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MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY vs. JUDGE FLORELIANA CASTRO-BARTOLOME

114 SCRA 799 DATE: Jun !9" 19#!

PETITIONER: M$n%&$ E&'()%' C*+,$n

RESPONDENTS: C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n' * R%/$&" M$0$(% B)$n' 23 $n R,u5&%' * ( P%&%,,%ns

FACTS:

T M$n%&$ E&'()%' C*+,$n ,u)'$s (6* &*(s 18 s+.; 6%( $n $ssss v$&u * P%n$& *6n)

( &$n vn 5*) 1941. T '*nsun(& %& *) ( '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& *n D'. 1" 1978" $ +*(%*n ($( 6$s )?'( 5 (

C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n'. T M)$&'* '*nsun(& %& $n $,,$& 6%( ( *&&*6%n> '*n(n(%*ns:1. T &$n $() $v%n> 5n ,*ssss 5 O&%+,%$ R$+*s $n ( P%>u%n> s,*uss *) +*) ($n (%)( $)s $ ssn(%$&

 5n '*nv)( (* ,)%v$( &$n 5 v%)(u * $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n. Tus" ( '*ns(%(u(%*n$& ,)*%5%(%*n 5$nn%n> $ ,)%v$(

'*),*)$(%*n )*+ $'u%)%n> $&%n$5& ,u5&%' &$n %s n*( $,,&%'$5&.

!. I( $ %nv*0 s'(%*n 4#5 * ( Pu5&%' L$n L$6" n*( *) %(s&" 5u( *) ( P%>u%n> s,*uss 6*" $s F%&%,%n* '%(%/ns"

'*u& s'u) $ ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) %+,)'( (%(& (* ( &$n

ISSUES:

1. @() *) n*( ( M)$&'*" $s $ ?u)%%'$& ,)s*n" %s u$&%% (* $,,& *) $ ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * $n

%+,)'(%n'*+,&( (%(&.

!. @() *) n*( ( '*nv)s%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*n %s )'*>n%/.

n( u,*n 1; u&%&&%n> ( n'ss$)

'*n%(%*n * ,*ssss%*n 5 ( ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( *) ( s($(u(*) ,)%* * )$n( $v 5n +(. A''*)%n> (* %s

)$s*n%n>" u,*n ( u&%&&+n( * ( $*)+n(%*n '*n%(%*ns" ( '*n%)+$(%*n * $n %+,)'( (%(& %s *n& $ *)+$&%(

G.R. No. L-49623 June 29, 1982

MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY, ,(%(%*n)-$,,&&$n("

vs.

JUDGE LORENLIANA CA!TRO-"ARTOLOME o# $%e Cou&$ o# '&($ In($)n*e o# R'+), M))$' "&)n*% /, )n0

REPU"LIC O TE PILIPPINE!,

)s,*nn(-$,,&&s.

 

AUINO, J.: p

T%s '$s %nv*&vs ( ,)*%5%(%*n %n s'(%*n 11" A)(%'& 2I3 * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n ($( n* ,)%v$( '*,*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$%(*n +$ *

$&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s n*( (* ' *n (*us$n '($)s %n $)$.  T$( ,)*%5%(%*n %s n*( *un

( 19

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'&us%v $n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * ( &$n *) $( &$s( (%)( $)s %++%$(& ,)'%n> ( %&%n> * (

$,,&%'$(%*n ,,. 8-88" Rollo;.

A() ( ()%$& $ '*++n'" ( P)*v%n' * )%/$& $n ( Mun%'%,$&%( * T$n$ %& $ ?*%n( *,,*s%(%*n (* ( $,,&%'$(%*n *n (

>)*un ($( *n * ( &*(s" L*( N*. 118 * ( T$n$ '$$s()" 6*u& 5 n *) ( 6%n%n> $n %+,)*v+n( * J*s A5

S$n(*s $n E.u%)%n* S()(s%n ( (*6n * T$n$.

T &$n 6$s ,*ssss 5 O&%+,%$ )$+*s 5*) ( P$'%%' 6$) 6%' 5)*0 *u( %n 1941. On Ju& u%n> $n MIn)v$ In*'n'%* E. ;. T P%>u%n> s$,*uss '*ns()u'( $ *us ())*n. B'$us (

M)$&'* $ %ns($&& ( $n'*) >u * %(s s(& ,*s( *n ( &$n" ( P%>u%n> s,*uss s*& ( &*( (* ( M)$&'* *n Au>us( 1

1978.

T s$% &$n 6$s %n'&u %n (198# '$$s()$& su)v +$ %n T$n$' 5 ( Bu)$u * L$ns" P&$n AP-=4-===9=! E. F $n

; $n 6$s %v% %n(* (6* &*(s" L*(s N*s. 1184 $n 118" s* $s (* s>)>$( L*( N*. 118 6%' 6*u& 5 us (* 6%n ( (6

s()( s)v%n> $s ( &$nHs $s()n $n s*u()n 5*un$)%s.

T &$n 6$s '&$) *) )$&( ($ ,u),*ss s%n' 194 $n ($s $ 5n ,$% ()*n u, (* 1977. I( %s )s%n(%$& %n '$)$'()

%s(%n>u%s )*+ $ s()%'(& $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n. I( %s n*( %n'&u %n $n +%&%($) )s)v$(%*n. S%n' 19!7" %( $s *)+ ,$)( * (

$&%n$5& ,*)(%*n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n.

A() ()%$&" ( &*6) '*u)( )n) $ '%s%*n %s+%ss%n> ( $,,&%'$(%*n 5'$us %n %(s *,%n%*n ( M)$&'* %s n*( u$&%%

$,,& *) ( )>%s()$(%*n * ( s$% &$n s%n' un) s'(%*n 4#5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n L$6 *n& F%&%,%n* '%(%/ns *) n$(u)$& ,)s*

'$n $,,& *) ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n* (%) %+,)'( (%(&s (* ,u5&%' &$n. T M)$&'* %s $ ?u)%%'$& ,)s*n. T ()%$& '*u)( $ssu+

($( ( &$n 6%' %( s0s (* )>%s() %s public land .

F)*+ ($( '%s%*n" ( M)$&'* $,,$& (* (%s C*u)( un) R,u5&%' A'( N*. 44=.In '*n(ns ($( ( s$% &$n" $() $v%n> 5n ,*ssss %n ( '*n',( * *6n) 5 O&%+,%$ R$+*s $n ( P%>u%n> s,*uss

+*) ($n (%)( $)s" $ 5'*+ private land  %n ( $ns * ( &$(()" $n" ()*)" ( '*ns(%(u(%*n$& ,)*%5%(%*n" 5$nn%n>

 ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n )*+ $'u%)%n> $&%n$5& ,u5&%' &$n" %s n*( $,,&%'$5& (* ( s$% &$n.

T M)$&'* u)() '*n(ns ($( %( $s %nv*0 s'(%*n 4#5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n L$6" n*( *) %(s&" 5u( *) ( P%>u%n> s,*us

6*" $s F%&%,%n* '%(%/ns" '*u& s'u) $ ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) %+,)'( (%(& (* ( &$n.

In ),& (* (s '*n(n(%*ns" ( S*&%'%(*) Gn)$& '*un()s ($( ( s$% &$n %s n*( ,)%v$( &$n 5'$us ( M)$&'* $n

 ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $v n* '*+,*s%(%*n (%(& )*+ ( S,$n%s >*v)n+n( n*) ,*ssss*) %n*)+$(%*n (%(& *) $n *() +$

*) ( $'u%s%(%*n * ,u5&%' &$ns su' $s >)$n(s *) ,$(n(s R,u5&%' vs. C*u)( * A,,$&s $n D Jsus" L-4=91!" S,(+5) <

1978" 7< SCRA 148" 17 D%)'(*) * L$ns vs. Rs" L-!794" N*v+5) !#" 197" $n A&%nsunu)%n vs. D%)'(*) * L$ns" L

!#144" N*v+5) !#" 197 8# SCRA 177 19 L *n> *0 vs. D$v%" L- s')%5 citizens of the Philippines" *''u,%n> &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *) '&$%+%n>

*6n $n su' &$ns *) $n %n()s( ()%n" 5u( 6*s (%(&s $v n*( 5n ,)'( *) '*+,&(" +$ $,,& (* (

C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n' * ( ,)*v%n' 6) ( &$n %s &*'$( *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) '&$%+s $n ( %ssu$n

* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& ()*)" un) ( L$n R>%s()$(%*n A'(" (* 6%(:

5; T*s 6* 5 (+s&vs *) ()*u> (%) ,)'ss*)s %n %n()s( $v 5n %n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v$n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * $>)%'u&(u)$& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" un) $ bona fide '&$%+

$'u%s%(%*n * *6n)s%," *) $( &$s( (%)( $)s %++%$(& ,)'%n> ( %&%n> * ( $,,&%'$(%*n

'*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& ',( 6n ,)vn( 5 6$) *) *)' +$?u). Ts s$&& 5 '*n'&us%v& ,)su+

$v ,)*)+ $&& ( '*n%(%*ns ssn(%$& (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n s$&& 5 n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& un

( ,)*v%s%*ns * (%s '$,(). As $+n 5 R,u5&%' A'( N*. 194!" $,,)*v *n Jun !!" 197.;

SEC. 49. N* ,)s*n '&$%+%n> (%(& (* &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n n*( %n ,*ssss%*n * ( u$&%%'$(%*ns s,'%%

( &$s( ,)'%n> s'(%*n +$ $,,& *) ( 5n%(s * (%s '$,().

@ *& ($(" $s 5(6n ( S($( $n ( M)$&'*" ( s$% &$n %s s(%&& ,u5&%' &$n. I( 6*u& '$s (* 5 ,u5&%' &$n *n& u,*n (

%ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* $n F%&%,%n* '%(%/n '&$%+%n> %( un) s'(%*n 4#5;. B'$us %( %s s(%&& ,u5&%' &$n $n (

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M)$&'*" $s $ ?u)%%'$& ,)s*n" %s %su$&%% (* $,,& *) %(s )>%s()$(%*n un) s'(%*n 4#5;" M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n '$nn*( 5 >%v

u '*u)s *) $s (* 5 %s+%ss.

T%s '*n'&us%*n %s su,,*)( 5 ( )u& $nn*un' %n O C* vs. D%)'(*) * L$ns" 7 P%&. #9=" #9!" 6%' )u& %s

'*+,n%*us *) u%n(ssn(%$& ,)'%s * $ ,)v$s%v ,)%n'%,& * ,u5&%' &$n &$6 $n &$n )>%s()$(%*n &$6" ($( "all lands that we

not acquired from the Government, either b purchase or b !rant, belon! to the public domain . An ',(%*n (* ( )u& 6*u&

$n &$n ($( s*u& $v 5n %n ( ,*ssss%*n * $n *''u,$n( $n * %s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( s%n' (%+ %+++*)%$&" *) su

 ,*ssss%*n 6*u& ?us(% ( ,)su+,(%*n ($( ( &$n $ nv) 5n ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *) ($( %( $ 5n $ ,)%v$

 ,)*,)( vn 5*) ( S,$n%s '*nus(. C$)%* vs. Insu&$) G*v)n+n(" !1! U. S. 449" < L. . 94" 41 P%&. 9T M)$&'* )&%s *n ( )u&%n> %n Sus% vs. R$/*n $n D%)'(*) * L$ns" 4# P%&. 4!4" ($( $n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" $v)s $n ,u5&%' ,*ssss%*n * $ &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n )*+ (%+ %+++*)%$& 5 $ ,)%v$( %n%v%u$& ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u>

 ,)'ss*)s '*n)s $n '(%v (%(& *n s$% ,*ssss*)" 6)5 ( &$n '$ss (* 5 ,u5&%' $n 5'*+s ,)%v$( ,)*,)(.

T$( )u&%n> %s 5$s *n ( Cario '$s 6%' %s $5*u( ( ,*ssss%*n * &$n 5 $n I>*)*( $n %s $n's(*)s s%n' (%+ %+++*)%

*) vn 5*) ( S,$n%s '*nus(. T &$n %nv*&v %n ( Susi '$s 6$s ,*ssss 5*) 1##= *) s%n' $ ,)%* * (%+

5*n ( )$' * ++*). T$( %s n*( ( s%(u$(%*n %n (%s '$s. T M)$&'* *s n*( ,)(n ($( ( P%>u%n> s,*uss $n

(%) ,)'ss*) $ 5n %n ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n s%n' (%+ %+++*)%$&.

In ( Susi '$s" (%s C*u)( $,,&% s'(%*n 45; * A'( N*. !#74 6%' '*))s,*ns (* 6$( %s n*6 s'(%*n 4#5;. I( 6$s & (

( &*n> ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n un) $ bona fide '&$%+ * *6n)s%, s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94 >$v )%s (* ( '*n'&us%v ,)su+,(%

($( ( *''u,$n( $ '*+,&% 6%( $&& ( '*n%(%*ns ssn(%$& (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n 6$s (us n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(&

On ( *() $n" %n U Un vs. P)/" 71 P%&. =#" 1=-11" %( 6$s & ($( 6%& *''u,$n(s * ,u5&%' &$n" 6* $v $,,&%

( '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) (%(&" (%$n $s%+%s+* $ su $v*) &$ ,)sun'%*n  juris et de jure  u $5%$n 'u+,&%* '*n (*$s &'*n%'%*ns n's$)%$s ,$)$ &$ '*n's%*n & (%(u&* ,)* $s($ u & (%(u&* s ,%$ n* tenian el concepto juridico de ser l

verdaderos dueos del terreno in este dejo de pertenecer a los terrenos publico del #stado susceptibles de enajenacion.

T$( +$ns ($( un(%& ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& %s %ssu" $ ,%' * &$n" *v) 6%' $n %+,)'( (%(& %s s*u>( (* 5 '*n%)+" )+$%

 ,u5&%' &$n. F*) ($( )$s*n %n ( $ $n '$s" %( 6$s & ($( % ($( &$n 6$s $(($' 5 $ ?u>+n( ')%(*) * ( $,,&%'$n

6%& %s $,,&%'$(%*n *) '*n%)+$(%*n * %s %+,)'( (%(& 6$s ,n%n> %n ( Bu)$u * L$ns" ( &v $n 'u(%*n s$& * (

&$n 6) v*%.

F*) ($( s$+ )$s*n" &$ns *v) 6%' $n %+,)'( (%(& %s s*u>( (* 5 '*n%)+ $) >*v)n 5 ( Pu5&%' L$n L$6. Su

&$ns 6*u& n*( 5 '*v) 5 ( Pu5&%' L$n L$6 % ( 6) $&)$ ,)%v$( &$ns. T *''u,$n(sH )%>( (* ( s$% &$ns

'$)$'()%/ %n ( U Un '$s" n*( $s *6n)s%, %n s%+,&" 5u( $sderecho dominical incoativo.

