Juan Verceluz v. Deogracias Edaño

Summary

This 1924 Supreme Court case involved a land sale dispute where plaintiffs sought rescission of a deed of sale due to non-payment of the P3,000 purchase price. Despite the deed stating payment was made on October 11, 1914, defendants admitted no payment occurred on that date but claimed payment was made on March 19, 1915. The Supreme Court found insufficient evidence of payment and affirmed the lower court's decree of rescission. The decision established that when purchasers violate their obligation to pay, vendors may demand either payment or rescission under the Civil Code. The Court ordered defendants to return the land with fruits retroactive to the filing of the complaint, demonstrating the practical application of contractual rescission principles in Philippine civil law.