Title
Chiao Liong Tan vs. Court of Appeals
Case
G.R. No. 106251
Decision Date
Nov 19, 1993
Brothers dispute ownership of a 1976 Isuzu van; court rules in favor of respondent, citing credible testimonies and implied trust, despite registration in petitioner's name.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 205998)

Facts:

  • Ownership Claim by Petitioner:
Petitioner Chiao Liong Tan claims ownership of an Isuzu Elf van, 1976 Model, purchased in March 1987. The vehicle is registered in his name under Certificate of Registration No. 1501909. He asserts that he used his own money to purchase the van and allowed his brother, Tan Ban Yong (private respondent), to use it for business purposes. However, the brother later refused to return the van, leading to the dispute.
  • Private Respondent's Counterclaim:
Tan Ban Yong, the private respondent, argues that the van was purchased for the family business, CLT Industries, which was registered under petitioner's name because he was the only family member residing in the Philippines. He claims that he paid the full price of the van using a loan from a friend, Tan Pit Sin, and that the registration was placed in petitioner's name for consistency, as petitioner had made the initial downpayment.
  • Witness Testimonies:
    • Tan Pit Sin: Confirmed that he lent P140,000 to Tan Ban Yong for the purchase of the van.
    • Gina Lu: An employee of Balintawak Isuzu Motors, testified that the balance of the purchase price was paid by Tan Ban Yong, but the receipt was issued in petitioner's name for consistency.
  • Trial Court Decision:
The trial court ruled in favor of Tan Ban Yong, declaring him the rightful owner of the van and ordering petitioner to deliver possession or pay its value (P138,000) plus consequential damages of P20,000.
  • Court of Appeals Decision:
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no merit in petitioner's appeal.

Issues:

  • Whether the testimonies of private respondent's witnesses are credible.
  • Whether the Certificate of Registration of the motor vehicle is conclusive proof of ownership by the petitioner.
  • Whether the trial court and the Court of Appeals erred in their factual findings and appraisal of evidence.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)
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