T M)$&'* %n %(s '*n'&u%n> $)>u+n( '*n(ns ($( % ( P%>u%n> s,*uss '*u& $s0 *) ( '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) %+,)'( (%(

(* ( s$% &$ns" (n 6 s*u& ( M)$&'*" $s (%) ()$ns)" 5 n% ( s$+ )%>( (* )>%s() ( s$% &$n %n %(s n$+() 5%n> n* &>$& ,)*%5%(%*n *) ( P%>u%n> s,*uss )*+ s&&%n> ( &$n (* ( M)$&'*K T%s C*u)( %s %s,*s%n> * ($( s$+

'*n(n(%*n %n ( O C* '$s s$%:

T 5n%(s ,)*v% %n ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( +$n%n> ( '*n%)+$(%*n * $n %+,)'( (%(& un) s'(%*n 4#5

*) $,,&%'$n(Hs %++%$( ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $) *) '*ns(%(u( $ >)$n( *) '*n'ss%*n 5 ( S($( $n 5*

( '*u& $'u%) $n )%>( un) su' 5n%(s" ( $,,&%'$n(Hs %++%$( ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( s*u& '*+,

6%( ( '*n%(%*n ,)'n( *) ( >)$n( * su' 5n%(s.

T '*n%(%*n ,)'n( %s (* $,,& *) ( )>%s()$(%*n * ( &$n * 6%' ( $ 5n %n ,*ssss%*n $( &$

s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94. T%s ( $,,&%'$n(Hs %++%$( ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( +$n%n> ( P%>u%n> s,*uss %n (

%ns($n( '$s; $%& (* *.

%he did not have an vested ri!ht in the lot amountin! to title which was transmissible to the applicant . T *n

)%>(" % %( +$ (us 5 '$&&" %s (%) ,*ssss%*n * ( &*( 6%'" ($'0 (* ($( * (%) ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()+$ 5 $v$%& * 5 $ u$&%% ,)s*n (* $,,& *) %(s )>%s()$(%*n 5u( n*( 5 $ ,)s*n $s ( $,,&%'$n( 6*

%su$&%%. 7 P%&. #9=" #9

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 &arredo, 'a(asiar, Guerrero, 'elencio)Herrera, Plana, #scolin, *asquez, Relova and Gutierrez, +r, ++, concur

Concepcion, +r, +, is on leave

 

!e)&)$e O'n'on(

 A"AD !ANTO!, J.5 *on*u&&'n5

I '*n'u) %n ( )su&(. I $+ * ( *,%n%*n ($( ( &*(s 6%' $) s*u>( (* 5 )>%s() $v '$s (* 5 &$ns * ( ,u5

*+$%n $( ( (%+ ( 6) $'u%) 5 ( ,(%(%*n) '*),*)$(%*n. T $) $&)$ ,)%v$( &$ns 5'$us * $'u%s%(%

 ,)s')%,(%*n 5 ( ,)'ss*)s * ( ,(%(%*n) $n $&& ($( %s n %s ( '*n%)+$(%*n * ( (%(&. A''*)%n>&" (

'*ns(%(u(%*n$& ,)*v%s%*n ($( n* ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n %s %n$,,&%'$5&

*6v)" ( ,(%(%*n) %s )&%n> *n S'. 4# * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( *) ( '*n%)+$(%*n * %(s (%(& $n M). Jus(%' Au%n*

'*))'( %n *&%n> ($( s$% ,)*v%s%*n '$nn*( 5 $v$%& 5 ?u)%%'$& n(%(%s.

ERNANDO, C.J., '*n'u))%n> $n %ssn(%n>:

I '*n'u) %n ( )u&%n> * ( C*u)( ($( M)$&'* $s $ ?u)%%'$& ,)s*n %s %su$&%% (* $,,& *) %(s )>%s()$(%*n un) S'(%*

4#5;.. 1 I %ssn( %ns*$) $s ( *,%n%*n * ( C*u)( 6*u& '$)$'()%/ su' ?u)%s%'(%*n$& '(" un) ( ,$)(%'u&$) '%)'u+s($n's * (% s '$s" $s $n %nsu)+*un($5& *5s($'& (* ( )s*u>(. I 6*u& $,,& 5 $n$&*>" $&(*u> ( $'(s '*u& 5 %s(%n>u%s" ( $,,)*$' *&&*6 5 us %n F)$n'%s'* v. C%( * D$v$*" 2 6) ( &>$& us(%*n )$%s" %ns(* 5%n> )) $n ,*ss%5& ($0n u, %n $n*() '$s" 6$s )s*&v. B &>$& %'(%*n 3 $n %n ( )'%s * *u) u%($5& ?u)%s%'(%*n& ($( ( )$&%s(%' s*&u(%*n6*u& 5 (* '% ( +$(() $s % ( $,,&%'$(%*n un) S'(%*n 4#5; 6) %& 5 ( P%>u%n> s,*us

6* I $ssu+ su) )*+ n* su' %s$5%&%(.

DE CA!TRO, J., %ssn(%n>:

Jus(%' T$n0 '%(s %n %s %ssn(%n> *,%n%*n ( '$s * )%'* vs. D$)" 1 ( '%s%*n %n 6%' I $+ ( ,*nn(" $s )%()$(%n>su,,*s& 6&&-s($5&%s *'()%n ($( &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n 6%'" 5 )$s*n * ,*ssss%*n $n 'u&(%v$(%*n *) su' $ &n>(

(%+" $ >)$n( 5 ( S($( (* ( *''u,$n( %s ,)su+" $n ( &$n ()5 '$ss (* *)+ ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" 5u( %s s>)>$(

())*+ $s (* 5 n* &*n>) su5?'( (* ( $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s un) ( ,u5&%' &$ns &$6s *) s($(u(s. 6*u

(us '*ns%) s$% &$n $s n* &*n>) ,u5&%' &$n 5u( ,)%v$( &$ns $n ()*)" n*( 6%(%n ( ,)*%5%(%*n * ( N6 C*ns(%(u(%

$>$%ns( '*),*)$(%*ns )*+ $'u%)%n> ,u5&%' &$ns 6%' ,)*v%s ($( n* ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns

( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s n*( (* ' *n (*us$n '($)s. 2

I '$nn*( su5s')%5 (* ( v%6 ($( ( &$n $s $5*v s')%5 $s 5'*+ ,)%v$( &$n" vn 5*) (%(& ()(*" 6%' %s" $s

(%s s($>" s$% (* 5 s(%&& $n %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&" $s 5n u&& vs( *n ( *''u,$n(" ()*u> ( ,)s')%5 ,)*'u

0n*6n $s ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&. 3 T%s %s ( *n& &>$& +(* 5 6%' u&& $n $5s*&u( (%(& (* (&$n +$ 5 >)$n(" (* '*nv)( ( &$n %n(* $ ()u& ,)%v$( &$n. T* s'u) su' ?u%'%$& (%(&" *n& ( '*u)(s '$n 5 )s*)( (*. T

D%)'(*) * L$ns $s &*s( $u(*)%( *v) ( &$n" %ns*$) $s %(s %s,*s%(%*n %s '*n')n. %s $u(*)%( %s &%+%( (* $n*() *)+

%s,*s%(%*n * ,u5&%' &$n" ))) (* $s $+%n%s()$(%v &>$&%/$(%*n" )su&(%n> %n ( %ssu$n' * ) ,$(n(s" $&s* 5$s *n ,*ssss%*n"

6%' '$s" $s %n ( %ssu$n' * *+s($ $n s$&s ,$(n(s" ( &$n %nv*&v %s un*u5(& ,u5&%' &$n. T ,*ssss*) * $ ,%'  ,u5&%' &$n 6*u& $v ( *,(%*n (* $'u%) (%(& ()(* ()*u> ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n *) $+%n%s()$(%v &>$&%/$(%*n. T %)n'

($( %n ( &$(() '$s" ( $)$ %s,*s$5& (* $ '%(%/n-$,,&%'$n( 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns %s &%+%( (* !4 '($)s. T) %s n* &%+%( (* (

$)$ su5?'( (* ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&" ',( ,*ss%5& ( &%+%( % *) $ S($( >)$n( un) *& S,$n%

&$6s $n ')s" 6%' ')($%n& %s +u' &$)>) ($n ($( s( *) ) ,$(n(s.

I( %s 5'$us * ( %vs(%(u) * $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s * ( &$n su5?'( (* ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n

%n'*+,&( $n %+,)'( (%(& ($( s*+ s($(+n(s $) *un %n +$n '$ss" su' $s (*s '%( 5 Jus(%' T$n0" (* ( ($( su' &$n $s '$s (* 5 $ ,u5&%' &$n. @$( (s s($(+n(s" *6v)" )$&& +$n %s ($( ( &$n ))) (* n* &*n>

*)+s ,$)( * ( +$ss * ,u5&%' *+$%n s(%&& %s,*s$5& 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns" un) ( $u(*)%( >)$n( %+ 5 ( ,u5&

&$n s($(u(s. I(" *6v)" 6*u& n*( *&&*6 ($( ( &$n '*v) 5 S'(%*n 4# * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $s %(s& 5'*+ ,)%v$

&$n. T $'( ($( %(s %s,*s%(%*n %s ,)*v% *) %n ( $*)'%( A'( 6%' $&s 6%( ,u5&%' &$n >%vs )%s (* ( v) s()*n

%+,&%'$(%*n" % n*( $ ,*s%(%v '*n'&us%*n" ($( ( &$n ))) (* %s s(%&&  public land . On& 6n ( '*u)( $?u%'$(s ( &$n (* (

$,,&%'$n( *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& 6*u& ( &$n 5'*+ ,)%v$(& *6n &$n" *) %n ( s$+ ,)*'%n>" ( '*u)( +$ '&$)

 ,u5&%' &$n" ,n%n> *n ( v%n'.

T %s'uss%*n * ( us(%*n * 6() ( &$n %nv*&v %s s(%&& ,u5&%' *) $&)$ ,)%v$( &$n %s" *6v)" n(%)& ,*%n(&ss"

$n %& )'%s" % @ '*ns%) ( ,)*v%s%*n * S'(%*n 14" A)(%'& 2I3 * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n 6%' $,,$)s (* $v 5n &*s( s%>

*" 6%' ,)*v%s ($( Hs$v %n '$ss * )%($) su''ss%*n" n* ,)%v$( &$ns s$&& 5 ()$ns)) *) '*nv ',(

%n%v%u$&s" '*),*)$(%*ns" *) $ss*'%$(%*ns u$&%% (* $'u%) *) *& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n. As ,)v%*us& s($(" 5 ,)

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 ,)*v%s%*ns * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n" n* '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s" n*(

'" 1"=== '($)s %n $)$. 4 n'" vn % ( &$n %nv*&v %n ( ,)sn( '$s %s '*ns%) ,)%v$( &$n" ( '%( s'(%* ,)*%5%(s %(s $'u%s%(%*n 5 ( M)$&'* *) I>&s%$ 6%' $+%((& $) '*),*)$(%*ns *) $ss*'%$(%*n 6%(%n ( +$n%n> * ( $*)'%(

 ,)*v%s%*n * ( N6 C*ns(%(u(%*n. T%s *5s)v$(%*n s*u& n $&& $)>u+n(s *n ( %ssu * 6() ( &$n %n us(%*n %s ,u5&%'

 ,)%v$( &$n. A&(*u> %( +$ u)() 5 *5s)v ($( su,,*s%n> $ '*),*)$(%*n $s 5n %n ,*ssss%*n * $ ,%' * ,u5&%' &$n )*+ (

v) 5>%nn%n>" +$ %( $,,& *) ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*n (* $'u%) (%(& (* %(s *6n) $() ,*ssss%n> ( &$n *) (

)u%s%( &n>( * (%+K T $ns6) %s 5&%v *5v%*us %( +$ n*(. I %(s ,*ssss%*n %s n*( )*+ ( 5>%nn%n> 5u( $s '*++n'

*n& u,*n ( ()$ns) (* %( 5 ( ,)%*) ,*ssss*)" +$ ( '*),*)$(%*n $,,&K T $ns6) %s ?us( $s *5v%*us 6%( +*) )$s*n" %( +$

n*(.

T%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n s*u& $v $ n* n (* 5 6)%((n 5'$us ( +$?*)%( *,%n%*n 6)%((n 5 Jus(%' Au%n* %s $&)$ 6

)$s*n *u( $n su,,*)( 5 $,,&%'$5& $u(*)%(%s. I 6$s %+,&& (* 6)%( %( *n& 5'$us %n ( %ssn(%n> *,%n%*n * Jus(%'

T$n0" ( '$s * Herico vs -ar   supra; 6%' %s + ponencia6$s '%( %n su,,*)( * %s ,*s%(%*n. T%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n (

%s +*) (* s*6 $n ,&$%n ($( 6$(v) $s 5n s($( 5 + %n ( D$) '$s s*u& 5 %n(),)( %n ( &%>( * 6$( I $v

s$% %n (%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n" 6%' I 5&%v" *s n*( s()n>(n Jus(%' T$n0Hs ,*s%(%*n $ 5%(.

TEEAN7EE, J., %ssn(%n>:

Inv*&v %n (s (6* '$ss $) ( $,,&%'$(%*ns * ,(%(%*n) M)$&'*" $ n$(%*n$&%/ *+s(%' '*),*)$(%*n" %n ( %)s( '$s $n

)s,*nn( I>&s%$ %n C)%s(*" $ )&%>%*us '*),*)$(%*n s*&" %n ( s'*n '$s 5*( $+%((& F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns u$&%% (* *

$n *6n private &$ns;" *) ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) (%(&s (* s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n" )s%n(%$& %n '$)$'() $s %s(%n>u%s

)*+ s()%'(& $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n" $'u%) 5 (+ 5 ,u)'$s *) '$n> )*+ ,)%v$( ,)s*ns  publicl reco!nized as the priva

owners 6* $v 5n %n ( *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v $n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * ( &$ns un) $ 5*n$ %

'&$%+ * *6n)s%, *) $( &$s( (%)( )$n( $n s$&& 5 n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& $n "

le!al fiction( &$n $s $&)$ ceased to be of the public domain $n $s become private propert. A''*)%n>&" ( ,)*%5%(%

* ( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*n $n * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $>$%ns( ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *&%n> &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $s

$,,&%'$5%&%( %n ( ,)sn( '$ss. @$( M)$&'* $n I>&s%$ $v $'u%) )*+ (%) ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ $&)$ '$s

 5 * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $( ( (%+ * ( s$& (* (+ $n ()*) (%) $,,&%'$(%ns

'*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& 5 v%)(u * (%) ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(H vs( )%>( $n (%(& +$ 5 u& >)$n(.

T &$n '*v) 5 ( M)$&'* $,,&%'$(%*n * N*v+5) !8" 1978 '*ns%s(s * (6* 1; s+$&& &*(s 6%( $ (*($& $)$ * 18 su$

+()s &*'$( $( T$n$" R%/$& 6%( $n $ssss v$&u * Pu%n> $n M%n)vIn*'n'%* 6* '*ns()u'( $ *us ()*n. Bu( 5'$us ( M)$&'* $ %ns($&& ( $n'*) >u * %(s s(&& ,*s(s *n ( &$n

( P%>u%n> s,*uss s*& ( &$n (* ( M)$&'* *n Au>us( 1 *) $ &*( *6n 5 ( I>&s%$ 6%( $n $)$ * !47 su$) +()s. T

&$n 6$s $&)$ ,*ssss 5 P)/ %n 19&s%$ s($ns *

( s$% &$n. I( $ 5n dul declared for realt ta. purposes  %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$ $n )$&( ($s 6) re!ular

 paid ()*n.

