Dasmariñas T. Arcaina v. Noemi L. Ingram

Summary

This case involves a land sale dispute where the surveyed area (12,000 sq.m.) exceeded the area stated in the deed of sale (6,200 sq.m. more or less). The buyer claimed ownership of the entire surveyed area while sellers insisted only the stated area was sold. The Supreme Court reversed lower court decisions, ruling that the sale was for a lump sum but the phrase 'more or less' covers only reasonable excess or deficiency. The 5,800 sq.m. difference was deemed too substantial to be reasonable, being almost double the agreed area. The Court applied the principle that parties' meeting of minds was only for the 6,200 sq.m. property based on their knowledge at the time of sale. The decision reinstated the trial court's dismissal and ordered the buyer to pay the remaining balance of P145,000.00 with interest, establishing important precedent on interpreting 'more or less' clauses in property sales contracts.