Director of Lands vs.

IAC
Facts:
The director of Lands appealed to the Supreme Court for certiorari to review the
decision of the Intermediate Appellate Court which affirms the decision of the Court
of the First Instance of Isabela which ordered registration in favor of Acme Plywood
& Veneer Co., Inc of the five parcel of land with a total area of 481, 390 square
meters more or less, which they acquire from Mariano and Acer infiel members of
the Dumagat Tribe.
Issue:
Whether or not the land possessed by Acme is of required character and length of
time to grant title to it.
Held:
The Supreme Court held that since its predecessor-in-interest had been in
possession of the said property since time immemorial, no proof being admissible to
overcome or conclusive presumption, confirmation proceedings would in truth be
little more than a formality. The proceedings would not convert the land possessed
by Acme from public to private land but simply confirms the already vested in it by
operations of the law, from the moment the required period set by the law for the
possession of the land became complete.
Wherefore, the decision of the Intermediate Appellate Court was affirmed by the
Supreme Court.