Sta. Lucia Realty v. Edsel B · G.R. 222897

Petitioner: Sta. Lucia Realty
Respondent: Edsel B. Lumawag
Citation: G.R. No. 222897
Court: Supreme Court
Division: Second Division
Ponente: M.V. Lopez, J.
Decided: February 22, 2023

Summary

This consolidated case involves a property dispute arising from AFP Retirement System's sale of a 240-square meter lot to Edsel Lumawag. After full payment in 2000, the seller failed to execute the final deed and deliver title due to encroachment by adjacent lot owner Lourdes Pearce, who built her house on 20 square meters of Edsel's lot. The Supreme Court affirmed AFP Retirement System's liability for acting in bad faith, declaring it must deliver clear title and pay damages. Lourdes was declared a builder in good faith but liable for nominal damages due to contributory negligence. The Court deleted developer Sta. Lucia Realty's liability for moral and exemplary damages based on a prior final CA decision, while maintaining its obligation to reimburse Lourdes for construction-related expenses. The case was remanded to HLURB for assessment of fair market values to properly apply Civil Code Article 448 regarding builder's rights and landowner's options.

Statutes applied

Civil Code, Art. 448

Related cases

Other Philippine cases on the same provisions and issues.

Mercedes Moralidad v. Sps. Diosdado Pernes G.R. No. 152809
Francisco S. Dizon v. Sebastian Gonzaga G.R. No. 138863
Rodolfo Morales v. Court of Appeals (Former Seventeenth Division) G.R. No. 117228
Onesimo Agapito v. Marilyn F. Agapito G.R. No. 255157
Bermon Marketing Communication Corporation v. Spouses Lilia M. Yaco G.R. No. 224552
Mr. v. Mr. G.R. No. 222530
Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Vicente Victor C. Sanchez G.R. No. 179518
Lourdes C. Fernandez v. Norma Villegas G.R. No. 200191

By Intellegal Editorial Board · February 22, 2023

Search Philippine case law on Intellegal →

AI-assisted case analysis — for research only. Verify against the official decision. A research aid, not legal advice; using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer. Verify every holding and citation against the official decision (Supreme Court E-Library / Official Gazette) before relying on it.