Facts:

The case of Eloisa C. Aguilar vs. Serafin R. Gamboa (G.R. No. L-10137) was decided on March 25, 1958, by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The plaintiff, Eloisa C. Aguilar, acted both in her own capacity and as the judicial administratrix of the intestate estate of the late Jose S. Aguilar. The dispute arose from a foreclosure proceeding initiated by the defendant, Serafin R. Gamboa, in June 1952, under Civil Case No. 2335 in the Court of First Instance of Occidental Negros. A judgment of foreclosure was rendered in December 1953, which became final and executory, ordering the public auction of several properties (Lots Nos. 267, 184, 1696, and 1736 of the Pontevedra Cadastre). Eloisa Aguilar contended that the properties were part of the estate of Jose S. Aguilar and were not owned by Luz C. Vda. de Aguilar, who had mortgaged them. She argued that the estate was not a party to the mortgage contract or the foreclosure proceedings, rendering the decision in Civil Case No....

Facts:

1. Parties Involved:

   • Plaintiff-Appellant: Eloisa C. Aguilar, in her own behalf and as judicial administratrix of the intestate estate of the late Jose S. Aguilar.
   • Defendant-Appellee: Serafin R. Gamboa.

2. Background of the Case:

   • In June 1952, Serafin Gamboa initiated foreclosure proceedings (Civil Case No. 2335) against Luz C. Vda. de Aguilar and others.
   • A judgment of foreclosure was rendered in December 1953, ordering the sale at public auction of mortgaged properties (Lots Nos. 267, 184, 1696, and 1736, Pontevedra Cadastre).
   • The plaintiff alleged that the mortgaged properties belonged to the estate of the late Jose S. Aguilar, not to Luz C. Vda. de Aguilar, who was not the owner.
   • The estate of Jose S. Aguilar was not a party to the mortgage contract or the foreclosure proceedings.

3. Previous Litigation (Civil Case No. 3064):

   • In June 1954, the administrator of Jose Aguilar’s estate filed a complaint (Civil Case No. 3064) challenging the validity of the mortgage and the foreclosure decision in Civil Case No. 2335.
   • Civil Case No. 3064 was dismissed in September 1954 due to the plaintiff’s failure to appear at the hearing.

4. Current Litigation:

   • On August 29, 1955, Eloisa C. Aguilar filed a complaint seeking the annulment of the foreclosure decision and an injunction to stop the execution sale of the mortgaged properties.
   • The defendant moved to dismiss the case, arguing res judicata based on the dismissal of Civil Case No. 3064.
   • The trial court dismissed the complaint, holding that it was barred by the previous dismissal in Civil Case No. 3064.

Issue:

1. Whether the dismissal of Civil Case No. 3064 constitutes res judicata, barring the current action.
2. Whether there is identity of parties, subject matter, and cause of action between Civil Case No. 3064 and the present case.
3. Whether the dismissal of Civil Case No. 3064 was a judgment on the merits.

Ruling:

The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of the complaint, holding that the doctrine of res judicata applies. The dismissal of Civil Case No. 3064 was a final judgment on the merits, and there was identity of parties, subject matter, and cause of action between the two cases.

Ratio:

• (Unlock)