LUPO ALMODIEL ATIENZA, complainant, Respondent also denies having been married to
vs. Ongkiko, although he admits having five children
JUDGE FRANCISCO F. BRILLANTES, JR., with her. He alleges that while he and Ongkiko
Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 28, went through a marriage ceremony before a Nueva
Manila, respondent. Ecija town mayor on April 25, 1965, the same was
not a valid marriage for lack of a marriage license.
Upon the request of the parents of Ongkiko,
respondent went through another marriage
QUIASON, J.: ceremony with her in Manila on June 5, 1965.
Again, neither party applied for a marriage license.
This is a complaint by Lupo A. Atienza for Gross Ongkiko abandoned respondent 17 years ago,
Immorality and Appearance of Impropriety against leaving their children to his care and custody as a
Judge Francisco Brillantes, Jr., Presiding Judge of single parent.
the Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 20, Manila.
Respondent claims that when he married De
Complainant alleges that he has two children with Castro in civil rites in Los Angeles, California on
Yolanda De Castro, who are living together at No. December 4, 1991, he believed, in all good faith
34 Galaxy Street, Bel-Air Subdivision, Makati, and for all legal intents and purposes, that he was
Metro Manila. He stays in said house, which he single because his first marriage was solemnized
purchased in 1987, whenever he is in Manila. without a license.
In December 1991, upon opening the door to his Under the Family Code, there must be a judicial
bedroom, he saw respondent sleeping on his declaration of the nullity of a previous marriage
(complainant's) bed. Upon inquiry, he was told by before a party thereto can enter into a second
the houseboy that respondent had been cohabiting marriage. Article 40 of said Code provides:
with De Castro. Complainant did not bother to wake
up respondent and instead left the house after The absolute nullity of a previous
giving instructions to his houseboy to take care of marriage may be invoked for the
his children. purposes of remarriage on the basis
solely of a final judgment declaring
Thereafter, respondent prevented him from visiting such previous marriage void.
his children and even alienated the affection of his
children for him. Respondent argues that the provision of Article 40
of the Family Code does not apply to him
Complainant claims that respondent is married to considering that his first marriage took place in
one Zenaida Ongkiko with whom he has five 1965 and was governed by the Civil Code of the
children, as appearing in his 1986 and 1991 sworn Philippines; while the second marriage took place
statements of assets and liabilities. Furthermore, he in 1991 and governed by the Family Code.
alleges that respondent caused his arrest on
January 13, 1992, after he had a heated argument Article 40 is applicable to remarriages entered into
with De Castro inside the latter's office. after the effectivity of the Family Code on August 3,
1988 regardless of the date of the first marriage.
For his part, respondent alleges that complainant Besides, under Article 256 of the Family Code, said
was not married to De Castro and that the filing of Article is given "retroactive effect insofar as it does
the administrative action was related to not prejudice or impair vested or acquired rights in
complainant's claim on the Bel-Air residence, which accordance with the Civil Code or other laws." This
was disputed by De Castro. is particularly true with Article 40, which is a rule of
procedure. Respondent has not shown any vested
right that was impaired by the application of Article
Respondent denies that he caused complainant's
40 to his case.
arrest and claims that he was even a witness to the
withdrawal of the complaint for Grave Slander filed
The fact that procedural statutes may somehow WHEREFORE, respondent is DISMISSED from the
affect the litigants' rights may not preclude their service with forfeiture of all leave and retirement
retroactive application to pending actions. The benefits and with prejudice to reappointment in any
retroactive application of procedural laws is not branch, instrumentality, or agency of the
violative of any right of a person who may feel that government, including government-owned and
he is adversely affected (Gregorio v. Court of controlled corporations. This decision is
Appeals, 26 SCRA 229 [1968]). The reason is that immediately executory.
as a general rule no vested right may attach to, nor
arise from, procedural laws (Billones v. Court of SO ORDERED.
Industrial Relations, 14 SCRA 674 [1965]).
PARCELA DE TERRENO No. 51, son, Teofilo Carlos II (Teofilo II). Upon Teofilos
Manzana No. 18, de la subd. De death, Parcel Nos. 5 & 6 were registered in the name
Solocon. Linda por el NW, con la
parcela 50; por el NE, con la parcela of respondent Felicidad and co-respondent, Teofilo
37; por el SE, con la parcela 52; por
II. The said two (2) parcels of land are covered
el SW, con la Calle Dos
Castillas. Partiendo de un punto
by TCT Nos. 219877 and 210878, respectively, In August 1995, petitioner commenced an
issued by the Registry of Deeds of Manila. action, docketed as Civil Case No. 95-135, against
respondents before the court a quo with the
In 1994, petitioner instituted a suit against following causes of action: (a) declaration of nullity
respondents before the RTC in Muntinlupa City, of marriage; (b) status of a child; (c) recovery of
docketed as Civil Case No. 94-1964. In the said property; (d) reconveyance; and (e) sum of money
case, the parties submitted and caused the approval and damages. The complaint was raffled to Branch
of a partial compromise agreement. Under the 256 of the RTC in Muntinlupa.
compromise, the parties acknowledged their
respective shares in the proceeds from the sale of a In his complaint, petitioner asserted that the
portion of the first parcel of land. This includes the marriage between his late brother Teofilo and
remaining 6,691-square-meter portion of said land. respondent Felicidad was a nullity in view of the
absence of the required marriage license. He
On September 17, 1994, the parties likewise maintained that his deceased brother was
executed a deed of extrajudicial partition, dividing neither the natural nor the adoptive father of
the remaining land of the first parcel between them. respondent Teofilo Carlos II.
Meanwhile, in a separate case entitled Rillo Petitioner likewise sought the avoidance of
v. Carlos,[4] 2,331 square meters of the second the contracts he entered into with respondent
parcel of land were adjudicated in favor of Felicidad with respect to the subject real
plaintiffs Rillo. The remaining 10,000-square meter properties. He also prayed for the cancellation of the
portion was later divided between petitioner and certificates of title issued in the name of
respondents. respondents. He argued that the properties covered
by such certificates of title, including the sums
The division was incorporated in a received by respondents as proceeds, should be
supplemental compromise agreement executed reconveyed to him.
on August 17, 1994, with respect to Civil Case No.
94-1964. The parties submitted the supplemental Finally, petitioner claimed indemnification as
compromise agreement, which was approved and by way of moral and exemplary damages,
accordingly. attorneys fees, litigation expenses, and costs of suit.
Petitioner and respondents entered into two
more contracts in August 1994. Under the contracts, On October 16, 1995, respondents
the parties equally divided between them the third submitted their answer. They denied the material
and fourth parcels of land. averments of petitioners complaint. Respondents
contended that the dearth of details regarding the
requisite marriage license did not invalidate Gorospe, before the RTC Branch 255, Las Pias. In
Felicidads marriage to Teofilo. Respondents her testimony, respondent Felicidad narrated that
declared that Teofilo II was the illegitimate child of co-respondent Teofilo II is her child with Teofilo.[5]
the deceased Teofilo Carlos with another woman.
Subsequently, the Office of the City
On the grounds of lack of cause of action and Prosecutor of Muntinlupa submitted to the trial court
lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, its report and manifestation, discounting the
respondents prayed for the dismissal of the case possibility of collusion between the parties.
before the trial court. They also asked that their RTC and CA Dispositions
counterclaims for moral and exemplary damages, as
well as attorneys fees, be granted. On April 8, 1996, the RTC rendered
judgment, disposing as follows:
But before the parties could even proceed to
WHEREFORE, premises
pre-trial, respondents moved for summary considered, defendants
judgment. Attached to the motion was the affidavit of (respondents) Motion for Summary
Judgment is hereby denied. Plaintiffs
the justice of the peace who solemnized the (petitioners) Counter-Motion for
marriage. Respondents also submitted the Summary Judgment is hereby
granted and summary judgment is
Certificate of Live Birth of respondent Teofilo II. In hereby rendered in favor of plaintiff
as follows:
the certificate, the late Teofilo Carlos and
respondent Felicidad were designated as parents. 1. Declaring the marriage
between defendant Felicidad
Sandoval and Teofilo Carlos
On January 5, 1996, petitioner opposed the solemnized at Silang, Cavite on May
14, 1962, evidenced by the Marriage
motion for summary judgment on the ground of Certificate submitted in this case, null
and void ab initio for lack of the
irregularity of the contract evidencing the
requisite marriage license;
marriage. In the same breath, petitioner lodged his
2. Declaring that the
own motion for summary judgment. Petitioner defendant minor, Teofilo S. Carlos II,
presented a certification from the Local Civil is not the natural, illegitimate, or
legally adopted child of the late
Registrar of Calumpit, Bulacan, certifying that there Teofilo E. Carlos;
is no record of birth of respondent Teofilo II. 3. Ordering defendant
Sandoval to pay and restitute to
plaintiff the sum of P18,924,800.00
together with the interest thereon at
Petitioner also incorporated in the counter- the legal rate from date of filing of the
motion for summary judgment the testimony of instant complaint until fully paid;
It bears stressing, however, that the legal This Court has the authority to review
personality of petitioner to bring the nullity of matters not specifically raised or assigned as error
marriage case is contingent upon the final by the parties, if their consideration is necessary in
declaration that Teofilo II is not a legitimate, arriving at a just resolution of the case.[36]
adopted, or illegitimate son of Teofilo.
We agree with the CA that without trial on the merits
If Teofilo II is proven to be a legitimate, having been conducted in the case, petitioners bare
illegitimate, or legally adopted son of Teofilo, then allegation that respondent Teofilo II was adopted
petitioner has no legal personality to ask for the from an indigent couple is insufficient to support a
nullity of marriage of his deceased brother and total forfeiture of rights arising from his putative
respondent Felicidad. This is based on the ground filiation. However, We are not inclined to support its
that he has no successional right to be protected, pronouncement that the declaration of respondent
hence, does not have proper interest. For although Felicidad as to the illegitimate filiation of respondent
the marriage in controversy may be found to be void Teofilo II is more credible. For the guidance of the
from the beginning, still, petitioner would not appellate court, such declaration of respondent
inherit. This is because the presence of descendant, Felicidad should not be afforded credence. We
illegitimate,[34] or even an adopted child[35] excludes remind the CA of the guaranty provided by Article
the collateral relatives from inheriting from the 167 of the Family Code to protect the status of
decedent. legitimacy of a child, to wit:
Thus, the Court finds that a remand of the ARTICLE 167. The child shall be
considered legitimate although the
case for trial on the merits to determine the validity mother may have declared against its
or nullity of the subject marriage is called for. But legitimacy or may have been
the RTC is strictly instructed to dismiss the sentenced as an
adulteress. (Underscoring supplied)
nullity of marriage case for lack of cause of
action if it is proven by evidence that Teofilo II is
It is stressed that Felicidads declaration against the
a legitimate, illegitimate, or legally adopted son
legitimate status of Teofilo II is the very act that is
of Teofilo Carlos, the deceased brother of
proscribed by Article 167 of the Family Code. The
petitioner.
language of the law is unmistakable. An assertion by
the mother against the legitimacy of her child cannot
IV. Remand of the case regarding the
affect the legitimacy of a child born or conceived
question of filiation of respondent Teofilo II is
within a valid marriage.[37]
proper and in order. There is a need to vacate the
disposition of the trial court as to the other
Finally, the disposition of the trial court in favor of
causes of action before it.
petitioner for causes of action concerning
reconveyance, recovery of property, and sum of
Petitioner did not assign as error or interpose as
money must be vacated. This has to be so, as said
issue the ruling of the CA on the remand of the case
disposition was made on the basis of its finding that
concerning the filiation of respondent Teofilo II. This
the marriage in controversy was null and void ab
initio.
WHEREFORE, the appealed Decision
is MODIFIED as follows:
x------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------x
DECISION
NACHURA, J.:
lack of jurisdiction, ratiocinating that the civil action
This is a petition[1] for review on certiorari under Rule to collect the amount of P600,000.00 with damages
45 of the Rules of Court of the Order dated January was already impliedly instituted in the BP Blg. 22
2, 2006[2] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch cases in light of Section 1, paragraph (b) of Rule 111
18, Manila in Civil Case No. 05-112452 of the Revised Rules of Court.
entitled Anita Cheng v. Spouses William Sy and
Tessie Sy. Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration[8] which
the court denied in its Order[9] dated June 5,
The antecedents are as follows 2006. Hence, this petition, raising the sole legal
issue
Petitioner Anita Cheng filed two (2) estafa cases
before the RTC, Branch 7, Manila against Whether or not Section 1 of Rule 111
respondent spouses William and Tessie Sy of the 2000 Rules of Criminal
(Criminal Case No. 98-969952 against Tessie Sy Procedure and Supreme Court
and Criminal Case No. 98-969953 against William Circular No. 57-97 on the Rules and
Sy) for issuing to her Philippine Bank of Commerce Guidelines in the filing and
(PBC) Check Nos. 171762 and 71860 prosecution of criminal cases under
for P300,000.00 each, in payment of their loan, both BP Blg. 22 are applicable to the
of which were dishonored upon presentment for present case where the nature of the
having been drawn against a closed account. order dismissing the cases for
bouncing checks against the
Meanwhile, based on the same facts, petitioner, on respondents was [based] on the
January 20, 1999, filed against respondents two (2) failure of the prosecution to identify
cases for violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang (BP both the accused (respondents
Blg.) 22 before the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC), herein)?[10]
Branch 25, Manila (Criminal Case Nos. 341458-59).
On March 16, 2004, the RTC, Branch Essentially, petitioner argues that since the BP Blg.
7, Manila dismissed the estafa cases for failure of 22 cases were filed on January 20, 1999, the 2000
the prosecution to prove the elements of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure promulgated
crime. The Order dismissing Criminal Case No. 98- on December 1, 2000 should not apply, as it must be
969952 contained no declaration as to the civil given only prospective application. She further
liability of Tessie Sy.[3] On the other hand, the Order contends that that her case falls within the following
in Criminal Case No. 98-969953 contained a exceptions to the rule that the civil action
statement, Hence, if there is any liability of the correspondent to the criminal action is deemed
accused, the same is purely civil, not criminal in instituted with the latter
nature.[4]
(1) additional evidence as to the
Later, the MeTC, Branch 25, Manila, dismissed, on identities of the accused is
demurrer, the BP Blg. 22 cases in its Order[5] dated necessary for the resolution
February 7, 2005 on account of the failure of of the civil aspect of the case;
petitioner to identify the accused respondents in
open court. The Order also did not make any (2) a separate complaint would be
pronouncement as to the civil liability of accused just as efficacious as or even
respondents. more expedient than a timely
remand to the trial court
On April 26, 2005, petitioner lodged against where the criminal action was
respondents before the RTC, Branch 18, Manila, a decided for further hearings
complaint[6] for collection of a sum of money with on the civil aspect of the case;
damages (Civil Case No. 05-112452) based on the
same loaned amount of P600,000.00 covered by the (3) the trial court failed to make any
two PBC checks previously subject of the estafa and pronouncement as to the civil
BP Blg. 22 cases. liability of the accused
amounting to a reservation of
In the assailed Order[7] dated January 2, 2006, the the right to have the civil
RTC, Branch 18, Manila, dismissed the complaint for
liability litigated in a separate Criminal Case No. 98-969953 where the trial court
action; declared that the liability of the accused was only
civil in natureproduced the legal effect of a
(4) the trial court did not declare that reservation by the petitioner of her right to litigate
the facts from which the civil separately the civil action impliedly instituted with the
liability might arise did not estafa cases, following Article 29 of the Civil Code.[17]
exist;
However, although this civil action could have been
(5) the civil complaint is based on an litigated separately on account of the dismissal of the
obligation ex-contractu and estafa cases on reasonable doubt, the petitioner
not ex-delicto pursuant to was deemed to have also elected that such civil
Article 31[11] of the Civil Code; action be prosecuted together with the BP Blg. 22
and cases in light of the Rodriguez v. Ponferrada ruling.
(6) the claim for civil liability for With the dismissal of the BP Blg. 22 cases for failure
damages may be had under to establish the identity of the accused, the question
Article 29[12] of the Civil Code. that arises is whether such dismissal would have the
same legal effect as the dismissed estafa cases. Put
Petitioner also points out that she was not differently, may petitioners action to recover
assisted by any private prosecutor in the BP Blg. 22 respondents civil liability be also allowed to prosper
proceedings. separately after the BP Blg. 22 cases were
dismissed?
The rule is that upon the filing of the estafa and BP
Blg. 22 cases against respondents, where the Section 1 (b), Rule 111 of the 2000 Revised
petitioner has not made any waiver, express Rules on Criminal Procedure states
reservation to litigate separately, or has not
instituted the corresponding civil action to collect the Section 1. Institution of criminal and
amount of P600,000.00 and damages prior to the civil actions.
criminal action, the civil action is deemed instituted
with the criminal cases.[13] xxx
This rule applies especially with the advent (b) The criminal action for violation of
of the 2000 Revised Rules on Criminal Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 shall be
Procedure. Thus, during the pendency of both the deemed to include the corresponding
estafa and the BP Blg. 22 cases, the action to civil action. No reservation to file
recover the civil liability was impliedly instituted and such civil action separately shall be
remained pending before the respective trial allowed.
courts. This is consonant with our ruling
in Rodriguez v. Ponferrada[14] that the possible Upon filing of the joint criminal and
single civil liability arising from the act of issuing a civil actions, the offended party shall
bouncing check can be the subject of both civil pay in full the filing fees based on the
actions deemed instituted with the estafa case and amount of the check involved, which
the prosecution for violation of BP Blg. 22, shall be considered as the actual
simultaneously available to the complaining party, damages claimed. Where the
without traversing the prohibition against forum complaint or information also seeks
shopping.[15] Prior to the judgment in either the to recover liquidated, moral, nominal,
estafa case or the BP Blg. 22 case, petitioner, as the temperate or exemplary damages,
complainant, cannot be deemed to have elected the offended party shall pay the filing
either of the civil actions both impliedly instituted in fees based on the amounts alleged
the said criminal proceedings to the exclusion of the therein. If the amounts are not so
other.[16] alleged but any of these damages [is]
The dismissal of the estafa cases for failure of the subsequently awarded by the court,
prosecution to prove the elements of the crime the filing fees based on the amount
beyond reasonable doubtwhere in Criminal Case awarded shall constitute a first lien on
No. 98-969952 there was no pronouncement as the judgment.
regards the civil liability of the accused and in
Where the civil action has been filed However, in applying the procedure
separately and trial thereof has not discussed above, it appears that petitioner would be
yet commenced, it may be left without a remedy to recover from respondents
consolidated with the criminal action the P600,000.00 allegedly loaned from her. This
upon application with the court trying could prejudice even the petitioners Notice of Claim
the latter case. If the application is involving the same amount filed in Special
granted, the trial of both actions shall Proceedings No. 98-88390 (Petition for Voluntary
proceed in accordance with section 2 Insolvency by Kolin Enterprises, William Sy and
of this Rule governing consolidation Tessie Sy), which case was reportedly archived for
of the civil and criminal actions. failure to prosecute the petition for an unreasonable
length of time.[21] Expectedly, respondents would
raise the same defense that petitioner had already
Petitioner is in error when she insists that the 2000 elected to litigate the civil action to recover the
Rules on Criminal Procedure should not apply amount of the checks along with the BP Blg. 22
because she filed her BP Blg. 22 complaints in cases.
1999. It is now settled that rules of procedure apply
even to cases already pending at the time of their It is in this light that we find petitioners contention
promulgation. The fact that procedural statutes may that she was not assisted by a private prosecutor
somehow affect the litigants rights does not preclude during the BP Blg. 22 proceedings critical. Petitioner
their retroactive application to pending actions. It is indirectly protests that the public prosecutor failed to
axiomatic that the retroactive application of protect and prosecute her cause when he failed to
procedural laws does not violate any right of a have her establish the identities of the accused
person who may feel that he is adversely affected, during the trial and when he failed to appeal the civil
nor is it constitutionally objectionable. The reason for action deemed impliedly instituted with the BP Blg.
this is that, as a general rule, no vested right may 22 cases. On this ground, we agree with petitioner.
attach to, nor arise from, procedural laws.[18]
Faced with the dismissal of the BP Blg. 22
Indeed, under the present revised Rules, the cases, petitioners recourse pursuant to the
criminal action for violation of BP Blg. 22 includes prevailing rules of procedure would have been to
the corresponding civil action to recover the amount appeal the civil action to recover the amount loaned
of the checks. It should be stressed, this policy is to respondents corresponding to the bounced
intended to discourage the separate filing of the civil checks.Hence, the said civil action may proceed
action. In fact, the Rules even prohibits the requiring only a preponderance of evidence on the
reservation of a separate civil action, i.e., one can no part of petitioner. Her failure to appeal within the
longer file a separate civil case after the criminal reglementary period was tantamount to a waiver
complaint is filed in court. The only instance when altogether of the remedy to recover the civil liability
separate proceedings are allowed is when the civil of respondents. However, due to the gross mistake
action is filed ahead of the criminal case. Even then, of the prosecutor in the BP Blg. 22 cases, we are
the Rules encourages the consolidation of the civil constrained to digress from this rule.
and criminal cases. Thus, where petitioners rights
may be fully adjudicated in the proceedings before It is true that clients are bound by the mistakes,
the court trying the BP Blg. 22 cases, resort to a negligence and omission of their counsel.[22] But this
separate action to recover civil liability is clearly rule admits of exceptions (1) where the counsels
unwarranted on account of res judicata, for failure of mistake is so great and serious that the client is
petitioner to appeal the civil aspect of the cases. In prejudiced and denied his day in court, or (2) where
view of this special rule governing actions for the counsel is guilty of gross negligence resulting in
violation of BP Blg. 22, Article 31 of the Civil Code is the clients deprivation of liberty or property without
not applicable.[19] due process of law.[23] Tested against these
guidelines, we hold that petitioners lot falls within the
Be it remembered that rules governing procedure exceptions.
before the courts, while not cast in stone, are for the
speedy, efficient, and orderly dispensation of justice It is an oft-repeated exhortation to counsels
and should therefore be adhered to in order to attain to be well-informed of existing laws and rules and to
this objective.[20] keep abreast with legal developments, recent
enactments and jurisprudence. Unless they faithfully
comply with such duty, they may not be able to
discharge competently and diligently their
obligations as members of the Bar.[24] Further, WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. Civil
lawyers in the government service are expected to Case No. 05-112452 entitled Anita Cheng v.
be more conscientious in the performance of their Spouses William Sy and Tessie Sy is hereby
duties as they are subject to public scrutiny. They ordered REINSTATED. No pronouncement as to
are not only members of the Bar but are also public costs.
servants who owe utmost fidelity to public
service.[25] Apparently, the public prosecutor SO ORDERED.
neglected to equip himself with the knowledge of the
proper procedure for BP Blg. 22 cases under the
2000 Rules on Criminal Procedure such that he
failed to appeal the civil action impliedly instituted
with the BP Blg. 22 cases, the only remaining
remedy available to petitioner to be able to recover
the money she loaned to respondents, upon the
dismissal of the criminal cases on demurrer. By this
failure, petitioner was denied her day in court to
prosecute the respondents for their obligation to pay
their loan.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant PD 1638 should not have been applied and cannot
Motion for Reconsideration is hereby DENIED, be used against petitioner as her husband's
considering that the questioned decision has not retirement and pension were granted to him by the
yet attained its finality. The Motion for Execution in AFP under RA 340 which was not superseded by
the meantime is hereby DENIED.14 PD 1638, a later statute.
Aggrieved, respondents elevated the case to the Petitioner correctly availed of the remedy of
CA. After the submission of the parties' respective mandamus to compel the reinstatement of his
memoranda, the case was submitted for decision. pension and benefits from the AFP under RA 340
as PD 1638 was not applicable to him. Petitioner
Jeremias died on September 30, 200715 and was contends that her husband's retirement from the
substituted by his wife, herein petitioner. On May active service in 1976 was pursuant to the
25, 2009, the CA granted respondents' appeal. The provisions of RA No. No. 340 as PD No. 1638 was
dispositive portion of the CA decision reads: not yet in existence then, and there was nothing in
RA No. 340 that disqualifies a retired military
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant personnel from receiving retirement benefits after
appeal is GRANTED. The appealed decision is acquiring foreign citizenship. The concept of
REVOKED and SET ASIDE.16 retirement benefits is such that one is entitled to
them for services already rendered and not for
In so ruling, the CA found that while it is true that those to be made at a future time. Retirement
Jeremias retired in 1976 under the provisions of RA benefits due petitioner's husband under RA No.
No. 340, as amended, which does not contain any 340, is an acquired right which cannot be taken
provision anent cessation or loss of retirement away by a subsequent law. PD No. 1638 does not
benefits upon acquiring another citizenship, PD No. expressly provide for its retroactive application.
1638, which was signed in 1979, effectively Respondents, being officers of the AFP tasked to
repealed RA No. 340, as amended. Section 27 of implement the provisions of RA No. 340 have
PD No. 1638, which provides that the name of a neglected their function thereunder by delisting
retiree who loses his Filipino citizenship shall be petitioner's husband as a retiree, thus, mandamus
removed from the retired list and his retirement is proper.
benefits terminated upon such loss, was correctly
made applicable to Jeremias' retirement benefits. In his Comment, the Solicitor General argues that
Logic dictates that since Jeremias had already PD No. 1638 applies to all military personnel in the
renounced his allegiance to the Philippines, he service of the AFP whether active or retired; hence,
cannot now be compelled by the State to render it applies retroactively to petitioner's husband. Even
active service and to render compulsory military when a retiree is no longer in the active service, his
service when the need arises. The CA found that being a Filipino still makes him a part of the Citizen
for the writ of mandamus to lie, it is essential that Armed Forces; that whether a military personnel
Jeremias should have a clear legal right to the thing retires under the provisions of RA No. 340 or under
demanded and it must be the imperative duty of PD No. 1638, he is still in the service of the military
respondents to perform the act required which and/or the State only that he is retired, thus, they
petitioner failed to show; thus, mandamus will not should not be treated differently upon the loss of
lie. Filipino citizenship. He argues when there is an
irreconcilable conflict between the two laws of
Petitioner's motion for reconsideration was denied different vintages, i.e., RA No. 340 and PD No.
in a Resolution dated September 10, 2009. 1638, the latter enactment prevails.
