A regional trial court voided an ancestral land title and 16 related land titles covering about 63 hectares of the government-run Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center, reserved for livestock breeding and research under a 1940 presidential proclamation.
In a 46-page decision dated Oct. 12, Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Judge Michael Francisco granted the Republic of the Philippines’ petition to reverse, annul documents, and cancel titles involving the facility in Baguio City.
The court declared null and void a land title covering about 631,108 square meters in Reservation Section J in Baguio City, and set aside a March 19, 2009, resolution of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples approving its issuance.
It also invalidated the original certificate of title issued under the ancestral land title and 15 derivative transfer certificates of title.
The court directed the Baguio City Register of Deeds, in coordination with the Land Registration Authority, to cancel the affected titles, update the registration records, and return the property to the Republic under the administration of the appropriate government agencies.
However, the ruling does not affect other properties covered by ancestral land titles within the municipality of Tuba, Benguet, the court said.
Presidential Proclamation 603, issued in 1940, reserved 941,343 square meters of land on Mount Santo Tomas, covering portions of Baguio City and Tuba, for animal breeding under the administration of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
The facility was later placed under the Department of Agriculture’s Cordillera regional office for livestock programs and agricultural research.
The decision also cited a lis pendens annotation on the original title, which notified the public that the property was subject to pending litigation and put subsequent buyers on notice of the legal dispute.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Department of Agriculture – Cordillera Director Jennilyn Dawayan said the ruling followed more than 20 years of efforts to protect the government facility.
“No matter how long the journey takes (more than 20 years), we remain strong to ensure that this government facility continues to serve its purpose while safeguarding what rightfully belongs to the Republic,” she said.
She said the agency had also prevailed in other related cases.
Dawayan cited the risks and sacrifices faced by personnel over the years, including the demolition of structures and threats to the security of staff and facilities.
She described the ruling as a collective achievement of those who remained committed to protecting government property despite the lengthy legal process.
Dawayan said the government had won cases involving properties along Marcos Highway, with some areas declared part of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ road right-of-way. (PNA)
