Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 160258 January 19, 2005
REPUBLIC O T!E P!ILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
GLORI" BERMU#E$%LORINO, respondent.
D E I S I O N
G"RCI", J.:
Via this petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$ of the Rules of ourt, petitioner Republic of the
Philippines, represente" b% the Office of the Solicitor &eneral 'OS&(, see)s the reversal an" settin* asi"e of
the "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..- of the ourt of /ppeals in /0&.R. V No. 1-22#, !hich affir+e" on
appeal an earlier "ecision of the Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al in a su++ar% 4u"icial
procee"in* thereat co++ence" b% the herein respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino for the "eclaration of the
presu+ptive "eath of her absent spouse, 7rancisco 6orino, 8r., base" on the provisions of /rticle #9 of the
7a+il% o"e, for purposes of re+arria*e.
The facts +a% be su++ari3e", as follo!s:
Respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino '&loria for brevit%(, an" her husban" !ere +arrie" on 8une 9,, 9;21.
Out of this +arria*e, she be*ot three '-( chil"ren, na+el%: 7rancis 8eno, 7ria 6ou an" 7ati+a.9a<=>phi9.net
5efore the% *ot +arrie" in 9;21, &loria !as una!are that her husban" !as a habitual "rin)er, possesse"
!ith violent character>attitu"e, an" ha" the propensit% to *o out !ith frien"s to the e?tent of bein* unable to
en*a*e in an% *ainful !or).
5ecause of her husban"@s violent character, &loria foun" it safer to leave hi+ behin" an" "eci"e" to *o bac)
to her parents to*ether !ith her three '-( chil"ren. In or"er to support the chil"ren, &loria !as co+pelle" to
!or) abroa".
7ro+ the ti+e of her ph%sical separation fro+ her husban" in 9;;9, &loria has not hear" of hi+ at all. She
ha" absolutel% no co++unications !ith hi+, or !ith an% of his relatives.
On /u*ust 9#, ,..., nine ';( %ears after she left her husban", &loria file" a verifie" petition !ith the
Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al un"er the rules on Summary Judicial Proceedings in the
Family Lawprovi"e" for in the 7a+il% o"e, !hich petition !as "oc)ete" in the sa+e court as Special
Procee"in* No. -,$0.. SM.
On /u*ust ,2, ,..., the RT issue" an or"er "irectin*, inter alia, the publication of the petition in a
ne!spaper of *eneral circulation, thus:
/ verifie" petition !as file" b% herein petitioner throu*h counsel alle*in* that she +arrie" 7rancisco 6orino,
8r. on 8une 9,, 9;21 but because of the violent character of his husban", she "eci"e" to *o bac) to her
parents an" live" separatel% fro+ her husban". /fter nine ';( %ears, there !as absolutel% no ne!s about hi+
an" she believes that he is alrea"% "ea" an" is no! see)in* throu*h this petition for a ourt "eclaration that
her husban" is 4u"iciall% presu+e" "ea" for the purpose of re+arria*e.
7in"in* the sai" petition to be sufficient in for+ an" substance, the sa+e is hereb% set for hearin* before
this ourt on Septe+ber 92, ,... at 2:-. o@cloc) in the +ornin* at !hich place, "ate an" ti+e, an% or all
persons !ho +a% clai+ an% interest thereto +a% appear an" sho! cause !h% the sa+e shoul" not be
*rante".
6et a cop% of this Or"er be publishe" in a ne!spaper of *eneral circulation in this province once a !ee) for
three '-( consecutive !ee)s an" be poste" in the bulletin boar"s of the Hall of 8ustice an" the Municipal
Hall, San Mateo, Ri3al, all at the e?pense of the petitioner.9a!phi 9.nAt
7urnish the Office of the Solicitor &eneral a cop% of this Or"er to*ether !ith a cop% of the petition. 7urther,
sen" a cop% of this Or"er to the last )no!n a""ress of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. at 19; 5ur*os St., Sta. Elena,
Mari)ina it%.
SO ORDERED9
The evi"ence in support of the su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in* are: the or"er of publication "ate" /u*ust ,2,
,... 'E?hibit B/B(C affi"avit of publication "ate" Septe+ber 9D, ,... 'E?hibit B5B(, C copies of the
ne!spapers !here the or"er appeare" 'E?hibits BB to BE09B(- C a "eposition "ate" Septe+ber #, ,... of
&loria ta)en in Hon* Eon* 'E?hibit B&B(# C &loria@s affi"avit "ate" October ,9, 9;;;, also e?ecute" in Hon*
Eon* 'E?hibit B&09B($ C an" a certification b% Depart+ent of 7orei*n /ffairs /uthentication Officer, atalina
. &on3ale3, "ate" Nove+ber -, 9;;;, therein certif%in* that the si*nature of Vice onsul /"riane 5ernie .
an"ola"a, appearin* belo! the 4urat in &loria@s affi"avit of October ,9, 9;;;, is authentic 'E?hibit B&0,B(D .
