Heirs of Malabanan v RP

8/13/2019 Heirs of Malabanan v RP

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HEIRS OF MARIO MALABANAN, G.R. No. 179987

Petitioner,

Present:

PUNO, C.J.,

QUISUMBING,

NARES!SAN"IAGO,

#ARPIO,

! $ers%s ! AUS"RIA!MAR"INE&,

#ORONA,

#ARPIO MORALES,

"INGA,

#HI#O!NA&ARIO,

'ELAS#O, (R.,

NA#HURA,

LEONAR)O )E #AS"RO,

BRION,

REPUBLI# OF "HE PHILIPPINES, PERAL"A, *n+

Res on+ent. BERSAMIN, JJ.

Pro-% /*te+:



A ri 09, 0 9

2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2

D E C I S I O N

"INGA, J.:

One -*in re*son 345 t4e in6or-* se tor 4*s note o-e 6or-* is t4*t 6ro- In+onesi* to Br* i , 9 er ent

o6 t4e in6or-* *n+s *re not tit e+ *n+ re/istere+. "4is is */ener* i e+ 4eno-enon in t4e so! * e+ "4ir+ or +. An+it 4*s -*n5 onse;%en es.

222

"4e ;%estion is: Ho3 is it t4*t so -*n5 /o$ern-ents,6ro- S%4*rto<s in In+onesi* to F%=i-ori<s in Per%, 4*$e3*nte+ to tit e t4ese eo e *n+ 4*$e not een * e to +oso e66e ti$e 5> One re*son is t4*t none o6 t4e st*te s5ste-sin Asi* or L*tin A-eri * *n /*t4er roo6 o6 in6or-* tit es.In Per%, t4e in6or-* s 4*$e -e*ns o6 ro$in/ ro ert5o3ners4i to e* 4 ot4er 34i 4 *re not t4e s*-e -e*ns+e$e o e+ 5 t4e S *nis4 e/* s5ste-. "4e in6or-* s 4*$et4eir o3n * ers, t4eir o3n 6or-s o6 */ree-ents, *n+ t4eiro3n s5ste-s o6 re/istr*tion, * o6 34i 4 *re $er5 e*r 5st*te+ in t4e -* s 34i 4 t4e5 %se 6or t4eir o3n in6or-*

%siness tr*ns* tions.

I6 5o% t*?e * 3* ? t4ro%/4 t4e o%ntr5si+e, 6ro-In+onesi* to Per%, *n+ 5o% 3* ? 5 6ie + *6ter 6ie +!!in e* 46ie + * +i66erent +o/ is /oin/ to *r? *t 5o%. E$en +o/s ?no334*t ri$*te ro ert5 is * * o%t. "4e on 5 one 34o +oesnot ?no3 it is t4e /o$ern-ent. "4e iss%e is t4*t t4ere e2ists* @ o--on *3@ *n+ *n @in6or-* *3@ 34i 4 t4e L*tin



A-eri *n 6or-* e/* s5ste- +oes not ?no3 4o3 tore o/ni e.

! Hern*n+o )e Soto 1 1

"4is +e ision ine$it* 5 *66e ts * %ntit e+ *n+s %rrent 5 in

ossession o6 ersons *n+ entities ot4er t4*n t4e P4i i ine

/o$ern-ent. "4e etition, 34i e %nre-*r?* e *s to t4e 6* ts, 3*s

* e te+ 5 t4e #o%rt en banc in or+er to ro$i+e +e6initi$e *rit5 to

t4e * i * i it5 *n+ s o e o6 ori/in* re/istr*tion ro ee+in/s %n+er

Se tions 1CD1 *n+ 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree. In +oin/

so, t4e #o%rt on6ronts not on 5 t4e re e$*nt ro$isions o6 t4e P% i

L*n+ A t *n+ t4e #i$i #o+e, %t * so t4e re* it5 on t4e /ro%n+. "4e

o%ntr53i+e 4eno-enon o6 %ntit e+ *n+s, *s 3e *s t4e ro e- o6

in6or-* sett e-ent it 4*s s *3ne+, 4*s %n6ort%n*te 5 een tre*te+

3it4 eni/n ne/ e t. et o%r %rrent *3s *re 4e--e+ in 5 t4eir o3n

ir %-s ri tions in *++ressin/ t4e 4eno-enon. Sti , t4e +%t5 on o%r

*rt is ri-*ri 5 to +e i+e *ses e6ore %s in * or+ 3it4 t4e

#onstit%tion *n+ t4e e/* rin i es t4*t 4*$e +e$e o e+ o%r % i

*n+ *3, t4o%/4 o%r so i* o i/*tions +iss%*+e %s 6ro- *stin/ * in+

e5e on t4e en+e-i ro e-s.

I.

On 0 Fe r%*r5 1998, M*rio M* * *n*n 6i e+ *n * i *tion 6or*n+ re/istr*tion o$erin/ * *r e o6 *n+ i+enti6ie+ *s Lot 98 C!A,

#*+!C 0!), Si *n/ #*+*stre, 0 0 sit%*te+ in B*r*n/*5 "i i/, Si *n/

#*$ite, *n+ onsistin/ o6 71, 0C s;%*re -eters. M* * *n*n *i-e+

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t4*t 4e 4*+ %r 4*se+ t4e ro ert5 6ro- E+%*r+o 'e * o, *n+ t4*t

4e *n+ 4is re+e essors!in!interest 4*+ een in o en, notorio%s, *n+

ontin%o%s *+$erse *n+ e* e6% ossession o6 t4e *n+ 6or -ore t4*n

t4irt5 D 5e*rs.

"4e * i *tion 3*s r*66 e+ to t4e Re/ion* "ri* #o%rt o6 DR"#

#*$ite!"*/*5t*5 #it5, Br*n 4 18. "4e O66i e o6 t4e So i itor Gener*

DOSG +% 5 +esi/n*te+ t4e Assist*nt Pro$in i* Prose %tor o6 #*$ite,

(ose 'e * o, (r., to * e*r on e4* 6 o6 t4e St*te. C C A *rt 6ro-

resentin/ +o %-ent*r5 e$i+en e, M* * *n*n 4i-se 6 *n+ 4is 3itness,

Ariste+es 'e * o, testi6ie+ *t t4e 4e*rin/. 'e * o testi6ie+ t4*t t4e

ro ert5 3*s ori/in* 5 e on/e+ to * t3ent5!t3o 4e t*re ro ert5

o3ne+ 5 4is /re*t!/r*n+6*t4er, Lino 'e * o. Lino 4*+ 6o%r sons

Bene+i to, Gre/orio, E+%*r+o *n+ Este *n t4e 6o%rt4 ein/ Ariste+esJs

/r*n+6*t4er. U on LinoJs +e*t4, 4is 6o%r sons in4erite+ t4e ro ert5

*n+ +i$i+e+ it *-on/ t4e-se $es. B%t 5 19 , Este *nJs 3i6e,

M*/+* en*, 4*+ e o-e t4e *+-inistr*tor o6 * t4e ro erties

in4erite+ 5 t4e 'e * o sons 6ro- t4eir 6*t4er, Lino. A6ter t4e +e*t4 o6

Este *n *n+ M*/+* en*, t4eir son 'ir/i io s% ee+e+ t4e- in

*+-inisterin/ t4e ro erties, in %+in/ Lot 98 C!A, 34i 4 ori/in* 5

e on/e+ to 4is %n e, E+%*r+o 'e * o. It 3*s t4is ro ert5 t4*t 3*s

so + 5 E+%*r+o 'e * o to M* * *n*n.

Assist*nt Pro$in i* Prose %tor (ose 'e * o, (r. +i+ not ross!

e2*-ine Ariste+es 'e * o. He 6%rt4er -*ni6este+ t4*t 4e K* so ?ne3

t4e ro ert5 *n+ I *66ir- t4e tr%t4 o6 t4e testi-on5 /i$en 5 Mr.

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'e * o. "4e Re % i o6 t4e P4i i ines i?e3ise +i+ not resent

*n5 e$i+en e to ontro$ert t4e * i *tion.

A-on/ t4e e$i+en e resente+ 5 M* * *n*n +%rin/ tri* 3*s *

#erti6i *tion +*te+ 11 (%ne 0 1, iss%e+ 5 t4e #o--%nit5

En$iron-ent N*t%r* Reso%r es O66i e, )e *rt-ent o6 En$iron-ent

*n+ N*t%r* Reso%r es D#ENRO!)ENR , 34i 4 st*te+ t4*t t4e s% =e t

ro ert5 3*s K$eri6ie+ to e 3it4in t4e A ien* e or )is os* e *n+ er

L*n+ # *ssi6i *tion M* No. 1 est* is4e+ %n+er Pro=e t No. 0 !A

*n+ * ro$e+ *s s% 4 %n+er FAO C!1 on March 15, 1982. 7 7

On )e e- er 0 0, t4e R"# ren+ere+ =%+/-ent in 6*$or o6

M* * *n*n, t4e +is ositi$e ortion o6 34i 4 re*+s:

HEREFORE, t4is #o%rt 4ere 5 * ro$es t4is* i *tion 6or re/istr*tion *n+ t4%s * es %n+er t4eo er*tion o6 A t 1C1, A t C9 *n+ or P.). 1 09, ot4er3ise?no3n *s Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion L*3, t4e *n+s +es ri e+ inP *n #s+! C! 17 10 !), Lot 98 C!A *n+ ont*inin/ *n *re*o6 Se$ent5 One "4o%s*n+ "4ree H%n+re+ "3ent5 Fo%rD71, 0C S;%*re Meters, *s s% orte+ 5 its te 4ni *+es ri tion no3 6or-in/ *rt o6 t4e re or+ o6 t4is *se, in*++ition to ot4er roo6s *++% e+ in t4e n*-e o6 MARIOMALABANAN, 34o is o6 e/* */e, Fi i ino, 3i+o3er, *n+3it4 resi+en e *t M%ntin/ I o/, Si *n/, #*$ite.

On e t4is )e ision e o-es 6in* *n+ e2e %tor5, t4e

orres on+in/ +e ree o6 re/istr*tion s4* 6ort43it4 iss%e. SO OR)ERE).

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"4e Re % i inter ose+ *n * e* to t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s,

*r/%in/ t4*t M* * *n*n 4*+ 6*i e+ to ro$e t4*t t4e ro ert5 e on/e+

to t4e * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+ o6 t4e % i +o-*in, *n+ t4*t t4e

R"# 4*+ erre+ in 6in+in/ t4*t 4e 4*+ een in ossession o6 t4e

ro ert5 in t4e -*nner *n+ 6or t4e en/t4 o6 ti-e re;%ire+ 5 *3 6or

on6ir-*tion o6 i- er6e t tit e.

