FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 
609 
Submitted jointly by the Committees on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of  
Codes and Laws; on Environment and Natural Resources; and on Finance on  
SEP 0 B 2009 
Re: Senate Bill No. ___3_4_·~_2_9_----11 prepared by the Committees. 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1849, 1931, 2003, 
2239, 2318,~2382, 2401 and ~aking into consideration House Bill No. 5618.. 
Sponsors: Senators Escudero and Gordon. 
MR. PRESIDENT: 
The Committees on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and 
Laws; on Environment and Natural Resources; and on Finance, to which were 
referred Senate Bill No. 1849, introduced by Senator Defensor Santiago, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
REFORMING THE ADMINISTRATIVE TITLING PROCESS BY 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COMMONWEALTH 
ACT NO. 141, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND 
ACT, AND OTHER RELATED LAWS" 
Senate Bill No. 1931, introduced by Senator Honasan, entitled: 
JJAN ACT 
REFORMING THE ADMINISTRATIVE TITLING PROCESS BY 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COMMONWEALTH 
ACT NO. 141 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND 
ACT, AS AMENDED" 


Senate BillNo. 2003, introduced by Senator Gordon, entitled: 
, "AN ACT 
REFORMING THE ADMINISTRATIVE TITLING PROCESS, 
AMENDING 
CERTAIN 
PROVISIONS 
OF 
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 141 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE PUBLIC LAND ACT AS AMENDED" 
Senate BillNo. 2239, introduced by Senators Zubiri, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
TO HASTEN TITLING OF RESIDENTIAL LANDS OF THE 
PUBLIC DOMAIN BY EXTENDING THE GRANT OF FREE 
PATENT TO RESIDENTIAL LANDS UNDER CERTAIN 
CONDITIONS" 
Senate BIDNo. 2318, introduced by Senator Ejercito-Estrada, entitled: 
'~N ACT 
TO HASTEN TITLING OF RESIDENTIAL LANDS OF THE 
PUBLIC DOMAIN BY EXTENDING THE GRANT OF FREE 
PATENT TO RESIDENTIAL LANDS UNDER CERTAIN 
CONDITIONS" 
Senate BillNo. 2382, introduced by Senator Legarda, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
TO HASTEN TITLING OF RESIDENTIAL LANDS OF THE 
PUBLIC DOMAIN BY EXTENDING THE GRANT OF FREE 
PATENT TO RESIDENTIAL LANDS UNDER CERTAIN 
CONDITIONS" 
and Senate BillNo. 2401, introduced by Senator Roxas, entitled: 
., "AN ACT 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
AN 
EQUITABLE 
ACCESS 
TO 
OWNERSHIP OF RESIDENTIAL LANDS, ESTABLISHING 
FOR THAT PURPOSE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS 
FOR THE TITLING OF RESIDENTIAL LANDS THROUGH 
THE 
ISSUANCE. OF 
A 
RESIDENTIAL 
PATENT, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES" 
taking into consideration House Bill No. 5618, introduced by Representatives 
Cerilles, Abaya, Chungalao, Garay, Dimaporo, Valdez, Gonzales (N.), De Guzman, 
Agbayani, Velarde and Romulo, entitled: 


"AN ACT  
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF FREE PATENT TITLE FOR  
RESIDENTIAL LAND"  
have considered the same and have the honor to report them back to the Senate 
with the recommendation that the attached bill, S. No. 
:1 429 , prepared 
by the Committee, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
REFORMING THE ADMINISTRATIVE TITLING PROCESS BY 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COMMONWEALTH 
ACT NO. 141 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND ACT 
AS AMENDED, AND OTHER RELATED LAWS" 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1849,1931, 2003, 2239, 2318, 2382 and 
2401, taking into consideration H. No. 5618, with Senators ~erJ0r Santiago, Ho~asanl 
Gordon, Zubiri, Ejercito-Estrada, Legarda, Roxas, EscuderoAJ~drigal, and ,,-4­
authors thereof. 
Respectfully submitted. 
#"St" 
_' I . - ­
~ 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
Chairman 
Committee on Constitutional Amendments, 
Revision of Codes and Laws 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Chairman, Committee on Finance  
Member, Committee on Environment andNatural Resources  
Member, Committees on Constitutional Amendments, 
Revision ofCodes and Laws; and Finance 