Rs,*nn( ?u> %n ( M)$&'* '$s sus($%n ( R,u5&%'Hs *,,*s%(%*n $n %s+%ss ( $,,&%'$(%*n" *&%n> ($( un) 5*

( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( n6 C*ns(%(u(%*n $n ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" M)$&'*" 5%n> $ '*),*)$(%*n $n n*( $ n$(u)$& ,)s*n" %s n

u$&%% (* $,,& *) ( )>%s()$(%*n * (%(& *v) ( ,u5&%' &$n.

On ( *() $n" %n ( I>&s%$ '$s" ( R,u5&%' ,)sn( n* v%n' %n su,,*)( * %(s *,,*s%(%*n 5u( ,)ss& su5+%(( (

'$s *) '%s%*n *n ( 5$s%s * ( v%n' su5+%(( 5 ( $,,&%'$n(. Rs,*nn( ?u> %n ( '$s $''*)%n>& >)$n( (

$,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n * ( &$n %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$" *&%n> ($( %( $ 5n s$(%s$'(*)%& s($5&%s ($( $,,&%'$n

I>&s%$ $n %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $v 5n %n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" ,u5&%' $n $v)s ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n . . . un) $ 5*n

% '&$%+ * *6n)s%, *) +*) ($n (%)( * ( $,,&%'$(%*n $n %s ()*) n(%(& (* (

)>%s()$(%*n $,,&% *) un) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" $s $+n.

B*( '%s%*ns $) n*6 6%( ( C*u)( *) )v%6. I *& ($( 5*( $,,&%'$(%*ns *) )>%s()$(%*n s*u& 5 >)$n( 5 v%)(u * (

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 ,)v$%&%n> ,)%n'%,& $s nun'%$( s%n' ( 19! '$s * Susi vs Razon and -irector of 3ands 1$n )$%)+ %n $ &*n> &%n * '$s*6n (* ( 19#= '$s * Herico vs -ar  2 ($( ( &$ns %n us(%*n '$s" ipso jure" *) 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6" (* 5 &$ns * ( ,u5

*+$%n u,*n '*+,&(%*n * ( s($(u(*) ,)%* * *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v" n*(*)%*us $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n ()* 5 (

$,,&%'$n(sH ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( 6* 6) u$&%% n$(u)$& ,)s*ns $n n(%(& (* )>%s()$(%*n 5 )%>( * $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%

un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" $n ($( $''*)%n>& ( ?u>+n( %n ( M)$&'* '$s s*u& 5 )v)s $n $ n

 ?u>+n( n() >)$n(%n> M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n" 6%& ( ?u>+n( %n ( I>&s%$ '$s s*u& s($n $%)+.

T ,)%n'%,$& %ssu $( 5$) +$ (us 5 s($(:

I( %s ,)ss& ,)*v% %n s'(%*n 4#" ,$). 5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141" $s $+n 5 R,. A'( N

194!" $,,)*v *n Jun !!" 197; ($( '%(%/ns * ( P%&%,,%ns 6* $) n$(u)$& ,)s*ns 6* $v *''u,% &$ns * ( ,u5&

*+$%n 5u( 6*s (%(&s $v n*( 5n ,)'( *) '*+,&( +$ $,,& (* ( '*))s,*n%n> '*u)( * %)s( %ns($n' '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) '&$%+s $n ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& ()*) un) ( L$n R>%s()$(%*n A'( %n '$ss 6) (

5 (+s&vs *) throu!h their predecessors)in)interest  $v 5n %n ( *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v" $n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n

*''u,$(%*n * $>)%'u&(u)$& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" un) $ 5*n$ % '&$%+ * $'u%s%(%*n * *6n)s%,"  for at least thirt ea

immediatel precedin! the filin! of the application *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& ',( 6n ,)vn( 5 6$) *)  force majeure. T

s$&& 5 conclusivel presumed  (* $v ,)*)+ $&& ( '*n%(%*ns ssn(%$& (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n s$&& 5 n(%(& (*

')(%%'$( * (%(& un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * (%s '$,(). 3 In su' '$ss" %s ( &$n %,s* ?u) *) 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6 '*nv)( %n ,)%v$( &$n u,*n '*+,&(%*n * ( *''u,$(%*n * ( &$n su' ($( ()$() $s su' ,)%v$

&$n" %( +$ 5 u& ()$ns)) (* $n *6n 5 ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*ns *) *s su' &$n" $s & 5 )s,*nn( ?u> %n ( M)$&'* '$s

)+$%n ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n *s n*( 5'*+ ,)%v$( &$n un(%& $() $'(u$& ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n ,)*'%n>s $n ( *)+'*u)( *)) *) ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(&K

1. T%s %ssu $s 5n su$)& )s*&v 5 (%s C*u)( s%n' ( 19! '$s * Susi vs Razon $n $ &*n> &%n * '$ss" infra;. I(

s($5&%s *'()%n $s %)s( & ()%n ($( $n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" $v)s $n ,u5&%' ,*ssss%*n * $ &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *( ,)%* ,)*v% %n ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( ,)*v%s%*n %n *)' $( ( (%+ )*+ Ju& !8" 1#94 %n Sus% un) ( *& &$6; 5 $ ,)%v$

%n%v%u$& ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s '*n)s $n '(%v (%(& *n s$% ,*ssss*)" 6)5 ( &$n '$ss (* 5 &$n

( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n 5'*+s ,)%v$( ,)*,)(.

A( ($( (%+ %n 19! %n ( Susi '$s" su' ,*ssss%*n 6$s )u%) "from +ul 45, /601"  $s (n ,)*v% *) %n s'(%*n 45;

( *& Pu5&%' L$n A'( N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8 6)$s at present " $s ,)*v% *) %n ( '*))s,*n%n> s'(%*n 4#" ,$

5; * ( &$() $n su5s%s(%n> Pu5&%' L$n A'(" C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141" $s $+n 5 R,. A'( N*. 194! approved on +u

44, /027 " %n *)' s%n' 197" ( ,)%* * *,n $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n 6$s )u' (* at least thirt ears immediate

 precedin! the filin! of the application for confirmation of title, equivalent to the period of acquisitive prescription. T%s %s $+%((

%n ( +$%n *,%n%*n * M). Jus(%' Au%n*" 6)%n %( %s s($( ($( I;n ( Susi '$s" (%s C*u)( $,,&% s'(%*n 4 5; * A'( N

!#74 6%' '*))s,*ns (* 6$( %s now section 168b9. I( 6$s & ($( ( &*n> ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n un) $ 5*n$ % '&$%+

*6n)s%, s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94 >$v )%s (* ( conclusive presumption ($( ( *''u,$n( $ complied with all the conditio

essential  (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n 6$s (us n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(&. 4 T (( * ( '*))s,*n%n> s'(%*n 4#5;" $+n 5 R,. A'( 194! ))) (* %s ),)*u'verbatim %n M). Jus(%' Au%n*Hs *,%n%*n  $n u*(s ( )u' s($(u(*) ,)%* *,n $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n * $( &$s( thirt ears %++%$(& ,)'%n> ( %&%n> * ( $,,&%'$(%*n.;

A''*)%n>&" ( C*u)( & ($( Susi" $s ( )%>(u& ,*ssss*) * ( ,u5&%' &$n *) ( s($(u(*) ,)%*" $'u%) ( s$+

operation * &$6 $s $ >)$n( from the Government, "not onl a ri!ht to a !rant " $n ( &$n ()5 $&)$ '$s (* 5 * (

 ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $( &$s( 5 ,)su+,(%*n $s ,)ss& ,)*v% %n ( A'(. T)*)" $n su,,*s

s$& 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns * ( s$+ &$n (* $n*() ,)s*n 6$s v*% $n * n* '( $n Susi $s ( )%>(u& ,*ssss*) '*u

)'*v) ( &$n $s %s private propert)*+ ( su,,*s vn 6* % n*( $'u%) $n )%>( ()(* s%n' %( $ '$s (* 5

&$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n. T C*u)( (us s,'%%'$&& & ()%n" $s $,,&% (* ( s,'%%' $'(s * ( '$s" ($(:

. . . In $v*) * 3$&n(%n Sus%" () %s" +*)*v)" ( ,)su+,(%*n juris et de jure" s($5&%s %n ,$)$>)$, 5; * s'(%*n 4 * A

 N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8" ($( all the necessar requirements for a !rant b the Government were complied with *)

 5n %n $'(u$& $n ,s%'$& ,*ssss%*n" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s" * $n $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%

*,n& '*n(%nu*us&" '&us%v& $n ,u5&%'& s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * C$,() 3III * s$% A'(. S* ($( 6n An>&$ R$/*n $,,&% *) ( >)$n( %n ) $v*)" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ alrea

acquired, b operation of law, not onl a ri!ht to a !rant, but a !rant of the Government, for it is not necessar that certificate

title should be issued in order that said !rant ma be sanctioned b the courts, an application therefor is sufficient " un) (

 ,)*v%s%*ns * s'(%*n 47 * A'( N*. !#74. :f b a le!al function" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ $'u%) ( &$n %n us(%*n 5 $ >)$n( * (

S($(" it had alread ceased to be of the public domain and had become private propert, at least b presumption " * 3$&n(

Sus%" beond the control of the -irector of 3ands. C*nsun(&" %n s&&%n> ( &$n %n us(%*n (* An>&$ R$/*n" ( D%)'(*)

L$ns %s,*s * $ &$n *v) 6%' $ n* &*n>) $n (%(& *) '*n()*&" $n ( s$0 (us +$ 6$s v*% $n * n* '(" $n

An>&$ R$/*n % n*( ()5 $'u%) $n )%>(. 6

!. T $5*v-u*( )u&%n> %n Sus% $s 5n $%)+ $n )$%)+ 5 (%s C*u)( %n $ &*n> un5)*0n &%n * '$ss" $s *&&*6s:

In 'esina vs *da de Sonza"  ( C*u)( & ($( I;n ( '$s * Susi vs Razon" et al" 4# P%&. 4!4" %( 6$s *5s)v ($( 6) $&& (n'ss$) )u%)+n(s *) $ >)$n( 5 ( G*v)n+n( $) '*+,&% 6%( ()*u> $'(u$& ,s%'$& ,*ssss%*n *,n&" '*n(%nu*us&" $

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 ,u5&%'&" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * C$,() 3III * A'( N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9

'$))% *v) $s C$,() 3III * C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141;" ( ,*ssss*) %s + (* $v $&)$ $'u%) b operation of law n*n& $ )%>( (* $ >)$n(" 5u( $ >)$n( * ( G*v)n+n(" *) it is not necessar that a certificate of title be issued in order that said !ra

ma be sanctioned b the courts  $n $,,&%'$(%*n ()*) 5%n> su%'%n( un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * S'(%*n 47 * A'( N*. !#7

),)*u' $s S'(%*n =" C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141;. $n C;*ns%)%n> ($( (%s '$s 6$s %s+%ss 5 ( ()%$& '*u)( +)& *n

+*(%*n (* %s+%ss *n ( >)*un ($( ,&$%n(%Hs $'(%*n %s $&)$ 5$)) 5 ( s($(u( * &%+%($(%*ns" 6%' $,,$)n(& %s ,)%'$( *n (

(*) ($( $ ') * )>%s()$(%*n '$n n* &*n>) 5 %+,u>n *n ( >)*un * )$u *n $) $() ( %ssu$n' $n n() * ( ')

6%' (*) *s n*( $,,& ) because the propert involved is alle!edl private in natural and has ceased to be part of the publ

domain" 6 $) * ( *,%n%*n ($( ( ()%$& '*u)( )) %n %s+%ss%n> ( '$s *u()%>( 6%(*u( >%v%n> ,&$%n(% $ '$n' (* ,)*v %s '&$%+

In 3acaste vs -irector of 3ands" 8 ( C*u)( s()ss ($( 5 *)' * ,*ssss%*n" ( &$n %n us(%*n 5'$+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( *n (s()n>( * ( Susi *'()%n.

In 'anarpaac vs Cabanatan" 9 ( C*u)( u*( 6%( $v*) ( (( * ( $5*v-u*( )u&%n> * Sus%" $n %(s ratio decidendi(us:

T D%)'(*) * L$ns '*n(ns ($( ( &$n %n us(%*n 5%n> * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" ( ,&$%n(%-$,,&& '$nn

+$%n($%n $n $'(%*n (* )'*v) ,*ssss%*n ()*.

I" $s $5*v s($(" ($( &$n" ( ,*ssss%*n * 6%' %s %n %s,u(" $ $&)$ 5'*+" operation of law, priva

 propert" () %s lac(in! onl the judicial sanction of his title " 3$&n(%n Sus% $s ( )%>( (* 5)%n> $n $'(%*n

)'*v) ( ,*ssss%*n ()* $n *& %(.

In 'i!uel vs Court of ;ppeals" 1: ( C*u)( $>$%n & ($( 6) ,*ssss%*n $s 5n '*n(%nu*us" un%n())u,(" *,n" $v)s $n( '*n',( * $n *6n)" () %s $ ,)su+,(%*n juris et de jure ($( $&& n'ss$) '*n%(%*ns *) $ >)$n( 5 ( S($( $v 5n '*+,&%

6%( $n 6*u& $v 5n b force of law n(%(& (* ( )>%s()$(%*n * %s (%(& (* ( &$n '%(%n> Pamintuan vs :nsular Government

P%&. 4# $n Sus% vs. R$/*n" 4# P%&. 4!4;.

In ( &$(s( 19#= '$s * Herico vs -ar " 11 ( C*u)( *n' +*) )%()$( ( Sus% *'()%n ($( A;n*() *5v%*us ))*) * ()s,*nn( C*u)( %s %n *&%n> ($( $() *n $) )*+ ( %ssu$n' * ( T*))ns T%(&" ( s$+ '$n n* &*n>) 5 )*,n (*

'&$) $n v*%" $n $s 5'*+ $5s*&u( $n %n$s%5&. . . . S'*n&" un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * R,u5&%' A'( N*. 194!" 6%' (

)s,*nn( '*u)( & (* 5 %n$,,&%'$5& (* ( ,(%(%*n)Hs '$s" with the latter ea

 since /0/1, b himself and b his predecessors)in)interest, title *v) ( &$n $s vested *n ,(%(%*n) as to se!re!ate the land from t

mass of public land . T)$()" %( %s n* &*n>) %s,*s$5& un) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $s 5 ) ,$(n(. T%s %s $s ,)*v% %n R,u5&%' A

 N*. 194!" 6%' (**0 '( *n Jun !!" 197" $+n%n> S'(%*n 4#-5 * C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141 6%' ,)*v%s: . . . As %n(),)(

%n sv)$& '$ss 6n ( '*n%(%*ns $s s,'%% %n ( *)>*%n> ,)*v%s%*n $) '*+,&% 6%(" (  possessor  %s + (* $v acquireb operation of law, a ri!ht to a !rant, a !overnment !rant, without the necessit of a certificate of title bein! issued . %he land, therefo

ceases to be of the public domain" $n 5*n ( $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s *. %he application for confirmation ismere formalit, the lac( of which does not affect the le!al sufficienc of the title  $s 6*u& 5 v%n' 5 ( ,$(n( $n ( T*))ns (%

(* 5 %ssu u,*n ( s()n>( * s$% ,$(n(.

