Alejandria Pineda v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves a property ownership dispute over real estate at White Plains, Quezon City. The Bañez spouses, original owners, entered into a property exchange agreement with Alejandria Pineda that failed to materialize. Pineda subsequently sold the property to the Duque spouses without authorization from the real owners. The Supreme Court affirmed lower court decisions declaring the Bañez spouses as lawful owners and voiding Pineda's unauthorized sale. The Court emphasized that Civil Code Article 1878 requires a special power of attorney for land sales, and Article 1874 mandates such authority be in writing. Without proper authorization, the sale was void ab initio. The Duques were found to be purchasers in bad faith, required to vacate the property and pay rentals. The case reinforces fundamental principles of property law regarding authorized transfers and the necessity of written authority for real estate transactions involving agents.