Metro Manila, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has issued a writ of execution on a previous ruling that declared the employees of Lianga Bay Logging Co., Inc. (LBLCI) as rightful owners of the majority of the company’s shareholdings.
In a resolution signed on Nov. 7, the anti-graft court’s 5th division said its July 18, 2023 decision is final and executory without any appeal or pleading by the defendant.
“Let therefore, a Writ of Execution issue to enforce the Resolution promulgated on July 18, 2023,” the court said.
A writ of execution is a court order that begins the transfer of assets following a judgment.
The Sandiganbayan in July 2023 ruled in favor of the Diatagon Labor Federation (DLF), a union based in Mindanao, in its claim to 60% of LBLCI.
The court found that “the 60% of the shareholdings of Lianga Bay Logging Co., Inc. (LBLCI) including all its assets, resources, and intangibles as rightfully owned and/or for the benefit of the employees and workers of LBLCI who are all members of Intervenor Diatagon Labor Federation (DLF).”
The court also said DLF members are entitled to be paid retirement benefits, separation pay, insurance premiums, unpaid salaries, wages and back wages, and other benefits.
Defendant Peter Sabido, an alleged crony of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, was also found liable to DLF for moral damages amounting to ₱1 million, exemplary damages for ₱1 million, and the cost of suit in the amount of ₱100,000.
The Sandiganbayan earlier dismissed an ill-gotten wealth case filed against Marcos, Sabido, and other alleged cronies.
“The plaintiff (Presidential Commission on Good Government) failed to prove by preponderant evidence that the properties alleged in the complaint are ill-gotten and/or was beneficially owned and controlled by former President Marcos and his family,” the Sandiganbayan said in dismissing the civil case.
While the lawsuit had been dismissed, DLF filed an appeal, claiming that Sabido “unlawfully obtained” his shares in LBLCI, which led to the court’s July 2023 decision.
As stated in the July ruling, the DLF presented documentary evidence to support their 60% claim of LBLCI’s shares, including a Stock Sale Agreement dated July 2, 1974, which revealed Georgia-Pacific International Corp (GPIC) sold 35,432 shares, or 60% of the logging firm, to “employees and workers.”
Another document dated Nov. 17, 1986 from LBLCI’s Fiscal Committee, revealed that the union held 34,647 shares, or 57.5% of the company.
CNN Philippines’ digital producer Syrah Vivien Inocencio contributed to this story.
