Cases Commodatum

7/25/2019 Cases Commodatum

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FIRST DIVISION

[G.R. No. 146364. June 3, 2004]

COLITO T. PAJUYO,petitioner, vs. COURT OF APPEALS n! E""IEGUE#ARRA, respondents.

" E C I S I O N

CARPIO, J.$

T%e C&e

Before us is a petition for review [1]of the 21 June 2000 Deision [2]an! 1" Dee#$er2000 Reso%ution of the &ourt of 'ppea%s in &'()*R* S+ No* ",12-* The &ourt of

'ppea%s set asi!e the 11 Nove#$er 1--. !eision [,]of the Re/iona% Tria% &ourt ofueon &it3 Branh 413 ["]affir#in/ the 15 Dee#$er 1--5 !eision [5]of the 6etropo%itanTria% &ourt of ueon &it3 Branh ,1*[.]

T%e An'e(e!en'&

In June 1-7-3 petitioner &o%ito T* +a8uo 9+a8uo: pai! +"00 to a ertain +e!ro+ere for the ri/hts over a 250(s;uare #eter %ot in Barrio +aatas3 ueon &it*+a8uothen onstrute! a house #a!e of %i/ht #ateria%s on the %ot* +a8uo an! his fa#i% %ive!in the house fro# 1-7- to 7 Dee#$er 1-45*

On 4 Dee#$er 1-453 +a8uo an! private respon!ent

In Septe#$er 1--"3 +a8uo infor#e! )uevarra of his nee! of the house an!!e#an!e! that )uevarra vaate the house* )uevarra refuse!*

+a8uo fi%e! an e8et#ent ase a/ainst )uevarra with the 6etropo%itan Tria% &ourt ofueon &it3 Branh ,1 96T&:*

In his 'nswer3 )uevarra %ai#e! that +a8uo ha! no va%i! tit%e or ri/ht of possessionover the %ot where the house stan!s $eause the %ot is within the 150 hetares set asi!e$ +ro%a#ation No* 1,7 for soia%ie! housin/* )uevarra pointe! out that fro#
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Dee#$er 1-45 to Septe#$er 1--"3 +a8uo !i! not show up or o##uniate with hi#*)uevarra insiste! that neither he nor +a8uo has va%i! tit%e to the %ot*

On 15 Dee#$er 1--53 the 6T& ren!ere! its !eision in favor of +a8uo* The!ispositive portion of the 6T& !eision rea!s>

WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered for the plaintiffand against defendant, ordering the latter to:

': vaate the house an! %ot oupie! $ the !efen!ant or an other person or persons%ai#in/ an ri/ht un!er hi#?

B: pa unto p%aintiff the su# of T@R


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On 24 Januar 1--73 the Thirteenth Division of the &ourt of 'ppea%s issue! aReso%ution[10]/rantin/ the #otion for e=tension on!itione! on the ti#e%iness of the fi%in/of the #otion*

On 27 Fe$ruar 1--73 the &ourt of 'ppea%s or!ere! +a8uo to o##ent on)uevaras petition for review* On 11 'pri% 1--73 +a8uo fi%e! his &o##ent*

On 21 June 20003 the &ourt of 'ppea%s issue! its !eision reversin/ the RT&!eision* The !ispositive portion of the !eision rea!s>

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the assailed Decision of the court a quoin $i%il

$ase (o )*+*-+./ is REVERSED and SET ASIDE0 and it is hereby declared that

the ejectment case filed against defendant*appellant is &ithout factual and legal basis

SO ORDERED!11#

+a8uo fi%e! a #otion for reonsi!eration of the !eision* +a8uo pointe! out that the

&ourt of 'ppea%s shou%! have !is#isse! outri/ht )uevarras petition for review $eauseit was fi%e! out of ti#e* 6oreover3 it was )uevarras ounse% an! not )uevarra whosi/ne! the ertifiation a/ainst foru#(shoppin/*

On 1" Dee#$er 20003 the &ourt of 'ppea%s issue! a reso%ution !enin/ +a8uos#otion for reonsi!eration* The !ispositive portion of the reso%ution rea!s>

WHEREFORE, for lac2 of merit, the motion for reconsideration is

hereby DENIED (o costs

SO ORDERED!1-#

T%e Ru)*n+ o '%e -TC

The 6T& ru%e! that the su$8et of the a/ree#ent $etween +a8uo an! )uevarra isthe house an! not the %ot* +a8uo is the owner of the house3 an! he a%%owe! )uevarra touse the house on% $ to%erane* Thus3 )uevarras refusa% to vaate the house on+a8uos !e#an! #a!e )uevarras ontinue! possession of the house i%%e/a%*

T%e Ru)*n+ o '%e RTC

The RT& uphe%! the Kasunduan3 whih esta$%ishe! the %an!%or! an! tenantre%ationship $etween +a8uo an! )uevarra* The ter#s of the Kasunduan$oun!)uevarra to return possession of the house on !e#an!*

The RT& re8ete! )uevarras %ai# of a $etter ri/ht un!er +ro%a#ation No* 1,73 theRevise! Nationa% )overn#ent &enter @ousin/ +ro8et &o!e of +o%iies an! other
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pertinent %aws* In an e8et#ent suit3 the RT& has no power to !ei!e )uevarras ri/htsun!er these %aws* The RT& !e%are! that in an e8et#ent ase3 the on% issue forreso%ution is #ateria% or phsia% possession3 not ownership*

T%e Ru)*n+ o '%e Cou' o A//e)&

The &ourt of 'ppea%s !e%are! that +a8uo an! )uevarra are s;uatters* +a8uo an!)uevarra i%%e/a%% oupie! the onteste! %ot whih the /overn#ent owne!*

+ere3 the person fro# who# +a8uo a;uire! his ri/hts3 was a%so a s;uatter* +ereha! no ri/ht or tit%e over the %ot $eause it is pu$%i %an!* The assi/n#ent of ri/hts$etween +ere an! +a8uo3 an! the Kasunduan $etween +a8uo an! )uevarra3 !i! nothave an %e/a% effet* +a8uo an! )uevarra are inpari delictoor in e;ua% fau%t* The ourtwi%% %eave the# where the are*

The &ourt of 'ppea%s reverse! the 6T& an! RT& ru%in/s3 whih he%! that

the Kasunduan$etween +a8uo an! )uevarra reate! a %e/a% tie ain to that of a%an!%or! an! tenant re%ationship* The &ourt of 'ppea%s ru%e! that the Kasunduanis not a%ease ontrat $ut a commodatum$eause the a/ree#ent is not for a prie ertain*