Hs '%s%*n %n ( M)$&'* '$s e.pressl finds as established facts($( ( M)$&'*

 ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ ,*ssss $n *''u,% $s *6n)s ( &$n %n us(%*n *) $( &$s( *v) ,*ssss ( s$+ s%n' ( &$s( 6*)& 6$) %n 1941 $n (n $v%n> s*& ( s$+ *n Ju& )$n( (* ( ,)*,)(" $s 6&& $s $'u%) *6n)s%, ()* 5 )%>( * acquisitive prescription *v) ( &$n 6%' ()5 5'$+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)

T v) %n%(%*n * ,)s')%,(%*n $s $ +* * $'u%)%n> *6n)s%, $s s( *)( %n A)(. 11=8 * ( C%v%& C* ,)*v%s ($( B

 ,)s')%,(%*n *n $'u%)s *6n)s%, $n *() )$& )%>(s ()*u> &$,s * (%+ %n ( +$nn) $n un) ( '*n%(%*ns &$% *6n 5 &$6

T &$6 *s n*( ,)*v% ($( *n $'u%)s *6n)s%, * $ &$n 5 ,)s')%,(%* n onl after his title thereto is judiciall confirmed . T* (

s$+ '( %s ( )u&%n> %nCario vs :nsular Government  13" 6)%n ( U.S. Su,)+ C*u)( s,$0%n> ()*u> Jus(%' *&+s & ($

I( %s ()u ($( ( &$n>u$> * A)(%'&s 4 $n $(()%5u(s (%(& (* (*s H6* +$ ,)*vH ,*ssss%*n *) ( n'ss$

(%+ $n 6 * n*( *v)&**0 ( $)>u+n( ($( (%s +$ns +$ ,)*v %n )>%s()$(%*n ,)*'%n>s. I( +$ 5 ($( $

En>&%s '*nv$n') 6*u& $v )'*++n $n $,,&%'$(%*n un) ( *)>*%n> ')" 5u( ')($%n& %( 6$s n

'$&'u&$( (* '*nv (* ( +%n * $n I>*)*( '% ( n*(%*n ($( $n'%n( $+%& ,*ssss%*ns 6) %n $n>)" %

$ )$ v) 6*) * %(. T 6*)s"ma prove"  $')%(n;" $s 6&&" *) 5(()" %n v%6 * ( *() ,)*v%s%*n

+%>( 5 ta(en to mean when called upon to do so in an liti!ation . T) $) %n%'$(%*ns ($( )>%s()$(%*n 6

8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

8/48

,'( )*+ $&&" but none sufficient to show that, for want of it, ownership actuall !ained would be lost .%

effect of the proof " 6nv) +$" 6$s n*( (* '*n) (%(&" 5u(  simpl to establish it " $s $&)$ '*n)) 5 (

')" % n*( 5 $)&%) &$6.

T* ( s$+ '( %s ( C*u)(Hs )u&%n> %n 3e!arda and Prieto vs Saleeb"

 ,*ssss%*n * ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'*Hs ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(" ,$)(%'u&$)& ( P%>u%n> s,*uss 6* s*& ( ,)%v$( &$n (* (

M)$&'*" () %s n* ?us(%%'$(%*n *) n%n> ( M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n * %(s u& $'u%) (%(& (* ( &$n

M)$&'*Hs ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ $'u%) *6n)s%, * ( &$n 5 $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n $s ,)*v% 5 ( Pu5&%' L$n

A'( $n 5 ( C%v%& C*. T &$n 5'$+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $n M)$&'* u& $'u%) %( 5 )%>( * ,u)'$s. T* n M)$&'*$,,&%'$(%*n (* )>%s() ( ,)*,)( 5'$us %( %s n*( $ n$(u)$& ,)s*n %s un?us(%% 5'$us n%() ( n6 '*ns(%(u(%*n$& 5$n un

( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*n $>$%ns( ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*ns *6n%n> &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(Hs &%+%($(%*n *n (

)%>( * $,,&%'$(%*n *) '*n%)+$(%*n * %+,)'( (%(& (* &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n '$n 5 %nv*0 $n &*n>) $s ( &$n $ &*n

'$s (* 5 ,u5&%' &$n 5u( $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(. M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n %n '( s0s '*n%)+$(%*n * ( $'u%s%(%*n

*6n)s%, * ( &$n 6%' $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( * %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(" ( P%>u%n> s,*uss 6* ()u (%) *,

$n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n *) *v) (%)( $)s $'u%) (%(& ()(* 5 $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n $n 5 '*n'&us%

 ,)su+,(%*n * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( %(s&. T) %s n* &>$& n*) '*ns(%(u(%*n$& *5s($'& (* su' (%(& 5%n> ()$ns)) (* ( M)$&

 5 )%>( * ,u)'$s $n traditio  *) %( %s n*( '&$%+ ($( () %s $n &>$& ,)*%5%(%*n $>$%ns( ( P%>u%n> s,*uss ()$ns))%n

( *6n)s%, * ( &$n (* *()s 6() n$(u)$& ,)s*ns *) '*),*)$(%*ns; su' $s ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'*" vn 5*) ( *)+

%ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* (+.

8. T* u,*& )s,*nn( ?u>Hs n%$& * M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n *n ( ('n%'$&%( ($( ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $&&*6s *n& '%(%/ns

( P%&%,,%ns 6* $) n$(u)$& ,)s*ns (* $,,& *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) (%(& 6*u& 5 %+,)$'(%'$& $n 6*u& ?us( >%v )%s +u&(%,&%'%( * '*u)( $'(%*ns. Assu+%n> ($( () 6$s $ ('n%'$& ))*) %n n*( $v%n> %& ( $,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n %n (

n$+ * ( P%>u%n> s,*uss $s ( *)%>%n$& *6n)s $n vn*)s" s(%&& %( %s '*n' ($( () %s no prohibition $>$%ns( (%) s$&

( &$n (* ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'* $n n%() %s () $n ,)*%5%(%*n $>$%ns( ( $,,&%'$(%*n 5%n> )%& 6%( )()*$'(%v '(

( n$+ * ( *)%>%n$& *6n)s $n vn*)s $s su' n$(u)$& ,)s*ns; 6%( ( n )su&( * (%) $,,&%'$(%*n 5%n> >)$n(" 5'$u

* (%) %n%s,u($5& $'u%s%(%*n * *6n)s%, 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6 $n ( '*n'&us%v ,)su+,(%*n ()%n ,)*v% %n (%) $v*).

s*u& n*( 5 n'ss$) (* >* ()*u> $&& ( )%(u$&s $s ( >)$( '*s( * )%&%n> * $&& su' $,,&%'$(%*ns %n (%) n$+s $n $%n>

( *v)')*6 '*u)( *'0(s 6n ( C*u)( '$n $() $&& (s $)s %s,*s * %( ) $n n*6. S F)$n'%s'* vs. C%(

D$v$* 14;

T ns * ?us(%' 6*u& 5s( 5 s)v" ()*)" 5 '*ns%)%n> ( $,,&%'$(%*ns *) '*n%)+$(%*n $s $+n (* '*n*)+ (* (

v%n'" %.. $s %& %n ( n$+s * ( *)%>%n$& ,)s*ns 6* $s n$(u)$& ,)s*ns $) u& u$&%% (* $,,& *) *)+

'*n%)+$(%*n * ( (%(& ($( ( $ $'u%) 5 '*n'&us%v ,)su+,(%*n $n +$n$( * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $n 6* ()$(

u& s*& (* ( )%n '*),*)$(%*ns 5*( $+%((& F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns u& u$&%% (* *& $n *6n ,)%v$( &$ns; $n>)$n(%n> ( $,,&%'$(%*n *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& (* ( ,)%v$( &$ns s* $'u%) $n s*& *) '$n>.

7. A&& ($( $s 5n s$% ) $,,&%s * '*u)s 6%( u$& *)' (* ( I>&s%$ '$s" s$v ($( $s $&)$ s($( $( ( 5>%nn%n

)*" ( I>&s%$ $,,&%'$(%*n 6$s >)$n( 5'$us ( R,u5&%' ,)sn( n* v%n' %n su,,*)( * %(s *,,*s%(%*n $n )s,*n

 ?u> & %n '( ($( ( ,)*,)( $ '$s (* 5 &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(" ( (%(& (* 6%

'*u& 5 u& %ssu %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$ $s ( ()$ns) * %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(.

#. I( s*u& 5$) +,$s%s ($( 6$( $) %nv*&v ) $) s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n" * 18 su$) +()s %n ( M)$&'* '$s us

%ns($&&$(%*n * $n $n'*) >u *) %(s s(& ,*s(s %n '*nn'(%*n 6%( %(s ($s0s $s $ n$(%*n$&%/ *+s(%' '*),*)$(%*n (* u)n%

&'()%'$& s)v%' (* ( '*nsu+) ,u5&%'" $n * &s%$ '$s us $s ( s%( * %(s 'u)' 5u%&( ()*n

+%n%s() (* ( )&%>%*us ns * %(s ++5)s. In n* 6$" +$ ( &(()" %n(n( $n s,%)%( * ( ,)*%5%(%*n * ( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*

$>$%ns( '*),*)$(%*ns *&%n> $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s n*( (* ' *n (*us$n '($)s %n $)

6%' %s 5$+ $>$%ns( ( unu '*n()*& $n ,&*%($(%*n * *u) ,u5&%' &$ns $n n$(u)$& )s*u)'s 5 '*),*)$(%*ns" F%&%,%n* $n

*)%>n-'*n()*&&; 5 + v%*&$( *) %s)>$) 5 ( >)$n(%n> * ( $,,&%'$(%*ns $( 5$). T (6* '*),*)$(%*ns %n ()u( $n

%n $'( * n*( *& ( s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n $( 5$) *) (%) *6n us *) 5n%( 5u( *) ( s*& us $n 5n%( * ( ,u5&%'.

9. @%( ))n' (* ( s,$)$( '*n'u))%n> *,%n%*n * M). Jus(%' D C$s()* 6)%n 6*u& 5&un( ( su,,*s& s%'; 6&

s($5&%s *'()%n $( ,$> 1; )*+ ( 19=9 '$s * Cario $n ( 19! '$s * Susi*6n (* ( 19#= '$s * Herico  supra"

 ,$>s (* 11; $n su,,*)( ( '*n()$) ,)*n*un'+n( %n M). Jus(%' Au%n*Hs +$%n *,%n%*n ($( $s 5(6n ( S($( $n (

M)$&'*" ( s$% &$n %s s(%&& ,u5&%' &$n. I( 6*u& '$s (* 5 ,u5&%' &$n *n& u,*n ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* $n

F%&%,%n* '%(%/n '&$%+%n> %( un) s'(%*n 4#5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $( ,$> ;" su%' %( (* '%( %s *6n ,)*n*un'+n

%n Herico )%()$(%n> ( 6&&-s($5&%s $n ,)v$%&%n> *'()%n 6%' (%s C*u)( $s n*( *v)(u)n" $s %( '$nn*( *v)(u)n (

+$n$( * ( s($(u( ($( ( un'$&&n> ,*ssss*) *) $( &$s(

8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

9/48

( $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s *. %he application for confirmation is a mere formalit, the lac( of which does n

affect the le!al sufficienc of the title$s 6*u& 5 v%n' 5 ( ,$(n( $n ( T*))ns (%(& (* 5 %ssu u,*n ( s()n>( * s$

 ,$(n(.

In *n& )+$%ns (* ,*%n( *u(" %n *)) (* $v*% +%s$,,)ns%*n *) '*nus%*n" ($( M). Jus(%' D C$s()*Hs s+%n>& u)u&*

s($(+n( ($( ( %s'uss%*n * ( us(%*n * 6() ( &$n %nv*&v %s s(%&& ,u5&%' *) alread private land " %s" *6v

n(%)& pointless *) $n idle e.ercise" % @ '*ns%) ( ,)*v%s%*n * Section /1, ;rticle ?:*  * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n 6%' $,,$)s

$v 5n &*s( s%>( *" 6%' ,)*v%s ($( Hs$v %n '$ss * )%($) su''ss%*n" n*  private lands s$&& 5 ()$ns))

'*nv ',( (* %n%v%u$&s" '*),*)$(%*ns" *) $ss*'%$(%*ns u$&%% (* $'u%) *) *& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%nH $( ,$>

($( n'" even if  ( &$n %nv*&v %n ( ,)sn( '$s %s '*ns%) private land " ( '%( s'(%*n ,)*%5%(s %(s $'u%s%(%*n 5 (

M)$&'* *) I>&s%$ 6%' $+%((& $) H'*),*)$(%*ns *) $ss*'%$(%*nsH 6%(%n ( +$n%n> * ( $*)'%( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( NC*ns(%(u(%*n. T%s *5s)v$(%*n s*u& n $&& $)>u+n(s * ( %ssu * 6() ( &$n %n us(%*n %s ,u5&%' *) ,)%v$( &$n

%+; +%>( +%s&$ *n (* ( 6)*n> '*n'&us%*n ($( '*),*)$(%*ns 6%( 8= F%&%,%n* *6n)s%, +$ not  *6n private lands 6

( ,)ss ,)*v%s%*ns * A)(. 2I3" s'(%*n 9 1 $n s'(%*n 14 $s u*( 5 %+s& $s 6&& $s ( '*un(),$)( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( 19C*ns(%(u(%*n $v $&6$s ,)ss& ,)+%(( F%&%,%n*-*6n '*),*)$(%*ns (* *6n  private lands" $n ( *n& '$n> '( %n ( 19

C*ns(%(u(%*n %s s'(%*n 11 6%' n*6 ,)*%5%(s vn su' F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns (* *6n *) *& &$ns * (  public *+$%n ',( 5 &$

n*( (* ' 1"=== '($)s %n $)$.

ACCORDINGLY" I v*( *) )v)s$& * )s,*nn( '*u)(Hs ?u>+n( %n ( M)$&'* '$s $n *) ( n() * $ n6 ?u>+

>)$n(%n> M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n $n *) $%)+$n' * ?u>+n( %n ( s'*n '$s >)$n(%n> ( I>&s%$ $,,&%'$(%*n.

