EN BANC

June 6, 2017

G.R. No. 211093

MINDANAO SHOPPING DESTINATION CORPORATION, ACE HARDWARE PHILS., INC., INTERNATIONAL TOYWORLD, INC., STAR
APPLIANCE CENTER, INC., SURPLUS MARKETING CORPORATION, WATSONS PERSONAL CARE STORES (PHILS.), INC., and
SUPERVALUE, INC., Petitioners
vs.
HON. RODRIGO R. DUTERTE, in his capacity as Mayor of Davao City, HON. SARA DUTERTE, Vice-Mayor of Davao City, in her
capacity as Presiding Officer of the Sanguniang Panlingsod, and THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD (CITY COUNCIL) NG
DAVAO, Respondents

DECISION

PERALTA, J.:

This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court seeking the reversal of the Decision dated August 29, 2013
1 2

and Resolution dated January 22, 2014 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 101482, which affirmed the Decision dated July 2, 2007
3

and Resolution dated October 31, 2007 of the Office of the President.

Petitioners Mindanao Shopping Destination Corporation, Ace Hardware Philippines, Inc., International Toyworld, Inc., Star Appliance Center,
Inc., Surplus Marketing Corporation, Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines), Inc. and Supervalue, Inc. (collectively as petitioners) are
corporations duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippine law and engaged in the retail business of selling general
merchandise within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City.
4

The facts are as follows:

On November 16, 2005, respondent Sangguniang Panglungsod of Davao City (Sanggunian ), after due notice and hearing, enacted the
assailed Davao City Ordinance No. 158-05, Series of 2005, otherwise known as "An Ordinance Approving the 2005 Revenue Code of the
City of Davao, as Amended' attested to by Vice-Mayor Hon. Luis B. Bonguyan (respondent Vice-Mayor), as Presiding Officer of
5

the Sanggunian, and approved by then City Mayor, Hon. Rodrigo R. Duterte, now the President of the Republic of the Philippines. The
Ordinance took effect after the publication in the Mindanao Mercury Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Davao City, for three (3)
consecutive days, December 23, 24 and 25, 2005. 6

Petitioners' particular concern is Section 69 (d) of the questioned Ordinance which provides:
7

Section 69. Imposition of Tax. There is hereby imposed on the following persons who establish, operate, conduct or maintain their respective
business within the City a graduated business tax in the amounts prescribed:

x x xx

(d) On Retailers

Gross Sales/Receipts for the Preceding Year Rates of Tax Per Annum

More than ₱50,000 but not over 2%

₱400,000.00

In excess of ₱400,000.00 1 1/2 %

However, barangays shall have the exclusive power to levy taxes on stores where the gross sales or receipts of the preceding calendar year
does not exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (₱50,000) subject to existing laws and regulations.

Xxx

Petitioners claimed that they used to pay only 50% of 1 % of the. business tax rate under the old Davao City Ordinance No. 230, Series of;
1990, but in the assailed new ordinance, it will require them to pay a tax rate of 1.5%, or an increase of 200% from the previous rate.
Petitioners believe that the increase is not allowed under Republic Act (RA) No. 7160, The Local Government Code (LGC). Consequently,
invoking the LGC, petitioners appealed to the DOJ, docketed as MTO-DOJ Case No. 02-2006, asserting the unconstitutionality and illegality
of Section 69 (d), for being unjust, excessive, oppressive, confiscatory and contrary to the 1987 Constitution and the provisions of the LGC.
Petitioners prayed that the questioned ordinance, particularly Section 69 (d) thereof be declared as null and void ab initio.

For lack of material time, the appeal was filed and served through registered mail. Unfortunately, when the appeal was mailed on January 24,
2006, the verification/certification of non-forum shopping and the postal money order, covering the payment of filing fees were not attached.
The attachments were mailed the next day, January 25, 2006, together with a covering manifestation. Petitioners received respondents'
Comment on the appeal on March 2, 2006; and, on June 27, 2006, petitioners received respondents' manifestation alleging that the appeal
should be deemed filed out of time for failure to pay the filing fees within the prescribed period.

In a Resolution dated July 12, 2006, the DOJ-OSec dismissed the appeal and denied petitioners' motion for reconsideration.
8 9

Meanwhile, on September 26, 2006, Davao City Ordinance No. 0253, Series of 2006 (Amended Ordinance), amended Section 69 (d) of the
questioned ordinance. In it, tax rate on retailers with gross receipts in excess of ₱400,000.00 was reduced from one and one-half percent (1
1/2%) to one and one-fourth percent (11/4%); Section 69 (d), as amended, now reads:

(d) On Retailers
Gross Sales/Receipts for the Preceding Year Rates of Tax Per Annum

More than ₱50,000 but not over 2%

₱400,000.00

In excess of ₱400,000.00 1 l/4 %

However, barangays shall have the exclusive power to levy taxes on stores where the gross sales or receipts of the preceding calendar year
does not exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (PS0,000) subject to existing laws and regulations.

With the above development, respondents maintained that the adjustment in the tax base no longer exceeds the limitation as set forth in
Section 191 of the LGC considering that the current Davao City tax rate of 1.25% on retailers with gross receipts/sales of over ₱400,000.00
under the assailed ordinance is way below or 0.25% short of the maximum tax rates of 1.5% for cities sanctioned by the LGC. Respondents
insist that there is thus no increase or adjustment to speak of under the premises which is violative of Section 191 of the LGC.

