Additions to Section 48 of the Public Land Act
- New Subsection (c) allows certain citizens to apply to the Court of First Instance for confirmation of claims and issuance of a certificate of title under the Land Registration Act.
- Eligible applicants include:
- Those who applied for land prior to sovereignty transfer from Spain to the U.S., prosecuted proceedings, but did not receive titles, provided they have continuously occupied and cultivated the land since application.
- Those in continuous, exclusive, and notorious possession of public domain land for at least 30 years under a bona fide claim of ownership, with exceptions for war or force majeure.
- Members of national cultural minorities with open, continuous, exclusive possession of agricultural public domain lands for at least 30 years under bona fide claim.
- Such applicants are conclusively presumed to have met all government grant conditions and entitled to title.
Amendments to Section 120 on Conveyances and Encumbrances by National Cultural Minorities
- Conveyances and encumbrances by "non-Christian Filipinos" or national cultural minorities are valid if:
- The person executing the document is literate in and understands the language of the instrument.
- Conveyances by illiterate non-Christians or literate non-Christians who do not understand the language are invalid unless approved by the Chairman of the Commission on National Integration.
Repeal and Amendment Provisions
- Any laws, regulations, or executive orders inconsistent with these amendments are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The amendments take effect immediately upon approval.