G.R. No. L-1717; April 17, 1950
JUANA MANLINCON and JACINTO DE GUZMAN, plaintiffs-appellees, vs. MAGNO DE VERA and CONSTANCIA URMAZA, defendants-appellants.

FACTS

The land in question, a fishpond, originally belonged to the conjugal partnership of Domingo Manlincon and Maxima Arenas. Upon Domingo’s death, his one-half share passed to his heirs: his surviving spouse Maxima Arenas, his children from a first marriage (Moises and Francisca Manlincon), and his only child from the second marriage with Maxima, Juana Manlincon (then a minor). In 1932, Maxima Arenas sold the entire fishpond to the defendants, Magno de Vera and Constancia Urmaza. The sale was registered, and a Torrens title was issued in their name. Juana Manlincon, upon reaching majority, filed an action with her husband for reconveyance of her share.

ISSUE

Whether the defendants, as purchasers of the entire property with knowledge of the co-ownership, can be compelled to reconvey the share belonging to the minor heir, Juana Manlincon.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision ordering the defendants to execute a deed of conveyance for Juana Manlincon’s one-sixth share and to pay her corresponding share of the fruits. The Court held that the sale was valid only as to the share of the vendor, Maxima Arenas. The defendant Magno de Vera, being the owner of an adjoining fishpond, had prior knowledge that the property belonged to the conjugal partnership and that Juana was an heir of Domingo Manlincon. With such knowledge, he could not be considered an innocent purchaser for value as to Juana’s share. He was thus considered a trustee (in a loose, non-technical sense) for her benefit and obligated to reconvey her rightful portion.

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