Andal vs Macaraig

Andal vs. Macaraig

GR No. 2474, May 30, 1951
FACTS:
Mariano Andal, a minor, assisted by his mother Maria Duenas, filed a complaint for the recovery
of the ownership and possession of a parcel of land owned by Emiliano Andal and Maria
Duenas. Eduvigis Macaraig, herein defendant, donated the land by virtue of donation propter
nuptias in favor of Emiliano. The latter was suffering from tuberculosis in January 1941. His
brother, Felix, then lived with them to work his house and farm. Emiliano became so weak that
he can hardly move and get up from his bed. Sometime in September 1942, the wife eloped with
Felix and lived at the house of Marias father until 1943. Emiliano died in January 1, 1943
where the wife did not attend the funeral. On June 17, 1943, Maria gave birth to a boy who was,
herein petitioner.
ISSUE: WON Mariano Andal is a legitimate child of the deceased.
HELD:
Considering that Mariano was born on June 17, 1943 and Emiliano died on January 1, 1943, the
former is presumed to be a legitimate son of the latter because he was born within 300 days
following the dissolution of the marriage. The fact that the husband was seriously sick is not
sufficient to overcome the presumption of legitimacy. This presumption can only be rebutted by
proof that it was physically impossible for the husband to have had access to his wife during the
first 120 days of the 300 days next preceding the birth of the child. Impossibility of access by
husband to wife includes absence during the initial period of conception, impotence which is
patent, and incurable; and imprisonment unless it can be shown that cohabitation took place
through corrupt violation of prison regulations. Marias illicit intercourse with a man other than
the husband during the initial period does not preclude cohabitation between husband and wife.
Hence, Mariano Andal was considered a legitimate son of the deceased making him the owner of
the parcel land.