Case Digest (G.R. No. 34336)
Facts:
The case involves Bernabe B. Aquino as the claimant and appellant against the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan, which is the defendant and appellant, with the Government of the Philippine Islands as the intervenor and appellee. The case was decided on December 31, 1931, and it revolves around the ownership of a parcel of land. Aquino claimed that he purchased the property from Agustin V. Gomez, as evidenced by a deed registered in the registry of deeds. Gomez had acquired the property from Getulio Pitco, who, in turn, purchased it from Juan Fajardo. Fajardo had obtained a possessory information in 1892, and several witnesses testified to the continuous possession and cultivation of the land by Fajardo and his successors. Conversely, the Municipality of Bayambang contended that the land in question was part of its fisheries, which it claimed to have owned since time immemorial. The lower court's decision was appealed by both parties, with Aquino seeking to recover the...
Case Digest (G.R. No. 34336)
Facts:
Background of the Case:
- These two consolidated cases involve disputes over the ownership of certain real property in Bayambang, Pangasinan. The first case (G.R. No. 34336) was filed by Bernabe B. Aquino to recover the property from the Municipality of Bayambang. The second case (G.R. No. 34337) was initiated by the Government of the Philippine Islands for the registration of the same property under Act No. 496.
Claim of Bernabe B. Aquino:
- Bernabe B. Aquino claimed ownership of the property, asserting that he purchased it from Agustin V. Gomez, as evidenced by a deed (Exhibit L-Aquino). Gomez, in turn, had acquired the property from Getulio Pitco (Exhibit K1-Aquino), who had purchased it from Juan Fajardo. Juan Fajardo had obtained a possessory information for the property in 1892.
- Witnesses testified that Juan Fajardo and his successors had been in continuous possession of the property, cultivating it since 1887.
Claim of the Municipality of Bayambang:
- The Municipality of Bayambang argued that the property in question was part of its fisheries, which it had owned from time immemorial. However, the municipality failed to provide sufficient evidence of possession prior to 1928 or any proof that the Insular Government had transferred the property to it.
Evidence Presented:
- The possessory information (Exhibit K-Aquino) was registered in 1920, and the boundaries of the property were identified through testimonies, including that of Marciano Fajardo, who clarified that a 1911 survey was conducted to resolve boundary disputes between municipalities, not to assert ownership.
- The municipality presented an ordinance (Exhibit 1-Bayambang), but it was not proven that the property mentioned in the ordinance was the same as the land in question.
Issue:
Ownership of the Property:
- Whether Bernabe B. Aquino or the Municipality of Bayambang has a valid claim to the property in question.
Validity of the Possessory Information:
- Whether the possessory information obtained by Juan Fajardo in 1892, and subsequently registered in 1920, is sufficient evidence of ownership.
Municipality’s Claim of Ownership:
- Whether the Municipality of Bayambang has proven its ownership of the property as part of its fisheries.
Damages:
- Whether the Municipality of Bayambang is liable for damages claimed by Bernabe B. Aquino, and vice versa.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Conclusion:
- The Supreme Court modified the lower court’s judgment, declaring Bernabe B. Aquino as the rightful owner of the property and ordering the issuance of a title in his name. The injunction against the Municipality of Bayambang was reinstated, and the municipality’s claim to the property was denied. No damages were awarded to either party.