Title
IN RE: Santos y Diaz vs. Buenconsejo
Case
G.R. No. L-20136
Decision Date
Jun 23, 1965
Petitioner Santos claimed ownership of a co-owned property via a special power of attorney from Anatolio Buenconsejo's children, but the Supreme Court ruled the power invalid as Anatolio opposed it and Santos lacked authority to segregate the property without consent or judicial partition.
A

Case Summary (G.R. No. L-20136)

Factual Background

Jose A. Santos y Diaz filed a petition seeking the cancellation of Original Certificate of Title No. RO-3848 (25322), which was issued in favor of respondents Anatolio Buenconsejo, Lorenzo Bon, and Santiago Bon, and pertains to Lot No. 1917 in the Cadastral Survey of Tobaco, Albay. Santos aimed to obtain a separate transfer certificate of title for Lot No. 1917-A, which he claimed to have a right to after redeeming the share of Anatolio Buenconsejo through a series of transactions involving a Certificate of Sale and a Certificate of Redemption.

Legal Authority and Redemption Process

The original ownership of Lot No. 1917 was held in common by Buenconsejo and the Bons, with Buenconsejo’s interest being transferred to Atty. Tecla San Andres Ziga after an auction sale conducted by the Provincial Sheriff of Albay on January 31, 1961. Subsequently, on December 26, 1961, Ziga’s rights were transferred to Santos, who acted as attorney-in-fact for Buenconsejo's children. Santos contended that the transfer of rights entitled him to claim a portion of Lot No. 1917, which he intended to have formally segregated and titled in his name.

Court's Findings and Legal Implications

The Court of First Instance of Albay denied Santos's petition, stating several critical legal points:

  1. Authority Limitations: The special power of attorney granted to Santos by Buenconsejo's children did not confer any ownership rights to him but merely authorized him to act on their behalf.

  2. Existence of Owner: Since Anatolio Buenconsejo was alive and actively opposed Santos's actions, his children lacked the authority to execute a power of attorney affecting his rights.

  3. Co-Ownership Rights: Even if the power of attorney was deemed valid, Santos could only claim an undivided share in Lot No. 1917, and could not unilaterally adjudicate a specific portion to himself without the agreement of other co-owners or a judicial partition as outlined by Rule 69 of the Rules of Court.

Conclusion

Ultimately,

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