Oposa vs. Factoran (G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993)
Fact Facts: s: Th Th pt! pt!t! t!on onrs rs,, "!no "!nors rs #ho #ho ar ar rpr rprs sn nt t$ $ %y th! th!rr parn parnts ts,, &!l &!l$ $ a co"pla!nt co"pla!nt %&or th R'!onal R'!onal Tr!al ourt ranch ** o& +aat!. +aat!. Th pt!t!on pt!t!onrs rs cla!"$ that thy -rprsnt th!r 'nrat!on as #ll as 'nrat!ons yt un%orn.Th pt!t!onrs pray$ that th $&n$ant, part"nt o& /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs (/NR crtary, Ful'nc!o . Factoran, Jr., #oul$ cancl all !st!n' t!"%r l!cns a'r"nts (T2s) an$ stop !ssu!n' n# t!"%r l!cns a'r"nts. Th +aat! +aat! RT RT $!s"!ss$ $!s"!ss$ th cas on th &ollo#!n' &ollo#!n' 'roun$s: 'roun$s: th co"pla!n co"pla!ntt stats no caus o& act!on a'a!nst th $&n$ant4 !t ra!ss a pol!t!cal 5ust!on4 an$ 'rant!n' o& th rl!& pray$ &or #oul$ rsult !n th !"pa!r"nt o& contracts #h!ch !s proh!%!t$ %y th &un$a"ntal la# o& th lan$. Th pt!t!onrs &!l$ th !nstant spc!al c!v!l act!on &or certiorari on certiorari on th 'roun$ that th rspon$nt Ju$' 'ravly a%us$ h!s $!scrt!on !n $!s"!ss!n' th act!on.
6ssu: (1) 7hthr or not th pt!t!onrs hav a caus o& a'a!nst th $&n$ant. () 7hthr 7hthr or not th 'rant!n' 'rant!n' o& T2s v!olats v!olats onst!tut! onst!tut!onal onal prov!s!ons prov!s!ons concrn!n' th r!'ht to a %alanc$ an$ halth&ul colo'y an$ th &ull protct!on thro&. (3) 7hthr or not th cas !nvolvs a pol!t!cal 5ust!on. l$: (1) s. ;t!t!onrs can &!l a class su!t. Th!r prsonal!ty to su !n %hal& o& th th succ succ $! $!n' n' 'n 'nra rat! t!on onss !s %as %as$ $ on th th conc concp ptt o& !nt !ntr' r'n nr rat at!o !ona nall rsp rspon ons! s!%! %!l! l!ty ty #h!c #h!ch h cons cons!$ !$rs rs th th -rhy -rhyth th" " an$ an$ har"o har"ony ny o& natu natur r..- /vr /vry y 'nrat!on has a rspons!%!l!ty to th nt to prsrv that rhyth" an$ har"ony &or th &ull n
at!on an$ $!spos!t!on o& &orst rsourcs to th n$ that pu%l!c #l&ar !s pro"ot$. t!"%r t!"%r l!cns !s not a contract #!th!n th purv!# o& th $u procss claus4 !t !s only a l!cns or pr!v!l', #h!ch can % val!$ly #!th$ra#n #hnvr $!ctat$ %y pu%l!c !ntrst or pu%l!c #l&ar as !n th!s cas. Th !nstant cas $os not !nvolv a la# or vn an cut!v !ssuanc $clar!n' th cancllat!on or "o$!&!cat!on o& !st!n' t!"%r l!cnss. (3) No. Th pol!t pol!t!ca !call 5ust! 5ust!on on $octr! $octr!n n !s no lon'r lon'r,, th !nsur" !nsur"oun ounta% ta%l l o%stacl to th rc!s o&
not thr has %n a 'rav a%us o& $!scrt!on a"ount!n' to lac or css o&
crtary o& /NR vs. a ap (G.R. No. 1*??0?, Octo%r 8, 008) acay vs. crtary o& /NR (G.R. No. 1?3??@, Octo%r 8, 008) Facts: 6n G.R. No. 1*??0?, +ayor Jos . ap, Jr., an$ othrs &!l$ a pt!t!on &or $clar $clarato atory ry rl!& rl!& #!th #!th th RT RT !n Aal!%o Aal!%o,, lan. lan. Th rspon rspon$n $ntsBc tsBcla! la!"an "ants ts cla! cla!" "$ $ that that thy thy ha$ ha$ %n %n !n opn opn,, cont cont!n !nuo uous us,, cl clus us!v !v, , an$ an$ noto notor!o r!ous us possss!on an$ occupat!on !n oracay s!nc 19C@ an$ pa!$ ralty tas. Thy all'$ that ;rocla"at!on No. 1801 $clar!n' oracay 6slan$, a"on' othr !slan$s, cavs an$ pn!nsulas !n th ;h!l!pp!ns, as tour!st >ons an$ "ar!n rsrvs un$r th a$"!n! a$"!n!str strat! at!on on o& th ;h!l!p ;h!l!pp!n p!n Tour!s our!s" " uthor! uthor!ty ty (;T (;T) $!$ not plac plac oracay %yon$ th co""rc o& "an, thus th !slan$ #as suscpt!%l o& pr!vat o#nrsh!p. Th RT rn$r$ a $c!s!on !n &avor o& rspon$ntsBcla!"ants. Th ourt o& ppals a&&!r"$ th $c!s!on o& RT. 6n G.R. No. 1?3??@, r. Orlan$o acay, an$ othr oracay lan$o#nrs &!l$ a pt!t!on &or proh!%!t!on, "an$a"us, an$ null!&!cat!on o& ;rocla"at!on No. 10*C. Th pt!t!onrs pt!t!onrsBcla!" Bcla!"ants ants all'$ all'$ that th ;rocla"at!on ;rocla"at!on !n&r!n'$ !n&r!n'$ on th!r -pr!or vst vst$ $ r!'h r!'hts ts-- ovr ovr port port!o !ons ns o& ora oraca cay y #h!c #h!ch h thy thy poss posss ss s$ $ s!nc s!nc t!" t!" !"""or!al. ;rocla"at!on No. 10*C class!&!$ oracay 6slan$ !nto &our hun$r$ (C00) (C00) hctar hctars s o& rsrv rsrv$ $ &orst &orst lan$ lan$ (prot (protct! ct!on on purpos purposs) s) an$ s! hun$r hun$r$ $ t#nty t#ntyB! B!'ht 'ht an$ 9*D100 9*D100 (*8.9 (*8.9*) *) hctar hctars s o& a'r!cu a'r!cultu ltural ral lan$ lan$ (al!n (al!na%l a%l an$ $!sposa%l). 6ssu: 7hthr or not th cla!"ants hav a r!'ht to scur t!tls ovr th!r occup!$ port!ons !n oracay. oracay. l$: Th R'al!an octr!n $!ctats that all lan$s o& th pu%l!c $o"a!n %lon' to th tat. Th ourt has t!" an$ a'a!n "phas!>$ that thr "ust % a pos!t!v act o& th 'ovrn"nt, such as an o&&!c!al procla"at!on, $class!&y!n' !nal!na%l pu%l!c lan$ !nto $!sposa%l lan$ &or a'r!cultural or othr purposs. 6n th cas at %ar, no such procla"at!on, cut!v cut!v or$r, a$"!n!strat!v act!on, act!on, rport, statut, or crt!&!cat!on #as prsnt$ to th ourt. oracay #as an unclass!&!$ lan$ o& th pu%l!c $o"a!n pr!or to ;rocla"at!on No. 10*C. ;rocla"at!on No. 10*C o& 00* pos!t!vly $clar$ part o& oracay as al!na%l an$ opn$ th sa" to pr!vat o#nrsh!p. Thr ar t#o r5u!s!ts &or
Th ta $clarat!ons !n th na" o& pr!vat cla!"ants ar !nsu&&!c!nt to prov th &!rst l"nt o& possss!on. Th cont!nu$ possss!on an$ cons!$ra%l !nvst"nt o& pr!vat cla!"ants $o not auto"at!cally '!v th" a vst$ r!'ht !n oracay. Th ourt rul$ that: Ito ang batas at ito ang dapat umiral. Th pt!t!on &or crt!orar! !n G.R. No. 1*??0? !s 'rant$ #h!l th pt!t!on &or crt!orar! !n G.R. No. 1?3??@ !s $!s"!ss$ &or lac o& "r!t.