J~ 
PANGILINAN 
-oo\o-....,JI 
es and Laws; 
,-"""=-,,nd Natural Resources; and 
Vice- Chairmen: 
/1"?r
JOKER P. ARROYO 
Committee on Finance 
Member, Committees on Constitutional Amendments, 
Revision of Codes and Laws; and 
Environment and Natural Resources 
Me ber, Committee on Environment and 
Na ural Resources 
Committees all Constitutional Amendments, 
Revision ofCodes and Laws; 
Environment and Natural Resources; and 
Finance 
R 
~, LJa(~' 
M~L "LlT~ff M. LAPID /' 
Committees on Constitutional Amel1d~ts, 
Revision ofCodes and Laws; and Finance 
Committees all Constitu 'onal Amendments, 
Revision ofCodes and L 
IS; 
Emrironment and Natur: ZResources; and 
Finance 
Committee on Constitutional Amendments,  
Revision ofCodes and Laws;  
Environment and Natural Resources; and  
Finance  
PANFILO M. LACSON 
Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; 
Committees on Constitutional Amendrh.'ents,  
Revision of Codes and Laws;  
Environment and Natural Resources; and  
Finance  
~d F~inance 
~' 
MIRIAMDE ~RSANT ~GO 
Committee on Fina e 
Finance 


COlllmittees on Constitutional Amendments,  
Revision ofCodes and Laws;  
Environment and Natural Resources; and Finance  
MANNY VILLAR 
Committee on Finance 
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO  
Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; and  
Finance  
ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Member 
Committee on Finance 
Ex Officio Members: 
HON. QUILINO PIMENTEL, JR.  
Minority Leader 
HON. JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
Senate President 


Revision ofCodes and Laws; 
MANNY VILLAR 
Committee on Finance 
Environment and Natural Resources; and Finance 
ALAN PETER "COMP ANERO" S. CAYETANO 
Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; and 
Finance 
~o "S~JN~~NES IV 
Member 
Committee on Finance 
Ex Officio Members: 
QUILINO PIMENTEL, JR. 
Minority Leader 
HON. JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
Senate President 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. NO. __3_4_2---..::9=­
(In substitution ofS. Nos. 1849,1931,20032239,2318,2382,2401 and 
taking into consideration H. No. 5618) 
Prepared by the Committees on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Lawsi Environment and Natural 
Resources; and Finance, with Senators Santiago, H011asan, Gordon, Zubiri, Ejercito-Estrada, Legarda, Roxas, Escudero 
and Madrigal, as authors thereof 
"AN ACT 
REFORMING 
THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE 
TITLING 
PROCESS 
BY 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 
141 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND ACT AS AMENDED, 
AND OTHER RELATED LAWS" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
Section 1. -
Paragraph 1, Section 44, Chapter VII, Title II of 
2 
Commonwealth Act No.141, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as 
3 
follows: 
4 
"Section 44 (A). -
Any natural born citizen of the 
5 
Philippines, WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, who is not 
6 
the owner of more than AN AGGREGATE OF twelve (12) hectares 
7 
and who, for at least [thirty (30) years prior to the effectivity of this 
8 
amendatory Act] TEN (10) YEARS PRIOR TO HIS/HER 
9 
FILING OF APPLICATION FOR PATENT, has continuously 
10 
occupied, 
[and] 
cultivated 
OR 
POSSESSED, 
either 
by 
11 
himself/HERSELF or through his/HER predecessors-in-interest a 


