- Petitioner
- Adelfa S. Rivera
- Respondent
- Fidela del Rosario (Deceased
- Citation
- G.R. No. 144934
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Quisumbing, J.
- Decided
- January 15, 2004
Summary
This Supreme Court case involves a property dispute over Lot No. 1083-C in Bulacan. The Del Rosario family claimed that Fidela Del Rosario was fraudulently induced to sign a Deed of Absolute Sale when she intended only to sign an Agreement to Sell (Kasunduan) and mortgage documents. The Riveras, as purchasers, obtained title and subdivided the property. The RTC and CA found fraud and nullified the sale, though the CA ruled the deed valid as to another lot. The Supreme Court declared the entire deed void, distinguished between different types of rescission under the Civil Code, ruled that prescription had not set in since fraud was discovered in 1992, and reduced damage awards to prevent unjust enrichment. The case establishes important principles on contract rescission, fraud in property transactions, and limitation periods for annulment actions.