The Court of Appeals has upheld a decision rejecting a petition by the four Yanson siblings to compel the Department of Justice to resolve their pending motions in a family dispute over control of their bus companies.
In Manila, Philippines, the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a two-page resolution upholding its earlier decision dated June 9, 2025. This ruling rejects the mandamus petition filed by the 'Yanson 4'—Roy, Emily, Ma. Lourdes Celina, and Ricardo Yanson—seeking to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary to resolve their cases within a set timeframe.
The CA noted that the Yansons' motion for reconsideration introduced no new arguments. 'A perusal of the motion for reconsideration, however, elicits no new arguments that have not already been previously taken up and judiciously passed upon in the Decision sought to be reconsidered,' stated the resolution penned by Associate Justice Ramon Cruz of the 5th Division.
The Yansons claim they are the current corporate officers and board members of Goldstar Bus Transit Incorporated and Vallacar Transit Incorporated, entities under the Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC). They are embroiled in a legal battle over YGBC control with other surviving heirs. The petitioners report having 23 petitions for review and motions for reconsideration pending at the DOJ.
Nevertheless, the CA emphasized that directing the DOJ chief would amount to judicial overreach, infringing on the separation of powers. 'The Secretary of Justice is expressly granted the authority to decide how or when to exercise the duty to review resolutions issued by subordinates. In other words, the Secretary retains full discretion in handling cases elevated to his or her office,' the court explained. The decision underscores the DOJ's autonomy in case management.
