Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 1988 > August 1988 Decisions > G.R. No. L-35618 August 30, 1988 - DIRECTOR OF LANDS v. NUMERIANO ESTENZO:




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

[G.R. No. L-35618. August 30, 1988.]

THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, Petitioner, v. HON. NUMERIANO ESTENZO, as Judge of the Court of First Instance of Leyte, Branch V, Ormoc City, EUSEBIA ABAD, Et Al., (Claimants,) VICENTE CUSTODIO, DIOSDADO CUSTODIO, GREGORIO CUSTODIO, and CATALINO ELLAS, (Claimants-Movants) Respondents-Appellees.


SYLLABUS


1. REMEDIAL LAWS; CIVIL PROCEDURE; JURISDICTION; LOWER COURTS DIVESTED OF AUTHORITY TO REOPEN CADASTRAL PROCEEDINGS. — In Republic versus Reyes [112 SCRA 635 (1982)], We held that the Court of First Instance no longer has any jurisdiction or authority to reopen a cadastral proceeding since December 31, 1968. More decisive is the earlier case of Republic v. Estenzo [99 SCRA 651 (1980)] which involves another decision of the same respondent judge reopening the same decision of the Cadastral Court as in this case. More importantly, the lower court has no longer jurisdiction to entertain the petition filed by respondents for reopening the cadastral proceedings because the latter, as we have noted, did not file the aforesaid petition within the period fixed by the applicable laws to wit: Rep. Act 931 and 2061. Consequently, the decision dated September 30, 1940 of the Cadastral Court declaring the land in question a public land has become final and conclusive. It has also acquired the status of res judicata. It must be remembered that generally, the fundamental principle of res judicata applies to all cases and proceedings, including land registration or cadastral proceedings. The doctrine of res judicata precludes parties from relitigating issues actually litigated and determined by a prior and final judgment.


D E C I S I O N


BIDIN, J.:


This is a petition for review on certiorari of the decision of the then Court of First Instance of Leyte dated May 9, 1972 in Cad. Case No. 27, GLRO Rec. No. 1714 setting aside the decision of the Cadastral Court dated September 28, 1940, declaring Lot No. 3785 public land and adjudicating said Lot No. 3785 in favor of private respondents.chanrobles law library : red

Briefly, Lot No. 3785 of the Ormoc Cadastre, subject matter of the action was declared public land by the Cadastral Court in a decision dated September 28, 1940. Thirty-one years later, or on November 15, 1971, private respondents claiming that they are the successors-in-interests of Hilario Custodio, the original survey claimant of Lot No. 3785 and that they have been in adverse, peaceful and notorious possession of the said parcel of land since time immemorial filed with the lower court a petition to reopen the decision of the Cadastral under R.A. 931 as amended by R.A. 6236 entitled "AN ACT EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR FREE PATENTS AND FOR THE JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION OF IMPERFECT OR INCOMPLETE TITLES." Private respondents prayed for the reopening of the cadastral proceedings which declared Lot No. 3785 public land and for adjudication of the same in their favor.

After hearing, the lower court in its decision dated May 9, 1972, set aside the decision of the Cadastral Court dated September 28, 1940 and adjudicated Lot No. 3785 in favor of private respondents. Hence, this petition.

Petitioner in its sole assignment of error contends that the time for reopening of cadastral proceedings under R.A. No. 931 expired on December 31, 1968 and the same was not extended by R.A. No. 6236. Consequently, when the petition to reopen the cadastral proceedings was filed on November 15, 1971, the lower court no longer had any jurisdiction to entertain the same.

We find the petition meritorious.

In Republic versus Reyes [112 SCRA 635 (1982)] where the same assignment of error was raised, We held that the Court of First Instance no longer has any jurisdiction or authority to reopen a cadastral proceeding since December 31, 1968, thus:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"In the lone error assigned, it was pointed out that the reopening of Cadastral proceedings terminated on December 31, 1968. At the time then private respondent sought to reopen the case, the lower court was without jurisdiction. So it was contended.

"The contention of the Solicitor General must be upheld. The Act cannot be clearer. What was extended then was the time limit for the filing of applications for free patents and for the judicial confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles. Its Section 1 amends Section 45 to read as follows: "The President upon recommendation by the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, shall from time to time fix by proclamation the period within which applications for free patents may be filed in the district, chartered city, province, municipality, or region specified in such proclamation, and upon the expiration of the period as designated, unless the same be extended by the President, all the land comprised within such district, chartered city, province, municipality, or region subject thereto under the provisions of this chapter may be disposed of as agricultural public land without prejudice to the prior right of the occupant and cultivator to acquire such land under this Act by means other than free patent.’ There is an applicable statute to situations of this character, dealing specifically with cadastral proceedings. Lizarraga Hermanos v. Yap Tico, the ponente being Justice Moreland, is quite categorical: The first and fundamental duty of courts, in our judgment, is to apply the law. Construction and interpretation come only after it has been demonstrated that application is impossible or inadequate without them. Such a doctrine has been reiterated time and time again. There is thus ample justification for the appeal of the Republic of the Philippines."cralaw virtua1aw library

