Registration Under CA No.

141 (Public Land Act) Nov 7, 1936 

1. Sec. 2 – Coverage; Exceptions   (4) By confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles: 
  (a) By judicial legalization; 
(b) By administrative legalization (free patent​). 
SECTION  2.  The  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  apply  to  the  lands  of  the  public  domain;  but  timber  and 
mineral  lands  shall be governed by special laws and nothing in this Act provided shall be understood or  Notes:  
construed  to  change  or  modify  the  administration  and  disposition of the lands commonly called "friar   
lands"  and  those  which,  being  privately  owned,  have  reverted  to  or  become  the  property  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  the  Philippines, which administration and disposition shall be governed by the laws   
at present in force or which may hereafter be enacted  3. Sec. 48(b), CA No. 141  
a. Requisites – same as Sec. 14(1), PRD  
   
2. Sec.  3  (Secretary);  Sec.  4  (Director  of  Lands);  Sec.  6;  Sec.  8  (Official  Classification); Sec. 
11  (Disposition: 4 ways: homestead settlement; sale; lease; judicial confirmation (judicial  Notes: 
and administrative)  Two modes of disposing public lands through confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles:  
  1. By  Judicial Confirmation (Substantive provisions is governed by Chapter VII (Secs. 45 
-  57)  of  the  Public  Land  Act.  Procedural  aspect  is  governed  by Chapter III (Secs. 14 - 
SECTION  3.​   The  Secretary  of  Agriculture  and  Commerce  ​shall  be  the  executive  officer  charged  with  38) of the Property Registration Decree) 
carrying out the provisions of this Act through the Director of Lands, who shall act under his immediate  2. By administrative legalization, otherwise known as the grant of free patents. 
control. 
 
SECTION  4.​   Subject  to  said  control,  the  Director  of  Lands  shall  have  direct  executive  control  of  the   
survey,  classification,  lease,  sale or any other form of concession or disposition and management of the  Sec. 14(1)  
lands  of  the  public  domain, and his decisions as to questions of fact shall be conclusive when approved  Section  14.  Who  may  apply.  The  following  persons  may  file  in  the  proper  Court  of  First  Instance  an 
by the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce.   application  for  registration  of  title  to  land,  whether  personally  or  through  their  duly  authorized 
representatives: 
CHAPTER II    
Classification, Delimitation, and Survey of Lands of the Public Domain, for the Concession Thereof  (1) Those  who  by  themselves  or  through  their  predecessors-in-interest  have  been  in  open, 
  continuous,  exclusive  and  notorious  possession and occupation of alienable and disposable 
SECTION  6.  The  President,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  and  lands  of  the  public  domain  under  a  bona  fide  claim  of  ownership  since  June  12,  1945,  or 
Commerce, shall from time to time classify the lands of the public domain into —  earlier. 
(a) Alienable or disposable, 
(b) Timber, and  Notes:  
(c) Mineral lands,  Requisites/ Required under Sec. 14(1): 
  1. The  land  applied  for  is  an  agricultural  pubic  land  already  classified  as  alienable  and 
and  may  at  any  time  and  in  a  like  manner  transfer  such  lands  from  one  class  to  another,  for  the  disposable land at the time of the filing of the application for registration  
purposes of their administration and disposition.  2. The applicant himself has been in OCENPO under bona fide claim of ownership  
3. Such possession and occupation must commenced since June 12, 1945  
SECTION  8.  Only  those  lands  shall  be  declared  open  to  disposition  or  concession  which  have  been 
officially  delimited  and  classified  and,  when  practicable,  surveyed,  and  which have not been reserved   
for  public  or  quasi-public  uses,  nor  appropriated  by  the  Government,  nor  in  any  manner  become  b. No  material  difference  between  Sec.  14(1)  of  PD  No.  1529  and  Sec.  48(b)  of 
private  property,  nor  those on which a private right authorized and recognized by this Act or any other  CA No. 141  
valid  law  may  be  claimed,  or  which,  having  been  reserved  or  appropriated,  have  ceased  to  be  so.   
However,  the  President  may,  for  reasons  of  public interest, declare lands of the public domain open to  Notes:  
disposition  before  the  same  have  had  their  boundaries  established  or  been  surveyed,  or  may,  for  the  Sec.  14(1)  in  relation  to  Sec  48(b)  specifies  identical  requirements for the judicial confirmation 
same  reason,  suspend  their  concession  or  disposition  until they are again declared open to concession  of “imperfect” titles: 
or disposition by proclamation duly published or by Act of the National Assembly. c​   1. That  the  subject  land  forms  part  of  the  alienable  and  disposable  land  of  the  public 
domain; 
CHAPTER III  2. That  the  applicants,  by  themselves  or  through  their  predecessors-in-interest,  have 
Forms of Concession of Agricultural Lands  been  in  open,  continuous,  exclusive  and  notorious  possession  and  occupation  of the 
SECTION  11.  Public  lands  suitable  for  agricultural purposes can be disposed of only as follows, and  subject land under a bona fide claim of ownership; and 
not otherwise:  3. That such possession and occupation must be since June 12, 1945 
(1) For homestead settlement;    
(2) By sale;  Sec.  48(b)  in  conjunction  with  Section  11  of  the  Public  Land  Act  primarily  establishes  the 
(3) By lease;  substantive  ownership  of the possessor who has been in possession of the since June 12, 1945. In 

