Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1271)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1271 is to nullify decrees of registration and certificates of title covering lands within the Baguio Townsite Reservation issued in Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211, while considering valid certain titles that are alienable and disposable under specific conditions.
It specifically addresses Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211, which involves lands within the Baguio Townsite Reservation.
The Supreme Court ruled in G. R. No. L-32941 that the Court of First Instance of Baguio and Benguet had no jurisdiction to reopen the case, holding that lands within government reservations cannot be registered in favor of private individuals, thereby declaring titles issued in the reopening null and void.
Yes, certificates of titles issued on or before July 31, 1973, can be considered valid if the lands are not within any government or public reservation as certified by appropriate agencies, and if the title holders comply with the payment of 15% of the assessed value as specified.
The land must not be within any government or public reservation, and the titleholder must pay 15% of the assessed value of the land as of the revision period 1973. Payment terms include an initial 10% payment within 90 days of the decree's effectivity, with the balance payable in two equal installments over the next two years.
No, Section 2 explicitly states that titles obtained through fraud or misrepresentation in the reopening proceedings are not valid under this decree.
They must surrender their titles for cancellation within 90 days from the decree's effectivity and vacate the premises within six months, removing any improvements, which may be forfeited or removed at their expense.
All taxes and registration fees paid in connection with invalid titles are deemed forfeited in favor of the Government.
A committee composed of the Secretary of Justice as Chairman, the Solicitor General, and the Director of Lands is tasked with promulgating rules and assuring compliance with the decree.
Violators may be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to six years.
Fees collected (15% payments) constitute a special fund exclusively for the development, improvement, and welfare of Baguio City, as well as for expenses related to the decree's implementation.