SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 138842. October 18, 2000]

NATIVIDAD P. NAZARENO, MAXIMINO P. NAZARENO, R., petitioners, vs. !O"RT O# APPEA$%, E%TATE O# MAXIMINO A. NAZARENO, %R., ROMEO P. NAZARENO &'( E$IZA NAZARENO, respondents. DE!I%ION
MENDOZA, J.)

This is a petition for review on certiorari of the decision [1] of the Court of Appeals in CA !" CV No# $%&&1 dated 'a( )%* 1%%+ affir,in- with ,odifications the decision of the "e-ional Trial Court* .ranch 1/0* 1ue2on Cit(* in an action for annul,ent of sale and da,a-es# The facts are as follows3 'a4i,ino Na2areno* Sr# and Aurea 5o6lete were hus6and and wife# Aurea died on April 17* 1%0/* while 'a4i,ino* Sr# died on Dece,6er 1+* 1%+/# The( had five children* na,el(* Natividad* "o,eo* 8ose* 5acifico* and 'a4i,ino* 8r# Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# are the petitioners in this case* while the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* "o,eo* and his wife Eli2a Na2areno are the respondents# Durin- their ,arria-e* 'a4i,ino Na2areno* Sr# and Aurea 5o6lete ac9uired properties in 1ue2on Cit( and in the 5rovince of Cavite# It is the ownership of so,e of these properties that is in 9uestion in this case# It appears that after the death of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* "o,eo filed an intestate case in the Court of :irst Instance of Cavite* .ranch ;V* where the case was doc<eted as Sp# 5roc# No# NC )+# =pon the reor-ani2ation of the courts in 1%+$* the case was transferred to the "e-ional Trial Court of Naic* Cavite# "o,eo was appointed ad,inistrator of his father>s estate# In the course of the intestate proceedin-s* "o,eo discovered that his parents had e4ecuted several deeds of sale conve(in- a nu,6er of real properties in favor of his sister* Natividad# One of the deeds involved si4 lots in 1ue2on Cit( which were alle-edl( sold 6( 'a4i,ino* Sr#* with the consent of Aurea* to Natividad on 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ for the total a,ount of 5&0*+//#//# The Deed of A6solute Sale reads as follows3

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: I, MAXIMINO A. NAZARENO, Filipino, m !!i"# $o A%!" Po&l"$"'N ( !"no, o) l"* l *" n# !"+i#"n$ o) $," M%n. o) N i-, P!o.. o) / .i$", P,ilippin"+, 'WITNESSETH' T, $ I m $," &+ol%$" !"*i+$"!"# o0n"! o) +i1 234 p !-"l+ o) l n# 0i$, $," imp!o."m"n$+ $,"!"on +i$% $"# in 5%"(on /i$6, P,ilippin"+, 0,i-, p !-"l+ o) l n# !" ,"!"0i$, #"+-!i&"# n# &o%n#"# + )ollo0+, $o 0i$: 7TRANS. /ERT. OF TITLE NO. 89:;93< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ ='B o) $," +%&#i.i+ion pl n P+#'9>9:9, &"in* po!$ion o) Lo$ =, Blo-? D'= #"+-!i&"# on pl n B+#'8:39@, A.L.R.O. R"-o!# No.4 +i$% $"# in $," 5%i!ino Di+$!i-$, 5%"(on /i$6. Bo%n#"# on $," N., lon* lin" 8'@ &6 Lo$ 8B, Blo-? D' = o) pl n B+# ' 8:39@C lon* lin" @'= &6 Lo$ 9, Blo-? D'= o) pl n B+#'8:39@C lon* lin" ='9 &6 A%!o! Bo%l". !# 2Ro # Lo$'8, B+#'8:39@4C n# lon* lin" 9'8 &6 Lo$ =' D o) $," +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ poin$ m !?"# 78< on pl n, &"in* S.@; #"*. @3DE., 88B3.@@ m. )!om B.L.L.M. ;, 5%"(on /i$6, $,"n-" N. >; #"*. B=DE., 8@.B: m. $o poin$ @C $,"n-" S. 8: #"*. :>DE., 9:.:: m. $o poin$ =C $,"n-" S. >; #"*. B=DW., 8@.B: m. $o poin$ 9C $,"n-" N. 8: #"*. :>DW., 9:.:: m. $o $," poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) FIEE HUNDRED 2B::4 S5UARE METERS. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# !" m !?"# on $," *!o%n# + )ollo0+: poin$+ 78< n# 79< &6 P.L.S. /6l. /on-. Mon+. &" !in*+ $!%"C # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, Ap!il F'G%l6 8B, 8;@: n# $, $ o) $," +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, M !-, @B, 8;B3.< 7TRANS. /ERT. OF TITLE NO. 8=@:8;< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ =, Blo-? ;= o) $," +%&#i.i+ion pl n P+#'B>;>: &"in* po!$ion o) Lo$ 3, P-+'9>F3, A.L.R.O. R"-. No. ;8>4 +i$% $"# in 5%i!ino Di+$!i-$ 5%"(on /i$6. Bo%n#"# on $," NW., lon* lin" 8'@, &6 Lo$ 8, Blo-? ;=C on $," NE., lon* lin" @'=, &6 Ro # Lo$ 8:8C on $," SE., lon* lin" ='9, &6 Ro # Lo$ 8::C on $," SW., lon*

lin" 9'8, &6 Lo$ 9, Blo-? ;=C ll o) $," +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ poin$ m !?"# 78< on pl n, &"in* S. 3B #"*. 9:D ===;.;@ m. )!om B.L.L.M. No. 8, M !i?in , Ri( lC $,"n-" N. @= #"*. @F min. E., 88.>: m. $o poin$ 7@<C $,"n-" S. 33 #"*. =@ min. E., 8F.:: m. $o poin$ 7=<C $,"n-" S. @= #"*. @F min. W., 88.>: m. $o poin$ 79<C $,"n-" N. 33 #"*. =@. min. W., 8F.:: m. $o $," poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) TWO HUNDRED TEN S5UARE METERS AND SIXTY S5UARE DE/IMETERS 2@8:.3:4. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# !" m !?"# on $," *!o%n# &6 B.L. /6l. /on-. Mon+. 8B 1 3: -m.C &" !in*+ $!%"C # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, No.. 8:, 8;@: n# G n. =8'M !-, =8, 8;@9 n# $, $ o) $," +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, F"&!% !6 8 $o S"p$"m&"! =:, 8;B9. D $" pp!o."# ' M !-, ;, 8;3@.< 7TRANS. /ERT. OF TITLE NO. 88FFFB< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ No. 8:, o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n P-+';FF, &"in* po!$ion o) $," -on+oli# $"# Lo$ No. @3, Blo-? No. 3, P+#'8@>, n# Lo$+ No+. @>'A n# @>'B, P+#'89;:8, A.L.R.O. R"-o!# No. ;8>4, +i$% $"# in $," Di+$!i-$ o) /%& o, 5%"(on /i$6, I+l n# o) L%(on. Bo%n#"# on $," NE., &6 Lo$ No. 9 o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SE., &6 Lo$ No. 88 o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SW., &6 Lo$ No. = o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC n# on $," NW., &6 Lo$ No. ; o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ poin$ m !?"# 78< on $," pl n, &"in* S. > #"*. @3DW., 9@3;.;: m. mo!" o! l"++ )!om B.L.L.M. No. 8, Mp. o) M !iH%in C $,"n-" S. @B #"*. ::DE., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ 7@<C $,"n-" S. 39 #"*. B;DW., @;.;; m. $o poin$ 7=<C $,"n-" N. @B #"*. ::DW., 8@.:: m $o poin$ 79<C $,"n-" N. 39 #"*. B;DE., @;.;; m. $o $," poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) THREE HUNDRED SIXTY S5UARE METERS 2=3:4, mo!" o! l"++. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# on $," *!o%n# !" m !?"# &6 P.L.S. /on-. Mon+. 8B 1 3: -m.C &" !in*+ $!%"C #"-lin $ion : #"*.

