FIRST DIVISION SALUN-AT MARQUEZ NESTOR DELA CRUZ, Petitioners, - versus ELOISA ES E!O, ELENITA ES E!O, EMERITA ES E!

O, O "IRRO ES E!O, OT"NIEL ES E!O, ORLANDO ES E!O, OSMUNDO ES E!O, ODELE!O ES E!O and NEMI FERNANDEZ, Promulg te!: Respondents. August "#, "$%$ &--------------------------------------------------------& CORONA, C. J., Chairperson, VELASCO, JR., LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, DEL CASTILLO, and PEREZ, J. and G.R. No. 168387 Present:

DECISION
DEL CASTILLO, J. '(en t(e ) rt*es !m*t t(e +ontents o, -r*tten !o+uments .ut )ut *n *ssue -(et(er t(ese !o+uments !e/u tel0 n! +orre+tl0 e&)ress t(e true *ntent*on o, t(e ) rt*es, t(e !e+*!*ng .o!0 *s ut(or*1e! to loo2 .e0on! t(ese *nstruments n! *nto t(e +ontem)or neous n! su.se/uent +t*ons o, t(e ) rt*es *n or!er to !eterm*ne su+( *ntent. 'ell-settle! *s t(e rule t( t *n + se o, !ou.t, *t *s t(e *ntent*on o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es t( t )rev *ls, ,or t(e *ntent*on *s t(e soul o, +ontr +t, not *ts -or!*ng -(*+( *s )rone to m*st 2es, *n !e/u +*es, or m.*gu*t*es. To (ol! ot(er-*se -oul! g*ve l*,e, v l*!*t0, n! )re+e!en+e to mere t0)ogr )(*+ l errors n! !e,e t t(e ver0 )ur)ose o, greements.

T(*s Pet*t*on ,or Rev*e- on Certiorari%3%4 ss *ls t(e O+to.er 5, "$$6 De+*s*on," 3"4 s -ell s t(e 7 0 %%, "$$# Resolut*on6364 o, t(e Court o, A))e ls 8CA9 *n CA :.R. SP No. ;<<=%. T(e !*s)os*t*ve )ort*on o, t(e ))ell te +ourt>s De+*s*on re !s:
'?ERE@ORE, ,*n!*ng revers*.le error +omm*tte! .0 t(e De) rtment o, Agr r* n Re,orm A!Au!*+ t*on Bo r!, t(e *nst nt )et*t*on ,or rev*e- *s :RANTED. T(e ss *le! De+*s*on, ! te! %5 J nu r0 "$$%, ren!ere! .0 t(e De) rtment o, Agr r* n Re,orm A!Au!*+ t*on Bo r! *s (ere.0 ANNCLLED n! SET ASIDE. T(e De+*s*on o, t(e De) rtment o, Agr r* n Re,orm A!Au!*+ t*on Bo r! o, B 0om.ong3,4 Nuev V*1+ 0 , ! te! %5 7 r+( %<<=, *s REINSTATED. Costs g *nst res)on!ents. SO ORDERED.D3D4

T(e re*nst te! De+*s*on o, t(e De) rtment o, Agr r* n Re,orm A!Au!*+ t*on Bo r! 8DARAB9 o, B 0om.ong, Nuev V*1+ 0 , *n turn, +ont *ne! t(e ,ollo-*ng !*s)os*t*ve )ort*on:
A++or!*ngl0, Au!gment *s ren!ere!: %. ". @*n!*ng 3res)on!ents4 to .e t(e o-ner .0 re-)ur+( se ,rom RBBI 3o,4 t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 +overe! .0 TCT No. 3T-4;"$<; 8,ormerl0 TCT No. D6"#=9E Or!er*ng t(e + n+ell t*on o, TCT -*t( CLOA Nos. 6<# n! 6<; *n t(e n me3s4 o, S lun- t 7 r/ue1 n! Nestor !e l Cru1 res)e+t*vel0, s t(e0 re !*s/u l*,*e! to .e+ome ten nts o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0E D*re+t*ng RBBI to sell t(roug( VOS t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 to *ts r*g(t,ul .ene,*+* r0, (ere*n ten nt-, rmer Nem* @ern n!e1 un!er re son .le terms n! +on!*t*onsE Or!er*ng RBBI to return t(e mount ) *! to *t .0 Nestor n! S lun- tE n! or!er*ng t(e l tter to ) 0 "$ + v ns o, ) l 0 )er (e+t re t D; 2*los )er + v n unto 3res)on!ents4 )lus su+( ++rue! n! un) *! rent ls ,or t(e ) st 0e rs s m 0 .e !ul0 ++ounte! ,or -*t( t(e ss*st n+e o, t(e 7un*+*) l Agr r* n Re,orm O,,*+er o, B g . g, Nuev V*1+ 0 -(o *s lso (ere.0 *nstru+te! to ss*st t(e ) rt*es e&e+ute t(e*r le se(ol! +ontr +ts n!E

6.

D.

1 2 3 4

#.

T(e or!er to su)erv*se ( rvest ! te! 7 r+( %%, %<<= s( ll .e o.serve! unt*l ot(er-*se mo!*,*e! or !*ssolve! .0 t(e ))ell te .o!0.

SO ORDERED.#3#4

Factual Antecedents Res)on!ents Es)eAos -ere t(e or*g*n l reg*stere! o-ners o, t-o ) r+els o, gr*+ultur l l n!, -*t( n re o, t-o (e+t res e +(. One *s lo+ te! t Barangay L nt ), B g . g, Nuev V*1+ 0 8t(e Lantap property9 -(*le t(e ot(er *s lo+ te! *n Barangay 7urong, B g . g, Nuev V*1+ 0 8t(e Murong property9. T(ere *s no !*s)ute mong t(e ) rt*es t( t t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 *s ten nte! .0 res)on!ent Nem* @ern n!e1 8Nem*9 ; 3;4 8-(o *s t(e (us. n!5354 o, res)on!ent Elen*t Es)eAo 8Elen*t 9, -(*le t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 *s ten nte! .0 )et*t*oners S lun- t 7 r/ue1 87 r/ue19 n! Nestor Del Cru1 8Del Cru19.=3=4 T(e res)on!ents mortg ge! .ot( ) r+els o, l n! to Rur l B n2 o, B 0om.ong, In+. 8RBBI9 to se+ure +ert *n lo ns. C)on t(e*r , *lure to ) 0 t(e lo ns, t(e mortg ge! )ro)ert*es -ere ,ore+lose! n! sol! to RBBI. RBBI eventu ll0 +onsol*! te! t*tle to t(e )ro)ert*es n! tr ns,er +ert*,*+ tes o, t*tle 8TCTs9 -ere *ssue! *n t(e n me o, RBBI. TCT No. T-;"$<; ! te! J nu r0 %D, %<=# - s *ssue! ,or t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. It +ont *ne! t(e ,ollo-*ng !es+r*)t*on:
Beg*nn*ng t )o*nt m r2e! I on )l n ?-%5;"<", S. DD$6D '. %;#;.6% m. more or less ,rom B.L.L.7. No %, B g . g To-ns*te, F-"5, t(en+e N. "= !eg. "$ GE., "$$.$$ m. to )o*nt "E t(en+e S. ;% !eg. D$ GE., %$$.$$ m. to )o*nt 6E t(en+e S. "= !eg. "$ G'., "$$.$$ m. to )o*nt DE t(en+e N. ;% !eg. D$ G'., %$$.$$ m. to )o*nt %E )o*nt o, .eg*nn*ngE Cont *n*ng n re o, ".$$$ (e+t res. Boun!e! on t(e nort(e st, .0 Ro !E on t(e sout(e st, n! sout(-est .0 )u.l*+ l n!E n! on t(e nort(-est .0 Pu.l*+ L n!, )ro)ert*es +l *me! .0 ?*l r*o : u!* n! S ntos N v rrete. Be r*ngs true. De+l*n t*on $%6% GE. Po*nts re,erre! to re m r2e! on )l n ?-%5;"<". Surve0e! un!er ut(or*t0 o, se+t*ons
5 6 7 8

