- Petitioner
- Alfonso T. Yuchengco
- Respondent
- Republic of the Philippines
- Citation
- G.R. No. 131127
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- Ynares-Santiago, J.
- Decided
- June 8, 2000
Summary
Alfonso Yuchengco intervened in a government forfeiture case against Marcos properties, claiming ownership of PTIC shareholdings allegedly taken through fraud during Martial Law. Initially paying P400 docket fee, he was later ordered to pay additional P14,425 after respondents challenged the sufficiency of fees under Rule 141. The Sandiganbayan initially admitted his intervention but eventually dismissed it for improper docket fee payment, applying the Manchester Development doctrine. The Supreme Court reversed, finding Yuchengco acted in good faith given the ambiguity in PD 1606 Section 11 stating Sandiganbayan proceedings should be free. The Court applied equitable considerations, noting the Sandiganbayan's prolonged inaction tolled the prescriptive period, and ordered proper fee determination and payment within 30 days. The decision balanced jurisdictional requirements with fairness, distinguishing cases involving fee evasion from good faith confusion about applicable rules.