- Petitioner
- Santos
- Respondent
- Court of Appeals
- Citation
- G.R. No. 116100
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Regalado, J.
- Decided
- February 9, 1996
Summary
This Supreme Court case involved a property dispute over an easement of right of way where landowners constructed fences blocking access to a neighboring property, causing rental income losses. The Regional Trial Court granted a compulsory easement requiring compensation but no damages. The Court of Appeals awarded substantial damages for unrealized rentals. The Supreme Court reversed the damages award, holding that property owners have the absolute right to fence their land under Civil Code Article 430. Since no easement existed when the fencing occurred, the defendants committed no legal wrong. The Court applied the principle of damnum absque injuria - damage without legal injury creates no liability. This case establishes important precedent on property owners' rights to use their land versus claims for consequential damages by neighbors.