G.R. No. 5864 , September 16, 1911
RAMON DOMINISAG, plaintiff-appellee, vs. MANUEL MANCILLA, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

The case involves a dispute over land. Plaintiff Ramon Dominisag had a registered interest in the land, evidenced by a written instrument. Defendant Manuel Mancilla later purchased the same land. At the time of his purchase, Mancilla was aware of Dominisag’s rights and interests in the property and had seen the instrument documenting those interests.

ISSUE

Whether the defendant, who purchased the land with full knowledge of the plaintiff’s existing rights, can be considered an innocent purchaser for value, thereby acquiring title free from such prior interests.

RULING

No. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s judgment, holding that the defendant was not an innocent purchaser. Since he purchased the land with actual knowledge of the plaintiff’s rights and the instrument evidencing them, he took the land subject to those rights. The Court emphasized that one who buys with notice of a prior interest cannot claim the status of an innocent purchaser for value.