alu% vs. (G.R. No. 11@*3C, pr!l ?, 000)
Facts: On January 8, 199, Th Forst ;rotct!on an$ 2a# /n&orc"nt Ta" o& th o""un!ty /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs O&&!c (/NRO) o& th /NR apprhn$$ t#o () "otor vh!cls loa$$ #!th !ll'allyBsourc$ lu"%r valu$ at ;8,@CC.?@ an$ ;9,18?.. Th $r!vrs, %u'an$a an$ Ga%on, &a!l$ to prsnt prt!nnt $ocu"nts an$Dor l!cnss. Th vh!cls an$ th loa$ o& lu"%r #r s!>$ an$ !"poun$$ at th /NRB;/NR (part"nt o& /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural RsourcsB;rov!nc!al /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs). Rspon$nts &!l$ a co"pla!nt &or th rcovry o& possss!on o& th t#o () !"poun$$ vh!cls #!th an appl!cat!on &or rplv!n a'a!nst pt!t!onrs !n th RT. Th RT 'rant$ th appl!cat!on &or rplv!n. ;t!t!onrs &!l$ a "ot!on to $!s"!ss #h!ch #as $n!$ %y th tr!al court. ;t!t!onrs &!l$ #!th th upr" ourt th prsnt ;t!t!on &or rt!orar!, ;roh!%!t!on an$ +an$a"us #!th appl!cat!on &or ;rl!"!nary 6n$ ar pt !n a scur$ plac an$ protct$ &ro" $tr!orat!on, sa!$ proprty %!n' !n custodia legis an$ su%<ct to th $!rct or$r o& th upr" ourt. 6n a Rsolut!on !ssu$ on pt"%r 8, 199, th ourt r&rr$ sa!$ pt!t!on to th ourt o& ppals &or appropr!at $!spos!t!on %ut sa!$ pt!t!on #as $n!$ &or lac o& "r!t. 6t rul$ that th "r s!>ur o& a "otor vh!cl pursuant to th author!ty 'rant$ %y ct!on *8 E?8 o& ;.. No. ?0@ as a"n$$ %y /.O. No. ?? $os not auto"at!cally plac sa!$ convyanc !n custodia legis. Th not$ that th pt!t!onrs &a!l$ to o%srv th propr proc$ur %caus thy #r una%l to su%"!t a rport o& th s!>ur to th /NR crtary, to '!v a #r!ttn not!c to th o#nr o& th vh!cl, an$ to rn$r a rport o& th!r &!n$!n's an$ rco""n$at!ons to th crtary. 6n &a!l!n' to &ollo# such proc$ur, accor$!n' to th appllat court, th su%<ct vh!cls coul$ not % cons!$r$ !n custodia legis.
Th also &oun$ no "r!t !n pt!t!onrs= cla!" that pr!vat rspon$nts= co"pla!nt &or rplv!n !s a su!t a'a!nst th tat.
6ssu: (1) 7hthr or not th /NRBs!>$ "otor vh!cl, #!th plat nu"%r FN 1C3, !s !n custodia legis. () 7hthr or not th co"pla!nt &or th rcovry o& possss!on o& !"poun$$ vh!cls, #!th an appl!cat!on &or rplv!n, !s a su!t a'a!nst th tat.
l$: (1) Th Rv!s$ Forstry o$ author!>s th /NR to s!> all convyancs us$ !n th co""!ss!on o& an o&&ns !n v!olat!on o& ct!on ?8. Th prov!s!on "as "r possss!on o& t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts #!thout th acco"pany!n' l'al $ocu"nts unla#&ul an$ pun!sha%l #!th th pnalt!s !"pos$ &or th cr!" o& th&t, as prscr!%$ !n rt!cls 309B310 o& th Rv!s$ ;nal o$. 6n th prsnt cas, th su%<ct vh!cls #r loa$$ #!th &orst pro$ucts at th t!" o& th s!>ur. No pr"!t v!$nc!n' author!ty to possss an$ transport sa!$ loa$ o& &orst pro$ucts #as $uly prsnt$. Ths pro$ucts, !n turn, #r $"$ !ll'ally sourc$. !nc thr #as a v!olat!on o& th Rv!s$ Forstry o$ an$ th s!>ur #as !n accor$anc #!th la#, !n our v!# th su%<ct vh!cls #r val!$ly $"$ !n custodia legis. 6t coul$ not % su%<ct to an act!on &or rplv!n. For !t !s proprty la#&ully tan %y v!rtu o& l'al procss an$ cons!$r$ !n th custo$y o& th la#, an$ not othr#!s. proprty that !s val!$ly $pos!t$ !n custodia legis cannot % th su%<ct o& a rplv!n su!t. () s. Th acts &or #h!ch th pt!t!onrs ar %!n' call$ to account #r pr&or"$ %y th" !n th $!schar' o& th!r o&&!c!al $ut!s. Th acts !n 5ust!on ar clarly o&&!c!al !n natur. 6n !"pl"nt!n' an$ n&orc!n' ct!ons ?8B an$ 89 o& th Forstry o$ throu'h th s!>ur carr!$ out, pt!t!onrs #r pr&or"!n' th!r $ut!s an$ &unct!ons as o&&!crs o& th /NR, an$ $!$ so #!th!n th l!"!ts o& th!r author!ty. Thr #as no "al!c nor %a$ &a!th on th!r part. nc, a su!t a'a!nst th pt!t!onrs #ho rprsnt th /NR !s a su!t a'a!nst th tat. 6t cannot prospr #!thout th tat=s consnt. Th pt!t!on !s 'rant$.Th Or$r !ssu$ %y th RT o& at%alo'an an$ th 7r!t o& rplv!n !ssu$ !n th Or$r ar anull$. Th hr!&& o& th at%alo'an RT, ranch 9, !s $!rct$ to ta possss!on o& th su%<ct "otor vh!cl, #!th plat nu"%r FN 1C3, &or $l!vry to th custo$y o& an$ appropr!at $!spos!t!on %y pt!t!onrs.
2al!can vs. r'ara (G.R. No. 108*19, July 31, 199?) Facts:Th !ty ;roscutor o& ;urto ;r!ncsa !ty &!l$ an !n&or"at!on &or v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;.. No. ?0@, as a"n$$ %y /cut!v Or$r No. ??, a'a!nst pt!t!onr /p!&an!o 2al!can, 1 Ru%n n!t>, llan ;ul'ar an$ Jos Ro%lo %&or th RT. 6t #as all'$ that th pt!t!onrs hav !n th!r posss!on, on %oar$ t#o () passn'r <ps, 1,800 %oar$ &t o& lu"%r a"ount!n' to ;1C,000. ll pla$$ 'u!lty !n th arra!'n"nt. 2al!can &!l$ a "ot!on to 5uash !n&or"at!on on th 'roun$ that !t v!olat$ h!s const!tut!onal r!'hts to $u procss an$ 5ual protct!on o& th la#. &urthr all'$ that sa!$ $cr -$os not apply to =lu"%r=. Th lo#r court rsov$ to 5uash th !n&or"at!on stat!n' that th la# prov!$$ th $!st!nct!ons %t#n -t!"%r- an$ -lu"%r-. Th proscut!on &!l$ a "ot!on &or th rcons!$rat!on all'!n' that th accus$ prsnt$ p!r$ ;r!vat 2an$ T!"%r ;r"!t #hn apprhn$$. Th <ps #r also not 5!pp$ #!th crt!&!cats o& transport a'r"nt. Th lo#r court st as!$ th Or$r o& th prv!ous
a%snc o& l'!slat!v !ntnt to th contrary, #or$s an$ phrass us$ !n a statut shoul$ % '!vn th!r pla!n, or$!nary, an$ co""on usa' "an!n'. n$ !nso&ar as possss!on o& t!"%r #!thout th r5u!r$ l'al $ocu"nts !s concrn$, ct!on *8 o& ;.. No. ?0@, as a"n$$, "as no $!st!nct!on %t#n ra# or procss$ t!"%r. N!thr shoul$ #. Ubi lex non distinguit nec nos distinguere debemus. To clu$ possss!on o& -lu"%r- &ro" th acts pnal!>$ !n c. *8 #oul$ crta!nly "asculat th la# !tsl&. la# shoul$ not % so constru$ as to allo# th $o!n' o& an act #h!ch !s proh!%!t$ %y la#, nor so !ntrprt$ as to a&&or$ an opportun!ty to $&at co"pl!anc #!th !ts tr"s, crat an !ncons!stncy, or contravn th pla!n #or$s o& th la#. 7h!l !t !s tru that th r!'hts o& an accus$ "ust % &avor$ !n th !ntrprtat!on o& pnal prov!s!ons o& la#, !t !s 5ually tru that #hn th 'nral #l&ar an$ !ntrst o& th popl ar !ntr#ovn !n th proscut!on o& a cr!", th ourt "ust arr!v at a solut!on only a&tr a &a!r an$ $. Th pt!t!on !s $!s"!ss$.
;alla$a vs. ;h!l!pp!ns (G.R. No. 131?0, +arch 1?, 000) Facts: /NR o&&!crs an$ th ;N; ra!$$ th alnc!a Gol$n arvst orporat!on=s #arhous an$ &oun$ lu"%r !n var!ous s!>s const!tut!n' to 9,99.@ %oar$ &t, #orth ;C88,33C.C@ !n total. Th co"pany prsnt$ rc!pts ssu$ %y R.2. R!vro 2u"%ryar$ as proo& %ut th rc!pts #r not rco'n!>$. R. 2. R!vro 2u"%ryar$=s pr"!t to oprat ha$ lon' %n suspn$$. lso, th p!cs o& lu"%r #r cut %y cha!n sa# an$ thus coul$ not hav co" &ro" a l!cns$ sa#"!ll oprator. ll th lu"%r !n th #arhous ha$ %n s!>$, ho#vr, pt!t!onr ;alla$a r&us$ to s!'n &or th s!>ur or$rs !ssu$ %y th /NR o&&!crs. ;t!t!onrs #r latr char'$ #!th v!olat!on o& ct. *8 o& ; ?0@. ccus$ ;r&cto ;alla$a an$ Franc!sco Tan!o #r &oun$ 'u!lty o& th cr!" char'$. Thy appal$ to th . Th a&&!r"$ pt!t!onr=s conv!ct!on %ut ac5u!tt$ Tan!o &or lac o& proo& o& h!s part!c!pat!on !n th purchas or ac5u!s!t!on o& th s!>$ lu"%r. ;t!t!onr &!l$ a pt!t!on. 6ssu: 7hthr or not th crt!&!cat o& t!"%r #as not th propr $ocu"nt to
/vn assu"!n' that a rt!&!cat o& T!"%r Or!'!n coul$ srv as a su%st!tut &or rt!&!cat o& 2u"%r Or!'!n, th tr!al court an$ th ourt o& ppals #r
;opl vs. ator, Gnol, Tln (G.R. No. 13*1C, Octo%r C, 000)
FT: ;astor Tln an$ h!s coBaccus$ #r char'$ #!th th cr!" o& v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;rs!$nt!al cr No. ?0@ &or possss!on o& 1,@*0.1* %oar$ &t o& assort$ lu"%r (p!cs o& !ta lu"%r an$ 10 p!cs o& nt!polo lu"%r) o& $!&&rnt $!"ns!ons valu$ at ;3,@00.00 #!thout any l'al $ocu"nt on %oar$ an 6su>u car'o truc %ar!n' ;lat No. F *8 r'!str$ !n th na" o& outhrn 2yt Far"rs 'roB6n$ustr!al ooprat!v, 6nc. (2/F6O) #h!ch !s a local cooprat!v.. ccus$ ntr$ th pla o& -Not 'u!lty- !n th arra!'n"nt. ;astor Tln tst!&!$ that h n$$ lu"%r to rnovat th hous o& h!s 'ran$parnts !n aran'ay %'ao, +aas!n, outhrn 2yt #hr h rs!$s. 2onor,#ho #as th O&&!cr !n har' o& /NRO !n +aas!n, outhrn 2yt, all'$ly allo#$ Tln to cut th a'!n' !ta trs only. #as assur$ that a #r!ttn pr"!t #as not ncssary %&or h coul$ cut th !ta trs, #h!ch ar cons!$r$ so&t lu"%r, &ro" th pr!vat lan$ o& h!s "othr, prov!$$ th sa" #oul$ % us$ clus!vly &or th rnovat!on o& h!s hous an$ that h shall plant trs as rplac"nt thro&, #h!ch h $!$ %y plant!n' G"l!na s$l!n's. RT rn$r$