Sine +a8uo a!#itte! that he resurfae! on% in 1--" to %ai# the propert3 theappe%%ate ourt he%! that )uevarra has a $etter ri/ht over the propert un!er+ro%a#ation No* 1,7* +resi!ent &oraon &* ';uino 9+resi!ent ';uino: issue!+ro%a#ation No* 1,7 on 7 Septe#$er 1-47* 't that ti#e3 )uevarra was in phsia%possession of the propert* An!er 'rti%e VI of the &o!e of +o%iies BenefiiarSe%etion an! Disposition of @o#e%ots an! Strutures in the Nationa% @ousin/ +ro8et9the &o!e:3 the atua% oupant or aretaer of the %ot sha%% have first priorit as

$enefiiar of the pro8et* The &ourt of 'ppea%s on%u!e! that )uevarra is first in thehierarh of priorit*

In !enin/ +a8uos #otion for reonsi!eration3 the appe%%ate ourt !e$une!+a8uos %ai# that )uevarra fi%e! his #otion for e=tension $eon! the perio! to appea%*

The &ourt of 'ppea%s pointe! out that )uevarras #otion for e=tension fi%e! $eforethe Supre#e &ourt was sta#pe! 1, Dee#$er 1--. at ">0- +6 $ the Supre#e&ourts Reeivin/ &%er* The &ourt of 'ppea%s on%u!e! that the #otion for e=tension$ore a !ate3 ontrar to +a8uos %ai# that the #otion for e=tension wasun!ate!*)uevarra fi%e! the #otion for e=tension on ti#e on 1, Dee#$er 1--. sine hefi%e! the #otion one !a $efore the e=piration of the re/%e#entar perio! on 1"

Dee#$er 1--.* Thus3 the #otion for e=tension proper% o#p%ie! with the on!itioni#pose! $ the &ourt of 'ppea%s in its 24 Januar 1--7 Reso%ution* The &ourt of'ppea%s e=p%aine! that the thirt(!a e=tension to fi%e the petition for review was!ee#e! /rante! $eause of suh o#p%iane*

The &ourt of 'ppea%s re8ete! +a8uos ar/u#ent that the appe%%ate ourt shou%!have !is#isse! the petition for review $eause it was )uevarras ounse% an! not)uevarra who si/ne! the ertifiation a/ainst foru#(shoppin/* The &ourt of 'ppea%spointe! out that +a8uo !i! not raise this issue in his &o##ent* The &ourt of 'ppea%s


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he%! that +a8uo ou%! not now see the !is#issa% of the ase after he ha! e=tensive%ar/ue! on the #erits of the ase* This tehnia%it3 the appe%%ate ourt opine!3 was%ear% an afterthou/ht*

T%e I&&ue&

+a8uo raises the fo%%owin/ issues for reso%ution>

WHE3HER 3HE $O4R3 OF 566E57S ERRED OR 584SED 93S 543HOR93

5(D D9S$RE39O( 35(35;O4(3 3O 75$< OF =4R9SD9$39O(:

1: in )R'NTIN)3 instea! of !enin/3 +rivate Respon!ents 6otion for an


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when the appe%%ate ourt ate! on )uevarras #otion for e=tension to fi%e thepetition* +a8uo points out that )uevarra ha! on% one !a $efore the e=pir of hisperio! to appea% the RT& !eision* Instea! of fi%in/ the petition for review with the &ourtof 'ppea%s3 )uevarra fi%e! with this &ourt an un!ate! #otion for e=tension of ,0 !as tofi%e a petition for review* This &ourt #ere% referre! the #otion to the &ourt of

'ppea%s* +a8uo $e%ieves that the fi%in/ of the #otion for e=tension with this &ourt !i!not to%% the runnin/ of the perio! to perfet the appea%* @ene3 when the &ourt of'ppea%s reeive! the #otion3 the perio! to appea% ha! a%rea! e=pire!*

Ee are not persua!e!*

Deisions of the re/iona% tria% ourts in the e=erise of their appe%%ate 8uris!ition areappea%a$%e to the &ourt of 'ppea%s $ petition for review in ases invo%vin/ ;uestions offat or #i=e! ;uestions of fat an! %aw* [1"]Deisions of the re/iona% tria% ourts invo%vin/pure ;uestions of %aw are appea%a$%e !iret% to this &ourt $ petition for review* [15]These#o!es of appea% are now e#$o!ie! in Setion 23 Ru%e "1 of the 1--7 Ru%es of &ivi%+roe!ure*

)uevarra $e%ieve! that his appea% of the RT& !eision invo%ve! on% ;uestions of%aw* )uevarra thus fi%e! his #otion for e=tension to fi%e petition for review $efore this&ourt on 1" Dee#$er 1--.* On , Januar 1--73 )uevarra then fi%e! his petition forreview with this &ourt* ' perusa% of )uevarras petition for review /ives the i#pressionthat the issues he raise! were pure ;uestions of %aw* There is a ;uestion of %aw whenthe !ou$t or !ifferene is on what the %aw is on a ertain state of fats* [1.]There is a;uestion of fat when the !ou$t or !ifferene is on the truth or fa%sit of the fatsa%%e/e!*[17]

In his petition for review $efore this &ourt3 )uevarra no %on/er !ispute! thefats* )uevarras petition for review raise! these ;uestions> 91: Do e8et#ent ases

pertain on% to possession of a struture3 an! not the %ot on whih the struture stan!s92: Does a suit $ a s;uatter a/ainst a fe%%ow s;uatter onstitute a va%i! ase fore8et#ent 9,: Shou%! a +resi!entia% +ro%a#ation /overnin/ the %ot on whih as;uatters struture stan!s $e onsi!ere! in an e8et#ent suit fi%e! $ the owner of thestruture

These ;uestions a%% for the eva%uation of the ri/hts of the parties un!er the %aw one8et#ent an! the +resi!entia% +ro%a#ation* 't first /%ane3 the ;uestions )uevarraraise! appeare! pure% %e/a%* @owever3 so#e fatua% ;uestions sti%% have to $e reso%ve!$eause the have a $earin/ on the %e/a% ;uestions raise! in the petition forreview* These fatua% #atters refer to the #etes an! $oun!s of the !ispute! propertan! the app%iation of )uevarra as $enefiiar of +ro%a#ation No* 1,7*

The &ourt of 'ppea%s has the power to /rant an e=tension of ti#e to fi%e a petitionfor review* In Lacsamana v. Second Special Cases Division of the Intermediate

Appellate Court3[14]we !e%are! that the &ourt of 'ppea%s ou%! /rant e=tension of ti#ein appea%s $ petition for review* In Liboro v. Court of Appeals3[1-]we %arifie! that theprohi$ition a/ainst /rantin/ an e=tension of ti#e app%ies on% in a ase where or!inarappea% is perfete! $ a #ere notie of appea%* The prohi$ition !oes not app% in apetition for review where the p%ea!in/ nee!s verifiation* ' petition for review3 un%ie an
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or!inar appea%3 re;uires preparation an! researh to present a persuasive position*[20]The !raftin/ of the petition for review entai%s #ore ti#e an! effort than fi%in/ a notie ofappea%*[21]@ene3 the &ourt of 'ppea%s #a a%%ow an e=tension of ti#e to fi%e a petitionfor review*

