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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-!" Ma#ch $% $&'$

TESTATE estate of Ca#los Gil% (ecease(. )SABEL*ERREROS +,A. ,E G)L% a(inist#at#i-appellee%/s.P)LAR G)L +,A. ,E MURC)ANO% opposito#-appellant.

Eli0io C. La0an fo# appellant.Re1es% Albe#t an( A0caoili fo# appellee.

2UGO% 2.3

The Cou#t of 4i#st )nstance of Manila a(itte( to p#obate thealle0e( 5ill an( testaent of the (ecease( Ca#los Gil. Theopposito# Pila# Gil +(a. (e Mu#ciano appeale( to this Cou#t%#aisin0 onl1 6uestion of la5. *e# counsel assi0ns the t5o

follo5in0 alle0e( e##o#s3P#ie# E##o#. 7 El 2u80a(o infe#io# e##o al (e9a# (e (ecla#a#6ue el ale0a(o testaento (e Ca#los Gil no ha si(o oto0a#(e acue#(o con la le1.Se0un(o E##o#. 7 E##o finalente a le0ali8a# el #efe#i(otestaento.The alle0e( 5ill #ea( as follo5s3P#ie#a Pa0ina :$;EN EL NOMBRE ,E ,)OS% AMEN". ,ecla#o 6ue ten0o p#opie(a(es situa(as en Manila 1 en laP#o/incia (e Papan0a>. ,o1 1 a(9u(ico a i 6ue#i(a esposa )sabel *e##etos to(osis bienes 1a 6ue uebles e inuebles situa(os en Manila1 en Papan0a% ba9o la con(icion (e 6ue cuan(o estaue#a 1 si ha1an bienes #eanentes he#e(a(as po# ella (ei% 6ue (ichos bienes #eanentes se a(9u(ica#an a ,onCa#los ?o##el.@. Nob#o coo albacea (e is bienes (espues (e ifalleciiento al ,#. Galicano Co#onel a 6uien ten0o absoluta

confian8a% con #ele/acion (e fian8a>En testionio (e to(o lo cual% fi#o este i testaento 1 enel a#0en i86uie#(o (e ca(a una (e sus (os pa0inas% utilescon la clausula (e atesti0uaiento en p#esencia (e lostesti0os% 6uienes a su /e8 fi#a#on ca(a una (e (ichaspa0inas 1 la clausula (e atesti0uaiento en i p#esenciaca(a uno (e ellos con la (e los (eas% ho1 en Po#ac%Papan0a% ). 4.% el (ia " (e Ma1o (e il no/ecientost#einta 1 nue/e.CARLOS G)LTestificacion3Se0un(a Pa0ina :";Nosot#os los 6ue susc#ibios% to(os a1o#es (e e(a(%ce#tificaos3 6ue el testaento 6ue p#ece(e este esc#ito en

la len0ua castellana 6ue conoce la testa(o#a% copuesto (e(os pa0inas utiles con la clausula (e atesti0uaientopa0ina(as co##elati/aente en let#as 1 nue#os en la pa#tesupe#io# (e la casilla% asi coo to(as las ho9as (el iso%en nuest#a p#esencia 1 6ue ca(a uno (e nosot#os heosatesti0ua(o 1 fi#a(o (icho (ocuento 1 to(as las ho9as (el

iso en p#esencia (el testa(o# 1 en la (e ca(a uno (enosot#os.:4(o.; AL4RE,O T. R)+ERA:4(o.; RAMON MEN,)OLA:4(o.; MAR)ANO OMAA

Re0a#(in0 the co##ectness an( accu#ac1 of the abo/e-copie(alle0e( 5ill% the cou#t belo5 sai(3

. . . The onl1 cop1 a/ailable is a p#inte( fo# containe( in the#eco#( appeal in case G.R. No. L-"'@% entitle( TestateEstate of Ca#los Gil> )sabel *e##e#os +(a. (e Gil% petitione#an( appellant /s. Robe#to Tole(o 1 Gil% opposito# an(appellee. Both pa#ties a#e a0#ee( that this is a t#ue an(co##ect cop1 of the 5ill. :P. $D% Reco#( on Appeal;.The appeal bein0 onl1 on 6uestions of la5 the abo/e fin(in0of the cou#t belo5 cannot be (ispute(. The conclusions ofla5 #eache( b1 sai( cou#t a#e base( on it. Mo#eo/e#% thefin(in0 is co##ectl1 base( on the e/i(ence of #eco#(. Thepa#ties a0#ee( that sai( cop1 is t#ue an( co##ect. )f it 5e#eothe#5ise% the1 5oul( not ha/e so a0#ee(% consi(e#in0 thatthe (efect is of an essential cha#acte# an( is fatal to the/ali(it1 of the attestation clause.

)t 5ill be note( that the attestation clause abo/e 6uote( (oesnot state that the alle0e( testo# si0ne( the 5ill. )t (ecla#esonl1 that it 5as si0ne( b1 the 5itnesses. This is a fatal(efect% fo# the p#ecise pu#pose of the attestation clause is toce#tif1 that the testato# si0ne( the 5ill% this bein0 the ostessential eleent of the clause. ?ithout it the#e is noattestation at all. )t is sai( that the cou#t a1 co##ect a e#ecle#ical e##o#. This is too uch of a cle#ical e##o# fo# it effectsthe /e#1 essence of the clause. Alle0e( e##o#s a1 beo/e#looe( o# co##ect onl1 in atte#s of fo# 5hich (o notaffect the substance of the stateent.)t is claie( that the co##ection a1 be a(e b1 infe#ence. )f5e cu#e a (eficienc1 b1 eans of infe#ences% 5hen a#e 5e0oin0 to stop ain0 infe#ences to suppl1 fatal (eficienciesin 5illsF ?he#e a#e 5e to (#a5 the lineF 4ollo5in0 thatp#oce(u#e 5e 5oul( be ain0 inte#polations b1 infe#ences%iplication% an( e/en b1 inte#nal ci#cutantial e/i(ence. This5oul( be (one in the face of the clea#% uni6ui/ocal% lan0ua0eof the statute as to ho5 the attestation clause shoul( bea(e. )t is to be suppose( that the (#afte# of the alle0e( 5ill#ea( the clea# 5o#(s of the statute 5hen he p#epa#e( it. 4o#the cou#t to suppl1 alle0e( (eficiencies 5oul( be a0ainst thee/i(ent polic1 of the la5. Section !$ of Act No. $&D% befo#eit 5as aen(e(% containe( the follo5in0 p#o/ision3. . . But the absence of such fo# of attestation shall not#en(e# the 5ill in/ali( if it p#o/en that the 5ill 5as in factsi0ne( an( atteste( as in this section p#o/i(e(.*o5e/e#% Act No. "!@' of the Philippine Le0islatu#e% passe(on 2ul1 $% $&$!% besi(es inc#easin0 the contents of the

attestation clause% enti#el1 supp#esse( the abo/e-6uote(p#o/ision. This 5oul( sho5 that the pu#pose of the aen(in0act 5as to su##oun( the eecution of a 5ill 5ith 0#eate#0ua#antees an( solenities. Coul( 5e% in /ie5 of this% hol(that the cou#t can cu#e alle0e( (eficiencies b1 infe#ences%iplications% an( inte#nal ci#custantial e/i(enceF E/en ino#(ina#1 cases the la5 #e6ui#es ce#tain #e6uisities fo# theconclusi/eness of ci#custantial e/i(ence.)t is conten(e( that the (eficienc1 in the attestation clause iscu#e( b1 the last pa#a0#aph of the bo(1 of the alle0e( 5ill%5hich 5e ha/e 6uote( abo/e. At fi#st 0lance% it is 6uee# thatthe alle0e( testato# shoul( ha/e a(e an attestation clause%5hich is the function of the 5itness. But the ipo#tant point isthat he attests o# ce#tifies his o5n si0natu#e% o#% to be

accu#ate% his si0natu#e ce#tifies itself. )t is e/i(ent that onecannot ce#tif1 his o5n si0natu#e% fo# it (oes not inc#ease thee/i(ence of its authenticit1. )t 5oul( be lie liftin0 oneHs selfb1 his o5n bootst#aps. Conse6uentl1% the last pa#a0#aph ofthe 5ill cannot cu#e in an1 5a1 the fatal (efect of the

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attestation clause of the 5itnesses. A((in0 8e#o to aninsufficient aount (oes not ae it sufficient.)t is sai( that the #ules of statuto#1 const#uction a#eapplicable to (ocuents an( 5ills. This is t#ue% but sai( #ulesappl1 to the bo(1 of the 5ill% containin0 the testaenta#1p#o/isions% but not to the attestation clause% 5hich ust beso clea# that it shoul( not #e6ui#e an1 const#uction.The pa#ties ha/e cite( p#o an( con se/e#al (ecisions of the

Sup#ee Cou#t% soe of 5hich a#e sai( to be #athe# st#ictan( othe#s libe#al% in the inte#p#etation of section !$ of ActNo. $&D% as aen(e( b1 Act No. "!@'.)n the case of Guban /s. Go#echo :'D Phil.% D% $;% thecou#t ha( the follo5in0 to sa13$. ?)LLS> ALLO?ANCE OR ,)SALLO?ANCE> SECT)ONS!$ AN, !@ O4 T*E CO,E O4 C)+)L PROCE,URECONSTRUE,. 7 The #i0ht to (ispose of the p#ope#t1 b1 5illis 0o/e#ne( enti#el1 b1 statute. The la5 is he#e foun( insection !$ of the Co(e of Ci/il P#oce(u#e% as aen(e(. Thela5 not alone ca#efull1 aes use of the ipe#ati/e% butcautiousl1 0oes fu#the# an( aes use of the ne0ati/e% toenfo#ce le0islati/e intention.". ),.> ),.> ATTESTAT)ON. 7 The Philippine autho#ities

#elatin0 to the attestation clause to 5ills #e/ie5e(. The casesof Sa=o /s. Iuintana :J$&"'K% @ Phil.% 'D!;% an( Na1/e /s.Mo9al an( A0uila# :J$&"@K% @ Phil.% $'";% pa#ticula#l1copa#e(. The (ecision in )n #e ?ill of Iuintana% sup#a%a(opte( an( #eaffi#e(. The (ecision in Na1/e /s. Mo9al an(

A0uila#% sup#a% o(ifie(.. ),.> ),.> ),.> ),. 7 The po#tion of section !$ of the Co(eof Ci/il P#oce(u#e% as aen(e(% 5hich p#o/i(es that Theattestation clause shall state the nube# of sheets o# pa0esuse(% upon 5hich the 5ill is 5#itten% an( the fact that thetestato# si0ne( the 5ill an( e/e#1 pa0e the#eof% o# cause(soe othe# pe#son to 5#ite his nae% un(e# his ep#ess(i#ection% in the p#esence of th#ee 5itnesses% an( the latte#5itnesse( an( si0ne( the 5ill an( all pa0es the#eof in thep#esence of the testato# an( of each othe# applie( an(enfo#ce(.@. ),.> ),.> ),.> ),. 7 An attestation clause 5hich (oes not#ecite that the 5itnesses si0ne( the 5ill an( each an( e/e#1pa0e the#eof on the left a#0in in the p#esence of thetestato# is (efecti/e% an( such a (efect annuls the 5ill. :Sano/s. Iuintana% sup#a.;)n the subse6uent case of Iuinto /s. Mo#ata :'@ Phil.% @$%@";% 2u(0e Manuel +. Mo#an% no5 Chief 2ustice of theSup#ee Cou#t% in his (ecision a(e the follo5in0p#onounceent3. . . En la clausula (e atesti0uaiento (el testaento encuestion% se hace consta# 6ue los testa(o#es fi#a#on eltestaento en p#esencia (e los t#es testi0os inst#uentales1 6ue estos fi#a#on el testaento los unos en p#esencia (e

los ot#os% pe#o no se hace consta# 6ue (ichos testi0osfi#a#on el testaento en p#esencia (e los testa(o#es% ni6ue estos 1 a6uellos fi#a#on to(as 1 ca(a una (e laspa0inas (el testaento los p#ie#os en p#esencia (e losse0un(os 1 /ice-/e#sa.En su /i#tu(% se (enie0a la solicitu( en la 6ue se pi(e lale0ali8acion (el ale0a(o testaento Ehibit A (e G#e0o#ioPueblo 1 Ca#en Iuinto% 1 se (ecla#a 6ue G#e0o#io Pueblou#io intesta(o.The Sup#ee Cou#t full1 affi#e( the (ecision% la1in0 (o5nthe follo5in0 (oct#ine3$. ?)LLS> ATTESTAT)ON CLAUSE> E+),ENCE TO SUPPL an( 5hene/e# that happens% the0enuine intention is f#ust#ate(. . . . The Le0islatu#e . . . hastau0ht of it best an( has the#efo#e (ete#ine(% to #un the #isof f#ust#atin0 :that intention% . . . in p#efe#ence to the #is of0i/in0 effect to o# facilitatin0 the fo#ation of spu#ious 5ills%b1 the absence of fo#s. . . . The e/il p#obabl1 to a#ise b10i/in0 to 5ills a(e 5ithout an1 fo#% . . . o#% in (e#o0ationof testato#Hs 5ishes% f#au(ulentl1 iposin0 spu#ious 5ills on

his effect on his estate. Chu#chillHs Estate% "!D Pac. &@% $D$%$D Atl. '.)t has al5a1s been the polic1 of this cou#t to sustain a 5ill if itis le0all1 possible to (o so% but 5e cannot b#ea (o5n thele0islati/e ba##ie#s p#otectin0 a anHs p#ope#t1 afte# (eath%e/en if a situation a1 be p#esente( appa#entl1 e#ito#ious.:)n Re3 Ma0inn% D A. L. R.% pp. @$&% @"D.;)n /ie5 of the fo#e0oin0% the (ecision appeale( f#o is#e/e#se(% (en1in0 the p#obate of the alle0e( 5ill an((ecla#in0 intestate the estate of the (ecease( Ca#los Gil.?ith costs a0ainst the appellee. )t is so o#(e#e(.Mo#an% C.2.% Pablo% Ben08on% Pa(illa an( Re1es% 22.% concu#.Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT

ManilaEN BANC

G.R. No. L-@& Ma1 $% $&'$

T*E MATTER O4 T*E PROBATE O4 T*E LAST ?)LL AN,TESTAMENT O4 2OSE +ENON. +ALENT)NA CUE+AS%petitione#-appellee%/s.P)LAR AC*ACOSO% opposito#-appellant.