From the dismissal of the appeal and the denial of their motion for reconsideration, petitioners filed an appeal before the Office of the
President (OP). On July 2, 2007, the OP, finding no merit on petitioners' appeal, dismissed the latter. Petitioners moved for reconsideration,
10

but was denied anew in a Resolution dated October 31, 2007.

11

Unperturbed, petitioners filed a petition for review before the Court of Appeals. 12

On August 29, 2013, in the disputed Decision of the appellate court, the latter dismissed the petition, to wit:

WHEREFORE, the Petition is DISMISSED. The Decision dated July 2, 2007 and the Resolution dated October 31, 2007 of the Office of the
President in O.P. Case no. 06-L-425 are AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED. 13

Petitioners moved for reconsideration, but were denied in a Resolution dated January 22, 2014. Thus, the instant petition for review
14

on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court raising the following issues:

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS DESPITE THE PATENT ILLEGALITY AND UNCONSTITUTIONALITY,
UPHELD THE VALIDITY OF THE ORDINANCE AS WELL AS THE LOCAL SANGGUNIAN'S ARBITRARY EXERCISE OF ITS POWER TO
TAX WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN NOT ADDRESSING THE MAIN ISSUE RAISED BY
PETITIONERS AS A CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE. WHETHER THE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN FAILING TO APPRECIATE
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE OVER PROCEDURAL DEFICIENCIES

On the procedural issues, We find that at this stage of the proceeding, it is futile to belabor on the procedural deficiencies since the issue
timeliness of the appeal has become moot and academic considering that petitioners' appeal was given due course by the OP. In fact, both
the OP and the appellate court decided the appeal on the merits and not merely on technicality. We will, thus, proceed with the substantive
issues of the instant case.

Petitioners assert that although the maximum rate that may be imposed by cities on retailers with gross receipts exceeding P400,000.00 is
1.5% of the gross receipts, the maximum adjustment which can be applied once every five (5) years, is only 0.15% or 10% of the maximum
rate 1. 5% of the gross receipts in accordance with Section 191 of the LGC. However, petitioners lamented that the assailed Ordinance
increased the tax rate on them, as retailers, by more than the maximum allowable rate of 0.15%, from 50% of 1% (0.5%) of the gross
receipts to 1.5% (now, 1.25%) of the gross receipts, thus, violating Section 191 in relation to Sections 143 and 151 of the Code.

A perusal of the assailed new ordinance, particularly Section 69 (a) and (b) of Davao City Ordinance No. 158-05, Series of 2005, provides:

Section 69. Imposition of Tax. - There is hereby imposed on the following persons who establish, operates, conduct or maintain their
respective business within the city a graduated tax in the amounts hereafter prescribed:

xxxx

(b) On WHOLESALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, OR DEALERS, in any article of commerce of whatever kind or nature in
accordance with the following schedules:

Gross Sales/Receipts for the

Preceding Calendar Year
Amount of Tax per Annum

xxxx

In excess ₱2,000,00.00 At a rate of fifty-five

(55%) percent of one
percent (1%)

xxxx

(d) On RETAILERS:

Rate of Tax Per Annum

Gross Sales/Receipts for the
Preceding Calendar Year

More than ₱50,000.00 but not 2%

over ₱400,000.00
 In excess of P400,000.00 1 1/2%

xxx 15

Petitioners claim that the assailed tax ordinance is violative of the Local Government Code, specifically Section 191, in relation to Sections
143 and 151, to wit:

Section 191. Authority of Local Government Units to Adjust Rates of Tax Ordinances. - Local government units shall have the authority to
adjust the tax rates as prescribed herein not oftener than once every five (5) years, but in no case shall such adjustment exceed ten percent
(10%) of the rates fixed under this Code.

Section 143 (d). Tax on Business. - The municipality may impose taxes on the following businesses:

xxxx

(d) On retailers

With gross sales or receipts for the Rate of Tax Per

preceding calendar year in the amount Annum
of:

₱400,000.00 or less 2.00%

More than ₱400,000.00 1.00%

Section 151. Scope of Taxing Powers. - Except as otherwise provided in this Code, the city, may levy the taxes, fees,
and charges which the province or municipality may impose: Provided, however, That the taxes, fees and charges
levied and collected by highly urbanized and independent component cities shall accrue to them and distributed in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.

The rates of taxes that the city may levy may exceed the maximum rates allowed for the province or municipality by not
more than fifty percent (50%) except the rates of professional and amusement taxes. 16

We disagree.

Under the old tax ordinance of Davao City, Ordinance No. 230, Series of 1990, wholesalers and retailers were grouped as one, thus, the tax
base and tax rate imposed upon retailers were the same as that imposed upon wholesalers. Subsequently, with the implementation of
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the latter authorized a difference in the tax
treatment between wholesale and retail businesses. Where before under the old tax ordinance, Davao City retailers only paid Yi of 1 % of the
gross sales/receipts exceeding ₱2,000,000.00, now under the new tax ordinance, retailers would have to pay l.25o/o of the gross
sales/receipts exceeding ₱400,000.00.

However, it must be emphasized that the assailed new tax ordinance is actually the initial implementation by the Davao City local
government of the tax provisions of R.A 7160 (LGC) considering that the old tax ordinance of Davao City was enacted in 1990, or prior to the
effectivity of the LGC on January 1, 1992. It then would explain why the old tax ordinance of Davao City lumped under one business tax and
under the same set of tax rates these two business activities - retail and wholesale. There is no provision under Batas Pambansa Big.
337, the old LGC, which specifically define these business activities. Under Section 131 of R.A. 7160, however, wholesale and retail are
17 18

now defined, classified and taxed differently. It cannot be said then that Davao City, on its own, deliberately grouped these two business
activities under one business tax. To reiterate, it is only with the implementation of R.A. 7160 that these two business activities, i.e.,
wholesale and retail, were specifically defined, classified in different categories, and, thus, taxed differently. Corollarily, it is only sound that
by analogy, wholesalers and retailers should likewise be treated and classified differently to provide accuracy to the very meaning of its
rootword and to give meaning to the intention of the law.