On 0 Fe r%*r5 0 7, t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s ren+ere+ *

)e ision 8 8 re$ersin/ t4e R"# *n+ +is-issin/ t4e * i *tion o6

M* * *n*n. "4e * e *te o%rt 4e + t4*t %n+er Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree *n5 erio+ o6 ossession rior to t4e

*ssi6i *tion o6 t4e ots *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e 3*s

in onse;%enti* *n+ s4o% + e e2 %+e+ 6ro- t4e o- %t*tion o6 t4e

erio+ o6 ossession. "4%s, t4e * e *te o%rt note+ t4*t sin e t4e

#ENRO!)ENR erti6i *tion 4*+ $eri6ie+ t4*t t4e ro ert5 3*s +e *re+

* ien* e *n+ +is os* e on 5 on 1 M*r 4 1980, t4e 'e * osJ

ossession rior to t4*t +*te o% + not e 6* tore+ in t4e o- %t*tion

o6 t4e erio+ o6 ossession. "4is inter ret*tion o6 t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s

o6 Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree 3*s *se+ on t4e

#o%rtJs r% in/ in Republic v. Herbieto .9 9

M* * *n*n +ie+ 34i e t4e *se 3*s en+in/ 3it4 t4e #o%rt o6

A e* s 1 1 4en e, it 3*s 4is 4eirs 34o * e* e+ t4e +e ision o6 t4e

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* e *te o%rt. Petitioners, e6ore t4is #o%rt, re 5 on o%r r% in/ in

Republic v. Naguit ,11 11 34i 4 3*s 4*n+e+ +o3n =%st 6o%r -ont4s

rior to Herbieto . Petitioners s%//est t4*t t4e +is %ssion in Herbieto

ite+ 5 t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s is * t%* 5 obiter dictum sin e t4e

Metro o it*n "ri* #o%rt t4erein 34i 4 4*+ +ire te+ t4e re/istr*tion o6

t4e ro ert5 4*+ no =%ris+i tion in t4e 6irst * e sin e t4e re;%isite

noti e o6 4e*rin/ 3*s % is4e+ on 5 *6ter t4e 4e*rin/ 4*+ * re*+5

e/%n. Naguit , etitioners *r/%e, re-*ins t4e ontro in/ +o trine,

es e i* 5 34en t4e ro ert5 in ;%estion is */ri % t%r* *n+. "4ere6ore,

3it4 res e t to */ri % t%r* *n+s, *n5 ossession rior to t4e

+e *r*tion o6 t4e * ien* e ro ert5 *s +is os* e -*5 e o%nte+ in

re ?onin/ t4e erio+ o6 ossession to er6e t tit e %n+er t4e P% i

L*n+ A t *n+ t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree.

"4e etition 3*s re6erre+ to t4e #o%rt en banc ,10 10 *n+ on 11

No$e- er 0 8, t4e *se 3*s 4e*r+ on or* *r/%-ents. "4e #o%rt

6or-% *te+ t4e rin i * iss%es 6or t4e or* *r/%-ents, to 3it:

1. In or+er t4*t *n * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+o6 t4e % i +o-*in -*5 e re/istere+ %n+er Se tion 1CD1

o6 Presi+enti* )e ree No. 1 09, ot4er3ise ?no3n *s t4ePro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree, s4o% + t4e *n+ e *ssi6ie+*s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *s o6 (%ne 10, 19C or is its%66i ient t4*t s% 4 *ssi6i *tion o %r *t *n5 ti-e rior tot4e 6i in/ o6 t4e * i *nt 6or re/istr*tion ro$i+e+ t4*t it is

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est* is4e+ t4*t t4e * i *nt 4*s een in o en,ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s ossession o6 t4e *n+

%n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i sin e (%ne 10, 19C ore*r ier>

0. For %r oses o6 Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5Re/istr*tion )e ree -*5 * *r e o6 *n+ *ssi6ie+ *s* ien* e *n+ +is os* e e +ee-e+ ri$*te *n+ *n+t4ere6ore s%s e ti e to * ;%isition 5 res ri tion in* or+*n e 3it4 t4e #i$i #o+e>

. M*5 * *r e o6 *n+ est* is4e+ *s */ri % t%r*

in 4*r* ter eit4er e *%se o6 its %se or e *%se its s o e ise o3 t4*t o6 6orest *n+s e re/istr* e %n+er Se tion

1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree in re *tion to t4ero$isions o6 t4e #i$i #o+e on * ;%isiti$e res ri tion>

C. Are etitioners entit e+ to t4e re/istr*tion o6 t4es% =e t *n+ in t4eir n*-es %n+er Se tion 1CD1 or Se tion1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree or ot4> 1 1

B*se+ on t4ese iss%es, t4e *rties 6or-% *te+ t4eir res e ti$e

ositions.

it4 res e t to Se tion 1CD1 , etitioners reiter*te t4*t t4e

*n* 5sis o6 t4e #o%rt in Naguit is t4e orre t inter ret*tion o6 t4e

ro$ision. "4e see-in/ 5 ontr*+i tor5 rono%n e-ent in Herbieto , it

is s% -itte+, s4o% + e onsi+ere+ obiter dictum , sin e t4e *n+

re/istr*tion ro ee+in/s t4erein 3*s $oi+ ab initio +%e to * ? o6

% i *tion o6 t4e noti e o6 initi* 4e*rin/. Petitioners 6%rt4er oint o%t

t4*t in Republic v. Bibonia ,1C 1C ro-% /*te+ in (%ne o6 0 7, t4e

#o%rt * ie+ Naguit *n+ *+o te+ t4e s*-e o ser$*tion t4*t t4e

re6erre+ inter ret*tion 5 t4e OSG o6 Se tion 1CD1 3*s *tent 5

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* s%r+. For its *rt, t4e OSG re-*ins insistent t4*t 6or Se tion 1CD1 to

* 5, t4e *n+ s4o% + 4*$e een *ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e

*s o6 10 (%ne 19C . A *rt 6ro- Herbieto , t4e OSG * so ites t4e

s% se;%ent r% in/s in Buenaventura v. Republic ,1 1 Fieldman

Agricultural Trading v. Republic 1 1 *n+ Republic v. Imperial Credit

Corporation ,17 17 *s 3e *s t4e e*r ier *se o6 Director of and! v.

Court of Appeal! .18 18

it4 res e t to Se tion 1CD0 , etitioners s% -it t4*t o en,

ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s ossession o6 *n * ien* e *n+ o6

t4e % i +o-*in 6or -ore t4*n 5e*rs ip!o "ure on$erts t4e *n+

into ri$*te ro ert5, t4%s * in/ it %n+er t4e o$er*/e o6 Se tion

1CD0 . A or+in/ to t4e-, it 3o% + not -*tter 34et4er t4e *n+ so%/4t

to e re/istere+ 3*s re$io%s 5 *ssi6ie+ *s */ri % t%r* *n+ o6 t4e

% i +o-*in so on/ *s, *t t4e ti-e o6 t4e * i *tion, t4e ro ert5

4*+ * re*+5 een K on$erte+ into ri$*te ro ert5 t4ro%/4

res ri tion. "o o ster t4eir *r/%-ent, etitioners ite e2tensi$e 5

6ro- o%r 0 8 r% in/ in Republic v. T.A.N. #ropertie! .19 19

"4e *r/%-ents s% -itte+ 5 t4e OSG 3it4 res e t to Se tion

1CD0 *re -ore e2tensi$e. "4e OSG notes t4*t %n+er Arti e 111 o6

t4e #i$i #o+e, t4e * ;%isiti$e res ri tion o6 ro erties o6 t4e St*tere6ers to K *tri-oni* ro ert5, 34i e Se tion 1CD0 s e*?s o6 K ri$*te

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*n+s. It o ser$es t4*t t4e #o%rt 4*s 5et to +e i+e * *se t4*t

resente+ Se tion 1CD0 *s * /ro%n+ 6or * i *tion 6or re/istr*tion,

*n+ t4*t t4e !5e*r ossession erio+ re6ers to t4e erio+ o6

ossession %n+er Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, *n+ not t4e

on e t o6 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e. "4e OSG 6%rt4er s% -its

t4*t, *ss%-in/ t4*t t4e !5e*r res ri ti$e erio+ *n r%n */*inst

% i *n+s, s*i+ erio+ s4o% + e re ?one+ 6ro- t4e ti-e t4e % i

*n+ 3*s +e *re+ * ien* e *n+ +is os* e.

Bot4 si+es i?e3ise o66er s e i* *r/%-ents 3it4 res e t to t4e

*rti % *r 6* t%* ir %-st*n es s%rro%n+in/ t4e s% =e t ro ert5 *n+

t4e o3ners4i t4ereo6.

II.

First, 3e +is %ss Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion

)e ree. For * 6% %n+erst*n+in/ o6 t4e ro$ision, re6eren e 4*s to e

-*+e to t4e P% i L*n+ A t.

A.

#o--on3e* t4 A t No. 1C1, * so ?no3n *s t4e P% i L*n+ A t,

4*s, sin e its en* t-ent, /o$erne+ t4e *ssi6i *tion *n+ +is osition o6

*n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in. "4e Presi+ent is *%t4ori e+, 6ro- ti-e to





e2 %si$e, *n+ notorio%s ossession *n+ o % *tion o6* ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in, %n+er* on* 6i+e *i- o6 * ;%isition o6 o3ners4i , sin e (%ne10, 19C , or e*r ier, i--e+i*te 5 re e+in/ t4e 6i in/ o6t4e * i *tion 6or on6ir-*tion o6 tit e e2 e t 34en

re$ente+ 5 3*r or 6or e -*=e%re. "4ese s4* eon %si$e 5 res%-e+ to 4*$e er6or-e+ * t4eon+itions essenti* to * Go$ern-ent /r*nt *n+ s4* e

entit e+ to * erti6i *te o6 tit e %n+er t4e ro$isions o6 t4is4* ter.

Se tion C8D o6 #o-. A t No. 1C1 re ei$e+ its resent 3or+in/ in1977 34en t4e *3 3*s *-en+e+ 5 P.). No. 1 7 . "3o si/ni6i *nt

*-en+-ents 3ere intro+% e+ 5 P.). No. 1 7 . Fir!t , t4e ter-

K*/ri % t%r* *n+s 3*s 4*n/e+ to K* ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+s o6

t4e % i +o-*in. "4e OSG s% -its t4*t t4is *-en+-ent restri te+

t4e s o e o6 t4e *n+s t4*t -*5 e re/istere+. 0 0 "4is is not * t%* 5

t4e *se. Un+er Se tion 9 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, K*/ri % t%r* *n+s

*re * -ere s% set o6 K *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in * ien* e or o en to

+is osition. E$i+ent 5, * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+s o6 t4e % i

+o-*in *re * *r/er *ss t4*n on 5 K*/ri % t%r* *n+s.

