Heirs of Segunda Maningding v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves a property dispute between heirs of Segunda Maningding and heirs of Roque Bauzon over two parcels of land in Calasiao, Pangasinan. The properties were originally owned by Ramon Bauzon who died intestate in 1948, leaving four children as heirs. Roque Bauzon claimed exclusive ownership through a donation propter nuptias executed in 1926, while Segunda's heirs claimed co-ownership rights. The Supreme Court ruled that despite the invalidity of the donation for non-compliance with formal requirements, Roque Bauzon acquired ownership through acquisitive prescription, having possessed the properties openly, continuously, and adversely for over 30 years (1948-1986). The Court emphasized that Segunda's heirs slept on their rights and must suffer the consequences of their prolonged inaction. The decision affirmed that acquisitive prescription can operate even among co-heirs when there is clear repudiation of co-ownership through exclusive possession.