1 | P a g e

SPS. EDGARDO AND NATIVIDAD FIDEL,

Petitioners,



- versus -



HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS, HEIRS OF THE
LATE PRIMITIVO ESPINELI, namely, JOSEFINA,
PATRICIO and LEONARDO, all !"named
ESPINELI,
Respondents.
G.R. N#. $%&'%(


Present:

QUISUMBING,J., Chairperson,
N!R"S-S!N#I!G$,
C!RPI$ M$R!%"S,
#ING!,and
&"%!SC$, 'R.,JJ.


Pro(u)gated:

'u)* +1, +,,-

)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *)
DECISION
+UISUMBING, J.,
#his petition .or revie/ see0s to reverse the
1e2ision
-$.
dated Nove(3er ++, +,,4 and the Reso)ution
-'.
dated Ma* +5,
+,,6o. the Court o. !ppea)s in C!-G.R. C& No. 51778. #he appe))ate 2ourt
had a9r(ed /ith (odi:2ation the 1e2ision
-(.
dated;e3ruar* +,, +,,1 o.
the Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C=, Bran2h 16, Nai2, Cavite in Civi) Case No. NC-
86+-76, annu))ing the sa)e in .avor o. the petitioners "dgardo and Natividad
;ide) o. a 16,-s>uare (eter par2e) o. unregistered )and )o2ated at San
Migue) Street, Indang, Cavite and o/ned 3* the )ate &i2ente "spine)i.
#he .a2ts, 2u))ed .ro( the re2ords, are as .o))o/s:
$n ;e3ruar* +1, 1776, respondents :)ed a Co(p)aint
-/.
.or
!nnu)(ent o. Sa)e, #a? 1e2)aration, Re2onve*an2e /ith 1a(ages against
the petitioners "dgardo and Natividad ;ide) and Guada)upe "spine)i-Cru@
3e.ore the R#C, Bran2h 16, Nai2,Cavite. In their 2o(p)aint, respondents
a))eged that the* are 2o(pu)sor* heirs o. Pri(itivo "spine)i, the on)* 2hi)d
o. &i2ente and his :rst /i.e, 'u)iana !sas. Respondents .urther a))eged that
the* dis2overed that the a3ove(entioned par2e) o. )and o/ned 3* the )ate
&i2ente /as so)d on $2to3er 5, 1774 to the petitioners despite the .a2t that
&i2ente died intestate on 'une 4, 1741. #he* argue that the sa)e is void and
si(u)ated 3e2ause &i2enteAs signature appearing on the deed o. sa)e is a
.orger*.
In her !ns/er,
-0.
Guada)upe, the on)* surviving 2hi)d o. &i2ente and
his se2ond /i.e, Pa2en2ia Ro(ea, denied an* 0no/)edge o. the deed o. sa)e
a))eged)* signed 3* &i2ente. She, ho/ever, ad(itted se))ing the propert*
3ut 3* virtue o. another deed o. sa)e signed 3* her as heir o. &i2ente and in
representation o. her nephe/s and nie2es /ho are 2hi)dren o. her de2eased
si3)ings, a)) 2hi)dren o. &i2ente and Pa2en2ia. She .urther denied
0no/)edge o. &i2enteAs a))eged :rst (arriage /ith 'u)iana !sas. She argues
that the heirs o. Pri(itivo (ust :rst esta3)ish their :)iation .ro( &i2ente,
prior to instituting the 2o(p)aint .or annu)(ent o. sa)e. Guada)upe .urther
stresses that the petitioners ;ide) have 3een a3)e to register the sa)e o. the
propert* and to o3tain #a? 1e2)aration No. 18B,4
-%.
in their na(e.
$n ;e3ruar* +,, +,,1, the R#C ru)ed in respondentsA .avor. #he
dispositive portion o. the de2ision reads:
CD"R";$R", Eudg(ent is here3* rendered in
.avor o. the p)aintiFs and against the de.endants as
.o))o/s:
1. $rdering the annu)(ent o. the sa)e in .avor
o. the de.endants spouses "dgardo and
Natividad ;ide) o. the propert* in )itigationG
+. $rdering the RegisHterI o. 1eeds andJor the
Provin2ia) !ssessor o. Cavite to 2an2e) the
registration andJor #a? 1e2)aration No.
18B,4, Series o. 1776G
B. $rdering the de.endants spouses "dgardo
and Natividad ;ide) to 2ause the
re2onve*an2e o. the propert* to &i2ente
"spine)i andJor his heirs .or disposition
su3Ee2t to the )a/s o. intesta2*G
4. $rdering the de.endants Eoint)* and
severa))*, to pa* the p)aintiFs the a(ount
o. P6,,,,,.,, as (ora) da(ages
and PB,,,,,.,, as e?e(p)ar* da(agesG
6. $rdering the de.endants Eoint)* and
severa))*, to rei(3urse the p)aintiFs their
e?penses .or )itigation in the a(ount
o. P6,,,,,.,, as attorne*As .eesG
8. !nd to pa* 2osts o. suit.
S$ $R1"R"1.
-1.
$n Nove(3er ++, +,,4, the Court o. !ppea)s a9r(ed /ith
(odi:2ation the R#C 1e2ision as .o))o/s:
!22ording)*, the su3Ee2t propert* shou)d 3e
re2onve*ed to the "state o. the )ate &i2ente "spine)i 3ut
the proper pro2eedings shou)d 3e instituted to deter(ine
the )atterAs heirs, and i. appropriate, to partition the
su3Ee2t propert*.
CD"R";$R", pre(ises 2onsidered, the assai)ed
1"CISI$N is here3* !;;IRM"1 su3Ee2t to the .oregoing
M$1I;IC!#I$N. No 2osts.
S$ $R1"R"1.
-&.
#hus, the instant petition 3* the spouses "dgardo and Natividad
;ide), a))eging that the appe))ate 2ourt:
I.
K "RR"1 IN UPD$%1ING #D" 1"CISI$N $; #D" #RI!%
C$UR#, C$NSI1"RING #D!# PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S
D!&" N$ %"G!% P"RS$N!%I# #$ INS#I#U#" #D"
!C#I$N. PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S MUS# ;IRS# "S#!B%ISD
#D" S!M" IN PR$P"R !C#I$N #$ PR$&" #D"IR
;I%I!#I$N. %!CL $; SUCD 1"#"RMIN!#I$N $N #D" ISSU"
$; ;I%I!#I$N $N S"P!R!#" !N1 IN1"P"N1"N# !C#I$N,
+ | P a g e
PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S D!&" N$ %"G!% P"RS$N!%I# #$
INS#I#U#" #D" !C#I$N ;$R !NNU%M"N# $; S!%",
C$N&"!NC" !N1 1!M!G"S.

II.
K %IL"CIS" C$MMI##"1 "RR$R IN R"C$GNIMING
!N1J$R !1MI##ING #D" B!P#ISM!% C"R#I;IC!#" $;
PRIMI#I&$ "SPIN"%I !S PR$$; $; ;I%I!#I$N #D!#
H&IC"N#" "SPIN"%I IS DIS ;!#D"RI.
III.
K "RR"1 IN !C!R1ING 1!M!G"S !N1 !##$RN"AS
;""S, C$NSI1"RING #D!# PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S MUS#
;IRS# INS#I#U#" ! S"P!R!#" !C#I$N #$ PR$&" #D"IR
;I%I!#I$N.
-2.
Respondents .or their part raise the .o))o/ing issues:
I.
CD"#D"R $R N$# PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S !R"
SU;;ICI"N#% C%$#D"1 CI#D %"G!% P"RS$N!%I# #$
;I%" #D" PR"S"N# !C#I$N ;$R !NNU%M"N# $; S!%",
R"C$N&"!NC" CI#D 1!M!G"S CI#D$U# PR"'U1IC" #$
INS#I#U#ING ! S"P!R!#" !C#I$N #$ "S#!B%ISD
;I%I!#I$N !N1 D"IRSDIP IN ! S"P!R!#" HPR$C""1INGI.
II.
!SSUMING P"#I#I$N"RS D!&" P"RS$N!%I# #$ R!IS"
#D" ISSU" $; ;I%I!#I$N, CD"#D"R $R N$# #D"
B!P#ISM!% C"R#I;IC!#" $; PRIMI#I&$ "SPIN"%I IS &!%I1
!N1 C$MP"#"N# "&I1"NC" $; DIS ;I%I!#I$N !S CDI%1
$; &IC"N#" "SPIN"%I.
III.
CD"#D"R $R N$# #D" S!%" $; SUB'"C# PR$P"R# B
GU!1!%UP" #$ P"#I#I$N"RS ;I1"% IS &!%I1 UN1"R #D"
PRINCIP%" $; BU"R IN G$$1 ;!I#D.
I&.
CD"#D"R $R N$# #D" !C!R1 $; 1!M!G"S !N1
!##$RN"AS ;""S #$ PRI&!#" R"SP$N1"N#S D!S N$
B!SIS SINC" ! HS"P!R!#"I !C#I$N #$ PR$&" #D"IR
;I%I!#I$N SD$U%1 ;IRS# B" ;I%"1.
-$3.
BrieN* stated, the issues .or our reso)ution are: <1= 1o
respondents have the )ega) persona)it* to :)e the 2o(p)aint .or annu)(ent
o. tit)eO <+= Is the 3aptis(a) 2erti:2ate o. Pri(itivo va)id and 2o(petent
eviden2e to prove his :)iation 3* &i2enteO <B= !re petitioners 3u*ers in good
.aithO and <4= Is the a/ard o. attorne*As .ees and da(ages to respondents
properO
!t the outset, /e entertain no dou3t that the :rst deed o. sa)e,
a))eged)* signed 3* &i2ente, is void 3e2ause his signature therein is a
patent .orger*. Re2ords sho/ he died in 1741, 3ut the deed o. sa)e /as
a))eged)* signed on $2to3er 5, 1774. !rti2)e 14,7 o. the Civi) Code o.
the Phi)ippines states:
!rt. 14,7. #he .o))o/ing 2ontra2ts are ine?istent
and void .ro( the 3eginning:
<1= #hose /hose 2ause, o3Ee2t or purpose is
2ontrar* to )a/, (ora)s, good 2usto(s, pu3)i2 order, or
pu3)i2 po)i2*G
<+= T4#e 54674 a"e a8#l!9ely 6m!la9ed
#" :79696#!G
<B= #hose /hose 2ause or o3Ee2t did not e?ist
at the ti(e o. the transa2tionG
<4= #hose /hose o3Ee2t is outside the
2o((er2e o. (enG
<6= #hose /hi2h 2onte(p)ate an i(possi3)e
servi2eG
<8= #hose /here the intention o. the parties
re)ative to the prin2ipa) o3Ee2t o. the 2ontra2t 2annot 3e
as2ertainedG
<5= #hose e?press)* prohi3ited or de2)ared
void 3* )a/.
#hese 2ontra2ts 2annot 3e rati:ed. Neither 2an
the right to set up the de.ense o. i))ega)it* 3e
/aived. <"(phasis supp)ied.=
!s .or the deed o. sa)e signed 3* Guada)upe as heir o. &i2ente and
in representation o. her nephe/s and nie2es, petitioners insist that the sa)e
is va)id 3e2ause respondents have no )ega) persona)it* to :)e the 2o(p)aint,
the )atter not having esta3)ished their :)iation 3* &i2ente. #he* argue that
respondents :rst need to esta3)ish their :)iation 3* &i2ente prior to
instituting a 2o(p)aint in a separate a2tion, and not in the present
a2tion. $n the other hand, respondents 2ontend that their :)iation /as
esta3)ished 3* the 3aptis(a) 2erti:2ate o. their .ather, Pri(itivo, sho/ing
that Pri(itivo is the son o. &i2ente.
$n this point /e ru)e in .avor o. respondents.
Chi)e respondentsA prin2ipa) a2tion /as .or the annu)(ent o. the
sa)e and not an a2tion to i(pugn oneAs )egiti(a2* and that oneAs )egiti(a2*
2an 3e >uestioned on)* in a dire2t a2tion seasona3)* :)ed 3* the proper
part*, it is ne2essar* to pass upon the re)ationship o. respondents to the
de2eased &i2ente .or the purpose o. deter(ining /hat )ega) rights
respondents have in the propert*. In .a2t, the issue o. /hether or not
respondents are heirs o. &i2ente /as s>uare)* raised 3* petitioners in their
Pre-#ria) Brie.
-$$.
:)ed on !pri) +8, 1776, 3e.ore the tria) 2ourt, hen2e the*
are no/ estopped .ro( assai)ing the tria) 2ourtAs ru)ing on respondentsA
status. In the si(i)ar 2ase o. Fernandez v. Fernandez,
-$'.
the Supre(e
Court he)d:
It (ust 3e noted that the respondentsA prin2ipa)
a2tion /as .or the de2)aration o. a3so)ute nu))it* o. t/o
do2u(ents, na(e)*: deed o. e?tra-Eudi2ia) partition and
deed o. a3so)ute sa)e, and not an a2tion to i(pugn oneAs
)egiti(a2*. #he respondent 2ourt ru)ed on the :)iation o.
petitioner Rodo).o ;ernande@ in order to deter(ine
Rodo).oAs right to the deed o. e?tra-Eudi2ia) partition as
the a))eged )egiti(ate heir o. the spouses
;ernande@. ;46le 5e a"e a5a"e 94a9 #ne<
le=696ma7y 7an 8e >!e96#ned #nly 6n a d6"e79 a796#n
B | P a g e
ea#na8ly :led 8y 94e ?"#?e" ?a"9y, 946 d#79"6ne
4a n# a??l67a96#n 6n 94e 6n9an9 7ae 7#n6de"6n=
94a9 "e?#nden9< 7la6m 5a 94a9 ?e9696#ne"
R#d#l@# 5a n#9 8#"n 9# 94e de7eaed ?#!e J#e
and Gene"#a Fe"nandeAG /e do not have a situation
/herein the* <respondents= den* that Rodo).o /as a 2hi)d
o. their un2)eAs /i.e. . . .
? ? ? ?
#hus, 69 6 ne7ea"y 9# ?a !?#n 94e
"ela96#n46? #@ ?e9696#ne" R#d#l@# Fe"nandeA 9# 94e
de7eaed ?#!e Fe"nandeA @#" 94e ?!"?#e #@
de9e"m6n6n= 54a9 le=al "6=49 R#d#l@# 4a 6n 94e
?"#?e"9y !8Be79 #@ 94e e)9"a*B!d676al ?a"9696#n. In
.a2t, the issue o. /hether or not Rodo).o ;ernande@ /as
the son o. the de2eased spouses 'ose ;ernande@ and
Generosa de &ene2ia /as s>uare)* raised 3* petitioners
in their pre-tria) 3rie. :)ed 3e.ore the tria) 2ourt, hen2e
the* are no/ estopped .ro( assai)ing the tria) 2ourtAs
ru)ing on Rodo).oAs status.
-$(.
<"(phasis supp)ied.=
Petitioners nonethe)ess 2ontend that Pri(itivoAs 3aptis(a)
2erti:2ate is neither a pu3)i2 do2u(ent nor a 2on2)usive proo. o. the
)egiti(ate :)iation 3* &i2ente o. Pri(itivo, the respondentsA .ather. Ce :nd
petitionersA 2ontention )a20ing in (erit, hen2e /e reEe2t it.
Re2ords sho/ that Pri(itivo /as 3orn in 1-76. !t that ti(e, the
on)* re2ords o. 3irth are those /hi2h appear in paro2hia) re2ords. #his
Court has he)d that as to the nature and 2hara2ter o. the entries 2ontained
in the paro2hia) 3oo0s and the 2erti:2ates thereo. issued 3* a parish priest,
the sa(e have not )ost their 2hara2ter o. 3eing pu3)i2 do2u(ents .or the
purpose o. proving a2ts re.erred to therein, inas(u2h as .ro( the ti(e o.
the 2hange o. sovereignt* in the Phi)ippines to the present da*, no )a/ has
3een ena2ted a3o)ishing the o92ia) and pu3)i2 2hara2ter o. paro2hia) 3oo0s
and entries (ade therein. Parish priests 2ontinue to 3e the )ega)
2ustodians o. the paro2hia) 3oo0s 0ept during the .or(er sovereignt*, and
as su2h the* (a* issue 2erti:ed 2opies o. the entries 2ontained therein in
the sa(e (anner as do 0eepers o. ar2hives.
-$/.
#he 3aptis(a) 2erti:2ate o. Pri(itivo is, there.ore, a va)id and
2o(petent eviden2e to prove his :)iation 3* &i2ente.
!22ording)*, /e upho)d the Court o. !ppea)s ru)ing that the su3Ee2t
propert* shou)d 3e re2onve*ed to the "state o. the )ate &i2ente "spine)i
and proper pro2eedings 3e instituted to deter(ine the )atterAs heirs, and, i.
appropriate, to partition the su3Ee2t propert*.
!nent the third issue, 2an petitioners 3e 2onsidered 3u*ers in good
.aithO $ur ru)ing on this point is: no, the* 2annot 3e 2onsidered 3u*ers in
good .aith. ;or /e :nd that petitioners /ere on)* a3)e to register the sa)e o.
the propert* and #a? 1e2)aration No. 18B,4 in their na(eG the* did not
have a #orrens tit)e. Un)i0e a tit)e registered under the #orrens S*ste(, a
ta? de2)aration does not 2onstitute 2onstru2tive noti2e to the /ho)e
/or)d. #he issue o. good .aith or 3ad .aith o. a 3u*er is re)evant on)* /here
the su3Ee2t o. the sa)e is a registered )and 3ut not /here the propert* is an
unregistered )and.
-$0.
Do/ever, on the issue o. a2tua) and (ora) da(ages and attorne*As
.ees a/arded 3* the tria) 2ourt to respondents, /e :nd the a/ard 3ere.t o.
.a2tua) 3asis. ! part* is entit)ed to an ade>uate 2o(pensation .or su2h
pe2uniar* )oss or )osses a2tua))* suFered 3* hi( /hi2h he has du)*
proven. Su2h da(ages, to 3e re2overa3)e, (ust not on)* 3e 2apa3)e o.
proo., 3ut (ust a2tua))* 3e proved /ith a reasona3)e degree o.
2ertaint*. Courts 2annot si(p)* re)* on spe2u)ation, 2onEe2ture or
guess/or0 in deter(ining the .a2t and a(ount o. da(ages. !ttorne*As .ees
shou)d there.ore 3e de)eted .or )a20 o. .a2tua) 3asis and )ega) Eusti:2ation.
-$%.
Mora) da(ages shou)d )i0e/ise not 3e a/arded sin2e respondents did
not sho/ proo. o. (ora) suFering, (enta) anguish, serious an?iet*,
3es(ir2hed reputation, nor /ounded .ee)ings and so2ia) hu(i)iation.
-$1.
;HEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. #he assai)ed 1e2ision
dated Nove(3er ++, +,,4 and the Reso)ution dated Ma* +5, +,,6 o. the
Court o. !ppea)s in C!-G.R. C& No. 51778 are AFFIRMED /ith
the MODIFICATION that the a/ard o. (ora) and e?e(p)ar* da(ages as
/e)) as attorne*As .ees 3e DELETED. No pronoun2e(ent as to 2osts.
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
ERNESTO L. SALAS, G.R. No. 165588
Pe9696#ne",
Present:

PUN$, C.J., Chairperson,
S!N1$&!%-GU#I"RR"M,
Q
* C e " ! * C$R$N!,
!MCUN! and
G!RCI!, JJ.

STA. MESA MARDET
CORPORATION and 94e HEIRS
OF PRIMITIVO E. DOMINGO,
EE
Re?#nden9. Pro(u)gated:

'u)* 1+, +,,5

) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * )

D E C I S I O N


CORONA, J.,


#his petition .or revie/ on 2ertiorari
H1I
see0s to set aside the !pri) B,,
+,,1 de2ision o. the Court !ppea)s <C!= in C!-G.R. C& No. 6,---
H+I
and its
!pri) B, +,,B reso)ution den*ing re2onsideration.

In a )etter-agree(ent
HBI
dated $2to3er 16, 17-4, Pri(itivo ". 1o(ingo
handed the (anage(ent o. his estate, in2)uding the respondent
4 | P a g e
2orporation Sta. Mesa Mar0et Corporation <SMMC=, to petitioner "rnesto %.
Sa)as.
H4I
!s estate (anager, petitioner /as pri(ari)* tas0ed to ensure
SMMCRs 2ontinued via3i)it* and pro:ta3i)it* 3* redeve)oping the Sta. Mesa
(ar0et and restru2turing the 2orporationRs :nan2es.
H6I
1o(ingo, on the
other hand, 3ound hi(se). to trans.er <on or 3e.ore 'une B,, 17-6=
H8I
B,S o.
SMMCRs su3s2ri3ed and paid-up 2apita) sto20 to petitioner as part o. his
2o(pensation. But, i. petitioner .ai)ed to a2hieve a (onth)* (ar0et
revenue o. at )east PB6,,,,,, he /ou)d 3e o3)iged to return the shares o.
sto20 o. SMMC to 1o(ingo.
H5I

$n 1e2e(3er +-, 17-4, 1o(ingo, as 2hair(an o. SMMC, and
petitioner, in his persona) 2apa2it* and as 2hair(an o. Inter-!)ia
Manage(ent Corporation <Inter-!)ia=, .or(a)i@ed their agree(ent under a
propert* and :nan2ia) (anage(ent 2ontra2t <(anage(ent 2ontra2t=.
H-I



Short)* a.ter the e?e2ution o. the 2ontra2t, SMMC, under petitionerRs
(anage(ent, )eased the Sta. Mesa (ar0et to Ma)a2a Rea)t* Corporation
<Ma)a2a=.
H7I
But it 3e2a(e apparent soon therea.ter that Ma)a2a /as
:nan2ia))* in2apa3)e o. i(proving and e?panding the e?isting .a2i)ities o.
the Sta. Mesa (ar0et.
H1,I
In .a2t, it /as una3)e to pa* the (onth)* rent.
H11I
#hus, SMMC ter(inated its )ease 2ontra2t /ith Ma)a2a.
H1+I
!s a resu)t, its
3oard o. dire2tors 3e2a(e dissatis:ed /ith petitionerRs (anage(ent o. the
2orporation. #herea.ter, it ended its (anage(ent 2ontra2t /ith petitioner
<and Inter-!)ia=.
H1BI


$n 'une -, 17-5, petitioner :)ed an a2tion .or spe2i:2 per.or(an2e and
da(ages
H14I
against SMMC and 1o(ingo
H16I
in the Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C=
o. Que@on Cit*.
H18I
De a))eged that SMMCRs (onth)* (ar0et revenue had
surpassed PB6,,,,, *et 1o(ingo re.used to 2o(p)* /ith his o3)igation to
de)iver B,S o. the su3s2ri3ed and paid-up 2apita) sto20 o. SMMC to hi(.
H15I

In his ans/er,
H1-I
1o(ingo argued that petitioner /as not entit)ed to
the shares o. SMMC. $n the 2ontrar*, the 2orporation suFered additiona)
)osses and in2urred ne/ )ia3i)ities </hi2h respondents 2onsistent)* ite(i@ed
in their p)eadings= a(ounting to P1,7B6,776.,8 over the t/ent*-one <+1=
(onths petitioner /as (anaging it.
H17I

$n !ugust +1, 1776, the R#C rendered a de2ision in .avor o. petitioner.
H+,I
#he tria) 2ourt 2onsidered 2opies o. SMMCRs audited :nan2ia) state(ents
/hi2h sho/ed an i(prove(ent in the 2orporationRs (onth)* average gross
in2o(e <.ro( P+61,57, in 17-4 to P4,7,574 in 17-6=. It .ound that
petitioner not on)* in2reased SMMCRs (onth)* gross in2o(e 3ut a)so
e?2eeded the target (onth)* gross in2o(e o. PB6,,,,,.
H+1I
Den2e, it
ordered respondent heirs to de)iver the shares o. SMMC <e>uiva)ent to B,S
o. its tota) su3s2ri3ed and paid-up 2apita) sto20s= to petitioner.
H++I

Respondent heirs appea)ed the Eudg(ent o. the R#C to the C!. $n
!pri) B,, +,,1, the appe))ate 2ourt rendered its de2ision. It .ound that the
tria) 2ourt erred in ad(itting petitionerRs do2u(entar* eviden2e. !22ording
to the C!, petitioner .ai)ed to prove the authenti2it* o. the audited :nan2ia)
state(ents. De did not present a representative o. SMMCRs e?terna)
auditor, BeEarin 'i(ene@ T Co., to testi.* on the genuineness and due
e?e2ution o. the audited :nan2ia) state(ents o. SMMC. Instead, petitioner
presented a (e(orandu( prepared 3* a (e(3er o. his (anage(ent tea(
attesting to the in2rease in the 2orporationRs (onth)* (ar0et revenue. ;or
this reason, the appe))ate 2ourt ru)ed that the audited :nan2ia) state(ents
/ere not on)* se).-serving 3ut a)so hearsa*.
H+BI
#hus, the C! reversed the
R#C de2ision and dis(issed petitionerRs 2o(p)aint.

Petitioner (oved .or re2onsideration 3ut his (otion /as denied.
H+4I
#hus, this petition.

Petitioner avers that !(ado 1o(ingo, a vi2e-president o. SMMC and
an heir o. the de2eased Pri(itivo ". 1o(ingo, testi:ed that the audited
:nan2ia) state(ents presented in 2ourt /ere 2opies o. those su3(itted 3*
SMMC to the Bureau o. Interna) Revenue <BIR= and the Se2urities and
"?2hange Co((ission <S"C= .or purposes o. ta? pa*(ents and 2o(p)ian2e
/ith reportoria) re>uire(ents, respe2tive)*.
H+6I
#here.ore, !(ado 1o(ingo,
in eFe2t, ad(itted the genuineness and due e?e2ution o. the do2u(ents
/hi2h (ade authenti2ation unne2essar*.

Respondents, on the other hand, insist that the audited :nan2ia)
state(ents /ere inad(issi3)e in eviden2e due to )a20 o. proper
authenti2ation.
H+8I

Ce agree /ith the C!.