$econd , t4e en/t4 o6 t4e re;%isite ossession 3*s 4*n/e+ 6ro-

ossession 6or Kt4irt5 D 5e*rs i--e+i*te 5 re e+in/ t4e 6i in/ o6 t4e

* i *tion to ossession Ksin e (%ne 10, 19C or e*r ier. "4e #o%rt

in Naguit e2 *ine+:

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4en t4e P% i L*n+ A t 3*s 6irst ro-% /*te+ in19 , t4e erio+ o6 ossession +ee-e+ ne ess*r5 to $estt4e ri/4t to re/ister t4eir tit e to */ri % t%r* *n+s o6 t4e

% i +o-*in o--en e+ 6ro- (% 5 0 , 189C. Ho3e$er,t4is erio+ 3*s *-en+e+ 5 R.A. No. 19C0, 34i 4 ro$i+e+

t4*t t4e bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i -%st 4*$e een 6or *te*st t4irt5 D 5e*rs. "4en in 1977, Se tion C8D o6 t4eP% i L*n+ A t 3*s */*in *-en+e+, t4is ti-e 5 P.). No.1 7 , 34i 4 e//e+ t4e re ?onin/ +*te *t (%ne 10, 19C .222

It e*rs 6%rt4er o ser$*tion t4*t Se tion C8D o6 #o-. A t No,

1C1 is $irt%* 5 t4e s*-e *s Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion

)e ree. S*i+ )e ree o+i6ie+ t4e $*rio%s *3s re *ti$e to t4e

re/istr*tion o6 ro ert5, in %+in/ *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in. It is

Se tion 1CD1 t4*t o er*tion* i es t4e re/istr*tion o6 s% 4 *n+s o6 t4e

% i +o-*in. "4e ro$ision re*+s:

SE#"ION 1C. 4o -*5 * 5. "4e 6o o3in/ ersons -*56i e in t4e ro er #o%rt o6 First Inst*n e *n * i *tion 6orre/istr*tion o6 tit e to *n+, 34et4er erson* 5 or t4ro%/4t4eir +% 5 *%t4ori e+ re resent*ti$es:

D1 t4ose 34o 5 t4e-se $es or t4ro%/4t4eir re+e essors!in!interest 4*$e een ino en, ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s

ossession *n+ o % *tion o6 * ien* e *n++is os* e *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in%n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i sin e

(%ne 10, 19C , or e*r ier.



Not3it4st*n+in/ t4e *ss*/e o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree

*n+ t4e in %sion o6 Se tion 1CD1 t4erein, t4e P% i L*n+ A t 4*s

re-*ine+ in e66e t. Bot4 *3s o--on 5 re6er to ersons or t4eir

re+e essors!in!interest 34o K4*$e een in o en, ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e

*n+ notorio%s ossession *n+ o % *tion o6 * ien* e *n+ +is os* e

*n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in %n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i sin e

(%ne 10, 19C , or e*r ier. "4*t ir %-st*n e -*5 4*$e e+ to t4e

i- ression t4*t one or t4e ot4er is * re+%n+*n 5, or t4*t Se tion C8D

o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t 4*s so-e4o3 een re e* e+ or -oote+. "4*t is

not t4e *se.

"4e o enin/ *%ses o6 Se tion C8 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t *n+

Se tion 1C o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree 3*rr*nt o- *rison:

Se . C8 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t . "4e 6o o3in/+es ri e+ iti ens o6 t4e P4i i ines, o % 5in/ *n+s o6

t4e % i +o-*in or *i-in/ to o3n *n5 s% 4 *n+ or *ninterest t4erein, %t 34ose tit es 4*$e not een er6e te+or o- ete+, -*5 * 5 to t4e #o%rt o6 First Inst*n e o6t4e ro$in e 34ere t4e *n+ is o *te+ 6or on6ir-*tion o6t4eir *i-s *n+ t4e iss%*n e o6 * erti6i *te o6 tit et4ere6or, %n+er t4e L*n+ Re/istr*tion A t, to 3it:

222

Se . 1C o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree . 4o -*5* 5. "4e 6o o3in/ ersons -*5 6i e in t4e ro er #o%rto6 First Inst*n e *n * i *tion 6or re/istr*tion o6 tit e to

*n+, 34et4er erson* 5 or t4ro%/4 t4eir +% 5 *%t4ori e+re resent*ti$es:

222



It is e*r t4*t Se tion C8 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t is -ore

+es ri ti$e o6 t4e n*t%re o6 t4e ri/4t en=o5e+ 5 t4e ossessor t4*n

Se tion 1C o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree, 34i 4 see-s to

res%-e t4e re!e2isten e o6 t4e ri/4t, r*t4er t4*n est* is4in/ t4e

ri/4t itse 6 6or t4e 6irst ti-e. It is ro er to *ssert t4*t it is t4e P% i

L*n+ A t, *s *-en+e+ 5 P.). No. 1 7 e66e ti$e 0 (*n%*r5 1977, t4*t

4*s ri-*ri 5 est* is4e+ t4e ri/4t o6 * Fi i ino iti en 34o 4*s een Kin

o en, ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e, *n+ notorio%s ossession *n+ o % *tion

o6 * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in, %n+er * on*

6i+e *i- o6 * ;%isition o6 o3ners4i , sin e (%ne 10, 19C to er6e tor o- ete 4is tit e 5 * 5in/ 3it4 t4e ro er o%rt 6or t4e

on6ir-*tion o6 4is o3ners4i *i- *n+ t4e iss%*n e o6 t4e

orres on+in/ erti6i *te o6 tit e.

Se tion C8 *n e $ie3e+ in on=%n tion 3it4 t4e *6ore!;%ote+

Se tion 11 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, 34i 4 ro$i+es t4*t % i *n+s

s%it* e 6or */ri % t%r* %r oses -*5 e +is ose+ o6 5 on6ir-*tion

o6 i- er6e t or in o- ete tit es, *n+ /i$en t4e notion t4*t ot4

ro$isions +e *re t4*t it is in+ee+ t4e P% i L*n+ A t t4*t ri-*ri 5

est* is4es t4e s% st*nti$e o3ners4i o6 t4e ossessor 34o 4*s een

in ossession o6 t4e ro ert5 sin e 10 (%ne 19C . In t%rn, Se tion 1CD*

o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree re o/ni es t4e s% st*nti$e ri/4t/r*nte+ %n+er Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, *s 3e ro$i+es t4e

orres on+in/ ori/in* re/istr*tion ro e+%re 6or t4e =%+i i*

on6ir-*tion o6 *n i- er6e t or in o- ete tit e.



"4ere is *not4er i-it*tion to t4e ri/4t /r*nte+ %n+er Se tion

C8D . Se tion C7 o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t i-its t4e erio+ 3it4in 34i 4

one -*5 e2er ise t4e ri/4t to see? re/istr*tion %n+er Se tion C8. "4e

ro$ision 4*s een *-en+e+ se$er* ti-es, -ost re ent 5 5 Re . A t

No. 917 in 0 0. It %rrent 5 re*+s t4%s:

Se tion C7. "4e ersons s e i6ie+ in t4e ne2t6o o3in/ se tion *re 4ere 5 /r*nte+ ti-e, not to e2ten+

e5on+ )e e- er 1, 0 0 3it4in 34i 4 to *$*i o6 t4eene6its o6 t4is #4* ter: Pro$i+e+, "4*t t4is erio+ s4*

* 5 on 5 34ere t4e *re* * ie+ 6or +oes not e2 ee+

t3e $e D10 4e t*res: Pro$i+e+, 6%rt4er, "4*t t4e se$er*erio+s o6 ti-e +esi/n*te+ 5 t4e Presi+ent in * or+*n e3it4 Se tion Fort5!Fi$e o6 t4is A t s4* * 5 * so to t4e

*n+s o- rise+ in t4e ro$isions o6 t4is #4* ter, %t t4isSe tion s4* not e onstr%e+ *s ro4i itin/ *n5 s*i+

ersons 6ro- * tin/ %n+er t4is #4* ter *t *n5 ti-e rior tot4e erio+ 6i2e+ 5 t4e Presi+ent. 0C 0C

A or+in/ 5 %n+er t4e %rrent st*te o6 t4e *3, t4e s% st*nti$e

ri/4t /r*nte+ %n+er Se tion C8D -*5 e *$*i e+ o6 on 5 %nti 1

)e e- er 0 0 .

B.

)es ite t4e e*r te2t o6 Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, *s

*-en+e+ *n+ Se tion 1CD* o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree, t4e

OSG 4*s *+o te+ t4e osition t4*t 6or one to * ;%ire t4e ri/4t to see?

24



re/istr*tion o6 *n * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+ o6 t4e % i +o-*in, it

is not eno%/4 t4*t t4e * i *nt *n+ 4is 4er re+e essors!in!interest e

in ossession %n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i sin e 10 (%ne 19C

t4e * ien* e *n+ +is os* e 4*r* ter o6 t4e ro ert5 -%st 4*$e een

+e *re+ * so *s o6 10 (%ne 19C . Fo o3in/ t4e OSGJs * ro* 4, *

*n+s erti6ie+ *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *6ter 10 (%ne 19C *nnot

e re/istere+ eit4er %n+er Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion

)e ree or Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t *s *-en+e+. "4e

* s%r+it5 o6 s% 4 *n i- i *tion 3*s +is %sse+ in Naguit .

Petitioner s%//ests *n inter ret*tion t4*t t4e* ien* e *n+ +is os* e 4*r* ter o6 t4e *n+ s4o% + 4*$e* re*+5 een est* is4e+ sin e (%ne 10, 19C or e*r ier.

"4is is not orne o%t 5 t4e *in -e*nin/ o6 Se tion 1CD1 .KSin e (%ne 10, 19C , *s %se+ in t4e ro$ision, ;%* i6ies its*nte e+ent 4r*se K%n+er * on*6i+e *i- o6 o3ners4i .Gener* 5 s e*?in/, ;%* i65in/ 3or+s restri t or -o+i65 on 5t4e 3or+s or 4r*ses to 34i 4 t4e5 *re i--e+i*te 5*sso i*te+, *n+ not t4ose +ist*nt 5 or re-ote 5 o *te+. 0

0 Ad pro%imum antecedent! fiat relation ni!i impediatur

!entencia.

Besi+es, 3e *re -in+6% o6 t4e * s%r+it5 t4*t 3o% +res% t i6 3e *+o t etitionerJs osition. A sent * e/is *ti$e*-en+-ent, t4e r% e 3o% + e, *+o tin/ t4e OSGJs $ie3,t4*t * *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in 34i 4 3ere not +e *re+* ien* e or +is os* e e6ore (%ne 10, 19C 3o% + not es%s e ti e to ori/in* re/istr*tion, no -*tter t4e en/t4 o6%n 4* en/e+ ossession 5 t4e o % *nt. S% 4inter ret*tion ren+ers *r*/r* 4 D1 o6 Se tion 1C $irt%* 5ino er*ti$e *n+ e$en re %+es t4e /o$ern-ent 6ro- /i$in/

it e66e t e$en *s it +e i+es to re *ssi65 % i */ri % t%r**n+s *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e. "4e %nre*son* eness

o6 t4e sit%*tion 3o% + e$en e *//r*$*te+ onsi+erin/ t4*te6ore (%ne 10, 19C , t4e P4i i ines 3*s not 5et e$enonsi+ere+ *n in+e en+ent st*te.

