c 
,~~2~:(it~T~ 
"0.".'·d' rfHhrr HI HF·~ j";TI,.t:H~ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No,' -1tl4
f1. . 
_____________________ M ________________________________ -----------7------------------------------------------
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
-----------------------------------------~------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Land, as a valuable and vital resource, needs to be utilized properly and 
developed appropriately with the general objective of sustainable development 
for the Philippines and the present and future generations of Filipinos. 
The Philippines' more than 7,100 islands form part of the country's 30 
million hectares of land. This sizeable yet scarce resource has to be shared by 
our growing population, currently estimated at 80 million. It is thus imperative that 
our country's land resources are effectively administered and equitably managed, 
a function that is bestowed mainly on the national government. 
However, fundamental legal and institutional defects result from the 
current' structure where land administration functions such as land surveys, 
mapping, classification, titling and disposition and registration are being 
undertaken by different government agencies. There is thus the need to reform 
the system of land administration in our country though streamlining of these 
responsibilities within a single agency. 
The proposed Land Administration Reform Act (LARA) of 2010 aims to 
upgrade, systematize and integrate the administration, management and 
operations of the country's land resources. It also aims to improve, rationalize 
and systematize the land records, titling, documentation and information systems 
into an open, updated, and reliable system. 
The bill will lay the foundation for responsive and efficient land 
administration and management and improve the delivery of land-related 
services to the general public and reduce delays in land document processing 
and releases. The bill also aims to enhance and improve transparency and 


governance in the land resource and administration system by cutting down the 
overly bureaucratic and technicallyoriented land titling and registration processes 
in the country. 
Given the importance of efficient, effective, and responsible distribution 
and management of lands in the country ,as a means for a sustainable 
development, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly urged. 
£.jJjit / 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
"13 
JUL 23 
1\ 8 :58 
1 
SENATE 
Senate Bill Nol1A:iJt 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM, CREATING THE 
LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
2 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Land Administration 
3 
Reform Act of 2013". 
4 
5 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.-
It is hereby declared the policy of the 
6 
State to institute continuing reforms in land administration and management in order to 
7 
optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals of national development, tenurial 
8 
security, eradication of poverty, and attainment of social, economic, cultural, justice and 
9 
asset reform. Towards this end, the State shall: 
10 
(a) Integrate and rationalize the structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities of 
11 
the different agencies involved in land administration and management in order 
12 
to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability and to 
13 
expedite the delivery of services. 
14 
(b) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure equitable 
15 
distribution and full utilization and development of land resources. 
16 
(c) Provide an efficient and effective cadastral mapping, cadastral surveying, 
17 
disposition, registration and management of land resources; and 
18 
(d) Develop, establish and maintain up-to-date, open, accessible, integrated and 
19 
computer-based land information and records. 
20 
21 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following 
22 
terms shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings: 
1 


1 
2 
(a) "Alienable and disposable lands" refer to 'agricultural lands of the public 
3 
domain which have been delineated, classified and certified as available for disposition 
4 
under the Public Land Act 
5 
(b) "Agricultural lands" refer to lands devoted to or suitable for the cultivation of 
6 
the soil, planting of crops or growing of trees, and not classified as mineral land, forest 
7 
land or national park, or subclassified as residential land, commercial land or industrial 
8 
land. 
9 
(c) "Automated registration system" refers to a system using appropriate 
10 
technology for scanning, recording and land registration using electronic devices to 
11 
store the copy of certificates of title and other documents relative thereto, 
12 
(d) "Classification and reclassification" refers to the act of Congress in setting the 
13 
specific limits of forest lands and national parks, and increasing or decreasing their 
14 
boundaries by law, as provided for in Article XII, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine 
15 
Constitution. 
16 
(e) "Consulta" refers to the procedure wherein the issue of registrability of certain 
17 
instruments is resolved in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1529. 
18 
(f) "Director General" refers to the person occupying the position of Director 
19 
General of the Land Administration Authority created by this Act. 
20 
(g) "Land" refers to resources, both human-made and natural, found on the 
21 
surface, below and above the ground, including inland waters and the air therein. 
22 
(h) "Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP)" refers to the project 
23 
office providing technical and administrative support to the interagency endeavor of the 
24 
Philippine government to identify strategic directions toward land administration reform 
25 
in land institutions, laws, taxes and fees, and valuation. 
26 
(i) "Land administration and public land management" refers to the administration 
27 
of all functions, powers and activities related to cadastrallparceilary survey and 
28 
mapping, ownership, disposition and registration of larid titles and deeds, arid the 
29 
management of public lands. 
30 
0) 'Land Information System" refers to a system of linking textual attributes (such 
31 
as ownership, identity, location and value) of land into spatial reference designed to 
32 
facilitate access to information and assist in planning and decision-making 
33 
(k) "Land Management Bureau (LMB)" refers to the staff bureau of the 
34 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
35 
(I) "Land Management Services (LMS)" refers to the land management sector or 
36 
offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial and district level. 
37 
(m) "Land registration case" refers to the proceeding, either administrative or 
38 
judicial, for registering the title to, or interest in, a land so that such title or interest 
2 


