Special Proceedings Digest

JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
DIZON | LORESCA | LUMINARIAS | SANTOS, K. | SY | TY | VILCHES 3-D
|| Ateneo Law School
Claims agains !" "sa"
S#$ng!$l% Ins&#an'" C$m(an) In'$#($#a"% *
R"(&+li',Asa!i Glass C$#($#ai$n -./00/011.2
D3 %"a! $4 "i!"# !" '#"%i$# $# !" %"+$# %$"s n$
"5ing&is! !" $+ligai$n. O+ligai$ns a#"
#ansmissi+l" $ !" !"i#s, "5'"( 6!"n !"
#ansmissi$n is (#"*"n"% +) !" la6, !" si(&lai$ns
$4 !" (a#i"s, $# !" na&#" $4 !" $+ligai$n. Onl)
$+ligai$ns !a a#" ("#s$nal $# a#" i%"ni7"% 6i! !"
("#s$ns !"ms"l*"s a#" "5ing&is!"% +) %"a!.
J&si'" 8angani+an
Facts:
1. Republic-Asahi Glass Corporation (R!"#L$C-ASA%$&
entere' into a contract with (ose D. Santos) (r.) the
proprietor o* (DS Construction ((DS&) *or the
construction o* roa'wa+s an' a 'raina,e s+ste- in
R!"#L$C-ASA%$.S co-poun' in !asi, Cit+.
/. R!"#L$C-ASA%$ was to pa+ (DS !0.31 which was
suppose' to be co-plete' within a /23 'a+s. 4o
,uarantee per*or-ance) (DS with S4R56G%5LD
$nsurance e7ecute' a bon' worth !890:.
3. R!"#L$C ASA%$ pai' (DS !890: b+ wa+ o*
'ownpa+-ent. Subse;uentl+) / pro,ress billin,s
worth !/82: were pai' to account *or onl+ 8.331< o*
the wor: suppose' to be un'erta:en b+ (DS
2. =entuall+) R!"#L$C-ASA%$.s en,ineers calle' the
attention o* (DS re the alle,e' alar-in,l+ slow pace o*
the construction) which resulte' in the *ear that the
construction will not be >nishe' within the stipulate'
/23-'a+ perio'. %owe=er) sai' re-in'ers went
unhee'e' b+ (DS.
0. Dissatis>e' with the pro,ress o* the wor: un'erta:en)
R!"#L$C-ASA%$ e7tra?u'iciall+ rescin'e' the contract.
!ursuant to the contract) such recission shall not be
construe' as a wai=er o* R!"#L$C-ASA%$.s ri,ht to
reco=er 'a-a,es *ro- (DS an' the latter.s sureties.
@. R!"#L$C-ASA%$ ha' to hire another contractor to
>nish the pro?ect) *or which it incurre' an a''itional
e7pense o* !31
8. 4hus) R!"#L$C-ASA%$ >le' a clai- *or the bon' in the
a-ount o* !890:. #ut this was unhee'e'.
A. A *or-al co-plaint in court was then >le' b+
R!"#L$CBASA%$ a,ainst (DS an' S4R$6G%5LD. $t
sou,ht *ro- pa+-ent o* 31 *ro- (DS an' another
803: *ro- (DS an' S$C$) ?ointl+ an' se=erall+
9. SheriC.s Return showe' that su--ons were 'ul+
ser=e' on S4R56G%5LD. %owe=er (DS Construction
was no lon,er at its a''ress at /n' Floor) Roo- /3A-A)
San #uena #l',. Cor. !ioneer St.) !asi,) 1etro 1anila)
an' its whereabouts were un:nown.
13.S4R56G%5LD: -one+ clai-s ha=e been e7tin,uishe'
b+ the 'eath o* (ose D. Santos) (r. =en i* this were not
the case) S4R56G%5LD ha' been release' *ro- its
liabilit+ un'er the per*or-ance bon' because there
was no li;ui'ation) with the acti=e participation an'Dor
in=ol=e-ent) pursuant to proce'ural 'ue process) o*
herein suret+ an' contractor (ose D. Santos) (r.) hence)
there was no ascertain-ent o* the correspon'in,
liabilities o* Santos an' S$C$ un'er the per*or-ance
bon'. At this point in ti-e) sai' li;ui'ation was
i-possible because o* the 'eath o* Santos) who as
such can no lon,er participate in an+ li;ui'ation.
11.LC: 'is-isse' the co-plaint on the ,roun' that the
clai- a,ainst (DS 'i' not sur=i=e the 'eath o* its sole
proprietor) (ose D. Santos) (r.
1 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
1/.LC: =ia 1R) court ,a=e 'ue course to the co-plaint
a,ainst S4R56G%5LD but not a,ainst 'ecease' (ose
D. Santos.
13.CA: rule' that a& S4R56G%5LD.s obli,ation un'er the
suret+ a,ree-ent was not e7tin,uishe' b+ the 'eath
o* (ose D. Santos) (r. Conse;uentl+) Republic-Asahi
coul' still ,o a*ter S$C$ *or the bon'E b& lower court
ha' erre' in pronouncin, that the per*or-ance o* the
Contract in ;uestion ha' beco-e i-possible b+
ASA%$.s act o* rescission. 4he Contract was rescin'e'
because o* the 'issatis*action o* respon'ent with the
slow pace o* wor: an' pursuant to Article F$$$ o* its
Contract with (DS an' c& pursuant to the suret+
contract) S4R56G%5LD is liable *or the non-
per*or-ance o* sai' GCHontract on the part o* (DS
Construction
$ssue: whether suret+.s liabilit+ is e7tin,uishe' because o*
'eathI
%el': 6o)
Ratio:
1. G6RAL R"L: 'eath o* either the cre'itor or the
'ebtor 'oes not e7tin,uish the obli,ation. 5bli,ations
are trans-issible to the heirs) e7cept when the
trans-ission is pre=ente' b+ the law) the stipulations
o* the parties) or the nature o* the obli,ation. 5nl+
obli,ations that are personal or are i'enti>e' with the
persons the-sel=es are e7tin,uishe' b+ 'eath.
/. Section 0 o* Rule A@: e7pressl+ allows the prosecution
o* -one+ clai-s arisin, *ro- a contract a,ainst the
estate o* a 'ecease' 'ebtor. =i'entl+) those clai-s
are not actuall+ e7tin,uishe'. Jhat is e7tin,uishe' is
onl+ the obli,ee.s action or suit >le' be*ore the court)
which is not then actin, as a probate court.
3. CAS) whate=er -onetar+ liabilities or obli,ations
Santos ha' un'er his contracts with respon'ent were
not intrans-issible b+ their nature) b+ stipulation) or
b+ pro=ision o* law.
A. %ence) his 'eath 'i' not result in the
e7tin,uish-ent o* those obli,ations or liabilities)
which -erel+ passe' on to his estate. Death is not
a 'e*ense that he or his estate can set up to wipe
out the obli,ations un'er the per*or-ance bon'.
Conse;uentl+) petitioner as suret+ cannot use his
'eath to escape its -onetar+ obli,ation un'er its
per*or-ance bon'.
#. liabilit+ o* S4R56G%5LD is contractual in nature
because it e7ecute' a per*or-ance bon'
2. As a suret+) S4R56G%5LD is soli'aril+ liable with
Santos in accor'ance with the Ci=il Co'e) which
pro=i'es as *ollows:
A. KArt. /328. #+ ,uarant+ a person) calle' the
,uarantor) bin's hi-sel* to the cre'itor to *ul>ll the
obli,ation o* the principal 'ebtor in case the latter
shoul' *ail to 'o so.
0. "n'er the law an' ?urispru'ence) respon'ent -a+ sue)
separatel+ or to,ether) the principal 'ebtor an' the
petitioner herein) in =iew o* the soli'ar+ nature o* their
liabilit+. 4he 'eath o* the principal 'ebtor will not wor:
to con=ert) 'ecrease or nulli*+ the substanti=e ri,ht o*
the soli'ar+ cre'itor. =i'entl+) 'espite the 'eath o*
the principal 'ebtor) respon'ent -a+ still sue
petitioner alone) in accor'ance with the soli'ar+
nature o* the latter.s liabilit+ un'er the per*or-ance
bon'.
Ga+#i"l *. 9il$n (3/D38D/338&
(ustice ALcuna
Refer to the RATIO for the DOCTRINES
/ A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
!etition *or Re=iew o* Certiorari
:a's3
1. !etitioner 1elencio Gabriel) represente' b+ his sur=i=in,
spouse) Flor'eliLa M. Gabriel) was the owner-operator o* a
public transport business) KGabriel (eepne+)K with a Neet
o* 02 ?eepne+s pl+in, the #aclaran-Di=isoria-4on'o route.
!etitioner ha' a pool o* 'ri=ers) which inclu'e'
respon'ents 6elson #ilon) An,el #raLil) an' rnesto
!a,a+,a+) operatin, un'er a Kboun'ar+ s+ste-K o* !233
per 'a+.
2. 5n 6o=e-ber 10) 1990) respon'ents >le' their separate
co-plaints *or ille,al 'is-issal) ille,al 'e'uctions) an'
separation pa+ a,ainst petitioner with the 6ational Labor
Relations Co--ission (6LRC&. 4hese were consoli'ate'
an' 'oc:ete' as 6LRC-6CR Case 6o. 33-11-382/3-90.
3. 5n Dece-ber 10) 1990) the co-plaint was a-en'e')
i-plea'in, as part+ respon'ent the #acoor 4ransport
Ser=ice Cooperati=e) $nc.) as both parties are -e-bers o*
the cooperati=e.
4. Respon'ents alle,e' that the+ were re,ular 'ri=ers o*
Gabriel (eepne+) un'er a boun'ar+ s+ste- o* !233 per
'a+E the+ were *orce' to pa+ a''itional !00.33 per 'a+ *or
police protection) washin,) 'eposit an' ,ara,e *eesE that
there is no law pro=i'in, the operator to re;uire the
'ri=ers to pa+ the sai' *eesE that petitioner tol' the- not
to 'ri=e an+-ore) an' when the+ went to the ,ara,e to
report *or wor: the ne7t 'a+) the+ were not ,i=en a unit to
'ri=eE an' that the boun'ar+ 'ri=ers o* passen,er
?eepne+s are consi'ere' re,ular e-plo+ees o* the
?eepne+ operators thereb+ entitlin, the *or-er to securit+
o* tenure.
5. 4he petitioner) on the other han') conten'e' that he 'oes
not re-e-ber i* the respon'ents were e=er un'er his
e-plo+ as 'ri=ers o* his passen,er ?eepne+s. As a -atter
o* *act) so-e o* his *or-er 'ri=ers ?ust stoppe' reportin,
*or wor:) either because the+ *oun' so-e other
e-plo+-ent or 'ro=e *or other operators) an' li:e the
respon'ents) the ne7t ti-e he hear' *ro- the- was when
the+ starte' *abricatin, un*oun'e' co-plaints a,ainst
hi-. !etitionerOs practice was to establish a pool o*
'ri=ers) so he -a'e sure none o* the ?eepne+s woul' sta+
i'le e=en *or a 'a+. %e 'isclai-s the contention that the
'ri=ers were -a'e to pa+ certain a-ounts as *ees) since
the sai' a-ounts were collecte' as pa+-ents *or
a'=ances -a'e b+ sai' 'ri=ers.
6. 5n the other han') #acoor 4ransport Ser=ice Cooperati=e)
$nc. (#4SC$& 'eclare' that it shoul' not be -a'e a part+ to
the case because: it has nothin, to 'o with the
e-plo+-ent o* its -e-ber-'ri=ers) the -atter is between
the -e-ber-operator an' their respecti=e -e-ber-
'ri=ersE an' the a-ount alle,e'l+ 'e'ucte' *ro-
respon'ents an' the purpose *or which the+ were applie'
were -atters that the cooperati=e was not aware o*) an'
-uch less i-pose' on the-.
7. 5n 6o=e-ber A) 199@) Labor Arbiter Ricar'o C. 6ora) to
who- the case was re-raPe') or'ere' the parties to >le
their respecti=e -e-oran'a within ten 'a+s) a*ter which
the case was 'ee-e' sub-itte' *or resolution.
8. 5n 1arch 18) 1998) the Labor Arbiter (%on. Ricar'o C.
6ora& han'e' 'own his 'ecision 'eclarin, the ille,alit+ o*
respon'ents. 'is-issal an' or'erin, petitioner Gabriel to
pa+ the respon'ent the total a-ount o* !1)332)333
representin, respon'ents. bac:wa,es an' separation pa+.
9. $nci'entall+) on April 2) 1998) petitioner passe' awa+. 5n
April 1A) 1998) a cop+ o* the abo=e 'ecision was 'eli=ere'
personall+ to petitioner.s house. Accor'in, to
respon'ents) petitioner.s sur=i=in, spouse) Flor'eliLa
Gabriel) an' their 'au,hter) a*ter rea'in, the contents o*
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
the 'ecision an' a*ter the+ ha' spo:en to their counsel)
re*use' to recei=e the sa-e. 6e=ertheless) #ailiC Al*re'o
M. stonactoc le*t a cop+ o* the 'ecision with petitioner.s
wi*e an' her 'au,hter but the+ both re*use' to si,n an'
ac:nowle',e receipt o* the 'ecision.
10.4he labor arbiter.s 'ecision was subse;uentl+ ser=e' b+
re,istere' -ail at petitioner.s resi'ence an' the sa-e
was recei=e' on 1a+ /A) 1998.
11.5n 1a+ 1@) 1998) counsel *or petitioner >le' an entr+ o*
appearance with -otion to 'is-iss the case *or the
reason that petitioner passe' awa+ last April 2) 1998.
12.5n (une 0) 1998) petitioner appeale' the labor arbiter.s
'ecision to the 6ational Labor Relations Co--ission) First
Di=ision.
13.5n (ul+ 3) 1998) respon'ents >le' a -otion to 'is-iss
petitioner.s appeal on the ,roun' that the Ksuret+ bon' is
'e*ecti=eK an' the appeal was K>le' out o* ti-e)K which
-o=e was oppose' b+ petitioner.
14.Subse;uentl+) on April /A) 199A) the 6LRC pro-ul,ate'
its >rst 'ecision which re=erse' an' set asi'e the
appeale' 'ecision. 4he case was 'is-isse' *or lac: o*
e-plo+er-e-plo+ee relationship.
15.Respon'ents >le' a -otion *or reconsi'eration. A,,rie=e'
b+ the 'ecision o* the 6LRC) respon'ents ele=ate' the
case to the Court o* Appeals (CA& b+ wa+ o* a petition
*or ert!or"r!.
