G.R. No. L-7165, March 26, 1912
DAMASA LAFORGA, ET AL. vs. BRUNO LAFORGA

FACTS

Plaintiffs Damasa Laforga and her minor grandchildren filed an action to recover possession of two parcels of land from defendant Bruno Laforga. The defendant admitted ownership by the plaintiffs but claimed he held the lands as mortgage security for loans (P95 for the Balayoac land and P200 for the Lubec land). The trial court ordered the defendant to return the Balayoac land immediately and to return the Lubec land upon reimbursement of P203, which the defendant allegedly advanced to Damasa Laforga for litigation expenses under an agreement allowing him to retain usufruct until repaid. The plaintiffs appealed only the condition to pay P203 for the Lubec land’s return.

ISSUE

Whether the agreement executed by Damasa Laforga, binding the minor plaintiffs to reimburse P203 to the defendant as a condition for recovering the Lubec land, is valid and enforceable against the minors.

RULING

No. The Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision regarding the payment condition. The agreement was executed solely by Damasa Laforga, the grandmother of the minor plaintiffs, who were the exclusive owners of the Lubec land. Damasa was not the legal representative of the minors at the time, and even if she were considered a guardian ad litem, such capacity did not authorize her to validly bind the minors to the agreement. Therefore, the agreement lacked legal force against the minors. The defendant was ordered to immediately deliver the Lubec land to the minor plaintiffs, but the right was reserved for the defendant to pursue his claim for reimbursement against Damasa Laforga through proper legal avenues. No costs were awarded.