Thus, considering that wholesale and retail were defined and classified differently under the LGC, it is then logical that they are, likewise,
given separate and distinct tax base. Article II, Sections 142 and 143 of the LGC provides:

ARTICLE I
Municipalities

Section 142. Scope of Taxing Powers. - Except as otherwise provided in this Code, municipalities may levy taxes, fees, and charges not
otherwise levied by provinces.

Section 143. Tax on Business. - The municipality may impose taxes on the following businesses:

x x xx

(b) On wholesalers, distributors, or dealers in any article of commerce of

whatever kind or nature in accordance with the following schedule:

With gross sales or receipts for the

preceding calendar year in the Amount of Tax Per Annum
amount of:

Less than ₱l,000.00 18

 ₱l,000.00 or more but less than
33.00
2,000.00

2,000.00 or more but less than

50.00
3,000.00

3,000.00 or more but less than

72.00
4,000.00

4,000.00 or more but less than

100.00
5,000.00

5,000.00 or more but less than

121.00
6,000.00

6,000.00 or more but less than

143.00
7,000.00

7,000.00 or more but less than

165.00
8,000.00

8,000.00 or more but less than

187.00
10,000.00

10,000.00 or more but less than

220.00
15,000.00

15,000.00 or more but less than

275.00
20,000.00

20,000.00 or more but less than

330.00
30,000.00

30,000.00 or more but less than

440.00
40,000.00

40,000.00 or more but less than

660.00
50,000.00

50,000.00 or more but less than

990.00
75,000.00

75,000.00 or more but less than

1,320.00
100,000.00

100,000.00 or more but less than

1,870.00
150,000.00

150,000.00 or more but less than

2,420.00
200,000.00

200,000.00 or more but less than

3,300.00
300,000.00

300,000.00 or more but less than

4,400.00
500,000.00

500,000.00 or more but less than

6,600.00
750,000.00

750,000.00 or more but less than

8,800.00
1,000,000.00

1,000,000.00 or more but less than

10,000.00
2,000,000.00

2,000,000.00 or more at a rate not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of one

percent (1%).

xxxx

(d) On retailers.

With gross sales or receipts for the Rate of Tax

preceding calendar year in the Per Annum
amount of:

₱400,000.00 or less 2%

more than ₱400,000.00 1%

Provided, however, That barangays shall have the exclusive power to levy taxes, as provided under Section 152 hereof, on gross sales or
receipts of the preceding calendar year of Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) or less, in the case of cities, and Thirty thousand pesos
(₱30,000.00) or less, in the case ofmunicipalities.
19

From the foregoing, it can be shown that the assailed ordinance does not violate the limitation imposed by Section 191 of the LGC on the
adjustment of tax rate for the following reasons:
Firstly, Section 191 of the LGC presupposes that the following requirements are present for it to apply, to wit: (i) there is a tax ordinance that
already imposes a tax in accordance with the provisions of the LGC; and (ii) there is a second tax ordinance that made adjustment on the tax
rate fixed by the first tax ordinance. In the instant case, both elements are not present.

As to the first requirement, it cannot be said that the old tax ordinance (first ordinance) was imposed in accordance with the provisions of the
LGC. To reiterate, the old tax ordinance of Davao City was enacted before the LGC came into law. Thus, the assailed new ordinance, Davao
City Ordinance No. 158-05, Series of 2005 was actually the first to impose the tax on retailers in accordance with the provisions of the LGC.

As to the second requirement, the new tax ordinance (second ordinance) imposed the new tax base and the new tax rate as provided by the
LGC for retailers. It must be emphasized that a tax has two components, a tax base and a tax rate. However, Section 191 contemplates a
1âwphi 1

situation where there is already an existing tax as authorized under the LGC and only a change in the tax rate would be effected. Again, the
new ordinance Davao City provided, not only a tax rate, but also a tax base that were appropriate for retailers, following the parameters
provided under the LGC. Suffice it to say, the second requirement is absent. Thus, given the absence of the above two requirements for the
application of Section 191 of the LGC, there is no reason for the latter to cover a situation where the ordinance, as in this case, was an initial
implementation of R.A. 7160. 1âwphi1

Secondly, Section 191 of the LGC will not apply because with the assailed tax ordinance, there is no outright or unilateral increase of tax to
speak of. The resulting increase in the tax rate for retailers was merely incidental. When Davao City enacted the assailed ordinance, it
merely intended to rectify the glaring error in the classification of wholesaler and retailer in the old ordinance. Petitioners are retailers as
contemplated by the LGC. Petitioners never disputed their classification as retailers.20 Thus, being retailers, they are subject to the tax rate
provided under Section 69 (d) and not under Section 69 (b) of the assailed ordinance. In effect, under the assailed ordinance as amended,
petitioners as retailers are now assessed at the tax rate of one and one-fourth (11;4%) percent on their gross sales and not the fifty-five
(55%) percent of one (1 %) percent on their gross sales since the latter tax rate is only applicable to wholesalers, distributors, or dealers. The
assailed ordinance merely imposes and collects the proper and legal tax due to the local government pursuant to the LGC. While it may
appear that there was indeed a significant adjustment on the tax rate of retailers which affected the petitioners, it must, however, be
emphasized that the adjustment was not by virtue of a unilateral increase of the tax rate of petitioners as retailers, but again, merely
incidental as a result of the correction of the classification of wholesalers and retailers and its corresponding tax rates in accordance with the
provisions of the LGC.

