- Petitioner
- Erlinda A. Agapay
- Respondent
- Carlina (Cornelia) V. Palang
- Citation
- G.R. No. 116668
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Romero, J.
- Decided
- July 28, 1997
Summary
The Supreme Court resolved a property dispute between the legitimate wife and common-law wife of Miguel Palang over two properties acquired during his cohabitation with Erlinda Agapay while still married to Carlina Palang. The Court applied Article 148 of the Family Code, requiring actual contribution for co-ownership in invalid cohabitation, and Article 739 of the Civil Code, voiding donations between persons guilty of adultery. Finding no proof of Erlinda's actual contribution to the riceland and that Miguel's payment for the house constituted a void donation, the Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision awarding the properties to the legitimate wife and daughter, emphasizing that property rights must be determined through proper legal principles rather than mere registration.