 

!e)&)$e O'n'on(

A"AD !ANTO!, J.5 *on*u&&'n5

I '*n'u) %n ( )su&(. I $+ * ( *,%n%*n ($( ( &*(s 6%' $) s*u>( (* 5 )>%s() $v '$s (* 5 &$ns * ( ,u5&%'

*+$%n $( ( (%+ ( 6) $'u%) 5 ( ,(%(%*n) '*),*)$(%*n. T $) $&)$ ,)%v$( &$ns 5'$us * $'u%s%(%v

 ,)s')%,(%*n 5 ( ,)'ss*)s * ( ,(%(%*n) $n $&& ($( %s n %s ( '*n%)+$(%*n * ( (%(&. A''*)%n>&" (

'*ns(%(u(%*n$& ,)*v%s%*n ($( n* ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n %s %n$,,&%'$5&.

*6v)" ( ,(%(%*n) %s )&%n> *n S'. 4# * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( *) ( '*n%)+$(%*n * %(s (%(& $n M). Jus(%' Au%n* %s

'*))'( %n *&%n> ($( s$% ,)*v%s%*n '$nn*( 5 $v$%& 5 ?u)%%'$& n(%(%s.

ERNANDO, C.J., '*n'u))%n> $n %ssn(%n>:

I '*n'u) %n ( )u&%n> * ( C*u)( ($( M)$&'* $s $ ?u)%%'$& ,)s*n %s %su$&%% (* $,,& *) %(s )>%s()$(%*n un) S'(%*n

4#5;.. 1 I %ssn( %ns*$) $s ( *,%n%*n * ( C*u)( 6*u& '$)$'()%/ su' ?u)%s%'(%*n$& '(" un) ( ,$)(%'u&$) '%)'u+s($n's * (% s '$s" $s $n %nsu)+*un($5& *5s($'& (* ( )&%

s*u>(. I 6*u& $,,& 5 $n$&*>" $&(*u> ( $'(s '*u& 5 %s(%n>u%s" ( $,,)*$' *&&*6 5 us %n F)$n'%s'* v. C%( * D$v$*" 2 6) ( &>$& us(%*n )$%s" %ns($* 5%n> )) $n ,*ss%5& ($0n u, %n $n*() '$s" 6$s )s*&v. B &>$& %'(%*n 3 $n %n ( )'%s * *u) u%($5& ?u)%s%'(%*n"

& ($( ( )$&%s(%' s*&u(%*n6*u& 5 (* '% ( +$(() $s % ( $,,&%'$(%*n un) S'(%*n 4#5; 6) %& 5 ( P%>u%n> s,*uss"

6* I $ssu+ su) )*+ n* su' %s$5%&%(.

DE CA!TRO, J., %ssn(%n>:

Jus(%' T$n0 '%(s %n %s %ssn(%n> *,%n%*n ( '$s * )%'* vs. D$)" 1 ( '%s%*n %n 6%' I $+ ( ,*nn(" $s )%()$(%n> $su,,*s& 6&&-s($5&%s *'()%n ($( &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n 6%'" 5 )$s*n * ,*ssss%*n $n 'u&(%v$(%*n *) su' $ &n>( *

(%+" $ >)$n( 5 ( S($( (* ( *''u,$n( %s ,)su+" $n ( &$n ()5 '$ss (* *)+ ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" 5u( %s s>)>$(

())*+ $s (* 5 n* &*n>) su5?'( (* ( $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s un) ( ,u5&%' &$ns &$6s *) s($(u(s. 6*u&

(us '*ns%) s$% &$n $s n* &*n>) ,u5&%' &$n 5u( ,)%v$( &$ns $n ()*)" n*( 6%(%n ( ,)*%5%(%*n * ( N6 C*ns(%(u(%*n

$>$%ns( '*),*)$(%*ns )*+ $'u%)%n> ,u5&%' &$ns 6%' ,)*v%s ($( n* ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns *

( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s n*( (* ' *n (*us$n '($)s. 2

I '$nn*( su5s')%5 (* ( v%6 ($( ( &$n $s $5*v s')%5 $s 5'*+ ,)%v$( &$n" vn 5*) (%(& ()(*" 6%' %s" $s *

(%s s($>" s$% (* 5 s(%&& $n %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&" $s 5n u&& vs( *n ( *''u,$n(" ()*u> ( ,)s')%5 ,)*'u

0n*6n $s ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&. 3 T%s %s ( *n& &>$& +(* 5 6%' u&& $n $5s*&u( (%(& (* (&$n +$ 5 >)$n(" (* '*nv)( ( &$n %n(* $ ()u& ,)%v$( &$n. T* s'u) su' ?u%'%$& (%(&" *n& ( '*u)(s '$n 5 )s*)( (*. T

D%)'(*) * L$ns $s &*s( $u(*)%( *v) ( &$n" %ns*$) $s %(s %s,*s%(%*n %s '*n')n. %s $u(*)%( %s &%+%( (* $n*() *)+ *

%s,*s%(%*n * ,u5&%' &$n" ))) (* $s $+%n%s()$(%v &>$&%/$(%*n" )su&(%n> %n ( %ssu$n' * ) ,$(n(s" $&s* 5$s *n ,*ssss%*n" %n

6%' '$s" $s %n ( %ssu$n' * *+s($ $n s$&s ,$(n(s" ( &$n %nv*&v %s un*u5(& ,u5&%' &$n. T ,*ssss*) * $ ,%' *

 ,u5&%' &$n 6*u& $v ( *,(%*n (* $'u%) (%(& ()(* ()*u> ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n *) $+%n%s()$(%v &>$&%/$(%*n. T %)n' %s($( %n ( &$(() '$s" ( $)$ %s,*s$5& (* $ '%(%/n-$,,&%'$n( 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns %s &%+%( (* !4 '($)s. T) %s n* &%+%( (* (

$)$ su5?'( (* ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * %n'*+,&( *) %+,)'( (%(&" ',( ,*ss%5& ( &%+%( % *) $ S($( >)$n( un) *& S,$n%s

&$6s $n ')s" 6%' ')($%n& %s +u' &$)>) ($n ($( s( *) ) ,$(n(s.

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I( %s 5'$us * ( %vs(%(u) * $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s * ( &$n su5?'( (* ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n *

%n'*+,&( $n %+,)'( (%(& ($( s*+ s($(+n(s $) *un %n +$n '$ss" su' $s (*s '%( 5 Jus(%' T$n0" (* ( '

($( su' &$n $s '$s (* 5 $ ,u5&%' &$n. @$( (s s($(+n(s" *6v)" )$&& +$n %s ($( ( &$n ))) (* n* &*n>)

*)+s ,$)( * ( +$ss * ,u5&%' *+$%n s(%&& %s,*s$5& 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns" un) ( $u(*)%( >)$n( %+ 5 ( ,u5&%'

&$n s($(u(s. I(" *6v)" 6*u& n*( *&&*6 ($( ( &$n '*v) 5 S'(%*n 4# * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $s %(s& 5'*+ ,)%v$(

&$n. T $'( ($( %(s %s,*s%(%*n %s ,)*v% *) %n ( $*)'%( A'( 6%' $&s 6%( ,u5&%' &$n >%vs )%s (* ( v) s()*n>

%+,&%'$(%*n" % n*( $ ,*s%(%v '*n'&us%*n" ($( ( &$n ))) (* %s s(%&& public land . On& 6n ( '*u)( $?u%'$(s ( &$n (* (

$,,&%'$n( *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& 6*u& ( &$n 5'*+ ,)%v$(& *6n &$n" *) %n ( s$+ ,)*'%n>" ( '*u)( +$ '&$)

 ,u5&%' &$n" ,n%n> *n ( v%n'.

T %s'uss%*n * ( us(%*n * 6() ( &$n %nv*&v %s s(%&& ,u5&%' *) $&)$ ,)%v$( &$n %s" *6v)" n(%)& ,*%n(&ss" *)$n %& )'%s" % @ '*ns%) ( ,)*v%s%*n * S'(%*n 14" A)(%'& 2I3 * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n 6%' $,,$)s (* $v 5n &*s( s%>(

*" 6%' ,)*v%s ($( Hs$v %n '$ss * )%($) su''ss%*n" n* ,)%v$( &$ns s$&& 5 ()$ns)) *) '*nv ',( (*

%n%v%u$&s" '*),*)$(%*ns" *) $ss*'%$(%*ns u$&%% (* $'u%) *) *& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n. As ,)v%*us& s($(" 5 ,)ss

 ,)*v%s%*ns * ( C*ns(%(u(%*n" n* '*),*)$(%*n *) $ss*'%$(%*n +$ *& $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s" n*( (*

'" 1"=== '($)s %n $)$. 4 n'" vn % ( &$n %nv*&v %n ( ,)sn( '$s %s '*ns%) ,)%v$( &$n" ( '%( s'(%*n ,)*%5%(s %(s $'u%s%(%*n 5 ( M)$&'* *) I>&s%$ 6%' $+%((& $) '*),*)$(%*ns *) $ss*'%$(%*n 6%(%n ( +$n%n> * ( $*)'%(

 ,)*v%s%*n * ( N6 C*ns(%(u(%*n. T%s *5s)v$(%*n s*u& n $&& $)>u+n(s *n ( %ssu * 6() ( &$n %n us(%*n %s ,u5&%' *)

 ,)%v$( &$n. A&(*u> %( +$ u)() 5 *5s)v ($( su,,*s%n> $ '*),*)$(%*n $s 5n %n ,*ssss%*n * $ ,%' * ,u5&%' &$n )*+ (

v) 5>%nn%n>" +$ %( $,,& *) ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*n (* $'u%) (%(& (* %(s *6n) $() ,*ssss%n> ( &$n *) ()u%s%( &n>( * (%+K T $ns6) %s 5&%v *5v%*us %( +$ n*(. I %(s ,*ssss%*n %s n*( )*+ ( 5>%nn%n> 5u( $s '*++n'

*n& u,*n ( ()$ns) (* %( 5 ( ,)%*) ,*ssss*)" +$ ( '*),*)$(%*n $,,&K T $ns6) %s ?us( $s *5v%*us 6%( +*) )$s*n" %( +$

n*(.

T%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n s*u& $v $ n* n (* 5 6)%((n 5'$us ( +$?*)%( *,%n%*n 6)%((n 5 Jus(%' Au%n* %s $&)$ 6&)$s*n *u( $n su,,*)( 5 $,,&%'$5& $u(*)%(%s. I 6$s %+,&& (* 6)%( %( *n& 5'$us %n ( %ssn(%n> *,%n%*n * Jus(%'

T$n0" ( '$s * Herico vs -ar   supra; 6%' %s + ponencia6$s '%( %n su,,*)( * %s ,*s%(%*n. T%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n (

%s +*) (* s*6 $n ,&$%n ($( 6$(v) $s 5n s($( 5 + %n ( D$) '$s s*u& 5 %n(),)( %n ( &%>( * 6$( I $v

s$% %n (%s s,$)$( *,%n%*n" 6%' I 5&%v" *s n*( s()n>(n Jus(%' T$n0Hs ,*s%(%*n $ 5%(.

TEEAN7EE, J., %ssn(%n>:

Inv*&v %n (s (6* '$ss $) ( $,,&%'$(%*ns * ,(%(%*n) M)$&'*" $ n$(%*n$&%/ *+s(%' '*),*)$(%*n" %n ( %)s( '$s $n

)s,*nn( I>&s%$ %n C)%s(*" $ )&%>%*us '*),*)$(%*n s*&" %n ( s'*n '$s 5*( $+%((& F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns u$&%% (* *&

$n *6n private &$ns;" *) ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) (%(&s (* s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n" )s%n(%$& %n '$)$'() $s %s(%n>u%s

)*+ s()%'(& $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n" $'u%) 5 (+ 5 ,u)'$s *) '$n> )*+ ,)%v$( ,)s*ns publicl reco!nized as the private

owners 6* $v 5n %n ( *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v $n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * ( &$ns un) $ 5*n$ %

'&$%+ * *6n)s%, *) $( &$s( (%)( )$n( $n s$&& 5 n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& $n "b

le!al fiction( &$n $s $&)$ ceased to be of the public domain $n $s become private propert. A''*)%n>&" ( ,)*%5%(%*

* ( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*n $n * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $>$%ns( ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*n *&%n> &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $s n*

$,,&%'$5%&%( %n ( ,)sn( '$ss. @$( M)$&'* $n I>&s%$ $v $'u%) )*+ (%) ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ $&)$ '$s (

 5 * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $( ( (%+ * ( s$& (* (+ $n ()*) (%) $,,&%'$(%ns *)

'*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& 5 v%)(u * (%) ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(H vs( )%>( $n (%(& +$ 5 u& >)$n(.

T &$n '*v) 5 ( M)$&'* $,,&%'$(%*n * N*v+5) !8" 1978 '*ns%s(s * (6* 1; s+$&& &*(s 6%( $ (*($& $)$ * 18 su$)

+()s &*'$( $( T$n$" R%/$& 6%( $n $ssss v$&u * Pu%n> $n M%n)v$

In*'n'%* 6* '*ns()u'( $ *us ()*n. Bu( 5'$us ( M)$&'* $ %ns($&& ( $n'*) >u * %(s s(&& ,*s(s *n ( &$n"

( P%>u%n> s,*uss s*& ( &$n (* ( M)$&'* *n Au>us( 1 *) $ &*( *6n 5 ( I>&s%$ 6%( $n $)$ * !47 su$) +()s. T

&$n 6$s $&)$ ,*ssss 5 P)/ %n 19&s%$ s($ns *n

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( s$% &$n. I( $ 5n dul declared for realt ta. purposes %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$ $n )$&( ($s 6) re!ularl

 paid ()*n.

Rs,*nn( ?u> %n ( M)$&'* '$s sus($%n ( R,u5&%'Hs *,,*s%(%*n $n %s+%ss ( $,,&%'$(%*n" *&%n> ($( un) 5*(

( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( n6 C*ns(%(u(%*n $n ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" M)$&'*" 5%n> $ '*),*)$(%*n $n n*( $ n$(u)$& ,)s*n" %s n*(

u$&%% (* $,,& *) ( )>%s()$(%*n * (%(& *v) ( ,u5&%' &$n.

On ( *() $n" %n ( I>&s%$ '$s" ( R,u5&%' ,)sn( n* v%n' %n su,,*)( * %(s *,,*s%(%*n 5u( ,)ss& su5+%(( (

'$s *) '%s%*n *n ( 5$s%s * ( v%n' su5+%(( 5 ( $,,&%'$n(. Rs,*nn( ?u> %n ( '$s $''*)%n>& >)$n( (

$,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n * ( &$n %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$" *&%n> ($( %( $ 5n s$(%s$'(*)%& s($5&%s ($( $,,&%'$n(

I>&s%$ $n %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $v 5n %n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" ,u5&%' $n $v)s ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n . . . un) $ 5*n$

% '&$%+ * *6n)s%, *) +*) ($n (%)( * ( $,,&%'$(%*n $n %s ()*) n(%(& (* ()>%s()$(%*n $,,&% *) un) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" $s $+n.

