- Petitioner
- Mekatrade Asia
- Respondent
- Philippine Phosphate
- Citation
- G.R. No. 226173
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- For These Reasons, J.
- Decided
- October 6, 2021
Summary
This Supreme Court case addresses forum shopping in the context of foreign arbitral award enforcement. Mekatrade sought to enforce an ICC arbitral award against PPFC through Philippine courts with preliminary attachment. PPFC simultaneously filed both a motion for reconsideration with the trial court and a petition for review with the Court of Appeals, challenging the same resolution. The Supreme Court found this constituted deliberate forum shopping, as both remedies involved identical parties, facts, and relief sought - to set aside the September 3, 2015 Resolution. The Court emphasized that forum shopping degrades judicial administration and creates conflicting decisions, dismissing the CA petition and directing show cause proceedings for contempt against PPFC and its counsel.