Doris Marie S. Lopez v. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr.

Summary

This case involves a property dispute where respondent Aniceto Saludo paid P15,000,000.00 for two parcels of land in Pasig City but allowed petitioner Doris Lopez to be named as buyer. When petitioner refused to reconvey the properties, respondent filed for reconveyance claiming an implied trust relationship. The Regional Trial Court found in favor of respondent, declaring him the true owner based on his payment of the purchase price and continuous possession. The Court of Appeals affirmed, and the Supreme Court denied the petition for review, holding that the case involved questions of fact and that the evidence established an implied resulting trust. The Court rejected petitioner's claim that the money was a donation, noting the lack of compliance with formal requirements under Article 748 of the Civil Code. The decision reinforces the principle that implied trusts arise by operation of law to prevent unjust enrichment when one party pays for property registered in another's name.