Tomas Claudio Memorial College, Inc. v. CA 316 SCRA 502 (Case Digest)

 

Tomas Claudio Memorial College, Inc. v. CA

316 SCRA 502

 

 

Facts:

Private respondents (Crisanta de Castro and others) filed an action for Partition before the Regional Trial Court of Morong, Rizal. They alleged that their predecessor-in-interest, Juan De Castro, died intestate in 1993 and they are his only surviving and legitimate heirs.

They further claim that in 1979, without their knowledge and consent, said lot was sold by their brother Mariano to petitioner.

Petitioner filed a motion to dismiss contending, as its special defense, lack of jurisdiction and prescription and/or laches.

 

 

Issue:

Whether or not the Regional Trial Court and/or the Court of Appeals had jurisdiction over the case

 

 

Held:

Yes.

 

 

Ratio:

As correctly pointed out by the trial court, when it took cognizance of the action for partition filed by the private respondents, it acquired jurisdiction over the subject matter of the case. Jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case is conferred by law and is determined by the allegations of the complaint irrespective of whether the plaintiff is entitled to all or some of the claims asserted therein.