1 
becomes a matter for public record, and all persons who have interest in the land may 
2 
be informed thereof, actually or constructively, and be bound thereby if they make no 
3 
objections thereto within a specific time. 
4 
(n) "Land Registration Authority (LRA)" refers to the agency which is formerly 
5 
attached to the Department of Justice (DOJ) but has been transferred to DENR by 
6 
virtue of Executive Order 690, including the Registry of Deeds (RoD). 
7 
(0) "National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA)" refers to 
8 
the agency known by that name attached to the DENR. 
9 
(p) "President" refers to the President of the Philippines. 
10 
(q) "Public domain" refers to lands that belong to the State which may either be 
11 
agricultural, forest or timber, mineral or national park as provided for in the Constitution. 
12 
(r) "Public lands" refer to lands which have not been subject to private property 
13 
rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under general laws, 
14 
and are devoted to public use. 
15 
16 
ARTICLE II 
17 
CREATION OF THE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
18 
19 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Land Administration Authority (LAA). - To carry out 
20 
the purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is hereby created and 
21 
placed under the Office of the President. It shall be the primary government agency 
22 
responsible for land administration and public land management. 
23 
24 
SEC. 5. General Powers and Functions of the LAA.- The LAA shall exercise 
25 
the following powers and functions: 
26 
27 
a) 
Cadastral/Parcellary Survey & Mapping 
28 
1) Execute, complete and continually update the nationwide cadastral surveys in 
29 
accordance with the provisions of Act No. 2259 as amended, and update all 
30 
existing cadastral maps taking into consideration the protected areas created 
31 
under RA 7586 
or the 
National Integrated Protected Areas System Act 
32 
(NIPAS) of 1992; 
33 
2) In coordination with local government units and the pertinent agencies, 
34 
conduct and/or approve cadastral surveys and mapping necessary in the 
35 
implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, 
36 
Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, Republic 
37 
Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), 
38 
Republic Act 7916 or the Ecozone Law, Republic Act No. 6657 or the 
3 


1 
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), 
and other existing laws 
2 
requiring survey and mapping; 
3 
3) Verify and 
approve all private land 
consolidation, 
subdivision and 
4 
consolidation-subdivision surveys intended for titling purposes; 
5 
4) Prescribe standards, rules and regulations for the conduct of all kinds of 
6 
cadastrallparcellary surveys and mapping and similar activities in accordance 
7 
with existing laws and intemationally accepted principles, practices and 
8 
standards; 
9 
5) Prescribe a uniform base map that shall be used for all cadastral/parcellary 
10 
mapping activities, and provide convenient and affordable public access to 
11 
the same; and 
12 
6) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that shall 
13 
ensure the security and integrity of all cadastral survey and mapping records. 
14 
15 
b) 
Land Registration 
16 
1) Register original titles to land and subsequent dealings in registered lands 
17 
under the provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529 as 
18 
amended: Provided, That prior to registering a tenure instrument and issuing 
19 
an original certificate of title based thereon, the LAA shall first verify 
20 
compliance with the conditions and requirements prescribed under the law 
21 
authorizing the issuance of said tenure instrument; 
22 
2) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that shall 
23 
ensure the security and integrity of all registration and titling records, subject 
24 
to the provisions of Act No. 496, Presidential Decree 1529 and pertinent laws; 
25 
and 
26 
3) Compile a nationwide master list of suspected spurious land titles and tenure 
27 
instruments, undertake thorough investigation of the same and, when 
28 
merited, initiate the proper proceedings for the cancellation thereof by a 
29 
competent court: Provided, That cancellation of instruments which have not 
30 
yet been registered under the Torrens system as provided under existing laws 
31 
and which are found to be spurious shall be effected by the LAA under rules 
32 
and procedures that it shall promUlgate consistent with this Act and existing 
33 
laws: Provided further, That patently fake titles shall also be dealt with 
34 
administratively by the LAA. 
35 
36 
c) 
Public Land Administration 
37 
1) Administer, manage and/or dispose of all alienable and disposable lands of 
38 
the public domain under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 
4 


