Concept of eminent domain
Eminent domain is the inherent power of a nation or a sovereign state to take, or sanction the taking of, private property for a public use without the owner's consent, conditioned upon payment of just compensation. In other words, eminent domain is a coercive measure on the part of the state whereby private interests are impaired for the general welfare.
While eminent domain is an inherent power, it is not absolute such that it is subject to limitations imposed under the 1987 Constitution.
1987 Constitution Section 1, Article III provides that no person shall be deprived of property without due process of law, while Section 9 thereof states that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. These constitutionally enshrined restrictions ensure that private individuals are not unduly prejudiced by the capricious or oppressive exercise of the State's powers.