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1. Dy v. CA G.R. no. 121587 March 9,1999 304 SCRA 3312. Metro Ilo Ilo ater !"#tr"ct v ca G.R. no. 122855 March 31,2005 454 SCRA 2493. A$"#to#o v. %n& G.R. '( )0219 *+ne 29,1984 130 SCRA 2244. 'oney v eo-le GR no. 152)44 e/. 10,200) 482 SCRA 1945. MMDA v Concerne! re#"!ent# o Man"la ay G.R. no. 17194748 Dec. 18,200)

482 SCRA 194

). ac""c Stea$ 'a+n!ry v. ''DA G.R. no. 1)5299 Dec. 18,2009 )08 SCRA 4427. he Alean!ra Con!o Cor-. v#. ''DA G.R. 1)9228 Se-t. 11,2009 559

SCRA4528. ''DA v. CA G.R. no. 1208)5(71 Dec. 7,1995 251 SCRA 429. eo-le v. ver&ara G.R. no. 11028) A-r. 2,1997 270 SCRA )2410."lar"on enare# v. 'R G.R. o. 158290 %ct. 23,200) 505 SCRA 104

SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 121587. March 9, 1999]

SOLEDAD DY, doing !"in#"" !nd#r $h# na%# and "$&'# RON(OODL)M*ER,petitioner, vs.+O)R O- AEALS and ODEL*ERNARDO LA)SA, respondent.

D E + / S / O N

MENDO0A,J.

h"# "# a -et"t"on or rev"e o the !ec"#"on[1]of the Court of Appeals in CA G.R.SP 33!! settin" asi#e t$o or#ers of the Re"ional %rial Court of &utuan Cit' (&ran)h *+ an# theappellate )ourt,s resolution #en'in" petitioner,s -otion for re)onsi#eration.

%he fa)ts are as follo$s.

On a' 31/ 1!!3/ the a'or of &utuan Cit' issue# E0e)utie Or#er No. !321 )reatin"%as 4or)e 5aliasan to )o-6at 7ille"al lo""in"/ lo" s-u""lin" or possession of an#8or transport

of ille"all' )ut or pro#u)e# lo"s/ lu-6er/ flit)hes an# other forest pro#u)ts9 in that )it'. [:]%he

tea- $as )o-pose# of personnel of the Philippine Ar-'/ Philippine National Poli)e (PNP+/ theDepart-ent of Natural Resour)es (DENR+/ an# the Offi)e of the Cit' a'or of &utuan.Respon#ent O#el &ernar#o ;ausa/ $ho $as the a)tin" )hief of )iilian se)urit' in the -a'or,s

offi)e/ $as a -e-6er of the tea-.

On

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Cit'.[3]>hat happene# thereafter is su--ari?e# in the follo$in" portion of the #e)ision of the

Court of Appeals@[=]

At aroun# 1@ p.-./ t$o tru)s $ith Plate Nos. 5A52*=: an# 5&;2:1= an# loa#e#

$ith lu-6er approa)he# the )he)point. %he' $ere fla""e# #o$n 6' the operaties

6ut instea# of stoppin"/ the' a))elerate# their spee# hen)e/ the tas for)e "ae)hase. %he' finall' )au"ht up $ith the t$o ehi)les at the )o-poun# of oun"

etal)raft an# Peter$oo# A"ro24orest In#ustries at &aan/ &utuan Cit'/ a6out t$o

ilo-eters fro- the )he)point. >hen reBueste# 6' the operaties/ Pul)ita ;u)ero/

)aretaer8in )har"e of the )o-poun# )oul# not pro#u)e an' #o)u-ent as proof of the

le"alit' of the ori"in8possession of the forest pro#u)ts.

4orester Resurre))ion a0ilo- of the DENR issue# a te-porar' sei?ure or#er an# a sei?urere)eipt for the t$o ehi)les an# their )ar"o )onsistin" of seeral pie)es of lu-6er of #ifferent

si?es an# #i-ensions/ 6ut ;u)ero/ the )aretaer of the )o-poun# $here the' $ere sei?e#/

refuse# to a))ept the-. %he sei?e# lu-6er an# ehi)les $ere then taen to the Cit' -otorpoolan# pla)e# in the )usto#' of respon#ent ;ausa.

%he ne0t #a'/ rit of Replein.

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On I% DE RESPEC% RESPONDEN% COR% O4 APPEA;S ERRED IN

R;ING %A% %E VERI4ICA%ION ADE & ;ORENCIO D AND NO% &

PE%I%IONER SO;EDAD . D >AS INS44ICIEN% %O RI%. [1]

SECOND ERROR

%E RESPONDEN% COR% O4 APPEA;S ERRED IN R;ING %A% ACON%ER&OND IN REP;EVIN >IC IS E44EC%IVE 4OR ON; ONE

EAR IS VA;ID %O CASE %E RE%RN O4 %E PROPER% %O

DE4ENDAN%.[11]

%IRD ERROR

%E RESPONDEN% COR% O4 APPEA;S ERRED IN GIVING DE CORSE

%O PRIVA%E RESPONDEN%,S PE%I%ION 4OR CER%IORARI.[1:]

%he appeal is $ithout -erit. %he threshol# Buestion is $hether the Re"ional %rial Court)oul# in fa)t tae )o"ni?an)e of the replein suit/ )onsi#erin" that the o6He)t $as the re)oer' of

lu-6er sei?e# an# forfeite# 6' la$ enfor)e-ent a"ents of the DENR pursuant to P.D. No. *

(Reise# 4orestr' Co#e+/ as a-en#e# 6' E0e)utie Or#er No. :.

%he rule is that a part' -ust e0haust all a#-inistratie re-e#ies 6efore he )an resort to the)ourts. In a lon" line of )ases/ $e hae )onsistentl' hel# that 6efore a part' -a' 6e allo$e# to

see the interention of the )ourt/ it is a pre2)on#ition that he shoul# hae aaile# hi-self of all

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the -eans affor#e# 6' the a#-inistratie pro)esses. en)e/ if a re-e#' $ithin the a#-inistratie

-a)hiner' )an still 6e resorte# to 6' "iin" the a#-inistratie offi)er )on)erne# eer'

opportunit' to #e)i#e on a -atter that )o-es $ithin his Huris#i)tion then su)h re-e#' shoul# 6ee0hauste# first 6efore a )ourt,s Hu#i)ial po$er )an 6e sou"ht. %he pre-ature ino)ation of a

)ourt,s interention is fatal to one,s )ause of a)tion. A))or#in"l'/ a6sent an' fin#in" of $aier

or estoppel/ the )ase is sus)epti6le of #is-issal for la) of )ause of a)tion.[13]

Se)tion of P.D. No. */ as a-en#e#/ proi#es@

SEC. . Review.All a)tions an# #e)isions of the Dire)tor are su6He)t to

reie$/ motu propioor upon appeal of an' person a""riee# there6'/ 6' the

Depart-ent ea# $hose #e)ision shall 6e final an# e0e)utor' after the lapse of thirt'

(3+ #a's fro- re)eipt 6' the a""riee# part' of sai# #e)ision/ unless appeale# to the

Presi#ent in a))or#an)e $ith E0e)utie Or#er No. 1!/ series of 1!. %he De)ision of

the Depart-ent ea# -a' not 6e reie$e# 6' the )ourts e0)ept throu"h a spe)ial )iil

a)tion for certiorarior prohi6ition.

InPaat v. Court of Appeals,[1=]$here/ as in the )ase at 6ar/ the trial )ourt issue# a $rit ofreplein a"ainst the DENR/ thus allo$in" the )lai-ant to o6tain possession of the )one'an)e

use# in transportin" un#o)u-ente# forest pro#u)ts/ this Court state#@

Dis-issal of the replein suit for la) of )ause of a)tion in ie$ of the priate respon#ents,

failure to e0haust a#-inistratie re-e#ies shoul# hae 6een the proper )ause of a)tion 6' the

lo$er )ourt instea# of assu-in" Huris#i)tion oer the )ase an# )onseBuentl' issuin" the $rit

or#erin" the return of the tru). E0haustion of the re-e#ies in the a#-inistratie foru-/ 6ein" a

)on#ition pre)e#ent prior to one,s re)ourse to the )ourts an# -ore i-portantl'/ 6ein" an ele-ent

of priate respon#ents, ri"ht of a)tion/ is too si"nifi)ant to 6e $a'lai# 6' the lo$er )ourt.[1*]

As petitioner )learl' faile# to e0haust aaila6le a#-inistratie re-e#ies/ the Court ofAppeals )orre)tl' set asi#e the assaile# or#ers of the trial )ourt "rantin" petitioner,s appli)ation

for a replein $rit an# #en'in" priate respon#ent,s -otion to #is-iss. ain" 6een forfeite#pursuant to P.D. No. */ as a-en#e#/ the lu-6er properl' )a-e un#er the )usto#' of the DENR

an# all a)tions seein" to re)oer possession thereof shoul# 6e #ire)te# to that a"en)'.

%he appellate )ourt,s #ire)tie to the trial )ourt Hu#"e to allo$ the respon#ent a"ent of theDENR to file a )ounter6on# in or#er to re)oer )usto#' of the lu-6er shoul# 6e #isre"ar#e# as

6ein" )ontrar' to its or#er to #is-iss the replein suit of petitioner. 4or/ in#ee#/ $hat it shoul#

hae #one $as to #is-iss the )ase $ithout preHu#i)e to petitioner filin" her )lai- 6efore the

Depart-ent of Natural Resour)es (DENR+.

In ie$ of the )on)lusion rea)he# in this )ase/ it is unne)essar' to #is)uss the errorsassi"ne# 6' petitioner. %hese pertain to the Buestions $hether petitioner,s )o-plaint 6elo$ $as

properl' erifie# an# $hether priate respon#ent,s )ounter6on# shoul# 6e approe#. &oth are6ase# on the pre-ise that the trial )ourt )an tae )o"ni?an)e oer the )ase. As sho$n a6oe/

ho$eer/ su)h is not the )ase.

(ERE-ORE/ the #e)ision of the Court of Appeals/ #ate#

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SO ORDERED.

Bellosillo, (Chairman), Puno, Quisumbing, an#Buena, JJ., )on)ur.

SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 122855. March 31, 2005]

METRO ILOILO WATER DISTRICT,petitioner, vs.HON. CORT O!A""EALS, !or#$r SECOND DI%ISION, Ma&'(a, HON. SE%ERINO

C. AGILAR, "r$)'*'&+ -*+$, ra&ch 35, RTC, I(o'(o, EMMANA%A, R!INO SITACA, R., RE/ES RSA, CARMEN"ANGANTIHON, ENITO GO, REECCA ERLIN, a&* or CHITERLIN, LIS CARREON, CHARLES ANAAN a&* GERRL4RIAGA, respondents.

D E C I S I O N

TINGA, J.

