Metropolitan Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay
Philippines Supreme Court
574 S.C.R.A. 661 (2008)
- Written by Sheryl McGrath, JD
Facts
In 1999, the Concerned Residents of Manila Bay (residents) (plaintiff) filed a lawsuit against multiple governmental agencies (collectively, the agencies) (defendants). In the complaint, the residents alleged that the agencies had failed in their responsibilities to protect the water quality of Manila Bay. The residents sought an order to hold the agencies jointly and severally liable for remediating water quality in the bay sufficient to render the water suitable for swimming and recreational use. In response, the agencies argued that their responsibilities were triggered only if a specific pollution incident occurred and that any cleanup of the bay was a discretionary governmental act rather than a mandatory governmental duty. The trial court ruled in favor of the residents and ordered the agencies to take certain actions within six months to restore the bay’s water quality. The agencies appealed, and an intermediate appellate court affirmed the trial court’s ruling. The agencies then appealed to the Philippines Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Velasco Jr., J.)
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