%"-"" A+t No. "=5D n! *n ++or! n+e -*t( e&*st*ng regul t*ons o, t(e Bure u o, L n!s .0 ?.O. B um n Pu.l*+ L n! Surve0or, 3*n4 De+em.er %<%"-7 r+( %<%6. Note: All +orners re Con+. 7ons. %#&%#&;$ +m. T(*s *s Lot No. 5<-AHLot No. %#< o, Bagabag Townsite, K-27.<3<4

Su.se/uentl0, TCT No. T-;"=6; ! te! June D, %<=# - s *ssue! ,or t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 n! +ont *ne! t(e ,ollo-*ng !es+r*)t*on:
Beg*nn*ng t )o*nt m r2e! I%J on )l n ?-%$##"$, N. =$ !eg. 6" G'., %%#$."% m. ,rom BLL7 No. %"", Irr*g t*on )roAe+t, t(en+e N. ;% !eg. D$>E., "$$.$$ m. to )o*nt "E t(en+e N. "= !eg. "$>E, %$$.$$ m. to )o*nt 6E t(en+e S. ;% !eg. D$>E, "$$.$$ m. to )o*nt DE t(en+e S. "= !eg. "$>', %$$.$$ m. to )o*nt %E )o*nt o, .eg*nn*ngE +ont *n*ng n re o, ".$$$$ (e+t res. Boun!e! on t(e nort(e st, sout(e st, n! sout(-est .0 Pu.l*+ l n!E n! on t(e nort(-est .0 Ro ! n! )u.l*+ l n!. Be r*ngs true. De+l*n t*on $ !eg. 6%>E., )o*nts re,erre! to re m r2e! on )l n ?-%$##"$. Surve0e! un!er ut(or*t0 o, Se+t*on %"-"", A+t No. "=5D n! *n ++or! n+e -*t( e&*st*ng regul t*ons o, t(e Bure u o, L n!s, .0 ?.O. B um n Pu.l*+ L n! Surve0or, 3*n4 De+. %<%"-7 r. %<%6 n! ))rove! on J nu r0 ;, %<6". Note: T(*s *s Lot No. %%<-A Lot No. ""# o, Bagabag Townsite K27. All +orners re B.I. Con+. 7ons. %#&;$ +m.%$3%$4

Bot( TCTs !es+r*.e t(e*r res)e+t*ve su.Ae+ts s lo+ te! *n IB g . g To-ns*te, F-"5,J -*t(out n0 re,eren+e to e*t(er Barangay L nt ) or Barangay 7urong. On @e.ru r0 ";, %<=#, res)on!ents Es)eAos .oug(t . +2 one o, t(e*r lots ,rom RBBI. T(e Dee! o, S le%%3%%4 !es+r*.e! t(e )ro)ert0 sol! s ,ollo-s:
& & & !o (ere.0 SELL, TRANS@ER, n! CONVEK, .solutel0 n! un+on!*t*on ll0 & & & t( t +ert *n ) r+el o, l n!, s*tu te! *n t(e 7un*+*) l*t0 o, B g . g, Prov*n+e o, Nuev V*1+ 0 , n! more ) rt*+ul rl0 .oun!e! n! !es+r*.e! s ,ollo-s, to -*t:
Beg*nn*ng t )o*nt m r2e! I%J on )l n & & & & Cont *n*ng n re o, ".$$$ (e+t res. Boun!e! on t(e NE., .0 Ro !E on t(e SE., n! S' .0 Pu.l*+ L n!E n! on t(e N'., .0 Pu.l*+ L n!, )ro)ert*es +l *me! .0 ?*l r*o : u!* n! S ntos N v rrete. Be r*ng true. De+l*n t*on $%6 GB. Po*nts re,erre! to re m r2e! on )l n ?-%5;"<".
9 10 11

o, -(*+( t(e Rur l B n2 o, B 0om.ong 8NV9 In+., *s t(e reg*stere! o-ner *n ,ee s*m)le *n ++or! n+e -*t( t(e L n! Reg*str t*on A+t, *ts t*tle t(ereto .e*ng e iden!ed by Trans"er Certi"i!ate o" Tit#e $o. T-%2&'% *ssue! .0 t(e Reg*str0 o, Dee!s o, Nuev V*1+ 0 .

As m 0 .e seen ,rom t(e ,orego*ng, t(e Dee! o, S le !*! not ment*on t(e barangay -(ere t(e )ro)ert0 - s lo+ te! .ut ment*one! t(e t*tle o, t(e )ro)ert0 8TCT No. T;"$<;9, -(*+( t*tle +orres)on!s to t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. T(ere *s no ev*!en+e, (o-ever, t( t res)on!ents too2 )ossess*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, or !em n!e! le se rent ls ,rom t(e )et*t*oners 8-(o +ont*nue! to .e t(e ten nts o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert09, or ot(er-*se e&er+*se! +ts o, o-ners(*) over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. On t(e ot(er ( n!, res)on!ent Nem* 8(us. n! o, res)on!ent Elen*t n! .rot(er-*n-l - o, t(e ot(er res)on!ents9, +ont*nue! -or2*ng on t(e ot(er )ro)ert0 -- t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 -- -*t(out n0 ev*!en+e t( t (e ever ) *! rent ls to RBBI or to n0 l n!o-ner. T(e Dee! o, S le - s nnot te! on TCT No. T-;"$<; lmost !e+ !e l ter, on Jul0 %, %<<D.%"3%"4 7e n-(*le, on June "$, %<<$, RBBI, )ursu nt to Se+t*ons "$ %63%64 n! "%%D3%D4 o, Re)u.l*+ A+t 8RA9 No. ;;#5,%#3%#4 e&e+ute! se) r te Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er 8(LTs9 *n , vor o, )et*t*oners 7 r/ue1 n! Del Cru1, t(e ten nts o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. Bot( VLTs !es+r*.e! t(e su.Ae+t t(ereo, s n gr*+ultur l l n! lo+ te! *n Barangay 7urong and +overe! .0 TCT No. T-;"=6; 8-(*+(, (o-ever, *s t(e t*tle +orres)on!*ng to t(e L nt ) )ro)ert09.%;3%;4 A,ter t(e )et*t*oners +om)lete! t(e ) 0ment o, t(e )ur+( se )r*+e o, P<$,$$$.$$ to RBBI, t(e DAR *ssue! t(e +orres)on!*ng Cert*,*+ tes o, L n! O-ners(*) A- r! 8CLOAs9 to )et*t*oners 7 r/ue1%53%54 n! Del Cru1%=3%=4 on Se)tem.er #, %<<%. Bot( CLOAs st te! t( t t(e*r su.Ae+ts -ere ) r+els o, gr*+ultur l l n! s*tu te! *n Barangay
12 13 14 15 16 17 18