Before this Court is a Petition[1]

dated November 9, 1995 filed b the !etroIloilo "ater Distri#t assaili$% the Decision[&]of the Court of a''eals dated (u$e19, 1995 )hi#h affirmed the trial #ourt*s Order[+]dismissi$% the 'etitio$s fori$u$#tio$ filed b 'etitio$er a%ai$st 'rivate res'o$de$ts-

.etitio$er is a )ater distri#t or%a$i/ed u$der the 'rovisio$s of .reside$tialDe#ree No- 190 .-D- 1902, as ame$ded- It )as %ra$ted b the 3o#al "ater4tilities dmi$istratio$ Conditional Certificate of Conformance No. 71[6]o$(a$uar 1&, 1979- Its servi#e areas e$#om'ass the e$tire territorial areas ofIloilo Cit a$d the !u$i#i'alities of !a8asi$, Caba$atua$, Sa$ta Barbara a$d.avia-

Sometime bet)ee$ 'ril a$d !a of 199+, 'etitio$er filed $i$e 92i$dividual et ide$ti#al 'etitio$s for i$u$#tio$ )ith 'raer for 'relimi$ari$u$#tio$ a$d or tem'orar restrai$i$% order[5]a%ai$st herei$ 'rivateres'o$de$ts the 'erti$e$t 'ortio$s of )hi#h read:

J

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=. K%hat pursuant to the proisions of se)tion 31 (a+ of P.D. 1!/ as a-en#e#/ the

petitioner as a >ater Distri)t $as authori?e# to a#opt la$s an# re"ulations "oernin"

the #rillin"/ -aintenan)e an# operation of $ells $ithin its 6oun#aries for purposes

other than sin"le fa-il' #o-esti) use on oerl'in" lan#/ $ith then proision that an'

$ell operate# in iolation of su)h re"ulations shall 6e #ee-e# an interferen)e $ith the

$aters of the #istri)tL

*. K%hat 6' irtue of sai# authori?ation/ the &oar# of Dire)tors for the petitioner

pro-ul"ate# its 7Rules Goernin" Groun# >ater Pu-pin" an# sprin" Deelop-ent

>ithin the %erritorial ater Distri)t/9 Se)tion 3 of

$hi)h proi#es as follo$s@

7Gro!nd (a$#r !%3ing and S3ring D#4#'o3%#n$. E0)ept $hen the use of $ateris for sin"le fa-il' #o-esti) use/ no person/ natural or Huri#i)al shall a6stra)t or

$ith#ra$ "roun# $ater an# appropriate the $aters fro- sprin"s $ithin the Huris#i)tion

of the Distri)t $ithout first se)urin" a $ater per-it fro- the Coun)il an# no personshall en"a"e in the 6usiness of #rillin" $ells either as test $ells or pro#u)tion $ells

for the purpose of a6stra)tin" or $ith#ra$in" "roun# $ater $ithout first re"isterin" as

$ell as #riller $ith the Coun)ilL Proi#e#/ that the person #rillin" his o$n $ell or

throu"h the seri)es of a Bualifie# $ell #riller shall )o-pl' $ith the stan#ar#s an#

reBuire-ents esta6lishe# herein in a##ition to those esta6lishe# 6' the Coun)il for the

e0ploitation of "roun# $ater resour)es.9

. K%hat the respon#ent has a6stra)te# or $ith#ra$n "roun# $ater $ithin the

territorial Huris#i)tion of the petitioner at MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Iloilo Cit'/

$ithout first se)urin" a >ater Per-it fro- the National >ater Resour)es Coun)il nor

ha# its $ell #riller re"istere# as su)h $ith sai# )oun)il/ an# sol# sai# $ater so

e0tra)te# to )o--er)ial an# other )onsu-ers in Iloilo Cit'/ $ithin petitioner,s seri)e

areaL

. K%hat the unauthori?e# e0tra)tion or $ith#ra$al of "roun# $ater 6' the respon#ent

$ithout the ne)essar' per-it therefore is in iolation of the rules an# re"ulations

pres)ri6e# 6' the &oar# of Dire)tors of the petitioner as a6oe2-entione# #ul'

approe# 6' the National >ater Resour)es Coun)il an# )onstitutes interferen)e $ith

or #eterioration of $ater Bualit' or the natural flo$ of surfa)e or "roun# $ater suppl'

$hi)h -a'6e use# or useful for an' purpose of the petitioner for $hi)h the petitioner

as a >ater Distri)t -a' )o--en)e/ -aintain/ interene in/ #efen# an# )o-pro-ise

a)tions or pro)ee#in"s un#er Se)tion 31 (a+ of P.D. 1!/ as a-en#e#L

. K%hat the a)t of the respon#ent in )ontinuin" to e0tra)t or $ith#ra$ "roun# $ater

$ithout a >ater Per-it therefor/ is in iolation of Art. III of P.D. 1 of the >ater

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Co#e of the Philippines/ an# unless su)h a)t is restraine#/ $ill #efinitel' )ause "reat

loss upon the petitioner as a >ater Distri)tJ.[;]

I$ their res'e#tive a$s)ers, 'rivate res'o$de$ts u$iforml i$voufi$o Sita#a mai$tai$ed the 'etitio$er*s sour#e of )ater are reservoirs fromrivers a$d are thus $ot affe#ted b his )ell- !oreover, he #laimed that his)ater 'ermit a''li#atio$ )as deemed a''roved, a$d thus he is e$titled to usethe )ater from his )ell-[11]

.rivate res'o$de$t Be$ito @o admitted that he e=tra#ted )ater from the%rou$d, )hi#h he #laimed to be his 'rivate 'ro'ert, a$d used the )ater forhis lumberard a$d domesti# 'ur'oses-[1&]dditio$all, he alle%ed the'etitio$er*s rules a$d re%ulatio$s )ere $ot 'ublished i$ the Offi#ial @a/ettea$d he$#e 'etitio$er had $o #ause of a#tio$-[1+].rivate res'o$de$t CharlesAa$a8a$ asserted that he had #om'lied )ith the reuireme$ts for the a''rovalof his )ater 'ermit a''li#atio$- e #laimed that he )as e=tra#ti$% a$d selli$%

)ater )ith 'etitio$er*s

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of ''eals for #o$sideratio$ a$d adudi#atio$ o$ the merits i$the Resolution[&?]dated (ul 11, 1996-

.etitio$er sou%ht the revie) of the order of the trial #ourt dismissi$% the'etitio$s a$d de$i$% its motio$ for re#o$sideratio$, o$ the %rou$d that the

trial #ourt failed to adhere to this Court*s ruli$%s i$Amistoso v.Ong[&1]a$d Santos v. Court of Appeals,[&&])hi#h u'held the re%ular #ourt*s

urisdi#tio$ over dis'utes )hi#h i$volve $ot the settleme$t of )ater ri%hts butthe e$ome$t of the ri%ht to )ater use for )hi#h a 'ermit had alread bee$%ra$ted-

he Court of ''eals de$ied the 'etitio$, holdi$% that the trial #ourt did $oterr i$ dismissi$% the #ase for )a$t of urisdi#tio$ as it )as the "ater Cou$#il)hi#h had urisdi#tio$ over the #ase- he a''ellate #ourt ratio#i$ated:

%he )ontroers' in this )ase arose fro- the fa)t that the petitioner Iloilo >ater Distri)t

$as "rante# $ater ri"hts in Iloilo Cit' an# the respon#ents also e0tra)te# or $ith#re$

"roun# $ater $ithin the sa-e Huris#i)tion.

>hile at first i-pression this )ase inoles a iolation of the petitioner,s enHo'-ent of

a ri"ht to $ater use/ the fa)t is that it a)tuall' inoles also a #ispute oer the

appropriation/ utili?ation/ e0ploitation #eelop-ent/ )ontrol/ )onersation an#

prote)tion of $aters 6e)ause the respon#ents hae alle"e#l' en"a"e# in the e0tra)tion

or $ith#ra$al of "roun# $ater $ithout a per-it fro- the N>RC $ithin the territorial

Huris#i)tion of the petitioner. %herefore/ Art. of P.D. No. 1 "iin" the N>RC

ori"inal Huris#i)tion oer the )ases is appli)a6le.

%he N>RC has Huris#i)tion to hear an# #e)i#e #isputes relatin" to appropriation/

utili?ation an# )ontrol of $ater $hile the Re"ional %rial Court onl' has appellate

Huris#i)tion oer the )ase. %his $as the rulin" of the Supre-e Court in A#a# 4".Man$a, 96 S+RA 52$hi)h $as reiterate# in ana& (a$#r Di"$ric$ 4". Gaan$on,172 S+RA 25.

J

%he )ases of San$o" 4. +o!r$ o: A33#a'", 21 S+RA 176an# A%i"$o"o 4". Ong,

16 S+RA 288are not appli)a6le to the )ase at 6ar for here/ $hat is inole# is notonl' the alle"e# iolation of the "rantee,s ri"ht 6ut a Buestion of $hether or not the

respon#ents hae eBual ri"ht to the appropriation/ utili?ation an# e0ploitation of $ater

ri"hts.9[&+]

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he Court of ''eals de$ied 'etitio$er*s Motion forReconsideration[&6]dated (ul 11, 1995 i$ its >esolutio$ of Se'tember &9,1995-[&5]

.etitio$er $o) #o$te$ds that the e=tra#tio$ or )ithdra)al of %rou$d )ater

as )ell as the sale thereof )ithi$ its territorial urisdi#tio$ is a violatio$ of itsri%hts as a )ater distri#t-[&;]Bei$% a violatio$ thereof, the re%ular #ourts haveurisdi#tio$ over the dis'ute- O$ the other ha$d, 'rivate res'o$de$tsu$a$imousl mai$tai$ that it is the "ater Cou$#il )hi#h has urisdi#tio$ overthe sube#t matter of this #ase- hus, the sole issue i$ this 'etitio$, as'rese$ted b 'etitio$er, is:

DID %E REGIONA; %RIA; COR% O4 I;OI;O AVE

of su)h re"ulations shall 6e #ee-e# in interferen)e $ith the $aters of the #istri)t.

J

()+ Prohi6it an' person/ fir- or )orporation fro- en#in"/ sellin"/ or other$ise

#isposin" of $ater for pu6li) purposes $ithin the seri)e area of the #istri)t $here#istri)t fa)ilities are aaila6le to proi#e su)h seri)e/ or fi0 ter-s an# )on#itions 6'

per-it for su)h sale or #isposition of $ater.

B virtue of the above 'rovisio$s, 'etitio$er states that as a )ater distri#t,it has the ri%ht to 'reve$t i$terfere$#e )ith the )ater of the distri#tG a$d to

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&- abstra#tio$ or )ithdra)al of )ater )ithi$ the territorial urisdi#tio$ of 'etitio$er b'rivate res'o$de$ts )ithout first se#uri$% a 'ermit from the "ater Cou$#il, orre%isteri$% their )ell drillers, a$d sale of said )ater so e=tra#ted to #ommer#ial a$dother #o$sumers )ithi$ 'etitio$er*s servi#e areasG

+- that the u$authori/ed e=tra#tio$ or )ithdra)al of %rou$d )ater b 'rivate

res'o$de$ts )ithout the $e#essar 'ermit )as i$ violatio$ of 'etitio$er*s 'res#ribedrules, a$d #o$stitutes i$terfere$#e for )hi#h 'etitio$er ma #omme$#e, mai$tai$,i$terve$e i$, defe$d a$d #om'romise a#tio$s or 'ro#eedi$%s u$der Se#- +1 of .-D-No- 190G

6- that the e=tra#tio$ or )ithdra)al of %rou$d )ater )ithout the #orres'o$di$% 'ermit)as a violatio$ of rt- 1+ of the "ater CodeG a$d

5- that %reat dama%e a$d 'reudi#e )ill be suffered b 'etitio$er if 'rivate res'o$de$ts*e=tra#tio$ a$d )ithdra)al of %rou$d )ater, as )ell as the selli$% thereof be allo)edto #o$ti$ue-

I$ esse$#e, the 'etitio$s fo#us o$ the violatio$s i$#urred b 'rivate

res'o$de$ts b virtue of their alle%ed u$authori/ed e=tra#tio$ a$d )ithdra)alof %rou$d )ater )ithi$ 'etitio$er*s servi#e area, visaavis'etitio$er*s vestedri%hts as a )ater distri#t- t issue is )hether or $ot 'rivate res'o$de$ts*e=tra#tio$ a$d sale of %rou$d )ater )ithi$ 'etitio$er*s servi#e area violated'etitio$er*s ri%hts as a )ater distri#t- It is at o$#e obvious that the 'etitio$sraise a udi#ial uestio$-

udi#ial uestio$ is raised )he$ the determi$atio$ of the uestio$si$volves the e=er#ise of a udi#ial fu$#tio$, i.e., the uestio$ i$volves thedetermi$atio$ of )hat the la) is a$d )hat the le%al ri%hts of the 'arties are)ith res'e#t to the matter i$ #o$trovers- s o''osed to a moot uestio$ oro$e 'ro'erl de#ided b the e=e#utive or le%islative bra$#h, a udi#ial uestio$is 'ro'erl addressed to the #ourts-[+5]

he i$sta$t #ase #ertai$l #alls for the a''li#atio$ a$d i$ter'retatio$ of'erti$e$t la)s a$d uris'rude$#e i$ order to determi$e )hether 'rivateres'o$de$ts* a#tio$s violate 'etitio$er*s ri%hts as a )ater distri#t a$d ustif a$i$u$#tio$- his issue does $ot so mu#h 'rovide o##asio$ to i$vo

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)ere dismissed b the trial #ourt a$d the Court of ''eals, does $ot eve$#ome to 'la-[+;]

Notabl too, 'rivate res'o$de$ts themselves do $ot dis'ute 'etitio$er*sri%hts as a )ater distri#t- he #ases ofAbeAbe v. Manta[+7]a$d!an"a# $ater

District v. %abaton[+0]

i$voi%hts @ra$t from the De'artme$t of .ubli# "or

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Resales and Associates ,a- Office for petitioner.

