Iturriaga Lopategui v. Fernández
Iturriaga Lopategui v. Fernández
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court.
The appellants are the testamentary heirs or legatees of Manuel Fernández Riesco. Among the debts of the hereditary estate was one in favor of Antonio Manjón Fernández for $3,100, plus interest at 6 per cent per annum, secured by mortgage constituted by public deed of May 23, 1925. When the division of the estate was made, defendant José Fernández bound himself to pay the debt in question and the interest thereon. In return, a property of 58 cuerdas situated in the wards of Cuyón and Roble of the municipality of Aibonito was adjudicated to him, it being stipulated in the deed of protocolization, after setting forth a description of the parcel by its four cardinal points, that:
“This parcel will remain in possession of Fernández to answer for the debts. Although he is not required to pay any rent for the use thereof, he shall pay his proportional share of the full amount of taxes payable on such property, plus interest on the mortgage from June 23 of the present year (1931) until the same is paid in full.
*32 “In the event Mr. Manjón’s debt is paid, or if there are no persons with a right thereto, two-thirds of the parcel in question shall be deemed to belong to Fernández’ heirs and the other one-third to José Fernández and his brothers-legatees. If the debt is left unpaid, the parcel shall answer for payment of the debt.”
On March 10, 1952, Gregoria Iturriaga Lopategui filed an “action of debt and recognition of rights” against José Fernández and Osvaldo Ortiz.
Defendant answered in the form of a writing signed by himself. His only allegation was that the action brought against him had prescribed, because “the claims in actions involving sealed contracts or affecting real-property titles must be filed within twenty (20) years.” Plaintiff next filed a motion to strike said defense and for judgment on the pleadings. Attached to her motion was a statement acknowledged before the United States vice-consul of Bogotá. The lower court set the motion for hearing which was duly notified to defendant Fernández. In view of his failure to appear, plaintiff’s motion was granted on March 11, 1953 and judgment rendered ordering the defendant to pay to the former the sum of $3,100, plus $1,732 of interest accrued and which might accrue as to the date of the judgment, at the legal rate, plus costs and $300 for attorney’s fees. The time to appeal having expired and the judgment having become final and unappealable, the court, on motion of plaintiff ordered the public sale of the 58-cuerda property which
On August 27, 1953, defendant Fernandez, within the period prescribed in Rule 60(6)
Defendant Fernández maintained in his motion that the judgment rendered by the lower court should be set aside (а) on the ground that he committed the mistake and the excusable neglect referred to in Rule 60(6), supra, and (б) because the judgment is void and erroneous. We now turn to discuss the first ground of that motion.
There is no question that the defense of prescription may be raised by motion to dismiss under Rule 12(6). Ramos v. People, 67 P.R.R. 600. Nor is there any
A motion to set aside a judgment, such as that of defendant Fernández, is governed by Rule 60(6). Great Am. Ins. Co. v. District Court, 67 P.R.R. 529. Such Rule should be interpreted liberally. So should Rule 55(c).
However, it is a legal principle that a motion for .’judgment on the pleadings should not be granted if the pleadings raise a genuine issue of fact. Irizarry v. Tax Court, 71, 178, 186. Since the essential facts of the complaint were admitted by virtue of the motion to dismiss, no genuine issue of fact was raised here. Furthermore, in order to warrant a judgment on the pleadings the right of the moving party must be clear. Sepúlveda v. Casanova, 72 P.R.R. 60. Yet the granting or denial of a motion to set aside a judgment is a matter within the discretion of the trial court. Greer
In the case at bar, the lower court issued the orders appealed from after hearing the parties in connection with the two motions in question. The transcript sent up on appeal contains no record of what took place at that hearing, or of the evidence considered by the court, if any was offered and admitted, to reach its conclusion. In view of the clear and conclusive context of Rule 60(6), and of the analysis of the record made by us, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to set aside the judgment on the ground that defendant Fernández committed the mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect mentioned in the said Rule.
Having dismissed, as untenable, the first ground of the appeal taken by defendant José Fernández, we turn to consider whether the lower court should have set aside the judgment rendered as null and void. We agree with appellee that Rule 60 (6) does not by its context authorize the setting aside of a judgment because of errors committed by a court. Such Rule refers in fact to errors of the moving party and not errors of the court. Guilhon & Barthelemy v. District Court, 64 P.R.R. 289, 297 (note 13); González v. Am. Surety Co., 71 P.R.R. 330. However, the trial court is bound to grant a motion to set aside a final and unappealable judgment which is null on its face, namely, when it so appears from the judgment roll containing it.
Furthermore, it is well to clarify here that de
Defendant insists that the judgment rendered against him is void on the ground that certain persons, who were indispensable parties to the action, did not appear as defendants.
The judgment appealed from will be affirmed.
Osvaldo Ortiz, who was joined as defendant in his capacity as lessee of the parcel in question, was subsequently stricken from the action on motion of plaintiff.
Rule 60(6) of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides in part that:
“On motion the court, upon such terms as are just, may relieve a. party or his legal representative from a judgment, order, or proceeding-taken against him through his mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. The motion shall be made within a reasonable time, but in no case exceeding six months after such judgment, order, or proceeding-was taken.” (Italics ours.)
Both the motion of defendant Fernández and the petition for intervention filed by the other appellants were accompanied by separate; answers to the complaint.
Of course, where the complaint does not show on its face the dates on which prescription may be computed, the defendant may submit with the proper motion affidavits or other documents in support of his plea ,of prescription.
Rule 55(c) provides that:
“For good cause shown the court may set aside an entry of default ..•and, if a judgment by default has been entered, may likewise set it .aside in accordance with Rule 60(6).”
Judgment roll is defined in $ 233 of the Code of Civil Procedure. See, also, Parrilla v. Loíza Sugar Co., 49 P.R.R. 586; 2 Cal. Jur. 509, $ $ 250 to 258; 4 Cal. Jur. 2d 43, § § 308 to 319.
For definition of indispensable party, see People v. Henneman, 61 P.R.R. 184, 189.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.