Hence, this petition raising the following: The Solicitor General argues that mandamus will
not issue to enforce a right to compel compliance
with a duty which is questionable or over which a
substantial doubt exists. In this case, petitioner's We find that the CA erred in applying PD No. 1638
husband does not have a well-defined, clear and to the retirement benefits of petitioner's husband.
certain legal right to continuously receive retirement
benefits after becoming an American citizen. Firstly, PD No. 1638 was signed by then President
Likewise, the AFP does not have a clear and Ferdinand Marcos on September 10, 1979. Under
imperative duty to grant the said benefits Article 4 of the Civil Code, it is provided that laws
considering that Section 27 of PD No. 1638 shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary
provides that the name of a retiree who loses his is provided. It is said that the law looks to the future
Filipino citizenship shall be removed from the only and has no retroactive effect unless the
retired list and his retirement benefits terminated legislator may have formally given that effect to
upon such loss. some legal provisions;17 that all statutes are to be
construed as having only prospective operation,
Petitioner filed her reply thereto. unless the purpose and intention of the legislature
to give them a retrospective effect is expressly
We find merit in the petition. declared or is necessarily implied from the
language used; and that every case of doubt must
Petitioner's husband retired in1976 under RA No. be resolved against retrospective effect.18 These
340. He was already receiving his monthly principles also apply to amendments of statutes.
retirement benefit in the amount of P18,315.00
since December 1976 until it was terminated in PD No. 1638 does not contain any provision
March 2005. Section 5, RA No. 340 provides: regarding its retroactive application, nor the same
may be implied from its language. In fact, Section
Sec. 5. Officers and enlisted men placed in the 36 of PD No. 1638 clearly provides that the decree
retired list shall be subject to the rules and articles shall take effect upon its approval. As held in
of war and to trial by court-martial for any breach Parreo v. COA,19 there is no question that PD No.
thereof. At any time said officers and enlisted men 1638, as amended, applies prospectively. Since PD
may be called to active service by the President. No. 1638, as amended, is about the new system of
Refusal on the part of any officer or enlisted man to retirement and separation from service of military
perform such services shall terminate his right to personnel, it should apply to those who were in the
further participation in the benefits of this Act service at the time of its approval.20 Conversely, PD
provided he resides in the Philippines and is No. 1638 is not applicable to those who retired
physically fit for service. Such fitness for service before its effectivity in 1979. The rule is familiar that
shall be determined by applicable regulations. after an act is amended, the original act continues
to be in force with regard to all rights that had
The afore-quoted provision clearly shows how a accrued prior to such amendment.21
retiree's retirement benefits may be terminated, i.e.,
when the retiree refuses to perform active service Moreover, Section 27 of PD No. 1638 specifically
when called to do so provided that (1) the retiree provides for the retirees to whom the law shall be
resides in the Philippines and (2) is physically fit for applied, to wit:
service. There is no other requirement found in the
law which would be the reason for the termination Section 27. Military personnel retired under
of a retiree's retirement benefits. Petitioner's Sections 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 shall be carried in the
husband was never called to perform active service retired list of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
and refused to do so, however, his retirement The name of a retiree who loses his Filipino
benefit was terminated. The reason for such citizenship shall be removed from the retired list
termination was his loss of Filipino citizenship and his retirement benefits terminated upon such
based on Section 27 of PD No. 1638, to wit: loss. (emphasis supplied)
Section 27. Military personnel retired under Notably, petitioner's husband did not retire under
Sections 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 shall be carried in the those above-enumerated Sections of PD No. 1638
retired list of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. as he retired under RA No. 340.
The name of a retiree who loses his Filipino
citizenship shall be removed from the retired list Secondly, it has been held that before a right to
and his retirement benefits terminated upon such retirement benefits or pension vests in an
loss. employee, he must have met the stated conditions
of eligibility with respect to the nature of
employment, age, and length of demand, but also an exemption from new
service.22Undeniably, petitioner's husband had obligations after the right has vested.28
complied with the conditions of eligibility to
retirement benefits as he was then receiving his In fact, Sections 33 and 35 of PD No.1638
retirement benefits on a monthly basis until it was recognize such vested right, to wit:
terminated. Where the employee retires and meets
the eligibility requirements, he acquires a vested Section 33. Nothing in this Decree shall be
right to the benefits that is protected by the due construed in any manner to reduce whatever
process clause.23 It is only upon retirement that retirement and separation pay or gratuity or other
military personnel acquire a vested right to monetary benefits which any person is heretofore
retirement benefits.24 Retirees enjoy a protected receiving or is entitled to receive under the
property interest whenever they acquire a right to provisions of existing law.
immediate payment under pre-existing law.25
xxxx
In Ayog v. Cusi,26 we expounded the nature of a
vested right, thus: Section. 35. Except those necessary to give effect
to the provisions of this Decree and to preserve the
"A right is vested when the right to enjoyment has rights granted to retired or separated military
become the property of some particular person or personnel, all laws, rules and regulations
persons as a present interest" (16 C.J.S. inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are
1173).1wphi1 It is "the privilege to enjoy property hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
legally vested, to enforce contracts, and enjoy the
rights of property conferred by the existing law" (12 Section 33 of PD No. 1638 is clear that the law has
C.J.S. 955, Note 46, No. 6) or "some right or no intention to reduce or to revoke whatever
interest in property which has become fixed and retirement benefits being enjoyed by a retiree at the
established and is no longer open to doubt or time of its passage. Hence, Section 35 provides for
controversy" (Downs vs. Blount 170 Fed. 15, 20, an exception to what the decree repealed or
cited in Balboa vs. Farrales, 51 Phil. 498, 502). modified, i.e., except those necessary to preserve
the rights granted to retired or separated military
The due process clause prohibits the annihilation of personnel.
vested rights. "A state may not impair vested rights
by legislative enactment, by the enactment or by We also find that the CA erred in finding that
the subsequent repeal of a municipal ordinance, or mandamus will not lie.
by a change in the constitution of the State, except
in a legitimate exercise of the police power" (16 Section 3, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court lay down
C.J.S. 1177-78). under what circumstances petition for mandamus
may be filed, to wit:
It has been observed that, generally, the term
"vested right" expresses the concept of present SEC. 3. Petition for mandamus. When any
fixed interest, which in right reason and natural tribunal, corporation, board, officer or person
justice should be protected against arbitrary State unlawfully neglects the performance of an act which
action, or an innately just and imperative right the law specifically enjoins as a duty resulting from
which an enlightened free society, sensitive to an office, trust, or station, or unlawfully excludes
inherent and irrefragable individual rights, cannot another from the use and enjoyment of a right or
deny (16 C.J.S. 1174, Note 71, No. 5, citing office to which such other is entitled, and there is
Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, Inc. vs. Rosenthal, no other plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the
192 Atl. 2nd 587). 27 ordinary course of law, the person aggrieved
thereby may file a verified petition in the proper
Petitioner's husband acquired vested right to the court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying
payment of his retirement benefits which must be that judgment be rendered commanding the
respected and cannot be affected by the respondent, immediately or at some other time to
subsequent enactment of PD No. 1638 which be specified by the court, to do the act required to
provides that loss of Filipino citizenship terminates be done to protect the rights of the petitioner, and
retirement benefits. Vested rights include not only to pay the damages sustained by the petitioner by
legal or equitable title to the enforcement of a reason of the wrongful acts of the respondent.
A writ of mandamus can be issued only when
petitioners legal right to the performance of a
particular act which is sought to be compelled is
clear and complete. A clear legal right is a right
which is indubitably granted by law or is inferable
as a matter of law.29 A doctrine well-embedded in
our jurisprudence is that mandamus will issue only
when the petitioner has a clear legal right to the
performance of the act sought to be compelled and
the respondent has an imperative duty to perform
the same.30 The remedy of mandamus lies to
compel the performance of a ministerial duty.31 A
purely ministerial act or duty is one that an officer or
tribunal performs in a given state of facts, in a
prescribed manner, in obedience to the mandate of
a legal authority, without regard to or the exercise
of its own judgment upon the propriety or
impropriety of the act done.32 If the law imposes a
duty upon a public officer, and gives him the right to
decide how or when the duty shall be performed,
such duty is discretionary and not ministerial.33
The other heirs of Sima Wei filed a Joint Motion to Petitioner argues that the Court of Appeals
Dismiss8 on the ground that the certification against disregarded existing rules on certification against
forum shopping should have been signed by private forum shopping; that the Release and Waiver of
respondents and not their counsel. They contended Claim executed by Remedios released and
that Remedios should have executed the discharged the Guy family and the estate of Sima
certification on behalf of her minor daughters as Wei from any claims or liabilities; and that private
mandated by Section 5, Rule 7 of the Rules of respondents do not have the legal personality to
Court. institute the petition for letters of administration as
they failed to prove their filiation during the lifetime
In a Manifestation/Motion as Supplement to the of Sima Wei in accordance with Article 175 of the
Joint Motion to Dismiss,9 petitioner and his co-heirs Family Code.
alleged that private respondents' claim had been
paid, waived, abandoned or otherwise extinguished Private respondents contend that their counsel's
by reason of Remedios' June 7, 1993 Release and certification can be considered substantial
Waiver of Claim stating that in exchange for the compliance with the rules on certification of non-
financial and educational assistance received from forum shopping, and that the petition raises no new
petitioner, Remedios and her minor children issues to warrant the reversal of the decisions of
discharge the estate of Sima Wei from any and all the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals.
liabilities.
The issues for resolution are: 1) whether private such waiver will not bar the latter's claim. Article
respondents' petition should be dismissed for 1044 of the Civil Code, provides:
failure to comply with the rules on certification of
non-forum shopping; 2) whether the Release and ART. 1044. Any person having the free
Waiver of Claim precludes private respondents disposal of his property may accept or
from claiming their successional rights; and 3) repudiate an inheritance.
whether private respondents are barred by
prescription from proving their filiation. Any inheritance left to minors or
incapacitated persons may be accepted
The petition lacks merit. by their parents or guardians. Parents or
guardians may repudiate the inheritance
Rule 7, Section 5 of the Rules of Court provides left to their wards only by judicial
that the certification of non-forum shopping should authorization.
be executed by the plaintiff or the principal party.
Failure to comply with the requirement shall be The right to accept an inheritance left to the
cause for dismissal of the case. However, a liberal poor shall belong to the persons designated
application of the rules is proper where the higher by the testator to determine the
interest of justice would be served. In Sy Chin v. beneficiaries and distribute the property, or
Court of Appeals,11 we ruled that while a petition in their default, to those mentioned in Article
may have been flawed where the certificate of non- 1030. (Emphasis supplied)
forum shopping was signed only by counsel and
not by the party, this procedural lapse may be Parents and guardians may not therefore repudiate
overlooked in the interest of substantial the inheritance of their wards without judicial
justice.12 So it is in the present controversy where approval. This is because repudiation amounts to
the merits13 of the case and the absence of an an alienation of property16 which must pass the
intention to violate the rules with impunity should be court's scrutiny in order to protect the interest of the
considered as compelling reasons to temper the ward. Not having been judicially authorized, the
strict application of the rules. Release and Waiver of Claim in the instant case is
void and will not bar private respondents from
As regards Remedios' Release and Waiver of asserting their rights as heirs of the deceased.
Claim, the same does not bar private respondents
from claiming successional rights. To be valid and Furthermore, it must be emphasized that waiver is
effective, a waiver must be couched in clear and the intentional relinquishment of a known right.
unequivocal terms which leave no doubt as to the Where one lacks knowledge of a right, there is no
intention of a party to give up a right or benefit basis upon which waiver of it can rest. Ignorance of
which legally pertains to him. A waiver may not be a material fact negates waiver, and waiver cannot
attributed to a person when its terms do not be established by a consent given under a mistake
explicitly and clearly evince an intent to abandon a or misapprehension of fact.17
right.14
In the present case, private respondents could not
In this case, we find that there was no waiver of have possibly waived their successional rights
hereditary rights. The Release and Waiver of Claim because they are yet to prove their status as
does not state with clarity the purpose of its acknowledged illegitimate children of the deceased.
execution. It merely states that Remedios received Petitioner himself has consistently denied that
P300,000.00 and an educational plan for her minor private respondents are his co-heirs. It would thus
daughters "by way of financial assistance and in full be inconsistent to rule that they waived their
settlement of any and all claims of whatsoever hereditary rights when petitioner claims that they do
nature and kind x x x against the estate of the late not have such right. Hence, petitioner's invocation
Rufino Guy Susim."15 Considering that the of waiver on the part of private respondents must
document did not specifically mention private fail.
respondents' hereditary share in the estate of Sima
Wei, it cannot be construed as a waiver of Anent the issue on private respondents' filiation, we
successional rights. agree with the Court of Appeals that a ruling on the
same would be premature considering that private
Moreover, even assuming that Remedios truly respondents have yet to present evidence. Before
waived the hereditary rights of private respondents, the Family Code took effect, the governing law on
actions for recognition of illegitimate children was ART. 173. The action to claim legitimacy
Article 285 of the Civil Code, to wit: may be brought by the child during his or
her lifetime and shall be transmitted to the
ART. 285. The action for the recognition of heirs should the child die during minority or
natural children may be brought only during in a state of insanity. In these cases, the
the lifetime of the presumed parents, except heirs shall have a period of five years within
in the following cases: which to institute the action.
(1) If the father or mother died during the The action already commenced by the child
minority of the child, in which case the shall survive notwithstanding the death of
latter may file the action before the either or both of the parties.
expiration of four years from the
attainment of his majority; ART. 175. Illegitimate children may
establish their illegitimate filiation in the
(2) If after the death of the father or of the same way and on the same, evidence as
mother a document should appear of which legitimate children.
nothing had been heard and in which either
or both parents recognize the child. The action must be brought within the same
period specified in Article 173, except when
In this case, the action must be commenced the action is based on the second
within four years from the finding of the paragraph of Article 172, in which case the
document. (Emphasis supplied) action may be brought during the lifetime of
the alleged parent.
We ruled in Bernabe v. Alejo18 that illegitimate
children who were still minors at the time the Family Under the Family Code, when filiation of an
Code took effect and whose putative parent died illegitimate child is established by a record of birth
during their minority are given the right to seek appearing in the civil register or a final judgment, or
recognition for a period of up to four years from an admission of filiation in a public document or a
attaining majority age. This vested right was not private handwritten instrument signed by the parent
impaired or taken away by the passage of the concerned, the action for recognition may be
Family Code.19 brought by the child during his or her lifetime.
However, if the action is based upon open and
On the other hand, Articles 172, 173 and 175 of the continuous possession of the status of an
Family Code, which superseded Article 285 of the illegitimate child, or any other means allowed by the
Civil Code, provide: rules or special laws, it may only be brought during
the lifetime of the alleged parent.
ART. 172. The filiation of legitimate children
is established by any of the following: It is clear therefore that the resolution of the issue
of prescription depends on the type of evidence to
(1) The record of birth appearing in the civil be adduced by private respondents in proving their
register or a final judgment; or filiation. However, it would be impossible to
determine the same in this case as there has been
(2) An admission of legitimate filiation in a no reception of evidence yet. This Court is not a
public document or a private handwritten trier of facts. Such matters may be resolved only by
instrument and signed by the parent the Regional Trial Court after a full-blown trial.
concerned.
While the original action filed by private
In the absence of the foregoing evidence, respondents was a petition for letters of
the legitimate filiation shall be proved by: administration, the trial court is not precluded from
receiving evidence on private respondents' filiation.
Its jurisdiction extends to matters incidental and
(1) The open and continuous possession of
collateral to the exercise of its recognized powers in
the status of a legitimate child; or
handling the settlement of the estate, including the
determination of the status of each heir.20 That the
(2) Any other means allowed by the Rules two causes of action, one to compel recognition
of Court and special laws. and the other to claim inheritance, may be joined in
one complaint is not new in our jurisprudence.21 As denial of petitioner's motion to dismiss; and its
held in Briz v. Briz:22 Resolution dated May 25, 2004 denying petitioner's
motion for reconsideration, are AFFIRMED. Let the
The question whether a person in the records be REMANDED to the Regional Trial Court
position of the present plaintiff can in any of Makati City, Branch 138 for further proceedings.
event maintain a complex action to compel
recognition as a natural child and at the SO ORDERED.
same time to obtain ulterior relief in the
character of heir, is one which in the opinion
of this court must be answered in the
affirmative, provided always that the
conditions justifying the joinder of the two
distinct causes of action are present in the
particular case. In other words, there is no
absolute necessity requiring that the action
to compel acknowledgment should have
been instituted and prosecuted to a
successful conclusion prior to the action in Republic of the Philippines
which that same plaintiff seeks additional SUPREME COURT
relief in the character of heir. Certainly, Manila
there is nothing so peculiar to the action to
compel acknowledgment as to require that a
FIRST DIVISION
rule should be here applied different from
that generally applicable in other cases. x x
x G.R. No. 174689 October 22, 2007
From then on, petitioner lived as a female and was Finally, no evidence was presented to show
in fact engaged to be married. He then sought to any cause or ground to deny the present
have his name in his birth certificate changed from petition despite due notice and publication
"Rommel Jacinto" to "Mely," and his sex from "male" thereof. Even the State, through the [OSG]
to "female." has not seen fit to interpose any [o]pposition.
An order setting the case for initial hearing was WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered
published in the Peoples Journal Tonight, a GRANTING the petition and ordering the
newspaper of general circulation in Metro Manila, for Civil Registrar of Manila to change the
three consecutive weeks.3 Copies of the order were entries appearing in the Certificate of Birth of
sent to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and [p]etitioner, specifically for petitioners first
the civil registrar of Manila. name from "Rommel Jacinto" to MELY and
petitioners gender from "Male"
On the scheduled initial hearing, jurisdictional to FEMALE. 5
requirements were established. No opposition to the
petition was made. On August 18, 2003, the Republic of the Philippines
(Republic), thru the OSG, filed a petition for certiorari
During trial, petitioner testified for himself. He also in the Court of Appeals.6 It alleged that there is no
presented Dr. Reysio-Cruz, Jr. and his American law allowing the change of entries in the birth
fianc, Richard P. Edel, as witnesses. certificate by reason of sex alteration.
On February 23, 2006, the Court of without a judicial order, except for clerical or
Appeals7 rendered a decision8 in favor of the typographical errors and change of first
Republic. It ruled that the trial courts decision lacked name or nickname which can be corrected or
legal basis. There is no law allowing the change of changed by the concerned city or municipal
either name or sex in the certificate of birth on the civil registrar or consul general in
ground of sex reassignment through surgery. Thus, accordance with the provisions of this Act
the Court of Appeals granted the Republics petition, and its implementing rules and regulations.
set aside the decision of the trial court and ordered
the dismissal of SP Case No. 02-105207. Petitioner RA 9048 now governs the change of first name.14 It
moved for reconsideration but it was vests the power and authority to entertain petitions
denied.9 Hence, this petition. for change of first name to the city or municipal civil
registrar or consul general concerned. Under the
Petitioner essentially claims that the change of his law, therefore, jurisdiction over applications for
name and sex in his birth certificate is allowed under change of first name is now primarily lodged with the
Articles 407 to 413 of the Civil Code, Rules 103 and aforementioned administrative officers. The intent
108 of the Rules of Court and RA 9048.10 and effect of the law is to exclude the change of first
name from the coverage of Rules 103 (Change of
The petition lacks merit. Name) and 108 (Cancellation or Correction of
Entries in the Civil Registry) of the Rules of Court,
A Persons First Name Cannot Be Changed On until and unless an administrative petition for change
the Ground of Sex Reassignment of name is first filed and subsequently denied.15 It
likewise lays down the corresponding
Petitioner invoked his sex reassignment as the venue,16 form17 and procedure. In sum, the remedy
ground for his petition for change of name and sex. and the proceedings regulating change of first name
As found by the trial court: are primarily administrative in nature, not judicial.
Petitioner filed the present petition not to RA 9048 likewise provides the grounds for which
evade any law or judgment or any infraction change of first name may be allowed:
thereof or for any unlawful motive but solely
for the purpose of making his birth SECTION 4. Grounds for Change of First
records compatible with his present sex. Name or Nickname. The petition for
(emphasis supplied) change of first name or nickname may be
allowed in any of the following cases:
Petitioner believes that after having acquired the
physical features of a female, he became entitled to (1) The petitioner finds the first name or
the civil registry changes sought. We disagree. nickname to be ridiculous, tainted with
dishonor or extremely difficult to write or
The State has an interest in the names borne by pronounce;
individuals and entities for purposes of
identification.11 A change of name is a privilege, not (2) The new first name or nickname has been
a right.12 Petitions for change of name are controlled habitually and continuously used by the
by statutes.13 In this connection, Article 376 of the petitioner and he has been publicly known by
Civil Code provides: that first name or nickname in the
community; or
ART. 376. No person can change his name
or surname without judicial authority. (3) The change will avoid confusion.
This Civil Code provision was amended by RA 9048 Petitioners basis in praying for the change of his first
(Clerical Error Law). In particular, Section 1 of RA name was his sex reassignment. He intended to
9048 provides: make his first name compatible with the sex he
thought he transformed himself into through surgery.
SECTION 1. Authority to Correct Clerical or However, a change of name does not alter ones
Typographical Error and Change of First legal capacity or civil status.18 RA 9048 does not
Name or Nickname. No entry in a civil sanction a change of first name on the ground of sex
register shall be changed or corrected reassignment. Rather than avoiding confusion,
changing petitioners first name for his declared
purpose may only create grave complications in the SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. As used
civil registry and the public interest. in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
Before a person can legally change his given name, xxx xxx xxx
he must present proper or reasonable cause or any
compelling reason justifying such change.19 In (3) "Clerical or typographical error"
addition, he must show that he will be prejudiced by refers to a mistake committed in the
the use of his true and official name.20 In this case, performance of clerical work in
he failed to show, or even allege, any prejudice that writing, copying, transcribing or
he might suffer as a result of using his true and typing an entry in the civil register that
official name. is harmless and innocuous, such as
misspelled name or misspelled place
In sum, the petition in the trial court in so far as it of birth or the like, which is visible to
prayed for the change of petitioners first name was the eyes or obvious to the
not within that courts primary jurisdiction as the understanding, and can be corrected
petition should have been filed with the local civil or changed only by reference to other
registrar concerned, assuming it could be legally existing record or records: Provided,
done. It was an improper remedy because the however, That no correction must
proper remedy was administrative, that is, that involve the change of nationality,
provided under RA 9048. It was also filed in the age, status or sex of the petitioner.
wrong venue as the proper venue was in the Office (emphasis supplied)
of the Civil Registrar of Manila where his birth
certificate is kept. More importantly, it had no merit Under RA 9048, a correction in the civil registry
since the use of his true and official name does not involving the change of sex is not a mere clerical or
prejudice him at all. For all these reasons, the Court typographical error. It is a substantial change for
of Appeals correctly dismissed petitioners petition in which the applicable procedure is Rule 108 of the
so far as the change of his first name was Rules of Court.
concerned.
The entries envisaged in Article 412 of the Civil Code
No Law Allows The Change of Entry In The Birth and correctable under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court
Certificate As To Sex On the Ground of Sex are those provided in Articles 407 and 408 of the
Reassignment Civil Code:24
The determination of a persons sex appearing in his ART. 407. Acts, events and judicial decrees
birth certificate is a legal issue and the court must concerning the civil status of persons shall be
look to the statutes.21 In this connection, Article 412 recorded in the civil register.
of the Civil Code provides:
ART. 408. The following shall be entered in
ART. 412. No entry in the civil register shall the civil register:
be changed or corrected without a judicial
order. (1) Births; (2) marriages; (3) deaths; (4) legal
separations; (5) annulments of marriage; (6)
Together with Article 376 of the Civil Code, this judgments declaring marriages void from the
provision was amended by RA 9048 in so far beginning; (7) legitimations; (8) adoptions;
as clerical or typographical errors are involved. The (9) acknowledgments of natural children;
correction or change of such matters can now be (10) naturalization; (11) loss, or (12) recovery
made through administrative proceedings and of citizenship; (13) civil interdiction; (14)
without the need for a judicial order. In effect, RA judicial determination of filiation; (15)
9048 removed from the ambit of Rule 108 of the voluntary emancipation of a minor; and (16)
Rules of Court the correction of such errors.22 Rule changes of name.
108 now applies only to substantial changes and
corrections in entries in the civil register.23 The acts, events or factual errors contemplated
under Article 407 of the Civil Code include even
Section 2(c) of RA 9048 defines what a "clerical or those that occur after birth.25 However, no
typographical error" is: reasonable interpretation of the provision can justify
the conclusion that it covers the correction on the ART. 413. All other matters pertaining to the
ground of sex reassignment. registration of civil status shall be governed
by special laws.
To correct simply means "to make or set aright; to
remove the faults or error from" while to change But there is no such special law in the Philippines
means "to replace something with something else of governing sex reassignment and its effects. This is
the same kind or with something that serves as a fatal to petitioners cause.
substitute."26 The birth certificate of petitioner
contained no error. All entries therein, including Moreover, Section 5 of Act 3753 (the Civil Register
those corresponding to his first name and sex, were Law) provides:
all correct. No correction is necessary.