%il P. Pacamarra for respondents.

CE%AS, J.:

his is a .etitio$ for >evie) o$ #ertiorari of the Order of the defu$#t Court of Hirst I$sta$#e ofCamari$es Sur, Bra$#h VI dated (a$uar 16, 1901, dismissi$% its Civil Case No- .815+, for la#< of

urisdi#tio$-

he 'erti$e$t a$te#ede$ts are as follo)s:

O$ (ul &7, 1901, 'etitio$er as 'lai$tiff, filed before the the$ Court of Hirst I$sta$#e of Camari$esSur, a #o$'lai$t for >e#o%$itio$ of Baseme$t )ith .relimi$ar I$u$#tio$ a$d Dama%es- he#om'lai$t )hi#h )as do#iver 'asses a$d flo)s to the la$d of the 'etitio$er for the latters be$efi#ial use a$d thatres'o$de$t Neri, o)$er of the la$d o$ )hi#h said irri%atrio$ #a$al e=ists a$d Se$e#io O$%, the#ultivator of the said 'ro'ert, des'ite re'eated dema$ds refused to re#o%$i/e the ri%hts a$d title ofthe 'etitio$er to the be$efi#ial use of the )ater 'assi$% throu%h the aforesaid irri%atio$ #a$al a$d tohave 'etitio$ers ri%hts a$dor #laims a$$otated o$ the Certifi#ate of itle of res'o$de$t Neri - - - -e$#e, the fili$% of the said #om'lai$t-

I$ their $s)er, 'rivate res'o$de$ts de$ied the e=iste$#e of a$ ri%ht o$ the 'art of the 'etitio$er tothe use of the #a$al me$tio$ed i$ the #om'lai$t $or a$ #o$tra#t, mu#h less a$ deed ore$#umbra$#e o$ their 'ro'ert a$d assert that the have $ot 'erformed a$ a#t 'reudi#ial to the

'etitio$er that )ill )arra$t the fili$% of the #om'lai$t a%ai$st them- B )a of affirmative a$d s'e#ialdefe$ses, 'rivate res'o$de$ts alle%ed that 'etitio$ers #om'lai$t states $o #ause of a#tio$ a$d thatthe Court has $o urisdi#tio$ over the same-

Issues havi$% bee$ oi$ed, trial )as held- fter 'etitio$er has rested his #ase b a formal offer of histestimo$ial a$d do#ume$tar evide$#es, 'rivate res'o$de$ts i$stead of 'rese$ti$% their evide$#e,filed a motio$ to dismiss- I$ the said motio$, res'o$de$ts #o$ted$ that the i$sta$t #ase, i$volvi$% asit does develo'me$t, e='loitatio$, #o$servatio$ a$d utili/atio$ of )ater resour#es falls )ithi$ thee=#lusive ursidi#tio$ of the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il 'ursua$t to .-D- NO- 6&6, Se#tio$&b2 a$d Se#tio$ 00 thereof- #ti$% o$ 'rivate res'o$de$ts motio$, res'o$de$t (ud%e dismissed'etitio$ers #om'lai$t for la#< of urisdi#tio$ i$ a$ Order dated (a$uar 16, 1901- he 'erti$e$t'ortio$ of that Order reads as follo)s:

--- he basis of the motio$ to dismiss are the 'rovisio$s of .reside$tial De#ree No-6&6 a$d the "ater Code

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ri%ht, if a$, has $ot bee$ alle%ed to be re%istered i$ a##orda$#e )ith the )ater #ode,the 'rovisio$s of .reside$tial De#rees 6&6 a$d 1?;7 shall %over$- s stated b theSu'reme Court i$ the #ase ofAbe8Abe vs. Manta&No- 3860&7, !a +1, 1979, 9?SC> 5&+, to )it: 6

It is i$#o$testable that the 'etitio$ers immediate re#ourse is to

ve$tilate their %rieva$#e )ith the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il)hi#h, as alread $oted, is the admi$istrative a%e$# e=#lusivelvested )ith ori%i$al urisdi#tio$ to settle )ater ri%hts dis'utes u$derthe )ater #ode u$der .reside$tial De#ree No- 6 &6-

he #ode assumes that it is more e='editious a$d 'ra%mati# toe$trust to a$ admi$istrative a%e$# the settleme$t of )ater ri%htsdis'utes rather tha$ reuire the #laima$ts to %o dire#tl to the #ourt)here the 'ro#eedi$%s are sube#t to u$avoidable delas )hi#h aredetrime$tal to the 'arties ---

hat urisdi#tio$ of the Cou$#il u$der Se#tio$ &b2 of .reside$tial

De#ree No- 6&6 is reaffirmed i$ Se#- 00 of the "ater Code a$d i$Se#tio$ +rd thereof )hi#h 'rovides that the utili/atio$, e='loitatio$,develo'me$t, #o$servatio$ a$d 'rote#tio$ of )ater resour#es shall besube#t to the #o$trol a$d re%ulatio$ of the %over$me$t throu%hCou$#il-

Haili$% to obtai$ a favorable re#o$sideratio$ of the Order of dismissal, 'etitio$er $o) #omes before4s throu%h the i$sta$t 'etitio$ #o$te$di$%:

12 hat the #ase at bar is $ot to settle a$ )ater dis'ute bet)ee$ the 'arties but a#om'lai$t )hi#h #alls 'urel for a determi$atio$ of the ri%ht of the 'lai$tiff to have a$established ri%ht amou$ti$% to a$ easeme$t a$$otated o$ the #ertifi#ate of title of thedefe$da$t, he$#e the uestio$ is udi#ial )hi#h ma be ta

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I$ a >esolutio$ 'romul%ated o$ u%ust 11, 190&, )e reuired the res'o$de$ts to #omme$t o$ the'etitio$- .rivate res'o$de$ts CO!!EN )as filed o$ !ar#h &, 1906- .etitio$ers >E.3K thereto o$the other ha$d )as filed o$ !a 1?, 1906-

"e #o$sidered the CO!!EN as a$ $s)er a$d %ave due #ourse to the 'etitio$-

.rivate res'o$de$ts #o$te$d that the assailed order of dismissal )as i$ order si$#e a mere #ursorreadi$% of the #om'lai$t sho)s that 'etitio$er #laims for the ri%ht to use )ater #omi$% from theSilmod >iver a$d 'ras that his ri%ht to the utili/atio$ thereof be res'e#ted a$d $ot be disturbeda$dor obstru#ted b the res'o$de$ts- O$ its fa#e the$, the dis'ute is o$ the use, #o$servatio$ a$d'rote#tio$ of the ri%ht to )ater either b the 'etitio$er or b the 'rivate res'o$de$ts- he a$$otatio$of the alle%ed e$#umbra$#e o$ the title of the 'rivate res'o$de$t is merel the relief 'raed for o$the basis of the #laim to the use a$d 'rote#tio$ of )ater 'assi$% throu%h the la$d of theres'o$de$ts- $d si$#e the #o$trovers hi$%es o$ the ri%ht to use a$d 'rote#t the )ater from theSilmod >iver that 'asses o$ the la$d of the 'rivate res'o$de$ts to the 'etitio$ers 'ro'ert, the'ro'er authorit to determi$e su#h a #o$trovers is the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il )hi#h isvested )ith e=#lusive urisdi#tio$ over su#h uestio$ 'ursua$t to .-D- NOS- 6&6 a$d 1?;7-

"e fi$d the 'etitio$ im'ressed )ith merit-

.rivate res'o$de$ts i$siste$#e that )hat is i$volved i$ the i$sta$t #ase is the ri%ht to use, e='loita$d #o$ve )ater is #o$troverted b the LSI.43ION OH HCSL e$tered i$to bet)ee$ them a$dthe 'etitio$er i$ the #ourt belo) )hi#h )as a''roved i$ a$ Order dated Hebruar &?, 1975, the'erti$e$t 'ortio$ of )hi#h reads as follo)s:

1- hat there e=ists a$ irri%atio$ #a$al for the use of the defe$da$ts diverti$% )ater#omi$% from the Silmod >iver, i$amba#, Camari$es Sur, 'assi$% o$ the ri#ela$dsof the latter to the 'lai$tiffs la$d irri%ati$% the la$d of the latter, althou%h 'lai$tiff#laims it e=isted si$#e 195& u' to the 'rese$t, but dis'uted b the defe$da$ts-

&- !(at t(e plaintiff (as an approved -ater rig(ts %rant issued b# t(e Department ofPublic $ors& !ransportation and Communications& )hi#h 'lai$tiff #laims it forbe$efi#ial use to irri%ate their la$d from the Silmod >iver a$d defe$da$ts dis'ute said#laim

+- hat as of $o), defe$da$ts have $o a''roved "ater >i%hts @ra$t issued b the'ro'er authorities for the use of the )ater for irri%atio$ 'ur'oses from the Silmod>iver- o)ever, defe$da$ts have a 'e$di$% a''li#atio$ for "ater >i%hts, the )aterof )hi#h shall 'ass thru a differe$t irri%atio$ #a$al-

6- hat o$e of the defe$da$ts 'rede#essors8i$8i$terest, bu$dio Barallas had a)ritte$ #o$tra#t )ith the 'lai$tiff, )hi#h defe$da$ts #laim easeme$t of auedu#tDefe$da$ts are uestio$i$% the le%alit, e$for#eabilit a$d validit of su#h #o$tra#t-

=== === ===

;- hat defe$da$ts refused to surre$der their ra$sfer Certifi#ate of itle of her la$dfor 'ur'oses of a$$otatio$ of the #o$tra#t, alle%edl a$ easeme$t of auedu#t o$ the%rou$d that she uestio$s the validit, e$for#eabilit, le%alit a$d therefore the are$ot bou$d b the same-

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Hrom the fore%oi$% sti'ulatio$s, 'rivate res'o$de$ts admit that 'etitio$er, the$ 'lai$tiff, has a$a''roved "ater >i%hts @ra$t issued b the De'artme$t of .ubli# "oriver- >es'o$de$ts #o$troversio$ of 'etitio$ers ri%ht to irri%atio$ )ater s'e#ifi#all

from Silmod >iver is u$doubtedl a lame de$ial-

side from this admissio$, the re#ord #learl dis#loses a$ a''roved "ater >i%hts @ra$t i$ favor of'etitio$er- Dr- Bie$ve$ido V- mistoso, )hi#h )as a''roved o$ November 1+, the #ti$% Se#retarof .ubli# "or >I@S @>N of mistoso u'o$ the 'romul%atio$ of .-D- 1?;7o$ De#ember +1, 197;, the %over$i$% 'rovisio$ of la) is fou$d i$ the ra$sitor a$d Hi$al .rovisio$sof .-D- 1?;7- It fa$s u$der La#ts a$d #o$tra#ts u$der the re%ime of old la)sL- rti#le 97 'rovides,thus:

rti#le 97- #ts a$d #o$tra#ts u$der the re%ime of old la)s, ff the are valid i$a##orda$#e there)ith, sha% be res'e#ted, sube#t to the statio$s established i$ thisCode- $ modifi#atio$ or e=te$sio$ of these a#ts a$d #o$tra#ts after the'romul%atio$ of this Code, shall be sube#t to the 'rovisio$s hereof-

