Vicente Rañeses v. Intermediate Appellate Court

Summary

This consolidated property dispute involved competing ownership claims over two parcels of land. The Supreme Court affirmed the Intermediate Appellate Court's reversal of the trial court's decision, finding that the RAÑESES' deed of sale was forged and that they were purchasers in bad faith who knew of prior sales to Lamadrid's predecessor. The Court applied Article 1544 of the Civil Code on double sales and rejected the RAÑESES' belated invocation of laches, holding that this equitable doctrine cannot shield fraud. The decision established that forged deeds convey no title and that purchasers with knowledge of prior sales cannot claim good faith. The case demonstrates the importance of good faith and valid documentation in property transactions, and the courts' willingness to closely examine documentary evidence for signs of forgery.