Spouses Felix Baes v. The Court of Appeals

Summary

Property dispute over ownership of abandoned riverbed after government canal construction. Spouses Baes claimed ownership of filled creek bed under Civil Code Article 461, arguing they were entitled to abandoned riverbed when government artificially diverted Tripa de Gallina creek through their property. Supreme Court denied claim, ruling that petitioners had already received full compensation through the 1970 voluntary land exchange where government gave them Lot 3271-A in return for canal-occupied Lot 2958-B. Court held that granting additional compensation would constitute double compensation and unjust enrichment, emphasizing that the original exchange was fair and voluntary between parties of equal bargaining power.