Facts:

• The Republic of the Philippines filed a petition against several respondents, including Antonio, Feliza, and others.
• The petition sought to reverse the November 12, 2007 Decision and May 15, 2008 Resolution of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV No. 64142.
• The CA upheld the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cagayan de Oro City's dismissal of two consolidated civil cases regarding Original Certificates of Title (OCT) No. 0-358 and No. 0-669.
• The lands in question were part of the Camp Evangelista Military Reservation in Misamis Oriental, reserved for military purposes by Presidential Proclamation No. 265 in 1938.
• The Bacases applied for registration of Lot No. 4354 in 1964, while the Chabons applied for Lot No. 4357 in 1974, both claiming ownership.
• The RTC found that the Bacases and Chabons had established ownership through open, adverse, and continuous possession.
• The Republic's claims of fraud and lack of jurisdiction were dismissed by the RTC, which ruled that the applications complied with legal requirements.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court granted the petition, reversing the decisions of the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court.
• It declared the proceedings in the Land Registration Court null and void due to lack of jurisdiction.
• Original Certificates of Title Nos....(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court held that the Republic could challenge final and executory judgments if fraud was involved.
• The Court emphasized that the Land Registration Court lacked jurisdiction over lands that were part of a military reservation, rendering them inalienable.
• The applications for registration failed to meet the requirement of indicating all adjoining owners and occupants, constituting fraud and denyin...continue reading