Indeed, as correctly pointed out by the appellate court, Section 191 is a limitation upon the adjustment, specifically on the increase in the tax
rates imposed by the local government units. We quote the appellate court's ruling with approval, to wit:

x x x Section 191 has no bearing in the instant case because what actually took place in the questioned Ordinance was the correction of an
erroneous classification, and not, an upward adjustment or increase of tax rates. The fact that there occurred an increase in payment due to
the reclassification is of no moment, because: (1) reclassification is not prohibited; (2) reclassification was made to effect a correction; and
(3) the taxes imposed upon the reclassified taxpayers, was not amended or increased from that stated in the Local Government Code. And, it
is worthwhile to mention that petitioners have not denied that they are engaged in the retail business, hence, the reclassification was right,
proper and legal. 21

Couched in similar conclusion is the ruling of the Office of the President where in the same manner it agreed that the adjustment in the tax
rate of petitioners did not violate the provisions of the LGC and the Constitution. The pertinent portion of the decision reads, thus:

Secondly, the office a quo correctly ruled that the City Government of Davao merely reclassified taxpayers earlier treated as one class into
separate classes thus subjecting them to different tax bases and tax rates such that "retailers" are no longer treated and taxed in the same
way as "wholesalers" unlike in the old ordinance. Distinctly defined from each other, a different tax treatment for each class of taxpayer is
reasonable. Such being the case, the maximum tax rate and tax base ceilings provided in Section 143, in relation to Section 151 of the Local
Government Code, is not in point as the prohibition/limitation refers to an adjustment or increase in the tax rate or tax base for the same
class of taxpayer. As held in PLDT, Inc. vs. City of Davao (399 SCRA 442), "statutes in derogation of sovereignty such as those containing
exemption from taxation should be strictly construed in favor of the State." 22

Thirdly, it must be pointed out that the limitation under Section 191 of the LGC was provided to guard against possible abuse of the LGU's
power to tax. In this case, however, strictly speaking, the new tax rate for petitioners as retailers under the assailed ordinance is not a case
23

where there was an imposition of a new tax rate, rather there is merely a rectification of an erroneous classification of taxpayers and tax
rates, i.e., of grouping retailers and wholesalers in one category, and their corresponding rates. The amendment of the old tax ordinance was
not intended to abuse the LGU's taxing powers but merely sought to impose the rates as provided under the LGC as in fact the tax rate
imposed was even lower than the rate authorized by the LGC. In effect, the assailed ordinance merely corrected the old ordinance so that it
will be in accord with the LGC. To rule otherwise is tantamount to pronouncing that Davao City can no longer correct the apparent en-or in
classifying wholesaler and retailer in the same category under its old tax ordinance. Such proposition runs counter to the well-entrenched
principle that estoppel does not apply to the government, especially on matters of taxation. Taxes are the nation's lifeblood through which
government agencies continue to operate and with which the State discharges its functions for the welfare of its constituents. 24

However, while Davao City may rectify and amend their old tax ordinance in order to give full implementation of the LGC, it, however, cannot
impose a straight 1.25% at its initial implementation of the LGC in so far as retailers are concerned. Davao City should, at the very least, start
with 1 % (the minimum tax rate) as provided under Section 143 (d) of the LGC. While Davao City cannot be faulted in failing to immediately
implement the LGC, petitioners cannot likewise be unjustly prejudiced by its initial implementation of the LGC. It is but fair and reasonable
that Davao City at its initial implementation of the LGC, impose the tax rates as provided in Section 143. It is only then that the imposition of
the tax rate on retailers will not be considered as confiscatory or oppressive, considering that the reclassification of wholesaler and retailer
and their corresponding tax rate being observed now is in accord with the LGC.

Furthermore, to clarify, the old ordinance, because it remained unchanged until the new tax ordinance was enacted in 2005, charged lower
tax rates for retailers which resulted in lower revenues of Davao City. Corollarily, while there was an increase in the amount of taxes to be
paid by petitioners as retailers, it should not be overlooked that the retailer has, in fact, benefited already for a long time under the old tax
ordinance because it paid lower taxes due to Davao City's failure to immediately implement the LGC. Davao City has already foregone a
substantial loss in revenues as a result of an unadjusted lower tax rate for retailers. Thus, dictated by justice and fairness, in its initial attempt
to implement the LGC, Davao City should, at the very least, start with 1 % (the minimum tax rate) as provided under Section 143 (d) of the
LGC. Considering that 11 years had already elapsed from its implementing in 2006, Davao City could adjust its tax rate twice now which will
make its adjusted tax rate for retailers pegged at 1.2%, in accordance with Section 191 of the LGC. To clarify, from 2006-2011 (first 5 years),
the initial tax rate should start with 1 %; from 2011-2016 (next 5 years) - 1.1%, thus, for the years 2017-2021, the tax adjustment is 1.21%.
However, for this purpose, Davao City should pass an ordinance to give effect to the above-discussed tax adjustments.

