SPS. ARMANDO SILVERIO, SR. AND REMEDIOS SILVERIO, Petitioners, v.SPS.

RICARDO AND
EVELYN MARCELO, Respondents.
G.R. NO. 1844!
SPS. EVELYN AND RICARDO MARCELO, Petitioners, v.SPS. ARMANDO SILVERIO, SR. AND
REMEDIOS SILVERIO, Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
VILLARAMA, "R., ".#
$e%ore t&e Co'rt (re t)in petitions %or revie) on *ertior(ri 'nder R'+e 4, o% t&e 1- R'+es o% Civi+ Pro*ed're,
(s (.ended.
/&e petition1 in G.R. NO. 184!- )(s %i+ed 01 petitioners spo'ses Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio
to (ss(i+ t&e De*ision2 d(ted M(r*& 18, 2!!8 (nd Reso+'tion3 d(ted A'4'st 12, 2!!8 o% t&e Co'rt o% Appe(+s
5CA6 in CA7G.R. SP No. 81!,. /&e CA &(d (%%ir.ed t&e De*ision4 d(ted Nove.0er -, 2!!8 o% t&e Re4ion(+
/ri(+ Co'rt 5R/C6 o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& 2,8, in Civi+ C(se No. !87!!, )&i*& in t'rn, (%%ir.ed t&e
De*ision, d(ted Septe.0er 8, 2!!, o% t&e Metropo+it(n /ri(+ Co'rt 5Me/C6, $r(n*& -8 in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!47
2-1. /&e P(r(9(:'e Me/C, $r(n*& -8, &(d ordered petitioners to de.o+is& t&e i.prove.ents t&e1 &(ve
introd'*ed in Lot No. 3-8, P(r(9(:'e C(d. 2 5Lot 3-86, to pe(*e%'++1 s'rrender possession o% t&e s(.e to
respondents spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o (nd to p(1 P1,!!! per .ont& %ro. M(1 2!, 2!!4 'nti+ t&e1
&(ve done so. /&e *o'rt ( :'o +i;e)ise dire*ted petitioners to p(1 respondents P2!,!!! (s (ttorne1<s %ees
p+'s P3,!!! per (ppe(r(n*e o% t&e +(tter<s *o'nse+ (nd *osts.
Me(n)&i+e, t&e petition8 in G.R. NO. 1844! )(s %i+ed 01 petitioners spo'ses Eve+1n (nd Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o to
*ontest t&e De*ision- d(ted M(r*& 2-, 2!!8 (nd Reso+'tion8 d(ted Septe.0er 1, 2!!8 o% t&e CA in CA7G.R. SP
No. 8-13. /&e CA &(d reversed (nd set (side t&e De*ision d(ted De*e.0er 2, 2!!8 o% t&e R/C o% P(r(9(:'e
Cit1, $r(n*& 2,-, in Civi+ C(se
No. !87!23-, )&i*& in t'rn, (%%ir.ed in toto t&e De*ision1! d(ted Apri+ 2,, 2!!8 o% t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e
Cit1, $r(n*& --, in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728. /&e P(r(9(:'e Me/C, $r(n*& --, &(d ordered respondents
Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio to v(*(te t&e M(r*e+o Co.po'nd in Lot 3-8 (nd to s'rrender
possession t&ereo% to petitioners. /&e *o'rt ( :'o +i;e)ise dire*ted respondents to p(1 petitioners P1,!!! per
.ont& %ro. M(1 2!, 2!!4 'nti+ t&e1 &(ve *o.p+ete+1 .oved o't o% s(id propert1, P1!,!!! (s (ttorne1<s %ees (nd
*osts.
/&e %(*t'(+ (nte*edents o% t&ese *onso+id(ted petitions (re *'++ed %ro. t&e re*ords.
G.R. NO. 184!-
On "'+1 12, 2!!4, respondents spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o %i+ed ( Co.p+(int11 %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner
(4(inst petitioners spo'ses Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr., (nd &is .ot&er, Re.edios Si+verio. /&e *(se )(s do*;eted (s
Civi+ C(se No. 2!!472-1 0e%ore t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& -8.
Respondents represented t&e.se+ves (s t&e +()%'+ o)ners (nd possessors o% Lot 3-8, ( residenti(+ +(nd )it& (n
(re( o% ,,!!4 s:'(re .eters +o*(ted in M(r*e+o Co.po'nd, P&i+ip St. E=t., M'+tin(tion(+ Vi++(4e, P(r(9(:'e
Cit1. /&e1 *+(i.ed o)ners&ip over s(id +ot 01 virt'e o% ( De*ision12 d(ted De*e.0er 12, 18 o% t&e
Dep(rt.ent o% Environ.ent (nd N(t'r(+ Reso'r*es 5DENR6 in DENR7NCR C(se No. ,72,3 (nd /(=
De*+(r(tion No. E7!!87142.13*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Respondents (++e4ed t&(t so.eti.e in M(1 18-, petitioners so'4&t per.ission to *onstr'*t ( &o'se )it&in Lot
3-8. Respondents (4reed on t&e *ondition t&(t petitioners )i++ v(*(te t&e .o.ent t&e1 need t&e +(nd.
S'0se:'ent+1, respondents .(de (n or(+ de.(nd on petitioners to +e(ve t&e &o'se (nd ret'rn possession o% t&e +ot
)it&in 1, d(1s %ro. noti*e. In ( Letter14d(ted M(1 18, 2!!4, respondents reiter(ted t&eir de.(nd %or petitioners
to de.o+is& t&e &o'se, v(*(te t&e 12!7s:'(re7.eter +ot on )&i*& t&e &o'se st(nds (nd to p(1 P1,!!! (s rent 'nti+
t&e1 &(ve done so.
As respondents< de.(nds re.(ined 'n&eeded, t&e1 %i+ed ( *o.p+(int %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner (4(inst petitioners
0e%ore $(r(n4(1 Moon)(+; in P(r(9(:'e Cit1. /&e *(se )(s do*;eted (s $(r(n4(1 C(se No. !,>!47!,1. On
"'+1 24, 2!!4, Att1. ?ende++ E. Corone+, L'pon>P(n4;(t Se*ret(r1 o% $(r(n4(1 Moon)(+; iss'ed ( Certi%i*(tion
to @i+e A*tion1, in s(id *(se 'pon t&e re(sons A@(i+ed or re%'sed to (**ept>o0e1 s'..ons to (ppe(r %or &e(rin4A
(nd ASett+e.ent &(s 0een rep'di(ted.A
In t&eir Ans)er,18 petitioners so'4&t t&e dis.iss(+ o% t&e *o.p+(int on t&e 4ro'nd t&(t respondents &(d %i+ed (
si.i+(r *(se (4(inst t&e. 0e%ore t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& --, do*;eted (s Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728.
