Succession Outline Notes Cases

Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
yesSUCCESSION
Legend:
T Senator Tolentino comments
B Professor Balane comments
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Definition and Concepts
Art. 774. Succession is a moe of ac!uisition "# $irtue of
%&ic& t&e 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts an o"li)ations to t&e e*tent of t&e
$alue of t&e in&eritance( of a 'erson are transmitte t&rou)&
&is eat& to anot&er or ot&ers eit&er "# &is %ill or "#
o'eration of la%. +n,
Art. 7-.. O%ners&i' is ac!uire "# occu'ation an "#
intellectual creation.
O%ners&i' an ot&er real ri)&ts o$er 'ro'ert# are ac!uire
an transmitte "# la%( "# onation( "# estate an intestate
succession( an in conse!uence of certain contracts( "#
traition.
T&e# ma# also "e ac!uire "# means of 'rescri'tion.
Art. -/--. 0ontracts ta1e effect onl# "et%een t&e 'arties(
t&eir assi)ns an &eirs( e*ce't in case %&ere t&e ri)&ts an
o"li)ations arisin) from t&e contract are not transmissi"le "#
t&eir nature( or "# sti'ulation or "# 'ro$ision of la%. The heir
is not liale eyond the !al"e of the property he recei!ed
fro# the decedent.
If a contract s&oul contain some sti'ulation in fa$or of a t&ir
'erson( &e ma# eman its fulfillment 'ro$ie &e
communicate &is acce'tance to t&e o"li)or "efore its
re$ocation. A mere inciental "enefit or interest of a 'erson is
not sufficient. T&e contractin) 'arties must &a$e clearl# an
eli"eratel# conferre a fa$or u'on a t&ir 'erson.
$"nda#ental Changes in the NCC in line %ith the
p"rpose of Sociali&ation
-. T&e sur$i$in) s'ouse is )i$en a "etter status in terms of
succession to t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease &us"an( &er ri)&t
to t&e 'ro'ert# %as im'ro$e from a mere usufruct to full
o%ners&i'.
.. T&e ille)itimate c&ilren are no% )i$en successional ri)&ts
unli1e t&e ol ci$il coe %&ic& oes not. 2urt&er( t&e
ille)itimate c&il3s mot&er or fat&er not relate "# "loo &as a
c&ance of in&eritin)( t&us( furt&erin) t&e 'ur'ose of
sociali4ation 're$entin) a t&e 'ro'ert# from sta#in) %it&in t&e
same famil#.
/. T&e Le)itime of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs is increase from -5/
to 6
4. T&e free 'ortion of t&e estate of t&e ecease is li1e%ise
increase.
B. S"'ects of S"ccession
(. )ho are the s"'ects*
The Decedent
Art. 777. In t&is Title( 8eceent8 is t&e )eneral term a''lie
to t&e 'erson %&ose 'ro'ert# is transmitte t&rou)&
succession( %&et&er or not &e left a %ill. If &e left a %ill( &e is
also calle t&e testator.
The +eir, de!isee, Legatee
Art. 79.. An &eir is a 'erson calle to t&e succession eit&er
"# t&e 'ro$ision of a %ill or "# o'eration of la%.
:e$isees an le)atees are 'ersons to %&om )ifts of real an
'ersonal 'ro'ert# are res'ecti$el# )i$en "# $irtue of a %ill.
Art. 997. T&e follo%in) are com'ulsor# &eirs;
+-, Le)itimate c&ilren an escenants( %it& res'ect to t&eir
le)itimate 'arents an ascenants<
+., In efault of t&e fore)oin)( le)itimate 'arents an
ascenants( %it& res'ect to t&eir le)itimate c&ilren an
escenants<
+/, T&e %io% or %io%er<
+4, Ac1no%le)e natural c&ilren( an natural c&ilren "#
le)al fiction<
+7, Ot&er ille)itimate c&ilren referre to in Article .97.
0om'ulsor# &eirs mentione in Nos. /( 4( an 7 are not
e*clue "# t&ose in Nos. - an .< neit&er o t&e# e*clue
one anot&er.
In all cases of ille)itimate c&ilren( t&eir filiation must "e ul#
'ro$e.
T&e fat&er or mot&er of ille)itimate c&ilren of t&e t&ree
classes mentione( s&all in&erit from t&em in t&e manner an
to t&e e*tent esta"lis&e "# t&is 0oe. +9=7a,
The Collateral -elati!es
Art. -==/. If t&ere are no escenants( ascenants(
ille)itimate c&ilren( or a sur$i$in) s'ouse( t&e collateral
relati$es s&all succee to t&e entire estate of t&e ecease in
accorance %it& t&e follo%in) articles. +>4?a,
Art. -==4. S&oul t&e onl# sur$i$ors "e "rot&ers an sisters
of t&e full "loo( t&e# s&all in&erit in e!ual s&ares. +>47,
Art. -==7. S&oul "rot&ers an sisters sur$i$e to)et&er %it&
ne'&e%s an nieces( %&o are t&e c&ilren of t&e
escenant@s "rot&ers an sisters of t&e full "loo( t&e former
s&all in&erit 'er ca'ita( an t&e latter 'er stir'es. In relation to
Article >77 %&ic& states Art. 975. When children of one
or more brothers or sisters of the deceased survive,
they shall inherit from the latter by representation,
if they survive with their uncles or aunts. But if they
alone survive, they shall inherit in equal portions.
Division per capita entails a division of
the estate into as many equal parts as
there are persons to succeed. f there are
three children, for instance, each will
receive, per capita, one third of the
estate. Division per capita is the !eneral
rule.
Division per stirpes is made when a sole
descendant or a !roup of descendants
represent a person in intestate
succession. "he sole representative or
!roup of representatives are counted as
one head. "hus, should a father be
survived by a son and four children of
another son who predeceased him, then,
the estate is divided per stirpes. "he first
half is !iven to the survivin! son and the
other half shall be divided amon! the
four !randchildren.
- jann - 1
Art. -==?. S&oul "rot&er an sisters of t&e full "loo sur$i$e
to)et&er %it& "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo( t&e
former s&all "e entitle to a s&are ou"le t&at of t&e latter.
+>4>,
Art. -==7. In case "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo(
some on t&e fat&er@s an some on t&e mot&er@s sie( are t&e
onl# sur$i$ors( all s&all in&erit in e!ual s&ares %it&out
istinction as to t&e ori)in of t&e 'ro'ert#. +>7=,
Art. -==9. 0&ilren of "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo
s&all succee 'er ca'ita or 'er stir'es( in accorance %it&
t&e rules lai o%n for t&e "rot&ers an sisters of t&e full
"loo. +>-7,
Art. -==>. S&oul t&ere "e neit&er "rot&ers nor sisters nor
c&ilren of "rot&ers or sisters( t&e ot&er collateral relati$es
s&all succee to t&e estate.
T&e latter s&all succee %it&out istinction of lines or
'reference amon) t&em "# reason of relations&i' "# t&e
%&ole "loo. +>74a,
Art. -=-=. T&e ri)&t to in&erit a" intestato s&all not e*ten
"e#on t&e fift& e)ree of relations&i' in t&e collateral line.
+>77a,
%&en t&ere are no "rot&ers %&et&er t&e full of
&alf "loo( t&e ot&er collateral relati$es succee
%&ic& %&om( &o%e$er( are limite %it&in t&e 7
t&
e)ree of relations&i'. Because "e#on t&is
e)ree( it is safe to sa# t&at( t&ere is &arl# an#
affection to merit succession. Aence( for
succession 'ur'oses t&ese 'ersons are no
lon)er consiere relati$es.
T&e follo%in) rules s&all a''l#; -. t&e nearest
relati$e e*clue t&e fart&er. .. collateral of t&e
same e)ree in&erit e!ual 'arts( t&ere "ein) no
ri)&t of re'resentation( /. T&e# succee %it&out
istinction or lines or 'reference amon) t&em
on account of t&e %&ole "loo relations&i'
The State
Art. -=--. In efault of 'ersons entitle to succee in
accorance %it& t&e 'ro$isions of t&e 'recein) Sections( t&e
State s&all in&erit t&e %&ole estate. +>7?a,
B&en a 'erson ies intestate( lea$in) no
com'ulsor# &eir( nor an# ot&er relati$es to
succee &im "# la%( t&e natural result %oul "e
t&e com'lete a"anonment of t&e 'ro'ert#.
T&e estate "ecomes su"Cect to a''ro'riation "#
an#one. T&is conition %oul result in conflicts
etrimental to t&e 'u"lic an economic orer.
In $ie% of t&is( t&e la% a%ars t&e 'ro'ert# to
t&e State( in re'resentation of t&e 'eo'le.
Ratio; a, :ictate "# 'u"lic 'olic# an( ",
'ri$ate 'ro'ert# is enCo#e onl# uner t&e
'rotection of t&e State( an %&en no lon)er
use( it s&oul re$ert "ac1 to t&e State.
T&e re$ersion of t&e res nullius 'ro'ert# can
onl# "e one t&rou)& an Esc&eat 'roceein)s
institute "# t&e Solicitor General to t&e 'ro'er
court + t&e cit# or munici'alit# %&ere t&e lan is
situate ,. T&e State( t&erefore oes not i'so
facto "ecome t&e o%ner of t&e estate left
%it&out &eir. Its ri)&t to claim must "e "ase on
a court3s rulin) allo%in) it to &a$e t&e estate(
after com'liance %it& t&e 'roceure lai o%n
"# t&e Rules of 0ourt. +Rule >-,
Art. -=-.. In orer t&at t&e State ma# ta1e 'ossession of t&e
'ro'ert# mentione in t&e 'recein) article( t&e 'ertinent
'ro$isions of t&e Rules of 0ourt must "e o"ser$e. +>79a,
Art. -=-/. After t&e 'a#ment of e"ts an c&ar)es( t&e
'ersonal 'ro'ert# s&all "e assi)ne to t&e munici'alit# or cit#
%&ere t&e ecease last resie in t&e P&ili''ines( an t&e
real estate to t&e munici'alities or cities( res'ecti$el#( in
%&ic& t&e same is situate.
If t&e ecease ne$er resie in t&e P&ili''ines( t&e %&ole
estate s&all "e assi)ne to t&e res'ecti$e munici'alities or
cities %&ere t&e same is locate.
Suc& estate s&all "e for t&e "enefit of 'u"lic sc&ools( an
'u"lic c&arita"le institutions an centers( in suc&
munici'alities or cities. T&e court s&all istri"ute t&e estate as
t&e res'ecti$e nees of eac& "eneficiar# ma# %arrant.
T&e court( at t&e instance of an intereste 'art#( or on its o%n
motion( ma# orer t&e esta"lis&ment of a 'ermanent trust( so
t&at onl# t&e income from t&e 'ro'ert# s&all "e use. +>7?a,
Art. -=-4. If a 'erson le)all# entitle to t&e estate of t&e
ecease a''ears an files a claim t&ereto %it& t&e court
%it&in fi$e #ears from t&e ate t&e 'ro'ert# %as eli$ere to
t&e State( suc& 'erson s&all "e entitle to t&e 'ossession of
t&e same( or if sol t&e munici'alit# or cit# s&all "e
accounta"le to &im for suc& 'art of t&e 'rocees as ma# not
&a$e "een la%full# s'ent.
.. -elationships /Intestate or Legal +eirs0
Art. >?/. Pro*imit# of relations&i' is etermine "# t&e
num"er of )enerations. Eac& )eneration forms a e)ree.
Art. >?4. A series of e)rees forms a line( %&ic& ma# "e
eit&er irect or collateral.
A irect line is t&at constitute "# t&e series of e)rees
amon) ascenants an escenants.
A collateral line is t&at constitute "# t&e series of e)rees
amon) 'ersons %&o are not ascenants an escenants(
"ut %&o come from a common ancestor. +>-?a,
Art. >?7. T&e irect line is eit&er escenin) or ascenin).
T&e former unites t&e &ea of t&e famil# %it& t&ose %&o
escen from &im.
T&e latter "ins a 'erson %it& t&ose from %&om &e
escens. +>-7,
Art. >??. In t&e line( as man# e)rees are counte as t&ere
are )enerations or 'ersons( e*cluin) t&e 'ro)enitor.
In t&e irect line( ascent is mae to t&e common ancestor.
T&us( t&e c&il is one e)ree remo$e from t&e 'arent( t%o
from t&e )ranfat&er( an t&ree from t&e )reatD)ran'arent.
In t&e collateral line( ascent is mae to t&e common ancestor
an t&en escent is mae to t&e 'erson %it& %&om t&e
com'utation is to "e mae. T&us( a 'erson is t%o e)rees
remo$e from &is "rot&er( t&ree from &is uncle( %&o is t&e
"rot&er of &is fat&er( four from &is first cousin( an so fort&.
+>-9a,
- jann - 2
Art. >?7. 2ull "loo relations&i' is t&at e*istin) "et%een
'ersons %&o &a$e t&e same fat&er an t&e same mot&er.
Aalf "loo relations&i' is t&at e*istin) "et%een 'ersons %&o
&a$e t&e same fat&er( "ut not t&e same mot&er( or t&e same
mot&er( "ut not t&e same fat&er. +>.=a,
Art. >?9. If t&ere are se$eral relati$es of t&e same e)ree(
an one or some of t&em are un%illin) or inca'acitate to
succee( &is 'ortion s&all accrue to t&e ot&ers of t&e same
e)ree( sa$e t&e ri)&t of re'resentation %&en it s&oul ta1e
'lace. +>..,
In suc& cases as a"o$e( t&e s&ares %oul &a$e
'ertaine to t&ose %&o re'uiate or are
inca'acitate o not 'ass to relati$es of t&e
ne*t e)ree( "ut are retaine "# ot&er relati$es
of t&e same e)ree t&rou)& t&e ri)&t of
accretion( %it& t&e e*ce'tion of t&e cases
%&ere t&e ri)&t of re'resentation o"tains. T&e
ri)&t to re'resent a li$in) 'erson o"tains onl# in
cases of isin&eritance an inca'acit#.
Art. >?>. If t&e in&eritance s&oul "e re'uiate "# t&e
nearest relati$e( s&oul t&ere "e one onl#( or "# all t&e
nearest relati$es calle "# la% to succee( s&oul t&ere "e
se$eral( t&ose of t&e follo%in) e)ree s&all in&erit in t&eir
o%n ri)&t an cannot re'resent t&e 'erson or 'ersons
re'uiatin) t&e in&eritance.
E T&e article onl# 'ertains to re'uiation. B&at t&en
%oul "e t&e effect of inca'acit# of t&e onl# nearest relati$eF
T&e ri)&t of re'resentation ma# or ma# not o"tain. S&oul
t&e inca'acitate &eir "e t&e c&il of t&e ecease( an &e in
turn &as c&ilren( t&e latter ma# re'resent t&e inca'acitate
&eir.
1. Capacity to S"cceed
T&e )eneral rule is an# 'erson ma# succee "# la%
or "# %ill unless e*clue "# la%.
Re!uisites of ca'acit# to succee; a, t&at t&ere "e
)eneral ci$il ca'acit# of t&e 'erson( %&et&er natural or
artificial( accorin) to la%< an ", t&at &ere "e no inca'acit#
to succee uner e*'ress 'ro$ision of la%.
a. Deter#ination
Art. -=/4. In orer to Cu)e t&e ca'acit# of t&e &eir(
e$isee or le)atee( &is !ualification at t&e time of t&e
eat& of t&e eceent s&all "e t&e criterion.
In cases fallin) uner Nos. .( /( or 7 of Article -=/.( it
s&all "e necessar# to %ait until final Cu)ment is
renere( an in t&e case fallin) uner No. 4( t&e
e*'iration of t&e mont& allo%e for t&e re'ort.
If t&e institution( e$ise or le)ac# s&oul "e conitional(
t&e time of t&e com'liance %it& t&e conition s&all also
"e consiere.
Art. -=/>. 0a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of
t&e nation of t&e eceent
Art. -?. Real 'ro'ert# as %ell as 'ersonal 'ro'ert# is
su"Cect to t&e la% of t&e countr# %&ere it is sti'ulate.
Ao%e$er( intestate an testamentar# successions( "ot&
%it& res'ect to t&e orer of succession an to t&e
amount of successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit#
of testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is uner
consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of t&e
'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein sai
'ro'ert# ma# "e foun. +-=a,
Cayetano !s. Leonides (.2 SC-A 3..
On Ganuar# /-( ->77( Aoracion 0. 0am'os ie( lea$in)
&er fat&er( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os an &er sisters(
'ri$ate res'onent Nenita 0. Pa)uia( Remeios 0. Lo'e4
an Harieta 0. Heina as t&e sur$i$in) &eirs. As
Aermo)enes 0am'os %as t&e onl# com'ulsor# &eir( &e
e*ecute an Affia$it of ACuication uner Rule 74( Section I
of t&e Rules of 0ourt %&ere"# &e aCuicate unto &imself
t&e o%ners&i' of t&e entire estate of t&e ecease Aoracion
0am'os.
Ele$en mont&s after( on No$em"er .7( ->77( Nenita 0.
Pa)uia file a 'etition for t&e re'ro"ate of a %ill of t&e
ecease( Aoracion 0am'os( %&ic& %as alle)el# e*ecute
in t&e Inite States an for &er a''ointment as aministratri*
of t&e estate of t&e ecease testatri*.
In &er 'etition( Nenita alle)e t&at t&e testatri* %as an
American citi4en at t&e time of &er eat& an %as a
'ermanent resient of 4?// :itman Street( P&ilael'&ia(
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.< t&at t&e testatri* ie in Hanila on
Ganuar# /-( ->77 %&ile tem'oraril# resiin) %it& &er sister at
.-?7 Le$eri4a( Halate( Hanila< t&at urin) &er lifetime( t&e
testatri* mae &er last %ill an testament on Gul# -=( ->77(
accorin) to t&e la%s of Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( nominatin)
Bilfreo Bar4a)a of Ne% Gerse# as e*ecutor< t&at after t&e
testatri*@ eat&( &er last %ill an testament %as 'resente(
'ro"ate( allo%e( an re)istere %it& t&e Re)istr# of Bills at
t&e 0ount# of P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( t&at 0lement L.
HcLau)&lin( t&e aministrator %&o %as a''ointe after :r.
Bar4a)a &a ecline an %ai$e &is a''ointment as
e*ecutor in fa$or of t&e former( is also a resient of
P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( an t&at t&erefore( t&ere is an ur)ent
nee for t&e a''ointment of an aministratri* to aminister
an e$entuall# istri"ute t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate locate
in t&e P&ili''ines.
Hean%&ile( on Gune ?( ->9.( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os
ie an left a %ill( %&ic&( incientall# &as "een !uestione
"# t&e res'onent( &is c&ilren an force &eirs as( on its
face 'atentl# null an $oi( an a fa"rication( a''ointin) Poll#
0a#etano as t&e e*ecutri* of &is last %ill an testament.
0a#etano( t&erefore( file a motion to su"stitute &erself as
'etitioner in t&e instant case %&ic& %as )rante "# t&e court
on Se'tem"er -/( ->9..
ISSIE; B&et&er or not a com'ulsor# &eir ma# "e $alil#
e*clue "# a %ill e*ecute "# a forei)n testatorF
AEL:; JES
RATIO; Alt&ou)& on its face( t&e %ill a''eare to &a$e
'reterite t&e 'etitioner an t&us( t&e res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e enie its re'ro"ate outri)&t( t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents &a$e sufficientl# esta"lis&e t&at Aoracion %as(
at t&e time of &er eat&( an American citi4en an a
'ermanent resient of P&ilael'&ia( Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.
T&erefore( uner Article -? 'ar. +., an -=/> of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& res'ecti$el# 'ro$ie;
- jann - 3
Art. -? 'ar. +.,.8Ao%e$er( intestate an
testamentar# successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e
orer of succession an to t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is
uner consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of
t&e 'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
sai 'ro'ert# ma# "e foun.8
Art. -=/>.80a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e eceent.8
t&e la% %&ic& )o$erns Aoracion 0am'o@s %ill is t&e la% of
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( %&ic& is t&e national la% of t&e
eceent. Alt&ou)& t&e 'arties amit t&at t&e Penns#l$ania
la% oes not 'ro$ie for le)itimes an t&at all t&e estate ma#
"e )i$en a%a# "# t&e testatri* to a com'lete stran)er( t&e
'etitioner ar)ues t&at suc& la% s&oul not a''l# "ecause it
%oul "e contrar# to t&e soun an esta"lis&e 'u"lic 'olic#
an %oul run counter to t&e s'ecific 'ro$isions of P&ili''ine
La%.
It is a settle rule t&at as re)ars t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( as 'ro$ie for "# Article -? +., an
-=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e national la% of t&e eceent must
a''l#. T&is %as s!uarel# a''lie in t&e case of Bellis $. Bellis
+.= S0RA /79, %&erein %e rule;8It is t&erefore e$ient t&at
%&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo customs ma# "e in$ol$e in
our s#stem of le)itimes( 0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten
t&e same to t&e succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as
s'ecificall# c&osen to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts( to t&e eceent@s national la%. S'ecific
'ro$isions must 're$ail o$er )eneral ones.
. )ho #ay s"cceed*
Art. -=.4. Persons not inca'acitate "# la% ma# succee "#
%ill or ab intestato.
T&e 'ro$isions relatin) to inca'acit# "# %ill are e!uall#
a''lica"le to intestate succession. +744( >-4,
t&e secon 'ara)ra'& a"o$e merel# enunciates
a )eneral rule "ecause Article -=.7 an -=.9
clearl# are e*ce'tions %&ic& o not a''l# to
intestate succession "ut onl# t&at of
testamentar# is'ositions.
Kins of Inca'acit#; a, a"solute or 'er se an
", relati$e or 'er acciens
Art. -=.7. In orer to "e ca'acitate to in&erit( t&e &eir(
e$isee or le)atee must "e li$in) at t&e moment t&e
succession o'ens( e*ce't in case of re'resentation( %&en it
is 'ro'er.
A c&il alrea# concei$e at t&e time of t&e eat& of t&e
eceent is ca'a"le of succeein) 'ro$ie it "e "orn later
uner t&e conitions 'rescri"e in article 4-. +n,
E T&ose not e*istin) at t&e time of eat& is
inca'acitate to succee e*ce't on conitional %ills %&ere
succession onl# o'ens u'on t&e &a''enin) of t&e conition.
Art. -=.?. A testamentar# is'osition ma# "e mae to t&e
State( 'ro$inces( munici'al cor'orations( 'ri$ate
cor'orations( or)ani4ations( or associations for reli)ious(
scientific( cultural( eucational( or c&arita"le 'ur'oses.
All ot&er cor'orations or entities ma# succee uner a %ill(
unless t&ere is a 'ro$ision to t&e contrar# in t&eir c&arter or
t&e la%s of t&eir creation( an al%a#s su"Cect to t&e same.
+74?a,
Art. -=.>. S&oul t&e testator is'ose of t&e %&ole or 'art of
&is 'ro'ert# for 'ra#ers an 'ious %or1s for t&e "enefit of &is
soul( in )eneral terms an %it&out s'ecif#in) its a''lication(
t&e e*ecutor( %it& t&e court@s a''ro$al s&all eli$er oneD&alf
t&ereof or its 'rocees to t&e c&urc& or enomination to
%&ic& t&e testator ma# "elon)( to "e use for suc& 'ra#ers
an 'ious %or1s( an t&e ot&er &alf to t&e State( for t&e
'ur'oses mentione in Article -=-/. +747a,
Art. -=/=. Testamentar# 'ro$isions in fa$or of t&e 'oor in
)eneral( %it&out esi)nation of 'articular 'ersons or of an#
communit#( s&all "e eeme limite to t&e 'oor li$in) in t&e
omicile of t&e testator at t&e time of &is eat&( unless it
s&oul clearl# a''ear t&at &is intention %as ot&er%ise.
T&e esi)nation of t&e 'ersons %&o are to "e consiere as
'oor an t&e istri"ution of t&e 'ro'ert# s&all "e mae "# t&e
'erson a''ointe "# t&e testator for t&e 'ur'ose< in efault of
suc& 'erson( "# t&e e*ecutor( an s&oul t&ere "e no
e*ecutor( "# t&e Custice of t&e 'eace( t&e ma#or( an t&e
munici'al treasurer( %&o s&all ecie "# a maCorit# of $otes
all !uestions t&at ma# arise. In all t&ese cases( t&e a''ro$al
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance s&all "e necessar#.
T&e 'recein) 'ara)ra'& s&all a''l# %&en t&e testator
&as is'ose of &is 'ro'ert# in fa$or of t&e 'oor of a
efinite localit#.
4arish 4riest of 5ictoria !s. -igor
T&is case is a"out t&e efficaciousness or enforcea"ilit# of a
e$ise of ricelans locate at Guim"a( Nue$a EciCa( %it& a
total area of aroun fort#Dfour &ectares. T&at e$ise %as
mae in t&e %ill of t&e late 2at&er Pascual Ri)or( a nati$e of
Victoria( Tarlac( in fa$or of &is nearest male relati$e %&o
%oul stu# for t&e 'riest&oo.
T&e recor iscloses t&at 2at&er Ri)or( t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Pulilan( Bulacan( ie on Au)ust >( ->/7( lea$in) a %ill
e*ecute on Octo"er .>( ->// %&ic& %as 'ro"ate "# t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Tarlac in its orer of :ecem"er 7(
->/7. Name as e$isees in t&e %ill %ere t&e testator@s
nearest relati$es( namel#( &is t&ree sisters; 2lorencia Ri)orD
Esco"ar( Belina Ri)orDHanaloto an Nestora Ri)orD
Luiam"ao. T&e testator )a$e a e$ise to &is cousin(
2ortunato Gamalina.
A"out t&irteen #ears after t&e a''ro$al of t&e 'roCect of
'artition( or on 2e"ruar# ->( ->74( t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria
file in t&e 'enin) testate 'roceein) a 'etition 'ra#in) for
t&e a''ointment of a ne% aministrator +succeein) t&e
ecease aministratri*( 2lorencia Ri)or,( %&o s&oul eli$er
to t&e c&urc& t&e sai ricelans( an furt&er 'ra#in) t&at t&e
'ossessors t&ereof "e orere to rener an accountin) of t&e
fruits. T&e 'ro"ate court )rante t&e 'etition. A ne%
aministrator %as a''ointe. On Ganuar# /-( ->77 t&e 'aris&
'riest file anot&er 'etition for t&e eli$er# of t&e ricelans to
t&e c&urc& as trustee.
- jann - 4
T&e intestate &eirs of 2at&er Ri)or countere %it& a 'etition
ate Harc& .7( ->77 'ra#in) t&at t&e "e!uest "e eclare
ino'erati$e an t&at t&e# "e aCu)e as t&e 'ersons entitle
to t&e sai ricelans since( as amitte "# t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria( 6no nearest #ale relati!e of6 the testator 6has
e!er st"died for the priesthood6 +''. .7 an /7( Recor on
A''eal,. T&at 'etition %as o''ose "# t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria.
Gu)e :e A!uino )rante t&e secon motion for
reconsieration in &is orer of :ecem"er -=( ->77 on t&e
)roun t&at t&e testator &a a )ranne'&e% name E)aro
G. 0unanan +t&e )ranson of &is first cousin, %&o %as a
seminarian in t&e San Gose Seminar# of t&e Gesuit 2at&ers in
Lue4on 0it#. T&e aministrator %as irecte to eli$er t&e
ricelans to t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria as trustee.
T&e le)al &eirs a''eale to t&e 0ourt of A''eals. It re$erse
t&at orer. It &el t&at 2at&er Ri)or &a create a
testamentar# trust for &is nearest male relati$e %&o %oul
ta1e t&e &ol# orers "ut t&at suc& trust coul e*ist onl# for
t%ent# #ears "ecause to enforce it "e#on t&at 'erio %oul
$iolate 8t&e rule a)ainst 'er'etuities8. It rule t&at since no
le)atee claime t&e ricelans %it&in t%ent# #ears after t&e
testator@s eat&( t&e same s&oul 'ass to &is le)al &eirs(
citin) articles 999 an >-.+., of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe an article
97= of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe.
The %ill of the testator is the first and principal la% in the
#atter of testa#ents. B&en &is intention is clearl# an
'recisel# e*'resse( an# inter'retation must "e in accor
%it& t&e 'lain an literal meanin) of &is %ors( e*ce't %&en it
ma# certainl# a''ear t&at &is intention %as ifferent from t&at
literall# e*'resse +In re Estate of 0aleron( .? P&il. ///
8The intent of the testator is the cardinal r"le in the
constr"ction of %ills.6 It is 8t&e life an soul of a %ill8. It is
8t&e first )reatest rule( t&e so$erei)n )uie( t&e 'olestar( in
)i$in) effect to a %ill8
2rom t&e fore)oin) testamentar# 'ro$isions( it #ay e
ded"ced that the testator intended to de!ise the
ricelands to his nearest #ale relati!e %ho %o"ld eco#e
a priest( %&o %as for"ien to sell t&e ricelans( %&o %oul
lose t&e e$ise if &e iscontinue &is stuies for t&e
'riest&oo( or &a$in) "een oraine a 'riest( &e %as
e*communicate( an %&o %oul "e o"li)ate to sa#
annuall# t%ent# masses %it& 'ra#ers for t&e re'ose of t&e
souls of t&e testator an &is 'arents.
On the other hand, it is clear that the parish priest of Victoria
would administer the ricelands only in two situations: one,
during the interval of time that no nearest male relative of the
testator was studying for the priesthood and two, in case the
testator's nephew became a priest and he was
excommunicated.
B&at is not clear is t&e uration of 8el inter$alo e tiem'o !ue
no &a#a le)atario aconicionao8( or how long after the
testator's death would it be determined t&at &e &a a ne'&e%
%&o %oul 'ursue an ecclesiastical $ocation. It is t&at 'atent
am"i)uit# t&at &as "rou)&t a"out t&e contro$ers# "et%een
t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria an t&e testator@s le)al &eirs.
Inter%o$en %it& t&at e!ui$ocal 'ro$ision is t&e time %&en t&e
nearest male relati$e %&o %oul stu# for t&e 'riest&oo
s&oul "e etermine. :i t&e testator contem'late onl# &is
nearest male relati$e at t&e time of &is eat&F Or i &e &a$e
in min an# of &is nearest male relati$es at an#time after &is
eat&F
We hold that the said bequest refers to the testator's nearest
male relative living at the time of his death and not to any
indefinite time thereafter. !n order to be capacitated to
inherit, the heir, devisee or legatee must be living at the
moment the succession opens, except in case of
representation, when it is proper8 +Art. -=.7( 0i$il 0oe,.
T&e sai testamentar# 'ro$isions s&oul "e sensi"l# or
reasona"l# construe. "o construe them as referring to the
testator's nearest male relative at anytime after his death
would render the provisions difficult to apply an create
uncertaint# as to t&e is'osition of &is estate. T&at coul not
&a$e "een &is intention.
In ->/7( %&en t&e testator ie( &is nearest le)al &eirs %ere
&is t&ree sisters or seconDe)ree relati$es( Hrs. Esco"ar(
Hrs. Hanaloto an Hrs. Luiam"ao. O"$iousl#( %&en t&e
testator s'ecifie &is nearest male relati$e( &e must &a$e &a
in min &is ne'&e% or a son of &is sister( %&o %oul "e &is
t&irDe)ree relati$e( or 'ossi"l# a )ranne'&e%. But since
&e coul not prognosticate t&e e*act ate of &is eat& or
state %it& certitue %&at cate)or# of nearest male relati$e
%oul "e li$in) at t&e time of &is eat&( &e coul not s'ecif#
t&at &is nearest male relati$e %oul "e &is ne'&e% or
)ranne'&e%s +t&e sons of &is ne'&e% or niece, an so &e
&a to use t&e term 8nearest male relati$e8.
Parent&eticall#( it s&oul "e state at t&is Cuncture t&at
E)aro cease to "e a seminarian in ->?-. 2or t&at reason(
t&e le)al &eirs a''rise t&e 0ourt of A''eals t&at t&e 'ro"ate
court@s orer aCuicatin) t&e ricelans to t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria &a no more le) to stan on +'. 94( A''ellant@s "rief,.
#ad the testator intended that the cualquier pariente mio
varon mas cercano que estudie la carrera eclesiastica
would include indefinitely anyone of his nearest male
relatives born after his death, he could have so specified in
his will. #e must have $nown that such a broad provision
would suspend for an unlimited period of time the
efficaciousness of his bequest.
2ollo%in) t&at inter'retation of t&e %ill( t&e in!uir# %oul "e
%&et&er at t&e time 2at&er Ri)or ie in ->/7 &e &a a
ne'&e% %&o %as stu#in) for t&e 'riest&oo or %&o &a
manifeste &is esire to follo% t&e ecclesiastical career. T&at
!uer# is cate)oricall# ans%ere in 'ara)ra'& 4 of a''ellant
'riest@s 'etitions of 2e"ruar# ->( ->74 an Ganuar# /-( ->77.
Ae une!ui$ocall# alle)e t&erein t&at 8no nearest male
relati$e of t&e late +2at&er, Pascual Ri)or &as e$er stuie
for t&e 'riest&oo8 +''. .7 an /7( Recor on A''eal,.
!nasmuch as the testator was not survived by any nephew
who became a priest, the unavoidable conclusion is that the
bequest in question was ineffectual or inoperative. "herefore,
the administration of the ricelands by the parish priest of
Victoria, as envisaged in the will, was li$ewise inoperative.
T&e 0ourt of A''eals correctl# rule t&at t&is case is co$ere
"# article 999 of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe( no% article >7?( %&ic&
'ro$ies t&at if 8t&e "e!uest for an# reason s&oul "e
ino'erati$e( it s&all "e mer)e into t&e estate( e*ce't in
cases of su"stitution an t&ose in %&ic& t&e ri)&t of accretion
e*ists8 +8el le)ao . . . 'or !ual!uier causa( no ten)a efecto(
se refunir en la masa e la &erencia( fuera e los casos e
sustitucion # erec&o e acrecer8,.
T&is case is also co$ere "# article >-.+., of t&e ol 0i$il
0oe( no% article >?=+.,( %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at le)al
succession ta1es 'lace %&en t&e %ill 8oes not is'ose of all
t&at "elon)s to t&e testator.8 T&ere "ein) no su"stitution nor
- jann - 5
accretion as to t&e sai ricelans( t&e same s&oul "e
istri"ute amon) t&e testator@s le)al &eirs. T&e effect is as if
t&e testator &a mae no is'osition as to t&e sai ricelans.
T&e 0i$il 0oe reco)ni4es t&at a 'erson ma# ie 'artl#
testate an 'artl# intestate( or t&at t&ere ma# "e mi*e
succession. T&e ol rule as to t&e ini$isi"ilit# of t&e
testator@s %ill is no lon)er $ali. T&us( if a conitional le)ac#
oes not ta1e effect( t&ere %ill "e intestate succession as to
t&e 'ro'ert# co$ere "# t&e sai le)ac# +Hacro&on On) Aam
$s. Saa$era( 7- P&il. .?7,.
c. )ho are incapale of s"cceeding*
Art. -=.7. T&e follo%in) are inca'a"le of succeein);
+-, T&e 'riest %&o &ear t&e confession of t&e testator
urin) &is last illness( or t&e minister of t&e )os'el %&o
e*tene s'iritual ai to &im urin) t&e same 'erio<
+., T&e relati$es of suc& 'riest or minister of t&e )os'el
%ithin the fo"rth degree( t&e c&urc&( orer( c&a'ter(
communit#( or)ani4ation( or institution to %&ic& suc&
'riest or minister ma# "elon)<
+/, A )uarian %it& res'ect to testamentar# is'ositions
)i$en "# a %ar in &is fa$or "efore t&e final accounts of
t&e )uarians&i' &a$e "een a''ro$e( e$en if t&e
testator s&oul ie after t&e a''ro$al t&ereof<
ne$ert&eless( an# 'ro$ision mae "# t&e %ar in fa$or of
t&e )uarian %&en t&e latter is &is ascenant(
escenant( "rot&er( sister( or s'ouse( s&all "e $ali<
+4, An# attestin) %itness to t&e e*ecution of a %ill( t&e
s'ouse( 'arents( or c&ilren( or an# one claimin) uner
suc& %itness( s'ouse( 'arents( or c&ilren< in relation to
Art. #$%. f a person attests the e&ecution of a
will, to whom or to whose spouse, or parent, or
child, a devise or le!acy is !iven by such will,
such devise or le!acy shall, so far only as
concerns such person, or spouse, or parent, or
child of such person, or any one claimin! under
such person or spouse, or parent, or child, be
void, unless there are three other competent
witnesses to such will. 'owever, such person so
attestin! shall be admitted as a witness as if such
devise or le!acy had not been made or !iven. (n)
+7, An# '&#sician( sur)eon( nurse( &ealt& officer or
ru))ist %&o too1 care of t&e testator urin) &is last
illness<
+?, Ini$iuals( associations an cor'orations not
'ermitte "# la% to in&erit. +747( 77.( 77/( 774a,
Art. -=.9. T&e 'ro&i"itions mentione in article 7/>(
concernin) onations inter $i$os s&all a''l# to
testamentar# 'ro$isions.
Art. -=/-. A testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of a
is!ualifie 'erson( e$en t&ou)& mae uner t&e )uise
of an onerous contract( or mae t&rou)& an intermeiar#(
s&all "e $oi. +777,
Art. -=/.. T&e follo%in) are inca'a"le of succeein) "#
reason of un%ort&iness;
+-, 4arents %&o &a$e aandoned their children or
inuce t&eir au)&ters to lea a corru't or immoral life(
or attem'te a)ainst t&eir $irtue<
+., An# person %&o &as "een con!icted of an atte#pt
against the life of t&e testator( &is or &er s'ouse(
escenants( or ascenants<
+/, An# 'erson %&o &as acc"sed the testator of a crime
for %&ic& t&e la% 'rescri"es im'risonment for si* #ears
or more( if t&e accusation &as "een foun )rounless<
+4, An# &eir of full a)e %&o( &a$in) 1no%le)e of t&e
$iolent eat& of t&e testator( s&oul fail to re'ort it to an
officer of t&e la% %it&in a mont&( unless t&e aut&orities
&a$e alrea# ta1en action< t&is 'ro&i"ition s&all not a''l#
to cases %&erein( accorin) to la%( t&ere is no o"li)ation
to ma1e an accusation<
+7, An# 'erson con$icte of aulter# or concu"ina)e %it&
t&e s'ouse of t&e testator<
+?, An# 'erson %&o "# frau( $iolence( intimiation( or
unue influence s&oul cause t&e testator to ma1e a %ill
or to c&an)e one alrea# mae<
+7, An# 'erson %&o "# t&e same means 're$ents
anot&er from ma1in) a %ill( or from re$o1in) one alrea#
mae( or %&o su''lants( conceals( or alters t&e latter@s
%ill<
+9, An# 'erson %&o falsifies or forges a su''ose %ill
of the decedent. +77?( ?7/( ?74a,
Art. -=//. T&e cause of un%ort&iness s&all "e %it&out
effect if t&e testator &a 1no%le)e t&ereof at t&e time &e
mae t&e %ill( or if( &a$in) 1no%n of t&em su"se!uentl#(
&e s&oul conone t&em in %ritin). +777a,
d. Effect of alienations y the e7cl"ded heir
Art. -=/?. Alienations of &ereitar# 'ro'ert#( an acts of
aministration 'erforme "# t&e e*clue &eir( "efore
t&e Cuicial orer of e*clusion( are $ali as to t&e t&ir
'ersons %&o acte in )oo fait&< "ut t&e coD&eirs s&all
&a$e a ri)&t to reco$er ama)es from t&e is!ualifie
&eir.
e. -ights of the e7cl"ded +eir
Art. -=/7. If t&e 'erson e*clue from t&e in&eritance "#
reason of inca'acit# s&oul "e a c&il or escenant of
t&e eceent an s&oul &a$e c&ilren or escenants(
t&e latter s&all ac!uire &is ri)&t to t&e le)itime.
T&e 'erson so e*clue s&all not enCo# t&e usufruct an
aministration of t&e 'ro'ert# t&us in&erite "# &is
c&ilren
Art. -=/7. T&e un%ort&# &eir %&o is e*clue from t&e
succession has a right to de#and inde#nity or an#
e*'enses incurre in t&e 'reser$ation of t&e &ereitar#
'ro'ert#( an to enforce suc& creits as &e ma# &a$e
a)ainst t&e estate.
Art. -=-4. If a 'erson le)all# entitle to t&e estate of t&e
ecease a''ears an files a claim t&ereto %it& t&e
court %it&in fi$e #ears from t&e ate t&e 'ro'ert# %as
eli$ere to t&e State( suc& 'erson s&all "e entitle to
t&e 'ossession of t&e same( or if sol t&e munici'alit# or
cit# s&all "e accounta"le to &im for suc& 'art of t&e
'rocees as ma# not &a$e "een la%full# s'ent.
f. Liailities of the e7cl"ded heir
Art. -=/9. An# 'erson inca'a"le of succession( %&o(
isre)arin) t&e 'ro&i"ition state in t&e 'recein)
articles( entere into t&e 'ossession of t&e &ereitar#
- jann - 6
'ro'ert#( s&all "e o"li)e to return it to)et&er it its
accessions.
Ae s&all "e lia"le for all t&e fruits an rents &e ma# &a$e
recei$e( or coul &a$e recei$e t&rou)& t&e e*ercise of
ue ili)ence.
g. 4rescription of Action
Art. -=4=. T&e action for a eclaration of inca'acit# an
for t&e reco$er# of t&e in&eritance( e$ise or le)ac# s&all
"e "rou)&t %it&in fi$e #ears from t&e time t&e
is!ualifie 'erson too1 'ossession t&ereof. It ma# "e
"rou)&t "# an# one %&o ma# &a$e an interest in t&e
succession.
C. O'ect of S"ccession
Art. 889. The inheritance incl"des all the property, rights
and oligations of a person %hich are not e7ting"ished
y his death.
It is e$ient from t&is article t&at t&e in&eritance oes not
inclue e$er#t&in) t&at "elon)s to t&e ecease at t&e time
of &is eat&. It is limite to t&e 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts( an
o"li)ations not e*tin)uis& "# &is eat&. Incluin) t&ose
transmissi"le ri)&ts an 'ro'ert# accruin) t&ereto from t&at
time 'ertain to t&e &eir.
T&e follo%in) are t&e ri)&ts an o"li)ations e*tin)uis&e "#
eat&;
-. t&ose arisin) from marria)e
.. action for le)al se'aration "elon)in) to t&e innocent
s'ouse
/. action to annul marria)e
4. o"li)ation to )i$e le)al su''ort e*ce't t&ose
e*'ressl# 'ro$ie for "# la%
7. ri)&t to recei$e su''ort
?. ri)&t of 'atria 'otestas
7. ri)&t of t&e )uarian
9. ri)&t of usufruct
>. ri)&t of onor to re$o1e onation ue to in)ratitue
of onee
-=. ri)&ts arisin) from a)enc# not t&e effects alrea#
e*ecute
--. criminal res'onsi"ilit#
-.. ri)&ts from 'u"lic la% suc& as suffra)e an 'u"lic
em'lo#ment
T&e follo%in) rules are lai o%n
-. ri)&ts %&ic& are 'urel# 'ersonal are "# t&eir nature
an 'ur'ose intransmissi"le( e*. T&ose relatin) to
ci$il 'ersonalit#( famil# ri)&ts( an isc&ar)e of
'u"lic office
.. ri)&ts %&ic& are 'atrimonial or relatin) to 'ro'ert#
are( as a)eneral rule( not e*tin)uis&e "# eat&
e*ce't t&ose e*'ressl# 'ro$ie "# la% or "# %ill of
t&e testator suc& as usufruct an 'ersonal
ser$itues.
/. ri)&ts of o"li)ation are "# nature transmissi"le an
ma# "e 'art of in&eritance( "ot& t&e ri)&t of t&e
creitor an o"li)ation of t&e e"tor e*ce't t&e
follo%in);
a. t&ose %&ic& are 'ersonal( suc& as
'ersonal !ualifications of t&e e"tor &a$e
"een ta1en into account
". t&ose t&at are intransmissi"le "# e*'ress
a)reement or %ill of testator
c. t&ose t&at are intransmissi"le "# e*'ress
'ro$ision of la% li1e life 'ensions )i$en
uner contract
T&e &eirs of t&e ecease are no lon)er lia"le for t&e e"ts
&e ma# lea$e at t&e time of &is eat&. Suc& e"ts are
c&ar)ea"le a)ainst t&e 'ro'ert# or assets left "# t&e
ecease. In ot&er %ors( t&e &eirs are no lon)er lia"le
'ersonall# for t&e e"ts of t&e ecease < suc& e"ts must
"e collecte onl# from t&e 'ro'ert# left u'on &is eat&( an if
t&is s&oul not "e sufficient to co$er all of t&em( t&e &eirs
cannot "e mae to 'a# t&e uncollecti"le "alance.
In&eritance consists of t&e mass of 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts( an
o"li)ations aCuicate to t&e &eirs or transmitte to t&em
after euctin) t&erefrom all t&e e"ts left "# t&e ecease.
T&is s&oul not "e unerstoo to mean( &o%e$er( t&at
o"li)ations are no lon)er a 'art of in&eritance. Onl# t&e
mone# e"ts are c&ar)ea"le a)ainst t&e estate left "# t&e
ecease< t&ese are o"li)ations %&ic& o not 'ass to t&e
&eirs( "ut constitute a c&ar)e a)ainst t&e &ereitar# 'ro'ert#.
Art. 8:(. The inheritance of a person incl"des not only
the property and the trans#issile rights and oligations
e7isting at the ti#e of his death, "t also those %hich
ha!e accr"ed thereto since the opening of the
s"ccession.
Since o%ners&i' is $este in t&e &eir from t&e moment of t&e
eat& of t&e 'reecessor( necessaril# all accessions
su"se!uent to t&at moment must "elon) to suc& &eir.
T&e criticism on t&is article is t&at t&e accession to suc&
'ro'ert# is not transmitte "# eat&< it is ac!uire alrea# "#
$irtue of t&e ri)&t of o%ners&i' %&ic& is $este from t&e
moment of t&e 'reecessor3s eat& in t&e successor. It is
Cuiciall# erroneous to sa# t&at in&eritance inclues suc&
accession. E$en %it&out t&is article( an &eir %oul "e entitle
to t&e accession an fruits %&ic& accrue since t&e eat& of
t&e eceent "# $irtue of t&e ri)&t of accession +o%n%es&i',.
Art. (1((. Contracts ta;e effect only et%een the parties,
their assigns and heirs, e7cept in case %here the rights
and oligations arising fro# the contract are not
trans#issile y their nat"re, or y stip"lation or y
pro!ision of la%. The heir is not liale eyond the !al"e
of the property he recei!ed fro# the decedent.
If a contract sho"ld contain so#e stip"lation in fa!or of
a third person, he #ay de#and its f"lfill#ent pro!ided he
co##"nicated his acceptance to the oligor efore its
re!ocation. A #ere incidental enefit or interest of a
person is not s"fficient. The contracting parties #"st
ha!e clearly and delierately conferred a fa!or "pon a
third person.
As a )eneral rule( ri)&ts an o"li)ations uner a contract are
transmitte to t&e &eirs of t&e 'arties. T&e &eirs cannot "e
consiere t&ir 'arties( "ecause t&ere is 'ri$it# of interest
"et%een t&em an t&eir 'reecessor. A lease contract is
transmissi"le to t&e &eirs of t&e lessee. T&e &eirs of a 'art# in
- jann - 7
%&ose fa$or a trust e*ists( ma# enforce t&e trust a)ainst t&e
trustee. T&e &eirs of t&e 'arties to a contract ma# ma1e a
$ali no$ation of sai contract.
Art. (<.2. )hen a testate or intestate heir !ol"ntarily
pays a det of the decedent e7ceeding the !al"e of the
property %hich he recei!ed y %ill or y the la% of
intestacy fro# the estate of the deceased, the pay#ent is
!alid and cannot e rescinded y the payer.
Art. ((8:. S"'ect to the la%s, all rights ac="ired in !irt"e
of an oligation are trans#issile, if there has een no
stip"lation to the contrary.
As a )eneral rule. 0i$il ri)&ts are transmissi"le e*ce't; -,
e*'ressl# 'ro$ie "# la% t&at t&e# are not. ., Sti'ulation of
t&e 'arties. /, Personal ri)&ts of t&e e"tor. An instrument
e$iencin) a creit ma# "e transferre or assi)ne "# t&e
creitor to anot&er( an t&e transferee %oul "e consiere
in la%ful 'ossession of t&e same as %ell as t&e creit( unless
contrar# is s&o%n.
Transmissi"ilit# is t&e ca'a"ilit# of t&e ri)&ts to "e transferre
from one 'erson to anot&er.
Art. (1<8. All things %hich are not o"tside the co##erce
of #en, incl"ding f"t"re things, #ay e the o'ect of a
contract. All rights %hich are not intrans#issile #ay
also e the o'ect of contracts.
No contract #ay e entered into "pon f"t"re inheritance
e7cept in cases e7pressly a"thori&ed y la%.
All ser!ices %hich are not contrary to la%, #orals, good
c"sto#s, p"lic order or p"lic policy #ay li;e%ise e
the o'ect of a contract.
It is essential t&at t&e o"Cect must "e in e*istence at t&e time
of 'erfection of t&e contract( or t&at it &as t&e 'ossi"ilit# or
'otentialit# of comin) into e*istence at some future time. B#
%a# of e*ce'tion( t&e la% )enerall# oes not allo% contracts
on future in&eritance. In orer to "e future in&eritance( t&e
succession must not &a$e "een o'ene at t&e time of t&e
contract. A contract to fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article(
t&e follo%in) re!uisites are necessar#; -. t&at t&e succession
is #et to "e o'ene. .. t&e o"Cect forms 'art of t&e
in&eritance. /. t&e 'romissor &as an e*'ectant ri)&t o$er t&e
o"Cect %&ic& is 'urel# &ereitar# in nature.
An a)reement to 'artition an estate of a li$in) 'erson "#
t&ose %&o in&erit from &im is $oi. A contract renouncin) t&e
ri)&t to in&erit from one %&o is still ali$e is $oi.
After t&e eat& of t&e 'erson( &o%e$er( t&e 'ro'erties an
ri)&ts left "# &im "# %a# of in&eritance can "e t&e su"Cect
matter of a contract amon) or "# &is &eirs( e$en "efore a
'artition t&ereof &as "een mae( "ecause t&e ri)&ts of t&e
&eirs are transmitte to t&em from t&e eat& of t&e
'reecessor.
B&en t&e o"Cect of t&e contract is not a 'art of t&e
in&eritance( t&e 'ro&i"ition oes not a''l#( e$en if eli$er# of
suc& o"Cect is e'enent u'on t&e eat& of one of t&e
contractin) 'arties. T&us( life insurance contracts( an
sti'ulations 'ro$iin) for re$ersion of 'ro'ert# onate in
marria)e settlements in t&e e$ent of t&e eat& of t&e onee(
are $ali. Li1e%ise( if t&e ri)&t of t&e 'art# o$er t&e t&in) is
not "# $irtue of succession( "ut as creitor( t&e contract oes
not fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article. It &as "een &el
t&at in a contract of 'urc&ase "# coDo%ners( it is $ali to
sti'ulate t&at in t&e e$ent of eat& of an# of t&em( t&ose %&o
sur$i$e %ill ac!uire t&e s&are of t&e 'reecease.
/-4C0 Art. (>:. Obligation to make restoration,
reparation for damages, or indemnification for
consequential damages and actions to demand the
same; Upon whom it devolves. ? The oligation to #a;e
restoration or reparation for da#ages and
inde#nification for conse="ential da#ages de!ol!es
"pon the heirs of the person liale.
The action to de#and restoration, reparation, and
inde#nification li;e%ise descends to the heirs of the
person in'"red.
T&e &eirs of t&e 'erson lia"le &as no o"li)ation if restoration
is not 'ossi"le an t&e ecease left no 'ro'ert#.
:. O'enin) of Succesion
Art. 888. The rights to the s"ccession are trans#itted
fro# the #o#ent of the death of the decedent. /938a0
T&is article is critici4e "# some commentators. It is
contene t&at t&e ri)&t to succee to t&e 'ro'erties of a
'erson is not transmitte to an#one from t&e moment of t&e
eat& of suc& 'erson. B&at &a''ens is t&at t&e eat& of a
'erson consoliates an reners immuta"le( in a certain
sense( ri)&ts %&ic& u' to t&at moment %ere not&in) "ut mere
e*'ectanc#. These rights arise fro# the e7press %ill of
the testator or fro# the pro!isions of the la%( "t they do
not ac="ire solidity and effecti!eness e7cept fro# the
#o#ent of death< "efore t&is e$ent( t&e la% ma# c&an)e(
t&e %ill of t&e testator ma# $ar#( an e$en circumstances ma#
"e moifie to suc& an e*tent t&at &e %&o is e*'ecte to
recei$e 'ro'ert# ma# "e e'ri$e of it< "t once death
s"per!enes, the %ill of the testator eco#es i##"tale(
t&e la% as to t&e succession can no lon)er "e c&an)e(
isin&eritance cannot "e effecte( an t&e ri)&ts to t&e
s"ccession ac="ire a character of #ar;ed per#anence.
B&at t&e article reall# means is t&at succession is o'ene "#
t&e eat& of t&e 'erson from %&om t&e in&eritance comes.
T&e 'ro$ision must t&erefore( "e unerstoo as meanin) t&at
t&e ri)&ts to t&e succession of a 'erson are transmitte from
t&e moment of &is eat&( an "# $irtue of 'rior manifestations
of &is %ill or of causes 'reetermine "# la%. T%o must "e
consiere( t&erefore( t&e ori)in of t&e ri)&t( an t&at %&ic&
ma1es t&e ri)&t effecti$e.
It is clear t&at t&e moment of eat& is t&e eterminin) 'oint
%&en t&e &eirs ac!uire a efinite ri)&t to in&eritance %&et&er
'ure or conitional. It is immaterial %&et&er a s&ort or lon)
'erio of time ela'se "et%een t&e eat& of t&e 'reecessor
an t&e entr# in t&e 'ossession of t&e 'ro'erties of t&e
in&eritance( "ecause t&e ri)&ts are al%a#s eeme to
retroact to t&e moment of eat&. T&e 'ossession of
&ereitar# 'ro'ert# is eeme transmitte to t&e &eir %it&out
interru'tion an from t&e moment of eat& of t&e eceent in
case t&e in&eritance is acce'te. T&e la% a$ois an# )a' to
o%ners&i' of 'ro'ert# or a 'erio %&erein a 'ro'ert# &as no
clear o%ner or a 'erio of res nullius.
Note; T&at eat& uner t&is article is not limite to natural or
'&#sical eat&( 'resume eat& "# $irtue of 'rolon)e le)al
a"sence is inclue.
Art. ..91. -ights to the inheritance of a person %ho died,
%ith or %itho"t a %ill, efore the effecti!ity of this Code,
shall e go!erned y the Ci!il Code of (::2, y other
pre!io"s la%s, and y the -"les of Co"rt. The
- jann - 8
inheritance of those %ho, %ith or %itho"t a %ill, die after
the eginning of the effecti!ity of this Code, shall e
ad'"dicated and distri"ted in accordance %ith this ne%
ody of la%s and y the -"les of Co"rt@ "t the
testa#entary pro!isions shall e carried o"t insofar as
they #ay e per#itted y this Code. Therefore, legiti#es,
etter#ents, legacies and e="ests shall e respected@
ho%e!er, their a#o"nt shall e red"ced if in no other
#anner can e!ery co#p"lsory heir e gi!en his f"ll
share according to this Code. /-"le (.a0
T&e ecisi$e fact %&ic& )i$es ori)in to t&e ri)&t of &eirs(
e$isees an le)atees is t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&is is
t&e "asis of t&e 'resent article. T&us( t&e 'ro$isions of t&e
ne% coe rela*in) t&e ri)iit# of t&e rules of t&e ol coe
re)arin) 'roof or reco)nition of natural c&ilren( %ere &el
ina''lica"le to one claimin) reco)nition an a s&are in t&e
estate of t&e alle)e natural fat&er %&o ie "efore t&e ne%
coe %ent into effect.
Art. ..31. The Ci!il Code of (::2 and other pre!io"s la%s
shall go!ern rights originating, "nder said la%s, fro#
acts done or e!ents %hich too; place "nder their regi#e,
e!en tho"gh this Code #ay reg"late the# in a different
#anner, or #ay not recogni&e the#. B"t if a right sho"ld
e declared for the first ti#e in this Code, it shall e
effecti!e at once, e!en tho"gh the act or e!ent %hich
gi!es rise thereto #ay ha!e een done or #ay ha!e
occ"rred "nder prior legislation, pro!ided said ne% right
does not pre'"dice or i#pair any !ested or ac="ired
right, of the sa#e origin. /-"le (0
T&e secon sentence of t&is article )i$es a retroacti$e effect
to ne%l# create ri)&ts( 'ro$ie t&e# o not 'reCuice or
im'air an# $este or ac!uire ri)&t. T&us( com'ensation for
ama)es uner article .- of t&e ne% ci$il coe( "ein) a ri)&t
eclare for t&e first time( s&all "e effecti$e at once(
e$ent&ou)& t&e acts )i$in) rise t&ereto %ere one "efore t&e
effecti$it# of t&e ne% coe. But t&e ne% successional ri)&ts
)rante "# t&e ne% 0i$il coe in fa$or of ille)itimate c&ilren
cannot "e )i$en retroacti$e effect an "e mae to a''l# to
t&e estate of a ecease %&o ie "efore t&e effecti$it# of t&e
ne% 0i$il 0oe( for t&e same %oul &a$e t&e effect of
im'airin) t&e $este ri)&ts of anot&er %&o is eeme to &a$e
"ecome t&e o%ner of t&e ecease3s 'ro'ert# u'on t&e
latter3s eat& urin) t&e re)ime of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe.
Art. 311. The possession of hereditary property is
dee#ed trans#itted to the heir %itho"t interr"ption and
fro# the #o#ent of the death of the decedent, in case
the inheritance is accepted.
One %ho !alidly reno"nces an inheritance is dee#ed
ne!er to ha!e possessed the sa#e. /<<>0
T&e article relates to tac1in) of 'ossession ue to 'ri$it# to
relations. B# %a# of E*am'le( A &a "een in 'ossession of a
'iece of lan( %&ic& &e t&ou)&t %as &is( for ei)&t #ears(
%&en &e ie. Ae left a son( B( %&o continue to occu'# an
culti$ate t&e lan as aministrator( %&ile t&e settlement of t&e
'ro'erties left "# A %as 'enin). T&e 'roceein)s in court for
t&e settlement of t&e estate laste t&ree #ears< in t&ese
'roceein)s( B renounces &is in&eritance from A. T&e ne*t
nearest relati$e of A( %as 0( a "rot&er( %&o acce'te t&e
in&eritance. Le)all#( B &as ne$er "een in 'ossession
alt&ou)& &e %as materiall# or '&#sicall# &olin) t&e 'ro'ert#(
%&ile 0( %&o &a ne$er set foot u'on t&e lan( is eeme to
&a$e "een in 'ossession from t&e $er# moment t&at A ie.
So t&at( if later( a t&ir 'erson a''ears to claim t&e 'ro'ert#(
0 can assert o%ners&i' "# 'rescri'tion( "ecause( le)all#( t&e
'ossession &as not "een interru'te for ele$en #ears( an
ten #ears 'ossession in )oo fait& is sufficient for 'rescri'tion
of o%ners&i' of real 'ro'ert#.
Sale of future in&eritance is $oi e*ce't in cases of :onation
Pro'ter Nu'tias +art. 94( N00, an Partition Inter Vi$os +art.
-=9=,.
Ratio; -. B&at an &eir &a$e is merel# an inc&oate ri)&t %&ic&
oes not come to e*istence after eat& of 'reecessor.
.. T&e amount or e*tent of in&eritance cannot "e e*actl#
etermine until eat& an after settlement t&ereof.
Art. (<9(. Things ha!ing a potential e7istence #ay e the
o'ect of the contract of sale.
The efficacy of the sale of a #ere hope or e7pectancy is
dee#ed s"'ect to the condition that the thing %ill co#e
into e7istence.
The sale of a !ain hope or e7pectancy is !oid.
Art. (1>. The f"t"re spo"ses #ay gi!e each other in their
#arriage settle#ents as #"ch as oneAfifth of their
present property, and %ith respect to their f"t"re
property, only in the e!ent of death, to the e7tent laid
do%n y the pro!isions of this Code referring to
testa#entary s"ccession. /(11(a0
Art. (1(. The donor y reason of #arriage shall release
the property donated fro# #ortgages and all other
enc"#rances "pon the sa#e, %ith the e7ception of
ease#ents, "nless in the #arriage settle#ents or in the
contracts the contrary has een stip"lated. /(11.a0
Art. (1.. A donation y reason of #arriage is not
re!ocale, sa!e in the follo%ing cases:
/(0 If it is conditional and the condition is not
co#plied %ith@
/.0 If the #arriage is not celerated@
/10 )hen the #arriage ta;es place %itho"t the
consent of the parents or g"ardian, as re="ired
y la%@
- jann - 9
/<0 )hen the #arriage is ann"lled, and the
donee acted in ad faith@ t&us( t&e im'lication of
t&is )roun is t&at t&e onor in "a fait& cannot
re$o1e.
/30 Upon legal separation, the donee eing the
g"ilty spo"se@ t&us( t&e im'lication of t&is article is
t&at t&e )uilt# onor s'ouse cannot re$o1e &is
onation.
/90 )hen the donee has co##itted an act of
ingratit"de as specified y the pro!isions of this
Code on donations in general. /(111a0
Art. 12>. After an asence of se!en years, it eing
"n;no%n %hether or not the asentee still li!es, he shall
e pres"#ed dead for all p"rposes, e7cept for those of
s"ccession.
The asentee shall not e pres"#ed dead for the
p"rpose of opening his s"ccession till after an asence
of ten years. If he disappeared after the age of se!entyA
fi!e years, an asence of fi!e years shall e s"fficient in
order that his s"ccession #ay e opened. /n0
Art. 12(. The follo%ing shall e pres"#ed dead for all
p"rposes, incl"ding the di!ision of the estate a#ong the
heirs:
/(0 A person on oard a !essel lost d"ring a sea
!oyage, or an aeroplane %hich is #issing, %ho
has not een heard of for fo"r years since the
loss of the !essel or aeroplane@
/.0 A person in the ar#ed forces %ho has ta;en
part in %ar, and has een #issing for fo"r years@
/10 A person %ho has een in danger of death
"nder other circ"#stances and his e7istence
has not een ;no%n for fo"r years. /n0
Art. :<. If the f"t"re spo"ses agree "pon a regi#e other
than the asol"te co##"nity of property, they cannot
donate to each other in their #arriage settle#ents #ore
than oneAfifth of their present property. Any e7cess shall
e considered !oid.
Donations of f"t"re property shall e go!erned y the
pro!isions on testa#entary s"ccession and the
for#alities of %ills. /(1>a0
T&ese onations( unli1e onations of 'resent 'ro'ert# %&ic&
ta1e effect u'on t&e cele"ration of t&e marria)e( ta1e effect
u'on t&e eat& of t&e onor s'ouse. It cannot "e mae in t&e
marria)e settlement "ut in a %ill or testament. Its limits are
)o$erne "# t&e rules of testamentar# succession 'ro$ie
"# t&e 0i$il 0oe. Since a %ill can "e re$o1e "# t&e testator
at an# time "efore &is eat& t&e onation 'ro'ter nu'tias of
future 'ro'ert# ma# "e so re$o1e. Persons ot&er t&an t&e
affiance 'arties cannot )i$e onations 'ro'ter nu'tial of
future 'ro'ert#.
Art. :9. A donation y reason of #arriage #ay e
re!o;ed y the donor in the follo%ing cases:
/(0 If the #arriage is not celerated or '"dicially
declared !oid a initio e7cept donations #ade in
the #arriage settle#ents, %hich shall e
go!erned y Article :(@
/.0 )hen the #arriage ta;es place %itho"t the
consent of the parents or g"ardian, as re="ired
y la%@
/10 )hen the #arriage is ann"lled, and the
donee acted in ad faith@
/<0 Upon legal separation, the donee eing the
g"ilty spo"se@
/30 If it is %ith a resol"tory condition and the
condition is co#plied %ith@
/90 )hen the donee has co##itted an act of
ingratit"de as specified y the pro!isions of the
Ci!il Code on donations in general. /(1.a0
Art. 7*5. "he donation may also be revo+ed at the
instance of the donor, by reason of in!ratitude in the
followin! cases,
(-) f the donee should commit some offense
a!ainst the person, the honor or the property
of the donor, or of his wife or children under
his parental authority.
($) f the donee imputes to the donor any
criminal offense, or any act involvin! moral
turpitude, even thou!h he should prove it,
unless the crime or the act has been
committed a!ainst the donee himself, his
wife or children under his authority.
(%) f he unduly refuses him support when
the donee is le!ally or morally bound to !ive
support to the donor. (*/#a)
-EBUISITES $O- T+E T-ANSCISSION O$
SUCCESSIONAL -ID+TS
(. E7press %ill of the testator or pro!ision of la%
.. Death of the person %hose property is s"'ect of
s"ccession
1. acceptance of the inheritance Art. (><(A(>38
E*'ress or tacit acce'tance "# t&e &eir( e$isee or le)atee is
necessar# to t&e 'erfection of t&e Curiical relation in
succession( an inis'ensa"le to t&e transmission of
successional ri)&ts. To ma1e a 'erson succee "# t&e mere
fact of eat& of t&e 'reecessor is to en# &im t&e ri)&t to
acce't or re'uiate t&e in&eritance. Ao%e$er( a 're$ious
eclaration of &eirs&i' is not necessar# in orer t&at an &eir
ma# assert &is ri)&t to t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease. T&e
acce'tance of t&e in&eritance ma#( t&erefore( "e sai to "e
- jann - 10
t&e confirmation of t&e institution of t&e &eir( t&e 'erfection of
t&e ri)&t to succee.
Art. (><(. The acceptance or rep"diation of the
inheritance is an act %hich is p"rely !ol"ntary and free.
/2::0
T; Acce'tance is t&e act "# %&ic& t&e 'erson is calle to
succee "# uni$ersal title eit&er "# t&e testator or "# la%
manifests &is %ill of ma1in) &is o%n t&e uni$ersalit# of t&e
ri)&ts an o"li)ations %&ic& are transmitte to &im.
Re'uiation is t&e manifestation "# suc& &eir of &is esire
not to succee to t&e sai uni$ersalit#.
T; Is 'artial acce'tance allo%eF Iner t&e ol ci$il coe a
'artial acce'tance or re'uiation is 'ro&i"ite( t&is 'ro&i"ition
%as omitte in t&e N00. Aence( it is su"mitte t&at in t&e
li)&t of t&e 'resent la%( in&eritance can "e acce'te or
re'uiate 'artiall#. T&e ar)ument t&at t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e
eceent cannot "e continue in fraction can no lon)er
o"tain in t&is Curisiction. T&e &eir in our la% is not t&e
continuation of t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e ecease. Ae stans on
t&e same footin) as a mere le)atee in t&e 0i$il 0oe. If t&e
latter ma# acce't or re'uiate 'artiall#( t&ere is no le)al
reason %&# t&e &eir s&oul not "e allo%e to o so. T&e
)reater ri)&t al%a#s inclues t&e less< if total acce'tance or
re'uiation can "e mae( %&# not 'artial acce'tance or
re'uiationF T&e ar)ument t&at creitors of t&e estate %oul
"e 'reCuice "# 'artial acce'tance &as no force< "ecause(
uner our 'resent la%s( t&e creitors of t&e estate must first
"e 'ai "efore it can "e 1no%n %&et&er t&er is an#
in&eritance left to "e acce'te or re'uiate.
Art. (><.. The effects of the acceptance or rep"diation
shall al%ays retroact to the #o#ent of the death of the
decedent. /2:20
T&e la% see1s to insure continuit# in t&e o%ners&i' of t&e
'ro'ert#( %it&out &iatus or )a'( e$en for a moment( from t&e
time of t&e eat& of t&e eceent.
T&e ol ci$il coe 'ro&i"ite acce'tance or re'uiation %it&
a term. Is it no% allo%e uner t&e N00F No conitional
acce'tance an re'uiation is still 'ro&i"ite. To 'ermit t&is
1in of acce'tance is an re'uiation %ill "e 'lacin) in
uncertaint# t&e transmission of ri)&ts "# succession. T&e
'o%er to im'ose conitions on t&e transmission is in&erent
onl# in t&e testator &imself( as a lo)ical conse!uence of &is
freeom to is'ose of &is 'ro'ert#. T&e 'erson fa$ore
cannot su"Cect t&e transmission to conitions "ecause &e
&as no ri)&t o$er t&e 'ro'ert# until &e acce'ts t&e
in&eritance.
T&e $er# Nature of transmission of 'ro'ert# "# mortis causa
ar)ues a)ainst t&e $aliit# of acce'tance or re'uiation %it&
a term or conition. T&e la% see1s to insure continuit# in t&e
o%ners&i' of t&e 'ro'ert#( %it&out an# &iatus or )a' from t&e
time of t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&us( to allo% t&is %oul
"e contrar# to t&e 'rinci'le of succession t&at in&eritance is
transmitte u'on eat&.
Art. (><1. No person #ay accept or rep"diate an
inheritance "nless he is certain of the death of the
person fro# %ho# he is to inherit, and of his right to the
inheritance. /22(0
Re!uisites of acce'tance; -. certain of t&e eat& of t&e
eceent( .. must sur$i$e t&e eceent( /. must &a$e
ca'acit# to succee( an 4. certain of &is ri)&t to t&e
in&eritance.
Ratio; t&e %ill of man is c&an)ea"le. E$en Cust "efore t&e
moment of &is eat& &e ma# c&an)e &is min. A 'erson %&o
acce'ts from a li$in) 'erson an in&eritance acce'ts or
re'uiates not&in) at all. If a 'erson is uncertain of &is ri)&t
to in&erit t&en &is acce'tance or re'uiation is ineffecti$e.
Art. (><<. Any person ha!ing the free disposal of his
property #ay accept or rep"diate an inheritance.
Any inheritance left to #inors or incapacitated persons
#ay e accepted y their parents or g"ardians. 4arents
or g"ardians #ay rep"diate the inheritance left to their
%ards only y '"dicial a"thori&ation.
The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shall
elong to the persons designated y the testator to
deter#ine the eneficiaries and distri"te the property,
or in their defa"lt, to those #entioned in Article (>1>.
/22.a0
Acce'tance 'resu''oses not onl# ri)&ts "ut sometimes also
o"li)ations. Re'uiation( on t&e ot&er&an( means alienation.
Aence( 'ersons &a$in) t&e ca'acit# to succee "ut not
&a$in) t&e ca'acit# to is'ose of t&eir 'ro'ert# ma# not(
t&erefore( acce't or re'uiate. T&eir le)al re'resentati$es
ma# o so for t&em.
E*ce'tion to 'ara)ra'& .< %&ere t&e act %oul "e 'urel#
"eneficial to t&e minor or inca'acitate 'erson( t&e
inter$ention of t&e court is unnecessar#. But %&ere t&e
institution( e$ise or le)ac# is su"Cect to a c&ar)e or conition
to "e 'erforme "# t&e minor or inca'acitate "eneficiar#( %e
"elie$e t&at t&e a''ro$al of t&e court s&oul "e o"taine. T&e
minor s&oul not "e sale %it& o"li)ations %it&out t&e
a''ro$al of t&e )uarians&i' court.
Re'uiation amounts to alienation of 'ro'ert#< &ence( t&ere
must al%a#s "e Cuicial aut&ori4ation.
Art. (><3. The la%f"l representati!es of corporations,
associations, instit"tions and entities ="alified to
ac="ire property #ay accept any inheritance left to the
latter, "t in order to rep"diate it, the appro!al of the
co"rt shall e necessary. /221a0
Art. (><9. 4"lic official estalish#ents can neither
accept nor rep"diate an inheritance %itho"t the appro!al
of the go!ern#ent. /22<0
Refers to or)ani4ations %&ic& &a$e t&eir o%n social an
'u"lic 'ur'ose( suc& as for culture se'arate from t&e mere
manifestation of )o$ernmental functions of t&e State.
- jann - 11
A''ro$al re!uire "# t&is article must "e )i$en "# t&e &ea of
t&e e'artment to %&ic& t&e 'u"lic esta"lis&ment "elon) or is
su"orinate.
Art. (><8. A #arried %o#an of age #ay rep"diate an
inheritance %itho"t the consent of her h"sand. /223a0
Art. (><:. DeafA#"tes %ho can read and %rite #ay
accept or rep"diate the inheritance personally or
thro"gh an agent. Sho"ld they not e ale to read and
%rite, the inheritance shall e accepted y their
g"ardians. These g"ardians #ay rep"diate the sa#e
%ith '"dicial appro!al. /229a0
Art. (><2. Acceptance #ay e e7press or tacit.
An e7press acceptance #"st e #ade in a p"lic or
pri!ate doc"#ent.
A tacit acceptance is one res"lting fro# acts y %hich
the intention to accept is necessarily i#plied, or %hich
one %o"ld ha!e no right to do e7cept in the capacity of
an heir.
Acts of #ere preser!ation or pro!isional ad#inistration
do not i#ply an acceptance of the inheritance if, thro"gh
s"ch acts, the title or capacity of an heir has not een
ass"#ed. /222a0
Art. (>3>. An inheritance is dee#ed accepted:
/(0 If the heirs sells, donates, or assigns his
right to a stranger, or to his coAheirs, or to any of
the#@
/.0 If the heir reno"nces the sa#e, e!en tho"gh
grat"ito"sly, for the enefit of one or #ore of his
coAheirs@
/10 If he reno"nces it for a price in fa!or of all his
coAheirs indiscri#inately@ "t if this ren"nciation
sho"ld e grat"ito"s, and the coAheirs in %hose
fa!or it is #ade are those "pon %ho# the
portion reno"nced sho"ld de!ol!e y !irt"e of
accretion, the inheritance shall not e dee#ed
as accepted. /(>>>0
Ot&er acts of tacit acce'tance;
-. &eir emans 'artition
.. alienates some of t&e in&eritance
/. 'erforms suc& acts %&ic& s&o% t&e clear intent ot
acce't.
4. Art. -=77( failure to si)nif# to court one3s acce'tance
or re'uiation %it&in /= a#s from istri"ution
Art. (>3(. The rep"diation of an inheritance shall e
#ade in a p"lic or a"thentic instr"#ent, or y petition
presented to the co"rt ha!ing '"risdiction o!er the
testa#entary or intestate proceedings. /(>>:0
T; T&e la% consiers t&e act of re'uiation more solemn t&an
t&e act of acce'tance< &ence( t&e re!uirement of a 'u"lic or
aut&entic %ritin) or one 'resente to t&e Cu)e.T&e
acce'tance of an in&eritance confirms t&e transmission of t&e
ri)&t( %&ile re'uiation ma1es t&is transmission ineffecti$e(
'roucin) t&ere"# more $iolent an istur"in) conse!uences
%&ic& t&e la% cannot 'ermit "# mere im'lications or
'resum'tions.
Pu"lic instrument refers to one notari4e an ul#
ac1no%le)e "# a notar#. Aut&entic &ere refers to one
%&ose )enuinenessn is amitte or clearl# 'ro$e.
Art. (>3.. If the heir rep"diates the inheritance to the
pre'"dice of his o%n creditors, the latter #ay petition the
co"rt to a"thori&e the# to accept it in the na#e of the
heir.
The acceptance shall enefit the creditors only to an
e7tent s"fficient to co!er the a#o"nt of their credits. The
e7cess, sho"ld there e any, shall in no case pertain to
the reno"ncer, "t shall e ad'"dicated to the persons to
%ho#, in accordance %ith the r"les estalished in this
Code, it #ay elong. /(>>(0
T&e la% see1s to 'rotect t&e creitor. B# t&e e"torD&eir3s
re'uiation t%o are affecte t&ereat. T&e coD&eir %&o
recei$es more an t&e creitor %&o is 'reCuice t&ere"#.
T&e la% fa$ors t&e latter. T&e acce'tance "# t&e creitor
oes not re$o1e t&e re'uiation "ut onl# rescins t&e same
to t&e e*tent sufficient to 'rotect t&e interest of t&e creitors.
Re!uisites to entitle creitor to acce't re'uiate in&eritance;
-. T&ere must "e a $ali re'uiation in accor %it& la%
as to from
.. T&ere must "e e*istin) creits
/. Guicial aut&ori4ation must "e o"taine "# creitors
to acce't
4. T&e re'uiation 'reCuices t&e ceitors.
E*ce'tions;
-. 0reitors %&o "ecame suc& after re'uiation
.. in&eritance is useless to t&e &eir "ecause t&e e"t
of t&e estate e*cees t&e in&eritance left
/. t&e &eirDe"tor is sol$ent an &as sufficient
'ro'erties to co$er &is e"t.
Art. (>31. If the heir sho"ld die %itho"t ha!ing accepted
or rep"diated the inheritance his right shall e
trans#itted to his heirs. /(>>90
T&is is on t&e assum'tion t&at t&e &eir of t&e &eir %&o ie
acce'ts &is in&eritance from t&e latter. T&en &e ma# acce't
t&e in&eritance from t&e ori)inal eceent.
- jann - 12
Art. (>3<. Sho"ld there e se!eral heirs called to the
inheritance, so#e of the# #ay accept and the others
#ay rep"diate it. /(>>8a0
Art. (>33. If a person, %ho is called to the sa#e
inheritance as an heir y %ill and ab intestato, rep"diates
the inheritance in his capacity as a testa#entary heir, he
is "nderstood to ha!e rep"diated it in oth capacities.
Sho"ld he rep"diate it as an intestate heir, %itho"t
;no%ledge of his eing a testa#entary heir, he #ay still
accept it in the latter capacity. /(>>20
T; T&e re'uiation of t&e e*'ress %ill of t&e testator inclues
t&at of t&e 'resume %ill( "ut t&e re'uiation of t&e latter still
lea$es t&e e*'ress %ill o'en to res'ect.
Ratio; An &eir "# %ill %&o re'uiates t&e same( manifests &is
isli1e to "ecome an &eir in an# conce't. B# &is act re$eals
t&e fact t&at &e oes not eser$e to "ecome &is successor
e$en "# intestac#.
OTOA( %&en an &eir re'uiates as le)al &eir ma# later
acce't "# %ill on t&e reason t&at a 'erson ma# not esire to
succee "# intestac# "ut is %illin) to succee "#
testamentar# ca'acit# in orer to follo% t&e %is&es of t&e
ea.
Art. (>39. The acceptance or rep"diation of an
inheritance, once #ade, is irre!ocale, and cannot e
i#p"gned, e7cept %hen it %as #ade thro"gh any of the
ca"ses that !itiate consent, or %hen an "n;no%n %ill
appears. /2280
Ot&er causes or re$ocation;
-. one %&o acce'ts or re'uiates %&o is not entitle to
t&e in&eritance &as no le)al effect.
.. %&en institution e'ens u'on t&e fulfillment of a
sus'ensi$e conition %&ic& is not reali4e
/. "irt& of a 'ost&umous c&il not "orn or is "orn ea
Art. (>38. )ithin thirty days after the co"rt has iss"ed an
order for the distri"tion of the estate in accordance %ith
the -"les of Co"rt, the heirs, de!isees and legatees shall
signify to the co"rt ha!ing '"risdiction %hether they
accept or rep"diate the inheritance.
If they do not do so %ithin that ti#e, they are dee#ed to
ha!e accepted the inheritance. /n0

0ASES;
3. Uson !s. Del -osario
Haria Ison %as t&e la%ful %ife of 2austino Ne"rea %&o
u'on &is eat& in ->47 left t&e lans in$ol$e in t&is liti)ation.
2austino Ne"rea left no ot&er &eir e*ce't &is %io% Haria
Ison. Ao%e$er( 'laintiff claims t&at %&en 2austino Ne"rea
ie in ->47( &is commonD la% %ife Haria el Rosario too1
'ossession ille)all# of sai lans t&us e'ri$in) &er of t&eir
'ossession an enCo#ment.
:efenants in t&eir ans%er set u' as s'ecial efense t&at on
2e"ruar# .-( ->/-( Haria Ison an &er &us"an( t&e late
2austino Ne"rea( e*ecute a 'u"lic ocument %&ere"# t&e#
a)ree to se'arate as &us"an an %ife an( in
consieration of t&eir se'aration( Haria Ison %as )i$en a
'arcel of lan "# %a# of alimon# an in return s&e renounce
&er ri)&t to in&erit an# ot&er 'ro'ert# t&at ma# "e left "# &er
&us"an u'on &is eat& +E*&i"it -,. After trial( at %&ic& "ot&
'arties 'resente t&eir res'ecti$e e$ience( t&e court
renere ecision orerin) t&e efenants to restore to t&e
'laintiff t&e o%ners&i' an 'ossession of t&e lans in is'ute
%it&out s'ecial 'ronouncement as to costs. :efenants
inter'ose t&e 'resent a''eal.
T&ere is no is'ute t&at Haria Ison( 'laintiffDa''ellee( is t&e
la%ful %ife of 2austino Ne"rea( former o%ner of t&e fi$e
'arcels of lans liti)ate in t&e 'resent case. T&ere is
li1e%ise no is'ute t&at Haria el Rosario( one of t&e
efenantsDa''ellants( %as merel# a commonDla% %ife of t&e
late 2austino Ne"rea %it& %&om s&e &a four ille)itimate
c&ilren( &er no% coDefenants. It li1e%ise a''ears t&at
2austino Ne"rea ie in ->47 muc& 'rior to t&e effecti$it# of
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe. Bit& t&is "ac1)roun( it is e$ient t&at
%&en 2austino Ne"rea ie in ->47 t&e fi$e 'arcels of lan
&e %as sei4e of at t&e time 'asse from t&e moment of &is
eat& to &is onl# &eir( &is %io% Haria Ison +Article ?77( ol
0i$il 0oe,. As t&is 0ourt a'tl# sai( 6The property elongs
to the heirs at the #o#ent of the death of the ancestor
as co#pletely as if the ancestor had e7ec"ted and
deli!ered to the# a deed for the sa#e efore his death6
+Ilustre $s. Alaras 2ronosa( -7 P&il.( /.-,. 2rom t&at
moment( t&erefore( t&e ri)&ts of in&eritance of Haria Ison
o$er t&e lans in !uestion "ecame $este.
T&e claim of t&e efenants t&at Haria Ison &a
relin!uis&e &er ri)&t o$er t&e lans in !uestion "ecause s&e
e*'ressl# renounce to in&erit an# future 'ro'ert# t&at &er
&us"an ma# ac!uire an lea$e u'on &is eat& in t&e ee
of se'aration t&e# &a entere into on 2e"ruar# .-( ->/-(
cannot "e entertaine for t&e sim'le reason t&at future
in&eritance cannot "e t&e su"Cect of a contract nor can it "e
renounce +- Hanresa( -./( si*t& eition< Tolentino on 0i$il
0oe( '. -.< Osorio $s. Osorio an Jnc&austi Steams&i' 0o.(
4- P&il.( 7/-,.
But efenants conten t&at( %&ile it is true t&at t&e four
minor efenants are ille)itimate c&ilren of t&e late 2austino
Ne"rea an uner t&e ol 0i$il 0oe are not entitle to an#
successional ri)&ts( &o%e$er( uner t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
%&ic& "ecame in force in Gune( ->7=( t&e# are )i$en t&e
status an ri)&ts of natural c&ilren an are entitle to t&e
successional ri)&ts %&ic& t&e la% accors to t&e latter +Article
..?4 an article .97( ne% 0i$il 0oe,( an "ecause t&ese
successional ri)&ts %ere eclare for t&e first time in t&e ne%
coe( t&e# s&all "e )i$en retroacti$e effect e$en t&ou)& t&e
e$ent %&ic& )a$e rise to t&em ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e
'rior le)islation +Article ..7/( ne% 0i$il 0oe,.
T&ere is no merit in t&is claim. Article ..7/ a"o$e referre to
'ro$ies inee t&at ri)&ts %&ic& are eclare for t&e first
time s&all &a$e retroacti$e effect e$en t&ou)& t&e e$ent
%&ic& )a$e rise to t&em ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e former
le)islation( "t this is so only %hen the ne% rights do not
pre'"dice any !ested or ac="ired right of the sa#e
origin. T&us( sai article 'ro$ies t&at 8if a ri)&t s&oul "e
eclare for t&e first time in t&is 0oe( it s&all "e effecti$e at
- jann - 13
once( e$en t&ou)& t&e act or e$ent %&ic& )i$es rise t&ereto
ma# &a$e "een one or ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e 'rior
le)islation( 'ro$ie sai ne% ri)&t oes not 'reCuice or
im'air an# $este or ac!uire ri)&t( of t&e same ori)in.8 %s
already stated in the early part of this decision, the right of
ownership of &aria 'son over the lands in question became
vested in ()*+ upon the death of her late husband and this is
so because of the imperative provision of the law which
commands that the rights to succession are transmitted from
the moment of death ,%rticle -+., old /ivil /ode0. "he new
right recogni1ed by the new /ivil /ode in favor of the
illegitimate chilren of t&e ecease cannot( t&erefore( "e
asserte to t&e im'airment of t&e $este ri)&t of Haria Ison
o$er t&e lans in is'ute.
As re)ars t&e claim t&at Haria Ison( %&ile &er ecease
&us"an %as l#in) in state( in a )esture of 'it# or
com'assion( a)ree to assi)n t&e lans in !uestion to t&e
minor c&ilren for t&e reason t&at t&e# %ere ac!uire %&ile
t&e ecease %as li$in) %it& t&eir mot&er an Haria Ison
%ante to assua)e some%&at t&e %ron) s&e &as one to
t&em( t&is muc& can "e sai< a'art from t&e fact t&at t&is
claim is is'ute( %e are of t&e o'inion t&at sai assi)nment(
if an#( 'arta1es of t&e nature of a onation of real 'ro'ert#(
inasmuc& as it in$ol$es no material consieration( an in
orer t&at it ma# "e $ali it s&all "e mae in a 'u"lic
ocument an must "e acce'te eit&er in t&e same
ocument or in a se'arate one +Article ?//( ol 0i$il 0oe,.
Inasmuc& as t&is essential formalit# &as not "een follo%e( it
results t&at t&e alle)e assi)nment or onation &as no $ali
effect. B&erefore( t&e ecision a''eale from is affirme(
%it&out costs.
9. De Bor'a !s. De Bor'a
It is unconteste t&at 2rancisco e BorCa( u'on t&e eat& of
&is %ife Gosefa Tan)co on ? Octo"er ->4=( file a 'etition for
t&e 'ro"ate of &er %ill %&ic& %as oc1ete as S'ecial
Proceein) No. RD79?? of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Ri4al( Branc& I. T&e %ill %as 'ro"ate on . A'ril ->4-. In
->4?( 2rancisco e BorCa %as a''ointe e*ecutor an
aministrator; in ->7.( t&eir son( Gose e BorCa( %as
a''ointe coDaministrator. B&en 2rancisco ie( on -4 A'ril
->74( Gose "ecame t&e sole aministrator of t&e testate
estate of &is mot&er( Gose Tan)co B&ile a %io%er 2rancisco
e BorCa alle)el# too1 unto &imself a secon %ife( Tasiana
On)sin)co. I'on 2rancisco@s eat&( Tasiana institute
testate 'roceein)s in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a
EciCa( %&ere( in ->77( s&e %as a''ointe s'ecial
aministratri*. T&e $aliit# of Tasiana@s marria)e to 2rancisco
%as !uestione in sai 'roceein).
T&e relations&i' "et%een t&e c&ilren of t&e first marria)e
an Tasiana On)sin)co &as "een 'la)ue %it& se$eral court
suits an counterDsuits< incluin) t&e t&ree cases at "ar(
some ei)&teen +-9, cases remain 'enin) etermination in
t&e courts. T&e testate estate of Gosefa Tan)co alone &as
"een unsettle for more t&an a !uarter of a centur#. In orer
to 'ut an en to all t&ese liti)ations( a com'romise
a)reement %as entere into on -. Octo"er ->?/( . "# an
"et%een 8MTN&e &eir an son of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is first
marria)e( namel#( Gose e BorCa 'ersonall# an as
aministrator of t&e Testate Estate of Gosefa Tan)co(8 an
8MTN&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is
secon marria)e( Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e BorCa( assiste
"# &er la%#er( Att#. Luis Pana)uiton( Gr.8
On -? Ha# ->??( Gose e BorCa su"mitte for 0ourt a''ro$al
t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ to t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al( in S'ecial Proceein) No. RD79??< an
a)ain( on 9 Au)ust ->??( to t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Nue$a EciCa( in S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.. Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa o''ose in "ot& instances. T&e
Ri4al court a''ro$e t&e com'romise a)reement( "ut t&e
Nue$a EciCa court eclare it $oi an unenforcea"le.
S'ecial aministratri* Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa
a''eale t&e Ri4al 0ourt@s orer of a''ro$al +no% Su'reme
0ourt G.R. case No. LD.9=4=,( %&ile aministrator Gose e
BorCa a''eale t&e orer of isa''ro$al +G.R. case No. LD
.97?9, "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa.
"he genuineness and due execution of the compromise
agreement of (2 October ()-3 is not disputed, but its validity
is, nevertheless, attac$ed by "asiana Ongsingco on the
ground that: ,(0 the heirs cannot enter into such $ind of
agreement without first probating the will of 4rancisco de
5or6a7 ,20 that the same involves a compromise on the
validity of the marriage between 4rancisco de 5or6a and
"asiana Ongsingco7 and ,30 that even if it were valid, it has
ceased to have force and effect.
In assailin) t&e $aliit# of t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/(
Tasiana On)sin)co an t&e Pro"ate 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa
rel# on t&is 0ourt@s ecision in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara. 74 P&il.
47>( %&erein t&e 0ourt@s maCorit# &el t&e $ie% t&at t&e
'resentation of a %ill for 'ro"ate is manator# an t&at t&e
settlement an istri"ution of an estate on t&e "asis of
intestac# %&en t&e eceent left a %ill( is a)ainst t&e la% an
'u"lic 'olic#. It is li1e%ise 'ointe out "# a''ellant Tasiana
On)sin)co t&at Section - of Rule 74 of t&e Re$ise Rules
e*'licitl# conitions t&e $aliit# of an e*traCuicial settlement
of a eceent@s estate "# a)reement "et%een &eirs( u'on t&e
facts t&at 8+if, t&e eceent left no %ill an no e"ts( an t&e
&eirs are all of a)e( or t&e minors are re'resente "# t&eir
Cuicial an le)al re'resentati$es . . .8 T&e %ill of 2rancisco
e BorCa &a$in) "een su"mitte to t&e Nue$a EciCa 0ourt an
still 'enin) 'ro"ate %&en t&e ->?/ a)reement %as mae(
t&ose circumstances( it is ar)ue( "ar t&e $aliit# of t&e
a)reement.
I'on t&e ot&er &an( in claimin) t&e $aliit# of t&e
com'romise a)reement( Gose e BorCa stresses t&at at t&e
time it %as entere into( on -. Octo"er ->?/( t&e )o$ernin)
'ro$ision %as Section -( Rule 74 of t&e ori)inal Rules of
0ourt of ->4=( %&ic& allo%e t&e e*traCuicial settlement of
t&e estate of a ecease 'erson re)arless of %&et&er &e left
a %ill or not. Ae also relies on t&e issentin) o'inion of
Gustice Horan( in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47>(
%&erein %as e*'resse t&e $ie% t&at if t&e 'arties &a$e
alrea# i$ie t&e estate in accorance %it& a eceent@s
%ill( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill is a useless ceremon#< an if t&e#
&a$e i$ie t&e estate in a ifferent manner( t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is %orse t&an useless.
T&is 'ro$ision e$iences "e#on ou"t t&at t&e rulin) in t&e
Gue$ara case is not a''lica"le to t&e cases at "ar. T&ere
%as &ere no attem't to settle or istri"ute t&e estate of
2rancisco e BorCa amon) t&e &eirs t&ereto "efore t&e
'ro"ate of &is %ill. T&e clear o"Cect of t&e contract %as
merel# t&e con$e#ance "# Tasiana On)sin)co of an# an all
&er ini$iual s&are an interest( actual or e$entual( in t&e
estate of 2rancisco e BorCa an Gosefa Tan)co. "here is no
stipulation as to any other claimant, creditor or legatee %nd
as a hereditary share in a decedent's estate is transmitted or
vested immediately from the moment of the death of such
causante or predecessor in interest ,/ivil /ode of the
8hilippines, %rt. ...0 3 there is no legal bar to a successor
,with requisite contracting capacity0 disposing of her or his
- jann - 14
hereditary share immediately after such death, even if the
actual extent of such share is not determined until the
subsequent liquidation of the estate. * Of course, the effect
of such alienation is to be deemed limited to what is
ultimately ad6udicated to the vendor heir. #owever, the
aleatory character of the contract does not affect the validity
of the transaction7 neither does the coetaneous agreement
that the numerous litigations between the parties ,the
approving order of the 9i1al /ourt enumerates fourteen of
them, 9ec. %pp. pp. .):;20 are to be considered settled and
should be dismissed, although such stipulation, as noted by
the 9i1al /ourt, gives the contract the character of a
compromise that the law favors, for obvious reasons, if only
because it serves to avoid a multiplicity of suits.
It is li1e%ise %ort&# of note in t&is connection t&at as t&e
sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa( Tasiana On)sin)co
%as &is com'ulsor# &eir uner article >>7 et se!. of t&e
'resent 0i$il 0oe. B&erefore( "arrin) un%ort&iness or $ali
isin&eritance( &er successional interest e*iste ine'enent
of 2rancisco e BorCa@s last %ill an testament( an %oul
e*ist e$en if suc& %ill %ere not 'ro"ate at all. T&us( t&e
'rere!uisite of a 're$ious 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( as esta"lis&e
in t&e Gue$ara an analo)ous cases( can not a''l# to t&e
case of Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa.
T&is "rin)s us to t&e 'lea t&at t&e 0ourt of 2irst In stance of
Ri4al &a no Curisiction to a''ro$e t&e com'romise %it&
Gose e BorCa +Anne* A, "ecause Tasiana On)sin)co %as
not an &eir in t&e estate of Gosefa Tan)co 'enin) settlement
in t&e Ri4al 0ourt( "ut s&e %as an &eir of 2rancisco e BorCa(
%&ose estate %as t&e o"Cect of S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa. T&is
circumstance is irrele$ant( since %&at %as sol "# Tasiana
On)sin)co %as onl# &er e$entual s&are in t&e estate of &er
late &us"an( not t&e estate itself< an as alrea# s&o%n( t&at
e$entual s&are s&e o%ne from t&e time of 2rancisco@s eat&
an t&e 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa coul not "ar &er sellin) it. As
o%ner of &er uni$ie &ereitar# s&are( Tasiana coul
is'ose of it in fa$or of %&omsoe$er s&e c&ose Suc&
alienation is e*'ressl# reco)ni4e an 'ro$ie for "# article
-=99 of t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe;
Art. -=99. S&oul an# of t&e &eirs sell &is &ereitar#
ri)&ts to a stran)er "efore t&e 'artition( an# or all of t&e coD
&eirs ma# "e su"ro)ate to t&e ri)&ts of t&e 'urc&aser "#
reim"ursin) &im for t&e 'rice of t&e sale( 'ro$ie t&e# o so
%it&in t&e 'erio of one mont& from t&e time t&e# %ere
notifie in %ritin) of t&e sale of t&e $enor.8
Tasiana On)sin)co furt&er ar)ues t&at &er contract %it& Gose
e BorCa +Anne* 8A8, is $oi "ecause it amounts to a
com'romise as to &er status an marria)e %it& t&e late
2rancisco e BorCa. T&e 'oint is %it&out merit( for t&e $er#
o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e a)reement %it& Gose e BorCa
+Anne* 8A8, escri"es &er as 8t&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse
of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is secon marria)e( Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa8( %&ic& is in itself efinite
amission of &er ci$il status. T&ere is not&in) in t&e te*t of
t&e a)reement t&at %oul s&o% t&at t&is reco)nition of
On)sin)co@s status as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e
BorCa %as onl# mae in consieration of t&e cession of &er
&ereitar# ri)&ts.
It is ifficult to "elie$e( &o%e$er( t&at t&e amica"le settlement
referre to in t&e orer an motion a"o$eDmentione %as t&e
com'romise a)reement of -/ Octo"er ->?/( %&ic& alrea#
&a "een formall# si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e 'arties an
ul# notari4e. B&at t&e recor iscloses is t&at some time
after its formali4ation( On)sin)co &a unilaterall# attem'te
to "ac1 out from t&e com'romise a)reement( 'leain)
$arious reasons restate in t&e o''osition to t&e 0ourt@s
a''ro$al of Anne* 8A8 +Recor on A''eal( LD.=94=( 'a)e
./,; t&at t&e same %as in$ali "ecause of t&e la'se of t&e
alle)el# intene resolutor# 'erio of ?= a#s an "ecause
t&e contract %as not 'recee "# t&e 'ro"ate of 2rancisco e
BorCa@s %ill( as re!uire "# t&is 0ourt@s Gue$arra $s. Gue$ara
rulin)< t&at Anne* 8A8 in$ol$e a com'romise affectin)
On)sin)co@s status as %ife an %io% of 2rancisco e BorCa(
etc.( all of %&ic& o"Cections &a$e "een alrea# iscusse.
It %as natural t&at in $ie% of t&e %io%@s attitue( Gose e
BorCa s&oul attem't to reac& a ne% settlement or no$ator#
a)reement "efore see1in) Cuicial sanction an enforcement
of Anne* 8A8( since t&e latter ste' mi)&t ultimatel# entail a
lon)er ela# in attainin) final reme#. T&at t&e attem't to
reac& anot&er settlement faile is a''arent from t&e letter of
On)sin)co@s counsel to Gose e BorCa !uote in 'a)es /7D/?
of t&e "rief for a''ellant On)sin)co in G.R. No. LD.9=4=< an
it is more t&an 'ro"a"le t&at t&e orer of .- Se'tem"er ->?4
an t&e motion of -7 Gune ->?4 referre to t&e failure of t&e
'arties@ !uest for a more satisfactor# com'romise. But t&e
ina"ilit# to reac& a no$ator# accor can not in$aliate t&e
ori)inal com'romise +Anne* 8A8, an Custifies t&e act of Gose
e BorCa in finall# see1in) a court orer for its a''ro$al an
enforcement from t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( %&ic&(
as &eretofore escri"e( ecree t&at t&e a)reement "e
ultimatel# 'erforme %it&in -.= a#s from t&e finalit# of t&e
orer( no% uner a''eal. Be conclue t&at in so oin)( t&e
Ri4al court acte in accorance %it& la%( an( t&erefore( its
orer s&oul "e u'&el( %&ile t&e contrar# resolution of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa s&oul "e( an is(
re$erse.
8. Bonilla !s. Barcena
On Harc& /-( ->77 2ortunata Barcena( mot&er of minors
Rosalio Bonilla an Sal$acion Bonilla an %ife of Ponciano
Bonilla( institute a ci$il action in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance
of A"ra( to !uiet title o$er certain 'arcels of lan locate in
A"ra. On Au)ust 4( ->77( t&e efenants file anot&er motion
to ismiss t&e com'laint on t&e )roun t&at 2ortunata
Barcena is ea an( t&erefore( &as no le)al ca'acit# to sue.
Sai motion to ismiss %as &ear on Au)ust -4( ->77. In
sai &earin)( counsel for t&e 'laintiff confirme t&e eat& of
2ortunata Barcena an as1e for su"stitution "# &er minor
c&ilren an &er &us"an( t&e 'etitioners &erein< "ut t&e
court after t&e &earin) immeiatel# ismisse t&e case on
t&e )roun t&at a ea 'erson cannot "e a real 'art# in
interest an &as no le)al 'ersonalit# to sue.
On Au)ust .9( ->77( t&e court enie t&e motion for
reconsieration file "# counsel for t&e 'laintiff for lac1 of
merit. On Se'tem"er -( ->77( counsel for ecease 'laintiff
file a %ritten manifestation 'ra#in) t&at t&e minors Rosalio
Bonilla an Sal$acion Bonilla "e allo%e to su"stitute t&eir
ecease mot&er( "ut t&e court enie t&e counsel@s 'ra#er
for lac1 of merit. 2rom t&e orer( counsel for t&e ecease
'laintiff file a secon motion for reconsieration of t&e orer
ismissin) t&e com'laint claimin) t&at t&e same is in $iolation
of Sections -? an -7 of Rule / of t&e Rules of 0ourt "ut t&e
same %as enie.
T&e 0ourt re$erses t&e res'onent 0ourt an sets asie its
orer ismissin) t&e com'laint in 0i$il 0ase No. 97? an its
orers en#in) t&e motion for reconsieration of sai orer of
ismissal. B&ile it is true t&at a 'erson %&o is ea cannot
sue in court( #et &e can "e su"stitute "# &is &eirs in
- jann - 15
'ursuin) t&e case u' to its com'letion. T&e recors of t&is
case s&o% t&at t&e eat& of 2ortunata Barcena too1 'lace on
Gul# >( ->77 %&ile t&e com'laint %as file on Harc& /-(
->77. "his means that when the complaint was filed on
&arch 3(, ().+, 4ortunata 5arcena was still alive, and
therefore, the court had acquired 6urisdiction over her person.
If t&ereafter s&e ie( t&e Rules of 0ourt 'rescri"es t&e
'roceure %&ere"# a 'art# %&o ie urin) t&e 'enenc# of
t&e 'roceein) can "e su"stitute. Iner Section -?( Rule /
of t&e Rules of 0ourt 8%&ene$er a 'art# to a 'enin) case
ies . . . it s&all "e t&e ut# of &is attorne# to inform t&e court
'rom'tl# of suc& eat& . . . an to )i$e t&e name an
resience of &is e*ecutor( aministrator( )uarian or ot&er
le)al re'resentati$es.8 T&is ut# %as com'lie %it& "# t&e
counsel for t&e ecease 'laintiff %&en &e manifeste "efore
t&e res'onent 0ourt t&at 2ortunata Barcena ie on Gul# >(
->77 an as1e for t&e 'ro'er su"stitution of 'arties in t&e
case.
T&e res'onent 0ourt( &o%e$er( instea of allo%in) t&e
su"stitution( ismisse t&e com'laint on t&e )roun t&at a
ea 'erson &as no le)al 'ersonalit# to sue. T&is is a )ra$e
error. %rticle ... of the /ivil /ode provides that the rights to
the succession are transmitted from the moment of the death
of the decedent. 4rom the moment of the death of the
decedent, the heirs become the absolute owners of his
property, sub6ect to the rights and obligations of the
decedent, and they cannot be deprived of their rights thereto
except by the methods provided for by law. 3 "he moment
of death is the determining factor when the heirs acquire a
definite right to the inheritance whether such right be pure or
contingent. * "he right of the heirs to the property of the
deceased vests in them even before 6udicial declaration of
their being heirs in the testate or intestate proceedings. +
When 4ortunata 5arcena, therefore, died her claim or right to
the parcels of land in litigation in /ivil /ase <o. ;+-, was not
extinguished by her death but was transmitted to her heirs
upon her death. #er heirs have thus acquired interest in the
properties in litigation and became parties in interest in the
case. T&ere is( t&erefore( no reason for t&e res'onent 0ourt
to allo% t&eir su"stitution as 'arties in interest for t&e
ecease 'laintiff.
:. Bo"gh !s. Codesto
2. Borro#eoA+errera !s. Borro#eo
Vito Borromeo( a %io%er an 'ermanent resient of 0e"u
0it#( ie on Harc& -/( ->7.( in ParaOa!ue( Ri4al at t&e a)e
of 99 #ears( %it&out force &eirs "ut lea$in) e*tensi$e
'ro'erties in t&e 'ro$ince of 0e"u.
On A'ril ->( ->7.( Gose Gun!uera file %it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of 0e"u a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a one 'a)e
ocument as t&e last %ill an testament left "# t&e sai
ecease( e$isin) all &is 'ro'erties to Tomas( 2ortunato an
Amelia( all surname Borromeo( in e!ual an uni$ie
s&ares( an esi)natin) Gun!uera as e*ecutor t&ereof. T&e
case %as oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein)s No. >-?DR. T&e
ocument( rafte in S'anis&( %as alle)el# si)ne an
t&um"mar1e "# t&e ecease in t&e 'resence of 0ornelio
Ganionco( Euse"io 0a"iluna( an 2eli*"erto Leonaro %&o
acte as %itnesses.
O''ositions to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill %ere file. On Ha# .9(
->?=( after ue trial( t&e 'ro"ate court &el t&at t&e ocument
'resente as t&e %ill of t&e ecease %as a for)er#.
On a''eal to t&is 0ourt( t&e ecision of t&e 'ro"ate court
isallo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill %as affirme in Testate
Estate of Vito Borromeo( Gose A. Gun!uera( et al. $. 0ris'in
Borromeo( et al. +-> S0RA ?7?,.
T&e testate 'roceein)s %as con$erte into an intestate
'roceein)s. Se$eral 'arties came "efore t&e court filin)
claims or 'etitions alle)in) t&emsel$es as &eirs of t&e
intestate estate of Vito Borromeo. On A'ril -=( ->?>( t&e trial
court( in$o1in) Art. >7. of t&e 0i$il 0oe( issue an orer
eclarin) t&e follo%in)( to t&e e*clusion of all ot&ers( as t&e
intestate &eirs of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo;
-.Gose 0uenco Borromeo ..Gu)e 0ris'in Borromeo
/.Vitaliana Borromeo 4.Patrocinio Borromeo Aerrera 7.Salu
Borromeo ?.Asuncion Borromeo 7. Harcial Borromeo
9.Amelina Borromeo e Talam( an >.T&e &eirs of 0anuto
Borromeo
T&e court also orere t&at t&e assets of t&e intestate estate
of Vito Borromeo s&all "e i$ie into 45> an 75> )rou's an
istri"ute in e!ual an e!uita"le s&ares amon) t&e >
a"o$ename eclare intestate &eirs.
2ortunato Borromeo file a motion for reconsieration. In t&e
memoranum &e su"mitte to su''ort &is motion for
reconsieration( 2ortunato c&an)e t&e "asis for &is claim to
a 'ortion of t&e estate. Ae asserte an incor'orate a
Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts ate Gul# /-( ->?7( su''osel#
si)ne "# Pilar N. Borromeo( Haria B. Puton). Gose
Borromeo( 0anuto V. Borromeo( Gr.( Salu Borromeo(
Patrocinio BorromeoDAerrera( Harcial Borromeo( Asuncion
Borromeo( 2eerico V. Borromeo( 0onsuelo B. Horales(
Remeios Alfonso an Amelina B. Talam. In t&e %ai$er( fi$e
of t&e nine &eirs relin!uis&e to 2ortunato t&eir s&ares in t&e
is'ute estate. "he motion was opposed on the ground that
the trial court, acting as a probate court, had no 6urisdiction to
ta$e cogni1ance of the claim7 that respondent 4ortunato
5orromeo is estopped from asserting the waiver agreement7
that the waiver agreement is void as it was executed before
the declaration of heirs7 that the same is void having been
executed before the distribution of the estate and before the
acceptance of the inheritance7 and that it is void ab initio and
inexistent for lac$ of sub6ect matter.
On :ecem"er .4( ->74( after ue &earin)( t&e trial court
concluin) t&at t&e fi$e eclare &eirs %&o si)ne t&e %ai$er
a)reement assi)nin) t&eir &ereitar# ri)&ts to 2ortunato
Borromeo &a lost t&e same ri)&ts( eclare t&e latter as
entitle to 75> of t&e estate of Vito Borromeo.
In t&e 'resent 'etition( t&e 'etitioner see1s to annul an set
asie t&e trial court@s orer ate :ecem"er .4( ->74(
eclarin) res'onent 2ortunato Borromeo entitle to 75> of
t&e estate of Vito Borromeo an t&e Gul# 7( ->77 orer(
en#in) t&e motion for reconsieration.
It is furt&er ar)ue "# t&e 'etitioner t&at t&e ocument
entitle 8Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts8 e*ecute on Gul# /-(
->?7( asie from &a$in) "een cancelle an re$o1e on
Gune .>( ->?9( "# Tomas L. Borromeo( 2ortunato Borromeo
an Amelia Borromeo( is without force and effect because
there can be no effective waiver of hereditary rights before
there has been a valid acceptance of the inheritance the
heirs intend to transfer. Pursuant to Article -=4/ of t&e 0i$il
0oe( to ma1e acce'tance or re'uiation of in&eritance $ali(
t&e 'erson must "e certain of t&e eat& of t&e one from
%&om &e is to in&erit an of &is ri)&t to t&e in&eritance. Since
t&e 'etitioner an &er coD&eirs %ere not certain of t&eir ri)&t
to t&e in&eritance until t&e# %ere eclare &eirs( t&eir ri)&ts
%ere( t&erefore( uncertain. T&is $ie%( accorin) to t&e
'etitioner( is also su''orte "# Article -=77 of t&e same 0oe
- jann - 16
%&ic& irects &eirs( e$isees( an le)atees to si)nif# t&eir
acce'tance or re'uiation %it&in t&irt# a#s after t&e court
&as issue an orer for t&e istri"ution of t&e estate.
9espondent 4ortunato 5orromeo on the other hand,
contends that under %rticle (=*3 of the /ivil /ode there is no
need for a person to be first declared as heir before he can
accept or repudiate an inheritance. What is required is that
he must first be certain of the death of the person from whom
he is to inherit and that he must be certain of his right to the
inheritance. #e points out that at the time of the signing of
the waiver document on >uly 3(, ()-., the signatories to the
waiver document were certain that Vito 5orromeo was
already dead as well as of their rights to the inheritance as
shown in the waiver document itself.
T&e 're$ailin) Curis'ruence on %ai$er of &ereitar# ri)&ts is
t&at 8t&e 'ro'erties inclue in an e*istin) in&eritance cannot
"e consiere as "elon)in) to t&ir 'ersons %it& res'ect to
t&e &eirs( %&o "# fiction of la% continue t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e
former. Nor o suc& 'ro'erties &a$e t&e c&aracter of future
'ro'ert#, because the heirs acquire a right to succession
from the moment of the death of the deceased( "# 'rinci'le
esta"lis&e in article ?77 an a''lie "# article ??- of t&e
0i$il 0oe. accorin) to %&ic& t&e &eirs succee t&e
ecease "# t&e mere fact of eat&. Hore or less( time ma#
ela'se from t&e moment of t&e eat& of t&e ecease until
t&e &eirs enter into 'ossession of t&e &ereitar# 'ro'ert#( but
the acceptance in any event retroacts to the moment of the
death, in accordance with article );) of the /ivil /ode. T&e
ri)&t is $este( alt&ou)& conitione u'on t&e aCuication of
t&e corres'onin) &ereitar# 'ortion.8 +Osorio $. Osorio an
Jnc&austi Steams&i' 0o.( 4- P&il.( 7/-,. "he heirs,
therefore, could waive their hereditary rights in ()-. even if
the order to partition the estate was issued only in ()-).
In t&is case( &o%e$er( t&e 'ur'orte 8Bai$er of Aereitar#
Ri)&ts8 cannot "e consiere to "e effecti$e. 2or a %ai$er to
e*ist( t&ree elements are essential; +-, t&e e*istence of a
ri)&t< +., t&e 1no%le)e of t&e e*istence t&ereof< an +/, an
intention to relin!uis& suc& ri)&t. +Peo'le $. Sal$aor( +0A, 7/
O.G. No. ..( '. 9--?( 9-.=,. T&e intention to %ai$e a ri)&t or
a$anta)e must "e s&o%n clearl# an con$incin)l#( an
%&en t&e onl# 'roof of intention rests in %&at a 'art# oes(
&is act s&oul "e so manifestl# consistent %it&( an inicati$e
of an intent to( $oluntaril# relin!uis& t&e 'articular ri)&t or
a$anta)e t&at no ot&er reasona"le e*'lanation of &is
conuct is 'ossi"le +?7 0.G.( /--,. +2ernane4 $. Se"io( et
al.( 7= P&il.( -7-( -7>,.
T&e circumstances of t&is case s&o% t&at t&e si)natories to
t&e %ai$er ocument i not &a$e t&e clear an con$incin)
intention to relin!uis& t&eir ri)&ts. T&us; +-, On Octo"er .7(
->?7( 2ortunato( Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo file a
'leain) entitle 80om'liance8 %&erein t&e# su"mitte a
'ro'osal for t&e amica"le settlement of t&e case. In t&at
0om'liance( t&e# 'ro'ose to concee to all t&e ei)&t +9,
intestate &eirs of Vito Borromeo all 'ro'erties( 'ersonal an
real( incluin) all cas& an sums of mone# in t&e &ans of
t&e S'ecial Aministrator( as of Octo"er /-( ->?7( not
conteste or claime "# t&em in an# action t&en 'enin) in
t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of 0e"u. In turn( t&e &eirs %oul
%ai$e an concee to t&em all t&e -4 conteste lots. In t&is
ocument( t&e res'onent reco)ni4es an concees t&at t&e
'etitioner( li1e t&e ot&er si)natories to t&e %ai$er ocument(
is an &eir of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo( entitle to s&are in
t&e estate.
T&is s&o%s t&at t&e 8Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts8 %as ne$er
meant to "e %&at t&e res'onent no% 'ur'orts it to "e. Aa
t&e intent "een ot&er%ise( t&ere %oul not "e an# reason for
2ortunato( Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo to mention t&e &eirs
in t&e offer to settle t&e case amica"l#( an offer to concee
to t&em 'arts of t&e estate of t&e ecease< +., On A'ril .-
an /=( ->?>( t&e maCorit# of t&e eclare &eirs e*ecute an
A)reement on &o% t&e estate t&e# in&erite s&all "e
istri"ute. T&is A)reement of Partition %as a''ro$e "# t&e
trial court on Au)ust -7( ->?>< +/, On Gune .>( ->?9( t&e
'etitioner( amon) ot&ers( si)ne a ocument entitle :ee of
Assi)nment8 'ur'ortin) to transfer an assi)n in fa$or of t&e
res'onent an Tomas an Amelia Borromeo all &er
+Patrocinio B. Aerrera@s, ri)&ts( interests( an 'artici'ation as
an intestate &eir in t&e estate of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo.
T&e state consieration for sai assi)nment %as
P-==(===.==< +4, On t&e same ate( Gune .>( ->?9( t&e
res'onent Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo +assi)nees in t&e
aforementione ee of assi)nment, in turn e*ecute a
8:ee of Recon$e#ance8 in fa$or of t&e &eirsDassi)nors
name in t&e same ee of assi)nment. T&e state
consieration %as P7=(===.==< +7, A 0ancellation of :ee of
Assi)nment an :ee of Recon$e#ance %as si)ne "#
Tomas Borromeo an Amelia Borromeo on Octo"er -7( ->?9(
%&ile 2ortunato Borromeo si)ne t&is ocument on Harc&
.4( ->?>. In $ie% of t&e fore)oin)( t&e !uestione orer of
t&e trial court ate :ecem"er .4( ->74( is &ere"# SET
ASI:E.
E. Kins of Succesion
Art. 88:. S"ccession #ay e:
/(0 Testa#entary@
/.0 Legal or intestate@ or
/10 Ci7ed. /n0
Art. 882. Testa#entary s"ccession is that %hich res"lts
fro# the designation of an heir, #ade in a %ill e7ec"ted
in the for# prescried y la%. /n0
B; Le)al or Intestate succession is ine*'lica"l# not efine.
0uriousl#( t&e raft coe containe a efinition of t&is 1in of
succession "ut for some un1no%n reasons it %as not
inclue. It state t&at an PIntestate succession ta1es 'lace
"# o'eration of la% in t&e a"sence of a $ali %ill.Q
Art. 29>. Legal or intestate s"ccession ta;es place:
/(0 If a person dies %itho"t a %ill, or %ith a !oid
%ill, or one %hich has s"se="ently lost its
!alidity@
/.0 )hen the %ill does not instit"te an heir to, or
dispose of all the property elonging to the
testator. In s"ch case, legal s"ccession shall
ta;e place only %ith respect to the property of
%hich the testator has not disposed@
/10 If the s"spensi!e condition attached to the
instit"tion of heir does not happen or is not
- jann - 17
f"lfilled, or if the heir dies efore the testator, or
rep"diates the inheritance, there eing no
s"stit"tion, and no right of accretion ta;es
place@
/<0 )hen the heir instit"ted is incapale of
s"cceeding, e7cept in cases pro!ided in this
Code. /2(.a0
T; A $oi %ill &as no le)al e*istence.
A $oi %ill an a %ill t&at later lost its $aliit# are essentiall#
t&e same. T&e onl# ifference "et%een t&e t%o lies in t&e fact
t&at t&e first refers to a %ill t&at &as ne$er "een $ali( "ut is
null an $oi a" ori)ine( i'so facto( %&ile t&e secon refers to
a $ali %ill %&ic& later lost its $aliit#.
Iner Art. 94- a %ill is $ali t&ou)& t&ere is no institution of
&eir. In suc& cases t&e testamentar# is'ositions mae in
accorance %it& la% s&all "e carrie out( an t&e remainer
of t&e 'ro'ert# s&all 'ass to le)al &eirs. A"sence of institution
inclues t&ose institution %&ic& are $oi.
Ot&er causes of intestac#;
-. &a''enin) of a resolutor# conition %&ic& sets asie
t&e institution of t&e &eir
.. e*'iration of t&e resolutor# term or 'erio of
institution of an &eir( le)atee or e$isee institute u'
to a a# certain
/. noncom'liance or t&e im'ossi"ilit# of com'l#in) %it&
t&e %ill of t&e testator.
4. Preterition %&ic& results to annulment of t&e
institution of an &eir
B; T&ere are t&ree instances containe in t&is 'ara)ra'&(
alt&ou)&( le)all#( t&e result is t&e same in eac& instance( i.e.(
t&ere is no %ill.
In 'ar. . P$aliit#Q s&oul rea as Pefficac#Q
Intestac# ma# "e total or 'artial e'enin) on t&e e*tent of
t&e is'osition t&at turns out to "e ino'erati$e
Art. 8:>. Ci7ed s"ccession is that effected partly y %ill
and partly y operation of la%. /n0
Art. (1>. The f"t"re spo"ses #ay gi!e each other in their
#arriage settle#ents as #"ch as oneAfifth of their
present property, and %ith respect to their f"t"re
property, only in the e!ent of death, to the e7tent laid
do%n y the pro!isions of this Code referring to
testa#entary s"ccession.
Art. 83.. The pro!isions of Article 83> not%ithstanding,
no person #ay gi!e or recei!e, y %ay of donation, #ore
than he #ay gi!e or recei!e y %ill. The donation shall
e inofficio"s in all that it #ay e7ceed this li#itation.
/9190
T&e limitation im'ose "# t&is article a''lies to 'ersons %&o
&a$e com'ulsor# &eirs. T&e amount t&at can "e onate
e'ens u'on t&e c&aracter of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs an t&e
amount of 'ro'ert# at t&e time of t&e eat& of t&e onor. T&e
onation itself is not a nullit#( "ut onl# su"Cect to reuction in
so far as it e*cees %&at t&e onor coul &a$e )i$en "# %ill
to t&e onee. T&is amount is etermina"le onl# at t&e time of
t&e eat& of onor.
Art. 83>. The donations #ay co#prehend all the present
property of the donor, or part thereof, pro!ided he
reser!es, in f"ll o%nership or in "s"fr"ct, s"fficient
#eans for the s"pport of hi#self, and of all relati!es
%ho, at the ti#e of the acceptance of the donation, are
y la% entitled to e s"pported y the donor. )itho"t
s"ch reser!ation, the donation shall e red"ced in
petition of any person affected. /91<a0
A onation of all t&e 'resent 'ro'ert# of t&e onor( %it&out
t&e reser$ation of a sufficient amount for &is su"sistence( is
not $oi( "ut onl# susce'ti"le of reuction. It is $oia"le %it&
res'ect to t&e amount necessar# for t&e su''ort of t&e onor
or &is e'enent relati$es.
Art. :<. If the f"t"re spo"ses agree "pon a regi#e other
than the asol"te co##"nity of property, they cannot
donate to each other in their #arriage settle#ents #ore
than oneAfifth of their present property. Any e7cess shall
e considered !oid.
Donations of f"t"re property shall e go!erned y the
pro!isions on testa#entary s"ccession and the
for#alities of %ills. /(1>a,
T&ese onations( unli1e onations of 'resent 'ro'ert# %&ic&
ta1e effect u'on t&e cele"ration of t&e marria)e( ta1e effect
u'on t&e eat& of t&e onor s'ouse. It cannot "e mae in t&e
marria)e settlement "ut in a %ill or testament. Its limits are
)o$erne "# t&e rules of testamentar# succession. Since a
%ill can "e re$o1e "# t&e testator at an# time "efore &is
eat& t&e onation 'ro'ter nu'tias of future 'ro'ert# ma# "e
so re$o1e. Persons ot&er t&an t&e affiance 'arties cannot
)i$e onations 'ro'ter nu'tias of future 'ro'ert#.
T&ere is no more contractual succession "# $irtue of t&e t&e
re'eal of Article -/= of t&e Ol 0i$il 0oe %&ic& %as
amene uner Article 94 of t&e 2amil# 0oe. In manatin)
t&e a''lica"ilit# of t&e rules on Succession to onation of
future 'ro'ert# "et%een s'ouses( t&e la%( t&erefore(
eliminate t&is 1in of succession. Aence( "# im'lication
suc& t#'e of succession uner Article 94 is consiere an
orinar# testamentar# succession.
- jann - 18
TESTAHENTARJ SI00ESSION
II. BILLS
A. :efinition
Art. 7#%. A will is an act whereby a person is
permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to
control to a certain de!ree the disposition of this
estate, to ta+e effect after his death. (**7a)
Better efinition;
A %ill is a 'ersonal( solemn( re$oca"le( an free act "# %&ic&
a ca'acitate 'erson is'oses of &is 'ro'ert# an ri)&ts an
eclares or com'lies %it& t&e uties to ta1e effect after &is
eat&.
T; A %ill is a s'ecie of con$e#ance %&ere"# a 'erson is
'ermitte( %it& t&e formalities 'rescri"e "# la% to control to
a certain e)ree is'osition of &is 'ro'ert# to ta1e effect after
&is eat&. Ao%e$er( %&en t&ere is no is'osition of 'ro'ert#(
it is su"mitte t&at( alt&ou)& t&e instrument ma# "e
consiere as a %ill( it oes not &a$e to "e 'ro"ate. All
ot&er rele$ant le)al matters state in t&e %ill ma# ta1e effect
e$en %it&out 'ro"atin) suc& as t&e ac1no%le)ement of a
natural c&il.
A %ill is not necessaril# an act of li"eralit# or )enerosit#. T&e
in&eritance ma# "e so "urene %it& le)acies t&at all "enefit
to t&e &eir is nullifie.
B. 0&aracteristics
-. 'urel# 'ersonal act<
.. free act %5o frau( $iolence( etc.
/. is'osition of 'ro'ert#
4. essentiall# re$oca"le
7. formall# e*ecute
?. testator must &a$e testamentar# ca'acit#
7. Inilateral act an<
9. Hortis causa
Balane;
>. ini$iual +Art. 9-9,
-=. e*ecute %it& animus testani +Art. 79/,
--. Statutor# +Art. 79/,