1 
otherwise known as the Public Land Act, as amended, Friar Lands under the 
2 
provisions of Act No. 1120, patrimonial property of the national government 
3 
under Act No. 3038, and such other public lands as have not been placed 
4 
under the jurisdiction of any other government agency or instrumentality, in 
5 
accordance with existing laws; and 
6 
2) Coordinate with local government units and the appropriate agencies in 
7 
releasing alienable and disposable lands of the public domain for the 
8 
accelerated 
implementation 
of agrarian 
reform, 
socialized 
housing, 
9 
resettlement and other government programs requiring land. 
10 
11 
d) 
Land Records and Information Technology 
12 
1) Establish and maintain a secure, integrated, and accessible computerized 
13 
database of all cadastrallparcellary survey and mapping records, registration 
14 
and titling records and other land information data, and ensure the timely 
15 
updating of said database; and 
16 
2) Establish and maintain an open system to provide convenient nationwide 
17 
public access to cadastrallparcellary survey, mapping, registration, titling and 
18 
other land data; subject, however, to the requirements of security and 
19 
confidentiality under existing laws. 
20 
21 
e) 
Other Functions 
22 
1) Formulate and recommend policies and programs to achieve the intent and 
23 
purposes of this Act; 
24 
2) Determine, fix and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as fees, fines 
25 
and penalties in the implementation of this Act; 
26 
3) Receive grants and donations; 
27 
4) Conduct, regulate, verify and approve all types of cadastrallparcellary land 
28 
surveys including surveys intended for the implementation of Commonwealth 
29 
Act No. 141, as amended, Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive 
30 
31 
Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) and Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous 
Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA); 
32 
5) Enter into contracts in the implementation of this Act, subject to existing laws; 
33 
6) Perform such other powers and functions as are currently lodged with the 
34 
LRNRoD, LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Coordinating Office under PO 
35 
1529, CA 141 as amended and other existing laws and issuances; and 
36 
7) Perform such other functions as are necessary, proper and incidental to 
37 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
38 
5 


1 
Whenever any reference is made to the LRAlRoD, the LMB/LMS and the DENR-
2 
CARP National Coordinating Office under Executive Order No. 192, Presidential Decree 
3 
No. 1529 and Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, pertaining to a duty, power, 
4 
purpose, responsibility or jurisdiction transferred to the LAA by this Act, it shall be 
5 
deemed to be a reference to, and to mean, the LAA and the Director General of the 
6 
LAA, as the case may be. 
7 
8 
SECTION 6. Stakeholders' Advisory Committee. - The LAA shall be assisted by 
9 
a Stakeholders' Advisory Committee with 16 members composed of the following: 
10 
(a) Six (6) representatives from the basic sectors composed of but not limites to 
11 
farmers, fisherfolk, urban poor, workers in the informal sector, indigenous peoples and 
12 
NGOs chosen through the nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty Commission 
13 
(NAPC); 
14 
(b) One (1) representative from the NAPC Women's Sectoral Council; 
15 
(c) Five (5) representatives from the private sector appointed by the President. 
16 
One representative shall come from each of the following: business sector/real estate 
17 
professionals, banking sector, academe, the geodetic engineer's sector and the 
18 
Integrated Bar of the Philippines; 
19 
(d) Three (3) representatives from the League of Municipalities, Cities and 
20 
Provinces, respectively; and 
21 
(e) The Director General, as ex-officio member. 
22 
23 
The Director General may call on heads or representatives of other government 
24 
agencies to attend the meetings of the committee as the need arises. 
25 
26 
The President shall designate the chairperson from among the members of the 
27 
committee. With the exception of the LAA Director General, the members of the 
28 
advisory committee shall not hold office in the LAA nor receive any salary but shall be 
29 
entitled, for actual attendance during meetings, to such allowances and honoraria as 
30 
are allowed by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Audit. 
31 
32 
SECTION 7. Functions of the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee. -
The 
33 
committee shall advise the LAA on the formulation of pOlicies and policy development 
34 
pertaining to land administration and public land management and shall monitor their 
35 
implementation. It shall submit, within three months following the end of each calendar 
36 
year, a report to the President on its advisory and monitoring activities. 
37 
38 
SECTION 8. Meetings of the Committee. -
The chairperson shall convene 
6 


