ca$ e categori categori6e& 6e& as a$ act 7)re gestio$i gestio$is. s. Hoe Hoeve ver, r, #eti #etititio$ o$er er has has &e$i &e$ie& e& that that the the ac()isitio$ a$& s)se()e$t &is#osal o% the lot ere ma&e %or #ro%it )t claime& that it ac()ire& sai& #ro#erty %or the site o% its missio$ or the "#ostolic N)$ciat)re N)$ciat)re i$ the +hili##i$ +hili##i$es. es.
This #etitio$ arose %rom a co$troversy over a #arcel o% la$& co$sisti$g o% ',000 s()are meters locate& i$ the *)$ici#ality o% +ara$a()e. Sai& lot as co$tig)o)s ith to other lots. These lots ere sol& to Ramo$ -ic)#. $ vie o% the re%)sal o% the s()atters to vacate the lots sol&, a &is#)te arose as to ho o% the #arties has the res#o$siility o% evicti$g a$& cleari$g the la$& o% s()atters. Com#licati$g the relatio$s o% the #arties as the sale y #etitio$er o% the lot o% co$cer$ to Tro#ica$a.
The Holy See is imm)$e %rom s)it %or the act o% selli$g the lot o% co$cer$ is $o$8#ro#rietary i$ $at)re. The lot as ac()ire& ac()ire& y #etitio$er as a &o$atio$ %rom %rom the "rch&iocese "rch&iocese o% *a$ila. The &o$atio$ as ma&e $ot %or commercial #)r#ose, )t %or the )se o% #etitio$er to co$str)ct thereo$ the o%%i o%%icia ciall #lace #lace o% resi& resi&e$ e$ce ce o% the the +a#al +a#al N)$cio. The &ecisio$ to tra$s%er the #ro#erty a$& the s)se() s)se()e$t e$t &is#osal &is#osal thereo% thereo% are lieise lieise clothe& ith a gover$me$tal character. +etitio$er &i& $ot sell sell the lot %or #ro%it or gai$. gai$. t merely merely a$te& a$te& to &is#o &is#ose se o% the same eca) eca)se se the s()a s()att tter erss livi livi$g $g ther thereo eo$$ ma&e ma&e it almo almost st im#ossile %or #etitio$er to )se it %or the #)r#ose o% the &o$atio$.
hether the Holy See is imm)$e %rom s)it i$so%ar as its )si$ess relatio$s regar&i$g selli$g a lot to a #rivate e$tity R/-NG: "s e2#resse& i$ Sectio$ 3 o% "rticle o% the 195 Co$stit) Co$stit)tio$ tio$,, e have a&o#te& a&o#te& the ge$eral ge$erally ly acce#te& #ri$ci#les #ri$ci#les o% $ter$atio$al $ter$atio$al -a. ve$ itho) itho)tt this this a%%i a%%irma rmatio tio$, $, s)ch s)ch #ri$c #ri$ci# i#les les o% $ter$atio$al -a are &eeme& i$cor#orate& as #art o% the la o% the la$& as a co$&itio$ a$& co$se()e$ce o% o)r a&missio$ i$ the society o% $atio$s. $atio$s. $ the #rese$t #rese$t case, i% #etitio #etitio$er $er has o)ght a$& sol& la$&s i$ the or&i$ary co)rse o% real estate )si$ess, s)rely the sai& tra$sactio$
This is a #etitio$ %or certiorari certiorari )$&er )$&er R)le '? o% the Revise& R)les o% Co)rt to reverse a$& set asi&e the r&ers &ate& J)$e 30, 1991 a$& Se#temer 19, 1991 o% the Regio$al Trial Co)rt,
#etitio$er, vs.
res#o$&e$ts. +a&illa -a :%%ice %or #etitio$er. Sig)io$ Rey$a, *o$tecillo = :$gsia9o %or #rivate res#o$&e$t.
