The Case

This petition, captioned as a petition for review on certiorari and declaratory relief,¹ assails the Order of 6 January 2011² of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 49, denying reconsideration of the trial court's Order of 11 March 2010³ which denied the motion to dismiss filed by petitioners Orlando A. Rayos, Fe A. Rayos Dela Paz, and Engr. Manuel A. Rayos.⁴cralaw

The Facts

The present case originated from a complaint for eminent domain filed by respondent City of Manila against Remedios V. De Caronongan, Patria R. Serrano, Laureano M. Reyes, Paz B. Sison, Teofila B. Sison, Leticia R. Ventanilla, Rosalinda R. Barrozo (defendants), docketed as Civil Case No. 03108154.

In its Complaint,⁵ the City of Manila alleged that it passed Ordinance No. 7949 authorizing the City Mayor to acquire "by expropriation, negotiation or by any other legal means'