Republic of the Philippines v. Hon. Reynaldo M. Alon

Summary

The Republic sought to nullify titles to expanded land areas totaling 283,023 square meters, claiming they were public forest land illegally titled by private respondents. The private respondents claimed ownership through alluvial accretion under Civil Code Article 475, presenting expert testimony that the areas were alluvial deposits from river currents. The trial court ordered cancellation of titles due to improper registration procedures under the Land Registration Act but refused the Republic's motion for writ of possession, finding prima facie evidence of private ownership through accretion and long possession. The Supreme Court denied certiorari, holding that the trial court properly refused the writ since private respondents had overcome the presumption of public ownership and that substantive ownership issues should be resolved in pending original registration proceedings rather than through possessory remedies in the cancellation case.