Esperanza S. Longino v. Atty. Lina A. General

Summary

This case involves a jurisdictional dispute over COSLAP's authority to determine preferential rights to lease PNR property. Longino and Serrano, both businesswomen, sought to lease the same PNR property. Despite having an agreement with Serrano to help secure a lease, Longino applied for and obtained her own lease contract. COSLAP ruled in favor of Serrano, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that COSLAP lacked jurisdiction as the dispute involved PNR property (not public land), the parties were not squatters or cultural minorities, and the matter was not critical or explosive. The Court emphasized that administrative agencies have limited jurisdiction and cannot override decisions of property owners like PNR's Board Resolution prohibiting leases for the North Rail Project.