Second Division 2

8/11/2019 Second Division 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/second-division-2 1/16

SECOND DIVISION

PERFECTO MACABABBAD, JR.,*DECEASED, SUBSTITUTEDBY HIS HEIRS SOPHIA MACABABBAD, GLENN M.MACABABBAD, PERFECTO VENER M. MACABABBAD IIIAND MARY GRACE MACABABBAD, and SPS. CHUA SENGLIN AND SAY UN AY, Petitine!",

# $e!"%" #

FERNANDO G. MASIRAG, FAUSTINA G. MASIRAG,CORA&ON G. MASIRAG, LEONOR G. MASIRAG, andLEONCIO M. GOYAGOY,Re"'ndent".

FRANCISCA MASIRAG BACCAY, PURA MASIRAG FERRER#MELAD,and SANTIAGO MASIRAG, Inte!$en!"#Re"'ndent". P!(%)ated+ Jan%a! -, /001

2 #################################################################################################2

D E C I S I O N

BRION, J.:

Be3!e %" i" t4e Petitin 3! Re$ie5 n Certiorari 6)ed 7 Pe!3e8t Ma8a7a77ad, J!.9-: ;Macababbad< and t4e "'%"e" C4%a Sen Lin ;Chua< and Sa Un A ;Say <;8))e8ti$e) 8a))ed t4e petitioners<, '!ain t4at 5e n%))i3 t4e De8i"in 9/: 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" ;CA< and t4e Re")%tin9=: denin t4e (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin t4at3))5ed. T4e a""ai)ed de8i"in !e$e!"ed t4e di"(i""a) O!de!9: 3 t4e Reina) T!ia) C%!t;RTC<, B!an84 , T%%ea!a Cit, Caaan, !e(andin t4e 8a"e 3! 3%!t4e! t!ia).

BACKGROUND

On A'!i) />, -111, !e"'ndent" Fe!nand Ma"i!a ;Fernando<, Fa%"tina Ma"i!a;Faustina<, C!a?n Ma"i!a ;Corazon<, Len! Ma"i!a ;Leonor < and Len8i Ma"i!aGa ;Leoncio< ;8))e8ti$e) 8a))ed t4e respondents <, 6 )ed 5it4 t4e RTC a8(')aint9@: aain"t Ma8a7a77ad, C4%a and Sa.9: On Ma -0, -111, t4e a(ended t4ei!8(')aint t a))ee ne5 (atte!".9: T4e !e"'ndent" a))eed t4at t4ei! 8(')aint i" ana8tin 3!+

quieting of title, nullity of titles, reconveyance, damages and attorney’s fees [8] against the defendants 9'etitine!" 4e!e: 2 22 who cabal themselves in mala des of badges of fraud dishonesty!deceit! misrepresentations! bad faith! under the guise of purportedinstrument! nomenclature "#$TRA%&'()C)AL S#TTL#M#*T +)T,S)M'LTA*#-'S SAL# -F .-RT)-* -F R#/)ST#R#( LA*( 0Lot 121134!dated (ecember 5! 2678! a falsication dened and penalized under

Art9 28: in relation to Art9 282! Revised .enal Code! by "causing it toappear that persons 0the plainti;s herein 9t4e !e"'ndent" in t4i"8a"e: 3 have participated in any act or proceeding when they 0the

plainti;s herein 9t4e !e"'ndent" in t4i" 8a"e: 3 did not in fact so participate4 in the "#$TRA%&'()C)AL S#TTL#M#*T +)T,S)M'LTA*#-'S SAL# -F .-RT)-* -F R#/)ST#R#( LA*( 0Lot 12114 <covered by -riginal Certicate of Title *o9 26173 9"i8:.91:

T4e a(ended 8(')aint e""entia)) a))eed t4e 3))5in+9-0:

T4e de8ea"ed "'%"e" Ped! Ma"i!a ;.edro< and Panta)ena T%)a%an ;.antaleona <

5e!e t4e !iina) !ei"te!ed 5ne!" 3 Lt N. - 3 t4e Cada"t!a) S%!$e 3 T%%ea!a;Lt N. -<, a" e$iden8ed 7 O!iina) Ce!ti68ate 3 Tit)e ;OCT< N. -1.9--: Lt N.- 8ntained an a!ea 3 ,/= "%a!e (ete!".

Ped! and Panta)ena 4ad ei4t ;>< 84i)d!en, na(e), Va)e!ian,

D(in, Pa7), Vi8t!ia, Vi8enta, Ini8i, Ma2i(a and Ma!ia. Re"'ndent" Fe!nand,

Fa%"tina, C!a?n and Len! Ma"i!a a!e t4e 84i)d!en 3 Va)e!ian and A)3!a Ga,54i)e Len8i i" t4e "n 3 Vi8enta and B!a%)i Ga. T4e !e"'ndent" a))eed) didnt n5 3 t4e de(i"e 3 t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e 'a!ent" t4e n) )ea!ned 3 t4e in4e!itan8ed%e 3!( t4ei! 'a!ent" in t4e 6!"t 5ee 3 Ma!84 -111 54en t4ei! !e)ati$e, Pi)a! %int,in3!(ed !e"'ndent Fe!nand and 4i" 5i3e Ba!7a!a Ba)i"i a7%t it. T4e i((ediate)4i!ed a )a5e! t in$e"tiate t4e (atte!.

T4e in$e"tiatin di"8)"ed t4at t4e 'etitine!" 3a)"i6ed a d8%(ent entit)ed

E2t!a#%di8ia) Sett)e(ent 5it4 Si(%)tane%" Sa)e 3 P!tin 3 Rei"te!ed Land ;Lt -<dated De8e(7e! =, -19-/: ;4e!eina3te! !e3e!!ed t a" t4e e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale< " t4at t4e !e"'ndent" 5e!e de'!i$ed 3 t4ei! "4a!e" in Lt N.-. T4e d8%(ent '%!'!ted) 7!e t4e !e"'ndent" "inat%!e", (ain t4e( a''ea!t 4a$e 'a!ti8i'ated in t4e e2e8%tin 3 t4e d8%(ent 54en t4e did nt t4e did nte$en n5 t4e 'etitine!". T4e d8%(ent "ten"i7) 8n$eed t4e "%7e8t '!'e!t tMa8a7a77ad 3! t4e "%( 3 P-,>00.00.9-=: S%7"e%ent), OCT N. -1 5a" 8an8e))edand LtN. - 5a" !ei"te!ed in t4e na(e" 3 it" ne5 5ne!" %nde! T!an"3e! Ce!ti68ate3 Tit)e ;TCT< N. -=0>,9-: '!e"%(a7) a3te! t4e deat4 3 Ped! and Panta)ena. H5e$e!,de"'ite t4e "%''"ed "a)e t Ma8a7a77ad, 4i" na(e did nt a''ea! n t4e 3a8e 3 TCT N.-=0>.9-@: De"'ite 4i" e28)%"in 3!( TCT N. -=0>, 4i" Petitin 3! ant4e! 5ne!"d%')i8ate 8' 3 TCT N. -=0>, 6)ed in t4e C%!t 3 Fi!"t In"tan8e 3 Caaan, 5a"!anted n J%) /, -1>/.9-:

S%7"e%ent), Ma8a7a77ad !ei"te!ed '!tin" 3 Lt N. - in 4i" na(e and

")d t4e! '!tin" t t4i!d 'a!tie".9-:

On Ma ->, -1/, C4%a 6)ed a 'etitin 3! t4e 8an8e))atin 3 TCT N. T#-=0> and

t4e i""%an8e 3 a tit)e e$iden8in 4i" 5ne!"4i' $e! a "%7di$ided '!tin 3 Lt N. -8$e!in >0=.@0 "%a!e (ete!". On Ma /=, -1/, TCT N. T#->0= 5a" i""%ed in 4i"na(e.9->:

Ba"ed n t4e"e a))eatin", t4e !e"'ndent" a"ed+ ;-< t4at t4e e2t!a%di8ia)

"ett)e(ent 3 e"tate and "a)e 7e de8)a!ed n%)) and $id ab initio and 5it4%t 3!8e andeKe8t, and t4at C4%a 7e !de!ed and di!e8ted t e2e8%te t4e ne8e""a! deed 3 !e8n$ean8e 3 t4e )and i3 t4e !e3%"e, t4at t4e C)e! 3 C%!t 7e !e%i!ed t d " ;/<t4e i""%an8e 3 a ne5 TCT in !e"'ndent" na(e and t4e 8an8e))atin 3 Ma8a7a77ad"and C4%a" 8e!ti68ate" 3 tit)e and ;=< t4at t4e 'etitine!" 7e !de!ed t 'a da(ae" andatt!ne" 3ee".

Ma8a7a77ad 6)ed a (tin t di"(i"" t4e a(ended 8(')aint n J%) -, -111,54i)e C4%a and Sa 6)ed an A''ea!an8e 5it4 Mtin t Di"(i"" n Se'te(7e! />, -111.

On De8e(7e! -, -111, t4e RTC !anted t4e (tin 3 F!an8i"8a Ma"i!a Ba88a,P%!a Ma"i!a Fe!!e!#Me)ad, and Santia Ma"i!a 3! )ea$e t inte!$ene and t ad(it t4ei!8(')aint#in#inte!$entin. T4e (tin a))eed t4at t4e 4a$e 8((n in4e!itan8e !i4t"5it4 t4e !e"'ndent" $e! t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t.

THE RTC RULING

T4e RTC, a3te! initia)) denin t4e (tin t di"(i"", !e8n"ide!ed it" !%)inand dismissed the comp!i"t in it" O!de!9-1: dated Ma /1, /000 o" the #$o%"ds th!t:&' the !ctio", (hich (!s )ed *+ e!$s !-te$ the p$ope$t (!s p!$titio"ed !"d

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/jan2009/161237.htm#_ftn1






















































!-te$ ! po$tio" (!s sod to !c!/!//!d, h!d !$e!d p$esc$i/ed0 !"d +' the$e(!s -!i%$e to impe!d i"dispe"s!/e p!$ties, "!me, the othe$ hei$s o- 1ed$o!"d 1!"t!eo"! !"d the pe$so"s (ho h!2e !$e!d !c3%i$ed tite to po$tio"s o- the s%/4ect p$ope$t i" #ood -!ith. 9/0:

T4e !e"'ndent" a''ea)ed t4e RTC" !de! dated Ma /1, /000 t t4e CA n t4e3))5in !%nd"+

I.

THE COURT A UO ERRED IN DISMISSING THECASE

II.

THE COURT A UO ERRED IN INTERPRETING THENATURE OF APPELLANTS CAUSE OF ACTION AS

THAT DESIGNATED IN THE COMPLAINTS TITLEAND NOT IN ;S)C3 THE ALLEGATIONS IN THECOMPLAINT9/-:

T4e 'etitine!" ($ed t di"(i"" t4e a''ea) '!i(a!i) n t4e !%nd t4at t4e e!!!"

t4e !e"'ndent" !ai"ed in$)$ed '%!e %e"tin" 3 )a5 t4at "4%)d 7e 7!%4t 7e3!e t4eS%'!e(e C%!t via a 'etitin 3! !e$ie5 n certiorari %nde! R%)e @ 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t.

T4e !e"'ndent" in"i"ted t4at t4ei! a''ea) in$)$ed (i2ed %e"tin" 3 3a8t and )a5 andt4%" 3e)) 5it4in t4e '%!$ie5 3 t4e CA" a''e))ate %!i"di8tin.

THE CA DECISION 5++6

T4e CA in!ed9/=: t4e %!i"di8tina) i""%e !ai"ed 7 t4e 'etitine!" in t4ei! (tin t

di"(i"", t 8ni?an8e 3 t4e a''ea), and 38%"ed n t4e 3))5in i""%e"+ &'(hethe$the comp!i"t st!ted ! c!%se o- !ctio"0 !"d +' (hethe$ the c!%se o- !ctio" h!d/ee" (!i2ed, !/!"do"ed o$ e7ti"#%ished.

The !ppe!te co%$t $e2e$sed !"d set !side the RTC8s dismiss! o- thecomp!i"t. On t4e rst i""%e, it !%)ed t4at t4e 8(')aint carve0d3 out a su?cient andade@uate cause of action ===9 -ne can read through the verbosity of the initiatory

pleading to discern that a fraud was committed by the defendants on certain heirs of theoriginal owners of the property and that! as a result! the plainti;s were deprived of interests that should have gone to them as successors%in%interest of these parties9 A

positive deception has been alleged to violate legal rights9 This is the ultimate essentialfact that remains after all the clutter is removed from the pleading9 (irected against thedefendants! there is enough to support a denitive ad>udication94 [24]

On t4e second i""%e, t4e CA a'')ied t4e Ci$i) Cde '!$i"in n i(')ied

t!%"t, i9e9! t4at a 'e!"n 54 a8%i!e" a 'ie8e 3 '!'e!t t4!%4 3!a%d i" 8n"ide!ed at!%"tee 3 an i(')ied t!%"t 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 t4e 'e!"n 3!( 54( t4e '!'e!t8a(e. Re8n8i)in t4i" )ea) '!$i"in 5it4 A!ti8)e -01 ;54i84 de6ne" $id 8nt!a8t"< andA!ti8)e --0 ;54i84 '!$ide" t4at an a8tin t de8)a!e a 8nt!a8t n%)) and $id i"i('!e"8!i'ti7)e<, t4e CA !%)ed t4at t4e !e"'ndent" 8a%"e 3 a8tin 4ad nt '!e"8!i7ed,7e8a%"e in assailing the e=tra>udicial partition as void! the respondentsB have the right to bring the action unfettered by a prescriptive period94 9/@:

THE 1ETITION 9OR REVIE ON CERT!R"R

T4e T4i!d Di$i"in 3 t4i" C%!t initia)) denied9/: t4e 'etitin 3! !e$ie5

n certiorari 3! t4e 'etitine!" 3ai)%!e t "45 an !e$e!"i7)e e!!! 8((itted 7 t4e CA.H5e$e!, it "%7"e%ent) !ein"tated t4e 'etitin. In t4ei! (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin, t4e'etitine!" 8)a!i6ed t4e !%nd" 3! t4ei! 'etitin, a" 3))5"+

A. THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS DID NOT HAVE JURISDICTION TO PASS UPON AND RULE ON THE APPEAL TAEN BY THE RESPONDENTS IN CA#GR CV NO. >@-.9/:

In t4e a)te!nati$e, e= abundanti cautela, t4e 'etitine!" a))eed t4e! !e$e!"i7)e e!!!""%((a!i?ed a" 3))5"+ 9/>:

) T4e RTC di"(i""a) n t4e !%nd t4at indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" 5e!e nt i(')eaded4a" a)!ead 7e8(e 6na) and e2e8%t! 7e8a%"e t4e CA did nt 'a"" %'n t4i"

!%nd

9/1:

) T4e !e"'ndent" a!%(ent t4at t4e!e 5a" n 3ai)%!e t i(')ead indi"'en"a7)e

'a!tie" "in8e t4e t4e! 4ei!" 3 Ped! and Panta)ena 54 5e!e nt i(')eaded5e!e nt indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" in )i4t 3 t4e !e"'ndent" ad(i""in t4at t4ee2t!a#%di8ia) "ett)e(ent i" $a)id 5it4 !e"'e8t t t4e t4e! 4ei!" 54 ")d t4ei!"4a!e" t Pe!3e8t Ma8a7a77ad i" e!!ne%" 7e8a%"e inn8ent '%!84a"e!" 3!$a)%e 3 '!tin" 3 Lt - 54 a!e a)" indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" 5e!e nti(')eaded 9=0:

) T4e CA e!!ed in !e8n8i)in Ci$i) Cde '!$i"in" A!ti8)e -@ and A!ti8)e --0,

in !e)atin t A!ti8)e -019=-:

) T4e CA e!!ed in "ain t4at t4e E2t!a#%di8ia) Pa!titin 5a" an ine2i"tent and

$id 8nt!a8t 7e8a%"e it 8%)d nt 7e "aid t4at nne 3 t4e 4ei!" intended t 7e7%nd 7 t4e 8nt!a8t.9=/:

T4e !e"'ndent" a!%ed in t4ei! C((ent t4at+9==:

T4e a''ea) 5a" 7!%4t n (i2ed %e"tin" 3 3a8t and )a5 in$)$in

'!e"8!i'tin, )a84e" and indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie"

T4e nn#in8)%"in 3 indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" i" nt a !%nd t di"(i"" t4e 8)ai(

T4e !e"'ndent" a8tin i" nt 3! !e8n$ean8e. Rat4e!, it i" an a8tin tde8)a!e t4e "a)e 3 t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e "4a!e" n%)) and $id

An a8tin 3! t4e n%))it 3 an in"t!%(ent '!e"8!i7e" in 3%! ;< ea!" 3!(di"8$e! 3 t4e 3!a%d. Di"8$e! 5a" (ade in -111, 54i)e t4e 8(')aint 5a"a)" )ded in -111. Hen8e, t4e a8tin 4ad nt et 7een 7a!!ed 7 '!e"8!i'tin

Laches 4ad nt "et in 7e8a%"e t4e a8tin 5a" i((ediate) 6)ed a3te! di"8$e!3 t4e 3!a%d.

OUR RULING

e )"d the petitio" de2oid o- me$it.

#uestions of $act v% #uestions of &a' A %e"tin 3 )a5 a!i"e" 54en t4e!e i" d%7t a" t 54at t4e )a5 i" n a 8e!tain

"tate 3 3a8t" 54i)e t4e!e i" a %e"tin 3 3a8t 54en t4e d%7t a!i"e" a" t t4e t!%t4 !3a)"it 3 t4e a))eed 3a8t".9=: A %e"tin 3 )a5 (a 7e !e")$ed 7 t4e 8%!t 5it4%t!e$ie5in ! e$a)%atin t4e e$iden8e.9=@: N e2a(inatin 3 t4e '!7ati$e $a)%e 3 t4ee$iden8e 5%)d 7e ne8e""a! t !e")$e a %e"tin 3 )a5. 9=: T4e ''"ite i" t!%e 5it4!e"'e8t t %e"tin" 3 3a8t, 54i84 ne8e""itate a 8a)i7!atin 3 t4e e$iden8e.9=:

T4e nat%!e 3 t4e i""%e" t 7e !ai"ed n a''ea) 8an 7e )eaned 3!( t4e

a''e))ant" nti8e 3 a''ea) 6)ed in t4e t!ia) 8%!t and in 4i" ! 4e! 7!ie3 a" a''e))ant in t4ea''e))ate 8%!t.9=>: In t4ei! Nti8e 3 A''ea), t4e !e"'ndent" (ani3e"ted t4ei! intentin ta''ea) t4e a""ai)ed RTC !de! n )ea) !%nd" and on the basis of the environmental

T!%"t # SJBP!i! /















































facts.9=1: F%!t4e!, in t4ei! B!ie3, t4e 'etitine!" a!%ed t4at t4e RTC e!!ed in !%)in t4att4ei! 8a%"e 3 a8tin 4ad '!e"8!i7ed and t4at t4e 4ad ")e't n t4ei! !i4t". 90: A)) t4e"eindi8ate t4at %e"tin" 3 3a8t" 5e!e in$)$ed, ! 5e!e at )ea"t !ai"ed, in t4e !e"'ndent"a''ea) 5it4 t4e CA.