B:DE., # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, Ap!il F $o G%l6 8B, 8;@:, n# $, $ o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, Ap!il @9 $o @3, 8;98.< 7TRANS. /ERT. OF TITLE NO. 88FFF3< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ No. 88, o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n P-+';FF, &"in* po!$ion o) $," -on+oli# $"# Lo$ No. @3, Blo-? No. 3, P+#'8@>, n# Lo$+ No+. @>'A n# @>'B, P+#'89;:8, A.L.R.O. R"-o!# No. ;8>4, +i$% $"# in $," Di+$!i-$ o) /%& o, 5%"(on /i$6, I+l n# o) L%(on. Bo%n#"# on $," NE., &6 Lo$ No. 9 o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SE., &6 Lo$ No. 8@ o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SW., &6 Lo$ No. = o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," NW., &6 Lo$ No. 8: o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ poin$ m !?"# 78< on pl n, &"in* S. >; #"*. :>DW., 9@39.:: m. mo!" o! l"++ )!om B.L.L.M. No. 8, Mp. o) M !iH%in C $,"n-" S. 39 #"*. B;DW., @;.;; m. $o poin$ 7@<C $,"n-" N. @B #"*. ::DW., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ 7=<C $,"n-" N. 39 #"*. B;DE., @;.;; m. $o poin$ 79<C $,"n-" S. @3 #"*. ::DE., 8@.:: m. $o $," poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) THREE HUNDRED SIXTY S5UARE METERS 2=3:4, mo!" o! l"++. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# on $," *!o%n#, !" m !?"# &6 P.L.S. /on-. Mon+. 8B 1 3: -m.C &" !in*+ $!%"C #"-lin $ion : #"*. B:DE.C # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, Ap!il F $o G%l6 8B, 8;@:, n# $, $ o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, Ap!il @9 $o @3, 8;98.< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ No. 8= o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n P-+';FF, &"in* po!$ion o) $," -on+oli# $"# Lo$ No. @3, Blo-? No. 3, P+#'8@>, n# Lo$+No+. @>'A n# @>'B, P+#'89;:8, A.L.R.O. R"-o!# No. ;8>4, +i$% $"# in $," Di+$!i-$ o) /%& o, 5%"(on /i$6, I+l n# o) L%(on. Bo%n#"# on $," NE., &6 Lo$ No. 9 o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SE., &6 Lo$ No. 89, o) $," -on+oli# $ionC n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SW., &6 Lo$ No. = o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC n# on $," NW., &6 Lo$ No. 8@, o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ $," poin$ m !?"# 78< on pl n, &"in* S.>F #"*. 9FDW., 9@BF.@: m. mo!" o! l"++ )!om B.L.L.M. No. 8, Mp. o) M !iH%in C $,"n-" S. 39 #"*. BFDW., =:.:: m. $o poin$ 7@<C $,"n-" N. @B #"*. ::DW., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ 7=<C

$,"n-" N. 39 #"*. B;DE., @;.;; m. $o poin$ 79<C $,"n-" S.@B #"*. ::DE., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) THREE HUNDRED SIXTY S5UARE METERS 2=3:, mo!" o! l"++. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# on $," *!o%n# !" m !?"# &6 P.L.S. /on-. Mon+. 8B 1 3: -m.C &" !in*+ $!%"C #"-lin $ion : #"*. B:DE., # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, Ap!il F $o G%l6 8B, 8;@:, n# $, $ o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, Ap!il @9 $o @3, 8;98.< 7A p !-"l o) l n# 2Lo$ No. 89, o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n P-+';FF, &"in* po!$ion o) $," -on+oli# $"# Lo$ No. @3, Blo-? No. 3, P+#'8@>, n# Lo$+ No+. @>'A n# @>'B, P+#'89;:8, A.L.R.O. R"-o!# No. ;8>4, +i$% $"# in $," Di+$!i-$ o) /%& o, 5%"(on /i$6, I+l n# o) L%(on. Bo%n#"# on $," NE., &6 Lo$ No. 9 o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SE., &6 Lo$ No. 8B, o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC on $," SW., &6 Lo$ No. = o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl nC n# on $," NW., &6 Lo$ No. 8= o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion pl n. B"*innin* $ $," poin$ m !?"# 78< on pl n, &"in* S.>F #"*. 9FDW., 9@BF.@: m. mo!" o! l"++ )!om B.L.L.M. No. 8, Mp. o) M !iH%in C $,"n-" S. @B #"*. ::DE., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ 7@<C $,"n-" S. 3B #"*. ::DW., =:.:: m. $o poin$ 7=<C $,"n-" S. 3B #"*. ::DW., 8@.:: m. $o poin$ 79<C $,"n-" N.39 #"*. BFDE., =:.:: m. $o $," poin$ o) &"*innin*C -on$ inin* n !" o) THREE HUNDRED SIXTY S5UARE METERS 2=3:4, mo!" o! l"++. All poin$+ !")"!!"# $o !" in#i- $"# on $," pl n n# on $," *!o%n# !" m !?"# &6 P.L.S. /on-. Mon+. 8B 1 3: -m.C &" !in*+ $!%"C #"-lin $ion : #"*. B:DE., # $" o) $," o!i*in l +%!."6, Ap!il F $o G%l6 8B, 8;@:, n# $, $ o) $," -on+oli# $ion n# +%&#i.i+ion +%!."6, Ap!il @9 $o @3, 8;98.< T, $ )o! n# in -on+i#"! $ion o) $," +%m o) FORTY THREE THOUSAND PESOS 2P9=,:::.::4 PHILIPPINE /URREN/Y, $o m" in , n# p i# &6 NATIEIDAD P. NAZARENO, Filipino, +in*l", o) l"* l *" n# !"+i#"n$ o) $," M%n. o) N i-, P!o.. o) / .i$", P,ilippin"+, $," !"-"ip$ 0,"!"o) i+ -?no0l"#*"# $o m6 "n$i!" + $i+) -$ion, I #o ,"!"&6 /EDE, SELL, TRANSFER, /ONEEY n# ASSIAN %n$o $," + i# N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no, ,"! ,"i!+, #mini+$! $o!+ n# ++i*n+, ll m6 $i$l", !i*,$+, in$"!"+$+ n# p !$i-ip $ion+ $o $," &o."#"+-!i&"# p !-"l+ o) l n# 0i$, $,"

