THE Supreme Court ruled that open spaces and road lots inside subdivisions don’t automatically become government property without a written deed of donation.
In a decision penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the Court’s Second Division affirmed that the Quezon City government failed to prove ownership of common areas in Capital Park Homes Subdivision (CPHS)., This news data comes from:http://www.705-888.com
The case stemmed from a petition filed by Rainier Madrid, a Quezon City taxpayer and resident of a nearby subdivision, who questioned the use of public funds to improve the CPHS properties. He argued that developer VV Soliven never executed a deed of donation transferring the areas to the city, which made them private rather than public property.
While the city government cited a 1964 ordinance that required subdivision developers to allocate 6 percent of their land for public use before plan approval, the Court stressed that compliance with the ordinance doesn’t replace the legal requirement of a written donation.
The Capital Park Homeowners Association admitted there was no deed of donation but pointed to a board resolution acknowledging the supposed turnover. The Regional Trial Court initially dismissed Madrid’s petition for lack of standing, but the Court of Appeals reversed the ruling, finding merit in his challenge.
The Supreme Court upheld the appellate court, ruling that local governments must show a valid transfer of property through a deed of donation and proof of acceptance under the Civil Code. Without such documents, ownership remains with the subdivision developer.
Court rules on subdivision open spaces, road lots
”The donation of subdivision land to a local government unit must be in writing for ownership to be transferred,” the Court said, reiterating that local ordinances alone can’t establish government ownership.
Court rules on subdivision open spaces, road lots
- Artikulo Onse' group calls for independent panel to probe flood control corruption
- India to cut taxes on hundreds of consumer goods to boost local demand following steep US tariffs
- Australia's mushroom murderer faces victims' family in court
- Remulla pledges transparency and impartiality as Ombudsman
- Public Works chief to press criminal charges against Bulacan engineer
- Israeli protesters demand hostage deal as cabinet meets
- Ukraine's children start new school year in underground classrooms to avoid Russian bombs
- Head of main US health agency abruptly dismissed
- Afghan quake death toll surges to over 2,200
- GoTyme gives customers 20 free InstaPay transfers per month