In Crisostomo v9 /arcia!9-: t4i" C%!t !%)ed t4at '!e"8!i'tin (a eit4e! 7e a%e"tin 3 )a5 ! 3a 8t it i" a %e"tin 3 3a 8t 54en t4e d%7t ! diKe!en8e a!i"e" a" t t4et!%t4 ! 3a)"it 3 an a))eatin 3 3a8t it i" a %e"tin 3 )a5 54en t4e!e i" d%7t !8nt!$e!" a" t 54at t4e )a5 i" n a i$en "tate 3 3a8t". T4e te"t 3 54et4e! a %e"tini" ne 3 )a5 ! 3a8t i" nt t4e a''e))atin i$en t t4e %e"tin 7 t4e 'a!t !ai"in t4ei""%e t4e te"t i" 54et4e! t4e a''e))ate 8%!t 8an dete!(ine t4e i""%e !ai"ed 5it4%t!e$ie5in ! e$a)%atin t4e e$iden8e. P!e"8!i'tin, e$ident), i" a %e"tin 3 3a8t 54e!et4e!e i" a need t dete!(ine t4e $e!a8it 3 3a8t%a) (atte!" "%84 a" t4e date 54en t4e'e!id t 7!in t4e a8tin 8((en8ed t !%n.9/:

)ng>ug%Tiro v9 Casals9=: in"t!%8ti$e) te))" %" t t4at a "%((a! ! %t!i4t

di"(i""a) 3 an a8tin i" nt '!'e! 54e!e t4e!e a!e 3a8t%a) (atte!" in di"'%te 54i84!e%i!e '!e"entatin and a''!e8iatin 3 e$iden8e. In t4i" 8ited 8a"e 54"e 3a8t "it%atini" "i(i)a! t t4e '!e"ent 8a"e, a)7eit 5it4 a $e! ")i4t and (in! $a!iatin, 5e 8n"ide!edt4e i('!$ident di"(i""a) 3 a 8(')aint 7a"ed n '!e"8!i'tin and )a84e" t 7e i('!'e!7e8a%"e t4e 3))5in (%"t "ti)) 7e '!$en 7 t4e 8(')ainin 'a!tie"+

(rst , t4at t4e 5e!e t4e 8#4ei!" and 8#5ne!" 3 t4e in4e!ited'!'e!t second , t4at t4ei! 8#4ei!"#8#5ne!" ")d t4ei! 4e!edita!!i4t" t4e!et 5it4%t t4ei! n5)ede and 8n"ent t)ird , t4at3!e!, 3!a%d and de8eit 5e!e 8((itted in t4e e2e8%tin 3 t4e (eed of #=tra>udicial Settlement and Conrmation of Sale "in8eF!an8i"8 In% 54 a))eed) e2e8%ted t4e deed in -1 a8t%a))died in -1=, 4en8e, t4e t4%(7'!int 3%nd in t4e d8%(ent 8%)d nt7e 4i" fourt), t4at E%3e(i In% 54 "ined t4e deed 3 "a)e i" ntt4e "n 3 Ma(e!t In%, and, t4e!e3!e, nt an 4ei! entit)ed t'a!ti8i'ate in t4e di"'"itin 3 t4e in4e!itan8e (ft), t4at!e"'ndent" 4a$e nt 'aid t4e ta2e" "in8e t4e e2e8%tin 3 t4e "a)e in-1@ %nti) t4e '!e"ent date and t4e )and in %e"tin i" "ti)) de8)a!ed3! ta2atin '%!'"e" in t4e na(e 3 Ma(e!t In%, t4e !iina)!ei"te!ed 5ne!, a" 3 -11> si*t), t4at !e"'ndent" 4ad nt taen'""e""in 3 t4e )and "%7e8t 3 t4e 8(')aint n! int!d%8ed ani('!$e(ent t4e!en and sevent), t4at !e"'ndent" a!e ntinn8ent '%!84a"e!" 3! $a)%e. A" in )ng>ug%Tiro, t4e '!e"ent 8a"e in$)$e" 3a8t%a) i""%e" t4at !e%i!e t!ia) n

t4e (e!it". T4i" "it%atin !%)e" %t a "%((a! di"(i""a) 3 t4e 8(')aint.

+roer -ode of "eal

Sin8e t4e a''ea) !ai"ed (i2ed %e"tin" 3 3a8t and )a5, n e!!! 8an 7ei('%ted n t4e !e"'ndent" 3! in$in t4e a''e))ate %!i"di8tin 3 t4e CA t4!%4 an!dina! a''ea). R%)e -, Se8. / 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t '!$ide"+

Mde" 3 a''ea).

;a< O!dina! a''ea) # T4e a''ea) t t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" in8a"e" de8ided 7 t4e Reina) T!ia) C%!t in t4e e2e!8i"e 3 it" !iina)

%!i"di8tin "4a)) 7e taen 7 6)in a nti8e 3 a''ea) 5it4 t4e 8%!t54i84 !ende!ed t4e %d(ent ! 6na) !de! a''ea)ed 3!( and "e!$ina 8' t4e!e3 %'n t4e ad$e!"e 'a!t. In -urillo v% Consul ,9: t4i" C%!t 4ad t4e 88a"in t 8)a!i3 t4e t4!ee ;=<

(de" 3 a''ea) 3!( de8i"in" 3 t4e RTC, na(e)+ ;-< !dina! a''ea) ! a''ea) 7 5!it3 e!!!, 54e!e %d(ent 5a" !ende!ed in a 8i$i) ! 8!i(ina) a8tin 7 t4e RTC in t4ee2e!8i"e 3 !iina) %!i"di8tin, 8$e!ed 7 R%)e - ;/< 'etitin 3! !e$ie5, 54e!e

%d(ent 5a" !ende!ed 7 t4e RTC in t4e e2e!8i"e 3 a''e))ate %!i"di8tin, 8$e!ed 7R%)e / and ;=< 'etitin 3! !e$ie5 t t4e S%'!e(e C%!t %nde! R%)e @ 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t. T4e 6!"t (de 3 a''ea) i" taen t t4e CA n %e"tin" 3 3a8t ! (i2ed %e"tin"3 3a8t and )a5. T4e "e8nd (de 3 a''ea) i" 7!%4t t t4e CA n %e"tin" 3 3a8t, 3 )a5, ! (i2ed %e"tin" 3 3a8t and )a5. T4e t4i!d (de 3 a''ea) i" e)e$ated t t4eS%'!e(e C%!t n) n %e"tin" 3 )a5. +rescrition

A !%)in n '!e"8!i'tin ne8e""a!i) !e%i!e" an ana)"i" 3 t4e ')aintiK" 8a%"e3 a8tin 7a"ed n t4e a))eatin" 3 t4e 8(')aint and t4e d8%(ent" atta84ed a" it"inte!a) 'a!t". A (tin t di"(i"" 7a"ed n '!e"8!i'tin 4't4eti8a)) ad(it" t4ea))eatin" !e)e$ant and (ate!ia) t t4e !e")%tin 3 t4i" i""%e, 7%t nt t4e t4e! 3a8t" 3 t4e 8a"e.9@:

Un3!t%nate), 7t4 t4e !e"'ndent" 8(')aint and a(ended 8(')aint a!e'!) 5!ded, $e!7"e, and '!ne t (i"%nde!"tandin. In additin, t4e!e3!e, t t4e8(')aint, 5e dee( it a''!'!iate t 8n"ide! t4e 8)a!i68atin" (ade in t4ei! a''ea) 7!ie3 7 t4e 'etitine!" !e)atin t t4e intent 3 t4ei! 8(')aint. e dee( t4i" "te' a''!'!iate"in8e t4e!e 5e!e n (atte!" !ai"ed 3! t4e 6!"t ti(e n a''ea) and t4ei! !e"tate(ent 5a"a't) "%''!ted 7 t4e a))eatin" 3 t4e RTC 8(')aint. T4e !e"'ndent" a!%e in t4ei!A''e))ant" B!ie3 t4at+

2 2 2 A)t4%4 !e8n$ean8e 5a" (entined in t4e tit)e,

!e8n$ean8e 3 54i84 8nnte" t4at t4e!e 5a" a (i"tae in tit)int4e )and in %e"tin in t4e na(e 3 t4e !ei"te!ed 5ne! indi8atedt4e!ein, 7%t in t4e a))eatin" in t4e 7d 3 t4e a))eatin" in t4e7d 3 t4e in"tant 8(')aint, it 8)ea!) a''ea!" t4at t4e nat%!e 3 t4e8a%"e 3 a8tin 3 a''e))ant", 9sic: t4e 5anted t et 7a8 t4ei!!e"'e8ti$e "4a!e" in t4e "%7e8t in4e!itan8e 7e8a%"e t4e did nt "e))"aid "4a!e" t a''e))ee Pe!3e8t Ma8a7a77ad a" t4e "inat%!e"'%!'!ted t 7e t4ei!" 54i84 a''ea!ed in t4e E2t!a%di8ia) Sett)e(ent5it4 Si(%)tane9%:" Sa)e 3 P!tin 3 Rei"te!ed Land ;Lt -<5e!e 3!ed.

A" a''e))ant" !e'!e"ented / 3 t4e > 84i)d!en 3 t4e

de8ea"ed !iina) 5ne!" 3 t4e )and in %e"tin 54 5e!e Ped!Ma"i!a and Panta)ena Ta)a%an, t4e "a)e i" 'e!3e8t) $a)id 5it4!e"'e8t t t4e t4e! 84i)d!en, and $id ab initio 5it4 !e"'e8t t t4ea''e))ant".9:

T4e !e"'ndent" )ie5i"e a!%e t4at t4ei! a8tin i" ne 3! t4e ann%)(ent 3 t4e e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale 7ea!in t4ei! 3!ed "inat%!e". T4e8ntend t4at t4ei! a8tin 4ad nt et '!e"8!i7ed 7e8a%"e an a8tin t de8)a!e anin"t!%(ent n%)) and $id i" i('!e"8!i'ti7)e. In t4ei! C((ent t t4e 'etitin 3! !e$ie5,45e$e!, t4e !e"'ndent" (di6ed t4ei! '"itin and a!%ed t4at t4e "a)e t t4e'etitine!" '%!"%ant t t4e e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale 5a" $id 7e8a%"e it5a" 8a!!ied %t t4!%4 3!a%d t4%", t4e a''!'!iate '!e"8!i'tin 'e!id i" 3%! ;< ea!"3!( t4e di"8$e! 3 3!a%d. Unde! t4i" a!%(ent, !e"'ndent" '"it t4at t4ei! 8a%"e 3 a8tin 4ad nt et '!e"8!i7ed 7e8a%"e t4e n) )ea!ned 3 t4e e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale in Ma!84 -111 t4e 6)ed t4ei! 8(')aint t4e 3))5in (nt4.

T4e 'etitine!", n t4e t4e! 4and, a!%e t4at t4e !e)e$ant '!e"8!i'ti$e 'e!id4e!e i" ten ;-0< ea!" 3!( t4e date 3 t4e !ei"t!atin 3 tit)e, t4i" 7ein an a8tin 3!!e8n$ean8e 7a"ed n an i(')ied ! 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t.

e 7e)ie$e and " 4)d t4at t4e !e"'ndent" a(ended 8(')aint "%Q8ient)')eaded a 8a%"e t de8)a!e t4e "%it 3 t4e e2t!a%di8ia) "ett)e(ent 3 e"tate and "a)e,a" t4e 8)ai(ed in t4ei! a(ended 8(')aint. it4%t '!e%din t4e i""%e 3 t4e (e!it" 3 t4e !e"'ndent" 8)ai( and n t4e a""%('tin t4at t4e 'etitine!" a)!ead 4't4eti8a))

T!%"t # SJBP!i! =























ad(itted t4e a))eatin" 3 t4e 8(')aint 54en t4e 6)ed a (tin t di"(i"" 7a"ed n'!e"8!i'tin, t4e t!an"3e! (a 7e n%)) and $id i3 indeed it i" e"ta7)i"4ed t4at !e"'ndent"4ad nt i$en t4ei! 8n"ent and t4at t4e deed i" a 3!e! ! i" a7")%te) 68titi%". A"t4e n%))it 3 t4e e2t!a%di8ia) "ett)e(ent 3 e"tate and "a)e 4a" 7een !ai"ed and i" t4e'!i(a! i""%e, t4e a8tin t "e8%!e t4i" !e"%)t 5i)) nt '!e"8!i7e '%!"%ant t A!ti8)e --0 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde.

Ba"ed n t4i" 8n8)%"in, t4e ne8e""a! %e"tin t4at ne2t a!i"e" i"+ 4at t4en i"t4e eKe8t 3 t4e i""%an8e 3 TCT" in t4e na(e 3 'etitine!" In t4e! 5!d", de" t4ei""%an8e 3 t4e 8e!ti68ate" 3 tit)e" 8n$e!t t4e a8tin t ne 3 !e8n$ean8e 3 tit)ed)and 54i84, %nde! "ett)ed %!i"'!%den8e, '!e"8!i7e" in ten ;-0< ea!"

P!e8edent" "a it de" nt t4e a8tin !e(ain" i('!e"8!i'ti7)e, t4e i""%an8e 3 t4e8e!ti68ate" 3 tit)e" nt5it4"tandin. )ng>ug%Tiro i" aain in"t!%8ti$e n t4i" 'int+

A!ti8)e -@> 3 t4e Ne5 Ci$i) Cde '!$ide"+ B t4e8nt!a8t 3 "a)e ne 3 t4e 8nt!a8tin 'a!tie" 7)iate" 4i("e)3 3 t!an"3e! t4e 5ne!"4i' 3 and t de)i$e! a dete!(inate t4in, andt4e t4e! t 'a t4e!e3! a '!i8e 8e!tain in (ne ! it" e%i$a)ent. Iti" e""entia) t4at t4e $end!" 7e t4e 5ne!" 3 t4e '!'e!t ")dt4e!5i"e t4e 8annt di"'"e t4at 54i84 de" nt 7e)n t t4e(. A"t4e R(an" '%t it+ *emo dat @uod non habet . No o"e c!" #i2emo$e th!" (h!t he h!s. The s!e o- the $e!t to $espo"de"tsis "% !"d 2oid i"so-!$ !s it p$e4%diced petitio"e$s; i"te$ests!"d p!$ticip!tio" the$ei". At /est, o" the o("e$ship o- thesh!$es o- L%is!, !$i! !"d G%ie$m! i" the disp%ted p$ope$tco%d h!2e /ee" t$!"s-e$$ed to $espo"de"ts.

Cn"e%ent), !e"'ndent" 8%)d nt 4a$e a8%i!ed5ne!"4i' $e! t4e )and t t4e e2tent 3 t4e "4a!e" 3 'etitine!". The iss%!"ce o- ! ce$ti)c!te o- tite i" thei$ -!2o$co%d "ot 2est %po" them o("e$ship o- the e"ti$e p$ope$t0"eithe$ co%d it 2!id!te the p%$ch!se the$eo- (hich is "%!"d 2oid. Re#ist$!tio" does "ot 2est tite0 it is me$e thee2ide"ce o- s%ch tite. O%$ !"d $e#ist$!tio" !(s do "ot #i2ethe hode$ !" /ette$ tite th!" (h!t he !ct%! h!s. Bei"#"% !"d 2oid, the s!e to $espo"de"ts o- the petitio"e$s;sh!$es p$od%ced "o e#! e<ects (h!tsoe2e$.

Si(i)a!), t4e 8)ai( t4at F!an8i"8 In% died in -1= 7%t

a''ea!ed t 7e a 'a!t t t4e #=tra>udicial Settlement andConrmation of Sale e2e8%ted in -1 5%)d 7e 3ata) t t4e $a)idit 3 t4e 8nt!a8t, i3 '!$ed 7 8)ea! and 8n$in8in e$iden8e. Cnt!a8tin'a!tie" (%"t 7e %!i"ti8 entitie" at t4e ti(e 3 t4e 8n"%((atin 3 t4e 8nt!a8t. Stated t4e!5i"e, t 3!( a $a)id and )ea) a!ee(ent iti" ne8e""a! t4at t4e!e 7e a 'a!t 8a'a7)e 3 8nt!a8tin and 'a!t8a'a7)e 3 7ein 8nt!a8ted 5it4. Hen8e, i3 an ne 'a!t t a"%''"ed 8nt!a8t 5a" a)!ead dead at t4e ti(e 3 it" e2e8%tin, "%848nt!a8t i" %nd%7ted) "i(%)ated and 3a)"e and t4e!e3!e n%)) and$id 7 !ea"n 3 it" 4a$in 7een (ade a3te! t4e deat4 3 t4e 'a!t54 a''ea!" a" ne 3 t4e 8nt!a8tin 'a!tie" t4e!ein. T4e deat4 3 a'e!"n te!(inate" 8nt!a8t%a) 8a'a8it.

I" !ctio"s -o$ $eco"2e!"ce o- thep$ope$t p$edic!ted o" the -!ct th!t the co"2e!"cecomp!i"ed o- (!s "% !"d 2oid a. initio, ! c !im o- p$esc$iptio" o- !ctio" (o%d /e %"!2!ii"#. =The !ctio" o$de-e"se -o$ the dec!$!tio" o- the i"e7iste"ce o- ! co"t$!ctdoes "ot p$esc$i/e. Neit4e! 8%)d laches 7e in$ed in t4e 8a"e at7a!. Laches i" a d8t!ine in e%it and %! 8%!t" a!e 7a"i8a)) 8%!t"3 )a5 and nt 8%!t" 3 e%it. E%it, 54i84 4a" 7een a't) de"8!i7ed

a" %"ti8e %t"ide )ea)it, "4%)d 7e a'')ied n) in t4e a7"en8e 3,and ne$e! aain"t, "tat%t! )a5. Ae@uetas nunguam contravenit legis. T4e '"iti$e (andate 3 A!t. --0 3 t4e Ne5 Ci$i) Cde8n3e!!in i('!e"8!i'ti7i)it t a8tin" 3! de8)a!atin 3 t4eine2i"ten8e 3 a 8nt!a8t "4%)d '!ee('t and '!e$ai) $e! a)) a7"t!a8ta!%(ent" 7a"ed n) n e%it. Ce!tain), laches 8annt 7e "et %' t!e"i"t t4e en3!8e(ent 3 an i('!e"8!i'ti7)e )ea) !i4t, and'etitine!" 8an $a)id) $indi8ate t4ei! in4e!itan8e de"'ite t4e )a'"e 3 ti(e.9:

e 4a$e a "i(i)a! !%)in in ,eirs of Rosa (umaliang v9 Serban99>:

T4e !e"'ndent" a8tin i" t4e!e3!e i('!e"8!i'ti7)e and t4e CA 8((itted n

!e$e!"i7)e e!!! in " !%)in.

&ac)es

Di"(i""a) 7a"ed n )a84e" 8annt a)" a'') in t4i" 8a"e, a" it 4a" ne$e! !ea84edt4e '!e"entatin 3 e$iden8e "tae and 54at t4e RTC 4ad 3! it" 8n"ide!atin 5e!e (e!e)t4e 'a!tie" ')eadin". La84e" i" e$identia! in nat%!e and 8annt 7e e"ta7)i"4ed 7 (e!ea))eatin" in t4e ')eadin".91: it4%t ")id e$identia! 7a"i", )a84e" 8annt 7e a $a)id!%nd t di"(i"" t4e !e"'ndent" 8(')aint. /on01oinder of ndisensa.le arties is not around for a -otion to 3ismiss

T4e RTC di"(i""ed t4e !e"'ndent" a(ended 8(')aint 7e8a%"e indi"'en"a7)e

'a!tie" 5e!e nt i(')eaded. T4e !e"'ndent" a!%e t4at "in8e t4e e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale 5a" $a)id 5it4 !e"'e8t t t4e t4e! 4ei!" 54 e2e8%ted it, t4"e 4ei!"a!e nt indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" in t4i" 8a"e. Inn8ent '%!84a"e!" 3! $a)%e t 54( tit)e 4a"'a""ed 3!( Ma8a7a77ad and t4e "'%"e" C4%a and Sa a!e )ie5i"e nt indi"'en"a7)e'a!tie" "in8e t4e tit)e" "%4t t 7e !e8$e!ed 4e!e a!e "ti)) %nde! t4e na(e 3 t4e'etitine!".

e a)" 6nd t4e RTC di"(i""a) O!de! n t4i" !%nd e!!ne%". R%)e =, Se8tin -- 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t '!$ide" t4at neit4e! (i"inde! n!

nninde! 3 'a!tie" i" a !%nd 3! t4e di"(i""a) 3 an a8tin, t4%"+

Se8. --. Mi"inde! and nn#inde! 3 'a!tie".Neit4e! (i"inde! n! nn#inde! 3 'a!tie" i"!%nd 3! di"(i""a) 3 an a8tin. Pa!tie" (a 7ed!''ed ! added 7 !de! 3 t4e 8%!t n (tin3 an 'a!t ! n it" 5n initiati$e at an "tae3 t4e a8tin and n "%84 te!(" a" a!e %"t. An8)ai( aain"t a (i"ined 'a!t (a 7e "e$e!edand '!8eeded 5it4 "e'a!ate).

In (omingo v9 Scheer ,9@0: t4i" C%!t 4e)d t4at t4e '!'e! !e(ed 54en a 'a!t i")e3t %t i" t i(')ead t4e indi"'en"a7)e 'a!t at an "tae 3 t4e a8tin. T4e 8%!t,eit4e!motu proprio ! %'n t4e (tin 3 a 'a!t, (a !de! t4e in8)%"in 3 t4eindi"'en"a7)e 'a!t ! i$e t4e ')aintiK ''!t%nit t a(end 4i" 8(')aint in !de! tin8)%de indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie". I3 t4e ')aintiK t 54( t4e !de! t in8)%de t4eindi"'en"a7)e 'a!t i" di!e8ted !e3%"e" t 8(') 5it4 t4e !de! 3 t4e 8%!t, t4e 8(')aint(a 7e di"(i""ed %'n (tin 3 t4e de3endant ! %'n t4e 8%!t" 5n (tin.9@-: On)%'n %n%"ti6ed 3ai)%!e ! !e3%"a) t 7e t4e !de! t in8)%de ! t a(end i" t4e a8tindi"(i""ed.9@/:

T!%"t # SJBP!i!


