In the #ore reent ase of Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of

Appeals3[22]we he%! that Liboros %arifiation of Lacsamanais onsistent with theRevise! Interna% Ru%es of the &ourt of 'ppea%s an! Supre#e &ourt &iru%ar No* 1(-1*The a%% a%%ow an e=tension of ti#e for fi%in/ petitions for review with the &ourt of

'ppea%s* The e=tension3 however3 shou%! $e %i#ite! to on% fifteen !as save ine=eptiona%% #eritorious ases where the &ourt of 'ppea%s #a /rant a %on/er perio!*

' 8u!/#ent $eo#es fina% an! e=eutor $ operation of %aw* Fina%it of 8u!/#ent$eo#es a fat on the %apse of the re/%e#entar perio! to appea% if no appea% isperfete!*[2,]The RT& !eision ou%! not have /aine! fina%it $eause the &ourt of

'ppea%s /rante! the ,0(!a e=tension to )uevarra*

The &ourt of 'ppea%s !i! not o##it /rave a$use of !isretion when it approve!

)uevarras #otion for e=tension* The &ourt of 'ppea%s /ave !ue ourse to the #otionfor e=tension $eause it o#p%ie! with the on!ition set $ the appe%%ate ourt in itsreso%ution !ate! 24 Januar 1--7* The reso%ution state! that the &ourt of 'ppea%s wou%!on% /ive !ue ourse to the #otion for e=tension if fi%e! on ti#e* The #otion fore=tension #et this on!ition*

The #ateria% !ates to onsi!er in !eter#inin/ the ti#e%iness of the fi%in/ of the#otion for e=tension are 91: the !ate of reeipt of the 8u!/#ent or fina% or!er orreso%ution su$8et of the petition3 an! 92: the !ate of fi%in/ of the #otion for e=tension* [2"]Itis the !ate of the fi%in/ of the #otion or p%ea!in/3 an! not the !ate of e=eution3 that!eter#ines the ti#e%iness of the fi%in/ of that #otion or p%ea!in/* Thus3 even if the

#otion for e=tension $ears no !ate3 the !ate of fi%in/ sta#pe! on it is the reonin/point for !eter#inin/ the ti#e%iness of its fi%in/*

)uevarra ha! unti% 1" Dee#$er 1--. to fi%e an appea% fro# the RT&!eision* )uevarra fi%e! his #otion for e=tension $efore this &ourt on 1, Dee#$er1--.3 the !ate sta#pe! $ this &ourts Reeivin/ &%er on the #otion for e=tension*&%ear%3 )uevarra fi%e! the #otion for e=tension e=at% one !a $efore the %apse of there/%e#entar perio! to appea%*

'ssu#in/ that the &ourt of 'ppea%s shou%! have !is#isse! )uevarras appea% ontehnia% /roun!s3 +a8uo !i! not as the appe%%ate ourt to !en the #otion fore=tension an! !is#iss the petition for review at the ear%iest opportunit* Instea!3 +a8uo

vi/orous% !isusse! the #erits of the ase* It was on% when the &ourt of 'ppea%s ru%e!in )uevarras favor that +a8uo raise! the proe!ura% issues a/ainst )uevarras petitionfor review*

' part who3 after vo%untari% su$#ittin/ a !ispute for reso%ution3 reeives ana!verse !eision on the #erits3 is estoppe! fro# attain/ the 8uris!ition of the ourt*[25]


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In his &o##ent $efore the &ourt of 'ppea%s3 +a8uo a%so fai%e! to !isuss)uevarras fai%ure to si/n the ertifiation a/ainst foru# shoppin/* Instea!3 +a8uoharpe! on )uevarras ounse% si/nin/ the verifiation3 %ai#in/ that the ounse%sverifiation is insuffiient sine it is $ase! on% on #ere infor#ation*

' parts fai%ure to si/n the ertifiation a/ainst foru# shoppin/ is !ifferent fro# the

parts fai%ure to si/n persona%% the verifiation* The ertifiate of non(foru# shoppin/#ust $e si/ne! $ the part3 an! not $ ounse%* [27]The ertifiation of ounse% ren!ersthe petition !efetive*[24]

On the other han!3 the re;uire#ent on verifiation of a p%ea!in/ is a for#a% an! nota 8uris!itiona% re;uisite*[2-]It is inten!e! si#p% to seure an assurane that what area%%e/e! in the p%ea!in/ are true an! orret an! not the pro!ut of the i#a/ination or a#atter of speu%ation3 an! that the p%ea!in/ is fi%e! in /oo! faith* [,0]The part nee! notsi/n the verifiation* ' parts representative3 %awer or an person who persona%%nows the truth of the fats a%%e/e! in the p%ea!in/ #a si/n the verifiation* [,1]

Ee a/ree with the &ourt of 'ppea%s that the issue on the ertifiate a/ainst foru#

shoppin/ was #ere% an afterthou/ht* +a8uo !i! not a%% the &ourt of 'ppea%s attentionto this !efet at the ear% sta/e of the proee!in/s* +a8uo raise! this proe!ura% issuetoo %ate in the proee!in/s*

Absence of Title over the Disputed Property ill not Divest the Courts of!urisdiction to Resolve the Issue of Possession

Sett%e! is the ru%e that the !efen!ants %ai# of ownership of the !ispute! propertwi%% not !ivest the inferior ourt of its 8uris!ition over the e8et#ent ase* [,2]


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asserts the a$sene of tit%e over the propert* The a$sene of tit%e over the onteste! %otis not a /roun! for the ourts to withho%! re%ief fro# the parties in an e8et#ent ase*

The on% ;uestion that the ourts #ust reso%ve in e8et#ent proee!in/s is ( who isentit%e! to the phsia% possession of the pre#ises3 that is3 to the possession defactoan! not to the possession de jure*[,7]It !oes not even #atter if a parts tit%e to the

propert is ;uestiona$%e3[,4]or when $oth parties intru!e! into pu$%i %an! an! theirapp%iations to own the %an! have et to $e approve! $ the proper /overn#ent a/en*[,-]Re/ar!%ess of the atua% on!ition of the tit%e to the propert3 the part in peaea$%e;uiet possession sha%% not $e thrown out $ a stron/ han!3 vio%ene or terror* ["0]Neither isthe un%awfu% withho%!in/ of propert a%%owe!* &ourts wi%% a%was upho%! respet for priorpossession*

Thus3 a part who an prove prior possession an reover suh possession evena/ainst the owner hi#se%f*["1]Ehatever #a $e the harater of his possession3 if he hasin his favor prior possession in ti#e3 he has the seurit that entit%es hi# to re#ain onthe propert unti% a person with a $etter ri/ht %awfu%% e8ets hi#* ["2]To repeat3 the on%

issue that the ourt has to sett%e in an e8et#ent suit is the ri/ht to phsia% possession*In Pitar"ue v. Sorilla3[",]the /overn#ent owne! the %an! in !ispute* The /overn#ent