Art. 7#%. A will is an act whereby a person is
permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to
control to a certain de!ree the disposition of this
estate, to ta+e effect after his death. (**7a)
B: The word Act is too broad and should have been limited
to a more specific term such as instrument or document in
view of Art. 804 that every will must be in writin.
The re!uirement of form prescribed respectively for attested
and holoraphic wills.
The testator"s power of disposition is limited by the rules on
leitimes.
#ill ma$in is purely statutory bein defined as permitted.
Art. #%9. "he will shall be disallowed in any of the
followin! cases,
(-) f the formalities required by law have
not been complied with.
($) f the testator was insane, or otherwise
mentally incapable of ma+in! a will, at the
time of its e&ecution.
(%) f it was e&ecuted throu!h force or under
duress, or the influence of fear, or threats.
(/) f it was procured by undue and
improper pressure and influence, on the
part of the beneficiary or of some other
person.
(5) f the si!nature of the testator was
procured by fraud.
(*) f the testator acted by mista+e or did not
intend that the instrument he si!ned should
be his will at the time of affi&in! his
si!nature thereto. (n)
B: This is an e%clusive enumeration for the causes of
disallowance of a will. These are matters involved in the
formal validity. A probate decree once final & forecloses any
subse!uent challene on any of the matter enumerated in this
article.
'f any of these rounds is proved the will is void. A will is
either valid or void. 'f none of the defects are present the will
is valid( if any defect is present the will is void. The issue on
formal validity is what the probate proceedins will
determine. There is no such thin as a voidable will.
Art. #$#. A will may be revo+ed by the testator at any
time before his death. Any waiver or restriction of
this ri!ht is void. (7%7a)
T; :urin) t&e life of t&e testator t&e %ill is sai to "e
am"ulator# an ma# "e altere( re$o1e( or su'ersee at
an# time. Its is of no 'ossi"le effect as a %ill %&ile t&e ma1er
li$es.
A %ill ma# "e re$o1e at 'leasure. Re$ocation is an act of
t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential ca'acit# of t&e %ill to
o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator( manifeste "# some
out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic t&ereof.
Re$ocation $s. Nullit#
-. act of testator -. 'rocees from la%
.. 'resu''oses a $ali act .. in&erent from t&e %ill
/. inter $i$os /. in$o1e After eat&
4. testator cannot renounce 4. can "e isre)are "# &eirs
B; T&is c&aracteristic is consistent %it& t&e 'rinci'le lai
o%n in Art. 777( successional ri)&ts $est onl# u'on eat&.
Art. 79*. All persons who are not e&pressly
prohibited by law may ma+e a will. (**$)
T: The law presumes capacity to ma$e a will& thus& one must
be e%pressly be prohibited by law to be dis!ualified.
- jann - 19
)nly natural persons may ma$e a will. *uridical persons are
not ranted T.+.
,ven spendthrifths or prodial under uardianship& can ma$e
a will. A peson under civil interdiction can ma$e a will& he is
only dis!ualified fro dispositions of property inter vivos& but
not by act mortis causa.
Art. 797. 0ersons of either se& under ei!hteen years
of a!e cannot ma+e a will. (n)
The manner of computation of ae& sustains the view that the
re!uired ae is reached at the commencement of the day
preceedin the anniversary of the birthday( that is& it is
sufficient that the last day of the eihteenth year shall have
commenced. The law does not reconi-e fractions of a day
and this construction is more in accord with the liberal policy
of the law to presume capacity to ma$e will.
Art. 79#. n order to ma+e a will it is essential that
the testator be of sound mind at the time of its
e&ecution. (n)
T: .ound /ind is meant that the testator is able to e%ecute
his will with an understandin of the nature of the act& such
as the recollection of the property he means to dispose of& of
the persons who are or who moht reasonably be the ob0ects
of his bounty and the manner in which it is to be distributed
amon them. 't is sufficient if he understands what he is
about& even if he has less mental capacity than would be
re!uired to ma$e a contract.
B: the leal importance and implication of mental capacity is
that the law is interested in the leal conse!uences of the
testator"s mental capacity or incapacity not in the medical
aspects of mental disease. +oncievably& the testator could be
mentally aberrant medically but testamentarily capable or&
vice versa& mentally competent medically but testamentariy
incompetent.
Art. 777. "he ri!hts to the succession are transmitted
from the moment of the death of the decedent.
(*57a)
B: the vestin of the successional riht occurs immediately
upon the decedent"s death& without a moments interruption.
Art. #-#. "wo or more persons cannot ma+e a will
1ointly, or in the same instrument, either for their
reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third
person. (**9)
T: A 0oint will is one where the same instrument is made the
will of two or more persons and is 0ointly sined by them.
.uch will may be probate upon the death of one and
subse!uently probated aain upon the death of the other
testator. 1sually made to dispose 0oint properties.
/utual will& )T)2& may be defined as the separate wills of
two persons& which are reciprocal in their provisions. A will
that is both 0oint and mutual is one e%ecuted 0ointly by teo or
more persons and which shows on its face that the devises are
made one in consideration of the other.
3atio for prohibition:
4. purely personal and unilateral characteristic of wills
are defeated
5. contrary to the revocable character of wills& if one
revo$es the will no document is left for the other to
revo$e specially in cases were the revocation is done
by destroyin or tearin the will.
6. may e%pose a testator to undue influence
4. may tempt one to $ill the other testator
7. aainst public policy
8. 9imunition of Testamentary secrecy
#hat is actually prohibited& therefore& is the e%ecution of a
will in a .':;<, 9)+1/,:T and by ):, A+T.
B: if there are separate documents& each servin one
independent will& even if they are written on the same sheet
or even bac$ to bac$& they are not 0oint wills.
Art. 7#/. "he ma+in! of a will is a strictly personal
act. it cannot be left in whole or in part of the
discretion of a third person, or accomplished
throu!h the instrumentality of an a!ent or attorney.
(*72a)
T: The testator cannot substitute the mind or will of another
for his own. But the mere mechanical act of draftin the will
may be done by a third person& inasmuch as such act does not
constitute a deleation of the will or disposition.
Art. 7#5. "he duration or efficacy of the desi!nation
of heirs, devisees or le!atees, or the determination
of the portions which they are to ta+e, when referred
to by name, cannot be left to the discretion of a third
person. (*72a)
T: The matters mentioned in this article are testamentary in
nature( they constitute e%pressions of the will or disposition
of the testator. 2ence& pursuant to Art. =84& it cannot be
deleated.
B: The ff. constitute the essence of will ma$in or the e%ercise
of the disposin power& and thus& non>deleable:
4. the desination of heirs& devisees& leatees(
5. the duration or efficacy of such desination
includin such thins as conditions& terms&
substitutions
6. the determination of the portions they are to recieve
Art. 7#*. "he testator may entrust to a third person
the distribution of specific property or sums of
money that he may leave in !eneral to specified
classes or causes, and also the desi!nation of the
persons, institutions or establishments to which
such property or sums are to be !iven or applied.
(*7-a)
- jann - 20
T: the third person here does not ma$e any disposition& but
simply carries out details in the e%ecution of the testamentary
disposition made by the testator himself in the will.
B: for this article to ta$e effect the testator must determine
the ff:
4. the property or amount of money iven and(
5. the class or cause to be benefited
and the ff. may be deleated:
4. desination of persons& institutions& or
establishments within the class or cause(
5. the manner of distribution.
Art. 7#7. "he testator may not ma+e a testamentary
disposition in such manner that another person has
to determine whether or not it is to be operative. (n)
0. Inter'retation of Bills
Art. 7##. f a testamentary disposition admits of
different interpretations, in case of doubt, that
interpretation by which the disposition is to be
operative shall be preferred. (n)
T: The presumption is that the testator intended a lawful
rather than an unlawful thin& and courts will not see$ an
interpretation that will nullify his will or any part
thereof.That construction must be followed which will
sustatn and uphold the will in all its parts& if it can be done
consistently with the established rules of law. 'f the will is
susceptible of two interpretations & the doubt must be
resolved in favor of the construction which will ive effect to
the will& rather than the one which will defeat it.
Art. 7#9. When there is an imperfect description, or
when no person or property e&actly answers the
description, mista+es and omissions must be
corrected, if the error appears from the conte&t of
the will or from e&trinsic evidence, e&cludin! the
oral declarations of the testator as to his intention.
and when an uncertainty arises upon the face of the
will, as to the application of any of its provisions, the
testator3s intention is to be ascertained from the
words of the will, ta+in! into consideration the
circumstances under which it was made, e&cludin!
such oral declarations. (n)
T: The first part of this article pertains to patent or e%trinsic
ambiuity which appears upon the face of the instrument
such as when the testator ives a devise or leacy to .)/,
of the si% children of his cousin *uan
The second part pertains to latent or intrinsic ambiuity
which cannot be seen from a mere perusal or readin of the
will but appears only upon consideration of e%trinsic
circumstances& such as ivin leacy to my cousin ?edro&
when ' fact he has two cousins named ?edro. Thus. 't occurs
when:
4. two or more persons or thins answer the name or
description(
5. misdescription of the beneficiary or the ift
,%trinsic evidence is admissible to show the situation of the
testator and all the relevant facts and circumstances
surroundin him at the time of ma$in the will& for the
purpose of e%plainin or resolvin patent ambiuity.
B: method of resolvin ambiuity& whether latent or patent is
any evidence admissible and relevant e%cludin the oral
declarations of testator as to his intention.
3atio for the e%clusion: B: can a dead man refute a tale@
T: the testator whose lips have been sealed by death can no
loner deny or affirm the truth of what witnesses may say he
declared& would create confusion and ive rise to false claims.
Art. 792. "he words of a will are to be ta+en in their
ordinary and !rammatical sense, unless a clear
intention to use them in another sense can be
!athered, and that other can be ascertained.
"echnical words in a will are to be ta+en in their
technical sense, unless the conte&t clearly indicates a
contrary intention, or unless it satisfactorily appears
that he was unacquainted with such technical sense.
(*75a)
'ntent of the testator is the supreme law in succession. All
rules of construction are desined to ascertain and ive effect
to the intention unless the latter is contrary to law& morals&
and public policy.
The words and provisions in the will must be plainly
construed in order to avoid violations of his intentions and
real purpose.
#ills drated by s$illed persons or lawyers are to be construed
with strictness ivin account to the word"s technical
meanin& while words stated by persons not learned in the
law are interpreted liberally and in their ordinary
acceptation. 2oloraphic wills usually made by pesons not
learned in the law should be construed liberally in their
ordinary acceptation foreoin the technical meanin in
pursuance of the policy of the law of preference on testacy
than intestacy.
Art. 79-. "he words of a will are to receive an
interpretation which will !ive to every e&pression
some effect, rather than one which will render any of
the e&pressions inoperative. and of two modes of
interpretin! a will, that is to be preferred which will
prevent intestacy. (n)
'ts to be presumed that every word or clause was intended by
the testator to have some meanin( and no word or clause
should be re0ected if it is at all possible to ive it reasonable
effect. #here two constructions are possible& the one
disreardin a word or clause of the will& and the other ivin
effect to the will as a whole& th latter interpretation must be
followed.
- jann - 21
Art. 79$. "he invalidity of one of several dispositions
contained in a will does not result in the invalidity of
the other dispositions, unless it is to be presumed
that the testator would not have made such other
dispositions if the first invalid disposition had not
been made. (n)
B: The article ma$es applicable to wills the severability or
separability principle in statutory construction fre!uently
provided in a separability clause.
Art. 79%. 0roperty acquired after the ma+in! of a will
shall only pass thereby, as if the testator had
possessed it at the time of ma+in! the will, should it
e&pressly appear by the will that such was his
intention. (n)
T: This article is inconsistent with the principle of inheritance
laid down under the code. The inheritance includes all the
property& rihts& and obliations not e%tinuished by death.
To follow this article would mean that only the property at
the time of ma$in the will shall be transmitted to the heir
unless there is an e%press declaration under the will to
include properties ac!uired before death of testator but after
ma$in the will. This contravenes Art. === of the code.
2ence& it must be construed as referrin only to devises and
leacies and not to inheritance. After all this article is under
the chapter of testamentary dispositions. The problem now
arises with its irreconcilable conflict with Art. A60.
Art. 79/. 4very devise or le!acy shall cover all the
interest which the testator could device or bequeath
in the property disposed of, unless it clearly appears
from the will that he intended to convey a less
interest. (n)
T: #hen the Testator does not state the e%tent of the interest
that he ives to the leatee or devisee in the property
transmitted& it is understood that his whole interest passes&
no more no less. But the testator& under the present article&
may manifest his intention to convey a less interest( and
under article A5A& he may e%pressly convey a larer interest.
'n such cases& the intention of the testator will be followed.
Art. 9%2. "he le!acy or devise of a thin! belon!in! to
another person is void, if the testator erroneously
believed that the thin! pertained to him. But if the
thin! bequeathed, thou!h not belon!in! to the
testator when he made the will, afterwards becomes
his, by whatever title, the disposition shall ta+e
effect. (#*$a)
The presumption under this article is that had the testator
$nown the fact that another owns the property& he would not
have made the leacy. The inorance of the testator is
presumed by law.
'ts must be noted that if the subse!uent chane of ownership
transferred the thin to the very person to whom it was bein
iven as a devise or leacy& and by lucrative title& or to
another third person& the leacy is void.
Solla !s. Asc"enta
:Oa. Haria Solla ie in Gune( -99/( in t&e munici'alit# of
0a"u)ao( Ilocos Sur( lea$in) a %ill e*ecute an recore in
accorance %it& t&e la%s t&en in force( "ut %&ic& &a not
"een 'ro"ate in accorance %it& t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure.
T&ere %ere name in sai %ill( as le)atees Ser)io Solla(
0a#etano Solla( Gosefa Solla( Gacinto Serna( Rosena
La)ma#(
Sil$estra SaCor an Hatias Se$eea( an Leanro Serrano(
as uni$ersal &eir( %it& t&eir s&ares )i$en t&em "# t&e %ill
a"o$eDmentione.
Sai le)atees or t&eir escenants or &eirs i not Cuiciall#
claim t&eir le)acies urin) t&e lifeDtime of Leanro Serrano( of
%&ic& &e &a ta1en 'ossession( neit&er %as an#
testamentar# 'roceein) institute for t&e settlement of t&e
estate left "# Haria Solla an t&at Leanro Serrano i not
eli$er t&e le)acies in !uestion( %&ic& &e 'ossesse in &is
name until &is eat&( &a$in) eclare t&e 'ro'ert# for ta*ation
as &is o%n an collecte t&e income t&erefrom for &imself.
%s may also be seen ?eandro @errano named his son
@imeon @errano, as executor of his will and that he directed
him to put all of his property in order and to separate that
which came from his deceased grandmother &aria @olla,
which he gives to his said son @imeon @errano and orders
that same be disposed of exclusively in conformity with the
wishes of his said grandmother, not forgetting the souls of all
of his grandmother's relatives and of his own for whose
repose nine masses were to be said annually during nine
days, with a solemn mass on the first and last days.
In orer to etermine t&e testator@s intention( t&e court s&oul
'lace itself as near as 'ossi"le in &is 'osition( an &ence(
%&ere t&e lan)ua)e of t&e %ill is am"i)uous or ou"tful(
s&oul ta1e into consieration t&e situation of t&e testator
an t&e facts an circumstances surrounin) &im at t&e time
t&e %ill %as e*ecute. +4= 0#c.( -/>.., B&ere t&e testator@s
intention is manifest from t&e conte*t of t&e %ill an
surrounin) circumstances( "ut is o"scure "# ina't an
inaccurate moes of e*'ression( t&e lan)ua)e %ill "e
su"orinate to t&e intention( an in orer to )i$e effect to
suc& intention( as far as 'ossi"le( t&e court ma# e'art from
t&e strict %orin) an rea a %or or '&rase in a sense
ifferent from t&at %&ic& is orinaril# attri"ute to it( an for
suc& 'ur'ose ma# moul or c&an)e t&e lan)ua)e of t&e %ill(
suc& as restrictin) its a''lication or su''l#in) omitte %ors
or '&rases. +4= 0#c.( -/>>.,
In t&e 'resent case( it clearl# a''earin) t&at it %as Haria
Solla@s intention( in orerin) &er uni$ersal &eir Leanro
Serrano in &er %ill at t&e &our of &is eat&( to insist u'on t&e
com'liance of &er orers "# &is &eirs( t&at t&e latter s&oul
com'l# %it& &er 'ious orers an t&at s&e i not mean &er
orers concernin) &er le)acies( t&e com'liance of %&ic& s&e
&a entruste to Leanro Serrano( %e are aut&ori4e to
restrict t&e a''lication of t&e %ors 8all t&at I &a$e &ere
orere8 use "# t&e sai Haria Solla an t&e %ors 8all &er
orers8 use "# Leanro Serrano in t&eir res'ecti$e %ills
limitin) t&em to t&e 'ious orers an su"stitutin) t&e '&rase
8in re)ar to t&e annual masses8 after t&e %ors use "#
"ot& testators( res'ecti$el#.
T&e trial court( t&erefore( committe an error in inter'retin)
t&e orer of Leanro Serrano mentione in &is %ill as
a''lica"le to t&e 'ro$isions of Haria Solla@s %ill relati$e to t&e
le)acies an not to t&e 'ious "e!uests e*clusi$el#.
- jann - 22
:. La% Go$ernin) 2orm
Art. 795. "he validity of a will as to its form depends
upon the observance of the law in force at the time it
is made. (n)
The eneral rule is that iven in the present article& that the
validity of the e%ecution of a will is controlled by the statute
in force at the time of e%ecution( and a statute enacted
subse!uent to the e%ecution and prior to the death of the
testator& chanin the rules respectin the form of the
instrument& the capacity of the testator& and the li$e& has no
retrospective effect.
2owever& the intrinsic validity of the will& althouh e%ecuted
in the ?hilippines& is overned by the laws of the state or
country of which the testator was a citi-en or sub0ect at the
time of his death. The place of e%ecution has no effect
whatever upon the validity of the provisions of the will.
The law may be chaned after the will has been made. The
provisions may be valid at the time it was made but may be
contrary to the law at the time of the death of the testator. 'n
such case& the law at the time of the death of the testator will
apply. 't is the law at the time when the succession opens
which must determine the intrinsic validity of the provisions
of the will& because it is at this time that the rihts are
transmitted to the heirs& devisees& or leatees.
Art. -7. "he forms and solemnities of contracts,
wills, and other public instruments shall be
!overned by the laws of the country in which they
are e&ecuted.
When the acts referred to are e&ecuted before the
diplomatic or consular officials of the 5epublic of
the 0hilippines in a forei!n country, the solemnities
established by 0hilippine laws shall be observed in
their e&ecution.
0rohibitive laws concernin! persons, their acts or
property, and those which have, for their ob1ect,
public order, public policy and !ood customs shall
not be rendered ineffective by laws or 1ud!ments
promul!ated, or by determinations or conventions
a!reed upon in a forei!n country. (--a)
Art. -#. n matters which are !overned by the 6ode
of 6ommerce and special laws, their deficiency shall
be supplied by the provisions of this 6ode. (-*a)

/atters connected with the performance of contracts are
reulated by the law prevailin at the place of performance.
3emedies& such as the brinin of suit& admissibility of
evidence& and the statute of limitations& depend upon the law
of the place where the action is brouht.
'n terms of the validity and effect of obliations& the followin
rules shall be followed. Birst& the law desinated by the
parties shall be applied( if there is no stipulation on the
matter& and the parties of the same nationality& their national
law shall be applied( if this is not the case& the law of the place
of perfection of the obliation shall overn its fulfillment( but
if these places are not specified and they cannot be deduced
from the nature and circumstances of the obliation& then the
law of the domicile of the passive sub0ects shall apply.
Art. #-2. A person may e&ecute a holo!raphic will
which must be entirely written, dated, and si!ned by
the hand of the testator himself. t is sub1ect to no
other form, and may be made in or out of the
0hilippines, and need not be witnessed. (*7#, *##a)
Art. #-5. When a 7ilipino is in a forei!n country, he
is authori8ed to ma+e a will in any of the forms
established by the law of the country in which he
may be. 9uch will may be probated in the
0hilippines. (n)
The article follows the eneral rule that the law overnin the
formal vailidity of wills is the law of the place where it is
e%ecuted. Cet a Bilipino may ma$e will in a foreih country in
conformity with our laws and not of the place of e%ecution.
Article 848 and 84= shall overn.
Art. #-*. "he will of an alien who is abroad produces
effect in the 0hilippines if made with the formalities
prescribed by the law of the place in which he
resides, or accordin! to the formalities observed in
his country, or in conformity with those which this
6ode prescribes. (n)
Art. #-7. A will made in the 0hilippines by a citi8en
or sub1ect of another country, which is e&ecuted in
accordance with the law of the country of which he is
a citi8en or sub1ect, and which mi!ht be proved and
allowed by the law of his own country, shall have the
same effect as if e&ecuted accordin! to the laws of
the 0hilippines. (n)
'f an alien e%ecutes a will in the ?hilippines& not in
conformity with our law& but in conformity with the law of his
own state or country& the will can be probated in the
?hilippines.
Art. #-#. "wo or more persons cannot ma+e a will
1ointly, or in the same instrument, either for their
reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third
person. (**9)
A 0oint will is one where the same instrument is made the will
of two or more persons and is 0ointly sined by them. .uch
will may be probate upon the death of one and subse!uently
probated aain upon the death of the other testator. 1sually
made to dispose 0oint properties.
/utual will& )T)2& may be defined as the separate wills of
two persons& which are reciprocal in their provisions. A will
that is both 0oint and mutual is one e%ecuted 0ointly by teo or
more persons and which shows on its face that the devises are
made one in consideration of the other.
3atio for prohibition:
a. purely personal and unilateral characteristic of wills
are defeated
- jann - 23
b. contrary to the revocable character of wills& if one
revo$es the will no document is left for the other to
revo$e specially in cases were the revocation is done
by destroyin or tearin the will.
c. may e%pose a testator to undue influence
d. may tempt one to $ill the other testator
e. aainst public policy
#hat is actually prohibited& therefore& is the e%ecution of a
will in a .':;<, 9)+1/,:T and by ):, A+T.
Art. #-9. Wills, prohibited by the precedin! article,
e&ecuted by 7ilipinos in a forei!n country shall not
be valid in the 0hilippines, even thou!h authori8ed
by the laws of the country where they may have been
e&ecuted. (7%%a)

$le"#er !s. +i7
It is t&e t&eor# of t&e 'etitioner t&at t&e alle)e %ill %as
e*ecute in El1ins( Best Vir)inia( on No$em"er /( ->.7( "#
Ai* %&o &a &is resience in t&at Curisiction( an t&at t&e
la%s of Best Vir)inia )o$ern. To t&is en( t&ere %as
su"mitte a co'# of section /9?9 of Acts -99.( c. 94 as
foun in Best Vir)inia 0oe( Annotate( "# Ao))( 0&arles E.(
$ol. .( ->-4( '. -?>=( an as certifie to "# t&e :irector of t&e
National Li"rar#. But t&is %as far from a com'liance %it& t&e
la%. T&e la%s of a forei)n Curisiction o not 'ro$e
t&emsel$es in our courts. T&e courts of t&e P&ili''ine Islans
are not aut&ori4e to ta1e Cuicial notice of t&e la%s of t&e
$arious States of t&e American Inion. S"ch la%s #"st e
pro!ed as facts. +In re Estate of Go&nson M->-9N( /> P&il.(
-7?., Aere t&e re!uirements of t&e la% %ere not met. T&ere
%as no s&o%in) t&at t&e "oo1 from %&ic& an e*tract %as
ta1en %as 'rinte or 'u"lis&e uner t&e aut&orit# of t&e
State of Best Vir)inia( as 'ro$ie in section /== of t&e 0oe
of 0i$il Proceure. Nor %as t&e e*tract from t&e la% atteste
"# t&e certificate of t&e officer &a$in) c&ar)e of t&e ori)inal(
uner t&e seal of t&e State of Best Vir)inia( as 'ro$ie in
section /=- of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure. No e$ience %as
introuce to s&o% t&at t&e e*tract from t&e la%s of Best
Vir)inia %as in force at t&e time t&e alle)e %ill %as
e*ecute.
B&ile t&e a''eal %as 'enin) su"mission in t&is court( t&e
attorne# for t&e a''ellant 'resente an un$erifie 'etition
as1in) t&e court to acce't as 'art of t&e e$ience t&e
ocuments attac&e to t&e 'etition. One of t&ese ocuments
iscloses t&at a 'a'er %ritin) 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e last %ill
an testament of E%ar Ranol'& Ai*( ecease( %as
'resente for 'ro"ate on Gune 9( ->.>( to t&e cler1 of
Ranol'& 0ount#( State of Best Vir)inia( in $acation( an
%as ul# 'ro$en "# t&e oat&s of :ana Bamsle# an Gose'&
L. Haen( t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses t&ereto( an orere to
"e recore an file. It %as s&o%n "# anot&er ocument
t&at( in $acation( on Gune 9( ->.>( t&e cler1 of court of
Ranol'& 0ount#( Best Vir)inia( a''ointe 0laue B.
Ha*%ell as aministrator( cum testamento anne*o( of t&e
estate of E%ar Ranol'& Ai*( ecease. In t&is
connection( it is to "e note t&at t&e a''lication for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill in t&e P&ili''ines %as file on 2e"ruar# .=(
->.>( %&ile t&e 'roceein)s in Best Vir)inia a''ear to &a$e
"een initiate on Gune 9( ->.>. T&ese facts are stron)l#
inicati$e of an intention to ma1e t&e P&ili''ines t&e 'rinci'al
aministration an Best Vir)inia t&e ancillar# aministration.
Ao%e$er t&is ma# "e( no attem't &as "een mae to com'l#
%it& t&e 'ro$isions of sections ?/7( ?/9( an ?/> of t&e 0oe
of 0i$il Proceure( for no &earin) on t&e !uestion of t&e
allo%ance of a %ill sai to &a$e "een 'ro$e an allo%e in
Best Vir)inia &as "een re!ueste. T&ere is no s&o%in) t&at
t&e ecease left an# 'ro'ert# at an# 'lace ot&er t&an t&e
P&ili''ine Islans an no contention t&at &e left an# in Best
Vir)inia.
Reference &as "een mae "# t&e 'arties to a i$orce
'ur'orte to &a$e "een a%are E%ar Ranol'& Ai* from
Annie 0ousins Ai* on Octo"er 9( ->.7( in t&e State of Best
Vir)inia. T&e 'resent 'roceein)s o not call for an# s'ecific
'ronouncements on t&e $aliit# or in$aliit# of t&is alle)e
i$orce.2or all of t&e fore)oin)( t&e Cu)ment a''eale from
%ill "e affirme( %it& t&e costs of t&is instance a)ainst t&e
a''ellant.Villamor( Ostran( Go&ns( Romuale4 an VillaD
Real( GG.( concur.
Dela Cerna !s. 4otot
8It a''ears t&at on Ha# >( ->/>( t&e s'ouses( Berna"e e la
0erna an Ger$asia Re"aca( e*ecute a Coint last %ill an
testament in t&e local ialect %&ere"# t&e# %ille t&at @our
t%o 'arcels of lan ac!uire urin) our marria)e to)et&er
%it& all im'ro$ements t&ereon s&all "e )i$en to Hanuela
Re"aca( our niece( %&om %e &a$e nurture since c&il&oo(
"ecause Go i not )i$e us an# c&il in our union( Hanuela
Re"aca "ein) marrie to Nicolas Potot@( an t&at @%&ile eac&
of t&e testator is #et li$in)( &e or s&e %ill continue to enCo# t&e
fruits of t&e t%o lans aforementione@( t&e sai t%o 'arcels
of lan "ein) co$ere "# Ta* No. 4?7? an Ta* No. ??77(
"ot& situate in sitio Bucao( "arrio Lu)o( munici'alit# of
Bor"on( 'ro$ince of 0e"u. Berna"e e la 0erna ie on
Au)ust /=( ->/>( an t&e aforesai %ill %as su"mitte to
'ro"ate "# sai Ger$asia an Hanuela "efore t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u %&ic&( after ue 'u"lication as
re!uire "# la% an t&ere "ein) no o''osition( &ear t&e
e$ience(
T&e a''eale ecision correctl# &el t&at t&e final ecree of
'ro"ate( entere in ->/> "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
0e"u +%&en t&e testator( Berna"e e la 0erna( ie,( &as
conclusi$e effect as to &is last %ill an testament( es'ite t&e
fact t&at e$en t&en t&e 0i$il 0oe alrea# ecree t&e
in$aliit# of Coint %ills( %&et&er in fa$or of t&e Coint testators(
reci'rocall#( or in fa$or of a t&ir 'art# +Art. ??>( ol 0i$il
0oe,. T&e error t&us committe "# t&e 'ro"ate court %as an
error of la%( t&at s&oul &a$e "een correcte "# a''eal( "ut
%&ic& i not affect t&e Curisiction of t&e 'ro"ate court( nor
t&e conclusi$e effect of its final ecision( &o%e$er erroneous.
A final Cu)ment renere on a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a
%ill is "inin) u'on t&e %&ole %orl +Hanalo $s. Parees( 47
P&il. >/9< In re Estate of Go&nson( /> P&il. -7?,< an 'u"lic
'olic# an soun 'ractice eman t&at at t&e ris1 of
occasional errors( Cu)ment of courts s&oul "ecome final at
some efinite ate fi*e "# la%. Interest rei 'u"licae ut finis
sit litium +:# 0a# $s. 0rossfiel( /9 P&il. 7.-( an ot&er
cases cite in . Horan( 0omments on t&e Rules of 0ourt
->?/ E.( '. /..,.
- jann - 24
Petitioners( as &eirs an successors of t&e late Berna"e e la
0erna( are conclue "# t&e ->/> ecree amittin) &is %ill to
'ro"ate. T&e contention t&at "ein) $oi t&e %ill cannot "e
$aliate( o$erloo1s t&at t&e ultimate ecision on %&et&er an
act is $ali or $oi rests %it& t&e courts( an &ere t&e# &a$e
s'o1en %it& finalit# %&en t&e %ill %as 'ro"ate in ->/>. On
t&is count( t&e ismissal of t&eir action for 'artition %as
correct.
But t&e 0ourt of A''eals s&oul &a$e ta1en into account
also( to a$oi future misunerstanin)( t&at t&e 'ro"ate
ecree in ->/> coul onl# affect t&e s&are of t&e ecease
&us"an( Berna"e e la 0erna. It coul not inclue t&e
is'osition of t&e s&are of t&e %ife( Ger$asia Re"aca( %&o
%as t&en still ali$e( an o$er %&ose interest in t&e conCu)al
'ro'erties t&e 'ro"ate court ac!uire no Curisiction(
'recisel# "ecause &er estate coul not t&en "e in issue. Be it
remem"ere t&at 'rior to t&e 0i$il 0oe( a %ill coul not "e
'ro"ate urin) t&e testator@s lifetime.
It follo%s t&at t&e $aliit# of t&e Coint %ill( in so far as t&e
estate of t&e %ife %as concerne( must "e( on &er eat&(
ree*amine an aCuicate e no$o +from t&e "e)innin),(
since a Coint %ill is consiere a se'arate %ill of eac& testator.
T&us re)are( t&e &olin) of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
0e"u t&at t&e Coint %ill is one 'ro&i"ite "# la% %as correct
as to t&e 'artici'ation of t&e ecease Ger$asia Re"aca in
t&e 'ro'erties in !uestion( for t&e reasons e*tensi$el#
iscusse in our ecision in Bil"ao $s. Bil"ao( 97 P&il. -44(
t&at e*'laine t&e 're$ious &olin) in Hacro&on $s.
Saa$era( 7- P&il.( .?7. T&erefore( t&e uni$ie interest of
Ger$asia Re"aca s&oul 'ass u'on &er eat& to &er &eirs
intestate( an not e*clusi$el# to t&e testamentar# &eir( unless
some ot&er $ali %ill in &er fa$or is s&o%n to e*ist( or unless
s&e "e t&e onl# &eir intestate of sai Ger$asia. It is
unnecessar# to em'&asi4e t&at t&e fact t&at Coint %ills s&oul
"e in common usa)e coul not ma1e t&em $ali %&en our
0i$il 0oes consistentl# in$aliate t&em( "ecause la%s are
onl# re'eale "# ot&er su"se!uent la%s( an no usa)e to t&e
contrar# ma# 're$ail a)ainst t&eir o"ser$ance.
E. La% Do!erning Content
-. As to time
Art. ..91. -ights to the inheritance of a person %ho died,
%ith or %itho"t a %ill, efore the effecti!ity of this Code,
shall e go!erned y the Ci!il Code of (::2, y other
pre!io"s la%s, and y the -"les of Co"rt. The
inheritance of those %ho, %ith or %itho"t a %ill, die after
the eginning of the effecti!ity of this Code, shall e
ad'"dicated and distri"ted in accordance %ith this ne%
ody of la%s and y the -"les of Co"rt@ "t the
testa#entary pro!isions shall e carried o"t insofar as
they #ay e per#itted y this Code. Therefore, legiti#es,
etter#ents, legacies and e="ests shall e respected@
ho%e!er, their a#o"nt shall e red"ced if in no other
#anner can e!ery co#p"lsory heir e gi!en his f"ll
share according to this Code. /-"le (.a0
T&e ecisi$e fact %&ic& )i$es ori)in to t&e ri)&t of &eirs(
e$isees an le)atees is t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&is is
t&e "asis of t&e 'resent article. T&us( t&e 'ro$isions of t&e
ne% coe rela*in) t&e ri)iit# of t&e rules of t&e ol coe
re)arin) 'roof or reco)nition of natural c&ilren( %ere &el
ina''lica"le to one claimin) reco)nition an a s&are in t&e
estate of t&e alle)e natural fat&er %&o ie "efore t&e ne%
coe %ent into effect.
.. As to successional ri)&ts
Art. -*. 5eal property as well as personal property is
sub1ect to the law of the country where it is
stipulated.
'owever, intestate and testamentary successions,
both with respect to the order of succession and to
the amount of successional ri!hts and to the
intrinsic validity of testamentary provisions, shall be
re!ulated by the national law of the person whose
succession is under consideration, whatever may be
the nature of the property and re!ardless of the
country wherein said property may be found. (-2a)
T&e istri"ution of t&e estate is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e ecease< t&e 'resent article a''lies in suc&
case. It ma# in$ol$e $arious !uestions suc& as;
-. orer of succession in intestac#
.. intrinsic $aliit# of a %ill
/. e*tent of 'ro'ert# an &eir is entitle
4. ca'acit# to succee of &eirs
7. !uestions of 'reterition( isin&eritance( an
collation.
In a"o$e cases( t&e national la% of t&e eceent a''lies an
t&e ratio of %&ic& is state "# :ean 0a'istrano in t&is %ise;
Bit& re)ar to succession t&ere is onl# one %ill( e*'ress in
testatmentar# an 'resume in intestate succession. T&e
oneness an uni$ersalit# of t&e in&eritance cannot "e i$ie
or "ro1en u' merel# "ecause of t&e ifferent countries %&ere
t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate are situate.
T&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill of a forei)ner
%&o ies in t&e P&ili''ines is to "e etermine "# t&e la%s of
&is o%n state or countr#( an not "# t&ose of t&e P&ili''ines.
T&e secon 'ara)ra'& of t&is article can onl# in$o1e %&en
t&e ecease eas $este %it& a esceni"le interest in
'ro'ert# %it&in t&e Curisiction of t&e P&ili''ines.
B&en a forei)n la% is in$o1e it must "e 'ro$e. +fluemer $s.
Ai*,
In re the estate of A#os D. Bellis
Amos G. Bellis( "orn in Te*as( %as 8a citi4en of t&e State of
Te*as an of t&e Inite States.8 B# &is first %ife( Har# E.
Hallen( %&om &e i$orce( &e &a fi$e le)itimate c&ilren;
E%ar A. Bellis( Geor)e Bellis +%&o 'reDecease &im in
infanc#,( Aenr# A. Bellis( Ale*aner Bellis an Anna Bellis
Allsman< "# &is secon %ife( Violet Kenne#( %&o sur$i$e
&im( &e &a t&ree le)itimate c&ilren; E%in G. Bellis( Balter
S. Bellis an :orot&# Bellis< an finall#( &e &a t&ree
ille)itimate c&ilren; Amos Bellis( Gr.( Haria 0ristina Bellis an
Hiriam Palma Bellis.
On Au)ust 7( ->7.( Amos G. Bellis e7ec"ted a %ill in the
4hilippines( in %&ic& &e irecte t&at after all ta*es(
o"li)ations( an e*'enses of aministration are 'ai for( &is
istri"uta"le estate s&oul "e i$ie( in trust( in t&e follo%in)
orer an manner; +a, R.4=(===.== to &is first %ife( Har# E.
Hallen< +", P-.=(===.== to &is t&ree ille)itimate c&ilren(
Amos Bellis( Gr.( Haria 0ristina Bellis( an Hiriam Palma
Bellis( or P4=(===.== eac& an +c, after t&e fore)oin) t%o
items &a$e "een satisfie( t&e remainer s&all )o to &is
- jann - 25
se$en sur$i$in) c&ilren "# &is first an secon %i$es(
namel#; E%ar A. Bellis( Aenr# A. Bellis( Ale*aner Bellis(
an Anna Bellis Allsman( E%in G. Bellis( Balter S. Bellis(
an :orot&# E. Bellis( in e!ual s&ares.
Su"se!uentl#( or on Gul# 9( ->79( Amos G. Bellis ie( a
resient of San Antonio( Te*as( I.S.A. Ais %ill %as amitte
to 'ro"ate in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Hanila on
Se'tem"er -7( ->79.
T&e Peo'le@s Ban1 an Trust 0om'an#( as e*ecutor of t&e
%ill( 'ai all t&e "e!uests t&erein incluin) t&e amount of
R.4=(===.== in t&e form of s&ares of stoc1 to Har# E. Hallen
an to t&e t&ree +/, ille)itimate c&ilren( Amos Bellis( Gr.(
Haria 0ristina Bellis an Hiriam Palma Bellis( $arious
amounts totallin) P4=(===.== eac& in satisfaction of t&eir
res'ecti$e le)acies( or a total of P-.=(===.==( %&ic& it
release from time to time accorin) as t&e lo%er court
a''ro$e an allo%e t&e $arious motions or 'etitions file
"# t&e latter t&ree re!uestin) 'artial a$ances on account of
t&eir res'ecti$e le)acies.
On Ganuar# -7( ->?4( Haria 0ristina Bellis an Hiriam Palma
Bellis file t&eir res'ecti$e o''ositions to t&e 'roCect of
'artition on t&e )roun t&at t&e# %ere e'ri$e of t&eir
le)itimes as ille)itimate c&ilren an( t&erefore( com'ulsor#
&eirs of t&e ecease.
Article -?( 'ar. .( an Art. -=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( rener
a''lica"le t&e national la% of t&e eceent( in intestate or
testamentar# successions( %it& re)ar to four items; +a, t&e
orer of succession< +", t&e amount of successional ri)&ts<
+c, t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill< an +,
t&e ca'acit# to succee. T&e# 'ro$ie t&at S
8Art -?. Real 'ro'ert# as %ell as 'ersonal 'ro'ert#
is su"Cect to t&e la% of t&e countr# %&ere it is
situate.
8Ao%e$er8( intestate an testamentar#
successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e orer of
succession an to t&e amount of successional
ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of testamentar#
'ro$isions( s&all "e reg"lated y the national
la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is uner
consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of t&e
'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
8Art. -=/>. 0a'acit# to succee is
)o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e nation of t&e
eceent.8
A''ellants %oul &o%e$er counter t&at Article -7( 'ara)ra'&
t&ree( of t&e 0i$il 0oe( statin) t&at S
8Pro&i"iti$e la%s concernin) 'ersons( t&eir acts or
'ro'ert#( an t&ose %&ic& &a$e for t&eir o"Cect
'u"lic orer( 'u"lic 'olic# an )oo customs s&all
not "e renere ineffecti$e "# la%s( or Cu)ments
'romul)ate( or "# eterminations or con$entions
a)ree u'on in a forei)n countr#.8
're$ails as t&e e*ce'tion to Art. -?( 'ar. . of t&e 0i$il 0oe
afore!uote. T&is is not correct. Precisel#( 0on)ress elete
t&e '&rase( 8not%it&stanin) t&e 'ro$isions of t&is an t&e
ne*t 'recein) article8 %&en t&e# incor'orate Art. -- of t&e
ol 0i$il 0oe as Art. -7 of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe( %&ile
re'roucin) %it&out su"stantial c&an)e t&e secon
'ara)ra'& of Art. -= of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe as Art. -? in t&e
ne%. It must &a$e "een t&eir 'ur'ose to ma1e t&e secon
'ara)ra'& of Art. -? a s'ecific 'ro$ision in itself %&ic& must
"e a''lie in testate an intestate successions. As furt&er
inication of t&is le)islati$e intent( 0on)ress ae a ne%
'ro$ision( uner Art. -=/>( %&ic& ecrees t&at ca'acit# to
succee is to "e )o$erne "# t&e national la% of t&e
eceent.
It is t&erefore e$ient t&at %&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo
customs ma# "e in$ol$e in our s#stem of le)itimes(
0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten t&e same to t&e
succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as s'ecificall# c&osen
to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of successional ri)&ts( to t&e
eceent@s national La%. S'ecific 'ro$isions must 're$ail
o$er )eneral ones.
A''ellants %oul also 'oint out t&at t&e eceent e*ecute
t%o %ills S one to )o$ern &is Te*as estate an t&e ot&er &is
P&ili''ine estate S ar)uin) from t&is t&at &e intene
P&ili''ine la% to )o$ern &is P&ili''ine estate. Assumin) t&at
suc& %as t&e eceent@s intention in e*ecutin) a se'arate
P&ili''ine %ill( it %oul not alter t&e la%( for as t&is 0ourt
rule in Hiciano $s. Brimo( 7= P&il. 9?7( 97=( a 'ro$ision in a
forei)ner@s %ill to t&e effect t&at &is 'ro'erties s&all "e
istri"ute in accorance %it& P&ili''ine la% an not %it& &is
national la%( is ille)al an $oi( for &is national la% cannot "e
i)nore in re)ar to t&ose matters t&at Article -= S no%
Article -? S of t&e 0i$il 0oe states sai national la% s&oul
)o$ern.
T&e 'arties amit t&at t&e eceent( Amos G. Bellis( %as a
citi4en of t&e State of Te*as( I.S.A.( an t&at uner t&e la%s
of Te*as( t&ere are no force &eirs or le)itimes. Accorin)l#(
since t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$ision of t&e %ill an t&e
amount of successional ri)&ts are to "e etermine uner
Te*as la%( t&e P&ili''ine la% on le)itimes cannot "e a''lie
to t&e testac# of Amos G. Bellis.
Cayetano !s. Leonides (.2 SC-A 3..
On Ganuar# /-( ->77( Aoracion 0. 0am'os ie( lea$in)
&er fat&er( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os an &er sisters(
'ri$ate res'onent Nenita 0. Pa)uia( Remeios 0. Lo'e4
an Harieta 0. Heina as t&e sur$i$in) &eirs. As
Aermo)enes 0am'os %as t&e onl# com'ulsor# &eir( &e
e*ecute an Affia$it of ACuication uner Rule 74( Section I
of t&e Rules of 0ourt %&ere"# &e aCuicate unto &imself
t&e o%ners&i' of t&e entire estate of t&e ecease Aoracion
0am'os.
Ele$en mont&s after( on No$em"er .7( ->77( Nenita 0.
Pa)uia file a 'etition for t&e re'ro"ate of a %ill of t&e
ecease( Aoracion 0am'os( %&ic& %as alle)el# e*ecute
in t&e Inite States an for &er a''ointment as aministratri*
of t&e estate of t&e ecease testatri*.
In &er 'etition( Nenita alle)e t&at t&e testatri* %as an
American citi4en at t&e time of &er eat& an %as a
'ermanent resient of 4?// :itman Street( P&ilael'&ia(
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.< t&at t&e testatri* ie in Hanila on
Ganuar# /-( ->77 %&ile tem'oraril# resiin) %it& &er sister at
.-?7 Le$eri4a( Halate( Hanila< t&at urin) &er lifetime( t&e
testatri* mae &er last %ill an testament on Gul# -=( ->77(
accorin) to t&e la%s of Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( nominatin)
Bilfreo Bar4a)a of Ne% Gerse# as e*ecutor< t&at after t&e
testatri*@ eat&( &er last %ill an testament %as 'resente(
'ro"ate( allo%e( an re)istere %it& t&e Re)istr# of Bills at
t&e 0ount# of P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( t&at 0lement L.
HcLau)&lin( t&e aministrator %&o %as a''ointe after :r.
Bar4a)a &a ecline an %ai$e &is a''ointment as
e*ecutor in fa$or of t&e former( is also a resient of
- jann - 26
P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( an t&at t&erefore( t&ere is an ur)ent
nee for t&e a''ointment of an aministratri* to aminister
an e$entuall# istri"ute t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate locate
in t&e P&ili''ines.
Hean%&ile( on Gune ?( ->9.( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os
ie an left a %ill( %&ic&( incientall# &as "een !uestione
"# t&e res'onent( &is c&ilren an force &eirs as( on its
face 'atentl# null an $oi( an a fa"rication( a''ointin) Poll#
0a#etano as t&e e*ecutri* of &is last %ill an testament.
0a#etano( t&erefore( file a motion to su"stitute &erself as
'etitioner in t&e instant case %&ic& %as )rante "# t&e court
on Se'tem"er -/( ->9..
ISSIE; B&et&er or not a com'ulsor# &eir ma# "e $alil#
e*clue "# a %ill e*ecute "# a forei)n testatorF
AEL:; JES
RATIO; Alt&ou)& on its face( t&e %ill a''eare to &a$e
'reterite t&e 'etitioner an t&us( t&e res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e enie its re'ro"ate outri)&t( t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents &a$e sufficientl# esta"lis&e t&at Aoracion %as(
at t&e time of &er eat&( an American citi4en an a
'ermanent resient of P&ilael'&ia( Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.
T&erefore( uner Article -? 'ar. +., an -=/> of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& res'ecti$el# 'ro$ie;
Art. -? 'ar. +.,.8Ao%e$er( intestate an
testamentar# successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e
orer of succession an to t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is
uner consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of
t&e 'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
Art. -=/>.80a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e eceent.8
t&e la% %&ic& )o$erns Aoracion 0am'o@s %ill is t&e la% of
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( %&ic& is t&e national la% of t&e
eceent. Alt&ou)& t&e 'arties amit t&at t&e Penns#l$ania
la% oes not 'ro$ie for le)itimes an t&at all t&e estate ma#
"e )i$en a%a# "# t&e testatri* to a com'lete stran)er( t&e
'etitioner ar)ues t&at suc& la% s&oul not a''l# "ecause it
%oul "e contrar# to t&e soun an esta"lis&e 'u"lic 'olic#
an %oul run counter to t&e s'ecific 'ro$isions of P&ili''ine
La%.
It is a settle rule t&at as re)ars t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( as 'ro$ie for "# Article -? +., an
-=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e national la% of t&e eceent must
a''l#. T&is %as s!uarel# a''lie in t&e case of Bellis $. Bellis
+.= S0RA /79, %&erein %e rule;8It is t&erefore e$ient t&at
%&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo customs ma# "e in$ol$e in
our s#stem of le)itimes( 0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten
t&e same to t&e succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as
s'ecificall# c&osen to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts( to t&e eceent@s national la%. S'ecific
'ro$isions must 're$ail o$er )eneral ones.
III. TESTAHENTARJ 0APA0ITJ
A. B&o ma# ma1e a %illF
Art. 79*. All persons who are not e&pressly
prohibited by law may ma+e a will. (**$)
Art. 797. 0ersons of either se& under ei!hteen years
of a!e cannot ma+e a will. (n)
Art. 79#. n order to ma+e a will it is essential that
the testator be of sound mind at the time of its
e&ecution. (n)
Art. 799. "o be of sound mind, it is not necessary
that the testator be in full possession of all his
reasonin! faculties, or that his mind be wholly
unbro+en, unimpaired, or unshattered by disease,
in1ury or other cause.
t shall be sufficient if the testator was able at the
time of ma+in! the will to +now the nature of the
estate to be disposed of, the proper ob1ects of his
bounty, and the character of the testamentary act.
(n)
B: re!uisite of sanity to e%ecute a will is based on the
testator"s ability to $now three thins:
4. :ature of the estate to be disposed> the
testator should have a fairly accurate $nowlede of
what he owns. Accurate should be understood in the
relative sense. The more one owns the less accurate
is one"s $nowlede of his estate e%pected to be.
2enry .y miht have a far less accurate picture of
his economic empire than a poverty stric$en laborer.
5. 0roper ob1ects of his bounty> under ordinary
circumstances& the testator should $now his
relatives in the pro%imate derees. As the deree of
relationship oes further& it is less li$ely that he
$nows them.
6. 6haracter of the testamentary act> it is not
re!uired& in order for this re!uisite to be present&
that the testator $now the leal nature of a will with
the erudition of a civilest. All that he need $now is
that the document he is e%ecutin is one that
disposes of his property upon death.
T: :either sic$ness& old ae& deafness& senile debility&
blindness& nor poor memory is by itself sufficient to establish
a presumption of lac$ of testamentary capacity& actual
insanity need not e%ist in order that a person may be said to
lac$ testamentary capacity. 't is enouh that the mental
condition be such that there is want of understandin of the
nature and conse!uences of the disposition by will.
Art. #22. "he law presumes that every person is of
sound mind, in the absence of proof to the contrary.
"he burden of proof that the testator was not of
sound mind at the time of ma+in! his dispositions is
on the person who opposes the probate of the will.
but if the testator, one month, or less, before ma+in!
his will was publicly +nown to be insane, the person
who maintains the validity of the will must prove
that the testator made it durin! a lucid interval. (n)
Art. #2-. 9upervenin! incapacity does not invalidate
an effective will, nor is the will of an incapable
validated by the supervenin! of capacity. (n)
- jann - 27
The capacity of the person who leaves a will is to be
determined as of the time of e%ecution of such will. Any prior
or subse!uent incapacity will not affect the validity of the
will. 't will& however& in cases of prior incapacity within 60
days from the ma$in of the will merely shift the burden of
proof of capacity on the person maintainin the validity of the
will. DArt. 800E
Art. #2$. A married woman may ma+e a will without
the consent of her husband, and without the
authority of the court. (n)
Art. #2%. A married woman may dispose by will of all
her separate property as well as her share of the
con1u!al partnership or absolute community
property. (n)