R%)e =, Se8. 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t de6ne" indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" a" t4"e 54

a!e 'a!tie" in inte!e"t 5it4%t 54( n 6na) dete!(inatin 8an 7e 4ad 3 an a8tin.9@=: T4e a!e t4"e 'a!tie" 54 '""e"" "%84 an inte!e"t in t4e 8nt!$e!" t4at a 6na)de8!ee 5%)d ne8e""a!i) aKe8t t4ei! !i4t" " t4at t4e 8%!t" 8annt '!8eed 5it4%t t4ei!'!e"en8e.9@: A 'a!t i" indi"'en"a7)e i3 4i" inte!e"t in t4e "%7e8t (atte! 3 t4e "%it and int4e !e)ie3 "%4t i" ine2t!i8a7) inte!t5ined 5it4 t4e t4e! 'a!tie" inte!e"t.9@@:

In an a8tin 3! !e8n$ean8e, a)) t4e 5ne!" 3 t4e '!'e!t "%4t t 7e

!e8$e!ed a!e indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie". T4%", i3 !e8n$ean8e 5e!e t4e n) !e)ie3 '!aed 3!,i(')eadin 'etitine!" Ma8a7a77ad and t4e "'%"e" C4%a and Sa 5%)d "%Q8e. On t4et4e! 4and, %nde! t4e 8)ai( t4at t4e a8tin i" 3! t4e de8)a!atin 3 t4e n%))it3 e=tra>udicial settlement of estate and sale! a)) 3 t4e 'a!tie" 54 e2e8%ted t4e "a(e"4%)d 7e i(')eaded 3! a 8(')ete !e")%tin 3 t4e 8a"e. T4i" 8a"e, 45e$e!, i" nt5it4%t it" t5i"t n t4e i""%e 3 i(')eadin indi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" a" t4e RTC ne$e! i""%edan !de! di!e8tin t4ei! in8)%"in. Unde! t4i" )ea) "it%atin, 'a!ti8%)a!) in )i4t 3 R%)e =,Se8tin -- 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t, t4e!e 8an 7e n 7a"i" 3! t4e i((ediate di"(i""a) 3 t4ea8tin.

In !e)atin 5it4 t4i" 8n8)%"in, 5e "ee n (e!it t in t4e 'etitine!" a!%(ent

t4at t4e RTC !%)in di"(i""in t4e 8(')aint n !e"'ndent" 3ai)%!e t i(')eadindi"'en"a7)e 'a!tie" 4ad 7e8(e 6na) and e2e8%t! 3! t4e CA" 3ai)%!e t !%)e n t4ei""%e. T4i" a!%(ent )a8" )ea) 7a"i" a" nt4in in t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t "tate" t4at t4e3ai)%!e 3 an a''e))ate 8%!t t !%)e n an i""%e !ai"ed in an a''ea) !ende!" t4e a''ea)ed!de! ! %d(ent 6na) and e2e8%t! 5it4 !e"'e8t t t4e %ndi"8%""ed i""%e. A 8%!t neednt !%)e n ea84 and e$e! i""%e !ai"ed,9@: 'a!ti8%)a!) i3 t4e i""%e 5i)) nt $a! t4e ten! 3 t4e C%!t" %)ti(ate !%)in. In t4e '!e"ent 8a"e, t4e CA !%)in t4at $e!"4ad5" a)) t4ei""%e" !ai"ed i" 54at i" "tated in t4e di"'"iti$e '!tin 3 it" de8i"in, i.e., t4e !de! 3 t4e )5e! 8%!t di"(i""in t4e 8a"e i" SET ASIDE and t4e 8a"e i" !e(anded 3! 3%!t4e!'!8eedin.

In "%(, t4e CA 8!!e8t) !e$e!"ed t4e RTC di"(i""a) 3 t4e !e"'ndent"8(')aint.

HERE9ORE, '!e(i"e" 8n"ide!ed, 5e DEN> t4e 'etitin 3! !e$ie5 3! )a8 3

(e!it. SO ORDERED.

THIRD DIVISION

5G.R. No. &&?++@. %"e &, &?6

RODOL9O ORALES, $ep$ese"ted / his hei$s, !"d 1RISCILAORALES, etitioners, vs% COURT O9 A11EALS 9o$me$ Se2e"tee"thDi2isio"', RANUL9O ORTI, R., !"d ERLINDA ORTI, resondents.

D E C I S I O N

DAVIDE, R., J.:

In t4i" 'etitin 3! !e$ie5 n certiorari %nde! R%)e @ 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t,'etitine!" %!e t4i" C%!t t !e$e!"e t4e /0 A'!i) -11 de8i"in 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)";Se$enteent4 Di$i"in< in CA#G.R. CV N. =1=, 9-: 54i84 aQ!(ed in toto t4e / A%%"t-11- de8i"in 3 t4e Reina) T!ia) C%!t 3 Ca)7a Cit in Ci$i) Ca"e N. /@.

Ci$i) Ca"e N. /@ 5a" an a8tin 3! !e8$e! 3 '""e""in 3 )and and da(ae"5it4 a '!ae! 3! a 5!it 3 '!e)i(ina! (andat! in%n8tin 6)ed 7 '!i$ate !e"'ndent"4e!ein, "'%"e" Ran%)3 O!ti?, J!. and E!)inda O!ti?, aain"t Rd)3 M!a)e". T4e 8(')aint'!aed t4at '!i$ate !e"'ndent" 7e de8)a!ed t4e )a53%) 5ne!" 3 a 'a!8e) 3 )and and t4et5#"t!e !e"identia) 7%i)din "tandin t4e!en, and t4at M!a)e" 7e !de!ed t !e($e

54ate$e! i('!$e(ent" 4e 8n"t!%8ted t4e!en, $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e", and 'a a8t%a) and(!a) da(ae", )itiatin e2'en"e", att!ne" 3ee" and 8"t" 3 t4e "%it.

On / Fe7!%a! -1>>, P!i"8i)a M!a)e", ne 3 t4e da%4te!" 3 )ate R"end A$e)inand J%ana Ri8a3!te, 6)ed a (tin t inte!$ene in Ca"e N. /@. N ''"itin t4e!et4a$in 7een 6)ed, t4e (tin 5a" !anted n Ma!84 -1>>.9/:

On =0 N$e(7e! -1>> Rd)3 M!a)e" 'a""ed a5a. In it" !de! 3 1 Fe7!%a!-1>19=: t4e t!ia) 8%!t a))5ed 4i" "%7"tit%tin 7 4i" 4ei!", Rda, R"a)ia, Ce"a! andP!i"8i)a, a)) "%!na(ed Morales. T4e!ea3te!, '!e#t!ia) and t!ia) n t4e (e!it" 5e!e 4ad and

t4e 8a"e 5a" "%7(itted 3! de8i"in n - N$e(7e! -110.

On / A%%"t -11- t4e T!ia) C%!t !ende!ed it" de8i"in9: in 3a$! 3 ')aintiK",'!i$ate !e"'ndent" 4e!ein, t4e di"'"iti$e '!tin 3 54i84 !ead" a" 3))5"+

HEREFORE, %d(ent i" 4e!e7 !ende!ed in 3a$! 3 t4e P)aintiK" and aain"tDe3endant"#Inte!$en!+

-. De8)a!in t4e P)aintiK" t4e a7")%te and !i4t3%) 5ne!" 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin

/. O!de!in t4e De3endant"#Inte!$en! t+

a. $a8ate 3!( t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin

7. !e($e t4e 7ea%t "4' t4e!eat

8. int) and "e$e!a)), 'a t4e P)aintiK", a (nt4) !enta) 3 P-,@00.00 3 t4e '!e(i"e" "ta!tin 3!( Ma!84 -1>, and t4e a(%nt"3 P@,000.00 3! (!a) da(ae",P@,000.00 3! )itiatin e2'en"e",and P-0,000.00 3! Att!ne" 3ee" and

d. t 'a t4e 8"t".

T4e in%n8tin i""%ed in t4i" 8a"e i" 4e!e7 (ade 'e!(anent.

SO ORDERED.9@:

T4e 3))5in i" t!ia) 8%!t" "%((a! 3 t4e e$iden8e 3! t4e ')aintiK"+

T4e e$iden8e add%8ed 7 t4e P)aintiK" di"8)"e" t4at t4e P)aintiK" a!e t4e a7")%te ande28)%"i$e 5ne!" 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 4a$in '%!84a"ed t4e "a(e 3!( Ce)"A$e)in, e$iden8ed 7 a Deed 3 A7")%te Sa)e ;E24. C<, a '%7)i8 in"t!%(ent. T4e )ate!8a%"ed t4e t!an"3e! 3 it" ta2 de8)a!atin in t4e na(e 3 t4e 3e(a)e ')aintiK ;E24. I< and'aid t4e !ea)t ta2e" t4e!en ;E24. "e!ie"<.

Ce)" A$e)in ;P)aintiK" '!ede8e""! in inte!e"t< '%!84a"ed t4e )and in %e"tin 8n"i"tin3 t5 adinin 'a!8e)" 54i)e 4e 5a" "ti)) a 7a84e)! and t4e Cit Fi"8a) 3 Ca)7a Cit3!( A)eand!a Mendi)a and Ce)ita Ba!t)(e, t4!%4 a #scritura de enta ;E24. B<.A3te! t4e '%!84a"e, 4e 8a%"ed t4e t!an"3e! 3 t4e ta2 de8)a!atin" 3 t4e t5 'a!8e)" in 4i"na(e ;E24". D E t G H< a" 5e)) a" 8n")idated int ne t4e t5 ta2de8)a!atin" in 4i" na(e ;E24. F<. it4 t4e n5)ede 3 t4e Inte!$en! and t4ede3endant, ;C!""#e2a(inatin 3 M!a)e", t.".n. ''. -=#-< Ce)" A$e)in 8a%"ed t4e

T!%"t # SJBP!i! @







http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1997/jun1997/117228.htm#_edn1




















"%!$e 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin, in 4i" na(e, 7 t4e B%!ea% 3 Land" ;E24. J<. He a)"7%i)t 4i" !e"identia) 4%"e t4e!ein 5it4 Ma!8ia) A!an ;n5 dead< a" 4i" (a"te! 8a!'ente!54 5a" e$en "8)ded 7 4i( 3! 8n"t!%8tin t4e 8ei)in t )5.

4en t4e t5#"t!e !e"identia) 4%"e 5a" 6ni"4ed, 4e t 4i" 'a!ent", R"end A$e)inand J%ana Ri8a3!te, and 4i" "i"te!, A%!ea, 54 t 8a!e 3 t4e 8%')e, t )i$e t4e!e %nti)t4ei! deat4". He a)" de8)a!ed t4i" !e"identia) 4%"e in 4i" ta2 de8)a!atin t t4e '!e(i"e"in %e"tin ;E24. F< and 'aid t4e 8!!e"'ndin !ea)t ta2e", ee'in inta8t t4e !e8ei't"54i84 4e 8(e" t et ! A%!ea 5%)d t Ce7% t i$e it t 4i( ;t.".n. M!a)e", ''. #<.

A3te! 7ein t4e Cit Fi"8a) 3 Ca)7a, Ce)" A$e)in 7e8a(e an I((i!atin OQ8e! and)ate! a" J%de 3 t4e C%!t 3 Fi!"t In"tan8e in Ce7% 5it4 4i" "i"te!, A%!ea, tain 8a!e 3t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin. 4i)e 4e 5a" a)!ead in Ce7%, t4e de3endant, 5it4%t t4en5)ede and 8n"ent 3 t4e 3!(e!, 8n"t!%8ted a "(a)) 7ea%t "4' in t4e '!e(i"e" in%e"tin.

Ina"(%84 a" t4e P)aintiK" a!e t4e '%!84a"e!" 3 t4e t4e! !ea) '!'e!tie" 3 Ce)" A$e)in,ne 3 54i84 i" at A8edi)) ;n5 Sen. J.D. A$e)in< "t!eet, a3te! t4e 5e!e Ke!ed 7 Ce)"A$e)in t 7% t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin, t4e e2a(ined t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin andta)ed 5it4 t4e de3endant a7%t t4at 3a8t, t4e )atte! en8%!aed t4e( t '%!84a"e t4e'!e(i"e" in %e"tin !at4e! t4an t4e '!'e!t in t "(e7d e)"e t4e d nt n5and t4at 4e 5i)) $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e" a" "n a" 4i" %n8)e 5i)) nti3 4i( t d ". T4%",t4e 'aid t4e '%!84a"e '!i8e and E24. C 5a" e2e8%ted in t4ei! 3a$!.

H5e$e!, de"'ite d%e nti8e 3!( 4i" %n8)e t $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin ;E24. N<,t4e de3endant !e3%"ed t $a8ate ! de()i"4 t4e 7ea%t "4' %n)e"" 4e i"!ei(7%!"ed P=@,000.00 3! it a)t4%4 it 5a" $a)%ed at )e"" t4an P@,000.00. S, t4eP)aintiK" de(anded, !a)) and in 5!itin ;E24". L M< t $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e". T4ede3endant !e3%"ed.

A" t4e ')aintiK" 5e!e a7%t t %nde!tae %!ent !e'ai!" n t4e di)a'idated !e"identia)7%i)din, t4e de3endant 4ad a)!ead 88%'ied t4e "a(e, tain in 'ain 7a!de!" and8)ai(in a)!ead 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin, t4%" t4e 6)ed t4i" 8a"e.

P)aintiK", 7ein t4e nei47!" 3 Ce)" A$e)in, 3 t4ei! 5n n5)ede a!e 8e!tain t4at t4e'!e(i"e" in %e"tin i" indeed 5ned 7 t4ei! '!ede8e""!#in#inte!e"t 7e8a%"e t4e (a)e')aintiK %"ed t ')a in t4e '!e(i"e" 54en 4e 5a" "ti)) in 4i" teen" 54i)e t4e 3e(a)e')aintiK !e"ided 5it4 t4e )ate J%de A$e)in. Be"ide", t4ei! in%i!ie" and d8%(enta!e$iden8e "45n t t4e( 7 Ce)" A$e)in 8n6!( t4i" 3a8t. Lie5i"e, t4e de3endant and

Inte!$en! did nt !e"ide in t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 7e8a%"e t4e !e"ide !e"'e8ti$e) inB!. Ta!7%8an and B!. T!inidad ;Sa7an<, 7t4 3 Ca)7a Cit 5it4 t4ei! 5n!e"identia) 4%"e" t4e!e.

D%e t t4e da(ae" t4e "%"tained a" a !e"%)t 3 t4e 6)in 3 t4i" 8a"e, t4e ')aintiK" a!e8)ai(in P@0,000.00 3! (enta) an%i"4 (nt4) !enta) 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin3 P-,@00.00 "ta!tin 3!( Ma!84 -1> )itiatin e2'en"e" 3 P@,000.00 and P-0,000.003! Att!ne" 3ee".9:

T4e t!ia) 8%!t" "%((a! 3 t4e e$iden8e 3! t4e de3endant" and inte!$en! i" a"3))5"+

De3endant"#Inte!$en!" te"ti(nia) e$iden8e tend t "45 t4at t4e '!e(i"e" i" %e"tin;)and and t5#"t!e 7%i)din< i" !iina)) 5ned 7 t4e "'%"e", R"end A$e)in and

J%ana Ri8a3!te, 54, t4!%4 t4ei! "n, Ce)" A$e)in, t4!%4 an E"8!it%!a de Venta ;E24.

/< 7%4t it 3!( t4e Mendi)a" n J%) > , -1>. A3te! t4e '%!84a"e t4e 8%')e 88%'iedit a" 5ne!" %nti) t4e died. J%ana died n Ma =-, -1@ 54i)e R"end died n J%ne ,-1>0. U'n t4ei! de(i"e, t4ei! 84i)d!en+ T!inidad A. C!%?, Cn8e'8in A. Pe!a)ta, P!i"8i)a A.M!a)e" and A%!ea A$e)in ;54 died "in)e< "%88eeded a" 5ne!" t4e!e3, e28e't Ce)"A$e)in 54 did nt !e"ide in t4e '!e(i"e" 7e8a%"e 4e 5a" %t 3 Ca)7a 3! (!e t4an=0 ea!" %nti) 4i" deat4 in Ce7% Cit.

T4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 5a" a8%i!ed 7 Ce)" A$e)in 54 5a" ent!%"ted 7 R"end5it4 t4e (ne t 7% it. R"end )et Ce)" 7% it 7ein t4e n) "n. T4e '!'e!t i" in

t4e na(e 3 Ce)" A$e)in and R"end t)d 4i" 84i)d!en a7%t it ;TSN, M!a)e", '. /-<. In-1@0 R"end "e8%!ed !at%it%" )i8en"e ;E24. -< and 8n"t!%8ted t4e t5#"t!e 4%"e,4a$in !eti!ed a" O'e!at! 3 t4e B%!ea% 3 Te)e8((%ni8atin", 7%in )%(7e! 3!( t4e3at4e! 3 Si(')i8ia Da!te) and 'ain t4e 5ae" 3 Antni Na!tea a" a )a7!e!.

In -11, de3endant Rd)3 M!a)e" 8n"t!%8ted 7e"ide t4e t5#"t!e 4%"e and 7ea%t"4' 3! 4i" 5i3e 5it4 t4e 8n"ent 3 Ce)" and t4e )atte!" "i"te!".

P!i"8i)a M!a)e" 5a" a5a!e t4at t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 5a" "%!$eed in t4e na(e 3Ce)" 7%t "4e did nt (ae an atte('t, nt e$en 4e! 3at4e!, t 84ane t4e (%ni(ent 3tit)e t R"end A$e)in. De"'ite t4e 3a8t t4at Inte!$en! 4a" t5 "n" 54 a!e )a5e!", ne2t!a#%di8ia) "ett)e(ent 5a" 6)ed $e! t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin "in8e t4e deat4 3R"end A$e)in %' t t4e '!e"ent.

Ce)" A$e)in e't t4e !e8ei't" 3! t4e !ea)t ta2 'a(ent" 3 t4e '!e(i"e". S(eti(e"

A%!ea 5%)d t Ce7% t de)i$e! t4e"e !e8ei't" t Ce)" ! t4e )atte! 5i)) 8(e t ett4e(. Rd)3 a)" a$e "(e 3 t4e !e8ei't" t Ce)".

T4e "a)e 3 t4e "%7e8t '!e(i"e" t t4e P)aintiK" i" 3!a%d%)ent 7e8a%"e it in8)%ded 4e!;Inte!$en!"< "4a!e and t4e 7ea%t "4' 3 4e! "n, t4e de3endant.

A" a !e"%)t 3 t4i" 8a"e "4e i" 5!!ied and "%Ke!ed (!a) da(ae", )"t 4e! 4ea)t4, )a8"")ee' and a''etite and "4%)d 7e 8('en"ated 3! P>0,000.00 and t4e e2'en"e" 3!)itiatin in t4e a(%nt 3 P=0,000.00 %nti) t4e 8a"e i" 6ni"4ed.

T4e Inte!$en! 5%)d nt 8)ai( 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e '!e(i"e" i3 4e! "n, t4e de3endant i" nt7ein (ade t $a8ate t4e!e3!( 7 t4e P)aintiK".9:

T4e t!ia) 8%!t !ea84ed t4e a3!e(entined di"'"itin n t4e 7a"i" 3 it" 6ndin" 3

3a8t" and 8n8)%"in", 54i84 5e %te+

D%!in t4e 8%)a! in"'e8tin 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin n A'!i) , -1>>, 8nd%8ted 7t4e C%!t %'n (tin 3 t4e 'a!tie", t4e C%!t 3%nd t4at t4e t5#"t!e !e"identia)7%i)din %!ent) needed (a! ene!a) !e'ai!" and a)t4%4 t4e 7ed!(" "ee(ed88%'ied 7 )de!", neit4e! t4e de3endant n! t4e Inte!$en! in3!(ed t4e C%!t 54e!e !in 54i84 3 t4e !(" t4e 88%'ied.

O7"e!$in t4e %e"tined '!e(i"e" 3!( t4e %t"ide, it i" ea"i) ded%8i7)e t4at it 4a" nt7een in4a7ited 7 a t!%e ! en%ine 5ne! 3! a )n ti(e 7e8a%"e t4e t5#"t! 7%i)dinit"e)3 4a" 7een )e3t t dete!i!ate ! !%in "teadi), t4e 'aint 'ee)in K, t4e 5ind5"4%tte!" t 7e !e')a8ed, t4e )%(7e! 3 t4e ea$e" a7%t t 3a)) and t4e 4))5#7)8 3en8et 7e "t!ai4tened %t, a '!tin a)n U(7!ia "t!eet ;e"t< 8%t in t4e (idd)e 5it4 t4et4e! 4a)3 t t4e "%t4 i" ti)tin 54i)e t4e '!e(i"e" in"ide t4e 3en8e 3a!t4e! 3!( t4e7ea%t "4' t 7e 8)eaned.

T!%"t # SJBP!i!