imp!o."m"n$+ $,"!"on, 0i$, $," "1-"p$ion o) LOT NO. 88 /OEERED BY T./.T. NO. 88FFF3, )!"" o) n6 n# ll li"n+ n# "n-%m&! n-"+C n# T, $ )o! n# in -on+i#"! $ion o) $," +%m o) FOUR THOUSAND EIAHT HUNDRED PESOS 2P9,F::.::4 PHILIPPINE /URREN/Y, $o m" in , n# p i# &6 NATIEIDAD P. NAZARENO, Filipino, +in*l", o) l"* l *" n# !"+i#"n$ o) $," M%n. o) N i-, P!o.. o) / .i$", P,ilippin"+, $," !"-"ip$ 0,"!"o) i+ -?no0l"#*"# $o m6 "n$i!" + $i+) -$ion, I #o ,"!"&6 /EDE, SELL, TRANSFER, /ONEEY n# ASSIAN %n$o $," + i# N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no, ,"! ,"i!+, #mini+$! $o!+ n# ++i*n+, ll m6 $i$l", !i*,$+, in$"!"+$+ n# p !$i-ip $ion+ in n# $o Lo$ No. 88 -o."!"# &6 T./.T. No. 88FFF3 &o."'#"+-!i&"#, )!"" o) n6 n# ll li"n+ n# "n-%m&! n-"+, 0i$, $," %n#"!+$ n#in* $, $ $," $i$l" $o &" i++%"# in !"l $ion ,"!"$o +, ll &" +"p ! $" n# #i+$in-$ )!om $," $i$l" $o &" i++%"# in -onn"-$ion 0i$, Lo$+ No+. 8= n# 89, l$,o%*, -o."!"# &6 $," + m" $i$l". IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I , ." ,"!"%n$o +i*n"# $,i+ #""# o) &+ol%$" + l" in $," /i$6 o) M nil , P,ilippin"+, $,i+ @;$, # 6 o) G n% !6, 8;>:. I@J
.( virtue of this deed* transfer certificates of title were issued to Natividad* to wit3 TCT No# 1?)0$+ @Aot $ .B*[$] TCT No# 1?)0$% @Aot $B*[&]TCT No# 1?)0$7 @Aot 1/B* [7] TCT No# 1?)0$? @Aot 11B*[?] and TCT No# 1?)0$0 @Aots 1$ and 1&B* [0] all of the "e-ister of Deeds of 1ue2on Cit(# A,on- the lots covered 6( the a6ove Deed of Sale is Aot $ . which is re-istered under TCT No# 1&/%&?# This lot had 6een occupied 6( "o,eo* his wife Eli2a* and 6( 'a4i,ino* 8r# since 1%?%# =n<nown to "o,eo* Natividad sold Aot $ . on 8ul( $1* 1%+) to 'a4i,ino* 8r#*[+] for which reason the latter was issued TCT No# )%$0/1 6( the "e-ister of Deeds of 1ue2on Cit(# [%] Chen "o,eo found out a6out the sale to 'a4i,ino* 8r#* he and his wife Eli2a loc<ed 'a4i,ino* 8r# out of the house# On Au-ust &* 1%+$* 'a4i,ino* 8r# 6rou-ht an action for recover( of possession and da,a-es with pra(er for writs of preli,inar( inDunction and ,andator( inDunction with the "e-ional Trial Court of 1ue2on Cit(# On Dece,6er 1)* 1%+?* the trial court ruled in favor of 'a4i,ino* 8r# In CA !#"# CV No# 1)%$)* the Court of Appeals affir,ed the decision of the trial court# [1/] On 8une 17* 1%++* "o,eo in turn filed* on 6ehalf of the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* the present case for annul,ent of sale with da,a-es a-ainst Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# The case was filed in the "e-ional Trial Court of 1ue2on Cit(* where it was doc<eted as Civil Case No# ++ 7+#[11]"o,eo sou-ht the declaration of nullit( of the sale ,ade on 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ to Natividad and that ,ade on 8ul( $1* 1%+) to 'a4i,ino* 8r# on the -round that 6oth sales were void for lac< of consideration# On 'arch 1* 1%%/* Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# filed a third part( co,plaint a-ainst the spouses "o,eo and Eli2a#[1)] The( alle-ed that Aot $* which was included in the Deed of A6solute Sale of 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ to Natividad* had 6een surreptitiousl(

appropriated 6( "o,eo 6( securin- for hi,self a new title @TCT No# )00%?+B in his na,e#[1$] The( alle-ed that Aot $ is 6ein- leased 6( the spouses "o,eo and Eli2a to third persons# The( therefore sou-ht the annul,ent of the transfer to "o,eo and the cancellation of his title* the eviction of "o,eo and his wife Eli2a and all persons clai,in- ri-hts fro, Aot $* and the pa(,ent of da,a-es# The issues havin- 6een Doined* the case was set for trial# "o,eo presented evidence to show that 'a4i,ino and Aurea Na2areno never intended to sell the si4 lots to Natividad and that Natividad was onl( to hold the said lots in trust for her si6lin-s# Ee presented the Deed of 5artition and Distri6ution dated 8une )+* 1%?) e4ecuted 6( 'a4i,ino Sr# and Aurea and dul( si-ned 6( all of their children* e4cept 8ose* who was then a6road and was represented 6( their ,other* Aurea# .( virtue of this deed* the nine lots su6Dect of this Deed of 5artition were assi-ned 6( raffle as follows3 1# "o,eo Aot )7 A @?&) , B )# Natividad Aots )$ @$1) , B and )& @$0% , B $# 'a4i,ino* 8r# Aots ? @$$+ , B and 0 @$$+ , B &# 5acifico Aots 1$ @$?/ , B and 1& @$?/ , B 7# 8ose Aots 1/ @$?/ , B and 11 @$?/ , B
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

"o,eo received the title to Aot )7 A under his na,e* [1&] while 'a4i,ino* 8r# received Aots ? and 0 throu-h a Deed of Sale dated Au-ust 1?* 1%?? for the a,ount of 5%*7//#//#[17] 5acifico and 8ose>s shares were alle-edl( -iven to Natividad* who a-reed to -ive Aots 1/ and 11 to 8ose* in the event the latter ca,e 6ac< fro, a6road# Natividad>s share* on the other hand* was sold to third persons [1?] 6ecause she alle-edl( did not li<e the location of the two lots# .ut* "o,eo said* the ,one( reali2ed fro, the sale was -iven to Natividad# "o,eo also testified that Aot $ . was 6ou-ht for hi, 6( his father* while Aot $ was sold to hi, for 50*///#// 6( his parents on 8ul( &* 1%?%# [10] Eowever* he ad,itted that a docu,ent was e4ecuted 6( his parents transferrin- si4 properties in 1ue2on Cit(* i#e#* Aots $* $ .* 1/* 11* 1$* and 1&* to Natividad# "o,eo further testified that* althou-h the deeds of sale e4ecuted 6( his parents in their favor stated that the sale was for a consideration* the( never reall( paid an( a,ount for the supposed sale# The transfer was ,ade in this ,anner in order to avoid the pa(,ent of inheritance ta4es# [1+] "o,eo denied stealin- Aot $ fro, his sister 6ut instead clai,ed that the title to said lot was -iven to hi, 6( Natividad in 1%+1 after their father died# Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# clai,ed that the Deed of 5artition and Distri6ution e4ecuted in 1%?) was not reall( carried out# Instead* in Dece,6er of 1%?%* their parents offered to sell to the, the si4 lots in 1ue2on Cit(* i#e#* Aots $* $ .* 1/* 11* 1$ and 1&# Eowever* it was onl( Natividad who 6ou-ht the si4 properties 6ecause she was the onl( one financiall( a6le to do so# Natividad said she sold Aots 1$ and 1& to "os Alva 'ar<etin- Corp#[1%] and Aot $ . to 'a4i,ino* 8r# for 5107*///#//#[)/] Natividad ad,itted that "o,eo and the latter>s wife were occup(in- Aot $ . at that ti,e and that she did not tell the latter a6out the sale she had ,ade to 'a4i,ino* 8r#

Natividad said that she had the title to Aot $ 6ut it so,ehow -ot lost# She could not -et an ori-inal cop( of the said title 6ecause the records of the "e-istrar of Deeds had 6een destro(ed 6( fire# She clai,ed she was surprised to learn that "o,eo was a6le to o6tain a title to Aot $ in his na,e# Natividad insisted that she paid the a,ount stated in the Deed of A6solute Sale dated 8anuar( )%* 1%0/# She alle-ed that their parents had sold these properties to their children instead of ,erel( -ivin- the sa,e to the, in order to i,pose on the, the value of hardwor<# Natividad accused "o,eo of filin- this case to harass her after "o,eo lost in the action for recover( of possession @Civil Case No# 1 $%/1+B which had 6een 6rou-ht a-ainst hi, 6( 'a4i,ino* 8r# It appears that 6efore the case filed 6( "o,eo could 6e decided* the Court of Appeals rendered a decision in CA !" CV No# 1)%$) affir,inthe trial court>s decision in favor of 'a4i,ino* 8r# On Au-ust 1/* 1%%)* the trial court rendered a decision* the dispositive portion of which states3

WHEREFORE, K%#*m"n$ i+ ,"!"&6 !"n#"!"# #"-l !in* $," n%lli$6 o) $," D""# o) S l" # $"# G n% !6 @;, 8;>:. E1-"p$ + $o Lo$+ =, ='B, 8= n# 89 0,i-, , # p ++"# on $o $,i!# p"!+on+, $," #")"n# n$ N $i.i# # +, ll ,ol# $," !"+$ in $!%+$ )o! Go+" N ( !"no $o 0,om $," + m" , # &""n #K%#i- $"#. T," R"*i+$"! o) D""#+ o) 5%"(on /i$6 i+ #i!"-$"# $o nno$ $" $,i+ K%#*m"n$ on T! n+)"! /"!$i)i- $" o) Ti$l"+ No+. 83@>=B n# 83@>=3 + li"n in $," $i$l"+ o) N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no. T," #")"n# n$+D -o%n$"!-l im i+ #i+mi++"#. Li?"0i+", $," $,i!#'p !$6 -ompl in$ i+ #i+mi++"#. T," #")"n# n$+ !" ,"!"&6 #i!"-$"# $o p 6 $o $," pl in$i)) Koin$l6 n# +"."! ll6 $," +%m o) P=:,::: + n# )o! $$o!n"6D+ )""+. Li?"0i+", $," $,i!#'p !$6 pl in$i)) i+ #i!"-$"# $o p 6 $," $,i!#'p !$6 #")"n# n$D+ $$o!n"6D+ )""+ o) P@:,:::. All o$,"! -l im+ &6 on" p !$6 * in+$ $," o$,"! !" #i+mi++"#. SO ORDERED.I@8J
Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# filed a ,otion for reconsideration# As a result* on Octo6er 1&* 1%%) the trial court ,odified its decision as follows3

WHEREFORE, $," pl in$i))D+ P !$i l Mo$ion )o! R"-on+i#"! $ion i+ ,"!"&6 *! n$"#. T," K%#*m"n$ # $"# A%*%+$ 8:, 8;;@ i+ ,"!"&6 m"n#"#, +%-, $, $ $," )i!+$ p ! *! p, o) i$+ #i+po+i$i." po!$ion i+ -o!!"+pon#in*l6 mo#i)i"# $o !" # + )ollo0+:

7WHEREFORE, K%#*m"n$ i+ ,"!"&6 !"n#"!"# #"-l !in* $," n%lli$6 o) $," D""#+ o) S l" # $"# G n% !6 @;, 8;>: n# G%l6 =8, 8;F@. 7E1-"p$ + $o Lo$+ =, 8= n# 89 0,i-, , # p ++"# on $o $,i!# p"!+on, $," #")"n# n$ N $i.i# # +, ll ,ol# $," !"+$ OF THE PROPERTIES /OEERED BY THE DEED OF SALE DATED GANUARY @;, 8;>: 2LOTS 8: n# 884 in $!%+$ )o! Go+" N ( !"no $o 0,om $," + m" , # &""n #K%#i- $"#. 7T," R"*i+$"! o) D""#+ o) 5%"(on /i$6 i+ #i!"-$"# $o nno$ $" $,i+ K%#*m"n$ on T! n+)"! /"!$i)i- $"+ o) Ti$l" No. 83@>=B n# 83@>=3 + li"n on $," $i$l"+ o) N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no. 7LIKEWISE, THE SAID REAISTER OF DEEDS IS DIRE/TED TO /AN/EL T/T NO. @;=>:8 2)o!m"!l6 83@>:B4 OEER LOT ='B AND RESTORE T/T NO. 89:;93 IN THE NAME OF MAXIMINO NAZARENO SR. AND AUREA POBLETE.<I@@J
On appeal to the Court of Appeals* the decision of the trial court was ,odified in the sense that titles to Aot $ @in the na,e of "o,eo Na2arenoB and Aot $ . @in the na,e of 'a4i,ino Na2areno* 8r#B* as well as to Aots 1/ and 11 were cancelled and ordered restored to the estate of 'a4i,ino Na2areno* Sr# The dispositive portion of the decision dated 'a( )%* 1%%+ reads3