7urong.%<3%<4 T(e CLOAs -ere reg*stere! *n t(e Reg*str0 o, Dee!s o, Nuev V*1+ 0 on Se)tem.er #, %<<%. On @e.ru r0 %$, %<<5 8more t( n %$ 0e rs ,ter t(e Dee! o, S le *n , vor o, t(e res)on!ents n! lmost seven 0e rs ,ter t(e e&e+ut*on o, VLTs *n , vor o, t(e )et*t*oners9, res)on!ents ,*le! Com)l *nt"$3"$4 .e,ore t(e Reg*on l Agr r* n Re,orm A!Au!*+ tor 8RARAD9 o, B 0om.ong, Nuev V*1+ 0 ,or t(e + n+ell t*on o, )et*t*oners> CLOAs, t(e !e)os*t o, le se(ol! rent ls .0 )et*t*oners *n , vor o, res)on!ents, n! t(e e&e+ut*on o, !ee! o, volunt r0 l n! tr ns,er .0 RBBI *n , vor o, res)on!ent Nem*. T(e +om)l *nt - s . se! on res)on!ents> t(eor0 t( t t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, o++u)*e! .0 t(e )et*t*oners, - s o-ne! .0 t(e res)on!ents .0 v*rtue o, t(e %<=# .u0-. +2, s !o+umente! *n t(e Dee! o, S le. T(e0 . se! t(e*r +l *m on t(e , +t t( t t(e*r Dee! o, S le re,ers to TCT No. ;"$<;, -(*+( )ert *ns to t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. Pet*t*oners ,*le! t(e*r Ans-er"%3"%4 n! *ns*ste! t( t t(e0 .oug(t t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 s , rmer-.ene,*+* r*es t(ereo,. T(e0 m *nt *ne! t( t t(e0 ( ve l- 0s !*s)l 0e! goo! , *t(, ) *! le se rent ls to RBBI -(en *t .e+ me t(e o-ner o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, .oug(t t(e s me ,rom RBBI u)on t(e (onest .el*e, t( t t(e0 -ere .u0*ng t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, n! o++u)*e! n! e&er+*se! +ts o, o-ners(*) over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. Pet*t*oners lso rgue! t( t -( t res)on!ents Es)eAos re)ur+( se! ,rom RBBI *n %<=# - s +tu ll0 t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, s ev*!en+e! .0 t(e*r +ont*nue! o++u) t*on n! )ossess*on o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 t(roug( res)on!ent Nem*. RBBI ns-ere!""3""4 t( t *t - s t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 -(*+( - s t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e .u0-. +2 tr ns +t*on -*t( res)on!ents Es)eAos. It !en*e! +omm*tt*ng gr ve m*st 2e *n t(e tr ns +t*on n! m *nt *ne! *ts goo! , *t( *n t(e !*s)os*t*on o, *ts +/u*re! ssets *n +on,orm*t0 -*t( t(e rur l . n2*ng rules n! regul t*ons. OIC-RARAD D#$%&%on'3('3) T(e OIC-RARAD g ve )re+e!en+e to t(e TCT num.ers ))e r*ng on t(e Dee! o, S le n! t(e VLTs. S*n+e TCT No. T-;"$<; ))e re! on res)on!ents> Dee! o, S le
19 20 21 22 23

n! t(e s *! t*tle re,ers to t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, t(e OIC-RARAD +on+lu!e! t( t t(e su.Ae+t o, s le - s *n!ee! t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. On t(e ot(er ( n!, s*n+e t(e )et*t*oners> VLTs re,erre! to TCT No. T-;"=6;, -(*+( +orres)on!s to t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, t(e OICRARAD rule! t( t )et*t*oners> CLOAs ne+ess r*l0 re,er to t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. As ,or t(e ) rt*+ul r !es+r*)t*on +ont *ne! *n t(e VLTs t( t t(e su.Ae+t t(ereo, *s t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, t(e OIC-RARAD rule! t( t *t - s mere t0)ogr )(*+ l error. @urt(er, s*n+e t(e VLTs +overe! t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 n! )et*t*oners re not t(e +tu l t*llers t(ereo,, t(e OIC-RARAD !e+l re! t( t t(e0 -ere !*s/u l*,*e! to .e+ome ten nts o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 n! or!ere! t(e + n+ell t*on o, t(e*r CLOAs. It t(en or!ere! RBBI to e&e+ute le se(ol! +ontr +t -*t( t(e re l ten nt o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, Nem*. T(e OIC-RARAD re+ogn*1e! t( t )et*t*oners> onl0 r*g(t s t(e +tu l t*llers o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 *s to rem *n s t(e ten nts t(ereo, ,ter t(e e&e+ut*on o, le se(ol! +ontr +ts -*t( n! ) 0ment o, rent ls *n rre rs to res)on!ents. DARA* D#$%&%on'+('+) C)on ))e l ,*le! .0 )et*t*oners, t(e DARAB reverse! t(e OIC-RARAD De+*s*on. It rule! t( t *n ss *l*ng t(e v l*!*t0 o, t(e CLOAs *ssue! to )et*t*oners s .on ,*!e ten nt-, rmers, t(e .ur!en o, )roo, rests on t(e res)on!ents. T(ere .e*ng no ev*!en+e t( t t(e DAR ,*el! )ersonnel -ere rem*ss *n t(e )er,orm n+e o, t(e*r o,,*+* l !ut*es -(en t(e0 *ssue! t(e +orres)on!*ng CLOAs *n , vor o, )et*t*oners, t(e )resum)t*on o, regul r )er,orm n+e o, !ut0 )rev *ls. T(*s +on+lus*on *s m !e more *m)er t*ve .0 t(e res)on!ents> !m*ss*on t( t )et*t*oners re t(e +tu l t*llers o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, (en+e /u l*,*e! .ene,*+* r*es t(ereo,. As ,or res)on!ents> lleg t*on t( t t(e0 .oug(t . +2 t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 ,rom RBBI, t(e DARAB rule! t( t t(e0 , *le! to su))ort t(e*r lleg t*on -*t( su.st nt* l ev*!en+e. It g ve more +re!en+e to RBBI>s +l *m t( t res)on!ents re)ur+( se! t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, not t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. Res)on!ents, s o-ners o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, -ere or!ere! to enter *nto n gr*+ultur l le se(ol! +ontr +t -*t( t(e*r .rot(er*n-l - Nem*, -(o *s t(e +tu l ten nt o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. T(e DARAB en!e! *ts J nu r0 %5, "$$% De+*s*on *n t(*s -*se:
'e ,*n! no . s*s or Aust*,*+ t*on to /uest*on t(e ut(ent*+*t0 n! v l*!*t0 o, t(e CLOAs *ssue! to ))ell nts s t(e0 re .0 o)er t*on o, l - /u l*,*e! .ene,*+* r*es over t(e l n!(ol!*ngsE t(ere *s not(*ng to /u*et s t(ese t*tles -ere - r!e! *n +on,orm*t0 -*t(
24

