Case Digest (G.R. No. 150206)
Facts:
- The dispute involves a 1.1062-hectare parcel of land, Lot 3095 C-5, located in Calinugan, Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.
- Petitioners: Heirs of Teofilo Gabatan—Lolita Gabatan, Pompeyo Gabatan, Peregrino Gabatan, Reynaldo Gabatan, Nila Gabatan, Jesus Jabinis, Riorita Gabatan Tumala, Freira Gabatan.
- Respondents: Court of Appeals and Lourdes Evero Pacana.
- Pacana claimed ownership, alleging inheritance from her mother, Hermogena Gabatan Evero, who she claimed was the only child of Juan Gabatan and Laureana Clarito.
- Pacana asserted that Teofilo Gabatan was merely entrusted with the land's administration after Juan Gabatan's death.
- Petitioners contended that Juan Gabatan died single and childless, with the land inherited by his siblings and their heirs.
- The RTC ruled in favor of Pacana, declaring her the owner and ordering the reconveyance of the title.
- The CA affirmed the RTC’s decision.
- Petitioners challenged the CA's decision in the Supreme Court.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court granted the petition.
- The decision of the Court of Appeals was reversed and set aside.
- The complaint and amended complain...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court determined Lourdes Evero Pacana failed to substantiate her claim as Juan Gabatan's sole heir with credible and verifiable proof.
- The birth certificate presented by Pacana was tampered with.
- Pacana had unreasonably delayed prosecuting her cause of action.
- The Court emphasized that determining legal heirs must occur in a special proceeding, not in an ordinary suit for recovery of ownership and posse...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 150206)
Facts:
The case involves the petitioners, the Heirs of Teofilo Gabatan, namely Lolita Gabatan, Pompeyo Gabatan, Peregrino Gabatan, Reynaldo Gabatan, Nila Gabatan, Jesus Jabinis, Riorita Gabatan Tumala, and Freira Gabatan, against the respondents, the Honorable Court of Appeals and Lourdes Evero Pacana. The dispute centers around a 1.1062-hectare parcel of land identified as Lot 3095 C-5, located in Calinugan, Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City. The land was originally declared for taxation under the name of Juan Gabatan. Lourdes Evero Pacana, the respondent, claimed ownership of the property, asserting that she inherited it from her mother, Hermogena Gabatan Evero, who was allegedly the only child of Juan Gabatan and his wife, Laureana Clarito.
In her complaint filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cagayan de Oro City on October 20, 1995, Pacana alleged that after Juan Gabatan's death, the property was entrusted to his brother, Teofilo Gabatan, for administration. She claimed that her mother had demanded the return of the land before her death, but the petitioners refused to comply. Following the deaths of Teofilo and his wife, Rita Gabatan, the petitioners, Jesus Jabinis and Catalino Acantilado, allegedly took possession of the land despite Pacana's demands.
The petitioners denied Pacana's claims, asserting that Juan Gabatan died single and without issue in 1934, leaving behind siblings who inherited the property. They contended that they had been in continuous possession of the land for over fifty years. The petitioners also poi...