G.R. No. 179334. April 21, 2015
FACTS
In 1940, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) took respondents movants’ subject property without the benefit of expropriation proceedings for the construction of the MacArthur Highway. In 1994, respondents-movants demanded the payment of the fair market value of the subject parcel of land. DPWH, offered to pay for the subject land at the rate of Seventy Centavos (P0.70) per square meter. Unsatisfied with the offer, respondents-movants demanded the return of their property, or the payment of compensation at the current fair market value. Hence, the complaint for recovery of possession with damages filed by respondents-movants.