Sai& -ot ?8" is co$tig)o)s to -ots ?8< a$& ?8D hich are covere& y Tra$s%er Certi%icates o% Title Nos. 35110 a$& 3'?@ res#ectively a$& registere& i$ the $ame o% the +hili##i$e Realty Cor#oratio$ B+RC. The three lots ere sol& to Ramo$ -ic)#, thro)gh *sgr. Domi$go ". Cirilos, Jr., acti$g as age$t to
the sellers. -ater, -ic)# assig$e& his rights to the sale to #rivate res#o$&e$t. $ vie o% the re%)sal o% the s()atters to vacate the lots sol& to #rivate res#o$&e$t, a &is#)te arose as to ho o% the #arties has the res#o$siility o% evicti$g a$& cleari$g the la$& o% s()atters. Com#licati$g the relatio$s o% the #arties as the sale y #etitio$er o% -ot ?8" to Tro#ica$a +ro#erties a$& Develo#me$t Cor#oratio$ BTro#ica$a.
$ Ja$)ary 3@, 1990, #rivate res#o$&e$t %ile& a com#lai$t ith the Regio$al Trial Co)rt,
the #ro#erty o% s()attersE hoever, *sgr. Cirilos i$%orme& #rivate res#o$&e$t o% the s()attersF re%)sal to vacate the lots, #ro#osi$g i$stea& either that #rivate res#o$&e$t )$&ertae the evictio$ or that the ear$est mo$ey e ret)r$e& to the latterE B' #rivate res#o$&e$t co)$ter#ro#ose& that i% it o)l& )$&ertae the evictio$ o% the s()atters, the #)rchase #rice o% the lots sho)l& e re&)ce& %rom +1,340.00 to +1,1?0.00 #er s()are meterE B5 *sgr. Cirilos ret)r$e& the ear$est mo$ey o% +100,000.00 a$& rote #rivate res#o$&e$t givi$g it seve$ &ays %rom recei#t o% the letter to #ay the origi$al #)rchase #rice i$ cashE B #rivate res#o$&e$t se$t the ear$est mo$ey ac to the sellers, )t later &iscovere& that o$ *arch @0, 199, #etitio$er a$& the +RC, itho)t $otice to #rivate res#o$&e$t, sol& the lots to Tro#ica$a, as evi&e$ce& y to se#arate Dee&s o% Sale, o$e over -ot ?8", a$& a$other over -ots ?8< a$& ?8DE a$& that the sellersF tra$s%er certi%icate o% title over the lots ere ca$celle&, tra$s%erre& a$& registere& i$ the $ame o% Tro#ica$aE B9 Tro#ica$a i$&)ce& #etitio$er a$& the +RC to sell the lots to it a$& th)s e$riche& itsel% at the e2#e$se o% #rivate res#o$&e$tE B10 #rivate res#o$&e$t &ema$&e& the rescissio$ o% the sale to Tro#ica$a a$& the reco$veya$ce o% the lots, to $o availE a$& B11 #rivate res#o$&e$t is illi$g a$& ale to com#ly ith the terms o% the co$tract to sell a$& has act)ally ma&e #la$s to &evelo# the lots i$to a to$ho)se #ro7ect, )t i$ vie o% the sellersF reach, it lost #ro%its o% $ot less tha$ +@0,000.000.00.
the lots i$ ()estio$E B@ s#eci%ic #er%orma$ce o% the agreeme$t to sell etee$ it a$& the o$ers o% the lotsE a$& B4 &amages.