1
In a "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, the RT, fin"in* +erit in the su++ar% petition, ren"ere" 4u"*+ent
*rantin* the sa+e, to !it:
FHERE7ORE, this ourt in vie! of the facts an" circu+stances obtainin*, fin"s the petition !ith +erit an"
hereb% *rants its i+pri+atur to the petition. 8u"*+ent is hereb% ren"ere" "eclarin* the presu+ptive
"eath>absence of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. pursuant to /rt. #9 of the Ne! 7a+il% o"e but sub4ect to all
restrictions an" con"itions provi"e" therein.
SO ORDERED.1
Despite the 4u"*+ent bein* i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% un"er the provisions of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il%
o"e, thus:
"r&. 2'(. The 4u"*+ent of the court shall be i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%,
the Office of the Solicitor &eneral, for the Republic of the Philippines, nevertheless file" a Notice of
/ppeal.2/ctin* thereon, the RT ha" the recor"s elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals !hich "oc)ete" the case
as /0&.R. V No. 1-22#.
In a "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..-, the ourt of /ppeals, treatin* the case as an or"inar% appeale"
case un"er Rule #9 of the Revise" Rules on ivil Proce"ure, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" accor"in*l%
affir+e" the appeale" RT "ecision:
FHERE7ORE, base" on the fore*oin* pre+ises, the instant appeal is #ENIE#. /ccor"in*l%, the appeale"
Nove+ber 1, ,..9 Decision of the Re*ional Trial ourt of San Mateo, Ri3al in Spec. Proc. No. -,$0.. SM is
hereb% "IRME#.
SO ORDERED.;
Fithout filin* an% +otion for reconsi"eration, petitioner Republic "irectl% !ent to this ourt via the instant
recourse un"er Rule #$, +aintainin* that the petition raises a pure Guestion of la! that "oes not reGuire prior
filin* of a +otion for reconsi"eration.
The fore*oin* factual antece"ents present to this ourt the follo!in* issues:
FHETHER OR NOT THE OHRT O7 /PPE/6S DH6I /JHIRED 8HRISDITION OVER THE /PPE/6
ON / 7IN/6 /ND EKEHTORI 8HD&MENT O7 THE RE&ION/6 TRI/6 OHRTC an"
FHETHER OR NOT THE 7/TH/6 /ND 6E&/6 5/SES 7OR / 8HDII/6 DE6/R/TION O7
PRESHMPTIVE DE/TH HNDER /RTI6E #9 O7 THE 7/MI6I ODE FERE DH6I
EST/56ISHED IN THIS /SE.
The ourt rules a*ainst petitioner Republic.
/rticle ,-2 of the 7a+il% o"e, un"er Title KI: SHMM/RI 8HDII/6 PROEEDIN&S IN THE 7/MI6I 6/F,
sets the tenor for cases covere" b% these rules, to !it:
"r&. 2)8. Hntil +o"ifie" b% the Supre+e ourt, the proce"ural rules in this Title shall appl% in all cases
provi"e" for in this o"e reGuirin* su++ar% court procee"in*s. Such cases shall be "eci"e" in an
e?pe"itious +anner !ithout re*ar" to technical rules.
8u"*e Eli3abeth 5alGuin0Re%es of RT, 5ranch 1$, San Mateo, Ri3al "ul% co+plie" !ith the above0cite"
provision b% e?pe"itiousl% ren"erin* 4u"*+ent !ithin ninet% ';.( "a%s after the for+al offer of evi"ence b%
therein petitioner, &loria 5er+u"e306orino.
The proble+ ca+e about !hen the 4u"*e *ave "ue course to the Republic@s appeal upon the filin* of a
Notice of /ppeal, an" ha" the entire recor"s of the case elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals, statin* in her
or"er of Dece+ber 92, ,..9, as follo!s:
Notice of /ppeal havin* been file" throu*h re*istere" +ail on Nove+ber ,,, ,..9 b% the Office of the
Solicitor &eneral !ho receive" a cop% of the Decision in this case on Nove+ber 9#, ,..9, !ithin the
re*le+entar% perio" fi?e" b% the Rules, let the entire recor"s of this case be trans+itte" to the ourt of
/ppeals for further procee"in*s.
SO ORDERED.9.
In Su++ar% 8u"icial Procee"in*s un"er the 7a+il% o"e, there is no re*le+entar% perio" !ithin !hich to
perfect an appeal, precisel% because 4u"*+ents ren"ere" thereun"er, b% e?press provision of Section ,#1,
7a+il% o"e, supra, are Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B. It !as erroneous, therefore, on the part of the
RT to *ive "ue course to the Republic@s appeal an" or"er the trans+ittal of the entire recor"s of the case
to the ourt of /ppeals.
/n appellate court acGuires no 4uris"iction to revie! a 4u"*+ent !hich, b% e?press provision of la!, is
i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s !e have sai" in Veloria vs. o+elec, 99 Bthe ri*ht to appeal is not a
natural ri*ht nor is it a part of "ue process, for it is +erel% a statutor% privile*e.B Since, b% e?press +an"ate
of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il% o"e, all 4u"*+ents ren"ere" in su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in*s in 7a+il% 6a! are
Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B, the ri*ht to appeal !as not *rante" to an% of the parties therein. The
2
Republic of the Philippines, as oppositor in the petition for "eclaration of presu+ptive "eath, shoul" not be
treate" "ifferentl%. It ha" no ri*ht to appeal the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9.
