- Petitioner
- Maxim Philippines Operating Corporation
- Respondent
- First Orient Development
- Citation
- G.R. No. 240179
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Decided
- February 3, 2021
Summary
This construction contract dispute involved First Orient Development Corporation's claims against Maxim Philippines Operating Corporation for unpaid retention fees, variation works, and other costs under a P400,908,888.00 facility expansion contract. The CIAC awarded P37,586,166.96 to First Orient, finding substantial project completion at 90.11% and validating TCGI Engineers' authority as Maxim's representative. The Court of Appeals partially modified the award, deleting claims for security costs and attorney's fees while reducing the total to P35,520,428.27. The Supreme Court affirmed the CA decision, emphasizing that construction arbitration involves specialized expertise and factual determinations not subject to broad judicial review. The case demonstrates the finality accorded to CIAC decisions and the limited scope of appellate review in construction arbitration matters.