SEC. 5. Registration and certification of
Article 407 of the Civil Code authorizes the entry in births. The declaration of the physician or
the civil registry of certain acts (such as midwife in attendance at the birth or, in
legitimations, acknowledgments of illegitimate default thereof, the declaration of either
children and naturalization), events (such as births, parent of the newborn child, shall be
marriages, naturalization and deaths) and judicial sufficient for the registration of a birth in the
decrees (such as legal separations, annulments of civil register. Such declaration shall be
marriage, declarations of nullity of marriages, exempt from documentary stamp tax and
adoptions, naturalization, loss or recovery of shall be sent to the local civil registrar not
citizenship, civil interdiction, judicial determination of later than thirty days after the birth, by the
filiation and changes of name). These acts, events physician or midwife in attendance at the
and judicial decrees produce legal consequences birth or by either parent of the newborn child.
that touch upon the legal capacity, status and
nationality of a person. Their effects are expressly In such declaration, the person above
sanctioned by the laws. In contrast, sex mentioned shall certify to the following facts:
reassignment is not among those acts or events (a) date and hour of birth; (b) sex and
mentioned in Article 407. Neither is it recognized nor nationality of infant; (c) names, citizenship
even mentioned by any law, expressly or impliedly. and religion of parents or, in case the father
is not known, of the mother alone; (d) civil
"Status" refers to the circumstances affecting the status of parents; (e) place where the infant
legal situation (that is, the sum total of capacities and was born; and (f) such other data as may be
incapacities) of a person in view of his age, required in the regulations to be issued.
nationality and his family membership.27
xxx xxx xxx (emphasis supplied)
The status of a person in law includes all his
personal qualities and relations, more or Under the Civil Register Law, a birth certificate is a
less permanent in nature, not ordinarily historical record of the facts as they existed at the
terminable at his own will, such as his time of birth.29 Thus, the sex of a person is
being legitimate or illegitimate, or his being determined at birth, visually done by the birth
married or not. The comprehensive attendant (the physician or midwife) by examining
term status include such matters as the the genitals of the infant. Considering that there is no
beginning and end of legal personality, law legally recognizing sex reassignment, the
capacity to have rights in general, family determination of a persons sex made at the time of
relations, and its various aspects, such as his or her birth, if not attended by error,30is
birth, legitimation, adoption, emancipation, immutable.31
marriage, divorce, and sometimes even
succession.28 (emphasis supplied) When words are not defined in a statute they are to
be given their common and ordinary meaning in the
A persons sex is an essential factor in marriage and absence of a contrary legislative intent. The words
family relations. It is a part of a persons legal "sex," "male" and "female" as used in the Civil
capacity and civil status. In this connection, Article Register Law and laws concerning the civil registry
413 of the Civil Code provides: (and even all other laws) should therefore be
understood in their common and ordinary usage,
there being no legislative intent to the contrary. In
this connection, sex is defined as "the sum of
peculiarities of structure and function that distinguish Penal Code40 and the presumption of survivorship in
a male from a female"32 or "the distinction between case of calamities under Rule 131 of the Rules of
male and female."33 Female is "the sex that Court,41 among others. These laws underscore the
produces ova or bears young"34 and male is "the sex public policy in relation to women which could be
that has organs to produce spermatozoa for substantially affected if petitioners petition were to
fertilizing ova."35 Thus, the words "male" and be granted.
"female" in everyday understanding do not include
persons who have undergone sex reassignment. It is true that Article 9 of the Civil Code mandates
Furthermore, "words that are employed in a statute that "[n]o judge or court shall decline to render
which had at the time a well-known meaning are judgment by reason of the silence, obscurity or
presumed to have been used in that sense unless insufficiency of the law." However, it is not a license
the context compels to the contrary."36 Since the for courts to engage in judicial legislation. The duty
statutory language of the Civil Register Law was of the courts is to apply or interpret the law, not to
enacted in the early 1900s and remains unchanged, make or amend it.
it cannot be argued that the term "sex" as used then
is something alterable through surgery or something In our system of government, it is for the legislature,
that allows a post-operative male-to-female should it choose to do so, to determine what
transsexual to be included in the category "female." guidelines should govern the recognition of the
effects of sex reassignment. The need for legislative
For these reasons, while petitioner may have guidelines becomes particularly important in this
succeeded in altering his body and appearance case where the claims asserted are statute-based.
through the intervention of modern surgery, no law
authorizes the change of entry as to sex in the civil To reiterate, the statutes define who may file
registry for that reason. Thus, there is no legal basis petitions for change of first name and for correction
for his petition for the correction or change of the or change of entries in the civil registry, where they
entries in his birth certificate. may be filed, what grounds may be invoked, what
proof must be presented and what procedures shall
Neither May Entries in the Birth Certificate As to be observed. If the legislature intends to confer on a
First Name or Sex Be Changed on the Ground of person who has undergone sex reassignment the
Equity privilege to change his name and sex to conform
with his reassigned sex, it has to enact legislation
The trial court opined that its grant of the petition was laying down the guidelines in turn governing the
in consonance with the principles of justice and conferment of that privilege.
equity. It believed that allowing the petition would
cause no harm, injury or prejudice to anyone. This is It might be theoretically possible for this Court to
wrong. write a protocol on when a person may be
recognized as having successfully changed his sex.
The changes sought by petitioner will have serious However, this Court has no authority to fashion a law
and wide-ranging legal and public policy on that matter, or on anything else. The Court cannot
consequences. First, even the trial court itself found enact a law where no law exists. It can only apply or
that the petition was but petitioners first step interpret the written word of its co-equal branch of
towards his eventual marriage to his male fianc. government, Congress.
However, marriage, one of the most sacred social
institutions, is a special contract of permanent Petitioner pleads that "[t]he unfortunates are also
union between a man and a woman.37 One of its entitled to a life of happiness, contentment and [the]
essential requisites is the legal capacity of the realization of their dreams." No argument about that.
contracting parties who must be a male and a The Court recognizes that there are people whose
female.38 To grant the changes sought by petitioner preferences and orientation do not fit neatly into the
will substantially reconfigure and greatly alter the commonly recognized parameters of social
laws on marriage and family relations. It will allow the convention and that, at least for them, life is indeed
union of a man with another man who has an ordeal. However, the remedies petitioner seeks
undergone sex reassignment (a male-to-female involve questions of public policy to be addressed
post-operative transsexual). Second, there are solely by the legislature, not by the courts.
various laws which apply particularly to women such
as the provisions of the Labor Code on employment WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DENIED.
of women,39 certain felonies under the Revised
Costs against petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
THIRD DIVISION
DECISION
PERALTA, J.:
support to the son, Roderigo.8 having resolved the application of the protection
order, respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss on the
Not long thereafter, respondent cameto the ground of: (1) lack of jurisdiction over the offense
Philippines and remarried in Pinamungahan, charged; and (2) prescription of the crime
Cebu, and since then, have been residing charged.20
thereat.9 Respondent and his new wife
established a business known as Paree Catering, On February 19, 2010, the RTC-Cebu issued the
located at Barangay Tajao, Municipality of herein assailed Order,21 dismissing the instant
Pinamungahan, Cebu City.10 To date, all the criminal case against respondent on the ground
parties, including their son, Roderigo, are that the facts charged in the information do not
presently living in Cebu City.11 constitute an offense with respect to the
respondent who is an alien, the dispositive part of
On August 28, 2009, petitioner, through her which states:
counsel, sent a letter demanding for support from
respondent. However, respondent refused to WHEREFORE, the Court finds that the facts
receive the letter.12 charged in the information do not constitute an
offense with respect to the accused, he being an
Because of the foregoing circumstances, alien, and accordingly, orders this case
petitioner filed a complaint affidavit with the DISMISSED.
Provincial Prosecutor of Cebu City against
respondent for violation of Section 5, paragraph The bail bond posted by accused Ernst Johan
E(2) of R.A. No. 9262 for the latters unjust refusal Brinkman Van Wilsem for his provisional liberty is
to support his minor child with hereby cancelled (sic) and ordered released.
petitioner. Respondent submitted his counter-
13
1. Whether or not a foreign national has an Indeed, the issues submitted to us for resolution
obligation to support his minor child under involve questions of law the response thereto
Philippine law; and concerns the correct application of law and
jurisprudence on a given set of facts, i.e.,whether
2. Whether or not a foreign national can be or not a foreign national has an obligation to
held criminally liable under R.A. No. 9262 support his minor child under Philippine law; and
for his unjustified failure to support his whether or not he can be held criminally liable
minor child.27 under R.A. No. 9262 for his unjustified failure to do
so.
At the outset, let it be emphasized that We are
taking cognizance of the instant petition despite It cannot be negated, moreover, that the instant
the fact that the same was directly lodged with the petition highlights a novel question of law
Supreme Court, consistent with the ruling in concerning the liability of a foreign national who
Republic v. Sunvar Realty Development allegedly commits acts and omissions punishable
Corporation,28 which lays down the instances under special criminal laws, specifically in relation
when a ruling of the trial court may be brought on to family rights and duties. The inimitability of the
appeal directly to the Supreme Court without factual milieu of the present case, therefore,
violating the doctrine of hierarchy of courts, to wit: deserves a definitive ruling by this Court, which
will eventually serve as a guidepost for future
x x x Nevertheless, the Rules do not prohibit any cases. Furthermore, dismissing the instant
of the parties from filing a Rule 45 Petition with this petition and remanding the same to the CA would
Court, in case only questions of law are raised or only waste the time, effort and resources of the
involved. This latter situation was one that courts. Thus, in the present case, considerations
petitioners found themselves in when they filed of efficiency and economy in the administration of
the instant Petition to raise only questions of law. justice should prevail over the observance of the
In Republic v. Malabanan, the Court clarified the hierarchy of courts.
Now, on the matter of the substantive issues, We which they belong even when staying in a foreign
find the petition meritorious. Nonetheless, we do country (cf. Civil Code, Article 15).39
not fully agree with petitioners contentions.
It cannot be gainsaid, therefore, that the
To determine whether or not a person is criminally respondent is not obliged to support petitioners
liable under R.A. No. 9262, it is imperative that the son under Article195 of the Family Code as a
legal obligation to support exists. consequence of the Divorce Covenant obtained in
Holland. This does not, however, mean that
Petitioner invokes Article 19530 of the Family Code, respondent is not obliged to support petitioners
which provides the parents obligation to support son altogether.
his child. Petitioner contends that notwithstanding
the existence of a divorce decree issued in relation In international law, the party who wants to have a
to Article 26 of the Family Code,31 respondent is foreign law applied to a dispute or case has the
not excused from complying with his obligation to burden of proving the foreign law.40 In the present
support his minor child with petitioner. case, respondent hastily concludes that being a
national of the Netherlands, he is governed by
On the other hand, respondent contends that such laws on the matter of provision of and
there is no sufficient and clear basis presented by capacity to support.41 While respondent pleaded
petitioner that she, as well as her minor son, are the laws of the Netherlands in advancing his
entitled to financial support.32 Respondent also position that he is not obliged to support his son,
added that by reason of the Divorce Decree, he is he never proved the same.
not obligated topetitioner for any financial
support.33 It is incumbent upon respondent to plead and
prove that the national law of the Netherlands
On this point, we agree with respondent that does not impose upon the parents the obligation
petitioner cannot rely on Article 19534 of the New to support their child (either before, during or after
Civil Code in demanding support from respondent, the issuance of a divorce decree), because
who is a foreign citizen, since Article 1535 of the Llorente v. Court of Appeals,42 has already
New Civil Code stresses the principle of enunciated that:
nationality. In other words, insofar as Philippine
laws are concerned, specifically the provisions of True, foreign laws do not prove themselves in our
the Family Code on support, the same only jurisdiction and our courts are not authorized to
applies to Filipino citizens. By analogy, the same takejudicial notice of them. Like any other fact,
principle applies to foreigners such that they are they must be alleged and proved.43
governed by their national law with respect to
family rights and duties.36 In view of respondents failure to prove the
national law of the Netherlands in his favor, the
The obligation to give support to a child is a matter doctrine of processual presumption shall govern.
that falls under family rights and duties. Since the Under this doctrine, if the foreign law involved is
respondent is a citizen of Holland or the not properly pleaded and proved, our courts will
Netherlands, we agree with the RTC-Cebu that he presume that the foreign law is the same as our
is subject to the laws of his country, not to local or domestic or internal law.44 Thus, since the
Philippinelaw, as to whether he is obliged to give law of the Netherlands as regards the obligation to
support to his child, as well as the consequences support has not been properly pleaded and
of his failure to do so.37 proved in the instant case, it is presumed to be the
same with Philippine law, which enforces the
In the case of Vivo v. Cloribel,38 the Court held that obligation of parents to support their children and
penalizing the non-compliance therewith.
Furthermore, being still aliens, they are not in Moreover, while in Pilapil v. Ibay-Somera,45 the
position to invoke the provisions of the Civil Code Court held that a divorce obtained in a foreign land
of the Philippines, for that Code cleaves to the as well as its legal effects may be recognized in
principle that family rights and duties are governed the Philippines in view of the nationality principle
by their personal law, i.e.,the laws of the nation to on the matter of status of persons, the Divorce
Covenant presented by respondent does not the citizens or residents of the forum. To give
completely show that he is notliable to give justice is the most important function of law;
support to his son after the divorce decree was hence, a law, or judgment or contract that is
issued. Emphasis is placed on petitioners obviously unjust negates the fundamental
allegation that under the second page of the principles of Conflict of Laws.48
aforesaid covenant, respondents obligation to
support his child is specifically stated,46which was Applying the foregoing, even if the laws of the
not disputed by respondent. Netherlands neither enforce a parents obligation
to support his child nor penalize the
We likewise agree with petitioner that noncompliance therewith, such obligation is still
notwithstanding that the national law of duly enforceable in the Philippines because it
respondent states that parents have no obligation would be of great injustice to the child to be denied
to support their children or that such obligation is of financial support when the latter is entitled
not punishable by law, said law would still not find thereto.
applicability,in light of the ruling in Bank of
America, NT and SA v. American Realty We emphasize, however, that as to petitioner
Corporation,47 to wit: herself, respondent is no longer liable to support
his former wife, in consonance with the ruling in
In the instant case, assuming arguendo that the San Luis v. San Luis,49 to wit:
English Law on the matter were properly pleaded
and proved in accordance with Section 24, Rule As to the effect of the divorce on the Filipino wife,
132 of the Rules of Court and the jurisprudence the Court ruled that she should no longerbe
laid down in Yao Kee, et al. vs. Sy-Gonzales, said considered marriedto the alien spouse. Further,
foreign law would still not find applicability. she should not be required to perform her marital
duties and obligations. It held:
Thus, when the foreign law, judgment or contract
is contrary to a sound and established public To maintain, as private respondent does, that,
policy of the forum, the said foreign law, judgment under our laws, petitioner has to be considered
or order shall not be applied. still married to private respondent and still subject
to a wife's obligations under Article 109, et. seq. of
Additionally, prohibitive laws concerning persons, the Civil Code cannot be just. Petitioner should not
their acts or property, and those which have for be obliged to live together with, observe respect
their object public order, public policy and good and fidelity, and render support to private
customs shall not be rendered ineffective by laws respondent. The latter should not continue to be
or judgments promulgated, or by determinations one of her heirs with possible rights to conjugal
or conventions agreed upon in a foreign country. property. She should not be discriminated against
in her own country if the ends of justice are to be
The public policy sought to be protected in the served. (Emphasis added)50
instant case is the principle imbedded in our
jurisdiction proscribing the splitting up of a single Based on the foregoing legal precepts, we find
cause of action. that respondent may be made liable under Section
5(e) and (i) of R.A. No. 9262 for unjustly refusing
Section 4, Rule 2 of the 1997 Rules of Civil or failing to give support topetitioners son, to wit:
Procedure is pertinent
SECTION 5. Acts of Violence Against Women and
Their Children.- The crime of violence against
women and their children is committed through
If two or more suits are instituted on the basis of any of the following acts:
the same cause of action, the filing of one or a
judgment upon the merits in any one is available xxxx
as a ground for the dismissal of the others.
Moreover, foreign law should not be applied when (e) Attempting to compel or compelling the woman
its application would work undeniable injustice to or her child to engage in conduct which the woman
or her child has the right to desist from or desist there is a legal basis for charging violation of R.A.
from conduct which the woman or her child has No. 9262 in the instant case, the criminal liability
the right to engage in, or attempting to restrict or has been extinguished on the ground of
restricting the woman's or her child's freedom of prescription of crime52 under Section 24 of R.A.
movement or conduct by force or threat of force, No. 9262, which provides that:
physical or other harm or threat of physical or
other harm, or intimidation directed against the SECTION 24. Prescriptive Period. Acts falling
woman or child. This shall include, butnot limited under Sections 5(a) to 5(f) shall prescribe in
to, the following acts committed with the purpose twenty (20) years. Acts falling under Sections 5(g)
or effect of controlling or restricting the woman's to 5(I) shall prescribe in ten (10) years.
or her child's movement or conduct:
The act of denying support to a child under
xxxx Section 5(e)(2) and (i) of R.A. No. 9262 is a
continuing offense,53which started in 1995 but is
(2) Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman still ongoing at present. Accordingly, the crime
or her children of financial support legally due her charged in the instant case has clearly not
or her family, or deliberately providing the prescribed.
woman's children insufficient financial support; x x
xx Given, however, that the issue on whether
respondent has provided support to petitioners
(i) Causing mental or emotional anguish, public child calls for an examination of the probative
ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, value of the evidence presented, and the truth and
including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and falsehood of facts being admitted, we hereby
emotional abuse, and denial of financial support remand the determination of this issue to the RTC-
or custody of minor childrenof access to the Cebu which has jurisdiction over the case.
woman's child/children.51
WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The
Under the aforesaid special law, the deprivation or Orders dated February 19, 2010 and September
denial of financial support to the child is 1, 2010, respectively, of the Regional Trial Court
considered anact of violence against women and of the City of Cebu are hereby REVERSED and
children. SET ASIDE. The case is REMANDED to the same
court to conduct further proceedings based on the
In addition, considering that respondent is merits of the case.
currently living in the Philippines, we find strength
in petitioners claim that the Territoriality Principle SO ORDERED.
in criminal law, in relation to Article 14 of the New
Civil Code, applies to the instant case, which DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
provides that: "[p]enal laws and those of public Associate Justice
security and safety shall be obligatory upon all
who live and sojourn in Philippine territory, subject
to the principle of public international law and to
treaty stipulations." On this score, it is indisputable
that the alleged continuing acts of respondent in
refusing to support his child with petitioner is
committed here in the Philippines as all of the
parties herein are residents of the Province of
Cebu City. As such, our courts have territorial
jurisdiction over the offense charged against
respondent. It is likewise irrefutable that
jurisdiction over the respondent was acquired
upon his arrest.
SECOND DIVISION
REGALADO, J.:
The absence of an equivalent explicit rule in the American jurisprudence, on cases involving statutes
prosecution of criminal cases does not mean that the in that jurisdiction which are in pari materia with
same requirement and rationale would not apply. ours, yields the rule that after a divorce has been
Understandably, it may not have been found decreed, the innocent spouse no longer has the right
necessary since criminal actions are generally and to institute proceedings against the offenders where
fundamentally commenced by the State, through the the statute provides that the innocent spouse shall
People of the Philippines, the offended party being have the exclusive right to institute a prosecution for
merely the complaining witness therein. However, in adultery. Where, however, proceedings have been
the so-called "private crimes" or those which cannot properly commenced, a divorce subsequently
be prosecuted de oficio, and the present prosecution granted can have no legal effect on the prosecution
for adultery is of such genre, the offended spouse of the criminal proceedings to a conclusion. 22
assumes a more predominant role since the right to
commence the action, or to refrain therefrom, is a In the cited Loftus case, the Supreme Court of Iowa
matter exclusively within his power and option. held that
'No prosecution for adultery can be cannot sue petitioner, as her
commenced except on the complaint husband, in any State of the Union. ...
of the husband or wife.' Section 4932,
Code. Though Loftus was husband of It is true that owing to the nationality
defendant when the offense is said to principle embodied in Article 15 of the
have been committed, he had ceased Civil Code, only Philippine nationals
to be such when the prosecution was are covered by the policy against
begun; and appellant insists that his absolute divorces the same being
status was not such as to entitle him considered contrary to our concept of
to make the complaint. We have public policy and morality. However,
repeatedly said that the offense is aliens may obtain divorces abroad,
against the unoffending spouse, as which may be recognized in the
well as the state, in explaining the Philippines, provided they are valid
reason for this provision in the according to their national law. ...
statute; and we are of the opinion
that the unoffending spouse must be Thus, pursuant to his national law,
such when the prosecution is private respondent is no longer the
commenced. (Emphasis supplied.) husband of petitioner. He would have
no standing to sue in the case below
We see no reason why the same doctrinal rule as petitioner's husband entitled to
should not apply in this case and in our jurisdiction, exercise control over conjugal
considering our statutory law and jural policy on the assets. ... 25
matter. We are convinced that in cases of such
nature, the status of the complainant vis-a-vis the Under the same considerations and rationale,
accused must be determined as of the time the private respondent, being no longer the husband of
complaint was filed. Thus, the person who initiates petitioner, had no legal standing to commence the
the adultery case must be an offended spouse, and adultery case under the imposture that he was the
by this is meant that he is still married to the accused offended spouse at the time he filed suit.
spouse, at the time of the filing of the complaint.
The allegation of private respondent that he could
In the present case, the fact that private respondent not have brought this case before the decree of
obtained a valid divorce in his country, the Federal divorce for lack of knowledge, even if true, is of no
Republic of Germany, is admitted. Said divorce and legal significance or consequence in this case.
its legal effects may be recognized in the Philippines When said respondent initiated the divorce
insofar as private respondent is concerned 23 in view proceeding, he obviously knew that there would no
of the nationality principle in our civil law on the longer be a family nor marriage vows to protect once
matter of status of persons. a dissolution of the marriage is decreed. Neither
would there be a danger of introducing spurious
Thus, in the recent case of Van Dorn vs. Romillo, Jr., heirs into the family, which is said to be one of the
et al., 24 after a divorce was granted by a United reasons for the particular formulation of our law on
States court between Alice Van Dornja Filipina, and adultery, 26 since there would thenceforth be no
her American husband, the latter filed a civil case in spousal relationship to speak of. The severance of
a trial court here alleging that her business concern the marital bond had the effect of dissociating the
was conjugal property and praying that she be former spouses from each other, hence the
ordered to render an accounting and that the plaintiff actuations of one would not affect or cast obloquy on
be granted the right to manage the business. the other.
Rejecting his pretensions, this Court perspicuously
demonstrated the error of such stance, thus: The aforecited case of United States vs.
Mata cannot be successfully relied upon by private
There can be no question as to the respondent. In applying Article 433 of the old Penal
validity of that Nevada divorce in any Code, substantially the same as Article 333 of the
of the States of the United States. Revised Penal Code, which punished adultery
The decree is binding on private "although the marriage be afterwards declared void",
respondent as an American citizen. the Court merely stated that "the lawmakers
For instance, private respondent intended to declare adulterous the infidelity of a
married woman to her marital vows, even though it
should be made to appear that she is entitled to have PANGANIBAN, J.:
her marriage contract declared null and void, until
and unless she actually secures a formal judicial A divorce obtained abroad by an alien may be
declaration to that effect". Definitely, it cannot be recognized in our jurisdiction, provided such decree
logically inferred therefrom that the complaint can is valid according to the national law of the
still be filed after the declaration of nullity because foreigner. However, the divorce decree and the
such declaration that the marriage is void ab initio is governing personal law of the alien spouse who
equivalent to stating that it never existed. There obtained the divorce must be proven. Our courts do
being no marriage from the beginning, any complaint not take judicial notice of foreign laws and
for adultery filed after said declaration of nullity judgments; hence, like any other facts, both the
would no longer have a leg to stand on. Moreover, divorce decree and the national law of the alien must
what was consequently contemplated and within the be alleged and proven according to our law on
purview of the decision in said case is the situation evidence.
where the criminal action for adultery was
filed before the termination of the marriage by a
judicial declaration of its nullity ab initio. The same The Case
rule and requisite would necessarily apply where the
termination of the marriage was effected, as in this
case, by a valid foreign divorce. Before us is a Petition for Review under Rule 45
of the Rules of Court, seeking to nullify the January
Private respondent's invocation of Donio-Teves, et 7, 1999 Decision[1] and the March 24, 1999
al. vs. Vamenta, hereinbefore cited, 27 must suffer Order[2] of the Regional Trial Court of Cabanatuan
the same fate of inapplicability. A cursory reading of City, Branch 28, in Civil Case No. 3026AF. The
said case reveals that the offended spouse therein assailed Decision disposed as follows:
had duly and seasonably filed a complaint for
adultery, although an issue was raised as to its WHEREFORE, this Court declares the marriage
sufficiency but which was resolved in favor of the between Grace J. Garcia and Rederick A. Recio
complainant. Said case did not involve a factual solemnized on January 12, 1994 at Cabanatuan
situation akin to the one at bar or any issue City as dissolved and both parties can now remarry
determinative of the controversy herein. under existing and applicable laws to any and/or
both parties.[3]
WHEREFORE, the questioned order denying
petitioner's motion to quash is SET ASIDE and The assailed Order denied reconsideration of
another one entered DISMISSING the complaint in the above-quoted Decision.
Criminal Case No. 87-52435 for lack of jurisdiction.
The temporary restraining order issued in this case
on October 21, 1987 is hereby made permanent. The Facts
SO ORDERED.
Rederick A. Recio, a Filipino, was married to
Editha Samson, an Australian citizen, in Malabon,
Rizal, on March 1, 1987.[4] They lived together as
husband and wife in Australia. On May 18, 1989, [5] a
decree of divorce, purportedly dissolving the
THIRD DIVISION marriage, was issued by an Australian family court.
On June 26, 1992, respondent became an
Australian citizen, as shown by a Certificate of
[G.R. No. 138322. October 2, 2001] Australian Citizenship issued by the Australian
government.[6] Petitioner -- a Filipina -- and
respondent were married on January 12, 1994 in
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Cabanatuan
GRACE J. GARCIA, a.k.a. GRACE J. GARCIA- City.[7]In their application for a marriage license,
RECIO, petitioner, vs. REDERICK A. respondent was declared as single and Filipino.[8]
RECIO, respondent.
Starting October 22, 1995, petitioner and
DECISION respondent lived separately without prior judicial
dissolution of their marriage. While the two were still Petitioner submits the following issues for our
in Australia, their conjugal assets were divided on consideration:
May 16, 1996, in accordance with their Statutory
1
Declarations secured in Australia.[9]
On March 3, 1998, petitioner filed a Complaint The trial court gravely erred in finding that the
for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage[10] in the court a divorce decree obtained in Australia by the
quo, on the ground of bigamy -- respondent respondent ipso facto terminated his first marriage
allegedly had a prior subsisting marriage at the time to Editha Samson thereby capacitating him to
he married her on January 12, 1994. She claimed contract a second marriage with the petitioner.
that she learned of respondents marriage to Editha
Samson only in November, 1997. 2
In his Answer, respondent averred that, as far
back as 1993, he had revealed to petitioner his prior The failure of the respondent, who is now a
marriage and its subsequent dissolution.[11] He naturalized Australian, to present a certificate of
contended that his first marriage to an Australian legal capacity to marry constitutes absence of a
citizen had been validly dissolved by a divorce substantial requisite voiding the petitioners
decree obtained in Australia in 1989;[12] thus, he was marriage to the respondent
legally capacitated to marry petitioner in 1994.