#he do2u(ents in >uestion /ere supposed)* 2opies o. the audited :nan2ia)
state(ents o. SMMC. ;inan2ia) state(ents </hi2h in2)ude the 3a)an2e
sheet, in2o(e state(ent and state(ent o. 2ash No/= sho/ the :s2a)
2ondition o. a parti2u)ar entit* /ithin a spe2i:ed period. #he :nan2ia)
state(ents prepared 3* e?terna) auditors /ho are 2erti:ed pu3)i2
a22ountants <)i0e those presented 3* petitioner= are audited :nan2ia)
state(ents. ;inan2ia) state(ents, /hether audited or not, are, as genera)
ru)e, private do2u(ents.
H+5I
Do/ever, on2e :nan2ia) state(ents are :)ed
/ith a govern(ent o92e pursuant to a provision o. )a/,
H+-I
the* 3e2o(e
pu3)i2 do2u(ents.
H+7I


Chether a do2u(ent is pu3)i2 or private is re)evant in deter(ining its
ad(issi3i)it* as eviden2e. Pu3)i2 do2u(ents are ad(issi3)e in eviden2e
even /ithout .urther proo. o. their due e?e2ution and genuineness.
HB,I
$n
the other hand, private do2u(ents are inad(issi3)e in eviden2e un)ess the*
are proper)* authenti2ated.
HB1I
Se2tion +,, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court
provides:

Se2tion +,. Proof of private documents. Be.ore an* private do2u(ent
oFered as authenti2 is re2eived in eviden2e, its due e?e2ution and
authenti2it* (ust 3e proved either:
6 | P a g e

a. B* an*one /ho sa/ the do2u(ent e?e2uted or /rittenG or

3. B* eviden2e o. the genuineness o. the signature or hand/riting o. the
(a0er.

!n* other private do2u(ent need on)* 3e identi:ed as that /hi2h it
is 2)ai(ed to 3e.


Petitioner and respondents agree that the do2u(ents presented as
eviden2e /ere (ere copies o. the audited :nan2ia) state(ents su3(itted
to the BIR and S"C. Neither part* 2)ai(ed that 2opies presented
/ere certifed true copies
HB+I
o. audited :nan2ia) state(ents o3tained or
se2ured .ro( the BIR or the S"C /hi2h under Se2tion 17<2=, Ru)e 1B+ /ou)d
have 3een pu3)i2 do2u(ents. #hus, the state(ents presented /ere private
do2u(ents. Conse>uent)*, authenti2ation /as a pre2ondition to their
ad(issi3i)it* in eviden2e.

1uring authenti2ation in 2ourt, a /itness positive)* testi:es that a
do2u(ent presented as eviden2e is genuine and has 3een du)*
e?e2uted
HBBI
or that the do2u(ent is neither spurious nor 2ounter.eit nor
e?e2uted 3* (ista0e or under duress.
HB4I
In this 2ase, petitioner (ere)*
presented a (e(orandu( attesting to the in2rease in the 2orporationRs
(onth)* (ar0et revenue, prepared 3* a (e(3er o. his (anage(ent
tea(. Chi)e there is no :?ed 2riterion as to /hat 2onstitutes 2o(petent
eviden2e to esta3)ish the authenti2it* o. a private do2u(ent, the 3est proo.
avai)a3)e (ust 3e presented.
HB6I
#he 3est proo. avai)a3)e, in this instan2e,
/ou)d have 3een the testi(on* o. a representative o. SMMCRs e?terna)
auditor /ho prepared the audited :nan2ia) state(ents. Inas(u2h as there
/as none, the audited :nan2ia) state(ents /ere never authenti2ated.

Neverthe)ess, petitioner insists on the app)i2ation o. an e?2eption to
this ru)e: authenti2ation is not ne2essar* /here the adverse part* has
ad(itted the genuineness and due e?e2ution o. a do2u(ent.
HB8I
#he .a2t,
ho/ever, /as that no/here in his testi(on* did !(ado 1o(ingo
2ategori2a))* ad(it the authenti2it* o. the 2opies o. the audited :nan2ia)
state(ents. De on)* testi:ed that SMMC regu)ar)* su3(itted its audited
:nan2ia) state(ents to the BIR and S"C.
HB5I
#here /as never an* ad(ission
that the do2u(ents presented 3* petitioner /ere true or .aith.u) 2opies o.
those su3(itted to the BIR and the S"C.
HB-I

;HEREFORE, the petition is here3* DENIED. #he !pri) B,, +,,1
de2ision and !pri) B, +,,B reso)ution o. the Court o. !ppea)s in C!-G.R. C&
No. 6,--- are here3* AFFIRMED.

Costs against the petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
$#D"R C!S"S 17-4,
PDI%IP S. U, G.R. No. 164116
Petitioner,
Present:

PUN$, J.,
Chairman,
- versus - !US#RI!-M!R#IN"M,
C!%%"'$, SR.,
#ING!, and
CDIC$-N!M!RI$, JJ.
D$N. C$UR# $; !PP"!%S,
Se2ond 1ivision, and &I&"C!
%IM U, Pro(u)gated:
Respondents.
Nove(3er +7, +,,6

?-------------------------------------------------------------------?


D E C I S I O N

#ING!, J.:

#his treats o. the petition .or revie/ on 2ertiorari o. the Court o.
!ppea)sA 1e2ision and Reso)ution in C! G.R. SP No. 88+6+ dated B, !pri)
+,,+
H1I
and +5 'une +,,+,
H+I
respe2tive)*, /hi2h set aside theOrder o. the
Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C= o. Pasig Cit*
HBI
dated 1, Ma* +,,1, de2)aring an
app)i2ation .or insuran2e and an insuran2e po)i2* as inad(issi3)e eviden2e.

#he .a2ts o. the 2ase are undisputed.

$n 16 Mar2h 1774, &ive2a %i( u <private respondent= 3rought against her
hus3and, Phi)ip S* u <petitioner=, an a2tion .or )ega) separation and
disso)ution o. 2onEuga) partnership on the grounds o. (arita) in:de)it* and
ph*si2a) a3use. #he 2ase /as :)ed 3e.ore the R#C o. Pasig and raUed to
Bran2h 16-, presided 3* 'udge 'ose R. Dernande@.

1uring tria), private respondent (oved .or the issuan2e o. a subpoena
duces tecum and ad testifcandum
H4I
to 2ertain o92ers o. Insu)ar %i.e
!ssuran2e Co. %td. to 2o(pe) produ2tion o. the insuran2e po)i2* and
app)i2ation o. a person suspe2ted to 3e petitionerAs i))egiti(ate 2hi)d.
H6I
#he
tria) 2ourt denied the (otion.
H8I
It ru)ed that the insuran2e 2ontra2t is
inad(issi3)e eviden2e in vie/ o. Cir2u)ar %etter No. 11-+,,,, issued 3* the
Insuran2e Co((ission /hi2h presu(a3)* prevents insuran2e
2o(paniesJagents .ro( divu)ging 2on:dentia) and privi)eged in.or(ation
pertaining to insuran2e po)i2ies.
H5I
It added that the produ2tion o. the
app)i2ation and insuran2e 2ontra2t /ou)d vio)ate !rti2)e +-,
H-I
o. the Civi)
8 | P a g e
Code and Se2tion 6 o. the Civi) Registr* %a/,
H7I
3oth o. /hi2h prohi3it the
unauthori@ed identi:2ation o. the parents o. an i))egiti(ate 2hi)d.
H1,I
Private
respondent sought re2onsideration o. the Order, 3ut the (otion /as denied
3* the tria) 2ourt.
H11I


!ggrieved, private respondent :)ed a petition .or 2ertiorari 3e.ore the
Court o. !ppea)s, i(puting grave a3use o. dis2retion a(ounting to )a20 or
e?2ess o. Eurisdi2tion on the part o. 'udge Dernande@ in issuing the 1, Ma*
+,,1 Order.
H1+I
#he Court o. !ppea)s su((ari@ed the issues as .o))o/s: <i=
/hether or not an insuran2e po)i2* and its 2orresponding app)i2ation .or(
2an 3e ad(itted as eviden2e to prove a part*As e?tra-(arita) aFairs in an
a2tion .or )ega) separationG and <ii= /hether or not a tria) 2ourt has the
dis2retion to den* a part*As (otion to atta2h e?2)uded eviden2e to the
re2ord under Se2tion 4,, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court.
H1BI

!22ording to the Court o. !ppea)s, private respondent /as (ere)*
see0ing the produ2tion o. the insuran2e app)i2ation and 2ontra2t, and /as
not *et oFering the sa(e as part o. her eviden2e. #hus, it de2)ared that
petitionerAs o3Ee2tion to the ad(ission o. the do2u(ents /as pre(ature,
and the tria) 2ourtAs pronoun2e(ent that the do2u(ents are inad(issi3)e,
pre2ipitate.
H14I
#he 2ontents o. the insuran2e app)i2ation and insuran2e
do2u(ents 2annot 3e 2onsidered as privi)eged in.or(ation, the Court o.
!ppea)s added, in vie/ o. the opinion o. the Insuran2e Co((issioner dated
4 !pri) +,,1 to the eFe2t that Cir2u)ar %etter No.11-+,,, V/as never
intended to 3e a )ega) i(pedi(ent in 2o(p)*ing /ith )a/.u) ordersW.
H16I

%ast)*, the Court o. !ppea)s ru)ed that a tria) 2ourt does not have the
dis2retion to den* a part*As privi)ege to tender e?2)uded eviden2e, as this
privi)ege a))o/s said part* to raise on appea) the e?2)usion o. su2h
eviden2e.
H18I
Petitioner :)ed a (otion .or re2onsideration 3ut to no avai).
In the present petition, petitioner argues that the Court o. !ppea)s
3)undered in de)ving into errors o. Eudg(ent supposed)* 2o((itted 3* the
tria) 2ourt as i. the petition :)ed therein /as an ordinar* appea) and not a
spe2ia) 2ivi) a2tion. ;urther, he 2)ai(s that the Court o. !ppea)s .ai)ed to
sho/ an* spe2i:2 instan2e o. grave a3use o. dis2retion on the part o. the
tria) 2ourt in issuing the assai)ed Order. !dditiona))*, he posits that private
respondent had a)read* (ooted her petition 3e.ore the Court o. !ppea)s
/hen she :)ed her .or(a) oFer o. re3utta) e?hi3its, /ith tender o. e?2)uded
eviden2e 3e.ore the tria) 2ourt.
H15I


;or her part, private respondent (aintains that the detai)s
surrounding the insuran2e po)i2* are 2ru2ia) to the issue o. petitionerAs
in:de)it* and his :nan2ia) 2apa2it* to provide support to her and their
2hi)dren. ;urther, she argues that she had no 2hoi2e 3ut to (a0e a tender
o. e?2)uded eviden2e 2onsidering that she /as )e.t to spe2u)ate on /hat the
insuran2e app)i2ation and po)i2* ru)ed out 3* the tria) 2ourt /ou)d 2ontain.
H1-I

! petition .or 2ertiorari under Ru)e 86 is the proper re(ed* to 2orre2t
errors o. Eurisdi2tion and grave a3use o. dis2retion tanta(ount to )a20 or
e?2ess o. Eurisdi2tion 2o((itted 3* a )o/er 2ourt.
H17I
Chere a respondent
does not have the )ega) po/er to deter(ine the 2ase and *et he does so,
he a2ts /ithout Eurisdi2tionG /here, V3eing 2)othed /ith po/er to deter(ine
the 2ase, oversteps his authorit* as deter(ined 3* )a/, he is per.or(ing a
.un2tion in e?2ess o. Eurisdi2tion.W
H+,I


Petitioner 2)ai(s that the Court o. !ppea)s passed upon errors o.
Eudg(ent, not errors o. Eurisdi2tion, sin2e it de)ved into the propriet* o. the
denia) o. the subpoena duces tecum and subpoena ad testifcandum. #he
argu(ent (ust .ai).

Chi)e tria) 2ourts have the dis2retion to ad(it or e?2)ude eviden2e, su2h
po/er is e?er2ised on)* /hen the eviden2e has 3een .or(a))* oFered.
H+1I

;or a )ong ti(e, the Court has re2ogni@ed that during the ear)* stages o.
the deve)op(ent o. proo., it is i(possi3)e .or a tria) 2ourt Eudge to 0no/
/ith 2ertaint* /hether eviden2e is re)evant or not, and thus the pra2ti2e o.
e?2)uding eviden2e on dou3t.u) o3Ee2tions to its (ateria)it* shou)d 3e
avoided.
H++I
!s /e)) e)u2idated in the 2ase o. Prats & Co. v. Phoenix
Insurance Co.:
H+BI


Moreover, it (ust 3e re(e(3ered that in the heat o. the 3att)e over /hi2h
he presides a Eudge o. :rst instan2e (a* possi3)* .a)) into error in Eudging o.
the re)evan2* o. proo. /here a .air and )ogi2a) 2onne2tion is in .a2t sho/n.
Chen su2h a (ista0e is (ade and the proo. is erroneous)* ru)ed out, the
Supre(e Court, upon appea), o.ten :nds itse). e(3arrassed and possi3)*
una3)e to 2orre2t the eFe2ts o. the error /ithout returning the 2ase .or a
ne/ tria), X a step /hi2h this 2ourt is a)/a*s ver* )oath to ta0e. $n the
other hand, the ad(ission o. proo. in a 2ourt o. :rst instan2e, even i. the
>uestion as to its .or(, (ateria)it*, or re)evan2* is dou3t.u), 2an never
resu)t in (u2h har( to either )itigant, 3e2ause the tria) Eudge is supposed to
0no/ the )a/G and it is its dut*, upon :na) 2onsideration o. the 2ase, to
distinguish the re)evant and (ateria) .ro( the irre)evant and i((ateria). I.
this 2ourse is .o))o/ed and the 2ause is prose2uted to the Supre(e Court
upon appea), this 2ourt then has a)) the (ateria) 3e.ore it ne2essar* to
(a0e a 2orre2t Eudg(ent.

In the instant 2ase, the insuran2e app)i2ation and the insuran2e po)i2*
/ere *et to 3e presented in 2ourt, (u2h )ess .or(a))* oFered 3e.ore it. In
.a2t, private respondent /as (ere)* as0ing .or the issuan2e o. subpoena
duces tecum and subpoena ad testifcandum /hen the tria) 2ourt issued
the assai)ed Order. "ven assu(ing that the do2u(ents /ou)d eventua))*
3e de2)ared inad(issi3)e, the tria) 2ourt /as not then in a position to (a0e
a de2)aration to that eFe2t at that point. #hus, it 3arred the produ2tion o.
the su3Ee2t do2u(ents prior to the assess(ent o. its pro3a3)e /orth. !s
o3served 3* petitioners, the assai)ed Order /as not a (ere ru)ing on the
ad(issi3i)it* o. eviden2eG it /as, (ore i(portant)*, a ru)ing aFe2ting the
proper 2ondu2t o. tria).
H+4I

"?2ess o. Eurisdi2tion re.ers to an* a2t /hi2h a)though .a))ing /ithin the
genera) po/ers o. the Eudge is not authori@ed and is 2onse>uent)* void /ith
respe2t to the parti2u)ar 2ase 3e2ause the 2onditions under /hi2h he /as
5 | P a g e
on)* authori@ed to e?er2ise his genera) po/er in that 2ase did not e?ist and
there.ore, the Eudi2ia) po/er /as not )ega))* e?er2ised.
H+6I
#hus, in de2)aring
that the do2u(ents are irre)evant and inad(issi3)e even 3e.ore the* /ere
.or(a))* oFered, (u2h )ess presented 3e.ore it, the tria) 2ourt a2ted in
e?2ess o. its dis2retion.

!nent the issue o. /hether the in.or(ation 2ontained in the do2u(ents is
privi)eged in nature, the sa(e /as 2)ari:ed and sett)ed 3* the Insuran2e
Co((issionerAs opinion that the 2ir2u)ar on /hi2h the tria) 2ourt 3ased its
ru)ing /as not designed to o3stru2t )a/.u) 2ourt orders.
H+8I
Den2e, there is
no (ore i(pedi(ent to presenting the insuran2e app)i2ation and po)i2*.


Petitioner additiona))* 2)ai(s that 3* virtue o. private respondentAs
tender o. e?2)uded eviden2e, she has rendered (oot her petition 3e.ore the
Court o. !ppea)s sin2e the (ove evin2ed that she had another speed* and
ade>uate re(ed* under the )a/. #he Court ho)ds other/ise.

Se2tion 4,, Ru)e 1B+ provides:

Se2.4,. #ender o. e?2)uded eviden2e.XI. do2u(ents or things oFered
in eviden2e are e?2)uded 3* the 2ourt, the oFeror (a* have the sa(e
atta2hed to or (ade part o. the re2ord. I. the eviden2e e?2)uded is ora), the
oFeror (a* state .or the re2ord the na(e and other persona)
2ir2u(stan2es o. the /itness and the su3stan2e o. the proposed testi(on*.


It is thus apparent that 3e.ore tender o. e?2)uded eviden2e is (ade, the
eviden2e (ust have 3een .or(a))* oFered 3e.ore the 2ourt. !nd 3e.ore
.or(a) oFer o. eviden2e is (ade, the eviden2e (ust have 3een identi:ed
and presented 3e.ore the 2ourt. Chi)e private respondent (ade a Vender
of !xc"uded !vidence,# su2h is not the tender 2onte(p)ated 3* the a3ove-
>uoted ru)e, .or o3vious)*, the insuran2e po)i2* and app)i2ation /ere not
.or(a))* oFered (u2h )ess presented 3e.ore the tria) 2ourt. !t (ost, said
Vender of !xc"uded !videnceW /as a
- | P a g e

(ani.estation o. an undisputed .a2t that the su3Ee2t do2u(ents /ere
de2)ared inad(issi3)e 3* the tria) 2ourt even 3e.ore these /ere presented
during tria). It /as not the 0ind o. p)ain, speed* and ade>uate re(ed*
/hi2h private respondent 2ou)d have resorted to instead o. the petition .or
2ertiorari she :)ed 3e.ore the Court o. !ppea)s. It did not in an* /a* render
the said petition (oot.

CD"R";$R", pre(ises 2onsidered, the petition is 1"NI"1.
#he $ecision dated B, !pri) +,,+ andReso"ution dated +5 'une +,,+ are
!;;IRM"1. Costs against petitioner.

S$ $R1"R"1.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPP
G.R. N#. $0$2//. Jan!a"y '3, '33/.
ENGR. ERNESTO T. MATUGAS, petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON
ELECTIONS and ROBERT LFNDON S. BARBERS, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
TINGA, J.,
#he %o2a) Govern(ent Code o. 1771
H1I
re>uires that an e)e2tive )o2a) o92ia)
3e a 2iti@en o. the Phi)ippines.
H+I
Chether the in2u(3ent Governor o.
Surigao de) Norte is a 2iti@en o. the Phi)ippines and, there.ore, >ua)i:ed to
ho)d su2h o92e is the issue in this 2ase.
$n ;e3ruar* +-, +,,1, private respondent Ro3ert %*ndon S. Bar3ers :)ed
his 2erti:2ate o. 2andida2* .or the position o. Governor o. Surigao de) Norte
.or the Ma* 14, +,,1 e)e2tions. $n !pri) 1,, +,,1, petitioner "rnesto #.
Matugas, hi(se). a 2andidate .or the sa(e post, :)ed /ith the Co((ission
on ")e2tions <C$M"%"C= a Petition to $is%ua"if& private respondent as
2andidate. #he Petition a))eged, a(ong other grounds, that private
respondent is not a ;i)ipino 2iti@en.
In support o. this 2)ai(, petitioner oFered in eviden2e a 2op* o. a )etter-
re>uest dated !ugust +6, +,,, .ro( a 2ertain 'esus !gana, a V2on:dentia)
agentW o. the Bureau o. I((igration, addressed to one George C)ar0e,
purported)* o. the United States "(3ass*. Be)o/ the re>uest /as the rep)*
o. said George C)ar0e stating that the Vsu3Ee2tW /as natura)i@ed as an
!(eri2an 2iti@en on $2to3er 11, 1771 in %os !nge)es, Ca)i.ornia. #he
do2u(ent
HBI
reads:
1ear Mr. C)ar0 Hsi2I:
Per our phone 2onversation, (a* I re>uest .or Hsi2I a 2erti:2ation .ro( *our
"(3ass* regarding the US 2iti@enship o. MR. R$B"R# %N1$N S. B!RB"RS
/ho /as 3orn on 'u)* 16, 178-.
Lind)* .a? *our rep)*, addressed to the undersigned at #e). No. <,+=
BB-4468.
#han0 *ou and regards.
&er* tru)* *ours,
<Sgd.=
'"SUS !G!N!
Con:dentia) !gent
'esus !gana:
SUB'"C# /as natura)i@ed on $2to3er 11, 1771 in %os !nge)es, C!.
<Sgd.=
G.R. C)ar0e, INSJMani)a
Petitioner a)so presented a Certifcation
H4I
issued 3* the Bureau o.
I((igration and 1eportation <BI1= dated 1 Septe(3er +,,, 2ontaining
Bar3ersA trave) re2ords and indi2ating in 2ertain entries that private
respondent is an !(eri2an 2iti@en. #he Certifcation states:
CERTIFICATION
#DIS IS #$ C"R#I; #D!# the na(e B!RB"RS, ROBERT LFNDON S,
!(eri2an, appears in our avai)a3)e Co(puter 1ata3aseJPassenger
(ani.estJIBM )isting on :)e as o. Septe(3er 1, +,,, 1,:+5 a( /ith the
.o))o/ing trave) re2ords:
Da9e #@ De?a"9!"e : 3$G'&G$221
1estination : $S!-$sa0a
;)ight No. : NCo+8-North/est !ir)ines
Passport No. : ,B4B64+46
Nationa)it* : ;i)ipino
1ate o. Birth : ,5J16J178-
Phi). !ddress : 8 Der2u)es St. Be) !ir II Ma0ati
I((ig. Status : RP
I((ig. $92er : not stated
Da9e #@ A""6Cal : 3'G$'G$22&
$rigin : %$N-%ondon
;)ight No. : PR5B1-Phi). !ir)ines
Passport No. : ,B4B64+46
Nationa)it* : !(eri2an
1ate o. Birth : !(eri2an
Phi). !ddress : 8 Der2u)es St. Be) !ir II Ma0ati
I((ig. Status : BBB86
I((ig. $92er : R"G!%!
Da9e #@ A""6Cal : 31G($G$22&
$rigin : BLL-Bang0o0
;)ight No. : #G8+,-#hai !ir/a*s
Passport No. : $;,,885B
Nationa)it* : !(eri2an
1ate o. Birth : ,5J16J178-
Phi). !ddress : 18 Der2u)es St. Be) !ir II Ma0ati
I((ig. Status : BBB86
I((ig. $92er : S$R
;UR#D"R, #DIS IS #$ C"R#I; #D!# the na(e BARBERS, ROBERT
LFNDON SMITH, !(eri2an, appears in our Co(puter 1ata3aseJPassenger
(ani.estJIBM )isting on :)e /ith the .o))o/ing trave) re2ords:
Da9e #@ De?a"9!"e : 31G'1G$22&
1estination : not avai)a3)e
;)ight No. : #G8+1-#hai !ir/a*s
Passport No. : not avai)a3)e
Nationa)it* : ;i)ipino
1ate o. Birth : ,5J16J178-
Phi). !ddress : not avai)a3)e
I((ig. Status : not avai)a3)e
I((ig. $92er : R!CD$
7 | P a g e
#his 2erti:2ation is issued upon re>uest o. Mr. Be3ot Po(o* .or /hatever
)ega) purpose it (a* serve.
&eri:ed 3* : "di)3erto $r3ase Co(puter Se2tion
1ate T #i(e : Septe(3er 1, +,,, 1,:+5 a(
<Sgd.=
ATTF. FELINO C. +UIRANTE, JR.
!2ting Chie., !d(in. 1ivision
In addition, petitioner su3(itted a Certifcation
H6I
issued 3* the Spe2ia)
Co((ittee on Natura)i@ation o. the $92e o. the So)i2itor Genera) stating
that, 3ased on their re2ords, there is no pending petition 3* private
respondent .or repatriation. Neither has one 3een granted in his .avor.
In the (eanti(e, private respondent garnered the highest nu(3er o. votes
in the gu3ernatoria) ra2e. $n Ma* 15, +,,1, petitioner :)ed a'otion for
(uspension)*nnu"ment of Proc"amation o. private respondent. #he 'otion,
ho/ever, /as overta0en 3* su3se>uent events /hen, on the .o))o/ing da*,
Ma* 1-, +,,1, private respondent /as pro2)ai(ed the du)* e)e2ted
governor o. Surigao de) Norte.
$n 'u)* 6, +,,1, the Se2ond 1ivision o. the C$M"%"C issued
a Reso"ution dis(issing .or )a20 o. (erit the Petition to $is%ua"if&. #he
C$M"%"C .ound V)itt)e or no pro3ative va)ueW in the notation o. George
C)ar0e to !ganaAs )etter-re>uest.
H8I
Chi)e noting that the BI1 2erti:2ation
invo)ving the trave) re2ords o. Ro3ert %*ndon S. Bar3ers stated that he /as
an !(eri2an, the C$M"%"C he)d that Vthere is no other independent
eviden2e... to Eusti.* petitionerAs 2)ai( that respondent has renoun2ed his
a))egian2e to the Phi)ippines at an* ti(e.W
H5I
Petitioner :)ed a 'otion for Reconsideration /ith the C$M"%"C !n +anc,
/hi2h on 'anuar* -, +,,+ dis(issed the 'otion and a9r(ed
the Reso"ution o. the Se2ond 1ivision.
Petitioner thus instituted these pro2eedings .or 2ertiorari, 2)ai(ing that the
C$M"%"C 2o((itted grave a3use o. dis2retion in den*ing hisPetition to
$is%ua"if&.
H-I
De (aintains that private respondent /as not a ;i)ipino
2iti@enship at the ti(e o. his e)e2tion.
Basi2 in the )a/ o. eviden2e is that one /ho a))eges a .a2t has the 3urden o.
proving it.
H7I
In ad(inistrative 2ases, the >uantu( o. proo. re>uired is
su3stantia) eviden2e.
H1,I
Petitioner did not over2o(e his 3urden. #he
do2u(entar* eviden2e he su3(itted .ai)s to esta3)ish that private
respondent is not a ;i)ipino 2iti@en.
#he do2u(ent 2ontaining the notation o. George C)ar0e does not prove that
private respondent is indeed a natura)i@ed !(eri2an 2iti@en. ;or the
purpose o. their presentation in eviden2e, do2u(ents are either pu3)i2 or
private. Pu3)i2 do2u(ents in2)ude the /ritten o92ia) a2ts or re2ords o. the
o92ia) a2ts o. the sovereign authorit*, o92ia) 3odies and tri3una)s, and
pu3)i2 o92ers, /hether o. the Phi)ippines, or o. a .oreign 2ountr*.
H11I
#he
re2ord o. su2h pu3)i2 do2u(ents (a* 3e eviden2ed 3* an o92ia)
pu3)i2ation thereo. or 3* a 2op* attested 3* the o92er having the )ega)
2ustod* o. the re2ord. I. the re2ord is not 0ept in the Phi)ippines, the
attested 2op* shou)d 3e a22o(panied 3* a 2erti:2ate that su2h o92er has
2ustod* thereo..
H1+I
#he grant o. United States 2iti@enship 3* natura)i@ation is an o92ia) a2t o.
the United States. #he do2u(ent 2ontaining the re2ord o. this a2t is,
there.ore, a pu3)i2 do2u(ent and, .o))o/ing the ru)e 2ited a3ove, this
do2u(ent 2an on)* 3e eviden2ed 3* its o92ia) pu3)i2ation or a 2op* du)*
attested 3* the o92er having )ega) 2ustod* thereo..
#he notation in the )etter-in>uir* o. 'esus !gana is neither an o92ia)
pu3)i2ation o. the do2u(ent that 2ontains the re2ord o. private
respondentAs natura)i@ation, nor a 2op* attested 3* the o92er /ho has
)ega) 2ustod* o. the re2ord. Petitioner did not sho/ i. C)ar0e, the notationAs
a))eged author, is the o92er 2harged /ith the 2ustod* o. su2h re2ord.
;urther(ore, Se2tion 5, Ru)e 1B, o. the Ru)es o. Court states that /hen the
origina) o. a do2u(ent is in the 2ustod* o. a pu3)i2 o92er or is re2orded in
a pu3)i2 o92e, as in this 2ase, the 2ontents o. said do2u(ent (a* 3e
proved 3* a 2erti:ed 2op* issued 3* the pu3)i2 o92er in 2ustod*
thereo.. #he su3Ee2t )etter-in>uir*, /hi2h 2ontains the notation, appears to
3e a (ere photo2op*, not a 2erti:ed 2op*.
#he other do2u(ent re)ied upon 3* petitioner is the Certifcation dated 1
Septe(3er +,,, issued 3* the BI1. Petitioner su3(its that private
respondent has de2)ared that he is an !(eri2an 2iti@en as sho/n 3*
said Certifcation and, under Se2tion +8, Ru)e 1B, o. the Ru)es o. Court,
su2h de2)aration (a* 3e given in eviden2e against hi(.
#he ru)e 2ited 3* petitioner does not app)* in this 2ase 3e2ause the ru)e
pertains to the ad(issi3i)it* o. eviden2e. #here is no issue here as to the
ad(issi3i)it* o. the BI1 CertifcationG the C$M"%"C did not ho)d that the
sa(e /as inad(issi3)e. In an* 2ase, the BI1 Certifcation suFers .ro( the
sa(e de.e2t as the notation .ro( the supposed US "(3ass* o92ia).
Said Certifcation is a)so a photo2op*, not a 2erti:ed 2op*.
Moreover, the 2erti:2ation 2ontains in2onsistent entries regarding the
Vnationa)it*W o. private respondent. Chi)e so(e entries indi2ate that he is
V!(eri2an,W other entries state that he is V;i)ipino.W
Petitioner a)so atta2hed in his 'emorandum 3e.ore this Court another
do2u(ent,
H1BI
o3vious)* a photo2op*, /hi2h reads in .u)):
UNI#"1 S#!#"S 1IS#RIC# C$UR#
C"N#R!% 1IS#RIC# $; C!%I;$RNI!
U.S. C$UR#D$US"
B1+ N$R#D SPRING S#R""#, SUI#" B+7
%$S !NG"%"S, C!%I;$RNI!, 7,,1+
!ugust 1, +,,1
#he o92ia) Natura)i@ation the United States 1istri2t Court o. Ca)i.ornia
sho/s the .o))o/ing:
Na(e: Ro3ert %*ndon Bar3ers
1ate o. Birth: 'u)* 16, 178-
Petition No.: -7,65B
!)ien No.: !4, 48, 88,
Certi:2ate No.: 145B-541
1ate o.
Natura)i@ation: $2to3er 11, 1771
<Sgd.=
1eput* C)er0 !3e) Martine@
#he a3ove do2u(ent /as atta2hed to an V!uthenti2ation,W
H14I
a)so a
photo2op*, stating:
C$NSU%!#" G"N"R!% $; #D" PDI%IPPIN"S=
1, | P a g e
CI# $; %$S !NG"%"S =S.S.
S#!#" $; C!%I;$RNI!, U.S.!.
AUTHENTICATION
#$ !%% CD$M #D"S" PR"S"N#S SD!%% C$M", GR""#INGS:
I, CRIS#IN! G. $R#"G!, C$NSU% at %os !nge)es, Ca)i.ornia, du)*
2o((issioned and >ua)i:ed, do here3* 2erti.* that !B"% M!R#IN"M /hose
sea)Jsignature appears on the anne?ed 2erti:2ate /as, at the ti(e he
signed the anne?ed 2erti:2ate, ! 1eput* C)er0 o. the United States 1istri2t
Court, Centra) 1istri2t o. Ca)i.ornia and veri)* 3e)ieve that his sea)Jsignature
a9?ed thereto is genuine.
;or the 2ontents o. the anne?ed do2u(ent, this Consu)ate Genera) assu(es
no responsi3i)it*.
IN CI#N"SS CD"R"$;, I have hereunto set (* hand and 2aused the sea) o.
the Consu)ate Genera) o. the Repu3)i2 o. the Phi)ippines at %os !nge)es,
Ca)i.ornia, U.S.!., to a9?ed this da* o. B,