Again, based on the foregoing, Davao City merely implemented the LGC, albeit it resulted in - an increase in retailer's tax liability - which
nevertheless is not covered by Section 191 of the LGC. In any case, an ordinance based on reasonable classification does not violate the
constitutional guaranty of the equal protection of the law. The requirements for a valid and reasonable classification are: (1) it must rest on
substantial distinctions; (2) it must be germane to the purpose of the law; (3) it must not be limited to existing conditions only; and (4) it must
apply equally to all members of the same class. For the purpose of rectifying the erroneous classification of wholesaler and retailer in the old
ordinance in order to conform to the classification and the tax rates as imposed by the LGC is neither invalid nor unreasonable. The
differentiation of wholesaler and retailer conforms to the practical dictates of justice and equity and is not discriminatory within the meaning of
the Constitution. It is inherent in the power to tax that a State is free to select the subjects of taxation. Inequities which result from a singling
out of one particular class for taxation or exemption infringe no constitutional limitation.25

Settled is the rule that every law, in this case an ordinance, is presumed valid. To strike down a law as unconstitutional, petitioner has the
burden to prove a clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution, which petitioner miserably failed to do. 26

In Smart Communications, Inc. v. Municipality of Ma/var, Batangas, citing Lawyers Against Monopoly and Poverty (LAMP) v. Secretary of
27

Budget and Management, the Court held, thus:

28

To justify the nullification of the law or its implementation, there must be a clear and unequivocal, not a doubtful, breach of the Constitution.
In case of doubt in the sufficiency of proof establishing unconstitutionality, the Court must sustain legislation because "to invalidate [a law]
based on x x x baseless supposition is an affront to the wisdom not only of the legislature that passed it but also of the executive which
approved it." This presumption of constitutionality can be overcome only by the clearest showing that there was indeed an infraction of the
Constitution, and only when such a conclusion is reached by the required majority may the Court pronounce, in the discharge of the duty it
cannot escape, that the challenged act must be struck down.

WHEREFORE, the instant petition is PARTIALLY GRANTED. The Decision dated August 29, 2013 and the Resolution dated January 22,
2014 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 101482 are hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION in so far as the tax rate of 1.25% to
be imposed on petitioners is REDUCED to 1.21 %.

SO ORDERED.

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice
 THIRD DIVISION

January 17, 2018

G.R. No. 190289

THE CITY OF BACOLOD, HON. MAYOR EVELIO R. LEONARDIA, ATTY. ALLAN L. ZAMORA and ARCH. LEMUEL D. REYNALDO, in
their personal capacities and in their capacities as Officials of the City of Bacolod, Petitioners
vs.
PHUTURE VISIONS CO., INC., Respondent

DECISION

VELASCO, JR., J.:

Nature of the Case

Before the Court is a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court of the Decision dated February 27, 2009 and the
1

Resolution dated October 27, 2009 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CAG. R. SP No. 03322. The assailed rulings reversed the dismissal of
2

respondent's Petition for Mandamus and Damages with Prayer for Issuance of a Temporary Mandatory Order and/or Writ of Preliminary
Mandatory Injunction (Petition for Mandamus and Damages) by the Regional Trial Court of Bacolod City, Branch 49. 3

The Facts

The instant case stems from the Petition for Mandamus and Damages filed by respondent Phuture Visions Co., Inc. (Phuture) on March 5,
2007 against petitioners City of Bacolod, Hon. Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Atty. Allan L. Zamora (now deceased) and Arch. Lemuel D.
Reynaldo. In the Petition for Mandamus and Damages, Phuture alleged the following:

Phuture was incorporated in 2004. In May 2005, its Articles of Incorporation (AOI) was amended to, among others, include the operation of
lotto betting stations and/or other gaming outlets as one of its secondary purposes. Eventually, it applied with the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation (P AGCOR) for an authority to operate bingo games at the SM City Bacolod Mall (SM Bacolod), as well as with SM
Prime Holdings (SM Prime) for the lease of a space in the said building. Phuture was issued a provisional Grant of Authority (GOA) on
December 5, 2006 by P AGCOR, subject to compliance with certain requirements, and received an Award Notice from SM Prime on January
10, 2007.4

Thereafter, Phuture processed, completed and submitted to the Permits and Licensing Division of the City Mayor of Bacolod City its
Application for Permit to Engage in Business, Trade or Occupation to operate bingo games at SM Bacolod and paid the fees therefor. It was
then issued a claim slip for its permit on February 19, 2007, which was to be claimed on March 16, 2007. In the meantime, Phuture further
5

amended its AOI on February 27, 2007 to reflect its engagement in bingo operations as its primary purpose.

Phuture commenced bingo operations at SM Bacolod on March 2, 2007, prior to the issuance of the actual hard copy of the mayor's permit.
However, at around 6:10 a.m. of March 3, 2007, respondent learned that its bingo outlet was padlocked by agents of the Office of the City
Legal Officer and that a copy of a Closure Order dated March 2, 2007 was posted at the entrance of the bingo outlet. 6

Phuture claimed that the closure of its bingo outlet at SM Bacolod is tainted with malice and bad faith and that petitioners did not have the
legal authority to shut down said bingo operations, especially since PAGCOR itself had already issued a provisional GOA in its favor.

