Heirs of Alejo Malaggay v. Heirs of Tulay Eway

Summary

This Supreme Court case involved consolidated property disputes over unregistered lands in Mountain Province. Multiple families claimed ownership of parcels in Bananao, with respondents asserting rights through long-term possession and tax payments, while petitioners claimed rights under their father's Pasture Lease Agreement. The main legal issue centered on court jurisdiction based on assessed property values under BP Blg. 129. The Supreme Court partially granted the petition, finding that Regional Trial Courts have jurisdiction over quieting of title actions only when assessed property values exceed P20,000. The Court declared one case (Civil Case No. 2010-6-7-25) null and void for lack of jurisdiction as the properties involved had assessed values below the jurisdictional threshold, requiring first-level court adjudication. The decision clarified that actions to quiet title involving private property fall under regular court jurisdiction, distinguishing cases involving truly public lands. The ruling emphasized that jurisdiction is determined by complaint allegations and statutory provisions on assessed values, not by Rule 63's reference to 'appropriate Regional Trial Court.'