!i! not authorie either the p%aintiff or the !efen!ant in the ase of fori$%e entr ase tooup the %an!* The p%aintiff ha! prior possession an! ha! a%rea! intro!ue!i#prove#ents on the pu$%i %an!* The p%aintiff ha! a pen!in/ app%iation for the %an!with the Bureau of an!s when the !efen!ant ouste! hi# fro# possession* The p%aintifffi%e! the ation of fori$%e entr a/ainst the !efen!ant* The /overn#ent was not a partin the ase of fori$%e entr*

The !efen!ant ;uestione! the 8uris!ition of the ourts to sett%e the issue ofpossession $eause whi%e the app%iation of the p%aintiff was sti%% pen!in/3 tit%e re#aine!

with the /overn#ent3 an! the Bureau of +u$%i an!s ha! 8uris!ition over the ase* Ee!isa/ree! with the !efen!ant* Ee ru%e! that ourts have 8uris!ition to entertaine8et#ent suits even $efore the reso%ution of the app%iation* The p%aintiff3 $ priorit ofhis app%iation an! of his entr3 a;uire! prior phsia% possession over the pu$%i %an!app%ie! for as a/ainst other private %ai#ants* That prior phsia% possession en8os%e/a% protetion a/ainst other private %ai#ants $eause on% a ourt an tae awasuh phsia% possession in an e8et#ent ase*

Ehi%e the &ourt !i! not $ran! the p%aintiff an! the !efen!ant in Pitar"ue[""]ass;uatters3 strit% speain/3 their entr into the !ispute! %an! was i%%e/a%* Both thep%aintiff an! !efen!ant entere! the pu$%i %an! without the owners per#ission* Tit%e tothe %an! re#aine! with the /overn#ent $eause it ha! not awar!e! to anone

ownership of the onteste! pu$%i %an!* Both the p%aintiff an! the !efen!ant were ineffet s;uattin/ on /overn#ent propert* Get3 we uphe%! the ourts 8uris!ition to reso%vethe issue of possession even if the p%aintiff an! the !efen!ant in the e8et#ent ase !i!not have an tit%e over the onteste! %an!*

&ourts #ust not a$!iate their 8uris!ition to reso%ve the issue of phsia%possession $eause of the pu$%i nee! to preserve the $asi po%i $ehin! the su##arations of fori$%e entr an! un%awfu% !etainer* The un!er%in/ phi%osoph $ehin!
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e8et#ent suits is to prevent $reah of the peae an! ri#ina% !isor!er an! to o#pe%the part out of possession to respet an! resort to the %aw a%one to o$tain what he%ai#s is his*["5]The part !eprive! of possession #ust not tae the %aw into his ownhan!s*[".]


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by ri%al claimants, could be in>uired into only by the 7ands Department to the

eclusion of the courts@ 3he ans&er to this >uestion seems to us e%ident 3he 7ands

Department does not ha%e the means to police public lands0 neither does it ha%e the

means to pre%ent disorders arising therefrom, or contain breaches of the peace among

settlers0 or to pass promptly upon conflicts of possession Then its power is clearly

limited to disposition and alienation, and while it may decide conflicts of possession

in order to make proper award, the settlement of conflicts of possession which is

recognized in the court herein has another ultimate purpose, i.e., the protection of

actual possessors and occupants with a view to the prevention of breaches of the

peace.The power to dispose and alienate could not have been intended to include

the power to prevent or settle disorders or breaches of the peace among rival settlers

or claimants prior to the final award.5s to this, therefore, the corresponding

branches of the Ao%ernment must continue to eercise po&er and jurisdiction &ithin

the limits of their respecti%e functions The vesting of the Lands Department with

authority to administer, dispose, and alienate public lands, therefore, must not be

understood as depriving the other branches of the Government of the exercise of

the respective functions or powers thereon, such as the authority to stop disorders

and uell breaches of the peace by the police, the authority on the part of the courts

to take !urisdiction over possessory actions arising therefrom not involving, directly

or indirectly, alienation and disposition.

Our attention has been called to a principle enunciated in 5merican courts to the effect

that courts ha%e no jurisdiction to determine the rights of claimants to public lands,

and that until the disposition of the land has passed from the control of the Federal

Ao%ernment, the courts &ill not interfere &ith the administration of matters

concerning the same B $ = 1+/*1+.C We ha%e no >uarrel &ith this principle

3he determination of the respecti%e rights of ri%al claimants to public lands is

different from the determination of &ho has the actual physical possession or

occupation &ith a %ie& to protecting the same and pre%enting disorder and breaches

of the peace 5 judgment of the court ordering restitution of the possession of a parcel

of land to the actual occupant, &ho has been depri%ed thereof by another through the

use of force or in any other illegal manner, can ne%er be prejudicial interference &ith

the disposition or alienation of public lands "n the other hand, if courts were

deprived of !urisdiction of cases involving conflicts of possession, that threat of

!udicial action against breaches of the peace committed on public lands would beeliminated, and a state of lawlessness would probably be produced between

applicants, occupants or suatters, where force or might, not right or !ustice, would

rule.

9t must be borne in mind that the action that &ould be used to sol%e conflicts of

possession bet&een ri%als or conflicting applicants or claimants &ould be no other

than that of forcible entry 3his action, both in England and the 4nited States and in


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our jurisdiction, is a summary and epeditious remedy &hereby one in peaceful and

>uiet possession may reco%er the possession of &hich he has been depri%ed by a

stronger hand, by %iolence or terror0 its ultimate object being to pre%ent breach of the

peace and criminal disorder BSupia and 8atioco %s )uintero and 5yala, + 6hil /1-,

/1.C 3he basis of the remedy is mere possession as a fact, of physical possession, not

a legal possession B;ediran %s Gillanue%a, /" 6hil "-C 3he title or right topossession is ne%er in issue in an action of forcible entry0 as a matter of fact, e%idence

thereof is epressly banned, ecept to pro%e the nature of the possession BSecond .,

Rule "-, Rules of $ourtC With this nature of the action in mind, by no stretch of the

imagination can conclusion be arri%ed at that the use of the remedy in the courts of

justice &ould constitute an interference &ith the alienation, disposition, and control of

public lands 3o limit oursel%es to the case at bar can it be pretended at all that its

result &ould in any &ay interfere &ith the manner of the alienation or disposition of

the land contested@ On the contrary, it &ould facilitate adjudication, for the >uestion

of priority of possession ha%ing been decided in a final manner by the courts, said

