Title
Supreme Court
Buyayo Aliguyon vs. Jeffrey a.k.a. 'Napadawan' Dummang, Johnny a.k.a. 'Bidang' Dummang, Minda Dummang, and Donato Dummang
Case
G.R. No. 259469
Decision Date
Aug 30, 2023
Buyayo allowed Dummang et al. to occupy land; later, an oral sale was agreed upon to settle Robert's debt. Despite no written agreement, possession and improvements validated the sale. SC upheld CA's ruling, enforcing the sale despite Maria's lack of consent.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 259469)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Background and Parties
    • Buyayo Aliguyon is the registered owner of a 31,850 sq m parcel in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya (OCT No. P-10995).
    • In 1968, he allowed Kiligge Dummang (father of respondents Jeffrey, Donato, Johnny) to occupy a portion; they later vacated.
  • Alleged Agreement and Possession
    • Dummang et al. returned and obtained Robert Aliguyon’s (Buyayo’s son) permission to occupy 1 ha of the subject land to settle Robert’s indebtedness.
    • No direct consent from Buyayo; he learned of the arrangement only when Dummang et al. sued Robert for breach of contract to convey the 1 ha.
    • Buyayo filed a Complaint for Recovery of Possession with Damages.
  • Counterclaim and Lower Court Findings
    • Dummang et al. counterclaimed for reconveyance of the 1 ha, alleging a 1986 agreement: Robert received 72 g of gold from Jeffrey, failed to return it, and Buyayo offered land plus ₱8,000 to extinguish the debt.
    • They took possession, made improvements, and a written agreement was reportedly lost.
  • RTC and CA Decisions
    • The Regional Trial Court dismissed Buyayo’s complaint, granted reconveyance, and held that Buyayo sold the 1 ha in novation of Robert’s obligation, and that Buyayo slept on his rights.
    • The Court of Appeals affirmed, ruling (a) valid novation by substitution of debtor and change of object; (b) partially executed oral sale not covered by the Statute of Frauds; and (c) sale of conjugal property without wife’s consent was voidable but not annulled within 10 years.

Issues:

  • Whether there was a valid novation of Robert’s loan obligation.
  • Whether the oral sale is unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds.
  • Whether the sale of conjugal property without the wife’s consent is void.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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