Title
Cebu Oxygen and Acetylene Co., Inc. vs. Bercilles
Case
G.R. No. L-40474
Decision Date
Aug 29, 1975
A Cebu City parcel, declared abandoned by the City Council, was sold to petitioner, who sought title registration. The Supreme Court ruled the land, withdrawn from public use, became patrimonial property, validating the sale and registration.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-40474)

Facts:

  1. Background of the Land
    The parcel of land in question was originally part of M. Borces Street, Mabolo, Cebu City. It was declared an abandoned road by the City Council of Cebu through Resolution No. 2193 on September 23, 1968, as it was not included in the City Development Plan.

  2. Sale of the Land
    On December 19, 1968, the City Council passed Resolution No. 2755, authorizing the Acting City Mayor to sell the land through public bidding. The petitioner, Cebu Oxygen & Acetylene Co., Inc., was the highest bidder and purchased the land for P10,800.00 on March 3, 1969.

  3. Application for Registration
    The petitioner filed an application for registration of title over the land with the Court of First Instance of Cebu.

  4. Motion to Dismiss
    On June 26, 1974, the Assistant Provincial Fiscal of Cebu filed a motion to dismiss the application, arguing that the land, being a public road, is part of the public domain and cannot be registered by a private individual.

  5. Trial Court's Decision
    The trial court dismissed the petitioner's application on October 11, 1974, prompting the petitioner to file this petition for review.

Issue:

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Ruling:

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Ratio:

  1. Discretionary Power of the City Council
    The City Council has the authority to determine whether a property is still necessary for public use. The withdrawal of a road from public use is a valid exercise of this power, and courts will not interfere unless there is a clear abuse of discretion.

  2. Patrimonial Property
    Property withdrawn from public use ceases to be part of the public domain and becomes patrimonial property, which can be sold or conveyed by the State. The sale of the land to the petitioner was valid, and the petitioner has a registerable title over the property.


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