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 turn,  Section  14(1)  of  the  Property  Registration  Decree  recognizes  the  substantive  right  non-disposable.  Thus,  even  assuming  that  the  transferees  are  innocent 
granted  under  Section  48(b)  of  the  Public  Land  Act,  and  provides  the  corresponding  original  purchaser  for  value,  their  titles  to  said  lands  derived  from  the  titles  of 
registration ​procedure for the judicial confirmation of an imperfect or incomplete title.   private  respondent  which  were not validly issued as they cover lands still a 
part of public domain, may be cancelled. 
  ○ A  different  rule  obtains  for  lands  which  are  incapable  of  registration  as 
4. Vested  Rights,  including those acquired under RA No. 1942 (30 years possession) not be  when  they  belong  to  the  category  of  forest  or  timber,  mineral  lands,  and 
impaired by PD No. 1073 (requiring possession since June 12, 1945)  national  parks.  Under  the  Constitution,  only  agricultural  lands  may  be 
  subject to alienation.. 
Notes:   ○ The  rule  on  confirmation  of  imperfect  title  does not apply unless and until 
In ​Abejaron v. Nabasa​, the court states that:  the  land  classified  as,  say ,forest land is released in an official proclamation 
● However,  as  petitioner  Abejaron’s  30-year  period  of  “possession  and  occupation  to that effect so that it may form part of the disposable agricultural lands of 
required  by  the  Public  Land  Act,  as  amended  by  R.A.  1942  ran  from  1945  to  1975,  public domain.  
prior  to  the  effectivity  of  P.D.  No.  1073  in  1977,  the  requirement  of  said  P.D.  that  ○ When  the  conditions  in  Sec.  48(b)  are  complied  with,  the  possessor  is 
occupation  and  possession  should  have  started  on June 12, 1945 or earlier, does not  deemed  to  have  acquired,  by  operation  of  law,  a  right  to  gran​t,  without 
apply  to  him.  As  the  Susi  doctrine  holds  that  the  grant  of  title by virtue of Sec. 48(b)  the  necessity  of  a  certificate  of  title  being  issued.  The  land,  therefore, 
takes  place  by  operation  of  law,  then  upon  Abejaron’s  satisfaction  of  the  ceases  to  be  of  public  domain,  and beyond the authority of the Director to 
requirements  of  this  law, he would have already gained title over the disputed land in  dispose of. 
1975.  This  follows  the  doctrine  laid  down  in  Director  of  Lands  v.  Intermediate   
Appellate  Court,  Et  Al.,  45  that  the  law  cannot  impair  vested  rights  such  as  a  land  5. Compliance with all requirements - ​Ipso Jure ​Conversion to Private Land  
grant.  More  clearly  stated,  "Filipino  citizens  who  by  themselves  or  their   
predecessors-in-interest  have  been,  prior  to  the  effectivity  of  P.D.  1073  on January 
25,  1977,  in  open,  continuous,  exclusive  and  notorious possession and occupation of  Applicants for confirmation of imperfect title must, therefore, prove the following:  
agricultural  lands  of  the  public  domain,  under  a  bona  fide  claim  of  acquisition  of  (a) that  the  land  forms  part  of  the  disposable  and  alienable  agricultural  lands  of  the 
ownership,  for  at  least  30  years,  or  at  least  since  January  24,  1947"  may  apply  for  public domain; and 
judicial  confirmation  of  their  imperfect  or  incomplete  title  under  Sec.  48(b)  of  the  (b) that  they  have  been  in  open,  continuous,  exclusive,  and  notorious  possession  and 
Public Land Act.”   occupation  of  the  same  under  a  bona  fide  claim  of  ownership  either  since  time 
  immemorial or since 12 June 1945. (Republic v. Alconaba) 
Abejeron​ was reiterated in ​Republic v. Espinosa​:   
● Consequently,  for  one  to  invoke  Section  48(b)  and  claim  an  imperfect  title  over  an  ● The  case  of  ​Suzi  v.  Razon  affirmed  and  reaffirmed  that  the  doctrine  that  open, 
alienable  and  disposable  land  of  the  public  domain  on  the  basis  of  a  thirty (30)-year  exclusive  and  undisputed  possession  of  alienable  public  land  for  the  period 
possession  and  occupation,  it  must  be  demonstrated  that  such  possession  and  prescribed  by  law  creates  the  legal  fiction  whereby  the land, upon completion of the 
occupation  commenced  on  January  24,  1947  and  the  thirty  (30)-year  period  was  requisite period, ipso jure and without the need of judicial or other sanction, ceases to 
completed prior to the effectivity of P.D. No. 1073.  be public land and becomes private property.  
  ● Oh Cho v. Director of lands 
a. RA No. 9176 extended the period to file application to December 31, 2020  ○ SC  categorically  recognizing  an  exception  to  the  rule  that  the  lands  that 
○ On  November  13,  2002,  RA  9176  was  enacted: a) extending the period to  were  not  acquired from government, either by purchase or grant belong to 
file an application for judicial confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles  public domain  
to  December  31,  2020;  b)  further  limiting  the  are  applied  for  to  12  ○ Exception;  ​“would  be  any  land  that  should  have  been  in  the  possession of 
hectares;  and  c)  providing  that  all  pending  applications  filed  before  the  the  occupant  and  of  his  predecessors-in-interest  since  time  immemorial, 
effectivity  before  the  amendatory  Act shall be treated as having been filed  for  such  possession  would  justify  the  presumption that the land had never 
in accordance with the provision thereof.  been  part  of  the  public  domain  or  that  it  had  been  private  property  even 
○ The  extension  of  the  period fixed by law for the filing of the application for  before the Spanish conquest.  
registration is not jurisdictional but is more of a time limitation.  ○ Carino  v.  Insular    US  SC  institutionalized  the  concept  of  ​native  title    or 
b. Judicial proceeding for due process  ownership  of  Filipinos  by  virtue  of  possession  under  a  claim of ownership 
○ Registration  proceeding  presupposes  that  the  land  is  public  agricultural  since time immemorial and independent of any grant from Spanish Crown  
land.   ■ XPN to Jura Regalia  
○ The  certificate  of  title  is  void  when  it  covers  property  of  public  domain  ○ However  in  the  case  of  ​Oh  Cho  v.  Director  of  lands,  t​ he  applicant  failed  to 
classified  as  forest  or  timber  and  mineral  lands.  Any  title  issued  on  show that he has title to the lot that may be registered.  
non-disposable  lots  even  in  the hands of an alleged innocent purchaser for  ○ Failed  to  show  He  or  any  predecessors-in-interest  had  acquired  the  land 
value,  shall  be  cancelled.  Where  the  trial  court,  in  granting  registration,  from: 
counted  the  period  of  possession  of  private  respondents  before  the same  ■ government  
were  released  as forest lands for disposition, such release is tantamount to  ■ Law orders, decrees from Spanish government  
qualifying  the  latter  to  a  grant  on  said  lands  while  they  were  still  ■ Possessory information under Mortgage law (Sec. 19 Act 469)  