2uan R. A#bi8o an( Antonio Gon8ales fo# petitione#-appellee.Ma#iano T#ini(a( an( Luis 2. Nepouceno fo# opposito#-appellant.

BAUT)STA ANGELO% 2.3

This is an appeal f#o an o#(e# of the Cou#t of 4i#st )nstanceof abales a(ittin0 to p#obate the last 5ill an( testaentof the late 2ose +en8on.

On 2anua#1 $&% $&@!% 2ose +en8on (ie( in )ba% abales%lea/in0 a 5ill. )n sai( 5ill the (ecease( institute( as his hei#s%+alentina Cue/as% his 5i(o5 an( Rosa#io Ase#a +en8on% his(au0hte#. *e nae( the#ein his 5i(o5 as eecut#i of the5ill. On 4eb#ua#1 $% $&@!% +alentina Cue/as file( a petitionfo# the p#obate of sai( 5ill.

On Ma1 $D% $&@!% one Pila# Achacoso file( an alte#nati/epetition fo# the p#obate of a p#e/ious 5ill eecute( b1 the(ecease( p#a1in0 the#ein that% if the 5ill subitte( b1 the5i(o5 be #e9ecte(% the othe# 5ill be a(itte( to p#obate inlieu the#eof. )n the p#e/ious 5ill the#e a#e othe# hei#sinstitute(% aon0 the petitione# Pila# Achacoso. Pila#

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Achacoso ob9ecte( to the p#obate of the secon( 5illeecute( b1 the (ecease( on Octobe# $D% $&@'. Afte# (uehea#in0% the cou#t foun( that the latte# 5ill 5as eecute( inacco#(ance 5ith la5 an( o#(e#e( that it be a(itte( top#obate. Pila# Achacoso too the case to the Cou#t of

Appeals% but the latte# ce#tifie( it to this Cou#t on the 0#oun(that it in/ol/es pu#el1 6uestions of la5.

The ain e##o# assi0ne( #efe#s to the alle0e( lac ofattestation clause in the 5ill un(e# consi(e#ation% o# to thefact that% if the#e is such attestation clause% the sae has notbeen si0ne( b1 the inst#uental 5itnesses% but b1 thetestato# hiself% an( it is claie( that this (efect has theeffect of in/ali(atin0 the 5ill.

The 5ill in 6uestion% afte# #ecitin0 in sepa#ate pa#a0#aphs%an( un(e# co##elati/e nube#s% the p#o/isions of the 5ill%5in(s up 5ith the follo5in0 clause3

)N ?)TNESS ?*EREO4% ) si0n this testaent o# last 5ill inthe unicipalit1 of )ba% abales% Philippines% this $Dth (a1of Octobe#% $&@'% in the p#esence of the th#ee 5itnesses%

nael1 ,#. Nesto#io T#ini(a(% ,on Bal(oe#o Achacoso% an(M#. P#oceso Cabal as inst#uental 5itnesses to 1 si0nin0>this testaent is 5#itten in th#ee :; sheets a#e( b1 lette#A% B an( C consecuti/el1 on top of each sheet an( upon1 #e6uest an( in 1 p#esence an( also in the p#esence ofeach of the afo#esai( inst#uental 5itnesses% the1 alsosi0ne( this testaent al#ea(1 #effe#e( to.

) he#eb1 anifest that e/e#1 sheet of the afo#esai(testaent% on the left-han( a#0in as 5ell as the testaentitself ha/e been si0ne( b1 e as also each of the 5itnesseshas also si0ne( in 1 p#esence an( in the p#esence of eachothe#.

:S0(.; 2OSE +ENON

?itnesses3

:S0(.; NESTOR)O TR)N),A,:S0(.; BAL,OMERO L. AC*ACOSO:S0(.; PROCESO CABAL.

The clause abo/e 6uote( is the attestation clause #effe#e( toin the la5 5hich% in ou# opinion% substantiall1 coplies 5ithits #e6ui#eents. The onl1 appa#ent anoal1 5e fin( is that itappea#s to be an attestation a(e b1 the testato# hiselfo#e than b1 the inst#uental 5itnesses. This appa#entanoal1% as to affect the /ali(it1 of the 5ill% it appea#in0 that#i0ht un(e# the si0natu#e of the testato#% the#e appea# the

si0natu#es of the th#ee inst#uental 5itnesses.

)nst#uental 5itness% as (efine b1 Esc#iche in his,icciona#io Ra8ona(o (e Le0islacion 1 2u#isp#u(encia% +ol.@% p. $$$'% is one 5ho taes pa#t in the eecution of aninst#uent o# 5#itin0 :)n #e 5ill of Tan ,iuco% @' Phil.% D%D&;. An inst#uental 5itness% the#efo#e% (oes not e#el1attest to the si0natu#e of the testato# but also to the p#ope#eecution of the 5ill. The fact that the th#ee inst#uental5itnesses ha/e si0ne( the 5ill ie(iatel1 un(e# thesi0natu#e of the testato#% sho5s that the1 ha/e in factatteste( not onl1 to the 0enuineness of his si0natu#e but alsoto the (ue eecution of the 5ill as ebo(ie( in theattestation clause.

The attestation clause in 6uestion bea#s close siila#it1 5iththe attestation clause in the 5ill in/ol/e( in Al(aba /s.Ro6ue% :@ Phil.% ;. )n that case% the attestation clause(fo#e( pa#t of the bo(1 of the 5ill an( its #ecital 5as a(eb1 the test#at#i hiself an( 5as si0ne( b1 he# an( b1 the

th#ee inst#uental 5itnesses. )n uphol(in0 the /ali(it1 of the5ill% the cou#t sai(3

)n #ealit1 it appea#s that it is the test#at#i 5ho aes the(ecla#ation about the points in the last pa#a0#aph of the 5ill>ho5e/e# as the 5itnesses to0ethe# 5ith the test#at#i% ha/esi0ne( the sai( (ecla#ation% 5e a#e of the opinion an( sohol( that the 5o#(s abo/e 6uote( of the testaent constitute

a sufficient copliance 5ith the #e6ui#eents of Act No."!@'.

As 5as sai( in one case% the ob9ect of the solenitiessu##oun(in0 the eecution of the 5ills is to close the (oo#a0ainst ba( faith an( f#au(% to a/oi( substitution of 5ills an(testaents an( to 0ua#antee thei# t#uth an( authenticit1.The#efo#e the la5s on this sub9ect shoul( be int#ep#ete( insuch a 5a1 as to attain this p#eo#(ial en(s. But on theothe# han(% also one ust not lose si0ht of the fact that it isnot the ob9ect of the la5 to #est#ain an( cu#tail the ee#cise ofthe #i0ht to ae a 5ill. So 5hen an inte#p#etation al#ea(10i/en assu#es such en(s% an1 othe# inte#p#etation5hatsoe/e#% that a((s nothin0 but (ean(s o#e #e6uisites

enti#el1 unnecessa#1% useless an( f#ust#ati/e of the testato#Hs5ill% ust be (is#e0a#(e(. :)n #e 5ill of Tan ,iuco% sup#a% p.$$.; :Ephasis supplie(.;

Ep#essi/e of this libe#al /ie5 of inte#p#etation% a#e also thefollo5in0 #ules ebo(ie( in the ne5 Ci/il Co(e. Thesep#o/isions% althou0h not (i#ectl1 applicable% a#e ho5e/e#%si0nificant because the1 p#o9ect the point of /ie5 of ou#le0islatu#e 5hen it a(opte( the ha/in0 in /ie5 the eistin0la5 an( 9u#isp#u(ence on the atte#.

. . )f a testaenta#1 (isposition a(its of (iffe#entinte#p#etations% in case of (oubt% that inte#p#etation b1 5hichthe (isposition is to be ope#ati/e shall be p#efe##e(.

A#t. &$. The 5o#(s of a 5ill a#e to #ecei/e an inte#p#etation5hich 5ill 0i/e to e/e#1 ep#essions inope#ati/e> an( of t5oo(es of inte#p#etin0 a 5ill% that is to be p#efe##e( 5hich 5illp#e/ent intestac1.

?he#efo#e% the o#(e# appeale( f#o is he#eb1 affi#e(% 5ithcosts a0ainst the appellant.

Pa#as% C.2.% 4e#ia an( Tuason% 22.% concu#.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

4)RST ,)+)S)ON

G.R. No. $"@! Au0ust $"% $&&&

EUGEN)A RAMONAL CO,O

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:ehibit S; a#e he#s% enou0h to p#obate sai( 5ill. Re/e#sal ofthe 9u(0ent appeale( f#o an( the p#obate of theholo0#aphic 5ill in 6uestion be calle( fo#. The #ule is that afte#plaintiff has coplete( p#esentation of his e/i(ence an( the(efen(ant files a otion fo# 9u(0ent on (eu##e# toe/i(ence on the 0#oun( that upon the facts an( the la5plaintiff has sho5n no #i0ht to #elief% if the otion is 0#ante(an( the o#(e# to (isissal is #e/e#se( on appeal% the o/ant

loses his #i0ht to p#esent e/i(ence in his behalf :Sec% $ Rule' Re/ise( Rules of Cou#t;. 2u(0ent a1% the#efo#e% be#en(e#e( fo# appellant in the instant case.

?he#efo#e% the o#(e# appeale( f#o is RE+ERSE, an(9u(0ent #en(e#e( allo5in0 the p#obate of the holo0#aphic5ill of the testato# Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal."

The facts a#e as follo5s3

On Ap#il !% $&&D% E/an0eline Calu0a1% 2osephine Salce(oan( Eufeia Pati0as% (e/isees an( le0atees of theholo0#aphic 5ill of the (ecease( Matil(e Se=o +(a. (eRaonal% file( 5ith the Re0ional T#ial Cou#t% Misais

O#iental% B#anch $% a petition fo# p#obate of theholo0#aphic 5ill of the (ecease(% 5ho (ie( on 2anua#1 $!%$&&D.

)n the petition% #espon(ents claie( that the (ecease(Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal% 5as of soun( an( (isposin0in( 5hen she eecute( the 5ill on Au0ust D% $&% thatthe#e 5as no f#au(% un(ue influence% an( (u#ess eplo1e(in the pe#son of the testato#% an( 5ill 5as 5#itten /olunta#il1.

The assesse( /alue of the (ece(entHs p#ope#t1% inclu(in0 all#eal an( pe#sonal p#ope#t1 5as about P@DD%DDD.DD% at thetie of he# (eath.@

On 2une "% $&&D% Eu0enia Raonal Co(o1 an( ManuelRaonal file( an opposition' to the petition fo# p#obate%alle0in0 that the holo0#aphic 5ill 5as a fo#0e#1 an( that thesae is e/en ille0ible. This 0i/es an ip#ession that a thi#(han( of an inte#este( pa#t1 othe# than the t#ue han( ofMatil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal eecute( the holo0#aphic5ill.

Petitione#s a#0ue( that the #epeate( (ates inco#po#ate( o#appea#in0 on 5ill afte# e/e#1 (isposition is out of the o#(ina#1.)f the (ecease( 5as the one 5ho eecute( the 5ill% an( 5asnot fo#ce(% the (ates an( the si0natu#e shoul( appea# at thebotto afte# the (ispositions% as #e0ula#l1 (one an( not afte#e/e#1 (isposition. An( assuin0 that the holo0#aphic 5ill isin the han(5#itin0 of the (ecease(% it 5as p#ocu#e( b1 un(ue

an( ip#ope# p#essu#e an( influence on the pa#t of thebeneficia#ies% o# th#ou0h f#au( an( t#ice#1.$5phi$.nt

Respon(ents p#esente( si :!; 5itnesses an( /a#ious(ocuenta#1 e/i(ence. Petitione#s instea( of p#esentin0thei# e/i(ence% file( a (eu##e#! to e/i(ence% claiin0 that#espon(ents faile( to establish sufficient factual an( le0albasis fo# the p#obate of the holo0#aphic 5ill of the (ecease(Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal.

On No/ebe# "!% $&&D% the lo5e# Cou#t issue( an o#(e#% the(ispositi/e po#tion of 5hich #ea(s3

?*ERE4ORE% in /ie5 of the fo#e0oin0 consi(e#ation% the

,eu##e# to E/i(ence ha/in0 bein0 5ell taen% sae is0#ante(% an( the petition fo# p#obate of the (ocuent :EhibitS; on the pu#po#te( *olo0#aphic ?ill of the late Matil(eSe=o +(a. (e Raonal% is (enie( fo# insufficienc1 ofe/i(ence an( lac of e#its.

