ARCILLAS V MONTEJO

26 SCRA 197
MAKALINTAL ; November 29, 1968;
LORA
FACTS
- Eustaquio Arcillas ie i!testate"
- #ero!imo Arcillas, o!e o$ t%e %eirs o$ t%e ecease, i! t%e
November 12 &etitio! sou'%t t%e ca!cellatio! o$ T(T No" )T-2** i!
t%e !ame o$ t%e ecease a! &ra+e $or t%e issua!ce o$ a !e,
certi$icate o$ title i! t%e !ames o$ t%e %eirs i! t%e e!umerate
&ro&ortio!s alle'e i! t%e &etitio!"
- It ,as claime t%at at various ates a$ter t%e eat% o$ t%e ecease,
several tra!sactio!s a$$ecti!' Lot No" 2-6 tra!s&ire, &romi!e!t
amo!' ,%ic% ,ere t%e se&arate sales o$ t%eir res&ective s%ares a!
&artici&atio! e.ecute b+ * ot%er c%ilre! o$ t%e ecease i! $avor o$
co-%eir /ice!te Arcillas"
- 0 ot%er c%ilre! o$ t%e ecease $ile a &etitio! o! November 16
&ra+i!' $or t%e issua!ce o$ letters o$ ami!istratio! i! $avor o$ Aurelio
Arcillas, t%e &etitio!er &re&arator+ to t%e $i!al settleme!t o$ t%e
ecease1s estate" T%e &etitio! states t%at t%e ecease le$t a!
estate co!sisti!' o$ real &ro&ert+ i! 2amboa!'a (it+ ,it% a &robable
value o$ !ot less t%a! 36,444 a! t%at ecease le$t !o ebts
remai!i!' u!&ai"
- 3etitio!er $ile %is o&&ositio! to t%e November 12 &etitio! o! t%e
'rou! t%at i!asmuc% as Lot No" 2-6 ,as i!clue i! t%e estate o$
t%e ecease $or ,%ic% a &etitio! $or ami!istratio! %a actuall+ bee!
$ile a! ,as a,aiti!' resolutio!, t%at &etitio! s%oul be %el i!
abe+a!ce u!til a$ter t%e Nov 16 &etitio! ,as close a! termi!ate"
- )es&o!e!t 5u'e issue a! orer tem&oraril+ %oli!' i! abe+a!ce
resolutio! o$ t%e November 12 &etitio! u!til t%e termi!atio! o$ t%e
i!testate &roceei!'s"
- I! %is a!s,er to t%e November 16 &etitio! #ero!imo Arcillas, t%is
time 6oi!e b+ /ice!te Arcillas a! t%e ,io, Moesta Al$aro,
o&&ose t%e issua!ce o$ letters o$ ami!istratio! ar'ui!' t%at
i!asmuc% as Lot No" 2-6 ,as t%e o!l+ &ro&ert+ le$t b+ t%e ecease
a! t%e ecease le$t !o ebts, t%e &etitio! $or ami!istratio! ,as
im&ro&er"
- 3etitio!er i!siste t%at t%ere ,ere still ot%er &ro&erties o$ t%e estate
o$ t%e ecease besies Lot No" 2-6; %e li7e,ise too7 issue ,it%
res&o!e!ts1 vie, t%at ami!istratio! &roceei!'s coul be
is&e!se ,it% asserti!', $irstl+, t%at t%ere ,as !o u!a!imit+ amo!'
t%e %eirs $or e.tra6uicial &artitio! a!, seco!l+, t%at some o$ t%e
%eirs %a bee! u!ul+ e&rive o$ t%eir &artici&atio! i! t%e estate"
- )es&o!e!t court e!ie t%e November 16 &etitio! $or t%e issua!ce
o$ letters o$ ami!istratio! a! at t%e same time 'ave ue course to
t%e November 12 &etitio!"
- 8!able to %ave t%is orer reco!siere &etitio!er $ile t%e &etitio!
$or certiorari ,it% ma!amus a! &relimi!ar+ i!6u!ctio!"
ISSUE
9:N res&o!e!t 5u'e acte &ro&erl+ i! ismissi!' t%e
ami!istratio! &roceei!'s u!er t%e aut%orit+ o$ ;ectio! 1, )ule -*
o$ t%e Ne, )ules o$ (ourt u&o! averme!ts t%at t%e estate le$t !o
ebts a! all t%e %eirs e!title to s%are i! its istributio! are all o$ a'e
HELD
- N:" 8!er )ule -*"1, i$ t%e ecee!t le$t !o ,ill a! !o ebts a!
t%e %eirs a! le'atees are all o$ a'e, or t%e mi!ors are re&rese!te
b+ t%eir 6uicial 'uaria!s, t%e &arties ma+, ,it%out securi!' letters o$
ami!istratio!, ivie t%e estate amo!' t%emselves as t%e+ see $it b+
mea!s o$ a &ublic i!strume!t $ile i! t%e o$$ice o$ t%e )e'ister o$
<ees a! s%oul t%e+ isa'ree, t%e+ ma+ o so i! a! ori!ar+
actio! o$ &artitio!"
- )ori'ue=, et al" v" Ta!> sec"1 oes !ot &reclue t%e %eirs $rom
i!stituti!' ami!istratio!, &roceei!'s, eve! i$ t%e estate %as !o
ebts or obli'atio!, i$ t%e+ o !ot esire to resort $or 'oo reaso!s to
a! ori!ar+ actio! o$ &artitio!" 9%ile ;ectio! 1 allo,s t%e %eirs to
ivie t%e estate amo!' t%emselves as t%e+ ma+ be $it, or to resort to
a! ori!ar+ actio! o$ &artitio!, it oes !ot com&el t%em to o so i$
t%e+ %ave 'oo reaso!s to ta7e a i$$ere!t course o$ actio!" ;ai
;ectio! is !ot ma!ator+ or com&ulsor+ as ma+ be 'lea!e $rom t%e
use mae t%erei! o$ t%e ,or ma+"
- ?avi!' ecie to i!stitute ami!istratio! &roceei!'s i!stea o$
resorti!' to t%e less e.&e!sive moes o$ settleme!t o$ t%e estate, i"e"
e.tra6uicial settleme!t or ori!ar+ actio! $or &artitio!, t%e %eirs ma+
!ot t%e! be rebu$$e i! t%e e.ercise o$ t%eir iscretio! 'ra!te u!er
;ectio! I o$ )ule -* o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt merel+ o! t%e 'rou! t%at
t%e e.&e!ses usuall+ commo! i! ami!istratio! &roceei!'s ma+
e&lete t%e $u!s o$ t%e estate"
- T%e resulta!t ela+ a! !ecessar+ e.&e!ses i!curre t%erea$ter are
co!seque!ces ,%ic% must be eeme to %ave bee! volu!taril+
assume b+ t%e %eirs t%emselves so t%at t%e+ ma+ !ot i! t%e $uture
be %ear to com&lai! o$ t%ese matters" @esies, t%e trut% or veracit+
o$ &etitio!er1s claim as to t%e alle'e e.iste!ce o$ ot%er &ro&erties o$
t%e ecease asie $rom t%e lot i! questio! ca! be more aequatel+
ascertai!e i! ami!istratio! &roceei!'s rat%er t%a! i! a!+ ot%er
actio!"
Disposition A&&eale orers set asie
CIRIACO FULE vs. ANASTASIO FULE
*6 3?IL" A1-;
5:?N;:N; ;e&t A4, 192*
MARGE
FACTS
-;atur!i!o Bule ie i!testate" (iriaco Bule, o!e o$ t%e %eirs,
&rese!te a &etitio! i! (BI La'u!a $or t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ (or!elio
Alca!tara as ami!istrator o$ t%e estate" T%e &etitio!er alle'e t%at at
t%e time o$ t%e eat% o$ ;atur!i!o, %e ,as o,!er o$ 304T ,ort% o$
real a! &erso!al &ro&ert+ i! ;a! 3ablo, La'u!a a! about 3A4T i!
cas%" (BI a&&oi!te (or!elio Alca!tara as s&ecial ami!istrator a!
require %im to 'ive a bo! o$ 38T" Alca!tara later &rese!te i! court
a! i!ve!tor+ o$ t%e alle'e &ro&ert+ o$ t%e ecease"
-A!astacio, et al o&&ose t%e &etitio! a! t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ t%e
s&ecial ami!istrator, alle'i!' t%at t%e+ ,ere c%ilre! o$ ;atur!i!o
Bule, t%at t%e+ ,ere all o$ a'e, t%at t%e ecease %a le$t !o ebts
a! t%at %is &ro&ert+ %a alrea+ bee! &artitio!e amo!' %is
c%ilre! uri!' %is li$etime i! co!$ormit+ ,it% article 1406 o$ t%e (ivil
(oe"
-5u'e 3arees revo7e t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ t%e s&ecial ami!istrator
a! orere %im to re!er a! accou!t" ?e also e!ie ;atur!i!oCs
&etitio! a! i!itiall+ su''este t%at t%e latter ame! %is &etitio! a!
&rese!t a! ori!ar+ actio! $or &artitio!"
-8&o! %eari!' o! ;atur!i!oCs MB)DMNT a! t%e o&&ositio! t%ereto,
t%e su''estio! ,as ,it%ra,! a! t%e &etitio! $or t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$
a! ami!istrator ,as e!ie u&o! t%e &ri!ci&al 'rou! t%at all o$ t%e
&ro&ert+ o$ ;atur!i!o Bule %a bee! i! t%e &ossessio! o$ %is %eirs $or
ma!+ +ears be$ore %is eat%; a! t%at at t%e time o$ %is eat% t%ere
,ere !o ebts a! !o &ro&ert+ to be ami!istere" Brom t%at
6u'me!t t%e &etitio!er a&&eale"
ISSUE
9:N t%e court a quo committe a! error i! re$usi!' to a&&oi!t a!
ami!istrator $or t%e estate o$ ;atur!i!o Bule
HELD: NO
-8!er t%e &rovisio!s o$ t%e (ivil (oe, t%e ri'%ts to t%e successio!
o$ a &erso! are tra!smitte $rom t%e mome!t o$ %is eat%; i! ot%er
,ors, t%e %eirs succee immeiatel+ to all o$ t%e &ro&ert+ o$ t%e
ecease a!cestor" T%e &ro&ert+ belo!'s to t%e %eirs at t%e mome!t
o$ t%e eat% o$ t%e a!cestor as com&letel+ as i$ t%e a!cestor %a
e.ecute a! elivere to t%em a ee $or t%e same be$ore %is
eat%" I! t%e abse!ce o$ ebts e.isti!' a'ai!st t%e estate, t%e %eirs
ma+ e!ter u&o! t%e ami!istratio! o$ t%e sai &ro&ert+ immeiatel+" I$
t%e+ esire to ami!ister it 6oi!tl+, t%e+ ma+ o so" I$ t%e+ esire to
&artitio! it amo!' t%emselves a! ca! o t%is b+ mutual a'reeme!t,
t%e+ %ave also t%e &rivile'e" T%e (oe o$ 3roceure i! civil Actio!s
&rovies %o, a! estate ma+ be ivie b+ a &etitio! $or &artitio! i!
case t%e+ ca!!ot mutuall+ a'ree i! t%e ivisio!"
-9%e! t%e %eirs are all o$ la,$ull+ a'e a! t%ere are !o ebts t%ere is
!o reaso! ,%+ t%e estate s%oul be bure!e ,it% t%e cost a!
e.&e!ses o$ a! ami!istrator" T%e ami!istrator %as !o ri'%t to
i!terve!e i! a!+ ,a+ ,%atsoever i! t%e ivisio! o$ t%e state amo!'
t%e %eirs ,%e! t%e+ are aults a! ,%e! t%ere are !o ebts a'ai!st
t%e estate"
-A! eve! ,%e! t%ere are ebts a'ai!st t%e estate, t%e %eirs, all
bei!' o$ a'e, ma+ &a+ t%e ebts a! ivie t%e &ro&ert+ amo!'
t%emselves accori!' to t%eir res&ective ri'%ts, as %eirs or as
le'atees i! case o$ ,ill, ,it%out &robati!' t%e same, a! t%e e$$ect o$
suc% ivisio! is to i!vest eac% &art+ ,it% a com&lete equitable title to
t%eir &articular s%are o$ state" E(arter vs" :,e!s, *1 Ala", 21-"F
Disposition 5u'me!t a$$irme, ,it%out &re6uice to t%e ri'%t o$ t%e
(iriaco to comme!ce a! actio! $or &artitio! o$ a!+ &ro&ert+ le$t b+
;atur!i!o Bule ,%ic% %a !ot alrea+ bee! &artitio! amo!' %is %eirs"
MALCOLM and OSTRAND, JJ., dissent citi!' t%e &olic+ o$ t%e la,>
t%at is to e!coura'e e$i!ite a! $i!al settleme!ts" T%e+ ar'ue t%at
si!ce t%e estate is alle'e to be ,ort% 384T, it is !ot u!reaso!able to
su&&ose t%at t%ere ma+ %ave %a eali!'s ,it% ot%ers $rom ,%ic%
1
claims a'ai!st t%e estate ma+ arise, t%e e.iste!ce o$ ,%ic% ca!!ot be
e$i!itel+ ascertai!e u!til &ublicatio! o$ !otice to claima!ts a!
creitors %as bee! mae" It ,oul seem to be t%e i!terest o$ all
&arties co!cer!e to %ave t%e estate e$i!itel+ settle a! t%at ca!
o!l+ be o!e &ro&erl+ t%rou'% ami!istratio! &roceei!'s"
-)e> Ilustre vs" Alaras Bro!osa, @o!a vs" @o!a, a! @alemor
vs" Mala!'+ao!> I! all t%ree o$ t%e cases it is amitte t%at t%ere
,ere !o ebts a! co!sieri!' t%e lo!' &erio ,%ic% %a ela&se
si!ce t%e eat% o$ t%e ecease, t%ere coul be but little &robabilit+
o$ a!+ !e, claima!ts a&&eari!'" 8!er suc% circumsta!ces t%e court
mi'%t ,ell be 6usti$ie i! %oli!' t%at t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ a!
ami!istrator ,as u!!ecessar+"
-I! t%e &rese!t case ,e are co!$ro!te ,it% a! e!tirel+ i$$ere!t
situatio!" ?ere t%ere %as bee! !o &artitio! or istributio! b+
a'reeme!t amo!' t%e %eirs, t%e &etitio! $or ami!istratio! ,as
&rese!te ,it%i! t%ree mo!t%s a$ter t%e eat% o$ t%e ecease, a!
t%e estate is lar'e a! its settleme!t ma+ 'ive rise to u!e.&ecte
com&licatio!s"
CASTILLO V CASTILLO
2A 3?IL A6*
A)ELLAN:; November 0, 1912
MONCH
FACTS
- T%e sub6ect o$ t%e suit is a &arcel o$ la! i! @ata!'as o,!e b+
;imo!a Mala!'ba+a!" ;%e ie - +ears a'o" It is curre!tl+ i! t%e
&ossessio! o$ o!e o$ %er c%ilre!, 8rba!o (astillo" T%ere are ot%er
esce!a!ts o$ %ers ,%o %ave t%e same ri'%t to ,it> A au'%ter a!
some 'ra!c%ilre! o$ t%e ecease brot%er o$ $ull bloo o$ 8rba!o
(astillo, !ame 3io (astillo; t%e au'%ter o$ a sister o$ $ull bloo o$
t%e same e$e!a!t, !ame Al$o!sa, li7e,ise ecease; a! a
au'%ter o$ a %al$-brot%er o$ t%e sai 8rba!o (astillo, !ame
Este$a!o Libi!'ti!', also ecease" T%e+ ema!e ivisio! o$ t%e
la!
- <e$e!a!t 8rba!o (astillo e!eavore to &rove t%at %is mot%er %a
ot%er &ro&ert+ ,%ic% uri!' %er li$etime s%e is&ose o$ to t%e be!e$it
o$ some o$ t%e &lai!ti$$s"
- T%e trial court orere t%at t%e la! be ivie bet,ee! t%e &lai!ti$$s
a! e$e!a!t"
ISSUE/S
1" 9:N t%e %eirs ma+ ema! ivisio! o$ t%e &ro&ert+
2" 9:N ;imo!a is&ose o$ %er &ro&ert+ uri!' %er li$etime $or t%e
be!e$it o$ t%e &lai!ti$$s
HELD
1" GE;
Reasoning It is !ot a &ri!ci&le aut%ori=e b+ la, t%at %eirs o$ le'al
a'e ma+ !ot ema! t%e ivisio! o$ a real &ro&ert+, le$t t%em b+ t%eir
&reecessor-i!-i!terest a! %el b+ a co%eir, ,it%out $irst i!itiati!'
s&ecial i!testate &roceei!'s uri!' ,%ic% a 6uicial ami!istrator is
to be a&&oi!te, ,%o alo!e is veste ,it% t%e &erso!alit+ to claim t%e
&ro&ert+ t%at belo!'s to t%e successio!" :! t%e co!trar+, suc% %eirs
are e.&ressl+ aut%ori=e to o so, u!less $or t%e reaso! o$ t%ere
bei!' u!&ai ebts, 6uicial i!terve!tio! becomes !ecessar+, ,%ic%
,as !ot alle'e as a s&ecial e$e!se i! t%is suit"
2" N:
Reasoning ;uc% is a questio! o$ $act, ,%ic% ma+ !ot be e!tertai!e
b+ t%e (ourt" T%e trial court %as alrea+ eclare t%e ocume!t
co!ve+i!' &ro&erties to t%e &lai!ti$$s to be $alse" A! eve! t%ou'% t%e
sai i!strume!t ,ere !ot $alse, t%e trial court eclare it to be voi
a! i!e$$ective" T%e alle'e 'i$t ,as i! $act !ull a! voi si!ce t%ere
,as !o acce&ta!ce $rom t%e o!ee"
HERNANDEZ V ANDAL
-8 3%il" 196
T8A2:N; Marc% 29, 19*-
ICE
BA(T;
-T%e &lai!ti$$, (rese!cia ?er!a!e=, t%e i!terve!ors, Maria a!
