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yesSUCCESSION
Legend:
T Senator Tolentino comments
B Professor Balane comments
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Definition and Concepts
Art. 774. Succession is a moe of ac!uisition "# $irtue of
%&ic& t&e 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts an o"li)ations to t&e e*tent of t&e
$alue of t&e in&eritance( of a 'erson are transmitte t&rou)&
&is eat& to anot&er or ot&ers eit&er "# &is %ill or "#
o'eration of la%. +n,
Art. 7-.. O%ners&i' is ac!uire "# occu'ation an "#
intellectual creation.
O%ners&i' an ot&er real ri)&ts o$er 'ro'ert# are ac!uire
an transmitte "# la%( "# onation( "# estate an intestate
succession( an in conse!uence of certain contracts( "#
traition.
T&e# ma# also "e ac!uire "# means of 'rescri'tion.
Art. -/--. 0ontracts ta1e effect onl# "et%een t&e 'arties(
t&eir assi)ns an &eirs( e*ce't in case %&ere t&e ri)&ts an
o"li)ations arisin) from t&e contract are not transmissi"le "#
t&eir nature( or "# sti'ulation or "# 'ro$ision of la%. The heir
is not liale eyond the !al"e of the property he recei!ed
fro# the decedent.
If a contract s&oul contain some sti'ulation in fa$or of a t&ir
'erson( &e ma# eman its fulfillment 'ro$ie &e
communicate &is acce'tance to t&e o"li)or "efore its
re$ocation. A mere inciental "enefit or interest of a 'erson is
not sufficient. T&e contractin) 'arties must &a$e clearl# an
eli"eratel# conferre a fa$or u'on a t&ir 'erson.
$"nda#ental Changes in the NCC in line %ith the
p"rpose of Sociali&ation
-. T&e sur$i$in) s'ouse is )i$en a "etter status in terms of
succession to t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease &us"an( &er ri)&t
to t&e 'ro'ert# %as im'ro$e from a mere usufruct to full
o%ners&i'.
.. T&e ille)itimate c&ilren are no% )i$en successional ri)&ts
unli1e t&e ol ci$il coe %&ic& oes not. 2urt&er( t&e
ille)itimate c&il3s mot&er or fat&er not relate "# "loo &as a
c&ance of in&eritin)( t&us( furt&erin) t&e 'ur'ose of
sociali4ation 're$entin) a t&e 'ro'ert# from sta#in) %it&in t&e
same famil#.
/. T&e Le)itime of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs is increase from -5/
to 6
4. T&e free 'ortion of t&e estate of t&e ecease is li1e%ise
increase.
B. S"'ects of S"ccession
(. )ho are the s"'ects*
The Decedent
Art. 777. In t&is Title( 8eceent8 is t&e )eneral term a''lie
to t&e 'erson %&ose 'ro'ert# is transmitte t&rou)&
succession( %&et&er or not &e left a %ill. If &e left a %ill( &e is
also calle t&e testator.
The +eir, de!isee, Legatee
Art. 79.. An &eir is a 'erson calle to t&e succession eit&er
"# t&e 'ro$ision of a %ill or "# o'eration of la%.
:e$isees an le)atees are 'ersons to %&om )ifts of real an
'ersonal 'ro'ert# are res'ecti$el# )i$en "# $irtue of a %ill.
Art. 997. T&e follo%in) are com'ulsor# &eirs;
+-, Le)itimate c&ilren an escenants( %it& res'ect to t&eir
le)itimate 'arents an ascenants<
+., In efault of t&e fore)oin)( le)itimate 'arents an
ascenants( %it& res'ect to t&eir le)itimate c&ilren an
escenants<
+/, T&e %io% or %io%er<
+4, Ac1no%le)e natural c&ilren( an natural c&ilren "#
le)al fiction<
+7, Ot&er ille)itimate c&ilren referre to in Article .97.
0om'ulsor# &eirs mentione in Nos. /( 4( an 7 are not
e*clue "# t&ose in Nos. - an .< neit&er o t&e# e*clue
one anot&er.
In all cases of ille)itimate c&ilren( t&eir filiation must "e ul#
'ro$e.
T&e fat&er or mot&er of ille)itimate c&ilren of t&e t&ree
classes mentione( s&all in&erit from t&em in t&e manner an
to t&e e*tent esta"lis&e "# t&is 0oe. +9=7a,
The Collateral -elati!es
Art. -==/. If t&ere are no escenants( ascenants(
ille)itimate c&ilren( or a sur$i$in) s'ouse( t&e collateral
relati$es s&all succee to t&e entire estate of t&e ecease in
accorance %it& t&e follo%in) articles. +>4?a,
Art. -==4. S&oul t&e onl# sur$i$ors "e "rot&ers an sisters
of t&e full "loo( t&e# s&all in&erit in e!ual s&ares. +>47,
Art. -==7. S&oul "rot&ers an sisters sur$i$e to)et&er %it&
ne'&e%s an nieces( %&o are t&e c&ilren of t&e
escenant@s "rot&ers an sisters of t&e full "loo( t&e former
s&all in&erit 'er ca'ita( an t&e latter 'er stir'es. In relation to
Article >77 %&ic& states Art. 975. When children of one
or more brothers or sisters of the deceased survive,
they shall inherit from the latter by representation,
if they survive with their uncles or aunts. But if they
alone survive, they shall inherit in equal portions.
Division per capita entails a division of
the estate into as many equal parts as
there are persons to succeed. f there are
three children, for instance, each will
receive, per capita, one third of the
estate. Division per capita is the !eneral
rule.
Division per stirpes is made when a sole
descendant or a !roup of descendants
represent a person in intestate
succession. "he sole representative or
!roup of representatives are counted as
one head. "hus, should a father be
survived by a son and four children of
another son who predeceased him, then,
the estate is divided per stirpes. "he first
half is !iven to the survivin! son and the
other half shall be divided amon! the
four !randchildren.
- jann - 1
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. -==?. S&oul "rot&er an sisters of t&e full "loo sur$i$e
to)et&er %it& "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo( t&e
former s&all "e entitle to a s&are ou"le t&at of t&e latter.
+>4>,
Art. -==7. In case "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo(
some on t&e fat&er@s an some on t&e mot&er@s sie( are t&e
onl# sur$i$ors( all s&all in&erit in e!ual s&ares %it&out
istinction as to t&e ori)in of t&e 'ro'ert#. +>7=,
Art. -==9. 0&ilren of "rot&ers an sisters of t&e &alf "loo
s&all succee 'er ca'ita or 'er stir'es( in accorance %it&
t&e rules lai o%n for t&e "rot&ers an sisters of t&e full
"loo. +>-7,
Art. -==>. S&oul t&ere "e neit&er "rot&ers nor sisters nor
c&ilren of "rot&ers or sisters( t&e ot&er collateral relati$es
s&all succee to t&e estate.
T&e latter s&all succee %it&out istinction of lines or
'reference amon) t&em "# reason of relations&i' "# t&e
%&ole "loo. +>74a,
Art. -=-=. T&e ri)&t to in&erit a" intestato s&all not e*ten
"e#on t&e fift& e)ree of relations&i' in t&e collateral line.
+>77a,
%&en t&ere are no "rot&ers %&et&er t&e full of
&alf "loo( t&e ot&er collateral relati$es succee
%&ic& %&om( &o%e$er( are limite %it&in t&e 7
t&
e)ree of relations&i'. Because "e#on t&is
e)ree( it is safe to sa# t&at( t&ere is &arl# an#
affection to merit succession. Aence( for
succession 'ur'oses t&ese 'ersons are no
lon)er consiere relati$es.
T&e follo%in) rules s&all a''l#; -. t&e nearest
relati$e e*clue t&e fart&er. .. collateral of t&e
same e)ree in&erit e!ual 'arts( t&ere "ein) no
ri)&t of re'resentation( /. T&e# succee %it&out
istinction or lines or 'reference amon) t&em
on account of t&e %&ole "loo relations&i'
The State
Art. -=--. In efault of 'ersons entitle to succee in
accorance %it& t&e 'ro$isions of t&e 'recein) Sections( t&e
State s&all in&erit t&e %&ole estate. +>7?a,
B&en a 'erson ies intestate( lea$in) no
com'ulsor# &eir( nor an# ot&er relati$es to
succee &im "# la%( t&e natural result %oul "e
t&e com'lete a"anonment of t&e 'ro'ert#.
T&e estate "ecomes su"Cect to a''ro'riation "#
an#one. T&is conition %oul result in conflicts
etrimental to t&e 'u"lic an economic orer.
In $ie% of t&is( t&e la% a%ars t&e 'ro'ert# to
t&e State( in re'resentation of t&e 'eo'le.
Ratio; a, :ictate "# 'u"lic 'olic# an( ",
'ri$ate 'ro'ert# is enCo#e onl# uner t&e
'rotection of t&e State( an %&en no lon)er
use( it s&oul re$ert "ac1 to t&e State.
T&e re$ersion of t&e res nullius 'ro'ert# can
onl# "e one t&rou)& an Esc&eat 'roceein)s
institute "# t&e Solicitor General to t&e 'ro'er
court + t&e cit# or munici'alit# %&ere t&e lan is
situate ,. T&e State( t&erefore oes not i'so
facto "ecome t&e o%ner of t&e estate left
%it&out &eir. Its ri)&t to claim must "e "ase on
a court3s rulin) allo%in) it to &a$e t&e estate(
after com'liance %it& t&e 'roceure lai o%n
"# t&e Rules of 0ourt. +Rule >-,
Art. -=-.. In orer t&at t&e State ma# ta1e 'ossession of t&e
'ro'ert# mentione in t&e 'recein) article( t&e 'ertinent
'ro$isions of t&e Rules of 0ourt must "e o"ser$e. +>79a,
Art. -=-/. After t&e 'a#ment of e"ts an c&ar)es( t&e
'ersonal 'ro'ert# s&all "e assi)ne to t&e munici'alit# or cit#
%&ere t&e ecease last resie in t&e P&ili''ines( an t&e
real estate to t&e munici'alities or cities( res'ecti$el#( in
%&ic& t&e same is situate.
If t&e ecease ne$er resie in t&e P&ili''ines( t&e %&ole
estate s&all "e assi)ne to t&e res'ecti$e munici'alities or
cities %&ere t&e same is locate.
Suc& estate s&all "e for t&e "enefit of 'u"lic sc&ools( an
'u"lic c&arita"le institutions an centers( in suc&
munici'alities or cities. T&e court s&all istri"ute t&e estate as
t&e res'ecti$e nees of eac& "eneficiar# ma# %arrant.
T&e court( at t&e instance of an intereste 'art#( or on its o%n
motion( ma# orer t&e esta"lis&ment of a 'ermanent trust( so
t&at onl# t&e income from t&e 'ro'ert# s&all "e use. +>7?a,
Art. -=-4. If a 'erson le)all# entitle to t&e estate of t&e
ecease a''ears an files a claim t&ereto %it& t&e court
%it&in fi$e #ears from t&e ate t&e 'ro'ert# %as eli$ere to
t&e State( suc& 'erson s&all "e entitle to t&e 'ossession of
t&e same( or if sol t&e munici'alit# or cit# s&all "e
accounta"le to &im for suc& 'art of t&e 'rocees as ma# not
&a$e "een la%full# s'ent.
.. -elationships /Intestate or Legal +eirs0
Art. >?/. Pro*imit# of relations&i' is etermine "# t&e
num"er of )enerations. Eac& )eneration forms a e)ree.
Art. >?4. A series of e)rees forms a line( %&ic& ma# "e
eit&er irect or collateral.
A irect line is t&at constitute "# t&e series of e)rees
amon) ascenants an escenants.
A collateral line is t&at constitute "# t&e series of e)rees
amon) 'ersons %&o are not ascenants an escenants(
"ut %&o come from a common ancestor. +>-?a,
Art. >?7. T&e irect line is eit&er escenin) or ascenin).
T&e former unites t&e &ea of t&e famil# %it& t&ose %&o
escen from &im.
T&e latter "ins a 'erson %it& t&ose from %&om &e
escens. +>-7,
Art. >??. In t&e line( as man# e)rees are counte as t&ere
are )enerations or 'ersons( e*cluin) t&e 'ro)enitor.
In t&e irect line( ascent is mae to t&e common ancestor.
T&us( t&e c&il is one e)ree remo$e from t&e 'arent( t%o
from t&e )ranfat&er( an t&ree from t&e )reatD)ran'arent.
In t&e collateral line( ascent is mae to t&e common ancestor
an t&en escent is mae to t&e 'erson %it& %&om t&e
com'utation is to "e mae. T&us( a 'erson is t%o e)rees
remo$e from &is "rot&er( t&ree from &is uncle( %&o is t&e
"rot&er of &is fat&er( four from &is first cousin( an so fort&.
+>-9a,
- jann - 2
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. >?7. 2ull "loo relations&i' is t&at e*istin) "et%een
'ersons %&o &a$e t&e same fat&er an t&e same mot&er.
Aalf "loo relations&i' is t&at e*istin) "et%een 'ersons %&o
&a$e t&e same fat&er( "ut not t&e same mot&er( or t&e same
mot&er( "ut not t&e same fat&er. +>.=a,
Art. >?9. If t&ere are se$eral relati$es of t&e same e)ree(
an one or some of t&em are un%illin) or inca'acitate to
succee( &is 'ortion s&all accrue to t&e ot&ers of t&e same
e)ree( sa$e t&e ri)&t of re'resentation %&en it s&oul ta1e
'lace. +>..,
In suc& cases as a"o$e( t&e s&ares %oul &a$e
'ertaine to t&ose %&o re'uiate or are
inca'acitate o not 'ass to relati$es of t&e
ne*t e)ree( "ut are retaine "# ot&er relati$es
of t&e same e)ree t&rou)& t&e ri)&t of
accretion( %it& t&e e*ce'tion of t&e cases
%&ere t&e ri)&t of re'resentation o"tains. T&e
ri)&t to re'resent a li$in) 'erson o"tains onl# in
cases of isin&eritance an inca'acit#.
Art. >?>. If t&e in&eritance s&oul "e re'uiate "# t&e
nearest relati$e( s&oul t&ere "e one onl#( or "# all t&e
nearest relati$es calle "# la% to succee( s&oul t&ere "e
se$eral( t&ose of t&e follo%in) e)ree s&all in&erit in t&eir
o%n ri)&t an cannot re'resent t&e 'erson or 'ersons
re'uiatin) t&e in&eritance.
E T&e article onl# 'ertains to re'uiation. B&at t&en
%oul "e t&e effect of inca'acit# of t&e onl# nearest relati$eF
T&e ri)&t of re'resentation ma# or ma# not o"tain. S&oul
t&e inca'acitate &eir "e t&e c&il of t&e ecease( an &e in
turn &as c&ilren( t&e latter ma# re'resent t&e inca'acitate
&eir.
1. Capacity to S"cceed
T&e )eneral rule is an# 'erson ma# succee "# la%
or "# %ill unless e*clue "# la%.
Re!uisites of ca'acit# to succee; a, t&at t&ere "e
)eneral ci$il ca'acit# of t&e 'erson( %&et&er natural or
artificial( accorin) to la%< an ", t&at &ere "e no inca'acit#
to succee uner e*'ress 'ro$ision of la%.
a. Deter#ination
Art. -=/4. In orer to Cu)e t&e ca'acit# of t&e &eir(
e$isee or le)atee( &is !ualification at t&e time of t&e
eat& of t&e eceent s&all "e t&e criterion.
In cases fallin) uner Nos. .( /( or 7 of Article -=/.( it
s&all "e necessar# to %ait until final Cu)ment is
renere( an in t&e case fallin) uner No. 4( t&e
e*'iration of t&e mont& allo%e for t&e re'ort.
If t&e institution( e$ise or le)ac# s&oul "e conitional(
t&e time of t&e com'liance %it& t&e conition s&all also
"e consiere.
Art. -=/>. 0a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of
t&e nation of t&e eceent
Art. -?. Real 'ro'ert# as %ell as 'ersonal 'ro'ert# is
su"Cect to t&e la% of t&e countr# %&ere it is sti'ulate.
Ao%e$er( intestate an testamentar# successions( "ot&
%it& res'ect to t&e orer of succession an to t&e
amount of successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit#
of testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is uner
consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of t&e
'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein sai
'ro'ert# ma# "e foun. +-=a,
Cayetano !s. Leonides (.2 SC-A 3..
On Ganuar# /-( ->77( Aoracion 0. 0am'os ie( lea$in)
&er fat&er( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os an &er sisters(
'ri$ate res'onent Nenita 0. Pa)uia( Remeios 0. Lo'e4
an Harieta 0. Heina as t&e sur$i$in) &eirs. As
Aermo)enes 0am'os %as t&e onl# com'ulsor# &eir( &e
e*ecute an Affia$it of ACuication uner Rule 74( Section I
of t&e Rules of 0ourt %&ere"# &e aCuicate unto &imself
t&e o%ners&i' of t&e entire estate of t&e ecease Aoracion
0am'os.
Ele$en mont&s after( on No$em"er .7( ->77( Nenita 0.
Pa)uia file a 'etition for t&e re'ro"ate of a %ill of t&e
ecease( Aoracion 0am'os( %&ic& %as alle)el# e*ecute
in t&e Inite States an for &er a''ointment as aministratri*
of t&e estate of t&e ecease testatri*.
In &er 'etition( Nenita alle)e t&at t&e testatri* %as an
American citi4en at t&e time of &er eat& an %as a
'ermanent resient of 4?// :itman Street( P&ilael'&ia(
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.< t&at t&e testatri* ie in Hanila on
Ganuar# /-( ->77 %&ile tem'oraril# resiin) %it& &er sister at
.-?7 Le$eri4a( Halate( Hanila< t&at urin) &er lifetime( t&e
testatri* mae &er last %ill an testament on Gul# -=( ->77(
accorin) to t&e la%s of Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( nominatin)
Bilfreo Bar4a)a of Ne% Gerse# as e*ecutor< t&at after t&e
testatri*@ eat&( &er last %ill an testament %as 'resente(
'ro"ate( allo%e( an re)istere %it& t&e Re)istr# of Bills at
t&e 0ount# of P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( t&at 0lement L.
HcLau)&lin( t&e aministrator %&o %as a''ointe after :r.
Bar4a)a &a ecline an %ai$e &is a''ointment as
e*ecutor in fa$or of t&e former( is also a resient of
P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( an t&at t&erefore( t&ere is an ur)ent
nee for t&e a''ointment of an aministratri* to aminister
an e$entuall# istri"ute t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate locate
in t&e P&ili''ines.
Hean%&ile( on Gune ?( ->9.( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os
ie an left a %ill( %&ic&( incientall# &as "een !uestione
"# t&e res'onent( &is c&ilren an force &eirs as( on its
face 'atentl# null an $oi( an a fa"rication( a''ointin) Poll#
0a#etano as t&e e*ecutri* of &is last %ill an testament.
0a#etano( t&erefore( file a motion to su"stitute &erself as
'etitioner in t&e instant case %&ic& %as )rante "# t&e court
on Se'tem"er -/( ->9..
ISSIE; B&et&er or not a com'ulsor# &eir ma# "e $alil#
e*clue "# a %ill e*ecute "# a forei)n testatorF
AEL:; JES
RATIO; Alt&ou)& on its face( t&e %ill a''eare to &a$e
'reterite t&e 'etitioner an t&us( t&e res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e enie its re'ro"ate outri)&t( t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents &a$e sufficientl# esta"lis&e t&at Aoracion %as(
at t&e time of &er eat&( an American citi4en an a
'ermanent resient of P&ilael'&ia( Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.
T&erefore( uner Article -? 'ar. +., an -=/> of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& res'ecti$el# 'ro$ie;
- jann - 3
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. -? 'ar. +.,.8Ao%e$er( intestate an
testamentar# successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e
orer of succession an to t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is
uner consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of
t&e 'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
sai 'ro'ert# ma# "e foun.8
Art. -=/>.80a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e eceent.8
t&e la% %&ic& )o$erns Aoracion 0am'o@s %ill is t&e la% of
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( %&ic& is t&e national la% of t&e
eceent. Alt&ou)& t&e 'arties amit t&at t&e Penns#l$ania
la% oes not 'ro$ie for le)itimes an t&at all t&e estate ma#
"e )i$en a%a# "# t&e testatri* to a com'lete stran)er( t&e
'etitioner ar)ues t&at suc& la% s&oul not a''l# "ecause it
%oul "e contrar# to t&e soun an esta"lis&e 'u"lic 'olic#
an %oul run counter to t&e s'ecific 'ro$isions of P&ili''ine
La%.
It is a settle rule t&at as re)ars t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( as 'ro$ie for "# Article -? +., an
-=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e national la% of t&e eceent must
a''l#. T&is %as s!uarel# a''lie in t&e case of Bellis $. Bellis
+.= S0RA /79, %&erein %e rule;8It is t&erefore e$ient t&at
%&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo customs ma# "e in$ol$e in
our s#stem of le)itimes( 0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten
t&e same to t&e succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as
s'ecificall# c&osen to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts( to t&e eceent@s national la%. S'ecific
'ro$isions must 're$ail o$er )eneral ones.
. )ho #ay s"cceed*
Art. -=.4. Persons not inca'acitate "# la% ma# succee "#
%ill or ab intestato.
T&e 'ro$isions relatin) to inca'acit# "# %ill are e!uall#
a''lica"le to intestate succession. +744( >-4,
t&e secon 'ara)ra'& a"o$e merel# enunciates
a )eneral rule "ecause Article -=.7 an -=.9
clearl# are e*ce'tions %&ic& o not a''l# to
intestate succession "ut onl# t&at of
testamentar# is'ositions.
Kins of Inca'acit#; a, a"solute or 'er se an
", relati$e or 'er acciens
Art. -=.7. In orer to "e ca'acitate to in&erit( t&e &eir(
e$isee or le)atee must "e li$in) at t&e moment t&e
succession o'ens( e*ce't in case of re'resentation( %&en it
is 'ro'er.
A c&il alrea# concei$e at t&e time of t&e eat& of t&e
eceent is ca'a"le of succeein) 'ro$ie it "e "orn later
uner t&e conitions 'rescri"e in article 4-. +n,
E T&ose not e*istin) at t&e time of eat& is
inca'acitate to succee e*ce't on conitional %ills %&ere
succession onl# o'ens u'on t&e &a''enin) of t&e conition.
Art. -=.?. A testamentar# is'osition ma# "e mae to t&e
State( 'ro$inces( munici'al cor'orations( 'ri$ate
cor'orations( or)ani4ations( or associations for reli)ious(
scientific( cultural( eucational( or c&arita"le 'ur'oses.
All ot&er cor'orations or entities ma# succee uner a %ill(
unless t&ere is a 'ro$ision to t&e contrar# in t&eir c&arter or
t&e la%s of t&eir creation( an al%a#s su"Cect to t&e same.
+74?a,
Art. -=.>. S&oul t&e testator is'ose of t&e %&ole or 'art of
&is 'ro'ert# for 'ra#ers an 'ious %or1s for t&e "enefit of &is
soul( in )eneral terms an %it&out s'ecif#in) its a''lication(
t&e e*ecutor( %it& t&e court@s a''ro$al s&all eli$er oneD&alf
t&ereof or its 'rocees to t&e c&urc& or enomination to
%&ic& t&e testator ma# "elon)( to "e use for suc& 'ra#ers
an 'ious %or1s( an t&e ot&er &alf to t&e State( for t&e
'ur'oses mentione in Article -=-/. +747a,
Art. -=/=. Testamentar# 'ro$isions in fa$or of t&e 'oor in
)eneral( %it&out esi)nation of 'articular 'ersons or of an#
communit#( s&all "e eeme limite to t&e 'oor li$in) in t&e
omicile of t&e testator at t&e time of &is eat&( unless it
s&oul clearl# a''ear t&at &is intention %as ot&er%ise.
T&e esi)nation of t&e 'ersons %&o are to "e consiere as
'oor an t&e istri"ution of t&e 'ro'ert# s&all "e mae "# t&e
'erson a''ointe "# t&e testator for t&e 'ur'ose< in efault of
suc& 'erson( "# t&e e*ecutor( an s&oul t&ere "e no
e*ecutor( "# t&e Custice of t&e 'eace( t&e ma#or( an t&e
munici'al treasurer( %&o s&all ecie "# a maCorit# of $otes
all !uestions t&at ma# arise. In all t&ese cases( t&e a''ro$al
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance s&all "e necessar#.
T&e 'recein) 'ara)ra'& s&all a''l# %&en t&e testator
&as is'ose of &is 'ro'ert# in fa$or of t&e 'oor of a
efinite localit#.
4arish 4riest of 5ictoria !s. -igor
T&is case is a"out t&e efficaciousness or enforcea"ilit# of a
e$ise of ricelans locate at Guim"a( Nue$a EciCa( %it& a
total area of aroun fort#Dfour &ectares. T&at e$ise %as
mae in t&e %ill of t&e late 2at&er Pascual Ri)or( a nati$e of
Victoria( Tarlac( in fa$or of &is nearest male relati$e %&o
%oul stu# for t&e 'riest&oo.
T&e recor iscloses t&at 2at&er Ri)or( t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Pulilan( Bulacan( ie on Au)ust >( ->/7( lea$in) a %ill
e*ecute on Octo"er .>( ->// %&ic& %as 'ro"ate "# t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Tarlac in its orer of :ecem"er 7(
->/7. Name as e$isees in t&e %ill %ere t&e testator@s
nearest relati$es( namel#( &is t&ree sisters; 2lorencia Ri)orD
Esco"ar( Belina Ri)orDHanaloto an Nestora Ri)orD
Luiam"ao. T&e testator )a$e a e$ise to &is cousin(
2ortunato Gamalina.
A"out t&irteen #ears after t&e a''ro$al of t&e 'roCect of
'artition( or on 2e"ruar# ->( ->74( t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria
file in t&e 'enin) testate 'roceein) a 'etition 'ra#in) for
t&e a''ointment of a ne% aministrator +succeein) t&e
ecease aministratri*( 2lorencia Ri)or,( %&o s&oul eli$er
to t&e c&urc& t&e sai ricelans( an furt&er 'ra#in) t&at t&e
'ossessors t&ereof "e orere to rener an accountin) of t&e
fruits. T&e 'ro"ate court )rante t&e 'etition. A ne%
aministrator %as a''ointe. On Ganuar# /-( ->77 t&e 'aris&
'riest file anot&er 'etition for t&e eli$er# of t&e ricelans to
t&e c&urc& as trustee.
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Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e intestate &eirs of 2at&er Ri)or countere %it& a 'etition
ate Harc& .7( ->77 'ra#in) t&at t&e "e!uest "e eclare
ino'erati$e an t&at t&e# "e aCu)e as t&e 'ersons entitle
to t&e sai ricelans since( as amitte "# t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria( 6no nearest #ale relati!e of6 the testator 6has
e!er st"died for the priesthood6 +''. .7 an /7( Recor on
A''eal,. T&at 'etition %as o''ose "# t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria.
Gu)e :e A!uino )rante t&e secon motion for
reconsieration in &is orer of :ecem"er -=( ->77 on t&e
)roun t&at t&e testator &a a )ranne'&e% name E)aro
G. 0unanan +t&e )ranson of &is first cousin, %&o %as a
seminarian in t&e San Gose Seminar# of t&e Gesuit 2at&ers in
Lue4on 0it#. T&e aministrator %as irecte to eli$er t&e
ricelans to t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria as trustee.
T&e le)al &eirs a''eale to t&e 0ourt of A''eals. It re$erse
t&at orer. It &el t&at 2at&er Ri)or &a create a
testamentar# trust for &is nearest male relati$e %&o %oul
ta1e t&e &ol# orers "ut t&at suc& trust coul e*ist onl# for
t%ent# #ears "ecause to enforce it "e#on t&at 'erio %oul
$iolate 8t&e rule a)ainst 'er'etuities8. It rule t&at since no
le)atee claime t&e ricelans %it&in t%ent# #ears after t&e
testator@s eat&( t&e same s&oul 'ass to &is le)al &eirs(
citin) articles 999 an >-.+., of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe an article
97= of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe.
The %ill of the testator is the first and principal la% in the
#atter of testa#ents. B&en &is intention is clearl# an
'recisel# e*'resse( an# inter'retation must "e in accor
%it& t&e 'lain an literal meanin) of &is %ors( e*ce't %&en it
ma# certainl# a''ear t&at &is intention %as ifferent from t&at
literall# e*'resse +In re Estate of 0aleron( .? P&il. ///
8The intent of the testator is the cardinal r"le in the
constr"ction of %ills.6 It is 8t&e life an soul of a %ill8. It is
8t&e first )reatest rule( t&e so$erei)n )uie( t&e 'olestar( in
)i$in) effect to a %ill8
2rom t&e fore)oin) testamentar# 'ro$isions( it #ay e
ded"ced that the testator intended to de!ise the
ricelands to his nearest #ale relati!e %ho %o"ld eco#e
a priest( %&o %as for"ien to sell t&e ricelans( %&o %oul
lose t&e e$ise if &e iscontinue &is stuies for t&e
'riest&oo( or &a$in) "een oraine a 'riest( &e %as
e*communicate( an %&o %oul "e o"li)ate to sa#
annuall# t%ent# masses %it& 'ra#ers for t&e re'ose of t&e
souls of t&e testator an &is 'arents.
On the other hand, it is clear that the parish priest of Victoria
would administer the ricelands only in two situations: one,
during the interval of time that no nearest male relative of the
testator was studying for the priesthood and two, in case the
testator's nephew became a priest and he was
excommunicated.
B&at is not clear is t&e uration of 8el inter$alo e tiem'o !ue
no &a#a le)atario aconicionao8( or how long after the
testator's death would it be determined t&at &e &a a ne'&e%
%&o %oul 'ursue an ecclesiastical $ocation. It is t&at 'atent
am"i)uit# t&at &as "rou)&t a"out t&e contro$ers# "et%een
t&e 'aris& 'riest of Victoria an t&e testator@s le)al &eirs.
Inter%o$en %it& t&at e!ui$ocal 'ro$ision is t&e time %&en t&e
nearest male relati$e %&o %oul stu# for t&e 'riest&oo
s&oul "e etermine. :i t&e testator contem'late onl# &is
nearest male relati$e at t&e time of &is eat&F Or i &e &a$e
in min an# of &is nearest male relati$es at an#time after &is
eat&F
We hold that the said bequest refers to the testator's nearest
male relative living at the time of his death and not to any
indefinite time thereafter. !n order to be capacitated to
inherit, the heir, devisee or legatee must be living at the
moment the succession opens, except in case of
representation, when it is proper8 +Art. -=.7( 0i$il 0oe,.
T&e sai testamentar# 'ro$isions s&oul "e sensi"l# or
reasona"l# construe. "o construe them as referring to the
testator's nearest male relative at anytime after his death
would render the provisions difficult to apply an create
uncertaint# as to t&e is'osition of &is estate. T&at coul not
&a$e "een &is intention.
In ->/7( %&en t&e testator ie( &is nearest le)al &eirs %ere
&is t&ree sisters or seconDe)ree relati$es( Hrs. Esco"ar(
Hrs. Hanaloto an Hrs. Luiam"ao. O"$iousl#( %&en t&e
testator s'ecifie &is nearest male relati$e( &e must &a$e &a
in min &is ne'&e% or a son of &is sister( %&o %oul "e &is
t&irDe)ree relati$e( or 'ossi"l# a )ranne'&e%. But since
&e coul not prognosticate t&e e*act ate of &is eat& or
state %it& certitue %&at cate)or# of nearest male relati$e
%oul "e li$in) at t&e time of &is eat&( &e coul not s'ecif#
t&at &is nearest male relati$e %oul "e &is ne'&e% or
)ranne'&e%s +t&e sons of &is ne'&e% or niece, an so &e
&a to use t&e term 8nearest male relati$e8.
Parent&eticall#( it s&oul "e state at t&is Cuncture t&at
E)aro cease to "e a seminarian in ->?-. 2or t&at reason(
t&e le)al &eirs a''rise t&e 0ourt of A''eals t&at t&e 'ro"ate
court@s orer aCuicatin) t&e ricelans to t&e 'aris& 'riest of
Victoria &a no more le) to stan on +'. 94( A''ellant@s "rief,.
#ad the testator intended that the cualquier pariente mio
varon mas cercano que estudie la carrera eclesiastica
would include indefinitely anyone of his nearest male
relatives born after his death, he could have so specified in
his will. #e must have $nown that such a broad provision
would suspend for an unlimited period of time the
efficaciousness of his bequest.
2ollo%in) t&at inter'retation of t&e %ill( t&e in!uir# %oul "e
%&et&er at t&e time 2at&er Ri)or ie in ->/7 &e &a a
ne'&e% %&o %as stu#in) for t&e 'riest&oo or %&o &a
manifeste &is esire to follo% t&e ecclesiastical career. T&at
!uer# is cate)oricall# ans%ere in 'ara)ra'& 4 of a''ellant
'riest@s 'etitions of 2e"ruar# ->( ->74 an Ganuar# /-( ->77.
Ae une!ui$ocall# alle)e t&erein t&at 8no nearest male
relati$e of t&e late +2at&er, Pascual Ri)or &as e$er stuie
for t&e 'riest&oo8 +''. .7 an /7( Recor on A''eal,.
!nasmuch as the testator was not survived by any nephew
who became a priest, the unavoidable conclusion is that the
bequest in question was ineffectual or inoperative. "herefore,
the administration of the ricelands by the parish priest of
Victoria, as envisaged in the will, was li$ewise inoperative.
T&e 0ourt of A''eals correctl# rule t&at t&is case is co$ere
"# article 999 of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe( no% article >7?( %&ic&
'ro$ies t&at if 8t&e "e!uest for an# reason s&oul "e
ino'erati$e( it s&all "e mer)e into t&e estate( e*ce't in
cases of su"stitution an t&ose in %&ic& t&e ri)&t of accretion
e*ists8 +8el le)ao . . . 'or !ual!uier causa( no ten)a efecto(
se refunir en la masa e la &erencia( fuera e los casos e
sustitucion # erec&o e acrecer8,.
T&is case is also co$ere "# article >-.+., of t&e ol 0i$il
0oe( no% article >?=+.,( %&ic& 'ro$ies t&at le)al
succession ta1es 'lace %&en t&e %ill 8oes not is'ose of all
t&at "elon)s to t&e testator.8 T&ere "ein) no su"stitution nor
- jann - 5
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
accretion as to t&e sai ricelans( t&e same s&oul "e
istri"ute amon) t&e testator@s le)al &eirs. T&e effect is as if
t&e testator &a mae no is'osition as to t&e sai ricelans.
T&e 0i$il 0oe reco)ni4es t&at a 'erson ma# ie 'artl#
testate an 'artl# intestate( or t&at t&ere ma# "e mi*e
succession. T&e ol rule as to t&e ini$isi"ilit# of t&e
testator@s %ill is no lon)er $ali. T&us( if a conitional le)ac#
oes not ta1e effect( t&ere %ill "e intestate succession as to
t&e 'ro'ert# co$ere "# t&e sai le)ac# +Hacro&on On) Aam
$s. Saa$era( 7- P&il. .?7,.
c. )ho are incapale of s"cceeding*
Art. -=.7. T&e follo%in) are inca'a"le of succeein);
+-, T&e 'riest %&o &ear t&e confession of t&e testator
urin) &is last illness( or t&e minister of t&e )os'el %&o
e*tene s'iritual ai to &im urin) t&e same 'erio<
+., T&e relati$es of suc& 'riest or minister of t&e )os'el
%ithin the fo"rth degree( t&e c&urc&( orer( c&a'ter(
communit#( or)ani4ation( or institution to %&ic& suc&
'riest or minister ma# "elon)<
+/, A )uarian %it& res'ect to testamentar# is'ositions
)i$en "# a %ar in &is fa$or "efore t&e final accounts of
t&e )uarians&i' &a$e "een a''ro$e( e$en if t&e
testator s&oul ie after t&e a''ro$al t&ereof<
ne$ert&eless( an# 'ro$ision mae "# t&e %ar in fa$or of
t&e )uarian %&en t&e latter is &is ascenant(
escenant( "rot&er( sister( or s'ouse( s&all "e $ali<
+4, An# attestin) %itness to t&e e*ecution of a %ill( t&e
s'ouse( 'arents( or c&ilren( or an# one claimin) uner
suc& %itness( s'ouse( 'arents( or c&ilren< in relation to
Art. #$%. f a person attests the e&ecution of a
will, to whom or to whose spouse, or parent, or
child, a devise or le!acy is !iven by such will,
such devise or le!acy shall, so far only as
concerns such person, or spouse, or parent, or
child of such person, or any one claimin! under
such person or spouse, or parent, or child, be
void, unless there are three other competent
witnesses to such will. 'owever, such person so
attestin! shall be admitted as a witness as if such
devise or le!acy had not been made or !iven. (n)
+7, An# '&#sician( sur)eon( nurse( &ealt& officer or
ru))ist %&o too1 care of t&e testator urin) &is last
illness<
+?, Ini$iuals( associations an cor'orations not
'ermitte "# la% to in&erit. +747( 77.( 77/( 774a,
Art. -=.9. T&e 'ro&i"itions mentione in article 7/>(
concernin) onations inter $i$os s&all a''l# to
testamentar# 'ro$isions.
Art. -=/-. A testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of a
is!ualifie 'erson( e$en t&ou)& mae uner t&e )uise
of an onerous contract( or mae t&rou)& an intermeiar#(
s&all "e $oi. +777,
Art. -=/.. T&e follo%in) are inca'a"le of succeein) "#
reason of un%ort&iness;
+-, 4arents %&o &a$e aandoned their children or
inuce t&eir au)&ters to lea a corru't or immoral life(
or attem'te a)ainst t&eir $irtue<
+., An# person %&o &as "een con!icted of an atte#pt
against the life of t&e testator( &is or &er s'ouse(
escenants( or ascenants<
+/, An# 'erson %&o &as acc"sed the testator of a crime
for %&ic& t&e la% 'rescri"es im'risonment for si* #ears
or more( if t&e accusation &as "een foun )rounless<
+4, An# &eir of full a)e %&o( &a$in) 1no%le)e of t&e
$iolent eat& of t&e testator( s&oul fail to re'ort it to an
officer of t&e la% %it&in a mont&( unless t&e aut&orities
&a$e alrea# ta1en action< t&is 'ro&i"ition s&all not a''l#
to cases %&erein( accorin) to la%( t&ere is no o"li)ation
to ma1e an accusation<
+7, An# 'erson con$icte of aulter# or concu"ina)e %it&
t&e s'ouse of t&e testator<
+?, An# 'erson %&o "# frau( $iolence( intimiation( or
unue influence s&oul cause t&e testator to ma1e a %ill
or to c&an)e one alrea# mae<
+7, An# 'erson %&o "# t&e same means 're$ents
anot&er from ma1in) a %ill( or from re$o1in) one alrea#
mae( or %&o su''lants( conceals( or alters t&e latter@s
%ill<
+9, An# 'erson %&o falsifies or forges a su''ose %ill
of the decedent. +77?( ?7/( ?74a,
Art. -=//. T&e cause of un%ort&iness s&all "e %it&out
effect if t&e testator &a 1no%le)e t&ereof at t&e time &e
mae t&e %ill( or if( &a$in) 1no%n of t&em su"se!uentl#(
&e s&oul conone t&em in %ritin). +777a,
d. Effect of alienations y the e7cl"ded heir
Art. -=/?. Alienations of &ereitar# 'ro'ert#( an acts of
aministration 'erforme "# t&e e*clue &eir( "efore
t&e Cuicial orer of e*clusion( are $ali as to t&e t&ir
'ersons %&o acte in )oo fait&< "ut t&e coD&eirs s&all
&a$e a ri)&t to reco$er ama)es from t&e is!ualifie
&eir.
e. -ights of the e7cl"ded +eir
Art. -=/7. If t&e 'erson e*clue from t&e in&eritance "#
reason of inca'acit# s&oul "e a c&il or escenant of
t&e eceent an s&oul &a$e c&ilren or escenants(
t&e latter s&all ac!uire &is ri)&t to t&e le)itime.
T&e 'erson so e*clue s&all not enCo# t&e usufruct an
aministration of t&e 'ro'ert# t&us in&erite "# &is
c&ilren
Art. -=/7. T&e un%ort&# &eir %&o is e*clue from t&e
succession has a right to de#and inde#nity or an#
e*'enses incurre in t&e 'reser$ation of t&e &ereitar#
'ro'ert#( an to enforce suc& creits as &e ma# &a$e
a)ainst t&e estate.
Art. -=-4. If a 'erson le)all# entitle to t&e estate of t&e
ecease a''ears an files a claim t&ereto %it& t&e
court %it&in fi$e #ears from t&e ate t&e 'ro'ert# %as
eli$ere to t&e State( suc& 'erson s&all "e entitle to
t&e 'ossession of t&e same( or if sol t&e munici'alit# or
cit# s&all "e accounta"le to &im for suc& 'art of t&e
'rocees as ma# not &a$e "een la%full# s'ent.
f. Liailities of the e7cl"ded heir
Art. -=/9. An# 'erson inca'a"le of succession( %&o(
isre)arin) t&e 'ro&i"ition state in t&e 'recein)
articles( entere into t&e 'ossession of t&e &ereitar#
- jann - 6
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
'ro'ert#( s&all "e o"li)e to return it to)et&er it its
accessions.
Ae s&all "e lia"le for all t&e fruits an rents &e ma# &a$e
recei$e( or coul &a$e recei$e t&rou)& t&e e*ercise of
ue ili)ence.
g. 4rescription of Action
Art. -=4=. T&e action for a eclaration of inca'acit# an
for t&e reco$er# of t&e in&eritance( e$ise or le)ac# s&all
"e "rou)&t %it&in fi$e #ears from t&e time t&e
is!ualifie 'erson too1 'ossession t&ereof. It ma# "e
"rou)&t "# an# one %&o ma# &a$e an interest in t&e
succession.
C. O'ect of S"ccession
Art. 889. The inheritance incl"des all the property, rights
and oligations of a person %hich are not e7ting"ished
y his death.
It is e$ient from t&is article t&at t&e in&eritance oes not
inclue e$er#t&in) t&at "elon)s to t&e ecease at t&e time
of &is eat&. It is limite to t&e 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts( an
o"li)ations not e*tin)uis& "# &is eat&. Incluin) t&ose
transmissi"le ri)&ts an 'ro'ert# accruin) t&ereto from t&at
time 'ertain to t&e &eir.
T&e follo%in) are t&e ri)&ts an o"li)ations e*tin)uis&e "#
eat&;
-. t&ose arisin) from marria)e
.. action for le)al se'aration "elon)in) to t&e innocent
s'ouse
/. action to annul marria)e
4. o"li)ation to )i$e le)al su''ort e*ce't t&ose
e*'ressl# 'ro$ie for "# la%
7. ri)&t to recei$e su''ort
?. ri)&t of 'atria 'otestas
7. ri)&t of t&e )uarian
9. ri)&t of usufruct
>. ri)&t of onor to re$o1e onation ue to in)ratitue
of onee
-=. ri)&ts arisin) from a)enc# not t&e effects alrea#
e*ecute
--. criminal res'onsi"ilit#
-.. ri)&ts from 'u"lic la% suc& as suffra)e an 'u"lic
em'lo#ment
T&e follo%in) rules are lai o%n
-. ri)&ts %&ic& are 'urel# 'ersonal are "# t&eir nature
an 'ur'ose intransmissi"le( e*. T&ose relatin) to
ci$il 'ersonalit#( famil# ri)&ts( an isc&ar)e of
'u"lic office
.. ri)&ts %&ic& are 'atrimonial or relatin) to 'ro'ert#
are( as a)eneral rule( not e*tin)uis&e "# eat&
e*ce't t&ose e*'ressl# 'ro$ie "# la% or "# %ill of
t&e testator suc& as usufruct an 'ersonal
ser$itues.
/. ri)&ts of o"li)ation are "# nature transmissi"le an
ma# "e 'art of in&eritance( "ot& t&e ri)&t of t&e
creitor an o"li)ation of t&e e"tor e*ce't t&e
follo%in);
a. t&ose %&ic& are 'ersonal( suc& as
'ersonal !ualifications of t&e e"tor &a$e
"een ta1en into account
". t&ose t&at are intransmissi"le "# e*'ress
a)reement or %ill of testator
c. t&ose t&at are intransmissi"le "# e*'ress
'ro$ision of la% li1e life 'ensions )i$en
uner contract
T&e &eirs of t&e ecease are no lon)er lia"le for t&e e"ts
&e ma# lea$e at t&e time of &is eat&. Suc& e"ts are
c&ar)ea"le a)ainst t&e 'ro'ert# or assets left "# t&e
ecease. In ot&er %ors( t&e &eirs are no lon)er lia"le
'ersonall# for t&e e"ts of t&e ecease < suc& e"ts must
"e collecte onl# from t&e 'ro'ert# left u'on &is eat&( an if
t&is s&oul not "e sufficient to co$er all of t&em( t&e &eirs
cannot "e mae to 'a# t&e uncollecti"le "alance.
In&eritance consists of t&e mass of 'ro'ert#( ri)&ts( an
o"li)ations aCuicate to t&e &eirs or transmitte to t&em
after euctin) t&erefrom all t&e e"ts left "# t&e ecease.
T&is s&oul not "e unerstoo to mean( &o%e$er( t&at
o"li)ations are no lon)er a 'art of in&eritance. Onl# t&e
mone# e"ts are c&ar)ea"le a)ainst t&e estate left "# t&e
ecease< t&ese are o"li)ations %&ic& o not 'ass to t&e
&eirs( "ut constitute a c&ar)e a)ainst t&e &ereitar# 'ro'ert#.
Art. 8:(. The inheritance of a person incl"des not only
the property and the trans#issile rights and oligations
e7isting at the ti#e of his death, "t also those %hich
ha!e accr"ed thereto since the opening of the
s"ccession.
Since o%ners&i' is $este in t&e &eir from t&e moment of t&e
eat& of t&e 'reecessor( necessaril# all accessions
su"se!uent to t&at moment must "elon) to suc& &eir.
T&e criticism on t&is article is t&at t&e accession to suc&
'ro'ert# is not transmitte "# eat&< it is ac!uire alrea# "#
$irtue of t&e ri)&t of o%ners&i' %&ic& is $este from t&e
moment of t&e 'reecessor3s eat& in t&e successor. It is
Cuiciall# erroneous to sa# t&at in&eritance inclues suc&
accession. E$en %it&out t&is article( an &eir %oul "e entitle
to t&e accession an fruits %&ic& accrue since t&e eat& of
t&e eceent "# $irtue of t&e ri)&t of accession +o%n%es&i',.
Art. (1((. Contracts ta;e effect only et%een the parties,
their assigns and heirs, e7cept in case %here the rights
and oligations arising fro# the contract are not
trans#issile y their nat"re, or y stip"lation or y
pro!ision of la%. The heir is not liale eyond the !al"e
of the property he recei!ed fro# the decedent.
If a contract sho"ld contain so#e stip"lation in fa!or of
a third person, he #ay de#and its f"lfill#ent pro!ided he
co##"nicated his acceptance to the oligor efore its
re!ocation. A #ere incidental enefit or interest of a
person is not s"fficient. The contracting parties #"st
ha!e clearly and delierately conferred a fa!or "pon a
third person.
As a )eneral rule( ri)&ts an o"li)ations uner a contract are
transmitte to t&e &eirs of t&e 'arties. T&e &eirs cannot "e
consiere t&ir 'arties( "ecause t&ere is 'ri$it# of interest
"et%een t&em an t&eir 'reecessor. A lease contract is
transmissi"le to t&e &eirs of t&e lessee. T&e &eirs of a 'art# in
- jann - 7
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
%&ose fa$or a trust e*ists( ma# enforce t&e trust a)ainst t&e
trustee. T&e &eirs of t&e 'arties to a contract ma# ma1e a
$ali no$ation of sai contract.
Art. (<.2. )hen a testate or intestate heir !ol"ntarily
pays a det of the decedent e7ceeding the !al"e of the
property %hich he recei!ed y %ill or y the la% of
intestacy fro# the estate of the deceased, the pay#ent is
!alid and cannot e rescinded y the payer.
Art. ((8:. S"'ect to the la%s, all rights ac="ired in !irt"e
of an oligation are trans#issile, if there has een no
stip"lation to the contrary.
As a )eneral rule. 0i$il ri)&ts are transmissi"le e*ce't; -,
e*'ressl# 'ro$ie "# la% t&at t&e# are not. ., Sti'ulation of
t&e 'arties. /, Personal ri)&ts of t&e e"tor. An instrument
e$iencin) a creit ma# "e transferre or assi)ne "# t&e
creitor to anot&er( an t&e transferee %oul "e consiere
in la%ful 'ossession of t&e same as %ell as t&e creit( unless
contrar# is s&o%n.
Transmissi"ilit# is t&e ca'a"ilit# of t&e ri)&ts to "e transferre
from one 'erson to anot&er.
Art. (1<8. All things %hich are not o"tside the co##erce
of #en, incl"ding f"t"re things, #ay e the o'ect of a
contract. All rights %hich are not intrans#issile #ay
also e the o'ect of contracts.
No contract #ay e entered into "pon f"t"re inheritance
e7cept in cases e7pressly a"thori&ed y la%.
All ser!ices %hich are not contrary to la%, #orals, good
c"sto#s, p"lic order or p"lic policy #ay li;e%ise e
the o'ect of a contract.
It is essential t&at t&e o"Cect must "e in e*istence at t&e time
of 'erfection of t&e contract( or t&at it &as t&e 'ossi"ilit# or
'otentialit# of comin) into e*istence at some future time. B#
%a# of e*ce'tion( t&e la% )enerall# oes not allo% contracts
on future in&eritance. In orer to "e future in&eritance( t&e
succession must not &a$e "een o'ene at t&e time of t&e
contract. A contract to fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article(
t&e follo%in) re!uisites are necessar#; -. t&at t&e succession
is #et to "e o'ene. .. t&e o"Cect forms 'art of t&e
in&eritance. /. t&e 'romissor &as an e*'ectant ri)&t o$er t&e
o"Cect %&ic& is 'urel# &ereitar# in nature.
An a)reement to 'artition an estate of a li$in) 'erson "#
t&ose %&o in&erit from &im is $oi. A contract renouncin) t&e
ri)&t to in&erit from one %&o is still ali$e is $oi.
After t&e eat& of t&e 'erson( &o%e$er( t&e 'ro'erties an
ri)&ts left "# &im "# %a# of in&eritance can "e t&e su"Cect
matter of a contract amon) or "# &is &eirs( e$en "efore a
'artition t&ereof &as "een mae( "ecause t&e ri)&ts of t&e
&eirs are transmitte to t&em from t&e eat& of t&e
'reecessor.
B&en t&e o"Cect of t&e contract is not a 'art of t&e
in&eritance( t&e 'ro&i"ition oes not a''l#( e$en if eli$er# of
suc& o"Cect is e'enent u'on t&e eat& of one of t&e
contractin) 'arties. T&us( life insurance contracts( an
sti'ulations 'ro$iin) for re$ersion of 'ro'ert# onate in
marria)e settlements in t&e e$ent of t&e eat& of t&e onee(
are $ali. Li1e%ise( if t&e ri)&t of t&e 'art# o$er t&e t&in) is
not "# $irtue of succession( "ut as creitor( t&e contract oes
not fall %it&in t&e 'ro&i"ition of t&is article. It &as "een &el
t&at in a contract of 'urc&ase "# coDo%ners( it is $ali to
sti'ulate t&at in t&e e$ent of eat& of an# of t&em( t&ose %&o
sur$i$e %ill ac!uire t&e s&are of t&e 'reecease.
/-4C0 Art. (>:. Obligation to make restoration,
reparation for damages, or indemnification for
consequential damages and actions to demand the
same; Upon whom it devolves. ? The oligation to #a;e
restoration or reparation for da#ages and
inde#nification for conse="ential da#ages de!ol!es
"pon the heirs of the person liale.
The action to de#and restoration, reparation, and
inde#nification li;e%ise descends to the heirs of the
person in'"red.
T&e &eirs of t&e 'erson lia"le &as no o"li)ation if restoration
is not 'ossi"le an t&e ecease left no 'ro'ert#.
:. O'enin) of Succesion
Art. 888. The rights to the s"ccession are trans#itted
fro# the #o#ent of the death of the decedent. /938a0
T&is article is critici4e "# some commentators. It is
contene t&at t&e ri)&t to succee to t&e 'ro'erties of a
'erson is not transmitte to an#one from t&e moment of t&e
eat& of suc& 'erson. B&at &a''ens is t&at t&e eat& of a
'erson consoliates an reners immuta"le( in a certain
sense( ri)&ts %&ic& u' to t&at moment %ere not&in) "ut mere
e*'ectanc#. These rights arise fro# the e7press %ill of
the testator or fro# the pro!isions of the la%( "t they do
not ac="ire solidity and effecti!eness e7cept fro# the
#o#ent of death< "efore t&is e$ent( t&e la% ma# c&an)e(
t&e %ill of t&e testator ma# $ar#( an e$en circumstances ma#
"e moifie to suc& an e*tent t&at &e %&o is e*'ecte to
recei$e 'ro'ert# ma# "e e'ri$e of it< "t once death
s"per!enes, the %ill of the testator eco#es i##"tale(
t&e la% as to t&e succession can no lon)er "e c&an)e(
isin&eritance cannot "e effecte( an t&e ri)&ts to t&e
s"ccession ac="ire a character of #ar;ed per#anence.
B&at t&e article reall# means is t&at succession is o'ene "#
t&e eat& of t&e 'erson from %&om t&e in&eritance comes.
T&e 'ro$ision must t&erefore( "e unerstoo as meanin) t&at
t&e ri)&ts to t&e succession of a 'erson are transmitte from
t&e moment of &is eat&( an "# $irtue of 'rior manifestations
of &is %ill or of causes 'reetermine "# la%. T%o must "e
consiere( t&erefore( t&e ori)in of t&e ri)&t( an t&at %&ic&
ma1es t&e ri)&t effecti$e.
