SECOND DIVISION
G.R. No. 194617, August 05, 2015
LA TONDEÑA, INC., Petitioner, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Respondent.
D E C I S I O N
LEONEN, J.:
La Tonde 164a, Inc. (La Tondeña) applied for registration of a 14,286- square-meter parcel of land, with La Tondeña alleging acquisition and possession even before the Second Wor1d War. It argues the inadmissibility of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office's (DENR-CENRO) Report on the land's classification as alienable and disposable only on January 21, 1987 as this Report was not formally offered as evidence before the trial court.
This case involves an application of Section 14(1) of Property Registration Decree in relation to Section 48(b) of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, on the requisites for judicial confirmation of imperfect title.1 This Petition for Review on Certiorari2 assails the Court of Appeals August 10, 2010 Decision3 that reversed and set aside the Municipal Trial Court December 15, 2005 Decision4 granting La Tondeña's application for land registration.5 La Tondeña prays that this court reverse and set aside the Court of Appeals Decision and Resolution,6 then affirm in toto the Municipal Trial Court Decision or, in the altemative, remand the case for further reception of evidence.7redarclaw
On September 28, 2004, La Tondeña, through its Vice President Rosendo A. Bautista,8 filed an Application9 for the registration of a 14,286- square-meter parcel of land in Central West, Bauang, La Union.10redarclaw
La Tondeña alleged obtaining title or ownership by purchase from one Pablo Rimorin and attached the following documents with its application: "(a) original tracing plan together with its print copies; (b) technical description of the land; (c) certification, in lieu of lost Surveyor's Certificate for registration; (d) certificate of tax assessment from 1948 up to the present; (e) copy of Tax Declaration No. 27726; and (f) copy of the Secretary's Certificate authorizing Rosendo A. Bautista."11redarclaw
On October 15, 2004, the Land Registration Authority Administrator forwarded the entire records to the Municipal Trial Court.12 On December 17, 2004, the trial court sent a Notice of Initial Hearing to the Office of the Solicitor General.13redarclaw
On March 21, 2005, during the initial hearing, the trial court entered an Order of Special Default against the whole world except against the Republic of the Philippines that filed a formal written opposition to the application.14redarclaw
The trial court scheduled the hearing for marking of exhibits on April 12, 2005.15 Rosendo A. Bautista testified and identified the documents submitted with the application for registration.16 He alleged that all records showing La Tondeña's purchase of the land from one Pablo Rimorin were burned, thus, applicant can only present tax declarations in its name for years 1948, 1953, 1964, 1974, 1980, 1985, 1994, and 1999.17redarclaw
On May 30, 2005, La Tondeña's property administrator Victor Dumuk testified that from the time his father, Juan Dumuk, was property administrator before the Second World War up to Victor Dumuk's present administration, La Tondeña's ownership ofthe land was uncontested, and its possession was peaceful, continuous, open, and public.18 He testified that property taxes were paid from 1994 to 2005, and that mango trees and a basketball court can be found on the land.19redarclaw
DENR-CENRO Land Investigator Wilfredo Valera submitted a Report dated May 31, 2005 to the trial court, stating that the land was declared alienable and disposable only on January 21, 1987.20 The trial court summarized the Report's contents in its Decision:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
In the investigation report submitted by Special Investigator Wilfreda B. Valera of the DENR, CENRO, San Fernando City, La Union, the land is covered by Survey Plan No. AP-01-004436 approved by the Regional Land District/Land Management Bureau, Region I, pursuant to P.D. No. 239 dated September 1973; that it consists of 14,286 square meters and is located in Brgy. Central West, Bauang, La Union; that the entire area is within the alienable and disposable zone as classified under Project No. 9, LC No. 3330 and released as well as certified as such on January 21, 1987; that this parcel of land is not within any civil or military reservations, and is outside of any forest zone and watershed reservations; that it is not covered by any previously issued land patent, decree or title; that this land was declared for the first time in the year 1948 under Tax declaration No. 1745 in the name of La Tondeña Distilleries with an area of 13,292 square meters; that this land is now covered by Tax declaration No. 27726 in the name of La Tondeña Distilleria Incorporada; that the corresponding realty taxes as per record of the Municipal Treasurer of Bauang, La Union have been paid since 1948; that this lot has not been earmarked for public use and not reserved for any future government projects; that this lot is flat in terrain, presently for agricultural purposes, with bamboos and some fruit trees planted in it and about .00365 kilometers from the poblacion; that this lot was found to be free from adverse claims and conflicts during the inspection; that La Tondeña Distilleria Incorporada is in actual occupation and possession of the land; that this lot does not encroach upon any bodies of water, Right of Way, and park sites that are devoted to the public; and that during the investigation and ocular inspection of the area, applicant La Tondeña Inc. thru its authorized representative, presented the following documents, to wit: Print copy of AP-01-004436 and tax declarations from the year 1948 up to the present?21 (Emphasis supplied)
Considering that the government represented by the Asst. Provincial Prosecutor, Bauang, La Union for and in behalf of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN) is not presenting any evidence, documentary or testimonial to substantiate the formal written opposition which was filed, the said formal written opposition is hereby ordered dismissed for lack of merit.