On ,ecebe# $"% $&&D% #espon(ents file( a notice ofappeal% an( in suppo#t of thei# appeal% the #espon(entsonce a0ain #eite#ate( the testion1 of the follo5in05itnesses% nael13 :$; Au0usto Ne#i> :"; Gene#osa Senon>:; Matil(e Raonal Binana1> :@; Te#esita +e(a(> :'; 4iscalRo(olfo ?a0a> an( :!; E/an0eline Calu0a1.

To ha/e a clea# un(e#stan(in0 of the testionies of the

5itnesses% 5e #ecite an account of thei# testionies.

Au0usto Ne#i% Cle# of Cou#t% Cou#t of 4i#st )nstance ofMisais O#iental% 5he#e the special p#ocee(in0s fo# thep#obate of the holo0#aphic 5ill of the (ecease( 5as file(. *ep#o(uce( an( i(entifie( the #eco#(s of the case. The(ocuents p#esente( bea# the si0natu#e of the (ecease(%Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal% fo# the pu#pose of la1in0 thebasis fo# copa#ison of the han(5#itin0 of the testat#i% 5iththe 5#itin0 t#eate( o# a(itte( as 0enuine b1 the pa#t1a0ainst 5ho the e/i(ence is offe#e(.

Gene#osa Senon% election #e0ist#a# of Ca0a1an (e O#o% 5asp#esente( to p#o(uce( an( i(entif1 the /ote#Hs affi(a/it of the

(ece(ent. *o5e/e#% the /ote#sH affi(a/it 5as not p#o(uce( fo#the sae 5as al#ea(1 (est#o1e( an( no lon0e# a/ailable.

Matil(e Raonal Binana1% testifie( that the (ecease( Matil(eSe=o +(a. (e Raonal 5as he# aunt% an( that afte# the(eath of Matil(eHs husban(% the latte# li/e( 5ith he# in he#pa#entHs house fo# ele/en :$$; 1ea#s f#o $&' to $&!&.,u#in0 those ele/en :$$; 1ea#s of close association the(ecease(% she ac6ui#e( failia#it1 5ith he# si0natu#e an(han(5#itin0 as she use( to accopan1 he# :(ecease(Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal; in collectin0 #entals f#o he#/a#ious tenants of coe#cial buil(in0s% an( (ecease(al5a1s issue( #eceipts. )n a((ition to this% she :5itnessMatil(e Binana1; assiste( the (ecease( in postin0 the#eco#(s of the accounts% an( ca##ie( pe#sonal lette#s of the(ecease( to he# c#e(ito#s.

Matil(e Raonal Binana1 fu#the# testifie( that at the tie ofthe (eath of Matil(e +(a. (e Raonal% she left a holo0#aphic5ill (ate( Au0ust D% $&% 5hich 5as pe#sonall1 an(enti#el1 5#itten% (ate( an( si0ne(% b1 the (ecease( an( thatall the (ispositions the#ein% the (ates% an( the si0natu#es insai( 5ill% 5e#e that of the (ecease(.

4iscal Ro(olfo ?a0a testifie( that befo#e he 5as appointe(Cit1 4iscal of Ca0a1an (e O#o% he 5as a p#acticin0 la51e#%an( han(le( all the plea(in0s an( (ocuents si0ne( b1 the(ecease( in connection 5ith the p#ocee(in0s of he# latehusban(% as a #esult of 5hich he is failia# 5ith the

han(5#itin0 of the latte#. *e testifie( that the si0natu#eappea#in0 in the holo0#aphic 5ill 5as siila# to that of the(ecease(% Matil(e Se=o +(a. (e Raonal% but he can not besu#e.

The fifth 5itness p#esente( 5as M#s. Te#esita +e(a(% aneplo1ee of the ,epa#tent of En/i#onent an( Natu#alResou#ces% Re0ion $D. She testifie( that she p#ocesse( theapplication of the (ecease( fo# pastu#e pe#it an( 5asfailia# 5ith the si0natu#e of the (ecease(% since the si0ne((ocuents in he# p#esence% 5hen the latte# 5as appl1in0 fo#pastu#e pe#it.

4inall1% E/an0eline Calu0a1% one of the #espon(ents% testifie(

that she ha( li/e( 5ith the (ecease( since bi#th% an( 5as infact a(opte( b1 the latte#. That afte# a lon0 pe#io( of tie shebecae failia# 5ith the si0natu#e of the (ecease(. Shetestifie( that the si0natu#e appea#in0 in the holo0#aphic 5ill isthe t#ue an( 0enuine si0natu#e of Matil(e Se=o +(a. (eRaonal.

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The holo0#aphic 5ill 5hich 5as 5#itten in +isa1an% ist#anslate( in En0lish as follo5s3

)nst#uction

Au0ust D% $&

$. M1 sha#e at Co0on% Rainal St#eet% fo# E/an0elineCalu0a1.

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

". 2osefina Salce(o ust be 0i/en $%'DD s6ua#e ete#s atPinian St#eet.

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

. M1 9e5el#1Hs shall be (i/i(e( aon03

$. Eufeia Pati0as

". 2osefina Salce(o

. E/an0eline Calu0a1

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

@. ) be6ueath 1 one :$; hecta#e lan( at Man(uol% )n(aha0to E/an0eline R. Calu0a1

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

'. Gi/e the "%'DD S6ua#e Mete#s at Sta. C#u8 Raonal+illa0e in fa/o# of E/an0eline R. Calu0a1% *elen ustcontinue 5ith the Sta. C#u8% once ) a no lon0e# a#oun(.

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

!. Bu#1 e 5he#e 1 husban( 2usto is e/e# bu#ie(.

:S0(; Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

Au0ust D% $&

Gene an( Manuel3

4ollo5 1 inst#uction in o#(e# that ) 5ill #est peacefull1.

Maa

Matil(e +(a (e Raonal

On Octobe# &% $&&'% the Cou#t of Appeals% #en(e#e((ecision& #ulin0 that the appeal 5as e#ito#ious. Citin0 the

(ecision in the case of A8aola /s. Sin0son% $D& Phil. $D"%penne( b1 M#. 2ustice 2. B. L. Re1es% a #eco0ni8e( autho#it1in ci/il la5% the Cou#t of Appeals hel(3

. . . e/en if the 0enuineness of the holo0#aphic 5ill 5e#econteste(% 5e a#e of the opinion that A#ticle $$ of ou#

p#esent ci/il co(e can not be inte#p#ete( as to #e6ui#e thecopulso#1 p#esentation of th#ee 5itnesses to i(entif1 thehan(5#itin0 of the testato#% un(e# penalt1 of ha/in0 thep#obate (enie(. Since no 5itness a1 ha/e been p#esent atthe eecution of the holo0#aphic 5ill% none bein0 #e6ui#e( b1la5 :a#t. $D% ne5 ci/il co(e;% it becoes ob/ious that theeistence of 5itnesses possessin0 the #e6uisite6ualifications is a atte# be1on( the cont#ol of the

p#oponent. 4o# it is not e#el1 a 6uestion of fin(in0 an(p#o(ucin0 an1 th#ee 5itnesses> the1 ust be 5itnesses 5hono5 the han(5#itin0 an( si0natu#e of the testato# an( 5hocan (ecla#e :t#uthfull1% of cou#se% e/en if the la5 (oes notep#ess; that the 5ill an( the si0natu#e a#e in thehan(5#itin0 of the testato#. The#e a1 be no a/ailable5itness ac6uainte( 5ith the testato#Hs han(> o# e/en if sofailia#i8e(% the 5itness a1be un5illin0 to 0i/e a positi/eopinion. Copliance 5ith the #ule of pa#a0#aph $ of a#ticle$$ a1 thus becoe an ipossibilit1. That is e/i(entl1 the#eason 5h1 the secon( pa#a0#aph of a#ticle $$ p#esc#ibesthat 7

in the absence of an1 copetent 5itness #efe##e( to in the

p#ece(in0 pa#a0#aph% an( if the cou#t (ees it necessa#1%epe#t testion1 a1 be #eso#te( to.

As can be see% the la5 fo#esees% the possibilit1 that no6ualifie( 5itness a be foun( :o# 5hat aounts to the saethin0% that no copetent 5itness a1 be 5illin0 to testif1 tothe authenticit1 of the 5ill;% an( p#o/i(es fo# #eso#t to epe#te/i(ence to suppl1 the (eficienc1.

)t a1 be t#ue that the #ule of this a#ticle :#e6ui#in0 that th#ee5itnesses be p#esente( if the 5ill is conteste( an( onl1 one ifno contest is ha(; 5as (e#i/e( f#o the #ule establishe( fo#o#(ina#1 testaents :C4 Caban0 /s. ,elfiana(o% @' P*)L"&$> Tolentino /. 4#ancisco% ' P*)L @";. But it can not bei0no#e( that the #e6ui#eent can be consi(e#e( an(ato#1onl1 in case of o#(ina#1 testaents% p#ecisel1 because thep#esence of at least th#ee 5itnesses at the eecution ofo#(ina#1 5ills is a(e b1 la5 essential to thei# /ali(it1 :A#t.D';. ?he#e the 5ill is holo0#aphic% no 5itness nee( bep#esent :a#t. $D;% an( the #ule #e6ui#in0 p#o(uction of th#ee5itnesses ust be (eee( e#el1 pe#issi/e if absu#(#esults a#e to be a/oi(e(.

A0ain% un(e# A#t. $$% the #eso#t to epe#t e/i(ence iscon(itione( b1 the 5o#(s if the cou#t (ee it necessa#1%5hich #e/eal that 5hat the la5 (ees essential is that thecou#t shoul( be con/ince( of the 5illHs authenticit1. ?he#ethe p#esc#ibe( nube# of 5itnesses is p#o(uce( an( thecou#t is con/ince( b1 thei# testion1 that the 5ill is 0enuine%

it a1 consi(e# it unnecessa#1 to call fo# epe#t e/i(ence. Onthe othe# han(% if no copetent 5itness is a/ailable% o# noneof those p#o(uce( is con/incin0% the cou#t a1 still% an( infact it shoul( #eso#t to han(5#itin0 epe#ts. The (ut1 of thecou#t% in fine% is to ehaust all a/ailable lines of in6ui#1% fo#the state is as uch inte#este( as the p#oponent that the t#ueintention of the testato# be ca##ie( into effect.

Pa#aph#asin0 A8aola /s. Sin0son% e/en if the 0enuineness ofthe holo0#aphic 5ill 5e#e conteste(% A#ticle $$ of the ci/ilco(e cannot be inte#p#ete( as to #e6ui#e the copulso#1p#esentation of th#ee 5itnesses to i(entif1 the han(5#itin0 ofthe testato#% un(e# penalt1 of the ha/in0 the p#obate (enie(.No 5itness nee( be p#esent in the eecution of the

holo0#aphic 5ill. An( the #ule #e6ui#in0 the p#o(uction ofth#ee 5itnesses is e#el1 pe#issi/e. ?hat the la5 (eesessential is that the cou#t is con/ince( of the authenticit1 ofthe 5ill. )ts (ut1 is to ehaust all a/ailable lines of in6ui#1% fo#the state is as uch inte#este( in the p#oponent that the t#ueintention of the testato# be ca##ie( into effect. An( because

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the la5 lea/es it to the t#ial cou#t to (eci(e if epe#ts a#e stillnee(e(% no unfa/o#able infe#ence can be (#a5n f#o apa#t1Hs failu#e to offe# epe#t e/i(ence% until an( unless thecou#t ep#esses (issatisfaction 5ith the testion1 of the la15itnesses.$D

Acco#(in0 to the Cou#t of Appeals% E/an0eline Calu0a1%Matil(e Raonal Binana1 an( othe# 5itnesses (efinitel1 an(

in no unce#tain te#s testifie( that the han(5#itin0 an(si0natu#e in the holo0#aphic 5ill 5e#e those of the testato#he#self.

Thus% upon the un#ebutte( testion1 of appellant E/an0elineCalu0a1 an( 5itness Matil(e Raonal Binana1% the Cou#t of

Appeals sustaine( the authenticit1 of the holo0#aphic 5ill an(the han(5#itin0 an( si0natu#e the#ein% an( allo5e( the 5ill top#obate.

*ence% this petition.

The petitione#s #aise the follo5in0 issues3

:$; ?hethe# o# not the #ulin0 of the case of A8aola /s.Sin0son% $D& Phil. $D"% #elie( upon b1 the #espon(ent Cou#tof Appeals% 5as applicable to the case.

:"; ?hethe# o# not the Cou#t of Appeals e##e( in hol(in0 thatp#i/ate #espon(ents ha( been able to p#esent c#e(iblee/i(ence to that the (ate% tet% an( si0natu#e on theholo0#aphic 5ill 5#itten enti#el1 in the han( of the testat#i.

:; ?hethe# o# not the Cou#t of Appeals e##e( in notanal18in0 the si0natu#es in the holo0#aphic 5ill of Matil(eSe=o +(a. (e Raonal.

)n this petition% the petitione#s as 5hethe# the p#o/isions ofA#ticle $$ of the Ci/il Co(e a#e pe#issi/e o# an(ato#1.The a#ticle p#o/i(es% as a #e6ui#eent fo# the p#obate of aconteste( holo0#aphic 5ill% that at least th#ee 5itnesseseplicitl1 (ecla#e that the si0natu#e in the 5ill is the 0enuinesi0natu#e of the testato#.$5phi$.nt

?e a#e con/ince(% base( on the lan0ua0e use(% that A#ticle$$ of the Ci/il Co(e is an(ato#1. The 5o#( shallconnotes a an(ato#1 o#(e#. ?e ha/e #ule( that shall in astatute coonl1 (enotes an ipe#ati/e obli0ation an( isinconsistent 5ith the i(ea of (isc#etion an( that thep#esuption is that the 5o#( shall% 5hen use( in a statuteis an(ato#1.$$

La5s a#e enacte( to achie/e a 0oal inten(e( an( to 0ui(e

a0ainst an e/il o# ischief that ais to p#e/ent. )n the caseat ba#% the 0oal to achie/e is to 0i/e effect to the 5ishes ofthe (ecease( an( the e/il to be p#e/ente( is the possibilit1that unsc#upulous in(i/i(uals 5ho fo# thei# benefit 5illeplo1 eans to (efeat the 5ishes of the testato#.