16.5n Au,ust 2) /333) the CA re=erse' the 'ecisions o* the
6LRC. !etitioner >le' a -otion *or reconsi'eration but the
sa-e was 'enie' b+ the CA in a resolution 'ate' Februar+
8) /331.
Iss&"3
1. Jhether the petitionerOs appeal was >le' out o* ti-e.
/. Jhether the clai- sur=i=es.
H"l%3
1. 6o. 4he petitionerOs appeal was >le' within the
re,le-entar+ perio'.
/. Qes. 4he clai- sur=i=es.
Rai$3
1. As re,ar's the >rst issue) the Court consi'ers the ser=ice
o* cop+ o* the 'ecision o* the labor arbiter to ha=e been
=ali'l+ -a'e on 1a+ /A) 1998 when it was recei=e'
throu,h re,istere' -ail. As correctl+ pointe' out b+
petitioner.s wi*e) ser=ice o* a cop+ o* the 'ecision coul'
not ha=e been =ali'l+ eCecte' on April 1A) 1998 because
petitioner passe' awa+ on April 2) 1998.
/. Section 2) Rule $$$ o* the 6ew Rules o* !roce'ure o* the
6LRC pro=i'es:
SC. 2. S"#*i'" $4 N$i'"s an% R"s$l&i$ns. R
(a& 6otices or su--ons an' copies o* or'ers)
resolutions or 'ecisions shall be ser=e' on the
parties to the case personall+ b+ the bailiC or
authoriLe' public oScer within three (3& 'a+s *ro-
receipt thereo* or b+ re,istere' -ailE !ro=i'e') 4hat
where a part+ is represente' b+ counsel or
authoriLe' representati=e) ser=ice shall be -a'e on
such counsel or authoriLe' representati=eE !ro=i'e'
*urther) 4hat in cases o* 'ecision an' >nal awar's)
copies thereo* shall be ser=e' on both parties an'
their counsel T.
For the purpose o* co-putin, the perio' o* appeal)
the sa-e shall be counte' *ro- receipt o* such
'ecisions) awar's or or'ers b+ the counsel o*
recor'.
(b& 4he bailiC or oScer personall+ ser=in, the
notice) or'er) resolution or 'ecision shall sub-it his
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
return within two (/& 'a+s *ro- 'ate o* ser=ice
thereo*) statin, le,ibl+ in his return) his na-e) the
na-es o* the persons ser=e' an' the 'ate o*
receipt which return shall be i--e'iatel+ attache'
an' shall *or- part o* the recor's o* the case. $* no
ser=ice was eCecte') the ser=in, oScer shall state
the reason there*ore in the return.
3. Section @) Rule 13 o* the Rules o* Court which is
suppletor+ to the 6LRC Rules o* !roce'ure states that:
KGsHer=ice o* the papers -a+ be -a'e b+ 'eli=erin,
personall+ a cop+ to the part+ or his counsel) or b+
lea=in, it in his oSce with his cler: or with a person
ha=in, char,e thereo*. $* no person is *oun' in his oSce)
or his oSce is not :nown) or he has no oSce) then b+
lea=in, the cop+) between the hours o* ei,ht in the
-ornin, an' si7 in the e=enin,) at the part+.s or counsel.s
resi'ence) i* :nown) with a person o* suScient a,e an'
'iscretion then resi'in, therein.K
2. 4he *ore,oin, pro=isions conte-plate a situation wherein
the part+ to the action is ali=e upon the 'eli=er+ o* a cop+
o* the tribunal.s 'ecision. $n the present case) howe=er)
petitioner 'ie' be*ore a cop+ o* the labor arbiter.s
'ecision was ser=e' upon hi-. %ence) the abo=e
pro=isions 'o not appl+. As aptl+ state' b+ the 6LRC) Kthe
'ecision o* the Labor Arbiter has not beco-e >nal
because there was no proper ser=ice o* cop+ thereo* to
part+ respon'ent.K
0. T!&s, !" a(("al 7l"% $n +"!al4 $4 ("ii$n"# $n
J&n" ;, <==> a4"# #"'"i( $4 a '$() $4 !"
%"'isi$n via #"gis"#"% mail $n Ma) 0?, <==> 6as
6i!in !" "n,%a) #"gl"m"na#) ("#i$% (#"s'#i+"%
&n%"# S"'i$n 00@ $4 !" La+$# C$%".
@. 5n the ;uestion whether petitioner.s suret+ bon' was
'e*ecti=e) Section @) Rule M$ o* the 6ew Rules o* !roce'ure
o* the 6LRC pro=i'es:
SC. @. 9$n%. R $n case the 'ecision o* a Labor
Arbiter T in=ol=es -onetar+ awar') an appeal b+
the e-plo+er shall be per*ecte' onl+ upon the
postin, o* a cash or suret+ bon' issue' b+ a
reputable bon'in, co-pan+ 'ul+ accre'ite' b+ the
Co--ission or the Supre-e Court in an a-ount
e;ui=alent to the -onetar+ awar') e7clusi=e o*
-oral an' e7e-plar+ 'a-a,es an' attorne+.s *ees.
4he e-plo+er as well as counsel shall sub-it a ?oint
'eclaration un'er oath attestin, that the suret+
bon' poste' is ,enuine an' that it shall be in eCect
until >nal 'isposition o* the case.
4he Co--ission -a+) in -eritorious cases an'
upon 1otion o* the Appellant) re'uce the a-ount o*
the bon'. (As a-en'e' on 6o=. 0) 1993&.
T!" C$&# +"li"*"s !a ("ii$n"# 6as a+l" $
'$m(l) s&+saniall) 6i! !" #"A&i#"m"ns $4 !"
a+$*" R&l".
8. 5n the other han') with re,ar' to the substanti=e aspect
o* the case) !" C$&# ag#""s 6i! !" CA !a an
"m(l$)"#,"m(l$)"" #"lai$ns!i( "5is"% +"6""n
("ii$n"# an% #"s($n%"ns. $n #"rt!$e% &. N"t!o$"'
L"(or Re'"t!o$) Co**!))!o$) citin, N"t!o$"' L"(or +$!o$
&. D!$,'")"$- the Court rule' that:
G4Hhe relationship between ?eepne+
ownersDoperators an' ?eepne+ 'ri=ers un'er the
boun'ar+ s+ste- is that o* e-plo+er-e-plo+ee an'
not o* lessor-lessee because in the lease o* chattels
the lessor loses co-plete control o=er the chattel
lease' althou,h the lessee cannot be rec:less in
the use thereo*) otherwise he woul' be responsible
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
*or the 'a-a,es to the lessor. $n the case o*
?eepne+ ownersDoperators an' ?eepne+ 'ri=ers) the
*or-er e7ercises super=ision an' control o=er the
latter. 4he *act that the 'ri=ers 'o not recei=e >7e'
wa,es but ,et onl+ that in e7cess o* the so-calle'
Kboun'ar+K GthatH the+ pa+ to the ownerDoperator is
not suScient to with'raw the relationship between
the- *ro- that o* e-plo+er an' e-plo+ee. 4hus)
pri=ate respon'ents were e-plo+ees T because
the+ ha' been en,a,e' to per*or- acti=ities which
were usuall+ necessar+ or 'esirable in the usual
business or tra'e o* the e-plo+er.
A. T!" C$&# als$ ag#""s 6i! !" la+$# a#+i"# an%
!" CA !a #"s($n%"ns 6"#" ill"gall) %ismiss"% +)
("ii$n"#. Respon'ents were not accor'e' 'ue process.
1oreo=er) petitioner *aile' to show that the cause *or
ter-ination *alls un'er an+ o* the ,roun's enu-erate' in
Article /A/ (then Article /A3& o* the Labor Co'e.
Conse;uentl+) respon'ents are entitle' to reinstate-ent
without loss o* seniorit+ ri,hts an' other pri=ile,es an' to
their *ull bac:wa,es co-pute' *ro- the 'ate o* 'is-issal
up to the ti-e o* their actual reinstate-ent in accor'ance
with Article /89 o* the Labor Co'e.
9. Reinstate-ent is obtainable in this case because it has
not been shown that there is an ensuin, Kstraine'
relationsK between petitioner an' respon'ents. 4his is
pursuant to the principle lai' 'own in G'o(e.#"/"0 C"('e
"$1 R"1!o Cor2or"t!o$ &. NLRC.
13.Jith re,ar' to respon'ents. -onetar+ clai-) the sa-e
shall be ,o=erne' b+ Section /3 (then Section /1&) Rule 3
o* the Rules o* Court which pro=i'es:
SC. /3. At!o$ o$ o$tr"t3"' *o$e0 '"!*). R
Jhen the action is *or reco=er+ o* -one+ arisin,
*ro- contract) e7press or i-plie') an' the
'e*en'ant 'ies be*ore entr+ o* >nal ?u',-ent in the
court in which the action was pen'in, at the ti-e
o* such 'eath) it shall not be 'is-isse' but shall
instea' be allowe' to continue until entr+ o* >nal
?u',-ent. A *a=orable ?u',-ent obtaine' b+ the
plaintiC therein shall be en*orce' in the -anner
pro=i'e' in these Rules *or prosecutin, clai-s
a,ainst the estate o* a 'ecease' person. (/1a&
11.$n relation to this) Section 0) Rule A@ o* the Rules o* Court
states:
SC. 0. Clai-s which -ust be >le' un'er the
notice. $* not >le') barre' E e7ceptions. R All clai-s
*or -one+ a,ainst the 'ece'ent arisin, *ro-
contract) e7press or i-plie') whether the sa-e be
'ue) not 'ue) or contin,ent) ... an' ?u',-ent *or
-one+ a,ainst the 'ece'ent) -ust be >le' within
the ti-e li-ite' in the noticeE otherwise the+ are
barre' *ore=er) e7cept that the+ -a+ be set *orth as
counterclai-s in an+ action that the e7ecutor or
a'-inistrator -a+ brin, a,ainst the clai-antsT.
1/.4hus) in accor'ance with the abo=e Rules) !" m$n")
'laims $4 #"s($n%"ns m&s +" 7l"% agains !"
"sa" $4 ("ii$n"# M"l"n'i$ Ga+#i"l.
J%RF5R) the petition is D6$D. 4he Decision an'
Resolution o* the Court o* Appeals are AFF$R1D but with the
15D$F$CA4$56 that the -one+ clai-s o* respon'ents shoul'
be >le' a,ainst the estate o* 1elencio Gabriel) within such
reasonable ti-e *ro- the >nalit+ o* this Decision as the
estate court -a+ >7.
Tim" 6i!in 6!i'! 'laims s!all +" 7l"% EBCE8TIONS
@ A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
In !" ma"# $4 !" "sa" $4 TELES:ORO DE DIOS
-1@/0C/<@2
J&si'" M$#"lan%
D3 9"4$#" a m$i$n 4$# "5"nsi$n is g#an"%, D&s 'a&s"
m&s +" s!$6n in $#%"# $ a&!$#iE" !" im"
"5"nsi$n 6i!in 6!i'! 'laims ma) +" (#"s"n"%
agains !" "sa". T!" $+D"' $4 !" la6 in 75ing a
%"7ni" ("#i$% 6i!in 6!i'! 'laims m&s +" (#"s"n"%
is $ ins&#" !" s(""%) s"ling $4 !" aFai#s $4 a
%"'"as"% ("#s$n an% !" "a#l) %"li*"#) $4 !"
(#$("#) $4 !" "sa" in$ !" !an%s $4 !" ("#s$ns
"nil"% $ #"'"i*" i.
:ACTS3
1. 4o-as 5s-eUa an' 4eles*oro 'e Dios are resi'ents o*
Cebu an' are well :nown business-en o* their
-unicipalit+.
/. 5s-eUa >le' a clai- a,ainst the estate o* 4eles*oro 'e
Dios) but 'i' not present the sa-e within the si7
-onths speci>e' b+ the court *or the presentation o*
clai-s to the co--issioners.
3. Since the ti-e allotte' *or the >lin, o* the clai-s has
e7pire') 5s-eUa >le' a -otion *or an e7tension o* the
ti-e alle,in, that he Kha' not ha' an opportunit+ to
*or-ulate his clai- 'urin, the perio' o* si7 -onths
>7e' b+ the court.K Later the state-ent was a-en'e'
an' 5s-eUa state' therein that one o* the heirs o*
sai' estate propose' *or the personal pa+-ent o* a
'ebt which the sai' heir ha' a,ainst the propert+ o*
sai' estate. #elie=in, that that heir woul' pa+ the
'ebt) 5s-eUa clai-e' that he coul' not 'ul+
*or-ulate his clai- be*ore the co--ission 'urin, sai'
perio' o* si7 -onths. 4he heir 'i' not pa+ the 'ebt.
2. 4he CF$ 'enie' the -otion *or e7tension 'ue to
absence o* ?ust cause) which is a con'ition prece'ent)
to warrant the e7tension. 5s-eUa.s appeal was
'enie'.
ISSUE3 J56 the lower court erre' in 654 ,rantin, the
-otion *or e7tension
HELD3 6o. 4he lower courts were correct in 'en+in, the
-otion *or e7tension
RATIO3
#e*ore a -otion *or e7tension is ,rante') ?ust cause
-ust be shown in or'er to authoriLe the ti-e e7tension
within which clai-s -a+ be presente' a,ainst the estate.
4he ob?ect o* the law in >7in, a 'e>nite perio' within which
clai-s -ust be presente' is to insure the spee'+ settlin, o*
the aCairs o* a 'ecease' person an' the earl+ 'eli=er+ o* the
propert+ o* the estate into the han's o* the persons entitle'
to recei=e it.
As state' in 4o)e ##!/!$, &). S0 Co$(!e$,- Kit is the
polic+ o* e=er+ people which -aintains the principle o*
pri=ate ownership o* propert+ that he who owns a thin, shall
not be 'epri=e' o* its possession or use e7cept *or the -ost
ur,ent an' i-perati=e reasons an' then onl+ so lon, as is
necessar+ to -a:e the ri,hts which un'erlie these reasons
eCecti=eEK an') Kit is a principle o* uni=ersal acceptance
which 'eclares that one has the instant ri,ht to occup+ that
which he owns) an' it is onl+ in the presence o* reasons o*
the stron,est an' -ost ur,ent nature that principle is
pre=ente' *ro- acco-plishin, the purpose which un'erlines
it.K
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
$t is 'istinctl+ a,ainst the interests o* ?ustice an' in
'irect opposition to the polic+ o* the law to e7ten' un'ul+ the
ti-e within which estates shoul' be a'-inistere' an'
thereb+ to :eep the propert+ *ro- the possession an' use o*
those who are entitle' to it. #e*ore an e7tension *or >lin,
their clai-s is ,rante') the person as:in, the pri=ile,e -ust
present soun' reasons there*or. Jhether or not those
reasons are suScient an' whether as a result o* their
presentation the ti-e ou,ht or ou,ht not to be e7ten'e'
rests in the soun' 'iscretion o* the court an' are not sub?ect
to appeal FC!4 when there is ,ra=e abuse o* 'iscretion.