t(e CARP )rogr m *m)lement t*onE n! ,*n ll0, t(e Bo r! !e+l res t( t ll +ontroverte! +l *ms to or g *nst t(e su.Ae+t l n!(ol!*ng must .e +om)letel0 n! ,*n ll0 l *! to rest. '?ERE@ORE, )rem*ses +ons*!ere! n! ,*n!*ng revers*.le errors3,4 t(e ss *le! !e+*s*on *s ANNCLLED n! ne- Au!gment *s (ere.0 ren!ere!, !e+l r*ng: %. A))ell nts S lun- t 7 r/ue1 n! Nestor Del Cru1 s t(e .on ,*!e ten nt-t*llers over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 n! t(ere,ore t(e0 re t(e /u l*,*e! .ene,*+* r*es t(ereo,E ". De+l r*ng Tr ns,er Cert*,*+ te o, T*tle 8TCT9 Nos. 6<# n! 6<; *ssue! *n t(e n me o, 3, rmer-.ene,*+* r*es4 S lun- t 7 r/ue1 n! Nestor Del Cru1 res)e+t*vel0, +overe! ,ormerl0 .0 TCT No. ;"$<; 8TCT No. D6"#=9 o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 s v l*! n! leg lE 6. Or!er*ng t(e +o-3res)on!ents4 to ,*rm-u) n gr*+ultur l le se(ol! +ontr +t -*t( .on ,*!e ten nt-t*ller Nem* @ern n!e1 over t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, 3t(e l tter4 .e*ng t(e su.Ae+t m tter o, t(e G.u0 . +2> rr ngement entere! *nto .et-een 3res)on!ents4 n! Rur l B n2 o, B 0om.ong, In+or)or te!, n! ot(er *n+*!ent l m tters re !eeme! resolve!. SO ORDERED."#3"#4

Ruling of the Court of Appeals In ))e l*ng to t(e CA, t(e res)on!ents *ns*ste! t( t t(e DARAB erre! *n rul*ng t( t t(e0 re)ur+( se! t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, -(*le t(e )et*t*oners -ere - r!e! t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. T(e0 -ere ! m nt t( t t(e t*tle num.ers *n!*+ te! *n t(e*r res)e+t*ve !ee!s o, +onve0 n+e s(oul! +ontrol *n !eterm*n*ng t(e su.Ae+ts t(ereo,. S*n+e res)on!ents> Dee! o, S le e&)resse! t( t *ts su.Ae+t *s t(e )ro)ert0 -*t( TCT No. T;"$<;, t(en -( t - s sol! to t(em - s t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. On t(e ot(er ( n!, )et*t*oners> VLTs n! CLOAs s 0 t( t t(e0 +over t(e )ro)ert0 -*t( TCT No. T-;"=6;E t(us *t s(oul! .e un!erstoo! t( t t(e0 -ere - r!e! t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. Res)on!ents !!e! t( t s*n+e )et*t*oners re not t(e +tu l t*llers o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, t(e*r CLOAs s(oul! .e + n+elle! !ue to t(e*r l +2 o, /u l*,*+ t*on. T(e CA gree! -*t( t(e res)on!ents. Cs*ng t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule em.o!*e! *n Rule %6$, Se+t*on 6, t(e CA (el! t( t t(e Dee! o, S le *s t(e .est ev*!en+e s to *ts +ontents, ) rt*+ul rl0 t(e !es+r*)t*on o, t(e l n! -(*+( - s t(e o.Ae+t o, t(e s le. S*n+e t(e Dee! o, S le e&)resse! t( t *ts su.Ae+t *s t(e l n! +overe! .0 TCT No. T-;"$<; L t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 L t(en t( t *s t(e )ro)ert0 t( t t(e res)on!ents re)ur+( se!.
25

T(e CA ,urt(er rule! t( t s ,or )et*t*oners> VLTs, t(e s me re,er to t(e )ro)ert0 -*t( TCT No. T-;"=6;E t(us, t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e*r CLOAs *s t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. T(e !!*t*on l !es+r*)t*on *n t(e VLTs t( t t(e su.Ae+t t(ereo, *s lo+ te! *n Barangay 7urong - s +ons*!ere! to .e mere t0)ogr )(*+ l error. T(e CA rule! t( t t(e te+(n*+ l !es+r*)t*on +ont *ne! *n t(e TCT *s more ++ur te *n *!ent*,0*ng t(e su.Ae+t )ro)ert0 s*n+e t(e s me ) rt*+ul rl0 !es+r*.es t(e )ro)ert*es> metes n! .oun!s. Bot( t(e RBBI";3";4 n! )et*t*oners"53"54 ,*le! t(e*r res)e+t*ve mot*ons ,or re+ons*!er t*on, -(*+( -ere se) r tel0 !en*e!."=3"=4 On June "", "$$D, RBBI ,*le! se) r te Pet*t*on ,or Rev*e- on Certiorari, !o+2ete! s :.R. No. %;66"$, -*t( t(*s Court."<3"<4 RBBI r *se! t(e *ssue t( t t(e CA , *le! to ))re+* te t( t res)on!ents !*! not +ome to +ourt -*t( +le n ( n!s .e+ use t(e0 m*sle! RBBI to .el*eve t t(e t*me o, t(e s le t( t t(e t-o lots -ere not ten nte!. RBBI lso s2e! t( t t(e0 .e !e+l re! ,ree ,rom n0 l* .*l*t0 to t(e ) rt*es s *t !*! not enr*+( *tsel, t n0one>s e&)ense. RBBI>s )et*t*on - s !*sm*sse! on Jul0 ";, "$$D ,or l +2 o, mer*t. T(e s *! Resolut*on re !s:
Cons*!er*ng t(e lleg t*ons, *ssues3,4 n! rguments !!u+e! *n t(e )et*t*on ,or rev*e- on +ert*or r*, t(e Court Resolves to DENK t(e )et*t*on ,or l +2 o, su,,*+*ent s(o-*ng t( t t(e Court o, A))e ls ( ! +omm*tte! n0 revers*.le error *n t(e /uest*one! Au!gment to - rr nt t(e e&er+*se .0 t(*s Court o, *ts !*s+ret*on r0 ))ell te Aur*s!*+t*on *n t(*s + se.6$36$4

T(e*r 7ot*on ,or Re+ons*!er t*on - s l*2e-*se !en*e! -*t( ,*n l*t0. 6%36%4 Entr0 o, Au!gment - s m !e *n t( t + se on De+em.er %#, "$$D.6"36"4

