Case Digest (G.R. No. 158840) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
The case at hand involves Pilar Development Corporation (PDC) as the petitioner and spouses Cesar Villar and Charlotte Villar, along with John Does, as respondents. The matter arose from an ejectment suit filed in the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) of Las Piñas City, under Civil Case No. 5397. The ejectment suit originated from a Contract to Sell executed on December 28, 1994, wherein PDC sold a house and lot, located at Block 4, Lot 15, B.F. Resort Village Subdivision in Las Piñas City, to the respondents for a total consideration of P960,750.00. The contract stipulated a down payment of P288,255.00, with the remaining balance payable in 120 monthly installments.
The respondents honored their payment obligation up until October 1997. After defaulting on further payments, PDC issued a Notice of Cancellation on August 31, 1998, which was received by the respondents' representative on September 5, 1998. Following the cancellation, the respondents were requested to vacate the
Case Digest (G.R. No. 158840) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
Contract Execution and Terms: On December 28, 1994, Pilar Development Corporation (PDC) and spouses Cesar and Charlotte Villar executed a Contract to Sell for a house and lot located in B.F. Resort Village Subdivision, Las Piñas City. The property was priced at P960,750.00, payable via a downpayment of P288,255.00 and 120 monthly installments of P13,446.00.Payment and Default:
The Villars paid the downpayment and some monthly amortizations until October 1997, after which they defaulted. On August 31, 1998, PDC issued a Notice of Cancellation, which was received by the Villars’ family members on September 5 and 7, 1998. PDC did not refund the cash surrender value to the Villars.
Refusal to Vacate:
Despite demands, the Villars refused to surrender possession of the property. In their defense, they challenged the MeTC’s jurisdiction and contested the contract cancellation. They also questioned the identity of the property covered by the title.
MeTC Decision:
The MeTC ruled in favor of PDC, ordering the Villars to vacate the property, pay P7,000/month as rental, P30,000 in attorney’s fees, and the costs of the case.
Issues:
The primary issue is whether the MeTC or the HLURB has jurisdiction over the case. Specifically:- Does the HLURB have jurisdiction over an ejectment suit filed by a subdivision owner against a buyer for non-payment of installments?
- Was the cancellation of the contract valid under the Realty Installment Buyer Act (RA 6552)?
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)