Facts:

• The case involves a dispute over a parcel of land in Vitas, Tondo, Manila.
• Plaintiff Enrique M. Barretto sought to recover possession and claimed damages of P105,000, plus interest and costs.
• Defendant Tomas Cabangis denied the claims and raised a defense of res judicata, citing a previous case (Civil Case No. 3073) where the ownership of the land was determined.
• The earlier case ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, but the Supreme Court later reversed that judgment, clearing Cabangis of the complaint.
• Cabangis also claimed he had continuous possession of the land for over thirty years, invoking the defense of prescription.
• The trial began on July 18, 1912, and the lower court ruled against Barretto, awarding costs to Cabangis.
• Barretto appealed, challenging the trial court's application of res judicata and the merits of his case.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's ruling that the matter was res judicata.
• The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's dec...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court's decision was based on the principle of res judicata, which bars re-litigation of issues already decided by a competent court.
• Barretto, as the successor in interest of the original plaintiffs, was aware of the prior litigation when he purchased the land.
• The ownership issue had been conclusively settled in the earlier case, determining that the plaintiffs had no rights to the land.
• Barretto's failure to substitute himself in the previous case and allowing the original plaintiff...continue reading