Facts:

• The case involves five parcels of land originally owned by Pacifico Santiago, which were inherited by his sons, Jovito and Raymundo Santiago.
• The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) foreclosed the properties due to unpaid loans and sold them to Alejandrina Tuzon.
• Tuzon initiated legal action against the respondents, who were tilling the land, resulting in a preliminary injunction against them.
• Flordeliza Rivera purchased the land from Tuzon and subsequently filed an ejectment complaint against Jovito Santiago and others for unlawful occupation.
• The Municipal Trial Court (MTC) ruled in favor of Rivera, a decision that was upheld by the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
• The respondents appealed to the Department of Agrarian Relations Adjudication Board (DARAB), which determined that no tenancy relationship existed.
• The Court of Appeals reversed the decisions of the lower courts, asserting that the case was a tenancy dispute, thus outside the jurisdiction of the MTC.
• Rivera filed a petition for review with the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Flordeliza Rivera, reversing the decision of the Court of Appeals.
• The ruling of the RTC was reinstated, affirming that no tenancy relationship...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court clarified that asserting agricultural tenancy does not automatically negate the MTC's jurisdiction over ejectment complaints.
• The essential elements of a tenancy relationship were not adequately established in this case.
• Jurisdiction is determined by the allegations in the complain...continue reading