3
On July 7, 1998 -- or about five years after the
couples wedding and while the suit for the The trial court seriously erred in the application of
declaration of nullity was pending -- respondent was Art. 26 of the Family Code in this case.
able to secure a divorce decree from a family court
in Sydney, Australia because the marriage ha[d]
4
irretrievably broken down.[13]
Respondent prayed in his Answer that the The trial court patently and grievously erred in
Complaint be dismissed on the ground that it stated disregarding Arts. 11, 13, 21, 35, 40, 52 and 53 of
no cause of action.[14] The Office of the Solicitor the Family Code as the applicable provisions in this
General agreed with respondent.[15] The court case.
marked and admitted the documentary evidence of
both parties.[16] After they submitted their respective 5
memoranda, the case was submitted for
resolution.[17] The trial court gravely erred in pronouncing that the
Thereafter, the trial court rendered the assailed divorce decree obtained by the respondent in
Decision and Order. Australia ipso facto capacitated the parties to
remarry, without first securing a recognition of the
judgment granting the divorce decree before our
courts.[19]
Ruling of the Trial Court
The Petition raises five issues, but for purposes
The trial court declared the marriage dissolved of this Decision, we shall concentrate on two pivotal
on the ground that the divorce issued in Australia ones: (1) whether the divorce between respondent
was valid and recognized in the Philippines. It and Editha Samson was proven, and (2) whether
deemed the marriage ended, but not on the basis of respondent was proven to be legally capacitated to
any defect in an essential element of the marriage; marry petitioner. Because of our ruling on these two,
that is, respondents alleged lack of legal capacity to there is no more necessity to take up the rest.
remarry. Rather, it based its Decision on the divorce
decree obtained by respondent. The Australian
divorce had ended the marriage; thus, there was no The Courts Ruling
more marital union to nullify or annul.
Hence, this Petition.[18] The Petition is partly meritorious.
Petitioners motion for reconsideration was denied, Who may intervene. A person who has a legal
hence this petition for certiorari and prohibition filed interest in the matter in litigation, or in the success of
under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court. Petitioner either of the parties, or an interest against both, or is
contends that the Court of Appeals gravely abused so situated as to be adversely affected by a
its discretion in disregarding her legal interest in the distribution or other disposition of property in the
annulment case between Tristan and Lily. custody of the court or of an officer thereof may, with
leave of court, be allowed to intervene in the action.
The petition lacks merit. The court shall consider whether or not the
intervention will unduly delay or prejudice the
Ordinarily, the proper recourse of an aggrieved party adjudication of the rights of the original parties, and
from a decision of the Court of Appeals is a petition whether or not the intervenors rights may be fully
for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of protected in a separate proceeding.15
Court. However, if the error subject of the recourse
is one of jurisdiction, or the act complained of was The requirements for intervention are: [a] legal
granted by a court with grave abuse of discretion interest in the matter in litigation; and [b]
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, as consideration must be given as to whether the
alleged in this case, the proper remedy is a petition adjudication of the original parties may be delayed
for certiorari under Rule 65 of the said Rules.11 This or prejudiced, or whether the intervenors rights may
is based on the premise that in issuing the assailed be protected in a separate proceeding or not.16
decision and resolution, the Court of Appeals acted
with grave abuse of discretion, amounting to excess Legal interest, which entitles a person to intervene,
of lack of jurisdiction and there is no plain, speedy must be in the matter in litigation and of such direct
and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law. and immediate character that the intervenor will
A remedy is considered plain, speedy, and adequate either gain or lose by direct legal operation and effect
if it will promptly relieve the petitioner from the of the judgment.17 Such interest must be actual,
injurious effect of the judgment and the acts of the direct and material, and not simply contingent and
lower court.12 expectant.18
It is therefore incumbent upon the petitioner to Petitioner claims that her status as the wife and
establish that the Court of Appeals acted with grave companion of Tristan for 17 years vests her with the
abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of requisite legal interest required of a would-be
jurisdiction when it promulgated the assailed intervenor under the Rules of Court.
decision and resolution.
Petitioners claim lacks merit. Under the law,
We have previously ruled that grave abuse of petitioner was never the legal wife of Tristan, hence
discretion may arise when a lower court or tribunal her claim of legal interest has no basis.
violates or contravenes the Constitution, the law or
existing jurisprudence. By grave abuse of discretion When petitioner and Tristan married on July 14,
is meant, such capricious and whimsical exercise of 1984, Tristan was still lawfully married to Lily. The
judgment as is equivalent to lack of jurisdiction. The divorce decree that Tristan and Lily obtained from
abuse of discretion must be grave as where the the Dominican Republic never dissolved the
power is exercised in an arbitrary or despotic marriage bond between them. It is basic that laws
manner by reason of passion or personal hostility relating to family rights and duties, or to the status,
and must be so patent and gross as to amount to an condition and legal capacity of persons are binding
evasion of positive duty or to a virtual refusal to upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living
perform the duty enjoined by or to act at all in abroad.19 Regardless of where a citizen of the
contemplation of law.13 The word "capricious," Philippines might be, he or she will be governed by
Philippine laws with respect to his or her family rights
and duties, or to his or her status, condition and legal
capacity. Hence, if a Filipino regardless of whether
he or she was married here or abroad, initiates a
petition abroad to obtain an absolute divorce from
spouse and eventually becomes successful in
getting an absolute divorce decree, the Philippines
will not recognize such absolute divorce.20
No pronouncement as to costs.
SO ORDERED.
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
children, namely: Rodolfo, Mila, Edgar, Linda,
Emilita and Manuel. On August 11, 1963, Virginia
predeceased Felicisimo.
RODOLFO SAN LUIS, Petitioner, Respondent alleged that she is the widow of
vs. Felicisimo; that, at the time of his death, the
FELICIDAD SAGALONGOS alias FELICIDAD decedent was residing at 100 San Juanico Street,
SAN LUIS, Respondent. New Alabang Village, Alabang, Metro Manila; that
the decedents surviving heirs are respondent as
DECISION legal spouse, his six children by his first marriage,
and son by his second marriage; that the decedent
YNARES-SANTIAGO, J.: left real properties, both conjugal and exclusive,
valued at P30,304,178.00 more or less; that the
Before us are consolidated petitions for review decedent does not have any unpaid debts.
assailing the February 4, 1998 Decision 1 of the Respondent prayed that the conjugal partnership
Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CV No. 52647, which assets be liquidated and that letters of administration
reversed and set aside the September 12, be issued to her.
1995 2 and January 31, 1996 3Resolutions of the
Regional Trial Court of Makati City, Branch 134 in On February 4, 1994, petitioner Rodolfo San Luis,
SP. Proc. No. M-3708; and its May 15, 1998 one of the children of Felicisimo by his first marriage,
Resolution 4 denying petitioners motion for filed a motion to dismiss 9 on the grounds of
reconsideration. improper venue and failure to state a cause of
action. Rodolfo claimed that the petition for letters of
The instant case involves the settlement of the administration should have been filed in the
estate of Felicisimo T. San Luis (Felicisimo), who Province of Laguna because this was Felicisimos
was the former governor of the Province of Laguna. place of residence prior to his death. He further
During his lifetime, Felicisimo contracted three claimed that respondent has no legal personality to
marriages. His first marriage was with Virginia Sulit file the petition because she was only a mistress of
on March 17, 1942 out of which were born six
Felicisimo since the latter, at the time of his death, arguing that it does not state the facts and law on
was still legally married to Merry Lee. which it was based.
On February 15, 1994, Linda invoked the same On November 25, 1994, Judge Tensuan issued an
grounds and joined her brother Rodolfo in seeking Order 21 granting the motion for inhibition. The case
the dismissal10 of the petition. On February 28, 1994, was re-raffled to Branch 134 presided by Judge Paul
the trial court issued an Order 11 denying the two T. Arcangel.
motions to dismiss.
On April 24, 1995, 22 the trial court required the
Unaware of the denial of the motions to dismiss, parties to submit their respective position papers on
respondent filed on March 5, 1994 her the twin issues of venue and legal capacity of
opposition 12 thereto. She submitted documentary respondent to file the petition. On May 5, 1995,
evidence showing that while Felicisimo exercised Edgar manifested 23 that he is adopting the
the powers of his public office in Laguna, he arguments and evidence set forth in his previous
regularly went home to their house in New Alabang motion for reconsideration as his position paper.
Village, Alabang, Metro Manila which they bought Respondent and Rodolfo filed their position papers
sometime in 1982. Further, she presented the on June 14, 24 and June 20, 25 1995, respectively.
decree of absolute divorce issued by the Family
Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii to prove On September 12, 1995, the trial court dismissed the
that the marriage of Felicisimo to Merry Lee had petition for letters of administration. It held that, at
already been dissolved. Thus, she claimed that the time of his death, Felicisimo was the duly elected
Felicisimo had the legal capacity to marry her by governor and a resident of the Province of Laguna.
virtue of paragraph 2, 13 Article 26 of the Family Hence, the petition should have been filed in Sta.
Code and the doctrine laid down in Van Dorn v. Cruz, Laguna and not in Makati City. It also ruled that
Romillo, Jr. 14 respondent was without legal capacity to file the
petition for letters of administration because her
Thereafter, Linda, Rodolfo and herein petitioner marriage with Felicisimo was bigamous, thus, void
Edgar San Luis, separately filed motions for ab initio. It found that the decree of absolute divorce
reconsideration from the Order denying their dissolving Felicisimos marriage to Merry Lee was
motions to dismiss. 15 They asserted that paragraph not valid in the Philippines and did not bind
2, Article 26 of the Family Code cannot be given Felicisimo who was a Filipino citizen. It also ruled
retroactive effect to validate respondents bigamous that paragraph 2, Article 26 of the Family Code
marriage with Felicisimo because this would impair cannot be retroactively applied because it would
vested rights in derogation of Article 256 16 of the impair the vested rights of Felicisimos legitimate
Family Code. children.
On April 21, 1994, Mila, another daughter of Respondent moved for reconsideration 26 and for
Felicisimo from his first marriage, filed a motion to the disqualification 27 of Judge Arcangel but said
disqualify Acting Presiding Judge Anthony E. Santos motions were denied. 28
from hearing the case.
Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeals which
On October 24, 1994, the trial court issued an reversed and set aside the orders of the trial court in
Order 17 denying the motions for reconsideration. It its assailed Decision dated February 4, 1998, the
ruled that respondent, as widow of the decedent, dispositive portion of which states:
possessed the legal standing to file the petition and
that venue was properly laid. Meanwhile, the motion WHEREFORE, the Orders dated September 12,
for disqualification was deemed moot and 1995 and January 31, 1996 are hereby REVERSED
academic 18 because then Acting Presiding Judge and SET ASIDE; the Orders dated February 28 and
Santos was substituted by Judge Salvador S. October 24, 1994 are REINSTATED; and the
Tensuan pending the resolution of said motion. records of the case is REMANDED to the trial court
for further proceedings. 29
Mila filed a motion for inhibition 19 against Judge
Tensuan on November 16, 1994. On even date, The appellante court ruled that under Section 1, Rule
Edgar also filed a motion for reconsideration 20 from 73 of the Rules of Court, the term "place of
the Order denying their motion for reconsideration residence" of the decedent, for purposes of fixing the
venue of the settlement of his estate, refers to the
personal, actual or physical habitation, or actual because at the time of his death, Felicisimo was a
residence or place of abode of a person as resident of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. They contend that
distinguished from legal residence or domicile. It pursuant to our rulings in Nuval v. Guray 37 and
noted that although Felicisimo discharged his Romualdez v. RTC, Br. 7, Tacloban
functions as governor in Laguna, he actually resided City, 38 "residence" is synonymous with "domicile"
in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Thus, the petition for letters which denotes a fixed permanent residence to which
of administration was properly filed in Makati City. when absent, one intends to return. They claim that
a person can only have one domicile at any given
The Court of Appeals also held that Felicisimo had time. Since Felicisimo never changed his domicile,
legal capacity to marry respondent by virtue of the petition for letters of administration should have
paragraph 2, Article 26 of the Family Code and the been filed in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
rulings in Van Dorn v. Romillo, Jr. 30 and Pilapil v.
Ibay-Somera. 31 It found that the marriage between Petitioners also contend that respondents marriage
Felicisimo and Merry Lee was validly dissolved by to Felicisimo was void and bigamous because it was
virtue of the decree of absolute divorce issued by the performed during the subsistence of the latters
Family Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii. As marriage to Merry Lee. They argue that paragraph
a result, under paragraph 2, Article 26, Felicisimo 2, Article 26 cannot be retroactively applied because
was capacitated to contract a subsequent marriage it would impair vested rights and ratify the void
with respondent. Thus bigamous marriage. As such, respondent cannot be
considered the surviving wife of Felicisimo; hence,
With the well-known rule express mandate of she has no legal capacity to file the petition for letters
paragraph 2, Article 26, of the Family Code of the of administration.
Philippines, the doctrines in Van Dorn, Pilapil, and
the reason and philosophy behind the enactment of The issues for resolution: (1) whether venue was
E.O. No. 227, there is no justiciable reason to properly laid, and (2) whether respondent has legal
sustain the individual view sweeping statement capacity to file the subject petition for letters of
of Judge Arc[h]angel, that "Article 26, par. 2 of the administration.
Family Code, contravenes the basic policy of our
state against divorce in any form whatsoever." The petition lacks merit.
Indeed, courts cannot deny what the law grants. All
that the courts should do is to give force and effect Under Section 1, 39 Rule 73 of the Rules of Court,
to the express mandate of the law. The foreign the petition for letters of administration of the estate
divorce having been obtained by the Foreigner on of Felicisimo should be filed in the Regional Trial
December 14, 1992,32 the Filipino divorcee, "shall x Court of the province "in which he resides at the time
x x have capacity to remarry under Philippine laws". of his death." In the case of Garcia Fule v. Court of
For this reason, the marriage between the deceased Appeals, 40 we laid down the doctrinal rule for
and petitioner should not be denominated as "a determining the residence as contradistinguished
bigamous marriage. from domicile of the decedent for purposes of fixing
the venue of the settlement of his estate:
Therefore, under Article 130 of the Family Code, the
petitioner as the surviving spouse can institute the [T]he term "resides" connotes ex vi termini "actual
judicial proceeding for the settlement of the estate of residence" as distinguished from "legal residence or
the deceased. x x x 33 domicile." This term "resides," like the terms
"residing" and "residence," is elastic and should be
Edgar, Linda, and Rodolfo filed separate motions for interpreted in the light of the object or purpose of the
reconsideration 34 which were denied by the Court of statute or rule in which it is employed. In the
Appeals. application of venue statutes and rules Section 1,
Rule 73 of the Revised Rules of Court is of such
On July 2, 1998, Edgar appealed to this Court via nature residence rather than domicile is the
the instant petition for review on certiorari. 35 Rodolfo significant factor. Even where the statute uses the
later filed a manifestation and motion to adopt the word "domicile" still it is construed as meaning
said petition which was granted. 36 residence and not domicile in the technical sense.
Some cases make a distinction between the terms
In the instant consolidated petitions, Edgar and "residence" and "domicile" but as generally used in
Rodolfo insist that the venue of the subject petition statutes fixing venue, the terms are synonymous,
for letters of administration was improperly laid and convey the same meaning as the term
"inhabitant." In other words, "resides" should be San Juanico, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa"
viewed or understood in its popular sense, meaning, while his office/provincial address is in "Provincial
the personal, actual or physical habitation of a Capitol, Sta. Cruz, Laguna."
person, actual residence or place of abode. It
signifies physical presence in a place and actual stay From the foregoing, we find that Felicisimo was a
thereat. In this popular sense, the term means resident of Alabang, Muntinlupa for purposes of
merely residence, that is, personal residence, not fixing the venue of the settlement of his estate.
legal residence or domicile. Residence simply Consequently, the subject petition for letters of
requires bodily presence as an inhabitant in a given administration was validly filed in the Regional Trial
place, while domicile requires bodily presence in that Court 50 which has territorial jurisdiction over
place and also an intention to make it ones domicile. Alabang, Muntinlupa. The subject petition was filed
No particular length of time of residence is required on December 17, 1993. At that time, Muntinlupa was
though; however, the residence must be more than still a municipality and the branches of the Regional
temporary. 41 (Emphasis supplied) Trial Court of the National Capital Judicial Region
which had territorial jurisdiction over Muntinlupa
It is incorrect for petitioners to argue that were then seated in Makati City as per Supreme
"residence," for purposes of fixing the venue of the Court Administrative Order No. 3. 51 Thus, the
settlement of the estate of Felicisimo, is subject petition was validly filed before the Regional
synonymous with "domicile." The rulings in Nuval Trial Court of Makati City.
and Romualdez are inapplicable to the instant case
because they involve election cases. Needless to Anent the issue of respondent Felicidads legal
say, there is a distinction between "residence" for personality to file the petition for letters of
purposes of election laws and "residence" for administration, we must first resolve the issue of
purposes of fixing the venue of actions. In election whether a Filipino who is divorced by his alien
cases, "residence" and "domicile" are treated as spouse abroad may validly remarry under the Civil
synonymous terms, that is, the fixed permanent Code, considering that Felicidads marriage to
residence to which when absent, one has the Felicisimo was solemnized on June 20, 1974, or
intention of returning. 42 However, for purposes of before the Family Code took effect on August 3,
fixing venue under the Rules of Court, the 1988. In resolving this issue, we need not
"residence" of a person is his personal, actual or retroactively apply the provisions of the Family
physical habitation, or actual residence or place of Code, particularly Art. 26, par. (2) considering that
abode, which may not necessarily be his legal there is sufficient jurisprudential basis allowing us to
residence or domicile provided he resides therein rule in the affirmative.
with continuity and consistency. 43 Hence, it is
possible that a person may have his residence in The case of Van Dorn v. Romillo, Jr. 52 involved a
one place and domicile in another. marriage between a foreigner and his Filipino wife,
which marriage was subsequently dissolved through
In the instant case, while petitioners established that a divorce obtained abroad by the latter. Claiming that
Felicisimo was domiciled in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, the divorce was not valid under Philippine law, the
respondent proved that he also maintained a alien spouse alleged that his interest in the
residence in Alabang, Muntinlupa from 1982 up to properties from their conjugal partnership should be
the time of his death. Respondent submitted in protected. The Court, however, recognized the
evidence the Deed of Absolute Sale 44 dated validity of the divorce and held that the alien spouse
January 5, 1983 showing that the deceased had no interest in the properties acquired by the
purchased the aforesaid property. She also Filipino wife after the divorce. Thus:
presented billing statements 45 from the Philippine
Heart Center and Chinese General Hospital for the In this case, the divorce in Nevada released private
period August to December 1992 indicating the respondent from the marriage from the standards of
address of Felicisimo at "100 San Juanico, Ayala American law, under which divorce dissolves the
Alabang, Muntinlupa." Respondent also presented marriage. As stated by the Federal Supreme Court
proof of membership of the deceased in the Ayala of the United States in Atherton vs. Atherton, 45 L.
Alabang Village Association 46 and Ayala Country Ed. 794, 799:
Club, Inc., 47 letter-envelopes 48from 1988 to 1990
sent by the deceaseds children to him at his "The purpose and effect of a decree of divorce from
Alabang address, and the deceaseds calling the bond of matrimony by a competent jurisdiction
cards 49 stating that his home/city address is at "100 are to change the existing status or domestic relation
of husband and wife, and to free them both from the 1954 when the Civil Code provisions were still in
bond. The marriage tie, when thus severed as to one effect.
party, ceases to bind either. A husband without a
wife, or a wife without a husband, is unknown to the The significance of the Van Dorn case to the
law. When the law provides, in the nature of a development of limited recognition of divorce in the
penalty, that the guilty party shall not marry again, Philippines cannot be denied. The ruling has long
that party, as well as the other, is still absolutely been interpreted as severing marital ties between
freed from the bond of the former marriage." parties in a mixed marriage and capacitating the
Filipino spouse to remarry as a necessary
Thus, pursuant to his national law, private consequence of upholding the validity of a divorce
respondent is no longer the husband of petitioner. obtained abroad by the alien spouse. In his treatise,
He would have no standing to sue in the case below Dr. Arturo M. Tolentino cited Van Dorn stating that "if
as petitioners husband entitled to exercise control the foreigner obtains a valid foreign divorce, the
over conjugal assets. As he is bound by the Decision Filipino spouse shall have capacity to remarry under
of his own countrys Court, which validly exercised Philippine law." 59 In Garcia v. Recio, 60 the Court
jurisdiction over him, and whose decision he does likewise cited the aforementioned case in relation to
not repudiate, he is estopped by his own Article 26. 61
representation before said Court from asserting his
right over the alleged conjugal property. 53 In the recent case of Republic v. Orbecido III, 62 the
historical background and legislative intent behind
As to the effect of the divorce on the Filipino wife, the paragraph 2, Article 26 of the Family Code were
Court ruled that she should no longer be considered discussed, to wit:
married to the alien spouse. Further, she should not
be required to perform her marital duties and Brief Historical Background
obligations. It held:
On July 6, 1987, then President Corazon Aquino
To maintain, as private respondent does, that, signed into law Executive Order No. 209, otherwise
under our laws, petitioner has to be known as the "Family Code," which took effect on
considered still married to private August 3, 1988. Article 26 thereof states:
respondent and still subject to a wife's
obligations under Article 109, et. seq. of the Civil All marriages solemnized outside the Philippines in
Code cannot be just. Petitioner should not be accordance with the laws in force in the country
obliged to live together with, observe respect and where they were solemnized, and valid there as
fidelity, and render support to private respondent. such, shall also be valid in this country, except those
The latter should not continue to be one of her heirs prohibited under Articles 35, 37, and 38.
with possible rights to conjugal property. She
should not be discriminated against in her own On July 17, 1987, shortly after the signing of the
country if the ends of justice are to be original Family Code, Executive Order No. 227 was
served. 54 (Emphasis added) likewise signed into law, amending Articles 26, 36,
and 39 of the Family Code. A second paragraph was
This principle was thereafter applied in Pilapil v. added to Article 26. As so amended, it now provides:
Ibay-Somera 55 where the Court recognized the
validity of a divorce obtained abroad. In the said ART. 26. All marriages solemnized outside the
case, it was held that the alien spouse is not a proper Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in
party in filing the adultery suit against his Filipino the country where they were solemnized, and valid
wife. The Court stated that "the severance of the there as such, shall also be valid in this country,
marital bond had the effect of dissociating the former except those prohibited under Articles 35(1), (4), (5)
spouses from each other, hence the actuations of and (6), 36, 37 and 38.
one would not affect or cast obloquy on the other." 56
Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a
Likewise, in Quita v. Court of Appeals, 57 the Court foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is
stated that where a Filipino is divorced by his thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien
naturalized foreign spouse, the ruling in Van spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the
Dorn applies. 58 Although decided on December 22, Filipino spouse shall have capacity to remarry under
1998, the divorce in the said case was obtained in Philippine law. (Emphasis supplied)
x x x x the lawmaker. Unquestionably, the law should never
Legislative Intent be interpreted in such a way as to cause injustice as
this is never within the legislative intent. An
Records of the proceedings of the Family Code indispensable part of that intent, in fact, for we
deliberations showed that the intent of Paragraph 2 presume the good motives of the legislature, is
of Article 26, according to Judge Alicia Sempio-Diy, to render justice.
a member of the Civil Code Revision Committee, is
to avoid the absurd situation where the Filipino Thus, we interpret and apply the law not
spouse remains married to the alien spouse who, independently of but in consonance with justice. Law
after obtaining a divorce, is no longer married to the and justice are inseparable, and we must keep them
Filipino spouse. so. To be sure, there are some laws that, while
generally valid, may seem arbitrary when applied in
Interestingly, Paragraph 2 of Article 26 traces its a particular case because of its peculiar
origin to the 1985 case of Van Dorn v. Romillo, circumstances. In such a situation, we are not
Jr. The Van Dorn case involved a marriage bound, because only of our nature and functions, to
between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner. The apply them just the same, in slavish obedience to
Court held therein that a divorce decree validly their language. What we do instead is find a balance
obtained by the alien spouse is valid in the between the word and the will, that justice may be
Philippines, and consequently, the Filipino done even as the law is obeyed.
spouse is capacitated to remarry under
Philippine law. 63 (Emphasis added) As judges, we are not automatons. We do not and
must not unfeelingly apply the law as it is worded,
As such, the Van Dorn case is sufficient basis in yielding like robots to the literal command without
resolving a situation where a divorce is validly regard to its cause and consequence. "Courts are
obtained abroad by the alien spouse. With the apt to err by sticking too closely to the words of a
enactment of the Family Code and paragraph 2, law," so we are warned, by Justice Holmes again,
Article 26 thereof, our lawmakers codified the law "where these words import a policy that goes beyond
already established through judicial them."
precedent.1awphi1.net
xxxx
Indeed, when the object of a marriage is defeated by
rendering its continuance intolerable to one of the More than twenty centuries ago, Justinian defined
parties and productive of no possible good to the justice "as the constant and perpetual wish to render
community, relief in some way should be every one his due." That wish continues to motivate
obtainable. 64 Marriage, being a mutual and shared this Court when it assesses the facts and the law in
commitment between two parties, cannot possibly every case brought to it for decision. Justice is
be productive of any good to the society where one always an essential ingredient of its decisions. Thus
is considered released from the marital bond while when the facts warrants, we interpret the law in a
the other remains bound to it. Such is the state of way that will render justice, presuming that it was the
affairs where the alien spouse obtains a valid divorce intention of the lawmaker, to begin with, that the law
abroad against the Filipino spouse, as in this case. be dispensed with justice. 69
Petitioners cite Articles 15 65 and 17 66 of the Civil Applying the above doctrine in the instant case, the
Code in stating that the divorce is void under divorce decree allegedly obtained by Merry Lee
Philippine law insofar as Filipinos are concerned. which absolutely allowed Felicisimo to remarry,
However, in light of this Courts rulings in the cases would have vested Felicidad with the legal
discussed above, the Filipino spouse should not be personality to file the present petition as Felicisimos
discriminated against in his own country if the ends surviving spouse. However, the records show that
of justice are to be served. 67 In Alonzo v. there is insufficient evidence to prove the validity of
Intermediate Appellate Court, 68 the Court stated: the divorce obtained by Merry Lee as well as the
marriage of respondent and Felicisimo under the
But as has also been aptly observed, we test a law laws of the U.S.A. In Garcia v. Recio, 70 the Court
by its results; and likewise, we may add, by its laid down the specific guidelines for pleading and
purposes. It is a cardinal rule that, in seeking the proving foreign law and divorce judgments. It held
meaning of the law, the first concern of the judge that presentation solely of the divorce decree is
should be to discover in its provisions the intent of insufficient and that proof of its authenticity and due
execution must be presented. Under Sections 24 the existence of which was not denied by petitioners.
and 25 of Rule 132, a writing or document may be If she proves the validity of the divorce and
proven as a public or official record of a foreign Felicisimos capacity to remarry, but fails to prove
country by either (1) an official publication or (2) a that her marriage with him was validly performed
copy thereof attested by the officer having legal under the laws of the U.S.A., then she may be
custody of the document. If the record is not kept in considered as a co-owner under Article 144 76 of the
the Philippines, such copy must be (a) accompanied Civil Code. This provision governs the property
by a certificate issued by the proper diplomatic or relations between parties who live together as
consular officer in the Philippine foreign service husband and wife without the benefit of marriage, or
stationed in the foreign country in which the record their marriage is void from the beginning. It provides
is kept and (b) authenticated by the seal of his that the property acquired by either or both of them
office. 71 through their work or industry or their wages and
salaries shall be governed by the rules on co-
With regard to respondents marriage to Felicisimo ownership. In a co-ownership, it is not necessary
allegedly solemnized in California, U.S.A., she that the property be acquired through their joint
submitted photocopies of the Marriage Certificate labor, efforts and industry. Any property acquired
and the annotated text 72 of the Family Law Act of during the union is prima facie presumed to have
California which purportedly show that their been obtained through their joint efforts. Hence, the
marriage was done in accordance with the said law. portions belonging to the co-owners shall be
As stated in Garcia, however, the Court cannot take presumed equal, unless the contrary is proven. 77
judicial notice of foreign laws as they must be
alleged and proved. 73 Meanwhile, if respondent fails to prove the validity of
both the divorce and the marriage, the applicable
Therefore, this case should be remanded to the trial provision would be Article 148 of the Family Code
court for further reception of evidence on the divorce which has filled the hiatus in Article 144 of the Civil
decree obtained by Merry Lee and the marriage of Code by expressly regulating the property relations
respondent and Felicisimo. of couples living together as husband and wife but
are incapacitated to marry. 78In Saguid v. Court of
Even assuming that Felicisimo was not capacitated Appeals, 79 we held that even if the cohabitation or
to marry respondent in 1974, nevertheless, we find the acquisition of property occurred before the
that the latter has the legal personality to file the Family Code took effect, Article 148 governs. 80 The
subject petition for letters of administration, as she Court described the property regime under this
may be considered the co-owner of Felicisimo as provision as follows:
regards the properties that were acquired through
their joint efforts during their cohabitation. The regime of limited co-ownership of property
governing the union of parties who are not legally
Section 6, 74 Rule 78 of the Rules of Court states that capacitated to marry each other, but who
letters of administration may be granted to the nonetheless live together as husband and wife,
surviving spouse of the decedent. However, Section applies to properties acquired during said
2, Rule 79 thereof also provides in part: cohabitation in proportion to their respective
contributions. Co-ownership will only be up to the
SEC. 2. Contents of petition for letters of extent of the proven actual contribution of money,
administration. A petition for letters of property or industry. Absent proof of the extent
administration must be filed by an interested person thereof, their contributions and corresponding
and must show, as far as known to the petitioner: x shares shall be presumed to be equal.
x x.
xxxx
An "interested person" has been defined as one who
would be benefited by the estate, such as an heir, or In the cases of Agapay v. Palang, and Tumlos v.
one who has a claim against the estate, such as a Fernandez, which involved the issue of co-
creditor. The interest must be material and direct, ownership of properties acquired by the parties to a
and not merely indirect or contingent. 75 bigamous marriage and an adulterous relationship,
respectively, we ruled that proof of actual
In the instant case, respondent would qualify as an contribution in the acquisition of the property is
interested person who has a direct interest in the essential. x x x
estate of Felicisimo by virtue of their cohabitation,
As in other civil cases, the burden of proof rests upon
the party who, as determined by the pleadings or the
nature of the case, asserts an affirmative issue.
