Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2010 > November 2010 Decisions > G.R. No. 187824 : November 17, 2010 FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Respondent. G.R. No. 188265 : November 17, 2010 GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Petitioner, v. FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondent.:




SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. 187824 : November 17, 2010

FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Respondent.


G.R. No. 188265 : November 17, 2010

GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Petitioner, v. FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondent.

DECISION

ABAD, J.:

These cases are about which of two real estate developers, both buyers of the same lands, acted in good faith and has a better title to the same.

The Facts and the Case

Petronila Yap (Yap), Victoriano and Policarpio Vivar (the Vivars), Benjamin Cruz (Cruz), Juan Aquino (Aquino), Gideon Corpuz (Corpuz), and Francisco Sobremesana (Sobremesana), and some other relatives inherited a parcel of land in Las Piñas City covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) 67462 RT-1. Subsequently, the heirs had the land divided into 13 lots and, in a judicial partition, the court distributed four of the lots as follows: a) Lots 1 and 12 to Aquino; b) Lot 2 to Corpuz and Sobremesana; and (c) Lot 6 to Yap, Cruz, and the Vivars. The other lots were distributed to the other heirs.

On March 6, 1989 Yap, acting for herself and for Cruz and the Vivars, executed an agreement to sell Lot 6 in favor of Golden Haven Memorial Park, Inc. (GHM), payable in three installments. On July 31, 1989 another heir, Aquino, acting for himself and for Corpuz and Sobremesana, also executed an agreement to sell Lots 1, 2, and 12 in favor of GHM, payable in the same manner. In both instances, GHM paid the first installment upon execution of the contract.

On August 4, 1989 GHM caused to be annotated a Notice of Adverse Claim on TCT 67462 RT-1. On September 20, 1989 the sellers of the four lots wrote GHM that they were still working on the titling of the lots in their names and wanted to know if GHM was still interested in proceeding with their agreements. GHM replied in the affirmative on September 21, 1989 and said that it was just waiting for the sellers’ titles so it can pay the second installments.

Sometime in August of 1989, Filinvest Development Corporation (Filinvest) applied for the transfer in its name of the titles over Lots 2, 4, and 5 but the Las Piñas Register of Deeds declined its application. Upon inquiry, Filinvest learned that Lot 8, a lot belonging to some other heir or heirs and covered by the same mother title, had been sold to Household Development Corporation (HDC), a sister company of GHM, and HDC held the owner’s duplicate copy of that title. Filinvest immediately filed against HDC a petition for the surrender and cancellation of the co-owners’ duplicate copy of TCT 67462 RT-1. Filinvest alleged that it bought Lots 1, 2, 6, and 12 of the property from their respective owners as evidenced by three deeds of absolute sale in its favor dated September 10, November 18, and December 29, 1989 and that Filinvest was entitled to the registrations of such sales.

On January 14, 1991 GHM filed against the sellers and Filinvest a complaint for the annulment of the deeds of sale issued in the latter’s favor before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Las Piñas City in Civil Case 91-098. On March 16, 2006 the RTC rendered a decision after trial, declaring the contracts to sell executed by some of the heirs in GHM’s favor valid and enforceable and the sale in favor of Filinvest null and void. Only Filinvest appealed among the defendants.

On November 25, 2008 the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the RTC decision with respect to the validity of the contract to sell Lot 6 in GHM’s favor. But the CA declared the contracts to sell Lots 1, 2, and 12 in GHM’s favor void and the sale of the same lots in favor of Filinvest valid.

Both parties filed their petitions for review before this Court, Filinvest in G.R. 187824, and GHM in G.R. 188265.

The Issue Presented

The issue presented in these cases is whether or not the contracts to sell that the sellers executed in GHM’s favor covering the same lots sold to Filinvest are valid and enforceable.

The Court’s Ruling

To prove good faith, the rule is that the buyer of registered land needs only show that he relied on the title that covers the property. But this is true only when, at the time of the sale, the buyer was unaware of any adverse claim to the property.[1] Otherwise, the law requires the buyer to exercise a higher degree of diligence before proceeding with his purchase. He must examine not only the certificate of title, but also the seller’s right and capacity to transfer any interest in the property.[2] In such a situation, the buyer must show that he exercised reasonable precaution by inquiring beyond the four corners of the title.[3] Failing in these, he may be deemed a buyer in bad faith.[4]cralaw

Here, Filinvest was on notice that GHM had caused to be annotated on TCT 67462 RT-1, the mother title, as early as August 4, 1989 a notice of adverse claim covering Lot 6. This notwithstanding, Filinvest still proceeded to buy Lots 1, 2, 6, and 12 on September 10, November 18, and December 29, 1989.