B. Su'er$enin) Inca'acit#
Art. #2-. 9upervenin! incapacity does not invalidate
an effective will, nor is the will of an incapable
validated by the supervenin! of capacity. (n)
The capacity of the person who leaves a will is to be
determined as of the time of e%ecution of such will. Any prior
or subse!uent incapacity will not affect the validity of the
will. 't will& however& in cases of prior incapacity within 60
days from the ma$in of the will merely shift the burden of
proof of capacity on the person maintainin the validity of the
will. DArt. 800E
IV. SOLEHNITIES O2 BILLS
A. Kins of Bills
Art. #2/. 4very will must be in writin! and e&ecuted
in a lan!ua!e or dialect +nown to the testator. (n)
T: the followin are the advantaes of a holoraphic will:
4. simple and easy to ma$e for those aE who have no means to
employ a lawyer& bEwho are timid and wants to reread their
wills before sinin& cE those who have only very little
property to dispose
5. 't induces foreiners in this 0urisdiction to set down their
last wishes(
6. uaranties the absolute secrecy of the testamentary
disposition because it is not witnessed.
The disadvantaes are:
4. does not auranty testamentary capacity of testator(
5. no protection aainst vices of consent which may not be
$nown in case of death(
6. due to faulty e%pression& it may not e%press the true will of
the testator(
4. for the same reason& it can be easily concealed.
/ay a blind testator ma$e a valid holoraphic will@ There is
no !uestion as to notarial wills it bein allowed under the law
provided the will was read twice to the testator. As to
holoraphic wills& it is submitted that it may be allowed. The
testator& havin written the holoraphic will by his own hand&
$nows what it contains. 2e may have learned to write before
he became blind& or inspite of his blindness. This view has
been sustained in <ouisiana& where it has been held that
blindness does not of itself prevent the ma$in of a valid
holoraphic.
A 2# may be in any form& but the intent to dispose mortis
causa must clearly appear in the conte%t.
#hat would be the effect of words written by another and
inserted amon the words written by the testator@
4. if insertion was made after e%ecution bu wFo consent& such
is deemed not written(
5. if the insertion was after e%ecution with the consent of
testator& the will remains valid but the insertion void(
6. if insertion was after e%ecution and validated by testator by
his sinature& the entire will is void because it is not wholly
written by the testator himself(
4. if insertion is contemporaneous to the e%ecution the effect
same as no. 6.
As to date& the day& month& and year on which the will was
made should be indicated therein. The day and the month&
however& may be indicated by implication& so lon as the
desination leaves no room for doubt as to e%act date.
The validity of the holoraphic will is defeated by the fact that
part of the date is printed. .uch as that written on a daily
planner thouh the contents are entirely written by the hand
but the testator relied on the date indicated on the planner&
the same is still e%trinsically void.
.inatures of witnesses to a 2# will not invalidate the will&
but will be disrearded as a mere surplusae.
B. Notarial Biils
-. General Re!uirements
Our la% oes not reco)ni4e nuncu'ati$e %ills( %&ic& is one
t&at is not %ritten( "ut orall# eclare "# t&e testator in &is
last illness( in contem'lation of eat&( an "efore a sufficient
num"er of com'etent %itnesses.
- jann - 28
T&e a"o$e re!uirement a''lies to "ot& &olo)ra'&ic an
notarial. In notarial %ills it is immaterial %&o 'erforms t&e
mec&anical act %ritin) t&e %ill( so lon) as t&e testator si)ns it
or &as some"o# si)n &is name in &is 'resence u'on &is
irection.
As to t&e lan)ua)e or ialect( %&en a %ill is e*ecute in a
certain 'ro$ince or localit#( in t&e ialect currentl# use in
suc& 'ro$ince or localit#( t&ere arises a 'resum'tion t&at t&e
testator 1ne% t&e ialect so use( in t&e a"sence of contrar#
e$ience. It is not re!uire t&at t&e %ill e*'ress t&at t&e
lan)ua)e is 1no%n "# t&e testator it is a fact %&ic& ma# "e
'ro$e "# e$ience aliune.
T&e attestation clause of an orinar# %ill oes not &a$e to "e
%ritten in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to t&e testator. It is not
'art of t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&e lan)ua)e use in
t&e attestation clause oes not e$en &a$e to "e 1no%n to t&e
%itness< it s&oul( &o%e$er( "e translate to t&em.
S"ro&a !s. +on. +onrado
Hauro Suro4a( a cor'oral in t&e 47t& Infantr# of t&e I.S.
Arm# +P&ili''ine Scouts,( 2ort HcKinle#( marrie Harcelina
Sal$aor in ->./ +'. -7=( S'ec. Proc. No. 79-?,. T&e# %ere
c&illess. T&e# reare a "o# name A)a'ito %&o use t&e
surname Suro4a an %&o consiere t&em as &is 'arents as
s&o%n in &is ->47 marria)e contract %it& Nenita e Vera +'.
-7( Rollo of 0ADG.R. No. =9?74( '. -49( Rollo of Testate
0ase s&o%in) t&at A)a'ito %as 7 #ears ol %&en Hauro
marrie Harcelina in ->./,.
Hauro ie in ->4.. Harcelina( as a $eteran@s %io%(
"ecame a 'ensioner of t&e 2eeral Go$ernment. T&at
e*'lains %&# on &er eat& s&e &a accumulate some cas&
in t%o "an1s.
A)a'ito an Nenita "e)ot a c&il name Lilia %&o "ecame a
meical tec&nolo)ist an %ent a"roa. A)a'ito also "ecame
a solier. Ae %as isa"le an &is %ife Nenita %as a''ointe
as &is )uarian in ->7/ %&en &e %as eclare an
incom'etent in S'ecial Proceein)s No. -9=7 of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of Ri4al( Pasi) Branc& I +'. -?( Rollo of 0AD
G.R. No. =9?74DR,
In t&at connection( it s&oul "e note t&at a %oman name
Arsenia e la 0ru4 %ante also to "e &is )uarian in anot&er
'roceein). Arsenia trie to 'ro$e t&at Nenita %as li$in)
se'aratel# from A)a'ito an t&at s&e +Nenita, amitte to
Harcelina t&at s&e %as unfait&ful to A)a'ito +''. ?-D?/(
Recor of testate case,
Gu)e Bien$enio A. Tan ismisse t&e secon )uarians&i'
'roceein) an confirme Nenita@s a''ointment as )uarian
of A)a'ito +'. -?( Rollo of 0A case,. A)a'ito &as "een
sta#in) in a $eteran@s &os'ital in San 2rancisco or Palo Alto(
0alifornia +'. 97( Recor,
On a ate not inicate in t&e recor( t&e s'ouses Antonio S#
an Aermo)ena Talan "e)ot a c&il name Haril#n S#( %&o(
%&en a fe% a#s ol( %as entruste to Arsenia e la 0ru4
+a''arentl# a )irl frien of A)a'ito, an %&o %as later
eli$ere to Harcelina Sal$aor Suro4a %&o "rou)&t &er u'
as a su''ose au)&ter of A)a'ito an as &er
)ranau)&ter +''. ./D.?( Rollo of 0ADG.R. No. SPD=9?74D
R,. Haril#n use t&e surname Suro4a. S&e sta#e %it&
Harcelina "ut %as not le)all# ao'te "# A)a'ito. S&e
marrie Oscar Herano an is resiin) at 7??? G.B. Ro*as
Street( Ha1ati( a''arentl# a nei)&"or of Harina PaCe( a
resient of 7??9 G.B. Ro*as Street.
Carcelina s"pposedly e7ec"ted a notarial %ill in Canila
on E"ly .1, (281, %hen she %as 81 years old. That %ill,
%hich is in English, %as th"# #ar;ed y her. She %as
illiterate. +er letters in English to the 5eterans
Ad#inistration %ere also th"# #ar;ed y her +''. /9D
/>( 0A Rollo,. In that %ill, Carcelina e="eathed all her
estate to her s"pposed grandda"ghter Carilyn.
On A'ril .4( Nenita file in t&e testate case an omni"us
'etition 8to set asie 'roceein)s( amit o''osition %it&
counterD'etition of aministration an 'reliminar# inCunction.8
Nenita in t&at motion reiterate &er alle)ation t&at Haril#n
%as a stran)er to Harcelina( t&at t&e %ill %as not ul#
e*ecute an atteste( t&at it %as 'rocure "# means of
unue influence em'lo#e "# Harina an Haril#n an t&at
t&e t&um" mar1s of t&e testatri* %ere 'rocure "# frau or
tric1.
A"out ten mont&s later( in a $erifie com'laint ate Octo"er
-.(->79( file in t&is 0ourt( Nenita c&ar)e Gu)e Aonrao
%it& &a$in) 'ro"ate t&e frauulent %ill of Harcelina. T&e
com'lainant reiterate &er contention t&at t&e testatri* %as
illiterate as s&o%n "# t&e fact t&at s&e affi*e &er t&um" mar1
to t&e %ill an t&at s&e i not 1no% En)lis&( t&e lan)ua)e in
%&ic& t&e %ill %as %ritten. +In t&e ecree of 'ro"ate Gu)e
Aonrao i not ma1e an# finin) t&at t&e %ill %as %ritten in
a lan)ua)e 1no%n to t&e testatri*,.
Nenita furt&er alle)e t&at Gu)e Aonrao( in s'ite of &is
1no%le)e t&at t&e testatri* &a a son name A)a'ito +t&e
testatri*@s su''ose sole com'ulsor# an le)al &eir,( %&o
%as 'reterite in t&e %ill( i not ta1e into account t&e
conse!uences of suc& a 'reterition.
Be &ol t&at isci'linar# action s&oul "e ta1en a)ainst
res'onent Cu)e for &is im'ro'er is'osition of t&e testate
case %&ic& mi)&t &a$e resulte in a miscarria)e of Custice
"ecause t&e eceent@s le)al &eirs an not t&e institute
&eiress in t&e $oi %ill s&oul &a$e in&erite t&e eceent@s
estate.
A Cu)e ma# "e criminall# lia"le for 1no%in)l# renerin) an
unCust Cu)ment or interlocutor# orer or renerin) a
manifestl# unCust Cu)ment or interlocutor# orer "# reason of
ine*cusa"le ne)li)ence or i)norance +Arts. .=4 to .=?(
Re$ise Penal 0oe,
In t&is case( res'onent Cu)e( on 'erusin) t&e %ill an
notin) t&at it %as %ritten in En)lis& an %as t&um" mar1e
"# an o"$iousl# illiterate testatri*( coul &a$e reail#
'ercei$e t&at t&e %ill is $oi.
In t&e o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e %ill( it %as state t&at
En)lis& %as a lan)ua)e 8unerstoo an 1no%n8 to t&e
testatri*. But in its concluin) 'ara)ra'&( it %as state t&at
t&e %ill %as rea to t&e testatri* 8an translate into 2ili'ino
lan)ua)e.8 +'. -?( Recor of testate case, T&at coul onl#
mean t&at t&e %ill %as %ritten in a lan)ua)e not 1no%n to t&e
illiterate testatri* an( t&erefore( it is $oi "ecause of t&e
manator# 'ro$ision of Article 9=4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe t&at
e$er# %ill must "e e*ecute in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to
t&e testator. T&us( a %ill %ritten in En)lis&( %&ic& %as not
1no%n to t&e I)orot testator( is $oi an %as isallo%e
+Aco' $s. Piraso( 7. P&il. ??=,
- jann - 29
T&e &ast# 're'aration of t&e %ill is s&o%n in t&e attestation
clause an notarial ac1no%le)ment %&ere Harcelina
Sal$aor Suro4a is re'eatel# referre to as t&e 8testator8
instea of 8testatri*.8
Aa res'onent Cu)e "een careful an o"ser$ant( &e coul
&a$e note not onl# t&e anomal# as to t&e lan)ua)e of t&e
%ill "ut also t&at t&ere %as somet&in) %ron) in institutin) t&e
su''ose )ranau)&ter as sole &eiress an )i$in) not&in)
at all to &er su''ose fat&er %&o %as still ali$e. 2urt&ermore(
after t&e &earin) conucte "# res'onent e'ut# cler1 of
court( res'onent Cu)e coul &a$e notice t&at t&e notar#
%as not 'resente as a %itness.
In s'ite of t&e a"sence of an o''osition( res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e 'ersonall# conucte t&e &earin) on t&e 'ro"ate
of t&e %ill so t&at &e coul &a$e ascertaine %&et&er t&e %ill
%as $alil# e*ecute. Iner t&e circumstances( %e fin &is
ne)li)ence an ereliction of ut# to "e ine*cusa"le.
.. S'ecific Re!uirements
Art. #25. 4very will, other than a holo!raphic will,
must be subscribed at the end thereof by the testator
himself or by the testator3s name written by some
other person in his presence, and by his e&press
direction, and attested and subscribed by three or
more credible witnesses in the presence of the
testator and of one another.
"he testator or the person requested by him to write
his name and the instrumental witnesses of the will,
shall also si!n, as aforesaid, each and every pa!e
thereof, e&cept the last, on the left mar!in, and all
the pa!es shall be numbered correlatively in letters
placed on the upper part of each pa!e.
"he attestation shall state the number of pa!es used
upon which the will is written, and the fact that the
testator si!ned the will and every pa!e thereof, or
caused some other person to write his name, under
his e&press direction, in the presence of the
instrumental witnesses, and that the latter witnessed
and si!ned the will and all the pa!es thereof in the
presence of the testator and of one another.
f the attestation clause is in a lan!ua!e not +nown to
the witnesses, it shall be interpreted to them. (n)
T: The ob0ect of the solemnities surroundin the e%ecution of
wills is to close the door aainst bad faith and fraud& to avoid
sunstitution of wills and testaments and to auranty their
truth and authenticity. Therefore the laws on this sub0ect
should be interpreted in such a way as to attain these
primordial ends. Both one must not lose siht of the fact that
it is not the ob0ect of the law to restrain and curtail the
e%ercise of the riht to ma$e a will.
.ined by Testator
.inin is ma$in a sin& to$en& or emblem( and what that
shall be depends upon the individual. The material thin is
that the testator made the mar$ to authenticate the writin as
his will and whatever he puts on it for that purpose will
suffice.
Attested and subscribed by witnesses
Attestation is the act of the senses& subscription is the act of
the hand( one is mental& the other is mechanical. To attest a
will is to $now that it is published a such& and to certify the
facts re!uired to constitute an actual leal publication( but to
subscribe a paper as a will is only to write on the paper the
names of the witnesses& for the sole purpose of identification.
To attest as witness to a will is therefore to observe& perceive&
discern& and ta$e notice of what is done in e%ecutin a will.
The witness subscribe with his hand& and attest with his eyes
and ears.
?urpose of attestin and subscribin:
4. identification of the instrument(
5. protection of testator fraud and deception and other
vices of consent(
6. to ascertain the T+ of the testator
the witnesses need not even $now the contents of the will
because what they attest to is the due e%ecution and the
sinin of the testator.
't is presumed that a witness has the !ualifications prescribed
by law& unless the contrary is established. 2is credibility
depends upon the appreciation of his testimony and arises
from the belief and appreciation of the court that he is tellin
the truth. 2is competency arise or is re!uired to e%ist at the
time of e%ecution of the will.
As to order of sinin& there are two views:
.trict approach( The eneral rule has been& that everythin
re!uired to be done by the testator in the e%ecution of a will
shall precede in point of time the subscription by the
attestin witness& and if the sinatures of the latter precede
the sinin by the testator there is no proper attestation& and
the will is void& for until the testator has sined& there is no
will and nothin to attest.
<iberal approach( where the witnesses and the testator all
sin in the presence of one another& it is not essential that the
testator sin first& if the sinin and the attestation be parts of
the same transaction( in such case& where the acts are
substantially contemporaneous& it cannot be said that there is
any substantial priority.
The latter view is upheld by most courts. 'n the absence of
proof to the contrary& it will be presumed that the testator
sined first.
?urpose of re!uirin presence of each other:
4. to prevent another paper bein substituted for the
will fraudulently(
5. so that each may be a witness of the other and(
6. to render fabrication of testimony more difficult.
- jann - 30
#hen testator is blind( when witness subscribe his will in the
same room or within reasonable close pro%imity and within
his hearin& they subscribe in his presence. ,vidently& the
rule is that they should be within the coni-ance of his
remainin senses& such that he $nows what is bein done.
The testator and witnesses must sin on the left marin of
every pae& the failure of all of them to sin the left marin is
a fatal defect
The purpose of numberin of paes is to afford a means for
determini whether any sheet or pae of the will has been
removed. ,%cept only when will was written on a sinle pae.
An attestation clause is a memorandum of facts attendin the
e%ecution of the will and is that part of the instrument
wherein the witnesses certify that the instrument has been
e%ecuted before them& and the manner of e%ecution.
The attestation clause duly sined is the best evidence as to
date of sinin
The law does not re!uire the attestation to be contained in a
sinle clause. Thus& where a will did not contain a separate
independent attestation clause& but the concludin pararaph
of the body of the will was written in the tenor of an
attestation& statin the facts re!uired by law to be set forth in
an attestation clause& and the penultimate pararaph of the
will stated the number of paes used& it was held to be
sufficient thouh in the first person and sined by the testator
provided it was sined by the witnesses.
Any failure to state a material fact in the attestation clause
will render the will null and void. )ral evidence will not cure
any alleed defect because the statute of frauds does not
apply to wills. The statute relates to contracts and areement
only this may be cured by the oral ratification of the parties.
9ate> in an ordinary will date is not an essential part. )nly
2# re!uires a date. :either a statement of the place of
e%ecution is re!uired and the absence of both facts does not
invalidate the will.
Art. #2*. 4very will must be ac+nowled!ed before a
notary public by the testator and the witnesses. "he
notary public shall not be required to retain a copy
of the will, or file another with the ;ffice of the 6ler+
of 6ourt. (n)
T: This article applies only to ordinary or attested wills. 't has
no application to a holoraphic will which does not have to be
witnessed. .ince ac$nowledement before a notary public
must be made by the testator and the witness& it is obvious
that the law contemplates only ordinary wills.
The sinin of the will by the testator and the witnesses& and
the ac$nowledement of said will before a notary public need
not be done in a sinle act unli$e the in the old code because
his presence is re!uired due to the fact that he prepares the
will. 1nder the present code& it is enouh that the testator
and witnesses ac$nowlede to him its e%ecution for such
ac$nowledement is indispensable for the validity of the will.
An interval of time may elapse between the actual sinin of
the will and the ac$nowledement before the notary public. 't
is important also that testamentary capacity must e%ist also
at the time of ac$nowledement& because this is an essential
part of the e%ecution of the will.
The purpose of ac$nowledement is to minimi-e fraud and
undue pressure and this purpose can be attained whether
ac$nowledement ta$es place at the same time at same time
as the sinin or at some time thereafter.
The prohibition under this article on the retention of a copy
by the notary is rounded on the desire of the testator to
safeuard the secrecy of the contents of the will durin the
lifetime of the testator so he will not be the ob0ect of
importunities or pressure to chane his will on the part of
desinin persons or relatives& or it may be that the testator
wants to $eep the secret of the will durin his lifetime.
B: .pecial 3e!uirements of attested wills are as follows
4. subscribed by the testator or his aent in his
presence and by his e%press direction at the end
thereof& in the presence of the witnesses
5. attested and subscribed by at least three credible
witnesses in the presence of the testator and of one
another(
6. the testator or his aent must sin every pae e%cept
the last& on the left marin in the presence of the
witnesses(
4. the witnesses must sin every pae e%cept last& on
the left marin in the presence of the testator and of
one another(
7. all paes numbered correlatively in letters above
pae(
8. attestation clause statin:
a. number of paes(
b. testator or his aent under his direction
sined the will and every pae thereof& in
the presence of the witnesses(
c. the witnesses witnessed and sined evry
pae in the presence of testator and of one
another(
=. ac$nowleded before a notary public
Darcia !s. la C"esta
T&is is an a''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals
isallo%in) t&e %ill of Antero Hercao ate Ganuar# /( ->4/.
T&e %ill is %ritten in t&e Ilocano ialect an contains t&e
follo%in) attestation clause;
8Be( t&e unersi)ne( "# t&ese 'resents o eclare
t&at t&e fore)oin) testament of Antero Hercao %as
si)ne "# &imself an also "# us "elo% &is name
an of t&is attestation clause an t&at of t&e left
mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es t&ereof. Pa)e t&ree t&e
- jann - 31
continuation of t&is attestation clause< t&is %ill is
%ritten in Ilocano ialect %&ic& is s'o1en an
unerstoo "# t&e testator( an it "ears t&e
corres'onin) num"er in letter %&ic& com'ose of
t&ree 'a)es an all of t&em %ere si)ne in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an %itnesses( an t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an all an
eac& an e$er# one of us %itnesses.
8In testimon#( %&ereof( %e si)n t&is testament( t&is
t&e t&ir a# of Ganuar#( one t&ousan nine &unre
fort# t&ree( +->4/, A.:.
+S)., 8NIHERIANO EVANGELISTA +S).,
ROSEN:O 0ORTES
+S)., BIBIANA ILLEGIBLE8
T&e %ill a''ears to &a$e "een si)ne "# Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier %&o %rote t&e name of Antero Hercao( follo%e
"elo% "# 8A rue)o el testaor8 an t&e name of 2lorentino
Ga$ier. Antero Hercao is alle)e to &a$e %ritten a cross
immeiatel# after &is name. T&e 0ourt of A''eals( re$ersin)
t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ilocos Norte(
rule t&at t&e attestation clause faile +-, to certif# t&at t&e
%ill %as si)ne on all t&e left mar)ins of t&e t&ree 'a)es an
at t&e en of t&e %ill "# Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier at t&e e*'ress
re!uest of t&e testator in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an
eac& an e$er# one of t&e %itnesses< +., to certif# t&at after
t&e si)nin) of t&e name of t&e testator "# Att#. Ga$ier at t&e
former@s re!uest sai testator &as %ritten a cross at t&e en
of &is name an on t&e left mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es of
%&ic& t&e %ill consists an at t&e en t&ereof< +/, to certif#
t&at t&e t&ree %itnesses si)ne t&e %ill in all t&e 'a)es
t&ereon in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er.
In our o'inion( t&e attestation clause is fatall# efecti$e for
failin) to state t&at Antero Hercao cause Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier to %rite t&e testator@s name uner &is e*'ress
irection( as re!uire "# section ?-9 of t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure. T&e &erein 'etitioner +%&o is a''ealin) "# %a# of
certiorari from t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals, ar)ues(
&o%e$er( t&at t&ere is no nee for suc& recital "ecause t&e
cross %ritten "# t&e testator after &is name is a sufficient
si)nature an t&e si)nature of Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier is a
sur'lusa)e. Petitioner@s t&eor# is t&at t&e cross is as muc& a
si)nature as a t&um"mar1( t&e latter &a$in) "een &el
sufficient "# t&is 0ourt in t&e cases of :e Gala $s. Gon4ales
an Ona( 7/ P&il.( -=4< :olar $s. :iancin( 77 P&il.( 47><
Pa#a $s. Tolentino( ?. P&il.( 949< Ne#ra $s. Ne#ra( 7? P&il.(
.>? an Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9- P&il.( 4.>.
It is not &ere 'retene t&at t&e cross a''earin) on t&e %ill is
t&e usual si)nature of Antero Hercao or e$en one of t&e
%a#s "# %&ic& &e si)ne &is name. After mature reflection(
%e are not 're'are to li1en t&e mere si)n of a cross to a
t&um"mar1( an t&e reason is o"$ious. T&e cross cannot an
oes not &a$e t&e trust%ort&iness of a t&um"mar1.
B&at &as "een sai ma1es it unnecessar# for us to
etermine %&et&er t&ere is a sufficient recital in t&e
attestation clause as to t&e si)nin) of t&e %ill "# t&e testator
in t&e 'resence of t&e %itnesses( an "# t&e latter in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er. B&erefore( t&e
a''eale ecision is &ere"# affirme( %it& costs a)ainst t&e
'etitioner. So orere.
Balona !s. Aellana
A''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Tam"oan)a 0it# amittin) to 'ro"ate t&e %ill of one Anacleta
A"ellana.
8It a''ears on recor t&at t&e last Bill an
Testament +E*&i"it @A@,( %&ic& is sou)&t to "e
'ro"ate( is %ritten in t&e S'anis& lan)ua)e an
consists of t%o +., t#'e%ritten 'a)es +'a)es 4 an 7
of t&e recor, ou"le s'ace. T&e first 'a)e is si)ne
"# Guan Bello an uner &is name a''ears
t#'e%ritten @Por la testaora Anacleta A"ellana(
resience 0ertificate AD--?7?.>( Enero .=( ->7-(
0iua e Tam"oan)a@( an on t&e secon 'a)e
a''ears t&e si)nature of t&e t&ree +/, instrumental
%itnesses Blas Se"astian( 2austino Hacaso an
Rafael I)nacio( at t&e "ottom of %&ic& a''ears t&e
si)nature of T. e los Santos an "elo% &is
si)nature is &is official esi)nation as t&e notar#
'u"lic %&o notari4e t&e sai testament. On t&e first
'a)e on t&e left mar)in of t&e sai instrument also
a''ear t&e si)natures of t&e instrumental %itnesses.
On t&e secon 'a)e( %&ic& is t&e last 'a)e of t&e
sai last Bill an Testament( also a''ears t&e
si)nature of t&e t&ree +/, instrumental %itnesses
an on t&at secon 'a)e on t&e left mar)in a''ears
t&e si)nature of Guan Bello uner %&ose name
a''ears &an%ritten t&e follo%in) '&rase( @Por la
Testaora Anacleta A"ellana@. T&e %ill is ul#
ac1no%le)e "efore Notar# Pu"lic( Attorne#
Timoteo e los Santos.8 +Italics su''lie.,
T&e 'resent la%( Article 9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( in 'art
'ro$ies as follo%s;
8E$er# %ill( ot&er t&an a &olo)ra'&ic %ill( must "e
su"scri"e at t&e en t&ereof "# t&e testator &imself
or "# t&e testator@s name %ritten "# some ot&er
'erson in &is 'resence( an "# &is e*'ress
irection( an atteste an su"scri"e "# t&ree or
more crei"le %itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e
testator an of one anot&er.8 +Italics su''lie.,
Note t&at t&e ol la% as %ell as t&e ne% re!uire t&at t&e
testator &imself si)n t&e %ill( or if &e cannot o so( t&e
testator@s name must "e %ritten "# some ot&er 'erson in &is
'resence an "# &is e*'ress irection. A''l#in) t&is
'ro$ision t&is 0ourt sai in t&e case of E* Parte Pero
Arcenas( et al.( 4 P&il.( 7==;
8It %ill "e notice from t&e a"o$eD!uote section ?-9
of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure t&at %&ere t&e
testator oes not 1no% &o%( or is una"le( to si)n( it
%ill not "e sufficient t&at one of t&e attestin)
%itnesses si)ns t&e %ill at t&e testator@s re!uest( t&e
notar# certif#in) t&ereto as 'ro$ie in article ?>7 of
t&e 0i$il 0oe( %&ic&( in t&is res'ect( %as moifie
"# section ?-9 a"o$e referre to( "ut it is necessar#
t&at t&e testator@s name "e %ritten "# t&e 'erson
si)nin) in &is stea in t&e 'lace %&ere &e %oul
&a$e si)ne if &e 1ne% &o% or %as a"le so to o(
an t&is in t&e testator@s 'resence an "# &is
e*'ress irection< so t&at a %ill si)ne in a manner
ifferent t&an t&at 'rescri"e "# la% s&all not "e
$ali an %ill not "e allo%e to "e 'ro"ate.
T&e same rulin) %as lai o%n in t&e case of 0uison $s.
0once'cion( 7 P&il.( 77.. In t&e case of Barut $s.
0a"acun)an( .- P&il.( 4?-( %e &el t&at t&e im'ortant t&in)
is t&at it clearl# a''ears t&at t&e name of t&e testatri* %as
- jann - 32
si)ne at &er e*'ress irection< it is unim'ortant %&et&er t&e
'erson %&o %rites t&e name of t&e testatri* si)ns &is o%n or
not. 0ases of t&e same im'ort are as follo%s; +E* Parte Guan
One$illa( -/ P&il.( 47>( 0alu#a $s. :omin)o( .7 P&il.( //=<
Garcia $s. Lacuesta( >= P&il.( 49>,.
In t&e case at "ar t&e name of t&e testatri*( Anacleta
A"ellana( oes not a''ear %ritten uner t&e %ill "# sai
A"ellana &erself( or "# :r. Guan A"ello. T&ere is( t&erefore( a
failure to com'l# %it& t&e e*'ress re!uirement in t&e la% t&at
t&e testator must &imself si)n t&e %ill( or t&at &is name "e
affi*e t&ereto "# Some ot&er 'erson in &is 'resence an "#
&is e*'ress irection. It a''earin) t&at t&e a"o$e 'ro$ision of
t&e la% &as not "een com'lie %it&( %e are constraine to
eclare t&at t&e sai %ill of t&e ecease Anacleta A"ellana
ma# not "e amitte to 'ro"ate.
Nera !s. -i#ando
T&e onl# !uestion raise "# t&e e$ience in t&is case as to
t&e ue e*ecution of t&e instrument 'ro'oune as a %ill in
t&e court "elo%( is %&et&er one of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses
%as 'resent in t&e small room %&ere it %as e*ecute at t&e
time %&en t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses
attac&e t&eir si)natures< or %&et&er at t&at time &e %as
outsie( some ei)&t or ten feet a%a#( in a lar)e room
connectin) %it& t&e smaller room "# a oor%a#( across %&ic&
%as &un) a curtain %&ic& mae it im'ossi"le for one in t&e
outsie room to see t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in)
%itnesses in t&e act of attac&in) t&eir si)natures to t&e
instrument.
A maCorit# of t&e mem"ers of t&e court is of o'inion t&at t&is
su"scri"in) %itness %as in t&e small room %it& t&e testator
an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses at t&e time %&en t&e#
attac&e t&eir si)natures to t&e instrument( an t&is finin)(
of course( is'oses of t&e a''eal an necessitates t&e
affirmance of t&e ecree amittin) t&e ocument to 'ro"ate
as t&e last %ill an testament of t&e ecease.
T&e trial Cu)e oes not a''ear to &a$e consiere t&e
etermination of t&is !uestion of fact of $ital im'ortance in t&e
etermination of t&is case( as &e %as of o'inion t&at uner
t&e octrine lai o%n in t&e case of Ga"oneta $s. Gustilo +7
P&il. Re'.( 74-, t&e alle)e fact t&at one of t&e su"scri"in)
%itnesses %as in t&e outer room %&en t&e testator an t&e
ot&er escri"in) %itnesses si)ne t&e instrument in t&e inner
room( &a it "een 'ro$en( %oul not "e sufficient in itself to
in$aliate t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill. But %e are unanimousl#
of o'inion t&at &a t&is su"scri"in) %itness "een 'ro$en to
&a$e "een in t&e outer room at t&e time %&en t&e testator
an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses attac&e t&eir si)natures
to t&e instrument in t&e inner room( it %oul &a$e "een
in$ali as a %ill( t&e attac&in) of t&ose si)natures uner
circumstances not "ein) one 8in t&e 'resence8 of t&e
%itness in t&e outer room. T&is "ecause t&e line of $ision
from t&is %itness to t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in)
%itnesses %oul necessaril# &a$e "een im'ee "# t&e
curtain se'aratin) t&e inner from t&e outer one 8at t&e
moment of inscri'tion of eac& si)nature.8
In t&e case Cust cite( on %&ic& t&e trial court relie( %e &el
t&at;
8T&e true test of 'resence of t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses in t&e e*ecution of a %ill is not %&et&er
t&e# actuall# sa% eac& ot&er si)n( "ut %&et&er t&e#
mi)&t &a$e "een seen eac& ot&er si)n( &a t&e#
c&osen to o so( consierin) t&eir mental an
'&#sical conition an 'osition %it& relation to eac&
ot&er at t&e moment of inscri'tion of eac&
si)nature.8
But it is es'eciall# to "e note t&at t&e 'osition of t&e 'arties
%it& relation to eac& ot&er at t&e moment of t&e su"scri'tion
of eac& si)nature( must "e suc& t&at t&e# ma# see eac&
ot&er si)n if t&e# c&oose to o so. T&is( of course( oes not
mean t&at t&e testator an t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses ma# "e
&el to &a$e e*ecute t&e instrument in t&e 'resence of eac&
ot&er if it a''ears t&at t&e# %oul not &a$e "een a"le to see
eac& ot&er si)n at t&at moment( %it&out c&an)in) t&eir
relati$e 'ositions or e*istin) conitions. T&e e$ience in t&e
case relie u'on "# t&e trial Cu)e iscloses t&at 8at t&e
moment %&en t&e %itness Ga$ellana si)ne t&e ocument &e
%as actuall# an '&#sicall# 'resent an in suc& 'osition %it&
relation to Ga"oneta t&at &e coul see e$er#t&in) t&at too1
'lace "# merel# castin) &is e#es in t&e 'ro'er irection an
%it&out an# '&#sical o"struction to 're$ent &is oin) so.8 An
t&e ecision merel# lai o%n t&e octrine t&at t&e !uestion
%&et&er t&e testator an t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses to an
alle)e %ill si)n t&e instrument in t&e 'resence of eac& ot&er
oes not e'en u'on 'roof of t&e fact t&at t&eir e#es %ere
actuall# cast u'on t&e 'a'er at t&e moment of its su"scri'tion
"# eac& of t&em( "ut t&at at t&at moment e*istin) conitions
an t&eir 'osition %it& relation to eac& ot&er %ere suc& t&at
"# merel# castin) t&e e#es in t&e 'ro'er irection t&e# coul
&a$e seen eac& ot&er si)n. To e*ten t&e octrine furt&er
%oul o'en t&e oor to t&e 'ossi"ilit# of all manner of frau(
su"stitution( an t&e li1e( an %oul efeat t&e 'ur'ose for
%&ic& t&is 'articular conition is 'rescri"e in t&e coe as
one of t&e re!uisites in t&e e*ecution of a %ill.
T&e ecree entere "# t&e court "elo% amittin) t&e
instrument 'ro'oune t&erein to 'ro"ate as t&e last %ill an
testament of Pero Rimano( ecease( is affirme %it&
costs of t&is instance a)ainst t&e a''ellant.
Darcia !s. la C"esta
T&is is an a''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals
isallo%in) t&e %ill of Antero Hercao ate Ganuar# /( ->4/.
T&e %ill is %ritten in t&e Ilocano ialect an contains t&e
follo%in) attestation clause;
8Be( t&e unersi)ne( "# t&ese 'resents o eclare
t&at t&e fore)oin) testament of Antero Hercao %as
si)ne "# &imself an also "# us "elo% &is name
an of t&is attestation clause an t&at of t&e left
mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es t&ereof. Pa)e t&ree t&e
continuation of t&is attestation clause< t&is %ill is
%ritten in Ilocano ialect %&ic& is s'o1en an
unerstoo "# t&e testator( an it "ears t&e
corres'onin) num"er in letter %&ic& com'ose of
t&ree 'a)es an all of t&em %ere si)ne in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an %itnesses( an t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an all an
eac& an e$er# one of us %itnesses.
8In testimon#( %&ereof( %e si)n t&is testament( t&is
t&e t&ir a# of Ganuar#( one t&ousan nine &unre
fort# t&ree( +->4/, A.:.
+S)., 8NIHERIANO EVANGELISTA +S).,
ROSEN:O 0ORTES
- jann - 33
+S)., BIBIANA ILLEGIBLE8
T&e %ill a''ears to &a$e "een si)ne "# Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier %&o %rote t&e name of Antero Hercao( follo%e
"elo% "# 8A rue)o el testaor8 an t&e name of 2lorentino
Ga$ier. Antero Hercao is alle)e to &a$e %ritten a cross
immeiatel# after &is name. T&e 0ourt of A''eals( re$ersin)
t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ilocos Norte(
rule t&at t&e attestation clause faile +-, to certif# t&at t&e
%ill %as si)ne on all t&e left mar)ins of t&e t&ree 'a)es an
at t&e en of t&e %ill "# Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier at t&e e*'ress
re!uest of t&e testator in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an
eac& an e$er# one of t&e %itnesses< +., to certif# t&at after
t&e si)nin) of t&e name of t&e testator "# Att#. Ga$ier at t&e
former@s re!uest sai testator &as %ritten a cross at t&e en
of &is name an on t&e left mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es of
%&ic& t&e %ill consists an at t&e en t&ereof< +/, to certif#
t&at t&e t&ree %itnesses si)ne t&e %ill in all t&e 'a)es
t&ereon in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er.
In our o'inion( t&e attestation clause is fatall# efecti$e for
failin) to state t&at Antero Hercao cause Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier to %rite t&e testator@s name uner &is e*'ress
irection( as re!uire "# section ?-9 of t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure. T&e &erein 'etitioner +%&o is a''ealin) "# %a# of
certiorari from t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals, ar)ues(
&o%e$er( t&at t&ere is no nee for suc& recital "ecause t&e
cross %ritten "# t&e testator after &is name is a sufficient
si)nature an t&e si)nature of Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier is a
sur'lusa)e. Petitioner@s t&eor# is t&at t&e cross is as muc& a
si)nature as a t&um"mar1( t&e latter &a$in) "een &el
sufficient "# t&is 0ourt in t&e cases of :e Gala $s. Gon4ales
an Ona( 7/ P&il.( -=4< :olar $s. :iancin( 77 P&il.( 47><
Pa#a $s. Tolentino( ?. P&il.( 949< Ne#ra $s. Ne#ra( 7? P&il.(
.>? an Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9- P&il.( 4.>.
It is not &ere 'retene t&at t&e cross a''earin) on t&e %ill is
t&e usual si)nature of Antero Hercao or e$en one of t&e
%a#s "# %&ic& &e si)ne &is name. After mature reflection(
%e are not 're'are to li1en t&e mere si)n of a cross to a
t&um"mar1( an t&e reason is o"$ious. T&e cross cannot an
oes not &a$e t&e trust%ort&iness of a t&um"mar1.
B&at &as "een sai ma1es it unnecessar# for us to
etermine %&et&er t&ere is a sufficient recital in t&e
attestation clause as to t&e si)nin) of t&e %ill "# t&e testator
in t&e 'resence of t&e %itnesses( an "# t&e latter in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er. B&erefore( t&e
a''eale ecision is &ere"# affirme( %it& costs a)ainst t&e
'etitioner. So orere.
Taoado !s. -osal
In t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate file %it& t&e res'onent court( t&e
'etitioner attac&e t&e alle)e last %ill an testament of t&e
late :orotea Pere4. Britten in 0e"uanoDVisa#an ialect( t&e
%ill consists of t%o 'a)es. T&e first 'a)e contains t&e entire
testamentar# is'ositions an is si)ne at t&e en or "ottom
of t&e 'a)e "# t&e testatri* alone an at t&e left &an mar)in
"# t&e t&ree +/, instrumental %itnesses. T&e secon 'a)e
%&ic& contains t&e attestation clause an t&e
ac1no%le)ment is si)ne at t&e en of t&e attestation
clause "# t&e t&ree -/, attestin) %itnesses an at t&e left
&an mar)in "# t&e testatri*.
Since no o''osition %as file after t&e 'etitioner@s
com'liance %it& t&e re!uirement of 'u"lications( t&e trial
court commissione t&e "ranc& cler1 of court to recei$e t&e
'etitioner@s e$ience. Accorin)l#( t&e 'etitioner su"mitte &is
e$ience an 'resente Vicente Tim1an)( one of t&e
su"scri"in) %itnesses to t&e %ill( %&o testifie on its
)enuineness an ue e*ecution.
T&e trial court( t&ru t&en Presiin) Gu)e Ramon 0.
Pamatian issue t&e !uestione orer en#in) t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill of :orotea Pere4 for %ant of a formalit# in its
e*ecution. In t&e same orer( t&e 'etitioner %as also re!uire
to su"mit t&e names of t&e intestate &eirs %it& t&eir
corres'onin) aresses so t&at t&e# coul "e 'ro'erl#
notifie an coul inter$ene in t&e summar# settlement of t&e
estate.
T&e res'onent Gu)e inter'rets t&e a"o$eD!uote 'ro$ision
of la% to re!uire t&at( for a notarial %ill to "e $ali( it is not
enou)& t&at onl# t&e testatri* si)ns at t&e 8en8 "ut all t&e
t&ree su"scri"in) %itnesses must also si)n at t&e same 'lace
or at t&e en( in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of one
anot&er "ecause t&e attestin) %itnesses to a %ill attest not
merel# t&e %ill itself "ut also t&e si)nature of t&e testator. It is
not sufficient com'liance to si)n t&e 'a)e( %&ere t&e en of
t&e %ill is foun( at t&e left &an mar)in of t&at 'a)e.
On t&e ot&er &an( t&e 'etitioner maintains t&at Article 9=7 of
t&e 0i$il 0oe oes not ma1e it a conition 'receent or a
matter of a"solute necessit# for t&e e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e
%ill t&at t&e si)natures of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses s&oul
"e s'ecificall# locate at t&e en of t&e %ill after t&e
si)nature of t&e testatri*. Ae contens t&at it %oul "e a"sur
t&at t&e le)islature intene to 'lace so &ea$# an im'ort on
t&e s'ace or 'articular location %&ere t&e si)natures are to
"e foun as lon) as t&is s'ace or 'articular location %&erein
t&e si)natures are foun is consistent %it& )oo fait& an t&e
&onest frailties of &uman nature.
2or t&e $aliit# of a formal notarial %ill( oes Article 9=7 of t&e
0i$il 0oe re!uire t&at t&e testatri* an all t&e t&ree
instrumental an attestin) %itnesses si)n at t&e en of t&e
%ill an in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of one anot&erF
Inou"tel#( uner Article 9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e %ill
must "e su"scri"e or si)ne at its en "# t&e testator
&imself or "# t&e testator@s name %ritten "# anot&er 'erson in
&is 'resence( an "# &is e*'ress irection( an atteste an
su"scri"e "# t&ree or more crei"le %itnesses in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of one anot&er.
It must "e note t&at t&e la% uses t&e terms atteste an
su"scri"e. Attestation consists in %itnessin) t&e testator@s
e*ecution of t&e %ill in orer to see an ta1e note mentall#
t&at t&ose t&in)s are one %&ic& t&e statute re!uires for t&e
e*ecution of a %ill an t&at t&e si)nature of t&e testator e*ists
as a fact. On t&e ot&er &an( su"scri'tion is t&e si)nin) of t&e
%itnesses@ names u'on t&e same 'a'er for t&e 'ur'ose of
ientification of suc& 'a'er as t&e %ill %&ic& %as e*ecute "#
t&e testator. +Ra)sale $. Aill( .?> SB . >--,.
Insofar as t&e re!uirement of su"scri'tion is concerne( it is
our consiere $ie% t&at t&e %ill in t&is case %as su"scri"e
in a manner %&ic& full# satisfies t&e 'ur'ose of ientification.
T&e la% is to "e li"erall# construe( 8t&e unerl#in) an
funamental o"Cecti$e 'ermeatin) t&e 'ro$isions on t&e la%
- jann - 34
on %ills in t&is 'roCect consists in t&e li"erali4ation of t&e
manner of t&eir e*ecution %it& t&e en in $ie% of )i$in) t&e
testator more freeom in e*'ressin) &is last %is&es "ut %it&
sufficient safe)uars an restrictions to 're$ent t&e
commission of frau an t&e e*ercise of unue an im'ro'er
'ressure an influence u'on t&e testator. T&is o"Cecti$e is in
accor %it& t&e moern tenenc# in res'ect to t&e formalities
in t&e e*ecution of a %ill8 +Re'ort of t&e 0oe 0ommission( '.
-=/,.
T&e o"Cects of attestation an of su"scri'tion %ere full# met
an satisfie in t&e 'resent case %&en t&e instrumental
%itnesses si)ne at t&e left mar)in of t&e sole 'a)e %&ic&
contains all t&e testamentar# is'ositions( es'eciall# so %&en
t&e %ill %as 'ro'erl# ientifie "# su"scri"in) %itness Vicente
Tim1an) to "e t&e same %ill e*ecute "# t&e testatri*. T&ere
%as no !uestion of frau or su"stitution "e&in t&e
!uestione orer.
Be &a$e e*amine t&e %ill in !uestion an notice t&at t&e
attestation clause faile to state t&e num"er of 'a)es use in
%ritin) t&e %ill. T&is %oul &a$e "een a fatal efect %ere it
not for t&e fact t&at( in t&is case( it is iscerni"le from t&e
entire %ill t&at it is reall# an actuall# com'ose of onl# t%o
'a)es ul# si)ne "# t&e testatri* an &er instrumental
%itnesses. As earlier state( t&e first 'a)e %&ic& contains t&e
entiret# of t&e testamentar# is'ositions is si)ne "# t&e
testatri* at t&e en or at t&e "ottom %&ile t&e instrumental
%itnesses si)ne at t&e left mar)in. T&e ot&er 'a)e %&ic& is
mar1e as 8Pa)ina os8 com'rises t&e attestation clause an
t&e ac1no%le)ment. T&e ac1no%le)ment itself states t&at
8T&is Last Bill an Testament consists of t%o 'a)es incluin)
t&is 'a)e.8
T&e ratio ecieni of t&ese cases seems to "e t&at t&e
attestation clause must contain a statement of t&e num"er of
s&eets or 'asses com'osin) t&e %ill an t&at if t&is is missin)
or is omitte( it %ill &a$e t&e effect of in$aliatin) t&e %ill if t&e
eficienc# cannot "e su''lie( not "# e$ience aliune( "ut
"# a consieration or e*amination of t&e %ill itself. But &ere
t&e situation is ifferent. B&ile t&e attestation clause oes not
state t&e num"er of s&eets or 'a)es u'on %&ic& t&e %ill is
%ritten( &o%e$er( t&e last 'art of t&e "o# of t&e %ill contains
a statement t&at it is com'ose of ei)&t 'a)es( %&ic&
circumstance in our o'inion ta1es t&is case out of t&e ri)i
rule of construction an 'laces it %it&in t&e realm of similar
cases %&ere a "roa an more li"eral $ie% &as "een
ao'te to 're$ent t&e %ill of t&e testator from "ein)
efeate "# 'urel# tec&nical consierations.8
8 . . . Im'ossi"ilit# of su"stitution of t&is 'a)e is assure not
onl# +sic, t&e fact t&at t&e testatri* an t%o ot&er %itnesses(
i si)n t&e efecti$e 'a)e( "ut also "# its "earin) t&e
coincient im'rint of t&e seal of t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om
t&e testament %as ratifie "# testatri* an all t&ree %itnesses.
T&e la% s&oul not "e so strictl# an literall# inter'rete as to
'enali4e t&e testatri* on account of t&e ina$ertence of a
sin)le %itness o$er %&ose conuct s&e &a no control( %&ere
t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% to )uarantee t&e ientit# of t&e
testament an its com'onent 'a)es is sufficientl# attaine( no
intentional or eli"erate e$iation e*iste( an t&e e$ience
on recor attest to t&e full o"ser$ance of t&e statutor#
re!uisites. Ot&er%ise( as state in Va. e Gil. $s. Hurciano(
4> Off. Ga4 -47>( at -47> +ecision on reconsieration,
@%itnesses ma# sa"ota)e t&e %ill "# mulin) or "un)lin) it or
t&e attestation clause.@8
BAERE2ORE( t&e 'resent 'etition is &ere"# )rante. T&e
orers of t&e res'onent 0ourt %&ic& enie t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill( t&e motion for reconsieration of t&e enial of
'ro"ate( an t&e motion for a''ointment of a s'ecial
aministrator are set asie.
Icasiano !s. Icasiano
T&is s'ecial 'roceein) %as "e)un on Octo"er .( ->79 "# a
'etition for t&e allo%ance an amission to 'ro"ate of t&e
ori)inal( E*&i"it 8A8 as t&e alle)e %ill of Gosefa Villacorte(
ecease( an for t&e a''ointment of 'etitioner 0elso
Icasiano as e*ecutor t&ereof.
T&e e$ience 'resente for t&e 'etitioner is to t&e effect t&at
Gosefa Villacorte ie in t&e 0it# of Hanila on Se'tem"er -.(
->79< t&at on Gune .( ->7?( t&e late Gosefa Villacorte
e*ecute a last %ill an testament in u'licate at t&e &ouse
of &er au)&ter Hrs. 2elisa Icasiano at Pero Gue$ara
Street( Hanila( 'u"lis&e "efore an atteste "# t&ree
instrumental %itnesses( namel#; attorne#s Gusto P. Torres( Gr.
an Gose V. Nati$ia( an Hr. Vinicio B. :i#< t&at t&e %ill
%as ac1no%le)e "# t&e testatri* an "# t&e sai t&ree
instrumental %itnesses on t&e same ate "efore attorne#
Gose O#en)co On)( Notar# Pu"lic in an for t&e 0it# of
Hanila< an t&at t&e %ill %as actuall# 're'are "# attorne#
2ermin Samson( %&o %as also 'resent urin) t&e e*ecution
an si)nin) of t&e eceent@s last %ill an testament(
to)et&er %it& former Go$ernor Emilio Rustia of Bulacan(
Gu)e Ramon Icasiano an a little )irl. Of t&e sai t&ree
instrumental %itnesses to t&e e*ecution of t&e eceent@s last
%ill an testament( attorne#s Torres an Nati$ia %ere in
t&e P&ili''ines at t&e time of t&e &earin)( an "ot& testifie
as to t&e ue e*ecution an aut&enticit# of t&e sai %ill. So
i t&e Notar# Pu"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill %as
ac1no%le)e "# t&e testatri* an attestin) %itnesses( an
also attorne#s 2ermin Samson( %&o actuall# 're'are t&e
ocument. T&e latter also testifie u'on cross e*amination
t&at &e 're'are one ori)inal an t%o co'ies of Gosefa
Villacorte last %ill an testament at &is &ouse in Baliua)(
Bulacan( "ut &e "rou)&t onl# one ori)inal an one si)ne
co'# to Hanila( retainin) one unsi)ne co'# in Bulacan.
T&e recors s&o% t&at t&e ori)inal of t&e %ill( %&ic& %as
surrenere simultaneousl# %it& t&e filin) of t&e 'etition an
mar1e as E*&i"it 8A8 consists of fi$e 'a)es( an %&ile
si)ne at t&e en an in e$er# 'a)e( it oes not contain t&e
si)nature of one of t&e attestin) %itnesses( Att#. Gose V.
Nati$ia( on 'a)e t&ree +/, t&ereof< "ut t&e u'licate co'#
attac&e to t&e amene an su''lemental 'etition an
mar1e as E*&i"it 8AD-8 is si)ne "# t&e testatri* an &er
t&ree attestin) %itnesses in eac& an e$er# 'a)e.
Bitness Nati$ia %&o testifie on &is failure to si)n 'a)e
t&ree +/, of t&e ori)inal( amits t&at &e ma# &a$e lifte t%o
'a)es instea of one %&en &e si)ne t&e same( "ut affirme
t&at 'a)e t&ree +/, %as si)ne in &is 'resence.
Be &a$e e*amine t&e recor an are satisfie( as t&e trial
court %as( t&at t&e testatri* si)ne "ot& ori)inal an u'licate
co'ies +E*&i"its 8A8 an 8AD-8( res'ecti$el#, of t&e %ill
s'ontaneousl#( on t&e same in t&e 'resence of t&e t&ree
attestin) %itnesses( t&e notar# 'u"lic %&o ac1no%le)e t&e
%ill< an Att#. Samson( %&o actuall# 're'are t&e ocuments<
t&at t&e %ill an its u'licate %ere e*ecute in Ta)alo)( a
lan)ua)e 1no%n to an s'o1en "# "ot& t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses( an rea to an "# t&e testatri* an Att#. 2ermin
Samson( to)et&er "efore t&e# %ere actuall# si)ne< t&at t&e
attestation clause is also in a lan)ua)e 1no%n to an s'o1en
- jann - 35
"# t&e testatri* an t&e %itnesses. T&e o'inion of e*'ert for
o''ositors( Hr. 2eli'e Lo)an( t&at t&e si)natures of t&e
testatri* a''earin) in t&e u'licate ori)inal %ere not %ritten
"# t&e same &a %&ic& %rote t&e si)natures in t&e ori)inal
%ill lea$es us uncon$ince( not merel# "ecause it is irectl#
contraicte "# e*'ert Hartin Ramos for t&e 'ro'onents( "ut
'rinci'all# "ecause of t&e 'aucit# of t&e stanars use "#
&im to su''ort t&e conclusion t&at t&e ifferences "et%een
t&e stanar an !uestione si)natures are "e#on t&e
%riter@s ran)e of normal scri'tural $ariation. T&e e*'ert &as(
in fact( use as stanars onl# t&ree ot&er si)natures of t&e
testatri* "esies t&ose affi*e to t&e ori)inal of t&e testament
+E*&. A,< an %e feel t&at %it& so fe% stanars t&e e*'ert@s
o'inion an t&e si)natures in t&e u'licate coul not "e t&ose
of t&e testatri* "ecomes e*tremel# &a4arous. T&is is
'articularl# so since t&e com'arison c&arts Nos. / an 4 fail
to s&o% con$incin)l# t&at t&e are raical ifferences t&at
%oul Custif# t&e c&ar)e of for)er#( ta1in) into account t&e
a$ance a)e of t&e testatri*( t&e e$ient $aria"ilit# of &er
si)natures( an t&e effect of %ritin) fati)ue( t&e u'licate
"ein) si)ne ri)&t t&e ori)inal. T&ese( factors %ere not
iscusse "# t&e e*'ert.
Nor o %e fin ae!uate e$ience of frau or unue
influence. T&e fact t&at some &eirs are more fa$ore t&an
ot&ers is 'roof of neit&er +see In re Butali( -= P&il. .7<
Bu)nao $s. I"a)( -4 P&il. -?/< Pecson $s. 0oronal( 47 P&il.
.-?,. :i$ersit# of a''ortionment is t&e usual reason for
ma1in) a testament< ot&er%ise( t&e eceent mi)&t as %ell
ie intestate. T&e testamentar# is'ositions t&at t&e &eirs
s&oul not in!uire into ot&er 'ro'ert# an t&at t&e# s&oul
res'ect t&e istri"ution mae in t&e %ill( uner 'enalt# of
forfeiture of t&eir s&ares in t&e free 'art o not suffice to
'ro$e frau or unue influence. T&e# a''ear moti$ate "#
t&e esire to 're$ent 'rolon)e liti)ation %&ic&( as s&o%n "#
orinar# e*'erience( often results in a si4ea"le 'ortion of t&e
estate "ein) i$erte into t&e &ans of nonD&eirs an
s'eculators. B&et&er t&ese clauses are $ali or not is a
matter to "e liti)ate on anot&er occassion. It is also %ell to
note t&at( as remar1e "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals in Sieco $s.
Sieco( 47 Off. Ga4. -?9( frau an unue influence are
mutuall# re'u)nant an e*clue eac& ot&er< t&eir Coinin) as
)rouns for o''osin) 'ro"ate s&o%s a"sence of efinite
e$ience a)ainst t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill.
On t&e !uestion of la%( %e &ol t&at t&e ina$ertent failure of
one %itness to affi* &is si)nature to one 'a)e of a testament(
ue to t&e simultaneous liftin) of t%o 'a)es in t&e course of
si)nin)( is not 'er se sufficient to Custif# enial of 'ro"ate.
Im'ossi"ilit# of su"stitution of t&is 'a)e is assure not onl#
t&e fact t&at t&e testatri* an t%o ot&er %itnesses i si)n t&e
efecti$e 'a)e( "ut also "# its "earin) t&e coincient im'rint
of t&e seal of t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om t&e testament
%as ratifie "# testatri* an all t&ree %itnesses. T&e la%
s&oul not "e so strictl# an literall# inter'rete as to
'enali4e t&e testatri* on account of t&e ina$ertence of a
sin)le %itness o$er %&ose conuct s&e &a no control( %&ere
t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% to )uarantee t&e ientit# of t&e
testament an its com'onent 'a)es is sufficientl# attaine(
no intentional or eli"erate e$iation e*iste( an t&e
e$ience on recor attests to t&e full o"ser$ance of t&e
statutor# re!uisites. Ot&er%ise( as state in Va. e Gil. $s.
Hurciano( 4> Off. Ga4. -47>( at -47> +ecision on
reconsieration, 8%itnesses ma# sa"ota)e t&e %ill "#
mulin) or "un)lin) it or t&e attestation clause8.
T&is %oul not "e t&e first time t&at t&is 0ourt e'arts from a
strict an literal a''lication of t&e statutor# re!uirements(
%&ere t&e 'ur'oses of t&e la% are ot&er%ise satisfie. T&us(
es'ite t&e literal tenor of t&e la%( t&is 0ourt &as &el t&at a
testament( %it& t&e onl# 'a)e si)ne at its foot "# testator
an %itnesses( "ut not in t&e left mar)in( coul ne$ert&eless
"e 'ro"ate +A"an)an $s. A"an)an( 4- P&il. 47?,< an t&at
es'ite t&e re!uirement for t&e correlati$e letterin) of t&e
'a)es of a %ill( t&e failure to ma1e t&e first 'a)e eit&er "#
letters or num"ers is not a fatal efect +Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9-
P&il. 4.>,. T&ese 'receents e*em'lif# t&e 0ourt@s 'olic# to
re!uire satisfaction of t&e le)al re!uirements in orer to
)uar a)ainst frau an "i fait& "ut %it&out unue or
unnecessar# curtailment of t&e testamentar# 'ri$ile)e.
T&e a''ellants also ar)ue t&at since t&e ori)inal of t&e %ill is
in e*istence an a$aila"le( t&e u'licate +E*&. AD-, is not
entitle to 'ro"ate. Since t&e# o''ose 'ro"ate of ori)inal
"ecause it lac1e one si)nature in its t&ir 'a)e( it is easil#
iscerne t&at o''ositorsDa''ellants run &ere into a ilemma<
if t&e ori)inal is efecti$e an in$ali( t&en in la% t&ere is no
ot&er %ill "ut t&e ul# si)ne car"on u'licate +E*&. AD-,( an
t&e same is 'ro"ata"le. If t&e ori)inal is $ali an can "e
'ro"ate( t&en t&e o"Cection to t&e si)ne u'licate nee not
"e consiere( "ein) su'erfluous an irrele$ant. At an# rate(
sai u'licate( E*&i"it AD-( ser$es to 'ro$e t&at t&e omission
of one si)nature in t&e t&ir 'a)e of t&e ori)inal testament
%as ina$ertent an not intentional.
T&at t&e car"on u'licate( E*&i"it AD-( %as 'rouce an
amitte %it&out a ne% 'u"lication oes not affect t&e
Curisiction of t&e 'ro"ate court( alrea# conferre "# t&e
ori)inal 'u"lication of t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate. T&e amene
'etition i not su"stantiall# alter t&e one first file( "ut
merel# su''lemente it "# isclosin) t&e e*istence of t&e
u'licate( an no s&o%in) is mae t&at ne% interests %ere
in$ol$e +t&e contents of E*&i"it A an AD- are amittel#
ientical,< an a''ellants %ere ul# notifie of t&e 'ro'ose
amenment. It is no%&ere 'ro$e or claime t&at t&e
amenment e'ri$e t&e a''ellants of an# su"stantial ri)&t(
an %e see no error in amittin) t&e amene 'etition.
IN VIEB O2 TAE 2OREGOING( t&e ecision a''eale from
is affirme
Cr"& !s. 5illasor
Petition to re$ie% on certiorari t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e last %ill
an testament of t&e late Valente T. 0ru4. PetitionerD
a''ellant A)a'ita N. 0ru4( t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of t&e sai
ecease( o''ose t&e allo%ance of t&e %ill +E*&i"it 8E8,(
alle)in) t&at t&e %ill %as e*ecute t&rou)& frau( eceit(
misre'resentation an unue influence< t&at t&e sai
instrument %as e*ecute %it&out t&e testator &a$in) "een
full# informe of t&e contents t&ereof( 'articularl# as to %&at
'ro'erties &e %as is'osin)< an t&at t&e su''ose last %ill
an testament %as not e*ecute in accorance %it& la%.
Not%it&stanin) &er o"Cection( t&e 0ourt allo%e t&e 'ro"ate
of t&e sai last %ill an testament. Aence t&is a''eal "#
certiorari %&ic& %as )i$en ue course.
T&e onl# !uestion 'resente for etermination( on %&ic& t&e
ecision of t&e case &in)es( is %&et&er t&e su''ose last %ill
an testament of Valente T. 0ru4 +E*&i"it 8E8, %as e*ecute
in accorance %it& la%( 'articularl# Articles 9=7 an 9=? of
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe( t&e first re!uirin) at least t&ree crei"le
%itnesses to attest an su"scri"e to t&e %ill( an t&e secon
re!uirin) t&e testator an t&e %itnesses to ac1no%le)e t&e
%ill "efore a notar# 'u"lic.
- jann - 36
Of t&e t&ree instrumental %itnesses t&ereto( namel#(
:eo)racias T. Gamaoas( Gr.( :r. 2rancisco PaOares( an Att#.
An)el A. Te$es( Gr.( one of t&em( t&e last name( is at t&e
same time t&e Notar# Pu"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill %as
su''ose to &a$e "een ac1no%le)e.
After %ei)&in) t&e merits of t&e conflictin) claims of t&e
'arties( Be are incline to sustain t&at of t&e a''ellant t&at
t&e last %ill an testament in !uestion %as not e*ecute in
accorance %it& la%. T&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill
%as ac1no%le)e cannot "e consiere as t&e t&ir
instrumental %itness since &e cannot ac1no%le)e "efore
&imself &is &a$in) si)ne t&e %ill. To ac1no%le)e "efore
means to a$o% +Ga$ellana $. Leesma( >7 P&il. .79( .?.<
0astro $ 0astro( -== P&il. ./>( .47,< to o%n as )enuine( to
assent( to amit< an 8"efore8 means in front or 'recein) in
s'ace or a&ea of. +T&e Ne% Be"ster Enc#clo'eic
:ictionar# of t&e En)lis& Lan)ua)e( '. 7.< 2un1 U Ba)nalls
Ne% Stanar :ictionar# of t&e En)lis& Lan)ua)e( '. .7.<
Be"ster@s Ne% International :ictionar# .. '. .47.,
0onse!uentl#( if t&e t&ir %itness %ere t&e notar# 'u"lic
&imself( &e %oul &a$e to a$o%( assent( or amit &is &a$in)
si)ne t&e %ill in front of &imself. T&is cannot "e one
"ecause &e cannot s'lit &is 'ersonalit# into t%o so t&at one
%ill a''ear "efore t&e ot&er to ac1no%le)e &is 'artici'ation
in t&e ma1in) of t&e %ill. To 'ermit suc& a situation to o"tain
%oul "e sanctionin) a s&eer a"surit#.
2urt&ermore( t&e function of a notar# 'u"lic is( amon) ot&ers(
to )uar a)ainst an# ille)al or immoral arran)ements.
Balinon $. :e Leon( 7= O. G. 79/., T&at function %oul "e
efeate if t&e notar# 'u"lic %ere one of t&e attestin) or
instrumental %itnesses. 2or t&em &e %oul "e intereste in
sustainin) t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill as it irectl# in$ol$es &imself
an t&e $aliit# of &is o%n act. It %oul 'lace &im in an
inconsistent 'osition an t&e $er# 'ur'ose of t&e
ac1no%le)ment( %&ic& is to minimi4e frau +Re'ort of t&e
0oe 0ommission '. -=?D-=7,( %oul "e t&%arte. T&ese
aut&orities o not ser$e t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% in t&is
Curisiction or are not ecisi$e of t&e issue &erein( "ecause
t&e notaries 'u"lic an %itnesses referre to in t&e aforecite
cases merel# acte as instrumental( su"scri"in) or attestin)
%itnesses( an not as ac1no%le)in) %itnesses. Aere t&e
notar# 'u"lic acte not onl# as attestin) %itness "ut also as
ac1no%le)in) %itness( a situation not en$isa)e "# Article
9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
To allo% t&e notar# 'u"lic to act as t&ir %itness( or one of
t&e attestin) an ac1no%le)in) %itnesses( %oul &a$e t&e
effect of &a$in) onl# t%o attestin) %itnesses to t&e %ill %&ic&
%oul "e in contra$ention of t&e 'ro$isions of Article 9=7
re!uirin) at least t&ree crei"le %itnesses to act as suc& an
of Article 9=? %&ic& re!uires t&at t&e testator an t&e
re!uire num"er of %itnesses must a''ear "efore t&e notar#
'u"lic to ac1no%le)e t&e %ill. T&e result %oul "e( as &as
"een sai( t&at onl# t%o %itnesses a''eare "efore t&e
notar# 'u"lic for t&at 'ur'ose. In t&e circumstances( t&e la%
%oul not "e ul# o"ser$e.
Da"can !s. Canta
T&is case is a"out t&e ismissal of a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate
of a notarial %ill on t&e )roun t&at it oes not "ear a t&irt#D
centa$o ocumentar# stam'.
T&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of 0ami)uin in its 8ecision8 of
:ecem"er .9( ->77 in S'ecial Proceein) No. 4- for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill of t&e late Ro)aciano Ga"ucan( ismisse
t&e 'roceein) +erroneousl# c&aracteri4es as an 8action8,.
T&e 'roceein) %as ismisse "ecause t&e re!uisite
ocumentar# stam' %as not affi*e to t&e notarial
ac1no%le)ment in t&e %ill an( &ence( accorin) to
res'onent T&e 'ro"ate court assume t&at t&e notarial
ac1no%le)ment of t&e sai %ill is su"Cect to t&e t&irt#D
centa$o ocumentar# stam' ta* fi*e in section ..7 of t&e
Ta* 0oe( no% section ./7 of t&e ->77 Ta* 0oe. Gu)e( it
%as not amissi"le in e$ience( citin) section ./9 of t&e Ta*
0oe.
Be &ol t&at t&e lo%er court manifestl# erre in eclarin)
t&at( "ecause no ocumentar# stam' %as affi*e to t&e %ill(
t&ere %as 8no %ill an testament to 'ro"ate8 an(
conse!uentl#( t&e alle)e 8action must of necessit# "e
ismisse.8
B&at t&e 'ro"ate court s&oul &a$e one %as to re!uire t&e
'etitioner or 'ro'onent to affi* t&e re!uisite t&irt#Dcenta$o
ocumentar# stam' to t&e notarial ac1no%le)ment of t&e
%ill %&ic& is t&e ta*a"le 'ortion of t&at ocument.
T&at 'roceure ma# "e im'lie from t&e 'ro$ision of section
./9 t&at t&e nonDamissi"ilit# of t&e ocument( %&ic& oes
not "ear t&e re!uisite ocumentar# stam'( su"sists onl# 8until
t&e re!uisite stam' or stam's s&all &a$e "een affi*e t&ereto
an cancelle.8
T&us( it %as &el t&at t&e ocumentar# stam' ma# "e affi*e
at t&e time t&e ta*a"le ocument is 'resente in e$ience
+:el 0astillo $s. HarileOa( 4> P&il. 74>, If t&e 'romissor#
note oes not "ear a ocumentar# stam'( t&e court s&oul
&a$e allo%e 'laintiff@s tener of a stam' to su''l# t&e
eficienc#. +Rori)ue4 $s. Hartine4( 7 P&il. ?7( 7-. Note t&e
&olin) in A4arra)a $s. Rori)ue4( > P&il. ?/7( t&at t&e lac1
of t&e ocumentar# stam' on a ocument oes not in$aliate
suc& ocument. See 0ia. General e Ta"acos $s.
GeanCa!uet( -. P&il. ->7( .=-D. an :el)ao an 2i)ueroa
$s. Amena"ar( -? P&il. 4=/( 4=7D?.,
Ea!ellana !s. Ledes#a
B# orer of Gul# ./( ->7/( t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Iloilo
amitte to 'ro"ate t&e ocuments in t&e Visa#an ialect(
mar1e E*&i"its : an E( as t&e testament an coicil ul#
e*ecute "# t&e ecease :a. A'olinaria Leesma Va. e
Ga$ellana( on Harc& /=( ->7=( an Ha# .>( ->7.(
res'ecti$el#( %it& Ramon Ta"iana( Gloria Hontinola e
Ta"iana an Vicente Ja' as %itnesses. T&e contestant( :a.
Hatea Leesma( sister an nearest sur$i$in) relati$e of sai
ecease( a''eale from t&e ecision( insistin) t&at t&e sai
e*&i"its %ere not e*ecute in conformit# %it& la%. T&e a''eal
%as mae irectl# to t&is 0ourt "ecause t&e $alue of t&e
'ro'erties in$ol$e e*ceee t%o &unre t&ousan 'esos.
Ori)inall# t&e o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate also c&ar)e t&at t&e
testatri* lac1e testamentar# ca'acit# an t&at t&e
is'ositions %ere 'rocure t&rou)& unue influence. T&ese
)rouns %ere a"anone at t&e &earin) in t&e court "elo%(
%&ere t&e issue %as concentrate into t&ree s'ecific
!uestions; +-, %&et&er t&e testament of ->7= %as e*ecute
"# t&e testatri* in t&e 'resence of t&e instrumental %itnesses<
+., %&et&er t&e ac1no%le)ment clause %as si)ne an t&e
notarial seal affi*e "# t&e notar# %it&out t&e 'resence of t&e
testatri* an t&e %itnesses< an +/, if so( %&et&er t&e coicil
%as t&ere"# renere in$ali an ineffecti$e. T&ese
!uestions are t&e same ones 'resente to us for resolution.
- jann - 37
T&e contestant ar)ues t&at t&e 0ourt "elo% erre in refusin)
creence to &er %itnesses Haria Paero)ao an Vial
Allao( coo1 an ri$er( res'ecti$el#( of t&e ecease
A'olinaria Leesma. Bot& testifie t&at on Harc& /=( ->7=(
t&e# sa% an &ear Vicente Ja' +one of t&e %itnesses to t&e
%ill, inform t&e ecease t&at &e &a "rou)&t t&e
8testamento8 an ur)e &er to )o to attorne# Ta"iana@s office
to si)n it< t&at :a. A'olinaria manifeste t&at s&e coul not
)o( "ecause s&e %as not feelin) %ell< an t&at u'on Ja'@s
insistence t&at t&e %ill &a to "e si)ne in t&e attorne#@s
office an not else%&ere( t&e ecease too1 t&e 'a'er an
si)ne it in t&e 'resence of Ja' alone( an returne it %it&
t&e statement t&at no one %oul !uestion it "ecause t&e
'ro'ert# in$ol$e %as e*clusi$el# &ers.
At an# rate( as o"ser$e "# t&e 0ourt "elo%( %&et&er or not
t&e notar# si)ne t&e certification of ac1no%le)ment in t&e
'resence of t&e testatri* an t&e %itnesses( oes not affect
t&e $aliit# of t&e coicil. Inli1e t&e 0oe of -99> +Art. ?>>,(
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe oes not re!uire t&at t&e si)nin) of t&e
testator( %itnesses an notar# s&oul "e accom'lis&e in
one sin)le act. A com'arison of Articles 9=7 an 9=? of t&e
ne% 0i$il 0oe re$eals t&at %&ile testator an %itnesses
must si)n in t&e 'resence of eac& ot&er( all t&at is t&ereafter
re!uire is t&at 8e$er# %ill must "e ac1no%le)e "efore a
notar# 'u"lic "# t&e testator an t&e %itnesses8 +Art. 9=?,<
i.e.( t&at t&e latter s&oul a$o% to t&e certif#in) officer t&e
aut&enticit# of t&eir si)natures an t&e $oluntariness of t&eir
actions in e*ecutin) t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&is %as
one in t&e case "efore us. T&e su"se!uent si)nin) an
sealin) "# t&e notar# of &is certification t&at t&e testament
%as ul# ac1no%le)e "# t&e 'artici'ants t&erein is no 'art
of t&e ac1no%le)ment itself nor of t&e testamentar# act.
Aence t&eir se'arate e*ecution out of t&e 'resence of t&e
testatri* an &er %itnesses can not "e sai to $iolate t&e rule
t&at testaments s&oul "e com'lete %it&out interru'tion
+Analis $s. Pul)ueras( 7> P&il. ?4/,( or( as t&e Roman
ma*im 'uts it( 8uno eoem ie ac tem'ore in eaem loco8(
an no re$ersi"le error %as committe "# t&e 0ourt in so
&olin). It is note%ort&# t&at Article 9=? of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
oes not contain %ors re!uirin) t&at t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses s&oul ac1no%le)e t&e testament on t&e same
a# or occasion t&at it %as e*ecute.
T&e ecision amittin) t&e %ill to 'ro"ate is affirme( %it&
costs a)ainst a''ellant.
#itnesses to a will
d. who are competent@
Art. #$2. Any person of sound mind and of the a!e of
ei!hteen years or more, and not bind, deaf or dumb,
and able to read and write, may be a witness to the
e&ecution of a will mentioned in Article #25 of this
6ode. (n)
T: these are witnesses under an ordinary will.
B: .i% !ualifications of a witness: 4. sound mind( 5. 48 years
of ae( 6. not blind& deaf or dumb&( 4. literateor able to read
and write( domicile in the ?hilippines(8. not convicted of a
crime involvin& falsification& per0ury& or false testimony.
Art. #$-. "he followin! are disqualified from bein!
witnesses to a will,
(-) Any person not domiciled in the
0hilippines.
($) "hose who have been convicted of
falsification of a document, per1ury or false
testimony. (n)
T: The law re!uires that the witness be domiciled in the
?hilippines mere residence is not sufficient. 9omicile under
Art. 70& Art. 70. Bor the e%ercise of civil rihts and the
fulfillment of civil obliations& the domicile of natural persons
is the place of their habitual residence. D40aE
3atio of domicile re!uirement:
4. availability of witness when will is probated if the
same is within the ?hilippines(
5. witness domiciled in the ?hilippines more li$ely to
$now the testator and be ablr to testify on his mental
condition at the time of e%ecution of the will.
,%cept of course if the will was e%ecuted in a forein country
the domicile re!uirement does not apply.
There is citi-enship re!uirement only domicile re!uirement.
,ven aliens may witness as lon as they are domiciled here.
As to conviction of per0ury& falsification& and false testimony&
it is presumed that such witness cannot be relied upon fot
truthfulness. +onviction for any other crime& however& is not
a dis!ualification
The notary public before whom the will was ac$nowleded
cannot act as witness because he cannot ac$nowlede before
himself his havin sined the will( this cannot be done
because it would place him in an inconsistent position and
the very purpose of the ac$nowledement& which is to
minimi-e fraud would be thwarted.
Art. #$/. A mere char!e on the estate of the testator
for the payment of debts due at the time of the
testator3s death does not prevent his creditors from
bein! competent witnesses to his will. (n)
B: Because This is not a testamentary disposition
Don&ales !s. CA
T&is is a 'etition for re$ie% of t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of
A''eals( 2irst :i$ision( - 'romul)ate on Ha# 4( ->7/ in
0ADG. R. No. /?7./DR %&ic& re$erse t&e ecision of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al ate :ecem"er -7( ->?4
an allo%e t&e 'ro"ate of t&e last %ill an testament of t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel.
It a''ears t&at on Gune .4( ->?-( &erein 'ri$ate res'onent
Lut)ara Santia)o file a 'etition %it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein)s No. /?-7(
for t&e 'ro"ate of a %ill alle)e to &a$e "een e*ecute "# t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel an esi)natin) t&erein 'etitioner as
t&e 'rinci'al "eneficiar# an e*ecutri*.
T&ere is no is'ute in t&e recors t&at t&e late Isa"el Anres
Ga"riel ie as a %io% an %it&out issue in t&e munici'alit#
of Na$otas( 'ro$ince of Ri4al &er 'lace of resience( on Gune
- jann - 38
7( ->?- at t&e a)e of ei)&t#Dfi$e +97,( &a$in) "een "orn in
-97?. It is li1e%ise not contro$erte t&at &erein 'ri$ate
res'onent Lut)ara Santia)o an 'etitioner Ri4alina Ga"riel
Gon4ales are nieces of t&e ecease( an t&at 'ri$ate
res'onent( %it& &er &us"an an c&ilren( li$e %it& t&e
ecease at t&e latter@s resience 'rior an u' to t&e time of
&er eat&.
T&e 'etition %as o''ose "# Ri4alina Ga"riel Gon4ales(
&erein 'etitioner( assailin) t&e ocument 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e
%ill of t&e ecease on t&e follo%in) )rouns;
2rom t&is Cu)ment of isallo%ance( Lut)ara Santia)o
a''eale to res'onent 0ourt( &ence( t&e onl# issue ecie
on a''eal %as %&et&er or not t&e %ill in !uestion %as
e*ecute an atteste as re!uire "# la%. T&e 0ourt of
A''eals( u'on consieration of t&e e$ience auce "#
"ot& 'arties( renere t&e ecision no% uner re$ie%( &olin)
t&at t&e %ill in !uestion %as si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel on A'ril -7( ->?- in t&e 'resence of
t&e t&ree attestin) %itnesses( Hatile Oro"ia( 0elso Gim'a#a
an Haria Gim'a#a( si)nin) an %itnessin) t&e ocument in
t&e 'resence of t&e ecease an of eac& ot&er as re!uire
"# la%( . &ence allo%e 'ro"ate.
Petitioner( in &er first assi)nment( contens t&at t&e
res'onent 0ourt of A''eals erre in &olin) t&at t&e
ocument( E*&i"it 828( %as e*ecute an atteste as
re!uire "# la% %&en t&ere %as a"solutel# no 'roof t&at t&e
t&ree instrumental %itnesses %ere crei"le %itnesses. S&e
ar)ues t&at t&e re!uirement in Article 9=?( 0i$il 0oe( t&at
t&e %itnesses must "e crei"le is an a"solute re!uirement
%&ic& must "e com'lie %it& "efore an alle)e last %ill an
testament ma# "e amitte to 'ro"ate an t&at to "e a
crei"le %itness( t&ere must "e e$ience on recor t&at t&e
%itness &as a )oo stanin) in &is communit#( or t&at &e is
&onest an u'ri)&t( or re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le.
Accorin) to 'etitioner( unless t&e !ualifications of t&e
%itness are first esta"lis&e( &is testimon# ma# not "e
fa$ora"l# consiere. Petitioner contens t&at t&e term
8crei"le8 is not s#non#mous %it& 8com'etent8 for a %itness
ma# "e com'etent uner Article 9.= an 9.- of t&e 0i$il
0oe an still not "e crei"le as re!uire "# Article 9=7 of
t&e same 0oe. It is furt&er ur)e t&at t&e term 8crei"le8 as
use in t&e 0i$il 0oe s&oul recei$e t&e same settle an
%ellD1no%n meanin) it &as uner t&e Naturali4ation La%( t&e
latter "ein) a 1inre le)islation %it& t&e 0i$il 0oe
'ro$isions on %ills %it& res'ect to t&e !ualifications of
%itnesses.
Be fin no merit to 'etitioner@s first assi)nment of error.
Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies t&e !ualifications of a
%itness to t&e e*ecution of %ills %&ile Article 9.- sets fort&
t&e is!ualification from "ein) a %itness to a %ill. T&ese
Articles state;
8Art. 9.=. An# 'erson of soun min an of
t&e a)e of ei)&teen #ears or more( an not "lin(
eaf or um"( an a"le to rea an %rite( ma# "e a
%itness to t&e e*ecution of a %ill mentione in
article 9=7 of t&is 0oe.
8Art. 9.-. T&e follo%in) are is!ualifie from
"ein) %itnesses to a %ill;
+-, An# 'erson not omicile in t&e
P&ili''ines(
+., T&ose %&o &a$e "een con$icte of
falsification of a ocument( 'erCur# or false
testimon#.
Iner t&e la%( t&ere is no manator# re!uirement t&at t&e
%itness testif# initiall# or at an# time urin) t&e trial as to &is
)oo stanin) in t&e communit#( &is re'utation for
trust%ort&iness an relia"leness( &is &onest# an
u'ri)&tness in orer t&at &is testimon# ma# "e "elie$e an
acce'te "# t&e trial court. It is enou)& t&at t&e !ualifications
enumerate in Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe are com'lie
%it&( suc& t&at t&e sounness of &is min can "e s&o%n "#
or euce from &is ans%ers to t&e !uestions 'ro'oune to
&im( t&at &is a)e +-9 #ears or more, is s&o%n from &is
a''earance( testimon#( or com'etentl# 'ro$e ot&er%ise( as
%ell as t&e fact t&at &e is not "lin( eaf or um" an t&at &e
is a"le to rea an %rite to t&e satisfaction of t&e 0ourt( an
t&at &e &as none of t&e is!ualifications uner Article 9.- of
t&e 0i$il 0oe. Be reCect 'etitioner@s contention t&at it must
first "e esta"lis&e in t&e recor t&e )oo stanin) of t&e
%itness in t&e communit#( &is re'utation for trust%ort&iness
an relia"leness( &is &onest# an u'ri)&tness( "ecause suc&
attri"utes are 'resume of t&e %itness unless t&e contrar# is
'ro$e ot&er%ise "# t&e o''osin) 'art#.
In 'ro"ate 'roceein)s( t&e instrumental %itnesses are not
c&aracter %itnesses for t&e# merel# attest t&e e*ecution of a
%ill or testament an affirm t&e formalities attenant to sai
e*ecution. An Be a)ree %it& t&e res'onent t&at t&e rulin)s
lai o%n in t&e cases cite "# 'etitioner concernin)
c&aracter %itnesses in naturali4ation 'roceein)s are not
a''lica"le to instrumental %itnesses to %ills e*ecute uner
t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines.
In t&e case at "ar( t&e finin) t&at eac& an e$er#one of t&e
t&ree instrumental %itnesses( namel#( Hatile Oro"ia( 0elso
Gim'a#a an Haria Gim'a#a( are com'etent an crei"le is
satisfactoril# su''orte "# t&e e$ience as foun "# t&e
res'onent 0ourt of A''eals( %&ic& finin)s of fact t&is
Tri"unal is "oun to acce't an rel# u'on. Horeo$er(
'etitioner &as not 'ointe to an# is!ualification of an# of t&e
sai %itnesses( muc& less &as it "een s&o%n t&at an#one of
t&em is "elo% -9 #ears of a)e( of unsoun min( eaf or
um"( or cannot rea or %rite.
In t&e strict sense( t&e com'etenc# of a 'erson to "e an
instrumental %itness to a %ill is etermine "# t&e statute(
t&at is Art. 9.= an 9.-( 0i$il 0oe( %&ereas &is crei"ilit#
e'ens on t&e a''reciation of &is testimon# an arises from
t&e "elief an conclusion of t&e 0ourt t&at sai %itness is
tellin) t&e trut&. T&us( in t&e case of Va. e Aro#o $. El
Beaterio el Santissimo Rosario e Holo( No. LD..==7( Ha#
/( ->?9( t&e Su'reme 0ourt &el an rule t&at;
80om'etenc# as a %itness is one t&in)( an it is anot&er to
"e a crei"le %itness( so crei"le t&at t&e 0ourt must acce't
%&at &e sa#s. Trial courts ma# allo% a 'erson to testif# as a
%itness u'on a )i$en matter "ecause &e is com'etent( "ut
ma# t&ereafter ecie %&et&er to "elie$e or not to "elie$e &is
testimon#.8
In fine( Be state t&e rule t&at t&e instrumental %itnesses in
orer to "e com'etent must "e s&o%n to &a$e t&e
!ualifications uner Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe an none of
t&e is!ualifications uner Article 9.- an for t&eir testimon#
to "e crei"le( t&at is %ort&# of "elief an entitle to
creence( it is not manator# t&at e$ience "e first
esta"lis&e on recor t&at t&e %itnesses &a$e a )oo
stanin) in t&e communit# or t&at t&e# are &onest an u'ri)&t
or re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le( for a 'erson is
- jann - 39
'resume to "e suc& unless t&e contrar# is esta"lis&e
ot&er%ise. In ot&er %ors( t&e instrumental %itnesses must
"e com'etent an t&eir testimonies must "e crei"le "efore
t&e court allo%s t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill t&e# &a$e atteste.
Be( t&erefore( reCect 'etitioner@s 'osition t&at it %as fatal for
res'onent not to &a$e introuce 'rior an ine'enent
'roof of t&e fact t&at t&e %itnesses %ere 8crei"le %itnesses8(
t&at is( t&at t&e# &a$e a )oo stanin) in t&e communit# an
re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le.
Petitioner@s e*acer"ation centers on t&e su''ose
increi"ilit# of t&e testimonies of t&e %itnesses for t&e
'ro'onent of t&e %ill( t&eir alle)e e$asions( inconsistencies
an contraictions. But in t&e case at "ar( t&e t&ree
instrumental %itnesses %&o constitute t&e "est e$ience of
t&e %illDma1in) &a$e testifie in fa$or of t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
%ill. So &as t&e la%#er %&o 're'are it( one learne in t&e
la% an lon) in t&e 'ractice t&ereof( %&o t&ereafter notari4e
it. All of t&em are isintereste %itnesses %&o stan to
recei$e no "enefit from t&e testament. T&e si)natures of t&e
%itnesses an t&e testatri* &a$e "een ientifie on t&e %ill
an t&ere is no claim %&atsoe$er an "# an#one( muc& less
t&e 'etitioner( t&at t&e# %ere not )enuine. In t&e last an final
anal#sis( t&e &erein conflict is factual an %e )o "ac1 to t&e
rule t&at t&e Su'reme 0ourt cannot re$ie% an re$ise t&e
finin)s of facts of t&e res'onent 0ourt of A''eals.
e. supervenin incompetency
Art. #$$. f the witnesses attestin! the e&ecution of a
will are competent at the time of attestin!, their
becomin! subsequently incompetent shall not
prevent the allowance of the will. (n)
B: As in the case of T+ the time of e%ecution of the will is the
only relevant temporal criterion in the determination of the
competence of the witnesses.
*: competency determined at the time of e%ecution of will and
not at the time of presentation for probate.
f. +ompetency of interested witnesses
Art. #$%. f a person attests the e&ecution of a will, to
whom or to whose spouse, or parent, or child, a
devise or le!acy is !iven by such will, such devise or
le!acy shall, so far only as concerns such person, or
spouse, or parent, or child of such person, or any
one claimin! under such person or spouse, or
parent, or child, be void, unless there are three other
competent witnesses to such will. 'owever, such
person so attestin! shall be admitted as a witness as
if such devise or le!acy had not been made or !iven.
(n)
T: This article does not refer to dis!ualification to be a
witness& but a dis!ualification to inherit. The devisee or
leatee is not dis!ualified nor his spouse& parent or child to
be witness as lon as he is competent and credible under Art.
854 but the devise or leacy& however& shall be void.
But if the witness is not a devisee or leatee& but an heir& is
the institution of such heir void@ :otwithstandin the
terminoloy of the article& we believe that even as instituted
heir& or spouse& parent child is dis!ualified. The
dis!ualification is intended to to aply to one succeedin by
will& and it is not material in what concept he succeeds. This
is proved by Art. 405= par. 4 on relative incapacity which
ma$es no distinction between heirs& devisees or leatees.
B: this article pertains more on the capacity to succeed than
the capacity to be a witness. The witness will remain as such
but the leacy or devise shall be void.
The dis!ualification applies only to testamentary disposition .
if the witness is also entitled to leitime or intestate share this
shall not be affected.
/. S'ecial re!uirements for eaf( eaf mute an "lin
testators
Art. #27. f the testator be deaf, or a deaf<mute, he
must personally read the will, if able to do so.
otherwise, he shall desi!nate two persons to read it
and communicate to him, in some practicable
manner, the contents thereof. (n)
Art. #2#. f the testator is blind, the will shall be read
to him twice. once, by one of the subscribin!
witnesses, and a!ain, by the notary public before
whom the will is ac+nowled!ed. (n)
T: The reason for the re!uirement in this article is to ma$e
the provisions of the will $nown to the testator& so that he
may be able to ob0ect if they are not in accordance with his
wishes. Bailure to comply with this re!uirement m$es the will
invalid.
An illiterate testator can see the paper and the writin
thereon& but ne cannot understand what is written because he
cannot read it. Brom the point of view of understandin or
$nowin the contents of the will& there is no difference
between the illiterate testator and the blind testator.
Therefore& the present article should li$ewise apply to an
illiterate testator.
B: the burden of proof of the compliance of this aticle is is
upon the proponent. :o re!uirement that such compliance is
stated in the will or attestation clause
Darcia !s. 5as="e&
Gliceria A$elino el Rosario ie unmarrie in t&e 0it# of
Hanila on . Se'tem"er ->?7( lea$in) no escenents(
ascenants( "rot&er or sister. At t&e time of &er eat&( s&e
%as sai to "e >= #ears ol more or less( an 'ossesse of
an estate consistin) mostl# of real 'ro'erties.
T&e 'etition %as o''ose se'aratel# "# se$eral )rou's of
alle)e &eirs t&e latter fi$e )rou's of 'ersons all claimin) to
"e relati$es of :oOa Gliceria %it&in t&e fift& ci$il e)ree. T&e
o''ositions in$aria"l# c&ar)e t&at t&e instrument e*ecute
in ->?= %as not intene "# t&e ecease to "e &er true %ill<
t&at t&e si)natures of t&e ecease a''earin) in t&e %ill %as
'rocure t&rou)& unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an
influence t&e 'art of t&e "eneficiaries an5or ot&er 'ersons<
t&at t&e testatri* i not 1no% t&e o"Cect of &er "ount#< t&at
t&e instrument itself re$eals irre)ularities in its e*ecution( an
t&at t&e formalities re!uire "# la% for suc& e*ecution &a$e
not "een com'lie %it&.
- jann - 40
O''ositor Lucio V. Garcia( %&o also 'resente for 'ro"ate
t&e ->7? %ill of t&e ecease( Coine t&e )rou' of :r. Gaime
Rosario in re)isterin) o''osition to t&e a''ointment of
'etitioner 0onsuelo S. Gon4ales Va. e Precilla as s'ecial
aministratri*( on t&e )roun t&at t&e latter 'ossesses
interest a$erse to t&e estate. After t&e 'arties %ere ul#
&ear( t&e 'ro"ate court( in its orer of . Octo"er ->?7(
)rante 'etitioner@s 'ra#er an a''ointe &er s'ecial
aministratri* of t&e estate u'on a "on for P/=(===.==. T&e
orer %as 'remise on t&e fact t&e 'etitioner %as mana)in)
t&e 'ro'erties "elon)in) to t&e estate e$en urin) t&e lifetime
of t&e ecease( an to a''oint anot&er 'erson as
aministrator or co aministrator at t&at sta)e of t&e
'roceein) %oul onl# result in furt&er confusion an
ifficulties.
On .7 Au)ust ->??( t&e 0ourt issue an orer amittin) to
'ro"ate t&e ->?= %ill of Gliceria A. el Rosario +E*&i"it 8:8,.
In eclarin) t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill( t&e 'ro"ate court
too1 note t&at no e$ience &a "een 'resente to esta"lis&
t&at t&e testatri* %as not of soun min %&en t&e %ill %as
e*ecute< t&at t&e fact t&at s&e &a 're'are an earlier %ill
i not( 're$ent &er from e*ecutin) anot&er one t&ereafter<
t&at t&e fact t&at t&e ->7? %ill consiste of -. 'a)es %&ereas
t&e ->?= testament %as containe in one 'a)e oes not
rener t&e latter in$ali< t&at( t&e erasures an alterations in
t&e instrument %ere insi)nificant to %arrant reCection< t&at t&e
inconsistencies in t&e testimonies of t&e instrumental
%itnesses %&ic& %ere note "# t&e o''ositors are e$en
inicati$e of t&eir trut&fulness. T&e 'ro"ate court( also
consierin) t&at 'etitioner &a alrea# s&o%n ca'acit# to
aminister t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate an t&at from t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill s&e stans as t&e 'erson most
concerne an intereste t&erein( a''ointe sai 'etitioner
re)ular aministratri* %it& a "on for P7=(===.==. 2rom t&is
orer all t&e o''ositors a''eale( t&e case "ein) oc1ete in
t&is 0ourt as G.R. No. LD.7.==.
2oremost of t&e !uestions to "e etermine &ere concerns
t&e correctness of t&e orer allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e ->?=
%ill.
T&e recors of t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein) full# esta"lis& t&e fact
t&at t&e testatri*( Gliceria A. el Rosario( urin) &er lifetime(
e*ecute t%o %ills; one on > Gune ->7? consistin) of -.
'a)es an %ritten in S'anis&( a lan)ua)e t&at s&e 1ne% an
s'o1e( %itnesse "# Hessrs. Antonio 0a"rera( Gesus J.
A#ala an Valentin Har!ue4( an ac1no%le)e "efore
notar# 'u"lic Gose A#ala< an anot&er ate .> :ecem"er
->?=( consistin) of - 'a)e an %ritten in Ta)alo)( %itnesse
"# Hessrs. Vicente Rosales( 2rancisco :ecena( an
2rancisco Lo'e4 an ac1no%le)e "efore notar# 'u"lic
Remi)io H. Ti$ia.
0alle to testif# on t&e ue e*ecution of t&e ->?= %ill(
instrumental %itnesses :ecena( Lo'e4 an Rosales
uniforml# eclare t&at t&e# %ere ini$iuall# re!ueste "#
Alfonso Precilla +t&e late &us"an of 'etitioner s'ecial
aministratri*, to %itness t&e e*ecution of t&e last %ill of
:oOa Gliceria A. el Rosario< t&at t&e# arri$e at t&e &ouse of
t&e ol la# at No. .=74 A4carra)a( Hanila( one after t&e
ot&er( in t&e afternoon of .> :ecem"er ->?=< t&at t&e
testatri* at t&e time %as a''arentl# of clear an soun min(
alt&ou)& s&e %as "ein) aie "# Precilla %&en s&e %al1e<
/ t&at t&e %ill( %&ic& %as alrea# 're'are( %as first rea
8silentl#8 "# t&e testatri* &erself "efore s&e si)ne it<
T&e o''ositorsDa''ellants in t&e 'resent case( &o%e$er(
c&allen)in) t&e correctness of t&e 'ro"ate court@s rulin)(
maintain t&at on .> :ecem"er ->?= t&e e#esi)&t of Gliceria
el Rosario %as so 'oor an efecti$e t&at s&e coul not
&a$e rea t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill( contrar# to t&e
testimonies of %itnesses :ecena( Lo'e4 an Rosales.
On t&is 'oint( %e fin t&e eclarations in court of :r. Gesus V.
Tamesis $er# material an illuminatin). Sai o'&t&almolo)ist(
%&ose e*'ertise %as amitte "# "ot& 'arties( testifie(
amon) ot&er t&in)s( t&at %&en :oOa Gliceria el Rosario sa%
&im for consultation on -- Harc& ->?= &e foun &er left e#e
to &a$e cataract +o'a!ue lens,( -7 an t&at it %as 8a"o$e
normal in 'ressure8( enotin) a 'ossi"le )laucoma( a
isease t&at leas to "linness -? As to t&e conitions of
&er ri)&t e#e
T&e fore)oin) testimon# of t&e o'&t&almolo)ist %&o treate
t&e ecease an( t&erefore( &as first &an 1no%le)e of t&e
actual conition of &er e#esi)&t from Au)ust( ->?= u' to
->?/( full# esta"lis& t&e fact t&at not%it&stanin) t&e
o'eration an remo$al of t&e cataract in &er left e#e an &er
"ein) fitte %it& a'&a1ic lens +use "# cataract 'atients,( &er
$ision remaine mainl# for $ie%in) istant o"Cects an not for
reain) 'rint. T&us( t&e conclusion is inesca'a"le t&at %it&
t&e conition of &er e#esi)&t in Au)ust( ->?=( an t&ere is no
e$ience t&at it &a im'ro$e "# .> :ecem"er ->?=( Gliceria
el Rosario %as inca'a"le f reain)( an coul not &a$e rea
t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill su''osel# si)ne "# &er on .>
:ecem"er ->?=. It is %ort& notin) t&at t&e instrumental
%itnesses state t&at s&e rea t&e instrument 8silentl#8 +t.s.n.(
'a)es -?4D-?7,. %&ic& is a conclusion an not a fact.
A)ainst t&e "ac1)roun of efecti$e e#esi)&t of t&e alle)e
testatri*( t&e a''earance of t&e %ill( E*&i"it 8:8( ac!uires
stri1in) si)nificance. I'on its face( t&e testamentar#
'ro$isions( t&e attestation clause an ac1no%le)ment %ere
cramme to)et&er into a sin)le s&eet of 'a'er( to muc& so
t&at t&e %ors &a to "e %ritten $er# close on t&e to'( "ottom
an t%o sies of t&e 'a'er( lea$in) no mar)in %&atsoe$er<
t&e %or 8an8 &a to "e %ritten "# t&e s#m"ol 8U8(
a''arentl# to sa$e on s'ace. Plainl#( t&e testament %as not
're'are %it& an# re)ar for t&e efecti$e $ision of :oOa
Gliceria. 2urt&er( t#'o)ra'&ical errors li1e 8AILINA8 for
8AILING8 +last,( 8Alfonsa8 <or 8Alfonso8( 8HER0R:RS8 for
HER0E:ES8( 8instrumental8 for 8Instrumental8( an
8ac1no%le)e8 for 8ac1no%le)e@@( remaine uncorrecte(
t&ere"# inicatin) t&at e*ecution t&ereof must &a$e "een
c&aracteri4e "# &aste. It is ifficult to unerstan t&at so
im'ortant a ocument containin) t&e final is'osition of one@s
%orll# 'ossessions s&oul "e em"oie in an informal an
untiil# %ritten instrument< or t&at t&e )larin) s'ellin) errors
s&oul &a$e esca'e &er notice if s&e &a actuall# retaine
t&e a"ilit# to rea t&e 'ur'orte %ill an &a one so. T&e
recor is t&us con$incin) t&at t&e su''ose testatri* coul
not &a$e '&#sicall# rea or unerstoo t&e alle)e
testament( E*&i"it 8:8( an t&at its amission to 'ro"ate %as
erroneous an s&oul "e re$erse.
T&us( for all intents an 'ur'ose of t&e rules on 'ro"ate( t&e
ecease Gliceria el Rosario %as( as a''ellant o''ositors
conten( not unli1e a "lin testator( an t&e ue e*ecution of
&er %ill %oul &a$e re!uire o"ser$ance of t&e 'ro$isions of
Article 9=9 of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
8ART. 9=9. If t&e testator is "lin( t&e
%ill s&all "e rea to &im t%ice< once( "#
one of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses( an
- jann - 41
a)ain( "# t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om
t&e %ill is ac1no%le)e.8
T&e rationale "e&in t&e re!uirement of reain) t&e %ill to
t&e testator if &e is "lin or inca'a"le of reain) t&e %ill
&imself +as %&en &e is illiterate,( -9 is to ma1e t&e
'ro$isions t&ereof 1no%n to &im( so t&at &e ma# "e a"le to
o"Cect if t&e# are not in accorance %it& &is %is&es. T&at t&e
aim of t&e la% is to insure t&at t&e is'ositions of t&e %ill are
'ro'erl# communicate to an unerstoo "# t&e
&anica''e testator( t&us ma1in) t&em trul# reflecti$e of &is
esire( is e$ience "# t&e re!uirement t&at t&e %ill s&oul
"e rea to t&e latter( not onl# once "ut t%ice( "# t%o ifferent
'ersons( an t&at t&e %itnesses &a$e to act %it&in t&e ran)e
of &is +t&e testator@s, ot&er senses. ->
In connection %it& t&e %ill &ere in !uestion( t&ere is not&in) in
t&e recors to s&o% t&at t&e a"o$e re!uisites &a$e "een
com'lie %it&. 0learl#( as alrea# state( t&e ->?= %ill sou)&t
to "e 'ro"ate suffers from infirmit# t&at affects its ue
e*ecution.
On t&e matter of lis 'enens +G.R. No. LD.?9?4,( t&e
'ro$isions of t&e Rules of 0ourt are clear; notice of t&e
'enenc# of an action ma# "e recore in t&e office of t&e
re)ister of ees of t&e 'ro$ince in %&ic& t&e 'ro'ert# is
situate( if t&e action affects 8t&e title or t&e ri)&t of
'ossession of +suc&, real 'ro'ert#.8 ./ In t&e case at "ar(
t&e 'enin) action %&ic& o''ositors see1 to annotate in t&e
recors of T0T Nos. 9-7/7( 9-7/?( an 9-7/7 is t&e
manamus 'roceein) file in t&is 0ourt +G.R. No. LD.??-7,.
As 're$iousl# iscusse in t&is o'inion( &o%e$er( t&at case is
concerne merel# %it& t&e correctness of t&e enial "# t&e
'ro"ate court of t&e motion for t&e remo$al of 0onsuelo
Gon4ales Va. e Precilla as s'ecial aministratri* of t&e
estate of t&e late Gliceria el Rosario. In s&ort( t&e issue in
contro$ers# t&ere is sim'l# t&e fitness or unfitness of sai
s'ecial aministratri* to continue &olin) t&e trust< it oes not
in$ol$e or affect at all t&e title to( or 'ossession of( t&e
'ro'erties co$ere "# sai T0T Nos. 9-7/7( 9-7/? an
9-7/7. 0learl#( t&e 'enenc# of suc& case +LD.??-7, is not
an action t&at can 'ro'erl# "e annotate in t&e recor of t&e
titles to t&e 'ro'erties.
2OR TAE 2OREGOING REASONS( t&e orer of t&e court
"elo% allo%in) to 'ro"ate t&e alle)e ->?= %ill of Gliceria A.
el Rosario is &ere"# re$erse an set asie.
4. .ubstantial compliance
Art. #29. n the absence of bad faith, for!ery, or
fraud, or undue and improper pressure and
influence, defects and imperfections in the form of
attestation or in the lan!ua!e used therein shall not
render the will invalid if it is proved that the will was
in fact e&ecuted and attested in substantial
compliance with all the requirements of Article #25.
T: The law on formal re!uirements of a will should be
liberally construed( while perfection in draftin is desirable&
unsubstantial departures should be inored& as lon as the
possibility of fraud and bad faith are obviated.
There are many people who are fluent and have a raet
mastery of rammar. Thus& rammatical errors which may be
noted from the eneral tenor of the attestation clause must&
therefore& be overloo$ed or corrected by construction& so as
not to frustrate the reconi-ed intention of those who
intervened in the e%ecution thereof. #here it appears from
the conte%t of the attestation that certain words were
ommtied inadvertently& the court may supply the omission.
't is sufficient if from the lanuae employed it can be
reasonably deduced that the attestation clause fulfills what
the law e%pects of it. 2ence& an attestation clause will be held
sufficient& notwithstandin some imperfections in the
rammatical constructions& where it is evident that the defect
is due to carelessness of the cler$ or to lac of mastery of the
lanuae& if the meanin souht to be conveyed can be
determined from the clause itself.
Burthermore& the whole lanuae of the attestation clause
must be ta$en toether to determine whether the testaor
complied with the law.
The substantial compliance rule has been applied to such
e%tent as to allow the attestation clause to be contained in the
body of the will itself and not a separate portion therein&
e%pressed in the first preson as a recital of the testator&
provided that it is also sined by the three instrumental
witnesses.
*ustice *B< 3eyes" criticism of this article is enlihtenin:
The rule here is so broad that no matter how imperfect the
attestation clause happens to be& the same could be cured by
evidence aliunde. 't thus renders the attestation of no value
in protectin fraud or really defective e%ecution. The rule
must be limited to disreardin those defects that can be
supplied by an e&amination of the will itself,
4. #hether all the paes are consecutively numbered(
5. # sinature appears in each pae(
6. # the subscribin witnesses are three
4. # the will is notari-ed
All these are facts that the will itself can reveal& and defects or
even omissions concernin them in the attestation clause can
be safely disrearded. But the total number of paes& and
whether all persons re!uired to sin did so in the number of
paes& and whether all re!uired to sin did so in the presence
of each other must substantially appear in the attestation
clause bein the only chec$ aainst per0ury in probate
proceedins.
0. Aolo)ra'&ic Bills
-. General re!uirements.
Our la% oes not reco)ni4e nuncu'ati$e %ills( %&ic& is one
t&at is not %ritten( "ut orall# eclare "# t&e testator in &is
last illness( in contem'lation of eat&( an "efore a sufficient
num"er of com'etent %itnesses.
- jann - 42
T&e a"o$e re!uirement a''lies to "ot& &olo)ra'&ic an
notarial. In notarial %ills it is immaterial %&o 'erforms t&e
mec&anical act %ritin) t&e %ill( so lon) as t&e testator si)ns it
or &as some"o# si)n &is name in &is 'resence u'on &is
irection.
As to t&e lan)ua)e or ialect( %&en a %ill is e*ecute in a
certain 'ro$ince or localit#( in t&e ialect currentl# us in suc&
'ro$ince or localit#( t&ere arises a 'resum'tion t&at t&e
testator 1ne% t&e ialect so use( in t&e a"sence of contrar#
e$ience. It is not re!uire t&at t&e %ill e*'ress t&at t&e
lan)ua)e is 1no%n "# t&e testator it is a fact %&ic& ma# "e
'ro$e "# e$ience aliune.
T&e attestation clause of an orinar# %ill oes not &a$e to "e
%ritten in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to t&e testator. It is not
'art of t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&e lan)ua)e use in
t&e attestation clause oes not e$en &a$e to "e 1no%n to t&e
%itness< it s&oul( &o%e$er( "e translate to t&em.
T: the followin are the advantaes of a holoraphic will:
4. simple and easy to ma$e for those aE who have no means to
employ a lawyer& bEwho are timid and wants to reread their
wills before sinin& cE those who have only very little
property to dispose
5. 't induces foreiners in this 0urisdiction to set down their
last wishes(
6. uaranties the absolute secrecy of the testamentary
disposition because it is not witnessed.
The disadvantaes are:
4. does not auranty testamentary capacity of testator(
5. no protection aainst vices of consent which may not be
$nown in case of death(
6. due to faulty e%pression& it may not e%press the true will of
the testator(
4. for the same reason& it can be easily concealed.
*B< 3eyes critici-es this form of a will:
A holoraphic wills are peculiarly danerous in case of
persons who have written very little. The validity of these
wills depends e%clusively on the authenticity of the
handwritin& and if writin standards are not procurable& or
not contemporaneous& the courts are left to the mercy of the
mendacity of witnesses.
'ts simplicity is an invitation to forery& since the te%t may be
e%tremely short. 'f we want to permit the testator to $eep his
wishes secret in order to avoid importunity& it can be done on
the basis of the closed will. Dtstamento cerradoE
/ay a blind testator ma$e a valid holoraphic will@ There is
no !uestion as to notarial wills it bein allowed under the law
provided the will was read twice to the testator. As to
holoraphic wills& it is submitted that it may be allowed. The
testator& havin written the holoraphic will by his own hand&
$nows what it contains. 2e may have learned to write before
he became blind& or inspite of his blindness. This view has
been sustained in <ouisiana& where it has been held that
blindness does not of itself prevent the ma$in of a valid
holoraphic.
A 2# may be in any form& but the intent to dispose mortis
causa must clearly appear in the conte%t.
#hat would be the effect of words written by another and
inserted amon the words written by the testator@
4. if insertion was made after e%ecution bu wFo consent& such
is deemed not written(
5. if the insertion was after e%ecution with the consent of
testator& the will remains valid but the insertion void(
6. if insertion was after e%ecution and validated by testator by
his sinature& the entire will is void because it is not wholly
written by the testator himself(
4. if insertion is contemporaneous to the e%ecution the effect
same as no. 6.
As to date& the day& month& and year on which the will was
made should be indicated therein. The day and the
month&however& may be indicated by implication& so lon as
the desination leaves no room for doubt as to e%act date.
The validity of the holoraphic will is defeated by the fact that
part of the date is printed. .uch as that written on a daily
planner thouh the contents are entirely written by the hand
but the testator relied on the date indicated on the planner&
the same is still e%trinsically void.
.inatures of witnesses to a 2# will not invalidate the will&
but will be disrearded as a mere surplusae.
A person can ma$e a 2# in the form of a letter in which he
states his testamentary dispositions ivin it a character of a
will but the animus testatandi must be present.
'naccuracy of the date due to involuntary error& or
inadvertence& the testator bein in ood faith& the court may
allow proof of the true date& provided such proof even
e%trinsic can have a basis in the will itself.
The sinature of the testator in 2# is not the simple writin
of the name and surname of the testator. 't is his name
written by him in his usual and habitual manner.
1nder our law& the sinature musr be at the end of the will.
Thus can be inferred from article 845 by the reference to
dispositions written below his sinature this phrase implies
that the sinature is at the end of the will and any disposition
below it must be further sined and dated.
- jann - 43
Art. #-$. n holo!raphic wills, the dispositions of the
testator written below his si!nature must be dated
and si!ned by him in order to ma+e them valid as
testamentary dispositions. (n)
T: the dispositions written below the testator"s dinature to
the will are considered as independent of the will itself(
hence& they must be sined and dated by the testator. 'f one is
not dated& even irf sined& that particular disposition will be
void& without affectin the validity of others or of the will
itself. And an unsined and undated postscript to a
holoraphic will is invalid as to testamentary disposition.
Art. #-%. When a number of dispositions appearin!
in a holo!raphic will are si!ned without bein! dated,
and the last disposition has a si!nature and a date,
such date validates the dispositions precedin! it,
whatever be the time of prior dispositions. (n)
B: Thus& in case of several additional dispositions the
additional ones before the last are dated but unsined& only
the last will be valid provided the last is dated and sined.
-o7as !s. De Ees"s
Petitioner Simeon R. Ro*as testifie t&at after &is
a''ointment as aministrator( &e foun a note"oo1 "elon)in)
to t&e ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus an t&at on 'a)es .-(
..( ./ an .4 t&ereof( a letterD%ill aresse to &er c&ilren
an entirel# %ritten an si)ne in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e
ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus %as foun. T&e %ill is ate
82EB.5?-8 an states; 8T&is is m# %ill %&ic& I %ant to "e
res'ecte alt&o it is not %ritten "# a la%#er. . . 8
On Au)ust .4( ->7/( res'onent Gu)e Gose 0. 0ola#co
issue an orer allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill
%&ic& &e foun to &a$e "een ul# e*ecute in accorance
%it& la%.
Res'onent Lu4 Ro*as e Gesus file a motion for
reconsieration alle)in) inter alia t&at t&e alle)e &olo)ra'&ic
Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus %as not ate as
re!uire "# Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il 0oe. S&e contens t&at
t&e la% re!uires t&at t&e Bill s&oul contain t&e a#( mont&(
an #ear of its e*ecution an t&at t&is s&oul "e strictl#
com'lie %it&.
T&e onl# issue is %&et&er or not t&e ate 82EB.5?-8
a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana
Ro*as e Gesus is a $ali com'liance %it& t&e Article 9-= of
t&e 0i$il 0oe %&ic& reas;
ART. 9-=. A 'erson ma# e*ecute a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill %&ic& must "e entirel# %ritten(
ate( an si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator
&imself. It is su"Cect to no ot&er form( an ma# "e
mae in or out of t&e P&ili''ines( an nee not "e
%itnesse.8
T&e 'etitioners conten t&at %&ile Article ?97 of t&e S'anis&
0i$il 0oe an Article ?99 of t&e Ol 0i$il 0oe re!uire t&e
testator to state in &is &olo)ra'&ic Bill t&e 8#ear( mont&( an
a# of its e*ecution(8 t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe omitte t&e
'&rase 8AOo( mes # ia8 an sim'l# re!uires t&at t&e
&olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul "e ate. T&e 'etitioners su"mit t&at
t&e li"eral construction of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul 're$ail.
Be a)ree %it& t&e 'etitioner.
T&is %ill not "e t&e first time t&at t&is 0ourt e'arts from a
strict an literal a''lication of t&e statutor# re!uirements
re)arin) t&e ue e*ecution of Bills. Be s&oul not o$erloo1
t&e li"eral tren of t&e 0i$il 0oe in t&e manner of e*ecution
of Bills( t&e 'ur'ose of %&ic&( in case of ou"t is to 're$ent
intestac# S
8T&e unerl#in) an funamental o"Cecti$es
'ermeatin) t&e 'ro$isions of t&e la% on %ills in t&is
ProCect consists in t&e li"erali4ation of t&e manner of
t&eir e*ecution %it& t&e en in $ie% of )i$in) t&e
testator more freeom in e*'ressin) &is last %is&es(
"ut %it& sufficient safe)uars an restrictions to
're$ent t&e commission of frau an t&e e*ercise of
unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence u'on
t&e testator.
8T&is o"Cecti$e is in accor %it& t&e moern
tenenc# %it& res'ect to t&e formalities in t&e
e*ecution of %ills.8 +Re'ort of t&e 0oe
0ommission( '. -=/,
8. . . T&e la% &as a tener re)ar for t&e %ill of t&e
testator e*'resse in &is last %ill an testament on
t&e )roun t&at an# is'osition mae "# t&e testator
is "etter t&an t&at %&ic& t&e la% can ma1e. 2or t&is
reason( intestate succession is not&in) more t&an a
is'osition "ase u'on t&e 'resume %ill of t&e
eceent.8
T&us( t&e 're$ailin) 'olic# is to re!uire satisfaction of t&e
le)al re!uirements in orer to )uar a)ainst frau an "a
fait& "ut %it&out unue or unnecessar# curtailment of
testamentar# 'ri$ile)e +Icasiano $. Icasiano( -- S0RA 4..,. If
a Bill &as "een e*ecute in su"stantial com'liance %it& t&e
formalities of t&e la%( an t&e 'ossi"ilit# of "a fait& an
frau in t&e e*ercise t&ereof is o"$iate( sai Bill s&oul "e
amitte to 'ro"ate
Be &a$e carefull# re$ie%e t&e recors of t&is case an
foun no e$ience of "a fait& an frau in its e*ecution nor
%as t&ere an# su"stitution of Bills an Testaments. T&ere is
no !uestion t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana
Ro*as e Gesus %as entirel# %ritten( ate( an si)ne "#
t&e testatri* &erself an in a lan)ua)e 1no%n to &er. T&ere is
also no !uestion as to its )enuineness an ue e*ecution. All
t&e c&ilren of t&e testatri* a)ree on t&e )enuineness of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&eir mot&er an t&at s&e &a t&e
testamentar# ca'acit# at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of sai
Bill. T&e o"Cection inter'ose "# t&e o''ositorDres'onent
Lu4 Aenson is t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill is fatall# efecti$e
"ecause t&e ate 82EB.5?-8 a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic
Bill is not sufficient com'liance %it& Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il
0oe. T&is o"Cection is too tec&nical to "e entertaine.
As a )eneral rule( t&e 8ate8 in a &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul
inclue t&e a#( mont&( an #ear of its e*ecution. Ao%e$er(
%&en as in t&e case at "ar( t&ere is no a''earance of frau(
"a fait&( unue influence an 'ressure an t&e aut&enticit#
of t&e Bill is esta"lis&e an t&e onl# issue is %&et&er or not
t&e ate 82EB.5?-8 a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill is a
$ali com'liance %it& Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il 0oe( 'ro"ate of
t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul "e allo%e uner t&e 'rinci'le of
su"stantial com'liance.
- jann - 44
BAERE2ORE( t&e instant 'etition is GRANTE:. T&e orer
a''eale from is REVERSE: an SET ASI:E an t&e orer
allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease
Bi"iana Ro*as e Gesus is reinstate
Fala% !s. -elo!a
On Se'tem"er -( ->7-( 'ri$ate res'onent GREGORIO K.
KALAB( claimin) to "e t&e sole &eir of &is ecease sister(
Nati$ia K. Kala%( file a 'etition "efore t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Batan)as( Branc& VI( Li'a 0it#( for t&e 'ro"ate of
&er &olo)ra'&ic Bill e*ecute on :ecem"er .4( ->?9.
T&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill( as first %ritten( name ROSA K. Kala%(
a sister of t&e testatri* as &er sole &eir. Aence( on No$em"er
-=( ->7-( 'etitioner ROSA K. Kala% o''ose 'ro"ate
alle)in)( in su"stance( t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill containe
alterations( corrections( an insertions %it&out t&e 'ro'er
aut&entication "# t&e full si)nature of t&e testatri* as re!uire
"# Article 9-4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe reain);
8Art. 9-4. In case of an# insertion(
cancellation( erasure or alteration in a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( t&e testator must
aut&enticate t&e same "# &is full
si)nature.8
ROSA@s 'osition %as t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill( as first
%ritten( s&oul "e )i$en effect an 'ro"ate so t&at s&e coul
"e t&e sole &eir t&ereuner.
2rom t&at Orer( GREGORIO mo$e for reconsieration
ar)uin) t&at since t&e alterations an5or insertions %ere
mae "# t&e testatri*( t&e enial to 'ro"ate of &er
&olo)ra'&ic Bill %oul "e contrar# to &er ri)&t of
testamentar# is'osition. Reconsieration %as enie in an
Orer( ate No$em"er .( ->7/( on t&e )roun t&at 8Article
9-4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe "ein) clear an e*'licit( +it, re!uires no
necessit# for inter'retation.8
2rom t&at orer( ate Se'tem"er /( ->7/( en#in) 'ro"ate(
an t&e Orer ate No$em"er .( ->7/ en#in)
reconsieration( ROSA file t&is Petition for Re$ie% on
0ertiorari on t&e sole le)al !uestion of %&et&er or not t&e
ori)inal unaltere te*t after su"se!uent alterations an
insertions %ere $oie "# t&e Trial 0ourt for lac1 of
aut&entication "# t&e full si)nature of t&e testatri*( s&oul "e
'ro"ate or not( %it& &er as sole &eir.
Orinaril#( %&en a num"er of erasures( corrections( an
interlineations mae "# t&e testator in a &olo)ra'&ic Bill
&a$e not "een note uner &is si)nature( . . . t&e Bill is not
t&ere"# in$aliate as a %&ole( "ut at most onl# as res'ects
t&e 'articular %ors erase( correcte or interline. -
Hanresa )a$e an ientical commentar# %&en &e sai 8la
omision e la sal$ea no anula el testamento( se)un la
re)la e Curis'ruencia esta"lecia en la sentencia e 4 e
A"ril e -9>7.8 .
Ao%e$er( %&en as in t&is case( t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill in
is'ute &a onl# one su"stantial 'ro$ision( %&ic& %as altere
"# su"stitutin) t&e ori)inal &eir %it& anot&er( "ut %&ic&
alteration i not carr# t&e re!uisite of full aut&entication "#
t&e full si)nature of t&e testator( t&e effect must "e t&at t&e
entire Bill is $oie or re$o1e for t&e sim'le reason t&at
not&in) remains in t&e Bill after t&at %&ic& coul remain
$ali. To state t&at t&e Bill as first %ritten s&oul "e )i$en
efficac# is to isre)ar t&e seemin) c&an)e of min of t&e
testatri*. But t&at c&an)e of min can neit&er "e )i$en effect
"ecause s&e faile to aut&enticate it in t&e manner re!uire
"# la% "# affi*in) &er full si)nature.
T&e rulin) in Velasco( su'ra( must "e &el confine to suc&
insertions( cancellations( erasures or alterations in a
&olo)ra'&ic Bill( %&ic& affect onl# t&e efficac# of t&e altere
%ors t&emsel$es "ut not t&e essence an $aliit# of t&e Bill
itself. As it is( %it& t&e erasures( cancellations an alterations
mae "# t&e testatri* &erein( &er real intention cannot "e
etermine %it& certitue. BAERE2ORE( t&is Petition is
&ere"# ismisse an t&e :ecision of res'onent Gu)e(
ate Se'tem"er /( ->7/( is &ere"# affirme in toto. No costs
V. IN0ORPORATION O2 :O0IHENT BJ RE2EREN0E
Art. #$7. f a will, e&ecuted as required by this 6ode,
incorporates into itself by reference any document
or paper, such document or paper shall not be
considered a part of the will unless the followin!
requisites are present,
(-) "he document or paper referred to in the
will must be in e&istence at the time of the
e&ecution of the will.
($) "he will must clearly describe and
identify the same, statin! amon! other thin!s
the number of pa!es thereof.
(%) t must be identified by clear and
satisfactory proof as the document or paper
referred to therein. and
(/) t must be si!ned by the testator and the
witnesses on each and every pa!e, e&cept in
case of voluminous boo+s of account or
inventories. (n)
Incor'oration "# reference is an e*ce'tion to t&e rule t&at if
an instrument is not e*ecute %it& all t&e formalities of a %ill
it cannot "e amitte to 'ro"ate. If a %ill ul# e*ecute an
%itnesse accorin) to t&e re!uirements of t&e statute(
incor'orates in itself "# reference an# ocument or 'a'er not
so e*ecute an %itnesse( %&et&er suc& 'a'er referre to
"e in t&e form of a %ill or coicil( or of a ee or inenture( or
of a mere list or memoranum( t&e 'a'er so referre to( if it
%as in e*istence at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill an is
ientifie "# clear an satisfactor# 'roof as t&e 'a'er
referre to t&erein( %ill ta1e effect as 'art of t&e %ill an "e
amitte to 'ro"ate as suc&.
To esta"lis& a se'arate %ritin) as 'art of t&e %ill it must
a''ear on its face t&e ff;
-. t&ere must "e istinct reference to suc& %ritin)( so
e*'licit as to ientif# it "e#on ou"t( less is
sufficient( incluin) 'arol e$ience recei$e.
.. t&e reference must inicate t&e %ritin) as alrea#
e*istin)<
- jann - 45
/. it can onl# "e )i$en effect to t&e e*tent t&at it
a''ears 'rima facie to &a$e "een t&e %is& of t&e
testator.
T&e follo%in) must li1e%ise "e s&o%n "# e*trinsic 'roof;
-. t&at it is t&e $er# %ritin) referre to in t&e %ill<
.. t&at it %as in fact mae "efore %ill %as e*ecute
B; T&is article refers to suc& ocuments as in$entories( "oo1s
of account( ocuments of titile( an 'a'ers of similar nature<
t&e ocs s&oul uner no circumstances( ma1e testamentar#
is'ositions "ecause formal re!uirements of %ills ma# "e
circum$ente.
0an &olo)ra'&ic %ills incor'orate ocuments "# refernceF
It e'ens. No( "ecause 'ar. 4 of t&is article re!uires a
%itness to si)n on e$er# 'a)e e*ce't $oluminous ocs. Onl#
orinar# %ills re!uires %itnesses unless of course a AB is
e*ecute %it& %itnesses su'erfluousl#.
VI. 0O:I0IL
A. :efinitions an Solemnities
Art. #$5. A codicil is supplement or addition to a
will, made after the e&ecution of a will and anne&ed
to be ta+en as a part thereof, by which disposition
made in the ori!inal will is e&plained, added to, or
altered. (n)
Art. #$*. n order that a codicil may be effective, it
shall be e&ecuted as in the case of a will. (n)
T; After a testator &as alrea# mae a %ill( a su"se!uent
instrument mortis causa ma# eit&er "e a coicil or a ne% %ill.
If t&e su"se!uent instrument e*'lains t&e ori)inal %ill( or
alters( or as to it( t&en it is a coicil. But if t&e later
instrument ma1es is'ositions ine'enent of t&ose in t&e
ori)inal %ill( t&en it is a ne% %ill( not a coicil. A coicil is
al%a#s relate to some 'rior %ill.
B; T&e istinctions( &o%e$er( is 'urel# acaemic "ecause
Article 9.? re!uires t&e coicil to "e in t&e form of a %ill
an#%a#.
Hust t&e coicil conform to t&e form of t&e %ill to %&ic& it
refersF
T&e la% oes not re!uire t&is. T&us( an atteste %ill ma#
&a$e a &olo)ra'&ic coicil< a &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# &a$e an
atteste coicil. Neeles to sa#( of course( t&e forms of t&e
%ill an t&e coicil ma# concur.
VII. REVO0ATION O2 BILLS AN: TESTAHENTARJ
:ISPOSITIONS
A. :efinitions of re$ocation
Re$ocation is an act of t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential
ca'acit# of t&e %ill to o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator(
manifeste "# some out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic
t&ereof.
Re$ocation is t&e recall of some 'o%er( aut&orit#( or a t&in)
)rante or a estro#in) or ma1in) $oi of some ee t&at
&a e*istence until t&e act of re$ocation mae it $oi.
+Blac13s La% :ictionar#,
Art. #$#. A will may be revo+ed by the testator at any
time before his death. Any waiver or restriction of
this ri!ht is void. (7%7a)
T; :urin) t&e life of t&e testator t&e %ill is sai to "e
am"ulator# an ma# "e altere( re$o1e( or su'ersee at
an# time. Its is of no 'ossi"le effect as a %ill %&ile t&e ma1er
li$es.
A %ill ma# "e re$o1e at 'leasure. Re$ocation is an act of
t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential ca'acit# of t&e %ill to
o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator( manifeste "# some
out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic t&ereof.