26 27 28 29 30 31 32

On Jul0 "5, "$$#,663664 )et*t*oners ,*le! t(e *nst nt )et*t*on. I&&,#& Re)(r se! n! +onsol*! te!, t(e ) rt*es )resent t(e ,ollo-*ng *ssues ,or t(e Court>s !eterm*n t*on: I '( t *s t(e e,,e+t o, t(e ,*n l Au!gment !*sm*ss*ng RBBI>s Pet*t*on ,or Rev*e- on Certiorari, -(*+( ss *le! t(e s me CA De+*s*on II '(et(er t(e CA erre! *n ut*l*1*ng t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule to !eterm*ne t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e +ontr +ts III '( t re t(e su.Ae+t )ro)ert*es o, t(e ) rt*es> res)e+t*ve +ontr +ts -*t( RBBI O,- R,.%n/ Propriety o" the Petition Res)on!ents m *nt *n t( t t(e *nst nt )et*t*on ,or rev*e- r *ses , +tu l *ssues -(*+( re .e0on! t(e )rov*n+e o, Rule D#.6D36D4 T(e *ssues *nvolve! (ere*n re not ent*rel0 , +tu l. Pet*t*oners ss *l t(e ))ell te +ourt>s reAe+t*on o, t(e*r ev*!en+e 8 s to t(e +ontr +tu l *ntent9 s *n !m*ss*.le un!er t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule. T(e /uest*on *nvolv*ng t(e !m*ss*.*l*t0 o, ev*!en+e *s leg l /uest*on t( t *s -*t(*n t(e Court>s ut(or*t0 to rev*e-.6#36#4 Bes*!es, even *, *t -ere , +tu l /uest*on, t(e Court *s not )re+lu!e! to rev*e- t(e s me. T(e rule t( t )et*t*on ,or rev*e- s(oul! r *se onl0 /uest*ons o, l - !m*ts o, e&+e)t*ons, mong -(*+( re I8%9 -(en t(e ,*n!*ngs re groun!e! ent*rel0 on s)e+ul t*ons, surm*ses, or +onAe+turesE 8"9 -(en t(e *n,eren+e m !e *s m n*,estl0 m*st 2en, .sur! or *m)oss*.leE 869 -(en t(ere *s gr ve .use o, !*s+ret*onE 8D9 -(en t(e
33 34 35

Au!gment *s . se! on )isappre!iation o" "a!tsE 8#9 -(en t(e ,*n!*ngs o, , +t re !on"#i!tingE 8;9 -(en, *n m 2*ng *ts ,*n!*ngs, t(e s me re +ontr r0 to t(e !m*ss*ons o, .ot( ))ell nt n! ))elleeE 859 -(en t(e ,*n!*ngs re +ontr r0 to t(ose o, t(e tr* l +ourtE 8=9 -(en t(e ,*n!*ngs re +on+lus*ons -*t(out +*t t*on o, s)e+*,*+ ev*!en+e on -(*+( t(e0 re . se!E 8<9 -(en t(e , +ts set ,ort( *n t(e )et*t*on s -ell s *n t(e )et*t*onerMs m *n n! re)l0 .r*e,s re not !*s)ute! .0 t(e res)on!entE n! 8%$9 -(en t(e ,*n!*ngs o, , +t re )rem*se! on t(e su))ose! .sen+e o, ev*!en+e n! +ontr !*+te! .0 t(e ev*!en+e on re+or!.J6;36;4 In t(e *nst nt + se, -e ,*n! su,,*+*ent . s*s to ))l0 t(e e&+e)t*ons to t(e gener l rule .e+ use t(e ))ell te +ourt m*s ))re+* te! t(e , +ts o, t(e + se t(roug( *ts erroneous ))l*+ t*on o, t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule, s -*ll .e !*s+usse! .elo-. 7oreover, t(e !*s) r te rul*ngs o, t(e t(ree rev*e-*ng .o!*es .elo- re su,,*+*ent ,or t(e Court to e&er+*se *ts Aur*s!*+t*on un!er Rule D#. F%-&0 I&&,# D%&1%&&a. o2 R**I3& a44#a. Res)on!ents m *nt *n t( t t(e Court>s e rl*er !*sm*ss l o, RBBI>s )et*t*on ,or rev*e- o, t(e s me CA De+*s*on *s elo/uent )roo, t( t t(ere *s no revers*.le error *n t(e ))ell te +ourt>s !e+*s*on *n , vor o, t(e res)on!ents.653654 'e re not )ersu !e!. T(*s Court !*sm*sse! RBBI>s e rl*er )et*t*on *n :.R. No. %;66"$ .e+ use *t , *le! to +onv*n+*ngl0 !emonstr te t(e llege! errors *n t(e CA De+*s*on. T(e . n2 !*! not )o*nt out t(e *n !e/u +*es n! errors *n t(e ))ell te +ourt>s !e+*s*on .ut s*m)l0 )l +e! t(e res)ons*.*l*t0 ,or t(e +on,us*on on t(e res)on!ents ,or llege!l0 m*sle !*ng t(e . n2 s to t(e *!ent*t0 o, t(e )ro)ert*es n! ,or m*sre)resent*ng t( t t(e t-o lots -ere not ten nte!. T(us, RBBI rgue! t( t res)on!ents !*! not +ome to +ourt -*t( +le n ( n!s. T(ese rguments -ere *ne,,e+tu l *n +onv*n+*ng t(e Court to rev*e- t(e ))ell te +ourt>s De+*s*on. It *s t(e ))ell nt>s res)ons*.*l*t0 to )o*nt out t(e )er+e*ve! errors *n t(e ))e le! !e+*s*on. '(en ) rt0 merel0 r *ses e/u*t .le +ons*!er t*ons su+( s t(e I+le n ( n!sJ !o+tr*ne -*t(out +le r-+ut leg l . s*s n! +ogent rguments to su))ort (*s +l *m, t(ere s(oul! .e no sur)r*se *, t(e Court *s not s- 0e! to e&er+*se *ts ))ell te Aur*s!*+t*on n! t(e ))e l *s !*sm*sse! outr*g(t. T(e !*sm*ss l o, n ))e l !oes not
36 37