It is clear t&at t&e moment of eat& is t&e eterminin) 'oint
%&en t&e &eirs ac!uire a efinite ri)&t to in&eritance %&et&er
'ure or conitional. It is immaterial %&et&er a s&ort or lon)
'erio of time ela'se "et%een t&e eat& of t&e 'reecessor
an t&e entr# in t&e 'ossession of t&e 'ro'erties of t&e
in&eritance( "ecause t&e ri)&ts are al%a#s eeme to
retroact to t&e moment of eat&. T&e 'ossession of
&ereitar# 'ro'ert# is eeme transmitte to t&e &eir %it&out
interru'tion an from t&e moment of eat& of t&e eceent in
case t&e in&eritance is acce'te. T&e la% a$ois an# )a' to
o%ners&i' of 'ro'ert# or a 'erio %&erein a 'ro'ert# &as no
clear o%ner or a 'erio of res nullius.
Note; T&at eat& uner t&is article is not limite to natural or
'&#sical eat&( 'resume eat& "# $irtue of 'rolon)e le)al
a"sence is inclue.
Art. ..91. -ights to the inheritance of a person %ho died,
%ith or %itho"t a %ill, efore the effecti!ity of this Code,
shall e go!erned y the Ci!il Code of (::2, y other
pre!io"s la%s, and y the -"les of Co"rt. The
- jann - 8
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
inheritance of those %ho, %ith or %itho"t a %ill, die after
the eginning of the effecti!ity of this Code, shall e
ad'"dicated and distri"ted in accordance %ith this ne%
ody of la%s and y the -"les of Co"rt@ "t the
testa#entary pro!isions shall e carried o"t insofar as
they #ay e per#itted y this Code. Therefore, legiti#es,
etter#ents, legacies and e="ests shall e respected@
ho%e!er, their a#o"nt shall e red"ced if in no other
#anner can e!ery co#p"lsory heir e gi!en his f"ll
share according to this Code. /-"le (.a0
T&e ecisi$e fact %&ic& )i$es ori)in to t&e ri)&t of &eirs(
e$isees an le)atees is t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&is is
t&e "asis of t&e 'resent article. T&us( t&e 'ro$isions of t&e
ne% coe rela*in) t&e ri)iit# of t&e rules of t&e ol coe
re)arin) 'roof or reco)nition of natural c&ilren( %ere &el
ina''lica"le to one claimin) reco)nition an a s&are in t&e
estate of t&e alle)e natural fat&er %&o ie "efore t&e ne%
coe %ent into effect.
Art. ..31. The Ci!il Code of (::2 and other pre!io"s la%s
shall go!ern rights originating, "nder said la%s, fro#
acts done or e!ents %hich too; place "nder their regi#e,
e!en tho"gh this Code #ay reg"late the# in a different
#anner, or #ay not recogni&e the#. B"t if a right sho"ld
e declared for the first ti#e in this Code, it shall e
effecti!e at once, e!en tho"gh the act or e!ent %hich
gi!es rise thereto #ay ha!e een done or #ay ha!e
occ"rred "nder prior legislation, pro!ided said ne% right
does not pre'"dice or i#pair any !ested or ac="ired
right, of the sa#e origin. /-"le (0
T&e secon sentence of t&is article )i$es a retroacti$e effect
to ne%l# create ri)&ts( 'ro$ie t&e# o not 'reCuice or
im'air an# $este or ac!uire ri)&t. T&us( com'ensation for
ama)es uner article .- of t&e ne% ci$il coe( "ein) a ri)&t
eclare for t&e first time( s&all "e effecti$e at once(
e$ent&ou)& t&e acts )i$in) rise t&ereto %ere one "efore t&e
effecti$it# of t&e ne% coe. But t&e ne% successional ri)&ts
)rante "# t&e ne% 0i$il coe in fa$or of ille)itimate c&ilren
cannot "e )i$en retroacti$e effect an "e mae to a''l# to
t&e estate of a ecease %&o ie "efore t&e effecti$it# of t&e
ne% 0i$il 0oe( for t&e same %oul &a$e t&e effect of
im'airin) t&e $este ri)&ts of anot&er %&o is eeme to &a$e
"ecome t&e o%ner of t&e ecease3s 'ro'ert# u'on t&e
latter3s eat& urin) t&e re)ime of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe.
Art. 311. The possession of hereditary property is
dee#ed trans#itted to the heir %itho"t interr"ption and
fro# the #o#ent of the death of the decedent, in case
the inheritance is accepted.
One %ho !alidly reno"nces an inheritance is dee#ed
ne!er to ha!e possessed the sa#e. /<<>0
T&e article relates to tac1in) of 'ossession ue to 'ri$it# to
relations. B# %a# of E*am'le( A &a "een in 'ossession of a
'iece of lan( %&ic& &e t&ou)&t %as &is( for ei)&t #ears(
%&en &e ie. Ae left a son( B( %&o continue to occu'# an
culti$ate t&e lan as aministrator( %&ile t&e settlement of t&e
'ro'erties left "# A %as 'enin). T&e 'roceein)s in court for
t&e settlement of t&e estate laste t&ree #ears< in t&ese
'roceein)s( B renounces &is in&eritance from A. T&e ne*t
nearest relati$e of A( %as 0( a "rot&er( %&o acce'te t&e
in&eritance. Le)all#( B &as ne$er "een in 'ossession
alt&ou)& &e %as materiall# or '&#sicall# &olin) t&e 'ro'ert#(
%&ile 0( %&o &a ne$er set foot u'on t&e lan( is eeme to
&a$e "een in 'ossession from t&e $er# moment t&at A ie.
So t&at( if later( a t&ir 'erson a''ears to claim t&e 'ro'ert#(
0 can assert o%ners&i' "# 'rescri'tion( "ecause( le)all#( t&e
'ossession &as not "een interru'te for ele$en #ears( an
ten #ears 'ossession in )oo fait& is sufficient for 'rescri'tion
of o%ners&i' of real 'ro'ert#.
Art. (1<8. All things %hich are not o"tside the co##erce
of #en, incl"ding f"t"re things, #ay e the o'ect of a
contract. All rights %hich are not intrans#issile #ay
also e the o'ect of contracts.
No contract #ay e entered into "pon f"t"re inheritance
e7cept in cases e7pressly a"thori&ed y la%.
All ser!ices %hich are not contrary to la%, #orals, good
c"sto#s, p"lic order or p"lic policy #ay li;e%ise e
the o'ect of a contract.
Sale of future in&eritance is $oi e*ce't in cases of :onation
Pro'ter Nu'tias +art. 94( N00, an Partition Inter Vi$os +art.
-=9=,.
Ratio; -. B&at an &eir &a$e is merel# an inc&oate ri)&t %&ic&
oes not come to e*istence after eat& of 'reecessor.
.. T&e amount or e*tent of in&eritance cannot "e e*actl#
etermine until eat& an after settlement t&ereof.
Art. (<9(. Things ha!ing a potential e7istence #ay e the
o'ect of the contract of sale.
The efficacy of the sale of a #ere hope or e7pectancy is
dee#ed s"'ect to the condition that the thing %ill co#e
into e7istence.
The sale of a !ain hope or e7pectancy is !oid.
Art. (1>. The f"t"re spo"ses #ay gi!e each other in their
#arriage settle#ents as #"ch as oneAfifth of their
present property, and %ith respect to their f"t"re
property, only in the e!ent of death, to the e7tent laid
do%n y the pro!isions of this Code referring to
testa#entary s"ccession. /(11(a0
Art. (1(. The donor y reason of #arriage shall release
the property donated fro# #ortgages and all other
enc"#rances "pon the sa#e, %ith the e7ception of
ease#ents, "nless in the #arriage settle#ents or in the
contracts the contrary has een stip"lated. /(11.a0
Art. (1.. A donation y reason of #arriage is not
re!ocale, sa!e in the follo%ing cases:
/(0 If it is conditional and the condition is not
co#plied %ith@
/.0 If the #arriage is not celerated@
/10 )hen the #arriage ta;es place %itho"t the
consent of the parents or g"ardian, as re="ired
y la%@
- jann - 9
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
/<0 )hen the #arriage is ann"lled, and the
donee acted in ad faith@ t&us( t&e im'lication of
t&is )roun is t&at t&e onor in "a fait& cannot
re$o1e.
/30 Upon legal separation, the donee eing the
g"ilty spo"se@ t&us( t&e im'lication of t&is article is
t&at t&e )uilt# onor s'ouse cannot re$o1e &is
onation.
/90 )hen the donee has co##itted an act of
ingratit"de as specified y the pro!isions of this
Code on donations in general. /(111a0
Art. 12>. After an asence of se!en years, it eing
"n;no%n %hether or not the asentee still li!es, he shall
e pres"#ed dead for all p"rposes, e7cept for those of
s"ccession.
The asentee shall not e pres"#ed dead for the
p"rpose of opening his s"ccession till after an asence
of ten years. If he disappeared after the age of se!entyA
fi!e years, an asence of fi!e years shall e s"fficient in
order that his s"ccession #ay e opened. /n0
Art. 12(. The follo%ing shall e pres"#ed dead for all
p"rposes, incl"ding the di!ision of the estate a#ong the
heirs:
/(0 A person on oard a !essel lost d"ring a sea
!oyage, or an aeroplane %hich is #issing, %ho
has not een heard of for fo"r years since the
loss of the !essel or aeroplane@
/.0 A person in the ar#ed forces %ho has ta;en
part in %ar, and has een #issing for fo"r years@
/10 A person %ho has een in danger of death
"nder other circ"#stances and his e7istence
has not een ;no%n for fo"r years. /n0
Art. :<. If the f"t"re spo"ses agree "pon a regi#e other
than the asol"te co##"nity of property, they cannot
donate to each other in their #arriage settle#ents #ore
than oneAfifth of their present property. Any e7cess shall
e considered !oid.
Donations of f"t"re property shall e go!erned y the
pro!isions on testa#entary s"ccession and the
for#alities of %ills. /(1>a0
T&ese onations( unli1e onations of 'resent 'ro'ert# %&ic&
ta1e effect u'on t&e cele"ration of t&e marria)e( ta1e effect
u'on t&e eat& of t&e onor s'ouse. It cannot "e mae in t&e
marria)e settlement "ut in a %ill or testament. Its limits are
)o$erne "# t&e rules of testamentar# succession 'ro$ie
"# t&e 0i$il 0oe. Since a %ill can "e re$o1e "# t&e testator
at an# time "efore &is eat& t&e onation 'ro'ter nu'tias of
future 'ro'ert# ma# "e so re$o1e. Persons ot&er t&an t&e
affiance 'arties cannot )i$e onations 'ro'ter nu'tial of
future 'ro'ert#.
Art. :9. A donation y reason of #arriage #ay e
re!o;ed y the donor in the follo%ing cases:
/(0 If the #arriage is not celerated or '"dicially
declared !oid a initio e7cept donations #ade in
the #arriage settle#ents, %hich shall e
go!erned y Article :(@
/.0 )hen the #arriage ta;es place %itho"t the
consent of the parents or g"ardian, as re="ired
y la%@
/10 )hen the #arriage is ann"lled, and the
donee acted in ad faith@
/<0 Upon legal separation, the donee eing the
g"ilty spo"se@
/30 If it is %ith a resol"tory condition and the
condition is co#plied %ith@
/90 )hen the donee has co##itted an act of
ingratit"de as specified y the pro!isions of the
Ci!il Code on donations in general. /(1.a0
Art. 7*5. "he donation may also be revo+ed at the
instance of the donor, by reason of in!ratitude in the
followin! cases,
(-) f the donee should commit some offense
a!ainst the person, the honor or the property
of the donor, or of his wife or children under
his parental authority.
($) f the donee imputes to the donor any
criminal offense, or any act involvin! moral
turpitude, even thou!h he should prove it,
unless the crime or the act has been
committed a!ainst the donee himself, his
wife or children under his authority.
(%) f he unduly refuses him support when
the donee is le!ally or morally bound to !ive
support to the donor. (*/#a)
-EBUISITES $O- T+E T-ANSCISSION O$
SUCCESSIONAL -ID+TS
(. E7press %ill of the testator or pro!ision of la%
.. Death of the person %hose property is s"'ect of
s"ccession
1. acceptance of the inheritance Art. (><(A(>38
E*'ress or tacit acce'tance "# t&e &eir( e$isee or le)atee is
necessar# to t&e 'erfection of t&e Curiical relation in
succession( an inis'ensa"le to t&e transmission of
successional ri)&ts. To ma1e a 'erson succee "# t&e mere
fact of eat& of t&e 'reecessor is to en# &im t&e ri)&t to
acce't or re'uiate t&e in&eritance. Ao%e$er( a 're$ious
eclaration of &eirs&i' is not necessar# in orer t&at an &eir
ma# assert &is ri)&t to t&e 'ro'ert# of t&e ecease. T&e
acce'tance of t&e in&eritance ma#( t&erefore( "e sai to "e
- jann - 10
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
t&e confirmation of t&e institution of t&e &eir( t&e 'erfection of
t&e ri)&t to succee.
Art. (><(. The acceptance or rep"diation of the
inheritance is an act %hich is p"rely !ol"ntary and free.
/2::0
T; Acce'tance is t&e act "# %&ic& t&e 'erson is calle to
succee "# uni$ersal title eit&er "# t&e testator or "# la%
manifests &is %ill of ma1in) &is o%n t&e uni$ersalit# of t&e
ri)&ts an o"li)ations %&ic& are transmitte to &im.
Re'uiation is t&e manifestation "# suc& &eir of &is esire
not to succee to t&e sai uni$ersalit#.
T; Is 'artial acce'tance allo%eF Iner t&e ol ci$il coe a
'artial acce'tance or re'uiation is 'ro&i"ite( t&is 'ro&i"ition
%as omitte in t&e N00. Aence( it is su"mitte t&at in t&e
li)&t of t&e 'resent la%( in&eritance can "e acce'te or
re'uiate 'artiall#. T&e ar)ument t&at t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e
eceent cannot "e continue in fraction can no lon)er
o"tain in t&is Curisiction. T&e &eir in our la% is not t&e
continuation of t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e ecease. Ae stans on
t&e same footin) as a mere le)atee in t&e 0i$il 0oe. If t&e
latter ma# acce't or re'uiate 'artiall#( t&ere is no le)al
reason %&# t&e &eir s&oul not "e allo%e to o so. T&e
)reater ri)&t al%a#s inclues t&e less< if total acce'tance or
re'uiation can "e mae( %&# not 'artial acce'tance or
re'uiationF T&e ar)ument t&at creitors of t&e estate %oul
"e 'reCuice "# 'artial acce'tance &as no force< "ecause(
uner our 'resent la%s( t&e creitors of t&e estate must first
"e 'ai "efore it can "e 1no%n %&et&er t&er is an#
in&eritance left to "e acce'te or re'uiate.
Art. (><.. The effects of the acceptance or rep"diation
shall al%ays retroact to the #o#ent of the death of the
decedent. /2:20
T&e la% see1s to insure continuit# in t&e o%ners&i' of t&e
'ro'ert#( %it&out &iatus or )a'( e$en for a moment( from t&e
time of t&e eat& of t&e eceent.
T&e ol ci$il coe 'ro&i"ite acce'tance or re'uiation %it&
a term. Is it no% allo%e uner t&e N00F No conitional
acce'tance an re'uiation is still 'ro&i"ite. To 'ermit t&is
1in of acce'tance is an re'uiation %ill "e 'lacin) in
uncertaint# t&e transmission of ri)&ts "# succession. T&e
'o%er to im'ose conitions on t&e transmission is in&erent
onl# in t&e testator &imself( as a lo)ical conse!uence of &is
freeom to is'ose of &is 'ro'ert#. T&e 'erson fa$ore
cannot su"Cect t&e transmission to conitions "ecause &e
&as no ri)&t o$er t&e 'ro'ert# until &e acce'ts t&e
in&eritance.
T&e $er# Nature of transmission of 'ro'ert# "# mortis causa
ar)ues a)ainst t&e $aliit# of acce'tance or re'uiation %it&
a term or conition. T&e la% see1s to insure continuit# in t&e
o%ners&i' of t&e 'ro'ert#( %it&out an# &iatus or )a' from t&e
time of t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&us( to allo% t&is %oul
"e contrar# to t&e 'rinci'le of succession t&at in&eritance is
transmitte u'on eat&.
Art. (><1. No person #ay accept or rep"diate an
inheritance "nless he is certain of the death of the
person fro# %ho# he is to inherit, and of his right to the
inheritance. /22(0
Re!uisites of acce'tance; -. certain of t&e eat& of t&e
eceent( .. must sur$i$e t&e eceent( /. must &a$e
ca'acit# to succee( an 4. certain of &is ri)&t to t&e
in&eritance.
Ratio; t&e %ill of man is c&an)ea"le. E$en Cust "efore t&e
moment of &is eat& &e ma# c&an)e &is min. A 'erson %&o
acce'ts from a li$in) 'erson an in&eritance acce'ts or
re'uiates not&in) at all. If a 'erson is uncertain of &is ri)&t
to in&erit t&en &is acce'tance or re'uiation is ineffecti$e.
Art. (><<. Any person ha!ing the free disposal of his
property #ay accept or rep"diate an inheritance.
Any inheritance left to #inors or incapacitated persons
#ay e accepted y their parents or g"ardians. 4arents
or g"ardians #ay rep"diate the inheritance left to their
%ards only y '"dicial a"thori&ation.
The right to accept an inheritance left to the poor shall
elong to the persons designated y the testator to
deter#ine the eneficiaries and distri"te the property,
or in their defa"lt, to those #entioned in Article (>1>.
/22.a0
Acce'tance 'resu''oses not onl# ri)&ts "ut sometimes also
o"li)ations. Re'uiation( on t&e ot&er&an( means alienation.
Aence( 'ersons &a$in) t&e ca'acit# to succee "ut not
&a$in) t&e ca'acit# to is'ose of t&eir 'ro'ert# ma# not(
t&erefore( acce't or re'uiate. T&eir le)al re'resentati$es
ma# o so for t&em.
E*ce'tion to 'ara)ra'& .< %&ere t&e act %oul "e 'urel#
"eneficial to t&e minor or inca'acitate 'erson( t&e
inter$ention of t&e court is unnecessar#. But %&ere t&e
institution( e$ise or le)ac# is su"Cect to a c&ar)e or conition
to "e 'erforme "# t&e minor or inca'acitate "eneficiar#( %e
"elie$e t&at t&e a''ro$al of t&e court s&oul "e o"taine. T&e
minor s&oul not "e sale %it& o"li)ations %it&out t&e
a''ro$al of t&e )uarians&i' court.
Re'uiation amounts to alienation of 'ro'ert#< &ence( t&ere
must al%a#s "e Cuicial aut&ori4ation.
Art. (><3. The la%f"l representati!es of corporations,
associations, instit"tions and entities ="alified to
ac="ire property #ay accept any inheritance left to the
latter, "t in order to rep"diate it, the appro!al of the
co"rt shall e necessary. /221a0
Art. (><9. 4"lic official estalish#ents can neither
accept nor rep"diate an inheritance %itho"t the appro!al
of the go!ern#ent. /22<0
Refers to or)ani4ations %&ic& &a$e t&eir o%n social an
'u"lic 'ur'ose( suc& as for culture se'arate from t&e mere
manifestation of )o$ernmental functions of t&e State.
- jann - 11
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
A''ro$al re!uire "# t&is article must "e )i$en "# t&e &ea of
t&e e'artment to %&ic& t&e 'u"lic esta"lis&ment "elon) or is
su"orinate.
Art. (><8. A #arried %o#an of age #ay rep"diate an
inheritance %itho"t the consent of her h"sand. /223a0
Art. (><:. DeafA#"tes %ho can read and %rite #ay
accept or rep"diate the inheritance personally or
thro"gh an agent. Sho"ld they not e ale to read and
%rite, the inheritance shall e accepted y their
g"ardians. These g"ardians #ay rep"diate the sa#e
%ith '"dicial appro!al. /229a0
Art. (><2. Acceptance #ay e e7press or tacit.
An e7press acceptance #"st e #ade in a p"lic or
pri!ate doc"#ent.
A tacit acceptance is one res"lting fro# acts y %hich
the intention to accept is necessarily i#plied, or %hich
one %o"ld ha!e no right to do e7cept in the capacity of
an heir.
Acts of #ere preser!ation or pro!isional ad#inistration
do not i#ply an acceptance of the inheritance if, thro"gh
s"ch acts, the title or capacity of an heir has not een
ass"#ed. /222a0
Art. (>3>. An inheritance is dee#ed accepted:
/(0 If the heirs sells, donates, or assigns his
right to a stranger, or to his coAheirs, or to any of
the#@
/.0 If the heir reno"nces the sa#e, e!en tho"gh
grat"ito"sly, for the enefit of one or #ore of his
coAheirs@
/10 If he reno"nces it for a price in fa!or of all his
coAheirs indiscri#inately@ "t if this ren"nciation
sho"ld e grat"ito"s, and the coAheirs in %hose
fa!or it is #ade are those "pon %ho# the
portion reno"nced sho"ld de!ol!e y !irt"e of
accretion, the inheritance shall not e dee#ed
as accepted. /(>>>0
Ot&er acts of tacit acce'tance;
-. &eir emans 'artition
.. alienates some of t&e in&eritance
/. 'erforms suc& acts %&ic& s&o% t&e clear intent ot
acce't.
4. Art. -=77( failure to si)nif# to court one3s acce'tance
or re'uiation %it&in /= a#s from istri"ution
Art. (>3(. The rep"diation of an inheritance shall e
#ade in a p"lic or a"thentic instr"#ent, or y petition
presented to the co"rt ha!ing '"risdiction o!er the
testa#entary or intestate proceedings. /(>>:0
T; T&e la% consiers t&e act of re'uiation more solemn t&an
t&e act of acce'tance< &ence( t&e re!uirement of a 'u"lic or
aut&entic %ritin) or one 'resente to t&e Cu)e.T&e
acce'tance of an in&eritance confirms t&e transmission of t&e
ri)&t( %&ile re'uiation ma1es t&is transmission ineffecti$e(
'roucin) t&ere"# more $iolent an istur"in) conse!uences
%&ic& t&e la% cannot 'ermit "# mere im'lications or
'resum'tions.
Pu"lic instrument refers to one notari4e an ul#
ac1no%le)e "# a notar#. Aut&entic &ere refers to one
%&ose )enuinenessn is amitte or clearl# 'ro$e.
Art. (>3.. If the heir rep"diates the inheritance to the
pre'"dice of his o%n creditors, the latter #ay petition the
co"rt to a"thori&e the# to accept it in the na#e of the
heir.
The acceptance shall enefit the creditors only to an
e7tent s"fficient to co!er the a#o"nt of their credits. The
e7cess, sho"ld there e any, shall in no case pertain to
the reno"ncer, "t shall e ad'"dicated to the persons to
%ho#, in accordance %ith the r"les estalished in this
Code, it #ay elong. /(>>(0
T&e la% see1s to 'rotect t&e creitor. B# t&e e"torD&eir3s
re'uiation t%o are affecte t&ereat. T&e coD&eir %&o
recei$es more an t&e creitor %&o is 'reCuice t&ere"#.
T&e la% fa$ors t&e latter. T&e acce'tance "# t&e creitor
oes not re$o1e t&e re'uiation "ut onl# rescins t&e same
to t&e e*tent sufficient to 'rotect t&e interest of t&e creitors.
Re!uisites to entitle creitor to acce't re'uiate in&eritance;
-. T&ere must "e a $ali re'uiation in accor %it& la%
as to from
.. T&ere must "e e*istin) creits
/. Guicial aut&ori4ation must "e o"taine "# creitors
to acce't
4. T&e re'uiation 'reCuices t&e ceitors.
E*ce'tions;
-. 0reitors %&o "ecame suc& after re'uiation
.. in&eritance is useless to t&e &eir "ecause t&e e"t
of t&e estate e*cees t&e in&eritance left
/. t&e &eirDe"tor is sol$ent an &as sufficient
'ro'erties to co$er &is e"t.
Art. (>31. If the heir sho"ld die %itho"t ha!ing accepted
or rep"diated the inheritance his right shall e
trans#itted to his heirs. /(>>90
T&is is on t&e assum'tion t&at t&e &eir of t&e &eir %&o ie
acce'ts &is in&eritance from t&e latter. T&en &e ma# acce't
t&e in&eritance from t&e ori)inal eceent.
- jann - 12
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. (>3<. Sho"ld there e se!eral heirs called to the
inheritance, so#e of the# #ay accept and the others
#ay rep"diate it. /(>>8a0
Art. (>33. If a person, %ho is called to the sa#e
inheritance as an heir y %ill and ab intestato, rep"diates
the inheritance in his capacity as a testa#entary heir, he
is "nderstood to ha!e rep"diated it in oth capacities.
Sho"ld he rep"diate it as an intestate heir, %itho"t
;no%ledge of his eing a testa#entary heir, he #ay still
accept it in the latter capacity. /(>>20
T; T&e re'uiation of t&e e*'ress %ill of t&e testator inclues
t&at of t&e 'resume %ill( "ut t&e re'uiation of t&e latter still
lea$es t&e e*'ress %ill o'en to res'ect.
Ratio; An &eir "# %ill %&o re'uiates t&e same( manifests &is
isli1e to "ecome an &eir in an# conce't. B# &is act re$eals
t&e fact t&at &e oes not eser$e to "ecome &is successor
e$en "# intestac#.
OTOA( %&en an &eir re'uiates as le)al &eir ma# later
acce't "# %ill on t&e reason t&at a 'erson ma# not esire to
succee "# intestac# "ut is %illin) to succee "#
testamentar# ca'acit# in orer to follo% t&e %is&es of t&e
ea.
Art. (>39. The acceptance or rep"diation of an
inheritance, once #ade, is irre!ocale, and cannot e
i#p"gned, e7cept %hen it %as #ade thro"gh any of the
ca"ses that !itiate consent, or %hen an "n;no%n %ill
appears. /2280
Ot&er causes or re$ocation;
-. one %&o acce'ts or re'uiates %&o is not entitle to
t&e in&eritance &as no le)al effect.
.. %&en institution e'ens u'on t&e fulfillment of a
sus'ensi$e conition %&ic& is not reali4e
/. "irt& of a 'ost&umous c&il not "orn or is "orn ea
Art. (>38. )ithin thirty days after the co"rt has iss"ed an
order for the distri"tion of the estate in accordance %ith
the -"les of Co"rt, the heirs, de!isees and legatees shall
signify to the co"rt ha!ing '"risdiction %hether they
accept or rep"diate the inheritance.
If they do not do so %ithin that ti#e, they are dee#ed to
ha!e accepted the inheritance. /n0
0ASES;
3. Uson !s. Del -osario
Haria Ison %as t&e la%ful %ife of 2austino Ne"rea %&o
u'on &is eat& in ->47 left t&e lans in$ol$e in t&is liti)ation.
2austino Ne"rea left no ot&er &eir e*ce't &is %io% Haria
Ison. Ao%e$er( 'laintiff claims t&at %&en 2austino Ne"rea
ie in ->47( &is commonD la% %ife Haria el Rosario too1
'ossession ille)all# of sai lans t&us e'ri$in) &er of t&eir
'ossession an enCo#ment.
:efenants in t&eir ans%er set u' as s'ecial efense t&at on
2e"ruar# .-( ->/-( Haria Ison an &er &us"an( t&e late
2austino Ne"rea( e*ecute a 'u"lic ocument %&ere"# t&e#
a)ree to se'arate as &us"an an %ife an( in
consieration of t&eir se'aration( Haria Ison %as )i$en a
'arcel of lan "# %a# of alimon# an in return s&e renounce
&er ri)&t to in&erit an# ot&er 'ro'ert# t&at ma# "e left "# &er
&us"an u'on &is eat& +E*&i"it -,. After trial( at %&ic& "ot&
'arties 'resente t&eir res'ecti$e e$ience( t&e court
renere ecision orerin) t&e efenants to restore to t&e
'laintiff t&e o%ners&i' an 'ossession of t&e lans in is'ute
%it&out s'ecial 'ronouncement as to costs. :efenants
inter'ose t&e 'resent a''eal.
T&ere is no is'ute t&at Haria Ison( 'laintiffDa''ellee( is t&e
la%ful %ife of 2austino Ne"rea( former o%ner of t&e fi$e
'arcels of lans liti)ate in t&e 'resent case. T&ere is
li1e%ise no is'ute t&at Haria el Rosario( one of t&e
efenantsDa''ellants( %as merel# a commonDla% %ife of t&e
late 2austino Ne"rea %it& %&om s&e &a four ille)itimate
c&ilren( &er no% coDefenants. It li1e%ise a''ears t&at
2austino Ne"rea ie in ->47 muc& 'rior to t&e effecti$it# of
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe. Bit& t&is "ac1)roun( it is e$ient t&at
%&en 2austino Ne"rea ie in ->47 t&e fi$e 'arcels of lan
&e %as sei4e of at t&e time 'asse from t&e moment of &is
eat& to &is onl# &eir( &is %io% Haria Ison +Article ?77( ol
0i$il 0oe,. As t&is 0ourt a'tl# sai( 6The property elongs
to the heirs at the #o#ent of the death of the ancestor
as co#pletely as if the ancestor had e7ec"ted and
deli!ered to the# a deed for the sa#e efore his death6
+Ilustre $s. Alaras 2ronosa( -7 P&il.( /.-,. 2rom t&at
moment( t&erefore( t&e ri)&ts of in&eritance of Haria Ison
o$er t&e lans in !uestion "ecame $este.
T&e claim of t&e efenants t&at Haria Ison &a
relin!uis&e &er ri)&t o$er t&e lans in !uestion "ecause s&e
e*'ressl# renounce to in&erit an# future 'ro'ert# t&at &er
&us"an ma# ac!uire an lea$e u'on &is eat& in t&e ee
of se'aration t&e# &a entere into on 2e"ruar# .-( ->/-(
cannot "e entertaine for t&e sim'le reason t&at future
in&eritance cannot "e t&e su"Cect of a contract nor can it "e
renounce +- Hanresa( -./( si*t& eition< Tolentino on 0i$il
0oe( '. -.< Osorio $s. Osorio an Jnc&austi Steams&i' 0o.(
4- P&il.( 7/-,.
But efenants conten t&at( %&ile it is true t&at t&e four
minor efenants are ille)itimate c&ilren of t&e late 2austino
Ne"rea an uner t&e ol 0i$il 0oe are not entitle to an#
successional ri)&ts( &o%e$er( uner t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
%&ic& "ecame in force in Gune( ->7=( t&e# are )i$en t&e
status an ri)&ts of natural c&ilren an are entitle to t&e
successional ri)&ts %&ic& t&e la% accors to t&e latter +Article
..?4 an article .97( ne% 0i$il 0oe,( an "ecause t&ese
successional ri)&ts %ere eclare for t&e first time in t&e ne%
coe( t&e# s&all "e )i$en retroacti$e effect e$en t&ou)& t&e
e$ent %&ic& )a$e rise to t&em ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e
'rior le)islation +Article ..7/( ne% 0i$il 0oe,.
T&ere is no merit in t&is claim. Article ..7/ a"o$e referre to
'ro$ies inee t&at ri)&ts %&ic& are eclare for t&e first
time s&all &a$e retroacti$e effect e$en t&ou)& t&e e$ent
%&ic& )a$e rise to t&em ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e former
le)islation( "t this is so only %hen the ne% rights do not
pre'"dice any !ested or ac="ired right of the sa#e
origin. T&us( sai article 'ro$ies t&at 8if a ri)&t s&oul "e
eclare for t&e first time in t&is 0oe( it s&all "e effecti$e at
- jann - 13
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
once( e$en t&ou)& t&e act or e$ent %&ic& )i$es rise t&ereto
ma# &a$e "een one or ma# &a$e occurre uner t&e 'rior
le)islation( 'ro$ie sai ne% ri)&t oes not 'reCuice or
im'air an# $este or ac!uire ri)&t( of t&e same ori)in.8 %s
already stated in the early part of this decision, the right of
ownership of &aria 'son over the lands in question became
vested in ()*+ upon the death of her late husband and this is
so because of the imperative provision of the law which
commands that the rights to succession are transmitted from
the moment of death ,%rticle -+., old /ivil /ode0. "he new
right recogni1ed by the new /ivil /ode in favor of the
illegitimate chilren of t&e ecease cannot( t&erefore( "e
asserte to t&e im'airment of t&e $este ri)&t of Haria Ison
o$er t&e lans in is'ute.
As re)ars t&e claim t&at Haria Ison( %&ile &er ecease
&us"an %as l#in) in state( in a )esture of 'it# or
com'assion( a)ree to assi)n t&e lans in !uestion to t&e
minor c&ilren for t&e reason t&at t&e# %ere ac!uire %&ile
t&e ecease %as li$in) %it& t&eir mot&er an Haria Ison
%ante to assua)e some%&at t&e %ron) s&e &as one to
t&em( t&is muc& can "e sai< a'art from t&e fact t&at t&is
claim is is'ute( %e are of t&e o'inion t&at sai assi)nment(
if an#( 'arta1es of t&e nature of a onation of real 'ro'ert#(
inasmuc& as it in$ol$es no material consieration( an in
orer t&at it ma# "e $ali it s&all "e mae in a 'u"lic
ocument an must "e acce'te eit&er in t&e same
ocument or in a se'arate one +Article ?//( ol 0i$il 0oe,.
Inasmuc& as t&is essential formalit# &as not "een follo%e( it
results t&at t&e alle)e assi)nment or onation &as no $ali
effect. B&erefore( t&e ecision a''eale from is affirme(
%it&out costs.
9. De Bor'a !s. De Bor'a
It is unconteste t&at 2rancisco e BorCa( u'on t&e eat& of
&is %ife Gosefa Tan)co on ? Octo"er ->4=( file a 'etition for
t&e 'ro"ate of &er %ill %&ic& %as oc1ete as S'ecial
Proceein) No. RD79?? of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Ri4al( Branc& I. T&e %ill %as 'ro"ate on . A'ril ->4-. In
->4?( 2rancisco e BorCa %as a''ointe e*ecutor an
aministrator; in ->7.( t&eir son( Gose e BorCa( %as
a''ointe coDaministrator. B&en 2rancisco ie( on -4 A'ril
->74( Gose "ecame t&e sole aministrator of t&e testate
estate of &is mot&er( Gose Tan)co B&ile a %io%er 2rancisco
e BorCa alle)el# too1 unto &imself a secon %ife( Tasiana
On)sin)co. I'on 2rancisco@s eat&( Tasiana institute
testate 'roceein)s in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a
EciCa( %&ere( in ->77( s&e %as a''ointe s'ecial
aministratri*. T&e $aliit# of Tasiana@s marria)e to 2rancisco
%as !uestione in sai 'roceein).
T&e relations&i' "et%een t&e c&ilren of t&e first marria)e
an Tasiana On)sin)co &as "een 'la)ue %it& se$eral court
suits an counterDsuits< incluin) t&e t&ree cases at "ar(
some ei)&teen +-9, cases remain 'enin) etermination in
t&e courts. T&e testate estate of Gosefa Tan)co alone &as
"een unsettle for more t&an a !uarter of a centur#. In orer
to 'ut an en to all t&ese liti)ations( a com'romise
a)reement %as entere into on -. Octo"er ->?/( . "# an
"et%een 8MTN&e &eir an son of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is first
marria)e( namel#( Gose e BorCa 'ersonall# an as
aministrator of t&e Testate Estate of Gosefa Tan)co(8 an
8MTN&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is
secon marria)e( Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e BorCa( assiste
"# &er la%#er( Att#. Luis Pana)uiton( Gr.8
On -? Ha# ->??( Gose e BorCa su"mitte for 0ourt a''ro$al
t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ to t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al( in S'ecial Proceein) No. RD79??< an
a)ain( on 9 Au)ust ->??( to t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Nue$a EciCa( in S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.. Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa o''ose in "ot& instances. T&e
Ri4al court a''ro$e t&e com'romise a)reement( "ut t&e
Nue$a EciCa court eclare it $oi an unenforcea"le.
S'ecial aministratri* Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa
a''eale t&e Ri4al 0ourt@s orer of a''ro$al +no% Su'reme
0ourt G.R. case No. LD.9=4=,( %&ile aministrator Gose e
BorCa a''eale t&e orer of isa''ro$al +G.R. case No. LD
.97?9, "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa.
"he genuineness and due execution of the compromise
agreement of (2 October ()-3 is not disputed, but its validity
is, nevertheless, attac$ed by "asiana Ongsingco on the
ground that: ,(0 the heirs cannot enter into such $ind of
agreement without first probating the will of 4rancisco de
5or6a7 ,20 that the same involves a compromise on the
validity of the marriage between 4rancisco de 5or6a and
"asiana Ongsingco7 and ,30 that even if it were valid, it has
ceased to have force and effect.
In assailin) t&e $aliit# of t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/(
Tasiana On)sin)co an t&e Pro"ate 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa
rel# on t&is 0ourt@s ecision in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara. 74 P&il.
47>( %&erein t&e 0ourt@s maCorit# &el t&e $ie% t&at t&e
'resentation of a %ill for 'ro"ate is manator# an t&at t&e
settlement an istri"ution of an estate on t&e "asis of
intestac# %&en t&e eceent left a %ill( is a)ainst t&e la% an
'u"lic 'olic#. It is li1e%ise 'ointe out "# a''ellant Tasiana
On)sin)co t&at Section - of Rule 74 of t&e Re$ise Rules
e*'licitl# conitions t&e $aliit# of an e*traCuicial settlement
of a eceent@s estate "# a)reement "et%een &eirs( u'on t&e
facts t&at 8+if, t&e eceent left no %ill an no e"ts( an t&e
&eirs are all of a)e( or t&e minors are re'resente "# t&eir
Cuicial an le)al re'resentati$es . . .8 T&e %ill of 2rancisco
e BorCa &a$in) "een su"mitte to t&e Nue$a EciCa 0ourt an
still 'enin) 'ro"ate %&en t&e ->?/ a)reement %as mae(
t&ose circumstances( it is ar)ue( "ar t&e $aliit# of t&e
a)reement.
I'on t&e ot&er &an( in claimin) t&e $aliit# of t&e
com'romise a)reement( Gose e BorCa stresses t&at at t&e
time it %as entere into( on -. Octo"er ->?/( t&e )o$ernin)
'ro$ision %as Section -( Rule 74 of t&e ori)inal Rules of
0ourt of ->4=( %&ic& allo%e t&e e*traCuicial settlement of
t&e estate of a ecease 'erson re)arless of %&et&er &e left
a %ill or not. Ae also relies on t&e issentin) o'inion of
Gustice Horan( in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47>(
%&erein %as e*'resse t&e $ie% t&at if t&e 'arties &a$e
alrea# i$ie t&e estate in accorance %it& a eceent@s
%ill( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill is a useless ceremon#< an if t&e#
&a$e i$ie t&e estate in a ifferent manner( t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is %orse t&an useless.
T&is 'ro$ision e$iences "e#on ou"t t&at t&e rulin) in t&e
Gue$ara case is not a''lica"le to t&e cases at "ar. T&ere
%as &ere no attem't to settle or istri"ute t&e estate of
2rancisco e BorCa amon) t&e &eirs t&ereto "efore t&e
'ro"ate of &is %ill. T&e clear o"Cect of t&e contract %as
merel# t&e con$e#ance "# Tasiana On)sin)co of an# an all
&er ini$iual s&are an interest( actual or e$entual( in t&e
estate of 2rancisco e BorCa an Gosefa Tan)co. "here is no
stipulation as to any other claimant, creditor or legatee %nd
as a hereditary share in a decedent's estate is transmitted or
vested immediately from the moment of the death of such
causante or predecessor in interest ,/ivil /ode of the
8hilippines, %rt. ...0 3 there is no legal bar to a successor
,with requisite contracting capacity0 disposing of her or his
- jann - 14
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
hereditary share immediately after such death, even if the
actual extent of such share is not determined until the
subsequent liquidation of the estate. * Of course, the effect
of such alienation is to be deemed limited to what is
ultimately ad6udicated to the vendor heir. #owever, the
aleatory character of the contract does not affect the validity
of the transaction7 neither does the coetaneous agreement
that the numerous litigations between the parties ,the
approving order of the 9i1al /ourt enumerates fourteen of
them, 9ec. %pp. pp. .):;20 are to be considered settled and
should be dismissed, although such stipulation, as noted by
the 9i1al /ourt, gives the contract the character of a
compromise that the law favors, for obvious reasons, if only
because it serves to avoid a multiplicity of suits.
It is li1e%ise %ort&# of note in t&is connection t&at as t&e
sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa( Tasiana On)sin)co
%as &is com'ulsor# &eir uner article >>7 et se!. of t&e
'resent 0i$il 0oe. B&erefore( "arrin) un%ort&iness or $ali
isin&eritance( &er successional interest e*iste ine'enent
of 2rancisco e BorCa@s last %ill an testament( an %oul
e*ist e$en if suc& %ill %ere not 'ro"ate at all. T&us( t&e
'rere!uisite of a 're$ious 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( as esta"lis&e
in t&e Gue$ara an analo)ous cases( can not a''l# to t&e
case of Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa.
T&is "rin)s us to t&e 'lea t&at t&e 0ourt of 2irst In stance of
Ri4al &a no Curisiction to a''ro$e t&e com'romise %it&
Gose e BorCa +Anne* A, "ecause Tasiana On)sin)co %as
not an &eir in t&e estate of Gosefa Tan)co 'enin) settlement
in t&e Ri4al 0ourt( "ut s&e %as an &eir of 2rancisco e BorCa(
%&ose estate %as t&e o"Cect of S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa. T&is
circumstance is irrele$ant( since %&at %as sol "# Tasiana
On)sin)co %as onl# &er e$entual s&are in t&e estate of &er
late &us"an( not t&e estate itself< an as alrea# s&o%n( t&at
e$entual s&are s&e o%ne from t&e time of 2rancisco@s eat&
an t&e 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa coul not "ar &er sellin) it. As
o%ner of &er uni$ie &ereitar# s&are( Tasiana coul
is'ose of it in fa$or of %&omsoe$er s&e c&ose Suc&
alienation is e*'ressl# reco)ni4e an 'ro$ie for "# article
-=99 of t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe;
Art. -=99. S&oul an# of t&e &eirs sell &is &ereitar#
ri)&ts to a stran)er "efore t&e 'artition( an# or all of t&e coD
&eirs ma# "e su"ro)ate to t&e ri)&ts of t&e 'urc&aser "#
reim"ursin) &im for t&e 'rice of t&e sale( 'ro$ie t&e# o so
%it&in t&e 'erio of one mont& from t&e time t&e# %ere
notifie in %ritin) of t&e sale of t&e $enor.8
Tasiana On)sin)co furt&er ar)ues t&at &er contract %it& Gose
e BorCa +Anne* 8A8, is $oi "ecause it amounts to a
com'romise as to &er status an marria)e %it& t&e late
2rancisco e BorCa. T&e 'oint is %it&out merit( for t&e $er#
o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e a)reement %it& Gose e BorCa
+Anne* 8A8, escri"es &er as 8t&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse
of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is secon marria)e( Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa8( %&ic& is in itself efinite
amission of &er ci$il status. T&ere is not&in) in t&e te*t of
t&e a)reement t&at %oul s&o% t&at t&is reco)nition of
On)sin)co@s status as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e
BorCa %as onl# mae in consieration of t&e cession of &er
&ereitar# ri)&ts.
It is ifficult to "elie$e( &o%e$er( t&at t&e amica"le settlement
referre to in t&e orer an motion a"o$eDmentione %as t&e
com'romise a)reement of -/ Octo"er ->?/( %&ic& alrea#
&a "een formall# si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e 'arties an
ul# notari4e. B&at t&e recor iscloses is t&at some time
after its formali4ation( On)sin)co &a unilaterall# attem'te
to "ac1 out from t&e com'romise a)reement( 'leain)
$arious reasons restate in t&e o''osition to t&e 0ourt@s
a''ro$al of Anne* 8A8 +Recor on A''eal( LD.=94=( 'a)e
./,; t&at t&e same %as in$ali "ecause of t&e la'se of t&e
alle)el# intene resolutor# 'erio of ?= a#s an "ecause
t&e contract %as not 'recee "# t&e 'ro"ate of 2rancisco e
BorCa@s %ill( as re!uire "# t&is 0ourt@s Gue$arra $s. Gue$ara
rulin)< t&at Anne* 8A8 in$ol$e a com'romise affectin)
On)sin)co@s status as %ife an %io% of 2rancisco e BorCa(
etc.( all of %&ic& o"Cections &a$e "een alrea# iscusse.
It %as natural t&at in $ie% of t&e %io%@s attitue( Gose e
BorCa s&oul attem't to reac& a ne% settlement or no$ator#
a)reement "efore see1in) Cuicial sanction an enforcement
of Anne* 8A8( since t&e latter ste' mi)&t ultimatel# entail a
lon)er ela# in attainin) final reme#. T&at t&e attem't to
reac& anot&er settlement faile is a''arent from t&e letter of
On)sin)co@s counsel to Gose e BorCa !uote in 'a)es /7D/?
of t&e "rief for a''ellant On)sin)co in G.R. No. LD.9=4=< an
it is more t&an 'ro"a"le t&at t&e orer of .- Se'tem"er ->?4
an t&e motion of -7 Gune ->?4 referre to t&e failure of t&e
'arties@ !uest for a more satisfactor# com'romise. But t&e
ina"ilit# to reac& a no$ator# accor can not in$aliate t&e
ori)inal com'romise +Anne* 8A8, an Custifies t&e act of Gose
e BorCa in finall# see1in) a court orer for its a''ro$al an
enforcement from t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( %&ic&(
as &eretofore escri"e( ecree t&at t&e a)reement "e
ultimatel# 'erforme %it&in -.= a#s from t&e finalit# of t&e
orer( no% uner a''eal. Be conclue t&at in so oin)( t&e
Ri4al court acte in accorance %it& la%( an( t&erefore( its
orer s&oul "e u'&el( %&ile t&e contrar# resolution of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa s&oul "e( an is(
re$erse.
8. Bonilla !s. Barcena
On Harc& /-( ->77 2ortunata Barcena( mot&er of minors
Rosalio Bonilla an Sal$acion Bonilla an %ife of Ponciano
Bonilla( institute a ci$il action in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance
of A"ra( to !uiet title o$er certain 'arcels of lan locate in
A"ra. On Au)ust 4( ->77( t&e efenants file anot&er motion
to ismiss t&e com'laint on t&e )roun t&at 2ortunata
Barcena is ea an( t&erefore( &as no le)al ca'acit# to sue.
Sai motion to ismiss %as &ear on Au)ust -4( ->77. In
sai &earin)( counsel for t&e 'laintiff confirme t&e eat& of
2ortunata Barcena an as1e for su"stitution "# &er minor
c&ilren an &er &us"an( t&e 'etitioners &erein< "ut t&e
court after t&e &earin) immeiatel# ismisse t&e case on
t&e )roun t&at a ea 'erson cannot "e a real 'art# in
interest an &as no le)al 'ersonalit# to sue.
On Au)ust .9( ->77( t&e court enie t&e motion for
reconsieration file "# counsel for t&e 'laintiff for lac1 of
merit. On Se'tem"er -( ->77( counsel for ecease 'laintiff
file a %ritten manifestation 'ra#in) t&at t&e minors Rosalio
Bonilla an Sal$acion Bonilla "e allo%e to su"stitute t&eir
ecease mot&er( "ut t&e court enie t&e counsel@s 'ra#er
for lac1 of merit. 2rom t&e orer( counsel for t&e ecease
'laintiff file a secon motion for reconsieration of t&e orer
ismissin) t&e com'laint claimin) t&at t&e same is in $iolation
of Sections -? an -7 of Rule / of t&e Rules of 0ourt "ut t&e
same %as enie.
T&e 0ourt re$erses t&e res'onent 0ourt an sets asie its
orer ismissin) t&e com'laint in 0i$il 0ase No. 97? an its
orers en#in) t&e motion for reconsieration of sai orer of
ismissal. B&ile it is true t&at a 'erson %&o is ea cannot
sue in court( #et &e can "e su"stitute "# &is &eirs in
- jann - 15
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
'ursuin) t&e case u' to its com'letion. T&e recors of t&is
case s&o% t&at t&e eat& of 2ortunata Barcena too1 'lace on
Gul# >( ->77 %&ile t&e com'laint %as file on Harc& /-(
->77. "his means that when the complaint was filed on
&arch 3(, ().+, 4ortunata 5arcena was still alive, and
therefore, the court had acquired 6urisdiction over her person.
If t&ereafter s&e ie( t&e Rules of 0ourt 'rescri"es t&e
'roceure %&ere"# a 'art# %&o ie urin) t&e 'enenc# of
t&e 'roceein) can "e su"stitute. Iner Section -?( Rule /
of t&e Rules of 0ourt 8%&ene$er a 'art# to a 'enin) case
ies . . . it s&all "e t&e ut# of &is attorne# to inform t&e court
'rom'tl# of suc& eat& . . . an to )i$e t&e name an
resience of &is e*ecutor( aministrator( )uarian or ot&er
le)al re'resentati$es.8 T&is ut# %as com'lie %it& "# t&e
counsel for t&e ecease 'laintiff %&en &e manifeste "efore
t&e res'onent 0ourt t&at 2ortunata Barcena ie on Gul# >(
->77 an as1e for t&e 'ro'er su"stitution of 'arties in t&e
case.
T&e res'onent 0ourt( &o%e$er( instea of allo%in) t&e
su"stitution( ismisse t&e com'laint on t&e )roun t&at a
ea 'erson &as no le)al 'ersonalit# to sue. T&is is a )ra$e
error. %rticle ... of the /ivil /ode provides that the rights to
the succession are transmitted from the moment of the death
of the decedent. 4rom the moment of the death of the
decedent, the heirs become the absolute owners of his
property, sub6ect to the rights and obligations of the
decedent, and they cannot be deprived of their rights thereto
except by the methods provided for by law. 3 "he moment
of death is the determining factor when the heirs acquire a
definite right to the inheritance whether such right be pure or
contingent. * "he right of the heirs to the property of the
deceased vests in them even before 6udicial declaration of
their being heirs in the testate or intestate proceedings. +
When 4ortunata 5arcena, therefore, died her claim or right to
the parcels of land in litigation in /ivil /ase <o. ;+-, was not
extinguished by her death but was transmitted to her heirs
upon her death. #er heirs have thus acquired interest in the
properties in litigation and became parties in interest in the
case. T&ere is( t&erefore( no reason for t&e res'onent 0ourt
to allo% t&eir su"stitution as 'arties in interest for t&e
ecease 'laintiff.
:. Bo"gh !s. Codesto
2. Borro#eoA+errera !s. Borro#eo
Vito Borromeo( a %io%er an 'ermanent resient of 0e"u
0it#( ie on Harc& -/( ->7.( in ParaOa!ue( Ri4al at t&e a)e
of 99 #ears( %it&out force &eirs "ut lea$in) e*tensi$e
'ro'erties in t&e 'ro$ince of 0e"u.
On A'ril ->( ->7.( Gose Gun!uera file %it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of 0e"u a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a one 'a)e
ocument as t&e last %ill an testament left "# t&e sai
ecease( e$isin) all &is 'ro'erties to Tomas( 2ortunato an
Amelia( all surname Borromeo( in e!ual an uni$ie
s&ares( an esi)natin) Gun!uera as e*ecutor t&ereof. T&e
case %as oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein)s No. >-?DR. T&e
ocument( rafte in S'anis&( %as alle)el# si)ne an
t&um"mar1e "# t&e ecease in t&e 'resence of 0ornelio
Ganionco( Euse"io 0a"iluna( an 2eli*"erto Leonaro %&o
acte as %itnesses.
O''ositions to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill %ere file. On Ha# .9(
->?=( after ue trial( t&e 'ro"ate court &el t&at t&e ocument
'resente as t&e %ill of t&e ecease %as a for)er#.
On a''eal to t&is 0ourt( t&e ecision of t&e 'ro"ate court
isallo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill %as affirme in Testate
Estate of Vito Borromeo( Gose A. Gun!uera( et al. $. 0ris'in
Borromeo( et al. +-> S0RA ?7?,.
T&e testate 'roceein)s %as con$erte into an intestate
'roceein)s. Se$eral 'arties came "efore t&e court filin)
claims or 'etitions alle)in) t&emsel$es as &eirs of t&e
intestate estate of Vito Borromeo. On A'ril -=( ->?>( t&e trial
court( in$o1in) Art. >7. of t&e 0i$il 0oe( issue an orer
eclarin) t&e follo%in)( to t&e e*clusion of all ot&ers( as t&e
intestate &eirs of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo;
-.Gose 0uenco Borromeo ..Gu)e 0ris'in Borromeo
/.Vitaliana Borromeo 4.Patrocinio Borromeo Aerrera 7.Salu
Borromeo ?.Asuncion Borromeo 7. Harcial Borromeo
9.Amelina Borromeo e Talam( an >.T&e &eirs of 0anuto
Borromeo
T&e court also orere t&at t&e assets of t&e intestate estate
of Vito Borromeo s&all "e i$ie into 45> an 75> )rou's an
istri"ute in e!ual an e!uita"le s&ares amon) t&e >
a"o$ename eclare intestate &eirs.
2ortunato Borromeo file a motion for reconsieration. In t&e
memoranum &e su"mitte to su''ort &is motion for
reconsieration( 2ortunato c&an)e t&e "asis for &is claim to
a 'ortion of t&e estate. Ae asserte an incor'orate a
Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts ate Gul# /-( ->?7( su''osel#
si)ne "# Pilar N. Borromeo( Haria B. Puton). Gose
Borromeo( 0anuto V. Borromeo( Gr.( Salu Borromeo(
Patrocinio BorromeoDAerrera( Harcial Borromeo( Asuncion
Borromeo( 2eerico V. Borromeo( 0onsuelo B. Horales(
Remeios Alfonso an Amelina B. Talam. In t&e %ai$er( fi$e
of t&e nine &eirs relin!uis&e to 2ortunato t&eir s&ares in t&e
is'ute estate. "he motion was opposed on the ground that
the trial court, acting as a probate court, had no 6urisdiction to
ta$e cogni1ance of the claim7 that respondent 4ortunato
5orromeo is estopped from asserting the waiver agreement7
that the waiver agreement is void as it was executed before
the declaration of heirs7 that the same is void having been
executed before the distribution of the estate and before the
acceptance of the inheritance7 and that it is void ab initio and
inexistent for lac$ of sub6ect matter.
