REYNANTE v. CA

FACTS:

More than 50 years ago, Reynante was taken as tenant by the late Don Cosme Carlos over a fishpond in Meycauayan, Bulacan. Reynante subsequently built a nipa hut where he and his family lived and took care of the nipa palms which they planted on lots 1 and 2, which was located between the fishpond and Liputan River. Reynante’s family sold the nipa palms, and appropriated the fruits as his own, without interference or complaint from Don Carlos.

Upon Don Carlos’ death, his heirs convinced Reynante to sign an affidavit, relinquishing his rights as a caretaker of the fishpond. Reynante, however, continued to live in the nipa hut he had built, and he still took care of the nipa palms, which he continued to sell.

This lead the heirs to file a complaint for forcible entry with preliminary injunction against Reynante in the MTC. The MTC found for Reynante, but the heirs appealed to the RTC, where the decision was reversed. The CA merely affirmed the decision of the RTC.

ISSUE:

Whether or not accretion automatically becomes registered land just because the adjoining lot is registered in the Torrens System?

HELD:

While it is true that alluvial deposits shall belong to the owner of the lot adjoining such accretion, it does not automatically bestow an imprescriptibility. If the owners of said land have not registered this with the proper entity, said land will be subject to acquisition by prescription, which was what occurred in this case.

Since the affidavits prove that Reynante has been in possession of these lands for more than 50 years, the SC rightly held that the land belongs to him.