25



A or+in/ 5, t4e #o%rt in Naguit e2 *ine+:

" 4e -ore re*son* e inter ret*tion o6 Se tion 1CD1is t4*t it -ere 5 re;%ires t4e ro ert5 so%/4t to ere/istere+ *s * re*+5 * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *t t4e ti-et4e * i *tion 6or re/istr*tion o6 tit e is 6i e+. I6 t4e St*te, *tt4e ti-e t4e * i *tion is -*+e, 4*s not 5et +ee-e+ it

ro er to re e*se t4e ro ert5 6or * ien*tion or +is osition,t4e res%- tion is t4*t t4e /o$ern-ent is sti reser$in/ t4eri/4t to %ti i e t4e ro ert5 4en e, t4e nee+ to reser$e itso3ners4i in t4e St*te irres e ti$e o6 t4e en/t4 o6 *+$erse

ossession e$en i6 in /oo+ 6*it4. Ho3e$er, i6 t4e ro ert54*s * re*+5 een *ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e, *sit is in t4is *se, t4en t4ere is * re*+5 *n intention on t4e

*rt o6 t4e St*te to * +i *te its e2 %si$e rero/*ti$e o$ert4e ro ert5.

"4e #o%rt +e *res t4*t t4e orre t inter ret*tion o6 Se tion1CD1 is t4*t 34i 4 3*s *+o te+ in Naguit . "4e ontr*r5

rono%n e-ent in Herbieto , *s ointe+ o%t in Naguit , * s%r+ 5 i-its

t4e * i *tion o6 t4e ro$ision to t4e oint o6 $irt%* in%ti it5 sin e it

3o% + on 5 o$er *n+s * t%* 5 +e *re+ * ien* e *n+ +is os* e rior

to 10 (%ne 19C , e$en i6 t4e %rrent ossessor is * e to est* is4

o en, ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s ossession %n+er * bona

fide *i- o6 o3ners4i on/ e6ore t4*t +*te.

Moreo$er, t4e Naguit inter ret*tion * o3s -ore ossessors

%n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i to *$*i o6 =%+i i* on6ir-*tion o6



t4eir i- er6e t tit es t4*n 34*t 3o% + e 6e*si e %n+er Herbieto . "4is

* *n in/ 6* t is si/ni6i *nt, es e i* 5 onsi+erin/ o%r 6ort4 o-in/

+is %ssion on t4e s o e *n+ re* 4 o6 Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5

Re/istr*tion )e ree.

Petitioners -*?e t4e s* ient o ser$*tion t4*t t4e ontr*+i tor5

*ss*/es 6ro- Herbieto *re obiter dicta sin e t4e *n+ re/istr*tion

ro ee+in/s t4erein is $oi+ ab initio in t4e 6irst * e +%e to * ? o6 t4e

re;%isite % i *tion o6 t4e noti e o6 initi* 4e*rin/. "4ere is no nee+ to

e2 i it 5 o$ert%rn Herbieto , *s it s%66i es t4*t t4e #o%rtJs

* ?no3 e+/-ent t4*t t4e *rti % *r ine o6 *r/%-ent %se+ t4erein

on ernin/ Se tion 1CD1 is in+ee+ obiter .

It -*5 e note+ t4*t in t4e s% se;%ent *se o6 Buenaventura ,0

0 t4e #o%rt, itin/ Herbieto , */*in st*te+ t4*t K * n5 erio+ o6

ossession rior to t4e +*te 34en t4e s % =e t ro ert5 3*s

*ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e is in onse;%enti* *n+ s4o% + e

e2 %+e+ 6ro- t4e o- %t*tion o6 t4e erio+ o6 ossession "4*tst*te-ent, in t4e onte2t o6 Se tion 1CD1 , is ert*in 5 erroneo%s.

Nonet4e ess, t4e *ss*/e *s ite+ in Buenaventura s4o% + */*in e

onsi+ere+ *s obiter . "4e * i *tion t4erein 3*s % ti-*te 5 /r*nte+,

itin/ Se tion 1CD0 . "4e e$i+en e s% -itte+ 5 etitioners t4erein +i+

not est* is4 *n5 -o+e o6 ossession on t4eir *rt rior to 19C8,

t4ere 5 re %+in/ t4e * i *tion o6 Se tion 1CD1 . It is not e$en

* *rent 6ro- t4e +e ision 34et4er etitioners t4erein 4*+ *i-e+

entit e-ent to ori/in* re/istr*tion 6o o3in/ Se tion 1CD1 , t4eir

osition ein/ t4*t t4e5 4*+ een in e2 %si$e ossession %n+er * on*

6i+e *i- o6 o3ners4i 6or o$er 6i6t5 D 5e*rs, %t not e6ore 10 (%ne

19C .

26



"4%s, neit4er Herbieto nor its rin i * +is i % *r r% in/

Buenaventura 4*s *n5 re e+ent* $* %e 3it4 res e t to Se tion 1CD1 .

On t4e ot4er 4*n+, t4e r*tio o6 Naguit is e- e++e+ in Se tion 1CD1 ,

sin e it re ise 5 in$o $e+ sit%*tion 34erein t4e * i *nt 4*+ een in

e2 %si$e ossession %n+er * bona fide *i- o6 o3ners4i rior to 10

(%ne 19C . "4e #o%rtJs inter ret*tion o6 Se tion 1CD1 t4erein 3*s

+e isi$e to t4e reso %tion o6 t4e *se. An5 +o% t *s to 34i 4 et3een

Naguit or Herbieto ro$i+es t4e 6in* 3or+ o6 t4e #o%rt on Se tion

1CD1 is no3 sett e+ in 6*$or o6 Naguit .

e note+ in Naguit t4*t it s4o% + e +istin/%is4e+ 6ro-

Brace&ell v. Court of Appeal! '( [27] sin e in t4e *tter, t4e * i *tion

6or re/istr*tion 4*+ een 6i e+ before t4e *n+ 3*s +e *re+ * ien* e

or +is os* e. "4e +issent t4o%/4 rono%n es Brace&ell *s t4e etter

r% e et3een t4e t3o. et t3o 5e*rs *6ter Brace&ell , its ponente , t4e

estee-e+ (%sti e #ons%e o n*res!S*nti*/o, enne+ t4e r% in/ in

Republic v. Ceni)a ,08 08 34i 4 in$o $e+ * *i- o6 ossession t4*t

e2ten+e+ * ? to 1907 o$er * % i +o-*in *n+ t4*t 3*s +e *re+

* ien* e *n+ +is os* e on 5 in 198 . Ceni)a ite+ Brace&ell , ;%ote+

e2tensi$e 5 6ro- it, *n+ 6o o3in/ t4e -in+set o6 t4e +issent, t4e

*tte- t *t re/istr*tion in Ceni)a s4o% + 4*$e 6*i e+. Not so.

"o ro$e t4*t t4e *n+ s% =e t o6 *n * i *tion 6or

re/istr*tion is * ien* e, *n * i *nt -%st est* is4 t4ee2isten e o6 * ositi$e * t o6 t4e /o$ern-ent s% 4 *s *

resi+enti* ro *-*tion or *n e2e %ti$e or+er *n*+-inistr*ti$e * tion in$esti/*tion re orts o6 B%re*% o6L*n+s in$esti/*tors *n+ * e/is *ti$e * t or * st*t%te.

27

28



In t4is *se, ri$*te res on+ents resente+ *

erti6i *tion +*te+ No$e- er 0 , 199C, iss%e+ 5 E+%*r+oM. Intin/, t4e #o--%nit5 En$iron-ent *n+ N*t%r*Reso%r es O66i er in t4e )e *rt-ent o6 En$iron-ent *n+

N*t%r* Reso%r es O66i e in #e % #it5, st*tin/ t4*t t4e otsin$o $e+ 3ere @6o%n+ to e 3it4in t4e * ien* e *n++is os* e Dsi B o ?!I, L*n+ # *ssi6i *tion Pro=e t No. 0!A, er -* 09 0 C!I +*te+ )e e- er 9, 198 .@ "4is iss%66i ient e$i+en e to s4o3 t4e re* 4*r* ter o6 t4e *n+s% =e t o6 ri$*te res on+entsJ * i *tion. F%rt4er, t4e

erti6i *tion en=o5s * res%- tion o6 re/% *rit5 in t4e* sen e o6 ontr*+i tor5 e$i+en e, 34i 4 is tr%e in t4is

*se. ort4 notin/ * so 3*s t4e o ser$*tion o6 t4e #o%rt o6A e* s st*tin/ t4*t:

n o o osition 3*s 6i e+ 5 t4e B%re*%so6 L*n+s *n+ Forestr5 to ontest t4e* i *tion o6 * e ees on t4e /ro%n+ t4*t t4e

ro ert5 sti 6or-s *rt o6 t4e % i +o-*in.Nor is t4ere *n5 s4o3in/ t4*t t4e ots in;%estion *re 6orest* *n+....

"4%s, 34i e t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s erre+ in r% in/ t4*t-ere ossession o6 % i *n+ 6or t4e erio+ re;%ire+ 5

*3 3o% + entit e its o % *nt to * on6ir-*tion o6i- er6e t tit e, it +i+ not err in r% in/ in 6*$or o6 ri$*te

res on+ents *s 6*r *s t4e 6irst re;%ire-ent in Se tion C8Do6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t is on erne+, 6or t4e5 3ere * e too$er o-e t4e %r+en o6 ro$in/ t4e * ien* i it5 o6 t4e *n+s% =e t o6 t4eir * i *tion.

As orre t 5 6o%n+ 5 t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s, ri$*te

res on+ents 3ere * e to ro$e t4eir o en, ontin%o%s,e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s ossession o6 t4e s% =e t *n+e$en e6ore t4e 5e*r 1907. As * r% e, 3e *re o%n+ 5 t4e6* t%* 6in+in/s o6 t4e #o%rt o6 A e* s. A t4o%/4 t4ere *ree2 e tions, etitioner +i+ not s4o3 t4*t t4is is one o6

t4e-. 09 09

29



45 +i+ t4e #o%rt in Ceni)a , t4ro%/4 t4e s*-e e-inent -e- er

34o *%t4ore+ Brace&ell , s*n tion t4e re/istr*tion %n+er Se tion C8D

o6 % i +o-*in *n+s +e *re+ * ien* e or +is os* e t4irt5!6i$e D

5e*rs *n+ 18 +*5s *6ter 10 (%ne 19C > "4e te in/ +i66eren e is t4*t in

Ceni)a , t4e * i *tion 6or re/istr*tion 3*s 6i e+ ne*r 5 si2 D 5e*rs

after t4e *n+ 4*+ een +e *re+ * ien* e or +is os* e, 34i e in

Brace&ell , t4e * i *tion 3*s 6i e+ nine D9 5e*rs before the land

was declared alienable or dis osable. "4*t r% i* +i66eren e 3*s

* so stresse+ in Naguit to ontr*+istin/%is4 it 6ro- Brace&ell , *

+i66eren e 34i 4 t4e +issent see?s to e itt e.

