Romeo Julag-Ay v. The Estate of Felimon Buenaventura, Sr.

Summary

This ejectment case involved tenant Romeo Julag-ay's refusal to pay rent and vacate leased property after defaulting on 1998 payments totaling P35,000. When lessor Felimon Buenaventura Sr. died, his daughter Teresita assumed estate administration and demanded payment and vacation. Julag-ay challenged Teresita's standing, claiming property belonged to deceased wife's estate under different administrator. The Supreme Court affirmed lower courts' rulings that Teresita had proper standing as estate administratrix, and that Julag-ay was estopped under Article 1436 Civil Code from denying his landlord's title after years of undisturbed possession and rent payments. The Court emphasized that ejectment proceedings focus solely on possession rights, not ownership disputes, and that a tenant cannot contest their landlord's title while enjoying property benefits.