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The RTC Judge sustained the motion to dismiss, further ruling that granting of the Second Issue: Political Issue.
relief prayed for would result in the impairment of contracts which is prohibited by the
Constitution. Second paragraph, Section 1 of Article VIII of the constitution provides for the
expanded jurisdiction vested upon the Supreme Court. It allows the Court to rule upon
Plaintiffs (petitioners) thus filed the instant special civil action for certiorari and asked even on the wisdom of the decision of the Executive and Legislature and to declare
the court to rescind and set aside the dismissal order on the ground that the respondent their acts as invalid for lack or excess of jurisdiction because it is tainted with grave
RTC Judge gravely abused his discretion in dismissing the action. abuse of discretion.
ISSUES:
Third Issue: Violation of the non-impairment clause.
(1) Whether or not the plaintiffs have a cause of action.
(2) Whether or not the complaint raises a political issue. The Court held that the Timber License Agreement is an instrument by which the state
(3) Whether or not the original prayer of the plaintiffs result in the impairment of regulates the utilization and disposition of forest resources to the end that public
contracts. welfare is promoted. It is not a contract within the purview of the due process clause
thus, the non-impairment clause cannot be invoked. It can be validly withdraw
RULING: whenever dictated by public interest or public welfare as in this case. The granting of
license does not create irrevocable rights, neither is it property or property rights.
First Issue: Cause of Action.
Moreover, the constitutional guaranty of non-impairment of obligations of contract is
Respondents aver that the petitioners failed to allege in their complaint a specific legal limit by the exercise by the police power of the State, in the interest of public health,
right violated by the respondent Secretary for which any relief is provided by law. The safety, moral and general welfare. In short, the non-impairment clause must yield to
Court did not agree with this. The complaint focuses on one fundamental legal right - the police power of the State.
- the right to a balanced and healthful ecology which is incorporated in Section 16
The instant petition, being impressed with merit, is hereby GRANTED and the RTC
decision is SET ASIDE.