III.

e ne2t *s ert*in t4e orre t 6r*-e3or? o6 *n* 5sis 3it4 res e t

to Se tion 1CD0 . "4e ro$ision re*+s:

SE#"ION 1C. 4o -*5 * 5. "4e 6o o3in/ ersons -*56i e in t4e ro er #o%rt o6 First Inst*n e *n * i *tion 6orre/istr*tion o6 tit e to *n+, 34et4er erson* 5 or t4ro%/4t4eir +% 5 *%t4ori e+ re resent*ti$es:

222

D0 "4ose 34o 4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4io$er ri$*te *n+s 5 res ri tion %n+er t4e

ro$isions o6 e2istin/ *3s.



"4e #o%rt in Naguit o66ere+ t4e 6o o3in/ +is %ssion on ernin/

Se tion 1CD0 , 34i 4 3e +i+ e$en t4en re o/ni e, *n+ sti +o, to e *n

obiter dictum, %t 3e nonet4e ess re6er to it *s -*teri* 6or 6%rt4er+is %ssion, t4%s:

)i+ t4e en* t-ent o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion)e ree *n+ t4e *-en+*tor5 P.). No. 1 7 re %+e t4e* i *tion 6or re/istr*tion o6 * ien* e *n+s o6 t4e % i+o-*in, ossession o$er 34i 4 o--en e+ on 5 *6ter (%ne10, 19C > It +i+ not, onsi+erin/ Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree, 34i 4 /o$erns *n+ *%t4ori est4e * i *tion o6 Kt4ose 34o 4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4i o6ri$*te *n+s 5 res ri tion %n+er t4e ro$isions o6

e2istin/ *3s.

Pres ri tion is one o6 t4e -o+es o6 * ;%irin/o3ners4i %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e. "4ere is * onsistent

=%ris r%+enti* r% e t4*t ro erties *ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e% i *n+ -*5 e on$erte+ into ri$*te ro ert5 5

re*son o6 o en, ontin%o%s *n+ e2 %si$e ossession o6 *te*st t4irt5 D 5e*rs. 1 1 it4 s% 4 on$ersion, s% 4

ro ert5 -*5 no3 6* 3it4in t4e onte- *tion o6 K ri$*te*n+s %n+er Se tion 1CD0 , *n+ t4%s s%s e ti e to

re/istr*tion 5 t4ose 34o 4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4i t4ro%/4res ri tion. "4%s, e$en i6 ossession o6 t4e * ien* e % i*n+ o--en e+ on * +*te *ter t4*n (%ne 10, 19C , *n+

s% 4 ossession ein/ een o en, ontin%o%s *n+e2 %si$e, t4en t4e ossessor -*5 4*$e t4e ri/4t to re/istert4e *n+ 5 $irt%e o6 Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5Re/istr*tion )e ree.

Naguit +i+ not in$o $e t4e * i *tion o6 Se tion 1CD0 , %n i?e in

t4is *se 34ere etitioners 4*$e *se+ t4eir re/istr*tion i+ ri-*ri 5

on t4*t ro$ision, *n+ 34ere t4e e$i+en e +e6initi$e 5 est* is4es t4eir

30

31



*i- o6 ossession on 5 *s 6*r * ? *s 19C8. It is in t4is *se t4*t 3e

*n ro er 5 * re i*te t4e n%*n es o6 t4e ro$ision.

A.

"4e obiter in N*/%it ite+ t4e #i$i #o+e ro$isions on

res ri tion *s t4e ossi e *sis 6or * i *tion 6or ori/in*

re/istr*tion %n+er Se tion 1CD0 . S e i6i * 5, it is Arti e 111 34i 4

ro$i+es e/* 6o%n+*tion 6or t4e * i *tion. It re*+s:

A t4in/s 34i 4 *re 3it4in t4e o--er e o6 -en *res%s e ti e o6 res ri tion, %n ess ot4er3ise ro$i+e+.Pro ert5 o6 t4e St*te or *n5 o6 its s% +i$isions not

*tri-oni* in 4*r* ter s4* not e t4e o =e t o6res ri tion.

It is e*r %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e t4*t 34ere *n+s o6 t4e % i

+o-*in *re *tri-oni* in 4*r* ter, t4e5 *re s%s e ti e to * ;%isiti$e

res ri tion. On t4e ot4er 4*n+, *-on/ t4e % i +o-*in *n+s t4*t

*re not s%s e ti e to * ;%isiti$e res ri tion *re ti- er *n+s *n+

-iner* *n+s. "4e #onstit%tion itse 6 ros ri es ri$*te o3ners4i o6ti- er or -iner* *n+s.



"4ere *re in 6* t se$er* ro$isions in t4e #i$i #o+e on ernin/

t4e * ;%isition o6 re* ro ert5 t4ro%/4 res ri tion. O3ners4i o6 re*

ro ert5 -*5 e * ;%ire+ 5 or+in*r5 res ri tion o6 ten D1 5e*rs, 0

0 or t4ro%/4 e2tr*or+in*r5 res ri tion o6 t4irt5 D 5e*rs.

Or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion re;%ires ossession in /oo+ 6*it4, C

C *s 3e *s =%st tit e.

4en Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree e2 i it 5

ro$i+es t4*t ersons K34o 4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4i o$er ri$*te *n+s

5 res ri tion %n+er t4e ro$isions o6 e2istin/ *3s, it %n-ist*?* 5

re6ers to t4e #i$i #o+e *s * $* i+ *sis 6or t4e re/istr*tion o6 *n+s. "4e

#i$i #o+e is t4e on 5 e2istin/ *3 t4*t s e i6i * 5 * o3s t4e * ;%isition

5 res ri tion o6 ri$*te *n+s, in %+in/ *tri-oni* ro ert5

e on/in/ to t4e St*te. "4%s, t4e riti * ;%estion t4*t nee+s

*66ir-*tion is 34et4er Se tion 1CD0 +oes en o- *ss ori/in*

re/istr*tion ro ee+in/s o$er *tri-oni* ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te, 34i 4 *

ri$*te erson 4*s * ;%ire+ t4ro%/4 res ri tion.

"4e N*/%it obiter 4*+ *+$erte+ to * 6re;%ent 5 reiter*te+

=%ris r%+en e 4o +in/ t4*t ro erties *ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e % i *n+

-*5 e on$erte+ into ri$*te ro ert5 5 re*son o6 o en, ontin%o%s

*n+ e2 %si$e ossession o6 *t e*st t4irt5 D 5e*rs. et i6 3e

*s ert*in t4e so%r e o6 t4e Kt4irt5!5e*r erio+, *++ition* o- e2ities

re *tin/ to Se tion 1CD0 *n+ to 4o3 e2* t 5 it o er*tes 3o% + e-er/e.

32

33

34

35

36



For there are in fact two distinct ori!ins of the thirt" #$%&'"ear

r(le .

"4e 6irst so%r e is Re . A t No. 19C0, en* te+ in 19 7, 34i 4

*-en+e+ Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t 5 /r*ntin/ t4e ri/4t to

see? ori/in* re/istr*tion o6 * ien* e % i *n+s t4ro%/4 ossession

in t4e on e t o6 *n o3ner 6or *t e*st t4irt5 5e*rs.

"4e 6o o3in/!+es ri e+ iti ens o6 t4e P4i i ines,o % 5in/ *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in or *i-in/ to o3n*n5 s% 4 *n+s or *n interest t4erein, %t 34ose tit es4*$e not een er6e te+ or o- ete+, -*5 * 5 to t4e#o%rt o6 First Inst*n e o6 t4e ro$in e 34ere t4e *n+ is

o *te+ 6or on6ir-*tion o6 t4eir *i-s *n+ t4e iss%*n e o6* erti6i *te o6 tit e t4ere6or, %n+er t4e L*n+ Re/istr*tionA t, to 3it:

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

D "4ose 34o 5 t4e-se $es or t4ro%/4 t4eirre+e essors in interest 4*$e een in o en, ontin%o%s,

e2 %si$e *n+ notorio%s ossession *n+ o % *tion o6*/ri % t%r* *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in, %n+er * on*6i+e *i- o6 * ;%isition o6 o3ners4i , for at least thirt""ears i))ediatel" recedin! the filin! of thea lication for confir)ation of title , e2 e t 34en

re$ente+ 5 3*r or 6or e -*=e%re. "4ese s4* eon %si$e 5 res%-e+ to 4*$e er6or-e+ * t4eon+itions essenti* to * Go$ern-ent /r*nt *n+ s4* e

entit e+ to * erti6i *te o6 tit e %n+er t4e ro$isions o6 t4is

#4* ter. De- 4*sis s% ie+ 7 7

37



"4is ro$ision 3*s re e* e+ in 1977 3it4 t4e en* t-ent o6 P.).

1 7 , 34i 4 -*+e t4e +*te 10 (%ne 19C t4e re ?onin/ oint 6or t4e

6irst ti-e. Nonet4e ess, * i *tions 6or re/istr*tion 6i e+ rior to 1977

o% + 4*$e in$o?e+ t4e !5e*r r% e intro+% e+ 5 Re . A t No. 19C0.

"4e se on+ so%r e is Se tion 1CD0 o6 P.). 1 09 itse 6, *t e*st 5

i- i *tion, *s it * ies t4e r% es on res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e,

*rti % *r 5 Arti e 111 in re *tion to Arti e 11 7. Note t4*t t4ere *re

t3o ?in+s o6 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e

res ri tion *n+ e2tr*or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion, 34i 4, %n+er

Arti e 11 7, is o- ete+ Kt4ro%/4 %ninterr% te+ *+$erse

ossession 6or t4irt5 5e*rs, 3it4o%t nee+ o6 tit e or o6 /oo+ 6*it4.

O $io%s 5, t4e 6irst so%r e o6 t4e t4irt5 D !5e*r erio+ r% e, Re .

A t No. 19C0, e *-e %n*$*i * e *6ter 1977. At resent, t4e on 5 e/*

*sis 6or t4e t4irt5 D !5e*r erio+ is t4e *3 on res ri tion %n+er t4e

#i$i #o+e, *s -*n+*te+ %n+er Se tion 1CD0 . Ho3e$er, t4ere is *

-*teri* +i66eren e et3een 4o3 t4e t4irt5 D !5e*r r% e o er*te+

%n+er Re . A t No. 19C0 *n+ 4o3 it +i+ %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e.

Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, *s *-en+e+ 5 Re . A t No.

19C0, +i+ not re6er to or * into * i *tion t4e #i$i #o+e ro$isions

on res ri tion. It -ere 5 set 6ort4 * re;%isite t4irt5!5e*r ossession

erio+ i--e+i*te 5 re e+in/ t4e * i *tion 6or on6ir-*tion o6 tit e,

3it4o%t *n5 ;%* i6i *tion *s to 34et4er t4e ro ert5 s4o% + e +e *re+

* ien* e *t t4e e/innin/ o6, *n+ ontin%e *s s% 4, t4ro%/4o%t t4e

entire t4irt5!D 5e*rs. "4ere is neit4er st*t%tor5 nor =%ris r%+enti*



*sis to *ssert Re . A t No. 19C0 4*+ -*n+*te+ s% 4 * re;%ire-ent, 8

8 si-i *r to o%r e*r ier 6in+in/ 3it4 res e t to t4e resent *n/%*/e

o6 Se tion C8D , 34i 4 no3 sets 10 (%ne 19C *s t4e oint o6

re6eren e.