1 
regular meetings of the committee at least once every quarter. Special meetings may 
2 
also be called by the chairperson or at the initiative of at least three members. 
3 
4 
SECTION 9. Secretariat and Logistical Support. - The office of the LAA Director 
5 
General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the committee. 
6 
7 
8 
9 
ARTICLE III 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
10 
SECTION 10. Structure and Organization. - The LAA shall consist of: 
11 
(a) The Office of the Director General; 
12 
(b) The Offices of the Deputy Directors General; and 
13 
(c) Land offices. 
14 
15 
SECTION 11. The Director General. - The authority and responsibility for the 
16 
exercise of the mandate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives and the 
17 
discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director General (DG), of 
18 
cabinet rank, who shall be appointed by the President. 
19 
The Director General shall have the following functions: 
20 
(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations and other 
21 
issuances relative to land administration and public land management; 
22 
(b) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations of 
23 
the LAA in accordance with the programs of the government; 
24 
(c) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances necessary in carrying out 
25 
the LAA's mandate, objectives, pOlicies, plans, programs and projects; 
26 
(d) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the LAA; 
27 
(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the LAA; and 
28 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
29 
President. 
30 
31 
SECTION 12. Office of the Director General. -
The Office of the Director 
32 
General shall consist of the Director General, his immedfate staff and the Office of the 
33 
Legal Services. The DG shall be appointed by the President and shall be a lawyer or a 
34 
geodetic engineer. 
35 
36 
SECTION 13. Deputy Directors General. -
The Director General shall be 
37 
assisted by not more than five (5) Deputy Directors General (DOG) who shall be 
38 
appointed by the President. They shall oversee the land administration and public land 
7 


1 
management functions of the LAA. They shall be responsible for the following: 
2 
(a) 
Land Registration; 
3 
(b) 
Land Surveying; 
4 
(c) 
Land Records and Information Technology; 
5 
(d) 
Land Administration; and 
6 
(e) 
Administration and Finance. 
7 
8 
At least one of the Deputy Directors General shall be a member of the bar or a 
9 
geodetic engineer with at least five years experience in any land administration function. 
10 
The Deputy Director General for Land Registration should be a member of the 
11 
Philippine Bar with experience on land registration. The Deputy Director General for 
12 
Land Surveying shall be a geodetic engineer. 
13 
14 
The Director General is hereby authorized to delineate, assign and/or reassign the 
15 
respective functional areas of responsibility of the Deputy Directors General. Within his 
16 
functional area of responsibility, a Deputy Director General shall have the following 
17 
functions: 
18 
(a) Advise the Director General in the promulgation of administrative orders and 
19 
other issuances with respect to his area of responsibility; 
20 
(b) Exercise supervision over the offices, departments or operating units, and 
21 
officers and employees under his responsibility; 
22 
(c) Promulgate rules and regulations that will efficiently and effectively govern the 
23 
activities of the units under his responsibility; 
24 
(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility 
25 
with those of other units under the responsibility of other Deputy Directors General; 
26 
(e) Exercise authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the 
27 
functions and activities of the units under his responsibility as may be delegated by the 
28 
Director General; 
29 
(f) Assist the 
Director General 
in the formulation, 
management and 
30 
implementation of land administration and public land management laws, policies, 
31 
plans, programs and projects; and 
32 
(g) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
33 
Director General. 
34 
35 
Provided, That aside from the functions stated herein, the Deputy Director General 
36 
for Land Registration shall exercise executive supervision over all clerks of court and 
37 
personnel of the regular courts throughout the Philippines with respect to the discharge 
38 
of their duties and functions in relation to the registration of lands: 
8 


1 
2 
Provided, further, That each office of the Deputy Director General may create 
3 
appropriate bureaus, in accordance with existing laws and regulations, as the need 
4 
arises. 
5 
6 
SECTION 14. Land Offices. - Permanent field offices at the city and provincial 
7 
levels are hereby established and shall be called Land Offices. The LAA may also 
8 
establish additional Land Offices in a city or province as it may be determined for the 
9 
efficient and effective delivery of its services: Provided, That provinces and cities with 
10 
existing Registry of Deeds upon approval of this Act shall automatically establish Land 
11 
Offices: Provided, further, That the additional field offices may be abolished by the 
12 
Director General when these are no longer necessary. 
13 
14 
The Land Offices shall be headed by an Executive Land Officer. He/She shall 
15 
exercise general supervision on land survey, land registration, public land administration 
16 
and record and information management within his/her jurisdiction. He/She shall also 
17 
implement such other functions of the LAA in his/her respective area of responsibility as 
18 
may be delegated by the Director General to provide a more efficient and effective 
19 
delivery of services. Provided, That the registration personnel shall continue to exercise 
20 
its other registration functions in accordance with existing laws. 
21 
22 
ARTICLE IV 
23 
LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
24 
25 
SECTION 15. Creation of the Land Adjudication Board (LAB). - There is 
26 
hereby created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB). The LAB shall be the quasi-judicial 
27 
body of the LAA and shall have the following functions: 
28 
(a) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters involving the 
29 
implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land administration and public land 
30 
management, and all cases and/or controversies arising therefrom: Provided, That all 
31 
petitions for the correction of clerical or typographical errors committed in writing, 
32 
copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, survey plans, and certificate of 
33 
land titles shall be administratively addressed by the LAA Land Offices; and 
34 
(b) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction on conflicts arising from the 
35 
determination and adjudication in land administration and public land management 
36 
matters, except cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agrarian 
37 
Reform (DAR) under the CARP law and the National Commission on Indigenous 
38 
Peoples under the IPRA law unless specifically provided herein: Provided, That 
9 