F!( t4e e$iden8e add%8ed 7 t4e 'a!tie", t4e 3))5in 3a8t" a!e %ndi"'%ted+

-. T4e identit 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 54i84 i" a 'a!8e) 3 )andtet4e! 5it4 t4e t5 !e"identia) 7%i)din "tandin t4e!en, )8ated at8!ne! U(7!ia St. ;n t4e e"t< and R"a)e" B)$d. ;n t4e N!t4<,B!. Cent!a), Ca)7a Cit, 5it4 an a!ea 3 =-> ". (ete!", '!e"ent)8$e!ed 7 Ta2 De8)a!atin N. 0 in t4e na(e 3 t4e 3e(a)eP)aintiK and a)" 7%nded n t4e Ea"t 7 )t 0=#00/ ;-1< and n t4eS%t4 7 )t 0=#00 ;-1@0<

/. T4e Deed" 3 Cn$ean8e 3 t4e %e"tined '!e(i"e" ## t4e E"8!it%!a deVenta ;E24. B< 3!( t4e Mendi)a" t Ce)" A$e)in and t4e Deed 3Sa)e ;E24. C< 3!( Ce)" A$e)in t t4e P)aintiK"# a!e 7t4 '%7)i8in"t!%(ent"

=. T4e 8%')e, R"end and J%ana A$e)in a" 5e)) a" t4ei! da%4te!, A%!ea,!e"ided and e$en died in t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e"

. T4e de3endant, Rd)3 M!a)e", 8n"t!%8ted t4e 7ea%t 'a!)! in t4e"aid '!e(i"e" and )ate! 88%'ied t4e t5#"t!e !e"identia) 4%"e

@. Nt ne 3 t4e 84i)d!en ! !and84i)d!en 3 R"end A$e)in e$e!8nte"ted t4e 5ne!"4i' 3 Ce)" A$e)in 3 t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e"

. T4e!e 4a" n e2t!a#%di8ia) 'a!titin eKe8ted n t4e "%7e8t '!'e!t"in8e t4e deat4 3 R"end A$e)in a)t4%4 t5 3 t4e Inte!$en!"84i)d!en a!e 3%))#')eded )a5e!"

. Sin8e t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin 4ad 7een a8%i!ed 7 Ce)" A$e)in, it4a" 7een de8)a!ed in 4i" na(e 3! ta2atin '%!'"e" and t4e !e8ei't"3 t4e !ea)t ta2e" t4e!en 5e!e e't 7 4i(, "(e 5e!e eit4e!de)i$e!ed t 4i( 7 A%!ea ! 7 de3endant and

>. E$e! "in8e t4e P)aintiK" a8%i!ed t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e", it" ta2de8)a!atin i" n5 in t4e na(e 3 t4e 3e(a)e P)aintiK 5it4 t4e 8%!!ent!ea)t ta2e" t4e!en 'aid 7 4e!.

A $e! 8a!e3%) "t%d and (eti8%)%" a''!ai"a) 3 t4e e$iden8e add%8ed 7 7t4 'a!tie"and t4e a'')i8a7)e )a5" and %!i"'!%den8e "45 a '!e'nde!an8e 3 e$iden8e 8n8)%"i$e)in 3a$! 3 t4e P)aintiK", d%e t t4e 3))5in 3a8t" and 8i!8%("tan8e", a)) 7!ne 3 t4e!e8!d.

One. 4i)e P)aintiK" 8)ai( 3 5ne!"4i' $e! t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin i" d%) "%''!ted7 d8%(enta! e$iden8e", "%84 a " t4e Deed 3 Cn$ean8e ;E24". B and C<, Ta2de8)a!atin" and 'a(ent" 3 t4e !ea)t ta2e" n t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t, 7t4 a" t t4e)and and t4e t5#"t!e 7%i)din ;E24". D, E, F, G, H, and I and and "e!ie"<and t4e "%!$e ')an 3 t4e )and ;E24. J<, De3endant"#Inte!$en!" 8)ai( 3 5ne!"4i' i"7a"ed (e!e) n te"ti(nia) e$iden8e 54i84 i" "e)3#"e!$in and 8annt '!e$ai) $e!d8%(enta! e$iden8e 7e8a%"e it i" a "ett)ed !%)e in t4i" %!i"di8tin t4at te"ti(nia)e$iden8e 8annt '!e$ai) $e! d8%(enta! e$iden8e.

T5. 4i)e P)aintiK" e$iden8e 3 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e" i" 8)ea!, '"iti$e,8ate!i8a) and 8!edi7)e, Inte!$en!" te"ti(n t4at t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e" 5a" a8%i!ed

7 4i" 7!t4e! ;'. -< t4at t4e d8%(ent 3 8n$ean8e 3 t4e )and and t4e 7%i)din ;'.-< i" in t4e na(e 3 4e! 7!t4e! t4at it 5a" "%!$eed in 4e! 7!t4e!" na(e 5it4 4e!n5)ede ;''. -=#-< t4at d%!in t4e )i3eti(e 3 4e! 3at4e! t4e (%ni(ent" 3 tit)e 3 t4e'!e(i"e" 5a" ne$e! t!an"3e!!ed in 4e! 3at4e!" na(e ;''. -0#-- /0< t4at nt ne 3 t4e4ei!" 3 R"end A$e)in e$e! 8nte"ted Ce)" A$e)in" 5ne!"4i' t4e!e3, de"'ite t4ei!n5)ede ;'./-< t4at n e2t!a#%di8ia) 'a!titin ! "ett)e(ent 5a" in"tit%ted 7 a)) t4e3e(a)e 84i)d!en 3 R"end A$e)in, e"'e8ia)) 7 t4e Inte!$en! 4e!"e)3 e$en t4%4 t53 4e! 84i)d!en a!e 3%))#')ede )a5e!" ;'.-@< and t4e 3a8t t4at t4e Inte!$en! i" nt e$eninte!e"ted t "ee t4e d8%(ent 3 t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e" ;-1<, $e! 8)ea!) "45 t4at 4e!8)ai( i" neit4e! '"iti$e n! 8ate!i8a) 7%t i" !at4e! %n8n$in8in.

T4!ee. T4e 3!ein te"ti(n 3 t4e Inte!$en! a)" "45 t4at "4e i" a)!ead in)a84e".

F%!. T4e '!e"ent 8nditin 3 t4e '!e(i"e", e"'e8ia)) t4e t5#"t!e 7%i)din 54i84 4a"7een )e3t t dete!i!ate ! !%in "teadi) 8)ea!) 7et!a" ! 7e)ie" Inte!$en!" '!eten"e 35ne!"4i' 3 t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e".

Fi$e. I3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin i" !ea)) 5ned in 8((n 7 t4e 84i)d!en 3 R"endand J%ana A$e)in, 54 i" it t4at t4e "%!$i$in "i"te!" 3 t4e Inte!$en! did nt in 4e! int4i" 8a"e and inte!$ene t '!te8t t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e inte!e"t"

Si2. On t4e 5itne"" 84ai!, Inte!$en!" de(ean! and (anne! 3 te"ti3in "45 t4at "4e5a" e$a"i$e and "4i3t and nt di!e8t in 4e! an"5e!" t "i(')e %e"tin" t4at "4e 5a"

ad(ni"4ed 7 t4e C%!t nt 7e e$a"i$e and 7e di!e8t ! 8ate!i8a) in 4e! an"5e!" and54i84 !ende!ed 4e! te"ti(n %n5!t4 3 3%)) 3ait4 and 8!edit.

Se$en. T4at P)aintiK" '!ede8e""!#in#inte!e"t i" t4e t!%e and a7")%te 5ne! 3 t4edi"'%ted '!e(i"e" 4a$in '%!84a"ed it 3!( t4e Mendi)a" 54i)e 4e 5a" t4e Cit Fi"8a) 3Ca)7a and "ti)) a 7a84e)! and )ate! 7e8a(e an I((i!atin OQ8e! and )ate! 7e8a(e aCFI ;n5 RTC< J%de 54en t4e t5#"t!e 7%i)din 5a" 8n"t!%8ted 7 Ma!8ia) A!an, t4%"4e de8)a!ed 7t4 t4e )and and t4e !e"identia) 7%i)din in 4i" na(e, 4ad it "%!$eed in 4i"na(e and 8ntin%%") 'aid t4e !ea)t ta2e" t4e!en, i" (!e in 8n3!(it 5it4 8((nn5)ede, e2'e!ien8e and 7e)ie3 7e8a%"e it 5%)d 7e %nnat%!a) 3! a (an t 8ntin%%")'a !ea)t ta2e" 3! a '!'e!t t4at de" nt 7e)n t 4i(. T4%", %! S%'!e(e C%!t,!%)ed+ Ta2 !e8ei't" a!e nt t!%e e$iden8e 3 5ne!"4i', 7%t n 'e!"n in 4i" !i4t (ind5%)d 8ntin%e 'ain ta2e" 3! )and 54i84 4e t4in" de" nt 7e)n t 4i(. ;Ra(" $".C%!t 3 A''ea)", --/ SCRA @=<.

Ei4t. Inte!$en!" 8)ai( 3 i(')ied t!%"t i" %ntena7)e 7e8a%"e e$en 3!( t4ediKe!ent 8a"e" (entined in 4e! Me(!and%(, it i" $e! a''a!ent t4at in !de! 3! i(')iedt!%"t t e2i"t t4e!e (%"t 7e e$iden8e 3 an e%ita7)e 7)iatin 3 t4e t!%"tee t 8n$e,54i84 8i!8%("tan8e ! !e%i"ite i" a7"ent in t4i" 8a"e. 4at i" in"tead 8)ea! 3!( t4ee$iden8e i" Ce)" A$e)in" a7")%te 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t, 7t4 a" t t4e)and and t4e !e"identia) 4%"e ;E24. F< 54i84 5a" ")d t t4e P)aintiK" ;E24. C< 54i)eInte!$en!" "e)3#"e!$in and %n8n$in8in te"ti(n 3 8#5ne!"4i' i" nt "%''!ted 7an 'ie8e 3 8!edi7)e d8%(enta! e$iden8e.

On t4e 8nt!a!, t4e )a"t 'a!t 3 A!t. -> 3 O%! Ne5 Ci$i) Cde 7)"te!" P)aintiK"5ne!"4i' $e! t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e". It e2'!e"") '!$ide"+ 2 2 2 . H5e$e!, i3 t4e'e!"n t 54( t4e tit)e i" 8n$eed i" a 84i)d, )eiti(ate ! i))eiti(ate, 3 t4e ne'ain t4e '!i8e 3 t4e "a)e, n t!%"t i" i(')ied 7 )a5, it 7ein di"'%ta7) '!e"%(ed t4att4e!e i" a i3t in 3a$! 3 t4e 84i)d.;%nde!"8!in "%'')ied<

T!%"t # SJBP!i!



Fina)), 3!( t4e te"ti(n 3 t4e Inte!$en! ;'.//< t4e t!%t4 i" %t in t4at t4e Inte!$en! i"'%ttin %' 4e! '!eten"e 3 5ne!"4i' $e! t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e" n) 54en t4e de3endant5a" 7ein ad$i"ed t $a8ate and n) t "4ie)d 4i( 3!( $a8atin t4e!e3!(. T4%", n%e"tin 3 t4e C%!t, "4e de8)a!ed+

4en %! 3at4e! died, a" a 8#5ne! 5e!e % nt inte!e"ted t ) att4e d8%(ent " t4at % 8an )a53%)) 8)ai(, a8t a" 5ne! 3 t4at )and

A e %"t 8)ai( n) 54en ( "n, Rd)3 5a" d!i$en 7 t4e P)aintiK.

In t4e! 5!d" 54at % a!e "ain i" t4at i3 %! "n 5a" ntdi"'""e""ed 3 t4e '!'e!t in %e"tin, % 5%)d nt 8)ai(5ne!"4i'

A N, "i!.

In 4e! Me(!and%(, Inte!$en! !ai"e" t4e i""%e 54et4e! ! nt t4e ')aintiK" a!e entit)edt t4e da(ae" 7ein 8)ai(ed 54i84 5e!e d%) "%''!ted ! '!$en 7 di!e8t e$iden8e.

On t4i" 'a!ti8%)a! i""%e, t4e P)aintiK" e$iden8e 4a" e"ta7)i"4ed t4at 7e3!e t4e P)aintiK"'aid t4e '%!84a"e '!i8e 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin, t4e ta)ed 5it4 t4e de3endant a7%tt4e intended "a)e and t4e )atte! e$en en8%!aed t4e( t '%!84a"e it and t4at 4e 5i))$a8ate t4e '!e(i"e" a" "n a" t4e 'a(ent i" (ade t4e!e3!e ;TSN, O!ti?, J!., '. /0, A'!i), -1>><. Hen8e, t4e 'aid t4e '%!84a"e '!i8e and E24. C 5a" d%) e2e8%ted 7 t4e5ne! in t4ei! 3a$!. T4e de3endant, 45e$e!, de"'ite 4i" en8%!ae(ent and nti8e 3!(

4i" %n8)e t $a8ate t4e "%7e8t '!e(i"e" ;E24. N< !eneed n 4i" 5!d" and !e3%"ed t$a8ate ! de()i"4 4i" 7ea%t "4' in"ide t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin %n)e"" 4e i"'aid P=@,000.00 3! it a)t4%4 it i" $a)%ed at )e"" t4an P@,000.00.

it4 t4at %n!ea"na7)e de(and 3 t4e de3endant, t4e ')aintiK" de(anded, !a)) and in5!itin ;E24". L and M< t $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e". T4e de3endant !e3%"ed.

Late!, a" t4e ')aintiK" 5e!e a7%t t %nde!tae %!ent !e'ai!" n t4e di)a'idated!e"identia) 7%i)din and (ae it a" t4ei! !e"iden8e, t4e 3%nd %t t4at t4e de3endant!at4e! t4an $a8ate t4e '!e(i"e", 4ad a)!ead 88%'ied t4e "aid !e"identia) 7%i)din andad(itted )de!" t it ;id., '. /< and 8)ai(ed 5ne!"4i' t4e!e3, t t4e da(ae, '!e%di8eand in%! and (enta) an%i"4 3 t4e ')aintiK". S, t4e ')aintiK", a" t4e t!%e and )a53%)5ne!" 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin, 6)ed t4e in"tant 8a"e in8%!!in e2'en"e" in t4e'!8e"" a" t4e 4i!ed t4e "e!$i8e" 3 a )a5e! t '!te8t t4ei! inte!e"t" 3!( t4e 5i))3%) and5!n3%) a8t" ! (i""in" 3 t4e de3endant. 9>:

Di""ati"6ed 5it4 t4e t!ia) 8%!t" de8i"in, de3endant" 4ei!" 3 Rd)3 M!a)e" andinte!$en! P!i"8i)a M!a)e", 'etitine!" 4e!ein, a''ea)ed t t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)", 54i84d8eted t4e a''ea) a" CA#G.R. CV N. =1=, and in t4ei! A''e))ant" B!ie3 t4e a""inedt4e 3))5in e!!!"+

-. T4e RTC e!!ed in !%)in t4at Ce)" A$e)in, a''e))ee" '!ede8e""!#in#inte!e"t, 5a" t4e t!%e and )a53%) 5ne! 3 t4e 4%"e and )t in %e"tin.

/. 222 in nt !%)in t4at Ce)" A$e)in '%!84a"ed t4e 4%"e and )t in%e"tin a" a (e!e t!%"tee, %nde! an i(')ied t!%"t, 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 t4et!%"t!, 4i" 3at4e!, R"end A$e)in, and t4e )atte!" 4ei!".

=. 222 in !%)in t4at t4e Inte!$en! i" 7a!!ed 7 )a84e" 3!( a""e!tin 4e!"tat%" a" a 7ene68ia! 3 t4e a3!e"aid i(')ied t!%"t.

. 222 in !%)in t4at Ce)" A$e)in $a)id) ")d t4e 4%"e and )t in %e"tint a''e))ee" 5it4%t t4e 8n"ent 3 t4e t4e! 4ei!" 3 R"end A$e)in and

J%ana Ri8a3!te A$e)in.

@. 222 in de8)a!in a''e))ee" t4e a7")%te and !i4t3%) 5ne!" 3 t4e 4%"eand )t in %e"tin 7 $i!t%e 3 t4e "a)e 3 t4"e '!'e!tie" t t4e( 7Ce)" A$e)in.

. 222 in nt !%)in t4at a''e))ant" a!e !i4t3%) 8#5ne!" and '""e""!" 3 t4e 4%"e and )t in %e"tin in t4ei! 8a'a8itie" a" 4ei!" 3 R"end

A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te A$e)in, t4e t!%e 5ne!" 3 t4"e '!'e!tie".

. 222 in !de!in de3endant" t !e($e t4e 7ea%t "4' n t4e di"'%ted)and in"tead 3 de8)a!in Rd)3 M!a)e" a 7%i)de! in d 3ait4 and'!$idin 3! t4e '!te8tin 3 4i" !i4t" a " "%84.

>. 222 in !de!in a''e))ant" t $a8ate t4e di"'%ted '!e(i"e" and t 'aa''e))ee" a (nt4) !enta), (!a) da(ae", )itiatin e2'en"e", andatt!ne" 3ee".

1. 222 in nt a5a!din a''e))ant" t4e da(ae" and 8"t" '!aed 3! inan"5e! 5it4 8%nte!8)ai( and an"5e! in inte!$entin, 8n"ide!in t4att4e a8tin t di"'""e"" t4e( 3 t4e 4%"e and )and in %e"tin i" 8)ea!)5it4%t )ea) 3%ndatin.91:

In it" de8i"in 3 /0 A'!i) -119-0: t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" aQ!(ed t4e de8i"in 3 t4et!ia) 8%!t.

T4ei! (tin t !e8n"ide! t4e de8i"in 4a$in 7een denied in t4e !e")%tin 9--: 3 -Se'te(7e! -11 3! )a8 3 (e!it, 'etitine!" 6)ed t4e in"tant 'etitin 54e!ein t4e 8)ai(t4at+

-. Re"'ndent CA e!!ed in ad'tin t4e t!ia) 8%!t" !ea"nin t4at it 5%)d7e %nnat%!a) 3! a (an t 8ntin%%") 'a !ea)t ta2e" 3! a '!'e!t t4atde" nt 7e)n t 4i( n t4e 7a"i" 3 a (i"!eadin and (i"a'')i8atin3 Ra(" $. C%!t 3 A''ea)", --/ SCRA @= ;-1>/<. Re"'ndent CA a)"e!!ed in 8n8)%din t4at t4e 'a(ent 3 !ea)t ta2e" i" 8n8)%"i$ee$iden8e 3 5ne!"4i', 54i84 8n8)%"in in!e" t4i" Hn!a7)e C%!t"!%)in" in Fe!!e!#L'e? $. C%!t 3 A''ea)", -@0 SCRA =1= ;-1><, DeG%?(an $. C%!t 3 A''ea)", -> SCRA @ ;-1><, and 4ei!" 3 Ce)"A(a!ante $. C%!t 3 A''ea)", ->@ SCRA @>@ ;-110<.

/. 222 in !e)in n Cn8e'tin Pe!a)ta" a))eed Cn6!(atin ;E24i7it O< in!%)in t4at Ce)" A$e)in ;and )ate! t4e !e"'ndent"< 4ad e28)%"i$e anda7")%te 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t. E24i7it O 5a" nt identi6ed

7 t4e '%!'!ted aQant at t4e t!ia), and 5a" t4e!e3!e ')ain)4ea!"a. Re"'ndent CA e!!ed in ad(ittin E24i7it O in e$iden8e $e! t4e7e8tin 3 t4e 'etitine!" 8%n"e).

=. 222 in in3e!!in and "%!(i"in t4at Ce)" A$e)in" a))eed e28)%"i$e5ne!"4i' 3 t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t 5a" aQ!(ed 7 t4e ina8tin 3 4i"3%! "i"te!".

. 222 in !%)in t4at t4e 'etitine!" te"ti(nia) e$iden8e 8%)d nt '!e$ai)$e! t4e !e"'ndent" e$iden8e 3! t4e '%!'"e 3 e"ta7)i"4in t4ee2i"ten8e 3 an i(')ied t!%"t. T4i" !%)in in!e" t4i" Hn!a7)e C%!t"de8i"in in De L" Sant" $. Ree", /0@ SCRA = ;-11/<.

@. 222 in in!in %n!e7%tted e$iden8e n !e8!d t4at Ce)" A$e)in 4e)d tit)et t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t (e!e) a" a t!%"tee 3! 4i" 3at4e!, (t4e!, and"i7)in". In " din, !e"'ndent CA+ ;i< in!ed de8ided 8a"e" 54e!e t4i"Hn!a7)e C%!t 3%nd t4e e2i"ten8e 3 t!%"t" n t4e 7a"e" 3 "i(i)a!

T!%"t # SJBP!i! >












e$iden8e, in8)%din t4e 8a"e" 3 Va)de? $. O)!a, @- SCRA - ;-1=<, DeB%en8a(in,et al. $. De Matia", - SCRA >1 ;-1<, Ga" $. Ga", SCRA - ;-1@<, and C%"tdi $. Ca"ian, 1 SCRA >- ;-1=< and ;ii<!e3%"ed t a'') t4e 8)ea! )an%ae 3 A!ti8)e -> 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde.

. 222 in nt !%)in t4at Rd)3 M!a)e" "4%)d 4a$e at )ea"t 7een !ea!deda" a 7%i)de! in d 3ait4 54 8%)d nt 7e 8('e))ed t $a8ate t4edi"'%ted '!'e!t ! t 'a a (nt4) !enta) %n)e"" 4e 5a" 6!"tinde(ni6ed 3! t4e 8"t 3 54at 4e 4ad 7%i)t. In " din, !e"'ndent CA+;i< !e3%"ed t a'') t4e 8)ea! )an%ae 3 A!ti8)e" > and @= 3 t4e Ci$i)

Cde and ;ii< in!ed t4i" Hn!a7)e C%!t" !%)in" in M%ni8i'a)it 3 Oa"$ Ra, P4i). /0 ;-10< Me!84ant $. Cit 3 Mani)a, -- P4i). -- ;-10><,Ma!tine? $. Baan%", /> P4i). @00 ;-1-<, G!ana $. C%!t 3 A''ea)", -01P4i). /0 ;-10<, and Mi!anda $. Fad%))n, 1 P4i). >-0 ;-1@@<.