B*( '%s%*ns $) n*6 6%( ( C*u)( *) )v%6. I *& ($( 5*( $,,&%'$(%*ns *) )>%s()$(%*n s*u& 5 >)$n( 5 v%)(u * (

 ,)v$%&%n> ,)%n'%,& $s nun'%$( s%n' ( 19! '$s * Susi vs Razon and -irector of 3ands 1$n )$%)+ %n $ &*n> &%n * '$s*6n (* ( 19#= '$s * Herico vs -ar  2 ($( ( &$ns %n us(%*n '$s" ipso jure" *) 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6" (* 5 &$ns * ( ,u5&%'

*+$%n u,*n '*+,&(%*n * ( s($(u(*) ,)%* * *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v" n*(*)%*us $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n ()* 5 (

$,,&%'$n(sH ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( 6* 6) u$&%% n$(u)$& ,)s*ns $n n(%(& (* )>%s()$(%*n 5 )%>( * $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n

un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(" $n ($( $''*)%n>& ( ?u>+n( %n ( M)$&'* '$s s*u& 5 )v)s $n $ n6 ?u>+n( n() >)$n(%n> M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n" 6%& ( ?u>+n( %n ( I>&s%$ '$s s*u& s($n $%)+.

T ,)%n'%,$& %ssu $( 5$) +$ (us 5 s($(:

I( %s ,)ss& ,)*v% %n s'(%*n 4#" ,$). 5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141" $s $+n 5 R,. A'( N*.

194!" $,,)*v *n Jun !!" 197; ($( '%(%/ns * ( P%&%,,%ns 6* $) n$(u)$& ,)s*ns 6* $v *''u,% &$ns * ( ,u5&%'*+$%n 5u( 6*s (%(&s $v n*( 5n ,)'( *) '*+,&( +$ $,,& (* ( '*))s,*n%n> '*u)( * %)s( %ns($n' *)

'*n%)+$(%*n * (%) '&$%+s $n ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& ()*) un) ( L$n R>%s()$(%*n A'( %n '$ss 6) (

5 (+s&vs *) throu!h their predecessors)in)interest  $v 5n %n ( *,n" '*n(%nu*us" '&us%v" $n n*(*)%*us ,*ssss%*n $n

*''u,$(%*n * $>)%'u&(u)$& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" un) $ 5*n$ % '&$%+ * $'u%s%(%*n * *6n)s%," for at least thirt ears

immediatel precedin! the filin! of the application *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& ',( 6n ,)vn( 5 6$) *) force majeure. Ts

s$&& 5 conclusivel presumed  (* $v ,)*)+ $&& ( '*n%(%*ns ssn(%$& (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n s$&& 5 n(%(& (* $

')(%%'$( * (%(& un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * (%s '$,(). 3 In su' '$ss" %s ( &$n %,s* ?u) *) 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6 '*nv)( %n(* ,)%v$( &$n u,*n '*+,&(%*n * ( *''u,$(%*n * ( &$n su' ($( ()$() $s su' ,)%v$(

&$n" %( +$ 5 u& ()$ns)) (* $n *6n 5 ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*ns *) *s su' &$n" $s & 5 )s,*nn( ?u> %n ( M)$&'* '$s

)+$%n ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n *s n*( 5'*+ ,)%v$( &$n un(%& $() $'(u$& ?u%'%$& '*n%)+$(%*n ,)*'%n>s $n ( *)+$&

'*u)( *)) *) ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(&K

1. T%s %ssu $s 5n su$)& )s*&v 5 (%s C*u)( s%n' ( 19! '$s * Susi vs Razon $n $ &*n> &%n * '$ss" infra;. I( %ss($5&%s *'()%n $s %)s( & ()%n ($( $n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" $v)s $n ,u5&%' ,*ssss%*n * $ &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *)

( ,)%* ,)*v% %n ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( ,)*v%s%*n %n *)' $( ( (%+ )*+ Ju& !8" 1#94 %n Sus% un) ( *& &$6; 5 $ ,)%v$

%n%v%u$& ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s '*n)s $n '(%v (%(& *n s$% ,*ssss*)" 6)5 ( &$n '$ss (* 5 &$n

( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n 5'*+s ,)%v$( ,)*,)(.

A( ($( (%+ %n 19! %n ( Susi '$s" su' ,*ssss%*n 6$s )u%) "from +ul 45, /601"  $s (n ,)*v% *) %n s'(%*n 45; *

( *& Pu5&%' L$n A'( N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8 6)$s at present " $s ,)*v% *) %n ( '*))s,*n%n> s'(%*n 4#" ,$)

5; * ( &$() $n su5s%s(%n> Pu5&%' L$n A'(" C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141" $s $+n 5 R,. A'( N*. 194! approved on +une

44, /027 " %n *)' s%n' 197" ( ,)%* * *,n $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n 6$s )u' (* at least thirt ears immediatel

 precedin! the filin! of the application for confirmation of title, equivalent to the period of acquisitive prescription. T%s %s $+%((

%n ( +$%n *,%n%*n * M). Jus(%' Au%n*" 6)%n %( %s s($( ($( I;n ( Susi '$s" (%s C*u)( $,,&% s'(%*n 4 5; * A'( N*.

!#74 6%' '*))s,*ns (* 6$( %s now section 168b9. I( 6$s & ($( ( &*n> ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n un) $ 5*n$ % '&$%+ *

*6n)s%, s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94 >$v )%s (* ( conclusive presumption ($( ( *''u,$n( $ complied with all the conditions

essential  (* $ G*v)n+n( >)$n( $n 6$s (us n(%(& (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(&. 4 T (( * ( '*))s,*n%n> s'(%*n 4#5;" $s$+n 5 R,. A'( 194! ))) (* %s ),)*u'verbatim %n M). Jus(%' Au%n*Hs *,%n%*n  $n u*(s ( )u' s($(u(*) ,)%* *

*,n $n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n * $( &$s( thirt ears %++%$(& ,)'%n> ( %&%n> * ( $,,&%'$(%*n.;

A''*)%n>&" ( C*u)( & ($( Susi" $s ( )%>(u& ,*ssss*) * ( ,u5&%' &$n *) ( s($(u(*) ,)%*" $'u%) ( s$+ b

operation * &$6 $s $ >)$n( from the Government, "not onl a ri!ht to a !rant " $n ( &$n ()5 $&)$ '$s (* 5 * (

 ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $( &$s( 5 ,)su+,(%*n $s ,)ss& ,)*v% %n ( A'(. T)*)" $n su,,*s

s$& 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns * ( s$+ &$n (* $n*() ,)s*n 6$s v*% $n * n* '( $n Susi $s ( )%>(u& ,*ssss*) '*u&

)'*v) ( &$n $s %s private propert)*+ ( su,,*s vn 6* % n*( $'u%) $n )%>( ()(* s%n' %( $ '$s (* 5

&$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n. T C*u)( (us s,'%%'$&& & ()%n" $s $,,&% (* ( s,'%%' $'(s * ( '$s" ($(:

. . . In $v*) * 3$&n(%n Sus%" () %s" +*)*v)" ( ,)su+,(%*n juris et de jure" s($5&%s %n ,$)$>)$, 5; * s'(%*n 4 * A'(

 N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8" ($( all the necessar requirements for a !rant b the Government were complied with  *) $

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 5n %n $'(u$& $n ,s%'$& ,*ssss%*n" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s" * $n $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n"

*,n& '*n(%nu*us&" '&us%v& $n ,u5&%'& s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n un) (

 ,)*v%s%*ns * C$,() 3III * s$% A'(. S* ($( 6n An>&$ R$/*n $,,&% *) ( >)$n( %n ) $v*)" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ alread

acquired, b operation of law, not onl a ri!ht to a !rant, but a !rant of the Government, for it is not necessar that certificate of

title should be issued in order that said !rant ma be sanctioned b the courts, an application therefor is sufficient " un) (

 ,)*v%s%*ns * s'(%*n 47 * A'( N*. !#74. :f b a le!al function" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ $'u%) ( &$n %n us(%*n 5 $ >)$n( * (

S($(" it had alread ceased to be of the public domain and had become private propert, at least b presumption " * 3$&n(%n

Sus%" beond the control of the -irector of 3ands. C*nsun(&" %n s&&%n> ( &$n %n us(%*n (* An>&$ R$/*n" ( D%)'(*) *

L$ns %s,*s * $ &$n *v) 6%' $ n* &*n>) $n (%(& *) '*n()*&" $n ( s$0 (us +$ 6$s v*% $n * n* '(" $n

An>&$ R$/*n % n*( ()5 $'u%) $n )%>(. 6

!. T $5*v-u*( )u&%n> %n Sus% $s 5n $%)+ $n )$%)+ 5 (%s C*u)( %n $ &*n> un5)*0n &%n * '$ss" $s *&&*6s:

In 'esina vs *da de Sonza"  ( C*u)( & ($( I;n ( '$s * Susi vs Razon" et al" 4# P%&. 4!4" %( 6$s *5s)v ($( 6) $&& (n'ss$) )u%)+n(s *) $ >)$n( 5 ( G*v)n+n( $) '*+,&% 6%( ()*u> $'(u$& ,s%'$& ,*ssss%*n *,n&" '*n(%nu*us&" $n

 ,u5&%'&" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * C$,() 3III * A'( N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8

'$))% *v) $s C$,() 3III * C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141;" ( ,*ssss*) %s + (* $v $&)$ $'u%) b operation of law n*(

*n& $ )%>( (* $ >)$n(" 5u( $ >)$n( * ( G*v)n+n(" *) it is not necessar that a certificate of title be issued in order that said !rant

ma be sanctioned b the courts  $n $,,&%'$(%*n ()*) 5%n> su%'%n( un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * S'(%*n 47 * A'( N*. !#74

),)*u' $s S'(%*n =" C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141;. $n C;*ns%)%n> ($( (%s '$s 6$s %s+%ss 5 ( ()%$& '*u)( +)& *n $+*(%*n (* %s+%ss *n ( >)*un ($( ,&$%n(%Hs $'(%*n %s $&)$ 5$)) 5 ( s($(u( * &%+%($(%*ns" 6%' $,,$)n(& %s ,)%'$( *n (

(*) ($( $ ') * )>%s()$(%*n '$n n* &*n>) 5 %+,u>n *n ( >)*un * )$u *n $) $() ( %ssu$n' $n n() * ( ')"6%' (*) *s n*( $,,& ) because the propert involved is alle!edl private in natural and has ceased to be part of the public

domain" 6 $) * ( *,%n%*n ($( ( ()%$& '*u)( )) %n %s+%ss%n> ( '$s *u()%>( 6%(*u( >%v%n> ,&$%n(% $ '$n' (* ,)*v %s '&$%+

In 3acaste vs -irector of 3ands" 8 ( C*u)( s()ss ($( 5 *)' * ,*ssss%*n" ( &$n %n us(%*n 5'$+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( *n (s()n>( * ( Susi *'()%n.

In 'anarpaac vs Cabanatan" 9 ( C*u)( u*( 6%( $v*) ( (( * ( $5*v-u*( )u&%n> * Sus%" $n %(s ratio decidendi(us:

T D%)'(*) * L$ns '*n(ns ($( ( &$n %n us(%*n 5%n> * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" ( ,&$%n(%-$,,&& '$nn*(

+$%n($%n $n $'(%*n (* )'*v) ,*ssss%*n ()*.

I" $s $5*v s($(" ($( &$n" ( ,*ssss%*n * 6%' %s %n %s,u(" $ $&)$ 5'*+" operation of law, private

 propert" () %s lac(in! onl the judicial sanction of his title" 3$&n(%n Sus% $s ( )%>( (* 5)%n> $n $'(%*n (*

)'*v) ( ,*ssss%*n ()* $n *& %(.

In 'i!uel vs Court of ;ppeals" 1: ( C*u)( $>$%n & ($( 6) ,*ssss%*n $s 5n '*n(%nu*us" un%n())u,(" *,n" $v)s $n %n( '*n',( * $n *6n)" () %s $ ,)su+,(%*n juris et de jure ($( $&& n'ss$) '*n%(%*ns *) $ >)$n( 5 ( S($( $v 5n '*+,&%

6%( $n 6*u& $v 5n b force of law n(%(& (* ( )>%s()$(%*n * %s (%(& (* ( &$n '%(%n> Pamintuan vs :nsular Government "P%&. 4# $n Sus% vs. R$/*n" 4# P%&. 4!4;.

In ( &$(s( 19#= '$s * Herico vs -ar " 11 ( C*u)( *n' +*) )%()$( ( Sus% *'()%n ($( A;n*() *5v%*us ))*) * ()s,*nn( C*u)( %s %n *&%n> ($( $() *n $) )*+ ( %ssu$n' * ( T*))ns T%(&" ( s$+ '$n n* &*n>) 5 )*,n (* 5

'&$) $n v*%" $n $s 5'*+ $5s*&u( $n %n$s%5&. . . . S'*n&" un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * R,u5&%' A'( N*. 194!" 6%' (

)s,*nn( '*u)( & (* 5 %n$,,&%'$5& (* ( ,(%(%*n)Hs '$s" with the latter ear

 since /0/1, b himself and b his predecessors)in)interest, title *v) ( &$n $s vested *n ,(%(%*n) as to se!re!ate the land from themass of public land . T)$()" %( %s n* &*n>) %s,*s$5& un) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $s 5 ) ,$(n(. T%s %s $s ,)*v% %n R,u5&%' A'

 N*. 194!" 6%' (**0 '( *n Jun !!" 197" $+n%n> S'(%*n 4#-5 * C*++*n6$&( A'( N*. 141 6%' ,)*v%s: . . . As %n(),)(

%n sv)$& '$ss 6n ( '*n%(%*ns $s s,'%% %n ( *)>*%n> ,)*v%s%*n $) '*+,&% 6%(" ( possessor  %s + (* $v acquired

b operation of law, a ri!ht to a !rant, a !overnment !rant, without the necessit of a certificate of title bein! issued . %he land, therefore

ceases to be of the public domain" $n 5*n ( $u(*)%( * ( D%)'(*) * L$ns (* %s,*s *. %he application for confirmation is a

mere formalit, the lac( of which does not affect the le!al sufficienc of the title $s 6*u& 5 v%n' 5 ( ,$(n( $n ( T*))ns (%(&

(* 5 %ssu u,*n ( s()n>( * s$% ,$(n(.

( $,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n * ( private propert u& $'u%) 5 %(.