WHEREFORE, $," pp" l i+ ARANTED. T," #"-i+ion n# $," o!#"! in H%"+$ion !" mo#i)i"# + )ollo0+: 8. T," D""# o) A&+ol%$" S l" # $"# @; G n% !6 8;>: n# $," D""# o) A&+ol%$" S l" # $"# =8 G%l6 8;F@ !" ,"!"&6 #"-l !"# n%ll n# .oi#C @. E1-"p$ + $o Lo$+ 8= n# 89 o0n"!+,ip o) 0,i-, , + p ++"# on $o $,i!# p"!+on+, i$ i+ ,"!"&6 #"-l !"# $, $ Lo$+ =, ='B, 8: n# 88 +, ll )o!m p !$ o) $," "+$ $" o) $," #"-" +"# M 1imino N ( !"no, S!.C =. T," R"*i+$"! o) D""#+ o) 5%"(on /i$6 i+ ,"!"&6 o!#"!"# $o !"+$o!" T/T No. 89:;93 2-o."!in* Lo$ ='B4, T/T No. 8=@:8; 2-o."!in* Lo$ =4, T/T No. 88FFFB 2-o."!in* Lo$ 8:4, n# T/T No. 88FFF3 2-o."!in* Lo$ 884. I@=J
5etitioners filed a ,otion for reconsideration 6ut it was denied in a resolution dated 'a( )0* 1%%%# Eence this petition# 5etitioners raise the followin- issues3
1# CEETEE" O" NOT TEE =NCO""O.O"ATED TESTI'ONF O: 5"IVATE "ES5ONDENT "O'EO 5# NAGA"ENO CAN DEST"OF TEE :=AA :AITE AND C"EDIT ACCO"DED TO NOTA"IGED DOC='ENTS AIHE TEE DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ @E;E# 1B E;EC=TED .F TEE

DECEASED S5O=SES 'A;I'INO A# NAGA"ENO* S"# AND A="EA 5O.AETE IN :AVO" O: 5ETITIONE" NATIVIDAD 5# NAGA"ENO# )# CEETEE" O" NOT TEE "ES5ONDENT CO="T !"OSSAF 'ISA55"ECIATED TEE :ACTS O: TEE CASE CITE "ES5ECT TO TEE VAAIDITF O: TEE SAID DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ @E;E# 1B IN TEE AI!ET O: TEE :OAAOCIN!3 AB TEE DOC='ENTA"F EVIDENCE* AAA O: CEICE A"E NOTA"IGED* E;EC=TED .F TEE DECEASED S5O=SES D="IN! TEEI" AI:ETI'E INVOAVIN! SO'E O: TEEI" CON8=!AA 5"O5E"TIES# .B TEE E;EC=TION O: AN E;T"A 8=DICIAA 5A"TITION CITE CAIVE" O: "I!ETS AND CON:I"'ATION O: SAAE DATED 'AF )&* 1%07 @E;E# 1&AB O: TEE ESTATE O: A="EA 5O.AETE .F TEE DECEASED 'A;I'INO A# NAGA"ENO* S"# AND TEEI" CEIAD"EN INVOAVIN! TEE ONAF "E'AININ! ESTATE O: A="EA 5O.AETE TE=S I'5AIEDAF AD'ITTIN! TEE VAAIDITF O: 5"EVIO=S DIS5OSITIONS 'ADE .F SAID DECEASED S5O=SES ON TEEI" CON8=!AA 5"O5E"TIES* EAA: O: CEICE CO=AD EAVE .ECO'E A 5A"T O: A="EA 5O.AETE>S ESTATE =5ON EE" DE'ISE# CB TEE AD'ISSION 'ADE .F 'A;I'INO A# NAGA"ENO* S"# IN EIS TESTI'ONF IN O5EN CO="T ON A=!=ST 1$* 1%+/ D="IN! EIS AI:ETI'E IN CIVIA CASE NO# NC 01) @E;E# +1* +1.B TEAT EE EAD SOAD CE"TAIN 5"O5E"TIES IN :AVO" O: NATIVIDAD 5# NAGA"ENO TE=S .EAFIN! TEE CAAI' O: "O'EO 5# NAGA"ENO TEAT TEE DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ IS ONE A'ON! TEE DOC='ENTS E;EC=TED .F TEE DECEASED S5O=SES TO .E CITEO=T CONSIDE"ATION# DB TEE AD'ISSIONS 'ADE .F "O'EO 5# NAGA"ENO EI'SEA: CONTAINED IN A :INAA DECISION O: TEE "ES5ONDENT CO="T IN CA !" CV NO# 1)%$) DATED A=!=ST $1* 1%%) AND AN ANNE; A55EA"IN! IN EIS ANSCE" TO TEE CO'5AAINT IN CIVIA CASE NO# 1 $%/1+ @E;E# 11 .B INVOAVIN! AOT $.* ONE O: TEE 5"O5E"TIES IN 1=ESTION TEAT TEE SAID 5"O5E"TF IS OCNED .F 5ETITIONE" NATIVIDAD 5# NAGA"ENO# EB TEE 5A"TIAA 5"O8ECT O: 5A"TITION DATED 'AF )&* 1%%7 CEICE CAS A55"OVED .F TEE INTESTATE CO="T IN S5# 5"OC# NO# NC )+ AND E;EC=TED IN ACCO"DANCE CITE TEE AATTE" CO="T>S :INAA O"DE" DATED 8=AF %* 1%%1 DETE"'ININ! CEICE CE"E TEE "E'AININ! 5"O5E"TIES O: TEE ESTATE# $# CEETEE" O" NOT TEE DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ E;EC=TED .F TEE DECEASED S5O=SES 'A;I'INO A# NAGA"ENO* S"# AND A="EA 5O.AETE D="IN! TEEI" AI:ETI'E INVOAVIN! TEEI" CON8=!AA 5"O5E"TIES IS AN INDIVISI.AE CONT"ACTI AND I: SO CEETEE" O" NOT =5ON TEEI" DEATE* TEE ESTATE O: 'A;I'INO A# NAGA"ENO* S"# AAONE CAN SEEH TEE ANN=A'ENT O: SAID SAAEI &# CEETEE" O" NOT TEE SAAE O: AOT $ =NDE" TEE DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ IN :AVO" O: 5ETITIONE" NATIVIDAD 5# NAGA"ENO* IS VAAID CONSIDE"IN! TEAT AS 5E" TEE O"DE" O: TEE AOCE" CO="T DATED NOVE'.E" )1* 1%%/# "O'EO NAGA"ENO AD'ITTED TEAT EE DID NOT 5AF TEE CONSIDE"ATION STATED IN TEE DEED O:

A.SOA=TE SAAE DATED 8=AF &* 1%?% E;EC=TED .F TEE DECEASED S5O=SES IN EIS :AVO" @E;E# ' )B# 7# CEETEE" O" NOT AS A CONSE1=ENCE* TEE TITAE ISS=ED IN TEE NA'E O: "O'EO 5# NAGA"ENO* TCT NO# )00%?+ @E;E# 'B SEO=AD .E CANCEAAED AND DECAA"ED N=AA AND VOID AND A NEC ONE ISS=ED IN :AVO" O: NATIVIDAD 5# NAGA"ENO 5="S=ANT TO TEE DEED O: A.SOA=TE SAAE E;EC=TED IN TEE AATTE">S :AVO" ON 8AN=A"F )%* 1%0/ .F TEE DECEASED S5O=SES#[)&]

Ce find the petition to 6e without ,erit# :irst# 5etitioners ar-ue that the lone testi,on( of "o,eo is insufficient to overco,e the presu,ption of validit( accorded to a notari2ed docu,ent# To 6e-in with* the findin-s of fact of the Court of Appeals are conclusive on the parties and carr( even ,ore wei-ht when these coincide with the factual findin-s of the trial court# This Court will not wei-h the evidence all over a-ain unless there is a showin- that the findin-s of the lower court are totall( devoid of support or are clearl( erroneous so as to constitute serious a6use of discretion# [)7] The lone testi,on( of a witness* if credi6le* is sufficient# In this case* the testi,on( of "o,eo that no consideration was ever paid for the sale of the si4 lots to Natividad was found to 6e credi6le 6oth 6( the trial court and 6( the Court of Appeals and it has not 6een successfull( re6utted 6( petitioners# Ce* therefore* have no reason to overturn the findin-s 6( the two courts -ivin- credence to his testi,on(# The fact that the deed of sale was notari2ed is not a -uarantee of the validit( of its contents# As held in Sunta( v# Court of Appeals3[)?]

T,o%*, $," no$ !i( $ion o) $," #""# o) + l" in H%"+$ion ."+$+ in i$+ ) .o! $," p!"+%mp$ion o) !"*%l !i$6, i$ i+ no$ $," in$"n$ion no! $," )%n-$ion o) $," no$ !6 p%&li$o . li# $" n# m ?" &in#in* n in+$!%m"n$ n"."!, in $," )i!+$ pl -", in$"n#"# $o , ." n6 &in#in* l"* l "))"-$ %pon $," p !$i"+ $,"!"$o. T," in$"n$ion o) $," p !$i"+ +$ill n# l0 6+ i+ $," p!im !6 -on+i#"! $ion in #"$"!minin* $," $!%" n $%!" o) -on$! -$.
Second# 5etitioners ,a<e capital of the fact that in C#A# !#"# CV No# 1)%$)* which was declared final 6( this Court in !#"# No# 1/0?+&* the Court of Appeals upheld the ri-ht of 'a4i,ino* 8r# to recover possession of Aot $ .# In that case* the Court of Appeals held3

A+ +,o0n in $," p!"-"#in* #i+H%i+i$ion, N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no -H%i!"# $," p!op"!$6 in #i+p%$" &6 p%!-, +" in 8;>:. S," 0 + i++%"# T! n+)"! /"!$i)i- $" o) Ti$l" No. 83@>=F o) $," R"*i+$!6 o) D""#+ o) 5%"(on /i$6. W,"n ,"! p !"n$+ #i"#, ,"! mo$,"! A%!" Po&l"$"'N ( !"no in 8;>: n# ,"! ) $,"! M 1imino A. N ( !"no, S!. in 8;F:, N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no , # lon* &""n $," "1-l%+i." o0n"! o) $," p!op"!$6 in H%"+$ion. T,"!" 0 + no 0 6 $,"!")o!" $, $ $," )o!"+ i# p!op"!$6 -o%l# &"lon* $o $," "+$ $" o) $," +po%+"+ M 1imino N ( !"no, S!. n# A%!" Po&l"$". T," m"!" ) -$ $, $ Rom"o P. N ( !"no in-l%#"# $," + m" p!op"!$6 in n in."n$o!6 o) $," p!op"!$i"+ o)

$," #"-" +"# M 1imino A. N ( !"no, S!. 0ill no$ #."!+"l6 ))"-$ $," o0n"!+,ip o) $," + i# !" l$6. App"ll n$ Rom"o P. N ( !"noD+ +%+pi-ion $, $ ,i+ p !"n$+ , # "n$!%+$"# ll $,"i! ++"$+ %n#"! $," - !" n# in $," n m" o) N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no, $,"i! "l#"+$ li.in* +i+$"! 0,o 0 + +$ill +in*l", $o &" #i.i#"# %pon $,"i! #"mi+" $o ll $," -omp%l+o!6 ,"i!+, , + no$ p!o*!"++"# &"6on# m"!" +p"-%l $ion. Hi+ & !") -"# ll"* $ion on $," poin$ no$ onl6 i+ 0i$,o%$ n6 -o!!o&o! $ion &%$ i+ "."n &"li"# &6 #o-%m"n$ !6 ".i#"n-". T," #""# o) &+ol%$" + l" 2E1,i&i$ 7B<4, &"in* p%&li#o-%m"n$ 2R%l" 8=@, S"-+. 8; n# @=, R".i+"# R%l"+ on E.i#"n-"4, i+ "n$i$l"# $o *!" $ 0"i*,$C $o -on$! #i-$ $," + m", $,"!" m%+$ &" ".i#"n-" $, $ i+ -l" !, -on.in-in* n# mo!" $, n m"!"l6 p!"pon#"! n$ 2Y$%!! l#" .+. A* non, @F S/RA 9:>C F .o! .+. /o%!$ o) App" l+, 8;9 S/RA =:F4. D")"n# n$+' pp"ll n$+D o0n -on#%-$ #i+p!o."+ $,"i! -l im o) -o'o0n"!+,ip o."! $," p!op"!$6 in H%"+$ion. B"in* $,"m+"l."+ $," o0n"! o) $"n'%ni$ p !$m"n$ &%il#in* lon* S$ n)o!# S$., /%& o 5%"(on /i$6, #")"n# n$+' pp"ll n$+, in l"$$"! o) #"m n# $o . - $" ##!"++"# $o $,"i! $"n n$+ 2E1,i&i$+ 7P<, 7P'8< n# 7P'@<4 in + i# p !$m"n$, #mi$$"# $, $ $," ,o%+" n# lo$ lo- $"# $ No. ;>; A%!o! Bl.#., 5%"(on /i$6 0,"!" $,"6 0"!" !"+i#in* #i# no$ &"lon* $o $,"m. Al+o, 0,"n $,"6 ppli"# )o! p"!mi$ $o !"p i! $," +%&K"-$ p!op"!$6 in 8;>>, $,"6 +$ $"# $, $ $," p!op"!$6 &"lon*"# $o n# 0 + !"*i+$"!"# in $," n m" o) N $i.i# # P. N ( !"no. Amon* $," #o-%m"n$+ +%&mi$$"# $o +%ppo!$ $,"i! ppli- $ion )o! &%il#in* p"!mi$ 0 + -op6 o) T/T No. 83@>=F o) $," R"*i+$!6 o) D""#+ o) 5%"(on /i$6 in $," n m" o) N $i.i# # N ( !"no 2E1,i&i$ 7O< n# +%&m !?in*+C $+n M !-, 8B, 8;FB, pp. 9'B4.I@>J
To 6e sure* that case was for recover( of possession 6ased on ownership of Aot $ .# The parties in that case were 'a4i,ino* 8r#* as plaintiff* and the spouses "o,eo and Eli2a* as defendants# On the other hand* the parties in the present case for annul,ent of sale are the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* as plaintiff* and Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r#* as defendants# "o,eo and Eli2a were na,ed third part( defendants after a third part( co,plaint was filed 6( Natividad and 'a4i,ino* 8r# As alread( stated* however* this third part( co,plaint concerned Aot $* and not Aot $ .# The estate of a deceased person is a Duridical entit( that has a personalit( of its own#[)+] Thou-h "o,eo represented at one ti,e the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* the latter has a separate and distinct personalit( fro, the for,er# Eence* the Dud-,ent in CA !" CV No# 1)%$) re-ardin- the ownership of 'a4i,ino* 8r# over Aot $ . 6inds "o,eo and Eli2a onl(* and not the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr#* which also has a ri-ht to recover properties which were wron-full( disposed# :urther,ore* Natividad>s title was clearl( not an issue in the first case# In other words* the title to the other five lots su6Dect of the present deed of sale was not in issue in that case# If the first case resolved an(thin-* it was the ownership of 'a4i,ino* 8r# over Aot $ . alone# Third# 5etitioners alle-e that* as shown 6( several deeds of sale e4ecuted 6( 'a4i,ino* Sr# and Aurea durin- their lifeti,e* the intention to dispose of their real