. 222 in aQ!(in t4e T!ia) C%!t" a5a!d 3 da(ae" in 3a$! 3 t4e!e"'ndent". In " din, !e"'ndent CA+ ;i< (i"a'')ied A!ti8)e" /-11,//0>, //-1, and ///0 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde and ;ii< in!ed t4i" Hn!a7)eC%!t" !%)in in San Mi%e) B!e5e!, In8. $. Man, /- SCRA /1/ ;-1<.

>. 222 in !e3%"in t !%)e t4at t4e !e"'ndent" a!e )ia7)e t 'etitine!" 3!(!a) da(ae", and att!ne" 3ee" and 8"t" 3 )itiatin. In " din,!e"'ndent CA in!ed %n!e7%tted e$iden8e n !e8!d and A!ti8)e" //0>,//-, and //-1 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde.

On -= Se'te(7e! -11@, a3te! t4e 6)in 3 '!i$ate !e"'ndent" 8((ent n t4e'etitin and 'etitine!" !e') t4e!et, 5e !e")$ed t den t4e 'etitin 3! 3ai)%!e 3

'etitine!" t "%Q8ient) "45 t4at t4e !e"'ndent C%!t 3 A''ea)" 8((itted !e$e!"i7)ee!!!.

Unda%nted, 'etitine!" n - O8t7e! -11@ 6)ed a (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin 3 %!!e")%tin 3 -= Se'te(7e! -11@ 7a"ed n t4e 3))5in !%nd"+

-. T4e Hn!a7)e C%!t e!!ed in nt !%)in t4at at t4e $e! )ea"t, Rd)3M!a)e" "4%)d 4a$e 7een 8n"ide!ed a 7%i)de! in d 3ait4 54 8%)dnt 7e 8('e))ed t $a8ate t4e di"'%ted '!'e!t ! t 'a (nt4) !enta)%n)e"" 4e 5a" 6!"t inde(ni6ed 3! t4e 8"t 3 54at 4e 4ad 7%i)t.

/. 222 in nt !%)in t4at t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" and t4e T!ia) C%!t !a$e)(i"a'')ied t4e )a5 in !%)in t4at t4e!e 5a" n i(')ied t!%"t $e! t4e'!e(i"e".

=. 222 in nt !%)in t4at t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" and t4e T!ia) C%!t !a$e)(i"a'')ied t4e )a5 in a5a!din da(ae" t t4e !e"'ndent".

e !e%i!ed !e"'ndent" t 8((ent n t4e (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin 45e$e! it5a" nt %nti) - J%) -11 and a3te! 5e !e%i!ed t4ei! 8%n"e) t "45 8a%"e 54 4e "4%)dnt 7e di"8i')ina!i) dea)t 5it4 3! 3ai)%!e t 6)e 8((ent 54en "aid 8%n"e) 6)ed t4e8((ent 7 (ai). U'n '!i! )ea$e 3 8%!t, 'etitine!" 6)ed a !e') t t4e 8((ent.

On -1 A%%"t -11 5e !anted 'etitine!" (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin and !e%i!edt4e 'a!tie" t "%7(it t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e (e(!anda. Petitine!" and '!i$ate !e"'ndent""%7(itted t4ei! (e(!anda n and /> O8t7e! -11, !e"'e8ti$e).

T4e !ant 3 t4e (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin ne8e""a!i) )i(it" t4e i""%e" t t4e t4!ee!%nd" '"t%)ated in t4e (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin, 54i84 5e !e"tate a" 3))5"+

-. Did Ce)" A$e)in '%!84a"e t4e )and in %e"tin 3!( t4e Mendi)a" n > J%) -1> a" a (e!e t!%"tee 3! 4i" 'a!ent" and "i7)in" ! , "i(') '%t, i"t4e '!'e!t t4e 3!(e! a8%i!ed a t!%"t '!'e!t

/. a" Rd)3 M!a)e" a 7%i)de! in d 3ait4

=. a" t4e!e 7a"i" 3! t4e a5a!d 3 da(ae", att!ne" 3ee" and )itiatine2'en"e" t t4e '!i$ate !e"'ndent"

e "4a)) di"8%"" t4e"e i""%e" in seriatim.

I

A t!%"t i" t4e )ea) !e)atin"4i' 7et5een ne 'e!"n 4a$in an e%ita7)e 5ne!"4i'in '!'e!t and ant4e! 'e!"n 5nin t4e )ea) tit)e t "%84 '!'e!t, t4e e%ita7)e5ne!"4i' 3 t4e 3!(e! entit)in 4i( t t4e 'e!3!(an8e 3 8e!tain d%tie" and t4e

e2e!8i"e 3 8e!tain '5e!" 7 t4e )atte!.9-/: T4e 84a!a8te!i"ti8" 3 a t!%"t a!e+

-. It i" a !e)atin"4i'

/. it i" a !e)atin"4i' 3 6d%8ia! 84a!a8te!

=. it i" a !e)atin"4i' 5it4 !e"'e8t t '!'e!t, nt ne in$)$in (e!e)'e!"na) d%tie"

. it in$)$e" t4e e2i"ten8e 3 e%ita7)e d%tie" i('"ed %'n t4e 4)de! 3 t4etit)e t t4e '!'e!t t dea) 5it4 it 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 ant4e! and

@. it a!i"e" a" a !e"%)t 3 a (ani3e"tatin 3 intentin t 8!eate t4e!e)atin"4i'.9-=:

T!%"t" a!e eit4e! e2'!e"" ! i(')ied. E2'!e"" t!%"t" a!e 8!eated 7 t4e intentin 3 t4e t!%"t! ! 3 t4e 'a!tie", 54i)e i(')ied t!%"t" 8(e int 7ein 7 'e!atin 3 )a5,9-: eit4e! t4!%4 i(')i8atin 3 an intentin t 8!eate a t!%"t a" a (atte! 3 )a5 ! t4!%4

t4e i('"itin 3 t4e t!%"t i!!e"'e8ti$e 3, and e$en 8nt!a! t, an "%84 intentin. 9-@: Int%!n, i(')ied t!%"t" a!e eit4e! !e"%)tin ! 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t". Re"%)tin t!%"t" a!e 7a"ed nt4e e%ita7)e d8t!ine t4at $a)%a7)e 8n"ide!atin and nt )ea) tit)e dete!(ine" t4ee%ita7)e tit)e ! inte!e"t and a!e '!e"%(ed a)5a" t 4a$e 7een 8nte(')ated 7 t4e'a!tie". T4e a!i"e 3!( t4e nat%!e ! 8i!8%("tan8e" 3 t4e 8n"ide!atin in$)$ed in at!an"a8tin 54e!e7 ne 'e!"n t4e!e7 7e8(e" in$e"ted 5it4 )ea) tit)e 7%t i" 7)iatedin e%it t 4)d 4i" )ea) tit)e 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 ant4e!. On t4e t4e! 4and, 8n"t!%8ti$et!%"t" a!e 8!eated 7 t4e 8n"t!%8tin 3 e%it in !de! t "ati"3 t4e de(and" 3 %"ti8eand '!e$ent %n%"t en!i84(ent. T4e a!i"e 8nt!a! t intentin aain"t ne 54, 7 3!a%d,d%!e"" ! a7%"e 3 8n6den8e, 7tain" ! 4)d" t4e )ea) !i4t t '!'e!t 54i84 4e %4tnt, in e%it and d 8n"8ien8e, t 4)d. 9-:

A !e"%)tin t!%"t i" e2e(')i6ed 7 A!ti8)e -> 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, 54i84 !ead"+

A!t. ->. T4e!e i" an i(')ied t!%"t 54en '!'e!t i" ")d, and t4e )ea) e"tate i"!anted t ne 'a!t 7%t t4e '!i8e i" 'a id 7 ant4e! 3! t4e '%!'"e 3 4a$in t4e

7ene68ia) inte!e"t 3 t4e '!'e!t. T4e 3!(e! i" t4e t!%"tee, 54i)e t4e )atte! i" t4e7ene68ia!. H5e$e!, i3 t4e 'e!"n t 54( t4e tit)e i" 8n$eed i" a 84i)d, )eiti(ate !i))eiti(ate, 3 t4e ne 'ain t4e '!i8e 3 t4e "a)e, n t!%"t i" i(')ied 7 )a5, it 7eindi"'%ta7) '!e"%(ed t4at t4e!e i" a i3t in 3a$! 3 t4e 84i)d.

T4e t!%"t 8!eated %nde! t4e 6!"t "enten8e 3 A!ti8)e -> i" "(eti(e" !e3e!!ed t a"a purchase money resulting trust .9-: T4e t!%"t i" 8!eated in !de! t eKe8t%ate 54at t4e)a5 '!e"%(e" t 4a$e 7een t4e intentin 3 t4e 'a!tie" in t4e 8i!8%("tan8e" t4at t4e'e!"n t 54( t4e )and 5a" 8n$eed 4)d" it a" t!%"tee 3! t4e 'e!"n 54 "%'')ied t4e'%!84a"e (ne.9->:

T i$e !i"e t a '%!84a"e (ne !e"%)tin t!%"t, it i" e""entia) t4at t4e!e 7e+

-. an a8t%a) 'a(ent 3 (ne, '!'e!t ! "e!$i8e", ! an e%i$a)ent,8n"tit%tin $a)%a7)e 8n"ide!atin

T!%"t # SJBP!i! 1

























/. and "%84 8n"ide!atin (%"t 7e 3%!ni"4ed 7 t4e a))eed 7ene68ia! 3 a!e"%)tin t!%"t.9-1:

T4e!e a!e !e8ni?ed e28e'tin" t t4e e"ta7)i"4(ent 3 an i(')ied !e"%)tint!%"t. T4e 6!"t i" "tated in t4e )a"t 'a!t 3 A!ti8)e -> it"e)3. T4%", 54e!e A 'a" t4e'%!84a"e (ne and tit)e i" 8n$eed 7 a7")%te deed t A" 84i)d ! t a 'e!"n t54( A "tand" in loco parentis and 54 (ae" n e2'!e"" '!(i"e, a t!%"t de" nt!e"%)t, t4e '!e"%('tin 7ein t4at a i3t 5a" intended. Ant4e! e28e'tin i", 3 8%!"e,t4at in 54i84 an a8t%a) 8nt!a! intentin i" '!$ed. A)" 54e!e t4e '%!84a"e i" (ade in$i)atin 3 an e2i"tin "tat%te and in e$a"in 3 it" e2'!e"" '!$i"in, n t!%"t 8an !e"%)t in

3a$! 3 t4e 'a!t 54 i" %i)t 3 t4e 3!a%d. 9/0:

A" a !%)e, t4e 7%!den 3 '!$in t4e e2i"ten8e 3 a t!%"t i" n t4e 'a!t a""e!tin it"e2i"ten8e, and "%84 '!3 (%"t 7e 8)ea! and "ati"3a8t!i) "45 t4e e2i"ten8e 3 t4e t!%"tand it" e)e(ent".9/-: 4i)e i(')ied t!%"t" (a 7e '!$ed 7 !a) e$iden8e,9//: t4e e$iden8e(%"t 7e t!%"t5!t4 and !e8ei$ed 7 t4e 8%!t" 5it4 e2t!e(e 8a%tin, and "4%)d nt 7e(ade t !e"t n )"e, e%i$8a) ! inde6nite de8)a!atin". T!%"t5!t4 e$iden8e i"!e%i!ed 7e8a%"e !a) e$iden8e 8an ea"i) 7e 3a7!i8ated.9/=:

In t4e in"tant 8a"e, 'etitine!" t4e! i" t4at R"end A$e)in 5ned t4e (ne 3!t4e '%!84a"e 3 t4e '!'e!t and 4e !e%e"ted Ce)", 4i" "n, t 7% t4e '!'e!ta))eed) in t!%"t 3! t4e 3!(e!. T4e 3a8t !e(ain", 45e$e!, t4at tit)e t t4e '!'e!t 5a"8n$eed t Ce)". A88!din), t4e "it%atin i" $e!ned 7 ! 3a))" 5it4in t4e e28e'tin%nde! t4e t4i!d "enten8e 3 A!ti8)e ->, 54i84 3! 8n$enien8e 5e %te+

... H5e$e!, i3 t4e 'e!"n t 54( t4e tit)e i" 8n$eed i" a 84i)d, )eiti(ate !

i))eiti(ate, 3 t4e ne 'ain t4e '!i8e 3 t4e "a)e, n t!%"t i" i(')ied 7 )a5, it7ein di"'%ta7) '!e"%(ed t4at t4e!e i" a i3t in 3a$! 3 t4e 84i)d. ;Unde!"8!in"%'')ied<.

On t4i" 7a"i" a)ne, t4e 8a"e 3! 'etitine!" (%"t 3a)). T4e '!e'nde!an8e 3 e$iden8e, a"3%nd 7 t4e t!ia) 8%!t and aQ!(ed 7 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)", e"ta7)i"4ed '"iti$e a8t" 3 Ce)" A$e)in indi8atin, 5it4%t d%7t, t4at 4e 8n"ide!ed t4e '!'e!t 4e '%!84a"ed3!( t4e Mendi)a" a" 4i" e28)%"i$e '!'e!t. He 4ad it" ta2 de8)a!atin t!an"3e!!ed in 4i"na(e, 8a%"ed t4e '!'e!t "%!$eed 3! 4i( 7 t4e B%!ea% 3 Land", and 3ait43%)) 'aidt4e !ea)t ta2e". Fina)), 4e ")d t4e '!'e!t t '!i$ate !e"'ndent".

T4e t4e! 3 i(')ied t!%"t 5it4 Ce)" A$e)in a" t4e t!%"t! and 4i" 'a!ent" R"endA$e)in and J%an Ri8a3!te a" t!%"tee" i" nt e$en a))eed, e2'!e"") ! i(')ied), in t4e$e!i6ed An"5e! 3 Rd)3 M!a)e"9/: n! in t4e An"5e! in Inte!$entin 3 P!i"8i)a A.M!a)e".9/@: In t4e 3!(e!, Rd)3 a))eed t4at+

A. 9T:4e )t and t4e t5#"t!e 7%i)din in %e"tin... 54i84 a!e a8t%a))

'""e""ed 7 Rd)3 M!a)e", de3endant 4e!ein, and 7 4i" 'a!ent" ##P!i"8i)a A. M!a)e" and Ce"a! M!a)e" ## and 8n"e%ent), t4e ne" n5 in)itiatin in t4e a7$e#entit)ed 8a"e, 5e!e !iina)) and e28)%"i$e) 5nedand '""e""ed 7 4i" !and'a!ent"#R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te

B. 9S:aid )t, tet4e! 5it4 an )d 4%"e t4en t4e!en, 5e!e ;"i8< a8%i!ed 7"aid 8%')e ## R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te ## n J%) >, -1>,54i84 t4e !i4t a5a '""e""ed e28)%"i$e) in t4e 8n8e't 3 5ne!9/:

P!i"8i)a, n 4e! 'a!t, (e!e) !eite!ated t4e 3!ein a))eatin" in "%7'a!a!a'4" A and B3 'a!a!a'4 / 3 4e! An"5e! in Inte!$entin.9/:

Rd)3 and P!i"8i)a )ie5i"e e$en 3ai)ed t "%e"t in t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e S'e8ia) andAQ!(ati$e De3en"e" t4at Ce)" A$e)in 4e)d t4e '!'e!t in t!%"t de"'ite Rd)3" 8)ai(t4at+

. 9T:4e a))eed "a)e 7 Ce)" A$e)in a)ne 3 t4e '!'e!tie" in %e"tin in3a$! 3 ')aintiK E!)inda O!ti? and t4e a))eed TD#0 in t4e na(e 3 E!)inda O!ti?, 5e!e 8)ande"tine, 3!a%d%)ent, n%)) and $id 7e8a%"e,6!"t, "aid d8%(ent" 8$e! t4e enti!e '!'e!tie" in %e"tin 3 t4e)ate R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te "e8nd, n) Ce)" A$e)in")d t4e enti!e '!'e!tie", 5it4%t t4e n5)ede and 8n"ent 3 "aidP!i"8i)a A. M!a)e", T!inidad A. C!%? and Cn8e'8in E. Pe!a)ta #84i)d!en and 4ei!" 3 "aid R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3! te and,t4i!d, "aid d8%(ent" 5e!e a)" (ade 5it4%t t4e n5)ede and8n"ent 3 de3endant Rd)3 M!a)e" 54 4a" '!i! and )ea)'""e""in $e! t4e '!'e!tie" in %e"tin and 54 i" a 7%i)de! ind 3ait4 3 t4e "4' 7%i)din t4e!en.9/>:

Nt "%!'!i"in), P!i"8i)a (e!e) !e"tated t4e"e a))eatin" in 'a!a!a'4 / 3 4e! S'e8ia)and AQ!(ati$e De3en"e". I3 t!%) t4e 5e!e 8n$in8ed t4at Ce)" A$e)in a8%i!ed t4e'!'e!t in t!%"t 3! 4i" 'a!ent", it 5%)d 4a$e 7een 3a! ea"ie! 3! t4e( t e2')i8it) "tate"%84 3a8t.9/1:

T4e "e'a!ate An"5e!" 3 Rd)3 and P!i"8i)a d nt )ie5i"e a))ee t4at Ce)"A$e)in 8((itted an 7!ea84 3 t4e t!%"t 7 4a$in t4e '!'e!t de8)a!ed in 4i" na(eand 'ain t4e !ea)t ta2e" t4e!en and 7 4a$in t4e )t "%!$eed 7 t4e B%!ea% 3 Land" 54i84 a$e it a )t n%(7e!+ Lt -11.9=0: E$en (!e te))in i" t4at in t4e P!e#T!ia)O!de!9=-: 3 t4e t!ia) 8%!t, 'etitine!" did nt 8)ai( t4e e2i"ten8e 3 an i(')ied t!%"t t4e'a!tie" (e!e) a!eed t4at t4e (ain i""%e" 5e!e+

a. 4 i" t4e 5ne! 3 t4e '!e(i"e" in %e"tin

7. 4 i" entit)ed t t4e '""e""in t4e!e3

Yet, 'etitine!" n5 5ant %" t !e$e!"e t4e !%)in" 3 t4e 8%! t" 7e)5 t4at Ce)"A$e)in 5a" t4e a7")%te and e28)%"i$e 5ne! 3 t4e '!'e!t in %e"tin, n "t!ent4 3,'!i(a!i), t4ei! i(')ied t!%"t t4e!. T4e '!7)e( 5it4 'etitine!" i" t4at t4e enti!e)3!t t4at t4e t!ia) 8%!t and t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" did nt 7a"e t4ei! !%)in" n t4i"a)ne. A" "45n ea!)ie!, t4e t!ia) 8%!t 'inted %t n%(e!%" t4e! a5" in 'etitine!"t4e!, "%84 a" )a84e". T4en, t, t4e !%)e i" "ett)ed t4at t4e 7%!den 3 '!$in t4ee2i"ten8e 3 a t!%"t i" n t4e 'a!t a""e!tin it" e2i"ten8e and t4at "%84 '!3 (%"t 7e8)ea! and "ati"3a8t!.9=/: A" t t4at, 'etitine!" !e)ied '!in8i'a)) n te"ti(nia)e$iden8e. It i", 3 8%!"e, d8t!ina)) ent!en84ed t4at t4e e$a)%atin 3 t4e te"ti(n 3 5itne""e" 7 t4e t!ia) 8%!t i" !e8ei$ed n a''ea) 5it4 t4e 4i4e"t !e"'e8t, 7e8a%"e it i"t4e t!ia) 8%!t t4at 4a" t4e di!e8t ''!t%nit t 7"e!$e t4e( n t4e "tand and dete8t i3 t4e a!e te))in t4e t!%t4 ! )in t4!%4 t4ei! teet4. T4e a""e""(ent i" a88e'ted a"

8!!e8t 7 t4e a''e))ate 8%!t and 7ind" it, a7"ent a 8)ea! "45in t4at it 5a" !ea84eda!7it!a!i).9==: In t4i" 8a"e, 'etitine!" 3ai)ed t a""ai), (%84 )e"" $e!8(e, t4e 3))5in7"e!$atin 3 t4e t!ia) 8%!t+

Si2. On t4e 5itne"" 84ai!, Inte!$en!" de(ean! and (anne! 3 te"ti3in "45 t4at "4e5a" e$a"i$e and "4i3t and nt di!e8t in 4e! an"5e!" t "i(')e %e"tin" t4at "4e 5a"ad(ni"4ed 7 t4e C%!t nt t 7e e$a"i$e and di!e8t and 8ate!i8a) in 4e! an"5e!" and54i84 !ende!ed 4e! te"ti(n %n5!t4 3 3%)) 3ait4 and 8!edit.9=:

Lie5i"e 3ata) t 'etitine!" 8a%"e i" t4at Cn8e'8in Pe!a)ta" "5!n Cn6!(atindated - Ma -1> 8annt 7e 8n"ide!ed 4ea!"a e$iden8e d%e t Cn8e'8in" 3ai)%!e tte"ti3. On t4e 8nt!a!, it i" an e28e'tin t t4e 4ea!"a !%)e %nde! Se8tin => 3 R%)e -=03 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t, it 4a$in 7een Ke!ed a" e$iden8e 3 an a8t ! de8)a!atin aain"tinte!e"t. A" de8)a!ant Cn8e'8in 5a" a da%4te! 3 R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te,and a "i"te! 3 Ce)" A$e)in and inte!$en! P!i"8i)a M!a)e", Cn8e'8in 5a" t4%" a 8#

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -0














































4ei! 3 4e! "i7)in", and 5%)d 4a$e 4ad a "4a!e, e%a) t t4at 3 ea84 3 4e! 8#4ei!", int4e e"tate 3 R"end and J%ana. H5e$e!, Cn8e'8in e2')i8it) de8)a!ed t4e!ein t4%"+

T4at ( a3!ena(ed 7!t4e! 9Ce)" A$e)in:, d%!in t4e ti(e 54en 4e 5a" Cit Fi"8a) 3Ca)7a Cit and "ti)) a 7a84e)!, %t 3 4i" 5n (ne, 7%4t t4e 'a!8e)" 3 )and)8ated at 8!ne! U(7! ia St!eet and R"a)e" B)$d., B!. Cent!a), Ca)7a Cit, 3!(C%)et" Mendi)a de Ba!t)(e and A)eand!a F%a Mendi)a 7 $i!t%e 3 a Deed 3 Sa)eente!ed a" D8. N. = Pae N. /0 B N. WI Se!ie" 3 -1> in t4e Nta!ia) B 3Att. Ce)edni A)8a?a!, Nta! P%7)i8 3 Ca)7a, Sa(a! Lie5i"e, %t 3 4i" 5n (ne,

4e 8n"t!%8ted a !e"identia) 7%i)din n t4e )t 54i84 7%i)din i" (ade 3 "t!n (ate!ia)".

