4/7/2021
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could be freely used by any member of the family. One of their brothers, Dionisio,
executed an affidavit attesting to such agreement. The Certificate of Lot Award issued
by the BCDA, proving that the subject parcel of land was awarded to the "Heirs of
Anatalio F. Madayag" was also presented.
The CA, therefore, ruled:
WHEREFORE, the Decision dated August 3, 2012 and Order dated March 14,
2013 of the Regional Trial Court are reversed and set aside. The Judgment
dated January 6, 2012 of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities is reinstated.
SO ORDERED.
The Issue
Did the CA err in reinstating the MTCC Judgment dismissing Patrick's complaint for
forcible entry?
The Court's Ruling
We answer in the affirmative.
The invariable rule is that what determines the nature of the action, as well as the
court has jurisdiction over the case, are the allegations in the complaint.[16] In
ejectment cases, the complaint must state and sufficiently show on its face the
essential facts laid down under Section 1, Rule 70 of the Rules of Court, to give the
court jurisdiction without resort to parol evidence.
The above-cited provision requires that in action for forcible entry, as in this case, it
must be alleged that the complainant was deprived of the possession of any land or
building by force, intimidation, threat, strategy, or stealth, and that the action was filed
anytime within one year from the time the unlawful deprivation of possession took
place,[17] except that when the entry is through stealth, the one-year period is counted
from the time the complainant learned of the dispossession.[18] It is not necessary,
however, for the complainant to utilize the language of the statute.[19] It would suffice
that the facts are set up. showing that complainant has prior physical possession of the
property in litigation and that he was dispossessed thereof through defendant's
unlawful act/s constituting force, intimidation, threat, strategy, or stealth.[20]
It is imperative, thus, to carefully scrutinize the allegations in the Complaint to
determine whether the required jurisdictional averments were complied with. Pertinent
portions thereof are quoted herein, viz.:
3. [Patrick] is an owner of a 493[-]square[-]meter parcel of land, known as
Lot 24, Block 7, located at No. 63 Scout Barrio Housing Project, Baguio City,
having acquired the same from Bases Conversion Development Authority
(BCDA). Copy of the Deed of Sale and Certificate of Title are hereto
attached[.]
4. Standing on the lot is a one-storey residential house which was the
subject of a DEED OF ADJUDICATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND QUITCLAIM
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