4he present case) 5s-eUa *aile' to establish a
-eritorious clai- a,ainst the estate. 4here appears nothin,
in the recor' 'e-onstratin, what the nature o* the clai- is)
how it was contracte') or when. 4here is si-pl+ a na:e'
alle,ation that appellant has a clai-. 5s-eUa also a'-itte'
*ull :nowle',e o* the ti-e within which he shoul' ha=e
presente' his clai- an' the 'ate on which the ti-e *or
presentation e7pire'. %ence) there is no suScient
e7planation *or *ailure to present the clai- within that perio'.
%is e7cuse o* -aintainin, ne,otiations with one o* the heirs
*or the pa+-ent o* the clai- *urnishes no reason wh+ the
clai- was not presente'. Althou,h the ne,otiations -a+
ha=e been pen'in,) the clai- coul' ha=e been presente'
ne=ertheless an') on pa+-ent thereo* b+ the heir) *urther
procee'in,s coul' ha=e been pre=ente'. %ence) the court
'i' not err in 'en+in, the e7tension.
A A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
M$nin$la * Villan&"*a -<</C/<=0.2
D3 !" !"i# is n$ as s&'! ("#s$nall) #"s($nsi+l" 4$#
!" %"+s an% $+ligai$ns $4 !" %"'"as"%, in !"
6!$l" $# in (a#G an%, $n !" $!"# !an%, !" (#$("#)
$4 !" %"'"as"% '$m"s $ !im '!a#g"% 6i! !" %"+s
$4 !" %"'"as"%, s$ !a !" 'ann$ ali"na" $# '!a#g"
i 4#"" $4 s&'! %"+s, &nil an% &nl"ss !") a#"
"5ing&is!"% "i!"# +) (a)m"n, (#"s'#i(i$n, in
sais4a'i$n $4 $n" $# !" $!"# $4 !" m$%"s
#"'$gniE"% +) la6
1. Durin, the procee'in, *or the settle-ent o* the estate
o* 1anuel Se?io) Gre,orio 1ontinola presente' a clai-
*or !hp 1@)338.83 which he clai-s the 'ecease' owe'
hi-. Sai' clai- was appro=e' b+ the Co--ittee on
appraisal an' clai-s (o* the $loilo CF$&
/. %owe=er) it appears that while sai' clai- was pen'in,
pa+-ent) ca'astral procee'in,s 6os. @ an' 9) which
inclu'e' parcel o* lots belon, to Se?io were bein, hel'
in the sa-e court. 4hese nine lots were clai-e' b+
1aria !ie'a' Millanue=a in her own behal* an' that o*
her -inor chil'ren with her 'ecease' husban' Sei?o.
4he court or'ere' the a'?u'ication an' re,istration o*
sai' lots in sai' ca'astral procee'in,s in the na-e o*
the chil'ren o* Sei?o) sub?ect to the usu*ructuar+ ri,ht
o* Millanue=a
3. 4he court authoriLe' the a'-inistrator to sell the nine
lots abo=e--entione' *or the purpose o* pa+in, the
e7penses o* the a'-inistration an' the clai- o*
Gre,orio 1ontinola *or the a-ount o* !1@)338.83. Sai'
a'-inistrator) howe=er) coul' not -a:e the sale *or
the reason that the lots appeare' to be the in'i=i'ual
propert+ o* the heirs o* 1anuel Sei?o in sai' ca'astral
procee'in,s) *or which reason the a'-inistrator
applie' *or the cancellation o* sai' titles an' the
issuance o* new ones in his na-es) which application
was 'enie' b+ the lower court.
2. $n =iew o* the *act that the titles to sai' lots were
issue' in the na-e o* the heirs o* the 'ecease'
1anuel Sei?o) the court or'ere' the a'-inistrator to
return the ownership o* all the lots to the persons to
who- the+ were a'?u'icate' in the ca'astral
procee'in,s) without ha=in, pai' the clai- o* Gre,orio
1ontinola. 4hus) 1ontino institute' the present action
0. 1ontinola pra+s that his clai- *or !1@)338.83 be
'eclare' a le,al alien on the lan's 'escribe' in
certi>cates o* title) an' that the 'e*en'ants be
sentence' to pa+) ?ointl+ an' se=erall+) the a-ount o*
!1@)338.83 an' the costs o* this action. Court rules in
*a=our o* 1ontinola. %ence) the present appeal
$SS": J56 the properties a'?u'icate' to the chil'ren o*
Sei?o are sub?ect to the pa+-ent o* 1anuel Sei?o.s 'ebt
%LD: Qes
RA4$5:
1. S"'i$n >@< $4 !" C$%" $4 Ci*il 8#$'"%&#" a-on,
other thin,s) sa+s:
. . . 4he persons who) as heirs) ha=e recei=e' the
estate not 'ispose' o* b+ will) shall be liable to
contribute li:e the 'e=isees or le,atees.
2. $n accor'ance with these statutor+ pro=isions) this
court) in the case o* 8a*ia *s. D" la R$sa hel'5 I$
"or1"$e 6!th the 2ro&!)!o$) of the "fore)"!1 At
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
No. 190- !t !) 3$1er)too1 th"t te)t"te or the !$te)t"te
)3e))!o$ !) "'6"0) "e2te1 6!th (e$e7t of
!$&e$tor0- and the heirs, even after taking
possession of the estate of the deceased, do not
make themselves responsible for the debts of
the deceased with their own property, but solely
with that property coming from the testate or
intestate succession of the deceased.
3. Sai' 'octrine was con>r-e' in the S&ili$ng H C$. *s.
C!i$ Ta)san in which it was sai'5 +$1er the
2ro&!)!o$) of the $e6 Co1e of C!&!' Proe13re- the he!r
!) $ot ") )3h 2er)o$"''0 re)2o$)!('e for the 1e(t) "$1
o('!,"t!o$) of the 1ee")e1- !$ the 6ho'e or !$ 2"rt8
"$1- o$ the other h"$1- the property of the
deceased comes to him charged with the debts
of the deceased, so that he cannot alienate or
charge it free of such debts, until and unless
they are extinguished either by payment,
prescription, in satisfaction of one or the other
of the modes recognized by law
4. A# .=. $4 !" C$%" $4 Ci*il 8#$'"%&#" (#$*i%"s:
9he$ " re1!tor ","!$)t 6ho* the 1ee")e1 h")
'"!*) 2re)e$t " '"!* to the o**!ttee- the
executor or the administrator shall exhibit the
claims of the deceased in oset to the claims of
the creditor, and the committee shall ascertain
and allow the balance for or against the estate,
as they !nd the same to be. C'"!*) !$ f"&or of the
e)t"te "$1 ","!$)t the re1!tor 6ho 2re)e$t) the '"!*
for "''o6"$e ","!$)t the e)t"te )h"'' (e ("rre1-
unless so presented by the executor or
administrator as an oset" but the committee
shall have no #urisdiction over claims in favor of
the estate- e:e2t ") o;)et) to '"!*) 2re)e$te1
","!$)t the e)t"te.
$. As such) the Court hel' that in this case) the
in'ebte'ness o* the intestate estate clai-e' in the
procee'in, -ust be hel' to be a le,al lien on the
propert+ 'escribe' in certi>cates o* title.
Conse;uentl+) the a-ount clai-e' b+ the plaintiC
-ust be pai' out o* the propert+ but onl+ to the e7tent
o* the =alue o* the sa-e
G&"*a##a *s %"l R$sa#i$
ACTIONS THAT MAY 9E 9ROUGHT AGAINST
ADMINISTRATORS AND EBECUTORS
8!il T#&s C$. *. L&E$n S&#") C$. -;/@1/<=.<2
D3 I!a"*"# ma) +" !" #&l" (#"*ailing in $!"#
D&#is%i'i$ns, in $&#s (#$+a" '$&# is ($ss"ss"% 6i!
an all,"m+#a'ing ($6"# n$ $nl) in #"A&i#ing +& als$
in 75ing !" am$&n, an% "5"'&ing $# 4$#4"iing an
a%minis#a$#Js +$n%. T!" "5"'&i$n $# 4$#4"i&#" $4 an
a%minis#a$#Js +$n%, is %""m"% +" a n"'"ssa#) (a#
an% in'i%"n $4 !" a%minis#ai$n (#$'""%ings as
m&'! as is 7ling an% !" 75ing $4 is am$&n. T!"
#&l", !"#"4$#", is !a !" (#$+a" '$&# ma) !a*"
sai% +$n% "5"'&"% in !" sam" (#$+a" (#$'""%ing
D3 A''$#%ing $ S"'i$n <<, R&l" ?. $4 !" R&l"s $4
C$&#, &($n !" s"l"m"n $4 !" a''$&n $4 an
"5"'&$# $# a%minis#a$#, !is s&#"i"s Kma) &($n
13 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
a((li'ai$n, +" a%mi"% as a (a#) $ s&'!
a''$&ning.K T!" im($# $4 !is (#$*isi$n is !a !"
s&#"i"s a#" n$ "nil"% $ n$i'" +& ma) +" all$6"%
$ in"#*"n" in !" s"l"m"n $4 !" a''$&ns $4 !"
"5"'&$# $# a%minis#a$# i4 !") asL 4$# l"a*" $ %$ s$
in %&" im"
:a's3
1. 5n Feb 12) 192@) CF$ o* 1anila appointe' Francis R.
!icar' Sr. as a'-inistrator o* the intestate estate o*
the 'ecease' (a-es R. #urt upon a bon' o* 1:
/. 4he court appro=e' the sai' bon' with appellant LuLon
Suret+ Co.) $nc. as his suret+
3. For reasons that 'o not *ull+ appear on recor') on 1a+
1)192A) CF$ 'is-isse' !icar' as a'-inistrator an'
appointe' !hil. 4rust Co in his place. A*ter ;uali*+in, *or
the position) !hil 4rust sub-itte' an in=entor+-report
showin, that the onl+ asset le*t an' ha' co-e to its
possession was the su- o* !08.80 representin, the
balance o* the chec:in, account o* the 'ecease' with
!6#
2. $n =iew thereo*) on (ul+ /@) 192A) CF$ issue' an or'er
*or !icar' to 'eli=er within 2A hours the receipt o*
or'er the 'iCerence o* !8)3@3A.0A. 4he or'er rea's:
A re=iew) howe=er) o* the recor' o* the case re=eals that
*or-er A'-inistrator Francis !icar') >le' on Februar+ @)
1921) an in=entor+ o* the estate o* the 'ecease') *ro- which
it appears that the sole propert+ he *oun' was the a-ount o*
!A)A83.83 in current account with the !hilippine 6ational
#an:. 4his a-ount was re'uce' to !8)9A@.03 a*ter 'e'uctin,
there*ro- his e7penses in the a-ount o* !AA8.//E an' as
reporte' b+ hi- in his petition >le' on (une A) 192A) the
*urther e7penses in the a-ount o* !A@0./3 were 'e'ucte')
thereb+ lea=in, the balance o* !8)1/1.33 as o* 1a+ /8) 192A.
$n =iew o* the *ore,oin,) the Court hereb+ or'ers sai' Francis
!icar') to 'eli=er within *ort+-ei,ht hours (2A& *ro- the
receipt o* a cop+ o* the or'er the 'iCerence o* !8)3@3.0A to
the present A'-inistrator) !hilippine 4rust Co-pan+E
otherwise he will be or'ere' co--itte' to prison *or
conte-pt until he shall ha=e co-plie' with this or'er.
0. $n co-pliance with the abo=e or'er) !icar') sub-itte'
an ite-iLe' state-ent o* 'isburse-ents -a'e b+ hi-
as a'-inistrator o* the estate) showin, that:
a& as o* Februar+ @) 1928 the estate *un's a-ounte'
to !8)9A@.03
b& that on (une A) 192A he reporte' to the Court
a''itional e7penses incurre' a-ountin, to
!A@0./3) thus lea=in, a balance o* !8)1/1.33
c& that therea*ter he 'isburse' the su- o* !/03.33 to
'e*ra+ the burial e7penses o* the 'ecease') thus
lea=in, a balance o* !@)A81.33
'& that on se=eral occasions 'urin, the perio' *ro-
Februar+ //) 192@ to 1a+ 12) 1928) he ha'
'eli=ere' to Feliciano #urt a'opti=e son o* the
'ecease' (a-es R. #urt 'iCerent su-s o* -one+
totallin, !0)A/0.33) thus lea=in, a balance o*
!98/.33
@. A*ter consi'erin, the abo=e state-ents) CF$ re*erre'
the -atter to the cit+ >scal o* 1anila *or in=esti,ation.
4he result o* this was the prosecution o* !icar' *or
esta*a to which he plea'e' ,uilt+ an' a ?u',-ent o*
con=iction was ren'ere'. Also) he was hel' ci=ill+ liable
in the su- o* !A:
8. 4hus) on (ul+ A) 1908) CF$ issue' an or'er re;uirin,
appellant LuLon Suret+ Co.) to show cause wh+ the
a'-inistrator.s bon' >le' b+ it on behal* o* !icar'
woul' not be con>scate'
11 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
A. Appellant >le' a -otion to set asi'e or'er on the C.
,roun':
a& that the court cannot or'er the con>scation o* the
a'-inistrator.s bon') on pre?u'ice or in?ur+ to
cre'itors) le,atees or heirs o* the estate o* (a-es R.