l- 0s n! ne+ess r*l0 me n t( t t(e ))e le! !e+*s*on *s +orre+t, ,or *t +oul! s*m)l0 .e t(e result o, t(e ))ell nt>s *n !e/u te !*s+uss*on, *ne,,e+tu l rguments, or even )ro+e!ur l l )ses. RBBI>s , *lure to +onv*n+e t(e Court o, t(e mer*ts o, *ts ))e l s(oul! not )reAu!*+e )et*t*oners -(o -ere not ) rt*es to RBBI>s ))e l, es)e+* ll0 .e+ use )et*t*oners !ul0 ,*le! se) r te ))e l n! -ere .le to rt*+ul tel0 n! e,,e+t*vel0 )resent t(e*r rguments. A ) rt0 + nnot .e !e)r*ve! o, (*s r*g(t to ))e l n !verse !e+*s*on Aust .e+ use not(er ) rt0 ( ! lre !0 ))e le! (e ! o, (*m, 6=36=4 or Aust .e+ use t(e ot(er ) rt0>s se) r te ))e l ( ! lre !0 .een !*sm*sse!.6<36<4 T(ere *s not(er re son not to .*n! t(e )et*t*oners to t(e ,*n l Au!gment g *nst RBBI. RBBI e&e+ute! t(e tr ns,er 8VLTs9 *n , vor o, )et*t*oners prior to t(e +ommen+ement o, t(e +t*on. T(us, -(en t(e +t*on ,or + n+ell t*on o, CLOA - s ,*le!, RBBI ( ! lre !0 !*veste! *tsel, o, *ts t*tle to t(e t-o )ro)ert*es *nvolve!. Cn!er t(e rule on res *udi!ata, Au!gment 8in persona)9 *s +on+lus*ve onl0 .et-een t(e ) rt*es n! t(e*r su++essors-*n-*nterest .0 t*tle subse+uent to t(e +ommen+ement o, t(e +t*on.D$3D$4 T(us, -(en t(e ven!or 8*n t(*s + se RBBI9 ( s lre !0 tr ns,erre! (*s t*tle to t(*r! )ersons 8)et*t*oners9, t(e s *! tr ns,erees re not .oun! .0 n0 Au!gment -(*+( m 0 .e ren!ere! g *nst t(e ven!or.D%3D%4 S#$ond I&&,# I& %0 $o--#$0 0o a44.5 06# *#&0 E7%d#n$# R,.#8 C*t*ng t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule *n Rule %6$, Se+t*on 6, t(e CA (el! t( t t(e Dee! o, S le .et-een res)on!ents n! RBBI *s t(e .est ev*!en+e s to t(e )ro)ert0 t( t - s sol! .0 RBBI to t(e res)on!ents. S*n+e t(e Dee! o, S le st te! t( t *ts su.Ae+t *s t(e l n! +overe! .0 TCT No. T-;"$<; L t(e t*tle ,or t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 L t(en t(e )ro)ert0 re)ur+( se! .0 t(e res)on!ents - s t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. L*2e-*se, t(e CA (el! t( t s*n+e t(e VLTs .et-een )et*t*oners n! RBBI re,er to TCT No. T-;"=6; L t(e t*tle ,or t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 L t(en t(e )ro)ert0 tr ns,erre! to )et*t*oners - s t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0.

38 39 40 41

Pet*t*oners rgue t( t t(e ))ell te +ourt erre! *n us*ng t(e .est ev*!en+e rule to !eterm*ne t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e Dee! o, S le n! t(e Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er. T(e0 m *nt *n t( t t(e *ssue *n t(e + se *s not t(e +ontents o, t(e +ontr +ts .ut t(e *ntent*on o, t(e ) rt*es t( t - s not !e/u tel0 e&)resse! *n t(e*r +ontr +ts. Pet*t*oners t(en rgue t( t *t *s t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule t( t s(oul! .e ))l*e! *n or!er to !e/u tel0 resolve t(e !*s)ute. In!ee!, t(e ))ell te +ourt erre! *n *ts ))l*+ t*on o, t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule. T(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule st tes t( t -(en t(e su.Ae+t o, *n/u*r0 *s t(e !ontents o, !o+ument, t(e .est ev*!en+e *s t(e origina# do!u)ent *tsel, n! no ot(er ev*!en+e 8su+( s re)ro!u+t*on, )(oto+o)0 or or l ev*!en+e9 *s !m*ss*.le s gener l rule. T(e or*g*n l *s )re,erre! .e+ use *t re!u+es t(e +( n+e o, un!ete+te! t m)er*ng -*t( t(e !o+ument. D"3D"4 In t(e *nst nt + se, t(ere *s no room ,or t(e ))l*+ t*on o, t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule .e+ use t(ere *s no !*s)ute reg r!*ng t(e !ontents o, t(e !o+uments. It *s !m*tte! .0 t(e ) rt*es t( t t(e res)on!ents> Dee! o, S le re,erre! to TCT No. T-;"$<; s *ts su.Ae+tE -(*le t(e )et*t*oners> Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er re,erre! to TCT No. T-;"=6; s *ts su.Ae+t, -(*+( *s ,urt(er !es+r*.e! s lo+ te! *n Barangay 7urong. T(e re l *ssue *s -(et(er t(e !m*tte! +ontents o, t(ese !o+uments !e/u tel0 n! +orre+tl0 e&)ress t(e true *ntent*on o, t(e ) rt*es. As to t(e Dee! o, S le, )et*t*oners 8 n! RBBI9 m *nt *n t( t whi#e it re"ers to TCT $o. T-%2&'%, t(e ) rt*es +tu ll0 *nten!e! t(e s le o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 8+overe! .0 TCT No. T-;"=6;9. As to t(e VLTs, res)on!ents +onten! t( t t(e re,eren+e to TCT No. T-;"=6; 8+orres)on!*ng to t(e L nt ) )ro)ert09 re,le+ts t(e true *ntent*on o, RBBI n! t(e )et*t*oners, n! t(e re,eren+e to IBarangay 7urongJ - s t0)ogr )(*+ l error. On t(e ot(er ( n!, )et*t*oners +l *m t( t t(e re,eren+e to IBarangay 7urongJ re,le+ts t(e*r true *ntent*on, -(*le t(e re,eren+e to TCT No. T-;"=6; - s mere error. T(*s !*s)ute re,le+ts n *ntr*ns*+ m.*gu*t0 *n t(e +ontr +ts, r*s*ng ,rom n )) rent , *lure o, t(e *nstruments to !e/u tel0 e&)ress t(e true *ntent*on o, t(e ) rt*es. To resolve t(e m.*gu*t0, resort must .e ( ! to ev*!en+e outs*!e o, t(e *nstruments. T(e CA, (o-ever, re,use! to loo2 beyond t(e l*ter l -or!*ng o, t(e !o+uments n! reAe+te! n0 ot(er ev*!en+e t( t +oul! s(e! l*g(t on t(e +tu l *ntent*on o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es. T(oug( t(e CA +*te! t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule, *t ))e rs t( t -( t *t +tu ll0 ))l*e! - s t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule *nste !, -(*+( )rov*!es:

42

'(en t(e terms o, n greement ( ve .een re!u+e! to -r*t*ng, *t *s +ons*!ere! s +ont *n*ng ll t(e terms gree! u)on n! t(ere + n .e, .et-een t(e ) rt*es n! t(e*r su++essors *n *nterest, no ev*!en+e o, su+( terms ot(er t( n t(e +ontents o, t(e -r*tten greement.D63D64

T(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule e&+lu!es ) rol or e&tr*ns*+ ev*!en+e .0 -(*+( ) rt0 see2s to +ontr !*+t, v r0, !! to or su.tr +t ,rom t(e terms o, v l*! greement or *nstrument. T(us, *t ))e rs t( t -( t t(e CA +tu ll0 ))l*e! *n *ts ss *le! De+*s*on -(en *t re,use! to loo2 .e0on! t(e -or!s o, t(e +ontr +ts - s t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule, not t(e Best Ev*!en+e Rule. T(e ))ell te +ourt g ve )r*m +0 to t(e l*ter l terms o, t(e t-o +ontr +ts n! re,use! to !m*t n0 ot(er ev*!en+e t( t -oul! +ontr !*+t su+( terms. ?o-ever, even t(e ))l*+ t*on o, t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule *s *m)ro)er *n t(e + se t . r. In t(e ,*rst )l +e, res)on!ents re not ) rt*es to t(e VLTs e&e+ute! .et-een RBBI n! )et*t*onersE t(e0 re str ngers to t(e -r*tten +ontr +ts. Rule %6$, Se+t*on < s)e+*,*+ ll0 )rov*!es t( t ) rol ev*!en+e rule *s e&+lus*ve onl0 s I.et-een t(e ) rt*es n! t(e*r su++essors-*n-*nterest.J T(e ) rol ev*!en+e rule m 0 not .e *nvo2e! -(ere t le st one o, t(e ) rt*es to t(e su*t *s not ) rt0 or )r*v0 o, ) rt0 to t(e -r*tten !o+ument *n /uest*on, n! !oes not . se (*s +l *m on t(e *nstrument or ssert r*g(t or*g*n t*ng *n t(e *nstrument.DD3DD4 7oreover, t(e *nst nt + se , lls un!er t(e e&+e)t*ons to t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule, s )rov*!e! *n t(e se+on! ) r gr )( o, Rule %6$, Se+t*on <:
?o-ever, ) rt0 m 0 )resent ev*!en+e to mo!*,0, e&)l *n or !! to t(e terms o, t(e -r*tten greement *, (e )uts *n *ssue *n (*s )le !*ng: 8%9 8"9 An intrinsi! a)biguity, )ista,e or i)per"e!tion in the written agree)entE T(e "ai#ure o" the written agree)ent to e-press the true intent and agree)ent o" the parties theretoE 8Em)( s*s su))l*e!9