Contentions must be proved by competent evidence
and reliance must be had on the strength of the
partys own evidence and not upon the weakness of
the opponents defense. x x x81
SO ORDERED.
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
ceremony conducted by the Justice of the Peace of
Paraaque, Rizal on September 10, 1947 and later
solemnized in a church ceremony at the Pro-
Cathedral in San Miguel, Bulacan on September 12,
Republic of the Philippines 1948. In ATTY. LUNAs marriage to EUGENIA, they
SUPREME COURT begot seven (7) children, namely: Regina Maria L.
Manila Nadal, Juan Luis Luna, Araceli Victoria L. Arellano,
Ana Maria L. Tabunda, Gregorio Macario Luna,
FIRST DIVISION Carolina Linda L. Tapia, and Cesar Antonio Luna.
After almost two (2) decades of marriage, ATTY.
G.R. No. 171914 July 23, 2014 LUNA and EUGENIA eventually agreed to live apart
from each other in February 1966 and agreed to
SOLEDAD L. LAVADIA, Petitioner, separation of property, to which end, they entered
vs. into a written agreement entitled "AGREEMENT
HEIRS OF JUAN LUCES LUNA, represented by FOR SEPARATION AND PROPERTY
GREGORIO Z. LUNA and EUGENIA SETTLEMENT" dated November 12, 1975, whereby
ZABALLERO-LUNA, Respondents. they agreed to live separately and to dissolve and
liquidate their conjugal partnership of property.
DECISION
On January 12, 1976, ATTY. LUNA obtained a
BERSAMIN, J.: divorce decree of his marriage with EUGENIA from
the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the First
Circumscription of the Court of First Instance of Sto.
Divorce between Filipinos is void and ineffectual
under the nationality rule adopted by Philippine law. Domingo, Dominican Republic. Also in
Hence, any settlement of property between the Sto.Domingo, Dominican Republic, on the same
parties of the first marriage involving Filipinos date, ATTY. LUNA contracted another marriage, this
submitted as an incident of a divorce obtained in a time with SOLEDAD. Thereafter, ATTY. LUNA and
foreign country lacks competent judicial approval, SOLEDAD returned to the Philippines and lived
and cannot be enforceable against the assets of the together as husband and wife until 1987.
husband who contracts a subsequent marriage.
Sometime in 1977, ATTY. LUNA organized a new
The Case law firm named: Luna, Puruganan, Sison and
Ongkiko (LUPSICON) where ATTY. LUNA was the
managing partner.
The petitioner, the second wife of the late Atty. Juan
Luces Luna, appeals the adverse decision
promulgated on November 11, 2005,1 whereby the On February 14, 1978, LUPSICON through ATTY.
Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed with modification the LUNA purchased from Tandang Sora Development
decision rendered on August 27, 2001 by the Corporation the 6th Floor of Kalaw-Ledesma
Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 138, in Makati Condominium Project(condominium unit) at
City.2 The CA thereby denied her right in the 25/100 Gamboa St., Makati City, consisting of 517.52
pro indiviso share of the husband in a condominium square meters, for P1,449,056.00, to be paid on
unit, and in the law books of the husband acquired installment basis for 36months starting on April 15,
during the second marriage. 1978. Said condominium unit was to be usedas law
office of LUPSICON. After full payment, the Deed of
Absolute Sale over the condominium unit was
Antecedents
executed on July 15, 1983, and CCT No. 4779 was
issued on August 10, 1983, which was registered
The antecedent facts were summarized by the CA bearing the following names:
as follows:
"JUAN LUCES LUNA, married to Soledad L. Luna
ATTY. LUNA, a practicing lawyer, was at first a (46/100); MARIO E. ONGKIKO, married to Sonia
name partner in the prestigious law firm Sycip, P.G. Ongkiko (25/100); GREGORIO R.
Salazar, Luna, Manalo, Hernandez & Feliciano Law PURUGANAN, married to Paz A. Puruganan
Offices at that time when he was living with his first (17/100); and TERESITA CRUZ SISON, married to
wife, herein intervenor-appellant Eugenia Zaballero- Antonio J.M. Sison (12/100) x x x" Subsequently,
Luna (EUGENIA), whom he initially married ina civil 8/100 share of ATTY. LUNA and 17/100 share of
Atty. Gregorio R. Puruganan in the condominium administer the subject properties;and that the heirs
unit was sold to Atty. Mario E. Ongkiko, for which a of ATTY. LUNA be ordered to pay attorneys feesand
new CCT No. 21761 was issued on February 7, costs of the suit to SOLEDAD.3
1992 in the following names:
Ruling of the RTC
"JUAN LUCES LUNA, married to Soledad L. Luna
(38/100); MARIO E. ONGKIKO, married to Sonia On August 27, 2001, the RTC rendered its decision
P.G. Ongkiko (50/100); TERESITA CRUZ SISON, after trial upon the aforementioned facts,4 disposing
married to Antonio J.M. Sison (12/100) x x x" thusly:
Sometime in 1992, LUPSICON was dissolved and WHEREFORE, judgment is rendered as follows:
the condominium unit was partitioned by the
partners but the same was still registered in common (a) The 24/100 pro-indiviso share in the
under CCT No. 21716. The parties stipulated that condominium unit located at the SIXTH
the interest of ATTY. LUNA over the condominium FLOOR of the KALAW LEDESMA
unit would be 25/100 share. ATTY. LUNA thereafter CONDOMINIUM PROJECT covered by
established and headed another law firm with Atty. Condominium Certificate of Title No. 21761
Renato G. Dela Cruzand used a portion of the office consisting of FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
condominium unit as their office. The said law firm (517/100) SQUARE METERS is adjudged to
lasted until the death of ATTY. JUAN on July 12, have been acquired by Juan Lucas Luna
1997. through his sole industry;
After the death of ATTY. JUAN, his share in the (b) Plaintiff has no right as owner or under
condominium unit including the lawbooks, office any other concept over the condominium
furniture and equipment found therein were taken unit, hence the entry in Condominium
over by Gregorio Z. Luna, ATTY. LUNAs son of the Certificate of Title No. 21761 of the Registry
first marriage. Gregorio Z. Luna thenleased out the of Deeds of Makati with respect to the civil
25/100 portion of the condominium unit belonging to status of Juan Luces Luna should be
his father to Atty. Renato G. De la Cruz who changed from "JUAN LUCES LUNA married
established his own law firm named Renato G. De la to Soledad L. Luna" to "JUAN LUCES LUNA
Cruz & Associates. married to Eugenia Zaballero Luna";
The 25/100 pro-indiviso share of ATTY. Luna in the (c) Plaintiff is declared to be the owner of the
condominium unit as well as the law books, office books Corpus Juris, Fletcher on Corporation,
furniture and equipment became the subject of the American Jurisprudence and Federal
complaint filed by SOLEDAD against the heirs of Supreme Court Reports found in the
ATTY. JUAN with the RTC of Makati City, Branch condominium unit and defendants are
138, on September 10, 1999, docketed as Civil Case ordered to deliver them to the plaintiff as
No. 99-1644. The complaint alleged that the subject soon as appropriate arrangements have
properties were acquired during the existence of the been madefor transport and storage.
marriage between ATTY. LUNA and SOLEDAD
through their joint efforts that since they had no No pronouncement as to costs.
children, SOLEDAD became co-owner of the said
properties upon the death of ATTY. LUNA to the SO ORDERED.5
extent of pro-indiviso share consisting of her
share in the said properties plus her share in the
Decision of the CA
net estate of ATTY. LUNA which was bequeathed to
her in the latters last will and testament; and thatthe
heirs of ATTY. LUNA through Gregorio Z. Luna Both parties appealed to the CA.6
excluded SOLEDAD from her share in the subject
properties. The complaint prayed that SOLEDAD be On her part, the petitioner assigned the following
declared the owner of the portion of the subject errors to the RTC, namely:
properties;that the same be partitioned; that an
accounting of the rentals on the condominium unit I. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN RULING
pertaining to the share of SOLEDAD be conducted; THAT THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT WAS
that a receiver be appointed to preserve ad
ACQUIRED THRU THE SOLE INDUSTRY INTERVENTION FOR FAILURE OF
OF ATTY. JUAN LUCES LUNA; INTERVENOR-APPELLANT TO PAY
FILING FEE.7
II. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN RULING
THAT PLAINTIFFAPPELLANT DID NOT In contrast, the respondents attributedthe following
CONTRIBUTE MONEY FOR THE errors to the trial court, to wit:
ACQUISITION OF THE CONDOMINIUM
UNIT; I. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN
HOLDING THAT CERTAIN FOREIGN LAW
III. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN GIVING BOOKS IN THE LAW OFFICE OF ATTY.
CREDENCE TO PORTIONS OF THE LUNA WERE BOUGHT WITH THE USE OF
TESTIMONY OF GREGORIO LUNA, WHO PLAINTIFFS MONEY;
HAS NO ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE
ACQUISITION OF THE UNIT, BUT II. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN
IGNORED OTHER PORTIONS OF HIS HOLDING THAT PLAINTIFF PROVED BY
TESTIMONY FAVORABLE TO THE PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE (HER
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT; CLAIM OVER) THE SPECIFIED FOREIGN
LAW BOOKS FOUND IN ATTY. LUNAS
IV. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT LAW OFFICE; and
GIVING SIGNIFICANCE TO THE FACT
THAT THE CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP III. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT
BETWEEN LUNA AND INTERVENOR- HOLDING THAT, ASSUMING PLAINTIFF
APPELLANT WAS ALREADY DISSOLVED PAID FOR THE SAID FOREIGN LAW
AND LIQUIDATED PRIOR TO THE UNION BOOKS, THE RIGHT TO RECOVER THEM
OF PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT AND LUNA; HAD PRESCRIBED AND BARRED BY
LACHES AND ESTOPPEL.8
V. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN GIVING
UNDUE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE On November 11, 2005, the CA promulgated its
ABSENCE OF THE DISPOSITION OF THE assailed modified decision,9 holding and ruling:
CONDOMINIUM UNIT IN THE
HOLOGRAPHIC WILL OF THE PLAINTIFF- EUGENIA, the first wife, was the legitimate wife of
APPELLANT; ATTY. LUNA until the latters death on July 12, 1997.
The absolute divorce decree obtained by ATTY.
VI. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN LUNA inthe Dominican Republic did not terminate
GIVING UNDUE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE his prior marriage with EUGENIA because foreign
FACTTHAT THE NAME OF PLAINTIFF- divorce between Filipino citizens is not recognized in
APPELLANT DID NOT APPEAR IN THE our jurisdiction. x x x10
DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE EXECUTED
BY TANDANG SORA DEVELOPMENT xxxx
CORPORATION OVER THE
CONDOMINIUM UNIT; WHEREFORE, premises considered, the assailed
August 27, 2001 Decision of the RTC of MakatiCity,
VII. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN Branch 138, is hereby MODIFIEDas follows:
RULING THAT NEITHER ARTICLE 148 OF
THE FAMILYCODE NOR ARTICLE 144 OF (a) The 25/100 pro-indiviso share in the
THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES condominium unit at the SIXTH FLOOR of
ARE APPLICABLE; the KALAW LEDESMA CONDOMINIUM
PROJECT covered by Condominium
VIII. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT Certificate of Title No. 21761 consisting of
RULING THAT THE CAUSE OF ACTION FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (517/100)
OF THE INTERVENOR-APPELLANT HAS (sic) SQUARE METERS is hereby adjudged
BEEN BARRED BY PESCRIPTION AND to defendants-appellants, the heirs of Juan
LACHES; and Luces Luna and Eugenia Zaballero-Luna
(first marriage), having been acquired from
IX. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT the sole funds and sole industry of Juan
EXPUNGING/DISMISSING THE
Luces Luna while marriage of Juan Luces The decisive question to be resolved is who among
Luna and Eugenia Zaballero-Luna (first the contending parties should be entitled to the
marriage) was still subsisting and valid; 25/100 pro indivisoshare in the condominium unit;
and to the law books (i.e., Corpus Juris, Fletcher on
(b) Plaintiff-appellant Soledad Lavadia has Corporation, American Jurisprudence and Federal
no right as owner or under any other concept Supreme Court Reports).
over the condominium unit, hence the entry
in Condominium Certificate of Title No. The resolution of the decisive question requires the
21761 of the Registry of Deeds ofMakati with Court to ascertain the law that should determine,
respect to the civil status of Juan Luces Luna firstly, whether the divorce between Atty. Luna and
should be changed from "JUAN LUCES Eugenia Zaballero-Luna (Eugenia) had validly
LUNA married to Soledad L. Luna" to "JUAN dissolved the first marriage; and, secondly, whether
LUCES LUNA married to Eugenia Zaballero the second marriage entered into by the late Atty.
Luna"; Luna and the petitioner entitled the latter to any
rights in property. Ruling of the Court
(c) Defendants-appellants, the heirs of Juan
Luces Luna and Eugenia Zaballero- We affirm the modified decision of the CA.
Luna(first marriage) are hereby declared to
be the owner of the books Corpus Juris, 1. Atty. Lunas first marriage with Eugenia
Fletcher on Corporation, American subsisted up to the time of his death
Jurisprudence and Federal Supreme Court
Reports found in the condominium unit. The first marriage between Atty. Luna and Eugenia,
both Filipinos, was solemnized in the Philippines on
No pronouncement as to costs. September 10, 1947. The law in force at the time of
the solemnization was the Spanish Civil Code, which
SO ORDERED.11 adopted the nationality rule. The Civil
Codecontinued to follow the nationality rule, to the
On March 13, 2006,12 the CA denied the petitioners effect that Philippine laws relating to family rights
motion for reconsideration.13 and duties, or to the status, condition and legal
capacity of persons were binding upon citizens of the
Issues Philippines, although living abroad.15 Pursuant to the
nationality rule, Philippine laws governed thiscase
In this appeal, the petitioner avers in her petition for by virtue of bothAtty. Luna and Eugenio having
review on certiorarithat: remained Filipinos until the death of Atty. Luna on
July 12, 1997 terminated their marriage.
A. The Honorable Court of Appeals erred in
ruling that the Agreement for Separation and From the time of the celebration ofthe first marriage
Property Settlement executed by Luna and on September 10, 1947 until the present, absolute
Respondent Eugenia was unenforceable; divorce between Filipino spouses has not been
hence, their conjugal partnership was not recognized in the Philippines. The non-recognition of
dissolved and liquidated; absolute divorce between Filipinos has remained
even under the Family Code,16 even if either or both
B. The Honorable Court of Appeals erred in of the spouses are residing abroad.17 Indeed, the
not recognizing the Dominican Republic only two types of defective marital unions under our
courts approval of the Agreement; laws have beenthe void and the voidable marriages.
As such, the remedies against such defective
marriages have been limited to the declaration of
C. The Honorable Court of Appeals erred in
nullity ofthe marriage and the annulment of the
ruling that Petitioner failed to adduce
marriage.
sufficient proof of actual contribution to the
acquisition of purchase of the
subjectcondominium unit; and It is true that on January 12, 1976, the Court of First
Instance (CFI) of Sto. Domingo in the Dominican
Republic issued the Divorce Decree dissolving the
D. The Honorable Court of Appeals erred in
first marriage of Atty. Luna and
ruling that Petitioner was not entitled to the
Eugenia.18 Conformably with the nationality rule,
subject law books.14
however, the divorce, even if voluntarily obtained
abroad, did not dissolve the marriage between Atty. Article 142 of the Civil Codehas defined a conjugal
Luna and Eugenia, which subsisted up to the time of partnership of gains thusly:
his death on July 12, 1997. This finding conforms to
the Constitution, which characterizes marriage as an Article 142. By means of the conjugal partnership of
inviolable social institution,19 and regards it as a gains the husband and wife place in a common fund
special contract of permanent union between a man the fruits of their separate property and the income
and a woman for the establishment of a conjugal and from their work or industry, and divide equally, upon
family life.20 The non-recognition of absolute divorce the dissolution of the marriage or of the partnership,
in the Philippines is a manifestation of the respect for the net gains or benefits obtained indiscriminately by
the sanctity of the marital union especially among either spouse during the marriage.
Filipino citizens. It affirms that the extinguishment of
a valid marriage must be grounded only upon the The conjugal partnership of gains subsists until
death of either spouse, or upon a ground expressly terminated for any of various causes of termination
provided bylaw. For as long as this public policy on enumerated in Article 175 of the Civil Code, viz:
marriage between Filipinos exists, no divorce decree
dissolving the marriage between them can ever be Article 175. The conjugal partnership of gains
given legal or judicial recognition and enforcement in terminates:
this jurisdiction.
(1) Upon the death of either spouse;
2. The Agreement for Separation and Property
Settlement (2) When there is a decree of legal
was void for lack of court approval separation;
The petitioner insists that the Agreement for (3) When the marriage is annulled;
Separation and Property Settlement (Agreement)
that the late Atty. Luna and Eugenia had entered into
(4) In case of judicial separation of property
and executed in connection with the divorce
under Article 191.
proceedings before the CFI of Sto. Domingo in the
Dominican Republic to dissolve and liquidate their
conjugal partnership was enforceable against The mere execution of the Agreement by Atty. Luna
Eugenia. Hence, the CA committed reversible error and Eugenia did not per sedissolve and liquidate
in decreeing otherwise. their conjugal partnership of gains. The approval of
the Agreement by a competent court was still
required under Article 190 and Article 191 of the Civil
The insistence of the petitioner was unwarranted.
Code, as follows:
Considering that Atty. Luna and Eugenia had not
Article 190. In the absence of an express declaration
entered into any marriage settlement prior to their
in the marriage settlements, the separation of
marriage on September 10, 1947, the system of
property between spouses during the marriage shall
relative community or conjugal partnership of gains
not take place save in virtue of a judicial order.
governed their property relations. This is because
(1432a)
the Spanish Civil Code, the law then in force at the
time of their marriage, did not specify the property
regime of the spouses in the event that they had not Article 191. The husband or the wife may ask for the
entered into any marriage settlement before or at the separation of property, and it shall be decreed when
time of the marriage. Article 119 of the Civil the spouse of the petitioner has been sentenced to
Codeclearly so provides, to wit: a penalty which carries with it civil interdiction, or has
been declared absent, or when legal separation has
been granted.
Article 119. The future spouses may in the marriage
settlements agree upon absolute or relative
community of property, or upon complete separation xxxx
of property, or upon any other regime. In the
absence of marriage settlements, or when the same The husband and the wife may agree upon the
are void, the system of relative community or dissolution of the conjugal partnership during the
conjugal partnership of gains as established in this marriage, subject to judicial approval. All the
Code, shall govern the property relations between creditors of the husband and of the wife, as well as
husband and wife. of the conjugal partnership shall be notified of any
petition for judicialapproval or the voluntary Article 71. All marriages performed outside the
dissolution of the conjugal partnership, so that any Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in
such creditors may appear atthe hearing to the country where they were performed, and valid
safeguard his interests. Upon approval of the there as such, shall also be valid in this country,
petition for dissolution of the conjugal partnership, except bigamous, polygamous, or incestuous
the court shall take such measures as may protect marriages as determined by Philippine law.
the creditors and other third persons.
Bigamy is an illegal marriage committed by
After dissolution of the conjugal partnership, the contracting a second or subsequent marriage before
provisions of articles 214 and 215 shall apply. The the first marriage has been legally dissolved, or
provisions of this Code concerning the effect of before the absent spouse has been declared
partition stated in articles 498 to 501 shall be presumptively dead by means of a judgment
applicable. (1433a) rendered in the proper proceedings.23 A bigamous
marriage is considered void ab initio.24
But was not the approval of the Agreement by the
CFI of Sto. Domingo in the Dominican Republic Due to the second marriage between Atty. Luna and
sufficient in dissolving and liquidating the conjugal the petitioner being void ab initioby virtue of its being
partnership of gains between the late Atty. Luna and bigamous, the properties acquired during the
Eugenia? bigamous marriage were governed by the rules on
co-ownership, conformably with Article 144 of the
The query is answered in the negative. There is no Civil Code, viz:
question that the approval took place only as an
incident ofthe action for divorce instituted by Atty. Article 144. When a man and a woman live together
Luna and Eugenia, for, indeed, the justifications for as husband and wife, but they are not married,
their execution of the Agreement were identical to ortheir marriage is void from the beginning, the
the grounds raised in the action for divorce.21 With property acquired by eitheror both of them through
the divorce not being itself valid and enforceable their work or industry or their wages and salaries
under Philippine law for being contrary to Philippine shall be governed by the rules on co-ownership.(n)
public policy and public law, the approval of the
Agreement was not also legally valid and In such a situation, whoever alleges co-ownership
enforceable under Philippine law. Consequently, the carried the burden of proof to confirm such
conjugal partnership of gains of Atty. Luna and fact.1wphi1 To establish co-ownership, therefore, it
Eugenia subsisted in the lifetime of their marriage. became imperative for the petitioner to offer proof of
her actual contributions in the acquisition of
3. Atty. Lunas marriage with Soledad, being property. Her mere allegation of co-ownership,
bigamous, without sufficient and competent evidence, would
was void; properties acquired during their marriage warrant no relief in her favor. As the Court explained
were governed by the rules on co-ownership in Saguid v. Court of Appeals:25
What law governed the property relations of the In the cases of Agapay v. Palang, and Tumlos v.
second marriage between Atty. Luna and Soledad? Fernandez, which involved the issue of co-
ownership ofproperties acquired by the parties to a
The CA expressly declared that Atty. Lunas bigamous marriage and an adulterous relationship,
subsequent marriage to Soledad on January 12, respectively, we ruled that proof of actual
1976 was void for being bigamous,22 on the ground contribution in the acquisition of the property is
that the marriage between Atty. Luna and Eugenia essential. The claim of co-ownership of the
had not been dissolved by the Divorce Decree petitioners therein who were parties to the bigamous
rendered by the CFI of Sto. Domingo in the and adulterousunion is without basis because they
Dominican Republic but had subsisted until the failed to substantiate their allegation that they
death of Atty. Luna on July 12, 1997. contributed money in the purchase of the disputed
properties. Also in Adriano v. Court of Appeals, we
The Court concurs with the CA. ruled that the fact that the controverted property was
titled in the name of the parties to an adulterous
In the Philippines, marriages that are bigamous, relationship is not sufficient proof of coownership
polygamous, or incestuous are void. Article 71 of the absent evidence of actual contribution in the
Civil Codeclearly states: acquisition of the property.