properties is clear# Conse9uentl(* the( ar-ue that the Deed of Sale of 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ should also 6e dee,ed valid# This is a non se9uitur# The fact that other properties had alle-edl( 6een sold 6( the spouses 'a4i,ino* Sr# and Aurea does not necessaril( show that the Deed of Sale ,ade on 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ is valid# "o,eo does not dispute that their parents had e4ecuted deeds of sale# The 9uestion* however* is whether these sales were ,ade for a consideration# The trial court and the Court of Appeals found that the Na2areno spouses transferred their properties to their children 6( fictitious sales in order to avoid the pa(,ent of inheritance ta4es# Indeed* it was found 6oth 6( the trial court and 6( the Court of Appeals that Natividad had no ,eans to pa( for the si4 lots su6Dect of the Deed of Sale#

All $,"+" -on.in-" $," /o%!$ $, $ N $i.i# # , # no m" n+ $o p 6 )o! ll $," lo$+ +," p%!po!$"#l6 p%!-, +"# )!om ,"! p !"n$+. W, $ i+ mo!", Rom"oD+ #mi++ion $, $ ," #i# no$ p 6 )o! $," $! n+)"! $o ,im o) lo$+ = n# @B'L #"+pi$" $," -on+i#"! $ion+ +$ $"# in $," #""# o) + l" i+ #"-l ! $ion * in+$ in$"!"+$ n# m%+$ !in* 0i$, !"+o%n#in* $!%$,. T," H%"+$ion i+, 0,6 +,o%l# N $i.i# # &" $!" $"# n6 #i))"!"n$l6, i.e., 0i$, -on+i#"! $ion )o! $," + l" $o ,"!, 0,"n +," i+ #mi$$"#l6 $," -lo+"+$ $o ,"! p !"n$+ n# $," on" +$ 6in* 0i$, $,"m n# m n *in* $,"i! )) i!+L I$ K%+$ +""m+ 0i$,o%$ !" +on. An60 6, $," /o%!$ i+ -on.in-"# $, $ $," H%"+$ion"# D""# o) S l" # $"# G n% !6 @;, 8;>: 2E1,. 7A< o! 78<4 i+ +im%l $"# )o! l -? o) -on+i#"! $ion, n# $,"!")o!" in"))"-$i." n# .oi#.I@;J
In affir,in- this rulin-* the Court of Appeals said3

F -$+ n# -i!-%m+$ n-"+ in#i- $" & #*"+ o) +im%l $"# + l" 0,i-, m ?" $," D""# o) A&+ol%$" S l" # $"# @; G n% !6 8;>: .oi# n# o) no "))"-$. In $," - +" o) S%n$ 6 .+. /o%!$ o) App" l+ 2@B8 S/RA 9=: I8;;BJ4, $," S%p!"m" /o%!$ ,"l# $, $ & #*"+ o) +im%l $ion m ?" #""# o) + l" n%ll n# .oi# +in-" p !$i"+ $,"!"$o "n$"! in$o $! n+ -$ion $o 0,i-, $,"6 #i# no$ in$"n# $o &" l"* ll6 &o%n#. I$ pp" !+ $, $ i$ 0 + $," p! -$i-" in $," N ( !"no ) mil6 $o m ?" +im%l $"# $! n+)"!+ o) o0n"!+,ip o) !" l p!op"!$i"+ $o $,"i! -,il#!"n in o!#"! $o .oi# $," p 6m"n$ o) in,"!i$ n-" $ 1"+. P"! $," $"+$imon6 o) Rom"o, ," -H%i!"# Lo$ @B'L )!om ,i+ p !"n$+ $,!o%*, )i-$i$io%+ o! +im%l $"# + l" 0,"!"in no -on+i#"! $ion 0 + p i# &6 ,im.H" "."n $!%$,)%ll6 #mi$$"# $, $ $," + l" o) Lo$ = $o ,im on :9 G%l6 8;3; 2D""# o) A&+ol%$" S l", R"-o!#+, Eol. II, p. 9B=4 li?"0i+" , # no -on+i#"! $ion. T,i+ #o-%m"n$ 0 + +i*n"# &6 $," +po%+"+ M 1, S!. n# A%!" + ."n#o!+ 0,il" #")"n# n$' pp"ll n$ N $i.i# # +i*n"# + 0i$n"++.I=:J
:ourth# 5etitioners ar-ue further3