/2: s. Tln contn$s that h scur$ vr%al pr"!ss!on &ro" oy 2onor, O&&!crB!nBhar' o& th /NRB/NRO !n +aas!n, outhrn 2yt %&or cutt!n' th lu"%r, an$ that th lattr purport$ly assur$ h!" that #r!ttn pr"!t #as not any"or ncssary %&or cutt!n' so&t lu"%r, such as th nt!polo an$ !ta trs !n th!s cas, &ro" a pr!vat trac o& lan$, to % us$ !n rnovat!n' appllantIs hous, prov!$$ that h #oul$ plant trs as rplac"nts thro&, #h!ch h alra$y $!$. Hn$r th /NR $"!n!strat!v Or$r No. ?9, no pr"!t !s r5u!r$ !n th cutt!n' o& plant$ trs #!th!n t!tl$ lan$s cpt n'ut p!n an$ pr"!u" spc!s l!st$ un$r /NR $"!n!strat!v Or$r No. ?8, r!s o& 198?, na"ly: narra, "olav, $ao, a"a'on', !p!l, acac!a, al, apan!t, %anuyo, %at!ul!n', %t!s, %olon'Bta, alantas, lant, lu"%ayao, san'!lo, supa, ta, t!n$alo an$ "an''!s. Th var!t!s o& lu"%r &or #h!ch th appllant !s %!n' hl$ l!a%l &or !ll'al possss!on $o not %lon' to th pr"!u" spc!s nu"rat$ un$r /NR $"!n!strat!v Or$r No. ?8, r!s o& 198?. o#vr, un$r th sa" /NR a$"!n!strat!v or$r, a crt!&!cat!on &ro" th /NRO concrn$ to th &&ct that th &orst pro$ucts ca" &ro" a t!tl$ lan$ or ta $clar$ al!na%l an$ $!sposa%l lan$ "ust st!ll % scur$ to acco"pany th sh!p"nt. Th appllant &a!l$ to $o th!s. Th $c!s!on o& +aas!n RT !s a&&!r"$.
;!cop Rsourcs, 6nc. vs. alo (G.R. No. 1*1?98, Octo%r 0, 00C)
FT: ;r!vat rspon$nts /$uar$o as!a, an$ othrs, %y #ay o& a class su!t, o& th ""%rs o& th Hn!t$ Far"rs ssoc!at!on o& !sl!' (HF), &!l$ a co"pla!nt %&or th RT o& 'usan $l Nort an$ utuan !ty to hav th +"oran$a, rn$r$ %y /NR #h!ch $s!'nat$ th pt!t!onr as th $pos!tory an$ custo$!an &or apprhn$$ &orst pro$ucts an$ convyancs #!th!n !ts concss!on, % $clar$ null an$ vo!$ an$ rstra!n th /NR an$ th!r rprsntat!vs, !nclu$!n' hr!n pt!t!onr, &ro" !"pl"nt!n' th +"oran$a. ;r!vat rspon$ntsBco"pla!nants #r so" o& thos apprhn$$ %y ;6O;I scur!ty o&&!crs transport!n' #!thout any pr"!t svral hun$r$ cu%!c "trs o& &alcata lo's all'$ly 'ro#n !n pt!t!onrIs plantat!on. Th RT susta!n$ th val!$!ty o& th +"oran$u". ;t!t!onr "ov$ &or rcons!$rat!on %ut th!s #as $n!$ &or lac o& "r!t. Th pt!t!onr &!l$ a pt!t!on &or crt!orar! %&or th %ut th sa" #as $!s"!ss$ &or lac o& "r!t. ;t!t!onr ha$ no r!'ht or !ntrst to protct !n th con&!scat$ &orst pro$ucts an$ convyancs. ;t!t!onrIs co"poun$ #as us$ only as a $pos!tory &or th con&!scat$ lo's an$ convyancs %y v!rtu o& th +"oran$u" $at$ F%ruary 1*, 001. N!thr $!$ pt!t!onr cla!" o#nrsh!p o& th con&!scat$ convyancs. 7h!l !t cla!"$ that so" o& th con&!scat$ &orst pro$ucts "ay hav co" &ro" !ts concss!on ara, pt!t!onr a$"!tt$ that th o#nrsh!p o& th con&!scat$
pro$ucts #as st!ll to % $tr"!n$ !n th cass pn$!n' !thr at th /NROB !sl!' or at th O&&!c o& th Govrn"nt ;roscut!onBur!'ao $l ur. nc, pt!t!onrIs !ntrst !n th con&!scat$ &orst pro$ucts #as "rly cont!n'nt an$ cannot % "atr!al as cont"plat$ un$r ct!on , Rul 3 o& th Rv!s$ Ruls o& !v!l ;roc$ur. Ncssar!ly thr&or, pt!t!onr ha$ no %as!s to %r!n' th act!on a'a!nst rspon$nts an$ !t #as not nt!tl$ to th anc!llary r"$y o& a #r!t o& prl!"!nary !n$ pt!t!onr as o#nr o& th trs an$ othr pro$ucts !n th concss!on ara. 6H/: 7hthr or not th pt!t!onr shoul$ rta!n custo$y o& apprhn$$ "atr!als pursuant to th +"oran$a. /2: ;t!t!onr cannot cla!" th r!'ht to rta!n custo$y o& th apprhn$$ lo's an$ convyancs %y v!rtu o& !ts %!n' $s!'nat$ a $pos!tory o& th /NR pursuant to th assa!l$ +"oran$a. s such $pos!tory, pt!t!onr "rly hol$s th con&!scat$ pro$ucts an$ convyancs !n custo$y &or th /NR #h!l th a$"!n!strat!v or cr!"!nal proc$!n's r'ar$!n' sa!$ pro$ucts !s pn$!n'. Thr !s no rason &or pt!t!onr to r&us to han$ ovr possss!on o& th vh!cls an$ &orst pro$ucts s!nc, %!n' con&!scat$ !t"s, thy #!ll hav to % han$$ ovr to th propr 'ovrn"nt a'nc!s &or appropr!at $!spos!t!on proc$!n's. Furthr"or, th trans&r o& custo$y o& th con&!scat$ pro$ucts an$ convyancs #!ll not !n any #ay plac pt!t!onr at a $!sa$vanta'. ;t!t!onr !s "rly a $pos!tory an$ th rlas o& th convyancs an$ pro$ucts to th 'ovrn"nt a'nc!s concrn$ has to % $on %ut only !n co"pl!anc #!th la#&ul court or$rs. 6t shoul$ also % r""%r$ that th +"oran$u" $at$ F%ruary 1*, 001, #h!ch $s!'nat$ pt!t!onr as a /NR $pos!tory, ha$ %n rvo$ %y th +"oran$u" o& January 1, 00. s o& th &!l!n' o& th pt!t!on &or rv!# %&or th!s ourt on +arch 11, 00C, pt!t!onr no lon'r ha$ any r!'ht, as a $pos!tory, to rta!n possss!on o& th convyancs. ;t!t!on &or Rv!# !s $n!$.
