Case Summary (G.R. No. L-533)
Property Details
The Pilapils own a parcel of land encompassing 6,598 square meters, covered by Tax Declaration No. 15067, situated in Bahak, Poblacion, Liloan. The parcel corresponds to Lots No. 320 and 323 and was previously owned by Marcelo Pilapil, the petitioner's grandfather. The Colomidas acquired a nearby parcel, also located in Bahak and covered by Tax Declaration No. 19764, with dimensions of 10,910 square meters, leading to claims of an alleged camino vecinal traversing the Pilapils' property.
Legal Proceedings Initiation
The conflict initiated in July 1981 when the Colomidas sought to improve a road leading to the National Road, claiming it served as a camino vecinal. The Pilapils, however, allegedly harassed the Colomidas in this endeavor, prompting the Colomidas to file a petition for injunction and damages before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cebu, designated as Civil Case No. R-20732.
Claims and Defenses
The Colomidas' petition asserted that, regardless of whether a camino vecinal could be proven, they were entitled to a right of way under Articles 649 to 651 of the Civil Code, considering it their only access to the highway. The Pilapils, in their defense, denied the existence of such a road, claiming their right to enclose their property and alleging damage from unauthorized entry by the Colomidas.
Trial Court Findings
During the trial, the Colomidas presented witnesses and evidence, including a resolution from the Municipal Council of Liloan authorizing repairs on the camino vecinal. The trial court ultimately ruled in favor of the Colomidas, enforcing the existence of the camino vecinal across the Pilapils' lots.
Appeals and Legal Reasoning
The Pilapils appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeals (CA-G.R. CV No. 17235), contending that the trial court erred in establishing that a camino vecinal traversed their property and in awarding damages. The Court of Appeals upheld the trial court's decision, primarily affirming the credibility of testimonies supporting the existence of the camino vecinal.
Supreme Court Review
The Supreme Court focused on two key questions: whether a camino vecinal exists in Sitio Bahak and if it traverses the Pilapils' property. It noted that both parties acknowledged the existence of a camino vecinal but disputed its location. The Court highlighted procedural deficiencies, suggesting that the lo
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-533)
Case Background
- The case arises from the denial of the Pilapils' motion for reconsideration of the Court of Appeals' decision dated 26 October 1990, which affirmed the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cebu's decision on 8 February 1988.
- Petitioners, Socrates and Rosario Pilapil, own a 6,598 square meter parcel of land in sitio Bahak, barangay Poblacion, Liloan, Cebu, covered by Tax Declaration No. 15067.
- Respondents, Gorgonio and Gloria Colomida, purchased a parcel of land nearby, asserting a right of way (camino vecinal) leading to the National Road, which they claim traverses the Pilapils' property.
Legal Issues
- The central issue is whether a camino vecinal exists in sitio Bahak and if it traverses the Pilapils' property.
- The Colomidas filed a petition for injunction and damages against the Pilapils, asserting their right to use the camino vecinal.
- The Pilapils denied the existence of such a road and counterclaimed for damages against the Colomidas.
Proceedings and Evidence
- The trial court heard testimonies from both parties, with the Colomidas presenting witnesses and documentary evidence, including