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 ○ The  first  possessor-in-interest  had  possession  of  the  lot  began  in  1880.  authorized therien is not the land is already privately owned and hence no longer part 
Thus, not entitled to a decree of registration under CA 141.   of  the  public  domain  but  rather  that  by  reason  of  the  claimants  possession  for  30 
○ Also,  he  was  an  alien  which  makes him disqualified from acquiring lands of  years  he  is  conclusively  presumed  to have performed all the conditions essential to a 
public domain.   government grant.  
● Mesina v. Sonza   ● Notes; ​Diaz v. Republic, ​SC ruled that the registration cases filed under PLA for judicial 
○ Mesina  claimed  the  he  was  the  owner  of  a  lot,  he  had  actual  possession  confirmation of an incomplete and imperfect title. An order dismissing the application 
since 1914, publicly, openly, peacefully, and against the whole world   for  registration  and  declaration  that  land  is  part  of  public  domain  constitutes  ​res 
○ In  1953,  the  director  of  land, issues an homestead patent in favor of Sonza  judicata ​ not only to the adverse claimant but also against all persons.  
despite not having complied with the requirements in CA 141.  
○ Director  of  land  had  no  authority  or jurisdiction to issue a patent covering   
the land because it is the private property of Mesina.    
○ Sc  reversed  the  order  of  dismissal  citing  the  case  of  ​Susi  v.  Razon,   which  Definition of Terms 
held  that  where  all  the  necessary  requirements  for  the  grant  by  the  Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples 
government  are  compiled  though  actual  physical  possession  ​openly,  ● a group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and 
continuously  and  publicly,  ​with  a  right  to  a  certificate  of  title  to  the  said  ascription by other, who have continuously lived as organized community on 
land  under  Chapter  VII  of  ACt  2874  amending  Act  926.,  the  possessor  is  communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership 
deemed  to  have  already  acquired  by  operation  of  law    a  grant  of  the  since time immemorial, occupied, possessed customs, tradition and other distinctive 
government.   cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads 
○ It  is  not  necessary  that  the  certificate  of  title  be  issued  in  order  that  said  of colonization, non-indigenous religions and culture, became historically 
grant be sanctioned by the courts as an application thereof is sufficient.   differentiated from the majority of Filipinos.  
  ● include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the 
Application must conform to the requirement of PRD  populations which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or 
● Sec.  50  of  PLA  requires  that  every  person  claim  any  lands  or  interest  in  the  lands  at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment 
under  Chapter  VII  must  in  every  case  present an application to the RTC praying that  of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, 
the validity of the alleged title in inquired into  cultural and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their 
● Application  must  confirm  with the requirements of application for registration under  traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains 
Sec. 15    
Hearing   Ancestral Domains  
● Application  for  the  registration  under  Chapter  VIII  of  PLA  shlla  be  heard  ​RTC  or  in  ● Subject to Section 56 hereof, refer to all areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs 
proper  cases  at  first  level  court​,  in  the same manner and shall be subject to the same  comprising lands,inland waters, coastal areas, and natural resources therein, held 
procedure as established in PRD  under a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed by ICCs/IPs, themselves or 
● Notice together with a plant of lands claimed​ are forwarded to the D ​ irector of lands  through their ancestors, communally or individually since time immemorial, 
● Prior  to  the  publication  of  the  hearing,  all  the  papers  in  the  said  case  shall  be  continuously to the present except when interrupted by war, force majeure or 
transmitted  to  the  clerk  to the ​Solicitor General or its officer​, if he deems it advisable  displacement by force, deceit, stealth or as a consequence of government projects or 
for  the  interest  of  the  government,  ​investigate  all  of  the  facts  alleged  in  the  any other voluntary dealings entered into by government and private individuals, 
application.   corporations, and which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and cultural 
Order for the issuance of the decree  welfare.  
● Whenever  any  judgment  of  confirmation  or other decree of the court under Chapter  ● ancestral land, forests, pasture, residential, agricultural, and other lands individually 
VIII  of  PLA  shall  become  ​final,  clerk  of  court  shall  certify  that  fact to the Director of  owned whether alienable and disposable or otherwise, hunting grounds, burial 
Lands,  with  a  certified  copy  of  the  decree  of  confirmation  or  judgment  of  the  court  grounds, worship areas, bodies of water, mineral and other natural resources, and 
and the plan and technical description of the land  lands which may no longer be exclusively occupied by ICCs/IPs but from which their 
● The  final decree of the court shall be in every case the basis for the original certificate  traditionally had access to for their subsistence and traditional activities, particularly 
of  title  in  favor  of  the  persons  entitled  to  the  property  under  the  prescribed  the home ranges of ICCs/IPs who are still nomadic and/or shifting cultivators 
procedure in PRD.    
  Ancestral Lands 
Land  declared  public  land  in  previous  registration  case  may  be  the  subject  of  judicial  ● Subject to Section 56 hereof, refers to land occupied, possessed and utilized by 
confirmation   individuals, families and clans who are members of the ICCs/IPs since time 
● Zara  v.  Director  of  Lands,  ​a  parcel  of  land  which  had  been  declared  public  land  in  a  immemorial, by themselves or through their predecessors-in-interest, under claims 
previous  registration  proceeds  was  again  the  subject  of  application  by  personal  of individual or traditional group ownership,continuously, to the present except 
claiming  imperfect  title  on  the  basis  of  continuous  and  adverse  possession  for more  when interrupted by war, force majeure or displacement by force, deceit, stealth, or 
than 30 years.   as a consequence of government projects and other voluntary dealings entered into 
● SC  ruled:  Zara’s  imperfect  possessory  turtle  over the land was not disturbed by such  by government and private individuals/corporations, including, but not limited to, 
declaration  of  the  court  because  the  proceeding  contemplated  in  CA  141  residential lots, rice terraces or paddies, private forests, swidden farms and tree lots 
presupposes  that  the  land  is  public.  The  basis  of  the  decree  of  judicial  confirmation 