1 
jurisdiction over conflicts and cases arising from ownership of private lands shall remain 
2 
with the regular courts: Provided, further, That existing cases on land ownership and 
3 
conflicts pending in the regular courts shall remain under the court's jurisdiction unless 
4 
otherwise remanded by the courts to the LAA or LAB for disposition subject to the 
5 
pertinent provisions of this Act. 
6 
7 
The LAB shall be under the administrative supervision of the Director General 
8 
and shall be divided into three divisions. Each division shall exercise equal powers, 
9 
independently resolving cases raised on appeal from the decisions of the Local Land 
10 
Adjudication Boards, created pursuant to Section 17 hereof, from Luzon, Visayas, and 
11 
Mindanao: Provided, That whenever such a need arises, there shall be created another 
12 
division: Provided, further, That the divisions assigned to handle cases from Visayas 
13 
and Mindanao shall hold permanent office in any of the cities therein. 
14 
15 
SECTION 16. Composition. - Each division of the LAB shall be composed of 
16 
three (3) permanent members who shall be nominated by the Stakeholder's Advisory 
17 
Committee and be appOinted by the President: Provided, That the Director General of 
18 
the LAA shall sit as ex officio or fourth member of each division. 
19 
20 
All members of the Land Adjudication Board shall be members of the Philippine 
21 
Bar with at least ten (10) years of experience in property and land administration and 
22 
management related matters. The permanent members of each division shall elect their 
23 
presiding officer. 
24 
25 
SECTION 17. Local Land Adjudication Board. -
Local Land Adjudication 
26 
Boards (LLAB) are hereby created in all provinCial and city Land Offices that shall serve 
27 
as first level board. The LLAB shall be composed of three (3) members. The Presiding 
28 
Officer shall be the Executive Land Officer, the two other members shall be the head of 
29 
the local surveys unit and the head of the local registration unit. 
30 
31 
Decisions, orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board shall be 
32 
raised on appeal to the LAB. 
33 
34 
SECTION 18. Budget and Administrative Support. - The LAB shall determine 
35 
and propose its budgetary requirements and shall be submitted as part of the LAA's 
36 
budget request. Disbursements of the approved budget resources shall be the sole 
37 
responsibility of the LAB. Secretariat services shall be provided by the LAA. 
38 
10 


1 
SECTION 19. Proceedings and Procedures. - The LAB shall not be bound by 
2 
technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear and decide all 
3 
cases, disputes or controversies in a most expeditious manner, employing all 
4 
reasonable means to ascertain the facts of every case in accordance with justice and 
5 
equity and the merits of the case. 
Towards this end, it shall adopt uniform rules of 
6 
procedure to achieve a just, expeditious and inexpensive determination of merits: 
7 
Provided, That it shall endeavor to settle disputes and controversies amicably. 
8 
9 
In the exercise of its functions, the LAB shall have the power to summon 
10 
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require submission of reports, compel the 
11 
production of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, issue subpoena ad 
12 
testificandum and subpoena duces tecum and enforce its writs through sheriffs or other 
13 
duly deputized officers. It shall punish direct and indirect contempt in the same manner 
14 
and subject to the same penalties as provided for in the Rules of Court. 
15 
16 
Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
17 
organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That when there 
18 
are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the representatives shall 
19 
choose only one from among themselves to represent such party or group before any 
20 
LAB proceedings. 
21 
22 
SECTION 20. Finality of Determination. - Any case or controversy before the 
23 
LAB shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. Only one 
24 
motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, any order, award, ruling or 
25 
decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from receipt by the parties of a 
26 
copy thereof. 
27 
28 
SECTION 21. Frivolous Appeals. - To discourage frivolous or dilatory appeals 
29 
from the decisions, awards, rulings or orders, the LAB may impose reasonable penalties 
30 
including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring parties. 
31 
32 
ARTICLE V 
33 
JUDICIAL REVIEW 
34 
35 
SECTION 22. Certiorari. - Any decision, order, award or ruling of the LAA on any 
36 
dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, enforcement or 
37 
interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land administration and public land 
38 
management may be brought to the Court of Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) 
11 


