A petition for mandamus filed by members of the Yanson family, ruling that the secretary of Justice cannot be compelled to act within a specific timeframe on matters subject to their review, as doing so would amount to judicial interference, was dismissed by the Court of Appeals.

In a decision dated 9 June, the Court affirmed that the absence of a legally mandated timeframe for the secretary of Justice to act underscores the discretionary nature of the position’s review powers.

 “To compel the Secretary of Justice to take action would, in our view, amount to judicial interference with the exercise of the Secretary’s discretion and would violate the well-established principle of separation of powers,” the ruling stated.

The petition was filed by Roy Yanson, Emily Yanson, Ma. Lourdes Celina Lopez, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Jerina Louise Ramos, Jerica Leanne Ramos, Ma. Judy Alcala and Anna Isabella Galvez, all of whom are members of the embattled Yanson clan.

It stemmed from an ongoing family feud over control of the multibillion-peso transport empire, with Leo Rey Yanson — supported by their mother Olivia Yanson — currently recognized as the legitimate president of VTI.