Pascual v. Burgos

Summary

This case involves a long-standing dispute over a fishpond co-owned by the Pascual Spouses and Burgos, et al. Following a partition case, the Pascual Spouses' 83% share was sold at execution sale for P95,000 while appeals were pending. The Supreme Court addressed whether factual findings of the Court of Appeals may be reviewed, emphasizing that Rule 45 petitions are limited to questions of law. The Court of Appeals had reversed the trial court's finding that the property's fair market value was P200,000 per hectare, instead relying on tax declarations as prima facie evidence. The Supreme Court denied the petition, ruling that no exceptional circumstances existed to warrant review of the Court of Appeals' factual findings. The case demonstrates the strict limitations on Supreme Court review of factual determinations and the finality of Court of Appeals decisions on questions of fact. The property ownership was ultimately consolidated in favor of Burgos, et al., ending a dispute that began in 1965.