+rivate res#o$&e$t th)s #raye& %or: B1 the a$$)lme$t o% the Dee&s o% Sale etee$ #etitio$er a$& the +RC o$ the o$e ha$&, a$& Tro#ica$a o$ the otherE B3 the reco$veya$ce o%
+etitio$er %orthith elevate& the matter to )s. $ its #etitio$, #etitio$er i$voes the #rivilege o% sovereig$ imm)$ity o$ly o$ its o$ ehal% a$& o$
$ J)$e , 1990, #etitio$er a$& *sgr. Cirilos se#arately move& to &ismiss the com#lai$t #etitio$er %or lac o% 7)ris&ictio$ ase& o$ sovereig$ imm)$ity %rom s)it, a$& *sgr. Cirilos %or ei$g a$ im#ro#er #arty. "$ o##ositio$ to the motio$ as %ile& y #rivate res#o$&e$t. $ J)$e 30, 1991, the trial co)rt iss)e& a$ or&er &e$yi$g, amo$g others, #etitio$erFs motio$ to &ismiss a%ter %i$&i$g that #etitio$er she& o%% Iits sovereig$ imm)$ity y e$teri$g i$to the )si$ess co$tract i$ ()estio$ B Rollo , ##. 30831. $ J)ly 13, 1991, #etitio$er move& %or reco$si&eratio$ o% the or&er. $ ")g)st @0, 1991, #etitio$er %ile& a *otio$ %or a Heari$g %or the Sole +)r#ose o% stalishi$g !act)al "llegatio$ %or claim o% mm)$ity as a J)ris&ictio$al De%e$se. So as to %acilitate the &etermi$atio$ o% its &e%e$se o% sovereig$ imm)$ity, #etitio$er #raye& that a heari$g e co$&)cte& to allo it to estalish certai$ %acts )#o$ hich the sai& &e%e$se is ase&. +rivate res#o$&e$t o##ose& this motio$ as ell as the motio$ %or reco$si&eratio$. $ ctoer 1, 1991, the trial co)rt iss)e& a$ or&er &e%erri$g the resol)tio$ o$ the motio$ %or reco$si&eratio$ )$til a%ter trial o$ the merits a$& &irecti$g #etitio$er to %ile its a$ser B Rollo , #. 33.
ehal% o% its o%%icial re#rese$tative, the +a#al N)$cio. $ Decemer 9, 1991, a *otio$ %or $terve$tio$ as %ile& e%ore )s y the De#artme$t o% !oreig$ "%%airs, claimi$g that it has a legal i$terest i$ the o)tcome o% the case as regar&s the &i#lomatic imm)$ity o% #etitio$er, a$& that it a&o#ts y re%ere$ce, the allegatio$s co$tai$e& i$ the #etitio$ o% the Holy See i$so%ar as they re%er to arg)me$ts relative to its claim o% sovereig$ imm)$ity %rom s)it BRollo , #. 5. +rivate res#o$&e$t o##ose& the i$terve$tio$ o% the De#artme$t o% !oreig$ "%%airs. $ com#lia$ce ith the resol)tio$ o% this Co)rt, oth #arties a$& the De#artme$t o% !oreig$ "%%airs s)mitte& their res#ective memora$&a.
" #relimi$ary matter to e threshe& o)t is the #roce&)ral iss)e o% hether the #etitio$ %or certiorari )$&er R)le '? o% the Revise& R)les o% Co)rt ca$ e availe& o% to ()estio$ the or&er &e$yi$g #etitio$erFs motio$ to &ismiss. The ge$eral r)le is that a$ or&er &e$yi$g a motio$ to &ismiss is $ot revieale y the a##ellate co)rts, the reme&y o% the mova$t ei$g to %ile his a$ser a$& to #rocee& ith the heari$g e%ore the trial co)rt. <)t the ge$eral r)le a&mits o% e2ce#tio$s, a$& o$e o% these is he$ it is very clear i$ the recor&s that the trial co)rt has $o alter$ative )t to &ismiss the com#lai$t B+hili##i$e Natio$al