So% 5e belie/e that the pa#aount consi(e#ation in thep#esent petition is to (ete#ine the t#ue intent of the(ecease(. An ehausti/e an( ob9ecti/e consi(e#ation of thee/i(ence is ipe#ati/e to establish the t#ue intent of thetestato#.

)t 5ill be note( that not all the 5itnesses p#esente( b1 the#espon(ents testifie( eplicitl1 that the1 5e#e failia# 5ith

the han(5#itin0 of testato#. )n the case of Au0usto Ne#i% cle#of cou#t% Cou#t of 4i#st )nstance% Misais O#iental% he e#el1i(entifie( the #eco#( of Special P#ocee(in0s No. @" befo#esai( cou#t. *e 5as not p#esente( to (ecla#e eplicitl1 that thesi0natu#e appea#in0 in the holo0#aphic 5as that of the(ecease(.

Gene#osa E. Senon% the election #e0ist#a# of Ca0a1an (eO#o Cit1% 5as p#esente( to i(entif1 the si0natu#e of the(ecease( in the /ote#Hs affi(a/it% 5hich 5as not e/enp#o(uce( as it 5as no lon0e# a/ailable.

Matil(e Raonal Binana1% on the othe# han(% testifie( that3

I. An( 1ou sai( fo# ele/en :$$; 1ea#s Matil(e +(a (eRaonal #esi(e( 5ith 1ou# pa#ents at Piniitan% Ca0a1an (eO#o Cit1. ?oul( 1ou tell the cou#t 5hat 5as 1ou# occupationo# ho5 (i( Matil(e +(a (e Raonal eep he#self bus1 thattieF

A. Collectin0 #entals.

I. 4#o 5he#eF

A. 4#o the lan( #entals an( coe#cial buil(in0s atPaba1o-Goe8 st#eets.$"

I. ?ho soetie accopan1 he#F

A. ) soeties accopan1 he#.

I. )n collectin0 #entals (oes she issue #eceiptsF

A.

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A. Postin0 #eco#(s.

I. Asi(e f#o thatF

A. Ca##1in0 lette#s.

I. Lette#s of 5hoF

A. Matil(e.

I. To 5hoF

A. To he# c#e(ito#s.$'

I.

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A. )n 5#itin0.

I. *o5 (i( 1ou no5 that she 5as ehauste( 5hen 1ou5e#e not p#esent an( 1ou 9ust t#ie( to eplain 1ou#self outbecause of the appa#ent inconsistenciesF

A. That 5as ) thin. :sic;.

I. No5% 1ou al#ea(1 obse#/e( this si0natu#e (ate( $&%the sae 1ea# as the alle0e( holo0#aphic 5ill. )n ehibit )%1ou 5ill notice that the#e is no #et#acin0> the#e is no hesitanc1an( the si0natu#e 5as 5#itten on a flui( o/eent. . . . An(in fact% the nae Eufeia R. Pati0as he#e #efe#s to one ofthe petitione#sF

A.

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the cou#t 5hethe# 1ou a#e failia# 5ith the han(5#itin0containe( in that (ocuent a#e( as ehibit SF

A. ) a not failia# 5ith the han(5#itin0.

I. This one% Matil(e +(a (e Raonal% 5hose si0natu#e isthisF

A. ) thin this si0natu#e he#e it sees to be the si0natu#e ofM#s. Matil(e /(a (e Raonal.

I. No5% in ite No. " the#e is that si0natu#e he#e of Matil(e+(a (e Raonal% can 1ou tell the cou#t 5hose si0natu#e isthisF

A. ?ell% that is siila# to that si0natu#e appea#in0 in thep#o9ect of pa#tition.

I. Also in ite no. the#e is that si0natu#e Matil(e +(a (eRaonal% can 1ou tell the cou#t 5hose si0natu#e is thatF

A. As ) sai(% this si0natu#e also sees to be the si0natu#e

of Matil(e /(a (e Raonal.

I. ?h1 (o 1ou sa1 thatF

A. Because the#e is a siila#it1 in the 5a1 it is bein0 5#itten.

I. *o5 about this si0natu#e in ite no. @% can 1ou tell thecou#t 5hose si0natu#e is thisF

A. The sae is t#ue 5ith the si0natu#e in ite no. @. )tsees that the1 a#e siila#."&

I. M#. P#osecuto#% ) hea#( 1ou 5hen 1ou sai( that thesi0natu#e of Matil(e +(a (e Raonal Appea#in0 in ehibit Ssees to be the si0natu#e of Matil(e /(a (e RaonalF

A.

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On Ma#ch $% $&'"% 4austo E. Gan initiate( thep#ocee(in0s in the Manila cou#t of fi#st instance 5ith apetition fo# the p#obate of a holo0#aphic 5ill alle0e(l1eecute( b1 the (ecease(% substantiall1 in these 5o#(s3

Nob1eb#e '% $&'$.

Ao% si 4elici(a( E. Alto- that the#eafte# she felt 5ell an( afte# /isitin0inte#estin0 places% the couple #etu#ne( to this count#1 in

Au0ust $&'D. *o5e/e#% he# ailent #ecu##e(% she suffe#e(se/e#al attacs% the ost se#ious of 5hich happene( in theea#l1 o#nin0 of the fi#st Mon(a1 of No/ebe# $&'$ :No/.';. The 5hole househol( 5as su#p#ise( an( ala#e(% e/enthe teache#s of the *a#/a#(ian Colle0es occup1in0 the lo5e#floo#s an( of b1 the :c;it is ip#obable that the (ece(ent 5oul( ha/e pe#itte(P#iiti/o Re1es% Rosa#io Gan 2iene8 an( Soco##o Ola#te to#ea( he# 5ill% 5hen she p#ecisel1 5ante( its contents to#eain a sec#et (u#in0 he# lifetie> :(; it is also ip#obablethat he# pu#pose bein0 to conceal the 5ill f#o he# husban(she 5oul( ca##1 it a#oun(% e/en to the hospital% in he# pu#se5hich coul( fo# one #eason o# anothe# be opene( b1 he#husban(> :e; if it is t#ue that the husban( (ean(e( thepu#se f#o 4elina in the U.S.T. *ospital an( that the 5ill 5as

the#e% it is ha#( to belie/e that he #etu#ne( it 5ithout(est#o1in0 the 5ill% the theo#1 of the petitione# bein0p#ecisel1 that the 5ill 5as eecute( behin( his bac fo# fea#he 5ill (est#o1 it.

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)n the face of these ip#obabilities% the t#ial 9u(0e ha( toaccept the opposito#Hs e/i(ence that 4elici(a( (i( not an(coul( not ha/e eecute( such holo0#aphic 5ill.

)n this appeal% the a9o# po#tion of appellantHs b#ief(iscusse( the testion1 of the opposito# an( of his5itnesses in a /i0o#ous effo#t to (isc#e(it the. )t appea#sthat the sae a#0uents% o# ost of the% 5e#e p#esente(

in the otion to #econsi(e#> but the1 faile( to in(uce thecou#t a 6uo to chan0e its in(. The opposito#Hs b#ief% on theothe# han(% aptl1 ans5e#s the c#iticiss. ?e (ee itunnecessa#1 to 0o o/e# the sae atte#s% because in ou#opinion the case shoul( be (eci(e( not on the 5eaness ofthe opposition but on the st#en0th of the e/i(ence of thepetitione#% 5ho has the bu#(en of p#oof.

The Spanish Ci/il Co(e pe#itte( the eecution ofholo0#aphic 5ills alon0 5ith othe# fo#s. The Co(e of Ci/ilP#oce(u#e :Act $&D; app#o/e( Au0ust % $&D$% a(opte( onl1one fo#% the#eb1 #epealin0 the othe# fo#s% inclu(in0holo0#aphic 5ills.

The Ne5 Ci/il Co(e effecti/e in $&'D #e/i/e( holo0#aphic5ills in its a#ts. $D-$@. A pe#son a1 eecute aholo0#aphic 5ill 5hich ust be enti#el1 5#itten% (ate(% an(si0ne( b1 the han( of the testato# hiself. )t is sub9ect to noothe# fo# an( a1 be a(e in o# out of the Philippines% an(nee( not be 5itnesse(.

This is in(ee( a #a(ical (epa#tu#e f#o the fo# an(solenities p#o/i(e( fo# 5ills un(e# Act $&D% 5hich fo# fift11ea#s :f#o $&D$ to $&'D; #e6ui#e( 5ills to be subsc#ibe( b1the testato# an( th#ee c#e(ible 5itnesses in each an( e/e#1pa0e> such 5itnesses to attest to the nube# of sheets use(an( to the fact that the testato# si0ne( in thei# p#esence an(that the1 si0ne( in the p#esence of the testato# an( of eachothe#.

The ob9ect of such #e6ui#eents it has been sai(% is to closethe (oo# a0ainst ba( faith an( f#au(% to p#e/ent substitutionof 5ills% to 0ua#antee thei# t#uth an( authencit1 :Aban0an /s.

Aban0an% @D Phil.% @!; an( to a/oi( those 5ho ha/e no#i0ht to succee( the testato# 5oul( succee( hi an( bebenefite( 5ith the p#obate of sae. :Men(o8a /s. Pilapil% @DOff. Ga8.% $'';. *o5e/e#% fo#al ipe#fections a1 beb#ushe( asi(e 5hen authenticit1 of the inst#uent is (ul1p#o/e(. :Ro(#i0ue8 /s but the1 a1 ha/e been sho5n a fae( (ocuent%an( ha/in0 no inte#est to chec the authenticit1 the#eof ha/etaen no pains to eaine an( copa#e. O# the1 a1 bepe#9u#e#s bol(l1 testif1in0% in the no5le(0e that none coul(con/ict the of pe#9u#1% because no one coul( p#o/e thatthe1 ha/e not been sho5n a (ocuent 5hich the1 belie/e(5as in the han(5#itin0 of the (ecease(. Of cou#se% thecopetenc1 of such pe#9u#e( 5itnesses to testif1 as to thehan(5#itin0 coul( be teste( b1 ehibitin0 to the othe#5#itin0s sufficientl1 siila# to those 5#itten b1 the (ecease(>but 5hat 5itness o# la51e# 5oul( not fo#esee such a o/ean( p#epa#e fo# itF *is no5le(0e of the han(5#itin0

establishe(% the 5itness :o# 5itnesses; coul( sipl1 stic tohis stateent3 he has seen an( #ea( a (ocuent 5hich hebelie/e( 5as in the (ecease(Hs han(5#itin0. An( the cou#tan( the opposito# 5oul( p#acticall1 be at the e#c1 of such5itness :o# 5itnesses; not onl1 as to the eecution% but alsoas to the contents of the 5ill. ,oes the la5 pe#it such asituationF

The Rules of Cou#t% :Rule ; app#o/e( in $&@D allo5 p#oof:an( p#obate; of a lost o# (est#o1e( 5ill b1 secon(a#1 7e/i(ence the testion1 of 5itnesses% in lieu of the o#i0inal(ocuent.

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stolen@ 7 an iplie( a(ission that such loss o# theft#en(e#s it useless..

This ust be so% because the Ci/il Co(e #e6ui#es it to bep#otocole( an( p#esente( to the 9u(0e% :A#t. !&; 5ho shallsubsc#ibe it an( #e6ui#e its i(entit1 to be establishe( b1 theth#ee 5itnesses 5ho (epose that the1 ha/e no #easonable(oubt that the 5ill 5as 5#itten b1 the testato# :A#t. !&$;. An(

if the 9u(0e consi(e#s that the i(entit1 of the 5ill has beenp#o/en he shall o#(e# that it be file( :A#t. !&;. All these%ipl1 p#esentation of the 5ill itself. A#t. !&" bea#s the saeiplication% to a 0#eate# (e0#ee. )t #e6ui#es that the su#/i/in0spouse an( the le0itiate ascen(ants an( (escen(ants besuone( so that the1 a1 ae an1 stateent the1 a1(esi#e to subit 5ith #espect to the authenticit1 of the 5ill.

As it is uni/e#sall1 a(itte( that the holo0#aphic 5ill isusuall1 (one b1 the testato# an( b1 hiself alone% to p#e/entothe#s f#o no5in0 eithe# its eecution o# its contents% theabo/e a#ticle !&" coul( not ha/e the i(ea of sipl1pe#ittin0 such #elati/es to state 5hethe# the1 no5 of the5ill% but 5hethe# in the face of the (ocuent itself the1 thinthe testato# 5#ote it. Ob/iousl1% this the1 canHt (o unless the

5ill itself is p#esente( to the Cou#t an( to the.

Un(oubte(l1% the intention of the la5 is to 0i/e the nea##elati/es the choice of eithe# copl1in0 5ith the 5ill if the1thin it authentic% o# to oppose it% if the1 thin it spu#ious.'Such pu#pose is f#ust#ate( 5hen the (ocuent is notp#esente( fo# thei# eaination. )f it be a#0ue( that suchchoice is not essential% because an15a1 the #elati/es a1oppose% the ans5e# is that thei# opposition 5ill be at a(istinct (isa(/anta0e% an( the1 ha/e the #i0ht an( p#i/ile0eto copl1 5ith the 5ill% if 0enuine% a #i0ht 5hich the1 shoul(not be (enie( b1 5ithhol(in0 inspection the#eof f#o the.

?e fin( confi#ation of these i(eas--about ehibition of the(ocuent itself--in the (ecision of the Sup#ee Cou#t ofSpain of 2une '% $&"'% 5hich (enie( p#otocoli8ation o#p#obate to a (ocuent containin0 testaenta#1 (ispositionsin the han(5#itin0 of the (ecease(% but appa#entl1 utilate(%the si0natu#e an( soe 5o#(s ha/in0 been to#n f#o it. E/enin the face of alle0ations an( testionial e/i(ence :5hich5as cont#o/e#te(;% asc#ibin0 the utilation to the opponentsof the 5ill. The afo#esai( t#ibunal (ecla#e( that% inacco#(ance 5ith the p#o/ision of the Ci/il Co(e :Spanish; the5ill itself% 5hole an( unutilate(% ust be p#esente(>othe#5ise% it shall p#o(uce no effect.

Consi(e#an(o 6ue senta(o lo ante#io#% 1 establecien(ose enel pa##afo se0un(o (el a#ticulo ! (el Co(i0o ci/il% 6ue pa#a6ue sea /ali(o el testaento olo0#afo (ebe#a esta# esc#ito

to(o el 1 fi#a(o po# testa(o#% con ep#ession (el a=o% es 1(ia en 6ue se oto#6ue% #esulta e/i(ente 6ue pa#a la /ali(e8 1eficacia (e esos testaentos% no basta la (eost#acion aso enos cupli(a (e 6ue cuan(o se oto#0a#on se )lena#onto(os esos #e6uisitos% sino 6ue (e la ep#esa(a #e(accion elp#ecepto le0al% 1 po# el tiepo en 6ue el /e#bo se eplea%se (esp#en(e la necesi(a( (e 6ue el (ocuento seencuent#e en (ichas con(iciones en el oento (e se#p#esenta(o a la Auto#i(a( copetente% pa#a au a(/e#acion 1p#otocoli8acion> 1 coo consecuencia inelu(ible (e ello%fo#8oso es affi#a# 6ue el (e autos ca#ece (e /ali(e8 1aficacia% po# no esta#fi#a(o po# el testa(o#% cual6uie#a 6uesea la causa (e la falta (e fi#a% 1 sin pe#9uicio (e lasacciones 6ue pue(an e9e#cita# los pe#9u(ica(os% bien pa#a

pe(i# in(eni8acion po# el pe#9uicio a la pe#sona culpable% sila hubie#e% o su casti0o en /ia c#iinal si p#oce(ie#e% po#constitui# (icha oision un (efecto insubsanable . . . .

This hol(in0 ali0ns 5ith the i(eas on holo0#aphic 5ills in the4ue#o 2u80o% a(itte(l1 the basis of the Spanish Ci/il Co(ep#o/isions on the atte#.!

PRECE,ENTES LEGALES--4ue#o 2u80o% lib#o se0un(o%titulo +% le1 $'--E (epues 6ue los he#e(e#os e sus fi9oso/ie#en esta an(a% fasta ... annos uest#enla al obispo (ela tie##a% o al 9ue8 fasta +) eses 1 el obispo o el 9ue8 toen

ot#os tales t#es esc#itos% 6ue fuesen fechos po# su ano(a6uel 6ue fi8o la an(a> e po# a6uellos esc#iptos% sise9a#a la let#a (e la an(a% sea confi#a(a la an(a. E(epues 6ue to(o esto fue#e connosci(o% el obispo o el 9ue8%o ot#as testionios confi#en el esc#ipto (e la an(a ot#a/e8% 1 en esta ane#a /ala la an(a. :A#t. !&% Scae/ola--Co(i0o Ci/il.;

:Acco#(in0 to the 4ue#o abo/e% the 5ill itself ust becopa#e( 5ith speciens of the testato#s han(5#itin0.;

All of 5hich can onl1 ean3 the cou#ts 5ill not (ist#ibute thep#ope#t1 of the (ecease( in acco#(ance 5ith his holo0#aphic5ill% unless the1 a#e sho5n his han(5#itin0 an( si0natu#e.

Pa#entheticall1% it a1 be a((e( that e/en the 4#ench Ci/ilLa5 consi(e#s the loss of the holo0#aphic 5ill to be fatal.:Planiol 1 Ripe#t% ,e#echo Ci/il 4#ances% t#a(uccion po# ,ia8C#u8% $&@!% Too +% pa0e ''';.

Tain0 all the abo/e ci#custances to0ethe#% 5e #each theconclusion that the eecution an( the contents of a lost o#(est#o1e( holo0#aphic 5ill a1 not be p#o/e( b1 the ba#etestion1 of 5itnesses 5ho ha/e seen an(o# #ea( such5ill.

Un(e# the p#o/isions of A#t. of the Ne5 Ci/il Co(e% 5ea#e epo5e#e( to a(opt this opinion as a Rule of Cou#t fo#the allo5ance of such holo0#aphic 5ills. ?e hesitate%ho5e/e#% to ae this Rule (ecisi/e of this cont#o/e#s1%siultaneousl1 5ith its p#oul0ation. An15a1% (ecision of theappeal a1 #est on the sufficienc1% #athe# the insufficienc1% ofthe e/i(ence p#esente( b1 petitione# 4austo E. Gan.

At this point% befo#e p#ocee(in0 fu#the#% it i0ht becon/enient to eplain 5h1% unlie holo0#aphic 5ills% o#(ina#15ills a1 be p#o/e( b1 testionial e/i(ence 5hen lost o#(est#o1e(. The (iffe#ence lies in the natu#e of the 5ills. )n thefi#st% the onl1 0ua#antee of authenticit1 is the han(5#itin0itself> in the secon(% the testion1 of the subsc#ibin0 o#inst#uental 5itnesses :an( of the nota#1% no5;. The loss ofthe holo0#aphic 5ill entails the loss of the onl1 e(iu ofp#oof> if the o#(ina#1 5ill is lost% the subsc#ibin0 5itnesses

a#e a/ailable to authenticate.

)n the case of o#(ina#1 5ills% it is 6uite ha#( to con/ince th#ee5itnesses :fou# 5ith the nota#1; (elibe#atel1 to lie. An( thenthei# lies coul( be chece( an( epose(% thei# 5he#eaboutsan( acts on the pa#ticula# (a1% the lielihoo( that the1 5oul(be calle( b1 the testato#% thei# intiac1 5ith the testato#% etc.

An( if the1 5e#e intiates o# t#uste( f#ien(s of the testato#the1 a#e not liel1 to en( thesel/es to an1 f#au(ulentschee to (isto#t his 5ishes. Last but not least% the1 can not#ecei/e an1thin0 on account of the 5ill.

?he#eas in the case of holo0#aphic 5ills% if o#al testion15e#e a(issible& onl1 one an coul( en0inee# the f#au( this

5a13 afte# ain0 a cle/e# o# passable iitation of thehan(5#itin0 an( si0natu#e of the (ecease(% he a1 cont#i/eto let th#ee honest an( c#e(ible 5itnesses see an( #ea( thefo#0e#1> an( the latte#% ha/in0 no inte#est% coul( easil1 fall fo#it% an( in cou#t the1 5oul( in all 0oo( faith affi# its0enuineness an( authenticit1. The 5ill ha/in0 been lost 7

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the fo#0e# a1 ha/e pu#posel1 (est#o1e( it in an acci(ent7 the opposito#s ha/e no 5a1 to epose the t#ic an( thee##o#% because the (ocuent itself is not at han(. An(consi(e#in0 that the holo0#aphic 5ill a1 consist of t5o o#th#ee pa0es% an( onl1 one of the nee( be si0ne(% thesubstitution of the unsi0ne( pa0es% 5hich a1 be the ostipo#tant ones% a1 0o un(etecte(.

)f testionial e/i(ence of holo0#aphic 5ills be pe#itte(% oneo#e ob9ectionable featu#e 7 feasibilit1 of fo#0e#1 7 5oul(be a((e( to the se/e#al ob9ections to this in( of 5ills liste(b1 Castan% Sanche8 Roan an( +al/e#(e an( othe# 5ell-no5n Spanish Coentato#s an( teache#s of Ci/il La5.$D

One o#e fun(aental (iffe#ence3 in the case of a lost 5ill%the th#ee subsc#ibin0 5itnesses 5oul( be testif1in0 to a fact5hich the1 sa5% nael1 the act of the testato# of subsc#ibin0the 5ill> 5he#eas in the case of a lost holo0#aphic 5ill% the5itnesses 5oul( testif1 as to thei# opinion of the han(5#itin05hich the1 alle0e(l1 sa5% an opinion 5hich can not be teste(in cou#t% no# (i#ectl1 cont#a(icte( b1 the opposito#s% becausethe han(5#itin0 itself is not at han(.

Tu#nin0 no5 to the e/i(ence p#esente( b1 the petitione#% 5efin( ou#sel/es sha#in0 the t#ial 9u(0eHs (isbelief. )n a((ition tothe (ubious ci#custances (esc#ibe( in the appeale((ecision% 5e fin( it ha#( to belie/e that the (ecease( shoul(sho5 he# 5ill p#ecisel1 to #elati/es 5ho ha( #ecei/e( nothin0f#o it3 Soco##o Ola#te an( P#iiti/o Re1es. These coul(peste# he# into aen(in0 he# 5ill to 0i/e the a sha#e% o#th#eaten to #e/eal its eecution to he# husban( )l(efonso

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?*ERE4ORE% the petition to p#obate Ehibit C as theholo0#aphic 5ill of Nati/i(a( Q. Qala5 is he#eb1 (enie(.

SO OR,ERE,.

4#o that O#(e#% GREGOR)O o/e( fo# #econsi(e#ationa#0uin0 that since the alte#ations an(o# inse#tions 5e#e the

testat#i% the (enial to p#obate of he# holo0#aphic ?ill 5oul(be cont#a#1 to he# #i0ht of testaenta#1 (isposition.Reconsi(e#ation 5as (enie( in an O#(e#% (ate( No/ebe# "%$&% on the 0#oun( that A#ticle $@ of the Ci/il Co(ebein0 % clea# an( eplicit% :it; #e6ui#es no necessit1 fo#inte#p#etation.

4#o that O#(e#% (ate( Septebe# % $&% (en1in0 p#obate%an( the O#(e# (ate( No/ebe# "% $& (en1in0#econsi(e#ation% ROSA file( this Petition fo# Re/ie5 once#tio#a#i on the sole le0al 6uestion of 5hethe# o# not theo#i0inal unalte#e( tet afte# subse6uent alte#ations an(inse#tions 5e#e /oi(e( b1 the T#ial Cou#t fo# lac ofauthentication b1 the full si0natu#e of the testat#i% shoul( be

p#obate( o# not% 5ith he# as sole hei#.

O#(ina#il1% 5hen a nube# of e#asu#es% co##ections% an(inte#lineations a(e b1 the testato# in a holo0#aphic ?illlite not been note( un(e# his si0natu#e% ... the ?ill is notthe#eb1 in/ali(ate( as a 5hole% but at ost onl1 as #espectsthe pa#ticula# 5o#(s e#ase(% co##ecte( o# inte#line(.$Man#esa 0a/e an )(entical coenta#1 5hen he sai( laoision (e la sal/e(a( no anula el testaento% se0un la#e0la (e 9u#isp#u(encia estableci(a en la sentencia (e @ (e

Ab#il (e $&'. "

*o5e/e#% 5hen as in this case% the holo0#aphic ?ill in(ispute ha( onl1 one substantial p#o/ision% 5hich 5asalte#e( b1 substitutin0 the o#i0inal hei# 5ith anothe#% but5hich alte#ation (i( not ca##1 the #e6uisite of fullauthentication b1 the full si0natu#e of the testato#% the effectust be that the enti#e ?ill is /oi(e( o# #e/oe( fo# thesiple #eason that nothin0 #eains in the ?ill afte# that5hich coul( #eain /ali(. To state that the ?ill as fi#st 5#ittenshoul( be 0i/en efficac1 is to (is#e0a#( the seein0 chan0eof in( of the testat#i. But that chan0e of in( can neithe#be 0i/en effect because she faile( to authenticate it in theanne# #e6ui#e( b1 la5 b1 affiin0 he# full si0natu#e%

The #ulin0 in +elasco% sup#a% ust be hel( confine( to suchinse#tions% cancellations% e#asu#es o# alte#ations in aholo0#aphic ?ill% 5hich affect onl1 the efficac1 of the alte#e(5o#(s thesel/es but not the essence an( /ali(it1 of the ?ill

itself. As it is% 5ith the e#asu#es% cancellations an( alte#ationsa(e b1 the testat#i he#ein% he# #eal intention cannot be(ete#ine( 5ith ce#titu(e. As Man#esa ha( state( in hiscoenta#1 on A#ticle ! of the Spanish Ci/il Co(e%5hence A#ticle $@ of the ne5 Ci/il Co(e 5as (e#i/e(3

... No inf#in0e lo (ispuesto en este a#ticulo (el Co(i0o :el!; la sentencia 6ue no (ecla#a la nuli(a( (e untestaento olo0#afo 6ue conten0a palab#as tacha(as%enen(a(as o ent#e #en0lones no sal/a(as po# el testa(o#ba9o su fi#nia se0un p#e/iene el pa##afo te#ce#o (el iso%po#6ue% en #eali(a(% tal oision solo pue(e afecta# a la/ali(e8 o eficacia (e tales palab#as% 1 nunca al testaentoiso% 1a po# esta# esa (isposicion en pa##afo apa#te (e

a6uel 6ue (ete#ine las con(iciones necesa#ias pa#a la/ali(e8 (el testaento olo0#afo% 1a po#6ue% (e a(iti# locont#a#io% se )le0a#ia al absu#(o (e 6ue pe6uefiasenien(as no sal/a(as% 6ue en na(a afectasen a la pa#teesencial 1 #especti/a (el testaento% /inie#an a anula# este%1 1a po#6ue el p#ecepto conteni(o en (icho pa##afo ha (e

enten(e#se en pe#fecta a#onia 1 con0#uencia con el a#t. "!(e la le1 (el Nota#ia(o 6ue (ecla#a nulas las a(icionesapostillas ent#e##en0lona(os% #aspa(u#as 1 tacha(os en lasesc#itu#as at#ices% siep#e 6ue no se sal/en en la fo#ap#e/eni(a% pa#o no el (ocuento 6ue las conten0a% 1 cona1o# oti/o cuan(o las palab#as enen(a(as% tacha(as% oent#e##en0lona(as no ten0an ipo#tancia ni susciten (u(aal0una ace#ca (el pensaiento (el testa(o#% o constitu1an

e#os acci(entes (e o#to0#afia o (e pu#e8 esc#itu#a#ia% sint#ascen(encia al0una:l;.