#urt an'E
b& that the probate court cannot) e7 proprio -otu)
prosecute the probate bon'
9. 5n Au,ust 3) 1908) court 'enie' appellant.s -otion
an' or'ere' the con>scation o* the bon'. Appellant.s
1R bein, 'enie') it >le' the present appeal
Iss&"3 Jhether or not the probate court) e7 propio -otu) can
or'er the con>scatino or *or*eiture o* an a'-inistrator.s bon'
H"l%3 Qeeeeeessss
Rai$3
1. Jhate=er -a+ be the rule pre=ailin, in other
?uris'ictions) in ours) probate court is possesse' with
an all-e-bracin, power not onl+ in re;uirin, but also
in >7in, the a-ount) an' e7ecutin, or *or*eitin, an
a'-inistratorOs bon'
/. 4he e7ecution or *or*eiture o* an a'-inistratorOs bon')
is 'ee-e' be a necessar+ part an' inci'ent o* the
a'-inistration procee'in,s as -uch as its >lin, an'
the >7in, o* its a-ount. 4he rule) there*ore) is that the
probate court -a+ ha=e sai' bon' e7ecute' in the
sa-e probate procee'in,
3. 1oreo=er) the con'ition o* the a'-inistratorOs bon' in
;uestion is that Francis L. !icar' shall *aith*ull+
e7ecute the or'ers an' 'ecrees o* the courtE that i* he
'i' so) the obli,ation shall beco-e =oi') otherwise it
shall re-ain in *ull *orce an' eCect. $n ha=in, been
establishe' that !icar' 'isburse' *un's o* the estate
without authorit+) the conclusion *ollows that he ha'
an' his suret+ beca-e boun' upon the ter-s o* their
bon'
2. Appellant also conten's that it was not proper *or the
lower court to or'er the con>scation o* its bon'
because no pre?u'ice or in?ur+ to an+ cre'itor) heir or
other intereste' person has been pro=e'. 4his is also
without -erits. Accor'in, to the recor') the clai-s
a,ainst the estate >le' b+ Antonio Gar'iner an' (ose
4eruel *or the su- o* !/33.33 an' !3)/30.33)
respecti=el+) were appro=e' b+ the probate court but
the sa-e ha=e re-aine' unpai' because o* lac: o*
*un's
0. Finall+) appellant clai-s that it ha' been release' *ro-
liabilit+ as suret+ because it recei=e' no notice o* the
procee'in,s *or the 'eter-ination o* the accountabilit+
o* the a'-inistrator. 4his contention we also >n' to be
untenable
@. Fro- the nature o* the obli,ation entere' into b+ the
suret+ on an a'-inistratorOs bon' V which -a:es hi-
pri=+ to the procee'in,s a,ainst his principal V he is
boun' an' conclu'e') in the absence o* *rau' an'
collusion) b+ a ?u',-ent a,ainst his principal) e=en
thou,h sai' suret+ was not a part+ to the procee'in,
8. $n the case o* De 1en'oLa =. !acheco) the sureties on
the a'-inistrator.s bon' were hel' liable thereon
althou,h the+ were not parties to the procee'in,
a,ainst the a'-inistrator nor were the+ noti>e' in
connection therewith prior to the issuance o* the court
or'er *or the con>scation *o the bon'
A. Lastl+) accor'in, to Section 11) Rule A@ o* the Rules o*
Court) upon the settle-ent o* the account o* an
e7ecutor or a'-inistrator) his sureties K-a+ upon
application) be a'-itte' as a part+ to such
accountin,.K 4he i-port o* this pro=ision is that the
sureties are not entitle' to notice but -a+ be allowe'
1/ A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
to inter=ene in the settle-ent o* the accounts o* the
e7ecutor or a'-inistrator i* the+ as: *or lea=e to 'o so
in 'ue ti-e.
R$m&al%"E *s. Tigla$ -1>/0C/<=?<2
8$n"n"3 A+a% San$s
DOCTRINE3 O#iginal D&%gm"n +"'am" sal" +"'a&s" $4
is n$n,"5"'&i$n a4"# !" la(s" $4 7*" )"a#s.
A''$#%ingl), i 'ann$ +" (#"s"n"% agains !" Esa"
$4 :"lisa Tigla$ &nl"ss i is 7#s #"*i*"% +) a'i$n.
FAC4S:
1. 5n 1arch 10) 19@3) !aL G. Ro-ual'eL an' others sue'
Antonio 4i,lao *or the pa+-ent o* unpai' rentals *or
the lease o* a hacien'a an' its su,ar ;uota.
/. $nclu'e' in the suit were Felisa 4i,lao an' others who
ha' ,uarantee' the pa+-ent o* the rents ?ointl+ an'
se=erall+ with Antonio 4i,lao. 4he suit was 'oc:ete' as
Ci=il Case 6o. W-0300 o* the Court o* First $nstance o*
RiLal.
3. 5n 1a+ 31) 19@3) a 'ecision was ren'ere' in *a=or o*
the plaintiCs (R51"ALDX& an' a,ainst the
'e*en'ants(4$GLA5&.
2. 4he ?u',-ent was not satis>e' notwithstan'in, a writ
o* e7ecution to en*orce it.
0. Accor'in,l+) on 1a+ 1A) 1983) !aL G. Ro-ual'eL) et al.
>le' Ci=il Case 6o. W-122/2 in the CF$ o* RiLal a,ainst
Antonio 4i,lao an' his sureties in or'er to re=i=e the
?u',-ent abo=e ;uote'.
@. $t shoul' be state' that when the suit to re=i=e
?u',-ent was >le') Felisa F. 4i,lao ha' 'ie' an' her
estate was bein, settle' in Special !roc. 6o. W-13831
o* the CF$ o* RiLal.
8. Accor'in,l+) the one who was -a'e 'e*en'ant was her
estate represente' b+ the Special A'-inistratri7
1anin,nin, 4i,lao-6a,uiat
A. 4he a'-inistratri7 ;uestione' the ?uris'iction o* the
court a ;uo to entertain the suit to re=i=e ?u',-ent.
She in=o:e' Sec. 1 o* Rule A8 o* the Rules o* Court
that) K6o action upon a clai- *or the reco=er+ o*
-one+ or 'ebt or interest thereon shall be co--ence'
a,ainst the e7ecutor or a'-inistrator.Y
9. 4he trial court ren'ere' a 'ecision in *a=or o* the
plaintiCs (R51"ALDX& or'erin, the re=i=al o* the
?u',-ent o* Ci=il Case 6o. 0300.
13.4he state o* Felisa 4i,lao >le' a separate appeal
which is the present case.
$SS": Jhether the trial court erre' in its or'er in
re=i=in, the ?u',-ent o* Ci=il Case 6o. 0300.
%LD: 65
RA4$5:
4he ori,inal ?u',-ent which was ren'ere' on 1a+ 31)
19@3) has beco-e stale because o* its non-e7ecution
a*ter the lapse o* >=e +ears. (Sec. @) Rule 39 o* the
Rules o* Court.& Accor'in,l+) it cannot be presente'
a,ainst the state o* Felisa 4i,lao unless it is >rst
re=i=e' b+ action.
4his is precisel+ wh+ the appellees ha=e institute' the
secon' suit whose ob?ect is not to -a:e the state o*
Felisa 4i,lao pa+ the su-s o* -one+ a'?u',e' in the
>rst ?u',-ent but -erel+ to :eep ali=e sai' ?u',-ent
so that the su-s therein awar'e' can be presente' as
clai-s a,ainst the estate in Special !roc. 6o. W-13831
o* the Court o* First $nstance o* RiLal.
S"(a#a" O(ini$ns -J&si'" AA&in$, C$n'&##ing2
13 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
4he ?u',-ent cre'itors ha' no alternati=e but to >le
an action *or re=i=al o* ?u',-ent to pre=ent its
e7tin,uish-ent b+ prescription. $t is true that) as a
,eneral rule) Kno action upon a clai- *or the reco=er+
o* -one+ or 'ebt or interest thereon shall be
co--ence' a,ainst the e7ecutor or a'-inistratorK
because the cre'itorOs re-e'+ is to >le the proper
clai- in the procee'in, *or the settle-ent o* the
'ecease' 'ebtorOs estate within the perio' >7e' in the
Statute o* 6on clai-s (Secs. / an' 0) Rule A@ an' sec.
1) Rule A8) Rules o* Court&. #ut the instant case)
because o* the sin,ular circu-stances recounte'
abo=e) is an e7ception to that ,eneral rule.
SC%A4
9alais,Ma+anag * R"gis#) $4 D""%s $4 M&"E$n Ci)
-@/0=/01<12
D3
J&si'" 9"#samin
Facts:
1. Siblin,s C5R56LS e7ecute' a 'ocu-ent entitle'
RC$!4 5F D5J6!AQ164 stipulatin, that the+
recei=e' 03: as 'ownpa+-ent o* the total purchase
price o* 1./1 *ro- Ra-ona ALCARAX
/. Receipt o* 'ownpa+-ent containe' a stipulation
whereb+ the C5R56LS boun' the-sel=es to trans*er
4C4 o* inherite' lot *ro- *ather to their na-es upon
receipt o* 'ownpa+-ent. 5n the presentation o* 4C4 in
their na-e) the+ also boun' the-sel=es to e7ecute a
'ee' o* absolute sale in *a=or or ALCARAX a*ter
pa+-ent o* the balance
3. RD o* WC issue' a 4C4 in the na-e o* C5R56L
siblin,s
2. 4herea*ter) the C5R56LS sol' the propert+ to
#ALA$S-1A#A6AG *or a hi,her price o* 1.01 a*ter
#ALA$S-1A#A6AG 'eli=ere' 333: as 'ownpa+-ent
0. C5R56LS then rescin'e' their contract with
ALCARAX b+ 'epositin, 03: 'ownpa+-ent in a ban: in
trust *or ALACARAX
@. ALCARAX the >le' a co-plaint *or 'a-a,es a,ainst
C5R56L an' cause' the annotation o* a lis pen'ens
on the 4C4
8. #ALA$S-1A#A6AG cause' the annotation o* an a'=erse
clai- on the 4C4
A. C5R56LS then e7ecute' a 'ee' o* absolute sale in
*a=or o* #ALA$S-1A#A6AG. A 4C4 was then issue' in
#ALA$S-1A#A6AG.s na-e
9. #ALA$S-1A#A6AG >le' a -otion to ha=e her answer
a'-itte' in the co-plaint *or 'a-a,es
13.R4C: or'ere' C5R56LS to e7ecute a 'ee' in *a=or o*
ALCARAX. CR5R6L an' #ALA$S-1A#A6AG.s 1R
'enie'
11.CA: aSr-e'.
1/.R4C.s or'er beca-e >nal e7ecutor+
13.A writ o* e7ecution was issue'. For *ailure o*
C5R56LS to 'o e7ecute a 'ee' in *a=or o* ALCARAX)
court or'ere' the branch cler: to e7ecute 'ee' in lieu
o* C5R56LS an' #ALA$S
12.C5R56LS an' #ALA$S >le' in the CA a petition
*or ert!or"r! assailin, the R4C.s or'ers but CA
'is-isse' it. 4he+ then >le' a 1R.
10.R4C hel' in abe+ance the respon'ents. *ot!o$
re!ter"t!$, 2re&!o3) *ot!o$ to re)o'&e re)2o$1e$t)<
*ot!o$) whereb+ ALACARAX sou,ht an or'er to 'irect
the #ALA$S to surren'er her 4C4 an' the Re,istrar o*
Dee's o* WueLon Cit+ to cancel the sai' 4C4
12 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
1@.CA: 'enie' 1R
18.#ALA$S: >le' a petition *or re=iew but was 'enie' since
it was >le' out o* ti-e. 1R that was >le' was also
'enie'.
1A.#ALA$S: >le' a petition *or certiorari with CA but this
was- 'enie'. 1R also 'enie'.
$ssue: Jhether CA erre' a& in sustainin, the re,istration b+
the Re,istrar o* Dee's o* the 1ee1 of "()o'3te )"'e 'espite
the lac: o* in'ication o* the citiLenship o* the bu+er o* the
sub?ect propert+E an' b& in sustainin, the or'er o* the R4C
'irectin, the #ranch Cler: o* Court to e7ecute the 1ee1 of
"()o'3te )"'e without >rst re;uirin, the 'e*en'ants to
e7ecute the 1ee1 of "()o'3te )"'e as re;uire' b+ the
'ecision.
%el': 6o) the CA is correct
Ratio:
1. CAS) when the >nal 'ecision o* the R4C is alrea'+
bein, i-ple-ente') the #ALA$S woul' thwart the
e7ecution b+ assailin, the 'irecti=e o* the R4C *or the
#ranch Cler: o* Court to e7ecute the 1ee1 of "()o'3te
)"'e an' b+ bloc:in, the re,istration o* the 1ee1 of
"()o'3te )"'e in the Re,istr+ o* Dee's o* WueLon Cit+)
on the ,roun' that ALACARAX was 'is;uali>e' *ro-
ownin, lan' in the !hilippines.
A. #ALA$S 'i' not raise an+ issue a,ainst Ra-ona.s
;uali>cations to own lan' in the !hilippines 'urin,
the trial or) at the latest) be*ore the >nalit+ o* the
R4C ?u',-ent. She was thereb+ 'ee-e' to ha=e
wai=e' the ob?ection) pursuant to Section 1) Rule 9
o* the R3'e) of Co3rt)
#. #ALA$S cannot now insist that the R4C 'i' not settle
the ;uestion o* ALCARX.' ;uali>cations to own lan'
'ue to non-citiLenship.
i. R"L: $t is *un'a-ental that the ?u',-ent or
>nal or'er is) with respect to the -atter
'irectl+ a'?u',e' or ") to "$0 other *"tter
th"t o3'1 h"&e (ee$ r"!)e1 !$ re'"t!o$
thereto) conclusi=e between the parties an'
their successors in interest b+ title
subse;uent to the co--ence-ent o* the
action or special procee'in,) liti,atin, *or the
sa-e thin, an' un'er the sa-e title an' in
the sa-e capacit+.
C. present recourse has not been the onl+ one ta:en
b+ #ALA$S an' her counsel to assail the
;uali>cation o* Ra-ona to ac;uire an' own the
sub?ect propert+. $n *act) the Court catalo,ue' such
recourses ta:en *or #ALA$S in case entitle' =oro$1"
&. G3errero)
G
an a'-inistrati=e case *or 'isbar-ent
co--ence' on (une /9) /331 b+ Ricar'o A.
Foron'a (an attorne+-in-*act o* the ALCARAX&
a,ainst Att+. Arnol' M. Guerrero) the attorne+ o*
#ALA$S
i. recourses ha=e ha' the uni*or- result o*
sustainin, the ri,ht o* ALCARAX to ac;uire
the propert+) which warrante' a >n'in,
a,ainst Att+. Guerrero o* resortin, to *oru-
shoppin,) an' lea'in, to his suspension *ro-
the practice o* law *or two +ears. Such result
*ull+ aSr-s that the petitioner.s ob?ection is
now barre' b+ re) >31!"t".
/. #ALA$S was not the proper part+ to challen,e
ALACARAX ;uali>cations to ac;uire lan'
A. R"L: S"'i$n >, ?"t") P"*("$)" ?',. 1A0: the
Solicitor General or his representati=e shall institute
escheat procee'in,s a,ainst its =iolators.
