation v. Province of Quezon , G.R. No. 171586, January 25, 2010,
611 SCRA 71, 91 [Per J. Brion, Special Second Division].
160. Id. at 95.
161. Id.
162. Ty v. Trampe , 321 Phil. 81, 101 (1995) [Per J. Panganiban, En Banc]. See J. Carpio,
concurring opinion, in Camp John Hay Development Corporation v. Central Board of
Assessment Appeals, G.R. No. 169234, October 2, 2013, 706 SCRA 547, 578 [Per J. Perez,
Second Division].
163. 321 Phil. 81 (1995) [Per J. Panganiban, En Banc].
164. Id. at 101.
165. Id.
166. Ollada v. Central Bank of the Philippines, 115 Phil. 284, 291 (1962) [Per J. Dizon, En Banc].
167. Agoo Rice Mill Corporation v. Land Bank of the Philippines , G.R. No. 173036, September
26, 2012, 682 SCRA 36, 46 [Per J. Brion, Second Division]; Garayblas v. Atienza, Jr., 525
Phil. 291, 306 (2006) [Per J. Callejo, Sr., First Division]; Bacolod City Water District v.
Labayen, 487 Phil. 335, 346 (2004) [Per J. Puno, Second Division].
168. Id.
169. Agoo Rice Mill Corporation v. Land Bank of the Philippines , G.R. No. 173036, September
26, 2012, 682 SCRA 36, 46, [Per J. Brion, Second Division].
171. Nocum v. Tan, 507 Phil. 620, 626 (2005) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Second Division].
173. Id., citing Ibrahim v. Commission on Elections , G.R. No. 192289, January 8, 2013, 688
SCRA 129, 145 [Per J. Reyes, En Banc], citing Republic v. Bantigue Point Development
Corporation, G.R. No. 162322, March 14, 2012, 668 SCRA 158 [Per J. Sereno, Second
Division]; Figueroa v. People of the Philippines , 580 Phil. 58, 76 (2008) [Per J. Nachura,
Third Division]; Mangaliag v. Catubig-Pastoral, 510 Phil. 637, 648 (2005) [Per J. Austria-
Martinez, Second Division]; Calimlim v. Ramirez , 204 Phil. 25, 35 (1982) [Per J. Vasquez,
First Division].
174. RULES OF COURT, Rule 9, sec. 1; Villagracia v. Fifth (5th) Shari'a District Court , G.R. No.
188832, April 23, 2014 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?
175. Nocum v. Tan, 507 Phil. 620, 629 (2005) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Second Division].
176. Id. at 626.
178. Rudolf Lietz Holding, Inc. v. The Registry of Deeds of Paraaque City , 398 Phil. 626, 633
(2000) [Per J. Ynares-Santiago, First Division]. However, a court may motu proprio
dismiss the case on any grounds for the dismissal of a civil action if the case falls under
summary procedure per Section 4 of the 1991 Revised Rule on Summary Procedure.
181. RULES Of COURT, Rule 9, sec. 1.
182. Samson v. Hon. Fiel-Macaraig, G.R. No. 166356, February 2, 2010, 611 SCRA 345, 351 [Per
J. Carpio, Second Division]; Bugarin v. Palisoc , 513 Phil. 59, 66 (2005) (Per J.
Quisumbing, First Division]; Association of Integrated Security Force of Bislig (AISFB)-
ALU v. Hon. Court of Appeals , 505 Phil. 10, 18 (2005) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Second
Division].
183. Mendiola v. Court of Appeals , 327 Phil. 1156, 1164 (1996) [Per J. Hermosisima, Jr., First
Division]; Nabus v. The Honorable Court of Appeals , 271 Phil. 768, 779 (1991) [Per J.
Regalado, Second Division].
Division]; Nabus v. The Honorable Court of Appeals, 271 Phil. 768, 779-780 (1991) [Per J.
188. Black's Law Dictionary, Eighth Edition 241 (2004).
189. G.R. No. 153852, October 24, 2012, 684 SCRA 410 [Per J. Bersamin, First Division].
190. Id. at 420-421.
191. Madrigal Transport, Inc. v. Lapanday Holdings Corp. , 479 Phil. 768, 780-781 (2004) [Per J.
Panganiban, Third Division].
192. Id. at 781.
194. Madrigal Transport, Inc. v. Lapanday Holdings Corp. , 479 Phil. 768, 781 [Per J.
Panganiban, Third Division].
197. Bugarin v. Palisoc , 513 Phil. 59, 66 (2005) [Per J. Quisumbing, First Division]; Association
of Integrated Security Force of Bislig (AISFB)-ALU v. Hon. Court of Appeals , 505 Phil. 10,
18 (2005) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Second Division].
198. Rollo (G.R. No. 187583), pp. 31-32.
199. The City of Manila v. Hon. Grecia-Cuerdo , G.R. No. 175723, February 4, 2014
file=/jurisprudence/2014/february2014/175723.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc]; Oaminal
v. Castillo, 459 Phil. 542, 556 (2003) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].
200. The City of Manila v. Hon. Crecia-Cuerdo , G.R. No. 175723, February 4, 2014
file=/jurisprudence/2014/february2014/175723.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc]; Oaminal
v. Castillo, 459 Phil. 542, 556 (2003) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].
201. Oaminal v. Castillo, 459 Phil. 542, 557 (2003) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].
202. Id., citing Delsan Transport Lines, Inc. v. CA , 335 Phil. 1066, 1075 (1997) [Per J. Mendoza,
Second Division].
203. Sebastian v. Morales, 445 Phil. 595, 605 (2003) [Per J. Quisumbing, Second Division].
204. Id.
206. Id. at 7.
207. Id. at 33-34.
208. LOCAL GOVT. CODE, sec. 247 provides:

SEC. 247. Collection of Tax. The collection of the real property tax with interest thereon and
related expenses, and the enforcement of the remedies provided for in this Title or any
applicable laws, shall be the responsibility of the city or municipal treasurer concerned.
The city or municipal treasurer may deputize the barangay treasurer to collect all taxes
on real property located in the barangay : Provided, That the barangay treasurer is
properly bonded for the purpose: Provided, further, That the premium on the bond shall
be paid by the city or municipal government concerned.
209. TAX CODE, Title I, sec. 2 provides:
SEC. 2. Powers and duties of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The Bureau of Internal
Revenue shall be under the supervision and control of the Department of Finance and its
powers and duties shall comprehend the assessment and collection of all national
internal revenue taxes, fees, and charges, and the enforcement of all forfeitures,
penalties, and nes connected therewith, including the execution of judgments in all
cases decided in its favor by the Court of Tax Appeals and the ordinary courts. The
Bureau shall give effect to and administer the supervisory and police powers conferred
to it by this Code or other laws.
SEC. 256. Remedies for the Collection of Real Property Tax. For the collection of the basic
real property tax and any other tax levied under this Title, the local government unit
concerned may avail of the remedies by administrative action thru levy on real property
or by judicial action.
SEC. 266. Collection of Real Property Tax Through the Courts. The local government unit
concerned may enforce the collection of the basic real property tax or any other tax
levied under this Title by civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction. The civil
action shall be led by the local treasurer within the period prescribed in Section 270 of
this Code.
212. Phil. Re ning Co. v. Court of Appeals , 326 Phil. 680, 689 (1996) [Per J. Regalado, Second
Division].
213. G.R. No. 175723, February 4, 2014 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?
file=/jurisprudence/2014/february2014/175723.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
214. AN ACT CREATING THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS (1954).
215. CONST., art. viii, sec. 1 provides:

Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts
as may be established by law.
Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving
rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not
there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on
the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.
216. The City of Manila v. Hon. Grecia-Cuerdo , G.R. No. 175723, February 4, 2014
file=/jurisprudence/2014/february2014/175723.pdf> [Per J. Peralta, En Banc].
217. Id.
218. See City of Iriga v. Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CASURECO III) , G.R. No.
192945, September 5, 2012, 680 SCRA 236, 244 [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe, Second Division].
219. See Land Bank of the Philippines v. Court of Appeals , G.R. No. 190660, April 11, 2011, 647
SCRA 561, 567 [Per J. Carpio-Morales, Third Division].
220. Rep. Act No. 7160, sec. 252.
221. Rep. Act No. 7160, sec. 226.

222. Rep. Act No. 7160, sec. 229 (a).
223. Rep. Act No. 7160, sec. 229 (c).
224. Rep. Act No. 1125, as amended by Rep. Act No. 9282, sec. 7 (a) (5); RULES OF
PROCEDURE IN THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS, Rule 4, sec. 2 (e).
225. RULES OF PROCEDURE IN THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS, Rule 8, sec. 4 (c).
226. Rep. Act No. 1125 (1954), as amended by Rep. Act No. 9282 (2004), sec. 19.
227. Ty v. Trampe, 321 Phil. 81, 101-102 (1995) [Per J. Panganiban, En Banc].
228. Batas Blg. 129 (1994), sec. 19; Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Hong , G.R. No. 161771,
February 15, 2012, 666 SCRA 71, 78 [Per J. Villarama, Jr., First Division].
229. Rep. Act No. 1125 (1954), as amended by Rep. Act No. 9282 (2004), sec. 7 (a) (3).
231. Rep. Act No. 7160 (1991), sec. 267.
232. Rep. Act No. 1125 (1954), as amended by Rep. Act No. 9282 (2004), sec. 7 (a) (3).
234. Salud v. The Court of Appeals , G.R. No. 100156, June 27, 1994, 233 SCRA 384, 389 [Per J.
Puno, Second Division].
235. See Pryce Corporation v. China Banking Corporation , G.R. No. 172302, February 18, 2014,
716 SCRA 207, 235 [Per J. Leonen, En Banc].
236. LOCAL GOVT. CODE, sec. 232.

237. LOCAL GOVT. CODE, sec. 198 (c).
238. LOCAL GOVT. CODE, sec. 232.
239. Government Service Insurance System v. City Treasurer and City Assessor of the City of
Manila, 623 Phil. 964, 982 (2009) [Per J. Velasco, Jr., Third Division], citing Testate
Estate of Concordia T. Lim v. City of Manila , 261 Phil. 602, 607 (1990) [Per J. Gutierrez,
Jr., Third Division]; Manila Electric Company v. Barlis , 410 Phil. 167, 178 (2001) [Per J.
De Leon, Jr., Second Division].
240. 330 Phil. 392 (1996) [Per J. Davide, Jr., Third Division].
241. Id. at 410.
242. Id.
243. Id.
Manila, 623 Phil. 964, 976-977 (2009) [Per J. Velasco, Jr., Third Division].
245. EXEC. ORDER No. 292, Introductory Provisions, sec. 2 (10).
246. Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 212-214 (2006)
247. Philippine Fisheries Development Authority v. The Honorable Court of Appeals , 555 Phil.
661, 668 (2007) [Per J. Azcuna, First Division].
Manila, 623 Phil. 964, 978-981 (2009) [Per J. Velasco, Jr., Third Division].
249. Republic of the Philippines v. City of Paraaque, G.R. No. 191109, July 18, 2012, 677 SCRA
247, 263 [Per J. Mendoza, Third Division].
250. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 11.
251. Beja, Sr. v. Court of Appeals , G.R. No. 97149, March 31, 1992, 207 SCRA 689, 697 [Per J.
Romero, En Banc].
252. G.R. No. 97149, March 31, 1992, 207 SCRA 689, 697 [Per J. Romero, En Banc].
253. Id. at 697.
254. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 11.
255. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 13 (h).
256. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 21.

257. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 12 (d) and 19.
258. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 16.
259. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 13 (a).
260. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 4 (a).
261. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995).
262. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 11.
263. CONST., art. XII, sec. 16.

264. Republic v. City of Paraaque , G.R. No. 191109, July 18, 2012, 677 SCRA 246, 259 [Per J.
Mendoza, Third Division], citing Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of
Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 234-237 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 237 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc], citing J. G. BERNAS, THE
1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: A COMMENTARY 1181
(2003).
Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 237 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc], citing J. G. BERNAS, THE
1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: A COMMENTARY 1181
(2003).
267. Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 210 (2006) [Per J.
Carpio, En Banc].
268. 528 Phil. 181 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
269. Id. at 235-237.
270. CORP. CODE, sec. 3 provides:
Classes of corporations. Corporations formed or organized under this Code may be stock or
non-stock corporations. Corporations which have capital stock divided into shares and
are authorized to distribute to the holders of such shares dividends or allotments of the
surplus pro ts on the basis of the shares held are stock corporations. All other
corporations are non-stock corporations.
271. CORP. CODE, sec. 87 provides:
Definition. For the purposes of this Code, a non-stock corporation is one where no part of its
income is distributable as dividends to its members, trustees, or o cers, subject to the
provisions of this Code on dissolution: Provided, That any pro t which a non-stock
corporation may obtain as an incident to its operations shall, whenever necessary or
proper, be used for the furtherance of the purpose or purposes for which the corporation
was organized, subject to the provisions of this Title.
Republic v. City of Paraaque , G.R. No. 191109, July 18, 2012, 677 SCRA 246, 258 [Per J.
Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 211-212 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
272. PRES. DECREE NO. 66, sec. 5 in relation to EXEC. ORDER NO. 282 dated October 30, 1995,
sec. 1.
273. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 47.
274. The Local Government Code became effective on January 1, 1992. Miguel v. Court of
Appeals, G.R. No. 111749, February 23, 1994, 230 SCRA 339, 340 [Per J. Quiason, First
Division].
275. COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 470 (1939), sec. 3 provides:
Property exempt from tax. The exemptions shall be as follows:
(a) Property owned by the United States of America, the Commonwealth of the Philippines,
any province, city, municipality or municipal district.
(b) Cemeteries or burial grounds.
(c) Churches and parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto, and all lands, buildings, and
improvements used exclusively for religious, charitable, scienti c, or educational
purposes.

(d) When the entire assessed valuation of real property in any one municipality or municipal
district belonging to a single owner is not in excess of one hundred pesos, or when the
assessed valuation of a house, used as residence of the owner thereof, together with the
lot on which the same is built, does not exceed three hundred pesos and such owner has
no other property, the tax thereon shall not be collected, nor shall the tax be collected on
a dwelling house built on the eld, nor or an adjacent orchard, if any, as improvement; if
the assessed value of each assessed separately, is not in excess of one hundred pesos,
though in any event of the property shall be valued for the purposes of assessment and
record shall be kept thereof as in other cases.
(e) Land held by a homesteader under an application led in accordance with law prior to the
approval by the Director of lands of the nal evidence as required by law; but this
exemption does not extend to buildings and improvements thereon the title to which is
not in the Government.
(f) Machinery, which term shall embrace machines, mechanical contrivances, instruments,
appliances, and apparatus attached to the real estate, used for industrial agricultural or
manufacturing purposes, during the first five years of the operation of the machinery.
(g) Fruit trees and bamboo plants, except where the land upon which they grow is planted
principally in such growth.
(h) Until December thirty- rst, nineteen hundred thirty-nine, land not exceeding one hundred
hectares used for airports or landing elds open to all aircraft operations, either free of
charge or upon the payment of a nominal charge, together with such improvements
thereon as are used exclusively for aeronautical purposes, when such airports are
necessary facilities for air commerce. The airports or landing les herein exempted from
taxation shall revert to their original taxation status upon the certi cation of the
Secretary of Public Works and Communications that they are no longer necessary or
suitable facilities for air commerce.
The provisions hereof notwithstanding, depreciation allowance shall be made for machinery
mentioned in section three (f) equivalent to an amount not exceeding ten per centum of
its value for its year of use.
276. Cruz v. Commission on Audit, 420 Phil. 102, 109 (2001) [Per J. Pardo, En Banc].
277. Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 215 (2006) [Per J.
Carpio, En Banc].
278. Id. at 219.
279. Id.
280. CIVIL CODE, art. 1113.
281. RTC records (Civil Case No. 02-0410), p. 29.
282. EXEC. ORDER NO. 292 (1987), Book III, title I, chapter 4, sec. 14 provides:
SEC. 14. Power to Reserve Lands of the Public and Private Domain of the Government. (1)
The President shall have the power to reserve for settlement or public use, and for
speci c public purposes, any of the lands of the public domain, the use of which is not
otherwise directed by law. The reserved land shall thereafter remain subject to the
specific public purpose indicated until otherwise provided by law or proclamation.
xxx xxx xxx

Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 220-221 (2006) [Per J.
Carpio, En Banc].
283. PUBLIC LAND ACT, secs. 83 and 88 provide:
SECTION 83. Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
the President may designate by proclamation any tract or tracts of land of the public
domain as reservations for the use of the Republic of the Philippines or of any of its
branches, or of the inhabitants thereof, in accordance with regulations prescribed for this
purpose, or for quasi-public uses or purposes when the public interest requires it,
including reservations for highways, rights of way for railroads, hydraulic power sites,
irrigation systems, communal pastures or leguas comunales, public parks, public
quarries, public shponds, workingman's village and other improvements for the public
benefit.
SECTION 88. The tract or tracts of land reserved under the provisions of section eighty-three
shall be non-alienable and shall not be subject to occupation, entry, sale, lease, or other
disposition until again declared alienable under the provisions of this Act or by
proclamation of the President.
Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 219-221 (2006) [Per J.
Carpio, En Banc].
284. EXEC. ORDER NO. 292 (1987), Book III, title I, chapter 4, sec. 14 provides:
SEC. 14. Power to Reserve Lands of the Public and Private Domain of the Government. (1)
The President shall have the power to reserve for settlement or public use, and for
speci c public purposes, any of the lands of the public domain, the use of which is not
otherwise directed by law. The reserved land shall thereafter remain subject to the
specific public purpose indicated until otherwise provided by law or proclamation.
xxx xxx xxx
Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals, 528 Phil. 181, 221 (2006) [Per J.
Carpio, En Banc].
SEC. 2. Mariveles Port: establishment of foreign trade zone therein: admission of foreign and
domestic merchandise. To attain the above policy, Mariveles, Province of Bataan, is
hereby made a principal port of entry by further amending section seven hundred one of
Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred thirty-seven, otherwise known as Tariff and
Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended. . . .
xxx xxx xxx
There is hereby established in the Mariveles Port a foreign trade zone herein referred to as the
Zone. Foreign and domestic merchandise of every description, except such as is
prohibited by law, may, without being subject to the customs and internal revenue laws
and regulations of the Philippines, except as otherwise provided in this Act, be brought
into the Zone and may be stored, sold, exhibited, broken up, repacked, assembled,
distributed, sorted, graded, cleaned, mixed with foreign or domestic merchandise, or
otherwise manipulated, or be manufactured except as otherwise provided in this Act, and
be exported, destroyed or sent into customs territory of the Philippines therefrom, in the
original package or otherwise[.]
286. Rep. Act No. 5490, sec. 2.
287. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995), sec. 5 (ll).
SEC. 3. Conversion of the Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) into the Freeport Area of Bataan.
The existing Bataan Economic Zone located in the Municipality of Mariveles, Province of
Bataan is hereby converted into a special economic zone and Freeport to be known as
the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB). The FAB shall cover the Municipality of Mariveles,
Province of Bataan.
289. Rep. Act No. 9728 (2009), sec. 4 (e).
290. Manila International Airport Authority v. Court of Appeals , 528 Phil. 181, 224-225 (2006)
291. RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7916, Rule V, sec. 1
provides:
SECTION 1. Quali cations. Lands and buildings within an ECOZONE can be leased only to
ECOZONE enterprises/entities authorized by or registered with the PEZA and owned or
controlled by Philippine nationals or by aliens under such terms and conditions as the
Board may formulate.
292. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995).
293. Rep. Act No. 7916 (1995).
294. Rep. Act No. 9728 (2009).
SEC. 44. Relationship with Local Government Units. Except as herein provided, the local
government units comprising the ECOZONE shall retain their basic autonomy and
identity. The cities shall be governed by their respective charters and the municipalities
shall operate and function in accordance with Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991.

