Case Summary (G.R. No. 5628)

Legal Principles on Co-ownership and Possession

• The possession of an estate by one heir does not confer any rights over the property that would affect the rights of other coheirs.
• Such possession is understood to be exercised on behalf of all coheirs, maintaining the pro indiviso status of the property.
• The rights of coheirs remain intact, and possession by one does not lead to prescription against the others.

Invalidity of Transfers by Heirs

• An heir in possession cannot sell or transfer the entire property without the consent of the other coheirs.
• Any sale or transfer made by an heir that affects the rights of coheirs is deemed null and void.
• All heirs inherit the rights and obligations of the deceased by virtue of their relationship, and a partition is necessary to confer exclusive ownership.

Requirements for Legal Partition

• A legally executed partition is essential to establish exclusive ownership of property among heirs.
• Such partition must be duly proven to alter the pro indiviso character of the property.
• Without a valid partition, the property remains undivided and co-owned.

Factual Background of the Case

• The plaintiffs, Bernarda Aliasas et al., claimed ownership of a lot and house in La Laguna, acquired during the marriage of Bernarda and her deceased husband, Doroteo Alinea.
• Upon Doroteo's death, the property was to be divided among Bernarda and their children, but it remained undivided.
• Ambrosio Alinea, one of the heirs, sold the property to Pedro Alcantara without the consent of the other heirs, prompting the lawsuit.

Defendants' Claims and Court Proceedings

• The defendants denied the plaintiffs' claims and argued that the plaintiffs had acknowledged Ambrosio's ownership of the property.
• Ambrosio Alinea later distanced himself from the sale, stating he had no interest in defending the case.
• The trial court ruled the sale null and void concerning the plaintiffs' rights, validating it only for a portion of the property.

Appeal and Modification of Judgment

• Pedro Alcantara appealed the trial court's decision, seeking a new trial based on alleged errors in the findings.
• The court modified its judgment, affirming the sale's nullity concerning the majority of the property while allowing Alcantara to possess a smaller portion until further rights were determined.

Examination of Ownership and Rights

• The property was acquired during the marriage of Doroteo Alinea, thus belonging to his widow and heirs.
• The rights of succession are automatic upon death, and the heirs inherit a...continue reading

Case Syllabus (G.R. No. 5628)

Case Overview

• This case involves a dispute between Bernarda Aliasas and her co-plaintiffs against Pedro Alcantara and his co-defendants regarding the ownership and sale of a property located on Calle San Pablo, La Laguna.
• The plaintiffs claim ownership based on inheritance and seek to nullify a sale executed without their consent.

Background of the Case

• On June 25, 1907, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint asserting their ownership of a lot and a house built on it, acquired during the marriage of Bernarda Aliasas and her deceased husband, Doroteo Alinea.
• The property is approximately half a hectare, bounded by specific landmarks as detailed in the complaint.
• Following the death of Doroteo Alinea, the property was claimed to belong equally to his widow, Bernarda Aliasas, and their children, including Ambrosio Alinea.

Allegations by the Plaintiffs

• The plaintiffs allege that Ambrosio Alinea sold the property to Pedro Alcantara without their knowledge or consent, for a price significantly lower than its market value.
• They contend that the sale was executed in bad faith and caused them unjust deprivation of their rights to the property.
• The plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction to prevent further destruction of the property by Alcantara, restoration of possession, and damages of 1,500 p...continue reading