"4en, 3it4 t4e re e* o6 Re . A t No. 19C0, t4e t4irt5!5e*r

ossession erio+ *s *sis 6or ori/in* re/istr*tion e *-e Se tion

1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree, 34i 4 entit e+ t4ose K34o

4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4i o$er ri$*te *n+s 5 res ri tion %n+er t4e

ro$isions o6 e2istin/ *3s to * 5 6or ori/in* re/istr*tion. A/*in, t4e

t4irt5!5e*r erio+ is +eri$e+ 6ro- t4e r% e on e2tr*or+in*r5 res ri tion

%n+er Arti e 11 7 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e. At t4e s*-e ti-e, Se tion 1CD0

%ts into o er*tion t4e entire re/i-e o6 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i

#o+e, * 6* t 34i 4 +oes not 4o + tr%e 3it4 res e t to Se tion 1CD1 .

B.

Un i?e Se tion 1CD1 , Se tion 1CD0 e2 i it 5 re6ers to t4e

rin i es on res ri tion %n+er e2istin/ *3s. A or+in/ 5, 3e *re

i- e e+ to * 5 t4e i$i *3 on e t o6 res ri tion, *s set 6ort4 in

t4e #i$i #o+e, in o%r inter ret*tion o6 Se tion 1CD0 . "4ere is no si-i *r

+e-*n+ on o%r *rt in t4e *se o6 Se tion 1CD1 .

38



"4e riti * ;%* i6i *tion %n+er Arti e 111 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e is

t4%s: K ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te or *n5 o6 its s% +i$isions not *tri-oni*

in 4*r* ter s4* not e t4e o =e t o6 res ri tion. "4e i+enti6i *tion

34*t onsists o6 *tri-oni* ro ert5 is ro$i+e+ 5 Arti es C0 *n+

C01, 34i 4 3e ;%ote in 6% :

Art. C0 . "4e 6o o3in/ t4in/s *re ro ert5 o6 % i+o-inion:

D1 "4ose inten+e+ 6or % i %se, s% 4 *s ro*+s,

*n* s, ri$ers, torrents, orts *n+ ri+/es onstr% te+

5 t4e St*te, *n?s, s4ores, ro*+ste*+s, *n+ ot4ers o6si-i *r 4*r* ter D0 "4ose 34i 4 e on/ to t4e St*te, 3it4o%t ein/ 6or

% i %se, *n+ *re inten+e+ 6or so-e % i ser$i e or6or t4e +e$e o -ent o6 t4e n*tion* 3e* t4.

Art. C01. A ot4er ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te, 34i 4 is not o6

t4e 4*r* ter st*te+ in t4e re e+in/ *rti e, is*tri-oni* ro ert5

It is e*r t4*t ro ert5 o6 % i +o-inion, 34i 4 /ener* 5

in %+es ro ert5 e on/in/ to t4e St*te, *nnot e t4e o =e t o6

res ri tion or, in+ee+, e s% =e t o6 t4e o--er e o6 -*n. 9 9

L*n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in, 34et4er +e *re+ * ien* e *n+ +is os* e

or not, *re ro ert5 o6 % i +o-inion *n+ t4%s ins%s e ti e to

* ;%isition 5 res ri tion.

Let %s no3 e2 ore t4e e66e ts %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e o6 *

+e *r*tion 5 t4e Presi+ent or *n5 +% 5 *%t4ori e+ /o$ern-ent o66i er

39



o6 * ien* i it5 *n+ +is os* i it5 o6 *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in. o% +

s% 4 *n+s so +e *re+ * ien* e *n+ +is os* e e on$erte+, %n+er

t4e #i$i #o+e, 6ro- ro ert5 o6 t4e % i +o-inion into *tri-oni*

ro ert5> A6ter * , 5 onnot*ti$e +e6inition, * ien* e *n+ +is os* e

*n+s -*5 e t4e o =e t o6 t4e o--er e o6 -*n Arti e 111

ro$i+es t4*t * t4in/s 3it4in t4e o--er e o6 -*n *re s%s e ti e to

res ri tion *n+ t4e s*-e ro$ision 6%rt4er ro$i+es t4*t *tri-oni*

ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te -*5 e * ;%ire+ 5 res ri tion.

Nonet4e ess, Arti e C00 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e st*tes t4*t K ro ert5

o6 % i +o-inion, 34en no on/er inten+e+ 6or % i %se or 6or % i

ser$i e, s4* 6or- *rt o6 t4e *tri-oni* ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te. It is

t4is ro$ision t4*t ontro s 4o3 % i +o-inion ro ert5 -*5 e

on$erte+ into *tri-oni* ro ert5 s%s e ti e to * ;%isition 5

res ri tion. A6ter * , Arti e C0 D0 -*?es e*r t4*t t4ose ro ert5

K34i 4 e on/ to t4e St*te, 3it4o%t ein/ 6or % i %se, *n+ *re

inten+e+ 6or so-e % i ser$i e or 6or t4e +e$e o -ent o6 t4e n*tion*

3e* t4 *re % i +o-inion ro ert5. For *s on/ *s t4e ro ert5

e on/s to t4e St*te, * t4o%/4 * re*+5 *ssi6ie+ *s * ien* e or

+is os* e, it re-*ins ro ert5 o6 t4e % i +o-inion i6 34en it is

Kinten+e+ 6or so-e % i ser$i e or 6or t4e +e$e o -ent o6 t4e

n*tion* 3e* t4 .

*ccordin!l", there )(st be an e+ ress declaration b" the

State that the (blic do)inion ro ert" is no lon!er intended

for (blic ser ice or the de elo )ent of the national wealth or

that the ro ert" has been con erted into atri)onial. -itho(t

s(ch e+ ress declaration, the ro ert", e en if classified as



alienable or dis osable, re)ains ro ert" of the (blic

do)inion, (rs(ant to *rticle 2%#2&, and th(s inca able of

ac/(isition b" rescri tion. It is onl" when s(ch alienable and

dis osable lands are e+ ressl" declared b" the State to be no

lon!er intended for (blic ser ice or for the de elo )ent of

the national wealth that the eriod of ac/(isiti e rescri tion

can be!in to r(n. S(ch declaration shall be in the for) of a law

d(l" enacted b" Con!ress or a 0residential 0rocla)ation in

cases where the 0resident is d(l" a(thori ed b" law.

It is o- re4ensi e 3it4 e*se t4*t t4is re*+in/ o6 Se tion 1CD0

o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree i-its its s o e *n+ re* 4 *n+ t4%s

*66e ts t4e re/istr* i it5 e$en o6 *n+s * re*+5 +e *re+ * ien* e *n+

+is os* e to t4e +etri-ent o6 t4e bona fide ossessors or o % *nts

*i-in/ tit e to t4e *n+s. et t4is inter ret*tion is in * or+ 3it4 t4e

Re/* i*n +o trine *n+ its on o-it*nt *ss%- tion t4*t * *n+s o3ne+

5 t4e St*te, * t4o%/4 +e *re+ * ien* e or +is os* e, re-*in *s

s% 4 *n+ o%/4t to e %se+ on 5 5 t4e Go$ern-ent.

Re o%rse +oes not ie 3it4 t4is #o%rt in t4e -*tter. "4e +%t5 o6

t4e #o%rt is to * 5 t4e #onstit%tion *n+ t4e *3s in * or+*n e 3it4

t4eir *n/%*/e *n+ intent. "4e re-e+5 is to 4*n/e t4e *3, 34i 4 is

t4e ro$in e o6 t4e e/is *ti$e r*n 4. #on/ress *n $er5 3e e

entre*te+ to *-en+ Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree

*n+ ertinent ro$isions o6 t4e #i$i #o+e to i er* i e t4e re;%ire-ents

6or =%+i i* on6ir-*tion o6 i- er6e t or in o- ete tit es.



"4e o er*tion o6 t4e 6ore/oin/ inter ret*tion *n e i %str*te+

5 *n * t%* e2*- e. Re % i A t No. 7007, entit e+ KAn A t

A e er*tin/ "4e #on$ersion O6 Mi it*r5 Reser$*tions Into Ot4er

Pro+% ti$e Uses, et ., is -ore o--on 5 ?no3n *s t4e B#)A *3.

Se tion 0 o6 t4e *3 *%t4ori es t4e s* e o6 ert*in -i it*r5 reser$*tions

*n+ ortions o6 -i it*r5 *- s in Metro M*ni *, in %+in/ Fort Boni6* io

*n+ 'i *-or Air B*se. For %r oses o6 e66e tin/ t4e s* e o6 t4e -i it*r5

*- s, t4e *3 -*n+*tes t4e Presi+ent to tr*ns6er s% 4 -i it*r5 *n+s

to t4e B*ses #on$ersion )e$e o -ent A%t4orit5 DB#)A C C 34i 4 in

t%rn is *%t4ori e+ to o3n, 4o + *n+ or *+-inister t4e-. C1 C1 "4e

Presi+ent is *%t4ori e+ to se ortions o6 t4e -i it*r5 *- s, in 34o e

or in *rt. C0 C0 A or+in/ 5, t4e B#)A *3 itse 6 +e *res t4*t t4e

-i it*r5 *n+s s% =e t t4ereo6 *re K* ien* e *n+ +is os* e %rs%*nt

to t4e ro$isions o6 e2istin/ *3s *n+ re/% *tions /o$ernin/ s* es o6

/o$ern-ent ro erties. C C

Fro- t4e -o-ent t4e B#)A *3 3*s en* te+ t4e s% =e t -i it*r5

*n+s 4*$e e o-e * ien* e *n+ +is os* e. Ho3e$er, s*i+ *n+s +i+

not e o-e *tri-oni* , *s t4e B#)A *3 itse 6 e2 ress 5 -*?es t4e

reser$*tion t4*t t4ese *n+s *re to e so + in or+er to r*ise 6%n+s 6or

t4e on$ersion o6 t4e 6or-er A-eri *n *ses *t # *r? *n+ S% i . CC CC

S% 4 %r ose *n e tie+ to eit4er K % i ser$i e or Kt4e

+e$e o -ent o6 n*tion* 3e* t4 %n+er Arti e C0 D0 . "4%s, *t t4*t

ti-e, t4e *n+s re-*ine+ ro ert5 o6 t4e % i +o-inion %n+er Arti e

C0 D0 , not3it4st*n+in/ t4eir st*t%s *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e. It is% on t4eir s* e *s *%t4ori e+ %n+er t4e B#)A *3 to * ri$*te erson

40

41

42

43

44



or entit5 t4*t s% 4 *n+s e o-e ri$*te ro ert5 *n+ e*se to e

ro ert5 o6 t4e % i +o-inion.

C.