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tract or tracts of agricultural public lands subject to disposition, 
[who shall have paid the real estate tax thereon while the same has 
not been occupied by any person] shall be entitled, under the 
provisions of this Chapter, to have a free patent issued to him/HER 
for such tract 01' tl'acts of land not to exceed twelve (12) hectares, 
INCLUSIVE OF HISIHER CURRENTLY OWNED LANDS; 
PROVIDED: THAT IF THERE ARE TENANTS, SHARE 
CROPPERS, REGULAR OR SEASONAL FARM WORKERS 
ON THE LAND, THE ISSUANCE OF A FREE PATENT TO 
THE APPLICANT SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 
THEIR RIGHTS UNDER EXISTING LAND REFORM LAWS. 
Section 2. - New Sections 44 (B), (C), (D) and (E) in Chapter VII, Title II 
of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended are hereby inserted to read as 
follows: 
"SECTION 44 (B).- THE PROVISIONS OF ANY LAW 
TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, ANY NATURAL 
BORN CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES WHO IS NOT THE 
OWNER OF MORE THAN AN AGGREGATE OF TWELVE (12) 
HECTARES AND WHO FOR AT LEAST TEN (10) YEARS 
PRIOR TO HISIHER APPLICATION FOR PATENT, HAS 
CONTINUOUSLY POSSESSED AND USED, EITHER BY 
HIMSELF/HERSELF 
OR 
THROUGH 
HIS/HER 
PREDECESSORS-IN-INTEREST, A TRACT OR TRACTS OF 
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LAND 
OF 
THE 
PUBLIC 
DOMAIN 
SUBJECT 
TO 
DISPOSITION FOR RESIDENTIAL AND/OR COMMERCIAL 
PURPOSES 
SHALL 
BE 
ENTITLED, 
UNDER 
THE 
PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER TO HAVE A FREE 
PATENT 
ISSUED TO HIM/HER FOR SUCH TRACT OR 
TRACTS OF LAND. PROVIDED THAT THESE LAND SHALL 
NOT EXCEED ONE THOUSAND SQUARE METERS (1,000 
SQ. M.), PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE LAND APPLIED 
FOR IS NOT NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE OR PUBLIC 
USE AND HAS BEEN DETERMINED AS RESIDENTIAL 
AND/OR COMMERCIAL BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNIT 
CONCERNED 
IN 
ACCORDANCE 
WITH 
LAW; 
PROVIDED MOREOVER, THAT NO APPLICANT FOR 
RESIDENTIAL AND/OR COMMERCIAL FREE PATENT 
SHALL BE GRANTED MORE THAN ONE SUCH PATENT; 
AND PROVIDED FINALLY, THAT NO APPLICANT SHALL 
BE GRANTED PATENTS OF ANY TYPE FOR PARCELS OF 
LAND EXCEEDING TWELVE (12) HECTARES." 
(C). 
LAND ACQUIRED BY FREE PATENT UNDER 
THE 
PROVISIONS .OF THIS 
CHAPTER 
SHALL BE 
TREATED AS ANY OTHER PRIVATE LAND WITH ALL THE 
CONCOMITANT RIGHTS APPERTAINING THERETO AND 
SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS AS 
3 


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PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 118, 121, 122 AND 123 OF 
2 
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 141: PROVIDED THAT SUCH 
3 
LAND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ENCUMBRANCE OR 
4 
ALIENATION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE 
5 
DATE OF APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION, NOR SHALL 
6 
IT BECOME LIABLE FOR THE SATISFACTION OF ANY 
7. 
DEBT CONTRACTED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF 
8 
SAID PERIOD. 
9 
THIS PROVISION SHALL HAVE 
RETROACTIVE 
10 
EFFECT 
ON 
PATENTS 
ISSUED 
BEFORE 
THE 
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EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT." 
12 
(D). 
ANY ENCUMBRANCE CREATING A LAWFUL 
13 
INTEREST IN THE LAND SUBJECT OF THE PATENT THAT 
14 
HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO BEFORE THE GRANT OF 
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SUCH PATENT, AND WHICH REMAINS IN EXISTENCE AT 
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THE TIME OF THE GRANT, SHALL BE RECORDED ON 
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THE PATENT UPON REGISTRATION; 
18 
(E). 
ALL APPLICANTS FOR FREE PATENT SHALL 
19 
BE 
REQUIRED 
TO 
SUBMIT 
PROOF 
OF 
THE 
20 
QUALIFICATIONS AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER SECTIONS 
21 
44(A) AND 44(B). 
22 
Section 3. ­ Section 45, Chapter VII, Title II of Commonwealth Act No. 
23 
141, as amended is hereby deleted. 
4 


