Title
Heirs of Gepuela vs. Menez-Andres
Case
G.R. No. 173636
Decision Date
Jan 13, 2016
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the heirs of Gepuela, denying Meñez-Andres' petition regarding the redemption of a pro indiviso share of property due to lack of merit.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 173636)

Facts:

  • The case involves two consolidated petitions for review on certiorari, G.R. No. 173636 and G.R. No. 173770.
  • The controversy centers on the redemption of a 36/72 pro indiviso share by the late Jose Ma. Gepuela from the estate of Basilia Austria Vda. de Cruz, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 95524.
  • Gepuela redeemed the share, which was contested by respondents Hernita MeAez-Andres and Nelia MeAez-Cayetano, who argued that Gepuela lacked legal standing as he was neither an heir nor a co-owner.
  • Basilia had five children, including Benita, who was a judgment creditor against Basilia's estate.
  • Benita purchased the share at a public auction in 1986, and Gepuela redeemed it on May 14, 1987, by paying the auction price.
  • The redemption was recorded but required court approval and notification to all heirs.
  • Gepuela filed an action to consolidate ownership, which was granted by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in 1989 and affirmed by the Court of Appeals (CA) in 1992.
  • In 1995, Hernita and Nelia sought to nullify Gepuela's redemption, claiming their right to redeem as heirs.
  • The RTC ruled in favor of Gepuela but declared the redemption void concerning Hernita and Nelia's shares due to lack of notification.
  • The CA upheld this ruling, leading to the current petitions.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gepuela's heirs, granting the petition in G.R. No. 173636 and setting aside the CA's decision that modified the RTC's ruling.
  • The Court denied the petition in G.R. No. 173770 for lack of ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Court emphasized the principle of res judicata, which prevents relitigation of issues conclusively settled by a competent court.
  • The validity of Gepuela's redemption had been previously adjudicated in LRC Case No. R-3855, where the RTC declared him the owner of the disputed share, a decision affirmed by the CA and had become final.
  • The identity of parties and subject matter was substantial, as both cases involved the same property and sought s...continue reading

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