The other #roce&)ral ()estio$ raise& y #rivate res#o$&e$t is the #erso$ality or legal i$terest o% the De#artme$t o% !oreig$ "%%airs to i$terve$e i$ the case i$ ehal% o% the Holy See B Rollo , ##. 1'8190. $ +)lic $ter$atio$al -a, he$ a state or i$ter$atio$al age$cy ishes to #lea& sovereig$ or &i#lomatic imm)$ity i$ a %oreig$ co)rt, it re()ests the !oreig$ %%ice o% the state here it is s)e& to co$vey to the co)rt that sai& &e%e$&a$t is e$title& to imm)$ity. $ the /$ite& States, the #roce&)re %olloe& is the #rocess o% s)ggestio$, here the %oreig$ state or the i$ter$atio$al orga$i6atio$ s)e& i$ a$ "merica$ co)rt re()ests the Secretary o% State to mae a &etermi$atio$ as to hether it is e$title& to imm)$ity. % the Secretary o% State %i$&s that the &e%e$&a$t is imm)$e %rom s)it, he, i$ t)r$, ass the "ttor$ey Ge$eral to s)mit to the co)rt a s)ggestio$ that the &e%e$&a$t is e$title& to imm)$ity. $ $gla$&, a similar #roce&)re is %olloe&, o$ly the !oreig$ %%ice iss)es a certi%icatio$ to that e%%ect i$stea& o% s)mitti$g a s)ggestio$ BFCo$$ell, $ter$atio$al -a 1@0 I19'?E Note: mm)$ity %rom S)it o% !oreig$ Sovereig$ $str)me$talities a$& ligatio$s, ?0 ;ale -a Jo)r$al 10 I1941. $ the +hili##i$es, the #ractice is %or the %oreig$ gover$me$t or the i$ter$atio$al orga$i6atio$ to %irst sec)re a$ e2ec)tive e$&orseme$t o% its claim o% sovereig$ or &i#lomatic imm)$ity. <)t ho the +hili##i$e !oreig$ %%ice co$veys its e$&orseme$t to the co)rts varies. $ $ter$atio$al Catholic *igratio$ Commissio$ v. Calle7a , 190 SCR" 1@0 B1990, the Secretary o% !oreig$ "%%airs 7)st se$t a letter &irectly to the Secretary
o% -aor a$& m#loyme$t, i$%ormi$g the latter that the res#o$&e$t8em#loyer co)l& $ot e s)e& eca)se it e$7oye& &i#lomatic imm)$ity. $ 1orl& Health :rga$i6atio$ v. "()i$o , 4 SCR" 343 B1953, the Secretary o% !oreig$ "%%airs se$t the trial co)rt a telegram to that e%%ect. $
The )r&e$ o% the #etitio$ is that res#o$&e$t trial co)rt has $o 7)ris&ictio$ over #etitio$er, ei$g a %oreig$ state e$7oyi$g sovereig$ imm)$ity. $ the
other ha$&, #rivate res#o$&e$t i$sists that the &octri$e o% $o$8s)aility is $ot a$ymore asol)te a$& that #etitio$er has &iveste& itsel% o% s)ch a cloa he$, o% its o$ %ree ill, it e$tere& i$to a commercial tra$sactio$ %or the sale o% a #arcel o% la$& locate& i$ the +hili##i$es. ". The Holy See )estio$s a$& +rolems $ $ter$atio$al -a, +)lic a$& +rivate 1 I194. The -atera$ Treaty estalishe& the statehoo& o% the Aatica$ City %or the #)r#ose o% ass)ri$g to the Holy See asol)te a$& visile i$&e#e$&e$ce a$& o% g)ara$teei$g to it i$&is#)tale sovereig$ty
also i$ the %iel& o% i$ter$atio$al relatio$s BFCo$$ell, $ter$atio$al -a @11 I19'?.
$ter$atio$al -a, 4' The "merica$ Jo)r$al o% $ter$atio$al -a @0 I19?3.
$ vie o% the or&i$gs o% the -atera$ Treaty, it is &i%%ic)lt to &etermi$e hether the statehoo& is veste& i$ the Holy See or i$ the Aatica$ City. Some riters eve$ s)ggeste& that the treaty create& to i$ter$atio$al #erso$s the Holy See a$& Aatica$ City BSalo$ga a$& ;a#, s)#ra , @5.
$asm)ch as the +o#e #re%ers to co$&)ct %oreig$ relatio$s a$& e$ter i$to tra$sactio$s as the Holy See a$& $ot i$ the $ame o% the Aatica$ City, o$e ca$ co$cl)&e that i$ the +o#eFs o$ vie, it is the Holy See that is the i$ter$atio$al #erso$.
