Heirs of Angel Yadao v. Heirs of Juan Caletina

Summary

This case involved competing ownership claims to Lot 1087 between heirs claiming through inheritance versus purchase. Juan Caletina was the registered owner who died, leaving heirs through his wife Nicetas (respondents' line) and other children. In 1962, some heirs including Hospicio Sr. sold the lot to the Yadaos through an unnotarized Contrata and notarized deed. The Yadaos possessed the entire lot for 31 years until respondents sued in 1993. The Supreme Court reversed lower courts, ruling that extinctive prescription barred the action after 31 years, the sale was valid despite lack of notarization, and petitioners were estopped from challenging jurisdiction. The Court declared petitioners as co-owners, demonstrating that while registered land cannot be acquired through adverse possession, owners must act vigilantly to enforce their rights before extinctive prescription sets in.