SPOUSES PONCE V. ALDANESE [G.R. No. 216587, August 4, 2021]

 

SPOUSES PONCE V. ALDANESE

G.R. No. 216587, August 4, 2021

SECOND DIVISION, HERNANDO J.

 

Property; Possession; Ownership

Principle: The case emphasizes the importance of presenting substantial evidence to establish ownership and possession rights over disputed land. It also serves as a reminder that mere encroachment or possession of land is not enough to claim ownership, and the true owner should be determined based on valid evidence and legal rights.

 

Jesus Aldanese inherited the land known as Lot No. 6890 located in Sibonga, Cebu from his father and diligently paid its real property taxes. In 1996, he discovered that the Spouses Ponce encroached upon his land. Jesus demanded that they vacate the land, but the Spouses Ponce refused, claiming that Lot No. 6890 was part of the land they bought from Jesus' brother, Teodoro Aldanese, Jr.

Jesus denied the sale and filed a complaint for recovery of possession and damages. The RTC ruled in his favor of Jesus, declaring him as the absolute owner and possessor of Lot No. 6890. The Spouses Ponce appealed, arguing that the complaint should have been dismissed on grounds of prescription and that Jesus failed to sufficiently prove his ownership over the subject land.

 

Whether Jesus Aldanese has sufficiently proven his ownership and entitlement to possession of Lot No. 6890, despite the Spouses Ponce's claim of purchasing the land from his brother.

 

YES. The Court upheld Jesus' claim of ownership and possession, rejecting the Spouses Ponce's contention that they acquired the land through a valid purchase from Teodoro Aldanese, Jr.

The Supreme Court, upon reviewing the case, focused on determining the true ownership and possession of Lot No. 6890. Jesus presented tax declarations and certificates indicating his possession and ownership of the land. The Spouses Ponce failed to present evidence of their own ownership, and their claim that Lot No. 6890 was included in the sale is contradicted by Teodoro Aldanese Jr.'s testimony.

The Court determined that the evidence sufficiently supported Jesus' ownership and established his right to possess Lot No. 6890. Jesus Aldanese, was recognized as lawful owner and entitling him to possession of the land. The petition by the Spouses Ponce was denied.

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