Aquili!a ?er!a!e=, a! 3ero a! @asilia ?er!a!e= ,%o are !ot
&arties %ere, are brot%er a! sisters" T%e+ acquire i! commo! b+
esce!t $rom t%eir $at%er a &arcel o$ la!" I!terve!ors sol 1844
square meters o$ t%is &arcel, a &ortio! ,%ic% is &articularl+ escribe
i! t%e ee o$ co!ve+a!ce to 2acarias A!al, t%e e$e!a!t, a!
A!al1s ,i$e i! co!sieratio! o$ 3864"
-A$ter t%e sale t%e &lai!ti$$ attem&te to re&urc%ase t%e la! sol to
A!al" A!al, it is alle'e, re$use to &art ,it% t%e &ro&ert+"
(rese!cia ?er!a!e=; t%e &lai!ti$$, ,as t%e o!l+ ,it!ess to testi$+ o!
%er o,! be%al$" ;ubsta!tiall+ s%e reiterate t%e alle'atio!s i! %er t,o
com&lai!ts" 2acarias A!al, t%e e$e!a!t, also testi$ie" ?e sai t%at
%e ,as i! &ossessio! o$ t%e la! i! questio! u!til %e retur!e it to t%e
i!terve!ors" ?e eclare t%at t%e &lai!ti$$ o$$ere to re&urc%ase t%e
la! $rom %im lo!' a$ter %e %a bou'%t it, t%at is ,%e! s%e ,as about
to $ile %er actio!"
<e$e!a!t a! i!terve!ors as7e t%at evie!ce be allo,e to &rove
t%at a &arol &artitio! amo!' t%e $ive brot%er a! sisters %a bee!
mae" (ou!sel $or t%e &lai!ti$$ ob6ecte asserti!' t%at Hu!er t%e
)ules o$ (ourt a'reeme!t a$$ecti!' real estate ma+ !ot be &rove
e.ce&t b+ mea!s o$ ,riti!' subscribe b+ t%e &erso! a'ai!st ,%om
t%e & roo$ is o$$ere"H 8&o! t%is ob6ectio!, t%e court rule t%at u!er
)ules -* a! 12A o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt E;tatute o$ BrausF as ,ell as
u!er article 12*8 o$ t%e (ivil (oe, &arol evie!ce o$ &artitio! ,as
i!amissible, ai!' t%at to ecie t%e case it %a e!ou'% ,it% t%e
testimo!+ a! evie!ce o$$ere b+ t%e &arties"
ISSUE
9:N u!er )ules -* a! 12A o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt E;tatute o$
BrausF as ,ell as u!er article 12*8 o$ t%e (ivil (oe, &arol
evie!ce o$ &artitio! ,as i!amissible
HELD
No"
T%ere is a co!$lict o$ aut%orit+ as to ,%et%er a! a'reeme!t o$
&artitio! is suc% a co!tract as is require to be i! ,riti!' u!er t%e
statute o$ $raus" :!e li!e o$ aut%orities %ols t%e a$$irmative vie,;
ot%er aut%orities sa+ !o" T%e reaso! $or t%e rule t%at e.clues
&artitio! $rom t%e o&eratio! o$ t%e statute o$ $raus is t%at &artitio! is
!ot a co!ve+a!ce but sim&l+ a se&aratio! a! esi'!atio! o$ t%at
&art o$ t%e la! ,%ic% belo!'s to eac% te!a!t i! commo!" T%e
i$$ere!ces i! t%e co!clusio!s reac%e are Hue &er%a&s to varie
&%raseolo'+ o$ t%e statutesH i! t%e several states" ?o,ever t%e case
ma+ be, as e!acte i! t%e 3%ili&&i!es, $irst i! sectio! AA0 o$ t%e
$ormer (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure, a! !o, i! )ule 12A, sectio! 21, o$
t%e )ules o$ (ourt, t%e la, %as bee! u!i$orml+ i!ter&rete i! a lo!'
li!e o$ cases to be a&&licable to e.ecutor+ a! !ot to com&lete or
e.ecute co!tracts" I! t%is 6urisictio! &er$orma!ce o$ t%e co!tract
ta7es it out o$ t%e o&eratio! o$ t%e statute" T%e statute o$ $raus oes
!ot eclare t%e co!tracts t%erei! e!umerate voi a! o$ !o le'al
e$$ect, but o!l+ ma7es i!e$$ective t%e actio! $or s&eci$ic &er$orma!ce"
EAlmirol a! (ariIo vs" Mo!serrat, su&ra"F
:! 'e!eral &ri!ci&le, i!e&e!e!t a! i! s&ite o$ t%e statute o$
$raus, courts o$ equit+ %ave e!$orce oral &artitio! ,%e! it %as bee!
com&letel+ or &artl+ &er$orme"
H)e'arless o$ ,%et%er a &arol &artitio! or a'reeme!t to &artitio! is
vali a! e!$orceable at la,, equit+ ,ill i! &ro&er cases, ,%ere t%e
&arol &artitio! %as actuall+ bee! co!summate b+ t%e ta7i!' o$
&ossessio! i! severalt+ a! t%e e.ercise o$ o,!ers%i& b+ t%e &arties
o$ t%e res&ective &ortio!s set o$$ to eac%, reco'!i=e a! e!$orce suc%
&arol &artitio! a! t%e ri'%ts o$ t%e &arties t%ereu!er" T%us, it %as
bee! %eJ or state i! a !umber o$ cases i!volvi!' a! oral &artitio!
u!er ,%ic% t%e &arties ,e!t i!to &ossessio!, e.ercise acts o$
o,!ers%i&, or ot%er,ise &artl+ &er$orme t%e &artitio! a'reeme!t,
t%at equit+ ,ill co!$irm suc% &artitio! a! i! a &ro&er case ecree title
i! accora!ce ,it% t%e &ossessio! i! severalt+"
HI! !umerous cases it %as bee! %el or state t%at &arol &artitio!s
ma+ be sustai!e o! t%e 'rou! o$ esto&&el o$ t%e &arties to assert
t%e ri'%ts o$ a te!a!t i! commo! as to &arts o$ la! ivie b+ &arol
&artitio! as to ,%ic% &ossessio! i! severalt+ ,as ta7e! a! acts o$
i!iviual o,!ers%i& ,ere e.ercise" A! a court o$ equit+ ,ill
reco'!i=e t%e a'reeme!t a! ecree it to be vali a! e$$ectual $or
t%e &ur&ose o$ co!clui!' t%e ri'%t o$ t%e &arties as bet,ee! eac%
ot%er to %ol t%eir res&ective &arts i! severalt+"
HA &arol &artitio! ma+ also be sustai!e o! t%e 'rou! t%at t%e
&arties t%ereto %ave acquiesce i! a! rati$ie t%e &artitio! b+ ta7i!'
&ossessio! i! severalt+, e.ercisi!' acts o$ o,!ers%i& ,it% res&ect
t%ereto, or ot%er,ise reco'!i=i!' t%e e.iste!ce o$ t%e &artitio!"
HA !umber o$ cases %ave s&eci$icall+ a&&lie t%e octri!e o$ &art
&er$orma!ce, or %ave state t%at a &art &er$orma!ce is !ecessar+, to
ta7e a &arol &artitio! out o$ t%e o&eratio! o$ t%e statute o$ $raus" It
%as bee! %el t%at ,%ere t%ere ,as a &artitio! i! $act bet,ee!
te!a!ts i! commo!, a! a &art &er$orma!ce, a court o$ equit+ ,oul
%ave re'ar to a! e!$orce suc% &artitio! a'ree to b+ t%e &arties"H
E*4 Amer" 5ur", 10-18"F
It is o! t%e e$$ects o$ rule -*, sectio! 1, o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt o! a
&arol &artitio!, t%at t%ere are s%ar& iver'e!ces o$ o&i!io! amo!' t%e
members o$ t%is (ourt" T%is sectio! reas>
2
HI$ t%e ecee!t le$t !o ebts a! t%e %eirs a! le'atees are all o$
a'e, or t%e mi!ors are re&rese!te b+ t%eir 6uicial 'uaria!s, t%e
&arties ma+, ,it%out securi!' letters o$ ami!istratio!, ivie t%e
estate amo!' t%emselves as t%e+ see $it b+ mea!s o$ a &ublic
i!strume!t $ile i! t%e o$$ice o$ t%e re'ister o$ ees, a! s%oul t%e+
isa'ree, t%e+ ma+ o so i! a! ori!ar+ actio! o$ &artitio!" I$ t%ere is
o!l+ o!e %eir or o!e le'atee, %e ma+ a6uicate to %imsel$ t%e e!tire
estate b+ mea!s o$ a! a$$iavit $ile i! t%e o$$ice o$ t%e re'ister o$
ees" It s%all be &resume t%at t%e ecee!t le$t !o ebts i$ !o
creitor $iles a &etitio! $or letters o$ ami!istratio! ,it%i! t,o +ears
a$ter t%e eat% o$ t%e ecee!t"H
It is co!te!e t%at u!er t%is rule a verbal &artitio! is e!tirel+ voi
a! ca!!ot be valiate b+ a!+ acts o$ t%e &arties s%ort o$ t%e
e.ecutio! o$ a &ublic ocume!t a! its re'istratio!"
As a 'e!eral &ro&ositio!, tra!sactio!s, so $ar as t%e a$$ect t%e
&arties, are require to be reuce to ,riti!' eit%er as a co!itio! o$
6ural valiit+ or as a mea!s o$ &rovii!' evie!ce to &rove t%e
tra!sactio!s" 9ritte! $orm e.acte b+ t%e statute o$ $raus, $or
e.am&le, His $or evie!tial &ur&oses o!l+"H E<omala'a! vs" @oli$er, AA
3%il", 1-1"F T%e ecisio!s o$ t%is (ourt ,%ic% ,e %ave !otice ,ere
&reicate o! t%is assum&tio!" T%e (ivil (oe, too requires t%e
accom&lis%me!t o$ acts or co!tracts i! a &ublic i!strume!t, !ot i!
orer to valiate t%e act or co!tract but o!l+ to i!sure its e$$icac+ so
t%at a$ter t%e e.iste!ce o$ t%e acts or co!tracts %as bee! amitte,
t%e &art+ bou! ma+ be com&elle to e.ecute t%e ocume!t
E?a,aiia! 3%ili&&i!e (o" vs" ?er!ae=, *0 3%il", -*6"F
Is sectio! 1 o$ )ule -* co!stitutive a! !ot merel+ evie!tial or
&artitio!K I! ot%er ,ors, is ,riti!' t%e t%at co!$ers le'al valiit+ u&o!
t%e a'reeme!tK T%ere !o i!icatio!s i! t%e &%raseolo'+ o$ t%is rule
,%ic% 6usti$+ a! a$$irmative a!s,er to t%ese questio!s" It must be
!ote t%at ,%ere t%e la, i!te!s a ,riti!' or ot%er $ormalit+ be t%e
esse!tial requisite to t%e valiit+ o$ t%e tra!sactio!, it sa+s so i! clear
a! !equivocal terms" T%us, t%e statute o$ $raus as ori'i!all+
e!acte i! E!'la! a! as e!acte i! some o$ t%e states, uses t%e
,ors Hutterl+ voiH ,it% re$ere!ce to certai! tra!sactio!s" 8!er t%e
terms o$ suc% state tra!sactio!s require to be i! ,riti!' are
absolutel+ voi a! !ot merel+ voiable i$ !ot mae i! t%e ma!!er
i!icate" A'ai! article 6AA o$ t%e (ivil (oe sa+s t%at o!atio! ma+
be vali o!l+ ,%e! mae i! a &ublic ocume!t" Article 1*6 o$ t%e
Mort'a'e La, ma7es 7!o,! its i!te!tio! to %ave t%e e.ecutio! o$ a
&ublic i!strume!t a! its re'istratio! i! t%e re'istr+ i!is&e!sable to
t%e valiit+ o$ t%e co!tract b+ usi!' t%is &%rase> H i! orer t%at
volu!tar+ mort'a'es ma+ be le'all+ create i! a vali ma!!er"H
Article 1-60 o$ t%e (ivil (oe also em&lo+s $or t%e same &ur&ose
similar e.&ressio! ,it% re$ere!ce to t%e e.ecutio! o$ a &ublic
ocume!t> Hi! orer t%at mort'a'e ma+ be valil+ co!stitute"H A!
,it% res&ect to t%e $ormalities o$ last ,ills a! testame!ts, sectio!
618 o$ Act No" 194 ma7es t%is em&%atic stateme!t> HNo ,ill s%all be
vali to &ass u&o! a!+ estate real or &erso!al !or c%ar'e or a$$ect
t%e same, u!less it be ,ritte! etc"H :t%er e.am&les mi'%t be
me!tio!e"
;ectio! 1 o$ )ule -* co!tai!s !o suc% e.&ress or clear eclaratio!
t%at t%e require &ublic i!strume!t is to be co!stitutive o$ a co!tract
o$ &artitio! or a! i!%ere!t eleme!t o$ its e$$ective!ess as bet,ee! t%e
&arties" A! t%is (ourt %a !o a&&are!t reaso!, i! ao&ti!' t%is rule,
to ma7e t%e e$$icac+ o$ a &artitio! as bet,ee! t%e &arties e&e!e!t
o! t%e e.ecutio! o$ a &ublic i!strume!t a! its re'istratio!" :! t%e
ot%er %a!, t%e o&&osite t%eor+ is !ot ,it%out reaso!able su&&ort"
9e ca! t%i!7 o$ &ossible $actors a'ai!st t%e &ro&ositio! t%at a &ublic
ocume!t a! its re'istratio! ,ere co!tem&late as !ecessar+
i!'reie!ts to 'ive li$e to a co!tract o$ &artitio! so t%at ,it%out t%em
!o oral &artitio! ca! bi! t%e &arties"
1" I! t%e $irst &lace, t%e )ules o$ (ourt o$ ,%ic% t%e rule u!er
co!sieratio! $orms a &art ,ere &romul'ate b+ t%e 5uicial
<e&artme!t u!er aut%orit+ to eal ,it% matters o$ &roceure
e.clusivel+" Bor t%is court to &rescribe ,%at is to be a bi!i!'
a'reeme!t bet,ee! co%eirs i! t%e settleme!t o$ t%eir &rivate a$$airs
,%ic% i! !o ,a+ a$$ect t%e ri'%ts o$ t%ir &arties ,oul be to
tra!sce! its rule-ma7i!' &o,er" 9e bri!' out t%is limitatio! u&o! t%e
aut%orit+ o$ t%is court to ma7e rules, as a! ai to i!ter&retatio!, as a
met%o o$ arrivi!' at t%e co!clusio! t%at sectio! 1 o$ )ule -* ,as
mea!t to be remeial a! !ot a rule o$ substa!tive la, o$ $ar-
reac%i!' im&orta!ce a! serious 6uriical a! &ractical im&licatio!s"
It is to be &resume t%at t%e $ramers o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt reali=e
t%e bou!s o$ t%is court1s $u!ctio!s a! i !ot i!te! to tres&ass o!
