G.R. No. L-3133
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH, ET AL., plaintiffs, vs. THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CUYAPO, ALIAGA, SAN ANTONIO, SAN ISIDRO, CABANATUAN, TALAVERA, AND LUCAB, Province of Nueva Ecija, ET AL., defendants.
January 2, 1908

FACTS:
This is an original action filed by The Roman Catholic Apostolic Church (plaintiffs) under Act No. 1376, similar in all respects to the case involving the Municipalities of Tarlac and Victoria. The complaint was served on numerous municipalities and Gregorio Aglipay. Through the plaintiffs’ brief, the dispute was narrowed down to specific properties: the church, convent, and cemetery of Cuyapo; the church and cemetery of Zaragoza (now a barrio of Aliaga); and the cemetery of Talavera.

Regarding the Cuyapo properties, the Municipality of Cuyapo disclaimed any interest but admitted occupying parts of the convent with permission from the priest of the Independent Filipino Church, who was in possession of the whole. Gregorio Aglipay was also a defendant for these properties. The Municipality of Aliaga, concerning the Zaragoza properties, disclaimed interest and expressed willingness to deliver them as directed by the court. The Municipality of Talavera, however, filed an answer claiming ownership of the cemetery in its jurisdiction.

Evidence presented showed that the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church had been in possession of these properties for many years until they lost possession around 1902. The church property in Cuyapo, in particular, was found to be in the possession of the Independent Filipino Church.

ISSUE:
Whether The Roman Catholic Apostolic Church is entitled to the immediate possession of the church, convent, and cemetery of Cuyapo; the church and cemetery of Zaragoza (barrio of Aliaga); and the cemetery of Talavera.

RULING:
The Supreme Court adjudged and decreed that The Roman Catholic Apostolic Church is entitled to the immediate possession of the following properties:
1. The church, convent, and cemetery of Cuyapo, Province of Nueva Ecija.
2. The church building and cemetery situated in the former municipality of Zaragoza (now a barrio of Aliaga), Province of Nueva Ecija.
3. The cemetery of Talavera, Province of Nueva Ecija.

The Court further adjudged that neither the Municipality of Cuyapo, nor the Municipality of Aliaga, nor the Municipality of Talavera, nor Gregorio Aglipay, obispo maximo of the Independent Filipino Church, has any right, title, or interest in or to any of the aforementioned properties. The properties are to be returned to the plaintiffs, and the defendants are to be ousted from possession.

Writs of possession were ordered to be issued:
Against Gregorio Aglipay for the church, cemetery, and convent of Cuyapo.
Against the Municipality of Cuyapo for the convent in said municipality.
Against Gregorio Aglipay and the Municipality of Aliaga for the church and cemetery of Zaragoza.
Against Gregorio Aglipay and the Municipality of Talavera for the cemetery in Talavera.

No costs were allowed to either party.