Wherefore, this Court, confirming the Order of Special Default, hereby approves the application and orders the adjudication and registration of the land described in Survey Plan No. AP-01-004436 (Exh. "J") and the Technical description of said lot, Lot 4551, CAD 474-D, Bauang Cadastre (Exh. "K") containing an area of Fourteen thousand two hundred eighty-six (14,286) square meters situated at Brgy. Central West, Bauang, La Union.
Once this decision becomes final and executory, let the corresponding decree be issued.
So Ordered.23
With due indulgence, the Honorable Court of Appeals failed to consider that petitioner has acquired a vested right over the land sought to be registered under the 1935 Philippine Constitution and prior to the effectivity of the 1973 and 1987 Philippine Constitutions. As a general rule, constitutional provisions are given prospective application, not retroactive, unless retroactivity is expressly provided or necessarily implied (People vs. Isagani, et al., 63 SCRA 4). Hence, due to the prospective application of the 1973 and 1987 Constitutions, it is the provisions of the 1935 Constitution that should apply to petitioner's application for registration. Undoubtedly, under the 1935 Philippine Constitution, private corporations are allowed in acquiring alienable and disposable land of the public domain. (Republic vs. T.A.N. Properties, Inc.[,] GR. No. 154953, June 26, 2008).
Interestingly, the original reckoning point for the required length of possession under the Public Land Act (C.A. 141) is possession since July 26, 1894. The period of possession was shortened to thirty (30) years by Republic Act No. 1942, which was enacted on June 22, 1957. Then, on January 25, 1977, Presidential Decree No. 1073 was enacted pegging the reckoning point of possession to June 12, 1945. Hence, until 1972, prior to the effectivity of the 1973 Philippine Constitution, the required possession of alienable public land that would qualify to judicial confirmation under C.A. 141 is at least thirty (30) years, or at least from the year 1942. If reckoned from 1972, the latest date when private corporations are allowed to acquire alienable public lands. Therefore, petitioner already acquired a vested right over the subject property in 1972.42
SEC. 48. The following-described citizens of the Philippines, occupying lands of the public domain or claiming to own any such lands or an interest therein, but whose titles have not been perfected or completed, may apply to the Court of First Instance of the province where the land is located for confirmation of their claims and the issuance of a certificate of title therefor, under the Land Registration Act, to wit:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
. . . (b) Those who by themselves or through their predecessors in interest have been in open, continuous, exclusive, and notorious possession and occupation of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain, under a bona fide claim of acquisition or ownership, since June 12, 1945, or earlier, immediately preceding the filing of the applications for confirmation of title except when prevented by war or force majeure. These shall be conclusively presumed to have performed all the conditions essential to a Government grant and shall be entitled to a certificate of title under the provisions of this chapter.54 (Emphasis supplied)
SEC. 14. Who may apply.-The following persons may file in the proper Court of First Instance an application for registration of title to land, whether personally or through their duly authorized representatives:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
- Those who by themselves or through their predecessors-in-interest have been in open, continuous, exclusive and notorious possession and occupation of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain under a bona fide claim of ownership since June 12, 1945, or earlier.
- The applicant, by himself or through his predecessor-in interest, has been in possession and occupation of the property subject of the application;chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
- The possession and occupation must be open, continuous, exclusive, and notorious;chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
- The possession and occupation must be under a bona fide claim of acquisition of ownership;chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
- The possession and occupation must have taken place since June 12, 1945, or earlier; and
- The property subject of the application must be an agricultural land of the public domain.55
SEC. 29. Judgment confirming title.-All conflicting claims of ownership and interest in the land subject of the application shall be determined by the court. If the court, after considering the evidence and the reports of the Commissioner of Land Registration and the Director of Lands, finds that the applicant or the oppositor has sufficient title proper for registration, judgment shall be rendered confirming the title of the applicant, or the oppositor, to the land or portions thereof. (Emphasis supplied)
Further, it is not enough for the PENRO or CENRO to certify that a land is alienable and disposable. The applicant for land registration must prove that the DENR Secretary had approved the land classification and released the land of the public domain as alienable and disposable, and that the land subject of the application for registration falls within the approved area per verification through survey by the PENRO or CENRO. In addition, the applicant for land registration must present a copy of the original classification approved by the DENR Secretary and certified as a true copy by the legal custodian of the official records. These facts must be established to prove that the land is alienable and disposable. Respondent failed to do so because the certifications presented by respondent do not, by themselves, prove that the land is alienable and disposable.70 (Emphasis supplied)
Based on the evidences [sic] presented, testimonial and documentary as well, it is appearing that the applicant company, La Tondeña Inc., thru its representative has established a satisfactory proof that it has a registrable title over the subject property, it being a corporation duly organized and existing under the law of the Philippines with principal address at CPJ Bldg., 105 Carlos Palanca, Jr. St., Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, and qualified to own, acquire and possess land in the Philippines, it being established that its possession dates back to 1948 when it was first declared for the first time but before that, said applicant La Tondei'ia Inc. has owned the land subject of this case before the Second World War since the oldest tax declaration recorded which is Tax declaration No. 1745 series of 1948 cancelled Tax declaration No. 6590. Besides, this Court believes the testimony of Rosendo Bautista to be trustworthy being given in the ordinary course of business when he stated that La Tondeña Inc. acquired this property by purchase from a certain Pablo Rimorin but he had no records about that transaction and all that the company has are tax declarations as early as 1948 and tax receipt. Hence, applicant La Tondeña Inc. has established a satisfactory proof that it has a reg[i]strable title to the said land subject of this case since it has owned it for more than fifty-seven (57) years or more.74
Endnotes:
1See Heirs of Mario Malabanan v. Republic, G.R. No. 179987, September 3, 2013, 704 SCRA 561, 580 [Per J. Bersamin, En Banc].
2Rollo, pp. 9-33.
3 Id. at 34-45. The Decision was penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier and concurred in by Associate Justices Rebecca De Guia-Salvador (Chair) and Sesinando E. Villon of the Fifth Division.
4 Id. at 75-79. The Decision was penned by Judge Romeo V. Perez.
5 Id. at 9 and 31.
6 Id. at 47. The Resolution was penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier and concurred in by Associate Justices Rebecca De Guia-Salvador (Chair) and Sesinando E. Villon of the Fifth Division.
7 Id. at 31.
8 Id. at 15.
9 Id. at 53-56. The application was docketed as LRC Case No. 85-MTC-Bg. LU.
10 Id. at 34-35 and 75.
11 Id. at 35.
12 Id.
13 Id. at.35-36.
14 Id. at 36 and 75.
15 Id. at 36.
16 Id.
17 Id. at 36 and 77.
18 Id. at 37 and 77.
19 Id. at 37 and 78.
20 Id. at 19.
21 Id. at 78-79.
22 Id. at 19-20.
23 Id. at 79.
24 Id. at 80.
25 Id.
26 Id. at 40.
27 Id. at 81-84.
28 Id. at 40.
29 Id. at 86.
30 Id. at 87-92.
31 Id. at 40-41.
32 Id. at 94.
33 Id. at 44.
34 Id. at 47.
35 Id. at 180.
36 Id. at 181.
37 Id.
38 Id.
39 Id. at 181-182.
40 Id. at 182.
41 Id. at 183.
42 Id. at 183-184.
43 Id. at 185.
44 Id. at 186 and 188-189.
45 Id. at 215.
46 Id. at 216.
47 Id. at 216-217.
48 Id. at 225.
49 605 Phil. 244, 275-279 (2009) [Per J. Tinga, En Banc].
50 659 Phil. 578, 585-590 (2011) [Per J. Villarama, Jr., Third Division].
51Rollo, pp. 218-225.
52 Id. at 225.
53 Com. Act No. 141 (1936), sec. 7.
54See Heirs of Mario Malabanan v. Republic, G.R. No. 179987, September 3, 2013, 704 SCRA 561, 578-579 [Per J. Bersamin, En Banc].
55Heirs of Mario Malabanan v. Republic, G.R. No. 179987, September 3, 2013, 704 SCRA 561, 579-580 [Per J. Bersamin, En Banc].
56Rollo, p. 182.
57 Id. at 214-215.
58 Id. at 216.
59 G.R. No. 179987, September 3, 2013, 704 SCRA 561 [Per J. Bersamin, En Banc].
60 Id. at 581.
61 Id. at 584.
62Rollo, pp. 183-184.
63 See Republic v. T.A.N. Properties, Inc., 578 Phil. 44 J, 460 (2008) [Per J. Carpio, First Division].
64 230 Phil. 590,605 (1986) [Per J. Narvasa, En Banc].
65Republic v. T.A.N. Properties, Inc., 578 Phil. 441,460 (2008) [Per J. Carpio, First Division].
66 578 Phil. 441 (2008) [Per J. Carpio, First Division].
67 Id. at 461.
68Rollo, pp. 36 and 77.
69 Id. at 42-43.
70Republic v. T.A.N. Properties, Inc., 578 Phil. 441, 452-453 (2008) [Per J. Carpio, First Division].
71Rollo, p. 184.
72Heirs of Mario Malabanan v. Republic, 605 Phil. 244, 275-276 (2009) [Per J. Tinga, En Banc].
73Rollo, p. 76.
74 Id. at 78.
75 Id. at 42-43.
76 Id. at 51-52.
77See Republic v. Santos, G.R. No. 180027, July 18, 2012, 677 SCRA 144, 155 [Per J. Perez, Second Division].
78 GR. No. 195137, June 13,2012, 672 SCRA 576 [Per J. Reyes, Second Division].
79 Id. at 586.
80 Id., citing Republic v. Court of Appeals, 328 Phil. 238 (1996) [Per J. Torres, Jr., Second Division].
81Rollo, pp. 51-52.
82Republic v. East Silverlane Realty Development Corporation, 682 Phil. 376, 394 (2012) [Per J. Reyes, Second Division], quoting Wee v. Republic, 622 Phil. 944, 956 (2009) [Per J. Del Castillo, Second Division].
83 Id. at 394, citing Cequeña v. Bolante. 386 PhiL 419, 430 (2000) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].
84Rollo, p. 77.
85 Id.
86 Id. at 71.
87 Id. at 52.
BRION, J.:
I concur with the DENIAL of the petition. I agree that petitioner La Tondeña, Inc. (La Tondeña) failed to comply with all the requirements for land registration under Section 48 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 1411 or the Public Land Act (PLA) in relation with Section 14 (1) of Presidential Decree No. 15292 or the Property Registration Decree (PRD).
In particular, I believe that the petition should be denied for the following reasons:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
First, La Tondeña failed to prove that the property was already private at the time of its purchase.
Second, it could not have acquired any vested right over the property as of 1972 pursuant to Republic Act No. 1942.3redarclaw
Third and last, that La Tondeña failed to prove possession and occupation since June 12, 1945, or earlier.
I find these conclusions fully supported by the facts (as shown by the evidence or its absence), the relevant laws, and the principles and precedents applying these laws.