S4o% + % i +o-*in *n+s e o-e *tri-oni* e *%se t4e5

*re +e *re+ *s s% 4 in * +% 5 en* te+ *3 or +% 5 ro-% /*te+

ro *-*tion t4*t t4e5 *re no on/er inten+e+ 6or % i ser$i e or 6or

t4e +e$e o -ent o6 t4e n*tion* 3e* t4, 3o% + t4e erio+ o6 ossession

rior to t4e on$ersion o6 s% 4 % i +o-inion into *tri-oni* e

re ?one+ in o%ntin/ t4e res ri ti$e erio+ in 6*$or o6 t4e ossessors>

e r% e in t4e ne/*ti$e.

"4e i-it*tion i- ose+ 5 Arti e 111 +iss%*+es %s 6ro- r% in/

t4*t t4e erio+ o6 ossession e6ore t4e % i +o-*in *n+ e o-es

*tri-oni* -*5 e o%nte+ 6or t4e %r ose o6 o- etin/ t4e

res ri ti$e erio+. Possession o6 % i +o-inion ro ert5 e6ore it

e o-es *tri-oni* *nnot e t4e o =e t o6 res ri tion * or+in/ to

t4e #i$i #o+e. As t4e * i *tion 6or re/istr*tion %n+er Se tion 1CD0

6* s 34o 5 3it4in t4e 6r*-e3or? o6 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e,

t4ere is no 3*5 t4*t ossession +%rin/ t4e ti-e t4*t t4e *n+ 3*s sti

*ssi6ie+ *s % i +o-inion ro ert5 *n e o%nte+ to -eet t4e

re;%isites o6 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion *n+ =%sti65 re/istr*tion.



Are 3e ein/ in onsistent in * 5in/ +i$er/ent r% es 6or Se tion

1CD1 *n+ Se tion 1CD0 > "4ere is no in onsisten 5. Section 1 #1&

)andates re!istration on the basis of ossession, while

Section 1 #2& entitles re!istration on the basis of rescri tion .

e!istration (nder Section 1 #1& is e+tended (nder the ae!is

of the 0ro ert" e!istration Decree and the 0(blic 3and *ct

while re!istration (nder Section 1 #2& is )ade a ailable both

b" the 0ro ert" e!istration Decree and the Ci il Code.

In t4e s*-e -*nner, 3e *n +istin/%is4 et3een t4e t4irt5!5e*r

erio+ %n+er Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t, *s *-en+e+ 5 Re .

A t No. 1C70, *n+ t4e t4irt5!5e*r erio+ *$*i * e t4ro%/4 Se tion

1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree in re *tion to Arti e 11 7 o6

t4e #i$i #o+e. 4he eriod (nder the for)er s ea s of a thirt"'

"ear eriod of ossession , while the eriod (nder the latter

concerns a thirt"'"ear eriod of e+traordinar" rescri tion .

e!istration (nder Section 8#b& of the 0(blic 3and *ct as

a)ended b" e . *ct No. 1 62 is based on thirt" "ears of

ossession alone witho(t re!ard to the Ci il Code, while the

re!istration (nder Section 1 #2& of the 0ro ert" e!istration

Decree is fo(nded on e+traordinar" rescri tion (nder the Ci il

Code .

It -*5 e *s?e+ 345 t4e rin i es o6 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i

#o+e s4o% + not * 5 *s 3e to Se tion 1CD1 . Not3it4st*n+in/ t4e

$*%nte+ st*t%s o6 t4e #i$i #o+e, it % ti-*te 5 is =%st one o6 n%-ero%s

st*t%tes, neit4er s% erior nor in6erior to ot4er st*t%tes s% 4 *s t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree. "4e e/is *ti$e r*n 4 is not o%n+ to



*+4ere to t4e 6r*-e3or? set 6ort4 5 t4e #i$i #o+e 34en it en* ts

s% se;%ent e/is *tion. Se tion 1CD0 -*ni6ests * e*r intent to

interre *te t4e re/istr*tion * o3e+ %n+er t4*t ro$ision 3it4 t4e #i$i

#o+e, %t no s% 4 intent e2ists 3it4 res e t to Se tion 1CD1 .

I*.

One o6 t4e ?e5s to %n+erst*n+in/ t4e 6r*-e3or? 3e set 6ort4

to+*5 is seein/ 4o3 o%r *n+ re/istr*tion ro e+%res orre *te 3it4 o%r*3 on res ri tion, 34i 4, %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e, is one o6 t4e -o+es

6or * ;%irin/ o3ners4i o$er ro ert5.

"4e #i$i #o+e -*?es it e*r t4*t *tri-oni* ro ert5 o6 t4e

St*te -*5 e * ;%ire+ 5 ri$*te ersons t4ro%/4 res ri tion. "4is is

ro%/4t * o%t 5 Arti e 111 , 34i 4 st*tes t4*t K * t4in/s 34i 4 *re3it4in t4e o--er e o6 -*n *re s%s e ti e to res ri tion, *n+ t4*t

ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te or *n5 o6 its s% +i$isions not *tri-oni* in

4*r* ter s4* not e t4e o =e t o6 res ri tion.

"4ere *re t3o -o+es o6 res ri tion t4ro%/4 34i 4 i--o$* es

-*5 e * ;%ire+ %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e. "4e 6irst is or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$eres ri tion, 34i 4, %n+er Arti e 1117, re;%ires ossession in /oo+

6*it4 *n+ 3it4 =%st tit e *n+, %n+er Arti e 11 C, is o- ete+ t4ro%/4

ossession o6 ten D1 5e*rs. "4ere is not4in/ in t4e #i$i #o+e t4*t

*rs * erson 6ro- * ;%irin/ *tri-oni* ro ert5 o6 t4e St*te t4ro%/4



or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion, nor is t4ere *n5 * *rent re*son to

i- ose s% 4 * r% e. At t4e s*-e ti-e, t4ere *re in+is ens* e

re;%isites /oo+ 6*it4 *n+ =%st tit e. "4e *s ert*in-ent o6 /oo+ 6*it4

in$o $es t4e * i *tion o6 Arti es 0 , 07, *n+ 08, *s 3e *s Arti e

1107 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e, C C ro$isions t4*t -ore or ess s e*? 6or

t4e-se $es.

On t4e ot4er 4*n+, t4e on e t o6 =%st tit e re;%ires so-e

*ri6i *tion. Un+er Arti e 1109, t4ere is =%st tit e 6or t4e %r oses o6

res ri tion K34en t4e *+$erse *i-*nt *-e into ossession o6 t4e

ro ert5 t4ro%/4 one o6 t4e -o+es re o/ni e+ 5 *3 6or t4e

* ;%isition o6 o3ners4i or ot4er re* ri/4ts, %t t4e /r*ntor 3*s not

t4e o3ner or o% + not tr*ns-it *n5 ri/4t. )r. "o entino e2 *ins:

(%st tit e is *n * t 34i 4 4*s 6or its %r ose t4etr*ns-ission o6 o3ners4i , *n+ 34i 4 3o% + 4*$e * t%* 5

tr*ns6erre+ o3ners4i i6 t4e /r*ntor 4*+ een t4e o3ner. "4is $i e or +e6e t is t4e one %re+ 5 res ri tion.E2*- es: s* e 3it4 +e i$er5, e2 4*n/e, +on*tion,s% ession, *n+ dacion in *5-ent. C C

"4e OSG s% -its t4*t t4e re;%ire-ent o6 =%st tit e ne ess*ri 5

re %+es t4e * i * i it5 o6 or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion to

*tri-oni* ro ert5. "4e -*=or re-ise 6or t4e *r/%-ent is t4*t Kt4e

St*te, *s t4e o3ner *n+ /r*ntor, o% + not tr*ns-it o3ners4i to t4e

ossessor e6ore t4e o- etion o6 t4e re;%ire+ erio+ o6

45

46



ossession. C7 C7 It is e$i+ent t4*t t4e OSG erre+ 34en it *ss%-e+

t4*t t4e /r*ntor re6erre+ to in Arti e 1109 is t4e St*te. "4e /r*ntor is

t4e one 6ro- 34o- t4e erson in$o?in/ or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e

res ri tion +eri$e+ t4e tit e, 34et4er 5 s* e, e2 4*n/e, +on*tion,

s% ession or *n5 ot4er -o+e o6 t4e * ;%isition o6 o3ners4i or ot4er

re* ri/4ts.

E*r ier, 3e -*+e it e*r t4*t, 34et4er %n+er or+in*r5

res ri tion or e2tr*or+in*r5 res ri tion, t4e erio+ o6 ossession

re e+in/ t4e *ssi6i *tion o6 % i +o-inion *n+s *s *tri-oni*

*nnot e o%nte+ 6or t4e %r ose o6 o- %tin/ res ri tion. B%t *6ter

t4e ro ert5 4*s een e o-e *tri-oni* , t4e erio+ o6 res ri tion

e/ins to r%n in 6*$or o6 t4e ossessor. On e t4e re;%isite erio+ 4*s

een o- ete+, t3o e/* e$ents ens%e: D1 t4e *tri-oni* ro ert5

is ip!o "ure on$erte+ into ri$*te *n+ *n+ D0 t4e erson in

ossession 6or t4e erio+s res ri e+ %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e * ;%ires

o3ners4i o6 t4e ro ert5 5 o er*tion o6 t4e #i$i #o+e.

It is e$i+ent t4*t on e t4e ossessor *%to-*ti * 5 e o-es t4e

o3ner o6 t4e on$erte+ *tri-oni* ro ert5, t4e i+e* ne2t ste is t4e

re/istr*tion o6 t4e ro ert5 %n+er t4e "orrens s5ste-. It s4o% + e

re-e- ere+ t4*t re/istr*tion o6 ro ert5 is not * -o+e o6 * ;%isition

o6 o3ners4i , %t -ere 5 * -o+e o6 on6ir-*tion o6 o3ners4i . C8 C8

47

48



Loo?in/ * ? *t t4e re/istr*tion re/i-e rior to t4e *+o tion o6

t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree in 1977, it is * *rent t4*t t4e

re/istr*tion s5ste- t4en +i+ not 6% 5 * o--o+*te t4e * ;%isition o6

o3ners4i o6 *tri-oni* ro ert5 %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e. 4*t t4e

s5ste- * o--o+*te+ 3*s t4e on6ir-*tion o6 i- er6e t tit e ro%/4t

* o%t 5 t4e o- etion o6 * erio+ o6 ossession or+*ine+ %n+er t4e

P% i L*n+ A t Deit4er 5e*rs 6o o3in/ Re . A t No. 19C0, or sin e

10 (%ne 19C 6o o3in/ P.). No. 1 7 .

