Amos P. Francia, Jr., Cecilia P. Francia, and Heirs of Benjamin P. Francia, petitioners vsMunicipality of Meycauayan, respondentMarch 2, 2!!"J. CoronaNature: Petition for revie# on certiorariSummary:$heMunicipalityof Meycauayanfiledacomplaint for e%propriationof petitioners& land. $heMunicipality said that it planned to use the land to esta'lish a common pu'lic terminal. $he petitioners claimthat the land is of a hi(her price. $he )$C ruled that the e%propriation #as indeed for a pu'lic purpose andthat after the Municipality has deposited *+, of the fair mar-et value of the property, it can already ta-eimmediatepossessionof it. $heCA foundthat thepetitioners#eredeprivedof theiropportunityto'eheard.controvert Municipality&salle(ations, soit nullifiedtheorder of e%propriation. $he/Cheldthat,accordin(tothe01C, thepriordeterminationof thee%istenceof apu'licpurposeisnecessaryfortheissuance of #rit of possession.Doctrine: Beforealocal (overnment unit mayenter intothepossessionof thepropertysou(ht to'ee%propriated, it must2o File a complaint for e%propriation sufficient in form and su'stance in the proper court3 ando 4eposit #ith the said court at least *+, of the property&s fair mar-et value 'ased on itscurrent ta% declaration $hela#doesnot ma-ethedeterminationof apu'licpurposeaconditionprecedent totheissuance of a #rit of possessionFacts )espondent Municipality of Meycauayan filed a complaint for e%propriation a(ainst the petitioners,#ho are the o#ners of the land the Municipality plans to e%propriate.o $heMunicipalityplanstouseit toesta'lishacommonpu'licterminal forall typesofpu'lic utility vehicles #ith a #ei(hin( scale for heavy truc-s 5n their ans#er, petitionrs Francia denied that the property #as ra# land and claimed that it #asdeveloped and there #ere plans for further development. Hence, petitioner Francia claims that theMunicipality&s offer price of Php 2,666,+!! #as too lo#. )$C ruled that the e%propriation #as for a pu'lic purpose 'ecause the construction of a terminal#illimprove the flo# oftraffic durin( rush hours and thatthe property #as the 'est site for theproposed terminal 'ecause of its accessi'ility. o )$C ordered that Municipality may ta-e immediate possession of the property after it hasdeposited #ith the Court *+, of the fair mar-et value of the property CAfoundthat thepetitioners#eredeprivedof anopportunitytocontrover theMunicipality&sale(ationso nullified the order of e%propriation e%cept #ith re(ard to the #rit of possessiono heldthat ahearin(#asnot necessary'ecauseoncethee%propriator depositedthere7uired amount #ith the Court, the issuance of a #rit of possession 'ecame ministerial Hence, this petition.Issue#1:89:ine%propriationcases, prior determinationof thee%istenceof apu'licpurpose#asnecessary for the issuance of a #rit of possession ;yes