Cast of Characters:

Judge – Crispin Simoun P. Cercado

Branch Clerk of Court – Jane De Veyra
Counsel for the Plaintiff – Ruben R. De Asis
Counsel for the Defendant – Jellen Sus

(The judge enters the room)

Clerk of Court: All rise. The court is now in session. Honorable Crispin Simoun P. Cercado
presiding.

(All court personnel recite the ecumenical prayer)

Almighty God, we stand in Your Holy Presence as our Supreme Judge. We humbly beseech You to
bless and inspire us so that what we think, say and do will be in accordance with Your will. Enlighten
our minds, strengthen our spirit and fill our hearts with fraternal love, wisdom and understanding, so
that we can become effective channels of truth, justice and peace. In our proceedings today, guide
us in the path of righteousness for the fulfillment of Your greater glory. Amen.

(Judge bangs the gavel)

Judge Cercado: Please sit down.

(everybody sits)

Judge: Clerk, please call the cases.

Clerk of Court: Our first case this afternoon is Civil Case No. B-18-06-12 for RECOVERY
OF OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION, QUIETING OF TITLE, AND DAMAGES

Judge: Appearances.

Counsel Plaintiff (CP): Good afternoon, your Honor. I am Atty. Ruben De Asis appearing for the
plaintiff.

Counsel Defendant (CD): Good afternoon, your Honor. I am Atty. Jellen Sus appearing for the
defendant.

Judge M: Is the plaintiff in court?

CP: Yes, your Honor.

Judge M: Are the parties ready for the presentation of witnesses?

CP: Yes, your Honor. For the plaintiff’s evidence, we will be presenting four
witnesses.

CD: As for the defendant, we will also be presenting two witnesses, your Honor.

Judge M: Okay, proceed. Call the first witness.

CP: Your Honor, our first witness is the plaintiff himself, Allan Reid. His testimony is
offered to prove that he is the rightful owner and possessor of Lot No. 5854.
The witness expressed her desire to testify in English

--Witness proceeds to the stand and takes oath--

OATH AND DIRECT EXAMINATION OF FIRST WITNESS FOR PLAINTIFF: ALLAN

REID

Court Interpreter: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth before this Court?

Sonrisa REID (SA): I do.

Court Interpreter: State your name, age, residence, civil status, and occupation.

Allan Reid (AR): My name is Allan Reid, 40 years old, an entrepreneur, and I live in Igan City,
Isabela
Court Interpreter: Your witness is now ready.

CP: With the permission of the Honorable Court, the purpose of plaintiff’s testimony,
Your Honor, is to identify the Judicial Affidavit which he executed in relation to
this case; and to affirm or confirm the statements contained therein, your Honor,
to identify the documents attached to his Judicial Affidavit.

May we proceed, your Honor?

Judge M: You may proceed.

CP: Mr. Reid, are you the same Allan Reid who is the plaintiff in this instant case?

REID: Yes, Atty.

CP: Mr. Reid, do you remember executing a judicial affidavit for this case?
REID: Yes, Sir!

CP: I am showing you a document which is entitled as Judicial Affidavit, is this the
same judicial affidavit you executed?

REID: Yes, Sir!

CP: The Witness has positively identified the Judicial Affidavit marked as Exhibit “A”,
this serves as the direct testimony of Mr. REID.

I am showing you this document consisting of 9 pages with a signature written

on the affiant portion, can you please tell this Honorable Court whose signature
is that?

REID: It’s my signature.

CP: The Witness has positively identified his signature in the Judicial Affidavit marked
as Exhibit “A”.

CP: Can you review and confirm the contents of the Judicial Affidavit? Do you wish to
change anything?

REID: Yes, I confirm, Sir. I do not wish to change anything.

CP: That would be all for the direct examination, your Honor. Witness is now ready
for cross-examination.

We formally offer the following documents previously marked as exhibits as

______ evidence.

JUDGE: Any cross-examination from the defense?

CD: Yes, your Honor.

CROSS-EXAMINATION OF ALLAN REID

CD: You mentioned in your Judicial Affidavit that you purchased the Lot 5458. However,
why is it that the sale is not recorded in the Registry of Deeds?