10 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
i. Althou,h the law 'oes not cate,oricall+ state
that onl+ the Go=ern-ent) throu,h the
Solicitor General) -a+ attac: the title o* an
alien trans*eree o* lan') it is nonetheless
correct to hol' that onl+ the Go=ern-ent)
throu,h the Solicitor General) has the
personalit+ to >le a case challen,in, the
capacit+ o* a person to ac;uire or to own
lan' base' on non-citiLenship.
ii. 4his li-itation is base' on the *act that the
=iolation is co--itte' a,ainst the State) not
a,ainst an+ in'i=i'ualE an' that in the e=ent
that the trans*eree is a'?u',e' to be not a
Filipino citiLen) the aCecte'
propert+ re&ert) to the State) not to the
pre=ious owner or an+ other in'i=i'ual.
3. Dee' o* Absoulte Sale e7ecute' b+ #ranch cler: is
=ali'
A. #ALA$S: R4C 'i' not see to it that the 6r!t of
e:e3t!o$ be >rst ser=e' on her) an' a 'e-an' *or
her co-pliance be >rst -a'eE hence) the 1ee1 of
"()o'3te )"'e e7ecute' b+ the #ranch Cler: o* Court
to i-ple-ent the ?u',-ent was =oi'.
?. SC: he *act that the petitioner an' her counsel
-aneu=ere' to thwart) or) at least) to 'ela+
the !$e&!t"('e e7ecution o* the ?u',-ent warrante'
the R4C.s 'irectin, the #ranch Cler: o* Court
e7ecute the 1ee1 of "()o'3te )"'e to i-ple-ent the
?u',-ent. 4he R4C.s eCort to i-ple-ent the
?u',-ent coul' not be st+-ie' b+ the petitioner.s
'eliberate re*usal to co-pl+ with the ?u',-ent.
Such 'eliberate re*usal calle' *or the R4C to or'er
the #ranch Cler: o* Court to e7ecute the 1ee1 of
"()o'3te )"'e in *a=or o* Ra-ona) which -o=e o*
the trial court was precisel+ authoriLe' b+ Rule 39
o* the R3'e) of Co3rt5
i. Section 13. E:e3t!o$ of >31,*e$t) for
)2e!7 "t. V (a& Co$&e0"$e- 1e'!&er0 of
1ee1)- or other )2e!7 "t)8 &e)t!$, t!t'e. V
$* a ?u',-ent 'irects a part+ who e7ecute a
con=e+ance o* lan' or personal propert+) or
to 'eli=er 'ee's or other 'ocu-ents) or to
per*oran+ other speci>c act in connection
therewith) an' the part+ *ails to co-pl+
within the ti-e speci>e') the court -a+
'irect the act to be 'one at the cost o* the
'isobe'ient part+ b+ so-e other person
appointe' b+ the court an' the act when so
'one shall ha=e li:e eCect as i* 'one b+ the
part+. $* real or personal propert+ is situate'
within the !hilippines) the court in lieu o*
'irectin, a con=e+ance thereo* -a+ be an
or'er 'i=est the title o* an+ part+ an' =est it
in others) which shall ha=e the *orce an'
eCect o* a con=e+ance e7ecute' in 'ue *or-
o* law.
RULE ON GUARDIANSHI8 OVER MINORS
H"#nan%"E " al. *. San J&an,San$s (3AD38D/339&
(ustice Corona
DOCTRINE3 8"#s$ns 6!$, !$&g! $4 s$&n% min% +& +)
#"as$n $4 ag", %is"as", 6"aL min% $# $!"# simila#
'a&s"s a#" in'a(a+l" $4 aLing 'a#" $4 !"ms"l*"s an%
!"i# (#$("#) 6i!$& $&si%" ai%, a#" '$nsi%"#"% as
1@ A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
in'$m(""ns 6!$ ma) (#$("#l) +" (la'"% &n%"#
g&a#%ians!i(.
!etition *or Re=iew on Certiorari
:a's3
1. 1aria Lour'es San (uan %ernan'eL (or Lulu& was born on
Februar+ 12) 1928 to the spouses Feli7 %ernan'eL an'
1aria San (uan %ernan'eL. "n*ortunatel+) the latter 'ie'
'ue to co-plications 'urin, chil'birth. A*ter 1ariaOs
'eath) Feli7 le*t Lulu in the care o* her -aternal uncle)
Sotero C. San (uan.
/. 5n Dece-ber 1@) 1901) Feli7 -arrie' 6ati=i'a' CruL. 4he
union pro'uce' three chil'ren) petitioners Cecilio C.
%ernan'eL) 1a. Mictoria C. %ernan'eL-Sa,un an' 4eresa
C. %ernan'eL-Milla Abrille.
3. 1eanwhile) as the onl+ chil' o* 1aria an' the sole testate
heir o* Sotero) Lulu inherite' =aluable real properties *ro-
the San (uan *a-il+ (conser=ati=el+ esti-ate' at !03
-illion in 1998&.
2. So-eti-e in 1908) Lulu went to li=e with her *ather an'
his new *a-il+. She was then 13 +ears ol' an' stu'+in, at
La Consolacion Colle,e. %owe=er) 'ue to her K=iolent
personalit+)K Lulu stoppe' schoolin, when she reache'
Gra'e 0.
0. $n 19@A) upon reachin, the a,e o* -a?orit+) Lulu was
,i=en *ull control o* her estate. 6e=ertheless) because
Lulu 'i' not e=en >nish her ele-entar+ e'ucation) Feli7
continue' to e7ercise actual a'-inistration o* Lulu.s
properties. "pon Feli7Os 'eath in 1993) petitioners too:
o=er the tas: o* a'-inisterin, LuluOs properties.
@. Durin, the perio' o* their in*or-al a'-inistration (*ro-
19@A until 1993&) Feli7 an' petitioners un'ertoo: =arious
Kpro?ectsK in=ol=in, Lulu.s real properties. $n 1982) Feli7
alle,e'l+ purchase' one o* Lulu.s properties *or an
un'isclose' a-ount to 'e=elop the 1arilou Sub'i=ision. $n
1990) 1a. Mictoria in*or-e' Lulu that her 11-hectare
1ontalban) RiLal propert+ was un'er liti,ation. 4hus) Lulu
si,ne' a special power o* attorne+ (S!A& belie=in, that
she was authoriLin, 1a. Mictoria to appear in court on her
behal* when she was in *act un:nowin,l+ authoriLin, her
hal*-sister to sell the sai' propert+ to the 1anila lectric
Co-pan+ *or !1A)/3@)233. 4herea*ter) Cecilio as:e' Lulu
to authoriLe hi- to lease her 20-hectare propert+ in
1ontalban) RiLal to 57*or' Concrete A,,re,ates
*or !0A)033 per -onth so that she coul' ha=e a car an'
'ri=er at her 'isposal.
8. $n Septe-ber 199A) Lulu sou,ht the assistance o* her
-aternal >rst cousin) respon'ent (o=ita San (uan-Santos)
a*ter learnin, that petitioners ha' been 'issipatin, her
estate. She con>'e' to (o=ita that she was -a'e to li=e in
the base-ent o* petitioners. 1ontalban) RiLal ho-e an'
was recei=in, a -easl+ 'ail+ allowance o* !233 *or her
*oo' an' -e'ication.
A. Respon'ent was appalle' as Lulu was se=erel+
o=erwei,ht) un:e-pt an' s-elle' o* urine. She later
*oun' out that Lulu was occup+in, a cra-pe' roo- lit b+
a sin,le Nuorescent la-p without runnin, water. Since she
ha' not been ,i=en a proper toilet) Lulu urinate' an'
'e*ecate' in the ,ar'en. Due to LuluOs poor h+,iene)
respon'ent brou,ht her to se=eral ph+sicians *or -e'ical
e7a-ination. Lulu was *oun' to be aPicte' with
tuberculosis) rheu-atis- an' 'iabetes *ro- which she
was suCerin, se=eral co-plications.
9. 4herea*ter) the San (uan *a-il+ 'e-an'e' an in=entor+
an' accountin, o* Lulu.s estate *ro- petitioners. %owe=er)
the 'e-an' was i,nore'.
13.5n 5ctober /) 199A) respon'ent >le' a petition *or
,uar'ianship in the Re,ional 4rial Court (R4C& o* San
1ateo) RiLal) #ranch 8@. She alle,e' that Lulu was
18 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
incapable o* ta:in, care o* hersel* an' -ana,in, her
estate because she was o* wea: -in'.
11.Durin, the hearin,) Lulu was presente' an' as:e' to
testi*+ on her ,enealo,+ an' e7periences with the San
(uan an' %ernan'eL *a-ilies. Lulu i'enti>e' an'
'escribe' her parents) step-other) hal*-siblin,s an'
-aternal relati=es. She clai-e' inheritin, tracts o* lan'
*ro- the San (uan *a-il+. %owe=er) these properties were
'issipate' b+ the %ernan'eL *a-il+ as the+ li=e' a
Klu7uriousK li*est+le. Jhen as:e' to e7plain this
alle,ation) Lulu sai' that her step-other an' hal*-siblin,s
ro'e in cars while she was -a'e to ri'e a tric+cle.
1/.1e'ical specialists testi>e' to e7plain the results o* Lulu.s
e7a-inations which re=eale' the alar-in, state o* her
health. 6ot onl+ was Lulu se=erel+ aPicte' with 'iabetes
-ellitus an' suCerin, *ro- its co-plications) she also ha'
an e7istin, artheroselorotic car'io=ascular 'isease (which
was a,,ra=ate' b+ her obesit+&. Further-ore) the+
unani-ousl+ opine' that in =iew o* Lulu.s intelli,ence
le=el (which was below a=era,e& an' *ra,ile -ental state)
she woul' not be able to care *or hersel* an' sel*-
a'-inister her -e'ications.
13.$n a 'ecision 'ate' Septe-ber /0) /331) the R4C
conclu'e' that) 'ue to her wea: ph+sical an' -ental
con'ition) there was a nee' to appoint a le,al ,uar'ian
o=er the person an' propert+ o* Lulu. 4hus) it 'eclare'
Lulu an inco-petent an' appointe' respon'ent as
,uar'ian o=er the person an' propert+ o* Lulu on a !1
-illion bon'.
12.!etitioners -o=e' *or reconsi'eration assertin, that
the !1 -illion bon' was ,rossl+ insuScient to secure
Lulu.s !03--illion estate a,ainst *rau'ulent loss or
'issipation. 4he -otion) howe=er) was 'enie'.
10."pon appeal b+ petitioners) the Court o* Appeals issue' a
'ecision aSr-in, the Septe-ber /0) /331 'ecision o* the
R4C (in the petition *or ,uar'ianship& !$ toto.
1@.1eanwhile) Lulu -o=e' into A R. Santos St.) 1ari:ina Cit+
(1ari:ina apart-ent& an' was pro=i'e' with two
house-ai's tas:e' to care *or her. So-eti-e in
6o=e-ber /333) Lulu was ab'ucte' *ro- her 1ari:ina
apart-ent. (o=ita i--e'iatel+ sou,ht the assistance o*
the !olice Anti-Cri-e -er,enc+ Response (!ACR&
'i=ision o* the !hilippine 6ational !olice. 4he !ACR
subse;uentl+ 'isco=ere' that petitioners were :eepin,
Lulu so-ewhere in Ro'ri,ueL) RiLal. Despite their initial
hostilit+ to the in=esti,ation) 1a. Mictoria an' Cecilio
subse;uentl+ contacte' the !ACR to in*or- the- that
Lulu =oluntaril+ le*t with 6ati=i'a' because her ,uar'ian
ha' alle,e'l+ been -altreatin, her.
18.5n Dece-ber 10) /333) respon'ent >le' a petition
*or h"(e") or23) in the CA alle,in, that petitioners
ab'ucte' Lulu an' were hol'in, her capti=e in an
un'isclose' location in Ro'ri,ueL) RiLal.
1A.5n April /@) /330) the CA ,rante' the petition *or h"(e")
or23)- rulin, that (o=ita) as her le,al ,uar'ian) was
entitle' to her custo'+.
Iss&"3 Jhether the person is an inco-petent who re;uires
the appoint-ent o* a ?u'icial ,uar'ian o=er her person an'
propert+.
H"l%3 Qes. 4he person is an inco-petent who re;uires the
appoint-ent o* a ?u'icial ,uar'ian o=er her person an'
propert+.
Rai$3
1A A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
1. "n'er Section 03) Rule 133 o* the Rules o* Court) an
or'inar+ witness -a+ ,i=e his opinion on the -ental
sanit+ o* a person with who- he is suScientl+
ac;uainte'. LuluOs atten'in, ph+sicians spo:e an'
interacte' with her. Such occasions allowe' the- to
thorou,hl+ obser=e her beha=ior an' conclu'e that her
intelli,ence le=el was below a=era,e an' her -ental
sta,e below nor-al. 4heir opinions were a'-issible in
e=i'ence.
/. Further-ore) where the sanit+ o* a person is at issue)
e7pert opinion is not necessar+. 4he obser=ations o* the
trial ?u',e couple' with e=i'ence establishin, the
personOs state o* -ental sanit+ will suSce. %ere) the trial
?u',e was ,i=en a-ple opportunit+ to obser=e Lulu
personall+ when she testi>e' be*ore the R4C.
3. "n'er Section /) Rule 9/ o* the Rules o* Court) persons
who) thou,h o* soun' -in' but b+ reason o* a,e) 'isease)
wea: -in' or other si-ilar causes are incapable o* ta:in,
care o* the-sel=es an' their propert+ without outsi'e ai')
are consi'ere' as inco-petents who -a+ properl+ be
place' un'er ,uar'ianship. 4he R4C an' the CA both
*oun' that Lulu was incapable o* ta:in, care o* hersel*
an' her properties without outsi'e ai' 'ue to her ail-ents
an' wea: -in'. 4hus) since 'eter-inin, whether or not
Lulu is in *act an inco-petent woul' re;uire a
ree7a-ination o* the e=i'ence presente' in the courts "
@3o- it un'oubte'l+ in=ol=es ;uestions o* *act.
2. Si-ilarl+) we see no co-pellin, reason to re=erse the trial
an' appellate courts. >n'in, as to the propriet+ o*
respon'entOs appoint-ent as the ?u'icial ,uar'ian o*
Lulu. Je there*ore aSr- her appoint-ent as such.
Conse;uentl+) respon'ent is tas:e' to care *or an' ta:e
*ull custo'+ o* Lulu) an' -ana,e her estate as well.
0. A writ o* h"(e") or23) e7ten's to all cases o* ille,al
con>ne-ent or 'etention or b+ which the ri,ht*ul custo'+
o* person is withhel' *ro- the one entitle'
thereto. Respon'ent) as the ?u'icial ,uar'ian o* Lulu) was
'ut+-boun' to care *or an' protect her war'. For her to
per*or- her obli,ation) respon'ent -ust ha=e custo'+ o*
Lulu. 4hus) she was entitle' to a writ o* h"(e")
or23) a*ter she was un'ul+ 'epri=e' o* the custo'+ o*
her war'.
