Antonio K. Litonjua v. Mary Ann Grace Fernandez

Summary

The Litonjua brothers sued to enforce an alleged contract for the purchase of two parcels of land in San Pablo City from the heirs of Domingo Ticzon and Paz Ticzon Eleosida, represented by Mary Mediatrix Fernandez. Petitioners claimed they had agreed to buy 36,742 square meters at P150 per square meter in November 1995, but Fernandez later withdrew citing tenant problems. The trial court found a perfected contract existed, but the Court of Appeals reversed, finding no valid agreement. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Fernandez lacked written authority from the property owners as required by law, and that her correspondence did not satisfy the statute of frauds for real property sales. The case emphasizes the importance of proper agency authorization and written evidence in real estate transactions.