"4e L*n+ Re/istr*tion A t C9 C9 3*s noti e* 5 si ent on t4e

re;%isites 6or * ien* e % i *n+s * ;%ire+ t4ro%/4 or+in*r5

res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e, t4o%/4 it *r/%* 5 +i+ not re %+e

s% 4 re/istr*tion. Sti , t4e /* 3*s *-ent* e, onsi+erin/ t4*t

t4e #i$i #o+e, 5 itse 6, est* is4es o3ners4i o$er t4e *tri-oni*

ro ert5 o6 ersons 34o 4*$e o- ete+ t4e res ri ti$e erio+s

or+*ine+ t4erein. "4e /* 3*s 6in* 5 ose+ 3it4 t4e *+o tion o6 t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree in 1977, 3it4 Se tion 1CD0 t4ereo6

e2 ress 5 *%t4ori in/ ori/in* re/istr*tion in 6*$or o6 ersons 34o 4*$e

* ;%ire+ o3ners4i o$er ri$*te *n+s 5 res ri tion %n+er t4e

ro$isions o6 e2istin/ *3s, t4*t is, t4e #i$i #o+e *s o6 no3.

*.

e s5nt4esi e t4e +o trines *i+ +o3n in t4is *se, *s 6o o3s:

49

50



D1 In onne tion 3it4 Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion

)e ree, Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t re o/ni es *n+ on6ir-s

t4*t Kt4ose 34o 5 t4e-se $es or t4ro%/4 t4eir re+e essors in

interest 4*$e een in o en, ontin%o%s, e2 %si$e, *n+ notorio%s

ossession *n+ o % *tion o6 * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+s o6 t4e

% i +o-*in, %n+er * on* 6i+e *i- o6 * ;%isition o6 o3ners4i ,

sin e (%ne 10, 19C 4*$e * ;%ire+ o3ners4i o6, *n+ re/istr* e tit e

to, s% 4 *n+s *se+ on t4e en/t4 *n+ ;%* it5 o6 t4eir ossession.

D* Sin e Se tion C8D -ere 5 re;%ires ossession sin e

10 (%ne 19C *n+ +oes not re;%ire t4*t t4e *n+s s4o% + 4*$e

een * ien* e *n+ +is os* e +%rin/ t4e entire erio+ o6

ossession, t4e ossessor is entit e+ to se %re =%+i i*

on6ir-*tion o6 4is tit e t4ereto *s soon *s it is +e *re+ * ien* e

*n+ +is os* e, s% =e t to t4e ti-e6r*-e i- ose+ 5 Se tion C7

o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t.1

1

D "4e ri/4t to re/ister /r*nte+ %n+er Se tion C8D o6

t4e P% i L*n+ A t is 6%rt4er on6ir-e+ 5 Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree.

D0 In o- 5in/ 3it4 Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion

)e ree, onsi+er t4*t %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e, res ri tion is re o/ni e+

*s * -o+e o6 * ;%irin/ o3ners4i o6 *tri-oni* ro ert5. Ho3e$er,

51



% i +o-*in *n+s e o-e on 5 *tri-oni* ro ert5 not on 5 3it4 *

+e *r*tion t4*t t4ese *re * ien* e or +is os* e. "4ere -%st * so e

*n e2 ress /o$ern-ent -*ni6est*tion t4*t t4e ro ert5 is * re*+5

*tri-oni* or no on/er ret*ine+ 6or % i ser$i e or t4e +e$e o -ent

o6 n*tion* 3e* t4, %n+er Arti e C00 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e. An+ on 5 34en

t4e ro ert5 4*s e o-e *tri-oni* *n t4e res ri ti$e erio+ 6or

t4e * ;%isition o6 ro ert5 o6 t4e % i +o-inion e/in to r%n.

D* P*tri-oni* ro ert5 is ri$*te ro ert5 o6 t4e

/o$ern-ent. "4e erson * ;%ires o3ners4i o6 *tri-oni*

ro ert5 5 res ri tion %n+er t4e #i$i #o+e is entit e+ to se %re

re/istr*tion t4ereo6 %n+er Se tion 1CD0 o6 t4e Pro ert5

Re/istr*tion )e ree.

D "4ere *re t3o ?in+s o6 res ri tion 5 34i 4

*tri-oni* ro ert5 -*5 e * ;%ire+, one or+in*r5 *n+ ot4er

e2tr*or+in*r5. Un+er or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion, * erson

* ;%ires o3ners4i o6 * *tri-oni* ro ert5 t4ro%/4 ossession

6or *t e*st ten D1 5e*rs, in /oo+ 6*it4 *n+ 3it4 =%st tit e. Un+er

e2tr*or+in*r5 * ;%isiti$e res ri tion, * ersonJs %ninterr% te+

*+$erse ossession o6 *tri-oni* ro ert5 6or *t e*st t4irt5 D

5e*rs, re/*r+ ess o6 /oo+ 6*it4 or =%st tit e, ri ens into o3ners4i .

B.



e no3 * 5 t4e * o$e!st*te+ +o trines to t4e *se *t *r.

It is e*r t4*t t4e e$i+en e o6 etitioners is ins%66i ient toest* is4 t4*t M* * *n*n 4*s * ;%ire+ o3ners4i o$er t4e s% =e t

ro ert5 %n+er Se tion C8D o6 t4e P% i L*n+ A t. "4ere is no

s% st*nti$e e$i+en e to est* is4 t4*t M* * *n*n or etitioners *s 4is

re+e essors!in!interest 4*$e een in ossession o6 t4e ro ert5 sin e

10 (%ne 19C or e*r ier. "4e e*r iest t4*t etitioners *n +*te * ?

t4eir ossession, * or+in/ to t4eir o3n e$i+en e t4e "*2

)e *r*tions t4e5 resente+ in *rti % *r is to t4e 5e*r 19C8. "4%s,

t4e5 *nnot *$*i t4e-se $es o6 re/istr*tion %n+er Se tion 1CD1 o6 t4e

Pro ert5 Re/istr*tion )e ree.

Neit4er *n etitioners ro er 5 in$o?e Se tion 1CD0 *s *sis 6or

re/istr*tion. 4i e t4e s% =e t ro ert5 3*s +e *re+ *s * ien* e or

+is os* e in 1980, t4ere is no o- etent e$i+en e t4*t is no on/er

inten+e+ 6or % i %se ser$i e or 6or t4e +e$e o -ent o6 t4e n*tion*

e$i+en e, on6or-* 5 3it4 Arti e C00 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e. "4e

*ssi6i *tion o6 t4e s% =e t ro ert5 *s * ien* e *n+ +is os* e *n+

o6 t4e % i +o-*in +oes not 4*n/e its st*t%s *s ro ert5 o6 t4e

% i +o-inion %n+er Arti e C0 D0 o6 t4e #i$i #o+e. "4%s, it is

ins%s e ti e to * ;%isition 5 res ri tion.

*I.



A 6in* 3or+. "4e #o%rt is o-6ort* e 3it4 t4e orre tness o6 t4e

e/* +o trines est* is4e+ in t4is +e ision. Nonet4e ess, +is o-6it%re

o$er t4e i- i *tions o6 to+*5Js r% in/ *nnot e +is o%nte+. For, e$er5

%ntit e+ ro ert5 t4*t is o % ie+ in t4e o%ntr5 3i e *66e te+ 5 t4is

r% in/. "4e so i* i- i *tions *nnot e +is-isse+ i/4t 5, *n+ t4e

#o%rt 3o% + e * +i *tin/ its so i* res onsi i it5 to t4e Fi i ino eo e

i6 3e si- 5 e$ie+ t4e *3 3it4o%t o--ent.

"4e in6or-* sett e-ent o6 % i *n+s, 34et4er +e *re+

* ien* e or not, is * 4eno-enon tie+ to on/!st*n+in/ 4* it *n+

% t%r* * ;%ies en e, *n+ is o--on *-on/ t4e so! * e+ K"4ir+

or + o%ntries. "4is *r*+i/- o3er6% 5 e$o?es t4e +is onne t

et3een * e/* s5ste- *n+ t4e re* it5 on t4e /ro%n+. "4e *3 so 6*r

4*s een %n* e to ri+/e t4*t /* . A tern*ti$e -e*ns o6 * ;%isition o6

t4ese % i +o-*in *n+s, s% 4 *s t4ro%/4 4o-este*+ or 6ree

*tent, 4*$e



ro$en %n*ttr* ti$e +%e to i-it*tions i- ose+ on t4e /r*ntee in t4e

en %- r*n e or * ien*tion o6 s*i+ ro erties.0

0 (%+i i*on6ir-*tion o6 i- er6e t tit e 4*s e-er/e+ *s t4e -ost $i* e, i6 not

t4e -ost *ttr* ti$e -e*ns to re/% *ri e t4e in6or-* sett e-ent o6

* ien* e or +is os* e *n+s o6 t4e % i +o-*in, 5et e$en t4*t

s5ste-, *s re$e* e+ in t4is +e ision, 4*s onsi+er* e i-its.

"4ere *re -i ions % on -i ions o6 Fi i inos 34o 4*$e in+i$i+%* 5or e2 %si$e 5 4e + resi+enti* *n+s on 34i 4 t4e5 4*$e i$e+ *n+

r*ise+ t4eir 6*-i ies. M*n5 -ore 4*$e ti e+ *n+ -*+e ro+% ti$e i+ e

*n+s o6 t4e St*te 3it4 t4eir 4*n+s. "4e5 4*$e een re/*r+e+ 6or

/ener*tion 5 t4eir 6*-i ies *n+ t4eir o--%nities *s o--on *3

o3ners. "4ere is -% 4 to e s*i+ * o%t t4e $irt%es o6 * or+in/ t4e-

e/iti-*te st*tes. et s% 4 $irt%es *re not 6or t4e #o%rt to tr*ns *te

into ositi$e *3, *s t4e *3 itse 6 onsi+ere+ s% 4 *n+s *s ro ert5 o6

t4e % i +o-inion. It o% + on 5 e % to #on/ress to set 6ort4 * ne3

4*se o6 *n+ re6or- to sensi 5 re/% *ri e *n+ 6or-* i e t4e

sett e-ent o6 s% 4 *n+s 34i 4 in e/* t4eor5 *re *n+s o6 t4e % i

+o-*in e6ore t4e ro e- e o-es inso % e. "4is o% + e

* o- is4e+, to ite t3o e2*- es, 5 i er* i in/ t4e st*n+*r+s 6or

=%+i i* on6ir-*tion o6 i- er6e t tit e, or *-en+in/ t4e #i$i #o+e itse 6

to e*se t4e re;%isites 6or t4e on$ersion o6 % i +o-inion ro ert5

into *tri-oni* .

52



OneJs sense o6 se %rit5 o$er *n+ ri/4ts in6%ses into e$er5 *s e t

o6 3e ! ein/ not on 5 o6 t4*t in+i$i+%* , %t * so to t4e ersonJs 6*-i 5.

On e t4*t sense o6 se %rit5 is +e ri$e+, i6e *n+ i$e i4oo+ *re %t on

st*sis. It is 6or t4e o iti * r*n 4es to rin/ 3e o-e os%re to t4e

on/ esterin/ ro e-.

-7E E O E, t4e Petition is DENIED. "4e )e ision o6 t4e #o%rt

o6 A e* s +*te+ 0 Fe r%*r5 0 7 *n+ Reso %tion +*te+ 0 O to er

0 7 *re * I MED . No rono%n e-ent *s to osts.

SO O DE ED .

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Heirs of Malabanan v RP

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