/&e +(tter *(se is t&e s'0Be*t o% t&e petition in G.R. NO. 1844!.
On Septe.0er 8, 2!!,, t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& -8, rendered B'd4.ent in %(vor o% respondents
M(r*e+o. /&e *o'rt ( :'o r'+ed o't %or'. s&oppin4 'pon %indin4 t&(t t&e &o'se s'0Be*t o% t&e present *(se is
di%%erent %ro. t&(t in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728. /&e str'*t're invo+ved in t&e +(tter *(se )(s Aori4in(++1 o**'pied
01 petitioners< re+(tive (nd +(ter t(;en over 01 t&e.A1- )&i+e t&e &o'se s'0Be*t o% t&e present *(se )(s
*onstr'*ted 01 petitioners t&e.se+ves. /&e Me/C &e+d t&(t petitioners %(i+ed to re%'te t&e *&(r(*ter o% t&eir
possession (s .ere+1 to+er(ted 01 respondents (nd t&e1 0e*(.e de%or*i(nts 'pon t&e +(tter<s de.(nd %or t&e. to
v(*(te t&e s'0Be*t pre.ises. /&e *o'rt ordered petitioners to p(1 respondents P1,!!! (s re(son(0+e *o.pens(tion
%or t&e 'se (nd o**'p(tion o% t&e pre.ises, (ttorne1<s %ees o% P2!,!!! (nd P3,!!! per (ppe(r(n*e o% *o'nse+ %or
respondents.
On (ppe(+, t&e P(r(9(:'e R/C, $r(n*& 2,8, (%%ir.ed t&e r'+in4 o% t&e Me/C. In ( De*ision d(ted Nove.0er -,
2!!8, t&e R/C s'st(ined respondents< ri4&t to 0rin4 (*tion to evi*t petitioners %ro. t&e *ontested propert1. It
%o'nd petitioners< *+(i. o% o)ners&ip 'ns'0st(nti(ted (nd t&eir de%ense o% %or'. s&oppin4 )it&o't .erit sin*e
t&e properties invo+ved in Civi+ C(se Nos. 2!!4728 (nd 2!!472-1 (re di%%erent %ro. e(*& ot&er.
Petitioners .oved %or re*onsider(tion 0't t&eir .otion )(s denied in (n Order18 d(ted @e0r'(r1 ,, 2!!-.
/&ere(%ter, petitioners %i+ed ( Petition %or Revie)1 'nder R'+e 42 o% t&e R'+es )it& t&e CA.
In t&e (ss(i+ed De*ision d(ted M(r*& 18, 2!!8, t&e (ppe++(te *o'rt (%%ir.ed in toto t&e R/C B'd4.ent. It %o'nd
no 0(sis to dis.iss respondents< *o.p+(int 0(sed on eit&er %or'. s&oppin4 or sp+ittin4 ( *('se o% (*tion. /&e CA
disre4(rded petitioners< (r4'.ent t&(t t&e s'0Be*t propert1 is p'0+i* +(nd in vie) o% t&eir (d.ission in t&eir
Ans)er2! t&(t respondents (re t&e o)ners (nd possessors t&ereo%.
Petitioners %i+ed ( Motion %or Re*onsider(tion21 )&i*& t&e CA denied in ( Reso+'tion22 d(ted A'4'st 12, 2!!8.
G.R. NO. 1844!
On "'+1 12, 2!!4, petitioners spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o %i+ed ( Co.p+(int23 %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner
(4(inst respondents Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr., (nd Re.edios Si+verio. /&e *(se )(s do*;eted (s Civi+ C(se No.
2!!4728 0e%ore t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& --.
Petitioners< Co.p+(int 0ore essenti(++1 t&e s(.e (++e4(tions (s t&eir Co.p+(int in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!472-1 s(ve
%or t)o (++e4(tions# 516 respondents re:'ested petitioners< per.ission to *onstr'*t ( &o'se in Lot 3-8 in M(1
188C (nd 526 respondents Ai.proved t&e &o'se (nd even oper(ted ( s(ri7s(ri storeA24 in M(r*e+o Co.po'nd.
In t&eir Ans)er2, d(ted A'4'st 3, 2!!4, respondents 0e+ied petitioners< *+(i. o% e=*+'sive o)ners&ip (nd
possession o% t&e s'0Be*t propert1. A**ordin4 to respondents, t&e +(nd in disp'te )(s %irst o**'pied 01 Gr(*i(no
M(r*e+o (+on4 )it& &is sons Ar.(ndo M(r*e+o, petitioner Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o (nd @+or(nte M(r*e+o. Respondents
(n*&or t&eir ri4&t o% possession on @+or(nte M(r*e+o, in &is *(p(*it1 (s (n ostensi0+e *o7o)ner o% t&e *ontested
propert1. @+or(nte M(r*e+o is t&e &'s0(nd o% M(ri+o' Si+verio, t&e d('4&ter o% respondents spo'ses Si+verio.
S'0se:'ent+1, petitioners s'0.itted (n A.ended Co.p+(int28 d(ted A'4'st 14, 2!!4, in )&i*& t&e1 *+(ri%ied
t&(t it )(s t&e spo'ses @+or(nte M(r*e+o (nd M(ri+o' Si+verio, (nd not t&e respondents, )&o so'4&t t&eir *onsent
to 0'i+d ( &o'se (nd +ive in M(r*e+o Co.po'nd. Petitioners re*o'nted t&(t it )(s (%ter @+or(nte M(r*e+o (nd
M(ri+o' Si+verio sep(r(ted in 18 (nd (0(ndoned s(id &o'se t&(t respondents (s;ed %or per.ission to st(1
t&erein. Petitioners (4reed 'pon (n 'nderst(ndin4 t&(t respondents s&(++ Adis.(nt+e s(id &o'se t&e .o.ent
petitioners need t&e pre.ises.A2- Do)ever, respondents re%'sed to .ove o't (nd s'rrender possession o% t&e
s'0Be*t propert1 'pon de.(nd.
In ( De.(nd Letter28 d(ted M(1 18, 2!!4, petitioners insisted on t&eir de.(nd %or respondents to de.o+is& t&e
&o'se t&e1 0'i+t, v(*(te t&e 8!7s:'(re7.eter +ot on )&i*& it st(nds, to s'rrender pe(*e%'+ possession o% t&e s(.e
(nd to p(1 P1,!!! (s rent 'nti+ t&e1 &(ve done so.
