DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, VS. SALUD GACIAS BERIÑA

Ruling

WHEREFORE, the consolidated petitions are GRANTED . The Decision dated March 28, 2008 and the Resolution dated July 25, 2008 rendered by the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CV No. 71533 upholding the valuation of the 8-hectare portion of the riceland made by the Regional Trial Court of Sorsogon, Sorsogon, Branch 52 which did not consider the factors enumerated under Section 17 of Republic Act No. 6657, as amended, are hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE . Civil Case No. 98-6521 is thus REMANDED to the said trial court for reception of evidence on the issue of just compensation in accordance with the guidelines set in this Decision. It is further directed to conduct the proceedings in said case with reasonable dispatch and to submit to the Court a report on its findings and recommended conclusions within sixty (60) days from notice of this Decision. SO ORDERED.