The Heirs of the Late President Ferdinand E. Marcos v. Presidential Commission On Good Government

Summary

The Marcos heirs sued PCGG claiming ownership of ETPI shares surrendered by Benedicto under a compromise agreement. The Sandiganbayan dismissed their complaint for failure to pay proper filing fees totaling over P1.3 million based on the shares' par value. The Supreme Court affirmed, ruling that civil cases before Sandiganbayan require proper docket fees under Rule 141, rejecting the heirs' argument that proceedings should be free under P.D. 1606. The Court found that subsequent laws expanding Sandiganbayan's civil jurisdiction impliedly amended the original fee exemption. Additionally, the action was time-barred under the 10-year prescriptive period for constructive trust claims. This case clarifies filing fee requirements for Sandiganbayan civil cases and demonstrates how procedural defects can defeat substantive claims.