&urel+ substa!tive ri'%ts o$ t%e &arties to t%e &artitio!" To t%e e.te!t
t%e e.ecutio! a! re'istratio! o$ a !otari=e i!strume!t are mae
esse!tial eleme!ts to valiit+ to &rotect i!!oce!t t%ir &arties, t%e rule
is le'itimate a! !ecessar+; le'itimate because ecee!ts1 estates
are &lace u!er t%e 6urisictio! o$ t%e courts to ami!ister a!
istribute" T%e i!terests o$ to &arties elimi!ate, t%e rule loses its
c%aracter as o!e o$ &roceure a! &ractice a! i!vaes t%e realm o$
substa!tive la,"
;ectio! 096 o$ Act No" 194, ,%ic% is t%e &recursor o$ sectio! 1 o$
)ule -*, is e!li'%te!i!' a! i!structive" T%e $ormer a$ter stati!' t%at
%eirs ma+ a&&ortio! a! ivie t%e estate amo!' t%emselves as
t%e+ ma+ see $it b+ a'reeme!t ul+ e.ecute i! ,riti!' b+ all o$ t%em,
as t%e ,ors Ha! !ot ot%er,ise"H T%ese ,ors, i! our o&i!io!,
,ere e.&ressive o$ a! i!te!tio! to ma7e t%e ,ritte! $ormalit+ i!%ere!t
eleme!t o$ t%e valiit+ o$ a &arol &artitio!" @ut ,%at is $ar, more to t%e
&oi!t is t%at b+ lo'ical &rocess o$ euctio! t%e elimi!atio! $rom t%e
!e, rule o$ t%e ,ors Ha! !ot ot%er,iseH im&orts t%e casti!' a,a+
$rom t%e &rescribe &ublic ocume!t o$ its 6ural c%aracter ,%ic% t%e
ocume!t e!6o+e i! t%e $ormer coe" At t%e same time, t%e i!clusio!
o$ t%e a$oresai ,ors i! t%e ol &rovisio! series to em&%asi=e t%e
!ecessit+ o$ &ositive a! clear la!'ua'e i$ a 'ive! co!tractual
$ormalit+ is to be t%e e.clusive basis o$ t%e co!tract1s bi!i!' e$$ect
o! t%e &arties" It is o$ course u!!ecessar+ to sa+ t%at t%e attac%i!' o$
6ural c%aracter to t%e &rescribe &ublic i!strume!t i! sectio! 096 o$
Act No" 194 is !o ar'ume!t $or co!te!i!' t%at suc% ocume!t must
be clot%e ,it% t%e same raime!t i! t%e !e, )ules" Act No" 194 ,as
a mi.ture o$ &roceural a! substa!tive &rovisio!s, %avi!' bee!
e!acte b+ t%e le'islative bo+ itsel$ ,%ic%, u!li7e t%is court, ,as
u!%am&ere a! u!trammelle, e.ce&t b+ t%e $u!ame!tal la,, i!
t%e c%oice o$ its sub6ects o$ le'islatio!"
2" T%e civil la, loo7s u&o! t%e role o$ &ublic i!strume!ts ill acts a!
co!tracts ,it% 'reater liberalit+ ,it% a vie, to better aa&tatio! to
%uma! $railties a! iios+!crasies" I! t%eir bli! $ait% i! $rie!s a!
relatives, i! t%eir lac7 o$ e.&erie!ce a! $oresi'%t, a! i! t%eir
i'!ora!ce, me!, i! s&ite o$ la,s, ,ill ma7e a! co!ti!ue to ma7e
verbal co!tracts" T%e ava!ta'es o$ a! air-ti'%t &olic+ co!cer!i!'
suc% co!tracts $all $ar s%ort o$ com&e!sati!' $or t%e resulti!'
ama'e, i!6ustice, i!co!ve!ie!ces a! co!$usio!" ;o eve! t%ou'%
articles 12-8, 12-9 a! 1284 o$ t%e (ivil (oe %ave mae &rovisio!
$or &ublic i!strume!t $or all tra!sactio! a! co!tracts ,%ose ob6ect is
t%e creatio!, moi$icatio! or e.ti!ctio! o$ real ri'%ts i! immovables, it
%as bee! reco'!i=e a! %el t%at verbal co!tracts ma+ be e$$ective
bet,ee! t%e &arties" A leai!' case o! t%is sub6ect is Tu!'a (%ui vs"
Lue @e!tec E2 3%il", 061F, Mr" 5ustice 9illar ,riti!' t%e ecisio!" It
,as sai i! t%at case t%at ,%e! t%e esse!tial requisites $or t%e
e.iste!ce o$ a co!tract are &rese!t, t%e co!tract is bi!i!' u&o! t%e
&arties, a!, alt%ou'% require to be i! ,riti!' b+ article 1284 o$ t%e
(ivil (oe, t%e &lai!ti$$ ca! mai!tai! a! actio! o! t%e verbal
a'reeme!t ,it%out $irst bri!'i!' a! actio! u!er article 12-9 to
com&el t%e e.ecutio! o$ a ,ritte! i!strume!t" It sa+s t%at Harticle
12-9 oes !ot im&ose a! obli'atio!, but co!$ers a &rivile'e u&o!
bot% co!tracti!' &arties, a! t%e $act t%at t%e &lai!ti$$ %as !ot mae
use o$ same oes !ot bar %is actio!"H It $urt%er sa+s t%at article 12-9,
$ar $rom ma7i!' t%e e!$orceabilit+ o$ t%e co!tract e&e!e!t u&o!
a!+ s&ecial i!tri!sic $orm, reco'!i=e its e!$orceabilit+ b+ t%e mere
act o$ 'ra!ti!' t%e co!tracti!' &arties a! aequate reme+ ,%ereb+
to com&el t%e e.ecutio! o$ &ublic ,riti!' or a!+ ot%er s&ecial $orm
,%e!ever suc% $orm is !ecessar+ i! orer t%at co!tract ma+ &rouce
t%e e$$ect ,%ic% is esire accori!' to ,%atever its ob6ect" T%is
octri!e ,as iterate a! reiterate i! a series o$ ecisio!s &er%a&s
lo!'er t%a! t%at o! a!+ ot%er le'al to&ic" A! it %as bee! e.te!e
eve! to verbal co! tracts i!volvi!' la! re'istere u!er t%e Torre!s
Act" <o t%e )ules o$ (ourt a%ere to t%is salutar+ &ri!ci&leK 9e ca!
&erceive !o su$$icie!t 'rou! $or t%e !e, )ules to e&art $rom it" No
co!sieratio!s o$ &ublic &olic+ e!ter i!to a &artitio! o$ %ereitar+
estate amo!' co%eirs 'reater t%a! t%ose i!volve i! a co!tract
bet,ee! stra!'ers ,%ic% o&erates to create, tra!smit, moi$+ or
e.ti!'uis% &ro&ert+ ri'%ts i! la!" I$ is bet,ee! stra!'ers t%e
creatio!, tra!smissio!, moi$icatio! or e.ti!ctio! o$ real ri'%ts ma+ be
la,$ull+ e$$ecte b+ &arol a'reeme!t !ot,it%sta!i!' t%e requireme!t
t%at it be &ut i! ,riti!', t%e !e, rule coul !ot be more i!tra!si'e!t
,%e! t%e tra!sactio! is bet,ee! co-%eirs a! t%ere is !o c%a!'e o$
o,!ers%i& but sim&l+ esi'!atio! a! se're'atio! o$ t%at &art ,%ic%
belo!'s to eac% %eir"
T%e requireme!t t%at a &artitio! be &ut i! a &ublic ocume!t a!
re'istere %as, i! our o&i!io!, $or its &ur&ose t%e &rotectio! o$
creitors a! at t%e same time t%e &rotectio! o$ t%e %eirs t%emselves
a'ai!st tar+ claims" Note t%at t%e last se!te!ce o$ t%e sectio!
s&ea7s o$ ebts a! creitors" T%e ob6ect o$ re'istratio! is to serve
as co!structive !otice, a! t%is mea!s !otice to ot%ers" It must $ollo,
t%at t%e i!tri!sic valiit+ o$ &artitio! !ot e.ecute ,it% t%e &rescribe
$ormalities oes !ot come i!to &la+ ,%e!, as i! t%is case, t%ere are
!o creitors or t%e ri'%ts o$ creitors are !ot a$$ecte" No ri'%ts o$
creitors bei!' i!volve, it is com&ete!t $or t%e %eirs o$ a! estate to
e!ter a! a'reeme!t $or istributio! i! a ma!!er a! u&o! a &la!
i$$ere!t $rom t%ose &rovie b+ la,"
Dis!si"i!# )everse a! rema!e
3
MENDIOLA V MENDIOLA
- 3?IL -1
9ILLA)<; November 2-, 1946
REAN
NATURE
A&&eal $rom (BI ecisio!
FACTS
- Maria!o Lamberto ie i! Tacloba! leavi!' survivi!' %im %is ,io,,
t%e e$e!a!t a! a&&ella!t (lauia Me!iola, a! %is mot%er,
;ilveria, as %is o!l+ %eirs" I! %is ,ill, le$t 2DA o$ %is estate to %is
mot%er a! a! i!terest i! t%e ot%er t%ir to 5usti!ia!o Me!iola, %is
ste&so!, t%e so! o$ (lauia" /olu!tar+ &roceei!'s ,ere
comme!ce i! (BI o$ Le+te $or a settleme!t o$ t%e estate"
- 3e!i!' suc% &roceei!'s, (lauia, t%e mot%er, ;ilveria, a!
5usti!ia!o, t%e ste&so!, mae a! a'reeme!t ,%ic% a&&ears i! a
!otarial ocume!t b+ ,%ic% t%e+ aba!o!e t%e &roceei!' i! t%e
(BI, settle t%e estate a! ivie t%e &ro&ert+ amo!' t%emselves"
@+ t%e terms o$ t%is a'reeme!t, (lauia too7 &ossessio! o$ all t%e
&ro&ert+, a'reei!' to &a+ t%e ebts, a! a'ree, to, a! i, &a+
;ilveria Mele!res, a! 5usti!ia!o"
- Nearl+ 10 +ears a$ter t%is settleme!t, 5usti!ia!o a! 5ulia!a
Lamberto, au'%ter o$ ;ilveria, &rese!te a &etitio! to (BI o$ Le+te
as7i!' t%at t%e ,ill o$ Maria!o Lamberto be &rove a! allo,e a!
t%at a! ami!istrator be a&&oi!te to ami!ister t%e estate o$ t%e
ecease"
- (lauia Me!iola a&&eare a! o&&ose t%e &robate o$ t%e ,ill o!
t%e 'rou! t%at t%e estate %a bee! com&letel+ settle a! a
&artitio! o$ t%e &ro&ert+ belo!'i!' t%ereto %a bee! mae $i$tee!
+ears be$ore" T%e court belo, 'ra!te t%e &ra+er o$ t%e &etitio! a!
a&&oi!te i! ami!istrator" Brom t%is orer (lauia Me!iola %as
a&&eale"
ISSUE
9:N t%e e.tra6uicial settleme!t b+ a'reeme!t or t%e &artitio!
a'ree u&o! s%oul be u&%el
HELD
GE;
Ratio 9%ere t%e &arties i! $act si'!e a! a'reeme!t o$ &artitio! ,as
i! t%e $act mae i! accora!ce ,it% t%at a'reeme!t, all &roceei!'s
i! court $or t%e settleme!t o$ t%e estate o$ t%e ecease &erso! ,ere
e!e" T%e ri'%ts o$ t%e &arties to t%e &ro&ert+ i!volve coul !o
lo!'er be iscusse !or etermi!e i! t%at &roceei!'" I$ it ,ere
claime t%at t%e &artitio! ,as brou'%t about b+ $rau or t%at it ,as
voi $or a!+ ot%er reaso!, suc% claims !ecessaril+ %a to be
&rese!te i! a! ori!ar+ actio! brou'%t $or t%e &ur&ose o$ setti!'
asie t%e &artitio!"
Reasoning (ourt %ols t%at ,%ere &rior to t%e ao&tio! o$ t%e
&rese!t (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure a co!tract o$ &artitio! %as i! $act
bee! mae b+ all t%e &erso!s i!tereste i! t%e estate o$ a ecease
&erso!, suc% &erso!s i!tereste bei!' o$ $ull a'e a! ca&acit+ to
co!tract, !o $urt%er &roceei!'s ca! be %a $or t%e 6uicial settleme!t
a! ami!istratio! o$ t%at &ro&ert+ u!til t%e co!tract o$ &artitio! %as
bee! set asie i! a! ori!ar+ actio! brou'%t $or t%e &ur&ose, a! t%at
i! t%is case, ,%e! it ,as mae to a&&ear to t%e court belo, t%at suc%
a co!tract o$ &artitio! %a i! $act bee! si'!e b+ t%e &etitio!ers o$
t%eir 'ra!tors, t%e court s%oul %ave ismisse t%e &etitio!"
Dis!si"i!# T%e 6u'me!t o$ t%e court belo, is reverse a! t%e
case rema!e to t%at court ,it% i!structio!s to ismiss t%e &etitio!,
,it% costs to t%e a&&ella!t, (lauia Me!iola
INTESTATE ESTATE OF MIGUEL GUZMAN.
RAFAELA GUZMAN V JUAN $#% REINALDO ANOG
A- 3?IL 61
(A);:N; :ct 26, 191-
&AUZA
FACTS
-;ec" 09- o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure as ame!e b+ Act No"
2AA1 &rovies $or t%e summar+ settleme!t o$ estates o$ ecease
&erso!s !ot e.ceei!' 3A,444 i! value"
-It is alle'e t%at 2 &arcels o$ la! belo!' to t%e estate o$ ecease"
2 o$ eceaseCs so!s e!+ t%is, %avi!' bee! i! &ossessio! $or ma!+
+ears a! claimi!' to be t%e absolute o,!ers, !ot b+ a!+ ri'%t o$
i!%erita!ce $rom ecease, ,%o !ever ,as i! &ossessio! a! !ever
%a a!+ title to t%e la! i! questio!"
- T%e trial 6u'e &roceee summaril+ to etermi!e title to t%e la!
a! to &rovie $or its istributio! amo!' t%e various %eirs o$ t%e
ecease, over t%e ob6ectio!s o$ claima!ts i! &ossessio!"
ISSUES
9:N t%e trial 6u'e erre
HELD
GE;"
Ratio
Reasoning 9%e! questio!s arise as to o,!ers%i& o$ &ro&ert+,
alle'e to be &art o$ t%e estate o$ a ecease &erso!, but claime b+
some ot%er &erso! to be %is &ro&ert+, !ot b+ virtue o$ a!+ ri'%t o$
i!%erita!ce $rom t%e ecease, but b+ title averse to t%at o$ t%e
ecease a! %is estate, suc% questio!s ca!!ot be etermi!e i!
t%e course o$ ami!istratio! &roceei!'s" T%e (BI, acti!' as &robate
court, %as !o 6urisictio! to a6uicate suc% co!te!tio!s, ,%ic% must
be submitte to t%e court i! t%e e.ercise o$ its 'e!eral 6urisictio! to
tr+ a! etermi!e t%e ori!ar+ actio!s me!tio!e i! t%e (oe o$ (ivil
3roceure"
T%e rules o! summar+ settleme!t o$ estates o$ small value, co!$ers
!o suc% 6urisictio!" It is clear t%at t%ere is eve! less 6usti$icatio! $or
a! attem&t to e.ercise suc% 6urisictio! i! summar+ &roceei!'s t%a!
i! re'ular ami!istratio! &roceei!'s"
Disposition 9e co!clue t%at t%e 6u'me!t e!tere i! t%e court
belo, s%oul be reverse, a! it a&&eari!' $rom t%e &etitio! a! t%e
&leai!'s $ile i! t%e court belo, t%at t%e o!l+ &ro&ert+ sou'%t to be
istribute i! t%ese &roceei!'s is t%e real estate claime b+ t%e
a&&ella!ts, a! it a&&eari!' $urt%er, t%at &etitio!er1s ecee!t ie i!
t%e +ear 1899, ,e are o$ o&i!io! t%at t%e &etitio! s%oul be
ismisse, ,it%out costs i! t%is i!sta!ce, t%e costs i! $irst i!sta!ce to
be a'ai!st t%e &etitio!er" ;o orere"
VDA. DE FRANCISCO v. CARREON
90 3?IL 2A-
@EN#2:N; 5u!e 28, 190*
RIC'(
FACTS
- I! 19*-, )osa Ala!a Bra!cisco &etitio!e t%e (BI o$ )i=al to settle
t%e estate o$ %er %usba! 5ose M" Bra!cisco co!sisti!' o$ a %ouse
a! lot" ;%e ,as a&&oi!te 'uaria! a litem o$ %er t%ree mi!or
c%ilre!" :!e-%al$ u!ivie s%are ,as a6uicate to )osa, a! t%e
ot%er %al$ i! equal &arts to t%e c%ilre!" T%e orer ,as re'istere i!
t%e o$$ice o$ t%e )e'ister o$ <ees, ,%o issue a !e, certi$icate o$
title i! t%e !ames a! i! t%e &ro&ortio! state"
- I! 19*8, )osa mort'a'e %er s%are o$ t%e realt+ to t%e (arreo!
sisters $or 31A,444" I! 1904 s%e sol to t%e (arreo! sisters %er
i!terest i! t%e la!" T%e mort'a'e a! t%e sale ,ere bot% i!scribe i!
t%e o$$ice o$ t%e )e'ister o$ <ees"
- ?o,ever, i! a motio! o$ Marc% 1*, 1904, Tiburcia Ma'sali! /a" e
Bra!cisco, mot%er o$ t%e ecease 5ose Bra!cisco, i! re&rese!tatio!
o$ t%e mi!or 5ose Bra!cisco + 3alum&o!, seve!tee!, averre t%at
t%is mi!or ,as a reco'!i=e !atural so! o$ t%e ecease, ,it% le'al
ri'%t to &artici&ate i! %is estate, t%at t%e &revious &roceei!'s ,ere
voi because )osa Bra!cisco %a co!ceale suc% $act, a! because
s%e %a i!terests i! co!$lict ,it% t%ose o$ %er A so!s, a! t%at t%e
la! ,as &rivate Ee.clusiveKF &ro&ert+ o$ 5ose Bra!cisco o$ ,%ic%
s%e coul !ot %ave bee! a,are a &ortio!" Tiburcia &ra+e $or %er
a&&oi!tme!t as 'uaria! a litem o$ t%e * c%ilre!; a eclaratio! t%at
5ose Bra!cisco + 3alum&o! ,as a reco'!i=e !atural c%il o$ t%e
ecease ,it% t%e ri'%t to i!%erit; a!!ulme!t o$ t%e &revious
a6uicatio! Et%e ,io, bei!' e!title to usu$ruct o!l+F; a!
a!!ulme!t o$ t%e mort'a'e a! sale i! $avor o$ t%e (arreo! sisters"
- 9%e! t%e motio! to a!!ul or reo&e! ,as calle $or %eari!', Macaria
3alum&o! requeste i! o&e! court t%e ismissal, ,it%out &re6uice,
o$ 5ose Bra!cisco + 3alum&o!1s ema! $or reco'!itio!" ?er request
,as 'ra!te; but t%e court a!!ou!ce t%at t%e A mi!or c%ilre!1s
&etitio! $or reo&e!i!' o$ t%e orer a6uicati!' o!e-%al$ to )osa
Bra!cisco, ,it% all co!seque!t e$$ects u&o! t%e mort'a'e a! sale,
,ill be ta7e! u& later"
- Tiburcia, submitte a! Hame!e motio!H ,%erei! s%e mae
&racticall+ t%e same alle'atio!s a! &ra+e $or ie!tical remeies M
e.ce&t t%ose touc%i!' t%e reco'!itio! o$ 5ose Bra!cisco + 3alum&o!"