It !as fortunate, thou*h, that the ourt of /ppeals, actin* throu*h its Special 7ourth Division, !ith 8ustice
Elvi 8ohn S. /suncion as /ctin* hair+an an" ponente, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" affir+e" !ithout
+o"ification the final an" e?ecutor% 4u"*+ent of the lo!er court. 7or, as !e have hel" in Nacura% vs.
N6R :9,
Nothin* is +ore settle" in la! than that !hen a 4u"*+ent beco+es final an" e?ecutor% it beco+es
i++utable an" unalterable. The sa+e +a% no lon*er be +o"ifie" in an% respect, even if the +o"ification is
+eant to correct !hat is perceive" to be an erroneous conclusion of fact or la!, an" !hether +a"e b% the
hi*hest court of the lan" 'citin* Nunal v. Court of Appeals, &.R. No. ;#..$, D /pril 9;;-, ,,9 SR/ ,D(.
5ut, if onl% to set the recor"s strai*ht an" for the future *ui"ance of the bench an" the bar, let it be state"
that the RT@s "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% upon notice to the
parties. It !as erroneous for the OS& to file a notice of appeal, an" for the RT to *ive "ue course thereto.
The ourt of /ppeals acGuire" no 4uris"iction over the case, an" shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal outri*ht
on that *roun".
This 4u"*+ent of "enial !as elevate" to this ourt via a petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$.
/lthou*h the result of the ourt of /ppeals@ "enial of the appeal !oul" apparentl% be the sa+e, there is a bi*
"ifference bet!een havin* the suppose" appeal "is+isse" for lac) of 4uris"iction b% virtue of the fact that the
RT "ecision sou*ht to be appeale" is i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%, an" the "enial of the appeal for lac)
of +erit. In the for+er, the suppose" appellee can i++e"iatel% as) for the issuance of an Entr% of 8u"*+ent
in the RT, !hereas, in the latter, the appellant can still raise the +atter to this ourt on petition for revie!
an" the RT 4u"*+ent cannot be e?ecute" until this ourt +a)es the final pronounce+ent.
The ourt, therefore, fin"s in this case *rave error on the part of both the RT an" the ourt of /ppeals. To
stress, the ourt of /ppeals shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction, an"
reiterate" the fact that the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9 !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s it
!ere, the ourt of /ppeals co++itte" *rave reversible error !hen it faile" to "is+iss the erroneous appeal
of the Republic on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction because, b% e?press provision of la!, the 4u"*+ent !as not
appealable.
*!EREORE, the instant petition is hereb% DENIED for lac) of +erit.9a<=>phi 9.net No pronounce+ent as to costs.
SO ORDERED.
San"oval0&utierre3, orona, an" arpio0Morales, 88., concur.
Pan*aniban, 'hair+an(, 8., in the result.
3
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 160258 January 19, 2005
REPUBLIC O T!E P!ILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
GLORI" BERMU#E$%LORINO, respondent.
D E I S I O N
G"RCI", J.:
Via this petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$ of the Rules of ourt, petitioner Republic of the
Philippines, represente" b% the Office of the Solicitor &eneral 'OS&(, see)s the reversal an" settin* asi"e of
the "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..- of the ourt of /ppeals in /0&.R. V No. 1-22#, !hich affir+e" on
appeal an earlier "ecision of the Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al in a su++ar% 4u"icial
procee"in* thereat co++ence" b% the herein respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino for the "eclaration of the
presu+ptive "eath of her absent spouse, 7rancisco 6orino, 8r., base" on the provisions of /rticle #9 of the
7a+il% o"e, for purposes of re+arria*e.
The facts +a% be su++ari3e", as follo!s:
Respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino '&loria for brevit%(, an" her husban" !ere +arrie" on 8une 9,, 9;21.
Out of this +arria*e, she be*ot three '-( chil"ren, na+el%: 7rancis 8eno, 7ria 6ou an" 7ati+a.9a<=>phi9.net
5efore the% *ot +arrie" in 9;21, &loria !as una!are that her husban" !as a habitual "rin)er, possesse"
!ith violent character>attitu"e, an" ha" the propensit% to *o out !ith frien"s to the e?tent of bein* unable to
en*a*e in an% *ainful !or).
5ecause of her husban"@s violent character, &loria foun" it safer to leave hi+ behin" an" "eci"e" to *o bac)
to her parents to*ether !ith her three '-( chil"ren. In or"er to support the chil"ren, &loria !as co+pelle" to
!or) abroa".
7ro+ the ti+e of her ph%sical separation fro+ her husban" in 9;;9, &loria has not hear" of hi+ at all. She
ha" absolutel% no co++unications !ith hi+, or !ith an% of his relatives.