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  ○ Carino v. Insular Government is the only case that specifically and 
Indiginous concept of ownership  categorically recognizes native title 
● IPRA recognizes the existence of the ICCs/IPs as a distinct sector of Philippine  ● Torrens title under PLA or PRD with respect to ancestral land only 
society   
● It grants the ownership and possession of their ancestral domains and ancestral  IPRA converts ancestral lands as public agricultural land for registration purposes 
lands, and defines the extent of these lands and domains  ● For purposes of registration, IPRA expressly converts ancestral land into public 
● Customary law which traces its origin to native title  agricultural land which may be disposed of by the State 
● Ancestral lands/domains are private lands belonging to ICCs/IPs who have actually  ● Hence, there is no need to secure a separate certification that the ancestral land is 
occupied, possessed and utilized their territories under claim of ownership since time  alienable and disposable in character, it being sufficient to show that the land is duly 
immemorial  certified as such 
  ● Individually-owned ancestral lands, which are agricultural in character and actually 
IPRA connotes group or communal ownership  used for agricultural, residential, pasture, and tree farming purposes are considered 
● The property held in common is meant to benefit the whole indigenous community  alienable and disposable under IPRA 
and not merely the individual member  ● IPRA converts ancestral lands, regardless whether the land has a slope of 18% or 
● Ancestral domains are the ICCs/IPs ‘ private but community property  over, from private to public agricultural land for proper disposition 
● Not part of public domain  ● The registration of ancestral lands is different from regular registration proceedings 
● Communal rights are held in trust for all generations of the ICCs/IPs past, present  in the sense that: 
and future  ○ The applicant is a member of an indigenous cultural group 
● Domain cannot be transferred to other persons by any one person and belongs to the  ○ He must have been in possession of an individually-owned ancestral land 
ICCs/IPs as a community  for not less than 30 years immediately preceding the approval of the Act 
  on Oct. 29, 1997 
Ownership over the natural resources belong to the State  ○ By operation of law (IPRA), the land is already classified as alienable and 
● Cruz v. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, G.R. No. 135385  disposable land, even if it has a slope of 18 or over, hence, there is no need 
● Justice Kapunan: the mere fact that Sec. 3(a) defines ancestral domain to include the  to submit a separate certification that the land has been classified as 
natural resources does not ipso facto convert the character of such natural resources  alienable and disposable 
as private property of the IP   
● Justice Puno: The IPs’ rights over the natural resources take the form of management  Effect of registration 
and stewardship  ● A duly issued Torrens certificate of title covering ancestral lands has the same 
● The law only grants the IPs “priority rights” in the development or exploitation of  efficacy, validity and indefeasibility as any title issued thru regular registration 
natural resources  proceedings 
  ● Generally conclusive evidence of ownership 
Delineation and recognition of ancestral domains  ● Not subject to collateral attack 
● Self-delineation is the guiding principle in the identification & delineation of  ● Cannot be impugned, altered, changed, modified, enlarged or diminished except in a 
ancestral domain  direct proceeding permitted by law 
● The Sworn Statement of the Elders as to the Scope of the territories and  ● Subject to the rule of imprescriptibility 
agreements/pacts made with neighboring ICCs/IPs, if any, will be essential to the  ● Land shall not be subject to any burden except those note on the certificate 
determination of these traditional territories. The Government shall take the   
necessary steps to identify lands which the ICCs/IPs concerned traditionally occupy  Transfer of land or property rights 
and guarantee effective protection of their rights of ownership and possession  ● These lands may be transferred subject to the following limitations: 
  ○ Only to members of the same ICCs/IPs 
Registration of CADTs and CALTs  ○ In accord with customary laws and traditions 
● The NCIP, thru ADO, shall register all CADTs and CALTs with the Register of Deeds  ○ Subject to the right of redemption of the ICCs/IPs for a period of 15 years 
of the place where the properties are located  if the land was transferred to a non-member of the ICCs/IPS under the 
● Recording of CADT and CALT does not result in the issuance of a Torrens certificate  terms of the law 
of title   
● Purpose of registration: to appraise the public of the fact of recognition by the NCIP  National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 
of specific claims to portions of ancestral domains/lands  ● An independent agency under the OP  
  ● Composed of 7 Commissioners belonging to ICCs/IPs from different ethnographic 
Modes of acquisition  areas who are appointed by the President 
● Native title over both ancestral land and domains; or  ● NCIP shall protect and promote the interest and well being of the ICCs/IPs with due 
○ Native title - pre-conquest rights to lands and domains which, as far back  regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions 
as memory reaches, have been held under a claim of ownership by ICC. It  ● Formulation and implementation of policies, plans, programs to promote and protect 
presumes that land is private and was never public  the rights and well-beings of the ICCs/IPs and the recognition of their ancestral 
domains as well as their rights thereto 