On :ecem"er .4( ->74( after ue &earin)( t&e trial court
concluin) t&at t&e fi$e eclare &eirs %&o si)ne t&e %ai$er
a)reement assi)nin) t&eir &ereitar# ri)&ts to 2ortunato
Borromeo &a lost t&e same ri)&ts( eclare t&e latter as
entitle to 75> of t&e estate of Vito Borromeo.
In t&e 'resent 'etition( t&e 'etitioner see1s to annul an set
asie t&e trial court@s orer ate :ecem"er .4( ->74(
eclarin) res'onent 2ortunato Borromeo entitle to 75> of
t&e estate of Vito Borromeo an t&e Gul# 7( ->77 orer(
en#in) t&e motion for reconsieration.
It is furt&er ar)ue "# t&e 'etitioner t&at t&e ocument
entitle 8Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts8 e*ecute on Gul# /-(
->?7( asie from &a$in) "een cancelle an re$o1e on
Gune .>( ->?9( "# Tomas L. Borromeo( 2ortunato Borromeo
an Amelia Borromeo( is without force and effect because
there can be no effective waiver of hereditary rights before
there has been a valid acceptance of the inheritance the
heirs intend to transfer. Pursuant to Article -=4/ of t&e 0i$il
0oe( to ma1e acce'tance or re'uiation of in&eritance $ali(
t&e 'erson must "e certain of t&e eat& of t&e one from
%&om &e is to in&erit an of &is ri)&t to t&e in&eritance. Since
t&e 'etitioner an &er coD&eirs %ere not certain of t&eir ri)&t
to t&e in&eritance until t&e# %ere eclare &eirs( t&eir ri)&ts
%ere( t&erefore( uncertain. T&is $ie%( accorin) to t&e
'etitioner( is also su''orte "# Article -=77 of t&e same 0oe
- jann - 16
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
%&ic& irects &eirs( e$isees( an le)atees to si)nif# t&eir
acce'tance or re'uiation %it&in t&irt# a#s after t&e court
&as issue an orer for t&e istri"ution of t&e estate.
9espondent 4ortunato 5orromeo on the other hand,
contends that under %rticle (=*3 of the /ivil /ode there is no
need for a person to be first declared as heir before he can
accept or repudiate an inheritance. What is required is that
he must first be certain of the death of the person from whom
he is to inherit and that he must be certain of his right to the
inheritance. #e points out that at the time of the signing of
the waiver document on >uly 3(, ()-., the signatories to the
waiver document were certain that Vito 5orromeo was
already dead as well as of their rights to the inheritance as
shown in the waiver document itself.
T&e 're$ailin) Curis'ruence on %ai$er of &ereitar# ri)&ts is
t&at 8t&e 'ro'erties inclue in an e*istin) in&eritance cannot
"e consiere as "elon)in) to t&ir 'ersons %it& res'ect to
t&e &eirs( %&o "# fiction of la% continue t&e 'ersonalit# of t&e
former. Nor o suc& 'ro'erties &a$e t&e c&aracter of future
'ro'ert#, because the heirs acquire a right to succession
from the moment of the death of the deceased( "# 'rinci'le
esta"lis&e in article ?77 an a''lie "# article ??- of t&e
0i$il 0oe. accorin) to %&ic& t&e &eirs succee t&e
ecease "# t&e mere fact of eat&. Hore or less( time ma#
ela'se from t&e moment of t&e eat& of t&e ecease until
t&e &eirs enter into 'ossession of t&e &ereitar# 'ro'ert#( but
the acceptance in any event retroacts to the moment of the
death, in accordance with article );) of the /ivil /ode. T&e
ri)&t is $este( alt&ou)& conitione u'on t&e aCuication of
t&e corres'onin) &ereitar# 'ortion.8 +Osorio $. Osorio an
Jnc&austi Steams&i' 0o.( 4- P&il.( 7/-,. "he heirs,
therefore, could waive their hereditary rights in ()-. even if
the order to partition the estate was issued only in ()-).
In t&is case( &o%e$er( t&e 'ur'orte 8Bai$er of Aereitar#
Ri)&ts8 cannot "e consiere to "e effecti$e. 2or a %ai$er to
e*ist( t&ree elements are essential; +-, t&e e*istence of a
ri)&t< +., t&e 1no%le)e of t&e e*istence t&ereof< an +/, an
intention to relin!uis& suc& ri)&t. +Peo'le $. Sal$aor( +0A, 7/
O.G. No. ..( '. 9--?( 9-.=,. T&e intention to %ai$e a ri)&t or
a$anta)e must "e s&o%n clearl# an con$incin)l#( an
%&en t&e onl# 'roof of intention rests in %&at a 'art# oes(
&is act s&oul "e so manifestl# consistent %it&( an inicati$e
of an intent to( $oluntaril# relin!uis& t&e 'articular ri)&t or
a$anta)e t&at no ot&er reasona"le e*'lanation of &is
conuct is 'ossi"le +?7 0.G.( /--,. +2ernane4 $. Se"io( et
al.( 7= P&il.( -7-( -7>,.
T&e circumstances of t&is case s&o% t&at t&e si)natories to
t&e %ai$er ocument i not &a$e t&e clear an con$incin)
intention to relin!uis& t&eir ri)&ts. T&us; +-, On Octo"er .7(
->?7( 2ortunato( Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo file a
'leain) entitle 80om'liance8 %&erein t&e# su"mitte a
'ro'osal for t&e amica"le settlement of t&e case. In t&at
0om'liance( t&e# 'ro'ose to concee to all t&e ei)&t +9,
intestate &eirs of Vito Borromeo all 'ro'erties( 'ersonal an
real( incluin) all cas& an sums of mone# in t&e &ans of
t&e S'ecial Aministrator( as of Octo"er /-( ->?7( not
conteste or claime "# t&em in an# action t&en 'enin) in
t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of 0e"u. In turn( t&e &eirs %oul
%ai$e an concee to t&em all t&e -4 conteste lots. In t&is
ocument( t&e res'onent reco)ni4es an concees t&at t&e
'etitioner( li1e t&e ot&er si)natories to t&e %ai$er ocument(
is an &eir of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo( entitle to s&are in
t&e estate.
T&is s&o%s t&at t&e 8Bai$er of Aereitar# Ri)&ts8 %as ne$er
meant to "e %&at t&e res'onent no% 'ur'orts it to "e. Aa
t&e intent "een ot&er%ise( t&ere %oul not "e an# reason for
2ortunato( Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo to mention t&e &eirs
in t&e offer to settle t&e case amica"l#( an offer to concee
to t&em 'arts of t&e estate of t&e ecease< +., On A'ril .-
an /=( ->?>( t&e maCorit# of t&e eclare &eirs e*ecute an
A)reement on &o% t&e estate t&e# in&erite s&all "e
istri"ute. T&is A)reement of Partition %as a''ro$e "# t&e
trial court on Au)ust -7( ->?>< +/, On Gune .>( ->?9( t&e
'etitioner( amon) ot&ers( si)ne a ocument entitle :ee of
Assi)nment8 'ur'ortin) to transfer an assi)n in fa$or of t&e
res'onent an Tomas an Amelia Borromeo all &er
+Patrocinio B. Aerrera@s, ri)&ts( interests( an 'artici'ation as
an intestate &eir in t&e estate of t&e ecease Vito Borromeo.
T&e state consieration for sai assi)nment %as
P-==(===.==< +4, On t&e same ate( Gune .>( ->?9( t&e
res'onent Tomas( an Amelia Borromeo +assi)nees in t&e
aforementione ee of assi)nment, in turn e*ecute a
8:ee of Recon$e#ance8 in fa$or of t&e &eirsDassi)nors
name in t&e same ee of assi)nment. T&e state
consieration %as P7=(===.==< +7, A 0ancellation of :ee of
Assi)nment an :ee of Recon$e#ance %as si)ne "#
Tomas Borromeo an Amelia Borromeo on Octo"er -7( ->?9(
%&ile 2ortunato Borromeo si)ne t&is ocument on Harc&
.4( ->?>. In $ie% of t&e fore)oin)( t&e !uestione orer of
t&e trial court ate :ecem"er .4( ->74( is &ere"# SET
ASI:E.
E. Kins of Succesion
Art. 88:. S"ccession #ay e:
/(0 Testa#entary@
/.0 Legal or intestate@ or
/10 Ci7ed. /n0
Art. 882. Testa#entary s"ccession is that %hich res"lts
fro# the designation of an heir, #ade in a %ill e7ec"ted
in the for# prescried y la%. /n0
B; Le)al or Intestate succession is ine*'lica"l# not efine.
0uriousl#( t&e raft coe containe a efinition of t&is 1in of
succession "ut for some un1no%n reasons it %as not
inclue. It state t&at an PIntestate succession ta1es 'lace
"# o'eration of la% in t&e a"sence of a $ali %ill.Q
Art. 29>. Legal or intestate s"ccession ta;es place:
/(0 If a person dies %itho"t a %ill, or %ith a !oid
%ill, or one %hich has s"se="ently lost its
!alidity@
/.0 )hen the %ill does not instit"te an heir to, or
dispose of all the property elonging to the
testator. In s"ch case, legal s"ccession shall
ta;e place only %ith respect to the property of
%hich the testator has not disposed@
/10 If the s"spensi!e condition attached to the
instit"tion of heir does not happen or is not
- jann - 17
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
f"lfilled, or if the heir dies efore the testator, or
rep"diates the inheritance, there eing no
s"stit"tion, and no right of accretion ta;es
place@
/<0 )hen the heir instit"ted is incapale of
s"cceeding, e7cept in cases pro!ided in this
Code. /2(.a0
T; A $oi %ill &as no le)al e*istence.
A $oi %ill an a %ill t&at later lost its $aliit# are essentiall#
t&e same. T&e onl# ifference "et%een t&e t%o lies in t&e fact
t&at t&e first refers to a %ill t&at &as ne$er "een $ali( "ut is
null an $oi a" ori)ine( i'so facto( %&ile t&e secon refers to
a $ali %ill %&ic& later lost its $aliit#.
Iner Art. 94- a %ill is $ali t&ou)& t&ere is no institution of
&eir. In suc& cases t&e testamentar# is'ositions mae in
accorance %it& la% s&all "e carrie out( an t&e remainer
of t&e 'ro'ert# s&all 'ass to le)al &eirs. A"sence of institution
inclues t&ose institution %&ic& are $oi.
Ot&er causes of intestac#;
-. &a''enin) of a resolutor# conition %&ic& sets asie
t&e institution of t&e &eir
.. e*'iration of t&e resolutor# term or 'erio of
institution of an &eir( le)atee or e$isee institute u'
to a a# certain
/. noncom'liance or t&e im'ossi"ilit# of com'l#in) %it&
t&e %ill of t&e testator.
4. Preterition %&ic& results to annulment of t&e
institution of an &eir
B; T&ere are t&ree instances containe in t&is 'ara)ra'&(
alt&ou)&( le)all#( t&e result is t&e same in eac& instance( i.e.(
t&ere is no %ill.
In 'ar. . P$aliit#Q s&oul rea as Pefficac#Q
Intestac# ma# "e total or 'artial e'enin) on t&e e*tent of
t&e is'osition t&at turns out to "e ino'erati$e
Art. 8:>. Ci7ed s"ccession is that effected partly y %ill
and partly y operation of la%. /n0
Art. (1>. The f"t"re spo"ses #ay gi!e each other in their
#arriage settle#ents as #"ch as oneAfifth of their
present property, and %ith respect to their f"t"re
property, only in the e!ent of death, to the e7tent laid
do%n y the pro!isions of this Code referring to
testa#entary s"ccession.
Art. (1<8. All things %hich are not o"tside the co##erce
of #en, incl"ding f"t"re things, #ay e the o'ect of a
contract. All rights %hich are not intrans#issile #ay
also e the o'ect of contracts.
No contract #ay e entered into "pon f"t"re inheritance
e7cept in cases e7pressly a"thori&ed y la%.
All ser!ices %hich are not contrary to la%, #orals, good
c"sto#s, p"lic order or p"lic policy #ay li;e%ise e
the o'ect of a contract.
Art. 83.. The pro!isions of Article 83> not%ithstanding,
no person #ay gi!e or recei!e, y %ay of donation, #ore
than he #ay gi!e or recei!e y %ill. The donation shall
e inofficio"s in all that it #ay e7ceed this li#itation.
/9190
T&e limitation im'ose "# t&is article a''lies to 'ersons %&o
&a$e com'ulsor# &eirs. T&e amount t&at can "e onate
e'ens u'on t&e c&aracter of t&e com'ulsor# &eirs an t&e
amount of 'ro'ert# at t&e time of t&e eat& of t&e onor. T&e
onation itself is not a nullit#( "ut onl# su"Cect to reuction in
so far as it e*cees %&at t&e onor coul &a$e )i$en "# %ill
to t&e onee. T&is amount is etermina"le onl# at t&e time of
t&e eat& of onor.
Art. 83>. The donations #ay co#prehend all the present
property of the donor, or part thereof, pro!ided he
reser!es, in f"ll o%nership or in "s"fr"ct, s"fficient
#eans for the s"pport of hi#self, and of all relati!es
%ho, at the ti#e of the acceptance of the donation, are
y la% entitled to e s"pported y the donor. )itho"t
s"ch reser!ation, the donation shall e red"ced in
petition of any person affected. /91<a0
A onation of all t&e 'resent 'ro'ert# of t&e onor( %it&out
t&e reser$ation of a sufficient amount for &is su"sistence( is
not $oi( "ut onl# susce'ti"le of reuction. It is $oia"le %it&
res'ect to t&e amount necessar# for t&e su''ort of t&e onor
or &is e'enent relati$es.
Art. :<. If the f"t"re spo"ses agree "pon a regi#e other
than the asol"te co##"nity of property, they cannot
donate to each other in their #arriage settle#ents #ore
than oneAfifth of their present property. Any e7cess shall
e considered !oid.
Donations of f"t"re property shall e go!erned y the
pro!isions on testa#entary s"ccession and the
for#alities of %ills. /(1>a,
T&ese onations( unli1e onations of 'resent 'ro'ert# %&ic&
ta1e effect u'on t&e cele"ration of t&e marria)e( ta1e effect
u'on t&e eat& of t&e onor s'ouse. It cannot "e mae in t&e
marria)e settlement "ut in a %ill or testament. Its limits are
)o$erne "# t&e rules of testamentar# succession. Since a
%ill can "e re$o1e "# t&e testator at an# time "efore &is
eat& t&e onation 'ro'ter nu'tias of future 'ro'ert# ma# "e
so re$o1e. Persons ot&er t&an t&e affiance 'arties cannot
)i$e onations 'ro'ter nu'tias of future 'ro'ert#.
T&ere is no more contractual succession "# $irtue of t&e t&e
re'eal of Article -/= of t&e Ol 0i$il 0oe %&ic& %as
amene uner Article 94 of t&e 2amil# 0oe. In manatin)
t&e a''lica"ilit# of t&e rules on Succession to onation of
future 'ro'ert# "et%een s'ouses( t&e la%( t&erefore(
eliminate t&is 1in of succession. Aence( "# im'lication
suc& t#'e of succession uner Article 94 is consiere an
orinar# testamentar# succession.
- jann - 18
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
TESTAHENTARJ SI00ESSION
II. BILLS
A. :efinition
Art. 7#%. A will is an act whereby a person is
permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to
control to a certain de!ree the disposition of this
estate, to ta+e effect after his death. (**7a)
Better efinition;
A %ill is a 'ersonal( solemn( re$oca"le( an free act "# %&ic&
a ca'acitate 'erson is'oses of &is 'ro'ert# an ri)&ts an
eclares or com'lies %it& t&e uties to ta1e effect after &is
eat&.
T; A %ill is a s'ecie of con$e#ance %&ere"# a 'erson is
'ermitte( %it& t&e formalities 'rescri"e "# la% to control to
a certain e)ree is'osition of &is 'ro'ert# to ta1e effect after
&is eat&. Ao%e$er( %&en t&ere is no is'osition of 'ro'ert#(
it is su"mitte t&at( alt&ou)& t&e instrument ma# "e
consiere as a %ill( it oes not &a$e to "e 'ro"ate. All
ot&er rele$ant le)al matters state in t&e %ill ma# ta1e effect
e$en %it&out 'ro"atin) suc& as t&e ac1no%le)ement of a
natural c&il.
A %ill is not necessaril# an act of li"eralit# or )enerosit#. T&e
in&eritance ma# "e so "urene %it& le)acies t&at all "enefit
to t&e &eir is nullifie.
B. 0&aracteristics
-. 'urel# 'ersonal act<
.. free act %5o frau( $iolence( etc.
/. is'osition of 'ro'ert#
4. essentiall# re$oca"le
7. formall# e*ecute
?. testator must &a$e testamentar# ca'acit#
7. Inilateral act an<
9. Hortis causa
Balane;
>. ini$iual +Art. 9-9,
-=. e*ecute %it& animus testani +Art. 79/,
--. Statutor# +Art. 79/,
Art. 7#%. A will is an act whereby a person is
permitted, with the formalities prescribed by law, to
control to a certain de!ree the disposition of this
estate, to ta+e effect after his death. (**7a)
B: The word Act is too broad and should have been limited
to a more specific term such as instrument or document in
view of Art. 804 that every will must be in writin.
The re!uirement of form prescribed respectively for attested
and holoraphic wills.
The testator"s power of disposition is limited by the rules on
leitimes.
#ill ma$in is purely statutory bein defined as permitted.
Art. #%9. "he will shall be disallowed in any of the
followin! cases,
(-) f the formalities required by law have
not been complied with.
($) f the testator was insane, or otherwise
mentally incapable of ma+in! a will, at the
time of its e&ecution.
(%) f it was e&ecuted throu!h force or under
duress, or the influence of fear, or threats.
(/) f it was procured by undue and
improper pressure and influence, on the
part of the beneficiary or of some other
person.
(5) f the si!nature of the testator was
procured by fraud.
(*) f the testator acted by mista+e or did not
intend that the instrument he si!ned should
be his will at the time of affi&in! his
si!nature thereto. (n)
B: This is an e%clusive enumeration for the causes of
disallowance of a will. These are matters involved in the
formal validity. A probate decree once final & forecloses any
subse!uent challene on any of the matter enumerated in this
article.
'f any of these rounds is proved the will is void. A will is
either valid or void. 'f none of the defects are present the will
is valid( if any defect is present the will is void. The issue on
formal validity is what the probate proceedins will
determine. There is no such thin as a voidable will.
Art. #$#. A will may be revo+ed by the testator at any
time before his death. Any waiver or restriction of
this ri!ht is void. (7%7a)
T; :urin) t&e life of t&e testator t&e %ill is sai to "e
am"ulator# an ma# "e altere( re$o1e( or su'ersee at
an# time. Its is of no 'ossi"le effect as a %ill %&ile t&e ma1er
li$es.
A %ill ma# "e re$o1e at 'leasure. Re$ocation is an act of
t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential ca'acit# of t&e %ill to
o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator( manifeste "# some
out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic t&ereof.
Re$ocation $s. Nullit#
-. act of testator -. 'rocees from la%
.. 'resu''oses a $ali act .. in&erent from t&e %ill
/. inter $i$os /. in$o1e After eat&
4. testator cannot renounce 4. can "e isre)are "# &eirs
B; T&is c&aracteristic is consistent %it& t&e 'rinci'le lai
o%n in Art. 777( successional ri)&ts $est onl# u'on eat&.
Art. 79*. All persons who are not e&pressly
prohibited by law may ma+e a will. (**$)
T: The law presumes capacity to ma$e a will& thus& one must
be e%pressly be prohibited by law to be dis!ualified.
- jann - 19
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
)nly natural persons may ma$e a will. *uridical persons are
not ranted T.+.
,ven spendthrifths or prodial under uardianship& can ma$e
a will. A peson under civil interdiction can ma$e a will& he is
only dis!ualified fro dispositions of property inter vivos& but
not by act mortis causa.
Art. 797. 0ersons of either se& under ei!hteen years
of a!e cannot ma+e a will. (n)
The manner of computation of ae& sustains the view that the
re!uired ae is reached at the commencement of the day
preceedin the anniversary of the birthday( that is& it is
sufficient that the last day of the eihteenth year shall have
commenced. The law does not reconi-e fractions of a day
and this construction is more in accord with the liberal policy
of the law to presume capacity to ma$e will.
Art. 79#. n order to ma+e a will it is essential that
the testator be of sound mind at the time of its
e&ecution. (n)
T: .ound /ind is meant that the testator is able to e%ecute
his will with an understandin of the nature of the act& such
as the recollection of the property he means to dispose of& of
the persons who are or who moht reasonably be the ob0ects
of his bounty and the manner in which it is to be distributed
amon them. 't is sufficient if he understands what he is
about& even if he has less mental capacity than would be
re!uired to ma$e a contract.
B: the leal importance and implication of mental capacity is
that the law is interested in the leal conse!uences of the
testator"s mental capacity or incapacity not in the medical
aspects of mental disease. +oncievably& the testator could be
mentally aberrant medically but testamentarily capable or&
vice versa& mentally competent medically but testamentariy
incompetent.
Art. 777. "he ri!hts to the succession are transmitted
from the moment of the death of the decedent.
(*57a)
B: the vestin of the successional riht occurs immediately
upon the decedent"s death& without a moments interruption.
Art. #-#. "wo or more persons cannot ma+e a will
1ointly, or in the same instrument, either for their
reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third
person. (**9)
T: A 0oint will is one where the same instrument is made the
will of two or more persons and is 0ointly sined by them.
.uch will may be probate upon the death of one and
subse!uently probated aain upon the death of the other
testator. 1sually made to dispose 0oint properties.
/utual will& )T)2& may be defined as the separate wills of
two persons& which are reciprocal in their provisions. A will
that is both 0oint and mutual is one e%ecuted 0ointly by teo or
more persons and which shows on its face that the devises are
made one in consideration of the other.
3atio for prohibition:
4. purely personal and unilateral characteristic of wills
are defeated
5. contrary to the revocable character of wills& if one
revo$es the will no document is left for the other to
revo$e specially in cases were the revocation is done
by destroyin or tearin the will.
6. may e%pose a testator to undue influence
4. may tempt one to $ill the other testator
7. aainst public policy
8. 9imunition of Testamentary secrecy
#hat is actually prohibited& therefore& is the e%ecution of a
will in a .':;<, 9)+1/,:T and by ):, A+T.
B: if there are separate documents& each servin one
independent will& even if they are written on the same sheet
or even bac$ to bac$& they are not 0oint wills.
Art. 7#/. "he ma+in! of a will is a strictly personal
act. it cannot be left in whole or in part of the
discretion of a third person, or accomplished
throu!h the instrumentality of an a!ent or attorney.
(*72a)
T: The testator cannot substitute the mind or will of another
for his own. But the mere mechanical act of draftin the will
may be done by a third person& inasmuch as such act does not
constitute a deleation of the will or disposition.
Art. 7#5. "he duration or efficacy of the desi!nation
of heirs, devisees or le!atees, or the determination
of the portions which they are to ta+e, when referred
to by name, cannot be left to the discretion of a third
person. (*72a)
T: The matters mentioned in this article are testamentary in
nature( they constitute e%pressions of the will or disposition
of the testator. 2ence& pursuant to Art. =84& it cannot be
deleated.
B: The ff. constitute the essence of will ma$in or the e%ercise
of the disposin power& and thus& non>deleable:
4. the desination of heirs& devisees& leatees(
5. the duration or efficacy of such desination
includin such thins as conditions& terms&
substitutions
6. the determination of the portions they are to recieve
Art. 7#*. "he testator may entrust to a third person
the distribution of specific property or sums of
money that he may leave in !eneral to specified
classes or causes, and also the desi!nation of the
persons, institutions or establishments to which
such property or sums are to be !iven or applied.
(*7-a)
- jann - 20
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T: the third person here does not ma$e any disposition& but
simply carries out details in the e%ecution of the testamentary
disposition made by the testator himself in the will.
B: for this article to ta$e effect the testator must determine
the ff:
4. the property or amount of money iven and(
5. the class or cause to be benefited
and the ff. may be deleated:
4. desination of persons& institutions& or
establishments within the class or cause(
5. the manner of distribution.
Art. 7#7. "he testator may not ma+e a testamentary
disposition in such manner that another person has
to determine whether or not it is to be operative. (n)
0. Inter'retation of Bills
Art. 7##. f a testamentary disposition admits of
different interpretations, in case of doubt, that
interpretation by which the disposition is to be
operative shall be preferred. (n)
T: The presumption is that the testator intended a lawful
rather than an unlawful thin& and courts will not see$ an
interpretation that will nullify his will or any part
thereof.That construction must be followed which will
sustatn and uphold the will in all its parts& if it can be done
consistently with the established rules of law. 'f the will is
susceptible of two interpretations & the doubt must be
resolved in favor of the construction which will ive effect to
the will& rather than the one which will defeat it.
Art. 7#9. When there is an imperfect description, or
when no person or property e&actly answers the
description, mista+es and omissions must be
corrected, if the error appears from the conte&t of
the will or from e&trinsic evidence, e&cludin! the
oral declarations of the testator as to his intention.
and when an uncertainty arises upon the face of the
will, as to the application of any of its provisions, the
testator3s intention is to be ascertained from the
words of the will, ta+in! into consideration the
circumstances under which it was made, e&cludin!
such oral declarations. (n)
T: The first part of this article pertains to patent or e%trinsic
ambiuity which appears upon the face of the instrument
such as when the testator ives a devise or leacy to .)/,
of the si% children of his cousin *uan
The second part pertains to latent or intrinsic ambiuity
which cannot be seen from a mere perusal or readin of the
will but appears only upon consideration of e%trinsic
circumstances& such as ivin leacy to my cousin ?edro&
when ' fact he has two cousins named ?edro. Thus. 't occurs
when:
4. two or more persons or thins answer the name or
description(
5. misdescription of the beneficiary or the ift
,%trinsic evidence is admissible to show the situation of the
testator and all the relevant facts and circumstances
surroundin him at the time of ma$in the will& for the
purpose of e%plainin or resolvin patent ambiuity.
B: method of resolvin ambiuity& whether latent or patent is
any evidence admissible and relevant e%cludin the oral
declarations of testator as to his intention.
3atio for the e%clusion: B: can a dead man refute a tale@
T: the testator whose lips have been sealed by death can no
loner deny or affirm the truth of what witnesses may say he
declared& would create confusion and ive rise to false claims.
Art. 792. "he words of a will are to be ta+en in their
ordinary and !rammatical sense, unless a clear
intention to use them in another sense can be
!athered, and that other can be ascertained.
"echnical words in a will are to be ta+en in their
technical sense, unless the conte&t clearly indicates a
contrary intention, or unless it satisfactorily appears
that he was unacquainted with such technical sense.
(*75a)
'ntent of the testator is the supreme law in succession. All
rules of construction are desined to ascertain and ive effect
to the intention unless the latter is contrary to law& morals&
and public policy.
The words and provisions in the will must be plainly
construed in order to avoid violations of his intentions and
real purpose.
#ills drated by s$illed persons or lawyers are to be construed
with strictness ivin account to the word"s technical
meanin& while words stated by persons not learned in the
law are interpreted liberally and in their ordinary
acceptation. 2oloraphic wills usually made by pesons not
learned in the law should be construed liberally in their
ordinary acceptation foreoin the technical meanin in
pursuance of the policy of the law of preference on testacy
than intestacy.
Art. 79-. "he words of a will are to receive an
interpretation which will !ive to every e&pression
some effect, rather than one which will render any of
the e&pressions inoperative. and of two modes of
interpretin! a will, that is to be preferred which will
prevent intestacy. (n)
'ts to be presumed that every word or clause was intended by
the testator to have some meanin( and no word or clause
should be re0ected if it is at all possible to ive it reasonable
effect. #here two constructions are possible& the one
disreardin a word or clause of the will& and the other ivin
effect to the will as a whole& th latter interpretation must be
followed.
- jann - 21
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. 79$. "he invalidity of one of several dispositions
contained in a will does not result in the invalidity of
the other dispositions, unless it is to be presumed
that the testator would not have made such other
dispositions if the first invalid disposition had not
been made. (n)
B: The article ma$es applicable to wills the severability or
separability principle in statutory construction fre!uently
provided in a separability clause.
Art. 79%. 0roperty acquired after the ma+in! of a will
shall only pass thereby, as if the testator had
possessed it at the time of ma+in! the will, should it
e&pressly appear by the will that such was his
intention. (n)
T: This article is inconsistent with the principle of inheritance
laid down under the code. The inheritance includes all the
property& rihts& and obliations not e%tinuished by death.
To follow this article would mean that only the property at
the time of ma$in the will shall be transmitted to the heir
unless there is an e%press declaration under the will to
include properties ac!uired before death of testator but after
ma$in the will. This contravenes Art. === of the code.
2ence& it must be construed as referrin only to devises and
leacies and not to inheritance. After all this article is under
the chapter of testamentary dispositions. The problem now
arises with its irreconcilable conflict with Art. A60.
Art. 79/. 4very devise or le!acy shall cover all the
interest which the testator could device or bequeath
in the property disposed of, unless it clearly appears
from the will that he intended to convey a less
interest. (n)
T: #hen the Testator does not state the e%tent of the interest
that he ives to the leatee or devisee in the property
transmitted& it is understood that his whole interest passes&
no more no less. But the testator& under the present article&
may manifest his intention to convey a less interest( and
under article A5A& he may e%pressly convey a larer interest.
'n such cases& the intention of the testator will be followed.
Art. 9%2. "he le!acy or devise of a thin! belon!in! to
another person is void, if the testator erroneously
believed that the thin! pertained to him. But if the
thin! bequeathed, thou!h not belon!in! to the
testator when he made the will, afterwards becomes
his, by whatever title, the disposition shall ta+e
effect. (#*$a)
The presumption under this article is that had the testator
$nown the fact that another owns the property& he would not
have made the leacy. The inorance of the testator is
presumed by law.
'ts must be noted that if the subse!uent chane of ownership
transferred the thin to the very person to whom it was bein
iven as a devise or leacy& and by lucrative title& or to
another third person& the leacy is void.
Solla !s. Asc"enta
:Oa. Haria Solla ie in Gune( -99/( in t&e munici'alit# of
0a"u)ao( Ilocos Sur( lea$in) a %ill e*ecute an recore in
accorance %it& t&e la%s t&en in force( "ut %&ic& &a not
"een 'ro"ate in accorance %it& t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure.
T&ere %ere name in sai %ill( as le)atees Ser)io Solla(
0a#etano Solla( Gosefa Solla( Gacinto Serna( Rosena
La)ma#(
Sil$estra SaCor an Hatias Se$eea( an Leanro Serrano(
as uni$ersal &eir( %it& t&eir s&ares )i$en t&em "# t&e %ill
a"o$eDmentione.
Sai le)atees or t&eir escenants or &eirs i not Cuiciall#
claim t&eir le)acies urin) t&e lifeDtime of Leanro Serrano( of
%&ic& &e &a ta1en 'ossession( neit&er %as an#
testamentar# 'roceein) institute for t&e settlement of t&e
estate left "# Haria Solla an t&at Leanro Serrano i not
eli$er t&e le)acies in !uestion( %&ic& &e 'ossesse in &is
name until &is eat&( &a$in) eclare t&e 'ro'ert# for ta*ation
as &is o%n an collecte t&e income t&erefrom for &imself.
%s may also be seen ?eandro @errano named his son
@imeon @errano, as executor of his will and that he directed
him to put all of his property in order and to separate that
which came from his deceased grandmother &aria @olla,
which he gives to his said son @imeon @errano and orders
that same be disposed of exclusively in conformity with the
wishes of his said grandmother, not forgetting the souls of all
of his grandmother's relatives and of his own for whose
repose nine masses were to be said annually during nine
days, with a solemn mass on the first and last days.
In orer to etermine t&e testator@s intention( t&e court s&oul
'lace itself as near as 'ossi"le in &is 'osition( an &ence(
%&ere t&e lan)ua)e of t&e %ill is am"i)uous or ou"tful(
s&oul ta1e into consieration t&e situation of t&e testator
an t&e facts an circumstances surrounin) &im at t&e time
t&e %ill %as e*ecute. +4= 0#c.( -/>.., B&ere t&e testator@s
intention is manifest from t&e conte*t of t&e %ill an
surrounin) circumstances( "ut is o"scure "# ina't an
inaccurate moes of e*'ression( t&e lan)ua)e %ill "e
su"orinate to t&e intention( an in orer to )i$e effect to
suc& intention( as far as 'ossi"le( t&e court ma# e'art from
t&e strict %orin) an rea a %or or '&rase in a sense
ifferent from t&at %&ic& is orinaril# attri"ute to it( an for
suc& 'ur'ose ma# moul or c&an)e t&e lan)ua)e of t&e %ill(
suc& as restrictin) its a''lication or su''l#in) omitte %ors
or '&rases. +4= 0#c.( -/>>.,
In t&e 'resent case( it clearl# a''earin) t&at it %as Haria
Solla@s intention( in orerin) &er uni$ersal &eir Leanro
Serrano in &er %ill at t&e &our of &is eat&( to insist u'on t&e
com'liance of &er orers "# &is &eirs( t&at t&e latter s&oul
com'l# %it& &er 'ious orers an t&at s&e i not mean &er
orers concernin) &er le)acies( t&e com'liance of %&ic& s&e
&a entruste to Leanro Serrano( %e are aut&ori4e to
restrict t&e a''lication of t&e %ors 8all t&at I &a$e &ere
orere8 use "# t&e sai Haria Solla an t&e %ors 8all &er
orers8 use "# Leanro Serrano in t&eir res'ecti$e %ills
limitin) t&em to t&e 'ious orers an su"stitutin) t&e '&rase
8in re)ar to t&e annual masses8 after t&e %ors use "#
"ot& testators( res'ecti$el#.
T&e trial court( t&erefore( committe an error in inter'retin)
t&e orer of Leanro Serrano mentione in &is %ill as
a''lica"le to t&e 'ro$isions of Haria Solla@s %ill relati$e to t&e
le)acies an not to t&e 'ious "e!uests e*clusi$el#.
- jann - 22
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
:. La% Go$ernin) 2orm
Art. 795. "he validity of a will as to its form depends
upon the observance of the law in force at the time it
is made. (n)
The eneral rule is that iven in the present article& that the
validity of the e%ecution of a will is controlled by the statute
in force at the time of e%ecution( and a statute enacted
subse!uent to the e%ecution and prior to the death of the
testator& chanin the rules respectin the form of the
instrument& the capacity of the testator& and the li$e& has no
retrospective effect.
2owever& the intrinsic validity of the will& althouh e%ecuted
in the ?hilippines& is overned by the laws of the state or
country of which the testator was a citi-en or sub0ect at the
time of his death. The place of e%ecution has no effect
whatever upon the validity of the provisions of the will.
The law may be chaned after the will has been made. The
provisions may be valid at the time it was made but may be
contrary to the law at the time of the death of the testator. 'n
such case& the law at the time of the death of the testator will
apply. 't is the law at the time when the succession opens
which must determine the intrinsic validity of the provisions
of the will& because it is at this time that the rihts are
transmitted to the heirs& devisees& or leatees.
Art. -7. "he forms and solemnities of contracts,
wills, and other public instruments shall be
!overned by the laws of the country in which they
are e&ecuted.
When the acts referred to are e&ecuted before the
diplomatic or consular officials of the 5epublic of
the 0hilippines in a forei!n country, the solemnities
established by 0hilippine laws shall be observed in
their e&ecution.
0rohibitive laws concernin! persons, their acts or
property, and those which have, for their ob1ect,
public order, public policy and !ood customs shall
not be rendered ineffective by laws or 1ud!ments
promul!ated, or by determinations or conventions
a!reed upon in a forei!n country. (--a)
Art. -#. n matters which are !overned by the 6ode
of 6ommerce and special laws, their deficiency shall
be supplied by the provisions of this 6ode. (-*a)
/atters connected with the performance of contracts are
reulated by the law prevailin at the place of performance.
3emedies& such as the brinin of suit& admissibility of
evidence& and the statute of limitations& depend upon the law
of the place where the action is brouht.
'n terms of the validity and effect of obliations& the followin
rules shall be followed. Birst& the law desinated by the
parties shall be applied( if there is no stipulation on the
matter& and the parties of the same nationality& their national
law shall be applied( if this is not the case& the law of the place
of perfection of the obliation shall overn its fulfillment( but
if these places are not specified and they cannot be deduced
from the nature and circumstances of the obliation& then the
law of the domicile of the passive sub0ects shall apply.
Art. #-2. A person may e&ecute a holo!raphic will
which must be entirely written, dated, and si!ned by
the hand of the testator himself. t is sub1ect to no
other form, and may be made in or out of the
0hilippines, and need not be witnessed. (*7#, *##a)
Art. #-5. When a 7ilipino is in a forei!n country, he
is authori8ed to ma+e a will in any of the forms
established by the law of the country in which he
may be. 9uch will may be probated in the
0hilippines. (n)
The article follows the eneral rule that the law overnin the
formal vailidity of wills is the law of the place where it is
e%ecuted. Cet a Bilipino may ma$e will in a foreih country in
conformity with our laws and not of the place of e%ecution.
Article 848 and 84= shall overn.
Art. #-*. "he will of an alien who is abroad produces
effect in the 0hilippines if made with the formalities
prescribed by the law of the place in which he
resides, or accordin! to the formalities observed in
his country, or in conformity with those which this
6ode prescribes. (n)
Art. #-7. A will made in the 0hilippines by a citi8en
or sub1ect of another country, which is e&ecuted in
accordance with the law of the country of which he is
a citi8en or sub1ect, and which mi!ht be proved and
allowed by the law of his own country, shall have the
same effect as if e&ecuted accordin! to the laws of
the 0hilippines. (n)
'f an alien e%ecutes a will in the ?hilippines& not in
conformity with our law& but in conformity with the law of his
own state or country& the will can be probated in the
?hilippines.
Art. #-#. "wo or more persons cannot ma+e a will
1ointly, or in the same instrument, either for their
reciprocal benefit or for the benefit of a third
person. (**9)
A 0oint will is one where the same instrument is made the will
of two or more persons and is 0ointly sined by them. .uch
will may be probate upon the death of one and subse!uently
probated aain upon the death of the other testator. 1sually
made to dispose 0oint properties.
/utual will& )T)2& may be defined as the separate wills of
two persons& which are reciprocal in their provisions. A will
that is both 0oint and mutual is one e%ecuted 0ointly by teo or
more persons and which shows on its face that the devises are
made one in consideration of the other.
3atio for prohibition:
a. purely personal and unilateral characteristic of wills
are defeated
- jann - 23
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
b. contrary to the revocable character of wills& if one
revo$es the will no document is left for the other to
revo$e specially in cases were the revocation is done
by destroyin or tearin the will.
c. may e%pose a testator to undue influence
d. may tempt one to $ill the other testator
e. aainst public policy
#hat is actually prohibited& therefore& is the e%ecution of a
will in a .':;<, 9)+1/,:T and by ):, A+T.
Art. #-9. Wills, prohibited by the precedin! article,
e&ecuted by 7ilipinos in a forei!n country shall not
be valid in the 0hilippines, even thou!h authori8ed
by the laws of the country where they may have been
e&ecuted. (7%%a)
$le"#er !s. +i7
It is t&e t&eor# of t&e 'etitioner t&at t&e alle)e %ill %as
e*ecute in El1ins( Best Vir)inia( on No$em"er /( ->.7( "#
Ai* %&o &a &is resience in t&at Curisiction( an t&at t&e
la%s of Best Vir)inia )o$ern. To t&is en( t&ere %as
su"mitte a co'# of section /9?9 of Acts -99.( c. 94 as
foun in Best Vir)inia 0oe( Annotate( "# Ao))( 0&arles E.(
$ol. .( ->-4( '. -?>=( an as certifie to "# t&e :irector of t&e
National Li"rar#. But t&is %as far from a com'liance %it& t&e
la%. T&e la%s of a forei)n Curisiction o not 'ro$e
t&emsel$es in our courts. T&e courts of t&e P&ili''ine Islans
are not aut&ori4e to ta1e Cuicial notice of t&e la%s of t&e
$arious States of t&e American Inion. S"ch la%s #"st e
pro!ed as facts. +In re Estate of Go&nson M->-9N( /> P&il.(
-7?., Aere t&e re!uirements of t&e la% %ere not met. T&ere
%as no s&o%in) t&at t&e "oo1 from %&ic& an e*tract %as
ta1en %as 'rinte or 'u"lis&e uner t&e aut&orit# of t&e
State of Best Vir)inia( as 'ro$ie in section /== of t&e 0oe
of 0i$il Proceure. Nor %as t&e e*tract from t&e la% atteste
"# t&e certificate of t&e officer &a$in) c&ar)e of t&e ori)inal(
uner t&e seal of t&e State of Best Vir)inia( as 'ro$ie in
section /=- of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure. No e$ience %as
introuce to s&o% t&at t&e e*tract from t&e la%s of Best
Vir)inia %as in force at t&e time t&e alle)e %ill %as
e*ecute.
B&ile t&e a''eal %as 'enin) su"mission in t&is court( t&e
attorne# for t&e a''ellant 'resente an un$erifie 'etition
as1in) t&e court to acce't as 'art of t&e e$ience t&e
ocuments attac&e to t&e 'etition. One of t&ese ocuments
iscloses t&at a 'a'er %ritin) 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e last %ill
an testament of E%ar Ranol'& Ai*( ecease( %as
'resente for 'ro"ate on Gune 9( ->.>( to t&e cler1 of
Ranol'& 0ount#( State of Best Vir)inia( in $acation( an
%as ul# 'ro$en "# t&e oat&s of :ana Bamsle# an Gose'&
L. Haen( t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses t&ereto( an orere to
"e recore an file. It %as s&o%n "# anot&er ocument
t&at( in $acation( on Gune 9( ->.>( t&e cler1 of court of
Ranol'& 0ount#( Best Vir)inia( a''ointe 0laue B.
Ha*%ell as aministrator( cum testamento anne*o( of t&e
estate of E%ar Ranol'& Ai*( ecease. In t&is
connection( it is to "e note t&at t&e a''lication for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill in t&e P&ili''ines %as file on 2e"ruar# .=(
->.>( %&ile t&e 'roceein)s in Best Vir)inia a''ear to &a$e
"een initiate on Gune 9( ->.>. T&ese facts are stron)l#
inicati$e of an intention to ma1e t&e P&ili''ines t&e 'rinci'al
aministration an Best Vir)inia t&e ancillar# aministration.
Ao%e$er t&is ma# "e( no attem't &as "een mae to com'l#
%it& t&e 'ro$isions of sections ?/7( ?/9( an ?/> of t&e 0oe
of 0i$il Proceure( for no &earin) on t&e !uestion of t&e
allo%ance of a %ill sai to &a$e "een 'ro$e an allo%e in
Best Vir)inia &as "een re!ueste. T&ere is no s&o%in) t&at
t&e ecease left an# 'ro'ert# at an# 'lace ot&er t&an t&e
P&ili''ine Islans an no contention t&at &e left an# in Best
Vir)inia.
Reference &as "een mae "# t&e 'arties to a i$orce
'ur'orte to &a$e "een a%are E%ar Ranol'& Ai* from
Annie 0ousins Ai* on Octo"er 9( ->.7( in t&e State of Best
Vir)inia. T&e 'resent 'roceein)s o not call for an# s'ecific
'ronouncements on t&e $aliit# or in$aliit# of t&is alle)e
i$orce.2or all of t&e fore)oin)( t&e Cu)ment a''eale from
%ill "e affirme( %it& t&e costs of t&is instance a)ainst t&e
a''ellant.Villamor( Ostran( Go&ns( Romuale4 an VillaD
Real( GG.( concur.
Dela Cerna !s. 4otot
8It a''ears t&at on Ha# >( ->/>( t&e s'ouses( Berna"e e la
0erna an Ger$asia Re"aca( e*ecute a Coint last %ill an
testament in t&e local ialect %&ere"# t&e# %ille t&at @our
t%o 'arcels of lan ac!uire urin) our marria)e to)et&er
%it& all im'ro$ements t&ereon s&all "e )i$en to Hanuela
Re"aca( our niece( %&om %e &a$e nurture since c&il&oo(
"ecause Go i not )i$e us an# c&il in our union( Hanuela
Re"aca "ein) marrie to Nicolas Potot@( an t&at @%&ile eac&
of t&e testator is #et li$in)( &e or s&e %ill continue to enCo# t&e
fruits of t&e t%o lans aforementione@( t&e sai t%o 'arcels
of lan "ein) co$ere "# Ta* No. 4?7? an Ta* No. ??77(
"ot& situate in sitio Bucao( "arrio Lu)o( munici'alit# of
Bor"on( 'ro$ince of 0e"u. Berna"e e la 0erna ie on
Au)ust /=( ->/>( an t&e aforesai %ill %as su"mitte to
'ro"ate "# sai Ger$asia an Hanuela "efore t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u %&ic&( after ue 'u"lication as
re!uire "# la% an t&ere "ein) no o''osition( &ear t&e
e$ience(
T&e a''eale ecision correctl# &el t&at t&e final ecree of
'ro"ate( entere in ->/> "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
0e"u +%&en t&e testator( Berna"e e la 0erna( ie,( &as
conclusi$e effect as to &is last %ill an testament( es'ite t&e
fact t&at e$en t&en t&e 0i$il 0oe alrea# ecree t&e
in$aliit# of Coint %ills( %&et&er in fa$or of t&e Coint testators(
reci'rocall#( or in fa$or of a t&ir 'art# +Art. ??>( ol 0i$il
0oe,. T&e error t&us committe "# t&e 'ro"ate court %as an
error of la%( t&at s&oul &a$e "een correcte "# a''eal( "ut
%&ic& i not affect t&e Curisiction of t&e 'ro"ate court( nor
t&e conclusi$e effect of its final ecision( &o%e$er erroneous.
A final Cu)ment renere on a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a
%ill is "inin) u'on t&e %&ole %orl +Hanalo $s. Parees( 47
P&il. >/9< In re Estate of Go&nson( /> P&il. -7?,< an 'u"lic
'olic# an soun 'ractice eman t&at at t&e ris1 of
occasional errors( Cu)ment of courts s&oul "ecome final at
some efinite ate fi*e "# la%. Interest rei 'u"licae ut finis
sit litium +:# 0a# $s. 0rossfiel( /9 P&il. 7.-( an ot&er
cases cite in . Horan( 0omments on t&e Rules of 0ourt
->?/ E.( '. /..,.
- jann - 24
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Petitioners( as &eirs an successors of t&e late Berna"e e la
0erna( are conclue "# t&e ->/> ecree amittin) &is %ill to
'ro"ate. T&e contention t&at "ein) $oi t&e %ill cannot "e
$aliate( o$erloo1s t&at t&e ultimate ecision on %&et&er an
act is $ali or $oi rests %it& t&e courts( an &ere t&e# &a$e
s'o1en %it& finalit# %&en t&e %ill %as 'ro"ate in ->/>. On
t&is count( t&e ismissal of t&eir action for 'artition %as
correct.
But t&e 0ourt of A''eals s&oul &a$e ta1en into account
also( to a$oi future misunerstanin)( t&at t&e 'ro"ate
ecree in ->/> coul onl# affect t&e s&are of t&e ecease
&us"an( Berna"e e la 0erna. It coul not inclue t&e
is'osition of t&e s&are of t&e %ife( Ger$asia Re"aca( %&o
%as t&en still ali$e( an o$er %&ose interest in t&e conCu)al
'ro'erties t&e 'ro"ate court ac!uire no Curisiction(
'recisel# "ecause &er estate coul not t&en "e in issue. Be it
remem"ere t&at 'rior to t&e 0i$il 0oe( a %ill coul not "e
'ro"ate urin) t&e testator@s lifetime.
It follo%s t&at t&e $aliit# of t&e Coint %ill( in so far as t&e
estate of t&e %ife %as concerne( must "e( on &er eat&(
ree*amine an aCuicate e no$o +from t&e "e)innin),(
since a Coint %ill is consiere a se'arate %ill of eac& testator.
T&us re)are( t&e &olin) of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
0e"u t&at t&e Coint %ill is one 'ro&i"ite "# la% %as correct
as to t&e 'artici'ation of t&e ecease Ger$asia Re"aca in
t&e 'ro'erties in !uestion( for t&e reasons e*tensi$el#
iscusse in our ecision in Bil"ao $s. Bil"ao( 97 P&il. -44(
t&at e*'laine t&e 're$ious &olin) in Hacro&on $s.
Saa$era( 7- P&il.( .?7. T&erefore( t&e uni$ie interest of
Ger$asia Re"aca s&oul 'ass u'on &er eat& to &er &eirs
intestate( an not e*clusi$el# to t&e testamentar# &eir( unless
some ot&er $ali %ill in &er fa$or is s&o%n to e*ist( or unless
s&e "e t&e onl# &eir intestate of sai Ger$asia. It is
unnecessar# to em'&asi4e t&at t&e fact t&at Coint %ills s&oul
"e in common usa)e coul not ma1e t&em $ali %&en our
0i$il 0oes consistentl# in$aliate t&em( "ecause la%s are
onl# re'eale "# ot&er su"se!uent la%s( an no usa)e to t&e
contrar# ma# 're$ail a)ainst t&eir o"ser$ance.
E. La% Do!erning Content
-. As to time
Art. ..91. -ights to the inheritance of a person %ho died,
%ith or %itho"t a %ill, efore the effecti!ity of this Code,
shall e go!erned y the Ci!il Code of (::2, y other
pre!io"s la%s, and y the -"les of Co"rt. The
inheritance of those %ho, %ith or %itho"t a %ill, die after
the eginning of the effecti!ity of this Code, shall e
ad'"dicated and distri"ted in accordance %ith this ne%
ody of la%s and y the -"les of Co"rt@ "t the
testa#entary pro!isions shall e carried o"t insofar as
they #ay e per#itted y this Code. Therefore, legiti#es,
etter#ents, legacies and e="ests shall e respected@
ho%e!er, their a#o"nt shall e red"ced if in no other
#anner can e!ery co#p"lsory heir e gi!en his f"ll
share according to this Code. /-"le (.a0
T&e ecisi$e fact %&ic& )i$es ori)in to t&e ri)&t of &eirs(
e$isees an le)atees is t&e eat& of t&e eceent. T&is is
t&e "asis of t&e 'resent article. T&us( t&e 'ro$isions of t&e
ne% coe rela*in) t&e ri)iit# of t&e rules of t&e ol coe
re)arin) 'roof or reco)nition of natural c&ilren( %ere &el
ina''lica"le to one claimin) reco)nition an a s&are in t&e
estate of t&e alle)e natural fat&er %&o ie "efore t&e ne%
coe %ent into effect.
.. As to successional ri)&ts
Art. -*. 5eal property as well as personal property is
sub1ect to the law of the country where it is
stipulated.
'owever, intestate and testamentary successions,
both with respect to the order of succession and to
the amount of successional ri!hts and to the
intrinsic validity of testamentary provisions, shall be
re!ulated by the national law of the person whose
succession is under consideration, whatever may be
the nature of the property and re!ardless of the
country wherein said property may be found. (-2a)
T&e istri"ution of t&e estate is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e ecease< t&e 'resent article a''lies in suc&
case. It ma# in$ol$e $arious !uestions suc& as;
-. orer of succession in intestac#
.. intrinsic $aliit# of a %ill
/. e*tent of 'ro'ert# an &eir is entitle
4. ca'acit# to succee of &eirs
7. !uestions of 'reterition( isin&eritance( an
collation.
In a"o$e cases( t&e national la% of t&e eceent a''lies an
t&e ratio of %&ic& is state "# :ean 0a'istrano in t&is %ise;
Bit& re)ar to succession t&ere is onl# one %ill( e*'ress in
testatmentar# an 'resume in intestate succession. T&e
oneness an uni$ersalit# of t&e in&eritance cannot "e i$ie
or "ro1en u' merel# "ecause of t&e ifferent countries %&ere
t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate are situate.
T&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill of a forei)ner
%&o ies in t&e P&ili''ines is to "e etermine "# t&e la%s of
&is o%n state or countr#( an not "# t&ose of t&e P&ili''ines.
T&e secon 'ara)ra'& of t&is article can onl# in$o1e %&en
t&e ecease eas $este %it& a esceni"le interest in
'ro'ert# %it&in t&e Curisiction of t&e P&ili''ines.
B&en a forei)n la% is in$o1e it must "e 'ro$e. +fluemer $s.
Ai*,
In re the estate of A#os D. Bellis
Amos G. Bellis( "orn in Te*as( %as 8a citi4en of t&e State of
Te*as an of t&e Inite States.8 B# &is first %ife( Har# E.
Hallen( %&om &e i$orce( &e &a fi$e le)itimate c&ilren;
E%ar A. Bellis( Geor)e Bellis +%&o 'reDecease &im in
infanc#,( Aenr# A. Bellis( Ale*aner Bellis an Anna Bellis
Allsman< "# &is secon %ife( Violet Kenne#( %&o sur$i$e
&im( &e &a t&ree le)itimate c&ilren; E%in G. Bellis( Balter
S. Bellis an :orot&# Bellis< an finall#( &e &a t&ree
ille)itimate c&ilren; Amos Bellis( Gr.( Haria 0ristina Bellis an
Hiriam Palma Bellis.
On Au)ust 7( ->7.( Amos G. Bellis e7ec"ted a %ill in the
4hilippines( in %&ic& &e irecte t&at after all ta*es(
o"li)ations( an e*'enses of aministration are 'ai for( &is
istri"uta"le estate s&oul "e i$ie( in trust( in t&e follo%in)
orer an manner; +a, R.4=(===.== to &is first %ife( Har# E.