Filinvest of course contends that, although the title carried a notice of adverse claim, that notice was only with respect to seller Yap’s interest in Lot 6 and it did not affect Lots 1, 2, 12, and the remaining interests in Lot 6. The Court disagrees.

The annotation of an adverse claim is intended to protect the claimant’s interest in the property. The notice is a warning to third parties dealing with the property that someone claims an interest in it or asserts a better right than the registered owner.[5] Such notice constitutes, by operation of law, notice to the whole world.[6] Here, although the notice of adverse claim pertained to only one lot and Filinvest wanted to acquire interest in some other lots under the same title, the notice served as warning to it that one of the owners was engaged in double selling.

What is more, upon inquiry with the Register of Deeds of Las Piñas, Filinvest also learned that the heirs of Andres Aldana sold Lot 8 to HDC and turned over the co-owner’s duplicate copy of TCT 67462 RT-1 to that company which had since then kept the title. Filinvest (referred to below as FDC) admits this fact in its petition,[7] thus:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Sometime in August 1989, FDC applied with the Register of Deeds of Las Piñas for the transfer and registration of Lots 2, 4, and 5 in its name and surrendered the co-owners duplicate copy of TCT No. (67462) RT-1 given to it by the Vivar family, but the Register of Deeds of Las Piñas City refused to do the transfer of title in the name of FDC and instead demanded from FDC to surrender as well the other co-owner's duplicate copy of TCT No. (67462) RT-1 which was issued to the heirs of Andres Aldana. Upon further inquiry, FDC came to know that the heirs of Andres Aldana sold Lot 8 and delivered their co-owner's duplicate copy of TCT No. (67462) RT-1 to Household Development Corporation, a sister company of respondent GHMPI. FDC made representations to Household Development Corporation for the surrender of said co-owner's duplicate copy of TCT No. (67462) RT-1 to the Register of Deeds of Las Piñas City, but Household Development Corporation refused to do so.

Filinvest’s knowledge that GHM, a competitor, had bought Lot 6 in which Filinvest was interested, that GHM had annotated an adverse claim to that Lot 6, and that GHM had physical possession of the title, should have put Filinvest on its toes regarding the prospects it faced if it bought the other lots covered by the title in question. Filinvest should have investigated the true status of Lots 1, 2, 6, and 12 by asking GHM the size and shape of its interest in the lands covered by the same title, especially since both companies were engaged in the business of developing lands. One who has knowledge of facts which should have put him upon such inquiry and investigation cannot claim that he has acquired title to the property in good faith as against the true owner of the land or of an interest in it.[8]cralaw

The Court upholds the validity of the contracts between GHM and its sellers. As the trial court aptly observed, GHM entered into valid contracts with its sellers but the latter simply and knowingly refused without just cause to honor their obligations. The sellers apparently had a sudden change of heart when they found out that Filinvest was willing to pay more.

As to the award of exemplary damages, the Court sustains the CA ruling. This species of damages is allowed only in addition to moral damages such that exemplary damages cannot be awarded unless the claimant first establishes a clear right to moral damages.[9] Here, since GHM failed to prove that it is entitled to moral damages, the RTC’s award of exemplary damages had no basis. But the grant of attorney’s fees is proper. As the RTC noted, this case has been pending since 1991, or for 19 years now. GHM was forced to litigate and incur expenses in order to protect its rights and interests.

WHEREFORE, the Court GRANTS the petition in G.R. 188265 and DISMISSES the petition in G.R. 187824. The Court likewise REVERSES and SETS ASIDE the decision of the Court of Appeals dated November 25, 2008 in CA-G.R. CV 89448, and REINSTATES the decision of the Regional Trial Court in Civil Case 91-098 dated March 16, 2006 with the MODIFICATION that the award of exemplary damages is DELETED.

SO ORDERED.

 

ROBERTO A. ABAD

Associate Justice

 

WE CONCUR:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

 

ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Associate Justice

 

ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

Associate Justice

 

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Associate Justice

 

JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA

Associate Justice

 

ATTESTATION

 

I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.

 

ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Associate Justice

Chairperson, Second Division

 

CERTIFICATION

 

Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.

