Statute
Civil Code
Article
Art. 477
Topic
Quieting of Title
Status
In force
Book
BOOK II PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP, AND ITS MODIFICATIONS
Title
TITLE II OWNERSHIP
Chapter
CHAPTER 3 Quieting of Title
Year
1949
Cited by
Multiple Supreme Court decisions

The provision

The plaintiff must have legal or equitable title to, or interest in the real property which is the subject matter of the action. He need not be in possession of said property.

Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms

To bring an action to quiet title over real property, the plaintiff must hold legal or equitable title to, or an interest in, that property. Actual possession of the land is not required in order to sue.

An editorially maintained plain-language explanation of this provision — not legal advice.

Intellegal Wiki · How the courts apply it

In Josefina Q. Viloria v. Heirs of Pablo Gaetos, the Supreme Court held: For an action to quiet title to prosper, the plaintiff must have legal or equitable title to or interest in the property (Articles 476 and 477); tax declarations and mortgage documents alone do not prove ownership.

One leading Supreme Court case applying this provision.

Cases applying this article

Related provisions in this Chapter

Related research

In-depth Intellegal research that analyzes this provision.

Civil Code, Art. 477 is found in CHAPTER 3 Quieting of Title of TITLE II OWNERSHIP of BOOK II PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP, AND ITS MODIFICATIONS of the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386).

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Reviewed by the Intellegal Legal Team for currency against amending laws and Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Research aid — not legal advice. Verify the current text against the Official Gazette. Provisions may have been amended or repealed. Using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer.