u/Frosty_Bar_7013

In an order dated 11 May 2026, DENR-CENRO, after review of its records and relevant laws, summons Xavier University and Cebu Landmasters Inc. to justify its commercial development of the Manresa Campus.

The Order also confirmed the argument of Atty. Ralph Metrillo that in fact, the Manresa Property was a government grant which is subject to certain restrictions.

The Order required XU and CLI to give its explanation within 15 calendar days, including any law which will justify its commercial development in the area.

This is part of DENR’s investigation possibly leading to the reversion of the property to the government.

From MINDANAO NEWS DAILY

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines-

In a Position Paper addressed to the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Atty. Ralph Metrillo asks the DENR to forfeit and confiscate the entire 64-hectare Xavier University Manresa Campus. This comes after Atty. Metrillo discovers a restriction on the 1958 Sales Patent of the Manresa Land, citing Section 70 of the Public Land Act, where XU (then Ateneo de Cagayan), as grantee of the Sales Patent, is prohibited from using the Land for any purpose other than what was Stated in its application when it applied for the land from the government back in 1956.

In 2021, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan entered into a Joint Venture agreement with Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), a publicly-listed, for-profit, real estate developer with condominium projects nationwide. In this Joint Venture, CLI will develop 14 hectares of the 64-hectare Manresa Land into condominiums, retail shops, office spaces for sale to the public.

Section 70 states that if the land is used for any purpose other than what was stated in the application of the grantee, or the grantee uses it for profit-making ventures, this is considered a violation and the government must take back the property.

DENR Central Office has taken cognizance of Atty. Metrillo’s petition. In a Memorandum dated 23 March 2026, the Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs has ordered DENR Regional Office X to conduct investigation and prepare for possible Reversion proceedings.

If the courts grant the Government’s action for Reversion, not only will the XU-CLI Joint Venture be cancelled, Xavier will totally lose the property and the same will be reverted to the public domain, back to State ownership.

In a press conference in Cagayan de Oro, Atty. Metrillo explains: “This is quite a revelation; a product of diligent research. XU’s ownership of Manresa is not absolute. Section 70 is a mere statutory privilege which Xavier availed of back in 1956. It must therefore comply with all the conditions attached to this privilege.”

“This Joint Venture with a publicly-listed, for profit real estate developer like CLI directly contravenes the limitations imposed on Xavier under Section 70.”, he argues.

“Unfortunately for Xavier and CLI, their lawyers’ due diligence failed them. This is a very costly mistake.” Atty. Metrillo said.

“I have no personal interest in this case. I do not even have the legal standing to institute Reversion myself. I do this out of duty.”, he emphasized.