Case Summary (G.R. No. 26337)
Facts of the Case
Prior to the controversy, Concepcion Lopez owned lots 228-A, 228-B, 537, and 703, which were originally consolidated into lot No. 228. On March 9, 1915, Lopez sold lots 537 and 703 to the City of Iloilo for P25,000 under a ten-year payment agreement. A certificate of title was issued to Lopez later that year, erroneously including lots 537 and 703 due to a mistake by the register of titles. In 1918, Lopez transferred the lot, still mistakenly including lots 537 and 703, to Maximo M. Kalaw and wife. This series of transactions ultimately led to Julio Ledesma acquiring the lots in 1919 through additional transfers that acknowledged the mistake.
Legal Arguments and Court Proceedings
Celso Ledesma posited that, based on the inclusion of lots 537 and 703 in the subsequent certificate of title through various transactions, he was the indisputable owner entitled to recover damages. However, defendants contended that the lots had been legally turned over to the City of Iloilo for street purposes earlier in 1915 and had since been part of a public highway, thereby arguing that Ledesma's claims were unfounded.
Court's Findings
The lower court, presided over by Judge Leopoldo Rovira, found that the preponderance of evidence favored the defendants. The court concluded that the inclusion of lots 537 and 703 in the title did not confer ownership since they had been appropriated for public use. Citing legal principles, the court highlighted that an erroneous inclusion of land intended for public highways in a title under the Torrens system does not grant ownership to the holder of such title.
Conclusion and Judgment
The judgment of t
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Case Overview
- This case originates from an action filed in the Court of First Instance of the Province of Iloilo.
- The plaintiff, Celso Ledesma, sought to recover P15,780 as the value of two lots (Nos. 537 and 703) allegedly illegally appropriated by the defendant, the Municipality of Iloilo.
- Additionally, the plaintiff claimed P5,000 in damages and costs.
- Defendants contested the claim, asserting that the plaintiff had never been the owner of said lots.
Background Facts
- The Municipality of Iloilo claimed to have purchased lots 537 and 703 from Concepcion Lopez on March 9, 1925, for the sum of P25,000 to facilitate the widening of adjoining streets.
- The defendants supported the Municipality's claim that the plaintiff lacked ownership of the lots in question.
- The lower court, presided by Honorable Leopoldo Rovira, found in favor of the defendants, stating that evidence favored their contention and absolving them from liability, leading to the plaintiff's appeal.
Documentation and Ownership History
- Prior to March 9, 1915, Concepcion Lopez owned lots 228-A, 228-B, 537, and 703, which collectively constituted lot No. 228.
- On March 9, 1915, Lopez sold a part of lot 228, specifically lots 537 and 703, to the City of Iloilo for P25,000, with the payment set to occur over ten years.
- A certificate of title (No. 464) was issued to Concepcion Lopez on Novembe