IHERE:ORE) the petitions are hereb+ DENIED.
!etitioners are *urther-ore or'ere' to ren'er to respon'ent)
Lulu.s le,al ,uar'ian) an accurate an' *aith*ul accountin, o*
all the properties an' *un's the+ unlaw*ull+ appropriate' *or
the-sel=es *ro- the estate o* 1aria Lour'es San (uan
%ernan'eL) within thirt+ (33& 'a+s *ro- receipt o* this
'ecision. $* warrante') the proper co-plaints shoul' also be
>le' a,ainst the- *or an+ cri-inal liabilit+ in connection with
the 'issipation o* 1aria Lour'es San (uan %ernan'eL.s estate
an' her unlaw*ul ab'uction *ro- the custo'+ o* her le,al
,uar'ian.
8"$(l" *. Isis%#$ :l$#"s -1?/0;/<12
J&si'" 8"#"E
D3 T!" la6 #"A&i#"s a l"gal $# D&%i'ial g&a#%ian sin'" i
is !" '$nsang&in"$&s #"lai$n $# !" s$l"mni) $4
D&%i'ial a(($inm"n 6!i'! im(#"ss"s &($n !"
g&a#%ian !" l$4) (&#($s" $4 !is $N'" an% n$#mall)
%""#s !im 4#$m *i$laing is $+D"'i*"s.
D3 T!" g&a#%ian "n*isi$n"% +) la6 is a ("#s$n 6!$ !as
a l"gal #"lai$ns!i( 6i! a 6a#%. T!is #"lai$ns!i( ma)
+" "sa+lis!"% "i!"# +) +"ing !" 6a#%Os +i$l$gi'al
(a#"n -na&#al g&a#%ian2 $# +) a%$(i$n -l"gal
g&a#%ian2.
19 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
:ACTS3
1. AAA is a -inor o* less than 10 +ears o* a,e.
/. Flores is the ,uar'ian o* AAA. Flores an' his wi*e) ###)
ha=e been in custo'+ an' care o* AAA since she was 1
Z +ears ol'. ### is AAA.s a'opti=e -other.
3. Flores starte' rapin, AAA when she was 11 +ears ol'.
Jhen she was alrea'+ 12 +ears ol') she tol' 1ar=in) a
*rien') the horren'ous thin,s that Flores was 'oin, to
her. 4he -atter was reporte' to the baran,a+.
2. 4he R4C con=icte' Flores o* 1A1 counts o* rape. 5n
appeal) the CA *oun' Flores ,uilt+ o* onl+ / counts o*
rape. 4he CA too: con,niLance o* the ;uali*+in,
circu-stance o* -inorit+ A6D relationship stipulate' in
the pre-trialcon*erence thereb+ i-posin, a penalt+ o*
reclusion perpetua.
ISSUE3 J56 the CA erre' in ta:in, co,niLance o* the
;uali*+in, circu-stance o* relationship
HELD3 Qes
RATIO3
Althou,h it was stipulate' 'urin, the pre-trial
con*erence that Flores is the ,uar'ian o* AAA) such
a'-ission cannot be si-pl+ in=o:e' in or'er to consi'er
,uar'ianship as a ;uali*+in, circu-stance in the cri-e o*
rape. RAS56: KCircu-stances that ;uali*+ a cri-e an'
increase its penalt+ to 'eath cannot be sub?ect o* stipulation.
4he accuse' cannot be con'e-ne' to suCer the e7tre-e
penalt+ o* 'eath on the basis o* stipulations or a'-issions.
4his strict rule is warrante' b+ the ,ra=it+ an' irre=ersibilit+
o* capital punish-ent. 4o ?usti*+ the 'eath penalt+) the
prosecution -ust speci>call+ alle,e in the in*or-ation an'
pro=e 'urin, the trial the ;uali*+in, circu-stances o*
-inorit+ o* the =icti- an' her relationship to the oCen'er.K
Accor'in, to ?urispru'ence) a ,uar'ian -ust be a
person who has le,al relationship with his war'. 4he theor+
that a ,uar'ian -ust be le,all+ appointe' was >rst
enunciate' in the earl+ case o* Peo2'e &. De '" Cr3%. $n this
case) the court hel' that the wor' KtutorK (,uar'ian&
appearin, in article 322) -ust be ,i=en the sa-e -eanin, as
in section 001 o* the Co'e o* Ci=il !roce'ure) that is to sa+) a
,uar'ian le,all+ appointe' in accor'ance with the pro=isions
o* Chapter FFM$$ o* the Co'e o* Ci=il !roce'ure.
$n the case o* G"r!" the court hel' that the wor'
K,uar'ianK in the thir' para,raph o* Article 322 which is
-entione' to,ether with parents an' ,ran'parents o* the
oCen'e' part+ woul' ha=e a concept 'iCerent *ro- the
K,uar'ianK in the recent a-en'-ents o* Article 330 where he
is also -entione' in the co-pan+ o* parents an' ascen'ants
o* the =icti-. $n Article 322) the inclusion o* the ,uar'ian is
onl+ to in=est hi- with the power to si,n a sworn written
co-plaint to initiate the prosecution o* *our cri-es a,ainst
chastit+) while his inclusion in the enu-eration o* the
oCen'ers in Article 330 is to authoriLe the i-position o* the
'eath penalt+ on hi-. Jith -uch -ore reason) there*ore)
shoul' the restricti=e concept announce' in De la CruL) that
is) that he be a le,al or ?u'icial ,uar'ian) be re;uire' in the
latter article.
Althou,h the transcripts o* the procee'in,s in
Con,ress on this particular point

were not 'e>niti=e on the
concept o* K,uar'ian)Y the Court hel' that the law re;uires a
le,al or ?u'icial ,uar'ian since it is the consan,uineous
relation or the sole-nit+ o* ?u'icial appoint-ent which
/3 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
i-presses upon the ,uar'ian the lo*t+ purpose o* his oSce
an' nor-all+ 'eters hi- *ro- =iolatin, its ob?ecti=es. 4he
husban' o* an aunt) as in the case o* Flores) or an+ person
si-ilarl+ circu-stance' as a -ere custo'ian o* a war' or
anotherOs propert+ cannot be consi'ere' as a ,uar'ian
conte-plate' un'er Art. 330 o* the R!C. 4he >'uciar+
powers ,rante' to a real ,uar'ian warrant the e7actin,
sanctions shoul' he betra+ the trust.
$n results) there*ore) that appellant cannot be
consi'ere' as the ,uar'ian *allin, within the a-bit o* the
a-en'ator+ pro=ision intro'uce' b+ Republic Act 6o. 8@09.
%e woul' not *all either in the cate,or+ o* the Kco--on-law
spouse o* the parent o* the =icti-K in the sa-e enu-eration)
since his liaison is with respect to the aunt o* GAAAH. Since
both lo,ic an' *act con?ointl+ 'e-onstrate that he is actuall+
onl+ a custo'ian) that is) a -ere careta:er o* the chil'ren
o=er who- he e7ercises a li-ite' 'e,ree o* authorit+ *or a
te-porar+ perio') the court re*raine' *ro- i-posin, the
'eath penalt+ conte-plate' *or a real ,uar'ian un'er the
a-en'-ents intro'uce' b+ Republic Act 6o. 8@09) since he
'oes not >t into that cate,or+.
Peo2'e &. De '" C3e)t" a'here' to G"r!" when it rule'
that the -ere *act that the -other as:e' the accuse' to loo:
a*ter her chil' while she was awa+ 'i' not constitute the
relationship o* ,uar'ian-war' as conte-plate' b+ law.
G"r!" was *urther applie' b+ analo,+ in Peo2'e &.
De'"$t"r where it was hel' that the K,uar'ianK en=isione' in
Section 31(c& o* Republic Act 6o. 8@13 is a person who has a
le,al relationship with a war'. 4he Court hel' that the correct
construction o* a wor' or phrase susceptible o* =arious
-eanin,s -a+ be -a'e clear an' speci>c b+ consi'erin, the
co-pan+ o* wor's in which it is *oun' or with which it is
associate'. Section 31(c& o* R.A. 6o. 8@13 contains a listin,
o* the circu-stances o* relationship between the perpetrator
an' the =icti- which will ?usti*+ the i-position o* the
-a7i-u- penalt+) na-el+ when the perpetrator is an
Kascen'ant) parent) ,uar'ian) stepparent or collateral
relati=e within the secon' 'e,ree o* consan,uinit+ or
aSnit+.K $t shoul' be note' that the wor's with which
K,uar'ianK is associate' in the pro=ision all 'enote a le,al
relationship.
4here*ore) the ,uar'ian en=isione' b+ law is a person
who has a le,al relationship with a war'. 4his relationship
-a+ be establishe' either b+ bein, the war'.s biolo,ical
parent (natural ,uar'ian& or b+ a'option (le,al ,uar'ian&.
Flores is neither AAA.s biolo,ical parent nor is he AAA.s
a'opti=e *ather. Clearl+) appellant is not the K,uar'ianK
conte-plate' b+ law. %ence) the CA erre' in ta:in,
co,niLance o* the ;uali*+in, circu-stance o* relationship.
UY V. CA -<</0=/01112
D3 C$ns"A&"nl), a s($&s" 6!$ %"si#"s $ s"ll #"al
(#$("#) as s&'! a%minis#a$# $4 !" '$nD&gal
(#$("#) m&s $+s"#*" !" (#$'"%&#" 4$# !" sal" $4
!" 6a#%Os "sa" #"A&i#"% $4 D&%i'ial g&a#%ians &n%"#
R&l" =;, <=.C R"*is"% R&l"s $4 C$&#, n$ !"
s&mma#) D&%i'ial (#$'""%ings &n%"# !" :amil) C$%".
1. Dr. (ar'eleLa suCere' a stro:e which le*t hi-
co-atose) thus 'epri=in, hi- o* his -ental an'
ph+sical capacit+. "pon learnin, that there are se=eral
real properties that are about to be sol' (all o* which
/1 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
are owne' b+ Dr. (ar'eleLa&) his son 4eo'oro >le' a
petition *or the issuance o* the letter o* ,uar'ianship
o* his *ather. %e pra+e' *or the issuance o* the letters
o* ,uar'ianship in *a=our o* his -other) Gil'a
/. Gil'a also >le' a petition *or the 'eclaration o*
incapacit+ o* Dr. (ar'eleLa) a'-inistration o* con?u,al
properties) an' authorit+ to sell the properties. She
a=erre' that the court shoul' ,rant her petition in
or'er *or her to pa+ the increasin, hospital bills o* her
husban' (who is con>e' in the $C" o* $loilo Doctos
%ospital&
3. 4he R4C issue' a notice *or hearin,) hear' the witness
presente' b+ Gil'a) an' ,rante' the petition. As such)
a propert+ was sol' to 4eo'oro.s sister an' her
husban' (petitioner "+& *or A -illion pesos. "pon
learnin, that the petition has been ,rante') 4eo'oro
>le' an opposition. %e sai' that here is no nee' to sell
the sai' properties since the balance in the hospital
can be sub?ect o* an [oC setY because Dr. (ar'eleLa is a
stoc: owner o* the sai' hospital. Further) / o* the
'octors treatin, hi- are his sons an' 'o not char,e *or
their ser=ices
2. 4eo'oro also >le' a -otion *or reconsi'eration
conten'in, that the proper re-e'+ in this case is *or a
petition *or ,uar'ianship procee'in,s an' not a
petition *or a'-inistration o* con?u,al properties. As
such) the case cannot be hear' un'er the rules o*
su--ar+ procee'in, as state' in Art /03 o* the Fa-il+
Co'e. 4eo'oro also conten'e' that the pro=ision that
his -other was in=o:in, (Art 1/2& co-es un'er
Chapter / o* the Fa-il+ Co'e which is un'er the
hea'in, [Separation in Fact #etween %usban' an'
Ji*eY which conte-plates a situation where both
spouses are o* 'isposin, -in'. %ence) 4eo'oro ar,ues
that i* one spouse is un'er a co-atose) the sai'
pro=ision D5 654 appl+
0. 4he R4C rule' in *a=our o* Gil'a. 4he CA re=erse' this
'ecision an' rule' in *a=our o* 4eo'oro statin, that Art
1/2 o* the *a-il+ co'e cannot be applie' in the sai'
case
ISSUE3 J56 Gil'a (ar'eleLa -a+ assu-e sole powers o*
a'-inistration o* the con?u,al propert+ un'er Article 1/2 o*
the Fa-il+ Co'e an' 'ispose o* a parcel o* lan' with its
i-pro=e-ents with the appro=al o* the court) which appro=al
was obtaine' in a su--ar+ procee'in,s
HELD3 6o) the SC
RATIO3
1. Article 1/2 o* the Fa-il+ Co'e pro=i'es as *ollows:
[%&'. 124. 'he administration and en#oyment of the con#ugal
partnership property shall belong to both spouses #ointly. (n case
of disagreement, the husband)s decision shall prevail, sub#ect to
recourse to the court by the wife for a proper remedy which must
be availed of within !ve years from the date of the contract
implementing such decision.
*(n the event that one spouse is incapacitated or otherwise unable
to participate in the administration of the con#ugal properties, the
other spouse may assume sole powers of administration. 'hese
powers do not include the powers of disposition or encumbrance
which must have the authority of the court or the written consent
of the other spouse. (n the absence of such authority or consent,
the disposition or encumbrance shall be void. +owever, the
transaction shall be construed as a continuing oer on the part of
the consenting spouse and the third person, and may be perfected
as a binding contract upon the acceptance by the other spouse or
// A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
authorization by the court before the oer is withdrawn by either
or both oerors. ,1-$a../
/. $n re,ular -anner) the rules on su--ar+ ?u'icial
procee'in,s un'er the Fa-il+ Co'e ,o=ern the
procee'in,s un'er Article 1/2 o* the Fa-il+ Co'e. 4he
situation conte-plate' is one where the spouse is absent)
or separate' in *act or has aban'one' the other or
consent is withhel' or cannot be obtaine'. Such rules 'o
not appl+ to cases where the non-consentin, spouse is
incapacitate' or inco-petent to ,i=e consent. $n this
case) the trial court *oun' that the sub?ect spouse Kis an
inco-petentK who was in co-atose or se-i-co-atose
con'ition) a =icti- o* stro:e) cerebro=ascular acci'ent)
without -otor an' -ental *aculties) an' with a 'ia,nosis
o* brain ste- in*arct.
