Case Summary (G.R. No. L-19147-48)
Background and Initial Proceedings
In April 1936, the Director of Lands initiated a proceeding for the settlement and adjudication of titles over certain lands, including Lot No. 689. This lot was unclaimed for an extended period despite notifications being sent out, leading to an order of general default and dismissal of the cadastral proceeding concerning the lot on April 1, 1942. This dismissal was informally contested by the Garcia Alvarez heirs, who filed a petition in 1940, but their appeal was dismissed on technical grounds.
Motion to Reopen Cadastral Proceedings
On July 9, 1956, petitioners filed a motion to reopen the proceedings, asserting their status as the rightful heirs of the previous owners of the lot. The Cadastral Court agreed to reopen the case and set aside the order of default, allowing the Garcia Alvarez heirs time to respond to the claims. A trial ensued, but the Fernandez Children failed to appear on the last scheduled date, prompting the petitioners to present their evidence ex parte.
Judgment of Cadastral Court
The Cadastral Court rendered a decision on September 1, 1958, adjudicating Lot No. 689 to the petitioners. However, the Fernandez Children subsequently sought to set aside this decision, alleging fraud based on inconsistencies in the petitioners' claims regarding the acquisition of the lot.
Appeal and Initial Court Decisions
Initially, the Cadastral Court denied the Fernandez Children’s petition for review, but the Court of Appeals reversed this decision on December 4, 1969. The appellate court found the petitioners' claims questionable and directed that evidence from both parties should be presented to substantiate their respective ownership claims.
Subsequent Trials and Decisions
After additional hearings, the Cadastral Court decided again in favor of the petitioners, citing laches on the part of the Fernandez Children while claiming that the petitioners had acquired the lot through prescription. This decision was appealed, leading to further scrutiny by the Court of Appeals.
Court of Appeals Decision
The appellate court issued a decision on February 5, 1982, reaffirming the ownership of Lot No. 689 to the Fernandez Children. The court rejected the petitioners' claims, pointing out the inconsistencies in their testimonies and ownership assertions.
Petition for Review and Arguments
The petitioners advanced several arguments in their appeal to the Supreme Court, asserting that the Court of Appeals failed to apply certain rules of evidence and that a previous judgment should have been deemed final. They also argued a defense of laches against the Fernandez Children, c
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-19147-48)
Background of the Case
- The case originates from a petition filed by the Director of Lands in April 1936 for the settlement and adjudication of titles for certain lands in the Ormoc Cadastre, particularly Lot No. 689, measuring 338 square meters.
- For several years, no claims were made on Lot No. 689 despite legal notices and extensions granted by the Court, leading to the court's order of general default and dismissal of the cadastral proceeding on April 1, 1942.
- A lifting of this order was sought by Cecilia, Alicia, and Arturo Garcia Alvarez on July 22, 1940, claiming to be heirs of the deceased spouses Segundo Garcia Fernandez and Eulogia Alvarez. Their petition was dismissed on technical grounds on September 27, 1940.
Motion to Reopen Proceedings
- In July 1956, Constantino Alvarez, Jr., Casildita Alvarez de Muertegui, and Rosalia Alvarez Vda. de Tan filed a motion with the Cadastral Court to reopen the proceedings regarding Lot No. 689, asserting they were the voluntary heirs of Segundo Garcia Fernandez and Eulogia Alvarez.
- The Cadastral Court granted the motion, lifted the general default order, and allowed the Fernandez Children time to present their claims.
Trial and Initial Judgment
- The trial faced multiple resets, and on the last scheduled trial date, the Fernandez Children failed to appear, resulting in the petitioners presenting their evidence ex parte.
- On September 1, 1958, the Cadastral Court adjudicated Lot No. 689 to Constantino Alvarez, Jr., and co-movants.
- The Fernandez