Land buyers told: Check land title, registry records first

The Supreme Court (SC) has advised land buyers to verify ownership by checking the certificate of title and reviewing records at the Registry of Deeds to avoid fraudulent transactions.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, dated 25 November 2024, the SC’s Third Division upheld the rulings of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) and the Court of Appeals (CA), which invalidated the land titles held by Orencio and Eloisa Manalese (the Manalese spouses).

The SC found that the Manalese spouses failed to conduct due diligence when purchasing land from Carina Pinpin, who had acquired her titles through fraud.

To recall, the Manalese spouses purchased two parcels of land from Pinpin, who presented certificates of title in her name, claiming to have bought the properties from the original owners, the late Narciso and Ofelia Ferreras.