Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session
House Bill No. 4700

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill serves to install a definite period of time for the Register of Deeds to register
an instrument which has been presented for registration.

Under the existing law, particularly Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, the
registration of an instrument for registration is apparently left to the discretion of the Register
of Deeds. The said provision of law does not provide for a requisite period within which the
Register of Deeds should comply, it being completely left in his discretion to do so, and in
some instances the delay in the issuance or delivery of land title to the owner/registrant. Such
situation often causes unreasonable delay in the transactions of private individuals involving
the Office of the Register of Deeds. Moreover, it exposes the transaction to the possibility of
corruption and may be used by an errant public official to manipulate applicants for
registration.

Section 5 (d) of Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees expressly provides that all public
officials and employees must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of
their offices and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously. This provision demands
efficient service to the public. Absent a specific period for the public official to act, as in the
Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, this mandate cannot be given substance.

As such, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought in order to expedite the services
of the government in processing registration of instruments with the Register of Deeds and to
curb any instance of corruption which may be derived therefrom.

As such, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House BilNo,__— 4700

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING A 15-DAY PERIOD FOR THE REGISTER OF DEEDS TO
REGISTER AN INSTRUMENT PRESENTED FOR REGISTRATION THEREBY
AMENDING SECTION 10 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1529 AND
PROVIDING PENALTY IN VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1529 is hereby amended as
follows:

“Section 10, xxxx

It shall be the duty of the Register of Deeds to register an instrument presented for
registration dealing with real or personal property which complies with all the

requisites for registration and_the corresponding issuance of land_title,
whenever required as the legal conse of such m, within 15

days from presentation. He shall see to it that said instrument bears the proper
documentary and science stamps and that the same are properly canceled. If the
instrument is not registerable, he shall forthwith deny registration thereof within
the same period and inform the presentor of such denial in writing, stating the
‘ground or reason therefor, and advising him of his right to appeal by consulta in
accordance with Section 117 of this Decree.” In violation hereof, the Register of
Deeds and/or any person responsible for the registration of records and the
issuance of land title shall be subject to administrative sanction on negligence.


SECTION 2. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof
inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,