>uestion need no longer &aste the time of the land officers ma2ing the adjudication or

a&ard BEmphasis oursC

The Principle of Pari Delicto is not Applicable to #$ectment Cases

The &ourt of 'ppea%s erroneous% app%ie! the prinip%e ofpari delicto to this ase*

'rti%es 1"11 an! 1"12 of the &ivi% &o!e["4]e#$o! the prinip%e ofpari delicto* Eee=p%aine! the prinip%e ofpari delictoin these wor!s>

3he rule ofpari delictois epressed in the maimsex dolo malo non eritur

actioand in pari delicto potior est conditio defedentis 3he la& &ill not aid either

party to an illegal agreement 9t lea%es the parties &here it finds them!.+#

The app%iation of thepari delictoprinip%e is not a$so%ute3 as there are e=eptionsto its app%iation* One of these e=eptions is where the app%iation of the paridelictoru%e wou%! vio%ate we%%(esta$%ishe! pu$%i po%i* [50]

In Drilon v. %aurana3[51]we reiterate! the $asi po%i $ehin! the su##ar ationsof fori$%e entr an! un%awfu% !etainer* Ee he%! that>

9t must be stated that the purpose of an action of forcible entry and detainer is that,

regardless of the actual condition of the title to the property, the party in peaceable

>uiet possession shall not be turned out by strong hand, %iolence or terror 9n affording

this remedy of restitution the object of the statute is to pre%ent breaches of the peace

and criminal disorder &hich &ould ensue from the &ithdra&al of the remedy, and the

reasonable hope such &ithdra&al &ould create that some ad%antage must accrue to
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those persons &ho, belie%ing themsel%es entitled to the possession of property, resort

to force to gain possession rather than to some appropriate action in the courts to

assert their claims 3his is the philosophy at the foundation of all these actions of

forcible entry and detainer &hich are designed to compel the party out of possession

to respect and resort to the la& alone to obtain &hat he claims is his !-#

&%ear%3 the app%iation of the prinip%e ofpari delictoto a ase of e8et#ent $etweens;uatters is frau/ht with !an/er* To shut out re%ief to s;uatters on the /roun! of paridelictowou%! open% invite #ahe# an! %aw%essness* ' s;uatter wou%! oust anothers;uatter fro# possession of the %ot that the %atter ha! i%%e/a%% oupie!3 e#$o%!ene! $the now%e!/e that the ourts wou%! %eave the# where the are* Nothin/ wou%! thenstan! in the wa of the ouste! s;uatter fro# re(%ai#in/ his prior possession at a%% ost*

+ett warfare over possession of properties is preise% what e8et#ent ases orations for reover of possession see to prevent* [5,]


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Second* The &ourt of 'ppea%s shou%! not have /iven re!ene to )uevarrasunsu$stantiate! %ai# that he is the $enefiiar of +ro%a#ation No* 1,7* )uevarra#ere% a%%e/e! that in the surve the pro8et a!#inistrator on!ute!3 he an! not +a8uoappeare! as the atua% oupant of the %ot*

There is no proof that )uevarra atua%% avai%e! of the $enefits of +ro%a#ation No*

1,7* +a8uo a%%owe! )uevarra to oup the !ispute! propert in 1-45*+resi!ent';uino si/ne! +ro%a#ation No* 1,7 into %aw on 11 6arh 1-4.* +a8uo #a!e hisear%iest !e#an! for )uevarra to vaate the propert in Septe#$er 1--"*

Durin/ the ti#e that )uevarra te#porari% he%! the propert up to the ti#e that+ro%a#ation No* 1,7 a%%e/e!% se/re/ate! the !ispute! %ot3 )uevarra never app%ie! as$enefiiar of +ro%a#ation No* 1,7*


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Sa sandaling 2ailangan na namin ang bahay at lote, silay 2usang aalis ng &alang

re2lamo

Base! on the Kasunduan3 +a8uoper#itte! )uevarra to resi!e in the house an! %otfree of rent3 $ut )uevarra was un!er o$%i/ation to #aintain the pre#ises in /oo!

on!ition* )uevarra pro#ise! to vaate the pre#ises on +a8uos !e#an! $ut )uevarra$roe his pro#ise an! refuse! to hee! +a8uos !e#an! to vaate*

These fats #ae out a ase for un%awfu% !etainer* An%awfu% !etainer invo%ves thewithho%!in/ $ a person fro# another of the possession of rea% propert to whih the%atter is entit%e! after the e=piration or ter#ination of the for#ers ri/ht to ho%!possession under a contract, e'press or implied*[5-]

Ehere the p%aintiff a%%ows the !efen!ant to use his propert $ to%erane without anontrat3 the !efen!ant is neessari% $oun! $ an i#p%ie! pro#ise that he wi%% vaateon !e#an!3 fai%in/ whih3 an ation for un%awfu% !etainer wi%% %ie*[.0]The !efen!antsrefusa% to o#p% with the !e#an! #aes his ontinue! possession of the propert

un%awfu%*[.1]The status of the !efen!ant in suh a ase is si#i%ar to that of a %essee ortenant whose ter# of %ease has e=pire! $ut whose oupan ontinues $ to%erane ofthe owner*[.2]

This prinip%e shou%! app% with /reater fore in ases where a ontrat e#$o!iesthe per#ission or to%erane to use the propert* The Kasunduane=press% artiu%ate!+a8uos for$earane* +a8uo !i! not re;uire )uevarra to pa an rent $ut on% to#aintain the house an! %ot in /oo! on!ition* )uevarra e=press% vowe! inthe Kasunduan that he wou%! vaate the propert on !e#an!* )uevarras refusa% too#p% with +a8uos !e#an! to vaate #a!e )uevarras ontinue! possession of thepropert un%awfu%*

Ee !o not su$sri$e to the &ourt of 'ppea%s theor that the Kasunduanis oneof commodatum*

In a ontrat of commodatum3 one of the parties !e%ivers to another so#ethin/ notonsu#a$%e so that the %atter #a use the sa#e for a ertain ti#e an! return it* [.,]'nessentia% feature of commodatumis that it is /ratuitous* 'nother featureof commodatumis that the use of the thin/ $e%on/in/ to another is for a ertain perio!*[."]Thus3 the $ai%or annot !e#an! the return of the thin/ %oane! unti% after e=piration ofthe perio! stipu%ate!3 or after ao#p%ish#ent of the use for whihthecommodatum isonstitute!* [.5]If the $ai%or shou%! have ur/ent nee! of the thin/3 he#a !e#an! its return for te#porar use* [..]If the use of the thin/ is #ere% to%erate! $the $ai%or3 he an !e#an! the return of the thin/ at wi%%3 in whih ase the ontratua%re%ation is a%%e! aprecarium*[.7]An!er the&ivi% &o!e3precariumis a in!of commodatum*[.4]

The Kasunduanrevea%s that the ao##o!ation aor!e! $ +a8uo to )uevarrawas not essentia%% /ratuitous* Ehi%e the Kasunduan!i! not re;uire )uevarra to parent3 it o$%i/ate! hi# to #aintain the propert in /oo! on!ition* The i#position of thiso$%i/ation #aes the Kasunduana ontrat !ifferent fro# a commodatum.The effetsofthe Kasunduanare a%so !ifferent fro# that of a commodatum* &ase %aw on e8et#ent
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has treate! re%ationship $ase! on to%erane as one that is ain to a %an!%or!(tenantre%ationship where the with!rawa% of per#ission wou%! resu%t in the ter#ination of the%ease*[.-]The tenants withho%!in/ of the propert wou%! then $e un%awfu%* This is sett%e!

