Case Digest (G.R. No. 115236-37)
Facts:
In this petition for review on certiorari, petitioners Bienvenido, Estelita, Macario, Luis, Adelaide, Enriquita and Claudio Gevero challenge the Intermediate Appellate Court’s March 20, 1986 decision affirming the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental’s July 18, 1977 judgment in AC-G.R. CV No. 69264, Del Monte Development Corporation vs. Enrique Ababa, et al. The plaintiff corporation (Del Monte) acquired Lot No. 2476-D of the Cagayan Cadastre (7,878 sqm) from Luis Lancero by public deed dated September 15, 1964, securing Transfer Certificate of Title No. 4320. Lancero himself had purchased a 20,119-sqm portion of mother Lot 2476 from Ricardo Gevero on February 5, 1952 by deed of sale duly annotated on Original Certificate of Title No. 7610. Earlier, Lot 2476 had belonged in half undivided shares to Teodorica Babangha and her six children, including Ricardo. Upon Teodorica’s death before World War II, her heirs executed an extrajudicial partition in October 1966 under subdiviCase Digest (G.R. No. 115236-37)
Facts:
- Parties and Procedural Posture
- Petitioners are the heirs of Ricardo Gevero (Bienvenido, Estelita, Macario, Luis, Adelaide, Enriquita and Claudio Gevero).
- Respondent is Del Monte Development Corporation (DELCOR), plaintiff in lower courts; Intermediate Appellate Court (IAC) affirmed the Regional Trial Court (RTC, formerly CFI) decision.
- Title History of Lot 2476
- Original Title: Lot No. 2476 of the Cagayan Cadastre (48,122 m²) issued as OCT No. 7610 in the names of Teodorica Babangha (½ share) and her six children (½ share).
- 1952 Sale: Ricardo Gevero sold his undivided portion to Luis Lancero by public Deed of Sale (annotated on OCT 7610).
- 1964 Sale: Lancero sold Lot 2476-D (7,878 m²) to DELCOR by Deed of Absolute Sale, leading to TCT No. 4320; Lancero’s TCT No. 1183 covered a 20,119 m² parcel.
- 1966 Partition: Heirs of Teodorica executed extrajudicial settlement and subdivision (Psd-80450), creating Lots 2476-A to ‑I; Lot 2476-D was adjudicated to Ricardo, though he had already sold it.
- Trial and Appellate Proceedings
- RTC Decision (July 18, 1977): Quieted title in favor of DELCOR for Lot 2476-D and adjudicated the other sublots to respective heirs/spouses.
- IAC Decision (March 20, 1986): Affirmed the RTC; denied petitioners’ motion for reconsideration on April 21, 1986.
- Supreme Court Review (G.R. No. 77029): Petition for certiorari lodged to challenge (a) validity of 1952 deed; (b) inclusion of Teodorica’s share; and (c) application of laches.
Issues:
- Is the 1952 Deed of Sale by Ricardo Gevero to Luis Lancero valid?
- Does the deed include Teodorica Babangha’s hereditary ½ share in Lot 2476?
- Is DELCOR’s quiet-title action barred by laches?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)