Over 900 expropriation cases expected as ‘Build, Build, Build’ program proceeds

The Supreme Court. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has designated special courts that will handle expropriation proceedings that are expected to increase by over 900 as the government proceeds with its “Build, Build, Build” projects.

In a memorandum circular released Monday, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has designated 11 special courts in Cavite, Manila, and Caloocan upon the request of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.

The “Build, Build, Build” project is the centerpiece program of the Duterte administration that aims to “usher the Golden Age of Infrastructure” in the country.

Expropriation is the action by the government of taking property from its owner for public use or benefit.

In his request, Villar said the DPWH is expected to file 902 expropriation cases for the government’s “big-ticket projects”– the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Project and the NLEX SLEX Connector Road Project.

The expropriation proceedings for the acquisition of right-of-way for the government’s priority projects are for properties along cities of Imus, Trece Martires, Dasmariñas, Tagaytay, Caloocan and Manila.

Based on the Memo issued by the Chief Justice, the following are designated Special Courts for Public Roads;

• Imus City Regional Trial Court Branch 20 presided by Presiding Judge Amabel R. Robles-Buenaluz;
• Imus City RTC Branch 22 presided by Executive Judge Mary Charlene V. Hernandez-Azura;
• Trece Martires City RTC Branch 23 presided by Presiding Judge Purificacion A. Baring-Tuvera;
• Trece Martires City RTC Branch 131 presided by Vice Executive Judge Jean Susan V. Desuado-Gill;
• Dasmariñas City RTC Branch 90 presided by Presiding Judge Francisco Victor L. Collado Jr.;
• Tagaytay City RTC Branch 133 presided by Presiding Judge Gian Enrico C. Navarro;
• Tagaytay City RTC Branch 134 presided by Presiding Judge Michael C. Maranan;
• Caloocan City RTC Branch 232 presided by Presiding Judge Rosalia I. Hipolito-Bunagan;
• Manila RTC Branch 22 presided by Presiding Judge Tammy Ann C. Reyes-Mendillo;
• Manila RTC Branch 18 presided by Presiding Judge Carolina I. Sison, and;
• Manila RTC Branch 49 presided by Presiding Judge James T. Sy.

“The designated Special Expropriation Courts for Public Roads shall have jurisdiction over newly filed expropriation cases involving national government infrastructure projects in their respective territorial jurisdiction,” the high court said.

JPV