Crispulo Sideco v. Francisco Pascua

Summary

This landmark 1909 Supreme Court case established important precedents for acquisitive prescription of personal property. Plaintiff Sideco claimed ownership of a caraballa that disappeared in 1900, later found in defendant Pascua's possession in 1907. The Supreme Court reversed the trial court, ruling that Pascua acquired title through prescription under Civil Code Article 1955, having possessed the animal in good faith for over three years (1903-1907) with proper documentation. The Court applied the presumption of good faith under Article 434, emphasized that prescription runs from possession not discovery, and rejected due process challenges to prescription laws. The decision reinforced prescription as fundamental to property law and clarified the burden of proof regarding good faith possession.