T," D""# o) A&+ol%$" S l" # $"# G n% !6 @;, 8;>: i+ n in#i.i+i&l" -on$! -$ )o%n#"# on n in#i.i+i&l" o&li* $ion. A+ +%-,, i$ &"in* in#i.i+i&l", i$ - n no$ &" nn%ll"# &6 onl6 on" o) $,"m. An# +in-" $,i+ +%i$ 0 + )il"# onl6 &6 $," "+$ $" o) M 1imino A. N ( !"no, S!. 0i$,o%$ in-l%#in* $," "+$ $" o) A%!" Po&l"$", $," p!"+"n$ +%i$ m%+$ ) il. T," "+$ $" o) M 1imino A. N ( !"no, S!. - n no$ - %+" i$+ nn%lm"n$ 0,il" i$+ . li#i$6 i+ +%+$ in"# &6 $," "+$ $" o) A%!" Po&l"$". I=8J
An o6li-ation is indivisi6le when it cannot 6e validl( perfor,ed in parts* whatever ,a( 6e the nature of the thin- which is the o6Dect thereof#The indivisi6ilit( refers to the prestation and not to the o6Dect thereof# [$)] In the present case* the Deed of Sale of 8anuar( )%* 1%0/ supposedl( conve(ed the si4 lots to Natividad# The o6li-ation is clearl( indivisi6le 6ecause the perfor,ance of the contract cannot 6e done in parts* otherwise the value of what is transferred is di,inished# 5etitioners are therefore ,ista<en in 6asin- the indivisi6ilit( of a contract on the nu,6er of o6li-ors# In an( case* if petitioners> onl( point is that the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr# alone cannot contest the validit( of the Deed of Sale 6ecause the estate of Aurea has not (et 6een settled* the ar-u,ent would nonetheless 6e without ,erit# The validit( of the contract can 6e 9uestioned 6( an(one affected 6( it# [$$] A void contract is ine4istent fro, the 6e-innin-# Eence* even if the estate of 'a4i,ino* Sr# alone contests the validit( of the sale* the outco,e of the suit will 6ind the estate of Aurea as if no sale too< place at all# :ifth# As to the third part( co,plaint concernin- Aot $* we find that this has 6een passed upon 6( the trial court and the Court of Appeals# As "o,eo ad,itted* no consideration was paid 6( hi, to his parents for the Deed of Sale# Therefore* the sale was void for havin- 6een si,ulated#Natividad never ac9uired ownership over the propert( 6ecause the Deed of Sale in her favor is also void for 6ein- without consideration and title to Aot $ cannot 6e issued in her na,e# Nonetheless* it cannot 6e denied that 'a4i,ino* Sr# intended to -ive the si4 1ue2on Cit( lots to Natividad# As "o,eo testified* their parents e4ecuted the Deed of Sale in favor of Natividad 6ecause the latter was the onl( Jfe,ale and the onl( un,arried ,e,6er of the fa,il(#K [$&] She was thus entrusted with the real properties in 6ehalf of her si6lin-s# As she herself ad,itted* she intended to conve( Aots 1/ and 11 to 8ose in the event the latter returned fro, a6road# There was thus an i,plied trust constituted in her favor# Art# 1&&% of the Civil Code states3

T,"!" i+ l+o n impli"# $!%+$ 0,"n #on $ion i+ m #" $o p"!+on &%$ i$ pp" !+ $, $ l$,o%*, $," l"* l "+$ $" i+ $! n+mi$$"# $o $," #on"", ," n"."!$,"l"++ i+ "i$,"! $o , ." no &"n")i-i l in$"!"+$ o! onl6 p !$ $,"!"o).
There 6ein- an i,plied trust* the lots in 9uestion are therefore su6Dect to collation in accordance with Art# 1/?1 which states3

E."!6 -omp%l+o!6 ,"i!, 0,o +%--""#+ 0i$, o$,"! -omp%l+o!6 ,"i!+, m%+$ &!in* in$o $," m ++ o) $," "+$ $" n6 p!op"!$6 o! !i*,$ 0,i-, ," m 6 , ." !"-"i."# )!om $,"

#"-"#"n$, #%!in* $," li)"$im" o) $," l $$"!, &6 0 6 o) #on $ion, o! n6 o$,"! *! $%i$o%+ $i$l", in o!#"! $, $ i$ m 6 &" -omp%$"# in $," #"$"!min $ion o) $," l"*i$im" o) " -, ,"i!, n# in $," --o%n$ o) $," p !$i$ion.
As held 6( the trial court* the sale of Aots 1$ and 1& to "os Alva 'ar<etin-* Corp# on April )/* 1%0%[$7] will have to 6e upheld for "os Alva 'ar<etin- is an innocent purchaser for value which relied on the title of Natividad# The rule is settled that Jever( person dealin- with re-istered land ,a( safel( rel( on the correctness of the certificate of title issued therefor and the law will in no wa( o6li-e hi, to -o 6ehind the certificate to deter,ine the condition of the propert(#K [$?] CEE"E:O"E* the decision of the Court of Appeals is A::I"'ED#
%O ORDERED. Bellosillo, (Chairman), Quisumbing, and De Leon, Jr., JJ., concur# Buena, J., no part#

[1]

5er 8ustice .uenaventura 8# !uerrero and concurred in 6( 8ustice Arturo .# .uena @now Associate 8ustice of the Supre,e CourtB and 8ustice 5ortia AliLo Eor,achuelos# [)] Rollo* pp# 10/ 10$# [$] "ecords* p# 7?0# [&] This was alle-ed 6( Natividad Na2areno in her third part( co,plaint# No cop( of the TCT was presented in courtM Rollo* p# 77# [7] "ecords* p# 7?$# [?] Id.* p# 7?&# [0] Id.* p# 7?7# [+] Id.* pp# 11 1)# [%] Id.* p# 7?+# [1/] Rollo* p# 0)# [11] Id.* p# &%# [1)] Id.* p# 77# [1$] "ecords* p# &7/# [1&] Id.* p# &&?# [17] Rollo* pp# 1?7 1??# [1?] "ecords* pp# 70% 7+/# [10] See "ecords* p# &7$# [1+] TSN* pp# $1 $)* April 1/* 1%%1# [1%] Rollo* pp# )&) )&$# [)/] "ecords* pp# 11 1)# [)1] Rollo* p# 1/&# [))] Id#* pp# 1/0 1/+# [)$] CA Decision* p# 10M Rollo* p# 1&)# [)&] Rollo* pp# )+ $/# [)7] :ortune 'otors @5hils#B Corp# v# Court of Appeals* )?0 SC"A ?7$* ??% @1%%0B# [)?] )71 SC"A &$/* &7) @1%%7B# [)0] Rollo* pp# +) +$# [)+] Ai,Doco v# Intestate Estate of :ra-ante* +/ 5hil# 00? @1%&+B# [)%] Rollo* p# 1/$# [$/] Id.* p# 1&/# [$1] Id.* p# &&# [$)] & A# TOAENTINO* CIVIA CODE O: TEE 5EIAI55INES* )7& @1%%1B# [$$] Id.* p# ?$)#

[$&] [$7]

Rollo* p# %&# "ecords* pp# ?7+ ?7%# [$?] Cru2 v# Court of Appeals* )+1 SC"A &%1* &%? @1%%0B#