Panfila Vda. de Tomo v. Tony Ong

Summary

The Supreme Court denied petitioners' challenge to the validity of a deed of absolute sale involving a 77,924-square-meter property in South Cotabato. Heirs of Teodoro Tomo claimed respondents acquired the property through forged signatures and sought nullification, title cancellation, and property recovery. The Court affirmed lower courts' findings that respondents were purchasers in good faith who acquired the property from DBP after foreclosure. The alleged verbal agreement was ruled unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds. Crucially, petitioners failed to prove forgery as they submitted only 'Teodoro Tomo' signature specimens to NBI while the questioned signature was 'Teddy Tomo', which Teodoro legitimately used during his lifetime. The decision reinforces requirements for proving forgery and enforceability of real property agreements under Philippine law.