It ma be observed that the "E> >I@S @>N of mistoso does $ot fall u$der L#laims for ari%ht to use )ater e=isti$% o$ or before De#ember +1, 1976L )hi#h u$der .-D- 1?;7 are reuired tobe re%istered )ith the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il )ithi$ t)o &2 ears from 'romul%atio$ of.-D- 1?;7, other)ise it is deemed )aived a$d the use thereof deemed aba$do$ed- It is $o lo$%er a

mere L#laimL i$asmu#h as there )as alread a @>N b the Se#retar of .ubli# "or

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uasi udi#ial tribu$al Brilla$tes vs- Castro, 99 .hils- 697, I'e 7&, Se'tember +?,19;+2-

s #orre#tl 'ostulated b the 'etitio$er, the #ourt a uo is $ot bei$% asiver throu%h res'o$de$ts 'ro'ert- hei$terru'tio$ of the free flo) of )ater #aused b the refusal to re8o'e$ the #losed irri%atio$ #a$al#o$stituted 'etitio$ers #ause of a#tio$ i$ the #ourt belo), )hi#h de#idedl do $ot fall )ithi$ thedomai$ of the authorit of the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il

>es'o$de$ts, ho)ever, rel ver heavil o$ the di#tum laid do)$ i$ theAbeAbe vs. Manta&No- 3860&7, !a +1, 1979, 9? SC> 5&6, )herei$ it )as held that J

It is i$#o$testable that the 'etitio$ers immediate re#ourse is to ve$tilate their%rieva$#e )ith the Natio$al "ater >esour#es Cou$#il )hi#h, as alread $oted, is theadmi$istrative a%e$# e=#lusivel vested )ith ori%i$al urisdi#tio$ to settle )ater

ri%hts dis'utes u$der the )ater #ode a$d u$der .reside$tial De#ree No- 6&6-

he Code assumes that it is more e='editious a$d 'ra%mati# to e$trust to a$admi$istrative a%e$# the settleme$t of )ater ri%hts dis'utes rather tha$ reuire the#laima$ts to %o dire#tl to the #ourt )here the 'ro#eedi$%s are sube#t tou$avoidable delas )hi#h are detrime$tal to the 'arties ---

hat urisdi#tio$ of the Cou$#il u$der Se#tio$ &b2 of .reside$tial De#ree No- 6&6 isreaffirmed i$ Se#tio$ 00 of the "ater Code a$d i$ Se#tio$ +rd thereof )hi#h 'rovidesthat the utli/atio$ e='loitatio$, develo'me$t, #o$servatio$ a$d 'rote#tio$ of )aterresour#es shall be sube#t to the #o$trol a$d re%ulatio$ of the %over$me$t throu%hthe Cou$#il

he said 'ro$ou$#eme$t, ho)ever, fi$ds $o a''li#atio$ to the i$sta$t #ase for i$ there, both'etitio$ers a$d res'o$de$t have $o established ri%ht ema$ati$% from a$ %ra$t b a$ %over$me$tala%e$# to the use, a''ro'riatio$ a$d e='loitatio$ of )ater- I$ the #ase at bar, ho)ever, a %ra$ti$dubitabl e=ists i$ favor of the 'etitio$er- It is the e$ome$t of the ri%ht ema$ati$% from that %ra$tthat is i$ liti%atio$- Violatio$ of the %ra$tees ri%ht, )ho i$ this #ase is the 'etitio$er, b the #losure ofthe irri%atio$ #a$al, does $ot bri$% the #ase a$e) )ithi$ the urisdi#tio$ of the Natio$al "ater>esour#es Cou$#il-

"E>EHO>E, the Order of the o$orable res'o$de$t (ud%e of (a$uar 16, 1901, is hereb SESIDE- .rivate res'o$de$ts are hereb ordered to >ECO@NIME 'etitio$ers BSE!EN of )atera$d to surre$der to the >e%ister of Deeds of Camari$es Sur the o)$ers du'li#ate ra$sferCertifi#ate of itle No- 16&1; #overi$% res'o$de$t E'ifa$ia Neris 'ro'ert so that 'etitio$ers ri%ht to

the be$efi#ial use of said irri%atio$ #a$al a$d )ater 'assi$% throu%h the same ma be a$$otatedthereo$-

SO O>DE>ED-

Maasiar 'C(airman)& Concepcion& +r.& %uerrero and scolin& ++.& concur.

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S$:ara;$ O:'&'o&)

AON ER/+ LONEY, G.R. No. 152?SE=EN A)L RE/D andEDRO *. ERNANDE0/

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Petitioners/ Present@

FIS&ING/J./ Chairperson,

CARPIO/

2 ersus 2 CARPIO ORA;ES/ an#

%INGA/JJ.

EOLE O- E /L//NES/ Pro-ul"ate#@Respon#ent. 4e6ruar' 1/ :

0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0

D E + / S / O N

+AR/O,J.@

h# +a"#

%his is a petition for reie$[1]of the De)ision[:]#ate# * Noe-6er :1 an#

the Resolution #ate# 1= ar)h :: of the Court of Appeals. %he *Noe-6er :1 De)ision affir-e# the rulin" of the Re"ional %rial Court/ &oa)/

arin#uBue/ &ran)h !=/ in a suit to Buash Infor-ations file# a"ainst petitioners

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plu" at the tunnel,s en#. On:= ar)h 1!!=/ tailin"s "ushe# out of or near the

tunnel,s en#. In a fe$ #a's/ the t. %apian pit ha# #is)har"e# -illions of tons of

tailin"s into the &oa) an# aalupnit riers.

In Au"ust 1!!/ the Depart-ent of

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un#ertaen un#er the Eniron-ental Co-plian)e Certifi)ate issue# on April 1/

1!!.

%he alle"ations in the infor-ations point to sa-e set [si)] of ei#en)e

reBuire# to proe the sin"le fa)t of pollution )onstitutin" iolation of the >ater

Co#e an# the Pollution ;a$ $hi)h are the sa-e set of ei#en)e ne)essar' toproe the sa-e sin"le fa)t of pollution/ in proin" the ele-ents )onstitutin"

iolation of the )on#itions of ECC/ issue# pursuant to the Philippine inin"

A)t. In 6oth instan)es/ the ter-s an# )on#itions of the Eniron-entalCo-plian)e Certifi)ate $ere alle"e#l' iolate#. In other $or#s/ the sa-e set of

ei#en)e is reBuire# in proin" iolations of the three (3+ spe)ial la$s.

After )arefull' anal'?in" an# $ei"hin" the )onten#in" ar"u-ents of theparties an# after tain" into )onsi#eration the appli)a6le la$s an# Hurispru#en)e/

the Court is )onin)e# that as far as the three (3+ aforesai# la$s are )on)erne#/

onl' the Infor-ation for []iolation of Philippine inin" A)t shoul# 6e

-aintaine#. In other $or#s/ the Infor-ations for []iolation of Anti2Pollution;a$ (PD !=+ an# the >ater Co#e (PD 1+ shoul# 6e #is-isse#8Buashe#

6e)ause the ele-ents )onstitutin" the aforesai# iolations are a6sor6e# 6' thesa-e ele-ents $hi)h )onstitute iolation of the Philippine inin" A)t (RA

!=:+.

%herefore/ 0 0 0 Cri-inal Case[] Nos. !2==/ !2=* an# !2= for

[]iolation of the >ater Co#eL an# Cri-inal Case[] Nos. !2=/ !2= an# !2=!

for []iolation of the Anti2Pollution ;a$ 0 0 0 are here6' DISISSED orFASED an# Cri-inal Case[] Nos. !2*/ !2*1 an# !2*: for []iolation of

the Philippine inin" A)t are here6' retaine# to 6e trie# on the -erits.

%he Infor-ation for []iolation of Arti)le 3* of the Reise# Penal Co#e

shoul# also 6e -aintaine# an# hear# in a full 6lo$n trial 6e)ause the )o--on

a))usation therein is re)less i-pru#en)e resultin" to [si)] #a-a"e topropert'. It is the #a-a"e to propert' $hi)h the la$ punishes not the ne"li"ent

a)t of pollutin" the $ater s'ste-. %he prose)ution for the []iolation of

Philippine inin" A)t is not a 6ar to the prose)ution for re)less i-pru#en)e

resultin" to [si)] #a-a"e to propert'.[13]

%he %C re2s)he#ule# petitioners, arrai"n-ent on the re-ainin" )har"es on

: an# :! a' 1!!. In the hearin" of : a' 1!!/ petitioners -anifeste# that

the' $ere $illin" to 6e arrai"ne# on the )har"e for iolation of Arti)le 3* of the

RPC 6ut not on the )har"e for iolation of RA !=: as the' inten#e# to appeal the

Consoli#ate# Or#er in so far as it -aintaine# the Infor-ations for that offense.

After -ain" of re)or# petitioners, -anifestation/ the %C pro)ee#e# $ith the

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arrai"n-ent an# or#ere# the entr' of 7not "uilt'9 pleas on the )har"es for iolation

of RA !=: an# Arti)le 3* of the RPC.

Petitioners su6seBuentl' file# a petition for )ertiorari $ith the Re"ional %rial

Court/ &oa)/ arin#uBue/ assailin" that portion of the Consoli#ate# Or#er-aintainin" the Infor-ations for iolation of RA !=:. Petitioners, petition $as

raffle# to &ran)h !=. 4or its part/ pu6li) respon#ent file# an or#inar' appeal $ith

the sa-e )ourt assailin" that portion of the Consoli#ate# Or#er Buashin" the

Infor-ations for iolation of PD 1 an# PD !=. Pu6li) respon#ent,s appeal $as

raffle# to &ran)h 3. On pu6li) respon#ent,s -otion/ &ran)h 3 or#ere# pu6li)

respon#ent,s appeal )onsoli#ate# $ith petitioners, petition in &ran)h !=.

h# R!'ing o: *ranch 9

In its Resolution[1=]of : ar)h 1!!/ &ran)h != "rante# pu6li)

respon#ent,s appeal 6ut #enie# petitioners, petition. &ran)h != set asi#e the

Consoli#ate# Or#er in so far as it Buashe# the Infor-ations for iolation of PD

1 an# PD != an# or#ere# those )har"es reinstate#. &ran)h != affir-e# the

Consoli#ate# Or#er in all other respe)ts. &ran)h != hel#@

After a )areful perusal of the la$s )on)erne#/ this )ourt is of the opinion

that there )an 6e no a6sorption 6' one offense of the three other offenses/ as [the]a)ts penali?e# 6' these la$s are separate an# #istin)t fro- ea)h other. %heele-ents of proin" ea)h iolation are not the sa-e $ith ea)h other. Con)e#e#l'/

the sin"le a)t of #u-pin" -ine tailin"s $hi)h resulte# in the pollution of the

aulapnit an# &oa) riers $as the 6asis for the infor-ation[s] file# a"ainst thea))use# ea)h )har"in" a #istin)t offense. &ut it is also a $ell2esta6lishe# rule in

this Huris#i)tion that K

7A sin"le a)t -a' offen# a"ainst t$o or -ore entirel' #istin)t an#

unrelate# proisions of la$/ an# if one proision reBuires proof ofan a##itional fa)t or ele-ent $hi)h the other #oes not/ an a)Buittal

or )oni)tion or a #is-issal of the infor-ation un#er one #oes not6ar prose)ution un#er the other. 0 0 0.9

0 0 0 0

[%]he #ifferent la$s inole )annot a6sor6 one another as the ele-ents of

ea)h )ri-e are #ifferent fro- one another. Ea)h of these la$s reBuire [si)] proof

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of an a##itional fa)t or ele-ent $hi)h the other #oes not althou"h the' ste--e#

fro- a sin"le a)t.[1*]

Petitioners file# a petition for )ertiorari $ith the Court of Appeals alle"in"

that &ran)h != a)te# $ith "rae a6use of #is)retion 6e)ause (1+ the Infor-ationsfor iolation of PD 1/ PD !=/ RA !=: an# the Arti)le 3* of the RPC

7pro)ee# fro- an# are 6ase# on a sin"le a)t or in)i#ent of pollutin" the &oa) an#

aalupnit riers thru #u-pin" of -ine tailin"s9 an# (:+ the #upli)itous nature of

the Infor-ations )ontraenes the rulin" inPeople v. Relova.[1] Petitioners further

)onten#e# that sin)e the a)ts )o-plaine# of in the )har"es for iolation of PD

1/ PD !=/ an# RA !=: are 7the er' sa-e a)ts )o-plaine# of9 in the )har"e

for iolation of Arti)le 3* of the RPC/ the latter a6sor6s the for-er. en)e/

petitioners shoul# onl' 6e prose)ute# for iolation of Arti)le 3* of the RPC.[1]

h# R!'ing o: $h# +o!r$ o: A33#a'"

In its De)ision of * Noe-6er :1/ the Court of Appeals affir-e# &ran)h

!=,s rulin". %he appellate )ourt hel#@

%he re)or#s of the )ase #is)lose that petitioners file# a -otion toBuash the afore-entione# Infor-ations for 6ein" #upli)itous in nature. Se)tion 3

of Rule 11 of the Reise# Rules of Court spe)ifi)all' proi#es the "roun#s upon$hi)h an infor-ation -a' 6e Buashe#. 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

[D]upli)it' of Infor-ations is not a-on" those in)lu#e# in 0 0 0

[Se)tion 3/ Rule 11].