!ugust +,,1.
<Sgd.=
CRIS#IN! G. $R#"G!
Consu)
o. the Repu3)i2 o. the Phi)ippines
#he anne?ed do2u(ent is an In.or(ation
o. Natura)i@ation Re: Ro3ert %*ndon
Bar3ers e?e2uted 3* United States 1istri2t
Court, Centra) 1istri2t o. Ca)i.ornia
Su3se>uent)*, petitioner :)ed a 'anifestation ,ith 'otion .or %eave to
!d(it $rigina) 1o2u(ents, appending thereto the origina)s
H16I
o. the a3ove
do2u(ents.
#hese ne/ do2u(ents )i0e/ise 2annot 3e ad(itted in eviden2e. #o repeat,
Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court re>uires that i. the pu3)i2
do2u(ent or the pu3)i2 re2ord is not 0ept in the Phi)ippines, its o92ia)
pu3)i2ation or its 2op* du)* attested 3* the o92er in 2harge o. the 2ustod*
o. the sa(e (ust 3e a22o(panied 3* a 2erti:2ate that su2h o92er has the
2ustod*. Said 2erti:2ate (a* 3e (ade 3* a se2retar* o. the e(3ass* or
)egation, 2onsu) genera), 2onsu), vi2e 2onsu), or 2onsu)ar agent or 3* an*
o92er in the .oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines stationed in the .oreign
2ountr* in /hi2h the re2ord is 0ept and authenti2ated 3* the sea) o. his
o92e. In this 2ase, the *uthentication e?e2uted 3* Cristina G. $rtega, the
Phi)ippine Consu) in %os !nge)es, Ca)i.ornia (ere)* states that !3e) Martine@
is the 1eput* C)er0 o. the United States 1istri2t Court, Centra) 1istri2t o.
Ca)i.ornia. It does not state that said 1eput* C)er0 has the 2ustod* o. the
a3ove re2ord.
#here is another 2ogent reason that pre2)udes the ad(ission o. these
do2u(ents. Petitioner 2a))s upon this Court to 2onsider
a))eged ne5eviden2e not presented 3e.ore the C$M"%"C, a 2ourse o.
a2tion 2)ear)* 3e*ond the 2ourtsA 2ertiorari po/ers. In -ovina and 'onti"a v.
'oreno and .onzon,
H18I
the Court o. ;irst Instan2e <C;I= 2ondu2ted a tria) de
novo even though the Se2retar* o. Pu3)i2 Cor0s and Co((uni2ations, in
the e?er2ise o. his ad(inistrative po/ers, had (ade his o/n independent
:ndings o. .a2t. #his Court reversed the de2ision o. the C;I 3e2ause:
#he :ndings o. the Se2retar* 2an not 3e enervated 3* ne/ eviden2e not
)aid 3e.ore hi(, .or that /ou)d 3e tanta(ount to ho)ding a ne/
investigation, and to su3stitute .or the dis2retion and Eudg(ent o. the
Se2retar* the dis2retion and Eudg(ent o. the 2ourt, to /ho( the statute
had not entrusted the 2ase. It is i((ateria) that the present a2tion shou)d
3e one .or prohi3ition or inEun2tion and not one .or 2ertiorariG in either
event the 2ase (ust 3e reso)ved upon the eviden2e su3(itted to the
Se2retar*, sin2e a Eudi2ia) revie/ o. e?e2utive de2isions does not i(port a
tria) de novo, 3ut on)* an as2ertain(ent o. /hether the e?e2utive :ndings
are not in vio)ation o. the Constitution or o. the )a/s, and are .ree .ro(
.raud or i(position, and /hether the* :nd reasona3)e support in the
eviden2eK.
Si(i)ar)*, petitioner in this 2ase 2annot VenervateW the C$M"%"CAs :ndings
3* introdu2ing ne/ eviden2e 3e.ore this Court, /hi2h in an* 2ase is not a
trier o. .a2ts, and then as0 it to su3stitute its o/n Eudg(ent and dis2retion
.or that o. the C$M"%"C.
#he ru)e in appe))ate pro2edure is that a .a2tua) >uestion (a* not 3e raised
.or the :rst ti(e on appea),
H15I
and do2u(ents .or(ing no part o. the proo.s
3e.ore the appe))ate 2ourt /i)) not 3e 2onsidered in disposing o. the issues
o. an a2tion.
H1-I
#his is true /hether the de2ision e)evated .or revie/
originated .ro( a regu)ar 2ourt
H17I
or an ad(inistrative agen2* or >uasi-
Eudi2ia) 3od*,
H+,I
and /hether it /as rendered in a 2ivi) 2ase,
H+1I
a spe2ia)
pro2eeding,
H++I
or a 2ri(ina) 2ase.
H+BI
Pie2e(ea) presentation o. eviden2e is
si(p)* not in a22ord /ith order)* Eusti2e.
H+4I
#he sa(e ru)es app)* /ith greater .or2e in 2ertiorari pro2eedings. Indeed,
it /ou)d 3e a3surd to ho)d pu3)i2 respondent gui)t* o. grave a3use o.
dis2retion .or not 2onsidering eviden2e not presented 3e.ore it. #he patent
un.airness o. petitionerAs p)ea, preEudi2ing as it /ou)d pu3)i2 and private
respondents a)i0e, (i)itates against the ad(ission and 2onsideration o. the
su3Ee2t do2u(ents.
;ina))*, petitioner in his 'emorandum
H+6I
invo0es the 2ase o. .u v. $efensor/
(antia0o,
H+8I
ho)ding that a natura)i@ed ;i)ipino 2iti@en eFe2tive)* renoun2es
his ;i)ipino 2iti@enship /hen he app)ies .or and is issued a Portuguese
passport, and de2)ares his nationa)it* as a Portuguese in 2o((er2ia)
do2u(ents he signed. #hat 2ase, ho/ever, has no re)evan2e here 3e2ause
the do2u(ents su3(itted in this 2ase, assu(ing that the* 2onstitute
su3stantia) eviden2e that private respondent indeed renoun2ed his ;i)ipino
2iti@enship, are inad(issi3)e. In other /ords, there is no eviden2e in this
2ase o. an* renun2iation.
#here is grave a3use o. dis2retion a(ounting to )a20 o. Eurisdi2tion /hen
the respondent 3oard, tri3una) or o92er e?er2ising Eudi2ia) .un2tions
e?er2ised its Eudg(ent in a 2apri2ious, /hi(si2a), ar3itrar* or despoti2
(anner, as /hen the assai)ed order has no 3asis 3oth in .a2t and in )a/.
H+5I
In this 2ase, the Petition to $is%ua"if& is not supported 3* su3stantia)
eviden2e. Den2e, the C$M"%"C did not 2o((it grave a3use o. dis2retion
in issuing the assai)ed Reso"utions dis(issing the Petition.
;HEREFORE, the Petition is 1ISMISS"1.
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
G.R. N#. $%'&&% A!=!9 $$, '33&
HEIRS OF THE DECEASED SPOUSES VICENTE S. ARCILLA and JOSEFA
ASUNCION ARCILLA, namely, A6da A"76lla Alandan, Rene A. A"76lla,
11 | P a g e
O7a" A. A"76lla, Sa"a4 A. A"76lla, and N#"a A. A"76lla, n#5 de7eaed
and !8969!9ed 8y 4e" #n S4a"my A"76lla, "e?"een9ed 8y 94e6"
a99#"ney*6n*@a79, SARAH A. ARCILLA, petitioners,
vs.
MA. LOURDES A. TEODORO, respondent.
D E C I S I O N
AUSTRIA*MARTINEH, J.,
Be.ore the Court is a Petition .or Revie/ on Certiorari under Ru)e 46 o. the
Ru)es o. Court assai)ing the Septe(3er 1+, +,,B 1e2ision
1
o. the Court o.
!ppea)s <C!= and its Reso)ution
+
dated Mar2h +4, +,,4 in C!-G.R. SP No.
5+,B+.
#he .a2ts o. the 2ase are as .o))o/s:
$n 1e2e(3er 17, 1776, Ma. %ourdes !. #eodoro <respondent= initia))* :)ed
/ith the Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C= o. &ira2, Catanduanes an app)i2ation .or
)and registration o. t/o par2e)s o. )and )o2ated at Baranga* San Pedro,
&ira2, Catanduanes. #he )ots, /ith an aggregate area o. +-4 s>uare (eters,
are deno(inated as %ot Nos. 6+6-! and 6+6-B, Csd.-,6-,1,4-B-1 o. the
&ira2 Cadastre. Respondent a))eged that, /ith the e?2eption o. the
2o((er2ia) 3ui)ding 2onstru2ted thereon, she pur2hased the su3Ee2t )ots
.ro( her .ather, Pa2i:2o !r2i))a <Pa2i:2o=, as sho/n 3* a 1eed o.
Sa)e
B
dated 1e2e(3er 7, 1788, and that, prior thereto, Pa2i:2o a2>uired the
said )ots 3* virtue o. the partition o. the estate o. his .ather, 'ose !r2i))a
eviden2ed 3* a do2u(ent entit)ed "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o.
"state.
4
Respondent a)so presented as eviden2e an !9davit o. Quit-
C)ai(
6
in .avor o. Pa2i:2o, e?e2uted 3* herein petitioners as Deirs o.
&i2ente !r2i))a <&i2ente=, 3rother o. Pa2i:2o.
$n ;e3ruar* 5, 1778, the 2ase /as trans.erred to the Muni2ipa) #ria) Court
<M#C= o. &ira2, Catanduanes in vie/ o. the e?panded Eurisdi2tion o. said
2ourt as provided under Repu3)i2 !2t No. 5871.
8
In their $pposition dated !ugust 17, 1778, petitioners 2ontended that the*
are the o/ners pro/indiviso o. the su3Ee2t )ots in2)uding the 3ui)ding and
other i(prove(ents 2onstru2ted thereon 3* virtue o. inheritan2e .ro( their
de2eased parents, spouses &i2ente and 'ose.a !r2i))aG 2ontrar* to the 2)ai(
o. respondent, the )ots in >uestion /ere o/ned 3* their .ather, &i2ente,
having pur2hased the sa(e .ro( a 2ertain Manue) Sar(iento so(eti(e in
1715G &i2enteRs o/nership is eviden2ed 3* severa) ta? de2)arations
atta2hed to the re2ordG petitioners and their prede2essors-in-interest had
3een in possession o. the su3Ee2t )ots sin2e 17,8. Petitioners (oved to
dis(iss the app)i2ation o. respondent and sought their de2)aration as the
true and a3so)ute o/ners pro/indiviso o. the su3Ee2t )ots and the
registration and issuan2e o. the 2orresponding 2erti:2ate o. tit)e in their
na(es.
Su3se>uent)*, tria) o. the 2ase ensued.
$n Mar2h +,, 177-, herein respondent :)ed a Motion .or
!d(ission
5
2ontending that through oversight and inadverten2e she .ai)ed
to in2)ude in her app)i2ation, the veri:2ation and 2erti:2ate against .oru(
shopping re>uired 3* Supre(e Court <SC= Revised Cir2u)ar No. +--71 in
re)ation to SC !d(inistrative Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74.
Petitioners :)ed a Motion to 1is(iss !pp)i2ation
-
on the ground that
respondent shou)d have :)ed the 2erti:2ate against .oru( shopping
si(u)taneous)* /ith the petition .or )and registration /hi2h is a (andator*
re>uire(ent o. SC !d(inistrative Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74 and that an* vio)ation
o. the said Cir2u)ar sha)) 3e a 2ause .or the dis(issa) o. the app)i2ation
upon (otion and a.ter hearing.
$pposing the (otion to dis(iss, respondents asserted that the petitionersR
Motion to 1is(iss !pp)i2ation /as :)ed out o. ti(eG respondentRs .ai)ure to
2o(p)* /ith SC !d(inistrative Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74 /as not /i)).u), de)i3erate
or intentiona)G and the Motion to 1is(iss /as dee(ed /aived .or .ai)ure o.
petitioners to :)e the sa(e during the ear)ier stages o. the pro2eedings.
$n 'u)* 17, 1777, the M#C issued an $rder
7
den*ing petitionersR Motion to
1is(iss !pp)i2ation.
$n 'une +6, +,,1, the M#C rendered a 1e2ision
1,
the dispositive portion o.
/hi2h reads as .o))o/s:
N$C #D"R";$R", and 2onsidering a)) the a3ove pre(ises, the Court :nds
and so ho)ds that !pp)i2ant M!. %$UR1"S !. #"$1$R$, having su92ient
tit)e over this )and app)ied .or here3* renders Eudg(ent, /hi2h shou)d 3e,
as it is here3* C$N;IRM"1 and R"GIS#"R"1 in her na(e.
I# IS S$ $R1"R"1.
11
Derein petitioners then :)ed an appea) /ith the Regiona) #ria) Court o. &ira2,
Catanduanes. In its 1e2ision
1+
dated ;e3ruar* ++, +,,+, the R#C, Bran2h 4B,
o. &ira2, Catanduanes dis(issed the appea) .or )a20 o. (erit and
a9r(ed in toto the 1e2ision o. the M#C. Petitioners :)ed a Motion .or
Re2onsideration 3ut it /as denied 3* the R#C in its $rder
1B
o. 'u)* ++, +,,+.
!ggrieved 3* the R#C 1e2ision, petitioners :)ed a Petition .or Revie/
14
/ith
the C!. $n Septe(3er 1+, +,,B, the C! pro(u)gated its present)* assai)ed
1e2ision dis(issing the Petition. Petitioners :)ed a Motion .or
Re2onsideration 3ut the sa(e /as denied 3* the C! in its
Reso)ution
16
dated Mar2h +4, +,,4.
Den2e, the herein petition 3ased on the .o))o/ing grounds:
!. #he Donora3)e Court o. !ppea)s did not ru)e in a22ordan2e /ith the
prevai)ing ru)es and Eurispruden2e /hen it he)d that the 3e)ated :)ing, a.ter
(ore than t/o <+= *ears and three <B= (onths .ro( the initia) app)i2ation
.or )and registration, o. a s/orn 2erti:2ation against .oru( shopping in
RespondentRs app)i2ation .or )and registration, 2onstituted su3stantia)
2o(p)ian2e /ith SC !d(in. Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74.
B. #he Donora3)e Court o. !ppea)s did not ru)e in a22ordan2e /ith
prevai)ing )a/s and Eurispruden2e /hen it he)d that the 2erti:2ation o. non-
.oru( shopping su3se>uent)* su3(itted 3* respondent does not re>uire a
2erti:2ation .ro( an o92er o. the .oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines as
provided under Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court.
C. #he Donora3)e Court o. !ppea)s did not ru)e in a22ordan2e /ith
prevai)ing )a/s and Eurispruden2e /hen it uphe)d the de2isions o. the
Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C= and Muni2ipa) #ria) Court <M#C= that the )ots in
>uestion /ere not rea))* o/ned 3* PetitionersR .ather &i2ente S. !r2i))a,
2ontrar* to the eviden2e presented 3* 3oth parties.
1. #he Donora3)e Court o. !ppea)s did not ru)e in a22ordan2e /ith
prevai)ing )a/s and Eurispruden2e /hen it sustained the de2ision o. the R#C
/hi2h a9r(ed in toto the de2ision o. the M#C and in not reversing the
sa(e and rendering Eudg(ent in .avor o. Petitioners.
18
In their Me(orandu(, petitioners .urther raise the .o))o/ing issue:
1+ | P a g e
Chether or not the Supre(e Court (a* in>uire into 2on2)usions o. .a2ts
(ade 3* the Donora3)e Court o. !ppea)s in the instant Petition.
15
T4e C#!"9< R!l6n=
#he petition is 3ere.t o. (erit.
T4e CA "!led 7#""e79ly 54en 69 4eld 94a9 94e 8ela9ed :l6n= #@ a
5#"n 7e"96:7a96#n #@ n#n*@#"!m 4#??6n= 5a !89an96al
7#m?l6an7e 5694 SC Adm6n69"a96Ce C6"7!la" N#. 3/*2/.
Under the attendant 2ir2u(stan2es in the present 2ase, the Court 2annot
upho)d petitionersA 2ontention that respondentRs de)a* o. (ore than t/o
*ears and three (onths in :)ing the re>uired 2erti:2ate o. non-.oru(
shopping (a* not 3e 2onsidered su3stantia) 2o(p)ian2e /ith the
re>uire(ents o. SC !d(inistrative Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74 and Se2tion 6, Ru)e 5
o. the Ru)es o. CourtG that respondentRs reasons o. oversight and
inadverten2e do not 2onstitute a Eusti:a3)e 2ir2u(stan2e that 2ou)d e?2use
her non-2o(p)ian2e /ith the (andator* re>uire(ents o. the a3ove-
(entioned Cir2u)ar and Ru)eG that su3se>uent 2o(p)ian2e /ith the
re>uire(ent does not serve as an e?2use .or a part*Rs .ai)ure to 2o(p)* in
the :rst instan2e.
Se2tion 6, Ru)e 5, o. the Ru)es o. Court provides:
Se2. 6. Certifcation a0ainst forum shoppin0. Y #he p)aintiF or prin2ipa)
part* sha)) 2erti.* under oath in the 2o(p)aint or other initiator* p)eading
asserting a 2)ai( .or re)ie., or in a s/orn 2erti:2ation anne?ed thereto and
si(u)taneous)* :)ed there/ith: <a= that he has not thereto.ore 2o((en2ed
an* a2tion or :)ed an* 2)ai( invo)ving the sa(e issues in an* 2ourt,
tri3una) or >uasi-Eudi2ia) agen2* and, to the 3est o. his 0no/)edge, no su2h
other a2tion or 2)ai( is pending thereinG <3= i. there is su2h other pending
a2tion or 2)ai(, a 2o(p)ete state(ent o. the present status thereo.G and <2=
i. he shou)d therea.ter )earn that the sa(e or si(i)ar a2tion or 2)ai( has
3een :)ed or is pending, he sha)) report that .a2t /ithin :ve <6= da*s
there.ro( to the 2ourt /herein his a.oresaid 2o(p)aint or initiator* p)eading
has 3een :)ed.
;ai)ure to 2o(p)* /ith the .oregoing re>uire(ents sha)) not 3e 2ura3)e 3*
(ere a(end(ent o. the 2o(p)aint or other initiator* p)eading 3ut sha)) 3e
2ause .or the dis(issa) o. the 2ase /ithout preEudi2e, un)ess other/ise
provided, upon (otion and a.ter hearing. #he su3(ission o. a .a)se
2erti:2ation or non-2o(p)ian2e /ith an* o. the underta0ings therein sha))
2onstitute indire2t 2onte(pt o. 2ourt, /ithout preEudi2e to the
2orresponding ad(inistrative and 2ri(ina) a2tions. I. the a2ts o. the part*
or his 2ounse) 2)ear)* 2onstitute /i)).u) and de)i3erate .oru( shopping, the
sa(e sha)) 3e ground .or su((ar* dis(issa) /ith preEudi2e and sha))
2onstitute dire2t 2onte(pt as /e)) as a 2ause .or ad(inistrative san2tions.
#his Ru)e /as pre2eded 3* Cir2u)ar No. +--71, /hi2h origina))* re>uired the
2erti:2ation o. non-.oru( shopping .or petitions :)ed /ith this Court and
the C!G and SC !d(inistrative Cir2u)ar No. ,4-74, /hi2h e?tended the
2erti:2ation re>uire(ent .or 2ivi) 2o(p)aints and other initiator* p)eadings
:)ed in a)) 2ourts and other agen2ies.
In 1abionza v. Court of *ppea"s,
1-
this Court has he)d that Cir2u)ar No. +--
71 /as designed to serve as an instru(ent to pro(ote and .a2i)itate the
order)* ad(inistration o. Eusti2e and shou)d not 3e interpreted /ith su2h
a3so)ute )itera)ness as to su3vert its o/n u)ti(ate and )egiti(ate o3Ee2tive
or the goa) o. a)) ru)es o. pro2edure Y /hi2h is to a2hieve su3stantia) Eusti2e
as e?peditious)* as possi3)e.
17
#he sa(e guide)ine sti)) app)ies in
interpreting /hat is no/ Se2tion 6, Ru)e 5 o. the 1775 Ru)es o. Civi)
Pro2edure.
+,
#he Court is .u))* a/are that pro2edura) ru)es are not to 3e 3e)itt)ed or
si(p)* disregarded, .or these pres2ri3ed pro2edures insure an order)* and
speed* ad(inistration o. Eusti2e.
+1
Do/ever, it is e>ua))* sett)ed that
)itigation is not (ere)* a ga(e o. te2hni2a)ities.
++
Ru)es o. pro2edure shou)d
3e vie/ed as (ere too)s designed to .a2i)itate the attain(ent o.
Eusti2e.
+B
#heir stri2t and rigid app)i2ation, /hi2h /ou)d resu)t in
te2hni2a)ities that tend to .rustrate rather than pro(ote su3stantia) Eusti2e,
(ust a)/a*s 3e es2he/ed.
+4
"ven the Ru)es o. Court reNe2t this prin2ip)e.
+6
Moreover, the e(erging trend in our Eurispruden2e is to aFord ever* part*-
)itigant the a(p)est opportunit* .or the proper and Eust deter(ination o. his
2ause .ree .ro( the 2onstraints o. te2hni2a)ities.
+8
It (ust 3e 0ept in (ind that /hi)e the re>uire(ent o. the 2erti:2ate o. non-
.oru( shopping is (andator*, nonethe)ess the re>uire(ent (ust not 3e
interpreted too )itera))* and thus de.eat the o3Ee2tive o. preventing the
undesira3)e pra2ti2e o. .oru( shopping.
+5
In 2& v. -and +an3 of the
Phi"ippines,
+-
the Court ru)ed, thus:
#he ad(ission o. the petition a.ter the 3e)ated :)ing o. the 2erti:2ation,
there.ore, is not unpre2edented. In those 2ases /here the Court e?2used
non-2o(p)ian2e /ith the re>uire(ents, there /ere spe2ia) 2ir2u(stan2es or
2o(pe))ing reasons (a0ing the stri2t app)i2ation o. the ru)e 2)ear)*
unEusti:ed. In the 2ase at 3ar, the apparent (erits o. the su3stantive
aspe2ts o. the 2ase shou)d 3e dee(ed as a Zspe2ia) 2ir2u(stan2eZ or
Z2o(pe))ing reasonZ .or the reinstate(ent o. the petition. ? ? ?
+7
Citing $e 1uia v. $e 1uia
B,
the Court, in !stribi""o v. $epartment of *0rarian
Reform,
B1
he)d that even i. there /as 2o(p)ete non-2o(p)ian2e /ith the
ru)e on 2erti:2ation against .oru(-shopping, the Court (a* sti)) pro2eed to
de2ide the 2ase on the (erits pursuant to its inherent po/er to suspend its
o/n ru)es on grounds o. su3stantia) Eusti2e and apparent (erit o. the 2ase.
In the instant 2ase, the Court :nds that the )o/er 2ourts did not 2o((it an*
error in pro2eeding to de2ide the 2ase on the (erits, as herein respondent
/as a3)e to su3(it a 2erti:2ation o. non-.oru( shopping. More i(portant)*,
the apparent (erit o. the su3stantive aspe2t o. the petition .or )and
registration :)ed 3* respondent /ith the M#C 2oup)ed /ith the sho/ing that
she had no intention to vio)ate the Ru)es /ith i(punit*, as she /as the one
/ho invited the attention o. the 2ourt to the inadverten2e 2o((itted 3* her
2ounse), shou)d 3e dee(ed as spe2ia) 2ir2u(stan2es or 2o(pe))ing reasons
to de2ide the 2ase on the (erits.
In addition, 2onsidering that a dis(issa) 2onte(p)ated under Ru)e 5,
Se2tion 6 o. the Ru)es o. Court is, as a ru)e, a dis(issa) /ithout preEudi2e,
and sin2e there is no sho/ing that respondent is gui)t* o. .oru( shopping,
to dis(iss respondentRs petition .or registration /ou)d entai) a tedious
pro2ess o. re-:)ing the petition, re>uiring the parties to re-su3(it the
p)eadings /hi2h the* have a)read* :)ed /ith the tria) 2ourt, and 2ondu2ting
ane/ hearings /hi2h have a)read* 3een done, not to (ention the e?penses
that /i)) 3e in2urred 3* the parties in re-:)ing o. p)eadings and in the re-
2ondu2t o. hearings. #hese /ou)d not 3e in 0eeping /ith the Eudi2ia) po)i2*
1B | P a g e
o. Eust, speed* and ine?pensive disposition o. ever* a2tion and
pro2eeding.
B+
T4e 7e"96:7a96#n #@ n#n*@#"!m 4#??6n= e)e7!9ed 6n a @#"e6=n
7#!n9"y 6 n#9 7#Ce"ed 8y Se796#n '/, R!le $(' #@ 94e R!le #@
C#!"9.
#here is no (erit to petitionersA 2ontentions that the veri:2ation and
2erti:2ation su3se>uent)* su3(itted 3* respondent did not state the
2ountr* or 2it* /here the notar* pu3)i2 e?er2ised her notaria) .un2tionsG and
that the M#C si(p)* 2on2)uded, /ithout an* 3asis, that said notar* pu3)i2
/as .ro( Mar*)and, US!G that even granting that the veri:2ation and
2erti:2ation o. non-.oru( shopping /ere notari@ed in the US!, the sa(e
(a* not 3e dee(ed ad(issi3)e .or an* purpose in the Phi)ippines .or .ai)ure
to 2o(p)* /ith the re>uire(ent o. Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o.
Court that the notari@ed do2u(ent (ust 3e a22o(panied 3* a 2erti:2ate
issued 3* an o92er in the .oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines /ho is stationed
in the 2ountr* in /hi2h a re2ord o. the su3Ee2t do2u(ent is 0ept, proving or
authenti2ating that the person /ho notari@ed the do2u(ent is indeed
authori@ed to do so and has 2ustod* o. the sa(e.
#he Court agrees /ith the dis>uisition o. the C!, to /it:
;ro( the .oregoing provision Hre.erring to Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+, Ru)es o.
CourtI, it 2an 3e gathered that it does not in2)ude do2u(ents
a20no/)edged 3e.ore HaI notar* pu3)i2 a3road. ;or .oreign pu3)i2
do2u(ents to 3e ad(issi3)e .or an* purpose here in our 2ourts, the sa(e
(ust 3e 2erti:ed 3* an* o92er o. the Phi)ippine )egation stationed in the
2ountr* /here the do2u(ents 2ou)d 3e .ound or had 3een e?e2uted.
Do/ever, a.ter Eudi2ious studies o. the ru)e, Se2. +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the 1775
Ru)es o. Court 3asi2a))* pertains to /ritten o92ia) a2ts, or re2ords o. the
o92ia) o. the sovereign authorit*, o92ia) 3odies and tri3una)s, and pu3)i2
o92ers, /hether o. the Phi)ippines, or o. a .oreign 2ountr*. #his is so, as
Se2. +4, Ru)e 1B+ e?p)i2it)* re.ers on)* to paragraph <a= o. Se2. 17. I. the
ru)e 2o(prehends to 2over notaria) do2u(ents, the ru)e 2ou)d have
in2)uded the sa(e. #hus, petitioners-oppositorsR 2ontention that the
2erti:2ate o. .oru( shopping that /as su3(itted /as de.e2tive, as it did
not 3ear the 2erti:2ation provided under Se2. +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o.
Court, is devoid o. an* (erit. Chat is i(portant is the .a2t that the
respondent-app)i2ant 2erti:ed 3e.ore a 2o((issioned o92er 2)othed /ith
po/ers to ad(inister oath that HsIhe has not and /i)) not 2o((it .oru(
shopping.
BB
#he ru)ing o. the Court in -opez v. Court of *ppea"s,
B4
2ited 3* petitioners, is
inapp)i2a3)e to the present 2ase 3e2ause the Ru)es o. "viden2e /hi2h /ere
in eFe2t at that ti(e /ere the o)d Ru)es prior to their a(end(ent in 17-7.
#he ru)e app)ied in -opez, /hi2h /as de2ided prior to the eFe2tivit* o. the
a(ended Ru)es o. "viden2e,
B6
/as Se2tion +6, Ru)e 1B+, to /it:
Se2. +6. Proof of pub"ic or o4cia" record Y An #I76al "e7#"d #" an en9"y
94e"e6n, /hen ad(issi3)e .or an* purpose, (a* 3e eviden2ed 3* an o92ia)
pu3)i2ation thereo. or 3* a 2op* attested 3* the o92er having the )ega)
2ustod* o. the re2ord, or 3* his deput*, and a22o(panied, i. the re2ord is
not 0ept in the Phi)ippines, /ith a 2erti:2ate that su2h o92er has the
2ustod*. I@ 94e #I7e 6n 54674 94e "e7#"d 6 Je?9 6 6n a @#"e6=n
7#!n9"y, 94e 7e"96:7a9e may 8e made 8y a e7"e9a"y #@ em8ay #"
le=a96#n, 7#n!l =ene"al, 7#n!l, C67e 7#n!l, #" 7#n!la" a=en9 #"
8y any #I7e" 6n 94e @#"e6=n e"C67e #@ 94e P46l6??6ne 9a96#ned 6n
94e @#"e6=n 7#!n9"y 6n 54674 94e "e7#"d 6 Je?9, and a!94en967a9ed
8y 94e eal #@ 46 #I7e. <"(phasis supp)ied=
Chen the Ru)es o. "viden2e /ere a(ended in 17-7, Se2tion +6, Ru)e 1B+
3e2a(e Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+G and the a(end(ent 2onsisted in the de)etion
o. the introdu2tor* phrase Z*n o4cia" record or an entr& therein,Z /hi2h
/as su3stituted 3* the phrase Zhe record of pub"ic documents referred to
in para0raph 5a6 of (ection 78.Z
#hus, Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court no/ reads as .o))o/s:
Se2. +4. Proof of o4cia" record. - T4e "e7#"d #@ ?!8l67 d#7!men9
"e@e""ed 9# 6n ?a"a="a?4 KaL #@ Se796#n $2, /hen ad(issi3)e .or an*
purpose, (a* 3e eviden2ed 3* an o92ia) pu3)i2ation thereo. or 3* a 2op*
attested 3* the o92er having )ega) 2ustod* o. the re2ord, or 3* his deput*,