As respondents i4nored petitioners< de.(nds, t&e +(tter 0ro'4&t ( *o.p+(int %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner (4(inst
respondents 0e%ore $(r(n4(1 Moon)(+; in P(r(9(:'e Cit1. /&e *(se )(s do*;eted (s $(r(n4(1 C(se No. !,>!47
!-!. On "'+1 24, 2!!4, Att1. ?ende++ E. Corone+, L'pon>P(n4;(t Se*ret(r1 o% $(r(n4(1 Moon)(+; iss'ed (
Certi%i*(tion to @i+e A*tion2 in s(id *(se 'pon t&e re(sons A@(i+ed or re%'sed to (**ept>o0e1 s'..ons to (ppe(r
%or &e(rin4A (nd ASett+e.ent &(s 0een rep'di(ted.A
In (n Ans)er3! d(ted Septe.0er 8, 2!!4, respondents (ss(i+ed t&e DENR De*ision d(ted De*e.0er 12, 18
%or s'pposed+1 ()(rdin4 o)ners&ip o% t&e s'0Be*t propert1 to petitioners. A**ordin4 to respondents, Gr(*i(no
M(r*e+o, Sr., petitioner Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o<s %(t&er, )(s ( ten(nt o% @(0i(n L'.0os 0e%ore t&e +(tter so+d &is +(nd to
Mi;e Ve+(rde. S'0se:'ent+1, Ve+(rde %en*ed t&e s'0Be*t propert1, )&i*& respondents insist is not p(rt o% t&e
p(r*e+s t&(t L'.0os so+d to Ve+(rde. Epon t&e 0e+ie% t&(t Lot 3-8 is sti++ 4overn.ent propert1, t&e sons o%
Gr(*i(no M(r*e+o, Sr., in*+'din4 petitioner Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o (nd @+or(nte M(r*e+o, divided t&e +(nd (.on4
t&e.se+ves (nd o**'pied t&e s(.e. On t&e tr(*t (++otted to @+or(nte, &e too; in respondent Re.edios Si+verio to
+ive )it& &i. (nd &is )i%e, M(ri+o'.
Respondents (verred t&(t it )(s in 1- )&en t&e M(r*e+os *on*eived t&e ide( o% (pp+1in4 %or ( s(+es p(tent
over Lot 3-8 )it& t&e DENR. /&e M(r*e+o si0+in4s (ppointed petitioner Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o to %i+e t&e
Mis*e++(neo's S(+es App+i*(tion 5MSA6 in t&eir 0e&(+%, s&(rin4 t&e e=penses (.on4 t&e.se+ves. Do)ever, it
)(s not 'nti+ +(ter t&(t t&e M(r*e+o si0+in4s +e(rned t&(t Ri*(rdo &(d %i+ed t&e (pp+i*(tion in &is n(.e (+one.
Respondents reve(+ed t&(t Ri*(rdo &(d so+d sever(+ portions o% Lot 3-8 even 0e%ore &e *o'+d (pp+1 %or ( s(+es
p(tent t&ereon.
On @e0r'(r1 3, 2!!,, respondents %i+ed ( S'pp+e.ent(+ Ans)er31 in )&i*& t&e1 *&(r4ed petitioners )it& %or'.
s&oppin4 %or %i+in4 (not&er eBe*t.ent *(se (4(inst t&e., do*;eted (s Civi+ C(se No. 2!!472-1 0e%ore $r(n*& -8
o% t&e P(r(9(:'e Me/C.
In ( De*ision d(ted Apri+ 2,, 2!!8, t&e Me/C o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1, $r(n*& --, r'+ed %or petitioners M(r*e+o. /&e
*o'rt ( :'o ordered respondents to v(*(te t&e s'0Be*t propert1, to s'rrender pe(*e%'+ possession t&ereo% to
petitioners, to 4ive re(son(0+e rent %ro. M(1 2!, 2!!4 'nti+ t&e1 &(ve .oved o't (nd to p(1 (ttorne1<s %ees (nd
*osts.
On t&e 0(sis o% t&e De*ision d(ted De*e.0er 12, 18 o% t&e DENR, t&e Me/C de*+(red petitioners t&e o)ners
o% t&e s'0Be*t propert1, )it& *on*o.it(nt ri4&t to possess it. /&e *o'rt %o'nd no eviden*e to s'pport respondents<
possessor1 *+(i. (nd *onsidered t&eir o**'p(tion o% t&e s'0Be*t +(nd (s .ere+1 to+er(ted 01 petitioners. /&e
*o'rt ( :'o dis*o'nted %or'. s&oppin4 'pon %indin4 t&(t t&e &o'se *on*erned in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!472-1 )(s
0'i+t 01 petitioners )&ere(s t&e &o'se in t&is *(se )(s on+1 t(;en over 01 t&e..
In ( De*ision d(ted De*e.0er 2, 2!!8, t&e P(r(9(:'e R/C, $r(n*& 2,-, (%%ir.ed in toto t&e Me/C r'+in4. /&e
R/C de*+(red petitioners (s t&e +()%'+ possessors o% t&e s'0Be*t propert1 01 virt'e o% /(= De*+(r(tion No. E7
!!87142 in t&e n(.e o% petitioner Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o. It e=p+(ined t&(t @+or(nte M(r*e+o<s (%%init1 )it&
petitioner Ri*(rdo, (+one, did not ('to.(ti*(++1 .(;e &i. ( *o7o)ner o% t&e *ontested propert1.
Diss(tis%ied, respondents e+ev(ted t&e *(se to t&e CA t&ro'4& ( Petition32 %or revie) 'nder R'+e 42.
In t&e (ss(i+ed De*ision d(ted M(r*& 2-, 2!!8, t&e CA reversed (nd set (side t&e R/C B'd4.ent. It 0r's&ed (side
t&e (++e4ed pro*ed'r(+ in%ir.ities t&(t (ttended t&e %i+in4 o% respondents< petition %or 0ein4 trivi(+ (nd ins'%%i*ient
to )(rr(nt its dis.iss(+. /&e (ppe++(te *o'rt %o'nd petitioners 4'i+t1 o% %or'. s&oppin4 (nd sp+ittin4 o% ( *('se
o% (*tion. It o0served t&(t t&e t)o *(ses %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner %i+ed 01 petitioners (re 0(sed on ( sin4+e *+(i. o%
o)ners&ip over Lot 3-8 )&i*& e.0r(*es t&e s'0Be*t properties. /&e CA e=p+(ins t&(t (n (dB'di*(tion in eit&er
s'it t&(t petitioners (re entit+ed to t&e possession o% Lot No. 3-8 )o'+d ne*ess(ri+1 .e(n res B'di*(t( in t&e
ot&er *(se. /&e (ppe++(te *o'rt noted t&(t t&e de.(nd +etter in 0ot& *(ses )(s served on respondents on t&e s(.e
d(1.