:verruli!' ob6ectio!s, t%e court amitte t%e ame!e motio!, a!
re!ere 6u'me!t %oli!' t%e realt+ ,as &rivate &ro&ert+ o$ t%e
ecease 5ose Bra!cisco, ,%o %a acquire it * +ears be$ore %is
marria'e to )osa Ala!a a! %el t%at t%e ,%ole &ro&ert+ &asse to
t%e A le'itimate c%ilre! o$ t%e ecease, sub6ect to usu$ructuar+
ri'%ts o$ t%e ,io," It a!!ulle t%e mort'a'e a! t%e sale i! $avor o$
4
t%e (arreo! sisters, a! issue i!structio!s to t%e )e'ister o$ <ees"
T%e (arreo! sisters a&&eale"
ISSUES
1" 9:N t%e lo,er court erre i! co!ti!ui!' to %ear t%e motio! $or
reo&e!i!', eve! a$ter t%e !atural c%il %a ,it%ra,! $rom t%e
liti'atio!"
2" 9:N t%e lo,er court erre i! ta7i!' co'!i=a!ce o$ t%e a!!ulme!t
o$ t%e mort'a'e a! sale, ,%ic% it coul !ot valil+ co!sier as a
&robate court"
HELD
1" N:"
Ratio 9%ere t%e title o! its $ace s%o,s t%at it ,as sub6ect to t%e
&rovisio!s o$ )ule -*, ;ec *, a t%ir &erso! ,%o acce&ts it must ta7e
!otice t%at %e is ru!!i!' t%e ris7 o$ i!ter$eri!' ,it% t%e ri'%ts o$
mi!ors as &rovie u!er ;ec 0, )ule -*"
Reasoning I! %er motio!, Tiburcia as7e $or a&&oi!tme!t as
'uaria! a litem $or t%e !atural c%il a! $or t%e A le'itimate
c%ilre!" ;%e as7e $or remeial measures be!e$icial to t%e *
c%ilre!" ?e!ce, t%e motio! ma+ be re'are as i!ter&ose o! be%al$
o$ t%e sai * c%ilre! M !ot o!l+ a motio! o$ t%e !atural c%il" At a!+
rate H&arties ma+ be ro&&e or ae b+ orer o$ t%e court o!
motio! o$ a!+ &art+ or o$ its o,! i!itiatives at a!+ sta'e o$ t%e actio!
a! o! suc% terms as are 6ustH"
- Eve! i$ t%e ori'i!al motio! i !ot a$$or le'al sta!i!' to t%e A
le'itimate c%ilre!, a! t%at it coul !ot be ame!e, t%ere is !o
reaso! to &reve!t t%e lo,er court $rom co!sieri!' suc% ame!e
motio! as a !e, a! i!e&e!e!t &etitio! $ile o! be%al$ o$ t%e A
mi!or c%ilre!" T%e matter o$ time mi'%t be material i! re'ar to
co!sieri!' t%e Hame!eH motio! as Hori'i!alH motio!; but i! t%is
case it is immaterial because u!er ;ec 0 o$ )ule -* suc% motio!
ma+ be lo'e ,it% t%e court ,it%i! o!e +ear a$ter t%e mi!ors %ave
reac%e ma6orit+; a! t%e+ are still mi!ors"
- T%e (arreo!s com&lai! t%at t%e+ t%ou'%t suc% &etitio! $or
rea6ustme!t or reo&e!i!' coul ta7e &lace o!l+ ,it%i! 2 +ears as
&rescribe b+ ;ec * o$ )ule -* a! as a!!otate i! t%e certi$icate o$
title" ?o,ever, t%e+ are co!clusivel+ &resume to 7!o, t%e e.iste!ce
a! &rovisio!s o$ ;ec 0, )ule -*" T%e+ acce&te t%e mort'a'e ,it%
t%e e!cumbra!ce a!!otate; a! ,%ile it re$erre to )ule -*, ;ec *,
a! i !ot s&eci$icall+ me!tio! ;ec 0, t%e $act t%at ;ec *, )ule -*
,as !ote s%oul %ave bee! su$$icie!t ,ar!i!' t%at t%e title ,as
sub6ect to t%e i!terest o$ &erso!s u!ul+ &re6uice"
2" N:"
Reasoning ;everal ecisio!s %ol t%at i$ uri!' t%e summar+
&roceei!' some o$ t%e %eirs claim, b+ title averse to t%at o$ t%e
ecee!t, some &arcels o$ la!, t%e &robate court %as !o 6urisictio!
to &ass u&o! t%e issue ,%ic% must be ecie i! a se&arate suit" I!
t%is case %o,ever, t%ere is !o questio! t%at t%e realt+ belo!'e to
t%e ecee!t; a! a se&arate suit ,as u!!ecessar+, s&eciall+
rememberi!' t%at i! t%ese summar+ settleme!ts t%e 6u'e is
e.&ecte to H&rocee summaril+H a! H,it%out ela+H Hto etermi!e
,%o are t%e &erso!s le'all+ e!title to &artici&ate i! t%e estate, a!
to a&&ortio! a! ivie it amo!' t%em"H
- T%e (arreo!s 7!e, or ou'%t to 7!o, t%e rule &ermitti!'
rea&&ortio!me!t eve! a$ter t,o +ears" A! ;ec *, )ule -* E,%ic%
must be eeme e.te!sible to situatio!s covere b+ ;ec 0, )ule -*F
e.&ressl+ aut%ori=es t%e court to 'ive to ever+ %eir %is la,$ul
&artici&atio! i! t%e real estate H!ot,it%sta!i!' a!+ tra!s$ers o$ suc%
real estateH a! to Hissue e.ecutio!H t%ereo!" All t%is im&lies t%at,
,%e! ,it%i! t%e ame!ator+ &erio t%e realt+ %as bee! alie!ate, t%e
court i! re-ivii!' it amo!' t%e %eirs %as aut%orit+ to irect
ca!cellatio! o$ suc% alie!atio! i! t%e same estate &roceei!'s,
,%e!ever it becomes !ecessar+ to o so" To require t%e i!stitutio! o$
a se&arate actio! $or suc% a!!ulme!t ,oul ru! cou!ter to t%e letter
o$ t%e above rule a! t%e s&irit o$ t%ese summar+ settleme!ts"
Disposition :rer ABBI)ME<"
JEREZ v NIETES
A4 ;()A 94*
BE)NAN<:; <ecember 2-, 1969
JOE(
FACTS
- :ct" A, 1964> Nicolas 5ala!o!i ie"
- :ct" 2-, 1964> A s&ecial &roceei!' $or t%e settleme!t o$ %is estate
,as $ile be$ore 5u'e Nietes, ,%ere &etitio!er Lucrecia 5ere=, %is
,io,, ,as a&&oi!te as ami!istratri."
- 5u!e 1*, 1966> &ro6ect o$ &artitio! a! $i!al accou!ti!' ,as
submitte
- 5u!e 10, 1966> 5u'e Nietes 'ave a! orer a&&rovi!' t%e &artitio!"
- 5u!e 29, 1966> res&o!e!t Lucilo 5ala!o!i, alle'i!' t%at %e is a!
ac7!o,le'e !atural c%il o$ t%e ecease, a! res&o!e!t /ictoria
5ala!o!i e #orriceta, alle'i!' t%at s%e is a! ille'itimate au'%ter,
sou'%t to be allo,e to i!terve!e o! t%e 'rou! t%at t%e+ ,ere
&reterite i! t%e &ro6ect o$ &artitio! ,%ic% t%e+ ,oul %ave
res&o!e!t 5u'e re6ect $or bei!' co!trar+ to la,"
- 5ul+ 8, 1966> 5u'e 'ave a! orer allo,i!' i!terve!tio! a!
reo&e!i!' t%e &roceei!'s to &ermit t%e mova!ts Hto &rese!t
,%atever evie!ce t%e+ ma+ %ave to s%o, t%eir ri'%t to &artici&ate i!
t%e estate o$ t%e ecease"H
- ;e&t" 21, 1966> (A sustai!e (BI orer"
ISSUES
9:N (A erre i! sustai!i!' (BI orer
HELD
- It is ,it%i! t%e &o,er o$ res&o!e!t 5u'e to reo&e! t%e
&roceei!'s a! allo, i!terve!tio!" T%e questio! remai!s, %o,ever,
,%et%er %e i so i! t%e a&&ro&riate ma!!er" It is !ot t%e e.iste!ce o$
t%e &o,er but t%e moe o$ its e.ercise t%at is o&e! to questio!"
- (A 6u'es ,ere s&lit" T%e ma6orit+ %el Nt%at t%e etermi!atio! o$ a
prima facie i!terest i! a! estate to 6usti$+ reo&e!i!' &roceei!'s $or
t%e settleme!t t%ereo$ is &rimaril+ aresse to t%e sou! iscretio!
a! 6u'me!t o$ t%e &robate court; t%at, ,%ile !o su&&orti!'
ocume!ts are a&&e!e to t%e motio! to reo&e! te!i!' to s%o,
t%e &erso!alit+ to i!terve!e, sai motio! is !evert%eless veri$ie u&o!
oaths of the claimants of interest a! t%e &robate court %as aut%orit+
to require t%e submissio! o$ at least a prima facie s%o,i!' o$ sai
i!terest; t%at t%e motio! to reo&e! ,as $ile be$ore t%e orer closi!'
t%e &roceei!'s %a ac%ieve $i!alit+ a! uri!' t%e re'leme!tar+
&erio ,it%i! ,%ic% t%e court still %a 6urisictio! over t%e case a!
retai!e $ull &o,er to ame! a! co!trol its &rocess a! orers; t%at,
because t%e closure orer %a !ot +et become $i!al, t%e
requireme!ts o$ )ule A8 res&ecti!' relie$ $rom 6u'me!t o !ot a&&l+
a!, %e!ce, t%e $ailure o$ t%e motio! to reo&e! to alle'e a!+ o$ t%e
'rou!s t%erei! state is !ot $atal; t%at t%e better &ractice i! case o$
t%e a&&eara!ce o$ alle'e &reterite %eirs is to secure relie$ b+
reo&e!i!' t%e &roceei!'s b+ a &ro&er motio! ,it%i! t%e
re'leme!tar+ &erio, it bei!' esirable t%at all as&ects o$ a
co!trovers+ be ve!tilate i! t%e same &roceei!' a! t%us avoi
multi&licit+ o$ suits"O
- T%e (A mi!orit+ %el Nt%at t%e better &olic+ is to require t%e
i!terve!ors $irst to &rouce prima facie evie!ce o$ t%e claime civil
status be$ore o&e!i!' t%e oor a! letti!' t%em i!" 8!er )ule 12"2,
1a &erso! ma+, be$ore or uri!' a trial, be &ermitte b+ t%e court, i!
its iscretio!, to i!terve!e i! a! actio!, i$ %e %as le'al i!terest i! t%e
matter i! liti'atio!"1 T%e &ossibilit+ o$ i!terlo&ers 'etti!' i! $or a s%are
i! t%e estate ca!!ot be totall+ iscou!te s&eciall+ co!sieri!' t%at
t%e &rese!t i!testate &roceei!'s %a bee! &e!i!' $or t%e last 6
+ears ,it%out a motio! to i!terve!e %avi!' bee! $ile b+ t%e &rese!t
claima!ts i! s&ite o$ t%e !otice o$ &ublicatio! a! t%e in rem c%aracter
o$ t%e i!testate &roceei!'s"O
:! t%e &o,er to reo&e! &roceei!'s a! allo, i!terve!tio!
- Ramos v. Ortuzar> T%e o!l+ i!sta!ce t%at ,e ca! t%i!7 o$ i! ,%ic% a
&art+ i!tereste i! a &robate &roceei!' ma+ %ave a $i!al liquiatio!
set asie is ,%e! %e is le$t out b+ reaso! o$ circumsta!ces be+o!
%is co!trol or t%rou'% mista7e or i!averte!ce !ot im&utable to
!e'li'e!ce" Eve! t%e!, t%e better &ractice to secure relie$ is
reo&e!i!' o$ t%e same case b+ &ro&er motio! ,it%i! t%e
re'leme!tar+ &erio, i!stea o$ a! i!e&e!e!t actio! t%e e$$ect o$
,%ic%, i$ success$ul, ,oul be, as i! t%e i!sta!t case, $or a!ot%er
court or 6u'e to t%ro, out a ecisio! or orer alrea+ $i!al a!
e.ecute a! res%u$$le &ro&erties lo!' a'o istribute a! is&ose
o$"
- )at%er t%a! require a!+ &art+ ,%o ca! alle'e a 'rieva!ce t%at %is
i!terest ,as !ot reco'!i=e i! a testate or i!testate &roceei!' to $ile
a se&arate a! i!e&e!e!t actio!, %e ma+ ,it%i! t%e re'leme!tar+
&erio secure t%e relie$ t%at is %is ue b+ a reo&e!i!' o$ t%e case
eve! a$ter a &ro6ect o$ &artitio! a! $i!al accou!ti!' %a bee!
a&&rove"
:! t%e e.ercise o$ t%e &o,er
- T%e veri$ie motio! o! t%e &art o$ &rivate res&o!e!ts i !ot
su$$ice to call i!to &la+ t%e &o,er o$ res&o!e!t 5u'e to allo,
i!terve!tio!" T%ere must be &roo$ be+o! alle'atio!s i! suc% motio!
to s%o, t%e i!terest o$ t%e &rivate mova!ts" I! t%e abse!ce t%ereo$,
t%e actio! ta7e! b+ res&o!e!t 5u'e coul be co!siere
&remature"
5
Dispositive (A resolutio! M:<IBIE< i! t%e se!se t%at 5u'e
Nietes, or ,%oever ma+ be acti!' i! %is &lace, is irecte to require
Lucilo 5ala!o!i a! /ictoria 5ala!o!i e #orriceta to &rese!t
evie!ce to 6usti$+ t%eir ri'%t to i!terve!e i! ;3 No" 1062 re I!testate
Estate o$ Nicolas ?" 5ala!o!i" I! t%e eve!t t%at t%e+ coul so 6usti$+
suc% a ri'%t, t%e lo,er court o! t%e basis o$ suc% evie!ce is to
&rocee co!$ormabl+ to la,"
RAMOS V. ORTUZAR
89 3?IL -A4
Au'ust 21, 1601
CHRIS CA)S
FACTS
- 1940-191*" 3erc+ ?ill co%abite ,D Marti!a )amos P %a 6
c%ilre!, i!cl )ic%ar P Marvi! ?ill" T%e ot%ers ie i! i!$a!c+"
3erc+ acquire la!s a! starte im&rovi!' t%em u!til %is eat%"
- 191*" 3erc+ ca!o!icall+ marrie Livi!'sto!e P %a A c%ilre!, !o,
i! 8;" Livi!'sto!e ie"
- 192*" 3erc+ marrie :rtu=ar P %a 1 au'%ter"
- 19A-" 3roceei!'s $or settleme!t o$ 3erc+Cs estate starte"
:rtu=ar ,as ami!istratri."
- 19*4" <istributio! o$ estate ,as mae"
- 19*-" :rtu=ar P %er au'%ter, a! 3erc+Cs c%ilre! b+ Livi!'sto!e,
sol t%e la! to @ustos"
- Marti!a )amos, )ic%ar P Marvi! ?ill brou'%t t%is actio! i! (BI
Nueva Eci6a to a!!ul &artitio! o$ estate a! t%e sale"
- (ourt $ou! t%at )amos %a !ot bee! marrie to 3erc+, t%at
)ic%ar P Marvi! ,ere ac7!o,le'e !atural c%ilre!, t%at t%e sale
,as !ull a! voi" (ourt allotte estate amo!' )ic%ar P Marvi! ?ill,
a! 3erc+Cs c%ilre! b+ 1
st
a! 2
!