I dissent, however, from the ponencia's ruling that "the agricultural land subject of the application [for registration under Section 48 (b) of the PLAin relation with Section 14 (1) of the PRD] needs only to be classified as [A & D] as of the time of the [filing of the] application," not on June 12, 1945, as required by Section 48 (b).
I find this conclusion (that relies heavily on Heirs of Mario Malabanan v. Republic of the Philippines)4 contrary to the Constitution, the law and their underlying principles and the precedents that correctly and logically interpreted them. In ruling on this particular issue, the ponencia effectively read into the law what the Constitution does not, and the legislature did not, provide an exercise in policy determination and policy formulation process that the Court does not have the authority to undertake.
Thus, I submit this opinion to reflect my continuing objection to the majority's continuing disregard, as reflected in its ruling on this case, of the standards set by the Constitution and the PLA.
As I explained in my concurring and dissenting opinion in Heirs of Mario Malabanan5 (herein referred to as the Malabanan Opinion), for purposes of confirmation and registration of imperfect title under Section 48 (b) of the PLA (as amended) in relation with Section 14 (1) of the PRD, the public land sought to be registered must have been classified as alienable and disposable as of the cutoff date stated in Section 48 (b)-June 12, 1945, or earlier.
x x x Following the OSGs approach, all lands certified as alienable and disposable after 12 June 1945 cannot be registered either underSection 14(1) of the Property Registration Decree or Section 48(b) of the Public Land Act as amended. The absurdity of such an implication was discussed in Naguit.
Petitioner suggests an interpretation that the alienable and disposable character of the land should have already been established since June 12, 1945, or earlier. This is not borne out by the plain meaning of Section 14(1). Since June 12, 1945, as used in the provision, qualifies its antecedent phrase under a bonafide claim of ownership. Generally speaking, qualifying words restrict or modify only the words or phrases to which they are immediately associated, and not those distantly or remotely located. Ad proximum antecedents fiat relation nisi impediatur sentencia.
Besides, we are mindful of the absurdity that would result if we adopt petitioners position. Absent a legislative amendment, the rule would be, adopting the OSGs view, that all lands of the public domain which were not declared alienable or disposable before June 12, 1945 would not be susceptible to original registration, no matter the length of unchallenged possession by the occupant. Such interpretation renders paragraph (1) of Section 14 virtually inoperative and even precludes the government from giving it effect even as it decides to reclassify public agricultural lands as alienable and disposable. The unreasonableness of the situation would even be aggravated considering that before June 12, 1945, the Philippines was not yet even considered an independent state.
Accordingly, the Court in Naguit explained:LawlibraryofCRAlaw[T]he more reasonable interpretation of Section 14(1) is that it merely requires the property sought to be registered as already alienable and disposable at the time the application for registration of title is filed. If the State, at the time the application is made, has not yet deemed it proper to release the property for alienation or disposition, the presumption is that the government is still reserving the right to utilize the property; hence, the need to preserve its ownership in the State irrespective of the length of adverse possession even if in good faith. However, if the property has already been classified as alienable and disposable, as it is in this case, then there is already an intention on the part of the State to abdicate its exclusive prerogative over the property.
The Court declares that the correct interpretation of Section 14(1) is that which was adopted in Naguit. The contrary pronouncement in Herbieto, as pointed out in Naguit, absurdly limits the application of the provision to the point of virtual inutility since it would only cover lands actually declared alienable and disposable prior to 12 June 1945, even if the current possessor is able to establish open, continuous, exclusive and notorious possession under a bona fide claim of ownership long before that date.
Moreover, the Naguit interpretation allows more possessors under a bona fide claim of ownership to avail of judicial confirmation of their imperfect titles than what would be feasible under Herbieto. This balancing fact is significant, especially considering our forthcoming discussion on the scope and reach of Section 14(2) of the Property Registration Decree. [All emphases and underscoring supplied.]
SECTION 4. The provisions of Section 48(b) and Section 48(c), Chapter VIII of the Public Land Act are hereby amended in the sense that these provisions shall apply only to alienable and disposable lands of the public domain which have been in open, continuous, exclusive and notorious possession and occupation by the applicant himself or thru his predecessor-in-interest, under a bona fide claim of acquisition of ownership, since June 12, 1945.
