APPLICATION FOR LAND REGISTRATION TO BE FILED WITH THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

> The RTC shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all applications for original registration of title to lands, including improvements and interests therein, and over all petitioners filed after original registration of title, with power to hear and determine all questions arising upon such applications or petitions

> The MTC or MCTC may be assigned to handle original registration cases in the following instances as provided by RA7691:
o Where the lot is not the subject of any controversy or opposition
o Where the lot is contested but the value thereof doesn’t exceed P100,000

COURT HAVING TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER THE LAND SHOULD TAKE COGNIZANCE OF THE CASE

> Lopez v. De Castro: in all cases where the authority to proceed is conferred by statue and the manner of obtaining jurisdiction is mandatory, the same shall be strictly complied with, or the proceedings will be utterly void

APPLICATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY SURVEY PLAN AND APPLICANT’S MUNIMENT OF TITLE

> It is required that the application for registration must be accompanied by a survey plan of the land duly approved by the Director of Lands, together with the claimant’s muniments of title to prove ownership

> No plan or survey may be admitted in land registration proceedings until approved by the Director of Lands

> The primary purpose of the aforesaid requirement is to fix the exact or definite identity of the land as shown in the plan and technical descriptions

> The LRA has no authority to approve original survey plans nor to check the correctness thereof

> The clerk of court shall not accept application unless it is shown that the applicant has furnished the Director of Lands with a copy of the application and annexes