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).
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., This news data comes from:http://gq-dbm-ebk-rtg.gangzhifhm.com
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.
Court rules on subdivision open spaces, road lots
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.
”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.
- President Marcos Jr. visits Cambodia to strengthen ties
- Emma Tiglao crowned Miss Grand PH 2025
- Fire breaks out in Manila residential area
- 'Pink and green' protests call for a reset in Indonesia
- Maryland resident is diagnosed with New World screwworm. What to know about the parasite
- 15 people hospitalized after double-decker bus crashes outside London's Victoria Station
- Floods kill over 30 in Indian-controlled Kashmir, displace 150,000 in east Pakistan
- DOJ issues lookout order vs Atong Ang, others over missing cockfighters
- Australia expels Iran ambassador over antisemitic attacks
- Pagasa sees cyclone-free week across PH