4. I( s*u& 5 n*( ($( )s,*nn( ?u>Hs '%s%*n %n ( M)$&'* '$s e.pressl finds as established facts($( ( M)$&'*Hs

 ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ ,*ssss $n *''u,% $s *6n)s ( &$n %n us(%*n *) $( &$s( *v)

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$v%n> ,*ssss ( s$+ s%n' ( &$s( 6*)& 6$) %n 1941 $n (n $v%n> s*& ( s$+ *n Ju& u$> * A)(%'&s 4 $n $(()%5u(s (%(& (* (*s H6* +$ ,)*vH ,*ssss%*n *) ( n'ss$)

(%+ $n 6 * n*( *v)&**0 ( $)>u+n( ($( (%s +$ns +$ ,)*v %n )>%s()$(%*n ,)*'%n>s. I( +$ 5 ($( $n

En>&%s '*nv$n') 6*u& $v )'*++n $n $,,&%'$(%*n un) ( *)>*%n> ')" 5u( ')($%n& %( 6$s n*

'$&'u&$( (* '*nv (* ( +%n * $n I>*)*( '% ( n*(%*n ($( $n'%n( $+%& ,*ssss%*ns 6) %n $n>)" %

$ )$ v) 6*) * %(. T 6*)s"ma prove"  $')%(n;" $s 6&&" *) 5(()" %n v%6 * ( *() ,)*v%s%*ns"

+%>( 5 ta(en to mean when called upon to do so in an liti!ation . T) $) %n%'$(%*ns ($( )>%s()$(%*n 6$s

,'( )*+ $&&" but none sufficient to show that, for want of it, ownership actuall !ained would be lost .%he

effect of the proof " 6nv) +$" 6$s n*( (* '*n) (%(&" 5u( simpl to establish it " $s $&)$ '*n)) 5 (

')" % n*( 5 $)&%) &$6.

T* ( s$+ '( %s ( C*u)(Hs )u&%n> %n 3e!arda and Prieto vs Saleeb"

 ,*ssss%*n * ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'*Hs ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(" ,$)(%'u&$)& ( P%>u%n> s,*uss 6* s*& ( ,)%v$( &$n (* (

M)$&'*" () %s n* ?us(%%'$(%*n *) n%n> ( M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n * %(s u& $'u%) (%(& (* ( &$n.M)$&'*Hs ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s( $ $'u%) *6n)s%, * ( &$n 5 $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n $s ,)*v% 5 ( Pu5&%' L$n

A'( $n 5 ( C%v%& C*. T &$n 5'$+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( $n M)$&'* u& $'u%) %( 5 )%>( * ,u)'$s. T* n M)$&'*Hs

$,,&%'$(%*n (* )>%s() ( ,)*,)( 5'$us %( %s n*( $ n$(u)$& ,)s*n %s un?us(%% 5'$us n%() ( n6 '*ns(%(u(%*n$& 5$n un

( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*n $>$%ns( ,)%v$( '*),*)$(%*ns *6n%n> &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *) ( Pu5&%' L$n A'(Hs &%+%($(%*n *n (

)%>( * $,,&%'$(%*n *) '*n%)+$(%*n * %+,)'( (%(& (* &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n '$n 5 %nv*0 $n &*n>) $s ( &$n $ &*n

'$s (* 5 ,u5&%' &$n 5u( $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(. M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n %n '( s0s '*n%)+$(%*n * ( $'u%s%(%*n *

*6n)s%, * ( &$n 6%' $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( * %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(" ( P%>u%n> s,*uss 6* ()u (%) *,n

$n un'$&&n> ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n *) *v) (%)( $)s $'u%) (%(& ()(* 5 $'u%s%(%v ,)s')%,(%*n $n 5 '*n'&us%v

 ,)su+,(%*n * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( %(s&. T) %s n* &>$& n*) '*ns(%(u(%*n$& *5s($'& (* su' (%(& 5%n> ()$ns)) (* ( M)$&'

 5 )%>( * ,u)'$s $n traditio  *) %( %s n*( '&$%+ ($( () %s $n &>$& ,)*%5%(%*n $>$%ns( ( P%>u%n> s,*uss ()$ns))%n>

( *6n)s%, * ( &$n (* *()s 6() n$(u)$& ,)s*ns *) '*),*)$(%*ns; su' $s ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'*" vn 5*) ( *)+$

%ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* (+.

8. T* u,*& )s,*nn( ?u>Hs n%$& * M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n *n ( ('n%'$&%( ($( ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $&&*6s *n& '%(%/ns *

( P%&%,,%ns 6* $) n$(u)$& ,)s*ns (* $,,& *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%) (%(& 6*u& 5 %+,)$'(%'$& $n 6*u& ?us( >%v )%s (*

+u&(%,&%'%( * '*u)( $'(%*ns. Assu+%n> ($( () 6$s $ ('n%'$& ))*) %n n*( $v%n> %& ( $,,&%'$(%*n *) )>%s()$(%*n %n (

n$+ * ( P%>u%n> s,*uss $s ( *)%>%n$& *6n)s $n vn*)s" s(%&& %( %s '*n' ($( () %s no prohibition $>$%ns( (%) s$& *

( &$n (* ( $,,&%'$n( M)$&'* $n n%() %s () $n ,)*%5%(%*n $>$%ns( ( $,,&%'$(%*n 5%n> )%& 6%( )()*$'(%v '( %n

( n$+ * ( *)%>%n$& *6n)s $n vn*)s $s su' n$(u)$& ,)s*ns; 6%( ( n )su&( * (%) $,,&%'$(%*n 5%n> >)$n(" 5'$u

* (%) %n%s,u($5& $'u%s%(%*n * *6n)s%, 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6 $n ( '*n'&us%v ,)su+,(%*n ()%n ,)*v% %n (%) $v*).

s*u& n*( 5 n'ss$) (* >* ()*u> $&& ( )%(u$&s $s ( >)$( '*s( * )%&%n> * $&& su' $,,&%'$(%*ns %n (%) n$+s $n $%n> (

( *v)')*6 '*u)( *'0(s 6n ( C*u)( '$n $() $&& (s $)s %s,*s * %( ) $n n*6. S F)$n'%s'* vs. C%( *

D$v$* 14;

T ns * ?us(%' 6*u& 5s( 5 s)v" ()*)" 5 '*ns%)%n> ( $,,&%'$(%*ns *) '*n%)+$(%*n $s $+n (* '*n*)+ (* (

v%n'" %.. $s %& %n ( n$+s * ( *)%>%n$& ,)s*ns 6* $s n$(u)$& ,)s*ns $) u& u$&%% (* $,,& *) *)+$&'*n%)+$(%*n * ( (%(& ($( ( $ $'u%) 5 '*n'&us%v ,)su+,(%*n $n +$n$( * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $n 6* ()$()

u& s*& (* ( )%n '*),*)$(%*ns 5*( $+%((& F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns u& u$&%% (* *& $n *6n ,)%v$( &$ns; $n

>)$n(%n> ( $,,&%'$(%*n *) '*n%)+$(%*n * (%(& (* ( ,)%v$( &$ns s* $'u%) $n s*& *) '$n>.

7. A&& ($( $s 5n s$% ) $,,&%s * '*u)s 6%( u$& *)' (* ( I>&s%$ '$s" s$v ($( $s $&)$ s($( $( ( 5>%nn%n>

)*" ( I>&s%$ $,,&%'$(%*n 6$s >)$n( 5'$us ( R,u5&%' ,)sn( n* v%n' %n su,,*)( * %(s *,,*s%(%*n $n )s,*nn

 ?u> & %n '( ($( ( ,)*,)( $ '$s (* 5 &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(" ( (%(& (* 6%'

'*u& 5 u& %ssu %n ( n$+ * ( I>&s%$ $s ( ()$ns) * %(s ,)'ss*)s-%n-%n()s(.

#. I( s*u& 5$) +,$s%s ($( 6$( $) %nv*&v ) $) s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n" * 18 su$) +()s %n ( M)$&'* '$s us *)

%ns($&&$(%*n * $n $n'*) >u *) %(s s(& ,*s(s %n '*nn'(%*n 6%( %(s ($s0s $s $ n$(%*n$&%/ *+s(%' '*),*)$(%*n (* u)n%s

&'()%'$& s)v%' (* ( '*nsu+) ,u5&%'" $n * &s%$ '$s us $s ( s%( * %(s 'u)' 5u%&( ()*n (*

+%n%s() (* ( )&%>%*us ns * %(s ++5)s. In n* 6$" +$ ( &(()" %n(n( $n s,%)%( * ( ,)*%5%(%*n * ( 197< C*ns(%(u(%*

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$>$%ns( '*),*)$(%*ns *&%n> $&%n$5& &$ns * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n ',( 5 &$s n*( (* ' *n (*us$n '($)s %n $)$

6%' %s 5$+ $>$%ns( ( unu '*n()*& $n ,&*%($(%*n * *u) ,u5&%' &$ns $n n$(u)$& )s*u)'s 5 '*),*)$(%*ns" F%&%,%n* $n

*)%>n-'*n()*&&; 5 + v%*&$( *) %s)>$) 5 ( >)$n(%n> * ( $,,&%'$(%*ns $( 5$). T (6* '*),*)$(%*ns %n ()u( $n

%n $'( * n*( *& ( s+$&& ,$)'&s * &$n $( 5$) *) (%) *6n us *) 5n%( 5u( *) ( s*& us $n 5n%( * ( ,u5&%'.

9. @%( ))n' (* ( s,$)$( '*n'u))%n> *,%n%*n * M). Jus(%' D C$s()* 6)%n 6*u& 5&un( ( su,,*s& s%'; 6&&-

s($5&%s *'()%n $( ,$> 1; )*+ ( 19=9 '$s * Cario $n ( 19! '$s * Susi*6n (* ( 19#= '$s * Herico  supra" $

 ,$>s (* 11; $n su,,*)( ( '*n()$) ,)*n*un'+n( %n M). Jus(%' Au%n*Hs +$%n *,%n%*n ($( $s 5(6n ( S($( $n (

M)$&'*" ( s$% &$n %s s(%&& ,u5&%' &$n. I( 6*u& '$s (* 5 ,u5&%' &$n *n& u,*n ( %ssu$n' * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* $n

F%&%,%n* '%(%/n '&$%+%n> %( un) s'(%*n 4#5; * ( Pu5&%' L$n A'( $( ,$> ;" su%' %( (* '%( %s *6n ,)*n*un'+n(

%n Herico )%()$(%n> ( 6&&-s($5&%s $n ,)v$%&%n> *'()%n 6%' (%s C*u)( $s n*( *v)(u)n" $s %( '$nn*( *v)(u)n (+$n$( * ( s($(u( ($( ( un'$&&n> ,*ssss*) *) $( &$s( !;($( n'" even if  ( &$n %nv*&v %n ( ,)sn( '$s %s '*ns%) private land " ( '%( s'(%*n ,)*%5%(s %(s $'u%s%(%*n 5 (

M)$&'* *) I>&s%$ 6%' $+%((& $) H'*),*)$(%*ns *) $ss*'%$(%*nsH 6%(%n ( +$n%n> * ( $*)'%( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( N6

C*ns(%(u(%*n. T%s *5s)v$(%*n s*u& n $&& $)>u+n(s * ( %ssu * 6() ( &$n %n us(%*n %s ,u5&%' *) ,)%v$( &$n

%+; +%>( +%s&$ *n (* ( 6)*n> '*n'&us%*n ($( '*),*)$(%*ns 6%( 8= F%&%,%n* *6n)s%, +$ not  *6n private lands 6

( ,)ss ,)*v%s%*ns * A)(. 2I3" s'(%*n 9 1 $n s'(%*n 14 $s u*( 5 %+s& $s 6&& $s ( '*un(),$)( ,)*v%s%*ns * ( 19 '( %n ( 197

C*ns(%(u(%*n %s s'(%*n 11 6%' n*6 ,)*%5%(s vn su' F%&%,%n* '*),*)$(%*ns (* *6n *) *& &$ns * ( public *+$%n ',( 5 &$sn*( (* ' 1"=== '($)s %n $)$.

ACCORDINGLY" I v*( *) )v)s$& * )s,*nn( '*u)(Hs ?u>+n( %n ( M)$&'* '$s $n *) ( n() * $ n6 ?u>+n(

>)$n(%n> M)$&'*Hs $,,&%'$(%*n $n *) $%)+$n' * ?u>+n( %n ( s'*n '$s >)$n(%n> ( I>&s%$ $,,&%'$(%*n.

oo$no$e(

T s$+ %ssu %s %nv*&v %n ( *&&*6%n> *u)(n ,n%n> '$ss. 1; G.R. N*. 178" I>&s%$ n% C)%s(* vs.

D%)'(*) * L$ns" ( $&. !; G.R. N* 4=4" D%)'(*) * L$ns vs. Dn$+$)%n C*),*)$(%*n" ( $&. &s%$ n% C)%s(*" ( $&. 9; G.R. N*. 7!7!" D%)'(*) * L$ns vs.

3$&n/u&$ T$nn) C*),*)$(%*n" ( $&. 1; G.R. N*. 7481" D%)'(*) * L$ns vs. M$n%&$ E&'()%' C*+,$n" ( $&

11; G.R. N*. #=77" D%)'(*) * L$ns vs. )+$n*s )+$n$s S($. C)u/ M$*" In'." ( $&. 1!; G.R. N

#=#9" D%)'(*) * L$ns vs. C*n(%nn($& L$ T*5$''* P%&.;" ( $&. 1

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1 4# P%&. 4!4.

! 9 SCRA 4 D L*s Rs vs. R$/*n"

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8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

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!U!I ;. DIRECTOR O LAND! )$, 5; * s'(%*n 4 * A'( N*. !#74" $+n%n> A'( N*. 9!

($( $&& ( n'ss$) )u%)+n(s *) $ >)$n( 5 ( G*v)n+n( $) '*+,&% 6%( 6n $ ,)s*n %s %n $'(u$& $n ,s%'

 ,*ssss%*n" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s" * $n $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n *,n&" '*n(%nu*us&" '&us%v

$n ,u5&%'& s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n.

ACT!5

- 3$&n(%n Sus% %& $ '*+,&$%n( %n CFI P$+,$n>$ $>$%ns( An>&$ R$/*n $n ( D%)'(*) * L$ns" ,)$%n> (* 5 '&$) s*& $n

$5s*&u( *6n) * ( su5?'( ,$)'& * &$n. $&s* ,)$ ($( ( s$& +$ 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns %n $v*) * R$/*n 5

$nnu&& *n ( >)*un ($( ( &$n %s $ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(. L$s(&" ,)$ *) $+$>s $n '*s(s $>$%ns( R$/*n.

$. An(>e& o# D'&e*$o& L)n0(5 Dn% $' $&&>$(%*n. S,'%$& ns - su5?'( &$n 6$s ,$)( * ( ,u5&%' *+$

 5*) %(s s$& (* An>&$ R$/*n" 6%' 6$s +$ %n $''*)$n' 6%( &$6.

- CI?( JUDGMENT5 Sus% %s n(%(& (* ( ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n T s$& (* R$/*n %s $nnu&&. Q C)(%%'$( * (%(& %ssu

) n$+ 6$s '$n'&&. C*s(s $>$%ns( R$/*n.

 5. T D%)'(*) * L$ns $,,$&.

- T su5?'( &$n*&%n> us (* 5 $ %s,*n *6n 5 N+s%* P%n&$'. On D' 1#" 1##= P%n&$' s*& %( (* A,*&*n%* G$)'%$ $

B$s%&%$ Mn*/$ *) P1! 6%( )%>( (* ),u)'$s.