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 6. Cases  
Specific powers and functions  Fortuna v. Republic​, GR No. 173423, March 5, 2014  
   
Formulation of policies, issuance of rules and regulations  Registration under RA No. 8371 (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act – IPRA)  
● NCIP has been granted administrative, quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers   1. Indigenous Cultural Communities - ownership and possession of their ancestral domains 
● Formulation and implementation of policies, plans, programs, and projects for the  and ancestral lands  
economic, social and cultural development of ICPs/IPs and to monitor the  a. Ancestral domains  
implementation  b. Ancestral lands  
● To promulgate the necessary rules and regulation for the implementation of the Act  2. Modes of Acquisition  
  a. By native title over both ancestral lands and domains; or  
Resolution of conflicts  b. By  confirmation  of  title  under  the  Public  Land  Act  (CA  No. 141, as amended) 
● NCIP has limited jurisdiction over claims and disputes involving rights of IP/ICCs only  or the Property Registration Decree (PD No. 1529) [ancestral lands only]  
when they arise between or among parties belonging to the same ICC/IP group  3. Requisites for registration  
● Proper regular courts shall have jurisdiction if such claims and disputes arise between  4. Case  
or among parties who do not belong the same ICC/IP group  Cruz v. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources​, GR No. 135385, Dec. 6, 2000 
● NCIP shall have primary jurisdiction over    
○ Adverse claims and border dispute arising from delineation of ancestral 
domains/lands, and  Notes:  
○ Cancellation of fraudulently-issued CADTs, regardless of whether the  The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act 
parties are non-ICC/IPs, or members of different ICCs/IPs groups  ● October 29, 1997 RA 8371 IPRA was enacted  
○ Violations of ICCs/IPs rights under Sec. 72 where both parties belong to  ● It is a law dealing with a specific group of people  
the same ICCs/IPs group  ○ ICCs- Indigenous Cultural Communities  
● NCIP shall have the authority to decide all appeals from the decisions and acts of all  ○ IPs - Indigenous People  
various offices within the Commission  ● ICC  is  used  in  the  1987  consti  while  IP  is  a  contemporary  international  language  in 
○ It shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out its  ILO  (International  Labor  Organization)  convention 169 and UN Draft Declaration on 
adjudicatory function  the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  
● Any decision, order, award, or ruling of the NCIP on any ancestral domain dispute or  ● The  law  allows  IPs  to  obtain  recognition  of  their  right  to  ownership  over  ancestral 
any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, enforcement, and  lands and domains by virtue of ​native title 
interpretation of the Act may be brought by a Petition for Review to the CA within 15  ● Ancestral lands​ remains even if the possession is interrupted by voluntary dealings 
days from receipt of a copy   
  Constitutional provisions:  
Issuance of certificates of ancestral domain title (CADT) or certificates of ancestral land titles  ● Art.  II  SECTION  22​.  The  State  recognizes  and  promotes  the  rights  of  indigenous  cultural 
(CALT)  communities within the framework of national unity and development. 
● NCIP has the authority to issue CADT or CALT  ● Art.  XII  SECTION  5​.  The  State,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Constitution  and  national 
● The application for issuance of a CALT pending before the NCIP is akin to a  development  policies  and  programs,  shall  protect  the  rights  of  indigenous  cultural 
registration proceeding  communities  to  their  ancestral  lands  to  ensure  their  economic,  social,  and  cultural 
○ Seeks and official recognition of one’s claim to a particular land   well-being. 
○ In rem   
○ Officially establishing one’s land as ancestral land  The  Congress  may provide for the applicability of customary laws governing property rights 
○ Titling of ancestral land does not vest ownership but only recognizes  or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domain. 
ownership that has already vested in the applicant by virtue of his and his  ● Art.  XIII  SECTION  13.  The  State  shall  establish  a  special  agency  for  disabled  persons  for 
predecessor-in-interest possession of the property since time immemorial  rehabilitation,  self-development  and  self-reliance,  and  their  integration  into  the 
  mainstream of society. 
Cancellation of ancestral domain and ancestral lind titles  ● Art.  XIV  SECTION  17.  The  State  shall  recognize,  respect,  and  protect  the  rights  of 
● NCIP has exclusive and original jurisdiction over petitions for cancelation of  indigenous  cultural  communities  to  preserve  and  develop  their  cultures,  traditions,  and 
CADT/CALT alleged to have been fraudulently acquired and issued to any person or  institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies. 
community as provided for under Sec. 54, provided that such action is filed within 1  ● These  constitutional  provisions  are  cornerstones  of  IPRA  which  was  enacted  to 
year from the date of registration  recognize and promote all the rights of ICCs in the country  
● Courts of justice have jurisdiction over actions or incidents affecting a certificate of   
title issued thru registration proceedings   Constitutionality of IPRA 
  ● Cruz v. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources 
  ○   petitioners  assailed  the  constitutionality  of  IPRA  and  IRRs  on the ground 
  that  they  amount  to  unlawful  deprivation  of  the  State’s  ownership  over 
  land  of  public  domain  and  natural  resources,  in  violation  of  the  Regalian 
Doctrine in Sec. 2 Art. XII  
 
