Republic of the Philippines v. Heirs of Francisca Dignos-Sorono

Summary

This case involves a property co-ownership dispute where heirs of Tito Dignos sold entire cadastral lots to the government in 1957 without notifying other co-owners who held 3/4 shares. The respondent co-owners filed for quieting of title and legal redemption when MCIAA disrupted their possession in 1996. The Supreme Court affirmed that the sale was valid only as to the seller's 1/4 undivided share, making the government a co-owner rather than sole owner. The Court applied Civil Code provisions on co-ownership and legal redemption, rejecting claims of acquisitive prescription for registered lands and laches defense. The decision establishes that co-owners can exercise legal redemption rights at the original purchase price when not properly notified of sales to third parties, and reaffirms that sales by individual co-owners affect only their proportionate shares in the property.