Iss'es>Assi4n.ent o% Errors
On Septe.0er 2, 2!!8, spo'ses Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio %i+ed ( petition %or revie)
on *ertior(ri )&i*& )(s do*;eted (s G.R. NO. 184!-. S(id petition, )&i*& see;s to reverse (nd set (side t&e
De*ision d(ted M(r*& 18, 2!!8 (nd Reso+'tion d(ted A'4'st 12, 2!!8 o% t&e CA in CA7G.R. SP No. 81!,,
(ssi4ns ( +one error#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
/DE COER/ O@ APPEALS, ?I/D ALL DEE RESPEC/, SERIOESLY ERRED AND GRAVELY A$ESED
I/S DISCRE/ION IN DISMISSING /DE APPEAL IN/ERPOSED $Y PE/I/IONERS IN /DE A$OVE7
EN/I/LED CASE ON /ECDNICALI/IES AND DAS DECIDED A FEES/ION O@ SE$S/ANCE, NO/
/DERE/O@ORE DE/ERMINED $Y /DE SEPREME COER/, AND>OR DAS DECIDED I/ IN A ?AY
PRO$A$LY NO/ IN ACCORD ?I/D LA? OR ?I/D /DE APPLICA$LE DECISIONS O@ /DE
DONORA$LE SEPREME COER/.33*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
A %e) d(1s +(ter, on O*to0er 2, 2!!8, spo'ses Eve+1n (nd Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o %i+ed ( Petition %or Revie)
on Certior(ri )&i*& )(s do*;eted (s G.R. NO. 1844!. S(id petition, in t'rn, *ontests t&e De*ision d(ted M(r*&
2-, 2!!8 (nd t&e Reso+'tion d(ted Septe.0er 1, 2!!8 o% t&e CA in CA7G.R. SP No. 8-13. Condensed, t&e
iss'es presented 01 petitioners (re (s %o++o)s# 516 ?&et&er t&e %i+in4 o% sep(r(te *o.p+(ints %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner
(4(inst t&e s(.e +essees )&o re%'se to v(*(te, on de.(nd, t)o di%%erent &o'ses *onstit'tes %or'. s&oppin4 (nd
sp+ittin4 o% ( *('se o% (*tionC 526 ?&et&er t&e CA erred in dis.issin4 Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728C (nd 536 ?&et&er
t&e inst(nt petition )(s %i+ed se(son(0+1.
Essenti(++1, t&e :'estions t&(t .'st 0e (ddressed in t&e *onso+id(ted petitions 0e%ore 's (re *o..on# 516 Are t&e
spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o 4'i+t1 o% %or'. s&oppin4G (nd 526 ?&o 0et)een t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (nd
t&e Si+verios &(ve 0etter ri4&t to t&e p&1si*(+ possession o% Lot 3-8G
/&e P(rties< Ar4'.ents
Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio (++e4e .(in+1 t&(t spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o en4(4ed in
%or'. s&oppin4 (nd sp+it ( *o..on *('se o% (*tion )&en t&e1 %i+ed sep(r(te *o.p+(ints %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner
0(sed on ( sin4+e *+(i. o% o)ners&ip over Lot No. 3-8. /&e Si+verios .(int(in t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (re
si.p+1 (pp+i*(nts %or t&e iss'(n*e o% ( s(+es p(tent over Lot No. 3-8 (nd (re (*t'(++1 o**'p1in4 on+1 ,! s:'(re
.eters o% t&e ,,!2!7s:'(re7.eter propert1. In s'pport t&ereo%, t&e Si+verios invo;e t&e De*ision34 d(ted "'+1 11,
2!!- o% t&e DENR )&i*& (nn'++ed (nd *(n*e+ed t&e MSA %i+ed 01 t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o over Lot No. 3-8.
E+ti.(te+1, t&e Si+verios insist t&(t t&e s'0Be*t propert1 re.(ins ( p'0+i* +(nd.
In t&eir *onso+id(ted Me.or(nd'.3, %or G.R. Nos. 184!- (nd 1844!, spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o
denied t&e (++e4(tions o% %or'. s&oppin4 (nd sp+ittin4 ( sin4+e *('se o% (*tion. /&e1 (ssert t&e %o++o)in4
distin*tions 0et)een t&e &o'ses invo+ved in Civi+ C(se Nos. 2!!4728 (nd 2!!472-1# 516 t&e &o'se in Civi+ C(se
No. 2!!472-1 )(s 0'i+t 01 t&e Si+verios in M(1 18- )&i+e t&e &o'se s'0Be*t o% Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728 )(s
*onstr'*ted 01 @+or(nte M(r*e+o (nd M(ri+o' Si+verio in M(1 188C (nd 526 t&e &o'se in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!47
2-1 &(s 0een o**'pied 01 t&e Si+verios %ro. t&e 0e4innin4 )&i+e t&e1 .ere+1 too; over t&e &o'se re%erred to in
Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728 (nd p't 'p ( s(ri7s(ri store t&erein. /&e spo'ses M(r*e+o *ontend t&(t )&i+e t&e1 *+(i.
o)ners&ip o% Lot No. 3-8 (s ( )&o+e, t&e portions t&ereo% on )&i*& t&e t)o &o'ses st(nd (re distin*t 77 one &(s
(n (re( o% 8! s:'(re .eters )&i+e t&e ot&er .e(s'res 12! s:'(re .eters. In vie) o% t&is, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o
0e+ieve t&(t t&e re%'s(+ 01 t&e Si+verios to v(*(te s(id &o'ses vio+(ted (t +e(st t)o ri4&ts (nd 4(ve rise to sep(r(te
*('ses o% (*tion.