 

RENATO C. CORONA

Chief Justice

 


Endnotes

 

[1] Bautista v. Silva, G.R. No. 157434, September 19, 2006, 502 SCRA 334, 347.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

[2] Orquiola v. Court of Appeals, 435 Phil. 323, 331 (2002). cra

[3] Instrade, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 395 Phil. 791, 802 (2000). cra

[4] Sps. Castro v. Miat, 445 Phil. 282, 298 (2003). cra

[5] Sajonas v. Court of Appeals, 327 Phil. 689, 701-702 (1996). cra

[6] Balatbat v. Court of Appeals, 329 Phil. 858, 872-873 (1996). cra

[7] Rollo (G.R. 187824), pp. 22-23.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

[8] Balatbat v. Court of Appeals, supra note 6, at 874.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

[9] Delos Santos v. Papa, G.R. No. 154427, May 8, 2009, 587 SCRA 385, 396-397, citing Mahinay v. Velasquez, Jr., 464 Phil. 146, 150 (2004). cra




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






November-2010 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.M. No. P-10-2818 : November 15, 2010 (Formerly A.M. No. 10-4-54-MTC) OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. GREGORIO B. SADDI, Clerk of Court, MTC, Sasmuan, Pampanga, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 159460 : November 15, 2010 SOLIDBANK CORPORATION (now known as FIRST METRO INVESTMENT CORPORATION), Petitioner, v. ERNESTO U. GAMIER, ELENA R. CONDEVILLAMAR, JANICE L. ARRIOLA and OPHELIA C. DE GUZMAN, Respondents. G.R. No. 159461 : November 15, 2010 SOLIDBANK CORPORATION and/or its successor-in-interest, FIRST METRO INVESTMENT CORPORATION, DEOGRACIAS N. VISTAN AND EDGARDO MENDOZA, JR., Petitioners, v. SOLIDBANK UNION AND ITS DISMISSED OFFICERS AND MEMBERS, namely: EVANGELINE J. GABRIEL, TERESITA C. LUALHATI, ISAGANI P. MAKISIG, REY S. PASCUA, EVELYN A. SIA, MA. VICTORIA M. VIDALLON, AUREY A. ALJIBE, REY ANTHONY M. AMPARADO, JOSE A. ANTENOR, AUGUSTO D. ARANDIA, JR., JANICE L. ARRIOLA, RUTH SHEILA MA. BAGADIONG, STEVE D. BERING, ALAN ROY I. BUYCO, MANALO T. CABRERA, RACHE M. CASTILLO, VICTOR O. CHUA, VIRGILIO Y. CO, JR., LEOPOLDO S. DABAY, ARMAND V. DAYANG-HIRANG, HUBERT V. DIMAGIBA, MA. LOURDES CECILIA B. EMPARADOR, FELIX D. ESTACIO, JR., JULIETA T. ESTRADA, MARICEL G. EVALLA, JOSE G. GUISADIO, JOSE RAINARIO C. LAOANG, ALEXANDER A. MARTINEZ, JUAN ALEX C. NAMBONG, JOSEPHINE M. ONG, ARMANDO B. OROZCO, ARLENE R. RODRIGUEZ, NICOMEDES P. RUIZO, JR., DON A. SANTANA, ERNESTO R. SANTOS, JR., EDNA M. SARONG, GREGORIO S. SECRETARIO, ELLEN M. SORIANO, ROSIE C. UY, ARVIN D. VALENCIA, FERMIN JOSSEPH B. VENTURA, JR., EMMANUEL C. YAPTANCO, ERNESTO C. ZUNIGA, ARIEL S. ABENDAN, EMMA R. ABENDAN, PAULA AGNES A. ANGELES, JACQUILINE B. BAQUIRAN, JENNIFER S. BARCENAS, ALVIN E. BARICANOSA, GEORGE MAXIMO P. BARQUEZ, MA. ELENA G. BELLO, RODERICK M. BELLO, MICHAEL MATTHEW B. BILLENA, LEOPE L. CABENIAN, NEPTALI A. CADDARAO, FERDINAND MEL S. CAPULING, MARGARETTE B. CORDOVA, MA. EDNA V. DATOR, RANIEL C. DAYAO, RAGCY L. DE GUZMAN, LUIS E. DELOS SANTOS, CARMINA M. DEGALA, EPHRAIM RALPH A. DELFIN, KAREN M. DEOCERA, CAROLINA C. DIZON, MARCHEL S. ESQUEJJO, JOCELYN I. ESTROBO, MINERVA S. FALLARME, HERNANE C. FERMOCIL, RACHEL B. FETIZANAN, SAMUEL A. FLORENTINO, MENCHIE R. FRANCISCO, ERNESTO U. GAMIER, MACARIO RODOLFO N. GARCIA, JOEL S. GARMINO, LESTER MARK Z. GATCHALIAN, MA. JINKY P. GELERA, MA. TERESA G. GONZALES, GONZALO G. GUINIT, EMILY H. GUINO-O, FERDINAND S. HABIJAN, JUN G. HERNANDEZ, LOURDES D. IBEAS, MA. ANGELA L. JALANDONI, JULIE T. JORNACION, MANUEL C. LIM, MA. LOURDES A. LIM, EMERSON V. LUNA, NOLASCO B. MACATANGAY, NORMAN C. MANACO, CHERRY LOU B. MANGROBANG, MARASIGAN G. EDMUNDO, ALLEN M. MARTINEZ, EMELITA C. MONTANO, ARLENE P. NOBLE, SHIRLEY A. ONG, LOTIZ E. ORTIZ LUIS, PABLITO M. PALO, MARY JAINE D. PATINO, GEOFFREY T. PRADO, OMEGA MELANIE M. QUINTANO, ANES A. RAMIREZ, RICARDO D. RAMIREZ, DANIEL O. RAQUEL, RAMON B. REYES, SALVACION N. ROGADO, ELMOR R. ROMANA, JR., LOURDES U. SALVADOR, ELMER S. SAYLON, BENHARD E. SIMBULAN, MA. TERESA S. SOLIS, MA. LOURDES ROCEL E. SOLIVEN, EMILY C. SUY AT, EDGAR ALLAN P. TACSUAN, RAYMOND N. TANAY, JOCELYN Y. TAN, CANDIDO G. TISON, MA. THERESA O. TISON, EVELYN T. UYLANGCO, CION E. YAP, MA. OPHELIA C. DE GUZMAN, MA. HIDELISA P. IRA, RAYMUND MARTIN A. ANGELES, MERVIN S. BAUTISTA, ELENA R. CONDEVILLAMAR, CHERRY T. CO, LEOPOLDO V. DE LA ROSA, DOROTEO