The Aatica$ City %its i$to $o$e o% the estalishe& categories o% states, a$& the attri)tio$ to it o% sovereig$ty m)st e ma&e i$ a se$se &i%%ere$t %rom that i$ hich it is a##lie& to other states B!e$ic, $ter$atio$al -a 134813? I194E Cr)6, $ter$atio$al -a @5 I1991. $ a comm)$ity o% $atio$al states, the Aatica$ City re#rese$ts a$ e$tity orga$i6e& $ot %or #olitical )t %or ecclesiastical #)r#oses a$& i$ter$atio$al o7ects. Des#ite its si6e a$& o7ect, the Aatica$ City has a$ i$&e#e$&e$t gover$me$t o% its o$, ith the +o#e, ho is also hea& o% the Roma$ Catholic Ch)rch, as the Holy See or Hea& o% State, i$ co$%ormity ith its tra&itio$s, a$& the &ema$&s o% its missio$ i$ the orl&. $&ee&, the orl&8i&e i$terests a$& activities o% the Aatica$ City are s)ch as to mae it i$ a se$se a$ i$ter$atio$al state B!e$ic, s)#ra ., 13?E Lelse$, +ri$ci#les o% $ter$atio$al -a 1'0 I19?'. $e a)thority rote that the recog$itio$ o% the Aatica$ City as a state has sig$i%ica$t im#licatio$ that it is #ossile %or a$y e$tity #)rs)i$g o7ects esse$tially &i%%ere$t %rom those #)rs)e& y states to e i$veste& ith i$ter$atio$al #erso$ality BL)$6, The Stat)s o% the Holy See i$
The Re#)lic o% the +hili##i$es has accor&e& the Holy See the stat)s o% a %oreig$ sovereig$. The Holy See, thro)gh its "massa&or, the +a#al N)$cio, has ha& &i#lomatic re#rese$tatio$s ith the +hili##i$e gover$me$t si$ce 19?5 B Rollo , #. 5. This a##ears to e the )$iversal #ractice i$ i$ter$atio$al relatio$s. <. Sovereig$ mm)$ity "s e2#resse& i$ Sectio$ 3 o% "rticle o% the 195 Co$stit)tio$, e have a&o#te& the ge$erally acce#te& #ri$ci#les o% $ter$atio$al -a. ve$ itho)t this a%%irmatio$, s)ch #ri$ci#les o% $ter$atio$al -a are &eeme& i$cor#orate& as #art o% the la o% the la$& as a co$&itio$ a$& co$se()e$ce o% o)r a&missio$ i$ the society o% $atio$s B/$ite& States o% "merica v. G)i$to, 13 SCR" '44 I1990. There are to co$%licti$g co$ce#ts o% sovereig$ imm)$ity, each i&ely hel& a$& %irmly estalishe&. "ccor&i$g to the classical or asol)te theory, a sovereig$ ca$$ot, itho)t its co$se$t, e ma&e a res#o$&e$t i$ the co)rts o% a$other sovereig$. "ccor&i$g to the $eer or restrictive theory, the imm)$ity o% the sovereig$ is recog$i6e& o$ly ith regar& to #)lic acts or acts 7)re im#erii o% a state, )t $ot ith regar& to #rivate acts or acts 7)re gestio$is
B/$ite& States o% "merica v. R)i6, 1@' SCR" 45 I195E Co()ia a$& De%e$sor8Sa$tiago, +)lic $ter$atio$al -a 194 I194. Some states #asse& legislatio$ to serve as g)i&eli$es %or the e2ec)tive or 7)&icial &etermi$atio$ he$ a$ act may e co$si&ere& as 7)re gestio$is . The /$ite& States #asse& the !oreig$ Sovereig$ mm)$ities "ct o% 195', hich &e%i$es a commercial activity as either a reg)lar co)rse o% commercial co$&)ct or a #artic)lar commercial tra$sactio$ or act. !)rthermore, the la &eclare& that the commercial character o% the activity shall e &etermi$e& y re%ere$ce to the $at)re o% the co)rse o% co$&)ct or #artic)lar tra$sactio$ or act, rather tha$ y re%ere$ce to its #)r#ose. The Ca$a&ia$ +arliame$t e$acte& i$ 193 a$ "ct to +rovi&e !or State mm)$ity i$ Ca$a&ia$ Co)rts. The "ct &e%i$es a commercial activity as a$y #artic)lar tra$sactio$, act or co$&)ct or a$y reg)lar co)rse o% co$&)ct that y reaso$ o% its $at)re, is o% a commercial character. The restrictive theory, hich is i$te$&e& to e a sol)tio$ to the host o% #rolems i$volvi$g the iss)e o% sovereig$ imm)$ity, has create& #rolems o% its o$. -egal treatises a$& the &ecisio$s i$ co)$tries hich %ollo the restrictive theory have &i%%ic)lty i$ characteri6i$g hether a co$tract o% a sovereig$ state ith a #rivate #arty is a$ act 7)re gestio$is or a$ act 7)re im#erii . The restrictive theory came ao)t eca)se o% the e$try o% sovereig$ states i$to #)rely commercial activities remotely co$$ecte& ith the &ischarge o% gover$me$tal %)$ctio$s. This is #artic)larly tr)e ith res#ect to the Comm)$ist states hich
too co$trol o% $atio$ali6e& )si$ess activities a$& i$ter$atio$al tra&i$g.