More decisive is the earlier case of Republic v. Estenzo [99 SCRA 651 (1980)] which involves another decision of the same respondent judge reopening the same decision of the Cadastral Court as in this case. In the aforecited case, a petition was filed by respondents therein on February 23, 1972 to reopen the September 28, 1940 decision of the Cadastral Court declaring Lot No. 4273, Ormoc Cadastre, public land, under R.A. No. 931 as amended by R.A. No. 6236 and the same was favorably acted upon by Judge Numeriano Estenzo. When the case was elevated to this Court, We stated that:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"We hold, therefore, that the extension provided for by Republic Act 6236 which is the sole basis for filing the respondents Aotes’ petition to reopen the cadastral proceedings applies only to the filing of applications for free patent and for judicial confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles and not to reopening of cadastral proceedings like the instant case, a proceeding entirely different from filing an application for a free patent or for judicial confirmation of imperfect or incomplete titles. (Emphasis supplied).

"Parenthetically, in setting aside the decision dated September 28, 1940, the respondent Judge has concluded that Rep. Act 6236 is applicable also to reopening of cadastral proceedings thereby, altering Rep. Act 6236. That cannot be done by the judiciary. That is a function that properly pertains to the legislative branch.

x       x       x


"More importantly, the lower court has no longer jurisdiction to entertain the petition filed by respondents for reopening the cadastral proceedings because the latter, as we have noted, did not file the aforesaid petition within the period fixed by the applicable laws to wit: Rep. Act 931 and 2061. Consequently, the decision dated September 30, 1940 of the Cadastral Court declaring the land in question a public land has become final and conclusive. It has also acquired the status of res judicata. It must be remembered that generally, the fundamental principle of res judicata applies to all cases and proceedings, including land registration or cadastral proceedings. The doctrine of res judicata precludes parties from relitigating issues actually litigated and determined by a prior and final judgment."cralaw virtua1aw library

WHEREFORE, the petition is granted. The decision of respondent Judge dated May 9, 1972 is hereby Set Aside and the decision of the Cadastral Court dated September 28, 1940 is Reiterated. No pronouncement as to costs.chanrobles virtual lawlibrary

SO ORDERED.

Fernan C.J., Gutierrez, Jr., Feliciano and Cortes, JJ., concur.




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






August-1988 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. L-24957 August 3, 1988 - PAULINO V. NERA v. AUDITOR GENERAL

  • G.R. No. 74489 August 3, 1988 - SHIN I INDUSTRIAL (PHIL.) v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. No. 77818 August 3, 1988 - NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS v. BUREAU OF LABOR RELATIONS

  • G.R. No. L-79576 August 3, 1988 - CELSO M. LARGA v. SANTIAGO RANADA, JR.

  • G.R. No. L-23771 August 4, 1988 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. LINGAYEN GULF ELECTRIC POWER CO.

  • G.R. No. L-31056 August 4, 1988 - LUCILA O. MANZANAL v. MAURO A. AUSEJO

  • G.R. No. L-50871 August 4, 1988 - CARLOS VELASCO v. AMADO G. INCIONG

  • G.R. No. L-51736 August 4, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. ROLANDO ARAGON

  • G.R. No. 71464 August 4, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. ROMEO ESTREBELLA

  • G.R. Nos. L-44410-11 August 5, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. ANTONIO IRENEA

  • G.R. No. L-63552 August 5, 1988 - FRANCISCO TAN v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT

  • G.R. No. L-41085 August 8, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. JESUS VIRAY

  • G.R. No. L-49699 August 8, 1988 - PERLA COMPANIA de SEGUROS, INC. v. CONSTANTE A. ANCHETA

  • G.R. No. L-50386 August 8, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. JOSE SAN BUENAVENTURA

  • G.R. No. L-77691 August 8, 1988 - PATERNO R. CANLAS v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-77707 August 8, 1988 - PEDRO W. GUERZON v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-34526 August 9, 1988 - HIJO PLANTATION, INC. v. CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHILS.

  • G.R. No. L-36770 August 9, 1988 - EMILIO DAMASCO v. TERESA DAMASCO

  • G.R. No. L-46654 August 9, 1988 - LUPO S. CABAJAL v. GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM

  • G.R. No. L-71173 August 9, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. v. REYNALDO DESUYO

  • G.R. No. L-73464 August 9, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EDMUNDO DE GUZMAN

  • G.R. No. 74910 August 10, 1988 - ANDRES SORIANO III, ET AL. v. MANUEL YUZON, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-29280 August 11, 1988 - PEOPLE’S BANK AND TRUST COMPANY v. SYVEL’S INC.

