The civil cases involved here are two parcels of land identified as Lot 1 and Lot 2 which are portions of a parcel of land previously registered in the name Lino Paredes on October 29, 1945.

Ruth and Ciana base their claim of ownership over the subject lots a Deed of Absolute sale in their favor by their mother, Elinor, on June 27, 1983. Ruth and Ciana further allege that Elinor acquired the lots from the late Lino Paredes through a deed of sale dated June 20, 1958.

Simeon Corporation and Zion on the other hand claimed that a certain Ralph Paredes who was declared by the court as the sole heir of Lino Paredes caused the issuance of the title in his favor. Ralph Paredes then allegedly sold the lots to Simeon Corporation and Zion in 1992. Thus, a title for Lot 1 was issued in the name of Simeon Corporation and another title for lot 2 for Zion.

Ruth and Ciana contend that they have a better right to the lots in question because the transactions conveying the same to them preceded those claimed by Simeon Corporation and Zion as a source of the latter's title. Ruth and Ciana further asserts that Simeon Corporation and Zion could not be considered as innocent purchasers in good faith and for value because they had prior notice of the previous transactions as stated in the memorandum of encumbrances annotated on the titles covering the subject lots. Simeon Corporation and Zion, for their part, maintain that Ruth and Ciana acquired the lots under questionable circumstances it appearing that there was no copy of the deed of sale , between Elinor and Lino Paredes, on file with the office of the Register of Deeds.

IS DOUBLE SALE APPLICABLE?