S. FROILAN, EMMANUEL B. GLORIA, JULIETEL JUBAC AND ROSEMARIE L. TANG, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 167835 : November 15, 2010 SPOUSES ALFREDO and ENCARNACION CHING, Petitioners, v. FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, and SHERIFF OF MANILA, Respondents. G.R. No. 188480 : November 15, 2010 ALFREDO CHING, Petitioner, v. FAMILY SAVINGS BANK and THE SHERIFF OF MANILA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 179487 : November 15, 2010 ROMEO ILISAN y PIABOL, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189533 : November 15, 2010 MA. IMELDA PINEDA-NG, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-08-2584 : November 15, 2010 ALFREDO YAESO, Complainant, v. Legal Researcher/Officer-in-Charge REYNALDO R. ENOLPE and Sheriff IV GENEROSO B. REGALADO, both of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 16, Cebu City; and Sheriff IV CONSTANCIO V. ALIMURUNG, Regional Trial Court, Branch 18, Cebu City, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-09-2700 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 08-2976-P) : November 15, 2010 Atty. NOREEN T. BASILIO, Clerk of Court, Complainant, v. MELINDA M. DINIO, Court Stenographer III, Branch 129, Regional Trial Court, Caloocan City, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190515 : November 15, 2010 CIRTEK EMPLOYEES LABOR UNION-FEDERATION OF FREE WORKERS, Petitioner, v. CIRTEK ELECTRONICS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 186053 : November 15, 2010 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. NISAIDA SUMERA NISHINA, represented by ZENAIDA SUMERA WATANABE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184362 : November 15, 2010 MILLENNIUM ERECTORS CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. VIRGILIO MAGALLANES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 178899 : November 15, 2010 PHILIPPINE BUSINESS BANK, Petitioner, v. FELIPE CHUA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187984 : November 15, 2010 FRANCISCO A. LABAO, Petitioner, v. LOLITO N. FLORES, AMADO A. DAGUISONAN, PEPE M. CANTAR, JULIO G. PAGENTE, JESUS E. ARENA, CRISPIN A. NAVALES, OSCAR M. VENTE, ARTEMIO B. ARAGON, ARNOLD M. CANTAR, ALBERTO T. CUADERO, RASMI E. RONQUILLO, PEDRO R. GABUTAN, ELPEDIO E. MENTANG,* WILFREDO R. MI�OSA,** RODERICK P. NAMBATAC, MARCIAL D. RIVERA, SANDE E. CASTIL,*** CRISOSTOMO B. ESIC, and AMBROSIO M. CANTAR,**** Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 189844 : November 15, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARIO VILLANUEVA BAGA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 191069 : November 15, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SULPICIO SONNY BOY TAN y PHUA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 143511 : November 15, 2010 PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY, Petitioner, v. JOEY B. TEVES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 171631 : November 15, 2010 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. AVELINO R. DELA PAZ, ARSENIO R. DELA PAZ, JOSE R. DELA PAZ, and GLICERIO R. DELA PAZ, represented by JOSE R. DELA PAZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 176946 : November 15, 2010 CONSTANCIA G. TAMAYO, JOCELYN G. TAMAYO, and ARAMIS G. TAMAYO, collectively known as HEIRS OF CIRILO TAMAYO, Petitioners, v. ROSALIA ABAD SE�ORA, ROAN ABAD SE�ORA, and JANETE ABAD SE�ORA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 181560 : November 15, 2010 VITARICH CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. CHONA LOSIN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181635 : November 15, 2010 People of the Philippines, Appellee, v. Nonoy Ebet, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 160067 : November 17, 2010 NELSON IMPERIAL, ET AL., Petitioners, v. MARICEL M. JOSON, ET AL. Respondents. G.R. No. 170410 : November 17, 2010 SANTOS FRANCISCO, Petitioners, v. SPS. GERARD AND MARICEL JOSON, Respondents. G.R. No. 171622 : November 17, 2010 NELSON IMPERIAL, ET AL., Petitioners, v. HILARION FELIX, ET AL., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 182431 : November 17, 2010 LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. ESTHER ANSON RIVERA, ANTONIO G. ANSON AND CESAR G. ANSON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 187872 : November 17, 2010 