A lawyer in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, June 8, 2026, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered its regional office to submit an update on the ongoing investigation into Xavier University’s (XU) alleged violation of the Public Land Act.
Atty. Ralph Angelo Metrillo, the legal counsel of the XU Parents, Teachers, Alumni and Communities, Inc. (COPTAC), said he received an official copy of DENR’s memorandum dated June 1, 2026, directing DENR’s regional office to provide an update on the investigation regarding the development of XU’s Manresa property in Upper Carmen.
Metrillo earlier petitioned DENR to seize and forfeit the property from XU after finding out that the property is a government grant under the Public Land Act, with a clear prohibition against any use for commercial purpose or any non-educational use.
The dispute over the alleged commercial development of the Manresa property has drawn public attention amid legal concerns on land originally granted for educational purposes.
XU plans to develop 14.6 hectares of land to help fund the construction of a 21-hectare “Campus of the Future” that will include a 28-hectare forest reserve along Masterson Avenue.
Earlier, XU and its partner real estate developer issued a joint statement saying that the project partnership is legal and that the development will not be delayed.
XU claimed that the title is indefeasible and that the property is protected under the Torrens System, which it described as the highest legal standard of land ownership in the Philippines.
The school also maintained that it has held the land for nearly 70 years and that all administrative restrictions tied to the property expired in 1968.
Metrillo disputed the claims of XU, saying the registration of a patent under the Torrens System does not erase the conditions and limitations imposed on the grantee.
The lawyer also clarified that while Section 121 of Presidential Decree 763 liberalized restrictions for corporations acquiring properties through secondary sale, it did not amend or remove the specific restrictions under Section 70 imposed on the original grantee.
On the issue of expiration, the group argued that Sales Patents issued under Section 70 do not expire after 10 years. Instead, only patents issued under Section 22-32 of the Public Land Act carry such a limitation.
Metrillo said that receiving the recent DENR memorandum is a significant development in their efforts to seek clarity and resolution regarding the issue, which COPTAC first raised with DENR-10 as early as December 2024 and reiterated by another communication in March 2026.
Metrillo said the directive is an important step toward ensuring that the matter is addressed in accordance with established procedures.
“Our objective has always been to ensure that all matters related to public lands are examined strictly in accordance with existing laws and regulations. We brought this forward because we believe there are legal questions that require official clarification and determination. This directive now provides the framework for the regional office to conduct a thorough and systematic review of the case,” Metrillo explained.
“We recognize the contributions of Xavier University to the community and the education sector. However, it is equally important that questions regarding land restrictions and compliance with the Public Land Act are strictly addressed. This is not about targeting any institution, but about ensuring that the rule of law prevails, regardless of the personalities and institutions involved,” he added.
Metrillo expressed hope that with the recent memorandum, the DENR-10 will submit promptly its findings so that parents, alumni, and the public can be informed of the outcome.
“We trust that the regional office will perform its mandate objectively and efficiently. We will continue to monitor the proceedings and stand ready to cooperate in any way that will assist the department in arriving at a fair and legal resolution of this matter,” Metrillo said.