Re$ocation $s. Nullit#
-. act of testator -. 'rocees from la%
.. 'resu''oses a $ali act .. in&erent from t&e %ill
/. inter $i$os /. in$o1e After eat&
4. testator cannot renounce 4. can "e isre)are "# &eirs
B; T&is c&aracteristic is consistent %it& t&e 'rinci'le lai
o%n in Art. 777( successional ri)&ts $est onl# u'on eat&.
6. =aw >overnin! revocation
Art. #$9. A revocation done outside the 0hilippines,
by a person who does not have his domicile in this
country, is valid when it is done accordin! to the law
of the place where the will was made, or accordin! to
the law of the place in which the testator had his
domicile at the time. and if the revocation ta+es
place in this country, when it is in accordance with
the provisions of this 6ode. (n)
3ules for revocation:
A. if revocation in the ?hil. Bollow local laws
B. if outside the ?hil.
4. testator not domiciled in the ?hil
aE follow law of the place where will was
made& or
bE follow law of the domicile of testator at
time of revocation
5. testator domiciled in the ?hil. Art. 85A not
applicable:
aE follow ?hil. <aw> domiciliary principle& or
bE follow law of place of revocation> le% loci
celebrationis& or
cE follow law of the place where will was made
D by analoy with Art. 85AE
- jann - 46
9. /odes of 3evocation
Art. #%2. :o will shall be revo+ed e&cept in the
followin! cases,
(-) By implication of law. or
($) By some will, codicil, or other writin!
e&ecuted as provided in case of wills. or
(%) By burnin!, tearin!, cancellin!, or
obliteratin! the will with the intention of
revo+in! it, by the testator himself, or by
some other person in his presence, and by
his e&press direction. f burned, torn,
cancelled, or obliterated by some other
person, without the e&press direction of the
testator, the will may still be established, and
the estate distributed in accordance
therewith, if its contents, and due e&ecution,
and the fact of its unauthori8ed destruction,
cancellation, or obliteration are established
accordin! to the 5ules of 6ourt. (n)
T&ere is re$ocation "# im'lication of la% %&en certain acts or
e$ents ta1e 'lace su"se!uent to ma1in) of a %ill( %&ic&
nullif# or rener ino'erati$e eit&er t&e %ill itself or some
testamentar# is'osition t&erein. E*am'les are t&e ff;
-. act of un%ort&iness "# an &eir( e$isee( or le)atee uner
Art. -=/.<
.. transformation( alienation or loss of t&e t&in) e$ise or
le)ac# after e*ecution of %ill +art. >77,<
/. Guicial eman "# t&e testator of a creit )i$en as le)ac#
art. >/?<
4. 'reterition of com'ulsor# &eirs article 974<
7. sale of 'ro'ert# )i$en as e$ise or le)ac# for t&e 'a#ment
of t&e e"ts of t&e testator.
Enumeration is not e*clusi$e.
Su"se!uent Instrument
A su"se!uent %ill containin) a clause re$o1in) a 're$ious %ill
s&oul 'ossess all t&e re!uisites of a %ill( %&et&er it "e an
orinar# or &olo)ra'&ic %ill( an s&oul "e 'ro"ate(in orer
t&at t&e re$ocator# clause ma# 'rouce t&e effect of re$o1in)
t&e 're$ious %ill.
:estruction of a %ill
-. t&e testator must at t&e time or re$ocation "e of
soun min. T&e same e)ree of mental
ca'acit# is re!uire to re$o1e a %ill as to ma1e
one<
.. t&e "urnin)( tearin)( cancelin)( or o"literation of
t&e %ill must "e one %it& animo re$ocani an
must actuall# "e carrie out. T&e mental
'rocess or intent to re$o1e must concur %it&
t&e '&#sical fact or actual estruction of t&e %ill<
%&ere a testatri* %as a"out to "urn a %ill in an en$elo'e( %it&
t&e intention of re$o1in) it( "ut a t&ir 'erson frauulentl#
re'lce t&e %ill insie t&ou)&t &e testatri* "elie$e t&e %ill
%as estro#e( still no re$ocation occurre. Ao%e$er( if t&e
t&ir 'erson is a e$isee or le)atee %&o 're$ents t&e
re$ocation "# t&reats( frau or $iolence( t&e %ill is re$o1e as
to &im( "# im'lication of la% on t&e )roun of un%ort&iness.
T&ir 'erson ma# re$o1e a %ill if t&e same %as one in t&e
'resence of an "# t&e e*'ress irection of t&e testator.
In cases %&ere t&e estruction is unaut&ori4e( t&ere is no
re$ocation( an t&e contents of t&e %ill ma# "e 'reo$e "#
seconar# e$ience.
If t&e %ill %as alrea# 'artl# "urne or torn "ut %as onl#
sa$e u'on t&e interference of a t&ir 'erson t&e %ill is still
eeme re$o1e as lon) as t&e testator intene to. No
matter &o% lar)e or small t&e e*tent of t&e ama)e to t&e %ill
e$en if t&e same is still le)i"le( t&e same is still eeme
re$o1e for all intents an 'ur'oses. T&is case is to "e
ifferentiate from t&e %ill t&at %as re'lace "ecause &ere
t&e actual %ill itself &as commence estruction.
Dago !s. Ca#"yac
"he purpose of this action was to obtain the probation of a
last will and testament of &iguel &amuyac, who died on the
2d day of >anuary, ()22, in the municipality of %goo of the
8rovince of ?a 'nion. !t appears from the record that on or
about the 2.th day of >uly, ()(;, the said &iguel &amuyac
executed a last will and testament ,Axhibit %0. !n the month of
>anuary, ()22, the said 4rancisco Bago presented a petition
in the /ourt of 4irst !nstance of the 8rovince of ?a 'nion for
the probation of that will. "he probation of the same was
opposed by /ornelio &amuyac, %mbrosio ?ariosa, 4eliciana
5au1on, and /atalina &amuyac ,civil cause <o. ((**,
8rovince of ?a 'nion0. %fter hearing all of the parties the
petition for the probation of said will was denied by the
#onorable /. &. Villareal on the 2d day of <ovember, ()23,
upon the ground that the deceased had on the (-th day of
%pril, ()(), executed a new will and testament.
On t&e .-st a# of 2e"ruar#( ->.7( t&e 'resent action %as
commence. Its 'ur'ose %as to secure t&e 'ro"ation of t&e
sai %ill of t&e -?t& a# of A'ril( ->-> +E*&i"it -,. To sai
'etition 0ornelio Hamu#ac( Am"rosio Lariosa( 2eliciana
Bau4on( an 0atalina Hamu#ac 'resente t&eir o''ositions(
alle)in) +a, t&at t&e sai %ill is a co'# of t&e secon %ill an
testament e*ecute "# t&e sai Hi)uel Hamu#ac< +", t&at t&e
same &a "een cancelle an re$o1e urin) t&e lifetime of
Hi)uel Hamu#ac an +c, t&at t&e sai %ill %as not t&e last
%ill an testament of t&e ecease Hi)uel Hamu#ac.
8T&at E*&i"it A is a mere car"on co'# of its ori)inal %&ic&
remaine in t&e 'ossession of t&e ecease testator Hi)uel
Hamu#ac( %&o re$o1e it "efore &is eat& as 'er testimon#
of %itnesses Gose 2eno#( %&o t#'e t&e %ill of t&e testator on
A'ril -?( ->->( an 0arlos BeCar( %&o sa% on :ecem"er /=(
->.=( t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it A +%ill of ->->, actuall# cancelle
"# t&e testator Hi)uel Hamu#ac( %&o assure 0arlos BeCar
t&at inasmuc& as &e &a sol &im a &ouse an t&e lan
%&ere t&e &ouse %as "uilt( &e &a to cancel it t&e %ill of
->->,( e*ecutin) t&ere"# a ne% testament. Narcisa Ga)o in a
%a# corro"orates t&e testimon# of Gose 2eno#( amittin) t&at
t&e %ill e*ecute "# t&e ecease +Hi)uel Hamu#ac, in ->->
%as foun in t&e 'ossession of fat&er Hi)uel Hamu#ac. T&e
o''onents &a$e successfull# esta"lis&e t&e fact t&at fat&er
Hi)uel Hamu#ac &a e*ecute in ->.= anot&er %ill. T&e
- jann - 47
same Narcisa Ga)o( t&e sister of t&e ecease( %&o %as
li$in) in t&e &ouse %it& &im( %&en crossDe*amine "#
attorne# for t&e o''onents( testifie t&at t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it
A coul not "e foun. 2or t&e fore)oin) consieration an for
t&e reason t&at t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it A &as "een cancelle
"# t&e ecease fat&er Hi)uel Hamu#ac( t&e court isallo%s
t&e 'ro"ate of E*&i"it A for t&e a''licant.8 2rom t&at orer t&e
'etitioner a''eale.
With reference to the said cancellation, it may be stated that
there is positive proof, not denied, which was accepted by
the lower court, that the will in question had been cancelled
in ()2=. "he law does not require any evidence of the
revocation or cancellation of a will to. be preserved. !t
therefore becomes difficult at times to prove the revocation
or cancellation of wills. "he fact that such cancellation or
revocation has ta$en place must either remain unproved or
be inferred from evidence showing that after due search the
original will cannot be found. Where a will which cannot be
found is shown to have been in the possession of the
testator, when last seen, the presumption is, in the absence
of other competent evidence, that the same was cancelled or
destroyed. "he same presumption arises where it is shown
that the testator had ready access to the will and it cannot be
found after his death. !t will not be presumed that such will
has been destroyed by any other person without the
$nowledge or authority of the testator. "he force of the
presumption of cancellation or revocation by the testator,
while varying greatly, being wea$ or strong according to the
circumstances, is never conclusive, but may be overcome by
proof that the will was not destroyed by the testator with
intent to revo$e it.
!n view of the fact that the original will of ()() could not be
found after the death of the testator &iguel &amuyac and in
view of the positive proof that the same had been cancelled,
we are forced to the conclusion that the conclusions of the
lower court are in accordance with the weight of the
evidence.
Casiano !s. CA
On Octo"er .=( ->?/( Ariana Haloto ie lea$in) as &eirs
&er niece an ne'&e%s( t&e 'etitioners Alina HalotoD
0asiano an 0onstancio Haloto( an t&e 'ri$ate res'onents
Panfilo Haloto an 2elino Haloto. Belie$in) t&at t&e
ecease i not lea$e "e&in a last %ill an testament(
t&ese four &eirs commence on No$em"er 4( ->?/ an
intestate 'roceein) for t&e settlement of t&eir aunt@s estate.
T&e case %as institute in t&e t&en 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Iloilo an %as oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein) No. -7/?.
Ao%e$er( %&ile t&e case %as still in 'ro)ress( or to "e e*act
on 2e"ruar# -( ->?4( t&e 'arties S Alina( 0onstancio(
Panfilo( an 2elino S e*ecute an a)reement of e*traCuicial
settlement of Ariana@s estate. T&e a)reement 'ro$ie for
t&e i$ision of t&e estate into four e!ual 'arts amon) t&e
'arties. T&e Halotos t&en 'resente t&e e*traCuicial
settlement a)reement to t&e trial court for a''ro$al %&ic& t&e
court i on Harc& .-( ->?4. T&at s&oul &a$e si)nalle t&e
en of t&e contro$ers#( "ut( unfortunatel#( it &a not.
T&ree #ears later( or sometime in Harc& ->?7( Att#. Sul'icio
Palma( a former associate of Ariana@s counsel( t&e late Att#.
Eliseo Aer$as( isco$ere a ocument entitle 8KATAPISAN
NGA PAGBILITDAN +Testamento,(8 ate Ganuar# /( ->4=(
an 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e last %ill an testament of Ariana.
Att#. Palma claime to &a$e foun t&e testament( t&e ori)inal
co'#( %&ile &e %as )oin) t&rou)& some materials insie t&e
ca"inet ra%er formerl# use "# Att#. Aer$as. T&e ocument
%as su"mitte to t&e office of t&e cler1 of t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Iloilo on A'ril -( ->?7. Incientall#( %&ile Panfilo
an 2elino are still name as &eirs in t&e sai %ill( Alina an
0onstancio are "e!ueat&e muc& "i))er an more $alua"le
s&ares in t&e estate of Ariana t&an %&at t&e# recei$e "#
$irtue of t&e a)reement of e*traCuicial settlement t&e# &a
earlier si)ne. T&e %ill li1e%ise )i$es e$ises an le)acies to
ot&er 'arties( amon) t&em "ein) t&e 'etitioners Asilo e
Holo( t&e Roman 0at&olic 0&urc& of Holo( an Purificacion
Hiraflor.
T&ere is no ou"t as to t&e testamentar# ca'acit# of t&e
testatri* an t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill. T&e &eart of t&e
case lies on t&e issue as to %&et&er or not t&e %ill %as
re$o1e "# Ariana. T&e 'ro$isions of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
'ertinent to t&e issue can "e foun in Article 9/=.
Art. 9/=. No %ill s&all "e re$o1e e*ce't in t&e follo%in)
cases;
+-, B# im'lication of la%< or
+., B# some %ill( coicil( or ot&er %ritin) e*ecute as
'ro$ie in case of %ills; or
+/, B# "urnin)( tearin)( cancellin)( or o"literatin) t&e
%ill %it& t&e intention of re$o1in) it( "# t&e testator
&imself( or "# some ot&er 'erson in &is 'resence(
an "# &is e*'ress irection. If "urne( torn(
cancelle( or o"literate "# some ot&er 'erson(
%it&out t&e e*'ress irection of t&e testator( t&e %ill
ma# still "e esta"lis&e( an t&e estate istri"ute in
accorance t&ere%it&( if its contents( an ue
e*ecution( an t&e fact of its unaut&ori4e
estruction( cancellation( or o"literation are
esta"lis&e accorin) to t&e Rules of 0ourt.
+Em'&asis Su''lie.,
It is clear t&at t&e '&#sical act of estruction of a %ill( li1e
"urnin) in t&is case( oes not 'er se constitute an effecti$e
re$ocation( unless t&e estruction is cou'le %it& animus
re$ocani on t&e 'art of t&e testator. It is not im'erati$e t&at
t&e '&#sical estruction "e one "# t&e testator &imself. It
ma# "e 'erforme "# anot&er 'erson "ut uner t&e e*'ress
irection an in t&e 'resence of t&e testator. Of course( it
)oes %it&out sa#in) t&at t&e ocument estro#e must "e
t&e %ill itself.
T&e res'onent a''ellate court in assessin) t&e e$ience
'resente "# t&e 'ri$ate res'onents as o''ositors in t&e
trial court( conclue t&at t&e testimon# of t&e t%o %itnesses
%&o testifie in fa$or of t&e %ill@s re$ocation a''ear
8inconclusi$e.8 Be s&are t&e same $ie%. No%&ere in t&e
recors "efore us oes it a''ear t&at t&e t%o %itnesses(
Guaalu'e Va. e 0orral an Elaio Itc&on( "ot& illiterates(
%ere une!ui$oca"l# 'ositi$e t&at t&e ocument "urne %as
inee Ariana@s %ill. Guaalu'e( %e t&in1( "elie$e t&at t&e
'a'ers s&e estro#e %as t&e %ill onl# "ecause( accorin) to
&er( Ariana tol &er so. Elaio( on t&e ot&er &an( o"taine
&is information t&at t&e "urne ocument %as t&e %ill
"ecause Guaalu'e tol &im so( t&us( &is testimon# on t&is
'oint is ou"le &earsa#.
At t&is Cuncture( %e reiterate t&at 8+it, is an im'ortant matter of
'u"lic interest t&at a 'ur'orte %ill is not enie le)ali4ation
on u"ious )rouns. Ot&er%ise( t&e $er# institution of
testamentar# succession %ill "e s&a1en to its $er#
founations . . . 8 4
One last note. T&e 'ri$ate res'onents 'oint out t&at
re$ocation coul "e inferre from t&e fact t&at 8+a, maCor an
- jann - 48
su"stantial "ul1 of t&e 'ro'erties mentione in t&e %ill &a
"een is'ose of; %&ile an insi)nificant 'ortion of t&e
'ro'erties remaine at t&e time of eat& +of t&e testatri*,<
an( furt&ermore( more $alua"le 'ro'erties &a$e "een
ac!uire after t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill on Ganuar# /( ->4=.8
7 Suffice it to state &ere t&at as t&ese aitional matters
raise "# t&e 'ri$ate res'onents are e*traneous to t&is
s'ecial 'roceein)( t&e# coul onl# "e a''ro'riatel# ta1en u'
after t&e %ill &as "een ul# 'ro"ate an a certificate of its
allo%ance issue.
BAERE2ORE( Cu)ment is &ere"# renere REVERSING
an SETTING ASI:E t&e :ecision ate Gune 7( ->97 an
t&e Resolution ate Octo"er ..( ->9?( of t&e res'onent
0ourt of A''eals( an a ne% one ENTERE: for t&e
allo%ance of Ariana Haloto@s last %ill an testament. 0osts
a)ainst t&e 'ri$ate res'onents.
E. Effect of re$ocation
Art. #%-. 9ubsequent wills which do not revo+e the
previous ones in an e&press manner, annul only
such dispositions in the prior wills as are
inconsistent with or contrary to those contained in
the latter wills. (n)
3evocation may be:
,%press> when the later declares the former or all former
wills revo$ed.
'mplied> when it merely ma$es disposition inconsistent with
the provisions of the former wills& the later will annuls only
such disposiotion in prior wills as are inconsisten with those
contained in the subse!uent will. )r if there appears an
intention of the testator to dispose of his property in a
manner different from the first will& it is to the e%tent
revo$ed.
'f two similar wills are e%ecuted on the same day they may
constituted as the same will.
Art. #%$. A revocation made in a subsequent will
shall ta+e effect, even if the new will should become
inoperative by reason of the incapacity of the heirs,
devisees or le!atees desi!nated therein, or by their
renunciation. (7/2a)
The 9octrine of 9ependent 3elative 3evocation entails that
the revocation will be conditional and dependent upon the
efficacy of the new disposition( and if& for any reason& the new
will intended to be made as substitute is inoperative& the
revocation fails and the oriinal will remain in full force. The
failure of the new testamentary disposition is e!uivalent to
the non>fulfillment of a suspensive condition which
prebvents revocation of the first will.
The article contemplates a case where a subse!uent will
revo$es a prior one& and the validity of the later will is
established& but its provisions cannot be carried out because
of incapacity of or renunciation by the beneficiaries named
therein. The revocation is ineffective& because of the clear
intent of the testator to revo$e & contained in a valid will. The
validity of the new will prevents the operation of the principle
of dependent relative revocation& even if the new dispositions
cannot be carried out.
Art. #%%. A revocation of a will based on a false cause
or an ille!al cause is null and void. (n)
T: if the act of revocation is induced by a belief which turns
out to be false& there is no revocation. The fact& with reard to
which the mista$e was made& must& however& appear upon
the face of the instrument. ?arol evidence not competent tp
prove revocation was induced by false assumption of fact or
law.
#here the facts alleed by the testator were peculiarly wFin
his $nowlede& or the testator must have $nown the truth of
the facts alleed by him& it does not matter whether they are
true or not( the revocation in such case is absolute.
B: 3e!uisites for Article 866:
4. the cause must be concrete& factual and not purely
sub0ective
5. it must be false(
6. the testator must $now its falsity
4. it must appear that the testator is revo$in because
of the cause which is false.
7. the illeal cause should be stated in the will as the
cause of revocation
Art. #%/. "he reco!nition of an ille!itimate child
does not lose its le!al effect, even thou!h the will
wherein it was made should be revo+ed. (7-/)
T: the reconition does not lose its leal effect even if the will
is revo$ed& because the reconition is not a testamentary
disposition( it ta$es effect upon the e%ecution of the will and
not upon the death of the testator.
B: 3econition is an irrevocable act& even if will is revo$ed
reconition remains.
Colo !s. Colo
Hariano Holo # Le)as'i ie on Ganuar# .4( ->4-( in t&e
munici'alit# of Pasa#( 'ro$ince of Ri4al( %it&out lea$in) an#
force &eir eit&er in t&e escenin) or ascenin) line. Ae
%as sur$i$e( &o%e$er( "# &is %ife( t&e &erein 'etitioner
Guana Guan Va. e Holo( an "# &is nieces an ne'&e%(
t&e o''ositorsDa''ellants( Lu4( Gliceria an 0ornelio( all
surname Holo( %&o %ere t&e le)itimate c&ilren of 0anio
Holo # Le)as'i( ecease "rot&er of t&e testator. Hariano
Holo # Le)as'i left t%o %ills( one e*ecute on Au)ust -7(
->-9( +E*&i"it A, an anot&er e*ecute on Gune .=( ->/>(
+E*&i"it I,. T&e latter %ill contains a clause %&ic& e*'ressl#
re$o1es t&e %ill e*ecute in ->-9.
T&e ne*t contention of a''ellants refers to t&e re$ocator#
clause containe in t&e ->/> %ill of t&e ecease %&ic& %as
enie 'ro"ate. T&e# conten t&at( not%it&stanin) t&e
isallo%ance of sai %ill( t&e re$ocator# clause is $ali an
still &as t&e effect of nullif#in) t&e 'rior %ill of ->-9. 0ounsel
for 'etitioner meets t&is ar)ument "# in$o1in) t&e octrine
lai o%n in t&e case of Samson $s. Na$al( +4- P&il.( 9/9,.
- jann - 49
Ae contens t&at t&e facts in$ol$e in t&at case are on all
fours %it& t&e facts of t&is case. Aence( t&e octrine in t&at
case is &ere controllin).
T&ere is merit in t&is contention. Be &a$e carefull# rea t&e
facts in$ol$e in t&e Samson case an %e are inee
im'resse "# t&eir stri1in) similarit# %it& t&e facts of t&is
case. Be o not nee to recite &ere %&at t&ose facts are< it is
enou)& to 'oint out t&at t&e# contain man# 'oints an
circumstances in common. No reason( t&erefore( is seen %&#
t&e octrine lai o%n in t&at case +%&ic& %e !uote
&ereuner, s&oul not a''l# an control t&e 'resent case.
8A su"se!uent %ill( containin) a clause re$o1in) a 're$ious
%ill( &a$in) "een isallo%e( for t&e reason t&at it %as not
e*ecute in conformit# %it& t&e 'ro$isions of section ?-9 of
t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure as to t&e ma1in) of %ills( cannot
'rouce t&e effect of annullin) t&e 're$ious %ill( inasmuc& as
sai re$ocator# clause is $oi.8 +4- P&il.( 9/9.,
8It is uni$ersall# a)ree t&at %&ere t&e secon %ill is
in$ali on account of not "ein) e*ecute in
accorance %it& t&e 'ro$isions of t&e statute( or
%&ere t&e testator &as not sufficient mental ca'acit#
to ma1e a %ill or t&e %ill is 'rocure t&rou)& unue
influence( or t&e suc&( in ot&er %ors( %&ere t&e
secon %ill is reall# no %ill( it oes not re$o1e t&e
first %ill or affect it in an# manner.8 Hort $s. Ba1er
Ini$ersit# +->/7, ..> Ho. A''.( ?/.( 79 S. B. +.,(
4>9.8
T&ese treaties cannot "e mista1en. T&e# u'&ol t&e $ie% on
%&ic& t&e rulin) in t&e Samson case is 'reicate. T&e#
reflect t&e o'inion t&at t&is rulin) is soun an )oo an for
t&is reason %e see no Custification for a"anonin) it as no%
su))este "# counsel for t&e o''ositors.
It is true t&at our la% on t&e matter +sec. ?./( 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure, 'ro$ies t&at a %ill ma# "e re$o1e 8"# some %ill(
coicil( or ot&er %ritin) e*ecute as 'ro$ie in case of %ills8<
"ut it cannot "e sai t&at t&e ->/> %ill s&oul "e re)are(
not as a %ill %it&in t&e meanin) of sai %or( "ut as 8ot&er
%ritin) e*ecute as 'ro$ie in t&e case of %ills8( sim'l#
"ecause it %as enie 'ro"ate. An e$en if it "e re)are as
an# ot&er %ritin) %it&in t&e meanin) of sai clause( t&ere is
aut&orit# for &olin) t&at unless sai %ritin) is amitte to
'ro"ate( it cannot &a$e t&e effect of re$ocation. +See 77 Am.
Gur. ''. /.>D//=,.
Grantin) for t&e sa1e of ar)ument t&at t&e earlier %ill %as
$oluntaril# estro#e "# t&e testator after t&e e*ecution of t&e
secon %ill( %&ic& re$o1e t&e first( coul t&ere "e an#
ou"t( uner t&is t&eor#( t&at sai earlier %ill %as estro#e
"# t&e testator in t&e &onest "elief t&at it %as no lon)er
necessar# "ecause &e &a e*'ressl# re$o1e it in &is %ill of
->/>F In ot&er %ors( can %e not sa# t&at t&e estruction of
t&e earlier %ill %as "ut t&e necessar# conse!uence of t&e
testator@s "elief t&at t&e re$ocator# clause containe in t&e
su"se!uent %ill %as $ali an t&e latter %oul "e )i$en
effectF If suc& is t&e case( t&en it is our o'inion t&at t&e
earlier %ill can still "e amitte to 'ro"ate uner t&e 'rinci'le
of 8e'enent relati$e re$ocation8.
8T&is octrine is 1no%n as t&at of e'enent relati$e
re$ocation( an is usuall# a''lie %&ere t&e testator
cancels or estro#s a %ill or e*ecutes an instrument
intene to re$o1e a %ill %it& a 'resent intention to
ma1e a ne% testamentar# is'osition as a su"stitute
for t&e ol( an t&e ne% is'osition is not mae or( if
mae( fails of effect for some reason. T&e octrine
is not limite to t&e e*istence of some ot&er
ocument( &o%e$er( an &as "een a''lie %&ere a
%ill %as estro#e as a conse!uence of a mista1e
of la% . . ..8 +?9 0. G. '. 7>>,.
8T&e rule is esta"lis&e t&at %&ere t&e act of
estruction is connecte %it& t&e ma1in) of anot&er
%ill so as fairl# to raise t&e inference t&at t&e
testator meant t&e re$ocation of t&e ol to e'en
u'on t&e efficac# of t&e ne% is'osition intene to
"e su"stitute( t&e re$ocation %ill "e conitional an
e'enent u'on t&e efficac# of t&e ne% is'osition<
an if( for an# reason( t&e ne% %ill intene to "e
mae as a su"stitute is ino'erati$e( t&e re$ocation
fails an t&e ori)inal %ill remains in full force.8
+Garner( ''. ./.( .//.,
8T&is is t&e octrine of e'enent relati$e
re$ocation. T&e failure of t&e ne% testamentar#
is'osition( u'on %&ose $aliit# t&e re$ocation
e'ens( is e!ui$alent to t&e nonDfulfillment of a
sus'ensi$e conition( an &ence 're$ents t&e
re$ocation of t&e ori)inal %ill. But a mere intent to
ma1e at some time a %ill in 'lace of t&at estro#e
%ill not rener t&e estruction conitional. It must
a''ear t&at t&e re$ocation is e'enent u'on t&e
$ali e*ecution of a ne% %ill.8 +- Ale*aner( '. 77-<
Garner( '. .//.,
Be &ol( t&erefore( t&at e$en in t&e su''osition t&at t&e
estruction of t&e ori)inal %ill "# t&e testator coul "e
'resume from t&e failure of t&e 'etitioner to 'rouce it in
court( suc& estruction cannot &a$e t&e effect of efeatin)
t&e 'rior %ill of ->-9 "ecause of t&e fact t&at it is foune on
t&e mista1en "elief t&at t&e %ill of ->/> &as "een $alil#
e*ecute an %oul "e )i$en ue effect. T&e t&eor# on %&ic&
t&is 'rinci'le is 'reicate is t&at t&e testator i not inten to
ie intestate. An t&is intention is clearl# manifest %&en &e
e*ecute t%o %ills on t%o ifferent occasions an institute
&is %ife as &is uni$ersal &eir. T&ere can t&erefore "e no
mista1e as to &is intention of #in) testate.
T&e remainin) !uestion to "e etermine refers to t&e
sufficienc# of t&e e$ience to 'ro$e t&e ue e*ecution of t&e
%ill.
T&e %ill in !uestion %as atteste( as re!uire "# la%( "# t&ree
%itnesses( Loren4o Horales( Rufino Enri!ue4( an An)el
0uenca. T&e first t%o %itnesses ie "efore t&e
commencement of t&e 'resent 'roceein)s. So t&e onl#
instrumental %itness a$aila"le %as An)el 0uenca an uner
our la% an 'receents( &is testimon# is sufficient to 'ro$e
t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill. Ao%e$er( 'etitioner 'resente
not onl# t&e testimon# of 0uenca "ut 'lace on t&e %itness
stan Guan Salceo( t&e notar# 'u"lic %&o 're'are an
notari4e t&e %ill u'on t&e e*'ress esire an instruction of
t&e testator. T&e testimon# of t&ese %itnesses s&o%s t&at t&e
%ill &a "een e*ecute in t&e manner re!uire "# la%. Be
&a$e rea t&eir testimon# an %e %ere im'resse "# t&eir
reainess an sincerit#. Be are con$ince t&at t&e# tol t&e
trut&.
5III. -E4UBLICATION AND -E5I5AL O$ )ILLS
- jann - 50
Art. #%5. "he testator cannot republish, without
reproducin! in a subsequent will, the dispositions
contained in a previous one which is void as to its
form. (n)
Art. #%*. "he e&ecution of a codicil referrin! to a
previous will has the effect of republishin! the will
as modified by the codicil. (n)
Art. #%7. f after ma+in! a will, the testator ma+es a
second will e&pressly revo+in! the first, the
revocation of the second will does not revive the first
will, which can be revived only by another will or
codicil. (7%9a)
IG. ALLO)ANCE O$ )ILLS
Art. #%#. :o will shall pass either real or personal
property unless it is proved and allowed in
accordance with the 5ules of 6ourt.
"he testator himself may, durin! his lifetime,
petition the court havin! 1urisdiction for the
allowance of his will. n such case, the pertinent
provisions of the 5ules of 6ourt for the allowance of
wills after the testator3s a death shall !overn.
"he 9upreme 6ourt shall formulate such additional
5ules of 6ourt as may be necessary for the allowance
of wills on petition of the testator.
9ub1ect to the ri!ht of appeal, the allowance of the
will, either durin! the lifetime of the testator or after
his death, shall be conclusive as to its due e&ecution.
(n)
A. 0once't of Pro"ate
To 'ro"ate a %ill means to 'ro$e "efore some officer or
tri"unal( $este "# la% %it& aut&orit# for t&at 'ur'ose( t&at
t&e instrument offere to "e 'ro$e is t&e last %ill an
testament of t&e ecease 'erson %&ose testamentar# act it
is alle)e to "e( an t&at it &as "een e*ecute( atteste an
'u"lis&e as re!uire "# la%( an t&at t&e testator %as of
soun an is'osin) min. It is a ci$il 'roceein) to esta"lis&
t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill.
Re$ocation $s. :isallo%ance
-. "# t&e act of testator -. "# ecree of court
.. e$en %it&out cause .. e*clusi$e )rouns "# la%
/. ma# "e 'artial /. entire %ill
B. Necessit# of Pro"ate
A final ecree of 'ro"ate is conclusi$e as to t&e ue
e*ecution an formal $aliit# of a %ill( &ence( 'ro"ate is
necessar# to etermine t&e follo%in);
-. testator %as of soun min
.. consent %as not $itiate
/. %ill %as si)ne "# t&e re!uire num"er of %itnesses
4. it is )enuine an aut&entic
In sum it in$ol$es;
a. Testatmentar# 0a'acit#
". ue e*ecution t&ereof
c. )enuineness
9. De Bor'a !s. De Bor'a
It is unconteste t&at 2rancisco e BorCa( u'on t&e eat& of
&is %ife Gosefa Tan)co on ? Octo"er ->4=( file a 'etition for
t&e 'ro"ate of &er %ill %&ic& %as oc1ete as S'ecial
Proceein) No. RD79?? of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Ri4al( Branc& I. T&e %ill %as 'ro"ate on . A'ril ->4-. In
->4?( 2rancisco e BorCa %as a''ointe e*ecutor an
aministrator; in ->7.( t&eir son( Gose e BorCa( %as
a''ointe coDaministrator. B&en 2rancisco ie( on -4 A'ril
->74( Gose "ecame t&e sole aministrator of t&e testate
estate of &is mot&er( Gose Tan)co B&ile a %io%er 2rancisco
e BorCa alle)el# too1 unto &imself a secon %ife( Tasiana
On)sin)co. I'on 2rancisco@s eat&( Tasiana institute
testate 'roceein)s in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a
EciCa( %&ere( in ->77( s&e %as a''ointe s'ecial
aministratri*. T&e $aliit# of Tasiana@s marria)e to 2rancisco
%as !uestione in sai 'roceein).
T&e relations&i' "et%een t&e c&ilren of t&e first marria)e
an Tasiana On)sin)co &as "een 'la)ue %it& se$eral court
suits an counterDsuits< incluin) t&e t&ree cases at "ar(
some ei)&teen +-9, cases remain 'enin) etermination in
t&e courts. T&e testate estate of Gosefa Tan)co alone &as
"een unsettle for more t&an a !uarter of a centur#. In orer
to 'ut an en to all t&ese liti)ations( a com'romise
a)reement %as entere into on -. Octo"er ->?/( . "# an
"et%een 8MTN&e &eir an son of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is first
marria)e( namel#( Gose e BorCa 'ersonall# an as
aministrator of t&e Testate Estate of Gosefa Tan)co(8 an
8MTN&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is
secon marria)e( Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e BorCa( assiste
"# &er la%#er( Att#. Luis Pana)uiton( Gr.8
On -? Ha# ->??( Gose e BorCa su"mitte for 0ourt a''ro$al
t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ to t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al( in S'ecial Proceein) No. RD79??< an
a)ain( on 9 Au)ust ->??( to t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Nue$a EciCa( in S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.. Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa o''ose in "ot& instances. T&e
Ri4al court a''ro$e t&e com'romise a)reement( "ut t&e
Nue$a EciCa court eclare it $oi an unenforcea"le.
S'ecial aministratri* Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa
a''eale t&e Ri4al 0ourt@s orer of a''ro$al +no% Su'reme
0ourt G.R. case No. LD.9=4=,( %&ile aministrator Gose e
BorCa a''eale t&e orer of isa''ro$al +G.R. case No. LD
.97?9, "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa.
T&e )enuineness an ue e*ecution of t&e com'romise
a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ is not is'ute( "ut its $aliit#
is( ne$ert&eless( attac1e "# Tasiana On)sin)co on t&e
)roun t&at; +-, t&e &eirs cannot enter into suc& 1in of
a)reement %it&out first 'ro"atin) t&e %ill of 2rancisco e
BorCa< +., t&at t&e same in$ol$es a com'romise on t&e
$aliit# of t&e marria)e "et%een 2rancisco e BorCa an
Tasiana On)sin)co< an +/, t&at e$en if it %ere $ali( it &as
cease to &a$e force an effect.
!n assailing the validity of the agreement of (2 October ()-3,
"asiana Ongsingco and the 8robate /ourt of <ueva Aci6a
rely on this /ourt's decision in Buevara vs. Buevara. .* 8hil.
*.), wherein the /ourt's ma6ority held the view that the
presentation of a will for probate is mandatory and that the
settlement and distribution of an estate on the basis of
intestacy when the decedent left a will, is against the law and
public policy. !t is li$ewise pointed out by appellant "asiana
Ongsingco that @ection ( of 9ule .* of the 9evised 9ules
- jann - 51
explicitly conditions the validity of an extra6udicial settlement
of a decedent's estate by agreement between heirs, upon the
facts that ,if0 the decedent left no will and no debts, and the
heirs are all of age, or the minors are represented by their
6udicial and legal representatives . . . "he will of 4rancisco
de 5or6a having been submitted to the <ueva Aci6a /ourt
and still pending probate when the ()-3 agreement was
made, those circumstances, it is argued, bar the validity of
the agreement.
I'on t&e ot&er &an( in claimin) t&e $aliit# of t&e
com'romise a)reement( Gose e BorCa stresses t&at at t&e
time it %as entere into( on -. Octo"er ->?/( t&e )o$ernin)
'ro$ision %as Section -( Rule 74 of t&e ori)inal Rules of
0ourt of ->4=( %&ic& allo%e t&e e*traCuicial settlement of
t&e estate of a ecease 'erson re)arless of %&et&er &e left
a %ill or not. Ae also relies on t&e issentin) o'inion of
Gustice Horan( in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47>(
%&erein %as e*'resse t&e $ie% t&at if t&e 'arties &a$e
alrea# i$ie t&e estate in accorance %it& a eceent@s
%ill( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill is a useless ceremon#< an if t&e#
&a$e i$ie t&e estate in a ifferent manner( t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is %orse t&an useless.
T&is 'ro$ision e$iences "e#on ou"t t&at t&e rulin) in t&e
Gue$ara case is not a''lica"le to t&e cases at "ar. T&ere
%as &ere no attem't to settle or istri"ute t&e estate of
2rancisco e BorCa amon) t&e &eirs t&ereto "efore t&e
'ro"ate of &is %ill. T&e clear o"Cect of t&e contract %as
merel# t&e con$e#ance "# Tasiana On)sin)co of an# an all
&er ini$iual s&are an interest( actual or e$entual( in t&e
estate of 2rancisco e BorCa an Gosefa Tan)co. "here is no
stipulation as to any other claimant, creditor or legatee %nd
as a hereditary share in a decedent's estate is transmitted or
vested immediately from the moment of the death of such
causante or predecessor in interest ,/ivil /ode of the
8hilippines, %rt. ...0 3 there is no legal bar to a successor
,with requisite contracting capacity0 disposing of her or his
hereditary share immediately after such death, even if the
actual extent of such share is not determined until the
subsequent liquidation of the estate. * Of course, the effect
of such alienation is to be deemed limited to what is
ultimately ad6udicated to the vendor heir. #owever, the
aleatory character of the contract does not affect the validity
of the transaction7 neither does the coetaneous agreement
that the numerous litigations between the parties ,the
approving order of the 9i1al /ourt enumerates fourteen of
them, 9ec. %pp. pp. .):;20 are to be considered settled and
should be dismissed, although such stipulation, as noted by
the 9i1al /ourt, gives the contract the character of a
compromise that the law favors, for obvious reasons, if only
because it serves to avoid a multiplicity of suits.
!t is li$ewise worthy of note in this connection that as the
surviving spouse of 4rancisco de 5or6a, "asiana Ongsingco
was his compulsory heir under article ))+ et seq. of the
present /ivil /ode. Wherefore, barring unworthiness or valid
disinheritance, her successional interest existed independent
of 4rancisco de 5or6a's last will and testament, and would
exist even if such will were not probated at all. "hus, the
prerequisite of a previous probate of the will, as established
in the Buevara and analogous cases, can not apply to the
case of "asiana Ongsingco Vda. de de 5or6a.
T&is "rin)s us to t&e 'lea t&at t&e 0ourt of 2irst In stance of
Ri4al &a no Curisiction to a''ro$e t&e com'romise %it&
Gose e BorCa +Anne* A, "ecause Tasiana On)sin)co %as
not an &eir in t&e estate of Gosefa Tan)co 'enin) settlement
in t&e Ri4al 0ourt( "ut s&e %as an &eir of 2rancisco e BorCa(
%&ose estate %as t&e o"Cect of S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa. T&is
circumstance is irrele$ant( since %&at %as sol "# Tasiana
On)sin)co %as onl# &er e$entual s&are in t&e estate of &er
late &us"an( not t&e estate itself< an as alrea# s&o%n( t&at
e$entual s&are s&e o%ne from t&e time of 2rancisco@s eat&
an t&e 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa coul not "ar &er sellin) it. As
o%ner of &er uni$ie &ereitar# s&are( Tasiana coul
is'ose of it in fa$or of %&omsoe$er s&e c&ose Suc&
alienation is e*'ressl# reco)ni4e an 'ro$ie for "# article
-=99 of t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe;
Art. -=99. S&oul an# of t&e &eirs sell &is &ereitar#
ri)&ts to a stran)er "efore t&e 'artition( an# or all of t&e coD
&eirs ma# "e su"ro)ate to t&e ri)&ts of t&e 'urc&aser "#
reim"ursin) &im for t&e 'rice of t&e sale( 'ro$ie t&e# o so
%it&in t&e 'erio of one mont& from t&e time t&e# %ere
notifie in %ritin) of t&e sale of t&e $enor.8
Tasiana On)sin)co furt&er ar)ues t&at &er contract %it& Gose
e BorCa +Anne* 8A8, is $oi "ecause it amounts to a
com'romise as to &er status an marria)e %it& t&e late
2rancisco e BorCa. T&e 'oint is %it&out merit( for t&e $er#
o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e a)reement %it& Gose e BorCa
+Anne* 8A8, escri"es &er as 8t&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse
of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is secon marria)e( Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa8( %&ic& is in itself efinite
amission of &er ci$il status. T&ere is not&in) in t&e te*t of
t&e a)reement t&at %oul s&o% t&at t&is reco)nition of
On)sin)co@s status as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e
BorCa %as onl# mae in consieration of t&e cession of &er
&ereitar# ri)&ts.
It is ifficult to "elie$e( &o%e$er( t&at t&e amica"le settlement
referre to in t&e orer an motion a"o$eDmentione %as t&e
com'romise a)reement of -/ Octo"er ->?/( %&ic& alrea#
&a "een formall# si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e 'arties an
ul# notari4e. B&at t&e recor iscloses is t&at some time
after its formali4ation( On)sin)co &a unilaterall# attem'te
to "ac1 out from t&e com'romise a)reement( 'leain)
$arious reasons restate in t&e o''osition to t&e 0ourt@s
a''ro$al of Anne* 8A8 +Recor on A''eal( LD.=94=( 'a)e
./,; t&at t&e same %as in$ali "ecause of t&e la'se of t&e
alle)el# intene resolutor# 'erio of ?= a#s an "ecause
t&e contract %as not 'recee "# t&e 'ro"ate of 2rancisco e
BorCa@s %ill( as re!uire "# t&is 0ourt@s Gue$arra $s. Gue$ara
rulin)< t&at Anne* 8A8 in$ol$e a com'romise affectin)
On)sin)co@s status as %ife an %io% of 2rancisco e BorCa(
etc.( all of %&ic& o"Cections &a$e "een alrea# iscusse.
It %as natural t&at in $ie% of t&e %io%@s attitue( Gose e
BorCa s&oul attem't to reac& a ne% settlement or no$ator#
a)reement "efore see1in) Cuicial sanction an enforcement
of Anne* 8A8( since t&e latter ste' mi)&t ultimatel# entail a
lon)er ela# in attainin) final reme#. T&at t&e attem't to
reac& anot&er settlement faile is a''arent from t&e letter of
On)sin)co@s counsel to Gose e BorCa !uote in 'a)es /7D/?
of t&e "rief for a''ellant On)sin)co in G.R. No. LD.9=4=< an
it is more t&an 'ro"a"le t&at t&e orer of .- Se'tem"er ->?4
an t&e motion of -7 Gune ->?4 referre to t&e failure of t&e
'arties@ !uest for a more satisfactor# com'romise. But t&e
ina"ilit# to reac& a no$ator# accor can not in$aliate t&e
ori)inal com'romise +Anne* 8A8, an Custifies t&e act of Gose
e BorCa in finall# see1in) a court orer for its a''ro$al an
enforcement from t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( %&ic&(
as &eretofore escri"e( ecree t&at t&e a)reement "e
ultimatel# 'erforme %it&in -.= a#s from t&e finalit# of t&e
- jann - 52
orer( no% uner a''eal. Be conclue t&at in so oin)( t&e
Ri4al court acte in accorance %it& la%( an( t&erefore( its
orer s&oul "e u'&el( %&ile t&e contrar# resolution of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa s&oul "e( an is(
re$erse.
0. Hoes of Pro"ate
T%o 1ins of 'ro"ate uner Art. 9/9
-. Ante mortem 'ro"ate or t&at %&ic& is &a urin) t&e
lifetime of t&e testator. T&is is an inno$ation to our
la%s on succession.
Ratio;
a. easier for t&e courts to etermine t&e mental
conition of testator urin) &is lifetime.
". 2rau( intimiation( unue influence are minimi4e
c. If %ill foun to "e non conformin) to t&e
re!uirements 'ro$ie for "# la% t&e same ma#"e
correcte at once
. Bill lessen t&e num"er of contest u'on %ills( since
testator still ali$e &is animus testani is
etermina"le at once.
.. Post mortem or t&at %&ic& is &a after eat&
:. Re!uirements for Pro"ate
T&e Re$ise rules of 0ourt 'ro$ies for t&e re!uirements an
'roceure for 'ro"atin) a %ill as follo%s;
RULE 75
PRODUCTION OF WILL. ALLOWANCE OF WILL NECESSARY
SECTION 1. Allowance necessary. Conclusive as to
execution.No will shall pass either real or personal estate unless
it is proved and allowed in the proper court. Subject to the right of
appeal, such allowance of the will shall be conclusive as to its due
eecution.
SEC. !. Custodian of will to deliver.The person who has
custod" of a will shall, within twent" #!$% da"s after he &nows of the
death of the testator, deliver the will to the court having jurisdiction,
or to the eecutor na'ed In the will.
SEC. (. Executor to present will and accept or refuse trust.
) person na'ed as eecutor in a will shall, within twent" #!$% da"s
after he &nows of the death of the testator, or within twent" #!$%
da"s after he &nows that be is na'ed eecutor if he obtained such
&nowledge after the death of the testator, present such will to the
court having jurisdiction, unless the will has reached the court in
an" other 'anner, and shall, within such period, signif" to the court
in writing his acceptance of the trust or his refusal to accept it.
SEC. *. Custodian and executor subject to fine for neglect.
) person who neglects an" of the duties re+uired in the two last
preceding sections without ecuse satisfactor" to the court shall be
fined not eceeding two thousand pesos.
SEC. ,. Person retaining will may be co''itted.-) person
having custod" of a will after the death of the testator who neglects
without reasonable cause to deliver the sa'e, when ordered so to
do, to the court having jurisdiction, 'a" be co''itted to prison and
there &ept until he delivers the will.
RULE 76
ALLOWANCE OR DISALLOWANCE OF WILL
SECTION 1. .ho may petition for the allowance of will.)n"
eecutor, devisee, or legatee na'ed in a will, or an" other person
interested in the estate, 'a", at an" ti'e after the death of the
testator, petition the court having jurisdiction to have the will
allowed, whether the sa'e be in his possession or not, or is lost or
destro"ed.
The testator hi'self 'a", during his lifeti'e, petition the court
for the allowance of his will.
SEC. !. Contents of petition.) petition for the allowance of
a will 'ust show, so far as &nown to the petitioner/
#a% The jurisdictional facts0
#b% The na'es, ages, and residences of the heirs,
legatees, and devisees of the testator or decedent0
#c% The probable value and character of the
propert" of the estate0
#d% The na'e of the person for who' letters are
pra"ed0
#e% If the will has not been delivered to the court,
the na'e of the person having custod" of it.
1ut no defect in the petition shall render void the allowance of
the will, or the issuance of letters testa'entar" or of ad'inistration
with the will anneed.
SEC. (. Court to appoint time for proving will. Notice thereof
to be published..hen a will is delivered to, or a petition for the
allowance of a will is filed in, the court having jurisdiction, such
court shall fi a ti'e and place for proving the will when all
concerned 'a" appear to contest the allowance thereof, and shall
cause notice of such ti'e and place to be published three #(%
wee&s successivel", previous to the ti'e appointed, in a
newspaper of general circulation in the province.
1ut no newspaper publication shall be 'ade where the
petition for probate has been filed b" the testator hi'self.
SEC. *. eirs! devisees! legatees! and executors to be
notified by mail or personally.The court shall also cause copies of
the notice of the ti'e and place fied for proving the will to be
addressed to the designated or other &nown heirs, legatees, and
devisees of the testator resident in the 2hilippines at their places of
residence, and deposited in the post office with the postage
thereon prepaid at least twent" #!$% da"s before the hearing, if
such places of residence be &nown. ) cop" of the notice 'ust in
li&e 'anner be 'ailed to the person na'ed as eecutor, if he be
not the petitioner, also, to an" person na'ed as co3eecutor not
petitioning, if their places of residence be &nown. 2ersonal service
of copies of the notice at least ten #1$% da"s before the da" of
hearing shall be e+uivalent to 'ailing.
- jann - 53
If the testator as&s for the allowance of his own will, notice
shall be sent onl" to his co'pulsor" heirs.
SEC. ,. Proof at hearing. "hat sufficient in absence of
contest.-)t the hearing co'pliance with the provisions of the last
two preceding sections 'ust be shown before the introduction of
testi'on" in support of the will. )ll such testi'on" shall be ta&en
under oath and reduced to writing. If no person appears to contest
the allowance of the will, the court 'a" grant allowance thereof on
the testi'on" of one of the subscribing witnesses onl", if such
witness testif" that the will was eecuted as is re+uired b" law.
In the case of a holographic will, it shall be necessar" that at
least one witness who &nows the handwriting and signature of the
testator eplicitl" declare that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator. In the absence of an" such co'petent
witness, and if the court dee' it necessar", epert testi'on" 'a"
be resorted to.
SEC. 4. Proof of lost or destroyed will. Certificate thereupon.
-No will shall be proved as a lost or destro"ed will unless the
eecution and validit" of the sa'e be established and the will is
proved to have been in eistence at the ti'e of the death of the
testator, or is shown to have been fraudulentl" or accidentall"
destro"ed in the lifeti'e of the testator without his &nowledge, nor
unless its provisions are clearl" and distinctl" proved b" at least
two #!% credible witnesses. .hen a lost will is proved, the
provisions thereof 'ust be distinctl" stated and certified b" the
judge, under the seal of the court, and the certificate 'ust be filed
and recorded as other wills are filed and recorded.
SEC. 5. Proof when witnesses do not reside in province.If it
appears at the ti'e fied for the hearing that none of the
subscribing witnesses resides in the province, but that the
deposition of one or 'ore of the' can be ta&en elsewhere, the
court 'a", on 'otion, direct It to be ta&en, and 'a" authori6e a
photographic cop" of the will to be 'ade and to be presented to the
witness on his ea'ination, who 'a" be as&ed the sa'e +uestions
with respect to it and to the handwriting of the testator and others,
as would be pertinent and co'petent if the original will were
present.
SEC. 7. Proof when witnesses dead or insane or do not
reside in the Philippines.If it appears at the ti'e fied for the
hearing that the subscribing witnesses are dead or insane, or that
none of the' resides in the 2hilippines, the court 'a" ad'it the
testi'on" of other witnesses to prove the sanit" of the testator, and
the due eecution of the will0 and as evidence of the eecution of
the will, it 'a" ad'it proof of the handwriting of the testator and of
the subscribing witnesses, or of an" of the'.
SEC. 8. #rounds for disallowing will.The will shall be
disallowed in an" of the following cases/
#a% If not eecuted and attested as re+uired b" law0
#b% If the testator was insane, or otherwise 'entall"
incapable to 'a&e a will, at the ti'e of its eecution0
#c% If it was eecuted under duress, or the
influence of fear, or threats0
#d% If it was procured b" undue and i'proper
pressure and influence, on the part of the beneficiar", or of
so'e other person for his benefit0
#e% If the signature of the testator was procured b"
fraud or tric&, and he did not intend that the instru'ent should
be his will at the ti'e of fiing his signature thereto.
SEC. 1$. Contestant to file grounds of contest.)n"one
appearing to contest the will 'ust state in writing his grounds for
opposing its allowance, and serve a cop" thereof on the petitioner
and other parties interested in the estate.
SEC. 11. $ubscribing witnesses produced or accounted for
where will contested.If the will is contested, all the subscribing
witnesses, and the notar" in the case of wills eecuted under the
Civil Code of the 2hilippines, if present in the 2hilippines, and not
insane, 'ust be produced and ea'ined, and the death, absence,
or insanit" of an" of the' 'ust be satisfactoril" shown to the court.
If all or so'e of such witnesses are present in the 2hilippines but
outside the province where the will has been filed, their deposition
'ust be ta&en. If an" or all of the' testif" against the due
eecution of the will, or do not re'e'ber having attested to it, or
are otherwise of doubtful credibilit", the will 'a", nevertheless, be
allowed if the court is satisfied fro' the testi'on" of other
witnesses and fro' all the evidence presented that the will was
eecuted and attested in the 'anner re+uired b" law.
If a holographic will is contested, the sa'e shall be allowed if
at least three #(% witnesses who &now the handwriting of the
testator eplicitl" declare that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator0 in the absence of an" co'petent
witness, and if the court dee' it necessar", epert testi'on" 'a"
be resorted to.
SEC. 1!. Proof where testator petitions for allowance of
holographic will..here the testator hi'self petitions for the
probate of his holographic will and no contest is filed, the fact that
he affir's that the holographic will and the signature are in his own
handwriting, shall be sufficient evidence of the genuineness and
due eecution thereof. If the holographic will is contested, the
burden of disproving the genuineness and due eecution thereof
shall be on the contestant The testator 'a", in his turn, present
such additional proof as 'a" be necessar" to rebut the evidence
for the contestant.
SEC. 1(. Certificate of allowance attached to proved will. %o
be recorded in the &ffice of 'egister of (eeds.-If the court is
satisfied, upon proof ta&en and filed, that the will was dul"
eecuted, and that the testator at the ti'e of its eecution was of
sound and disposing 'ind, and not acting under duress, 'enace,
and undue influence, or fraud, a certificate of its allowance, signed
b" the judge, and attested b" the seal of the court shall be attached
to the will and the will and certificate filed and recorded b" the
cler&. )ttested copies of the will devising real estate and of
certificate of allowance thereof, shall be recorded in the register of
deeds of the province in which the lands lie.
Art. #--. n the probate of a holo!raphic will, it shall
be necessary that at least one witness who +nows the
handwritin! and si!nature of the testator e&plicitly
declare that the will and the si!nature are in the
- jann - 54
handwritin! of the testator. f the will is contested,
at least three of such witnesses shall be required.
n the absence of any competent witness referred to
in the precedin! para!raph, and if the court deem it
necessary, e&pert testimony may be resorted to.
(*-9a)
Dan !s. Hap
On No$em"er .=( ->7-( 2elicia Es)uerra Alto Ja' ie of
&eart failure in t&e Ini$ersit# of Santo Tomas Aos'ital(
lea$in) 'ro'erties in Pulilan( Bulacan( an in t&e 0it# of
Hanila.
On Harc& -7( ->7.( 2austo E. Gan initiate t&ese
'roceein)s in t&e Hanila court of first instance %it& a
'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a &olo)ra'&ic %ill alle)el#
e*ecute "# t&e ecease( O''osin) t&e 'etition( &er
sur$i$in) &us"an Ilefonso Ja' asserte t&at t&e ecease
&a not left an# %ill( nor e*ecute an# testament urin) &er
lifetime.
Sometime in ->7= after &er last tri' a"roa( 2elicia
Es)uerra mentione to &er first cousin( Vicente Es)uerra( &er
esire to ma1e a %ill. S&e confie &o%e$er t&at it %oul "e
useless if &er &us"an isco$ere or 1ne% a"out it. Vicente
consulte %it& 2austo E. Gan( ne'&e% of 2elicia( %&o %as
t&en 're'arin) for t&e "ar e*aminations. T&e latter re'lie it
coul "e one %it&out an# %itness( 'ro$ie t&e ocument
%as entirel# in &er &an%ritin)( si)ne an ate "# &er.
Vicente Es)uerra lost no time in transmittin) t&e information(
an on t&e stren)t& of it( in t&e mornin) of No$em"er 7(
->7-( in &er resience at Guan Luna Street( Hanila( 2elicia
%rote( si)ne an ate a &olo)ra'&ic %ill su"stantiall# of t&e
tenor a"o$e transcri"e( in t&e 'resence of &er niece( 2elina
Es)uerra +au)&ter of Vicente,( %&o %as in$ite to rea it. In
t&e afternoon of t&at a#( 2elicia %as $isite "# a istant
relati$e( Primiti$o Re#es( an s&e allo%e &im to rea t&e %ill
in t&e 'resence of 2elina Es)uerra( %&o a)ain rea it.
T&e trial Cu)e refuse to creit t&e 'etitioner@s e$ience for
se$eral reasons( t&e most im'ortant of %&ic& %ere t&ese; +a,
if accorin) to &is e$ience( t&e eceent %ante to 1ee' &er
%ill a secret( so t&at &er &us"an %oul not 1no% it( it is
stran)e s&e e*ecute it in t&e 'resence of 2elina Es)uerra(
1no%in) as s&e i t&at %itnesses %ere unnecessar#< +", in
t&e a"sence of a s&o%in) t&at 2elina %as a confiant of t&e
eceent it is &ar to "elie$e t&at t&e latter %oul &a$e
allo%e t&e former to see an rea t&e %ill se$eral times< +c,
it is im'ro"a"le t&at t&e eceent %oul &a$e 'ermitte
Primiti$o Re#es( Rosario Gan Gimene4 an Socorro Olarte to
rea &er %ill( %&en s&e 'recisel# %ante its contents to
remain a secret urin) &er lifetime< +, it is also im'ro"a"le
t&at &er 'ur'ose "ein) to conceal t&e %ill from &er &us"an
s&e %oul carr# it aroun( e$en to t&e &os'ital( in &er 'urse
%&ic& coul for one reason or anot&er "e o'ene "# &er
&us"an< +e, if it is true t&at t&e &us"an emane t&e
'urse from 2elina in t&e I.S.T. Aos'ital an t&at t&e %ill %as
t&ere( it is &ar to "elie$e t&at &e returne it %it&out
estro#in) t&e %ill( t&e t&eor# of t&e 'etitioner "ein) 'recisel#
t&at t&e %ill %as e*ecute "e&in &is "ac1 for fear &e %ill
estro# it.
T&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe effecti$e in ->7= re$i$e &olo)ra'&ic
%ills in its arts. 9-=D9-4. 8A 'erson ma# e*ecute a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill %&ic& must "e entirel# %ritten( ate( an
si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator &imself. It is su"Cect to no
ot&er form an ma# "e mae in or out of t&e P&ili''ines( an
nee not "e %itnesse.8
T&e o"Cect of suc& re!uirements it &as "een sai( is to close
t&e oor a)ainst "a fait& an frau( to 're$ent su"stitution
of %ills( to )uarantee t&eir trut& an aut&enticit# +A"an)an $s.
A"an)an( 4= P&il.( 47?, an to a$oi t&at t&ose %&o &a$e no
ri)&t to succee t&e testator %oul succee &im an "e
"enefite %it& t&e 'ro"ate of same. +Heno4a $s. Pila'il( 4=
off. Ga4.( -977,. Ao%e$er( formal im'erfections ma# "e
"rus&e asie %&en aut&enticit# of t&e instrument is ul#
'ro$e.
No%( in t&e matter of &olo)ra'&ic %ills( no suc& )uaranties of
trut& an $eracit# are emane( since as state( t&e# nee
no %itnesses< 'ro$ie &o%e$er( t&at t&e# are 8entirel#
%ritten( ate( an si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator
&imself.8 T&e la%( it is reasona"le to su''ose( re)ars t&e
ocument itself as material 'roof of aut&enticit#( an as its
o%n safe)uar( since it coul at an# time( "e emonstrate
to "e S or not to "e S in t&e &ans of t&e testator &imself.
8In t&e 'ro"ate of a &olo)ra'&ic %ill8 sa#s t&e Ne% 0i$il
0oe( 8it s&all "e necessar# t&at at least one %itness %&o
1no%s t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of t&e testator e*'licitl#
eclare t&at t&e %ill an t&e si)nature are in t&e &an%ritin)
of t&e testator. If t&e %ill is conteste( at least t&ree suc&
%itnesses s&all "e re!uire. In t&e a"sence of an# suc&
%itnesses( +familiar %it& eceent@s &an%ritin), an if t&e
court eem it necessar#( e*'ert testimon# ma# "e resorte
to.8
T&e %itnesses so 'resente o not nee to &a$e seen t&e
e*ecution of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill. T&e# ma# "e mista1en in
t&eir o'inion of t&e &an%ritin)( or t&e# ma# eli"eratel# lie in
affirmin) it is in t&e testator@s &an. Ao%e$er( t&e o''ositor
ma# 'resent ot&er %itnesses %&o also 1no% t&e testator@s
&an%ritin)( or some e*'ert %itnesses( %&o after com'arin)
t&e %ill %it& ot&er %ritin)s or letters of t&e ecease( &a$e
come to t&e conclusion t&at suc& %ill &as not "een %ritten "#
t&e &an of t&e ecease. +Sec. 7=( Rule -./,. An t&e court(
in $ie% of suc& contraictor# testimon# ma# use its o%n
$isual sense( an ecie in t&e face of t&e ocument(
%&et&er t&e %ill su"mitte to it &as inee "een %ritten "#
t&e testator.
"a$ing all the above circumstances together, we reach the
conclusion that the execution and the contents of a lost or
destroyed holographic will may not be proved by the bare
testimony of witnesses who have seen andCor read such will.
At t&is 'oint( "efore 'roceein) furt&er( it mi)&t "e
con$enient to e*'lain %&#( unli1e &olo)ra'&ic %ills( orinar#
%ills ma# "e 'ro$e "# testimonial e$ience %&en lost or
estro#e. T&e ifference lies in t&e nature of t&e %ills. In t&e
first( t&e onl# )uarantee of aut&enticit# is t&e &an%ritin)
itself< in t&e secon( t&e testimon# of t&e su"scri"in) or
instrumental %itnesses +an of t&e notar#( no%,. T&e loss of
t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill entails t&e loss of t&e onl# meium of
'roof< if t&e orinar# %ill is lost( t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses are
a$aila"le to aut&enticate.
In t&e case of orinar# %ills( it is !uite &ar to con$ince t&ree
%itnesses +four %it& t&e notar#, eli"eratel# to lie. An t&en
t&eir lies coul "e c&ec1e an e*'ose( t&eir %&erea"outs
an acts on t&e 'articular a#( t&e li1eli&oo t&at t&e# %oul
"e calle "# t&e testator( t&eir intimac# %it& t&e testator( etc.
An if t&e# %ere intimates or truste friens of t&e testator
t&e# are not li1el# to len t&emsel$es to an# frauulent
sc&eme to istort &is %is&es. Last "ut not least( t&e# can not
recei$e an#t&in) on account of t&e %ill.
- jann - 55
B&ereas in t&e case of &olo)ra'&ic %ills( if oral testimon#
%ere amissi"le > onl# one man coul en)ineer t&e %&ole
frau t&is %a#; after ma1in) a cle$er or 'assa"le imitation of
t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of t&e ecease( &e ma#
contri$e to let t&ree &onest an crei"le %itnesses see an
rea t&e for)er#< an t&e latter( &a$in) no interest( coul
easil# fall for it( an in court t&e# %oul in all )oo fait& affirm
its )enuineness an aut&enticit#. T&e %ill &a$in) "een lost S
t&e for)er ma# &a$e 'ur'osel# estro#e it in an 8accient8
S t&e o''ositors &a$e no %a# to e*'ose t&e tric1 an t&e
error( "ecause t&e ocument itself is not at &an. An
consierin) t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# consist of t%o or
t&ree 'a)es( an onl# one of t&em nee "e si)ne( t&e
su"stitution of t&e unsi)ne 'a)es( %&ic& ma# "e t&e most
im'ortant ones( ma# )o unetecte.
If testimonial e$ience of &olo)ra'&ic %ills "e 'ermitte( one
more o"Cectiona"le feature S feasi"ilit# of for)er# S %oul
"e ae to t&e se$eral o"Cections to t&is 1in of %ills liste
"# 0astan( Sanc&e4 Roman an Val$ere an ot&er %ellD
1no%n S'anis& 0ommentators an teac&ers of 0i$il La%. -=
One more funamental ifference; in t&e case of a lost %ill(
t&e t&ree su"scri"in) %itnesses %oul "e testif#in) to a fact
%&ic& t&e# sa%( namel# t&e act of t&e testator of su"scri"in)
t&e %ill< %&ereas in t&e case of a lost &olo)ra'&ic %ill( t&e
%itnesses %oul testif# as to t&eir o'inion of t&e &an%ritin)
%&ic& t&e# alle)el# sa%( an o'inion %&ic& can not "e teste
in court( nor irectl# contraicte "# t&e o''ositors( "ecause
t&e &an%ritin) itself is not at &an.
Turnin) no% to t&e e$ience 'resente "# t&e 'etitioner( %e
fin oursel$es s&arin) t&e trial Cu)e@s is"elief. In aition to
t&e u"ious circumstances escri"e in t&e a''eale
ecision( %e fin it &ar to "elie$e t&at t&e ecease s&oul
s&o% &er %ill 'recisel# to relati$es %&o &a recei$e not&in)
from it; Socorro Olarte an Primiti$o Re#es. T&ese coul
'ester &er into amenin) &er %ill to )i$e t&em a s&are( or
t&reaten to re$eal its e*ecution to &er &us"an Ilefonso Ja'.
An t&is leas to anot&er 'oint; if s&e %ante so muc& to
conceal t&e %ill from &er &us"an( %&# i s&e not entrust it
to &er "eneficiariesF O''ortunit# to o so %as not lac1in); for
instance( &er &us"an@s tri' to :a$ao( a fe% a#s after t&e
alle)e e*ecution of t&e %ill.
In fine( e$en if oral testimon# %ere amissi"le to esta"lis&
an 'ro"ate a lost &olo)ra'&ic %ill( %e t&in1 t&e e$ience
su"mitte "# &erein 'etitioner is so tainte %it&
im'ro"a"ilities an inconsistencies t&at it fails to measure u'
to t&at 8clear an istinct8 'roof re!uire "# Rule 77( sec. ?.
--
-odelas !s. Aran&a
8. . . On Ganuar# --( ->77( a''ellant file a 'etition
%it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill of Ricaro B. Bonilla
an t&e issuance of letters testamentar# in &er
fa$or. T&e 'etition( oc1ete as S'. Proc. No. 94/.(
%as o''ose "# t&e a''ellees Am'aro Aran4a
Bonilla( Bilferine Bonilla Tre#es( E*'eita Bonilla
2rias an E'&raim Bonilla on t&e follo%in) )rouns;
8+/, T&e alle)e &olo)ra'&ic %ill itself(
an not an alle)e co'# t&ereof( must "e
'rouce( ot&er%ise it %oul 'rouce no
effect( as &el in Gan $. Ja'( -=4 P&il. 7=><
an
The only ="estion here is %hether a holographic %ill
%hich %as lost or can not e fo"nd can e pro!ed y
#eans of a photostatic copy. Pursuant to Article 9-- of t&e
0i$il 0oe( 'ro"ate of &olo)ra'&ic %ills is t&e allo%ance of
t&e %ill "# t&e court after its ue e*ecution &as "een 'ro$e.
T&e 'ro"ate ma# "e unconteste or not. If unconteste( at
least one ientif#in) %itness is re!uire an( if no %itness is
a$aila"le( e*'erts ma# "e resorte to. If conteste( at least
t&ree ientif#in) %itnesses are re!uire. Ao%e$er( if t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill &as "een lost or estro#e an no ot&er co'#
is a$aila"le( t&e %ill can not "e 'ro"ate "ecause t&e "est
an onl# e$ience is t&e &an%ritin) of t&e testator in sai
%ill. It is necessar# t&at t&ere "e a com'arison "et%een
sam'le &an%ritten statements of t&e testator an t&e
&an%ritten %ill. But( a '&otostatic co'# or *ero* co'# of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# "e allo%e "ecause com'arison can "e
mae %it& t&e stanar %ritin)s of t&e testator. In t&e case of
Gan $s. Ja'( -=4 P&il. 7=>( t&e 0ourt rule t&at 8t&e
e*ecution an t&e contents of a lost or estro#e &olo)ra'&ic
%ill ma# not "e 'ro$e "# t&e "are testimon# of %itnesses
%&o &a$e seen an5or rea suc& %ill. T&e %ill itself must "e
'resente< ot&er%ise( it s&all 'rouce no effect. The la%
regards the doc"#ent itself as #aterial proof of
a"thenticity.6 But( in 2ootnote 9 of sai ecision( it sa#s t&at
8Per&a's it ma# "e 'ro$e "# a '&oto)ra'&ic or '&otostatic
co'#. E$en a mimeo)ra'&e or car"on co'#< or "# ot&er
similar means( if an#( %&ere"# t&e aut&enticit# of t&e
&an%ritin) of t&e ecease ma# "e e*&i"ite an teste
"efore t&e 'ro"ate court.8 E$ientl#( t&e '&otostatic or *ero*
co'# of t&e lost or estro#e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# "e
amitte "ecause t&en t&e aut&enticit# of t&e &an%ritin) of
t&e ecease can "e etermine "# t&e 'ro"ate court.
BAERE2ORE( t&e orer of t&e lo%er court ate Octo"er /(
->7>( en#in) a''ellant@s motion for reconsieration ate
Au)ust >( ->7>( of t&e Orer ate Gul# ./( ->7>( ismissin)
&er 'etition to a''ro$e t&e %ill of t&e late Ricaro B. Bonilla(
is &ere"# SET ASI:E.
A&aola !s. Singson
8Briefl# s'ea1in)( t&e follo%in) facts %ere
esta"lis&e "# t&e 'etitioner< t&at on Se'tem"er >(
->77( 2ortunata S. Va. e Jance ie at -/ Lus1ot(
Lue4on 0it#( 1no%n to "e t&e last resience of sai
testatri*< t&at 2rancisco A4aola( 'etitioner &erein for
'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill( su"mitte t&e sai
&olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, %&ere"# Haria Hila)ros
A4aola %as mae t&e sole &eir as a)ainst t&e
ne'&e% of t&e ecease 0esario Sin)son< t&at
%itness 2rancisco A4aola testifie t&at &e sa% t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, one mont&( more or less(
"efore t&e eat& of t&e testatri*( as t&e same %as
&ane to &im an &is %ife< t&at t&e %itness testifie
also t&at &e reco)ni4e all t&e si)natures a''earin)
in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, as t&e &an%ritin) of
t&e testatri* an to reinforce sai statement( %itness
'resente t&e mort)a)e +E*&. E,( t&e s'ecial 'o%er
of attorne# +E*&. 2,( an t&e )eneral 'o%er of
attorne# +E*&. 2D-,( "esies t&e ees of sale
+E*&s. G an GD-, incluin) an affia$it +E*&. GD.,(
an t&at t&ere %ere furt&er e*&i"ite in court t%o
resience certificates +E*&s. A an AD-, to s&o% t&e
si)natures of t&e testatri*( for com'arison 'ur'oses<
t&at sai %itness( A4aola( testifie t&at t&e
'enmans&i' a''earin) in t&e aforesai
ocumentar# e$ience is in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e
- jann - 56
testatri* as %ell as t&e si)natures a''earin) t&erein
are t&e si)natures of t&e testatri*< t&at sai %itness(
in ans%er to a !uestion of &is counsel amitte t&at
t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as &ane to &im "# t&e
testatri*( 8a''arentl# it must &a$e "een %ritten "#
&er8 +t.s.n.( '. --,. Ao%e$er( on 'a)e -? on t&e
same transcri't of t&e steno)ra'&ic notes( %&en t&e
same %itness %as as1e "# counsel if &e %as
familiar %it& t&e 'enmans&i' an &an%ritin) of t&e
ecease 2ortunata Va. e Jance( &e ans%ere
'ositi$el# in t&e affirmati$e an %&en &e %as as1e
a)ain %&et&er t&e 'enmans&i' referre to in t&e
're$ious ans%er as a''earin) in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill
+E*&. 0, %as &ers +testatri*@,( &e ans%ere( 8I %oul
efinitel# sa# it is &ers8< t&at it %as also esta"lis&e
in t&e 'roceein)s t&at t&e assesse $alue of t&e
'ro'ert# of t&e ecease in Lus1ot( Lue4on 0it#( is
in t&e amount of P7(===.==.8
T&e o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate %as on t&e )roun t&at +-, t&e
e*ecution of t&e %ill %as 'rocure "# unue an im'ro'er
'ressure an influence on t&e 'art of t&e 'etitioner an &is
%ife( an +., t&at t&e testatri* i not seriousl# inten t&e
instrument to "e &er last %ill( an t&at t&e same %as actuall#
%ritten eit&er on t&e 7t& or ?t& a# of Au)ust ->77 an not on
No$em"er .=( ->7? as a''ears on t&e %ill.
T&e 'ro"ate %as enie on t&e )roun t&at uner Article 9--
of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e 'ro'onent must 'resent t&ree
%itnesses %&o coul eclare t&at t&e %ill an t&e si)nature
are in t&e %ritin) of t&e testatri*( t&e 'ro"ate "ein) conteste<
an "ecause t&e lone %itness 'resente "# t&e 'ro'onent
8i not 'ro$e sufficientl# t&at t&e "o# of t&e %ill %as %ritten
in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e testatri*.8
T&e 'ro'onent a''eale( ur)in); first( t&at &e %as not "oun
to 'rouce more t&an one %itness "ecause t&e %ill@s
aut&enticit# %as not !uestione< an secon( t&at Article 9--
oes not manatoril# re!uire t&e 'rouction of t&ree
%itnesses to ientif# t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( e$en if its aut&enticit# s&oul "e enie "#
t&e a$erse 'art#.
We agree with the appellant that since the authenticity of the
will was not contested, he was not required to produce more
than one witness7 but even if the genuineness of the
holographic will were contested, we are of the opinion that
%rticle ;(( of our present /ivil /ode can not be interpreted
as to require the compulsory presentation of three witnesses
to identify the handwriting of the testator, under penalty of
having the probate denied. @ince no witness may have been
present at the execution of a holographic will, none being
required by law ,%rt. ;(=, new /ivil /ode0, it becomes
obvious that the existence of witnesses possessing the
requisite qualifications is a matter beyond the control of the
proponent. 4or it is not merely a question of finding and
producing any three witnesses7 they must be witnesses who
$now the handwriting and signature of the testator and who
can declare ,truthfully, of course, even if the law does not so
express0 that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator. "here may be no available
witness acquainted with the testator's hand7 or even if so
familiari1ed, the witnesses may be unwilling to give a positive
opinion. /ompliance with the rule of paragraph ( of %rticle
;(( may thus become an impossibility.
%s can be seen, the law foresees the possibility that no
qualified witness may be found ,or what amounts to the
same thing, that no competent witness may be willing to
testify to the authenticity of the will0, and provides for resort
to expert evidence to supply the deficiency.
!t may be true that the rule of this article ,requiring that three
witnesses be presented if the will is contested and only one if
no contest is had0 was derived from the rule established for
ordinary testaments ,cf. /abang vs. Delfinado, *+ 8hil., 2)(7
"olentino vs. 4rancisco, +. 8hil. .*20. 5ut it can not be
ignored that the requirement can be considered mandatory
only in the case of ordinary testaments, precisely because
the presence of at least three witnesses at the execution of
ordinary wills is made by law essential to their validity ,%rt.
;=+0. Where the will is holographic, no witness need be
present ,%rt. (=0, and the rule requiring production of three
witnesses must be deemed merely permissive if absurd
results are to be avoided.
%gain, under %rticle ;((, the resort to expert evidence is
conditioned by the words if the /ourt deem it necessary,
which reveal that what the law deems essential is that the
/ourt should be convinced of the will's authenticity. Where
the prescribed number of witnesses is produced and the
court is convinced by their testimony that the will is genuine,
it may consider it unnecessary to call for expert evidence. On
the other hand, if no competent witness is available, or none
of those produced is convincing, the /ourt may still, and in
fact it should, resort to handwriting experts. "he duty of the
court, in fine, is to exhaust all available lines of inquiry, for the
state is as much interested as the proponent that the true
intention of the testator be carried into effect.
%nd because the law leaves it to the trial court to decide if
experts are still needed, no unfavourable inference can be
drawn from a party's failure to offer expert evidence, until and
unless the court expresses dissatisfaction with the testimony
of the lay witnesses. Our conclusion is that the rule of the
first paragraph of %rticle ;(( of the /ivil /ode is merely
directory and is not mandatory.
/onsidering, however, that this is the first occasion in which
this /ourt has been called upon to construe the import of
said article, the interest of 6ustice would be better served, in
our opinion, by giving the parties ample opportunity to
adduce additional evidence, including expert witnesses,
should the /ourt deem them necessary. !n view of the
foregoing, the decision appealed from is set aside, and the
records ordered remanded to the /ourt of origin, with
instructions to hold a new trial in conformity with this opinion.
5ut evidence already on record shall not be reta$en. <o
costs.
Codoy !s. Cal"gay
On A'ril ?( ->>=( E$an)eline 0alu)a#( Gose'&ine Salceo
an Eufemia Pati)as( e$isees an le)atees of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease Hatile SeOo Va. e
Ramonal( file %it& t&e Re)ional Trial 0ourt( Hisamis
Oriental( Branc& -9( a 'etition / for 'ro"ate of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease( %&o ie on Ganuar# -?(
->>=.
In t&e 'etition( res'onents claime t&at t&e ecease
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal( %as of soun an is'osin)
min %&en s&e e*ecute t&e %ill on Au)ust /=( ->79( t&at
- jann - 57
t&ere %as no frau( unue influence( an uress em'lo#e in
t&e 'erson of t&e testator( an t&e %ill %as %ritten $oluntaril#.
T&e assesse $alue of t&e eceent3s 'ro'ert#( incluin) all
real an 'ersonal 'ro'ert# %as a"out P4==(===.==( at t&e
time of &er eat&. 4
On Gune .9( ->>=( Eu)enia Ramonal 0oo# an Hanuel
Ramonal file an o''osition 7 to t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate(
alle)in) t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as a for)er# an t&at t&e
same is e$en ille)i"le. T&is )i$es an im'ression t&at a 8t&ir
&an8 of an intereste 'art# ot&er t&an t&e 8true &an8 of
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal e*ecute t&e &olo)ra'&ic
%ill.
Petitioners ar)ue t&at t&e re'eate ates incor'orate or
a''earin) on t&e %ill after e$er# is'osition is out of t&e
orinar#. If t&e ecease %as t&e one %&o e*ecute t&e %ill(
an %as not force( t&e ates an t&e si)nature s&oul
a''ear at t&e "ottom after t&e is'ositions( as re)ularl# one
an not after e$er# is'osition. An assumin) t&at t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill is in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e ecease( it %as
'rocure "# unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence on
t&e 'art of t&e "eneficiaries( or t&rou)& frau an tric1er#.
On :ecem"er -.( ->>=( res'onents file a notice of a''eal(
9 an in su''ort of t&eir a''eal( t&e res'onents once a)ain
reiterate t&e testimon# of t&e follo%in) %itnesses( namel#;
+-, Au)usto Neri< +., Generosa Senon< +/, Hatile Ramonal
Binana#< +4, Teresita Vea< +7, 2iscal Roolfo Ba)a< an
+?, E$an)eline 0alu)a#.
Accorin) to t&e 0ourt of A''eals( E$an)eline 0alu)a#(
Hatile Ramonal Binana# an ot&er %itnesses efinitel# an
in no uncertain terms testifie t&at t&e &an%ritin) an
si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %ere t&ose of t&e testator
&erself.T&us( u'on t&e unre"utte testimon# of a''ellant
E$an)eline 0alu)a# an %itness Hatile Ramonal Binana#(
t&e 0ourt of A''eals sustaine t&e aut&enticit# of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill an t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature t&erein(
an allo%e t&e %ill to 'ro"ate.
!n this petition, the petitioners as$ whether the provisions of
%rticle ;(( of the /ivil /ode are permissive or mandatory.
"he article provides, as a requirement for the probate of a
contested holographic will, that at least three witnesses
explicitly declare that the signature in the will is the genuine
signature of the testator.
Be are con$ince( "ase on t&e lan)ua)e use( t&at Article
9-- of t&e 0i$il 0oe is manator#. T&e %or 8s&all8 connotes
a manator# orer. Be &a$e rule t&at 8s&all8 in a statute
commonl# enotes an im'erati$e o"li)ation an is
inconsistent %it& t&e iea of iscretion an t&at t&e
'resum'tion is t&at t&e %or 8s&all(8 %&en use in a statute is
manator#.8 --
La%s are enacte to ac&ie$e a )oal intene an to )uie
a)ainst an e$il or misc&ief t&at aims to 're$ent. In t&e case at
"ar( t&e )oal to ac&ie$e is to )i$e effect to t&e %is&es of t&e
ecease an t&e e$il to "e 're$ente is t&e 'ossi"ilit# t&at
unscru'ulous ini$iuals %&o for t&eir "enefit %ill em'lo#
means to efeat t&e %is&es of t&e testator.
B&at Hs. Binana# sa% %ere 'reD're'are recei'ts an
letters of t&e ecease( %&ic& s&e eit&er maile or )a$e to
&er tenants. S&e i not eclare t&at s&e sa% t&e ecease
si)n a ocument or %rite a note. In &er testimon# it %as also
e$ient t&at Hs. Binana# 1e't t&e fact a"out t&e %ill from
'etitioners( t&e le)all# ao'te c&ilren of t&e ecease.
Suc& actions 'ut in issue &er moti$e of 1ee'in) t&e %ill a
secret to 'etitioners an re$ealin) it onl# after t&e eat& of
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal. So( t&e onl# reason t&at
E$an)eline can )i$e as to %&# s&e %as familiar %it& t&e
&an%ritin) of t&e ecease %as "ecause s&e li$e %it& &er
since "irt&. S&e ne$er eclare t&at s&e sa% t&e ecease
%rite a note or si)n a ocument.
2rom t&e testimonies of t&ese %itnesses( t&e 0ourt of
A''eals allo%e t&e %ill to 'ro"ate an isre)ar t&e
re!uirement of t&ree %itnesses in case of conteste
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( citin) t&e ecision in A4aola $s. Sin)son( /-
rulin) t&at t&e re!uirement is merel# irector# an not
manator#. In t&e case of ACero $s. 0ourt of A''eals( /. %e
sai t&at 8t&e o"Cect of t&e solemnities surrounin) t&e
e*ecution of %ills is to close t&e oor a)ainst "a fait& an
frau( to a$oi su"stitution of %ills an testaments an to
)uarant# t&eir trut& an aut&enticit#. T&erefore( t&e la%s on
t&is su"Cect s&oul "e inter'rete in suc& a %a# as to attain
t&ese 'rimorial ens. But( on t&e ot&er &an( also one must
not lose si)&t of t&e fact t&at it is not t&e o"Cect of t&e la% to
restrain an curtail t&e e*ercise of t&e ri)&t to ma1e a %ill.8
Ao%e$er( %e cannot eliminate t&e 'ossi"ilit# of a false
ocument "ein) aCu)e as t&e %ill of t&e testator( %&ic& is
%&# if t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill is conteste( t&at la% re!uires
t&ree %itnesses to eclare t&at t&e %ill %as in t&e &an%ritin)
of t&e ecease. T&e %ill %as foun not in t&e 'ersonal
"elon)in)s of t&e ecease "ut %it& one of t&e res'onents(
%&o 1e't it e$en "efore t&e eat& of t&e ecease. In t&e
testimon# of Hs. Binana#( s&e re$eale t&at t&e %ill %as in
&er 'ossession as earl# as ->97( or fi$e #ears "efore t&e
eat& of t&e ecease.
T&ere %as no o''ortunit# for an e*'ert to com'are t&e
si)nature an t&e &an%ritin) of t&e ecease %it& ot&er
ocuments si)ne an e*ecute "# &er urin) &er lifetime.
T&e onl# c&ance at com'arison %as urin) t&e crossD
e*amination of Hs. Binana# %&en t&e la%#er of 'etitioners
as1e Hs. Binana# to com'are t&e ocuments %&ic&
containe t&e si)nature of t&e ecease %it& t&at of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill an s&e is not a &an%ritin) e*'ert. E$en t&e
former la%#er of t&e ecease e*'resse ou"ts as to t&e
aut&enticit# of t&e si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill.
A $isual e*amination of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill con$ince us t&at
t&e stro1es are ifferent %&en com'are %it& ot&er
ocuments %ritten "# t&e testator. T&e si)nature of t&e
testator in some of t&e is'osition is not reaa"le. T&ere
%ere une$en stro1es( retracin) an erasures on t&e %ill.
0om'arin) t&e si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ate Au)ust
/=( ->79( // an t&e si)natures in se$eral ocuments suc&
as t&e a''lication letter for 'asture 'ermit ate :ecem"er
/=( ->9=( /4 an a letter ate Gune -?( ->79( /7 t&e stro1es
are ifferent. In t&e letters( t&ere are continuous flo%s of t&e
stro1es( e$iencin) t&at t&ere is no &esitation in %ritin) unli1e
t&at of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill. Be( t&erefore( cannot "e certain
t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as in t&e &an%ritin) "# t&e
ecease.
IN VIEB BAEREO2( t&e ecision a''eale from is SET
ASI:E. T&e recors are orere remane to t&e court of
ori)in %it& instructions to allo% 'etitioners to auce
e$ience in su''ort of t&eir o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease Hatile SeOo Va. e
Ramonal.
E. Effect of Allo%ance of %ills
- jann - 58
T&e matter of ue e*ecution of t&e %ill an ca'acit# of t&e
testator ac!uire t&e c&aracter of res Cuicata an cannot
a)ain "e "rou)&t into !uestion( all Cuicial !uestions in
connection t&ere%it& "ein) for once an fore$er close.
T&e 'ro"ate court oes not loo1 u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
t&e %ill. Ao%e$er( it %as &el t&at t&e trial court ma# 'ass
u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# e$en "efore its formal $aliit# &a
"een esta"lis&e. Ot&er%ise( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill mi)&t
"ecome an ile ceremon# if on its face it a''ears intrinsicall#
$oi. B&ere 'ractical consierations eman t&at t&e
intrinsic $aliit# of t&e %ill "e 'asse u'on e$en "efore
'ro"ate< t&e court s&oul meet t&e issue.
Dallanosa !s. Arcangel
T&e case in$ol$es t&e si*t#Done 'arcels of lan in Sorso)on
left "# 2lorentino Aitosis( %it& an estimate $alue of P7=(===(
an claims for ama)es e*ceein) one million 'esos.
On Gune .4( ->/> a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of &is %ill %as
file in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Sorso)on +S'ecial
Proceein) No. /-7-,. T&e notice of &earin) %as ul#
'u"lis&e In t&at %ill. 2lorentino "e!ueat&e &is oneD&alf
s&are in t&e conCu)al estate to &is secon %ife( Tecla
:ollentas( an( s&oul Tecla 'reecease &im( as %as t&e
case( &is oneD&alf s&are %oul "e assi)ne to t&e s'ouses
Pero Gallanosa an 0ora4on Grecia( t&e reason "ein) t&at
Pero( Tecla@s son "# &er first marria)e( )re% u' uner t&e
care of 2lorentino; &e &a treate Pero as &is foster c&il(
an Pero &as renere ser$ices to 2lorentino an Tecla.
2lorentino li1e%ise "e!ueat&e &is se'arate 'ro'erties
consistin) of t&ree 'arcels of a"aca lan an 'arcel of
ricelan to &is 'rote)e +sasacu#an) ataman, Aolfo
2ortaCaa( a minor.
On Octo"er .4( ->4-( t&e testamentar# &eirs( t&e Gallanosa
s'ouses an Aolfo 2ortaCaa( su"mitte a 'roCect of 'artition
co$erin) si*t#Done 'arcels of lan locate in $arious 'arts of
Sorso)on( lar)e cattle an se$eral 'ieces of 'ersonal
'ro'ert# %&ic& %ere istri"ute in accorance %it&
2lorentino@s %ill. T&e &eirs assume t&e o"li)ations of t&e
estate amountin) to P7(-.>..7 in t&e 'ortion of P.(/7?.4. for
Aolfo 2ortaCaa an P4(77..97 for t&e Gallanosa s'ouses.
T&e 'roCect of 'artition %as a''ro$e "# Gu)e :oroteo
Amaor in &is orer of Harc& -/( ->4/( t&us confirmin) t&e
&eirs@ 'ossession of t&eir res'ecti$e s&ares. T&e testator@s
le)al &eirs i not a''eal from t&e ecree of 'ro"ate an
from t&e orer of 'artition an istri"ution.
On 2e"ruar# .=( ->7.( Leon Aitosis an t&e &eirs of
2lorentino@s ecease "rot&ers an sisters institute an
action in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Sorso)on a)ainst
Pero Gallanosa for t&e reco$er# of t&e sai si*t#Done
'arcels of lan. T&e# alle)e t&at t&e#( "# t&emsel$es or
t&rou)& t&eir 'reecessorsDinDinterest( &a "een in
continuous 'ossession of t&ose lans en conce'to e ueOo
an t&at Gallanosa entere t&ose lans in ->7- an asserte
o%ners&i' o$er t&e lans. T&e# 'ra#e t&at t&e# "e eclare
t&e o%ners of t&e lans an t&at t&e# "e restore to t&e
'ossession t&ereof. T&e# also claime ama)es +0i$il 0ase
No. ?>?,.
T&e 'laintiffs i not a''eal from t&at orer of ismissal
%&ic& s&oul &a$e set t&e matter at rest. But t&e same
'laintiffs or o''ositors to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( an t&eir
&eirs( %it& a 'ersistence "efittin) a more meritorious case(
file on Se'tem"er .-( ->?7( or fifteen #ears after t&e
ismissal of 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? an t%ent#Dei)&t #ears after
t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( anot&er action in t&e same court
a)ainst t&e Gallanosa s'ouses an Aolfo 2ortaCaa for t&e
8annulment8 of t&e %ill of 2lorentino Aitosis an for t&e
reco$er# of t&e same si*t#Done 'arcels of lan. T&e# 'ra#e
for t&e a''ointment of a recei$er.
T&e 'etitioners or t&e efenants "elo% conten in t&is
certiorari case t&at t&e lo%er court &as no Curisiction to set
asie t&e ->/> ecree of 'ro"ate an t&e ->7. orer of
ismissal in 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? an t&at it acte %it& )ra$e
a"use of iscretion in not ismissin) 'ri$ate res'onents@
->?7 com'laint.
T&e issue is %&et&er( uner t&e facts set fort& a"o$e( t&e
'ri$ate res'onents &a$e a cause of action for t&e
8annulment8 of t&e %ill of 2lorentino Aitosis an for t&e
reco$er# of t&e si*t#Done 'arcels of lan aCuicate uner
t&at %ill to t&e 'etitioners. Be &ol t&at t&e lo%er court
committe a )ra$e a"use of iscretion in reconsieration its
orer of ismissal an in i)norin) t&e ->/> testamentar#
case an t&e ->7. 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? %&ic& is t&e same as
t&e instant ->?7 case.
B&at t&e 'laintiffs see1 is t&e 8annulment8 of a last %ill an
testament ul# 'ro"ate in ->/> "# t&e lo%er court itself. T&e
'roceein) is cou'le %it& an action to reco$er t&e lans
aCuicate to t&e efenants "# t&e same court in ->4/ "#
$irtue of t&e 'ro"ate %ill( %&ic& action is a resuscitation of
t&e com'laint of t&e same 'arties t&at t&e same court
ismisse in ->7.. It is e$ient from t&e alle)ations of t&e
com'laint an from efenants@ motion to ismiss t&at
'laintiffs@ ->?7 action is "arre "# res Cuicata a ou"leD
"arrelle efense( an "# 'rescri'tion( ac!uisiti$e an
e*tincti$e( or "# %&at are 1no%n in t&e Cus ci$ile an t&e Cus
)entium as usuca'io( lon)i tem'oris 'ossesio an
'raescri'tio +See Ramos $s. Ramos( LD->97.( :ecem"er /(
->74( ?- S0RA .94,.
Be sa# t&at t&e efense of res Cuicata( as a )roun for t&e
ismissal of 'laintiffs@ ->?7 com'laint( is a t%oD'ron)e
efense "ecause +-, t&e ->/> an ->4/ ecrees of 'ro"ate
an istri"ution in S'ecial Proceein) No. /-7- an +., t&e
->7. orer of ismissal in 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? of t&e lo%er
court constitute "ars "# former Cu)ment
T&e ->/> ecree of 'ro"ate is conclusi$e as to t&e ue
e*ecution or formal $aliit# of t&e %ill. T&at means t&at t&e
testator %as of soun an is'osin) min at t&e time %&en
&e e*ecute t&e %ill an %as not actin) uner uress(
menace( frau( or unue influence< t&at t&e %ill %as si)ne
"# &im in t&e 'resence of t&e re!uire num"er of %itnesses(
an t&at t&e %ill is )enuine an is not a for)er#. Accorin)l#(
t&ese facts cannot a)ain "e !uestione in a su"se!uent
'roceein)( not e$en in a criminal action for t&e for)er# of t&e
%ill. After t&e finalit# of t&e allo%ance of a %ill( t&e issue as to
t&e $oluntariness of its e*ecution cannot "e raise an#more
!t is a fundamental concept in the organi1ation of every 6ural
system, a principle of public policy, that, at the ris$ of
occasional errors, 6udgments of courts should become final
at some definite date fixed by law. !nterest rei publicae ut
finis sit litum. "he very ob6ect for which the courts were
constituted was to put an end to controversies. %fter the
period for see$ing relief from a final order or 6udgment under
9ule 3; of the 9ules of /ourt has expired, a final 6udgment or
order can be set aside only on the grounds of ,a0 lac$ of
6urisdiction or lac$ of due process of law or ,b0 that the
6udgment was obtained by means of extrinsic or collateral
fraud. !n the latter case, the period for annulling the 6udgment
is four years from the discovery of the fraud
- jann - 59
T&at rulin) is a )larin) error Article -4-= cannot 'ossi"l#
a''l# to last %ills an testaments. T&e trial court an
'laintiffs@ counsel relie u'on t&e case of :in)le $s.
Guillermo( 49 O.G. 44-=( alle)el# ecie "# t&is 0ourt(
%&ic& cite t&e rulin) in Ti'ton $s. Velasco( ? P&il. ?7( t&at
mere la'se of time cannot )i$e efficac# to $oi contracts( a
rulin) ele$ate to t&e cate)or# of a coal 'ro$ision in article
-4-=. T&e :in)le case %as ecie "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals.
E$en t&e trial court i not ta1e 'ains to $erif# t&e
misre'resentation of 'laintiffs@ counsel t&at t&e :in)le case
%as ecie "# t&is 0ourt. An elementar# 1no%le)e of ci$il
la% coul &a$e alerte t&e trial court to t&e e)re)ious error of
'laintiffs@ counsel in ar)uin) t&at article -4-= a''lies to %ills.
-oerts !s. Leonidas
T&e !uestion in t&is case is %&et&er a 'etition for allo%ance
of %ills an to annul a 'artition( a''ro$e in an intestate
'roceein) "# Branc& .= of t&e Hanila 0ourt of 2irst
Instance( can "e entertaine "# its Branc& /9 +after a 'ro"ate
in t&e Ita& istrict court,.
Anteceents. S E%ar H. Grimm( an American resient of
Hanila( ie at 79 in t&e Ha1ati Heical 0enter on No$em"er
.7( ->77. Ae %as sur$i$e "# &is secon %ife( Ha*ine Tate
Grimm( an t&eir t%o c&ilren( name E%ar Hiller Grimm II
+Pete, an Lina Grimm( an "# Guanita Grimm Horris an
Et&el Grimm Ro"erts +Hc2aen,( &is t%o c&ilren "# a first
marria)e %&ic& ene in i$orce +Su"DAnne*es A an B( ''.
/?D47( Rollo,.
Ae e*ecute on Ganuar# ./( ->7> t%o %ills in San 2rancisco(
0alifornia. One %ill is'ose of &is P&ili''ine estate %&ic& &e
escri"e as conCu)al 'ro'ert# of &imself an &is secon
%ife. T&e secon %ill is'ose of &is estate outsie t&e
P&ili''ines.
In "ot& %ills( t&e secon %ife an t%o c&ilren %ere fa$ore.
T&e t%o c&ilren of t&e first marria)e %ere )i$en t&eir
le)itimes in t&e %ill is'osin) of t&e estate situate in t&is
countr#. In t&e %ill ealin) %it& &is 'ro'ert# outsie t&is
countr#( t&e testator sai; 8I 'ur'osel# &a$e mae no
'ro$ision in t&is %ill for m# au)&ter( Guanita Grimm Horris(
or m# au)&ter( Elsa Grimm Hc2aen +Et&el Grimm
Ro"erts,( "ecause I &a$e 'ro$ie for eac& of t&em in a
se'arate %ill is'osin) of m# P&ili''ine 'ro'ert#.8 +2irst
clause( ''. 4/D47( Rollo,.
T&e t%o %ills an a coicil %ere 'resente for 'ro"ate "#
Ha*ine Tate Grimm an E. La Var Tate on Harc& 7( ->79 in
Pro"ate No. /7.= of t&e T&ir Guicial :istrict 0ourt of Tooele
0ount#( Ita&. Guanita Grimm Horris of 0u'ertino( 0alifornia
an Hrs. Ro"erts of -7 0. Benite4 Street( Aorses&oe Villa)e(
Lue4on 0it# %ere notifie of t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)
T%o %ee1s later( or on A'ril .7( ->79( Ha*ine an &er t%o
c&ilren Lina an Pete( as t&e first 'arties( an Et&el(
Guanita Grimm Horris an t&eir mot&er Guanita Ke)le#
Grimm( as t&e secon 'arties( %it& 1no%le)e of t&e
intestate 'roceein) in Hanila( entere into a com'romise
a)reement in Ita& re)arin) t&e estate. It %as si)ne "#
:a$i E. Salis"ur# an :onal B. Aol"roo1( as la%#ers of t&e
'arties( "# Pete an Lina an t&e attorne#DinDfact of Ha*ine
an "# t&e attorne#DinDfact of Et&el( Guanita Grimm Horris
an Guanita Ke)le# Grimm.
In t&at a)reement( it %as sti'ulate t&at Ha*ine( Pete an
Et&el %oul "e esi)nate as 'ersonal re'resentati$es
+aministrators, of Grimm@s P&ili''ine estate +'ar. .,. It %as
also sti'ulate t&at Ha*ine@s oneD&alf conCu)al s&are in t&e
estate s&oul "e reser$e for &er an t&at %oul not "e less
t&an R-(7==(=== 'lus t&e &omes in Ita& an Santa Hesa(
Hanila +'ar. 4,. T&e a)reement inicate t&e com'utation of
t&e 8net istri"uta"le estate8. It reco)ni4e t&at t&e estate
%as lia"le to 'a# t&e fees of t&e An)ara la% firm
Actin) on t&e eclaration of &eirs an 'roCect of 'artition
si)ne an file "# la%#ers Lim!ueco an Hacarae) +not
si)ne "# Ha*ine an &er t%o c&ilren,( Gu)e 0onrao H.
Holina in &is orer of Gul# .7( ->7> aCuicate to Ha*ine
oneD&alf +459, of t&e eceent@s P&ili''ine estate an oneD
ei)&t& +-59, eac& to &is four c&ilren or -.D-5.V +''. -4=D
-4.( Recor,. No mention at all %as mae of t&e %ill in t&at
orer.
Petition to annul 'artition an testate 'roceein) No. -/477>.
S On Se'tem"er 9( ->9=( Ro)elio A. Vinluan of t&e An)ara
la% firm( in "e&alf of Ha*ine( Pete an Lina( file in Branc&
/9 of t&e lo%er court a 'etition 'ra#in) for t&e 'ro"ate of
Grimm@s t%o %ills +alrea# 'ro"ate in Ita&,( t&at t&e ->7>
'artition a''ro$e "# t&e intestate court "e set asie an t&e
letters of aministration re$o1e( t&at Ha*ine "e a''ointe
e*ecutri* an t&at Et&el an Guanita Horris "e orere to
account for t&e 'ro'erties recei$e "# t&em an to return t&e
same to Ha*ine +''. .7D/7( Rollo,.
Grimm@s secon %ife an t%o c&ilren alle)e t&at t&e# %ere
efrau ue to t&e mac&inations of t&e Ro"erts s'ouses( t&at
t&e ->79 Ita& com'romise a)reement %as ille)al( t&at t&e
intestate 'roceein) is $oi "ecause Grimm ie testate an
t&at t&e 'artition %as contrar# to t&e eceent@s %ills.
Et&el file a motion to ismiss t&e 'etition. Gu)e Leonias
enie it for lac1 of merit in &is orer of Octo"er .7( ->9=.
Et&el t&en file a 'etition for certiorari an 'ro&i"ition in t&is
0ourt( 'ra#in) t&at t&e testate 'roceein) "e ismisse( or(
alternati$el# t&at t&e t%o 'roceein)s "e consoliate an
&ear in Branc& .= an t&at t&e matter of t&e annulment of
t&e Ita& com'romise a)reement "e &ear 'rior to t&e
'etition for 'ro"ate +''. ..D./( Rollo,.
Rulin). S Be &ol t&at res'onent Cu)e i not commit an#
)ra$e a"use of iscretion( amountin) to lac1 of Curisiction( in
en#in) Et&el@s motion to ismiss.
A testate 'roceein) is 'ro'er in t&is case "ecause Grimm
ie %it& t%o %ills an 8no %ill s&all 'ass eit&er real or
'ersonal 'ro'ert# unless it is 'ro$e an allo%e8 +Art. 9/9(
0i$il 0oe< sec. -( Rule 77( Rules of 0ourt,. T&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is manator# +Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47> an
>9 P&il. .4>< Balu#ot $s. PaOo( LD4.=99( Ha# 7( ->7?( 7-
S0RA 9?,. It is anomalous t&at t&e estate of a 'erson %&o
ie testate s&oul "e settle in an intestate 'roceein).
T&erefore( t&e intestate case s&oul "e consoliate %it& t&e
testate 'roceein) an t&e Cu)e assi)ne to t&e testate
'roceein) s&oul continue &earin) t&e t%o cases.
Et&el ma# file %it&in t%ent# a#s from notice of t&e finalit# of
t&is Cu)ment an o''osition an ans%er to t&e 'etition unless
s&e consiers &er motion to ismiss an ot&er 'leain)s
sufficient for t&e 'ur'ose. Guanita G. Horris( %&o a''eare in
t&e intestate case( s&oul "e ser$e %it& co'ies of orers(
notices an ot&er 'a'ers in t&e testate case. BAERE2ORE(
- jann - 60
t&e 'etition is ismisse. T&e tem'orar# restrainin) orer is
issol$e. No costs.
Nepo#"ceno !s. CA
Hartin Gu)o ie on Gul# -?( ->74 in Hala"on( Ri4al. Ae left
a last Bill an Testament ul# si)ne "# &im at t&e en of t&e
Bill on 'a)e t&ree an on t&e left mar)in of 'a)es -( . an 4
t&ereof in t&e 'resence of 0elestina AleCanro( H#rna 0.
0orte4( an Leanro LeaOo( %&o in turn( affi*e t&eir
si)natures "elo% t&e attestation clause an on t&e left mar)in
of 'a)es -( . an 4 of t&e Bill in t&e 'resence of t&e testator
an of eac& ot&er an t&e Notar# Pu"lic. T&e Bill %as
ac1no%le)e "efore t&e Notar# Pu"lic Romeo Escareal "#
t&e testator an &is t&ree attestin) %itnesses.
In t&e sai Bill( t&e testator name an a''ointe &erein
'etitioner Sofia G. Ne'omuceno as &is sole an onl# e*ecutor
of &is estate. It is clearl# state in t&e Bill t&at t&e testator
%as le)all# marrie to a certain Rufina Gome4 "# %&om &e
&a t%o le)itimate c&ilren( Oscar an 0armelita( "ut since
->7.( &e &a "een estran)e from &is la%full# %ee %ife
an &a "een li$in) %it& 'etitioner as &us"an an %ife. In
fact( on :ecem"er 7( ->7.( t&e testator Hartin Gu)o an t&e
'etitioner &erein( Sofia G. Ne'omuceno %ere marrie in
Victoria( Tarlac "efore t&e Gustice of t&e Peace. T&e testator
e$ise to &is force &eirs( namel#( &is le)al %ife Rufina
Gome4 an &is c&ilren Oscar an 0armelita &is entire
estate an t&e free 'ortion t&ereof to &erein 'etitioner.
On Au)ust .-( ->74( t&e 'etitioner file a 'etition for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e last Bill an Testament of t&e ecease Hartin
Gu)o in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( Branc& WWWIV(
0aloocan 0it# an as1e for t&e issuance to &er of letters
testamentar#. On Ha# -/( ->77( t&e le)al %ife of t&e testator(
Rufina Gome4 an &er c&ilren file an o''osition alle)in)
inter alia t&at t&e e*ecution of t&e Bill %as 'rocure "#
unue an im'ro'er influence on t&e 'art of t&e 'etitioner<
t&at at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of t&e Bill( t&e testator %as
alrea# $er# sic1 an t&at 'etitioner &a$in) amitte &er
li$in) in concu"ina)e %it& t&e testator( s&e is %antin) in
inte)rit# an t&us letters testamentar# s&oul not "e issue
to &er.
On Ganuar# ?( ->7?( t&e lo%er court enie t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e Bill on t&e )roun t&at as t&e testator amitte in &is Bill
to co&a"itin) %it& t&e 'etitioner from :ecem"er ->7. until &is
eat& on Gul# -?( ->74( t&e Bill@s amission to 'ro"ate %ill
"e an ile e*ercise "ecause on t&e face of t&e Bill( t&e
in$aliit# of its intrinsic 'ro$isions is e$ient.
On Gune .( ->9.( t&e res'onent court set asie t&e ecision
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al en#in) t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e Bill. T&e res'onent court eclare t&e Bill to "e $ali
e*ce't t&at t&e e$ise in fa$or of t&e 'etitioner is null an
$oi 'ursuant to Article 7/> in relation %it& Article -=.9 of t&e
0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines.
T&e main issue raise "# t&e 'etitioner is %&et&er or not t&e
res'onent court acte in e*cess of its Curisiction %&en after
eclarin) t&e last Bill an Testament of t&e ecease Hartin
Gu)o $alil# ra%n( it %ent on to 'ass u'on t&e intrinsic
$aliit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of &erein
'etitioner.
T&e 'etitioner su"mits t&at t&e $aliit# of t&e testamentar#
'ro$ision in &er fa$or cannot "e 'asse u'on an ecie in
t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)s "ut in some ot&er 'roceein)s
"ecause t&e onl# 'ur'ose of t&e 'ro"ate of a Bill is to
esta"lis& conclusi$el# as a)ainst e$er#one t&at a Bill %as
e*ecute %it& t&e formalities re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e
testator &as t&e mental ca'acit# to e*ecute t&e same. T&e
'etitioner furt&er contens t&at e$en if t&e 'ro$isions of
'ara)ra'& - of Article 7/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines
%ere a''lica"le( t&e eclaration of its nullit# coul onl# "e
mae "# t&e 'ro'er court in a se'arate action "rou)&t "# t&e
le)al %ife for t&e s'ecific 'ur'ose of o"tainin) a eclaration
of t&e nullit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in t&e Bill in fa$or
of t&e 'erson %it& %&om t&e testator %as alle)el# )uilt# of
aulter# or concu"ina)e.
Be a)ree %it& t&e res'onents. T&e res'onent court acte
%it&in its Curisiction %&en after eclarin) t&e Bill to "e
$alil# ra%n( it %ent on to 'ass u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
t&e Bill an eclare t&e e$ise in fa$or of t&e 'etitioner null
an $oi. T&e )eneral rule is t&at in 'ro"ate 'roceein)s( t&e
court@s area of in!uir# is limite to an e*amination an
resolution of t&e e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e Bill.
8Art IV. T&at since ->7.( I &a$e "een
li$in)( as man an %ife( %it& one Sofia G.
Ne'omuceno( %&om I eclare an a$o% to
"e entitle to ma# lo$e an affection( for all
t&e t&in)s %&ic& s&e &as one for me( no%
an in t&e 'ast< t&at %&ile Sofia G.
Ne'omuceno &as %it& m# full 1no%le)e
an consent( i com'ort an re'resent
m#self as &er o%n &us"an( in trut& an in
fact( as %ell as in t&e e#es of t&e la%( I
coul not "in &er to me in t&e &ol# "ons
of matrimon# "ecause of m#
aforementione 're$ious marria)e<8
T&e rule( &o%e$er( is not infle*i"le an a"solute. Gi$en
e*ce'tional circumstances( t&e 'ro"ate court is not
'o%erless to o %&at t&e situation constrains it to o an
'ass u'on certain 'ro$isions of t&e Bill.
In Nu)ui $. Nu)ui +-7 S0RA 44>, cite "# t&e trial court(
t&e testator institute t&e 'etitioner as uni$ersal &eir an
com'letel# 'reterite &er sur$i$in) force &eirs. A %ill of t&is
nature( no matter &o% $ali it ma# a''ear e*trinsicall#( %oul
"e null an $oi. Se'arate or latter 'roceein)s to etermine
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$isions %oul "e
su'erfluous.
8Be are of t&e o'inion t&at in $ie% of certain unusual
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( %&ic& are of u"ious le)alit#( an
"ecause of t&e motion to %it&ra% t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate
+%&ic& t&e lo%er court assume to &a$e "een file %it& t&e
'etitioner@s aut&ori4ation,( t&e trial court acte correctl# in
'assin) u'on t&e %ill@s intrinsic $aliit# e$en "efore its formal
$aliit# &a "een esta"lis&e. T&e 'ro"ate of a %ill mi)&t
"ecome an ile ceremon# if on its face it a''ears to "e
intrinsicall# $oi. B&ere 'ractical consierations eman t&at
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e %ill "e 'asse u'on( e$en "efore it
is 'ro"ate( t&e court s&oul meet t&e issue
T&ere a''ears to "e no more is'ute at t&is time o$er t&e
e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e Bill. Bot& 'arties are a)ree t&at t&e
Bill of Hartin Gu)o %as e*ecute %it& all t&e formalities
re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e testator &a t&e mental ca'acit#
to e*ecute &is Bill. T&e 'etitioner states t&at s&e com'letel#
a)rees %it& t&e res'onent court %&en in resol$in) t&e
!uestion of %&et&er or not t&e 'ro"ate court correctl# enie
- jann - 61
t&e 'ro"ate of Hartin Gu)o@s last Bill an Testament( T&e
onl# issue( t&erefore( is t&e Curisiction of t&e res'onent
court to eclare t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of t&e
'etitioner as null an $oi.
T&ere is no !uestion from t&e recors a"out t&e fact of a 'rior
e*istin) marria)e %&en Hartin Gu)o e*ecute &is Bill. T&ere
is also no is'ute t&at t&e 'etitioner an Hr. Gu)o li$e
to)et&er in an ostensi"le marital relations&i' for .. #ears
until &is eat&. It is also a fact t&at on :ecem"er .( ->7.(
Hartin Gu)o an Sofia G. Ne'omuceno contracte a marria)e
"efore t&e Gustice of t&e Peace of Victoria( Tarlac. T&e man
%as t&en 7- #ears ol %&ile t&e %oman %as 49.
Ne'omuceno no% contens t&at s&e acte in )oo fait& for
.. #ears in t&e "elief t&at s&e %as le)all# marrie to t&e
testator.
Horeo$er( t&e 'ro&i"ition in Article 7/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe is
a)ainst t&e ma1in) of a onation "et%een 'ersons %&o are
li$in) in aulter# or concu"ina)e. It is t&e onation %&ic&
"ecomes $oi. T&e )i$er cannot )i$e e$en assumin) t&at t&e
reci'ient ma# recei$e. T&e $er# %orin)s of t&e Bill
in$aliate t&e le)ac# "ecause t&e testator amitte &e %as
is'osin) t&e 'ro'erties to a 'erson %it& %&om &e &a "een
li$in) in concu"ina)e. BAERE2ORE( t&e 'etition is
:ISHISSE: for lac1 of merit.
W. :ISALLOBAN0E O2 BILLS
Art. #%9. "he will shall be disallowed in any of the
followin! cases,
(-) f the formalities required by law have
not been complied with.
($) f the testator was insane, or otherwise
mentally incapable of ma+in! a will, at the
time of its e&ecution.
(%) f it was e&ecuted throu!h force or under
duress, or the influence of fear, or threats.
(/) f it was procured by undue and
improper pressure and influence, on the
part of the beneficiary or of some other
person.
(5) f the si!nature of the testator was
procured by fraud.
(*) f the testator acted by mista+e or did not
intend that the instrument he si!ned should
be his will at the time of affi&in! his
si!nature thereto. (n)
Art. -%%5. "here is violence when in order to wrest
consent, serious or irresistible force is employed.
"here is intimidation when one of the contractin!
parties is compelled by a reasonable and well<
!rounded fear of an imminent and !rave evil upon
his person or property, or upon the person or
property of his spouse, descendants or ascendants,
to !ive his consent.
"o determine the de!ree of intimidation, the a!e, se&
and condition of the person shall be borne in mind.
A threat to enforce one3s claim throu!h competent
authority, if the claim is 1ust or le!al, does not vitiate
consent. (-$*7a)
Art. -%%*. ?iolence or intimidation shall annul the
obli!ation, althou!h it may have been employed by a
third person who did not ta+e part in the contract.
(-$*#)
Art. -%%7. "here is undue influence when a person
ta+es improper advanta!e of his power over the will
of another, deprivin! the latter of a reasonable
freedom of choice. "he followin! circumstances
shall be considered, the confidential, family,
spiritual and other relations between the parties, or
the fact that the person alle!ed to have been unduly
influenced was sufferin! from mental wea+ness, or
was i!norant or in financial distress. (n)
Art. -%%#. "here is fraud when, throu!h insidious
words or machinations of one of the contractin!
parties, the other is induced to enter into a contract
which, without them, he would not have a!reed to.
(-$*9)
T: A will void as to form does not transmit property. But it
can ive rise to a natural obliation( so that even if a leatee
named therein cannot leally claim the leacy& the voluntary
delivery thereof by the intestate heir is valid.
's a will e%ecuted by virtue of fraud upon testator susceptible
of ratification@
T: #e submit that this conclusion overloo$s the difference
between the law on wills and the law on contracts. 'n the law
on contracts& fraud merely ma$es the contract voidable( while
in the law on wills& fraud is a round for the disallowance of
the will& that is& it renders the will void ab initio. There is
nothin in the law on wills which allows implied confirmation
or ratification of a void will& while there are provsions
allowin it in the law on contracts.
2owever& the fact that the test)3 did nor revo$e his will after
$nowlede of the alleed fraud may be evidence aainst the
e%istence of fraud.
4asc"al !s. Dela Cr"&
On . Ganuar# ->?=( 0atalina e la 0ru4( sin)le an %it&out
an# sur$i$in) escenant or ascenant( ie at t&e a)e of 9>
in &er resience at San Ro!ue( Na$otas( Ri4al. On -4
Ganuar# ->?=( a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of &er alle)e %ill
%as file in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al "# Anres
Pascual( %&o %as name in t&e sai %ill as e*ecutor an
sole &eir of t&e eceent.
-
O''osin) t&e 'etition( Pero e la 0ru4 an .? ot&er
ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e late 0atalina e la 0ru4 conteste
t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill on t&e )rouns t&at t&e formalities
- jann - 62
re!uire "# la% %ere not com'lie %it&< t&at t&e testatri* %as
mentall# inca'a"le of is'osin) of &er 'ro'erties "# %ill at
t&e time of its e*ecution< t&at t&e %ill %as 'rocure "# unue
an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence on t&e 'art of t&e
'etitioner< an t&at t&e si)nature of t&e testatri* %as o"taine
t&rou)& frau.
After &earin)( urin) %&ic& t&e 'arties 'resente t&eir
res'ecti$e e$iences( t&e 'ro"ate court renere Cu)ment
u'&olin) t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill( an( as t&erein
'ro$ie( a''ointe 'etitioner Anres Pascual e*ecutor an
aministrator of t&e estate of t&e late 0atalina e la 0ru4
%it&out "on. T&e o''ositors a''eale irectl# to t&e 0ourt(
t&e 'ro'erties in$ol$e "ein) $alue at more t&an
P/==(===.==( raisin) onl# t&e issue of t&e ue e*ecution of
t&e %ill.
In t&is instance( o''ositorsDa''ellees claim t&at t&e
lo%er court erre in )i$in) creence to t&e testimonies of t&e
su"scri"in) %itnesses an t&e notar# t&at t&e %ill %as ul#
e*ecute( not%it&stanin) t&e e*istence of inconsistencies
an contraictions in t&e testimonies( an in isre)arin)
t&eir e$ience t&at t&e %ill %as not si)ne "# all t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of one anot&er( in $iolation of t&e
re!uirement of t&e la%.
In t&is Curisiction( it is t&e o"ser$e rule t&at( %&ere a
%ill is conteste( t&e su"scri"in) %it& are )enerall# re)are
as t&e "est !ualifie to testif# on its ue e*ecution. Ao%e$er(
it is similarl# reco)ni4e t&at for t&e testimon# of suc&
%itnesses to "e entitle to full creit( it must "e reasona"le
an un"iase( an not o$ercome "# com'etent e$ience(
irect or circumstantial.
.
2or it must "e remem"ere t&at t&e
la% oes not sim'l# re!uire t&e 'resence of t&ree
instrumental %itnesses< it emans t&at t&e %itnesses "e
crei"le.
/
In connection %it& t&e issue uner consieration( %e
a)ree %it& t&e trial Cu)e t&at t&e contraictions an
inconsistencies a''earin) in t&e testimonies of t&e %itnesses
an t&e notar#( 'ointe out "# t&e o''ositorsDa''ellants
+suc& as t&e %eat&er conition at t&e time t&e %ill %as
e*ecute< t&e se!uence of t&e si)nin) "# t&e %itnesses< an
t&e len)t& of time it too1 to com'lete t&e act,( relate to
unim'ortant etails of t&e im'ressions of t&e %itnesses a"out
certain etails %&ic& coul &a$e "een affecte "# t&e la'se of
time an t&e treac&er# of &uman memor#( an %&ic&
inconsistencies( "# t&emsel$es( %oul not alter t&e 'ro"ati$e
$alue of t&eir testimonies on t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill Mcf.
Peo. $s. Si)ue( 9? P&il. -/>D-4= +/ #ears inter$al,N.
Not &a$in) &ear Gion)co testif#( t&is court is not in a 'osition
to contraict t&e a''reciation of t&e trial court t&at t&e $oice
in t&e ta'e recorin) %as not reall# t&at of Gion)co. An
consierin) t&at &e enie t&at fact uner oat&( t&at t&e ta'e
recorin) %as not su''orte "# trul# im'artial e$ience( an
%as one %it&out t&e 1no%le)e of t&e %itness( %e cannot
see our %a# clear to rule t&at Gion)co &as "een successfull#
im'eac&e( an s&o%n )uilt# of false testimon#. It %oul "e
an)erous to rule ot&er%ise.
T&e secon 'oint t&at reners increi"le t&e alle)e
assertion of Gion)co in t&e ta'e recorin)( t&at &e si)ne t&e
testament onl# in ->79 or ->7>( is t&at in t&e Notarial
Re)istr# of t&e notar#( Gatula( t&e ratification of t&e
testament a''ears amon) t&e entries for ->74( as %ell as in
t&e corres'onin) co'ies +E*&i"it I, file "# &im %it&
Bonifacio Sumulon)( t&e em'lo#ee in c&ar)e of t&e Notarial
Section of t&e 0ler1 of 0ourt@s office( %&o 'rouce t&em at
t&e trial u'on su"'oena( an %&o testifie to &is &a$in)
searc&e for an foun t&em in t&e $aults of t&e 0ler1 of
0ourt@s office. No e$ience e*ists t&at t&ese ocuments %ere
not surrenere an file at t&e 0ler1 of 0ourt@s office( as
re!uire "# la%( an in t&e re)ular course of official ut#.
0ertainl#( t&e notar# coul not &a$e re'orte in ->74 %&at i
not &a''en until ->79.
In $ie% of t&e e$ience( %e o not feel Custifie in
concluin) t&at t&e trial court erre in acce'tin) t&e
concorant testimon# of t&e instrumental %itnesses as
%arrantin) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill in !uestion( ta1in) into
account t&e une*celle o''ortunit# of t&e court a !uo to
o"ser$e t&e emeanor( an Cu)e t&e crei"ilit#( of t&e
%itness t&ere"#. 2urt&ermore( it %oul not "e t&e first time in
t&is Curisiction t&at a %ill &as "een amitte to 'ro"ate e$en
if t&e instrumental %itness testifie contrar# to t&e ot&er t%o(
'ro$ie t&e court is satisfie( as in t&is case( t&at t&e %ill
%as e*ecute an atteste in t&e manner 'ro$ie "# la%
+2ernane4 $s. Tantoco( 4> P&il. /9=< Tolentino $s.
2rancisco( 77 P&il. 74.< 0u#u)an $s. Baron( ?> P&il. ?/><
Ramire4 $s. Butte( -== P&il ?/7,. T&ere is )reater reason to
amit t&e %ill to 'ro"ate %&ere onl# t&e testimon# of one
%itness is su"Cecte to serious( if unsuccessful attac1.
0ontestants furt&er assail t&e amission to 'ro"ate on
t&e )roun t&at t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill %as tainte "# frau
an unue influence e*erte "# 'ro'onent on t&e testari*(
an affirm t&at it %as error for t&e lo%er court to &a$e
reCecte t&eir claim. Sai t&e court in t&is re)ar +Recor on
A''eal( 'a)e 97,;
Before consierin) t&e correctness of t&ese finin)s( it is
%ort&%&ile to recall t&e "asic 'rinci'les on unue 'ressure
an influence as lai o%n "# t&e Curis'ruence of t&is 0ourt;
that to e s"fficient to a!oid a %ill, the infl"ence e7erted
#"st e of a ;ind that so o!erpo%ers and s"'"gates the
#ind of the testator as to destroy his free agency and
#a;e hi# e7press the %ill of another rather than his o%n
+0oso $s. 2ernane4 :e4a( 4. P&il. 7>?< Icasiano $s.
Icasiano( LD-9>7>( /= Gune ->?4< Teotico $s. :el Val( LD
-977/( .? Harc& ->?,< t&at t&e contention t&at a %ill %as
o"taine "# unue influence or im'ro'er 'ressure cannot "e
sustaine on mere conCecture or sus'icion( as it is enou)&
t&at t&ere %as o''ortunit# to e*ercise unue influence( or a
'ossi"ilit# t&at it ma# &a$e "een e*ercise +O4aeta $s.
0uartero( LD77>7( /- Ha# ->7?,< t&at t&e e*ercise of
im'ro'er 'ressure an unue influence must "e su''orte
"# su"stantial e$ience t&at it %as actuall# e*ercise
+O4atea $s. 0uartero( ante< Teotico $s. :el Val( LD-977/( .?
Harc& ->?7,< t&at t&e "uren is on t&e 'erson c&allen)in)
t&e %ill to s&o% t&at suc& influence %as e*erte at t&e time of
its e*ecution +Teotico $s. :el Val( ante,< t&at mere )eneral or
reasona"le influence is not sufficient to in$aliate a %ill +0oso
$s. 2ernane4 :e4a( ante,< nor is moerate an reasona"le
solicitation an entreat# aresse to t&e testator +Barreto
$s. Re#es( LD79/-D/-( /- Ganuar# ->7?,( or omission of
relati$es( not force &eirs( e$ience of unue influence
+Bu)nao $s. I"a)( -4 P&il. -?/< Pecson $s. 0oronel( 47 P&il.
4-?,.
Teste a)ainst t&ese rulin)s( t&e circumstances
mars&alle "# t&e contestants certainl# fail to esta"lis& actual
unue influence or im'ro'er 'ressure e*ercise on t&e
testari* "# t&e 'ro'onent. T&eir main reliance is on t&e
assertion of t&e latter( in t&e course of &is testimon#( t&at t&e
ecease 8i not li1e to si)n an#t&in) unless I 1ne% it8
+t.s.n.( 'a)e 7( .7 Ganuar# ->?.,( %&ic& oes not amount to
'roof t&at s&e %oul si)n an#t&in) t&at 'ro'onent esire.
On t&e contrar#( t&e e$ience of contestantsDa''ellants( t&at
- jann - 63
'ro'onent 'urc&ase a "uilin) in Hanila for t&e testari*(
'lace t&e title in &is name( "ut cause t&e name 80atalina
e la 0ru48 to "e 'ainte t&ereon in "ol letters to mislea
t&e ecease( e$en if true( emonstrates t&at 'ro'onent@s
influence %as not suc& as to o$er'o%er to estro# t&e free
%ill of t&e testari*. Beca"se if the #ind of the latter %ere
really s"'"gated y hi# to the e7tent pict"red y the
contestants, then proponent had no need to reco"rse to
the deception a!erred.lawphi1.et
Nor is t&e fact t&at it %as 'ro'onent( an not t&e
testari*( %&o as1e :r. Sanc&e4 to "e one of t&e
instrumental %itnesses e$ience of suc& unue influence( for
t&e reason t&at t&e r&eumetism of t&e testari* mae it ifficult
for &er to loo1 for all t&e %itnesses. T&at s&e i not resort to
relati$es or friens is( li1e%ise e*'laina"le; it %oul &a$e
meant t&e isclosure of t&e terms of &er %ill to t&ose
intereste in &er succession "ut %&o %ere not fa$ore "# &er(
t&ere"# e*'osin) &er to un'leasant im'ortunit# an
recriminations t&at an a)e 'erson %oul naturall# see1 to
a$oi. T&e natural esire to 1ee' t&e ma1in) of a %ill secret
can( li1e%ise( account for t&e failure to 'ro"ate t&e testament
urin) &er lifetime.
Be conclue t&at t&e trial court committe no error in
finin) t&e a''ellant@s e$ience esta"lis&e at most )rouns
for sus'icion "ut fell far s&ort of esta"lis&in) actual e*ercise
of im'ro'er 'ressure or influence. 0onsierin) t&at testari*
consiere 'ro'onent as &er o%n son( to t&e e*tent t&at s&e
e*'resse no o"Cection to &is "ein) mae t&e sole &eir of &er
sister( 2lorentina 0ru4( in ero)ation of &er o%n ri)&ts( %e
fin not&in) a"normalin &er institutin) 'ro'onent also as &er
o%n "eneficiar#. As state "# t&e 0ourt in t&e Knutson case
T&e trut& of t&e matter is t&at "e!uests an e$ises to t&ose