I3 indeed t4e '!'e!t 5a" (e!e) 4e)d in t!%"t 7 Ce)" 3! 4i" 'a!ent", Cn8e'8in 5%)d4a$e 7een entit)ed t a '!'!tinate 'a!t t4e!e3 a" 8#4ei!. H5e$e!, 7 4e!Cn6!(atin, Cn8e'8in (ade a ")e(n de8)a!atin aain"t inte!e"t. Petitine!",!ea)i?in t4at t4e Cn6!(atin 5a" ad(i""i7)e, atte('ted t 8%"4in it" i('a8t 7 Ke!inin e$iden8e a" E24i7it 9=@:Cn8e'8in" aQda$it, dated - J%ne -1>, 54e!einCn8e'8in "tated+

=. T4e '!'e!t in %e"tin ;'a!ti8%)a!) t4e 4%"e<, 45e$e! 3!(" 'a!t 3 t4e "tate 3%! de8ea"ed 'a!ent", and, t4e!e3!e, 3%)) and 8(')ete 8n$ean8e 3 t4e !i4t, tit)e andinte!e"t in and t "%84 '!'e!t 8an n) 7e eKe8ted 5it4 t4e a!ee(ent 3 t4e t4e!4ei!", na(e), ( "i"te!" T!inidad A. C!%? and P!i"8i)a A. M!a)e", and ("e)3.

Nte t4at Cn8e'8in "ee(ed t 7e 8e!tain t4at n) t4e 4%"e 3!(ed 'a!t 3 t4e e"tate

3 4e! de8ea"ed 'a!ent". In )i4t 3 t4e e%i$8a) nat%!e 3 Cn8e'8in" )ate! aQda$it,t4e t!ia) 8%!t and t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" did nt t4en e!! in i$in (!e 5ei4t tCn8e'8in" ea!)ie! Cn6!(atin.

At 7tt(, t4e cru= 3 t4e (atte! i" 54et4e! 'etitine!" di"84a!ed t4ei! 7%!den t'!$e t4e e2i"ten8e 3 an i(')ied t!%"t. e !%)e in t4e neati$e. P!i"8i)a" %"ti68atin 3!4e! and 4e! "i"te!" 3ai)%!e t a""e!t 8#5ne!"4i' 3 t4e '!'e!t 7a"ed n t4e t4e! 3 i(')ied t!%"t i", t "a t4e )ea"t, i(". In )i4t 3 t4ei! a""e!tin t4at Ce)" A$e)in did nt4a$e a8t%a) '""e""in 3 t4e '!'e!t 7e8a%"e 4e 5a" a5a 3!( Ca)7a 8ntin%%")3! (!e t4an =0 ea!" %nti) 4e died n O8t7e! =-, -1>, 9=: and t4e e"ta7)i"4ed 3a8t t4att4e ta2 de8)a!atin" 3 t4e '!'e!t 5e!e in Ce)"" na(e and t4e )atte! 'aid t4e !ea)tta2e" t4e!en, t4e!e e2i"ted n $a)id and 8ent !ea"n 54 P!i"8i)a and 4e! "i"te!" didnt d ant4in t 4a $e t4ei! !e"'e8ti$e "4a!e" in t4e '!'e!t 8n$eed t t4e( a3te! t4edeat4 3 R"end A$e)in in -1>0. Neit4e! i" t4e!e an e$iden8e t4at d%!in 4i" )i3eti(eR"end de(anded 3!( Ce)" t4at t4e )atte! 8n$e t4e )and t t4e 3!(e!, 54i84R"end 8%)d 4a$e dne a3te! J%ana" deat4 n =- Ma -1@. T4i" (i""in 5a" (%teand e)%ent '!3 3 R"end" !e8nitin t4at Ce)" 5a" t4e !ea) 7%e! 3 t4e '!'e!t

in -1> and t4e a7")%te and e28)%"i$e 5ne! t4e!e3.

II

a" Rd)3 M!a)e" a 7%i)de! in d 3ait4 Petitine!" %!e %" t " !%)e and a'')A!ti8)e > 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, 54i84 '!$ide"+

T4e 5ne! 3 t4e )and n 54i84 ant4in 4a" 7een 7%i)t, "5n ! ')anted in d 3ait4,"4a)) 4a$e t4e !i4t t a''!'!iate a" 4i" 5n t4e 5!", "5in ! ')antin, a3te! 'a(ent3 t4e inde(nit '!$ided 3! in a!ti8)e" @ and @>, ! t 7 )ie t4e ne 54 7%i)t !')anted t 'a t4e '!i8e 3 t4e )and, and t4e ne 54 "5ed, t4e '!'e! !ent. H5e$e!,t4e 7%i)de! ! ')ante! 8annt 7e 7)ied t 7% t4e )and i3 it" $a)%e i" 8n"ide!a7) (!et4an t4at 3 t4e 7%i)din ! t!ee". In "%84 8a"e, 4e "4a)) 'a !ea"na7)e !ent, i3 t4e 5ne!3 t4e )and de" nt 84"e t a''!'!iate t4e 7%i)din ! t!ee" a3te! '!'e!inde(nit. T4e 'a!tie" "4a)) a!ee %'n t4e te!(" 3 t4e )ea"e and in 8a"e 3di"a!ee(ent, t4e 8%!t "4a)) 62 t4e te!(" t4e!e3.

C)ea!), A!ti8)e > a'')ie" n) 54en t4e 7%i)de!, ')ante! ! "5e! 7e)ie$e" 4e 4a"t4e !i4t t " 7%i)d, ')ant ! "5 7e8a%"e 4e t4in" 4e 5n" t4e )and ! 7e)ie$e" 4i("e)3 t 4a$e a 8)ai( 3 tit)e.9=: In t4e in"tant 8a"e Rd)3 M!a)e" ne5 3!( t4e $e!7einnin t4at 4e 5a" nt t4e 5ne! 3 t4e )and. He a))eed in 4i" an"5e! t4at t4e )and5a" a8%i!ed 7 4i" !and'a!ent" R"end A$e)in and J%ana Ri8a3!te and 4e 8n"t!%8tedt4e "4' 7%i)din in -11 %'n d%e 'e!(i""in and 6nan8ia) a""i"tan8e 3!( 4i"(t4e!, P!i"8i)a A. M!a)e" and 3!( 4i" a%nt" T!inidad A. C!%? and Cn8e'8in A.Pe!a)ta ..., 5it4 t4e n5)ede and 8n"ent 3 4i" %n8)e Ce)" A$e)in.9=>:

Petitine!", 45e$e!, 8ntend t4at+

E$en a""%(in t4e a!%(ent t4at Rd)3 M!a)e" 5a" a 7%i)de! in 7ad 3ait4 7e8a%"e 4e5a" a5a!e 3 Ce)" A$e)in" "%''"ed e28)%"i$e 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e )and, "ti)), 45e$e!,t4e%n!e7%tted e$iden8e "45" t4at Ce)" A$e)in 8n"ented t Rd)3 M!a)e"8n"t!%8tin 3 t4e 7ea%t "4' n t4e )and. TSN, A'!i) , -1>>, '. 0 TSN, A'!i) , -1>>,'. 0 TSN, O8t7e! -1, -110, '. /-. Unde! A!ti8)e @= 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, "%84 8n"ent i"8n"ide!ed 7ad 3ait4 n t4e 'a!t 3 t4e )and5ne!. In "%84 a 8a"e, t4e !i4t" 3 t4e)and5ne! and t4e 7%i)de! "4a)) 7e 8n"ide!ed a" t4%4 7t4 a8ted in d 3ait4.9=1:

T4i" "#8a))ed %n!e7%tted te"ti(n 5a" !ee8ted 7 t4e 8%!t" 7e)5, and 5it4d !ea"n. Fi!"t, it 5a" 8)ea!) "e)3#"e!$in and in8n"i"tent 5it4 'etitine!" $i!%"in"i"ten8e t4at Ce)" A$e)in 5a" a5a 3!( Ca)7a Cit 8ntin%%") 3! (!e t4an =0ea!" %nti) 4e died n O8t7e! =-, -1>.90: T4e 8i!8%("tan8e" 3 54en and 54e!ea))eed) t4e 8n"ent 5a" i$en a!e %n8)ea!. Se8nd, n) Ce)" A$e)in 8%)d 4a$e!e7%tted it 7%t t4e te"ti(n 5a" i$en a3te! A$e)in" deat4, t4%" 3!e$e! "ea)in 4i"

)i'". Rea"n and 3ai!ne"" de(and t4at t4e att!i7%tin 3 an a8t t a dead (an (%"t 7e$ie5ed 5it4 %t("t 8a%tin. Fina)), 4a$in in"i"ted 5it4 a)) $i! t4at t4e )and 5a"a8%i!ed 7 R"end A$e)in and J%anita Ri8a3!te, it 5%)d 7e ("t %n)ie) t4at Rd)35%)d 4a$e taen t4e t!%7)e 3 "e8%!in Ce)"" 8n"ent, 54 4ad 7een 8ntin%%")a5a 3!( Ca)7a Cit 3! (!e t4an =0 ea!", 3! t4e 8n"t!%8tin 3 t4e "4'7%i)din.

III

e 8annt 45e$e! i$e %! aQ!(an8e t t4e a5a!d" 3 (!a) da(ae", att!ne"3ee" and )itiatin e2'en"e".

P%!"%ant t A!ti8)e //- 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, (!a) da(ae", 54i84 in8)%de '4"i8a)"%Ke!in, (enta) an%i"4, 3!i4t, "e!i%" an2iet, 7e"(i!84ed !e'%tatin, 5%nded3ee)in", (!a) "48, "8ia) 4%(i)iatin, and "i(i)a! in%! (a 7e !e8$e!ed in t4e 8a"e"en%(e!ated in A!ti8)e //-1 and ///0 3 t4e "a(e Cde.9-: F! (!a) da(ae" t 7e!e8$e!ed, it (%"t 7e "45n t4at t4e a!e t4e '!2i(ate !e"%)t 3 t4e de3endant" 5!n3%)a8t ! (i""in in t4e 8a"e" '!$ided 3! in A!ti8)e" //-1 and ///0, i9e9, it (%"t 7e "45n

t4at an in%! 5a" "%Ke!ed 7 t4e 8)ai(ant and t4at "%84 in%! "'!an 3!( an 3 t4e8a"e" "tated in A!ti8)e" //-1 and ///0.9/: M!a) da(ae" a!e e('4ati8a)) nt intended ten!i84 a ')aintiK at t4e e2'en"e 3 t4e de3endant. T4e a!e a5a!ded n) t ena7)e t4ein%!ed 'a!t t 7tain (ean", di$e!"in, ! a(%"e(ent" t4at 5i)) "e!$e t a))e$iate t4e(!a) "%Ke!in" 4e %nde!5ent, 7 !ea"n 3 t4e de3endant" 8%)'a7)e a8tin and (%"t,'e!3!8e, 7e '!'!tinate t t4e "%Ke!in in')i8ted. 9=: In t4e "a(e $ein, (!a) da(ae"(%"t 7e %nde!"td t 7e in 8n8e't 3 !ant", nt '%niti$e ! 8!!e8ti$e in nat%!e,8a)8%)ated t 8('en"ate t4e 8)ai(ant 3! t4e in%! "%Ke!ed.9:

In t4e in"tant 8a"e, t4e '!i$ate !e"'ndent" 4a$e nt 8n$in8in) "45n t4at t4e"%Ke!ed (enta) an%i"4 3! 8e!tain a8t" 3 4e!ein 'etitine! 54i84 3e)) %nde! an 3 t4e8a"e" en%(e!ated in A!ti8)e" //-1 and ///0 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde. H5e$e!, t4e t!ia) 8%!tin$ed A!ti8)e" -1, /0, /-, //-, //-1, ///0 t "%''!t t4e a5a!d 3! (!a)da(ae". A!ti8)e ///0 i" de6nite) ina'')i8a7)e "in8e t4i" i" nt a 8a"e 3 5i))3%) in%! t'!'e!t ! 7!ea84 3 8nt!a8t.

T!%"t # SJBP!i! --



























T4e a ttendant 8i!8%("tan8e" in t4i" 8a"e a)" !ee8t t4e a'')i8atin 3 A! ti8)e" -1,/0 and /- 3 t4e C4a'te! n H%(an Re)atin" 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde.

A88!din), 3! )a8 3 3a8t%a) and )ea) 7a"i", t4e a5a!d 3 (!a) da(ae" (%"t 7e"et a"ide.

F! t4e "a(e !ea"n t4e a5a!d 3 att!ne" 3ee" and )itiatin e2'en"e" (%"t "%Ke!t4e "a(e 3ate. T4e a5a!d 3 att!ne" 3ee" i" t4e e28e'tin !at4e! t4an t4e !%)e and8%n"e)" 3ee" a!e nt t 7e a5a!ded e$e! ti(e a 'a!t 5in" a "%it. T4e '5e! 3 t4e8%!t t a5a!d att!ne" 3ee" %nde! A!ti8)e //0> 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde de(and" 3a8t%a), )ea)

and e%ita7)e %"ti68atin it" 7a"i" 8annt 7e )e3t t "'e8%)atin and 8ne8t%!e.9@: T4eene!a) !%)e i" t4at att!ne" 3ee" 8annt 7e !e8$e!ed a" 'a!t 3 da(ae" 7e8a%"e 3 t4e')i8 t4at n '!e(i%( "4%)d 7e ')a8ed n t4e !i4t t )itiate .9:

HERE9ORE, '!e(i"e" 8n"ide!ed, e28e't a" t t4e a5a!d 3 (!a) da(ae",att!ne" 3ee" and )itiatin e2'en"e" 54i84 a!e 4e!e7 DELETED, t4e %d(ent 3 t4e!e"'ndent C%!t 3 A''ea)" i" AFFIRMED.

C"t" aain"t 'etitine!".

SO ORDERED.

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. LF@? Ap$i , &@+

INDANAO DEVELO1ENT AUTHORIT>, "o( the SOUTHERN 1HILI11INESDEVELO1ENT ADINISTRATION, 'etitine!,$".THE COURT O9 A11EALS !"d 9RANCISCO ANG BANSING, !e"'ndent".

CONCE1CION R., J.:

Petitin 3! !e$ie5 n 8e!ti!a!i 3 t4e de8i"in 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" in CA#G.R. N.>>>#R, entit)ed+ Mindanao (evelopment Authority! etc9! plainti;%appellee! versusFrancisco Ang Dansing defendant%appellantE! 54i84 !e$e!"ed t4e de8i"in 3 t4e C%!t 3Fi!"t In"tan8e 3 Da$a and di"(i""ed t4e 8(')aint 6)ed in Ci$i) Ca"e N. >0 3 t4e "aid8%!t.

It i" nt di"'%ted t4at t4e !e"'ndent F!an8i"8 An Ban"in 5a" t4e 5ne! 3 a 7i t!a8t3 )and 5it4 an a!ea 3 a7%t =00,000 ".(., "it%ated in Ba!!i Pana8an Da$a Cit. OnFe7!%a! /@, -1=1, An Ban"in ")d a '!tin t4e!e3, 5it4 an a!ea 3 a 7%t @ 4e8ta!e" t

J%an C!%? Ya' C4% T4e 8nt!a8t '!$ided, a(n t4e!", t4e 3))5in+

T4at I 4e!e7 a!ee t 5! 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4e enti!e a!ea 3 ( )and%nde! ( 5n e2'en"e" and t4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4e '!tin")d t (e "4a)) 7e %nde! t4e e2'en"e" 3 t4e "aid J%an C!%? Ya'C4%. &

A3te! t4e "a)e, t4e )and 3 An Banin 5a" "%!$eed and de"inated a" Lt #B, P"d#-=>. Lt #B 5a" 3%!t4e! "%7di$ided int 6$e ;@< )t" and t4e '!tin ")d t J%an C!%?

Ya' C4% "4!tened t J%an C!%?, 5a" de"inated a" Lt B#=, 5it4 an a!ea 3 -.-0"%a!e (ete!", (!e ! )e"". + On J%ne -@#- and De8e(7e! -@, -1=1, a 8ada"t!a) "%!$e

5a" (ade and Lt #B#= 5a" de"inated a" Lt ->#C 3 t4e Da$a Cada"t!e. OnDe8e(7e! /=, -1=1, J%an C!%? ")d Lt ->#C t t4e C((n5ea)t4 3 t4e P4i)i''ine" 3!t4e a(%nt 3 P,=.@0. * On t4at "a(e da, J%an C!%?, a" $end!, and C.B. Ca( andMi%e) N. Lan"na a" "%!etie", e2e8%ted a "%!et 7nd in 3a$! 3 t4e $endee t %a!anteet4e $end!" a7")%te tit)e $e! t4e )and ")d. F

T4e 8ada"t!a) "%!$e ')an 5a" a''!$ed 7 t4e Di!e8t! 3 Land" n J%) -0, -10, andn Ma!84 , -1-, O!iina) Ce!ti68ate 3 Tit)e N. / 5a" i""%ed in t4e (ean" 3 Vi8t!ianaAn Ban"in, O!3e)ina An Ban"in and F!an8i"8 An Ban"in a" 8)ai(ant" 3 t4e )and,'%!"%ant t De8!ee N. @=@> i""%ed n J%) /1, -10. On Ma!84 =-, -1-, OCT N. /5a" 8an8e))ed '%!"%ant t a Deed 3 Ad%di8atin and T!an"3e! Ce!ti68ate 3 Tit)e N. ->=5a" i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 F!an8i"8 An Ban"in.

On t4at da, Ma!84 =-, -1-, An Banin ")d Lt ->#A t J%an C!%? and TCT N. ->=5a" 8an8e))ed. TCT N. -> 5a" i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 J%an C!%?, 3! Lt ->#A and TCTN. ->@ 5a" i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 An Ban"in 3! t4e !e(ainin Lt" ->#B, ->#C,->#D, and ->#E. Late!, An Ban"in ")d t5 "%7di$i"in )t" 3 Lt ->#B, na(e)+Lt ->#B#/#C and Lt ->#B#- t Veda"t C!8%e!a 3! 54i84 TCT N. /@@- and TCT N./@@/, !e"'e8ti$e), 5e!e i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 t4e "aid Veda"t C!8%e!a n A%%"t -0,-1. T4e!ea3te!, Lt ->>#A, 5it4 an a!ea 3 1.@0> 4e8ta!e", and Lt" ->#B#A and->># B#/#D a)) "%7di$ided '!tin" 3 Lt ->#B, 5e!e "i(i)a!) 8n$eed t J%an C!%? 3!54i84 TCT N. /@11 and TCT N. /00, !e"'e8ti$e), 5e!e i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 J%an C!%?n Se'te(7e! /, -1. TCT N. /0- 5a" i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 An Ban"in 3! t4e!e(ainde! 3 t4e '!'e!t, in8)%din t4e )t in %e"tin. T4en, ant4e! '!tin 3 ->#B,de"inated in t4e "%7di$i"in ')an a" Lt ->>#B#/#B 5a" ")d t J%an C!%? 3! 54i84 TCTN. -> 5a" i""%ed in t4e )atte!" na(e. On N$e(7e! />, -1, a3te! t4e"e 8n$ean8e",t4e!e !e(ained in t4e '""e""in 3 An Ban"in %nde! TCT N. /0-, Lt ->#C, t4e )tin %e"tin Lt ->#D and Lt ->#E. H5e$e!, TCT N. /0- 5a" aain 'a!tia))8an8e))ed 54en An Ban"in ")d Lt ->#D t Veda"t C!8%e!a. ?