Mas pa#a 6ue sea aplicable la (oct#ina (e ecepcionconteni(a en este ultio fallo% es p#eciso 6ue lastacha(u#as% enien(as o ent#e##en0lona(os sin sal/a# saan(e pala b#as 6ue no afecte#@ alte#en ni ua#ien (e o(osubstancial la ep#ess /olunta( (el testa(o# anifiesta en el(ocuento. Asi lo a(/ie#te la sentencia (e "& (e No/ieb#e(e $&$!% 6ue (ecla#a nulo un testaento olo0#afo po# noesta# sal/a(a po# el testa(o# la enien(a (el 0ua#isoultio (el a=o en 6ue fue eten(i(o :Ephasis ou#s;.

?*ERE4ORE% this Petition is he#eb1 (isisse( an( the

,ecision of #espon(ent 2u(0e% (ate( Septebe# % $&% ishe#eb1 affi#e( in toto. No costs.

SO OR,ERE,.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-!@" Octobe# % $&"

)n #e ?ill of 4#ancisco +a#ela Cal(e#on% (ecease(.

4RANC)SCO CARMELO +ARELA% petitione#-appellee%/s.M)GUEL +ARELA CAL,ERON% ET AL.% opponents-appellants

A#aneta ,e 2o1a% a#a0o8a an( A#aneta fo# appellants.E(ua#(o Gutie##e8 Repi(e fo# appellee.

)MPER)AL% 2.3

This is an appeal taen b1 Mi0uel +a#ela Cal(e#on% An0el+a#ela Cal(e#on% 2esus +a#ela Cal(e#on% T#ini(a( +a#elaCal(e#on% Paula +a#ela Cal(e#on% Pila# +a#ela Cal(e#on an(Ma#ia +a#ela Cal(e#on f#o the 9u(0ent #en(e#e( b1 the*ono#able Ma#iano A. Albe#t% 2u(0e of the Cou#t of 4i#st)nstance of Manila% o#(e#in0 the allo5ance an( p#obate ofthe (ocuent a#e( Ehibit B as the last 5ill an( testaentof the late 4#ancisco +a#ela Cal(e#on.

The (ecease(% a ph1sician b1 p#ofession% 5as a 4ilipinociti8en #esi(ent of the Cit1 of Manila 5he#e he o5ne( #ealp#ope#ties assesse( at P$%D$.$. *e t#a/ele( ab#oa( fo#his health an( tepo#a#il1 #esi(e( in *en(a1e-Pla0e%4#ance. Not feelin0 /e#1 5ell% but in the full en9o1ent of hisental faculties% he (eci(e( to ae his last 5ill an(testaent :Ehibit B;% on Ap#il $@% $&D% in Pa#is% 4#ance%5ith the assistance of atto#ne1s 4. (e Rouss1 (e Sales%

Gethin0 C. Mille# an( *en#i Ga((. Soetie late#% that is on2ul1 $'% $&D% he (ie( in the G#an(-*otel (e Le1sinSanato#iu in S5it8e#lan(.

On Septebe# "D% $&D% the he#ein petitione#-appellee%4#ancisco Ca#elo +a#ela% file( a petition in the Cou#t of 4i#st

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)nstance of the Cit1 of Manila% p#a1in0 that sai( 5ill bea(itte( to p#obate. Sai( petition 5as oppose( b1 the(ecease(Hs b#othe# 2ose Mi0uel% An0el% 2esus% T#ini(a(%Paula% Pila# an( Ma#ia% su#nae( +a#ela Cal(e#on% althou0h%late# on% the fi#st entione( opponent 5ith(#e5 hisopposition 0i/in0 as his #eason the#efo# that it 5as out of#espect fo# the testato#Hs 5ishes because the 5ill 5aseecute( in his o5n han(5#itin0. The 0#oun(s of the

opposition a#e as follo5s3 :a; That the 5ill sou0ht to bep#obate 5as not holo0#aphic in cha#acte# an( (i( not copl15ith the #e6uisites p#esc#ibe( b1 a#ticle &D of the 4#enchCi/il Co(e> :b; that the 5itnesses to the 5ill (i( not possessthe 6ualifications #e6ui#e( b1 a#ticle &D of the 4#ench Ci/ilCo(e> :c; that fo# not ha/in0 coplie( 5ith the #e6uisitesp#esc#ibe( b1 the 4#ench la5% sai( 5ill is null an( /oi(> :(;that neithe# has it the cha#acte# of an open 5ill% not ha/in0been eecute( in acco#(ance 5ith a#ticle $DD$ of the 4#enchCi/il Co(e> an( :e; that the p#o/isions of a#ticle $DD of thesae Co(e #elati/e to the #eco#(in0 of 5ills 5e#e notcoplie( 5ith in connection 5ith the 5ill in 6uestion.

The appellants assi0n the follo5in0 e##o#s alle0e( to ha/e

been coitte( b1 the t#ial cou#t3

$. The t#ial cou#t e##e( in (ecla#in0 that Ehibit B% pu#po#tin0to be the last 5ill an( testaent of the (ecease( 4#ancisco+a#ela Cal(e#on% 5as a /ali( holo0#aphic 5ill a(e an(eecute(% in acco#(ance 5ith the la5s of the 4#enchRepublic.

". The t#ial cou#t% the#efo#e% e##e( in allo5in0 an( a(ittin0 top#obate sai( (ocuent Ehibit B% as the last 5ill an(testaent of the (ecease( 4#ancisco +a#ela Cal(e#on.

)n /ie5 of the natu#e of both assi0nents of e##o# an( of thea#0uents a(/ance( in thei# suppo#t% 5e shall (iscuss the

9ointl1.

The 5ill in 6uestion% Ehibit B% as t#anslate( into En0lish#ea(s as follo5s3

). 4RANC)SCO +ARELA CAL,ERON% ,octo# in Me(icine%bachelo#% citi8en of the Philippine )slan(s an( sub9ect of theUnite( States of Ae#ica% bo#ne an( (oicile( at Manila%Philippine )slan(s% an( actuall1 #esi(in0 tepo#a#il1 at*en(a1e-Pla0e% 4#ance% ) (ecla#e that the follo5in0s a#e 1act of last 5ills an( 1 testaent3

$. ) #e/oe all testaenta#1 (ispositions a(e b1 1selfbefo#e this (a1.

". ) (esi#e that the inhuation of 1 bo(1 be a(e 5ithoutan1 ce#eon1.

. ) 0i/e an( be6ueath to 1 chil(#en 4RANC)SCOCARMELO +ARELA bo#ne at Ma(#i( on the t5ent1 fou#th ofNo/ebe# nineteen hun(#e( fi/e an( to CARMEN +ARELAbo#ne at Manila% Philippine )slan(s% on the fou#th of Octobe#nineteen hun(#e( se/en 5ho li/e both actuall1 5ith e% thetotalit1 of 1 pe#sonal p#ope#ties% #eal estates an( ie(inclu(in0 those on 5hich ) coul( ha/e the po5e# of(isposition o# (esi0nation 5hatsoe/e#% b1 e6ual pa#ts in allp#ope#ties% institutin0 the 1 #esi(ua#1 le0atee.

@. ) nae fo# 1 testaenta#1 eecuto#% 5ithout bail% 1 son%

4RANC)SCO CARMELO +ARELA% to his (efault 1(au0hte# CARMEN +ARELA to the (efault of this one 1b#othe# M)GUEL +ARELA CAL,ERON an( to the (efault of1 b#othe#% M#. ANTON)O GUT)ERRE ,EL CAMPO.

)n 5itness 5he#eof ) ha/e in this one 1 act of last 5ills an(testaent% 5#itten (ate( an( si0ne( enti#el1 b1 1 han(%applie( 1 si0natu#e an( 1 seal at Pa#is% this fou#teenth of

Ap#il nineteen hun(#e( thi#t1.

:S0(.; 4RANC)SCO +ARELA CAL,ERON :L. S.;:S0(.; *ENR) GA,,:S0(.; T*. PE

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Co(e 5e#e it not fo# the attestation clause 5hich appea#s atthe botto of the (ocuent.

The appellants conten( that the a((ition of sai( of clausehas enti#el1 /itiate( the 5ill% because it cease( to be aholo0#aphic 5ill% neithe# (oes it possess the #e6uisites of apublic o# open 5ill in acco#(ance 5ith the 4#ench la5. Thecou#t 5hich o#i0inall1 too co0ni8ance of the case (eci(e(

that such ci#custance (oes not in/ali(ate the 5ill. ?econcu# in sai( opinion an( hol( that a clause (#a5n up insuch anne# is supe#fluous an( (oes not affect in an1 5a1the essential #e6uisites p#esc#ibe( fo# holo0#aphic 5ills b1the 4#ench la5% an(% conse6uentl1% it has not in/ali(ate( the5ill no# (ep#i/e( it of its holo0#aphic cha#acte#. )n #eachin0this conclusion% 5e base ou# opinion not onl1 on the clea#an( conclusi/e p#o/isions of a#ticle &D of the 4#ench Ci/ilCo(e an( on the (ecisions of the 4#ench Cou#t of Appealscite( in the appeleeHs b#ief% but p#incipall1 on the factestablishe( in the (epositions a(e b1 p#acticin0 atto#ne1s4. (e Rouss1 (e Sales% Gethin0 C. Mille# an( *en#i Ga(( ofPa#is% 4#ance% 5ho ephaticall1 (ecla#e( that the 5ill in6uestion (i( not lose its holo0#aphic cha#acte# b1 the

a((ition of the afo#eentione( attestation clause an( that ita1 be allo5e( to p#obate in confo#it1 5ith the 4#enchla5s un(e# 5hich it ha( been a(e an( eecute(.

)n /ie5 of the fo#e0oin0% 5e belie/e it unnecessa#1 toconsi(e# an( pass upon the othe# 0#oun(s in/oe( b1 theopposition consistin0 in the incapacit1 of the th#ee 5itnesses5ho si0ne( at the en( of the attestation clause an( theabsence of the #e6uisites p#esc#ibe( b1 the 4#ench Ci/ilCo(e fo# the eecution of open 5ills% inasuch as theatto#ne1 fo# the appellee has conclusi/el1 p#o/e( that the 5illin 6uestion is holo0#aphic% an( 5e ha/e so hel( an((eci(e(.$a5phil.net

The o#(e# appeale( f#o% bein0 in confo#it1 5ith the la5% ishe#eb1 affi#e( in toto% 5ith costs a0ainst the appellants. Soo#(e#e(.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

4)RST ,)+)S)ON

G.R. No. !$@ 2une "% $&&@

SALU, TEO,ORO +,A. ,E PERE% petitione#%/s.*ON. OT)CO A. TOLETE in his capacit1 as P#esi(in02u(0e% B#anch $% RTC% Bulacan% #espon(ent.

Nati/i(a( T. Pe#e8 fo# petitione#.

Bene(icto T. Lib#o9o fo# p#i/ate #espon(ents.

IU)ASON% 2.3

This is a petition fo# ce#tio#a#i un(e# Rule !' of the Re/ise(Rules of Cou#t to set asi(e the O#(e# (ate( No/ebe# $&%$&! of the Re0ional T#ial Cou#t% B#anch $% Bulacanp#esi(e( b1 #espon(ent 2u(0e otico A. Tolete% in SpecialP#ocee(in0s No. $&-M.

?e 0#ant the petition.

))

,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan an( his 5ife% ,#. E/el1n Pe#e8-Cunanan% 5ho becae Ae#ican citi8ens% establishe( asuccessful e(ical p#actice in Ne5

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Counsel fo# the Philippine Ae#ican Life )nsu#ance Copan1then file( a anifestation% statin0 that sai( copan1 thenfile( a anifestation% statin0 that sai( copan1 ha((eli/e#e( to petitione# the aount of P@&%!'.'%#ep#esentin0 the p#ocee(s of the life insu#ance polic1 of ,#.2ose 4. Cunanan.

)n a otion (ate( Ma1 $&% $&% petitione# ase( that ,#.

Rafael Cunanan% S#. be o#(e#e( to (eli/e# to he# a PhilippineT#ust Copan1 passboo 5ith P"'%'&@.DD in sa/in0s(eposit% an( the 4ail1 Sa/in0s Ban tie (epositce#tificates in the total aount of P$"%@$".'".