in %&om t&e testator &as confience an %&o &a$e %on &is
affection are more li1el# to "e free from unue influence t&at
"e!uests or e$ises to ot&ers. +In re Knutson@s Bill( 4- Pac.
. 7>/,. A''ellants in$o1e 'resum'tion of unue influence
&el to e*ist "# American aut&orities %&ere t&e "eneficiar#
'artici'ates in t&e raftin) of e*ecution of t&e %ill fa$orin)
&im< "ut since t&e %ill %as 're'are "# Att#. Pascual(
alt&ou)& ne'&e% of t&e 'ro'onent( %e o not t&in1 t&e
'resum'tion a''lies< for in t&e normal course of e$ents( sai
attorne# %oul follo% t&e instructions of t&e testatri*< an a
mem"er of t&e "ar in )oo stanin) ma# not "e con$icte of
un'rofessional conuct( or of &a$in) cons'ire to falsif# a
statement( e*ce't u'on clear 'roof.
T&e c&ar)e of frau( "ein) 'remise on t&e e*istence
of unue influence( nees no se'arate iscussion.
BAERE2ORE( t&e ecree of 'ro"ate a''eale from is
affirme<
GI. LEDITICE
A. 0once't.
Art. ##*. =e!itime is that part of the testator3s
property which he cannot dispose of because the law
has reserved it for certain heirs who are, therefore,
called compulsory heirs. (#2*)
T&ree 'rinci'al s#stems of istri"ution of &ereitar# 'ro'ert#;
-. A"solute freeom of is'osition
.. Total reser$ation
/. Partial reser$ation
T; 0onsierin) t&e customs an traitions of t&e 2ili'inos for
t&e sa1e of famil# soliarit#( t&e 'resent coe 'reser$e t&e
s#stem of le)itimes. Ao%e$er( c&an)es &a$e "een mae as
follo%s;
-. %it& res'ect to t&e amounts of t&at coum'ulsor# &eirs
recei$e<
.. ille)itimate c&ilren &a$e "een mae com'ulsor# &eirs
t&ou)& %it& a smaller le)itime<
/. le)itime of sur$i$in) s'ouse &as "een c&an)e from a
mere usufruct to a full o%ners&i'.
4. eliminates t&e meCora %&ic& resulte in t&e increase of
"ot& t&e le)itime an t&e free 'ortion
T&us( Gustice GBL Re#es &as t&is to sa#;
T&e increase of t&e le)itime to 6 as a)ainst t&e -5/ in t&e ol
coe( an t&e su''ression of t&e meCora( o'erate to limit t&e
freeom of c&oice of t&e testator to a )reater e*tent t&an
uner t&e ol coe( for t&e testator( uner t&at la%( coul at
least select t&e ini$iual escenants %&o s&oul recei$e
t&e t&ir "etterment.
Guris'ruence( &o%e$er( inter'rete t&e ultimate 'ur'ose of
t&e s#stems of le)itime. It is a limitation u'on t&e freeom of
t&e testator to is'ose of &is 'ro'ert#. Its 'ur'ose is to
'rotect t&ose &eirs( for %&om t&e testator is 'resume to
&a$e an o"li)ation to reser$e certain 'ortions of &is estate(
from &is unCust ire or %ea1ness or t&ou)&tlessness.
Ratio of t&e free 'ortion;
-. An o%ner3s Cus is'oneni
.. man as a mem"er of societ# can entertain not onl#
familial affections( "ut also le)itimate affections to
&is fello%men( t&us( s&oul not "e a"solutel# "e
restraine from is'osin) 'ro'ert# accorin) to
ictates of )enerosit#.
T&e le)itime oes not consist in eterminate or s'ecific
'ro'ert# %&ic& t&e testator must reser$e for &is com'ulsor#
&eirs. It consists of a 'art of fraction of t&e entire mass of t&e
&ereitar# estate. T&e stanar for etermination is fi*e "#
la%( "ut !uantit# ma# $ar# accorin) to num"er an relation
of t&e &eirs to t&e testator.
B. B&o are entitleF
Art. ##7. "he followin! are compulsory heirs,
(-) =e!itimate children and descendants,
with respect to their le!itimate parents and
ascendants.
($) n default of the fore!oin!, le!itimate
parents and ascendants, with respect to their
le!itimate children and descendants.
(%) "he widow or widower.
(/) Ac+nowled!ed natural children, and
natural children by le!al fiction.
- jann - 64
(5) ;ther ille!itimate children referred to in
Article $#7.
6ompulsory heirs mentioned in :os. %, /, and 5 are
not e&cluded by those in :os. - and $. neither do they
e&clude one another.
n all cases of ille!itimate children, their filiation
must be duly proved.
"he father or mother of ille!itimate children of the
three classes mentioned, shall inherit from them in
the manner and to the e&tent established by this
6ode. (#27a)
+ompulsory heirs are those who succeed whether the testator
li$es it or not and they cannot be deprived of their leitime
e%cept only by disinheritance.
An heir& of whatever class is absolutely free to accept or
renounce the inheritance because the law on leitime is a
restriction not on the freedom of the heir to accept or
repudiate& but on the freedom of testator to dispose of his
property.
Ginds of +ompulsory heirs:
4. ?rimary H those who e%clude other compulsory
heirs e%. <eit children I ascendants
5. secondary H succeed only in the absence of the
primary. e%. <eit parents I ascenadants
6. +oncurrin H succeed toether with the primary and
secondary cannot be e%cluded by them. ,%.
#idowFer I illeit children
=e!itimate children and ascendants H in the ordinary
course of nature father or mother die ahead of the child( the
law confers preferential leitimary rihts upon them. Thus
the law intends that property of the decedent pass not to
straners but to his natural successor.
=e!itimated 6hildren H the :++ is silent as to this $ind of
children but the Bamily code under Art. 5=5 rants the same
rihts to leitimated as that of the leitimate. 2ence they are
included as a compulsory heir.
Adopted 6hildren H Art. 48A of the B+ provides that for
civil purposes& the adopted shall be deemed a leitimate child
of the adopters and both shall ac!uire reciprocal rihts and
obliations from a parent>child relationship. 2ence&
considered as leitimate child of the deceased adoptin
parent both as +2 and <2.
lle!itimate 0arents H they are compulsory heirs only in
the absence of leitimate& or illeitimate children of the
decedent as provided under Art. A06.
Adoptin parents H they are not compulsory heirs of the
adopted child because Art. 4A0 of the B+ only provides that
they shall be leal heirs of the deceased adopted and is silent
as to their becomin compulsory heir. This indicates that the
latter was not intended.
3atio: Adoption is for the benefit of the adopted& and unless
the law clearly intends to favor the adopter& all doubts should
be resolved aainst him. Because of the silence of the law on
leitimes& he cannot be entitiled to the leitime of the
leitimate parents( and in the law of testacy & he is not iven&
in eneral& the same rihts as a leitimate parent but only
such as are specifically provided in Article 4A0 of the B+.
<eitimes of +2 are restrictions on the freedom of the
testator and must not be presumed but viewed strictly.
lle!itimate 6hildren H the B+ abolished the distinctions
in the old civil code thus merin them to one roup.
.ocial and humanitarian reasons 0ustify this rant of rihts.
These children are brouht to the world without their fault
and under circumstances beyond their control. To leave
illeitimate children wFo successional rihts not only weihs
them down with the moral handicap of their status but also
denies them the material assistance which they may need
after their parent"s death so as not to become social burdens.
They are not re!uired to be reconi-ed by putative parents
but must only prove their filiation.
'n the enforcement of this new riht it is the death of the
parent which determines the riht of the child to succeed and
not the birth of the latter.
9urvivin! 9pouse H there should be a valid marriae
between the deceased and the survivin spouse. Thus& the
followin marriaes has different effect on the capacity of the
widow or widower to succeed:
4. null and void marriaes such as incestuous or
biamous ones. ,%cept in cases of biamous
marriaes where two wives contract in ood faith
with the same husband& both are entitled to inherit
e!ually from the deceased husband.
5. Joidable marriaes entitle the widowFer to leitime
because there e%ists a valid marriae until it is
annulled. Thus& once annulled before death of a
spouse they are incapacitated to inherit. 2owever&
pendin the case of annulment and one spouse dies
the widowFer& nevertheless& inherits the leitime
because the marriae can no loner be annulled
after death of one.
6. <eal separation of the spouses before death entitles
the widowFer the <eitime if he Fshe is the innocent
spouse. 1nless reconciliation occurred before the
death of the spouse& the survivor will inherit
reardless of his uilt. 'n such case that the decree is
pendin upon death of one spouse then the decision
should be awaited. The fact that the innocent spouse
instituted the leal separation manifest his desire to
not to allow the uilty spouse to benefir fro his
estate. The accident of death should not defeat this
purpose.
4. .eparation in fact by amicable settlement does not
incapacitate the uilty spouse to inherit thouh
there may be valid rounds for leal separation
there bein no 0udicial decree& the riht of leitime is
preserved.
- jann - 65
Art. 92$. "he ri!hts of ille!itimate children set forth
in the precedin! articles are transmitted upon their
death to their descendants, whether le!itimate or
ille!itimate. (#/%a)
The article allows the leitimate and illeitimate descendants
to represent the illeitimate child who predecease his own
parent. But the illeitimate children of of an illeitimate child
can represent the latter only in the rihts set forth in the
precedin articles namely 8A4& 8A7& 8A8& 8AA& and A04.
The criticism on this article is that the law ives better rihts
to the illeitimate children of an illeitimate child and not to
the illeitimate children of a leitimate child. This is absurd
since the position of the illeitimate children is no better than
or e!ual to that of the leitimate child. 2owever& thouh
unfair to the latter this is an e%press provision of law which
we are confronted with. Thus& dura le% sed le%
3osales vs. 3osales
In t&is Petition for Re$ie% of t%o +., Orers of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u t&e !uestion raise is %&et&er t&e
%io% %&ose &us"an 'reecease &is mot&er can in&erit
from t&e latter( &er mot&erDinDla%.
In t&e course of t&e intestate 'roceein)s( t&e trial court
issue an Orer ate Gune -?( ->7. eclarin) t&e follo%in)
ini$iuals t&e le)al &eirs of t&e ecease an 'rescri"in)
t&eir res'ecti$e s&are of t&e estate S 2ortunato T. Rosales
+&us"an, -54< Ha)na R. Ace"es +au)&ter,( -54<
Haci1e!uero* Rosales( -54< an Antonio Rosales +son,( -54.
T&is eclaration %as reiterate "# t&e trial court in its Orer
ate 2e"ruar# 4( ->77. T&ese Orers not%it&stanin)(
Irenea Rosales insiste in )ettin) a s&are of t&e estate in &er
ca'acit# as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of t&e late 0arterio Rosales(
son of t&e ecease( claimin) t&at s&e is a com'ulsor# &eir
of &er mot&erDinDla% to)et&er %it& &er son( Haci1e!uero*
Rosales.
In sum( t&e 'etitioner 'oses t%o +., !uestions for Our
resolution. 2irst S is a %io% +sur$i$in) s'ouse, an intestate
&eir of &er mot&erDinDla%F Secon S are t&e Orers of t&e
trial court %&ic& e*clue t&e %io% from )ettin) a s&are of
t&e estate in !uestion final as a)ainst t&e sai %io%F
Our ans%er to t&e first !uestion is in t&e ne)ati$e. Intestate
or le)al &eirs are classifie into t%o +., )rou's( namel#( t&ose
%&o in&erit "# t&eir o%n ri)&t( an t&ose %&o in&erit "# t&e
ri)&t of re'resentation. - Restate( an intestate &eir can onl#
in&erit eit&er "# &is o%n ri)&t( as in t&e orer of intestate
succession 'ro$ie for in t&e 0i$il 0oe( . or "# t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation 'ro$ie for in Article >9- of t&e same la%.
T&ere is no 'ro$ision in t&e 0i$il 0oe %&ic& states t&at a
%io% +sur$i$in) s'ouse, is an intestate &eir of &er mot&erD
inDla%. T&e entire 0oe is e$oi of an# 'ro$ision %&ic&
entitles &er to in&erit from &er mot&erDinDla% eit&er "# &er
o%n ri)&t or "# t&e ri)&t of re'resentation. T&e 'ro$isions of
t&e 0oe %&ic& relate to t&e orer of intestate succession
+Articles >79 to -=-4, enumerate %it& meticulous e*actitue
t&e intestate &eirs of a eceent( %it& t&e State as t&e final
intestate &eir. T&e cons'icuous a"sence of a 'ro$ision %&ic&
ma1es a au)&terDinDla% an intestate &eir of t&e ecease all
t&e more confirms Our o"ser$ation. If t&e le)islature intene
to ma1e t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse an intestate &eir of t&e 'arentD
inDla%( it %oul &a$e so 'ro$ie in t&e 0oe.
T&e aforesai 'ro$ision of la% / refers to t&e estate of t&e
ecease s'ouse in %&ic& case t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse +%io%
or %io%er, is a com'ulsor# &eir. It oes not a''l# to t&e
estate of a 'arentDinDla%. Inee( t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse is
consiere a t&ir 'erson as re)ars t&e estate of t&e 'arentD
inDla%
B# t&e same to1en( t&e 'ro$ision of Article >>> of t&e 0i$il
0oe aforecite oes not su''ort 'etitioner@s claim. A careful
e*amination of t&e sai Article confirms t&at t&e estate
contem'late t&erein is t&e estate of t&e ecease s'ouse.
T&e estate %&ic& is t&e su"Cect matter of t&e intestate estate
'roceein)s in t&is case is t&at of t&e ecease Petra V.
Rosales( t&e mot&erDinDla% of t&e 'etitioner. It is from t&e
estate of Petra V. Rosales t&at Haci1e!uero* Rosales ra%s
a s&are of t&e in&eritance "# t&e ri)&t of re'resentation as
'ro$ie "# Article >9- of t&e 0oe.
Article >7- e*'licitl# eclares t&at Haci1e!uero* Rosales is
calle to succession "# la% "ecause of &is "loo relations&i'.
Ae oes not succee &is fat&er( 0arterio Rosales +t&e 'erson
re'resente, %&o 'reecease &is )ranmot&er( Petra
Rosales( "ut t&e latter %&om &is fat&er %oul &a$e
succeee. Petitioner cannot assert t&e same ri)&t of
re'resentation as s&e &as no filiation "# "loo %it& &er
mot&erDinDla%.
Petitioner &o%e$er contens t&at at t&e time of t&e eat& of
&er &us"an 0arterio Rosales &e &a an inc&oate or
contin)ent ri)&t to t&e 'ro'erties of Petra Rosales as
com'ulsor# &eir. Be t&at as it ma#( sai ri)&t of &er &us"an
%as e*tin)uis&e "# &is eat& t&at is %&# it is t&eir son
Haci1e!uero* Rosales %&o succeee from Petra Rosales
"# ri)&t of re'resentation. Ae i not succee from &is
ecease fat&er( 0arterio Rosales.
On t&e "asis of t&e fore)oin) o"ser$ations an conclusions(
Be fin it unnecessar# to 'ass u'on t&e secon !uestion
'ose "# t&e 'etitioner. Accorin)l#( it is Our consiere
o'inion( an Be so &ol( t&at a sur$i$in) s'ouse is not an
intestate &eir of &is or &er 'arentDinDla%. BAERE2ORE( in
$ie% of t&e fore)oin)( t&e Petition is &ere"# :ENIE: for lac1
of merit( %it& costs a)ainst t&e 'etitioner. Let t&is case "e
remane to t&e trial court for furt&er 'roceein)s.
0. 0oncurrence of com'ulsor# &eirs an t&eir le)itimes.
Art. ###. "he le!itime of le!itimate children and
descendants consists of one<half of the hereditary
estate of the father and of the mother.
"he latter may freely dispose of the remainin! half,
sub1ect to the ri!hts of ille!itimate children and of
the survivin! spouse as hereinafter provided. (#2#a)
The enlarement of the leitime and the free portion to half
each is primarily the result of removal of the 4F6 me0ora or
betterment in the old code where the testator disposes a
portion in favor of his leitimate children for their betterment
or reward. The :++ eliminated the me0ora for the followin
reasons:
- jann - 66
4. The natural ine!ualities amon children is but
imainary and parent reward merely on better
!ualities of one children
5. such reward may be effected by the father or mother
by disposin of part or all of the free half
6. the testator should have reater freedom to dispoe
of his estate by will
the supposed free portion is not always disposable by the
testator( it is e%pressly made sub0ect to the rihts of
illeitimate children and the survivin spouse. )nly the
remainder thereafter shall be disposable& if there is any left.
Art. ##9. "he le!itime of le!itimate parents or
ascendants consists of one<half of the hereditary
estates of their children and descendants.
"he children or descendants may freely dispose of
the other half, sub1ect to the ri!hts of ille!itimate
children and of the survivin! spouse as hereinafter
provided. (#29a)
Art. #92. "he le!itime reserved for the le!itimate
parents shall be divided between them equally. if
one of the parents should have died, the whole shall
pass to the survivor.
f the testator leaves neither father nor mother, but
is survived by ascendants of equal de!ree of the
paternal and maternal lines, the le!itime shall be
divided equally between both lines. f the ascendants
should be of different de!rees, it shall pertain
entirely to the ones nearest in de!ree of either line.
(#-2)
Art. #9$. f only one le!itimate child or descendant
of the deceased survives, the widow or widower shall
be entitled to one<fourth of the hereditary estate. n
case of a le!al separation, the survivin! spouse may
inherit if it was the deceased who had !iven cause for
the same.
f there are two or more le!itimate children or
descendants, the survivin! spouse shall be entitled
to a portion equal to the le!itime of each of the
le!itimate children or descendants.
n both cases, the le!itime of the survivin! spouse
shall be ta+en from the portion that can be freely
disposed of by the testator. (#%/a)
T: As to leitimate children& the law ma$es no distinction
whether of the previous marriae or the marriae dissolved
by death& hence& children in both cases are included
The survivin spouse concurrin with leitimate children
receives only e!ual to the leitime of each of the leitimate
children and ascendants.
What if there are no le!itimate children only
descendants@ Does this mean that the spouse shall
receive equal to each descendants which may be
even more than the number of children of the
deceased@ :). whatever the number of descendants is
immaterial the divisor is still the number of children they
represent because the descendants only inherit by
representation. ,ven if all the children repudiate the leitime
the divisor shall still be the number of children. But if only
some of the children repudiate& the basis of computation
should be the number of children who accept the inheritance
'f the survivin spouse receives a devise or leacy& is he
entitiled to the same in addition to his leitime@
T: if the testator ives a devise or leacy to the survivin
spouse& and there is enouh of the portion sub0ect to his
disposal which can cover such devise or leacy& then the
survivin spouse should et the devise or leacy in addition to
his leitime. To mere the devise or leacy in the leitime
would leave a part of the free portion undisposed of( this is
contrary to the policy of law aainst intestate succession and
aainst the e%press will of the testator. #e believe& therefore&
that the devise or leacy should be first ta$en from the
remainin disposable portion& and if there is any e%cess of the
devise or leacy over the disposable portion& that e%cess
chared aainst or mered in the leitime of the survivin
spouse.
'f however& the leitime of the survivin spouse is already
protected by the disposition ivin him an amount or portion
e!uivalent to that leitime& then he cannot as$ for more
unless& the testator provides it as addition to his leitime.
Art. #9%. f the testator leaves no le!itimate
descendants, but leaves le!itimate ascendants, the
survivin! spouse shall have a ri!ht to one<fourth of
the hereditary estate.
"his fourth shall be ta+en from the free portion of
the estate. (#%*a)
Art. #9/. f the testator leaves ille!itimate children,
the survivin! spouse shall be entitled to one<third of
the hereditary estate of the deceased and the
ille!itimate children to another third. "he remainin!
third shall be at the free disposal of the testator. (n)
Art. #95. "he le!itime of each of the ac+nowled!ed
natural children and each of the natural children by
le!al fiction shall consist of one<half of the le!itime
of each of the le!itimate children or descendants.
"he le!itime of an ille!itimate child who is neither
an ac+nowled!ed natural, nor a natural child by
le!al fiction, shall be equal in every case to four<
fifths of the le!itime of an ac+nowled!ed natural
child.
"he le!itime of the ille!itimate children shall be
ta+en from the portion of the estate at the free
disposal of the testator, provided that in no case
shall the total le!itime of such ille!itimate children
e&ceed that free portion, and that the le!itime of the
survivin! spouse must first be fully satisfied. (#/2a)
- jann - 67
Article repealed by Article 4=8 of the Bamily +ode which
provides that the leitime of each illeitimate children is one>
half of that of leitimate child.
3atio: the law rewards more the fruits of leal unions& thus&
ivin preference and reater portion of the hereditary estate.
2owever& for humanitarian reasons the illeitimate children
should not be disrearded because they are 0ust as innocent
and blameless as the leitimate children for bein born in this
world beyond their control.
<imitations to the rihts of <eitimate children:
4. filiation must be proved
5. their share comes only from the free portion
6. survivin spouse is preferred over them& the leitme of
the spouse is satisfied first
4. their share is susceptible of proportionate reduction if
their total leitimes e%ceeds the free portion
Art. #9*. lle!itimate children who may survive with
le!itimate parents or ascendants of the deceased
shall be entitled to one<fourth of the hereditary
estate to be ta+en from the portion at the free
disposal of the testator. (#/-a)
Art. #97. When the widow or widower survives with
le!itimate children or descendants, and
ac+nowled!ed natural children, or natural children
by le!al fiction, such survivin! spouse shall be
entitled to a portion equal to the le!itime of each of
the le!itimate children which must be ta+en from
that part of the estate which the testator can freely
dispose of. (n)
Art. #9#. f the widow or widower survives with
le!itimate children or descendants, and with
ille!itimate children other than ac+nowled!ed
natural, or natural children by le!al fiction, the
share of the survivin! spouse shall be the same as
that provided in the precedin! article. (n)
The Bamily +ode has already abolished the distinction
between natural and other illeitimate children placin them
under one cateory of illeitimate children.
Art. #99. When the widow or widower survives with
le!itimate parents or ascendants and with
ille!itimate children, such survivin! spouse shall be
entitled to one<ei!hth of the hereditary estate of the
deceased which must be ta+en from the free portion,
and the ille!itimate children shall be entitled to one<
fourth of the estate which shall be ta+en also from
the disposable portion. "he testator may freely
dispose of the remainin! one<ei!hth of the estate. (n)
T: This seems to be an un0ustified discrimination aainst the
survivin spouse because he receives a raeter or an e!ual
amount when she survives with either the '+ or the <? but
with both at the same time she only receives a measly 4F8 of
the estate. 1ndoubtedly& the code seems to have wanted to
save portion of the estate for the free disposal of the
deceased. This is not a sufficient 0ustification for
discriminatin aainst the survivin spouse and destroyin
the balance between the leitimes& after vall& there are
instances in wFc the free portion is merely theoretical.
Art. 922. f the only survivor is the widow or
widower, she or he shall be entitled to one<half of the
hereditary estate of the deceased spouse, and the
testator may freely dispose of the other half. (#%7a)
f the marria!e between the survivin! spouse and the
testator was solemni8ed in articulo mortis, and the
testator died within three months from the time of
the marria!e, the le!itime of the survivin! spouse as
the sole heir shall be one<third of the hereditary
estate, e&cept when they have been livin! as husband
and wife for more than five years. n the latter case,
the le!itime of the survivin! spouse shall be that
specified in the precedin! para!raph. (n)
?resupposes that the survivin spouse is the only compulsory
heir.
T: #e believe that this rule will apply only when the deceased
is the spouse who was at the point of death at the time of
marriae( hence& it will not apply when the spouse who was at
the point of death at the time of marriae is the one who
survives& and the other is the one who dies wFin three months
after the marriae.
3atio for the rule is the presumption that the marriae is
contracted e%clusively for inheritin. 2owever& this suspicion
is erased if the spouses had been livin toether as husband
and wife for at least five years on account of companionship
and affection for such lenth of time.
This distinction does not apply to intestacy
Art. 92-. When the testator dies leavin! ille!itimate
children and no other compulsory heirs, such
ille!itimate children shall have a ri!ht to one<half of
the hereditary estate of the deceased.
"he other half shall be at the free disposal of the
testator. (#/$a)
Art. 92%. "he le!itime of the parents who have an
ille!itimate child, when such child leaves neither
le!itimate descendants, nor a survivin! spouse, nor
ille!itimate children, is one<half of the hereditary
estate of such ille!itimate child. f only le!itimate or
ille!itimate children are left, the parents are not
entitled to any le!itime whatsoever. f only the
widow or widower survives with parents of the
ille!itimate child, the le!itime of the parents is one<
fourth of the hereditary estate of the child, and that
of the survivin! spouse also one<fourth of the estate.
(n)
't must be noted that in illeitimate filiation& the riht to
succeed in the ascendin line terminates with the parent of
the deceased illeitimate child. There is& therefore& no
- jann - 68
reciprocity of successional reihts between the illeitimate
randparent and the illeitimate randchild.
0.D. *2%. Art. %9. 4ffects of Adoption. < "he adoption
shall,
(-) >ive to the adopted person the same
ri!hts and duties as if he were a le!itimate
child of the adopter, 0rovided, "hat an
adopted child cannot acquire 0hilippine
citi8enship by virtue of such adoption,
($) Dissolve the authority vested in the
natural parent or parents, e&cept where the
adopter is the spouse of the survivin! natural
parent.
(%) 4ntitle the adopted person to use the
adopter3s surname. and
(/) Aa+e the adopted person a le!al heir of
the adopter, 0rovided, "hat if the adopter is
survived by le!itimate parents or ascendants
and by an adopted person, the latter shall
not have more successional ri!hts than an
ac+nowled!ed natural child, 0rovided,
further, "hat any property received
!ratuitously by the adopted from the adopter
shall revert to the adopter should the former
predecease the latter without le!itimate
issue unless the adopted has, durin! his
lifetime, alienated such property, 0rovided,
finally, "hat in the last case, should the
adopted leave no property other than that
received from the adopter, and he is survived
by ille!itimate issue or a spouse, such
ille!itimate issue collectively or the spouse
shall receive one<fourth of such property. if
the adopted is survived by ille!itimate issue
and a spouse, then the former collectively
shall receive one<fourth and the latter also
one<fourth, the rest in any case revertin! to
the adopter, observin! in the case of the
ille!itimate issue the proportion provided
for in Article #95 of the 6ivil 6ode.
"he adopter shall not be a le!al heir of the adopted
person, whose parents by nature shall inherit from
him, e&cept that if the latter are both dead, the
adoptin! parent or parents ta+e the place of the
natural parents in the line of succession, whether
testate or interstate.
9. 3estrictions reardin the leitime
Art. 92/. "he testator cannot deprive his compulsory
heirs of their le!itime, e&cept in cases e&pressly
specified by law.
Art. #7$. "he testator cannot impose any char!e,
condition, or substitution whatsoever upon the
le!itimes prescribed in this 6ode. 9hould he do so,
the same shall be considered as not imposed. (#-%a)
The leitime oes to the heir by operation of law and not by
the will of the testator( hence it cannot be sub0ect to the
freedom of the latter to impose encumbrances& conditions
and substitutions. Any encumbrance is simply disrearded
and considered as not written. The +2"s riht to the leitime
is free& unencumbered& and pure.
Art. 925. 4very renunciation or compromise as
re!ards a future le!itime between the person owin!
it and his compulsory heirs is void, and the latter
may claim the same upon the death of the former.
but they must brin! to collation whatever they may
have received by virtue of the renunciation or
compromise. (#-*)
4. The future leitime between is merely an
e%pectancy& and the heir does not ac!uire any riht
over the same until death of testator.
5. The renunciation or compromise does not become
valid by the mere failure of the compulsory heirs to
assert its invalidity because the matter of its leal
effect cannot be left to the will of the parties.
6. all renunciations of future leitimes are void.
2owever& a mere statement made by a son of the
properties ne has received from his father& still
livin& for the purpose of ta$in the same into
account in case of partition in the event the father
dies& is not a renunciation or compromise on future
leitime.
4. .ince the leitime is a part of the inheritance& and a
compromise is contract& it is obvious that all
compromises on future leitimes& by and between
the heirs themselves to the e%clusion of the testator&
must be held void if not under this article& under the
eneral prohibition of Art. 464=.
7. the nullity of the renunciation or compromise may
be claimed& not only by the +2 who made it& by co>
heirs pre0udiced thereby.
8. the ivin of donations as advance of the leitime is
not prohibited by this article nor 464= but overned
by rules on donation and the reduction thereof
whenever inofficoius.
Art. 92*. Any compulsory heir to whom the testator
has left by any title less than the le!itime belon!in!
to him may demand that the same be fully satisfied.
(#-5)
By the word testator& irt is believed thiat this principle applies
only when that which has been left is in a will or testament. 'f
there is no testatmentery disposition in his favor& the heir
cannot as$ for completion of his leitime& because there is
nothin to complete( instead& there should be case of
preterition or total omission& and in such case the forced heir
in the direct line is entitled to as$& not merely for the
completion of his leitime& but for the annulment of the
institution of heir.
But when it is not evedent that the testator has forotten the
compulsory heir and it appears as a fact that the compulsory
- jann - 69
heir had already received somethin in the way of advance
upon his leitime& it cannot be presumed that the testator had
forotten the compulsory heir. There is no real preterition&
althouh nothin has been left by will to the +2. The purpose
of Article A08 evidently is to ive the compulsory heir only
that ehich has been reserved for him by the law& nothin less
nothin more. 'f he was not forotten then he is entitled only
to that which the testator cannot deprive him.
,ven when the +2 has not been mentioned in the will or has
not been ien an advance on his leitime& if the testamentary
dispositions do not cover the entire estate but somethin is
left undisposed& and the +2 is also a compulsory heir is also
an intestate heir. The indisposed portion would pass by the
rule of intestacy to the +2( if it is not enouh to cover his
leitime& then he may as$ for the completion of such leitme.
't is to be presumed that the testator intended to ive him the
undisposed portion.
Art. 927. "estamentary dispositions that impair or
diminish the le!itime of the compulsory heirs shall
be reduced on petition of the same, insofar as they
may be inofficious or e&cessive. (#-7)
)nly the +2s whose leitme has been impaired can avail of
the riht to as$ for the reduction of inofficious donations&
devises& or leacies.
Art. -%/7. All thin!s which are not outside the
commerce of men, includin! future thin!s, may be
the ob1ect of a contract. All ri!hts which are not
intransmissible may also be the ob1ect of contracts.
:o contract may be entered into upon future
inheritance e&cept in cases e&pressly authori8ed by
law.
All services which are not contrary to law, morals,
!ood customs, public order or public policy may
li+ewise be the ob1ect of a contract. (-$7-a)
It is essential t&at t&e o"Cect must "e in e*istence at t&e time
of 'erfection of t&e contract( or t&at it &as t&e 'ossi"ilit# or
'otentialit# of comin) into e*istence at some future time. B#
%a# of e*ce'tion( t&e la% )enerall# oes not allo% contracts
on future in&eritance. In orer to "e future in&eritance( t&e
succession must not &a$e "een o'ene at t&e time of t&e
contract. A contract to fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article(
t&e follo%in) re!uisites are necessar#; -. t&at t&e succession
is #et to "e o'ene. .. t&e o"Cect forms 'art of t&e
in&eritance. /. t&e 'romissor &as an e*'ectant ri)&t o$er t&e
o"Cect %&ic& is 'urel# &ereitar# in nature.
An a)reement to 'artition an estate of a li$in) 'erson "#
t&ose %&o in&erit from &im is $oi. A contract renouncin) t&e
ri)&t to in&erit from one %&o is still ali$e is $oi.
After t&e eat& of t&e 'erson( &o%e$er( t&e 'ro'erties an
ri)&ts left "# &im "# %a# of in&eritance can "e t&e su"Cect
matter of a contract amon) or "# &is &eirs( e$en "efore a
'artition t&ereof &as "een mae( "ecause t&e ri)&ts of t&e
&eirs are transmitte to t&em from t&e eat& of t&e
'reecessor.
B&en t&e o"Cect of t&e contract is not a 'art of t&e
in&eritance( t&e 'ro&i"ition oes not a''l#( e$en if eli$er# of
suc& o"Cect is e'enent u'on t&e eat& of one of t&e
contractin) 'arties. T&us( life insurance contracts( an
sti'ulations 'ro$iin) for re$ersion of 'ro'ert# onate in
marria)e settlements in t&e e$ent of t&e eat& of t&e onee(
are $ali. Li1e%ise( if t&e ri)&t of t&e 'art# o$er t&e t&in) is
not "# $irtue of succession( "ut as creitor( t&e contract oes
not fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article. It &as "een &el
t&at in a contract of 'urc&ase "# coDo%ners( it is $ali to
sti'ulate t&at in t&e e$ent of eat& of an# of t&em( t&ose %&o
sur$i$e %ill ac!uire t&e s&are of t&e 'reecease.
,. 9etermination of computation
Art. 92#. "o determine the le!itime, the value of the
property left at the death of the testator shall be
considered, deductin! all debts and char!es, which
shall not include those imposed in the will.
.teps to determine leitime:
4. 9etermination of the value of the property which
remains at the time of the testator"s death( either by:
a. 0udicial proceedins in the settlement of
the estate assisted by ta% appraisers
b. true value of the property not merely
assessed value for ta%ation purposes
5. determination of the obliations& debts& and chares
which have to be paid out or deducted from the
value of the property
6. the difference between the assets and the liabilities&
ivin rise to the net hereditary estate(
4. addition to the net value of the estate of donations
sub0ect to collation
7. determination of the amount of leitimes by ettin
from the total thus found the portion that the law
provides as the leitimes of each respective +2.
The remainder after deduction of the debts and chares is the
net hereditary estate.
+ollation& in the first concept is the imainary or fictitious
reconstitution of the estate of the testator by mere
mathematical process of addin all that is donated durin the
lifrtime of the testator to +2 or straners.
The second concept entails that property donated by the
testator durin his lifetime must be brouht bac$ actually and
returened to the hereditary estate whenever it is found that
such donation e%ceeds the disposable portion of the estate.
The purpose of which is to complete the assets necessary for
the payment of the shares of the compulsory heirs.
+ollation is thus for the benefit of the +2& and not the
creditors of the decedent. The presence of the latter& however&
must be determined at the time of the testator"s death& not at
the time the donation was made. The value of the property
- jann - 70
donated& however& is determined on the date the donations
were made.
"o the net value of the hereditary estate, shall be
added the value of all donations by the testator that
are sub1ect to collation, at the time he made them.
(#-#a)
Art. 929. Donations !iven to children shall be
char!ed to their le!itime.
Donations made to stran!ers shall be char!ed to that
part of the estate of which the testator could have
disposed by his last will.
nsofar as they may be inofficious or may e&ceed the
disposable portion, they shall be reduced accordin!
to the rules established by this 6ode. (#-9a)
Art. 9-2. Donations which an ille!itimate child may
have received durin! the lifetime of his father or
mother, shall be char!ed to his le!itime.
9hould they e&ceed the portion that can be freely
disposed of, they shall be reduced in the manner
prescribed by this 6ode. (#/7a)
Any donation to the randchild is not sub0ect to collation
because the same is not a +2 but it may be chared aainst
the free portion as a donation to straner.
#hen the donation to a compulsory heir e%ceeds his leitime&
the e%cess is chareable aainst the free portion which is at
the disposal of the the testator& 0ust as any donation to
straner& sub0ect to the res$ of reduction.
'f the donation to a straner e%ceeds the free portion& then it
will have to be reduced as inofficious. The purpose of the law
is not to prevent the straner from ettin more from the
inheritance& but to ascertain that the +2 do not et less than
what pertains to them as leitime.
Art. 9--. After the le!itime has been determined in
accordance with the three precedin! articles, the
reduction shall be made as follows,
(-) Donations shall be respected as lon! as
the le!itime can be covered, reducin! or
annullin!, if necessary, the devises or
le!acies made in the will.
($) "he reduction of the devises or le!acies
shall be pro rata, without any distinction
whatever.
f the testator has directed that a certain
devise or le!acy be paid in preference to
others, it shall not suffer any reduction until
the latter have been applied in full to the
payment of the le!itime.
(%) f the devise or le!acy consists of a
usufruct or life annuity, whose value may be
considered !reater than that of the
disposable portion, the compulsory heirs
may choose between complyin! with the
testamentary provision and deliverin! to the
devisee or le!atee the part of the inheritance
of which the testator could freely dispose.
(#$2a)
9onation intervivos is preferred over disposition mortis
causa. 3atio:
4. 9onation intervivos are by nature irrevocable to
allow annulment on account of leacies and devise
in e%cess of free portion in effect allows the
revocation to depend on the will of the donor>
testator.
5. 9onation is a bilateral act based on the sreement of
donor and donee while a will is unilateral(
6. ?riority in time is priority in riht.
The article provides a rule on preference to determine which
devise or leacy is to be reduced whenervr it e%eceeds the free
portion or to the e%tent that it impairs the leitime.
Art. A70 also provides the followin order of reduction of
leacy or devise:
4. remunatory leacy or devise(
5. leacy or devise declared by testator to be preferred(
6. leacies for support(
4. leacies for education(
7. specific determinate thin ehich form part of the estate(
8. all others pro rata.
#here lies the distintion bet. A70 and A44@
Article A44 will apply as to the manner of reducin leacies:
a. when reduction is necessary to
preserve leitime of +2 from
impairment wheter there are
donation inter vivos(
b. when althouh leitime has been
preserve by the testator& by ivin
sufficient portion to cover leitime
of +2& thereare donations inter
vivos concurrin with leacies or
devises within the free portion.
Article A70 applies when the !uestion of reduction is
e%clusively amon the leatees themselves& either because
ther are no compulsory heirs& or because the leitme of +2
has already been provided for by the testator in his will and
there are no donation inter vivos.
As to usufruct& use or habitation& or life annuity there shall be
ta$en into account the probable life of the beneficiary in
- jann - 71
accordance with the American Tropical ,%perience table at
8K per annum.
9onations are reduced first the most recent ones with reard
the e%cess. Thus& priority in time priority in riht. 'f several
donations made on the same date they are reduced pro rata
A property donated once alienated by donee cannot be set
aside. 't would be danerous to the stability of property and
inimical to the freedom of alienation.
'n the above instance& can the inofficious part of the donation
be ta$en from other proerty of the donee@
#e believe that in such case the donee should be made to
respond fro the value of the e%cess or inofficoius part. 't was
the act of the donee which made it impossible to recover the
inofficoius part to the hereditary estate. 2e is conclusively
presumed to $noe that that the donation stands the ris$ of
reduction.
#hat if the donee is insolvent and cannot return anythin to
the estate to complete the impaired leitime( who shall bear
the loss@
't is submitted that that the amount to be returned by the
insolvent must be borne and paid by those whose donation
are within the free portion. As between the compulsory heir&
whose rihts are derived from law& and the donees& whose
rihts sprin from the will of the deceased& the former should
be protected from the impairment of their shares.
Art. 9-$. f the devise sub1ect to reduction should
consist of real property, which cannot be
conveniently divided, it shall !o to the devisee if the
reduction does not absorb one<half of its value. and
in a contrary case, to the compulsory heirs. but the
former and the latter shall reimburse each other in
cash for what respectively belon!s to them.
"he devisee who is entitled to a le!itime may retain
the entire property, provided its value does not
e&ceed that of the disposable portion and of the
share pertainin! to him as le!itime. (#$-)
Art. 9-%. f the heirs or devisees do not choose to
avail themselves of the ri!ht !ranted by the
precedin! article, any heir or devisee who did not
have such ri!ht may e&ercise it. should the latter not
ma+e use of it, the property shall be sold at public
auction at the instance of any one of the interested
parties. (#$$)
T: 9ivision under this article means a material division&
which is inconvenient& because the the property is not
susceptible of such division& or because it will lose or
diminish its value or utitlity when so divided. 2ence&
althouh the law specifically refers only to devise& it should be
considered applicable to all ob0ects whether movable or
immovable& of the same nature& such as vessels.
Luery: if the reduction should be e%actly M of the value& does
it mean that the hir ets to retain it not bein less than M@
does not absorb M
't is submitted that the thin should be retained by the
devisee. The intention of the testaor in ma$in a devise of a
determinate ob0ect is clearly so that the leatee may en0oy
that particular property. )ut of respect for this intention& and
since the will of the testator is the overnin law in the
succession& the thin should be iven to the devisee in case he
is entitled to half its value and the heirs the other half.
Summar# of Le)itimes of 0om'ulsor# Aeirs
-. Le)itimate 0&ilren %it& ot&er 0A
c. L0 alone 6
. - L0 %5 SSD 6( X
e. . or more L0 %5 SS 6( same as - L0
recei$es
f. L0 %5 I0 6( &alf of - L0
g. -L0( SS( I0 6( X( &alf of - L0
&. L0s( SS( I0 6( same as - L0( &alf of -
L0
.. Le)itimate Parents U Ascenants %5 ot&er 0A
a. LPA alone -5.
". LPA %5 SS 6( X
c. LPA %5 I0 6( X
. LPA( SS( I0 6( -59( X
/. Ille)itimate 0&ilren %5 ot&er I0
a. I0 alone 6
". I0 %5 SS -5/( -5/
4. Sur$i$in) S'ouse alone 6
E*ce't in articulo mortis marria)e an s'ouse ies %5in
/ mos. Sur$i$in) s'ouse entitle onl# to -5/
7. Ille)itimate Parents %5 ot&er 0A
a. IP alone 6
". IP %5 L0 or I0 e*clue "# t&e latter
c. IP %5 SS X( X
0OLLATION
Art. -2*-. 4very compulsory heir, who succeeds with
other compulsory heirs, must brin! into the mass of
the estate any property or ri!ht which he may have
received from the decedent, durin! the lifetime of
the latter, by way of donation, or any other
!ratuitous title, in order that it may be computed in
the determination of the le!itime of each heir, and in
the account of the partition. (-2%5a)
Art. -2*$. 6ollation shall not ta+e place amon!
compulsory heirs if the donor should have so
e&pressly provided, or if the donee should repudiate
the inheritance, unless the donation should be
reduced as inofficious. (-2%*)
Art. -2*%. 0roperty left by will is not deemed sub1ect
to collation, if the testator has not otherwise
- jann - 72
provided, but the le!itime shall in any case remain
unimpaired. (-2%7)
Art. -2*/. When the !randchildren, who survive
with their uncles, aunts, or cousins, inherit from
their !randparents in representation of their father
or mother, they shall brin! to collation all that their
parents, if alive, would have been obli!ed to brin!,
even thou!h such !randchildren have not inherited
the property.
"hey shall also brin! to collation all that they may
have received from the decedent durin! his lifetime,
unless the testator has provided otherwise, in which
case his wishes must be respected, if the le!itime of
the co<heirs is not pre1udiced. (-2%#)
Art. -2*5. 0arents are not obli!ed to brin! to
collation in the inheritance of their ascendants any
property which may have been donated by the latter
to their children. (-2%9)
Art. -2**. :either shall donations to the spouse of
the child be brou!ht to collation. but if they have
been !iven by the parent to the spouses 1ointly, the
child shall be obli!ed to brin! to collation one<half of
the thin! donated. (-2/2)
Art. -2*7. 4&penses for support, education, medical
attendance, even in e&traordinary illness,
apprenticeship, ordinary equipment, or customary
!ifts are not sub1ect to collation. (-2/-)
Art. -2*#. 4&penses incurred by the parents in !ivin!
their children a professional, vocational or other
career shall not be brou!ht to collation unless the
parents so provide, or unless they impair the
le!itime. but when their collation is required, the
sum which the child would have spent if he had lived
in the house and company of his parents shall be
deducted therefrom. (-2/$a)
Art. -2*9. Any sums paid by a parent in satisfaction
of the debts of his children, election e&penses, fines,
and similar e&penses shall be brou!ht to collation.
(-2/%a)
Art. -272. Weddin! !ifts by parents and ascendants
consistin! of 1ewelry, clothin!, and outfit, shall not
be reduced as inofficious e&cept insofar as they may
e&ceed one<tenth of the sum which is disposable by
will. (-2//)
Art. -27-. "he same thin!s donated are not to be
brou!ht to collation and partition, but only their
value at the time of the donation, even thou!h their
1ust value may not then have been assessed.
"heir subsequent increase or deterioration and even
their total loss or destruction, be it accidental or
culpable, shall be for the benefit or account and ris+
of the donee. (-2/5a)
Art. -27$. n the collation of a donation made by
both parents, one<half shall be brou!ht to the
inheritance of the father, and the other half, to that
of the mother. "hat !iven by one alone shall be
brou!ht to collation in his or her inheritance.
(-2/*a)
Art. -27%. "he donee3s share of the estate shall be
reduced by an amount equal to that already received
by him. and his co<heirs shall receive an equivalent,
as much as possible, in property of the same nature,
class and quality. (-2/7)
Art. -27/. 9hould the provisions of the precedin!
article be impracticable, if the property donated was
immovable, the co<heirs shall be entitled to receive
its equivalent in cash or securities, at the rate of
quotation. and should there be neither cash or
mar+etable securities in the estate, so much of the
other property as may be necessary shall be sold at
public auction.
f the property donated was movable, the co<heirs
shall only have a ri!ht to select an equivalent of
other personal property of the inheritance at its 1ust
price. (-2/#)
Art. -275. "he fruits and interest of the property
sub1ect to collation shall not pertain to the estate
e&cept from the day on which the succession is
opened.
7or the purpose of ascertainin! their amount, the
fruits and interest of the property of the estate of the
same +ind and quality as that sub1ect to collation
shall be made the standard of assessment. (-2/9)
Art. -27*. "he co<heirs are bound to reimburse to
the donee the necessary e&penses which he has
incurred for the preservation of the property
donated to him, thou!h they may not have
au!mented its value.
"he donee who collates in +ind an immovable which
has been !iven to him must be reimbursed by his co<
heirs for the improvements which have increased
the value of the property, and which e&ist at the time
the partition if effected.
As to wor+s made on the estate for the mere pleasure
of the donee, no reimbursement is due him for them.
he has, however, the ri!ht to remove them, if he can
do so without in1urin! the estate. (n)
Art. -277. 9hould any question arise amon! the co<
heirs upon the obli!ation to brin! to collation or as
to the thin!s which are sub1ect to collation, the
distribution of the estate shall not be interrupted for
this reason, provided adequate security is !iven.
(-252)
Di&onA-i!era !s. Di&on
- jann - 73
On Ganuar# .9( ->?-( t&e testatri*( A)ri'ina G. Vale4. a
%io%( ie in An)eles( Pam'an)a( an %as sur$i$e "#
se$en com'ulsor# &eirs( to %it( si* le)itimate c&ilren name
Estela :i4on( Tomas V. :i4on( Bernarita :i4on( Harina
:i4on +&erein e*ecutri*Da''ellee,( An)elina :i4on an
Gosefina :i4on( an a le)itimate )ranDau)&ter name Lilia
:i4on( %&o is t&e onl# le)itimate c&il an &eir of Ramon
:i4on( a 'reDecease le)itimate son of t&e sai eceent.
Si* of t&ese se$en com'ulsor# &eirs +e*ce't Harina :i4on(
t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee, are t&e o''ositorsDa''ellants.
In &er %ill( t&e testatri* i$ie( istri"ute an is'ose of all
&er 'ro'erties a''raise at P-(9=-(>?=.== +e*ce't( t%o small
'arcels of lan a''raise at P7(94>.?=( &ouse&ol furniture
$alue at P.(7==.==( a "an1 e'osit in t&e sum of P4=>.>7
an ten s&ares of Pam'an)a Su)ar :e$elo'ment 0om'an#
$alue at P/7=.==, amon) &er a"o$ename &eirs.
Testate 'roceein)s %ere in ue course commence . an
"# orer ate Harc& -/( ->?-( t&e last %ill an testament of
t&e eceent %as ul# allo%e an amitte to 'ro"ate( an
t&e a''ellee Harina :i4onDRi$era %as a''ointe e*ecutri* of
t&e testatri*@ estate( an u'on &er filin) &er "on an oat& of
office( letters testamentar# %ere ul# issue to &er.
T&e real an 'ersonal 'ro'erties of t&e testatri* at t&e time of
&er eat& t&us &a a total a''raise $alue of P-(9--(?>7.?=(
an t&e le)itime of eac& of t&e se$en com'ulsor# &eirs
amounte to P-.>(/?..--. / +-57 of t&e &alf of t&e estate
reser$e for t&e le)itime of le)itimate c&ilren an
escenants,. 4 In &er %ill( t&e testatri* 8commane t&at
&er 'ro'ert# "e i$ie8 in accorance %it& &er testamentar#
is'osition( %&ere"# s&e e$ise an "e!ueat&e s'ecific
real 'ro'erties com'risin) 'racticall# t&e entire "ul1 of &er
estate amon) &er si* c&ilren an ei)&t )ranc&ilren.
Iner t&e o''ositors@ counterD'roCect of 'artition( t&e
testamentar# is'osition mae "# t&e testatri* of 'racticall#
&er %&ole estate of P-(9=-(>?=.=-( as a"o$e state( %ere
'ro'ose to "e reuce to t&e amounts set fort& after t&e
names of t&e res'ecti$e &eirs an e$isees totallin) oneD&alf
%&ile t&e ot&er &alf of t&e estate +P>=7(7/4.79, %oul &e
eeme as constitutin) t&e le)itime of t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee
an o''ositorsDa''ellants( to "e i$ie amon) t&em in
se$en e!ual 'arts of P-.>(/?..-- as t&eir res'ecti$e
le)itimes.
T&e lo%er court( after &earin)( sustaine an a''ro$e t&e
e*ecutri*@ 'roCect of 'artition( rulin) t&at 8+A,rticles >=? an
>=7 of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe s'ecificall# 'ro$ie t&at %&en t&e
le)itime is im'aire or 'reCuice( t&e same s&all "e
com'lete an satisfie. B&ile it is true t&at t&is 'rocess &as
"een follo%e an a&ere to in t&e t%o 'roCects of 'artition(
it is o"ser$e t&at t&e e*ecutri* an t&e o''ositors iffer in
res'ect to t&e source from %&ic& t&e 'ortion or 'ortions s&all
"e ta1en in orer to full# restore t&e im'aire le)itime. T&e
'ro'osition of t&e o''ositors( if u'&el( %ill su"stantiall#
result in a istri"ution of intestac#( %&ic& is in contro$ersion
of Article 7>- of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe8 ain) t&at 8t&e testatri*
&as c&osen to fa$or certain &eirs in &er %ill for reasons of &er
o%n( cannot "e ou"te. T&is is le)all# 'ermissi"le %it&in t&e
limitation of t&e la%( as aforecite.8 Bit& reference to t&e
'a#ment in cas& of some P./=(77../9( 'rinci'all# "# t&e
e*ecutri* as t&e lar)est "eneficiar# of t&e %ill to "e 'ai to
&er fi$e coD&eirs( t&e o''ositors +e*cluin) Tomas :i4on,( to
com'lete t&eirDim'aire le)itimes( t&e lo%er court rule t&at
8+T,&e 'a#ment in cas& so as to ma1e t&e 'ro'er aCustment
to meet %it& t&e re!uirements of t&e la% in res'ect to
le)itimes %&ic& &a$e "een im'aire is( in our o'inion( a
'ractical an $ali solution in orer to )i$e effect to t&e last
%is&es of t&e testatri*.8
m t&e lo%er court@s orers of a''ro$al( o''ositorsDa''ellants
&a$e file t&is a''eal( an raise ane% t&e follo%in) issues;
-. B&et&er or not t&e testamentar# is'ositions mae
in t&e testatri*@ %ill are in t&e nature of e$ises im'uta"le
to t&e free 'ortion of &er estate( an t&erefore su"Cect to
reuction<
.. B&et&er t&e a''ellants are entitle to t&e e$ise
'lus t&eir le)itime uner Article -=?/( or merel# to
eman com'letion of t&eir le)itime uner Article >=? of
t&e 0i$il 0oe< an
/. B&et&er t&e a''ellants ma# "e com'elle to acce't
'a#ment in cas& on account of t&eir le)itime( instea of
some of t&e real 'ro'erties left "# t&e Testatri*<
T&e testator@s %is&es an intention constitute t&e first an
'rinci'al la% in t&e matter of testaments( an to 'ara'&rase
an earl# ecision of t&e Su'reme 0ourt of S'ain. > %&en
e*'resse clearl# an 'recisel# in &is last %ill amount to t&e
onl# la% %&ose manate must im'erati$el# "e fait&full#
o"e#e an com'lie %it& "# &is e*ecutors( &eirs an
e$isees an le)atees( an neit&er t&ese intereste 'arties
nor t&e courts ma# su"stitute t&eir o%n criterion for t&e
testator@s %ill. Guie an restricte "# t&ese funamental
'remises( t&e 0ourt fins for t&e a''ellee.
T&is %as 'ro'erl# com'lie %it& in t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee@s
'roCect of 'artition( %&erein t&e fi$e o''ositorsDa''ellants
namel# Estela. Bernarita( An)elina( Gosefina an Lilia( %ere
aCuicate t&e 'ro'erties res'ecti$el# istri"ute an
assi)ne to t&em "# t&e testatri* in &er %ill( an t&e
ifferential to com'lete t&eir res'ecti$e le)itimes of
P-.>(/?..-- eac& %ere ta1en from t&e cas& an5or
'ro'erties of t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee( Harina( an t&eir coD
o''ositorDa''ellant( Tomas( %&o amittel# %ere fa$ore "#
t&e testatri* an recei$e in t&e 'artition "# %ill more t&an
t&eir res'ecti$e le)itimes.
T&is ri)&t of a testator to 'artition &is estate "# %ill %as
reco)ni4e e$en in Article -=7? of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe %&ic&
&as "een re'rouce no% as Article -=9= of t&e 'resent 0i$il
0oe. T&e onl# amenment in t&e 'ro$ision %as t&at Article
-=9= 8no% 'ermits an# 'erson +not a testator( as uner t&e
ol la%, to 'artition &is estate "# act inter $i$os.8 -- T&is
%as intene to re'eal t&e t&en 're$ailin) octrine -. t&at
for a testator to 'artition &is estate "# an act inter $i$os( &e
must first ma1e a %ill %it& all t&e formalities 'ro$ie "# la%.
Aut&oritati$e commentators ou"t t&e efficac# of t&e
amenment -/ "ut t&e !uestion oes not &ere concern us(
for t&is is a clear case of 'artition "# %ill( ul# amitte to
'ro"ate( %&ic& 'erforce must "e )i$en full $aliit# an effect.
Asie from t&e 'ro$isions of Articles >=? an >=7 a"o$e
!uote( ot&er coal 'ro$isions su''ort t&e e*ecutri*D
a''ellee@s 'roCect of 'artition as a''ro$e "# t&e lo%er court
rat&er t&an t&e counterD'roCect of 'artition 'ro'ose "#
o''ositorsDa''ellants %&ere"# t&e# %oul reuce t&e
testamentar# is'osition or 'artition mae "# t&e testatri* to
oneD&alf an limit t&e same( %&ic& t&e# %oul consier as
mere e$ises or le)acies( to oneD&alf of t&e estate as t&e
is'osa"le free 'ortion( an a''l# t&e ot&er &alf of t&e estate
to 'a#ment of t&e le)itimes of t&e se$en com'ulsor# &eirs.
- jann - 74
O''ositors@ 'ro'osal %oul amount su"stantiall# to a
istri"ution "# intestac# an 'ro tanto nullif# t&e testatri*@ %ill(
contrar# to Article 7>- of t&e 0i$il 0oe. It %oul furt&er run
counter to t&e 'ro$isions of Article -=>- of t&e 0i$il 0oe t&at
8+A, 'artition le)all# mae confers u'on eac& &eir t&e
e*clusi$e o%ners&i' of t&e 'ro'ert# aCuicate to &im.
T&e "uren of o''ositors@ contention is t&at t&e testamentar#
is'ositions in t&eir fa$or are in t&e nature of e$ises of real
'ro'ert#( citin) t&e testatri*@ re'eate use of t&e %ors 8I
"e!ueat&8 in &er assi)nment or istri"ution of &er real
'ro'erties to t&e res'ecti$e &eirs. 2rom t&is erroneous
'remise( t&e# 'rocee to t&e e!uall# erroneous conclusion
t&at 8t&e le)itime of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs 'asses to t&em "#
o'eration of la% an t&at t&e testator can onl# is'ose of t&e
free 'ortion( t&at is( t&e remainer of t&e estate after
euctin) t&e le)itime of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs . . . an all
testamentar# is'ositions( eit&er in t&e nature of institution of
&eirs or of e$ises or le)acies( &a$e to "e ta1en from t&e
remainer of t&e testator@s estate constitutin) t&e free
'ortion.8
O''ositors@ conclusions necessaril# are in error. T&e
testamentar# is'ositions of t&e testatri*( "ein) is'ositions
in fa$or of com'ulsor# &eirs( o not &a$e to "e ta1en onl#
from t&e free 'ortion of t&e estate( as contene( for t&e
secon 'ara)ra'& of Article 94. of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'recisel#
'ro$ies t&at 8+O,ne %&o &as com'ulsor# &eirs ma# is'ose
of &is estate 'ro$ie &e oes not contra$ene t&e 'ro$isions
of t&is 0oe %it& re)ar to t&e le)itime of sai &eirs.8 An
e$en )oin) "# o''ositors@ o%n t&eor# of "e!uests( t&e
secon 'ara)ra'& of Article >-. of t&e 0i$il 0oe co$ers
'recisel# t&e case of t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee( %&o amittel#
%as fa$ore "# t&e testatri* %it& t&e lar)e "ul1 of &er estate
in 'ro$iin) t&at 8+T,&e e$isee %&o is entitle to a le)itime
ma# retain t&e entire 'ro'ert#( 'ro$ie its $alue oes not
e*cee t&at of t&e is'osa"le 'ortion an of t&e s&are
'ertainin) to &im as le)itime.8 4or diversity of apportionment
is the usual reason for ma$ing a testament7 otherwise, the
decedent might as well die intestate. (; 4undamentally, of
course, the dispositions by the testatrix constituted a partition
by will, which by mandate of %rticle (=;= of the /ivil /ode
and of the other cited codal provisions upholding the primacy
of the testator's last will and testament, have to be respected
insofar as they do not pre6udice the legitime of the other
compulsory heirs.
O''ositors@ in$o1in) of Article -=?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe t&at
8+P,ro'ert# left "# %ill is not eeme su"Cect to collation( if t&e
testator &as not ot&er%ise 'ro$ie( "ut t&e le)itime s&all in
an# case remain unim'aire8 an in$o1in) of t&e
construction t&ereof )i$en "# some aut&orities t&at 8@not
eeme su"Cect to collation@ in t&is article reall# means not
im'uta"le to or c&ar)ea"le a)ainst t&e le)itime8( %&ile it ma#
&a$e some 'lausi"ilit# -> in an a''ro'riate case( &as no
a''lication in t&e 'resent ease. Aere( %e &a$e a case of a
istri"ution an 'artition of t&e entire estate "# t&e testatri*(
%it&out &er &a$in) mae an# 're$ious onations urin) &er
lifetime %&ic& %oul re!uire collation to etermine t&e
le)itime of eac& &eir nor &a$in) left merel# some 'ro'erties
"# %ill %&ic& %oul call for t&e a''lication of Articles -=?- to
-=?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe on collation. T&e amount of t&e
le)itime of t&e &eirs is &ere etermine an unis'ute.
Bit& t&is resolution of t&e ecisi$e issue raise "#
o''ositorsDa''ellants( t&e seconar# issues are li1e%ise
necessaril# resol$e. T&eir ri)&t %as merel# to eman
com'letion of t&eir le)itime uner Article >=? of t&e 0i$il
0oe an t&is &as "een com'lie %it& in t&e a''ro$e
'roCect of 'artition( an t&e# can no lon)er eman a furt&er
s&are from t&e remainin) 'ortion of t&e estate( as
"e!ueat&e an 'artitione "# t&e testatri* 'rinci'all# to t&e
e*ecutri*Da''ellee.
Neit&er ma# t&e a''ellants le)all# insist on t&eir le)itime
"ein) com'lete %it& real 'ro'erties of t&e estate instea of
"ein) 'ai in cas&( 'er t&e a''ro$e 'roCect of 'artition. T&e
'ro'erties are not a$aila"le for t&e 'ur'ose( as t&e testatri*
&a s'ecificall# 'artitione an istri"ute t&em to &er &eirs(
an t&e &eirs are calle u'on( as far as feasi"le to com'l#
%it& an )i$e effect to t&e intention of t&e testatri* as
solemni4e in &er %ill( "# im'lementin) &er manifest %is& of
transmittin) t&e real 'ro'erties intact to &er name
"eneficiaries( 'rinci'all# t&e e*ecutri*Da''ellee. T&e
a''raisal re'ort of t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate as file "# t&e
commissioner a''ointe "# t&e lo%er court %as a''ro$e in
toto u'on Coint 'etition of t&e 'arties( an &ence( t&ere cannot
"e sai to "e an# !uestion S an none is 'resente S as to
fairness of t&e $aluation t&ereof or t&at t&e le)itime of t&e
&eirs in terms of cas& &as "een unerstate. T&e 'laint of
o''ositors t&at t&e 'urc&asin) $alue of t&e P&ili''ine 'eso
&as )reatl# ecline since t&e testatri*@ eat& in Ganuar#(
->?- 'ro$ies no le)al "asis or Custification for o$erturnin)
t&e %is&es an intent of t&e testatri*. T&e transmission of
ri)&ts to t&e succession are transmitte from t&e moment of
eat& of t&e eceent +Article 777( 0i$il 0oe, an
accorin)l#( t&e $alue t&ereof must "e rec1one as of t&en(
as ot&er%ise( estates %oul ne$er "e settle if t&ere %ere to
"e a re$aluation %it& e$er# su"se!uent fluctuation in t&e
$alues of t&e currenc# an 'ro'erties of t&e estate. T&ere is
e$ience in t&e recor t&at 'rior to No$em"er .7( ->?4( one
of t&e o''ositors( Bernarita( acce'te t&e sum of
P7=(===.== on account of &er in&eritance( %&ic&( 'er t&e
'arties@ manifestation( .= 8oes not in an# %a# affect t&e
aCuication mae to &er in t&e 'roCects of 'artition of eit&er
'art# as t&e same is a mere a$ance of t&e cas& t&at s&e
s&oul recei$e in "ot& 'roCects of 'artition.8 T&e 'a#ment in
cas& "# %a# of ma1in) t&e 'ro'er aCustments in orer to
meet t&e re!uirements of t&e la% on nonDim'airment of
le)itimes as %ell as to )i$e effect to t&e last %ill of t&e
testatri* &as in$aria"l# "een a$aile of an sanctione. .-
T&at &er coDo''ositors %oul recei$e t&eir cas& ifferentials
onl# no% %&en t&e $alue of t&e currenc# &as ecline furt&er(
%&ereas t&e# coul &a$e recei$e t&em earlier( li1e
Bernarita( at t&e time of a''ro$al of t&e 'roCect of 'artition
an %&en t&e 'eso@s 'urc&asin) $alue %as &i)&er( is ue to
t&eir o%n ecision of 'ursuin) t&e 'resent a''eal.
De -o#a !s. CA
0anelaria e Roma &a t%o le)all# ao'te au)&ters(
Bu&a# e Roma an Rosalina e Roma. S&e ie intestate
on A'ril /=( ->7-( an aministration 'roceein)s %ere
institute in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of La)una "# t&e
'ri$ate res'onent as )uarian of Rosalina. Bu&a# %as
a''ointe aministratri* an in ue time file an in$entor# of
t&e estate. T&is %as o''ose "# Rosalina on t&e )roun
t&at certain 'ro'erties earlier onate "# 0anelaria to
Bu&a#( an t&e fruits t&ereof( &a not "een inclue. -
T&e 'ro'erties in !uestion consiste of se$en 'arcels of
coconut lan %ort& P-=(.>7.7=. . T&ere is no is'ute
re)arin) t&eir $aluation< %&at t&e 'arties cannot a)ree u'on
is %&et&er t&ese lans are su"Cect to collation. T&e 'ri$ate
- jann - 75
res'onent $i)orousl# ar)ues t&at it is( conforma"l# to Article
-=?- of t&e 0i$il 0oe. Bu&a#( for &er 'art( citin) Article
-=?.( claims s&e &as no o"li)ation to collate "ecause t&e
eceent 'ro&i"ite suc& collation an t&e onation %as not
officious.
T&e issue %as resol$e in fa$or of t&e 'etitioner "# t&e trial
court( E %&ic& &el t&at t&e eceent( %&en s&e mae t&e
onation in fa$or of Bu&a#( e*'ressl# 'ro&i"ite collation.
Horeo$er( t&e onation i not im'air t&e le)itimes of t&e t%o
ao'te au)&ters as it coul "e accommoate in( an in
fact %as im'ute to( t&e free 'ortion of 0anelaria@s estate. /
On a''eal( t&e orer of t&e trial court %as re$erse( t&e
res'onent court EE &olin) t&at t&e ee of onation
containe no e*'ress 'ro&i"ition to collate as an e*ce'tion to
Article -=?.. Accorin)l#( it orere collation an e!uall#
i$ie t&e net estate of t&e eceent( incluin) t&e fruits of
t&e onate 'ro'ert#( "et%een Bu&a# an Rosalina. 4
Be a)ree %it& t&e res'onent court t&at t&ere is not&in) in
t&e a"o$e 'ro$isions e*'ressl# 'ro&i"itin) t&e collation of t&e
onate 'ro'erties. As t&e sai court correctl# o"ser$e( t&e
'&rase 8sa 'amama)itan n) 'a)"i"i)a# na i na
ma"a"a%in) muli8 merel# escri"e t&e onation as
8irre$oca"le8 an s&oul not "e construe as an e*'ress
'ro&i"ition a)ainst collation. ? T&e fact t&at a onation is
irre$oca"le oes not necessaril# e*em't t&e su"Cect t&ereof
from t&e collation re!uire uner Article -=?-.
Be surmise from t&e use of suc& terms as 8le)itime8 an
8free 'ortion8 in t&e ee of onation t&at it %as 're'are "#
a la%#er( an %e ma# also 'resume &e unerstoo t&e le)al
conse!uences of t&e onation "ein) mae. It is reasona"le
to su''ose( )i$en t&e 'recise lan)ua)e of t&e ocument( t&at
&e %oul &a$e inclue t&erein an e*'ress 'ro&i"ition to
collate if t&at &a "een t&e onor@s intention.
An#t&in) less t&an suc& e*'ress 'ro&i"ition %ill not suffice
uner t&e clear lan)ua)e of Article -=?.. T&e su))estion t&at
t&ere %as an im'lie 'ro&i"ition "ecause t&e 'ro'erties
onate %ere im'uta"le to t&e free 'ortion of t&e eceent@s
estate merits little consieration. Im'utation is not t&e
!uestion &ere( nor is it claime t&at t&e is'ute onation is
officious. T&e sole issue is %&et&er or not t&ere %as an
e*'ress 'ro&i"ition to collate( an %e see none.
T&e intention to e*em't from collation s&oul "e e*'resse
'lainl# an une!ui$ocall# as an e*ce'tion to t&e )eneral rule
announce in Article -=?.. A"sent suc& a clear inication of
t&at intention( %e a''l# not t&e e*ce'tion "ut t&e rule( %&ic&
is cate)orical enou)&.
Locsin !s. CA
Hariano Locsin e*ecute a Last Bill an Testament
institutin) &is %ife( 0atalina( as t&e sole an uni$ersal &eir of
all &is 'ro'erties / . T&e %ill %as ra%n u' "# &is %ife@s
ne'&e% an truste le)al a$iser( Attorne# Sal$aor Lora#es.
Attorne# Lora#es isclose t&at t&e s'ouses "ein) c&illess(
t&e# &a a)ree t&at t&eir 'ro'erties( after "ot& of t&em s&all
&a$e ie s&oul re$ert to t&eir res'ecti$e sies of t&e famil#(
i.e.( Hariano@s 'ro'erties %oul )o to &is 8Locsin relati$es8
+i.e.( "rot&ers an sisters or ne'&e%s an nieces,( an t&ose
of 0atalina to &er 8Gaucian relati$es. 4 8
:on Hariano Locsin ie of cancer on Se'tem"er -4( ->49
after a lin)erin) illness. In ue time( &is %ill %as 'ro"ate in
S'ecial Proceein)s No. -/9( 02I of Al"a# %it&out an#
o''osition from "ot& sies of t&e famil#. As irecte in &is
%ill( :oOa 0atalina %as a''ointe e*ecutri* of &is estate. Aer
la%#er in t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)s %as Attorne# Lora#es. In
t&e in$entor# of &er &us"an@s estate 7 %&ic& s&e su"mitte
to t&e 'ro"ate court for a''ro$al( ? 0atalina eclare t&at
8all items mentione from Nos. - to // are t&e 'ri$ate
'ro'erties of t&e ecease an form 'art of &is ca'ital at t&e
time of t&e marria)e %it& t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse( %&ile items
Nos. /4 to 4. are conCu)al.8 7
Amon) &er o%n an :on Hariano@s relati$es( :oOa 0atalina
%as closest to &er ne'&e%( Attorne# Sal$aor Lora#es( &er
nieces( Elena Gaucian( Haria Lora#esD0ornelio an Haria
Ol"esDVelasco( an t&e &us"ans of t&e last t%o; Aostilio
0ornelio an 2ernano Velasco. 9 Aer trust in Aostilio
0ornelio %as suc& t&at s&e mae &im custoian of all t&e
titles of &er 'ro'erties< an "efore s&e is'ose of an# of
t&em( s&e unfailin)l# consulte &er la%#erDne'&e%( Attorne#
Sal$aor Lora#es. It %as Att#. Lora#es %&o 're'are t&e
le)al ocuments an( more often t&an not( t&e %itnesses to
t&e transactions %ere &er nieces Elena Gaucian( Haria
Lora#esD0ornelio( Haria Ol"esDVelasco( or t&eir &us"ans.
Aer niece( Elena Gaucian( %as &er lifeDlon) com'anion in &er
&ouse.
:on Hariano relie on :oOa 0atalina to carr# out t&e terms
of t&eir com'act( &ence( nine +>, #ears after &is eat&( as if in
o"eience to &is $oice from t&e )ra$e( an full# co)ni4ant
t&at s&e %as also a$ancin) in #ears( :oOa 0atalina "e)an
transferrin)( "# sale( onation or assi)nment( :on Hariano@s(
as %ell as &er o%n( 'ro'erties to t&eir res'ecti$e ne'&e%s
an nieces. S&e mae t&e follo%in) sales an onations of
'ro'erties %&ic& s&e &a recei$e from &er &us"an@s
estate( to &is Locsin ne'&e%s an nieces;
:oOa 0atalina ie on Gul# ?( ->77. 2our #ears "efore &er
eat&( s&e &a mae a %ill on Octo"er ..( ->7/ affirmin)
an ratif#in) t&e transfers s&e &a mae urin) &er lifetime in
fa$or of &er &us"an@s( an &er o%n( relati$es. After t&e
reain) of &er %ill( all t&e relati$es a)ree t&at t&ere %as no
nee to su"mit it to t&e court for 'ro"ate "ecause t&e
'ro'erties e$ise to t&em uner t&e %ill &a alrea# "een
con$e#e to t&em "# t&e ecease %&en s&e %as still ali$e(
e*ce't some le)acies %&ic& t&e e*ecutor of &er %ill or estate(
Attorne# Sal$aor Lora#es( 'roceee to istri"ute.
In ->9>( or si* +?, #ears after :oOa 0atalina@s emise( some
of &er Gaucian ne'&e%s an nieces %&o &a alrea#
recei$e t&eir le)acies an &ereitar# s&ares from &er estate(
file action in t&e Re)ional Trial 0ourt of Le)as'i 0it#
+Branc& VIII( 0i$il 0ase No. 7-7., to reco$er t&e 'ro'erties
%&ic& s&e &a con$e#e to t&e Locsins urin) &er lifetime(
alle)in) t&at t&e con$e#ances %ere in officious( %it&out
consieration( an intene solel# to circum$ent t&e la%s on
succession. T&ose %&o %ere closest to :oOa 0atalina i not
Coin t&e action.
After t&e trial( Cu)ment %as renere on Gul# 9( ->97 in
fa$or of t&e 'laintiffs +Gaucian,( an a)ainst t&e Locsin
efenants
T&e 'etition &as merit an s&oul "e )rante. T&e trial court
an t&e 0ourt of A''eals erre in eclarin) t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents( ne'&e%s an nieces of :oOa 0atalina G. Va.
e Locsin( entitle to in&erit t&e 'ro'erties %&ic& s&e &a
alrea# is'ose of more t&an ten +-=, #ears "efore &er
- jann - 76
eat&. 2or t&ose 'ro'erties i not form 'art of &er &ereitar#
estate( i.e.( 8t&e 'ro'ert# an transmissi"le ri)&ts an
o"li)ations e*istin) at t&e time of +t&e eceent@s, eat& an
t&ose %&ic& &a$e accrue t&ereto since t&e o'enin) of t&e
succession.8 -= T&e ri)&ts to a 'erson@s succession are
transmitte from t&e moment of &is eat&( an o not $est in
&is &eirs until suc& time. (( 8roperty which DoEa /atalina
had transferred or conveyed to other persons during her
lifetime no longer formed part of her estate at the time of her
death to which her heirs may lay claim. Aa s&e ie
intestate( onl# t&e 'ro'ert# t&at remaine in &er estate at t&e
time of &er eat& e$ol$e to &er le)al &eirs< an e$en if
t&ose transfers %ere( one an all( treate as onations( t&e
ri)&t arisin) uner certain circumstances to im'u)n an
com'el t&e reuction or re$ocation of a eceent@s )ifts inter
$i$os oes not inure to t&e res'onents since neit&er t&e#
nor t&e onees are com'ulsor# +or force, &eirs. -.
T&ere is t&us no "asis for assumin) an intention on t&e 'art
of :oOa 0atalina( in transferrin) t&e 'ro'erties s&e &a
recei$e from &er late &us"an to &is ne'&e%s an nieces(
an intent to circum$ent t&e la% in $iolation of t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents@ ri)&ts to &er succession. Sai res'onents are
not &er com'ulsor# &eirs( an it is not 'retene t&at s&e &a
an# suc&( &ence t&ere %ere no le)itimes t&at coul
concei$a"l# "e im'aire "# an# transfer of &er 'ro'ert#
urin) &er lifetime. All t&at t&e res'onents &a %as an
e*'ectanc# t&at in no%ise restricte &er freeom to is'ose
of e$en &er entire estate su"Cect onl# to t&e limitation set
fort& in Art. 77=( 0i$il 0oe %&ic&( e$en if it %ere "reac&e(
t&e res'onents ma# not in$o1e;
8Art 77=. T&e onation ma# com're&en all
t&e 'resent 'ro'ert# of t&e onor( or 'art
t&ereof( 'ro$ie &e reser$es( in( full
o%ners&i' or in usufruct( sufficient means
for t&e su''ort of &imself( an of all
relati$es %&o( at t&e time of t&e
acce'tance of t&e onation( are "# la%
entitle to "e su''orte "# t&e onor.
Bit&out suc& reser$ation( t&e onation
s&all "e reuce on 'etition of an# 'erson
affecte. +?/4a,.
T&e lo%er court ca'itali4e on t&e fact t&at :oOa 0atalina
%as alrea# >= #ears ol %&en s&e ie on Gul# ?( ->77. It
insinuate t&at "ecause of &er a$ance #ears s&e ma#
&a$e "een im'ose u'on( or unul# influence an morall#
'ressure "# &er &us"an@s ne'&e%s an nieces +t&e
'etitioners, to transfer to t&em t&e 'ro'erties %&ic& s&e &a
in&erite from :on Hariano@s estate. T&e recors o not
su''ort t&at conCecture.
2or as earl# as ->77( or t%ent#Dei)&t +.9, #ears "efore &er
eat&( :oOa 0atalina &a alrea# "e)un transferrin) to &er
Locsin ne'&e%s an nieces t&e 'ro'erties %&ic& s&e
recei$e from :on Hariano. S&e sol a >?.Ds!.m. lot on
Ganuar# .?( ->77 to &is ne'&e% an namesa1e Hariano
Locsin II. -/ On A'ril 7( ->??( or -> #ears "efore s&e
'asse a%a#( s&e also sol a 4/D&ectare lan to anot&er
Locsin ne'&e%( Gose R. Locsin. -4 T&e ne*t #ear( or on
Harc& ..( ->?7( s&e sol a 7(===Ds!.m. 'ortion of Lot .=.=
to Gulian Locsin. -7
Amon) :oOa 0atalina@s last transactions "efore s&e ie in
->77 %ere t&e sales of 'ro'ert# %&ic& s&e mae in fa$or of
Aurea Locsin an Hariano Locsin in ->77. -9
T&ere is not t&e sli)&test su))estion in t&e recor t&at :oOa
0atalina %as mentall# incom'etent %&en s&e mae t&ose
is'ositions. Inee( &o% can an# suc& su))estion "e mae
in li)&t of t&e fact t&at e$en as s&e %as transferrin)
'ro'erties to t&e Locsins( s&e %as also contem'oraneousl#
is'osin) of &er ot&er 'ro'erties in fa$or of t&e GauciansF
S&e sol to &er ne'&e%( Vicente Gaucian( on Gul# -?( ->?4
+.- #ears "efore &er eat&, oneD&alf +or 7(=== s!.m., of Lot
.=.=. T&ree #ears later( or on Harc& ..( ->?7( s&e sol
anot&er 7(=== s!.m. of t&e same lot to Gualian Locsin. ->
T&is 0ourt fins no reason to is"elie$e Attorne# Lora#es@
testimon# t&at "efore :on Hariano ie( &e an &is %ife
+:oOa 0atalina,( "ein) c&illess( &a a)ree t&at t&eir
res'ecti$e 'ro'erties s&oul e$entuall# re$ert to t&eir
res'ecti$e lineal relati$es. As t&e truste le)al a$iser of t&e
s'ouses an a fullD"loo ne'&e% of :oOa 0atalina( &e %oul
not &a$e s'un a tale out of t&in air t&at %oul also 'reCuice
&is o%n interest.
T&eir esistance 'ersuasi$el# emonstrates t&at :oOa
0atalina acte as a com'letel# free a)ent %&en s&e mae
t&e con$e#ances in fa$or of t&e 'etitioners. In fact(
consierin) t&eir closeness to :oOa 0atalina it %oul &a$e
"een %ellDni)& im'ossi"le for t&e 'etitioners to em'lo#
8frau( unue 'ressure( an su"tle mani'ulations8 on &er to
ma1e &er sell or onate &er 'ro'erties to t&em. :oOa
0atalina@s niece( Elena Gaucian( au)&ter of &er "rot&er(
Euaro Gaucian( li$e %it& &er in &er &ouse. Aer ne'&e%DinD
la%( Aostilio 0ornelio( %as t&e custoian of t&e titles of &er
'ro'erties.
A'art from t&e fore)oin) consierations( t&e trial court an
t&e 0ourt of A''eals erre in not ismissin) t&is action for
annulment an recon$e#ance on t&e )roun of 'rescri'tion.
0ommence ecaes after t&e transactions &a "een
consummate( an si* +?, #ears after :oOa 0atalina@s eat&(
it 'rescri"e four +4, #ears after t&e su"Cect transactions %ere
recore in t&e Re)istr# of Pro'ert#( .9 %&et&er consiere
an action "ase on frau( or one to reress an inCur# to t&e
ri)&ts of t&e 'laintiffs. T&e 'ri$ate res'onents ma# not fei)n
i)norance of sai transactions "ecause t&e re)istration of t&e
ees %as constructi$e notice t&ereof to t&em an t&e %&ole
%orl. .>
BAERE2ORE( t&e 'etition for re$ie% is )rante.
B. Breedom to dispose free portion
Art. 9-/. "he testator may devise and bequeath the
free portion as he may deem fit.
The article reiterates the principle embodied already in
article 845. thus& superfluous and at some point misleadin.
'n many cases& the testator cannot really dispose of part or
whole of the free portion& because the leitimes of concurrin
compulsory heirs& li$e the survivin spouse and illeitimate
children when there are leitimate children or descendants&
are ta$en from the free portion. 2ence& he can only dispose
that which is the remainder of the free portion when this is
partly consumed by the leitimes of concurrin compulsory
heirs. The phrase& as he may deem fit& is therefore
erroneous. The testator does not absolute freedom over the
free portion when concurrin +2 are present and only to
those !ualified to succeed.
- jann - 77
05:60=49 A7746":> =4>"A4
B. 054"45";:
Art. #5/. "he preterition or omission of one, some,
or all of the compulsory heirs in the direct line,
whether livin! at the time of the e&ecution of the will
or born after the death of the testator, shall annul
the institution of heir. but the devises and le!acies
shall be valid insofar as they are not inofficious.
f the omitted compulsory heirs should die before
the testator, the institution shall be effectual,
without pre1udice to the ri!ht of representation.
(#-/a)
Art. #55. "he share of a child or descendant omitted
in a will must first be ta+en from the part of the
estate not disposed of by the will, if any. if that is not
sufficient, so much as may be necessary must be
ta+en proportionally from the shares of the other
compulsory heirs. (-2#2a)
The article does not necessarily refer to preterition. 't refers
to a child or descendant omitted in a will.
The share of the omitted child is to be determined by other
provisions of law( once that is determined this article
provides the manner in which that share shall be satisfied.
This article suffers serious defects. The term c0old pr
descendant should be construed as compulsory heirs& in
much the same way that the first pararaph of article A0A has
been construed by commentators to refer to compulsory
heirs.
Theree is patent fundamental mista$e in the last sentence of
the article because it creates a confusion and does not e%press
the true intent of the law. 't should have been reworded in
this wise:
the share of the compulsory heir omitted in a will must first
be ta$en from the part of the estate not diposed of by will& if
any( it that is not sufficient& so much as may be necessary
must be ta$en ?3)?)3T'):A<<C B3)/ T2, .2A3,. )B
T2, )T2,3 2,'3. ;'J,: T) T2,/ BC #'<<
Art. 92*. Any compulsory heir to whom the testator
has left by any title less than the le!itime belon!in!
to him may demand that the same be fully satisfied.
(#-5)
'f there is no testamentary disposition in his favor& the heir
cannot as$ for completion of his leitime& because there is
nothin to complete( instead there should be a case
preterition or total omission& and in such case the forced heir
in the direct line is entitled to as$& not merely for the
completion of his leitime. But for the annulment of the
institution of heir.
Art. 9-#. Disinheritance without a specification of
the cause, or for a cause the truth of which, if
contradicted, is not proved, or which is not one of
those set forth in this 6ode, shall annul the
institution of heirs insofar as it may pre1udice the
person disinherited. but the devises and le!acies and
other testamentary dispositions shall be valid to
such e&tent as will not impair the le!itime. (#5-a)
This article pertain to effects of a disinheritance which does
not have one or more of the essential re!uisites for its
validity. 't li$ewise applies to cases of reconciliation after a
disinheritance has been made.
The ineffective disinheritance does not affect the disposition
of the testator with respect to the free portion. The reason is
the disinheritance in this case refers only only to the leitime
of the heir& and therefore& it is only this portion that is
affected by the nullity or ineffectiveness of such
disinheritance.
#here the disinheritance is ineffective in this case& the
compulsory heir must be iven all that he is entitiled to
receive as if the disinheritance has not been made& without
pre0udice to lawful dispositions made by the testator in favor
of others.
A&nar !s. D"ncan
E%ar E. 0&ristensen( a citi4en of 0alifornia %it& omicile in
t&e P&ili''ines( ie lea$in) a %ill e*ecute on Harc& 7(
->7-. T&e %ill %as amitte to 'ro"ate "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of :a$ao in its ecision of 2e"ruar# .9( ->74. In
t&at same ecision t&e court eclare t&at Haria Aelen
0&ristensen Garcia +&ereinafter referre to as Aelen Garcia,
%as a natural c&il of t&e ecease. T&e eclaration %as
a''eale to t&is 0ourt( an %as affirme in its ecision of
2e"ruar# -4( ->79 +G.R. No. LD--494,
In anot&er incient relati$e to t&e 'artition of t&e ecease@s
estate( t&e trial court a''ro$e t&e 'roCect su"mitte "# t&e
e*ecutor in accorance %it& t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill( %&ic&
sai court foun to "e $ali uner t&e la% of 0alifornia. Aelen
Garcia a''eale form t&e orer of a''ro$al( an t&is 0ourt(
on Ganuar# /-( ->?/( re$erse t&e same on t&e )roun t&at
t&e $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill s&oul "e )o$erne "#
P&ili''ine la%( an returne t&e case to t&e lo%er court %it&
instructions t&at t&e 'artition "e mae as 'ro$ie "# sai
la% +G.R. No. LD-?74>,
On Octo"er .>( ->?4( t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of :a$ao
issue an orer a''ro$in) t&e 'roCect of 'artition su"mitte
"# t&e e*ecutor( ate Gune /=( ->?4( %&erein t&e 'ro'erties
of t&e estate %ere i$ie e!uall# "et%een Haria Luc#
0&ristensen :uncan +name in t&e %ill as Haria Luc#
0&ristensen :ane#( an &ereinafter referre to as merel#
Luc# :uncan,( %&om t&e testator &a e*'ressl# reco)ni4e
in &is %ill as &is au)&ter +natural, an Aelen Garcia( %&o
&a "een Cuiciall# eclare as suc& after &is eat&. T&e sai
orer %as "ase on t&e 'ro'osition t&at since Aelen Garcia
&a "een 'reterite in t&e %ill t&e institution of Luc# :uncan
as &eir %as annulle( an &ence t&e 'ro'erties 'asse to
"ot& of t&em as if t&e ecease &a ie intestate( sa$in)
onl# t&e le)acies left in fa$or of certain ot&er 'ersons( %&ic&
le)acies &a$e "een ul# a''ro$e "# t&e lo%er court an
istri"ute to t&e le)atees.
T&e case is once more "efore us on a''eal( t&is time "#
Luc# :uncan( on t&e sole !uestion of %&et&er t&e estate(
- jann - 78
after euctin) t&e le)acies( s&oul 'ertain to &er an to
Aelen Garcia in e!ual s&ares( or %&et&er t&e in&eritance of
Luc# :uncan as institute &eir s&oul "e merel# reuce to
t&e e*tent necessar# to co$er t&e le)itimate of Aelen Garcia(
e!ui$alent to -54 of t&e entire estate
T&e trial court rule( an a''ellee no% maintains( t&at t&ere
&as "een 'reterition of Aelen Garcia( a com'ulsor# &eir in
t&e irect line( resultin) in t&e annulment of t&e institution of
&eir 'ursuant to Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( %&ic& 'ro$ies;
On t&e ot&er &an( a''ellant contens t&at t&is is not a case
of 'reterition( "ut is )o$erne "# Article >=? of t&e 0i$il 0oe(
%&ic& sa#s; 8An# com'ulsor# &eir to %&om t&e testator &as
left "# an# title less t&e le)itime "elon)in) to &im ma#
eman t&at t&e same "e full# satisfie(8 A''ellant also
su))ests t&at consierin) t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill %&ere"#
t&e testator e*'ressl# enie &is relations&i' %it& Aelen
Garcia( "ut left to &er a le)ac# ne$ert&eless( alt&ou)& less
t&an t&e amount of &er le)itime( s&e %as in effect efecti$el#
isin&erite %it&in t&e meanin) of Article >-9( %&ic& reas;
T&us( accorin) to a''ellant( uner "ot& Articles >=? an
>-9( Aelen Garcia is entitle onl# to &er le)itime( an not to a
s&are of t&e estate e!ual t&at of Luc# :uncan as if t&e
succession %ere intestate.
Article 974 is a re'rouction of Article 9-4 of t&e S'anis&
0i$il 0oe< an Article >=? of Article 9-7. On t&e ifference
"et%een 'reterition of a com'ulsor# &eir an t&e ri)&t to as1
for com'letion of &is le)itime
Hanresa efines 'reterition as t&e omission of t&e &eir in t&e
%ill( eit&er "# not namin) &im at all or( %&ile mentionin) &im
as fat&er( son( etc.( "# not institutin) &im as &eir %it&out
isin&eritin) &im e*'ressl#( nor assi)nin) to &im some 'art of
t&e 'ro'erties.
T&e !uestion ma# "e 'ose; In orer t&at t&e ri)&t of a force
&eir ma# "e limite onl# to t&e com'letion of &is le)itime
+instea of t&e annulment of t&e institution of &eirs, is it
necessar# t&at %&at &as "een left to &im in t&e %ill 8"# an#
title(8 as "# le)ac#( "e )rante to &im in &is ca'acit# as &eir(
t&at is( a titulo e &ereeroF In ot&er %ors( s&oul &e "e
reco)ni4e or referre to in t&e %ill as &eirF T&is !uestion is
'ertinent "ecause in t&e %ill of t&e ecease E%ar E.
0&ristensen Aelen Garcia is not mentione as an &eir S
inee &er status as suc& is enie S "ut is )i$en a le)ac#
of P/(?==.==
Hanresa cites 'articularl# t&ree ecisions of t&e Su'reme
0ourt of S'ain ate Ganuar# -?( -9>7( Ha# .7( ->-7( an
A'ril ./( ->/.( res'ecti$el#. In eac& one of t&ose cases t&e
testator left to one %&o %as a force &eir a le)ac# %ort& less
t&an t&e le)itime( "ut %it&out referrin) to t&e le)atee as an
&eir or e$en as a relati$e( an %ille t&e rest of t&e estate to
ot&er 'ersons. It %as &el t&at Article 9-7 a''lie( an t&e
&eir coul not as1 t&at t&e institution of &eirs "e annulle
entirel#( "ut onl# t&at t&e le)itimate "e com'lete. +?
Hanresa( ''. 4/9( 44-.,
T&e fore)oin) solution is inee more in consonance %it& t&e
e*'resse %is&e of t&e testator in t&e 'resent case as ma#
"e )at&ere $er# clearl# from t&e 'ro$isions of &is %ill. Ae
refuse to ac1no%le)e Aelen Garcia as &is natural
au)&ter( an limite &er s&are to a le)ac# of P/(?==.==. T&e
fact t&at s&e %as su"se!uentl# eclare Cuiciall# to 'ossess
suc& status is no reason to assume t&at &a t&e Cuicial
eclaration come urin) &is lifetime &is su"Cecti$e attitue
to%ars &er %oul &a$e uner)one an# c&an)e an t&at &e
%oul &a$e %ille &is estate e!uall# to &er an to Luc#
:uncan( %&o alone %as e*'ressl# reco)ni4e "# &im.
T&e ecision of t&is 0ourt in Neri( et al. $. A1utin( 74 P&il.
-97( is cite "# a''ellees in su''ort of t&eir t&eor# of
'reterition. T&at ecision is not &ere a''lica"le( "ecause it
referre to a %ill %&ere 8t&e testator left all &is 'ro'ert# "#
uni$ersal title to t&e c&ilren "# &is secon marria)e( an
+t&at, %it&out e*'ressl# isin&eritin) t&e c&ilren "# & is first
marria)e( &e left not&in) to t&em or( at least( some of t&em.8
In t&e case at "ar t&e testator i not entirel# omit o''ositorD
a''ellee Aelen Garcia( "ut left &er a le)ac# of P/(?==.==
T&e estate of t&e ecease 0&ristensen u'on &is eat&
consiste of />> s&ares of stoc1s in t&e 0&ristensen
Plantation 0om'an# an a certain amount in cas&. OneD
fourt& +-54, of sai estate escene to Aelen Garcia as &er
le)itime. Since s&e "ecame t&e o%ner of &er s&are as of t&e
moment of t&e eat& of t&e eceent +Arts. 774( 777( 0i$il
0oe,( s&e is entitle to a corres'onin) 'ortion of all t&e
fruits or increments t&ereof su"se!uentl# accruin). T&ese
inclue t&e stoc1 i$iens on t&e cor'orate &olin)s. T&e
contention of Luc# :uncan t&at all suc& i$iens 'ertain to
&er accorin) to t&e terms of t&e %ill cannot "e sustaine( for
it %oul in effect im'air t&e ri)&t of o%ners&i' of Aelen Garcia
%it& res'ect to &er le)itime.
One 'oint eser$es to "e &ere mentione. alt&ou)& no
reference to it &as "een mae in t&e "rief for o''ositorD
a''ellant. It is t&e institution of su"stitute &eirs to t&e estate
"e!ueat&e to Luc# :uncan in t&e e$ent s&e s&oul ie
%it&out li$in) issue. T&is su"stitution results in effect from t&e
fact t&at uner 'ara)ra'& -. of t&e %ill s&e is entitle onl# to
t&e income from sai estate( unless 'rior to &er ecease s&e
s&oul &a$e li$in) issue( in %&ic& e$ent s&e %oul in&erit in
full o%ners&i'< ot&er%ise t&e 'ro'ert# %ill )o to t&e ot&er
relati$es of t&e testator name in t&e %ill. Bit&out eciin)
t&is 'oint( since it is not one of t&e issues raise "efore us(
%e mi)&t call attention to t&e limitations im'ose "# la% u'on
t&is 1in of su"stitution( 'articularl# t&at %&ic& sa#s t&at it
can ne$er "uren t&e le)itime +Art. 9?4 0i$il 0oe,( %&ic&
means t&at t&e le)itime must escen to t&e &eir concerne
in fee sim'le.
N"g"id !s. N"g"id
Rosario Nu)ui( a resient of Lue4on 0it#( ie on
:ecem"er /=( ->?.( sin)le( %it&out escenants( le)itimate
or ille)itimate. Sur$i$in) &er %ere &er le)itimate 'arents(
2eli* Nu)ui an Pa4 Salon)a Nu)ui( an ? "rot&ers an
sisters namel#; Alfreo( 2eerico( Remeios( 0onrao(
Loures an Al"erto( all surname Nu)ui. On Ha# -9( ->?/(
'etitioner Remeios Nu)ui file in t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al a &olo)ra'&ic %ill alle)el# e*ecute "#
Rosario Nu)ui on No$em"er -7( ->7-( some -- #ears
"efore &er emise. Petitioner 'ra#e t&at sai %ill "e
amitte to 'ro"ate an t&at letters of aministration %it& t&e
%ill anne*e "e issue to &er.
On Gune .7( ->?/( 2eli* Nu)ui an Pa4 Salon)a Nu)ui(
conceel# t&e le)itimate fat&er an mot&er of t&e ecease
Rosario Nu)ui( entere t&eir o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate of &er
%ill. Groun t&erefor( inter alia( is that by the institution of
petitioner 9emedios <uguid as universal heir of the
- jann - 79
deceased, oppositors F who are compulsory heirs of the
deceased in the direct ascending line F were illegally
preterited and that in consequence the institution is void.
T&e court@s orer of No$em"er 9( ->?/( &el t&at 8t&e %ill in
!uestion is a com'lete nullit# an %ill 'erforce create
intestac# of t&e estate of t&e ecease Rosario Nu)ui8 an
ismisse t&e 'etition %it&out costs.
A 'eculiar situation is &ere t&rust u'on us. T&e 'arties
s&unte asie t&e !uestion of %&et&er or not t&e %ill s&oul
&e allo%e 'ro"ate. 4or them, the meat of the case is the
intrinsic validity of the will. <ormally, this comes only after the
court has declared that the will been duly authenticated. .
But 'etitioner an o''ositors( in t&e court "elo% an &ere on
a''eal( tra$elle on t&e issue of la%( to %it; Is t&e %ill
intrinsicall# a nullit#F
Be 'ause to reflect. If t&e case %ere to "e remane for
'ro"ate of t&e %ill( not&in) %ill "e )aine. On t&e contrar#(
t&is liti)ation %ill "e 'rotracte. An for au)&t t&at a''ears in
t&e recor( in t&e e$ent of 'ro"ate or if t&e court reCects t&e
%ill( 'ro"a"ilit# e*ists t&at t&e case %ill come once a)ain
"efore us on t&e same issue of t&e intrinsic $aliit# or nullit#
of t&e %ill. Result; %aste of time( effort( e*'ense( 'lus ae
an*iet#. "hese are the practical considerations that induce us
to a belief that we might as well meet head:on the issue of
the nullity of the provisions of the will in question. / After all(
t&ere e*ists a Custicia"le contro$ers# cr#in) for solution.
Petitioner@s sole assi)nment of error c&allen)es t&e
correctness of t&e conclusion "elo% t&at t&e %ill is a
com'lete nullit#. T&e statute %e are calle u'on to a''l# is
Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe. A com're&ensi$e unerstanin)
of t&e term 'reterition em'lo#e in t&e la% "ecomes a
necessit#.
An no%( "ac1 to t&e facts an t&e la%. T&e ecease
Rosario Nu)ui left no escenants( le)itimate or ille)itimate.
But s&e left force &eirs in t&e irect ascenin) line S &er
'arents( no% o''ositors 2eli* Nu)ui an Pa4 Salon)a
Nu)ui. An( t&e %ill com'letel# omits "ot& of t&em; T&e#
t&us recei$e not&in) "# t&e testament< tacitl#( t&e# %ere
e'ri$e of t&eir le)itime< neit&er %ere t&e# e*'ressl#
isin&erite. T&is is a clear case of 'reterition. Suc&
'reterition in t&e %ors of Hanresa 8anularY siem're la
instituciZn e &ereero( ano carYcter a"soluto a este
orenamiento(8 referrin) to t&e manate of Article 9-4( no%
974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe. > "he one: sentence will here
institutes petitioner as the sole, universal heir F nothing
more. <o specific legacies or bequests are therein provided
for. !t is in this posture that we say that the nullity is
complete. 8erforce, 9osario <uguid died intestate.
Reall#( as %e anal#4e t&e %or annul em'lo#e in t&e
statute( t&ere is no esca'in) t&e conclusion t&at t&e uni$ersal
institution of 'etitioner to t&e entire in&eritance results in
totall# a"ro)atin) t&e %ill. 5ecause, the nullification of such
institution of universal heir S without any other testamentary
disposition in the will F amounts to a declaration that
nothing at all %as %ritten. 0arefull# %ore an in clear
terms( Article 974 offers no lee%a# for inferential
inter'retation. Gi$in) it an e*'ansi$e meanin) %ill tear u' "#
t&e roots t&e fa"ric of t&e statute. On t&is 'oint( SYnc&e4
RomYn cites t&e 8Hemoria annual el Tri"unal Su'remo(
corres'oniente a ->=9(8 %&ic& in our o'inion e*'resses t&e
rule of inter'retation( $i4;
%s aforesaid, there is no other provision in the will before us
except the institution of petitioner as universal heir. "hat
institution, by itself, is null and void. %nd, intestate
succession ensues.
Preterition 8consists in t&e omission in t&e testator@s %ill of t&e
force &eirs or an#one of t&em( eit&er "ecause t&e# are not
mentione t&erein( or( t&ou)& mentione( t&e# are neit&er
institute as &eirs nor are e*'ressl# isin&erite.8 -?
:isin&eritance( in turn( 8is a testamentar# is'osition
e'ri$in) an# com'ulsor# &eir of &is s&are in t&e le)itime for
a cause aut&ori4e "# la%.8 -7 In Hanresa@s o%n %ors;
8La 'ri$aciZn e*'resa e la le)itima constitu#e le
es&ereaciZn. La 'ri$aciZn tYcita e la misma se enomina
'retericiZn. -9 SYnc&e4 RomYn em'&asi4es t&e istinction
"# statin) t&at isin&eritance 8es siem're $oluntaria8<
'reterition( u'on t&e ot&er &an( is 'resume to "e
8in$oluntaria.8 -> Axpress as disinheritance should be, the
same must be supported by a legal cause specified in the
will itself. 2=
"he will here does not explicitly disinherit the testatrix's
parents, the forced heirs. !t simply omits their names
altogether. @aid will rather than be labeled ineffective
disinheritance is clearly one in which the said forced heirs
suffer from preterition.
On to' of t&is t&e fact t&at t&e effects flo%in) from 'reterition
are totall# ifferent from t&ose of isin&eritance. Preterition
uner Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( %e re'eat( 8s&all annul
t&e institution of &eir.8 T&is annulment is in toto( unless in t&e
%ill t&ere are( in aition( testamentar# is'ositions in t&e
form of e$ises or le)acies. In ineffecti$e isin&eritance
uner Article >-9 of t&e same 0oe( suc& isin&eritance s&all
also 8annul t&e institution of &eirs(8 "ut onl# insofar as it may
pre6udice the person disinherited, %&ic& last '&rase %as
omitte in t&e case of 'reterition. .- Better state #et( in
isin&eritance t&e nullit# is limite to t&at 'ortion of t&e estate
of %&ic& t&e isin&erite &eirs &a$e "een ille)all# e'ri$e.
Hanresa@s e*'ressi$e lan)ua)e( in commentin) on t&e ri)&ts
of t&e 'reterite &eirs in t&e case of 'reterition on t&e one
&an an le)al isin&eritance on t&e ot&er( runs t&us;
8Preterios( a!uieren el erec&o a too< es&erea os(
solo les corres'one un tercio o os tercios( .. se)[n el
caso.8 ./
T&is is "est ans%ere "# a reference to t&e o'inion of Hr.
Gustice Horan in t&e Neri case &eretofore cite( $i4;
8But t&e t&eor# is a$ance t&at t&e "e!uest mae
"# uni$ersal title in fa$or of t&e c&ilren "# t&e
secon marria)e s&oul "e treate as le)ao an
meCora an( accorin)l#( it must not "e entirel#
annulle "ut merel# reuce. T&is t&eor#( if
ao'te( %ill result in a com'lete a"ro)ation of
articles 9-4 an 97- of t&e 0i$il 0oe. If e$er# case
of institution of &eirs ma# "e mae to fall into t&e
conce't of le)acies an "etterments reucin) t&e
"e!uest accorin)l#( t&en t&e 'ro$isions of articles
9-4 an 97- re)arin) total or 'artial nullit# of t&e
institution( %oul "e a"solutel# meanin)less an
%illNl ne$er &a$e a''lication at all. An t&e remainin)
'ro$isions containe in sai articles concernin) t&e
reuction of inofficious le)acies or "etterments
%oul "e a sur'lusa)e "ecause t&e# %oul "e
a"sor"e "# article 9-7. T&us( instea of construin)(
%e %oul "e estro#in) inte)ral 'ro$isions of t&e
0i$il 0oe.
- jann - 80
T&e estructi$e effect of t&e t&eor# t&us a$ance is
ue mainl# to a failure to istin)uis& institution of
&eirs from le)acies an "etterments( an a )eneral
from a s'ecial 'ro$ision. Bit& reference to Article
9-4( %&ic& is t&e onl# 'ro$ision material to t&e
is'osition of t&is case( it must "e o"ser$e t&at t&e
institution of &eirs is t&erein ealt %it& a t&in)
se'arate an istinct from le)acies or "etterment.
An t&e# are se'arate an istinct not onl# "ecause
t&e# are istinctl# an se'aratel# treate in sai
article "ut "ecause t&e# are in t&emsel$es ifferent.
Institution of &eirs is a "e!uest "# uni$ersal title of
'ro'ert# t&at is unetermine. Le)ac# refers to
s'ecific 'ro'ert# "e!ueat&e "# a 'articular or
s'ecial title. . . But a)ain an institution of &eirs
cannot "e ta1en as a le)ac#(8 .7
T&e is'ute orer( %e o"ser$e( eclares t&e %ill in !uestion
8a com'lete nullit#8. Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe in turn
merel# nullifies 8t&e institution of &eir.8 /onsidering, however,
that the will before us solely provides for the institution of
petitioner as universal heir, and nothing more, the result is
the same. "he entire will is null.
-eyes !s. Barretodat"
B&en Bi"iano Barretto ie on 2e"ruar# -9( ->/?(
in t&e 0it# of Hanila( &e left &is s&are of t&ese
'ro'erties in a %ill to Salu Barretto( mot&er of
'laintiff@s %ars( an Lucia Hila)ros Barretto an a
small 'ortion as le)acies to &is t%o sisters Rosa
Barretto an 2elisa Barretto an &is ne'&e% an
nieces. T&e usufruct of t&e fis&'on situate in
"arrio San Ro!ue( Aa)ono#( Bulacan(
a"o$ementione( &o%e$er( %as reser$e for &is
%io%( Haria Geraro. In t&e meantime( Haria
Geraro %as a''ointe aministratri*. B# $irtue
t&ereof( s&e 're'are a 'roCect of 'artition( %&ic&
%as si)ne "# &er in &er o%n "e&alf an as
)uarian of t&e minor Hila)ros Barretto. Sai 'roCect
of Partition %as a''ro$e "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Hanila on No$em"er ..( ->/>. T&e
istri"ution of t&e estate an t&e eli$er# of t&e
s&ares of t&e &eirs follo%e fort&%it&. As a
conse!uence( Salu Barretto too1 immeiate
'ossession of &er s&are an secure t&e
cancellation of t&e ori)inal certificates of title an t&e
issuance of ne% titles in &er o%n name.
Aa$in) t&us lost t&is fi)&t for a s&are in t&e estate of
Haria Geraro( as a le)itimate &eir of Haria
Geraro( 'laintiff no% falls "ac1 u'on t&e remnant of
t&e estate of t&e ecease Bi"iano Barretto( %&ic&
%as )i$en in usufruct to &is %io% Haria Geraro.
Aence( t&is action for t&e reco$er# of oneD&alf
'ortion t&ereof.
T&is action affore t&e efenant an o''ortunit# to
set u' &er ri)&t of o%ners&i'( not onl# of t&e
fis&'on uner liti)ation( "ut of all t&e ot&er
'ro'erties %ille an eli$ere to Salu Barretto( for
"ein) a s'urious &eir( an not entitle to an# s&are
in t&e estate of Bi"iano Barretto( t&ere"# irectl#
attac1in) t&e $aliit#( not onl# of t&e 'roCect of
'artition "ut of t&e ecision of t&e court "ase
t&ereon as %ell.
T&e efenant contens t&at t&e ProCect of Partition
from %&ic& Salu ac!uire t&e fis&'on in !uestion
is $oi a" initio an Salu Barretto i not ac!uire
an# $ali title t&ereto( an t&at t&e court i not
ac!uire an# Curisiction of t&e 'erson of t&e
efenant( %&o %as t&en a minor.@ 8
2inin) for t&e efenant +no% a''ellee,( Hila)ros Barretto(
t&e lo%er court eclare t&e 'roCect of 'artition su"mitte in
t&e 'roceein)s for t&e settlement of t&e estate of Bi"iano
Barretto +0i$il 0ase No. 4>?.> of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance
of Hanila, to "e null an $oi a" initio +not merel# $oia"le,
"ecause t&e istri"utee( Salu Barretto( 'reecessor of
'laintiffs +no% a''ellants,( %as not a au)&ter of t&e s'ouses
Bi"iano Barretto an Haria Geraro. T&e nullit# of t&e 'roCect
of 'artition %as ecree on t&e "asis of Article -=9- of t&e
0i$il 0oe of -99> +t&en in force, 'ro$iin) as follo%s;
8A 'artition in %&ic& a 'erson %as "elie$e to "e an
&eir( %it&out "ein) so( &as "een inclue( s&all "e
null an $oi.8
PlaintiffsDa''ellants correctl# 'oint out t&at Article -=9- of t&e
ol 0i$il 0oe &as "een misa''lie to t&e 'resent case "#
t&e court "elo%. T&e reason is o"$ious; Salu Barretto
amittel# &a "een institute &eir in t&e late Bi"iano
Barretto@s last %ill an testament to)et&er %it& efenant
Hila)ros< &ence( t&e 'artition &a "et%een t&em coul not "e
one suc& &a %it& a 'art# %&o %as "elie$e to "e an &eir
%it&out reall# "ein) one( an %as not null an $oi uner
sai article. T&e le)al 'rece't +Article -=9-, oes not s'ea1
of c&ilren( or escenants( "ut of &eirs +%it&out istinction
"et%een force( $oluntar# or intestate ones,( an t&e fact t&at
Salu &a''ene not to "e a au)&ter of t&e testator oes not
'reclue &er "ein) one of t&e &eirs e*'ressl# name in &is
testament< for Bi"iano Barretto %as at li"ert# to assi)n t&e
free 'ortion of &is estate to %&omsoe$er &e c&ose. B&ile t&e
s&are +-5., assi)ne to Salu im'in)e on t&e le)itime of
Hila)ros( Salu i not for t&at reason cease to "e a
testamentar# &eir of Bi"iano Barretto.
Nor oes t&e fact t&at Hila)ros %as allotte in &er fat&er@s %ill
a s&are smaller t&an &er le)itime in$aliate t&e institution of
Salu as &eir( since t&ere %as &ere no 'reterition( or total
omission( of a force &eir. 2or t&is reason( Neri $s. A1utin( 7.
P&il. /..( in$o1e "# a''ellee( is not at all a''lica"le( t&at
case in$ol$in) an instance of 'reterition or omission of
c&ilren of t&e testator@s former marria)e.
It is t&us a''arent t&at %&ere a court &as $alil# issue a
ecree of istri"ution of t&e estate( an t&e same &as
"ecome final( t&e $aliit# or in$aliit# of t&e 'roCect of
'artition "ecomes irrele$ant.
It is( &o%e$er( ar)ue for t&e a''ellee t&at since t&e court@s
istri"ution of t&e estate of t&e late Bi"iano Barretto %as
'reicate on t&e 'roCect of 'artition e*ecute "# Salu
Barretto an t&e %io%( Haria Geraro +%&o si)ne for
&erself an as )uarian of t&e minor Hila)ros Barretto,( an
since no e$ience %as ta1en of t&e filiation of t&e &eirs( nor
%ere an# finin)s of fact or la% mae( t&e ecree of
istri"ution can &a$e no )reater $aliit# t&an t&at of t&e "asic
'artition( an must stan or fall %it& it( "ein) in t&e nature of
a Cu)ment "# consent( "ase on a com'romise. Saminiaa
$s. Hata( >. P&il. 4.?( is in$o1e in su''ort of t&e
'ro'osition. T&at case is aut&orit# for t&e 'ro'osition t&at a
Cu)ment "# com'romise ma# "e set asie on t&e )roun of
- jann - 81
mista1e or frau( u'on 'etition file in ue time( %&ere
'etition for 8relief %as file "efore t&e com'romise
a)reement( a 'roceein)( %as consummate8 +cas. cit. at '.
4/?,. In t&e case "efore us( &o%e$er( t&e a)reement of
'artition %as not onl# ratifie "# t&e court@s ecree of
istri"ution( "ut actuall# consummate( so muc& so t&at t&e
titles in t&e name of t&e ecease %ere cancelle( an ne%
certificates issue in fa$or of t&e &eirs( lon) "efore t&e
ecree %as attac1e. Aence( Saminiaa $s. Hata oes not
a''l#.
"hat defendant &ilagros 5arretto was a minor at the time the
probate court distributed the estate of her father in ()3)
does not imply that the said court was without 6urisdiction to
enter the decree of distribution.
T&e onl# instance t&at %e can t&in1 of in %&ic& a
'art# intereste in a 'ro"ate 'roceein)s ma# &a$e
a final li!uiation set asie is %&en &e is left out "#
reason of circumstances "e#on &is control or
t&rou)& mista1e or ina$ertence not im'uta"le to
ne)li)ence. E$en t&en( t&e "etter 'ractice to secure
relief is reo'enin) of t&e same case "# 'ro'er
motion %it&in t&e re)lementar# 'erio( instea of an
ine'enent action t&e effect of %&ic&( if successful(
%oul "e( as in t&e instant case( for anot&er court or
Cu)e to t&ro% out a ecision or orer alrea# final
an e*ecute an res&uffle 'ro'erties lon) a)o
istri"ute an is'ose of.8
8. . . It is ar)ue t&at Lucia Hila)ros Barretto %as a
minor %&en s&e si)ne t&e 'artition( an t&at Haria
Geraro %as not &er Cuiciall# a''ointe )uarian.
T&e claim is not true. Haria Geraro si)ne as
)uarian of t&e minor. +Secs. / an 7( Rule >7(
Rules of 0ourt., T&e mere statement in t&e 'roCect
of 'artition t&at t&e )uarians&i' 'roceein)s of t&e
minor Lucia Hila)ros Barretto are 'enin) in t&e
court( oes not mean t&at t&e )uarian &a not #et
"een a''ointe< it meant t&at t&e )uarians&i'
'roceein)s( &a not #et "een terminate an as a
)uarians&i' 'roceein)s "e)in %it& t&e
a''ointment of a )uarian( Haria Geraro must
&a$e "een alrea# a''ointe %&en s&e si)ne t&e
'roCect of 'artition. T&ere is( t&erefore( no
irre)ularit# or efect or error in t&e 'roCect of
'artition( a''arent on t&e recor of t&e testate
'roceein)s( %&ic& s&o%s t&at Haria Geraro &a
no 'o%er or aut&orit# to si)n t&e 'roCect of 'artition
as )uarian of t&e minor Lucia Hila)ros Barretto(
an( conse!uentl#( no )roun for t&e contention t&at
t&e orer a''ro$in) t&e 'roCect of 'artition is
a"solutel# null an $oi an ma# "e attac1e
collaterall# in t&ese 'roceein)s.8
:efenantDa''ellee furt&er 'leas t&at as &er mot&er an
)uarian +Haria Geraro, coul not &a$e i)nore t&at t&e
istri"utee Salu %as not &er c&il( t&e act of sai %io% in
a)reein) to t&e oftDcite 'artition an istri"ution %as a frau
on a''ellee@s ri)&ts an entitles &er to relief. In t&e first 'lace(
t&ere is no e$ience t&at %&en t&e estate of Bi"iano Barretto
%as Cuiciall# settle an istri"ute a''ellants@ 'reecessor(
Salu Lim Boco Barretto( 1ne% t&at s&e %as not Bi"iano@s
c&il< so t&at if frau %as committe( it %as t&e %io%( Haria
Geraro( %&o %as solel# res'onsi"le( an neit&er Salu nor
&er minor c&ilren( a''ellants &erein( can "e &el lia"le
t&erefor. In t&e secon 'lace( )rantin) t&at t&ere %as suc&
frau( relief t&erefrom can onl# "e o"taine %it&in 4 #ears
from its isco$er#( an t&e recor s&o%s t&at t&is 'erio &a
ela'se lon) a)o.
Because at t&e time of t&e istri"ution Hila)ros Barretto %as
onl# -? #ears ol +E*&i"it .4,( s&e "ecame of a)e fi$e #ears
later( in ->44. On t&at #ear( &er cause of action accrue to
contest on t&e )roun of frau t&e court ecree istri"utin)
&er fat&er@s estate an t&e fourD#ear 'erio of limitation
starte to run( to e*'ire in ->49 +Section 4/( Act ->=,. In fact(
concein) t&at Hila)ros onl# "ecame a%are of t&e true facts
in ->4? +A''ellee@s Brief( '. .7,( &er action still "ecame
e*tinct in ->7=. 0learl#( t&erefore( t&e action %as alrea#
"arre %&en in Au)ust /-( ->7? s&e file &er counterclaim in
t&is case contestin) t&e ecree of istri"ution of Bi"iano
Barretto@s estate.
In resume( %e &ol +-, t&at t&e 'artition &a "et%een Salu
an Hila)ros Barretto in t&e 'roceein)s for t&e settlement of
t&e estate of Bi"iano Barretto( ul# a''ro$e "# t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of Hanila in ->/>( in its 0i$il 0ase No. 4>?.>(
is not $oi for "ein) contrar# to eit&er articles -=9- or -9-4 of
t&e 0i$il 0oe of -99>< +., t&at Hila)ros Barretto@s action to
contest sai 'artition an ecree of istri"ution is "arre "#
t&e statute of limitations< an +/, t&at &er claim t&at 'laintiffD
a''ellant )uarian is a 'ossessor in "a fait& an s&oul
account for t&e fruits recei$e from t&e 'ro'erties in&erite
"# Salu Barretto +nee Lim Boco, is le)all# untena"le. It
follo%s t&at t&e 'laintiffs@ action for 'artition of t&e fis&'on
escri"e in t&e com'laint s&oul &a$e "een )i$en ue
course.
B&erefore( t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Bulacan no% uner a''eal is re$erse an set asie in so far
as it orers 'laintiffDa''ellant to recon$e# to a''ellee
Hila)ros Barretto :atu t&e 'ro'erties enumerate in sai
ecision( an t&e same is affirme in so far as it enies an#
ri)&t of sai a''ellee to accountin). Let t&e recors "e
returne to t&e court of ori)in( %it& instructions to 'rocee
%it& t&e action for 'artition of t&e fis&'on +Lot No. 4( Plan
PsuD47=>,( co$ere "# T0T No. TD-/7/4 of t&e Office of t&e
Re)ister of :ees of Bulacan( an for t&e accountin) of t&e
fruits t&ereof( as 'ra#e for in t&e com'laint. No costs.
18. Esc"lin !s. Esc"lin
On t&e ->t& of Ganuar#( -9>>( Emilio Antonio Escuin e los
Santos e*ecute a %ill "efore a notar# 'u"lic of Se$illa(
S'ain( statin) t&erein t&at &e %as a nati$e of 0a$ite( t&e son
of 2rancisco Escuin an Eu)enia e los Santos( t&e latter
"ein) ecease< t&at &e %as marrie a"out si* mont&s
're$iousl# to Haria Teresa Ponce e Leon( an t&at &e &a
no la%ful escenants< t&e testator( &o%e$er( state in clause
t&ree of &is %ill( t&at in case &e &a a ul# re)istere
successor( &is c&il %oul "e &is sole an uni$ersal &eir< "ut
t&at if( as %oul 'ro"a"l# "e t&e case( t&ere s&oul "e no
suc& &eir( t&en in clause four &e name &is sai fat&er
2rancisco Escuin( an &is %ife Haria Teresa Ponce e Leon
&is uni$ersal &eirs( t&e# to i$ie t&e estate in e!ual s&ares
"et%een t&em.
T&e testator ie on t&e .=t& of Ganuar#( -9>>( as certifie to
"# t&e munici'al court of Ha)alena( Se$illa( on t&e .=t& of
Harc&( ->==.
On t&e /=t& of Se'tem"er( ->=7( t&e court "elo% foun t&at
Emilio Escuin # Batac %as t&e reco)ni4e natural c&il of t&e
- jann - 82
late Emilio Escuin e los Santos( &a "# Gulia Batac< t&at t&e
testator %as also t&e natural son of t&e efenant 2rancisco
Escuin an Eu)enia e los Santos( an %as reco)ni4e "#
&is fat&er< an t&at t&e 'laintiff minor( Emilio Escuin # Batac(
is one of t&e &eirs of t&e late testator.
I'on t&e %ill &a$in) "een amitte to 'ro"ate(
commissioners %ere a''ointe to consier claims a)ainst
t&e estate( an( accorin) to a re'ort 'resente to t&e 0ourt
of 2irst Instance on t&e .=t& of Gune( ->=7( one claim %as
allo%e amountin) to /(?>?.7= 'esetas.
It a''ears in t&e 'ro'ose 'artition of t&e / of Se'tem"er(
->=?( t&at( accorin) to t&e o'inion of t&e aministrator "#
%&om it %as si)ne an t&e result of t&e 'roceein)s( t&e
'ro'ert# left "# t&e testator( in accorance %it& t&e accounts
'asse u'on "# t&e court( amounte to P9(.?9.=.
:euctin) t&is amount from t&e funs
of t&e estate( t&ere remains a "alance of
7(=-4.9-
T&at t&e sai creit of P-(/.-.4=( e!ui$alent to /(?>?.7=
'esetas( allo%e "# t&e commissioners( is t&e onl# claim
'resente %it&in t&e le)al term a)ainst t&e estate< t&at
2rancisco Escuin( t&e fat&er of t&e testator( &is %ife or %io%(
Teresa Ponce e Leon( an &is natural c&il( t&e minor Emilio
Escuin # Batac( re'resente "# &is mot&er an )uarian
Gulia Batac( are entitle to t&e succession< t&at( "# settin)
asie oneDt&ir of t&e estate in fa$or of t&e natural son
reco)ni4e in accorance %it& article 94. of t&e 0i$il 0oe(
t&ere onl# remains t&e !uestion as to &o% t&e remainin) t%oD
t&irs of t&e in&eritance s&all "e "esto%e( ta1in) into
account t&e irections of t&e testator in &is %ill< t&at t&e same
oes not isclose t&at &e &a left an# c&il "# &is %ife< t&at
t&e latter( as t&e %io% of t&e testator( "esies "ein) a
esi)nate &eir entitle to oneD&alf of t&e &ereitar# funs( is
entitle to t&e usufruct of t&e 'ortion fi*e "# t&e la%( an
t&at t&e funs to "e a''ortione are com'ose %&oll# of
cas& or rea# mone#.
On t&e /=t& of Se'tem"er( ->=7( t&e court "elo% foun t&at
Emilio Escuin # Batac %as t&e reco)ni4e natural c&il of t&e
late Emilio Escuin e los Santos( &a "# Gulia Batac< t&at t&e
testator %as also t&e natural son of t&e efenant 2rancisco
Escuin an Eu)enia e los Santos( an %as reco)ni4e "#
&is fat&er< an t&at t&e 'laintiff minor( Emilio Escuin # Batac(
is one of t&e &eirs of t&e late testator.
Intil all t&e 1no%n creitors an t&e le)atees &a$e "een
'ai( it s&all "e unerstoo t&at t&e estate is uner
aministration( sa#s article -=.? of t&e 0i$il 0oe( an in
conformit# %it& t&is le)al 'ro$ision t&e su'reme tri"unal &as
esta"lis&e t&e octrine t&at 8onl# after 'a#ment of all t&e
o"li)ations of t&e estate can t&e net amount i$isi"le amon)
t&e &eirs "e 1no%n.8 +:ecision of Harc& .( -9>?.,
Section 77/ of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure confirms t&e
'ro$ision of t&e 0i$il 0oe an t&e le)al octrine mentione
a"o$e( inasmuc& as it 'ro$ies t&at( after 'a#ment of t&e
e"ts( funeral c&ar)es( an e*'enses of aministration( an
t&e allo%ances for t&e e*'ense of maintenance of t&e famil#
of t&e ecease( t&e court s&all assi)n t&e resiue of t&e
estate to t&e 'ersons entitle to t&e same( namin) t&e
'ersons an 'ro'ortions or 'arts to %&ic& eac& is entitle(
etc.
So t&at "# reason of t&e claims mae "# t&e creitor of t&e
estate of Emilio Escuin e los Santos an "# &er natural son(
ul# reco)ni4e "# &is fat&er( an orinar# action s&oul &a$e
"een "rou)&t "efore t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance( from %&ose
Cu)ment a''eal ma# "e ta1en to t&is court "# means of t&e
corres'onin) "ill of e*ce'tions uner t&e 'ro$isions of
section 777 of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure< an %&ile t&e
ultimate ecision in t&e matter of t&e sai claims a)ainst t&e
resolution of t&e commissioners &as not "ecome final( an
until all t&e o"li)ations of t&e estate &a$e "een 'ai( t&ere
can reall# "e no in&eritance( nor can it "e istri"ute amon)
t&e 'ersons intereste t&erein accorin) to t&e %ill of t&e
testator( or uner t&e 'ro$isions of t&e la%.
Bit& res'ect to t&e !uestions %&ic& form t&e "asis of t&is
liti)ation an refer to t&e secon assi)nment of errors( it
s&oul "e note t&at t&e late testator i not lea$e an#
le)itimate escenants or ascenants( "ut i lea$e a
reco)ni4e natural c&il( t&e a''ellant minor( an a %io%<
t&at t&e sai minor( Emilio Escuin # Batac( is t&e )eneral &eir
of &is natural fat&er( t&e sai testator( %&o reco)ni4e &im
%&ile li$in) +art. 9=7( 0i$il 0oe,( an in t&e 'resent case is
entitle to oneDt&ir of &is estate( %&ic& amount constitutes
t&e le)al 'ortion of a natural c&il +art. 94. of t&e sai coe,<
an for t&e reason t&at t&e minor %as i)nore "# &is natural
fat&er in &is %ill( t&e esi)nation of &eirs mae t&erein %as(
as a matter of fact annulle "# force of la%( in so far as t&e
le)al 'ortion of t&e sai minor %as t&ere"# im'aire.
?egacies and betterments shall be valid, in so far as they are
not illegal, for the reason that a testator can not deprive the
heirs of their legal portions, except in the cases expressly
indicated by law. ,Arts. 7?/( 9-/( 9-4( 0i$il 0oe.,
%s has been seen, the testator wished to dispose of his
property in his will, designating as heirs his natural father,
4rancisco Ascuin, and his wife, &aria "eresa 8once de ?eon,
altogether ignoring his recogni1ed natural child who is his
general heir. !n view thereof, and for the reason that he
exceeded his rights, the said designation of heirs became
void in so far as it impaired the right of his general heir and
deprived him of his legal portion7 the will, however, is valid
with respect to the two:thirds of the property which the
testator could freely dispose of. +Arts. 7?/( 7?4( 9=?( 9-/(
94.( 0i$il 0oe.,
Not%it&stanin) t&e fact t&at t&e esi)nation of &eirs is
annulle an t&at t&e la% reco)ni4es t&e title of t&e minor(
Escuin # Batac( to oneDt&ir of t&e 'ro'ert# of &is natural
fat&er( as &is la%ful an )eneral &eir( it is not 'ro'er to assert
t&at t&e late Emilio Escuin e los Santos ie intestate in
orer to esta"lis& t&e conclusion t&at &is sai natural
reco)ni4e c&il is entitle to succee to t&e entire estate
uner t&e 'ro$isions of article >/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe(
inasmuc& as in accorance %it& t&e la% a citi4en ma# ie
partly testate and partly intestate ,art. .-*, /ivil /ode0. !t is
clear and unquestionable that it was the wish of the testator
to favor his natural father and his wife with certain portions of
his property which, under the law, he had a right to dispose
of by will, as he has done, provided the legal portion of his
general heir was not thereby impaired, the two former
persons being considered as legatees under the will.
"he above:mentioned will is neither null, void, nor illegal in
so far as the testator leaves two:thirds of his property to his
father and wife7 testamentary provisions impairing the legal
portion of a general heir shall be reduced in so far as they
are illegal or excessive. ,%rt. ;(., /ivil /ode.0 "he partition
of the property of the said testator shall be proceeded with in
accordance with the foregoing legal bases.
- jann - 83
B# $irtue of t&e fore)oin) consierations it is our o'inion t&at
t&e orers of t&e court "elo%( of Octo"er /=( ->=?( an
Au)ust .4( ->=7( s&oul "e re$erse( an u'on recei't of a
certifie co'# of t&is ecision t&e court "elo% s&all ta1e
action in accorance %it& t&e la% an t&e terms &erein
containe %it& res'ect to t&e claims an a''eals from t&e
resolutions of t&e commissioners 'enin) Cuicial ecision.
So orere.
Balanay !s. Cartine&
2eli* Balana#( Gr. a''eale "# certiorari from t&e orer of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of :a$ao ate 2e"ruar# .9( ->74(
eclarin) ille)al an $oi t&e %ill of &is mot&er( Leoe)aria
Gulian( con$ertin) t&e testate 'roceein) into an intestate
'roceein) an orerin) t&e issuance of t&e corres'onin)
notice to creitors +S'ecial 0ase No. -9=9,. T&e anteceents
of t&e a''eal are as follo%s;
2eli* G. Balana#( Gr. file in t&e lo%er court a 'etition ate
2e"ruar# .7( ->7/ for t&e 'ro"ate of &is mot&er3s notarial %ill
ate Se'tem"er 7( ->7= %&ic& is %ritten in En)lis&. In t&at
%ill Leoe)aria Gulian eclare +a, t&at s&e %as t&e o%ner of
t&e 8sout&ern &alf8 of nine conCu)al lots +'ar. II,< +", t&at s&e
%as t&e a"solute o%ner of t%o 'arcels of lan %&ic& s&e
in&erite from &er fat&er +'ar. III,( an +c, t&at it %as &er
esire t&at &er 'ro'erties s&oul not "e i$ie amon) &er
&eirs urin) &er &us"an3s lifetime an t&at t&eir le)itimes
s&oul "e satisfie out of t&e fruits of &er 'ro'erties +Par. IV,.
T&en( in 'ara)ra'& V of t&e %ill s&e state t&at after &er
&us"an3s eat& +&e %as ei)&t#Dt%o #ears ol in ->7/, &er
'ara'&ernal lans an all t&e conCu)al lans +%&ic& s&e
escri"e as 8m# 'ro'erties8, s&oul "e i$ie an
istri"ute in t&e manner set fort& in t&at 'art of &er %ill. S&e
e$ise an 'artitione t&e conCu)al lans as if t&e# %ere all
o%ne "# &er. S&e is'ose of in t&e %ill &er &us"an3s oneD
&alf s&are of t&e conCu)al assets. E
2eli* Balana#( Sr. an A$elina B. Antonio o''ose t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill on t&e )rouns of lac1 of testamentar#
ca'acit#( unue influence( preterition of the husband and
alleged improper partition of the con6ugal estate. T&e
o''ositors claime t&at 2eli* Balana#( Gr. s&oul collate
certain 'ro'erties %&ic& &e &a recei$e from t&e testatri*.
2eli* Balana#( Gr.( in &is re'l# to t&e o''osition( attac&e
t&ereto an affia$it of 2eli* Balana#( Sr. ate A'ril -9( ->7/
%&erein &e %it&re% &is o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill
an affirme t&at &e %as intereste in its 'ro"ate. On t&e
same ate 2eli* Balana#( Sr. si)ne an instrument ca'tione
80onformation +sic, of :i$ision an Renunciation of
#ereditary 9ights wherein he manifested that out of respect
for his wifeGs will he waived and renounced his hereditary
rights in her estate in favor of their six children. !n that same
instrument he confirmed the agreement, which he and his
wife had perfected before her death, that their con6ugal
properties would be partitioned in the manner indicated in
her will.
HontaOa in &is motion assaile t&e 'ro$ision of t&e %ill %&ic&
'artitione t&e conCu)al assets or alle)el# effecte a
com'romise of future le)itimes. Ae 'ra#e t&at t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill "e %it&ra%n an t&at t&e 'roceein) "e con$erte
into an intestate 'roceein). In anot&er motion of t&e same
ate &e as1e t&at t&e corres'onin) notice to creitors "e
issue.
"he basic issue is whether the probate court erred in passing
upon the intrinsic validity of the will, before ruling on its
allowance or formal validity, and in declaring it void.
Be are of t&e o'inion t&at in $ie% of certain unusual
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( %&ic& are of u"ious le)alit#( an
"ecause of t&e motion to %it&ra% t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate
+%&ic& t&e lo%er court assume to &a$e "een file %it& t&e
'etitioner3s aut&ori4ation,( t&e trial court acte correctl# in
'assin) u'on t&e %ill3s intrinsic $aliit# e$en "efore its formal
$aliit# &a "een esta"lis&e. "he probate of a will might
become an idle ceremony if on its face it appears to be
intrinsically void. Where practical considerations demand that
the intrinsic validity of the will be passed upon, even before it
is probated, the court should meet the issue +Nu)ui $s.
Nu)ui( ?4 O.G. -7.7( -7 S0RA 44>. 0om'are %it&
Sumilan) $s. Rama)osa( LD./-/7( :ecem"er .?( ->?7( .-
S0RA -/?>< 0ac&o $s. Ian( LD->>>?( A'ril /=( ->?7( -/
S0RA ?>/,.
But t&e 'ro"ate court erre in eclarin) in its orer of
2e"ruar# .9( ->74 t&at t&e %ill %as $oi an in con$ertin) t&e
testate 'roceein) into an intestate 'roceein)
not%it&stanin) t&e fact t&at in its orer of Gune -9( ->7/ it
)a$e effect to t&e sur$i$in) &us"an3s conformit# to t&e %ill
an to &is renunciation of &is &ereitar# ri)&ts %&ic&
'resuma"l# inclue &is oneD&alf s&are of t&e conCu)al
estate.
T&e rule is t&at 8t&e in$aliit# of one of se$eral is'ositions
containe in a %ill oes not result in t&e in$aliit# of t&e ot&er
is'ositions( unless it is to &e 'resume t&at t&e testator
%oul not &a$e mae suc& ot&er is'ositions if t&e first
in$ali is'osition &a not "een mae8 +Art. 7>.( 0i$il 0oe,.
8Where some of the provisions of a will are valid and others
invalid, the valid parts will be upheld if they can be separated
from the invalid without defeating the intention of the testator
or interfering with the general testamentary scheme, or doing
in6ustice to the beneficiaries ,)+ /.>.@. ;.30.
T&e statement of t&e testatri* t&at s&e o%ne t&e 8sout&ern
&alf8 of t&e conCu)al lans is contrar# to la% "ecause(
alt&ou)& s&e %as a coo%ner t&ereof( &er s&are %as inc&oate
an 'roini$iso +Art. -4/( 0i$il 0oe< Hari)al an Paterno
$s. Raffert# an 0once'cion( /9 P&il. 4-4,. But t&at ille)al
eclaration oes not nullif# t&e entire %ill. It ma# "e
isre)are.
T&e 'ro$ision of t&e %ill t&at t&e 'ro'erties of t&e testatri*
s&oul not "e i$ie amon) &er &eirs urin) &er &us"an3s
lifetime "ut s&oul "e 1e't intact an t&at t&e le)itimes
s&oul "e 'ai in cas& is contrar# to article -=9= of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& reas;
8ART. -=9=. S&oul a 'erson ma1e a
'artition of &is estate "# an act inter $i$os(
or "# %ill( suc& 'artition s&all "e res'ecte(
insofar as it oes not 'reCuice t&e le)itime
of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs.
8A 'arent %&o( in t&e interest of &is or &er
famil#( esires to 1ee' an# a)ricultural(
inustrial( or manufacturin) enter'rise
intact( ma# a$ail &imself of t&e ri)&t
)rante &im in t&is article( "# orerin) t&at
t&e le)itime of t&e ot&er c&ilren to %&om
- jann - 84
t&e 'ro'ert# is not assi)ne( "e 'ai in
cas&. +-=7?a,8
"he testatrix in her will made a partition of the entire con6ugal
estate among her six children ,her husband had renounced
his hereditary rights and his one:half con6ugal share0. @he
did not assign the whole estate to one or more children as
envisaged in article (=;=. #ence, she had no right to require
that the legitimes be paid in cash. On the other hand, her
estate may remain undivided only for a period of twenty
years. @o, the provision that the estate should not be divided
during her husbandGs lifetime would at most be effective only
for twenty years from the date of her death unless there are
compelling reasons for terminating the coownership +Art.
-=9/( 0i$il 0oe,.
Su"Cect to t&e fore)oin) o"ser$ations an t&e rules on
collation( t&e %ill is intrinsicall# $ali an t&e 'artition t&erein
ma# "e )i$en effect if it oes not 'reCuice t&e creitors an
im'air t&e le)itimes. T&e istri"ution an 'artition %oul
"ecome effecti$e u'on t&e eat& of 2eli* Balana#( Sr. In t&e
meantime( t&e net income s&oul "e e!uita"l# i$ie amon)
t&e c&ilren an t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse.
!t should be stressed that by reason of the surviving
husbandGs conformity to his wifeGs will and his renunciation of
his hereditary rights, his one:half con6ugal share be a part of
his deceased wifeGs estate. #is conformity had the effect of
validating the partition made in paragraph V of the will
without pre6udice, of course, to the rights of the creditors and
the legitimes of the compulsory heirs.
Article 7>/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies t&at 8'ro'ert# ac!uire
after t&e ma1in) of a %ill s&all onl# 'ass t&ere"#( as if t&e
testator &a 'ossesse it at t&e time of ma1in) t&e %ill(
s&oul it e*'ressl# a''ear "# t&e %ill t&at suc& %as &is
intention8. Iner article >/= of t&e 0i$il 0oe 8t&e le)ac# or
e$ise of a t&in) "elon)in) to anot&er 'erson is $oi( if t&e
testator erroneousl# "elie$e t&at t&e t&in) 'ertaine to &im.
But if t&e t&in) "e!ueat&e( t&ou)& not "elon)in) to t&e
testator %&en &e mae t&e %ill( after%ars "ecomes &is( "#
%&ate$er title( t&e is'osition s&all ta1e effect.8
!n the instant case there is no doubt that the testatrix and her
husband intended to partition the con6ugal estate in the
manner set forth in paragraph V of her will. !t is true that she
could dispose of by will only her half of the con6ugal estate
,%rt. (.=, /ivil /ode0 but since the husband, after the
dissolution of the con6ugal partnership, had assented to her
testamentary partition of the con6ugal estate, such partition
has become valid, assuming that the will may be probated.
T&e instant case is ifferent from t&e Nu)ui case( su'ra(
%&ere t&e testatri* institute as &eir &er sister an 'reterite
&er 'arents. Aer %ill %as intrinsicall# $oi "ecause it
'reterite &er com'ulsor# &eirs in t&e irect line. Article 974
of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies t&at 8t&e 'reterition or omission of
one( some( or all of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs in t&e irect line(
%&et&er li$in) at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill or "orn
after t&e eat& of t&e testator( s&all annul t&e institution of
&eir< "ut t&e e$ises an le)acies s&all "e $ali insofar as
t&e# are not inofficious.8 @ince the preterition of the parents
annulled the institution of the sister of the testatrix and there
were no legacies and devises, total intestacy resulted +Art.
>?=M.N( 0i$il 0oe,.
!n the instant case, the preterited heir was the surviving
spouse. #is preterition did not produce intestacy. &oreover,
he signified his conformity to his wifeGs will and renounced his
hereditary rights.
It results t&at t&e lo%er court erre in not 'roceein) %it& t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill as contem'late in its uncancelle orer of
Gune -9( ->7-/. Sa$e in an e*treme case %&ere t&e %ill on
its face is intrinsicall# $oi( it is t&e 'ro"ate court3s ut# to
'ass first u'on t&e formal $aliit# of t&e %ill. Generall#( t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill is manator# +Art. 9/9( 0i$il 0oe<
Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47> an >9 P&il. .4><
2ernane4 $s. :ima)i"a( LD./?/9( Octo"er -.( ->?7( .-
S0RA 4.9,.
To )i$e effect to t&e intention an %is&es of t&e testatri* is t&e
first an 'rinci'al la% in t&e matter of testaments +:i4onD
Ri$era $s. :i4on( LD.47?-( Gune /=( ->7=( // S0RA 774(
7?-,. "estacy is preferable to intestacy. %n interpretation that
will render a testamentary disposition operative ta$es
precedence over a construction that will nullify a provision of
the will ,%rts. .;; and .)(, /ivil /ode0.
Testac# is fa$ore. :ou"ts are resol$e in fa$or of testac#
es'eciall# %&ere t&e %ill e$inces an intention on t&e 'art of
t&e testator to is'ose of 'racticall# &is %&ole estate. So
com'ellin) is t&e 'rinci'le t&at intestac# s&oul "e a$oie
an t&at t&e %is&es of t&e testator s&oul 're$ail t&at
sometimes t&e lan)ua)e of t&e %ill can "e $arie for t&e
'ur'ose of )i$in) it effect +Austria $s. Re#es( LD./=7>(
2e"ruar# .7( ->7=( /- S0RA 774( 7?.,.
As far as is le)all# 'ossi"le( t&e e*'resse esire of t&e
testator must "e follo%e an t&e is'ositions of t&e
'ro'erties in &is %ill s&oul "e u'&el +Estor!ue $s.
Estor!ue( LD->77/( Gune /=( ->7=( // S0RA 74=( 74?,.
"he law has a tender regard for the wishes of the testator as
expressed in his will because any disposition therein is better
than that which the law can ma$e +0astro $s. Bustos( LD
.7>-/( 2e"ruar# .9( ->?>( .7 S0RA /.7( /4-,.
Solano !s. CA
On Gul# 7( ->?>( Bien$enio Garcia an Emeteria Garcia
+GAR0IAS,( claimin) to "e ille)itimate c&ilren of :r. Heliton
SOLANO( file an action for reco)nition a)ainst &im. In &is
Ans%er( SOLANO enie 'aternit#. On 2e"ruar# /( ->7=(
urin) t&e 'enenc# of t&e suit( SOLANO ie. Petitioner
TONIA Ana Solano %as orere su"stitute for t&e
:E0E:ENT as t&e onl# sur$i$in) &eir mentione in &is Last
Bill an Testament 'ro"ate on Harc& -=( ->?>( or 'rior to
&is eat&( in S'ecial Proceein)s No. 94. of t&e same 0ourt.
TONIA entere &er formal a''earance as a 8su"stitute
efenant8 on Harc& 4( ->7= claimin) aitionall# t&at s&e
%as t&e sole &eir of &er fat&er( SOLANO( an as1in) t&at s&e
"e allo%e to assume &er uties as e*ecutri* of t&e 'ro"ate
Bill %it& t&e least interference from t&e GAR0IAS %&o %ere
8mere 'reteners to "e ille)itimate c&ilren of SOLANO8.
In t&e &earin) of Ha# -/( ->7=( t&e Trial 0ourt s'ecifie t&e
le)al issues to "e treate in t&e 'arties@ res'ecti$e
Hemorana as; -, t&e !uestion of reco)nition of t&e
GAR0IAS< ., t&e correct status of TONIA( an /, t&e
&ereitar# s&are of eac& of t&em in $ie% of t&e 'ro"ate Bill.
.
A''eale to t&e 0ourt of A''eals "# TONIA( sai 0ourt
affirme t&e Cu)ment in toto +0ADG.R. No. 4>=-9,.
TONIA see1s a re$ersal of t&at affirmance in t&is 'etition(
%&ic& %as )i$en ue course.
- jann - 85
At t&e outset( %e s&oul state t&at %e are "oun "# t&e
finin)s of fact of "ot& t&e "rial /ourt and the %ppellate
/ourt, particularly, the finding that the B%9/!%@ and HO<!%
are, in fact, illegitimate children of the DA/ADA<". T&e oral
testimon# an t&e ocumentar# e$ience of recor ine$ita"l#
'oint to t&at conclusion( as ma# "e )leane from t&e
follo%in) "ac1)roun facts; SOLANO( a resient of Ta"aco(
Al"a#( marrie Pilar Riosa. T&e latter ie. On a %orl tour &e
met a 2renc& %oman( Lill# Goran( %&o "ecame &is secon
%ife in ->.9. T&e union %as s&ortDli$e as s&e left &im in
->.>. In t&e earl# 'art of ->/=( SOLANO starte &a$in)
amorous relations %it& Guana Garcia( out of %&ic& affair %as
"orn Bien$enio Garcia on Harc& .4( ->/- +E*&i"its 8A8 U
8/8,< an on No$em"er /( ->/7( Emeteria Garcia %as "orn
+E*&i"its 8B8 U 8.8,. T&eir "irt& certificates an "a'tismal
certificates mention onl# t&e mot&er@s name %it&out t&e
fat&er@s name. T&e facts esta"lis&( &o%e$er( t&at SOLANO
urin) &is lifetime reco)ni4e t&e GAR0IAS as &is c&ilren
"# acts of su''ort an 'ro$isions for t&eir eucation.
In ->/7( SOLANO starte li$in) %it& Trinia Tua)non. T&ree
c&ilren %ere "orn out of t&is relation "ut onl# 'etitioner
TONIA Ana Tua)non( "orn on Gul# .?( ->4-( is li$in). In &er
Birt& 0ertificate( &er status %as liste as 8ille)itimate8< &er
mot&er as Trinia Tua)non< &er fat&er as 8P.N.0.8 +E*&i"it
8V8,( or 8'are no conocio8.
:irectl# c&allen)e is t&e Curisiction of t&e lo%er 0ourt( in an
action for reco)nition; -, to eclare TONIA as an ille)itimate
c&il of SOLANO< ., to orer t&e i$ision of t&e estate in t&e
same action es'ite t&e 'enenc# of S'ecial Proceein)s
No. 94.< an /, to eclare null an $oi t&e institution of &eir
in t&e Last Bill an Testament of SOLANO( %&ic& %as ul#
'ro"ate in t&e same S'ecial Proceein)s No. 94.( an
concluin) t&at total intestac# resulte.
TONIA aitionall# assails t&e Curisiction of t&e Trial 0ourt in
eclarin) null an $oi t&e institution of &eir in SOLANO@s
%ill< in concluin) t&at total intestac# resulte t&erefrom< an
istri"utin) t&e s&ares of t&e 'arties in SOLANO@s estate
%&en sai estate %as uner t&e Curisiction an control of t&e
Pro"ate 0ourt in S'ecial Proceein)s No. 94..
Normall#( t&is %oul "e t&e )eneral rule. Ao%e$er( a 'eculiar
situation is t&rust u'on us &ere. It s&oul "e recalle t&at
SOLANO &imself institute t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate of t&e Bill
urin) &is lifetime( T&at 'roceein) %as not one to settle t&e
estate of a ecease 'erson t&at %oul "e eeme
terminate onl# u'on t&e final istri"ution of t&e resiue of
t&e &ereitar# estate. Bit& t&e Bill allo%e to 'ro"ate( t&e
case %oul &a$e terminate e*ce't t&at it a''ears t&at t&e
'arties( after SOLANO@s eat&( continue to file 'leain)s
t&erein Seconl#( u'on motion of t&e GAR0IAS( an o$er t&e
o"Cection of TONIA( t&e Trial 0ourt orere t&e im'leain) of
t&e estate of SOLANO an 'roceee on t&at "asis. In effect(
t&erefore( t&e t%o cases %ere consoliate. T&e recors
furt&er isclose t&at t&e action for reco)nition +0i$il 0ase No.
/>7?, an S'ec. Procs. No. 94. %ere 'enin) "efore t&e
same Branc& of t&e 0ourt an "efore t&e same Presiin)
Gu)e. T&irl#( it is settle t&at t&e allo%ance of a Bill is
conclusi$e onl# as to its ue e*ecution. 7 A 'ro"ate ecree
is not concerne %it& t&e intrinsic $aliit# or le)alit# of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e Bill. ?
T&us( t&e Trial 0ourt an t&e A''ellate 0ourt &a Curisiction
to conclue t&at( u'on t&e facts( t&e GAR0IAS an TONIA
%ere in t&e same cate)or# as ille)itimate c&ilren< t&at
TONIA@s ac1no%le)ment as a 8natural c&il8 in a notarial
ocument e*ecute "# SOLANO an Trinia Tua)non on
:ecem"er ..( ->4/ %as erroneous "ecause at t&e time of
&er "irt& in ->4-( SOLANO %as still marrie to Lill# Goran(
&is i$orce &a$in) "een o"taine onl# in ->4/( an(
t&erefore( did not have the legal capacity to contract
marriage at the time of HO<!%'s conception, . that being
compulsory heirs, the B%9/!%@ were, in fact, preterited from
@O?%<O's ?ast Will and "estament7 and that as a result of
said preterition, the institution of HO<!% as sole heir by
@O?%<O is null and void pursuant to %rticle ;+* of the /ivil
/ode.
As 'ro$ie in t&e fore)oin) 'ro$ision( t&e is'osition in t&e
Bill )i$in) t&e usufruct in fa$or of Trinia Tua)non o$er t&e
fi$e 'arcels of lan in Banta#an( Ta"aco( Al"a#( is a le)ac#(
reco)ni4e in Article 7?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe( > an s&oul "e
res'ecte in so far as it is not inofficious. -=
@ince the legitime of illegitimate children consists of one:half
,(C20 of the hereditary estate, (3 the B%9/!%@ and HO<!%
each have a right to participation therein in the proportion of
one:third ,(C30 each. HO<!%'s hereditary share will, therefore,
be (C2 I ,(C3 of (C20 or *C- of the estate, while the B%9/!%@
will respectively be entitled to (C3 of (C2 or (C- of the value of
the estate.
T&e case of Nu)ui $s. Nu)ui( et al.( -4 reiteratin) t&e
rulin) in Neri( et al. $s. A1utin( et al.( -7 which held that
where the institution of a universal heir is null and void due to
preterition, the Will is a complete nullity and intestate
succession ensues, is not applicable herein because in the
<uguid case, only a one:sentence Will was involved with no
other provision except the institution of the sole and universal
heir7 there was no specification of individual property7 there
were no specific legacies or bequests. It %as u'on t&at
factual settin) t&at t&is 0ourt eclare;
Acain !s. CA
On Ha# .>( ->94 'etitioner 0onstantino Acain file in t&e
Re)ional Trial 0ourt of 0e"u 0it# Branc& WIII( a 'etition for
t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill of t&e late Nemesio Acain an for t&e
issuance to t&e same 'etitioner of letters testamentar#(
oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein)s No. 7>-DAD0EB +Rollo( '.
.>,( on t&e 'remise t&at Nemesio Acain ie lea$in) a %ill in
%&ic& 'etitioner an &is "rot&ers Antonio( 2lores an Gose
an &is sisters Anita( 0once'cion( Luirina an Laura %ere
institute as &eirs. "he will allegedly executed by <emesio
%cain on 4ebruary (., ()-= was written in 5isaya ,9ollo, p.
2.0 with a translation in Anglish ,9ollo, p. 3(0 submitted by
petitioner without ob6ection raised by private respondents.
"he will contained provisions on burial rites, payment of
debts, and the appointment of a certain %tty. !gnacio B.
Villagon1alo as the executor of the testament.
O"$iousl#( Se)uno 'reDecease Nemesio. T&us( it is t&e
c&ilren of Se)uno %&o are claimin) to "e &eirs( %it&
0onstantino as t&e 'etitioner in S'ecial Proceein)s No.
7>-DAD0EB. After t&e 'etition %as set for &earin) in t&e
lo%er court on Gune .7( ->94 t&e o''ositors /respondents
herein 5irginia A. $ernande&, a legally adopted da"ghter
of the deceased and the latterIs %ido% -osa Diongson
5da. de Acain0 filed a #otion to dis#iss on the follo%ing
gro"nds: /(0 the petitioner &as no le)al ca'acit# to institute
t&ese 'roceein)s< +., &e is merel# a uni$ersal &eir an +/,
- jann - 86
t&e %io% an t&e ao'te au)&ter &a$e "een 'reterite.
+Rollo( '. -79,. Sai motion %as enie "# t&e trial Cu)e.
"he pivotal issue in this case is whether or not private
respondents have been preterited.
Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies;
8Art. 974. T&e 'reterition or omission of one(
some( or all of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs in t&e irect
line( %&et&er li$in) at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of
t&e %ill or "orn after t&e eat& of t&e testator( s&all
annul t&e institution of &eir< "ut t&e e$isees an
le)acies s&all "e $ali insofar as t&e# are not
inofficious.
If t&e omitte com'ulsor# &eirs s&oul ie "efore
t&e testator( t&e institution s&all "e effectual( %it&out
'reCuice to t&e ri)&t of re'resentation.8
8reterition consists in the omission in the testator's will of the
forced heirs or anyone of them either because they are not
mentioned therein, or, though mentioned, they are neither
instituted as heirs nor are expressly disinherited +Nu)ui $.
Nu)ui( -7 S0RA 47= M->??N< Haninan) $. 0ourt of A''eals(
--4 S0RA 479 M->9.N,. Insofar as t&e %io% is concerne(
Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe ma# not a''l# as s&e oes not
ascen or escen from t&e testator( alt&ou)& s&e is a
com'ulsor# &eir. State ot&er%ise( e$en if t&e sur$i$in)
s'ouse is a com'ulsor# &eir( t&ere is no 'reterition e$en if
s&e is omitte from t&e in&eritance( for s&e is not in t&e irect
line. +Art. 974( 0i$il 0oe, #owever, the same thing cannot
be said of the other respondent Virginia %. 4ernande1, whose
legal adoption by the testator has not been questioned by
petitioner ,&emorandum for the 8etitioner, pp. ;:)0. 'nder
%rticle 3) of 8.D. <o. -=3, $nown as the /hild and Jouth
Welfare /ode, adoption gives to the adopted person the
same rights and duties as if he were a legitimate child of the
adopter and ma$es the adopted person a legal heir of the
adopter. !t cannot be denied that she was totally omitted and
preterited in the will of the testator and that both adopted
child and the widow were deprived of at least their legitime.
<either can it be denied that they were not expressly
disinherited. #ence, this is a clear case of preterition of the
legally adopted child.
Preterition annuls t&e institution of an &eir an annulment
t&ro%s o'en to intestate succession t&e entire in&eritance
incluin) 8la 'orcion li"re +!ue, no &u"iese is'uesto en
$irtual e le)ao( meCora o onacion8 +Hanresa( as cite in
Nu)ui $. Nu)ui( su'ra( Haninan) $. 0ourt of A''eals( --4
S0RA M->9.-,. "he only provisions which do not result in
intestacy are the legacies and devises made in the will for
they should stand valid and respected, except insofar as the
legitimes are concerned.
"he universal institution of petitioner together with his
brothers and sisters to the entire inheritance of the testator
results in totally abrogating the will because the nullification
of such institution of universal heirs : without any other
testamentary disposition in the will : amounts to a declaration
that nothing at all was written. 0arefull# %ore an in clear
terms( Article 974 of t&e 0i$il 0oe offers no lee%a# for
inferential inter'retation +Nu)ui $. Nu)ui,( su'ra. No
le)acies nor e$ises &a$in) "een 'ro$ie in t&e %ill t&e
%&ole 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease &as "een left "# uni$ersal
title to 'etitioner an &is "rot&ers an sisters. T&e effect of
annullin) t&e institution of &eirs %ill "e( necessaril#( t&e
o'enin) of a total intestac# +Neri $. A1utin( 74 P&il. -97
M->4/N, e*ce't t&at 'ro'er le)acies an e$ises must( as
alrea# state a"o$e( "e res'ecte.
2or 'ri$ate res'onents to &a$e tolerate t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
%ill an allo%e t&e case to 'ro)ress %&en on its face t&e %ill
a''ears to "e intrinsicall# $oi as 'etitioner an &is "rot&ers
an sisters %ere institute as uni$ersal &eirs cou'le %it& t&e
o"$ious fact t&at one of t&e 'ri$ate res'onents &a "een
'reterite %oul &a$e "een an e*ercise in futilit#. It %oul
&a$e meant a %aste of time( effort( e*'ense( 'lus ae
futilit#. T&e trial court coul &a$e enie its 'ro"ate outri)&t
or coul &a$e 'asse u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e
testamentar# 'ro$isions "efore t&e e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e %ill
%as resol$e +0a#etano $. Leonias( su'ra< Nu)ui $.
Nu)ui( su'ra,. T&e remeies of certiorari an 'ro&i"ition
%ere 'ro'erl# a$aile of "# 'ri$ate res'onents.
T&us( t&is 0ourt rule t&at %&ere t&e )rouns for ismissal
are inu"ita"le( t&e efenants &a t&e ri)&t to resort to t&e
more s'ee#( an ae!uate remeies of certiorari an
'ro&i"ition to correct a )ra$e a"use of iscretion( amountin)
to lac1 of Curisiction( committe "# t&e trial court in not
ismissin) t&e case( +Va. e Bacan) $. 0ourt of A''eals(
su'ra, an e$en assumin) t&e e*istence of t&e reme# of
a''eal( t&e 0ourt &ar1ens to t&e rule t&at in t&e "roaer
interests of Custice( a 'etition for certiorari ma# "e
entertaine( 'articularl# %&ere a''eal %oul not affor
s'ee# an ae!uate relief. +Haninan) $. 0ourt of A''eals(
su'ra,.
PREHISES 0ONSI:ERE:( t&e 'etition is &ere"# :ENIE:
for lac1 of merit an t&e !uestione ecision of res'onent
0ourt of A''eals 'romul)ate on Au)ust /=( ->97 an its
Resolution ate Octo"er ./( ->97 are &ere"# A22IRHE:.
GII. -ESE-5A T-ONCAL
Art. #9-. "he ascendant who inherits from his
descendant any property which the latter may have
acquired by !ratuitous title from another ascendant,
or a brother or sister, is obli!ed to reserve such
property as he may have acquired by operation of
law for the benefit of relatives who are within the
third de!ree and who belon! to the line from which
said property came. (#7-)
A number of 3eservas and 3eversions where allowed under
the old civil code but they were eliminated under the new
civil code leavin only the 3eserva Troncal. The elimination
was in line with one of the principal ob0ectives of the new civil
code in the law of succession( namely& to prevent the estate
from bein entailed.
The followin are some of the reasons for its abolition:
4. creates uncertainty in the pwnership of property& because
of the suspended ownership the reservista has no enthusiasm
to preserve or improve the property
5. confinement of property wFin a certain family for
enerations incompatible with the principle of sociali-ation of
ownership
- jann - 87
6. reserve is limited to the leitimate members of the family&
and the father or mother of a natural child who inherits
property from this child& and who in turn ac!uired it from
snother proenitor ac!uires absolute dominion of the
property wFo reservation.
4. in reserve viudal& the survivin spouse is oblied to resrve
properties left by deceased spouse to his if she remarries& but
the concubine is not oblied& thus& ivin ptotection to
illeitimate relation.
?urpose of 3eserva troncal
a. 3esrve certain property in favor of certain relatives.
b. maintain as is possible& with respect to the property to
which it refers& a separation between the paternal and
maternal lines& so that property of one line may not pass to
the other& or throuh them to straners.
:ature of 3eserva
't creates a double resolutory condition to which the riht of
ownership of the person oblied to reserve is sub0ected. The
resolutory condition& are first& the death of the ascendant
oblied to reserve& and& second& the survivial at that moment
of the relatives within the tird deree belonin to the line
from which the property came.
:o reserve will e%ist in favor of illeitimate relatives& because
the law has not used !ualifyin terms natural or illeitimate
with respect to the descendant or ascendant or relatives it is
to be presumed to refer only to leitimate ones.
3elatives within the third deree:
4
st
deree
4. father or mother only when no descendants&
5
nd
deree
5. randparents of the line where thw property came&
brothers of full blood or half>blood
6
rd
deree
6. reat ;?& uncles by consanuinity full or half>blood& and
nephews and nieces of full or half blood.
1:. Sienes !s. Esparcia
A''ellants commence t&is action "elo% to secure Cu)ments
+-, eclarin) null an $oi t&e sale e*ecute "# Paulina an
0i'riana Jaeso in fa$or of a''ellees( t&e s'ouses 2iel
Es'arcia an Paulina Sienes< +., orerin) t&e Es'arcia
s'ouses to recon$e# to a''ellants Lot //?9 of t&e 0aastral
Sur$e# of A#u!uitan +no% Amlan,( Oriental Ne)ros< an +/,
orerin) all t&e a''ellees to 'a#( Cointl# an se$erall#( to
a''ellants t&e sum of P7==.== as ama)es( 'lus t&e costs of
suit. In t&eir ans%er a''ellees isclaime an# 1no%le)e or
information re)arin) t&e sale alle)el# mae on A'ril .=(
->7- "# Anrea Gutan) in fa$or of a''ellants an alle)e
t&at if suc& sale %as mae( t&e same %as $oi on t&e )roun
t&at Anrea Gutan) &a no ri)&t to is'ose of t&e 'ro'ert#
su"Cect matter t&ereof. T&e# furt&er alle)e t&at sai 'ro'ert#
&a ne$er "een in 'ossession of a''ellants( t&e trut& "ein)
t&at a''ellees( as o%ners( &a "een in continuous
'ossession t&ereof since t&e eat& of 2rancisco Jaeso. B#
%a# of affirmati$e efense an counterclaim( t&e# furt&er
alle)e t&at on Gul# /=( ->7-( Paulina an 0i'riana Jaeso(
as t&e onl# sur$i$in) &eirs of 2rancisco Jaeso( e*ecute a
'u"lic instrument of sale in fa$or of t&e s'ouses 2iel
Es'arcia an Paulina Sienes( t&e sai sale &a$in) "een
re)istere to)et&er %it& an affia$it of aCuication e*ecute
"# Paulina an 0i'riana on Gul# -9( ->7-( as sole sur$i$in)
&eirs of t&e aforesai ecease< t&at since t&en t&e
Es'arcias &a "een in 'ossession of t&e 'ro'ert# as o%ners.
4rom the above decision the @ienes spouses interposed the
present appeal, their principal contentions being, firstly, that
the lower court erred in holding that ?ot 33-; of the
/adastral @urvey of %yuquitan was a reservable property7
secondly, in annuling the sale of said lot executed by %ndrea
Butang in their favor7 and lastly, in holding that /ipriana
Jaeso, as reservee, was entitled to inherit said land.
As &el "# t&e trial court( it is clear u'on t&e facts alrea#
state( t&at t&e lan in !uestion %as reser$a"le 'ro'ert#.
4rancisco Jaeso inherited it by operation of law from his
father @aturnino, and upon 4rancisco's death, unmarried and
%it&out escenants( it %as in&erite( in turn( "# &is mot&er(
Anrea Gutan). "he latter was, therefore, under obligation to
reserve it for the benefit of relatives within the third degree
belonging to the line from which said property came, if any
survived her. T&e recor iscloses in t&is connection t&at
Anrea Gutan) ie on :ecem"er -/( ->7-( t&e lone
reser$ee sur$i$in) &er "ein) 0i'riana Jaeso %&o ie onl#
on Ganuar# -/( ->7. +E*&. -=,.
In connection %it& reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( t&e %ei)&t of o'inion
is t&at t&e reser$a creates t%o resolutor# conitions( namel#(
+-, t&e eat& of t&e ascenant o"li)e to reser$e an +., t&e
sur$i$al( at t&e time of &is eat&( of relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir
e)ree "elon)in) to t&e line from %&ic& t&e 'ro'ert# came +?
Hanresa .?9D.?>< ? Sanc&e4 Roman ->/4,. T&e 0ourt &as
&el in connection %it& t&is matter t&at t&e reser$ista &as t&e
le)al title an ominion to t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# "ut su"Cect
to a resolutor# conition< t&at &e is li1e a life usufructuar# of
t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#< t&at &e ma# alienate t&e same "ut
su"Cect to reser$ation( sai alienation transmittin) onl# t&e
re$oca"le an conitional o%ners&i' of t&e reser$ista( t&e
ri)&ts ac!uire "# t&e transferee "ein) re$o1e or resol$e
"# t&e sur$i$al of reser$atorios at t&e time of eat& of t&e
reser$ista +Eroso $s. Sa"lan( .7 P&il.( .>7< Lunso $s.
Orte)a( 4? P&il.( ??4< 2lorentino $s. 2lorentino( 4= P&il.( 49=<
an :irector of Lans $s. A)uas( ?/ P&il.( .7>,.
"he sale made by %ndrea Butang in favor of appellees was,
therefore, sub6ect to the condition that the vendees would
definitely acquire ownership, by virtue of the alienation, only
if the vendor died without being survived by any person
entitled to the reservable property. !nasmuch as when
%ndrea Butang died, /ipriano Jaeso was still alive, the
conclusion becomes inescapable that the previous sale
made by the former in favor of appellants became of no legal
effect and the reservable property sub6ect matter thereof
passed in exclusive ownership to /ipriana.
- jann - 88
On the other hand, it is also clear that the sale executed by
the sisters 8aulina and /ipriana Jaesco in favor of the
spouse 4idel Asparcia and 8aulina @ienes was sub6ect to a
similar resolutory condition. T&e reser$e institute "# la% in
fa$or of t&e &eirs %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree "elon)in) to t&e line
from %&ic& t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came( constitutes a real
ri)&t %&ic& t&e reser$ee ma# alienate an is'ose of( al"eit
conitionall#( t&e conition "ein) t&at t&e alienation s&all
transfer o%ners&i' to t&e $enee onl# if an %&en t&e
reser$ee sur$i$es t&e 'erson o"li)e to reser$e. In t&e
'resent case( 0i'riana Jaeso( one of t&e reser$ees( %as still
ali$e %&en Anrea Gutan)( t&e 'erson o"li)e to reser$e(
ie. T&us t&e former "ecame t&e a"solute o%ner of t&e
reser$a"le 'ro'ert# u'on Anrea@s eat&. B&ile it ma# "e
true t&at t&e sale mae "# &er an &er sister 'rior to t&is
e$ent( "ecame effecti$e "ecause of t&e occurrence of t&e
resolutor# conition( we are not now in a position to reverse
the appealed decision, in so far as it orders the reversion of
the property in question to the Astate of /ipriana Jaeso,
because the vendees F the Asparcia spouses F did not
appeal therefrom.
BAERE2ORE( t&e a''eale ecision S as a"o$e moifie
S is affirme( %it& costs( an %it&out 'reCuice to %&ate$er
action in e!uit# t&e Es'arcia s'ouses ma# &a$e a)ainst t&e
Estate of 0i'riana Jaeso for t&e recon$e#ance of t&e
'ro'ert# in !uestion.
$lorentino !s. $lorentino
T&at A'olonio Isa"elo 2lorentino II marrie t&e first time
Antonia 2a4 e Leon< t&at urin) t&e marria)e &e "e)ot nine
c&ilren calle Gose( Guan( Haria( Encarnacion( Isa"el(
Es'irita( Ga"riel( Pero( an Ha)alena of t&e surname
2lorentino # e Leon< t&at on "ecomin) a %io%er &e marrie
t&e secon time Se$erina 2a4 e Leon %it& %&om &e &a
t%o c&ilren( Hercees an A'olonio III of t&e surname
2lorentino # e Leon< t&at A'olonio Isa"elo 2lorentino II ie
on 2e"ruar# -/( -9>=< t&at &e %as sur$i$e "# &is secon
%ife Se$erina 2a4 e Leon an t&e ten c&ilren first a"o$e
mentione< t&at &is ele$ent& son( A'olonio III( %as "orn on
t&e follo%in) 4t& of Harc& -9>=.
T&at on Ganuar# -7 an 2e"ruar# -/( -9>=( A'olonio Isa"elo
2lorentino e*ecute a %ill "efore t&e notar# 'u"lic of Ilocos
Sur( institutin) as &is uni$ersal &eirs &is aforementione ten
c&ilren( t&e 'ost&umos A'oIonio III an &is %io% Se$erina
2a4 e Leon< t&at &e eclare( in one of t&e 'ara)ra'&s of
sai %ill( all &is 'ro'ert# s&oul "e i$ie amon) all of &is
c&ilren of "ot& marria)es.
T&at A'olonio 2lorentino III( t&e 'ost&umos son of t&e
secon marria)e( ie in -9>-< t&at &is mot&er( Se$erina 2a4
e Leon( succeee to all &is 'ro'ert# escri"e in t&e
com'laint< t&at t&e %io%( Se$erina 2a4 e Leon ie on
No$em"er -9( ->=9( lea$in) a %ill institutin) as &er uni$ersal
&eiress &er onl# li$in) au)&ter( Hercees 2lorentino< t&at(
as suc& &eir( sai au)&ter too1 'ossession of all t&e
'ro'ert# left at t&e eat& of &er mot&er( Se$erina 2a4 e
Leon< t&at amon) same is inclue t&e 'ro'ert#( escri"e in
t&e com'laint( %&ic& t&e sai Se$erina 2a4 e Leon in&erite
from &er ecease son( t&e 'ost&umos A'olonio( as
reser$a"le 'ro'ert#< t&at( as a reser$ist( t&e &eir of t&e sai
Hercees 2lorentino ecease &a "een )at&erin) for
&erself alone t&e fruits of lans escri"e in t&e com'laint<
t&at eac& an e$er# one of t&e 'arties mentione in sai
com'laint is entitle to oneDse$ent& of t&e fruits of t&e
reser$a"le 'ro'ert# escri"e t&erein( eit&er "# irect
'artici'ation or "# re'resentation( in t&e manner mentione
in 'ara)ra'& > of t&e com'laint.
In orer to ecie %&et&er t&e 'laintiffs are or are not entitle
to in$o1e( in t&eir fa$or( t&e 'ro$isions of article 9-- of t&e
0i$il 0oe( an %&et&er t&e same article is a''lica"le to t&e
!uestion of la% 'resente in t&is suit( it is necessar# to
etermine %&et&er t&e 'ro'ert# enumerate in 'ara)ra'& 7
of t&e com'laint is of t&e nature of reser$a"le 'ro'ert#< an(
if so( %&et&er in accorance %it& t&e 'ro$ision of t&e 0i$il
0oe in article 9--( Se$erina 2a4 e Leon +t&e %io% of t&e
ecease A'olonio Isa"elo 2lorentino, %&o in&erite sai
'ro'ert# from &er son A'olonio 2lorentino III +"orn after t&e
eat& of &is fat&er A'olonio Isa"elo, &a t&e o"li)ation to
'reser$e an reser$e same for t&e relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir
e)ree( of &er aforementione ecease son A'olonio III.
T&e 'ost&umos son( A'olonio 2lorentino III( ac!uire t&e
'ro'ert#( no% claime "# &is "rot&ers( "# a lucrati$e title or
"# in&eritance from &is aforementione le)itimate fat&er(
A'olonio Isa"elo 2lorentino II. Alt&ou)& sai 'ro'ert# %as
in&erite "# &is mot&er( Se$erina 2a4 e Leon( ne$ert&eless(
s&e %as in ut# "oun( accorin) to article 9-- of t&e 0i$il
0oe( to reser$e t&e 'ro'ert# t&us ac!uire for t&e "enefit of
t&e relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( of t&e line from %&ic&
suc& 'ro'ert# came.
Accorin) to t&e 'ro$isions of la%( ascenants o not in&erit
t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( "ut its enCo#ment( use or trust(
merel# for t&e reason t&at sai la% im'oses t&e o"li)ation to
reser$e an 'reser$e same for certain esi)nate 'ersons
%&o( on t&e eat& of t&e sai ascenantsDreser$ists( +ta1in)
into consieration t&e nature of t&e line from %&ic& suc&
'ro'ert# came, ac!uire t&e o%ners&i' of sai 'ro'ert# in fact
an "# o'eration of la% in t&e same manner as force &eirs
+"ecause t&e# are also suc&, sai 'ro'ert# re$erts to sai
line as lon) as t&e aforementione 'ersons %&o( from t&e
eat& of t&e ascenantreser$ists( ac!uire in fact t&e ri)&t of
reser$atarios +'ersons for %&om 'ro'ert# is reser$e,( an
are relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( of t&e escenant from
%&om t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came.
An# ascenant %&o in&erits from &is escenant an#
'ro'ert#( %&ile t&ere are li$in)( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree(
relati$es of t&e latter( is not&in) "ut a life usufructuar# or a
fiuciar# of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# recei$e. Ae is( &o%e$er(
t&e le)itimate o%ner of &is o%n 'ro'ert# %&ic& is not
reser$a"le( 'ro'ert# an %&ic& constitutes &is le)itime(
accorin) to article 9=> of t&e 0i$il 0oe. But if( after%ars(
all of t&e relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( of t&e escenant
+from %&om came t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#, ie or isa''ear(
t&e sai 'ro'ert# "ecomes free 'ro'ert#( "# o'eration of la%(
an is t&ere"# con$erte into t&e le)itime of t&e ascenant
&eir %&o can transmit it at &is eat& to &is le)itimate
successors or testamentar# &eirs. T&is 'ro'ert# &as no% lost
its nature of reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( 'ertainin) t&ereto at t&e
eat& of t&e relati$es( calle reser$atarios( %&o "elon)e
%it&in t&e t&ir e)ree to t&e line from %&ic& suc& 'ro'ert#
came.
2ollo%in) t&e orer 'rescri"e "# la% in le)itimate
succession( %&en t&ere are relati$es of t&e escenant
%it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( t&e ri)&t of t&e nearest relati$e( calle
reser$atario( o$er t&e 'ro'ert# %&ic& t&e reser$ista +'erson
&olin) it su"Cect to reser$ation, s&oul return to &im(
e*clues t&at of t&e one more remote. T&e ri)&t of
re'resentation cannot "e alle)e %&en t&e one claimin)
same as a reser$atario of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# is not
amon) t&e relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree "elon)in) to t&e
- jann - 89
line from %&ic& suc& 'ro'ert# came( inasmuc& as t&e ri)&t
)rante "# t&e 0i$il 0oe in article 9-- is in t&e &i)&est
e)ree 'ersonal an for t&e e*clusi$e "enefit of esi)nate
'ersons %&o are t&e relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( of t&e
'erson from %&om t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came. T&erefore(
relati$es of t&e fourt& an t&e succeein) e)rees can ne$er
"e consiere as reser$atarios( since t&e la% oes not
reco)ni4e t&em as suc&.
In s'ite of %&at &as "een sai relati$e to t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation on t&e 'art of one alle)in) &is ri)&t as
reser$atario %&o is not %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree of relations&i'(
ne$ert&eless t&ere is ri)&t of re'resentation on t&e 'art of
reser$atarios %&o are %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( mentione "#
la%( as in t&e case of ne'&e%s of t&e ecease 'erson from
%&om t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came. T&ese reser$atarios
&a$e t&e ri)&t to re'resent t&eir ascenants +fat&ers an
mot&ers, %&o are t&e "rot&ers of t&e sai ecease 'erson
an relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree in accorance %it&
article 9-- of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
T&ere are t&en se$en 8reser$atarios8 %&o are entitle to t&e
reser$a"le 'ro'ert# left at t&e eat& of A'olonio III< t&e
'ost&umos son of t&e aforementione A'olonio Isa"elo II( to
%it( &is t&ree c&ilren of &is first marria)eD Encarnacion(
Ga"riel( Ha)alena< &is t&ree c&ilren( Gose( Es'irita an
Pero %&o are re'resente "# t&eir o%n t%el$e c&ilren
res'ecti$el#< an Hercees 2lorentino( &is au)&ter "# a
secon marria)e. All of t&e 'laintiffs are t&e relati$es of t&e
ecease 'ost&umos son( A'olonio 2lorentino III( %it&in t&e
t&ir e)ree +four of %&om "ein) &is &alfD"rot&ers an t&e
remainin) t%el$e "ein) &is ne'&e%s as t&e# are t&e c&ilren
of &is t&ree &alfD"rot&ers,. As t&e first four are &is relati$es
%it&in t&e t&ir e)ree in t&eir o%n ri)&t an t&e ot&er t%el$e
are suc& "# re'resentation( all of t&em are inis'uta"l#
entitle as reser$atarios to t&e 'ro'ert# %&ic& came from t&e
common ancestor( A'olonio Isa"elo( to A'olonio 2lorentino III
"# in&eritance urin) &is lifeDtime( an in turn "# in&eritance
to &is le)itimate mot&er( Se$erina 2a4 e Leon( %io% of t&e
aforementione A'olonio Isa"elo 2lorentino II.
T&e Cu)ment a''eale from is also foune on t&e t&eor#
t&at article 9-- of t&e 0i$il 0oe oes not estro# t&e s#stem
of le)itimate succession an t&at t&e 'retension of t&e
'laintiffs to a''l# sai article in t&e instant case %oul "e
'ermittin) t&e reser$a"le ri)&t to reuce an im'air t&e
force le)itime %&ic& e*clusi$el# "elon)s to t&e efenant
Hercees 2lorentino( in $iolation of t&e 'rece't of article 9-/
of t&e same 0oe %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at t&e testator cannot
e'ri$e &is &eirs of t&eir le)itime( e*ce't in t&e cases
e*'ressl# etermine "# la%. Neit&er can &e im'ose u'on it
an# "uren( conition( or su"stitution of an# 1in %&atsoe$er(
sa$in) t&e 'ro$isions concernin) t&e usufruct of t&e sur$i$in)
s'ouse( citin) t&e ecision of t&e Su'reme 0ourt of S'ain of
Ganuar# 4( ->--.
T&e 'rinci'al !uestion su"mitte to t&e court for ecision
consists mainl# in eterminin) %&et&er t&e 'ro'ert# left at t&e
eat& of A'olonio III( t&e 'ost&umos son of A'olonio Isa"elo
II( %as or %as not in$este %it& t&e c&aracter of reser$a"le
'ro'ert# %&en it %as recei$e "# &is mot&er( Se$erina 2a4
e Leon.
T&e 'ro'ert# enumerate "# t&e 'laintiffs in 'ara)ra'& 7 of
t&eir com'laint came( %it&out an# ou"t %&atsoe$er( from t&e
common ancestor A'olonio Isa"elo II( an %&en( on t&e
eat& of A'olonio III %it&out issue( t&e same 'asse "#
o'eration of la% into t&e &ans of &is le)itimate mot&er(
Se$erina 2a4 e Leon( it "ecame reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( in
accorance %it& t&e 'ro$ision of article 9-- of t&e 0oe( %it&
t&e o"Cect t&at t&e same s&oul not fall into t&e 'ossession of
'ersons ot&er t&an t&ose com're&ene %it&in t&e orer of
succession trace "# t&e la% from A'olonio Isa"elo II( t&e
source of sai 'ro'ert#. If t&is 'ro'ert# %as in fact clot&e
%it& t&e c&aracter an conition of reser$a"le 'ro'ert# %&en
Se$erina 2a4 e Leon in&erite same from &er son A'olonio(
III( s&e i not t&ere"# ac!uire t&e ominion or ri)&t of
o%ners&i' "ut onl# t&e ri)&t of usufruct or of fiuciar#( %it&
t&e necessar# o"li)ation to 'reser$e an to eli$er or return it
as suc& reser$a"le 'ro'ert# to &er ecease son@s relati$es
%it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( amon) %&om is &er au)&ter(
Hercees 2lorentino.
Reser$a"le 'ro'ert# neit&er comes( nor falls uner( t&e
a"solute ominion of t&e ascenant %&o in&erits an
recei$es same from &is escenant( t&erefore it oes not
form 'art of &is o%n 'ro'ert# nor "ecome t&e le)itimate of &is
force &eirs. It "ecomes &is o%n 'ro'ert# onl# in case t&at all
t&e relati$es of &is escenant s&all &a$e ie +reser$ista,( in
%&ic& case sai reser$a"le 'ro'ert# losses suc& c&aracter.
Bit& full ri)&t Se$erina 2a4 e Leon coul &a$e is'ose in
&er %ill of all &er o%n 'ro'ert# in fa$or of &er onl# li$in)
au)&ter( Hercees 2lorentino( as force &eiress. But
%&ate$er 'ro$ision t&ere is in &er %ill concernin) t&e
reser$a"le 'ro'ert# recei$e from &er son A'olonio III( or
rat&er( %&ate$er 'ro$ision %ill reuce t&e ri)&ts of t&e ot&er
reser$atarios( t&e &alf "rot&ers an ne'&e%s of &er au)&ter
Hercees( is unla%ful( null an $oi( inasmuc& as sai
'ro'ert# is not &er o%n an s&e &as onl# t&e ri)&t of usufruct
or of fiuciar#( %it& t&e o"li)ation to 'reser$e an to eli$er
same to t&e reser$atarios( one of %&om is &er o%n au)&ter(
Hercees 2lorentino.
2or t&is reason( in no manner can it "e claime t&at t&e
le)itime of Hercees 2lorentino( comin) from t&e in &eritance
of &er mot&er Se$erina 2a4 e Leon( &as "een reuce an
im'aire< an t&e a''lication of article 9-- of t&e 0oe to t&e
instant case in no %a# 'reCuices t&e ri)&ts of t&e efenant
Hercees 2lorentino( inasmuc& as s&e is entitle to a 'art
onl# of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( t&ere "ein) no la%full or Cust
reason %&ic& ser$es as real founation to isre)ar t&e ri)&t
to A'olonio III@s ot&er relati$es( %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree( to
'artici'ate in t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# in !uestion. As t&ese
relati$es are at 'resent li$in)( claimin) for it %it& an
inis'uta"le ri)&t( %e cannot fin an# reasona"le an la%ful
moti$e %&# t&eir ri)&ts s&oul not "e u'&el an %&# t&e#
s&oul not "e )rante e!ual 'artici'ation %it& t&e efenant
in t&e liti)ate 'ro'ert#.
Gust "ecause s&e &as a force &eiress( %it& a ri)&t to &er
in&eritance( oes not relie$e Se$erina of &er o"li)ation to
reser$e t&e 'ro'ert# %&ic& s&e recei$e from &er ecease
son( nor i same lose t&e c&aracter of reser$a"le 'ro'ert#(
&el "efore t&e reser$atarios recei$e same
2or t&e fore)oin) reasons it follo%s t&at %it& t&e re$ersal of
t&e orer of ecision a''eale from %e s&oul eclare( as
%e &ere"# o( t&at t&e aforementione 'ro'ert#( in&erite "#
t&e ecease Se$erina 2a4 e Leon from &er son A'olonio
2lorentino III( is reser$a"le 'ro'ert#< t&at t&e 'laintiffs( "ein)
relati$es of t&e ecease A'olonio III %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree(
are entitle to si*Dse$ent&s of sai reoer$a"le 'ro'ert#< t&at
t&e efenant Hercees is entitle to t&e remainin) se$ent&
'art t&ereof< t&at t&e latter( to)et&er %it& &er &us"an An)el
Encarnacion( s&all eli$er to t&e 'laintiffs( Cointl#( si*D
se$ent&s of t&e fruits or rents( claime from sai 'ortion of
t&e lan an of t&e !uantit# claime( from Ganuar# -7( ->-9(
- jann - 90
until full# eli$ere< an t&at t&e inemnit# for one t&ousan
'esos +P-(===, 'ra#e for in t&e com'laint is enie( %it&out
s'ecial finin)s as to t&e costs of "ot& instances. So orere.
Ch"a !s. C$I
It a''ears t&at in t&e first marria)e of Gose 2rias 0&ua %it&
Patricia S. Hilitar alias S# Luio( &e sire t&ree c&ilren(
namel#; I)nacio( Loren4o an Hanuel( all surname 2rias
0&ua. B&en Patricia S. Hilitar ie( Gose 2rias 0&ua
contracte a secon marria)e %it& 0onsolacion e la Torre
%it& %&om &e &a a c&il "# t&e name of Guanito 2rias 0&ua.
Hanuel 2rias 0&ua ie %it&out lea$in) an# issue. T&en in
->.>( Gose 2rias 0&ua ie intestate lea$in) &is %io%
0onsolacion e la Torre an &is son Guanito 2rias 0&ua of
t&e secon marria)e an sons I)nacio 2rias 0&ua an
Loren4o 2rias 0&ua of &is first marria)e. In Intestate
Proceein) No. 49-?( t&e lo%er court issue an orer ate
Ganuar# -7( ->/- - aCuicatin)( amon) ot&ers( t&e oneD&alf
+-5., 'ortion of Lot No. />> an t&e sum of P9(===.== in
fa$or of Gose 2rias 0&ua@s %io%( 0onsolacion e la Torre(
t&e ot&er &alf of Lot No. />> in fa$or of Guanito 2rias 0&ua(
&is son in t&e secon marria)e< marria)e< P/(===.== in fa$or
of Loren4o 2rias 0&ua< an P-(77=.== in fa$or of I)nacio
2rias( 0&ua ( &is sons in t&e secon marria)e< B# t&e $irtue
of sai aCuication( Transfer 0ertificate of Title No. TRD>9=
+-449/, . ate A'ril .9( ->/. %as issue "# t&e Re)ister of
:ees in t&e names of 0onsolacion e la Torre an Guanito
2rias 0&ua as o%nersD'roDini$iso of Lot No. //>.
On 2e"ruar# .7( ->7.( Guanito 2rias 0&ua of t&e secon
marria)e ie intestate %it&out an# issue. After &is eat&( is
mot&er 0onsolacion e la Torre succeee to &is 'roDini$iso
s&are of &er son Guanito as a result of %&ic& Transfer
0ertificate of Title No. /-7>? co$erin) t&e %&ole Lot No. />>
%as issue in &er name. T&en on Harc& 7( ->??(
0onsolacion e la Torre ie intestate lea$in) no irect &eir
eit&er in t&e escenin) or ascenin) line e*ce't &er "rot&er
an sisters.
on Ha# --( ->?? "efore t&e res'onent 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ne)ros Occiental( Branc& V( 'ra#in) t&at t&e
oneD&alf +-5., 'ortion of Lot No. />> %&ic& formerl# "elon)e
to Guanito 2rias 0&ua "ut %&ic& 'asse to 0onsolacion e la
Torre u'on t&e latter@s eat&( "e eclare as reser$a"le
'ro'ert# for t&e reason t&at t&e lot in !uestion %as su"Cect to
reser$a troncal 'ursuant to Article >9- of t&e Ne% 0i$il coe.
'ri$ate res'onent as aministratri* of t&e estate of t&e
0onsolacion e la Torre an t&e &eirs of t&e latter tra$erse
ini$iuall# t&e com'laint of 'etitioners. 4
On Gul# .>( ->?9( t&e res'onent 0ourt renere a ecision
ismissin) t&e com'laint of 'etitioners. Aence t&is instant
'etition.
T&e 'ertinent 'ro$ision on reser$a troncal uner t&e Ne%
0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies;
8ART. 9>-. T&e ascenant %&o
in&erits from &is escenant an# 'ro'ert#
%&ic& t&e latter ma# &a$e re!uire "#
)ratuitous title from anot&er ascenant( or
a "rot&er or sister( is o"li)e to reser$e
suc& 'ro'ert# as &e ma# &a$e ac!uire "#
o'eration of la% for t&e "enefit of relati$es
%&o are %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree an "elon)
to t&e line Iron %&ic& sai 'ro'ert# came.8
Pursuant to t&e fore)oin) 'ro$ision( in orer t&at a 'ro'ert#
ma# "e im'resse %it& a reser$a"le c&aracter t&e follo%in)
re!uisites must e*ist( to %it; +-, t&at t&e 'ro'ert# %as
ac!uire "# a escenant from an ascenant or from a
"rot&er or sister "# )ratuitous title< +., t&at sai escenant
ie %it&out an issue; +/, t&at t&e 'ro'ert# is in&erite "#
anot&er ascenant "# o'eration of la%< an +4, t&at t&ere are
relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree "elon)in) to t&e line from
%&ic& sai 'ro'ert# came. 7 In t&e case "efore Is( all of t&e
fore)oin) re!uisites are 'resent. T&us( as "orne out "# t&e
recors( Guanito 2rias 0&ua of t&e secon marria)e ie
intestate in ->7.< &e ie %it&out lea$in) an# issue< &is 'roD
ini$iso of -5. s&are of Lot No. />> %as ac!uire "# &is
mot&er( 0onsolacion e la Torre "# o'eration of la%. B&en
0onsolacion e la Torre ie( Guanito 2rias 0&ua %&o ie
intestate &a relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree. T&ese relati$es
are I)nacio 2rias 0&ua an :ominaor 0&ua an Remeios
0&ua( t&e su''ose le)itimate c&ilren of t&e ecease
Loren4o 2rias 0&ua( %&o are t&e 'etitioners &erein.
T&e cru* of t&e 'ro"lem in instant 'etition is focuse on t&e
first re!uisite of reser$a troncal S %&et&er t&e 'ro'ert# in
!uestion as ac!uire "# Guanito 2rias 0&ua from &is fat&er(
Gose 2rias 0&ua( )ratuitousl# or not. In resol$in) t&is 'oint(
t&e res'onent 0ourt sai;
Be are not 're'are to sustain t&e res'onent 0ourt@s
conclusion t&at t&e lot in !uestion is not su"Cect to a reser$a
troncal uner Art. 9>- of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe. It is( As
e*'laine "# Hanresa %&ic& t&is 0ourt !uote %it& a''ro$al
in 0a"aro $. Villanue$a( 44 P&il. -9?( 8T&e transmission is
)ratuitous or "# )ratuitous title %&en t&e reci'ient oes not
)i$e an#t&in) in return.8 It matters not %&et&er t&e 'ro'ert#
transmitte "e or "e not su"Cect to an# 'rior c&ar)es< %&at is
essential is t&at t&e transmission "e mae )ratuitousl#( or "#
an act of mere li"eralit# of t&e 'erson ma1in) it( %it&out
im'osin) an# o"li)ation on t&e 'art of t&e reci'ient< an t&at
t&e 'erson recei$in) t&e 'ro'ert# )i$es or oes not&in) in
return< or( as a"l# 'ut "# an eminent 2ili'ino commentator( ?
8t&e essential t&in) is t&at t&e 'erson %&o transmits it oes
so )ratuitousl#( from 'ure )enerosit#( %it&out re!uirin) from
t&e transferee an# 'restation.8 It is e$ient from t&e recor
t&at t&e transmission of t&e 'ro'ert# in !uestion to Guanito
2rias 0&ua of t&e secon marria)e u'on t&e eat& of &is
fat&er Gose 2rias 0&ua %as "# means of a &ereitar#
succession an t&erefore )ratuitous.
But t&e o"li)ation of 'a#in) t&e Stanar Oil 0o. of Ne% Jor1
t&e amount of P/(>7-..= is im'ose u'on 0onsolacion e la
Torre an Guanito 2rias 0&ua not 'ersonall# "# t&e ecease
Gose 2rias 0&ua in &is last %ill an testament "ut "# an orer
of t&e court in t&e Testate Proceein) No. 49-? ate
Ganuar# -7( ->/-. As lon) as t&e transmission of t&e 'ro'ert#
to t&e &eirs is free from an# conition im'ose "# t&e
ecease &imself an t&e 'ro'ert# is )i$en out of 'ure
)enerosit#( it is )ratuitous. It oes not matter if later t&e court
orers one of t&e &eirs( in t&is case Guanito 2rias 0&ua( to
'a# t&e Stanar Oil 0o. of Ne% Jor1 t&e amount of
P/(>7-..= T&is oes not c&an)e t&e )ratuitous nature of t&e
transmission of t&e 'ro'ert# to &im. As far as t&e ecease
Gose 2rias 0&ua is concerne t&e transmission of t&e
'ro'ert# to &is &eirs is )ratuitous. T&is "ein) t&e case t&e lot
in !uestion is su"Cect to reser$a troncal uner Art. 9>- of t&e
Ne% 0i$il 0oe.
- jann - 91
De papa !s. Ca#acho
T&e# sti'ulate t&at Romana Tioco urin) &er lifetime
)ratuitousl# onate four +4, 'arcels of lan to &er niece
Tori"ia Tioco +le)itimate sister of 'laintiffs,( %&ic& 'arcels of
lan are 'resentl# co$ere "# Transfer 0ertificates of Title
Nos. AD?4-?7( ?4-?? an ?4-?7 of t&e Re)istr# of :ees of
Hanila( co'ies of %&ic& are attac&e to t&is sti'ulation as
Anne*es @B@( @BD-@( an @BD.@.
T&e# sti'ulate t&at Tori"ia Tioco ie intestate in ->-7(
sur$i$e "# &er &us"an( Eustacio :i4on( an t&eir t%o
le)itimate c&ilren( 2austino :i4on an Trinia :i4on
+mot&er of efenant :alisa# :. Ton)1oD0amac&o, an
lea$in) t&e aforeDmentione four +4, 'arcels of lan as t&e
in&eritance of &er sai t%o c&ilren in e!ual 'roDini$iso
s&ares.
T&e# sti'ulate t&at in ->/7( 2austino :i4on ie intestate(
sin)le an %it&out issue( lea$in) &is oneD&alf +-5., 'roD
ini$iso s&are in t&e se$en +7, 'arcels of lan a"o$eD
mentione to &is fat&er( Eustacio :i4on( as &is sole intestate
&eir( %&o recei$e t&e sai 'ro'ert# su"Cect to a reser$a
troncal %&ic& %as su"se!uentl# annotate on t&e Transfer
0ertificates of Title Anne*es @B@( @BDl@( @BD.@( @0@ an @0D-@.
T&e# sti'ulate t&at in ->/> Trinia :i4onDTon)1o ie
intestate( an &er ri)&ts an interests in t&e 'arcels of lan
a"o$ementione %ere in&erite "# &er onl# le)itimate c&il(
efenant :alisa# :. Ton)1oD0amac&o( su"Cect to t&e
usufructuar# ri)&t of &er sur$i$in) &us"an( efenant Primo
Ton)1o. T&e# sti'ulate t&at on Gune -4( ->?7( Eustacio :i4on
ie intestate( sur$i$e &is onl# le)itimate escenant(
efenant :alisa# :. Ton)1oD0amac&o.
T&e 'arties a)ree t&at efenant :alisa# :. Ton)1oD
0amac&o no% o%ns oneD&alf +-5., of all t&e se$en +7,
'arcels of lan a"o$ementione as &er in&eritance from &er
mot&er( Trinia :i4onDTon)1o.
T&e 'arties &ere"# a)ree to su"mit for Cuicial etermination
in t&is case t&e le)al issue of %&et&er efenant :alisa# :.
Ton)1oD0amac&o is entitle to t&e %&ole of t&e se$en +7,
'arcels of lan in !uestion( or %&et&er t&e 'laintiffs( as t&ir
e)ree relati$es of 2austino :i4on are reser$atarios
+to)et&er %it& sai efenant, of t&e oneD&alf 'roDini$iso
s&are t&erein %&ic& %as in&erite "# Eustacio :i4on from &is
son 2austino :i4on( an entitle to t&reeDfourt&s +/54, of sai
oneD&alf 'roDini$iso s&are( or t&reeDei)&ts +/59, of sai
se$en +7, 'arcels of lan( an( t&erefore( to t&ree ei)&ts +/59,
of t&e rentals collecte an to "e collecte "# efenant
:alisa# P. Ton)1o 0amac&o from t&e tenants of sai 'arcels
of lan( minus t&e e*'enses an5or real estate ta*es
corres'onin) to 'laintiffs@ s&are in t&e rentals.
In $ie% of t&e fact t&at t&e 'arties are close "loo relati$es
an &a$e acte u'on le)al a$ice in 'ursuin) t&eir res'ecti$e
claims( an in orer to restore an 'reser$e &armon# in t&eir
famil# relations( t&e# &ere"# %ai$e all t&eir claims a)ainst
eac& ot&er for ama)es +ot&er t&an le)al interest on 'laintiffs@
s&are in t&e rentals %&ic& t&is Aonora"le 0ourt ma# eem
'ro'er to a%ar,( attorne#@s fees an e*'enses of liti)ation
%&ic& s&all "e "orne "# t&e res'ecti$e 'arties.8 -
T&e issue raise is %&et&er( as contene "# t&e 'laintiffsD
a''ellees an rule "# t&e lo%er 0ourt( all relati$es of t&e
'rae'ositus %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree in t&e a''ro'riate line
succee %it&out istinction to t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# u'on
t&e eat& of t&e reser$ista( as seems to "e im'licit in Art. 9>-
of t&e 0i$il 0oe( %&ic& reas; or( as asserte "# t&e
efenantDa''ellant( t&e ri)&ts of sai relati$es are su"Cect
to( an s&oul "e etermine "#( t&e rules on intestate
succession.
T&at !uestion &as alrea# "een ans%ere in Paura $s.
Balo$ino( / %&ere t&e reser$atario %as sur$i$e "# ele$en
ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e 'rae'ositus in t&e line of ori)in(
four of %&ole "loo an se$en of &alf "loo( an t&e claim
%as also mae t&at all ele$en %ere entitle to t&e
re$ersionar# 'ro'ert# in e!ual s&ares. T&is 0ourt( s'ea1in)
t&rou)& Hr. Gustice G.B.L. Re#es( eclare t&e 'rinci'les of
intestac# to "e controllin)( an rule t&at t&e ne'&e%s an
nieces of %&ole "loo %ere eac& entitle to a s&are ou"le
t&at of eac& of t&e ne'&e%s an nieces of &alf "loo in
accorance %it& Article -==? of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
8T&e issue in t&is a''eal ma# "e formulate as follo%s; In a
case of reser$a troncal %&ere t&e onl# reser$atarios
+reser$es, sur$i$in) t&e reser$ista( an "elon)in) to t&e line
of ori)in( are ne'&e%s of t&e escenant +'re'ositus,( "ut
some are ne'&e%s of t&e &alf "loo an t&e ot&ers are
ne'&e%s of t&e %&ole "loo( s&oul t&e reser$e 'ro'erties
"e a''ortione amon) t&em e!uall#( or s&oul t&e ne'&e%s
of t&e %&ole "loo ta1e a s&are t%ice as lar)e as t&at of t&e
ne'&e%s of t&e &alf "looF
T&e case is one of first im'ression an &as i$ie t&e
S'anis& commentators on t&e su"Cect. After mature
reflection( %e &a$e conclue t&at t&e 'osition of t&e
a''ellants is correct. T&e reser$a troncal is a s'ecial rule
esi)ne 'rimaril# to assure t&e return of t&e reser$a"le
'ro'ert# to t&e t&ir e)ree relati$es "elon)in) to t&e line
from %&ic& t&e 'ro'ert# ori)inall# came( an a$oi its "ein)
issi'ate into an "# t&e relati$es of t&e in&eritin)
ascenant +reser$ista,.
82ollo%in) t&e orer 'rescri"e "# la% in le)itimate
succession %&en t&ere are relati$es of t&e escenant %it&in
t&e t&ir e)ree( t&e ri)&t of t&e nearest relati$e( calle
reser$atario( o$er t&e 'ro'ert# %&ic& t&e reser$ista +'erson
&olin) it su"Cect to reser$ation, s&oul return to &im(
e*clues t&at of t&e one more remote. T&e ri)&t of
re'resentation cannot "e alle)e %&en t&e one claimin)
same as a reser$atario of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# is not
amon) t&e relati$es %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree "elon)in) to t&e
line from %&ic& suc& 'ro'ert# came( inasmuc& as t&e ri)&t
)rante "# t&e 0i$il 0oe in Article 9-- is in t&e &i)&est
e)ree 'ersonal an for t&e e*clusi$e "enefit of esi)nate
'ersons %&o are %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree of t&e 'erson from
%&om t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came. T&erefore( relati$es of
t&e fourt& an t&e succeein) e)rees can ne$er "e
consiere as reser$atarios( since t&e la% oes not
reco)ni4e t&em as suc&.
8In s'ite of %&at &as "een sai relati$e to t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation on t&e 'art of one alle)in) &is ri)&t as
reser$atario %&o is not %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree of relations&i'(
ne$ert&eless t&ere is ri)&t of re'resentation on t&e 'art of
reser$atarios %&o are %it&in t&e t&ir e)ree mentione "#
la%( as in t&e case of ne'&e%s of t&e ecease 'erson from
%&om t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# came . . .8
- jann - 92
Pro*imit# of e)ree an ri)&t of re'resentation are "asic
'rinci'les of orinar# intestate succession< so is t&e rule t&at
%&ole "loo "rot&ers an ne'&e%s are entitle to a s&are
ou"le t&at of "rot&ers an ne'&e%s of &alf "loo. If in
eterminin) t&e ri)&ts of t&e reser$atarios inter se( 'ro*imit#
of e)ree an t&e ri)&t of re'resentation of ne'&e%s are
mae to a''l#( t&e rule of ou"le s&are for immeiate
collaterals of t&e %&ole "loo s&oul "e li1e%ise o'erati$e.
In ot&er %ors( t&e reser$a troncal merel# etermines t&e
)rou' of relati$es +reser$atarios, to %&om t&e 'ro'ert#
s&oul "e returne< "ut %it&in t&at )rou'( t&e ini$iual ri)&t
to t&e 'ro'ert# s&oul "e ecie "# t&e a''lica"le rules of
orinar# intestate succession( since Art. 9>- oes not s'ecif#
ot&er%ise. T&is conclusion is stren)t&ene "# t&e
circumstance t&at t&e reser$a "ein) an e*ce'tional case( its
a''lication s&oul "e limite to %&at is strictl# neee to
accom'lis& t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la%.
Re$ersion of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# "ein) )o$erne "# t&e
rules on intestate succession( t&e 'laintiffsDa''ellees must "e
&el %it&out an# ri)&t t&ereto "ecause( as aunt an uncles(
res'ecti$el#( of 2austino :i4on +t&e 'rae'ositus,( t&e# are
e*clue from t&e succession "# &is niece( t&e efenantD
a''ellant( alt&ou)& t&e# are relate to &im %it&in t&e same
e)ree as t&e latter.
It %ill "e seen t&at uner t&e 'recein) articles( "rot&ers an
sisters an ne'&e%s an nieces in&erite a" intestato a&ea
of t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse( %&ile ot&er collaterals succeee
onl# after t&e %io%er or %io%. T&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe of
t&e P&ili''ines merel# 'lace t&e s'ouse on a 'ar %it& t&e
ne'&e%s an nieces an "rot&ers an sisters of t&e
ecease( "ut %it&out alterin) t&e 'referre 'osition of t&e
latter $is a $is t&e ot&er collaterals.8
T&is conclusion is fortifie "# t&e o"ser$ation( also mae in
Paura( su'ra( t&at as to t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#( t&e
reser$atarios o not in&erit from t&e reser$ista( "ut from t&e
escenant 'rae'ositus;
8. . . It is li1e%ise clear t&at t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# is no 'art
of t&e estate of t&e reser$ista( %&o ma# not is'ose of it "#
%ill( as lon) as t&ere are reser$atarios e*istin) +Arro#o $s.
Gerona( 79 P&il. ./7,. T&e latter( t&erefore( o not in&erit
from t&e reser$ista( "ut from t&e escenant 're'ositus( of
%&om t&e reser$atarios are t&e &eirs mortis causa( su"Cect to
t&e conition t&at t&e# must sur$i$e t&e reser$ista.
8T&e contention t&at an intestac# 'roceein) is still
necessar# rests u'on t&e assum'tion t&at t&e reser$atario
%ill succee in( or in&erit( t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert# from t&e
reser$ista. T&is is not true. T&e reser$atario is not t&e
reser$ista@s successor mortis causa nor is t&e reser$a"le
'ro'ert# 'art of t&e reser$ista@s estate< t&e reser$atario
recei$es t&e 'ro'ert# as a conitional &eir of t&e escenant
+'re'ositus,( sai 'ro'ert# merel# re$ertin) to t&e line of
ori)in from %&ic& it &a tem'oraril# an accientall# stra#e
urin) t&e reser$ista@s lifetime. T&e aut&orities are all a)ree
t&at t&ere "ein) reser$atarios t&at sur$i$e t&e reser$ista( t&e
matter must "e eeme to &a$e enCo#e no more t&an a life
interest in t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#.
It is a conse!uence of t&ese 'rinci'les t&at u'on t&e eat& of
t&e reser$ista( t&e reser$atario nearest to t&e 're'ositus +t&e
a''ellee in t&is case, "ecomes( automaticall# an "#
o'eration of la%( t&e o%ner of t&e reser$a"le 'ro'ert#. As
alrea# state( t&at 'ro'ert# is no 'art of t&e estate of t&e
reser$ista( an oes not e$en ans%er for t&e e"ts of t&e
latter . . .8
Aa t&e re$ersionar# 'ro'ert# 'asse irectl# from t&e
'rae'ositus( t&ere is no ou"t t&at t&e 'laintiffsDa''ellees
%oul &a$e "een e*clue "# t&e efenantDa''ellant uner
t&e rules of intestate succession. T&ere is no reason %&# a
ifferent result s&oul o"tain sim'l# "ecause 8t&e
transmission of t&e 'ro'ert# %as ela#e "# t&e interre)num
of t&e reser$a<8 ? i.e.( t&e 'ro'ert# too1 a 8etour8 t&rou)&
an ascenant S t&ere"# )i$in) rise to t&e reser$ation S
"efore its transmission to t&e reser$atario. I'on t&e
sti'ulate facts( an "# $irtue of t&e rulin)s alrea# cite( t&e
efenantDa''ellant :alisa# Ton)1oD0amac&o is entitle to
t&e entiret# of t&e re$ersionar# 'ro'ert# to t&e e*clusion of
t&e 'laintiffsDa''ellees.
GI5. -ESE-5A ADO4TI5A
0.D. *2%. Art. %9. 4ffects of Adoption. < "he adoption
shall,
(-) >ive to the adopted person the same
ri!hts and duties as if he were a le!itimate
child of the adopter, 0rovided, "hat an
adopted child cannot acquire 0hilippine
citi8enship by virtue of such adoption,
($) Dissolve the authority vested in the
natural parent or parents, e&cept where the
adopter is the spouse of the survivin! natural
parent.
(%) 4ntitle the adopted person to use the
adopter3s surname. and
(/) Aa+e the adopted person a le!al heir of
the adopter, 0rovided, "hat if the adopter is
survived by le!itimate parents or ascendants
and by an adopted person, the latter shall
not have more successional ri!hts than an
ac+nowled!ed natural child, 0rovided,
further, "hat any property received
!ratuitously by the adopted from the adopter
shall revert to the adopter should the former
predecease the latter without le!itimate
issue unless the adopted has, durin! his
lifetime, alienated such property, 0rovided,
finally, "hat in the last case, should the
adopted leave no property other than that
received from the adopter, and he is survived
by ille!itimate issue or a spouse, such
ille!itimate issue collectively or the spouse
shall receive one<fourth of such property. if
the adopted is survived by ille!itimate issue
and a spouse, then the former collectively
shall receive one<fourth and the latter also
one<fourth, the rest in any case revertin! to
the adopter, observin! in the case of the
ille!itimate issue the proportion provided
for in Article #95 of the 6ivil 6ode.
"he adopter shall not be a le!al heir of the adopted
person, whose parents by nature shall inherit from
- jann - 93
him, e&cept that if the latter are both dead, the
adoptin! parent or parents ta+e the place of the
natural parents in the line of succession, whether
testate or interstate.
Teotica !s. Del 5al Chan
Haria Hortera # Balsalo"re Va. e A)uirre ie on Gul# -4(
->77 in t&e 0it# of Hanila lea$in) 'ro'erties %ort&
P?==(===.==. S&e left a %ill %ritten in S'anis& %&ic& s&e
e*ecute at &er resience in No. . Le)ara St.( Luia'o(
Hanila. S&e affi*e &er si)nature at t&e "ottom of t&e %ill an
on t&e left mar)in of eac& an e$er# 'a)e t&ereof in t&e
'resence of Pilar BorCa( Pilar G. Sanc&e4( an Hoesto
2ormille4a( %&o in turn affi*e t&eir si)natures "elo% t&e
attestation clause an on t&e left mar)in of eac& an e$er#
'a)e of t&e %ill in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of eac&
ot&er. Sai %ill %as ac1no%le)e "efore Notar# Pu"lic
Niceforo S. A)aton "# t&e testatri* an &er %itnesses.
Amon) t&e man# le)acies an e$ises mae in t&e %ill %as
one of P.=(===.== to Rene A. Teotico( marrie to t&e
testatri*@s niece name Gosefina Hortera. To sai s'ouses
t&e testatri* left t&e usufruct of &er interest in t&e 0al$o
"uilin)( %&ile t&e na1e o%ners&i' t&ereof s&e left in e!ual
'arts to &er )ranc&ilren %&o are t&e le)itimate c&ilren of
sai s'ouses. T&e testatri* also institute Gosefina Hortera
as &er sole an uni$ersal &eir to all t&e remainer of &er
'ro'erties not ot&er%ise is'ose of in t&e %ill.
Ana el Val 0&an( claimin) to "e an ao'te c&il of
2rancisca Hortera( a ecease sister of t&e testatri*( as %ell
as an ac1no%le)e natural c&il of Gose Hortera( a
ecease "rot&er of t&e same testatri*( file on Se'tem"er .(
->77 an o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill alle)in) t&e
follo%in) )rouns; +-, sai %ill %as not e*ecute as re!uire
"# la%< +., t&e testatri* %as '&#sicall# an mentall#
inca'a"le to e*ecute t&e %ill at t&e time of its e*ecution< an
+/, t&e %ill %as e*ecute uner uress( t&reat or influence of
fear.
After t&e 'arties &a 'resente t&eir e$ience( t&e 'ro"ate
court renere its ecision on No$em"er -=( ->?= amittin)
t&e %ill to 'ro"ate "ut eclarin) t&e is'osition mae in fa$or
of :r. Rene Teotico $oi %it& t&e statement t&at t&e 'ortion to
"e $acate "# t&e annulment s&oul 'ass to t&e testatri*@s
&eirs "# %a# of intestate succession.
T&e motions for reconsieration a"o$e a$erte to &a$in)
"een enie( "ot& 'etitioner an o''ositor a''eale from t&e
ecision( t&e former from t&at 'ortion %&ic& nullifies t&e
le)ac# in fa$or of :r. Rene Teotico an eclares t&e $acate
'ortion as su"Cect of succession in fa$or of t&e le)al &eirs(
an t&e latter from t&at 'ortion %&ic& amits t&e %ill to
'ro"ate. An in t&is instance "ot& 'etitioner an o''ositor
assi)n se$eral error %&ic&( stri''e of nonDessentials( ma#
"e "oile o%n to t&e follo%in); +-, Aas o''ositor Ana el Val
0&an t&e ri)&t to inter$ene in t&is 'roceein)F< +., Aas t&e
%ill in !uestion "een ul# amitte to 'ro"ateF< an +/, :i
t&e 'ro"ate court commit an error in 'assin) on t&e intrinsic
$aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill an in eterminin) %&o
s&oul in&erit t&e 'ortion to "e $acate "# t&e nullification of
t&e le)ac# mae in fa$or of :r. Rene TeoticoF
It is a %ellDsettle rule t&at in orer t&at a 'erson ma# "e
allo%e to inter$ene in a 'ro"ate 'roceein) &e must &a$e
an interest in t&e estate( or in t&e %ill( or in t&e 'ro'ert# to "e
affecte "# it eit&er as e*ecutor or as a claimant of t&e estate
+N)o T&e Aua $s. 0&un) Kiat Aua( et al.( LD-7=>-(
Se'tem"er /=( ->?/,< an an intereste 'art# &as "een
efine as one %&o %oul "e "enefitte "# t&e estate suc&
as an &eir or one %&o &as a claim a)ainst t&e estate li1e a
creitor +Iem.,. On t&e ot&er &an( in Sa)uinsin $s.
Lina#a)( et al.( LD-777=( :ecem"er -7( ->?.( t&is 0ourt
sai;
8Accorin) to Section .( Rule 9= of t&e Rules of 0ourt( a
'etition for letters of aministration must "e file "# an
@intereste 'erson.@ An intereste 'art# &as "een efine in
t&is connection as one %&o %oul "e "enefitte "# t&e
estate( suc& as an &eir( or one %&o &as a claim a)ainst t&e
estate( suc& as a creitor +Intestate Estate of Gulio
Ha)"an%a 4= O.G.( --7-,. An it is %ell settle in t&is
Curisiction t&at in ci$il actions as %ell as s'ecial 'roceein)s(
t&e interest re!uire in orer t&at a 'erson ma# "e a 'art#
t&ereto must "e material an irect( an not merel# inirect
or contin)ent. +Trillana $s. 0risostomo( G. R. No. LD//7=(
Au)ust ..( ->7-< Ra'inosa $s. Barrion( 7= P&il. /--,.8
T&e !uestion no% ma# "e as1e; Aas o''ositor an# interest
in an# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill( an( in t&e ne)ati$e( %oul
s&e ac!uire an# ri)&t to t&e estate in t&e e$ent t&at t&e %ill is
enie 'ro"ateF
Iner t&e terms of t&e %ill( o''ositor &as no ri)&t to
inter$ene "ecause s&e &as no interest in t&e estate eit&er as
&eir( e*ecutor( or aministrator( nor oes s&e &a$e an# claim
to an# 'ro'ert# affecte "# t&e %ill( "ecause it no%&ere
a''ears t&erein an# 'ro$ision esi)natin) &er as &eir(
le)atee or e$isee of an# 'ortion of t&e estate. S&e &as also
no interest in t&e %ill eit&er as aministratri* or e*ecutri*.
Neit&er &as s&e an# claim a)ainst an# 'ortion of t&e estate
"ecause s&e is not a coDo%ner t&ereof( an %&ile s&e
're$iousl# &a an interest in t&e 0al$o "uilin) locate in
Escolta( s&e &a alrea# is'ose of it lon) "efore t&e
e*ecution of t&e %ill.
8@Bet%een t&e natural c&il an t&e le)itimate relati$es of t&e
fat&er or mot&er %&o ac1no%le)e it( t&e 0oe enies an#
ri)&t of succession. T&e# cannot "e calle relati$es an t&e#
&a$e no ri)&t to in&erit. Of course( t&ere is a "loo tie( "ut t&e
la% oes not reco)ni4e it. In t&is( article >4/ is "ase u'on
t&e realit# of t&e facts an u'on t&e 'resum'ti$e %ill of t&e
intereste 'arties< t&e natural c&il is is)racefull# loo1e
o%n u'on "# t&e le)itimate famil#< t&e le)itimate famil# is( in
turn( &ate "# t&e natural c&il< t&e latter consiers t&e
'ri$ile)e conition of t&e former an t&e resources of %&ic&
it is t&ere"# e'ri$e< t&e former( in turn( sees in t&e natural
c&il not&in) "ut t&e 'rouct of sin( a 'al'a"le e$ience of a
"lemis& u'on t&e famil#. E$er# relation is orinaril# "ro1en in
life< t&e la% oes no more t&em reco)ni4e t&is trut&( "#
a$oiin) furt&er )rouns of resentment.@ +7 Hanresa( / e.(
'. --=.,8
"he oppositor cannot also derive comfort from the fact that
she is an adopted child of 4rancisca &ortera because under
our law the relationship established by adoption is limited
solely to the adopter and the adopted does not extend to the
relatives of the adopting parents or of the adopted child
except only as expressly provided for by law. #ence, no
relationship is created between the adopted and the
collaterals of the adopting parents. %s a consequence, the
- jann - 94
adopted is an heir of the adopter but not of the relatives of
the adopter.
8T&e relations&i' esta"lis&e "# t&e ao'tion( &o%e$er( is
limite to t&e ao'tin) 'arent( an oes not e*ten to &is
ot&er relati$es( e*ce't as e*'ressl# 'ro$ie "# la%. T&us(
t&e ao'te c&il cannot "e consiere as a relati$e of t&e
ascenants an collaterals of t&e ao'tin) 'arents( nor of t&e
le)itimate c&ilren %&ic& t&e# ma# &a$e after t&e ao'tion(
e*ce't t&at t&e la% im'oses certain im'eiments to marria)e
"# reason of ao'tion. Neit&er are t&e c&ilren of t&e
ao'te consiere as escenants of t&e ao'ter. T&e
relations&i' create is e*clusi$el# "et%een( t&e ao'ter an
t&e ao'te( an oes not e*ten to t&e relati$es of eit&er.8
+Tolentino( 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines( Vol. -( '. ?7.,
Be &a$e e*amine t&e e$ience on t&e matter an %e are
full# in accor %it& t&e fore)oin) o"ser$ation. Horeo$er( t&e
mere claim t&at Gosefina Hortera an &er &us"an Rene
Teotico &a t&e o''ortunit# to e*ert 'ressure on t&e testatri*
sim'l# "ecause s&e li$e in t&eir &ouse se$eral #ears 'rior to
t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill an t&at s&e %as ol an sufferin)
from &#'ertension in t&at s&e %as $irtuall# isolate from &er
friens for se$eral #ears 'rior to &er eat& is insufficient to
is'ro$e %&at t&e instrumental %itnesses &a testifie t&at
t&e testatri* freel# an $oluntaril# an %it& full consciousness
of t&e solemnit# of t&e occasion e*ecute t&e %ill uner
consieration. T&e e*ercise of im'ro'er 'ressure an unue
influence must "e su''orte "# su"stantial e$ience an
must "e of a 1in t&at %oul o$er'o%er an su"Cu)ate t&e
min of t&e testatri* as to estro# &er free a)enc# an ma1e
&er e*'ress t&e %ill of anot&er rat&er t&an &er o%n +0oso $s.
:e4a( 4. P&il.( 7>?,. T&e "uren is on t&e 'erson c&allen)in)
t&e %ill t&at suc& influence %as e*erte at t&e time of its
e*ecution( a matter %&ic& &ere %as not one( for t&e
e$ience 'resente not onl# is sufficient "ut %as is'ro$e
"# t&e testimon# t&e instrumental %itnesses.
T&e !uestion of %&et&er t&e 'ro"ate court coul etermine
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of a %ill &as "een
ecie "# t&is 0ourt in a lon) line of ecisions amon) %&ic&
t&e follo%in) ma# "e cite; 8O''osition to t&e intrinsic $aliit#
or le)alit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill cannot "e entertaine
in 'ro"ate 'roceein) "ecause its onl# 'ur'ose is merel# to
etermine if t&e %ill &as "een e*ecute in accorance %it&
t&e re!uirements of t&e la%.8
8To esta"lis& conclusi$el# as a)ainst e$er#one( an once for
all( t&e facts t&at a %ill %as e*ecute %it& t&e formalities
re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e testator %as in a conition to
ma1e a %ill( is t&e onl# 'ur'ose of t&e 'roceein)s uner t&e
ne% coe for t&e 'ro"ate of a %ill. +Sec. ?.7., T&e Cu)ment
in suc& 'roceein)s etermines an can etermine not&in)
more. In t&em t&e court &as no 'o%er to 'ass u'on t&e
$aliit# of an# 'ro$isions mae in t&e %ill. It can not ecie(
for e*am'le( t&at a certain le)ac# is $oi an anot&er one
$ali.8
II. DISIN+E-ITANCE
Art. 9-5. A compulsory heir may, in consequence of
disinheritance, be deprived of his le!itime, for
causes e&pressly stated by law. (#/#a)
9isinheritance may be defined as the act by which the
testator& for a 0ust cause& deprives a compulsory heir of his
riht to the leitime.
't is a means iven to the testator to punish such of his
compulsory heirs who have committed acts which render
them unworthy of benefit or enerosity. The law saves the
testator from the pain of seein a portion of his property pass
forcibly to an unrateful heir or to one who may have brouht
dishonor to him.
A disinheritance totally e%cludes the disinherited heir from
the inheritance not only the leitme but the entire amount
that he would have received as intestate heir.
3atio: the law of intestacy is merely the presumed will of the
testator& and cannot prevail over the e%pressed will in the
form of a valid disinheritance. 'f the disinheritance deprives
the compulsory heir of his leitime reserved by law to him all
the more that he should be deprived of the portion which ca
nbe freely disposed of.
As to the intestate heirs such as the collateral relatives or
those within the fifth civil deree of consanuinity the
testator may disinherit them for any reason at all. They
are not heirs protected by law as a compulsory heir
desinated. .ince they are mere heirs of the presumed will
their succession depends only upon the discretion of the
testator or his presumed will when none was made.
Art. 9-*. Disinheritance can be effected only throu!h
a will wherein the le!al cause therefor shall be
specified. (#/9)
Art. 9-7. "he burden of provin! the truth of the cause
for disinheritance shall rest upon the other heirs of
the testator, if the disinherited heir should deny it.
(#52)
3e!uisites of disinheritance:
4. heir must be desinated by name as to
leave no doubt(
5. must be for cause provided by law(
6. made in the will(
4. made e%pressly statin the causes in the
will(
7. cause msut be certain& true & and proved
8. must be unconditional(
=. must be total
There can be no e%tension of the causes for disinheritance by
analoy. The causes assined by the testator may be raver or
more serious than those iven by the law& but if they are not
amon those enumerated by the law& the disinheritance will
be ineffective.
The will must be valid. )therwise& the disinheritance will not
be effective.
The law does not admit tacit disinheritance.
- jann - 95
The last will of a person may be e%pressed in different
statements& all of them combined bein considered as one
last e%pression of his will mortis causa. There will be a valid
disinheritance if the cause for it has been e%pressed in one
statement& and the disinheritance is made in another&
provided that the necessary connection between the cause
and the disinheritance is clearly established.
As a eneral rule& a disineritance must be unconditional. But
when the disinheritance is made in the form of a conditional
pardon& it is enerally considered as walid. 'n such case& there
is an e%istin leal cause for disinheritance& but the pardon
for such cause is made dependent upon some condition. The
condition& however& should be related to the cause for
disinheritance& and not by a mere caprice or whim of the
testator. 'r is clear that it is the conditional pardon& and not
the conditional disinheritance& properly spea$in& that is
allowable.
A partial disinheritance with partial pardon is inconceivable.
The offense is one( it cannot be separated into component
parts. The testator cannot be partly offended and partly not.
Art. 9-#. Disinheritance without a specification of
the cause, or for a cause the truth of which, if
contradicted, is not proved, or which is not one of
those set forth in this 6ode, shall annul the
institution of heirs insofar as it may pre1udice the
person disinherited. but the devises and le!acies and
other testamentary dispositions shall be valid to
such e&tent as will not impair the le!itime. (#5-a)
This article pertain to effects of a disinheritance which does
not have one or more of the essential re!uisites for its
validity. 't li$ewise applies to cases of reconciliation after a
disinheritance has been made.
The ineffective disinheritance does not affect the disposition
of the testator with respect to the free portion. The reason is
the disinheritance in this case refers only only to the leitime
of the heir& and therefore& it is only this portion that is
affected by the nullity or ineffectiveness of such
disinheritance.
#here the disinheritance is ineffective in this case& the
compulsory heir must be iven all that he is entitiled to
receive as if the disinheritance has not been made& without
pre0udice to lawful dispositions made by the testator in favor
of others.
Art. 9-9. "he followin! shall be sufficient causes for
the disinheritance of children and descendants,
le!itimate as well as ille!itimate,
(-) When a child or descendant has been
found !uilty of an attempt a!ainst the life of
the testator, his or her spouse, descendants,
or ascendants.
($) When a child or descendant has accused
the testator of a crime for which the law
prescribes imprisonment for si& years or
more, if the accusation has been found
!roundless.
(%) When a child or descendant has been
convicted of adultery or concubina!e with
the spouse of the testator.
(/) When a child or descendant by fraud,
violence, intimidation, or undue influence
causes the testator to ma+e a will or to
chan!e one already made.
(5) A refusal without 1ustifiable cause to
support the parent or ascendant who
disinherits such child or descendant.
(*) Aaltreatment of the testator by word or
deed, by the child or descendant.
(7) When a child or descendant leads a
dishonorable or dis!raceful life.
(#) 6onviction of a crime which carries with
it the penalty of civil interdiction. (75*, #5%,
*7/a)
Attempt aainst the life includes all the different derees of
commission of the crime& such as attempted& frustrated& and
consummated. 't is essential thouh& that the heir be
convicted despite the followin:
a. prescription of penalty(
b. pardon and amnesty both of
which imply conviction(
c. mere accomplice in the crime
,%ception on attempt aainst the life are the followin:
4. intention is lac$in
5. conviction for mere rec$less imprudence or
nelience thouh mitiated
6. 0ustifyin circumstance under the 3?+
4. accessory after the fact
7. prosecution dismissed even if provisional only
8. prescription of the crime
=. appeal to the hiher court reverses conviction
,lements od false accusation:
4. act of accusin the testator(
5. 0udicial declaration that such accusation is false(
6. offense chared is punishable be 8 years
imprisonment.
The heir convicted of adultery or concubinae with the
spouse of testator is disinherited by the law. But the law does
not provide when the testator himself is uilty of adultery. 'n
- jann - 96
such case article 4058 will apply in relation to article =5A&
prohibition to donate to a paramour.
*udicial demand for support is not necessary. The law does
not re!uire it& the !uestion of whether there has been a
refusal to ive such support without 0ustifiable cause is open
to proof if the disinherited child or descendant denies it.
Article 606 ives cause for the termination of the obliation
the support and these are 0ustifiable rounds to refuse
support e%cept of course the death of the preson entitiled to
support.
Art. 606. The obliation to ive support shall also cease:
D4E 1pon the death of the recipient(
D5E #hen the resources of the oblior have been
reduced to the point where he cannot ive the
support without nelectin his own needs and those
of his family(
D6E #hen the recipient may enae in a trade&
profession& or industry& or has obtained wor$& or has
improved his fortune in such a way that he no loner
needs the allowance for his subsistence(
D4E #hen the recipient& be he a forced heir or not&
has committed some act which ives rise to
disinheritance(
D7E #hen the recipient is a descendant& brother or
sister of the oblior and the need for support is
caused by his or her bad conduct or by the lac$ of
application to wor$& so lon as this cause subsists.
D475aE
/altreatment by deed covers all acts of violence aainst the
testator short of an attempt aainst the life. /altreatment by
word amounts to slander addressed directly aainst the
testator himself conviction& thouh& is not necessary. ,%cept
when:
4. unintentional(
5. on account of lac$ of discernment due to tender ae
or mental incapacity
#hat is dishonorable or disraceful life is larely a matter of
appreciation and opinion. 'f denied& the burden of proof is
lodeed to the others interested in the estate. 1ltimately& it is
the opinion of the court which will be the basis of the
disinheritance.
The conviction of the crime which carries the penalty of +ivil
interdiction must be by final 0udement.
Art. 9$2. "he followin! shall be sufficient causes for
the disinheritance of parents or ascendants, whether
le!itimate or ille!itimate,
(-) When the parents have abandoned their
children or induced their dau!hters to live a
corrupt or immoral life, or attempted
a!ainst their virtue.
($) When the parent or ascendant has been
convicted of an attempt a!ainst the life of the
testator, his or her spouse, descendants, or
ascendants.
(%) When the parent or ascendant has
accused the testator of a crime for which the
law prescribes imprisonment for si& years or
more, if the accusation has been found to be
false.
(/) When the parent or ascendant has been
convicted of adultery or concubina!e with
the spouse of the testator.
(5) When the parent or ascendant by fraud,
violence, intimidation, or undue influence
causes the testator to ma+e a will or to
chan!e one already made.
(*) "he loss of parental authority for causes
specified in this 6ode.
(7) "he refusal to support the children or
descendants without 1ustifiable cause.
(#) An attempt by one of the parents a!ainst
the life of the other, unless there has been a
reconciliation between them. (75*, #5/,
*7/a)
Abandonment should be understood in a eneral sense& so as
to include failure to ive due care& attention& and support.
#hat is corrupt and immoral life will ultimately be /ATT,3
)B *19'+'A< A??3A'.A< and opinion& if the parent denies
this cause for disinheritance. The acts which the dauhter has
been indiuced by the parent to commit should be proved.
9auhters in the article must be construed to include all
female descendants.
Attempt aainst the virtue does not re!uire final conviction.
't is enouh that he has committed acts which would have
amounted to rape& seduction& or acts of lasciviousness&
aainst such dauhter.
<oss of parental are provided for in the Bamily +ode.
Art. 55A. 1nless subse!uently revived by a final 0udment&
parental authority also terminates:
D4E 1pon adoption of the child(
D5E 1pon appointment of a eneral uardian(
D6E 1pon 0udicial declaration of abandonment of the
child in a case filed for the purpose(
- jann - 97
D4E 1pon final 0udment of a competent court
divestin the party concerned of parental authority(
or
D7E 1pon 0udicial declaration of absence or
incapacity of the person e%ercisin parental
authority. D65=aE
Art. 560. ?arental authority is suspended upon conviction of
the parent or the person e%ercisin the same of a crime which
carries with it the penalty of civil interdiction. The authority
is automatically reinstated upon service of the penalty or
upon pardon or amnesty of the offender. D660aE
Art. 564. The court in an action filed for the purpose in a
related case may also suspend parental authority if the parent
or the person e%ercisin the same:
D4E Treats the child with e%cessive harshness or
cruelty(
D5E ;ives the child corruptin orders& counsel or
e%ample(
D6E +ompels the child to be( or
D4E .ub0ects the child or allows him to be sub0ected
to acts of lasciviousness.
The rounds enumerated above are deemed to include cases
which have resulted from culpable nelience of the parent or
the person e%ercisin parental authority.
'f the deree of seriousness so warrants& or the welfare of the
child so demands& the court shall deprive the uilty party of
parental authority or adopt such other measures as may be
proper under the circumstances.
The suspension or deprivation may be revo$ed and the
parental authority revived in a case filed for the purpose or in
the same proceedin if the court finds that the cause therefor
has ceased and will not be repeated. D66aE
Art. 565. 'f the person e%ercisin parental authority has
sub0ected the child or allowed him to be sub0ected to se%ual
abuse& such person shall be permanently deprived by the
court of such authority. DnE
There are temporary loss of parental authority which causes
disinheritance but will the recovery of authority revo$e the
disinheritance@ No. the cause for disinheritance subsists
even when parental authority is regained. The reason
advanced is that the real cause for disinheritance is not the
loss of the parental authority, but the fact of having
committed something sufficient to occasion such loss. The
right to inherit is odious, because it involves the deprivation
of property; this fact, together with the fact that
disinheritaqnce is an exception to the rules of legitime
justifies a strict construction.
Attempt aainst the life does not re!uire conviction of the
offendin parent. But the reconciliation between the
offendin parent and the parent aainst whose life the
attempt was made deprives the child of the riht to disinherit
the offender.
Art. 9$-. "he followin! shall be sufficient causes for
disinheritin! a spouse,
(-) When the spouse has been convicted of an
attempt a!ainst the life of the testator, his or
her descendants, or ascendants.
($) When the spouse has accused the testator
of a crime for which the law prescribes
imprisonment of si& years or more, and the
accusation has been found to be false.
(%) When the spouse by fraud, violence,
intimidation, or undue influence cause the
testator to ma+e a will or to chan!e one
already made.
(/) When the spouse has !iven cause for
le!al separation.
(5) When the spouse has !iven !rounds for
the loss of parental authority.
(*) Cn1ustifiable refusal to support the
children or the other spouse. (75*, #55,
*7/a)
't is the fact of havin iven cause for the leal separation
which is the round( in other words& it is necessary that the
leal separation be actually obtained.
Art. 77. A petition for leal separation may be filed on any of
the followin rounds:
D4E 3epeated physical violence or rossly abusive
conduct directed aainst the petitioner& a common
child& or a child of the petitioner(
D5E ?hysical violence or moral pressure to compel
the petitioner to chane reliious or political
affiliation(
D6E Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the
petitioner& a common child& or a child of the
petitioner& to enae in prostitution& or connivance
in such corruption or inducement(
D4E Binal 0udment sentencin the respondent to
imprisonment of more than si% years& even if
pardoned(
D7E 9ru addiction or habitual alcoholism of the
respondent(
D8E <esbianism or homose%uality of the respondent(
D=E +ontractin by the respondent of a subse!uent
biamous marriae& whether in the ?hilippines or
abroad(
D8E .e%ual infidelity or perversion(
DAE Attempt by the respondent aainst the life of the
petitioner( or
D40E Abandonment of petitioner by respondent
without 0ustifiable cause for more than one year.
- jann - 98
Bor purposes of this Article& the term "child" shall include a
child by nature or by adoption. DAaE
Art. 86. The decree of leal separation shall have the
followin effects:
D4E The spouses shall be entitled to live separately
from each other& but the marriae bonds shall not be
severed(
D5E The absolute community or the con0ual
partnership shall be dissolved and li!uidated but the
offendin spouse shall have no riht to any share of
the net profits earned by the absolute community or
the con0ual partnership& which shall be forfeited in
accordance with the provisions of Article 46D5E(
D6E The custody of the minor children shall be
awarded to the innocent spouse& sub0ect to the
provisions of Article 546 of this +ode( and
!" The offending spouse shall be disqualified from
inheriting from the innocent spouse by intestate
succession. #oreover, provisions in favor of the
offending spouse made in the will of the innocent
spouse shall be revo$ed by operation of law. %&'a"
Art. 9$$. A subsequent reconciliation between the
offender and the offended person deprives the latter
of the ri!ht to disinherit, and renders ineffectual any
disinheritance that may have been made. (#5*)
;eneral pardon is not sufficient. The pardon must e%pressly
refer to the heir disinherited and specifically to the acts
causin the disinheritance. .uch pardon must be accepted by
the heir. There must be a real reconciliation between the
parties.
There are some rounds for disinheritance which are also
causes for incapacity by reason of unworthiness. #hat then
would be the effect of a subse!uent reconciliation between
the parties& if a disinheritance has already been made on any
of the rounds which are also causes for unworthiness@
.ame effect& the heir may inherit as a +2 and intestate.
'ncapacity by reason of unworthiness is merely an e%pression
of the implied will of a person who has not e%pressed his
intention in a will. 'f the e%press intention& manifested by the
testator in a disinheritin clause in a will& is rendered
ineffective by a subse!uent reconciliation& how can the
implied intention be loically held to e%ist@
'f a disinheritance has been made& and then reconciliation
ta$es place& it will be the same as if there had been no
disinheritance. The disinheritance does not leally e%ist& and
the rihts established by law in favor of the person
provisionally disinherited recover their supremacy over the
e%press disposition of thetestator.
9isinheritance may be revo$ed by:
4. reconciliation(
5. subse!uent institution of the disinherited heir(
6. the nullity of the will containin the disinheritance&
such as when denied probate.
)nce revo$ed it cannot be renewed e%cept for other
causes subse!uent to the revocation. Thus& after
reconciliation a new disinheritance can be based only on
new rounds.
Art. 9$%. "he children and descendants of the person
disinherited shall ta+e his or her place and shall
preserve the ri!hts of compulsory heirs with respect
to the le!itime. but the disinherited parent shall not
have the usufruct or administration of the property
which constitutes the le!itime. (#57)
The causes of disinheritance are personal to the disinherited
heir( he alone is at fault& and nobody else should suffer the
effects of such culpability. 2is children and ascendants
therefore should not be penali-ed for acts not imputable to
them.
The article allows the children and descendants of the person
disinherited to ta$e his place and retain the rihts of
compulsory heirs in respect to the leitime.
The disinherited person can be represented only if he is a
child or descendant& a disinherited ascendant or spouse
cannot be represented. 3iht of representation applies.
The representation should e%tend to everythin that would
have passed to the disinherited heir by operation of law( this
includes the amount that pertains to him as intestate heir and
not only that as compulsory heir.
NJ'. ':.T'T1T'): )B 2,'3.
A. 'n ;eneral
Art. #/2. nstitution of heir is an act by virtue of
which a testator desi!nates in his will the person or
persons who are to succeed him in his property and
transmissible ri!hts and obli!ations. (n)
T&e %ill of t&e testator is t&e su'reme la% %&ic& succession
is )o$erne( t&us( t&e "eneficiaries uner t&e %ill must "e
esi)nate %it& clearness so t&at t&ere can "e no ou"t as
to %&o are intene "# t&e testator.
Since t&e institution of &eirs an t&e esi)nation of le)atees
an e$isees s'rin) e*clusi$el# from t&e %ill of t&e testator(
onl# t&e 'ortion of t&e in&eritance t&at is su"Cect to t&e
is'osal of t&e testator %oul "e affecte "# suc& institution
or esi)nation. It cannot affect t&e 'ortion 1no%n as t&e
le)itime.
Art. 7#5. "he duration or efficacy of the desi!nation
of heirs, devisees or le!atees, or the determination
of the portions which they are to ta+e, when referred
to by name, cannot be left to the discretion of a third
person. (*72a)
T: The matters mentioned in this article are testamentary in
nature( they constitute e%pressions of the will or disposition
of the testator. 2ence& pursuant to Art. =84& it cannot be
deleated.
- jann - 99
B: The ff. constitute the essence of will ma$in or the e%ercise
of the disposin power& and thus& non>deleable:
4. the desination of heirs& devisees& leatees(
7. the duration or efficacy of such desination
includin such thins as conditions& terms&
substitutions
8. the determination of the portions they are to recieve
Art. 7#7. "he testator may not ma+e a testamentary
disposition in such manner that another person has
to determine whether or not it is to be operative. (n)
Art. #/-. A will shall be valid even thou!h it should
not contain an institution of an heir, or such
institution should not comprise the entire estate,
and even thou!h the person so instituted should not
accept the inheritance or should be incapacitated to
succeed.
The heir may be instituted to succeed to the whole or to an
ali!uot part of the inheritance. The e%istence of the
institution does not depend upon the desination or name
which the testator ives to his testamentary disposition.
n such cases the testamentary dispositions made in
accordance with law shall be complied with and the
remainder of the estate shall pass to the le!al heirs.
(7*/)
Art. #/$. ;ne who has no compulsory heirs may
dispose by will of all his estate or any part of it in
favor of any person havin! capacity to succeed.
The article pertains to the principle of freedom of distribution
by will. The e%tent of his freedom of disposition depends
upon the e%istence& $nid& and number of compulsory heirs.
#hen there are +2 the law limits this freedom to such e%tent
that leitime is not impaired. Besides the civil law& special
laws also restrict this freedom such as the ?ublic <and Act
which vests upon the heirs of the applicant or rantee the
ownership of land in such case that the latter dies. Thus& he
does not have free disposal of the sub0ect land.
The body of the deceased testator will not pass under his will
or become part of the estate because it is not a property. But
the testator may be allowed to such e%tent for scientific or
educational purposes.
;ne who has compulsory heirs may dispose of his
estate provided he does not contravene the
provisions of this 6ode with re!ard to the le!itime of
said heirs. (7*%a)
Art. #/%. "he testator shall desi!nate the heir by his
name and surname, and when there are two persons
havin! the same names, he shall indicate some
circumstance by which the instituted heir may be
+nown.
4ven thou!h the testator may have omitted the name
of the heir, should he desi!nate him in such manner
that there can be no doubt as to who has been
instituted, the institution shall be valid. (77$)
Art. #//. An error in the name, surname, or
circumstances of the heir shall not vitiate the
institution when it is possible, in any other manner,
to +now with certainty the person instituted.
f amon! persons havin! the same names and
surnames, there is a similarity of circumstances in
such a way that, even with the use of the other proof,
the person instituted cannot be identified, none of
them shall be an heir. (77%a)
Art. 7#9. When there is an imperfect description, or
when no person or property e&actly answers the
description, mista+es and omissions must be
corrected, if the error appears from the conte&t of
the will or from e&trinsic evidence, e&cludin! the
oral declarations of the testator as to his intention.
and when an uncertainty arises upon the face of the
will, as to the application of any of its provisions, the
testator3s intention is to be ascertained from the
words of the will, ta+in! into consideration the
circumstances under which it was made, e&cludin!
such oral declarations. (n)
T: The first part of this article pertains to patent or e%trinsic
ambiuity which appears upon the face of the instrument
such as when the testator ives a devise or leacy to .)/,
of the si% children of his cousin *uan
The second part pertains to latent or intrinsic ambiuity
which cannot be seen from a mere perusal or readin of the
will but appears only upon consideration of e%trinsic
circumstances& such as ivin leacy to my cousin ?edro&
when ' fact he has two cousins named ?edro. Thus. 't occurs
when:
6. two or more persons or thins answer the name or
description(
4. misdescription of the beneficiary or the ift
,%trinsic evidence is admissible to show the situation of the
testator and all the relevant facts and circumstances
surroundin him at the time of ma$in the will& for the
purpose of e%plainin or resolvin patent ambiuity.
B: method of resolvin ambiuity& whether latent or patent is
any evidence admissible and relevant e%cludin the oral
declarations of testator as to his intention.
3atio for the e%clusion: B: can a dead man refute a tale@
T: the testator whose lips have been sealed by death can no
loner deny or affirm the truth of what witnesses may say he
declared& would create confusion and ive rise to false claims.
Art. #/5. 4very disposition in favor of an un+nown
person shall be void, unless by some event or
circumstance his identity becomes certain. 'owever,
a disposition in favor of a definite class or !roup of
persons shall be valid. (752a)
- jann - 100
Art. 7#*. "he testator may entrust to a third person
the distribution of specific property or sums of
money that he may leave in !eneral to specified
classes or causes, and also the desi!nation of the
persons, institutions or establishments to which
such property or sums are to be !iven or applied.
(*7-a)
T: the third person here does not ma$e any disposition& but
simply carries out details in the e%ecution of the testamentary
disposition made by the testator himself in the will.
B: for this article to ta$e effect the testator must determine
the ff:
7. the property or amount of money iven and(
8. the class or cause to be benefited
and the ff. may be deleated:
6. desination of persons& institutions& or
establishments within the class or cause(
4. the manner of distribution.
Art. #/*. 'eirs instituted without desi!nation of
shares shall inherit in equal parts. (7*5)
Art. #/#. f the testator should institute his brothers
and sisters, and he has some of full blood and others
of half blood, the inheritance shall be distributed
equally unless a different intention appears. (772a)
Art. #/7. When the testator institutes some heirs
individually and others collectively as when he says,
"I designate as my heirs A and B, and the children
of C," those collectively desi!nated shall be
considered as individually instituted, unless it
clearly appears that the intention of the testator was
otherwise. (7*9a)
Art. #/9. When the testator calls to the succession a
person and his children they are all deemed to have
been instituted simultaneously and not successively.
(77-)
Art. #52. "he statement of a false cause for the
institution of an heir shall be considered as not
written, unless it appears from the will that the
testator would not have made such institution if he
had +nown the falsity of such cause. (7*7a)
A"stria !s. -eyes
On Gul# 7( ->7? Basilia Austria $a. e 0ru4 file %it& t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al +S'ecial Proceein)s .477, a
'etition for 'ro"ate( ante mortem( of &er last %ill an
testament. T&e 'ro"ate %as o''ose "# t&e 'resent
'etitioners Ru"en Austria( 0onsuelo AustriaDBenta an Lauro
Austria Ho4o( an still ot&ers %&o( li1e t&e 'etitioner( are
ne'&e%s an nieces of Basilia. T&is o''osition %as(
&o%e$er( ismisse an t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill allo%e after
ue &earin).
T&e "ul1 of t&e estate of Basilia( amittel#( %as estine
uner t&e %ill to 'ass on to t&e res'onents Perfecto 0ru4(
Benita 0ru4DHeOe4( Isa)ani 0ru4( Al"erto 0ru4( an Lu4
0ru4DSalon)a( all of %&om &a "een assume an eclare
"# Basilia as &er o%n le)all# ao'te c&ilren.
2inall#( on No$em"er 7( ->7>( t&e 'resent 'etitioners file in
t&e same 'roceein)s a 'etition in inter$ention for 'artition
alle)in) in su"stance t&at t&e# are t&e nearest of 1in of
Basilia( an t&at t&e fi$e res'onents Perfecto 0ru4( et al.(
&a not in fact "een ao'te "# t&e eceent in accorance
%it& la%( in effect renerin) t&ese res'onents mere
stran)ers to t&e eceent an %it&out an# ri)&t to succee
as &eirs.
In t&e meantime( t&e contenin) sies e"ate t&e matter of
aut&enticit# or lac1 of it of t&e se$eral ao'tion 'a'ers
'rouce an 'resente "# t&e res'onents. On motion of
t&e 'etitioners Ru"en Austria( et al.( t&ese ocuments %ere
referre to t&e National Bureau of In$esti)ation for
e*amination an a$ice. N.B.I. re'ort seems to "ear out t&e
)enuineness of t&e ocuments( "ut t&e 'etitioners( e$ientl#
issatisfie %it& t&e results( mana)e to o"tain a 'reliminar#
o'inion from a 0onsta"ular# !uestioneDocument e*aminer
%&ose $ie%s unermine t&e aut&enticit# of t&e sai
ocuments. T&e 'etitioners Ru"en Austria( et al.( t&us mo$e
t&e lo%er court to refer t&e ao'tion 'a'ers to t&e P&ili''ine
0onsta"ular# for furt&er stu#. T&e 'etitioners li1e%ise
locate former 'ersonnel of t&e court %&ic& a''eare to
&a$e )rante t&e !uestione ao'tion( an o"taine %ritten
e'ositions from t%o of t&em en#in) an# 1no%le)e of t&e
'ertinent ao'tion 'roceein)s.
T&e com'laint in inter$ention file in t&e lo%er court assails
t&e le)alit# of t&e tie %&ic& t&e res'onent Perfecto 0ru4 an
&is "rot&ers an sisters claim to &a$e %it& t&e eceent. T&e
lo%er court &a( &o%e$er( assume( "# its orers in !uestion(
t&at t&e $aliit# or in$aliit# of t&e ao'tion is not material nor
ecisi$e on t&e efficac# of t&e institution of &eirs< for( e$en if
t&e ao'tion in !uestion %ere s'urious( t&e res'onents
Perfecto 0ru4( et al.( %ill ne$ert&eless succee not as
com'ulsor# &eirs "ut as testamentar# &eirs institute in
Basilia@s %ill. T&is rulin) a''arentl# fins su''ort in article
94. of t&e 0i$il 0oe %&ic& reas;
8One %&o &as no com'ulsor# &eirs ma#
is'ose of "# %ill all &is estate or an# 'art
of it in fa$or of an# 'erson &a$in) ca'acit#
to succee.
8One %&o &as com'ulsor# &eirs ma#
is'ose of &is estate 'ro$ie &e oes not
contra$ene t&e 'ro$isions of t&is 0oe %it&
re)ar to t&e le)itime of sai &eirs.8
T&e 'etitioners ne'&e%s an niece( u'on t&e ot&er &an(
insist t&at t&e entire estate s&oul escen to t&em "#
intestac# "# reason of t&e intrinsic nullit# of t&e institution of
&eirs em"oie in t&e eceent@s %ill. T&e# &a$e t&us raise
s!uarel# t&e issue of %&et&er or not suc& institution of &eirs
%oul retain efficac# in t&e e$ent t&ere e*ists 'roof t&at t&e
ao'tion of t&e same &eirs "# t&e eceent is false.
T&e 'etitioners cite( as t&e controllin) rule( article 97= of t&e
0i$il 0oe %&ic& reas;
8T&e statement of a false cause for t&e
institution of an &eir s&all "e consiere as
not %ritten( unless it a''ears from t&e %ill
- jann - 101
t&at t&e testator %oul not &a$e mae suc&
institution if &e &a 1no%n t&e falsit# of
suc& cause.8
T&e tenor of t&e lan)ua)e use( t&e 'etitioners ar)ue( )i$es
rise to t&e inference t&at t&e late Basilia %as ecei$e into
"elie$in) t&at s&e %as le)all# "oun to "e!ueat& oneD&alf of
&er entire estate to t&e res'onents Perfecto 0ru4( et al. as
t&e latter@s le)itime. T&e 'etitioners furt&er conten t&at &a
t&e ecease 1no%n t&e ao'tion to "e s'urious( s&e %oul
not &a$e institute t&e res'onents at all S t&e "asis of t&e
institution "ein) solel# &er "elief t&at t&e# %ere com'ulsor#
&eirs. Proof t&erefore of t&e falsit# of t&e ao'tion %oul
cause a nullit# of t&e institution of &eirs an t&e o'enin) of
t&e estate %ie to intestac#. :i t&e lo%er court t&en a"use
its iscretion or act in $iolation of t&e ri)&ts of t&e 'arties in
"arrin) t&e 'etitioners ne'&e%s an niece from re)isterin)
t&eir claim e$en to 'ro'erties aCuicate "# t&e eceent in
&er %illF
Before t&e institution of &eirs ma# "e annulle uner article
97= of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e follo%in) re!uisites must concur;
2irst( t&e cause for t&e institution of &eirs must "e state in
t&e %ill< secon( t&e cause must "e s&o%n to "e false< an
t&ir( it must a''ear from t&e face of t&e %ill t&at t&e testator
%oul not &a$e mae suc& institution if &e &a 1no%n t&e
falsit# of t&e cause.
T&e 'etitioners %oul &a$e us im'l#( from t&e use of t&e
terms( 8sa'ilitan) ta)a'a)mana8 +com'ulsor# &eirs, an
8sa'ilitan) mana8 +le)itime,( t&at t&e im'ellin) reason or
cause for t&e institution of t&e res'onents %as t&e testatri*@s
"elief t&at uner t&e la% s&e coul not o ot&er%ise. If t&is
%ere inee %&at 'rom'te t&e testatri* in institutin) t&e
res'onents( s&e i not ma1e it 1no%n in &er %ill. Surel# if
s&e %as a%are t&at succession to t&e le)itime ta1es 'lace "#
o'eration of la%( ine'enent of &er o%n %is&es( s&e %oul
not &a$e foun it con$enient to name &er su''ose
com'ulsor# &eirs to t&eir le)itimes. Aer e*'ress ao'tion of
t&e rules on le)itimes s&oul $er# %ell inicate &er com'lete
a)reement %it& t&at statutor# sc&eme. But e$en t&is( li1e t&e
'etitioners@ o%n 'ro'osition( is &i)&l# s'eculati$e of %&at %as
in t&e min of t&e testatri* %&en s&e e*ecute &er %ill. One
fact 're$ails( &o%e$er( an it is t&at t&e eceent@s %ill oes
not state in a s'ecific or une!ui$ocal manner t&e cause for
suc& institution of &eirs. Be cannot annul t&e same on t&e
"asis of )uess%or1 or uncertain im'lications.
An e$en if %e s&oul acce't t&e 'etitioners@ t&eor# t&at t&e
eceent institute t&e res'onents 'erfecto 0ru4( et al.
solel# "ecause s&e "elie$e t&at t&e la% commane &er to
o so( on t&e false assum'tion t&at &er ao'tion of t&ese
res'onents %as $ali( still suc& institution must stan.
Article 97= of t&e 0i$il 0oe( !uote a"o$e( is a 'ositi$e
inCunction to i)nore %&ate$er false cause t&e testator ma#
&a$e %ritten in &is %ill for t&e institution of &eirs. Suc&
institution ma# "e annulle onl# %&en one is satisfie( after
an e*amination of t&e %ill( t&at t&e testator clearl# %oul not
&a$e mae t&e institution if &e &a 1no%n t&e cause for it to
"e false. No%( %oul t&e late Basilia &a$e cause t&e
re$ocation of t&e institution of &eirs if s&e &a 1no%n t&at s&e
%as mista1en in treatin) t&ese &eirs as &er le)all# ao'te
c&ilrenF Or %oul s&e &a$e institute t&em nonet&elessF
T&e eceent@s %ill( %&ic& alone s&oul 'ro$ie t&e ans%er(
is mute on t&is 'oint or at "est is $a)ue an uncertain. T&e
'&rases( 8m)a sa'ilitan) ta)a'a)mana8 an 8sa'ilitan)
mana(8 %ere "orro%e from t&e lan)ua)e of t&e la% on
succession an %ere use( res'ecti$el#( to escri"e t&e class
of &eirs institute an t&e a"stract o"Cect of t&e in&eritance.
T&e# offer no a"solute inication t&at t&e eceent %oul
&a$e %ille &er estate ot&er t&an t&e %a# s&e i if s&e &a
1no%n t&at s&e %as not "oun "# la% to ma1e allo%ance for
le)itimes. Aer is'osition of t&e free 'ortion of &er estate
+li"re is'osicion, %&ic& lar)el# fa$ore t&e res'onent
Perfecto 0ru4( t&e latter@s c&ilren( an t&e c&ilren of t&e
res'onent Benita 0ru4( s&o%s a 'erce'ti"le inclination on
&er 'art to )i$e to t&e res'onents more t&an %&at s&e
t&ou)&t t&e la% enCoine &er to )i$e to t&em. 0om'are t&is
%it& t&e relati$el# small e$ise of lan %&ic& t&e eceent
&a left for &er "loo relati$es( incluin) t&e 'etitioners
0onsuelo AustriaDBenta an Lauro Ho4o an t&e c&ilren of
t&e 'etitioner Ru"en Austria. Bere %e to e*clue t&e
res'onents Perfecto 0ru4( et al( from t&e in&eritance( t&en
t&e 'etitioners an t&e ot&er ne'&e%s an nieces %oul
succee to t&e "ul1 of t&e estate "# intestac# S a result
%&ic& %oul su"$ert t&e clear %is&es of t&e eceent.
B&ate$er ou"ts one entertains in &is min s&oul "e s%e't
a%a# "# t&ese e*'licit inCunctions in t&e 0i$il 0oe; 8T&e
%ors of a %ill are to recei$e an inter'retation %&ic& %ill )i$e
to e$er# e*'ression some effect( rat&er t&an one %&ic& %ill
rener an# of t&e e*'ressions ino'erati$e< an of t%o moes
of inter'retin) a %ill( t&at is to "e 'referre %&ic& %ill 're$ent
intestac#.8 -
Testac# is fa$ore an ou"ts are resol$e on its sie(
es'eciall# %&ere t&e %ill e$inces an intention on t&e 'art of
t&e testator to is'ose of 'racticall# &is %&ole estate( . as
%as one in t&is case. Horeo$er( so com'ellin) is t&e
'rinci'le t&at intestac# s&oul "e a$oie an t&e %is&es of
t&e testator allo%e to 're$ail( t&at %e coul e$en $ar# t&e
lan)ua)e of t&e %ill for t&e 'ur'ose of )i$in) it effect. / A
'ro"ate court &as foun( "# final Cu)ment( t&at t&e late
Basilia Austria Va. e 0ru4 %as 'ossesse of testamentar#
ca'acit# an &er last %ill e*ecute free from falsification(
frau( tric1er# or unue influence. In t&is situation( it "ecomes
our ut# to )i$e full e*'ression to &er %ill. 4
At all e$ents( t&e le)alit# of t&e ao'tion of t&e res'onents
"# t&e testatri* can "e assaile onl# in a se'arate action
"rou)&t for t&at 'ur'ose( an cannot "e t&e su"Cect of a
collateral attac1. 7
Art. #5-. f the testator has instituted only one heir,
and the institution is limited to an aliquot part of the
inheritance, le!al succession ta+es place with
respect to the remainder of the estate.
"he same rule applies if the testator has instituted
several heirs, each bein! limited to an aliquot part,
and all the parts do not cover the whole inheritance.
(n)
Art. #5$. f it was the intention of the testator that
the instituted heirs should become sole heirs to the
whole estate, or the whole free portion, as the case
may be, and each of them has been instituted to an
aliquot part of the inheritance and their aliquot
parts to!ether do not cover the whole inheritance, or
the whole free portion, each part shall be increased
proportionally. (n)
- jann - 102
Art. #5%. f each of the instituted heirs has been
!iven an aliquot part of the inheritance, and the
parts to!ether e&ceed the whole inheritance, or the
whole free portion, as the case may be, each part
shall be reduced proportionally. (n)
Art. #5*. A voluntary heir who dies before the
testator transmits nothin! to his heirs.
A compulsory heir who dies before the testator, a
person incapacitated to succeed, and one who
renounces the inheritance, shall transmit no ri!ht to
his own heirs e&cept in cases e&pressly provided for
in this 6ode. (7**a)
B. Ginds of 'nstitution
Art. 777. "he ri!hts to the succession are transmitted
from the moment of the death of the decedent.
(*57a)
Art. #7-. "he institution of an heir may be made
conditionally, or for a certain purpose or cause.
(792a)
5i"da de Filay;o !s. Tengco
T&ese consoliate cases see1 to annul t&e orers - ate
Se'tem"er .=( ->79( Ganuar# 7( ->77 an Ganuar# /-( ->77
of t&e t&en 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ne)ros Occiental(
Branc& IV( res'ecti$el#( cancellin) t&e notice of lis 'enens
file "# 0elsa L. Va. e Kila#1o( et al. %it& t&e Re)ister of
:ees of Ne)ros Occiental( en#in) t&e motion for
reconsieration of t&e orer ate Se'tem"er .=( ->7? file
"# 0elsa L. Va. e Kila# 1o( et al.( an &olin) in a"e#ance
t&e resolution of efenants@ motion to ismiss.
On Ganuar# .9( ->?9( Haria Li4ares # Alunan ie %it&out
an# issue lea$in) sai 8testamento8 in t&e 'ossession an
custo# of &er niece( Eusta!uia Li4ares. / On 2e"ruar# ?(
->?9( Eusta!uia file a 'etition for t&e settlement of t&e
testate estate of Haria Li4ares # Alunan( "efore t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of Ne)ros Occiental( Branc& IV( oc1ete as
S'ecial Proceein)s No. 947.. 4
On Gul# -=( ->?9( Eusta!uia file a 'roCect of 'artition ?
%&ic& %as )rante "# t&e 'ro"ate court in an orer ate
Ganuar# 9( ->7-. Simultaneousl#( sai court eclare t&e
&eirs( e$isees( le)atees an usufructuaries mentione in t&e
'roCect of 'artition as t&e onl# &eirs( e$isees( le)atees an
usufructuaries of t&e estate< aCuicate to t&em t&e
'ro'erties res'ecti$el# assi)ne to eac& an e$er# one of
t&em( an orere t&e Re)ister of :ees of Ne)ros
Occiental an Bacolo 0it# to effect t&e corres'onin)
transfer of t&e real 'ro'erties to sai &eirs as %ell as t&e
transfer of s&ares( stoc1s( an i$iens in ifferent
cor'orations( com'anies an 'artners&i's in t&e name of
Haria Li4ares to t&e &eirs an le)atees( an t&e closure of
t&e testate 'roceein)s of Haria Li4ares. 7
A #ear later or on No$em"er ./( ->7/( Eusta!uia Li4ares
ie sin)le %it&out an# escenant. -- In ue time( Roolfo
Li4ares an Amelo Li4ares %ere a''ointe Coint
aministrators of Eusta!uia@s intestate estate.
On t&e stren)t& of t&e testamentar# 'ro$isions containe in
'ara)ra'&s -= an -- of t&e %ill of Haria Li4ares( %&ic& %ere
alle)el# in t&e nature of a sim'le su"stitution( 0elsa Va. e
Kila#1o( Encarnacion Va. e Panlilio( an Remeios Va.
e Guinto +&ereinafter collecti$el# referre to as 0elsa L.
Va. e Kila#1o( et al., file a motion in S'ecial Proceein)s
No. 947. to reo'en once a)ain t&e testate estate
'roceein)s of Haria Li4ares. T&e# 'ra#e amon) ot&ers
t&at a su"stitute aministrator "e a''ointe< t&at t&e orer
ate Ganuar# 9( ->7- "e reconsiere an amene "#
eclarin) t&em as &eirs to -5/ of -5-4 of Aa. Hinuluan an
to -5? of Aa. Hata"Dan)( "ot& of %&ic& form an a))re)ate
area of // &ectares< t&at t&e Re)ister of :ees of Ne)ros
Occiental( after suc& amenment( "e orere to re)ister at
t&e "ac1 of t&eir res'ecti$e certificates of title( t&e orer of
'ro"ate an a 8eclaration8 t&at mo$ants are t&e &eirs of sai
'ro'erties( an corres'onin)l# issue ne% certificates of title
in t&eir names. -.
T%o +., sets of intestate &eirs of t&e ecease Eusta!uia
Li4ares namel#; Socorro L. Va. e Escario( Roolfo Li4ares(
Hario Li4ares( Lucrecia Gustilo( an Aurora Li4ares Ba)ner
o''ose t&e aforesai motion. T&e# alle)e t&at t&e court
&a no more Curisiction to reo'en t&e testate estate
'roceein)s of Haria Li4ares as t&e orer of closure &a lon)
"ecome final an t&at t&e testamentar# 'ro$isions sou)&t to
"e enforce are null an $oi. -/
On A'ril -/( ->77( t&e Coint aministrators file "efore t&is
0ourt a 'etition for certiorari( 'ro&i"ition an5or manamus
%it& 'ra#er for a %rit of 'reliminar# inCunction. It %as
oc1ete as G.R. No. LD47>?7. Petitioners conten t&at t&e
lo%er court &a no Curisiction o$er 0i$il 0ase No. --?/> as it
in$ol$es t&e inter'retation of t&e %ill of Haria Li4ares( its
im'lementation an5or t&e aCuication of &er 'ro'erties.
T&e# assert t&at t&e matter &a "een settle in S'ecial
Proceein)s No. 947. %&ic& &a "ecome final an
una''eala"le lon) "efore t&e com'laint in 0i$il 0ase No.
--?/> %as file( an t&erefore( t&e cause of action in t&e
latter case %as "arre "# t&e 'rinci'le of res Cuicata. T&e#
a$er t&at t&e claim of 0elsa( Encarnacion an Remeios(
sisters of Haria Li4ares( o$er t&e 'ro'erties left "# t&eir niece
Eusta!uia an %&ic& t&e latter &a in&erite "# %ill from
Haria Li4ares( %as )rounless "ecause 'ara)ra'&s -= an
-- of Haria@s %ill on %&ic& 0elsa L. Va. e Kila#1o( et al.
"ase t&eir claim( concei$e of a fieicommissar# su"stitution
of &eirs. Petitioners conten t&at sai 'ro$isions of t&e %ill
are not $ali "ecause uner Article 9?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe(
t&e# constitute an in$ali fieicommissar# su"stitution of
&eirs.
T&e 'etition in G.R. No. LD47>?7 is im'resse %it& merit.
In testate succession( t&ere can "e no $ali 'artition amon)
t&e &eirs until after t&e %ill &as "een 'ro"ate. /= T&e la%
enCoins t&e 'ro"ate of a %ill an t&e 'u"lic re!uires it(
"ecause unless a %ill is 'ro"ate an notice t&ereof )i$en to
t&e %&ole %orl( t&e ri)&t of a 'erson to is'ose of &is
'ro'ert# "# %ill ma# "e renere nu)ator#. /- T&e
aut&entication of a %ill ecies no ot&er !uestion t&an suc&
as touc& u'on t&e ca'acit# of t&e testator an t&e
com'liance %it& t&ose re!uirements or solemnities %&ic& t&e
la% 'rescri"es for t&e $aliit# of a %ill. /.
T&e 'ro"ate court( in t&e e*ercise of its Curisiction to
istri"ute t&e estate( &as t&e 'o%er to etermine t&e
'ro'ortion or 'arts to %&ic& eac& istri"utee is entitle . . . /7
A 'roCect of 'artition is merel# a 'ro'osal for t&e istri"ution
of t&e &ereitar# estate %&ic& t&e court ma# acce't or reCect.
- jann - 103
It is t&e court t&at ma1es t&at istri"ution of t&e estate an
etermines t&e 'ersons entitle t&ereto. /9
In t&e instant case( t&e recors %ill s&o% t&at in t&e
settlement of t&e testate estate of Haria Li4ares( t&e
e*ecutri*( Eusta!uia Li4ares su"mitte on Ganuar# 9( ->7-( a
'roCect of 'artition in %&ic& t&e 'arcels of lan( su"Cect
matters of t&e com'laint for recon$e#ance( %ere inclue as
'ro'ert# of t&e estate an assi)ne e*clusi$el# to Eusta!uia
as a e$isee of Haria Li4ares. In accorance %it& sai
'roCect of 'artition %&ic& %as a''ro$e "# t&e 'ro"ate court(
Encarnacion Li4ares Va. e Panlilio( Remeios Li4ares Va.
e Guinto( 2elicia Parees Llo'e4( Rosario Parees
Heno4a an Eusta!uia Li4ares e*ecute an A)reement of
Partition an Su"i$ision on No$em"er .9( ->7.( %&ere"#
t&e# a)ree to terminate t&eir coDo%ners&i' o$er Lots Nos.
77=( 7-4( 77/( -.97D0 of SBOD744? an 77. co$ere "#
Transfer 0ertificates of Title Nos. TD?7==4( TD?7==7( TD?7==?(
TD?7==7 an TD?7==9. T&ese facts ta1en alto)et&er s&o%
t&at t&e Li4ares sisters reco)ni4e t&e ecree of 'artition
sanctione "# t&e 'ro"ate court an in fact rea'e t&e fruits
t&ereof.
Aence( t&e# are no% 'reclue from attac1in) t&e $aliit# of
t&e 'artition or an# 'art of it in t&e )uise of a com'laint for
recon$e#ance. A 'art# cannot( in la% an in )oo conscience
"e allo%e to rea' t&e fruits of a 'artition( a)reement or
Cu)ment an re'uiate %&at oes not suit &im. /> T&us(
%&ere a 'iece of lan &as "een inclue in a 'artition an
t&ere is no alle)ation t&at t&e inclusion %as effecte t&rou)&
im'ro'er means or %it&out 'etitioner@s 1no%le)e( t&e
'artition "arre an# furt&er liti)ation on sai title an
o'erate to "rin) t&e 'ro'ert# uner t&e control an
Curisiction of t&e court for its 'ro'er is'osition accorin) to
t&e tenor of t&e 'artition. 4= T&e !uestion of 'ri$ate
res'onents@ title o$er t&e lots in !uestion &as "een
conclue "# t&e 'artition an "ecame a close matter.
A final ecree of istri"ution of t&e estate of a ecease
'erson $ests t&e title to t&e lan of t&e estate in t&e
istri"utees. If t&e ecree is erroneous( it s&oul "e correcte
"# o''ortune a''eal( for once it "ecomes final( its "inin)
effect is li1e an# ot&er Cu)ment in rem( unless 'ro'erl# set
asie for lac1 of Curisiction or frau. B&ere t&e court &as
$alil# issue a ecree of istri"ution an t&e same &as
"ecome final( t&e $aliit# or in$aliit# of t&e 'roCect of
'artition "ecomes irrele$ant. 4-
It is a funamental conce't in t&e ori)in of e$er# Cural s#stem(
a 'rinci'le of 'u"lic 'olic#( t&at at t&e ris1 of occasional
errors( Cu)ments of courts s&oul "ecome final at some
efinite time fi*e "# la%( interest rei 'u"licae ut finis sit litum.
8T&e $er# o"Cect of %&ic& t&e courts %ere constitute %as to
'ut an en to contro$ersies.8 4. T&e onl# instance %&ere a
'art# intereste in a 'ro"ate 'roceein) ma# &a$e a final
li!uiation set asie is %&en &e is left out "# reason of
circumstances "e#on &is control or t&rou)& mista1e or
ina$ertence not im'uta"le to ne)li)ence. E$en t&en( t&e
"etter 'ractice to secure relief is t&e o'enin) of t&e same "#
'ro'er motion %it&in t&e re)lementar# 'erio( instea of an
ine'enent action( t&e effect of %&ic& if successful( %oul
"e for anot&er court or Cu)e to t&ro% out a ecision or orer
alrea# final an e*ecute an res&uffle 'ro'erties lon) a)o
istri"ute an is'ose of. 4/
T&e funamental 'rinci'le u'on %&ic& t&e octrine of res
Cuicata rests is t&at 'arties ou)&t not to "e 'ermitte to
liti)ate t&e same issue more t&an once( t&at( %&en a ri)&t or
fact &as "een Cuiciall# trie an etermine "# a court of
com'etent Curisiction( or an o''ortunit# for suc& trial &as
"een )i$en( t&e Cu)ment of t&e court( so lon) as it remains
unre$erse( s&oul "e conclusi$e u'on t&e 'arties an t&ose
in 'ri$it# %it& t&en in la% or estate. 44
Grantin) t&at res Cuicata &as not "arre t&e institution of
0i$il 0ase No. --?/>( t&e contention of 0elsa L. Va. e
Kila# 1o et al. t&at t&e# are conitional su"stitute &eirs of
Eusta!uia in t&e testate estate of Haria Li4ares 4? is not
meritorious. B&ile t&e alle)ation of t&e Coint aministrators
t&at 'ara)ra'&s -= an -- of Haria Li4ares@ last %ill an
testament concei$es of a fieicommissar# su"stitution uner
Article 9?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe is also "aseless as sai
'ara)ra'&s o not im'ose u'on Eusta!uia a clear o"li)ation
to 'reser$e t&e estate in fa$or of 0elsa L. Va. e Kila# 1o( et
al.( neit&er ma# sai 'ara)ra'&s "e consiere as 'ro$iin)
for a $ul)ar or sim'le su"stitution.
It s&oul "e remem"ere t&at %&en a testator merel# names
an &eir an 'ro$ies t&at if suc& &eir s&oul ie a secon
&eir also esi)nate s&all succee( t&ere is no
fieicommissar# su"stitution. T&e su"stitution s&oul t&en "e
construe as a $ul)ar or sim'le su"stitution uner Art. 97> of
t&e 0i$il 0oe "ut it s&all "e effecti$e onl# if t&e first &eir ies
"efore t&e testator. 47 In t&is case( t&e institute &eir(
Eusta!uia( sur$i$e t&e testatri*( Haria Li4ares. Aence( t&ere
can "e no su"stitution of &eirs for( u'on Haria Li4ares eat&(
t&e 'ro'erties in$ol$e unconitionall# e$ol$e u'on
Eusta!uia. Iner t&e circumstances( t&e sisters of Haria
Li4ares coul onl# in&erit t&e estate of Eusta!uia "#
o'eration of t&e la% of intestac#
Bit& res'ect to t&e cancellation of t&e notice of lis 'enens
on t&e 'ro'erties in$ol$e( t&ere is no merit in t&e contention
of 0elsa L. Va. e Kila# 1o( et al.( t&at t&e lo%er court acte
contrar# to la% an5or )ra$el# a"use its iscretion in
cancellin) t&e notice of lis 'enens. T&e cancellation of suc&
a 'recautionar# notice( "ein) a mere incient in an action(
ma# "e orere "# t&e court &a$in) Curisiction o$er it at an#
)i$en time. 49 Iner Sec. .4( Rule -4 of t&e Rules of
0ourt( a notice of lis 'enens ma# "e cancelle 8after 'ro'er
s&o%in) t&at t&e notice is for t&e 'ur'ose of molestin) t&e
a$erse 'art#( or t&at it is not necessar# to 'rotect t&e ri)&ts
of t&e 'art# %&o cause it to "e recore8 4> In t&is case(
t&e lo%er court orere t&e cancellation of sai notice on t&e
'rinci'al reason t&at t&e aministrators of t&e 'ro'erties
in$ol$e are su"Cect to t&e su'er$ision of t&e court an t&e
sai 'ro'erties are uner custoia le)is. T&erefore( suc&
notice %as not necessar# to 'rotect t&e ri)&ts of 0elsa L.
Va. e Kila# 1o( et al. Hore so in t&is case %&ere it turne
out t&at t&eir claim to t&e 'ro'erties left "# Eusta!uia is
%it&out an# le)al "asis.
Art. #7$. "he testator cannot impose any char!e,
condition, or substitution whatsoever upon the
le!itimes prescribed in this 6ode. 9hould he do so,
the same shall be considered as not imposed. (#-%a)
Art. #7%. mpossible conditions and those contrary
to law or !ood customs shall be considered as not
imposed and shall in no manner pre1udice the heir,
even if the testator should otherwise provide. (79$a)
Art. #7/. An absolute condition not to contract a first
or subsequent marria!e shall be considered as not
- jann - 104
written unless such condition has been imposed on
the widow or widower by the deceased spouse, or by
the latter3s ascendants or descendants.
:evertheless, the ri!ht of usufruct, or an allowance
or some personal prestation may be devised or
bequeathed to any person for the time durin! which
he or she should remain unmarried or in
widowhood. (79%a)
Art. --#%. mpossible conditions, those contrary to
!ood customs or public policy and those prohibited
by law shall annul the obli!ation which depends
upon them. f the obli!ation is divisible, that part
thereof which is not affected by the impossible or
unlawful condition shall be valid.
"he condition not to do an impossible thin! shall be
considered as not havin! been a!reed upon. (---*a)
Art. #75. Any disposition made upon the condition
that the heir shall ma+e some provision in his will in
favor of the testator or of any other person shall be
void. (79/a)
Art. #7*. Any purely potestative condition imposed
upon an heir must be fulfilled by him as soon as he
learns of the testator3s death.
"his rule shall not apply when the condition, already
complied with, cannot be fulfilled a!ain. (795a)
Art. #77. f the condition is casual or mi&ed, it shall
be sufficient if it happens or be fulfilled at any time
before or after the death of the testator, unless he
has provided otherwise.
9hould it have e&isted or should it have been fulfilled
at the time the will was e&ecuted and the testator was
unaware thereof, it shall be deemed as complied
with.
f he had +nowled!e thereof, the condition shall be
considered fulfilled only when it is of such a nature
that it can no lon!er e&ist or be complied with a!ain.
(79*)
Art. -2%/. n order to 1ud!e the capacity of the heir,
devisee or le!atee, his qualification at the time of the
death of the decedent shall be the criterion.
n cases fallin! under :os. $, %, or 5 of Article -2%$,
it shall be necessary to wait until final 1ud!ment is
rendered, and in the case fallin! under :o. /, the
e&piration of the month allowed for the report.
f the institution, devise or le!acy should be
conditional, the time of the compliance with the
condition shall also be considered. (75#a)
Art. #79. f the potestative condition imposed upon
the heir is ne!ative, or consists in not doin! or not
!ivin! somethin!, he shall comply by !ivin! a
security that he will not do or !ive that which has
been prohibited by the testator, and that in case of
contravention he will return whatever he may have
received, to!ether with its fruits and interests.
(#22a)
Art. ##2. f the heir be instituted under a suspensive
condition or term, the estate shall be placed under
administration until the condition is fulfilled, or
until it becomes certain that it cannot be fulfilled, or
until the arrival of the term.
"he same shall be done if the heir does not !ive the
security required in the precedin! article. (#2-a)
Art. ##-. "he appointment of the administrator of
the estate mentioned in the precedin! article, as well
as the manner of the administration and the ri!hts
and obli!ations of the administrator shall be
!overned by the 5ules of 6ourt. (#2/a)
Art. ##/. 6onditions imposed by the testator upon
the heirs shall be !overned by the rules established
for conditional obli!ations in all matters not
provided for by this 9ection. (79-a)
Institution %it& a Term
Art. ##5. "he desi!nation of the day or time when
the effects of the institution of an heir shall
commence or cease shall be valid.
n both cases, the le!al heir shall be considered as
called to the succession until the arrival of the
period or its e&piration. But in the first case he shall
not enter into possession of the property until after
havin! !iven sufficient security, with the
intervention of the instituted heir. (#25)
Art. #7#. A disposition with a suspensive term does
not prevent the instituted heir from acquirin! his
ri!hts and transmittin! them to his heirs even before
the arrival of the term. (799a)
Art. ##2. f the heir be instituted under a suspensive
condition or term, the estate shall be placed under
administration until the condition is fulfilled, or
until it becomes certain that it cannot be fulfilled, or
until the arrival of the term.
"he same shall be done if the heir does not !ive the
security required in the precedin! article. (#2-a)
/odal 'nstitutions
Art. ##$. "he statement of the ob1ect of the
institution, or the application of the property left by
the testator, or the char!e imposed by him, shall not
be considered as a condition unless it appears that
such was his intention.
- jann - 105
"hat which has been left in this manner may be
claimed at once provided that the instituted heir or
his heirs !ive security for compliance with the
wishes of the testator and for the return of anythin!
he or they may receive, to!ether with its fruits and
interests, if he or they should disre!ard this
obli!ation. (797a)
Art. ##%. When without the fault of the heir, an
institution referred to in the precedin! article
cannot ta+e effect in the e&act manner stated by the
testator, it shall be complied with in a manner most
analo!ous to and in conformity with his wishes.
f the person interested in the condition should
prevent its fulfillment, without the fault of the heir,
the condition shall be deemed to have been complied
with. (79#a)
NJ''. .1B.T'T1T'): )B 2,'3.
Art. #57. 9ubstitution is the appointment of another
heir so that he may enter into the inheritance in
default of the heir ori!inally instituted. (n)
Art. #5#. 9ubstitution of heirs may be,
(-) 9imple or common.
($) Brief or compendious.
(%) 5eciprocal. or
(/) 7ideicommissary. (n)
Art. #59. "he testator may desi!nate one or more
persons to substitute the heir or heirs instituted in
case such heir or heirs should die before him, or
should not wish, or should be incapacitated to accept
the inheritance.
A simple substitution, without a statement of the
cases to which it refers, shall comprise the three
mentioned in the precedin! para!raph, unless the
testator has otherwise provided. (77/)
Art. #*2. "wo or more persons may be substituted
for one. and one person for two or more heirs. (77#)
Art. #*-. f heirs instituted in unequal shares should
be reciprocally substituted, the substitute shall
acquire the share of the heir who dies, renounces, or
is incapacitated, unless it clearly appears that the
intention of the testator was otherwise. f there are
more than one substitute, they shall have the same
share in the substitution as in the institution. (779a)
Art. #*$. "he substitute shall be sub1ect to the same
char!es and conditions imposed upon the instituted
heir, unless and testator has e&pressly provided the
contrary, or the char!es or conditions are personally
applicable only to the heir instituted. (7#2)
Art. #*%. A fideicommissary substitution by virtue of
which the fiduciary or first heir instituted is
entrusted with the obli!ation to preserve and to
transmit to a second heir the whole or part of the
inheritance, shall be valid and shall ta+e effect,
provided such substitution does not !o beyond one
de!ree from the heir ori!inally instituted, and
provided further, that the fiduciary or first heir and
the second heir are livin! at the time of the death of
the testator. (7#-a)
Art. #*/. A fideicommissary substitution can never
burden the le!itime. (7#$a)
Art. #*5. 4very fideicommissary substitution must
be e&pressly made in order that it may be valid.
"he fiduciary shall be obli!ed to deliver the
inheritance to the second heir, without other
deductions than those which arise from le!itimate
e&penses, credits and improvements, save in the
case where the testator has provided otherwise.
(7#%)
Art. #**. "he second heir shall acquire a ri!ht to the
succession from the time of the testator3s death,
even thou!h he should die before the fiduciary. "he
ri!ht of the second heir shall pass to his heirs. (7#/)
Art. #*7. "he followin! shall not ta+e effect,
(-) 7ideicommissary substitutions which are
not made in an e&press manner, either by
!ivin! them this name, or imposin! upon the
fiduciary the absolute obli!ation to deliver
the property to a second heir.
($) 0rovisions which contain a perpetual
prohibition to alienate, and even a
temporary one, beyond the limit fi&ed in
article #*%.
(%) "hose which impose upon the heir the
char!e of payin! to various persons
successively, beyond the limit prescribed in
article #*%, a certain income or pension.
(/) "hose which leave to a person the whole
part of the hereditary property in order that
he may apply or invest the same accordin! to
secret instructions communicated to him by
the testator. (7#5a)
Art. #*#. "he nullity of the fideicommissary
substitution does not pre1udice the validity of the
institution of the heirs first desi!nated. the
fideicommissary clause shall simply be considered
as not written. (7#*)
Art. #*9. A provision whereby the testator leaves to a
person the whole or part of the inheritance, and to
another the usufruct, shall be valid. f he !ives the
usufruct to various persons, not simultaneously, but
- jann - 106
successively, the provisions of Article #*% shall
apply. (7#7a)
4alacios !s. -a#ire&
T&e main issue in t&is a''eal is t&e manner of 'artitionin)
t&e testate estate of Gose Eu)enio Ramire4 amon) t&e
'rinci'al "eneficiaries( namel#; &is %io% Harcelle :emoron
e Ramire4< &is t%o )ranne'&e%s Ro"erto an Gor)e
Ramire4< an &is com'anion Bana e Bro"les1i.
T&e tas1 is not trou"leDfree "ecause t&e %io% Harcelle is a
2renc& %&o li$es in Paris( %&ile t&e com'anion Bana is an
Austrian %&o li$es in S'ain. Horeo$er( t&e testator 'ro$ie
for su"stitutions.
Gose Eu)enio Ramire4( a 2ili'ino national( ie in S'ain on
:ecem"er --( ->?4( %it& onl# &is %io% as com'ulsor# &eir.
Ais %ill %as amitte to 'ro"ate "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance
of Hanila( Branc& W( on Gul# .7( ->?7. Haria Luisa Palacios
%as a''ointe aministratri* of t&e estate. On Gune ./(
->??( t&e aministratri* su"mitte a 'roCect of 'artition as
follo%s; t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease is to "e i$ie into t%o
'arts. One 'art s&all )o to t&e %io% 8en 'leno ominio8 in
satisfaction of &er le)itime< t&e ot&er 'art or 8free 'ortion8
s&all )o to Gor)e an Ro"erto Ramire4 8en nua 'ro'riea.8
2urt&ermore( one t&ir +-5/, of t&e free 'ortion is c&ar)e
%it& t&e %io%@s usufruct an t&e remainin) t%oDt&ir +.5/,
%it& a usufruct in fa$or of Bana.
Gor)e an Ro"erto o''ose t&e 'roCect of 'artition on t&e
)rouns; +a, t&at t&e 'ro$isions for $ul)ar su"stitution in fa$or
of Bana e Bro"les1i %it& res'ect to t&e %io%@s usufruct
an in fa$or of Guan Pa"lo Gan1o%s1i an Aoracio V.
Ramire4( %it& res'ect to Bana@s usufruct are in$ali
"ecause of t&e first &eirs +Harcelle an Bana, sur$i$e t&e
testator< +", t&at t&e 'ro$isions for fieicommissar#
su"stitutions are also in$ali "ecause t&e first &eirs are not
relate to t&e secon &eirs or su"stitutes %it&in t&e first
e)ree( as 'ro$ie in Article 9?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe< +c, t&at
t&e )rant of a usufruct o$er real 'ro'ert# in t&e P&ili''ines in
fa$or of Bana e Bro"les1i( %&o is an alien( $iolates
Section 7( Article WIII of t&e P&ili''ine 0onstitution< an t&at
+, t&e 'ro'ose 'artition of t&e testator@s interest in t&e
Santa 0ru4 +Escolta, Builin) "et%een t&e %io% Harcelle(
an t&e a''ellants( $iolates t&e testator@s e*'ress %ill to )i$e
t&is 'ro'ert# to t&em. Nonet&eless( t&e lo%er court a''ro$e
t&e 'roCect of 'artition in its orer ate Ha# /( ->?7. It is t&is
orer %&ic& Gor)e an Ro"erto &a$e a''eale to t&is 0ourt.
The widow's legitime.
It is t&e oneDt&ir usufruct o$er t&e free 'ortion %&ic& t&e
a''ellants !uestion an Custifia"l# so. It a''ears t&at t&e
court a !uo a''ro$e t&e usufruct in fa$or of Harcelle
"ecause t&e testament 'ro$ies for a usufruct in &er fa$or of
oneDt&ir of t&e estate. T&e court a !uo erre for Harcelle
%&o is entitle to oneD&alf of t&e estate 8en 'leno ominio8 as
&er le)itime an %&ic& is more t&an %&at s&e is )i$en uner
t&e %ill is not entitle to &a$e an# aitional s&are in t&e
estate. To )i$e Harcelle more t&an &er le)itime %ill run
counter to t&e testator@s intention for as state a"o$e &is
is'ositions e$en im'aire &er le)itime an tene to fa$or
Bana.
The substitutions.
It ma# "e useful to recall t&at 8Su"stitution is t&e a''ointment
of anot&er &eir so t&at &e ma# enter into t&e in&eritance in
efault of t&e &eir ori)inall# institute.8 +Art. 977( 0i$il 0oe.,
An t&at t&ere are se$eral 1ins of su"stitutions( namel#;
sim'le or common( "rief or com'enious( reci'rocal( an
fieicommissar#. +Art. 979( 0i$il 0oe., Accorin) to
Tolentino( 8Alt&ou)& t&e 0oe enumerates four classes( t&ere
are reall# onl# t%o 'rinci'al classes of su"stitutions; t&e
sim'le an t&e fieicommissar#. T&e ot&ers are merel#
$ariations of t&ese t%o.8 +III 0i$il 0oe( '. -97 M->7/N,.
T&e sim'le or $ul)ar is t&at 'ro$ie in Art. 97> of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& reas;
8ART. 97>. T&e testator ma# esi)nate one
or more 'ersons to su"stitute t&e &eir or &eirs
institute in case suc& &eir or &eirs s&oul ie
"efore &im( or s&oul not %is&( or s&oul "e
inca'acitate to acce't t&e in&eritance.
8A sim'le su"stitution( %it&out a statement of t&e
cases to %&ic& it refers( s&all com'rise t&e t&ree
mentione in t&e 'recein) 'ara)ra'&( unless t&e
testator &as ot&er%ise 'ro$ie.8
T&e fieicommissar# su"stitution is escri"e in t&e 0i$il
0oe as follo%s;
8ART. 9?/. A fieicommissar# su"stitution "#
$irtue of %&ic& t&e fiuciar# or first &eir institute is
entruste %it& t&e o"li)ation to 'reser$e an to
transmit to a secon &eir t&e %&ole or 'art of
in&eritance( s&all "e $ali an s&all ta1e effect(
'ro$ie suc& su"stitution oes not )o "e#on one
e)ree from t&e &eir ori)inall# institute( an
'ro$ie furt&er t&at t&e fiuciar# or first &eir an
t&e secon &eir are li$in) at time of t&e eat& of t&e
testator.8
It %ill "e note t&at t&e testator 'ro$ie for a $ul)ar
su"stitution in res'ect of t&e le)acies of Ro"erto an Gor)e
Ramire4( t&e a''ellants(
T&e a''ellants also !uestion t&e 8sustitucion $ul)ar #
fieicomisaria8 in connection %it& Bana@s usufruct o$er t%oD
t&irs of t&e estate in fa$or of Guan Pa"lo Gan1o%s1i an
Aorace V. Ramire4.
T&e# alle)e t&at t&e su"stitution in its $ul)ar as'ect is $oi
"ecause Bana sur$i$e t&e testator or state ifferentl#
"ecause s&e i not 'reecease t&e testator. But #in)
"efore t&e testator is not t&e onl# case for $ul)ar su"stitution
for it also inclues refusal or inca'acit# to acce't t&e
in&eritance as 'ro$ie in Art. 97> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( su'ra.
Aence( t&e $ul)ar su"stitution is $ali.
As re)ars t&e su"stitution in its fieicommissar# as'ect( t&e
a''ellants are correct in t&eir claim t&at it is $oi for t&e
follo%in) reasons;
+a, T&e su"stitutes +Guan Pa"lo Gan1o%s1i an Aorace
V. Ramire4, are not relate to Bana( t&e &eir ori)inall#
institute. Art. 9?/ of t&e 0i$il 0oe $aliates a
fieicommissar# su"stitution 8'ro$ie suc& su"stitution oes
not )o "e#on one e)ree from t&e &eir ori)inall# institute.8
8Scae$ola( Haura( an Tra$iesas construe @e)ree@
as esi)nation( su"stitution( or transmission. T&e
Su'reme 0ourt of S'ain &as eciel# ao'te t&is
construction. 2rom t&is 'oint of $ie%( t&ere can "e
onl# one transmission or su"stitution( an t&e
su"stitute nee not "e relate to t&e first &eir.
- jann - 107
Hanresa( Horell( an Sanc&e4 Roman( &o%e$er(
construe t&e %or @e)ree@ as )eneration( an t&e
'resent 0oe &as o"$iousl# follo%e t&is
inter'retation( "# 'ro$iin) t&at t&e su"stitution s&all
not )o "e#on one e)ree @from t&e &eir ori)inall#
institute.@ T&e 0oe t&us clearl# inicates t&at t&e
secon &eir must "e relate to an "e one
)eneration from t&e first &eir.
82rom t&is( it follo%s t&at t&e fieicommissar# can
onl# "e eit&er a c&il or a 'arent of t&e first &eir.
T&ese are t&e onl# relati$es %&o are one )eneration
or e)ree from t&e fiuciar#.8 +O'. cit.( ''. ->/D
->4.,.
+", T&ere is no a"solute ut# im'ose on Bana to
transmit t&e usufruct to t&e su"stitutes as re!uire "# Arts.
9?7 an 9?7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe. In fact( t&e a''ellee amits
8t&at t&e testator contraicts t&e esta"lis&ment of a
fieicommissar# su"stitution %&en &e 'ermits t&e 'ro'erties
su"Cect of t&e usufruct to "e sol u'on mutual a)reement of
t&e usufructuaries an t&e na1e o%ners.8 +Brief( '. .?,.
The usufruct of anda.
T&e court a !uo u'&el t&e $aliit# of t&e usufruct )i$en to
Bana on t&e )roun t&at t&e 0onstitution co$ers not onl#
succession "# o'eration of la% "ut also testamentar#
succession. Be are of t&e o'inion t&at t&e 0onstitutional
'ro$ision %&ic& ena"les aliens to ac!uire 'ri$ate lans oes
not e*ten to testamentar# succession for ot&er%ise t&e
'ro&i"ition %ill "e for nau)&t an meanin)less. An# alien
%oul "e a"le to circum$ent t&e 'ro&i"ition "# 'a#in) mone#
to a P&ili''ine lano%ner in e*c&an)e for a e$ise of a 'iece
of lan.
T&is o'inion not%it&stanin)( Be u'&ol t&e usufruct in fa$or
of Bana "ecause a usufruct( al"eit a real ri)&t( oes not
$est title to t&e lan in t&e usufructuar# an it is t&e $estin) of
title to lan in fa$or of aliens %&ic& is 'roscri"e "# t&e
0onstitution.
Crisologo !s. Singson
Action for 'artition commence "# t&e s'ouses 0onsolacion
2lorentino an 2rancisco 0risolo)o a)ainst Hanuel Sin)son
in connection %it& a resiential lot locate at Plariel St.(
Vi)an( Ilocos Sur( %it& an area of a''ro*imatel# ->/ s!uare
meters( an t&e im'ro$ements e*istin) t&ereon( co$ere "#
Ta* No. -=7?7D0. T&eir com'laint alle)e t&at Sin)son
o%ne one &alf 'roini$iso of sai 'ro'ert# an t&at
0onsolacion 2lorentino o%ne t&e ot&er &alf "# $irtue of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e ul# 'ro"ate last %ill of :oOa Leona
Sin)son( t&e ori)inal o%ner( an t&e 'roCect of 'artition
su"mitte to( an a''ro$e "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Ilocos Sur in S'ecial Proceein) No. 47/< t&at 'laintiffs &a
mae emans for t&e 'artition of sai 'ro'ert#( "ut
efenant refuse to accee t&ereto( t&us com'ellin) t&em to
"rin) action.
:efenant@s efense %as t&at 0onsolacion 2lorentino %as a
mere usufructuar# of( an not o%ner of one &alf 'roini$iso of
t&e 'ro'ert# in !uestion( an t&at( t&erefore( s&e %as not
entitle to eman 'artition t&ereof.
It is amitte t&at :oOa Leona Sin)son( %&o ie sin)le on
Ganuar# -/( ->49( %as t&e o%ner of t&e 'ro'ert# in !uestion
at t&e time of &er eat&. On Gul# /-( ->7- s&e e*ecute &er
last %ill %&ic& %as amitte to 'ro"ate in S'ecial Proceein)
No. 47/ of t&e lo%er court %&ose ecision %as affirme "#
t&e 0ourt of A''eals in G. R. No. /?=7DR. At t&e time of t&e
e*ecution of t&e %ill &er nearest li$in) relati$es %ere &er
"rot&ers E$aristo( Hanuel an :ionisio Sin)son( an &er
nieces Rosario( Emilia an Trinia( an &er )ranniece
0onsolacion( all surname 2lorentino.
T&e issue to "e ecie is %&et&er t&e testamentar#
is'osition a"o$eD!uote 'ro$ie for %&at is calle
sustituciZn $ul)ar or for a sustituciZn fieicomisaria. T&is
issue is( %e "elie$e( controlle "# t&e 'ertinent 'ro$isions of
t&e 0i$il 0oe in force in t&e P&ili''ines 'rior to t&e effecti$it#
of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe( in $ie% of t&e fact t&at t&e testatri*
ie on Ganuar# -/( ->49. T&e# are t&e follo%in);
8ART. 774. T&e testator ma# esi)nate one or more
'ersons to su"stitute t&e &eir or &eirs institute in case
suc& &eir or &eirs s&oul ie "efore &im( or s&oul not %is&
or s&oul "e una"le to acce't t&e in&eritance.
8A sim'le su"stitution( %it&out a statement of t&e cases to
%&ic& it is to a''l#( s&all inclue t&e t&ree mentione in t&e
ne*t 'recein) 'ara)ra'&( unless t&e testator &as
ot&er%ise 'ro$ie.8
8ART. 79-. 2ieiDcomissar# su"stitutions "# $irtue of %&ic&
t&e &eir is c&ar)e to 'reser$e an transmit to a t&ir
'erson t&e %&ole or 'art of t&e in&eritance s&all "e $ali
an effecti$e( 'ro$ie t&e# o not )o "e#on t&e secon
e)ree( or t&at t&e# are mae in fa$or of 'ersons li$in) at
t&e time of t&e eat& of t&e testator.8
8ART. 797. T&e follo%in) s&all "e ino'erati$e;
-. 2iuciar# su"stitutions not mae e*'ressl#( eit&er "#
)i$in) t&em t&is name or "# im'osin) u'on t&e
fiuciar# t&e a"solute o"li)ation of eli$erin) t&e
'ro'ert# to a secon &eir.8 E E E.
In accorance %it& t&e first le)al 'ro$ision !uote a"o$e( t&e
testator ma# not onl# esi)nate t&e &eirs %&o %ill succee
&im u'on &is eat&( "ut also 'ro$ie for su"stitutes in t&e
e$ent t&at sai &eirs o not acce't or are in no 'osition to
acce't t&e in&eritance or le)acies( or ie a&ea of &im.
T&e testator ma# also "e!ueat& &is 'ro'erties to a 'articular
'erson %it& t&e o"li)ation( on t&e 'art of t&e latter( to eli$er
t&e same to anot&er 'erson( totall# or 'artiall#( u'on t&e
occurrence of a 'articular e$ent.
It is clear t&at t&e 'articular testamentar# clause uner
consieration 'ro$ies for a su"stitution of t&e &eir name
t&erein in t&is manner; t&at u'on t&e eat& of 0onsolacion
2lorentinoD%&et&er t&is occurs "efore or after t&at of t&e
testatri*Dt&e 'ro'ert# "e!ueat&e to &er s&all "e eli$ere
+8se arY8, or s&all "elon) in e!ual 'arts to t&e testatri*@s
t&ree "rot&ers( E$aristo( Hanuel an :ionisio( or t&eir force
&eirs( s&oul an#one of t&em t&e a&ea of 0onsolacion
2lorentino. If t&is clause create %&at is 1no%n as sustituciZn
$ul)ar( t&e necessar# result %oul "e t&at 0onsolacion
2lorentino( u'on t&e eat& of t&e testatri*( "ecame t&e o%ner
of one uni$ie &alf of t&e 'ro'ert#( "ut if it 'ro$ie for a
sustituciZn fieicomisaria( s&e %oul &a$e ac!uire not&in)
more t&an usufructuar# ri)&ts o$er t&e same &alf. In t&e
former case( s&e %oul unou"tel# "e entitle to 'artition(
"ut not in t&e latter. As Hanresa sa#s( if t&e fiuciar# i not
ac!uire full o%ners&i' of t&e 'ro'ert# "e!ueat&e( "# %ill( "ut
mere usufructuar# ri)&ts t&ereon until t&e time came for &im
to eli$er sai 'ro'ert# to t&e fieicomisario( it is o"$ious t&at
- jann - 108
t&e nue o%ners&i' o$er t&e 'ro'ert#( u'on t&e eat& of t&e
testatri*( 'asse to an %as ac!uire "# anot&er 'erson( an
t&at 'erson cannot "e ot&er t&an t&e fieicomisarrio. +?
Hanre4a( '. -47,
It seems to "e of t&e essence of a fieicommissar#
su"stitution t&at an o"li)ation "e clearl# im'ose u'on t&e
first &eir to 'reser$e an transmit to anot&er t&e %&ole or 'art
of t&e estate "e!ueat&e to &im( u'on &is eat& or u'on t&e
&a''enin) of a 'articular e$ent. 2or t&is reason Art. 797 of
t&e ol 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies t&at a fieicommissar#
su"stitution s&all &a$e no effect unless it is mae e*'ressl#
+8e una manera e*'resa8, eit&er "# )i$in) it suc& name( or
"# im'osin) u'on t&e first &eir t&e a"solute o"li)ation
+8o"li)aciZn terminante8, to eli$er t&e in&eritance to a
su"stitute or secon &eir.
A careful 'erusal of t&e testamentar# clause uner
consieration s&o%s t&at t&e su"stitution of &eirs 'ro$ie for
t&erein is not e*'ressl# mae of t&e fieicommissar# 1in(
nor oes it contain a clear statement to t&e effect t&at
a''ellee( urin) &er lifetime( s&all onl# enCo# usufructuar#
ri)&ts o$er t&e 'ro'ert# "e!ueat&e to &er( na1e o%ners&i'
t&ereof "ein) $este in t&e "rot&ers of t&e testatri*. As
alrea# state( it merel# 'ro$ies t&at u'on a''ellee@s eat&D
%&et&er t&is &a''ens "efore or after t&at of t&e testatri*D&er
s&are s&all "elon) to t&e "rot&ers of t&e testatri*.
In t&e li)&t of t&e fore)oin)( %e "elie$e( an so &ol( t&at t&e
last %ill of t&e ecease :Oa. Leona Sin)son esta"lis&e a
mere sustituciZn $ul)ar( t&e su"stitution of 0onsolacion
2lorentino "# t&e "rot&ers of t&e testatri*; to "e effecti$e or to
ta1e 'lace u'on t&e eat& of t&e former( %&et&er it &a''ens
"efore or after t&at of t&e testatri*.
In $ie% of t&e fore)oin)( t&e a''eale Cu)ment is affirme(
%it& costs.
Art. #72. "he dispositions of the testator declarin!
all or part of the estate inalienable for more than
twenty years are void. (n)
WVII. LEGA0IES AN: :EVISEES
Art. 9$/. All thin!s and ri!hts which are within the
commerce of man be bequeathed or devised. (#*5a)
Art. 9$5. A testator may char!e with le!acies and
devises not only his compulsory heirs but also the
le!atees and devisees.
"he latter shall be liable for the char!e only to the
e&tent of the value of the le!acy or the devise
received by them. "he compulsory heirs shall not be
liable for the char!e beyond the amount of the free
portion !iven them. (#5#a)
Art. 9$*. When the testator char!es one of the heirs
with a le!acy or devise, he alone shall be bound.
9hould he not char!e anyone in particular, all shall
be liable in the same proportion in which they may
inherit. (#59)
Art. 9$7. f two or more heirs ta+e possession of the
estate, they shall be solidarily liable for the loss or
destruction of a thin! devised or bequeathed, even
thou!h only one of them should have been ne!li!ent.
(n)
Art. 9$#. "he heir who is bound to deliver the le!acy
or devise shall be liable in case of eviction, if the
thin! is indeterminate and is indicated only by its
+ind. (#*2)
Art. 9$9. f the testator, heir, or le!atee owns only a
part of, or an interest in the thin! bequeathed, the
le!acy or devise shall be understood limited to such
part or interest, unless the testator e&pressly
declares that he !ives the thin! in its entirety. (#*/a)
Art. 9%2. "he le!acy or devise of a thin! belon!in! to
another person is void, if the testator erroneously
believed that the thin! pertained to him. But if the
thin! bequeathed, thou!h not belon!in! to the
testator when he made the will, afterwards becomes
his, by whatever title, the disposition shall ta+e
effect. (#*$a)
Art. 9%-. f the testator orders that a thin! belon!in!
to another be acquired in order that it be !iven to a
le!atee or devisee, the heir upon whom the
obli!ation is imposed or the estate must acquire it
and !ive the same to the le!atee or devisee. but if the
owner of the thin! refuses to alienate the same, or
demands an e&cessive price therefor, the heir or the
estate shall only be obli!ed to !ive the 1ust value of
the thin!. (#*-a)
Art. 9%$. "he le!acy or devise of a thin! which at the
time of the e&ecution of the will already belon!ed to
the le!atee or devisee shall be ineffective, even
thou!h another person may have some interest
therein.
f the testator e&pressly orders that the thin! be
freed from such interest or encumbrance, the le!acy
or devise shall be valid to that e&tent. (#**a)
Art. 9%%. f the thin! bequeathed belon!ed to the
le!atee or devisee at the time of the e&ecution of the
will, the le!acy or devise shall be without effect, even
thou!h it may have subsequently alienated by him.
f the le!atee or devisee acquires it !ratuitously after
such time, he can claim nothin! by virtue of the
le!acy or devise. but if it has been acquired by
onerous title he can demand reimbursement from
the heir or the estate. (#7#a)
Art. 9%/. f the testator should bequeath or devise
somethin! pled!ed or mort!a!ed to secure a
recoverable debt before the e&ecution of the will, the
estate is obli!ed to pay the debt, unless the contrary
intention appears.
"he same rule applies when the thin! is pled!ed or
mort!a!ed after the e&ecution of the will.
- jann - 109
Any other char!e, perpetual or temporary, with
which the thin! bequeathed is burdened, passes with
it to the le!atee or devisee. (#*7a)
Art. 9%5. "he le!acy of a credit a!ainst a third person
or of the remission or release of a debt of the le!atee
shall be effective only as re!ards that part of the
credit or debt e&istin! at the time of the death of the
testator.
n the first case, the estate shall comply with the
le!acy by assi!nin! to the le!atee all ri!hts of action
it may have a!ainst the debtor. n the second case, by
!ivin! the le!atee an acquittance, should he request
one.
n both cases, the le!acy shall comprise all interests
on the credit or debt which may be due the testator
at the time of his death. (#72a)
Art. 9%*. "he le!acy referred to in the precedin!
article shall lapse if the testator, after havin! made
it, should brin! an action a!ainst the debtor for the
payment of his debt, even if such payment should not
have been effected at the time of his death.
"he le!acy to the debtor of the thin! pled!ed by him
is understood to dischar!e only the ri!ht of pled!e.
(#7-)
Art. 9%7. A !eneric le!acy of release or remission of
debts comprises those e&istin! at the time of the
e&ecution of the will, but not subsequent ones. (#7$)
Art. 9%#. A le!acy or devise made to a creditor shall
not be applied to his credit, unless the testator so
e&pressly declares.
n the latter case, the creditor shall have the ri!ht to
collect the e&cess, if any, of the credit or of the le!acy
or devise. (#%7a)
Art. 9%9. f the testator orders the payment of what
he believes he owes but does not in fact owe, the
disposition shall be considered as not written. f as
re!ards a specified debt more than the amount
thereof is ordered paid, the e&cess is not due, unless
a contrary intention appears.
"he fore!oin! provisions are without pre1udice to
the fulfillment of natural obli!ations. (n)
Art. 9/2. n alternative le!acies or devises, the
choice is presumed to be left to the heir upon whom
the obli!ation to !ive the le!acy or devise may be
imposed, or the e&ecutor or administrator of the
estate if no particular heir is so obli!ed.
f the heir, le!atee or devisee, who may have been
!iven the choice, dies before ma+in! it, this ri!ht
shall pass to the respective heirs.
;nce made, the choice is irrevocable.
n the alternative le!acies or devises, e&cept as
herein provided, the provisions of this 6ode
re!ulatin! obli!ations of the same +ind shall be
observed, save such modifications as may appear
from the intention e&pressed by the testator. (#7/a)
Art. 9/-. A le!acy of !eneric personal property shall
be valid even if there be no thin!s of the same +ind in
the estate.
A devise of indeterminate real property shall be valid
only if there be immovable property of its +ind in the
estate.
"he ri!ht of choice shall belon! to the e&ecutor or
administrator who shall comply with the le!acy by
the delivery of a thin! which is neither of inferior
nor of superior quality. (#75a)
Art. 9/$. Whenever the testator e&pressly leaves the
ri!ht of choice to the heir, or to the le!atee or
devisee, the former may !ive or the latter may
choose whichever he may prefer. (#7*a)
Art. 9/%. f the heir, le!atee or devisee cannot ma+e
the choice, in case it has been !ranted him, his ri!ht
shall pass to his heirs. but a choice once made shall
be irrevocable. (#77a)
Art. 9//. A le!acy for education lasts until the
le!atee is of a!e, or beyond the a!e of ma1ority in
order that the le!atee may finish some professional,
vocational or !eneral course, provided he pursues
his course dili!ently.
A le!acy for support lasts durin! the lifetime of the
le!atee, if the testator has not otherwise provided.
f the testator has not fi&ed the amount of such
le!acies, it shall be fi&ed in accordance with the
social standin! and the circumstances of the le!atee
and the value of the estate.
f the testator or durin! his lifetime used to !ive the
le!atee a certain sum of money or other thin!s by
way of support, the same amount shall be deemed
bequeathed, unless it be mar+edly disproportionate
to the value of the estate. (#79a)
Art. 9/5. f a periodical pension, or a certain annual,
monthly, or wee+ly amount is bequeathed, the
le!atee may petition the court for the first
installment upon the death of the testator, and for
the followin! ones which shall be due at the
be!innin! of each period. such payment shall not be
returned, even thou!h the le!atee should die before
the e&piration of the period which has commenced.
(##2a)
Art. 9/*. f the thin! bequeathed should be sub1ect to
a usufruct, the le!atee or devisee shall respect such
ri!ht until it is le!ally e&tin!uished. (#*#a)
- jann - 110
Art. 9/7. "he le!atee or devisee acquires a ri!ht to
the pure and simple le!acies or devises from the
death of the testator, and transmits it to his heirs.
(##-a)
Art. 9/#. f the le!acy or device is of a specific and
determinate thin! pertainin! to the testator, the
le!atee or devisee acquires the ownership thereof
upon the death of the testator, as well as any !rowin!
fruits, or unborn offsprin! of animals, or
uncollected income. but not the income which was
due and unpaid before the latter3s death.
7rom the moment of the testator3s death, the thin!
bequeathed shall be at the ris+ of the le!atee or
devisee, who shall, therefore, bear its loss or
deterioration, and shall be benefited by its increase
or improvement, without pre1udice to the
responsibility of the e&ecutor or administrator.
(##$a)
Art. 9/9. f the bequest should not be of a specific
and determinate thin!, but is !eneric or of quantity,
its fruits and interests from the time of the death of
the testator shall pertain to the le!atee or devisee if
the testator has e&pressly so ordered. (##/a)
Art. 952. f the estate should not be sufficient to
cover all the le!acies or devises, their payment shall
be made in the followin! order,
(-) 5emuneratory le!acies or devises.
($) =e!acies or devises declared by the
testator to be preferential.
(%) =e!acies for support.
(/) =e!acies for education.
(5) =e!acies or devises of a specific,
determinate thin! which forms a part of the
estate.
(*) All others pro rata. (##7a)
Art. 95-. "he thin! bequeathed shall be delivered
with all its accessories and accessories and in the
condition in which it may be upon the death of the
testator. (##%a)
Art. 95$. "he heir, char!ed with a le!acy or devise, or
the e&ecutor or administrator of the estate, must
deliver the very thin! bequeathed if he is able to do
so and cannot dischar!e this obli!ation by payin! its
value.
=e!acies of money must be paid in cash, even thou!h
the heir or the estate may not have any.
"he e&penses necessary for the delivery of the thin!
bequeathed shall be for the account of the heir or the
estate, but without pre1udice to the le!itime. (##*a)
Art. 95%. "he le!atee or devisee cannot ta+e
possession of the thin! bequeathed upon his own
authority, but shall request its delivery and
possession of the heir char!ed with the le!acy or
devise, or of the e&ecutor or administrator of the
estate should he be authori8ed by the court to deliver
it. (##5a)
Art. 95/. "he le!atee or devisee cannot accept a part
of the le!acy or devise and repudiate the other, if the
latter be onerous.
9hould he die before havin! accepted the le!acy or
devise, leavin! several heirs, some of the latter may
accept and the others may repudiate the share
respectively belon!in! to them in the le!acy or
devise. (##9a)
Art. 955. "he le!atee or devisee of two le!acies or
devises, one of which is onerous, cannot renounce
the onerous one and accept the other. f both are
onerous or !ratuitous, he shall be free to accept or
renounce both, or to renounce either. But if the
testator intended that the two le!acies or devises
should be inseparable from each other, the le!atee
or devisee must either accept or renounce both.
Any compulsory heir who is at the same time a
le!atee or devisee may waive the inheritance and
accept the le!acy or devise, or renounce the latter
and accept the former, or waive or accept both.
(#92a)
Art. 95*. f the le!atee or devisee cannot or is
unwillin! to accept the le!acy or devise, or if the
le!acy or devise for any reason should become
ineffective, it shall be mer!ed into the mass of the
estate, e&cept in cases of substitution and of the ri!ht
of accretion. (###a)
Art. 957. "he le!acy or devise shall be without effect,
(-) f the testator transforms the thin!
bequeathed in such a manner that it does not
retain either the form or the denomination it
had.
($) f the testator by any title or for any cause
alienates the thin! bequeathed or any part
thereof, it bein! understood that in the latter
case the le!acy or devise shall be without
effect only with respect to the part thus
alienated. f after the alienation the thin!
should a!ain belon! to the testator, even if it
be by reason of nullity of the contract, the
le!acy or devise shall not thereafter be valid,
unless the reacquisition shall have been
effected by virtue of the e&ercise of the ri!ht
of repurchase.
(%) f the thin! bequeathed is totally lost
durin! the lifetime of the testator, or after
his death without the heir3s fault.
:evertheless, the person obli!ed to pay the
- jann - 111
le!acy or devise shall be liable for eviction if
the thin! bequeathed should not have been
determinate as to its +ind, in accordance
with the provisions of Article 9$#. (#*9a)
Art. 95#. A mista+e as to the name of the thin!
bequeathed or devised, is of no consequence, if it is
possible to identify the thin! which the testator
intended to bequeath or devise. (n)
Art. 959. A disposition made in !eneral terms in
favor of the testator3s relatives shall be understood
to be in favor of those nearest in de!ree. (75-)
$ernande& !s. Di#agia
It a''ears from t&e recor t&at on Ganuar# ->( ->77( Ismaela
:ima)i"a( no% res'onent( su"mitte to t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of t&e 'ur'orte %ill of t&e
late Beneicta e los Re#es( e*ecute on Octo"er ..( ->/=(
an anne*e to t&e 'etition. T&e %ill institute t&e 'etitioner
as t&e sole &eir of t&e estate of t&e ecease. T&e 'etition
%as set for &earin)( an in ue time( :ionisio 2ernane4(
Euse"io Re#es an Luisa Re#es( an one mont& later(
Hariano( 0esar( Leonor an Paciencia( all surname Re#es(
all claimin) to "e &eirs intestate of t&e eceent( file
o''ositions to t&e 'ro"ate as1e. Grouns a$ance for t&e
o''osition %ere for)er#( $ices of consent of t&e testatri*(
esto''el "# lac&es of t&e 'ro'onent( an re$ocation of t&e
%ill "# t%o ees of con$e#ance of t&e maCor 'ortion of t&e
estate mae "# t&e testatri* in fa$or of t&e 'ro'onent in ->4/
an ->44( "ut %&ic& con$e#ances %ere finall# set asie "#
t&is Su'reme 0ourt in a ecision 'romul)ate on Au)ust /(
->74( in cases G.R. Nos. LD7?-9 an LD7?.= +un'u"lis&e,.
O''ositors 2ernane4 an Re#es 'etitione for
reconsieration an5or ne% trial( insistin) t&at t&e issues of
esto''el an re$ocation "e consiere an resol$e<
%&ereu'on( on Gul# .7( ->7>( t&e 0ourt o$errule t&e claim
t&at 'ro'onent %as in esto''el to as1 for t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
%ill( "ut 8reser$in) unto t&e 'arties t&e ri)&t to raise t&e issue
of im'lie re$ocation at t&e o''ortune time.8
On 2e"ruar# .7( ->?.( after recei$in) furt&er e$ience on t&e
issue %&et&er t&e e*ecution "# t&e testatri* of ees of sale
of t&e lar)er 'ortion of &er estate in fa$or of t&e testamentar#
&eir( mae in ->4/ an ->44( su"se!uent to t&e e*ecution of
&er ->/= testament( &a re$o1e t&e latter uner Article
>77+., of t&e ->7= 0i$il 0oe +Art. 9?> of t&e 0i$il 0oe of
-99>,( t&e trial 0ourt resol$e a)ainst t&e o''ositors an
&el t&e %ill of t&e late Beneicta e los Re#es 8unaffecte
an unre$o1e "# t&e ees of sale.8 B&ereu'on( t&e
o''ositors ele$ate t&e case to t&e 0ourt of A''eals.
In t&is instance( "ot& sets of o''ositorsDa''ellants 'ose t&ree
main issues; +a, %&et&er or not t&e ecree of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance allo%in) t&e %ill to 'ro"ate &a "ecome final
for lac1 of a''eal< +", %&et&er or not t&e orer of t&e 0ourt of
ori)in ate Gul# .7( ->7>( o$errulin) t&e esto''el in$o1e "#
o''ositorsDa''ellants &a li1e%ise "ecome final< an +c,
%&et&er or not t&e ->/= %ill of Beneicta e los Re#es &a
"een im'liel# re$o1e "# &er e*ecution of ees of
con$e#ance in fa$or of t&e 'ro'onent on Harc& .?( ->4/ an
A'ril /( ->44.
T&ere "ein) no contro$ers# t&at t&e 'ro"ate ecree of t&e
0ourt "elo% %as not a''eale on time( t&e same &a
"ecome final an conclusi$e. Aence( t&e a''ellate courts
ma# no lon)er re$o1e sai ecree nor re$ie% t&e e$ience
u'on %&ic& it is mae to rest. T&us( t&e a''eal "elatel#
lo)e a)ainst t&e ecree %as correctl# ismisse.
T&e alle)e re$ocation im'lie from t&e e*ecution of t&e
ees of con$e#ance in fa$or of t&e testamentar# &eir is
'lainl# irrele$ant to an se'arate from t&e !uestion of
%&et&er t&e testament %as ul# e*ecute. 2or one( if t&e %ill
is not entitle to 'ro"ate( or its 'ro"ate is enie( all
!uestions of re$ocation "ecomes su'erfluous; in la%( t&ere is
no suc& %ill an &ence t&ere %oul "e not&in) to re$o1e.
T&en( a)ain( t&e re$ocation in$o1e "# t&e o''ositorsD
a''ellants is not an e*'ress one( "ut merel# im'lie from
su"se!uent acts of t&eD testatri* alle)el# e$iencin) an
a"anonment of t&e ori)inal intention to "e!ueat& or e$ise
t&e 'ro'erties concerne. As suc&( t&e re$ocation %oul not
affect t&e %ill itself( "ut merel# t&e 'articular e$ise or le)ac#.
Onl# t&e total an a"solute re$ocation can 'reclue 'ro"ate
of t&e re$o1e testament +Trillana $s. 0risostomo( su'ra,.
As to t&e issue of esto''el( %e &a$e alrea# rule in
Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( >9 P&il. .4>( t&at t&e 'resentation an
'ro"ate of a %ill are re!uirements of 'u"lic 'olic#( "ein)
'rimaril# esi)ne to 'rotect t&e testator@s e*'resse %is&es(
%&ic& are entitle to res'ect as a conse!uence of t&e
eceent@s o%ners&i' an ri)&t of is'osition %it&in le)al
limits. E$ience of it is t&e ut# im'ose on a custoian of a
%ill to eli$er t&e same to t&e 0ourt( an t&e fine an
im'risonment 'rescri"e for its $iolation +Re$ise Rule 77, It
%oul "e nonDse!uitur to allo% 'u"lic 'olic# to "e e$ae on
t&e 'rete*t of esto''el. B&et&er or not t&e orer o$errulin)
t&e alle)ation of esto''el is still a''eala"le or not( t&e
efense is 'atentl# unmeritorious an t&e 0ourt of A''eals
correctl# so rule.
T&e last issue( t&at of re$ocation( is 'reicate on 'ara)ra'&
. of Article >77 of t&e 0i$il 0oe of -
As o"ser$e "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals( t&e e*istence of an#
suc& c&an)e or e'arture from t&e ori)inal intent of t&e
testatri*( e*'resse in &er ->/= testament( is renere
ou"tful "# t&e circumstance t&at t&e su"se!uent alienations
in ->4/ an ->44 %ere e*ecute in fa$or of t&e le)atee
&erself( a''ellee :ima)i"a. In fact( as foun "# t&e 0ourt of
A''eals in its ecision annullin) t&ese con$e#ances +affirme
in t&at 'oint "# t&is Su'reme 0ourt in Re#es $s. 0ourt of
A''eals an :ima)i"a( LD7?-9 an LD7?.=( 'romul)ate on
Gul# /-( ->74,( 8no consieration %&ate$er %as 'ai "#
res'onent :ima)i"a8 on account of t&e transfers( t&ere"#
renerin) it e$en more ou"tful %&et&er in con$e#in) t&e
'ro'ert# to &er le)atee( t&e testatri* merel# intene to
com'l# in a$ance %it& %&at s&e &a oraine in &er
testament( rat&er t&an an alteration or e'arture t&erefrom.
- Re$ocation "ein) an e*ce'tion( %e "elie$e( %it& t&e 0ourts
"elo%( t&at in t&e circumstances of t&e 'articular case( Article
>77 of t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines oes not a''l# to t&e
case at "ar.
Not onl# t&at( "ut e$en if it %ere a''lica"le( t&e annulment of
t&e con$e#ances %oul not necessaril# result in t&e
re$ocation of t&e le)acies( if %e "ear in min t&at t&e finin)s
mae in t&e ecision ecreein) t&e annulment of t&e
su"se!uent ->4/ an ->44 ees of sale %ere also t&at
- jann - 112
If t&e annulment %as ue to unue influence( as t&e !uote
'assa)e im'lies( t&en t&e transferor %as not e*'ressin) &er
o%n free %ill an intent in ma1in) t&e con$e#ances. Aence( it
can not "e conclue( eit&er( t&at suc& con$e#ances
esta"lis&e a ecision on &er 'art to a"anon t&e ori)inal
le)ac#. True it is t&at t&e le)al 'ro$ision !uote 'rescri"es
t&at t&e reco$er# of t&e alienate 'ro'ert# 8e$en if it "e "#
reason of t&e nullit# of t&e contract8 oes not re$i$e t&e
le)ac#< "ut as 'ointe out "# Scae$ola +0oi)o 0i$il( Vol. WV(
4t& E.( ''. /.4D/.7, t&e 8nullit# of t&e contract8 can not "e
ta1en in an a"solute sense. . 0ertainl#( it coul not "e
maintaine( for e*am'le( t&at if a testator@s su"se!uent
alienation %ere $oie "ecause t&e testator %as mentall#
eran)e at t&e time( t&e re$ocator# effect oraine "# t&e
article s&oul still ensue. An t&e same t&in) coul "e sai if
t&e alienation +'osterior to t&e %ill, %ere a$oie on account
of '&#sical or mental uress. Jet( an alienation t&rou)&
unue influence in no %a# iffers from one mae t&rou)&
$iolence or intimiation. In eit&er case( t&e transferor is not
e*'ressin) &is real intent( / an it can not &el t&at t&ere
%as in fact an alienation t&at coul 'rouce a re$ocation of
t&e anterior "e!uest.
Belen !s. B4I
Beni)no :ia4 e*ecute a coicil on Se'tem"er .>( ->44 On
No$em"er 7( ->44( Beni)no :ia4 ie< an t&e aforesai
coicil( to)et&er %it& t&e %ill( %as amitte to 'ro"ate in
S'ecial Proceein)s No. 9>4 of t&e same 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Hanila. T&e 'roceein)s for t&e aministration of
t&e estate of Beni)no :ia4 %ere close in ->7= an t&e
estate %as t&ereafter 'ut uner t&e aministration of t&e
a''ellee Ban1 of t&e P&ili''ine Islans( as trustee for t&e
"enefit of t&e le)atees.
2ilomena :ia4 ie on 2e"ruar# 9( ->74( lea$in) t%o
le)itimate c&ilren( Hila)ros Belen e Ola)uera( marrie(
%it& se$en +7, le)itimate c&ilren( an Onesima :. Belen(
sin)le.
On Harc& ->( ->79( Onesima :. Belen file a 'etition in
S'ecial Proceein)s No. >..?( contenin) t&at t&e amount
t&at %oul &a$e a''ertaine to 2ilomena :ia4 uner t&e
coicil s&oul no% "e i$ie +e!uall#, onl# "et%een &erself
an Hila)ros Belen e Ola)uera( as t&e sur$i$in) c&ilren of
t&e sai ecease( to t&e e*clusion( in ot&er %ors( of t&e
se$en +7, le)itimate c&ilren of Hila)ros Belen e Ola)uera.
T&e court( in its orer of Ha# ./( ->79( enie( as %e initiall#
'ointe out( Onesima@s 'etition.
2rom t&is orer Onesima :. Belen &as a''eale to t&is
0ourt( insistin) t&at +-, t&e 0ourt "elo% %as in error in
&olin) t&at its former resolution of Se'tem"er -?( ->77 &a
"een affirme "# our ecision of 2e"ruar# .9( ->79 in t&e
case of Ar)uelles $s. Belen e Ola)uera( G. R. No. LD-=-?4
2e". .9( ->79< an +., t&at t&e term 8sus escenientes
le)itimos(8 as use in t&e coicil( s&oul "e inter'rete to
mean escenants nearest in e)ree to t&e ori)inal le)atee
2ilomena :ia4. In t&e 'resent case( t&e# are &er t%o
au)&ters +Hila)ros an Onesima Belen,( t&ere"# e*cluin)
t&e se$en )ranc&ilren of sai le)atee.
As to t&e actual meanin) of t&e 'ro$ision S
8El resto se istri"uira a las si)uientes 'ersonas !ue aun
$i$en( o a sus escenientes le)itimos8(
it is unenia"le t&at "# t&is clause t&e testator oraine a
sim'le su"stitution +sustitucion $ul)ar, %it& a 'luralit# of
su"stitutes for eac& le)atee. T&is form of su"stitution is
aut&ori4e "# t&e first 'art of Article 9?= of t&e 0i$il 0oe
+Art. 779 of t&e 0oe of -99>,;
8T%o or more 'ersons ma# "e su"stitute for one<
an one 'erson for t%o or more &eirs.8
T&e issue is no% s!uarel# "efore us; o t&e %ors 8sus
escenientes le)itimos8 refer conCointl# to all li$in)
escenants +c&ilren an )ranc&ilren, of t&e le)atee( as a
class< or o t&e# refer to t&e escenants nearest in e)reeF
A''ellant Onesima Belen contens t&at t&e '&rase s&oul "e
ta1en to mean t&e relati$es nearest in e)ree to 2ilomena
:ia4< an t&at t&e le)ac# s&oul "e t&erefore i$ie e!uall#
"et%een &er an &er sister Hila)ros Belen e Ola)uera( to
t&e e*clusion of t&e latter@s sons an au)&ters(
)ranc&ilren of t&e ori)inal le)atee( 2ilomena :ia4. As
aut&orit# in su''ort of &er t&esis( a''ellant in$o1es Article
>7> of t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines +re'roucin) ne
$arietur Article 77- of t&e 0oe of -99>,;
8A istri"ution mae in )eneral terms in fa$or of t&e testator@s
relati$es s&all "e unerstoo as mae in fa$or of t&ose
nearest in e)ree.8
T&e ar)ument fails to note t&at t&is article is s'ecificall#
limite in its a''lication to t&e case %&ere t&e "eneficiaries
are relati$es of t&e testator( not t&ose of t&e le)atee. In suc&
an e$ent( t&e la% assumes t&at t&e testator intene to refer
to t&e rules of intestac#( in orer to "enefit t&e relati$es
closest to &im( "ecause( as Hanresa o"ser$es( S
But t&e ratio le)is +t&at amon) a testator@s relati$es t&e
closest are earest, o"$iousl# oes not a''l# %&ere t&e
"eneficiaries are relati$es of anot&er 'erson +t&e le)atee,
an not of t&e testator. T&ere is no lo)ical reason in t&is case
to 'resume t&at t&e testator intene to refer to t&e rules of
intestac#( for &e 'recisel# mae a testament an 'ro$ie
su"stitutes for eac& le)atee< nor can it "e sai t&at &is
affections %oul 'refer t&e nearest relati$es of t&e le)atee to
t&ose more istant( since &e en$isa)es all of t&em in a )rou'(
an onl# as mere su"stitutes for a 'referre "eneficiar#.
S&oul Article >7> +ol Art. 77-, "e a''lie "# analo)#F
T&ere are $arious reasons a)ainst t&is. T&e most im'ortant
one is t&at uner t&is article( as reco)ni4e "# t&e 'rinci'al
commentators on t&e 0oe of -99>( t&e nearest e*clue all
t&e fart&er relati$es an t&e ri)&t of re'resentation oes not
o'erate.
T&e result %oul "e t&at "# a''l#in) to t&e escenants of
2ilomena :ia4 t&e 8nearest relati$es8 rule of Article >7>( t&e
in&eritance %oul "e limite to &er c&ilren( or an#one of
t&em( e*cluin) t&e )ranc&ilren alto)et&er. T&is coul
&arl# "e t&e intention of t&e testator %&o( in t&e selfsame
clause -= of &is coicil +ante,( s'ea1s of 8cuatro &iCos e mi
ifunto &ermano 2a"ian8 an of 8los &iCos e :omin)o
Le)ara(8 as %ell as of 8escenientes le)itimos8 of t&e ot&er
le)atees( to us inicatin) clearl# t&at &e unerstoo %ell t&at
&iCos an escenientes are not s#non#mous terms. O"ser$e
t&at( in referrin) to t&e su"stitutes of 2ilomena :ia4( Nestor
Santia)o an Isa"el H. e Santia)o( t&e testator( oes not
e$en use t&e escri'tion 8sus &iCos o escenientes(8 "ut
onl# 8escenientes8.
- jann - 113
T&ere is no ou"t t&at( t&e testator@s intention "ein) t&e
carinal rule of succession in t&e a"sence of com'ulsor#
+force, &eirs( &e coul &a$e renere ino'erati$e all t&e
articles mentione( if &e &a so esire. But %it&out an#
ot&er su''ortin) circumstances( %e eem it e*tremel#
conCectural to &ol t&at "# t&e sim'le e*'ression 8o a sus
escenientes le)itimos(8 t&e testator Beni)no :ia4 i
inten to circum$ent all t&e le)al 'ro$isions &eretofore
!uote. It %as incum"ent u'on a''ellant to 'ro$e suc&
intention on t&e 'art of t&e testator< #et s&e &as not one so.
It is interestin) to note t&at e$en uner t&e An)loDSa*on
octrine( t&e courts are i$ie on t&e !uestion %&et&er a
"e!uest to 8relati$es8 or 8issue(8 mae in )eneral terms(
)i$es rise to a succession 'er ca'ita or 'er stir'es. In B#et&(
et al.( $s. 0rane( -74 N.E. 97-( t&e Su'reme 0ourt of Illinois
sai;
8T&e meanin) of t&e %or @escenants@( %&en use in a %ill
or ee to esi)nate a class to ta1e 'ro'ert# 'assin) "# t&e
%ill or ee( &as "een fre!uentl# consiere an ecie "#
t&e courts of En)lan an t&e Inite States. T&e esta"lis&e
rule in En)lan from an earl# ate %as t&at t&e %or
@escenants@ or t&e %or @issue@( une*'laine "# an#t&in) in
t&e conte*t of t&e instrument( means all 'ersons escenin)
lineall# from anot&er( to t&e remotest e)ree( an inclues
'ersons so escene( e$en t&ou)& t&eir 'arents are li$in)(
an t&at suc& escenants ta1e 'er ca'ita an not 'er
stir'es.8
8T&e courts of t&is countr# are i$ie on t&e !uestion of
%&et&er in case of a )ift or con$e#ance to @escenants@ or
@issue@( c&ilren ta1e concurrentl# %it& t&eir 'arents. T&e soD
calle En)lis& rule &as "een a&ere to in Ne% Jor1( Ne%
Gerse#( an Tennessee. . . . On t&e ot&er &an( t&e courts of
Hassac&usetts( Haine( R&oe Islan an Sout& 0arolina
&a$e &el t&at( in case of a )ift or con$e#ance to
escenants or issue( une*'laine "# an#t&in) in t&e conte*t
of t&e instrument( c&ilren o not ta1e concurrentl# %it& t&eir
'arents.8
Be conclue t&at in t&e a"sence of ot&er inications of
contrar# intent( t&e 'ro'er rule to a''l# in t&e instant case is
t&at t&e testator( "# esi)natin) a class or )rou' of le)atees(
intene all mem"ers t&ereof to succee 'er ca'ita( in
consonance %it& article 94?. So t&at t&e ori)inal le)ac# to
2ilomena :ia4 s&oul "e e!uall# i$ie amon) &er sur$i$in)
c&ilren an )ranc&ilren.
LEDAL O$ INTESTATE SUCCESSION
GIG. DENE-AL 4-O5ISIONS
A. In Deneral
Art. 9*2. =e!al or intestate succession ta+es place,
(-) f a person dies without a will, or with a
void will, or one which has subsequently lost
its validity.
($) When the will does not institute an heir
to, or dispose of all the property belon!in! to
the testator. n such case, le!al succession
shall ta+e place only with respect to the
property of which the testator has not
disposed.
(%) f the suspensive condition attached to
the institution of heir does not happen or is
not fulfilled, or if the heir dies before the
testator, or repudiates the inheritance, there
bein! no substitution, and no ri!ht of
accretion ta+es place.
(/) When the heir instituted is incapable of
succeedin!, e&cept in cases provided in this
6ode. (9-$a)
Art. 9*-. n default of testamentary heirs, the law
vests the inheritance, in accordance with the rules
hereinafter set forth, in the le!itimate and
ille!itimate relatives of the deceased, in the
survivin! spouse, and in the 9tate. (9-%a)
5osales vs. 5osales
In t&is Petition for Re$ie% of t%o +., Orers of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u t&e !uestion raise is %&et&er t&e
%io% %&ose &us"an 'reecease &is mot&er can in&erit
from t&e latter( &er mot&erDinDla%.
In t&e course of t&e intestate 'roceein)s( t&e trial court
issue an Orer ate Gune -?( ->7. eclarin) t&e follo%in)
ini$iuals t&e le)al &eirs of t&e ecease an 'rescri"in)
t&eir res'ecti$e s&are of t&e estate S 2ortunato T. Rosales
+&us"an, -54< Ha)na R. Ace"es +au)&ter,( -54<
Haci1e!uero* Rosales( -54< an Antonio Rosales +son,( -54.
T&is eclaration %as reiterate "# t&e trial court in its Orer
ate 2e"ruar# 4( ->77. T&ese Orers not%it&stanin)(
Irenea Rosales insiste in )ettin) a s&are of t&e estate in &er
ca'acit# as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of t&e late 0arterio Rosales(
son of t&e ecease( claimin) t&at s&e is a com'ulsor# &eir
of &er mot&erDinDla% to)et&er %it& &er son( Haci1e!uero*
Rosales.
In sum( t&e 'etitioner 'oses t%o +., !uestions for Our
resolution. 2irst S is a %io% +sur$i$in) s'ouse, an intestate
&eir of &er mot&erDinDla%F Secon S are t&e Orers of t&e
trial court %&ic& e*clue t&e %io% from )ettin) a s&are of
t&e estate in !uestion final as a)ainst t&e sai %io%F
Our ans%er to t&e first !uestion is in t&e ne)ati$e. Intestate
or le)al &eirs are classifie into t%o +., )rou's( namel#( t&ose
%&o in&erit "# t&eir o%n ri)&t( an t&ose %&o in&erit "# t&e
ri)&t of re'resentation. - Restate( an intestate &eir can onl#
in&erit eit&er "# &is o%n ri)&t( as in t&e orer of intestate
succession 'ro$ie for in t&e 0i$il 0oe( . or "# t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation 'ro$ie for in Article >9- of t&e same la%.
There is no pro!ision in the Ci!il Code %hich states that
a %ido% /s"r!i!ing spo"se0 is an intestate heir of her
#otherAinAla%. T&e entire 0oe is e$oi of an# 'ro$ision
%&ic& entitles &er to in&erit from &er mot&erDinDla% eit&er "#
&er o%n ri)&t or "# t&e ri)&t of re'resentation. T&e 'ro$isions
of t&e 0oe %&ic& relate to t&e orer of intestate succession
+Articles >79 to -=-4, enumerate %it& meticulous e*actitue
t&e intestate &eirs of a eceent( %it& t&e State as t&e final
intestate &eir. T&e cons'icuous a"sence of a 'ro$ision %&ic&
ma1es a au)&terDinDla% an intestate &eir of t&e ecease all
t&e more confirms Our observation. !f the legislature
- jann - 114
intended to ma$e the surviving spouse an intestate heir of
the parent:in:law, it would have so provided in the /ode.
T&e aforesai 'ro$ision of la% / refers to t&e estate of t&e
ecease s'ouse in %&ic& case t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse +%io%
or %io%er, is a com'ulsor# &eir. It oes not a''l# to t&e
estate of a 'arentDinDla%. Inee( t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse is
consiere a t&ir 'erson as re)ars t&e estate of t&e 'arentD
inDla%
B# t&e same to1en( t&e 'ro$ision of Article >>> of t&e 0i$il
0oe aforecite oes not su''ort 'etitioner@s claim. A careful
e*amination of t&e sai Article confirms t&at t&e estate
contem'late t&erein is t&e estate of t&e ecease s'ouse.
T&e estate %&ic& is t&e su"Cect matter of t&e intestate estate
'roceein)s in t&is case is t&at of t&e ecease Petra V.
Rosales( t&e mot&erDinDla% of t&e 'etitioner. It is from t&e
estate of Petra V. Rosales t&at Haci1e!uero* Rosales ra%s
a s&are of t&e in&eritance "# t&e ri)&t of re'resentation as
'ro$ie "# Article >9- of t&e 0oe.
Article >7- e*'licitl# eclares t&at Haci1e!uero* Rosales is
calle to succession "# la% "ecause of &is "loo relations&i'.
Ae oes not succee &is fat&er( 0arterio Rosales +t&e 'erson
re'resente, %&o 'reecease &is )ranmot&er( Petra
Rosales( "ut t&e latter %&om &is fat&er %oul &a$e
succeee. Petitioner cannot assert t&e same ri)&t of
re'resentation as s&e &as no filiation "# "loo %it& &er
mot&erDinDla%.
Petitioner &o%e$er contens t&at at t&e time of t&e eat& of
&er &us"an 0arterio Rosales &e &a an inc&oate or
contin)ent ri)&t to t&e 'ro'erties of Petra Rosales as
com'ulsor# &eir. Be t&at as it ma#( sai ri)&t of &er &us"an
%as e*tin)uis&e "# &is eat& t&at is %&# it is t&eir son
Haci1e!uero* Rosales %&o succeee from Petra Rosales
"# ri)&t of re'resentation. Ae i not succee from &is
ecease fat&er( 0arterio Rosales.
On t&e "asis of t&e fore)oin) o"ser$ations an conclusions(
Be fin it unnecessar# to 'ass u'on t&e secon !uestion
'ose "# t&e 'etitioner. Accorin)l#( it is Our consiere
o'inion( an Be so &ol( t&at a sur$i$in) s'ouse is not an
intestate &eir of &is or &er 'arentDinDla%. BAERE2ORE( in
$ie% of t&e fore)oin)( t&e Petition is &ere"# :ENIE: for lac1
of merit( %it& costs a)ainst t&e 'etitioner. Let t&is case "e
remane to t&e trial court for furt&er 'roceein)s.
Art. 9*$. n every inheritance, the relative nearest in
de!ree e&cludes the more distant ones, savin! the
ri!ht of representation when it properly ta+es place.
5elatives in the same de!ree shall inherit in equal
shares, sub1ect to the provisions of article -22* with
respect to relatives of the full and half blood, and of
Article 9#7, para!raph $, concernin! division
between the paternal and maternal lines. (9-$a)
Delos Santos !s. Dela Cr"&
2rom t&e recor of t&is case( %e cull t&e follo%in) salient
facts; On Ha# .-( ->?7( Gertrues e los Santos file a
com'laint for s'ecific 'erformance a)ainst Ha*imo e la
0ru4( alle)in)( amon) ot&ers( t&at on Au)ust .4( ->?/( s&e
an se$eral coD&eirs( incluin) t&e efenant( e*ecute an
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement +a co'# of %&ic& %as
attac&e to t&e com'laint, o$er a certain 'ortion of lan %it&
an area of aroun .=(=== s!. m.< t&at t&e 'arties t&ereto &a
a)ree to aCuicate t&ree +/, lots to t&e efenant( in
aition to &is corres'onin) s&are( on conition t&at t&e
latter %oul unerta1e t&e e$elo'ment an su"i$ision of
t&e estate %&ic& %as t&e su"Cect matter of t&e a)reement( all
e*'enses in connection t&ere%it& to "e efra#e from t&e
'rocees of t&e sale of t&e aforementione t&ree +/, lots< t&at
in s'ite of emans "# t&e 'laintiff( "# t&e ot&er coD&eirs( an
"# t&e resients of t&e su"i$ision( t&e efenant refuse to
'erform &is aforesai o"li)ation alt&ou)& &e &a alrea# sol
t&e aforesai lots. T&e 'laintiff 'ra#e t&e court to orer t&e
efenant to com'l# %it& &is o"li)ation uner t&e e*traD
Cuicial 'artition a)reement an to 'a# t&e sum of P-(===.==
as attorne#@s fees an costs.
In &is ans%er( t&e efenant amitte t&e ue e*ecution of
t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( "ut set u' t&e
affirmati$e efenses t&at t&e 'laintiff &a no cause of action
a)ainst &im "ecause t&e sai a)reement %as $oi %it&
res'ect to &er( for t&e reason t&at t&e 'laintiff %as not an &eir
of Pela)ia e la 0ru4( ecease o%ner of t&e 'ro'ert#( an
%as inclue in t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "#
mista1e< an t&at alt&ou)& &e &a is'ose of t&e t&ree lots
aCuicate to &im( ne$ert&eless t&e 'rocees of t&e sale
%ere not sufficient to e$elo' an im'ro$e 'ro'erl# t&e
su"i$ie estate. T&e ans%er containe a counterclaim
%&erein t&e efenant alle)e t&at t&e 'laintiff &a li1e%ise
sol &er s&are in t&e estate for P-=(===.==( an t&at t&e
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "ein) $oi insofar as t&e
latter %as concerne( &e %as entitle to oneDfourt& +-54, of
t&e 'rocees as &is s&are "# %a# of re$ersion. T&e
efenant 'ra#e t&at t&e com'laint "e ismisse< t&at t&e
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "e eclare $oi %it&
res'ect to t&e 'laintiff< an( on &is counterclaim( t&at t&e
'laintiff "e orere to 'a# &im t&e sum of P.(7==.==.
In its ecision ate No$em"er /( ->??( t&e court a !uo &el
t&at t&e efenant( "ein) a 'art# to t&e e*traCuicial 'artition
a)reement( %as esto''e from raisin) in issue t&e ri)&t of
t&e 'laintiff to in&erit from t&e eceent Pela)ia e la 0ru4<
&ence( &e must a"ie "# t&e terms of t&e a)reement. T&e
court orere t&e efenant 8to 'erform &is o"li)ations to
e$elo' Lots -( . an / of +LR0, PsD.>7?- as escri"e on
'a)e . of t&e E*traCuicial Partition A)reement8 +meanin)(
a''arentl#( t&at t&e efenant s&oul e$elo' t&e su"i$ision
"ecause sai Lots -( . an / %ere intene to "e sol for
t&is 'ur'ose,( an to 'a# t&e 'laintiff t&e sum of P.(===.== as
actual ama)es( t&e sum of P7==.== as attorne#@s fees( an
t&e costs. No is'osition %as mae of efenant@s
counterclaim. T&e efenant file a 8Hotion for Ne% Trial@ "ut
t&e same %as enie. Aence( t&is a''eal.
In t&e sti'ulation of facts su"mitte to t&e court "elo%( t&e
'arties amit t&at t&e o%ner of t&e estate( su"Cect matter of
t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( %as Pela)ia e la 0ru4(
%&o ie intestate on Octo"er -?( ->?. t&at efenantD
a''ellant is a ne'&e% of t&e sai eceent< t&at 'laintiffD
a''ellee is a )ranniece of Pela)ia e la 0ru4( &er mot&er(
Harciana e la 0ru4( "ein) a niece of t&e sai Pela)ia e la
0ru4< t&at 'laintiffDa''ellee@s mot&er ie on Se'tem"er ..(
->/7( t&us 'reDeceasin) Pela)ia e la 0ru4< an t&at t&e
'ur'ose of t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement %as to i$ie
an istri"ute t&e estate amon) t&e &eirs of Pela)ia e la
0ru4.
- jann - 115
T&e 'i$otal !uestion is %&et&er( in t&e 'remises( 'laintiffD
a''ellee is an &eir of t&e eceent. Be are con$ince t&at
s&e is not. PlaintiffDa''ellee "ein) a mere )ranniece of
Pela)ia e la 0ru4( s&e coul not in&erit from t&e latter "#
ri)&t of re'resentation.
8ART. >7.. T&e ri)&t of re'resentation ta1es
'lace in t&e irect escenin) line( "ut ne$er in t&e
ascenin).
8In t&e collateral line( it ta1es 'lace onl# in fa$or of
t&e c&ilren of "rot&ers or sisters( %&et&er t&e# "e
of t&e full or &alf "loo.8
Huc& less coul 'laintiffDa''ellee in&erit in &er o%n ri)&t.
8ART. >?.. In e$er# in&eritance( t&e relati$e
nearest in e)ree e*clues t&e more istant ones(
sa$in) t&e ri)&t of re'resentation %&en it 'ro'erl#
ta1es 'lace . . .8
!n the present case, the relatives nearest in degree to
8elagia de la /ru1 are her nephews and nieces, one of
whom is defendant:appellant. <ecessarily, plaintiff:appellee,
a grandniece, is excluded by law from the inheritance.
But %&at is t&e le)al effect of 'laintiffDa''ellee@s inclusion an
'artici'ation in t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement insofar as
&er ri)&t to "rin) t&e 'resent action is concerneF T&e# i
not confer u'on &er t&e ri)&t to institute t&is action. T&e
e*'ress 'ur'ose of t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( as
amitte "# t&e 'arties in t&e sti'ulation of facts( %as to
i$ie t&e estate amon) t&e &eirs of Pela)ia e la 0ru4.
Inee( t&e sai a)reement itself states t&at 'laintiffDa''ellee
%as 'artici'atin) t&erein in re'resentation of &er ecease
mot&er.
!t is quite apparent that in executing the partition agreement,
the parties thereto were laboring under the erroneous belief
that plaintiff:appellee was one of the legal heirs of 8elagia de
la /ru1. 8laintiff:appellee not being such an heir, the partition
is void with respect to her, pursuant to %rticle ((=+ of the
/ivil /ode, which reads:
8ART. --=7. A 'artition %&ic& inclues a
'erson "elie$e to "e an &eir( "ut %&o is not( s&all
"e $oi onl# %it& res'ect to suc& 'erson.8
Partition of 'ro'ert# affecte "et%een a 'erson entitle to
in&erit from t&e ecease o%ner t&ereof an anot&er 'erson
%&o t&ou)&t &e %as an &eir( %&en &e %as not reall# an
la%full# suc&( to t&e 'reCuice of t&e ri)&ts of t&e true &eir
esi)nate "# la% to succee t&e ecease( is null an $oi
+:e Torres $s. :e Torres( et al.( .9 P&il. 4>,. A fortiori(
'laintiffDa''ellee coul &arl# eri$e from t&e a)reement t&e
ri)&t to &a$e its terms enforce.
"he extra6udicial partition agreement being void with respect
to plaintiff:appellee, she may not be heard to assert estoppel
against defendant:appellant. Astoppel cannot be predicated
on a void contract ,(. %m. >ur. -=+0, or on acts which are
prohibited by law or are against public policy
T&e a%ar of actual ama)es in fa$or of 'laintiffDa''ellee
cannot "e sustaine in $ie% of t&e conclusion %e &a$e
arri$e at a"o$e. 2urt&ermore( actual or com'ensator#
ama)es must "e ul# 'ro$e +Article .->>( 0i$il 0oe,.
Aere( no 'roof of suc& ama)es %as 'resente inasmuc& as
t&e case %as ecie on a sti'ulation of facts an no
e$ience %as auce "efore t&e trial court.
Suc& "ein) t&e case( efenantDa''ellant is a''arentl#
correct in &is contention t&at t&e lo%er court erre in not
'assin) on &is counterclaim an( conse!uentl#( in not
sentencin) a''ellee to turn o$er to &im &is corres'onin)
s&are of sai 'ortion recei$e "# a''ellee uner t&e $oi
'artition. Remote relati$es or unrelate 'ersons %&o unul#
recei$e an too1 'ossession of t&e 'ro'ert# of a ecease
'erson %it&out an# ri)&t( "# $irtue of a null an $oi 'artition(
must restore it to t&e le)itimate successor in t&e in&eritance
+:e Torres $s. :e Torres( et al.( su'ra,. Of course( if suc&
s&are &as alrea# "een is'ose of "# a''ellee to a "ona
fie 'urc&aser( as seems to "e inicate in t&e un'ro$en
alle)ations of t&e counterclaim( Be cannot rener Cu)ment
a%arin) an# s'ecific amount to efenantDa''ellant as &is
'ro'ortionate s&are of t&e 'rocees of suc& sale for t&e
reason t&at( as alrea# state a"o$e( t&is as'ect of t&e
counterclaim &as not "een touc&e u'on in t&e sti'ulation of
facts nor &as it "een su''orte "# e$ience %&ic& a''ellant
s&oul &a$e 'resente in t&e lo%er court "ut i not.
C. -ight -epresentation
Art. 972. 5epresentation is a ri!ht created by fiction
of law, by virtue of which the representative is raised
to the place and the de!ree of the person
represented, and acquires the ri!hts which the latter
would have if he were livin! or if he could have
inherited. (9/$a)
Art. 97-. "he representative is called to the
succession by the law and not by the person
represented. "he representative does not succeed
the person represented but the one whom the person
represented would have succeeded. (n)
Art. 97$. "he ri!ht of representation ta+es place in
the direct descendin! line, but never in the
ascendin!.
n the collateral line, it ta+es place only in favor of
the children of brothers or sisters, whether they be
of the full or half blood. (9$5)
Art. 97%. n order that representation may ta+e
place, it is necessary that the representative himself
be capable of succeedin! the decedent. (n)
Art. 97/. Whenever there is succession by
representation, the division of the estate shall be
made per stirpes, in such manner that the
representative or representatives shall not inherit
more than what the person they represent would
inherit, if he were livin! or could inherit. (9$*a)
Art. 975. When children of one or more brothers or
sisters of the deceased survive, they shall inherit
from the latter by representation, if they survive
with their uncles or aunts. But if they alone survive,
they shall inherit in equal portions. (9$7)
- jann - 116
Art. 97*. A person may represent him whose
inheritance he has renounced. (9$#a)
Art. 977. 'eirs who repudiate their share may not be
represented. (9$9a)
Art. 9#$. "he !randchildren and other descendants
shall inherit by ri!ht of representation, and if any
one of them should have died, leavin! several heirs,
the portion pertainin! to him shall be divided amon!
the latter in equal portions. (9%%)
Art. 92$. "he ri!hts of ille!itimate children set forth
in the precedin! articles are transmitted upon their
death to their descendants, whether le!itimate or
ille!itimate. (#/%a)
Art. 99$. An ille!itimate child has no ri!ht to inherit
ab intestato from the le!itimate children and
relatives of his father or mother. nor shall such
children or relatives inherit in the same manner
from the ille!itimate child. (9/%a)
Art. -225. 9hould brothers and sisters survive
to!ether with nephews and nieces, who are the
children of the descendant3s brothers and sisters of
the full blood, the former shall inherit per capita,
and the latter per stirpes. (9/#)
Art. -22*. 9hould brother and sisters of the full
blood survive to!ether with brothers and sisters of
the half blood, the former shall be entitled to a share
double that of the latter. (9/9)
Art. -227. n case brothers and sisters of the half
blood, some on the father3s and some on the
mother3s side, are the only survivors, all shall inherit
in equal shares without distinction as to the ori!in of
the property. (952)
Art. -22#. 6hildren of brothers and sisters of the
half blood shall succeed per capita or per stirpes, in
accordance with the rules laid down for the brothers
and sisters of the full blood. (9-5)
Teotica !s. Del 5al Chan
Haria Hortera # Balsalo"re Va. e A)uirre ie on Gul# -4(
->77 in t&e 0it# of Hanila lea$in) 'ro'erties %ort&
P?==(===.==. S&e left a %ill %ritten in S'anis& %&ic& s&e
e*ecute at &er resience in No. . Le)ara St.( Luia'o(
Hanila. S&e affi*e &er si)nature at t&e "ottom of t&e %ill an
on t&e left mar)in of eac& an e$er# 'a)e t&ereof in t&e
'resence of Pilar BorCa( Pilar G. Sanc&e4( an Hoesto
2ormille4a( %&o in turn affi*e t&eir si)natures "elo% t&e
attestation clause an on t&e left mar)in of eac& an e$er#
'a)e of t&e %ill in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of eac&
ot&er. Sai %ill %as ac1no%le)e "efore Notar# Pu"lic
Niceforo S. A)aton "# t&e testatri* an &er %itnesses.
Amon) t&e man# le)acies an e$ises mae in t&e %ill %as
one of P.=(===.== to Rene A. Teotico( marrie to t&e
testatri*@s niece name Gosefina Hortera. To sai s'ouses
t&e testatri* left t&e usufruct of &er interest in t&e 0al$o
"uilin)( %&ile t&e na1e o%ners&i' t&ereof s&e left in e!ual
'arts to &er )ranc&ilren %&o are t&e le)itimate c&ilren of
sai s'ouses. T&e testatri* also institute Gosefina Hortera
as &er sole an uni$ersal &eir to all t&e remainer of &er
'ro'erties not ot&er%ise is'ose of in t&e %ill.
%na del Val /han, claiming to be an adopted child of
4rancisca &ortera, a deceased sister of the testatrix, as well
as an ac$nowledged natural child of >ose &ortera, a
deceased brother of the same testatrix, filed on @eptember
2, ()++ an opposition to the probate of the will alleging the
following grounds: ,(0 said will was not executed as required
by law7 ,20 the testatrix was physically and mentally
incapable to execute the will at the time of its execution7 and
,30 the will was executed under duress, threat or influence of
fear.
After t&e 'arties &a 'resente t&eir e$ience( t&e 'ro"ate
court renere its ecision on No$em"er -=( ->?= amittin)
t&e %ill to 'ro"ate "ut eclarin) t&e is'osition mae in fa$or
of :r. Rene Teotico $oi %it& t&e statement t&at t&e 'ortion to
"e $acate "# t&e annulment s&oul 'ass to t&e testatri*@s
&eirs "# %a# of intestate succession.
T&e motions for reconsieration a"o$e a$erte to &a$in)
"een enie( "ot& 'etitioner an o''ositor a''eale from t&e
ecision( t&e former from t&at 'ortion %&ic& nullifies t&e
le)ac# in fa$or of :r. Rene Teotico an eclares t&e $acate
'ortion as su"Cect of succession in fa$or of t&e le)al &eirs(
an t&e latter from t&at 'ortion %&ic& amits t&e %ill to
'ro"ate. An in t&is instance "ot& 'etitioner an o''ositor
assi)n se$eral error %&ic&( stri''e of nonDessentials( ma#
"e "oile o%n to t&e follo%in); +-, Aas o''ositor Ana el Val
0&an t&e ri)&t to inter$ene in t&is 'roceein)F< +., Aas t&e
%ill in !uestion "een ul# amitte to 'ro"ateF< an +/, :i
t&e 'ro"ate court commit an error in 'assin) on t&e intrinsic
$aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill an in eterminin) %&o
s&oul in&erit t&e 'ortion to "e $acate "# t&e nullification of
t&e le)ac# mae in fa$or of :r. Rene TeoticoF
!t is a well:settled rule that in order that a person may be
allowed to intervene in a probate proceeding he must have
an interest in the estate, or in the will, or in the property to be
affected by it either as executor or as a claimant of the estate
+N)o T&e Aua $s. 0&un) Kiat Aua( et al.( LD-7=>-(
Se'tem"er /=( ->?/,< an an intereste 'art# &as "een
efine as one %&o %oul "e "enefitte "# t&e estate suc&
as an &eir or one %&o &as a claim a)ainst t&e estate li1e a
creitor +Iem.,. On t&e ot&er &an( in Sa)uinsin $s.
Lina#a)( et al.( LD-777=( :ecem"er -7( ->?.( t&is 0ourt
sai;
8Accorin) to Section .( Rule 9= of t&e Rules of 0ourt( a
'etition for letters of aministration must "e file "# an
@intereste 'erson.@ An intereste 'art# &as "een efine in
t&is connection as one %&o %oul "e "enefitte "# t&e
estate( suc& as an &eir( or one %&o &as a claim a)ainst t&e
estate( suc& as a creitor +Intestate Estate of Gulio
Ha)"an%a 4= O.G.( --7-,. An it is %ell settle in t&is
Curisiction t&at in ci$il actions as %ell as s'ecial 'roceein)s(
t&e interest re!uire in orer t&at a 'erson ma# "e a 'art#
t&ereto must "e material an irect( an not merel# inirect
or contin)ent. +Trillana $s. 0risostomo( G. R. No. LD//7=(
Au)ust ..( ->7-< Ra'inosa $s. Barrion( 7= P&il. /--,.8
- jann - 117
T&e !uestion no% ma# "e as1e; Aas o''ositor an# interest
in an# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill( an( in t&e ne)ati$e( %oul
s&e ac!uire an# ri)&t to t&e estate in t&e e$ent t&at t&e %ill is
enie 'ro"ateF
Iner t&e terms of t&e %ill( o''ositor &as no ri)&t to
inter$ene "ecause s&e &as no interest in t&e estate eit&er as
&eir( e*ecutor( or aministrator( nor oes s&e &a$e an# claim
to an# 'ro'ert# affecte "# t&e %ill( "ecause it no%&ere
a''ears t&erein an# 'ro$ision esi)natin) &er as &eir(
le)atee or e$isee of an# 'ortion of t&e estate. S&e &as also
no interest in t&e %ill eit&er as aministratri* or e*ecutri*.
Neit&er &as s&e an# claim a)ainst an# 'ortion of t&e estate
"ecause s&e is not a coDo%ner t&ereof( an %&ile s&e
're$iousl# &a an interest in t&e 0al$o "uilin) locate in
Escolta( s&e &a alrea# is'ose of it lon) "efore t&e
e*ecution of t&e %ill.
8@Bet%een t&e natural c&il an t&e le)itimate relati$es of t&e
fat&er or mot&er %&o ac1no%le)e it( t&e 0oe enies an#
ri)&t of succession. T&e# cannot "e calle relati$es an t&e#
&a$e no ri)&t to in&erit. Of course( t&ere is a "loo tie( "ut t&e
la% oes not reco)ni4e it. In t&is( article >4/ is "ase u'on
t&e realit# of t&e facts an u'on t&e 'resum'ti$e %ill of t&e
intereste 'arties< t&e natural c&il is is)racefull# loo1e
o%n u'on "# t&e le)itimate famil#< t&e le)itimate famil# is( in
turn( &ate "# t&e natural c&il< t&e latter consiers t&e
'ri$ile)e conition of t&e former an t&e resources of %&ic&
it is t&ere"# e'ri$e< t&e former( in turn( sees in t&e natural
c&il not&in) "ut t&e 'rouct of sin( a 'al'a"le e$ience of a
"lemis& u'on t&e famil#. E$er# relation is orinaril# "ro1en in
life< t&e la% oes no more t&em reco)ni4e t&is trut&( "#
a$oiin) furt&er )rouns of resentment.@ +7 Hanresa( / e.(
'. --=.,8
"he oppositor cannot also derive comfort from the fact that
she is an adopted child of 4rancisca &ortera because under
our law the relationship established by adoption is limited
solely to the adopter and the adopted does not extend to the
relatives of the adopting parents or of the adopted child
except only as expressly provided for by law. #ence, no
relationship is created between the adopted and the
collaterals of the adopting parents. %s a consequence, the
adopted is an heir of the adopter but not of the relatives of
the adopter.
"he relationship established by the adoption, however, is
limited to the adopting parent, and does not extend to his
other relatives, except as expressly provided by law. "hus,
the adopted child cannot be considered as a relative of the
ascendants and collaterals of the adopting parents, nor of
the legitimate children which they may have after the
adoption, except that the law imposes certain impediments to
marriage by reason of adoption. <either are the children of
the adopted considered as descendants of the adopter. "he
relationship created is exclusively between, the adopter and
the adopted, and does not extend to the relatives of either.
+Tolentino( 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines( Vol. -( '. ?7.,
Be &a$e e*amine t&e e$ience on t&e matter an %e are
full# in accor %it& t&e fore)oin) o"ser$ation. Horeo$er( t&e
mere claim t&at Gosefina Hortera an &er &us"an Rene
Teotico &a t&e o''ortunit# to e*ert 'ressure on t&e testatri*
sim'l# "ecause s&e li$e in t&eir &ouse se$eral #ears 'rior to
t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill an t&at s&e %as ol an sufferin)
from &#'ertension in t&at s&e %as $irtuall# isolate from &er
friens for se$eral #ears 'rior to &er eat& is insufficient to
is'ro$e %&at t&e instrumental %itnesses &a testifie t&at
t&e testatri* freel# an $oluntaril# an %it& full consciousness
of t&e solemnit# of t&e occasion e*ecute t&e %ill uner
consieration. T&e e*ercise of im'ro'er 'ressure an unue
influence must "e su''orte "# su"stantial e$ience an
must "e of a 1in t&at %oul o$er'o%er an su"Cu)ate t&e
min of t&e testatri* as to estro# &er free a)enc# an ma1e
&er e*'ress t&e %ill of anot&er rat&er t&an &er o%n +0oso $s.
:e4a( 4. P&il.( 7>?,. T&e "uren is on t&e 'erson c&allen)in)
t&e %ill t&at suc& influence %as e*erte at t&e time of its
e*ecution( a matter %&ic& &ere %as not one( for t&e
e$ience 'resente not onl# is sufficient "ut %as is'ro$e
"# t&e testimon# t&e instrumental %itnesses.
T&e !uestion of %&et&er t&e 'ro"ate court coul etermine
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of a %ill &as "een
ecie "# t&is 0ourt in a lon) line of ecisions amon) %&ic&
t&e follo%in) ma# "e cite; 8O''osition to t&e intrinsic $aliit#
or le)alit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill cannot "e entertaine
in 'ro"ate 'roceein) "ecause its onl# 'ur'ose is merel# to
etermine if t&e %ill &as "een e*ecute in accorance %it&
t&e re!uirements of t&e la%.8
8To esta"lis& conclusi$el# as a)ainst e$er#one( an once for
all( t&e facts t&at a %ill %as e*ecute %it& t&e formalities
re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e testator %as in a conition to
ma1e a %ill( is t&e onl# 'ur'ose of t&e 'roceein)s uner t&e
ne% coe for t&e 'ro"ate of a %ill. +Sec. ?.7., T&e Cu)ment
in suc& 'roceein)s etermines an can etermine not&in)
more. In t&em t&e court &as no 'o%er to 'ass u'on t&e
$aliit# of an# 'ro$isions mae in t&e %ill. It can not ecie(
for e*am'le( t&at a certain le)ac# is $oi an anot&er one
$ali.8
Dia& !s. IAC
Pri$ate res'onent file a Petition ate Ganuar# ./( ->7?
%it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of 0a$ite in S'. Proc. 0ase
No. BD.-( 8In T&e Hatter of t&e Intestate Estate of t&e late
Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero(8 'ra#in) amon) ot&er
t&in)s( t&at t&e corres'onin) letters of Aministration "e
issue in &er fa$or an t&at s&e "e a''ointe as s'ecial
aministratri* of t&e 'ro'erties of t&e ecease Simona
Pamuti Va. e Santero.
It is unis'ute; -, t&at 2elisa Pamuti Garin is a niece of
Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero %&o to)et&er %it& 2elisa@s
mot&er Guliana %ere t&e onl# le)itimate c&ilren of t&e
s'ouses 2eli'e Pamuti an Petronila Asuncion< ., t&at
Guliana marrie Simon Garin an out of t&eir union %ere
"orn 2elisa Pamuti an anot&er c&il %&o ie urin)
infanc#< /, t&at Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero is t&e %io%
of Pascual Santero an t&e mot&er of Pa"lo Santero< 4, t&at
Pa"lo Santero %as t&e onl# le)itimate son of &is 'arents
Pascual Santero an Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero< 7,
t&at Pascual Santero ie in ->7=< Pa"lo Santero in ->7/
an Simona Santero in ->7?< ?, t&at Pa"lo Santero( at t&e
time of &is eat& %as sur$i$e "# &is mot&er Simona Santero
an &is si* minor natural c&ilren to %it; four minor c&ilren
%it& Anselma :ia4 an t%o minor c&ilren %it& 2eli*"erta
Pacursa.
Petitioner Anselma :ia4( as )uarian of &er minor c&ilren(
file &er 8O''osition an Hotion to E*clue 2elisa PamutiD
Garin ate Harc& -/( ->9=( from furt&er ta1in) 'art or
inter$enin) in t&e settlement of t&e intestate estate of Simona
- jann - 118
Pamuti Va. e Santero( as %ell as in t&e intestate estate of
Pascual Santero an Pa"lo Santero.
On Ha# .=( ->9=( Gu)e Ilefonso H. Ble4a issue an orer
e*cluin) 2elisa Garin 8from furt&er ta1in) 'art or
inter$enin) in t&e settlement of t&e intestate estate of Simona
Pamuti Va. e Santero( as %ell as in t&e intestate estates of
Pascual Santero an Pa"lo Santero an eclare &er to "e(
not an &eir of t&e ecease Simona Pamuti Va. e
Santero.8 /
After &er Hotion for Reconsieration %as enie "# t&e trial
court in its orer ate No$em"er -( ->9=( 2elisa P. Garin
file &er a''eal to t&e Intermeiate A''ellate 0ourt in 0AD
G.R. No. ?>9-4DR. A ecision 4 %as renere "# t&e
Intermeiate A''ellate 0ourt on :ecem"er -4( ->9/
+re$ersin) t&e ecision of t&e trial court, t&e is'ositi$e
'ortion of %&ic& reas S 8BAERE2ORE( finin) t&e Orer
a''eale from not consistent %it& t&e facts an la%
a''lica"le( t&e same is &ere"# set asie an anot&er one
entere sustainin) t&e Orers of :ecem"er - an >( ->7?
eclarin) t&e 'etitioner as t&e sole &eir of Simona Pamuti
Va. e Santero an orerin) o''ositorsDa''ellees not to
interfere in t&e 'roceein) for t&e eclaration of &eirs&i' in
t&e estate of Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero.8
T&e real issue in t&is case ma# "e "riefl# state as follo%s S
%&o are t&e le)al &eirs of Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero S
&er niece 2elisa Pamuti Garin or &er )ranc&ilren +t&e
natural c&ilren of Pa"lo Santero,F
T&e is'ute at "ar refers onl# to t&e intestate estate of
Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero an t&e issue &ere is
%&et&er o''ositorsDa''ellees +'etitioners &erein, as
ille)itimate c&ilren of Pa"lo Santero coul in&erit from
Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero( "# ri)&t of re'resentation of
t&eir fat&er Pa"lo Santero %&o is a le)itimate c&il of Simona
Pamuti Va. e Santero.
No% t&en %&at is t&e a''ro'riate la% on t&e matterF
Petitioners conten in t&eir 'leain)s t&at Art. >>= of t&e Ne%
0i$il 0oe is t&e a''lica"le la% on t&e case. T&e# conten
t&at sai 'ro$ision of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe moifies t&e rule in
Article >4- +Ol 0i$il 0oe, an reco)ni4es t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation +Art. >7=, to escenants( %&et&er le)itimate
or ille)itimate an t&at Art. >4-( S'anis& 0i$il 0oe enie
ille)itimate c&ilren t&e ri)&t to re'resent t&eir ecease
'arents an in&erit from t&eir ecease )ran'arents( "ut
t&at Rule %as e*'ressl# c&an)e an5or amene "# Art.
>>= Ne% 0i$il 0oe %&ic& e*'ressl# )rants t&e ille)itimate
c&ilren t&e ri)&t to re'resent t&eir ecease fat&er +Pa"lo
Santero, in t&e estate of t&eir )ranmot&er +Simona Pamuti,8
7
Petitioners@ contention &ols no %ater. Since t&e &ereitar#
conflict refers solel# to t&e intestate estate of Simona Pamuti
Va. e Santero( %&o is t&e le)itimate mot&er of Pa"lo
Santero( t&e a''lica"le la% is t&e 'ro$ision of Art. >>. of t&e
0i$il 0oe %&ic& reas as follo%s;
ART. >>.. An ille)itimate c&il &as no ri)&t to
in&erit a" intestato from t&e le)itimate c&ilren an
relati$es of &is fat&er or mot&er< nor s&all suc&
c&ilren or relati$es in&erit in t&e same manner from
t&e ille)itimate c&il. +>4/a,.
Pa"lo Santero is a le)itimate c&il( &e is not an ille)itimate
c&il. On t&e ot&er &an( t&e o''ositors +'etitioners &erein,
are t&e ille)itimate c&ilren of Pa"lo Santero.
%rticle ))2 of the <ew /ivil /ode provides a barrier or iron
curtain in that it prohibits absolutely a succession ab intestato
between the illegitimate child and the legitimate children and
relatives of the father or mother of said legitimate child. "hey
may have a natural tie of blood, but this is not recogni1ed by
law for the purposes of %rt. ))2. 5etween the legitimate
family and the illegitimate family there is presumed to be an
intervening antagonism and incompatibility. "he illegitimate
child is disgracefully loo$ed down upon by the legitimate
family7 the family is in turn, hated by the illegitimate child7 the
latter considers the privileged condition of the former, and the
resources of which it is thereby deprived7 the former, in turn,
sees in the illegitimate child nothing but the product of sin,
palpable evidence of a blemish bro$en in life7 the law does
no more than recogni1e this truth, by avoiding further
grounds of resentment. -
T&us( 'etitioners &erein cannot re'resent t&eir fat&er Pa"lo
Santero in t&e succession of t&e letter to t&e intestate estate
of &is le)itimate mot&er Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero(
"ecause of t&e "arrier 'ro$ie for uner Art. >>. of t&e Ne%
0i$il 0oe.
8In t&e S'anis& 0i$il 0oe of -99> t&e ri)&t of
re'resentation %as amitte onl# %it&in t&e
le)itimate famil#< so muc& so t&at Article >4/ of t&at
0oe 'rescri"e t&at an ille)itimate c&il can not
in&erit a" intestato from t&e le)itimate c&ilren an
relati$es of &is fat&er an mot&er. T&e 0i$il 0oe of
t&e P&ili''ines a''arentl# a&ere to t&is 'rinci'le
since it re'rouce Article >4/ of t&e S'anis& 0oe
in its o%n Art. >>.( "ut %it& fine inconsistenc#( in
su"se!uent articles +>>=( >>7 an >>9, our 0oe
allo%s t&e &ereitar# 'ortion of t&e ille)itimate c&il
to 'ass to &is o%n escenants( %&et&er le)itimate
or ille)itimate. So t&at %&ile Art( >>. 're$ents t&e
ille)itimate issue of a le)itimate c&il from
re'resentin) &im in t&e intestate succession of t&e
)ran'arent( t&e ille)itimates of an ille)itimate c&il
can no% o so. T&is ifference "ein) inefensi"le
an un%arrante( in t&e future re$ision of t&e 0i$il
0oe %e s&all &a$e to ma1e a c&oice an ecie
eit&er t&at t&e ille)itimate issue enCo#s in all cases
t&e ri)&t of re'resentation( in %&ic& case Art. >>.
must "e su''resse< or contrari%ise maintain sai
article an moif# Articles >>7 an >>9. T&e first
solution %oul "e more in accor %it& an
enli)&tene attitue $isDaD$is ille)itimate c&ilren.
+Reflections on t&e Reform of Aereitar#
Succession( GOIRNAL of t&e Inte)rate Bar of t&e
P&ili''ines( 2irst Luater( ->7?( Volume 4( Num"er
-( ''. 4=D4-,.
It is t&erefore clear from Article >>. of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe
t&at t&e '&rase 8le)itimate c&ilren an relati$es of &is fat&er
or mot&er8 inclues Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero as t&e
%or 8relati$e8 inclues all t&e 1inre of t&e 'erson s'o1en
of. 7 T&e recor s&o%s t&at from t&e commencement of t&is
case t&e onl# 'arties %&o claime to "e t&e le)itimate &eirs
of t&e late Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero are 2elisa Pamuti
Garin an t&e si* minor natural or ille)itimate c&ilren of
Pa"lo Santero. Since 'etitioners &erein are "arre "# t&e
'ro$isions of Article >>.( t&e res'onent Intermeiate
- jann - 119
A''ellate 0ourt i not commit an# error in &olin) 2elisa
PamutiDGarin to "e t&e sole le)itimate &eir to t&e intestate
estate of t&e late Simona Pamuti Va. e Santero.
BAERE2ORE( t&is 'etition is &ere"# :ISHISSE:( an t&e
assaile ecision is &ere"# A22IRHE:
Deacayo !s. $eraris
Heloia 2erraris %as a resient of 0e"u 0it# until ->/7 %&en
s&e transferre to Intramuros( Hanila. S&e %as 1no%n to
&a$e resie t&ere continuousl# until ->44. T&ereafter( u' to
t&e filin) on :ecem"er ..( ->?= of t&e 'etition for t&e
summar# settlement of &er estate( s&e &as not "een &ear of
an &er %&erea"outs are still un1no%n. Hore t&an ten +-=,
#ears &a$in) ela'se since t&e last time s&e %as 1no%n to
"e ali$e( s&e %as eclare 'resum'ti$el# ea for 'ur'oses
of o'enin) &er succession an istri"utin) &er estate amon)
&er &eirs.
Heloia 2erraris left 'ro'erties in 0e"u 0it#( consistin) of
one t&ir +-5/, s&are in t&e estate of &er aunt( Rosa 2erraris(
$alue at P?(===.==( more or less( an %&ic& %as
aCuicate to &er in S'ecial Proceein) No. -/DV of t&e
same court.
T&e ecease Heloia 2erraris left no sur$i$in) irect
escenant( ascenant( or s'ouse( "ut %as sur$i$e onl# "#
collateral relati$es( namel#( 2ilomena A"ellana e Baca#o( an
aunt( an &alfD sister of eceent@s fat&er( Anacleto 2erraris<
an "# Gauencia( 0atalina( 0onc&ita( an Guanito( all
surname 2erraris( &er nieces an ne'&e%( %&o %ere t&e
c&ilren of Heloia@s onl# "rot&er of full "loo( Arturo
2erraris( %&o 'reDecease &er +t&e eceent,. T&ese t%o
classes of &eirs claim to "e t&e nearest intestate &eirs an
see1 to 'artici'ate in t&e estate of sai Heloia 2erraris.
T&e sole issue to "e resol$e in t&is case is; B&o s&oul
in&erit t&e intestate estate of a ecease 'erson %&en &e or
s&e is sur$i$e onl# "# collateral relati$es( to %it; an aunt an
t&e c&ilren of a "rot&er %&o 'reecease &im or &erF
Ot&er%ise( %ill t&e aunt concur %it& t&e c&ilren of t&e
eceent@s "rot&er in t&e in&eritance or %ill t&e former "e
e*clue "# t&e latterF
A)ainst t&e a"o$e rulin)( 'etitionerDa''ellant contens in t&e
'resent a''eal t&at s&e is of t&e same or e!ual e)ree of
relations&i' as t&e o''ositorsDa''ellees( t&ree e)rees
remo$e from t&e eceent< an t&at uner article >77 of t&e
Ne% 0i$il 0oe no ri)&t or re'resentation coul ta1e 'lace
%&en t&e nieces an ne'&e% of t&e eceent o not concur
%it& an uncle or aunt( as in t&e case at "ar( "ut rat&er t&e
former succee in t&eir o%n ri)&t.
Be a)ree %it& a''ellants t&at as an aunt of t&e ecease(
s&e is as far istant as t&e ne'&e%s from t&e eceent +t&ree
e)rees, since in t&e collateral line to %&ic& "ot& 1ins of
relati$es "elon) e)rees are counte "# first ascenin) to
t&e common ancestor an t&en escenin) to t&e &eir +0i$il
0oe( Art. >??,. A''ellant is li1e%ise ri)&t in &er contention
t&at ne'&e%s an nieces alone o not in&erit "# ri)&t of
re'resentation +i.e.( 'er stir'es, unless concurrin) %it&
"rot&ers or sisters of t&e ecease( as 'ro$ie e*'ressl# "#
Article >77;
8ART. >77. B&en c&ilren of one or more
"rot&ers or sisters of t&e ecease sur$i$e( t&e#
s&all in&erit from t&e latter "# re'resentation( if t&e#
sur$i$e %it& t&eir uncles or aunts. But if t&e# alone
sur$i$e( t&e# s&all in&erit in e!ual 'ortions.8
Ne$ert&eless( t&e trial court %as correct %&en it &el t&at( in
case of intestac#( ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e e cuCus
e*clue all ot&er collaterals +aunts an uncles( first cousins(
etc., from t&e succession. T&is is reail# a''arent from
articles -==-( -==4( -==7( an -==> of t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e
P&ili''ines( t&at 'ro$ie as follo%s;
Iner t&e last article +-==>,( t&e a"sence of "rot&ers( sisters(
ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e eceent is a 'reconition to t&e
ot&er collaterals +uncles( cousins( etc., "ein) calle to t&e
succession. T&is %as also an more clearl# t&e case uner
t&e S'anis& 0i$il 0oe of -99>( t&at immeiatel# 'recee
t&e 0i$il 0oe no% in force +R. A. /9?,. T&us( Articles >7.
an >74 of t&e 0oe of -99> 'rescri"e as follo%s;
8ART. >7.. In t&e a"sence of "rot&ers or
sisters an of ne'&e%s or nieces( c&ilren of t&e
former( %&et&er of t&e %&ole "loo or not( t&e
sur$i$in) s'ouse( if not se'arate "# a final ecree
of i$orce s&all succee to t&e entire estate of t&e
ecease.8
8ART. >74. S&oul t&ere "e neit&er "rot&ers
nor sisters( nor c&ilren of "rot&ers or sisters( nor a
sur$i$in) s'ouse( t&e ot&er collateral relati$es s&all
succee to t&e estate of ecease.
T&e latter s&all succee %it&out istinction of lines
or 'reference amon) t&em "# reason of t&e %&ole
"loo.8
It %ill "e seen t&at uner t&e 'recein) articles( "rot&ers an
sisters an ne'&e%s an nieces in&erite a" intestato a&ea
of t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse( %&ile ot&er collaterals succeee
onl# after t&e %io%er or %io%. T&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe of
t&e P&ili''ines merel# 'lace t&e s'ouse on a 'ar %it& t&e
ne'&e%s an nieces an "rot&ers an sisters of t&e
ecease( "ut %it&out alterin) t&e 'referre 'osition of t&e
latter $is a $is t&e ot&er collaterals.
A''ellants !uote 'ara)ra'& . of Tolentino@s commentaries to
Article -==> of t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe as eclarin) t&at Article
-==> oes not esta"lis& a rule of 'reference. B&ic& is true as
to 8ot&er collaterals8( since 'reference amon) t&em is
accorin) to t&eir 'ro*imit# to t&e eceent( as esta"lis&e
"# Article >?.( 'ara)ra'& -.
ta1es 'lace.8
But Tolentino oes not state t&at ne'&e%s an nieces concur
%it& ot&er collaterals of e!ual e)ree. On t&e contrar#( in t&e
first 'ara)ra'& of &is commentaries to Article -==> +Vol. II( '.
4/>, +%&ic& counsel for a''ellants &a unet&icall# omitte to
!uote,( Tolentino e*'ressl# states;
8Ot&er 0ollaterals.S T&e last of t&e relati$es of t&e
eceent to succee in intestate succession are t&e
collaterals ot&er t&an "rot&ers or sisters or c&ilren
of "rot&ers or sisters. T&e# are( &o%e$er( limite to
relati$es %it&in t&e fift& e)ree. Be#on t&is( %e can
safel# sa#( t&ere is &arl# an# affection to merit t&e
succession of collaterals. Iner t&e la%( t&erefore(
- jann - 120
'ersons "e#on t&e fift& e)ree are no lon)er
consiere as relati$es( for successional 'ur'oses.
8Article -==> oes not state an# orer of 'reference.
Ao%e$er( t&is article s&oul "e unerstoo in
connection %it& t&e )eneral rule t&at t&e nearest
relati$es e*clue t&e fart&er. 0ollaterals of t&e same
e)ree in&erit in e!ual 'arts( t&ere "ein) no ri)&t of
re'resentation. T&e# succee %it&out istinction of
lines or 'reference amon) t&em on account of t&e
%&ole "loo relations&i'.8 +Italics su''lie,
Be( t&erefore( &ol( an so rule( t&at uner our la%s of
succession( a eceent@s uncles an aunts ma# not succee
a" intestato so lon) as ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e eceent
sur$i$e an are %illin) an !ualifie to succee.
Corp"s !s. Corp"s
Teooro R. Jan)co ie in Hanila on A'ril .=( ->/> at t&e
a)e of se$ent#Dse$en #ears. Ais %ill ate Au)ust .>( ->/4
%as 'ro"ate in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Hanila in
S'ecial Proceein) No. 749?/. T&e ecree of 'ro"ate %as
affirme in t&is 0ourt@s ->4- ecision in 0or'us $s. Jan)co(
7/ P&il. 7.7. T&e com'lete te*t of t&e %ill is !uote in t&at
ecision.
Teooro R. Jan)co %as t&e son of Luis Rafael Jan)co an
Ramona Ar)uelles( t&e %io% of Tomas 0or'us. Before &er
union %it& Luis Rafael Jan)co( Ramona &a "e)otten fi$e
c&ilren %it& Tomas 0or'us( t%o of %&om %ere t&e
aforename Pa"lo 0or'us an Gose 0or'us.
Pursuant to t&e orer of t&e 'ro"ate court( a 'roCect of
'artition ate No$em"er .?( ->47 %as su"mitte "# t&e
aministrator an t&e le)atees name in t&e %ill. T&at 'roCect
of 'artition %as o''ose "# t&e estate of Luis R. Jan)co
%&ose counsel contene t&at an intestac# s&oul "e
eclare "ecause t&e %ill oes not contain an institution of
&eir. It %as also o''ose "# Att#. Roman A. 0ru4( %&o
re'resente Guanita 0or'us( Pero Hartine4 an Guliana e
0astro. Guanita 0or'us %as alrea# ea %&en Att#. 0ru4
a''eare as &er counsel.
T&e 'ro"ate court in its orer of :ecem"er .?( ->4?
a''ro$e t&e 'roCect of 'artition. It &el t&at in certain
clauses of t&e %ill t&e testator intene to conser$e &is
'ro'erties not in t&e sense of is'osin) of t&em after &is
eat& "ut for t&e 'ur'ose of 're$entin) t&at 8tales "ienes
fuesen mal)astaos o esfil'ar raos 'or los le)atarios8 an
t&at if t&e testator intene a 'er'etual 'ro&i"ition a)ainst
alienation( t&at conition %oul "e re)are 8como no 'uesta
o no e*istente8. It conclue t&at 8no &a# moti$os le)ales o
morales 'ara !ue la sucession e :on Teooro R. Jan)co
sea eclaraa intestaa.8
On Se'tem"er .=( ->4>( t&e le)atees e*ecute an
a)reement for t&e settlement an '&#sical 'artition of t&e
Jan)co estate. T&e 'ro"ate court a''ro$e t&at a)reement
an note t&at t&e ->47 'roCect of 'artition %as 'ro tanto
moifie. T&at i not set at rest t&e contro$ers# o$er t&e
Jan)co estate.
T&e trial court in its ecision of Gul# .( ->7? ismisse t&e
action on t&e )rouns of res Cuicata an lac&es. It &el t&at
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of Jan)co@s %ill %as 'asse u'on in its
orer ate :ecem"er .?( ->4? in S'ecial Proceein) No.
749?/ a''ro$in) t&e 'roCect of 'artition for t&e testator@s
estate.
A''ellant 0or'us contens in t&is a''eal t&at t&e trial court
erre in &olin) +-, t&at Teooro R. Jan)co %as a natural
c&il( +., t&at &is %ill &a "een ul# le)ali4e( an +/, t&at
'laintiff@s action is "arre "# res Cuicata an lac&es.
In t&e is'osition of t&is a''eal( it is not necessar# to resol$e
%&et&er Jan)co@s %ill &a "een ul# le)ali4e an %&et&er
t&e action of Tomas 0or'us is "arre "# res Cuicata an
lac&es. T&e a''eal ma# "e resol$e "# eterminin) %&et&er
Guanita 0or'us( t&e mot&er of a''ellant Tomas 0or'us( %as
a le)al &eir of Jan)co. Aas Tomas 0or'us a cause of action
to reco$er &is mot&er@s su''ose intestate s&are in Jan)co@s
estateF
To ans%er t&at !uestion( it is necessar# to ascertain Jan)co@s
filiation. T&e trial court foun t&at Jan)co 8a su muerte
tam"ien le s"re$i$ieron Luis # Pa4 a''elliaos Jan)co(
&ermanos naturales reconocios 'or su 'are natural Luis R.
Jan)co8. T&e "asis of t&e trial court@s conclusion t&at
Teooro R. Jan)co %as an ac1no%le)e natural c&il an
not a le)itimate c&il %as t&e statement in t&e %ill of &is
fat&er( Luis Rafael Jan)co( ate Gune -4( ->=7( t&at
Teooro an &is t&ree ot&er c&ilren %ere &is ac1no%le)e
natural c&ilren.
On t&e ot&er &an( t&e c&ilren of Ramona Ar)uelles an
Tomas 0or'us are 'resume to "e le)itimate. A marria)e is
'resume to &a$e ta1en 'lace "et%een Ramona an Tomas.
Sem'er 'raesumitur 'ro matrimonio. It is is'uta"l#
'resume 8T&at a man an a %oman e'ortin) t&emsel$es
as &us"an an %ife &a$e entere into a la%ful contract of
marria)e8< 8t&at a c&il "orn in la%ful %eloc1( t&ere "ein) no
i$orce( a"solute or from "e an "oar( is le)itimate8( an
8t&at t&in)s &a$e &a''ene accorin) to t&e orinar# course
of nature an t&e orinar# &a"its of life8 +Sec. 7M4N( M""N an
MccN( Rule -/-( Rules of 0ourt,.
Since Teooro R. Jan)co %as an ac1no%le)e natural c&il
or %as ille)itimate an since Guanita 0or'us %as t&e
le)itimate c&il of Gose 0or'us( &imself a le)itimate c&il( %e
&ol t&at a''ellant Tomas 0or'us &as no cause of action for
t&e reco$er# of t&e su''ose &ereitar# s&are of &is mot&er(
Guanita 0or'us( as a le)al &eir( in Jan)co@s estate. Guanita
0or'us %as not a le)al &eir of Jan)co "ecause t&ere is no
reci'rocal succession "et%een le)itimate an ille)itimate
relati$es. T&e trial court i not err in ismissin) t&e
com'laint of Tomas 0or'us.
A''ellant 0or'us concees t&at if Teooro R. Jan)co %as a
natural c&il( &e +Tomas 0or'us, %oul &a$e no le)al
'ersonalit# to inter$ene in t&e istri"ution of Jan)co@s estate
+'. 9( a''ellant@s "rief,.
T&e rule in article >4/ is no% foun in article >>. of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at 8an ille)itimate c&il &as no ri)&t to
in&erit a" intestato from t&e le)itimate c&ilren an relati$es
of &is fat&er or mot&er< nor s&all suc& c&ilren or relati$es
in&erit in t&e same manner from t&e ille)itimate c&il8.
T&at rule is "ase on t&e t&eor# t&at t&e ille)itimate c&il is
is)racefull# loo1e u'on "# t&e le)itimate famil# %&ile t&e
le)itimate famil# is( in turn( &ate "# t&e ille)itimate c&il. T&e
la% oes not reco)ni4e t&e "loo tie an see1s to a$oi
- jann - 121
furt&er )rouns of resentment +7 Hanresa( 0oi)o 0i$il( 7t&
E.( ''. -97D?,.
Iner articles >44 an >47 of t&e s'anis& 0i$il 0oe( 8if an
ac1no%le)e natural or le)itimate c&il s&oul ie %it&out
issue( eit&er le)itimate or ac1no%le)e( t&e fat&er or mot&er
%&o ac1no%le)e suc& c&il s&all succee to its entire
estate< an if "ot& ac1no%le)e it an are ali$e( t&e# s&all
in&erit from it s&are an s&are ali1e. In efault of natural
ascenants( natural an le)itimate c&ilren s&all "e
succeee "# t&eir natural "rot&ers an sisters in
accorance %it& t&e rules esta"lis&e for le)itimate "rot&ers
an sisters.8 Aence( Teooro R. Jan)co@s &alf "rot&ers on
t&e 0or'us sie( %&o %ere le)itimate( &a no ri)&t to
succee to &is estate uner t&e rules of intestac#.
2ollo%in) t&e rule in article >>.( formerl# article >4/( it %as
&el t&at t&e le)itimate relati$es of t&e mot&er cannot
succee &er ille)itimate c&il. B# reason of t&at same rule(
t&e natural c&il cannot re'resent &is natural fat&er in t&e
succession to t&e estate of t&e le)itimate )ran'arent
+Llorente $s. Rori)ue4( -= P&il. 797< 0enteno $s. 0enteno(
7. P&il. /..< Allare $s. A"a#a( 77 P&il. >=>,. T&e natural
au)&ter cannot succee to t&e estate of &er ecease
uncle( a le)itimate "rot&er of &er natural mot&er +Anuran $s.
A!uino an Orti4( /9 P&il. .>,.
GG. O-DE- O$ INTESTATE SUCCESSION
A. Descending Direct Line
(. Estate of legiti#ate decedent
a. Illegiti#ate children
Art. 9#%. f ille!itimate children survive with
le!itimate children, the shares of the former shall be
in the proportions prescribed by Article #95. (n)
Art. 9##. n the absence of le!itimate descendants or
ascendants, the ille!itimate children shall succeed to
the entire estate of the deceased. (9%9a)
Art. 9#9. f, to!ether with ille!itimate children, there
should survive descendants of another ille!itimate
child who is dead, the former shall succeed in their
own ri!ht and the latter by ri!ht of representation.
(9/2a)
Art. 992. "he hereditary ri!hts !ranted by the two
precedin! articles to ille!itimate children shall be
transmitted upon their death to their descendants,
who shall inherit by ri!ht of representation from
their deceased !randparent. (9/-a)
Art. 99-. f le!itimate ascendants are left, the
ille!itimate children shall divide the inheritance
with them, ta+in! one<half of the estate, whatever be
the number of the ascendants or of the ille!itimate
children. (9/$<#/-a)
Corp"s !s. Corp"s
Teooro R. Jan)co ie in Hanila on A'ril .=( ->/> at t&e
a)e of se$ent#Dse$en #ears. Ais %ill ate Au)ust .>( ->/4
%as 'ro"ate in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Hanila in
S'ecial Proceein) No. 749?/. T&e ecree of 'ro"ate %as
affirme in t&is 0ourt@s ->4- ecision in 0or'us $s. Jan)co(
7/ P&il. 7.7. T&e com'lete te*t of t&e %ill is !uote in t&at
ecision.
Teooro R. Jan)co %as t&e son of Luis Rafael Jan)co an
Ramona Ar)uelles( t&e %io% of Tomas 0or'us. Before &er
union %it& Luis Rafael Jan)co( Ramona &a "e)otten fi$e
c&ilren %it& Tomas 0or'us( t%o of %&om %ere t&e
aforename Pa"lo 0or'us an Gose 0or'us.
Pursuant to t&e orer of t&e 'ro"ate court( a 'roCect of
'artition ate No$em"er .?( ->47 %as su"mitte "# t&e
aministrator an t&e le)atees name in t&e %ill. T&at 'roCect
of 'artition %as o''ose "# t&e estate of Luis R. Jan)co
%&ose counsel contene t&at an intestac# s&oul "e
eclare "ecause t&e %ill oes not contain an institution of
&eir. It %as also o''ose "# Att#. Roman A. 0ru4( %&o
re'resente Guanita 0or'us( Pero Hartine4 an Guliana e
0astro. Guanita 0or'us %as alrea# ea %&en Att#. 0ru4
a''eare as &er counsel.
T&e 'ro"ate court in its orer of :ecem"er .?( ->4?
a''ro$e t&e 'roCect of 'artition. It &el t&at in certain
clauses of t&e %ill t&e testator intene to conser$e &is
'ro'erties not in t&e sense of is'osin) of t&em after &is
eat& "ut for t&e 'ur'ose of 're$entin) t&at 8tales "ienes
fuesen mal)astaos o esfil'ar raos 'or los le)atarios8 an
t&at if t&e testator intene a 'er'etual 'ro&i"ition a)ainst
alienation( t&at conition %oul "e re)are 8como no 'uesta
o no e*istente8. It conclue t&at 8no &a# moti$os le)ales o
morales 'ara !ue la sucession e :on Teooro R. Jan)co
sea eclaraa intestaa.8
On Se'tem"er .=( ->4>( t&e le)atees e*ecute an
a)reement for t&e settlement an '&#sical 'artition of t&e
Jan)co estate. T&e 'ro"ate court a''ro$e t&at a)reement
an note t&at t&e ->47 'roCect of 'artition %as 'ro tanto
moifie. T&at i not set at rest t&e contro$ers# o$er t&e
Jan)co estate.
T&e trial court in its ecision of Gul# .( ->7? ismisse t&e
action on t&e )rouns of res Cuicata an lac&es. It &el t&at
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of Jan)co@s %ill %as 'asse u'on in its
orer ate :ecem"er .?( ->4? in S'ecial Proceein) No.
749?/ a''ro$in) t&e 'roCect of 'artition for t&e testator@s
estate.
A''ellant 0or'us contens in t&is a''eal t&at t&e trial court
erre in &olin) +-, t&at Teooro R. Jan)co %as a natural
c&il( +., t&at &is %ill &a "een ul# le)ali4e( an +/, t&at
'laintiff@s action is "arre "# res Cuicata an lac&es.
In t&e is'osition of t&is a''eal( it is not necessar# to resol$e
%&et&er Jan)co@s %ill &a "een ul# le)ali4e an %&et&er
t&e action of Tomas 0or'us is "arre "# res Cuicata an
lac&es. T&e a''eal ma# "e resol$e "# eterminin) %&et&er
Guanita 0or'us( t&e mot&er of a''ellant Tomas 0or'us( %as
a le)al &eir of Jan)co. Aas Tomas 0or'us a cause of action
- jann - 122
to reco$er &is mot&er@s su''ose intestate s&are in Jan)co@s
estateF
To ans%er t&at !uestion( it is necessar# to ascertain Jan)co@s
filiation. T&e trial court foun t&at Jan)co 8a su muerte
tam"ien le s"re$i$ieron Luis # Pa4 a''elliaos Jan)co(
&ermanos naturales reconocios 'or su 'are natural Luis R.
Jan)co8. T&e "asis of t&e trial court@s conclusion t&at
Teooro R. Jan)co %as an ac1no%le)e natural c&il an
not a le)itimate c&il %as t&e statement in t&e %ill of &is
fat&er( Luis Rafael Jan)co( ate Gune -4( ->=7( t&at
Teooro an &is t&ree ot&er c&ilren %ere &is ac1no%le)e
natural c&ilren.
On t&e ot&er &an( t&e c&ilren of Ramona Ar)uelles an
Tomas 0or'us are 'resume to "e le)itimate. A marria)e is
'resume to &a$e ta1en 'lace "et%een Ramona an Tomas.
Sem'er 'raesumitur 'ro matrimonio. It is is'uta"l#
'resume 8T&at a man an a %oman e'ortin) t&emsel$es
as &us"an an %ife &a$e entere into a la%ful contract of
marria)e8< 8t&at a c&il "orn in la%ful %eloc1( t&ere "ein) no
i$orce( a"solute or from "e an "oar( is le)itimate8( an
8t&at t&in)s &a$e &a''ene accorin) to t&e orinar# course
of nature an t&e orinar# &a"its of life8 +Sec. 7M4N( M""N an
MccN( Rule -/-( Rules of 0ourt,.
Since Teooro R. Jan)co %as an ac1no%le)e natural c&il
or %as ille)itimate an since Guanita 0or'us %as t&e
le)itimate c&il of Gose 0or'us( &imself a le)itimate c&il( %e
&ol t&at a''ellant Tomas 0or'us &as no cause of action for
t&e reco$er# of t&e su''ose &ereitar# s&are of &is mot&er(
Guanita 0or'us( as a le)al &eir( in Jan)co@s estate. Guanita
0or'us %as not a le)al &eir of Jan)co "ecause t&ere is no
reci'rocal succession "et%een le)itimate an ille)itimate
relati$es. T&e trial court i not err in ismissin) t&e
com'laint of Tomas 0or'us.
A''ellant 0or'us concees t&at if Teooro R. Jan)co %as a
natural c&il( &e +Tomas 0or'us, %oul &a$e no le)al
'ersonalit# to inter$ene in t&e istri"ution of Jan)co@s estate
+'. 9( a''ellant@s "rief,.
T&e rule in article >4/ is no% foun in article >>. of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at 8an ille)itimate c&il &as no ri)&t to
in&erit a" intestato from t&e le)itimate c&ilren an relati$es
of &is fat&er or mot&er< nor s&all suc& c&ilren or relati$es
in&erit in t&e same manner from t&e ille)itimate c&il8.
"hat rule is based on the theory that the illegitimate child is
disgracefully loo$ed upon by the legitimate family while the
legitimate family is, in turn, hated by the illegitimate child.
"he law does not recogni1e the blood tie and see$s to avoid
further grounds of resentment +7 Hanresa( 0oi)o 0i$il( 7t&
E.( ''. -97D?,.
Iner articles >44 an >47 of t&e s'anis& 0i$il 0oe( 8if an
ac1no%le)e natural or le)itimate c&il s&oul ie %it&out
issue( eit&er le)itimate or ac1no%le)e( t&e fat&er or mot&er
%&o ac1no%le)e suc& c&il s&all succee to its entire
estate< an if "ot& ac1no%le)e it an are ali$e( t&e# s&all
in&erit from it s&are an s&are ali1e. In efault of natural
ascenants( natural an le)itimate c&ilren s&all "e
succeee "# t&eir natural "rot&ers an sisters in
accorance %it& t&e rules esta"lis&e for le)itimate "rot&ers
an sisters.8 Aence( Teooro R. Jan)co@s &alf "rot&ers on
t&e 0or'us sie( %&o %ere le)itimate( &a no ri)&t to
succee to &is estate uner t&e rules of intestac#.
2ollo%in) t&e rule in article >>.( formerl# article >4/( it %as
&el t&at t&e le)itimate relati$es of t&e mot&er cannot
succee &er ille)itimate c&il. B# reason of t&at same rule(
t&e natural c&il cannot re'resent &is natural fat&er in t&e
succession to t&e estate of t&e le)itimate )ran'arent
+Llorente $s. Rori)ue4( -= P&il. 797< 0enteno $s. 0enteno(
7. P&il. /..< Allare $s. A"a#a( 77 P&il. >=>,. T&e natural
au)&ter cannot succee to t&e estate of &er ecease
uncle( a le)itimate "rot&er of &er natural mot&er +Anuran $s.
A!uino an Orti4( /9 P&il. .>,.
Leonardo !s. CA
2rom t&e recor( it a''ears t&at 2rancisca Re#es %&o ie
intestate on Gul# -.( ->4. %as sur$i$e "# t%o +., au)&ters(
Haria an Sil$estra 0ailles( an a )ranson( Sotero
Leonaro( t&e son of &er au)&ter( Pascuala 0ailles %&o
'reecease &er. Sotero Leonaro ie in ->44( %&ile
Sil$estra 0ailles ie in ->4> %it&out an# issue.
On Octo"er .>( ->?4( 'etitioner 0resenciano Leonaro(
claimin) to "e t&e son of t&e late Sotero Leonaro( file a
com'laint for o%ners&i' of 'ro'erties( sum of mone# an
accountin) in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al see1in)
Cu)ment +-, to "e eclare one of t&e la%ful &eirs of t&e
ecease 2rancisca Re#es( entitle to oneD&alf s&are in t&e
estate of sai ecease Cointl# %it& efenant( 'ri$ate
res'onent &erein( Haria 0ailles( +., to &a$e t&e 'ro'erties
left "# sai 2rancisca Re#es( escri"e in t&e com'laint(
'artitione "et%een &im an efenant Haria 0ailles( an +/,
to &a$e an accountin) of all t&e income eri$e from sai
'ro'erties from t&e time efenants too1 'ossession t&ereof
until sai accountin) s&all &a$e "een mae( eli$erin) to &im
&is s&are t&erein %it& le)al interest.
Ans%erin) t&e com'laint( 'ri$ate res'onent Haria 0ailles
asserte e*clusi$e o%ners&i' o$er t&e su"Cect 'ro'erties an
alle)e t&at 'etitioner is an ille)itimate c&il %&o cannot
succee "# ri)&t of re'resentation. 2or &is 'art( t&e ot&er
efenant( 'ri$ate res'onent Games Brace%ell( claime t&at
sai 'ro'erties are no% &is "# $irtue of a $ali an le)al ee
of sale %&ic& Haria 0ailles &a su"se!uentl# e*ecute in &is
fa$or. T&ese 'ro'erties %ere alle)el# mort)a)e to
res'onent Rural Ban1 of ParaOa!ue( Inc. sometime in
Se'tem"er ->?/.
I
8RESPON:ENT 0OIRT ERRE: IN AOL:ING
TAAT TAE PROPERTIES IN LIESTION ARE TAE
EW0LISIVE PROPERTIES O2 PRIVATE
RESPON:ENTS.
II
TAAT PETITIONER AAS NOT ESTABLISAE: AIS
2ILIATION.
III
TAAT PETITIONER( AS TAE GREAT GRAN:SON
O2 2RAN0IS0A REJES( AAS NO LEGAL RIGAT
TO INAERIT BJ REPRESENTATION.8
To "e)in %it&( t&e 0ourt of A''eals foun t&e su"Cect
'ro'erties to "e t&e e*clusi$e 'ro'erties of t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents.
- jann - 123
8After eclarin) it in &er name( Haria 0ailles 'ai
t&e realt# ta*es startin) from ->-9 u' to ->49.
T&ereafter as s&e an &er son Narciso Brace%ell(
left for Nue$a EciCa( 2rancisca Re#es mana)e t&e
'ro'ert# an 'ai t&e realt# ta* of t&e lan.
Ao%e$er( for une*'laine reasons( s&e 'ai an
eclare t&e same in &er o%n name. Because of
t&is( 'laintiff ecie to run after t&is 'ro'ert#(
erroneousl# t&in1in) t&at as t&e )reat )ranson of
2rancisca Re#es( &e &a some 'ro'rietar# ri)&t
o$er t&e same.
8After eclarin) it in &er name( Haria 0ailles li1e%ise 'ai t&e
realt# ta* in ->-7 an continue 'a#in) t&e same u' to ->49.
T&ereafter %&en s&e an &er son( Narciso Brace%ell(
esta"lis&e t&eir resience in Nue$a EciCa( 2rancisca Re#es
aministere t&e 'ro'ert# an li1e in t&e first case( eclare
in ->4> t&e 'ro'ert# in &er o%n name. T&in1in) t&at t&e
'ro'ert# is t&e 'ro'ert# of 2rancisca Re#es( 'laintiff file t&e
instant com'laint( claimin) a 'ortion t&ereof as t&e same
alle)el# re'resents t&e s&are of &is fat&er.
8Goin) to t&e issue of filiation( 'laintiff claims t&at &e
is t&e son of Sotero Leonaro( t&e son of one of t&e
au)&ters +Pascuala, of 2rancisca Re#es. Ae
furt&er alle)es t&at since Pascuala 'reecease
2rancisca Re#es( an t&at &is fat&er( Sotero( %&o
su"se!uentl# ie in ->44( sur$i$e 2rancisca
Re#es( 'laintiff can conse!uentl# succee to t&e
estate of 2rancisca Re#es "# ri)&t of re'resentation.
8Since &is su''ose ri)&t %ill eit&er rise or fall on
t&e 'ro'er e$aluation of t&is $ital e$ience( Be &a$e
minutel# scrutini4e t&e same( loo1in) for t&at $ital
lin1 connectin) &im to t&e famil# tree of t&e
ecease 2rancisca Re#es. Ao%e$er( t&is 'iece of
e$ience oes not in an# %a# len creence to &is
tale.
8T&is is "ecause t&e name of t&e c&il escri"e in
t&e "irt& certificate is not t&at of t&e 'laintiff "ut a
certain @Alfreo Leonaro@ %&o %as "orn on
Se'tem"er -/( ->/9 to Sotero Leonaro an
Socorro Tim"ol. Ot&er t&an &is "are alle)ation(
'laintiff i not su"mit an# ura"le e$ience
s&o%in) t&at t&e @Alfreo Leonaro@ mentione in
t&e "irt& certificate is no ot&er t&an &e &imself. T&us(
e$en %it&out ta1in) time an s'ace to )o into furt&er
etails( Be ma# safel# conclue t&at 'laintiff faile
to 'ro$e &is filiation %&ic& is a funamental re!uisite
in t&is action %&ere &e is claimin) to "e an &eir in
t&e in&eritance in !uestion.8 4
T&at is li1e%ise a factual finin) %&ic& ma# not "e istur"e
in t&is 'etition for re$ie% in t&e a"sence of a clear s&o%in)
t&at sai finin) is not su''orte "# su"stantial e$ience( or
t&at t&ere %as a )ra$e a"use of iscretion on t&e 'art of t&e
court ma1in) t&e finin) of fact.
Referrin) to t&e t&ir assi)nment of error( e$en if it is true t&at
'etitioner is t&e c&il of Sotero Leonaro( still &e cannot( "#
ri)&t of re'resentation( claim a s&are of t&e estate left "# t&e
ecease 2rancisca Re#es consierin) t&at( as foun a)ain
"# t&e 0ourt of A''eals( &e %as "orn outsie %eloc1 as
s&o%n "# t&e fact t&at %&en &e %as "orn on Se'tem"er -/(
->/9( &is alle)e 'utati$e fat&er an mot&er %ere not #et
marrie( an %&at is more( &is alle)e fat&er@s first marria)e
%as still su"sistin). At most( 'etitioner %oul "e an
ille)itimate c&il %&o &as no ri)&t to in&erit a" intestato from
t&e le)itimate c&ilren an relati$es of &is fat&er( li1e t&e
ecease 2rancisca Re#es. +Article >>.( 0i$il 0oe of t&e
P&ili''ines.,
.. Estate of Illegiti#ate decedent
a. Legiti#ate children and descendant
Art. 92%. "he le!itime of the parents who have an
ille!itimate child, when such child leaves neither
le!itimate descendants, nor a survivin! spouse, nor
ille!itimate children, is one<half of the hereditary
estate of such ille!itimate child. f only le!itimate or
ille!itimate children are left, the parents are not
entitled to any le!itime whatsoever. f only the
widow or widower survives with parents of the
ille!itimate child, the le!itime of the parents is one<
fourth of the hereditary estate of the child, and that
of the survivin! spouse also one<fourth of the estate.
(n)
Art. 9#7. n default of the father and mother, the
ascendants nearest in de!ree shall inherit.
9hould there be more than one of equal de!ree
belon!in! to the same line they shall divide the
inheritance per capita. should they be of different
lines but of equal de!ree, one<half shall !o to the
paternal and the other half to the maternal
ascendants. n each line the division shall be made
per capita. (9%7)