On Fe7!%a! /@, -1@, t4e P!e"ident 3 t4e P4i)i''ine" i""%ed P!8)a(atin N. @1,t!an"3e!!in 5ne!"4i' 3 8e!tain 'a!8e)" 3 )and "it%ated in Sa"a Da$a Cit, t t4e

Mindana De$e)'(ent A%t4!it, n5 t4e S%t4e!n P4i)i''ine" De$e)'(entAd(ini"t!atin, "%7e8t t '!i$ate !i4t", i3 an. Lt ->#C, t4e di"'%ted 'a!8e) 3 )and,5a" a(n t4e 'a!8e)" 3 )and t!an"3e!!ed t t4e Mindana De$e)'(ent A%t4!it in "aid'!8)a(atin. @

On Ma!84 =-, -11, Att. He8t! L. Bi"na! 8%n"e) 3! t4e Mindana De$e)'(entA%t4!it, 5!te An Ban"in !e%e"tin t4e )atte! t "%!!ende! t4e O5ne!" d%')i8ate8' 3 TCT N. /0- " t4at Lt ->#C 8%)d 7e 3!(a)) t!an"3e!!ed t 4i" 8)ient 7%t AnBan"in !e3%"ed. Cn"e%ent), n A'!i) --, -11, t4e Mindana De$e)'(ent A%t4!it6)ed a 8(')aint aain"t F!an8i"8 An Ban"in 7e3!e t4e C%!t 3 Fi!"t In"tan8e 3 Da$aCit, d8eted t4e!ein a" Ci$i) Ca"e N. >0, 3! t4e !e8n$ean8e 3 t4e tit)e $e! Lt->#C, a))ein, a(n t4e!", t4e 3))5in+

222 222 222

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -/








1. T4at t4e deed 3 "a)e, (a!ed a" Anne2 A, it 5a" "ti'%)ated 7 t4e'a!tie" t4at t4e de3endant 5%)d 5! t "e8%!e tit)e 3 4i" enti!e t!a8t3 )and 3 a7%t =0 4e8ta!e" de3!ain t4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e "a(e andt4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e tit)e 3 t4e '!tin ")d 7 t4e de3endant t J%anC!%? Ya' C4% "4a)) 7e 7!ned 7 t4e )atte!

-0. T4at t4e de3endant a" $end! and t4e ne 54 5!ed t "e8%!et4e tit)e 3 4i" enti!e t!a8t 3 )and 54i84 in8)%ded t4e '!tin ")d 74i(. t J%an C!%? Ya' C4% a8ted in t4e 8a'a8it 3 andX! "e!$ed a"

t!%"tee 3! an and a)) 'a!tie" 54 7e8(e "%88e""!#in#inte!e"t t J%an C!%? Ya' C4% and t4e de3endant 5a" 7%nd and 7)iated ti$e, de)i$e! and !e8n$e t J%an C!%? Ya' C4% andX! 4i" "%88e""!#in#inte!e"t t4e tit)e 'e!tainin t t4e '!tin 3 )and ")d and 8n$eed7 4i( t J%an C!%? Ya' C4% 7 $i!t%e 3 t4e deed 3 "a)e (a!ed a"Anne2 A and 4i" aQda$it (a!ed a" Anne2 C. &

In an"5e!, An Ban"in !e')ied+

222 222 222

1. T4at de3endant ad(it" t4at in Anne2A3 t4e 8(')aint, it 5a"a!eed and "ti'%)ated in 'a!a!a'4 t4e!e3 t4at+

T4at I 4e!e7 a!ee t 5! 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4eenti!e a!ea 3 ( )and %nde! ( 5n e2'en"eand t4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4e '!tin")d t (e "4a)) 7e %nde! t4e e2'en"e" 3 t4e"aid J%an C!%? Ya' C4%.

and de3endant in 3a8t "e8%!ed at 4i" e2'en"e 4i" OCT N. / 3! 4i"enti!e )and t4at in t4e '!8e"" 3 de3endant" "e8%!in 4i" tit)e neit4e!

J%an C!%? Ya' C4% n! t4e C((n5ea)t4 3 t4e P4i)i''ine" a""e!tedan !i4t t 5ne!"4i' 3 t4e "%7e8t '!'e!t and t4at 5a" a)("t =0ea!" a %nti) ')aintiK 6)ed it" 8(')aint, t4%" ')aintiK i" 3!e$e!7a!!ed 3!( 8)ai(in a n !i4t $e! t4e "%7e8t '!'e!t. T4e!e 5a"n !ea) "a)e (ade 7%t n) t4e intentin t "e)) a '!tin 3 t4e )and a ""tated 7 de3endant in Anne2 C 3 t4e 8(')aint.

-0. T4at de3endant denie" a))eatin" 8ntained in 'a!a!a'4 -0 3

t4e 8(')aint t4at 4e a8ted a" t4e t!%"tee 3 J%an C!%? Ya' C4%De3endant 5a" ne$e! "%84 (atte! 3 3a8t J%an C!%? Ya' C4% 3! t4e)a"t / ea!", t4at i" %nti) 4e. died in O8t7e!, -1@, ne$e! (ade ande(and t 4a$e t4e tit)e 3 t4e "%7e8t '!'e!t t!an"3e!!ed in 4i"na(e 7e8a%"e 4e ne5 a)) t4e ti(e t4at t4e a))eed "a)e in 4i" 3a$!5a" per se n%)) and $id 4e a)" ne5 t4at n "a)e 5a" e$e!8n"%((ated. &&

A3te! t!ia), t4e C%!t 3 Fi!"t In"tan8e 3 Da$a Cit 3%nd t4at an e2'!e"" t!%"t 4ad 7eene"ta7)i"4ed and !de!ed t4e !e8n$ean8e 3 t4e tit)e t Lt ->#C 3 t4e Da$a Cada"t!et t4e ')aintiK Mindana De$e)'(ent A%t4!it.&+

An Banin a''ea)ed t t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" and t4e "aid a''e))ate 8%!t !%)ed t4at ne2'!e"" t!%"t 4a" 7een 8!eated and, a88!din), !e$e!"ed t4e %d(ent and di"(i""ed t4e8(')aint. &*

Hen8e, t4e '!e"ent !e8%!"e.

T4e 'etitin i" 5it4%t (e!it. A" 3%nd 7 t4e !e"'ndent C%!t 3 A''ea)", n e2'!e""t!%"t 4ad 7een 8!eated 7et5een An Banin and J%an C!%? $e! Lt ->#C 3 t4e Da$aCada"t!e. T!%"t" a!e eit4e! e2'!e"" ! i(')ied. E2'!e"" t!%"t" a!e 8!eated 7 t4e intentin3 t4e t!%"t! ! 3 t4e 'a!tie". I(')ied t!%"t" 8(e int 7ein 7 'e!atin 3 )a5. &F It i"3%nda(enta) in t4e )a5 3 t!%"t" t4at 8e!tain !e%i!e(ent" (%"t e2i"t 7e3!e an e2'!e""t!%"t 5i)) 7e !e8ni?ed. Ba"i8a)), t4e"e e)e(ent" in8)%de a 8('etent t!%"t! andt!%"tee, an a"8e!taina7)e t!%"t res, and "%Q8ient) 8e!tain 7ene68ia!ie". Sti)ted 3!(a)itie"

a!e %nne8e""a!, 7%t ne$e!t4e)e"" ea84 3 t4e a7$e e)e(ent" i" !e%i!ed t 7ee"ta7)i"4ed, and, i3 an ne 3 t4e( i" (i""in, it i" 3ata) t t4e t!%"t". F%!t4e!(!e, t4e!e(%"t 7e a '!e"ent and 8(')ete di"'"itin 3 t4e t!%"t '!'e!t, nt5it4"tandin t4at t4een(ent in t4e 7ene68ia! 5i)) tae ')a8e in t4e 3%t%!e. It i" e""entia), t, t4at t4e'%!'"e 7e an a8ti$e ne t '!e$ent t!%"t 3!( 7ein e2e8%ted int a )ea) e"tate !inte!e"t, and ne t4at i" nt in 8nt!a$entin 3 "(e '!4i7itin 3 "tat%te ! !%)e 3'%7)i8 ')i8. T4e!e (%"t a)" 7e "(e '5e! 3 ad(ini"t!atin t4e! t4an a (e!e d%t t'e!3!( a 8nt!a8t a)t4%4 t4e 8nt!a8t i" 3! a t4i!d#'a!t 7ene68ia!. A de8)a!atin 3te!(" i" e""entia), and t4e"e (%"t 7e "tated 5it4 !ea"na7)e 8e!taint in !de! t4at t4et!%"tee (a ad(ini"te!, and t4at t4e 8%!t, i3 8a))ed %'n " t d, (a en3!8e, t4et!%"t. &

In t4i" 8a"e, t4e 4e!ein 'etitine! !e)ie" (ain) %'n t4e 3))5in "ti'%)atin in t4e deed3 "a)e e2e8%ted 7 An Ban"in in 3a$! 3 J%an C!%? t '!$e t4at an e2'!e"" t!%"t 4ad7een e"ta7)i"4ed 5it4 An Ban"in a" t4e "ett)! and t!%"tee and J%an C!%? a" t4e cestui@ue trust ! 7ene68ia!+

T4at I 4e!e7 a!ee t 5! 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4e enti!e a!ea 3 ( )and%nde! ( 5n e2'en"e" and t4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4e '!tin")d t (e "4a)) 7e %nde! t4e e2'en"e" 3 "aid J%an C!%? Ya' C4%.

T4e a7$e#%ted "ti'%)atin, 45e$e!, i" nt4in 7%t a 8nditin t4at An Ban"in "4a))'a t4e e2'en"e" 3! t4e !ei"t!atin 3 4i" )and and 3! J%an C!%? t "4%)de! t4ee2'en"e" 3! t4e !ei"t!atin 3 t4e )and ")d t 4i(. T4e "ti'%)atin de" nt 8ate!i8a))8!eate an 7)iatin n t4e 'a!t 3 An Ban"in t 4)d t4e '!'e!t in t!%"t 3! J%an C!%?.Hen8e, t4e!e i" n e2'!e"" t!%"t. It i" e""entia) t t4e 8!eatin 3 an e2'!e"" t!%"t t4at t4e"ett)! '!e"ent) and %ne%i$8a)) (ae a di"'"itin 3 '!'e!t and (ae 4i("e)3 t4et!%"tee 3 t4e '!'e!t 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 ant4e!. &

In 8a"e 3 a de8)a!atin 3 t!%"t, t4e de8)a!atin (%"t 7e 8)ea! and%ne%i$8a) t4at t4e 5ne! 4)d" '!'e!t in t!%"t 3! t4e '%!'"e"

na(ed.&?

4i)e An Ban"in 4ad a!eed in t4e deed 3 "a)e t4at 4e 5i)) 5! 3! t4e tit)in 3 t4eenti!e a!ea 3 ( )and %nde! ( 5n e2'en"e", it i" nt 8)ea! t4e!e3!( 54et4e! "aid"tate(ent !e3e!" t t4e =0#4e8ta!e 'a!8e) 3 )and ! t t4at '!tin )e3t t 4i( a3te! t4e"a)e. A 3ai)%!e n t4e 'a!t 3 t4e "ett)! de6nite) t de"8!i7e t4e "%7e8t#(atte! 3 t4e"%''"ed t!%"t ! t4e 7ene68ia!ie" ! 7e8t t4e!e3 i" "t!n e$iden8e t4at 4e intendedn t!%"t. &@

T4e intent t 8!eate a t!%"t (%"t 7e de6nite and 'a!ti8%)a!. It (%"t "45 a de"i!e t 'a""7ene6t" t4!%4 t4e (edi%( 3 a t!%"t, and nt t4!%4 "(e !e)ated ! "i(i)a! de$i8e. &

C)ea! and %ne%i$8a) )an%ae i" ne8e""a! t 8!eate a t!%"t and (e!e '!e8at!)an%ae and "tate(ent" 3 a(7i%%" nat%!e, a!e nt "%Q8ient t e"ta7)i"4 a t!%"t. A"t4e C%!t "tated in t4e 8a"e 3 (e Leon vs9 .acson, +a t!%"t (%"t 7e '!$en 7 8)ea!,

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -=



"ati"3a8t! and 8n$in8in e$iden8e it 8annt !e"t n $a%e and %n8e!tain e$iden8e !n )"e, e%i$8a) ! inde6nite de8)a!atin". Cn"ide!in t4at t4e t!%"t intent 4a" nt7een e2'!e""ed 5it4 "%84 8)a!it and de6nitene"", n e2'!e"" t!%"t 8an 7e ded%8ed 3!(t4e "ti'%)atin a3!e%ted.

N! 5i)) t4e aQda$it e2e8%ted 7 An Banin n A'!i) /=, -1-, +& 7e 8n"t!%ed a" 4a$ine"ta7)i"4ed an e2'!e"" t!%"t. A" 8%n"e) 3! t4e 4e!ein 'etitine! 4a" "tated, t4e n)'%!'"e 3 t4e AQda$it 5a" t 8)a!i3 t4at t4e a!ea 3 t4e )and ")d 7 An Ban"in t J%anC!%? Ya' C4% i" nt n) @ 4e8ta!e" 7%t -,-0 "%a!e (ete!" ! a )itt)e $e! "i2 ;<

4e8ta!e".++

T4at n e2'!e"" t!%"t 4ad 7een a!eed %'n 7 An Ban"in and J%an C!%? i" e$ident 3!(t4e 3a8t t4at J%an C!%?, t4e "%''"ed 7ene68ia! 3 t4e t!%"t, ne$e! (ade an atte('t ten3!8e t4e a))eed t!%"t and !e%i!e t4e t!%"tee t t!an"3e! t4e tit)e $e! Lt ->#C in 4i"na(e. T4%", t4e !e8!d" "45 t4at t4e deed 3 "a)e, 8$e!in Lt ->#C, 5a" e2e8%ted 7An Ban"in in 3a$! 3 J%an C!%? n Fe7!%a! /@, -1=1. T5 ea!" )ate!, ! n Ma!84 =-,-1-, An Ban"in ")d Lt ->#A t t4e "aid J%an C!%? 3! 54i84 TCT N. -> 5a"i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 J%an C!%?. S%7"e%ent) t4e!ea3te!, Lt ->>#A, 5it4 an a!ea 31.@0> 4e8ta!e", and Lt" ->#A and ->>#B#/#D, a)) "%7di$ided '!tin" 3 Lt ->#B,5e!e "i(i)a!) 8n$eed t t4e "aid J%an C!%? 3! 54i84 TCT N. /@11 and TCT N. /00,!e"'e8ti$e), 5e!e i""%ed in t4e na(e 3 J%an C!%? n Se'te(7e! /, -1. T4en, ant4e!'!tin 3 Lt ->#B, de"inated in t4e "%7di$i"in ')an a" Lt ->>#B#/#-=, 5a" ")d t

J%an C!%? 3! 54i84 TCT N. -> 5a" i""%ed in 4i" na(e n N$e(7e! />, -1>. De"'itet4e"e n%(e!%" t!an"3e!" 3 '!tin" 3 t4e !iina) =0#4e8ta!e 'a!8e) 3 )and 3 AnBan"in t J%an C!%? and t4e i""%an8e 3 8e!ti68ate" 3 tit)e in t4e na(e 3 J%an C!%?, t4e

)atte! ne$e! "%4t t4e t!an"3e! 3 t4e tit)e t Lt ->#C in 4i" na(e. F! "%!e, i3 t4e'a!tie" 4ad a!eed t4at An Ban"in "4a)) 4)d t4e '!'e!t in t!%"t 3! J%an C!%? %nti)a3te! t4e 3!(e! "4a)) 4a$e 7tained a 8e!ti68ate 3 tit)e t t4e )and, t4e )atte! 5%)d 4a$ea"ed 3! t4e !e8n$ean8e 3 t4e tit)e t 4i( in $ie5 3 t4e "%!et 7nd e2e8%ted 7 4i(in 3a$! 3 t4e C((n5ea)t4 G$e!n(ent 54e!ein 4e 5a!!ant" 4i" tit)e $e! t4e '!'e!t.

T4e 8nd%8t 3 J%an C!%? i" in8n"i"tent 5it4 a t!%"t and (a 5e)) 4a$e '!7ati$e eKe8taain"t a t!%"t.

B%t, e$en !antin, arguendo, t4at an e2'!e"" t!%"t 4ad 7een e"ta7)i"4ed, a" 8)ai(ed 7t4e 4e!ein 'etitine!, it 5%)d a''ea! t4at t4e t!%"tee 4ad !e'%diated t4e t!%"t and t4e'etitine! 4e!ein, t4e a))eed 7ene68ia! t t4e t!%"t, did nt tae an a8tin t4e!ein %nti)a3te! t4e )a'"e 3 /= ea!". T4%", in it" Re') t t4e De3endant" An"5e!, 6)ed n J%ne /1,-11, t4e 4e!ein 'etitine! ad(itted t4at a3te! t4e )a"t 5a! t4e Cit Eninee!" OQ8e 3Da$a Cit (ade !e'eated de(and" n t4e de3endant" 3! t4e de)i$e! and 8n$ean8e tt4e C((n5ea)t4 G$e!n(ent, n5 t4e Re'%7)i8 3 t4e P4i)i''ine", 3 t4e tit)e 3 )and in%e"tin, Lt ->#C, 7%t t4e de3endant in!ed and e$aded t4e "a(e. +* Cn"ide!int4at t4e de(and 5a" (ade in 7e4a)3 3 t4e C((n5ea)t4 G$e!n(ent, it i" 7$i%" t4at

t4e "aid de(and 5a" (ade 7e3!e J%) , -1, 54en t4e C((n5ea)t4 G$e!n(ent5a" di"(ant)ed and t4e Re'%7)i8 3 t4e P4i)i''ine" 8a(e int 7ein. F!( -1 t -11,54en t4e a8tin 3! !e8n$ean8e 5a" 6)ed 5it4 t4e C%!t, /= ea!" 4ad 'a""ed. F! "%!e,t4e 'e!id 3! en3!8in t4e !i4t" 3 t4e a))eed 7ene68ia! $e! t4e )and in %e"tin a3te!t4e !e'%diatin 3 t4e t!%"t 7 t4e t!%"tee, 4ad a)!ead '!e"8!i7ed.

Need)e"" t "a, n) an i(')ied t!%"t (a 4a$e 7een i('!e""ed %'n t4e tit)e 3 AnBanin $e! Lt ->#C 3 t4e Da$a Cada"t!e "in8e t4e )and in %e"tin 5a" !ei"te!edin 4i" na(e a)t4%4 t4e )and 7e)ned t ant4e!. In i(')ied t!%"t", t4e!e i" neit4e!'!(i"e n! 6d%8ia! !e)atin", t4e "#8a))ed t!%"tee de" nt !e8ni?e an t!%"t and 4a"n intent t 4)d t4e '!'e!t 3! t4e 7ene68ia!. +F It de" nt a!i"e 7 a!ee(ent !intentin, 7%t 7 'e!atin 3 )a5. T4%", i3 '!'e!t i" a8%i!ed t4!%4 (i"tae ! 3!a%d,t4e 'e!"n 7tainin it i", 7 3!8e 3 )a5, 8n"ide!ed a t!%"tee 3 an i(')ied t!%"t 3! t4e7ene6t 3 t4e 'e!"n 3!( 54( t4e '!'e!t 8(e". +

I3 a 'e!"n 7tain" )ea) tit)e t '!'e!t 7 3!a %d ! 8n8ea)(ent, 8%!t" 3 e%it 5i))i('!e"" %'n t4e tit)e a "#8a))ed 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t in 3a$! 3 t4e de3!a%ded 'a!t. +

T4e!e i" a)" a 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t i3 a 'e!"n "e))" a 'a!8e) 3 )and and t4e!ea3te! 7tain"tit)e t it t4!%4 3!a%d%)ent (i"!e'!e"entatin. +?

S%84 a 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t i" nt a t!%"t in t4e te84ni8a) "en"e and i" '!e"8!i'ti7)e it'!e"8!i7e" in -0 ea!". +@

He!e, t4e -0#ea! '!e"8!i'ti$e 'e!id 7ean n Ma!84 =-, -1-, %'n t4e i""%an8e 3O!iina) Ce!ti68ate 3 Tit)e N. / in t4e na(e" 3 Vi8t!iana An Ban"in O!3e)ina AnBan"in and F!an8i"8 An Banin. F!( t4at date %' t A'!i) --, -11, 54en t4e8(')aint 3! !e8n$ean8e 5a" 6)ed, (!e t4an /> ea!" 4ad 'a""ed. C)ea!), t4e a8tin3! !e8n$ean8e 4ad '!e"8!i7ed.