and a22o(panied, i. the re2ord is not 0ept in the Phi)ippines, /ith a
2erti:2ate that su2h o92er has the 2ustod*. I. the o92e in /hi2h the re2ord
is 0ept is in a .oreign 2ountr*, the 2erti:2ate (a* 3e (ade 3* a se2retar* o.
the e(3ass* or )egation, 2onsu) genera), 2onsu), vi2e 2onsu) or 2onsu)ar
agent or 3* an* o92er in the .oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines stationed in
the .oreign 2ountr* in /hi2h the re2ord is 0ept, and authenti2ated 3* the
sea) o. his o92e. <"(phasis supp)ied=
Se2tion 17<a= o. the sa(e Ru)e provides:
Se2. 17. C)asses o. do2u(ents. - ;or the purpose o. their presentation in
eviden2e, do2u(ents are either pu3)i2 or private.
Pu3)i2 do2u(ents are:
KaL T4e 5"699en #I76al a79 #" "e7#"d #@ 94e #I76al a79 #@ 94e
#Ce"e6=n a!94#"69y, #I76al 8#d6e and 9"68!nal, and ?!8l67
#I7e", 54e94e" #@ 94e P46l6??6ne #" #@ a @#"e6=n 7#!n9"yG
<3= 1o2u(ents a20no/)edged 3e.ore a notar* pu3)i2 e?2ept )ast /i))s and
testa(entsG and
<2= Pu3)i2 re2ords, 0ept in the Phi)ippines, o. private do2u(ents re>uired 3*
)a/ to 3e entered therein.
!)) other /ritings are private.
It 2annot 3e overe(phasi@ed that the re>uired 2erti:2ation o. an o92er in
the .oreign servi2e under Se2tion +4 re.ers on)* to the do2u(ents
enu(erated in Se2tion 17<a=, to /it: /ritten o92ia) a2ts or re2ords o. the
o92ia) a2ts o. the sovereign authorit*, o92ia) 3odies and tri3una)s, and
pu3)i2 o92ers o. the Phi)ippines or o. a .oreign 2ountr*. #he Court agrees
/ith the C! that had the Court intended to in2)ude notaria) do2u(ents as
one o. the pu3)i2 do2u(ents 2onte(p)ated 3* the provisions o. Se2tion +4,
it shou)d not have spe2i:ed on)* the do2u(ents re.erred to under
paragraph <a= o. Se2tion 17.
In -opez, the re>uire(ents o. then Se2tion +6, Ru)e 1B+ /ere (ade
app)i2a3)e to a)) pu3)i2 or o92ia) re2ords /ithout an* distin2tion 3e2ause
the o)d ru)e did not distinguish. Do/ever, in the present ru)e, it is 2)ear
under Se2tion +4, Ru)e 1B+ that its provisions sha)) 3e (ade app)i2a3)e on)*
to the do2u(ents re.erred to under paragraph <a=, Se2tion 17, Ru)e 1B+.
T4e CA d6d n#9 e"" 6n !9a6n6n= 94e :nd6n= #@ @a79 and 7#n7l!6#n
#@ la5 #@ 94e MTC and 94e RTC.
14 | P a g e
Sett)ed is the ru)e that the tria) 2ourtAs :ndings o. .a2t, espe2ia))* /hen
a9r(ed 3* the C!, are genera))* 3inding and 2on2)usive upon this
Court.
B8
#here are re2ogni@ed e?2eptions to this ru)e, a(ong /hi2h are: <1=
the 2on2)usion is grounded on spe2u)ations, sur(ises or 2onEe2turesG <+= the
in.eren2e is (ani.est)* (ista0en, a3surd or i(possi3)eG <B= there is grave
a3use o. dis2retionG <4= the Eudg(ent is 3ased on a (isapprehension o.
.a2tsG <6= the :ndings o. .a2t are 2onNi2tingG <8= there is no 2itation o.
spe2i:2 eviden2e on /hi2h the .a2tua) :ndings are 3asedG <5= the :nding o.
a3sen2e o. .a2ts is 2ontradi2ted 3* the presen2e o. eviden2e on re2ordG <-=
the :ndings o. the C! are 2ontrar* to the :ndings o. the tria) 2ourtG <7= the
C! (ani.est)* over)oo0ed 2ertain re)evant and undisputed .a2ts that, i.
proper)* 2onsidered, /ou)d Eusti.* a diFerent 2on2)usionG <1,= the :ndings
o. the C! are 3e*ond the issues o. the 2aseG and <11= su2h :ndings are
2ontrar* to the ad(issions o. 3oth parties.
B5
Do/ever, petitioners .ai)ed to
sho/ that an* o. the e?2eptions is present in the instant 2ase to /arrant a
revie/ o. the :ndings o. .a2t o. the )o/er 2ourts.
Petitioners insist that the do2u(ents /hi2h /ere presented in eviden2e 3*
respondent to prove her o/nership o. the su3Ee2t )ot are ri.e /ith de.e2ts
and in2onsisten2ies. Petitioners 2ontend that the su3Ee2t )ot shou)d not
have 3een in2)uded in the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o. the "state o. 'ose
!r2i))a, 3e2ause he /as no )onger the o/ner o. the said propert* at the ti(e
o. said sett)e(entG the 1eed o. Sa)e shou)d 3e de2)ared nu)) and void
3e2ause the se))er, Pa2i:2o !r2i))a, /as not the o/ner o. the su3Ee2t )ands
at the ti(e the said 1eed /as e?e2utedG the !9davit o. Quit2)ai( is not
va)id and has no .or2e and eFe2t 2onsidering that the do2u(ent indi2ates
that the signatures o. petitioners /ere a9?ed in diFerent p)a2es, none o.
/hi2h is in &ira2, Catanduanes /here the* supposed)* a20no/)edged said
do2u(ent.
#he on)* eviden2e o. petitioners to prove their 2)ai( that the disputed
propert* /as so)d 3* 'ose !r2i))a to Manue) Sar(iento in 17,- is a sing)e
#a? 1e2)aration in the na(e o. the )atter, /ith a notation that the propert*
/as a2>uired 3* pur2hase.
#he Court agrees /ith the C! in its :nding that petitioners .ai)ed to present
an* su3stantia) eviden2e, su2h as a deed o. sa)e, to prove their 2)ai( that
their prede2essor, &i2ente !r2i))a, 3ought the disputed propert* .ro(
Sar(iento. Petitioners /ere on)* a3)e to present ta? de2)arations in
&i2enteRs na(e to prove their a))egation that &i2ente 3e2a(e the o/ner o.
the su3Ee2t propert*. #he ta? de2)arations presented in eviden2e 3*
petitioners are not supported 3* an* other su3stantia) proo.s.
#he Court has ru)ed ti(e and again that ta? de2)arations do not prove
o/nership 3ut are at 3est anindicium o. 2)ai(s o. o/nership.
B-
Pa*(ent o.
ta?es is not proo. o. o/nership, an* (ore than indi2ating possession in the
2on2ept o. an o/ner.
B7
Neither a ta? re2eipt nor a de2)aration o. o/nership
.or ta?ation purposes is eviden2e o. o/nership or o. the right to possess
rea)t* /hen not supported 3* other eFe2tive proo.s.
4,
In addition, the Court agrees /ith the C! /hen it he)d that i. &i2ente, in
.a2t, o/ned the disputed properties, his /ido/, 'ose.a, /ou)d not have
agreed to in2)ude said )ots a(ong those partitioned in the "?traEudi2ia)
Sett)e(ent o. the "state o. 'ose.
$n the other hand, respondentRs 2)ai( o. o/nership is not on)* 3a20ed up
3* ta? de2)arations 3ut a)so 3* other pie2es o. eviden2e su2h as the su3Ee2t
"?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent, !9davit o. Quit2)ai(, and 1eed o. Sa)e.
Petitioners >uestion the va)idit* o. the a3ove-(entioned do2u(ents.
Do/ever, as the C!, R#C and M#C .ound, these do2u(ents are a)) notari@ed.
It is sett)ed that a notari@ed do2u(ent is e?e2uted to )end truth to the
state(ents 2ontained therein and to the authenti2it* o. the
signatures.
41
Notari@ed do2u(ents enEo* the presu(ption o. regu)arit*
/hi2h 2an 3e overturned on)* 3* 2)ear and 2onvin2ing eviden2e.
4+
PetitionersR 3are denia)s o. the 2ontents o. the su3Ee2t do2u(ents /i)) not
su92e to over2o(e the presu(ption o. their regu)arit* 2onsidering that
the* are a)) notari@ed. #o overthro/ su2h presu(ption o. regu)arit*, the
2ountervai)ing eviden2e (ust 3e 2)ear, 2onvin2ing and (ore than (ere)*
preponderant, /hi2h petitioners .ai)ed to present.
4B
!n e?a(ination o. the su3Ee2t "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o. "state 2)ear)*
sho/s that the disputed )ot .or(s part o. the properties adEudi2ated in .avor
o. Pa2i:2o !r2i))a, respondentAs prede2essor-in-interest.
Moreover, petitioners the(se)ves ad(it that the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent
3eing re.erred to in the !9davit o. Quit2)ai( e?e2uted 3* petitioner and
her 2o-heirs is the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o. the "state o. 'ose !r2i))a and
not o. &i2ente !r2i))a. !n e?a(ination o. the !9davit o. Quit2)ai( sho/s
that the re.eren2e (ade therein /ith respe2t to the date o. e?e2ution o. the
said "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent as /e)) as the notar* pu3)i2 /ho
a20no/)edged the sa(e and the 1o2u(ent Nu(3er, Page Nu(3er, Boo0
Nu(3er and Series Nu(3er a)) 2oin2ide /ith those appearing in the
do2u(ent eviden2ing the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o. the "state o. 'ose
!r2i))a. Den2e, /hat has 3een /aived 3* petitioners is their right, i. an*, to
the properties (entioned in the said !9davit o. Quit2)ai(, /hi2h in2)udes
the present)* disputed )ot.
Petitioners posit that the* are not 3ound 3* the su3Ee2t "?traEudi2ia)
Sett)e(ent 3e2ause the* did not parti2ipate in nor did the* sign the
do2u(ent eviden2ing su2h sett)e(ent and that their (other /ho signed on
their 3eha). /as not, in .a2t, authori@ed to do so. Do/ever, the Court agrees
/ith the ru)ing o. the R#C that the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent is a pu3)i2
do2u(ent, the sa(e having 3een notari@edG that su2h do2u(ent is entit)ed
to .u)) .aith and 2redit in the a3sen2e o. 2o(petent eviden2e sho/ing that
its e?e2ution /as tainted /ith de.e2ts and irregu)arities /hi2h /ou)d
/arrant a de2)aration o. nu))it*G that in the a3sen2e o. eviden2e sho/ing
that the person /ho signed in 3eha). o. herein petitioners /as, in .a2t, not
authori@ed to do so, the presu(ption that she had the authorit*, as stated
in the "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent, re(ains undistur3ed.
Moreover, petitionersR e?e2ution o. the su3Ee2t !9davit o. Quit2)ai( is
proo. that the* have rati:ed the 2ontents o. the disputed "?traEudi2ia)
Sett)e(ent.
PetitionersR 2)ai( that the !9davit o. Quit2)ai( is nu)) and void on the
ground that the signatories thereto are not residents o. &ira2, Catanduanes
and that the* a9?ed their signature in p)a2es other than &ira2,
Catanduanes /here the* supposed)* a20no/)edged the said do2u(ent, is
not persuasive. #he Court :nds no error in the :nding o. the M#C, as
a9r(ed 3* the C!, that the e?e2ution o. the su3Ee2t !9davit o. Quit2)ai(
16 | P a g e
or the signatures o. the a9ants appearing therein /ere never 2ontested
nor raised as an issue and that petitioner Sarah !r2i))a herse).
a20no/)edged her o/n signature in the said !9davit.
In an* event, the )a/ does not re>uire that parties to a do2u(ent notari@ed
3* a notar* pu3)i2 shou)d 3e residents o. the p)a2e /here the said
do2u(ent is a20no/)edged or that the* a9? their signature in the presen2e
o. the notar* pu3)i2. Chat is ne2essar* is that the persons /ho signed a
notari@ed do2u(ent are the ver* sa(e persons /ho e?e2uted and
persona))* appeared 3e.ore the notar* pu3)i2 in order to attest to the
2ontents and truth o. /hat are stated therein.
44
In the instant 2ase, it is esta3)ished that, /ith the e?2eption o. petitioner
Rene !r2i))a, a)) o. herein petitioners, in2)uding their no/ de2eased (other
'ose.a and sister Nora, e?e2uted and persona))* a20no/)edged 3e.ore the
notar* pu3)i2 the su3Ee2t !9davit o. Quit2)ai(. Den2e, aside .ro( Rene, the
said !9davit o. Quit2)ai( is va)id and 3inding on a)) the petitioners.
Cith respe2t to Rene, petitioner $s2ar !r2i))a, a2ting as his attorne*-in-.a2t,
signed the do2u(ent on the .or(erAs 3eha).. Do/ever, sett)ed is the ru)e
that:
! (e(3er o. the 3ar /ho per.or(s an a2t as a notar* pu3)i2 shou)d not
notari@e a do2u(ent un)ess the persons /ho signed the sa(e are the ver*
sa(e persons /ho e?e2uted and persona))* appeared 3e.ore hi(. #he a2ts
o. the a9ants 2annot 3e de)egated to an*one .or /hat are stated therein
are .a2ts o. /hi2h the* have persona) 0no/)edge. #he* shou)d s/ear to the
do2u(ent persona))* and not through an* representative. $ther/ise, their
representativeAs na(e shou)d appear in the said do2u(ents as the one /ho
e?e2uted the sa(e. #hat is the on)* ti(e the representative 2an a9? his
signature and persona))* appear 3e.ore the notar* pu3)i2 .or notari@ation o.
the said do2u(ent. Si(p)* put, the part* or parties /ho e?e2uted the
instru(ent (ust 3e the ones to persona))* appear 3e.ore the notar* pu3)i2
to a20no/)edge the do2u(ent.
46
#hus, the herein su3Ee2t !9davit o. Quit2)ai( (a* not 3e 3inding on Rene.
Nonethe)ess, /ith or /ithout ReneAs parti2ipation in the >uit2)ai(,
respondentAs o/nership o. the su3Ee2t )ots has 3een esta3)ished 3*
preponderan2e o. eviden2e, as unani(ous)* .ound 3* the M#C, the R#C and
the C!.
;ina))*, petitionersR ph*si2a) o22upation o. the 2o((er2ia) 3ui)ding /hi2h
the* ere2ted on the disputed propert* does not ne2essari)* prove their
o/nership o. the su3Ee2t )ots.
#his Court has he)d that:
o/nership and possession are t/o entire)* diFerent )ega) 2on2epts. 'ust as
possession is not a de:nite proo. o. o/nership, neither is non-possession
in2onsistent /ith o/nership. #he :rst paragraph o. !rti2)e 147- o. the Civi)
Code states that /hen the sa)e is (ade through a pu3)i2 instru(ent, the
e?e2ution thereo. sha)) 3e e>uiva)ent to the de)iver* o. the thing /hi2h is
the o3Ee2t o. the 2ontra2t, i. .ro( the deed the 2ontrar* does not appear or
2annot 2)ear)* 3e in.erred.P#e6#n, al#n= 5694 #5ne"46?, 6
9"an@e""ed 9# 94e Cendee 8y C6"9!e #@ 94e n#9a"6Aed deed #@
7#nCeyan7e. T4!, 6n l6=49 #@ 94e 76"7!m9an7e #@ 94e ?"een9
7ae, 69 6 #@ n# le=al 7#ne>!en7e 94a9 ?e9696#ne" d6d n#9 9aJe
a79!al ?#e6#n #" #77!?a96#n #@ 94e d6?!9ed l#9 a@9e" 94e
e)e7!96#n #@ 94e deed #@ ale 6n 4e" @aC#" 8e7a!e 4e 5a al"eady
a8le 9# ?e"@e79 and 7#m?le9e 4e" #5ne"46? #@ and 969le #Ce" 94e
!8Be79 ?"#?e"9y.
48
<"(phasis supp)ied=
#he "?traEudi2ia) Sett)e(ent o. "state in .avor o. Pa2i:2o, respondentAs
prede2essor-in-interest, the !9davit o. Quit2)ai( and the 1eed o. Sa)e in
.avor o. respondent esta3)ish respondentAs o/nership over the disputed
propert*.
;HEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. #he 1e2ision o. the Court o. !ppea)s
dated Septe(3er 1+, +,,B and its Reso)ution o. Mar2h +4, +,,4 in C!-G.R.
SP No. 5+,B+ are AFFIRMED.
Costs against petitioners.
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPP
G.R. N#. $11030 N#Cem8e" '1, '33&
HEIRS OF GORGONIO MEDINA, namely, LEONOR T. MEDINA, RAMON
T. MEDINA, ABIEL T. MEDINA, ILUDIVINA M. ROSARI, CONCEPCION
DE LA CRUH, LEONOR M. BADDER, SAMUEL T. MEDINA, VICTOR T.
MEDINA, TERESITA M. SABADO, JOSEFINA M. CANAS and VERONICA
M. DE GUHMAN, petitioners,
vs.
BONIFACIO NATIVIDAD, "e?"een9ed 8y PHILIP M.
NATIVIDAD, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
CHICO*NAHARIO, J.,
Be.ore Us is a Petition .or Revie/ on Certiorari under Ru)e 46 o. the 1775
Ru)es o. Civi) Pro2edure /hi2h see0s to set aside the 1e2ision
1
o. the Court
o. !ppea)s dated +, Nove(3er +,,8 in C!-G.R. C& No. -+18, a9r(ing /ith
(odi:2ation the 1e2ision
+
o. Bran2h BB o. the Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C= o.
Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa, in Civi) Case No. 1186-G and its Reso)ution
B
dated 18
!pri) +,,5 den*ing petitionersA (otion .or re2onsideration.
#he .a2tua) ante2edents are as .o))o/s:
$n 18 Ma* 1787, #irso Medina, Pa2i:2o M. Rui@, Gorgonio 1. Medina,
&iven2io M. Rui@, and 1o(ini2a Medina, 2o-o/ners o. a par2e) o. )and <%ot
1177, Cad-18+, Gui(3a Cadastre, p)an !p-+B41-= situated in Po3)a2ion,
Muni2ipa)it* o. Gui(3a, Provin2e o. Nueva "2iEa, 2ontaining an area o. t/o
thousand three hundred thirt* nine <+,BB7= s>uare (eters, agreed to divide
and a))ot .or the(se)ves the said )and. ! s0et2h
4
signed 3* the 2o-o/ners
sho/ed the respe2tive portions o. )and a))otted to ea2h. Gorgonio 1. Medina
re2eived t/o portions o. said )and. $ne portion /as a))otted to hi( a)one,
/hi)e the se2ond portion /as a))otted to hi( together /ith #irso Medina and
Pa2i:2o M. Rui@. #his se2ond portion is )a3e)ed as ZGorgonio Medina, #irso
Medina and Pa2i:2o M. Rui@Z /hi2h is adEa2ent to the portion )a3e)ed as
Z1o(ini2a Medina.Z
$n +7 Mar2h 175+, Gorgonio 1. Medina, prede2essor-in-interest o.
petitioners, e?e2uted a 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e
6
/here3* he so)d to
respondent Boni.a2io Natividad .or P+,,,,.,, his share <1JB= in the se2ond
portion o. )and in2)uding the i(prove(ents .ound therein.
Su3se>uent)*, a 2ase .or Partition /ith 1a(ages, do20eted as Civi) Case No.
5-1-G, /as :)ed 3e.ore the R#C o. Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa, Bran2h BB, 3* #irso
Medina against the 2o-o/ners o. %ot 1177, a(ong /ho( are Gorgonio
18 | P a g e
Medina and Boni.a2io Natividad. Boni.a2io Natividad had )i0e/ise a)read*
3ought the share o. 1o(ini2a Medina in the )and.
#he parties entered into a 2o(pro(ise agree(ent /hi2h the* su3(itted to
the Court. $n +, Nove(3er 17-7, the R#C approved the agree(ent and
rendered its de2ision 3ased on the sa(e.
8
#he Co(pro(ise !gree(ent as
>uoted 3* the Court reads:
C$MPR$MIS" !GR""M"N#
C$M" N$C the parties, assisted 3* their respe2tive 2ounse)<s=, and unto
this Donora3)e Court respe2t.u))* su3(it this Co(pro(ise !gree(ent in .u))
and :na) sett)e(ent o. their diFeren2es, to /it:
1. #he parties herein are the e?2)usive 2o-o/ners o. that 2ertain par2e) o.
)and )o2ated at the Po3)a2ion, Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa, 0no/n as %ot 1177,
Gui(3a Cadastre and (ore parti2u)ar)* des2ri3ed as .o))o/s:
! par2e) o. )and <%ot 1177, o. the Cadastra) Surve* o. Gui(3a Cad. 18+,
p)an !p-+B41-, %.R. Case No. G-61, %.R.C. Re2ord No. N-4,511=, situated in
the Po3)a2ion, Muni2ipa)it* o. Gui(3a, Provin2e o. Nueva "2iEa. ? ? ?
2ontaining an area o. #C$ #D$US!N1 #DR"" DUN1R"1 !N1 #DIR# NIN"
<+,BB7= SQU!R" M"#"RS, (ore or )ess. ? ? ?.
? ? ? ?
+. #he herein parties re2ogni@e and a20no/)edge that their respe2tive
shares in the propert* a.ore(entioned as appearing in the a.oresaid
$rigina) Certi:2ate o. #it)e No. 1B,B88 have 3een (odi:ed 3* agree(ent
3et/een the( to a))ot a portion thereo. to their 2o-o/ner, &iven2io M. Rui@,
to 2o(pensate .or va)ua3)e servi2es rendered to the parties vis-[-vis the
said propert*, separate and apart .ro( his right.u) share therein as
parti2ipating heir o. Maria MedinaG
B. #he p)aintiF #irso Medina here3* /ithdra/s an*Ja)) state(ents appearing
on re2ord /hi2h he (a* have (ade in said 2ase in the 2ourse o. his
testi(on* therein, and here3* as0s the Donora3)e Court that said
state(ents 3e e?punged or /ithdra/n .ro( the re2ordG
4. #he .oregoing 2onsidered, the parties have deter(ined that it is to their
(utua) 2onvenien2e and advantage, and in a22ord /ith their 2o((on
desire to preserve and (aintain the e?isting .a(i)* har(on* and so)idarit*
to ter(inate their present 2o((unit* o. o/nership in the propert*
a.ore(entioned 3* (utua) agree(ent and adEudi2ation, in the (anner
appearing in the S0et2h P)an o. Partition atta2hed as an integra) part hereo.
as !nne? Z!Z /here the propert* is su3divided into %ot 1, +, B, 4, 6, and 8
and adEudi2ated, as .o))o/s:
a. #o Boni.a2io Natividad, %ot No. 1, 2onsisting o. 4-, s>uare (eters, (ore
or )ess, representing the interests o. 1o(ini2a Medina /hi2h /as so)d to
hi( per do2u(ent o. ZSa)e o. Rights, Caiver and Renun2iationZ appearing
as 1o2. No. B85G Page No. 56G Boo0 No. 1,G Series o. 178- in the Notaria)
Register o. !tt*.
3. #o &I&"NCI$ M. RUIM, %ot No. B 2onsisting o. B5,.+1 s>uare (eters, (ore
or )ess, as 2o(pensation .or va)ua3)e servi2es renderedG .ree and 2)ear .ro(
an*Ja)) )iens or en2u(3ran2es /hatsoever or .ro( the 2)ai(s o. an* person
/ho(soever, e?2ept the present tenantJs thereonG
2. #o the heirs o. M!RI! M"1IN!, %ot No. + 2onsisting o. B5,.+1 s>uare
(eters, (ore or )ess, /ithout preEudi2e to sa)es and dispositions a)read*
(ade 3* the respe2tive heirs o. their interests and parti2ipations thereinG
d. #o #IRS$ M"1IN!, %ot No. 4 2onsisting o. B87.+7 s>uare (eters, (ore or
)essG
e. #o the heirs o. P!CI;IC$ M. RUIM, %ot No. 6 2onsisting o. B87.+7 s>uare
(eters, (ore or )ess, and
.. #o G$RG$NI! M"1IN!, %ot No. 8, 2onsisting o. B87.+7 s>uare (eters,
(ore or )ess.
5
$n - $2to3er 1771, the tria) 2ourt issued an order supp)e(enting its
de2ision dated +, Nove(3er 17-7 /hi2h reads in part:
H#Ihat the parties therea.ter, engaged the servi2es o. one 2o((on
geodeti2 engineer in the person o. Ro))* ;ran2is2o to 2ondu2t the surve*
and eFe2t the su3division o. %ot 1177, /hi2h /as su3divided into %ots !, B,
C, 1, ", and ;, the area o. /hi2h appears, thus:
%ot 1177-! /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. 4 adEudi2ated to #irso MedinaG
%ot 1177-B /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. 6 adEudi2ated to Pa2i:2o Rui@G
%ot 1177-C /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. 8 adEudi2ated to Gorgonio MedinaG
%ot 1177-1 /ith an area o. 4-+ s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. 1 adEudi2ated to Boni.a2io NatividadG
%ot 1177-" /ith an area o. B5+ s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. + adEudi2ated to Deirs o. Maria MedinaG and
%ot 1177-; /ith an area o. B5+ s>. (s., /hi2h )ot no/ 2orresponds to %ot
No. B adEudi2ated to &iven2io M. Rui@G that in this su3division (ade 3* the
geodeti2 engineer, there /as no 2hange in the designation o. the parti2u)ar
p)a2es adEudi2ated to the parties, e?2ept the 2hange in areas a))otted a.ter
the a2tua) surve* (ade.
CD"R";$R", :nding the (otion to 3e in order, the Court reso)ves to grant
the sa(e and here3* orders, that:
%ot 1177-! /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s. is %ot 4, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
#irso MedinaG
%ot 1177-B /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s. is %ot 6, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
Pa2i:2o Rui@G
%ot 1177-C /ith an area o. B51 s>. (s. is %ot 8, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
Gorgonio MedinaG
%ot 1177-1 /ith an area o. 4-+ s>. (s. is %ot 1, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
Boni.a2io NatividadG
%ot 1177-" /ith an area o. B5+ s>. (s. is %ot +, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
Deirs o. Maria MedinaG
%ot 1177-; /ith an area o. B5+ s>. (s. is %ot B, de2ision, adEudi2ated to
&iven2io M. Rui@.
#his $rder supp)e(ents the 1e2ision dated Nove(3er +,, 17-7.
-
Pursuant to the 2ourt-approved partition, %ot 1177-C, (easuring B51
s>uare (eters, /as registered in the na(e o. Gorgonio Median .or /hi2h
#rans.er Certi:2ate o. #it)e <#C#= No. N#-+B,+4- o. the Registr* o. 1eeds .or
the Provin2e o. Nueva "2iEa /as issued to hi(.
7
$n 11 'une +,,1, Boni.a2io Natividad, thru his a))eged !ttorne*-In-;a2t,
Phi)ip M. Natividad, :)ed 3e.ore the R#C o. Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa, Bran2h B1,
a Co(p)aint .or !nnu)(ent o. #C# No. N#-+B,+4- and 1a(ages.
1,
It
i(p)eaded as respondents !3ie) Medina and &eroni2a de Gu@(an /ho are
15 | P a g e
o22up*ing the said )and. Boni.a2io as0s, a(ong other things, that 1JB o.
said )and 3e surrendered to hi( 3e2ause he had 3ought the sa(e .ro(
Gorgonio Medina. In the !ns/er
11
:)ed 3* !3ie) Medina and &eroni2a de
Gu@(an, the* argued, inter a"ia, that Phi)ip Natividad had no )ega) 2apa2it*
to sue 3e2ause the Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne* anne?ed to the Co(p)aint did
not grant hi( su2h authorit*. #he* .urther added that the Co(p)aint .ai)ed
to i(p)ead a)) the parties-in-interest 2onsidering that the o/nership o. the
)and 2overed 3* #C# No. N#-+B,+4- had a)read* passed to e)even heirs o.
Gorgonio Medina.
Boni.a2io, thru Phi)ip, :)ed a Motion .or Bi)) o. Parti2u)ars
1+
pra*ing that an
order 3e issued 3* the 2ourt dire2ting !3ie) Medina and &eroni2a de
Gu@(an to give the na(es and present addresses o. a)) the heirs o.
Gorgonio Medina. Said (otion /as opposed.
1B
In an order dated 16 $2to3er
+,,1, the tria) 2ourt granted the (otion.
14
1e.endants 2o(p)ied /ith the
2ourtAs order and su3(itted the na(es and addresses o. a)) the heirs o.
Gorgonio Medina.
16
$n 5 'anuar* +,,+, Boni.a2io :)ed a Motion .or %eave to !d(it !(ended
Co(p)aint /ith pra*er that su((ons upon eight heirs 3e (ade through
pu3)i2ation.
18
#he !(ended Co(p)aint i(p)eaded a)) the heirs o. Gorgonio
Medina <petitioners herein=. In said a(ended 2o(p)aint, a spe2ia) po/er o.
attorne*
15
dated +1 Septe(3er +,,1 a))eged)* e?e2uted 3* Boni.a2io
