Title
Almodiel vs. Blanco
Case
G.R. No. L-17508
Decision Date
Jul 30, 1962
Dispute over citrus nursery operation; verbal tenancy agreement led to ejection claims, jurisdiction questioned, tenancy relationship affirmed by Supreme Court.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-17508)

Facts:

  1. Parties Involved:

    • Petitioner: Romeo Almodiel
    • Respondents: Spouses Romulo Legarde and Adelina Latigay
  2. Nature of the Case:

    • Romeo Almodiel filed a petition before the Court of Agrarian Relations to recover 3,961 budded citrus and 3,900 citrus seedlings, or their value (P5,143.30), with legal interest.
  3. Background of the Dispute:

    • In July 1958, Almodiel and the respondents entered into a verbal tenancy contract to operate a citrus nursery on the respondents' land in Lambunao, Iloilo.
    • The agreement stipulated that the budded citrus would be divided: 1/3 for respondents and 2/3 for Almodiel.
    • On February 6, 1960, Almodiel claimed that respondents ejected him from the land, causing him damages.
  4. Respondents' Defense:

    • Respondents denied the existence of a tenancy relationship and claimed that Almodiel abandoned the nursery without their consent, causing them damages.
  5. Agreed Facts:

    • Almodiel would provide seedlings, seeds, and technical expertise for budding and cultivation.
    • Respondents would provide the land, farm labor, insecticides, fungicides, board and lodging for Almodiel, and necessary chemicals and fertilizers.
  6. Evidence Presented:

    • Almodiel brought 20,000 seedlings and 3.5 gantas of citrus seeds. Only 6,100 seedlings were successfully budded.
    • Respondents took 1,372 trees from the nursery and sold 156 trees. Almodiel sold 106 trees at P1.20 each.
    • On February 6, 1960, Almodiel was allegedly threatened by Romulo Legarde, who was armed with a pistol, prompting Almodiel to report the incident to authorities.
  7. Respondents' Evidence:

    • Almodiel brought 15,000 seedlings, of which 11,000 were planted. Only 4,000 budded trees grew.
    • Almodiel stayed with respondents from July 1958 to February 1960, receiving free board and lodging.
    • Respondents claimed Almodiel left voluntarily and never returned.

Issue:

  1. Whether a tenancy relationship existed between Almodiel and the respondents.
  2. Whether the Court of Agrarian Relations had jurisdiction over the case.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)


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