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SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 184203. November 26, 2014.]

CITY OF LAPU-LAPU , petitioner, vs . PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC ZONE

[G.R. No. 187583. November 26, 2014.]

PROVINCE OF BATAAN, represented by GOVERNOR ENRIQUE T.

Facts common to the consolidated petitions

xxx xxx xxx

In 1979, President Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1811, establishing the

a. Three percent (3%) to the National Government;

Section 51 of the law, on the other hand, provides:

An appeal erroneously taken to the Court of Appeals shall not be transferred to

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In sum, a petition for declaratory relief must satisfy six requisites:

Another aspect of jurisdiction is jurisdiction over the person. It is "the power of

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Because of the longer period to le a petition for certiorari, some litigants

xxx xxx xxx

Sec. 7. Jurisdiction. The [Court of Tax Appeals] shall exercise:

xxx xxx xxx

xxx xxx xxx

Stated differently, it would be somewhat incongruent with the pronounced judicial

(b) Charitable institutions, churches, parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto,

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Persons may likewise be exempt from payment of real properties if their

SEC. 38. De nition of Administrative Relationship. Unless otherwise expressly

xxx xxx xxx

Being an instrumentality of the national government, the PEZA cannot be taxed

xxx xxx xxx

Government entities are created by law, speci cally, by the Constitution or by

Economic viability is "the capacity to function e ciently in business." 265 To be

To be considered a government-owned or controlled corporation, the entity must

xxx xxx xxx

SEC. 6. Criteria for the Establishment of Other ECOZONES. In addition to the

SEC. 7. ECOZONE to be a Decentralized Agro-Industrial, Industrial,

The ECOZONE shall administer itself on economic, nancial, industrial, tourism

SEC. 8. ECOZONE to be Operated and Managed as Separate Customs Territory.

(b) To register, regulate and supervise the enterprises in the ECOZONE in an

(d) In coordination with local government units concerned and appropriate

(g) To coordinate the formulation and preparation of the development plans of

SEC. 29. Eminent Domain. The areas comprising an ECOZONE may be

If in the establishment of a publicly-owned ECOZONE, any person or group of

The PEZA shall, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and

SEC. 34. Termination of Business. Investors in the ECOZONE who desire to

SEC. 42. Incentive Scheme. An additional deduction equivalent to one-half (1/2)

SEC. 46. Transfer of Resources. The relevant functions of the Board of

Tax exemptions provided under Section 24 apply only to business

Properties owned by the state are either property of public dominion or

Properties of public dominion are outside the commerce of man. These

Properties of public dominion, even if titled in the name of an instrumentality as

In Manila International Airport Authority, this court explained:

a. Three percent (3%) to the National Government;

b. Two percent (2%) which shall be directly remitted by the business

a. Three percent (3%) to the National Government;

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(a) One per centum (1%) to the National Government;

Petitioners, therefore, are not deprived of revenues from the operations of

1. Resolution dated March 14, 2011.