8urispru!ene*


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we%%* 6oreover3 it was +a8uo who was in atua% possession of the propert $eause)uevarra ha! to see +a8uos per#ission to te#porari% ho%! the propert an!)uevarra ha! to fo%%ow the on!itions set $ +a8uo in theKasunduan* &ontro% over thepropert sti%% reste! with +a8uo an! this is evi!ene of atua% possession*

+a8uos a$sene !i! not affet his atua% possession of the !ispute! propert*

+ossession in the ees of the %aw !oes not #ean that a #an has to have his feet onever s;uare #eter of the /roun! $efore he is !ee#e! in possession* [77]One #aa;uire possession not on% $ phsia% oupation3 $ut a%so $ the fat that a thin/ issu$8et to the ation of ones wi%%* [74]'tua% or phsia% oupation is not a%wasneessar*[7-]

Rulin" on Possession Does not (ind Title to the Land in Dispute

Ee are aware of our pronoune#ent in ases where we !e%are! that s;uatters an!

intru!ers who %an!estine% enter into tit%e! /overn#ent propert annot3 $ suh at3a;uire an %e/a% ri/ht to sai! propert* [40]Ee #a!e this !e%aration $eause the personwho ha! tit%e or who ha! the ri/ht to %e/a% possession over the !ispute! propert was apart in the e8et#ent suit an! that part institute! the ase a/ainst s;uatters orusurpers*

In this ase3 the owner of the %an!3 whih is the /overn#ent3 is not a part to thee8et#ent ase* This ase is $etween s;uatters* @a! the /overn#ent partiipate! in thisase3 the ourts ou%! have evite! the onten!in/ s;uatters3 +a8uo an! )uevarra*

Sine the part that has tit%e or a $etter ri/ht over the propert is not i#p%ea!e! inthis ase3 we annot evit on our own the parties* Suh a ru%in/ wou%! !isoura/e

s;uatters fro# seein/ the ai! of the ourts in sett%in/ the issue of phsia%possession* Strippin/ $oth the p%aintiff an! the !efen!ant of possession 8ust $eausethe are s;uatters wou%! have the sa#e !an/erous i#p%iations as the app%iation ofthe prinip%e ofpari delicto. S;uatters wou%! then rather sett%e the issue of phsia%possession a#on/ the#se%ves than see re%ief fro# the ourts if the p%aintiff an!!efen!ant in the e8et#ent ase wou%! $oth stan! to %ose possession of the !ispute!propert* This wou%! su$vert the po%i un!er%in/ ations for reover of possession*

Sine +a8uo has in his favor priorit in ti#e in ho%!in/ the propert3 he is entit%e! tore#ain on the propert unti% a person who has tit%e or a $etter ri/ht %awfu%% e8etshi#* )uevarra is ertain% not that person* The ru%in/ in this ase3 however3 !oes notpre%u!e +a8uo an! )uevarra fro# intro!uin/ evi!ene an! presentin/ ar/u#ents

$efore the proper a!#inistrative a/en to esta$%ish an ri/ht to whih the #a $eentit%e! un!er the %aw*[41]

In no wa shou%! our ru%in/ in this ase $e interprete! to on!one s;uattin/* Theru%in/ on the issue of phsia% possession !oes not affet tit%e to the propert noronstitute a $in!in/ an! on%usive a!8u!iation on the #erits on the issue ofownership*[42]The owner an sti%% /o to ourt to reover %awfu%% the propert fro# theperson who ho%!s the propert without %e/a% tit%e* Our ru%in/ here !oes not !i#inish the
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power of /overn#ent a/enies3 in%u!in/ %oa% /overn#ents3 to on!e#n3 a$ate3re#ove or !e#o%ish i%%e/a% or unauthorie! strutures in aor!ane with e=istin/ %aws*

Attorneys &ees and Rentals

The 6T& an! RT& fai%e! to 8ustif the awar! of +,3000 attornes fees to+a8uo* 'ttornes fees as part of !a#a/es are awar!e! on% in the instanesenu#erate! in 'rti%e 2204 of the &ivi% &o!e* [4,]Thus3 the awar! of attornes fees is thee=eption rather than the ru%e* [4"]'ttornes fees are not awar!e! ever ti#e a partprevai%s in a suit $eause of the po%i that no pre#iu# shou%! $e p%ae! on the ri/ht to%iti/ate* [45]Ee therefore !e%ete the attornes fees awar!e! to +a8uo*

Ee sustain the +,00 #onth% renta%s the 6T& an! RT& assesse! a/ainst)uevarra* )uevarra !i! not !ispute this fatua% fin!in/ of the two ourts* Ee fin! thea#ount reasona$%e o#pensation to +a8uo* The +,00 #onth% renta% is ounte! fro#

the %ast !e#an! to vaate3 whih was on 1. Fe$ruar 1--5*EREFORE3 we )R'NT the petition* The Deision !ate! 21 June 2000 an!

Reso%ution !ate! 1" Dee#$er 2000 of the &ourt of 'ppea%s in &'()*R* S+ No* ",12-are S


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FELICI"A" -. 7AGTAS, A!8*n*&''*9 o '%e In'e&''e E&''e )e' : '%e )'e Jo&e #.

7+'&,petitioner(appe%%ant*

D. $. %e&es, 'iaison and "ssociates for petitionerappellant.

ffice of te !olicitor *eneral for plaintiffappellee.

PA"ILLA, !.)