  • G.R. No. L-40069 August 11, 1988 - HEIRS OF PEDRO GACUTAN v. MELQUIADES S. SUCALDITO

  • G.R. No. L-64848 August 11, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EDUARDO ELEGINO

  • G.R. No. L-70462 August 11, 1988 - PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS, INC. v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT

  • G.R. No. L-75852 August 11, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MAURO DEL PILAR

  • G.R. No. L-78592 August 11, 1988 - MUNICIPALITY OF MALOLOS v. LIBANGANG MALOLOS, INC.

  • A.M. No. P-86-33 August 15, 1988 - FILIPINA YAP SY v. CARMELITO D. CATAJAN

  • G.R. No. L-29445 August 15, 1988 - BRIGIDA BARDE v. SOCORRO POSIQUIT

  • G.R. No. L-32217 August 15, 1988 - MERCEDES SY v. DOMINADOR C. MlNA

  • G.R. No. L-33851 August 15, 1988 - MARCOPPER MINING CORP. v. JESUS V. ABELEDA

  • G.R. No. L-41383 August 15, 1988 - PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC. v. ROMEO F. EDU

  • G.R. No. L-43726 August 15, 1988 - CHURCH OF CHRIST v. SPOUSES VALLESPIN

  • G.R. No. L-45349 August 15, 1988 - NEWTON JISON v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-45351 August 15, 1988 - LOURDES DELGADO v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-48269 August 15, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RIZAL IDNAY

  • G.R. No. L-51570 August 15, 1988 - PHIL. VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE v. BRIGIDA V. SEGUNDO

  • G.R. No. L-57473 August 15, 1988 - SAN MIGUEL CORP. v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. Nos. 77737-38 August 15, 1988 - CHRISTINA MARIE DEMPSEY v. REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH LXXV

  • G.R. No. L-77765 August 15, 1988 - SEBASTIAN COSCULLUELA v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-80648 August 15, 1988 - PHILIPPINE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MANILA v. CARMELO C. NORIEL

  • G.R. No. L-40314 August 17, 1988 - LILLIAN UYTENGSU LIU v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-50054 August 17, 1988 - ETERNAL GARDENS MEMORIAL PARK CORP. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-60287 August 17, 1988 - JOSE BERENGUER, JR. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-75293 August 17, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOAQUINITO HACBANG

  • G.R. Nos. L-32444-46 August 18, 1988 - NATIONAL WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY v. NWSA CONSOLIDATED UNIONS

  • G.R. Nos. L-33058-9 August 18, 1988 - EDGARINO L. ESPINA v. PROVINCIAL BOARD OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

  • G.R. No. L-33493 August 18, 1988 - KAPISANAN NG MANGGAGAWA SA MANILA RAILROAD v. GREGORIO FAJARDO

  • G.R. No. L-46244 August 18, 1988 - LIRAG, MAÑALAC, SARANGAYA, AND TANCO SECURITIES CORP. v. RICARDO D. GALANO

  • G.R. Nos. L-55103-04 August 18, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CESAR LEGASPI

  • G.R. No. L-56612 August 18, 1988 - ELISEO B. YUSAY v. MIDPANTAO L. ADIL

  • G.R. No. 71711 August 18, 1988 - PNOC-EXPLORATION CORP. v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. No. L-73836 August 18, 1988 - ANTOLIN T. NAGUIAT v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT

  • G.R. No. L-75997 August 18, 1988 - HOSPICIO DE SAN JOSE DE BARILI v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. No. L-81446 August 18, 1988 - BONIFACIA SY PO v. COURT OF TAX APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-81785 August 18, 1988 - PHILIPPINE GEOTHERMAL, INC. v. CARMELO NORIEL

  • G.R. No. L-82735 August 18, 1988 - CRISOSTOMO MEDINA v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-27829 August 19, 1988 - PHIL. VIRGINIA TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION v. WALFRIDO DE LOS ANGELES

  • G.R. No. L-28776 August 19, 1988 - SIMEON DEL ROSARIO v. SHELL COMPANY OF THE PHILS. LTD.

  • G.R. No. L-33910 August 19, 1988 - SILVA PIPE WORKERS UNION-NATU v. FILIPINO PIPE & FOUNDRY CORP.

