Case Digest (G.R. No. 126926)
Facts:
The case at hand involves Ramon P. Aron as the petitioner against the respondents, which include the Hon. Court of Appeals, Narciso Saliba, Erlinda Guyamin, Leonila Pagkaliwanagan, Diosdada and Ester Castillo, Marieta Vasquez, Andres Nieto, Ameurfina Macapagal, and Soledad Magpoc. The events leading to this case began on July 23, 1993, when Aron filed a complaint for specific performance, annulment of contract and title, reconveyance, and damages, which was docketed as Civil Case No. 93-89. The complaint stemmed from a contract of sale dated April 3, 1963, between Aron and Paciencia Perrin, the registered owner of a 35,718 square meter parcel of land in Bacoor, Cavite, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 28785. Under the contract, Aron was to pay a total of P25,000.00 in installments over a fifteen-year period, with the final payment due on April 3, 1983. Upon making the last installment payment, Perrin informed Aron that she could not execute the deed of sale or del...
Case Digest (G.R. No. 126926)
Facts:
Background of the Case
The case involves a dispute over a 35,718 square meter parcel of land in Bacoor, Cavite, originally owned by Paciencia Perrin. On April 3, 1963, Perrin entered into a Contract to Sell with Ramon P. Aron (petitioner) for the property, with a total consideration of P25,000.00, payable in installments over 15 years. The last installment was due on April 3, 1983. Upon full payment, Perrin was obligated to execute a Deed of Absolute Sale and deliver the title to Aron.
Breach of Contract
Despite Aron’s full payment of the purchase price by April 3, 1983, Perrin failed to execute the Deed of Absolute Sale or deliver the title. Aron later discovered that Perrin had authorized Jose M. Dragon to sell the same property to Doña Juana Development, Inc. in September 1972. Aron demanded compliance from Perrin, but she failed to act. He also wrote to Doña Juana, which acknowledged his claim but offered to repurchase the land.
Filing of the Complaint
On July 23, 1993, Aron filed a Complaint for Specific Performance, Annulment of Contract and Title, Reconveyance, and Damages (Civil Case No. 93-89) against Perrin, Doña Juana, and other subsequent buyers. He sought to compel Perrin to execute the Deed of Sale, annul the subsequent sales, and reconvey the land to him. He also claimed moral and exemplary damages, attorney’s fees, and litigation expenses.
Motions to Dismiss
Several defendants filed Motions to Dismiss on the grounds of lack of cause of action and prescription. The trial court granted the motions, ruling that the defendants were innocent purchasers for value, and the action for reconveyance could not prosper. The Court of Appeals affirmed this decision.
Issue:
- Whether the decision of the Court of Appeals has become final due to the late filing of petitioner’s motion for reconsideration.
- Whether petitioner’s cause of action has prescribed.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court denied the petition, ruling that Aron’s action had prescribed and that the Court of Appeals’ decision had become final due to the late filing of the motion for reconsideration. The Court emphasized the importance of timely filing actions and the protection afforded to innocent purchasers for value.