Huang v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves a property dispute between in-laws over ownership of Lot 20 in Dasmariñas Village, Makati. Dolores Sandoval purchased the lot in 1965 using her own funds but had the title registered in Ricardo Huang's name due to subdivision restrictions against buying multiple lots. She also financed all improvements on the property. When disputes arose over ownership, the Supreme Court affirmed that a resulting trust was created under Article 1448 of the Civil Code, making Ricardo a trustee holding the property for Dolores' benefit. The Court found that the trustee had not clearly repudiated the trust, so the action for reconveyance had not prescribed. This case establishes important precedent on resulting trusts in real property and the requirements for prescription of trust-related actions.