Hallen< +", P-.=(===.== to &is t&ree ille)itimate c&ilren(
Amos Bellis( Gr.( Haria 0ristina Bellis( an Hiriam Palma
Bellis( or P4=(===.== eac& an +c, after t&e fore)oin) t%o
items &a$e "een satisfie( t&e remainer s&all )o to &is
- jann - 25
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
se$en sur$i$in) c&ilren "# &is first an secon %i$es(
namel#; E%ar A. Bellis( Aenr# A. Bellis( Ale*aner Bellis(
an Anna Bellis Allsman( E%in G. Bellis( Balter S. Bellis(
an :orot&# E. Bellis( in e!ual s&ares.
Su"se!uentl#( or on Gul# 9( ->79( Amos G. Bellis ie( a
resient of San Antonio( Te*as( I.S.A. Ais %ill %as amitte
to 'ro"ate in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Hanila on
Se'tem"er -7( ->79.
T&e Peo'le@s Ban1 an Trust 0om'an#( as e*ecutor of t&e
%ill( 'ai all t&e "e!uests t&erein incluin) t&e amount of
R.4=(===.== in t&e form of s&ares of stoc1 to Har# E. Hallen
an to t&e t&ree +/, ille)itimate c&ilren( Amos Bellis( Gr.(
Haria 0ristina Bellis an Hiriam Palma Bellis( $arious
amounts totallin) P4=(===.== eac& in satisfaction of t&eir
res'ecti$e le)acies( or a total of P-.=(===.==( %&ic& it
release from time to time accorin) as t&e lo%er court
a''ro$e an allo%e t&e $arious motions or 'etitions file
"# t&e latter t&ree re!uestin) 'artial a$ances on account of
t&eir res'ecti$e le)acies.
On Ganuar# -7( ->?4( Haria 0ristina Bellis an Hiriam Palma
Bellis file t&eir res'ecti$e o''ositions to t&e 'roCect of
'artition on t&e )roun t&at t&e# %ere e'ri$e of t&eir
le)itimes as ille)itimate c&ilren an( t&erefore( com'ulsor#
&eirs of t&e ecease.
Article -?( 'ar. .( an Art. -=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( rener
a''lica"le t&e national la% of t&e eceent( in intestate or
testamentar# successions( %it& re)ar to four items; +a, t&e
orer of succession< +", t&e amount of successional ri)&ts<
+c, t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill< an +,
t&e ca'acit# to succee. T&e# 'ro$ie t&at S
8Art -?. Real 'ro'ert# as %ell as 'ersonal 'ro'ert#
is su"Cect to t&e la% of t&e countr# %&ere it is
situate.
8Ao%e$er8( intestate an testamentar#
successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e orer of
succession an to t&e amount of successional
ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of testamentar#
'ro$isions( s&all "e reg"lated y the national
la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is uner
consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of t&e
'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
sai 'ro'ert# ma# "e foun.8
8Art. -=/>. 0a'acit# to succee is
)o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e nation of t&e
eceent.8
A''ellants %oul &o%e$er counter t&at Article -7( 'ara)ra'&
t&ree( of t&e 0i$il 0oe( statin) t&at S
8Pro&i"iti$e la%s concernin) 'ersons( t&eir acts or
'ro'ert#( an t&ose %&ic& &a$e for t&eir o"Cect
'u"lic orer( 'u"lic 'olic# an )oo customs s&all
not "e renere ineffecti$e "# la%s( or Cu)ments
'romul)ate( or "# eterminations or con$entions
a)ree u'on in a forei)n countr#.8
're$ails as t&e e*ce'tion to Art. -?( 'ar. . of t&e 0i$il 0oe
afore!uote. T&is is not correct. Precisel#( 0on)ress elete
t&e '&rase( 8not%it&stanin) t&e 'ro$isions of t&is an t&e
ne*t 'recein) article8 %&en t&e# incor'orate Art. -- of t&e
ol 0i$il 0oe as Art. -7 of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe( %&ile
re'roucin) %it&out su"stantial c&an)e t&e secon
'ara)ra'& of Art. -= of t&e ol 0i$il 0oe as Art. -? in t&e
ne%. It must &a$e "een t&eir 'ur'ose to ma1e t&e secon
'ara)ra'& of Art. -? a s'ecific 'ro$ision in itself %&ic& must
"e a''lie in testate an intestate successions. As furt&er
inication of t&is le)islati$e intent( 0on)ress ae a ne%
'ro$ision( uner Art. -=/>( %&ic& ecrees t&at ca'acit# to
succee is to "e )o$erne "# t&e national la% of t&e
eceent.
It is t&erefore e$ient t&at %&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo
customs ma# "e in$ol$e in our s#stem of le)itimes(
0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten t&e same to t&e
succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as s'ecificall# c&osen
to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of successional ri)&ts( to t&e
eceent@s national La%. S'ecific 'ro$isions must 're$ail
o$er )eneral ones.
A''ellants %oul also 'oint out t&at t&e eceent e*ecute
t%o %ills S one to )o$ern &is Te*as estate an t&e ot&er &is
P&ili''ine estate S ar)uin) from t&is t&at &e intene
P&ili''ine la% to )o$ern &is P&ili''ine estate. Assumin) t&at
suc& %as t&e eceent@s intention in e*ecutin) a se'arate
P&ili''ine %ill( it %oul not alter t&e la%( for as t&is 0ourt
rule in Hiciano $s. Brimo( 7= P&il. 9?7( 97=( a 'ro$ision in a
forei)ner@s %ill to t&e effect t&at &is 'ro'erties s&all "e
istri"ute in accorance %it& P&ili''ine la% an not %it& &is
national la%( is ille)al an $oi( for &is national la% cannot "e
i)nore in re)ar to t&ose matters t&at Article -= S no%
Article -? S of t&e 0i$il 0oe states sai national la% s&oul
)o$ern.
T&e 'arties amit t&at t&e eceent( Amos G. Bellis( %as a
citi4en of t&e State of Te*as( I.S.A.( an t&at uner t&e la%s
of Te*as( t&ere are no force &eirs or le)itimes. Accorin)l#(
since t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e 'ro$ision of t&e %ill an t&e
amount of successional ri)&ts are to "e etermine uner
Te*as la%( t&e P&ili''ine la% on le)itimes cannot "e a''lie
to t&e testac# of Amos G. Bellis.
Cayetano !s. Leonides (.2 SC-A 3..
On Ganuar# /-( ->77( Aoracion 0. 0am'os ie( lea$in)
&er fat&er( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os an &er sisters(
'ri$ate res'onent Nenita 0. Pa)uia( Remeios 0. Lo'e4
an Harieta 0. Heina as t&e sur$i$in) &eirs. As
Aermo)enes 0am'os %as t&e onl# com'ulsor# &eir( &e
e*ecute an Affia$it of ACuication uner Rule 74( Section I
of t&e Rules of 0ourt %&ere"# &e aCuicate unto &imself
t&e o%ners&i' of t&e entire estate of t&e ecease Aoracion
0am'os.
Ele$en mont&s after( on No$em"er .7( ->77( Nenita 0.
Pa)uia file a 'etition for t&e re'ro"ate of a %ill of t&e
ecease( Aoracion 0am'os( %&ic& %as alle)el# e*ecute
in t&e Inite States an for &er a''ointment as aministratri*
of t&e estate of t&e ecease testatri*.
In &er 'etition( Nenita alle)e t&at t&e testatri* %as an
American citi4en at t&e time of &er eat& an %as a
'ermanent resient of 4?// :itman Street( P&ilael'&ia(
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.< t&at t&e testatri* ie in Hanila on
Ganuar# /-( ->77 %&ile tem'oraril# resiin) %it& &er sister at
.-?7 Le$eri4a( Halate( Hanila< t&at urin) &er lifetime( t&e
testatri* mae &er last %ill an testament on Gul# -=( ->77(
accorin) to t&e la%s of Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( nominatin)
Bilfreo Bar4a)a of Ne% Gerse# as e*ecutor< t&at after t&e
testatri*@ eat&( &er last %ill an testament %as 'resente(
'ro"ate( allo%e( an re)istere %it& t&e Re)istr# of Bills at
t&e 0ount# of P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( t&at 0lement L.
HcLau)&lin( t&e aministrator %&o %as a''ointe after :r.
Bar4a)a &a ecline an %ai$e &is a''ointment as
e*ecutor in fa$or of t&e former( is also a resient of
- jann - 26
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
P&ilael'&ia( I.S.A.( an t&at t&erefore( t&ere is an ur)ent
nee for t&e a''ointment of an aministratri* to aminister
an e$entuall# istri"ute t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate locate
in t&e P&ili''ines.
Hean%&ile( on Gune ?( ->9.( 'etitioner Aermo)enes 0am'os
ie an left a %ill( %&ic&( incientall# &as "een !uestione
"# t&e res'onent( &is c&ilren an force &eirs as( on its
face 'atentl# null an $oi( an a fa"rication( a''ointin) Poll#
0a#etano as t&e e*ecutri* of &is last %ill an testament.
0a#etano( t&erefore( file a motion to su"stitute &erself as
'etitioner in t&e instant case %&ic& %as )rante "# t&e court
on Se'tem"er -/( ->9..
ISSIE; B&et&er or not a com'ulsor# &eir ma# "e $alil#
e*clue "# a %ill e*ecute "# a forei)n testatorF
AEL:; JES
RATIO; Alt&ou)& on its face( t&e %ill a''eare to &a$e
'reterite t&e 'etitioner an t&us( t&e res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e enie its re'ro"ate outri)&t( t&e 'ri$ate
res'onents &a$e sufficientl# esta"lis&e t&at Aoracion %as(
at t&e time of &er eat&( an American citi4en an a
'ermanent resient of P&ilael'&ia( Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.
T&erefore( uner Article -? 'ar. +., an -=/> of t&e 0i$il
0oe %&ic& res'ecti$el# 'ro$ie;
Art. -? 'ar. +.,.8Ao%e$er( intestate an
testamentar# successions( "ot& %it& res'ect to t&e
orer of succession an to t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts an to t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
testamentar# 'ro$isions( s&all "e re)ulate "# t&e
national la% of t&e 'erson %&ose succession is
uner consieration( %&ate$er ma# "e t&e nature of
t&e 'ro'ert# an re)arless of t&e countr# %&erein
sai 'ro'ert# ma# "e foun.8
Art. -=/>.80a'acit# to succee is )o$erne "# t&e la% of t&e
nation of t&e eceent.8
t&e la% %&ic& )o$erns Aoracion 0am'o@s %ill is t&e la% of
Penns#l$ania( I.S.A.( %&ic& is t&e national la% of t&e
eceent. Alt&ou)& t&e 'arties amit t&at t&e Penns#l$ania
la% oes not 'ro$ie for le)itimes an t&at all t&e estate ma#
"e )i$en a%a# "# t&e testatri* to a com'lete stran)er( t&e
'etitioner ar)ues t&at suc& la% s&oul not a''l# "ecause it
%oul "e contrar# to t&e soun an esta"lis&e 'u"lic 'olic#
an %oul run counter to t&e s'ecific 'ro$isions of P&ili''ine
La%.
It is a settle rule t&at as re)ars t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( as 'ro$ie for "# Article -? +., an
-=/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e national la% of t&e eceent must
a''l#. T&is %as s!uarel# a''lie in t&e case of Bellis $. Bellis
+.= S0RA /79, %&erein %e rule;8It is t&erefore e$ient t&at
%&ate$er 'u"lic 'olic# or )oo customs ma# "e in$ol$e in
our s#stem of le)itimes( 0on)ress &as not intene to e*ten
t&e same to t&e succession of forei)n nationals. 2or it &as
s'ecificall# c&osen to lea$e( inter alia( t&e amount of
successional ri)&ts( to t&e eceent@s national la%. S'ecific
'ro$isions must 're$ail o$er )eneral ones.
III. TESTAHENTARJ 0APA0ITJ
A. B&o ma# ma1e a %illF
Art. 79*. All persons who are not e&pressly
prohibited by law may ma+e a will. (**$)
Art. 797. 0ersons of either se& under ei!hteen years
of a!e cannot ma+e a will. (n)
Art. 79#. n order to ma+e a will it is essential that
the testator be of sound mind at the time of its
e&ecution. (n)
Art. 799. "o be of sound mind, it is not necessary
that the testator be in full possession of all his
reasonin! faculties, or that his mind be wholly
unbro+en, unimpaired, or unshattered by disease,
in1ury or other cause.
t shall be sufficient if the testator was able at the
time of ma+in! the will to +now the nature of the
estate to be disposed of, the proper ob1ects of his
bounty, and the character of the testamentary act.
(n)
B: re!uisite of sanity to e%ecute a will is based on the
testator"s ability to $now three thins:
4. :ature of the estate to be disposed> the
testator should have a fairly accurate $nowlede of
what he owns. Accurate should be understood in the
relative sense. The more one owns the less accurate
is one"s $nowlede of his estate e%pected to be.
2enry .y miht have a far less accurate picture of
his economic empire than a poverty stric$en laborer.
5. 0roper ob1ects of his bounty> under ordinary
circumstances& the testator should $now his
relatives in the pro%imate derees. As the deree of
relationship oes further& it is less li$ely that he
$nows them.
6. 6haracter of the testamentary act> it is not
re!uired& in order for this re!uisite to be present&
that the testator $now the leal nature of a will with
the erudition of a civilest. All that he need $now is
that the document he is e%ecutin is one that
disposes of his property upon death.
T: :either sic$ness& old ae& deafness& senile debility&
blindness& nor poor memory is by itself sufficient to establish
a presumption of lac$ of testamentary capacity& actual
insanity need not e%ist in order that a person may be said to
lac$ testamentary capacity. 't is enouh that the mental
condition be such that there is want of understandin of the
nature and conse!uences of the disposition by will.
Art. #22. "he law presumes that every person is of
sound mind, in the absence of proof to the contrary.
"he burden of proof that the testator was not of
sound mind at the time of ma+in! his dispositions is
on the person who opposes the probate of the will.
but if the testator, one month, or less, before ma+in!
his will was publicly +nown to be insane, the person
who maintains the validity of the will must prove
that the testator made it durin! a lucid interval. (n)
Art. #2-. 9upervenin! incapacity does not invalidate
an effective will, nor is the will of an incapable
validated by the supervenin! of capacity. (n)
- jann - 27
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
The capacity of the person who leaves a will is to be
determined as of the time of e%ecution of such will. Any prior
or subse!uent incapacity will not affect the validity of the
will. 't will& however& in cases of prior incapacity within 60
days from the ma$in of the will merely shift the burden of
proof of capacity on the person maintainin the validity of the
will. DArt. 800E
Art. #2$. A married woman may ma+e a will without
the consent of her husband, and without the
authority of the court. (n)
Art. #2%. A married woman may dispose by will of all
her separate property as well as her share of the
con1u!al partnership or absolute community
property. (n)
B. Su'er$enin) Inca'acit#
Art. #2-. 9upervenin! incapacity does not invalidate
an effective will, nor is the will of an incapable
validated by the supervenin! of capacity. (n)
The capacity of the person who leaves a will is to be
determined as of the time of e%ecution of such will. Any prior
or subse!uent incapacity will not affect the validity of the
will. 't will& however& in cases of prior incapacity within 60
days from the ma$in of the will merely shift the burden of
proof of capacity on the person maintainin the validity of the
will. DArt. 800E
IV. SOLEHNITIES O2 BILLS
A. Kins of Bills
Art. #2/. 4very will must be in writin! and e&ecuted
in a lan!ua!e or dialect +nown to the testator. (n)
Art. #-2. A person may e&ecute a holo!raphic will
which must be entirely written, dated, and si!ned by
the hand of the testator himself. t is sub1ect to no
other form, and may be made in or out of the
0hilippines, and need not be witnessed. (*7#, *##a)
T: the followin are the advantaes of a holoraphic will:
4. simple and easy to ma$e for those aE who have no means to
employ a lawyer& bEwho are timid and wants to reread their
wills before sinin& cE those who have only very little
property to dispose
5. 't induces foreiners in this 0urisdiction to set down their
last wishes(
6. uaranties the absolute secrecy of the testamentary
disposition because it is not witnessed.
The disadvantaes are:
4. does not auranty testamentary capacity of testator(
5. no protection aainst vices of consent which may not be
$nown in case of death(
6. due to faulty e%pression& it may not e%press the true will of
the testator(
4. for the same reason& it can be easily concealed.
/ay a blind testator ma$e a valid holoraphic will@ There is
no !uestion as to notarial wills it bein allowed under the law
provided the will was read twice to the testator. As to
holoraphic wills& it is submitted that it may be allowed. The
testator& havin written the holoraphic will by his own hand&
$nows what it contains. 2e may have learned to write before
he became blind& or inspite of his blindness. This view has
been sustained in <ouisiana& where it has been held that
blindness does not of itself prevent the ma$in of a valid
holoraphic.
A 2# may be in any form& but the intent to dispose mortis
causa must clearly appear in the conte%t.
#hat would be the effect of words written by another and
inserted amon the words written by the testator@
4. if insertion was made after e%ecution bu wFo consent& such
is deemed not written(
5. if the insertion was after e%ecution with the consent of
testator& the will remains valid but the insertion void(
6. if insertion was after e%ecution and validated by testator by
his sinature& the entire will is void because it is not wholly
written by the testator himself(
4. if insertion is contemporaneous to the e%ecution the effect
same as no. 6.
As to date& the day& month& and year on which the will was
made should be indicated therein. The day and the month&
however& may be indicated by implication& so lon as the
desination leaves no room for doubt as to e%act date.
The validity of the holoraphic will is defeated by the fact that
part of the date is printed. .uch as that written on a daily
planner thouh the contents are entirely written by the hand
but the testator relied on the date indicated on the planner&
the same is still e%trinsically void.
.inatures of witnesses to a 2# will not invalidate the will&
but will be disrearded as a mere surplusae.
B. Notarial Biils
-. General Re!uirements
Art. #2/. 4very will must be in writin! and e&ecuted
in a lan!ua!e or dialect +nown to the testator. (n)
Our la% oes not reco)ni4e nuncu'ati$e %ills( %&ic& is one
t&at is not %ritten( "ut orall# eclare "# t&e testator in &is
last illness( in contem'lation of eat&( an "efore a sufficient
num"er of com'etent %itnesses.
- jann - 28
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e a"o$e re!uirement a''lies to "ot& &olo)ra'&ic an
notarial. In notarial %ills it is immaterial %&o 'erforms t&e
mec&anical act %ritin) t&e %ill( so lon) as t&e testator si)ns it
or &as some"o# si)n &is name in &is 'resence u'on &is
irection.
As to t&e lan)ua)e or ialect( %&en a %ill is e*ecute in a
certain 'ro$ince or localit#( in t&e ialect currentl# use in
suc& 'ro$ince or localit#( t&ere arises a 'resum'tion t&at t&e
testator 1ne% t&e ialect so use( in t&e a"sence of contrar#
e$ience. It is not re!uire t&at t&e %ill e*'ress t&at t&e
lan)ua)e is 1no%n "# t&e testator it is a fact %&ic& ma# "e
'ro$e "# e$ience aliune.
T&e attestation clause of an orinar# %ill oes not &a$e to "e
%ritten in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to t&e testator. It is not
'art of t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&e lan)ua)e use in
t&e attestation clause oes not e$en &a$e to "e 1no%n to t&e
%itness< it s&oul( &o%e$er( "e translate to t&em.
S"ro&a !s. +on. +onrado
Hauro Suro4a( a cor'oral in t&e 47t& Infantr# of t&e I.S.
Arm# +P&ili''ine Scouts,( 2ort HcKinle#( marrie Harcelina
Sal$aor in ->./ +'. -7=( S'ec. Proc. No. 79-?,. T&e# %ere
c&illess. T&e# reare a "o# name A)a'ito %&o use t&e
surname Suro4a an %&o consiere t&em as &is 'arents as
s&o%n in &is ->47 marria)e contract %it& Nenita e Vera +'.
-7( Rollo of 0ADG.R. No. =9?74( '. -49( Rollo of Testate
0ase s&o%in) t&at A)a'ito %as 7 #ears ol %&en Hauro
marrie Harcelina in ->./,.
Hauro ie in ->4.. Harcelina( as a $eteran@s %io%(
"ecame a 'ensioner of t&e 2eeral Go$ernment. T&at
e*'lains %&# on &er eat& s&e &a accumulate some cas&
in t%o "an1s.
A)a'ito an Nenita "e)ot a c&il name Lilia %&o "ecame a
meical tec&nolo)ist an %ent a"roa. A)a'ito also "ecame
a solier. Ae %as isa"le an &is %ife Nenita %as a''ointe
as &is )uarian in ->7/ %&en &e %as eclare an
incom'etent in S'ecial Proceein)s No. -9=7 of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of Ri4al( Pasi) Branc& I +'. -?( Rollo of 0AD
G.R. No. =9?74DR,
In t&at connection( it s&oul "e note t&at a %oman name
Arsenia e la 0ru4 %ante also to "e &is )uarian in anot&er
'roceein). Arsenia trie to 'ro$e t&at Nenita %as li$in)
se'aratel# from A)a'ito an t&at s&e +Nenita, amitte to
Harcelina t&at s&e %as unfait&ful to A)a'ito +''. ?-D?/(
Recor of testate case,
Gu)e Bien$enio A. Tan ismisse t&e secon )uarians&i'
'roceein) an confirme Nenita@s a''ointment as )uarian
of A)a'ito +'. -?( Rollo of 0A case,. A)a'ito &as "een
sta#in) in a $eteran@s &os'ital in San 2rancisco or Palo Alto(
0alifornia +'. 97( Recor,
On a ate not inicate in t&e recor( t&e s'ouses Antonio S#
an Aermo)ena Talan "e)ot a c&il name Haril#n S#( %&o(
%&en a fe% a#s ol( %as entruste to Arsenia e la 0ru4
+a''arentl# a )irl frien of A)a'ito, an %&o %as later
eli$ere to Harcelina Sal$aor Suro4a %&o "rou)&t &er u'
as a su''ose au)&ter of A)a'ito an as &er
)ranau)&ter +''. ./D.?( Rollo of 0ADG.R. No. SPD=9?74D
R,. Haril#n use t&e surname Suro4a. S&e sta#e %it&
Harcelina "ut %as not le)all# ao'te "# A)a'ito. S&e
marrie Oscar Herano an is resiin) at 7??? G.B. Ro*as
Street( Ha1ati( a''arentl# a nei)&"or of Harina PaCe( a
resient of 7??9 G.B. Ro*as Street.
Carcelina s"pposedly e7ec"ted a notarial %ill in Canila
on E"ly .1, (281, %hen she %as 81 years old. That %ill,
%hich is in English, %as th"# #ar;ed y her. She %as
illiterate. +er letters in English to the 5eterans
Ad#inistration %ere also th"# #ar;ed y her +''. /9D
/>( 0A Rollo,. In that %ill, Carcelina e="eathed all her
estate to her s"pposed grandda"ghter Carilyn.
On A'ril .4( Nenita file in t&e testate case an omni"us
'etition 8to set asie 'roceein)s( amit o''osition %it&
counterD'etition of aministration an 'reliminar# inCunction.8
Nenita in t&at motion reiterate &er alle)ation t&at Haril#n
%as a stran)er to Harcelina( t&at t&e %ill %as not ul#
e*ecute an atteste( t&at it %as 'rocure "# means of
unue influence em'lo#e "# Harina an Haril#n an t&at
t&e t&um" mar1s of t&e testatri* %ere 'rocure "# frau or
tric1.
A"out ten mont&s later( in a $erifie com'laint ate Octo"er
-.(->79( file in t&is 0ourt( Nenita c&ar)e Gu)e Aonrao
%it& &a$in) 'ro"ate t&e frauulent %ill of Harcelina. T&e
com'lainant reiterate &er contention t&at t&e testatri* %as
illiterate as s&o%n "# t&e fact t&at s&e affi*e &er t&um" mar1
to t&e %ill an t&at s&e i not 1no% En)lis&( t&e lan)ua)e in
%&ic& t&e %ill %as %ritten. +In t&e ecree of 'ro"ate Gu)e
Aonrao i not ma1e an# finin) t&at t&e %ill %as %ritten in
a lan)ua)e 1no%n to t&e testatri*,.
Nenita furt&er alle)e t&at Gu)e Aonrao( in s'ite of &is
1no%le)e t&at t&e testatri* &a a son name A)a'ito +t&e
testatri*@s su''ose sole com'ulsor# an le)al &eir,( %&o
%as 'reterite in t&e %ill( i not ta1e into account t&e
conse!uences of suc& a 'reterition.
Be &ol t&at isci'linar# action s&oul "e ta1en a)ainst
res'onent Cu)e for &is im'ro'er is'osition of t&e testate
case %&ic& mi)&t &a$e resulte in a miscarria)e of Custice
"ecause t&e eceent@s le)al &eirs an not t&e institute
&eiress in t&e $oi %ill s&oul &a$e in&erite t&e eceent@s
estate.
A Cu)e ma# "e criminall# lia"le for 1no%in)l# renerin) an
unCust Cu)ment or interlocutor# orer or renerin) a
manifestl# unCust Cu)ment or interlocutor# orer "# reason of
ine*cusa"le ne)li)ence or i)norance +Arts. .=4 to .=?(
Re$ise Penal 0oe,
In t&is case( res'onent Cu)e( on 'erusin) t&e %ill an
notin) t&at it %as %ritten in En)lis& an %as t&um" mar1e
"# an o"$iousl# illiterate testatri*( coul &a$e reail#
'ercei$e t&at t&e %ill is $oi.
In t&e o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e %ill( it %as state t&at
En)lis& %as a lan)ua)e 8unerstoo an 1no%n8 to t&e
testatri*. But in its concluin) 'ara)ra'&( it %as state t&at
t&e %ill %as rea to t&e testatri* 8an translate into 2ili'ino
lan)ua)e.8 +'. -?( Recor of testate case, T&at coul onl#
mean t&at t&e %ill %as %ritten in a lan)ua)e not 1no%n to t&e
illiterate testatri* an( t&erefore( it is $oi "ecause of t&e
manator# 'ro$ision of Article 9=4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe t&at
e$er# %ill must "e e*ecute in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to
t&e testator. T&us( a %ill %ritten in En)lis&( %&ic& %as not
1no%n to t&e I)orot testator( is $oi an %as isallo%e
+Aco' $s. Piraso( 7. P&il. ??=,
- jann - 29
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e &ast# 're'aration of t&e %ill is s&o%n in t&e attestation
clause an notarial ac1no%le)ment %&ere Harcelina
Sal$aor Suro4a is re'eatel# referre to as t&e 8testator8
instea of 8testatri*.8
Aa res'onent Cu)e "een careful an o"ser$ant( &e coul
&a$e note not onl# t&e anomal# as to t&e lan)ua)e of t&e
%ill "ut also t&at t&ere %as somet&in) %ron) in institutin) t&e
su''ose )ranau)&ter as sole &eiress an )i$in) not&in)
at all to &er su''ose fat&er %&o %as still ali$e. 2urt&ermore(
after t&e &earin) conucte "# res'onent e'ut# cler1 of
court( res'onent Cu)e coul &a$e notice t&at t&e notar#
%as not 'resente as a %itness.
In s'ite of t&e a"sence of an o''osition( res'onent Cu)e
s&oul &a$e 'ersonall# conucte t&e &earin) on t&e 'ro"ate
of t&e %ill so t&at &e coul &a$e ascertaine %&et&er t&e %ill
%as $alil# e*ecute. Iner t&e circumstances( %e fin &is
ne)li)ence an ereliction of ut# to "e ine*cusa"le.
.. S'ecific Re!uirements
Art. #25. 4very will, other than a holo!raphic will,
must be subscribed at the end thereof by the testator
himself or by the testator3s name written by some
other person in his presence, and by his e&press
direction, and attested and subscribed by three or
more credible witnesses in the presence of the
testator and of one another.
"he testator or the person requested by him to write
his name and the instrumental witnesses of the will,
shall also si!n, as aforesaid, each and every pa!e
thereof, e&cept the last, on the left mar!in, and all
the pa!es shall be numbered correlatively in letters
placed on the upper part of each pa!e.
"he attestation shall state the number of pa!es used
upon which the will is written, and the fact that the
testator si!ned the will and every pa!e thereof, or
caused some other person to write his name, under
his e&press direction, in the presence of the
instrumental witnesses, and that the latter witnessed
and si!ned the will and all the pa!es thereof in the
presence of the testator and of one another.
f the attestation clause is in a lan!ua!e not +nown to
the witnesses, it shall be interpreted to them. (n)
T: The ob0ect of the solemnities surroundin the e%ecution of
wills is to close the door aainst bad faith and fraud& to avoid
sunstitution of wills and testaments and to auranty their
truth and authenticity. Therefore the laws on this sub0ect
should be interpreted in such a way as to attain these
primordial ends. Both one must not lose siht of the fact that
it is not the ob0ect of the law to restrain and curtail the
e%ercise of the riht to ma$e a will.
.ined by Testator
.inin is ma$in a sin& to$en& or emblem( and what that
shall be depends upon the individual. The material thin is
that the testator made the mar$ to authenticate the writin as
his will and whatever he puts on it for that purpose will
suffice.
Attested and subscribed by witnesses
Attestation is the act of the senses& subscription is the act of
the hand( one is mental& the other is mechanical. To attest a
will is to $now that it is published a such& and to certify the
facts re!uired to constitute an actual leal publication( but to
subscribe a paper as a will is only to write on the paper the
names of the witnesses& for the sole purpose of identification.
To attest as witness to a will is therefore to observe& perceive&
discern& and ta$e notice of what is done in e%ecutin a will.
The witness subscribe with his hand& and attest with his eyes
and ears.
?urpose of attestin and subscribin:
4. identification of the instrument(
5. protection of testator fraud and deception and other
vices of consent(
6. to ascertain the T+ of the testator
the witnesses need not even $now the contents of the will
because what they attest to is the due e%ecution and the
sinin of the testator.
't is presumed that a witness has the !ualifications prescribed
by law& unless the contrary is established. 2is credibility
depends upon the appreciation of his testimony and arises
from the belief and appreciation of the court that he is tellin
the truth. 2is competency arise or is re!uired to e%ist at the
time of e%ecution of the will.
As to order of sinin& there are two views:
.trict approach( The eneral rule has been& that everythin
re!uired to be done by the testator in the e%ecution of a will
shall precede in point of time the subscription by the
attestin witness& and if the sinatures of the latter precede
the sinin by the testator there is no proper attestation& and
the will is void& for until the testator has sined& there is no
will and nothin to attest.
<iberal approach( where the witnesses and the testator all
sin in the presence of one another& it is not essential that the
testator sin first& if the sinin and the attestation be parts of
the same transaction( in such case& where the acts are
substantially contemporaneous& it cannot be said that there is
any substantial priority.
The latter view is upheld by most courts. 'n the absence of
proof to the contrary& it will be presumed that the testator
sined first.
?urpose of re!uirin presence of each other:
4. to prevent another paper bein substituted for the
will fraudulently(
5. so that each may be a witness of the other and(
6. to render fabrication of testimony more difficult.
- jann - 30
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
#hen testator is blind( when witness subscribe his will in the
same room or within reasonable close pro%imity and within
his hearin& they subscribe in his presence. ,vidently& the
rule is that they should be within the coni-ance of his
remainin senses& such that he $nows what is bein done.
The testator and witnesses must sin on the left marin of
every pae& the failure of all of them to sin the left marin is
a fatal defect
The purpose of numberin of paes is to afford a means for
determini whether any sheet or pae of the will has been
removed. ,%cept only when will was written on a sinle pae.
An attestation clause is a memorandum of facts attendin the
e%ecution of the will and is that part of the instrument
wherein the witnesses certify that the instrument has been
e%ecuted before them& and the manner of e%ecution.
The attestation clause duly sined is the best evidence as to
date of sinin
The law does not re!uire the attestation to be contained in a
sinle clause. Thus& where a will did not contain a separate
independent attestation clause& but the concludin pararaph
of the body of the will was written in the tenor of an
attestation& statin the facts re!uired by law to be set forth in
an attestation clause& and the penultimate pararaph of the
will stated the number of paes used& it was held to be
sufficient thouh in the first person and sined by the testator
provided it was sined by the witnesses.
Any failure to state a material fact in the attestation clause
will render the will null and void. )ral evidence will not cure
any alleed defect because the statute of frauds does not
apply to wills. The statute relates to contracts and areement
only this may be cured by the oral ratification of the parties.
9ate> in an ordinary will date is not an essential part. )nly
2# re!uires a date. :either a statement of the place of
e%ecution is re!uired and the absence of both facts does not
invalidate the will.
Art. #2*. 4very will must be ac+nowled!ed before a
notary public by the testator and the witnesses. "he
notary public shall not be required to retain a copy
of the will, or file another with the ;ffice of the 6ler+
of 6ourt. (n)
T: This article applies only to ordinary or attested wills. 't has
no application to a holoraphic will which does not have to be
witnessed. .ince ac$nowledement before a notary public
must be made by the testator and the witness& it is obvious
that the law contemplates only ordinary wills.
The sinin of the will by the testator and the witnesses& and
the ac$nowledement of said will before a notary public need
not be done in a sinle act unli$e the in the old code because
his presence is re!uired due to the fact that he prepares the
will. 1nder the present code& it is enouh that the testator
and witnesses ac$nowlede to him its e%ecution for such
ac$nowledement is indispensable for the validity of the will.
An interval of time may elapse between the actual sinin of
the will and the ac$nowledement before the notary public. 't
is important also that testamentary capacity must e%ist also
at the time of ac$nowledement& because this is an essential
part of the e%ecution of the will.
The purpose of ac$nowledement is to minimi-e fraud and
undue pressure and this purpose can be attained whether
ac$nowledement ta$es place at the same time at same time
as the sinin or at some time thereafter.
The prohibition under this article on the retention of a copy
by the notary is rounded on the desire of the testator to
safeuard the secrecy of the contents of the will durin the
lifetime of the testator so he will not be the ob0ect of
importunities or pressure to chane his will on the part of
desinin persons or relatives& or it may be that the testator
wants to $eep the secret of the will durin his lifetime.
B: .pecial 3e!uirements of attested wills are as follows
4. subscribed by the testator or his aent in his
presence and by his e%press direction at the end
thereof& in the presence of the witnesses
5. attested and subscribed by at least three credible
witnesses in the presence of the testator and of one
another(
6. the testator or his aent must sin every pae e%cept
the last& on the left marin in the presence of the
witnesses(
4. the witnesses must sin every pae e%cept last& on
the left marin in the presence of the testator and of
one another(
7. all paes numbered correlatively in letters above
pae(
8. attestation clause statin:
a. number of paes(
b. testator or his aent under his direction
sined the will and every pae thereof& in
the presence of the witnesses(
c. the witnesses witnessed and sined evry
pae in the presence of testator and of one
another(
=. ac$nowleded before a notary public
Darcia !s. la C"esta
T&is is an a''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals
isallo%in) t&e %ill of Antero Hercao ate Ganuar# /( ->4/.
T&e %ill is %ritten in t&e Ilocano ialect an contains t&e
follo%in) attestation clause;
8Be( t&e unersi)ne( "# t&ese 'resents o eclare
t&at t&e fore)oin) testament of Antero Hercao %as
si)ne "# &imself an also "# us "elo% &is name
an of t&is attestation clause an t&at of t&e left
mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es t&ereof. Pa)e t&ree t&e
- jann - 31
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
continuation of t&is attestation clause< t&is %ill is
%ritten in Ilocano ialect %&ic& is s'o1en an
unerstoo "# t&e testator( an it "ears t&e
corres'onin) num"er in letter %&ic& com'ose of
t&ree 'a)es an all of t&em %ere si)ne in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an %itnesses( an t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an all an
eac& an e$er# one of us %itnesses.
8In testimon#( %&ereof( %e si)n t&is testament( t&is
t&e t&ir a# of Ganuar#( one t&ousan nine &unre
fort# t&ree( +->4/, A.:.
+S)., 8NIHERIANO EVANGELISTA +S).,
ROSEN:O 0ORTES
+S)., BIBIANA ILLEGIBLE8
T&e %ill a''ears to &a$e "een si)ne "# Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier %&o %rote t&e name of Antero Hercao( follo%e
"elo% "# 8A rue)o el testaor8 an t&e name of 2lorentino
Ga$ier. Antero Hercao is alle)e to &a$e %ritten a cross
immeiatel# after &is name. T&e 0ourt of A''eals( re$ersin)
t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ilocos Norte(
rule t&at t&e attestation clause faile +-, to certif# t&at t&e
%ill %as si)ne on all t&e left mar)ins of t&e t&ree 'a)es an
at t&e en of t&e %ill "# Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier at t&e e*'ress
re!uest of t&e testator in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an
eac& an e$er# one of t&e %itnesses< +., to certif# t&at after
t&e si)nin) of t&e name of t&e testator "# Att#. Ga$ier at t&e
former@s re!uest sai testator &as %ritten a cross at t&e en
of &is name an on t&e left mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es of
%&ic& t&e %ill consists an at t&e en t&ereof< +/, to certif#
t&at t&e t&ree %itnesses si)ne t&e %ill in all t&e 'a)es
t&ereon in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er.
In our o'inion( t&e attestation clause is fatall# efecti$e for
failin) to state t&at Antero Hercao cause Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier to %rite t&e testator@s name uner &is e*'ress
irection( as re!uire "# section ?-9 of t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure. T&e &erein 'etitioner +%&o is a''ealin) "# %a# of
certiorari from t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals, ar)ues(
&o%e$er( t&at t&ere is no nee for suc& recital "ecause t&e
cross %ritten "# t&e testator after &is name is a sufficient
si)nature an t&e si)nature of Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier is a
sur'lusa)e. Petitioner@s t&eor# is t&at t&e cross is as muc& a
si)nature as a t&um"mar1( t&e latter &a$in) "een &el
sufficient "# t&is 0ourt in t&e cases of :e Gala $s. Gon4ales
an Ona( 7/ P&il.( -=4< :olar $s. :iancin( 77 P&il.( 47><
Pa#a $s. Tolentino( ?. P&il.( 949< Ne#ra $s. Ne#ra( 7? P&il.(
.>? an Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9- P&il.( 4.>.
It is not &ere 'retene t&at t&e cross a''earin) on t&e %ill is
t&e usual si)nature of Antero Hercao or e$en one of t&e
%a#s "# %&ic& &e si)ne &is name. After mature reflection(
%e are not 're'are to li1en t&e mere si)n of a cross to a
t&um"mar1( an t&e reason is o"$ious. T&e cross cannot an
oes not &a$e t&e trust%ort&iness of a t&um"mar1.
B&at &as "een sai ma1es it unnecessar# for us to
etermine %&et&er t&ere is a sufficient recital in t&e
attestation clause as to t&e si)nin) of t&e %ill "# t&e testator
in t&e 'resence of t&e %itnesses( an "# t&e latter in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er. B&erefore( t&e
a''eale ecision is &ere"# affirme( %it& costs a)ainst t&e
'etitioner. So orere.
Balona !s. Aellana
A''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Tam"oan)a 0it# amittin) to 'ro"ate t&e %ill of one Anacleta
A"ellana.
8It a''ears on recor t&at t&e last Bill an
Testament +E*&i"it @A@,( %&ic& is sou)&t to "e
'ro"ate( is %ritten in t&e S'anis& lan)ua)e an
consists of t%o +., t#'e%ritten 'a)es +'a)es 4 an 7
of t&e recor, ou"le s'ace. T&e first 'a)e is si)ne
"# Guan Bello an uner &is name a''ears
t#'e%ritten @Por la testaora Anacleta A"ellana(
resience 0ertificate AD--?7?.>( Enero .=( ->7-(
0iua e Tam"oan)a@( an on t&e secon 'a)e
a''ears t&e si)nature of t&e t&ree +/, instrumental
%itnesses Blas Se"astian( 2austino Hacaso an
Rafael I)nacio( at t&e "ottom of %&ic& a''ears t&e
si)nature of T. e los Santos an "elo% &is
si)nature is &is official esi)nation as t&e notar#
'u"lic %&o notari4e t&e sai testament. On t&e first
'a)e on t&e left mar)in of t&e sai instrument also
a''ear t&e si)natures of t&e instrumental %itnesses.
On t&e secon 'a)e( %&ic& is t&e last 'a)e of t&e
sai last Bill an Testament( also a''ears t&e
si)nature of t&e t&ree +/, instrumental %itnesses
an on t&at secon 'a)e on t&e left mar)in a''ears
t&e si)nature of Guan Bello uner %&ose name
a''ears &an%ritten t&e follo%in) '&rase( @Por la
Testaora Anacleta A"ellana@. T&e %ill is ul#
ac1no%le)e "efore Notar# Pu"lic( Attorne#
Timoteo e los Santos.8 +Italics su''lie.,
T&e 'resent la%( Article 9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( in 'art
'ro$ies as follo%s;
8E$er# %ill( ot&er t&an a &olo)ra'&ic %ill( must "e
su"scri"e at t&e en t&ereof "# t&e testator &imself
or "# t&e testator@s name %ritten "# some ot&er
'erson in &is 'resence( an "# &is e*'ress
irection( an atteste an su"scri"e "# t&ree or
more crei"le %itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e
testator an of one anot&er.8 +Italics su''lie.,
Note t&at t&e ol la% as %ell as t&e ne% re!uire t&at t&e
testator &imself si)n t&e %ill( or if &e cannot o so( t&e
testator@s name must "e %ritten "# some ot&er 'erson in &is
'resence an "# &is e*'ress irection. A''l#in) t&is
'ro$ision t&is 0ourt sai in t&e case of E* Parte Pero
Arcenas( et al.( 4 P&il.( 7==;
8It %ill "e notice from t&e a"o$eD!uote section ?-9
of t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure t&at %&ere t&e
testator oes not 1no% &o%( or is una"le( to si)n( it
%ill not "e sufficient t&at one of t&e attestin)
%itnesses si)ns t&e %ill at t&e testator@s re!uest( t&e
notar# certif#in) t&ereto as 'ro$ie in article ?>7 of
t&e 0i$il 0oe( %&ic&( in t&is res'ect( %as moifie
"# section ?-9 a"o$e referre to( "ut it is necessar#
t&at t&e testator@s name "e %ritten "# t&e 'erson
si)nin) in &is stea in t&e 'lace %&ere &e %oul
&a$e si)ne if &e 1ne% &o% or %as a"le so to o(
an t&is in t&e testator@s 'resence an "# &is
e*'ress irection< so t&at a %ill si)ne in a manner
ifferent t&an t&at 'rescri"e "# la% s&all not "e
$ali an %ill not "e allo%e to "e 'ro"ate.
T&e same rulin) %as lai o%n in t&e case of 0uison $s.
0once'cion( 7 P&il.( 77.. In t&e case of Barut $s.
0a"acun)an( .- P&il.( 4?-( %e &el t&at t&e im'ortant t&in)
is t&at it clearl# a''ears t&at t&e name of t&e testatri* %as
- jann - 32
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
si)ne at &er e*'ress irection< it is unim'ortant %&et&er t&e
'erson %&o %rites t&e name of t&e testatri* si)ns &is o%n or
not. 0ases of t&e same im'ort are as follo%s; +E* Parte Guan
One$illa( -/ P&il.( 47>( 0alu#a $s. :omin)o( .7 P&il.( //=<
Garcia $s. Lacuesta( >= P&il.( 49>,.
In t&e case at "ar t&e name of t&e testatri*( Anacleta
A"ellana( oes not a''ear %ritten uner t&e %ill "# sai
A"ellana &erself( or "# :r. Guan A"ello. T&ere is( t&erefore( a
failure to com'l# %it& t&e e*'ress re!uirement in t&e la% t&at
t&e testator must &imself si)n t&e %ill( or t&at &is name "e
affi*e t&ereto "# Some ot&er 'erson in &is 'resence an "#
&is e*'ress irection. It a''earin) t&at t&e a"o$e 'ro$ision of
t&e la% &as not "een com'lie %it&( %e are constraine to
eclare t&at t&e sai %ill of t&e ecease Anacleta A"ellana
ma# not "e amitte to 'ro"ate.
Nera !s. -i#ando
T&e onl# !uestion raise "# t&e e$ience in t&is case as to
t&e ue e*ecution of t&e instrument 'ro'oune as a %ill in
t&e court "elo%( is %&et&er one of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses
%as 'resent in t&e small room %&ere it %as e*ecute at t&e
time %&en t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses
attac&e t&eir si)natures< or %&et&er at t&at time &e %as
outsie( some ei)&t or ten feet a%a#( in a lar)e room
connectin) %it& t&e smaller room "# a oor%a#( across %&ic&
%as &un) a curtain %&ic& mae it im'ossi"le for one in t&e
outsie room to see t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in)
%itnesses in t&e act of attac&in) t&eir si)natures to t&e
instrument.
A maCorit# of t&e mem"ers of t&e court is of o'inion t&at t&is
su"scri"in) %itness %as in t&e small room %it& t&e testator
an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses at t&e time %&en t&e#
attac&e t&eir si)natures to t&e instrument( an t&is finin)(
of course( is'oses of t&e a''eal an necessitates t&e
affirmance of t&e ecree amittin) t&e ocument to 'ro"ate
as t&e last %ill an testament of t&e ecease.
T&e trial Cu)e oes not a''ear to &a$e consiere t&e
etermination of t&is !uestion of fact of $ital im'ortance in t&e
etermination of t&is case( as &e %as of o'inion t&at uner
t&e octrine lai o%n in t&e case of Ga"oneta $s. Gustilo +7
P&il. Re'.( 74-, t&e alle)e fact t&at one of t&e su"scri"in)
%itnesses %as in t&e outer room %&en t&e testator an t&e
ot&er escri"in) %itnesses si)ne t&e instrument in t&e inner
room( &a it "een 'ro$en( %oul not "e sufficient in itself to
in$aliate t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill. But %e are unanimousl#
of o'inion t&at &a t&is su"scri"in) %itness "een 'ro$en to
&a$e "een in t&e outer room at t&e time %&en t&e testator
an t&e ot&er su"scri"in) %itnesses attac&e t&eir si)natures
to t&e instrument in t&e inner room( it %oul &a$e "een
in$ali as a %ill( t&e attac&in) of t&ose si)natures uner
circumstances not "ein) one 8in t&e 'resence8 of t&e
%itness in t&e outer room. T&is "ecause t&e line of $ision
from t&is %itness to t&e testator an t&e ot&er su"scri"in)
%itnesses %oul necessaril# &a$e "een im'ee "# t&e
curtain se'aratin) t&e inner from t&e outer one 8at t&e
moment of inscri'tion of eac& si)nature.8
In t&e case Cust cite( on %&ic& t&e trial court relie( %e &el
t&at;
8T&e true test of 'resence of t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses in t&e e*ecution of a %ill is not %&et&er
t&e# actuall# sa% eac& ot&er si)n( "ut %&et&er t&e#
mi)&t &a$e "een seen eac& ot&er si)n( &a t&e#
c&osen to o so( consierin) t&eir mental an
'&#sical conition an 'osition %it& relation to eac&
ot&er at t&e moment of inscri'tion of eac&
si)nature.8
But it is es'eciall# to "e note t&at t&e 'osition of t&e 'arties
%it& relation to eac& ot&er at t&e moment of t&e su"scri'tion
of eac& si)nature( must "e suc& t&at t&e# ma# see eac&
ot&er si)n if t&e# c&oose to o so. T&is( of course( oes not
mean t&at t&e testator an t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses ma# "e
&el to &a$e e*ecute t&e instrument in t&e 'resence of eac&
ot&er if it a''ears t&at t&e# %oul not &a$e "een a"le to see
eac& ot&er si)n at t&at moment( %it&out c&an)in) t&eir
relati$e 'ositions or e*istin) conitions. T&e e$ience in t&e
case relie u'on "# t&e trial Cu)e iscloses t&at 8at t&e
moment %&en t&e %itness Ga$ellana si)ne t&e ocument &e
%as actuall# an '&#sicall# 'resent an in suc& 'osition %it&
relation to Ga"oneta t&at &e coul see e$er#t&in) t&at too1
'lace "# merel# castin) &is e#es in t&e 'ro'er irection an
%it&out an# '&#sical o"struction to 're$ent &is oin) so.8 An
t&e ecision merel# lai o%n t&e octrine t&at t&e !uestion
%&et&er t&e testator an t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses to an
alle)e %ill si)n t&e instrument in t&e 'resence of eac& ot&er
oes not e'en u'on 'roof of t&e fact t&at t&eir e#es %ere
actuall# cast u'on t&e 'a'er at t&e moment of its su"scri'tion
"# eac& of t&em( "ut t&at at t&at moment e*istin) conitions
an t&eir 'osition %it& relation to eac& ot&er %ere suc& t&at
"# merel# castin) t&e e#es in t&e 'ro'er irection t&e# coul
&a$e seen eac& ot&er si)n. To e*ten t&e octrine furt&er
%oul o'en t&e oor to t&e 'ossi"ilit# of all manner of frau(
su"stitution( an t&e li1e( an %oul efeat t&e 'ur'ose for
%&ic& t&is 'articular conition is 'rescri"e in t&e coe as
one of t&e re!uisites in t&e e*ecution of a %ill.
T&e ecree entere "# t&e court "elo% amittin) t&e
instrument 'ro'oune t&erein to 'ro"ate as t&e last %ill an
testament of Pero Rimano( ecease( is affirme %it&
costs of t&is instance a)ainst t&e a''ellant.
Darcia !s. la C"esta
T&is is an a''eal from a ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals
isallo%in) t&e %ill of Antero Hercao ate Ganuar# /( ->4/.
T&e %ill is %ritten in t&e Ilocano ialect an contains t&e
follo%in) attestation clause;
8Be( t&e unersi)ne( "# t&ese 'resents o eclare
t&at t&e fore)oin) testament of Antero Hercao %as
si)ne "# &imself an also "# us "elo% &is name
an of t&is attestation clause an t&at of t&e left
mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es t&ereof. Pa)e t&ree t&e
continuation of t&is attestation clause< t&is %ill is
%ritten in Ilocano ialect %&ic& is s'o1en an
unerstoo "# t&e testator( an it "ears t&e
corres'onin) num"er in letter %&ic& com'ose of
t&ree 'a)es an all of t&em %ere si)ne in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an %itnesses( an t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an all an
eac& an e$er# one of us %itnesses.
8In testimon#( %&ereof( %e si)n t&is testament( t&is
t&e t&ir a# of Ganuar#( one t&ousan nine &unre
fort# t&ree( +->4/, A.:.
+S)., 8NIHERIANO EVANGELISTA +S).,
ROSEN:O 0ORTES
- jann - 33
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
+S)., BIBIANA ILLEGIBLE8
T&e %ill a''ears to &a$e "een si)ne "# Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier %&o %rote t&e name of Antero Hercao( follo%e
"elo% "# 8A rue)o el testaor8 an t&e name of 2lorentino
Ga$ier. Antero Hercao is alle)e to &a$e %ritten a cross
immeiatel# after &is name. T&e 0ourt of A''eals( re$ersin)
t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ilocos Norte(
rule t&at t&e attestation clause faile +-, to certif# t&at t&e
%ill %as si)ne on all t&e left mar)ins of t&e t&ree 'a)es an
at t&e en of t&e %ill "# Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier at t&e e*'ress
re!uest of t&e testator in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an
eac& an e$er# one of t&e %itnesses< +., to certif# t&at after
t&e si)nin) of t&e name of t&e testator "# Att#. Ga$ier at t&e
former@s re!uest sai testator &as %ritten a cross at t&e en
of &is name an on t&e left mar)in of t&e t&ree 'a)es of
%&ic& t&e %ill consists an at t&e en t&ereof< +/, to certif#
t&at t&e t&ree %itnesses si)ne t&e %ill in all t&e 'a)es
t&ereon in t&e 'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er.
In our o'inion( t&e attestation clause is fatall# efecti$e for
failin) to state t&at Antero Hercao cause Att#. 2lorentino
Ga$ier to %rite t&e testator@s name uner &is e*'ress
irection( as re!uire "# section ?-9 of t&e 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure. T&e &erein 'etitioner +%&o is a''ealin) "# %a# of
certiorari from t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of A''eals, ar)ues(
&o%e$er( t&at t&ere is no nee for suc& recital "ecause t&e
cross %ritten "# t&e testator after &is name is a sufficient
si)nature an t&e si)nature of Att#. 2lorentino Ga$ier is a
sur'lusa)e. Petitioner@s t&eor# is t&at t&e cross is as muc& a
si)nature as a t&um"mar1( t&e latter &a$in) "een &el
sufficient "# t&is 0ourt in t&e cases of :e Gala $s. Gon4ales
an Ona( 7/ P&il.( -=4< :olar $s. :iancin( 77 P&il.( 47><
Pa#a $s. Tolentino( ?. P&il.( 949< Ne#ra $s. Ne#ra( 7? P&il.(
.>? an Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9- P&il.( 4.>.
It is not &ere 'retene t&at t&e cross a''earin) on t&e %ill is
t&e usual si)nature of Antero Hercao or e$en one of t&e
%a#s "# %&ic& &e si)ne &is name. After mature reflection(
%e are not 're'are to li1en t&e mere si)n of a cross to a
t&um"mar1( an t&e reason is o"$ious. T&e cross cannot an
oes not &a$e t&e trust%ort&iness of a t&um"mar1.
B&at &as "een sai ma1es it unnecessar# for us to
etermine %&et&er t&ere is a sufficient recital in t&e
attestation clause as to t&e si)nin) of t&e %ill "# t&e testator
in t&e 'resence of t&e %itnesses( an "# t&e latter in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of eac& ot&er. B&erefore( t&e
a''eale ecision is &ere"# affirme( %it& costs a)ainst t&e
'etitioner. So orere.
Taoado !s. -osal
In t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate file %it& t&e res'onent court( t&e
'etitioner attac&e t&e alle)e last %ill an testament of t&e
late :orotea Pere4. Britten in 0e"uanoDVisa#an ialect( t&e
%ill consists of t%o 'a)es. T&e first 'a)e contains t&e entire
testamentar# is'ositions an is si)ne at t&e en or "ottom
of t&e 'a)e "# t&e testatri* alone an at t&e left &an mar)in
"# t&e t&ree +/, instrumental %itnesses. T&e secon 'a)e
%&ic& contains t&e attestation clause an t&e
ac1no%le)ment is si)ne at t&e en of t&e attestation
clause "# t&e t&ree -/, attestin) %itnesses an at t&e left
&an mar)in "# t&e testatri*.