Be"ide", t4e en3!8e(ent 3 t4e 8n"t!%8ti$e t!%"t t4at (a 4a$e 7een i('!e""ed %'nt4e tit)e 3 An Ban"in $e! Lt ->#C 3 t4e Da$a Cada"t!e i" 7a!!ed 7 )a84e". + Ita''ea!" t4at t4e deed 3 "a)e in 3a$! 3 t4e C((n5ea)t4 G$e!n(ent 5a" e2e8%ted 7

J%an C!%? n De8e(7e! /=, -1=1, d%!in t4e 8ada"t!a) '!8eedin", and e$en 7e3!e t4e8ada"t!a) "%!$e ')an 5a" a''!$ed 7 t4e Di!e8t! 3 Land" n J%) -0, -10. B%t, t4e$endee t4e!ein did nt 6)e an an"5e!, (%84 )e"" an ''"itin t t4e an"5e! 3 AnBan"in in t4e "aid Cada"t!a) '!8eedin". T4e %d(ent !ende!ed in t4e "aid 8ada"t!a)'!8eedin, a5a!din t4e )t in %e"tin t An Ban"in i" a)!ead 6na). A3te! anine28%"a7)e de)a 3 (!e t4an /> ea!" and a8%ie"8en8e t e2i"tin 8nditin", it i" n5

t )ate 3! t4e 'etitine! t 8(')ain.

HEREFORE, t4e 'etitin "4%)d 7e, a" it i" 4e!e7, DENIED. N 8"t".

SO ORDERED.

SECOND DIVISION

HEIRS OF TRANUILINO LABISTE Petitine!",

# $e!"%" Z HEIRS OF JOSE LABISTE Re"'ndent".

G.R. N. -/0== P!(%)ated+ Ma >, /001 2#####################################################################################2

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -



D E C I S I O N

TINGA, J.:

T4i" i" a 'etitin 3! !e$ie59-: %nde! R%)e @ 3 t4e R%)e" 3 C%!t 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" De8i"in dated =0 J%ne /00=9/: in CA#G.R. CV N. @>/1. !e$e!"in t4e de8i"in 3 t4e Reina) T!ia) C%!t ;RTC< 3 Ce7% Cit, B!an84 1. T4e a''e))ate 8%!t denied'etitine!"9=: (tin 3! !e8n"ide!atin in a Re")%tin dated -@ Jan%a! /00.

T4e 3a8t%a) ante8edent" a!e a" 3))5"+

On /1 Se'te(7e! -1-1, t4e )ate E'i3ani La7i"te ;E'i3ani<, n 4i" 5n and n7e4a)3 3 4i" 7!t4e!" a nd "i"te!" 54 5e!e t4e 4ei!" 3 J"e La7i"te ;J"e<, '%!84a"ed 3!(t4e B%!ea% 3 Land" Lt N. -0@ 3 t4e Bani)ad F!ia! Land" E"tate, 5it4 an a!ea 3 -=,=0>"%a!e (ete!", )8ated at G%ada)%'e, Ce7% Cit 3! P=.00.9: S%7"e%ent), n 1 J%ne-1/, t4en B%!ea% 3 Land" Di!e8t! J!e B. Va!a" e2e8%ted Deed 3 Cn$ean8e N.-/@= "e))in and 8edin Lt N. -0@ t E'i3ani and 4i" 7!t4e!" and "i"te!" 54 5e!et4e 4ei!" 3 J"e.9@:

A3te! 3%)) 'a(ent 3 t4e '%!84a"e '!i8e 7%t '!i! t t4e i""%an8e 3 t4e deed 3

8n$ean8e, E'i3ani e2e8%ted an AQda$it9: ;AQda$it 3 E'i3ani< in S'ani"4 n -0 J%)-1/= aQ!(in t4at 4e, a" ne 3 t4e 4ei!" 3 J"e, and 4i" %n8)e and 'etitine!"'!ede8e""!#in#inte!e"t, T!an%i)in La7i"te ;T!an%i)in<, t4en 8#5ned Lt N. -0@7e8a%"e t4e (ne t4at 5a" 'aid t t4e $e!n(ent 8a(e 3!( t4e t5 3 t4e(.

T!an%i)in and t4e 4ei!" 3 J"e 8ntin%ed t 4)d t4e '!'e!t

int).

S(eti(e in -1/>, t4e Rei"te! 3 Deed" 3 Ce7% Cit i""%ed O!iina) Ce!ti68ate3 Tit)e N. =>> 3! Lt N. -0@. On / Ma -1/>, Eninee! E"'i!it% B%naan ;En!.B%naan<, De'%t P%7)i8 Land S%!$e!, "%7di$ided Lt N. -0@ int t5 )t"+ Lt N.-0@#A 5it4 an a!ea 3 , "%a!e (ete!" 3! T!an%i)in and Lt N. -0@#B 5it4 ana!ea 3 , "%a!e (ete!" 3! E'i3ani. T4e "%7di$i"in ')an '!e'a!ed 7 En!. B%naan5a" a''!$ed 7 J"e P. Dan", A8tin Di!e8t! 3 Land" n /> O8t7e! -1/>.9:

S%7"e%ent), n -> O8t7e! -1=1, t4e 4ei!" 3 T!an%i)in 9>: '%!84a"ed t4e ne#

4a)3 ;-X/< inte!e"t 3 t4e 4ei!" 3 J"e 91: $e! Lt N. -0@ 3! P=00.00, a" e$iden8ed 7t4e Calig%onan sa .anagpalit 9-0: e2e8%ted 7 t4e 'a!tie" in t4e isayan dia)e8t. T4e 4ei!" 3

T!an%i)in i((ediate) t '""e""in 3 t4e enti!e )t. 4en !)d a! II 7!e %t, t4e 4ei!" 3 T!an%i)in ed Ce7% Cit and 54en

t4e 8a(e 7a8 t4e 3%nd t4ei! 4(e" and '""e""in" de"t!ed. T4e !e8!d" in t4eOQ8e 3 t4e Rei"te! 3 Deed", OQ8e 3 t4e Cit A""e""! and t4e! $e!n(ent Q8e"

5e!e a)" de"t!ed d%!in t4e 5a!. S%atte!" 4a$e '!a8ti8a)) $e!!%n t4e enti!e '!'e!t,"%84 t4at neit4e! 'etitine!" n! !e"'ndent" '""e"" it.

In O8t7e! -11=, 'etitine!" )ea!ned t4at ne 3 t4e !e"'ndent",9--: A"%n8in

La7i"te, 4ad 6)ed n - Se'te(7e! -11= a 'etitin 3! !e8n"tit%tin 3 tit)e $e! Lt N.-0@. Petitine!" ''"ed t4e 'etitin at 6!"t 7%t 7 a 8('!(i"e a!ee(ent 7et5eent4e 'a!tie" dated /@ Ma!84 -11, 'etitine!" 5it4d!e5 t4ei! ''"itin t e2'edite t4e!e8n"tit%tin '!8e"". Unde! t4e 8('!(i"e a!ee(ent, 'etitine!" 5e!e t 7e i$enti(e t 6)e a 8(')aint " t4at t4e i""%e" 8%)d 7e )itiated in an !dina! a8tin and t4e!e8n"tit%ted tit)e 5a" t 7e de'"ited 5it4 t4e C)e! 3 C%!t 3! a 'e!id 3 "i2t ;0<da" t a))5 'etitine!" t 6)e an a8tin 3! !e8n$ean8e and t anntate a nti8e 3 lis

pendens. T4e Rei"te! 3 Deed" 3 Ce7% Cit i""%ed t4e !e8n"tit%ted tit)e, TCT N. RT#>@=,9-/: in t4e na(e 3 E'i3ani La7i"te, (a!!ied t T(a"a Ma7itad, 4i" 7!t4e!" and"i"te!", 4ei!" 3 J"e La7i"te n - De8e(7e! -11. H5e$e!, !e"'ndent" did nt 4n!t4e 8('!(i"e a!ee(ent.

Petitine!" 6)ed a 8(')aint9-=: 3! ann%)(ent 3 tit)e "eein t4e !e8n$ean8e3 '!'e!t and da(ae" n -= Jan%a! -11@, d8eted a" Ci$i) Ca"e N. CEB#-1=, 5it4t4e RTC 3 Ce7% Cit. Re"'ndent" 8)ai(ed t4at t4e AQda$it 3 E'i3ani and t4e Calig%onan sa .anagpalit 5e!e 3!e!ie" and t4at 'etitine!" a8tin 4ad )n '!e"8!i7ed !7a!!ed 7 )a84e".9-:

T4e RTC in a De8i"in dated /= A%%"t -1119-@: !%)ed in 3a$! 3 'etitine!". A3te!

e$a)%atin t4e d8%(ent" '!e"ented 7 'etitine!", t4e RTC 3%nd t4at t4e a!e en%ineand a%t4enti8 a" an8ient d8%(ent" and t4at t4e a!e $a)id and en3!8ea7)e.9-: M!e$e!,it 4e)d t4at t4e a8tin 4ad nt '!e"8!i7ed a" t4e 8(')aint 5a" 6)ed a7%t a ea! a3te! t4e

!e8n"tit%tin 3 t4e tit)e 7 !e"'ndent". T4e %di8ia) !e8n"tit%tin 5a" e$en ''"ed 7'etitine!" %nti) a 8('!(i"e a!ee(ent 5a" !ea84ed 7 t4e 'a!tie" and a''!$ed 7t4e RTC 54i84 !de!ed t4e !e8n"tit%tin. T4e RTC 3%!t4e! 4e)d t4at t4e !e8n"tit%ted tit)edid nt i$e an (!e !i4t t !e"'ndent" t4an 54at t4ei! '!ede8e""!"#in#inte!e"ta8t%a)) 4ad a" it i" )i(ited t t4e !e8n"tit%tin 3 t4e 8e!ti68ate a" it "td at t4e ti(e 3 it" )"" ! de"t!%8tin.9-:

On a''ea), t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)", 54i)e aQ!(in 'etitine!" !i4t t t4e'!'e!t, ne$e!t4e)e"" !e$e!"ed t4e RTC" de8i"in n t4e !%nd 3 '!e"8!i'tin and)a84e". It aQ!(ed t4e RTC" 6ndin" t4at t4e AQda$it and t4e Calig%onan sa.anagpalit a!e en%ine and a%t4enti8, and t4at t4e "a(e a!e $a)id and en3!8ea7)ed8%(ent".9->: Citin A!ti8)e -- 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, it 4e)d t4at 'etitine!" 8a%"e 3 a8tin4ad '!e"8!i7ed 3! t4e a8tin (%"t 7e 7!%4t 5it4in ten ;-0< ea!" 3!( t4e ti(e t4e !i4t3 a8tin a88!%e" %'n t4e 5!itten 8nt!a8t 54i84 in t4i" 8a"e 5a" 54en 'etitine!"'!ede8e""!"#in#inte!e"t )"t '""e""in $e! t4e '!'e!t a3te! !)d a! II. A)", t4e)a'"e 3 ti(e t 6)e t4e a8tin 8n"tit%te" ne)e8t n 'etitine!" 'a!t " t4e '!in8i')e 3 )a84e" i" a'')i8a7)e.9-1:

Hen8e, t4e '!e"ent 'etitin.

T4e en%inene"" and a%t4enti8it 3 t4e AQda$it 3 E'i3ani and t4e Calig%onansa .anagpalit a!e 7end 8a$i). A" 5e 4a$e !%)ed in a )itan 3 8a"e", !e"!t t %di8ia)!e$ie5 3 t4e de8i"in" 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" %nde! R%)e @ i" 8n6ned n) t e!!!" 3 )a5.9/0: T4e 6ndin" 3 3a8t 7 t4e )5e! 8%!t a!e 8n8)%"i$e a7"ent an 'a)'a7)e e!!! !a!7it!a!ine"".9/-: T4e C%!t 6nd" n !ea"n t de'a!t 3!( t4i" '!in8i')e. M!e$e!, it i" a)n "ett)ed d8t!ine t4at 6ndin" 3 3a8t 3 t4e t!ia) 8%!t, 54en aQ!(ed 7 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)", a!e 7indin %'n t4e C%!t. It i" nt t4e 3%n8tin 3 t4e S%'!e(e C%!t t 5ei4ane5 t4e e$iden8e a)!ead 'a""ed %'n 7 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" 3! t4e"e a!e dee(ed6na) and 8n8)%"i$e and (a nt 7e !e$ie5ed n a''ea).9//:

T4e ")e i""%e t4at t4e C%!t 4a" t !e")$e i" 54et4e! ! nt 'etitine!" 8a%"e

3 a8tin 4a" '!e"8!i7ed.

T4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" e!!ed in a'')in t4e !%)e" n '!e"8!i'tin and t4e

'!in8i')e 3 )a84e" 7e8a%"e 54at i" in$)$ed in t4e '!e"ent 8a"e i" an e2'!e"" t!%"t.

T!%"t i" t4e !i4t t t4e 7ene68ia) en(ent 3 '!'e!t, t4e )ea) tit)e t 54i84i" $e"ted in ant4e!. It i" a 6d%8ia! !e)atin"4i' t4at 7)ie" t4e t!%"tee t dea) 5it4 t4e'!'e!t 3! t4e 7ene6t 3 t4e 7ene68ia!.9/=: T!%"t !e)atin" 7et5een 'a!tie" (a eit4e! 7ee2'!e"" ! i(')ied. An e2'!e"" t!%"t i" 8!eated 7 t4e intentin 3 t4e t!%"t! ! 3 t4e'a!tie". An i(')ied t!%"t 8(e" int 7ein 7 'e!a tin 3 )a5.9/:

E2'!e"" t!%"t" a!e 8!eated 7 di!e8t and '"iti$e a8t" 3 t4e 'a!tie", 7 "(e

5!itin ! deed, ! 5i)), ! 7 5!d" eit4e! e2'!e"") ! i(')ied) e$in8in an intentin t8!eate a t!%"t.9/@: Unde! A!ti8)e - 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde, 9n: 'a!ti8%)a! 5!d" a!e !e%i!ed3! t4e 8!eatin 3 an e2'!e"" t!%"t, it 7ein "%Q8ient t4at a t!%"t i" 8)ea!) intended. T4eAQda$it 3 E'i3ani i" in t4e nat%!e 3 a t!%"t a!ee(ent. E'i3ani aQ!(ed t4at t4e )t7!%4t in 4i" na(e 5a" 8#5ned 7 4i(, a" ne 3 t4e 4ei!" 3 J"e, and 4i" %n8)e

T!an%i)in. And 7 a!ee(ent, ea84 3 t4e( 4a" 7een in '""e""in 3 4a)3 3 t4e

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -@

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/may2009/162033.htm#_ftn1





































































'!'e!t. T4ei! a!!ane(ent 5a" 8!!7!ated 7 t4e "%7di$i"in ')an '!e'a!ed 7 En!.B%naan and a''!$ed 7 J"e P. Dan", A8tin Di!e8t! 3 Land".

A" "%84, '!e"8!i'tin and )a84e" 5i)) !%n n) 3!( t4e ti(e t4e e2'!e"" t!%"t i"

!e'%diated. T4e C%!t 4a" 4e)d t4at 3! a8%i"iti$e '!e"8!i'tin t 7a! t4e a8tin 3 t4e7ene68ia! aain"t t4e t!%"tee in an e2'!e"" t!%"t 3! t4e !e8$e! 3 t4e '!'e!t 4e)d int!%"t it (%"t 7e "45n t4at+ ;a< t4e t!%"tee 4a" 'e!3!(ed %ne%i$8a) a8t" 3 !e'%diatina(%ntin t an %"te! 3 t4e cestui @ue trust ;7< "%84 '"iti$e a8t" 3 !e'%diatin 4a$e7een (ade n5n t t4e cestui @ue trust , and ;8< t4e e$iden8e t4e!en i" 8)ea! and8n8)%"i$e.9/: Re"'ndent" 8annt !e) n t4e 3a8t t4at t4e T!!en" tit)e 5a" i""%ed in t4e

na(e 3 E'i3ani and t4e t4e! 4ei!" 3 J"e. It 4a" 7een 4e)d t4at a t!%"tee 54 7tain"a T!!en" tit)e $e! '!'e!t 4e)d in t!%"t 7 4i( 3! ant4e! 8annt !e'%diate t4e t!%"t 7!e)in n t4e !ei"t!atin.9/: T4e !%)e !e%i!e" a 8)ea! !e'%diatin 3 t4e t!%"t d%)8((%ni8ated t t4e 7ene68ia!. T4e n) a8t t4at 8an 7e 8n"t!%ed a" !e'%diatin 5a"54en !e"'ndent" 6)ed t4e 'etitin 3! !e8n"tit%tin in O8t7e! -11=. And "in8e'etitine!" 6)ed t4ei! 8(')aint in Jan%a! -11@, t4ei! 8a%"e 3 a8tin 4a" nt et'!e"8!i7ed, )a84e" 8annt 7e att!i7%ted t t4e(.

It i" 4!n7 d8t!ine t4at )a84e" i" a 8!eatin 3 e%it and it" a'')i8atin i"8nt!))ed 7 e%ita7)e 8n"ide!atin". La84e" 8annt 7e %"ed t de3eat %"ti8e !'e!'et!ate 3!a%d and in%"ti8e.9/>: Neit4e! "4%)d it" a'')i8atin 7e %"ed t '!e$ent t4e!i4t3%) 5ne!" 3 a '!'e!t 3!( !e8$e!in 54at 4a" 7een 3!a%d%)ent) !ei"te!ed in t4ena(e 3 ant4e!.9/1: T4e e%ita7)e !e(ed 3 )a84e" i", t4e!e3!e, %na$ai)in in t4i" 8a"e.

H5e$e!, t !e8$e! t4e t4e! 4a)3 3 t4e '!'e!t 8$e!ed 7 t4e '!i$ate Calig%

onan sa .anagpalit and t 4a$e it !ei"te!ed n t4e tit)e 3 t4e '!'e!t, 'etitine!" "4%)d4a$e 6)ed an a8tin t 8('e) 9=0: !e"'ndent", a" 4ei!" 3 t4e "e))e!" in t4e 8nt!a8t,9=-: t

e2e8%te a '%7)i8 deed 3 "a)e. A 8n$ean8e 3 )and (ade in a '!i$ate d8%(ent de" ntaKe8t it" $a)idit. A!ti8)e -=@>,)ie it" 3!e!%nne! A!ti8)e -/>0 3 t4e Ci$i) Cde 3 S'ain,de" nt !e%i!e t4e a88(')i"4(ent 3 t4e a8t" !8nt!a8t" in a '%7)i8 in"t!%(ent in !de! t $a)idate t4e a8t ! 8nt!a8t 7%t n) t in"%!eit" eQ8a8,9=/: " t4at a3te! t4e e2i"ten8e 3 "aid 8nt!a8t 4a" 7een ad(itted, t4e 'a!t7%nd (a 7e 8('e))ed t e2e8%te t4e '!'e! d8%(ent. 9==: B%t e$en a""%(in t4at "%84a8tin 5a" 6)ed 7 'etitine!", t4e "a(e 4ad a)!ead '!e"8!i7ed.

It i" "ett)ed t4at n) )a5" e2i"tin at t4e ti(e 3 t4e e2e8%tin 3 a 8nt!a8t a!e

a'')i8a7)e t4e!et and nt )ate! "tat%te", %n)e"" t4e )atte! a!e "'e8i68a)) intended t 4a$e!et!a8ti$e eKe8t.9=: Cn"e%ent), it i" t4e O)d Cde 3 Ci$i) P!8ed%!e ;A8t N. -10<54i84 a'')ie" in t4i" 8a"e "in8e t4e Calig%onan sa .anagpalit 5a" e2e8%ted n -> O8t7e!-1=1 54i)e t4e Ne5 Ci$i) Cde t eKe8t n) n =0 A%%"t -1@0. And "e8tin = 3 A8tN. -10, )ie it" 8%nte!'a!t A!ti8)e -- 3 t4e Ne5 Ci$i) Cde, '!$ide" t4at a8tin %'na 5!itten 8nt!a8t (%"t 7e 6)ed 5it4in ten ea!".9=@:

HERE9ORE, t4e 'etitin i" 1ARTIALL> GRANTED. T4e De8i"in 3 t4e C%!t 3 A''ea)" dated =0 J%ne /00= in CA#G.R. CV N. @>/1 i" REVERSED andSET ASIDE andt4e De8i"in 3 t4e Reina) T!ia) C%!t 3 Ce7% Cit, B!an84 1 dated /= A%%"t -111 i"

REINSTATED 5it4 ODI9ICATION in 'etitine!" a!e 4e!e7 DECLARED t4e a7")%te5ne!" 3 ne#4a)3 3 Lt N. -0@ ! Lt N. -0@#A %nde! TCT N. RT#>@=.T4e Rei"te!3 Deed" 3 Ce7% Cit i" 4e!e7 ORDERED t CANCEL TCT N. RT#>@= in 'a!t and i""%e ane5 T!an"3e! Ce!ti68ate 3 Tit)e t 'etitine!", 4ei!" 3 T!an%i)in La7i"te, 8$e!in Lt N.-0@#A. N 8"t".

SO ORDERED.

T!%"t # SJBP!i! -




























Documents

Second Division 2