1 
days from the receipt of a copy thereof. 
2 
3 
The findings of fact of the LAA shall be final and conclusive if based on substantial 
4 
evidence. 
5 
6 
SECTION 23. Restraining Order or Preliminary Injunction. - Only the Court of 
7 
Appeals and the Supreme Court of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any 
8 
restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction against the LAA or any of its duly 
9 
authorized or designated offices in any case, dispute or controversy arising from, 
10 
necessary to, or in connection' with the application, impfementation, enforcement or 
11 
interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land administration and public land 
12 
management. 
13 
14 
SECTION. 24. Procedure on Review. - Review by the Court of Appeals or the 
15 
Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of Court. The 
16 
Court of Appeals, however, may require the parties to file simultaneous memoranda 
17 
within a period of fifteen (15) days from notice, after which the case is deemed 
18 
submitted for decision. 
19 
20 
SECTION 25. Authenticity and Validity of Land Record and Titles - The LAA 
21 
shall have the sole authority and power to validate, authenticate and reconsitutute land 
22 
titles and land ownership records and information: Provided, That existing cases filed 
23 
under the regular courts shall remain under its jurisdiction unless remanded to the LAA. 
24 
25 
ARTICLE VI 
26 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
27 
28 
SECTION 26. Transfer of Powers and Transition Plan. -
The powers and 
29 
functions of the LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, LRA/RoD, LMB/LMS and 
30 
DENR-CARP National Coordinating Office or in any office within or attached to these 
31 
agencies, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of the Director General. 
32 
The Director General shall be responsible for the identification, preparation and 
33 
formulation of a transition plan to ensure the smooth and seamless transfer and 
34 
assumption of powers, functions and personnel from the abovementioned agencies to 
35 
the LAA: ProVided, That such transition plan shall be prepared, formulated and 
36 
developed 
in consultation with the affected agencies and 
its representative 
37 
stakeholders: Provided, further, That the transition plan shall integrate such other 
12 


1 
actions and activities necessary, including provisions under this section and as provided 
2 
for under this Act to complete the transition to the LAA. 
3 
4 
SECTION 27. 
Organization of the LAA. - The LAA's organizational and 
5 
administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the personnel's 
6 
duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation package shall be 
7 
submitted by the Director General within six (6) months upon approval of this Act for 
8 
review and approval of the President and shall be fully implemented within a period of 
9 
six (6) months after such approval of the President. 
10 
11 
SECTION 28. 
Transfer of Personnel. - To ensure a smooth transition, all 
12 
incumbent personnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, LRA/RoD and DENR-CARP National 
13 
Coordinating Office and its field offices shall continue to perform their present duties 
14 
and functions as interim personnel of the LAA until such time, being not later than 
15 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, that the regular staff of the LAA, 
16 
based on the new staffing pattern, shall have been appointed: Provided, That all 
17 
incumbent and qualified personnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, LRA/RoD and DENR-
18 
CARP National Coordinating Office and its field offices shall be allowed to fill up the 
19 
appropriate positions for regular personnel of the LAA and its field offices: Provided, 
20 
further, That the regular personnel shall be appointed by the Director General, or his/her 
21 
duly authorized representative, on the basis of merit, previous permanent appointment; 
22 
fitness, and seniority. 
23 
24 
The existing number of officials and employees of the Land Registration Authority 
25 
and other agencies to be integrated to the Land Administration Authority shall not be 
26 
increased and no new hiring shall be allowed until all of them shall have been properly 
27 
placed. Those who opt to stay shall retain their remuneration and seniority. No official or 
28 
personnel shall be dislocated and involUntarily separated, except for cause. 
29 
30 
SECTION 29. Separation Pay and Other Benefits. - Personnel who are not 
31 
offered appointment within twelve (12) months upon the effectivity of this Act under the 
32 
new staffing pattern of the LAA on at least equivalent terms and conditions as their 
33 
present employment by reason of duplication or redundancy and those who decline an 
34 
appOintment in the LAA by reason of diminution in rank and conditions shall be entitled 
35 
to the separation pay and other benefits in accordance with Sections 10.1 to 10.3 and 
36 
13 of Executive Order No. 366 dated October 4, 2004. 
37 
38 
SECTION 30. Reemployment. - Government personnel who are separated as a 
13 


