Case Digest (G.R. No. L-29603)
Facts:
The case involves Anacleto Balicudiong, Socorro, Regina, Agapito, Francisco, Wenceslao, Romulo, and Jovito Jimenez, as plaintiffs-appellees, against Antonio Balicudiong, deceased, now represented by his heirs Felicidad Cuevas, Rodolfo Balicudiong, Amelia Balicudiong, Casimira Balicudiong, and Damiana Balicudiong, as defendants-appellants. The case was decided by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on June 7, 1971, originating from a decision by the Court of First Instance of Cavite in Civil Case No. TM-11. The dispute centers around the ownership and partition of a parcel of land from the Imus Friar Lands Estate, specifically Lot No. 5547, which was purchased by Mateo Balicudiong on July 1, 1920, while his wife, Anastacia Alcoba, was still alive. The couple had four children: Isabel, Antonio, Cirila, and Anacleto. After Anastacia's death in 1923, Mateo continued to pay for the land until it was fully paid in 1931. On June 4, 1931, Mateo executed a deed of assignment of t...
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-29603)
Facts:
Family Background
Mateo Balicudiong and Anastacia Alcoba were married on May 12, 1884. They had four children: Isabel, Antonio, Cirila, and Anacleto. Cirila died but was survived by her children, Rodolfo and Gregoria Balicudiong. Isabel, Antonio, and Anacleto survived their parents, but Isabel and Antonio died during the trial. Isabel was survived by seven children, while Antonio was survived by four children. Anastacia died on September 23, 1923.
Acquisition of the Property
On July 1, 1920, Mateo Balicudiong purchased Lot No. 5547 of the Imus Friar Lands Estate from the Bureau of Lands on an installment basis for P433.00 plus interest. Sale Certificate No. 6612 was issued in Mateo's name, effective from July 1, 1920. Anastacia was still alive at the time of the purchase. Mateo continued paying the installments until the purchase price was fully paid on June 1, 1931.
Assignment of the Property
On June 4, 1931, Mateo executed a deed of assignment of Sale Certificate No. 6612 in favor of his son, Antonio Balicudiong, for P300.00. The deed was acknowledged before a notary public and approved by the Director of Lands.
Possession of the Property
The trial court found that Antonio had been in possession of the property since 1927 or 1928, and it was under his administration that the land was converted from pasture to agricultural land.
Legal Proceedings
Plaintiffs-appellees (heirs of Isabel and Anacleto) filed a complaint for annulment and partition, claiming the property was conjugal and that the assignment to Antonio was invalid as to Anastacia’s share. The trial court declared the assignment valid only as to Mateo’s half of the property and ordered partition of the other half.
Issue:
- Whether Lot No. 5547 is conjugal property.
- Whether the deed of assignment by Mateo to Antonio is valid as to the entire lot or only as to Mateo’s share.
- Whether the heirs of Anastacia’s share in the property were barred by prescription.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)