3. $n such case) the proper re-e'+ is a ?u'icial
,uar'ianship procee'in,s un'er Rule 93 o* the 19@2 Re=ise'
Rules o* Court. =en assu-in, that the rules o* su--ar+
?u'icial procee'in,s un'er the Fa-il+ Co'e -a+ appl+ to the
wi*eOs a'-inistration o* the con?u,al propert+) the law
pro=i'es that the wi*e who assu-es sole powers o*
a'-inistration has the sa-e powers an' 'uties as a ,uar'ian
un'er the Rules o* Court
2. Conse;uentl+) a spouse who 'esires to sell real
propert+ as such a'-inistrator o* the con?u,al propert+ -ust
obser=e the proce'ure *or the sale o* the war'.s estate
re;uire' o* ?u'icial ,uar'ians un'er Rule 90) 19@2 Re=ise'
Rules o* Court) not the su--ar+ ?u'icial procee'in,s un'er
the Fa-il+ Co'e. $n the case at bar) the trial court 'i' not
co-pl+ with the proce'ure un'er the Re=ise' Rules o* Court.
$n'ee') the trial court 'i' not e=en obser=e the re;uire-ents
o* the su--ar+ ?u'icial procee'in,s un'er the Fa-il+ Co'e.
4hus) the trial court 'i' not ser=e notice o* the petition to the
incapacitate' spouseE it 'i' not re;uire hi- to show cause
wh+ the petition shoul' not be ,rante'
0. 4he SC a,ree' with the CA that absent an opportunit+
to be hear') the 'ecision ren'ere' b+ the trial court is =oi'
*or lac: o* 'ue process. 4he 'octrine consistentl+ a'here' to
b+ this Court is that a 'enial o* 'ue process suSces to cast
on the oScial act ta:en b+ whate=er branch o* the
,o=ern-ent the i-press o* nullit+.
Cabales =s. CA
ADO8TION
DSID *. J&%g" An$ni$ 9"l"n ->/<?/<==>2
D3 -S"" Rai$ < H 02 In #"lai$n $ A#i'l" @@ $4 8D .1@3
8&#s&an $ Ci#'&la# N$. <0, !" (#$("# '$&#s" !a
#"s($n%"n D&%g" s!$&l% !a*" aL"n 6as $ n$i4) !"
DSID a !" $&s" a+$& !" '$mm"n'"m"n $4 !"
s("'ial (#$'""%ing 4$# a%$(i$n s$ !a !"
'$##"s($n%ing 'as" s&%) '$&l% !a*" +""n a''$#%ingl)
'$n%&'"% +) sai% %"(a#m"n 6!i'! &n%$&+"%l) !as
!" n"'"ssa#) '$m(""n'", m$#" !an !a ($ss"ss"%
+) !" '$&# s$'ial 6"l4a#" $N'"#, $ maL" !" (#$("#
#"'$mm"n%ai$n
:a's3
/3 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
1. Spouses Desi'erio Soriano an' Aurora #ernar'o-
Soriano) both o* who- are naturaliLe' A-erican
citiLens) >le' a =eri>e' petition *or a'option o* their
niece) the -inor Xhe'ell #ernar'o $bea
/. 4he special procee'in, *or a'option was assi,ne' to
#ranch 3A R4C o* Lin,a+en (u',e Antonio #elen who
,rante' the petition >n'in, that petitioner spouses
were hi,hl+ ;uali>e' to a'opt the chil' as their own
3. A-on, other e=i'ence a''uce' be*ore hi-)
respon'ent ?u',e base' his 'ecree pri-aril+ on the
[>n'in,s an' reco--en'ation o* the DSJD that the
a'optin, parents on the one han' an' the a'optee on
the other han' ha=e alrea'+ 'e=elope' lo=e an'
e-otional attach-ent an' parentin, rules ha=e been
'e-onstrate' to the -inor.Y
2. 5n these consi'erations) respon'ent ?u',e 'eci'e'
an' procee'e' to 'ispense with trial custo'+. Sai'
DSJD >n'in,s an' reco--en'ations) as respon'ent
?u',e asserte' in his ?u',-ent) are containe' in the
[A'opti=e %o-e Stu'+ ReportY an' [Chil' Stu'+
ReportY prepare' b+ the local oSce o* the DSJD
throu,h respon'ent l-a !. Me'aUa
0. %owe=er) when the -inor Xhe'ell #ernar'o $bea
sou,ht to obtain the re;uisite tra=el clearance *ro-
the DSJD in or'er to ?oin her a'opti=e parents in the
"nite' States) the 'epart-ent unco=ere' what it
consi'ere' as an ano-alous a'option 'ecree
re,ar'in, sai' -inor
@. $t turne' out that the DSJD 'i' not ha=e an+ recor' in
its >les re,ar'in, the a'option an' that there was
ne=er an+ or'er *ro- respon'ent ?u',e *or the DSJD
to con'uct a [%o-e an' Chil' Stu'+ ReportY in the
case
8. Further-ore) there was no 'irecti=e *ro- respon'ent
?u',e *or the social wel*are oScer o* the lower court to
coor'inate with the DSJD on the -atter o* the
re;uire' reports *or sai' -inor.s a'option
A. As the a'option ne=er passe' throu,h DSJD) this
a'-inistrati=e co-plaint was initiate' b+ CoraLon 1.
La+u,) Social Jel*are 5Scer $M o* DSJD a,ainst
respon'ent (u',e char,in, hi- with =iolatin, Article
33 o* !D @33 (4he Chil' an' Qouth Jel*are Co'e& which
re;uires that petitions *or a'option shall be ,rante'
onl+ a*ter DSJD has con'ucte' an' sub-itte' a case
stu'+ o* a'optee) the natural parents an' the a'opti=e
parents an' o* =iolatin, Circular 6o. 1/
9. 4he co-plaint also char,es respon'ent l-a !. Me'aUa
o* 'isre,ar'in, the pro=isions o* Circular 6o. 1/ also. $t
was also alle,e' b+ the DSJD that respon'ent l-a
as:e' *or an un'isclose' a-ount o* -one+ *ro- the
a'optin, parents in or'er to e7pe'ite the a'option
case with DSJD
13.$n the 1
st
in'orse-ent o* this co-plaint to the 5Sce o*
the Court A'-inistrator (5CA&) 5CA re;uire'
respon'ent to co--ent on the letter-co-plaint o*
DSJD
11.Respon'ent ?u',e) in co-pliance therewith) clai-e'
that:
a& %e 'irecte' respon'ent Me'aUa to con'uct the
ho-e an' case stu'+) an' therea*ter sub-it the
re;uire' reports thereon) precisel+ because the
sa-e are a-on, her 'uties un'er the 1anual *or
Cler:s o* Court
b& Since these *unctions were so pro=i'e' to be
per*or-e' b+ her) there was no nee' *or hi- to
or'er sai' respon'ent social wel*are oScer to
coor'inate with the DSJD as he assu-e' that it
was routine proce'ure *or her to 'o so
c& 7cept onl+ *or 'irect coor'ination with the DSJD
in the preparation o* sai' reports) no appro=al *ro-
/2 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
the DSJD is necessar+ *or the ho-e an' case
stu'+ reports an' it nee' not be *urnishe'
therewith
'& %e base' his a'option 'ecree not onl+ on the
reco--en'ations o* respon'ent Me'aUa but also
upon all the other e=i'ence sub-itte' in the
a'option procee'in,
1/.5CA reco--en'e' that respon'ent be
a'-inistrati=el+ pushe' *or =iolatin, Circular 6o. 1/
an' Article 33 o* !D@33
13.Respon'ent l-a) on the other han') was as:e' to
e7plain her *ailure to coor'inate with DSJD in the
preparation o* the pertinent reports an' to co--ent
on the alle,ation that she as:e' *or -one+ *ro- the
a'optin, parents
12.$n her co--ent) respon'ent Me'aUa pointe' out that
there ne=er was an+ 'irecti=e *ro- respon'ent ?u',e
*or her to coor'inate with the DSJD concernin, the
a'option in ;uestion. She was onl+ or'ere' to con'uct
the case stu'+ an' sub-it her report thereon to the
court at least one wee: be*ore the initial hearin, o* the
case) as was also the practice in the other Re,ional
4rial Courts. She Natl+ 'enie' that she e=er as:e' *or
-one+ *ro- the prospecti=e a'opti=e parents o* the
-inor Xhe'ell #ernar'o $bea
10.5n 6o=e-ber /8) 199@) SC re*erre' the case to 5CA
*or e=aluation) report an' reco--en'ation.
4herea*ter) sai' oSce reiterate' the *act that
respon'ent ?u',e 'e>nitel+ ren'ere' the a'option
'ecree in 'ero,ation o* Article 33 o* !D @33 an' o*
Circular 6o. 1/
1@.A''itionall+) while the act o* corruption attribute' to
her was not pro=e') respon'ent Me'aUa) on her part)
li:ewise *aile' to co-pl+ with the re;uire-ent in
Circular 6o. 1/ that she shoul' ha=e coor'inate' with
the DSJD in connection with the preparation o* the
ho-e an' case stu'+ reports
Iss&"3 Jhether or not respon'ents are ,uilt+ o* =iolatin,
Article 33 o* !D @33 an' Circular 6o. 1/
H"l%3 Qeeeeeeees
Rai$3
1. Article 33 o* the Chil' an' Qouth Jel*are Co'e pro=i'es
in no uncertain ter-s that:
[6o petition *or a'option shall be ,rante' unless the
Depart-ent o* Social Jel*are) or the Social Jor: an'
Counsellin, Di=ision) in case o* (u=enile an' Do-estic
Relations Courts) has -a'e a case stu'+ o* the chil' to be
a'opte') his natural parents as well as the prospecti=e
a'optin, parents) an' has sub-itte' its report an'
reco--en'ations on the -atter to the court hearin, such
petition. 4he Depart-ent o* Social Jel*are shall inter=ene on
behal* o* the chil' i* it >n's) a*ter such case stu'+) that the
petition shoul' be 'enie'.Y
/. Circular 6o. 1/) as a co-ple-entar+ -easure) was
issue' b+ this Court precisel+ to ob=iate the
-ishan'lin, o* a'option cases b+ ?u',es) particularl+
in respect to the a*ore-entione' case stu'+ to be
con'ucte' in accor'ance with Article 33 o* !resi'ential
Decree 6o. @33 b+ the DSJD itsel* an' in=ol=in, the
chil' to be a'opte') its natural parents) an' the
a'optin, parents. $t 'e>niti=el+ 'irects Re,ional 4rial
Courts hearin, a'option cases:
K(1& to 654$FQ the 1inistr+ o* Social Ser=ices an'
De=elop-ent) thru its local a,enc+) o* the >lin, o* a'option
cases or the pen'enc+ thereo* with respect to those cases
alrea'+ >le'E
/0 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
(/& to strictl+ C51!LQ with the re;uire-ent in Article 33 o*
the a*oresai' 'ecree 7 7 7
777
4he StaC Assistant M (Social Jor:er& o* the Re,ional 4rial
Courts) i* an+) shall coor'inate with the 1inistr+ o* Social
Ser=ices an' De=elop-ent representati=es in the preparation
an' sub-ittal o* such case stu'+. 7 7 7Y
3. 4he error on the part o* both respon'ent ?u',e an'
social wor:er is thus all too e=i'ent. !ursuant to
Circular 6o. 1/) the proper course that respon'ent
?u',e shoul' ha=e ta:en was to noti*+ the DSJD at the
outset about the co--ence-ent o* the special
procee'in, *or a'option so that the correspon'in,
case stu'+ coul' ha=e been accor'in,l+ con'ucte' b+
sai' 'epart-ent which un'oubte'l+ has the necessar+
co-petence) -ore than that possesse' b+ the court
social wel*are oScer) to -a:e the proper
reco--en'ation
2. 1oreo=er) respon'ent ?u',e shoul' ne=er ha=e -erel+
presu-e' that it was routinar+ *or the social wel*are
oScer to coor'inate with the DSJD re,ar'in, the
a'option procee'in,s. $t was his 'ut+ to e7ercise
caution an' to see to it that such coor'ination was
obser=e' in the a'option procee'in,s) to,ether with
all the other re;uire-ents o* the law
0. #+ respon'ent.s *ailure to 'o so) he -a+ well ha=e
wittin,l+ or unwittin,l+ place' in ?eopar'+ the wel*are
an' *uture o* the chil' whose a'option was un'er
consi'eration
@. A'option) a*ter all) is in a lar,e -easure a le,al 'e=ice
b+ which a better *uture -a+ be accor'e' an
un*ortunate chil' li:e Xhe'ell #ernar'o $bea in this
case
8. 4rea'in, on e;uall+ sensiti=e le,al terrain) the social
wel*are oScer concerne') respon'ent l-a !. Me'aUa)
arro,ate' unto hersel* a -atter that pertaine'
e7clusi=el+ to the DSJD) her tas: bein, to coor'inate
with the DSJD in the preparation an' sub-ission o*
the rele=ant case stu'+ reports) an' not to -a:e the
sa-e an' reco--en' b+ hersel* the *acts on which
the court was to act
A. 4he Co'e o* (u'icial Con'uct re;uires that a -a,istrate
shoul' be the e-bo'i-ent o*) a-on, other 'esirable
characteristics) ?u'icial co-petence. $t nee' not be
stresse' here that a-on, the pri-e 'uties to which a
?u',e o* the law -ust e=er be *aith*ul is that o* bein,
abreast with the law an' ?urispru'ence) since) as has
so o*ten been a'=ance') the a'-inistration o* ?ustice
re;uires the continuous stu'+ o* law an'
?urispru'ence.G@H Respon'ent ?u',e has ob=iousl+ not
been able to achie=e the le=el o* this e7pectation
9. $n li:e -anner) respon'ent l-a !. Me'aUa has
i-pru'entl+ acte' be+on' the boun's an' strictures o*
her 'uties as a Social Jel*are 5Scer $$ o* the Re,ional
4rial Court. As an e-plo+ee o* a court o* ?ustice) she
shoul' ha=e been well aware not onl+ o* the scope o*
her 'uties an' responsibilities but that she shoul'
ha=e li:ewise been *a-iliar with current laws) rules
an' re,ulations pertinent to her position as such social
wel*are oScer. #+ her -is*easance) she has
co-pro-ise' the prescribe' process in the
a'-inistration o* ?ustice in procee'in,s such as the
one un'er consi'eration
13.SC howe=er *oun' that respon'ent ?u',e acte' in ,oo'
*aith when he state' in the 'ecision that the DJSD
sub-itte' the re;uire' reports throu,h respon'ent
Me'ana presu-abl+ in the belie* that it was stan'ar'
/@ A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
proce'ure *or Me'ana to 'o so in coor'ination with
DSJD
11.SC also a,ree' with 5CA.s >n'in, that there is no
e=i'ence that respon'ent l-a Me'aUa sou,ht to
obtain an+ a-ount *ro- the a'optin, parents. $n *act)
this is belie' b+ the aS'a=it o the chil'.s natural
-other) Loreta $bea
1/.4hus) SC were incline' to a'opt a liberal =iew on the
char,es a,ainst respon'ent. (u',e #elen is C6S"RD
*or =iolatin, Article 33 o* !D @33 an' Circular 6o. 1/
an' respon'ent l-a !. Me'aUa is R!R$1A6DD *or
=iolatin, Circular 6o. 1/
An$n)m$&s * Emma C&#am"n -./<?/01<12
D3 +i#! '"#i7'a", +"ing a (&+li' %$'&m"n, s"#*"s
as prima facie "*i%"n'" $4 7liai$n. T!" maLing $4 a
4als" sa"m"n !"#"in '$nsi&"s %is!$n"s) an%
4alsi7'ai$n $4 a (&+li' %$'&m"n
J&si'" Ca#(#i$
:a's3
1. 4his is an a'-inistrati=e case >le' a,ainst 11A
C"RA16) a court interpreter in 14C RiLal in 6ue=a
ci?a *or *alsi>cation o* 'ocu-ents
/. 5Sce o* the Court A'-inistrator (5CA& recei=e' an
anon+-ous co-plaint char,in, C"RA16 with
*alsi>cation o* a public 'ocu-ent an' si-ulation o*
birth. Co-plaint alle,e' that C"RA16 re,istere' the
birth o* a chil' suppose'l+ na-e' Rica 1ae #al'ona'o
Cura-en in the local ci=il re,istr+ o* RiLal)
6ue=a ci?a. An' -isrepresente' that she (C"RA16&
was the chil'.s biolo,ical -other an' her husban')
Ricar'o Cura-en) was the biolo,ical *ather.
