Text of the provision
Art. 541. A possessor in the concept of owner has in his favor the legal presumption that he possesses with a just title and he cannot be obliged to show or prove it.
(448a)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
A possessor in the concept of owner has in their favor the legal presumption of a just title and cannot be compelled to show or prove it. The burden is on the one challenging the possession.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 540 — Possession in the Concept of Owner as Title.
- Article 542 — Possession of Immovable Includes Movables.
Cases citing this article
- Spouses Rudy Fernandez and Cristeta Aquino vs. Spouses Merardo Delfin and Angelita Delfin, G.R. No. 227917, March 17, 2021 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Sps. Tedy Garcia and Pilar Garcia vs. Loreta T. Santos, Winston Santos and Conchita, G.R. No. 228334, June 17, 2019 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Lilibeth Espinas-Lanuza, Onel Espinas, as heirs of Leopoldo Espinas, and the Municipal Assessor of, G.R. No. 229775, March 11, 2019 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Republic of the Philippines vs. Angeline L. Dayaoen, et al, G.R. No. 200773, July 8, 2015 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Fernanda Cequeña, et al. vs. Honorata Bolante, G.R. No. 137944, April 6, 2000 — read the decision on LawPhil →
Compiled automatically from Supreme Court decisions published on LawPhil that expressly cite this article, most frequently cited first. A listing means the decision cites the provision — it is not a statement that the case is the leading authority, and it does not show whether a ruling has since been modified or abandoned. Always read the decision itself.