  • G.R. No. L-46281-83 August 19, 1988 - COCONUT COOPERATIVE MARKETING ASSOC., INC. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-47475 August 19, 1988 - MANOTOK REALTY, INC. v. JOSE H. TECSON

  • G.R. No. L-49407 August 19, 1988 - NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-52019 August 19, 1988 - ILOILO BOTTLERS, INC. v. CITY OF ILOILO

  • G.R. No. L-54323 August 19, 1988 - JOSE L. LOPEZ v. ENRIQUE L. S. VILLARUEL

  • G.R. No. L-62781 August 19, 1988 - PAN-ASIATIC TRAVEL CORP. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-66826 August 19, 1988 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT

  • G.R. Nos. L-71986-87 August 19, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. VIRGIE ANDIZA

  • G.R. No. L-74513 August 19, 1988 - HERMINIO TORIBIO v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. Nos. L-76649-51 August 19, 1988 - 20TH CENTURY FOX FILM CORP. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-34341 August 22, 1988 - PRISCILLA SUSAN PO v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-80609 August 23, 1988 - PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CO. v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION

  • G.R. No. L-31379 August 29, 1988 - COMPANIA MARITIMA v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-33573 August 29, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LAMBERTO TAPENO

  • G.R. No. L-34122 August 29, 1988 - FRUCTUOSO GARCIA v. ABELARDO APORTADERA

  • G.R. No. L-45745 August 29, 1988 - IRENEO ABELLERA v. SECRETARY OF LABOR

  • G.R. No. L-47817 August 29, 1988 - JOVITA SALES v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-48724 August 29, 1988 - CELESTINO PAHILANGA v. ARTEMON D. LUNA

  • G.R. No. L-52732 August 29, 1988 - F.F. CRUZ and CO. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-66478 August 29, 1988 - SANCHO R. JACINTO v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT

  • G.R. No. L-75195 August 29, 1988 - DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER CO. v. CRISTETO D. DINOPOL

  • G.R. No. L-30056 August 30, 1988 - MARCELO AGCAOILI v. GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM

  • G.R. No. L-30381 August 30, 1988 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF MANILA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-32798 August 30, 1988 - SILVINO ENVERZO BERNAL v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-34229 August 30, 1988 - ALBERTO MENDOZA v. V. ENRIQUEZ FURNITURE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-35126 August 30, 1988 - JACINTO FLORES, ET AL. v. FILIPINO HAND EMBROIDERY CO., INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-35618 August 30, 1988 - DIRECTOR OF LANDS v. NUMERIANO ESTENZO

  • G.R. No. L-36035 August 30, 1988 - NELITA FONSECA, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-49118 August 30, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LETICIA V. CAPITIN

  • G.R. No. L-55132 August 30, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. FRANCISCO MEN ABAD

  • G.R. No. L-62699 August 30, 1988 - DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES v. ANTONIO P. SOLANO

  • G.R. No. L-65647 August 30, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERNESTO FLORES

  • G.R. No. L-66520 August 30, 1988 - EDUARDO C. TAÑEDO v. JUANITO A. BERNAD

  • G.R. No. 71552 August 30, 1988 - REMEDIOS ORTALIZ-LAMAYO v. FELIZARDO G. BATERBONIA

  • G.R. No. 73503 August 30, 1988 - BENJAMIN BELISARIO, ET AL. v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 73839 August 30, 1988 - MARY JOHNSTON HOSPITAL, ET AL. v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 75886 August 30, 1988 - CONCEPCION ROQUE v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 76483 August 30, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. DOMINADOR AVERO

  • G.R. No. 76728 August 30, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. REYNALDO CRUZ

  • G.R. No. 78656 August 30, 1988 - TRANS WORLD AIRLINES v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 80814 August 30, 1988 - CORNELIO GODOY v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 81188 August 30, 1988 - TAGUM DOCTORS ENTERPRISES v. GREGORIO APSAY, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-29881 August 31, 1988 - ENRICO PALOMAR v. COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF MANILA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-31931 August 31, 1988 - FORTUNATO DE LEON, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. L-32392 August 31, 1988 - AUREA AGUILAR, ET AL. v. RAMON BLANCO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-44143 August 31, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EUSEBIO NAZARIO

  • G.R. No. L-46575 August 31, 1988 - JOSE LIMJOCO v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-49686 August 31, 1988 - FELlX GOCHAN & SONS REALTY CORPORATION v. VICENTE CAÑADA, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 73131-32 August 31, 1988 - FAR EAST BANK & TRUST COMPANY v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 73602 August 31, 1988 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROBERT L. CALICDAN

  • G.R. No. 75775 August 31, 1988 - DOMINGO SUMBILLO, ET AL. v. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 76579-82 August 31, 1988 - BENEDICTO RODRIGUEZ, v. DIR. BUREAU OF LABOR RELATIONS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 76724-6 August 31, 1988 - UNITRAN/BACHELOR EXPRESS, INC., ET AL. v. JOSE OLVIS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 77369 August 31, 1988 - HYOPSUNG MARITIME CO., LTD. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 80902 August 31, 1988 - BENGUET CORPORATION, INC. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 81490 August 31, 1988 - HAGONOY WATER DISTRICT, ET AL. v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, ET AL.