&&&&

?ere, t(e )et*t*oners> VLTs su,,er ,rom *ntr*ns*+ m.*gu*t0. T(e VLTs !es+r*.e! t(e su.Ae+t )ro)ert0 s +overe! .0 TCT No. T-;"=6; 8L nt ) )ro)ert09, .ut t(e0 lso
43 44

!es+r*.e t(e su.Ae+t )ro)ert0 s .e*ng lo+ te! *n I Barangay Murong.. Even t(e res)on!ents> Dee! o, S le , lls un!er t(e e&+e)t*on to t(e P rol Ev*!en+e Rule. It re,ers to ITCT No. T-;"$<;J 87urong )ro)ert09, .ut RBBI +onten!e! t( t t(e true *ntent - s to sell t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. In s(ort, *t - s s/u rel0 )ut *n *ssue t( t t(e -r*tten greement , *le! to e&)ress t(e true *ntent o, t(e ) rt*es. B se! on t(e ,orego*ng, t(e resolut*on o, t(e *nst nt + se ne+ess*t tes n e& m*n t*on o, t(e ) rt*es> res)e+t*ve ) rol ev*!en+e, *n or!er to !eterm*ne t(e true *ntent o, t(e ) rt*es. 'ell-settle! *s t(e rule t( t *n + se o, !ou.t, *t *s t(e *ntent*on o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es t( t )rev *ls, ,or t(e *ntent*on *s t(e soul o, +ontr +t, D#3D#4 not *ts -or!*ng -(*+( *s )rone to m*st 2es, *n !e/u +*es, or m.*gu*t*es. To (ol! ot(er-*se -oul! g*ve l*,e, v l*!*t0, n! )re+e!en+e to mere t0)ogr )(*+ l errors n! !e,e t t(e ver0 )ur)ose o, greements. In t(*s reg r!, gu*! n+e *s )rov*!e! .0 t(e ,ollo-*ng rt*+les o, t(e C*v*l Co!e *nvolv*ng t(e *nter)ret t*on o, +ontr +ts:
Art*+le %65$. I, t(e terms o, +ontr +t re +le r n! le ve no !ou.t u)on t(e *ntent*on o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es, t(e l*ter l me n*ng o, *ts st*)ul t*ons s( ll +ontrol. I, t(e -or!s ))e r to .e +ontr r0 to t(e ev*!ent *ntent*on o, t(e ) rt*es, t(e l tter s( ll )rev *l over t(e ,ormer. Art*+le %65%. In or!er to Au!ge t(e *ntent*on o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es, t(e*r +ontem)or neous n! su.se/uent +ts s( ll .e )r*n+*) ll0 +ons*!ere!.

Rule %6$, Se+t*on %6 -(*+( )rov*!es ,or t(e rules on t(e *nter)ret t*on o, !o+uments *s l*2e-*se enl*g(ten*ng:
Se+t*on %6. /nterpretation a!!ording to !ir!u)stan!es. 0 @or t(e )ro)er +onstru+t*on o, n *nstrument, t(e +*r+umst n+es un!er -(*+( *t - s m !e, *n+lu!*ng t(e s*tu t*on o, t(e su.Ae+t t(ereo, n! o, t(e ) rt*es to *t, m 0 .e s(o-n, so t( t t(e Au!ge m 0 .e )l +e! *n t(e )os*t*on o, t(ose -(ose l ngu ge (e *s to *nter)ret.

A))l0*ng t(e ,orego*ng gu*!*ng rules, *t *s +le r t( t t(e Dee! o, S le - s *nten!e! to tr ns,er t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 to t(e res)on!ents, -(*le t(e VLTs -ere *nten!e! to +onve0 t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 to t(e )et*t*oners. T(*s m 0 .e seen ,rom t(e !onte)poraneous and subse+uent a!ts o, t(e ) rt*es.
45

T6%-d %&&,# D#0#-1%n%n/ 06# %n0#n0%on o2 06# 4a-0%#& -#/a-d%n/ 06# &,9:#$0& o2 06#%- $on0-a$0& 'e re +onv*n+e! t( t t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e Dee! o, S le .et-een RBBI n! t(e res)on!ents - s t(e Lantap property, n! not t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. A,ter t(e e&e+ut*on *n %<=# o, t(e Dee! o, S le, t(e res)on!ents !*! not e&er+*se +ts o, o-ners(*) t( t +oul! s(o- t( t t(e0 *n!ee! 2ne- n! .el*eve! t( t t(e0 re)ur+( se! t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. T(e0 !*! not t 2e )ossess*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. As !m*tte! .0 t(e ) rt*es, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 - s *n t(e )ossess*on o, t(e )et*t*oners, -(o o++u)*e! n! t*lle! t(e s me -*t(out n0 o.Ae+t*on ,rom t(e res)on!ents. 7oreover, )et*t*oners ) *! le se(ol! rent ls ,or us*ng t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 to RBBI, not to t(e res)on!ents. As*!e ,rom res)on!ents> negle+t o, t(e*r llege! o-ners(*) r*g(ts over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, t(ere *s one ot(er +*r+umst n+e t( t +onv*n+es us t( t -( t res)on!ents re ll0 re)ur+( se! - s t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. Res)on!ent Nem* 8(us. n! o, res)on!ent Elen*t 9 *s t(e , rmer +tu ll0 t*ll*ng t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, -*t(out turn*ng over t(e su))ose! l n!o-ner>s s( re to RBBI. T(*s strongl0 *n!*+ tes t( t t(e res)on!ents +ons*!ere! t(emselves 8 n! not RBBI9 s t(e o-ners o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. @or *, res)on!ents 8) rt*+ul rl0 s)ouses Elen*t n! Nem*9 trul0 .el*eve! t( t RBBI ret *ne! o-ners(*) o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0, (o- +ome t(e0 never +om)l*e! -*t( t(e*r o.l*g t*ons s su))ose! ten nts o, RBBI>s l n!N T(e , +tu l +*r+umst n+es o, t(e + se s*m)l0 !o not su))ort t(e t(eor0 )ro)oun!e! .0 t(e res)on!ents. 'e re l*2e-*se +onv*n+e! t( t t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er 8VLTs9 *n , vor o, )et*t*oners - s t(e Murong property, n! not t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. '(en t(e VLTs -ere e&e+ute! *n %<<$, )et*t*oners -ere lre !0 t(e ten nt, rmers o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, n! ( ! .een ) 0*ng rent ls to RBBI ++or!*ngl0. It *s t(ere,ore n tur l t( t t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 n! no ot(er - s t(e one t( t t(e0 ( ! *nten!e! to +/u*re ,rom RBBI -*t( t(e e&e+ut*on o, t(e VLTs. 7oreover, ,ter t(e e&e+ut*on o, t(e VLTs, )et*t*oners rem *ne! *n )ossess*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, enAo0*ng n! t*ll*ng *t -*t(out n0 o))os*t*on ,rom n0.o!0. Su.se/uentl0, ,ter t(e )et*t*oners +om)lete! t(e*r ) 0ment o, t(e tot l )ur+( se )r*+e o, P<$,$$$.$$ to RBBI, t(e De) rtment o, Agr r* n Re,orm 8DAR9 o,,*+* ls +on!u+te! t(e*r *nvest*g t*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 -(*+(, -*t( t(e )resum)t*on o, regul r*t0 *n t(e )er,orm n+e o, o,,*+* l !ut0, !*! not reve l n0 nom l0. Pet*t*oners -ere ,oun! to .e *n +tu l )ossess*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 n! -ere t(e /u l*,*e! .ene,*+* r*es t(ereo,. T(us, t(e DAR o,,*+* ls *ssue! CLOAs *n )et*t*oners> , vorE n! t(ese CLOAs e&)l*+*tl0 re,er to t(e l n! *n