On /u*ust 9#, ,..., nine ';( %ears after she left her husban", &loria file" a verifie" petition !ith the
Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al un"er the rules on Summary Judicial Proceedings in the
Family Lawprovi"e" for in the 7a+il% o"e, !hich petition !as "oc)ete" in the sa+e court as Special
Procee"in* No. -,$0.. SM.
On /u*ust ,2, ,..., the RT issue" an or"er "irectin*, inter alia, the publication of the petition in a
ne!spaper of *eneral circulation, thus:
/ verifie" petition !as file" b% herein petitioner throu*h counsel alle*in* that she +arrie" 7rancisco 6orino,
8r. on 8une 9,, 9;21 but because of the violent character of his husban", she "eci"e" to *o bac) to her
parents an" live" separatel% fro+ her husban". /fter nine ';( %ears, there !as absolutel% no ne!s about hi+
an" she believes that he is alrea"% "ea" an" is no! see)in* throu*h this petition for a ourt "eclaration that
her husban" is 4u"iciall% presu+e" "ea" for the purpose of re+arria*e.
7in"in* the sai" petition to be sufficient in for+ an" substance, the sa+e is hereb% set for hearin* before
this ourt on Septe+ber 92, ,... at 2:-. o@cloc) in the +ornin* at !hich place, "ate an" ti+e, an% or all
persons !ho +a% clai+ an% interest thereto +a% appear an" sho! cause !h% the sa+e shoul" not be
*rante".
6et a cop% of this Or"er be publishe" in a ne!spaper of *eneral circulation in this province once a !ee) for
three '-( consecutive !ee)s an" be poste" in the bulletin boar"s of the Hall of 8ustice an" the Municipal
Hall, San Mateo, Ri3al, all at the e?pense of the petitioner.9a!phi 9.nAt
7urnish the Office of the Solicitor &eneral a cop% of this Or"er to*ether !ith a cop% of the petition. 7urther,
sen" a cop% of this Or"er to the last )no!n a""ress of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. at 19; 5ur*os St., Sta. Elena,
Mari)ina it%.
SO ORDERED9
The evi"ence in support of the su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in* are: the or"er of publication "ate" /u*ust ,2,
,... 'E?hibit B/B(C affi"avit of publication "ate" Septe+ber 9D, ,... 'E?hibit B5B(, C copies of the
4
ne!spapers !here the or"er appeare" 'E?hibits BB to BE09B(- C a "eposition "ate" Septe+ber #, ,... of
&loria ta)en in Hon* Eon* 'E?hibit B&B(# C &loria@s affi"avit "ate" October ,9, 9;;;, also e?ecute" in Hon*
Eon* 'E?hibit B&09B($ C an" a certification b% Depart+ent of 7orei*n /ffairs /uthentication Officer, atalina
. &on3ale3, "ate" Nove+ber -, 9;;;, therein certif%in* that the si*nature of Vice onsul /"riane 5ernie .
an"ola"a, appearin* belo! the 4urat in &loria@s affi"avit of October ,9, 9;;;, is authentic 'E?hibit B&0,B(D .
In a "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, the RT, fin"in* +erit in the su++ar% petition, ren"ere" 4u"*+ent
*rantin* the sa+e, to !it:
FHERE7ORE, this ourt in vie! of the facts an" circu+stances obtainin*, fin"s the petition !ith +erit an"
hereb% *rants its i+pri+atur to the petition. 8u"*+ent is hereb% ren"ere" "eclarin* the presu+ptive
"eath>absence of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. pursuant to /rt. #9 of the Ne! 7a+il% o"e but sub4ect to all
restrictions an" con"itions provi"e" therein.
SO ORDERED.1
Despite the 4u"*+ent bein* i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% un"er the provisions of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il%
o"e, thus:
"r&. 2'(. The 4u"*+ent of the court shall be i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%,
the Office of the Solicitor &eneral, for the Republic of the Philippines, nevertheless file" a Notice of
/ppeal.2/ctin* thereon, the RT ha" the recor"s elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals !hich "oc)ete" the case
as /0&.R. V No. 1-22#.
In a "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..-, the ourt of /ppeals, treatin* the case as an or"inar% appeale"
case un"er Rule #9 of the Revise" Rules on ivil Proce"ure, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" accor"in*l%
affir+e" the appeale" RT "ecision:
FHERE7ORE, base" on the fore*oin* pre+ises, the instant appeal is #ENIE#. /ccor"in*l%, the appeale"
Nove+ber 1, ,..9 Decision of the Re*ional Trial ourt of San Mateo, Ri3al in Spec. Proc. No. -,$0.. SM is
hereb% "IRME#.
SO ORDERED.;
Fithout filin* an% +otion for reconsi"eration, petitioner Republic "irectl% !ent to this ourt via the instant
recourse un"er Rule #$, +aintainin* that the petition raises a pure Guestion of la! that "oes not reGuire prior
filin* of a +otion for reconsi"eration.
The fore*oin* factual antece"ents present to this ourt the follo!in* issues:
FHETHER OR NOT THE OHRT O7 /PPE/6S DH6I /JHIRED 8HRISDITION OVER THE /PPE/6
ON / 7IN/6 /ND EKEHTORI 8HD&MENT O7 THE RE&ION/6 TRI/6 OHRTC an"
FHETHER OR NOT THE 7/TH/6 /ND 6E&/6 5/SES 7OR / 8HDII/6 DE6/R/TION O7
PRESHMPTIVE DE/TH HNDER /RTI6E #9 O7 THE 7/MI6I ODE FERE DH6I
EST/56ISHED IN THIS /SE.
The ourt rules a*ainst petitioner Republic.
/rticle ,-2 of the 7a+il% o"e, un"er Title KI: SHMM/RI 8HDII/6 PROEEDIN&S IN THE 7/MI6I 6/F,
sets the tenor for cases covere" b% these rules, to !it:
"r&. 2)8. Hntil +o"ifie" b% the Supre+e ourt, the proce"ural rules in this Title shall appl% in all cases
provi"e" for in this o"e reGuirin* su++ar% court procee"in*s. Such cases shall be "eci"e" in an
e?pe"itious +anner !ithout re*ar" to technical rules.
8u"*e Eli3abeth 5alGuin0Re%es of RT, 5ranch 1$, San Mateo, Ri3al "ul% co+plie" !ith the above0cite"
provision b% e?pe"itiousl% ren"erin* 4u"*+ent !ithin ninet% ';.( "a%s after the for+al offer of evi"ence b%
therein petitioner, &loria 5er+u"e306orino.
The proble+ ca+e about !hen the 4u"*e *ave "ue course to the Republic@s appeal upon the filin* of a
Notice of /ppeal, an" ha" the entire recor"s of the case elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals, statin* in her
or"er of Dece+ber 92, ,..9, as follo!s:
Notice of /ppeal havin* been file" throu*h re*istere" +ail on Nove+ber ,,, ,..9 b% the Office of the
Solicitor &eneral !ho receive" a cop% of the Decision in this case on Nove+ber 9#, ,..9, !ithin the
re*le+entar% perio" fi?e" b% the Rules, let the entire recor"s of this case be trans+itte" to the ourt of
/ppeals for further procee"in*s.
SO ORDERED.9.
In Su++ar% 8u"icial Procee"in*s un"er the 7a+il% o"e, there is no re*le+entar% perio" !ithin !hich to
perfect an appeal, precisel% because 4u"*+ents ren"ere" thereun"er, b% e?press provision of Section ,#1,
7a+il% o"e, supra, are Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B. It !as erroneous, therefore, on the part of the
RT to *ive "ue course to the Republic@s appeal an" or"er the trans+ittal of the entire recor"s of the case
to the ourt of /ppeals.
5
/n appellate court acGuires no 4uris"iction to revie! a 4u"*+ent !hich, b% e?press provision of la!, is
i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s !e have sai" in Veloria vs. o+elec, 99 Bthe ri*ht to appeal is not a
natural ri*ht nor is it a part of "ue process, for it is +erel% a statutor% privile*e.B Since, b% e?press +an"ate
of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il% o"e, all 4u"*+ents ren"ere" in su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in*s in 7a+il% 6a! are
Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B, the ri*ht to appeal !as not *rante" to an% of the parties therein. The
Republic of the Philippines, as oppositor in the petition for "eclaration of presu+ptive "eath, shoul" not be
treate" "ifferentl%. It ha" no ri*ht to appeal the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9.
It !as fortunate, thou*h, that the ourt of /ppeals, actin* throu*h its Special 7ourth Division, !ith 8ustice
Elvi 8ohn S. /suncion as /ctin* hair+an an" ponente, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" affir+e" !ithout
+o"ification the final an" e?ecutor% 4u"*+ent of the lo!er court. 7or, as !e have hel" in Nacura% vs.
N6R :9,
Nothin* is +ore settle" in la! than that !hen a 4u"*+ent beco+es final an" e?ecutor% it beco+es
i++utable an" unalterable. The sa+e +a% no lon*er be +o"ifie" in an% respect, even if the +o"ification is
+eant to correct !hat is perceive" to be an erroneous conclusion of fact or la!, an" !hether +a"e b% the
hi*hest court of the lan" 'citin* Nunal v. Court of Appeals, &.R. No. ;#..$, D /pril 9;;-, ,,9 SR/ ,D(.
5ut, if onl% to set the recor"s strai*ht an" for the future *ui"ance of the bench an" the bar, let it be state"
that the RT@s "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% upon notice to the
parties. It !as erroneous for the OS& to file a notice of appeal, an" for the RT to *ive "ue course thereto.
The ourt of /ppeals acGuire" no 4uris"iction over the case, an" shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal outri*ht
on that *roun".
This 4u"*+ent of "enial !as elevate" to this ourt via a petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$.