Fl!p s"al, Jr. o., 6nc. vs. Th puty /cut!v crtary (G.R. No. ?9@38, Octo%r 18, 1990) FT: ;t!t!onr ntr$ !nto a t!"%r l!cns a'r"nt #!th th part"nt o& 'r!cultur an$ Natural Rsourcs. ;t!t!onr #as !ssu$ a l!cns to cut, collct an$ r"ov t!"%r cpt proh!%!t$ spc!s #!th!n a spc!&!$ port!on o& pu%l!c &orst lan$ #!th an ara o& @C,90 hctars locat$ !n +a$$la, Nuva !>caya &ro" Octo%r 1, 19*@ unt!l Jun 30, 19904 ho#vr, pt!t!onr rc!v$ a tl'ra" on u'ust @, 1983 an$ #as $!rct$ to stop all lo''!n' oprat!ons pursuant to th or$r o& th ;rs!$nt. 6ts T!"%r 2!cns 'r"nt (T2) #as also cancll$. 2atr, pt!t!onr larn$ that hal& o& h!s &or"r ara #as rBa#ar$$ to T#!n ;as vlop"nt an$ Ral!ty orporat!on #h!l th othr hal& #as allo#$ to % lo''$ %y F!l!p!nas 2o''rs, 6nc. ;t!t!onr &urthr all'$ that ths nt!t!s #r controll$ %y th all!s o& ;rs!$nt +arcos. Th +!n!stry o& Natural Rsourcs E+NR rul$ that th t!"%r l!cns #as not a contract #!th!n th $u procss claus o& th onst!tut!on, %ut only a pr!v!l' #h!ch coul$ % #!th$ra#n #hnvr pu%l!c !ntrst or #l&ar so $"an$s, an$ that pt!t!onr #as not $!scr!"!nat$ a'a!nst !n v!# o& th &act that !t #as a"on' tn concss!ona!rs #hos l!cnss #r rvo$ !n 1983. ;t!t!onr &!l$ &or rcons!$rat!on %ut #as $n!$. ;t!t!onrIs appal to th O&&!c o& th ;rs!$nt #as also $n!$. Th pt!t!onr &!l$ a pt!t!on &or crt!orar!.
6H/: 7hthr or not pu%l!c rspon$nts hr!n act$ #!th 'rav a%us o& $!scrt!on a"ount!n' to lac or css o&
/2: No. 6t !s an sta%l!sh$ $octr!n !n th!s a . Th accus$ $n!$ accusat!on an$ ntr$ Knot 'u!ltyL pla %ut th v!$nc prov!$$ %y th proscut!on sho#$ that $ur!n' an !nvst!'at!on on F%ruary 1, 1990 Jul!an 2ascano, +anul an'alan, R!car$o alla$ol!$, Nat!v!$a$ 2'asp! sa# slu"ps o& trs. !r'!l!o on a$"!tt$ or$r!n' th cutt!n' an$ sa#!n' o& th trs !nto lu"%r. Th tr!al court conv!ct$ th accus$. Thy appal$ to th . Th rul$ that th c!rcu"stant!al v!$nc #as su&&!c!nt to conv!ct pt!t!onr, !r'!l!o an$ Rosal!o. Th ac5u!tt$ l
prsonal no#l$' o& th #!tnss, %ut on that o& so" othr prson #ho !s not on th #!tnss stan$. nc, !n&or"at!on that !s rlay$ to th &or"r %y th lattr %&or !t rachs th court !s cons!$r$ harsay. +orovr, a partyIs vr%al a$"!ss!on that !s sta%l!sh$ throu'h th tst!"on!s o& th prsons #ho har$ !t &all un$r ct!on * o& Rul 130 o& th Ruls o& ourt. ccor$!n' to th!s prov!s!on, -Eth act, $clarat!on or o"!ss!on o& a party as to a rlvant &act "ay % '!vn !n v!$nc a'a!nst h!".- Th!s rul !s %as$ upon th not!on that no "an #oul$ "a any $clarat!on a'a!nst h!"sl&, unlss !t !s tru. Th tst!"ony o& pt!t!onr "ay, thr&or, % rc!v$ !n v!$nc a'a!nst h!". 6n th !nstant cas, 2ascano an$ an'alan tst!&!$ that on F%ruary 1, 1990, thy ha$ har$ pt!t!onr a$"!t to hav!n' or$r$ th cutt!n' o& th trs. Th!r tst!"on!s cannot % cons!$r$ as harsay &or thr rasons. First , thy #r !n$!sputa%ly prsnt an$ #!th!n har!n' $!stanc #hn h all'$ly "a$ th a$"!ss!on. Second , #hat #as sou'ht to % a$"!tt$ as v!$nc #as th &act that th uttranc #as actually "a$ %y pt!t!onr, not ncssar!ly that th "attrs stat$ thr!n #r tru. Third , pt!t!onr !s %arr$ &ro" 5ust!on!n' th a$"!ss!on o& an'alanIs tst!"ony, %caus h &a!l$ to o%<ct to !t at th t!" !t #as o&&r$. 6n th prsnt cas, th conv!ct!on o& pt!t!onr #as not $$uc$ solly &ro" h!s a$"!ss!on, %ut &ro" th con&lunc o& c!rcu"stant!al v!$nc sho#!n' h!s 'u!lt %yon$ rasona%l $ou%t.
