Facts:

• The case "Republic of the Philippines v. Asuncion" involves a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court.
• The petition challenges the November 11, 2011 Decision and the February 23, 2012 Resolution of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV No. 89386.
• The CA affirmed the July 10, 2001 Decision of Branch 21 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malolos, Bulacan, in LRC (Land Registration Case) No. 3681-M.
• Respondents are the heirs of Felipe and Paciencia Gonzales Asuncion, registered owners of a parcel of land in Bambang, Bulakan, Bulacan.
• The land, located on the banks of the Wawang Dapdap River, has an area of 273,819 square meters and was covered by Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. O-423 (later Transfer Certificate of Title TCT No. RT-30648).
• On December 29, 1976, Paciencia and her children filed an application for original registration of title over nine parcels of land in Bambang, Bulakan, Bulacan.
• They claimed ownership by inheritance, accretion, and open, continuous, exclusive, and notorious possession under color of title for at least 30 years.
• The Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Solicitor General, opposed the application, arguing that the lands were unclassified forest lands within the public domain.
• The Molina-Enriquez group also opposed the application, claiming ownership of certain parts of the lands.
• After several postponements and amendments to the application, the trial court approved a compromise agreement between the Asuncions and the Molina-Enriquez group, leading to the withdrawal of the latter's opposition.
• The trial court eventually ruled in favor of the Asuncions, ordering the registration of the disputed parcels of land.
• The Republic's motion for reconsideration was denied, and its subsequent appeal to the CA was also dismissed.
• The CA affirmed the trial court's decision, leading to the Republic's petition to the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court partially granted the petition, reversing and setting aside the CA's decision and resolution insofar as these affirmed the registration of the parcels of land denominated as Psu-115616, Psu-118984, and Psu-121255.
• The Supreme Court found that the Republic failed to present sufficient evidence to support its claim that the lands were unclassified forest lands of the public domain.
• The Supreme Court determined that the accretion...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court's decision was based on several key findings.
• The Republic failed to present any evidence to support its claim that the disputed parcels were unclassified forest lands of the public domain.
• The Asuncions provide...continue reading