On March 7, 2007, the RTC conducted a summary hearing to determine the sufficiency of the form and substance of the application for the
issuance of a temporary mandatory order and/or preliminary mandatory injunction to remove the padlock installed at respondent's place of
business at SM Bacolod and allow it to conduct unhampered bingo operations. In the course of the summary hearing, specifically on March
7

9, 2007, petitioners released in open court to respondent's counsel the hard copy of the Mayor's Permit dated February 19, 2007 which
indicated the kind of business allowed is "Professional Services, Band/Entertainment Services." Phuture's counsel, however, refused to
receive the same, protesting that it was not the Mayor's Permit which respondent had applied for. 8

On March 19, 2007, petitioners filed their Comment and Answer with Counterclaim, denying the allegations set forth in the Petition for
Mandamus and Damages and presenting a slightly different set of facts, as follows:
9

On January 10, 2007, Phuture applied for the renewal of its mayor's permit with "professional services, band/entertainment services" as its
declared line of business, providing the address of the business as "RH Building, 26 Lacson Street, Barangay 5" instead of SM Bacolod
where respondent's bingo operations was located. 10

Upon submission of the requirements on February 19, 2007 and while the application was being processed, Phuture was issued a "claim
slip" for it to claim the actual mayor's permit on March 16, 2007 if the requirements were found to be in order. However, petitioners found
11

discrepancies in Phuture's submitted requirements, wherein the application form was notarized earlier than the amendment of its AOI to
reflect the company's primary purpose for bingo operations. Aside from this, respondent failed to pay the necessary permit fee/assessment
fee under the applicable tax ordinances of the City of Bacolod.12

Also, without waiting for the release of the mayor's permit, respondent started the operation of its bingo outlet at SM Bacolod. This prompted
the former City Legal Officer, Atty. Allan Zamora, to issue a Closure Order dated March 2, 2007, pursuant to City Tax Ordinance No. 93- 001,
Series of 1993, which declares unlawful for any person to operate any business in the City of Bacolod without first obtaining a permit
13

therefor from the City Mayor and paying the necessary permit fee and other charges to the City Treasurer.

The Closure Order was presented by petitioners' representative to respondent's lawyers to negotiate a possible peaceful solution before its
implementation. However, respondent simply ignored the information relayed to them and thus, at around 6:00 a.m. on March 3, 2007, the
Composite Enforcement Unit under the Office of the City Legal Officer implemented the Closure Order. 14

Petitioners contended that the claim slip so heavily relied upon by respondent was a mere oversight or human error of the City Government's
employee who processed the same, who was likewise duped by the tampered entries that respondent's application was for a permit for bingo
operations when, in tn1th, it was only for the renewal of a previously-issued permit albeit for a different line of business, i.e., "professional
services, band/entertainment services." 15

Ruling of the Regional Trial Court

In a Decision dated March 20, 2007, the R TC denied the prayer for the issuance of a temporary mandatory order and dismissed the case
16

for lack of merit, to wit:

In view of the foregoing disquisitions, it follows that the prayer for issuance of a temporary mandatory order prayed for must be denied.

WHEREFORE, in the light of all the foregoing discussions, the instant petition is ordered DISMISSED for lack of merit, without prejudice to
filing an application of a Mayor's Permit specifically for bingo operation. Respondents' counterclaim is ordered DISMISSED, without prejudice
to filing appropriate action with a court of competent jurisdiction.

Without pronouncement as to costs.

SO ORDERED. 17

Phuture filed an Urgent Motion for Partial Reconsideration on April 2, 2007, but the same was denied by the RTC in its Order dated
September 6, 2007. Thus, respondent elevated the matter to the CA on appeal.
18 19

Ruling of the Court of Appeals

In the assailed Decision dated February 27, 2009, the CA partially granted the appeal by affirming the trial court's denial of the application for
a temporary mandatory order but reversing the dismissal of the suit for damages and ordering the case to be reinstated and remanded to the
court of origin for further proceedings. The dispositive portion of the assailed Decision reads:

WHEREFORE, based on the foregoing premises, the appeal is PARTLY GRANTED. The Decision of Branch 49 of the Regional Trial Court
of Bacolod City dated 20 March 2007 and Order dated 06 September 2007, denying the application for a Temporary Mandatory Order is
AFFIRMED. The dismissal of the main action is REVERSED and is hereby REINSTATED and REMANDED to the court of origin for further
proceedings.

SO ORDERED. 20

The CA pronounced that the issue of whether the RTC erred in dismissing the prayer for temporary mandatory order for the removal of the
padlock allegedly installed illegally at respondent's place of business at SM Bacolod, as well as the prayer ordering petitioners to allow
respondent to conduct unhampered bingo operations during the pendency of the case, had already been rendered moot since, with the onset
of another year, it was necessary to apply for another business permit with the Mayor's Office. 21

Nevertheless, the CA proceeded to rule on the issue on whether the closure of respondent's bingo operations at SM Bacolod was effected in
a manner consistent with law. While it ruled that the Mayor's power to issue licenses and permits is discretionary, and thus, cannot be
compelled by mandamus, it found that respondent was not given due notice and hearing as to the closure of its business establishment at
SM Bacolod. Based on the CA's finding on the manner by which the closure of the bingo operations was effected, it concluded that
respondent was denied its proprietary right without due process of law. Accordingly, the CA ordered the case to be reinstated and remanded
to the RTC to determine if damages should be awarded. 22

Petitioners timely interposed a Motion for Reconsideration, protesting the CA's order to remand the case to the R TC for trial on the aspect
23

of damages. The CA, however, maintained its position, issuing the now assailed Resolution. Agggrieved, petitioners brought the matter
before this Court through the present recourse.