0 0 0 0

>e no$ "o to petitioners, )lai- that the resolution of the pu6li)

respon#ent )ontraene# the #o)trine lai# #o$n in People s. Reloa for 6ein"iolatie of their ri"ht a"ainst -ultiple prose)utions.

In the sai# )ase/ the Supre-e Court foun# the People,s ar"u-ent$ith respe)t to the arian)es in the mens rea of the t$o offenses 6ein" )har"e# to

6e )orre)t. %he Court/ ho$eer/ #e)i#e# the )ase in the )onte0t of the se)on#

senten)e of Arti)le IV (::+ of the 1!3 Constitution (no$ un#er Se)tion :1 of

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Arti)le III of the 1! Constitution+/ rather than the first senten)e of the sa-e

se)tion. 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

[%]he #o)trine lai# #o$n in the Reloa )ase #oes not sBuarel'appl' to the )ase at &en)h sin)e the Infor-ations file# a"ainst the petitioners are

for iolation of four separate an# #istin)t la$s $hi)h are national in

)hara)ter.

0 0 0 0

%his Court fir-l' a"rees in the pu6li) respon#ent,s un#erstan#in" that thela$s 6' $hi)h the petitioners hae 6een [)har"e#] )oul# not possi6l' a6sor6 one

another as the ele-ents of ea)h )ri-e are #ifferent. Ea)h of these la$s reBuire

[si)] proof of an a##itional fa)t or ele-ent $hi)h the other #oes not/ althou"h

the' ste--e# fro- a sin"le a)t. 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

[%]his Court fin#s that there is not een the sli"htest iniciaof

ei#en)e that $oul# "ie rise to an' suspi)ion that pu6li) respon#ent a)te# $ith"rae a6use of #is)retion a-ountin" to e0)ess or la) of Huris#i)tion in reersin"

the uni)ipal %rial Court,s Buashal of the Infor-ations a"ainst the petitioners for

iolation of P.D. 1 an# P.D. !=. %his Court eBuall' fin#s no error in the trial

)ourt,s #enial of the petitioner,s -otion to Buash R.A. !=: an# Arti)le 3* of theReise# Penal Co#e.[1]

Petitioners sou"ht re)onsi#eration 6ut the Court of Appeals #enie# their

-otion in its Resolution of 1= ar)h ::.

Petitioners raise the follo$in" alle"e# errors of the Court of Appeals@

I. %E COR% O4 APPEA;S COI%%ED A R[E]VERSI&;E ERROR IN

AIN%AINING %E CARGES 4OR VIO;A%ION O4 %E PI;IPPINEINING AC% (R.A. !=:+ AND REINS%A%ING %E CARGES 4OR

VIO;A%ION O4 %E >A%ER CODE (P.D. 1+ AND PO;;%ION

CON%RO; ;A> (P.D. !=+/ CONSIDERING %A%@

A. %E IN4ORA%IONS 4OR VIO;A%ION O4 %E >A%ER

CODE (P.D. 1+/ %E PO;;%ION CON%RO; ;A> (P.D.

!=+/ %E PI;IPPINE INING AC% (R.A. !=:+ ANDAR%IC;E 3* O4 %E REVISED PENA; CODE PROCEED

4RO AND ARE &ASED ON A SING;E AC% OR INCIDEN%

O4 PO;;%ING %E &OAC

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AND A5;APNI% RIVERS%R DPING O4 INE

%AI;INGS.

&. %E PROSEC%ION O4 PE%I%IONERS 4OR

DP;ICI%OS AND ;%IP;E CARGES CON%RAVENES

%E DOC%RINE ;AID DO>N INP#$P%# &'. R#%$&A, 1=SCRA :!: [1!] %A% 7AN ACCSED SO;D NO% &E

ARASSED & ;%IP;E PROSEC%IONS 4OR

O44ENSES >IC %OG DI44EREN% 4RO ONEANO%ER ARE NONE%E;ESS EAC CONS%I%%ED &

A COON SE% OR OVER;APPING SE%S O4 %ECNICA;

E;EEN%S.9

II. %E COR% O4 APPEA;S COI%%ED A REVERSI&;E ERROR IN

R;ING %A% %E E;EEN% O4 ;AC5 O4 NECESSAR OR ADEFA%E

PRECA%ION/ NEG;IGENCE/ REC5;ESSNESS AND IPRDENCE

NDER AR%IC;E 3* [si)] O4 %E REVISED PENA; CODE DOES NO%4A;; >I%IN %E A&I% O4 AN O4 %E E;EEN%S O4 %E

PER%INEN% PROVISIONS O4 %E >A%ER CODE/ PO;;%ION CON%RO;;A> AND PI;IPPINE INING AC% CARGED AGAINS%

PE%I%IONERS[.][1!]

h# /""!#"

%he petition raises these issues@

(1+ >hether all the )har"es file# a"ainst petitioners e0)ept one shoul# 6e

Buashe# for #upli)it' of )har"es an# onl' the )har"e for Re)less

I-pru#en)e Resultin" in Da-a"e to Propert' shoul# stan#L an#

(:+ >hether &ran)h !=,s rulin"/ as affir-e# 6' the Court of Appeals/

)ontraenesPeople v. Relova.

h# R!'ing o: $h# +o!r$

%he petition has no -erit.

No Duplicity of Charges in the Present Case

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Dupli)it' of )har"es si-pl' -eans a sin"le )o-plaint or infor-ation )har"es

-ore than one offense/ as Se)tion 13 of Rule 11 [:]of the 1!* Rules of Cri-inal

Pro)e#ure )learl' states@"uplicit of offense. K A )o-plaint or infor-ation -ust )har"e 6ut one

offense/ e0)ept onl' in those )ases in $hi)h e0istin" la$s pres)ri6e a sin"le

punish-ent for arious offenses.

In short/ there is #upli)it' (or -ultipli)it'+ of )har"es $hen a "ing'# /n:or%a$ioncharg#" %or# $han on# o::#n"#.[:1]

n#er Se)tion 3(e+/ Rule 11[::]of the 1!* Rules of Cri-inal Pro)e#ure/

#upli)it' of offenses in a sin"le infor-ation is a "roun# to Buash the

Infor-ation. %he Rules prohi6it the filin" of su)h Infor-ation to aoi# )onfusin"

the a))use# in preparin" his #efense.

[:3]

ere/ ho$eer/ the prose)ution )har"e#ea)h petitioner $ith four offenses/ $ith #ach /n:or%a$ion charging on'& on#o::#n"#. %hus/ petitioners erroneousl' inoe #upli)it' of )har"es as a "roun# toBuash the Infor-ations. On this s)ore alone/ the petition #eseres outri"ht #enial.

The Filing of Several Charges is Proper

Petitioners )onten# that the' shoul# 6e )har"e# $ith one offense onl'

Re)less I-pru#en)e Resultin" in Da-a"e to Propert' 6e)ause (1+ all the

)har"es file# a"ainst the- 7pro)ee# fro- an# are 6ase# on a sin"le a)t or in)i#entof pollutin" the &oa) an# aalupnit riers thru #u-pin" of -ine tailin"s9 an# (:+

the )har"e for iolation of Arti)le 3* of the RPC 7a6sor6s9 the other )har"es

sin)e the ele-ent of 7la) of ne)essar' or a#eBuate prote)tion/ ne"li"en)e/

re)lessness an# i-pru#en)e9 is )o--on a-on" the-.

%he )ontention has no -erit.

As earl' as the start of the last )entur'/ this Court ha# rule# that a sin"le a)t

or in)i#ent -i"ht offen# a"ainst t$o or -ore entirel' #istin)t an# unrelate#

proisions of la$ thus Hustif'in" the prose)ution of the a))use# for -ore than one

offense.[:=]%he onl' li-it to this rule is the Constitutional prohi6ition that no

person shall 6e t$i)e put in Heopar#' of punish-ent for 7$h# "a%#o::#n"#.9[:*]InPeople v. Dorique/[:] $e hel# that t$o (or -ore+ offenses arisin"fro- the sa-e a)t are not 7the sa-e9

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0 0 0if one proision [of la$] reBuires proof of an a##itional fa)t or ele-ent$hi)h the other #oes not/ 0 0 0. Phrase# else$ise/ $here t$o #ifferent la$s (or

arti)les of the sa-e )o#e+ #efine t$o )ri-es/ prior Heopar#' as to one of the- isno o6sta)le to a prose)ution of the other/ althou"h 6oth offenses arise fro- the

sa-e fa)ts/ i: #ach cri%# in4o'4#" "o%# i%3or$an$ ac$ ;hich i" no$ an #""#n$ia'

#'#%#n$ o: $h# o$h#r.[:]

(E-phasis supplie#+

ere/ #ou6le Heopar#' is not at issue 6e)ause not all of its ele-ents are

present.[:]o$eer/ for the li-ite# purpose of )ontroertin" petitioners, )lai- that

the' shoul# 6e )har"e# $ith one offense onl'/ $e Buote $ith approal &ran)h !=,s

)o-paratie anal'sis of PD 1/ PD !=/ RA !=:/ an# Arti)le 3* of the RPC

sho$in" that in ea)h of these la$s on $hi)h petitioners $ere )har"e#/ there is one

essential ele-ent not reBuire# of the others/ thus@

In P.D. 1 (Philippines >ater Co#e+/ the a##itional ele-ent to 6eesta6lishe# is the #u-pin" of -ine tailin"s into the aulapnit Rier an# theentire &oa) Rier S'ste- $ithout prior per-it fro- the authorities

)on)erne#. %he "raa-en of the offense here is the a6sen)e of the proper per-it

to #u-p sai# -ine tailin"s. %his ele-ent is not in#ispensa6le in the prose)utionfor iolation of PD != (Anti2Pollution ;a$+/ [RA] !=: (Philippine inin" A)t+

an# Art. 3* of the Reise# Penal Co#e. One )an 6e ali#l' prose)ute# for

iolatin" the >ater Co#e een in the a6sen)e of a)tual pollution/ or een [if] ithas )o-plie# $ith the ter-s of its Eniron-ental Co-plian)e Certifi)ate/ or

further/ een [if] it #i# tae the ne)essar' pre)autions to preent #a-a"e to

propert'.

In P.D. != (Anti2Pollution ;a$+/ the a##itional fa)t that -ust 6e

proe# is the e0isten)e of a)tual pollution. %he "raa-en is the pollution

itself. In the a6sen)e of an' pollution/ the a))use# -ust 6e e0onerate# un#er thisla$ althou"h there $as unauthori?e# #u-pin" of -ine tailin"s or la) of

pre)aution on its part to preent #a-a"e to propert'.