LTD | Sept 25 | 5 
 ○ Petitioners  contented  that  the  all-encompassing  definition  of  “ancestral  Sec.  15  .  Form  and  contents  -  ​The  application  for  land  registration  shall  be  in  writing,  signed  by  the 
domains/lands:  which  might  even  include  private  lands  found  within  the  applicant  or  the  person  duly  authorized  in  his  behalf,  and  sworn  to  before  any  officer  authorized  to 
areas, violating the rights of private landowners.   administer  oaths  for  the  province  or  city  where  the  application  was  actually  signed.  If  there  is  more 
○ Petitioners  also  contends  that  the  powers  of  NCIP  (National  Commission  than  one  applicant,  the  application  shall  be  signed  and  sworn  to  by  and  on  behalf  of  each.  The 
of  Indigenous  Peoples)  and  making  customary  law  applicable  in  application  shall  contain  a  description  of  the  and  and  shall state the citizenship and civil status of the 
settlements violates due process.   applicant,  whether  single  or  married,  and,  if  married,  the  name  of  the  wife  or  husband,  and,  if  the 
○ Based  on  Rule  VII,  Part  II  Sec.  1  of  NCIP  Admin  Order  1  series  of  1998  marriage  has  been  legally  dissolved,  when  and  how  the  marriage  relations  terminated.  It  shall  also 
which  provides  that  the  administrative  relationship  of  NICP  to  the  OP  is  state  the  full  names  and  addresses  of  all  occupants  of  the  land  and  those  of  the  adjoining  owners,  if 
characterized  as  lateral  but  autonomous  for  purposes  of  policy  and  known, and, if not known, it shall state the extent of the search made to find them. 
program  coordination  which  allegedly  infringes  on the power of control of 
the President over executive departments (Art. VII Sec 17 Consti)   The application, shall, in form, be substantially as follows: 
○ The  votes  of  the  justices  were  equally  divided  (7  to  7)  and  necessary  Republic of the Philippines 
majority  was  not  obtained  despite  the  deliberation.  Accordingly,  Rule  56  Court of First Instance of _________________ 
ROC, the petition was dismissed, IPRA was upheld as valid.    
○ According  to  the  separate  opinion  of Justice Puno, IPRA is a novel piece of  The  undersigned,  ____________________________________________________________hereby  applies  (or  apply)  to 
legislation.   have  the  land  hereinafter  described  brought  under  the  operation of the Property Registration Decree, 
■ It  grants  ICCs/IPs  a  distinct  kind  of  ownership  over  ancestral  and to have the title thereto registered and confirmed: 
domains/ lands  AND DECLARE . . . . . 
■ Land  titles  do  not  exist  in  the  IP’s  economic  and  social  system  1.  That  the  applicants/s  is/are  the  owners  of  the  land  (by  virtue  of  inheritance  or  deed  of  sale  or 
because the concept of individual ownership is alien to them.   conveyance  and/or  possession  in  accordance  with  Section  14  of  said  Decree),  together  with  the 
■ IPRA declares ancestral lands and domains held by native title as  building  and  improvements  thereon,  with  the  exception  of  the 
never having been a public land and presumed to be private.   following:__________________________________________________________________  which  is/are  the  property  of 
■ Concept  of  native  title  in  IPRA  was  taken  from  ​Carino  v.  Insular  _________________________  residing  at _________________________ The said land, consisting of ____________________ 
Government   which  firmly  established  the  concept of native title  parcel/s  is/are  situated,  bounded  and  described  as  shown  on  the  plan  and  technical  descriptions 
that existed irrespective of any loyal grant from the State   attached  hereto  and  made  a  part  hereof,  with  the  following 
○ In  ​Carino  v.  Insular  Government,  ​Carino  applied for registration of ancestral  exception:___________________________________________________________________ 
land  in  BEnguet.  He  established  that  he  and his ancestors had lived on the   
land,  cultivated  it  and  land  was  passed  on  by  inheritance  according  to  2. That said land at the last assessment for taxation was assessed at P ____, Philippine currency, and the 
native customs.   buildings and other improvements at P ___________, Philippine currency. 
■ The  government  opposed  the  application invoking the theory of   
Jura Regalia.   3.  That  to  the  best  of  my/our  knowledge  and  belief,  there  is no mortgage or encumbrance of any kind 
■ Court  laid  down  the  presumed  of  a  certain  title  held:  Land held  whatsoever  affecting  said  land,  nor  any  other person having any interest therein, legal or equitable, or 
by this title is presumed to ​never have been public:  in  possession,  other  than  as  follows: 
1. As far back as testimony or memory went   _______________________________________________________________________________ 
2. Under a claim of private ownership    
○ Justice  Puno  stressed  that  the  ancestral  lands  are  not  part  of  public  4.  That  the  applicant/s  has/have  acquired  said  land  in  the  following  manner: 
domain.  They  are  private  ownership  of  IPs/ICCs  even though they are not  ________________________________ 
mentioned in Art. XII sec. 5 consti.    
○ Spirit  of  IPRA  lies  on  the  distinct  concept  of  ancestral  domain.  Also,  the  (Note:  Refer  to  Sec.  14  of  said  Decree.  State  also  whether  the  property  is  conjugal,  paraphernal  or 
land is vital in terms of survival of IPs/ICCs.   exclusive property of the applicant/s) 
○ The  land  is  not  acquired  from  the  State.  The  ownership  is  by  virtue  of  a   
native  title  presupposed  that  the  land  has  been  held  by  its  possessor  and  5.  That  said  land  is  occupied  by  the  following  person:  _____________________________ 
predecessor-in-interest in the concept of an owner since time immemorial.   ______________________________________________ 
○ Consequently,  the  classification  of lands of public domain into agricultural,   
forest  or  timber,  mineral  and  national  parks  under  the  constitution  is  6.  That  the  names  in  full  and  addresses,  as  far  as  known  to  the  undersigned,  of  the  owners  of  all 
irrelevant  because  the  Regalian  Doctrine  which  vests  in  the  State  adjoining  properties,  of the persons mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 5, and of the persons shown on the 
ownership  of  the  lands  of  public  domain  does  ​not  cover  ancestral  plan  as  claimants,  are  as  follows: 
lands/domains.   ________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  7.  That  the  applicant/s  is/are single or married to ____________________ (Note: if marriage has been legally 
dissolved,  state  when  and  how  the  marriage  relation 
 
terminated.)_________________________________________________________________ _____________________ 
 