a. Co-plainant clai-e' C"RA16 was) in *act) the
chil'.s -aternal ,ran'-other.
b. Co-plainant sub-itte' the chil'.s ori,inal birth
certi>cate to show that the chil'.s real na-e was
Rinea 1ae Cura-en A;uino an' that her parents
were spouses 5l,a 1ae #al'ona'o Cura-en A;uino
an' (un A;uino.
c. Accor'in, to co-plainant) C"RA16 inclu'e' the
chil' as a''itional 'epen'ent in her inco-e ta7
'eclaration.
3. $n his Report) 7ecuti=e (u',e Ro'ri,o S. CAS!$LL5 o*
R4C Cabanatuan Cit+ =eri>e': a& that Rinea 1ae
Cura-en A;uino an' Rica 1ae #al'ona'o Cura-en
were the sa-e chil' an' that b& the chil' was) in *act)
C"RA16.s ,ran''au,hter.
a. $t appers that 5l,a (C"RA16.s 'au,hter& ,a=e
birth to a chil' na-e' Rinea 1ae Cura-en A;uino.
4he *act o* birth was re,istere' in the Ci=il Re,istr+
o* Cabanatuan Cit+. 4he birth certi>cate in'icate'
that the chil'.s parents were 5l,a 1ae #al'ona'o
Cura-en an' (un A;uino.
b. Later on) C"RA16 e7ecute' an aS'a=it *or
'ela+e' re,istration o* the alle,e' birth o* her
chil'. C"RA16 clai-e' that her suppose' chil'
was born on 33 6o=e-ber /330.
c. C"RA16.s application was ,i=en 'ue course an'
the suppose' birth was re,istere' in the Ci=il
Re,istr+ o* RiLal) 6ue=a ci?a. 4his secon' birth
certi>cate o* the chil' in'icate' that the chil'.s
parents were respon'ent an' her husban'.
/8 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
2. C"RA16 a'-itte' that the real parents o* the chil'
were spouses A;uino. %owe=er she clai-e' that the
parents) bein, une-plo+e') were unable to support
the-sel=es let alone their chil'. She asserte' that the
chil'.s parents actuall+ 'epen'e' on her an' her
husban' *or support. Accor'in, to C"RA16 it was the
chil'.s parents the-sel=es who propose' to re,ister
the birth o* the chil' anew. C"RA16 insiste' she ha'
no intention to conceal the true i'entit+ o* the chil'
an' ?usti>e' her act as an e7a-ple o* a co--on
practice a-on, Filipinos to e7ten' help to *a-il+
-e-bers. As to the alle,e' *alsi>cation o* her inco-e
ta7 return) respon'ent 'enie' listin, the chil' as
a''itional 'epen'ent.
0. 5CA: *oun' C"RA16 ,uilt+ o* con'uct pre?u'icial to
the best interest o* the ser=ice as C"RA16.s act
create' a ne,ati=e i-pression in the -in's o* the
public that court oScials coul' =iolate the law with
i-punit+. As *or the alle,e' *alsi>cation o*
respon'ent.s inco-e ta7 return) the 5CA *oun' no
e=i'ence that respon'ent clai-e' the chil' as
a''itional 'epen'ent. 5CA reco--en'e' she be
suspen'e' *ro- the ser=ice *or @ -onths an' one 'a+
$ssue: Jhether 5CA was correctI
%el': Qes
Ratio:
1. *alsi>cation inco-e ta7 return: Court >n's no e=i'ence
on recor' showin, that C"RA16 liste' the chil'
as a''itional 'epen'ent.
A. C"RA16 presente' a certi>cation issue' b+ the
1unicipal Social Jel*are an' De=elop-ent 5Sce as
well as her inco-e ta7 returns *or ta7able +ears
/330 an' /33@ to pro=e that the onl+ 'epen'ent
she clai-e' was her 93-+ear ol' *ather) Ra*ael
#al'ona'o.
/. *alsi>cation o* the chil'.s birth certi>cate: Court >n's
her ,uilt+
A. R"L: A birth certi>cate) bein, a public 'ocu-ent)
ser=es as 2r!*" f"!e e=i'ence o* >liation. 4he
-a:in, o* a *alse state-ent therein constitutes
'ishonest+ an' *alsi>cation o* a public 'ocu-ent.
#. R"L: Jhen public 'ocu-ents are *alsi>e') the
intent to in?ure a thir' person nee' not be present
because the principal thin, punishe' is the
=iolation o* the public *aith an' the 'estruction o*
the truth the 'ocu-ent proclai-s
i. %ence) C"RA16 cannot escape liabilit+ b+
clai-in, that she 'i' not ha=e an+ intention
to conceal the i'entit+ o* the chil' nor cause
the loss o* an+ trace as to the chil'.s true
>liation to the chil'.s pre?u'ice.
C. C"RA16.s ?usti>cation *or her act R that the true
parents o* the chil' are unable to support the chil'
as the+ are *ull+ 'epen'ent on respon'ent *or their
own support R is an aCront to co--on sense.
i. $t ta7es one.s i-a,ination how conceal-ent
o* the chil'.s true parents) throu,h
*alsi>cation o* the chil'.s birth certi>cate) will
-a:e it easier *or respon'ent to support the
chil'. C"RA16 can =er+ well continue
supportin, the chil' as her own) as is the
practice in Filipino *a-ilies) without ha=in, to
ta-per with the chil'.s birth certi>cate.
3. Dishonest+ is 'e>ne' as intentionall+ -a:in, a *alse
state-ent on an+ -aterial *act in securin, one.s
e7a-ination) appoint-ent) or re,istration. Dishonest+
is a serious oCense which reNects a person.s character
an' e7poses the -oral 'eca+ which =irtuall+ 'estro+s
honor) =irtue) an' inte,rit+. $t is a -ale=olent act that
has no place in the ?u'iciar+) as no other oSce in the
/A A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
,o=ern-ent ser=ice e7acts a ,reater 'e-an' *or
-oral ri,hteousness *ro- an e-plo+ee than a position
in the ?u'iciar+.
A. 'ishonest+ has no place in the ?u'iciar+ an' the
Court will not hesitate to re-o=e *ro- a-on, its
ran:s those *oun' to be 'ishonest.
#. Section 0/) Rule F$M o* the 5-nibus Rules
$-ple-entin, #oo: M o* 7ecuti=e 5r'er 6o. /9/
an' 5ther !ertinent Ci=il Ser=ice Laws) 'ishonest+
an' *alsi>cation o* a public 'ocu-ent are
consi'ere' ,ra=e oCenses punishable b+ 'is-issal
*or the >rst oCense.
i. Dishonest+) in or'er to warrant 'is-issal)
nee' not be co--itte' in the course o* the
per*or-ance o* oScial 'uties. $* a
,o=ern-ent oScer is 'ishonest) e=en i* the
con'uct is not connecte' with the oScial
*unction) it aCects the 'iscipline an' -orale
o* the ser=ice. 4he ,o=ern-ent cannot
tolerate in its ser=ice a 'ishonest e-plo+ee)
e=en i* oScial 'uties are per*or-e' well.
C"RA16 cannot separate her pri=ate li*e as
a re,istrant o* the chil'.s *alse birth
certi>cate *ro- her public li*e as a court
oScial. She is sub?ect to 'iscipline the
-o-ent she co--its a 'ishonest act)
whether in her pri=ate li*e or in her public
li*e.
ii. %owe=er) the e7tre-e penalt+ o* 'is-issal
is not auto-aticall+ i-pose') especiall+
where -iti,atin, circu-stances
e7ist. Althou,h un'er the sche'ule o*
penalties a'opte' b+ the Ci=il Ser=ice)
'ishonest+ an' *alsi>cation o* a public
'ocu-ent are classi>e' as ,ra=e oCenses
punishable b+ 'is-issal) the *act that this is
respon'ent.s >rst oCense -a+ be consi'ere'
a -iti,atin, circu-stance in her *a=or. 4he
law re;uires that the -iti,atin, circu-stance
-ust >rst be plea'e' b+ the proper part+.
#ut in the interest o* substantial ?ustice) we
-a+ appreciate the -iti,atin, circu-stance
in the i-position o* penalt+) e=en i* not
raise' b+ C"RA16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
R$m&al%"E *s. Tigla$ -1>/0C/<=?<2
8$n"n"3 A+a% San$s
DOCTRINE3 O#iginal D&%gm"n +"'am" sal" +"'a&s" $4
is n$n,"5"'&i$n a4"# !" la(s" $4 7*" )"a#s.
A''$#%ingl), i 'ann$ +" (#"s"n"% agains !" Esa"
$4 :"lisa Tigla$ &nl"ss i is 7#s #"*i*"% +) a'i$n.
FAC4S:
11.5n 1arch 10) 19@3) !aL G. Ro-ual'eL an' others sue'
Antonio 4i,lao *or the pa+-ent o* unpai' rentals *or
the lease o* a hacien'a an' its su,ar ;uota.
1/. $nclu'e' in the suit were Felisa 4i,lao an' others who
ha' ,uarantee' the pa+-ent o* the rents ?ointl+ an'
se=erall+ with Antonio 4i,lao. 4he suit was 'oc:ete' as
Ci=il Case 6o. W-0300 o* the Court o* First $nstance o*
RiLal.
13.5n 1a+ 31) 19@3) a 'ecision was ren'ere' in *a=or o*
the plaintiCs (R51"ALDX& an' a,ainst the
'e*en'ants(4$GLA5&.
12.4he ?u',-ent was not satis>e' notwithstan'in, a writ
o* e7ecution to en*orce it.
10.Accor'in,l+) on 1a+ 1A) 1983) !aL G. Ro-ual'eL) et al.
>le' Ci=il Case 6o. W-122/2 in the CF$ o* RiLal a,ainst
/9 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s
JUDGE CALDONA
SPECIAL
PROCEEDINGS
Antonio 4i,lao an' his sureties in or'er to re=i=e the
?u',-ent abo=e ;uote'.
1@.$t shoul' be state' that when the suit to re=i=e
?u',-ent was >le') Felisa F. 4i,lao ha' 'ie' an' her
estate was bein, settle' in Special !roc. 6o. W-13831
o* the CF$ o* RiLal.
18.Accor'in,l+) the one who was -a'e 'e*en'ant was her
estate represente' b+ the Special A'-inistratri7
1anin,nin, 4i,lao-6a,uiat
1A.4he a'-inistratri7 ;uestione' the ?uris'iction o* the
court a ;uo to entertain the suit to re=i=e ?u',-ent.
She in=o:e' Sec. 1 o* Rule A8 o* the Rules o* Court
that) K6o action upon a clai- *or the reco=er+ o*
-one+ or 'ebt or interest thereon shall be co--ence'
a,ainst the e7ecutor or a'-inistrator.Y
19.4he trial court ren'ere' a 'ecision in *a=or o* the
plaintiCs (R51"ALDX& or'erin, the re=i=al o* the
?u',-ent o* Ci=il Case 6o. 0300.
/3.4he state o* Felisa 4i,lao >le' a separate appeal
which is the present case.
$SS": Jhether the trial court erre' in its or'er in
re=i=in, the ?u',-ent o* Ci=il Case 6o. 0300.
%LD: 65
RA4$5:
4he ori,inal ?u',-ent which was ren'ere' on 1a+ 31)
19@3) has beco-e stale because o* its non-e7ecution
a*ter the lapse o* >=e +ears. (Sec. @) Rule 39 o* the
Rules o* Court.& Accor'in,l+) it cannot be presente'
a,ainst the state o* Felisa 4i,lao unless it is >rst
re=i=e' b+ action.
4his is precisel+ wh+ the appellees ha=e institute' the
secon' suit whose ob?ect is not to -a:e the state o*
Felisa 4i,lao pa+ the su-s o* -one+ a'?u',e' in the
>rst ?u',-ent but -erel+ to :eep ali=e sai' ?u',-ent
so that the su-s therein awar'e' can be presente' as
clai-s a,ainst the estate in Special !roc. 6o. W-13831
o* the Court o* First $nstance o* RiLal.
S"(a#a" O(ini$ns -J&si'" AA&in$, C$n'&##ing2
4he ?u',-ent cre'itors ha' no alternati=e but to >le
an action *or re=i=al o* ?u',-ent to pre=ent its
e7tin,uish-ent b+ prescription. $t is true that) as a
,eneral rule) Kno action upon a clai- *or the reco=er+
o* -one+ or 'ebt or interest thereon shall be
co--ence' a,ainst the e7ecutor or a'-inistratorK
because the cre'itorOs re-e'+ is to >le the proper
clai- in the procee'in, *or the settle-ent o* the
'ecease' 'ebtorOs estate within the perio' >7e' in the
Statute o* 6on clai-s (Secs. / an' 0) Rule A@ an' sec.
1) Rule A8) Rules o* Court&. #ut the instant case)
because o* the sin,ular circu-stances recounte'
abo=e) is an e7ception to that ,eneral rule.
33 A% as#a ("# alia 7%"l"s

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