- Petitioner
- Ricardo Serrano
- Respondent
- Court of Appeals
- Citation
- G.R. No. 77808
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Padilla, J.
- Decided
- September 12, 1990
Summary
The Supreme Court denied petitioners' attempt to relitigate property ownership after losing a prior case involving the same land. Petitioners Ricardo Serrano and Fidela Castalone sued to quiet title over riceland in Laguna, but the Court applied res judicata principles when a previous final judgment (Civil Case No. S-185) had already declared other parties as the rightful owners. The Court emphasized that under Article 477 of the Civil Code, plaintiffs must have legal or equitable title to maintain a quieting of title action. Since the prior judgment became final and executory, petitioners could no longer challenge the established ownership. The case demonstrates the conclusive effect of final judgments and the prohibition against multiplicity of suits on the same issue.