Title
Vda. de Viray vs. Spouses Usi
Case
G.R. No. 192486
Decision Date
Nov 21, 2012
Dispute over Lot 733 in Pampanga: 1986 sales to Viray family upheld as valid, invalidating later subdivision agreements; res judicata bars relitigation.
A

Case Digest (G.R. No. 191913)

Facts:

  • Title and Early Subdivision
    • Lot 733, Cad-305-D (9,137 sqm), located in Brgy. Bebe Anac, Masantol, Pampanga, was registered under TCT No. 141-RP in the names of spouses Ellen P. Mendoza and Moses Mendoza.
    • On April 28, 1986, Geodetic Engr. Abdon G. Fajardo prepared a subdivision plan (Fajardo Plan) dividing Lot 733 into Lots 733-A to 733-F.
    • On April 29, 1986, Mendoza executed two deeds of absolute sale:
      • Conveying Lot 733-A (366 sqm) to spouses Avelino Viray and Margarita Masangcay.
      • Conveying Lot 733-F (3,501 sqm) to Jesus Carlo Gerard Viray.
  • Subsequent “Subdivision Agreements” and Derivative Titles
    • First Subdivision Agreement (August 20, 1990) among Mendoza, Emerenciana Vda. de Mallari, and spouses Jose and Amelita Usi adopted the LMB-approved Galang Plan, subdividing Lot 733 into:
­ Lot 733-A (465 sqm) to Vda. de Mallari (TCT 1584-RP) ­ Lot 733-B (494 sqm) to Sps. Usi (TCT 1585-RP) ­ Lot 733-C (6,838 sqm) to Mendoza (TCT 1586-RP)
  • Second Subdivision Agreement (April 5, 1991) further subdivided Lot 733-C into Lots 733-C-1 to 733-C-13 per an LMB-approved Galang Plan (March 1, 1991), resulting in multiple derivative titles including TCT 2092-RP (Lot 733-C-1) and TCT 2101-RP (Lot 733-C-10) in favor of the Usis.
  • Overlapping Conveyances and Survey Findings
    • An ocular survey by Engr. Angelito Nicdao (LMB) in June 1999 found:
­ Lot 733-A of the Fajardo Plan lies within Lot 733-B of the Galang Plan (Usis’ title). ­ Lot 733-F of the Fajardo Plan overlaps Lots 733-C-8 to C-12 (Mendoza’s allotment) and part of Lot 733-C-10 (Usis’ allotment).
  • Parallel and Consolidated Litigations
    • Civil Case No. 88-0265-M (RTC): Spouses Usi and Mendoza vs. Spouses Viray – Annulment of sale of Lot 733-A; dismissed in favor of the Virays; decision affirmed by CA and SC (G.R. No. 122287).
    • Civil Case No. 88-0283-M (RTC): Mendoza vs. Jesus Viray – Annulment of sale of Lot 733-F; same disposition.
    • MCTC Case No. 91(13): Jesus Viray vs. Usis – Forcible entry re Lot 733-F; judgment for Viray; became final and executory.
    • Civil Case No. 99-0914-M (RTC): Usis vs. Vda. de Viray – Annulment of MCTC judgment; dismissed; appeal denied (CA G.R. CV No. 67945; SC G.R. No. 154538).
    • Civil Case No. 01-1118(M) (RTC): Usis vs. Vda. de Viray – Petition for accion publiciana/reivindicatoria over Lots 733-B, 733-C-1, 733-C-10; dismissed by RTC; reversed by CA (CA G.R. CV No. 90344).
    • Civil Case No. (02)-1164(M) (RTC): Vda. de Viray et al. vs. Usis et al. – Cancellation of titles covering Lots 733-C-8 to C-12; pending.

Issues:

  • Whether the Court of Appeals gravely erred in reversing the RTC’s dismissal of the petition for accion publiciana/reivindicatoria by spouses Usis over Lots 733-B, 733-C-1, and 733-C-10.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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