1 
result of the integration of the aforecited offices may apply for positions and be 
2 
employed in other agencies or branches of the government including government-
3 
owned and/or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions 
4 
(GFls) or local government units (LGUs). 
5 
6 
SECTION 31. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets. - The 
7 
unexpended balances of appropriations in the current General Appropriations Act and 
8 
other laws in force upon approval hereof, pertaining to, held, or used by, or available to 
9 
the LRA and RoD, the LMB, the LMS, the DENR-CARP National Coordinating Office 
10 
and its field offices, and the LAMP are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
11 
12 
Such other unexpended balances of appropriations as may be deemed 
13 
appropriate by the Department of Budget and Management for transfer to the LAA shall 
14 
also be so transferred. 
15 
16 
All real and personal properties, assets, liabilities, records, documents, positions, 
17 
appropriations, contracts and agreements which, upon the effectivity of this Act, are 
18 
vested in, or owned, by the LMB/LMS, the DENR-CARP National Coordinating Office 
19 
and its field offices, the LRA/RoD and the LAMP are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
20 
21 
SECTION 32. Penal Provisions. -
Any person who sells forms issued and 
22 
distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with distributing 
23 
them, refuses or fails without sufficient reason to furnish the same shall be punished for 
24 
each offense by a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and 
25 
not more than One million pesos (Pi ,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six 
26 
months nor more than three years, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
27 
28 
Any person, corporation, association or partnership which, not being qualified or no 
29 
longer authorized to apply for registration purposes, files or induces or knowingly 
30 
permits another person, corporation, association or partnership to file an application in 
31 
his/her or its behalf, or for his/her or its interest, benefit or advantage shall be punished 
32 
for each offense by a fine of not less than One hundre'd thousand pesos (P10a,000.00) 
33 
or imprisonment of not less than five years, or both, at the discretion of the court: 
34 
Provided, That in case the offender is a corporation, association or partnership, their 
35 
responsible officials shall be deemed jointly and severally liable. The application shall 
36 
be cancelled. 
37 
38 
Any person who shall, by deceit or fraud, acquire or attempt to acquire lands of the 
14 


1 
public domain or other real property or any right, title or interest, or property right of any 
2 
class to the same, and any person aiding and abetting him therein or serving as a 
3 
means or tool thereof shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than One 
4 
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than five years 
5 
nor more than twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
6 
7 
Any person who shall tamper or attempt to tamper any records of the LAA that will 
8 
result in the acquisition of rights, title or interest over real property and any person 
9 
aiding and abetting him therein or serving as a means or tool thereof shall, upon 
10 
conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos 
11 
(P500,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years, or both, at the 
12 
discretion of the court. 
13 
14 
For purposes of this Act, if the offender is a public official or government official or 
15 
employee, he or she shall be, in addition to the existing penalties, removed from office, 
16 
forfeit all retirement benefits except the monetary value of accumulated leave credits 
17 
and be perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or appointive public office. 
18 
19 
SECTION 33. Preservation of Records. - The LAA shall have possession and 
20 
control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, funds, 
21 
appropriations, land and other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use of 
22 
all bodies, offices and officers whose duties, powers and functions have been 
23 
transferred to and conferred upon the LAA. 
24 
25 
Pending a written notice of receipt issued by a duly authorized officer of the LAA, it 
26 
shall be the duty of any and all personnel responsible for, or in possession of records 
27 
relating to the affairs of the LMB, the LMS, the DENR-CARP National Coordinating 
28 
Office and its field offices, the LRA and the RoD to protect and preserve such records. 
29 
30 
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person who fails 
31 
to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph shall be guilty of an offense 
32 
against the provisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not less than One million 
33 
pesos (P1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both, at the 
34 
discretion of the court. 
35 
36 
SECTION 34. Saving Clause. - All orders, determination, rules, regulations, 
37 
permits, certificates, licenses and privileges which have been issued, made or granted 
38 
effective by the former LMB, LMS, LRA, RoD, DENR-CARP National Coordinating 
15 