Barangay 7urong. All t(*s t*me, )et*t*oners -ere *n )ossess*on o, t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, un!*stur.e! .0 n0one ,or sever l long 0e rs, unt*l res)on!ents st rte! t(e +ontrovers0 *n %<<5. All o, t(ese +ontem)or neous n! su.se/uent +t*ons o, RBBI n! )et*t*oners su))ort t(e*r )os*t*on t( t t(e su.Ae+t o, t(e*r +ontr +t 8VLTs9 *s t(e 7urong )ro)ert0, not t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. Conversel0, t(ere ( s .een no +ontr r0 ev*!en+e o, t(e ) rt*es> +tu t*ons to *n!*+ te t( t t(e0 *nten!e! t(e s le o, t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0. T(us, *t ))e rs t( t t(e re,eren+e *n t(e*r VLT to TCT No. T-;"=6; 8L nt ) )ro)ert09 - s !ue to t(e*r (onest .ut m*st 2en .el*e, t( t t(e s *! t*tle +overs t(e 7urong )ro)ert0. Su+( m*st 2e *s not , r,et+(e! +ons*!er*ng t( t TCT No. T-;"=6; onl0 re,ers to t(e 7un*+*) l*t0 o, B 0om.ong, Nuev V*1+ 0 , n! !oes not *n!*+ te t(e ) rt*+ul r barangay -(ere t(e )ro)ert0 *s lo+ te!. 7oreover, .ot( )ro)ert*es re .oun!e! .0 ro ! n! )u.l*+ l n!. ?en+e, -ere *t not ,or t(e !et *le! te+(n*+ l !es+r*)t*on, t(e t*tles ,or t(e t-o )ro)ert*es re ver0 s*m*l r. T(e res)on!ents ttem)t to !*s+re!*t )et*t*oners> rgument t( t t(e*r VLTs -ere *ntr*ns*+ ll0 m.*guous n! , *le! to e&)ress t(e*r true *ntent*on .0 s2*ng -(0 )et*t*oners never ,*le! n +t*on ,or t(e re,orm t*on o, t(e*r +ontr +t. D;3D;4 A + use o, +t*on ,or t(e re,orm t*on o, +ontr +t onl0 r*ses -(en one o, t(e +ontr +t*ng ) rt*es m n*,ests n *ntent*on, .0 overt +ts, not to .*!e .0 t(e true greement o, t(e ) rt*es. D5 3D54 It seems , *rl0 o.v*ous t( t )et*t*oners ( ! no + use to re,orm t(e*r VLTs .e+ use t(e ) rt*es t(ereto 8RBBI n! )et*t*oners9 never ( ! n0 !*s)ute s to t(e *nter)ret t*on n! ))l*+ t*on t(ereo,. T(e0 .ot( un!erstoo! t(e VLTs to +over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 8 n! not t(e L nt ) )ro)ert09. It - s onl0 mu+( l ter, -(en str ngers to t(e +ontr +ts rgue! ,or !*,,erent *nter)ret t*on, t( t t(e *ssue .e+ me relev nt ,or t(e ,*rst t*me. All tol!, -e rule t( t t(e Dee! o, S le ! te! @e.ru r0 ";, %<=# .et-een res)on!ents n! RBBI +overs t(e Lantap property un!er TCT No. T-;"=6;, -(*le t(e Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er n! TCT Nos. CLOA-6<# n! CLOA-6<; o, t(e )et*t*oners +over t(e Murong property un!er TCT No. T-;"$<;. In +onse/uen+e, t(e CA>s rul*ng g *nst RBBI s(oul! not .e e&e+ute! s su+( e&e+ut*on -oul! .e *n+ons*stent -*t( our rul*ng (ere*n. Alt(oug( t(e CA>s !e+*s*on ( ! lre !0 .e+ome ,*n l n! e&e+utor0 as against RBB/ -*t( t(e !*sm*ss l o, RBBI>s )et*t*on *n :.R. No. %;66"$, our rul*ng (ere*n *n , vor o, )et*t*oners *s su)erven*ng + use -(*+( ren!ers t(e e&e+ut*on o, t(e CA !e+*s*on g *nst RBBI unAust n! *ne/u*t .le.
46 47

;"EREFORE, t(e Pet*t*on ,or Rev*e- on Certiorari *s GRANTED. T(e ss *le! O+to.er 5, "$$6 De+*s*on, s -ell s t(e 7 0 %%, "$$# Resolut*on o, t(e Court o, A))e ls *n CA-:.R. SP No. ;<<=% re REVERSED and SET ASIDE. T(e J nu r0 %5, "$$% De+*s*on o, t(e DARAB Centr l O,,*+e *s REINSTATED. T(e Dee! o, S le ! te! @e.ru r0 ";, %<=# .et-een res)on!ents n! Rur l B n2 o, B 0om.ong, In+. +overs t(e L nt ) )ro)ert0 un!er TCT No. T-;"=6;, -(*le t(e Dee!s o, Volunt r0 L n! Tr ns,er n! TCT Nos. CLOA-6<# n! CLOA-6<; o, t(e )et*t*oners +over t(e 7urong )ro)ert0 un!er TCT No. T-;"$<;. T(e Reg*ster o, Dee!s o, Nuev V*1+ 0 *s !*re+te! to m 2e t(e ne+ess r0 +orre+t*ons to t(e t*tles o, t(e s *! )ro)ert*es *n ++or! n+e -*t( t(*s De+*s*on. Costs g *nst res)on!ents. SO ORDERED.