### Facts:
– **Ownership and Inheritance**: The case revolves around the ownership of a 1.1062 hectare parcel of land, Lot 3095 C-5, originally declared for taxation in the name of Juan Gabatan. Lourdes Evero Pacana (respondent) claimed sole ownership of the property, asserting she inherited it from her mother, Hermogena Gabatan Evero, the alleged only child of Juan Gabatan.
– **Entrustment and Non-return**: The land was allegedly entrusted to Juan’s brother, Teofilo Gabatan, and his wife Rita. Hermogena demanded the land’s return before her death; these demands were reiterated by Lourdes but were ignored.
– **Defendants’ Argument**: Teofilo’s heirs (petitioners) denied Hermogena’s kinship to Juan, declaring that Juan died single and without issue. They claimed that the land was inherited by Juan’s siblings, Teofilo, Macaria, and Justa, and had been in the family for over fifty years.
– **Procedural Posture**:
– **Initial Case Dismissed**: A prior case for the same matter, filed in 1978 by Lourdes against Rita Gabatan, was dismissed in 1983 for lack of interest.
– **Complaint Filed and Amended**: Lourdes filed the current complaint in 1989, later amending it to individually name Teofilo’s heirs.
– **Amended Answer**: In 1990, petitioners filed an amended answer asserting ownership under OCT No. P-3316, claimed by Juan Gabatan’s heirs.
– **RTC Ruling**: RTC ruled in favor of Lourdes on October 20, 1995.
– **CA Ruling**: CA affirmed RTC’s decision on April 28, 2000.
### Issues:
1. Did the CA err in recognizing Lourdes Evero Pacana as the sole and surviving heir of Juan Gabatan?
2. Was the determination of heirship appropriate in an ordinary civil action for recovery of property?
3. Was the respondent’s cause of action barred by laches or prescription?
4. Was the Deed of Absolute Sale relied upon as evidence valid and properly authenticated?
### Court’s Decision:
**1. Sole and Surviving Heir**:
– **Finding of Facts**: Both the RTC and CA found substantial evidence of Lourdes’s filiation with Juan Gabatan, emphasizing testimonies and documentary evidence such as the Deed of Absolute Sale.
– **Supreme Court Analysis**: SC found that the evidence presented (mere photocopy of the Deed and conflicting birth certificates) was weak and unconvincing. The correct resolution of heirship demands a special proceeding, not an ordinary civil action.
**2. Appropriate Forum for Heirship Determination**:
– **Legal Doctrine**: Heirship determination must occur within a special proceeding as required by procedural rules. Only under exceptional circumstances, such as the presence of only one piece of property and voluntary submission of the issue, can an ordinary civil court assume jurisdiction.
– **Supreme Court Analysis**: The SC returned to the standard practice, emphasizing that proper procedure must be followed and a special proceeding should handle such determinations.
**3. Laches and Prescription**:
– **Petitioners’ Contention**: That the action, if any, was already barred by laches and prescription.
– **Supreme Court Analysis**: The SC agreed with petitioners. Timespan from 1933 (Juan’s death) to the filing in 1989 showed a significant delay and failed to prosecute with due diligence as demonstrated especially by the dismissal of the case filed in 1978.
**4. Deed of Absolute Sale**:
– **Authentication and Admissibility**: The SC scrutinized the deed, which was a photocopy and not sufficiently authenticated.
– **Supreme Court Analysis**: SC found evidence lacking due to non-compliance with the best evidence rule and proper authentication procedures.
**Conclusion**: The SC granted the petition, reversing CA’s decision and dismissing Lourdes’s complaint for lack of merit.
### Doctrine:
**1. Determination of heirship**: Must be conducted in a proper special proceeding rather than an ordinary civil action per Sections 31 and subsequent sections of the Family Code and the Revised Rules of Court.
**2. Evidence and Authentication**: Documentary evidence, especially critical documents, must comply with the best evidence rule per Rule 132, Section 3 of the Rules of Court.
**3. Prescription and Laches**: Legal actions, particularly inheritance claims, must be prosecuted with due diligence to avoid being barred by laches and prescription.
### Class Notes:
– **Special Proceedings vs. Ordinary Civil Action**: Establishing heirship must be through special proceedings as per Rules of Court, not civil actions.
– **Best Evidence Rule**: Original document is required to prove contents unless specific exceptions apply.
– **Statute of Limitations**: Actions must be timely to avoid being barred.
– **Laches**: Law aids those who are vigilant, not those who sleep on their rights.
### Historical Background:
During the given period, the Philippines was observing strict adherence to procedural law in civil cases, especially those involving property and inheritance. The case reflects the judiciary’s emphasis on ensuring that rightful ownership and succession matters are rigorously validated through appropriate legal channels to maintain fairness and jurisdictional order. This decision also aligns with the judiciary’s posture to uphold procedural integrity to preclude untimely and unsubstantiated claims that could create property disputes decades after an heir’s death.
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