Facts:

• Gabriel Lazaro and the heirs of Florencia Pineda and Eva Viernes filed a petition for certiorari against the Court of Appeals and spouses Jose and Anita Alesna.
• The private respondents, Jose and Anita Alesna, initiated a civil action for annulment of title, reconveyance, and damages in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Branch 27.
• The RTC ruled in favor of the petitioners.
• The private respondents filed a Notice of Appeal on December 19, 1997, but did not pay the required docket fees on time.
• The Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal on June 17, 1998, due to the failure to pay the fees.
• A motion for reconsideration was filed by the private respondents, which the CA granted on July 31, 1998, reinstating the appeal without specific reasons.
• The petitioners filed their own motion for reconsideration, which was denied on December 28, 1998.
• The petitioners then elevated the matter to the Supreme Court.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court granted the petition, setting aside the Court of Appeals' resolutions dated July 31, 1998, and December 28, 1998.
• The decision of the Regional ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court highlighted that the payment of docket and other lawful fees within the prescribed period is mandatory and jurisdictional, as per Section 4 of Rule 41 of the 1997 Rules on Civil Procedure.
• The private respondents failed to pay the required fees within the reglementary period, doing so six months after filing their Notice of Appeal.
• The Court reiterated that the right to appeal is statutory, and adherence to procedural rules is ...continue reading