Natividad in the State o. Cashington, United States o. !(eri2a, and
a20no/)edged 3e.ore Ph*))is Perr*, a Notar* Pu3)i2 o. the State o.
Cashington, US!, /as atta2hed authori@ing Phi)ip Natividad to:
1. #o :)e a)) appropriate 2ases in 2ourt against the heirs o. Gorgonio Medina
.or the re2over* o. the )ot that I pur2hased .ro( said Gorgonio Medina 3*
virtue o. 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e e?e2uted on Mar2h +7, 175+ and notari@ed
3* !tt*. Ino2en2io B. Gara(pi) under 1o2. No. 4B6, Page No. -5, Boo0 No. 1,
Series o. 175+, /hi2h )ot is no/ tit)ed in the na(e o. Gorgonio Medina
under #rans.er Certi:2ate o. #it)e No. N#-+B,+4-G
+. #o institute a)) )ega) a2tionsJ2ases in 2ourt .or the annu)(ent o. said
#rans.er Certi:2ate o. #it)e No. N# -+B,+4- /hi2h no/ 2overs the )ot I
3ought .ro( Gorgonio MedinaG
B. #o represent (e in a)) pro2eedingsJhearings o. the a3ove-(entioned
2aseJs up to its ter(inationG
4. #o enter into a .air and reasona3)e 2o(pro(ise agree(ent and do a))
a2ts .or the prote2tion and preservation o. (* rights and interest over the
a3ove-(entioned )otG
6. #o negotiateJtransa2t /ith a)) persons, se2ure and sign a)) ne2essar*
do2u(ents .or the attain(ent o. the a3ove purposes.
In an $rder dated
1-
B, 'anuar* +,,+, the tria) 2ourt approved the (otion
and ad(itted the !(ended Co(p)aint. It dire2ted the issuan2e o. the
2orresponding su((ons, the sa(e to 3e pu3)ished in a ne/spaper o.
genera) 2ir2u)ation .or three 2onse2utive /ee0s. !s to p)aintiFAs authorit* to
sue, the tria) 2ourt ru)ed that said issue had 3een sett)ed 3* the spe2ia)
po/er o. attorne* atta2hed to the !(ended Co(p)aint.
$n 15 Ma* +,,+, the heirs o. Gorgonio Medina :)ed a Motion to
1is(iss
17
/hi2h the tria) 2ourt denied on +, !ugust +,,+.
+,
$n 1,
Septe(3er +,,+, the heirs :)ed their !ns/er raising the .o))o/ing de.enses:
pres2ription, )a2hes, )a20 o. 2ause o. a2tion, )a20 o. )ega) 2apa2it* to sue 3*
!ttorne*-in-;a2t, inde.easi3i)it* o. #C# No. N#-+B,+4- and )a20 o.
Eurisdi2tion over the 2ase .or .ai)ure o. the p)aintiF to 2o(p)* /ith the
(andator* re>uire(ent o. the 9atarun0an0 Pambaran0a&. P)aintiF :)ed his
Rep)* dated 1- Septe(3er +,,+ spe2i:2a))* den*ing the a))egations
2ontained in the !ns/er /ith Co(pu)sor* Counter2)ai(.
+1
1uring the Pre-#ria), the parties stipu)ated the .o))o/ing .a2ts and issues:
a. #C# No. N-+B,+4- in the na(e o. Gorgonio Medina 2overs B51 s>uare
(eters. #his tit)e /as one o. the tit)es issued as trans.er .ro( $rigina)
Certi:2ate o. #it)e No. 1B,B88.
++
3. #C# No. +B,+4- 2a(e into 3eing 3* virtue o. the de2ision in Civi) Case
No. 5-1-G, a 2ase o. partition a(ong Gorgonio Medina and his 2o-heirs
de2ided 3* R#C Bran2h BB.
2. #he )ate Gorgonio Medina e?e2uted a 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e over 1JB
portion o. his share in a par2e) o. )and <%ot 1177, C!1-18+ Gui(3a
Cadastre= o/ned in 2o((on 3* hi( and his 2o-heirs.
d. #he )and su3Ee2t o. the deed o. sa)e is not the one 2overed 3* #C# No.
+B,+4-.
Issues:
1. Chether the deed o. sa)e o. sa)e (a* 3e given eFe2t not/ithstanding
the .a2t that the su3Ee2t thereo. is diFerent .ro( the portion 2overed 3*
#C# No. +B,+4-.
+. Chether Mr. Phi)ip Natividad is du)* authori@ed to represent his .ather,
Boni.a2io Natividad in this 2ase.
+B
#he parties (ani.ested that a.ter the* sha)) have :)ed their respe2tive
(e(oranda, the 2ase sha)) 3e su3(itted .or de2ision.
In its de2ision dated 1, 1e2e(3er +,,B, the tria) 2ourt ru)ed in .avor o.
Boni.a2io Natividad. #he de2reta) portion o. the de2ision reads:
CD"R";$R", Eudg(ent is here3* rendered in .avor o. the p)aintiF ordering
the de.endants to 2onve* to the p)aintiF 1JB portion o. the )ot 2overed 3*
#C# No. +B,+4- together /ith the i(prove(ents thereon and to a22ount
.or, and de)iver to the p)aintiF the in2o(e derived there.ro( .ro( the
institution o. this 2ase up to the e?e2ution o. this de2ision.
No pronoun2e(ent as to da(ages there 3eing no reservation (ade 3* the
p)aintiF to present eviden2e thereo..
+4
$n the issue o. Phi)ip NatividadAs authorit* to represent his .ather, the 2ourt
ru)ed that it /as 2onvin2ed that Phi)ip /as authori@ed to represent his
.ather 3* virtue o. a notari@ed spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* e?e2uted 3*
Boni.a2io atta2hed to the a(ended 2o(p)aint. It e?p)ained that the
do2u(ent /as a pu3)i2 do2u(ent as de:ned under Se2tion +,, paragraph
<a= o. Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court, the sa(e having 3een notari@ed 3* a
notar* pu3)i2 .or the State o. Cashington, US!. In the a3sen2e o. an*
eviden2e to sho/ that said spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* /as .a)si:ed, it /as
su92ient authorit* .or Mr. Natividad to represent his .ather.
#he tria) 2ourt )i0e/ise ru)ed that the deed o. a3so)ute sa)e e?e2uted 3*
Gorgonio Medina in .avor o. Boni.a2io Natividad (a* 3e given eFe2t
not/ithstanding the .a2t that the portion o. %ot 1177 spe2i:ed as its o3Ee2t
/as diFerent .ro( the portion adEudi2ated to Gorgonio Medina. It de2)ared
that the 1JB portion o. the )and 2overed 3* #C# No. N#-+B,+4- sha)) 3e
dee(ed the o3Ee2t o. the deed o. sa)e. It agreed /ith Boni.a2io that /hat
/as so)d 3* Gorgonio Medina to hi( <Boni.a2io= /as his share, right and
1- | P a g e
parti2ipation in the )and 0no/n as %ot 1177. !t the ti(e o. the sa)e, %ot
1177 /as not *et divided. Gorgonio Medina spe2i:ed a portion o. %ot 1177,
e?pe2ting that portion to 3e adEudi2ated to hi(, 3ut his e?pe2tation did not
(ateria)i@e 3e2ause a diFerent portion /as adEudi2ated to hi( during the
partition. It added that Eusti2e de(anded that a portion o. /hat /as
adEudi2ated to hi( 3e 2onsidered as the o3Ee2t o. the deed o. sa)e.
#he tria) 2ourt .urther ru)ed that pres2ription and )a2hes did not set in.
Sin2e there /as an e?press trust 2reated 3et/een Gorgonio Medina and
Boni.a2io Natividad, the a2tion to 2o(pe) the de.endants to 2onve* the
propert* to Boni.a2io did not pres2ri3e. It e?p)ained that it is on)* /hen the
trustee repudiates the trust that the pres2riptive period o. 1, *ears
2o((en2es to run. In the instant 2ase, Gorgonio Medina <trustee=
repudiated the trust on 6 'u)* 177B /hen #C# No. N#-+B,+4- /as issued in
his na(e. #hus, the :)ing o. the 2o(p)aint on 11 'une +,,1 /as /e)) /ithin
the ten-*ear pres2riptive period.
$n ++ 1e2e(3er +,,B, the petitioner-heirs o. Gorgonio Medina :)ed a
Noti2e o. !ppea) in.or(ing the trai) 2ourt that the* /ere appea)ing the
de2ision to the Court o. !ppea)s.
+6
! Noti2e o. !ppea) having 3een
seasona3)* :)ed 3* the petitioners, the entire re2ords o. the 2ase /ere
.or/arded to the Court o. !ppea)s.
+8
$n 1B 'anuar* +,,4, Boni.a2io Natividad :)ed a Motion .or "?e2ution
Pending !ppea)
+5
/hi2h the tria) 2ourt denied, it having )ost Eurisdi2tion over
the 2ase 3e2ause the appea) /as a)read* per.e2ted /hen the (otion /as
:)ed.
+-
$n +, Nove(3er +,,8, the Court o. !ppea)s rendered its de2ision a9r(ing
/ith (odi:2ation the de2ision o. the tria) 2ourt. It disposed o. the 2ase as
.o))o/s:
CD"R";$R", the 1e2ision o. the R#C, Bran2h BB, Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa,
dated 1e2e(3er 1,, +,,B, is here3* !;;IRM"1 /ith the M$1I;IC!#I$N
ordering the de.endants-appe))ants to 2onve* to p)aintiF-appe))ee an area
e>uiva)ent to 7, s>uare (eters o. the )and 2overed 3* #C# No. N#-
+B,+4-.
+7
#he appe))ate 2ourt a9r(ed the :ndings o. the tria) 2ourt, 3ut ru)ed that
the trust esta3)ished 3et/een the parties /as an i(p)ied or 2onstru2tive
trust, and not an e?press trust. It added that /hat shou)d 3e 2onve*ed to
Boni.a2io Natividad /as on)* 1JB o. +5, s>uare (eters or 7, s>uare (eters,
and not 1JB o. B51 s>uare (eters sin2e /hat /as so)d to hi( /as on)* a
part o. one o. the t/o portions o/ned 3* Gorgonio Medina in the entire )ot.
;ina))*, it de2)ared that the 2ontention that the Co(p)aint shou)d have 3een
dis(issed .or )a20 o. 2ause o. a2tion, 2onsidering that the Spe2ia) Po/er o.
!ttorne* e?e2uted a3road 3* Boni.a2io Natividad in .avor o. his son /as not
proper)* authenti2ated 3e.ore a 2onsu)ar o92er, put a pre(iu( on
te2hni2a)ities at the e?pense o. su3stantia) Eusti2e. %itigation, it said,
shou)d, as (u2h as possi3)e, 3e de2ided on the (erits and not on
te2hni2a)ities.
Petitioners :)ed a Motion .or Re2onsideration
B,
/hi2h the Court o. !ppea)s
denied in a reso)ution dated 18 !pri) +,,5.
B1
Den2e, the instant petition raising the .o))o/ing issues:
CD"#D"R $R N$# #D" C$MPR$MIS" !GR""M"N# #D!# #D" #RI!% C$UR#
!PPR$&"1 IN CI&I% C!S" N$. 5-1-G N$&!#"1 #D" 1""1 $; !BS$%U#"
S!%" 1!#"1 +7 M!RCD 175+ B"#C""N G$RG$NI$ M"1IN! !N1
B$NI;!CI$ N!#I&I1!1.
CD"#D"R $R N$# B$NI;!CI$ N!#I&I1!1 IS "S#$PP"1 B %!CD"S.
CD"#D"R $R N$# #D" R"GIS#R!#I$N $; %$# N$. 1177-C IN #D" N!M" $;
G$RG$NI$ M"1IN! C!S IN ;R!U1 $; B$NI;!CI$ N!#I&I1!1.
CD"#D"R $R N$# ! C$NS#RUC#I&" #RUS# C!S CR"!#"1 B"#C""N
G$RG$NI$ M"1IN! !N1 B$NI;!CI$ N!#I&I1!1.
CD"#D"R $R N$# B$NI;!CI$ N!#I&I1!1AS C!US" $; !C#I$N D!S
!%R"!1 PR"SCRIB"1.
CD"#D"R $R N$# #D" C$MP%!IN# S#!#"S ! C!US" $; !C#I$N.
!(ong the issues raised 3* petitioners the )ast is /hat /e sha)) :rst ta20)e.
Petitioners 2ontend that the Court o. !ppea)s 2o((itted a ver* grave error
in not :nding that the respondent /as /ithout an* 2ause o. a2tion.
Petitioners argue:
#he Co(p)aint in this 2ase /as instituted 3* Phi)ip M. Natividad in the na(e
o. Boni.a2io Natividad upon the strength o. a Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne*
e?e2uted 3* the )atter in Cashington, U.S.!. Chi)e the do2u(ent appears
to have 3een a20no/)edged 3e.ore Ph*))is Perr*, a Notar* Pu3)i2 .or the
Eurisdi2tion o. the State o. Cashington, U.S.!., it /as not presented 3e.ore a
Phi)ippine Consu)ar $92er .or the re>uisite authenti2ation.
#he Revised Ru)es on "viden2e re>uire that a do2u(ent a20no/)edged
3e.ore a notar* pu3)i2 3eing a pu3)i2 do2u(ent, su2h re2ord i. 0ept in a
.oreign 2ountr*, shou)d 3e a22o(panied /ith a 2erti:2ate that su2h o92er
has the 2ustod* thereo. (ade 3* a se2retar* o. the e(3ass* or )egation,
2onsu) genera), 2onsu), vi2e 2onsu), or 2onsu)ar agent or 3* an o92er in the
.oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines stationed in the .oreign 2ountr* in /hi2h
the re2ord is 0ept, authenti2ated 3* the sea) o. his o92e. In the a3sen2e o.
the re>uisite 2erti:2ation and authenti2ation o. the pu3)i2 do2u(ent, the
sa(e 2annot 3e proved and, there.ore, inad(issi3)e as eviden2e.
Boni.a2io NatividadAs Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne* not having 3een du)*
2erti:ed and authenti2ated, it 2annot 3e du)* proved. It is, there.ore,
dee(ed as not having 3een e?e2uted .or purposes o. instituting an a2tion
on his 3eha).. Cithout an* va)id authorit* to institute the a2tion on 3eha). o.
his .ather, Phi)ip Natividad is dee(ed to have instituted it on his o/n. Phi)ip
Natividad not 3eing a part* to the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e 3et/een Gorgonio
Medina and Boni.a2io Natividad, he is undou3ted)* not the rea) part* in
interest 3e2ause he does not have an* (ateria) interest in the 2ontra2t
/hi2h is the sour2e o. Boni.a2io NatividadAs 2ause o. a2tion. De does not
stand to 3e 3ene:ted or inEured 3* a Eudg(ent in the suit and neither is he
entit)ed to the avai)s o. the suit.
Not 3eing the rea) part* in interest, and 3eing dee(ed to have 3rought the
a2tion on his o/n, Phi)ip M. Natividad has no 2ause o. a2tion.
B+
#he tria) 2ourt /as 2onvin2ed that Phi)ip Natividad /as authori@ed 3* his
.ather <Boni.a2io= in this 2ase 3* virtue o. the spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* that
the )atter issued. #he spe2ia) po/er o. attorne*, it 2)ai(s, is a pu3)i2
do2u(ent, the sa(e having 3een notari@ed 3* a notar* pu3)i2 o. the State
o. Cashington, US!. It said that there 3eing no eviden2e sho/ing that said
do2u(ent had 3een .a)si:ed, the sa(e /as su92ient authorit* .or Phi)ip to
represent his .ather. #he Court o. !ppea)s 2onsidered the .a2t that the
spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* /as not proper)* authenti2ated 3e.ore a 2onsu)ar
17 | P a g e
o92e to 3e a (ere te2hni2a)it* and 2ou)d not 3e the 3asis .or the dis(issa)
o. the 2o(p)aint .or )a20 o. 2ause o. a2tion.
$n his part, respondent said the notari@ed spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* /hi2h
he appended to the 2o(p)aint is a pu3)i2 do2u(ent. It 2arries /ith it the
presu(ption o. regu)arit* and an* suspi2ion on the authenti2it* and due
e?e2ution thereo. 2annot stand against said presu(ption a3sent eviden2e
/hi2h is 2)ear and 2onvin2ing.
#he >uestion to 3e ans/ered is: Is the Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne* supposed)*
authori@ing Phi)ip Natividad to :)e the instant 2ase in 3eha). o. his .ather
ad(issi3)e in eviden2eO
In -opez v. Court of *ppea"s,
BB
/e have ru)ed that a spe2ia) po/er o.
attorne* e?e2uted in a .oreign 2ountr* is, genera))*, not ad(issi3)e in
eviden2e as a pu3)i2 do2u(ent in our 2ourts. In said 2ase, /e said:
Is the spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* re)ied upon 3* Mrs. #* a pu3)i2 do2u(entO
Ce :nd that it is. It has 3een notari@ed 3* a notar* pu3)i2 or 3* a
2o(petent pu3)i2 o92ia) /ith a)) the so)e(nities re>uired 3* )a/ o. a pu3)i2
do2u(ent. Chen e?e2uted and a20no/)edged in the Phi)ippines, su2h a
pu3)i2 do2u(ent or a 2erti:ed true 2op* thereo. is ad(issi3)e in eviden2e.
Its due e?e2ution and authenti2ation need not 3e proven un)i0e a private
/riting.
Se2tion +6,
B4
Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court provides Y
Se2. +6. Proo. o. pu3)i2 or o92ia) re2ord. Y !n o92ia) re2ord or an entr*
therein, /hen ad(issi3)e .or an* purpose, (a* 3e eviden2ed 3* an o92ia)
pu3)i2ation thereo. or 3* a 2op* attested 3* the o92er having the )ega)
2ustod* o. the re2ord, or 3* his deput*, and a22o(panied, i. the re2ord is
not 0ept in the Phi)ippines, /ith a 2erti:2ate that su2h o92er has the
2ustod*. I. the o92e in /hi2h the re2ord is 0ept is in a .oreign 2ountr*, the
2erti:2ate (a* 3e (ade 3* a se2retar* o. e(3ass* or )egation, 2onsu)
genera), 2onsu), vi2e 2onsu), or 2onsu)ar agent or 3* an* o92er in the
.oreign servi2e o. the Phi)ippines stationed in the .oreign 2ountr* in /hi2h
the re2ord is 0ept, and authenti2ated 3* the sea) o. his o92e.
;ro( the .oregoing provision, 54en 94e ?e76al ?#5e" #@ a99#"ney 6
e)e7!9ed and a7Jn#5led=ed 8e@#"e a n#9a"y ?!8l67 #" #94e"
7#m?e9en9 #I76al 6n a @#"e6=n 7#!n9"y, 69 7ann#9 8e adm699ed 6n
eC6den7e !nle 69 6 7e"96:ed a !74 6n a77#"dan7e 5694 94e
@#"e=#6n= ?"#C66#n #@ 94e "!le 8y a e7"e9a"y #@ em8ay #"
le=a96#n, 7#n!l =ene"al, 7#n!l, C67e 7#n!l, #" 7#n!la" a=en9 #"
8y any #I7e" 6n 94e @#"e6=n e"C67e #@ 94e P46l6??6ne 9a96#ned 6n
94e @#"e6=n 7#!n9"y 6n 54674 94e "e7#"d 6 Je?9 #@ a6d ?!8l67
d#7!men9 and a!94en967a9ed 8y 94e eal #@ 46 #I7e. ! 2it* Eudge-
notar* /ho notari@ed the do2u(ent, as in this 2ase, 2annot issue su2h
2erti:2ation.
Considering that the re2ord o. the 2ase does not dis2)ose an* 2o(p)ian2e
/ith the provisions o. Se2tion +6, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court on the part
o. the petitioner, the spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* in >uestion is not ad(issi3)e
in eviden2e. !s su2h, Mrs. Pris2i))a %. #* 2annot )a/.u))* prose2ute the 2ase
against the private respondents in the na(e o. her prin2ipa) as her
authorit* through a spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* had not 3een du)*
esta3)ished in eviden2e. #he )itigation /as not 2o((en2ed 3* the rea)
part*-in-interest or 3* one du)* authori@ed 3* the said part*.
#his 3eing so, the Metropo)itan #ria) Court, the Regiona) #ria) Court and the
Court o. !ppea)s never a2>uired Eurisdi2tion over the person o. the rea)
part*-in-interest Y !nge)ita %ope@. ;or )a20 o. the re>uisite Eurisdi2tion, a))
the pro2eedings in the said 2ourts are nu)) and void a3 initio. !))
pro2eedings therein shou)d 3e and are here3* set aside.
!22ording)*, it is $ur 2onsidered opinion, and Ce so ho)d, that a spe2ia)
po/er o. attorne* e?e2uted 3e.ore a 2it* Eudge-pu3)i2 notar* in a .oreign
2ountr*, /ithout the 2erti:2ation or authenti2ation re>uired under Se2tion
+6, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court, is not ad(issi3)e in eviden2e in
Phi)ippine 2ourts. <"(phasis supp)ied.=
In the 2ase under 2onsideration, the supposed spe2ia) po/er o. attorne*
invo)ved /as e?e2uted and a20no/)edged 3e.ore Ph*))is Perr*, a Notar*
Pu3)i2 o. the State o. Cashington, US!. #his 3eing the 2ase, a 2erti:2ation
or authenti2ation, as re>uired 3* Se2tion +6 <no/ Se2tion +4=, Ru)es o.
Court, 3* a se2retar* o. the e(3ass* or )egation, 2onsu) genera), 2onsu),
vi2e 2onsu), or 2onsu)ar agent or 3* an* other o92er in the .oreign servi2e
o. the Phi)ippines stationed in the .oreign 2ountr* in /hi2h the re2ord is
0ept, and authenti2ated 3* the sea) o. his o92e, is re>uired. ! notar* pu3)i2
in a .oreign 2ountr* is not one o. those /ho 2an issue the re>uired
2erti:2ate.
#he re2ords are 3ere.t o. eviden2e sho/ing that there /as 2o(p)ian2e /ith
Se2tion +6 <no/ Se2tion +4=. Non-2o(p)ian2e there/ith /i)) render the
spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* not ad(issi3)e in eviden2e. Not 3eing du)*
esta3)ished in eviden2e, the spe2ia) po/er o. attorne* 2annot 3e used 3*
Phi)ip Natividad to represent his .ather, Boni.a2io Natividad, in this )ega)
a2tion against the petitioners. It is thus 2)ear that this 2ase /as not :)ed 3*
the rea) part*-in-interest <Boni.a2io= or 3* one du)* authori@ed 3* said part*.
Not 3eing a rea) part*-in-interest and sans the authorit* to pursue the 2ase,
Phi)ip Natividad 2ou)d not have va)id)* 2o((en2ed this 2ase. #he spe2ia)
po/er o. attorne* e?e2uted 3e.ore a notar* pu3)i2 in a .oreign 2ountr*
/ithout the re>uire(ents (entioned in Se2tion +6 <no/ Se2tion +4= o. the
Ru)es o. Court 2annot 3e ad(itted in eviden2e 3e.ore Phi)ippine 2ourts.
Both )o/er 2ourts and respondentAs 2ontention that the )a20 o. 2onsu)ar
authenti2ation is a (ere te2hni2a)it* that 2an 3e 3rushed aside in order to
upho)d su3stantia) Eusti2e, is untena3)e. #he .ai)ure to have the spe2ia)
po/er o. attorne* authenti2ated is not (ere)* a te2hni2a)it* -- it is a
>uestion o. Eurisdi2tion. In -opez, /e pronoun2ed that Eurisdi2tion over the
person o. the rea) part*-in-interest /as never a2>uired 3* the 2ourts. !s a
resu)t, a)) pro2eedings in the )o/er 2ourts /ere de2)ared nu)) and voidab
initio and thus set aside.
In the 2ase 3e.ore us, the Regiona) #ria) Court and the Court o. !ppea)s did
not a2>uire Eurisdi2tion over the person o. Boni.a2io Natividad. ;o))o/ing
our pronoun2e(ent in -opez, a)) pro2eedings 3e.ore these 2ourts are
voided and set aside. In )ight o. this, /e :nd no need to dis2uss the other
issues raised.
;HEREFORE, pre(ises 2onsidered, the instant petition is GRANTED. !))
the pro2eedings 3e.ore the Regiona) #ria) Court o. Gui(3a, Nueva "2iEa,
Bran2h BB <Civi) Case No. 1186-G= and the Court o. !ppea)s <C!-G.R. C& No.
-+18,= are here3* de2)ared void, and the 2ase is here3* DISMISSED. No
2osts.
+, | P a g e
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPP
G.R. N#. $'2/$%. N#Cem8e" '0, '33/.
HENAIDA B. TIGNO, IMELDA B. TIGNO and ARMI B.
TIGNO, petitioners, vs. SPOUSES ESTAFINO A+UINO
and FLORENTINA A+UINO and 94e HONORABLE COURT OF
APPEALS, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
TINGA, J.,
#he 2ontrovers* in the present petition hinges on the ad(issi3i)it* o. a
sing)e do2u(ent, a deed o. sa)e invo)ving interest over rea) propert*,
notari@ed 3* a person o. >uestiona3)e 2apa2it*. #he assai)ed ru)ing o. the
Court o. !ppea)s, /hi2h overturned the :ndings o. .a2t o. the Regiona) #ria)
Court, re)ied pri(ari)* on the presu(ption o. regu)arit* atta2hing to
notari@ed do2u(ents /ith respe2t to its due e?e2ution. Ce 2on2)ude
instead that the do2u(ent has not 3een du)* notari@ed and a22ording)*
reverse the Court o. !ppea)s.
#he .a2ts are as .o))o/:
$n 11 'anuar* 17-,, respondent spouses "sta:no and ;)orentina !>uino
<the !>uinos= :)ed a 2o(p)aint .or en.or2e(ent o. 2ontra2t and da(ages
against Isidro Bustria <Bustria=.
H1I
#he 2o(p)aint sought to en.or2e an
a))eged sa)e 3* Bustria to the !>uinos o. a one hundred t/ent* thousand
<1+,,,,,= s>uare (eter :shpond )o2ated in 1as2i, Pangasinan. #he
propert* /as not registered either under the %and Registration !2t or under
the Spanish Mortgage %a/, though registra3)e under !2t No. BB44.
H+I
#he
2onve*an2e /as 2overed 3* a 1eed o. Sa)e dated + Septe(3er 175-.
"ventua))*, Bustria and the !>uinos entered into a 2o(pro(ise agree(ent,
/here3* Bustria agreed to re2ogni@e the va)idit* o. the sa)e, and the
!>uinos in turn agreed to grant to Bustria the right to repur2hase the sa(e
propert* a.ter the )apse o. seven <5= *ears.
Upon su3(ission, the Court o. ;irst Instan2e o. Pangasinan, Bran2h &II,
approved and in2orporated the 2o(pro(ise agree(ent in a$ecision /hi2h
it rendered on 5 Septe(3er 17-1.
Bustria died in $2to3er o. 17-8.
HBI
$n 1 1e2e(3er 17-7, petitioner Menaida
B. #igno <#igno=, in su3stitution o. her de2eased .ather Isidro Bustria,
H4I
atte(pted to repur2hase the propert* 3* :)ing a 'otion for Consi0nation.
She deposited the a(ount o. #/o Dundred #hirt* #housand Pesos
<P+,,,,,,.,,= /ith the tria) 2ourt, no/ Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C=, Bran2h
66 at !)a(inos, Pangasinan. $n 1- 1e2e(3er 17-7, the !>uinos :)ed an
opposition, arguing that the right to repur2hase /as not *et de(anda3)e
and that #igno had .ai)ed to (a0e a tender o. pa*(ent. In an Order dated
1, $2to3er 1777, the R#C denied the 'otion for Consi0nation.
H6I
In 'une o. 1771, #igno :)ed a 'otion for a :rit of !xecution, /hi2h /as
)i0e/ise opposed 3* the !>uinos, and denied 3* the R#C. #hen, on 8
Septe(3er 1771, #igno :)ed an a2tion .or Reviva" of Jud0ment,
H8I
see0ing
the reviva) o. the de2ision in Civi) Case No. !-1+65, so that it 2ou)d 3e
e?e2uted a22ording)*.
H5I
#he !>uinos :)ed an ans/er, /herein the* a))eged
that Bustria had so)d his right to repur2hase the propert* to the( in a deed
o. sa)e dated 15 $2to3er 17-6.
H-I
!(ong the /itnesses presented 3* the !>uinos during tria) /ere 'esus 1e
;ran2ia <1e ;ran2ia=, the instru(enta) /itness to the deed o. sa)e, and
.or(er 'udge ;ran0)in Cari\o <'udge Cari\o=, /ho notari@ed the sa(e. #hese
t/o /itnesses testi:ed as to the o22asion o. the e?e2ution and signing o.
the deed o. sa)e 3* Bustria. #herea.ter, in their Forma" O;er of
$ocumentar& !vidence, the !>uinos oFered .or ad(ission as their "?hi3it
No. V-,W the deed o. sa)e <$eed of (a"e=
H7I
purported)* e?e2uted 3* Bustria.
#he ad(ission o. the $eed of (a"e /as o3Ee2ted to 3* #igno on the ground
that it /as a .a)se and .raudu)ent do2u(ent /hi2h had not 3een
a20no/)edged 3* Bustria as his o/nG and that its e?isten2e /as suspi2ious,
2onsidering that it had 3een previous)* un0no/n, and not even presented
3* the !>uinos /hen the* opposed #ignoAs previous 'otion for
Consi0nation.
H1,I
In an Order dated 8 !pri) 1774, the R#C re.used to ad(it the $eed of
(a"e in eviden2e.
H11I
! 'otion for Reconsideration pra*ing .or the ad(ission
o. said e?hi3it /as denied in an Order dated +5 !pri) 1774.
H1+I
#hen, on 1- !ugust 1774, a $ecision /as rendered 3* the R#C in .avor o.
#igno. #he R#C therein e?pressed dou3ts as to the authenti2it* o. the $eed
of (a"e, 2hara2teri@ing the testi(onies o. 1e ;ran2ia and Cari\o as
2onNi2ting.
H1BI
#he R#C )i0e/ise o3served that no/here in the a))eged deed