gestio$is , e have to come o)t ith o)r o$ g)i&eli$es, te$tative they may e.
This Co)rt has co$si&ere& the %olloi$g tra$sactio$s y a %oreig$ state ith #rivate #arties as acts 7)re im#erii : B1 the lease y a %oreig$ gover$me$t o% a#artme$t )il&i$gs %or )se o% its military o%%icers BSy()ia v. -o#e6, 4 +hil. @13 I1949E B3 the co$&)ct o% #)lic i&&i$g %or the re#air o% a har% at a /$ite& States Naval Statio$ B/$ite& States o% "merica v. R)i6, s)#ra .E a$& B@ the cha$ge o% em#loyme$t stat)s o% ase em#loyees BSa$&ers v. Aeri&ia$o, 1'3 SCR" I19.
Certai$ly, the mere e$teri$g i$to a co$tract y a %oreig$ state ith a #rivate #arty ca$$ot e the )ltimate test. S)ch a$ act ca$ o$ly e the start o% the i$()iry. The logical ()estio$ is hether the %oreig$ state is e$gage& i$ the activity i$ the reg)lar co)rse o% )si$ess. % the %oreig$ state is $ot e$gage& reg)larly i$ a )si$ess or tra&e, the #artic)lar act or tra$sactio$ m)st the$ e teste& y its $at)re. % the act is i$ #)rs)it o% a sovereig$ activity, or a$ i$ci&e$t thereo%, the$ it is a$ act 7)re im#erii , es#ecially he$ it is $ot )$&ertae$ %or gai$ or #ro%it.
$ the other ha$&, this Co)rt has co$si&ere& the %olloi$g tra$sactio$s y a %oreig$ state ith #rivate #arties as acts 7)re gestio$is : B1 the hiri$g o% a coo i$ the recreatio$ ce$ter, co$sisti$g o% three resta)ra$ts, a ca%eteria, a aery, a store, a$& a co%%ee a$& #astry sho# at the Joh$ Hay "ir Statio$ i$
"s hel& i$ /$ite& States o% "merica v. G)i$to , Bs)#ra : There is $o ()estio$ that the /$ite& States o% "merica, lie a$y other state, ill e &eeme& to have im#lie&ly aive& its $o$8s)aility i% it has e$tere& i$to a co$tract i$ its #ro#rietary or #rivate ca#acity. t is o$ly he$ the co$tract i$volves its sovereig$ or gover$me$tal ca#acity that $o s)ch aiver may e im#lie&.
$ the case at e$ch, i% #etitio$er has o)ght a$& sol& la$&s i$ the or&i$ary co)rse o% a real estate )si$ess, s)rely the sai& tra$sactio$ ca$ e categori6e& as a$ act 7)re gestio$is . Hoever, #etitio$er has &e$ie& that the ac()isitio$ a$& s)se()e$t &is#osal o% -ot ?8" ere ma&e %or #ro%it )t claime& that it ac()ire& sai& #ro#erty %or the site o% its missio$ or the "#ostolic N)$ciat)re i$ the +hili##i$es. +rivate res#o$&e$t %aile& to &is#)te sai& claim.
