Sharon wins land dispute vs ex-SC justice's kin

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld yesterday actress Sharon Cuneta’s ownership of a 398-square meter lot in Quezon City that was being disputed by the family of retired Supreme Court Justice Justo Torres Jr.

In a 14-page decision, the former special 11th Division of the appellate court affirmed the earlier ruling of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 that dismissed the claims of the Torreses over the property.

The property, which is covered by a transfer certificate of title (TCT) issued and registered in the name of Sharon Cuneta Inc. (SCI), used to form part of a parcel of land denominated as Lot 19 containing an area of 797.20 square meters, previously covered by another TCT allegedly under the name of the claimants.

The CA also upheld its orders directing the Torreses to vacate and surrender possession of the disputed property, located on 205 Tomas Morato Avenue, to SCI and to pay rentals until they leave the premises.

Aside from Torres, other petitioners are Robert Torres, Immaculada Torres-Alanon, Agustin Torres, Jose Aruego, Jr., Cristeta Torres-Johansen and Justo Torres III.

Records showed that the Torreses filed a petition claiming that they are the heirs of spouses Jose Aruego Sr., and Gloria Aruego, owners of the lot by operation of law, of about two thirds of the property.

The Torreses said only the share of Antonia Aruego was bought by SCI under the 1998 deed of sale. Hence, it should only pertain to Antonia’s share in Jose, Sr.’s interest in Lot 19. which measures 442.883 square meters.

But the CA ruled “it is well-established that every person dealing with a registered land may safely rely on the correctness of the certificate of title issued therefore and the law will in no way oblige him to go beyond the certificate to determine the condition of the property.”