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. STAR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ET AL., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 167715 : November 17, 2010 PHIL PHARMAWEALTH, INC., Petitioner, v. PFIZER, INC. and PFIZER (PHIL.) INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 180997 : November 17, 2010 SPOUSES MARIANO (a.k.a. QUAKY) and EMMA BOLA�OS, Petitioners, v. ROSCEF ZU�IGA BERNARTE, CLARO ZU�IGA, PERFECTO ZU�IGA, and CEFERINA ZU�IGA-GARCIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 186560 : November 17, 2010 GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner, v. FERNANDO P. DE LEON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187023 : November 17, 2010 EVANGELINE D. IMANI,* Petitioner, v. METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187824 : November 17, 2010 FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Respondent. G.R. No. 188265 : November 17, 2010 GOLDEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, INC., Petitioner, v. FILINVEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • AM. No. P-07-2379 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 03-1742-P) : November 17, 2010 ANTONIO T. RAMAS-UYPITCHING JR., Complainant, v. VINCENT HORACE MAGALONA, Sheriff IV, Regional Trial Court, Branch 46, Bacolod City, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 172716 : November 17, 2010 JASON IVLER y AGUILAR, Petitioner, v. HON. MARIA ROWENA MODESTO-SAN PEDRO, Judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 71, Pasig City, and EVANGELINE PONCE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 178610 : November 17, 2010 HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP., LTD. STAFF RETIREMENT PLAN, (now HSBC Retirement Trust Fund, Inc.), Petitioner, v. SPOUSES BIENVENIDO AND EDITHA BROQUEZA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 169704 : November 17, 2010 ALBERT TENG, doing business under the firm name ALBERT TENG FISH TRADING, and EMILIA TENG-CHUA, Petitioners, v. ALFREDO S. PAHAGAC, EDDIE D. NIPA, ORLANDO P. LAYESE, HERNAN Y. BADILLES and ROGER S. PAHAGAC, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 154366 : November 17, 2010 CEBU BIONIC BUILDERS SUPPLY, INC. and LYDIA SIA, Petitioners, v. DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, JOSE TO CHIP, PATRICIO YAP and ROGER BALILA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 162206 : November 17, 2010 MONICO V. JACOB and CELSO L. LEGARDA, Petitioners, v. HON. SANDIGANBAYAN FOURTH DIVISION and THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 166298 : November 17, 2010 LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES JOEL R. UMANDAP and FELICIDAD D. UMANDAP, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 169225 : November 17, 2010 COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. HAMBRECHT & QUIST PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190462 : November 17, 2010 STEEL CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. EQUITABLE PCI BANK, INC., (now known as BDO UNIBANK, INC.), Respondent. G.R. No. 190538 : November 17, 2010 DEG � DEUTSCHE INVESTITIONS-UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH, Petitioner, v. EQUITABLE PCI BANK, INC., (now known as BDO UNIBANK, INC.) and STEEL CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192581 : November 17, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DENNIS D. MANULIT, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 192818 : November 17, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PRINCE FRANCISCO y ZAFE, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 178697 : November 17, 2010 COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. SONY PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 180045 : November 17, 2010 GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (NLRC), DIONISIO BANLASAN, ALFREDO T. TAFALLA, TELESFORO D. RUBIA, ROGELIO A. ALVAREZ, DOMINADOR A. ESCOBAL, and ROSAURO PANIS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 181643 : November 17, 2010 MICHELLE I. PINEDA, Petitioner, v. COURT OF APPEALS (Former Ninth Division) and the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, represented by Assistant Secretary CAMILO MIGUEL M. MONTESA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 185839 : November 17, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARSENIO CABANILLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 186605 : November 17, 2010 CENTRAL AZUCARERA DE BAIS EMPLOYEES UNION-NFL [CABEU-NFL], represented by its President, PABLITO SAGURAN, Petitioner, v. CENTRAL AZUCARERA DE BAIS, INC. [CAB], represented by its President, ANTONIO STEVEN L. CHAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 157644 : November 17, 2010 SPOUSES ERNESTO and VICENTA TOPACIO, as represented by their attorney-in-fact MARILOU TOPACIO-NARCISO, Petitioners, v. BANCO FILIPINO SAVINGS and MORTGAGE BANK, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-08-2131 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 05-2241-RTJ) : November 22, 2010 LORNA M. VILLANUEVA, Complainant, v. JUDGE APOLINARIO M. BUAYA, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-10-2865 (Formerly A.M. OCA I.P.I. No. 09-3044-P) : November 22, 2010 EXECUTIVE JUDGE AURORA MAQUEDA ROMAN, Regional Trial Court, Gumaca, Quezon, Complainant, v. VIRGILIO M. FORTALEZA, Clerk of Court, Municipal Trial Court, Catanauan, Quezon, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191545 : November 22, 2010 HEIRS OF AUGUSTO SALAS, JR., represented by TERESITA D. SALAS, Petitioners, v. MARCIANO CABUNGCAL ET AL., Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 5859 (Formerly CBD Case No. 421) : November 23, 2010 ATTY. CARMEN LEONOR M. ALCANTARA, VICENTE P. MERCADO, SEVERINO P. MERCADO AND SPOUSES JESUS AND ROSARIO MERCADO, Complainants, v. ATTY. EDUARDO C. DE VERA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187752 : November 23, 2010 IRENE K. NACU, substituted by BENJAMIN M. NACU, ERVIN K. NACU, and NEJIE N. DE SAGUN, Petitioners, v. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION and PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 191618 : November 23, 2010 ATTY. ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, Petitioner, v. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 175080 : November 24, 2010 EUGENIO R. REYES, joined by TIMOTHY JOSEPH M. REYES, MA. GRACIA S. REYES, ROMAN GABRIEL M. REYES, and MA. ANGELA S. REYES, Petitioners, v. LIBRADA F. MAURICIO (deceased) and LEONIDA F. MAURICIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 187978 : November 24, 2010 ROMULO R. PERALTA, Petitioner, v. HON. RAUL E. DE LEON, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court of Para�aque, Branch 258, HON. ARBITER DUNSTAN SAN VICENTE, in his capacity as Housing and Land Use Regulatory Arbiter and LUCAS ELOSO EJE, in his capacity as Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Para�aque City and CONCEPTS AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT INC., as represented by its CHAIRMAN KASUO NORO, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. HOJ-10-03 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 09-04-HOJ) : November 15, 2010 THELMA T. BABANTE-CAPLES, Complainant, v. PHILBERT B. CAPLES, Utility Worker II, Hall of Justice, Municipal Trial Court, La Paz, Leyte, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190754 : November 17, 2010 SAN PEDRO CINEPLEX PROPERTIES, INC., Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF MANUEL HUMADA ENA�O, represented by VIRGILIO A. BOTE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 181956 : November 11, 2010 VICTORIA L. TEH, Petitioner, v. NATIVIDAD TEH TAN, TEH KI TIAT, and JACINTA SIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 187751 : November 22, 2010 EDNA EUGENIO, MARY JEAN GREGORIO, RENATO PAJARILLO, ROGELIO VILLAMOR, Petitioners, v. STA. MONICA RIVERSIDE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 186158 : November 22, 2010 CAREER PHILIPPINES SHIP MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. GERONIMO MADJUS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190545 : November 22, 2010 JERRY M. FRANCISCO, Petitioner, v. BAHIA SHIPPING SERVICES, INC. and/or CYNTHIA C. MENDOZA, and FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES, LTD., Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 8391 [Formerly CBD Case No. 06-1631] : November 23, 2010 MANUEL C. YUHICO, Complainant, v. ATTY. FRED L. GUTIERREZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190755 : November 24, 2010 LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. ALFREDO ONG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 182086 : November 