CP: Objection your honor, the question calls for an answer outside the parol. There is a
valid deed of sale, duly paid for and notarized. This has the presumption of regularity.

(judge will overrule objection kasi cross)

(judge: overruled, proceed)
PLAINTIFF: We were not aware that the said sale was not registered by our ascendants.
Also, our ancestors were in possession of the property since 1964 and from that year
up to the present, nobody questioned our ownership and possession over the land until
the defendants entered the property.

CD: So the sale is not registered?

CP: Objection your honor, this is a leading question suggesting an answer desired by the
good counsel.

(Judge will either overrule the objection or allow rephrasing)

(if rephrasing: CD: Is it not a fact that you have no knowledge of the registration? Is the
Lot registered in the Registry of deeds?)

PLAINTIFF: Yes sir, we do not have any knowledge of the registration of the subject lot, but when
we checked with the ROD the same was not also registered.

CD: Your Honor we would like to manifest that we put on record that the plaintiff affirmed
that the sale is not registered in the Registry of Deeds.

You mentioned in your judicial affidavit that you confronted Manuel Vantes regarding
the ownership of the same lot did you mention to him that you have in your possession
the Deed of Sale executed by Zoilo Vantes in favor of Luna REID?

Plaintiff: No sir as I was already trembling in anger the time I made a phonecall to him.

CD: How bout at the time you and the defendant met at the Lupon Tagapamayapa? Did you
show any documents showing or proving to him that indeed you are the owner of the
lot?

Plaintiff: No sir.

CD: Ok, by what means were you able to prove to him somehow that indeed you are the
rightful owners? By what? By word of mouth?

CP: Your honor, the counsel is badgering my witness.

(Judge will proceed)

Plaintiff: I just told Manuel Vantes that the REIDs are the rightful owners and occupants of the
same lot as it is transferred under a valid deed of sale to Luna REID.

CD: Without showing any documents you just said that you are the owners?

Plaintiff: Yes sir.

CD: That’s all, your Honor.

CD: No further question, your Honor.

Judge M: Any re-direct?

CP: None your Honor.

Judge M: Witness is now excused.

OATH AND DIRECT EXAMINATION SECOND WITNESS FOR PLAINTIFF: DEMETRIA PUNO

CP: You’re Honor, we are presenting our second witness in the person of Demetria Puno.
Her
testimony is offered to prove that she was present when the allege forcible entry was
committed. The witness expressed beforehand that she will testify in Bisaya.

(Witness proceeds to the stand and takes oath)

CLERK: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth before this Court?

INTERPRETER: Itaas imong tuong kamot. Manumpa ba ka nga magsulti ka sa kamatuoran

ug sa
way lain kundi ang kamatuoran sa atubangan niini nga Korte?

DEMETRIA: Oo.

INTERPRETER: I do.

CLERK: State your name, age, residence, civil status, and occupation.

INTERPRETER: Isulti imong ngalan, edad, puy-anan, civil status, trabaho.

DEMETRIA: Ako si Demetria Puno, 36 anyos, mag-uuma, ug nagpuyo sa Padre Faura Davao
City, minyo.

INTERPRETER: My name is Demetria Puno, 36 years old, a farm worker, and I

live in Padre Faura Davao City.

CLERK: Your witness is now ready.

CP: May we proceed, your Honor?

Judge M: You may proceed.

DIRECT EXAMINATION OF DEMETRIA

CP: Ms. Puno, do you remember executing a judicial affidavit for this case?

DEMETRIA: Yes, Ma’am.

CP: I am showing you a document which is entitled as Judicial Affidavit, is this the
same judicial affidavit you executed?

DEMETRIA: Yes, Ma’am.

CP: The Witness has positively identified the Judicial Affidavit marked as Exhibit “B”,
this serves as the direct testimony of Ms. Puno.

I am showing you this document consisting of 5 pages with a signature written

on the affiant portion, whose signature is that?

DEMETRIA: It’s my signature.

CP: The Witness has positively identified his signature in the Judicial Affidavit marked as
Exhibit “B-1”.

CP: Can you review and confirm the contents of the Judicial Affidavit? Do you wish to
change anything?

