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Republic of the Phil. vs. Candido P. Villanueva, et al.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by the Director of Lands, petitioner-appellant, vs. JUDGE CANDIDO P. VILLANUEVA, of the Court of First Instance of Bulacan, Malolos Branch VII, and IGLESIA NI CRISTO, as a corporation sole, represented by ERA?O G. MANALO, as Executive Minister, respondents-appellees.

G.R. No. L-55289 | 1982-06-29

D E C I S I O N


AQUINO, J.:

Like L-49623, Manila Electric Company vs. Judge Castro-Bartolome, this case involves the prohibition in section 11, Article XIV of the Constitution that "no private corporation or association may hold alienable lands of the public domain except by lease not to exceed one thousand hectares in area."

Lots Nos. 568 and 569, located at Barrio Dampol, Plaridel, Bulacan, with an area of 313 square meters and an assessed value of P1,350 were acquired by the Iglesia Ni Cristo on January 9, 1953 from Andres Perez in exchange for a lot with an area of 247 square meters owned by the said church (Exh. D).

The said lots...