9CB946";: %. < lle!itimate 6hildren

Art. 9##. n the absence of le!itimate descendants or
ascendants, the ille!itimate children shall succeed to
the entire estate of the deceased. (9%9a)
Art. 9#9. f, to!ether with ille!itimate children, there
should survive descendants of another ille!itimate
child who is dead, the former shall succeed in their
own ri!ht and the latter by ri!ht of representation.
(9/2a)
Art. 99-. f le!itimate ascendants are left, the
ille!itimate children shall divide the inheritance
with them, ta+in! one<half of the estate, whatever be
the number of the ascendants or of the ille!itimate
children. (9/$<#/-a)
- jann - 124
Art. 99%. f an ille!itimate child should die without
issue, either le!itimate or ille!itimate, his father or
mother shall succeed to his entire estate. and if the
child3s filiation is duly proved as to both parents,
who are both livin!, they shall inherit from him
share and share ali+e. (9//)
Art. 99/. n default of the father or mother, an
ille!itimate child shall be succeeded by his or her
survivin! spouse who shall be entitled to the entire
estate.
f the widow or widower should survive with
brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, she or he
shall inherit one<half of the estate, and the latter the
other half. (9/5a)

. Illegiti#ate children and descendant
B. S"r!i!ing Spo"se
Art. 995. n the absence of le!itimate descendants
and ascendants, and ille!itimate children and their
descendants, whether le!itimate or ille!itimate, the
survivin! spouse shall inherit the entire estate,
without pre1udice to the ri!hts of brothers and
sisters, nephews and nieces, should there be any,
under article -22-. (9/*a)
Art. 99*. f a widow or widower and le!itimate
children or descendants are left, the survivin!
spouse has in the succession the same share as that
of each of the children. (#%/a)
Art. 997. When the widow or widower survives with
le!itimate parents or ascendants, the survivin!
spouse shall be entitled to one<half of the estate, and
the le!itimate parents or ascendants to the other
half. (#%*a)
Art. 99#. f a widow or widower survives with
ille!itimate children, such widow or widower shall
be entitled to one<half of the inheritance, and the
ille!itimate children or their descendants, whether
le!itimate or ille!itimate, to the other half. (n)
Art. 999. When the widow or widower survives with
le!itimate children or their descendants and
ille!itimate children or their descendants, whether
le!itimate or ille!itimate, such widow or widower
shall be entitled to the same share as that of a
le!itimate child. (n)
Art. -222. f le!itimate ascendants, the survivin!
spouse, and ille!itimate children are left, the
ascendants shall be entitled to one<half of the
inheritance, and the other half shall be divided
between the survivin! spouse and the ille!itimate
children so that such widow or widower shall have
one<fourth of the estate, and the ille!itimate
children the other fourth. (#/-a)
Art. -22-. 9hould brothers and sisters or their
children survive with the widow or widower, the
latter shall be entitled to one<half of the inheritance
and the brothers and sisters or their children to the
other half. (95%, #%7a)
Art. -22$. n case of a le!al separation, if the
survivin! spouse !ave cause for the separation, he or
she shall not have any of the ri!hts !ranted in the
precedin! articles. (n)
Santillon !s. Ciranda
On No$em"er .-( ->7/( Santillon ie %it&out testament in
Ta#u)( Pan)asinan( &is resience( lea$in) one son 0laro(
an &is %ife( Perfecta Hirana. :urin) &is marria)e( Pero
ac!uire se$eral 'arcels of lan locate in t&at 'ro$ince.
A"out four #ears after &is eat&( 0laro Santillon file a
'etition for letters of aministration. O''osition to sai
'etition %as entere "# t&e %io% Perfecta Hirana an t&e
s'ouses Benito I. Hirana an Rosario 0orrales on t&e
follo%in) )rouns; +a, t&at t&e 'ro'erties enumerate in t&e
'etition %ere all conCu)al( e*ce't t&ree 'arcels %&ic&
Perfecta Hirana claime to "e &er e*clusi$e 'ro'erties< +",
t&at Perfecta Hirana "# $irtue of t%o ocuments &a
con$e#e /54 of &er uni$ie s&are in most of t&e 'ro'erties
enumerate in t&e 'etition to sai s'ouses Benito an
Rosario< +c, t&at aministration of t&e estate %as not
necessar#( t&ere "ein) a case for 'artition 'enin)< an +,
t&at if aministration %as necessar# at all( t&e o''ositor
Perfecta Hirana an not t&e 'etitioner %as "etter !ualifie
for t&e 'ost. It a''ears t&at su"se!uentl#( o''ositor Perfecta
Hirana %as a''ointe aministratri* of t&e estate.
On A'ril .7( ->?-( 0laro file a 8Hotion to :eclare S&are of
Aeirs8 an to resol$e t&e conflictin) claims of t&e 'arties %it&
res'ect to t&eir res'ecti$e ri)&ts in t&e estate. In$o1in) Art.
9>. of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe( &e insiste t&at after euctin)
-5. from t&e conCu)al 'ro'erties as t&e conCu)al s&are of
Perfecta( t&e remainin) -5. must "e i$ie as follo%s; -54
for &er an /54 for &im. O''ositor Perfecta( on t&e ot&er
&an( claime t&at "esies &er conCu)al &alf( s&e %as
entitle uner Art. >>? of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe( to anot&er -5.
of t&e remainin) &alf. In ot&er %ors( 0laro claime /54 of
Pero@s in&eritance( %&ile Perfecta claime -5..
2rom t&is orer( 'etitioner 0laro Santillon &as a''eale to
t&is 0ourt. T%o !uestions of la% are in$ol$e. T&e first( raise
in Perfecta@s Hotion to :ismiss A''eal( is %&et&er t&e orer
of t&e lo%er court is a''eala"le. An t&e secon( raise in
a''ellant@s lone assi)nment of error( is; Ao% s&all t&e estate
of a 'erson %&o ies intestate "e i$ie %&en t&e onl#
sur$i$ors are t&e s'ouse an one le)itimate c&ilF
- jann - 125
T&e Secon Issue;S Petitioner rests &is claim to /54 of &is
fat&er@s estate on Art. 9>.( of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe %&ic&
'ro$ies t&at;
8If onl# t&e le)itimate c&il or escenant of t&e
ecease sur$i$es( t&e %io% or %io%er s&all "e
entitle to oneDfourt& of t&e &ereitar# estate. . . .@
As s&e )ets oneDfourt&( t&erefore( I )et /54( sa#s 0laro.
Perfecta( on t&e ot&er &an( cites Art. >>? %&ic& 'ro$ies;
8If a %io% or %io%er an le)itimate c&ilren or
escenants are left( t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse &as in
t&e succession t&e same s&are as t&at of eac& of
t&e c&ilren.8
Re'l#in) to Perfecta@s claim( 0laro sa#s t&e article is unCust
an ine!uita"le to t&e e*tent t&at it )rants t&e %io% t&e
same s&are as t&at of t&e c&ilren in intestate succession(
%&ereas in testate( s&e is )i$en -54 an t&e onl# c&il -5..
O''ositor Perfecta Hirana( on t&e ot&er &an( contens t&at
Art. >>? s&oul control( re)arless of its alle)e ine!uit#(
"ein) as it is( a 'ro$ision on intestate succession in$ol$in) a
sur$i$in) s'ouse an a le)itimate c&il( inasmuc& as in
statutor# construction( t&e 'lural %or 8c&ilren8 inclues t&e
sin)ular( 8c&il8.
Art. 9>. of t&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe falls uner t&e c&a'ter on
Testamentar# Succession< %&ereas Art. >>? comes uner t&e
c&a'ter on Le)al or Intestate Succession. Suc& "ein) t&e
case( it is o"$ious t&at 0laro cannot rel# on Art. 9>. to
su''ort &is claim to /54 of &is fat&er@s estate. Art. 9>. merel#
fi*es t&e le)itime of t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse an Art. 999
t&ereof( t&e le)itime of c&ilren in testate succession. B&ile it
ma# inicate t&e intent of t&e la% %it& res'ect to t&e ieal
s&ares t&at a c&il an a s'ouse s&oul )et %&en t&e#
concur %it& eac& ot&er( it oes not fi* t&e amount of s&ares
t&at suc& c&il an s'ouse are entitle to %&en intestac#
occurs. Because if t&e latter &a''ens( t&e 'ertinent 'ro$ision
on intestate succession s&all a''l#< i. e. Art. >>?.
T&is is( remem"er( intestate 'roceein)s. In t&e Ne% 0i$il
0oe@s c&a'ter in le)al or intestate succession( t&e onl#
article a''lica"le is Art. >>?. Our collea)ue Hr. Gustice G. B.
L. Re#es( 'rofessor of 0i$il La%( is !uote as &a$in)
e*'resse t&e o'inion t&at uner t&is article( %&en t&e %io%
sur$i$es %it& onl# one le)itimate c&il( t&e# s&are t&e estate
in e!ual 'arts. - Senator Tolentino in &is commentaries
%rites as follo%s;
8One c&il Sur$i$in). S If t&ere is onl# one
le)itimate c&il sur$i$in) %it& t&e s'ouse( since t&e#
s&are e!uall#( oneD&alf of t&e estate )oes to t&e
c&il an t&e ot&er &alf )oes to t&e sur$i$in)
s'ouse. Alt&ou)& t&e la% refers to 8c&ilren or
escenants(8 t&e rule in statutor# construction t&at
t&e 'lural can "e unerstoo to inclue t&e sin)ular
is a''lica"le in &is case.8 +Tolentino( 0i$il 0oe of
t&e P&ili''ines( Vol. III( '. 4/?.,
T&e t&eor# of t&ose &olin) ot&er%ise( seems to "e 'remise
on t&ese 'ro'ositions; +a, Art. >>? s'ea1s of 8c&ilren(8
t&erefore it oes not a''l# %&en t&ere is onl# one 8c&il8<
conse!uentl# Art. 9>. +an Art. 999, s&oul "e a''lie( t&ru a
'rocess of Cuicial construction an analo)#< +", Art. >>? is
unCust or unfair "ecause %&ereas in testate succession( t&e
%io% is assi)ne oneDfourt& onl# +Art. 9>.,( s&e %oul )et
-5. in intestate. 0&ilren;S It is a ma*im of statutor#
construction t&at %ors in 'lural inclue t&e sin)ular. . So
Art. >>? coul or s&oul "e rea +an so a''lie,; 8if t&e
%io% or %io%er an a le)itimate c&il are left( t&e sur$i$in)
s'ouse &as t&e same s&are as t&at of t&e c&il.8 Inee( if
%e refuse to a''l# t&e article to t&is case on t&e )roun t&at
8c&il8 is not inclue in 8c&ilren8( t&e conse!uences %oul
"e tremenous( "ecause 8c&ilren8 %ill not inclue 8c&il8
In fact( t&ose %&o sa#( 8c&ilren8 in Art. >>? oes not inclue
8c&il8 seem to "e inconsistent %&en t&e# ar)ue from t&e
'remise t&at 8in testate succession t&e onl# le)itimate c&il
)ets oneD&alf an t&e %io%( oneDfourt&.8 T&e inconsistenc#
is clear( "ecause t&e onl# le)itimate c&il )ets oneD&alf uner
Art. 999( %&ic& s'ea1s of 8c&ilren8( not 8c&il8. So if
8c&ilren8 in Art. 999 inclues 8c&il8( t&e same meanin)
s&oul "e )i$en to Art. >>?.
Infairness of Art. >>?. S Suc& 'osition( more clearl# state
is t&is; In testate succession( %&ere t&ere is onl# one c&il of
t&e marria)e( t&e c&il )ets oneD&alf( an t&e %io% or
%io%er oneDfourt&. But in intestate( if Art. >>? is a''lie
no%( t&e c&il )ets oneD&alf( an t&e %io% or %io%er oneD
&alf. Infair or ine!uita"le( t&e# insist.
On t&is 'oint( it is not correct to assume t&at in testate
succession t&e %io% or %io%er 8)ets onl# oneDfourt&.8 S&e
or &e ma# )et oneD&alf S if t&e testator so %is&es. So( t&e
la% $irtuall# lea$es it to eac& of t&e s'ouses to ecie +"#
testament, %&et&er &is or &er onl# c&il s&all )et more t&an
&is or &er sur$i$or.
C. Ascending Direct line
(. Legiti#ate parents and ascendants
Art. 9#5. n default of le!itimate children and
descendants of the deceased, his parents and
ascendants shall inherit from him, to the e&clusion
of collateral relatives. (9%5a)
Art. 9#*. "he father and mother, if livin!, shall
inherit in equal shares.
9hould one only of them survive, he or she shall
succeed to the entire estate of the child. (9%*)
Art. 9#7. n default of the father and mother, the
ascendants nearest in de!ree shall inherit.
9hould there be more than one of equal de!ree
belon!in! to the same line they shall divide the
inheritance per capita. should they be of
different lines but of equal de!ree, one<half shall
!o to the paternal and the other half to the
maternal ascendants. n each line the division
shall be made per capita. (9%7)
$. lle!itimate parents
Art. 99%. f an ille!itimate child should die without
issue, either le!itimate or ille!itimate, his father or
mother shall succeed to his entire estate. and if the
- jann - 126
child3s filiation is duly proved as to both parents,
who are both livin!, they shall inherit from him
share and share ali+e. (9//)
D. 6ollateral =ine
Art. -22%. f there are no descendants, ascendants,
ille!itimate children, or a survivin! spouse, the
collateral relatives shall succeed to the entire estate
of the deceased in accordance with the followin!
articles. (9/*a)
Art. -22/. 9hould the only survivors be brothers and
sisters of the full blood, they shall inherit in equal
shares. (9/7)
Art. -225. 9hould brothers and sisters survive
to!ether with nephews and nieces, who are the
children of the descendant3s brothers and sisters of
the full blood, the former shall inherit per capita,
and the latter per stirpes. (9/#)
Art. -22*. 9hould brother and sisters of the full
blood survive to!ether with brothers and sisters of
the half blood, the former shall be entitled to a share
double that of the latter. (9/9)
Art. -227. n case brothers and sisters of the half
blood, some on the father3s and some on the
mother3s side, are the only survivors, all shall inherit
in equal shares without distinction as to the ori!in of
the property. (952)
Art. -22#. 6hildren of brothers and sisters of the
half blood shall succeed per capita or per stirpes, in
accordance with the rules laid down for the brothers
and sisters of the full blood. (9-5)
Art. -229. 9hould there be neither brothers nor
sisters nor children of brothers or sisters, the other
collateral relatives shall succeed to the estate.
"he latter shall succeed without distinction of lines
or preference amon! them by reason of relationship
by the whole blood. (95/a)
Art. -2-2. "he ri!ht to inherit ab intestato shall not
e&tend beyond the fifth de!ree of relationship in the
collateral line. (955a)
4. "he 9tate
Art. -2--. n default of persons entitled to succeed in
accordance with the provisions of the precedin!
9ections, the 9tate shall inherit the whole estate.
(95*a)
Art. -2-$. n order that the 9tate may ta+e
possession of the property mentioned in the
precedin! article, the pertinent provisions of the
5ules of 6ourt must be observed. (95#a)
Art. -2-%. After the payment of debts and char!es,
the personal property shall be assi!ned to the
municipality or city where the deceased last resided
in the 0hilippines, and the real estate to the
municipalities or cities, respectively, in which the
same is situated.
f the deceased never resided in the 0hilippines, the
whole estate shall be assi!ned to the respective
municipalities or cities where the same is located.
9uch estate shall be for the benefit of public schools,
and public charitable institutions and centers, in
such municipalities or cities. "he court shall
distribute the estate as the respective needs of each
beneficiary may warrant.
"he court, at the instance of an interested party, or
on its own motion, may order the establishment of a
permanent trust, so that only the income from the
property shall be used. (95*a)
Art. -2-/. f a person le!ally entitled to the estate of
the deceased appears and files a claim thereto with
the court within five years from the date the
property was delivered to the 9tate, such person
shall be entitled to the possession of the same, or if
sold the municipality or city shall be accountable to
him for such part of the proceeds as may not have
been lawfully spent. (n)
05;?9;:9 6;AA;: "; "49"A"4 A:D
:"49"A"4 9C66499;:
BB. 5i!ht of Accretion
Art. -2-5. Accretion is a ri!ht by virtue of which,
when two or more persons are called to the same
inheritance, devise or le!acy, the part assi!ned to the
one who renounces or cannot receive his share, or
who died before the testator, is added or
incorporated to that of his co<heirs, co<devisees, or
co<le!atees. (n)
Art. -2-*. n order that the ri!ht of accretion may
ta+e place in a testamentary succession, it shall be
necessary,
(-) "hat two or more persons be called to the
same inheritance, or to the same portion
thereof, pro indiviso. and
($) "hat one of the persons thus called die
before the testator, or renounce the
inheritance, or be incapacitated to receive it.
(9$#a)
Art. -2-7. "he words "one-half for each" or "in equal
shares" or any others which, thou!h desi!natin! an
aliquot part, do not identify it by such description as
shall ma+e each heir the e&clusive owner of
determinate property, shall not e&clude the ri!ht of
accretion.
- jann - 127
n case of money or fun!ible !oods, if the share of
each heir is not earmar+ed, there shall be a ri!ht of
accretion. (9#%a)
Art. -2-#. n le!al succession the share of the person
who repudiates the inheritance shall always accrue
to his co<heirs. (9#-)
Art. -2$-. Amon! the compulsory heirs the ri!ht of
accretion shall ta+e place only when the free portion
is left to two or more of them, or to any one of them
and to a stran!er.
9hould the part repudiated be the le!itime, the other
co<heirs shall succeed to it in their own ri!ht, and
not by the ri!ht of accretion. (9#5)
Art. -2$$. n testamentary succession, when the
ri!ht of accretion does not ta+e place, the vacant
portion of the instituted heirs, if no substitute has
been desi!nated, shall pass to the le!al heirs of the
testator, who shall receive it with the same char!es
and obli!ations. (9#*)
Art. -2$%. Accretion shall also ta+e place amon!
devisees, le!atees and usufructuaries under the
same conditions established for heirs. (9#7a)
NN''. ?artition and 9istribution of ,state
A. 0artition
Art. -27#. Where there are two or more heirs, the
whole estate of the decedent is, before its partition,
owned in common by such heirs, sub1ect to the
payment of debts of the deceased. (n)
Art. -279. 0artition, in !eneral, is the separation,
division and assi!nment of a thin! held in common
amon! those to whom it may belon!. "he thin! itself
may be divided, or its value. (n)
Art. -2#2. 9hould a person ma+e partition of his
estate by an act inter vivos, or by will, such partition
shall be respected, insofar as it does not pre1udice
the le!itime of the compulsory heirs.
A parent who, in the interest of his or her family,
desires to +eep any a!ricultural, industrial, or
manufacturin! enterprise intact, may avail himself
of the ri!ht !ranted him in this article, by orderin!
that the le!itime of the other children to whom the
property is not assi!ned, be paid in cash. (-25*a)
Art. -2#-. A person may, by an act inter vivos or
mortis causa, intrust the mere power to ma+e the
partition after his death to any person who is not one
of the co<heirs.
"he provisions of this and of the precedin! article
shall be observed even should there be amon! the
co<heirs a minor or a person sub1ect to
!uardianship. but the mandatary, in such case, shall
ma+e an inventory of the property of the estate, after
notifyin! the co<heirs, the creditors, and the le!atees
or devisees. (-257a)
Art. -2#$. 4very act which is intended to put an end
to indivision amon! co<heirs and le!atees or
devisees is deemed to be a partition, althou!h it
should purport to be a sale, and e&chan!e, a
compromise, or any other transaction. (n)
Art. -2#%. 4very co<heir has a ri!ht to demand the
division of the estate unless the testator should have
e&pressly forbidden its partition, in which case the
period of indivision shall not e&ceed twenty years as
provided in article /9/. "his power of the testator to
prohibit division applies to the le!itime.
4ven thou!h forbidden by the testator, the co<
ownership terminates when any of the causes for
which partnership is dissolved ta+es place, or when
the court finds for compellin! reasons that division
should be ordered, upon petition of one of the co<
heirs. (-25-a)
Art. -2#/. ?oluntary heirs upon whom some
condition has been imposed cannot demand a
partition until the condition has been fulfilled. but
the other co<heirs may demand it by !ivin! sufficient
security for the ri!hts which the former may have in
case the condition should be complied with, and
until it is +nown that the condition has not been
fulfilled or can never be complied with, the partition
shall be understood to be provisional. (-25/a)
Art. -2#5. n the partition of the estate, equality shall
be observed as far as possible, dividin! the property
into lots, or assi!nin! to each of the co<heirs thin!s
of the same nature, quality and +ind. (-2*-)
Art. -2#*. 9hould a thin! be indivisible, or would be
much impaired by its bein! divided, it may be
ad1udicated to one of the heirs, provided he shall pay
the others the e&cess in cash.
:evertheless, if any of the heirs should demand that
the thin! be sold at public auction and that stran!ers
be allowed to bid, this must be done. (-2*$)
Art. -2#7. n the partition the co<heirs shall
reimburse one another for the income and fruits
which each one of them may have received from any
property of the estate, for any useful and necessary
e&penses made upon such property, and for any
dama!e thereto throu!h malice or ne!lect. (-2*%)
Art. -2##. 9hould any of the heirs sell his hereditary
ri!hts to a stran!er before the partition, any or all of
the co<heirs may be subro!ated to the ri!hts of the
purchaser by reimbursin! him for the price of the
sale, provided they do so within the period of one
month from the time they were notified in writin! of
the sale by the vendor. (-2*7a)
- jann - 128
Art. -2#9. "he titles of acquisition or ownership of
each property shall be delivered to the co<heir to
whom said property has been ad1udicated. (-2*5a)
Art. -292. When the title comprises two or more
pieces of land which have been assi!ned to two or
more co<heirs, or when it covers one piece of land
which has been divided between two or more co<
heirs, the title shall be delivered to the one havin!
the lar!est interest, and authentic copies of the title
shall be furnished to the other co<heirs at the
e&pense of the estate. f the interest of each co<heir
should be the same, the oldest shall have the title.
(-2**a)
Als"aABetts !s. CA
Sps. Doro#al !s. CA, Ea!ellana
Lot /7=4 of t&e caastral sur$e# of Iloilo( situate in t&e
'o"lacion of La Pa4( one of its istricts( %it& an area of a
little more t&an .D-5. &ectares %as ori)inall# ecree in t&e
name of t&e late Gustice Antonio Aorilleno( in ->-?( uner
Ori)inal 0ertificate of Title No. -/-4( E*&. A< "ut "efore &e
ie( on a ate not 'articulari4e in t&e recor( &e e*ecute
a last %ill an testament attestin) to t&e fact t&at it %as a coD
o%ners&i' "et%een &imself an &is "rot&ers an sisters(
E*&. 0< so t&at t&e trut& %as t&at t&e o%ners or "etter state(
t&e coDo%ners %ere< "esie Gustice Aorilleno( @Luis( Solea(
2e( Rosita( 0arlos an Es'eran4a(@
all surname Aorilleno( an since Es'eran4a &a alrea#
ie( s&e %as succeee "# &er onl# au)&ter an &eir
&erein 'laintiff. 2ilomena Ga$ellana( in t&e 'ro'ortion of -57
uni$ie o%ners&i' eac&< no% t&en( e$en t&ou)& t&eir ri)&t
&a not as #et "een annotate in t&e title( t&e coDo%ners le
"# 0arlos( an as to ecease Gustice Antonio Aorilleno( &is
au)&ter Har#( sometime since earl# ->?7( &a %ante to
sell t&eir s&ares( or if 'ossi"le if 2ilomena Ga$ellana %ere
a)reea"le( to sell t&e entire 'ro'ert#( an t&e# &ire an
ac!uaintance 0resencia Aarer( to loo1 for "u#ers( an t&e
latter came to interest efenants( t&e fat&er an son(
name Ramon :oromal( Sr. an Gr.( an in 're'aration for
t&e e*ecution of t&e sale( since t&e "rot&ers an sisters
Aorilleno %ere scattere in $arious 'arts of t&e countr#(
0arlos in Ilocos Sur( Har# in Ba)uio( Solea an 2e( in
Hanalu#on)( Ri4al( an Rosita in Basilan 0it#( t&e# all
e*ecute $arious 'o%ers of attorne# in fa$or of t&eir niece(
Har# A. Gimene4 E*&. -D9( t&e# also cause 're'aration of a
'o%er of attorne# of ientical tenor for si)nature "# 'laintiff(
2ilomena Ga$ellana( E*&. H( an sent it %it& a letter of
0arlos( E*&. 7 ate -9 Ganuar#( ->?9 unto &er t&ru Hrs.
Aarer( an &ere( 0arlos informe &er t&at t&e 'rice %as
P4.== a s!uare meter( S alt&ou)& it no% turns out accorin)
to E*&. / t&at as earl# as .. Octo"er( ->?7( 0arlos &a
recei$e in c&ec1 as earnest mone# from efenant Ramon
:oromal( Gr.( t&e sum of P7(===.== an t&e 'rice t&erein
a)ree u'on %as fi$e +P7.==, 'esos a s!uare meter( S as
inee in anot&er letter also of 0arlos to Plaintiff in 7
No$em"er( ->?7( E*&. ?( &e &a tol &er t&at t&e :oromals
&a )i$en t&e earnest mone# of P7(===.== at P7.== a s!uare
meter( S at an# rate( 'laintiff not "ein) a)reea"le( i not
si)n t&e 'o%er of attorne#( an t&e rest of t&e coDo%ners
%ent a&ea %it& t&eir sale of t&eir ?57( 0arlos first seein) to it
t&at t&e ee of sale "# t&eir common attorne# in fact( Har#
A. Gimene4 "e si)ne an ratifie as it %as si)ne an
ratifie in 0anon( Ilocos Sur( on -7 Ganuar#( ->?9( E*&. .(
t&en "rou)&t to Iloilo "# 0arlos in t&e same mont&( an
"ecause t&e Re)ister of :ees of Iloilo refuse to re)ister
ri)&t a%a#( since t&e ori)inal re)istere o%ner( Gustice
Antonio Aorilleno %as alrea# ea( 0arlos &a to as1 as &e
i( &ire Att#. Teotimo Aranela to file a 'etition %it&in t&e
caastral case( on .? 2e"ruar#( ->?9( for t&e 'ur'ose( E*&.
0( after %&ic& 0arlos returne to Lu4on( an after
com'liance %it& t&e re!uisites of 'u"lication( &earin) an
notice( t&e 'etition %as a''ro$e( an %e no% see t&at on
.> A'ril( ->?9( 0arlos alrea# "ac1 in Iloilo %ent to t&e
Re)ister of :ees an cause t&e re)istration of t&e orer of
t&e caastral court a''ro$in) t&e issuance of a ne% title in
t&e name of t&e coDo%ners( as %ell as of t&e ee of sale to
t&e :oromals( as a result of %&ic& on t&at same ate( a ne%
title %as issue T0T No. ./-7.( in t&e name of t&e
Aorillenos to ?57 an 'laintiff 2ilomena Ga$ellana to -57( E*&.
:( onl# to "e cancelle on t&e same a# uner T0T No.
./-7/( E*&. .( alrea# in t&e names of t&e $enees
:oromals for ?57 an to &erein 'laintiff( 2ilomena Ga$ellana(
-57( an t&e ne*t a# /= A'ril( ->?9( t&e :oromals 'ai unto
0arlos "# c&ec1( t&e sum of P>7(===.== E*&. -( of 0&artere
Ban1 %&ic& %as later su"stitute "# c&ec1 of P&il. National
Ban1( "ecause t&ere %as no 0&artere Ban1 Branc& in
Ilocos Sur( "ut "esies t&is amount 'ai in c&ec1( t&e
:oromals accorin) to t&eir e$ience still 'ai an aitional
amount in cas& of P-9(.7=.== since t&e a)ree 'rice %as
P7.== a s!uare meter< an t&us %as consummate t&e
transaction( "ut it is &ere %&ere com'lications set in.
'laintiff@s la%#er( Att#. Arturo A. Villanue$a( "rin)in) %it& &im
&er letter of t&at ate an t&en an t&ere sai la%#er
manifeste to t&e :oromals t&at &e &a t&e P/=(===.== %it&
&im in cas&( an tenere it to t&em( for t&e e*ercise of t&e
le)al reem'tion( t&e :oromals %ere a)&ast( an refuse(
an t&e $er# ne*t a#( as &as "een sai( -- Gune( ->?9(
'laintiff file t&is case( an in t&e trial( t&ru oral an
ocumentar# 'roofs( sou)&t to s&o% t&at as coDo%ner( s&e
&a t&e ri)&t to reeem at t&e 'rice state in t&e ee of
sale( E*&. .( namel# P/=(===.== of t&e same< "ut
efenants in ans%er( an in t&eir e$ience( oral an
ocumentar# sou)&t to s&o% t&at 'laintiff &a no more ri)&t
to reeem( an t&at if e$er s&e s&oul &a$e( t&at it s&oul "e
at t&e true an real 'rice "# t&em 'ai( namel#( t&e total sum
of P--7(.7=.==( an trial Cu)e( after &earin) t&e e$ience(
"elie$e efenants( t&at 'laintiff &a no more ri)&t( to
reeem( "ecause( @Plaintiff %as informe of t&e intene sale
of t&e ?57 s&are "elon)in) to t&e Aorillenos.@
I'on t&ese facts( t&e 0ourt of A''eals re$erse t&e trial
court@s ecision an &el t&at alt&ou)& res'onent Ga$ellana
%as informe of &er coDo%ners@ 'ro'osal to sell t&e lan in
!uestion to 'etitioners s&e %as( &o%e$er( 8ne$er notifie . . .
least of all( in %ritin)8( of t&e actual e*ecution an
re)istration of t&e corres'onin) ee of sale( &ence( sai
res'onent@s ri)&t to reeem &a not #et e*'ire at t&e time
s&e mae &er offer for t&at 'ur'ose t&ru &er letter of Gune
-=( ->?9 eli$ere to 'etitioners on e$en ate. T&e
intermeiate court furt&er &el t&at t&e reem'tion 'rice to
"e 'ai "# res'onent s&oul "e t&at state in t&e ee of
sale %&ic& is P/=(=== not%it&stanin) t&at t&e
're'onerance of t&e e$ience 'ro$es t&at t&e actual 'rice
'ai "# 'etitioners %as P--7(.7=.
Be cannot a)ree %it& 'etitioners Petitioners o not !uestion
res'onent@s ri)&t to reeem( s&e "ein) amittel# a -57 coD
o%ner of t&e 'ro'ert# in is'ute. T&e t&rust of t&eir first
- jann - 129
assi)nment of error is t&at for 'ur'oses of Article -?./ of t&e
0i$il 0oe %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at;8ART. -?./.T&e ri)&t of le)al
'reDem'tion or reem'tion s&all not "e e*ercise e*ce't
%it&in t&irt# a#s from t&e notice in %ritin) "# t&e 'ros'ecti$e
$enor( or "# t&e $enor( as t&e case ma# "e. T&e ee of
sale s&all not "e recore in t&e Re)istr# of Pro'ert#( unless
accom'anie "# an affia$it of t&e $enor t&at &e &as )i$en
%ritten notice t&ereof to all 'ossi"le reem'tioners. T&e ri)&t
of reem'tion of coDo%ners e*clues t&at of aCoinin)
o%ners.8
t&e letters sent "# 0arlos Aorilleno to res'onent an ate
Ganuar# -9( ->?9( E*&i"it 7( an No$em"er 7( ->?7( E*&i"it
?( constitute t&e re!uire notice in %ritin) from %&ic& t&e
/=Da# 'erio fi*e in sai 'ro$ision s&oul "e com'ute.
But to start %it&( t&ere is no s&o%in) t&at sai letters %ere in
fact recei$e "# res'onent an %&en t&e# %ere actuall#
recei$e. Besies( 'etitioners o not 'in'oint %&ic& of t&ese
t%o letters( t&eir ates "ein) more t&an t%o mont&s a'art( is
t&e re!uire notice. In an# e$ent( as foun "# t&e a''ellate
court( neit&er of sai letters referre to a consummate sale.
T&e fact alone t&at in t&e later letter of Ganuar# -9( ->?9 t&e
'rice inicate %as P4.== 'er s!uare meter %&ile in t&at of
No$em"er 7( ->?7( %&at %as state %as P7.== 'er s!uare
meter ne)ati$es t&e 'ossi"ilit# t&at a 8'rice efinite8 &a
alrea# "een a)ree u'on. B&ile P7(=== mi)&t &a$e inee
"een 'ai to 0arlos in Octo"er( ->?7( t&ere is not&in) to
s&o% t&at t&e same %as in t&e conce't of t&e earnest mone#
contem'late in Article -49. of t&e 0i$il 0oe( in$o1e "#
'etitioner( as si)nif#in) 'erfection of t&e sale. Vie%e in t&e
"ac1ro' of t&e factual milieu t&ereof e*tant in t&e recor(
Be are more incline to "elie$e t&at t&e sai P7(=== %ere
'ai in t&e conce't of earnest mone# as t&e term %as
unerstoo uner t&e Ol 0i$il 0oe( t&at is( as a )uarantee
t&at t&e "u#er %oul not "ac1 out( consierin) t&at it is not
clear t&at t&ere %as alrea# a efinite a)reement as to t&e
'rice t&en an t&at 'etitioners %ere ecie to "u# ?57 onl#
of t&e 'ro'ert# s&oul res'onent Ga$ellana refuse to a)ree
to 'art %it& &er -57 s&are.
Be are of t&e consiere o'inion an so &ol t&at for
'ur'oses of t&e coDo%ner@s ri)&t of reem'tion )rante "#
Article -?.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e notice in %ritin) %&ic&
Article -?./ re!uires to "e mae to t&e ot&er coDo%ners an
from recei't of %&ic& t&e /=Da# 'erio to reeem s&oul "e
counte is a notice not onl# of a 'erfecte sale "ut of t&e
actual e*ecution an eli$er# of t&e ee of sale. T&is is
im'lie from t&e latter 'ortion of Article -?./ %&ic& re!uires
t&at "efore a re)ister of ees can recor a sale "# a coD
o%ner( t&ere must "e 'resente to &im( an affia$it to t&e
effect t&at t&e notice of t&e sale &a "een sent in %ritin) to
t&e ot&er coDo%ners.
T&e onl# ot&er 'i$otal issue raise "# 'etitioners relates to
t&e 'rice %&ic& res'onent offere for t&e reem'tion in
!uestion. In t&is connection( from t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of
A''eals( Be )at&er t&at t&ere is 8ecisi$e 're'onerance of
e$ience8 esta"lis&in) 8t&at t&e 'rice 'ai "# efenants %as
not t&at state in t&e ocument( E*&i"it .( of P/=(=== "ut
muc& more( at least P>7(===( accorin) to t&e c&ec1( E*&i"it
-( if not a total of P--7(.7=.== "ecause anot&er amount in
cas& of P-9(.7= %as 'ai after%ars.8 It is( t&erefore( t&e
contention of 'etitioners &ere t&at consierin) sai finin) of
fact of t&e intermeiate court( it erre in &olin) ne$ert&eless
t&at 8t&e reem'tion 'rice s&oul "e t&at state in t&e ee
of sale.8
A)ain( 'etitioners@ contention cannot "e sustaine. As state
in t&e ecision uner re$ie%( t&e trial court foun t&at 8t&e
consieration of P/=(=== onl# %as 'lace in t&e ee of sale
to minimi4e t&e 'a#ment of t&e re)istration fees( stam's an
sales ta*.8 Bit& t&is unis'ute fact in min( it is im'ossi"le
for t&e Su'reme 0ourt to sanction 'etitioners@ 'ra)matic "ut
immoral 'osture. Bein) 'atentl# $iolati$e of 'u"lic 'olic# an
inCurious to 'u"lic interest( t&e seemin)l# %ie 'ractice of
unerstatin) consierations of transactions for t&e 'ur'ose of
e$ain) ta*es an fees ue to t&e )o$ernment must "e
conemne an all 'arties )uilt# t&ereof must "e mae to
suffer t&e conse!uences of t&eir illDa$ise a)reement to
efrau t&e state. Veril#( t&e trial court fell s&ort of its
e$otion an lo#alt# to t&e Re'u"lic in officiall# )i$in) its
stam' of a''ro$al to t&e stan of 'etitioners an e$en
"eratin) res'onent Ga$ellana as %antin) to enric& &erself
8at t&e e*'ense of &er o%n "loo relati$es %&o are &er aunts(
uncles an cousins.8 On t&e contrar#( sai 8"loo relati$es8
s&oul &a$e "een sternl# tol( as Be &ere &ol( t&at t&e# are
in 'ariDelicto %it& 'etitioners in committin) ta* e$asion an
s&oul not recei$e an# consieration from an# court in
res'ect to t&e mone# 'ai for t&e sale in is'ute. T&eir
situation is similar to t&at of 'arties to an ille)al contract. -
-st S Accorin) to Art. -?->@Le)al reem'tion is t&e ri)&t to
"e su"ro)ate( u'on t&e same terms an conitions
sti'ulate in t&e contract( in t&e 'lace of one %&o ac!uires a
t&in) "# 'urc&ase or ation in 'a#ment( or "# an# ot&er
transaction %&ere"# o%ners&i' is transmitte "# onerous
title.@ ''. 47-D47.( Ne% 0i$il 0oe( If it "e ar)ue t&at
fore)oin) solution %oul mean unCust enric&ment for 'laintiff(
it nee onl# "e remem"ere t&at 'laintiff@s ri)&t is not
contractual( "ut a mere le)al one( t&e e*ercise of a ri)&t
)rante "# t&e la%( an t&e la% is efinite t&at s&e can
su"ro)ate &erself in 'lace of t&e "u#er(@u'on t&e same terms
an conitions sti'ulate in t&e contract(@ in t&e %ors of Art.
-?->( an &ere t&e 'rice. @sti'ulate in t&e contract@ %as
P/=(===.==( in ot&er %ors( if t&is "e 'ossi"le enric&ment on
t&e 'art of 2ilomena( it %as not unCust "ut Cust enric&ment
"ecause 'ermitte "# t&e la%< if it still "e ar)ue t&at 'laintiff
%oul t&us "e ena"le to a"use &er ri)&t( t&e ans%er sim'l#
is t&at %&at s&e is see1in) to enforce is not an a"use "ut a
mere e*ercise of a ri)&t< if it &e state t&at Cust t&e same( t&e
effect of sustainin) 'laintiff %oul "e to 'romote not Custice
"ut inCustice( t&e ans%er a)ain sim'l# is t&at t&is solution is
not unCust "ecause it onl# "ins t&e 'arties to ma1e )oo
t&eir solemn re'resentation to 'ossi"le reem'tioners on t&e
'rice of t&e sale( to %&at t&e# &a solemnl# a$erre in a
'u"lic ocument re!uire "# t&e la% to "e t&e onl# "asis for
t&at e*ercise of reem'tion<8 +P'. .4D.7( Recor.,
BAERE2ORE( t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals is
affirme( %it& costs a)ainst 'etitioners.
Alon&o !s. CA
T&e !uestion is sometimes as1e( in serious in!uir# or in
curious conCecture( %&et&er %e are a court of la% or a court
of Custice. :o %e a''l# t&e la% e$en if it is unCust or o %e
aminister Custice e$en a)ainst t&e la%F T&us !uerie( %e o
not e!ui$ocate. T&e ans%er is t&at %e o neit&er "ecause %e
are a court "ot& of la% an of Custice. Be a''l# t&e la% %it&
Custice for t&at is our mission an 'ur'ose in t&e sc&eme of
our Re'u"lic. T&is case is an illustration.
2i$e "rot&ers an sisters in&erite in e!ual 'ro ini$iso
s&ares a 'arcel of lan re)istere in t&e mane of t&eir
- jann - 130
ecease 'arents uner O0T No. -=>77 of t&e Re)istr# of
:ees of Tarlac. -
On Harc& -7( ->?/( one of t&em( 0elestino Paua(
transferre &is uni$ie s&are of t&e &erein 'etitioners for
t&e sum of P77=.== "# %a# of a"solute sale. . One #ear
later( on A'ril ..( ->?4( Eusta!uia Paua( &is sister( sol &er
o%n s&are to t&e same $enees( in an instrument
enominate 80on Pacto e Retro Sale(8 for t&e sum of
P44=.==. /
B# $irtue of suc& a)reements( t&e 'etitioners occu'ie( after
t&e sai sales( an area corres'onin) to t%oDfift&s of t&e sai
lot( re'resentin) t&e 'ortions sol to t&em. T&e $enees
su"se!uentl# enclose t&e same %it& a fence. In ->77( %it&
t&eir consent( t&eir son Euaro Alon4o an &is %ife "uilt a
semiDconcrete &ouse on a 'art of t&e enclose area. 4
On 2e"ruar# .7( ->7?( Hariano Paua( one of t&e fi$e coD
&eirs( sou)&t to reeem t&e area sol to t&e s'ouses Alon4o(
"ut &is com'laint %as ismisse %&en it a''eare t&at &e
%as an American citi4en. 7 On Ha# .7( ->77( &o%e$er( Tecla
Paua( anot&er coD&eir( file &er o%n com'laint in$o1in) t&e
same ri)&t of reem'tion claime "# &er "rot&er. ?
T&e onl# real !uestion in t&is case( t&erefore( is t&e correct
inter'retation an a''lication of t&e 'ertinent la% as in$o1e(
interestin)l# enou)&( "# "ot& t&e 'etitioners an t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents. T&is is Article -=99 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( 'ro$iin)
as follo%s;
8Art. -=99. S&oul an# of t&e &eirs sell &is
&ereitar# ri)&ts to a stran)er "efore t&e 'artition(
an# or all of t&e coD&eirs ma# "e su"ro)ate to t&e
ri)&ts of t&e 'urc&aser "# reim"ursin) &im for t&e
'rice of t&e sale( 'ro$ie t&e# o so %it&in t&e
'erio of one mont& from t&e time t&e# %ere notifie
in %ritin) of t&e sale "# t&e $enor.8
T&us( accorin) to Gustice G.B.L. Re#es( %&o %as t&e
'onente of t&e 0ourt( furnis&in) t&e coD&eirs %it& a co'# of
t&e ee of sale of t&e 'ro'ert# su"Cect to reem'tion %oul
satisf# t&e re!uirement for %ritten notice. 8So lon)( t&erefore(
as t&e latter +i.e.( t&e reem'tioner, is informe in %ritin) of
t&e sale an t&e 'articulars t&ereof(8 &e eclare( 8t&e t&irt#
a#s for reem'tion start runnin).8
As 8it is t&us a''arent t&at t&e P&ili''ine le)islature in Article
-?./ eli"eratel# selecte a 'articular met&o of )i$in)
notice( an t&at notice must "e eeme e*clusi$e(8 t&e 0ourt
&el t&at notice )i$en "# t&e $enees an not t&e $enor
%oul not toll t&e runnin) of t&e /=Da# 'erio.
T&e 'etition "efore us a''ears to "e an illustration of t&e
Aolmes ictum t&at 8&ar cases ma1e "a la%s8 as t&e
'etitioners o"$iousl# cannot ar)ue a)ainst t&e fact t&at t&ere
%as reall# no %ritten notice )i$en "# t&e $enors to t&eir coD
&eirs. Strictl# a''lie an inter'rete( Article -=99 can lea to
onl# one conclusion( to %it( t&at in $ie% of suc& eficienc#(
t&e /=Da# 'erio for reem'tion &a not "e)un to run( muc&
less e*'ire in ->77.
T&us( %e inter'ret an a''l# t&e la% not ine'enentl# of "ut
in consonance %it& Custice. La% an Custice are inse'ara"le(
an %e must 1ee' t&em so. To "e sure( t&ere are some la%s
t&at( %&ile )enerall# $ali( ma# seem ar"itrar# %&en a''lie
in a 'articular case "ecause of its 'eculiar circumstances. In
suc& a situation( %e are not "oun( "ecause onl# of our
nature an functions( to a''l# t&em Cust t&e same( in sla$is&
o"eience to t&eir lan)ua)e. B&at %e o instea is fin a
"alance "et%een t&e %or an t&e %ill( t&at Custice ma# "e
one e$en as t&e la% is o"e#e.
As Cu)es( %e are not automatons. Be o not an must not
unfeelin)l# a''l# t&e la% as it is %ore( #ielin) li1e ro"ots
to t&e literal comman %it&out re)ar to its cause an
conse!uence. 80ourts are a't to err "# stic1in) too closel# to
t&e %ors of a la%(8 so %e are %arne( "# Gustice Aolmes
a)ain( 8%&ere t&ese %ors im'ort a 'olic# t&at )oes "e#on
t&em.8 -/ B&ile %e amittel# ma# not le)islate( %e
ne$ert&eless &a$e t&e 'o%er to inter'ret t&e la% in suc& a
%a# as to reflect t&e %ill of t&e le)islature. B&ile %e ma# not
rea into t&e la% a 'ur'ose t&at is not t&ere( %e ne$ert&eless
&a$e t&e ri)&t to rea out of it t&e reason for its enactment. In
oin) so( %e efer not to 8t&e letter t&at 1illet&8 "ut to 8t&e
s'irit t&at $i$ifiet&(8 to )i$e effect to t&e la%ma1er@s %ill.
In re!uirin) %ritten notice( Article -=99 see1s to ensure t&at
t&e reem'tioner is 'ro'erl# notifie of t&e sale an to
inicate t&e ate of suc& notice as t&e startin) time of t&e /=D
a# 'erio of reem'tion. 0onsierin) t&e s&ortness of t&e
'erio( it is reall# necessar#( as a )eneral rule( to 'in'oint t&e
'recise ate it is su''ose to "e)in( to o"$iate an# 'ro"lem
of alle)e ela#s( sometimes consistin) of onl# a a# or t%o.
Bas t&ere a $ali noticeF Grantin) t&at t&e la% re!uires t&e
notice to "e %ritten( %oul suc& notice "e necessar# in t&is
caseF Assumin) t&ere %as a $ali notice alt&ou)& it %as not
in %ritin)( %oul t&ere "e an# !uestion t&at t&e /=Da# 'erio
for reem'tion &a e*'ire lon) "efore t&e com'laint %as
file in ->77F
In t&e face of t&e esta"lis&e facts( %e cannot acce't t&e
'ri$ate res'onents@ 'retense t&at t&e# %ere una%are of t&e
sales mae "# t&eir "rot&er an sister in ->?/ an ->?4. B#
re!uirin) %ritten 'roof of suc& notice( %e %oul "e closin)
our e#es to t&e o"$ious trut& in fa$or of t&eir 'al'a"l# false
claim of i)norance( t&us e*altin) t&e letter of t&e la% o$er its
'ur'ose. T&e 'ur'ose is clear enou)&; to ma1e sure t&at t&e
reem'tioners are ul# notifie. Be are satisfie t&at in t&is
case t&e ot&er "rot&ers an sisters %ere actuall# informe(
alt&ou)& not in %ritin)( of t&e sales mae in ->?/ an ->?4(
an t&at suc& notice %as sufficient.
No%( %&en i t&e /=Da# 'erio of reem'tion "e)inF
B&ile %e o not &ere eclare t&at t&is 'erio starte from t&e
ates of suc& sales in ->?/ an ->?4( %e o sa# t&at
sometime "et%een t&ose #ears an ->7?( %&en t&e first
com'laint for reem'tion %as file( t&e ot&er coD&eirs %ere
actuall# informe of t&e sale an t&at t&ereafter t&e /=Da#
'erio starte runnin) an ultimatel# e*'ire. T&is coul
&a$e &a''ene an# time urin) t&e inter$al of t&irteen #ears(
%&en none of t&e coD&eirs mae a mo$e to reeem t&e
'ro'erties sol. B# ->77( in ot&er %ors( %&en Tecla Paua
file &er com'laint( t&e ri)&t of reem'tion &a alrea# "een
e*tin)uis&e "ecause t&e 'erio for its e*ercise &a alrea#
e*'ire.
8B&ile t&e )eneral rule is( t&at to c&ar)e a 'art# %it&
lac&es in t&e assertion of an alle)e ri)&t it is
essential t&at &e s&oul &a$e 1no%le)e of t&e facts
u'on %&ic& &e "ases &is claim( #et if t&e
circumstances %ere suc& as s&oul &a$e inuce
in!uir#( an t&e means of ascertainin) t&e trut& %ere
reail# a$aila"le u'on in!uir#( "ut t&e 'art# ne)lects
- jann - 131
to ma1e it( &e %ill "e c&ar)ea"le %it& lac&es( t&e
same as if &e &a 1no%n t&e facts.8 -7
It %as t&e 'erfectl# natural t&in) for t&e coD&eirs to %oner
%&# t&e s'ouses Alon4o( %&o %ere not amon) t&em( s&oul
enclose a 'ortion of t&e in&erite lot an "uil t&ereon a
&ouse of stron) materials. T&is efinitel# %as not t&e act of a
tem'orar# 'ossessor or a mere mort)a)ee. T&is certainl#
loo1e li1e an act of o%ners&i'. Jet( )i$en t&is unseeml#
situation( none of t&e coD&eirs sa% fit to o"Cect or at least
in!uire( to ascertain t&e facts( %&ic& %ere reail# a$aila"le. It
too1 all of t&irteen #ears "efore one of t&em c&ose to claim
t&e ri)&t of reem'tion( "ut t&en it %as alrea# too late.
Be reali4e t&at in arri$in) at our conclusion toa#( %e are
e$iatin) from t&e strict letter of t&e la%( %&ic& t&e
res'onent court unerstana"l# a''lie 'ursuant to e*istin)
Curis'ruence. T&e sai court acte 'ro'erl# as it &a no
com'etence to re$erse t&e octrines lai o%n "# t&is 0ourt
in t&e a"o$eDcite cases. In fact( an t&is s&oul "e clearl#
stresse( %e oursel$es are not a"anonin) t&e :e 0oneCero
an Buttle octrines. B&at %e are oin) sim'l# is ao'tin)
an e*ce'tion to t&e )eneral rule( in $ie% of t&e 'eculiar
circumstances of t&is case.
T&e coD&eirs in t&is case %ere unenia"l# informe of t&e
sales alt&ou)& no notice in %ritin) %as )i$en t&em. An t&ere
is no ou"t eit&er t&at t&e /=Da# 'erio "e)an an ene
urin) t&e -4 #ears "et%een t&e sales in !uestion an t&e
filin) of t&e com'laint for reem'tion in ->77( %it&out t&e coD
&eirs e*ercisin) t&eir ri)&t of reem'tion. T&ese are t&e
Custifications for t&is e*ce'tion. BAERE2ORE( t&e 'etition is
)rante. T&e ecision of t&e res'onent court is REVERSE:
Ba"tista !s. DrinoAA="ino
0an t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e sur$i$in) &us"an "e t&e su"Cect of
an e*traCuicial 'artition of t&e estate of t&e ecease %ifeF
T&is is t&e sin)ular issue in t&is 'etition.
In 0i$il 0ase No. 4=//DP( 'etitioners institute an action in
t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al to eclare t&e ee of
e*traCuicial 'artition( ee of a"solute sale( Transfer
0ertificates of Title Nos. -4-9.( -4-9? an -7??7 all of
Re)istr# of :ees of Pasa# 0it# an Ta* :eclaration No.
7-47( null an $oi.
T&at "ot& 'arties amit t&at t&e lan in !uestion %as
re)istere in t&e name of 'etitioner Hanuel Bautista uner
T.0.T No. ..-=( an t&e latter in&erite t&is lan from &is
fat&er( Hariano Bautista<
Bot& 'etitioners an 'ri$ate res'onents amit t&at on :ec.
..( ->??( a :ee of E*traCuicial Partition %as e*ecute.
Pri$ate res'onents %ere si)natories to t&e ee( an t&e
si)nature of 'etitioner Hanuel Bautista %as su''ose to
a''ear in t&at ocument( alt&ou)& 'etitioner Hanuel Bautista
enie &a$in) si)ne t&at E*traCuicial Partition<
Bot& 'arties amit t&at u'on re)istration of t&e :ee of
E*traCuicial Partition( T.0.T. No. ..-= %as cancelle an in
lieu t&ereof( T.0.T.DTD-4-9. %as issue< T&e 'arties amit
t&at t&e 'ri$ate res'onents( %it& t&e e*ce'tion of Hanolito
Bautista( e*ecute a :ee of A"solute Sale in fa$or of
Hanolito Bautista of t&at 'ro'ert#<I'on re)istration of t&e
:ee of Sale( T.0.T.DTD-4-9. %as cancelle an in lieu
t&ereof( T.0.T. No. TD-4-9? %as issue to Hanolito Bautista<
n Au)ust 7( ->?>( Hanolito Bautista e*ecute a :ee of Sale
in fa$or of t&e ot&er 'ri$ate res'onents an u'on
re)istration of sai :ee of Sale( T.0.T. Nos. TD-7??7( TD
-7???( TD-7??7( TD-7??9( TD-7??>( TD-7?7=( TD-7?7-( %ere
issue to 'ri$ate res'onents<
Parties amit t&at 'etitioner Hanuel Bautista marrie &is
secon %ife Emiliana Tama#o<
Parties amit t&at Hanuel Bautista an &is secon %ife(
Emiliana Tama#o( &a onl# a c&il( E$an)eline Bautista( "orn
on A'ril .>( ->4><
T&at t&e 'ro'ert# in !uestion %as t&e su"Cect matter of
e*traCuicial 'artition of 'ro'ert# on :ecem"er ..( ->??(
amon) t&e &eirs of t&e late Guliana NoCaera( t&e first %ife of
Hanuel Bautista<
Hanuel Bautista enie 'artici'ation in t&e E*traCuicial
Partition of Pro'ert#<
On Au)ust -( ->74( all t&e 'arties a)ree to su"mit to t&e
NBI t&e !uestione si)nature of Hanuel Bautista<
T&at t&e NBI conclue t&at t&e !uestione ocument %as
aut&entic. +P'. /7D/9( rollo< ''. .D/ of ecision of
res'onent court,.
In a ecision of Ganuar# -4( ->9/( t&e trial court ismisse
t&e com'laint %it& costs a)ainst 'laintiffs. On a''eal( a
ecision %as renere in ue course "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals
on Au)ust /( ->97( affirmin) t&e ecision of t&e trial court.
PIBLI0 RESPON:ENTS AITAORITE: TAE
EWTRAGI:I0IAL PARTITION O2 2ITIRE
INAERITAN0E IN 0LEAR VIOLATION O2 ARTI0LE
-/47 O2 TAE NEB 0IVIL 0O:E<
PIBLI0 RESPON:ENTS AITAORITE: TAE
PRETERITION O2 PETITIONER EVANGELINE
BAITISTA IN VIOLATION O2 TAE LAB ON
SI00ESSION.8 +P. 7( 'etition for re$ie%< '. 9( rollo,
T&e 'etition is im'resse %it& merit.
T&e finin)s of facts of "ot& t&e trial court an t&e
res'onent A''ellate 0ourt t&at t&e si)nature of Hanuel
Bautista in t&e !uestione :ee of E*traCuicial Partition is
aut&entic( as e*amine "# t&e NBI( can no lon)er "e
!uestione in t&is 'roceein). Ne$ert&eless( e$en )rantin)
t&at t&e si)nature of Hanuel Bautista in t&e !uestione
E*traCuicial :ee of Partition is )enuine( an e*amination of
t&e ocument "ase on amitte an 'ro$en facts reners
t&e ocument fatall# efecti$e. T&e e*traCuicial 'artition %as
su''ose to "e a 'artition %it&out court inter$ention of t&e
estate of t&e late Guliana NoCaera( first %ife of Hanuel
Bautista( constitutin) t&e su"Cect 'ro'ert#. In t&e same
ocument Hanuel Bautista a''ears to &a$e %ai$e &is ri)&t
or s&are in t&e 'ro'ert# in fa$or of 'ri$ate res'onents.
Ao%e$er( t&e 'ro'ert# su"Cect matter of sai e*traCuicial
'artition oes not "elon) to t&e estate of Guliana NoCaera. It
is t&e e*clusi$e 'ro'ert# of Hanuel Bautista %&o in&erite t&e
same from &is fat&er Hariano Bautista( %&ic& %as re)istere
in &is name uner T.0.T. No. ..-=.
Iner Section -( Rule 74 of t&e Rules of 0ourt an
e*traCuicial settlement of t&e Estate a''lies onl# to t&e
estate left "# t&e eceent %&o ie %it&out a %ill( an %it&
no creitors( an t&e &eirs are all of a)e or t&e minors are
re'resente "# t&eir Cuicial or le)al re'resentati$es. If t&e
'ro'ert# oes not "elon) to t&e estate of t&e eceent
- jann - 132
certainl# it cannot "e t&e su"Cect matter of an e*traCuicial
'artition.
As t&e su"Cect 'ro'ert# oes not "elon) to t&e estate of
Guliana NoCaera( t&e :ee of E*traCuicial Partition( is $oi
a" initio "ein) contrar# to la%. To inclue in an e*traCuicial
'artition 'ro'ert# %&ic& oes not 'ertain to t&e estate of t&e
ecease %oul "e to e'ri$e t&e la%ful o%ner t&ereof of &is
'ro'ert# %it&out ue 'rocess of la%. Onl# 'ro'ert# of t&e
estate of t&e eceent %&ic& is transmitte "# succession
can "e t&e la%ful su"Cect matter of an e*traCuicial 'artition.
In t&is case( t&e sai 'artition o"$iousl# 'reCuices t&e ri)&t
of Hanuel Bautista as e*clusi$e o%ner of t&e 'ro'ert#.
T&e sai 'artition also effecti$el# resulte in t&e 'reterition of
t&e ri)&t of E$an)eline Bautista as a com'ulsor# &eir of
Hanuel Bautista( au)&ter of t&e latter "# &is secon
marria)e. It is ifficult to "elie$e t&at Hanuel Bautista %oul
%ittin)l# o$erloo1 an i)nore t&e ri)&t of &er au)&ter
E$an)eline to s&are in t&e sai 'ro'ert#. It is not sur'risin)
t&at &e enie si)nin) t&e sai ocument. Horeo$er( 'ri$ate
res'onents 1ne% E$an)eline Bautista %&o is t&eir &alfDsister
to "e a com'ulsor# &eir. T&e court fins t&at &er 'reterition
%as attene %it& "a fait& &ence t&e sai 'artition must "e
rescine.
T&e 0ourt o"ser$es t&at after t&e e*ecution of sai
e*traCuicial 'artition an issuance of t&e title in t&eir names(
'ri$ate res'onents e*ce't Hanolito Bautista in turn
e*ecute a ee of a"solute sale of t&e 'ro'ert# in fa$or of
t&e latter in %&ose name t&e title %as also issue. An #et
soon t&ereafter anot&er ee of sale %as e*ecute t&is time
"# Hanolito Bautista sellin) "ac1 t&e same 'ro'ert# to
'ri$ate res'onents in %&ose names t&e res'ecti$e titles
%ere t&us su"se!uentl# issue. T&is series of transactions
"et%een an amon) 'ri$ate res'onents is an inication of a
cle$er sc&eme to 'lace t&e 'ro'ert# "e#on t&e reac& of
t&ose la%full# entitle t&ereto.
Horeo$er( suc& e*traCuicial 'artition cannot constitute a
'artition of t&e 'ro'ert# urin) t&e lifetime of its o%ner(
Hanuel Bautista. Partition of future in&eritance is 'ro&i"ite
"# la%.
As sai E*traCuicial Partition ate :ecem"er ..( ->??( of
'ro'ert# "elon)in) e*clusi$el# to 'etitioner Hanuel Bautista(
is null an $oi a" initio it follo%s t&at all su"se!uent
transactions in$ol$in) t&e same 'ro'ert# "et%een an
amon) t&e 'ri$ate res'onents are also null an $oi.
Delos Santos !s. Dela Cr"&
2rom t&e recor of t&is case( %e cull t&e follo%in) salient
facts; On Ha# .-( ->?7( Gertrues e los Santos file a
com'laint for s'ecific 'erformance a)ainst Ha*imo e la
0ru4( alle)in)( amon) ot&ers( t&at on Au)ust .4( ->?/( s&e
an se$eral coD&eirs( incluin) t&e efenant( e*ecute an
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement +a co'# of %&ic& %as
attac&e to t&e com'laint, o$er a certain 'ortion of lan %it&
an area of aroun .=(=== s!. m.< t&at t&e 'arties t&ereto &a
a)ree to aCuicate t&ree +/, lots to t&e efenant( in
aition to &is corres'onin) s&are( on conition t&at t&e
latter %oul unerta1e t&e e$elo'ment an su"i$ision of
t&e estate %&ic& %as t&e su"Cect matter of t&e a)reement( all
e*'enses in connection t&ere%it& to "e efra#e from t&e
'rocees of t&e sale of t&e aforementione t&ree +/, lots< t&at
in s'ite of emans "# t&e 'laintiff( "# t&e ot&er coD&eirs( an
"# t&e resients of t&e su"i$ision( t&e efenant refuse to
'erform &is aforesai o"li)ation alt&ou)& &e &a alrea# sol
t&e aforesai lots. T&e 'laintiff 'ra#e t&e court to orer t&e
efenant to com'l# %it& &is o"li)ation uner t&e e*traD
Cuicial 'artition a)reement an to 'a# t&e sum of P-(===.==
as attorne#@s fees an costs.
In &is ans%er( t&e efenant amitte t&e ue e*ecution of
t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( "ut set u' t&e
affirmati$e efenses t&at t&e 'laintiff &a no cause of action
a)ainst &im "ecause t&e sai a)reement %as $oi %it&
res'ect to &er( for t&e reason t&at t&e 'laintiff %as not an &eir
of Pela)ia e la 0ru4( ecease o%ner of t&e 'ro'ert#( an
%as inclue in t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "#
mista1e< an t&at alt&ou)& &e &a is'ose of t&e t&ree lots
aCuicate to &im( ne$ert&eless t&e 'rocees of t&e sale
%ere not sufficient to e$elo' an im'ro$e 'ro'erl# t&e
su"i$ie estate. T&e ans%er containe a counterclaim
%&erein t&e efenant alle)e t&at t&e 'laintiff &a li1e%ise
sol &er s&are in t&e estate for P-=(===.==( an t&at t&e
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "ein) $oi insofar as t&e
latter %as concerne( &e %as entitle to oneDfourt& +-54, of
t&e 'rocees as &is s&are "# %a# of re$ersion. T&e
efenant 'ra#e t&at t&e com'laint "e ismisse< t&at t&e
e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "e eclare $oi %it&
res'ect to t&e 'laintiff< an( on &is counterclaim( t&at t&e
'laintiff "e orere to 'a# &im t&e sum of P.(7==.==.
In its ecision ate No$em"er /( ->??( t&e court a !uo &el
t&at t&e efenant( "ein) a 'art# to t&e e*traCuicial 'artition
a)reement( %as esto''e from raisin) in issue t&e ri)&t of
t&e 'laintiff to in&erit from t&e eceent Pela)ia e la 0ru4<
&ence( &e must a"ie "# t&e terms of t&e a)reement. T&e
court orere t&e efenant 8to 'erform &is o"li)ations to
e$elo' Lots -( . an / of +LR0, PsD.>7?- as escri"e on
'a)e . of t&e E*traCuicial Partition A)reement8 +meanin)(
a''arentl#( t&at t&e efenant s&oul e$elo' t&e su"i$ision
"ecause sai Lots -( . an / %ere intene to "e sol for
t&is 'ur'ose,( an to 'a# t&e 'laintiff t&e sum of P.(===.== as
actual ama)es( t&e sum of P7==.== as attorne#@s fees( an
t&e costs. No is'osition %as mae of efenant@s
counterclaim. T&e efenant file a 8Hotion for Ne% Trial@ "ut
t&e same %as enie. Aence( t&is a''eal.
In t&e sti'ulation of facts su"mitte to t&e court "elo%( t&e
'arties amit t&at t&e o%ner of t&e estate( su"Cect matter of
t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( %as Pela)ia e la 0ru4(
%&o ie intestate on Octo"er -?( ->?. t&at efenantD
a''ellant is a ne'&e% of t&e sai eceent< t&at 'laintiffD
a''ellee is a )ranniece of Pela)ia e la 0ru4( &er mot&er(
Harciana e la 0ru4( "ein) a niece of t&e sai Pela)ia e la
0ru4< t&at 'laintiffDa''ellee@s mot&er ie on Se'tem"er ..(
->/7( t&us 'reDeceasin) Pela)ia e la 0ru4< an t&at t&e
'ur'ose of t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement %as to i$ie
an istri"ute t&e estate amon) t&e &eirs of Pela)ia e la
0ru4.
T&e 'i$otal !uestion is %&et&er( in t&e 'remises( 'laintiffD
a''ellee is an &eir of t&e eceent. Be are con$ince t&at
s&e is not. PlaintiffDa''ellee "ein) a mere )ranniece of
Pela)ia e la 0ru4( s&e coul not in&erit from t&e latter "#
ri)&t of re'resentation.
8ART. >7.. T&e ri)&t of re'resentation ta1es
'lace in t&e irect escenin) line( "ut ne$er in t&e
ascenin).
- jann - 133
8In t&e collateral line( it ta1es 'lace onl# in fa$or of
t&e c&ilren of "rot&ers or sisters( %&et&er t&e# "e
of t&e full or &alf "loo.8
Huc& less coul 'laintiffDa''ellee in&erit in &er o%n ri)&t.
ta1es 'lace . . .8
In t&e 'resent case( t&e relati$es 8nearest in e)ree8 to
Pela)ia e la 0ru4 are &er ne'&e%s an nieces( one of
%&om is efenantDa''ellant. Necessaril#( 'laintiffDa''ellee(
a )ranniece( is e*clue "# la% from t&e in&eritance.
But %&at is t&e le)al effect of 'laintiffDa''ellee@s inclusion an
'artici'ation in t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement insofar as
&er ri)&t to "rin) t&e 'resent action is concerneF T&e# i
not confer u'on &er t&e ri)&t to institute t&is action. T&e
e*'ress 'ur'ose of t&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement( as
amitte "# t&e 'arties in t&e sti'ulation of facts( %as to
i$ie t&e estate amon) t&e &eirs of Pela)ia e la 0ru4.
Inee( t&e sai a)reement itself states t&at 'laintiffDa''ellee
%as 'artici'atin) t&erein in re'resentation of &er ecease
mot&er.
It is !uite a''arent t&at in e*ecutin) t&e 'artition a)reement(
t&e 'arties t&ereto %ere la"orin) uner t&e erroneous "elief
t&at 'laintiffDa''ellee %as one of t&e le)al &eirs of Pela)ia e
la 0ru4. PlaintiffDa''ellee not "ein) suc& an &eir( t&e 'artition
is $oi %it& res'ect to &er( 'ursuant to Article --=7 of t&e 0i$il
0oe( %&ic& reas;
8ART. --=7. A 'artition %&ic& inclues a
'erson "elie$e to "e an &eir( "ut %&o is not( s&all
"e $oi onl# %it& res'ect to suc& 'erson.8
Partition of 'ro'ert# affecte "et%een a 'erson entitle to
in&erit from t&e ecease o%ner t&ereof an anot&er 'erson
%&o t&ou)&t &e %as an &eir( %&en &e %as not reall# an
la%full# suc&( to t&e 'reCuice of t&e ri)&ts of t&e true &eir
esi)nate "# la% to succee t&e ecease( is null an $oi
+:e Torres $s. :e Torres( et al.( .9 P&il. 4>,. A fortiori(
'laintiffDa''ellee coul &arl# eri$e from t&e a)reement t&e
ri)&t to &a$e its terms enforce.
T&e e*traCuicial 'artition a)reement "ein) $oi %it& res'ect
to 'laintiffDa''ellee( s&e ma# not "e &ear to assert esto''el
a)ainst efenantDa''ellant. Esto''el cannot "e 'reicate
on a $oi contract +-7 Am. Gur. ?=7,( or on acts %&ic& are
'ro&i"ite "# la% or are a)ainst 'u"lic 'olic#
T&e a%ar of actual ama)es in fa$or of 'laintiffDa''ellee
cannot "e sustaine in $ie% of t&e conclusion %e &a$e
arri$e at a"o$e. 2urt&ermore( actual or com'ensator#
ama)es must "e ul# 'ro$e +Article .->>( 0i$il 0oe,.
Aere( no 'roof of suc& ama)es %as 'resente inasmuc& as
t&e case %as ecie on a sti'ulation of facts an no
e$ience %as auce "efore t&e trial court.
Suc& "ein) t&e case( efenantDa''ellant is a''arentl#
correct in &is contention t&at t&e lo%er court erre in not
'assin) on &is counterclaim an( conse!uentl#( in not
sentencin) a''ellee to turn o$er to &im &is corres'onin)
s&are of sai 'ortion recei$e "# a''ellee uner t&e $oi
'artition. Remote relati$es or unrelate 'ersons %&o unul#
recei$e an too1 'ossession of t&e 'ro'ert# of a ecease
'erson %it&out an# ri)&t( "# $irtue of a null an $oi 'artition(
must restore it to t&e le)itimate successor in t&e in&eritance
+:e Torres $s. :e Torres( et al.( su'ra,. Of course( if suc&
s&are &as alrea# "een is'ose of "# a''ellee to a "ona
fie 'urc&aser( as seems to "e inicate in t&e un'ro$en
alle)ations of t&e counterclaim( Be cannot rener Cu)ment
a%arin) an# s'ecific amount to efenantDa''ellant as &is
'ro'ortionate s&are of t&e 'rocees of suc& sale for t&e
reason t&at( as alrea# state a"o$e( t&is as'ect of t&e
counterclaim &as not "een touc&e u'on in t&e sti'ulation of
facts nor &as it "een su''orte "# e$ience %&ic& a''ellant
s&oul &a$e 'resente in t&e lo%er court "ut i not.
B. Effects of 4artition
Art. -29-. A partition le!ally made confers upon each
heir the e&clusive ownership of the property
ad1udicated to him. (-2*#)
Art. -29$. After the partition has been made, the co<
heirs shall be reciprocally bound to warrant the title
to, and the quality of, each property ad1udicated.
(-2*9a)
Art. -29%. "he reciprocal obli!ation of warranty
referred to in the precedin! article shall be
proportionate to the respective hereditary shares of
the co<heirs, but if any one of them should be
insolvent, the other co<heirs shall be liable for his
part in the same proportion, deductin! the part
correspondin! to the one who should be
indemnified.
"hose who pay for the insolvent heir shall have a
ri!ht of action a!ainst him for reimbursement,
should his financial condition improve. (-27-)
Art. -29/. An action to enforce the warranty amon!
heirs must be brou!ht within ten years from the date
the ri!ht of action accrues. (n)
Art. -295. f a credit should be assi!ned as
collectible, the co<heirs shall not be liable for the
subsequent insolvency of the debtor of the estate,
but only for his insolvency at the time the partition is
made.
"he warranty of the solvency of the debtor can only
be enforced durin! the five years followin! the
partition.
6o<heirs do not warrant bad debts, if so +nown to,
and accepted by, the distributee. But if such debts
are not assi!ned to a co<heir, and should be
collected, in whole or in part, the amount collected
shall be distributed proportionately amon! the
heirs. (-27$a)
Art. -29*. "he obli!ation of warranty amon! co<heirs
shall cease in the followin! cases,
- jann - 134
(-) When the testator himself has made the
partition, unless it appears, or it may be
reasonably presumed, that his intention was
otherwise, but the le!itime shall always
remain unimpaired.
($) When it has been so e&pressly stipulated
in the a!reement of partition, unless there
has been bad faith.
(%) When the eviction is due to a cause
subsequent to the partition, or has been
caused by the fault of the distributee of the
property. (-272a)
D"ilas !s. C$I of 4a#panga
It a''ears from t&e recors t&at Gacinta Limson e Lo'e4( of
Gua)ua( Pam'an)a %as marrie to AleCanro Lo'e4 #
Sion)co. T&e# &a no c&ilren.
On A'ril .9( ->/?( Gacinta e*ecute a %ill institutin) &er
&us"an AleCanro as &er sole &eir an e*ecutor +''. .=D.-(
rec.,.
In a Resolution ate Octo"er .?( ->7/ in S'. Proc. No. 9>4
entitle 8En el Asunto e la Ao'cion e la Henor Guanita
Lo'e4 # Limson8 +''. >.D>4( -=/( rec.,( &erein 'etitioner
Guanita Lo'e4( t&en sin)le an no% marrie to 2eerico
Guilas( %as eclare le)all# ao'te au)&ter an le)al &eir
of t&e s'ouses Gacinta an AleCanro. After ao'tin) le)all#
&erein 'etitioner Guanita Lo'e4( t&e testatri* :oOa Gacinta i
not e*ecute anot&er %ill or coicil so as to inclue Guanita
Lo'e4 as one of &er &eirs.
Ne$ert&eless( in a 'roCect of 'artition ate Harc& ->( ->?=
e*ecute "# "ot& AleCanro Lo'e4 an Guanita Lo'e4DGuilas(
t&e ri)&t of Guanita Lo'e4 to in&erit from Gacinta %as
reco)ni4e an Lots Nos. //?9 an /44- +Gacinta@s
'ara'&ernal 'ro'ert#,( escri"e an em"race in Ori)inal
0ertificate of Title No. -/=>.( "ot& situate in Bacolor(
Pam'an)a S
In an orer ate A'ril ./( ->?=( t&e lo%er court a''ro$e
t&e sai 'roCect of 'artition an irecte t&at t&e recors of
t&e case "e sent to t&e arc&ie$es( u'on 'a#ment of t&e
estate an in&eritance ta*es +
On A'ril -=( ->?4( &erein 'etitioner Guanita Lo'e4DGuilas
file a se'arate orinar# action to set asie an annul t&e
'roCect of 'artition( %&ic& case %as oc1ete as 0i$il 0ase
.7/> entitle 8Guanita Lo'e4DGuilas $s. AleCanro Lo'e48 in
t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Pam'an)a( on t&e )roun of
lesion( 'reterition an frau( an 'ra# furt&er t&at AleCanro
Lo'e4 "e orere to su"mit a statement of accounts of all t&e
cro's an to eli$er immeiatel# to Guanita lots nos. //?9
an /44- of t&e Bacolor 0aastre( %&ic& %ere allocate to
&er uner t&e 'roCect of 'artition +'. -/.( rec.,.
In an orer ate A'ril .7( ->??( t&e lo%er court enie
Guanita@s motion to set asie t&e orer of Octo"er .( ->?4 on
t&e )roun t&at t&e 'arties t&emsel$es a)ree to sus'en
resolution of &er 'etition for t&e eli$er# of &er s&ares until
after t&e ci$il action for annulment of t&e 'roCect of 'artition
&as "een finall# settle an ecie +Anne* 8O8( '. 7.( rec.,.
Guanita file a motion ate Ha# >( ->?? for t&e
reconsieration of t&e orer ate A'ril .7( ->?? +Anne* 8P8(
''. 7/D77( rec.,( to %&ic& AleCanro file an o''osition ate
Gune 9( ->?? +Anne* 8L8( ''. --.D--/( rec.,.
Su"se!uentl#( AleCanro file a motion ate Gul# .7( ->??<
'ra#in) t&at t&e 'ala# e'osite %it& 2ericsons an Ieal
Rice Hill "# t&e ten +-=, tenants of t&e t%o 'arcels in
!uestion "e eli$ere to &im +Anne* 8R8( ''. --4D--?( rec.,(
to %&ic& Guanita file an o''osition ate Gul# .?( ->??
+Anne* 8S8( ''. --7D-.-( rec.,.
In an orer ate Se'tem"er 9( ->??( t&e lo%er court enie
t&e motion for reconsieration of t&e orer ate A'ril .7(
->??( an irecte 2ericsons Inc. an t&e Ieal Rice Hills to
eli$er to AleCanro or &is re'resentati$e t&e ..> ca$ans an
4? 1ilos an /.7 an -5. ca$ans an ./ 1ilos of 'ala#
res'ecti$el# e'osite %it& t&e sai rice mills u'on t&e filin)
"# AleCanro of a "on in t&e amount of P-.(===.== ul#
a''ro$e "# t&e court +Anne* 8T8( ''. -..D-.7 rec.,.
Aence( t&is 'etition for certiorari an manamus.
T&e 'osition of 'etitioner Guanita Lo'e4DGuilas s&oul "e
sustaine an t&e %rits 'ra#e for )rante.
T&e 'ro"ate court loses Curisiction of an estate uner
aministration onl# after t&e 'a#ment of all t&e e"ts an t&e
remainin) estate eli$ere to t&e &eirs entitle to recei$e t&e
same. T&e finalit# of t&e a''ro$al of t&e 'roCect of 'artition "#
itself alone oes not terminate t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)
+Tim"ol $s. 0ano( - S0RA -.7-( -.7?( LD-7447( A'ril .>(
->?-< Si)uion) $s. Tecson( 9> P&il.( ''. .9D/=,. As lon) as
t&e orer of t&e istri"ution of t&e estate &as not "een
com'lie %it&( t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)s cannot "e eeme
close an terminate +Si)uion) $s. Tecson( su'ra.,<
"ecause a Cuicial 'artition is not final an conclusi$e an
oes not 're$ent t&e &eir from "rin)in) an action to o"tain &is
s&are( 'ro$ie t&e 'rescri'ti$e 'erio t&erefor &as not
ela'se +Hari $s. Bonilla( 9/ P&il.( -/7,. T&e "etter 'ractice(
&o%e$er( for t&e &eir %&o &as not recei$e &is s&are( is to
eman &is s&are t&rou)& a 'ro'er motion in t&e same
'ro"ate or aministration 'roceein)s( or for reo'enin) of t&e
'ro"ate or aministrati$e 'roceein)s if it &a alrea# "een
close( an not t&rou)& an ine'enent action( %&ic& %oul
"e trie "# anot&er court or Gu)e %&ic& ma# t&us re$erse a
ecision or orer of t&e 'ro"ate on intestate court alrea#
final an e*ecute an reDs&uffle 'ro'erties lon) a)o
istri"ute an is'ose of +Ramos $s. Ortu4ar( 9> P&il.(
7/=( 74-D74.< Tim"ol $s. 0ano( su'ra.< Gin)co $s. :alu4( LD
7-=7( A'ril .4( ->7/( >. P&il. -=9.< Roman 0at&olic $s
A)ustines( LD-47-=( Harc& .>( ->?=( -=7 P&il.( 477( 4?=D
4?-,.
Section - of Rule >= of t&e Re$ise Rules of 0ourt of ->?4
as %ore( %&ic& secures for t&e &eirs or le)atees t&e ri)&t
to 8eman an reco$er t&eir res'ecti$e s&ares from t&e
e*ecutor or aministrator( or an# ot&er 'erson &a$in) t&e
same in &is 'ossession8( reDstates t&e aforecite octrines.
T&e case of Austria $s. Aeirs of Ventenilla +>> P&il. -=?9,
oes not control t&e 'resent contro$ers#< "ecause t&e motion
file t&erein for t&e remo$al of t&e aministratri* an t&e
a''ointment of a ne% aministrator in &er 'lace %as reCecte
"# t&e court on t&e )roun of lac&es as it %as file after t&e
la'se of a"out /9 #ears from Octo"er 7( ->-= %&en t&e court
issue an orer settlin) an eciin) t&e issues raise "# t&e
motion +LD-==-9( Se'tem"er ->( ->7?( >> P&il.( -=?>D-=7=,.
In t&e case at "ar( t&e motion file "# 'etitioner for t&e
- jann - 135
eli$er# of &er s&are %as file on Gul# .=( ->?4( %&ic& is Cust
more t&an / #ears from Au)ust .9( ->?- %&en t&e amene
'roCect of 'artition %as a''ro$e an %it&in 7 #ears from
A'ril ./( ->?= %&en t&e ori)inal 'roCect of 'artition %as
a''ro$e. 0learl#( &er ri)&t to claim t&e t%o lots allocate to
&er uner t&e 'roCect of 'artition &a not #et e*'ire. An in
t&e li)&t of Section - of Rule >= of t&e Re$ise Rules of
0ourt of ->?4 an t&e Curis'ruence a"o$e cite( t&e orer
ate :ecem"er -7( ->?= of t&e 'ro"ate court closin) an
terminatin) t&e 'ro"ate case i not le)all# terminate t&e
testate 'roceein)s( for &er s&are uner t&e 'roCect of
'artition &as not "een eli$ere to &er.
B&ile it is true t&at t&e orer ate Octo"er .( ->?4 "#
a)reement of t&e 'arties sus'ene resolution of &er 'etition
for t&e eli$er# of &er s&ares until after t&e ecision in t&e
ci$il action for t&e annulment of t&e 'roCect of 'artition +0i$il
0ase .7/>, s&e file on A'ril -=( ->?4< t&e sai orer lost its
$aliit# an efficac# %&en t&e &erein 'etitioner file on Gune
--( ->?7 an amene com'laint in sai 0i$il 0ase .7/>
%&erein s&e reco)ni4e t&e 'artial le)alit# an $aliit# of t&e
sai 'roCect of 'artition insofar as t&e allocation in &er fa$or
of lots Nos. //?9 an /44- in t&e eli$er# of %&ic& s&e &as
"een insistin) all alon)
De los Santos !s. Dela Cr"& /see pre!io"s chapter0
Ag"tines !s. C$I
A nineD&ectare lan in Harilao( Bulacan( is t&e su"Cect of a
t&reeDcornere is'ute "et%een Se$ero Valen4uela on one
sie an t&e relati$es of &is ecease %ife Generosa
A)ustines on t&e ot&er( %it& t&e Arc&"is&o' of Hanila as
inter$enor.
In Au)ust( ->/4( Generosa A)ustines ie lea$in) a %ill
%&ic& %as su"se!uentl# su"mitte for 'ro"ate in t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of Bulacan in s'ecial 'roceein)s No. 4>44.
Aa$in) no c&ilren( s&e name &er sur$i$in) &us"an
Se$ero Valen4uela t&e uni$ersal &eir( "ut s&e s'ecifie some
"e!uests. T&ere %as o''osition to t&e a''ro$al of t&e %ill<
&o%e$er( after some ne)otiations( t&e sister +Gosefa, an t&e
ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e eceent +t&e ot&er 'etitioners in
t&is s'ecial ci$il action, e*ecute on 2e"ruar# 9( ->/7( an
e*traCuicial 'artition %it& t&e res'onent Se$ero Valen4uela(
e*'ressin) conformit# %it& t&e 'ro"ate of t&e testament an
i$iin) t&e 'ro'erties of t&e ecease. T&e# 'romise
s'ecificall# to res'ect t&e %is&es of t&e testatri*(
Ot&er items of t&e estate %ere a''ortione amon) t&e
si)ners of t&e ee of 'artition( %&ic&( su"mitte for
a''ro$al( %as confirme "# t&e 'ro"ate court on Octo"er /-(
->/?( in an orer irectin) t&e aministrator to eli$er t&e
res'ecti$e s&ares to t&e &eirs or le)atees after 'a#in) t&e
corres'onin) in&eritance ta*es. No a''eal %as e$er ta1en
from suc& orer.
Jears 'asse. Se$ero Valen4uela faile to transmit t&e lot or
'art t&ereof to t&e 'aris& c&urc& of Polo or to t&e Roman
0at&olic Arc&"is&o' of Hanila. B&erefore( in Ha#( ->44( t&e
A)ustines connections( 'etitioners &erein( file a com'laint
a)ainst Se$ero Valen4uela +ci$il case No. -79, see1in) t&e
return to t&em of t&at nineD&ectare lot in Luiririt( alle)in) &is
"reac& of trust( 'lus renunciation on t&e 'art of t&e c&urc& of
Polo t&at &a re'ortel# ne)lecte to eman com'liance
%it& t&e "eneficial le)ac#.
After t&e li"eration an after t&e# &a "ecome a%are of
Valen4uela@s act t&at tene to frustrate t&eir ci$il action No.
-79( t&e 'etitioners &erein su"mitte motions for
reconsieration( t&e main t&eme of %&ic& %as t&at t&e sai
last orer amene t&e ecree of istri"ution of Octo"er /-(
->/?( %&ic& &a "ecome final lon) a)o. All %as to no a$ail.
Aence t&e# starte t&is s'ecial ci$il action to annul t&e orer
of :ecem"er .( ->44( on t&e concrete 'ro'osition t&at t&e
court &a no Curisiction to issue it( t&e orer of Octo"er /-(
->/?( &a$in) "ecome final an e*ecutor# ei)&t #ears "efore.
T&e# conten( first( t&at uner t&e %ill( an in accorance
%it& t&e 'artition a''ro$e "# t&e court in ->/?( t&e Polo
c&urc& %as entitle to nine &ectares in t&e Luiririt farm of
Generosa. T&e# ar)ue ne*t t&at %&en t&at c&urc& re'uiate
t&e nineD&ectare lot( it a)ain "ecame a 'art of t&e %&ole
Luiririt 'ro'ert# %&ic&( uner t&e 'artition( &a "een
aCuicate to t&em.
On t&e ot&er &an( Se$ero Valen4uela@s 'osition is t&at t&e
%&ole nineD&ectare realt# %as a%are to &im( su"Cect to &is
o"li)ation to onate to t&e Polo c&urc& suc& 'ortion t&ereof
as &e ma# esi)nate in &is iscretion.
T&e inter$enor( t&e Arc&"is&o' of Hanila( re'resentin) t&e
Polo c&urc&( s&ares t&e 'etitioner@s o'inion t&at a nineD
&ectare lot &a "een )rante to sai c&urc&. Ae maintains(
&o%e$er( t&at no $oluntar# renunciation of t&e le)ac# e$er
too1 'lace.
It %ill "e recalle t&at t&e %ill of Generosa A)ustines
containe a 'ro$ision irectin) &er &us"an to
onate a 'ortion of &er Luiririt farm not e*ceein)
nine &ectares to t&e Polo c&urc&. B&at %as t&e
s&are of t&e c&urc& of Polo uner t&e %ill an t&e
e*traCuicial 'artitionF
After e*aminin) an anal#4in) t&e circumstances of t&is
liti)ation( %e reac& t&e conclusion t&at( as contene "#
'etitioners an t&e inter$enor( t&e e*traCuicial 'artition
efinitel# allotte a nineD&ectare 'arcel to t&e Polo c&urc&.
Su''osin)( t&at uner t&e %ill Valen4uela@s iscretion
inclue t&e etermination of t&e area to "e transferre S
an not merel# t&e selection of t&e site %&ere t&e nineD
&ectare 'ortion is to "e se)re)ate S still it seems clear t&at
in t&e 'artition &e electe or a)ree t&at a nineD&ectare
'ortion s&all "e con$e#e to t&e Polo c&urc& for masses.
It is mar1%ort&# t&at( in aition to t&e nineD&ectare 'ortion(
t&e ee mentions anot&er 'arcel of t&ree &ectares
e*clusi$el# )i$en to Valen4uela. If t&e 'arties &a not
contem'late a nineD&ectare onation to t&e Polo c&urc&( "ut
em'o%ere Valen4uela to fi* t&e area su"se!uentl#( t&e#
%oul &a$e assi)ne to &im -. &ectares( %it& t&e 'ro$ision
t&at &e %ill se'arate t&erefrom suc& 'ortion as &e ma# esire
to con$e# to t&e 'aris& of Polo. T&e# i not sa# so. Instea
t&e# clearl# sti'ulate t&at nine &ectares %ere estine for
8misas8 +to t&e 0&urc&,( an t&at t&ree &ectares %oul "e
reser$e for &im.
It is !uite 'ro"a"le t&at if Generosa@s 1in &a 1no%n( in t&e
course of "ar)ainin)( t&at Valen4uela %oul not eli$er all t&e
nine &ectares to t&e Polo c&urc& "ut %oul retain ei)&t
&ectares t&ereof( t&e# %oul not &a$e cee to &im an
aitional lot of t&ree &ectares.
Proof 'ositi$e t&at &e &a no c&oice as to t&e num"er of
&ectares is t&e fact t&at for ei)&t #ears &e ne$er e*ercise it(
- jann - 136
1ee'in) for &imself in "reac& of trust t&e fruits of all t&e lan.
Ae mi)&t &a$e ieas re'u)nant to t&e reli)ious "eliefs of &is
%ife in re)ar to t&e cele"ration of masses for t&e ea. But
as a man of &onor( as t&e sur$i$in) 'artner( &e &a no
e*cuse to set &is o%n notions a)ainst t&ose of &is e'arte
s'ouse( es'eciall# on a su"Cect t&at concerne t&e
is'osition of &er o%n 'ro'erties. T&e %ill of t&e testatri* is
la% - . An &is action in fi*in) one &ectare( %&en &is %ife
"e!ueat&e a 'ortion not e*ceein) nine &ectares is surel#
suc& a"use of iscretion +if &e &a an#, t&at %ill not easil#
commen itself to Cuicial a''ro"ation.
To ma1e oursel$es clear( %e must state at t&e ris1 of
re'etition t&at alt&ou)& uner t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill
Se$ero Valen4uela mi)&t &a$e electe to transfer to t&e Polo
c&urc& a 'ortion less t&an nine &ectares( &o%e$er( in t&e
ee of 'artition &e a)ree S e*ercisin) &is iscretion S to
assi)n nine &ectares for masses +to t&e Polo c&urc&,. It must
"e em'&asi4e t&at in t&e istri"ution of t&e eceent@s
assets( %e must face t&e ee of 'artition %&ic& "ears t&e
court@s fiat. T&e last %ill "ecomes seconar# in $alue.
Im'ortant to "ear t&is istinction in min( "ecause "ot& in
Valen4uela@s motion an in t&e court@s orer a''ro$in) t&e
assi)nment of one &ectare( onl# t&e %ill %as !uote( an not
t&e e*traCuicial 'artition. Valen4uela@s motion in$o1in) t&e
%ill e*clusi$el# inuce t&e court into error.
A t&ir reason to &ol t&at t&e ocument of 'artition eee
nine &ectares to t&e Polo c&urc& is t&e fact t&at t&e court an
t&e 'arties consiere it a final settlement of all t&e ri)&ts of
all concerne( t&e court a''ro$in) it in toto an orerin) t&e
aministrator to eli$er to t&e "eneficiaries t&eir res'ecti$e
'ortions or le)acies. T&e court@s orer e$en %rote finis& to
t&e e*'eiente. An t&e 'arties( incluin) Se$ero Valen4uela
re)are it as final for ei)&t #ears( until &e foun it necessar#(
for &is o%n interests( to ma1e anot&er mo$e inirectl#
amenin) t&e final settlement of Octo"er( ->/?. No% t&en( if
t&at 'artition a$o%el# settle t&e estate an accom'lis&e
its istri"ution( t&e im'lication is una$oia"le t&at it left
not&in) to future Cuicial action or etermination.
0onse!uentl# it i not contem'late an# su"se!uent fi*in) "#
Valen4uela( an a''ro$al "# t&e court( of t&e 'ortion to "e
transmitte to t&e 0&urc& of Polo. T&e 'arties eeme it final
S "ecause t&e ri)&ts of all "eneficiaries %ere t&erein efine
%it& certaint#. T&erefore( t&e attem't "# t&e sur$i$in)
&us"an to moif# it ei)&t #ears t&ereafter %as com'letel#
"e#on t&e 'ale of t&e la%.
C. -ecission and N"llity of 4artition
Art. -297. A partition may be rescinded or annulled
for the same causes as contracts. (-27%a)
Art. -29#. A partition, 1udicial or e&tra<1udicial, may
also be rescinded on account of lesion, when any one
of the co<heirs received thin!s whose value is less, by
at least one<fourth, than the share to which he is
entitled, considerin! the value of the thin!s at the
time they were ad1udicated. (-27/a)
Art. -299. "he partition made by the testator cannot
be impu!ned on the !round of lesion, e&cept when
the le!itime of the compulsory heirs is thereby
pre1udiced, or when it appears or may reasonably be
presumed, that the intention of the testator was
otherwise. (-275)
Art. --22. "he action for rescission on account of
lesion shall prescribe after four years from the time
the partition was made. (-27*)
Art. --2-. "he heir who is sued shall have the option
of indemnifyin! the plaintiff for the loss, or
consentin! to a new partition.
ndemnity may be made by payment in cash or by
the delivery of a thin! of the same +ind and quality
as that awarded to the plaintiff.
f a new partition is made, it shall affect neither
those who have not been pre1udiced nor those have
not received more than their 1ust share. (-277a)
Art. --2$. An heir who has alienated the whole or a
considerable part of the real property ad1udicated to
him cannot maintain an action for rescission on the
!round of lesion, but he shall have a ri!ht to be
indemnified in cash. (-27#a)
Art. --2%. "he omission of one or more ob1ects or
securities of the inheritance shall not cause the
rescission of the partition on the !round of lesion,
but the partition shall be completed by the
distribution of the ob1ects or securities which have
been omitted. (-279a)
Art. --2/. A partition made with preterition of any of
the compulsory heirs shall not be rescinded, unless
it be proved that there was bad faith or fraud on the
part of the other persons interested. but the latter
shall be proportionately obli!ed to pay to the person
omitted the share which belon!s to him. (-2#2)
Art. --25. A partition which includes a person
believed to be an heir, but who is not, shall be void
only with respect to such person. (-2#-a)
Revised Rules of Cour
RULE !"
DISTRI#UTION AND PARTITION OF T$E ESTATE
SECTION 1. "hen order for distribution of residue made.-
.hen the debts, funeral charges, and epenses of ad'inistration,
the allowance to the widow, and inheritance ta, if an", chargeable
to the estate in accordance with law, have been paid, the court, on
the application of the eecutor or ad'inistrator, or of a person
interested in the estate, and after hearing upon notice, shall assign
the residue of the estate to the persons entitled to the sa'e,
na'ing the' and the proportions, or parts, to which each is
entitled, and such persons 'a" de'and and recover their
respective shares fro' the eecutor or ad'inistrator, or an" other
person having the sa'e in his possession. If there is a controvers"
before the court as to who are the lawful heirs of the deceased
person or as to the distributive shares to which each person is
entitled under the law, the controvers" shall be heard and decided
as in ordinar" cases.
- jann - 137
No distribution shall be allowed until the pa"'ent of the
obligations above 'entioned has been 'ade or provided for,
unless the distributees, or an" of the', give a bond, in a su' to be
fied b" the court, conditioned for the pa"'ent of said obligations
within such ti'e as the court directs.
SEC. !. )uestions as to advancement to be determined.-
9uestions as to advance'ent 'ade, or alleged to have been
'ade, b" the deceased to an" heir 'a" be heard and deter'ined
b" the court having jurisdiction of the estate proceedings0 and the
final order of the court thereon shall be binding on the person
raising the +uestions and on the heir.
SEC. (. 1" whom expenses of partition paid.-If at the ti'e
of the distribution the eecutor or ad'inistrator has retained
sufficient effects in his hands which 'a" lawfull" be applied for the
epenses of partition of the properties distributed, such epenses
of partition 'a" be paid b" such eecutor or ad'inistrator when it
appears e+uitable to the court and not inconsistent with the
intention of the testator0 otherwise, the" shall be paid b" the parties
in proportion to their respective shares or interest in the pre'ises,
and the apportion'ent shall be settled and allowed b" the court,
and, if an" person interested in the partition does not pa" his
proportion or share, the court 'a" issue an eecution in the na'e
of the eecutor or ad'inistrator against the part" not pa"ing for the
su' assessed.
SEC. *. 'ecording the order of partition of estate.-Certified
copies of final orders and judg'ents of the court relating to the real
estate or the partition thereof shall be recorded in the registr" of
deeds of the province where the propert" is situated.
BB. 4B46C";59 A:D ADA:9"5A";59
Art. -25#. All matters relatin! to the appointment,
powers and duties of e&ecutors and administrators
and concernin! the administration of estates of
deceased persons shall be !overned by the 5ules of
6ourt. (n)
Art. -259. f the assets of the estate of a decedent
which can be applied to the payment of debts are not
sufficient for that purpose, the provisions of Articles
$$%9 to $$5- on 0reference of 6redits shall be
observed, provided that the e&penses referred to in
Article $$//, :o. #, shall be those involved in the
administration of the decedent3s estate. (n)
Art. -2*2. A corporation or association authori8ed to
conduct the business of a trust company in the
0hilippines may be appointed as an e&ecutor,
administrator, !uardian of an estate, or trustee, in
li+e manner as an individual. but it shall not be
appointed !uardian of the person of a ward. (n)
(elevant provisions from the (ules of )ourt
RULE 7%
LETTERS TESTA&ENTARY AND OF AD&INISTRATION' W$EN
AND TO W$O& ISSUED
SECTION 1. "ho are incompetent to serve as a executors or
administrators.No person is co'petent to serve as eecutor or
ad'inistrator who/
#a% Is a 'inor0
#b% Is not a resident of the 2hilippines0 and
#c% Is in the opinion of the court unfit to eecute the
duties of the trust b" reason of drun&enness, i'providence,
or want of understanding or integrit", or b" reason of
conviction of an offense involving 'oral turpitude.
SEC. !. Executor of executor not to administer estate.-The
eecutor of an eecutor shall not, as such, ad'inister the estate of
the first testator.
SEC. (. *arried women may serve.) 'arried wo'an 'a"
serve as eecutri or ad'inistratri, and the 'arriage of a single
wo'an shall not affect her authorit" so to serve under a previous
appoint'ent
SEC * +etters testamentary issued when will allowed.
.hen a will has been proved and allowed, the court shall issue
letters testa'entar" thereon to the person na'ed as eecutor
therein, if he is co'petent, accepts the trust, and gives bond as
re+uired b" these rules
SEC. ,. "here some coexecutors dis,ualified others may
act.-.hen all of the eecutors na'ed in a will can not act
because of inco'petenc", refusal to accept the trust, or failure to
give bond, on the part of one or 'ore of the', letters testa'entar"
'a" issue to such of the' as are co'petent, accept and give
bond, and the" 'a" perfor' the duties and discharge the trust
re+uired b" the will.
SEC. 4. "hen and to whom letters of administration granted.
If no eecutor is na'ed in the will, or the eecutor or eecutors
are inco'petent, refuse the trust, or fail to give bond, or a person
dies intestate, ad'inistration shall be granted/
#a% To the surviving husband or wife, as the case
'a" be, or net of &in, or both, in the discretion of the court,
or to such person as such surviving husband or wife, or net
of &in, re+uests to have appointed, if co'petent and willing to
serve0
#b% If such surviving husband or wife, as the case
'a" be, or net of &in, or the person selected b" the', be
inco'petent or unwilling, or if the husband or widow, or net
of &in, neglects for thirt" #($% da"s after the death of the
person to appl" for ad'inistration or to re+uest that
ad'inistration be granted to so'e other person, it 'a" be
granted to one or 'ore of the principal creditors, if co'petent
and willing to serve0
#c% If there is no such creditor co'petent and willing
to serve, it 'a" be granted to such other person as the court
'a" select.
RULE %(
#ONDS OF E)ECUTORS AND AD&INISTRATORS
- jann - 138
SECTION 1. -ond to be given before issuance of letters.
Amount. Conditions.-1efore an eecutor or ad'inistrator enters
upon the eecution of his trust, and letters testa'entar" or of
ad'inistration issue, he shall give a bond, in such su' as the court
directs, conditioned as follows/
#a% To 'a&e and return to the court, within three #(%
'onths, a true and co'plete inventor" of all goods, chattels,
rights, credits, and estate of the deceased which shall co'e
to his possession or &nowledge or to the possession of an"
other person for hi'0
#b% To ad'inister according to these rules, and, if
an eecutor, according to the will of the testator, all goods,
chattels, rights, credits, and estate which shall at an" ti'e
co'e to his possession or to the possession of an" other
person for hi', and fro' the proceeds to pa" and discharge
all debts, legacies, and charges on the sa'e, or such
dividends thereon as shall be decreed b" the court0
#c% To render a true and just account of his
ad'inistration to the court within one #1% "ear, and at an"
other ti'e when re+uired b" the court0
#d% To perfor' all orders of the court b" hi' to be
perfor'ed.
SEC. !. -ond of executor where directed in will. "hen
further bond re,uired.If the testator in his will directs that the
eecutor serve without bond, or with onl" his Individual bond, he
'a" be allowed b" the court to give bond in such su' and with
such suret" as the court approves conditioned onl" to pa" the
debts of the testator0 but the court 'a" re+uire of the eecutor a
further bond in case of a change in his circu'stances, or for other
sufficient cause, with the conditions na'ed in the last preceding
section.
SEC. (. -onds of joint executors and administrators..hen
two or 'ore persons are appointed eecutors or ad'inistrators the
court 'a" ta&e a separate bond fro' each, or a joint bond fro' all.
SEC. *. -ond of special administrator.) special
ad'inistrator before entering upon the duties of his trust shall give
a bond, in such su' as the court directs, conditioned that he will
'a&e and return a true inventor" of the goods, chattels, rights,
credits, and estate of the deceased which co'e to his possession
or &nowledge, and that he will trul" account for such as are
received b" hi' when re+uired b" the court, and will deliver the
sa'e to the person appointed eecutor or ad'inistrator, or to such
other person as 'a" be authori6ed to receive the'.
RULE %*
+ENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF E)ECUTORS AND
AD&INISTRATORS
SECTION 1. Executor or administrator to have access to
partnership boo.s and property. ow right enforced.The eecutor
or ad'inistrator of the estate of a deceased partner shall at all
ti'es have access to, and 'a" ea'ine and ta&e copies of, boo&s
and papers relating to the partnership business, and 'a" ea'ine
and 'a&e invoices of the propert" belonging to such partnership0
and the surviving partner or partners, on re+uest, shall ehibit to
hi' all such boo&s, papers, and propert" in their hands or control.
On the written application of such eecutor or ad'inistrator, the
Court having jurisdiction of the estate 'a" order an" such surviving
partner or partners to freel" per'it the eercise of the rights, and to
ehibit the boo&s, papers, and propert", as in this section provided,
and 'a" punish an" partner failing to do so for conte'pt.
SEC. !. Executor or administrator to .eep buildings in repair.
)n eecutor or ad'inistrator shall 'aintain in tenantable repair
the houses and other structures and fences belonging to the
estate, and deliver the sa'e in such repair to the heirs or devisees
when directed so to do b" the court.
SEC. (. Executor or administrator to retain whole estate to
pay debts! and to administer estate not willed.)n eecutor or
ad'inistrator shall have the right to the possession and 'anage3
'ent of the real as well as the personal estate of the deceased so
long as it is necessar" for the pa"'ent of the debts and the
epenses of ad'inistration.
RULE %6
CLAI&S A+AINST ESTATE
SECTION 1. Notice to creditors to be issued by court.
I''ediatel" after granting letters testa'entar" or of ad'inistration,
the court shall issue a notice re+uiring all persons having 'one"
clai's against the decedent to file the' in the office of the cler& of
said court.
SEC. /. %ime within which claims shall be filed.In the notice
provided in the preceding section, the court shall state the ti'e for
the filing of clai's against the estate, which shall not be 'ore than
twelve #1!% nor less than si #4% 'onths after the date of the first
publication of the notice. :owever, at an" ti'e before an order of
distribution is entered, on application of a creditor who has failed to
file his clai' within the ti'e previousl" li'ited, the court 'a", for
cause shown and on such ter's as are e+uitable, allow such clai'
to be filed within a ti'e not eceeding one #1% 'onth.
SEC. (. Publication of notice to creditors.Ever" eecutor or
ad'inistrator shall, i''ediatel" alter the notice to creditors is
issued, cause the sa'e to be published three #(% wee&s
successivel" in a newspaper of general circulation in the province,
and to be posted for the sa'e period in four public places in the
province, and in two public places in the 'unicipalit" where the
decedent last resided
SEC. *. 0iling copy of printed notice.-.ithin ten #1$% da"s
after the notice has been published and posted n accordance with
the preceding section, the eecutor or ad'inistrator shall file or
cause to be filed in the court a printed cop" of the notice
acco'panied with an affidavit setting forth the dates of the first and
last publication thereof and the na'e of the newspaper in which
the sa'e is printed.
SEC. ,. Claims which must be filed under the notice. 1f not
filed! barred2 exceptions.)ll clai's for 'one" against the
decedent, arising fro' contract, epress or i'plied, whether the
sa'e be due, not due, or contingent, all clai's for funeral
epenses and epenses for the last sic&ness of the decedent, and
judg'ent for 'one" against the decedent, 'ust be filed within the
ti'e li'ited in the notice0 otherwise the" are barred forever, ecept
- jann - 139
that the" 'a" be set forth as counterclai's in an" action that the
eecutor or ad'inistrator 'a" bring against the clai'ants. .here
an eecutor or ad'inistrator co''ences an action, or prosecutes
an action alread" co''enced b" the deceased in his lifeti'e, the
debtor 'a" set forth b" answer the clai's he has against the
decedent, instead of presenting the' independentl" to the court as
herein provided, and 'utual clai's 'a" be set off against each
other in such action0 and if final judg'ent is rendered in favor of the
defendant, the a'ount so deter'ined shall be considered the true
balance against the estate, as though the clai' had been
presented directl" before the court in the ad'inistration proceed3
ings. Clai's not "et due, or contingent, 'a" be approved at their
present value.
SEC. 4. $olidary obligation of decedent.-.here the obliga3
tion of the decedent is solidar" with another debtor, the clai' shall
be filed against the decedent as if he were the onl" debtor, without
prejudice to the right of the estate to recover contribution fro' the
other debtor. In a joint obligation of the decedent, the clai' shall be
confined to the portion belonging to hi'.
SEC. 3. *ortgage debt due from estate.) creditor holding
a clai' against the deceased secured b" 'ortgage or other
collateral securit", 'a" abandon the securit" and prosecute his
clai' in the 'anner provided in this rule, and share in the general
distribution of the assets of the estate0 or he 'a" foreclose his
'ortgage or reali6e upon his securit", b" action in court, 'a&ing
the eecutor or ad'inistrator a part" defendant, and if there is a
judg'ent for a deficienc", after the sale of the 'ortgaged pre'ises,
or the propert" pledged, in the foreclosure or other proceedings to
reali6e upon the securit", he 'a" clai' his deficienc" judg'ent in
the 'anner provided in the preceding section0 or he 'a" rel" upon
his 'ortgage or other securit" alone, and foreclose the sa'e at
an" ti'e within the period of the statute of li'itations, and in that
event he shall not be ad'itted as a creditor, and shall receive no
share in the distribution of the other assets of the estate0 but
nothing herein contained shall prohibit the eecutor or ad'inistrator
fro' redee'ing the propert" 'ortgaged or pledged, b" pa"ing the
debt for which it is held as securit", under the direction of the court,
if the court shall adjudge it to be for the best interest of the estate
that such rede'ption shall be 'ade.
SEC. 7. Claim of executor or administrator against an estate.
1f the eecutor or ad'inistrator has a clai' against the estate he
represents, he shall give notice thereof, in writing, to the court, and
the court shall appoint a special ad'inistrator, who shall, in the
adjust'ent of such clai', have the sa'e power and be subject to
the sa'e liabilit" as the general ad'inistrator or eecutor in the
settle'ent of other clai's. The court 'a" order the eecutor or
ad'inistrator to pa" to the special ad'inistrator necessar" funds to
defend such clai'.
SEC. 8. ow to file a claim. Contents thereof Notice to
executor or administrator.) clai' 'a" be filed b" delivering the
sa'e with the necessar" vouchers to the cler& of court and b"
serving a cop" thereof on the eecutor or ad'inistrator. If the clai'
be founded on a bond, bill, note, or an" other instru'ent, the
original need not be filed, but a cop" thereof with all indorse'ents
shall be attached to the clai' and filed therewith. On de'and,
however, of the eecutor or ad'inistrator, or b" order of the court
or judge, the original shall be ehibited, unless it be lost or
destro"ed, in which case the clai'ant 'ust acco'pan" his clai'
with affidavit or affidavits containing a cop" or particular description
of the instru'ent and stating its loss or destruction. .hen the clai'
is due, it 'ust be supported b" affidavit stating the a'ount justl"
due, that no pa"'ents have been 'ade thereon which are not
credited, and that there are no offsets to the sa'e, to the
&nowledge of the affiant. If the clai' is not due, or is contingent,
when filed, it 'ust also be supported b" affidavit stating the
particulars thereof. .hen the affidavit is 'ade b" a person other
than the clai'ant, he 'ust set forth therein the reason wh" it is not
'ade b" the clai'ant. The clai' once filed shall be attached to the
record of the case in which the letters testa'entar" or of
ad'inistration were issued, although the court, in its discretion, and
as a 'atter of convenience, 'a" order all the clai's to be collected
in a separate folder.
SEC. 1$. Answer of executor or administrator. &ffsets.
.ithin fifteen #1,% da"s after service of a cop" of the clai' on the
eecutor or ad'inistrator, he shall file his answer ad'itting or
den"ing the clai' specificall", and setting forth the substance of the
'atters which are relied upon to support the ad'ission or denial. If
he has no &nowledge sufficient to enable hi' to ad'it or den"
specificall", he shall state such want of &nowledge. The eecutor or
ad'inistrator in his answer shall allege in offset an" clai' which
the decedent before death had against the clai'ant, and his failure
to do so shall bar the clai' forever. ) cop" of the answer shall be
served b" the eecutor or ad'inistrator on the clai'ant. The court
in its discretion 'a" etend the ti'e for filing such answer.
SEC. 11. (isposition of admitted claim.Any clai' ad'itted
entirel" b" the eecutor or ad'inistrator shall i''ediatel" be
sub'itted b" the cler& to the court who 'a" approve the sa'e
without hearing0 but the court, in its discretion, before approving the
clai', 'a" order that &nown heirs, legatees, or devisees be notified
and heard. If upon hearing, an heir, legatee, or devisee opposes
the clai', the court 'a", in its discretion, allow hi' fifteen #1,%
da"s to file an answer to the clai' in the 'anner prescribed in the
preceding section.
SEC. 1!. %rial of contested claim.;pon the filing of an
answer to a clai', or upon the epiration of the ti'e for such filing,
the cler& of court shall set the clai' for trial with notice to both
parties. The court 'a" refer the clai' to a co''issioner.
SEC. 1(. 4udgment appealable.The judg'ent of the court
approving or disapproving a clai', shall be filed with the record of
the ad'inistration proceedings with notice to both parties, and is
appealable as in ordinar" cases. ) judg'ent against the eecutor
or ad'inistrator shall be that he pa", in due course of
ad'inistration, the a'ount ascertained to be due, and it shall not
create an" lien upon the propert" of the estate, or give to the
judg'ent creditor an" priorit" of pa"'ent.
SEC. 1*. Costs..hen the eecutor or ad'inistrator, in his
answer, ad'its and offers to pa" part of a clai', and the clai'ant
refuses to accept the a'ount offered in satisfaction of his clai', if
he fails to obtain a 'ore favorable judg'ent, he cannot recover
costs, but 'ust pa" to the eecutor or ad'inistrator costs fro' the
ti'e of the offer. .here an action co''enced against the
deceased for 'one" has been discontinued and the clai'
e'braced therein presented as in this rule provided, the prevailing
part" shall be allowed the costs of his action up to the ti'e of its
discontinuance.
- jann - 140
RULE %7
ACTIONS #Y AND A+AINST E)ECUTORS AND
AD&INISTRATORS
SECTION 1. Actions which may and which may not be
brought against executor or administrator.No action upon a clai'
for the recover" of 'one" or debt or interest thereon shall be
co''enced against the eecutor or ad'inistrator0 but actions to
recover real or personal propert", or an interest therein, fro' the
estate, or to enforce a lien thereon, and actions to recover
da'ages for an injur" to person or propert", real or personal, 'a"
be co''enced against hi'.
SEC. !. Executor or administrator may bring or defend
actions which survive.-<or the recover" or protection of the
propert" or rights of the deceased, an eecutor or ad'inistrator
'a" bring or defend, in the right of the deceased, actions for
causes which survive.
SEC. (. eir may not sue until share assigned..hen an
eecutor or ad'inistrator is appointed and assu'es the trust, no
action to recover the title or possession of lands or for da'ages
done to such lands shall be 'aintained against hi' b" an heir or
devisee until there is an order of the court assigning such lands to
such heir or devisee or until the ti'e allowed for pa"ing debts has
epired.
SEC. *. Executor or administrator may compound with
debtor..ith the approval of the court, an eecutor or
ad'inistrator 'a" co'pound with the debtor of the deceased for a
debt due, and 'a" give a discharge of such debt on receiving a
just dividend of the estate of the debtor.
SEC. ,. *ortgage due estate may be foreclosed.)
'ortgage belonging to the estate of a deceased person, as
'ortgagee or assignee of the right of a 'ortgagee, 'a" be
foreclosed b" the eecutor or ad'inistrator.
SEC. 4. Proceedings when property concealed! embe55led!
or fraudulently conveyed.If an eecutor or ad'inistrator, heir,
legatee, creditor, or other individual interested in the estate of the
deceased, co'plains to the court having jurisdiction of the estate
that a person is suspected of having concealed, e'be66led, or
conve"ed awa" an" of the 'one", goods, or chattels of the
deceased, or that such person has in his possession or has
&nowledge of an" deed, conve"ance, bond, contracts, or other
writing which contains evidence of or tends to disclose the right,
title, interest, or clai' of the deceased to real or personal estate, or
the last will and testa'ent of the deceased, the court 'a" cite such
suspected person to appear before it and 'a" ea'ine hi' on
oath on the 'atter of such co'plaint0 and if the person so cited
refuses to appear, or to answer on such ea'ination such
interrogatories as are put to hi', the court 'a" punish hi' for
conte'pt, and 'a" co''it hi' to prison until he sub'its to the
order of the court. The interrogatories put to an" such person, and
his answers thereto, shall be in writing and shall be filed in the
cler&=s office.
SEC. 5. Person entrusted with estate compelled to render
account.The court, on co'plaint of an eecutor or ad'inistrator,
'a" cite a person entrusted b" an eecutor or ad'inistrator with
an" part of the estate of the deceased to appear before it, and 'a"
re+uire such person to render a full account, on oath, of the
'one", goods, chattels, bonds, accounts, or other papers
belonging to such estate as ca'e to his possession in trust for
such eecutor or ad'inistrator, and of his proceedings thereon0
and if the person so cited refuses to appear to render such
account, the court 'a" punish hi' for conte'pt as having
disobe"ed a lawful order of the court.
SEC. 7. Embe55lement before letters issued.If a person,
before the granting of letters testa'entar" or of ad'inistration on
the estate of the deceased, e'be66les or alienates an" of the
'one", goods, chattels, or effect of such deceased, such person
shall be liable to an action in favor of the eecutor or ad'inistrator
of the estate for double the value of the propert" sold, e'be66led,
or alienated, to be recovered for the benefit of such estate.
SEC. 8. Property fraudulent conveyed by deceased may be
recovered. "hen executor or administrator must bring action.
.hen there is a deficienc" of assets in the hands of an eecutor or
ad'inistrator for the pa"'ent of debts and epenses of
ad'inistration, and the deceased in his lifeti'e had conve"ed real
or personal propert", or a right or interest therein, or debt or credit,
with intent to defraud his creditors or to avoid an" right debt, or
dut"0 or had so conve"ed such propert", right, interest, debt, or
creditors, and the subject of the atte'pted conve"ance would be
liable to attach'ent b" an" of the' in his lifeti'e, the eecutor or
ad'inistrator 'a" co''ence and prosecute to final judg'ent an
action for the recover" of such propert", right, interest, debts, or
credit for the benefit of the creditors0 but he shall not be bound to
co''ence the action unless the creditors 'a&ing the application
pa" such part of the costs and epenses, or give securit" therefor
to the eecutor or ad'inistrator, as the court dee's e+uitable.
SEC. 1$. "hen creditor may bring action. +ien for cost.
.hen there is such a deficienc" of assets, and the deceased in his
lifeti'e had 'ade or atte'pted such a conve"ance, as is stated in
the last preceding section, and the eecutor and ad'inistrator has
not co''enced the action therein provided for, an" creditor of the
estate 'a", with the per'ission of the court, co''ence and
prosecute to final judg'ent, in the na'e of the eecutor or
ad'inistrator, a li&e action for the recover" of the subject of the
conve"ance or atte'pted conve"ance for the benefit of the
creditors. 1ut the action shall not be co''enced until the creditor
has filed in a court a bond eecuted to the eecutor or
ad'inistrator, in an a'ount approved b" the judge, conditioned to
inde'nif" the eecutor or ad'inistrator against the costs and
epenses incurred b" reason of such action. Such creditor shall
have a lien upon an" judg'ent recovered b" hi' in the action for
such costs and other epenses incurred therein as the court dee's
e+uitable. .here the conve"ance or atte'pted conve"ance has
been 'ade b" the deceased in his lifeti'e in favor of the eecutor
or ad'inistrator, the action which a creditor 'a" bring shall be in
the na'e of all the creditors, and per'ission of the court and filing
of bond as above prescribed, are not necessar".
- jann - 141

Succession Outline Notes Cases

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Succession Outline Notes Cases

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe

T&e trut& of t&e matter is t&at "e!uests an e$ises to t&ose

You might also like