DEMETRIA: Yes, I confirm, Ma’am. I do not wish to change anything.

CP: That would be all for the direct examination, your Honor. Witness is now ready for
cross-examination.

JUDGE: Any cross-examination from the defense?

CD: Yes, your Honor.

CROSS-EXAMINATION OF DEMETRIA PUNO

CD: Where were you when the defendant entered the property?

DEMETRIA: I was sleeping in my hut when I suddenly woke up to the sound of knocking on my
door.

CD: What happened next?

DEMETRIA: They informed me that they will put up fences and tarpaulins in the property because
they were ordered to do so.

CD: What time did this happen?

DEMETRIA: It was around 5 in the morning.

CD: What did you do after they informed you about this?

DEMETRIA: I simply agreed and went back to sleep because I thought that the order came from my
employer Sonrisa.

CD: So they ask for your permission peacefully before putting up the structures?

DEMETRIA: Yes.

CD: That’s all for the cross, Your Honor.

Judge M: Any re-direct counsel?

CP: None your honor.

Judge M: The witness is now excused.

CP: Your honor, we have no more witnesses to present for today’s hearing.

Judge M: Very well, the defense will now present their witnesses.

Note: Pls edit the transmission from the plaintiff to defendant.

 DIRECT EXAMINATION DEFENDANT MANUEL VANTES

CP: Your Honor, we are presenting our first witness for the defense in the person of Manuel

Vantes. His testimony is offered to prove that he is rightful owner and possessor of the
property.

(Witness proceeds to the stand and takes oath)

CLERK: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth before this Court?

MANUEL: I do.

CLERK: State your name, age, residence, civil status, and occupation.

MANUEL: I am Manual Vantes, of legal age, married and a resident of Calinan, Davao City,
Philippines.

DIRECT EXAMINATION OF MANUEL VANTES

CD: Mr. Vantes, do you remember executing a judicial affidavit for this case?

Manuel: Yes, Ma’am.

CD: I am showing you a document which is entitled as Judicial Affidavit, is this

the same judicial affidavit you executed?

Manuel: Yes, Ma’am.

CD: The Witness has positively identified the Judicial Affidavit marked as
Exhibit “1”, this serves as the direct testimony of Mr. Vantes.

I am showing you this document consisting of 8 pages with a signature

written on the affiant portion, whose signature is that?

Manuel: It’s my signature.

CD: The Witness has positively identified his signature in the Judicial Affidavit
marked as Exhibit “1”.

CD: Can you review and confirm the contents of the Judicial Affidavit? Do you
wish to change anything?
Manuel: Yes, I confirm, Ma’am. I do not wish to change anything.

CD: That would be all for the direct examination, your Honor. Witness is now
ready for cross-examination.

JUDGE: Any cross-examination from the defense?

CD: Yes, your Honor.

 CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MANUEL VANTES

CP: You mentioned in your judicial affidavit that you first visited the property on Dec.
1, 2017, correct?

MANUEL: Yes. I was in Barangay Gumalang to check on the parcel of land. We were
planning to subdivide the land.

CP: When did Mr. Luis Vantes die?

DC: Objection your honor, the good counsel is asking questions that are not relevant
to the disposition of the case.

(Judge will overrule the objection “counsel is on cross”)

MANUEL: May 15, 1965.

CP: So, from May, 15 1965 to Dec. 1, 2017, what took you so long to visit the
property from the death of Louis Vantes?

MANUEL: We were abroad during those time.

CP: Can you tell to this court who were with you abroad during those times?

MANUEL: Me and with my brothers, Noel and Reynaldo Vantes.

CP: During the period that you were in abroad, no one took care of that property?

CP: During the period that you were abroad, did anyone took care of the property?

MANUEL: No one.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
CP: You mentioned in your Judicial affidavit as answer to question # 21 that the land
was occupied by the other descendants of Luis Vantes from time to time yet you
are telling this court that no one occupied the lot during those time you were
abroad. Can you please explain further?

Manuel: When I made a phone call to my relatives here in the Philippines, I asked them
about the situation of the land. They sent to me photographs in the subject land.