/&e Co'rt<s R'+in4
En+()%'+ det(iner is (n (*tion to re*over possession o% re(+ propert1 %ro. one )&o i++e4(++1 )it&&o+ds
possession (%ter t&e e=pir(tion or ter.in(tion o% &is ri4&t to &o+d possession 'nder (n1 *ontr(*t, e=press or
i.p+ied. /&e possession o% t&e de%end(nt in 'n+()%'+ det(iner is ori4in(++1 +e4(+ 0't 0e*(.e i++e4(+ d'e to t&e
e=pir(tion or ter.in(tion o% t&e ri4&t to possess.38 In (n 'n+()%'+ det(iner *(se, t&e so+e iss'e %or reso+'tion is
p&1si*(+ or .(teri(+ possession o% t&e propert1 invo+ved, independent o% (n1 *+(i. o% o)ners&ip 01 (n1 o% t&e
p(rties. ?&ere t&e iss'e o% o)ners&ip is r(ised 01 (n1 o% t&e p(rties, t&e *o'rts .(1 p(ss 'pon t&e s(.e in order
to deter.ine )&o &(s t&e ri4&t to possess t&e propert1. /&e (dB'di*(tion is, &o)ever, .ere+1 provision(+ (nd
)o'+d not 0(r or preB'di*e (n (*tion 0et)een t&e s(.e p(rties invo+vin4 tit+e to t&e
propert1.3-*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Dere, t&e spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n M(r*e+o 0ro'4&t sep(r(te *o.p+(ints %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner (4(inst
Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio 0(sed on t&eir re%'s(+ to v(*(te t)o &o'ses inside t&e M(r*e+o
Co.po'nd. In 0ot& Civi+ C(se Nos. 2!!472838 (nd 2!!472-1, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (n*&or t&eir ri4&t o%
possession over t&e s'0Be*t properties on /(= De*+(r(tion No. E7!!87142 (nd on t&e De*ision d(ted De*e.0er
12, 18 o% t&e DENR in DENR7NCR C(se No. ,72,3. /&e DENR 4(ve d'e *o'rse to t&e MSA %i+ed 01 t&e
spo'ses M(r*e+o over Lot 3-8, )&ere t&e M(r*e+o Co.po'nd is sit'(ted.
@or t&eir p(rt, t&e Si+verios see; t&e dis.iss(+ o% 0ot& *o.p+(ints on t&e 4ro'nds o% %or'. s&oppin4 (nd sp+ittin4
( sin4+e *('se o% (*tion.
@or'. s&oppin4 is ( dep+or(0+e pr(*ti*e o% +iti4(nts *onsistin4 o% resort to t)o di%%erent %or( %or t&e p'rpose o%
o0t(inin4 t&e s(.e re+ie%, to in*re(se t&e *&(n*es o% o0t(inin4 ( %(vor(0+e B'd4.ent.3 /&e 4r(ve evi+ so'4&t to
0e (voided 01 t&e r'+e (4(inst %or'. s&oppin4 is t&e rendition 01 t)o *o.petent tri0'n(+s o% t)o sep(r(te (nd
*ontr(di*tor1 de*isions.4!*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
In C&'( v. Metropo+it(n $(n; H /r'st Co.p(n1,41 t&e Co'rt en'.er(ted t&e )(1s 01 )&i*& %or'. s&oppin4
.(1 0e *o..itted#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
@or'. s&oppin4 *(n 0e *o..itted in t&ree )(1s# 516 %i+in4 .'+tip+e *(ses 0(sed on t&e s(.e *('se o% (*tion (nd
)it& t&e s(.e pr(1er, t&e previo's *(se not &(vin4 0een reso+ved 1et 5)&ere t&e 4ro'nd %or dis.iss(+ is +itis
pendenti(6C 526 %i+in4 .'+tip+e *(ses 0(sed on t&e s(.e *('se o% (*tion (nd t&e s(.e pr(1er, t&e previo's *(se
&(vin4 0een %in(++1 reso+ved 5)&ere t&e 4ro'nd %or dis.iss(+ is res B'di*(t(6C (nd 536 %i+in4 .'+tip+e *(ses 0(sed
on t&e s(.e *('se o% (*tion, 0't )it& di%%erent pr(1ers 5sp+ittin4 o% *('ses o% (*tion, )&ere t&e 4ro'nd %or
dis.iss(+ is (+so eit&er +itis pendenti( or res B'di*(t(6.42*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Co..on to t&ese t1pes o% %or'. s&oppin4 is t&e identit1 o% t&e *('se o% (*tion in t&e di%%erent *(ses %i+ed. C('se
o% (*tion is de%ined (s At&e (*t or o.ission 01 )&i*& ( p(rt1 vio+(tes t&e ri4&t o%
(not&er.A43*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
In t&is *(se, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o %i+ed t)o *(ses %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner (4(inst Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd
Re.edios Si+verio on "'+1 12, 2!!4. In Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728, t&e *('se o% (*tion is t&e (++e4ed 'n+()%'+
)it&&o+din4 o% possession 01 t&e Si+verios o% t&e &o'se )&i*& @+or(nte M(r*e+o (nd M(ri+o' Si+verio
*onstr'*ted in Lot 3-8. On t&e ot&er &(nd, t&e *('se o% (*tion in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!472-1 %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner
is t&e s'pposed 'n+()%'+ )it&&o+din4 o% possession 01 t&e Si+verios o% t&e &o'se )&i*& t&e1, t&e.se+ves, 0'i+t in
Lot 3-8. ?&i+e t&e .(in re+ie% so'4&t in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728 (ppe(rs to 0e di%%erent %ro. t&(t in Civi+
C(se No. 2!!472-1, t&e ri4&t on )&i*& 0ot& *+(i.s (re &in4ed is t&e s(.e t&e p'rported o)ners&ip 01 t&e
spo'ses M(r*e+o o% Lot 3-8. Indeed, p(r(4r(p& 3 o% t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o<s Co.p+(int in 0ot& *(ses si.i+(r+1
re(d#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
3. P+(inti%%s (re t&e +()%'+ o)ners (nd possessors o% ( residenti(+ +ot *ont(inin4 (n (re( o% ,,!!4 s:. .. ;no)n (s
Lot 3-8 P(r(9(:'e C(d. 2 01 virt'e o% ( %in(+ (nd e=e*'tor1 de*ision o% t&e L(nd M(n(4e.ent $'re('
5DENR6 pro.'+4(ted on De*. 12, 18 (nd /(= De*. No. E7!!8!837-- iss'ed in t&eir n(.e 01 t&e Cit1 Assessor
o% P(r(9(:'e Cit1. Certi%ied tr'e *op1 o% /(= De*. No. E7!!87142 is &ereto (tt(*&ed (s AAnne=
AAA. 44*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
$(si*(++1, t&e *('se o% (*tion in 0ot& *(ses is t&e 'n+()%'+ )it&&o+din4 01 t&e Si+verios o% Lot 3-8.
