The Heirs of Anselma Godines v. Platon Demaymay

Summary

This case involves a property ownership dispute between the heirs of Anselma Godines and the Demaymay spouses over a residential lot in Masbate. The heirs claimed inheritance rights after discovering their mother's property was tax-declared under respondents' names based on a questionable Deed of Confirmation allegedly executed by minor heir Alma. Respondents countered that they validly purchased the property through an oral sale in 1967, paying P1,460.00 in installments. Lower courts initially favored the heirs, but the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court ultimately recognized the validity of the oral sale. The Supreme Court emphasized that oral contracts are valid under the Civil Code when essential requisites are met, and the Statute of Frauds doesn't apply to executed contracts. Since the sale was consummated through payment and possession, the property was validly transferred and no longer part of Anselma's inheritable estate.