CP: Is the photographs you are referring to are the same photographs attached in
your judicial affidavit?

Manuel: Yes
CP: So you are saying that you were just told by the other relatives of Luis Vantes
about the current situation of the land and by sending you photographs of the
land?

Manuel: Yes

CP: So your knowledge about the current situation of the land was based on what
was told to you by the other relatives of Luis Vantes and on the photographs
they sent you? You do not have any personal knowledge about the current
situation of the subject lot?

Manuel: Yes

CP: When you entered the property, did you notice any structure in the area same as
those structures in the photographs attached in your judicial affidavit?

MANUEL: No Ma’am.

CP: What was in the area when you visited? Why did you say that it was different
from the photographs sent to you?

Manuel: I saw a hut in the area, the photographs sent to me has three houses in it built
in lightweight materials.

CP: You are saying that they are substantially different structures?

Manuel: Yes sir.

CP: Was there any occupant in the hut?

MANUEL: Yes.

CP: So were you not surprised that there was an inhabited hut in the area when you
previously mentioned that no one is taking care of the property from 1965 to
2017?

CD: objection your honor, the question propounded by the counsel is a misleading
question, as it is contrary to what the witness said in his judicial affidavit. The
land was occupied by the other heirs of Luis Vantes from 1965 to 2017.

(judge, either she will overrule kasi cross examination or she will rule on the objection and will
not allow rephrasing of the question)

(IF OVER-RULED)
MANUEL: Yes, I was. So I told one of my workers to inform the occupant of the hut that
we will be building fences around the property, put up a tarpaulin and harvest
coconuts.
(IF WILL NOT ALLOW REPHRASING)
(Judge: ask another question counsel)

CP: At the time you saw the occupants of the Hut, can you identify them as one of
the relatives of Luis Vantes?

Manuel: No.

CP: Have you not asked the occupants themselves why and how were they able to
occupy the lot and who were they?

MANUEL: No, as I assumed that they are care takers left by the other heirs of Luis Vantes.

CP: So you are saying that you’re first visit is on December 01, 2017 and you already
brought with you tarpaulins, hammers, and harvested coconuts, correct?

MANUEL: Yes.

CP: And all this was done in the early morning of 5, correct?

MANUEL: Yes.

CP: That’s all for the cross, Your Honor.

 DIRECT EXAMINATION OF ROD JUNE CEBALLOS

CP: Your Honor, we are presenting our second witness in the person of Miles Buhay, the
Register of Deeds. Her testimony is offered to prove no record sale is annotated in the
title of Lot 2199.

(Witness proceeds to the stand and takes oath)

CLERK: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth before this Court?

MILES: I do.

CLERK: State your name, age, residence, civil status, and occupation.

MILES: I am Jerson JM, 52 years old, married, and residing at Km. 3 Hospital Road,
Buhangin, Davao City. I am engaged in trucking business.
 DIRECT EXAMINATION OF MILES BUHAY

CD: Ms. Buhay, do you remember executing a judicial affidavit for this case?

BUHAY: Yes, Ma’am.

CD: I am showing you a document which is entitled as Judicial Affidavit, is this

the same judicial affidavit you executed?

BUHAY: Yes, Ma’am.

CD: The Witness has positively identified the Judicial Affidavit marked as
Exhibit “A”, this serves as the direct testimony of Ms. REID.

I am showing you this document consisting of ___ pages with a signature

written on the affiant portion, whose signature is that?

BUHAY: It’s my signature.

CD: The Witness has positively identified his signature in the Judicial Affidavit
marked as Exhibit “A”.

CD: Can you review and confirm the contents of the Judicial Affidavit? Do you
wish to change anything?

BUHAY: Yes, I confirm, Ma’am. I do not wish to change anything.

CD: That would be all for the direct examination, your Honor. Witness is now
ready for cross-examination.

JUDGE: Any cross-examination from the defense?

CD: Yes, your Honor.

JUDGE: Is there any cross?

CP: None, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Let it be noted that the defense has rested its case, and trial is now terminated.
The case is now submitted for decision. Parties shall be notified as to the date of
the promulgation of judgment. So ordered.

(Bang the gavel)

PROMULGATION OF JUDGMENT