Since no o''osition %as file after t&e 'etitioner@s
com'liance %it& t&e re!uirement of 'u"lications( t&e trial
court commissione t&e "ranc& cler1 of court to recei$e t&e
'etitioner@s e$ience. Accorin)l#( t&e 'etitioner su"mitte &is
e$ience an 'resente Vicente Tim1an)( one of t&e
su"scri"in) %itnesses to t&e %ill( %&o testifie on its
)enuineness an ue e*ecution.
T&e trial court( t&ru t&en Presiin) Gu)e Ramon 0.
Pamatian issue t&e !uestione orer en#in) t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill of :orotea Pere4 for %ant of a formalit# in its
e*ecution. In t&e same orer( t&e 'etitioner %as also re!uire
to su"mit t&e names of t&e intestate &eirs %it& t&eir
corres'onin) aresses so t&at t&e# coul "e 'ro'erl#
notifie an coul inter$ene in t&e summar# settlement of t&e
estate.
T&e res'onent Gu)e inter'rets t&e a"o$eD!uote 'ro$ision
of la% to re!uire t&at( for a notarial %ill to "e $ali( it is not
enou)& t&at onl# t&e testatri* si)ns at t&e 8en8 "ut all t&e
t&ree su"scri"in) %itnesses must also si)n at t&e same 'lace
or at t&e en( in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of one
anot&er "ecause t&e attestin) %itnesses to a %ill attest not
merel# t&e %ill itself "ut also t&e si)nature of t&e testator. It is
not sufficient com'liance to si)n t&e 'a)e( %&ere t&e en of
t&e %ill is foun( at t&e left &an mar)in of t&at 'a)e.
On t&e ot&er &an( t&e 'etitioner maintains t&at Article 9=7 of
t&e 0i$il 0oe oes not ma1e it a conition 'receent or a
matter of a"solute necessit# for t&e e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e
%ill t&at t&e si)natures of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses s&oul
"e s'ecificall# locate at t&e en of t&e %ill after t&e
si)nature of t&e testatri*. Ae contens t&at it %oul "e a"sur
t&at t&e le)islature intene to 'lace so &ea$# an im'ort on
t&e s'ace or 'articular location %&ere t&e si)natures are to
"e foun as lon) as t&is s'ace or 'articular location %&erein
t&e si)natures are foun is consistent %it& )oo fait& an t&e
&onest frailties of &uman nature.
2or t&e $aliit# of a formal notarial %ill( oes Article 9=7 of t&e
0i$il 0oe re!uire t&at t&e testatri* an all t&e t&ree
instrumental an attestin) %itnesses si)n at t&e en of t&e
%ill an in t&e 'resence of t&e testatri* an of one anot&erF
Inou"tel#( uner Article 9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e %ill
must "e su"scri"e or si)ne at its en "# t&e testator
&imself or "# t&e testator@s name %ritten "# anot&er 'erson in
&is 'resence( an "# &is e*'ress irection( an atteste an
su"scri"e "# t&ree or more crei"le %itnesses in t&e
'resence of t&e testator an of one anot&er.
It must "e note t&at t&e la% uses t&e terms atteste an
su"scri"e. Attestation consists in %itnessin) t&e testator@s
e*ecution of t&e %ill in orer to see an ta1e note mentall#
t&at t&ose t&in)s are one %&ic& t&e statute re!uires for t&e
e*ecution of a %ill an t&at t&e si)nature of t&e testator e*ists
as a fact. On t&e ot&er &an( su"scri'tion is t&e si)nin) of t&e
%itnesses@ names u'on t&e same 'a'er for t&e 'ur'ose of
ientification of suc& 'a'er as t&e %ill %&ic& %as e*ecute "#
t&e testator. +Ra)sale $. Aill( .?> SB . >--,.
Insofar as t&e re!uirement of su"scri'tion is concerne( it is
our consiere $ie% t&at t&e %ill in t&is case %as su"scri"e
in a manner %&ic& full# satisfies t&e 'ur'ose of ientification.
T&e la% is to "e li"erall# construe( 8t&e unerl#in) an
funamental o"Cecti$e 'ermeatin) t&e 'ro$isions on t&e la%
- jann - 34
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
on %ills in t&is 'roCect consists in t&e li"erali4ation of t&e
manner of t&eir e*ecution %it& t&e en in $ie% of )i$in) t&e
testator more freeom in e*'ressin) &is last %is&es "ut %it&
sufficient safe)uars an restrictions to 're$ent t&e
commission of frau an t&e e*ercise of unue an im'ro'er
'ressure an influence u'on t&e testator. T&is o"Cecti$e is in
accor %it& t&e moern tenenc# in res'ect to t&e formalities
in t&e e*ecution of a %ill8 +Re'ort of t&e 0oe 0ommission( '.
-=/,.
T&e o"Cects of attestation an of su"scri'tion %ere full# met
an satisfie in t&e 'resent case %&en t&e instrumental
%itnesses si)ne at t&e left mar)in of t&e sole 'a)e %&ic&
contains all t&e testamentar# is'ositions( es'eciall# so %&en
t&e %ill %as 'ro'erl# ientifie "# su"scri"in) %itness Vicente
Tim1an) to "e t&e same %ill e*ecute "# t&e testatri*. T&ere
%as no !uestion of frau or su"stitution "e&in t&e
!uestione orer.
Be &a$e e*amine t&e %ill in !uestion an notice t&at t&e
attestation clause faile to state t&e num"er of 'a)es use in
%ritin) t&e %ill. T&is %oul &a$e "een a fatal efect %ere it
not for t&e fact t&at( in t&is case( it is iscerni"le from t&e
entire %ill t&at it is reall# an actuall# com'ose of onl# t%o
'a)es ul# si)ne "# t&e testatri* an &er instrumental
%itnesses. As earlier state( t&e first 'a)e %&ic& contains t&e
entiret# of t&e testamentar# is'ositions is si)ne "# t&e
testatri* at t&e en or at t&e "ottom %&ile t&e instrumental
%itnesses si)ne at t&e left mar)in. T&e ot&er 'a)e %&ic& is
mar1e as 8Pa)ina os8 com'rises t&e attestation clause an
t&e ac1no%le)ment. T&e ac1no%le)ment itself states t&at
8T&is Last Bill an Testament consists of t%o 'a)es incluin)
t&is 'a)e.8
T&e ratio ecieni of t&ese cases seems to "e t&at t&e
attestation clause must contain a statement of t&e num"er of
s&eets or 'asses com'osin) t&e %ill an t&at if t&is is missin)
or is omitte( it %ill &a$e t&e effect of in$aliatin) t&e %ill if t&e
eficienc# cannot "e su''lie( not "# e$ience aliune( "ut
"# a consieration or e*amination of t&e %ill itself. But &ere
t&e situation is ifferent. B&ile t&e attestation clause oes not
state t&e num"er of s&eets or 'a)es u'on %&ic& t&e %ill is
%ritten( &o%e$er( t&e last 'art of t&e "o# of t&e %ill contains
a statement t&at it is com'ose of ei)&t 'a)es( %&ic&
circumstance in our o'inion ta1es t&is case out of t&e ri)i
rule of construction an 'laces it %it&in t&e realm of similar
cases %&ere a "roa an more li"eral $ie% &as "een
ao'te to 're$ent t&e %ill of t&e testator from "ein)
efeate "# 'urel# tec&nical consierations.8
8 . . . Im'ossi"ilit# of su"stitution of t&is 'a)e is assure not
onl# +sic, t&e fact t&at t&e testatri* an t%o ot&er %itnesses(
i si)n t&e efecti$e 'a)e( "ut also "# its "earin) t&e
coincient im'rint of t&e seal of t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om
t&e testament %as ratifie "# testatri* an all t&ree %itnesses.
T&e la% s&oul not "e so strictl# an literall# inter'rete as to
'enali4e t&e testatri* on account of t&e ina$ertence of a
sin)le %itness o$er %&ose conuct s&e &a no control( %&ere
t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% to )uarantee t&e ientit# of t&e
testament an its com'onent 'a)es is sufficientl# attaine( no
intentional or eli"erate e$iation e*iste( an t&e e$ience
on recor attest to t&e full o"ser$ance of t&e statutor#
re!uisites. Ot&er%ise( as state in Va. e Gil. $s. Hurciano(
4> Off. Ga4 -47>( at -47> +ecision on reconsieration,
@%itnesses ma# sa"ota)e t&e %ill "# mulin) or "un)lin) it or
t&e attestation clause.@8
BAERE2ORE( t&e 'resent 'etition is &ere"# )rante. T&e
orers of t&e res'onent 0ourt %&ic& enie t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill( t&e motion for reconsieration of t&e enial of
'ro"ate( an t&e motion for a''ointment of a s'ecial
aministrator are set asie.
Icasiano !s. Icasiano
T&is s'ecial 'roceein) %as "e)un on Octo"er .( ->79 "# a
'etition for t&e allo%ance an amission to 'ro"ate of t&e
ori)inal( E*&i"it 8A8 as t&e alle)e %ill of Gosefa Villacorte(
ecease( an for t&e a''ointment of 'etitioner 0elso
Icasiano as e*ecutor t&ereof.
T&e e$ience 'resente for t&e 'etitioner is to t&e effect t&at
Gosefa Villacorte ie in t&e 0it# of Hanila on Se'tem"er -.(
->79< t&at on Gune .( ->7?( t&e late Gosefa Villacorte
e*ecute a last %ill an testament in u'licate at t&e &ouse
of &er au)&ter Hrs. 2elisa Icasiano at Pero Gue$ara
Street( Hanila( 'u"lis&e "efore an atteste "# t&ree
instrumental %itnesses( namel#; attorne#s Gusto P. Torres( Gr.
an Gose V. Nati$ia( an Hr. Vinicio B. :i#< t&at t&e %ill
%as ac1no%le)e "# t&e testatri* an "# t&e sai t&ree
instrumental %itnesses on t&e same ate "efore attorne#
Gose O#en)co On)( Notar# Pu"lic in an for t&e 0it# of
Hanila< an t&at t&e %ill %as actuall# 're'are "# attorne#
2ermin Samson( %&o %as also 'resent urin) t&e e*ecution
an si)nin) of t&e eceent@s last %ill an testament(
to)et&er %it& former Go$ernor Emilio Rustia of Bulacan(
Gu)e Ramon Icasiano an a little )irl. Of t&e sai t&ree
instrumental %itnesses to t&e e*ecution of t&e eceent@s last
%ill an testament( attorne#s Torres an Nati$ia %ere in
t&e P&ili''ines at t&e time of t&e &earin)( an "ot& testifie
as to t&e ue e*ecution an aut&enticit# of t&e sai %ill. So
i t&e Notar# Pu"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill %as
ac1no%le)e "# t&e testatri* an attestin) %itnesses( an
also attorne#s 2ermin Samson( %&o actuall# 're'are t&e
ocument. T&e latter also testifie u'on cross e*amination
t&at &e 're'are one ori)inal an t%o co'ies of Gosefa
Villacorte last %ill an testament at &is &ouse in Baliua)(
Bulacan( "ut &e "rou)&t onl# one ori)inal an one si)ne
co'# to Hanila( retainin) one unsi)ne co'# in Bulacan.
T&e recors s&o% t&at t&e ori)inal of t&e %ill( %&ic& %as
surrenere simultaneousl# %it& t&e filin) of t&e 'etition an
mar1e as E*&i"it 8A8 consists of fi$e 'a)es( an %&ile
si)ne at t&e en an in e$er# 'a)e( it oes not contain t&e
si)nature of one of t&e attestin) %itnesses( Att#. Gose V.
Nati$ia( on 'a)e t&ree +/, t&ereof< "ut t&e u'licate co'#
attac&e to t&e amene an su''lemental 'etition an
mar1e as E*&i"it 8AD-8 is si)ne "# t&e testatri* an &er
t&ree attestin) %itnesses in eac& an e$er# 'a)e.
Bitness Nati$ia %&o testifie on &is failure to si)n 'a)e
t&ree +/, of t&e ori)inal( amits t&at &e ma# &a$e lifte t%o
'a)es instea of one %&en &e si)ne t&e same( "ut affirme
t&at 'a)e t&ree +/, %as si)ne in &is 'resence.
Be &a$e e*amine t&e recor an are satisfie( as t&e trial
court %as( t&at t&e testatri* si)ne "ot& ori)inal an u'licate
co'ies +E*&i"its 8A8 an 8AD-8( res'ecti$el#, of t&e %ill
s'ontaneousl#( on t&e same in t&e 'resence of t&e t&ree
attestin) %itnesses( t&e notar# 'u"lic %&o ac1no%le)e t&e
%ill< an Att#. Samson( %&o actuall# 're'are t&e ocuments<
t&at t&e %ill an its u'licate %ere e*ecute in Ta)alo)( a
lan)ua)e 1no%n to an s'o1en "# "ot& t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses( an rea to an "# t&e testatri* an Att#. 2ermin
Samson( to)et&er "efore t&e# %ere actuall# si)ne< t&at t&e
attestation clause is also in a lan)ua)e 1no%n to an s'o1en
- jann - 35
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
"# t&e testatri* an t&e %itnesses. T&e o'inion of e*'ert for
o''ositors( Hr. 2eli'e Lo)an( t&at t&e si)natures of t&e
testatri* a''earin) in t&e u'licate ori)inal %ere not %ritten
"# t&e same &a %&ic& %rote t&e si)natures in t&e ori)inal
%ill lea$es us uncon$ince( not merel# "ecause it is irectl#
contraicte "# e*'ert Hartin Ramos for t&e 'ro'onents( "ut
'rinci'all# "ecause of t&e 'aucit# of t&e stanars use "#
&im to su''ort t&e conclusion t&at t&e ifferences "et%een
t&e stanar an !uestione si)natures are "e#on t&e
%riter@s ran)e of normal scri'tural $ariation. T&e e*'ert &as(
in fact( use as stanars onl# t&ree ot&er si)natures of t&e
testatri* "esies t&ose affi*e to t&e ori)inal of t&e testament
+E*&. A,< an %e feel t&at %it& so fe% stanars t&e e*'ert@s
o'inion an t&e si)natures in t&e u'licate coul not "e t&ose
of t&e testatri* "ecomes e*tremel# &a4arous. T&is is
'articularl# so since t&e com'arison c&arts Nos. / an 4 fail
to s&o% con$incin)l# t&at t&e are raical ifferences t&at
%oul Custif# t&e c&ar)e of for)er#( ta1in) into account t&e
a$ance a)e of t&e testatri*( t&e e$ient $aria"ilit# of &er
si)natures( an t&e effect of %ritin) fati)ue( t&e u'licate
"ein) si)ne ri)&t t&e ori)inal. T&ese( factors %ere not
iscusse "# t&e e*'ert.
Nor o %e fin ae!uate e$ience of frau or unue
influence. T&e fact t&at some &eirs are more fa$ore t&an
ot&ers is 'roof of neit&er +see In re Butali( -= P&il. .7<
Bu)nao $s. I"a)( -4 P&il. -?/< Pecson $s. 0oronal( 47 P&il.
.-?,. :i$ersit# of a''ortionment is t&e usual reason for
ma1in) a testament< ot&er%ise( t&e eceent mi)&t as %ell
ie intestate. T&e testamentar# is'ositions t&at t&e &eirs
s&oul not in!uire into ot&er 'ro'ert# an t&at t&e# s&oul
res'ect t&e istri"ution mae in t&e %ill( uner 'enalt# of
forfeiture of t&eir s&ares in t&e free 'art o not suffice to
'ro$e frau or unue influence. T&e# a''ear moti$ate "#
t&e esire to 're$ent 'rolon)e liti)ation %&ic&( as s&o%n "#
orinar# e*'erience( often results in a si4ea"le 'ortion of t&e
estate "ein) i$erte into t&e &ans of nonD&eirs an
s'eculators. B&et&er t&ese clauses are $ali or not is a
matter to "e liti)ate on anot&er occassion. It is also %ell to
note t&at( as remar1e "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals in Sieco $s.
Sieco( 47 Off. Ga4. -?9( frau an unue influence are
mutuall# re'u)nant an e*clue eac& ot&er< t&eir Coinin) as
)rouns for o''osin) 'ro"ate s&o%s a"sence of efinite
e$ience a)ainst t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill.
On t&e !uestion of la%( %e &ol t&at t&e ina$ertent failure of
one %itness to affi* &is si)nature to one 'a)e of a testament(
ue to t&e simultaneous liftin) of t%o 'a)es in t&e course of
si)nin)( is not 'er se sufficient to Custif# enial of 'ro"ate.
Im'ossi"ilit# of su"stitution of t&is 'a)e is assure not onl#
t&e fact t&at t&e testatri* an t%o ot&er %itnesses i si)n t&e
efecti$e 'a)e( "ut also "# its "earin) t&e coincient im'rint
of t&e seal of t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om t&e testament
%as ratifie "# testatri* an all t&ree %itnesses. T&e la%
s&oul not "e so strictl# an literall# inter'rete as to
'enali4e t&e testatri* on account of t&e ina$ertence of a
sin)le %itness o$er %&ose conuct s&e &a no control( %&ere
t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% to )uarantee t&e ientit# of t&e
testament an its com'onent 'a)es is sufficientl# attaine(
no intentional or eli"erate e$iation e*iste( an t&e
e$ience on recor attests to t&e full o"ser$ance of t&e
statutor# re!uisites. Ot&er%ise( as state in Va. e Gil. $s.
Hurciano( 4> Off. Ga4. -47>( at -47> +ecision on
reconsieration, 8%itnesses ma# sa"ota)e t&e %ill "#
mulin) or "un)lin) it or t&e attestation clause8.
T&is %oul not "e t&e first time t&at t&is 0ourt e'arts from a
strict an literal a''lication of t&e statutor# re!uirements(
%&ere t&e 'ur'oses of t&e la% are ot&er%ise satisfie. T&us(
es'ite t&e literal tenor of t&e la%( t&is 0ourt &as &el t&at a
testament( %it& t&e onl# 'a)e si)ne at its foot "# testator
an %itnesses( "ut not in t&e left mar)in( coul ne$ert&eless
"e 'ro"ate +A"an)an $s. A"an)an( 4- P&il. 47?,< an t&at
es'ite t&e re!uirement for t&e correlati$e letterin) of t&e
'a)es of a %ill( t&e failure to ma1e t&e first 'a)e eit&er "#
letters or num"ers is not a fatal efect +Lo'e4 $s. Li"oro( 9-
P&il. 4.>,. T&ese 'receents e*em'lif# t&e 0ourt@s 'olic# to
re!uire satisfaction of t&e le)al re!uirements in orer to
)uar a)ainst frau an "i fait& "ut %it&out unue or
unnecessar# curtailment of t&e testamentar# 'ri$ile)e.
T&e a''ellants also ar)ue t&at since t&e ori)inal of t&e %ill is
in e*istence an a$aila"le( t&e u'licate +E*&. AD-, is not
entitle to 'ro"ate. Since t&e# o''ose 'ro"ate of ori)inal
"ecause it lac1e one si)nature in its t&ir 'a)e( it is easil#
iscerne t&at o''ositorsDa''ellants run &ere into a ilemma<
if t&e ori)inal is efecti$e an in$ali( t&en in la% t&ere is no
ot&er %ill "ut t&e ul# si)ne car"on u'licate +E*&. AD-,( an
t&e same is 'ro"ata"le. If t&e ori)inal is $ali an can "e
'ro"ate( t&en t&e o"Cection to t&e si)ne u'licate nee not
"e consiere( "ein) su'erfluous an irrele$ant. At an# rate(
sai u'licate( E*&i"it AD-( ser$es to 'ro$e t&at t&e omission
of one si)nature in t&e t&ir 'a)e of t&e ori)inal testament
%as ina$ertent an not intentional.
T&at t&e car"on u'licate( E*&i"it AD-( %as 'rouce an
amitte %it&out a ne% 'u"lication oes not affect t&e
Curisiction of t&e 'ro"ate court( alrea# conferre "# t&e
ori)inal 'u"lication of t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate. T&e amene
'etition i not su"stantiall# alter t&e one first file( "ut
merel# su''lemente it "# isclosin) t&e e*istence of t&e
u'licate( an no s&o%in) is mae t&at ne% interests %ere
in$ol$e +t&e contents of E*&i"it A an AD- are amittel#
ientical,< an a''ellants %ere ul# notifie of t&e 'ro'ose
amenment. It is no%&ere 'ro$e or claime t&at t&e
amenment e'ri$e t&e a''ellants of an# su"stantial ri)&t(
an %e see no error in amittin) t&e amene 'etition.
IN VIEB O2 TAE 2OREGOING( t&e ecision a''eale from
is affirme
Cr"& !s. 5illasor
Petition to re$ie% on certiorari t&e Cu)ment of t&e 0ourt of
2irst Instance of 0e"u allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e last %ill
an testament of t&e late Valente T. 0ru4. PetitionerD
a''ellant A)a'ita N. 0ru4( t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of t&e sai
ecease( o''ose t&e allo%ance of t&e %ill +E*&i"it 8E8,(
alle)in) t&at t&e %ill %as e*ecute t&rou)& frau( eceit(
misre'resentation an unue influence< t&at t&e sai
instrument %as e*ecute %it&out t&e testator &a$in) "een
full# informe of t&e contents t&ereof( 'articularl# as to %&at
'ro'erties &e %as is'osin)< an t&at t&e su''ose last %ill
an testament %as not e*ecute in accorance %it& la%.
Not%it&stanin) &er o"Cection( t&e 0ourt allo%e t&e 'ro"ate
of t&e sai last %ill an testament. Aence t&is a''eal "#
certiorari %&ic& %as )i$en ue course.
T&e onl# !uestion 'resente for etermination( on %&ic& t&e
ecision of t&e case &in)es( is %&et&er t&e su''ose last %ill
an testament of Valente T. 0ru4 +E*&i"it 8E8, %as e*ecute
in accorance %it& la%( 'articularl# Articles 9=7 an 9=? of
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe( t&e first re!uirin) at least t&ree crei"le
%itnesses to attest an su"scri"e to t&e %ill( an t&e secon
re!uirin) t&e testator an t&e %itnesses to ac1no%le)e t&e
%ill "efore a notar# 'u"lic.
- jann - 36
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Of t&e t&ree instrumental %itnesses t&ereto( namel#(
:eo)racias T. Gamaoas( Gr.( :r. 2rancisco PaOares( an Att#.
An)el A. Te$es( Gr.( one of t&em( t&e last name( is at t&e
same time t&e Notar# Pu"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill %as
su''ose to &a$e "een ac1no%le)e.
After %ei)&in) t&e merits of t&e conflictin) claims of t&e
'arties( Be are incline to sustain t&at of t&e a''ellant t&at
t&e last %ill an testament in !uestion %as not e*ecute in
accorance %it& la%. T&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om t&e %ill
%as ac1no%le)e cannot "e consiere as t&e t&ir
instrumental %itness since &e cannot ac1no%le)e "efore
&imself &is &a$in) si)ne t&e %ill. To ac1no%le)e "efore
means to a$o% +Ga$ellana $. Leesma( >7 P&il. .79( .?.<
0astro $ 0astro( -== P&il. ./>( .47,< to o%n as )enuine( to
assent( to amit< an 8"efore8 means in front or 'recein) in
s'ace or a&ea of. +T&e Ne% Be"ster Enc#clo'eic
:ictionar# of t&e En)lis& Lan)ua)e( '. 7.< 2un1 U Ba)nalls
Ne% Stanar :ictionar# of t&e En)lis& Lan)ua)e( '. .7.<
Be"ster@s Ne% International :ictionar# .. '. .47.,
0onse!uentl#( if t&e t&ir %itness %ere t&e notar# 'u"lic
&imself( &e %oul &a$e to a$o%( assent( or amit &is &a$in)
si)ne t&e %ill in front of &imself. T&is cannot "e one
"ecause &e cannot s'lit &is 'ersonalit# into t%o so t&at one
%ill a''ear "efore t&e ot&er to ac1no%le)e &is 'artici'ation
in t&e ma1in) of t&e %ill. To 'ermit suc& a situation to o"tain
%oul "e sanctionin) a s&eer a"surit#.
2urt&ermore( t&e function of a notar# 'u"lic is( amon) ot&ers(
to )uar a)ainst an# ille)al or immoral arran)ements.
Balinon $. :e Leon( 7= O. G. 79/., T&at function %oul "e
efeate if t&e notar# 'u"lic %ere one of t&e attestin) or
instrumental %itnesses. 2or t&em &e %oul "e intereste in
sustainin) t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill as it irectl# in$ol$es &imself
an t&e $aliit# of &is o%n act. It %oul 'lace &im in an
inconsistent 'osition an t&e $er# 'ur'ose of t&e
ac1no%le)ment( %&ic& is to minimi4e frau +Re'ort of t&e
0oe 0ommission '. -=?D-=7,( %oul "e t&%arte. T&ese
aut&orities o not ser$e t&e 'ur'ose of t&e la% in t&is
Curisiction or are not ecisi$e of t&e issue &erein( "ecause
t&e notaries 'u"lic an %itnesses referre to in t&e aforecite
cases merel# acte as instrumental( su"scri"in) or attestin)
%itnesses( an not as ac1no%le)in) %itnesses. Aere t&e
notar# 'u"lic acte not onl# as attestin) %itness "ut also as
ac1no%le)in) %itness( a situation not en$isa)e "# Article
9=7 of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
To allo% t&e notar# 'u"lic to act as t&ir %itness( or one of
t&e attestin) an ac1no%le)in) %itnesses( %oul &a$e t&e
effect of &a$in) onl# t%o attestin) %itnesses to t&e %ill %&ic&
%oul "e in contra$ention of t&e 'ro$isions of Article 9=7
re!uirin) at least t&ree crei"le %itnesses to act as suc& an
of Article 9=? %&ic& re!uires t&at t&e testator an t&e
re!uire num"er of %itnesses must a''ear "efore t&e notar#
'u"lic to ac1no%le)e t&e %ill. T&e result %oul "e( as &as
"een sai( t&at onl# t%o %itnesses a''eare "efore t&e
notar# 'u"lic for t&at 'ur'ose. In t&e circumstances( t&e la%
%oul not "e ul# o"ser$e.
Da"can !s. Canta
T&is case is a"out t&e ismissal of a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate
of a notarial %ill on t&e )roun t&at it oes not "ear a t&irt#D
centa$o ocumentar# stam'.
T&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of 0ami)uin in its 8ecision8 of
:ecem"er .9( ->77 in S'ecial Proceein) No. 4- for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e %ill of t&e late Ro)aciano Ga"ucan( ismisse
t&e 'roceein) +erroneousl# c&aracteri4es as an 8action8,.
T&e 'roceein) %as ismisse "ecause t&e re!uisite
ocumentar# stam' %as not affi*e to t&e notarial
ac1no%le)ment in t&e %ill an( &ence( accorin) to
res'onent T&e 'ro"ate court assume t&at t&e notarial
ac1no%le)ment of t&e sai %ill is su"Cect to t&e t&irt#D
centa$o ocumentar# stam' ta* fi*e in section ..7 of t&e
Ta* 0oe( no% section ./7 of t&e ->77 Ta* 0oe. Gu)e( it
%as not amissi"le in e$ience( citin) section ./9 of t&e Ta*
0oe.
Be &ol t&at t&e lo%er court manifestl# erre in eclarin)
t&at( "ecause no ocumentar# stam' %as affi*e to t&e %ill(
t&ere %as 8no %ill an testament to 'ro"ate8 an(
conse!uentl#( t&e alle)e 8action must of necessit# "e
ismisse.8
B&at t&e 'ro"ate court s&oul &a$e one %as to re!uire t&e
'etitioner or 'ro'onent to affi* t&e re!uisite t&irt#Dcenta$o
ocumentar# stam' to t&e notarial ac1no%le)ment of t&e
%ill %&ic& is t&e ta*a"le 'ortion of t&at ocument.
T&at 'roceure ma# "e im'lie from t&e 'ro$ision of section
./9 t&at t&e nonDamissi"ilit# of t&e ocument( %&ic& oes
not "ear t&e re!uisite ocumentar# stam'( su"sists onl# 8until
t&e re!uisite stam' or stam's s&all &a$e "een affi*e t&ereto
an cancelle.8
T&us( it %as &el t&at t&e ocumentar# stam' ma# "e affi*e
at t&e time t&e ta*a"le ocument is 'resente in e$ience
+:el 0astillo $s. HarileOa( 4> P&il. 74>, If t&e 'romissor#
note oes not "ear a ocumentar# stam'( t&e court s&oul
&a$e allo%e 'laintiff@s tener of a stam' to su''l# t&e
eficienc#. +Rori)ue4 $s. Hartine4( 7 P&il. ?7( 7-. Note t&e
&olin) in A4arra)a $s. Rori)ue4( > P&il. ?/7( t&at t&e lac1
of t&e ocumentar# stam' on a ocument oes not in$aliate
suc& ocument. See 0ia. General e Ta"acos $s.
GeanCa!uet( -. P&il. ->7( .=-D. an :el)ao an 2i)ueroa
$s. Amena"ar( -? P&il. 4=/( 4=7D?.,
Ea!ellana !s. Ledes#a
B# orer of Gul# ./( ->7/( t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Iloilo
amitte to 'ro"ate t&e ocuments in t&e Visa#an ialect(
mar1e E*&i"its : an E( as t&e testament an coicil ul#
e*ecute "# t&e ecease :a. A'olinaria Leesma Va. e
Ga$ellana( on Harc& /=( ->7=( an Ha# .>( ->7.(
res'ecti$el#( %it& Ramon Ta"iana( Gloria Hontinola e
Ta"iana an Vicente Ja' as %itnesses. T&e contestant( :a.
Hatea Leesma( sister an nearest sur$i$in) relati$e of sai
ecease( a''eale from t&e ecision( insistin) t&at t&e sai
e*&i"its %ere not e*ecute in conformit# %it& la%. T&e a''eal
%as mae irectl# to t&is 0ourt "ecause t&e $alue of t&e
'ro'erties in$ol$e e*ceee t%o &unre t&ousan 'esos.
Ori)inall# t&e o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate also c&ar)e t&at t&e
testatri* lac1e testamentar# ca'acit# an t&at t&e
is'ositions %ere 'rocure t&rou)& unue influence. T&ese
)rouns %ere a"anone at t&e &earin) in t&e court "elo%(
%&ere t&e issue %as concentrate into t&ree s'ecific
!uestions; +-, %&et&er t&e testament of ->7= %as e*ecute
"# t&e testatri* in t&e 'resence of t&e instrumental %itnesses<
+., %&et&er t&e ac1no%le)ment clause %as si)ne an t&e
notarial seal affi*e "# t&e notar# %it&out t&e 'resence of t&e
testatri* an t&e %itnesses< an +/, if so( %&et&er t&e coicil
%as t&ere"# renere in$ali an ineffecti$e. T&ese
!uestions are t&e same ones 'resente to us for resolution.
- jann - 37
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e contestant ar)ues t&at t&e 0ourt "elo% erre in refusin)
creence to &er %itnesses Haria Paero)ao an Vial
Allao( coo1 an ri$er( res'ecti$el#( of t&e ecease
A'olinaria Leesma. Bot& testifie t&at on Harc& /=( ->7=(
t&e# sa% an &ear Vicente Ja' +one of t&e %itnesses to t&e
%ill, inform t&e ecease t&at &e &a "rou)&t t&e
8testamento8 an ur)e &er to )o to attorne# Ta"iana@s office
to si)n it< t&at :a. A'olinaria manifeste t&at s&e coul not
)o( "ecause s&e %as not feelin) %ell< an t&at u'on Ja'@s
insistence t&at t&e %ill &a to "e si)ne in t&e attorne#@s
office an not else%&ere( t&e ecease too1 t&e 'a'er an
si)ne it in t&e 'resence of Ja' alone( an returne it %it&
t&e statement t&at no one %oul !uestion it "ecause t&e
'ro'ert# in$ol$e %as e*clusi$el# &ers.
At an# rate( as o"ser$e "# t&e 0ourt "elo%( %&et&er or not
t&e notar# si)ne t&e certification of ac1no%le)ment in t&e
'resence of t&e testatri* an t&e %itnesses( oes not affect
t&e $aliit# of t&e coicil. Inli1e t&e 0oe of -99> +Art. ?>>,(
t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe oes not re!uire t&at t&e si)nin) of t&e
testator( %itnesses an notar# s&oul "e accom'lis&e in
one sin)le act. A com'arison of Articles 9=7 an 9=? of t&e
ne% 0i$il 0oe re$eals t&at %&ile testator an %itnesses
must si)n in t&e 'resence of eac& ot&er( all t&at is t&ereafter
re!uire is t&at 8e$er# %ill must "e ac1no%le)e "efore a
notar# 'u"lic "# t&e testator an t&e %itnesses8 +Art. 9=?,<
i.e.( t&at t&e latter s&oul a$o% to t&e certif#in) officer t&e
aut&enticit# of t&eir si)natures an t&e $oluntariness of t&eir
actions in e*ecutin) t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&is %as
one in t&e case "efore us. T&e su"se!uent si)nin) an
sealin) "# t&e notar# of &is certification t&at t&e testament
%as ul# ac1no%le)e "# t&e 'artici'ants t&erein is no 'art
of t&e ac1no%le)ment itself nor of t&e testamentar# act.
Aence t&eir se'arate e*ecution out of t&e 'resence of t&e
testatri* an &er %itnesses can not "e sai to $iolate t&e rule
t&at testaments s&oul "e com'lete %it&out interru'tion
+Analis $s. Pul)ueras( 7> P&il. ?4/,( or( as t&e Roman
ma*im 'uts it( 8uno eoem ie ac tem'ore in eaem loco8(
an no re$ersi"le error %as committe "# t&e 0ourt in so
&olin). It is note%ort&# t&at Article 9=? of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
oes not contain %ors re!uirin) t&at t&e testator an t&e
%itnesses s&oul ac1no%le)e t&e testament on t&e same
a# or occasion t&at it %as e*ecute.
T&e ecision amittin) t&e %ill to 'ro"ate is affirme( %it&
costs a)ainst a''ellant.
#itnesses to a will
d. who are competent@
Art. #$2. Any person of sound mind and of the a!e of
ei!hteen years or more, and not bind, deaf or dumb,
and able to read and write, may be a witness to the
e&ecution of a will mentioned in Article #25 of this
6ode. (n)
T: these are witnesses under an ordinary will.
B: .i% !ualifications of a witness: 4. sound mind( 5. 48 years
of ae( 6. not blind& deaf or dumb&( 4. literateor able to read
and write( domicile in the ?hilippines(8. not convicted of a
crime involvin& falsification& per0ury& or false testimony.
Art. #$-. "he followin! are disqualified from bein!
witnesses to a will,
(-) Any person not domiciled in the
0hilippines.
($) "hose who have been convicted of
falsification of a document, per1ury or false
testimony. (n)
T: The law re!uires that the witness be domiciled in the
?hilippines mere residence is not sufficient. 9omicile under
Art. 70& Art. 70. Bor the e%ercise of civil rihts and the
fulfillment of civil obliations& the domicile of natural persons
is the place of their habitual residence. D40aE
3atio of domicile re!uirement:
4. availability of witness when will is probated if the
same is within the ?hilippines(
5. witness domiciled in the ?hilippines more li$ely to
$now the testator and be ablr to testify on his mental
condition at the time of e%ecution of the will.
,%cept of course if the will was e%ecuted in a forein country
the domicile re!uirement does not apply.
There is citi-enship re!uirement only domicile re!uirement.
,ven aliens may witness as lon as they are domiciled here.
As to conviction of per0ury& falsification& and false testimony&
it is presumed that such witness cannot be relied upon fot
truthfulness. +onviction for any other crime& however& is not
a dis!ualification
The notary public before whom the will was ac$nowleded
cannot act as witness because he cannot ac$nowlede before
himself his havin sined the will( this cannot be done
because it would place him in an inconsistent position and
the very purpose of the ac$nowledement& which is to
minimi-e fraud would be thwarted.
Art. #$/. A mere char!e on the estate of the testator
for the payment of debts due at the time of the
testator3s death does not prevent his creditors from
bein! competent witnesses to his will. (n)
B: Because This is not a testamentary disposition
Don&ales !s. CA
T&is is a 'etition for re$ie% of t&e ecision of t&e 0ourt of
A''eals( 2irst :i$ision( - 'romul)ate on Ha# 4( ->7/ in
0ADG. R. No. /?7./DR %&ic& re$erse t&e ecision of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al ate :ecem"er -7( ->?4
an allo%e t&e 'ro"ate of t&e last %ill an testament of t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel.
It a''ears t&at on Gune .4( ->?-( &erein 'ri$ate res'onent
Lut)ara Santia)o file a 'etition %it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein)s No. /?-7(
for t&e 'ro"ate of a %ill alle)e to &a$e "een e*ecute "# t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel an esi)natin) t&erein 'etitioner as
t&e 'rinci'al "eneficiar# an e*ecutri*.
T&ere is no is'ute in t&e recors t&at t&e late Isa"el Anres
Ga"riel ie as a %io% an %it&out issue in t&e munici'alit#
of Na$otas( 'ro$ince of Ri4al &er 'lace of resience( on Gune
- jann - 38
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
7( ->?- at t&e a)e of ei)&t#Dfi$e +97,( &a$in) "een "orn in
-97?. It is li1e%ise not contro$erte t&at &erein 'ri$ate
res'onent Lut)ara Santia)o an 'etitioner Ri4alina Ga"riel
Gon4ales are nieces of t&e ecease( an t&at 'ri$ate
res'onent( %it& &er &us"an an c&ilren( li$e %it& t&e
ecease at t&e latter@s resience 'rior an u' to t&e time of
&er eat&.
T&e 'etition %as o''ose "# Ri4alina Ga"riel Gon4ales(
&erein 'etitioner( assailin) t&e ocument 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e
%ill of t&e ecease on t&e follo%in) )rouns;
2rom t&is Cu)ment of isallo%ance( Lut)ara Santia)o
a''eale to res'onent 0ourt( &ence( t&e onl# issue ecie
on a''eal %as %&et&er or not t&e %ill in !uestion %as
e*ecute an atteste as re!uire "# la%. T&e 0ourt of
A''eals( u'on consieration of t&e e$ience auce "#
"ot& 'arties( renere t&e ecision no% uner re$ie%( &olin)
t&at t&e %ill in !uestion %as si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e
ecease Isa"el Ga"riel on A'ril -7( ->?- in t&e 'resence of
t&e t&ree attestin) %itnesses( Hatile Oro"ia( 0elso Gim'a#a
an Haria Gim'a#a( si)nin) an %itnessin) t&e ocument in
t&e 'resence of t&e ecease an of eac& ot&er as re!uire
"# la%( . &ence allo%e 'ro"ate.
Petitioner( in &er first assi)nment( contens t&at t&e
res'onent 0ourt of A''eals erre in &olin) t&at t&e
ocument( E*&i"it 828( %as e*ecute an atteste as
re!uire "# la% %&en t&ere %as a"solutel# no 'roof t&at t&e
t&ree instrumental %itnesses %ere crei"le %itnesses. S&e
ar)ues t&at t&e re!uirement in Article 9=?( 0i$il 0oe( t&at
t&e %itnesses must "e crei"le is an a"solute re!uirement
%&ic& must "e com'lie %it& "efore an alle)e last %ill an
testament ma# "e amitte to 'ro"ate an t&at to "e a
crei"le %itness( t&ere must "e e$ience on recor t&at t&e
%itness &as a )oo stanin) in &is communit#( or t&at &e is
&onest an u'ri)&t( or re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le.
Accorin) to 'etitioner( unless t&e !ualifications of t&e
%itness are first esta"lis&e( &is testimon# ma# not "e
fa$ora"l# consiere. Petitioner contens t&at t&e term
8crei"le8 is not s#non#mous %it& 8com'etent8 for a %itness
ma# "e com'etent uner Article 9.= an 9.- of t&e 0i$il
0oe an still not "e crei"le as re!uire "# Article 9=7 of
t&e same 0oe. It is furt&er ur)e t&at t&e term 8crei"le8 as
use in t&e 0i$il 0oe s&oul recei$e t&e same settle an
%ellD1no%n meanin) it &as uner t&e Naturali4ation La%( t&e
latter "ein) a 1inre le)islation %it& t&e 0i$il 0oe
'ro$isions on %ills %it& res'ect to t&e !ualifications of
%itnesses.
Be fin no merit to 'etitioner@s first assi)nment of error.
Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe 'ro$ies t&e !ualifications of a
%itness to t&e e*ecution of %ills %&ile Article 9.- sets fort&
t&e is!ualification from "ein) a %itness to a %ill. T&ese
Articles state;
8Art. 9.=. An# 'erson of soun min an of
t&e a)e of ei)&teen #ears or more( an not "lin(
eaf or um"( an a"le to rea an %rite( ma# "e a
%itness to t&e e*ecution of a %ill mentione in
article 9=7 of t&is 0oe.
8Art. 9.-. T&e follo%in) are is!ualifie from
"ein) %itnesses to a %ill;
+-, An# 'erson not omicile in t&e
P&ili''ines(
+., T&ose %&o &a$e "een con$icte of
falsification of a ocument( 'erCur# or false
testimon#.
Iner t&e la%( t&ere is no manator# re!uirement t&at t&e
%itness testif# initiall# or at an# time urin) t&e trial as to &is
)oo stanin) in t&e communit#( &is re'utation for
trust%ort&iness an relia"leness( &is &onest# an
u'ri)&tness in orer t&at &is testimon# ma# "e "elie$e an
acce'te "# t&e trial court. It is enou)& t&at t&e !ualifications
enumerate in Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe are com'lie
%it&( suc& t&at t&e sounness of &is min can "e s&o%n "#
or euce from &is ans%ers to t&e !uestions 'ro'oune to
&im( t&at &is a)e +-9 #ears or more, is s&o%n from &is
a''earance( testimon#( or com'etentl# 'ro$e ot&er%ise( as
%ell as t&e fact t&at &e is not "lin( eaf or um" an t&at &e
is a"le to rea an %rite to t&e satisfaction of t&e 0ourt( an
t&at &e &as none of t&e is!ualifications uner Article 9.- of
t&e 0i$il 0oe. Be reCect 'etitioner@s contention t&at it must
first "e esta"lis&e in t&e recor t&e )oo stanin) of t&e
%itness in t&e communit#( &is re'utation for trust%ort&iness
an relia"leness( &is &onest# an u'ri)&tness( "ecause suc&
attri"utes are 'resume of t&e %itness unless t&e contrar# is
'ro$e ot&er%ise "# t&e o''osin) 'art#.
In 'ro"ate 'roceein)s( t&e instrumental %itnesses are not
c&aracter %itnesses for t&e# merel# attest t&e e*ecution of a
%ill or testament an affirm t&e formalities attenant to sai
e*ecution. An Be a)ree %it& t&e res'onent t&at t&e rulin)s
lai o%n in t&e cases cite "# 'etitioner concernin)
c&aracter %itnesses in naturali4ation 'roceein)s are not
a''lica"le to instrumental %itnesses to %ills e*ecute uner
t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines.
In t&e case at "ar( t&e finin) t&at eac& an e$er#one of t&e
t&ree instrumental %itnesses( namel#( Hatile Oro"ia( 0elso
Gim'a#a an Haria Gim'a#a( are com'etent an crei"le is
satisfactoril# su''orte "# t&e e$ience as foun "# t&e
res'onent 0ourt of A''eals( %&ic& finin)s of fact t&is
Tri"unal is "oun to acce't an rel# u'on. Horeo$er(
'etitioner &as not 'ointe to an# is!ualification of an# of t&e
sai %itnesses( muc& less &as it "een s&o%n t&at an#one of
t&em is "elo% -9 #ears of a)e( of unsoun min( eaf or
um"( or cannot rea or %rite.
In t&e strict sense( t&e com'etenc# of a 'erson to "e an
instrumental %itness to a %ill is etermine "# t&e statute(
t&at is Art. 9.= an 9.-( 0i$il 0oe( %&ereas &is crei"ilit#
e'ens on t&e a''reciation of &is testimon# an arises from
t&e "elief an conclusion of t&e 0ourt t&at sai %itness is
tellin) t&e trut&. T&us( in t&e case of Va. e Aro#o $. El
Beaterio el Santissimo Rosario e Holo( No. LD..==7( Ha#
/( ->?9( t&e Su'reme 0ourt &el an rule t&at;
80om'etenc# as a %itness is one t&in)( an it is anot&er to
"e a crei"le %itness( so crei"le t&at t&e 0ourt must acce't
%&at &e sa#s. Trial courts ma# allo% a 'erson to testif# as a
%itness u'on a )i$en matter "ecause &e is com'etent( "ut
ma# t&ereafter ecie %&et&er to "elie$e or not to "elie$e &is
testimon#.8
In fine( Be state t&e rule t&at t&e instrumental %itnesses in
orer to "e com'etent must "e s&o%n to &a$e t&e
!ualifications uner Article 9.= of t&e 0i$il 0oe an none of
t&e is!ualifications uner Article 9.- an for t&eir testimon#
to "e crei"le( t&at is %ort&# of "elief an entitle to
creence( it is not manator# t&at e$ience "e first
esta"lis&e on recor t&at t&e %itnesses &a$e a )oo
stanin) in t&e communit# or t&at t&e# are &onest an u'ri)&t
or re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le( for a 'erson is
- jann - 39
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
'resume to "e suc& unless t&e contrar# is esta"lis&e
ot&er%ise. In ot&er %ors( t&e instrumental %itnesses must
"e com'etent an t&eir testimonies must "e crei"le "efore
t&e court allo%s t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill t&e# &a$e atteste.
Be( t&erefore( reCect 'etitioner@s 'osition t&at it %as fatal for
res'onent not to &a$e introuce 'rior an ine'enent
'roof of t&e fact t&at t&e %itnesses %ere 8crei"le %itnesses8(
t&at is( t&at t&e# &a$e a )oo stanin) in t&e communit# an
re'ute to "e trust%ort&# an relia"le.
Petitioner@s e*acer"ation centers on t&e su''ose
increi"ilit# of t&e testimonies of t&e %itnesses for t&e
'ro'onent of t&e %ill( t&eir alle)e e$asions( inconsistencies
an contraictions. But in t&e case at "ar( t&e t&ree
instrumental %itnesses %&o constitute t&e "est e$ience of
t&e %illDma1in) &a$e testifie in fa$or of t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
%ill. So &as t&e la%#er %&o 're'are it( one learne in t&e
la% an lon) in t&e 'ractice t&ereof( %&o t&ereafter notari4e
it. All of t&em are isintereste %itnesses %&o stan to
recei$e no "enefit from t&e testament. T&e si)natures of t&e
%itnesses an t&e testatri* &a$e "een ientifie on t&e %ill
an t&ere is no claim %&atsoe$er an "# an#one( muc& less
t&e 'etitioner( t&at t&e# %ere not )enuine. In t&e last an final
anal#sis( t&e &erein conflict is factual an %e )o "ac1 to t&e
rule t&at t&e Su'reme 0ourt cannot re$ie% an re$ise t&e
finin)s of facts of t&e res'onent 0ourt of A''eals.
e. supervenin incompetency
Art. #$$. f the witnesses attestin! the e&ecution of a
will are competent at the time of attestin!, their
becomin! subsequently incompetent shall not
prevent the allowance of the will. (n)
B: As in the case of T+ the time of e%ecution of the will is the
only relevant temporal criterion in the determination of the
competence of the witnesses.
*: competency determined at the time of e%ecution of will and
not at the time of presentation for probate.
f. +ompetency of interested witnesses
Art. #$%. f a person attests the e&ecution of a will, to
whom or to whose spouse, or parent, or child, a
devise or le!acy is !iven by such will, such devise or
le!acy shall, so far only as concerns such person, or
spouse, or parent, or child of such person, or any
one claimin! under such person or spouse, or
parent, or child, be void, unless there are three other
competent witnesses to such will. 'owever, such
person so attestin! shall be admitted as a witness as
if such devise or le!acy had not been made or !iven.
(n)
T: This article does not refer to dis!ualification to be a
witness& but a dis!ualification to inherit. The devisee or
leatee is not dis!ualified nor his spouse& parent or child to
be witness as lon as he is competent and credible under Art.
854 but the devise or leacy& however& shall be void.
But if the witness is not a devisee or leatee& but an heir& is
the institution of such heir void@ :otwithstandin the
terminoloy of the article& we believe that even as instituted
heir& or spouse& parent child is dis!ualified. The
dis!ualification is intended to to aply to one succeedin by
will& and it is not material in what concept he succeeds. This
is proved by Art. 405= par. 4 on relative incapacity which
ma$es no distinction between heirs& devisees or leatees.
B: this article pertains more on the capacity to succeed than
the capacity to be a witness. The witness will remain as such
but the leacy or devise shall be void.
The dis!ualification applies only to testamentary disposition .
if the witness is also entitled to leitime or intestate share this
shall not be affected.
/. S'ecial re!uirements for eaf( eaf mute an "lin
testators
Art. #27. f the testator be deaf, or a deaf<mute, he
must personally read the will, if able to do so.
otherwise, he shall desi!nate two persons to read it
and communicate to him, in some practicable
manner, the contents thereof. (n)
Art. #2#. f the testator is blind, the will shall be read
to him twice. once, by one of the subscribin!
witnesses, and a!ain, by the notary public before
whom the will is ac+nowled!ed. (n)
T: The reason for the re!uirement in this article is to ma$e
the provisions of the will $nown to the testator& so that he
may be able to ob0ect if they are not in accordance with his
wishes. Bailure to comply with this re!uirement m$es the will
invalid.
An illiterate testator can see the paper and the writin
thereon& but ne cannot understand what is written because he
cannot read it. Brom the point of view of understandin or
$nowin the contents of the will& there is no difference
between the illiterate testator and the blind testator.
Therefore& the present article should li$ewise apply to an
illiterate testator.
B: the burden of proof of the compliance of this aticle is is
upon the proponent. :o re!uirement that such compliance is
stated in the will or attestation clause
Darcia !s. 5as="e&
Gliceria A$elino el Rosario ie unmarrie in t&e 0it# of
Hanila on . Se'tem"er ->?7( lea$in) no escenents(
ascenants( "rot&er or sister. At t&e time of &er eat&( s&e
%as sai to "e >= #ears ol more or less( an 'ossesse of
an estate consistin) mostl# of real 'ro'erties.
T&e 'etition %as o''ose se'aratel# "# se$eral )rou's of
alle)e &eirs t&e latter fi$e )rou's of 'ersons all claimin) to
"e relati$es of :oOa Gliceria %it&in t&e fift& ci$il e)ree. T&e
o''ositions in$aria"l# c&ar)e t&at t&e instrument e*ecute
in ->?= %as not intene "# t&e ecease to "e &er true %ill<
t&at t&e si)natures of t&e ecease a''earin) in t&e %ill %as
'rocure t&rou)& unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an
influence t&e 'art of t&e "eneficiaries an5or ot&er 'ersons<
t&at t&e testatri* i not 1no% t&e o"Cect of &er "ount#< t&at
t&e instrument itself re$eals irre)ularities in its e*ecution( an
t&at t&e formalities re!uire "# la% for suc& e*ecution &a$e
not "een com'lie %it&.
- jann - 40
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
O''ositor Lucio V. Garcia( %&o also 'resente for 'ro"ate
t&e ->7? %ill of t&e ecease( Coine t&e )rou' of :r. Gaime
Rosario in re)isterin) o''osition to t&e a''ointment of
'etitioner 0onsuelo S. Gon4ales Va. e Precilla as s'ecial
aministratri*( on t&e )roun t&at t&e latter 'ossesses
interest a$erse to t&e estate. After t&e 'arties %ere ul#
&ear( t&e 'ro"ate court( in its orer of . Octo"er ->?7(
)rante 'etitioner@s 'ra#er an a''ointe &er s'ecial
aministratri* of t&e estate u'on a "on for P/=(===.==. T&e
orer %as 'remise on t&e fact t&e 'etitioner %as mana)in)
t&e 'ro'erties "elon)in) to t&e estate e$en urin) t&e lifetime
of t&e ecease( an to a''oint anot&er 'erson as
aministrator or co aministrator at t&at sta)e of t&e
'roceein) %oul onl# result in furt&er confusion an
ifficulties.
On .7 Au)ust ->??( t&e 0ourt issue an orer amittin) to
'ro"ate t&e ->?= %ill of Gliceria A. el Rosario +E*&i"it 8:8,.
In eclarin) t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill( t&e 'ro"ate court
too1 note t&at no e$ience &a "een 'resente to esta"lis&
t&at t&e testatri* %as not of soun min %&en t&e %ill %as
e*ecute< t&at t&e fact t&at s&e &a 're'are an earlier %ill
i not( 're$ent &er from e*ecutin) anot&er one t&ereafter<
t&at t&e fact t&at t&e ->7? %ill consiste of -. 'a)es %&ereas
t&e ->?= testament %as containe in one 'a)e oes not
rener t&e latter in$ali< t&at( t&e erasures an alterations in
t&e instrument %ere insi)nificant to %arrant reCection< t&at t&e
inconsistencies in t&e testimonies of t&e instrumental
%itnesses %&ic& %ere note "# t&e o''ositors are e$en
inicati$e of t&eir trut&fulness. T&e 'ro"ate court( also
consierin) t&at 'etitioner &a alrea# s&o%n ca'acit# to
aminister t&e 'ro'erties of t&e estate an t&at from t&e
'ro$isions of t&e %ill s&e stans as t&e 'erson most
concerne an intereste t&erein( a''ointe sai 'etitioner
re)ular aministratri* %it& a "on for P7=(===.==. 2rom t&is
orer all t&e o''ositors a''eale( t&e case "ein) oc1ete in
t&is 0ourt as G.R. No. LD.7.==.
2oremost of t&e !uestions to "e etermine &ere concerns
t&e correctness of t&e orer allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e ->?=
%ill.
T&e recors of t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein) full# esta"lis& t&e fact
t&at t&e testatri*( Gliceria A. el Rosario( urin) &er lifetime(
e*ecute t%o %ills; one on > Gune ->7? consistin) of -.
'a)es an %ritten in S'anis&( a lan)ua)e t&at s&e 1ne% an
s'o1e( %itnesse "# Hessrs. Antonio 0a"rera( Gesus J.
A#ala an Valentin Har!ue4( an ac1no%le)e "efore
notar# 'u"lic Gose A#ala< an anot&er ate .> :ecem"er
->?=( consistin) of - 'a)e an %ritten in Ta)alo)( %itnesse
"# Hessrs. Vicente Rosales( 2rancisco :ecena( an
2rancisco Lo'e4 an ac1no%le)e "efore notar# 'u"lic
Remi)io H. Ti$ia.
0alle to testif# on t&e ue e*ecution of t&e ->?= %ill(
instrumental %itnesses :ecena( Lo'e4 an Rosales
uniforml# eclare t&at t&e# %ere ini$iuall# re!ueste "#
Alfonso Precilla +t&e late &us"an of 'etitioner s'ecial
aministratri*, to %itness t&e e*ecution of t&e last %ill of
:oOa Gliceria A. el Rosario< t&at t&e# arri$e at t&e &ouse of
t&e ol la# at No. .=74 A4carra)a( Hanila( one after t&e
ot&er( in t&e afternoon of .> :ecem"er ->?=< t&at t&e
testatri* at t&e time %as a''arentl# of clear an soun min(
alt&ou)& s&e %as "ein) aie "# Precilla %&en s&e %al1e<
/ t&at t&e %ill( %&ic& %as alrea# 're'are( %as first rea
8silentl#8 "# t&e testatri* &erself "efore s&e si)ne it<
T&e o''ositorsDa''ellants in t&e 'resent case( &o%e$er(
c&allen)in) t&e correctness of t&e 'ro"ate court@s rulin)(
maintain t&at on .> :ecem"er ->?= t&e e#esi)&t of Gliceria
el Rosario %as so 'oor an efecti$e t&at s&e coul not
&a$e rea t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill( contrar# to t&e
testimonies of %itnesses :ecena( Lo'e4 an Rosales.
On t&is 'oint( %e fin t&e eclarations in court of :r. Gesus V.
Tamesis $er# material an illuminatin). Sai o'&t&almolo)ist(
%&ose e*'ertise %as amitte "# "ot& 'arties( testifie(
amon) ot&er t&in)s( t&at %&en :oOa Gliceria el Rosario sa%
&im for consultation on -- Harc& ->?= &e foun &er left e#e
to &a$e cataract +o'a!ue lens,( -7 an t&at it %as 8a"o$e
normal in 'ressure8( enotin) a 'ossi"le )laucoma( a
isease t&at leas to "linness -? As to t&e conitions of
&er ri)&t e#e
T&e fore)oin) testimon# of t&e o'&t&almolo)ist %&o treate
t&e ecease an( t&erefore( &as first &an 1no%le)e of t&e
actual conition of &er e#esi)&t from Au)ust( ->?= u' to
->?/( full# esta"lis& t&e fact t&at not%it&stanin) t&e
o'eration an remo$al of t&e cataract in &er left e#e an &er
"ein) fitte %it& a'&a1ic lens +use "# cataract 'atients,( &er
$ision remaine mainl# for $ie%in) istant o"Cects an not for
reain) 'rint. T&us( t&e conclusion is inesca'a"le t&at %it&
t&e conition of &er e#esi)&t in Au)ust( ->?=( an t&ere is no
e$ience t&at it &a im'ro$e "# .> :ecem"er ->?=( Gliceria
el Rosario %as inca'a"le f reain)( an coul not &a$e rea
t&e 'ro$isions of t&e %ill su''osel# si)ne "# &er on .>
:ecem"er ->?=. It is %ort& notin) t&at t&e instrumental
%itnesses state t&at s&e rea t&e instrument 8silentl#8 +t.s.n.(
'a)es -?4D-?7,. %&ic& is a conclusion an not a fact.
A)ainst t&e "ac1)roun of efecti$e e#esi)&t of t&e alle)e
testatri*( t&e a''earance of t&e %ill( E*&i"it 8:8( ac!uires
stri1in) si)nificance. I'on its face( t&e testamentar#
'ro$isions( t&e attestation clause an ac1no%le)ment %ere
cramme to)et&er into a sin)le s&eet of 'a'er( to muc& so
t&at t&e %ors &a to "e %ritten $er# close on t&e to'( "ottom
an t%o sies of t&e 'a'er( lea$in) no mar)in %&atsoe$er<
t&e %or 8an8 &a to "e %ritten "# t&e s#m"ol 8U8(
a''arentl# to sa$e on s'ace. Plainl#( t&e testament %as not
're'are %it& an# re)ar for t&e efecti$e $ision of :oOa
Gliceria. 2urt&er( t#'o)ra'&ical errors li1e 8AILINA8 for
8AILING8 +last,( 8Alfonsa8 <or 8Alfonso8( 8HER0R:RS8 for
HER0E:ES8( 8instrumental8 for 8Instrumental8( an
8ac1no%le)e8 for 8ac1no%le)e@@( remaine uncorrecte(
t&ere"# inicatin) t&at e*ecution t&ereof must &a$e "een
c&aracteri4e "# &aste. It is ifficult to unerstan t&at so
im'ortant a ocument containin) t&e final is'osition of one@s
%orll# 'ossessions s&oul "e em"oie in an informal an
untiil# %ritten instrument< or t&at t&e )larin) s'ellin) errors
s&oul &a$e esca'e &er notice if s&e &a actuall# retaine
t&e a"ilit# to rea t&e 'ur'orte %ill an &a one so. T&e
recor is t&us con$incin) t&at t&e su''ose testatri* coul
not &a$e '&#sicall# rea or unerstoo t&e alle)e
testament( E*&i"it 8:8( an t&at its amission to 'ro"ate %as
erroneous an s&oul "e re$erse.
T&us( for all intents an 'ur'ose of t&e rules on 'ro"ate( t&e
ecease Gliceria el Rosario %as( as a''ellant o''ositors
conten( not unli1e a "lin testator( an t&e ue e*ecution of
&er %ill %oul &a$e re!uire o"ser$ance of t&e 'ro$isions of
Article 9=9 of t&e 0i$il 0oe.
8ART. 9=9. If t&e testator is "lin( t&e
%ill s&all "e rea to &im t%ice< once( "#
one of t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses( an
- jann - 41
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
a)ain( "# t&e notar# 'u"lic "efore %&om
t&e %ill is ac1no%le)e.8
T&e rationale "e&in t&e re!uirement of reain) t&e %ill to
t&e testator if &e is "lin or inca'a"le of reain) t&e %ill
&imself +as %&en &e is illiterate,( -9 is to ma1e t&e
'ro$isions t&ereof 1no%n to &im( so t&at &e ma# "e a"le to
o"Cect if t&e# are not in accorance %it& &is %is&es. T&at t&e
aim of t&e la% is to insure t&at t&e is'ositions of t&e %ill are
'ro'erl# communicate to an unerstoo "# t&e
&anica''e testator( t&us ma1in) t&em trul# reflecti$e of &is
esire( is e$ience "# t&e re!uirement t&at t&e %ill s&oul
"e rea to t&e latter( not onl# once "ut t%ice( "# t%o ifferent
'ersons( an t&at t&e %itnesses &a$e to act %it&in t&e ran)e
of &is +t&e testator@s, ot&er senses. ->
In connection %it& t&e %ill &ere in !uestion( t&ere is not&in) in
t&e recors to s&o% t&at t&e a"o$e re!uisites &a$e "een
com'lie %it&. 0learl#( as alrea# state( t&e ->?= %ill sou)&t
to "e 'ro"ate suffers from infirmit# t&at affects its ue
e*ecution.
On t&e matter of lis 'enens +G.R. No. LD.?9?4,( t&e
'ro$isions of t&e Rules of 0ourt are clear; notice of t&e
'enenc# of an action ma# "e recore in t&e office of t&e
re)ister of ees of t&e 'ro$ince in %&ic& t&e 'ro'ert# is
situate( if t&e action affects 8t&e title or t&e ri)&t of
'ossession of +suc&, real 'ro'ert#.8 ./ In t&e case at "ar(
t&e 'enin) action %&ic& o''ositors see1 to annotate in t&e
recors of T0T Nos. 9-7/7( 9-7/?( an 9-7/7 is t&e
manamus 'roceein) file in t&is 0ourt +G.R. No. LD.??-7,.
As 're$iousl# iscusse in t&is o'inion( &o%e$er( t&at case is
concerne merel# %it& t&e correctness of t&e enial "# t&e
'ro"ate court of t&e motion for t&e remo$al of 0onsuelo
Gon4ales Va. e Precilla as s'ecial aministratri* of t&e
estate of t&e late Gliceria el Rosario. In s&ort( t&e issue in
contro$ers# t&ere is sim'l# t&e fitness or unfitness of sai
s'ecial aministratri* to continue &olin) t&e trust< it oes not
in$ol$e or affect at all t&e title to( or 'ossession of( t&e
'ro'erties co$ere "# sai T0T Nos. 9-7/7( 9-7/? an
9-7/7. 0learl#( t&e 'enenc# of suc& case +LD.??-7, is not
an action t&at can 'ro'erl# "e annotate in t&e recor of t&e
titles to t&e 'ro'erties.
2OR TAE 2OREGOING REASONS( t&e orer of t&e court
"elo% allo%in) to 'ro"ate t&e alle)e ->?= %ill of Gliceria A.
el Rosario is &ere"# re$erse an set asie.
4. .ubstantial compliance
Art. #29. n the absence of bad faith, for!ery, or
fraud, or undue and improper pressure and
influence, defects and imperfections in the form of
attestation or in the lan!ua!e used therein shall not
render the will invalid if it is proved that the will was
in fact e&ecuted and attested in substantial
compliance with all the requirements of Article #25.
T: The law on formal re!uirements of a will should be
liberally construed( while perfection in draftin is desirable&
unsubstantial departures should be inored& as lon as the
possibility of fraud and bad faith are obviated.
There are many people who are fluent and have a raet
mastery of rammar. Thus& rammatical errors which may be
noted from the eneral tenor of the attestation clause must&
therefore& be overloo$ed or corrected by construction& so as
not to frustrate the reconi-ed intention of those who
intervened in the e%ecution thereof. #here it appears from
the conte%t of the attestation that certain words were
ommtied inadvertently& the court may supply the omission.
't is sufficient if from the lanuae employed it can be
reasonably deduced that the attestation clause fulfills what
the law e%pects of it. 2ence& an attestation clause will be held
sufficient& notwithstandin some imperfections in the
rammatical constructions& where it is evident that the defect
is due to carelessness of the cler$ or to lac of mastery of the
lanuae& if the meanin souht to be conveyed can be
determined from the clause itself.
Burthermore& the whole lanuae of the attestation clause
must be ta$en toether to determine whether the testaor
complied with the law.
The substantial compliance rule has been applied to such
e%tent as to allow the attestation clause to be contained in the
body of the will itself and not a separate portion therein&
e%pressed in the first preson as a recital of the testator&
provided that it is also sined by the three instrumental
witnesses.
*ustice *B< 3eyes" criticism of this article is enlihtenin:
The rule here is so broad that no matter how imperfect the
attestation clause happens to be& the same could be cured by
evidence aliunde. 't thus renders the attestation of no value
in protectin fraud or really defective e%ecution. The rule
must be limited to disreardin those defects that can be
supplied by an e&amination of the will itself,
4. #hether all the paes are consecutively numbered(
5. # sinature appears in each pae(
6. # the subscribin witnesses are three
4. # the will is notari-ed
All these are facts that the will itself can reveal& and defects or
even omissions concernin them in the attestation clause can
be safely disrearded. But the total number of paes& and
whether all persons re!uired to sin did so in the number of
paes& and whether all re!uired to sin did so in the presence
of each other must substantially appear in the attestation
clause bein the only chec$ aainst per0ury in probate
proceedins.
0. Aolo)ra'&ic Bills
-. General re!uirements.
Art. #2/. 4very will must be in writin! and e&ecuted
in a lan!ua!e or dialect +nown to the testator. (n)
Our la% oes not reco)ni4e nuncu'ati$e %ills( %&ic& is one
t&at is not %ritten( "ut orall# eclare "# t&e testator in &is
last illness( in contem'lation of eat&( an "efore a sufficient
num"er of com'etent %itnesses.
- jann - 42
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e a"o$e re!uirement a''lies to "ot& &olo)ra'&ic an
notarial. In notarial %ills it is immaterial %&o 'erforms t&e
mec&anical act %ritin) t&e %ill( so lon) as t&e testator si)ns it
or &as some"o# si)n &is name in &is 'resence u'on &is
irection.
As to t&e lan)ua)e or ialect( %&en a %ill is e*ecute in a
certain 'ro$ince or localit#( in t&e ialect currentl# us in suc&
'ro$ince or localit#( t&ere arises a 'resum'tion t&at t&e
testator 1ne% t&e ialect so use( in t&e a"sence of contrar#
e$ience. It is not re!uire t&at t&e %ill e*'ress t&at t&e
lan)ua)e is 1no%n "# t&e testator it is a fact %&ic& ma# "e
'ro$e "# e$ience aliune.
T&e attestation clause of an orinar# %ill oes not &a$e to "e
%ritten in a lan)ua)e or ialect 1no%n to t&e testator. It is not
'art of t&e testamentar# is'osition. T&e lan)ua)e use in
t&e attestation clause oes not e$en &a$e to "e 1no%n to t&e
%itness< it s&oul( &o%e$er( "e translate to t&em.
Art. #-2. A person may e&ecute a holo!raphic will
which must be entirely written, dated, and si!ned by
the hand of the testator himself. t is sub1ect to no
other form, and may be made in or out of the
0hilippines, and need not be witnessed. (*7#, *##a)
T: the followin are the advantaes of a holoraphic will:
4. simple and easy to ma$e for those aE who have no means to
employ a lawyer& bEwho are timid and wants to reread their
wills before sinin& cE those who have only very little
property to dispose
5. 't induces foreiners in this 0urisdiction to set down their
last wishes(
6. uaranties the absolute secrecy of the testamentary
disposition because it is not witnessed.
The disadvantaes are:
4. does not auranty testamentary capacity of testator(
5. no protection aainst vices of consent which may not be
$nown in case of death(
6. due to faulty e%pression& it may not e%press the true will of
the testator(
4. for the same reason& it can be easily concealed.
*B< 3eyes critici-es this form of a will:
A holoraphic wills are peculiarly danerous in case of
persons who have written very little. The validity of these
wills depends e%clusively on the authenticity of the
handwritin& and if writin standards are not procurable& or
not contemporaneous& the courts are left to the mercy of the
mendacity of witnesses.
'ts simplicity is an invitation to forery& since the te%t may be
e%tremely short. 'f we want to permit the testator to $eep his
wishes secret in order to avoid importunity& it can be done on
the basis of the closed will. Dtstamento cerradoE
/ay a blind testator ma$e a valid holoraphic will@ There is
no !uestion as to notarial wills it bein allowed under the law
provided the will was read twice to the testator. As to
holoraphic wills& it is submitted that it may be allowed. The
testator& havin written the holoraphic will by his own hand&
$nows what it contains. 2e may have learned to write before
he became blind& or inspite of his blindness. This view has
been sustained in <ouisiana& where it has been held that
blindness does not of itself prevent the ma$in of a valid
holoraphic.
A 2# may be in any form& but the intent to dispose mortis
causa must clearly appear in the conte%t.
#hat would be the effect of words written by another and
inserted amon the words written by the testator@
4. if insertion was made after e%ecution bu wFo consent& such
is deemed not written(
5. if the insertion was after e%ecution with the consent of
testator& the will remains valid but the insertion void(
6. if insertion was after e%ecution and validated by testator by
his sinature& the entire will is void because it is not wholly
written by the testator himself(
4. if insertion is contemporaneous to the e%ecution the effect
same as no. 6.
As to date& the day& month& and year on which the will was
made should be indicated therein. The day and the
month&however& may be indicated by implication& so lon as
the desination leaves no room for doubt as to e%act date.
The validity of the holoraphic will is defeated by the fact that
part of the date is printed. .uch as that written on a daily
planner thouh the contents are entirely written by the hand
but the testator relied on the date indicated on the planner&
the same is still e%trinsically void.
.inatures of witnesses to a 2# will not invalidate the will&
but will be disrearded as a mere surplusae.
A person can ma$e a 2# in the form of a letter in which he
states his testamentary dispositions ivin it a character of a
will but the animus testatandi must be present.
'naccuracy of the date due to involuntary error& or
inadvertence& the testator bein in ood faith& the court may
allow proof of the true date& provided such proof even
e%trinsic can have a basis in the will itself.
The sinature of the testator in 2# is not the simple writin
of the name and surname of the testator. 't is his name
written by him in his usual and habitual manner.
1nder our law& the sinature musr be at the end of the will.
Thus can be inferred from article 845 by the reference to
dispositions written below his sinature this phrase implies
that the sinature is at the end of the will and any disposition
below it must be further sined and dated.
- jann - 43
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. #-$. n holo!raphic wills, the dispositions of the
testator written below his si!nature must be dated
and si!ned by him in order to ma+e them valid as
testamentary dispositions. (n)
T: the dispositions written below the testator"s dinature to
the will are considered as independent of the will itself(
hence& they must be sined and dated by the testator. 'f one is
not dated& even irf sined& that particular disposition will be
void& without affectin the validity of others or of the will
itself. And an unsined and undated postscript to a
holoraphic will is invalid as to testamentary disposition.
Art. #-%. When a number of dispositions appearin!
in a holo!raphic will are si!ned without bein! dated,
and the last disposition has a si!nature and a date,
such date validates the dispositions precedin! it,
whatever be the time of prior dispositions. (n)
B: Thus& in case of several additional dispositions the
additional ones before the last are dated but unsined& only
the last will be valid provided the last is dated and sined.
-o7as !s. De Ees"s
Petitioner Simeon R. Ro*as testifie t&at after &is
a''ointment as aministrator( &e foun a note"oo1 "elon)in)
to t&e ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus an t&at on 'a)es .-(
..( ./ an .4 t&ereof( a letterD%ill aresse to &er c&ilren
an entirel# %ritten an si)ne in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e
ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus %as foun. T&e %ill is ate
82EB.5?-8 an states; 8T&is is m# %ill %&ic& I %ant to "e
res'ecte alt&o it is not %ritten "# a la%#er. . . 8
On Au)ust .4( ->7/( res'onent Gu)e Gose 0. 0ola#co
issue an orer allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill
%&ic& &e foun to &a$e "een ul# e*ecute in accorance
%it& la%.
Res'onent Lu4 Ro*as e Gesus file a motion for
reconsieration alle)in) inter alia t&at t&e alle)e &olo)ra'&ic
Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana R. e Gesus %as not ate as
re!uire "# Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il 0oe. S&e contens t&at
t&e la% re!uires t&at t&e Bill s&oul contain t&e a#( mont&(
an #ear of its e*ecution an t&at t&is s&oul "e strictl#
com'lie %it&.
T&e onl# issue is %&et&er or not t&e ate 82EB.5?-8
a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana
Ro*as e Gesus is a $ali com'liance %it& t&e Article 9-= of
t&e 0i$il 0oe %&ic& reas;
ART. 9-=. A 'erson ma# e*ecute a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill %&ic& must "e entirel# %ritten(
ate( an si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator
&imself. It is su"Cect to no ot&er form( an ma# "e
mae in or out of t&e P&ili''ines( an nee not "e
%itnesse.8
T&e 'etitioners conten t&at %&ile Article ?97 of t&e S'anis&
0i$il 0oe an Article ?99 of t&e Ol 0i$il 0oe re!uire t&e
testator to state in &is &olo)ra'&ic Bill t&e 8#ear( mont&( an
a# of its e*ecution(8 t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe omitte t&e
'&rase 8AOo( mes # ia8 an sim'l# re!uires t&at t&e
&olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul "e ate. T&e 'etitioners su"mit t&at
t&e li"eral construction of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul 're$ail.
Be a)ree %it& t&e 'etitioner.
T&is %ill not "e t&e first time t&at t&is 0ourt e'arts from a
strict an literal a''lication of t&e statutor# re!uirements
re)arin) t&e ue e*ecution of Bills. Be s&oul not o$erloo1
t&e li"eral tren of t&e 0i$il 0oe in t&e manner of e*ecution
of Bills( t&e 'ur'ose of %&ic&( in case of ou"t is to 're$ent
intestac# S
8T&e unerl#in) an funamental o"Cecti$es
'ermeatin) t&e 'ro$isions of t&e la% on %ills in t&is
ProCect consists in t&e li"erali4ation of t&e manner of
t&eir e*ecution %it& t&e en in $ie% of )i$in) t&e
testator more freeom in e*'ressin) &is last %is&es(
"ut %it& sufficient safe)uars an restrictions to
're$ent t&e commission of frau an t&e e*ercise of
unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence u'on
t&e testator.
8T&is o"Cecti$e is in accor %it& t&e moern
tenenc# %it& res'ect to t&e formalities in t&e
e*ecution of %ills.8 +Re'ort of t&e 0oe
0ommission( '. -=/,
8. . . T&e la% &as a tener re)ar for t&e %ill of t&e
testator e*'resse in &is last %ill an testament on
t&e )roun t&at an# is'osition mae "# t&e testator
is "etter t&an t&at %&ic& t&e la% can ma1e. 2or t&is
reason( intestate succession is not&in) more t&an a
is'osition "ase u'on t&e 'resume %ill of t&e
eceent.8
T&us( t&e 're$ailin) 'olic# is to re!uire satisfaction of t&e
le)al re!uirements in orer to )uar a)ainst frau an "a
fait& "ut %it&out unue or unnecessar# curtailment of
testamentar# 'ri$ile)e +Icasiano $. Icasiano( -- S0RA 4..,. If
a Bill &as "een e*ecute in su"stantial com'liance %it& t&e
formalities of t&e la%( an t&e 'ossi"ilit# of "a fait& an
frau in t&e e*ercise t&ereof is o"$iate( sai Bill s&oul "e
amitte to 'ro"ate
Be &a$e carefull# re$ie%e t&e recors of t&is case an
foun no e$ience of "a fait& an frau in its e*ecution nor
%as t&ere an# su"stitution of Bills an Testaments. T&ere is
no !uestion t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease Bi"iana
Ro*as e Gesus %as entirel# %ritten( ate( an si)ne "#
t&e testatri* &erself an in a lan)ua)e 1no%n to &er. T&ere is
also no !uestion as to its )enuineness an ue e*ecution. All
t&e c&ilren of t&e testatri* a)ree on t&e )enuineness of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&eir mot&er an t&at s&e &a t&e
testamentar# ca'acit# at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of sai
Bill. T&e o"Cection inter'ose "# t&e o''ositorDres'onent
Lu4 Aenson is t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill is fatall# efecti$e
"ecause t&e ate 82EB.5?-8 a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic
Bill is not sufficient com'liance %it& Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il
0oe. T&is o"Cection is too tec&nical to "e entertaine.
As a )eneral rule( t&e 8ate8 in a &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul
inclue t&e a#( mont&( an #ear of its e*ecution. Ao%e$er(
%&en as in t&e case at "ar( t&ere is no a''earance of frau(
"a fait&( unue influence an 'ressure an t&e aut&enticit#
of t&e Bill is esta"lis&e an t&e onl# issue is %&et&er or not
t&e ate 82EB.5?-8 a''earin) on t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill is a
$ali com'liance %it& Article 9-= of t&e 0i$il 0oe( 'ro"ate of
t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill s&oul "e allo%e uner t&e 'rinci'le of
su"stantial com'liance.
- jann - 44
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
BAERE2ORE( t&e instant 'etition is GRANTE:. T&e orer
a''eale from is REVERSE: an SET ASI:E an t&e orer
allo%in) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill of t&e ecease
Bi"iana Ro*as e Gesus is reinstate
Fala% !s. -elo!a
On Se'tem"er -( ->7-( 'ri$ate res'onent GREGORIO K.
KALAB( claimin) to "e t&e sole &eir of &is ecease sister(
Nati$ia K. Kala%( file a 'etition "efore t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Batan)as( Branc& VI( Li'a 0it#( for t&e 'ro"ate of
&er &olo)ra'&ic Bill e*ecute on :ecem"er .4( ->?9.
T&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill( as first %ritten( name ROSA K. Kala%(
a sister of t&e testatri* as &er sole &eir. Aence( on No$em"er
-=( ->7-( 'etitioner ROSA K. Kala% o''ose 'ro"ate
alle)in)( in su"stance( t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill containe
alterations( corrections( an insertions %it&out t&e 'ro'er
aut&entication "# t&e full si)nature of t&e testatri* as re!uire
"# Article 9-4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe reain);
8Art. 9-4. In case of an# insertion(
cancellation( erasure or alteration in a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( t&e testator must
aut&enticate t&e same "# &is full
si)nature.8
ROSA@s 'osition %as t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill( as first
%ritten( s&oul "e )i$en effect an 'ro"ate so t&at s&e coul
"e t&e sole &eir t&ereuner.
2rom t&at Orer( GREGORIO mo$e for reconsieration
ar)uin) t&at since t&e alterations an5or insertions %ere
mae "# t&e testatri*( t&e enial to 'ro"ate of &er
&olo)ra'&ic Bill %oul "e contrar# to &er ri)&t of
testamentar# is'osition. Reconsieration %as enie in an
Orer( ate No$em"er .( ->7/( on t&e )roun t&at 8Article
9-4 of t&e 0i$il 0oe "ein) clear an e*'licit( +it, re!uires no
necessit# for inter'retation.8
2rom t&at orer( ate Se'tem"er /( ->7/( en#in) 'ro"ate(
an t&e Orer ate No$em"er .( ->7/ en#in)
reconsieration( ROSA file t&is Petition for Re$ie% on
0ertiorari on t&e sole le)al !uestion of %&et&er or not t&e
ori)inal unaltere te*t after su"se!uent alterations an
insertions %ere $oie "# t&e Trial 0ourt for lac1 of
aut&entication "# t&e full si)nature of t&e testatri*( s&oul "e
'ro"ate or not( %it& &er as sole &eir.
Orinaril#( %&en a num"er of erasures( corrections( an
interlineations mae "# t&e testator in a &olo)ra'&ic Bill
&a$e not "een note uner &is si)nature( . . . t&e Bill is not
t&ere"# in$aliate as a %&ole( "ut at most onl# as res'ects
t&e 'articular %ors erase( correcte or interline. -
Hanresa )a$e an ientical commentar# %&en &e sai 8la
omision e la sal$ea no anula el testamento( se)un la
re)la e Curis'ruencia esta"lecia en la sentencia e 4 e
A"ril e -9>7.8 .
Ao%e$er( %&en as in t&is case( t&e &olo)ra'&ic Bill in
is'ute &a onl# one su"stantial 'ro$ision( %&ic& %as altere
"# su"stitutin) t&e ori)inal &eir %it& anot&er( "ut %&ic&
alteration i not carr# t&e re!uisite of full aut&entication "#
t&e full si)nature of t&e testator( t&e effect must "e t&at t&e
entire Bill is $oie or re$o1e for t&e sim'le reason t&at
not&in) remains in t&e Bill after t&at %&ic& coul remain
$ali. To state t&at t&e Bill as first %ritten s&oul "e )i$en
efficac# is to isre)ar t&e seemin) c&an)e of min of t&e
testatri*. But t&at c&an)e of min can neit&er "e )i$en effect
"ecause s&e faile to aut&enticate it in t&e manner re!uire
"# la% "# affi*in) &er full si)nature.
T&e rulin) in Velasco( su'ra( must "e &el confine to suc&
insertions( cancellations( erasures or alterations in a
&olo)ra'&ic Bill( %&ic& affect onl# t&e efficac# of t&e altere
%ors t&emsel$es "ut not t&e essence an $aliit# of t&e Bill
itself. As it is( %it& t&e erasures( cancellations an alterations
mae "# t&e testatri* &erein( &er real intention cannot "e
etermine %it& certitue. BAERE2ORE( t&is Petition is
&ere"# ismisse an t&e :ecision of res'onent Gu)e(
ate Se'tem"er /( ->7/( is &ere"# affirme in toto. No costs
V. IN0ORPORATION O2 :O0IHENT BJ RE2EREN0E
Art. #$7. f a will, e&ecuted as required by this 6ode,
incorporates into itself by reference any document
or paper, such document or paper shall not be
considered a part of the will unless the followin!
requisites are present,
(-) "he document or paper referred to in the
will must be in e&istence at the time of the
e&ecution of the will.
($) "he will must clearly describe and
identify the same, statin! amon! other thin!s
the number of pa!es thereof.
(%) t must be identified by clear and
satisfactory proof as the document or paper
referred to therein. and
(/) t must be si!ned by the testator and the
witnesses on each and every pa!e, e&cept in
case of voluminous boo+s of account or
inventories. (n)
Incor'oration "# reference is an e*ce'tion to t&e rule t&at if
an instrument is not e*ecute %it& all t&e formalities of a %ill
it cannot "e amitte to 'ro"ate. If a %ill ul# e*ecute an
%itnesse accorin) to t&e re!uirements of t&e statute(
incor'orates in itself "# reference an# ocument or 'a'er not
so e*ecute an %itnesse( %&et&er suc& 'a'er referre to
"e in t&e form of a %ill or coicil( or of a ee or inenture( or
of a mere list or memoranum( t&e 'a'er so referre to( if it
%as in e*istence at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill an is
ientifie "# clear an satisfactor# 'roof as t&e 'a'er
referre to t&erein( %ill ta1e effect as 'art of t&e %ill an "e
amitte to 'ro"ate as suc&.
To esta"lis& a se'arate %ritin) as 'art of t&e %ill it must
a''ear on its face t&e ff;
-. t&ere must "e istinct reference to suc& %ritin)( so
e*'licit as to ientif# it "e#on ou"t( less is
sufficient( incluin) 'arol e$ience recei$e.
.. t&e reference must inicate t&e %ritin) as alrea#
e*istin)<
- jann - 45
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
/. it can onl# "e )i$en effect to t&e e*tent t&at it
a''ears 'rima facie to &a$e "een t&e %is& of t&e
testator.
T&e follo%in) must li1e%ise "e s&o%n "# e*trinsic 'roof;
-. t&at it is t&e $er# %ritin) referre to in t&e %ill<
.. t&at it %as in fact mae "efore %ill %as e*ecute
B; T&is article refers to suc& ocuments as in$entories( "oo1s
of account( ocuments of titile( an 'a'ers of similar nature<
t&e ocs s&oul uner no circumstances( ma1e testamentar#
is'ositions "ecause formal re!uirements of %ills ma# "e
circum$ente.
0an &olo)ra'&ic %ills incor'orate ocuments "# refernceF
It e'ens. No( "ecause 'ar. 4 of t&is article re!uires a
%itness to si)n on e$er# 'a)e e*ce't $oluminous ocs. Onl#
orinar# %ills re!uires %itnesses unless of course a AB is
e*ecute %it& %itnesses su'erfluousl#.
VI. 0O:I0IL
A. :efinitions an Solemnities
Art. #$5. A codicil is supplement or addition to a
will, made after the e&ecution of a will and anne&ed
to be ta+en as a part thereof, by which disposition
made in the ori!inal will is e&plained, added to, or
altered. (n)
Art. #$*. n order that a codicil may be effective, it
shall be e&ecuted as in the case of a will. (n)
T; After a testator &as alrea# mae a %ill( a su"se!uent
instrument mortis causa ma# eit&er "e a coicil or a ne% %ill.
If t&e su"se!uent instrument e*'lains t&e ori)inal %ill( or
alters( or as to it( t&en it is a coicil. But if t&e later
instrument ma1es is'ositions ine'enent of t&ose in t&e
ori)inal %ill( t&en it is a ne% %ill( not a coicil. A coicil is
al%a#s relate to some 'rior %ill.
B; T&e istinctions( &o%e$er( is 'urel# acaemic "ecause
Article 9.? re!uires t&e coicil to "e in t&e form of a %ill
an#%a#.
Hust t&e coicil conform to t&e form of t&e %ill to %&ic& it
refersF
T&e la% oes not re!uire t&is. T&us( an atteste %ill ma#
&a$e a &olo)ra'&ic coicil< a &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# &a$e an
atteste coicil. Neeles to sa#( of course( t&e forms of t&e
%ill an t&e coicil ma# concur.
VII. REVO0ATION O2 BILLS AN: TESTAHENTARJ
:ISPOSITIONS
A. :efinitions of re$ocation
Re$ocation is an act of t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential
ca'acit# of t&e %ill to o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator(
manifeste "# some out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic
t&ereof.
Re$ocation is t&e recall of some 'o%er( aut&orit#( or a t&in)
)rante or a estro#in) or ma1in) $oi of some ee t&at
&a e*istence until t&e act of re$ocation mae it $oi.
+Blac13s La% :ictionar#,
Art. #$#. A will may be revo+ed by the testator at any
time before his death. Any waiver or restriction of
this ri!ht is void. (7%7a)
T; :urin) t&e life of t&e testator t&e %ill is sai to "e
am"ulator# an ma# "e altere( re$o1e( or su'ersee at
an# time. Its is of no 'ossi"le effect as a %ill %&ile t&e ma1er
li$es.
A %ill ma# "e re$o1e at 'leasure. Re$ocation is an act of
t&e min( terminatin) t&e 'otential ca'acit# of t&e %ill to
o'erate at t&e eat& of t&e testator( manifeste "# some
out%ar an $isi"le act or si)n( s#m"olic t&ereof.
Re$ocation $s. Nullit#
-. act of testator -. 'rocees from la%
.. 'resu''oses a $ali act .. in&erent from t&e %ill
/. inter $i$os /. in$o1e After eat&
4. testator cannot renounce 4. can "e isre)are "# &eirs
B; T&is c&aracteristic is consistent %it& t&e 'rinci'le lai
o%n in Art. 777( successional ri)&ts $est onl# u'on eat&.
6. =aw >overnin! revocation
Art. #$9. A revocation done outside the 0hilippines,
by a person who does not have his domicile in this
country, is valid when it is done accordin! to the law
of the place where the will was made, or accordin! to
the law of the place in which the testator had his
domicile at the time. and if the revocation ta+es
place in this country, when it is in accordance with
the provisions of this 6ode. (n)
3ules for revocation:
A. if revocation in the ?hil. Bollow local laws
B. if outside the ?hil.
4. testator not domiciled in the ?hil
aE follow law of the place where will was
made& or
bE follow law of the domicile of testator at
time of revocation
5. testator domiciled in the ?hil. Art. 85A not
applicable:
aE follow ?hil. <aw> domiciliary principle& or
bE follow law of place of revocation> le% loci
celebrationis& or
cE follow law of the place where will was made
D by analoy with Art. 85AE
- jann - 46
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
9. /odes of 3evocation
Art. #%2. :o will shall be revo+ed e&cept in the
followin! cases,
(-) By implication of law. or
($) By some will, codicil, or other writin!
e&ecuted as provided in case of wills. or
(%) By burnin!, tearin!, cancellin!, or
obliteratin! the will with the intention of
revo+in! it, by the testator himself, or by
some other person in his presence, and by
his e&press direction. f burned, torn,
cancelled, or obliterated by some other
person, without the e&press direction of the
testator, the will may still be established, and
the estate distributed in accordance
therewith, if its contents, and due e&ecution,
and the fact of its unauthori8ed destruction,
cancellation, or obliteration are established
accordin! to the 5ules of 6ourt. (n)
T&ere is re$ocation "# im'lication of la% %&en certain acts or
e$ents ta1e 'lace su"se!uent to ma1in) of a %ill( %&ic&
nullif# or rener ino'erati$e eit&er t&e %ill itself or some
testamentar# is'osition t&erein. E*am'les are t&e ff;
-. act of un%ort&iness "# an &eir( e$isee( or le)atee uner
Art. -=/.<
.. transformation( alienation or loss of t&e t&in) e$ise or
le)ac# after e*ecution of %ill +art. >77,<
/. Guicial eman "# t&e testator of a creit )i$en as le)ac#
art. >/?<
4. 'reterition of com'ulsor# &eirs article 974<
7. sale of 'ro'ert# )i$en as e$ise or le)ac# for t&e 'a#ment
of t&e e"ts of t&e testator.
Enumeration is not e*clusi$e.
Su"se!uent Instrument
A su"se!uent %ill containin) a clause re$o1in) a 're$ious %ill
s&oul 'ossess all t&e re!uisites of a %ill( %&et&er it "e an
orinar# or &olo)ra'&ic %ill( an s&oul "e 'ro"ate(in orer
t&at t&e re$ocator# clause ma# 'rouce t&e effect of re$o1in)
t&e 're$ious %ill.
:estruction of a %ill
-. t&e testator must at t&e time or re$ocation "e of
soun min. T&e same e)ree of mental
ca'acit# is re!uire to re$o1e a %ill as to ma1e
one<
.. t&e "urnin)( tearin)( cancelin)( or o"literation of
t&e %ill must "e one %it& animo re$ocani an
must actuall# "e carrie out. T&e mental
'rocess or intent to re$o1e must concur %it&
t&e '&#sical fact or actual estruction of t&e %ill<
%&ere a testatri* %as a"out to "urn a %ill in an en$elo'e( %it&
t&e intention of re$o1in) it( "ut a t&ir 'erson frauulentl#
re'lce t&e %ill insie t&ou)&t &e testatri* "elie$e t&e %ill
%as estro#e( still no re$ocation occurre. Ao%e$er( if t&e
t&ir 'erson is a e$isee or le)atee %&o 're$ents t&e
re$ocation "# t&reats( frau or $iolence( t&e %ill is re$o1e as
to &im( "# im'lication of la% on t&e )roun of un%ort&iness.
T&ir 'erson ma# re$o1e a %ill if t&e same %as one in t&e
'resence of an "# t&e e*'ress irection of t&e testator.
In cases %&ere t&e estruction is unaut&ori4e( t&ere is no
re$ocation( an t&e contents of t&e %ill ma# "e 'reo$e "#
seconar# e$ience.
If t&e %ill %as alrea# 'artl# "urne or torn "ut %as onl#
sa$e u'on t&e interference of a t&ir 'erson t&e %ill is still
eeme re$o1e as lon) as t&e testator intene to. No
matter &o% lar)e or small t&e e*tent of t&e ama)e to t&e %ill
e$en if t&e same is still le)i"le( t&e same is still eeme
re$o1e for all intents an 'ur'oses. T&is case is to "e
ifferentiate from t&e %ill t&at %as re'lace "ecause &ere
t&e actual %ill itself &as commence estruction.
Dago !s. Ca#"yac
"he purpose of this action was to obtain the probation of a
last will and testament of &iguel &amuyac, who died on the
2d day of >anuary, ()22, in the municipality of %goo of the
8rovince of ?a 'nion. !t appears from the record that on or
about the 2.th day of >uly, ()(;, the said &iguel &amuyac
executed a last will and testament ,Axhibit %0. !n the month of
>anuary, ()22, the said 4rancisco Bago presented a petition
in the /ourt of 4irst !nstance of the 8rovince of ?a 'nion for
the probation of that will. "he probation of the same was
opposed by /ornelio &amuyac, %mbrosio ?ariosa, 4eliciana
5au1on, and /atalina &amuyac ,civil cause <o. ((**,
8rovince of ?a 'nion0. %fter hearing all of the parties the
petition for the probation of said will was denied by the
#onorable /. &. Villareal on the 2d day of <ovember, ()23,
upon the ground that the deceased had on the (-th day of
%pril, ()(), executed a new will and testament.
On t&e .-st a# of 2e"ruar#( ->.7( t&e 'resent action %as
commence. Its 'ur'ose %as to secure t&e 'ro"ation of t&e
sai %ill of t&e -?t& a# of A'ril( ->-> +E*&i"it -,. To sai
'etition 0ornelio Hamu#ac( Am"rosio Lariosa( 2eliciana
Bau4on( an 0atalina Hamu#ac 'resente t&eir o''ositions(
alle)in) +a, t&at t&e sai %ill is a co'# of t&e secon %ill an
testament e*ecute "# t&e sai Hi)uel Hamu#ac< +", t&at t&e
same &a "een cancelle an re$o1e urin) t&e lifetime of
Hi)uel Hamu#ac an +c, t&at t&e sai %ill %as not t&e last
%ill an testament of t&e ecease Hi)uel Hamu#ac.
8T&at E*&i"it A is a mere car"on co'# of its ori)inal %&ic&
remaine in t&e 'ossession of t&e ecease testator Hi)uel
Hamu#ac( %&o re$o1e it "efore &is eat& as 'er testimon#
of %itnesses Gose 2eno#( %&o t#'e t&e %ill of t&e testator on
A'ril -?( ->->( an 0arlos BeCar( %&o sa% on :ecem"er /=(
->.=( t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it A +%ill of ->->, actuall# cancelle
"# t&e testator Hi)uel Hamu#ac( %&o assure 0arlos BeCar
t&at inasmuc& as &e &a sol &im a &ouse an t&e lan
%&ere t&e &ouse %as "uilt( &e &a to cancel it t&e %ill of
->->,( e*ecutin) t&ere"# a ne% testament. Narcisa Ga)o in a
%a# corro"orates t&e testimon# of Gose 2eno#( amittin) t&at
t&e %ill e*ecute "# t&e ecease +Hi)uel Hamu#ac, in ->->
%as foun in t&e 'ossession of fat&er Hi)uel Hamu#ac. T&e
o''onents &a$e successfull# esta"lis&e t&e fact t&at fat&er
Hi)uel Hamu#ac &a e*ecute in ->.= anot&er %ill. T&e
- jann - 47
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
same Narcisa Ga)o( t&e sister of t&e ecease( %&o %as
li$in) in t&e &ouse %it& &im( %&en crossDe*amine "#
attorne# for t&e o''onents( testifie t&at t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it
A coul not "e foun. 2or t&e fore)oin) consieration an for
t&e reason t&at t&e ori)inal of E*&i"it A &as "een cancelle
"# t&e ecease fat&er Hi)uel Hamu#ac( t&e court isallo%s
t&e 'ro"ate of E*&i"it A for t&e a''licant.8 2rom t&at orer t&e
'etitioner a''eale.
With reference to the said cancellation, it may be stated that
there is positive proof, not denied, which was accepted by
the lower court, that the will in question had been cancelled
in ()2=. "he law does not require any evidence of the
revocation or cancellation of a will to. be preserved. !t
therefore becomes difficult at times to prove the revocation
or cancellation of wills. "he fact that such cancellation or
revocation has ta$en place must either remain unproved or
be inferred from evidence showing that after due search the
original will cannot be found. Where a will which cannot be
found is shown to have been in the possession of the
testator, when last seen, the presumption is, in the absence
of other competent evidence, that the same was cancelled or
destroyed. "he same presumption arises where it is shown
that the testator had ready access to the will and it cannot be
found after his death. !t will not be presumed that such will
has been destroyed by any other person without the
$nowledge or authority of the testator. "he force of the
presumption of cancellation or revocation by the testator,
while varying greatly, being wea$ or strong according to the
circumstances, is never conclusive, but may be overcome by
proof that the will was not destroyed by the testator with
intent to revo$e it.
!n view of the fact that the original will of ()() could not be
found after the death of the testator &iguel &amuyac and in
view of the positive proof that the same had been cancelled,
we are forced to the conclusion that the conclusions of the
lower court are in accordance with the weight of the
evidence.
Casiano !s. CA
On Octo"er .=( ->?/( Ariana Haloto ie lea$in) as &eirs
&er niece an ne'&e%s( t&e 'etitioners Alina HalotoD
0asiano an 0onstancio Haloto( an t&e 'ri$ate res'onents
Panfilo Haloto an 2elino Haloto. Belie$in) t&at t&e
ecease i not lea$e "e&in a last %ill an testament(
t&ese four &eirs commence on No$em"er 4( ->?/ an
intestate 'roceein) for t&e settlement of t&eir aunt@s estate.
T&e case %as institute in t&e t&en 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Iloilo an %as oc1ete as S'ecial Proceein) No. -7/?.
Ao%e$er( %&ile t&e case %as still in 'ro)ress( or to "e e*act
on 2e"ruar# -( ->?4( t&e 'arties S Alina( 0onstancio(
Panfilo( an 2elino S e*ecute an a)reement of e*traCuicial
settlement of Ariana@s estate. T&e a)reement 'ro$ie for
t&e i$ision of t&e estate into four e!ual 'arts amon) t&e
'arties. T&e Halotos t&en 'resente t&e e*traCuicial
settlement a)reement to t&e trial court for a''ro$al %&ic& t&e
court i on Harc& .-( ->?4. T&at s&oul &a$e si)nalle t&e
en of t&e contro$ers#( "ut( unfortunatel#( it &a not.
T&ree #ears later( or sometime in Harc& ->?7( Att#. Sul'icio
Palma( a former associate of Ariana@s counsel( t&e late Att#.
Eliseo Aer$as( isco$ere a ocument entitle 8KATAPISAN
NGA PAGBILITDAN +Testamento,(8 ate Ganuar# /( ->4=(
an 'ur'ortin) to "e t&e last %ill an testament of Ariana.
Att#. Palma claime to &a$e foun t&e testament( t&e ori)inal
co'#( %&ile &e %as )oin) t&rou)& some materials insie t&e
ca"inet ra%er formerl# use "# Att#. Aer$as. T&e ocument
%as su"mitte to t&e office of t&e cler1 of t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Iloilo on A'ril -( ->?7. Incientall#( %&ile Panfilo
an 2elino are still name as &eirs in t&e sai %ill( Alina an
0onstancio are "e!ueat&e muc& "i))er an more $alua"le
s&ares in t&e estate of Ariana t&an %&at t&e# recei$e "#
$irtue of t&e a)reement of e*traCuicial settlement t&e# &a
earlier si)ne. T&e %ill li1e%ise )i$es e$ises an le)acies to
ot&er 'arties( amon) t&em "ein) t&e 'etitioners Asilo e
Holo( t&e Roman 0at&olic 0&urc& of Holo( an Purificacion
Hiraflor.
T&ere is no ou"t as to t&e testamentar# ca'acit# of t&e
testatri* an t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill. T&e &eart of t&e
case lies on t&e issue as to %&et&er or not t&e %ill %as
re$o1e "# Ariana. T&e 'ro$isions of t&e ne% 0i$il 0oe
'ertinent to t&e issue can "e foun in Article 9/=.
Art. 9/=. No %ill s&all "e re$o1e e*ce't in t&e follo%in)
cases;
+-, B# im'lication of la%< or
+., B# some %ill( coicil( or ot&er %ritin) e*ecute as
'ro$ie in case of %ills; or
+/, B# "urnin)( tearin)( cancellin)( or o"literatin) t&e
%ill %it& t&e intention of re$o1in) it( "# t&e testator
&imself( or "# some ot&er 'erson in &is 'resence(
an "# &is e*'ress irection. If "urne( torn(
cancelle( or o"literate "# some ot&er 'erson(
%it&out t&e e*'ress irection of t&e testator( t&e %ill
ma# still "e esta"lis&e( an t&e estate istri"ute in
accorance t&ere%it&( if its contents( an ue
e*ecution( an t&e fact of its unaut&ori4e
estruction( cancellation( or o"literation are
esta"lis&e accorin) to t&e Rules of 0ourt.
+Em'&asis Su''lie.,
It is clear t&at t&e '&#sical act of estruction of a %ill( li1e
"urnin) in t&is case( oes not 'er se constitute an effecti$e
re$ocation( unless t&e estruction is cou'le %it& animus
re$ocani on t&e 'art of t&e testator. It is not im'erati$e t&at
t&e '&#sical estruction "e one "# t&e testator &imself. It
ma# "e 'erforme "# anot&er 'erson "ut uner t&e e*'ress
irection an in t&e 'resence of t&e testator. Of course( it
)oes %it&out sa#in) t&at t&e ocument estro#e must "e
t&e %ill itself.
T&e res'onent a''ellate court in assessin) t&e e$ience
'resente "# t&e 'ri$ate res'onents as o''ositors in t&e
trial court( conclue t&at t&e testimon# of t&e t%o %itnesses
%&o testifie in fa$or of t&e %ill@s re$ocation a''ear
8inconclusi$e.8 Be s&are t&e same $ie%. No%&ere in t&e
recors "efore us oes it a''ear t&at t&e t%o %itnesses(
Guaalu'e Va. e 0orral an Elaio Itc&on( "ot& illiterates(
%ere une!ui$oca"l# 'ositi$e t&at t&e ocument "urne %as
inee Ariana@s %ill. Guaalu'e( %e t&in1( "elie$e t&at t&e
'a'ers s&e estro#e %as t&e %ill onl# "ecause( accorin) to
&er( Ariana tol &er so. Elaio( on t&e ot&er &an( o"taine
&is information t&at t&e "urne ocument %as t&e %ill
"ecause Guaalu'e tol &im so( t&us( &is testimon# on t&is
'oint is ou"le &earsa#.
At t&is Cuncture( %e reiterate t&at 8+it, is an im'ortant matter of
'u"lic interest t&at a 'ur'orte %ill is not enie le)ali4ation
on u"ious )rouns. Ot&er%ise( t&e $er# institution of
testamentar# succession %ill "e s&a1en to its $er#
founations . . . 8 4
One last note. T&e 'ri$ate res'onents 'oint out t&at
re$ocation coul "e inferre from t&e fact t&at 8+a, maCor an
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Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
su"stantial "ul1 of t&e 'ro'erties mentione in t&e %ill &a
"een is'ose of; %&ile an insi)nificant 'ortion of t&e
'ro'erties remaine at t&e time of eat& +of t&e testatri*,<
an( furt&ermore( more $alua"le 'ro'erties &a$e "een
ac!uire after t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill on Ganuar# /( ->4=.8
7 Suffice it to state &ere t&at as t&ese aitional matters
raise "# t&e 'ri$ate res'onents are e*traneous to t&is
s'ecial 'roceein)( t&e# coul onl# "e a''ro'riatel# ta1en u'
after t&e %ill &as "een ul# 'ro"ate an a certificate of its
allo%ance issue.
BAERE2ORE( Cu)ment is &ere"# renere REVERSING
an SETTING ASI:E t&e :ecision ate Gune 7( ->97 an
t&e Resolution ate Octo"er ..( ->9?( of t&e res'onent
0ourt of A''eals( an a ne% one ENTERE: for t&e
allo%ance of Ariana Haloto@s last %ill an testament. 0osts
a)ainst t&e 'ri$ate res'onents.
E. Effect of re$ocation
Art. #%-. 9ubsequent wills which do not revo+e the
previous ones in an e&press manner, annul only
such dispositions in the prior wills as are
inconsistent with or contrary to those contained in
the latter wills. (n)
3evocation may be:
,%press> when the later declares the former or all former
wills revo$ed.
'mplied> when it merely ma$es disposition inconsistent with
the provisions of the former wills& the later will annuls only
such disposiotion in prior wills as are inconsisten with those
contained in the subse!uent will. )r if there appears an
intention of the testator to dispose of his property in a
manner different from the first will& it is to the e%tent
revo$ed.
'f two similar wills are e%ecuted on the same day they may
constituted as the same will.
Art. #%$. A revocation made in a subsequent will
shall ta+e effect, even if the new will should become
inoperative by reason of the incapacity of the heirs,
devisees or le!atees desi!nated therein, or by their
renunciation. (7/2a)
The 9octrine of 9ependent 3elative 3evocation entails that
the revocation will be conditional and dependent upon the
efficacy of the new disposition( and if& for any reason& the new
will intended to be made as substitute is inoperative& the
revocation fails and the oriinal will remain in full force. The
failure of the new testamentary disposition is e!uivalent to
the non>fulfillment of a suspensive condition which
prebvents revocation of the first will.
The article contemplates a case where a subse!uent will
revo$es a prior one& and the validity of the later will is
established& but its provisions cannot be carried out because
of incapacity of or renunciation by the beneficiaries named
therein. The revocation is ineffective& because of the clear
intent of the testator to revo$e & contained in a valid will. The
validity of the new will prevents the operation of the principle
of dependent relative revocation& even if the new dispositions
cannot be carried out.
Art. #%%. A revocation of a will based on a false cause
or an ille!al cause is null and void. (n)
T: if the act of revocation is induced by a belief which turns
out to be false& there is no revocation. The fact& with reard to
which the mista$e was made& must& however& appear upon
the face of the instrument. ?arol evidence not competent tp
prove revocation was induced by false assumption of fact or
law.
#here the facts alleed by the testator were peculiarly wFin
his $nowlede& or the testator must have $nown the truth of
the facts alleed by him& it does not matter whether they are
true or not( the revocation in such case is absolute.
B: 3e!uisites for Article 866:
4. the cause must be concrete& factual and not purely
sub0ective
5. it must be false(
6. the testator must $now its falsity
4. it must appear that the testator is revo$in because
of the cause which is false.
7. the illeal cause should be stated in the will as the
cause of revocation
Art. #%/. "he reco!nition of an ille!itimate child
does not lose its le!al effect, even thou!h the will
wherein it was made should be revo+ed. (7-/)
T: the reconition does not lose its leal effect even if the will
is revo$ed& because the reconition is not a testamentary
disposition( it ta$es effect upon the e%ecution of the will and
not upon the death of the testator.
B: 3econition is an irrevocable act& even if will is revo$ed
reconition remains.
Colo !s. Colo
Hariano Holo # Le)as'i ie on Ganuar# .4( ->4-( in t&e
munici'alit# of Pasa#( 'ro$ince of Ri4al( %it&out lea$in) an#
force &eir eit&er in t&e escenin) or ascenin) line. Ae
%as sur$i$e( &o%e$er( "# &is %ife( t&e &erein 'etitioner
Guana Guan Va. e Holo( an "# &is nieces an ne'&e%(
t&e o''ositorsDa''ellants( Lu4( Gliceria an 0ornelio( all
surname Holo( %&o %ere t&e le)itimate c&ilren of 0anio
Holo # Le)as'i( ecease "rot&er of t&e testator. Hariano
Holo # Le)as'i left t%o %ills( one e*ecute on Au)ust -7(
->-9( +E*&i"it A, an anot&er e*ecute on Gune .=( ->/>(
+E*&i"it I,. T&e latter %ill contains a clause %&ic& e*'ressl#
re$o1es t&e %ill e*ecute in ->-9.
