Fernanda Mendoza Cequena v. Honorata Mendoza Bolante

Summary

This case involves a land ownership dispute between heirs of two brothers over a 1,728 square meter property in Rizal. Petitioners claimed ownership through tax declarations in their father Margarito's name, while respondent claimed through inheritance from her father Sinforoso and continuous possession. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of respondent, finding that she acquired ownership through acquisitive prescription based on her family's possession since 1932, which was public, peaceful, and uninterrupted for over 10 years before being contested. The Court emphasized that tax declarations alone are insufficient proof of ownership without actual possession, and that mere occupation cannot ripen into ownership without the element of hostility toward the true owner.