On Ma1 $% Att1. 4e(e#ico Al(a1 file( a notice of appea#anceas counsel fo# the hei#s of ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan% nael1% ,#.Rafael Cunanan% S#.% P#iscilla Cunanan Bautista% L1(iaCunanan )0nacio% 4elipe 4. Cunanan an( Lo#eto CunananConcepcion :Cunanan hei#s;. *e also anifeste( that befo#e#ecei/in0 petitione#Hs otion of Ma1 $&% $&% his clients5e#e una5a#e of the filin0 of the testate estate case an(the#efo#e% in the inte#est of siple fai# pla1% the1 shoul( benotifie( of the p#ocee(in0s :Reco#(s% p. $$D;. *e p#a1e( fo#

(efe#ent of the hea#in0 on the otions of Ma1 $&% $&.

Petitione# then file( a counte# anifestation (ate( 2une $%$&% asse#tin03 :$; that the Cunanan collate#als a#e neithe#hei#s no# c#e(ito#s of the late ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan an(the#efo#e% the1 ha( no le0al o# p#op#ieta#1 inte#ests top#otect an( no #i0ht to inte#/ene> :"; that the 5ills of ,#.2ose 4. Cunanan an( ,#. E/el1n Pe#e8-Cunanan% bein0

Ae#ican citi8ens% 5e#e eecute( in acco#(ance 5ith thesolenities an( fo#alities of Ne5 :; that un(e# A#ticle+))) of the t5o 5ills% it 5as p#esue( that the husban(p#e(ecease( the 5ife> an( :@; that the Cunanan collate#alsa#e neithe# (ist#ibutees% le0atees o# beneficia#ies% uch less%hei#s as hei#ship is onl1 b1 institution un(e# a 5ill o# b1ope#ation of the la5 of Ne5 :; that theis#ep#esentation an( concealent coitte( b1petitione# #en(e#e( he# unfit to be a special a(inist#at#i> :@;that ,#. Rafael G. Cunanan% 2#. ha(% b1 /i#tue of a /e#ifie(po5e# of atto#ne1% autho#i8e( his fathe#%,#. Rafael Cunanan% S#.% to be his atto#ne1-in-fact> an( :';that ,#. Rafael Cunanan% S#. is 6ualifie( to be a #e0ula#a(inist#ato# as p#acticall1 all of the sub9ect estate in thePhilippines belon0s to thei# b#othe#% ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan:Reco#(s% pp. $$-$"";. *ence% the1 p#a1e(3 :$; that the

p#ocee(in0s in the case be (ecla#e( null an( /oi(> :"; thatthe appointent of petitione# as special a(inist#at#i be setasi(e> an( :; that ,#. Rafael Cunanan% S#. be appointe( the#e0ula# a(inist#ato# of the estate of the (ecease( spouses.

The#eafte#% the Cunanan hei#s file( a otion #e6ui#in0petitione# to subit an in/ento#1 o# accountin0 of all onies#ecei/e( b1 he# in t#ust fo# the estate.

)n he# opposition% petitione# asse#te(3 :$; that she 5as thesole an( onl1 hei# of he# (au0hte#% ,#. E/el1n Pe#e8-Cunanan to the eclusion of the Cunanan collate#als>hence the1 5e#e coplete st#an0e#s to the p#ocee(in0s an(

5e#e not entitle( to notice> :"; that she coul( not ha/econceale( the nae an( a((#ess of ,#. Rafael G.Cunanan% 2#. because his nae 5as p#oinentl1 entione(not onl1 in the t5o 5ills but also in the (ec#ees of the

Ae#ican su##o0ate cou#t> :; that the #ule applicable to thecase is Rule % not Rule !% because it in/ol/e( theallo5ance of 5ills p#o/e( outsi(e of the Philippines an( thatno5he#e in Section " of Rule is the#e a ention of noticebein0 0i/en to the eecuto# 5ho% b1 the sae p#o/ision%shoul( hiself file the necessa#1 ancilla#1 p#ocee(in0s in thiscount#1> :@; that e/en if the Bulacan estate cae f#o thecapital of ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan% he ha( 5ille( all his 5o#l(l10oo(s to his 5ife an( nothin0 to his b#othe#s an( siste#s> an(:'; that ,#. Rafael G. Cunanan% 2#. ha( unla5full1 (isbu#se(

"$'%DDD.DD to the Cunanan hei#s% isapp#op#iate($'%DDD.DD fo# hiself an( i##e0ula#l1 assi0ne( assets of theestates to his Ae#ican la51e# :Reco#(s% pp. $'$-$!D;.

)n thei# #epl1% the Cunanan hei#s st#esse( that on No/ebe#"@% $&"% petitione# an( the Cunanan hei#s ha( ente#e( intoan a0#eeent in the Unite( States to settle an( (i/i(ee6uall1 the estates% an( that un(e# Section " of Rule thecou#t shall fi a tie an( place fo# the hea#in0 an( causenotice the#eof to be 0i/en as in case of an o#i0inal 5illp#esente( fo# allo5ance :Reco#(s% pp. $@-$';.

Petitione# ase( that ,#. Rafael G. Cunanan% 2#. be cite( fo#contept of cou#t fo# failu#e to copl1 5ith the O#(e# of 2une"% $& an( fo# app#op#iatin0 one1 of the estate fo# hiso5n benefit. She also alle0e( that she ha( ipu0ne( thea0#eeent of No/ebe# "@% $&" befo#e the Su##o0ateCou#t of Onon(a0a% Ne5 :"; thatpetitione# be (is6ualifie( as special a(inist#at#i> :; thatshe be o#(e#e( to subit an in/ento#1 of all 0oo(s% chattelsan( onies 5hich she ha( #ecei/e( an( to su##en(e# thesae to the cou#t> an( :@; that ,#. Rafael Cunanan% S#. beappointe( the #e0ula# a(inist#ato#.

Petitione# file( a #e9oin(e#% statin0 that in /iolation of the Ap#il$% $& (ecision of the Ae#ican cou#t ,#. Rafael G.Cunanan% 2#. a(e unautho#i8e( (isbu#seents f#o theestates as ea#l1 as 2ul1 % $&" :Reco#(s% p. "$;.The#eafte#% petitione# o/e( fo# the suspension of thep#ocee(in0s as she ha( to atten( to the settleentp#ocee(in0s of the estate of the Cunanan spouses in Ne5

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On 4eb#ua#1 "$% $&@% 2u(0e (e la Llana issue( an o#(e#%(isallo5in0 the #ep#obate of the t5o 5ills% #ecallin0 theappointent of petitione# as special a(inist#at#i% #e6ui#in0the subission of petitione# of an in/ento#1 of the p#ope#t1#ecei/e( b1 he# as special a(inist#at#i an( (ecla#in0 allpen(in0 inci(ents oot an( aca(eic. 2u(0e (e la Llana#easone( out that petitione# faile( to p#o/e the la5 of Ne5

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On No/ebe# $&% #espon(ent 2u(0e issue( an o#(e#%(en1in0 the otion fo# #econsi(e#ation file( b1 petitione# onthe 0#oun(s that the p#obate of sepa#ate 5ills of t5o o# o#e(iffe#ent pe#sons e/en if the1 a#e husban( an( 5ife cannotbe un(e#taen in a sin0le petition :Reco#(s% pp. !-;.

*ence% petitione# institute( the instant petition% a#0uin0 thatthe e/i(ence offe#e( at the hea#in0 of Ap#il $$% $&

sufficientl1 p#o/e( the la5s of the State of Ne5

:b; t5o ce#tifications f#o the Sec#eta#1 of State of Ne5

:c; t5o ce#tificates of 2u(0e Rea0an an( Chief Cle#,onal( E. Moo#e statin0 that the1 ha/e in thei# #eco#(s an(files the sai( 5ills 5hich 5e#e #eco#(e( on Ap#il % $&":Ehs. 4-" an( G-";>

:(; the #especti/e 5ills of E/el1n an( 2ose :Ehs. 4-%4-! an( Eh. G- 7 G-!;>

:e; ce#tificates of 2u(0e Rea0an an( the Chief Cle#ce#tif1in0 to the 0enuineness an( authenticit1 of theeeplifie( copies of the t5o 5ills :Ehs. 4- an( 4-;>

:f; t5o ce#tificates of authentication f#o the ConsulateGene#al of the Philippines in Ne5

:h; ce#tificates of 2u(0e Rea0an an( the Chief Cle#that lette#s testaenta#1 5e#e issue( to Rafael G. Cunanan:Ehs. *-" an( )-";>

:i; ce#tification to the effect that it 5as (u#in0 the te#of 2u(0e Rea0an that a (ec#ee a(ittin0 the 5ills to p#obateha( been issue( an( appointin0 Rafael G. Cunanan asalte#nate eecuto# :Ehs. *- an()-$D;>

:9; the (ec#ees on p#obate of the t5o 5il ls specif1in0that p#ocee(in0s 5e#e hel( an( p#oofs (ul1 taen :Ehs. *-@ an( )-';>

:; (ec#ees on p#obate of the t5o 5ills statin0 that the15e#e p#ope#l1 eecute(% 0enuine an( /ali( an( that the sai(inst#uents 5e#e a(itte( to p#obate an( establishe( as5ills /ali( to pass #eal an( pe#sonal p#ope#t1 :Ehs. *-'an( )-';> an(

:l; ce#tificates of 2u(0e Rea0an an( the Chief Cle# onthe 0enuineness an( authenticit1 of each othe#s si0natu#esin the eeplifie( copies of the (ec#ees of p#obate% lette#stestaenta#1 an( p#ocee(in0s hel( in thei# cou#t :Ehs. *-! an( )-!; :Rollo% pp. $-$!;.

Petitione# a((s that the 5ills ha( been a(itte( to p#obate in

the Su##o0ate Cou#ts ,ecision of Ap#il $% $& an( that thep#ocee(in0s 5e#e te#inate( on No/ebe# "&% $&@.

The #especti/e 5ills of the Cunanan spouses% 5ho 5e#eAe#ican citi8ens% 5ill onl1 be effecti/e in this count#1 uponcopliance 5ith the follo5in0 p#o/ision of the Ci/il Co(e ofthe Philippines3

A#t. $!. The 5ill of an alien 5ho is ab#oa( p#o(uces effect inthe Philippines if a(e 5ith the fo#alities p#esc#ibe( b1 thela5 of the place in 5hich he #esi(es% o# acco#(in0 to thefo#alities obse#/e( in his count#1% o# in confo#it1 5iththose 5hich this Co(e p#esc#ibes.

Thus% p#oof that both 5ills confo# 5ith the fo#alitiesp#esc#ibe( b1 Ne5 :"; the testato# has his (oicile in thefo#ei0n count#1 an( not in the Philippines> :; the 5ill hasbeen a(itte( to p#obate in such count#1> :@; the fact thatthe fo#ei0n t#ibunal is a p#obate cou#t% an( :'; the la5s of afo#ei0n count#1 on p#oce(u#e an( allo5ance of 5ills :)))Mo#an Coenta#ies on the Rules of Cou#t% $&D e(.% pp.@$&-@"&> Sunta1 /. Sunta1% &' Phil. 'DD J$&'@K> 4luee# /.*i% '@ Phil. !$D J$&DK;. Ecept fo# the fi#st an( last#e6ui#eents% the petitione# subitte( all the nee(e(e/i(ence.

The necessit1 of p#esentin0 e/i(ence on the fo#ei0n la5supon 5hich the p#obate in the fo#ei0n count#1 is base( isipelle( b1 the fact that ou# cou#ts cannot tae 9u(icial noticeof the :Philippine Coe#cial an( )n(ust#ial Ban /.Escolin% '! SCRA "!! J$&@K;.

Petitione# ust ha/e pe#cei/e( this oission as in fact sheo/e( fo# o#e tie to subit the pe#tinent p#oce(u#al an(substanti/e Ne5

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:Acain /. )nte#e(iate Appellate Cou#t% $'' SCRA $DDJ$&K> Robe#ts /. Leoni(as% $"& SCRA J$&@K;.

?hat the la5 ep#essl1 p#ohibits is the ain0 of 9oint 5illseithe# fo# the testato#s #ecip#ocal benefit o# fo# the benefit ofa thi#( pe#son :Ci/il Co(e of the Philippines% A#ticle $;. )nthe case at bench% the Cunanan spouses eecute( sepa#ate5ills. Since the t5o 5ills contain essentiall1 the sae

p#o/isions an( pe#tain to p#ope#t1 5hich in all p#obabilit1 a#econ9u0al in natu#e% p#actical consi(e#ations (ictate thei# 9ointp#obate. As this Cou#t has hel( a nube# of ties% it 5illal5a1s st#i/e to settle the enti#e cont#o/e#s1 in a sin0lep#ocee(in0 lea/in0 no #oot o# b#anch to bea# the see(s offutu#e liti0ation :Motooull /. ,ela Pa8% $ SCRA @J$&&DK;.

This petition cannot be copletel1 #esol/e( 5ithout touchin0on a /e#1 0la#in0 fact 7 petitione# has al5a1s consi(e#e(he#self the sole hei# of,#. E/el1n Pe#e8 Cunanan an( because she (oes notconsi(e# he#self an hei# of ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan% shenoticeabl1 faile( to notif1 his hei#s of the filin0 of the

p#ocee(in0s. Thus% e/en in the instant petition% she onl1iplea(e( #espon(ent 2u(0e% fo#0ettin0 that a 9u(0e 5hoseo#(e# is bein0 assaile( is e#el1 a noinal o# fo#al pa#t1:Cal(e#on /. Solicito# Gene#al% "$' SCRA ! J$&&"K;.

