LAW OF THE CASE DOCTRINE:

     law of the case doctrine applies in a situation where an appellate court has made a ruling on a question on appeal and thereafter remands the case to the lower court for further proceedings; the question settled by the appellate court becomes the law of the case at the lower court and in any subsequent appeal. (VIOS vs. PANTANGCO, JR., G.R. No. 163103, February 6, 2009, Second Division, Brion, J.).