Belinda Tañedo v. The Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves multiple sales of the same real property (Lot 191) by Lazaro Tañedo. The Supreme Court ruled that while his 1962 sale of 'future inheritance' to his brother Ricardo was void under Article 1347 of the Civil Code, his subsequent 1981 sale to the same buyers was valid. Despite petitioners having an earlier 1980 deed of sale, the Court applied Article 1544 of the Civil Code, which gives preference to the buyer who first registers the sale in good faith. Since Ricardo and Teresita registered their 1981 deed in June 1982 and the lower courts found they acted in good faith, they were declared the rightful owners. The Court emphasized that factual findings regarding good faith registration should not be disturbed absent clear abuse of discretion, and that the Supreme Court is not a trier of facts in certiorari proceedings.