-ot ?8" as ac()ire& y #etitio$er as a &o$atio$ %rom the "rch&iocese o% *a$ila. The &o$atio$ as ma&e $ot %or commercial #)r#ose, )t %or the )se o% #etitio$er to co$str)ct thereo$ the o%%icial #lace o% resi&e$ce o% the +a#al N)$cio. The right o% a %oreig$ sovereig$ to ac()ire #ro#erty, real or #erso$al, i$ a receivi$g state, $ecessary %or the creatio$ a$& mai$te$a$ce o% its &i#lomatic missio$, is recog$i6e& i$ the 19'1 Aie$$a Co$ve$tio$ o$ Di#lomatic Relatio$s B"rts. 30833. This treaty as co$c)rre& i$ y the +hili##i$e Se$ate a$& e$tere& i$to %orce i$ the +hili##i$es o$ Novemer 1?, 19'?. $ "rticle @1Ba o% the Co$ve$tio$, a &i#lomatic e$voy is gra$te& imm)$ity %rom the civil a$& a&mi$istrative 7)ris&ictio$ o% the receivi$g state over a$y real actio$ relati$g to #rivate immovale #ro#erty sit)ate& i$ the territory o% the receivi$g state hich the e$voy hol&s o$ ehal% o% the se$&i$g state %or the #)r#oses o% the missio$. % this imm)$ity is #rovi&e& %or a &i#lomatic e$voy, ith all the more reaso$ sho)l& imm)$ity e recog$i6e& as regar&s the sovereig$ itsel%, hich i$ this case is the Holy See. The &ecisio$ to tra$s%er the #ro#erty a$& the s)se()e$t &is#osal thereo% are lieise clothe& ith a gover$me$tal character. +etitio$er &i& $ot sell -ot ?8" %or #ro%it or gai$. t merely a$te& to &is#ose o%% the same eca)se the s()atters livi$g thereo$ ma&e it almost im#ossile %or #etitio$er to )se it %or the #)r#ose o% the &o$atio$. The %act that s()atters have occ)#ie& a$& are still occ)#yi$g the lot, a$& that they st)or$ly re%)se to leave the #remises, has ee$ a&mitte& y #rivate res#o$&e$t i$ its com#lai$t B Rollo , ##. 3', 35.
The iss)e o% #etitio$erFs $o$8s)aility ca$ e &etermi$e& y the trial co)rt itho)t goi$g to trial i$ the light o% the #lea&i$gs, #artic)larly the a&missio$ o% #rivate res#o$&e$t.
#oi$tless a$& )$&)ly circ)ito)s Brtigas = Co. -t&. +art$ershi# v. J)&ge Tirso Aelasco, G.R. No. 109'4?, J)ly 3?, 1994. A
+rivate res#o$&e$t is $ot le%t itho)t a$y legal reme&y %or the re&ress o% its grieva$ces. /$&er oth +)lic $ter$atio$al -a a$& Tra$s$atio$al -a, a #erso$ ho %eels aggrieve& y the acts o% a %oreig$ sovereig$ ca$ as his o$ gover$me$t to es#o)se his ca)se thro)gh &i#lomatic cha$$els. +rivate res#o$&e$t ca$ as the +hili##i$e gover$me$t, thro)gh the !oreig$ %%ice, to es#o)se its claims agai$st the Holy See. ts %irst tas is to #ers)a&e the +hili##i$e gover$me$t to tae )# ith the Holy See the vali&ity o% its claims. % co)rse, the !oreig$ %%ice shall %irst mae a &etermi$atio$ o% the im#act o% its es#o)sal o$ the relatio$s etee$ the +hili##i$e gover$me$t a$& the Holy See B;o)$g, Reme&ies o% +rivate Claima$ts "gai$st !oreig$ States , Selecte& Rea&i$gs o$ +rotectio$ y -a o% +rivate !oreig$ $vestme$ts 90?, 919 I19'4. $ce the +hili##i$e gover$me$t &eci&es to es#o)se the claim, the latter ceases to e a #rivate ca)se. "ccor&i$g to the +erma$e$t Co)rt o% $ter$atio$al J)stice, the %orer)$$er o% the $ter$atio$al Co)rt o% J)stice:
s)7ects, res#ect %or the r)les o% i$ter$atio$al la BThe *avrommatis +alesti$e Co$cessio$s, 1 H)&so$, orl& Co)rt Re#orts 39@, @03 I1934.
HR!R, the #etitio$ %or certiorari is GR"NTD a$& the com#lai$t i$ Civil Case No. 9081@ agai$st #etitio$er is DS*SSD. S RDRD.
