Vicente Sy Juco v. Santiago V. Sy Juco

Summary

This family dispute involved parents suing their son who served as administrator of their property from 1902-1916. The son acquired various properties (launch, cascos, automobile) during his administration, registering them in his own name but allegedly using his parents' money. The Supreme Court applied Civil Code Article 1717's agency principles, ruling that despite the son's registration of properties in his name, the agency relationship meant he acquired most properties for his parents' benefit. The Court found evidence that the launch and automobile were purchased with the parents' money, ordering their return. However, one casco was validly sold to the son via public instrument. The decision reinforced fiduciary duties in family agency relationships and the principle that an agent's apparent ownership cannot defeat the principal's true interests when the principal's property is involved.