hu vs. Ju$' Ta"!n (.+. No. RTJB03B1?8*, u'ust 8, 003) FT: o""un!ty /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs O&&!cr (/NRO) +!chal F. $la ru> cla!"$ that co"pla!nant #as !n possss!on o& K&orst pro$ucts o& $u%!ous or!'!nL. appl!$ &or a sarch #arrant pursuant to ct!on *8 o& ; ?0@, as a"n$$. Th $ &ro" th co"pla!nant. Th co"pla!nant o%ta!n$ cop!s o& th rcor$s o& th cas. not$ that th cop!s $!$ not conta!n any transcr!pt o& rspon$nt or h!s #!tnsss as r5u!r$ %y la#. o"pla!nant &!l$ an a$"!n!strat!v co"pla!nt. Th ;a'a$!an !ty RT &oun$ a copy o& th transcr!pt o& th a"!nat!on con$uct$ %y rspon$nt
&or" o& sarch!n' 5ust!ons an$ ans#rs, !n #r!t!n' an$ un$r oath, th co"pla!nant an$ th #!tnsss h "ay pro$uc on &acts prsonally no#n to th" an$ attach to th rcor$ th!r s#orn stat"nts, to'thr #!th th a&&!$av!ts su%"!tt$.I Th!s prov!s!on !"pl"nts th proscr!pt!on a'a!nst unrasona%l sarchs an$ s!>urs &oun$ !n ct!on , rt!cl 666 o& th onst!tut!on. 6n th prsnt cas, th ourt uphl$ th OIs &!n$!n's that rspon$nt
;opl vs. ourt o& F!rst 6nstanc o& u>on, Go$o&r$o rro>al an$ 2u!s Flors (G.R. No. 2BC*??, F%ruary 13, 199)
FT: Th rspon$nts #r char'$ #!th th cr!" o& 5ual!&!$ th&t o& lo's pursuant to ct!on *8 o& ;rs!$nt!al cr No. ?0@. Th rspon$nts ntr$ a pr!vat lan$ o#n$ %y Fl!c!tac!on ;u
r'!str$ !n th na" o& co"pla!nant=s $cas$ &athr, +acar!o ;ru$nt. Th &act that only th stat can 'rant a l!cns a'r"nt, l!cns or las $os not "a th stat th o#nr o& all th lo's an$ t!"%r pro$ucts pro$uc$ !n th ;h!l!pp!ns !nclu$!n' thos pro$uc$ !n pr!vat #oo$lan$s. Furthr"or, o#nrsh!p !s not an ssnt!al l"nt o& th o&&ns as $&!n$ !n ct!on *0 o& ;.. No. ?0@. Thus, th &a!lur o& th !n&or"at!on to all' th tru o#nr o& th &orst pro$ucts !s not "atr!al4 !t #as su&&!c!nt that !t all'$ that th ta!n' #as #!thout any author!ty or l!cns &ro" th 'ovrn"nt. () s. Th c!rcu"stancs !n th !nstant cas $o not &all un$r any o& th s!tuat!ons covr$ %y ct!on 80 o& ;.. ?0@. Th all'$ o&&ns #as co""!tt$ not !n th prsnc o& a &orst o&&!cr an$ n!thr #as th all'$ co""!ss!on rport$ to any &orst o&&!cr. Th o&&ns #as co""!tt$ !n a pr!vat lan$ an$ th co"pla!nt #as %rou'ht %y a pr!vat o&&n$$ party to th &!scal. 7!th th cpt!on o& th soBcall$ -pr!vat cr!"s- an$ !n lct!on o&&nss, proscut!ons !n ourts o& F!rst 6nstanc "ay % co""nc$ %y an !n&or"at!on s!'n$ %y a &!scal a&tr con$uct!n' a prl!"!nary !nvst!'at!on. ct!on 80 o& ;.. ?0@ $!$ not $!vst th &!scals o& th!s 'nral author!ty. N!thr $!$ th sa!$ $cr 'rant &orst o&&!crs th r!'ht o& prl!"!nary !nvst!'at!ons. 6n %oth cass un$r sa!$ c. 80 na"ly, 1) a&tr a &orst o&&!cr ha$ "a$ th arrst (&or o&&nss co""!tt$ !n h!s prsnc)4 or ) a&tr con$uct!n' an !nvst!'at!on o& rports or co"pla!nts o& v!olat!ons o& th $cr (&or v!olat!ons not co""!tt$ !n h!s prsnc) P h !s st!ll r5u!r$ to &!l th propr co"pla!nt #!th th appropr!at o&&!c!al $s!'nat$ %y la# to con$uct prl!"!nary !nvst!'at!ons !n court. a!$ sct!on shoul$ not % !ntrprt$ to vst clus!v author!ty upon &orst o&&!crs to con$uct !nvst!'at!ons r'ar$!n' o&&nss $scr!%$ !n th $cr rathr, !t shoul$ % constru$ as 'rant!n' &orst o&&!crs an$ "ploys spc!al author!ty to arrst an$ !nvst!'at o&&nss $scr!%$ !n ;.. ?0@, to r!n&orc th rc!s o& such author!ty %y thos upon #ho" !t !s vst$ %y 'nral la#. Th pt!t!on !s 'rant$.
;opl vs. u (G.R. No. 103*@, c"%r 1?, 199*)
FT: tnB#hlr truc #!th plat nu"%r ;B@C8 #as apprhn$$ !n 2aoa' !ty, 6locos Nort. Th truc conta!n$ coconut sla%s an$ sa#n lu"%r #r !nsrt$ !n %t#n th coconut sla%s. Th $r!vr 7!l&r$o acao, accus$B appllant 7!lson u, an$ anothr unna"$ prson &a!l$ to prsnt any $ocu"nts to support th car'o %ut thy sho#$ a crt!&!cat!on to &ac!l!tat transport o& th sla%s &ro" th o""un!ty /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs O&&!c (/NRO). Th s!>$ &orst pro$ucts cons!st$ o& @8 p!cs o& tan'u!l
lu"%r #!th a total volu" o& 3,?9.3 %oar$ &t an$ total assss$ valu o& ;93,3.@0. Th accus$Bappllant #as char'$ %&or th 2aoa' RT #!th v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;.. ?0@ as a"n$$ %y /.O. ??. ur!n' th tr!al, h prsnt$ th pr!vat lan$ t!"%r pr"!ts (;2T;) !ssu$ %y th /NR. Th tr!al court &oun$ accus$Bappllant 'u!lty an$ or$r$ th con&!scat!on o& th s!>$ lu"%r an$ th tnB#hlr truc o#n$ %y accus$Bappllant. u appal$.
