Case Digest (G.R. No. L-23454)
Facts:
In Bernadette S. Bilag, et al. vs. Estela Ay-Ay, et al. (G.R. No. 189950, January 15, 2018), respondents Estela Ay-Ay, Andres Acop, Jr., Felicitas Ap-Ap, Sergio Ap-Ap, John Napoleon A. Ramirez, Jr., and Ma. Teresa A. Ramirez filed on August 12, 2004, before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Baguio City, Branch 61, Civil Case No. 5881-R, a Complaint for Quieting of Title with prayer for preliminary injunction against petitioners Bernadette S. Bilag, Erlinda Bilag-Santillan, Dixon Bilag, Reynaldo B. Suello and the heirs of Lourdes S. Bilag, Leticia Bilag-Hanaoka, and Nellie Bilag. Respondents alleged that their predecessor-in-interest, Iloc Bilag, sold them various portions of a 159,496-square-meter parcel within Approved Plan No. 544367, Psu 189147, Sitio Benin, Baguio City, and that their duly registered Deeds of Sale vested them with valid titles since 1976. Petitioners, who assert adverse rights over the same land, moved to dismiss on grounds of lack of jurisdiction (the landCase Digest (G.R. No. L-23454)
Facts:
- Parties
- Petitioners
- Bernadette S. Bilag, Erlinda Bilag-Santillan, Dixon Bilag, Reynaldo B. Suello
- Heirs of Lourdes S. Bilag, Leticia Bilag-Hanaoka, Nellie Bilag
- Respondents
- Estela Ay-Ay, Andres Acop, Jr., Felicitas Ap-Ap, Sergio Ap-Ap
- John Napoleon A. Ramirez, Jr., Ma. Teresa A. Ramirez
- Subject Matter and Allegations
- Quieting of Title Complaint (Aug. 12, 2004) filed in RTC, Baguio City, Branch 61
- Respondents’ claim that Iloc Bilag sold them portions of a 159,496 sqm parcel (Approved Plan No. 544367, PSU 189147, Sitio Benin, Baguio City), delivered possession since 1976, introduced improvements, and registered Deeds of Sale
- Procedural History
- Petitioners’ Motion to Dismiss (Nov. 4, 2004):
- Lack of jurisdiction (land is unregistered public domain under Baguio Townsite Reservation)
- Prescription, laches, estoppel (27 years lapsed since sale)
- Res judicata (earlier Civil Case No. 3934-R for injunction dismissed and became final)
- RTC, Branch 61 Order (Oct. 10, 2005): Dismissal on grounds of no jurisdiction, deeds not perfect title, and res judicata
- CA Decision (Mar. 19, 2009): Set aside RTC dismissal; remand for trial—held res judicata and laches/prescription inapplicable
- CA Resolution (Sep. 3, 2009): Denial of motion for reconsideration
Issues:
- Whether the Court of Appeals correctly set aside the RTC’s dismissal of Civil Case No. 5881-R and remanded the suit for trial.
- Subsidiary: Whether the RTC had jurisdiction to entertain an action to quiet title over lands claimed to be unregistered public domain within the Baguio Townsite Reservation.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)