T&e ne*t contention of a''ellants refers to t&e re$ocator#
clause containe in t&e ->/> %ill of t&e ecease %&ic& %as
enie 'ro"ate. T&e# conten t&at( not%it&stanin) t&e
isallo%ance of sai %ill( t&e re$ocator# clause is $ali an
still &as t&e effect of nullif#in) t&e 'rior %ill of ->-9. 0ounsel
for 'etitioner meets t&is ar)ument "# in$o1in) t&e octrine
lai o%n in t&e case of Samson $s. Na$al( +4- P&il.( 9/9,.
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Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Ae contens t&at t&e facts in$ol$e in t&at case are on all
fours %it& t&e facts of t&is case. Aence( t&e octrine in t&at
case is &ere controllin).
T&ere is merit in t&is contention. Be &a$e carefull# rea t&e
facts in$ol$e in t&e Samson case an %e are inee
im'resse "# t&eir stri1in) similarit# %it& t&e facts of t&is
case. Be o not nee to recite &ere %&at t&ose facts are< it is
enou)& to 'oint out t&at t&e# contain man# 'oints an
circumstances in common. No reason( t&erefore( is seen %&#
t&e octrine lai o%n in t&at case +%&ic& %e !uote
&ereuner, s&oul not a''l# an control t&e 'resent case.
8A su"se!uent %ill( containin) a clause re$o1in) a 're$ious
%ill( &a$in) "een isallo%e( for t&e reason t&at it %as not
e*ecute in conformit# %it& t&e 'ro$isions of section ?-9 of
t&e 0oe of 0i$il Proceure as to t&e ma1in) of %ills( cannot
'rouce t&e effect of annullin) t&e 're$ious %ill( inasmuc& as
sai re$ocator# clause is $oi.8 +4- P&il.( 9/9.,
8It is uni$ersall# a)ree t&at %&ere t&e secon %ill is
in$ali on account of not "ein) e*ecute in
accorance %it& t&e 'ro$isions of t&e statute( or
%&ere t&e testator &as not sufficient mental ca'acit#
to ma1e a %ill or t&e %ill is 'rocure t&rou)& unue
influence( or t&e suc&( in ot&er %ors( %&ere t&e
secon %ill is reall# no %ill( it oes not re$o1e t&e
first %ill or affect it in an# manner.8 Hort $s. Ba1er
Ini$ersit# +->/7, ..> Ho. A''.( ?/.( 79 S. B. +.,(
4>9.8
T&ese treaties cannot "e mista1en. T&e# u'&ol t&e $ie% on
%&ic& t&e rulin) in t&e Samson case is 'reicate. T&e#
reflect t&e o'inion t&at t&is rulin) is soun an )oo an for
t&is reason %e see no Custification for a"anonin) it as no%
su))este "# counsel for t&e o''ositors.
It is true t&at our la% on t&e matter +sec. ?./( 0oe of 0i$il
Proceure, 'ro$ies t&at a %ill ma# "e re$o1e 8"# some %ill(
coicil( or ot&er %ritin) e*ecute as 'ro$ie in case of %ills8<
"ut it cannot "e sai t&at t&e ->/> %ill s&oul "e re)are(
not as a %ill %it&in t&e meanin) of sai %or( "ut as 8ot&er
%ritin) e*ecute as 'ro$ie in t&e case of %ills8( sim'l#
"ecause it %as enie 'ro"ate. An e$en if it "e re)are as
an# ot&er %ritin) %it&in t&e meanin) of sai clause( t&ere is
aut&orit# for &olin) t&at unless sai %ritin) is amitte to
'ro"ate( it cannot &a$e t&e effect of re$ocation. +See 77 Am.
Gur. ''. /.>D//=,.
Grantin) for t&e sa1e of ar)ument t&at t&e earlier %ill %as
$oluntaril# estro#e "# t&e testator after t&e e*ecution of t&e
secon %ill( %&ic& re$o1e t&e first( coul t&ere "e an#
ou"t( uner t&is t&eor#( t&at sai earlier %ill %as estro#e
"# t&e testator in t&e &onest "elief t&at it %as no lon)er
necessar# "ecause &e &a e*'ressl# re$o1e it in &is %ill of
->/>F In ot&er %ors( can %e not sa# t&at t&e estruction of
t&e earlier %ill %as "ut t&e necessar# conse!uence of t&e
testator@s "elief t&at t&e re$ocator# clause containe in t&e
su"se!uent %ill %as $ali an t&e latter %oul "e )i$en
effectF If suc& is t&e case( t&en it is our o'inion t&at t&e
earlier %ill can still "e amitte to 'ro"ate uner t&e 'rinci'le
of 8e'enent relati$e re$ocation8.
8T&is octrine is 1no%n as t&at of e'enent relati$e
re$ocation( an is usuall# a''lie %&ere t&e testator
cancels or estro#s a %ill or e*ecutes an instrument
intene to re$o1e a %ill %it& a 'resent intention to
ma1e a ne% testamentar# is'osition as a su"stitute
for t&e ol( an t&e ne% is'osition is not mae or( if
mae( fails of effect for some reason. T&e octrine
is not limite to t&e e*istence of some ot&er
ocument( &o%e$er( an &as "een a''lie %&ere a
%ill %as estro#e as a conse!uence of a mista1e
of la% . . ..8 +?9 0. G. '. 7>>,.
8T&e rule is esta"lis&e t&at %&ere t&e act of
estruction is connecte %it& t&e ma1in) of anot&er
%ill so as fairl# to raise t&e inference t&at t&e
testator meant t&e re$ocation of t&e ol to e'en
u'on t&e efficac# of t&e ne% is'osition intene to
"e su"stitute( t&e re$ocation %ill "e conitional an
e'enent u'on t&e efficac# of t&e ne% is'osition<
an if( for an# reason( t&e ne% %ill intene to "e
mae as a su"stitute is ino'erati$e( t&e re$ocation
fails an t&e ori)inal %ill remains in full force.8
+Garner( ''. ./.( .//.,
8T&is is t&e octrine of e'enent relati$e
re$ocation. T&e failure of t&e ne% testamentar#
is'osition( u'on %&ose $aliit# t&e re$ocation
e'ens( is e!ui$alent to t&e nonDfulfillment of a
sus'ensi$e conition( an &ence 're$ents t&e
re$ocation of t&e ori)inal %ill. But a mere intent to
ma1e at some time a %ill in 'lace of t&at estro#e
%ill not rener t&e estruction conitional. It must
a''ear t&at t&e re$ocation is e'enent u'on t&e
$ali e*ecution of a ne% %ill.8 +- Ale*aner( '. 77-<
Garner( '. .//.,
Be &ol( t&erefore( t&at e$en in t&e su''osition t&at t&e
estruction of t&e ori)inal %ill "# t&e testator coul "e
'resume from t&e failure of t&e 'etitioner to 'rouce it in
court( suc& estruction cannot &a$e t&e effect of efeatin)
t&e 'rior %ill of ->-9 "ecause of t&e fact t&at it is foune on
t&e mista1en "elief t&at t&e %ill of ->/> &as "een $alil#
e*ecute an %oul "e )i$en ue effect. T&e t&eor# on %&ic&
t&is 'rinci'le is 'reicate is t&at t&e testator i not inten to
ie intestate. An t&is intention is clearl# manifest %&en &e
e*ecute t%o %ills on t%o ifferent occasions an institute
&is %ife as &is uni$ersal &eir. T&ere can t&erefore "e no
mista1e as to &is intention of #in) testate.
T&e remainin) !uestion to "e etermine refers to t&e
sufficienc# of t&e e$ience to 'ro$e t&e ue e*ecution of t&e
%ill.
T&e %ill in !uestion %as atteste( as re!uire "# la%( "# t&ree
%itnesses( Loren4o Horales( Rufino Enri!ue4( an An)el
0uenca. T&e first t%o %itnesses ie "efore t&e
commencement of t&e 'resent 'roceein)s. So t&e onl#
instrumental %itness a$aila"le %as An)el 0uenca an uner
our la% an 'receents( &is testimon# is sufficient to 'ro$e
t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill. Ao%e$er( 'etitioner 'resente
not onl# t&e testimon# of 0uenca "ut 'lace on t&e %itness
stan Guan Salceo( t&e notar# 'u"lic %&o 're'are an
notari4e t&e %ill u'on t&e e*'ress esire an instruction of
t&e testator. T&e testimon# of t&ese %itnesses s&o%s t&at t&e
%ill &a "een e*ecute in t&e manner re!uire "# la%. Be
&a$e rea t&eir testimon# an %e %ere im'resse "# t&eir
reainess an sincerit#. Be are con$ince t&at t&e# tol t&e
trut&.
5III. -E4UBLICATION AND -E5I5AL O$ )ILLS
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Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
Art. #%5. "he testator cannot republish, without
reproducin! in a subsequent will, the dispositions
contained in a previous one which is void as to its
form. (n)
Art. #%*. "he e&ecution of a codicil referrin! to a
previous will has the effect of republishin! the will
as modified by the codicil. (n)
Art. #%7. f after ma+in! a will, the testator ma+es a
second will e&pressly revo+in! the first, the
revocation of the second will does not revive the first
will, which can be revived only by another will or
codicil. (7%9a)
IG. ALLO)ANCE O$ )ILLS
Art. #%#. :o will shall pass either real or personal
property unless it is proved and allowed in
accordance with the 5ules of 6ourt.
"he testator himself may, durin! his lifetime,
petition the court havin! 1urisdiction for the
allowance of his will. n such case, the pertinent
provisions of the 5ules of 6ourt for the allowance of
wills after the testator3s a death shall !overn.
"he 9upreme 6ourt shall formulate such additional
5ules of 6ourt as may be necessary for the allowance
of wills on petition of the testator.
9ub1ect to the ri!ht of appeal, the allowance of the
will, either durin! the lifetime of the testator or after
his death, shall be conclusive as to its due e&ecution.
(n)
A. 0once't of Pro"ate
To 'ro"ate a %ill means to 'ro$e "efore some officer or
tri"unal( $este "# la% %it& aut&orit# for t&at 'ur'ose( t&at
t&e instrument offere to "e 'ro$e is t&e last %ill an
testament of t&e ecease 'erson %&ose testamentar# act it
is alle)e to "e( an t&at it &as "een e*ecute( atteste an
'u"lis&e as re!uire "# la%( an t&at t&e testator %as of
soun an is'osin) min. It is a ci$il 'roceein) to esta"lis&
t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill.
Re$ocation $s. :isallo%ance
-. "# t&e act of testator -. "# ecree of court
.. e$en %it&out cause .. e*clusi$e )rouns "# la%
/. ma# "e 'artial /. entire %ill
B. Necessit# of Pro"ate
A final ecree of 'ro"ate is conclusi$e as to t&e ue
e*ecution an formal $aliit# of a %ill( &ence( 'ro"ate is
necessar# to etermine t&e follo%in);
-. testator %as of soun min
.. consent %as not $itiate
/. %ill %as si)ne "# t&e re!uire num"er of %itnesses
4. it is )enuine an aut&entic
In sum it in$ol$es;
a. Testatmentar# 0a'acit#
". ue e*ecution t&ereof
c. )enuineness
9. De Bor'a !s. De Bor'a
It is unconteste t&at 2rancisco e BorCa( u'on t&e eat& of
&is %ife Gosefa Tan)co on ? Octo"er ->4=( file a 'etition for
t&e 'ro"ate of &er %ill %&ic& %as oc1ete as S'ecial
Proceein) No. RD79?? of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Ri4al( Branc& I. T&e %ill %as 'ro"ate on . A'ril ->4-. In
->4?( 2rancisco e BorCa %as a''ointe e*ecutor an
aministrator; in ->7.( t&eir son( Gose e BorCa( %as
a''ointe coDaministrator. B&en 2rancisco ie( on -4 A'ril
->74( Gose "ecame t&e sole aministrator of t&e testate
estate of &is mot&er( Gose Tan)co B&ile a %io%er 2rancisco
e BorCa alle)el# too1 unto &imself a secon %ife( Tasiana
On)sin)co. I'on 2rancisco@s eat&( Tasiana institute
testate 'roceein)s in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a
EciCa( %&ere( in ->77( s&e %as a''ointe s'ecial
aministratri*. T&e $aliit# of Tasiana@s marria)e to 2rancisco
%as !uestione in sai 'roceein).
T&e relations&i' "et%een t&e c&ilren of t&e first marria)e
an Tasiana On)sin)co &as "een 'la)ue %it& se$eral court
suits an counterDsuits< incluin) t&e t&ree cases at "ar(
some ei)&teen +-9, cases remain 'enin) etermination in
t&e courts. T&e testate estate of Gosefa Tan)co alone &as
"een unsettle for more t&an a !uarter of a centur#. In orer
to 'ut an en to all t&ese liti)ations( a com'romise
a)reement %as entere into on -. Octo"er ->?/( . "# an
"et%een 8MTN&e &eir an son of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is first
marria)e( namel#( Gose e BorCa 'ersonall# an as
aministrator of t&e Testate Estate of Gosefa Tan)co(8 an
8MTN&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is
secon marria)e( Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e BorCa( assiste
"# &er la%#er( Att#. Luis Pana)uiton( Gr.8
On -? Ha# ->??( Gose e BorCa su"mitte for 0ourt a''ro$al
t&e a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ to t&e 0ourt of 2irst
Instance of Ri4al( in S'ecial Proceein) No. RD79??< an
a)ain( on 9 Au)ust ->??( to t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of
Nue$a EciCa( in S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.. Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa o''ose in "ot& instances. T&e
Ri4al court a''ro$e t&e com'romise a)reement( "ut t&e
Nue$a EciCa court eclare it $oi an unenforcea"le.
S'ecial aministratri* Tasiana On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa
a''eale t&e Ri4al 0ourt@s orer of a''ro$al +no% Su'reme
0ourt G.R. case No. LD.9=4=,( %&ile aministrator Gose e
BorCa a''eale t&e orer of isa''ro$al +G.R. case No. LD
.97?9, "# t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa.
T&e )enuineness an ue e*ecution of t&e com'romise
a)reement of -. Octo"er ->?/ is not is'ute( "ut its $aliit#
is( ne$ert&eless( attac1e "# Tasiana On)sin)co on t&e
)roun t&at; +-, t&e &eirs cannot enter into suc& 1in of
a)reement %it&out first 'ro"atin) t&e %ill of 2rancisco e
BorCa< +., t&at t&e same in$ol$es a com'romise on t&e
$aliit# of t&e marria)e "et%een 2rancisco e BorCa an
Tasiana On)sin)co< an +/, t&at e$en if it %ere $ali( it &as
cease to &a$e force an effect.
!n assailing the validity of the agreement of (2 October ()-3,
"asiana Ongsingco and the 8robate /ourt of <ueva Aci6a
rely on this /ourt's decision in Buevara vs. Buevara. .* 8hil.
*.), wherein the /ourt's ma6ority held the view that the
presentation of a will for probate is mandatory and that the
settlement and distribution of an estate on the basis of
intestacy when the decedent left a will, is against the law and
public policy. !t is li$ewise pointed out by appellant "asiana
Ongsingco that @ection ( of 9ule .* of the 9evised 9ules
- jann - 51
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
explicitly conditions the validity of an extra6udicial settlement
of a decedent's estate by agreement between heirs, upon the
facts that ,if0 the decedent left no will and no debts, and the
heirs are all of age, or the minors are represented by their
6udicial and legal representatives . . . "he will of 4rancisco
de 5or6a having been submitted to the <ueva Aci6a /ourt
and still pending probate when the ()-3 agreement was
made, those circumstances, it is argued, bar the validity of
the agreement.
I'on t&e ot&er &an( in claimin) t&e $aliit# of t&e
com'romise a)reement( Gose e BorCa stresses t&at at t&e
time it %as entere into( on -. Octo"er ->?/( t&e )o$ernin)
'ro$ision %as Section -( Rule 74 of t&e ori)inal Rules of
0ourt of ->4=( %&ic& allo%e t&e e*traCuicial settlement of
t&e estate of a ecease 'erson re)arless of %&et&er &e left
a %ill or not. Ae also relies on t&e issentin) o'inion of
Gustice Horan( in Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47>(
%&erein %as e*'resse t&e $ie% t&at if t&e 'arties &a$e
alrea# i$ie t&e estate in accorance %it& a eceent@s
%ill( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill is a useless ceremon#< an if t&e#
&a$e i$ie t&e estate in a ifferent manner( t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is %orse t&an useless.
T&is 'ro$ision e$iences "e#on ou"t t&at t&e rulin) in t&e
Gue$ara case is not a''lica"le to t&e cases at "ar. T&ere
%as &ere no attem't to settle or istri"ute t&e estate of
2rancisco e BorCa amon) t&e &eirs t&ereto "efore t&e
'ro"ate of &is %ill. T&e clear o"Cect of t&e contract %as
merel# t&e con$e#ance "# Tasiana On)sin)co of an# an all
&er ini$iual s&are an interest( actual or e$entual( in t&e
estate of 2rancisco e BorCa an Gosefa Tan)co. "here is no
stipulation as to any other claimant, creditor or legatee %nd
as a hereditary share in a decedent's estate is transmitted or
vested immediately from the moment of the death of such
causante or predecessor in interest ,/ivil /ode of the
8hilippines, %rt. ...0 3 there is no legal bar to a successor
,with requisite contracting capacity0 disposing of her or his
hereditary share immediately after such death, even if the
actual extent of such share is not determined until the
subsequent liquidation of the estate. * Of course, the effect
of such alienation is to be deemed limited to what is
ultimately ad6udicated to the vendor heir. #owever, the
aleatory character of the contract does not affect the validity
of the transaction7 neither does the coetaneous agreement
that the numerous litigations between the parties ,the
approving order of the 9i1al /ourt enumerates fourteen of
them, 9ec. %pp. pp. .):;20 are to be considered settled and
should be dismissed, although such stipulation, as noted by
the 9i1al /ourt, gives the contract the character of a
compromise that the law favors, for obvious reasons, if only
because it serves to avoid a multiplicity of suits.
!t is li$ewise worthy of note in this connection that as the
surviving spouse of 4rancisco de 5or6a, "asiana Ongsingco
was his compulsory heir under article ))+ et seq. of the
present /ivil /ode. Wherefore, barring unworthiness or valid
disinheritance, her successional interest existed independent
of 4rancisco de 5or6a's last will and testament, and would
exist even if such will were not probated at all. "hus, the
prerequisite of a previous probate of the will, as established
in the Buevara and analogous cases, can not apply to the
case of "asiana Ongsingco Vda. de de 5or6a.
T&is "rin)s us to t&e 'lea t&at t&e 0ourt of 2irst In stance of
Ri4al &a no Curisiction to a''ro$e t&e com'romise %it&
Gose e BorCa +Anne* A, "ecause Tasiana On)sin)co %as
not an &eir in t&e estate of Gosefa Tan)co 'enin) settlement
in t&e Ri4al 0ourt( "ut s&e %as an &eir of 2rancisco e BorCa(
%&ose estate %as t&e o"Cect of S'ecial Proceein) No. 9/.
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa. T&is
circumstance is irrele$ant( since %&at %as sol "# Tasiana
On)sin)co %as onl# &er e$entual s&are in t&e estate of &er
late &us"an( not t&e estate itself< an as alrea# s&o%n( t&at
e$entual s&are s&e o%ne from t&e time of 2rancisco@s eat&
an t&e 0ourt of Nue$a EciCa coul not "ar &er sellin) it. As
o%ner of &er uni$ie &ereitar# s&are( Tasiana coul
is'ose of it in fa$or of %&omsoe$er s&e c&ose Suc&
alienation is e*'ressl# reco)ni4e an 'ro$ie for "# article
-=99 of t&e 'resent 0i$il 0oe;
Art. -=99. S&oul an# of t&e &eirs sell &is &ereitar#
ri)&ts to a stran)er "efore t&e 'artition( an# or all of t&e coD
&eirs ma# "e su"ro)ate to t&e ri)&ts of t&e 'urc&aser "#
reim"ursin) &im for t&e 'rice of t&e sale( 'ro$ie t&e# o so
%it&in t&e 'erio of one mont& from t&e time t&e# %ere
notifie in %ritin) of t&e sale of t&e $enor.8
Tasiana On)sin)co furt&er ar)ues t&at &er contract %it& Gose
e BorCa +Anne* 8A8, is $oi "ecause it amounts to a
com'romise as to &er status an marria)e %it& t&e late
2rancisco e BorCa. T&e 'oint is %it&out merit( for t&e $er#
o'enin) 'ara)ra'& of t&e a)reement %it& Gose e BorCa
+Anne* 8A8, escri"es &er as 8t&e &eir an sur$i$in) s'ouse
of 2rancisco e BorCa "# &is secon marria)e( Tasiana
On)sin)co Va. e e BorCa8( %&ic& is in itself efinite
amission of &er ci$il status. T&ere is not&in) in t&e te*t of
t&e a)reement t&at %oul s&o% t&at t&is reco)nition of
On)sin)co@s status as t&e sur$i$in) s'ouse of 2rancisco e
BorCa %as onl# mae in consieration of t&e cession of &er
&ereitar# ri)&ts.
It is ifficult to "elie$e( &o%e$er( t&at t&e amica"le settlement
referre to in t&e orer an motion a"o$eDmentione %as t&e
com'romise a)reement of -/ Octo"er ->?/( %&ic& alrea#
&a "een formall# si)ne an e*ecute "# t&e 'arties an
ul# notari4e. B&at t&e recor iscloses is t&at some time
after its formali4ation( On)sin)co &a unilaterall# attem'te
to "ac1 out from t&e com'romise a)reement( 'leain)
$arious reasons restate in t&e o''osition to t&e 0ourt@s
a''ro$al of Anne* 8A8 +Recor on A''eal( LD.=94=( 'a)e
./,; t&at t&e same %as in$ali "ecause of t&e la'se of t&e
alle)el# intene resolutor# 'erio of ?= a#s an "ecause
t&e contract %as not 'recee "# t&e 'ro"ate of 2rancisco e
BorCa@s %ill( as re!uire "# t&is 0ourt@s Gue$arra $s. Gue$ara
rulin)< t&at Anne* 8A8 in$ol$e a com'romise affectin)
On)sin)co@s status as %ife an %io% of 2rancisco e BorCa(
etc.( all of %&ic& o"Cections &a$e "een alrea# iscusse.
It %as natural t&at in $ie% of t&e %io%@s attitue( Gose e
BorCa s&oul attem't to reac& a ne% settlement or no$ator#
a)reement "efore see1in) Cuicial sanction an enforcement
of Anne* 8A8( since t&e latter ste' mi)&t ultimatel# entail a
lon)er ela# in attainin) final reme#. T&at t&e attem't to
reac& anot&er settlement faile is a''arent from t&e letter of
On)sin)co@s counsel to Gose e BorCa !uote in 'a)es /7D/?
of t&e "rief for a''ellant On)sin)co in G.R. No. LD.9=4=< an
it is more t&an 'ro"a"le t&at t&e orer of .- Se'tem"er ->?4
an t&e motion of -7 Gune ->?4 referre to t&e failure of t&e
'arties@ !uest for a more satisfactor# com'romise. But t&e
ina"ilit# to reac& a no$ator# accor can not in$aliate t&e
ori)inal com'romise +Anne* 8A8, an Custifies t&e act of Gose
e BorCa in finall# see1in) a court orer for its a''ro$al an
enforcement from t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( %&ic&(
as &eretofore escri"e( ecree t&at t&e a)reement "e
ultimatel# 'erforme %it&in -.= a#s from t&e finalit# of t&e
- jann - 52
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
orer( no% uner a''eal. Be conclue t&at in so oin)( t&e
Ri4al court acte in accorance %it& la%( an( t&erefore( its
orer s&oul "e u'&el( %&ile t&e contrar# resolution of t&e
0ourt of 2irst Instance of Nue$a EciCa s&oul "e( an is(
re$erse.
0. Hoes of Pro"ate
T%o 1ins of 'ro"ate uner Art. 9/9
-. Ante mortem 'ro"ate or t&at %&ic& is &a urin) t&e
lifetime of t&e testator. T&is is an inno$ation to our
la%s on succession.
Ratio;
a. easier for t&e courts to etermine t&e mental
conition of testator urin) &is lifetime.
". 2rau( intimiation( unue influence are minimi4e
c. If %ill foun to "e non conformin) to t&e
re!uirements 'ro$ie for "# la% t&e same ma#"e
correcte at once
. Bill lessen t&e num"er of contest u'on %ills( since
testator still ali$e &is animus testani is
etermina"le at once.
.. Post mortem or t&at %&ic& is &a after eat&
:. Re!uirements for Pro"ate
T&e Re$ise rules of 0ourt 'ro$ies for t&e re!uirements an
'roceure for 'ro"atin) a %ill as follo%s;
RULE 75
PRODUCTION OF WILL. ALLOWANCE OF WILL NECESSARY
SECTION 1. Allowance necessary. Conclusive as to
execution.No will shall pass either real or personal estate unless
it is proved and allowed in the proper court. Subject to the right of
appeal, such allowance of the will shall be conclusive as to its due
eecution.
SEC. !. Custodian of will to deliver.The person who has
custod" of a will shall, within twent" #!$% da"s after he &nows of the
death of the testator, deliver the will to the court having jurisdiction,
or to the eecutor na'ed In the will.
SEC. (. Executor to present will and accept or refuse trust.
) person na'ed as eecutor in a will shall, within twent" #!$% da"s
after he &nows of the death of the testator, or within twent" #!$%
da"s after he &nows that be is na'ed eecutor if he obtained such
&nowledge after the death of the testator, present such will to the
court having jurisdiction, unless the will has reached the court in
an" other 'anner, and shall, within such period, signif" to the court
in writing his acceptance of the trust or his refusal to accept it.
SEC. *. Custodian and executor subject to fine for neglect.
) person who neglects an" of the duties re+uired in the two last
preceding sections without ecuse satisfactor" to the court shall be
fined not eceeding two thousand pesos.
SEC. ,. Person retaining will may be co''itted.-) person
having custod" of a will after the death of the testator who neglects
without reasonable cause to deliver the sa'e, when ordered so to
do, to the court having jurisdiction, 'a" be co''itted to prison and
there &ept until he delivers the will.
RULE 76
ALLOWANCE OR DISALLOWANCE OF WILL
SECTION 1. .ho may petition for the allowance of will.)n"
eecutor, devisee, or legatee na'ed in a will, or an" other person
interested in the estate, 'a", at an" ti'e after the death of the
testator, petition the court having jurisdiction to have the will
allowed, whether the sa'e be in his possession or not, or is lost or
destro"ed.
The testator hi'self 'a", during his lifeti'e, petition the court
for the allowance of his will.
SEC. !. Contents of petition.) petition for the allowance of
a will 'ust show, so far as &nown to the petitioner/
#a% The jurisdictional facts0
#b% The na'es, ages, and residences of the heirs,
legatees, and devisees of the testator or decedent0
#c% The probable value and character of the
propert" of the estate0
#d% The na'e of the person for who' letters are
pra"ed0
#e% If the will has not been delivered to the court,
the na'e of the person having custod" of it.
1ut no defect in the petition shall render void the allowance of
the will, or the issuance of letters testa'entar" or of ad'inistration
with the will anneed.
SEC. (. Court to appoint time for proving will. Notice thereof
to be published..hen a will is delivered to, or a petition for the
allowance of a will is filed in, the court having jurisdiction, such
court shall fi a ti'e and place for proving the will when all
concerned 'a" appear to contest the allowance thereof, and shall
cause notice of such ti'e and place to be published three #(%
wee&s successivel", previous to the ti'e appointed, in a
newspaper of general circulation in the province.
1ut no newspaper publication shall be 'ade where the
petition for probate has been filed b" the testator hi'self.
SEC. *. eirs! devisees! legatees! and executors to be
notified by mail or personally.The court shall also cause copies of
the notice of the ti'e and place fied for proving the will to be
addressed to the designated or other &nown heirs, legatees, and
devisees of the testator resident in the 2hilippines at their places of
residence, and deposited in the post office with the postage
thereon prepaid at least twent" #!$% da"s before the hearing, if
such places of residence be &nown. ) cop" of the notice 'ust in
li&e 'anner be 'ailed to the person na'ed as eecutor, if he be
not the petitioner, also, to an" person na'ed as co3eecutor not
petitioning, if their places of residence be &nown. 2ersonal service
of copies of the notice at least ten #1$% da"s before the da" of
hearing shall be e+uivalent to 'ailing.
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Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
If the testator as&s for the allowance of his own will, notice
shall be sent onl" to his co'pulsor" heirs.
SEC. ,. Proof at hearing. "hat sufficient in absence of
contest.-)t the hearing co'pliance with the provisions of the last
two preceding sections 'ust be shown before the introduction of
testi'on" in support of the will. )ll such testi'on" shall be ta&en
under oath and reduced to writing. If no person appears to contest
the allowance of the will, the court 'a" grant allowance thereof on
the testi'on" of one of the subscribing witnesses onl", if such
witness testif" that the will was eecuted as is re+uired b" law.
In the case of a holographic will, it shall be necessar" that at
least one witness who &nows the handwriting and signature of the
testator eplicitl" declare that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator. In the absence of an" such co'petent
witness, and if the court dee' it necessar", epert testi'on" 'a"
be resorted to.
SEC. 4. Proof of lost or destroyed will. Certificate thereupon.
-No will shall be proved as a lost or destro"ed will unless the
eecution and validit" of the sa'e be established and the will is
proved to have been in eistence at the ti'e of the death of the
testator, or is shown to have been fraudulentl" or accidentall"
destro"ed in the lifeti'e of the testator without his &nowledge, nor
unless its provisions are clearl" and distinctl" proved b" at least
two #!% credible witnesses. .hen a lost will is proved, the
provisions thereof 'ust be distinctl" stated and certified b" the
judge, under the seal of the court, and the certificate 'ust be filed
and recorded as other wills are filed and recorded.
SEC. 5. Proof when witnesses do not reside in province.If it
appears at the ti'e fied for the hearing that none of the
subscribing witnesses resides in the province, but that the
deposition of one or 'ore of the' can be ta&en elsewhere, the
court 'a", on 'otion, direct It to be ta&en, and 'a" authori6e a
photographic cop" of the will to be 'ade and to be presented to the
witness on his ea'ination, who 'a" be as&ed the sa'e +uestions
with respect to it and to the handwriting of the testator and others,
as would be pertinent and co'petent if the original will were
present.
SEC. 7. Proof when witnesses dead or insane or do not
reside in the Philippines.If it appears at the ti'e fied for the
hearing that the subscribing witnesses are dead or insane, or that
none of the' resides in the 2hilippines, the court 'a" ad'it the
testi'on" of other witnesses to prove the sanit" of the testator, and
the due eecution of the will0 and as evidence of the eecution of
the will, it 'a" ad'it proof of the handwriting of the testator and of
the subscribing witnesses, or of an" of the'.
SEC. 8. #rounds for disallowing will.The will shall be
disallowed in an" of the following cases/
#a% If not eecuted and attested as re+uired b" law0
#b% If the testator was insane, or otherwise 'entall"
incapable to 'a&e a will, at the ti'e of its eecution0
#c% If it was eecuted under duress, or the
influence of fear, or threats0
#d% If it was procured b" undue and i'proper
pressure and influence, on the part of the beneficiar", or of
so'e other person for his benefit0
#e% If the signature of the testator was procured b"
fraud or tric&, and he did not intend that the instru'ent should
be his will at the ti'e of fiing his signature thereto.
SEC. 1$. Contestant to file grounds of contest.)n"one
appearing to contest the will 'ust state in writing his grounds for
opposing its allowance, and serve a cop" thereof on the petitioner
and other parties interested in the estate.
SEC. 11. $ubscribing witnesses produced or accounted for
where will contested.If the will is contested, all the subscribing
witnesses, and the notar" in the case of wills eecuted under the
Civil Code of the 2hilippines, if present in the 2hilippines, and not
insane, 'ust be produced and ea'ined, and the death, absence,
or insanit" of an" of the' 'ust be satisfactoril" shown to the court.
If all or so'e of such witnesses are present in the 2hilippines but
outside the province where the will has been filed, their deposition
'ust be ta&en. If an" or all of the' testif" against the due
eecution of the will, or do not re'e'ber having attested to it, or
are otherwise of doubtful credibilit", the will 'a", nevertheless, be
allowed if the court is satisfied fro' the testi'on" of other
witnesses and fro' all the evidence presented that the will was
eecuted and attested in the 'anner re+uired b" law.
If a holographic will is contested, the sa'e shall be allowed if
at least three #(% witnesses who &now the handwriting of the
testator eplicitl" declare that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator0 in the absence of an" co'petent
witness, and if the court dee' it necessar", epert testi'on" 'a"
be resorted to.
SEC. 1!. Proof where testator petitions for allowance of
holographic will..here the testator hi'self petitions for the
probate of his holographic will and no contest is filed, the fact that
he affir's that the holographic will and the signature are in his own
handwriting, shall be sufficient evidence of the genuineness and
due eecution thereof. If the holographic will is contested, the
burden of disproving the genuineness and due eecution thereof
shall be on the contestant The testator 'a", in his turn, present
such additional proof as 'a" be necessar" to rebut the evidence
for the contestant.
SEC. 1(. Certificate of allowance attached to proved will. %o
be recorded in the &ffice of 'egister of (eeds.-If the court is
satisfied, upon proof ta&en and filed, that the will was dul"
eecuted, and that the testator at the ti'e of its eecution was of
sound and disposing 'ind, and not acting under duress, 'enace,
and undue influence, or fraud, a certificate of its allowance, signed
b" the judge, and attested b" the seal of the court shall be attached
to the will and the will and certificate filed and recorded b" the
cler&. )ttested copies of the will devising real estate and of
certificate of allowance thereof, shall be recorded in the register of
deeds of the province in which the lands lie.
Art. #--. n the probate of a holo!raphic will, it shall
be necessary that at least one witness who +nows the
handwritin! and si!nature of the testator e&plicitly
declare that the will and the si!nature are in the
- jann - 54
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
handwritin! of the testator. f the will is contested,
at least three of such witnesses shall be required.
n the absence of any competent witness referred to
in the precedin! para!raph, and if the court deem it
necessary, e&pert testimony may be resorted to.
(*-9a)
Dan !s. Hap
On No$em"er .=( ->7-( 2elicia Es)uerra Alto Ja' ie of
&eart failure in t&e Ini$ersit# of Santo Tomas Aos'ital(
lea$in) 'ro'erties in Pulilan( Bulacan( an in t&e 0it# of
Hanila.
On Harc& -7( ->7.( 2austo E. Gan initiate t&ese
'roceein)s in t&e Hanila court of first instance %it& a
'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of a &olo)ra'&ic %ill alle)el#
e*ecute "# t&e ecease( O''osin) t&e 'etition( &er
sur$i$in) &us"an Ilefonso Ja' asserte t&at t&e ecease
&a not left an# %ill( nor e*ecute an# testament urin) &er
lifetime.
Sometime in ->7= after &er last tri' a"roa( 2elicia
Es)uerra mentione to &er first cousin( Vicente Es)uerra( &er
esire to ma1e a %ill. S&e confie &o%e$er t&at it %oul "e
useless if &er &us"an isco$ere or 1ne% a"out it. Vicente
consulte %it& 2austo E. Gan( ne'&e% of 2elicia( %&o %as
t&en 're'arin) for t&e "ar e*aminations. T&e latter re'lie it
coul "e one %it&out an# %itness( 'ro$ie t&e ocument
%as entirel# in &er &an%ritin)( si)ne an ate "# &er.
Vicente Es)uerra lost no time in transmittin) t&e information(
an on t&e stren)t& of it( in t&e mornin) of No$em"er 7(
->7-( in &er resience at Guan Luna Street( Hanila( 2elicia
%rote( si)ne an ate a &olo)ra'&ic %ill su"stantiall# of t&e
tenor a"o$e transcri"e( in t&e 'resence of &er niece( 2elina
Es)uerra +au)&ter of Vicente,( %&o %as in$ite to rea it. In
t&e afternoon of t&at a#( 2elicia %as $isite "# a istant
relati$e( Primiti$o Re#es( an s&e allo%e &im to rea t&e %ill
in t&e 'resence of 2elina Es)uerra( %&o a)ain rea it.
T&e trial Cu)e refuse to creit t&e 'etitioner@s e$ience for
se$eral reasons( t&e most im'ortant of %&ic& %ere t&ese; +a,
if accorin) to &is e$ience( t&e eceent %ante to 1ee' &er
%ill a secret( so t&at &er &us"an %oul not 1no% it( it is
stran)e s&e e*ecute it in t&e 'resence of 2elina Es)uerra(
1no%in) as s&e i t&at %itnesses %ere unnecessar#< +", in
t&e a"sence of a s&o%in) t&at 2elina %as a confiant of t&e
eceent it is &ar to "elie$e t&at t&e latter %oul &a$e
allo%e t&e former to see an rea t&e %ill se$eral times< +c,
it is im'ro"a"le t&at t&e eceent %oul &a$e 'ermitte
Primiti$o Re#es( Rosario Gan Gimene4 an Socorro Olarte to
rea &er %ill( %&en s&e 'recisel# %ante its contents to
remain a secret urin) &er lifetime< +, it is also im'ro"a"le
t&at &er 'ur'ose "ein) to conceal t&e %ill from &er &us"an
s&e %oul carr# it aroun( e$en to t&e &os'ital( in &er 'urse
%&ic& coul for one reason or anot&er "e o'ene "# &er
&us"an< +e, if it is true t&at t&e &us"an emane t&e
'urse from 2elina in t&e I.S.T. Aos'ital an t&at t&e %ill %as
t&ere( it is &ar to "elie$e t&at &e returne it %it&out
estro#in) t&e %ill( t&e t&eor# of t&e 'etitioner "ein) 'recisel#
t&at t&e %ill %as e*ecute "e&in &is "ac1 for fear &e %ill
estro# it.
T&e Ne% 0i$il 0oe effecti$e in ->7= re$i$e &olo)ra'&ic
%ills in its arts. 9-=D9-4. 8A 'erson ma# e*ecute a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill %&ic& must "e entirel# %ritten( ate( an
si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator &imself. It is su"Cect to no
ot&er form an ma# "e mae in or out of t&e P&ili''ines( an
nee not "e %itnesse.8
T&e o"Cect of suc& re!uirements it &as "een sai( is to close
t&e oor a)ainst "a fait& an frau( to 're$ent su"stitution
of %ills( to )uarantee t&eir trut& an aut&enticit# +A"an)an $s.
A"an)an( 4= P&il.( 47?, an to a$oi t&at t&ose %&o &a$e no
ri)&t to succee t&e testator %oul succee &im an "e
"enefite %it& t&e 'ro"ate of same. +Heno4a $s. Pila'il( 4=
off. Ga4.( -977,. Ao%e$er( formal im'erfections ma# "e
"rus&e asie %&en aut&enticit# of t&e instrument is ul#
'ro$e.
No%( in t&e matter of &olo)ra'&ic %ills( no suc& )uaranties of
trut& an $eracit# are emane( since as state( t&e# nee
no %itnesses< 'ro$ie &o%e$er( t&at t&e# are 8entirel#
%ritten( ate( an si)ne "# t&e &an of t&e testator
&imself.8 T&e la%( it is reasona"le to su''ose( re)ars t&e
ocument itself as material 'roof of aut&enticit#( an as its
o%n safe)uar( since it coul at an# time( "e emonstrate
to "e S or not to "e S in t&e &ans of t&e testator &imself.
8In t&e 'ro"ate of a &olo)ra'&ic %ill8 sa#s t&e Ne% 0i$il
0oe( 8it s&all "e necessar# t&at at least one %itness %&o
1no%s t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of t&e testator e*'licitl#
eclare t&at t&e %ill an t&e si)nature are in t&e &an%ritin)
of t&e testator. If t&e %ill is conteste( at least t&ree suc&
%itnesses s&all "e re!uire. In t&e a"sence of an# suc&
%itnesses( +familiar %it& eceent@s &an%ritin), an if t&e
court eem it necessar#( e*'ert testimon# ma# "e resorte
to.8
T&e %itnesses so 'resente o not nee to &a$e seen t&e
e*ecution of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill. T&e# ma# "e mista1en in
t&eir o'inion of t&e &an%ritin)( or t&e# ma# eli"eratel# lie in
affirmin) it is in t&e testator@s &an. Ao%e$er( t&e o''ositor
ma# 'resent ot&er %itnesses %&o also 1no% t&e testator@s
&an%ritin)( or some e*'ert %itnesses( %&o after com'arin)
t&e %ill %it& ot&er %ritin)s or letters of t&e ecease( &a$e
come to t&e conclusion t&at suc& %ill &as not "een %ritten "#
t&e &an of t&e ecease. +Sec. 7=( Rule -./,. An t&e court(
in $ie% of suc& contraictor# testimon# ma# use its o%n
$isual sense( an ecie in t&e face of t&e ocument(
%&et&er t&e %ill su"mitte to it &as inee "een %ritten "#
t&e testator.
"a$ing all the above circumstances together, we reach the
conclusion that the execution and the contents of a lost or
destroyed holographic will may not be proved by the bare
testimony of witnesses who have seen andCor read such will.
At t&is 'oint( "efore 'roceein) furt&er( it mi)&t "e
con$enient to e*'lain %&#( unli1e &olo)ra'&ic %ills( orinar#
%ills ma# "e 'ro$e "# testimonial e$ience %&en lost or
estro#e. T&e ifference lies in t&e nature of t&e %ills. In t&e
first( t&e onl# )uarantee of aut&enticit# is t&e &an%ritin)
itself< in t&e secon( t&e testimon# of t&e su"scri"in) or
instrumental %itnesses +an of t&e notar#( no%,. T&e loss of
t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill entails t&e loss of t&e onl# meium of
'roof< if t&e orinar# %ill is lost( t&e su"scri"in) %itnesses are
a$aila"le to aut&enticate.
In t&e case of orinar# %ills( it is !uite &ar to con$ince t&ree
%itnesses +four %it& t&e notar#, eli"eratel# to lie. An t&en
t&eir lies coul "e c&ec1e an e*'ose( t&eir %&erea"outs
an acts on t&e 'articular a#( t&e li1eli&oo t&at t&e# %oul
"e calle "# t&e testator( t&eir intimac# %it& t&e testator( etc.
An if t&e# %ere intimates or truste friens of t&e testator
t&e# are not li1el# to len t&emsel$es to an# frauulent
sc&eme to istort &is %is&es. Last "ut not least( t&e# can not
recei$e an#t&in) on account of t&e %ill.
- jann - 55
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
B&ereas in t&e case of &olo)ra'&ic %ills( if oral testimon#
%ere amissi"le > onl# one man coul en)ineer t&e %&ole
frau t&is %a#; after ma1in) a cle$er or 'assa"le imitation of
t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of t&e ecease( &e ma#
contri$e to let t&ree &onest an crei"le %itnesses see an
rea t&e for)er#< an t&e latter( &a$in) no interest( coul
easil# fall for it( an in court t&e# %oul in all )oo fait& affirm
its )enuineness an aut&enticit#. T&e %ill &a$in) "een lost S
t&e for)er ma# &a$e 'ur'osel# estro#e it in an 8accient8
S t&e o''ositors &a$e no %a# to e*'ose t&e tric1 an t&e
error( "ecause t&e ocument itself is not at &an. An
consierin) t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# consist of t%o or
t&ree 'a)es( an onl# one of t&em nee "e si)ne( t&e
su"stitution of t&e unsi)ne 'a)es( %&ic& ma# "e t&e most
im'ortant ones( ma# )o unetecte.
If testimonial e$ience of &olo)ra'&ic %ills "e 'ermitte( one
more o"Cectiona"le feature S feasi"ilit# of for)er# S %oul
"e ae to t&e se$eral o"Cections to t&is 1in of %ills liste
"# 0astan( Sanc&e4 Roman an Val$ere an ot&er %ellD
1no%n S'anis& 0ommentators an teac&ers of 0i$il La%. -=
One more funamental ifference; in t&e case of a lost %ill(
t&e t&ree su"scri"in) %itnesses %oul "e testif#in) to a fact
%&ic& t&e# sa%( namel# t&e act of t&e testator of su"scri"in)
t&e %ill< %&ereas in t&e case of a lost &olo)ra'&ic %ill( t&e
%itnesses %oul testif# as to t&eir o'inion of t&e &an%ritin)
%&ic& t&e# alle)el# sa%( an o'inion %&ic& can not "e teste
in court( nor irectl# contraicte "# t&e o''ositors( "ecause
t&e &an%ritin) itself is not at &an.
Turnin) no% to t&e e$ience 'resente "# t&e 'etitioner( %e
fin oursel$es s&arin) t&e trial Cu)e@s is"elief. In aition to
t&e u"ious circumstances escri"e in t&e a''eale
ecision( %e fin it &ar to "elie$e t&at t&e ecease s&oul
s&o% &er %ill 'recisel# to relati$es %&o &a recei$e not&in)
from it; Socorro Olarte an Primiti$o Re#es. T&ese coul
'ester &er into amenin) &er %ill to )i$e t&em a s&are( or
t&reaten to re$eal its e*ecution to &er &us"an Ilefonso Ja'.
An t&is leas to anot&er 'oint; if s&e %ante so muc& to
conceal t&e %ill from &er &us"an( %&# i s&e not entrust it
to &er "eneficiariesF O''ortunit# to o so %as not lac1in); for
instance( &er &us"an@s tri' to :a$ao( a fe% a#s after t&e
alle)e e*ecution of t&e %ill.
In fine( e$en if oral testimon# %ere amissi"le to esta"lis&
an 'ro"ate a lost &olo)ra'&ic %ill( %e t&in1 t&e e$ience
su"mitte "# &erein 'etitioner is so tainte %it&
im'ro"a"ilities an inconsistencies t&at it fails to measure u'
to t&at 8clear an istinct8 'roof re!uire "# Rule 77( sec. ?.
--
-odelas !s. Aran&a
8. . . On Ganuar# --( ->77( a''ellant file a 'etition
%it& t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill of Ricaro B. Bonilla
an t&e issuance of letters testamentar# in &er
fa$or. T&e 'etition( oc1ete as S'. Proc. No. 94/.(
%as o''ose "# t&e a''ellees Am'aro Aran4a
Bonilla( Bilferine Bonilla Tre#es( E*'eita Bonilla
2rias an E'&raim Bonilla on t&e follo%in) )rouns;
8+/, T&e alle)e &olo)ra'&ic %ill itself(
an not an alle)e co'# t&ereof( must "e
'rouce( ot&er%ise it %oul 'rouce no
effect( as &el in Gan $. Ja'( -=4 P&il. 7=><
an
The only ="estion here is %hether a holographic %ill
%hich %as lost or can not e fo"nd can e pro!ed y
#eans of a photostatic copy. Pursuant to Article 9-- of t&e
0i$il 0oe( 'ro"ate of &olo)ra'&ic %ills is t&e allo%ance of
t&e %ill "# t&e court after its ue e*ecution &as "een 'ro$e.
T&e 'ro"ate ma# "e unconteste or not. If unconteste( at
least one ientif#in) %itness is re!uire an( if no %itness is
a$aila"le( e*'erts ma# "e resorte to. If conteste( at least
t&ree ientif#in) %itnesses are re!uire. Ao%e$er( if t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill &as "een lost or estro#e an no ot&er co'#
is a$aila"le( t&e %ill can not "e 'ro"ate "ecause t&e "est
an onl# e$ience is t&e &an%ritin) of t&e testator in sai
%ill. It is necessar# t&at t&ere "e a com'arison "et%een
sam'le &an%ritten statements of t&e testator an t&e
&an%ritten %ill. But( a '&otostatic co'# or *ero* co'# of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# "e allo%e "ecause com'arison can "e
mae %it& t&e stanar %ritin)s of t&e testator. In t&e case of
Gan $s. Ja'( -=4 P&il. 7=>( t&e 0ourt rule t&at 8t&e
e*ecution an t&e contents of a lost or estro#e &olo)ra'&ic
%ill ma# not "e 'ro$e "# t&e "are testimon# of %itnesses
%&o &a$e seen an5or rea suc& %ill. T&e %ill itself must "e
'resente< ot&er%ise( it s&all 'rouce no effect. The la%
regards the doc"#ent itself as #aterial proof of
a"thenticity.6 But( in 2ootnote 9 of sai ecision( it sa#s t&at
8Per&a's it ma# "e 'ro$e "# a '&oto)ra'&ic or '&otostatic
co'#. E$en a mimeo)ra'&e or car"on co'#< or "# ot&er
similar means( if an#( %&ere"# t&e aut&enticit# of t&e
&an%ritin) of t&e ecease ma# "e e*&i"ite an teste
"efore t&e 'ro"ate court.8 E$ientl#( t&e '&otostatic or *ero*
co'# of t&e lost or estro#e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ma# "e
amitte "ecause t&en t&e aut&enticit# of t&e &an%ritin) of
t&e ecease can "e etermine "# t&e 'ro"ate court.
BAERE2ORE( t&e orer of t&e lo%er court ate Octo"er /(
->7>( en#in) a''ellant@s motion for reconsieration ate
Au)ust >( ->7>( of t&e Orer ate Gul# ./( ->7>( ismissin)
&er 'etition to a''ro$e t&e %ill of t&e late Ricaro B. Bonilla(
is &ere"# SET ASI:E.
A&aola !s. Singson
8Briefl# s'ea1in)( t&e follo%in) facts %ere
esta"lis&e "# t&e 'etitioner< t&at on Se'tem"er >(
->77( 2ortunata S. Va. e Jance ie at -/ Lus1ot(
Lue4on 0it#( 1no%n to "e t&e last resience of sai
testatri*< t&at 2rancisco A4aola( 'etitioner &erein for
'ro"ate of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill( su"mitte t&e sai
&olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, %&ere"# Haria Hila)ros
A4aola %as mae t&e sole &eir as a)ainst t&e
ne'&e% of t&e ecease 0esario Sin)son< t&at
%itness 2rancisco A4aola testifie t&at &e sa% t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, one mont&( more or less(
"efore t&e eat& of t&e testatri*( as t&e same %as
&ane to &im an &is %ife< t&at t&e %itness testifie
also t&at &e reco)ni4e all t&e si)natures a''earin)
in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill +E*&. 0, as t&e &an%ritin) of
t&e testatri* an to reinforce sai statement( %itness
'resente t&e mort)a)e +E*&. E,( t&e s'ecial 'o%er
of attorne# +E*&. 2,( an t&e )eneral 'o%er of
attorne# +E*&. 2D-,( "esies t&e ees of sale
+E*&s. G an GD-, incluin) an affia$it +E*&. GD.,(
an t&at t&ere %ere furt&er e*&i"ite in court t%o
resience certificates +E*&s. A an AD-, to s&o% t&e
si)natures of t&e testatri*( for com'arison 'ur'oses<
t&at sai %itness( A4aola( testifie t&at t&e
'enmans&i' a''earin) in t&e aforesai
ocumentar# e$ience is in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e
- jann - 56
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
testatri* as %ell as t&e si)natures a''earin) t&erein
are t&e si)natures of t&e testatri*< t&at sai %itness(
in ans%er to a !uestion of &is counsel amitte t&at
t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as &ane to &im "# t&e
testatri*( 8a''arentl# it must &a$e "een %ritten "#
&er8 +t.s.n.( '. --,. Ao%e$er( on 'a)e -? on t&e
same transcri't of t&e steno)ra'&ic notes( %&en t&e
same %itness %as as1e "# counsel if &e %as
familiar %it& t&e 'enmans&i' an &an%ritin) of t&e
ecease 2ortunata Va. e Jance( &e ans%ere
'ositi$el# in t&e affirmati$e an %&en &e %as as1e
a)ain %&et&er t&e 'enmans&i' referre to in t&e
're$ious ans%er as a''earin) in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill
+E*&. 0, %as &ers +testatri*@,( &e ans%ere( 8I %oul
efinitel# sa# it is &ers8< t&at it %as also esta"lis&e
in t&e 'roceein)s t&at t&e assesse $alue of t&e
'ro'ert# of t&e ecease in Lus1ot( Lue4on 0it#( is
in t&e amount of P7(===.==.8
T&e o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate %as on t&e )roun t&at +-, t&e
e*ecution of t&e %ill %as 'rocure "# unue an im'ro'er
'ressure an influence on t&e 'art of t&e 'etitioner an &is
%ife( an +., t&at t&e testatri* i not seriousl# inten t&e
instrument to "e &er last %ill( an t&at t&e same %as actuall#
%ritten eit&er on t&e 7t& or ?t& a# of Au)ust ->77 an not on
No$em"er .=( ->7? as a''ears on t&e %ill.
T&e 'ro"ate %as enie on t&e )roun t&at uner Article 9--
of t&e 0i$il 0oe( t&e 'ro'onent must 'resent t&ree
%itnesses %&o coul eclare t&at t&e %ill an t&e si)nature
are in t&e %ritin) of t&e testatri*( t&e 'ro"ate "ein) conteste<
an "ecause t&e lone %itness 'resente "# t&e 'ro'onent
8i not 'ro$e sufficientl# t&at t&e "o# of t&e %ill %as %ritten
in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e testatri*.8
T&e 'ro'onent a''eale( ur)in); first( t&at &e %as not "oun
to 'rouce more t&an one %itness "ecause t&e %ill@s
aut&enticit# %as not !uestione< an secon( t&at Article 9--
oes not manatoril# re!uire t&e 'rouction of t&ree
%itnesses to ientif# t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature of a
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( e$en if its aut&enticit# s&oul "e enie "#
t&e a$erse 'art#.
