DOCTRINE:
FACTS:
ISSUE:
- Extraordinary acquisitive prescription on the ground of adverse, notorious and continuous possession under a claim of ownership, will not apply in case the property is covered by a Torrens Title.
- When an action for recovery of possession is accompanied by other alternative causes of actions and reliefs such as assailing deeds of sale or deeds of transfer of right, such actions is incapable of pecuniary estimation and therefore jurisdiction is with the RTC.
FACTS:
- A land is under patent application before the marriage of one Fernando Castro with Rosario.
- The patent was approved and thereafter it's usufruct was enjoyed by the mother of Fernando.
- It was then leased to one Ceferina Ungria.
- Allegedly, there was a Deed of Transfer of Rights and Interest executed by Fernando in favor of Ceferina's father.
- Then the father allegedly executed an Affidavit of Relinquishment in favor of Ceferina
- Aggrieved parties then, filed an action praying that they be declared absolute and lawful owners of the subject land and to order the defendants to vacate the premises and restore them to its possession and enjoyment.
- Ceferina then questioned the jurisdiction of the MTC and setup the defense of laches and extraordinary acquisitive prescription.
ISSUE:
- WON the RTC shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over the case.
- WON private respondents are already barred by laches and extraordinary acquisitive prescription..
HELD:
- The Complaint filed by respondents in the RTC was for ownership, possession and damages, and alternative causes of action either to declare two documents as patent nullities and/or for recovery of conjugal share on the subject land with damages or redemption of the subject land. Clearly, this is a case of joinder of causes of action which comprehends more than the issue of possession of, or any interest in the real property under contention, but includes an action to annul contracts and reconveyance which are incapable of pecuniary estimation and, thus, properly within the jurisdiction of the RTC.
- It is a well-entrenched rule in this jurisdiction that no title to registered land in derogation of the rights of the registered owner shall be acquired by prescription or adverse possession. Anent petitioner's defense of laches, the same is evidentiary in nature and cannot be established by mere allegations in the pleadings. Without solid evidentiary basis, laches cannot be a valid ground to dismiss respondents' complaint.
