Facts:

• Alfredo Arroz is the plaintiff-appellant; Joaquina A. Alojado and others are the defendants-appellees.
• The events occurred in Brooke's Point, Palawan, on November 10, 1961.
• A contract was made for the sale of a parcel of land for P1,500, documented in a Memorandum of Agreement of Sale.
• The agreement stipulated that if the defendant did not return the amount within a specified period, the land would be considered sold to the plaintiff.
• The defendant had 15 days after November 30, 1961, to redeem the land but failed to do so by December 15, 1961.
• The plaintiff made several demands for the land's conveyance, including a formal letter on January 4, 1962, which the defendant received.
• Instead of complying, the defendant deposited P1,530 with the Municipal Treasurer, claiming it fulfilled the obligation.
• The plaintiff filed a complaint in the Court of First Instance of Palawan for specific performance and declared the deposit illegal.
• The lower court dismissed the complaint, stating it fell under the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace Court.
• The plaintiff appealed, arguing that the Court of First Instance had jurisdiction due to the nature of the complaint.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff-appellant, Alfredo Arroz.
• The order of dismissal by the lower court was set aside.
• The case was remanded to the court ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court's decision was based on the interpretation of jurisdiction as defined by the Judiciary Act.
• The Court emphasized that the complaint sought specific performance of a contractual obligation, not merely a monetary claim.
• Previous jurisprudence, particularly Manufacturer's Distributors, Inc. v. Yu Siu Liong, was referenced, establishing that refusal to perf...continue reading