Title
Arguelles vs. Timbancaya
Case
G.R. No. L-29052
Decision Date
Jul 30, 1976
Arguelles sought reconveyance after Timbancaya fraudulently secured title to jointly owned land. Court upheld prior judgment, ruled fraud invalidated title, and affirmed reconveyance.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-29052)

Facts:

  1. Background of the Case:

    • Caridad Arguelles filed an action for reconveyance against Guillermo Timbancaya regarding a property covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 1053. The property was originally jointly owned by Arguelles and Timbancaya, as per a Compromise Agreement and Judgment in Special Proceedings No. 211.
    • The trial court ruled that the property should be divided equally between Arguelles and Timbancaya, and ordered the cancellation of the title issued exclusively in Timbancaya's name.
  2. Special Proceedings No. 211:

    • On July 6, 1950, Arguelles filed Special Proceedings No. 211 for the intestate estate of Jose Arguelles. The parties reached a Compromise Agreement, which the court approved on September 11, 1950, dividing the property equally between Arguelles (northern portion) and Timbancaya (southern portion).
    • Both parties complied with the judgment by paying for the coconut trees planted on each other's portions and dividing the land accordingly.
  3. Appropriation of the Whole Property:

    • Contrary to the agreement, Timbancaya secured Transfer Certificate of Title No. 1053 in his name, covering the entire property.
    • Arguelles, having been in continuous possession of her half, filed for reconveyance upon discovering the issuance of the new title.
  4. Defendant’s Allegations:

    • Timbancaya argued that Arguelles had no right to the property as she was not an heir to Jose Arguelles.
    • He also claimed that the action was barred by the Statute of Limitations, the title had become indefeasible, and Arguelles had waived her claim by not enforcing it for 14 years.

Issue:

  1. Whether the decision in Special Proceedings No. 211 is barred by the Statute of Limitations.
  2. Whether Transfer Certificate of Title No. 1053 had become indefeasible.
  3. Whether Arguelles’ failure to enforce her claim for 14 years constitutes waiver or abandonment.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)


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