?e %ind no .erit in t&e *ontention o% t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o t&(t Civi+ C(se Nos. 2!!4728 (nd 2!!472-1 present
distin*t *('ses o% (*tion sin*e t&e1 pert(in to sep(r(te portions o% t&e M(r*e+o Co.po'nd. /&e (n(+o41 dr()n 01
t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o 0et)een t&e eBe*t.ent o% ( ten(nt +e(sin4 sever(+ 'nits o% ( *ondo.ini'. proBe*t (nd t&e
'n+()%'+ det(iner *(ses t&e1 0ro'4&t (4(inst t&e Si+verios is .isp+(*ed. In t&e %or.er, t&ere e=ists ( +essor7+essee
re+(tions&ip 0et)een t&e o)ner o% t&e *ondo.ini'. (nd t&e ten(nt, respe*tive+1. Den*e, t&e ri4&ts (nd d'ties o%
t&e *ondo.ini'. o)ner (nd t&e ten(nt (re de%ined 01 t&e ter.s o% t&e *ontr(*t. In *ontr(st, t&e p(rties in t&is
*(se present (dverse possessor1 *+(i.s over t&ose portions o% Lot 3-8 in )&i*& t&e &o'ses *on*erned (re
sit'(ted.
In p(rti*'+(r, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (ssert 0etter ri4&t o% possession 0(sed on t&eir (++e4ed ri4&t (s A+()%'+ o)ners
(nd possessors o% ( residenti(+ +ot *ont(inin4 (n (re( o% ,,!!4 s:. .. ;no)n (s Lot 3-8 P(r(9(:'e C(d. 2 01
virt'e o% ( %in(+ (nd e=e*'tor1 de*ision o% t&e L(nd M(n(4e.ent $'re(' 5DENR6 pro.'+4(ted on De*. 12, 18
(nd /(= De*. No. E7!!87!837-- iss'ed in t&eir n(.e 01 t&e Cit1 Assessor o% P(r(9(:'e.A4, @or t&eir p(rt, t&e
Si+verios *+(i. 0etter ri4&t o% possession on (**o'nt o% t&eir (*t'(+ o**'p(tion o% t&e s'0Be*t properties. In eit&er
*(se, ( %indin4 t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o &(ve 0etter ri4&t to possess t&e s'0Be*t propert1 *o'+d on+1 0e pre.ised
on t&eir +()%'+ possession o% t&e entire Lot No. 3-8, P(r(9(:'e C(d. 2. It %o++o)s, t&ere%ore, t&(t ( %in(+
(dB'di*(tion in %(vor o% t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o in one *(se )o'+d *onstit'te res B'di*(t( in t&e ot&er.
In A4'stin v. De+os S(ntos,48 t&e Co'rt *ited t&ree tests to veri%1 )&et&er t&ere is identit1 o% *('ses o% (*tion %or
p'rposes o% (pp+1in4 t&e prin*ip+e o% res B'di*(t(. /&e %irst test is t&e A(0sen*e o% in*onsisten*1 testA )&ere it is
deter.ined )&et&er t&e B'd4.ent so'4&t )i++ 0e in*onsistent )it& t&e prior B'd4.ent. I% no in*onsisten*1 is
s&o)n, t&e prior B'd4.ent s&(++ not *onstit'te ( 0(r to s'0se:'ent (*tions.4- /&e .ore *o..on (ppro(*& in
(s*ert(inin4 identit1 o% *('ses o% (*tion is t&e As(.e eviden*e test,A )&ere01 t&e %o++o)in4 :'estion serves (s (
s'%%i*ient *riterion# A)o'+d t&e s(.e eviden*e s'pport (nd est(0+is& 0ot& t&e present (nd %or.er *('ses o%
(*tionGA I% t&e (ns)er is in t&e (%%ir.(tive, t&en t&e prior B'd4.ent is ( 0(r to t&e s'0se:'ent (*tionC *onverse+1,
it is not.48 Aside %ro. t&e A(0sen*e o% in*onsisten*1 testA (nd As(.e eviden*e test,A )e &(ve (+so r'+ed t&(t (
previo's B'd4.ent oper(tes (s ( 0(r to ( s'0se:'ent one )&en it &(d to'*&ed on ( .(tter (+re(d1 de*ided, or i%
t&e p(rties (re in e%%e*t A+iti4(tin4 %or t&e s(.e t&in4.A4*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
/&e A(0sen*e o% in*onsisten*1 testA %inds no (pp+i*(tion in t&is *(se sin*e it pres'pposes t&(t ( %in(+ B'd4.ent
&(s 0een rendered in t&e %irst *(se. $1 (pp+1in4 t&e As(.e eviden*e test,A &o)ever, it 0e*o.es (pp(rent t&(t t&e
proo% ne*ess(r1 to o0t(in (%%ir.(tive re+ie% in Civi+ C(se No. 2!!4728 is t&e s(.e (s t&(t in Civi+ C(se No.
2!!472-1. Sin*e t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (re *+(i.in4 so+e o)ners&ip o% Lot 3-8 in t&eir MSA, t&e eviden*e
needed to est(0+is& 0etter ri4&t o% possession over t&e &o'se *onstr'*ted 01 @+or(nte M(r*e+o (nd M(ri+o'
Si+verio, (nd t&e one 0'i+t 01 t&e Si+verios is t&e s(.e, re4(rd+ess o% t&e %(*t t&(t t&e1 )ere 0'i+t on sep(r(te
portions o% s(id +ot. ?e &(ve r'+ed ti.e (nd (4(in t&(t A( p(rt1 *(nnot, 01 v(r1in4 t&e %or. o% (*tion, or (doptin4
( di%%erent .et&od o% presentin4 &is *(se, es*(pe t&e oper(tion o% t&e prin*ip+e t&(t one (nd t&e s(.e *('se o%
(*tion s&(++ not 0e t)i*e +iti4(ted.A,!*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Evident+1, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o en4(4ed in %or'. s&oppin4 01 %i+in4 sep(r(te *(ses %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner 0(sed
on ( sin4+e *+(i. o% o)ners&ip over Lot 3-8. S(id (*t is +i;e)ise t(nt(.o'nt to sp+ittin4 ( *('se o% (*tion
)&i*&, in t&is *(se, is ( *('se %or dis.iss(+ on t&e 4ro'nd o% +itis pendenti(. On t&is s*ore (+one, t&e petition %or
revie) on *ertior(ri %i+ed 01 t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o in G.R. Nos. 1844! .'st %(i+, (+on4side t&eir (ver.ents in
G.R. NO. 184!-.