o. sa)e /as there an* state(ent that it /as a20no/)edged 3* BustriaG
H14I
that it /as suspi2ious that Bustria /as not assisted or represented 3* his
2ounse) in 2onne2tion /ith the preparation and e?e2ution o. the deed o.
sa)e
H16I
or that !>uino had raised the (atter o. the deed o. sa)e in his
previous Opposition to the 'otion for Consi0nation.
H18I
#he R#C then
stressed that the previous 'otion for !xecution )odged 3* #igno had to 3e
denied sin2e (ore than :ve <6= *ears had e)apsed .ro( the date the
Eudg(ent in Civi) Case No. !-1+65 had 3e2o(e :na) and e?e2utor*G 3ut the
Eudg(ent 2ou)d 3e revived 3* a2tion su2h as the instant 2o(p)aint.
!22ording)*, the R#C ordered the reviva) o. the Eudg(ent dated 5
Septe(3er 17-1 in Civi) Case No. !-1+65.
H15I
#he !>uinos interposed an appea) to the Court o. !ppea)s.
H1-I
In the
(eanti(e, the R#C a))o/ed the e?e2ution pending appea) o. its$ecision.
H17I
$n +B 1e2e(3er 1778, the Court o. !ppea)s #enth 1ivision pro(u)gated
a $ecision
H+,I
reversing and setting aside the R#C$ecision. #he appe))ate
2ourt ratio2inated that there /ere no (ateria) or su3stantia) in2onsisten2ies
3et/een the testi(onies o. Cari\o and 1e ;ran2ia that /ou)d taint the
do2u(ent /ith dou3t.u) authenti2it*G that the a3sen2e o. the
a20no/)edg(ent and su3stitution instead o. a <urat did not render the
instru(ent inva)idG and that the non-assistan2e or representation o. Bustria
3* 2ounse) did not render the do2u(ent nu)) and ineFe2tive.
H+1I
It /as noted
that a notari@ed do2u(ent 2arried in its .avor the presu(ption o. regu)arit*
/ith respe2t to its due e?e2ution, and that there (ust 3e 2)ear, 2onvin2ing
and (ore than (ere)* preponderant eviden2e to 2ontradi2t the sa(e.
!22ording)*, the Court o. !ppea)s he)d that the R#C erred in re.using to
ad(it the $eed of (a"e, and that the do2u(ent e?tinguished the right o.
BustriaAs heirs to repur2hase the propert*.
!.ter the Court o. !ppea)s denied #ignoAs 'otion for Reconsideration,
H++I
the
present petition /as :)ed 3e.ore this Court. #igno i(putes grave a3use o.
dis2retion and (isappre2iation o. .a2ts to the Court o. !ppea)s /hen it
+1 | P a g e
ad(itted the $eed of (a"e. De a)so argues that the appe))ate 2ourt shou)d
have de2)ared the $eed of (a"e as a .a)se, .raudu)ent and unre)ia3)e
do2u(ent not supported 3* an* 2onsideration at a)).
#he genera) thrusts o. the argu(ents posed 3* #igno are .a2tua))* 3ased.
!s su2h, the* 2ou)d nor(a))* )ead to the dis(issa) o. this Petition for
Revie,. Do/ever, /hi)e this Court is not ordinari)* a trier o. .a2ts,
H+BI
.a2tua)
revie/ (a* 3e /arranted in instan2es /hen the :ndings o. the tria) 2ourt
and the inter(ediate appe))ate 2ourt are 2ontrar* to ea2h other.
H+4I
Moreover, petitioner raises a su3stantia) argu(ent regarding the
2apa2it* o. the notar* pu3)i2, 'udge Cari\o, to notari@e the do2u(ent. #he
Court o. !ppea)s /as un.ortunate)* si)ent on that (atter, 3ut this Court /i))
ta0e it up /ith de:nitiveness.
#he notaria) 2erti:2ation o. the $eed of (a"e reads as .o))o/s:
!CLN$C%"1GM"N#
R"PUB%IC $; #D" PDI%IPPIN"S=
PR$&INC" $; P!NG!SIN!N = S.S.
MUNICIP!%I# $; !%!MIN$S =
SUBSCRIB"1 !N1 SC$RN #$ 3e.ore (e this 15
th
da* o. $2to3er 17-6 at
!)a(inos, Pangasinan 3oth parties 0no/n to (e to 3e the sa(e parties /ho
e?e2uted the .oregoing instru(ent.
;R!NL%IN C!RI]$
"?-$92io Notar* Pu3)i2
'udge, M.#.C.
!)a(inos, Pangasinan
#here are pa)pa3)e errors in this 2erti:2ation. Most g)aring)*, the do2u(ent
is 2erti:ed 3* /a* o. a <urat instead o. an a20no/)edg(ent. !<urat is a
distin2t 2reature .ro( an a20no/)edg(ent. !n a20no/)edg(ent is the a2t
o. one /ho has e?e2uted a deed in going 3e.ore so(e 2o(petent o92er or
2ourt and de2)aring it to 3e his a2t or deedG /hi)e a <urat is that part o. an
a9davit /here the o92er 2erti:es that the sa(e /as s/orn 3e.ore hi(.
H+6I
Under Se2tion 1+5 o. the %and Registration !2t,
H+8I
/hi2h has 3een
rep)i2ated in Se2tion 11+ o. Presidentia) 1e2ree No. 16+7,
H+5I
the $eed of
(a"e shou)d have 3een a20no/)edged 3e.ore a notar* pu3)i2.
H+-I
But there is an even (ore su3stantia) de.e2t in the notari@ation, one /hi2h
is deter(inative o. this petition. #his pertains to the authorit* o. 'udge
;ran0)in Cari\o to notari@e the $eed of (a"e.
It is undisputed that ;ran0)in Cari\o at the ti(e o. the notari@ation o.
the $eed of (a"e, /as a sitting Eudge o. the Metropo)itan #ria) Court o.
!)a(inos.
H+7I
Petitioners point out, 2iting abao v. *sis,
HB,I
that (uni2ipa)
Eudges (a* not underta0e the preparation and a20no/)edg(ent o. private
do2u(ents, 2ontra2ts, and other a2ts o. 2onve*an2e /hi2h 3ear no re)ation
to the per.or(an2e o. their .un2tions as Eudges.
HB1I
In response, respondents
2)ai( that the prohi3ition i(posed on (uni2ipa) 2ourt Eudges .ro(
notari@ing do2u(ents too0 eFe2t on)* in 1e2e(3er o. 17-7, or .our *ears
a.ter the $eed of (a"e /as notari@ed 3* Cari\o.
HB+I
RespondentAs 2ontention is erroneous. Muni2ipa) #ria) Court <M#C= and
Muni2ipa) Cir2uit #ria) Court <MC#C= Eudges are e(po/ered to per.or( the
.un2tions o. notaries pu3)i2 ex o4cio under Se2tion 58 o. Repu3)i2 !2t No.
+78, as a(ended <other/ise 0no/n as the 'udi2iar* !2t o. 174-= and
Se2tion +4+ o. the Revised !d(inistrative Code.
HBBI
Do/ever, as .ar 3a20 as
17-, in +orre v. 'o&a,
HB4I
the Court e?p)i2it)* de2)ared that (uni2ipa) 2ourt
Eudges su2h as Cari\o (a* notari@e on)* do2u(ents 2onne2ted /ith the
e?er2ise o. their o92ia) duties.
HB6I
#he$eed of (a"e /as not 2onne2ted /ith
an* o92ia) duties o. 'udge Cari\o, and there /as no reason .or hi( to
notari@e it. $ur o3servations as to the errant Eudge in +orre are pertinent in
this 2ase, 2onsidering that 'udge Cari\o identi:ed hi(se). in the $eed of
(a"e as V!x/O4cio Notar* Pu3)i2, 'udge, M#C:W
H! notar* ex o4cioI shou)d not 2o(pete /ith private )a/ pra2titioners or
regu)ar notaries in transa2ting )ega) 2onve*an2ing 3usiness.
In the instant 2ase, it /as not proper that a 2it* Eudge shou)d notari@e
do2u(ents invo)ving private transa2tions and sign the do2u(ent in this
/ise: ZGUM"RSIN1$ !RCI%%!, Notar* Pu3)i2 "?-$92io, Cit* 'udgeZ <p. 18,
Ro))o, !nne? 1 o. Co(p)aint=. In d#6n= #, 4e #8l69e"a9ed 94e
d696n796#n 8e95een a "e=!la" n#9a"y and a n#9a"y ex ofcio.
HB8I
#here are possi3)e grounds .or )enien2* in 2onne2tion /ith this (atter, as
Supre(e Court Cir2u)ar No. I-7, per(its notaries pu3)i2 ex o4cioto per.or(
an* a2t /ithin the 2o(peten2* o. a regu)ar notar* pu3)i2 provided that
2erti:2ation 3e (ade in the notari@ed do2u(ents attesting to the )a20 o.
an* )a/*er or notar* pu3)i2 in su2h (uni2ipa)it* or 2ir2uit. Indeed, it is on)*
/hen there are no )a/*ers or notaries pu3)i2 that the e?2eption app)ies.
HB5I
#he .a2ts o. this 2ase do not /arrant a re)a?ed attitude to/ards 'udge
Cari\oAs i(proper notaria) a2tivit*. #here /as no su2h 2erti:2ation in
the $eed of (a"e. "ven i. one /as produ2ed, /e /ou)d 3e hard put to
a22ept the vera2it* o. its 2ontents, 2onsidering that !)a(inos, Pangasinan,
no/ a 2it*,
HB-I
/as even then not an iso)ated 3a20/ater to/n and had its .air
share o. pra2ti2ing )a/*ers.
#here (a* 3e su92ient ground to 2a)) to tas0 'udge Cari\o, /ho 2eased
3eing a Eudge in 17-8, .or his i(proper notaria) a2tivit*. Perhaps though,
.or(a) san2tion (a* no )onger 3e appropriate 2onsidering 'udge Cari\oAs
advan2ed age, assu(ing he is sti)) a)ive.
HB7I
Do/ever, this$ecision shou)d
again serve as an a9r(ation o. the ru)e prohi3iting (uni2ipa) Eudges .ro(
notari@ing do2u(ents not 2onne2ted /ith the e?er2ise o. their o92ia)
duties, su3Ee2t to the e?2eptions )aid do/n in Cir2u)ar No. 1-7,.
Most 2ru2ia))* .or this 2ase, /e shou)d dee( the $eed of (a"e as not having
3een notari@ed at a)). #he va)idit* o. a notaria) 2erti:2ation ne2essari)*
derives .ro( the authorit* o. the notaria) o92er. I. the notar* pu3)i2 does
not have the 2apa2it* to notari@e a do2u(ent, 3ut does so an*/a*, then
the do2u(ent shou)d 3e treated as unnotari@ed. #he ru)e (a* stri0e as
rather harsh, and perhaps (a* prove to 3e preEudi2ia) to parties in good
.aith re)*ing on the pro.erred authorit* o. the notar* pu3)i2 or the person
pretending to 3e one. Sti)), to ad(it other/ise /ou)d render (ere)*
o92ious the e)a3orate pro2ess devised 3* this Court in order that a )a/*er
(a* re2eive a notaria) 2o((ission. Cithout su2h a ru)e, the notari@ation o.
a do2u(ent 3* a du)* appointed notar* pu3)i2 /i)) have the sa(e )ega)
eFe2t as one a22o(p)ished 3* a non-)a/*er engaged in pretense.
#he notari@ation o. a do2u(ent 2arries 2onsidera3)e )ega) eFe2t.
Notari@ation o. a private do2u(ent 2onverts su2h do2u(ent into a pu3)i2
one, and renders it ad(issi3)e in 2ourt /ithout .urther proo. o. its
authenti2it*.
H4,I
#hus, notari@ation is not an e(pt* routineG to the 2ontrar*, it
engages pu3)i2 interest in a su3stantia) degree and the prote2tion o. that
++ | P a g e
interest re>uires preventing those /ho are not >ua)i:ed or authori@ed to a2t
as notaries pu3)i2 .ro( i(posing upon the pu3)i2 and the 2ourts and
ad(inistrative o92es genera))*.
H41I
$n the other hand, /hat then is the eFe2t on the $eed of (a"e i. it /as not
notari@edO #rue enough, .ro( a 2ivi) )a/ perspe2tive, the a3sen2e o.
notari@ation o. the $eed of (a"e /ou)d not ne2essari)* inva)idate the
transa2tion eviden2ed therein. !rti2)e 1B6- o. the Civi) Code re>uires that
the .or( o. a 2ontra2t that trans(its or e?tinguishes rea) rights over
i((ova3)e propert* shou)d 3e in a pu3)i2 do2u(ent, *et it is a)so an
a22epted ru)e that the .ai)ure to o3serve the proper .or( does not render
the transa2tion inva)id. #hus, it has 3een uni.or()* he)d that the .or(
re>uired in !rti2)e 1B6- is not essentia) to the va)idit* or en.or2ea3i)it* o.
the transa2tion, 3ut re>uired (ere)* .or 2onvenien2e.
H4+I
Ce have even
a9r(ed that a sa)e o. rea) propert* though not 2onsigned in a pu3)i2
instru(ent or .or(a) /riting, is neverthe)ess va)id and 3inding a(ong the
parties, .or the ti(e-honored ru)e is that even a ver3a) 2ontra2t o. sa)e or
rea) estate produ2es )ega) eFe2ts 3et/een the parties.
H4BI
Sti)), the Court has to re20on /ith the i(p)i2ations o. the )a20 o. va)id
notari@ation o. the $eed of (a"e .ro( the perspe2tive o. the )a/ on
eviden2e. !.ter a)), the 2ase rests on the ad(issi3i)it* o. the $eed of (a"e.
C)ear)*, the presu(ption o. regu)arit* re)ied upon 3* the Court o. !ppea)s
no )onger ho)ds true sin2e the $eed of (a"e is not a notari@ed do2u(ent. Its
proper pro3ative va)ue is governed 3* the Ru)es o. Court. Se2tion 17, Ru)e
1B+ states:
Se2tion 17. C"asses of documents.X;or the purpose o. their presentation in
eviden2e, do2u(ents are either pu3)i2 or private.
P!8l67 d#7!men9 a"e,
<a= #he /ritten o92ia) a2ts, or re2ords o. the o92ia) a2ts o. the sovereign
authorit*, o92ia) 3odies and tri3una)s, and pu3)i2 o92ers, /hether o. the
Phi)ippines, or o. a .oreign 2ountr*G
K8L D#7!men9 a7Jn#5led=ed 8e@#"e a n#9a"y ?!8l67 e?2ept )ast
/i))s and testa(entsG and
<2= Pu3)i2 re2ords, 0ept in the Phi)ippines, o. private do2u(ents re>uired
3* )a/ to 3e entered therein.
All #94e" 5"696n= a"e ?"6Ca9e. <"(phasis supp)ied.=
#he $eed of (a"e, inva)id)* notari@ed as it /as, does not .a)) under the
enu(eration o. pu3)i2 do2u(entsG hen2e, it (ust 3e 2onsidered a private
do2u(ent. #he nu))it* o. the a))eged or atte(pted notari@ation per.or(ed
3* 'udge Cari\o is su92ient to e?2)ude the do2u(ent in >uestion .ro( the
2)ass o. pu3)i2 do2u(ents. "ven assu(ing that the $eed of (a"e /as
va)id)* notari@ed, it /ou)d sti)) 3e 2)assi:ed as a private do2u(ent, sin2e it
/as not proper)* a20no/)edged, 3ut (ere)* su3s2ri3ed and s/orn to 3*
/a* o. <urat.
Being a private do2u(ent, the $eed of (a"e is no/ su3Ee2t to the
re>uire(ent o. proo. under Se2tion +,, Ru)e 1B+, /hi2h states:
Se2tion +,. Proof of private document.=Be.ore an* private do2u(ent
oFered as authenti2 is re2eived in eviden2e, its due e?e2ution and
authenti2it* (ust 3e proved either:
<a= B* an*one /ho sa/ the do2u(ent e?e2uted or /rittenG or
<3= B* eviden2e o. the genuineness o. the signature or hand/riting o. the
(a0er.
!n* other private do2u(ent need on)* 3e identi:ed as that /hi2h is
2)ai(ed to 3e.
#he $eed of (a"e /as oFered in eviden2e as authenti2 3* the !>uinos, /ho
)i0e/ise insist that its en.or2ea3i)it* (i)itates against #ignoAs 2)ai(.
Corresponding)*, the 3urden .a))s upon the !>uinos to prove its authenti2it*
and due e?e2ution. #he Court o. !ppea)s 2)ear)* erred in not appre2iating
the $eed of (a"e as a private do2u(ent and in app)*ing the presu(ption o.
regu)arit* that atta2hes on)* to du)* notari@ed do2u(ents, as distinguished
.ro( private do2u(ents.
1id the R#C err then in re.using to ad(it the $eed of (a"eO Ce ho)d that it
did not. Se2tion +,, Ru)e 1B+ provides a(p)e dis2retion on the trier o. .a2t
3e.ore it (a* 2hoose to re2eive the private do2u(ent in eviden2e. #he R#C
/ise)* re.used to ad(it the $eed of (a"e, ta0ing great )engths as it did to
e?p)ain its dou3ts as to its vera2it*. #he R#C /as not 2onvin2ed o. the
proFered proo. 3* the !>uinos, and the e?er2ise o. its sound dis2retion as
the pri(ar* trier o. .a2t /arrants due respe2t.
#he (ost te))ing o3servation o. the R#C re)ates to the .a2t that .or the ver*
:rst ti(e respondents a))eged the e?isten2e o. the $eed of (a"e/hen the*
:)ed their ans/er to petitionerAs 2urrent a2tion to revive Eudg(ent.
H44I
Prior
to the initiation o. the present a2tion, #igno had tried to operationa)i@e and
i(p)e(ent the Co(pro(ise !gree(ent through t/o Eudi2ia) (eans:
2onsignation and e?e2ution o. Eudg(ent. #he !>uinos du)* opposed these
prior atte(pts o. the petitioner to e?er2ise the right to repur2hase, 3ut the*
did not raise then the 2)ai( that su2h right to repur2hase /as a)read*
e?tinguished 3* the $eed of (a"e. #igno atte(pted to e?er2ise the right to
repur2hase on)* a .e/ *ears a.ter the e?e2ution o. the $eed of (a"e to
/hi2h respondents the(se)ves /ere signatories. #hus, it is in2redu)ous that
the !>uinos did not invo0e the$eed of (a"e /hen the* opposed in 2ourt
petitionerAs su22essive atte(pts at 2onsignation and e?e2ution o.
Eudg(ent. #he $eed of (a"e, i. in e?isten2e and va)id, /ou)d have a)read*
pre2)uded #ignoAs 2auses o. a2tion .or either 2onsignation or e?e2ution o.
Eudg(ent. #he on)* 3e)ieva3)e 2on2)usion, as dra/n 3* the R#C, /as that
the $eed of (a"e had *et to 3e 2reated /hen petitioner (oved in 177, .or
2onsignation and e?e2ution o. Eudg(entXan e?istentia) ano(a)* i. /e /ere
to agree /ith the respondents that su2h do2u(ent had 3een signed and
notari@ed 3a20 in 17-6.
#he du3iousness in origin o. the $eed of (a"e is not a))eviated 3* the other
o3servations o. the R#C. It a)so pointed to 2ertain in2redi3)e aspe2ts in the
!>uinosA ta)e o. events. It noted that no re2eipts /ere ever presented 3*
the respondents to eviden2e a2tua) pa*(ent o. 2onsideration 3* the( to
Bustria, despite the a))egation o. the respondents that the a(ount /as
2overed 3* seven <5= re2eipts.
H46I
#he !>uinos 2)ai(ed that Bustria 0ept a))
the re2eipts, an assertion /hi2h the R#C .ound as un3e)ieva3)e, 2iting
ordinar* hu(an nature to as0 .or re2eipts .or signi:2ant a(ounts given and
to 0eep the sa(e.
H48I
In itse)., the a3sen2e o. re2eipts, or an* proo. o.
2onsideration, /ou)d not 3e 2on2)usive sin2e 2onsideration is a)/a*s
presu(ed. Do/ever, given the tota)it* o. the 2ir2u(stan2es surrounding
+B | P a g e
this 2ase, the a3sen2e o. su2h proo. .urther (i)itates against the 2)ai(s o.
the !>uinos.
Ce 2an appre2iate in a si(i)ar vein the o3servation o. the Court o. !ppea)s
that Bustria did not 3other to see0 his )a/*erAs assistan2e as regards the
e?e2ution o. the $eed of (a"e, 2onsidering that the su3Ee2t propert* had
previous)* 3een :er2e)* )itigated. !)though the Court o. !ppea)s /as 2orre2t
in ru)ing that the do2u(ent /ou)d not 3e rendered nu)) or ineFe2tive due to
the )a20 o. assistan2e o. 2ounse), the i(p)ausi3i)it* o. the s2enario stri0es
as odd and there.ore rein.or2es the version .ound 3* the R#C as 2redi3)e.
#he Court )i0e/ise has its o/n o3servations on the re2ord that a9r( the
dou3ts raised 3* the Court o. !ppea)s. Isidro Bustria, /ho /ou)d die in
17-8, /as a)read* ninet*-three <7B= *ears o)d /hen he a))eged)* signed
the $eed of (a"e in 17-6. Sti)), the !>uinos asserted 3e.ore the R#C that
Bustria trave)ed una22o(panied .ro( his ho(e in 1aso), Pangasinan,
passing through t/o to/ns to !)a(inos, to e?e2ute the $eed of (a"e.
Cithout dis2rediting the a22o(p)ish(ents o. nonagenarians 2apa3)e o.
great ph*si2a) .eats, it shou)d 3e a20no/)edged as a (atter o. genera)
assu(ption that persons o. BustriaAs age are t*pi2a))* sedentar* and rare)*
so .oo)hard* as to insist on trave)ing signi:2ant distan2es a)one.
!)so o. note is the .a2t that there are g)aring diFeren2es as to the a))eged
signature o. Bustria on the $eed of (a"e and as it other/ise appears on the
Eudi2ia) re2ord. BustriaAs signature in the 17-1 Compromise *0reement is
noti2ea3)* sha0* /hi2h is not surprising, 2onsidering that it /as su3s2ri3ed
/hen Bustria /as eight*-nine <-7= *ears o)d. Do/ever, BustriaAs signature
on the $eed of (a"e, /hi2h i. genuine /as a9?ed /hen he /as a)read*
ninet*-three <7B= *ears o)d, is re(ar0a3)* stead* in its stro0es. #here are
a)so other evident diFeren2es 3et/een BustriaAs signature on the $eed of
(a"e and on other do2u(ents on the re2ord.
!d(itted)*, these dou3ts 2ast a3ove arise in 2hie. .ro( an appre2iation o.
2ir2u(stantia) eviden2e. #hese have to 3e /eighed against the :ndings o.
the Court o. !ppea)s that the .a2t that Bustria signed the $eed of (a"e /as
esta3)ished 3* the respe2tive testi(onies o. /itnesses 1e ;ran2ia and
'udge Cari\o. In its o/n appre2iation o. these testi(onies, the R#C a))uded
to nota3)e in2onsisten2ies in their testi(onies. !s a :na) (easure o.
ana)*sis, the Court sha)) no/ e?a(ine /hether the appe))ate 2ourt /as in
error in reversing the 2on2)usion o. the R#C on these testi(onies.
#he in2onsisten2ies 2ited 3* the R#C /ere that 1e ;ran2ia testi:ed that
'udge Cari\o hi(se). prepared and t*ped the $eed of (a"e in his o92e,
/here the do2u(ent /as signed,
H45I
/hi)e 'udge Cari\o testi:ed that he did
not t*pe the $eed of (a"e sin2e it /as a)read* prepared /hen the parties
arrived at his o92e .or the signing.
H4-I
$n this point, the Court o. !ppea)s
stated /ith utter non2ha)an2e that a perusa) o. the re2ord revea)ed no
(ateria) or su3stantia) in2onsisten2ies 3et/een the testi(onies o. 'udge
Cari\o and 1e ;ran2ia.
Strange)*, the appe))ate 2ourt (ade no 2o((ent as to the in2onsisten2*
pointed out 3* the R#C as to /ho prepared the $eed of (a"e. I. the on)*
point o. 2onsideration /as the due e?e2ution o. the $eed of (a"e, then the
Court o. !ppea)s shou)d have proper)* 2o(e out /ith its :nding. $ther
varian2es aside, there are no 2ontradi2tions in the testi(onies o. 'udge
Cari\o and 1e ;ran2ia on the >uestion o. /hether or not Bustria signed
the $eed of (a"e.
Do/ever, as ear)ier esta3)ished, the $eed of (a"e is a private do2u(ent.
#hus, not on)* the due e?e2ution o. the do2u(ent (ust 3e proven 3ut a)so
its authenti2it*. #his .a2tor /as not du)* 2onsidered 3* the Court o. !ppea)s.
#he testi(onies o. 'udge Cari\o and 1e ;ran2ia no/ 3e2o(e (ateria) not
on)* to esta3)ish due e?e2ution, 3ut a)so the authenti2it* o. the $eed of
(a"e. !nd on this point, the in2onsisten2ies pointed out 3* the R#C 3e2o(e
2ru2ia).
#he (atter o. authenti2it* o. the $eed of (a"e 3eing disputed, the identit*
o. the progenitor o. this a))-i(portant do2u(ent is a (ateria) evidentiar*
point. It is dis2on2erting that the ver* t/o /itnesses o. the respondent
oFered to prove the $eed of (a"e, Nat)* 2ontradi2t ea2h other on the 3asis
o. their o/n persona) and sensor* 0no/)edge. Corse, the purported author
o. the $eed of (a"e disavo/ed having dra.ted the do2u(ent,
not/ithstanding the 2ontrar* testi(on* grounded on persona) 0no/)edge
3* the do2u(entar* /itness.
"sta3)ishing the identit* o. the person /ho /rote the $eed of (a"e /ou)d
not ordinari)* 3e ne2essar* to esta3)ish the va)idit* o. the transa2tion it
2overs. Do/ever, sin2e it is the authenti2it* o. the do2u(ent itse). that is
disputed, then the opposing testi(onies on that point 3* the (ateria)
/itnesses proper)* raises >uestions a3out the due e?e2ution o. the
do2u(ent itse).. #he in2onsisten2ies in the testi(onies o. 'udge Cari\o and
1e ;ran2ia are irre2on2i)a3)e. It is not possi3)e to a9r( the testi(on* o.
either /ithout denigrating the 2o(peten2e and 2redi3i)it* o. the other as a
/itness. I. 'udge Cari\o /as truth.u) in testi.*ing that he did not /rite
the $eed of (a"e, then dou3t 2an 3e 2ast as to the re)ia3i)it* o. the notaria)
/itness 1e ;ran2ia. It ta0es a )eap o. i(agination, a high )eve) o. gu(ption,
and perverse de)i3eration .or one to erroneous)* assert, under oath and
/ith parti2u)arities, that a person dra.ted a parti2u)ar do2u(ent in his
presen2e.
Do/ever, i. /e /ere to instead 3e)ieve 1e ;ran2ia, then the integrit* o. the
notar* pu3)i2, 'udge Cari\o, /ou)d 3e o3vious)* 2o(pro(ised. !ssu(ing
that 'udge Cari\o had indeed authored the $eed of (a"e, it /ou)d indeed 3e
odd that he /ou)d not re(e(3er having /ritten the do2u(ent hi(se). *et
su92ient)* re2a)) notari@ing the sa(e. I. his testi(on* as to authorship o.
the do2u(ent is dee(ed as du3ious, then there is a)) the reason to (a0e a
si(i)ar assu(ption as to his testi(on* on the notari@ation o. the $eed of
(a"e.
#hese in2onsisten2ies are not o. 2onse>uen2e 3e2ause there is need to
indu3ita3)* esta3)ish the author o. the $eed of (a"e. #he* are i(portant
3e2ause the* 2ast dou3t on the 2redi3i)it* o. those /itnesses o. the
!>uinos, presented as the* /ere to attest to the due e?e2ution and
authenti2it* o. the $eed of (a"e. #he Court o. !ppea)s /as 2)ear)* in error in
pere(ptori)* disregarding this o3servation o. the R#C.
!s a resu)t, /e are )ess /i))ing than the Court o. !ppea)s to i(pute
2on2)usive va)ue to the testi(onies o. de ;ran2ia and 'udge Cari\o. #he
tota)it* o. the pi2ture )eads us to agree /ith the tria) 2ourt that the $eed of
(a"e is ine)u2ta3)* du3ious in origin and in e?e2ution. #he Court dee(s as
2orre2t the re.usa) o. the R#C to ad(it the $eed of (a"e, sin2e its due
+4 | P a g e
e?e2ution and authenti2it* have not 3een proven. #he eviden2e pointing to
the non-e?isten2e o. su2h a transa2tion is so 2)ear and 2onvin2ing that it is
su92ient even to re3ut the t*pi2a) presu(ption o. regu)arit* arising .ro(
the due e?e2ution o. notaria) do2u(ents. Do/ever, .or the reasons stated
ear)ier, the $eed of (a"e is ine)u2ta3)* an unnotari@ed do2u(ent. !nd the
)o/er 2ourt had (ore than su92ient 3asis to 2on2)ude that it is a spurious
do2u(ent.
Sin2e the va)idit* o. the $eed of (a"e has 3een su22ess.u))* assai)ed,
#ignoAs right to repur2hase /as not e?tinguished at the ti(e o. the :)ing o.
the Petition .or reviva) o. Eudg(ent, as 2orre2t)* 2on2)uded 3* the R#C. #he
Court o. !ppea)s 3eing in error /hen it 2on2)uded other/ise, the
reinstate(ent o. the R#C $ecision is /arranted.
;HEREFORE, the Petition is GR!N#"1. #he assai)ed $ecision dated +B
1e2e(3er 1778 and Reso"ution dated 7 'une 1775 o. the Court o. !ppea)s
in C!-G.R. C& No. 47-57 is R"&"RS"1, and the $ecision dated 1- !ugust
1774 o. the Regiona) #ria) Court o. !)a(inos, Pangasinan, Bran2h 66, in Civi)
Case No. !-171- is R"INS#!#"1. Costs against respondents.
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
P!N P!CI;IC IN1US#RI!% G.R. No. 1+6+-B
S!%"S C$., INC.,
Petitioner, Present:

QUISUMBING, J.,
Chairman,
- versus - C!RPI$,
C!RPI$-M$R!%"S, and
#ING!, JJ.

C$UR# $; !PP"!%S and
NIC$%!S C!PIS#R!N$, Pro(u)gated:
Respondents.
;e3ruar* 1,, +,,8

?---------------------------------------------------------------------------?


D E C I S I O N

#ING!, J.:

Petitioner Pan Pa2i:2 Industria) Sa)es Co., In2. <Pan Pa2i:2= :)ed the
instant Petition .or Revie/ on Certiorari
H1I
assai)ing the1e2ision
H+I
dated 4
'une 1778 o. the Court o. !ppea)s ;ourteenth 1ivision in C.!. G.R. No. C&-
4111+. #he 2ha))enged 1e2isiona9r(ed in toto the 1e2ision
HBI
dated +4
!pri) 177+ o. the Regiona) #ria) Court <R#C= o. Mani)a, Bran2h 1- in Civi)
Case No. ---485+,.

#he 2ase arose /hen on ++ 1e2e(3er 17--, private respondent
Ni2o)as Capistrano <Capistrano= :)ed an !(ended Co(p)aint
H4I
3e.ore the
R#C o. Mani)a against Severo C. Cru@ III <Cru@=, his spouse %ourdes ap
Miranda, and !tt*. !)i2ia Guan@on,
H6I
p)eading t/o 2auses o. a2tion.
H8I

#he :rst 2ause o. a2tion is .or the nu))i:2ation, or a)ternative)*, .or
the Vres2ission,W o. a 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e
H5I
2overing a par2e) o. )and that
Capistrano o/ned, )o2ated at 1-+1 <Int.=, $tis Street <no/ Pa@ Guan@on
Street=, Pa2o, Mani)a, and 2overed 3* #rans.er Certi:2ate o. #it)e <#C#= No.
14B677 to Cru@.
H-I
#his is the su3Ee2t )ot. Capistrano denied having e?e2uted
the deed.

#he se2ond 2ause o. a2tion is .or the res2ission o. another agree(ent
/ith an a)ternative pra*er .or spe2i:2 per.or(an2e. Capistrano a))eged that
he agreed to se)) another par2e) o. )and in the sa(e vi2init* to Cru@.
!22ording to Capistrano, Cru@ on)* paidP1,,,,,,.,, o. the stipu)ated
pur2hase pri2e, there3* )eaving P+6,,,,,.,, sti)) unpaid.
H7I

#he operative .a2ts .o))o/.

$n 1, Septe(3er 17-+, Capistrano e?e2uted a Spe2ia) Po/er o.
!ttorne*
H1,I
authori@ing Cru@ to (ortgage the su3Ee2t )ot in .avor o.
!sso2iated Ban0 <the Ban0= as se2urit* .or the )atterAs )oan a22o((odation.
H11I

Short)*, 3* virtue o. the Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne*, Cru@ o3tained a )oan in
the a(ount o. P6,,,,,,.,, .ro( the Ban0. #hus, he e?e2uted a Rea) "state
Mortgage
H1+I
over the su3Ee2t )ot in .avor o. the Ban0.
H1BI

Capistrano and Cru@ then e?e2uted a )etter-agree(ent dated +B
Septe(3er 17-+ /here3* Cru@ agreed to 3u* the su3Ee2t )ot .or the pri2e
o. PB6,,,,,.,,, o. /hi2h P+,,,,,,.,, /ou)d 3e paid out o. the )oan
se2ured 3* Cru@, and the 3a)an2e o. P16,,,,,.,, in eight <-= >uarter)*
pa*(ents o. P1-,56,.,, /ithin t/o <+= *ears .ro( B, $2to3er 17-+,
/ithout need o. de(and and /ith interest at 1-S in 2ase o. de.au)t.
H14I

$n 16 Mar2h 17-B, Capistrano e?e2uted the 1eed o. !3so)ute
Sa)e
H16I
over the su3Ee2t )ot in .avor o. Cru@. #/o <+= da*s )ater, on 15 Mar2h
17-B, Notar* Pu3)i2 &i2ente '. Benedi2to <Benedi2to= notari@ed the deed.
Do/ever, it /as ear)ier or on 7 Mar2h 17-B that CapistranoAs /i.e, 'ose.a
Borro(eo Capistrano, signed the Marita) Consent
H18I
eviden2ing her
2on.or(it* in advan2e to the sa)e. #he Marita) Consent /as a)so s/orn to
3e.ore Benedi2to.

