Case Digest: Roxas & Co. vs CA , G.R. No. 127876, Dec 17, 1999,321 SCRA 106

Facts:
Petitioner Roxas & Co., is a domestic corporation and is the registered owner of three haciendas, namely, Haciendas Palico, Banilad and Caylaway, all located in the Municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas.
Before the law's effectivity, on May 6, 1988, petitioner filed with respondent DAR a voluntary offer to sell Hacienda Caylaway pursuant to the provisions of E.O. No. 229. Haciendas Palico and Banilad were later placed under compulsory acquisition by respondent DAR in accordance with the CARL.

Issues:
1. Whether or not  acquisition proceedings over the three haciendas were valid and in accordance with law
2. Whether or not assuming the haciendas may be reclassified from agricultural to non-agricultural, Supreme Court has the power to rule on this issue

Held:
1. No.

2. No. The failure of respondent DAR to comply with the requisites of due process in the acquisition proceedings does not give this Court the power to nullify the CLOA's already issued to the farmer beneficiaries. To assume the power is to short-circuit the administrative process, which has yet to run its regular course. Respondent DAR must be given the chance to correct its procedural lapses in the acquisition proceedings.