Enrique Ayllon v. Miguel Siojo

Summary

This case establishes the fundamental principle that trial courts lose jurisdiction over the substantive rights adjudicated in their judgments once an appeal is perfected through approval of a bill of exceptions. The Court of First Instance initially awarded plaintiff P2,000 for land use but later attempted to vacate this judgment sua sponte, citing defendant's good faith possession. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that once the defendant's appeal was perfected and the bill of exceptions approved, the trial court was divested of authority to modify the judgment's substantive determinations. This decision clarifies the jurisdictional boundaries between trial and appellate courts during the appeals process, establishing that appellate courts have exclusive power over substantive rights once jurisdiction is properly transferred through appeal procedures.