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Calalang v. Register of Deeds, GR 76265, Apr. 22, 1992, 208 SCRA 215
Calalang v. Register of Deeds, GR 76265, Apr. 22, 1992, 208 SCRA 215
FACTS
The subject of controversy in these two consolidated petitions is a parcel of land — Lot
671-A of the Piedad Estate located in Barrio Culiat, Diliman. The petitioners are
individual lot owners who claim to have bought their respective portions from Amando
Clemente in the 1950's. Amando Clemente is alleged to be the registered owner of said
land evidenced by Transfer of Certificate Title No. 16212 covering about 81,160 square
meters who converted it into a subdivision known as Clemville Subdivision.
Lot 671-A is actually part of a bigger parcel known as Lot 671 which is claimed by
respondent Iglesia ni Kristo (INK), which bought said property from Lucia dela Cruz in
1975. Dela Cruz was adjudged the rightful owner of Lot 671 in the case of dela Cruz
v. dela Cruz (130 SCRA 666 [1984]). INK began fencing the whole area and placed the
following sign "NO TRESPASSING — IGLESIA NI KRISTO PROPERTY SUPREME
COURT CASE NO. 61969, July 25, 1984." Briefly, the dela Cruz v. dela Cruz case is an
action for reconveyance founded on breach of trust filed by Augustina dela Cruz, et al.
against Lucia dela Cruz and INK. Augustina and her co-plaintiffs charged that the parcel
of land purchased by the INK from Lucia dela Cruz was actually a part of their
inheritance share in the estate of their late grandfather, Policarpio dela Cruz but which,
in breach of trust known to the INK, Lucia sold to the latter.
Augustina's suit was originally decided in her favor by the trial court. On appeal to the
Court of Appeals, the judgment was reversed and the questioned sale by Lucia dela
Cruz to the INK was upheld. Consequently, Augustina went to the Supreme Court on a
petition for review on certiorari, docketed as G. R. No. 61969.
ISSUE
RULING