In R.A. !=: (Philippine inin" A)t+/ the a##itional fa)t that -ust 6e

esta6lishe# is the $illful iolation an# "ross ne"le)t on the part of the a))use# to

a6i#e 6' the ter-s an# )on#itions of the Eniron-ental Co-plian)e Certifi)ate/parti)ularl' that the ar)opper shoul# ensure the )ontain-ent of run2off an# silt

-aterials fro- rea)hin" the o"po" an# &oa) Riers. If there $as no iolation orne"le)t/ an# that the a))use# satisfa)toril' proe# [si)] that ar)opper ha# #one

eer'thin" to ensure )ontain-ent of the run2off an# silt -aterials/ the' $ill not 6elia6le. It #oes not follo$/ ho$eer/ that the' )annot 6e prose)ute# un#er the

>ater Co#e/ Anti2Pollution ;a$ an# the Reise# Penal Co#e 6e)ause iolation of

the Eniron-ental Co-plian)e Certifi)ate is not an essential ele-ent of thesela$s.

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On the other han#/ the a##itional ele-ent that -ust 6e esta6lishe# in Art.

3* of the Reise# Penal Co#e is the la) of ne)essar' or a#eBuate pre)aution/

ne"li"en)e/ re)lessness an# i-pru#en)e on the part of the a))use# to preent#a-a"e to propert'. %his ele-ent is not reBuire# un#er the preious

la$s. nBuestiona6l'/ it is #ifferent fro- #u-pin" of -ine tailin"s $ithout

per-it/ or )ausin" pollution to the &oa) rier s'ste-/ -u)h -ore fro- iolation orne"le)t to a6i#e 6' the ter-s of the Eniron-ental Co-plian)e

Certifi)ate. oreoer/ the offenses punishe# 6' spe)ial la$ are mal[a]prohibitain

)ontrast $ith those punishe# 6' the Reise# Penal Co#e $hi)h are mala in se.[:!]

ConseBuentl'/ the filin" of the -ultiple )har"es a"ainst petitioners/ althou"h 6ase#

on the sa-e in)i#ent/ is )onsistent $ith settle# #o)trine.

On petitioners, )lai- that the )har"e for iolation of Arti)le 3* of the RPC

7a6sor6s9 the )har"es for iolation of PD 1/ PD !=/ an# RA !=:/ suffi)e it tosa' that a mala in se felon' (su)h as Re)less I-pru#en)e Resultin" in Da-a"e to

Propert'+ )annot a6sor6 mala prohibita )ri-es (su)h as those iolatin" PD 1/

PD !=/ an# RA !=:+. >hat -aes the for-er a felon' is )ri-inal intent (olo+ or

ne"li"en)e (culpa+L $hat -aes the latter )ri-es are the spe)ial la$s ena)tin"

the-.

People v. Relova not in PointPetitioners reiterate their )ontention in the Court of Appeals that their

prose)ution )ontraenes this Court,s rulin" inPeople v. Relova. In parti)ular/

petitioners )ite the Court,s state-ent inRelovathat the la$ sees to preent

harass-ent of the a))use# 6' 7-ultiple prose)utions for offenses $hi)h thou"h

#ifferent fro- one another are nonetheless ea)h )onstitute# 6' a )o--on set or

oerlappin" sets of te)hni)al ele-ents.9

%his )ontention is also $ithout -erit.

%he issue inRelova is $hether the a)t of the &atan"as A)tin" Cit' 4is)al in

)har"in" one anuel Opulen)ia (7Opulen)ia9+ $ith theft of ele)tri) po$er un#er

the RPC/ after the latter ha# 6een a)Buitte# of iolatin" a Cit' Or#inan)e

penali?in" the unauthori?e# installation of ele)tri)al $irin"/ iolate# Opulen)ia,s

ri"ht a"ainst #ou6le Heopar#'. >e hel# that it #i#/ not 6e)ause the offenses

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punishe# 6' those t$o la$s $ere the sa-e 6ut 6e)ause the a)t "iin" rise to the

)har"es $as punishe# 6' an or#inan)e an# a national statute/ thus fallin" $ithin the

pros)ription a"ainst -ultiple prose)utions for the sa-e a)t un#er the se)on#

senten)e in Se)tion ::/ Arti)le IV of the 1!3 Constitution/ no$ Se)tion :1/

Arti)le III of the 1! Constitution. >e hel#@

%he petitioner )on)lu#es that@

7h# !na!$hori@#d in"$a''a$ion 3!ni"h#d & $h# ordinanc#

[o: *a$anga" +i$&] i" not the sa!e a" $h#:$ o: #'#c$rici$& [!nd#r $h# R#4i"#d#na' +od#]L that thesecon offense is not an attemptto )o--it the first orafrustration thereofan# that the se)on# offense is notnecessaril inclue in theoffense charge in the first information.9

h# ao4# arg!%#n$[ ] %ad# & $h# 3#$i$ion#r [i"] o: co!r"# corr#c$ .

%his is )lear 6oth fro- the e0press ter-s of the )onstitutional proision inole#K $hi)h rea#s as follo$s@

7No person shall 6e t$i)e put in Heopar#' of punish-entfor the same

offense. If an a)t is punishe# 6' a la$ an# an or#inan)e/ )oni)tion or a)Buittal

un#er either shall )onstitute a 6ar to another prose)ution for the sa-e a)t.9 0 0 0

an# fro- our )ase la$ on this point. h# a"ic di::ic!'$& ;i$h $h# 3#$i$ion#r"3o"i$ion i" $ha$ i$ %!"$ # #Ba%in#d, no$ !nd#r $h# $#r%" o: $h# :ir"$ "#n$#nc#o: Ar$ic'# /= C22 o: $h# 197 +on"$i$!$ion, !$ ra$h#r under the secondsentence of the sa!e section. %he first senten)e of Arti)le IV (::+ sets forth the

"eneral rule@ the )onstitutional prote)tion a"ainst #ou6le Heopar#' is notaaila6le$here the se)on# prose)ution is for an offense that is #ifferent fro- the offense)har"e# in the first or prior prose)ution/ althou"h 6oth the first an# se)on#

offenses -a' 6e 6ase# upon the sa-e a)t or set of a)ts. h# "#cond "#n$#nc# o:Ar$ic'# /= C22 #%odi#" an #Bc#3$ion $o $h# g#n#ra' 3ro3o"i$ion $h#con"$i$!$iona' 3ro$#c$ion, again"$ do!'# #o3ard& isa4ai'a'# a'$ho!gh $h#3rior o::#n"# charg#d !nd#r an ordinanc# # di::#r#n$ :ro% $h# o::#n"#charg#d "!"#

petitioners are 6ein" prose)ute# for an a)t or in)i#ent punishe# 6' four national

statutes an# not 6' an or#inan)e an# a national statute. In short/ petitioners/ if eer/

fall un#er the first senten)e of Se)tion :1/ Arti)le III $hi)h prohi6its -ultiple

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prose)ution for the "a%# o::#n"#/an# not/ as inRelova/ for offenses arisin" fro-the sa-e in)i#ent.

(ERE-ORE/ $e DENYthe petition. >e A--/RM the De)ision #ate# *

Noe-6er :1 an# the Resolution #ate# 1= ar)h :: of the Court of Appeals.

SO ORDERED.

ANON/O . +AR/O Asso)iate

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LEONARDO A. )/S)M*/NG Asso)iate

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2 ersus 2 &RION/JJ.

+ON+ERNED RES/DENS O-MAN/LA *AY, r#3r#"#n$#d and

oin#d & D/=/NA =. /LAS,SA*/N/ANO AL*ARRA+/N,MAN)EL SANOS, >R., D/NADELA EA, A)L DENN/S)/NERO, MA. =/+OR/ALLENOS, DONNA +ALO0A,-A/MA )/A/N, =EN/+ESEGARRA, -R/0/E ANGF/A,SARA >OELLE L/NAG,

ANN/*AL A)G)S)S *O*/S,-EL/MON SAN/AG)EL, and Pro-ul"ate#@>A/ME AG)S/N R. OOSA,

Respon#ents. De)e-6er 1/ :

0222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222220

D E + / S / O N

=ELAS+O, >R.,J.

%he nee# to a##ress eniron-ental pollution/ as a )ause of )li-ate )han"e/

has of late "aine# the attention of the international )o--unit'. e#ia hae finall'

traine# their si"hts on the ill effe)ts of pollution/ the #estru)tion of forests an#

other )riti)al ha6itats/ oil spills/ an# the una6ate# i-proper #isposal of "ar6a"e.

An# ri"htl' so/ for the -a"nitu#e of eniron-ental #estru)tion is no$ on a s)ale

fe$ eer foresa$ an# the $oun# no lon"er si-pl' heals 6' itself. [:] &ut a-i#st

har# ei#en)e an# )lear si"ns of a )li-ate )risis that nee# 6ol# a)tion/ the oi)e of

)'ni)is-/ na'sa'ers/ an# pro)rastinators )an still 6e hear#.

%his )ase turns on "oern-ent a"en)ies an# their offi)ers $ho/ 6' the nature

of their respe)tie offi)es or 6' #ire)t statutor' )o--an#/ are tase# to prote)t an#

presere/ at the first instan)e/ our internal $aters/ riers/ shores/ an# seas pollute#

6' hu-an a)tiities. %o -ost of these a"en)ies an# their offi)ial )o-ple-ent/ the

pollution -ena)e #oes not see- to )arr' the hi"h national priorit' it #eseres/ if

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their tra) re)or#s are to 6e the nor-. %heir )aalier attitu#e to$ar#s solin"/ if not

-iti"atin"/ the eniron-ental pollution pro6le-/ is a sa# )o--entar' on

6ureau)rati) effi)ien)' an# )o--it-ent.

At the )ore of the )ase is the anila &a'/ a pla)e $ith a prou# histori) past/on)e 6ri--in" $ith -arine life an#/ for so -an' #e)a#es in the past/ a spot for

#ifferent )onta)t re)reation a)tiities/ 6ut no$ a #irt' an# slo$l' #'in" e0panse

-ainl' 6e)ause of the a6He)t offi)ial in#ifferen)e of people an# institutions that

)oul# hae other$ise -a#e a #ifferen)e.

%his )ase starte# $hen/ on

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(=+ %he >ater Co#e (PD 1+L

(*+ %he Sanitation Co#e (PD *+L

(+ %he Ille"al Disposal of >astes De)ree (PD :*+L

(+ %he arine Pollution ;a$ (PD !!+L

(+ E0e)utie Or#er No. 1!:L

(!+ %he %o0i) an# a?ar#ous >astes ;a$ (Repu6li) A)t No. !!+L

(1+ Ciil Co#e proisions on nuisan)e an# hu-an relationsL

(11+ %he %rust Do)trine an# the Prin)iple of Guar#ianshipL an#

(1:+ International ;a$

nter alia/ respon#ents/ as plaintiffs a *uo/ pra'e# that petitioners 6e or#ere#

to )lean the anila &a' an# su6-it to the R%C a )on)erte# )on)rete plan of a)tion

for the purpose.