In (n1 *(se, even i% )e *on%ront t&e iss'e (s to )&o 0et)een t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (nd t&e Si+verios &(ve 0etter
ri4&t o% possession over t&e s'0Be*t properties, t&e %or.er )o'+d sti++ not prev(i+.
As e(r+ier st(ted, t&e DENR7NCR &(d *(n*e+ed t&e MSA %i+ed 01 t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o in its De*ision,1 d(ted
"'+1 11, 2!!-. /&e Dep(rt.ent %o'nd t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o %(i+ed to s(tis%1 t&e re:'ire.ents %or t&e
(*:'isition o% Lot 3-8 'nder t&e P'0+i* L(nd A*t. /&e DENR7NCR *+(ri%ied t&(t t&e De*ision d(ted De*e.0er
12, 18 4(ve d'e *o'rse to t&e (pp+i*(tion, not on+1 o% t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o, 0't (+so t&ose o% ot&er (pp+i*(nts.
It 4(ve )ei4&t to t&e %indin4s in t&e o*'+(r inspe*tion t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o (re (*t'(++1 o**'p1in4 on+1 ,!
s:'(re .eters o% Lot 3-8 )&i+e t&e re.(inin4 portions (re in&(0ited 01 111 %(.i+ies. /&e DENR7NCR (dds
t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o *(nnot *+(i. t&e entire Lot No. 3-8 sin*e Rep'0+i* A*t No. -3!,2 +i.its t&e (re( o%
+(nd t&(t .(1 0e (pp+ied %or to 1,!!! s:'(re .eters.,3 In *on*+'sion, t&e DENR7NCR &e+d t&(t Lot 3-8
re.(ins ( p'0+i* +(nd (nd its d)e++ers .(1 (pp+1 %or t&e p'r*&(se o% t&ose portions t&(t t&e1 (re (*t'(++1
o**'p1in4.
@(*t'(+ *onsider(tions re+(tin4 to +(nds o% t&e p'0+i* do.(in proper+1 rest )it&in t&e (d.inistr(tive *o.peten*e
o% t&e Dire*tor o% L(nds (nd t&e DENR. @indin4s o% (d.inistr(tive (4en*ies, )&i*& &(ve (*:'ired e=pertise
0e*('se o% t&eir B'risdi*tion, (re *on%ined to spe*i%i* .(tters (nd (re (**orded respe*t, i% not %in(+it1, 01 t&e
*o'rts. Even i% t&e1 (re not 0indin4 to *ivi+ *o'rts e=er*isin4 B'risdi*tion over eBe*t.ent *(ses, s'*& %(*t'(+
%indin4s deserve 4re(t *onsider(tion (nd (re (**orded .'*& )ei4&t.,4*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Nonet&e+ess, t&e de*+(r(tion 01 t&e DENR7NCR t&(t Lot 3-8 is sti++ p(rt o% t&e p'0+i* do.(in does not .e(n
t&(t neit&er o% t&e p(rties is entit+ed to t&e possession o% t&e s'0Be*t properties. In P(B'1o v. Co'rt o%
Appe(+s,,, )e reiter(ted t&e po+i*1 0e&ind t&e s'..(r1 (*tion o% %or*i0+e entr1 (nd 'n+()%'+ det(iner,
t&'s#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
It .'st 0e st(ted t&(t t&e p'rpose o% (n (*tion o% %or*i0+e entr1 (nd det(iner is t&(t, re4(rd+ess o% t&e (*t'(+
*ondition o% t&e tit+e to t&e propert1, t&e p(rt1 in pe(*e(0+e :'iet possession s&(++ not 0e t'rned o't 01 stron4
&(nd, vio+en*e or terror. In (%%ordin4 t&is re.ed1 o% restit'tion t&e o0Be*t o% t&e st(t'te is to prevent 0re(*&es o%
t&e pe(*e (nd *ri.in(+ disorder )&i*& )o'+d ens'e %ro. t&e )it&dr()(+ o% t&e re.ed1, (nd t&e re(son(0+e &ope
s'*& )it&dr()(+ )o'+d *re(te t&(t so.e (dv(nt(4e .'st (**r'e to t&ose persons )&o, 0e+ievin4 t&e.se+ves
entit+ed to t&e possession o% propert1, resort to %or*e to 4(in possession r(t&er t&(n to so.e (ppropri(te (*tion in
t&e *o'rts to (ssert t&eir *+(i.s. /&is is t&e p&i+osop&1 (t t&e %o'nd(tion o% (++ t&ese (*tions o% %or*i0+e entr1 (nd
det(iner )&i*& (re desi4ned to *o.pe+ t&e p(rt1 o't o% possession to respe*t (nd resort to t&e +() (+one to o0t(in
)&(t &e *+(i.s is &is.,8*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
/&e p(rties in P(B'1o )ere in%or.(+ sett+ers on t&e p'0+i* +(nd )&i*& )(s t&e s'0Be*t o% s(id *(se. ?e r'+ed t&(t
sin*e t&e 4overn.ent, )&i*& &(s tit+e or 0etter ri4&t over t&e propert1 )(s not i.p+e(ded in t&e *(se, t&e Co'rt
*(nnot, on its o)n, evi*t t&e p(rties. ?e re*o4niIed 0etter ri4&t o% possession in %(vor o% t&e petitioner t&erein
)&o 0e4(n o**'p1in4 t&e disp'ted propert1 (&e(d o% t&e respondents in s(id *(se.
A *(se )it& p(r(++e+ %(*t'(+ .i+ie' is Modesto v. Er0in(.,- Li;e t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o, t&e respondents in s(id
*(se re+ied on ( MSA (nd t(= de*+(r(tions to s'0st(nti(te t&eir *+(i. o% possession over t&e *ontested +(nd
t&erein. In r'+in4 %or t&e petitioners in s(id *(se, t&e Co'rt stressed t&(t t&e .ere de*+(r(tion o% +(nd %or t(=(tion
p'rposes does not *onstit'te possession t&ereo% nor is it proo% o% o)ners&ip in t&e (0sen*e o% t&e *+(i.(nt<s
(*t'(+ possession.,8 ?e e=p+(ined t&(t 'n+ess ( p'0+i* +(nd is s&o)n to &(ve 0een re*+(ssi%ied (s (+ien(0+e or
(*t'(++1 (+ien(ted 01 t&e St(te to ( priv(te person, t&(t pie*e o% +(nd re.(ins p(rt o% t&e p'0+i* do.(in, (nd its
o**'p(tion, in t&e *on*ept o% o)ner, no .(tter &o) +on4, *(nnot *on%er o)ners&ip or possessor1 ri4&ts., /&is
%inds s'pport in Se*tion 88 o% t&e P'0+i* L(nd A*t, )&i*& provides#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Se*tion 88. /&e tr(*t or tr(*ts o% +(nd reserved 'nder t&e provisions o% se*tion ei4&t17t&ree s&(++ 0e non7(+ien(0+e
(nd s&(++ not 0e s'0Be*t to o**'p(tion, entr1, s(+e, +e(se, or ot&er disposition 'nti+ (4(in de*+(red (+ien(0+e 'nder
t&e provisions o% t&is A*t or 01 pro*+(.(tion o% t&e President.
