JULIA DAYRIT HIDALGO AND AUGUSTO HIDALGO, PETITIONERS, VS. COURT OF APPEALS AND MARCELO MASANGKAY, RESPONDENTS.

This is an agrarian case. Marcelo Masangkay was a tenant on the coconut
land of the petitioners with an area of 51 hectares located in Barrio
Hulo, Cawit, Boac, Marinduque. Because of his age, the petitioners
ejected him in January, 1969. He had planted 1,200 coconut trees on the
land. It was agreed that he was to be paid two pesos for every coconut
tree planted by him. He was paid P150 a month as his share in the
proceeds of the harvest.

The Court of Appeals in a decision dated November 21, 1979, as clarified
in its resolution of January 9, 1980, ordered (1) his reinstatement or
the payment of P2,400 as his compensation for the coconut trees, (2)
payment to him of P1,800 a year from January, 1969 until reinstated or
until the sum of P2,400 is paid to him, and (3) the pay­ment of P600 as
litigation expenses.

The petitioners appealed to this Court. They contend that the Appellate
Court erred (1) in concluding that Masangkay was a tenant, (2) in
awarding grossly excessive damages not supported by substantial evidence
and (3) in the alternative, in not declaring that the tenancy was
terminated due to Masangkay’s abandonment and incapacity.

These contentions cannot be entertained because they assail the factual
conclusions of the Appellate Court which are binding and conclusive on
this Court. The Agrarian Court made the same findings. Only legal
questions may be raised in this Court (Sec. 18, Presidential Decree No.
946, Law Reorganizing the CAR). The instant petition should not have
been given due course.

However, Masangkay, who was 96 in 1980 (p. 59, Rollo), should not be reinstated.

WHEREFORE, we affirm the judgment of the Appellate Court ordering the
petitioners to pay Masangkay P3,000 as the value of the coconut trees
and litigation expenses, and P1,800 per annum from 1969 to the date the said sum of P3,000 is paid. Costs against the petitioners.
SO ORDERED.

Makasiar, (Chairman), Concepcion, Jr., Guerrero, and Abad Santos, JJ., concur.

Escolin and Cuevas, JJ., did not take part.