Case Digest: Republic (Mindanao Med) v. CA

REPUBLIC, rep. by MINDANAO MEDICAL CENTER v. CA G.R. No. L-40912 | 30 SEPTEMBER 1976

RATIO:

HELD:

ISSUE:

FACTS:

Appeal by certiorari from CA decision Justice Martin



Eugenio de Jesus, father of private respondent Alejandro de Jesus, applied with the Bureau of Lands for Salon Patent of a 33-hectare land in Davao. Being awarded in a bidding, he deposited P221.00, representing 10% of the price of land at P100.50 per hectare. However, the Director of Lands ordered an amendment on the Sales Application since a portion of the land was needed by the Philippine Army for its military camp site purpose. The area excluded [LOT Whether petitioner Mindanao Medical Center has registerable title over a full 12.8081-hectare land by virtue of an executive proclamation in 1956 reserving the area for medical site purposes.

YES. Petition granted, CA decision reversed and set aside.



The Court held that, by virtue of Proclamation No. 350, then Pres. Magsaysay legally effected a land grant of the whole lot to petitioner, and such is validly sufficient for initial registration under the Land Registration Act. Such land grant is constitutive of a “fee simple” title or absolute title in favor of petitioner.