1 
Office and its field offices, and LAMP, or their predecessors shall continue to be in effect 
2 
according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside or repealed. 
3 
4 
No suit, action or other proceedings commenced by or against any officer in his 
5 
official capacity as an officer of any division or unit of the former LMB, LMS, LRA, RoD, 
6 
DENR-CARP National Coordinating Office and its field offices, and LAMP, the functions 
7 
of which are transferred by this Act to the LAA shall abate by reason of this Act. In like 
8 
manner, no cause of action by or against such division or unit or by or against any 
9 
officer thereof in his official capacity shall abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. 
10 
Causes of actions, suits or other proceedings may be asserted for or against the LAA or 
11 
such official of the LAA, as may be appropriate. 
12 
13 
ARTICLE VII 
14 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
15 
16 
SECTION 35. Use of Income and Other Sources of Funds. -
The LAA is 
17 
hereby authorized to use fifty percent (50%) of all revenues derived from fees, charges, 
18 
fines, penalties and other sources for capital outlay on infrastructure, procurement of 
19 
equipment and services related to the integration, updating and maintenance of 
20 
computer-based land information and database system, training and skills upgrading 
21 
including personnel capacity building of LAA. 
22 
23 
The LAA shall be allowed to receive, hold and utilize funds from grants, 
24 
donations, contributions and other gratuitous sources both foreign and local for the 
25 
implementation of its mandate, programs and projects, subject to existing rules and 
26 
regulations. 
27 
28 
SECTION 36. Assurance Fund. - A special account within the LAA is hereby 
29 
created for the entire proceeds of the Assurance Fund, which shall no longer be paid to 
30 
the National Treasury as provided for in Section 94 of Presidential Decree No. 1529. 
31 
32 
Claims from the Assurance Fund shall be heard, decided and determined by the 
33 
LAB. All pending cases or claims against the Assurance Fund now being handled by 
34 
the Bureau of Treasury, through the Office of the Solicitor General, shall likewise be 
35 
transferred to the LAB. Thereafter, the National Treasurer shall no longer be impleaded 
36 
as party in any action against the Assurance Fund. 
37 
38 
SECTION 37. Indemnification of Officials and Personnel. - The LAA shall 
16 


1 
indemnify all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by 
2 
such persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits or proceedings to 
3 
which they may be or made a party by reason of the performance of their functions or 
4 
duties, unless they are finally adjudged in such actions or proceedings to be liable. 
5 
6 
In the event of settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be provided only in 
7 
connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to which the LAA is advised 
8 
by an external counsel that the persons to be indemnified did not commit any gross 
9 
negligence or misconduct. 
10 
11 
The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned action, suit or 
12 
proceeding may be paid by the LAA in advance of the final disposition of such action, 
13 
suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director 
14 
General wherein the official or employee shall repay the amount advanced should it 
15 
ultimately be determined by the LAA that such official or employee is not entitled to be 
16 
indemnified as provided in this section. 
17 
18 
SECTION. 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
19 
from the effectivity of this Act, the LAA shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
20 
implement the provisions of this Act. In the process of the formulation of the IRR for this 
21 
Act, consultations shall be made with the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee and 
22 
submitted to the Office of the President for approval. 
Copies of the IRR shall be 
23 
distributed to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Land Administration created 
24 
under Section 39 hereof. 
25 
26 
SECTION 
39. 
Congressional 
Oversight 
Committee 
on 
the 
Land 
27 
Administration Reform Act. - There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight 
28 
Committee on the Land Reform Act composed of seven (7) members from the Senate 
29 
and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives to be designated by the 
30 
Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively. 
The Committee on 
31 
Environment and Natural Resources shall act as chair. 
32 
33 
The Congressional Oversight Committee, which shall fUnction for a period of not 
34 
more than three years, shall oversee the implementation of this Act. 
35 
36 
The secretariat of the Congressional Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the 
37 
existing secretariat personnel of the committees of the Senate and the House of 
38 
Representatives comprising the oversight committee and the funding for its operations 
17 


1 
shall be taken from the existing budget of the concerned committees. 
2 
3 
SECTION 40. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part 
4 
hereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court, the other provisions hereof 
5 
which are not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
6 
7 
SECTION 41. Repeating Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders, instructions, 
8 
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of 
9 
Commonwealth Act No. 141, Act No. 496, Presidential Decree No. 1529, Executive 
10 
Order No. 192 and its related rules and regulations; Executive Order No. 469 dated 
11 
February 11, 1981 and the subsequent Presidential Memorandum Circular dated 30 
12 
September 1988 and their related rules and regUlations; and the Administrative Code of 
13 
1987, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
14 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
15 
16 
SECTION 42. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
17 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
18 
19 
20 
Approved, 
18