We agree with the appellant that since the authenticity of the
will was not contested, he was not required to produce more
than one witness7 but even if the genuineness of the
holographic will were contested, we are of the opinion that
%rticle ;(( of our present /ivil /ode can not be interpreted
as to require the compulsory presentation of three witnesses
to identify the handwriting of the testator, under penalty of
having the probate denied. @ince no witness may have been
present at the execution of a holographic will, none being
required by law ,%rt. ;(=, new /ivil /ode0, it becomes
obvious that the existence of witnesses possessing the
requisite qualifications is a matter beyond the control of the
proponent. 4or it is not merely a question of finding and
producing any three witnesses7 they must be witnesses who
$now the handwriting and signature of the testator and who
can declare ,truthfully, of course, even if the law does not so
express0 that the will and the signature are in the
handwriting of the testator. "here may be no available
witness acquainted with the testator's hand7 or even if so
familiari1ed, the witnesses may be unwilling to give a positive
opinion. /ompliance with the rule of paragraph ( of %rticle
;(( may thus become an impossibility.
%s can be seen, the law foresees the possibility that no
qualified witness may be found ,or what amounts to the
same thing, that no competent witness may be willing to
testify to the authenticity of the will0, and provides for resort
to expert evidence to supply the deficiency.
!t may be true that the rule of this article ,requiring that three
witnesses be presented if the will is contested and only one if
no contest is had0 was derived from the rule established for
ordinary testaments ,cf. /abang vs. Delfinado, *+ 8hil., 2)(7
"olentino vs. 4rancisco, +. 8hil. .*20. 5ut it can not be
ignored that the requirement can be considered mandatory
only in the case of ordinary testaments, precisely because
the presence of at least three witnesses at the execution of
ordinary wills is made by law essential to their validity ,%rt.
;=+0. Where the will is holographic, no witness need be
present ,%rt. (=0, and the rule requiring production of three
witnesses must be deemed merely permissive if absurd
results are to be avoided.
%gain, under %rticle ;((, the resort to expert evidence is
conditioned by the words if the /ourt deem it necessary,
which reveal that what the law deems essential is that the
/ourt should be convinced of the will's authenticity. Where
the prescribed number of witnesses is produced and the
court is convinced by their testimony that the will is genuine,
it may consider it unnecessary to call for expert evidence. On
the other hand, if no competent witness is available, or none
of those produced is convincing, the /ourt may still, and in
fact it should, resort to handwriting experts. "he duty of the
court, in fine, is to exhaust all available lines of inquiry, for the
state is as much interested as the proponent that the true
intention of the testator be carried into effect.
%nd because the law leaves it to the trial court to decide if
experts are still needed, no unfavourable inference can be
drawn from a party's failure to offer expert evidence, until and
unless the court expresses dissatisfaction with the testimony
of the lay witnesses. Our conclusion is that the rule of the
first paragraph of %rticle ;(( of the /ivil /ode is merely
directory and is not mandatory.
/onsidering, however, that this is the first occasion in which
this /ourt has been called upon to construe the import of
said article, the interest of 6ustice would be better served, in
our opinion, by giving the parties ample opportunity to
adduce additional evidence, including expert witnesses,
should the /ourt deem them necessary. !n view of the
foregoing, the decision appealed from is set aside, and the
records ordered remanded to the /ourt of origin, with
instructions to hold a new trial in conformity with this opinion.
5ut evidence already on record shall not be reta$en. <o
costs.
Codoy !s. Cal"gay
On A'ril ?( ->>=( E$an)eline 0alu)a#( Gose'&ine Salceo
an Eufemia Pati)as( e$isees an le)atees of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease Hatile SeOo Va. e
Ramonal( file %it& t&e Re)ional Trial 0ourt( Hisamis
Oriental( Branc& -9( a 'etition / for 'ro"ate of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease( %&o ie on Ganuar# -?(
->>=.
In t&e 'etition( res'onents claime t&at t&e ecease
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal( %as of soun an is'osin)
min %&en s&e e*ecute t&e %ill on Au)ust /=( ->79( t&at
- jann - 57
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
t&ere %as no frau( unue influence( an uress em'lo#e in
t&e 'erson of t&e testator( an t&e %ill %as %ritten $oluntaril#.
T&e assesse $alue of t&e eceent3s 'ro'ert#( incluin) all
real an 'ersonal 'ro'ert# %as a"out P4==(===.==( at t&e
time of &er eat&. 4
On Gune .9( ->>=( Eu)enia Ramonal 0oo# an Hanuel
Ramonal file an o''osition 7 to t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate(
alle)in) t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as a for)er# an t&at t&e
same is e$en ille)i"le. T&is )i$es an im'ression t&at a 8t&ir
&an8 of an intereste 'art# ot&er t&an t&e 8true &an8 of
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal e*ecute t&e &olo)ra'&ic
%ill.
Petitioners ar)ue t&at t&e re'eate ates incor'orate or
a''earin) on t&e %ill after e$er# is'osition is out of t&e
orinar#. If t&e ecease %as t&e one %&o e*ecute t&e %ill(
an %as not force( t&e ates an t&e si)nature s&oul
a''ear at t&e "ottom after t&e is'ositions( as re)ularl# one
an not after e$er# is'osition. An assumin) t&at t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill is in t&e &an%ritin) of t&e ecease( it %as
'rocure "# unue an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence on
t&e 'art of t&e "eneficiaries( or t&rou)& frau an tric1er#.
On :ecem"er -.( ->>=( res'onents file a notice of a''eal(
9 an in su''ort of t&eir a''eal( t&e res'onents once a)ain
reiterate t&e testimon# of t&e follo%in) %itnesses( namel#;
+-, Au)usto Neri< +., Generosa Senon< +/, Hatile Ramonal
Binana#< +4, Teresita Vea< +7, 2iscal Roolfo Ba)a< an
+?, E$an)eline 0alu)a#.
Accorin) to t&e 0ourt of A''eals( E$an)eline 0alu)a#(
Hatile Ramonal Binana# an ot&er %itnesses efinitel# an
in no uncertain terms testifie t&at t&e &an%ritin) an
si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %ere t&ose of t&e testator
&erself.T&us( u'on t&e unre"utte testimon# of a''ellant
E$an)eline 0alu)a# an %itness Hatile Ramonal Binana#(
t&e 0ourt of A''eals sustaine t&e aut&enticit# of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill an t&e &an%ritin) an si)nature t&erein(
an allo%e t&e %ill to 'ro"ate.
!n this petition, the petitioners as$ whether the provisions of
%rticle ;(( of the /ivil /ode are permissive or mandatory.
"he article provides, as a requirement for the probate of a
contested holographic will, that at least three witnesses
explicitly declare that the signature in the will is the genuine
signature of the testator.
Be are con$ince( "ase on t&e lan)ua)e use( t&at Article
9-- of t&e 0i$il 0oe is manator#. T&e %or 8s&all8 connotes
a manator# orer. Be &a$e rule t&at 8s&all8 in a statute
commonl# enotes an im'erati$e o"li)ation an is
inconsistent %it& t&e iea of iscretion an t&at t&e
'resum'tion is t&at t&e %or 8s&all(8 %&en use in a statute is
manator#.8 --
La%s are enacte to ac&ie$e a )oal intene an to )uie
a)ainst an e$il or misc&ief t&at aims to 're$ent. In t&e case at
"ar( t&e )oal to ac&ie$e is to )i$e effect to t&e %is&es of t&e
ecease an t&e e$il to "e 're$ente is t&e 'ossi"ilit# t&at
unscru'ulous ini$iuals %&o for t&eir "enefit %ill em'lo#
means to efeat t&e %is&es of t&e testator.
B&at Hs. Binana# sa% %ere 'reD're'are recei'ts an
letters of t&e ecease( %&ic& s&e eit&er maile or )a$e to
&er tenants. S&e i not eclare t&at s&e sa% t&e ecease
si)n a ocument or %rite a note. In &er testimon# it %as also
e$ient t&at Hs. Binana# 1e't t&e fact a"out t&e %ill from
'etitioners( t&e le)all# ao'te c&ilren of t&e ecease.
Suc& actions 'ut in issue &er moti$e of 1ee'in) t&e %ill a
secret to 'etitioners an re$ealin) it onl# after t&e eat& of
Hatile SeOo Va. e Ramonal. So( t&e onl# reason t&at
E$an)eline can )i$e as to %&# s&e %as familiar %it& t&e
&an%ritin) of t&e ecease %as "ecause s&e li$e %it& &er
since "irt&. S&e ne$er eclare t&at s&e sa% t&e ecease
%rite a note or si)n a ocument.
2rom t&e testimonies of t&ese %itnesses( t&e 0ourt of
A''eals allo%e t&e %ill to 'ro"ate an isre)ar t&e
re!uirement of t&ree %itnesses in case of conteste
&olo)ra'&ic %ill( citin) t&e ecision in A4aola $s. Sin)son( /-
rulin) t&at t&e re!uirement is merel# irector# an not
manator#. In t&e case of ACero $s. 0ourt of A''eals( /. %e
sai t&at 8t&e o"Cect of t&e solemnities surrounin) t&e
e*ecution of %ills is to close t&e oor a)ainst "a fait& an
frau( to a$oi su"stitution of %ills an testaments an to
)uarant# t&eir trut& an aut&enticit#. T&erefore( t&e la%s on
t&is su"Cect s&oul "e inter'rete in suc& a %a# as to attain
t&ese 'rimorial ens. But( on t&e ot&er &an( also one must
not lose si)&t of t&e fact t&at it is not t&e o"Cect of t&e la% to
restrain an curtail t&e e*ercise of t&e ri)&t to ma1e a %ill.8
Ao%e$er( %e cannot eliminate t&e 'ossi"ilit# of a false
ocument "ein) aCu)e as t&e %ill of t&e testator( %&ic& is
%&# if t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill is conteste( t&at la% re!uires
t&ree %itnesses to eclare t&at t&e %ill %as in t&e &an%ritin)
of t&e ecease. T&e %ill %as foun not in t&e 'ersonal
"elon)in)s of t&e ecease "ut %it& one of t&e res'onents(
%&o 1e't it e$en "efore t&e eat& of t&e ecease. In t&e
testimon# of Hs. Binana#( s&e re$eale t&at t&e %ill %as in
&er 'ossession as earl# as ->97( or fi$e #ears "efore t&e
eat& of t&e ecease.
T&ere %as no o''ortunit# for an e*'ert to com'are t&e
si)nature an t&e &an%ritin) of t&e ecease %it& ot&er
ocuments si)ne an e*ecute "# &er urin) &er lifetime.
T&e onl# c&ance at com'arison %as urin) t&e crossD
e*amination of Hs. Binana# %&en t&e la%#er of 'etitioners
as1e Hs. Binana# to com'are t&e ocuments %&ic&
containe t&e si)nature of t&e ecease %it& t&at of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill an s&e is not a &an%ritin) e*'ert. E$en t&e
former la%#er of t&e ecease e*'resse ou"ts as to t&e
aut&enticit# of t&e si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill.
A $isual e*amination of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill con$ince us t&at
t&e stro1es are ifferent %&en com'are %it& ot&er
ocuments %ritten "# t&e testator. T&e si)nature of t&e
testator in some of t&e is'osition is not reaa"le. T&ere
%ere une$en stro1es( retracin) an erasures on t&e %ill.
0om'arin) t&e si)nature in t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill ate Au)ust
/=( ->79( // an t&e si)natures in se$eral ocuments suc&
as t&e a''lication letter for 'asture 'ermit ate :ecem"er
/=( ->9=( /4 an a letter ate Gune -?( ->79( /7 t&e stro1es
are ifferent. In t&e letters( t&ere are continuous flo%s of t&e
stro1es( e$iencin) t&at t&ere is no &esitation in %ritin) unli1e
t&at of t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill. Be( t&erefore( cannot "e certain
t&at t&e &olo)ra'&ic %ill %as in t&e &an%ritin) "# t&e
ecease.
IN VIEB BAEREO2( t&e ecision a''eale from is SET
ASI:E. T&e recors are orere remane to t&e court of
ori)in %it& instructions to allo% 'etitioners to auce
e$ience in su''ort of t&eir o''osition to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e
&olo)ra'&ic %ill of t&e ecease Hatile SeOo Va. e
Ramonal.
E. Effect of Allo%ance of %ills
- jann - 58
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&e matter of ue e*ecution of t&e %ill an ca'acit# of t&e
testator ac!uire t&e c&aracter of res Cuicata an cannot
a)ain "e "rou)&t into !uestion( all Cuicial !uestions in
connection t&ere%it& "ein) for once an fore$er close.
T&e 'ro"ate court oes not loo1 u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
t&e %ill. Ao%e$er( it %as &el t&at t&e trial court ma# 'ass
u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# e$en "efore its formal $aliit# &a
"een esta"lis&e. Ot&er%ise( t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill mi)&t
"ecome an ile ceremon# if on its face it a''ears intrinsicall#
$oi. B&ere 'ractical consierations eman t&at t&e
intrinsic $aliit# of t&e %ill "e 'asse u'on e$en "efore
'ro"ate< t&e court s&oul meet t&e issue.
Dallanosa !s. Arcangel
T&e case in$ol$es t&e si*t#Done 'arcels of lan in Sorso)on
left "# 2lorentino Aitosis( %it& an estimate $alue of P7=(===(
an claims for ama)es e*ceein) one million 'esos.
On Gune .4( ->/> a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of &is %ill %as
file in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Sorso)on +S'ecial
Proceein) No. /-7-,. T&e notice of &earin) %as ul#
'u"lis&e In t&at %ill. 2lorentino "e!ueat&e &is oneD&alf
s&are in t&e conCu)al estate to &is secon %ife( Tecla
:ollentas( an( s&oul Tecla 'reecease &im( as %as t&e
case( &is oneD&alf s&are %oul "e assi)ne to t&e s'ouses
Pero Gallanosa an 0ora4on Grecia( t&e reason "ein) t&at
Pero( Tecla@s son "# &er first marria)e( )re% u' uner t&e
care of 2lorentino; &e &a treate Pero as &is foster c&il(
an Pero &as renere ser$ices to 2lorentino an Tecla.
2lorentino li1e%ise "e!ueat&e &is se'arate 'ro'erties
consistin) of t&ree 'arcels of a"aca lan an 'arcel of
ricelan to &is 'rote)e +sasacu#an) ataman, Aolfo
2ortaCaa( a minor.
On Octo"er .4( ->4-( t&e testamentar# &eirs( t&e Gallanosa
s'ouses an Aolfo 2ortaCaa( su"mitte a 'roCect of 'artition
co$erin) si*t#Done 'arcels of lan locate in $arious 'arts of
Sorso)on( lar)e cattle an se$eral 'ieces of 'ersonal
'ro'ert# %&ic& %ere istri"ute in accorance %it&
2lorentino@s %ill. T&e &eirs assume t&e o"li)ations of t&e
estate amountin) to P7(-.>..7 in t&e 'ortion of P.(/7?.4. for
Aolfo 2ortaCaa an P4(77..97 for t&e Gallanosa s'ouses.
T&e 'roCect of 'artition %as a''ro$e "# Gu)e :oroteo
Amaor in &is orer of Harc& -/( ->4/( t&us confirmin) t&e
&eirs@ 'ossession of t&eir res'ecti$e s&ares. T&e testator@s
le)al &eirs i not a''eal from t&e ecree of 'ro"ate an
from t&e orer of 'artition an istri"ution.
On 2e"ruar# .=( ->7.( Leon Aitosis an t&e &eirs of
2lorentino@s ecease "rot&ers an sisters institute an
action in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Sorso)on a)ainst
Pero Gallanosa for t&e reco$er# of t&e sai si*t#Done
'arcels of lan. T&e# alle)e t&at t&e#( "# t&emsel$es or
t&rou)& t&eir 'reecessorsDinDinterest( &a "een in
continuous 'ossession of t&ose lans en conce'to e ueOo
an t&at Gallanosa entere t&ose lans in ->7- an asserte
o%ners&i' o$er t&e lans. T&e# 'ra#e t&at t&e# "e eclare
t&e o%ners of t&e lans an t&at t&e# "e restore to t&e
'ossession t&ereof. T&e# also claime ama)es +0i$il 0ase
No. ?>?,.
T&e 'laintiffs i not a''eal from t&at orer of ismissal
%&ic& s&oul &a$e set t&e matter at rest. But t&e same
'laintiffs or o''ositors to t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( an t&eir
&eirs( %it& a 'ersistence "efittin) a more meritorious case(
file on Se'tem"er .-( ->?7( or fifteen #ears after t&e
ismissal of 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? an t%ent#Dei)&t #ears after
t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill( anot&er action in t&e same court
a)ainst t&e Gallanosa s'ouses an Aolfo 2ortaCaa for t&e
8annulment8 of t&e %ill of 2lorentino Aitosis an for t&e
reco$er# of t&e same si*t#Done 'arcels of lan. T&e# 'ra#e
for t&e a''ointment of a recei$er.
T&e 'etitioners or t&e efenants "elo% conten in t&is
certiorari case t&at t&e lo%er court &as no Curisiction to set
asie t&e ->/> ecree of 'ro"ate an t&e ->7. orer of
ismissal in 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? an t&at it acte %it& )ra$e
a"use of iscretion in not ismissin) 'ri$ate res'onents@
->?7 com'laint.
T&e issue is %&et&er( uner t&e facts set fort& a"o$e( t&e
'ri$ate res'onents &a$e a cause of action for t&e
8annulment8 of t&e %ill of 2lorentino Aitosis an for t&e
reco$er# of t&e si*t#Done 'arcels of lan aCuicate uner
t&at %ill to t&e 'etitioners. Be &ol t&at t&e lo%er court
committe a )ra$e a"use of iscretion in reconsieration its
orer of ismissal an in i)norin) t&e ->/> testamentar#
case an t&e ->7. 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? %&ic& is t&e same as
t&e instant ->?7 case.
B&at t&e 'laintiffs see1 is t&e 8annulment8 of a last %ill an
testament ul# 'ro"ate in ->/> "# t&e lo%er court itself. T&e
'roceein) is cou'le %it& an action to reco$er t&e lans
aCuicate to t&e efenants "# t&e same court in ->4/ "#
$irtue of t&e 'ro"ate %ill( %&ic& action is a resuscitation of
t&e com'laint of t&e same 'arties t&at t&e same court
ismisse in ->7.. It is e$ient from t&e alle)ations of t&e
com'laint an from efenants@ motion to ismiss t&at
'laintiffs@ ->?7 action is "arre "# res Cuicata a ou"leD
"arrelle efense( an "# 'rescri'tion( ac!uisiti$e an
e*tincti$e( or "# %&at are 1no%n in t&e Cus ci$ile an t&e Cus
)entium as usuca'io( lon)i tem'oris 'ossesio an
'raescri'tio +See Ramos $s. Ramos( LD->97.( :ecem"er /(
->74( ?- S0RA .94,.
Be sa# t&at t&e efense of res Cuicata( as a )roun for t&e
ismissal of 'laintiffs@ ->?7 com'laint( is a t%oD'ron)e
efense "ecause +-, t&e ->/> an ->4/ ecrees of 'ro"ate
an istri"ution in S'ecial Proceein) No. /-7- an +., t&e
->7. orer of ismissal in 0i$il 0ase No. ?>? of t&e lo%er
court constitute "ars "# former Cu)ment
T&e ->/> ecree of 'ro"ate is conclusi$e as to t&e ue
e*ecution or formal $aliit# of t&e %ill. T&at means t&at t&e
testator %as of soun an is'osin) min at t&e time %&en
&e e*ecute t&e %ill an %as not actin) uner uress(
menace( frau( or unue influence< t&at t&e %ill %as si)ne
"# &im in t&e 'resence of t&e re!uire num"er of %itnesses(
an t&at t&e %ill is )enuine an is not a for)er#. Accorin)l#(
t&ese facts cannot a)ain "e !uestione in a su"se!uent
'roceein)( not e$en in a criminal action for t&e for)er# of t&e
%ill. After t&e finalit# of t&e allo%ance of a %ill( t&e issue as to
t&e $oluntariness of its e*ecution cannot "e raise an#more
!t is a fundamental concept in the organi1ation of every 6ural
system, a principle of public policy, that, at the ris$ of
occasional errors, 6udgments of courts should become final
at some definite date fixed by law. !nterest rei publicae ut
finis sit litum. "he very ob6ect for which the courts were
constituted was to put an end to controversies. %fter the
period for see$ing relief from a final order or 6udgment under
9ule 3; of the 9ules of /ourt has expired, a final 6udgment or
order can be set aside only on the grounds of ,a0 lac$ of
6urisdiction or lac$ of due process of law or ,b0 that the
6udgment was obtained by means of extrinsic or collateral
fraud. !n the latter case, the period for annulling the 6udgment
is four years from the discovery of the fraud
- jann - 59
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
T&at rulin) is a )larin) error Article -4-= cannot 'ossi"l#
a''l# to last %ills an testaments. T&e trial court an
'laintiffs@ counsel relie u'on t&e case of :in)le $s.
Guillermo( 49 O.G. 44-=( alle)el# ecie "# t&is 0ourt(
%&ic& cite t&e rulin) in Ti'ton $s. Velasco( ? P&il. ?7( t&at
mere la'se of time cannot )i$e efficac# to $oi contracts( a
rulin) ele$ate to t&e cate)or# of a coal 'ro$ision in article
-4-=. T&e :in)le case %as ecie "# t&e 0ourt of A''eals.
E$en t&e trial court i not ta1e 'ains to $erif# t&e
misre'resentation of 'laintiffs@ counsel t&at t&e :in)le case
%as ecie "# t&is 0ourt. An elementar# 1no%le)e of ci$il
la% coul &a$e alerte t&e trial court to t&e e)re)ious error of
'laintiffs@ counsel in ar)uin) t&at article -4-= a''lies to %ills.
-oerts !s. Leonidas
T&e !uestion in t&is case is %&et&er a 'etition for allo%ance
of %ills an to annul a 'artition( a''ro$e in an intestate
'roceein) "# Branc& .= of t&e Hanila 0ourt of 2irst
Instance( can "e entertaine "# its Branc& /9 +after a 'ro"ate
in t&e Ita& istrict court,.
Anteceents. S E%ar H. Grimm( an American resient of
Hanila( ie at 79 in t&e Ha1ati Heical 0enter on No$em"er
.7( ->77. Ae %as sur$i$e "# &is secon %ife( Ha*ine Tate
Grimm( an t&eir t%o c&ilren( name E%ar Hiller Grimm II
+Pete, an Lina Grimm( an "# Guanita Grimm Horris an
Et&el Grimm Ro"erts +Hc2aen,( &is t%o c&ilren "# a first
marria)e %&ic& ene in i$orce +Su"DAnne*es A an B( ''.
/?D47( Rollo,.
Ae e*ecute on Ganuar# ./( ->7> t%o %ills in San 2rancisco(
0alifornia. One %ill is'ose of &is P&ili''ine estate %&ic& &e
escri"e as conCu)al 'ro'ert# of &imself an &is secon
%ife. T&e secon %ill is'ose of &is estate outsie t&e
P&ili''ines.
In "ot& %ills( t&e secon %ife an t%o c&ilren %ere fa$ore.
T&e t%o c&ilren of t&e first marria)e %ere )i$en t&eir
le)itimes in t&e %ill is'osin) of t&e estate situate in t&is
countr#. In t&e %ill ealin) %it& &is 'ro'ert# outsie t&is
countr#( t&e testator sai; 8I 'ur'osel# &a$e mae no
'ro$ision in t&is %ill for m# au)&ter( Guanita Grimm Horris(
or m# au)&ter( Elsa Grimm Hc2aen +Et&el Grimm
Ro"erts,( "ecause I &a$e 'ro$ie for eac& of t&em in a
se'arate %ill is'osin) of m# P&ili''ine 'ro'ert#.8 +2irst
clause( ''. 4/D47( Rollo,.
T&e t%o %ills an a coicil %ere 'resente for 'ro"ate "#
Ha*ine Tate Grimm an E. La Var Tate on Harc& 7( ->79 in
Pro"ate No. /7.= of t&e T&ir Guicial :istrict 0ourt of Tooele
0ount#( Ita&. Guanita Grimm Horris of 0u'ertino( 0alifornia
an Hrs. Ro"erts of -7 0. Benite4 Street( Aorses&oe Villa)e(
Lue4on 0it# %ere notifie of t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)
T%o %ee1s later( or on A'ril .7( ->79( Ha*ine an &er t%o
c&ilren Lina an Pete( as t&e first 'arties( an Et&el(
Guanita Grimm Horris an t&eir mot&er Guanita Ke)le#
Grimm( as t&e secon 'arties( %it& 1no%le)e of t&e
intestate 'roceein) in Hanila( entere into a com'romise
a)reement in Ita& re)arin) t&e estate. It %as si)ne "#
:a$i E. Salis"ur# an :onal B. Aol"roo1( as la%#ers of t&e
'arties( "# Pete an Lina an t&e attorne#DinDfact of Ha*ine
an "# t&e attorne#DinDfact of Et&el( Guanita Grimm Horris
an Guanita Ke)le# Grimm.
In t&at a)reement( it %as sti'ulate t&at Ha*ine( Pete an
Et&el %oul "e esi)nate as 'ersonal re'resentati$es
+aministrators, of Grimm@s P&ili''ine estate +'ar. .,. It %as
also sti'ulate t&at Ha*ine@s oneD&alf conCu)al s&are in t&e
estate s&oul "e reser$e for &er an t&at %oul not "e less
t&an R-(7==(=== 'lus t&e &omes in Ita& an Santa Hesa(
Hanila +'ar. 4,. T&e a)reement inicate t&e com'utation of
t&e 8net istri"uta"le estate8. It reco)ni4e t&at t&e estate
%as lia"le to 'a# t&e fees of t&e An)ara la% firm
Actin) on t&e eclaration of &eirs an 'roCect of 'artition
si)ne an file "# la%#ers Lim!ueco an Hacarae) +not
si)ne "# Ha*ine an &er t%o c&ilren,( Gu)e 0onrao H.
Holina in &is orer of Gul# .7( ->7> aCuicate to Ha*ine
oneD&alf +459, of t&e eceent@s P&ili''ine estate an oneD
ei)&t& +-59, eac& to &is four c&ilren or -.D-5.V +''. -4=D
-4.( Recor,. No mention at all %as mae of t&e %ill in t&at
orer.
Petition to annul 'artition an testate 'roceein) No. -/477>.
S On Se'tem"er 9( ->9=( Ro)elio A. Vinluan of t&e An)ara
la% firm( in "e&alf of Ha*ine( Pete an Lina( file in Branc&
/9 of t&e lo%er court a 'etition 'ra#in) for t&e 'ro"ate of
Grimm@s t%o %ills +alrea# 'ro"ate in Ita&,( t&at t&e ->7>
'artition a''ro$e "# t&e intestate court "e set asie an t&e
letters of aministration re$o1e( t&at Ha*ine "e a''ointe
e*ecutri* an t&at Et&el an Guanita Horris "e orere to
account for t&e 'ro'erties recei$e "# t&em an to return t&e
same to Ha*ine +''. .7D/7( Rollo,.
Grimm@s secon %ife an t%o c&ilren alle)e t&at t&e# %ere
efrau ue to t&e mac&inations of t&e Ro"erts s'ouses( t&at
t&e ->79 Ita& com'romise a)reement %as ille)al( t&at t&e
intestate 'roceein) is $oi "ecause Grimm ie testate an
t&at t&e 'artition %as contrar# to t&e eceent@s %ills.
Et&el file a motion to ismiss t&e 'etition. Gu)e Leonias
enie it for lac1 of merit in &is orer of Octo"er .7( ->9=.
Et&el t&en file a 'etition for certiorari an 'ro&i"ition in t&is
0ourt( 'ra#in) t&at t&e testate 'roceein) "e ismisse( or(
alternati$el# t&at t&e t%o 'roceein)s "e consoliate an
&ear in Branc& .= an t&at t&e matter of t&e annulment of
t&e Ita& com'romise a)reement "e &ear 'rior to t&e
'etition for 'ro"ate +''. ..D./( Rollo,.
Rulin). S Be &ol t&at res'onent Cu)e i not commit an#
)ra$e a"use of iscretion( amountin) to lac1 of Curisiction( in
en#in) Et&el@s motion to ismiss.
A testate 'roceein) is 'ro'er in t&is case "ecause Grimm
ie %it& t%o %ills an 8no %ill s&all 'ass eit&er real or
'ersonal 'ro'ert# unless it is 'ro$e an allo%e8 +Art. 9/9(
0i$il 0oe< sec. -( Rule 77( Rules of 0ourt,. T&e 'ro"ate of
t&e %ill is manator# +Gue$ara $s. Gue$ara( 74 P&il. 47> an
>9 P&il. .4>< Balu#ot $s. PaOo( LD4.=99( Ha# 7( ->7?( 7-
S0RA 9?,. It is anomalous t&at t&e estate of a 'erson %&o
ie testate s&oul "e settle in an intestate 'roceein).
T&erefore( t&e intestate case s&oul "e consoliate %it& t&e
testate 'roceein) an t&e Cu)e assi)ne to t&e testate
'roceein) s&oul continue &earin) t&e t%o cases.
Et&el ma# file %it&in t%ent# a#s from notice of t&e finalit# of
t&is Cu)ment an o''osition an ans%er to t&e 'etition unless
s&e consiers &er motion to ismiss an ot&er 'leain)s
sufficient for t&e 'ur'ose. Guanita G. Horris( %&o a''eare in
t&e intestate case( s&oul "e ser$e %it& co'ies of orers(
notices an ot&er 'a'ers in t&e testate case. BAERE2ORE(
- jann - 60
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
t&e 'etition is ismisse. T&e tem'orar# restrainin) orer is
issol$e. No costs.
Nepo#"ceno !s. CA
Hartin Gu)o ie on Gul# -?( ->74 in Hala"on( Ri4al. Ae left
a last Bill an Testament ul# si)ne "# &im at t&e en of t&e
Bill on 'a)e t&ree an on t&e left mar)in of 'a)es -( . an 4
t&ereof in t&e 'resence of 0elestina AleCanro( H#rna 0.
0orte4( an Leanro LeaOo( %&o in turn( affi*e t&eir
si)natures "elo% t&e attestation clause an on t&e left mar)in
of 'a)es -( . an 4 of t&e Bill in t&e 'resence of t&e testator
an of eac& ot&er an t&e Notar# Pu"lic. T&e Bill %as
ac1no%le)e "efore t&e Notar# Pu"lic Romeo Escareal "#
t&e testator an &is t&ree attestin) %itnesses.
In t&e sai Bill( t&e testator name an a''ointe &erein
'etitioner Sofia G. Ne'omuceno as &is sole an onl# e*ecutor
of &is estate. It is clearl# state in t&e Bill t&at t&e testator
%as le)all# marrie to a certain Rufina Gome4 "# %&om &e
&a t%o le)itimate c&ilren( Oscar an 0armelita( "ut since
->7.( &e &a "een estran)e from &is la%full# %ee %ife
an &a "een li$in) %it& 'etitioner as &us"an an %ife. In
fact( on :ecem"er 7( ->7.( t&e testator Hartin Gu)o an t&e
'etitioner &erein( Sofia G. Ne'omuceno %ere marrie in
Victoria( Tarlac "efore t&e Gustice of t&e Peace. T&e testator
e$ise to &is force &eirs( namel#( &is le)al %ife Rufina
Gome4 an &is c&ilren Oscar an 0armelita &is entire
estate an t&e free 'ortion t&ereof to &erein 'etitioner.
On Au)ust .-( ->74( t&e 'etitioner file a 'etition for t&e
'ro"ate of t&e last Bill an Testament of t&e ecease Hartin
Gu)o in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al( Branc& WWWIV(
0aloocan 0it# an as1e for t&e issuance to &er of letters
testamentar#. On Ha# -/( ->77( t&e le)al %ife of t&e testator(
Rufina Gome4 an &er c&ilren file an o''osition alle)in)
inter alia t&at t&e e*ecution of t&e Bill %as 'rocure "#
unue an im'ro'er influence on t&e 'art of t&e 'etitioner<
t&at at t&e time of t&e e*ecution of t&e Bill( t&e testator %as
alrea# $er# sic1 an t&at 'etitioner &a$in) amitte &er
li$in) in concu"ina)e %it& t&e testator( s&e is %antin) in
inte)rit# an t&us letters testamentar# s&oul not "e issue
to &er.
On Ganuar# ?( ->7?( t&e lo%er court enie t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e Bill on t&e )roun t&at as t&e testator amitte in &is Bill
to co&a"itin) %it& t&e 'etitioner from :ecem"er ->7. until &is
eat& on Gul# -?( ->74( t&e Bill@s amission to 'ro"ate %ill
"e an ile e*ercise "ecause on t&e face of t&e Bill( t&e
in$aliit# of its intrinsic 'ro$isions is e$ient.
On Gune .( ->9.( t&e res'onent court set asie t&e ecision
of t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al en#in) t&e 'ro"ate of
t&e Bill. T&e res'onent court eclare t&e Bill to "e $ali
e*ce't t&at t&e e$ise in fa$or of t&e 'etitioner is null an
$oi 'ursuant to Article 7/> in relation %it& Article -=.9 of t&e
0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines.
T&e main issue raise "# t&e 'etitioner is %&et&er or not t&e
res'onent court acte in e*cess of its Curisiction %&en after
eclarin) t&e last Bill an Testament of t&e ecease Hartin
Gu)o $alil# ra%n( it %ent on to 'ass u'on t&e intrinsic
$aliit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of &erein
'etitioner.
T&e 'etitioner su"mits t&at t&e $aliit# of t&e testamentar#
'ro$ision in &er fa$or cannot "e 'asse u'on an ecie in
t&e 'ro"ate 'roceein)s "ut in some ot&er 'roceein)s
"ecause t&e onl# 'ur'ose of t&e 'ro"ate of a Bill is to
esta"lis& conclusi$el# as a)ainst e$er#one t&at a Bill %as
e*ecute %it& t&e formalities re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e
testator &as t&e mental ca'acit# to e*ecute t&e same. T&e
'etitioner furt&er contens t&at e$en if t&e 'ro$isions of
'ara)ra'& - of Article 7/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe of t&e P&ili''ines
%ere a''lica"le( t&e eclaration of its nullit# coul onl# "e
mae "# t&e 'ro'er court in a se'arate action "rou)&t "# t&e
le)al %ife for t&e s'ecific 'ur'ose of o"tainin) a eclaration
of t&e nullit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in t&e Bill in fa$or
of t&e 'erson %it& %&om t&e testator %as alle)el# )uilt# of
aulter# or concu"ina)e.
Be a)ree %it& t&e res'onents. T&e res'onent court acte
%it&in its Curisiction %&en after eclarin) t&e Bill to "e
$alil# ra%n( it %ent on to 'ass u'on t&e intrinsic $aliit# of
t&e Bill an eclare t&e e$ise in fa$or of t&e 'etitioner null
an $oi. T&e )eneral rule is t&at in 'ro"ate 'roceein)s( t&e
court@s area of in!uir# is limite to an e*amination an
resolution of t&e e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e Bill.
8Art IV. T&at since ->7.( I &a$e "een
li$in)( as man an %ife( %it& one Sofia G.
Ne'omuceno( %&om I eclare an a$o% to
"e entitle to ma# lo$e an affection( for all
t&e t&in)s %&ic& s&e &as one for me( no%
an in t&e 'ast< t&at %&ile Sofia G.
Ne'omuceno &as %it& m# full 1no%le)e
an consent( i com'ort an re'resent
m#self as &er o%n &us"an( in trut& an in
fact( as %ell as in t&e e#es of t&e la%( I
coul not "in &er to me in t&e &ol# "ons
of matrimon# "ecause of m#
aforementione 're$ious marria)e<8
T&e rule( &o%e$er( is not infle*i"le an a"solute. Gi$en
e*ce'tional circumstances( t&e 'ro"ate court is not
'o%erless to o %&at t&e situation constrains it to o an
'ass u'on certain 'ro$isions of t&e Bill.
In Nu)ui $. Nu)ui +-7 S0RA 44>, cite "# t&e trial court(
t&e testator institute t&e 'etitioner as uni$ersal &eir an
com'letel# 'reterite &er sur$i$in) force &eirs. A %ill of t&is
nature( no matter &o% $ali it ma# a''ear e*trinsicall#( %oul
"e null an $oi. Se'arate or latter 'roceein)s to etermine
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e testamentar# 'ro$isions %oul "e
su'erfluous.
8Be are of t&e o'inion t&at in $ie% of certain unusual
'ro$isions of t&e %ill( %&ic& are of u"ious le)alit#( an
"ecause of t&e motion to %it&ra% t&e 'etition for 'ro"ate
+%&ic& t&e lo%er court assume to &a$e "een file %it& t&e
'etitioner@s aut&ori4ation,( t&e trial court acte correctl# in
'assin) u'on t&e %ill@s intrinsic $aliit# e$en "efore its formal
$aliit# &a "een esta"lis&e. T&e 'ro"ate of a %ill mi)&t
"ecome an ile ceremon# if on its face it a''ears to "e
intrinsicall# $oi. B&ere 'ractical consierations eman t&at
t&e intrinsic $aliit# of t&e %ill "e 'asse u'on( e$en "efore it
is 'ro"ate( t&e court s&oul meet t&e issue
T&ere a''ears to "e no more is'ute at t&is time o$er t&e
e*trinsic $aliit# of t&e Bill. Bot& 'arties are a)ree t&at t&e
Bill of Hartin Gu)o %as e*ecute %it& all t&e formalities
re!uire "# la% an t&at t&e testator &a t&e mental ca'acit#
to e*ecute &is Bill. T&e 'etitioner states t&at s&e com'letel#
a)rees %it& t&e res'onent court %&en in resol$in) t&e
!uestion of %&et&er or not t&e 'ro"ate court correctl# enie
- jann - 61
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
t&e 'ro"ate of Hartin Gu)o@s last Bill an Testament( T&e
onl# issue( t&erefore( is t&e Curisiction of t&e res'onent
court to eclare t&e testamentar# 'ro$ision in fa$or of t&e
'etitioner as null an $oi.
T&ere is no !uestion from t&e recors a"out t&e fact of a 'rior
e*istin) marria)e %&en Hartin Gu)o e*ecute &is Bill. T&ere
is also no is'ute t&at t&e 'etitioner an Hr. Gu)o li$e
to)et&er in an ostensi"le marital relations&i' for .. #ears
until &is eat&. It is also a fact t&at on :ecem"er .( ->7.(
Hartin Gu)o an Sofia G. Ne'omuceno contracte a marria)e
"efore t&e Gustice of t&e Peace of Victoria( Tarlac. T&e man
%as t&en 7- #ears ol %&ile t&e %oman %as 49.
Ne'omuceno no% contens t&at s&e acte in )oo fait& for
.. #ears in t&e "elief t&at s&e %as le)all# marrie to t&e
testator.
Horeo$er( t&e 'ro&i"ition in Article 7/> of t&e 0i$il 0oe is
a)ainst t&e ma1in) of a onation "et%een 'ersons %&o are
li$in) in aulter# or concu"ina)e. It is t&e onation %&ic&
"ecomes $oi. T&e )i$er cannot )i$e e$en assumin) t&at t&e
reci'ient ma# recei$e. T&e $er# %orin)s of t&e Bill
in$aliate t&e le)ac# "ecause t&e testator amitte &e %as
is'osin) t&e 'ro'erties to a 'erson %it& %&om &e &a "een
li$in) in concu"ina)e. BAERE2ORE( t&e 'etition is
:ISHISSE: for lac1 of merit.
W. :ISALLOBAN0E O2 BILLS
Art. #%9. "he will shall be disallowed in any of the
followin! cases,
(-) f the formalities required by law have
not been complied with.
($) f the testator was insane, or otherwise
mentally incapable of ma+in! a will, at the
time of its e&ecution.
(%) f it was e&ecuted throu!h force or under
duress, or the influence of fear, or threats.
(/) f it was procured by undue and
improper pressure and influence, on the
part of the beneficiary or of some other
person.
(5) f the si!nature of the testator was
procured by fraud.
(*) f the testator acted by mista+e or did not
intend that the instrument he si!ned should
be his will at the time of affi&in! his
si!nature thereto. (n)
Art. -%%5. "here is violence when in order to wrest
consent, serious or irresistible force is employed.
"here is intimidation when one of the contractin!
parties is compelled by a reasonable and well<
!rounded fear of an imminent and !rave evil upon
his person or property, or upon the person or
property of his spouse, descendants or ascendants,
to !ive his consent.
"o determine the de!ree of intimidation, the a!e, se&
and condition of the person shall be borne in mind.
A threat to enforce one3s claim throu!h competent
authority, if the claim is 1ust or le!al, does not vitiate
consent. (-$*7a)
Art. -%%*. ?iolence or intimidation shall annul the
obli!ation, althou!h it may have been employed by a
third person who did not ta+e part in the contract.
(-$*#)
Art. -%%7. "here is undue influence when a person
ta+es improper advanta!e of his power over the will
of another, deprivin! the latter of a reasonable
freedom of choice. "he followin! circumstances
shall be considered, the confidential, family,
spiritual and other relations between the parties, or
the fact that the person alle!ed to have been unduly
influenced was sufferin! from mental wea+ness, or
was i!norant or in financial distress. (n)
Art. -%%#. "here is fraud when, throu!h insidious
words or machinations of one of the contractin!
parties, the other is induced to enter into a contract
which, without them, he would not have a!reed to.
(-$*9)
T: A will void as to form does not transmit property. But it
can ive rise to a natural obliation( so that even if a leatee
named therein cannot leally claim the leacy& the voluntary
delivery thereof by the intestate heir is valid.
's a will e%ecuted by virtue of fraud upon testator susceptible
of ratification@
T: #e submit that this conclusion overloo$s the difference
between the law on wills and the law on contracts. 'n the law
on contracts& fraud merely ma$es the contract voidable( while
in the law on wills& fraud is a round for the disallowance of
the will& that is& it renders the will void ab initio. There is
nothin in the law on wills which allows implied confirmation
or ratification of a void will& while there are provsions
allowin it in the law on contracts.
2owever& the fact that the test)3 did nor revo$e his will after
$nowlede of the alleed fraud may be evidence aainst the
e%istence of fraud.
4asc"al !s. Dela Cr"&
On . Ganuar# ->?=( 0atalina e la 0ru4( sin)le an %it&out
an# sur$i$in) escenant or ascenant( ie at t&e a)e of 9>
in &er resience at San Ro!ue( Na$otas( Ri4al. On -4
Ganuar# ->?=( a 'etition for t&e 'ro"ate of &er alle)e %ill
%as file in t&e 0ourt of 2irst Instance of Ri4al "# Anres
Pascual( %&o %as name in t&e sai %ill as e*ecutor an
sole &eir of t&e eceent.
-
O''osin) t&e 'etition( Pero e la 0ru4 an .? ot&er
ne'&e%s an nieces of t&e late 0atalina e la 0ru4 conteste
t&e $aliit# of t&e %ill on t&e )rouns t&at t&e formalities
- jann - 62
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
re!uire "# la% %ere not com'lie %it&< t&at t&e testatri* %as
mentall# inca'a"le of is'osin) of &er 'ro'erties "# %ill at
t&e time of its e*ecution< t&at t&e %ill %as 'rocure "# unue
an im'ro'er 'ressure an influence on t&e 'art of t&e
'etitioner< an t&at t&e si)nature of t&e testatri* %as o"taine
t&rou)& frau.
After &earin)( urin) %&ic& t&e 'arties 'resente t&eir
res'ecti$e e$iences( t&e 'ro"ate court renere Cu)ment
u'&olin) t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill( an( as t&erein
'ro$ie( a''ointe 'etitioner Anres Pascual e*ecutor an
aministrator of t&e estate of t&e late 0atalina e la 0ru4
%it&out "on. T&e o''ositors a''eale irectl# to t&e 0ourt(
t&e 'ro'erties in$ol$e "ein) $alue at more t&an
P/==(===.==( raisin) onl# t&e issue of t&e ue e*ecution of
t&e %ill.
In t&is instance( o''ositorsDa''ellees claim t&at t&e
lo%er court erre in )i$in) creence to t&e testimonies of t&e
su"scri"in) %itnesses an t&e notar# t&at t&e %ill %as ul#
e*ecute( not%it&stanin) t&e e*istence of inconsistencies
an contraictions in t&e testimonies( an in isre)arin)
t&eir e$ience t&at t&e %ill %as not si)ne "# all t&e
%itnesses in t&e 'resence of one anot&er( in $iolation of t&e
re!uirement of t&e la%.
In t&is Curisiction( it is t&e o"ser$e rule t&at( %&ere a
%ill is conteste( t&e su"scri"in) %it& are )enerall# re)are
as t&e "est !ualifie to testif# on its ue e*ecution. Ao%e$er(
it is similarl# reco)ni4e t&at for t&e testimon# of suc&
%itnesses to "e entitle to full creit( it must "e reasona"le
an un"iase( an not o$ercome "# com'etent e$ience(
irect or circumstantial.
.
2or it must "e remem"ere t&at t&e
la% oes not sim'l# re!uire t&e 'resence of t&ree
instrumental %itnesses< it emans t&at t&e %itnesses "e
crei"le.
/
In connection %it& t&e issue uner consieration( %e
a)ree %it& t&e trial Cu)e t&at t&e contraictions an
inconsistencies a''earin) in t&e testimonies of t&e %itnesses
an t&e notar#( 'ointe out "# t&e o''ositorsDa''ellants
+suc& as t&e %eat&er conition at t&e time t&e %ill %as
e*ecute< t&e se!uence of t&e si)nin) "# t&e %itnesses< an
t&e len)t& of time it too1 to com'lete t&e act,( relate to
unim'ortant etails of t&e im'ressions of t&e %itnesses a"out
certain etails %&ic& coul &a$e "een affecte "# t&e la'se of
time an t&e treac&er# of &uman memor#( an %&ic&
inconsistencies( "# t&emsel$es( %oul not alter t&e 'ro"ati$e
$alue of t&eir testimonies on t&e ue e*ecution of t&e %ill Mcf.
Peo. $s. Si)ue( 9? P&il. -/>D-4= +/ #ears inter$al,N.
Not &a$in) &ear Gion)co testif#( t&is court is not in a 'osition
to contraict t&e a''reciation of t&e trial court t&at t&e $oice
in t&e ta'e recorin) %as not reall# t&at of Gion)co. An
consierin) t&at &e enie t&at fact uner oat&( t&at t&e ta'e
recorin) %as not su''orte "# trul# im'artial e$ience( an
%as one %it&out t&e 1no%le)e of t&e %itness( %e cannot
see our %a# clear to rule t&at Gion)co &as "een successfull#
im'eac&e( an s&o%n )uilt# of false testimon#. It %oul "e
an)erous to rule ot&er%ise.
T&e secon 'oint t&at reners increi"le t&e alle)e
assertion of Gion)co in t&e ta'e recorin)( t&at &e si)ne t&e
testament onl# in ->79 or ->7>( is t&at in t&e Notarial
Re)istr# of t&e notar#( Gatula( t&e ratification of t&e
testament a''ears amon) t&e entries for ->74( as %ell as in
t&e corres'onin) co'ies +E*&i"it I, file "# &im %it&
Bonifacio Sumulon)( t&e em'lo#ee in c&ar)e of t&e Notarial
Section of t&e 0ler1 of 0ourt@s office( %&o 'rouce t&em at
t&e trial u'on su"'oena( an %&o testifie to &is &a$in)
searc&e for an foun t&em in t&e $aults of t&e 0ler1 of
0ourt@s office. No e$ience e*ists t&at t&ese ocuments %ere
not surrenere an file at t&e 0ler1 of 0ourt@s office( as
re!uire "# la%( an in t&e re)ular course of official ut#.
0ertainl#( t&e notar# coul not &a$e re'orte in ->74 %&at i
not &a''en until ->79.
In $ie% of t&e e$ience( %e o not feel Custifie in
concluin) t&at t&e trial court erre in acce'tin) t&e
concorant testimon# of t&e instrumental %itnesses as
%arrantin) t&e 'ro"ate of t&e %ill in !uestion( ta1in) into
account t&e une*celle o''ortunit# of t&e court a !uo to
o"ser$e t&e emeanor( an Cu)e t&e crei"ilit#( of t&e
%itness t&ere"#. 2urt&ermore( it %oul not "e t&e first time in
t&is Curisiction t&at a %ill &as "een amitte to 'ro"ate e$en
if t&e instrumental %itness testifie contrar# to t&e ot&er t%o(
'ro$ie t&e court is satisfie( as in t&is case( t&at t&e %ill
%as e*ecute an atteste in t&e manner 'ro$ie "# la%
+2ernane4 $s. Tantoco( 4> P&il. /9=< Tolentino $s.
2rancisco( 77 P&il. 74.< 0u#u)an $s. Baron( ?> P&il. ?/><
Ramire4 $s. Butte( -== P&il ?/7,. T&ere is )reater reason to
amit t&e %ill to 'ro"ate %&ere onl# t&e testimon# of one
%itness is su"Cecte to serious( if unsuccessful attac1.
0ontestants furt&er assail t&e amission to 'ro"ate on
t&e )roun t&at t&e e*ecution of t&e %ill %as tainte "# frau
an unue influence e*erte "# 'ro'onent on t&e testari*(
an affirm t&at it %as error for t&e lo%er court to &a$e
reCecte t&eir claim. Sai t&e court in t&is re)ar +Recor on
A''eal( 'a)e 97,;
Before consierin) t&e correctness of t&ese finin)s( it is
%ort&%&ile to recall t&e "asic 'rinci'les on unue 'ressure
an influence as lai o%n "# t&e Curis'ruence of t&is 0ourt;
that to e s"fficient to a!oid a %ill, the infl"ence e7erted
#"st e of a ;ind that so o!erpo%ers and s"'"gates the
#ind of the testator as to destroy his free agency and
#a;e hi# e7press the %ill of another rather than his o%n
+0oso $s. 2ernane4 :e4a( 4. P&il. 7>?< Icasiano $s.
Icasiano( LD-9>7>( /= Gune ->?4< Teotico $s. :el Val( LD
-977/( .? Harc& ->?,< t&at t&e contention t&at a %ill %as
o"taine "# unue influence or im'ro'er 'ressure cannot "e
sustaine on mere conCecture or sus'icion( as it is enou)&
t&at t&ere %as o''ortunit# to e*ercise unue influence( or a
'ossi"ilit# t&at it ma# &a$e "een e*ercise +O4aeta $s.
0uartero( LD77>7( /- Ha# ->7?,< t&at t&e e*ercise of
im'ro'er 'ressure an unue influence must "e su''orte
"# su"stantial e$ience t&at it %as actuall# e*ercise
+O4atea $s. 0uartero( ante< Teotico $s. :el Val( LD-977/( .?
Harc& ->?7,< t&at t&e "uren is on t&e 'erson c&allen)in)
t&e %ill to s&o% t&at suc& influence %as e*erte at t&e time of
its e*ecution +Teotico $s. :el Val( ante,< t&at mere )eneral or
reasona"le influence is not sufficient to in$aliate a %ill +0oso
$s. 2ernane4 :e4a( ante,< nor is moerate an reasona"le
solicitation an entreat# aresse to t&e testator +Barreto
$s. Re#es( LD79/-D/-( /- Ganuar# ->7?,( or omission of
relati$es( not force &eirs( e$ience of unue influence
+Bu)nao $s. I"a)( -4 P&il. -?/< Pecson $s. 0oronel( 47 P&il.
4-?,.
Teste a)ainst t&ese rulin)s( t&e circumstances
mars&alle "# t&e contestants certainl# fail to esta"lis& actual
unue influence or im'ro'er 'ressure e*ercise on t&e
testari* "# t&e 'ro'onent. T&eir main reliance is on t&e
assertion of t&e latter( in t&e course of &is testimon#( t&at t&e
ecease 8i not li1e to si)n an#t&in) unless I 1ne% it8
+t.s.n.( 'a)e 7( .7 Ganuar# ->?.,( %&ic& oes not amount to
'roof t&at s&e %oul si)n an#t&in) t&at 'ro'onent esire.
On t&e contrar#( t&e e$ience of contestantsDa''ellants( t&at
- jann - 63
Wills & Succession/ Atty Uribe
'ro'onent 'urc&ase a "uilin) in Hanila for t&e testari*(
'lace t&e title in &is name( "ut cause t&e name 80atalina
e la 0ru48 to "e 'ainte t&ereon in "ol letters to mislea
t&e ecease( e$en if true( emonstrates t&at 'ro'onent@s
influence %as not suc& as to o$er'o%er to estro# t&e free
%ill of t&e testari*. Beca"se if the #ind of the latter %ere
really s"'"gated y hi# to the e7tent pict"red y the
contestants, then proponent had no need to reco"rse to
the deception a!erred.lawphi1.et
Nor is t&e fact t&at it %as 'ro'onent( an not t&e
testari*( %&o as1e :r. Sanc&e4 to "e one of t&e
instrumental %itnesses e$ience of suc& unue influence( for
t&e reason t&at t&e r&eumetism of t&e testari* mae it ifficult
for &er to loo1 for all t&e %itnesses. T&at s&e i not resort to
relati$es or friens is( li1e%ise e*'laina"le; it %oul &a$e
meant t&e isclosure of t&e terms of &er %ill to t&ose
intereste in &er succession "ut %&o %ere not fa$ore "# &er(
t&ere"# e*'osin) &er to un'leasant im'ortunit# an
recriminations t&at an a)e 'erson %oul naturall# see1 to
a$oi. T&e natural esire to 1ee' t&e ma1in) of a %ill secret
can( li1e%ise( account for t&e failure to 'ro"ate t&e testament
urin) &er lifetime.
Be conclue t&at t&e trial court committe no error in
finin) t&e a''ellant@s e$ience esta"lis&e at most )rouns
for sus'icion "ut fell far s&ort of esta"lis&in) actual e*ercise
of im'ro'er 'ressure or influence. 0onsierin) t&at testari*
consiere 'ro'onent as &er o%n son( to t&e e*tent t&at s&e
e*'resse no o"Cection to &is "ein) mae t&e sole &eir of &er
sister( 2lorentina 0ru4( in ero)ation of &er o%n ri)&ts( %e
fin not&in) a"normalin &er institutin) 'ro'onent also as &er
o%n "eneficiar#. As state "# t&e 0ourt in t&e Knutson case