,ives"
- @ot% &arties a&&eale"
ISSUES
1" 9:N Marti!a )amos a! 3erc+ ?ill ,ere le'all+ marrie
2" 9:N (BI ,as correct i! 'ivi!' course to t%e actio! to a!!ul t%e
&artitio!
HELD
1" N:
- No certi$icate o$ marria'e or e!tr+ t%ereo$ i! (ivil re'istr+ ,as
&rese!te, !or %as e.&la!atio! o$ t%e abse!ce bee! o$$ere"
- Ramos story> ;%e a! 3erc+ ,ere livi!' to'et%er ,%e! %er
%usba! sai %e ,as 'oi!' to 'et a %el&er" 3erc+ came bac7 ,it% a
N,oma! ,%o i !ot loo7 li7e a mai at allO" 3erc+ be''e %er to
$or'ive %im" ;%e let t%e ,oma! sta+ &rovie %er %usba! 'ives %er
a %ouse ,%ere s%e ca! ru! a store a! s%e co!ti!ues to ma!a'e t%e
la!s i! questio!" Court: T%is co!uct o!l+ co!$irms t%at t%e+ ,ere
!ot marrie" A! !o i!telli'e!t ma! li7e 3erc+ ,oul be so u!mi!$ul
a! so rec7less to &ublicl+ marr+ t,ice ,%ile $irst ,i$e ,as alive a!
live ,it% %is !e, ,i$e i! &lai! si'%t o$ %is $ormer ,i$e P c%ilre!"
- Also, soo! a$ter )amos a! 3erc+ se&arate, )amos a! Teooro
Tobias be'a! livi!' to'et%er" T(T, mort'a'e ee, ee o$ sale,
birt% certi$icates o$ t%eir c%ilre! sa+ t%at )amos a! Tobias are
%usba! a! ,i$e"
2" N:
- )amos !ever e!tere a&&eara!ce i! 3erc+Cs i!testate &roceei!'s"
;%e came $or,ar claimi!' to be ?illCs ,i$e 6 +rs a$ter &artitio! P
a6uicatio! o$ estate a! a$ter recors %ave isa&&eare"
- 3erc+ a! Livi!'sto!e &ossesse t%ese &ro&erties aversel+,
e.clusivel+ a! &ublicl+ a! i! co!ce&t o$ o,!ers" 9%atever ri'%t
)amos %a %as bee! lost b+ &rescri&tio!" ;%e sle&t over %er alle'e
ri'%t $or more t%a! A4 +rs"
- It also a&&ears t%at i! 3erc+Cs i!testate &roceei!'s, )ic%ar P
Marvi! ?ill i!terve!e or sou'%t to i!terve!e" ?eari!' ,as %el a!
testimo!+ ,as ta7e!, but t%e &etitio! to i!terve!e ,as e!ie" It
a&&ears t%at all t%e $acts raise i! t%is &rese!t suit ,ere alle'e,
iscusse a! a6uicate i! t%e e.&eie!te o$ 3erc+Cs i!testate"
- Proceeding for probate is one in rem. Court acquires urisdiction
over all persons interested! thru publication of notice. "ny order that
may be entered therein is binding against all of them. " final order of
distribution of estate vests title to the land of estate in distributees.
#here is no reason $hy these shouldnt apply to intestate
proceedings.
- #he only instance in $%c a party interested in probate proceeding
may have final liquidation set aside is $hen he is left out by reason
of circumstances beyond his control or thru mista&e or inadvertence
not imputable to negligence. 'ven then! the better practice is
reopening of the same case by proper motion $%in the reglamentary
period! not an independent action $%c might have effect of another
udge thro$ing out a decision already final and e(ecuted.
)EDROSA v. CA
A0A ;()A 624
Luisumbi!', 5"; Marc% 0, 2441
INA
FACTS
- Ma" Ele!a )oi'ue= 3erosa is t%e ao&te c%il o$ s&ouses
)osali!a a! Mi'uel )ori'ue=" T%e s&ouses %a !o ot%er c%ilre!"
9%e! Mi'uel ie, %is collateral relatives $ile a! actio! i! t%e (BI to
a!!ul t%e ao&tio! o$ Ma" Ele!a" Esur&risi!'l+, t%e ao&tive mot%er
,as o!e o$ t%e &etitio!ers t%ere"F T%e (BI u&%el t%e valiit+ o$ t%e
ao&tio!" T%e collaterals a! t%e ,io, a&&eale to t%e (A; but
,%ile t%e &roceei!'s ,ere o!'oi!', t%e+ e!tere i!to a!
e.tra6uicial settleme!t o$ t%e estate o$ Mi'uel, ,it%out t%e
&artici&atio! o$ Ma"Ele!a, ,%o ,as alrea+ o$ ma6orit+ a'e at t%at
time" Eve!tuall+, t%e (A u&%el t%e valiit+ o$ t%e ao&tio!" @ut b+
t%is time, t%e collaterals a! t%e ,io, %a &artitio!e t%e estate"
T%e+ &ublis%e i! a !e,s&a&er t%e $act o$ &artitio! ABTE) t%e+
settle t%e &artitio!" EBor &ers&ective, t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio! is
some 2267 sqm"F
-Ma" Ele!a as7e t%e collaterals a! t%e ,io, $or %er s%are" T%e+
re$use to 'ive %er because s%eCs !ot a bloo relative" ;o s%e $ile
a! actio! i! t%e (BI to a!!ul t%e &artitio!" (BI ismisse $or bei!'
$ile out o$ time" T%e actio! ,as $ile A +ears 14 mo!t%s a$ter t%e
e.tra6uicial settleme!t" (A a$$irme (BICs ismissal"
ISSUE
9:N t%e &erio i! )ule -*"* E2 +earsF a&&lies i! t%is case"
HELD
N:"
- T%e 2-+ear &erio i! )ule -*"* a&&lies o!l+ $or valil+ e.ecute
e.tra6uicial settleme!ts ,%erei! t%e o!e assaili!' t%e same
&artici&ate" A vali e6 settleme!t, &er )ule -*"1, mea!s t%at all t%e
&erso!s or %eirs o$ t%e ecee!t %ave ta7e! &art i! t%e e.tra6uicial
settleme!t or are re&rese!te b+ t%emselves or t%rou'% 'uaria!s"
- T%e co!te!tio! t%at Ma"Ele!a ,as re&rese!te b+ t%e ao&tive
mom oes!Ct %ol because s%e ,as!Ct a mi!or a!+more" T%e $act
t%at t%e e6 settleme!t ,as &ublis%e a$ter t%e &artitio! is also o$ !o
value because t%e !otice is su&&ose to be 'ive! @EB:)E t%e e6
settleme!t, to call all t%e %eirs to &artici&ate" T%e e.clusio! o$ %eirs i!
t%e e6 settleme!t is $rauule!t"
- (learl+, t%e 2-+r &erio oes!Ct a&&l+ to Ma" Ele!a" T%e actio! to
a!!ul a ee o$ He.tra6uicial settleme!tH u&o! t%e 'rou! o$ $rau
ma+ be $ile ,it%i! ) years $rom t%e iscover+ o$ t%e $rau" ;uc%
iscover+ is eeme to %ave ta7e! &lace ,%e! sai i!strume!t ,as
$ile ,it% t%e )e'ister o$ <ees a! !e, certi$icates o$ title ,ere
issue i! t%e !ame o$ res&o!e!ts e.clusivel+"
- ;i!ce Ma" Ele!a is t%e ao&te c%il, s%e alo!' ,it% t%e ,io, are
t%e %eirs o$ Mi'uel )ori'ue=, to t%e e.clusio! o$ t%e latterCs
collateral relatives" T%e collaterals, ,%o 'ot arou! 94Q o$ t%e estate
i! t%e e6 settleme!t, %ave !o ri'%t to t%e same" ?o,ever, t%e
&ro&erties t%at ,ere alrea+ tra!s$erre to A
r
&erso!s must be
recovere i! a se&arate case because t%ere ca! be !o collateral
attac7 o! Torre!s Titles"
- Ma" Ele!a ,as!Ct able to &rove ama'es ue %er so t%e court
a,are !omi!al ama'es o$ 31447"
HEIRS OF RE(ES V RE(ES
A))LE
CUIZON v RAMOLETE
129 ;()A *90
#8TIE))E2; Ma+ 29, 198*
JOJO
FACTS
- I! 1961, Marcia!o (ui=o! a&&lie $or t%e re'istratio! o$ several
&arcels o$ la! locate at :&ao, Ma!aue (it+" T%e ecree o$
re'istratio! a! t%e :(T ,as issue i! 19-6 i! t%e !ame o$ Maria!o;
a! i! t%at same +ear, a T(T coveri!' t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio! ,as
issue to %is c%il Ire!e"
- I! 19-4, %e istribute %is &ro&ert+ bet,ee! %is t,o c%ilre!,
)u$i!a a! Ire!e (ui=o!" 3art o$ t%e &ro&ert+ 'ive! to Ire!e
6
co!siste lar'el+ o$ salt bes ,%ic% eve!tuall+ became t%e sub6ect o$
t%is co!trovers+"
- I! 19-1, Ire!e e.ecute a <ee o$ ;ale ,it% )eservatio! o$
8su$ruct i!volvi!' t%e sai salt bes i! $avor o$ t%e &etitio!ers>
Bra!cisco P )osita (ui=o!Ec%ilre! o$ )u$i!aF a! 3uri$icacio!
(ui=o!" ?o,ever, t%e sale ,as !ot re'istere because t%e
&etitio!ers $elt it ,as u!!ecessar+ ue to t%e li$etime usu$ructuar+
ri'%ts o$ Ire!e"
- I! 19-8, Ire!e ie" I! t%e e.tra6uicial settleme!t o$ t%e estate, %er
alle'e %al$ sister a! sole %eir )u$i!a a6uicate to %ersel$ all t%e
&ro&ert+ o$ t%e ecee!t i!clui!' t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio!" A$ter t%e
!otice o$ t%e e.tra6uicial settleme!t ,as ul+ &ublis%e i! a
!e,s&a&er o$ 'e!eral circulatio!, )u$i!a t%erea$ter, e.ecute a ee
o$ (o!$irmatio! o$ ;ale ,%erei! s%e co!$irme a! rati$ie t%e ee
o$ sale o$ 19-1 e.ecute b+ t%e late Ire!e a! re!ou!ce a! ,aive
,%atever ri'%ts, i!terest, a! &artici&atio! s%e ma+ %ave i! t%e
&ro&ert+ i! questio! i! $avor o$ t%e &etitio!ers" ;ubseque!tl+, a !e,
T(T ,as issue i! $avor o$ t%e &etitio!ers"
- T%erea$ter, a &etitio! $or letters o$ ami!istratio! ,as $ile be$ore
t%e (ebu (BI b+ res&o!e!t <omi!'o A!ti'ua, alle'el+ selecte b+
t%e 1- %eirs o$ Ire!e to act as ami!istrator o$ t%e estate o$ t%e
ecee!t" T%e &etitio! ,as 'ra!te"
- A!ti'ua as ami!istrator $ile a! i!ve!tor+ o$ t%e estate o$ Ire!e"
?e i!clue i! t%e i!ve!tor+ t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio! ,%ic% ,as bei!'
ami!istere b+ 5ua! Arc%e, o!e o$ t%e &etitio!ers" I! 19-9, t%e
&robate court 'ra!te A!ti'uaCs motio! as7i!' t%e court $or aut%orit+
to sell t%e salt $rom t%e &ro&ert+ a! &ra+i!' t%at &etitio!er Arc%e be
orere to eliver t%e salt to t%e ami!istrator" ;ubseque!tl+, o! A
i$$ere!t occasio!s, res&o!e!t ;e'u!o 2ambo ,it% t%e ai o$
several me!, sou'%t to e!$orce t%e orer o$ t%e court" ?e!ce t%is
&etitio!"
- T%e t%rust o$ t%e &etitio!ers1 ar'ume!t is t%at t%e &robate court, as a
court %a!li!' o!l+ t%e i!testate &roceei!'s, %a !eit%er t%e
aut%orit+ to a6uicate co!troverte ri'%ts !or to ivest t%em o$ t%eir
&ossessio! a! o,!ers%i& o$ t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio! a! %a! over
t%e same to t%e ami!istrator" 3etitio!ers $urt%er co!te! t%at t%e
&ro&er reme+ o$ t%e res&o!e!t ami!istrator is to $ile a se&arate
civil actio! to recover t%e same"
- :! t%e ot%er %a!, t%e ami!istrator co!te!e t%at t%e ee o$
sale o$ 19-1 lost its e$$icac+ u&o! t%e re!itio! o$ 6u'me!t a!
issua!ce o$ t%e ecree i! $avor o$ Ire!e (ui=o! i! 19-6"
ISSUE
9:N a &robate court %as 6urisictio! over &arcels o$ la! alrea+
covere b+ a T(T issue i! $avor o$ o,!ers ,%o are !ot &arties to
t%e i!testate &roceei!'s i$ t%e sai &arcels %ave bee! i!clue i!
t%e i!ve!tor+ o$ &ro&erties o$ t%e estate &re&are b+ t%e
ami!istrator"
HELD
N:
It is a ,ell-settle rule t%at a &robate court or o!e i! c%ar'e o$
&roceei!'s ,%et%er testate or i!testate ca!!ot a6uicate or
etermi!e title to &ro&erties claime to be a &art o$ t%e estate a!
,%ic% are equall+ claime to belo!' to outsie &arties" All t%at t%e
sai court coul o as re'ars sai &ro&erties is to etermi!e
,%et%er t%e+ s%oul or s%oul !ot be i!clue i! t%e i!ve!tor+ or list
o$ &ro&erties to be ami!istere b+ t%e ami!istrator" I$ t%ere is !o
is&ute, ,ell a! 'oo; but i$ t%ere is, t%e! t%e &arties, t%e
ami!istrator, a! t%e o&&osi!' &arties %ave to resort to a! ori!ar+
actio! $or a $i!al etermi!atio! o$ t%e co!$licti!' claims o$ title
because t%e &robate court ca!!ot o so"
- Bor t%e &ur&ose o$ etermi!i!' ,%et%er a certai! &ro&ert+ s%oul or
s%oul !ot be i!clue i! t%e i!ve!tor+, t%e &robate court ma+ &ass
u&o! t%e title t%ereto but suc% etermi!atio! is !ot co!clusive a! is
sub6ect to t%e $i!al ecisio! i! a se&arate actio! re'ari!' o,!ers%i&
,%ic% ma+ be i!stitute b+ t%e &arties"
- As %el i! ;i+ (%o!' Ke!' v (I), t%e mere i!clusio! i! t%e
i!ve!tor+ submitte b+ t%e ami!istrator o$ t%e estate o$ a ecease
&erso! o$ a 'ive! &ro&ert+ oes !ot o$ itsel$ e&rive t%e &robate court
o$ aut%orit+ to i!quire i!to t%e &ro&ert+ o$ suc% i!clusio! i! case a!
%eir or a t%ir &art+ claims averse title t%ereto" To %ol ot%er,ise
,oul re!er i!utile t%e &o,er o$ t%at court to ma7e a &rima $acie
etermi!atio! o$ t%e issue o$ o,!ers%i& reco'!i=e i! t%e above
quote &recee!ts" T%e correct rule is t%at t%e &robate court s%oul
resolve t%e issue be$ore it &rovisio!all+, as basis $or its i!clusio! i! or
e.clusio! $rom t%e i!ve!tor+" It oes !ot eve! matter t%at t%e issue is
raise a$ter a&&roval o$ t%e i!ve!tor+ because a&&are!tl+, it is !ot
!ecessar+ t%at t%e i!ve!tor+ a! a&&raisal be a&&rove b+ t%e (ourt"
- I! t%e i!sta!t case, t%e &ro&ert+ i!volve is !ot o!l+ claime b+
outsie &arties but it ,as sol - +ears be$ore t%e eat% o$ t%e
ecee!t a! is ul+ title i! t%e !ame o$ t%e ve!ees ,%o are !ot
&art+ to t%e &roceei!'s" ?avi!' bee! a&&rise o$ t%e $act t%at t%e
&ro&ert+ i! questio! ,as i! t%e &ossessio! o$ t%ir &arties a! more
im&orta!t, covere b+ a T(T issue i! t%e !ame suc% t%ir &arties,
t%e &robate court s%oul %ave e!ie t%e motio! o$ t%e ami!istrator
a! e.clue t%e &ro&ert+ i! questio! $rom t%e i!ve!tor+ o$ t%e
&ro&ert+ o$ t%e estate" It %a !o aut%orit+ to e&rive suc% t%ir
&erso!s t%eir &ossessio! a! o,!ers%i& o$ t%e &ro&ert+"
- Eve! assumi!' t%e trut% o$ t%e &rivate res&o!e!ts1 alle'atio!s t%at
t%e sale o$ <ecember 19-1 ,as e$$ecte u!er sus&icious
circumsta!ces a! tai!te ,it% $rau a! t%at t%e ri'%t o$ )u$i!a as
alle'e %al$-sister a! sole %eir o$ Ire!e remai!s o&e! to questio!,
t%ese issues ma+ o!l+ be t%res%e out i! a se&arate civil actio! $ile
b+ t%e res&o!e!t ami!istrator a'ai!st t%e &etitio!ers a! !ot i! t%e
i!testate &roceei!'s"
LUZON SURET( COM)AN(* INC. vs. )ASTOR T.
