Ramos v IAC

175 SCRA 70
July 5, 1989
Facts:
This case is a claim of ownership involving a parcel of land covered by
TC Title No. T-92071in the name of private respondent Rodolfo Ramos.
Petitioner spouses Brigido Ramos and FelicidadJuan, praying for the
cancellation of the name of respondent Rodolfo Ramos. Petitioners alleged
thatthe property in question was titled in the name of respondent Rodolfo
Ramos for convenience and intrust, petitioners claiming to be the beneficial
owners thereof all along. Petitioner further claim thatrespondent Rodolfo
Ramos took over the tenancy rights to the land in 1976. Petitioners
alsocontended that the land in dispute, being supposedly a part of an
abandoned river bed, isautomatically owned by them as owners of the
adjoining lot.The land covering an area of 24, 793 sq m was adjudicated to
Rodolfo Ramos. Consequently, acontract of sale was executed between private
respondent Rodolfo Ramos and the Land Authority.Annotated as
encumbrances on said certificate of title are the conditions that, except by
hereditarysuccession, the land shall not be subdivided, sold or in any manner
transferred or encumbered,without the prior written consent of the Governor
of the Land Authority and only to qualifiedpersons specified therein.
Issue:
Whether an abandoned river bed could be automatically owned
by owners of the adjoininglot?
Held :
No. Article 461 provides that "river beds which are abandoned
through the natural change inthe course of the waters ipso facto belong
to the owners of the land occupied by the new course"with the owners
of the adjoining lots having the right to acquire them only after paying
their value.