DIRECTOR OF LANDS vs.

ABAIRO 90 SCRA 422 (1979)

FACTS:
Petitioner contended that CFI of Isabela should have dismissed the application f
or registration based on an imperfect or incomplete title because it has no juri
sdiction over it inasmuch as it was filed on March 1, 1971, that is, after Decem
ber 31, 1968, the expiry date for filing such kind of application under RA 2061.
The latest extension of the period to December 31, 2020 within which to file sa
id applications, as provided in Section 2, RA 9176, shall apply where the area a
pplied for does not exceed 12 hectares.
ISSUE:
Whether or not the application is valid despite being filed after the period exp
ired and before the extension was granted.
RULING:
Yes. It is clear from the law itself that those who applied for judicial confirm
ation of their title at any time prior to the cut-off date of December 31, 1976
did so on time, even if such application was filed during the intervening period
from January 1, 1969 to June 18, 1971. Respect should be given to the obvious i
ntention of the lawmaker in extending the period for filing such applications ti
me and again, to give full opportunity to those who are qualified under the law
to own disposable lands of the public domain and thus reduce the number of landl
ess among the citizenry.