Title
Felices vs. Colegado
Case
G.R. No. L-23374
Decision Date
Sep 30, 1970
Heirs partitioned homestead; Maria sold share, later repurchased by Colegado. Teofila sought redemption; SC ruled partition ended co-ownership, no redemption right.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-23374)

Facts:

1. Background of the Property
Felipe Felices died on November 5, 1938, leaving a 21-hectare homestead in Barrio Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur, covered by Original Certificate of Title No. 73. The property was inherited by his seven children.

2. Physical Partition Among Heirs
After Felipe’s death, five of his children—Marta, Maria, Teofila, Silverio, and Pedro—physically partitioned the homestead. Each took exclusive possession of their respective shares, although no transfer certificates of title were issued in their individual names.

3. Maria Felices’ Conditional Sale
On February 24, 1949, Maria Felices sold her share to Roman Iriola under a pacto de retro (conditional sale). The deed was signed by her siblings, and Iriola took possession of the land.

4. Agreement to Sell to Francisco Colegado
In 1951, Maria, Silverio, Pedro, and Marta agreed to sell their shares to Francisco Colegado for P8,500.00. However, the sale could not be immediately executed due to the legal prohibition on alienating a homestead within five years from the issuance of the patent.

5. Repurchase of Maria’s Share
Colegado advanced the repurchase price to Maria to buy back her share from Iriola. Iriola refused, prompting the Felices siblings to consign the money with the court and file a case to compel Iriola to allow the repurchase.

6. Execution of Absolute Sale
On September 11, 1953, Maria, Marta, Silverio, and Pedro executed an absolute sale of their shares to Colegado.

7. Teofila’s Attempt to Redeem
In 1962, Teofila Felices informed Colegado of her intent to redeem Maria’s share, offering P2,053.61 as the redemption price. Colegado refused, leading Teofila to file a legal action to compel redemption under Article 1620 of the Civil Code.

8. Trial Court Decision
The trial court dismissed Teofila’s complaint, ruling that the physical partition of the homestead had terminated co-ownership among the heirs, and Teofila had no right to redeem Maria’s share.

Issue:

  1. Whether Teofila Felices, as a co-owner, can exercise the right of legal redemption under Article 1620 of the Civil Code over the share of Maria Felices sold to Francisco Colegado.
  2. Whether the right of legal redemption under Article 1088 of the Civil Code applies to the case.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)


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