In ( Certi%i*(tion8! d(ted "'ne 8, 2!!8, S(.son G. de Leon, t&e Re4ion(+ /e*&ni*(+ Dire*tor %or L(nds o% t&e
DENR7NCR st(ted t&(t#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
/&is is to *erti%1 t&(t Lot 3-8 C(d 2, P(r(9(:'e C(d(stre sit'(ted (t S(n Dionisio, P(r(9(:'e, Metro M(ni+(,
*ont(inin4 (n (re( o% ,,!2-.!! s:'(re .eters &(s 0een veri%ied 0(sed on (v(i+(0+e re*ords o% t&is O%%i*e to 0e
'nder ProBe*t No. 2,, *+(ssi%ied (s A+ien(0+e or Dispos(0+e P'0+i* L(nd, *erti%ied (s s'*& on 3 "(n'(r1 188 per
$@D L.C. M(p No. 2323.
= = =
/&is is to %'rt&er *erti%1 t&(t (s per Certi%i*(tion d(ted 1, De*e.0er 2!!, iss'ed 01 Re*ords O%%i*er II Anit( $.
I0(rdo+(s( )&i*& is &ereto (tt(*&ed, no +(nd p(tent &(s 0een iss'ed over t&e s(.e or (n1 portion t&ereo%.
= = =. 5E.p&(sis s'pp+ied.6
It is 'ndisp'ted 01 t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o t&(t t&e Si+verios present+1 o**'p1 t&ose portions o% Lot 3-8 )&i*& (re
t&e s'0Be*ts o% t&e *onso+id(ted petitions 0e%ore 's. In p(rti*'+(r, t&e Si+verios tie t&eir possession o% t&e p(r*e+ (t
iss'e in G.R. NO. 1844! to @+or(nte M(r*e+o )&o (ppropri(ted ( portion o% Lot 3-8 %or &i.se+%, (nd )it& &is
)i%e, *onstr'*ted ( &o'se t&ereon in 188. As re4(rds t&e portion o% Lot 3-8 s'0Be*t o% G.R. NO. 184!-, t&e
Si+verios &(ve est(0+is&ed t&eir d)e++in4 t&ereon in 18- 7 +on4 (%ter Lot 3-8 )(s *+(ssi%ied (s (+ien(0+e (nd
dispos(0+e p'0+i* +(nd on "(n'(r1 3, 188.
Me(n)&i+e, t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o insist on t&eir 0etter ri4&t to possess t&e *ontested p(r*e+s (s &o+ders o% /(=
De*+(r(tion No. E7!!87142 in t&e n(.e o% Ri*(rdo M(r*e+o. S(id t(= de*+(r(tion, )&i*& *overs Lot 3-8, )(s
iss'ed %or t&e 1e(r 2!!, (nd *(n*e+ed /(= De*+(r(tion No. E7!!8718821, (+so 'nder t&e n(.e o% Ri*(rdo
M(r*e+o. Ot&er t&(n s(id t(= de*+(r(tion, &o)ever, )e %o'nd not&in4 in t&e re*ords o% t&ese *(ses to s&o) t&(t
t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o &(ve 0een *onsistent+1 p(1in4 t(=es on Lot 3-8. ?e note t&(t /(= De*+(r(tion No. E7!!87
142 )(s iss'ed %(ir+1 re*ent+1, (nd 01 itse+%, is in(de:'(te to *onvin*e t&e Co'rt t&(t t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o &(ve
0een in open, *ontin'o's (nd e=*+'sive possession o% t&e s'0Be*t portions o% Lot 3-8, 01 t&e.se+ves or t&ro'4&
( s'**essor7in7interest, sin*e "(n'(r1 3, 188. More i.port(nt+1, it is in4r(ined in o'r B'rispr'den*e t&(t t&e
.ere de*+(r(tion o% ( +(nd %or t(=(tion p'rposes does not *onstit'te possession t&ereo% nor is it proo% o%
o)ners&ip in t&e (0sen*e o% t&e *+(i.(nt<s (*t'(+ possession.81*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
Considerin4 t&(t t&e Si+verios (re in (*t'(+ possession o% t&e s'0Be*t portions o% Lot 3-8, t&e1 (re entit+ed to
re.(in on t&e propert1 'nti+ ( person )&o &(s ( tit+e or ( 0etter ri4&t +()%'++1 eBe*ts t&e.. /&e r'+in4 in t&is *(se,
&o)ever, does not pre*+'de t&e Si+verios (nd t&e spo'ses M(r*e+o %ro. introd'*in4 eviden*e (nd presentin4
(r4'.ents 0e%ore t&e proper (d.inistr(tive (4en*1 to est(0+is& (n1 ri4&t to )&i*& t&e1 .(1 0e entit+ed 'nder t&e
+().82*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
?DERE@ORE, t&e Co'rt RESOLVES#*&(nro0+esvirt'(+()+i0r(r1
516 /o GRAN/ t&e petition in G.R. NO. 184!-. /&e De*ision d(ted M(r*& 18, 2!!8 (nd
Reso+'tion d(ted A'4'st 12, 2!!8 o% t&e Co'rt o% Appe(+s in CA7G.R. SP No. 81!, (re
REVERSED (nd SE/ ASIDEC*r(+()+i0r(r1
526 /o DENY t&e petition in G.R. NO. 1844!. Conse:'ent+1, t&e De*ision d(ted M(r*& 2-, 2!!8
(nd Reso+'tion d(ted Septe.0er 1, 2!!8 o% t&e Co'rt o% Appe(+s in CA7G.R SP No. 8-13 (re
A@@IRMEDC (nd
536 /o DISMISS t&e *o.p+(ints %or 'n+()%'+ det(iner %i+ed 01 t&e spo'ses Ri*(rdo (nd Eve+1n
M(r*e+o (4(inst Ar.(ndo Si+verio, Sr. (nd Re.edios Si+verio %or +(*; o% .erit.
No prono'n*e.ent (s to *osts.
SO ORDERED.