24, 2010 BEBINA G. SALVALOZA, representing her late husband, GREGORIO SALVALOZA, Petitioner, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, GULF PACIFIC SECURITY AGENCY, INC., and ANGEL QUIZON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 189326 : November 24, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. FRANCISCO RELOS, SR., Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 189239 : November 24, 2010 SPOUSES LETICIA & JOSE ERVIN ABAD, SPS. ROSARIO AND ERWIN COLLANTES, SPS. RICARDO AND FELITA ANN, SPS. ELSIE AND ROGER LAS PI�AS, LINDA LAYDA, RESTITUTO MARIANO, SPS. ARNOLD AND MIRIAM MERCINES, SPS. LUCITA AND WENCESLAO A. RAPACON, SPS. ROMEO AND EMILYN HULLEZA, LUZ MIPANTAO, SPS. HELEN AND ANTHONY TEVES, MARLENE TUAZON, SPS. ZALDO AND MIA SALES, SPS. JOSEFINA AND JOEL YBERA, SPS. LINDA AND JESSIE CABATUAN, SPS. WILMA AND MARIO ANDRADA, SPS. RAYMUNDO AND ARSENIA LELIS, FREDY AND SUSANA PILONEO, Petitioners, v. FIL-HOMES REALTY and DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION and MAGDIWANG REALTY CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 183699 : November 24, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. ROSALIE COLILAP BA�AGA, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 188412 : November 22, 2010 CITIBANK, N.A., Petitioner, v. ATTY. ERNESTO S. DINOPOL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 188051 : November 22, 2010 ASIA UNITED BANK, Petitioner, v. GOODLAND COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 173428 : November 22, 2010 FROILAN DEJURAS , Petitioner, v. HON. RENE C. VILLA, in his official capacity as Secretary of Agrarian Reform; the BUREAU OF AGRARIAN LEGAL ASSISTANCE, the CENTER FOR LAND USE AND POLICY PLANNING INSTITUTE, the DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM ADJUDICATION BOARD, all of the Department of Agrarian Reform; CONCHITA DELFINO; ANTHONY DELFINO; ARTEMIO ALON; and SM PRIME HOLDINGS, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 165676 : November 22, 2010 JOSE MENDOZA, cralaw* Petitioner, v. NARCISO GERMINO and BENIGNO GERMINO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 150284 : November 22, 2010 SPOUSES ELISEO SEVILLA and ERNA SEVILLA, Petitioners, v. HON. COURT OF APPEALS and PATRICIA VILLAREAL, for herself and in behalf of her children, TRICIA and CLAIRE HOPE VILLAREAL, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 183868 : November 22, 2010 COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, Petitioner, v. MARINA SALES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 172605 : November 22, 2010 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES , Appellee, v. EVANGELINE LASCANO y VELARDE, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185616 : November 24, 2010 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. ARNEL MACAFE y NABONG, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 181858 : November 24, 2010 KEPCO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176260 : November 24, 2010 LUCIA BARRAMEDA VDA. DE BALLESTEROS, Petitioner, v. RURAL BANK OF CANAMAN INC., represented by its Liquidator, the philippine deposit insurance corporation, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 175887 : November 24, 2010 HEIRS OF THE LATE NESTOR TRIA, Petitioners, v. ATTY. EPIFANIA OBIAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 173339 : November 24, 2010 LEDESCO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. WORLDWIDE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL REALTY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 160933 : November 24, 2010 NICEAS M. BELONGILOT, Petitioner, v. ROLANDO S. CUA, ROEL ERIC C. GARCIA, LORENZO R. REYES, AUGUSTO P. QUIJANO, IANELA G. JUSI-BARRANTES and SALVADOR P. RAMOS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 157479 : November 24, 2010 PHILIP TURNER and ELNORA TURNER, Petitioners, v. LORENZO SHIPPING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-10-2781 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 02-1419-P) : November 24, 2010 PASTOR C. PINLAC, Complainant, v. OSCAR T. LLAMAS, Cash Clerk II, Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 173815 : November 24, 2010 MILWAUKEE INDUSTRIES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COURT OF TAX APPEALS and COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.