The &ourt of 'ppea%s ertifie! this ase to this &ourt $eause on% ;uestions of %aw are raise!*

On 4 6a 1-"4 Jose V* Ba/tas $orrowe! fro# the Repu$%i of the +hi%ippines throu/h the Bureau of

'ni#a% In!ustr three $u%%s> a Re! Sin!hi with a $oo va%ue of +1317.*".3 a Bha/nari3 of +13,20*5.

an! a Sahiniwa%3 of +7""*".3 for a perio! of one ear fro# 4 6a 1-"4 to 7 6a 1-"- for $ree!in/

purposes su$8et to a /overn#ent har/e of $ree!in/ fee of 10H of the $oo va%ue of the $u%%s*

Apon the e=piration on 7 6a 1-"- of the ontrat3 the $orrower ase! for a renewa% for another

perio! of one ear* @owever3 the Seretar of '/riu%ture an! Natura% Resoures approve! a

renewa% thereof of on% one $u%% for another ear fro# 4 6a 1-"- to 7 6a 1-50 an! re;ueste! thereturn of the other two* On 25 6arh 1-50 Jose V* Ba/tas wrote to the Diretor of 'ni#a% In!ustr

that he wou%! pa the va%ue of the three $u%%s* On 17 Oto$er 1-50 he reiterate! his !esire to $u

the# at a va%ue with a !e!ution of ear% !epreiation to $e approve! $ the 'u!itor )enera%* On

1- Oto$er 1-50 the Diretor of 'ni#a% In!ustr a!vise! hi# that the $oo va%ue of the three $u%%s

ou%! not $e re!ue! an! that the either $e returne! or their $oo va%ue pai! not %ater than ,1

Oto$er 1-50* Jose V* Ba/tas fai%e! to pa the $oo va%ue of the three $u%%s or to return the#* So3 on

20 Dee#$er 1-50 in the &ourt of First Instane of 6ani%a the Repu$%i of the +hi%ippines

o##ene! an ation a/ainst hi# prain/ that he $e or!ere! to return the three $u%%s %oane! to hi#

or to pa their $oo va%ue in the tota% su# of +,32"1*"5 an! the unpai! $ree!in/ fee in the su# of

+1--*.23 $oth with interests3 an! osts? an! that other 8ust an! e;uita$%e re%ief $e /rante! in 9ivi%

No* 12414:*

On 5 Ju% 1-51 Jose V* Ba/tas3 throu/h ounse% Navarro3 Rosete an! 6ana%o3 answere! that

$eause of the $a! peae an! or!er situation in &a/aan Va%%e3 partiu%ar% in the $arrio of Ba//ao3

an! of the pen!in/ appea% he ha! taen to the Seretar of '/riu%ture an! Natura% Resoures an!

the +resi!ent of the +hi%ippines fro# the refusa% $ the Diretor of 'ni#a% In!ustr to !e!ut fro# the

$oo va%ue of the $u%%s orrespon!in/ ear% !epreiation of 4H fro# the !ate of a;uisition3 to

whih !epreiation the 'u!itor )enera% !i! not o$8et3 he ou%! not return the ani#a%s nor pa their

va%ue an! prae! for the !is#issa% of the o#p%aint*

'fter hearin/3 on ,0 Ju% 1-5. the tria% ourt ren!er 8u!/#ent

* * * sentenin/ the %atter 9!efen!ant: to pa the su# of +,3.25*0- the tota% va%ue of the three

$u%%s p%us the $ree!in/ fees in the a#ount of +.2.*17 with interest on $oth su#s of 9at: the

%e/a% rate fro# the fi%in/ of this o#p%aint an! osts*

On - Oto$er 1-54 the p%aintiff #ove! e= parte for a writ of e=eution whih the ourt /rante! on 14

Oto$er an! issue! on 11 Nove#$er 1-54* On 2 Dee#$er 1-54 /rante! an e=(parte #otion fi%e!

$ the p%aintiff on Nove#$er 1-54 for the appoint#ent of a speia% sheriff to serve the writ outsi!e


20/24

6ani%a* Of this or!er appointin/ a speia% sheriff3 on . Dee#$er 1-543 Fe%ii!a! 6* Ba/tas3 the

survivin/ spouse of the !efen!ant Jose Ba/tas who !ie! on 2, Oto$er 1-51 an! as a!#inistratri=

of his estate3 was notifie!* On 7 Januar 1-5- she fi%e a #otion a%%e/in/ that on 2. June 1-52 the

two $u%% Sin!hi an! Bha/nari were returne! to the Bureau 'ni#a% of In!ustr an! that so#eti#e in

Nove#$er 1-54 the thir! $u%%3 the Sahiniwa%3 !ie! fro# /unshot woun! inf%ite! !urin/ a @u rai! on

@aien!a Fe%ii!a! Inta%3 an! prain/ that the writ of e=eution $e ;uashe! an! that a writ ofpre%i#inar in8untion $e issue!* On ,1 Januar 1-5- the p%aintiff o$8ete! to her #otion* On .

Fe$ruar 1-5- she fi%e! a rep% thereto* On the sa#e !a3 . Fe$ruar3 the &ourt !enie! her #otion*

@ene3 this appea% ertifie! $ the &ourt of 'ppea%s to this &ourt as state! at the $e/innin/ of this

opinion*

It is true that on 2. June 1-52 Jose 6* Ba/tas3 Jr*3 son of the appe%%ant $ the %ate !efen!ant3

returne! the Sin!hi an! Bha/nari $u%%s to Ro#an Re#orin3 Superinten!ent of the NVB Station3

Bureau of 'ni#a% In!ustr3 Bao#$on/3 Nueva Viaa3 as evi!ene! $ a #e#oran!u# reeipt

si/ne! $ the %atter 9


21/24

%ent an! !e%ivere! to the !eease! hus$an! of the appe%%ant the $u%%s ha! eah an appraise! $oo

va%ue3 to with> the Sin!hi3 at +1317.*".3 the Bha/nari at +13,20*5. an! the Sahiniwa% at +7""*".* It

was not stipu%ate! that in ase of %oss of the $u%% !ue to fortuitous event the %ate hus$an! of the

appe%%ant wou%! $e e=e#pt fro# %ia$i%it*

The appe%%ants ontention that the !e#an! or praer $ the appe%%ee for the return of the $u%% or thepa#ent of its va%ue $ein/ a #one %ai# shou%! $e presente! or fi%e! in the intestate proee!in/s

of the !efen!ant who !ie! on 2, Oto$er 1-513 is not a%to/ether without #erit* @owever3 the %ai#

that his ivi% persona%it havin/ ease! to e=ist the tria% ourt %ost 8uris!ition over the ase a/ainst

hi#3 is untena$%e3 $eause setion 17 of Ru%e , of the Ru%es of &ourt provi!es that

'fter a part !ies an! the %ai# is not there$ e=tin/uishe!3 the ourt sha%% or!er3 upon

proper notie3 the %e/a% representative of the !eease! to appear an! to $e su$stitute! for

the !eease!3 within a perio! of thirt 9,0: !as3 or within suh ti#e as #a $e /rante!* * * *

an! after the !efen!ants !eath on 2, Oto$er 1-51 his ounse% fai%e! to o#p% with setion 1. of

Ru%e , whih provi!es that

Ehenever a part to a pen!in/ ase !ies * * * it sha%% $e the !ut of his attorne to infor# the

ourt pro#pt% of suh !eath * * * an! to /ive the na#e an! resi!ene of the e=eutor

a!#inistrator3 /uar!ian3 or other %e/a% representative of the !eease! * * * *

The notie $ the pro$ate ourt an! its pu$%iation in the +o# de anilathat Fe%ii!a! 6* Ba/tas ha!

