Facts:

• The case involves a dispute over ownership and possession of two parcels of unregistered rice land in Morong, Rizal.
• The plaintiffs, Teofila Ramos and Leonila Estanislao, claimed ownership based on a deed of sale executed in their favor by the previous owner, Dionisia Balajadia, in 1957.
• The defendant, Felicisimo Raymundo, asserted that he purchased the land from Dionisia Balajadia in 1948 and had continuous possession since then.
• The plaintiffs filed a reply denying the defendant's allegations of bad faith and stating that they had no knowledge of any encumbrance on the land.
• The case went through several legal proceedings.
• The trial court initially rendered a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, declaring them as the owners of the land and ordering the defendant to deliver its possession to them.
• However, the defendant filed a motion for reconsideration and new trial, claiming that the decision was null and void and that his failure to appear in court was due to accident, mistake, and excusable negligence.
• The court set aside the decision and scheduled the case for a new hearing.
• On the scheduled hearing dates, there were absences and postponements, and eventually, the court dismissed the complaint.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Court of Appeals and set aside the order of the trial court dismissing the complaint....(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of equal treatment and the need for a fair trial.
• Although the plaintiffs' counsel failed to appear at a hearing, the court considered that the defendant and his counsel had also been negligent in a previous hearing.
• The court stated that both parties should be given equal treatment before the law.
• The Court of Appeals had superficially considered the merits ...continue reading