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Land dispute decision reversed
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Posted on Apr 30 1999
The Supreme Court points to the certificate of land title as the true basis of lot ownership and threw out the decision earlier made by the trial court which relied on testimonies.
In the case involving the Arriola estate, Maximo Arriola contested the decision of the lower court in 1996 which set aside a certificate of title and ruled in favor of his nephew, Ernesto Arriola.
In granting his appeal, the Supreme Court agreed with Maximo that the evidence presented in the trial court did not support its findings that his brother, Justino, purchased the property in question from their late mother.
The lower court put weight on the testimonies of relatives regarding a lot that was purchased but were not supported by legal documents.
Based on testimonies, the alleged sale took place way back in 1960’s when their mother received $300 from Justino.
However, in 1970 their mother completed an application for land registration in her name and Maximo.
During the trial, Maximo Arriola produced the certificate issued by then Marianas Island District Land Commission naming, him as the true owner.
According to the Supreme Court, this certificate issued by MDLC stands as a valid document to vouch for Maximo’s legal ownership of the southern and northern portion of the lot in Chalan Kanoa.