6H/: 7hthr or not th accus$ appllant !s 'u!lty & or v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;.. ?0@
/2: s. Thr ar t#o () $!st!nct an$ sparat o&&nss pun!sh$ un$r ct!on *8 o& ;.. ?0@: (1) utt!n', 'athr!n', collct!n' an$ r"ov!n' t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts &ro" any &orst lan$, or t!"%r &ro" al!na%l or $!sposa%l pu%l!c lan$, or &ro" pr!vat lan$ #!thout any author!ty4 an$ () ;ossss!on o& t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts #!thout th l'al $ocu"nts r5u!r$ un$r !st!n' &orst la#s an$ r'ulat!ons. +r possss!on o& &orst pro$ucts #!thout th propr $ocu"nts consu""ats th cr!". Th accus$Bappllant, #hn apprhn$$ on +arch 8, 199C, &a!l$ to prsnt any crt!&!cat o& or!'!n o& th @8 p!cs o& tan'u!l lu"%r. ccus$B appllant=s possss!on o& th su%<ct lu"%r #!thout any $ocu"ntat!on clarly const!tuts an o&&ns un$r ct!on *8 o& ;.. ?0@. Th pt!t!on !s $!s"!ss$ an$ th $c!s!on appal$ &ro" !s a&&!r"$.
Rol$an, Jr. vs. on. +a$rona, t al. (G.R. No. 1@989, pt"%r C, 00)
FT: ;t!t!onr o#ns a parcl o& lan$ cons!st!n' o& a%out *0,000 s5uar "trs. Th pt!t!onr appl!$ &or a ;r!vat 2an$ T!"%r ;r"!t (;2T;) &ro" th /NR so that h can cut so" trs &or a propos$ roa$ an$ poultry &ar" !n h!s proprty. also pa!$ all th &s r5u!r$ %y th var!ous 'ovrn"nt a'nc!s. 7h!l #a!t!n' &or th pr"!t, pt!t!onr cut trs an$ %ull$o>$ th roa$#ay. ch!cn ca's us!n' th cut lo's. 7s latr, rprsntat!vs o& th o""un!ty /nv!ron"nt an$ Natural Rsourcs O&&!c (/NRO) an$ prsonnl &ro" th 6ntll!'nc rv!c, r"$ Forcs o& th ;h!l!pp!ns (6F;) o& Taclo%an !ty ra!$$ pt!t!onr=s plac an$ lo's #r con&!scat$ %ut thy &a!l$ to 't th lo's &or all'$ lac o& sarch #arrant. &tr a &# $ays, th /NRO 'roup an$ 6F; rturn$ #!th a sarch #arrant an$ con&!scat$ 8? p!cs o& sa#n lu"%rD&l!tchs, #h!ch !s a%out 8,@0* %oar$ &t, an$ thr &ll$ t!"%r lo's #!th a total "art valu o& ;3@,C@C.*8. co"pla!nt &or v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ; ?0@ as a"n$$ #as &!l$ a'a!nst hr!n pt!t!onr. Th !ty ;roscutor !ssu$ a rsolut!on &!n$!n' pro%a%l caus to conv!ct pt!t!onr. #arrant o& arrst #as !ssu$. ;t!t!onr &!l$ a "ot!on &or
6H/: (1) 7hthr or not th pt!t!onr !s cr!"!nally l!a%l un$r ct!on *8 o& ; ?0@ &or cutt!n' trs #!th!n h!s o#n proprty.
() 7hthr or not th o#nr o& th pr!vat proprty !s a$"!n!strat!vly l!a%l un$r c. 1C o& /NR $"!n!strat!v Or$r No. 000B1 $sp!t th &act that h $!$ not transport th lo's out o& h!s proprty an$
/2: (1) s. Hn$r ct!on *8, ; ?0@ as a"n$$ %y /.O. ??, th la# $os not $!st!n'u!sh #hthr or not th prson #ho co""!ts th pun!sha%l acts un$r th a&or"nt!on$ la# !s th o#nr o& th proprty, &or #hat !s "atr!al !n $tr"!n!n' th culpa%!l!ty o& a prson !s #hthr or not th prson or nt!ty !nvolv$ or char'$ #!th !ts v!olat!on posssss th r5u!r$ pr"!t, l!cns or author!>at!on &ro" /NR at th t!" h or !t cuts, 'athrs or collcts t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts. () s. ct!on 1C o& $"!n!strat!v Or$r No. 000B1, th -Rv!s$ Gu!$l!ns !n th 6ssuanc o& ;r!vat 2an$ T!"%r ;r"!tDpc!al ;r!vat 2an$ T!"%r ;r"!tL cons!$rs th "r act o& transport!n' any #oo$ pro$uct or t!"%r #!thout th prscr!%$ $ocu"nts as an o&&ns #h!ch !s su%<ct to th pnalt!s prov!$$ &or %y la#. Th pt!t!on !s $n!$ &or lac o& "r!t.
r!sosto"o !llar!n an$ n!ano 2atoy$a vs. ;h!l!pp!ns (G.R. No. ?@89, u'ust 31, 011)
FT: ;t!t!onrs !llar!n an$ 2ataya$a an$ th!r coBaccus$ a!llo an$ oyatac #r char'$ &or v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;.. No. ?0@ &or 'athr!n' an$ possss!on o& *3 p!cs &l!tchs o& vary!n' s!>s %lon'!n' to th p!ton' spc!
#!th a total volu" C,3* %oar$ &t valu$ at ; 108,[email protected],#!thout any author!ty an$ support!n' $ocu"nts as r5u!r$ un$r !st!n' &orst la#s. ur!n' th arra!'n"nt, th accus$ pla$$ not 'u!lty. Th pt!t!onrs cla!"$ that th &l!tchs #r !ntn$$ &or th rpa!r o& th ;a'alun'an r!$' an$ #r ac5u!r$ %y v!rtu o& aran'ay Rsolut!on No. 110 o& aran'ay ;a'alun'an. Th court !s not conv!nc$. Th tr!al court &oun$ hr!n pt!t!onrs an$ th $cas$ oyatac 'u!lty as char'$. ccus$ a!llo !s ac5u!tt$ &or lac o& v!$nc. ;t!t!onrs appal$ !n th %ut th appal #as $n!$.
