Authority to Initiate Eminent Domain Actions for United States Government
- Eminent domain actions for lands needed by the United States Government within the Philippines may be instituted in the name of the United States.
- Such proceedings can be initiated under orders from the President of the United States, the Secretary of War, or upon application by the Commanding General of the U.S. Army in the Philippines.
Procedure Where Owners Are Unknown or Interests Unclear
- Section 253 of Act No. 190 is amended to address cases where the owners of land sought for condemnation are unknown or their interests are unclear.
- The court may order the payment of awarded damages into court as per Section 247.
- The funds will remain in court until ownership or interests in the land can be registered under the Land Registration Act.
- Parties claiming interests must perfect their claims within a court-fixed period.
- Failure to perfect claims will lead to adjudication that such claims and titles are invalid.
- The court may extend the time for perfecting titles for just cause.
- Upon final award and proof of perfected title, the court will distribute damages to entitled parties and bar any unperfected claims permanently.
Expedited Enactment Due to Public Interest
- The law emphasizes the urgency and public necessity underlying its prompt enactment.
- Its passage is expedited according to Section 2 of the Act prescribing legislative procedure by the Philippine Commission dated September 26, 1900.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon its passage on March 5, 1903.