G.R. No. 34336 & 34337, December 31, 1931
BERNABE B. AQUINO, claimant-appellant, vs. THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYAMBANG, defendant-appellant. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, intervenor-appellee.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, applicant-appellee, vs. FRANCISCA ABRAN ET AL., claimants. THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYAMBANG and BERNABE B. AQUINO, appellants.

FACTS

Two related cases were consolidated. In the first, Bernabe B. Aquino sought to recover a parcel of land from the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan. In the second, the Government initiated registration proceedings under Act No. 496. Aquino traced his title to a possessory information obtained by Juan Fajardo in 1892, followed by successive sales to Getulio Pitco, Agustin V. Gomez, and finally to himself. He and his predecessors had been in possession and cultivation of the land since at least 1887. The Municipality of Bayambang claimed the land as part of its municipal fisheries from time immemorial and presented a 1911 survey and an ordinance as evidence.

ISSUE

Who has a better right to the registration and ownership of the disputed land—Bernabe B. Aquino or the Municipality of Bayambang?

RULING

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bernabe B. Aquino. The Municipality of Bayambang failed to prove its ownership, as mere possession and collection of rent do not confer title upon a municipality. Aquino, however, established a credible chain of title and open, continuous, exclusive possession as owner since 1887, which entitled him to registration under paragraph (b), section 45 of Act No. 2874. The Court modified the appealed judgment, declaring the land as private property belonging exclusively to Aquino, who was entitled to a certificate of title. The injunction against the municipality was reinstated, and all claims for damages by both parties were denied.

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