6H/: 7hthr or not th pt!t!onr !s 'u!lty o& th cr!" o& !ll'al possss!on o& lu"%r !n v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& ;.. No. ?0@.
/2: Thr ar t#o $!st!nct an$ sparat o&&nss pun!sh$ un$r ct!on *8 o& ;.. No. ?0@: (1) utt!n', 'athr!n', collct!n' an$ r"ov!n' t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts &ro" any &orst lan$, or t!"%r &ro" al!na%l or $!sposa%l pu%l!c lan$, or &ro" pr!vat lan$ #!thout any author!>at!on4 an$ () ;ossss!on o& t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts #!thout th l'al $ocu"nts r5u!r$ un$r !st!n' &orst la#s an$ r'ulat!ons.6n th cas at %ar, th 6n&or"at!on char'$ pt!t!onrs #!th th scon$ o&&ns #h!ch !s consu""at$ %y th "r possss!on o& &orst pro$ucts #!thout th propr $ocu"nts. Thr !s no $!sput that pt!t!onrs #r !n construct!v possss!on o& th t!"%r #!thout th r5u!s!t l'al $ocu"nts. !llar!n an$ 2ataya$a #r prsonally !nvolv$ !n !ts procur"nt, $l!vry an$ stora' #!thout any l!cns or pr"!t !ssu$ %y any co"ptnt author!ty. G!vn ths an$ cons!$r!n' that th o&&ns !s "alu" proh!%!tu", pt!t!onrsI contnt!on that th possss!on o& th !ll'ally cut t!"%r #as not &or prsonal 'a!n %ut &or th rpa!r o& sa!$ %r!$' !s, thr&or, !ncons5unt!al. +r possss!on o& t!"%r #!thout th l'al $ocu"nts r5u!r$ un$r &orst la#s an$ r'ulat!ons "as on auto"at!cally l!a%l o& v!olat!on o& ct!on *8, ;rs!$nt!al cr (;..) No. ?0@, as a"n$$. 2ac o& cr!"!nal !ntnt !s not a val!$ $&ns. Th pt!t!on !s $n!$.
Oly"p!o Rvala$o vs. ;opl (G.R. No. 1?0@89, pr!l 1*, 009)
FT: ;t!t!onr #as char'$ #!th th cr!" o& !ll'al possss!on o& pr"!u" har$#oo$ lu"%r pursuant to ct!on *8 o& ; ?0@. ;t!t!onr #as !n possss!on o& 9*.1C %oar$ &t o& lu"%r #!th a total valu o& ; 1,?30.@ #!thout any ncssary $ocu"nts. ;t!t!onr pla$$ not 'u!lty $ur!n' th arra!'n"nt. ;t!t!onr cla!"$ that h #!ll us th lu"%r to rpa!r h!s hous an$ to "a &urn!tur h #oul$ sll. Th tst!"ony o& th #!tnss, polon!o aal!", prsnt$ %y th $&ns corro%orat$ that o& th pt!t!onr. ;t!t!onr tst!&!$ that h !s a carpntr spc!al!>!n' !n &urn!tur "a!n' #as #or!n' on an or$r$ $!v!$r &or a custo"r #hn pol!c"n arr!v$ an$ !nspct$ h!s lu"%r. ;t!t!onr a$"!tt$ to th pol!c"n that h ha$ no pr"!t to possss th lu"%r %caus thos #r only '!vn to h!" %y h!s rlat!vs. pla!n$ &urthr that th lu"%r #r !ntn$$ &or th rpa!r o& h!s $!lap!$at$ hous. 7!tnss, !on!s!o an$ol, tst!&!$ that h cut a -tu'as- tr on h!s lan$, sa#$ !t !nto lu"%r an$ $l!vr$ !t to pt!t!onr #ho pa!$ &or th la%or transport!n' th sa#n lu"%r. Th tr!al court conv!ct$ th pt!t!onr. Th lu"%r #r con&!scat$ an$ &or&!t$ !n &avor o& th 'ovrn"nt. Th a&&!r"$ th tr!al courtIs
6H/: 7hthr or not th pt!t!onr !s 'u!lty o& th cr!" o& !ll'al possss!on o& lu"%r !n v!olat!on o& ct!on *8 o& th Rv!s$ Forstry o$.
/2: Th s!>ur o& th lu"%r &ro" pt!t!onr #ho $!$ not hav th r5u!r$ pr"!t to possss th &orst pro$ucts cut !s sanct!on$ %y ct!on *8 o& th Forstry o$. Thr ar t#o $!st!nct an$ sparat o&&nss pun!sh$ un$r ct!on *8 o& th Forstry o$: (1) utt!n', 'athr!n', collct!n' an$ r"ov!n' t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts &ro" any &orst lan$, or t!"%r &ro" al!na%l or $!sposa%l pu%l!c lan$, or &ro" pr!vat lan$ #!thout any author!ty4 an$ () ;ossss!on o& t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts #!thout th l'al $ocu"nts r5u!r$ un$r !st!n' &orst la#s an$ r'ulat!ons. s th ourt hl$ !n ;opl v. u, !n th &!rst o&&ns, on can ra!s as a $&ns th l'al!ty o& th acts o& cutt!n', 'athr!n', collct!n', or r"ov!n' t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts %y prsnt!n' th author!>at!on !ssu$ %y th /NR. 6 n th scon$ o&&ns, ho#vr, !t !s !""atr!al #hthr th cutt!n', 'athr!n', collct!n' an$ r"oval o& th &orst pro$ucts ar l'al or not. +r possss!on o& &orst pro$ucts #!thout th propr $ocu"nts consu""ats th cr!". 7hthr or not th lu"%r co"s &ro" a l'al sourc !s !""atr!al %caus th Forstry o$ !s a spc!al la# #h!ch cons!$rs "r possss!on o& t!"%r or othr &orst pro$ucts #!thout th propr $ocu"ntat!on as "alu" proh!%!tu". ;t!t!onr #as !n possss!on o& th lu"%r #!thout th ncssary $ocu"nts #hn th pol!c o&&!crs accost$ h!". 6n opn court, pt!t!onr cat'or!cally a$"!tt$ th possss!on an$ o#nrsh!p o& th con&!scat$ lu"%r as #ll as th &act that h $!$ not hav any l'al $ocu"nts thr&or an$ that h "rly !ntn$$ to us th lu"%r &or th rpa!r o& h!s $!lap!$at$ hous. +r possss!on o& &orst pro$ucts #!thout th propr $ocu"ntat!on consu""ats th cr!". Th ourt a&&!r"$ th $c!s!on appal$ &ro".
