Facts:

• Agripino Infante filed a complaint against Marcos Dulay on July 30, 1934, in the justice of the peace court of Laoang, Samar.
• Infante sought to compel Dulay to vacate a parcel of land and restore possession, along with the payment of costs.
• The justice of the peace court ruled in favor of Infante, ordering Dulay to return the land and pay damages of P25.
• Dulay appealed the ruling to the Court of First Instance of Samar, which found that the justice of the peace court lacked jurisdiction.
• The appellate court concluded that Dulay had not taken possession of the land through force or intimidation, which are necessary for jurisdiction in unlawful detainer cases.
• Infante appealed this decision, claiming the lower court erred in its judgment.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled that the justice of the peace court of Laoang properly exercised its jurisdiction in the unlawful detainer action.
• The Court affirmed the lower court's judgment but modifie...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court stated that the jurisdiction of justice of the peace courts in unlawful detainer cases is conferred by law, not merely by the facts presented.
• The filing of a complaint alleging facts constitutive of detainer grants the court the authority to exercise its original jurisdiction.
• The justice of the peace court had a legal basis to hear Infante's complaint, as it met the...continue reading