Title
Republic vs. Court of Appeals
Case
G.R. No. L-43179
Decision Date
Jun 27, 1985
The Supreme Court grants the petition and annuls the decision of the Court of Appeals, affirming the termination of the lease contract and imposing treble costs on the respondents for their dilatory tactics.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-43179)

Facts:

  • The Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Director of Buildings and Real Property Management, and the City Sheriff of Manila are the petitioners.
  • The respondents are the spouses Mercy de Vera and Juan A. de Vera.
  • The dispute involves a parcel of land, Lot 12-A-1, Block 2201 (Fls-1) of the San Lazaro Estate in Manila.
  • The respondents leased the land from the government starting January 1, 1952, for 25 years, with an option for renewal.
  • On April 13, 1959, the Republic filed a complaint for unpaid rentals and termination of the lease.
  • The Court of First Instance of Manila ruled in favor of the Republic on May 18, 1961, ordering the respondents to pay back rentals and terminating the lease if payment was not made within three months.
  • The respondents appealed, but the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision on August 7, 1968, which became final on August 27, 1968.
  • Despite several attempts by the respondents to nullify the judgment, including a petition to the Supreme Court, the judgment remained enforceable.
  • The Republic filed motions for execution, which were delayed by the respondents' legal maneuvers.
  • The Court of Appeals issued a decision on July 31, 1975, directing the trial court to consider new facts and circumstances and granting the respondents the right to renew the lease.
  • The Republic sought to annul this decision through a petition for review on certiorari.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  1. Yes, the decision of the trial court can be executed by mere motion.
  2. Yes, the decision can be executed.
  3. No, the respondent c...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • Under Section 6 of Rule 39 of the Revised Rules of Court, a judgment may be executed by motion within five years from its finality and by independent civil action within ten years.
  • The judgment in this case became final on August 27, 1968, and the Republic's motion for execution filed on April 15, 1969, was within the allowable period.
  • The respondents' legal maneuvers, including petitions and appeals, caused delays in execution, but these interruptions extended the time for execution.
  • The respondents' failure to pay the judgment debt within the stipulated three months led to the termination of the lease.
  • Th...continue reading

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