- Petitioner
- Heirs of Tomas Arao
- Respondent
- Heirs of Pedro Eclipse
- Citation
- G.R. No. 211425
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Third Division
- Ponente
- J.C. Reyes, Jr., J.
- Decided
- November 19, 2018
Summary
This case involves a property dispute over Lot No. 1667 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. Respondents heirs of Policarpio Eclipse sought to nullify a 1969 deed of sale to Tomas Arao, claiming it was forged since Policarpio died in 1936. The RTC found the deed forged but dismissed the case due to laches. The CA reversed, ruling the action imprescriptible under Article 1410 of the Civil Code. The Supreme Court partly granted petitioners' appeal, affirming the nullity of the 1969 deed but declaring valid an earlier 1940 deed where Policarpio's children sold to Paulino Arao, whose rights passed to brother Tomas. The Court ruled that actions to declare void contracts are imprescriptible, making laches inapplicable, but found petitioners to be the lawful owners based on the valid 1940 transaction, directing issuance of proper title.