Endnotes:
1 "Amending and Codifying the Laws Relative to Registration of Property and For Other Purposes," approved on June 11, 1978.
2 "The Public Land Act," approved on November 7, 1936.
3 "An Act to Amend Subsection (b) Of Section Forty-Eight of Commonwealth Act Numbered One Hundred Forty-One, Otherwise Known as the Public Land Act," approved on June 22, 1957.
4 605 Phil. 244 (2009).
5 Id. at 300-326.
6 Id. at 244.
7 Id. at 268.
8 GR No. 144507, January 17, 2005, 442 SCRA 445.
9 Section 2 of Article XII reads in full:LawlibraryofCRAlawSECTION 2. All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens. Such agreements may be for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five years, and under such terms and conditions as may be provided by law. In cases of water rights for irrigation, water supply, fisheries, or industrial uses other than the development of water power, beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the grant.10 605 Phil. 244, 315 (2009).
The State shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.
The Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino citizens, as well as cooperative fish farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen and fishworkers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons.
The President may enter into agreements with foreign-owned corporations involving either technical of financial assistance for large-scale exploration, development, and utilization of minerals, petroleum, and other mineral oils according to the general terms and conditions provided by law, based on real contributions to the economic growth and general welfare of the country. In such agreements, the State shall promote the development and use oflocal scientific and technical resources.
The President shall notify the Congress of every contract entered into in accordance with this provision, within thirty days from its execution.
11 Id. at 315-316.
Sections 6 to 10 of CA No. 141 provides:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
SECTION 6. The President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, shall from time to time classify the lands of the public domain into
(a) Alienable or disposable,
(b) Timber, and
(c) Mineral lands,
and may at any time and in a like manner transfer such lands from one class to another, for the purposes of their administration and disposition.
SECTION 7. For the purposes of the administration and disposition of alienable or disposable public lands, the President, upon recommendation by the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, shall from time to time declare what lands are open to disposition or concession under this Act.
SECTION 8. Only those lands shall be declared open to disposition or concession which have been officially delimited and classified and, when practicable, surveyed, and which have not been reserved for public or quasi-public uses, nor appropriated by the Government, nor in any manner become private property, nor those on which a private right authorized and recognized by this Act or any other valid law may be claimed, or which, having been reserved or appropriated, have ceased to be so. However, the President may, for reasons of public interest, declare lands of the public domain open to disposition before the same have had their boundaries established or been surveyed, or may, for the same reason, 'suspend their concession or disposition until they are again declared open to concession or disposition by proclamation duly published or by Act of the National Assembly.
SECTION 9. For the purpose of their administration and disposition, the lands of the public domain alienable or open to disposition shall be classified, according to the use or purposes to which such lands are destined, as follows:LawlibraryofCRAlaw
(a) Agricultural;
(b) Residential, commercial, industrial, or for similar productive purposes;
(c) Educational, charitable, or other similar purposes;
(d) Reservations for town sites and for public and quasi public uses.
The President, upon recommendation by the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, shaH from time to time make the classifications provided for in this section, and may, at any time and in a similar manner, transfer lands from one class to another.
SECTION 10. The words "alienation," "disposition," or "concession" as used in this Act, shall mean any of the methods authorized by this Act for the acquisition, lease, use, or benefit of the lands of the public domain other than timber or mineral lands.
12 605 Phil. 244, 316 (2009).
13 Id. at 317.
14 "An Act Granting A Period ending on December 31, 2000, for Filing Applications for Free Patent and Judicial Confirmation of Imperfect Title to Alienable and Disposable Lands of the Public Domain under Chapters VII and VIII of the Public Land Act, as amended," enacted on March 28, 1990.
15 Note also that under RA No. 6940, the Congress recently extended the period for filing applications for judicial confirmation of imperfect and incomplete titles to alienable and disposable lands of the public domain under RA No. 9176 from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2020.
16 605 Phil. 244, 318 (2009).
17 GR No. 156117, May 26, 2005, 459 SCRA 183.