The Petition

Petitioners again limit their argument to the CA's order to remand the case to the R TC for trial on the aspect of damages. According to
petitioners, hearing the action for damages effectively violates the City's immunity from suit since respondent had not yet obtained the
consent of the City Government of Bacolod to be included in the claim for damages. They also argue that the other petitioners, the City
Mayor and other officials impleaded, are similarly immune from suit since the acts they performed were within their lawful duty and
functions. Moreover, petitioners maintain that they were merely performing governmental or sovereign acts and exercised their legal rights
24

and duties to implement the provisions of the City Ordinance. Finally, petitioners contend that the assailed Decision contained
25

inconsistencies such that the CA declared mandamus to be an inappropriate remedy, yet allowed the case for damages to prosper. 26

In its Comment, respondent Phuture argues that the grounds raised by petitioners should not be considered since these were only invoked
27

for the first time on appeal. Aside from this, respondent asserts that the case for damages should proceed since petitioners allegedly caused
the illegal closure of its bingo outlet without proper notice and hearing and with obvious discrimination.

In their Reply to the Comment dated August 26, 2010, petitioners oppose respondent's arguments, saying that the issues they raised in the
instant petition cannot be considered as having been raised for the first time since they are intertwined and bear relevance and close relation
to the issues resolved by the trial court. They further reiterate that they cannot be held liable for damages since they were merely performing
governmental or sovereign acts in the issuance of a mayor's permit. Thus, they argue that whatever damages that respondent may have
incurred belong to the concept of damnum absque injuria for which the law provides no remedy. 28

The Issues

Stripped of the verbiage, the sole issue in this case is whether petitioners can be made liable to pay respondent damages.

The Court's Ruling

The petition is meritorious.

Petitioners have not given their
consent to be sued

The principle of immunity from suit is embodied in Section 3, Article XVI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that "[t]he State
cannot be sued without its consent." The purpose behind this principle is to prevent the loss of governmental efficiency as a result of the time
and energy it would require to defend itself against lawsuits. The State and its political subdivisions are open to suit only when they consent
29

to it.

Consent may be express or implied, such as when the government exercises its proprietary functions, or where such is embodied in a
general or special law. In the present case, respondent sued petitioners for the latter's refusal to issue a mayor's permit for bingo operations
30

and for closing its business on account of the lack of such permit. However, while the authority of city mayors to issue or grant licenses and
business permits is granted by the Local Government Code (LGC), which also vests local government units with corporate powers, one of
31

which is the power to sue and be sued, this Court has held that the power to issue or grant licenses and business permits is not an exercise
of the government's proprietary function. Instead, it is in an exercise of the police power of the State, ergo a governmental act. This is clearly
elucidated by the Court in Acebedo Optical Company, Inc. v. The Honorable Court of Appeals: 32

The Court of Appeals erred in adjudging subject business permit as having been issued by respondent City Mayor in the performance of
proprietary functions of Iligan City. As hereinabove elaborated upon, the issuance of business licenses and permits by a municipality or city is
essentially regulatory in nature. The authority, which devolved upon local government units to issue or grant such licenses or permits, is
essentially in the exercise of the police power of the State within the contemplation of the general welfare clause of the Local Government
Code. (emphasis supplied)

No consent to be sued and be liable for damages can thus be implied from the mere conferment and exercise of the power to issue business
permits and licences. Accordingly, there is merit in petitioners' argument that they cannot be sued by respondent since the City's consent had
not been secured for this purpose. This is notwithstanding petitioners' failure to raise this exculpatory defense at the first instance before the
trial court or even before the appellate court.

As this Court has repeatedly held, waiver of immunity from suit, being in derogation of sovereignty, will not be lightly inferred. Moreover, it
33

deserves mentioning that the City of Bacolod as a government agency or instrumentality cannot be estopped by the omission, mistake or
error of its officials or agents. Estoppel does not also lie against the government or any of its agencies arising from unauthorized or illegal
34

acts of public officers. Hence, we cannot hold petitioners estopped from invoking their immunity from suit on account of having raised it only
35

for the first time on appeal. On this score, Justice Barredo's Opinion in Insurance Co. of North America v. Osaka Shosen Kaisha is 36

particularly illuminating:

x x x [T]he real reason why, from the procedural point of view, a suit against the state filed without its consent must be dismissed is because,
necessarily, any such complaint cannot state a cause of action, since, as the above decision confirms, "there can be no legal right as against
the authority that makes the law on which the right depends." x x x

The question that arises now is, may failure to state a cause of action be alleged as a ground of dismissal for the first-time on appeal?

xxx

x x x The requirement that this defense should be raised at the trial is only to give the plaintiff a chance to cure the defect of his complaint,
but if, as in this case, the lack of consent of the state cannot be cured because it is a matter of judicial notice that there is no law allowing the
present suit, (only Congress that can give such consent) the reason for the rule cannot obtain, hence it is clear that such non-suability may
be raised even on appeal. After all, the record on appeal can be examined to find out if the consent of the state is alleged in the complaint.

xxxx

x x x It is plain, however, that as far as the date is concerned, this rule of waiver cannot apply, for the simple reason that in the case of the
state as already stated, the waiver may not be made by anyone other than Congress, so any appearance in any form made on its behalf
would be ineffective and invalid if not authorized by a law duly passed by Congress. Besides, the state has to act thru subalterns who are not
always prepared to act in the premises with the necessary capability, and instances there can be when thru ignorance, negligence or malice,
the interest of the state may not be properly protected because of the erroneous appearance made on its behalf by a government lawyer or
some other officer, hence, as a matter of public policy, the law must be understood as insulating the state from such undesirable
contingencies and leaving it free to invoke its sovereign attributes at any time and at any stage of a judicial proceeding, under the principle
that the mistakes and ommissions of its officers do not bind it.