+UE&RAR* ET AL.
MAKA;IA); 5a!uar+ A1, 198*
ATHE
FACTS
- Lu=o! ;uret+ issue t,o ami!istrator1s bo! i! t%e amou!t o$
310,444"44 eac%, i! be%al$ o$ t%e Luebrar, as ami!istrator o$
estates o$ (%i!su+ a! Li&a" I! co!sieratio! o$ t%e suret+s%i&
,%erei! t%e Lu=o! ;uret+ ,as bou! 6oi!tl+ a! severall+ ,it% t%e
e$e!a!t Luebrar, t%e latter, to'et%er ,it% Kila+7o, e.ecute t,o
i!em!it+ a'reeme!ts"
- <e$e!a!ts &ai 3A4*"04 u!er eac% i!em!it+ a'reeme!t or a
total o$ 3649"44 $or &remiums a! ocume!tar+ stam&s"
- (BI a&&rove t%e ame!e 3ro6ect o$ 3artitio! a! Accou!ts o$
e$e!a!t-a&&ella!t
- Lu=o! ;uret+ ema!e $rom t%e e$e!a!ts-a&&ella!ts t%e
&a+me!t o$ t%e &remiums a! ocume!tar+ stam&s $rom Au'ust
9,1900"
- T%e e$e!a!ts-a&&ella!ts orere a motio! $or ca!cellatio! a!Dor
reuctio! o$ e.ecutor1s bo!s o! t%e 'rou! t%at Ht%e %eirs o$ t%ese
testate estates %ave alrea+ receive t%eir res&ective s%ares" T%e
court orere t%e bo!s ca!celle"
- 3lai!ti$$-a&&ellee1s ema! amou!te to 32,*A6"44 i! eac% case,
%e!ce, a total o$ 3*,8-2"44 $or t%e &erio o$ Au'ust 9, 1900 to
:ctober 24, 1962" T%e e$e!a!ts-a&&ella!ts re$use to &a+ t%e sai
amou!t o$ 3*,8-2"44 ar'ui!' t%at bot% t%e Ami!istrator1s @o!s a!
t%e I!em!it+ A'reeme!ts cease to %ave a!+ $orce a! e$$ect, t%e
$ormer si!ce 5u!e 6, 190- ,it% t%e a&&roval o$ t%e &ro6ect o$ &artitio!
a! t%e latter si!ce Au'ust 9, 1900 ,it% t%e !o!-&a+me!t o$ t%e
state &remiums"
ISSUE
9:N t%e ami!istrator1s bo!s ,ere i! $orce a! e$$ect $rom a!
a$ter t%e +ear t%at t%e+ ,ere $ile a! a&&rove b+ t%e court u& to
1962, ,%e! t%e+ ,ere ca!celle, t%ere$ore, e$e!a!ts are liable to
Lu=o! ;uret+
HELD
(ES" ;ectio! 1 o$ )ule 81 o$ t%e )ules o$ (ourt requires t%e
ami!istratorDe.ecutor to &ut u& a bo! $or t%e &ur&ose o$
i!em!i$+i!' t%e creitors, %eirs, le'atees a! t%e estate" It is
co!itio!e u&o! t%e $ait%$ul &er$orma!ce o$ t%e ami!istrator1s trust
EMe!o=a vs" 3ac%eco, 6* 3%il" 1A*F"
?avi!' i! mi! t%e &ur&ose a! i!te!t o$ t%e la,, t%e suret+ is t%e!
liable u!er t%e ami!istrator1s bo!, $or as lo!' as t%e ami!istrator
%as uties to o as suc% ami!istratorDe.ecutor" ;i!ce t%e liabilit+ o$
t%e sureties is co-e.te!sive ,it% t%at o$ t%e ami!istrator a!
embraces t%e &er$orma!ce o$ ever+ ut+ %e is calle u&o! to &er$orm
i! t%e course o$ ami!istratio! it $ollo,s t%at t%e ami!istrator is still
ut+ bou! to res&ect t%e i!em!it+ a'reeme!ts e!tere i!to b+ %im
i! co!sieratio! o$ t%e suret+s%i&"
Reasoning:
a" It is s%o,! t%at t%e e$e!a!t-a&&ella!t 3astor T" Luebrar, still %a
somet%i!' to o as a! ami!istratorDe.ecutor eve! a$ter t%e a&&roval
o$ t%e ame!e &ro6ect o$ &artitio! a! accou!ts o! 5u!e 6, 190-"
T%e co!te!tio! o$ t%e e$e!a!ts-a&&ella!ts t%at t%e ami!istrator1s
bo! cease to be o$ le'al $orce a! e$$ect ,it% t%e a&&roval o$ t%e
&ro6ect o$ &artitio! a! stateme!t o$ accou!ts o! 5u!e 6, 190- is
,it%out merit" T%e e$e!a!t-a&&ella!t 3astor T" Luebrar i !ot
cease as ami!istrator a$ter 5u!e 6, 190-, $or ami!istratio! is $or
t%e &ur&ose o$ liquiatio! o$ t%e estate a! istributio! o$ t%e resiue
amo!' t%e %eirs a! le'atees" A! liquiatio! mea!s t%e
etermi!atio! o$ all t%e assets o$ t%e estate a! payment of all the
debts and e(penses EBlores vs" Blores, *8 3%il" 982F" It a&&ears t%at
t%ere ,ere still ebts a! e.&e!ses to be &ai a$ter 5u!e 6, 190-"
7
A! i! t%e case o$ *ontemayor vs. +utierrez E11* 3%il" 90F, a! estate
ma+ be &artitio!e eve! be$ore t%e termi!atio! o$ t%e ami!istratio!
&roceei!'s" ?e!ce, t%e a&&roval o$ t%e &ro6ect o$ &artitio! i !ot
!ecessaril+ termi!ate t%e ami!istratio! &roceei!'s"
Not,it%sta!i!' t%e a&&roval o$ t%e &artitio!, t%e (ourt o$ Birst
I!sta!ce o$ Ne'ros :ccie!tal still %a 6urisictio! over t%e
ami!istratio! &roceei!'s o$ t%e estate o$ (%i!su+ a! Li&a"
b" T%e sureties o$ a! ami!istratio! bo! are liable o!l+ as a rule, $or
matters occurri!' uri!' t%e term covere b+ t%e bo!" A! t%e term
o$ a bo! oes !ot usuall+ e.&ire u!til t%e ami!istratio! %as bee!
close a! termi!ate i! t%e ma!!er irecte b+ la, T%us, as lo!'
as t%e &robate court retai!s 6urisictio! o$ t%e estate, t%e bond
contemplates a continuing liability !ot,it%sta!i!' t%e !o!-re!e,al o$
t%e bo! b+ t%e e$e!a!ts-a&&ella!ts"
T%e &robate court &ossesses a! all-embraci!' &o,er over t%e
ami!istrator1s bo! a! over t%e ami!istratio! &roceei!'s a! it
cannot be devoid of legal authority to e(ecute and ma&e that bond
ans$erable for the every purpose for $hich it $as filed. It is t%e ut+
o$ t%e courts o$ &robate 6urisictio! to 'uar 6ealousl+ t%e estate o$
t%e ecease &erso!s b+ i!terve!i!' i! t%e ami!istratio! t%ereo$ i!
orer to reme+ or re&air a!+ i!6ur+ t%at ma+ be o!e t%ereto
DIEZ v. SERRA
01 3%il" 28A
/ILLAM:); <ecember 2*, 192-
GLAISA
FACTS
- <ie= a&&lie to t%e (BI :ccie!tal Ne'ros $or letters o$
ami!istratio! o$ t%e estate o$ t%e ecease Blore!cia <ie= alle'i!'
t%at %e is a brot%er o$ t%e sai Blore!cia <ie= ,%o last resie at
Ne'ros; t%at t%e ecease at t%e time o$ %er eat% ,as a ,io, a!
le$t !o ,ill; t%at t%e ecease le$t realt+ co!sisti!' i! a s%are o$ o!e-
t%ir o$ lots; t%at t%e ecease le$t seve! c%ilre!"
- (ourt 'ra!te t%e a&&licatio!, oreri!' t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ <ie= as
ami!istrator, u&o! %is $ili!' a bo! i! t%e sum o$ 30,444" <ie=
&rese!te a! i!ve!tor+ o$ t%e &ro&ert+ u!er %is ami!istratio!"
- T%e ami!istratio! $u!ctio!e $or t,o +ears u!til a c%il o$
Blore!cia, Tomas ;erra $or %imsel$ a! as 'uaria! o$ %is si. mi!or
brot%ers a! sisters, &ut i! a s&ecial a&&eara!ce, co!testi!' t%at
court1s aut%orit+ to ta7e co'!i=a!ce o$ t%is i!testate estate, o! t%e
'rou! t%at t%e ecease Blore!cia <ie= resie i! t%e mu!ici&alit+
o$ ;a! 5oaqui!, 3rovi!ce o$ Iloilo, at t%e time o$ %er eat%, as
evie!ce b+ t%e eat% certi$icate"
- T%e Nort% Ne'ros ;u'ar (o", I!c" $ile a! i!terve!tio! i! t%is case,
as creitor o$ t%e i!testate estate $or a mort'a'e loa! 'ra!te to t%e
ami!istrator, ,it% t%e aut%ori=atio! o$ t%e court, mai!tai!i!' t%e
valiit+ o$ t%ese &roceei!'s, a! as7i!' $or t%e ismissal o$ t%e
s&ecial a&&eara!ce o$ Tomas ;erra et al"
- T%e court e!ie t%e &etitio! o$ t%e s&ecial a&&eara!ce"
ISSUE
9:N Tomas ;erra et al ca! co!test t%e com&ete!c+ a! 6urisictio!
o$ (BI o$ :ccie!tal Ne'ros to ta7e co'!i=a!ce o$ a! act i! t%e
&roceei!' $or t%e settleme!t o$ t%e i!testate estate o$ t%e ecease
Blore!cia <ie=
HELD
- N:" T%is ami!istratio! %as $u!ctio!e $or t,o +ears, a! t%e
a&&ella!ts a$ter t%at &erio %ave a&&eare i! t%is case, too late to
avail t%emselves o$ t%e be!e$its o$$ere b+ sectio! 11A o$ t%e (oe o$
(ivil 3roceure, a! it ,oul seem t%at t%e o!l+ reme+ le$t to t%em
is to as7 $or t%e reo&e!i!' o$ t%e &roceei!'s i! t%e lo,er court t%at
assume 6urisictio!"
- I! orer to re!er vali a 'ra!t o$ letters o$ ami!istratio! t%e vie,
is 'e!erall+ acce&te t%at certai! 6urisictio!al $acts must e.ist"
T%ese $acts are t%at t%e &erso! o! ,%ose estate t%e letters are bei!'
'ra!te is i! $act ea, a! t%at at t%e time o$ eat% %e ,as a
resie!t o$ t%e cou!t+ ,%erei! letters are bei!' 'ra!te, or i$ !ot a
resie!t t%at %e le$t assets i! suc% cou!t+" It %as bee! sai t%at t%e
$act o$ t%e eat% o$ t%e i!testate a! o$ %is resie!ce ,it%i! t%e
cou!t+ are $ou!atio! $acts u&o! ,%ic% all t%e subseque!t
&roceei!'s i! t%e ami!istratio! o$ t%e estate rest, a! t%at i$ t%e
i!testate ,as !ot a! i!%abita!t o$ t%e state at t%e time o$ %is eat%,
a! le$t !o assets i! t%e state, a! !o!e came i!to it a$ter,ars, !o
6urisictio! is co!$erre o! t%e court to 'ra!t letters o$ ami!istratio!
i! a!+ cou!t+" A &robate court %as 6urisictio! to 'ra!t ami!istratio!
o$ t%e estate o$ a &erso! ,%o at t%e time o$ %is ecease ,as a!
i!%abita!t or resie!t i! t%e cou!t+, ,it%out &roo$ t%at %e le$t a!
estate to be ami!istere ,it%i! t%e cou!t+"
- ;ectio! 64A o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure &rovies t%at t%e
6urisictio! assume b+ a (ourt o$ Birst I!sta!ce $or t%e settleme!t o$
a! estate, so $ar as it e&e!s o! t%e &lace o$ resie!ce o$ a &erso!,
or o$ t%e locatio! o$ %is estate, s%all !ot be co!teste i! a suit or
&roceei!', e.ce&t i! a! a&&eal $rom t%at court, i! t%e ori'i!al case,
or ,%e! t%e lac7 o$ 6urisictio! a&&ears i! t%e recor" I! t%e &rese!t
case t%e lac7 o$ 6urisictio! i !ot a&&ear i! t%e recor at t%e time
,%e! t%e court a quo t%at a&&oi!te t%e ami!istrator $ou! itsel$
com&ete!t, a! !o a&&eal ,as ta7e! $rom t%e orer ecreei!' sai
a&&oi!tme!t"
&ASA V MERCADO
61 3?IL 6A2
#:<<A)<; 5ul+ 26, 19A0
O,EN
FACTS
- (BI 3am&a!'a allo,e a! &robate last ,ill a! testame!t o$ I!es
@asa" Atila!o Mercao Eres&o!e!tF ,as a&&oi!te t%e ami!istrator
a! ,as eclare t%e o!l+ %eir o$ t%e ecease u!er t%e ,ill" T%e
ami!istratio! &roceei!'s ,as close" 5oaqui! @asa E&etitio!erF
$ile a motio! &ra+i!' t%at &roceei!'s be reo&e!e a! alle'e t%at
court lac7e 6urisictio! to act i! t%e matter because t%ere ,as a
$ailure to com&l+ ,it% requireme!ts as to t%e &ublicatio! o$ t%e !otice
o$ %eari!' a! t%at I!' Kati&u!a! is !ot a 'e!eral circulatio! i!
3am&a!'a as &rescribe i! t%e $ollo,i!' sectio! o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil
3roceure>
;E(" 6A4" (ourt to a&&oi!t %eari!' o! ,ill" 9%e! a ,ill is
elivere to a court %avi!' 6urisictio! o$ t%e same, t%e court s%all
a&&oi!t a time a! &lace ,%e! all co!cer!e ma+ a&&ear to
co!test t%e allo,a!ce o$ t%e ,ill, a! s%all cause &ublic !otice
t%ereo$ to be 'ive! b+ &ublicatio! i! suc% !e,s&a&er or
!e,s&a&ers as t%e court irects o$ 'e!eral circulatio! i! t%e
&rovi!ce, t%ree ,ee7s successivel+, &revious to t%e time
a&&oi!te, a! !o ,ill s%all be allo,e u!til suc% !otice %as bee!
'ive!" At t%e %eari!' all testimo!+ s%all be ta7e! u!er oat%,
reuce to ,riti!' a! si'!e b+ t%e ,it!esses"H
- Birst &ublicatio!> 5u!e 6, 19A1
T%ir> 5u!e 24, 19A1
?eari!'> 5u!e 2-, 19A1
N:TE> o!l+ 21 a+s a$ter t%e ate o$ t%e BI);T &ublicatio! i!stea
o$ T?)EE B8LL 9EEK; @EB:)E t%e a+ set $or t%e %eari!'
ISSUES
1" 9:N ;ec 6A4 mea!s &ublicatio! requireme!t co!stitutes t%ree
$ull ,ee7s be$ore t%e ate o$ %eari!'
2" 9:N I!' Kati&u!a! is a !e,s&a&er o$ 'e!eral circulatio! i!
3am&a!'a
HELD
1" N:
Ratio Birst &ublicatio! o$ t%e !otice !ee !ot be mae t,e!t+-o!e
a+s be$ore t%e a+ a&&oi!te $or t%e %eari!'"
Reasoning
- ?I;T:)G :B ;ectio! 6A4 R (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure o$ ;tate o$
/ermo!t" ;( o$ /ermo!t state i! I! re 9ar!er1s Estate>
<ate o$ e.ami!i!' a! allo,i!' $i!al accou!t o$ ami!istratio!
a! $or ecreei!' t%e resiue o$ t%e estate to t%e la,$ul claima!ts
o$ t%e same> <ecember 19, 1919
:rer to t%is e$$ect> November 28, 1919
<ate o$ 3ublicatio!> <ecember *, 11 a! 18, 1919 Et%ree ,ee7s
successivel+F
N:TE> T-is .$s /012i3 #!"i34/ "! $22 45s!#s i#"454s"4% !6 "-4
"i74 $#% 2$34 !6 48$7i#i#9 $#% $22!.i#9 s$i% $33!0#" $#%
7$:i#9 %43544 !6 %is"5i10"i!#* $#% .$s s066i3i4#"S eve! t%ou'%
t%e %eari!' o! t%e ami!istrator1s $i!al accou!t ,as set $or <ecember
19, o!l+ $i$tee! a+s a$ter t%e ate o$ t%e $irst &ublicatio!"
