Hernandez v. Vergara

Summary

This case involves an ejectment suit filed by heirs of Basilisa Hernandez against Bernardo Vergara Jr., who occupied their inherited property. Bernardo claimed ownership through alleged donation inter vivos, while petitioners asserted he was merely a possessor by tolerance. The Metropolitan Trial Court and Regional Trial Court ordered ejectment, but the Court of Appeals reversed, ruling that ownership issues were so intertwined with possession that MeTC lacked jurisdiction and the proper remedy was accion reinvindicatoria. The Supreme Court reversed the CA, establishing that Metropolitan Trial Courts have jurisdiction over ejectment cases even when ownership questions are raised, provided the ownership determination is solely for resolving possession. The case clarifies that courts can provisionally resolve ownership issues in ejectment proceedings without affecting actual title, and that jurisdiction is not divested merely because ownership and possession are intertwined.