Practice question
In a genuine unlawful-detainer case, the defendant raises ownership. The possession issue cannot be resolved without considering the asserted title. The defendant demands dismissal, while the plaintiff requests an ownership ruling binding forever in all future suits. Which is correct?
- The court may resolve ownership provisionally only to determine possession; the defense does not automatically oust ejectment jurisdiction or make the judgment a final title adjudication.
- Any ownership defense automatically transfers the case to the RTC.
- Every ejectment judgment conclusively determines title.
- The court must ignore every ownership document even when necessary to decide possession.
- The defendant's assertion conclusively proves ownership.
Legal references
- https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2019-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf — Supreme Court current2019 Rules69–71.
- https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_1-71_civil.html — Rules69–71, read with current2019 and2022 expedited-procedure amendments.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2024/feb2024/gr_268216_2024.html — GR268216, February2024, main decision (2022 expedited rules prospective).
- https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2021/ra_11576_2021.html — RA11576 current monetary and assessed-value jurisdiction, including ejectment exception.
- https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-issues-rules-on-expedited-procedures-in-the-first-level-courts/ — Supreme Court2022 expedited-procedure issuance.
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