Title
Montecines vs. Court of 1st Instance of Laguna
Case
G.R. No. 45668
Decision Date
Sep 27, 1937
The court upheld Fortunata Zorrilla's right to a portion of land, confirming its jurisdiction in cancelling Montecines' transfer certificate of title and directing the issuance of new certificates.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 45668)

Facts:

  • Eugeniano Montecines is the petitioner; the respondents are the Court of First Instance of Laguna and Fortunata Zorrilla.
  • On December 2, 1924, Alberta Zorrilla and Fortunato Romera sold land in Majayjay, Laguna, to Montecines with a pacto de retro.
  • The sale occurred before the cadastral survey, leading to boundary disputes.
  • The land was part of a larger property designated as lot No. 1784 in cadastral case No. 20, G. L. R. O. Record No. 738.
  • On February 19, 1930, original certificate of title No. 10343 was issued to Alberta and Fortunata Zorrilla, each holding a half share, with a P2,000 mortgage in favor of Montecines.
  • The mortgage was later converted to a sale with a right to repurchase.
  • After the repurchase period expired, Montecines consolidated ownership and obtained transfer certificate of title No. 11187.
  • The sale was problematic as it involved common property owned by both Zorrillas.
  • Fortunata, residing in Bukidnon, Mindanao, filed civil case No. 5853 for partition of lot No. 1784.
  • A stipulation was reached, and the court ruled Fortunata entitled to half of lots 1784-C and 1784-D.
  • A commissioner oversaw the partition, awarding portions 1784-C and 1784-D-3 to Montecines and 1784-D-4 to Fortunata.
  • Montecines and Mateo Zornosa filed a joint petition for subdivision, which the court granted on February 13, 1934, ignoring the prior agreement.
  • Fortunata filed a motion to reconsider, leading to the court's order on June 11, 1937, canceling Montecines' title and issuing new titles per the previous agreement.
  • Montecines challenged the June 11, 1937 order, claiming the court acted without jurisdiction due to the time elapsed since the February 1934 order.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court denied Montecines' petition, affirming the June 11, 1937 order of the Court of First Instance of Laguna, which canceled his titl...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Supreme Court held that the June 11, 1937 order was within the jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance of Laguna.
  • The joint petition by Montecines and Zornosa wa...continue reading

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