GR 35414; (November, 1932) (Digest)
G.R. No. 35414 ; November 1, 1932
CARMEN GUERRERO, ET AL., plaintiffs-appellees, vs. ANDREA GUERRERO, ET AL., defendants-appellants.
FACTS
In execution of a judgment in favor of Andrea and Serafina Guerrero against Carmen and Vicenta Guerrero, the deputy sheriff levied and sold at public auction the two-fourths interest of the judgment debtors in sixty parcels of land and twenty-six pieces of jewelry. Third-party claimants (terceristas) also joined the suit. The trial court annulled the sale solely due to the inadequacy of the price, finding no proven irregularities. The defendants appealed.
ISSUE
Whether the sheriff’s sale should be annulled on the ground of inadequacy of price alone.
RULING
No. The Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision and affirmed the sheriff’s sale. The Court held that inadequacy of price alone is not sufficient to set aside a judicial sale unless the inadequacy is so great as to shock the conscience of the court. Here, the two-fourths interest in the land had an assessed value of P8,505 and was sold for P3,463, which was not so disproportionate as to warrant annulment, especially absent fraud or unfairness. The jewelry interest was sold for a nominal sum, as expected. Furthermore, the judgment debtors retained the right of redemption within one year, preventing irreparable injury. The terceristas had no valid cause of action as their claim of ownership was inconsistent with challenging the price’s adequacy.
AI Generated by Armztrong.