2" GE;
- recor s%o,s t%at I!' Kati&u!a! is a !e,s&a&er o$ 'e!eral
circulatio! as it is
R &ublis%e $or t%e issemi!atio! o$ local !e,s a! 'e!eral
i!$ormatio!
R %as a bo!a $ie subscri&tio! list o$ &a+i!' subscribes
R &ublis%e at re'ular i!tervals a!
R trial court orere t%e &ublicatio! to be mae i! I!' Kati&u!a!
&recisel+ because it ,as a H!e,s&a&er o$ 'e!eral circulatio! i!
t%e 3rovi!ce o$ 3am&a!'a"H
- !o attem&t %as bee! mae to &rove t%at it ,as a !e,s&a&er
evote to t%e i!terests or &ublis%e $or t%e e!tertai!me!t o$ a
8
&articular class, &ro$essio!, trae, calli!', race or reli'ious
e!omi!atio!
- $act t%at t%ere is a!ot%er &a&er &ublis%e i! 3am&a!'a t%at %as a
$e, more subscribers E-2 to be e.actF a! t%at certai! Ma!ila ailies
also %ave a lar'er circulatio! i! t%at &rovi!ce is u!im&orta!t" No $i.e
!umber o$ subscribers is !ecessar+ to co!stitute a !e,s&a&er o$
'e!eral circulatio!"
Disposition T( a$$irme
RODRIGUEZ V &ORJA
1- ;()A *18
)EGE; 5@L; 5u!e 21, 1966
TERR(
NATURE
3etitio! $or (ertiorari
FACTS
- Br" )ori'ue= ie i! Ma!ila" :! Marc% *, 196A, res&o!e!ts
3a!'ili!a! a! 5acala! elivere to t%e (ler7 o$ (ourt o$ @ulaca! a
&ur&orte last ,ill a! testame!t o$ Br" )ori'ue=":! Marc% 8, 196A,
Maria )ori'ue= a! A!'ela )ori'ue= $ile a &etitio! $or leave o$
court to allo, t%em to e.ami!e t%e alle'e ,ill, ,%ic% ,as ,it%ra,!
- :! Marc% 12, 196A, t%e )ori'ue=es, &etitio!ers %erei!, $ile
be$ore (BI o$ )i=al a &etitio! $or t%e settleme!t o$ t%e i!testate estate
o$ Br" )ori'ue= alle'i!', amo!' ot%er t%i!'s, t%at Br" )ori'ue= ,as
a resie!t o$ 3ara!aque, )i=al, a! ie ,it%out leavi!' a ,ill a!
&ra+i!' t%at Maria )ori'ue= be a&&oi!te as ;&ecial Ami!istratri.
o$ t%e estate"
- :! same a+, 3a!'ili!a! a! 5acala! $ile a &etitio! $or t%e
&robatio! o$ t%e ,ill elivere b+ t%em o! Marc% *, 196A" It ,as
sti&ulate b+ t%e &arties t%at Br" )ori'ue= ,as bor! i! 3ara!aque,
)i=al; t%at %e ,as 3aris% &riest o$ t%e (at%olic (%urc% o$ ?a'o!o+,
@ulaca!, $rom 19A4 u& to t%e time o$ %is eat% i! 196A; t%at %e ,as
burie i! 3ara!aque, a! t%at %e le$t real &ro&erties i! )i=al, (avite,
Lue=o! (it+ a! @ulaca!"
- T%e )ori'ue=es co!te! t%at si!ce t%e i!testate &roceei!'s i!
t%e (ourt o$ Birst I!sta!ce o$ )i=al ,as $ile at 8>44 A"M" o! Marc%
12, 196A ,%ile t%e &etitio! $or &robate ,as $ile i! (BI @ulaca! at
11>44 A"M" o! t%e same ate, t%e latter (ourt %as !o 6urisictio! to
e!tertai! t%e &etitio! $or &robate"
- 3a!'ili!a! a! 5acala!, aver t%at t%e (BI o$ @ulaca! acquire
6urisictio! over t%e case u&o! eliver+ b+ t%em o$ t%e ,ill to t%e
(ler7 o$ (ourt o! Marc% *, 196A, a! t%at t%e case i! (BI @ulaca!
t%ere$ore %as &recee!ce over t%e case $ile i! )i=al o! Marc% 12,
196A"
ISSUE
9:N (BI @ulaca! %a 6urisictio! over t%e case
HELD
GE;
- T%e 6urisictio! o$ (BI @ulaca! became veste u&o! t%e eliver+
t%ereto o$ t%e ,ill o$ t%e late Br )ori'ue= o! Marc% *, 196A, eve! i$
!o &etitio! $or its allo,a!ce ,as $ile u!til later, because u&o! t%e ,ill
bei!' e&osite, t%e court coul, motu proprio, %ave ta7e! ste&s to
$i. t%e time a! &lace $or &rovi!' t%e ,ill, a! issue t%e
corres&o!i!' !otices as u!er ;ec A, )ule -6, o$ t%e )evise )ules
o$ (ourt
- T%e use o$ t%e is6u!ctive i! t%e ,ors H,%e! a ,ill is elivere to
:) a &etitio! $or t%e allo,a!ce o$ a ,ill is $ileH &lai!l+ i!icates t%at
t%e court ma+ act u&o! t%e mere e&osit t%erei! o$ a ecee!t1s
testame!t, eve! i$ !o &etitio! $or its allo,a!ce is as +et $ile" 9%ere
t%e &etitio! $or &robate is mae a$ter t%e e&osit o$ t%e ,ill, t%e
&etitio! is eeme to relate bac7 to t%e time ,%e! t%e ,ill ,as
elivere" ;i!ce t%e testame!t o$ Br" )ori'ue= ,as submitte a!
elivere to (BI @ulaca! o! Marc% *, ,%ile &etitio!ers i!itiate
i!testate &roceei!'s i! (BI )i=al o!l+ o! Marc% 12, 8 a+s later, t%e
&recee!ce a! e.clusive 6urisictio! o$ (BI @ulaca! is
i!co!testable"
- @ut, &etitio!ers ob6ect, sectio! A o$ revise )ule -6 s&ea7s o$ a ,ill
bei!' elivere to Ht%e (ourt %avi!' 6urisictio!,H a! i! t%e case at
bar t%e @ulaca! court i !ot %ave it because t%e ecee!t ,as
omicile i! )i=al &rovi!ce" 9e ca! !ot isre'ar Br" )ori'ue=1s AA
+ears o$ resie!ce as &aris% &riest i! ?a'o!o+, @ulaca! E19A4-196AF;
but eve! i$ ,e o so, a! co!sier t%at %e retai!e t%rou'%out some
animus revertendi to t%e &lace o$ %is birt% i! )i=al, t%at etail ,oul
!ot im&l+ t%at t%e @ulaca! court lac7e 6urisictio!" As rule i!
&revious ecisio!s, t%e &o,er to settle ecee!ts1 estates is
co!$erre b+ la, u&o! all (BIs, a! t%e omicile o$ t%e testator o!l+
a$$ects t%e ve!ue but !ot t%e 6urisictio! o$ t%e (ourt E,n re Ka,
;i!'co, -* 3%il" 2A9; )e+es vs" <ia=, -A 3%il" *8*; @er!abe vs"
/er'ara, -A 3%il" 6-6F" Neit%er &art+ e!ies t%at t%e late Br"
)ori'ue= is ecease, or t%at %e le$t &erso!al &ro&ert+ i! ?a'o!o+,
&rovi!ce o$ @ulaca!" T%at is su$$icie!t i! t%is case"
Dis!si"i!# 3etitio! $or certiorari is <ENIE<"
CASTANEDA V ALEMAN(
#) 1*A9
9ILLA)<; Marc% 1*, 194*
MAIA
NATURE
A&&eal $rom 6u'me!t o$ (BI Ma!ila allo,i!' ,ill o$ <o!a 5ua!a
More!o
FACTS
- t%e (BI Ma!ila allo,e t%e ,ill o$ <o!a 5ua!a More!o, %oli!' t%at
all t%e le'al $ormalities %a bee! require ,it% i! t%e e.ecutio! o$ t%e
,ill
- a&&ella!ts Et%rou'% Alema!+, ami!istrator o$ t%e &ro&erties o$
mi!ors Lea!ro a! 3a= #ruet, c%ilre! o$ <o!a 5ua!aF questio!
t%is ruli!', co!te!i!' t%at sai ,ill ,as !ot ,ritte! i! t%e &rese!ce
a! u!er e.&ress irectio! o$ t%e testatri. as require b+ (oe o$
(ivil 3roceure"
- o! t%e ot%er %a!, a&&ellees co!te! t%at t%e 'rou!s $or t%e
isallo,a!ce o$ a ,ill are limite to t%ose e!umerate i! t%e same
coe
ISSUE
9:N t%e (BI erre i! allo,i!' t%e ,ill
HELD
N:
Ratio t%e evie!ce s%o,s t%at t%e ,ill o$ <o!a 5ua!a More!o ,as
ul+ si'!e b+ %ersel$ i! t%e &rese!ce o$ t%ree ,it!esses, ,%o
si'!e it as ,it!esses i! t%e &rese!ce o$ t%e testatri. a! o$ eac%
ot%er" It ,as t%ere$ore e.ecute i! co!$ormit+ ,it% t%e la,"
Reasoning ;ectio! 618 o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure reas> NNo
,ill ... s%all be vali to &ass a!+ estate, real o$ &erso!al, !or c%ar'e
or e$$ect t%e same, u!less it be i# .5i"i#9 a! si9#4% b+ t%e testator,
or b+ t%e testator1s !ame ,ritte! b+ some ot%er &erso! i! %is
&rese!ce, a! b+ %is e.&ress irectio!, a! atteste a! subscribe
b+ t%ree or more creible ,it!esses i! t%e &rese!ce o$ t%e testator
a! eac% o$ t%e ot%er" ...O
- all t%at t%e quote &rovisio! requires is EaF t%at t%e ,ill be i! ,riti!',
a! E2F eit%er t%e testator si'! it i! %imsel$, or, i$ %e oes !ot si'! it,
t%at it be si'!e b+ someo!e i! %is &rese!ce a! u!er %is irectio!"
N9%o oes t%e mec%a!ical ,or7 o$ ,riti!' t%e ,ill is a matter o$
i!i$$ere!ceO
- %ere, t%e ,ill ,as t+&e,ritte! i! t%e o$$ice o$ t%e la,+er, but t%is $act
Nis o$ !o co!seque!ceO Ecourt i !ot elaborateF"
- t%e o!l+ &ur&ose o$ t%e &roceei!'s u!er t%e coe $or t%e &robate
o$ a ,ill is to establis% co!clusivel+ as a'ai!st ever+o!e, a! o!ce $or
all, t%e $acts t%at a ,ill ,as e.ecute ,it% t%e $ormalities require b+
la, a! t%at t%e testator ,as i! a co!itio! to ma7e a ,ill E;ec" 620F
- 6u'me!t i! suc% &roceei!'s etermi!es a! ca! etermi!e
!ot%i!' more" T%e court %as !o &o,er to &ass u&o! t%e valiit+ o$
a!+ &rovisio!s mae i! t%e ,ill" It ca! !ot ecie, $or e.am&le, t%at a
certai! le'ac+ is voi a! a!ot%er o!e vali" It coul !ot i! t%is case
ma7e a!+ ecisio! u&o! t%e questio! ,%et%er t%e testratri. %a t%e
&o,er to a&&oi!t b+ ,ill a 'uaria! $or t%e &ro&ert+ o$ %er c%ilre! b+
%er $irst %usba!, or ,%et%er t%e &erso! so a&&oi!te ,as or ,as !ot
a suitable &erso! to isc%ar'e suc% trust" All suc% questio!s must be
ecie i! some ot%er &roceei!'"
- 'rou!s o! ,%ic% a ,ill ma+ be isallo,e are state t%e sectio!
6A* E!o, sec"9, rule -6F" 8!less o!e o$ t%ose 'rou!s a&&ears, t%e
,ill must be allo,e" T%e+ all %ave to o ,it% t%e &erso!al co!itio!
o$ t%e testator at t%e time o$ its e.ecutio! a! t%e $ormalities
co!!ecte t%ere,it%" It $ollo,s t%at !eit%er t%is court !or t%e court
belo, %as a!+ 6urisictio! i! t%is &roceei!'s to &ass u&o! questio!s
raise b+ a&&ella!ts relati!' to t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ a 'uaria! $or t%e
c%ilre! o$ t%e ecease"
- It is claime b+ a&&ella!ts t%at t%ere ,as !o testimo!+ to s%o, t%at
t%e ,ill e.ecute ,as t%e same ,ill &rese!te to t%e court a!
co!cer!i!' ,%ic% t%is %eari!' ,as %a" It is true t%at t%e evie!ce
oes !ot s%o, t%at t%e ocume!t i! court ,as &rese!te to t%e
,it!esses a! ie!ti$ie b+ t%em, as s%oul %ave bee! o!e"
?o,ever, it a&&ears t%at it ,as assume b+ all t%e &arties uri!' t%e
trial t%at t%e ,ill about ,%ic% t%e ,it!esses ,ere testi$+i!' ,as t%e
9
ocume!t t%e! i! court" No su''estio! o$ a!+ 7i! ,as t%e! mae b+
t%e cou!sel $or a&&ella!ts t%at it ,as !ot t%e same i!strume!t"
Disposition 3etitio! is e!ie" <ecisio! a$$irme
ATILANO G. MERCADO V JUDGE SANTOS
66 3?IL 210
LA8)EL, 5> 19A8
&SJ
NATURE
3etitio! $or revie, o! certiorari
FACTS
:! Ma+ 28, 19A1, t%e &etitio!er %erei! $ile i! t%e (BI o$ 3am&a!'a
a &etitio! $or t%e &robate o$ t%e ,ill o$ %is ecease ,i$e, I!es @asa"
9it%out a!+ o&&ositio!, a! u&o! t%e testimo!+ o$ @e!i'!o B"
#abi!o, o!e o$ t%e attesti!' ,it!esses, t%e &robate court, o! 5u!e
2-, 19A1, $%7i""4% "-4 .i22 "! 5!1$"4. Almost t%ree +ears later, o!
A&ril 11, 19A*, t%e $ive i!terve!ors %erei! move e. &arte to reo&e!
t%e &roceei!'s, alle'i!' lac7 o$ 6urisictio! o$ t%e court to &robate
t%e ,ill a! to close t%e &roceei!'s" @ecause $ile e. &arte, t%e
motio! ,as e!ie" T%e same motio! ,as $ile a seco! time, but
,it% !otice to t%e averse &art+" T%e motio! ,as !evert%eless e!ie
b+ t%e &robate court o! Ma+ 2*, 19A*" :! a&&eal to t%is court, t%e
orer o$ e!ial ,as a$$irme o! 5ul+ 26, 19A0"
It a&&ears t%at o! :ctober 2-, 19A2, i" e", 16 si8"44# 7!#"-s $6"45
"-4 5!1$"4 !6 "-4 .i22 !6 I#4s &$s$* i#"45v4#!5 R!s$5i! &$s$ %4
L4!# 6i24% .i"- "-4 ;0s"i34 !6 "-4 4$34 3!05" !6 S$# F45#$#%!*
)$7$#9$* $ 3!72$i#" $9$i#s" "-4 4"i"i!#45 -454i#* 6!5
6$2si6i3$"i!# !5 6!5945< !6 "-4 .i22 5!1$"4% $s $1!v4 i#%i3$"4%.
ISSUE
9:N t%e &robate o$ t%e ,ill o$ t%e ecease ,i$e is a bar to %is
crimi!al &rosecutio! $or t%e alle'e $or'er+ o$ t%e sai ,ill
HELD
(ES.
- ;ec" A46 o$ our (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure &rovies as to t%e e$$ect o$
6u'me!t>
H;E(" A46" E$$ect o$ 6u'me!t" T%e e$$ect o$ a 6u'me!t or $i!al
orer i! a! actio! or s&ecial &roceei!' be$ore a court or 6u'e o$ t%e
3%ili&&i!e Isla!s or o$ t%e 8!ite ;tates, or o$ a!+ ;tate or Territor+
o$ t%e 8!ite ;tates, %avi!' 6urisictio! to &ro!ou!ce t%e 6u'me!t or
orer, ma+ be as $ollo,s>
H1" I! case o$ a 6u'me!t or orer a'ai!st a s&eci$ic t%i!', or i#
54s43" "! "-4 5!1$"4 !6 $ .i22* !5 "-4 $%7i#is"5$"i!# !6 "-4
4s"$"4 !6 $ %434$s4% 45s!#* or i! res&ect to t%e &erso!al, &olitical,
or le'al co!itio! or relatio! o$ a &articular &erso!, "-4 ;0%974#" !5
!5%45 is 3!#320siv4 0!# "-4 "i"24 !6 "-4 "-i#9* "-4 .i22 !5
$%7i#is"5$"i!#* !5 "-4 3!#%i"i!# !5 542$"i!# !6 "-4 45s!#>
3rovie, T%at t%e &robate o$ a ,ill or 'ra!ti!' o$ letters o$
ami!istratio! s%all o!l+ be &rima $acie evie!ce o$ t%e eat% o$ t%e
testator or i!testate>
;ectio! 620 o$ t%e same (oe is more e.&licit as to t%e
co!clusive!ess o$ t%e ue e.ecutio! o$ a &robate ,ill" It sa+s>
H;E(" 620" Allo,a!ce Necessar+, a! (o!clusive as to E.ecutio!"