 
FORMS AND CONTENTS, DEALINGS WITH LAND 
8.  That  the  applicant's/s'  full  name,  age, citizenship, residence, and postal address/es is/are as follows: 
1. Form and contents (Sec. 15)  
___________________________________________________________________ 
 
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  final  and  instructing  the  LRA  to  issue  the  decree  of  confirmation  and 
9.  That  (Note:  If  the  land  included  in  the  application  is  bounded  by  a  public  or  private  way  or  road,  registration; 
there  should  be  stated in this paragraph whether or not the applicant claims any and what land within  l. Entry of the decree of registration with the LRA; 
the  limits  of  the  way  or  road  and  whether  the  applicant  desires  to  have  the  line  of  the  way  or  road  m. Sending  the  copy  of  the  decree  of  registration  to  the  corresponding 
determined.) ________________________________________ ___________________________  register of deeds; and 
  n. Transcription  of  the  decree of registration in the registration book and the 
10.  That  the  following  documents  are  attached  hereto  and  made  a  part  hereof:  issuance  of  the  owner’s  duplicate  original  certificate  of  title  to  the 
___________________________________ ________________________________  applicant by the Register of Deeds upon payment of the prescribed fees 
Signed  at  ___________________  this  _____________________  day  of  ____________________,  in  the  year  nineteen   
hundred and ______________________.  **  failure  to  comply with these requirements will justify the court in denying the application 
  for registration 
__________________________   
Applicant  B. Form and contents of the application for registration 
  a. Full  description  of the land as evidenced by a survey plan dulu approved by 
  the Director of Lands, surveyor’s certificate, and technical description; 
_________________________  b. Citizenship  and  civil  status of the applicant, whether single or married, and 
(Post Office Address)  ,  if  married,  the  name  of  the  spouse,  and,  if  the  marriage  has  been  legally 
  dissolved, when and how the marriage terminated; 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  c. Full  name  and  addresses  of  all  occupants  of  the  land  and  those  of  the 
PROVINCE (OR CITY) OF _______________  adjoining  owners,  if  known,  and,  if  not  known,  it  shall  state  the  extent  of 
  the search made to find them; 
On  this  _______________  day  of  _________________________,19  ________  personally  appeared  before  me  the  d. Assessed value of the land and the buildings and improvements thereon; 
above-  named  __________________________________________________  known  to  me  to  be  the  person/s  who  e. Whether  or  not  there  are  mortgages  or  encumbrances  of  any  kind 
executed  the  foregoing  application  and  made  oath  that  the  statements  therein  are  true  of  his/their  whatsoever  affecting  the  land,  or  any  other  person  having  any  interest 
knowledge, information and belief.  therein, legal or equitable, or in possession thereof; 
The  Residence  Certificate/s  ______________________  of  the applicant/s ______________ was/were exhibited to  f. The manner by which the applicant has acquired the land; 
me being No. _________________ issued at ___________________ dated ____________, 19 __________.  g. Whether  or  not  the  property  is  conjugal,  paraphernal,  or  exclusive 
   property of the applicant; 
________________________  h. Names of all occupants of the land, if any;  
(Notary Public, or other Officer  i. Original  muniments  of  title  and  other  related  documents  supporting 
authorized to administer oaths)  applicant’s claim of ownership; and 
PTR NO. _________________  j. If  the  land  is  bounded  by  a  public  or  private  way  or  road,  whether  or  not 
the  applicant  claims  any  and  what  portion  of  the  land  within  the  limits  of 
Notes:   the  way  or  road,  and  whether  the  applicant  desires  to  have the line of the 
A. Requisite steps in bringing the land under the Torrens System:  way or road determined. 
a. Survey  of  land  m=by  the  Land  Management  Bureau  or  a  duly  licensed 
 
private surveyor; 
 
b. Filing of application for registration by the applicant; 
c. Setting of the date for the initial hearing of the application by the court  Sec.  16.  Non-resident  applicant  -  If  the  applicant  is  not a resident of the Philippines, he shall file with 
d. Transmittal  of  the  application  and  the  date of initial hearing together with  his  application  an  instrument  in  due  form  appointing  an  agent  or  representative  residing  in  the 
all  the  documents  or  other  pieces  of  evidence  attached  thereto  by  the  Philippines,  giving  his full name and postal address, and shall therein agree that the service of any legal 
Clerk of Court of the LRA;  process  in  the  proceedings  under  or  growing  out  of  the  application  made  upon  his  agent  or 
e. Publication  of  the  notice  of  the  filing  of the application and date and place  representative  shall  be  of  the  same  legal  effect  as if made upon the applicant within the Philippines. If 
of the hearing in the OG and in a newspaper of general circulation;  the  agent  or  representative  dies  or  leaves  the  Philippines,  the  applicant shall forthwith make another 
f. Service  by  mailing of notice upon contiguous owners, occupants, and those  appointment for the substitute, and, if he fails to do so, the court may dismiss the application.  
known to have interests in the property; 
g. Posting  by  the  sheriff  of  the  notice  in  a  conspicuous  place on the land and  Notes:  
in  the  bulletin  board  of  the  municipal  building  or  city  where  the  land  is  ● A  SPA  executed  before  a  notary  public  or  other  competent  official  in  a  foreign 
situated;  country  cannot  be  admitted  in  evidence  unless it is duly certified in accordance  with 
h. Filing  of  answer  to  the  application  by  any  person  whether  named  in  the  the rules on Evidence.  
notice or not;  ● Non-resident applicants may be represented by an Attorney-in-Fact 
i. Hearing of the case by the court; 
j. Promulgation of judgment;   
k. Issuance  of  an  order  for  the  issuance  of  a  decree  declaring  the  decision  2. What and where to file (Sec. 17)  

