Facts:

• The dispute involves a 353-square meter lot in Pembo, Makati City.
• Parties: Spouses Mauricio M. Tabino and Leonila dela Cruz-Tabino (petitioners) vs. Lazaro M. Tabino (respondent).
• Both parties occupied the lot in 1985; Mauricio lived on the lot, while Lazaro lived in Novaliches, Quezon City.
• The lot was subdivided into Lot 2 (184 square meters) for Mauricio and Lot 3 (169 square meters) for Lazaro.
• Lazaro received a revocable permit to occupy 150 square meters of Lot 3.
• In 1988, the Bureau of Lands awarded Lot 3 to Lazaro.
• In 2004, Lazaro filed an ejectment case against Mauricio and Leonila, claiming sole ownership and alleging Mauricio's occupation was tolerated.
• The Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) dismissed Lazaro's complaint, recognizing Mauricio as the bona fide resident of Lot 2.
• The Regional Trial Court (RTC) upheld the MeTC's decision.
• The Court of Appeals (CA) reversed the decisions, ordering the petitioners to vacate based on Mauricio's affidavit acknowledging Lazaro's ownership.
• The petitioners elevated the case to the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court partially granted the petition.
• It reversed and set aside the CA's directive for the petitioners to vacate the premises.
• The ejectment case proceedings were o...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The appellate court erred in ordering the petitioners to vacate due to pending DENR Protests.
• The DENR's findings, favoring the petitioners as bona fide residents, should be respected and final.
• Proceeding with the ejectment case without awaiting the DENR Protests' outcome could lead to unjust and irreversible consequences, such as demolition of the...continue reading