Case Digest (G.R. No. 248306)
Facts:
In Republic of the Philippines v. Science Park of the Philippines, Inc., G.R. No. 248306, decided June 28, 2021 under the 1987 Constitution, Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. (SPPI), represented by its Executive Vice‐President Richard Albert I. Osmond, filed on September 3, 2015 with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tanauan City, Batangas an application for original registration of title over a 5,255‐square‐meter parcel known as Lot No. 3394, Psc-47, Malvar Cadastre, Brgy. Luta Sur, Malvar, Batangas, invoking Section 14(1) of Presidential Decree No. 1529 (Property Registration Decree). The RTC delegated the hearing to the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Malvar-Balete, which issued an Order of general default on April 26, 2016, as the Republic, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), did not file an oppositor. SPPI traced its title from Segunda Kalaw (January 29, 1944) to her sister Micaela, then to Crisanto Laydia and Agrifina Arcillas (November 5, 1953),Case Digest (G.R. No. 248306)
Facts:
- Parties and Proceedings
- Republic of the Philippines (Petitioner) vs. Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. (Respondent), Executive VP Richard Albert I. Osmond, Land Registration Case No. N-138, MCTC Malvar-Balete, Batangas.
- Respondent filed for original registration of Lot No. 3394 (5,255 sqm) in Brgy. Luta Sur, Malvar, Batangas under Section 14(1), PD 1529.
- Allegations and Evidence
- Chain of Title
- 1944: Segunda Kalaw → Micaela Kalaw
- 1953: Heirs of Micaela → Crisanto Laydia & Agrifina Arcillas
- 1996: Laydia/Arcillas → Antonio A. Aranda
- 2014: Aranda → Science Park of the Philippines, Inc.
- Possession and Classification
- Claim of open, continuous, exclusive, notorious possession since June 12, 1945 or earlier.
- Land Classification Map No. 3601, DENR Administrative Order No. 97-37, CENRO and NAMRIA certifications confirming alienable and disposable status.
- Testimonies and Documents
- Eliseo Garcia (b. 1933) and Aranda testified on childhood play, cultivation, tax payments, and absence of adverse claims.
- Exhibits: technical descriptions, sepia copy of plan, tax declarations (earliest 1955).
- Lower Court Rulings
- MCTC (Apr 12, 2017): granted registration upon general default of government.
- CA (Mar 28, 2019): affirmed; dismissed motion for reconsideration (Jul 9, 2019).
Issues:
- Under which provision of Section 14, PD 1529 (14(1) vs. 14(2)) should SPPI’s application be evaluated?
- Did SPPI establish the requisites for registration under the appropriate provision?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)