- Petitioner
- Spouses Arnold
- Respondent
- Fernando B. Lim, Jr.
- Citation
- G.R. No. 234328
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Decided
- November 22, 2017
Summary
This ejectment case involved spouses Arnold and Lynette Tuazon who continued paying rent to the former property owner, Ester Cuevas, instead of the new registered owners, Fernando B. Lim, Jr. and his sister. The Supreme Court denied the petition and affirmed the Court of Appeals decision ordering ejectment. The Court applied Articles 440-442 of the New Civil Code, ruling that rent as civil fruit belongs to the property owner. The petitioners' defense that Cuevas was the real owner was rejected since they had previously recognized the new owners as lessors in November 2012. The Court ordered payment of rent arrears with 6% annual interest from the demand date until full payment, demonstrating the principle that tenants must pay rent to the lawful owner regardless of previous arrangements with former owners.