/lthou*h the result of the ourt of /ppeals@ "enial of the appeal !oul" apparentl% be the sa+e, there is a bi*
"ifference bet!een havin* the suppose" appeal "is+isse" for lac) of 4uris"iction b% virtue of the fact that the
RT "ecision sou*ht to be appeale" is i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%, an" the "enial of the appeal for lac)
of +erit. In the for+er, the suppose" appellee can i++e"iatel% as) for the issuance of an Entr% of 8u"*+ent
in the RT, !hereas, in the latter, the appellant can still raise the +atter to this ourt on petition for revie!
an" the RT 4u"*+ent cannot be e?ecute" until this ourt +a)es the final pronounce+ent.
The ourt, therefore, fin"s in this case *rave error on the part of both the RT an" the ourt of /ppeals. To
stress, the ourt of /ppeals shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction, an"
reiterate" the fact that the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9 !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s it
!ere, the ourt of /ppeals co++itte" *rave reversible error !hen it faile" to "is+iss the erroneous appeal
of the Republic on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction because, b% e?press provision of la!, the 4u"*+ent !as not
appealable.
*!EREORE, the instant petition is hereb% DENIED for lac) of +erit.9a<=>phi 9.net No pronounce+ent as to costs.
SO ORDERED.
San"oval0&utierre3, orona, an" arpio0Morales, 88., concur.
Pan*aniban, 'hair+an(, 8., in the result.
6
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 160258 January 19, 2005
REPUBLIC O T!E P!ILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
GLORI" BERMU#E$%LORINO, respondent.
D E I S I O N
G"RCI", J.:
Via this petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$ of the Rules of ourt, petitioner Republic of the
Philippines, represente" b% the Office of the Solicitor &eneral 'OS&(, see)s the reversal an" settin* asi"e of
the "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..- of the ourt of /ppeals in /0&.R. V No. 1-22#, !hich affir+e" on
appeal an earlier "ecision of the Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al in a su++ar% 4u"icial
procee"in* thereat co++ence" b% the herein respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino for the "eclaration of the
presu+ptive "eath of her absent spouse, 7rancisco 6orino, 8r., base" on the provisions of /rticle #9 of the
7a+il% o"e, for purposes of re+arria*e.
The facts +a% be su++ari3e", as follo!s:
Respon"ent &loria 5er+u"e306orino '&loria for brevit%(, an" her husban" !ere +arrie" on 8une 9,, 9;21.
Out of this +arria*e, she be*ot three '-( chil"ren, na+el%: 7rancis 8eno, 7ria 6ou an" 7ati+a.9a<=>phi9.net
5efore the% *ot +arrie" in 9;21, &loria !as una!are that her husban" !as a habitual "rin)er, possesse"
!ith violent character>attitu"e, an" ha" the propensit% to *o out !ith frien"s to the e?tent of bein* unable to
en*a*e in an% *ainful !or).
5ecause of her husban"@s violent character, &loria foun" it safer to leave hi+ behin" an" "eci"e" to *o bac)
to her parents to*ether !ith her three '-( chil"ren. In or"er to support the chil"ren, &loria !as co+pelle" to
!or) abroa".
7ro+ the ti+e of her ph%sical separation fro+ her husban" in 9;;9, &loria has not hear" of hi+ at all. She
ha" absolutel% no co++unications !ith hi+, or !ith an% of his relatives.
On /u*ust 9#, ,..., nine ';( %ears after she left her husban", &loria file" a verifie" petition !ith the
Re*ional Trial ourt 'RT( at San Mateo, Ri3al un"er the rules on Summary Judicial Proceedings in the
Family Lawprovi"e" for in the 7a+il% o"e, !hich petition !as "oc)ete" in the sa+e court as Special
Procee"in* No. -,$0.. SM.
On /u*ust ,2, ,..., the RT issue" an or"er "irectin*, inter alia, the publication of the petition in a
ne!spaper of *eneral circulation, thus:
/ verifie" petition !as file" b% herein petitioner throu*h counsel alle*in* that she +arrie" 7rancisco 6orino,
8r. on 8une 9,, 9;21 but because of the violent character of his husban", she "eci"e" to *o bac) to her
parents an" live" separatel% fro+ her husban". /fter nine ';( %ears, there !as absolutel% no ne!s about hi+
an" she believes that he is alrea"% "ea" an" is no! see)in* throu*h this petition for a ourt "eclaration that
her husban" is 4u"iciall% presu+e" "ea" for the purpose of re+arria*e.
7in"in* the sai" petition to be sufficient in for+ an" substance, the sa+e is hereb% set for hearin* before
this ourt on Septe+ber 92, ,... at 2:-. o@cloc) in the +ornin* at !hich place, "ate an" ti+e, an% or all
persons !ho +a% clai+ an% interest thereto +a% appear an" sho! cause !h% the sa+e shoul" not be
*rante".
