Prociso Dagangon v. Leoncia Lapara Vda. de Tanquion

Summary

This Supreme Court case involves a property dispute over a 99,934 square meter land in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The property was originally owned by Esteban Tanquion, inherited by his wife Leoncia, then donated to Barangay Poblacion in 1985 with certain reservations. Multiple occupants cultivated portions without consent. After revoking the donation in 1997, Leoncia sought recovery of possession. The RTC dismissed on prescription grounds, but the CA reversed, ruling that Torrens title is imprescriptible. The Supreme Court affirmed, emphasizing that registered property cannot be acquired through adverse possession, the occupants' possession was not adverse as they acknowledged the barangay as owner, and a registered owner's right to evict illegal occupants is imprescriptible. The Court rejected claims of prescription, laches, and contract reformation, ordering petitioners to vacate the property. The decision reinforces the indefeasible nature of Torrens titles and the imprescriptible right of registered owners to recover possession from unauthorized occupants.