Facts:

The case involves two consolidated appeals: G.R. No. 32296, where Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva are the plaintiffs and appellants against Clemencia Grano and others as defendants, and G.R. No. 32331, where Estanislao Reyes is the plaintiff and appellee against Clemencia Grano and Jose Martinez as defendants and appellants. The events transpired in the barrio of San Lorenzo, municipality of San Pablo, Laguna, with the decision rendered on March 31, 1930. The disputes center around four parcels of land, specifically marked as parcels A, B, C, and realty No. 1, with overlapping claims from various parties. The Court of First Instance of Laguna adjudicated the cases jointly, determining that Estanislao Reyes was the rightful owner of the properties based on a valid auction purchase. The court ordered the defendants and intervenors to refrain from disturbing Reyes's possession of the properties. The appellants contested the ruling, claiming ownership based on prior transac...

Facts:

Background of the Case

The case involves two consolidated appeals (G.R. No. 32296 and G.R. No. 32331) concerning disputes over four parcels of land located in San Lorenzo, San Pablo, Laguna. The parties involved include Mateo Ramiro, Juana Villanueva, Estanislao Reyes, Clemencia Grano, Jose Martinez, and Mariano Cabanos. Each party claims ownership over specific parcels of land.

Parcels in Dispute

1. Parcel A (G.R. No. 32296) / Realty No. 2 (G.R. No. 32331): Claimed by Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva, Estanislao Reyes, and Jose Martinez.
2. Parcel B (G.R. No. 32296): Claimed by Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva, and Isidro Martinez.
3. Parcel C (G.R. No. 32296) / Realty No. 3 (G.R. No. 32331): Claimed by Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva, and Estanislao Reyes.
4. Realty No. 1 (G.R. No. 32331): Claimed by Estanislao Reyes, with Lot 3 claimed by Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva, and Lot 30 claimed by Mariano Cabanos.
5. Realty No. 4 (G.R. No. 32331): Claimed by Jose Martinez.

Acquisition of the Parcels

Estanislao Reyes acquired the parcels through a public auction following a judgment in his favor against Clemencia Grano (Civil Case No. 20211, Court of First Instance of Manila). Reyes’ ownership was previously upheld in Martinez vs. Grano (51 Phil. 287).

Lower Court Decision

The Court of First Instance of Laguna ruled in favor of Estanislao Reyes, declaring him the owner of the parcels described in his complaint. It also held that the heirs of Isidro Martinez owned Parcel B, subject to a mortgage held by Hogar Filipino. The court dismissed the complaint filed by Mateo Ramiro and Juana Villanueva.

Issue:

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Ruling:

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Ratio:

1. Ownership by Auction: Estanislao Reyes acquired valid title to the parcels through a public auction, and his ownership was confirmed in Martinez vs. Grano.
2. Estoppel: Mariano Cabanos is estopped from claiming Lot 30, as he was aware of Reyes’ rights and purchased the land from Jose Martinez, whose rights were already barred by estoppel.
3. Invalid Transfers: The transfers of the parcels from Clemencia Grano and Jose Martinez to the spouses Ramiro and Villanueva were invalid, as Grano and Martinez did not have valid title to the land.
4. Res Judicata: The Supreme Court’s prior decision in Martinez vs. Grano is binding and precludes relitigation of Reyes’ ownership.
5. No Damages or Reimbursement: The appellants’ claims for damages and reimbursement are unfounded, as their claims to the parcels are invalid.