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["Sec. 
45. 
The 
President 
of the 
Philippines, 
upon 
recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural 
Resources, shall from time to time fix by proclamation the period 
within which applications for free patents may be filed in the 
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office or region 
specified in such proclamation, and upon the expiration of the 
period so designated, unless the same be extended by the President, 
all the lands comprised within such district, chartered city, 
province, municipality or region subject thereto under the 
provisions of this chapter may be disposed of as agricultural public 
land without prejudice to the prior right of the occupant and 
cultivator to acquire such land under this Act by means other than 
free patent. The time to be fixed in the entire Archipelago for the 
filing of applications under this Chapter shall not extend beyond 31 
December 2020: Provided,'"That the period shall apply only when 
the area applied for does not exceed twelve (12) hectares. The period 
fixed for any district, chartered city, province or municipality shall 
take effect thirty (30) days after the publication of the proclamation 
in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the city, province or 
municipality concerned. A certified copy of said proclamation shall 
be furnished by the Secretary of Environment and Natural 
Resources within thirty (30) days counted from the date of the 
presidential proclamation to the Community Environment and 
5 


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Natural Resources Office and to the provincial board and municipal 
board or city council and barangay council affected, and copies 
thereof shall be posted on the bulletin board of the Community 
Environment and Natural Resources Office and at such conspicuous 
places in the provincial capitol, city or municipal hall, and in 
barangay hall or meeting place. It shall moreover be announced and 
aired over the government station in the concerned local area."] 
Section 4. - Section 46, Chapter VIII, Title II of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, as amended is hereby renumbered as Section 47. 
Section 5. - Section 47, Chapter VIII, Title II of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, as amended is hereby deleted. 
["Sec. 47. The persons specified in the next following Sec. are 
hereby granted time, not to extend beyond December 31, 2020 
within which to avail of the benefits of this Chapter. Provided, That 
this period shall apply only where the area applied for does not 
exceed twelve (12) hectares. Provided, further, That the several 
periods of time designated by the President in accordance with Sec. 
Forty-five of this Act shall apply also to the lands comprised in the 
provisions of this Chapter, but this Sec. shall not be construed as 
prohibiting any of said persons from acting under this Chapter at 
any time prior to the period fixed by the President.] 
Section 6. - Section 48, Chapter VIII, Title II of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
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•  
"SECTION 48. The following described citizens of the 
Philippines, occupying lands of the public domain or claiming to 
own any such lands or an interest therein, but whose titles have not 
been perfected or completed, may apply to the [Court of First 
Instance] REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS of the province where the 
land is located for confirmation of their claims and the issuance of a 
certificate of title therefor, under the Land Registration Act, to wit: 
(a) xxx 
(b)  xxx 
© Members of the national cultural minorities who, by themselves 
or through their predecessors-in-interest, have been in open, 
continuous, exclusive and notorious possession and occupation of 
lands of the public domain suitable to agriculture, whether 
disposable or not, under a,bona fide claim of ownership for at least 
thirty (30) years, shall be entitled to the rights granted in 
subsection (b) hereof: PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING IN THIS 
PROVISION SHALL BE TAKEN TO PRECLUDE THOSE IN 
POSSESSION OF PUBLIC ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE 
LAND 
FROM 
SEEKING 
ADMINISTRATIVE 
CONFIRMATION OF THEIR TITLE." 
Section 7. - Section 119, Chapter XIV, Title VI of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, as amended, is hereby deleted. 
7 


