Case Summary (G.R. No. 9717)

Action to Fix Boundaries

• The case involves an action to fix the boundaries of contiguous lands, as prescribed by Article 385 of the Civil Code.
• The plaintiff, Jose Arguelles, claims ownership of a portion of land that the defendant, Toribia Montalvo, has usurped.
• The disputed land measures 4 meters by 7.1 meters and is valued at P200.
• The plaintiff seeks restoration of this land, along with P100 in damages and the costs of the suit.

Evidence and Testimony

• The Court of First Instance of Batangas found the plaintiff's claims to be strongly supported by his testimony and corroborated by witnesses Graciano Babao and Gavino del Rosario.
• Exhibits A, B, and C, presented by the plaintiff, were admitted as evidence.
• The court concluded that the fence erected by the plaintiff on the northern boundary of his lot is the true dividing line between his property and that of the defendant.
• The fence was built on the remains of an old fence that previously marked the boundary.

Court's Findings and Rulings

• The court determined that the disputed portion of land is an integral part of the plaintiff's property.
• The plaintiff provided evidence supporting his claim for P100 in damages, which the court found credible.
• The judge ordered the defendant to restore possession of the disputed land to the plaintiff and to pay the claimed damages and costs of the suit.

Appeal and Affirmation of Judgment

• The defendant appealed the trial court's decision.
• The appellate court affirmed the trial court's ruling, agreeing that the preponderance of evidence supported the plaintiff's claims.
• It was established that the plaintiff's fence was erected on the line of the old fence, and the defendant had not contested this boundary previously.
• The law allows property owners to enclose their land, and the plaintiff had done so without objection from the defendant.

Property Titles and Legal Standards

• The plaintiff presented property titles that describe his land's dimensions, which were accepted as correct unless contradicted by the defendant's titles or other evidence.
• The law mandates that boundaries in actions to fix boundaries be determined according to the...continue reading

Case Syllabus (G.R. No. 9717)

Case Overview

• The case involves a dispute over a strip of land measuring 4 meters north and south, and 7 meters, 10 centimeters east and west, valued at P200.
• Plaintiff Jose Arguelles seeks a declaration of ownership of the disputed land and its restoration to him, along with P100 in damages and the costs of the suit.
• The legal question is primarily factual, focusing on property boundaries and ownership rights.

Court Proceedings

• The case was tried in the Court of First Instance of Batangas.
• The trial court found the evidence presented by the plaintiff to be compelling, including his testimony and that of corroborating witnesses Graciano Babao and Gavino del Rosario.
• Exhibits A, B, and C, which were admitted as evidence, supported the plaintiff's claims regarding the property boundaries.

Findings of the Trial Court

• The trial court concluded that the fence built by the plaintiff marks the true dividing line between his lot and that of the defendant, as it was erected on the remains of an old fence that previously existed.
• The court ruled that the disputed portion of land is an integral part of the plaintiff's property.
• The evidence indicated that the defendant had not previo...continue reading