2022 Remedial Law, Q6

Isol, Inc. supplies rotisserie chicken products to the grocery section of shopping malls. It conducts kitchen operations in a refurbished house located in Palanan, a residential neighborhood. Rona, a resident of Palanan, filed an action against Isol, Inc. to enjoin the operations of its kitchen on the ground that it emits intolerable odors and violates laws on waste disposal. In the same action, Rona also seeks to have Isol, Inc.’s business permit revoked because an industrial facility is not allowed by law to be located in a residential neighborhood and Isol, Inc. failed to comply with sanitary inspection and other procedural and health requirements. In the complaint Rona filed, she likewise prayed for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction (WPI) to stop the kitchen operations during the pendency of the case. Isol, Inc., in its verified answer, strongly opposed the prayer for WPI considering the huge financial disaster that it will suffer if the writ were to be issued, especially in light of the possibility that the suit could continue to be pending for more than a year. Based on the foregoing, may the WPI prayed for already be issued? Explain briefly. (5 points)

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May a writ of preliminary injunction be issued solely on the basis of the complaint and verified answer without a hearing?

Why is a court prohibited from issuing a preliminary injunction that grants the ultimate relief prayed for in the main complaint?

What is the primary purpose of a writ of preliminary injunction during the pendency of a civil action?

What essential element must an applicant prove to obtain a writ of preliminary injunction under Rule 58?

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What is the legal effect of an ex parte preliminary injunction issued without notice and hearing?

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1. Notice and Hearing
Under Section 5, Rule 58 of the Rules of Court, no writ of preliminary injunction shall be granted without prior notice and a hearing conducted for that purpose. A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary equitable remedy that restrains or requires the performance of specific acts during the pendency of an action. Because an injunction significantly impairs the rights of the enjoined party, due process strictly requires that the trial court conduct a summary hearing where both parties are afforded the opportunity to present evidence establishing their respective positions before any writ may issue.

2. Prejudging Main Case
Courts must scrupulously avoid issuing a writ of preliminary injunction that effectively disposes of the main case or prejudges the principal issues on the merits prior to trial. The sole purpose of a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo until the court can fully hear and decide the main action. Granting an injunction that accomplishes the ultimate relief sought in the complaint—such as permanently shutting down commercial operations—prejudges the litigation, deprives the respondent of a full trial, and constitutes grave abuse of discretion.

3. Injunction Requisites
To justify the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction, the applicant must establish a clear and unmistakable legal right that requires immediate judicial protection. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate an urgent necessity to prevent serious, irreversible, or irreparable injury that cannot be adequately compensated by pecuniary damages. In the absence of a proven clear legal right and urgent necessity, or where the factual claims remain contested by the adverse party, an application for a writ of preliminary injunction must be denied by the court.

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The questions reproduced here are the official texts of the Philippine Bar Examinations, published by the Supreme Court. They are reproduced for study purposes.The suggested answers are the author’s own.

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