PROGRAMME INC. v. PROVINCE OF BATAAN
12782 was in the name of the Province of Bataan as owner
G.R. No. 144635
June 26, 2006
DOCTRINE: An admission, verbal, or written, made by a party in the course of the
proceedings in the same case, does not require proof; To be considered as a judicial
admission, the same must be made in the same case in which it is offered.
 Such admissions may be made in (a) the pleadings filed by the parties, (b) in the
course of the trial either by verbal or written manifestations or stipulations, or
(c) in other stages of the judicial proceeding, as in the pre-trial of the case
FACTS: Programme Inc. assailed CA’s decision affirming the RTC’s decision upholding the
respondent Province of Bataan’s ownership of Piazza Hotel and the land on which it
stands.
BASECO was the original owner of Piazza Hotel and Mariveles Lodge in
Mariveles, Bataan. On May 1986, Programme Inc. leased the Piazza Hotel for 3 years (until
Jan. 1, 1989). After the period, Programme was allowed to continue operating the hotel on
monthly extensions of the lease.
On April 1989, PCGG issued a sequestration order against BASECO, pursuant to
EO 1. Among the properties seize was the lot on which Piazza Hotel stood.
Afterwards, Piazza Hotel was sold at a public auction for non-payment of taxes
to respondent Bataan. The title was transferred to Bataan.
When Programmed filed a preliminary injunction and collection of sum of money
against BASECO, Bataan as the new owner filed a motion to intervene. The motion of
Bataan was granted, and thus it filed a complaint praying that Programmed to vacate
Piazza Hotel and Mariels Lodge.
The issue on the ownership of Bataan was heard before the trial court which the
TC ruled in favor of Bataan
TC: Bataan is the Owner
CA: AFFIRMED,
 Bataan has established by preponderance of evidence its claim of ownership.
 In fact, Programme has not presented evidence proving its ownership over the
buildings,
o whereas Bataan presented a tax declaration and Certificate of TUtle
over the same properties
ISSUE: WON the Province of Bataan is the owner of the subject properties.
RULING: YES, Bataan is the ownership
SETTLED RULE: Factual matters are best evaluated by trial courts which can
scrutinize evidence and hear testimony presented and offered by the parties
In the present case, the evidence clearly established Bataan’s ownership of
Piazza Hotel.
1. the title of the land on which Piazza Hotel stands was in the name of Province
of Bataan
2. Tax Declaration No.
of Piazza Hotel
(a note at the back of the tax declaration)
Transferred by virtue of a final bill of sale executed by the
Provincial [Treasurer] of Bataan in favor of the Provincial
Government on Feb. 13, 1989[, a] year after the expiration of the
redemption period from date of auction sale held on Feb. 12, 1988
of all real property declared in the name of BASECO
3. Programme Inc. was just a LESSEE
 Under the lease contract, Programme admitted BASECO’s ownership
then of the subject property.
“WHEREAS, the lessor (BASECO) is the owner of the building PIAZZA
HOTEL”
RULE 129. SEC. 4, ROC
“An admission, verbal or written, made by a party in the course of the
proceedings in the same case, does not require proof. The admission may be
contradicted only by showing that it was made through palpable mistake or
that no such admission was made” [RULE 129, SEC. 4]
Such admissions may be made in
(a) the pleadings filed by the parties,
(b) in the course of the trial either by verbal or written manifestations or
stipulations, or
(c) in other stages of the judicial proceeding, as in the pre-trial of the case.
Admissions obtained through depositions, written interrogatories or requests for
admission are also considered judicial admissions. To be considered as a judicial
admission, the same must be made in the same case in which it is offered.
In Programme’s complaint for preliminary injunction and sum of money,
it acknowledged that it was not the owner of the property when it stated that
BASECO leased to Programme Inc. the Piazza Hotel for P6.5k/month
PIAZZA HOTEL WAS NOT CONSTUCTED AT PROGRAMME’S EXPENSE
No evidence was submitted to support such claim. Neither did any
document or testimony prove this claim. What was proven was that Programme
had only managed and operated the hotel. Therefore, Programme cannot seek
reimbursement for the expense on construction/renovation.
Disposition: petition Denied. CA Decision Affirmed.