As in other civil cases, the burden of proof rests upon Code, the rules on co-ownership would govern. But
the party who, as determined by the pleadings or the this was not readily applicable to many situations
nature of the case, asserts an affirmative issue. and thus it created a void at first because it applied
Contentions must be proved by competent evidence only if the parties were not in any way incapacitated
and reliance must be had on the strength of the or were without impediment to marry each other (for
partys own evidence and not upon the weakness of it would be absurd to create a co-ownership where
the opponents defense. This applies with more vigor there still exists a prior conjugal partnership or
where, as in the instant case, the plaintiff was absolute community between the man and his lawful
allowed to present evidence ex parte.1wphi1 The wife). This void was filled upon adoption of the
plaintiff is not automatically entitled to the relief Family Code. Article 148 provided that: only the
prayed for. The law gives the defendantsome property acquired by both of the parties through their
measure of protection as the plaintiff must still prove actual joint contribution of money, property or
the allegations in the complaint. Favorable relief can industry shall be owned in common and in proportion
be granted only after the court isconvinced that the to their respective contributions. Such contributions
facts proven by the plaintiff warrant such relief. and corresponding shares were prima
Indeed, the party alleging a fact has the burden of faciepresumed to be equal. However, for this
proving it and a mereallegation is not evidence.26 presumption to arise, proof of actual contribution
was required. The same rule and presumption was
The petitioner asserts herein that she sufficiently to apply to joint deposits of money and evidence of
proved her actual contributions in the purchase of credit. If one of the parties was validly married to
the condominium unit in the aggregate amount of at another, his or her share in the co-ownership
least P306,572.00, consisting in direct contributions accrued to the absolute community or conjugal
of P159,072.00, and in repaying the loans Atty. Luna partnership existing in such valid marriage. If the
had obtained from Premex Financing and Banco party who acted in bad faith was not validly married
Filipino totaling P146,825.30;27 and that such to another, his or her share shall be forfeited in the
aggregate contributions of P306,572.00 manner provided in the last paragraph of the Article
corresponded to almost the entire share of Atty. 147. The rules on forfeiture applied even if both
Luna in the purchase of the condominium unit parties were in bad faith. Co-ownership was the
amounting to P362,264.00 of the units purchase exception while conjugal partnership of gains was
price of P1,449,056.00.28 The petitioner further the strict rule whereby marriage was an inviolable
asserts that the lawbooks were paid for solely out of social institution and divorce decrees are not
her personal funds, proof of which Atty. Luna had recognized in the Philippines, as was held by the
even sent her a "thank you" note;29 that she had the Supreme Court in the case of Tenchavez vs.
financial capacity to make the contributions and Escao, G.R. No. L-19671, November 29, 1965, 15
purchases; and that Atty. Luna could not acquire the SCRA 355, thus:
properties on his own due to the meagerness of the
income derived from his law practice. xxxx
Did the petitioner discharge her burden of proof on As to the 25/100pro-indivisoshare of ATTY. LUNA in
the co-ownership? the condominium unit, SOLEDAD failed to prove that
she made an actual contribution to purchase the said
In resolving the question, the CA entirely debunked property. She failed to establish that the four (4)
the petitioners assertions on her actual checks that she presented were indeed used for the
contributions through the following findings and acquisition of the share of ATTY. LUNA in the
conclusions, namely: condominium unit. This was aptly explained in the
Decision of the trial court, viz.:
SOLEDAD was not able to prove by preponderance
of evidence that her own independent funds were "x x x The first check, Exhibit "M" for P55,000.00
used to buy the law office condominium and the law payable to Atty. Teresita Cruz Sison was issued on
books subject matter in contentionin this case January 27, 1977, which was thirteen (13) months
proof that was required for Article 144 of the New before the Memorandum of Agreement, Exhibit "7"
Civil Code and Article 148 of the Family Code to was signed. Another check issued on April 29, 1978
apply as to cases where properties were acquired in the amount of P97,588.89, Exhibit "P" was
by a man and a woman living together as husband payable to Banco Filipino. According to the plaintiff,
and wife but not married, or under a marriage which thiswas in payment of the loan of Atty. Luna. The
was void ab initio. Under Article 144 of the New Civil third check which was for P49,236.00 payable to
PREMEX was dated May 19, 1979, also for payment ownership, did not discharge her burden of proof.
of the loan of Atty. Luna. The fourth check, Exhibit Her mere allegations on her contributions, not being
"M", for P4,072.00 was dated December 17, 1980. evidence,31 did not serve the purpose. In contrast,
None of the foregoing prove that the amounts given the subsistence of the first marriage between
delivered by plaintiff to the payees were for the Atty. Luna and Eugenia, the presumption that Atty.
acquisition of the subject condominium unit. The Luna acquired the properties out of his own personal
connection was simply not established. x x x" funds and effort remained. It should then be justly
concluded that the properties in litislegally pertained
SOLEDADs claim that she made a cash to their conjugal partnership of gains as of the time
contribution of P100,000.00 is unsubstantiated. of his death. Consequently, the sole ownership of
Clearly, there is no basis for SOLEDADs claim of the 25/100 pro indivisoshare of Atty. Luna in the
co-ownership over the 25/100 portion of the condominium unit, and of the lawbooks pertained to
condominium unit and the trial court correctly found the respondents as the lawful heirs of Atty. Luna.
that the same was acquired through the sole industry
of ATTY. LUNA, thus: WHEREFORE, the Court AFFIRMS the decision
promulgated on November 11, 2005; and ORDERS
"The Deed of Absolute Sale, Exhibit "9", covering the the petitioner to pay the costs of suit.
condominium unit was in the name of Atty. Luna,
together with his partners in the law firm. The name SO ORDERED.
of the plaintiff does not appear as vendee or as the
spouse of Atty. Luna. The same was acquired for the LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
use of the Law firm of Atty. Luna. The loans from Associate Justice
Allied Banking Corporation and Far East Bank and
Trust Company were loans of Atty. Luna and his WE CONCUR:
partners and plaintiff does not have evidence to
show that she paid for them fully or partially. x x x"
David A. Noveras (David) and Leticia T. Noveras The Sampaloc property used to beowned by Davids
(Leticia) were married on 3 December 1988 in parents. The parties herein secured a loan from a
Quezon City, Philippines. They resided in California, bank and mortgaged the property. When said
United States of America (USA) where they property was about to be foreclosed, the couple paid
eventually acquired American citizenship. They then a total of P1.5 Million for the redemption of the same.
begot two children, namely: Jerome T.
Due to business reverses, David left the USA and
Noveras, who was born on 4 November 1990 and returned to the Philippines in 2001. In December
JenaT. Noveras, born on 2 May 1993. David was 2002,Leticia executed a Special Power of Attorney
engaged in courier service business while Leticia (SPA) authorizing David to sell the Sampaloc
worked as a nurse in San Francisco, California. property for P2.2 Million. According to Leticia,
sometime in September 2003, David abandoned his
During the marriage, they acquired the following family and lived with Estrellita Martinez in Aurora
properties in the Philippines and in the USA: province. Leticia claimed that David agreed toand
executed a Joint Affidavit with Leticia in the presence
LIPPINES of Davids father, Atty. Isaias Noveras, on 3
December 2003 stating that: 1) the P1.1Million
OPERTY FAIR MARKET VALUE proceeds from the sale of the Sampaloc property
se and Lot with an area of 150 sq. m. P1,693,125.00 shall be paid to and collected by Leticia; 2) that
ted at 1085 Norma Street, Sampaloc, David shall return and pay to Leticia P750,000.00,
ila (Sampaloc property) which is equivalent to half of the amount of the
redemption price of the Sampaloc property; and 3)
cultural land with an area of 20,742 sq. P400,000.00 that David shall renounce and forfeit all his rights and
ocated at Laboy, Dipaculao, Aurora interest in the conjugal and real properties situated
in the Philippines.5 David was able to
arcel of land with an area of 2.5 hectares P490,000.00 collect P1,790,000.00 from the sale of the Sampaloc
ted at Maria Aurora, Aurora property, leaving an unpaid balance of P410,000.00.
3
arcel of land with an area of 175 sq.m. P175,000.00
ted at Sabang Baler, Aurora Upon learning that David had an extra-marital affair,
Leticia filed a petition for divorce with the Superior
as. coconut plantation in San Joaquin P750,000.00 Court of California, County of San Mateo, USA. The
a Aurora, Aurora California court granted the divorce on 24 June 2005
A and judgment was duly entered on 29 June
2005.6 The California court granted to Leticia the
OPERTY FAIR MARKET VALUE custody of her two children, as well as all the
se and Lot at 1155 Hanover Street, couples properties in the USA.7
y City, California
On 8 August 2005, Leticia filed a petition for Judicial
Separation of Conjugal Property before the RTC of
Baler, Aurora. She relied on the 3 December 2003 Corollary to the aboveis the issue of:
Joint Affidavit and Davids failure to comply with his
obligation under the same. She prayed for: 1) the Whether or not the two common children of the
power to administer all conjugal properties in the parties are entitled to support and presumptive
Philippines; 2) David and his partner to cease and legitimes.10
desist from selling the subject conjugal properties; 3)
the declaration that all conjugal properties be On 8 December 2006, the RTC rendered judgment
forfeited in favor of her children; 4) David to remit half as follows:
of the purchase price as share of Leticia from the
sale of the Sampaloc property; and 5) the payment 1. The absolute community of property of the
ofP50,000.00 and P100,000.00 litigation expenses.8 parties is hereby declared DISSOLVED;
In his Answer, David stated that a judgment for the 2. The net assets of the absolute community
dissolution of their marriage was entered on 29 June of property ofthe parties in the Philippines
2005 by the Superior Court of California, County of are hereby ordered to be awarded to
San Mateo. He demanded that the conjugal respondent David A. Noveras only, with the
partnership properties, which also include the USA properties in the United States of America
properties, be liquidated and that all expenses of remaining in the sole ownership of petitioner
liquidation, including attorneys fees of both parties Leticia Noveras a.k.a. Leticia Tacbiana
be charged against the conjugal partnership.9 pursuant to the divorce decree issuedby the
Superior Court of California, County of San
The RTC of Baler, Aurora simplified the issues as Mateo, United States of America, dissolving
follow: the marriage of the parties as of June 24,
2005. The titles presently covering said
1. Whether or not respondent David A. properties shall be cancelled and new titles
Noveras committed acts of abandonment be issued in the name of the party to whom
and marital infidelity which can result intothe said properties are awarded;
forfeiture of the parties properties in favor of
the petitioner and their two (2) children. 3. One-half of the properties awarded to
respondent David A. Noveras in the
2. Whether or not the Court has jurisdiction preceding paragraph are hereby given to
over the properties in California, U.S.A. and Jerome and Jena, his two minor children with
the same can be included in the judicial petitioner LeticiaNoveras a.k.a. Leticia
separation prayed for. Tacbiana as their presumptive legitimes and
said legitimes must be annotated on the titles
3. Whether or not the "Joint Affidavit" x x x covering the said properties.Their share in
executed by petitioner Leticia T. Noveras the income from these properties shall be
and respondent David A. Noveras will remitted to them annually by the respondent
amount to a waiver or forfeiture of the latters within the first half of January of each year,
property rights over their conjugal properties. starting January 2008;
Even if we apply the doctrine of processual The trial court had categorically ruled that there was
presumption17 as the lower courts did with respect to no abandonment in this case to necessitate judicial
the property regime of the parties, the recognition of separation of properties under paragraph 4 of Article
divorce is entirely a different matter because, to 135 of the Family Code. The trial court ratiocinated:
begin with, divorce is not recognized between
Filipino citizens in the Philippines. Absent a valid Moreover, abandonment, under Article 101 of the
recognition of the divorce decree, it follows that the Family Code quoted above, must be for a valid
parties are still legally married in the Philippines. The cause and the spouse is deemed to have
trial court thus erred in proceeding directly to abandoned the other when he/she has left the
liquidation. conjugal dwelling without intention of returning. The
intention of not returning is prima facie presumed if
As a general rule, any modification in the marriage the allegedly [sic] abandoning spouse failed to give
settlements must be made before the celebration of any information as to his or her whereabouts within
marriage. An exception to this rule is allowed the period of three months from such abandonment.
provided that the modification isjudicially approved
and refers only to the instances provided in Articles In the instant case, the petitioner knows that the
66,67, 128, 135 and 136 of the Family Code.18 respondent has returned to and stayed at his
hometown in Maria Aurora, Philippines, as she even
Leticia anchored the filing of the instant petition for went several times to visit him there after the alleged
judicial separation of property on paragraphs 4 and abandonment. Also, the respondent has been going
6 of Article 135 of the Family Code, to wit: back to the USA to visit her and their children until
the relations between them worsened. The last visit
Art. 135. Any of the following shall be considered of said respondent was in October 2004 when he
sufficient cause for judicial separation of property: and the petitioner discussed the filing by the latter of
a petition for dissolution of marriage with the
(1) That the spouse of the petitioner has California court. Such turn for the worse of their
been sentenced to a penalty which carries relationship and the filing of the saidpetition can also
with it civil interdiction; be considered as valid causes for the respondent to
stay in the Philippines.19
Separation in fact for one year as a ground to grant (1) An inventory shall be prepared, listing
a judicial separation of property was not tackled in separately all the properties of the absolute
the trial courts decision because, the trial court community and the exclusive properties of
erroneously treated the petition as liquidation of the each spouse.
absolute community of properties.
(2) The debts and obligations of the absolute
The records of this case are replete with evidence community shall be paid out of its assets. In
that Leticia and David had indeed separated for case of insufficiency of said assets, the
more than a year and that reconciliation is highly spouses shall be solidarily liable for the
improbable. First, while actual abandonment had not unpaid balance with their separate properties
been proven, it is undisputed that the spouses had in accordance with the provisions of the
been living separately since 2003 when David second paragraph of Article 94.
decided to go back to the Philippines to set up his
own business. Second, Leticia heard from her (3) Whatever remains of the exclusive
friends that David has been cohabiting with Estrellita properties of the spouses shall thereafter be
Martinez, who represented herself as Estrellita delivered to each of them.
Noveras. Editha Apolonio, who worked in the
hospital where David was once confined, testified (4) The net remainder of the properties of the
that she saw the name of Estrellita listed as the wife absolute community shall constitute its net
of David in the Consent for Operation form.20 Third assets, which shall be divided equally
and more significantly, they had filed for divorce and between husband and wife, unless a
it was granted by the California court in June 2005. different proportion or division was agreed
upon in the marriage settlements, or unless
Having established that Leticia and David had there has been a voluntary waiver of such
actually separated for at least one year, the petition share provided in this Code. For purposes of
for judicial separation of absolute community of computing the net profits subject to forfeiture
property should be granted. in accordance with Articles 43, No. (2) and
63, No. (2),the said profits shall be the
The grant of the judicial separation of the absolute increase in value between the market value
community property automatically dissolves the of the community property at the time of the
absolute community regime, as stated in the 4th celebration of the marriage and the market
paragraph of Article 99 ofthe Family Code, thus: value at the time of its dissolution.
Art. 99. The absolute community terminates: (5) The presumptive legitimes of the
common children shall be delivered upon
(1) Upon the death of either spouse; partition, in accordance with Article 51.
(2) When there is a decree of legal (6) Unless otherwise agreed upon by the
separation; parties, in the partition of the properties, the
conjugal dwelling and the lot on which it is
(3) When the marriage is annulled or situated shall be adjudicated tothe spouse
declared void; or with whom the majority of the common
children choose to remain. Children below
(4) In case of judicial separation of property the age of seven years are deemed to have
during the marriage under Articles 134 to chosen the mother, unless the court has
138. (Emphasis supplied). decided otherwise. In case there is no such
majority, the court shall decide, taking into
Under Article 102 of the same Code, liquidation consideration the best interests of said
follows the dissolution of the absolute community children. At the risk of being repetitious, we
regime and the following procedure should apply: will not remand the case to the trial court.
Instead, we shall adopt the modifications
made by the Court of Appeals on the trial
Art. 102. Upon dissolution of the absolute
courts Decision with respect to liquidation.
community regime, the following procedure shall
apply:
We agree with the appellate court that the Philippine
courts did not acquire jurisdiction over the California
properties of David and Leticia. Indeed, Article 16 of them the amount of P520,000.00 as their
the Civil Code clearly states that real property as well presumptive legitimes therefrom.21
as personal property is subject to the law of the
country where it is situated. Thus, liquidation shall WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The assailed
only be limited to the Philippine properties. Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA G.R. CV No.
88686 is AFFIRMED.
We affirm the modification madeby the Court of
Appeals with respect to the share of the spouses in SO ORDERED.
the absolutecommunity properties in the Philippines,
as well as the payment of their childrens JOSE PORTUGAL PEREZ
presumptive legitimes, which the appellate court Associate Justice
explained in this wise:
4. That Orion only paid the appropriate Orion sought a reconsideration of the CA decision
capital gains tax and the documentary but the CA denied the motion in its January 25,
stamp tax for the alleged Dacion en Pago 2013 resolution. Orion then filed a petition for
on October 15, 2003; review on certiorariunder Rule 45 with this Court.
5. That Parking Slot No. 42, covered by The Petition and Comment
CCT No. 9118, was never mortgaged to
Orion; and Orions petition is based on the following
grounds/arguments:15
6. That when Suzuki bought the properties,
he went to Orion to obtain possession of 1. The Deed of Sale executed by Kang in
the titles. favor of Suzuki is null and void. Under
Korean law, any conveyance of a conjugal
The RTC Ruling property should be made with the consent
of both spouses;
In its decision14 dated June 29, 2009, the Regional
Trial Court (RTC), Branch 213, Mandaluyong City 2. Suzuki is not a buyer in good faith for he
ruled infavor of Suzuki and ordered Orion to failed to check the owners duplicate
deliver the CCT Nos. 18186 and 9118 to Suzuki. copies of the CCTs;
The court found that Suzuki was an innocent 3. Knowledge of the PRA restriction under
purchaser for value whose rights over the Entry No. 73321/C-10186, which prohibits
properties prevailed over Orions. The RTC further any conveyance or encumbrance of the
noted that Suzuki exerted efforts to verify the property investment, defeats the alleged
status of the properties but he did not find any claim of good faith by Suzuki; and
existing encumbrance inthe titles. Although Orion
claims to have purchased the property by way of 4. Orion should not be faulted for
a Dacion en Pago, Suzuki only learned about it exercising due diligence.
two (2) months after he bought the properties
because Orion never bothered to register or In his Comment,16 Suzuki asserts that the issue on
annotate the Dacion en Pagoin CCT Nos. 18186 spousal consent was belatedly raised on appeal.
and 9116. Moreover, proof of acquisition during the marital
coverture is a condition sine qua nonfor the
The RTC further ordered Orion and Kang to jointly operation of the presumption of conjugal
and severally pay Suzuki moral damages, ownership.17 Suzuki additionally maintains that he
exemplary damages, attorneys fees, appearance is a purchaser in good faith, and is thus entitled to
fees, expenses for litigation and cost ofsuit. Orion the protection of the law.
timely appealed the RTC decision with the CA.
The Courts Ruling
The CA Ruling
We deny the petition for lack of merit.
On August 23, 2012, the CA partially granted
Orions appeal and sustained the RTC insofar as The Court may inquire into conclusions of fact
it upheld Suzukis right over the properties. The when the inference made is manifestly mistaken
CA further noted that Entry No. 73321/C-10186
pertaining to the withdrawal of investment of an In a Rule 45 petition, the latitude of judicial review
SRRV only serves as a warning to an SRRV generally excludes a factual and evidentiary re-
holder about the implications of a conveyance of evaluation, and the Court ordinarily abides by the
a property investment. It deviated from the RTC uniform factual conclusions of the trial court and
the appellate court.18 In the present case, while the domicile and by the law of the place where the
courts below both arrived at the same conclusion, instrument is actually made, his capacity is
there appears tobe an incongruence in their undoubted.25
factual findings and the legal principle they applied
to the attendant factual circumstances. Thus, we On the other hand, property relations between
are compelled to examine certain factual issues in spouses are governed principally by the national
the exercise of our sound discretion to correct any law of the spouses.26 However, the party invoking
mistaken inference that may have been made.19 the application of a foreign law has the burden of
proving the foreign law. The foreign law is a
Philippine Law governs the transfer of real question of fact to be properly pleaded and proved
property as the judge cannot take judicial notice of a foreign
law.27 He is presumed to know only domestic or
Orion believes that the CA erred in not ruling on the law of the forum.28
the issue of spousal consent. We cannot uphold
this position, however, because the issue of To prove a foreign law, the party invoking it must
spousal consent was only raised on appeal to the present a copy thereof and comply with Sections
CA. It is a well-settled principle that points of law, 24 and 25 of Rule 132 of the Revised Rules of
theories, issues, and arguments not brought to the Court which reads:
attention of the trial court cannot be raised for the
first time on appeal and considered by a reviewing SEC. 24. Proof of official record. The record of
court.20 To consider these belated arguments public documents referred to in paragraph (a) of
would violate basic principles of fairplay, justice, Section 19, when admissible for any purpose, may
and due process. be evidenced by an official publication thereof or
by a copy attested by the officer having the legal
Having said these, we shall nonetheless discuss custody of the record, or by his deputy, and
the issues Orion belatedly raised, if only to put an accompanied, if the record is not kept in the
end to lingering doubts on the correctness of the Philippines, with a certificate that such officer has
denial of the present petition. the custody. If the office in which the record is kept
is in a foreign country, the certificate may be made
It is a universal principle thatreal or immovable by a secretary of the embassy or legation, consul
property is exclusively subject to the laws of the general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent or
country or state where it is located.21 The reason is by any officer in the foreign service of the
found in the very nature of immovable property Philippines stationed in the foreign country
its immobility. Immovables are part of the country inwhich the record is kept, and authenticated by
and so closely connected to it that all rights over the seal of his office. (Emphasis supplied)
them have their natural center of gravity there.22
SEC. 25. What attestation ofcopy must state.
Thus, all matters concerning the titleand Whenever a copy of a document or record is
disposition ofreal property are determined by what attested for the purpose of the evidence, the
is known as the lex loci rei sitae, which can alone attestation must state, in substance, that the copy
prescribe the mode by which a title canpass from is a correct copy of the original, or a specific part
one person to another, or by which an interest thereof, as the case may be. The attestation must
therein can be gained or lost.23 This general be under the official seal of the attesting officer, if
principle includes all rules governing the descent, there be any, or if he be the clerk of a court having
alienation and transfer of immovable property and a seal, under the seal of such court.
the validity, effect and construction of wills and
other conveyances.24 Accordingly, matters concerning the title and
disposition of real property shall be governed by
This principle even governs the capacity of the Philippine law while issues pertaining to the
person making a deed relating to immovable conjugal natureof the property shall be governed
property, no matter what its nature may be. Thus, by South Korean law, provided it is proven as a
an instrument will be ineffective to transfer title to fact.
land if the person making it is incapacitated by the
lex loci rei sitae, even though under the law of his
In the present case, Orion, unfortunately failed to Should there be no inscription, the ownership shall
prove the South Korean law on the conjugal pertain to the person who in good faith was first in
ownership ofproperty. It merely attached a the possession; and, in the absence thereof, to the
"Certification from the Embassy of the Republic of person who presents the oldest title, provided
Korea"29 to prove the existence of Korean Law. there is good faith.
This certification, does not qualify as sufficient
proof of the conjugal nature of the property for The application of Article 1544 of the New Civil
there is no showing that it was properly Code presupposes the existence of two or more
authenticated bythe seal of his office, as required duly executed contracts of sale. In the present
under Section 24 of Rule 132.30 case, the Deed of Sale dated August 26,
200335 between Suzuki and Kang was admitted by
Accordingly, the International Law doctrine of Orion36 and was properly identified by Suzukis
presumed-identity approachor processual witness Ms. Mary Jane Samin (Samin).37
presumption comes into play, i.e., where a foreign
law is not pleaded or, evenif pleaded, is not It is not disputed, too, that the Deed of Sale dated
proven, the presumption is that foreign law is the August 26, 2003 was consummated. In a contract
same as Philippine Law.31 of sale, the seller obligates himself to transfer the
ownership of the determinate thing sold, and to
Under Philippine Law, the phrase "Yung Sam deliver the same to the buyer, who obligates
Kang married to' Hyun Sook Jung" is merely himself to pay a price certain to the seller.38 The
descriptive of the civil status of Kang.32 In other execution of the notarized deed of saleand the
words, the import from the certificates of title is actual transfer of possession amounted to delivery
that Kang is the owner of the properties as they that produced the legal effect of transferring
are registered in his name alone, and that he is ownership to Suzuki.39
married to Hyun Sook Jung.
On the other hand, although Orion claims priority
We are not unmindful that in numerous cases we in right under the principle of prius tempore, potior
have held that registration of the property in the jure (i.e.,first in time, stronger in right), it failedto
name of only one spouse does not negate the prove the existence and due execution of the
possibility of it being conjugal or community Dacion en Pagoin its favor.
property.33 In those cases, however, there was
proof that the properties, though registered in the At the outset, Orion offered the Dacion en Pagoas
name of only one spouse, were indeed either Exhibit "5"with submarkings "5-a" to "5-c" to prove
conjugal or community properties.34 Accordingly, the existence of the February 6, 2003 transaction
we see no reason to declare as invalid Kangs in its Formal Offer dated July 20, 2008. Orion
conveyance in favor of Suzuki for the supposed likewise offered in evidence the supposed
lack of spousal consent. promissory note dated September 4, 2002 as
Exhibit "12"to prove the existence of the
The petitioner failed to adduce sufficient evidence additional P800,000.00 loan. The RTC, however,
to prove the due execution of the Dacion en Pago denied the admission of Exhibits "5" and
"12,"among others, in its order dated August 19,
Article 1544 of the New Civil Codeof the 2008 "since the same [were] not identified in court
Philippines provides that: by any witness."40
ART. 1544. If the same thing should have been Despite the exclusion of its most critical
sold to different vendees, the ownership shall be documentary evidence, Orion failed to make a
transferred to the person who may have first taken tender ofexcluded evidence, as provided under
possession thereof in good faith, if it should be Section 40, Rule 132 of the Rules of Court. For
movable property. this reason alone, we are prevented from
seriously considering Exhibit "5" and its
Should it be immovable property, the ownership submarkings and Exhibit "12" in the present
shall belong to the person acquiring it who in good petition.
faith first recorded it in the Registry of Property.
Moreover, even if we consider Exhibit "5" and its hereunder: SINGLE PAYMENT LOANS.42 "There
submarkings and Exhibit "12" in the present was thus no due and demandable loan obligation
petition, the copious inconsistencies and when the alleged Dacion en Pago was executed.
contradictions in the testimonial and documentary
evidence of Orion, militate against the conclusion Second, Perez, the supposed person who
that the Dacion en Pagowas duly executed. First, prepared the Dacion en Pago,appears to only
there appears to be no due and demandable have a vague idea of the transaction he
obligation when the Dacion en Pago was supposedly prepared. During his cross-
executed, contrary to the allegations of Orion. examination, he testified:
Orions witness Perez tried to impress upon the
RTC that Kang was in default in ATTY. DE CASTRO:
his P1,800,000.00 loan. During his direct
examination, he stated: Q: And were you the one who prepared this
[dacion en pago] Mr. witness?