%he trial of the )ase starte# off $ith a hearin" at the anila a)ht Clu6

follo$e# 6' an o)ular inspe)tion of the anila &a'. Renato %. Cru?/ the Chief of

the >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent Se)tion/ Eniron-ental ana"e-ent &ureau/

Depart-ent of Eniron-ent an# Natural Resour)es (DENR+/ testif'in" for

petitioners/ state# that $ater sa-ples )olle)te# fro- #ifferent 6ea)hes aroun# the

anila &a' sho$e# that the a-ount of fe)al )olifor- )ontent ran"e# fro- */

to / -ost pro6a6le nu-6er (PN+8-l $hen $hat DENR A#-inistratie

Or#er No. 3=2! pres)ri6e# as a safe leel for 6athin" an# other for-s of )onta)t

re)reational a)tiities/ or the 7S&9 leel/ is one not e0)ee#in" : PN81 -l.[=]

Re6e))a #e Vera/ for etropolitan >ater$ors an# Se$era"e S'ste-

(>SS+ an# in 6ehalf of other petitioners/ testifie# a6out the >SS, efforts to

re#u)e pollution alon" the anila &a' throu"h the anila Se)on# Se$era"e

ProHe)t. 4or its part/ the Philippine Ports Authorit' (PPA+ presente#/ as part of its

ei#en)e/ its -e-oran#u- )ir)ulars on the stu#' 6ein" )on#u)te# on ship2

"enerate# $aste treat-ent an# #isposal/ an# its%inis "agat (Clean the O)ean+

proHe)t for the )leanin" of $astes a))u-ulate# or $ashe# to shore.

h# R+ Ord#r#d #$i$ion#r" $o +'#an )3 and R#hai'i$a$# Mani'a *a&

On Septe-6er 13/ ::/ the R%C ren#ere# a De)ision[*]in faor of

respon#ents. %he #ispositie portion rea#s@

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>ERE4ORE/ fin#in" -erit in the )o-plaint/ Hu#"-ent ishere6' ren#ere# or#erin" the a6oena-e# #efen#ant2"oern-ent

a"en)ies/ Hointl' an# soli#aril'/ to )lean up an# reha6ilitate anila &a'

an# restore its $aters to S& )lassifi)ation to -ae it fit for s$i--in"/

sin2#iin" an# other for-s of )onta)t re)reation. %o attain this/

#efen#ant2a"en)ies/ $ith #efen#ant DENR as the lea# a"en)'/ are

#ire)te#/ $ithin si0 (+ -onths fro- re)eipt hereof/ to a)t an# perfor-

their respe)tie #uties 6' #eisin" a )onsoli#ate#/ )oor#inate# an#

)on)erte# s)he-e of a)tion for the reha6ilitation an# restoration of the

6a'.

In parti)ular@

Defen#ant >SS is #ire)te# to install/ operate an# -aintain

a#eBuate [se$era"e] treat-ent fa)ilities in strate"i) pla)es un#er its

Huris#i)tion an# in)rease their )apa)ities.

Defen#ant ;>A/ to see to it that the $ater #istri)ts un#er its

$in"s/ proi#e/ )onstru)t an# operate se$a"e fa)ilities for the proper

#isposal of $aste.

Defen#ant DENR/ $hi)h is the lea# a"en)' in )leanin" up

anila &a'/ to install/ operate an# -aintain $aste fa)ilities to ri# the 6a'

of to0i) an# ha?ar#ous su6stan)es.

Defen#ant PPA/ to preent an# also to treat the #is)har"e notonl' of ship2"enerate# $astes 6ut also of other soli# an# liBui# $astes

fro- #o)in" essels that )ontri6ute to the pollution of the 6a'.

Defen#ant DA/ to esta6lish/ operate an# -aintain an

a#eBuate an# appropriate sanitar' lan#fill an#8or a#eBuate soli# $aste

an# liBui# #isposal as $ell as other alternatie "ar6a"e #isposal s'ste-

su)h as re2use or re)')lin" of $astes.

Defen#ant DA/ throu"h the &ureau of 4isheries an# ABuati)

Resour)es/ to reitali?e the -arine life in anila &a' an# resto) its$aters $ith in#i"enous fish an# other aBuati) ani-als.

Defen#ant D&/ to proi#e an# set asi#e an a#eBuate 6u#"et

solel' for the purpose of )leanin" up an# reha6ilitation of anila &a'.

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Defen#ant DP>/ to re-oe an# #e-olish stru)tures an# other

nuisan)es that o6stru)t the free flo$ of $aters to the 6a'. %hese

nuisan)es #is)har"e soli# an# liBui# $astes $hi)h eentuall' en# up

in anila &a'. As the )onstru)tion an# en"ineerin" ar- of the

"oern-ent/ DP> is or#ere# to a)tiel' parti)ipate in re-oin"

#e6ris/ su)h as )ar)ass of sunen essels/ an# other non26io#e"ra#a6le

"ar6a"e in the 6a'.

Defen#ant DO/ to )losel' superise an# -onitor the operations

of septi) an# slu#"e )o-panies an# reBuire the- to hae proper fa)ilities

for the treat-ent an# #isposal of fe)al slu#"e an# se$a"e )o-in" fro-

septi) tans.

Defen#ant DECS/ to in)ul)ate in the -in#s an# hearts of the

people throu"h e#u)ation the i-portan)e of preserin" an# prote)tin"

the eniron-ent.

Defen#ant Philippine Coast Guar# an# the PNP ariti-e Group/

to prote)t at all )osts the anila &a' fro- all for-s of ille"al fishin".

No pronoun)e-ent as to #a-a"es an# )osts.

SO ORDERED.

%he >SS/ ;o)al >ater tilities A#-inistration (;>A+/ an# PPA file#

6efore the Court of Appeals (CA+ in#ii#ual Noti)es of Appeal $hi)h $ereeentuall' )onsoli#ate# an# #o)ete# as CA2G.R. CV No. *:.

On the other han#/ the DENR/ Depart-ent of Pu6li) >ors an# i"h$a's

(DP>+/ etropolitan anila Deelop-ent Authorit' (DA+/ Philippine

Coast Guar# (PCG+/ Philippine National Poli)e (PNP+ ariti-e Group/ an# fie

other e0e)utie #epart-ents an# a"en)ies file# #ire)tl' $ith this Court a petition

for reie$ un#er Rule =*. %he Court/ in a Resolution of De)e-6er !/ ::/ sent

the sai# petition to the CA for )onsoli#ation $ith the )onsoli#ate# appeals of

>SS/ ;>A/ an# PPA/ #o)ete# as CA2G.R. SP No. =!==.

Petitioners/ 6efore the CA/ $ere one in ar"uin" in the -ain that the pertinent

proisions of the Eniron-ent Co#e (PD 11*:+ relate onl' to the )leanin" of

spe)ifi) pollution in)i#ents an# #o not )oer )leanin" in "eneral. An# apart fro-

raisin" )on)erns a6out the la) of fun#s appropriate# for )leanin" purposes/

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petitioners also asserte# that the )leanin" of the anila &a' is not a -inisterial a)t

$hi)h )an 6e )o-pelle# 6' -an#a-us.

h# +A S!"$ain#d $h# R+

&' a De)ision[]of Septe-6er :/ :*/ the CA #enie# petitioners, appeal

an# affir-e# the De)ision of the R%C in toto/stressin" that the trial )ourt,s

#e)ision #i# not reBuire petitioners to #o tass outsi#e of their usual 6asi) fun)tions

un#er e0istin" la$s.[]

Petitioners are no$ 6efore this Court pra'in" for the allo$an)e of their Rule

=* petition on the follo$in" "roun# an# supportin" ar"u-ents@%E [CA] DECIDED A FES%ION O4 S&S%ANCE NO%

ERE%O4ORE PASSED PON & %E ONORA&;E COR%/

I.E./ I% A44IRED %E %RIA; COR%,S DECISION DEC;ARING

%A% SEC%ION : O4 [PD] 11*: REFIRES CONCERNED

GOVERNEN% AGENCIES %O REOVE A;; PO;;%AN%S

SPI;;ED AND DISCARGED IN %E >A%ER SC AS 4ECA;

CO;I4ORS.

ARGEN%S

I

[SEC%IONS] 1 AND : O4 [PD] 11*: RE;A%E ON; %O

%E C;EANING O4 SPECI4IC PO;;%ION INCIDEN%S AND

[DO] NO% COVER C;EANING IN GENERA;

II

%E C;EANING OR REA&I;I%A%ION O4

%E ANI;A &A IS NO% A INIS%ERIA; AC% O4

PE%I%IONERS %A% CAN &E COPE;;ED & ANDAS.

%he issues 6efore us are t$o2fol#.!irst/ #o Se)tions 1 an# : of PD 11*:

un#er the hea#in"s/ +pgraing of ater Qualitan# Clean-up $perations/

enisa"e a )leanup in "eneral or are the' li-ite# onl' to the )leanup of spe)ifi)

pollution in)i#ents An#secon/ )an petitioners 6e )o-pelle# 6' -an#a-us to

)lean up an# reha6ilitate the anila &a'

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On Au"ust 1:/ :/ the Court )on#u)te# an# hear# the parties on oral

ar"u-ents.

O!r R!'ing

>e shall first #$ell on the propriet' of the issuan)e of -an#a-us un#er the

pre-ises.

h# +'#aning or R#hai'i$a$ion o: Mani'a *a&+an # +o%3#''#d & Manda%!"

Generall'/ the $rit of -an#a-us lies to reBuire the e0e)ution of a -inisterial

#ut'.[]A -inisterial #ut' is one that 7reBuires neither the e0er)ise of offi)ial

#is)retion nor Hu#"-ent.9[!] It )onnotes an a)t in $hi)h nothin" is left to the

#is)retion of the person e0e)utin" it. It is a 7si-ple/ #efinite #ut' arisin" un#er

)on#itions a#-itte# or proe# to e0ist an# i-pose# 6' la$.9[1]an#a-us is

aaila6le to )o-pel a)tion/ $hen refuse#/ on -atters inolin" #is)retion/ 6ut not

to #ire)t the e0er)ise of Hu#"-ent or #is)retion one $a' or the other.

Petitioners -aintain that the DA,s #ut' to tae -easures an# -aintaina#eBuate soli# $aste an# liBui# #isposal s'ste-s ne)essaril' inoles poli)'

ealuation an# the e0er)ise of Hu#"-ent on the part of the a"en)' )on)erne#. %he'

ar"ue that the DA/ in )arr'in" out its -an#ate/ has to -ae #e)isions/

in)lu#in" )hoosin" $here a lan#fill shoul# 6e lo)ate# 6' un#ertain" feasi6ilit'

stu#ies an# )ost esti-ates/ all of $hi)h entail the e0er)ise of #is)retion.

Respon#ents/ on the other han#/ )ounter that the statutor' )o--an# is )lear

an# that petitioners, #ut' to )o-pl' $ith an# a)t a))or#in" to the )lear -an#ate of

the la$ #oes not reBuire the e0er)ise of #is)retion. A))or#in" to respon#ents/

petitioners/ the DA in parti)ular/ are $ithout #is)retion/ for e0a-ple/ to )hoose

$hi)h 6o#ies of $ater the' are to )lean up/ or $hi)h #is)har"e or spill the' are to

)ontain. &' the sa-e toen/ respon#ents -aintain that petitioners are 6ereft of

#is)retion on $hether or not to alleiate the pro6le- of soli# an# liBui# $aste

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#isposalL in other $or#s/ it is the DA,s -inisterial #ut' to atten# to su)h

seri)es.

>e a"ree $ith respon#ents.

4irst off/ $e $ish to state that petitioners, o6li"ation to perfor- their #uties

as #efine# 6' la$/ on one han#/ an# ho$ the' are to )arr' out su)h #uties/ on the

other/ are t$o #ifferent )on)epts. >hile the i-ple-entation of the DA,s

-an#ate# tass -a' entail a #e)ision2-ain" pro)ess/ the enfor)e-ent of the la$

or the er' a)t of #oin" $hat the la$ e0a)ts to 6e #one is -inisterial in nature an#

-a' 6e )o-pelle# 6' -an#a-us. >e sai# so in 'ocial Justice 'ociet v.

