National Power Corporation v Judge Jocson 206 SCRA 520 (1992) expropriation case amt.

. for just compensation in dispute judge held in abeyance the write of possession order due to petitioner while increasing outright provisional value of land without hearing. Facts: The petitioner files a special civil action for certiorari to annul the order issued by respondent judge in violation of deprivation of the right of the petitioner for due process. The petitioner filed 7 eminent domain cases in the acquisition of right of way easement over 7 parcels of land in relation to the necessity of building towers and transmission line for the common good with the offer of corresponding compensation to landowners affected with the expropriation process. However, both parties did not come to an agreement on just compensation thereby prompting petitioner to bring the eminent domain case. Respondent judge found existing paramount public interest for the expropriation and thereby issued an order determining the provisional market value of the subject areas based on tax declaration of the properties. The petitioner, incompliance to the order of respondent judge, deposited corresponding amount of the assessed value of said lands in the amount of P23,180,828.00 with the Philippine National Bank. Respondents land owners filed motion for reconsideration asserting that the assessed value is way too low and that just compensation due them is estimated as P29,970,000.00. Immediately the following day, respondent judge increased the provisional value to that stated in the motion for reconsideration and ordered petitioner to deposit the differential amount within 24 hours from receipt of order while holding in abeyance the writ of possession order pending compliance to said order which the petitioner immediately complied. Thereafter, respondent judge ordered petitioner to pay in full amount the defendants for their expropriated property. Petitioner assailed such order to be in violation of due process and abuse of discretion on the part of the respondent judge hence this petition. Issue: W/N the respondent judge acted in grave abuse of discretion and whether or not the petitioner was deprived of due process of law. Held: The court ruled that PD No. 42 provides that upon filing in court complaints on eminent domain proceeding and after due notice to the defendants, plaintiff will have the right to take possession of the real property upon deposit of the amount of the assessed value with PNB to be held by the bank subject to orders and final disposition of the court. The respondent judge failed to observe this procedure by failure to issue the writ of possession to the petitioner despite its effort to deposit the amount in compliance to the mandate of law. Furthermore, the respondent judge erred in increasing the provisional value of properties without holding any hearing for both parties. The instant petition was granted by the court setting aside the temporary restraining order and directing respondent judge to cease and desist from enforcing his orders. There are 2 stages in the action of expropriation:1. Determination of the authority of the plaintiff to exercise the power of eminent domain and the propriety of its exercise in the context of the facts involved in the suit.2. Eminent domain action is concerned with the determination by the Court of the "just

compensation for the property sought to be taken." This is done by the Court with the assistance of not more than three (3)commissioners whose findings are deemed to be final.