No ,ill s%all &ass eit%er t%e real or &erso!al estate, u!less it is
&rove a! allo,e i! t%e (ourt o$ Birst I!sta!ce, or b+ a&&eal to t%e
;u&reme (ourt; a! t%e allo,a!ce b+ t%e court o$ a ,ill o$ real a!
&erso!al estate s%all be co!clusive as to its ue e.ecutio!"H
I! Ma!a%a! vs" Ma!a%a! E08 3%il", **8, *01F, ,e %el>
H" " " T%e ecree o$ &robate is co!clusive ,it% res&ect to t%e ue
e.ecutio! t%ereo$ a! it ca!!ot be im&u'!e o! a!+ o$ t%e 'rou!s
aut%ori=e b+ la,, e.ce&t t%at o$ $rau, i! a!+ se&arate or
i!e&e!e!t actio! or &roceei!'"
I! 28 )" (" L", &" A--, sectio! A-8, it is sai>
HT%e &robate o$ a ,ill b+ t%e &robate court %avi!' 6urisictio! t%ereo$
is usuall+ co!siere as co!clusive as to its ue e.ecutio! a!
valiit+, $#% is $2s! 3!#320siv4 "-$" "-4 "4s"$"!5 .$s !6 s!0#% $#%
%is!si#9 7i#% $" "-4 "i74 .-4# -4 48430"4% "-4 .i22* $#% .$s
#!" $3"i#9 0#%45 %054ss* 74#$34* 65$0%* !5 0#%04 i#6204#34* $#%
"-$" "-4 .i22 is 94#0i#4 $#% #!" $ 6!5945<"H
T%e &robate o$ a ,ill i! t%is 6urisictio! is a &roceei!' i! rem" T%e
&rovisio! o$ !otice b+ &ublicatio! as a &rerequisite to t%e allo,a!ce
o$ a ,ill is co!structive !otice to t%e ,%ole ,orl, a! ,%e! &robate
is 'ra!te, t%e 6u'me!t o$ t%e court is bi!i!' u&o! ever+bo+, eve!
a'ai!st t%e ;tate" T%is court %el i! t%e case o$ Ma!alo vs" 3arees
a! 3%ili&&i!e Boo (o" E*- 3%il", 9A8F>
HT%e &roceei!' $or t%e &robate o$ a ,ill is o!e i! rem E*4 (+c",
1260F, a! t%e court acquires 6urisictio! over all t%e &erso!s
i!tereste, t%rou'% t%e &ublicatio! o$ t%e !otice &rescribe b+ sectio!
6A4 o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure, a! a!+ orer t%at ma+ be
e!tere t%erei! is bi!i!' a'ai!st all o$ t%em"
HT%rou'% t%e &ublicatio! o$ t%e &etitio! $or t%e &robate o$ t%e ,ill, t%e
court acquires 6urisictio! over all suc% &erso!s as are i!tereste i!
sai ,ill; a! a!+ 6u'me!t t%at ma+ be re!ere a$ter sai
&roceei!' is bi!i!' a'ai!st t%e ,orl"H
FLUEMER VS HI=
#")" No" L-A26A6
MAL(:LM; Marc% 1-,19A4
MEL
NATURE
A&&eal $rom (BI ecisio! e!+i!' t%e &robate o$ t%e ocume!t
alle'e to b+ t%e last ,ill a! testame!t o$ t%e ecease"
FACTS
- 3etitio!er alle'es t%at t%e ,ill ,as e.ecute i! El7i!s, 9est
/ir'i!ia, o! November A, 1920, b+ ?i. ,%o %a %is resie!ce i! t%at
6urisictio!, a! t%at t%e la,s o$ 9est /er'i!ia (oe, A!!otate, b+
?o'', (%arles E", vol" 2, 191*, &" 1694, a! as certi$ie to b+ t%e
<irector o$ t%e Natio!al Librar+" 5u'e o$ Birst I!sta!ce Tuaso!
e!ie t%e &robate o$ t%e ocume!t alle'e to b+ t%e last ,ill a!
testame!t o$ t%e ecease"
- 9%ile t%e a&&eal &e!i!' submissio! i! t%is court, t%e attor!e+ $or
t%e a&&ella!t &rese!te a! u!veri$ie &etitio! as7i!' t%e court to
acce&t as &art o$ t%e evie!ce t%e ocume!ts attac%e to t%e
&etitio!" :!e o$ t%ese ocume!ts iscloses t%at a &a&er ,riti!'
&ur&orti!' to be t%e ,as &rese!te $or &robate o! 5u!e 8, 1929, to
t%e cler7 o$ )a!ol&% (ou!tr+, ;tate o$ 9est /ir'i!ia, i! vacatio!,
a! ,as ul+ &rove! b+ t%e oat%s o$ <a!a 9amsle+ a! 5ose&% L"
MAe!, t%e subscribi!' ,it!esses t%ereto , a! orere to be
recore a! $ile" It ,as s%o,! b+ a!ot%er ocume!t t%at, i!
vacatio!, o! 5u!e 8, 1929, t%e cler7 o$ court o$ )a!ol&% (ou!tr+,
9est /ir'i!ia, a&&oi!te (laue 9" Ma.,ell as ami!istrator, cum
testamento anne(o, o$ t%e estate o$ E,ar )a!ol&% ?i.,
ecease" I! t%is co!!ectio!, it is to be !ote t%at t%e a&&licatio! $or
t%e &robate o$ t%e ,ill i! t%e 3%ili&&i!es ,as $ile o! Bebruar+ 24,
1929, ,%ile t%e &roceei!'s i! 9est /ir'i!ia a&&ear to %ave bee!
i!itiate o! 5u!e 8, 1929" T%ese $acts are stro!'l+ i!icative o$ a!
i!te!tio! to ma7e t%e 3%ili&&i!es t%e &ri!ci&al ami!istratio! a!
9est /ir'i!ia t%e a!cillar+ ami!istratio!"
ISSUE
9:N t%e ,ill s%oul be allo,e
HELD
N:
Ratio: No attem&t %as bee! mae to com&l+ ,it% (ivil 3roceure, $or
!o %eari!' o! t%e questio! o$ t%e allo,a!ce o$ a ,ill sai to %ave
bee! &rove a! allo,e i! 9est /ir'i!ia %as bee! requeste" T%ere
is !o s%o,i!' t%at t%e ecease le$t a!+ &ro&ert+ at a!+ &lace ot%er
t%a! t%e 3%ili&&i!e Isla!s a! !o co!te!tio! t%at %e le$t a!+ i! 9est
/ir'i!ia"
Reasoning "s stated by the lo$er court! t%e requireme!ts o$ t%e la,
,ere !ot met" T%ere ,as !o ,as &ri!te or &ublis%e u!er t%e
aut%orit+ o$ t%e ;tate o$ 9est /ir'i!ia, as &rovie i! sectio! A44 o$
t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure" Nor ,as t%e e.tract $rom t%e la,
atteste b+ t%e certi$icate o$ t%e o$$icer %avi!' c%ar'e o$ t%e ori'i!al,
u!er t%e sale o$ t%e ;tate o$ 9est /ir'i!ia, as &rovie i! sectio!
A41 o$ t%e (oe o$ (ivil 3roceure" No evie!ce ,as i!trouce to
s%o, t%at t%e e.tract $rom t%e la,s o$ 9est /ir'i!ia ,as i! $orce at
t%e time t%e alle'e ,ill ,as e.ecute"
- I! aitio!, t%e ue e.ecutio! o$ t%e ,ill ,as !ot establis%e" T%e
o!l+ evie!ce o! t%is &oi!t is to be $ou! i! t%e testimo!+ o$ t%e
&etitio!er" Asie $rom t%is, t%ere ,as !ot%i!' to i!icate t%at t%e ,ill
,as ac7!o,le'e b+ t%e testator i! t%e &rese!ce o$ t,o com&ete!t
,it!esses, o$ t%at t%ese ,it!esses subscribe t%e ,ill i! t%e &rese!ce
o$ t%e testator a! o$ eac% ot%er as t%e la, o$ 9est /ir'i!ia seems to
require" :! t%e su&&ositio! t%at t%e ,it!esses to t%e ,ill resie
10
,it%out t%e 3%ili&&i!e Isla!s, it ,oul t%e! t%e ut+ o$ t%e &etitio!er
to &rove e.ecutio! b+ some ot%er mea!s E(oe o$ (ivil 3roceure,
sec" 6AA"F
- It ,as also !ecessar+ $or t%e &etitio!er to &rove t%at t%e testator
%a %is omicile i! 9est /ir'i!ia a! !ot establis% t%is $act co!siste
o$ t%e recitals i! t%e CATH( ,ill a! t%e testimo!+ o$ t%e &etitio!er"
Also i! be'i!!i!' ami!istratio! &roceei!'s or'i!all+ i! t%e
3%ili&&i!e Isla!s, t%e &etitio!er violate %is o,! t%eor+ b+
attem&ti!' to %ave t%e &ri!ci&al ami!istratio! i! t%e 3%ili&&i!e
Isla!s"
DIS)OSITION 5u'me!t a$$irme
GUERRERO VS TERAN
1A 3%il 212
5:?N;:N; Marc% 19, 1949
EVA
NATURE
A&&eal $rom a 6u'me!t o$ t%e (BI
FACTS
- ;alvaor #uerrero, t%e 'uaria! o$ mi!ors Maria Ma!uela a!
Maria el (arme! ;a!c%e= Mu!o=, $ile a! actio! a'ai!st Leo&olo
Tera! to recover t%e sum o$ 3*,129"06 o! t%e t%eor+ t%at Tera! %a
bee! t%e ami!istrator o$ t%e estate o$ A!to!io ;a!c%e= Mu!o= $rom
1941-1946"
- Tera! amitte %e o,e #uerrero 3188"A9 but claime t%at t%e
latter o,e %im 3*82"1*"
- (BI $ou! t%at Tera!, as ami!istrator o$ sai estate, o,e
#uerrero t%e sum o$ 3A,**-"*6"
ISSUE
9:N Tera! ma!a'e a! ami!istere t%e estate o$ ;a!c%e=
Mu!o= $rom 1941-1946
HELD
N:" Tera! ,as t%e ul+ a&&oi!te a! reco'!i=e re&rese!tative o$
t%e mi!ors Maria Ma!uela a! Masria el carme! i! t%e
ami!istratio! o$ t%eir i!terests i! t%e estate o$ t%e sai A!to!io
;a!c%e= Mu!o= 65!7 S4".17* 19>1 0#"i2 M$53- 1?* 19>2.
- Tera! ,as a&&oi!te as ami!istrator o$ sai estate o! ;e&t"1-,
1941" ?e e!tere i!to a bo! o$ 14,444 ollars, 'ol, $or t%e $ait%$ul
&er$orma!ce o$ %is uties as suc% re&rese!tative"
- :! Marc% 18, 1941, t%e (BI o$ Alba+ a&&oi!te *aria *unoz y
+omez as 'uaria! $or sai mi!ors a! s%e 'ave t%e require bo!
$or t%e $ait%$ul &er$orma!ce o$ %er uties as suc% 'uaria!"
- 9%ile t%ere are some i!icatio!s t%at Tera! co!ti!ue to act as t%e
ami!istrator o$ sai estate a$ter t%e a&&oi!tme!t o$ Maria Mu!o= +
#ome=, u& to :ct"6, 1946, +et t%e $act e.ists t%at sai Maria Mu!o=
,as t%e actual representative o$ t%e mi!ors $rom a! a$ter Marc% 18,
1942 u!til :ct"6, 1946, a! t%ere$ore s%e, as suc% 'uaria! a!
ami!istratri. o$ t%e estate, must be %el res&o!sible $or t%e &ro&ert+
belo!'i!' to sai mi!ors uri!' t%e &erio ,%ile s%e ,as t%eir actual
'uaria!"
- Maria Mu!o=, $or t%e reaso! t%at s%e ,as !ot a resie!t o$ t%e
3%ili&&i!es at t%e time o$ %er a&&&oi!tme!t, ,as remove as
'uaria! b+ t%e (BI" Beli. ;amso! ,as t%e! a&&oi!te as 'uaria!"
T%e mere $act t%at s%e ,as remove as 'uaria! i !ot relieve %er,
!or %er bo!sme! $rom liabilit+ to t%e mi!ors uri!' t%e time t%at s%e
,as ul+ acti!' as sai 'uaria!" I$ uri!' t%e time t%at s%e ,as t%e
'uaria! s%e allo,e ot%er &erso!s to %a!le t%e &ro&ert+ o$ %er
,ars a! i$ a!+ misma!a'eme!t or loss occurre t%ereb+, t%e
res&o!sibilit+ must $all u&o! %er" #herefore! if any loss occurred to
the minors bet$een *arch -.! -/01 and Oct.2! -/02! they have a
right of action only against said *aria *unoz y +omez as their legal
guardian and under the la$ the administratri( of the property of their
estate.
- Tera! ,as liable $or losses o!l+ uri!' t%e time t%at %e ,as acti!'
as t%e le'al re&rese!tative o$ t%e sai mi!ors i! t%e ma!a'eme!t o$
t%eir estate, $rom ;e&t"1-, 1941 u& to t%e time t%at %e ,as
su&ersee b+ Maria Mu!o= + #ome=, o! Marc% 18, 1942" T%ere is
!o &roo$ s%o,i!' t%at a!+ o$ t%e losses claime b+ #uerrero
occurre ,it%i! t%is &erio" #hus! #eran is liable only for the amount
of P-...3/! the amount he admitted he o$ed the plaintiff.
- :! a&&oi!tme!t o$ ami!istrators or 'uaria!s>
Maria Mu!o= ,as remove o! t%e t%eor+ t%at %er a&&oi!tme!t ,as
voi because s%e ,as !ot a resie!t o$ t%e 3%ili&&i!es" T%ere is
!ot%i!' i! t%e la, ,%ic% requires t%e courts to a&&oi!t resie!ts o!l+
as ami!istrators or 'uaria!s" Not,%it%sta!i!' t%at t%ere is !o
statutor+ requireme!t, t%e courts s%oul !ot co!se!t to t%e
a&&oi!tme!t o$ &erso!s as ami!istrators or 'uaria!s ,%o are !ot
&erso!all+ sub6ect to t%e 6urisictio! o$ our courts %ere, ot%er,ise, t%e
courts ,ill $i! muc% i$$icult+ i! com&l+i!' ,it% t%e ut+ o$ &rotecti!'
t%e estates o$ ecease &erso!s, ,ars o$ t%e estate, etc"
DIS)OSITIVE )everse"
SIOCA v GARCIA
** 3%il -11
Mar 2-, 192A; :;T)AN<
'OO'(
FACTS:
- 5ua! Navas L" ;ioca is t%e survivi!' s&ouse o$ t%e
ecease #ero!ima 8+ (oque" T%e &robate court a&&oi!te
5ose #arcia as t%e ami!istrator o$ t%e eceaseCs estate"
;ioca mai!tai!s t%at t%e court erre i! t%is res&ect"
ISSUE:
9:N t%e &robate court erre i! !ot a&&oi!ti!' t%e
eceaseCs %usba!, ;ioca, as ami!istrator o$ t%e estate"
EN:TE> T%e ;( $irst %el t%at t%e questio! raise is res
udicata as t%ere ,as !o a&&eal ta7e! $rom t%e orer o$ t%e
lo,er court re$usi!' to a&&oi!t ;ioca as ami!istrator" @ut t%e
;( &roceee to state a!ot%er reaso! ,%+ t%is a&&eal is
,it%out merit"F
HELD:
NO.
- A &robate court ca!!ot arbitraril+ a! ,it%out su$$icie!t
reaso! isre'ar t%e &re$ere!tial ri'%ts o$ t%e survivi!'
s&ouse to t%e ami!istratio! o$ t%e estate o$ t%e ecease
s&ouse" @ut, i$ t%e &erso! e!6o+i!' suc% &re$ere!tial ri'%ts is
u!suitable, t%e court ma+ a&&oi!t a!ot%er &erso!" T%e
etermi!atio! o$ a &erso!Cs suitabilit+ $or t%e o$$ice o$
ami!istrator rests, to a 'reat e.te!t, i! t%e sou! 6u'me!t
o$ t%e court e.ercisi!' t%e &o,er o$ a&&oi!tme!t a! suc%
6u'me!t ,ill !ot be i!ter$ere ,it% o! a&&eal u!less it
a&&ears a$$irmativel+ t%at t%e lo,er court ,as i! error"
- t%e &robate court base its ruli!' o! t%e $act t%at ;ioca %a
averse i!terests i! t%e estate o$ suc% c%aracter as to re!er
%im u!suitable as ami!istrator" 8!suitable!ess ma+ co!sist
i! averse i!terest o$ some 7i! or %ostilit+ to t%ose
immeiatel+ i!tereste i! t%e estate"
Dis!si"i!# A$$irme"
11