Atiena[11]in $hi)h the Court #ire)te# the Cit' of anila to enfor)e/ as a -atter of

-inisterial #ut'/ its Or#inan)e No. : #ire)tin" the three 6i" lo)al oil pla'ers to)ease an# #esist fro- operatin" their 6usiness in the so2)alle# 7Pan#a)an

%er-inals9 $ithin si0 -onths fro- the effe)tiit' of the or#inan)e. &ut to illustrate

$ith respe)t to the instant )ase/the DA,s #ut' to put up an a#eBuate an#appropriate sanitar' lan#fill an# soli# $aste an# liBui# #isposal as $ell as other

alternatie "ar6a"e #isposal s'ste-s is -inisterial/ its #ut' 6ein" a statutor'

i-position. %he DA,s #ut' in this re"ar# is spelle# out in Se). 3()+ of Repu6li)

A)t No. (RA+ !:= )reatin" the DA. %his se)tion #efines an# #elineates the

s)ope of the DA,s $aste #isposal seri)es to in)lu#e@

Soli# $aste #isposal an# -ana"e-ent $hi)h in)lu#e for-ulation

an# i-ple-entation of poli)ies/ stan#ar#s/ pro"ra-s an# proHe)ts for

proper an# sanitar' $aste #isposal. It shall lie$ise in)lu#e

the #"$a'i"h%#n$ and o3#ra$ion o: "ani$ar& 'and :i'' and r#'a$#d:aci'i$i#"an# the i-ple-entation of other alternatie pro"ra-s inten#e#to re#u)e/ reuse an# re)')le soli# $aste. (E-phasis a##e#.+

%he DA is #ut'26oun# to )o-pl' $ith Se). =1 of the E)olo"i)al Soli#

>aste ana"e-ent A)t (RA !3+ $hi)h pres)ri6es the -ini-u- )riteria for the

esta6lish-ent of sanitar' lan#fills an# Se). =: $hi)h proi#es the -ini-u-

operatin" reBuire-ents that ea)h site operator shall -aintain in the operation of a

sanitar' lan#fill. Co-ple-entin" Se). =1 are Se)s. 3 an# 3 of RA !3/[1:]enHoinin" the DA an# lo)al "oern-ent units/ a-on" others/ after the

effe)tiit' of the la$ on 4e6ruar' 1*/ :1/ fro- usin" an# operatin" open #u-ps

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for soli# $aste an# #isallo$in"/ fie 'ears after su)h effe)tiit'/ the use of

)ontrolle# #u-ps.

%he DA,s #ut' in the area of soli# $aste #isposal/ as -a' 6e note#/ is

set forth not onl' in the Eniron-ent Co#e (PD 11*:+ an# RA !3/ 6ut in its)harter as $ell. %his #ut' of puttin" up a proper $aste #isposal s'ste- )annot 6e

)hara)teri?e# as #is)retionar'/ for/ as earlier state#/ #is)retion presupposes the

po$er or ri"ht "ien 6' la$ to pu6li) fun)tionaries to a)t offi)iall' a))or#in" to

their Hu#"-ent or )ons)ien)e.[13] A #is)retionar' #ut' is one that 7allo$s a person

to e0er)ise Hu#"-ent an# )hoose to perfor- or not to perfor-.9 [1=]An' su""estion

that the DA has the option $hether or not to perfor- its soli# $aste #isposal2

relate# #uties ou"ht to 6e #is-isse# for $ant of le"al 6asis.

A perusal of other petitioners, respe)tie )harters or lie ena6lin" statutes

an# pertinent la$s $oul# 'iel# this )on)lusion@ these "oern-ent a"en)ies are

enHoine#/ as a -atter of statutor' o6li"ation/ to perfor- )ertain fun)tions relatin"

#ire)tl' or in#ire)tl' to the )leanup/ reha6ilitation/ prote)tion/ an# preseration of

the anila &a'. %he' are pre)lu#e# fro- )hoosin" not to perfor- these #uties.

Consi#er@

(1+ %he DENR/ un#er E0e)utie Or#er No. (EO+ 1!:/[1*] is the pri-ar'

a"en)' responsi6le for the )onseration/ -ana"e-ent/ #eelop-ent/ an# properuse of the )ountr',s eniron-ent an# natural resour)es. Se). 1! of the Philippine

Clean >ater A)t of := (RA !:*+/ on the other han#/ #esi"nates the DENR as

the pri-ar' "oern-ent a"en)' responsi6le for its enfor)e-ent an#

i-ple-entation/ -ore parti)ularl' oer all aspe)ts of $ater Bualit'

-ana"e-ent. On $ater pollution/ the DENR/ un#er the A)t,s Se). 1!(+/ e0er)ises

Huris#i)tion 7oer all aspe)ts of $ater pollution/ #eter-ine[s] its lo)ation/

-a"nitu#e/ e0tent/ seerit'/ )auses an# effe)ts an# other pertinent infor-ation on

pollution/ an# [taes] -easures/ usin" aaila6le -etho#s an# te)hnolo"ies/ topreent an# a6ate su)h pollution.9

%he DENR/ un#er RA !:*/ is also tase# to prepare a National >ater

Fualit' Status Report/ an Inte"rate# >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent 4ra-e$or/ an# a

12'ear >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent Area A)tion Plan $hi)h is nation$i#e in

s)ope )oerin" the anila&a' an# a#Hoinin" areas. Se). 1! of RA !:* proi#es@

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Se). 1!%ea Agenc.KK%he [DENR] shall 6e the pri-ar'

"oern-ent a"en)' responsi6le for the i-ple-entation an# enfor)e-ent

of this A)t 0 0 0 unless other$ise proi#e# herein. As su)h/ it shall hae

the follo$in" fun)tions/ po$ers an# responsi6ilities@

a+ Prepare a National >ater Fualit' Status report $ithin t$ent'2four

(:=+ -onths fro- the effe)tiit' of this A)t@ Proi#e#/ %hat the

Depart-ent shall thereafter reie$ or reise an# pu6lish annuall'/ or

as the nee# arises/ sai# reportL

6+ Prepare an Inte"rate# >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent 4ra-e$or $ithin

t$ele (1:+ -onths follo$in" the )o-pletion of the status reportL

)+ Prepare a ten (1+ 'ear >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent Area A)tion Plan

$ithin 1: -onths follo$in" the )o-pletion of the fra-e$or for

ea)h #esi"nate# $ater -ana"e-ent area. Su)h a)tion plan shall 6e

reie$e# 6' the $ater Bualit' -ana"e-ent area "oernin" 6oar#

eer' fie (*+ 'ears or as nee# arises.

%he DENR has prepare# the status report for the perio# :1 to :* an# is

in the pro)ess of )o-pletin" the preparation of the Inte"rate# >ater Fualit'

ana"e-ent 4ra-e$or.[1]>ithin t$ele (1:+ -onths thereafter/ it has to su6-it

a final >ater Fualit' ana"e-ent Area A)tion Plan.[1]A"ain/ lie the DA/

the DENR shoul# 6e -a#e to a))o-plish the tass assi"ne# to it un#er RA !:*.

Parentheti)all'/ #urin" the oral ar"u-ents/ the DENR Se)retar' -anifeste#

that the DENR/ $ith the assistan)e of an# in partnership $ith arious "oern-ent

a"en)ies an# non2"oern-ent or"ani?ations/ has )o-plete#/ as of De)e-6er :*/

the final #raft of a )o-prehensie a)tion plan $ith esti-ate# 6u#"et an# ti-e

fra-e/ #eno-inate# as $peration Plan for the /anila Ba Coastal 'trateg / for

the reha6ilitation/ restoration/ an# reha6ilitation of the anila &a'.

%he )o-pletion of the sai# a)tion plan an# een the i-ple-entation of

so-e of its phases shoul# -ore than eer pro# the )on)erne# a"en)ies to fast tra)

$hat are assi"ne# the- un#er e0istin" la$s.

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(:+ %he >SS/ un#er Se). 3 of RA :3=/ [1]is este# $ith Huris#i)tion/

superision/ an# )ontrol oer all $ater$ors an# se$era"e s'ste-s in the territor'

)o-prisin" $hat is no$ the )ities of etro anila an# seeral to$ns of the

proin)es of Ri?al an#Caite/ an# )har"e# $ith the #ut'@

("+ %o )onstru)t/ -aintain/ an# operate su)h sanitar' se$era"esas -a' 6e ne)essar' for the proper sanitation an# other uses of the )ities

an# to$ns )o-prisin" the S'ste-L 0 0 0

(3+ %he ;>A un#er PD 1! has the po$er of superision an# )ontrol oer

lo)al $ater #istri)ts. It )an pres)ri6e the -ini-u- stan#ar#s an# re"ulations for

the operations of these #istri)ts an# shall -onitor an# ealuate lo)al $ater

stan#ar#s. %he ;>A )an #ire)t these #istri)ts to )onstru)t/ operate/ an# furnish

fa)ilities an# seri)es for the )olle)tion/ treat-ent/ an# #isposal of se$era"e/$aste/ an# stor- $ater. A##itionall'/ un#er RA !:*/ the ;>A/ as atta)he#

a"en)' of the DP>/ is tase# $ith proi#in" se$era"e an# sanitation fa)ilities/

in)lusie of the settin" up of effi)ient an# safe )olle)tion/ treat-ent/ an# se$a"e

#isposal s'ste- in the #ifferent parts of the )ountr'. [1!] In relation to the instant

petition/ the ;>A is -an#ate# to proi#e se$era"e an# sanitation fa)ilities in

;a"una/ Caite/ &ula)an/ Pa-pan"a/ an# &ataan to preent pollution in

the anila &a'.

(=+ %he Depart-ent of A"ri)ulture (DA+/ pursuant to the A#-inistratie

Co#e of 1! (EO :!:+/[:]is #esi"nate# as the a"en)' tase# to pro-ul"ate an#enfor)e all la$s an# issuan)es respe)tin" the )onseration an# proper utili?ation of

a"ri)ultural an# fisher' resour)es. 4urther-ore/ the DA/ un#er the Philippine

4isheries Co#e of 1!! (RA **+/ is/ in )oor#ination $ith lo)al "oern-ent units

(;Gs+ an# other )on)erne# se)tors/ in )har"e of esta6lishin" a -onitorin"/

)ontrol/ an# sureillan)e s'ste- to ensure that fisheries an# aBuati) resour)es in

Philippine $aters are Hu#i)iousl' utili?e# an# -ana"e# on a sustaina6le 6asis.[:1] ;ie$ise un#er RA !:*/ the DA is )har"e# $ith )oor#inatin" $ith the PCG

an# DENR for the enfor)e-ent of $ater Bualit' stan#ar#s in -arine $aters.[::] ore spe)ifi)all'/ its &ureau of 4isheries an# ABuati) Resour)es(&4AR+

un#er Se). ::()+ of RA !:* shall pri-aril' 6e responsi6le for the preention an#

)ontrol of $ater pollution for the #eelop-ent/ -ana"e-ent/ an# )onseration of

the fisheries an# aBuati) resour)es.

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(*+ %he DP>/ as the en"ineerin" an# )onstru)tion ar- of the national

"oern-ent/ is tase# un#er EO :!:[:3]to proi#e inte"rate# plannin"/ #esi"n/ an#

)onstru)tion seri)es for/ a-on" others/ floo# )ontrol an# $ater resour)e

#eelop-ent s'ste-s in a))or#an)e $ith national #eelop-ent o6He)ties an#

approe# "oern-ent plans an# spe)ifi)ations.

In etro anila/ ho$eer/ the DA is authori?e# 6' Se). 3(#+/ RA !:=

to perfor- -etro2$i#e seri)es relatin" to 7floo# )ontrol an# se$era"e

-ana"e-ent $hi)h in)lu#e the for-ulation an# i-ple-entation of poli)ies/

stan#ar#s/ pro"ra-s an# proHe)ts for an inte"rate# floo# )ontrol/ #raina"e an#

se$era"e s'ste-.9

On

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other floatin" )raft or essel of an' in#/ or fro- the shore/ $harf/

-anufa)turin" esta6lish-ent/ or -ill of an' in#/ an' refuse -atter of

an' in# or #es)ription $hateer other than that flo$in" fro- streets an#

se$ers an# passin" therefro- in a liBui# state into tri6utar' of an'

nai"a6le $ater fro- $hi)h the sa-e shall float or 6e $ashe# into su)h

nai"a6le $aterL an#

). #eposit 0 0 0 -aterial of an' in# in an' pla)e on the 6an of an'

nai"a6le $ater or on the 6an of an' tri6utar' of an' nai"a6le $ater/

$here the sa-e shall 6e lia6le to 6e $ashe# into su)h nai"a6le $ater/

either 6' or#inar' or hi"h ti#es/ or 6' stor-s or floo#s/ or other$ise/

$here6' nai"ation shall or -a' 6e i-pe#e# or o6stru)te# or in)rease

the leel of pollution of su)h $ater.

(+ >hen RA !* or the Depa