G.R. No. 2383

FACTS
The City of Manila filed an application to register a 16,412‑sqm parcel of land in the Paco district. The Roman Catholic Church contested the application, asserting that the land had been the site of its church, convent, and cemetery from about 1801 until their destruction by the United States Army in 1899. The Church claimed an exclusive right of possession, having continuously paid taxes on the property, and argued that the destruction of the edifices did not extinguish its real right over the soil.

The Court of Land Registration held that the Church’s objection was valid and denied the City’s registration request.

ISSUE
Whether the destruction of the church and convent buildings nullifies the Roman Catholic Church’s prior exclusive right of possession and thus allows the City of Manila to register the land.

RULING
The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s judgment, sustaining the Church’s objection, denying the City of Manila’s registration of the parcel, and ordering costs against the appellant.