An Act Nullifying Decrees Of Registration And Certificates Of Title Covering Lands Within The Baguio Townsite Reservation Issued In Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211 Pursuan

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1271

Nullification of Decrees and Certificates of Title within Baguio Townsite Reservation
- All orders, decisions, and certificates of title issued by the Court of First Instance of Baguio and Benguet in connection with the reopening of Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211, covering lands within the Baguio Townsite Reservation, are declared null and void. (Section 1)

Validation of Certain Titles under Conditions
- Certificates of titles issued on or before July 31, 1973, shall be considered valid and the lands conveyed in fee simple to the registered owners upon compliance with the following conditions:
    1. The lands are not within any government, public, or quasi-public reservation, forest, military, or otherwise, as certified by appropriate government agencies. (Section 1(a))
    2. Payment by the present title holder to the Republic of the Philippines of an amount equivalent to 15% of the assessed value of the land as of revision period 1973 (P.D. 76), with 10% paid within 90 days of the Decree's effectivity, and the balance in two equal installments within the first and second year after the Decree's effectivity. (Section 1(b))

Exclusion for Titles Obtained through Fraud or Misrepresentation
- The provisions for validation of titles shall not apply to cases where the registration was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation in the reopening proceedings of Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211. (Section 2)

Surrender and Vacation of Invalid Titles
- Holders of titles not validated under Section 1 shall surrender their titles for cancellation within 90 days of the Decree's effectivity, and vacate the premises and remove improvements within 6 months from notice. (Section 3)
- If improvements cannot be removed without damaging the land, they shall be forfeited or demolished at the title holder's expense. (Section 3)
- All taxes and registration fees paid in connection with the lands are deemed forfeited in favor of the Government. (Section 3)

Cancellation of Invalid Titles
- 90 days after the Decree's effectivity, the Commission on Land Registration shall cause the cancellation of original and transfer certificates of titles not validated under Section 1, including those whose holders failed to avail of the benefits within the provided period. (Section 4)

Special Fund for Baguio City Development
- All fees paid pursuant to Section 1 shall constitute a special fund to be utilized exclusively for the development, improvement, and welfare of Baguio City, as well as actual expenses for the Decree's implementation as directed by the President. (Section 5)

Implementation Committee and Rules
- The Secretary of Justice (Chairman), Solicitor General, and Director of Lands shall constitute a committee to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the Decree's implementation. (Section 6)
- The Solicitor General shall institute actions or suits to recover possession of lands covered by void titles not validated under the Decree. (Section 6)

Penalties for Violations
- Any person or entity who violates any provision of the Decree, rules, or regulations, or makes false statements or representations in connection with matters required under the Decree, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 6 months but not more than 6 years. (Section 7)

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- All laws and decrees inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are repealed. (Section 8)
- The Decree shall take effect immediately. (Section 8)