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[SECTION 119. Every conveyance of land acquired under the 
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free patent or homestead provisions, when proper, shall be subject 
3 
to repurchase by the applicant, his widow, or legal heirs, within a 
4 
period of five years from the date of the conveyance.] 
5 
Section 7. - Sections 120 to 130 of the same Act are hereby renumbered 
6 
accordingly as Sections 119 to 129. 
7 
Section 8. - Section 131, Chapter XVI, Title VI of Commonwealth Act No. 
B 
141, as amended is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
9 
"Section [131] 130. Any person who sells forms issued and 
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distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer 
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charged with distributing them, refuses or fails, without sufficient 
12 
reason, to furnish the same, shall be punished for each offense by a 
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fine of [not more than one hundred pesos] NOT LESS THAN 
14 
FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,OOO) AND NOT MORE THAN 
15 
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,OOO) or by 
16 
imprisonment [for not more than three months] FOR NOT MORE 
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THAN ONE YEAR, or both, upon the discretion of the court." 
18 
"Section 9. - Section 132, Chapter XVI, Title VI of Commonwealth Act 
19 
No. 141, as amended is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
20 
"Section [132] 131. . .,- Any person, corporation, association or 
21 
partnership which, not being qualified or no longer authorized to' 
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apply for public land under the provisions of this Act, files or 
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induces or knowingly permits another person, corporation, 
B 


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•  
association or partnership to file an application in his/HER or its 
behalf or for his/HER or its interest, benefit or advantage, shall be 
punished by a fine of not less than [two hundred nor more than five 
thousand pesos] 10% OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE 
LAND APPLIED FOR or by imprisonment [for not less than two 
months nor more than five years] FROM SIX (6) YEARS TO 
TWELVE (12) YEARS, or both, upon the discretion of the court; 
and the application shall be cancelled: PROVIDED, THAT IN 
CASE THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION 
OR PARTNERSHIP, THEIR RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS 
SHALL BE DEEMED JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE; 
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IN CASE THE OFFENDER IS 
A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, HE/SHE SHALL ALSO 
SUFFER THE PENALTIES OF DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE, 
FORFEITURE OF ALL RETIREMENT BENEFITS, EXCEPT 
ACCUMULATED LEAVE 
CREDITS, AND 
PERPETUAL 
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING ANY ELECTIVE OR 
APPOINTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE." 
Section 10. - Section 133, Chapter XVI, Title VI of Commonwealth Act 
No. 141, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"Section [133] 132. - Any person who, without having the 
qualifications required by this Act, shall by deceit or fraud acquire 
or attempt to acquire lands of the public domain or other real 
9 


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property or any right, title or interest, or property right of any class 
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to the same, and any person' aiding and abetting him therein or 
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serving as a means or tool therefor, shall, upon conviction, be 
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punished by a fine of [not more than five thousand pesos] NOT 
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LESS THAN 10% OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE 
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LAND APPLIED FOR, or by imprisonment [for not more than five 
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years] FROM SIX (6) YEARS TO TWELVE (12) YEARS, or both, 
S 
upon the discretion of the court. IF THE OFFENDER IS A 
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PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, HE/SHE SHALL ALSO 
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SUFFER THE PENALTIES OF DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE, 
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FORFEITURE OF ALL RETIREMENT BENEFITS, EXCEPT 
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ACCUMULATED 
LEAVE 
CREDITS, AND 
PERPETUAL 
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DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING ANY ELECTIVE OR 
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APPOINTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE." 
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Section 11. - Sections 134, 135 and 136 of the same Act are hereby 
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renumbered accordingly as Sections 133, 134 and 135. 
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Section 12. - In order to expedite the issuance of free patents, the 
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Department Environment and Natural Resources, 
through the Land 
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Management Sector and the Land Management Bureau, or any agency that 
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will, in the future, be charged with the disposition of public lands, shall 
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determine the appropriate form, style and definition of technical description 
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which should not be limited to metes and bounds. Such technical description 
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shall form part of the patent, subsequent title. and derivatives thereof. Land 
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titles granted through free patents having technical description other than 
metes and bounds shall be treated as any private land with all the concomitant 
rights thereto pursuant to this Act and other existing laws. 
Section 13. - Upon effectivity of this act, no government fees shall 
henceforth be paid for the preparation, issuance and registration of free patents 
and no contribution to the Assurance Fund shall be assessed or collected by the 
Register of Deeds. 
Section 14. - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or 
any future agency that will be charged with disposition of public lands shall 
promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. 
Section 15. Repealing Clause - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
executive issuances or letters of instructions, rules and regulations, or any part 
thereof, inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
Section 16. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
Section 17. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
11