Fortunato Anzures v. Spouses Erlinda Ventanilla

Summary

This case involves a property dispute between co-owners over a residential house and land in Bulacan. Respondent spouses filed an unlawful detainer case against petitioner, claiming exclusive ownership of the house and that petitioner occupied it by tolerance. The lower courts ruled in favor of respondents, ordering petitioner to vacate. However, the Supreme Court reversed, finding that the documentary evidence clearly established co-ownership of both the land and house between Carolina (petitioner's deceased wife) and Erlinda. As Carolina's heir, petitioner is a co-owner who cannot be ejected from the property. The Court held that co-owners have the right to use and enjoy the property, and the proper remedy for respondents is an action for partition under Article 494 of the Civil Code, not unlawful detainer.