Case Summary (G.R. No. 78592)
Factual Background
The land at issue spans approximately 991 hectares, originally owned by Celestino Solis, who died in 1874. Following his death, the property was partitioned among his heirs, with specific parcels assigned to his daughters and other children. The daughters, Petra and Gliceria, received the easternmost parcel, while other heirs such as Filomena, Justa, and Germana received adjacent parcels following a specific order. Over time, the heirs and their successors established possession of their respective parcels, marked by physical boundaries like fences and monuments.
Historical Ownership and Title Issues
Each parcel was granted formal title through composition gratuita in 1881, detailing the specific areas allocated to each heir. However, discrepancies arose regarding the actual areas possessed compared to those stated in the title documents. Petitioner Catigbac discovered that he possessed only 169 hectares instead of the 230 hectares he believed he was entitled to. Meanwhile, defendants Olaguivel and Gutierrez Hermanos were found to occupy a greater area than their titles indicated.
Nature of the Action
The plaintiffs sought legal recourse through the action of deslinde y amojonamiento, aimed at establishing clear boundaries. Although not explicitly outlined in the Code of Civil Procedure, this action has historical roots in equity jurisdiction. The substantive right for such action is grounded in Article 384 of the Civil Code, which allows for the establishment of disputed boundaries.
Court Findings and Conclusion
The court determined that the plaintiffs failed to establish a cause of action for deslinde y amojonamiento, as the evidence presented reflected issues of ejectment rather than bound
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Case Overview
- The case involves an appeal by the plaintiffs from a judgment rendered by the Court of First Instance of Batangas, which dismissed their complaint.
- The central issue revolves around the determination of boundaries for various subdivisions of a large tract of land located in Pinagsibaan, Rosario, Batangas.
- The tract in question is approximately eleven kilometers long, bounded predominantly by water-courses, and encompasses a total area of 991 hectares, 41 ares, and 46 centiares.
Historical Background
- The land was originally possessed by Celestino Solis, who passed away in 1874.
- Following his death, the land was partitioned among his heirs, with specific parcels allocated to his daughters, Petra and Gliceria, and the remaining children.
- The easternmost parcel of 69 hectares was assigned to Petra and Gliceria, while the other children received parcels of approximately 115 hectares each.
- The heirs entered into possession of their respective parcels, which they believed to be accurately defined, and established boundaries through monuments and fences.
Title and Possession
- In 1881, each heir secured titles to their parcels through composition gratuita, which detailed the sizes of their respective lands.
- Over time, the ownership of the parcels changed hands