$een issue %etters of a!#inistration of the estate of the %ate Jose Ba/tas an! that Ka%% persons havin/

%ai#s for #onopo% a/ainst the !eease! Jose V* Ba/tas3 arisin/ fro# ontrat e=press or i#p%ie!3

whether the sa#e $e !ue3 not !ue3 or ontin/ent3 for funera% e=penses an! e=penses of the %ast

siness of the sai! !ee!ent3 an! 8u!/#ent for #onopo% a/ainst hi#3 to fi%e sai! %ai#s with the

&%er of this &ourt at the &it @a%% B%!/*3 @i/hwa 5"3 ueon &it3 within si= 9.: #onths fro# the!ate of the first pu$%iation of this or!er3 servin/ a op thereof upon the afore#entione! Fe%ii!a!

6* Ba/tas3 the appointe! a!#inistratri= of the estate of the sai! !eease!3K is not a notie to the

ourt an! the appe%%ee who were to $e notifie! of the !efen!ants !eath in aor!ane with the

a$ove(;uote! ru%e3 an! there was no reason for suh fai%ure to notif3 $eause the attorne who

appeare! for the !efen!ant was the sa#e who represente! the a!#inistratri= in the speia%

proee!in/s institute! for the a!#inistration an! sett%e#ent of his estate* The appe%%ee or its attorne

or representative ou%! not $e e=pete! to now of the !eath of the !efen!ant or of the

a!#inistration proee!in/s of his estate institute! in another ourt that if the attorne for the

!eease! !efen!ant !i! not notif the p%aintiff or its attorne of suh !eath as re;uire! $ the ru%e*

's the appe%%ant a%rea! ha! returne! the two $u%%s to the appe%%ee3 the estate of the %ate !efen!antis on% %ia$%e for the su# of +45-*.,3 the va%ue of the $u%% whih has not $een returne! to the

appe%%ee3 $eause it was i%%e! whi%e in the usto! of the a!#inistratri= of his estate* This is the

a#ount prae! for $ the appe%%ee in its o$8etion on ,1 Januar 1-5- to the #otion fi%e! on 7

Januar 1-5- $ the appe%%ant for the ;uashin/ of the writ of e=eution*

Speia% proee!in/s for the a!#inistration an! sett%e#ent of the estate of the !eease! Jose V*

Ba/tas havin/ $een institute! in the &ourt of First Instane of Ria% 9(200:3 the #one 8u!/#ent


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ren!ere! in favor of the appe%%ee annot $e enfore! $ #eans of a writ of e=eution $ut #ust $e

presente! to the pro$ate ourt for pa#ent $ the appe%%ant3 the a!#inistratri= appointe! $ the

ourt*

'&&ORDIN)G3 the writ of e=eution appea%e! fro# is set asi!e3 without pronoune#ent as to

osts*

-eng#on, C.J., -autista "ngelo, 'abrador, Concepcion, %e&es, J.-.'., Paredes, Di#on, %egala and

aalintal, JJ., onur*

-arrera, J.,onurs in the resu%t*

Repu$%i of the +hi%ippines

SUPRE-E COURT

6ani%a


23/24

On Nove#$er 53 1-,.3 the !efen!ant3 throu/h another person3 wrote to the p%aintiff

reiteratin/ that she #a a%% for the furniture in the /roun! f%oor of the house* On the 7th of the sa#e

#onth3 the !efen!ant wrote another %etter to the p%aintiff infor#in/ her that he ou%! not /ive up the

three /as heaters an! the four e%etri %a#ps $eause he wou%! use the# unti% the 15th of the sa#e

#onth when the %ease in !ue to e=pire* The p%aintiff refuse! to /et the furniture in view of the fat that

the !efen!ant ha! !e%ine! to #ae !e%iver of a%% of the#*

On Nove#$er 15th3 $efore vaatin/ the house3 the !efen!ant !eposite! with the Sheriff a%%

the furniture $e%on/in/ to the p%aintiff an! the are now on !eposit in the warehouse situate! at No*

15213 Ria% 'venue3 in the usto! of the sai! sheriff*

In their seven assi/ne! errors the p%aintiffs onten! that the tria% ourt inorret% app%ie! the %aw> in

ho%!in/ that the vio%ate! the ontrat $ not a%%in/ for a%% the furniture on Nove#$er 53 1-,.3 when

the !efen!ant p%ae! the# at their !isposa%? in not or!erin/ the !efen!ant to pa the# the va%ue of

the furniture in ase the are not !e%ivere!? in ho%!in/ that the shou%! /et a%% the furniture fro# the

Sheriff at their e=penses? in or!erin/ the# to pa(ha%f of the e=penses %ai#e! $ the Sheriff for the

!eposit of the furniture? in ru%in/ that $oth parties shou%! pa their respetive %e/a% e=penses or theosts? an! in !enin/ pa their respetive %e/a% e=penses or the osts? an! in !enin/ the #otions

for reonsi!eration an! new tria%* To !ispose of the ase3 it is on% neessar to !ei!e whether the

!efen!ant o#p%ie! with his o$%i/ation to return the furniture upon the p%aintiffs !e#an!? whether the

%atter is $oun! to $ear the !eposit fees thereof3 an! whether she is entit%e! to the osts of %iti/ation* la0pi1.net

The ontrat entere! into $etween the parties is one of commadatum3 $eause un!er it the p%aintiff

/ratuitous% /rante! the use of the furniture to the !efen!ant3 reservin/ for herse%f the ownership

thereof? $ this ontrat the !efen!ant $oun! hi#se%f to return the furniture to the p%aintiff3 upon the

%atters !e#an! 9%ause 7 of the ontrat3


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va%ue* Shou%! the !efen!ant fai% to !e%iver so#e of the furniture3 the va%ue thereof shou%! $e %atter

!eter#ine! $ the tria% &ourt throu/h evi!ene whih the parties #a !esire to present*

The osts in $oth instanes shou%! $e $orne $ the !efen!ant $eause the p%aintiff is the prevai%in/

part 9setion "47 of the &o!e of &ivi% +roe!ure:* The !efen!ant was the one who $reahe! the

ontrat of commodatum3 an! without an reason he refuse! to return an! !e%iver a%% the furnitureupon the p%aintiffs !e#an!* In these iru#stanes3 it is 8ust an! e;uita$%e that he pa the %e/a%

e=penses an! other 8u!iia% osts whih the p%aintiff wou%! not have otherwise !efrae!*

The appea%e! 8u!/#ent is #o!ifie! an! the !efen!ant is or!ere! to return an! !e%iver to the p%aintiff3

in the resi!ene to return an! !e%iver to the p%aintiff3 in the resi!ene or house of the %atter3 a%% the

furniture !esri$e! in para/raph , of the stipu%ation of fats

Cases Commodatum

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