;o))o/ing the e?e2ution o. the deed o. sa)e, Cru@ 2ontinued pa*(ents
to Capistrano .or the su3Ee2t )ot. So(eti(e in $2to3er 17-6, Capistrano
de)ivered to Cru@ a State(ent o. !22ount
H15I
signed 3* Capistrano, sho/ing
that as o. B, $2to3er 17-6, Cru@As 3a)an2e stood at P17,681.,, as
prin2ipa), and PB,6+,.7- as interest, or a tota) o. P+B,,-1.7-.

#hus, in Ma* 17-5, /ith the (ortgage on the su3Ee2t )ot then 3eing
in danger o. .ore2)osure 3* the Ban0, Cru@ :)ed a 2ase /ith the R#C o.
+6 | P a g e
Mani)a, Bran2h 11, do20eted as Civi) Case No. -5-4,845, to enEoin the
.ore2)osure. Cru@ i(p)eaded Capistrano and his spouse 'ose.a Borro(eo
Capistrano as de.endants, the tit)e to the su3Ee2t )ot not having 3een
trans.erred *et to his na(e.
H1-I

Cru@ a)so devised a /a* to save the su3Ee2t )ot .ro( .ore2)osure 3*
see0ing a 3u*er .or it and eventua))* arranging .or the 3u*er to pa* the
(ortgage de3t. #o/ards this end, Cru@ su22eeded in engaging Pan Pa2i:2.
#hus, on ++ Septe(3er 17--, Pan Pa2i:2 paid oF Cru@As de3t in the a(ount
o. P1,1-,,,,,.,,.
H17I
Conse>uent)*, on +B Septe(3er
+8 | P a g e
17--, the Ban0 e?e2uted a Can2e))ation o. Rea) "state Mortgage.
H+,I
$n
even date, Cru@ e?e2uted a 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e
H+1I
over the su3Ee2t )ot in
.avor o. Pan Pa2i:2, atta2hing thereto the previous 1eed o. !3so)ute
Sa)e e?e2uted 3* Capistrano in .avor o. Cru@.

Surprising)*, on +, $2to3er 17--, Capistrano :)ed a Revo2ation o.
Spe2ia) Po/er o. !ttorne*
H++I
/ith the Register o. 1eeds o. Mani)a. %ess than
a /ee0 )ater, Capistrano sent the Register o. 1eeds another )etter in.or(ing
said o92er o. his having 2o(e to 0no/ o. the sa)e o. the su3Ee2t )ot 3* Cru@
to Pan Pa2i:2 and re>uesting the o92er to /ithho)d an* a2tion on the
transa2tion.
H+BI

Be.ore )ong, in Nove(3er 17--, Capistrano :)ed the pre2ursor*
2o(p)aint 3e.ore the Mani)a R#C in Civi) Case No. ---485+,.

Pan Pa2i:2, /hi2h 3ought the su3Ee2t )ot .ro( the Cru@ spouses, /as
a))o/ed to intervene in the pro2eedings and Eoined Cru@,et a". in resisting
the 2o(p)aint inso.ar as the :rst 2ause o. a2tion on the su3Ee2t )ot is
2on2erned.
H+4I

#hen on +4 !pri) 177+, a 1e2ision /as rendered 3* the tria) 2ourt in
.avor o. Capistrano on 3oth 2auses o. a2tion, the dispositive portion o.
/hi2h reads as .o))o/s:

CD"R";$R", Eudg(ent is here3* rendered in .avor o. the p)aintiF
and against the de.endant, Severo ". <si2= Cru@ III, his spouse, %ourdes
Miranda Cru@, and the intervenor, Pan Pa2i:2 Industria) Sa)es Co., In2., as
.o))o/s:

1. 1e2)aring the %etter-!gree(ent, dated Septe(3er +B, 17-+,
"?hi3it VCW, as reso)ved andJor res2indedG

+. 1e2)aring 3oth the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e, "?hi3it VDW, and the
do2u(ent entit)ed, VMarita) ConsentW, "?hi3it VLW, nu)) and voidG

B. 1e2)aring the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e e?e2uted 3* the spouses
Severo C. Cru@, III and %ourdes Miranda Cru@ in .avor o. the intervenor, Pan
Pa2i:2 Industria) Sa)es, Co., In2., "?hi3it V-W, nu)) and voidG

4. Ma0ing the /rit o. pre)i(inar* inEun2tion issued 3* this Court
on Nove(3er +B, 17--, per(anentG

6. $rdering the intervenor, thru its )ega) 2ounse) and 2orporate
se2retar*, !tt*. Senen S. Burgos, /ho has possession o. the o/nerAs 2op* o.
#C# No. 14B677 o. the Register o. 1eeds o. Mani)a, in the na(e o. the
p)aintiF, to surrender the sa(e to this Court /ithin ten da*s .ro( :na)it* o.
the de2ision .or turn over to the p)aintiFG

8. $rdering 1e.endant Register o. 1eeds o. Mani)a to reEe2t and not
give due 2ourse to the do2u(ents su3(itted to it, /hi2h have .or their
purpose the trans.er o. the rea) estate propert* 2overed 3* #C# No. 14B677
.ro( the na(e o. the p)aintiF to 1e.endant Cru@ andJor to the intervenorG
and

5. $rdering the spouses Severo C. Cru@, III and %ourdes Miranda
Cru@ to pa* the p)aintiF the su( o. P87,681.,, as net a(ount due to the
)atter as per the 2o(putation in the end-part o. this de2ision.

#he 2ounter2)ai(s o. 3oth Severo C. Cru@, III and spouse, and o. the
intervenor, Pan Pa2i:2 Industria) Sa)es Co., In2., are 3oth dis(issed, .or )a20
o. (erit.

1ou3)e 2osts against the de.endants-Cru@ spouses.

S$ $R1"R"1.
H+6I



#o arrive at the 2on2)usion that the :rst 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e and
the Marita) Consent are spurious, the tria) 2ourt (ain)* re)ied on
CapistranoAs disavo/a) o. his signature and that o. his /i.eAs, together /ith
e?trinsi2 .a2tors /hi2h in its opinion evin2ed the spuriousness.


Pan Pa2i:2 and the Cru@ spouses interposed separate appea)s to the
Court o. !ppea)s, their 2o((on 2on2ern 3eing the tria) 2ourtAs :nding that
the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e and the Marita) Consent /ere spurious.
H+8I

In assai)ing this :nding, Pan Pa2i:2 and the Cru@ spouses 2ontended
that Capistrano .ai)ed to present 2)ear and 2onvin2ing eviden2e to overturn
the presu(ption o. regu)arit* o. pu3)i2 do2u(ents )i0e the do2u(ents in
>uestion.
H+5I

#he Court o. !ppea)s a9r(ed the R#C 1e2ision. Con2erning the
su3Ee2t )ot, it he)d that /hi)e a notaria) do2u(ent 2annot 3e disproved 3*
the (ere denia) o. the signer, the denia) in this 2ase shou)d 3e ta0en
together /ith the other 2ir2u(stan2es o. the 2ase /hi2h in su( 2onstitute
2)ear and 2onvin2ing eviden2e su92ient to over2o(e the presu(ption o.
regu)arit* o. the do2u(ents.
H+-I

#he Cru@ spouses did not e)evate the Court o. !ppea)sA 1e2ision to
this Court. #hus, the R#C 1e2ision 3e2a(e :na) as to the(.

Pan Pa2i:2, ho/ever, :)ed the instant Petition so)e)* 2on2erning the
:rst 2ause o. a2tion in the !(ended Co(p)aint. Pan Pa2i:2 2ontends that
the genuineness and due e?e2ution o. the 1eed o. !3so)ute
Sa)e and Marita) Consent 2annot 3e overridden 3* the se).-serving
testi(on* o. Capistrano. It stresses that the tria) 2ourt 2annot re)* on
irre)evant e?trinsi2 .a2tors to ru)e against the genuineness o. the deed.
+5 | P a g e
H+7I
;ina))*, it points out that Capistrano 2annot 2ontest the sa)e o. the
su3Ee2t )ot to Cru@, as the sa)e had a)read* 3een 2onsu((ated.
HB,I

;or his part, Capistrano posits in his Me(orandu(
HB1I
that Pan Pa2i:2
is not an inno2ent pur2haser .or va)ue and in good .aith as Cru@ /as never
the registered o/ner o. the su3Ee2t )ot. Pan Pa2i:2 /as 3ound at its peri) to
investigate the right o. Cru@ to trans.er the propert* to it. Moreover,
Capistrano asserts that the )ega) presu(ption o. regu)arit* o. pu3)i2
do2u(ents does not o3tain in this 2ase as the do2u(ents in >uestion /ere
not proper)* notari@ed. De adds that the parties never appeared 3e.ore the
notar* pu3)i2 as in .a2t the deed had on)* 3een de)ivered 3* Capistrano to
the house o. Cru@As (other.

;urther(ore, Capistrano (aintains that his spouseAs signature on
the Marita) Consent is a .orger* as it /as virtua))* i(possi3)e .or her to
have signed the sa(e. %ast)*, Capistrano disputes Cru@As assertion that the
sa)e had 3een 2onsu((ated, pointing out that the !(ended
Co(p)aint 2onsisted o. t/o <+= 2auses o. a2tion pertaining to t/o <+=
separate )ots, and Cru@ had on)* paidP1,,,,,,.,, o. the tota) pri2e o. the
)ot su3Ee2t o. the se2ond 2ause o. a2tion.

#he petition is i(3ued /ith (erit.

Pan Pa2i:2 disputes the 2o((on 2on2)usion rea2hed 3* the 2ourts
3e)o/ that the presu(ption o. regu)arit* o. the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e and
the Marita) Consent, /hi2h in its esti(ation are 3oth pu3)i2 do2u(ents, has
3een re3utted 3* CapistranoAs 2ountervai)ing eviden2e. #he 2orre2tness o.
the 2on2)usions on the a))eged spuriousness o. the do2u(ents in >uestion
dra/n 3* the 2ourts 3e)o/ .ro( the .a2ts on re2ord is 3e.ore this Court. #he
issue is a >uestion o. )a/ 2ogni@a3)e 3* the Court.
HB+I

1eep)* e(3edded in our Eurispruden2e is the ru)e that notaria)
do2u(ents 2e)e3rated /ith a)) the )ega) re>uisites under the sa.eguard o. a
notaria) 2erti:2ate is eviden2e o. a high 2hara2ter and to over2o(e its
re2ita)s, it is in2u(3ent upon the part* 2ha))enging it to prove his 2)ai( /ith
2)ear, 2onvin2ing and (ore than (ere)* preponderant eviden2e.
HBBI

! notari@ed do2u(ent 2arries the evidentiar* /eight 2on.erred upon
it /ith respe2t to its due e?e2ution, and it has in its .avor the presu(ption
o. regu)arit* /hi2h (a* on)* 3e re3utted 3* eviden2e so 2)ear, strong and
2onvin2ing as to e?2)ude a)) 2ontrovers* as to the .a)sit* o. the 2erti:2ate.
!3sent su2h, the presu(ption (ust 3e uphe)d. #he 3urden o. proo. to
over2o(e the presu(ption o. due e?e2ution o. a notaria) do2u(ent )ies on
the one 2ontesting the sa(e. ;urther(ore, an a))egation o. .orger* (ust 3e
proved 3* 2)ear and 2onvin2ing eviden2e, and /hoever a))eges it has the
3urden o. proving the sa(e.
HB4I

"vident)*, as he i(pugns the genuineness o. the do2u(ents,
Capistrano has the 3urden o. (a0ing out a 2)ear-2ut 2ase that the
do2u(ents are 3ogus. #he 2ourts 3e)o/ 3oth 2on2)uded that Capistrano
had dis2harged this 3urden. Do/ever, this Court does not share the
2on2)usion. Indeed, Capistrano .ai)ed to present eviden2e o. the .orger*
that is enough to over2o(e the presu(ption o. authenti2it*.

#o support the a))egation o. the spuriousness o. his signature on
the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e and that o. his /i.e on the Marita) Consent,
Capistrano re)ied heavi)* on his 3are denia), at the sa(e ti(e ta0ing
san2tuar* 3ehind other 2ir2u(stan2es /hi2h supposed)* 2ast dou3t on
the authenti2it* o. the do2u(ents. Capistrano did not 3other to present
2orro3orating /itnesses (u2h )ess an independent e?pert /itness /ho
2ou)d de2)are /ith authorit* and o3Ee2tivit* that the 2ha))enged signatures
are .orged. It 3e.udd)es the Court /h* 3oth the 2ourts 3e)o/ did not :nd
this irregu)ar 2onsidering that the Court has previous)* de2)ared in (&
ian0co v. Pab"o and *pao
,
,
HB6I
Vthat the e?e2ution o. a do2u(ent that has
3een rati:ed 3e.ore a notar* pu3)i2 2annot 3e disproved 3* the (ere denia)
o. the a))eged signer.W

#he 2ase o. Chi"ianchin v. Co%uinco
HB8I
a)so :nds app)i2ation in this
regard /herein /e stated that:

!s the )o/er 2ourt 2orre2t)* said, the p)aintiF did not even present a
sa(p)e o. his authenti2 signature to support his 2ontention that it is not his
the <si2= signature appearing in said do2u(ent. De did not 2a)) a
hand/riting e?pert to prove his assertion. Dis attorne*, at the 3eginning o.
the tria), (ade it o. re2ord that i. the de.endant present an e?pert in hand-
/riting to sho/ that the signature in >uestion is genuine, the p)aintiF /i))
a)so present an e?pert to the 2ontrar*, as i. it /ere in2u(3ent upon the
de.endant to sho/ that the signature o. the p)aintiF in "?hi3it ! is genuine .
. . .
HB5I



Coro))ari)*, he /ho disavo/s the authenti2it* o. his signature on a
pu3)i2 do2u(ent 3ears the responsi3i)it* to present eviden2e to that eFe2t.
Mere dis2)ai(er is not su92ient. !t the ver* )east, he shou)d present
2orro3orating /itnesses to prove his assertion. !t 3est, he shou)d present
an e?pert /itness.

$n the other hand, the Court 2annot understand /h* an un.avora3)e
in.eren2e arose not .ro( CapistranoAs 3ut .ro( Cru@As .ai)ure to have the
do2u(ents e?a(ined 3* an e?pert /itness o. the Nationa) Bureau
Investigation <NBI= and to present the notar* pu3)i2 as /itness. Spe2i:2a))*,
the 2ourts 3e)o/ too0 Cru@As ina3i)it* to o3tain the NBI e?a(ination o. the
do2u(ents as he had so(eho/ underta0en as an indi2ation that the
do2u(ents are 2ounter.eit.
HB-I

#he 2ourts 3e)o/ (a* have .orgotten that on Capistrano )ies the
3urden to prove /ith 2)ear and 2onvin2ing eviden2e that the notari@ed
do2u(ents are spurious. Nothing in )a/ or Eurispruden2e reposes on Cru@
the o3)igation to prove that the do2u(ents are genuine and du)* e?e2uted.
+- | P a g e
Den2e it is not in2u(3ent upon Cru@ to 2a)) the notar* pu3)i2 or an e?pert
/itness. In 2ontrast, Capistrano shou)d have 2a))ed the e?pert /itness, the
notar* pu3)i2 hi(se). or the /itnesses to the do2u(ent to prove his
2ontention that he never signed the deed o. sa)e, that its su3s2ri3ing
/itnesses never sa/ hi( sign the sa(e, and that he never appeared 3e.ore
the notar* pu3)i2 3e.ore /ho( the a20no/)edg(ent /as (ade.



In .a2t, there is no eviden2e that the notari@ation o. the do2u(ents
did not ta0e p)a2e. !)) that Capistrano 2ou)d sa* on this (atter /as that he
had not seen Benedi2to, the notar* pu3)i2.
HB7I
#he assertion that the parties
to the deed never appeared 3e.ore the notar* pu3)i2 is not supported 3*
eviden2e either. #he 2ourts 3e)o/ dre/ an in.eren2e to that eFe2t .ro(
Cru@As testi(on* that the deed o. sa)e /as dropped or de)ivered to his
(otherAs house.
H4,I
#hat is not a reasona3)e dedu2tion to (a0e as it is
p)ain)* 2onEe2tura). No 2on2)usion 2an 3e derived there.ro( /hi2h 2ou)d
destro* the genuineness o. the deed. #he testi(on* (eans /hat it
de2)ares: that the 2op* o. the deed /as dropped at the house o. Cru@As
(other. #hat is a)).

Nor 2an the Court )end 2reden2e to the thin0ing o. the 2ourts 3e)o/
that sin2e Cru@ had a 3a)an2e o. P1B+,,81.,, o/ing to Capistrano as o. the
date o. the deed o. sa)e, the )atter 2ou)d not have possi3)* e?e2uted the
deed. #his is p)ain guess/or0. ;ro( the e?isten2e o. Cru@As outstanding
3a)an2e, the non-e?isten2e o. the deed o. sa)e does not ne2essari)* .o))o/.

Indeed, a vendor (a* agree to a deed o. a3so)ute sa)e even 3e.ore
.u)) pa*(ent o. the pur2hase pri2e. !rti2)e 145- o. the Civi) Code states
that Vthe parties (a* stipu)ate that o/nership in the thing sha)) not pass to
the pur2haser unti) he has .u))* paid the pri2e.W * sensu contrario, the
parties (a* )i0e/ise stipu)ate that the o/nership o. the propert* (a* pass
even i. the pur2haser has not .u))* paid the pri2e.

#he 2ourts 3e)o/ a)so assigned an adverse 2onnotation to Cru@As
i(p)eading o. the Capistrano spouses as part*-de.endants in the a2tion
against the Ban0 to enEoin the .ore2)osure o. the (ortgage on the su3Ee2t
)ot. Cru@As (ove is 2ongruent /ith 3oth his strong desire to prote2t his
interest in the su3Ee2t )ot and the rea)it* that there /as an e?isting deed o.
sa)e in his .avor. Pre2ise)*, his interest in the )ot is 3orne out and had arisen
.ro( the deed o. sa)e. !s pur2haser o. the )ot, he had to avert the
.ore2)osure o. the (ortgage thereon. !nd to ensure against the dis(issa) o.
the a2tion .or .ai)ure to Eoin a rea) part*-in-interest, he had to i(p)ead
Capistrano in /hose na(e the tit)e to the su3Ee2t )ot /as registered sti)).

!part .ro( CapistranoAs a3Ee2t .ai)ure to over2o(e the presu(ption
o. regu)arit* and genuineness /ith /hi2h the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e is
i(pressed as a pu3)i2 do2u(ent, CapistranoAs 2ause is evis2erated 3* his
o/n a2ts in /riting 3e.ore and a.ter the e?e2ution o. the deed. Said /ritten
a2ts 2onstitute inde)i3)e re2ognition o. the e?isten2e and genuineness o.
the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e.

;irst is the )etter-agree(ent
H41I
dated +B Septe(3er 17-+ (ade and
signed 3* Capistrano in .avor o. Cru@, /hi2h the )atter a)so signed
su3se>uent)*, stating that Cru@ /i)), as he did, pur2hase the su3Ee2t )ot
.or PB6,,,,,.,, to 3e paid a22ording to the ter(s provided therein.

Se2ond is the State(ent o. !22ount
H4+I
signed 3* Capistrano, /hi2h
he de)ivered to Cru@, sho/ing that as o. B, $2to3er 17-6, Cru@As 3a)an2e o.
the stipu)ated pur2hase pri2e 2onsisted o. P17,681.,, as prin2ipa)
and PB,6+,.7- as interest, or a tota) o.P+B,,-1.7-.

#hird is CapistranoAs !(ended Co(p)aint itse). /hi2h i))ustrates his
o/n (ani.est un2ertaint* as to the re)ie. he /as see0ing in 2ourt. De
de(anded that the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e 3e nu))i:ed *et he pra*ed in the
sa(e 3reath .or the Vres2issionW o. the sa(e
H4BI
Xevident)*, a se).-de.eating
re2ognition o. the 2ontra2t. In as0ing .or Vres2ission,W Capistrano o3vious)*
/as invo0ing !rti2)e 1171 o. the Civi) Code /hi2h provides that the Vpo/er
to res2ind,W /hi2h rea))* (eans to reso)ve or 2an2e), is i(p)ied in re2ipro2a)
o3)igations Vin 2ase one o. the o3)igors shou)d not 2o(p)* /ith /hat is
in2u(3ent upon hi(.W Chen a part* as0s .or the reso)ution or 2an2e))ation
o. a 2ontra2t it is i(p)ied that he re2ogni@es its e?isten2e. ! non-e?istent
2ontra2t need not 3e 2an2e))ed.

#hese are un(ista0a3)e /ritten ad(issions o. Capistrano that he
rea))* intended to se)) the su3Ee2t )ot to Cru@ and that he re2eived
pa*(ents .or it .ro( the )atter as )ate as the *ear 17-6. It is thus a )itt)e
3aUing /h* in 17--, he de2ided to diso/n the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e. #he
(ost p)ausi3)e e?p)anation .or his sudden 2hange o. (ind /ou)d 3e his
3e)ated rea)i@ation that he parted /ith the su3Ee2t )ot .or too s(a)) an
a(ount <PB6,,,,,.,,=, 2o(pared to the pri2e pegged 3* Cru@
<P1,-,,,,,,.,,= in the sa)e to Pan Pa2i:2.

No/, to the Marita) Consent. #he .a2t that the do2u(ent 2ontains a
Eurat, not an a20no/)edg(ent, shou)d not aFe2t its genuineness or that o.
the re)ated do2u(ent o. 2onve*an2e itse)., the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e. In
this instan2e, a Eurat su92es as the do2u(ent on)* e(3odies the
(ani.estation o. the spouseAs 2onsent,
H44I
a (ere appendage to the (ain
do2u(ent.

#he use o. a Eurat, instead o. an a20no/)edge(ent does not e)evate
the Marita) Consent to the )eve) o. a pu3)i2 do2u(ent 3ut instead 2onsigns
it to the status o. a private /riting.
H46I
#he )a20 o. a20no/)edg(ent,
ho/ever, does not render a deed inva)id. #he ne2essit* o. a pu3)i2
do2u(ent .or 2ontra2ts /hi2h trans(it or e?tinguish rea) rights over
i((ova3)e propert*, as (andated 3* !rti2)e 1B6- o. the Civi) Code, is on)*
.or 2onvenien2eG it is not essentia) .or va)idit* or en.or2ea3i)it*.
H48I


+7 | P a g e



;ro( the perspe2tive o. the )a/ on eviden2e, ho/ever, the
presu(ption o. regu)arit* does not ho)d true /ith respe2t to theMarita)
Consent /hi2h is a private /riting. It is su3Ee2t to the re>uire(ent o. proo.
under Se2tion +,, Ru)e 1B+ o. the Ru)es o. Court /hi2h states:

Se2tion +,. Proof of private document.- Be.ore an* private
do2u(ent oFered as authenti2 is re2eived in eviden2e, its due e?e2ution
and authenti2it* (ust 3e proved either:

<a= B* an*one /ho sa/ the do2u(ent e?e2uted or /rittenG or

<3= B* eviden2e o. the genuineness o. the
signature or hand/riting o. the (a0er.

!n* other private do2u(ent need on)* 3e identi:ed as that /hi2h is
2)ai(ed to 3e.


#he re>uire(ent o. proo. o. the authenti2it* o. the Marita)
Consent /as ade>uate)* (et, in this 2ase, through the testi(on* o. Cru@ to
the eFe2t that, together /ith the other /itnesses to the do2u(ent, he /as
present /hen CapistranoAs /i.e a9?ed her signature thereon 3e.ore notar*
pu3)i2 Benedi2to.
H45I
&ie/ed against this positive de2)aration, CapistranoAs
negative and se).-serving assertions that his /i.eAs signature on the
do2u(ent /as .orged 3e2ause V<i=t is too 3eauti.u)W and that his /i.e 2ou)d
not have e?e2uted the Marita) Consent 3e2ause it /as e?e2uted on her
nata) da* and she /as so(e/here e)se, 2ru(3)e and 3e2o(e un/orth* o.
3e)ie..

#hat the Marita) Consent /as e?e2uted prior to the 1eed o. !3so)ute
Sa)e a)so does not indi2ate that it is phone*. ! .air assu(ption is that it /as
e?e2uted in anti2ipation o. the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e /hi2h /as
a22o(p)ished a s2ant si? <8= da*s )ater.

Cith respe2t to /hatever 3a)an2e Cru@ (a* sti)) o/e to Capistrano,
the Court 3e)ieves that this is not a 2on2ern o. Pan Pa2i:2 as the )atter is
not a part* to the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e 3et/een Capistrano and Cru@. But
o. 2ourse, Pan Pa2i:2 shou)d enEo* .u)) entit)e(ent to the su3Ee2t )ot as it
/as so)d to hi( 3* Cru@ /ho ear)ier had a2>uired tit)e thereto a3so)ute)*
and un2onditiona))* 3* virtue o. the 1eed o. !3so)ute Sa)e. $ther/ise )aid
do/n, Cru@ had the right to se)) the su3Ee2t )ot to Pan Pa2i:2 in 17--, as he
in .a2t did. #hus, the >uestion o. /hether or not Pan Pa2i:2 is a pur2haser
in good .aith shou)d 3e dee(ed irre)evant.

CD"R";$R", the Petition is GR!N#"1. #he 1e2ision dated 4 'une
1778 o. the Court o. !ppea)s in C!-G.R. C& No. 4111+ is R"&"RS"1 and
S"# !SI1". Respondent Ni2o)as Capistrano is ordered to surrender the
o/nerAs dup)i2ate 2erti:2ate o. #rans.er o. Certi:2ate o. #it)e No. 14B677 to
the Register o. 1eeds o. Mani)a to ena3)e the issuan2e o. a ne/ tit)e over
the su3Ee2t )ot in the na(e o. petitioner Pan Pa2i:2 Industria) Sa)es,
In2. Costs against respondent Ni2o)as Capistrano.

S$ $R1"R"1.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP