Telesforo Alo v. Clodoaldo Rocamora

Summary

This property ownership dispute involved land with 94 coconut trees in Cebu that plaintiff purchased in 1888 but defendant appropriated in 1897. The trial court dismissed plaintiff's action for recovery, but the Supreme Court reversed, finding the 1888 purchase document authentic and establishing plaintiff's valid title. Applying Civil Code provisions on double sales and possession, the Court ruled that plaintiff's prior purchase and good faith possession gave him superior ownership rights despite the unregistered title. The defendant was ordered to return the land with crops and pay annual damages of 25 pesos from 1898, establishing important precedent on property ownership when registry records are absent but documentary evidence of purchase exists.