This case has been cited 3 times or more.
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2012-09-18 |
MENDOZA, J. |
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| It is a hornbook doctrine that, save for certain exceptions,[42] the findings of fact of administrative agencies and quasi-judicial bodies like the CIAC, which have acquired expertise because their jurisdiction is confined to specific matters, are generally accorded not only respect, but finality when affirmed by the CA.[43] It is well-settled that "the consequent policy and practice underlying our Administrative Law is that courts of justice should respect the findings of fact of said administrative agencies, unless there is absolutely no evidence in support thereof or such evidence is clearly, manifestly and patently insubstantial."[44] Moreover, in petitions for review on certiorari, only questions of law may be put into issue. | |||||
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2012-07-04 |
MENDOZA, J. |
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| The jurisdiction of the CIAC as a quasi-judicial body is confined to construction disputes,[32] that is, those arising from, or connected to, contracts involving "all on-site works on buildings or altering structures from land clearance through completion including excavation, erection and assembly and installation of components and equipment."[33] The CIAC has jurisdiction over all such disputes whether the dispute arises before or after the completion of the contract.[34] | |||||
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2012-07-04 |
MENDOZA, J. |
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| In National Housing Authority v. First United Constructors Corporation,[58] the Court held that there was no basis for the exclusion of claims for business losses from the jurisdiction of the CIAC because E.O. No. 1008 "excludes from the coverage of the law only those disputes arising from employer-employee relationships which are covered by the Labor Code, conveying an intention to encompass a broad range of arbitrable issues within the jurisdiction of CIAC."[59] Section 4 provides that "(t)he jurisdiction of the CIAC may include but is not limited to x x x," underscoring the expansive character of the CIAC's jurisdiction. Very clearly, the CIAC has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues and claims arising from construction disputes, including but not limited to claims for unrealized profits and opportunity or business losses. What E.O. No. 1008 emphatically excludes is only disputes arising from employer-employee relationships.[60] | |||||