Agnes v Republic (2015)

Facts:
Petitioners, the Tagbanua Tribe, who are Indigenous People of the Island of Calauit,
located in the island of Palawan, were inhabiting there since time immemorial. The ownership of
the island became a controversy following its reclassification and issuance of Proclamation no.
1578 and leading to the relocation of the Tagbanua Tribe to Hasley and Burabod in Cuilon,
Palawan by means of signing a Resettlement Agreement between the Government. Petitioners
allege that they have been deceived and defrauded by the government in that they were forced
to sign the agreement and were forcefully ousted by the Philippine Constabulary. Petitioners filed
with the RTC and CA praying that they will be relocated back to their island, however both were
ruled against them. Pending appeal to the Supreme Court, a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title
was issued in petitioner’s favour.
Issues:
Whether or not the Resettlement Agreements are valid; and whether or not the Petitioners
may be compelled to vacate Calauit Island by virtue of their obligations enumerated in their
Resettlement Agreements.
Ruling:
The Resettlement Agreements are valid. Even if the CADT in favor of the Tagbanua Tribe
carries with it the right to stay in the territory and not to be removed therein, the fact that it was
issued notwithstanding the existence of Proclamation no. 1578 cannot change the fact that there
are already existing private rights over Calauit Island which was recognized by the said
Proclamation. Therefore, even if the CADT gives the Tagbanua Tribe the right to develop, control,
manage, and utilize Calauit Island, it does not affect the validity of the Resettlement Agreements
that were signed by the Tagbanua Tribe by virtue of Proclamation no. 1578.