The #ule that the cou#t ha/in0 9u#is(iction o/e# the #ep#obateof a 5ill shall cause notice the#eof to be 0i/en as in case ofan o#i0inal 5ill p#esente( fo# allo5ance :Re/ise( Rules ofCou#t% Rule "% Section "; eans that 5ith #e0a#( to notices%the 5ill p#obate( ab#oa( shoul( be t#eate( as if it 5e#e ano#i0inal 5ill o# a 5ill that is p#esente( fo# p#obate fo# the fi#sttie. Acco#(in0l1% copliance 5ith Sections an( @ of Rule!% 5hich #e6ui#e publication an( notice b1 ail o# pe#sonall1to the no5n hei#s% le0atees% an( (e/isees of the testato##esi(ent in the Philippines an( to the eecuto#% if he is notthe petitione#% a#e #e6ui#e(.

The b#othe#s an( siste#s of ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan% cont#a#1 topetitione#Hs clai% a#e entitle( to notices of the tie an( placefo# p#o/in0 the 5ills. Un(e# Section @ of Rule ! of theRe/ise( Rules of Cou#t% the cou#t shall also cause copies ofthe notice of the tie an( place fie( fo# p#o/in0 the 5ill tobe a((#esse( to the (esi0nate( o# othe# no5n hei#s%le0atees% an( (e/isees of the testato#% . . .

?*ERE4ORE% the 6uestione( O#(e# is SET AS),E.Respon(ent 2u(0e shall allo5 petitione# #easonable tie5ithin 5hich to subit e/i(ence nee(e( fo# the 9oint p#obateof the 5ills of the Cunanan spouses an( see to it that the

b#othe#s an( siste#s of ,#. 2ose 4. Cunanan a#e 0i/en allnotices an( copies of all plea(in0s pe#tinent to the p#obatep#ocee(in0s.

SO OR,ERE,.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-"D$ Septebe# $&% $&'D

Testate estate of )sabel +. 4lo#en(o% (ecease(. T)RSO,ACANA

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5ills ha/e not onl1 been #efe##e( to but ha/e also beenapplie( si(e b1 si(e 5ith the p#o/isions of the Co(e of Ci/ilP#oce(u#e.

The p#o/ision of a#ticle !!& of the Ci/il Co(e p#ohibitin0 theeecution of a 5ill b1 t5o o# o#e pe#sons con9ointl1 o# in the

sae inst#uent eithe# fo# thei# #ecip#ocal benefit o# fo# thebenefit of a thi#( pe#son% is not un5ise an( is not a0ainstpublic polic1. The #eason fo# this p#o/ision% especiall1 as#e0a#(s husban( an( 5ife% is that 5hen a 5ill is a(e 9ointl1o# in the sae inst#uent% the spouse 5ho is o#ea00#essi/e% st#on0e# in 5ill o# cha#acte# an( (oinant isliable to (ictate the te#s of the 5ill fo# his o# he# o5n benefito# fo# that of thi#( pe#sons 5ho he o# she (esi#es to fa/o#.

An(% 5he#e the 5ill is not onl1 9oint but #ecip#ocal% eithe# oneof the spouses 5ho a1 happen to be unsc#upulous% 5ice(%faithless o# (espe#ate% no5in0 as he o# she (oes the te#sof the 5ill 5he#eb1 the 5hole p#ope#t1 of the spouses bothcon9u0al an( pa#aphe#nal 0oes to the su#/i/o#% a1 betepte( to ill o# (ispose of the othe#.

Consi(e#in0 the 5is(o of the p#o/isions of this a#ticle !!&an( the fact that it has not been #epeale(% at least notep#essl1% as 5ell as the consi(e#ation that its p#o/isions a#enot incopatible 5ith those of the Co(e of Ci/il P#oce(u#eon the sub9ect of 5ills% 5e belie/e an( #ule that sai( a#ticle!!& of the Ci/il Co(e is still in fo#ce. An( 5e a#e not alone inthis opinion. M#. 2ustice ?illa#( as sho5n b1 his Notes onthe Ci/il Co(e% on pa0e @ belie/es that this a#ticle !!& isstill in fo#ce. Sinco an( Capist#ano in thei# 5o# on the Ci/ilCo(e% +ol. ))% pa0e % fa/o#abl1 cite 2ustice ?illa#(Hs opinionthat this a#ticle is still in fo#ce. 2u(0e Caus in his boo onthe Ci/il Co(e (oes not inclu(e this a#ticle aon0 those heconsi(e#s #epeale(. Lastl1% 5e fin( that this a#ticle !!& hasbeen #ep#o(uce( 5o#( fo# 5o#( in a#ticle $ of the Ne5Ci/il Co(e :Republic Act No. !;. The iplication is that thePhilippine Le0islatu#e that passe( this Act an( app#o/e( theNe5 Ci/il Co(e% inclu(in0 the ebe#s of the Co(eCoission 5ho p#epa#e( it% a#e of the opinion that thep#o/isions of a#ticle !!& of the ol( Ci/il Co(e a#e notincopatible 5ith those of the Co(e of Ci/il P#oce(u#e.

)n /ie5 of the fo#e0oin0% the o#(e# appeale( f#o is affi#e(%5ith costs a0ainst the appellant.

Mo#an% C.2.% Pa#as% 4e#ia% Pablo% Ben08on% Tuason%Montea1o#% an( Re1es% 22.% concu#.

Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-$" 4eb#ua#1 $&% $&D

Estate of the (ecease( G#e0o#io Pueblo.CARMEN IU)NTO% applicant-appellant%/s.MARGAR)TA MORATA% in substitution of Mateo Pueblo%(ecease(% contestant-appellee.

Gue/a#a% 4#ancisco an( Recto fo# appellant.

Au0usto (e la Rosa an( An0el A#i0o fo# appellee.

2O*NSON% 2.3

This is an appeal f#o a (ecision of the *ono#able Manuel +.Mo#an% 9u(0e of the Cou#t of fi#st )nstance of Ca/ite% (en1in0

the application of Ca#en Iuinto fo# the p#obate of thealle0e( 5ill of the (ecease( G#e0o#io Pueblo% he# husban(.

The application fo# p#obate 5as file( on Octobe# "!% $&" b1Ca#en Iuinto% eecut#i of sai( 5ill. )t 5as a 9oint an(utual 5ill of G#e0o#io Pueblo an( his sai( 5ife Ca#enIuinto an( containe( a p#o/ision that the su#/i/in0 spouseshall tae cha#0e of the p#ope#ties the#ein (esc#ibe( an( that

the1 shall pass to the hei#s an( le0atees at the tie of the(eath of the su#/i/in0 spouse.

To sai( application an opposition 5as file( b1 Mateo Pueblo%a b#othe# of the (ecease(% on the follo5in0 0#oun(s3 :$; Thatthe attestation clause of sai( 5ill (oes not state the nube#of pa0es of 5hich the 5ill is copose(% an( :"; that theattestation clause (oes not state that each an( e/e#1 pa0e ofthe 5ill 5as si0ne( b1 the testato#s in the p#esence of the5itnesses% an( that the latte# si0ne( the sae in thep#esence of the testato#s an( in the p#esence of each othe#.

Upon the issue thus #aise(% an( afte# hea#in0 the e/i(ence%the cou#t #en(e#e( a 9u(0ent (en1in0 the petition on the

0#oun( that the attestation clause (i( not state that the5itnesses si0ne( the 5ill in the p#esence of the testato#s% o#that both the testato#s an( the 5itnesses si0ne( the 5ill an(each an( e/e#1 pa0e the#eof in the p#esence of each othe#.)n this connection the lo5e# cou#t sai(3

. . . En la clausula (e atesti0uaiento (el testaento encuestion% se hace consta# 6ue los testa(o#es fi#a#on eltestaento en p#esencia (e los t#es testi0os inst#uentales1 6ue estos fi#a#on el testaento los unos en p#esencia (elos ot#os% pe#o no se hace consta# 6ue (ichos testi0osfi#a#on el testaento en p#esencia (e los testa(o#es% ni6ue estos 1 a6uellos fi#a#on to(a1 1 ca(a una (e laspa0inas (el testaento los p#ie#os en p#esencia (e losse0un(os 1 /ice-/e#sa.

En su /i#tu(% se (enie0a la solicitu( en la 6ue se pi(e lale0ali8acion (el ale0a(o testaento Ehibit A (e G#e0o#ioPueblo 1 Ca#en Iuinto% 1 se (ecla#a 6ue G#e0o#io Pueblou#io intesta(o.

4#o the 9u(0ent the petitione# appeale( an( no5conten(s3

That the lo5e# cou#t coitte( an e##o# in (en1in0 theapplication of the petitione# fo# the p#obate of the 5ill of the(ecease( G#e0o#io Pueblo.

The attestation clause of the 5ill in 6uestion :Ehibit A-$;

#ea(s as follo5s3

Nosot#os los 6ue fi#aos al final (e este testaento%4lo#entino 2o1a% A0ue(o So#iano 1 Teo(o#o Ble8a (aos fe%(e habe# /isto o p#esencia(o el acto (e fi#a# en estaesc#itu#a o testaento (e los esposes G#e0o#io Pueblo 1Ca#en Iuinto> lo fi#a#on ellos en nuest#a p#esencia% 1 6uenosot#os los testi0os% lo fi#aos en p#esencia (e ca(e uno(e nost#os% ho1 (e no/ieb#e (e $&"D. Este testaentoesta copuesto (e t#es fo9as utiles.

As 5ill be note(% the attestation clause cont#a/enes theep#ess #e6ui#eents of section !$ of Act No. $&D% asaen(e( b1 Act No. "!@'% in t5o 5a1s3 4i#st% it fails to state

that each an( e/e#1 pa0e of the 5ill 5as si0ne( b1 thetestato#s an( the 5itnesses> an(% secon(% it fails to state thatthe 5itnesses si0ne( each an( e/e#1 pa0e of the 5ill in thep#esence of the testato#s.

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)n the case of Sa=o /s. Iuintana :@ Phil.% 'D!; this cou#thel( that an attestation clause 5hich (oes not #ecite that the5itnesses si0ne( the 5ill an( each an( e/e#1 pa0e the#eofon the left a#0in in the p#esence of the testato# is (efecti/e%an( such (efect annuls the 5ill. This (oct#ine 5as #estate(an( #eaffi#e( in the case of Guban /s. Go#echo :'D Phil.%D;.

)t is /i0o#ousl1 conten(e( on behalf of the appellant% that thealle0e( (efect of the attestation clause has been cu#e( b1o#al e/i(ence% 5hich 5as a(itte( 5ithout opposition on thepa#t of the appellee. This contention cannot be sustaine(.The (oct#ine of this cou#t 5ith #efe#ence to statute of f#au(sis not applicable to 5ills. The statue of f#au(s #elates tocont#acts an( a0#eeents. The sub9ect of 5ill an(testaents an( the fo#alities su##oun(in0 thei# eecutiona#e 0o/e#ne( b1 sepa#ate an( specific p#o/isions of Act No.$&D.

An eaination of section !$ of Act No. $&D% p#io# to% an(afte# its aen(ent b1 Act No. "!@'% sho5s clea#l1 that theLe0islatu#e inten(e( to eclu(e e/i(ence aliun(e% ten(in0 to

establish that the 5ill has been eecute( an( atteste( inconfo#it1 5ith the #e6ui#eents of the la5% 5he#e suchcopliance (oes not appea# on the face of the% 5ill itself.P#io# to its aen(ent% section !$ containe( the follo5in0sa/in0 clause3 But the absence of such fo# of attestationshall not #en(e# the 5ill in/ali( if it is p#o/en that the 5ill 5asin fact si0ne( an( atteste( as in this section p#o/i(e(.

The ost outstan(in0 featu#e of the aen(ent of sai(section !$ b1 Act No. "!@' is the eliination of sai( sa/in0

clause an( the 0#eate# ephasis lai( on the fo#alities as tosi0natu#es an( the attestation clause. The#e can be no(oubt% the#efo#e% that the intention of the Le0islatu#e% ineliinatin0 sai( clause% 5as a(itte( 5ithout opposition% itshoul( not be 0i/en effect an( thus (efeat the anifestintention of the Le0islatu#e in aen(in0 sai( section !$.

Section !$ of Act No. $&D% as aen(e(% shoul( be 0i/en a

st#ict inte#p#etation. )n the case of U1 Co6ue /s. Na/as L.Sioca :@ Phil.% @D'; this cou#t% speain0 of the const#uctionto be 0i/en to sai( section% sai(3

Statutes p#esc#ibin0 the fo#alities to be obse#/e( in theeecution of 5ills a#e /e#1 st#ictl1 const#ue(. As state( in @DC1c.% at pa0e $D&% A 5ill ust be eecute( in acco#(ance5ith the statuto#1 #e6ui#eents> othe#5ise it is enti#el1 /oi(.

All these #e6ui#eents stan( as of e6ual ipo#tance an(ust be obse#/e(% an( cou#ts cannot suppl1 the (efecti/eeecution of a 5ill. No po5e# o# (isc#etion is /este( in the%eithe# to supe#a(( othe# con(itions o# (ispense 5ith thoseenue#ate( in the statutes. :U1 Co6ue /s. Na/as L. Sioca%@ Phil.% @D'% @D.;

The 9u(0ent appeale( f#o% (isallo5in0 the 5ill of G#e0o#ioPueblo% is in confi#it1 5ith the facts an( the la5% an( thesae shoul( be an( in he#eb1 affi#e(% 5ith costs. Soo#(e#e(.

Malcol% +illao#% Ost#an(% 2ohns an( +illa-Real% 22.%concu#.