The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals has denied an appeal from Roberto Mojica Paz concerning a demolition order for illegally constructed property. The court's decision impacts Mojica Paz and his corporation, RM Communication Inc., as they face penalties for failing to comply with a previous court ruling. This case highlights the legal complexities surrounding property ownership and compliance with construction regulations in Puerto Rico.

The court ruled on April 1, 2026, in case number TA2026AP00330, after Mojica Paz sought to halt a demolition order issued by the lower court. The ruling emphasizes the importance of adhering to legal requirements for construction permits and the consequences of attempting to evade judicial orders.

Background

The dispute involves Roberto Mojica Paz and RM Communication Inc., a corporation he heads. The case arose when the lower court ordered the demolition of a property located in Lajas, Puerto Rico, due to the absence of necessary construction permits. Mojica Paz attempted to argue that the corporation, not he personally, owned the property, claiming that this constituted a lack of indispensable parties in the case.

The lower court had previously ruled that Mojica Paz's actions were an attempt to circumvent the law. After multiple hearings where Mojica Paz did not appear, the court imposed sanctions against him for non-compliance. The situation escalated when Mojica Paz transferred the property title to RM Communication Inc. without informing the court, leading to further legal complications.

Following the lower court's decision to deny his request for relief from the demolition order, Mojica Paz appealed to the Court of Appeals, arguing that the ruling was unjust and that the corporation should have been included in the proceedings. He claimed that the lower court's failure to recognize this constituted a legal error.

The Ruling

The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Rivera Marchand, reviewed the case and ultimately denied the appeal. The court stated, "We do not find any indication that the lower court acted arbitrarily or abused its discretion in this case." This statement reflects the court's stance that the lower court's decisions were valid and legally sound.

The ruling also noted that Mojica Paz's attempts to argue the lack of indispensable parties were seen as a strategy to evade the court's authority. The court emphasized that allowing such behavior would undermine public policy regarding construction permits and could lead to further injustices in the legal system.

In its decision, the court upheld the lower court's order for demolition and reiterated that Mojica Paz must comply with the ruling by April 6, 2026. Failure to do so could result in additional penalties, including possible arrest for contempt of court.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for property owners and corporations in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the necessity of adhering to legal requirements for construction permits and the consequences of attempting to evade judicial oversight. The decision serves as a warning to others who might consider similar tactics to avoid compliance with court orders.

Moreover, the court's ruling may set a precedent for future cases involving corporate ownership and personal liability. It clarifies that individuals cannot simply transfer property titles to evade legal responsibilities, especially when they hold significant control over the corporation involved.

What's Next

While Mojica Paz has the option to appeal this decision further, the court's ruling stands for now. There are no indications of related cases pending that would directly affect this ruling. However, the outcome may influence how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding compliance with construction laws in Puerto Rico.