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● A single application may be filed for two or more parcels of land, provided that: 
Sec. 17. What and where to file - ​The application for land registration shall be filed with the RTC of the  ○ They belong to the same applicant 
province  or  city  where  the  land  is  situated.  The  applicant  shall  file  together  with  the  application  all  ○ They are situated in the same province or city 
original  muniments  of  titles  or  copies  thereof  and  a  survey  plan  of  the  land  approved  by  the  Lands  ● Amendments  and  alterations  are allowed in the description of the land (even after its 
Management  Bureau.  The  Clerk  of  Court  shall  not  accept  any  application  unless  it  is  shown  that the  publication  and  registration  decree)  as  long  as  the  amendments  are  advertised  and 
applicant has furnished the Director of Lands with a copy of the application and all annexes.   published. 
● If the amendment is a reduction of the original area, no new publication is required 
Notes:  
 
● RTCs  have  the  authority  to  act  not  only on applications for original registration (Sec. 
4. Dealings with land pending original registration (Sec. 22)  
2)  but  also  on  all  petitions  filed  after  the  original  registration  of  title.  Coupled  with 
 
this  authority  is  the  power  to  hear  and  determine  all  questions  arising  upon  such 
applications  or  petitions.  Especially  where  the  issue  of  ownership  is  tied up with the  Sec.  22.  Dealings  with  land  pending  original  registration.  —  ​After  the  filing  of  the  application  and 
question  of  registration,  the  land  registration  court  has  primary  and  plenary  before  the  issuance  of  the  decree  of  registration,  the  land  therein described may still be the subject of 
jurisdiction.  dealings  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  which  case  the interested party shall present to the court the pertinent 
● However,  first  level  courts  may  also  be assigned to handle original registration cases  instruments  together  with  a  subdivision  plan  approved  by  the  Director  of  Lands  in case of transfer of 
in the following instances:  portions  thereof,  and  the  court,  after  notice  to  the  parties,  shall  order  such  land  registered subject to 
○ Where the lot is not the subject of controversy or opposition; or  the  conveyance  or  encumbrance  created  by  said  instruments,  or  order  that  the decree of registration 
○ Where  the  lot  is  contested  by  the  value  thereof  does  not  exceed  Php  be issued in the name of the person to whom the property has been conveyed by said instruments. 
100,000 
● A  survey  plan  provides  reference  to  the  property’s  exact  identity  and  location.  The  Notes: 
submission  of  such  is  mandatory.  However,  this  rule  can  be  relaxed  when  there  are  ● The  land  may  be  sold  or  encumbered  even after the application was filed (but before 
other  pieces  of evidence which may likewise substantially prove the limits and extent  the issuance of decree) 
of  the  property  sought  to  be  registered  (blueprints,  technical  description  of  the  ○ the  interested  party  should  submit  to  the  court the pertinent instruments 
property, etc.)  evidencing  the  transaction  to  be considered in the final adjudication of the 
● Court having territorial jurisdiction over the land should take cognizance of the case  case. 
● Constructive seizure of the land for registration is effected through publication of the  ● In  case  of  transfer  of  a  portion  of  the  land,  the  corresponding  subdivision  plan, 
application for registration and service of notice to affected parties  approved by the Director of Lands, should also be presented. 
● The  application  for  registration  must  be  accompanied  by  a  survey  plan  of  the  land  ● When will resolutions on land resolutions or cadastral proceedings take effect?  
duly  approved  by  the  Director  of  Lands,  together  with  the  claimant’s  muniments  of  ○ Only after 1 year from the entry of the final decree by LRA 
title to prove ownership  ● A  motion  to  lift the order of general default and motion under Section 22 may not be 
● The  Land  Registration  Authority  has  no  authority  to  approve  original  survey  plans  filed after the finality of the judgment in the registration case. 
nor to check the correctness thereof (PD No. 239) 
○ The  Lands  Management  Bureau  may  now  verify and approve survey plans   
for original registration purposes.  5. Cases  
● The  application  must  be  accompanied  with  a  proof  showing  the  applicant  provided  Mendoza v. Court of Appeals​, GR No. L-36637, July 14, 1978  
the Director of Lands with a copy of the application and all annexes  Benin v. Tuason​, GR No. L-26127, June 28, 1974  
○ Why?  To  show  respect  to  ​Jure  Regalia  and  the  authority of the Director of   
Lands   
 
 
 
3. Amendments (Sec. 19)  
 
Sec.  19.  Amendments.  ​—  Amendments  to  the  application  including  joinder,  substitution,  or 
discontinuance  as  to parties may be allowed by the court at any stage of the proceedings upon just and 
reasonable terms. 
 
Amendments  which  shall consist in a substantial change in the boundaries or an increase in area of the 
land  applied  for  or  which  involve  the  inclusion  of  an  additional  land  shall  be  subject  to  the  same 
requirements of publication and notice as in an original 
application. 

Notes:  

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