ATTY. CRUZAT:
A: Yes, sir. I personally prepared this.
Q: Okay, so this loan of P1.8 million, what
happened to this loan, Mr. Witness? xxxx
A: Well it became past due, there has been Q: So this 1.8 million pesos is already
delayed interest payment by Mr. inclusive of all the penalties, interest and
Kangand... surcharge due from Mr. Yung Sam Kang?
Q: So what did you do after there were A: Its just the principal, sir.
defaults[?]
Q: So you did not state the interest [and]
A: We have to secure the money or the penalties?
investment of the bank through loans and
we have executed a dacion en A: In the [dacion en pago], we do not
pagobecause Mr. Kang said he has no include interest, sir. We may actually
money. So we just execute[d] the dacion includethat but....
en pago rather than going through the
Foreclosure proceedings. Q: Can you read the Second Whereas
Clause, Mr. Witness?
xxxx
A: Whereas the first party failed to pay the
Q: Can you tell the court when was this said loan to the second party and as of
executed? February 10, 2003, the outstanding
obligation which is due and demandable
A: February 6, 2003, your Honor.41 principal and interest and other charges
included amounts to P1,800,000.00 pesos,
A reading of the supposed promissory note, sir.
however, shows that there was nodefault to speak
of when the supposed Dacion en Pagowas xxxx
executed.
Q: You are now changing your answer[.] [I]t
Based on the promissory note, Kangs loan now includes interest and other charges,
obligation wouldmature only on August 27, 2003. based on this document?
Neither can Orion claim that Kang had been in
default in his installment payments because the A: Yes, based on that document, sir.43
wordings of the promissory note provide that "[t]he
principal of this loanand its interest and other Third, the Dacion en Pago,mentioned that
charges shall be paid by me/us in accordance the P1,800,000.00 loan was secured by a
real estate mortgage. However, no Q: Would you remember what was the
document was ever presented to prove this subject matter of that real estate mortgage
real estate mortgage aside from it being for that first P1,000,000.00 loan?
mentioned in the Dacion en Pago itself.
A: Its a condominium Unit in Cityland, sir.
ATTY. DE CASTRO:
xxxx
Q: Would you know if there is any other
document like a supplement to that Credit Q: Would you recall if there was any
Line Agreement referring to this 1.8 million payment by Mr. Yung Sam Kang of
peso loan by Mr. Yung Sam Kang which this P1,000,000.00 loan?
says that there was a subsequent
collateralization or security given by Mr. A: None sir.
Yung [Sam]
Q: No payments?
Kang for the loan?
A: None sir.
xxxx
Q: And from 1999 to 2002, there was no
A: The [dacion en pago], sir.44 payment, either by way of payment to the
principal, by way ofpayment of interest,
Fourth,the Dacion en Pago was first mentioned there was no payment by Mr. Yung Sam
only two (2) months after Suzuki and Samin Kang of this loan?
demanded the delivery of the titles sometime in
August 2003,and after Suzuki caused the A: Literally, there was no actual cash
annotation of his affidavit of adverse claim. movement, sir.
Records show that it was only on October 9, 2003,
when Orion, through its counsel, Cristobal Balbin Q: There was no actual cash?
Mapile & Associates first spoke of the Dacion en
Pago.45 Not even Perez mentioned any Dacion en A: Yes, sir.
Pago on October 1, 2003, when he personally
received a letter demanding the delivery of the Q: And yet despite no payment, the bank
titles.Instead, Perez refused to accept the letter Orion Savings Bank still extended
and opted to first consult with his lawyer.46 an P800,000.00 additional right?
Upon its presentment on the said date, On April 18, 1988, the respondent wrote to
Check No. 2434886 was dishonored by petitioner petitioner bank complaining that the closure of his
bank. The next day, or on April 5, 1988, the account was unjustified. When he did not receive a
respondent deposited to his current account the reply from petitioner bank, the respondent filed with
amount of P800.00. The said amount was accepted the RTC of Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, Branch
by petitioner bank; hence, increasing the balance of 54, a complaint for damages against petitioner bank
the respondents deposit to P1,051.43. and Villadelgado. The case was docketed as Civil
deposit in his account. For this reason, petitioner The respondent further alleged that prior to the
bank, through its branch accountant, Villadelgado, closure of his current account, he had issued several
closed the respondents current account effective the other postdated checks. The petitioner banks act of
evening of April 4, 1988 as it then had an overdraft closing his current account allegedly preempted the
deposits that he intended to make to fund those which are drawn against insufficient funds or for any
According to the respondent, the indecent haste that example, in 1986, the respondents account was
attended the closure of his account was patently overdrawn 156 times, in 1987, 117 times and in
malicious and intended to embarrass him. He 1988, 26 times. In all these instances, the account
claimed that he is a Cashier of Prudential Bank and was overdrawn due to the issuance of checks
Trust Company, whose branch office is located just against insufficient funds. The respondent had also
across that of petitioner bank, and a prominent and signed several checks with a different signature from
respected leader both in the civic and banking the specimen on file for dubious reasons.
In their answer, petitioner bank and Villadelgado rightfully dishonored the same for insufficiency of
insufficiency of funds on the date of receipt from the court a quo further ratiocinated that even
clearing office even if said check is honored and/or granting arguendo that petitioner bank had the right
covered by sufficient deposit the following banking to close the respondents account, the manner which
day. The same rules and regulations also provide attended the closure constituted an abuse of the
that a check returned for insufficiency of funds for said right. Citing Article 19 of the Civil Code of the
any reason of similar import may be subsequently Philippines which states that [e]very person must, in
recleared for one more time only, subject to the the exercise of his rights and in the performance of
same charges. his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due,
incurred an overdraft and he would then deposit The decretal portion of the court a quos decision
On appeal, the CA rendered the Decision dated the exercise of that right must never be despotic or
August 30, 2002, affirming with modification the arbitrary. That petitioner bank chose to close the
decision of the court a quo. account outright and return the check, even after
Petitioner bank maintains that, in closing the account having been drawn against insufficient funds. It
of the respondent in the evening of April 4, 1988, it vigorously denies having violated Article 19 of the
acted in good faith and in accordance with the rules Civil Code as it insists that it acted in good faith and
and regulations governing the operation of a in accordance with the pertinent banking rules and
regulations.
court a quo and the appellate court show that the motive.[12]
the acts of the individual concerned. It consists of the The facts, as found by the court a quo and
intention to abstain from taking an unconscionable the appellate court, do not establish that, in the
and unscrupulous advantage of another.[10] Bad faith exercise of this right, petitioner bank committed an
does not simply connote bad judgment or simple abuse thereof. Specifically, the second and third
negligence, dishonest purpose or some moral elements for abuse of rights are not attendant in the
obliquity and conscious doing of a wrong, a breach present case. The evidence presented by petitioner
of known duty due to some motives or interest or ill- bank negates the existence of bad faith or malice on
will that partakes of the nature of fraud.[11] Malice its part in closing the respondents account on April
connotes ill-will or spite and speaks not in response 4, 1988 because on the said date the same was
to duty. It implies an intention to do ulterior and already overdrawn. The respondent issued four
account deposit was only P6,981.43. Thus, he governing the current accounts of its depositors.
incurred an overdraft of P428.57 which resulted in Upon the opening of his account, the respondent
the dishonor of his Check No. 2434886. Further, had agreed to be bound by these terms and
improper
4. Ordering defendants to pay, jointly and The issue for our resolution is whether in
severally, plaintiff the amount disapproving respondents application for
of P1,000,000.00 as and by way of proprietary membership with CCCI, petitioners are
attorneys fees and P80,000.00 as litigation liable to respondent for damages, and if so,
expenses. whether their liability is joint and several.
On appeal by petitioners, the Court of Appeals, in For his part, respondent maintains that the petition
its Decision dated January 31, 2003, affirmed the lacks merit, hence, should be denied.
trial courts Decision with modification, thus:
CCCIs Articles of Incorporation provide in part:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the
assailed Decision dated February 14, 2001 SEVENTH: That this is a non-stock
of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 71, corporation and membership therein as well
Pasig City in Civil Case No. 67190 is hereby as the right of participation in its assets shall
AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION as be limited to qualified persons who are duly
follows: accredited owners of Proprietary Ownership
Certificates issued by the corporation in
1. Ordering defendants-appellants to pay, accordance with its By-Laws.
jointly and severally, plaintiff-appellee the
amount of P2,000,000.00 as moral Corollary, Section 3, Article 1 of CCCIs Amended
damages; By-Laws provides:
(d) Once included in the "Eligible-for- This article, known to contain what is
Membership List" and after the candidate commonly referred to as the principle of
shall have acquired in his name a valid POC abuse of rights, sets certain standards
duly recorded in the books of the which must be observed not only in the
corporation as his own, he shall become a exercise of one's rights but also in the
Proprietary Member, upon a non-refundable performance of one's duties. These
admission fee of P1,000.00, provided that standards are the following: to act with
admission fees will only be collected once justice; to give everyone his due; and to
from any person. observe honesty and good faith. The law,
therefore, recognizes a primordial limitation
On March 1, 1978, Section 3(c) was amended to on all rights; that in their exercise, the norms
read as follows: of human conduct set forth in Article 19
must be observed. A right, though by itself
(c) After the expiration of the aforesaid thirty legal because recognized or granted by law
(30) days, the Board may, by unanimous as such, may nevertheless become the
vote of all directors present at a regular or source of some illegality. When a right is
special meeting, approve the inclusion of exercised in a manner which does not
the candidate in the "Eligible-for- conform with the norms enshrined in Article
Membership List". 19 and results in damage to another, a legal
wrong is thereby committed for which the
As shown by the records, the Board adopted a wrongdoer must be held responsible. But
secret balloting known as the "black ball system" of while Article 19 lays down a rule of conduct
voting wherein each member will drop a ball in the for the government of human relations and
ballot box. A white ball represents conformity to the for the maintenance of social order, it does
admission of an applicant, while a black ball means not provide a remedy for its violation.
disapproval. Pursuant to Section 3(c), as amended, Generally, an action for damages under
cited above, a unanimous vote of the directors is either Article 20 or Article 21 would be
required. When respondents application for proper. (Emphasis in the original)
proprietary membership was voted upon during the
Board meeting on July 30, 1997, the ballot box In rejecting respondents application for proprietary
contained one (1) black ball. Thus, for lack of membership, we find that petitioners violated the
unanimity, his application was disapproved. rules governing human relations, the basic
principles to be observed for the rightful relationship
Obviously, the CCCI Board of Directors, under its between human beings and for the stability of
Articles of Incorporation, has the right to approve or social order. The trial court and the Court of
disapprove an application for proprietary Appeals aptly held that petitioners committed fraud
membership. But such right should not be and evident bad faith in disapproving respondents
exercised arbitrarily. Articles 19 and 21 of the Civil applications. This is contrary to morals, good
Code on the Chapter on Human Relations provide custom or public policy. Hence, petitioners are
restrictions, thus: liable for damages pursuant to Article 19 in relation
to Article 21 of the same Code.
Article 19. Every person must, in the
exercise of his rights and in the It bears stressing that the amendment to Section
performance of his duties, act with justice, 3(c) of CCCIs Amended By-Laws requiring the
give everyone his due, and observe honesty unanimous vote of the directors present at a special
and good faith. or regular meeting was not printed on the
application form respondent filled and submitted to
Article 21. Any person who willfully causes CCCI. What was printed thereon was the original
loss or injury to another in a manner that is provision of Section 3(c) which was silent on the
required number of votes needed for admission of However, the amount of P2,000,000.00 is
an applicant as a proprietary member. excessive. While there is no hard-and-fast rule in
determining what would be a fair and reasonable
Petitioners explained that the amendment was not amount of moral damages, the same should not be
printed on the application form due to economic palpably and scandalously excessive. Moral
reasons. We find this excuse flimsy and damages are not intended to impose a penalty to
unconvincing. Such amendment, aside from being the wrongdoer, neither to enrich the claimant at the
extremely significant, was introduced way back in expense of the defendant.8 Taking into
1978 or almost twenty (20) years before consideration the attending circumstances here, we
respondent filed his application. We cannot fathom hold that an award to respondent of P50,000.00,
why such a prestigious and exclusive golf country instead of P2,000,000.00, as moral damages is
club, like the CCCI, whose members are all reasonable.
affluent, did not have enough money to cause the
printing of an updated application form. Anent the award of exemplary damages, Article
2229 allows it by way of example or correction for
It is thus clear that respondent was left groping in the public good. Nonetheless, since exemplary
the dark wondering why his application was damages are imposed not to enrich one party or
disapproved. He was not even informed that a impoverish another but to serve as a deterrent
unanimous vote of the Board members was against or as a negative incentive to curb socially
required. When he sent a letter for reconsideration deleterious actions,9 we reduce the amount
and an inquiry whether there was an objection to from P1,000,000.00 to P25,000.00 only.
his application, petitioners apparently ignored him.
Certainly, respondent did not deserve this kind of On the matter of attorneys fees and litigation
treatment. Having been designated by San Miguel expenses, Article 2208 of the same Code provides,
Corporation as a special non-proprietary member of among others, that attorneys fees and expenses of
CCCI, he should have been treated by petitioners litigation may be recovered in cases when
with courtesy and civility. At the very least, they exemplary damages are awarded and where the
should have informed him why his application was court deems it just and equitable that attorneys
disapproved. fees and expenses of litigation should be
recovered, as in this case. In any event, however,
The exercise of a right, though legal by itself, must such award must be reasonable, just and equitable.
nonetheless be in accordance with the proper Thus, we reduce the amount of attorneys fees
norm. When the right is exercised arbitrarily, (P500,000.00) and litigation expenses (P50,000.00)
unjustly or excessively and results in damage to to P50,000.00 and P25,000.00, respectively.
another, a legal wrong is committed for which the
wrongdoer must be held responsible.6 It bears Lastly, petitioners argument that they could not be
reiterating that the trial court and the Court of held jointly and severally liable for damages
Appeals held that petitioners disapproval of because only one (1) voted for the disapproval of
respondents application is characterized by bad respondents application lacks merit.
faith.
Section 31 of the Corporation Code provides:
As to petitioners reliance on the principle
of damnum absque injuria or damage without SEC. 31. Liability of directors, trustees or
injury, suffice it to state that the same is misplaced. officers. Directors or trustees who willfully
In Amonoy v. Gutierrez,7 we held that this principle and knowingly vote for or assent to patently
does not apply when there is an abuse of a unlawful acts of the corporation or who are
persons right, as in this case. guilty of gross negligence or bad faith in
directing the affairs of the corporation or
As to the appellate courts award to respondent of acquire any personal or pecuniary interest
moral damages, we find the same in order. Under in conflict with their duty as such directors,
Article 2219 of the New Civil Code, moral damages or trustees shall be liable jointly and
may be recovered, among others, in acts and severally for all damages resulting
actions referred to in Article 21. We believe therefrom suffered by the corporation, its
respondents testimony that he suffered mental stockholders or members and other
anguish, social humiliation and wounded feelings persons. (Emphasis ours)
as a result of the arbitrary denial of his application.
WHEREFORE, we DENY the petition. The
challenged Decision and Resolution of the Court of membership his mailing address at Phimco
Appeals in CA-G.R. CV No. 71506
are AFFIRMED with modification in the sense that Industries, Inc. P.O. Box 240, MCC, complete
(a) the award of moral damages is reduced
from P2,000,000.00 to P50,000.00; (b) the award of residential address, office and residence telephone
exemplary damages is reduced
from P1,000,000.00 to P25,000.00; and (c) the numbers, as well as the company (Phimco) with
award of attorneys fees and litigation expenses is
reduced from P500,000.00 and P50,000.00 which he was connected, Calatagan issued to him
to P50,000.00 and P25,000.00, respectively.
Certificate of Stock No. A-01295 on 2 May
Costs against petitioners.
1990 after paying P120,000.00 for the share.[2]
SO ORDERED.
Seeking the reversal of the the back of each certificate of stock.[3] As reproduced
Decision[1] dated 1 June 2004 of the Court of in the dorsal side of Certificate of Stock No. A-
Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 62331 and the 01295, the provision reads:
stock of Calatagan, indicating in his application for paid P3,000.00 for his monthly dues on 21 March
1991 and another P5,400.00 on 9 December 1991. Clemente settles his outstanding dues, his share
Then he ceased paying the dues. At that point, his would be included among the delinquent shares to
Ten (10) months later, Calatagan made the that had already been closed.[6]
sending a demand letter dated 21 September On 5 January 1993, a notice of auction sale
1992. It was followed by a second letter dated 22 was posted on the Clubs bulletin board, as well as
October 1992. Both letters were sent to Clementes on the clubs premises. The auction sale took place
mailing address as indicated in his membership as scheduled on 15 January 1993, and Clementes
application but were sent back to sender with the share sold for P64,000.[7]According to the Certificate
postal note that the address had been closed.[5] of Sale issued by Calatagan after the sale,
Calatagan declared Clemente delinquent for Virata.[8] At the time of the sale, Clementes accrued
having failed to pay his monthly dues for more than monthly dues amounted to P5,200.00.[9] A notice of
sixty (60) days, specifically P5,600.00 as of 31 foreclosure of Clementes share was published in the
October 1992. Calatagan also included Clementes 26 May 1993 issue of the Business World.[10]
the clubs bulletin board. On 1 December 1992, Clemente learned of the sale of his share
Calatagans board of directors adopted a resolution only in November of 1997.[11] He filed a claim with
authorizing the foreclosure of shares of delinquent the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
members, including Clementes; and the public seeking the restoration of his shareholding in
On 7 December 1992, Calatagan sent a third decision dismissing Clementes complaint. Citing
and final letter to Clemente, this time signed by its Section 69 of the Corporation Code which provides
Corporate Secretary, Atty. Benjamin Tanedo, that the sale of shares at an auction sale can only be
Jr. The letter contains a warning that unless questioned within six (6) months from the date of
sale, the SEC concluded that Clementes claim, filed dues in non-stock corporations, the appellate court
four (4) years after the sale, had already prescribed. employed Article 1140 of the Civil Code as the
The SEC further held that Calatagan had complied proper rule of prescription. The provision sets the
with all the requirements for a valid sale of the prescription period of actions to recover movables at
was no longer his address. Clemente, the SEC The Court of Appeals also pointed out that
ruled, had acted in bad faith in assuming as he since that Calatagans first two demand letters had
claimed that his non-payment of monthly dues would been returned to itas sender with the notation about
merely render his share inactive. the closure of the mailing address, it very well knew
that its third and final demand letter also sent to the
Clemente filed a petition for review with the same mailing address would not be received by
Court of Appeals. On 1 June 2004, the Court of Clemente. It noted the by-law requirement that
Appeals promulgated a decision reversing the SEC. within ten (10) days after the Board has ordered the
The appellate court restored Clementes one share sale at auction of a members share of stock for
with a directive to Calatagan to issue in his a new indebtedness, the Corporate Secretary shall notify
share, and awarded to Clemente a total the owner thereof and advise the Membership
of P400,000.00 in damages, less the unpaid monthly Committee of such fact. Finally, the Court of Appeals
In rejecting the SECs finding that the action notified and be given the chance to prevent the
Golf Country Club, Inc., that Section 69 of the Hence, the present appeal.
subscriptions to capital stock, and not to any other Calatagan maintains that the action of
debt of stockholders. With the insinuation that Clemente had prescribed pursuant to Section 69 of
Section 69 does not apply to unpaid membership the Corporation Code, and that the requisite notices
under both the law and the by-laws had been along with all other obligations of the shareholders
rendered to Clemente. to the club, shall constitute a first lien on the shares
Section 69 of the Code provides that an ordered sold by the Board of Directors in the manner
action to recover delinquent stock sold must be provided in the By-Laws to satisfy said dues or other
commenced by the filing of a complaint within six (6) obligations of the shareholders.[13] With its illative but
months from the date of sale. As correctly pointed incomprehensible logic, Calatagan concludes that
out by the Court of Appeals, Section 69 is part of the prescriptive period under Section 69 should also
Title VIII of the Code entitled Stocks and apply to the sale of Clementes share as the lien that
subscriptions to capital stock, the sale of which is the articles of incorporation and not only in the by-
citing another SEC ruling in the case of Caram v. There are fundamental differences that defy
Valley Golf. In connection with Section 69, equivalence or even analogy between the sale of
Calatagan raises a peripheral point made in the delinquent stock under Section 68 and the sale that
SECs Caram ruling. In Caram, the SEC, using as occurred in this case. At the root of the sale of
take-off Section 6 of the Corporation Code which delinquent stock is the non-payment of the
refers to such rights, privileges or restrictions as may subscription price for the share of stock itself. The
be stated in the articles of incorporation, pointed out stockholder or subscriber has yet to fully pay for the
that the Articles of Incorporation of Valley Golf does value of the share or shares subscribed. In this case,
not impose any lien, liability or restriction on the Golf Clemente had already fully paid for the share in
Share [of Caram], but only its (Valley Golfs) By-Laws Calatagan and no longer had any outstanding
does. Here, Calatagan stresses that its own Articles obligation to deprive him of full title to his share.
of Incorporation does provide that the monthly dues Perhaps the analogy could have been made if
assessed on owners of shares of the corporation, Clemente had not yet fully paid for his share and the
non-stock corporation, pursuant to an article or by- of no help to its cause. Calatagans Articles of
law provision designed to address that situation, Incorporation states that the dues, together with all
decided to sell such share as a consequence. But other obligations of members to the club, shall
that is not the case here, and there is no purpose for constitute a first lien on the shares, second only to
us to apply Section 69 to the case at bar. any lien in favor of the national or local government,
Calatagan argues in the alternative that ordered sold by the Board of Directors in the manner
Clementes suit is barred by Article 1146 of the Civil provided in the By-Laws to satisfy said dues or other
Code which establishes four (4) years as the obligations of the stockholders.[14] In turn, there are
prescriptive period for actions based upon injury to several provisions in the By-laws that govern the
the rights of the plaintiff on the hypothesis that the payment of dues, the lapse into delinquency of the
suit is purely for damages. As a second alternative member, and the constitution and execution on the
still, Calatagan posits that Clementes action is lien. We quote these provisions:
sets five (5) years as the period of prescription for all ARTICLE XII MEMBERS ACCOUNT
of the explicit provisions in its Articles of (b) Members on the delinquent list
for more than 60 days shall be
Incorporation and By-Laws is relevant but ultimately reported to the Board and their shares
or the shares of the juridical entities
they represent shall thereafter be (e) If no bids be received or if the
ordered sold by the Board at auction winning bidder fails to pay the amount
to satisfy the claims of the Club as of this bid within twenty-four (24)
provided for in Section 32 hereon. A hours after the bidding, the auction
member may pay his overdue account procedures may be repeated from
at any time before the auction sale. time to time at the discretion of the
Membership Committee until the
share of stock be sold.
Sec. 32. Lien on Shares; Sale of
Share at Auction- The club shall have (f) If the proceeds from the sale
a first lien on every share of stock to of the share of stock are not sufficient
secure debts of the members to the to pay in full the indebtedness of the
Club. This lien shall be annotated on member, the member shall continue to
the certificates of stock and may be be obligated to the Club for the unpaid
enforced by the Club in the following balance. If the member whose share
manner: of stock is sold fails or refuse to
surrender the stock certificate for
(a) Within ten (10) days after the cancellation, cancellation shall be
Board has ordered the sale at auction effected in the books of the Club
of a members share of stock for based on a record of the
indebtedness under Section 31(b) proceedings. Such cancellation shall
hereof, the Secretary shall notify the render the unsurrendered stock
owner thereof, and shall advise the certificate null and void and notice to
Membership Committee of such fact. this effect shall be duly published.
(c) On the date and hour fixed, of a member as delinquent, and the constitution of a
the Membership Committee shall
proceed with the auction by viva voce lien on the shares and its eventual public sale to
bidding and award the sale of the
share of stock to the highest bidder. answer for the members debts. Under Section 91 of
(d) The purchase price shall be the Corporation Code, membership in a non-stock
paid by the winning bidder to the Club
within twenty-four (24) hours after the corporation shall be terminated in the manner and
bidding.The winning bidder or the
representative in the case of a juridical for the causes provided in the articles of
entity shall become a
Regular Member upon payment of the incorporation or the by-laws. The By-law provisions
purchase price and issuance of a new
stock certificate in his name or in the are elaborate in explaining the manner and the
name of the juridical entity he
represents. The proceeds of the sale causes for the termination of membership in
shall be paid by the Club to the selling
stockholder after deducting his Calatagan, through the execution on the lien of the
obligations to the Club.
or cause to be given, all notices
share. The Court is satisfied that the By-Laws, as required by law or by these By-Laws.
.. and keep a record of the addresses
written, affords due protection to the member by of all stockholders. As quoted above,
Sec. 32 (a) of the By-Laws further
assuring that provides that within ten (10) days after
the Board has ordered the sale at
the member should be notified by the Secretary of t auction of a members share of stock
for indebtedness under Section 31 (b)
he looming execution sale that would terminate hereof, the Secretary shall notify the
owner thereof and shall advise the
membership in the club. In addition, the By-Laws Membership Committee of such
fact., The records do not disclose
guarantees that after the execution sale, the what report the Corporate Secretary
transmitted to the Membership
proceeds of the sale would be returned to the former Committee to comply with Section
32(a). Obviously, the reason for this
member after deducting the outstanding obligations. mandatory requirement is to give the
Membership Committee the
If followed to the letter, the termination of opportunity to find out, before the
share is sold, if proper notice has
membership under this procedure outlined in the By- been made to the shareholder
member.
Laws would accord with substantial justice.
Calatagan had failed to duly observe both the spirit Calatagans bad faith and failure to observe
and letter of its own by-laws. The by-law provisions its own By-Laws had resulted not merely in the loss
was clearly conceived to afford due notice to the of Clementes privilege to play golf at its golf course
delinquent member of the impending sale, and not and avail of its amenities, but also in significant
just to provide an intricate faade that would facilitate pecuniary damage to him. For that loss, the only
Calatagans sale of the share. But then, the bad faith blame that could be thrown Clementes way was his
on Calatagans part is palpable. As found by the failure to notify Calatagan of the closure of the P.O.