Petitioners are not liable for damages

As to the primary issue of whether petitioners are liable to respondent for damages, respondent Phuture alleged that petitioners are guilty of
surreptitiously padlocking its SM bingo outlet in a "patently arbitrary, whimsical, capricious, oppressive, irregular, immoral and shamelessly
politically motivated" manner and with clear discrimination since the majority owners of the company are the sons of petitioner Mayor
Leonardia's political rival, then Congressman Monico Puentevella. Such contention is clearly but non sequitur, grounded as it is in pure
37

conjecture.

Sticking closely to the facts, it is best to recapitulate that while the CA ruled that respondent was not given due notice and hearing as to the
closure of its business establishment at SM Bacolod, it nevertheless remanded the issue of the award of damages to the trial court for further
proceedings. Such action would only be an exercise in futility, as the trial court had already ruled in its September 6, 2007 Decision that
respondent Phuture had no right and/or authority to operate bingo games at SM Bacolod because it did not have a Business Permit and has
not paid assessment for bingo operation. Thus, it held that petitioners acted lawfully in stopping respondent's bingo operation on March 2,
2007 and closing its establishment for lack of any business permit.

The trial court further found that the Mayor's Office had already decided and released a Business Permit for "Professional Services,
Band/Entertainment Services" dated January 19, 2007 to respondent, which cannot reasonably expect to receive a Mayor's Permit for "Bingo
Operations" unless and until it files a new application for bingo operations, submit the necessary requirements therefor, and pay the
corresponding assessment. 38

Aside from this, the R TC had also found that respondent's reliance on the GOA issued by PAGCOR, the SM Award Notice, and the
"questionable" Claim Slip and Application paper tainted with alteration/falsification did not appear to be a right that is clear and unmistakable.
From this, the trial court concluded that the right being claimed by respondent to operate bingo games at SM Bacolod was, at the very least,
doubtful.39

Based on the above observations made by the trial court, it appears that respondent had no clear and unmistakable legal right to operate its
bingo operations at the onset. Respondent failed to establish that it had duly applied for the proper permit for bingo operations with the Office
of the Mayor and, instead, merely relied on the questionable claim stub to support its claim. The trial court also found that the application
form submitted by respondent pertained to a renewal of respondent's business for "Professional Services, Band/Entertainment Services"
located at "RH Bldg., 26th Lacson St." and not at SM Bacolod. These factual findings by the trial court belie respondent's claim that it had the
right to operate its bingo operations at SM Bacolod.

Certainly, respondent's claim that it had applied for a license for bingo operations is questionable since, as it had admitted in its Petition for
Mandamus and Damages, the primary purpose in its AOI was only amended to reflect bingo operations on February 14, 2007 or more than a
month after it had supposedly applied for a license for bingo operations with the Office of the Mayor. It is settled that a judicial admission is
binding on the person who makes it, and absent any showing that it was made through palpable mistake, no amount of rationalization can
offset such admission. This admission clearly casts doubt on respondent's so-called right to operate its business of bingo operations.
40

Petitioners, in ordering the closure of respondent's bingo operations, were exercising their duty to implement laws and ordinances which
include the local government's authority to issue licenses and permits for business operations in the city. This authority is granted to them as
a delegated exercise of the police power of the State. It must be emphasized that the nature of bingo operations is a form of gambling; thus,
its operation is a mere privilege which could not only be regulated, but may also very well be revoked or closed down when public interests
so require. 41

In this jurisdiction, we adhere to the principle that injury alone does not give respondent the right to recover damages, but it must also have a
right of action for the legal wrong inflicted by petitioners. In order that the law will give redress for an act causing damage, there must
be damnum et injuria that act must be not only hurtful, but wrongful. The case of The Orchard Golf & Country Club, Inc., et al. v. Ernesto V
Yu and Manuel C. Yuhico, citing Spouses Custodio v. Court of Appeals, is instructive, to wit:
42 43

x x [T]he mere fact that the plaintiff suffered losses does not give rise to a right to recover damages. To warrant the recovery of damages,
there must be both a right of action for a legal wrong inflicted by the defendant, and damage resulting to the plaintiff therefrom. Wrong
without damage, or damage without wrong, does not constitute a cause of action, since damages are merely part of the remedy allowed for
the injury caused by a breach or wrong.

xxxx

In order that a plaintiff may maintain an action for the injuries of which he complains, he must establish that such injuries resulted from a
breach of duty which the defendant owed to the plaintiff - a concurrence of injury to the plaintiff and legal responsibility by the person causing
it. The underlying basis for the award of tort damages is the premise that an individual was injured in contemplation of law. Thus, there must
first be the breach of some duty and the imposition of liability for that breach before damages may be awarded; it is not sufficient to state that
there should be tort liability merely because the plaintiff suffered some pain and suffering.

xxxx

In other words, in order that the law will give redress for an act causing damage, that act must be not only hurtful, but wrongful. There must
1âwphi1

be damnum et injuria. If, as may happen in many cases, a person sustains actual damage, that is, harm or loss to his person or property,
without sustaining any legal injury, that is, an act or omission which the law does not deem an injury, the damage is regarded as damnum
absque injuria.

Considering that respondent had no legal right to operate the bingo operations at the outset, then it is not entitled to the damages which it is
demanding from petitioners.

WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby GRANTED. The Decision dated February 27, 2009 and the Resolution dated October 27, 2009 of the
Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 03322 are hereby ANNULLED and SET ASIDE. The Decision dated March 20, 2007 of the Regional
Trial Court of Bacolod City, Branch 49 is hereby REINSTATED.

SO ORDERED.

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Associate Justice