  • [G.R. No. 180914 : November 24, 2010] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. DOMINGO DOMINGUEZ, JR., ALIAS "SANDY," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [G.R. No. 184599 : November 24, 2010] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. TEDDY BATOON Y MIGUEL AND MELCHOR BATOON Y MIGUEL, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

  • [G.R. No. 185766 : November 23, 2010] CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, PETITIONER, VS. COURT OF APPEALS AND PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE, RESPONDENTS. [G.R. No. 185767] CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, PETITIONER, VS. COURT OF APPEALS AND PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE, RESPONDENTS.

  • [A.M. No. P-09-2603 (Formerly A.M. No. 08-7-221-MeTC) : November 23, 2010] RE: HABITUAL ABSENTEEISM OF MR. NELSON G. MARCOS, SHERIFF III, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, CALOOCAN CITY.

  • [G.R. No. 166566 : November 23, 2010] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. WENCESLAO DERI y BENITEZ, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • [A.M. No. MTJ-08-1719] : November 23, 2010] ATTY. ARNOLD B. LUGARES, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LIZABETH GUTIERREZ-TORRES, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 60, MANDALUYONG CITY, RESPONDENT. [A.M. NO. MTJ-08-1722A.M. No. MTJ-08-1719] JOSE MARIA J. SEMBRANO, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LIZABETH GUTIERREZ-TORRES, PRESIDING JUDGE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 60, MANDALUYONG CITY, RESPONDENT. [ A.M. NO. MTJ-08-1723A.M. No. MTJ-08-1719 ] MARCELINO LANGCAP, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LIZABETH GUTIERREZ-TORRES, PRESIDING JUDGE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 60, MANDALUYONG CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-06-2225 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 04-2027-P), November 23, 2010] BERNALETTE L. RAMOS, COMPLAINANT, VS. SUSAN A. LIMETA, LEGAL RESEARCHER, RESPONDENT.

  • [A.M. No. P-06-2211 (Formerly A.M. No. 06-5-175-MTC) : November 23, 2010] OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. MS. ROSEBUEN B. VILLETA, CLERK OF COURT II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, OTON, ILOILO, RESPONDENT.

  • [G.R. No. 148269 : November 22, 2010] PRESIDENTIAL AD HOC FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE ON BEHEST LOANS THRU THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, REPRESENTED BY ATTY. ORLANDO L. SALVADOR, PETITIONER, VS. HON. ANIANO DESIERTO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, ULPIANO TABASONDRA, ENRIQUE M. HERBOSA, ZOSIMO C. MALABANAN, ARSENIO S. LOPEZ, ROMEO V. REYES, NILO ROA, HERADEO GUBALLA, FLORITA T. SHOTWELL, BENIGNO DEL RIO, JUAN F. TRIVIÑO, SALVADOR B. ZAMORA II, AND JOHN DOES, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 179898 : November 22, 2010] MAUNLAD HOMES, INC., N.C. PULUMBARIT, INC., N.C.P. LEASING CORPORATION, AND NEMENCIO C. PULUMBARIT, SR., PETITIONERS, VS. UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES AND JULIE C. GO, RESPONDENTS.

  • [G.R. No. 150318 : November 22, 2010] PHILIPPINE TRUST COMPANY (ALSO KNOWN AS PHILTRUST BANK), PETITIONER, VS. HON. COURT OF APPEALS AND FORFOM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, RESPONDENTS.