H. Doctrine of Judicial Stability (Non-Interference)

Doctrine of Non-Interference/Judicial Stability

General Rule

This principle holds that courts of equal and coordinate jurisdiction cannot interfere with each other’s orders. (Lapu-lapu Development and Housing Corp v. Group Management Corp, G.R. No. 141407, 2002).

Hence, a Regional Trial Court has no power or authority to nullify or enjoin the enforcement of a writ of possession issued by another Regional Trial Court. (Suico Industrial Corporation v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 123050, 1999).

The principle also bars a court from reviewing or interfering with the judgement of a co-equal court over which it has no appellate jurisdiction or power of review. (Villamor v. Salas, G.R. No. L-101041, 1991).

A Regional Trial Court cannot enjoin enforcement of a final and executory ERB judgment; relief must be pursued through the remedies provided by law, not through a collateral injunction in the Regional Trial Court. (Philippine Sinter Corporation v. Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co., Inc., G.R. No. 127371, 2002).

Judicial Interference in Preliminary Injunction

General Rule: Under the doctrine of judicial stability or non-interference, no court has the power to interfere by injunction with the judgments or decrees of a court of concurrent or coordinate jurisdiction. (Chiao v. Bolivar, G.R. No. 192491, 2016).

Application to preliminary injunction: A judge in charge of a branch of a trial court may decide an application for a preliminary injunction in a case pending in that branch notwithstanding the denial of a similar application by another judge in another branch of the court. This is not interference with another court’s order; the earlier denial is not a final determination. In the absence of gross abuse of discretion, the injunction granted will not be interfered with by certiorari. (Sabado v. Cristina Gonzalez, Inc., G.R. No. 28890, 1928)

The denial of a petition for a preliminary injunction is not a final determination of the matter and is no obstacle to the subsequent granting of a renewed petition for the issuance of such injunction upon further information and consideration. (Id.).