Manuel B. Calupitan v. Consuelo B. Aglahi

Summary

This case involves an illegal detainer proceeding where the Supreme Court ruled on jurisdictional limits of justice of the peace courts. Plaintiff Calupitan sought to eject defendant spouses Aglahi from property based on a deed from the husband. The justice of the peace court decided in plaintiff's favor, determining the property was conjugal and the husband could validly convey it. However, the Court of First Instance dismissed the case, and the Supreme Court affirmed, holding that justice of the peace courts may only receive evidence on title to determine possession and damages, not to determine actual ownership or property classification. The decision established important precedent on jurisdictional limitations in detainer proceedings and the distinction between determining possession versus determining title to real property.