Arsenia Ecaldre v. Spouses Romeo Ecaldre

Summary

This case involves a family property dispute between siblings Arsenia and Romeo Ecaldre over real properties originally donated by Anastacia Dominguez to Romeo in 1978. Arsenia claimed co-ownership based on Romeo's 1999 affidavit, but both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court rejected this claim. The Supreme Court ruled that the original 1978 donation clearly named only Romeo as the sole donee, with no indication of intended co-ownership. Furthermore, Romeo's subsequent affidavit constituted a donation of immovable property that required Arsenia's formal acceptance under Article 749 of the Civil Code, which was lacking. The decision reinforces the strict formal requirements for valid donations of immovable property and the importance of clear language in donation instruments.