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Republic vs. National Commission of Indigenous Peoples

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, REGISTER OF DEEDS — BAGUIO CITY, LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY, HEIRS OF LAURO CARANTES, DIMSON MANILA, INC., JOAN L. GORIO, AND CERTAIN JANE DOES AND JOHN DOES, RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 209449 | 2023-07-11

D E C I S I O N
 
LEONEN, SAJ.:
 
The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act exempts Baguio City from its coverage. The text of Section 78 is categorical that Baguio City is governed by its own cha1ier. Thus, no ancestral title under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act may be issued in favor of claimants within Baguio City. However, the law does not overturn the doctrine laid down in Cariño v. Insular Government[1] which recognizes ownership of land occupied and possessed since time immemorial.

This resolves a Petition for Review assailing the Decision[2] and Resolution[3] of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R....