6et a cop% of this Or"er be publishe" in a ne!spaper of *eneral circulation in this province once a !ee) for
three '-( consecutive !ee)s an" be poste" in the bulletin boar"s of the Hall of 8ustice an" the Municipal
Hall, San Mateo, Ri3al, all at the e?pense of the petitioner.9a!phi 9.nAt
7urnish the Office of the Solicitor &eneral a cop% of this Or"er to*ether !ith a cop% of the petition. 7urther,
sen" a cop% of this Or"er to the last )no!n a""ress of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. at 19; 5ur*os St., Sta. Elena,
Mari)ina it%.
SO ORDERED9
The evi"ence in support of the su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in* are: the or"er of publication "ate" /u*ust ,2,
,... 'E?hibit B/B(C affi"avit of publication "ate" Septe+ber 9D, ,... 'E?hibit B5B(, C copies of the
ne!spapers !here the or"er appeare" 'E?hibits BB to BE09B(- C a "eposition "ate" Septe+ber #, ,... of
&loria ta)en in Hon* Eon* 'E?hibit B&B(# C &loria@s affi"avit "ate" October ,9, 9;;;, also e?ecute" in Hon*
Eon* 'E?hibit B&09B($ C an" a certification b% Depart+ent of 7orei*n /ffairs /uthentication Officer, atalina
. &on3ale3, "ate" Nove+ber -, 9;;;, therein certif%in* that the si*nature of Vice onsul /"riane 5ernie .
an"ola"a, appearin* belo! the 4urat in &loria@s affi"avit of October ,9, 9;;;, is authentic 'E?hibit B&0,B(D .
7
In a "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, the RT, fin"in* +erit in the su++ar% petition, ren"ere" 4u"*+ent
*rantin* the sa+e, to !it:
FHERE7ORE, this ourt in vie! of the facts an" circu+stances obtainin*, fin"s the petition !ith +erit an"
hereb% *rants its i+pri+atur to the petition. 8u"*+ent is hereb% ren"ere" "eclarin* the presu+ptive
"eath>absence of 7rancisco 6orino, 8r. pursuant to /rt. #9 of the Ne! 7a+il% o"e but sub4ect to all
restrictions an" con"itions provi"e" therein.
SO ORDERED.1
Despite the 4u"*+ent bein* i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% un"er the provisions of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il%
o"e, thus:
"r&. 2'(. The 4u"*+ent of the court shall be i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%,
the Office of the Solicitor &eneral, for the Republic of the Philippines, nevertheless file" a Notice of
/ppeal.2/ctin* thereon, the RT ha" the recor"s elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals !hich "oc)ete" the case
as /0&.R. V No. 1-22#.
In a "ecision "ate" Septe+ber ,-, ,..-, the ourt of /ppeals, treatin* the case as an or"inar% appeale"
case un"er Rule #9 of the Revise" Rules on ivil Proce"ure, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" accor"in*l%
affir+e" the appeale" RT "ecision:
FHERE7ORE, base" on the fore*oin* pre+ises, the instant appeal is #ENIE#. /ccor"in*l%, the appeale"
Nove+ber 1, ,..9 Decision of the Re*ional Trial ourt of San Mateo, Ri3al in Spec. Proc. No. -,$0.. SM is
hereb% "IRME#.
SO ORDERED.;
Fithout filin* an% +otion for reconsi"eration, petitioner Republic "irectl% !ent to this ourt via the instant
recourse un"er Rule #$, +aintainin* that the petition raises a pure Guestion of la! that "oes not reGuire prior
filin* of a +otion for reconsi"eration.
The fore*oin* factual antece"ents present to this ourt the follo!in* issues:
FHETHER OR NOT THE OHRT O7 /PPE/6S DH6I /JHIRED 8HRISDITION OVER THE /PPE/6
ON / 7IN/6 /ND EKEHTORI 8HD&MENT O7 THE RE&ION/6 TRI/6 OHRTC an"
FHETHER OR NOT THE 7/TH/6 /ND 6E&/6 5/SES 7OR / 8HDII/6 DE6/R/TION O7
PRESHMPTIVE DE/TH HNDER /RTI6E #9 O7 THE 7/MI6I ODE FERE DH6I
EST/56ISHED IN THIS /SE.
The ourt rules a*ainst petitioner Republic.
/rticle ,-2 of the 7a+il% o"e, un"er Title KI: SHMM/RI 8HDII/6 PROEEDIN&S IN THE 7/MI6I 6/F,
sets the tenor for cases covere" b% these rules, to !it:
"r&. 2)8. Hntil +o"ifie" b% the Supre+e ourt, the proce"ural rules in this Title shall appl% in all cases
provi"e" for in this o"e reGuirin* su++ar% court procee"in*s. Such cases shall be "eci"e" in an
e?pe"itious +anner !ithout re*ar" to technical rules.
8u"*e Eli3abeth 5alGuin0Re%es of RT, 5ranch 1$, San Mateo, Ri3al "ul% co+plie" !ith the above0cite"
provision b% e?pe"itiousl% ren"erin* 4u"*+ent !ithin ninet% ';.( "a%s after the for+al offer of evi"ence b%
therein petitioner, &loria 5er+u"e306orino.
The proble+ ca+e about !hen the 4u"*e *ave "ue course to the Republic@s appeal upon the filin* of a
Notice of /ppeal, an" ha" the entire recor"s of the case elevate" to the ourt of /ppeals, statin* in her
or"er of Dece+ber 92, ,..9, as follo!s:
Notice of /ppeal havin* been file" throu*h re*istere" +ail on Nove+ber ,,, ,..9 b% the Office of the
Solicitor &eneral !ho receive" a cop% of the Decision in this case on Nove+ber 9#, ,..9, !ithin the
re*le+entar% perio" fi?e" b% the Rules, let the entire recor"s of this case be trans+itte" to the ourt of
/ppeals for further procee"in*s.
SO ORDERED.9.
In Su++ar% 8u"icial Procee"in*s un"er the 7a+il% o"e, there is no re*le+entar% perio" !ithin !hich to
perfect an appeal, precisel% because 4u"*+ents ren"ere" thereun"er, b% e?press provision of Section ,#1,
7a+il% o"e, supra, are Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B. It !as erroneous, therefore, on the part of the
RT to *ive "ue course to the Republic@s appeal an" or"er the trans+ittal of the entire recor"s of the case
to the ourt of /ppeals.
/n appellate court acGuires no 4uris"iction to revie! a 4u"*+ent !hich, b% e?press provision of la!, is
i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s !e have sai" in Veloria vs. o+elec, 99 Bthe ri*ht to appeal is not a
natural ri*ht nor is it a part of "ue process, for it is +erel% a statutor% privile*e.B Since, b% e?press +an"ate
of /rticle ,#1 of the 7a+il% o"e, all 4u"*+ents ren"ere" in su++ar% 4u"icial procee"in*s in 7a+il% 6a! are
Bi++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%B, the ri*ht to appeal !as not *rante" to an% of the parties therein. The
8
Republic of the Philippines, as oppositor in the petition for "eclaration of presu+ptive "eath, shoul" not be
treate" "ifferentl%. It ha" no ri*ht to appeal the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9.
It !as fortunate, thou*h, that the ourt of /ppeals, actin* throu*h its Special 7ourth Division, !ith 8ustice
Elvi 8ohn S. /suncion as /ctin* hair+an an" ponente, "enie" the Republic@s appeal an" affir+e" !ithout
+o"ification the final an" e?ecutor% 4u"*+ent of the lo!er court. 7or, as !e have hel" in Nacura% vs.
N6R :9,
Nothin* is +ore settle" in la! than that !hen a 4u"*+ent beco+es final an" e?ecutor% it beco+es
i++utable an" unalterable. The sa+e +a% no lon*er be +o"ifie" in an% respect, even if the +o"ification is
+eant to correct !hat is perceive" to be an erroneous conclusion of fact or la!, an" !hether +a"e b% the
hi*hest court of the lan" 'citin* Nunal v. Court of Appeals, &.R. No. ;#..$, D /pril 9;;-, ,,9 SR/ ,D(.
5ut, if onl% to set the recor"s strai*ht an" for the future *ui"ance of the bench an" the bar, let it be state"
that the RT@s "ecision "ate" Nove+ber 1, ,..9, !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor% upon notice to the
parties. It !as erroneous for the OS& to file a notice of appeal, an" for the RT to *ive "ue course thereto.
The ourt of /ppeals acGuire" no 4uris"iction over the case, an" shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal outri*ht
on that *roun".
This 4u"*+ent of "enial !as elevate" to this ourt via a petition for revie! on certiorari un"er Rule #$.
/lthou*h the result of the ourt of /ppeals@ "enial of the appeal !oul" apparentl% be the sa+e, there is a bi*
"ifference bet!een havin* the suppose" appeal "is+isse" for lac) of 4uris"iction b% virtue of the fact that the
RT "ecision sou*ht to be appeale" is i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%, an" the "enial of the appeal for lac)
of +erit. In the for+er, the suppose" appellee can i++e"iatel% as) for the issuance of an Entr% of 8u"*+ent
in the RT, !hereas, in the latter, the appellant can still raise the +atter to this ourt on petition for revie!
an" the RT 4u"*+ent cannot be e?ecute" until this ourt +a)es the final pronounce+ent.
The ourt, therefore, fin"s in this case *rave error on the part of both the RT an" the ourt of /ppeals. To
stress, the ourt of /ppeals shoul" have "is+isse" the appeal on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction, an"
reiterate" the fact that the RT "ecision of Nove+ber 1, ,..9 !as i++e"iatel% final an" e?ecutor%. /s it
!ere, the ourt of /ppeals co++itte" *rave reversible error !hen it faile" to "is+iss the erroneous appeal
of the Republic on *roun" of lac) of 4uris"iction because, b% e?press provision of la!, the 4u"*+ent !as not
appealable.
*!EREORE, the instant petition is hereb% DENIED for lac) of +erit.9a<=>phi 9.net No pronounce+ent as to costs.
SO ORDERED.
San"oval0&utierre3, orona, an" arpio0Morales, 88., concur.
Pan*aniban, 'hair+an(, 8., in the result.
9