Ortigas & Co. vs Feati Bank & Trust Co. GR L24670 December 14, 1979
Ortigas & Co. vs Feati Bank & Trust Co. GR L24670 December 14, 1979
Facts:
On March 4, 1952, Ortigas sold Lot 5 and 6, Block
31 of the Highway Hills Subdivision at Mandaluyong to Augusto Padilla y Angeles
and Natividad Angeles. The latter transferred their rights in favour of Emma
Chavez, upon completion of payment a deed was executed with stipulations, one
of which is that the use of the lots are to be exclusive for residential
purposes only. This was annotated in the Transfer Certificate of Titles No.
101509 and 101511. Feati then acquired Lot 5 directly from Emma Chavez and Lot
6 from Republic Flour Mills. On May 5, 1963, Feati started construction of a
building on both lots to be devoted for banking purposes but could also be for
residential use. Ortigas sent a written demand to stop construction but Feati
continued contending that the building was being constructed according to the
zoning regulations as stated in Municipal Resolution 27 declaring the area
along the West part of EDSA to be a commercial and industrial zone. Civil case
No. 7706 was made and decided in favour of Feati.
Issue:
Whether or not Resolution number 27 declaring Lot 5
and 6 to be part of an industrial and commercial zone is valid considering the
contract stipulation in the Transfer Certificate of Titles.
Held:
Resolution No. 27 prevails over the contract
stipulations. Section 3 of RA 2264 of the Local Autonomy Act empowers a
Municipal Council to adopt zoning and subdivision ordinances or regulations for
the Municipality. Section 12 or RA 2264 states that implied power of the
municipality should be “liberally construed in it’s favour”, “to give more
power to the local government in promoting economic conditions, social welfare,
and material progress in the community”. This is found in the General Welfare
Clause of the said act. Although non-impairment of contracts is
constitutionally guaranteed, it is not absolute since it has to be reconciled
with the legitimate exercise of police power, e.g. the power to promote health,
morals, peace, education, good order or safety and general welfare of the
people. Resolution No. 27 was obviously passed in exercise of police power to
safeguard health, safety, peace and order and the general welfare of the people
in the locality as it would not be a conducive residential area considering the
amount of traffic, pollution, and noise which results in the surrounding
industrial and commercial establishments.
Decision dismissing the complaint of Ortigas is
AFFIRMED.
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