- A() # $)s $n ( s()u'(%*n * ( %s,*n" G$)'%$ $n Mn*/$ s*& %( (* 3$&n(%n Sus% *) P1! 6%( ( )%>( (* ),u)'$s

T ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * ( &$n 5 Sus% $n %s ,)'ss*)s 6$s *un (* $v 5n *,n" '*n(%nu*us" $v)s $n

 ,u5&%'" 6%(*u( $n %n())u,(%*n" ',( u)%n> ( )v*&u(%*n" $n ',( 6n R$/*n '*++n' $n $'(%*n %n CFI P$+,$n>$

191< (* )'*v) ( ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n. T%s $'(%*n 6$s %s+%ss.

-Su5sun(&" %n 1914 R$/*n $,,&% (* ( D%)'(*) * L$ns *) ( ,u)'$s * ( &$n. Sus% %& $n *,,*s%(%*n $ss)(%n>

 ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n *) ! $)s. A() $n $+%n%s()$(%v %nvs(%>$(%*n" Sus%s *,,*s%(%*n 6$s *v))u&. A ')(%%'$( * (%(& 6

%ssu %n R$/*ns n$+ $n )>%s() %n ( )>%s() * s P$+,$n>$ *n Au>us( u$" P$+,$n>$" 6%' 6$s %s+%ss *) &$'0 * ?u)%s%'(%*n" ( '$s 5%n> *n * (%(& (* )$& ,)*,)(

3$&n(%n Sus% (n 5)*u>( (%s $'(%*n.

I((ue5 @%o %)( e$$e& &'%$ $o $%e )n0 !u(' o& R)+onB !U!I.

R)$'o5

- I( '&$)& $,,$)s )*+ ( v%n' ($( 3$&n(%n Sus% $s 5n %n ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*n *,n&" '*n(%nu*us&

$v)s&" $n ,u5&%'&" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s *) $( &$s( 4 $)s. C*u)( (**0 n*( * ( $'( ($( %n 1##= 6

( &$n 6$s s*& 5 P%n&$' $ $&)$ +$ $ %s ,*n ()*n. T C*u)( '&$) ($( ( C$)%n* *'()%n %s $,,&%'$5

 5'$us P%n&$'s ,*ssss%*n '$n $)& 5 s(%+$( 5'$us %( $s 5n s* &*n> ($( %( %s 5*n ( )$' * ++*).

$. @n R$/*n $,,&% *) ( ,u)'$s * s$% &$n" Sus% $ $&)$ 5n %n ,*ssss%*n *) A'( N*. 9!8" ($( $&& ( n'ss$) )u%)+n(s *) $ >)$n( 5 ( G*v)n+n( 6) '*+,&% 6%(" *)

 5n %n $'(u$& $n ,s%'$& ,*ssss%*n" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s" * $n $>)%'u&(u)$& &$n * ( ,u5&%' *+$

*,n&" '*n(%nu*us&" '&us%v& $n ,u5&%'& s%n' Ju& !8" 1#94" 6%( $ )%>( (* $ ')(%%'$( * (%(& (* s$% &$n un) (

 ,)*v%s%*ns * C$,() 3III * s$% A'(.

 5. Sus% $ $&)$ $'u%) $ >)$n( * ( >*v)n+n( 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6 6n R$/*n $,,&% *) $ >)$n( 6%( (

D%)'(*) * &$ns. I( %s n*( n'ss$) ($( ')(%%'$( * (%(& s*u& 5 %ssu %n *)) ($( $ >)$n( +$ 5 s$n'(%*

 5 ( '*u)(s. An $,,&%'$(%*n ()*) %s su%'%n(" un) ( ,)*v%s%*ns * s'(%*n 47 * A'( N*. !#74.

 5.%. Sus% $v%n> $'u%) ( &$n 5 $ >)$n( * ( S($(" %( $ $&)$ '$s (* 5 ( ,u5&*+$%n $n $ 5'*+ ,)%v$( ,)*,)(" $( &$s( 5 ,)su+,(%*n.

B%n> ,)%v$( ,)*,)(" D%)'(*) * &$ns '*u& n* &*n>) %s,*s * ( &$n (* R$/*n *) (

>*v( n* &*n>) $ $n (%(& *) '*n()*& *v) %(. Tus" R$/*n $'u%) n* )%>(s (* ( &$n 5'$u

( s$& % 3OID.

- T '*n(n(%*n * ( D%)'(*) * &$ns ($( ( &$n %s ,u5&%' *+$%n ()*) Sus% '$nn*( +$%n($%n $n $'(%*n (* )'*v

 ,*ssss%*n %s un(n$5&. As $5*v s($( ( &$n $ $&)$ 5'*+ ( ,)%v$( ,)*,)( * Sus% ()*u> *,)$(%*n * &$6. Tu

Sus% $s ( )%>( (* 5)%n> $n $'(%*n (* )'*v) ,*ssss%*n vn (*u> &$'0s ?u%'%$& s$n'(%*n * %s (%(&.

G.R. No. L-24:66 De*ee& 9, 192

/ALENTIN !U!I, ,&$%n(%-$,,&&"

8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

18/48

vs.

ANGELA RAON )n0 TE DIRECTOR O LAND!, 0e#en0)n$(. TE DIRECTOR O LAND!, $,,&&$n(.

 ;ctin! ;ttorne)General Rees for appellant

 'onico R 'ercado for appellee

 

/ILLA-REAL, J.:

T%s $'(%*n 6$s '*++n' %n ( C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n' * P$+,$n>$ 5 $ '*+,&$%n( %& 5 3$&n(%n Sus% $>$%ns( An>&$ R$/*

$n ( D%)'(*) * L$ns" ,)$%n> *) ?u>+n(: $; D'&$)%n> ,&$%n(% ( s*& $n $5s*&u( *6n) * ( ,$)'& * &$n s')%5

%n ( s'*n ,$)$>)$, * ( '*+,&$%n( 5; $nnu&&%n> ( s$& +$ 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns %n $v*) * An>&$ R$/*n" *n (

>)*un ($( ( &$n %s $ ,)%v$( ,)*,)( '; *))%n> ( '$n'&&$(%*n * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& %ssu (* s$% An>&$ R$/*n $n

sn(n'%n> ( &$(() (* ,$ ,&$%n(% ( su+ * P== $s $+$>s" 6%( ( '*s(s.

F*) %s $ns6) (* ( '*+,&$%n(" ( D%)'(*) * L$ns n% $' $n v) $&&>$(%*n '*n($%n ()%n $n" $s s,'%$& ns

$&&> ($( ( &$n %n us(%*n 6$s $ ,)*,)( * ( G*v)n+n( * ( Un%( S($(s un) ( $+%n%s()$(%*n $n '*n()*& * (

P%&%,,%n Is&$ns 5*) %(s s$& (* An>&$ R$/*n" 6%' 6$s +$ %n $''*)$n' 6%( &$6.

A() ()%$&" 6)$( v%n' 6$s %n()*u' 5 5*( ,$)(%s" ( C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n' * P$+,$n>$ )n) ?u>+n( '&$)%n

( ,&$%n(% n(%(& (* ( ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n" $nnu&&%n> ( s$& +$ 5 ( D%)'(*) * L$ns %n $v*) * An>&$ R$/*n" $n

*))%n> ( '$n'&&$(%*n * ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& %ssu (* )" 6%( ( '*s(s $>$%ns( An>&$ R$/*n. F)*+ (%s ?u>+n( (

D%)'(*) * L$ns (**0 (%s $,,$&" $ss%>n%n> ()(* ( *&&*6%n> ))*)s" (* 6%(: 1; T *&%n> ($( ( ?u>+n( )n) %n

 ,)%*) '$s 5(6n ( ,&$%n(% $n n$n( An>&$ R$/*n *n ( ,$)'& * &$n %n us(%*n %s '*n()*&&%n> %n (%s $'(%*n !; (

*&%n> ($( ,&$%n(% %s n(%(& (* )'*v) ( ,*ssss%*n * s$% ,$)'& * &$n ( $nnu&+n( * ( s$& +$ 5 ( D%)'(*) L$ns (* An>&$ R$/*n $n ( *))%n> ($( ( ')(%%'$( * (%(& %ssu 5 ( )>%s() * s * ( P)*v%n' * P$+,$n>$

An>&$ R$/*n 5 v%)(u * s$% s$& 5 '$n'&& $n 5n %n ,*ssss%*

()* *) $5*u( %>( $)s" $n ( %s ,*n $v%n> 5n s()*" A,*&*n%* G$)'%$ $n B$s%&%* Mn*/$" *n S,(+5)

1#99" s*& %( (* 3$&n(%n Sus% *) ( su+ * P1!" )s)v%n> ( )%>( (* ),u)'$s %( E%5%( A;. B*) ( 'u(%*n * (

s$&" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ $&)$ ,$% %(s ,)%' $n s*6n 5$'$6$n *n s$% &$n" $v$%&%n> %+s& * ( %)6** >$() ()*

6%( ( ,)*'s * ( s$& * 6%' $ ,$% ( ,)%' * ( ,)*,)(. T ,*ssss%*n $n *''u,$(%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*

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$n %n())u,(%*n" ',( u)%n> ( )v*&u(%*n" *) %s(u)5$n'" ',( 6n An>&$ R$/*n" *n S,(+5) 1$ (* )'*v) ( ,*ssss%*n * s$% &$n E%5%( C;" 6)%n $() '*ns%)%n> (

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$,,&% (* ( D%)'(*) * L$ns *) ( ,u)'$s ()* *n Au>us( 1" 1914 E%5%( C;. $v%n> &$)n * s$% $,,&%'$(%*

3$&n(%n Sus% %& $n *,,*s%(%*n ()(* *n D'+5) 8" 191" $ss)(%n> %s ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n *) (6n(-%v $)s E%5

P;. A() +$0%n> ( ,)*,) $+%n%s()$(%v %nvs(%>$(%*n" ( D%)'(*) * L$ns *v))u& ( *,,*s%(%*n * 3$&n(%n Sus% $n s*

( &$n (* An>&$ R$/*n. B v%)(u * s$% >)$n( ( )>%s() * s * P$+,$n>$" *n Au>us( &$ R$/*n. A)+ 6%( s$% *'u+n(" An>&$ R$/*n )u%) 3$&n(%n Sus% (* v$'$( ( &$n %n us(%*

$n $s )us (* * s*" s 5)*u>( $n $'(%*n *) *)'%5& n() $n ($%n) %n ( ?us(%' * ( ,$' '*u)( * Gu$>u

P$+,$n>$" 6%' 6$s %s+%ss *) &$'0 * ?u)%s%'(%*n" ( '$s 5%n> *n * (%(& (* )$& ,)*,)( E%5%( F $n M;. 3$&n(%n Su

(n 5)*u>( (%s $'(%*n.

@%( (s $'(s %n v%6" 6 s$&& ,)*' (* '*ns%) ( us(%*ns )$%s 5 ( $,,&&$n( %n %s $ss%>n+n(s * ))*). lawphi/net 

I( '&$)& $,,$)s )*+ ( v%n' ($( 3$&n(%n Sus% $s 5n %n ,*ssss%*n * ( &$n %n us(%*n *,n&" '*n(%nu*us

$v)s&" $n ,u5&%'&" ,)s*n$&& $n ()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s" s%n' ( $) 1##=" ($( %s" *) $5*u( *)(-%v $)s. @%& ( ?u>+n( * ( C*u)( * F%)s( Ins($n' * P$+,$n>$ $>$%ns( An>&$ R$/*n %n ( *)'%5& n() '$s *s n*( $'( ( D%)'(*)

L$ns" ( %( %s '*n()*&&%n> $s (* An>&$ R$/*n $n )5u(s ) '&$%+ ($( s $ 5n %n ,*ssss%*n ()*. @n *n Au>us( 1

1914" An>&$ R$/*n $,,&% *) ( ,u)'$s * s$% &$n" 3$&n(%n Sus% $ $&)$ 5n %n ,*ssss%*n ()* ,)s*n$&& $n

()*u> %s ,)'ss*)s *) (%)(-*u) $)s. An % %( %s ($0n %n(* $''*un( ($( N+s%* P%n&$' $ $&)$ +$ s$% &$n $ %

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3$&n(%n Sus%" () %s" +*)*v)" ( ,)su+,(%*n juris et de jure s($5&%s %n ,$)$>)$, 5; * s'(%*n 4 * A'( N*. !#7

$+n%n> A'( N*. 9!8" ($( $&& ( n'ss$) )u%)+n(s *) $ >)$n( 5 ( G*v)n+n( 6) '*+,&% 6%(" *) $s 5n

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8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

19/48

*,)$(%*n * &$6" n*( *n& $ )%>( (* $ >)$n(" 5u( $ >)$n( * ( G*v)n+n(" *) %( %s n*( n'ss$) ($( ')(%%'$( * (%(& s*u& 5

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6%' $ n* &*n>) $n (%(& *) '*n()*&" $n ( s$& (us +$ 6$s v*% $n * n* '(" $n An>&$ R$/*n % n*( ()

$'u%) $n )%>(.

T D%)'(*) * L$ns '*n(ns ($( ( &$n %n us(%*n 5%n> * ( ,u5&%' *+$%n" ( ,&$%n(%-$,,&& '$nn*( +$%n($%n $

$'(%*n (* )'*v) ,*ssss%*n ()*.lawphi/net 

I" $s $5*v s($(" ( &$n" ( ,*ssss%*n * 6%' %s %n %s,u(" $ $&)$ 5'*+" 5 *,)$(%*n * &$6" ,)%v$( ,)*,)( * ( ,&$%n(%" () &$'0%n> *n& ( ?u%'%$& s$n'(%*n * %s (%(&" 3$&n(%n Sus% $s ( )%>( (* 5)%n> $n $'(%*n (* )'*v) ,*ssss%*

()* $n *& %(.

F*) ( *)>*%n>" $n n* ))*) $v%n> 5n *un %n ( ?u>+n( $,,$& )*+" ( s$+ %s )5 $%)+ %n $&& %(s ,$)(

6%(*u( s,'%$& ,)*n*un'+n( $s (* '*s(s. S* *)).

 ;vancea, C+, 'alcolm, Street, *illamor, @strand, +ohns, and Romualdez, ++, concur

 +ohnson, +, too( no part

 

oo$no$e(

1 41 P%&." 9%s()$(%*n C$s N*. N-9==" LRC" R'. N*. N-487 n(%(& Dn$+$)%n C*),*)$(%*

8/12/2019 Property Cases 6-25-2014

20/48

su5s(%(u( 5 En>%n)%n> Eu%,+n(" In'." EEI;" A,,&%'$n(" v)sus T D%)'(*) * L$ns" ( $&." O,,*s%(*)s.

T $'(s * ( '$s $) $s *&&*6s:

On F5)u$) 1=" 197" Dn$+$)%n C*),*)$(%*n %& $n $,,&%'$(%*n 6%( ( &*6) '*u)( *) ( )>%s()$(%*n $n '*n%)+$(%*n * %

(%(& (* ( *&&*6%n> ,)*,)(%s:

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* s$% ,$)'&s $) $s *&&*6s:

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