Court of Appeals, Calatagan very well knew that Box. That lapse, if we uphold Calatagan would cost
Clementes postal box to which it sent its previous Clemente a lot. But, in the first place, does he
letters had already been closed, yet it persisted in deserve answerability for failing to notify the club of
sending that final letter to the same postal box. What the closure of the postal box? Indeed, knowing as he
for? Just for the exercise, it appears, as it had known did that Calatagan was in possession of his home
very well that the letter would never actually reach address as well as residence and office telephone
him. In addition, according to Clemente, he was not auction who was not impleaded in this case.
even aware of the closure of the postal box, the However, the Court of Appeals instead directed that
maintenance of which was not his responsibility but Calatagan to issue to Clemente a new certificate of
The utter bad faith exhibited by Calatagan certificate of stock is simply the evidence of the
Relations. These provisions, which the Court of The Court of Appeals also awarded
under law for every person to act fairly and in good damages, P100,000.00 as exemplary damages,
faith towards one another. A non-stock corporation and P100,000.00 as attorneys fees. We agree that
like Calatagan is not exempt from that obligation in the award of such damages is warranted.
corporation to treat every person honestly and in The Court of Appeals cited Calatagan for
good faith extends even to its shareholders or violation of Article 32 of the Civil Code, which allows
members, even if the latter find themselves recovery of damages from any private individual who
contractually bound to perform certain obligations to directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in
the corporation. A certificate of stock cannot be a any manner impedes or impairs the right against
We turn to the matter of damages. The The plain letter of the provision squarely entitles
award of actual damages is of course warranted Clemente to damages from Calatagan. Even without
since Clemente has sustained pecuniary injury by Article 32 itself, Calatagan will still be bound to pay
reason of Calatagans wrongful violation of its own moral and exemplary damages to Clemente. The
By-Laws. It would not be feasible to deliver latter was able to duly prove that he had sustained
Clementes original Certificate of Stock because it mental anguish, serious anxiety and wounded
had already been cancelled and a new one issued feelings by reason of Calatagans acts, thereby
entitling him to moral damages under Article 2217 of
SO ORDERED.
(a) P200,000.00 for moral damages; cha nrob lesvi rtua lawlib rary Petitioner, on the other hand, timely filed the
(b) 200,000.00 for exemplary damages; and instant petition with the following Assignment of
(c) 50,000.00 for attorney's fee. Errors:cralavvo nline lawlib rary
This article, known to contain what is commonly On the basis of the foregoing, the Court finds no
referred to as the principle of abuse of rights, cogent reason to depart from the ruling of both
sets certain standards which must be observed the RTC and the CA that petitioner, COWD and
not only in the exercise of one's rights, but also Gonzalez are solidarily liable.
in the performance of one's duties. These
standards are the following: to act with justice; The Spouses Pastorfide are entitled to moral
to give everyone his due; and to observe honesty damages based on the provisions of Article
and good faith. The law, therefore, recognizes a 2219,19 in connection with Articles 2020 and
primordial limitation on all rights; that in their 2121 of the Civil Code.
exercise, the norms of human conduct set forth
in Article 19 must be observed. A right, though As for exemplary damages, Article 2229 provides
by itself legal because recognized or that exemplary damages may be imposed by way
granted by law as such, may nevertheless of example or correction for the public good.
become the source of some illegality. When Nonetheless, exemplary damages are imposed
not to enrich one party or impoverish another,
but to serve as a deterrent against or as a
negative incentive to curb socially deleterious
actions.22 In the instant case, the Court agrees
with the CA in sustaining the award of exemplary
damages, although it reduced the amount
granted, considering that respondent spouses
were deprived of their water supply for more
than nine (9) months, and such deprivation
would have continued were it not for the relief
granted by the RTC.
SO ORDERED.
FLORENCIO A. Respondent failed to exercise his right of
SALADAGA, Complainant, repurchase within the period provided in the deed,
and no renewal of the contract was made even
vs. after complainant sent respondent a final demand
ATTY. ARTURO B. dated May 10, 1984 for the latter to repurchase the
ASTORGA, Respondent. property. Complainant remained in peaceful
possession of the property until December 1989
x-----------------------x when he received letters from the Rural Bank of
Albuera (Leyte), Inc. (RBAI) informing him that the
property was mortgaged by respondent to RBAI,
A.C. No. 4728
that the bank had subsequently foreclosed on the
property, and that complainant should therefore
FLORENCIO A. vacate the property.5
SALADAGA, Complainant,
vs. Complainant was alarmed and made
ATTY. ARTURO B. aninvestigation. He learned the following:
ASTORGA, Respondent.
(1) TCT No. T-662 was already cancelled by
DECISION TCT No. T-3211 in the name of Philippine
National Bank (PNB) as early as November
17, 1972 after foreclosure proceedings;
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.:
(2) TCT No. T-3211 was cancelled by TCT
Membership in the legal profession is a high
No. T-7235 in the names of respondent and
personal privilege burdened with
his wife on January 4, 1982 pursuant to a
conditions,1 including continuing fidelity to the law
deed of sale dated March 27,1979 between
and constant possession of moral fitness. Lawyers,
PNB and respondent;
as guardians of the law, play a vital role in the
preservation of society, and a consequent
obligation of lawyers is to maintain the highest (3) Respondent mortgaged the subject
standards of ethical conduct.2 Failure to live by the property to RBAI on March 14, 1984, RBAI
standards of the legal profession and to discharge foreclosed on the property, and
the burden of the privilege conferred on one as a subsequently obtained TCT No. TP-10635
member of the bar warrant the suspension or on March 27, 1991.6 Complainant was
revocation of that privilege. subsequently dispossessed of the property
by RBAI.7
The Factual Antecedents
Aggrieved, complainant instituted a criminal
complaint for estafa against respondent with the
Complainant Florencio A. Saladaga and
Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Leyte,
respondent Atty. Arturo B. Astorga entered into a
docketed as I.S. No. 95-144. The Provincial
"Deed of Sale with Right to Repurchase" on
Prosecutor of Leyte approved the
December 2, 1981 where respondent sold (with
Resolution8 dated April 21, 1995 in I.S. No. 95-144
rightof repurchase) to complainant a parcel of
finding that "[t]he facts of [the] case are sufficient to
coconut land located at Barangay Bunga, Baybay,
engender a well-founded belief that Estafa x x x
Leyte covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT)
has been committed and that respondent herein is
No. T-662 for P15,000.00. Under the said deed,
probably guilty thereof."9Accordingly, an
respondent represented that he has "the perfect
Information10 dated January 8,1996 was filed
right to dispose as owner in fee simple" the subject
before the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Baybay,
property and that the said property is "free from all
Leyte, formally charging respondent with the crime
liens and encumbrances."3The deed also provided
of estafa under Article 316, paragraphs 1 and 2 of
that respondent, as vendor a retro, had two years
the Revised Penal Code,11 committed as follows:
within which to repurchase the property, and if not
repurchased within the said period, "the parties
shall renew [the] instrument/agreement."4 On March 14, 1984, accused representing himself
as the owner of a parcel of land known as Lot No.
7661 of the Baybay Cadastre, mortgaged the same
to the Rural Bank of Albuera, Albuera, Leyte, within
the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowing giving complainant the owners copy of the said
fully well that the possessor and owner at that time certificate of title, when the said TCT had already
was private complainant Florencio Saladaga by been cancelled on November 17, 1972 by TCT No.
virtue of a Pacto de Retro Sale which accused T-3211 in the name of Philippine National Bank
executed in favor of private complainant on 2nd (PNB). Respondent made matters even worse,
December, 1981, without first when he had TCT No. T-3211 cancelled with the
redeeming/repurchasing the same. [P]rivate issuance of TCT No. T-7235 under his and his
complainant knowing of accused[s] unlawful act wifes name on January 4,1982 without informing
only on or about the last week of February, 1991 complainant. This was compounded by
when the rural bank dispossessed him of the respondents subsequent mortgage of the property
property, the mortgage having been foreclosed, to RBAI, which led to the acquisition of the property
private complainant thereby suffered damages and by RBAI and the dispossession thereof of
was prejudiced by accused[s] unlawful transaction complainant. Thus, the Investigating Commissioner
and misrepresentation. recommended that respondent be (1) suspended
from the practice of law for one year, with warning
The aforementioned estafa case against that a similar misdeed in the future shall be dealt
respondent was docketed as Criminal Case No. with more severity, and (2) ordered to return the
3112-A. sum of P15,000.00, the amount he received as
consideration for the pacto de retrosale, with
Complainant likewise instituted the instant interest at the legal rate.
administrative cases against respondent by filing
before this Court an Affidavit-Complaint12 dated Considering respondents "commission of unlawful
January 28, 1997 and Supplemental acts, especially crimes involving moral turpitude,
Complaint13 dated February 27, 1997, which were actsof dishonesty, grossly immoral conduct and
docketed as A.C. No. 4697 and A.C. No. 4728, deceit," the IBP Board of Governors adopted and
respectively. In both complaints, complainant approved the Investigating Commissioners Report
sought the disbarment of respondent. and Recommendation with modification as follows:
respondent is(1) suspended from the practice of
The administrative cases were referred to the law for two years, with warning that a similar
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for misdeed in the future shall be dealt with more
investigation, report and recommendation.14 severity, and (2) ordered to return the sum
of P15,000.00 received in consideration of the
In his Consolidated Answer15 dated August 16, pacto de retrosale, with legal interest.17
2003 filed before the IBP, respondent denied that
his agreement with complainant was a pacto de The Courts Ruling
retrosale. He claimed that it was an equitable
mortgage and that, if only complainant rendered an The Court agrees with the recommendation of the
accounting of his benefits from the produce of the IBP Board of Governors to suspend respondent
land, the total amount would have from the practice of law for two years, but it refrains
exceeded P15,000.00. from ordering respondent to return the P15,000.00
consideration, plus interest.
Report and Recommendation of the Investigating
Commissioner and Resolution of the IBP Board of Respondent does not deny executing the "Deed of
Governors Sale with Right to Repurchase" dated December 2,
1981 in favor of complainant. However, respondent
In a Report and Recommendation16 dated April 29, insists that the deed is not one of sale with pacto de
2005, the Investigating Commissioner of the IBPs retro, but one of equitable mortgage. Thus,
Commission on Bar Discipline found that respondent argues that he still had the legal right to
respondent was in bad faith when he dealt with mortgage the subject property to other persons.
complainant and executed the "Deed of Sale with Respondent additionally asserts that complainant
Right to Repurchase" but later on claimed that the should render an accounting of the produce the
agreement was one of equitable mortgage. latter had collected from the said property, which
Respondent was also guilty of deceit or fraud when would already exceed the P15,000.00
he represented in the "Deed of Sale with Right to consideration stated in the deed.
Repurchase" dated December 2, 1981 that the
property was covered by TCT No. T-662, even There is no merit in respondents defense.
Regardless of whether the written contract between contracting parties will be uncertain, which opens
respondent and complainant is actually one of sale the door to legal disputes between the said parties.
with pacto de retroor of equitable mortgage, Indeed, the uncertainty caused by respondents
respondents actuations in his transaction with poor formulation of the "Deed of Sale with Right to
complainant, as well as in the present Repurchase" was a significant factor in the legal
administrative cases, clearly show a disregard for controversy between respondent and complainant.
the highest standards of legal proficiency, morality, Such poor formulation reflects at the very least
honesty, integrity, and fair dealing required from negatively on the legal competence of respondent.
lawyers, for which respondent should be held
administratively liable. Under Section 63 of the Land Registration
Act,19 the law in effect at the time the PNB acquired
When respondent was admitted to the legal the subject property and obtained TCT No. T-3211
profession, he took an oath where he undertook to in its name in 1972, where a decree in favor of a
"obey the laws," "do no falsehood," and "conduct purchaser who acquires mortgaged property in
[him]self as a lawyer according to the best of [his] foreclosure proceedings becomes final, such
knowledge and discretion."18He gravely violated his purchaser becomes entitled to the issuance of a
oath. new certificate of title in his name and a
memorandum thereof shall be "indorsed upon the
The Investigating Commissioner correctly found, mortgagors original certificate."20 TCT No. T-662,
and the IBP Board of Governors rightly agreed, that which respondent gave complainant when they
respondent caused the ambiguity or vagueness in entered into the "Deed of Sale with Right to
the "Deed of Sale with Right to Repurchase" as he Repurchase" dated December 2, 1981, does not
was the one who prepared or drafted the said bearsuch memorandum but only a memorandum
instrument. Respondent could have simply on the mortgage of the property to PNB in 1963
denominated the instrument as a deed of mortgage and the subsequent amendment of the mortgage.
and referred to himself and complainant as
"mortgagor" and "mortgagee," respectively, rather Respondent dealt with complainant with bad faith,
than as "vendor a retro" and "vendee a retro." If falsehood, and deceit when he entered into the
only respondent had been more circumspect and "Deed of Sale with Right to Repurchase" dated
careful in the drafting and preparation of the deed, December 2, 1981 with the latter. He made it
then the controversy between him and complainant appear that the property was covered by TCT No.
could havebeen avoided or, at the very least, easily T-662 under his name, even giving complainant the
resolved. His imprecise and misleading wording of owners copy of the said certificate oftitle, when the
the said deed on its face betrayed lack oflegal truth is that the said TCT had already been
competence on his part. He thereby fell short of his cancelled some nine years earlier by TCT No. T-
oath to "conduct [him]self as a lawyer according to 3211 in the name of PNB. He did not evencare to
the best of [his] knowledge and discretion." correct the wrong statement in the deed when he
was subsequently issued a new copy of TCT No. T-
More significantly, respondent transgressed the 7235 on January 4, 1982,21 or barely a month after
laws and the fundamental tenet of human relations the execution of the said deed. All told, respondent
asembodied in Article 19 of the Civil Code: clearly committed an act of gross dishonesty and
deceit against complainant.
Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his
rights and in the performance of his duties, act with Canon 1 and Rule 1.01 of the Codeof Professional
justice, give everyone his due, and observe Responsibility provide:
honesty and good faith.
CANON 1 A lawyer shall uphold the constitution,
Respondent, as owner of the property, had the right obey the laws of the land and promote respect for
to mortgage it to complainant but, as a lawyer, he law and legal processes.
should have seen to it that his agreement with
complainant is embodied in an instrument that Rule 1.01 A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful,
clearly expresses the intent of the contracting dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct. Under
parties. A lawyer who drafts a contract must see to Canon 1, a lawyer is not only mandated to
it that the agreement faithfully and clearly reflects personally obey the laws and the legal processes,
the intention of the contracting parties. Otherwise, he is moreover expected to inspire respect and
the respective rights and obligations of the obedience thereto. On the other hand, Rule 1.01
states the norm of conduct that is expected of all dated February 4,1998 to (1) show cause why he
lawyers.22 should not be disciplinarily dealt with or held in
contempt for such failure, and (2) submit the
Any act or omission that is contrary to, prohibited or consolidated comment.26Respondent neither
unauthorized by, in defiance of, disobedient to, or showed cause why he should not be disciplinarily
disregards the law is "unlawful." "Unlawful" conduct dealt with or held in contempt for such failure, nor
does not necessarily imply the element of submitted the consolidated comment.
criminality although the concept is broad enough to
include such element.23 When these cases were referred to the IBP and
during the proceedings before the IBPs
To be "dishonest" means the disposition to lie, Investigating Commissioner, respondent was again
cheat, deceive, defraud or betray; be untrustworthy; required several times to submit his consolidated
lacking inintegrity, honesty, probity, integrity in answer. He only complied on August 28, 2003, or
principle, fairness and straightforwardness. On the more than six years after this Court originally
other hand, conduct that is "deceitful" means as required him to do so. The Investigating
follows: Commissioner also directed the parties to submit
their respective position papers. Despite having
[Having] the proclivity for fraudulent and deceptive been given several opportunities to submit the
misrepresentation, artifice or device that is used same, respondent did not file any position paper.27
upon another who is ignorant of the true facts, to
the prejudice and damage of the party imposed Respondents disregard of the directives of this
upon. In order to be deceitful, the person must Court and of the Investigating Commissioner, which
either have knowledge of the falsity or acted in caused undue delay in these administrative cases,
reckless and conscious ignorance thereof, contravenes the following provisions of the Code of
especially if the parties are not on equal terms, and Professional Responsibility:
was done with the intent that the aggrieved party
act thereon, and the latter indeed acted in reliance CANON 11 A lawyer shall observe and maintain
of the false statement or deed in the manner the respect due to the courts and to judicial officers
contemplated to his injury.24The actions of and should insist on similar conduct by others.
respondent in connection with the execution of the
"Deed of Sale with Right to Repurchase" clearly fall xxxx
within the concept of unlawful, dishonest, and
deceitful conduct. They violate Article 19 of the Civil CANON 12 A lawyer shall exert every effort and
Code. They show a disregard for Section 63 of the consider it his duty to assist in the speedy and
Land Registration Act. They also reflect bad faith, efficient administration of justice.
dishonesty, and deceit on respondents part. Thus,
respondent deserves to be sanctioned. xxxx
Respondents breach of his oath, violation of the Rule 12.03 A lawyer shall not, after obtaining
laws, lack of good faith, and dishonesty are extensions of time to file pleadings, memoranda or
compounded by his gross disregard of this Courts briefs, let the period lapse without submitting the
directives, as well as the orders of the IBPs same or offering an explanation for his failure to do
Investigating Commissioner (who was acting as an so.
agent of this Court pursuant to the Courts referral
of these cases to the IBP for investigation, report Rule 12.04 A lawyer shall not unduly delay a
and recommendation), which caused delay in the case, impede the execution of a judgment or
resolution of these administrative cases. misuse court processes.
In particular, the Court required respondent to Respondents infractions are aggravated by the fact
comment on complainants Affidavit-Complaint in that he has already been imposed a disciplinary
A.C. No. 4697 and Supplemental Complaint in A.C. sanction before.1wphi1 In Nuez v. Atty.
No. 4728 on March 12, 1997 and June 25, 1997, Astorga,28 respondent was held liable for conduct
respectively.25 While he requested for several unbecoming an attorney for which he was
extensions of time within which to submit his fined P2,000.00.
comment, no such comment was submitted
prompting the Court to require him in a Resolution
Given the foregoing, the suspension of respondent the damage caused him; and/or indemnification for
from the practice of law for two years, as consequential damages,35 which may already cover
recommended by the IBP Board of Governors, is the P15,000.00 consideration complainant had paid
proper. for the subject property.
The Court, however, will not adopt the WHEREFORE, respondent is hereby found
recommendation of the IBP to order respondent to GUILTY of the following: breach of the Lawyers
return the sum of P15,000.00 he received from Oath; unlawful, dishonest, and deceitful conduct;
complainant under the "Deed of Sale with Right to and disrespect for the Court and causing undue
Repurchase." This is a civil liability best determined delay of these cases, for which he is SUSPENDED
and awarded in a civil case rather than the present from the practice of law for a period of two (2)
administrative cases. years, reckoned from receipt of this Decision, with
WARNING that a similar misconduct in the future
In Roa v. Moreno,29 the Court pronounced that "[i]n shall be dealt with more severely.
disciplinary proceedings against lawyers, the only
issue is whether the officer of the court is still fit to Let a copy of this Decision be furnished the Office
be allowed to continue as a member of the Bar. Our of the Bar Confidant and the Integrated Bar of the
only concern is the determination of respondents Philippines for their information and guidance. The
administrative liability. Our findings have no Court Administrator is directed to circulate this
material bearing on other judicial action which the Decision to all courts in the country.
parties may choose to file against each
other."While the respondent lawyers wrongful SO ORDERED.
actuations may give rise at the same time to
criminal, civil, and administrative liabilities, each
must be determined in the appropriate case; and
every case must be resolved in accordance with
the facts and the law applicable and the quantum of
proof required in each. Section 5,30 in relation to
Sections 131 and 2,32 Rule 133 of the Rules of Court
states that in administrative cases, such as the
ones atbar, only substantial evidence is required,
not proof beyond reasonable doubt as in criminal
cases, or preponderance of evidence asin civil
cases. Substantial evidence is that amount of
relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might
accept as adequate to justify a conclusion.33
These cases involve a petition for the 6) Awarding the care and custody of the
declaration of nullity of marriage, which was filed by minor Javy Singh Buenaventura to his
petitioner Noel Buenaventura on July 12, 1992, on mother, the herein defendant; and
the ground of the alleged psychological incapacity of 7) Hereby authorizing the defendant to
his wife, Isabel Singh Buenaventura, herein revert back to the use of her maiden
respondent. After respondent filed her answer, family name Singh.
petitioner, with leave of court, amended his petition
by stating that both he and his wife were Let copies of this decision be furnished the
psychologically incapacitated to comply with the appropriate civil registry and registries of
essential obligations of marriage. In response, properties.
respondent filed an amended answer denying the
allegation that she was psychologically SO ORDERED.[2]
incapacitated.[1]
On July 31, 1995, the Regional Trial Court Petitioner appealed the above decision to the
promulgated a Decision, the dispositive portion of Court of Appeals. While the case was pending in the
which reads: appellate court, respondent filed a motion to
increase the P15,000 monthly support pendente
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered as lite of their son Javy Singh Buenaventura. Petitioner
follows: filed an opposition thereto, praying that it be denied
1) Declaring and decreeing the marriage or that such incident be set for oral argument.[3]
entered into between plaintiff Noel A. On September 2, 1996, the Court of Appeals
Buenaventura and defendant Isabel issued a Resolution increasing the
Lucia Singh Buenaventura on July 4, support pendente lite to P20,000.[4]Petitioner filed a
1979, null and void ab initio; motion for reconsideration questioning the said
2) Ordering the plaintiff to pay defendant Resolution.[5]
moral damages in the amount of 2.5 On October 8, 1996, the appellate court
million pesos and exemplary damages promulgated a Decision dismissing petitioners
of 1 million pesos with 6% interest from appeal for lack of merit and affirming in toto the trial
the date of this decision plus attorneys courts decision.[6] Petitioner filed a motion for
fees of P100,000.00; reconsideration which was denied. From the
3) Ordering the plaintiff to pay the abovementioned Decision, petitioner filed the instant
defendant expenses of litigation Petition for Review on Certiorari.
of P50,000.00, plus costs; On November 13, 1996, through another
4) Ordering the liquidation of the assets of Resolution, the Court of Appeals denied petitioners
the conjugal partnership property[,] motion for reconsideration of the September 2, 1996
particularly the plaintiffs Resolution, which increased the monthly support for
the son.[7] Petitioner filed a Petition for Certiorari to SUPPORT FOR THE PARTIES SON FOR
question these two Resolutions. HEARING.[12]
On July 9, 1997, the Petition for Review
THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THE COURT OF
on Certiorari[8] and the Petition for Certiorari[9] were
APPEALS TO INCREASE JAVYS MONTHLY
ordered consolidated by this Court.[10]
SUPPORT OF P15,000.00 BEING GIVEN BY
In the Petition for Review on Certiorari petitioner PETITIONER EVEN AT PRESENT PRICES.[13]
claims that the Court of Appeals decided the case
not in accord with law and jurisprudence, thus: IN RESOLVING RESPONDENTS MOTION FOR
THE INCREASE OF JAVYS SUPPORT, THE
1. WHEN IT AWARDED DEFENDANT-APPELLEE COURT OF APPEALS SHOULD HAVE
MORAL DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNT OF P2.5 EXAMINED THE LIST OF EXPENSES
MILLION AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OF P1 SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENT IN THE LIGHT
MILLION, WITH 6% INTEREST FROM THE DATE OF PETITIONERS OBJECTIONS THERETO,
OF ITS DECISION, WITHOUT ANY LEGAL AND INSTEAD OF MERELY ASSUMING THAT JAVY IS
MORAL BASIS; ENTITLED TO A P5,000 INCREASE IN SUPPORT
AS SAID AMOUNT IS TOO MINIMAL.[14]
2. WHEN IT AWARDED P100,000.00
ATTORNEYS FEES AND P50,000.00 EXPENSES LIKEWISE, THE COURT OF APPEALS SHOULD
OF LITIGATION, PLUS COSTS, TO DEFENDANT- HAVE GIVEN PETITIONER AN OPPORTUNITY
APPELLEE, WITHOUT FACTUAL AND LEGAL TO PROVE HIS PRESENT INCOME TO SHOW
BASIS; THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD TO INCREASE
JAVYS SUPPORT.[15]
3. WHEN IT ORDERED PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT
NOEL TO PAY DEFENDANT-APPELLEE ONE- With regard to the first issue in the main case,
HALF OR P1,837,667.89 OUT OF HIS the Court of Appeals articulated:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS RECEIVED FROM THE
FAR EAST BANK AND TRUST CO., WITH 12% On Assignment of Error C, the trial court, after
INTEREST THEREON FROM THE DATE OF ITS findings of fact ascertained from the testimonies not
DECISION, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT SAID only of the parties particularly the defendant-
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ARE GRATUITOUS appellee but likewise, those of the two
AND EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF NOEL, AND psychologists, awarded damages on the basis of
ALSO TO DELIVER TO DEFENDANT-APPELLEE Articles 21, 2217 and 2229 of the Civil Code of the
ONE-HALF OF HIS SHARES OF STOCK WITH Philippines.
THE MANILA MEMORIAL PARK AND THE
PROVIDENT GROUP OF COMPANIES, Thus, the lower court found that plaintiff-appellant
ALTHOUGH SAID SHARES OF STOCK WERE deceived the defendant-appellee into marrying him
ACQUIRED BY NOEL BEFORE HIS MARRIAGE by professing true love instead of revealing to her
TO RESPONDENT ISABEL AND ARE, that he was under heavy parental pressure to marry
THEREFORE, AGAIN HIS EXCLUSIVE and that because of pride he married defendant-
PROPERTIES; AND appellee; that he was not ready to enter into
marriage as in fact his career was and always
4. WHEN IT AWARDED EXCLUSIVE CARE AND would be his first priority; that he was unable to
CUSTODY OVER THE PARTIES MINOR CHILD relate not only to defendant-appellee as a husband
TO DEFENDANT-APPELLEE WITHOUT ASKING but also to his son, Javy, as a father; that he had no
THE CHILD (WHO WAS ALREADY 13 YEARS inclination to make the marriage work such that in
OLD AT THAT TIME) HIS CHOICE AS TO WHOM, times of trouble, he chose the easiest way out, that
BETWEEN HIS TWO PARENTS, HE WOULD LIKE of leaving defendantappellee and their son; that he
TO HAVE CUSTODY OVER HIS PERSON.[11] had no desire to keep defendant-appellee and their
son as proved by his reluctance and later, refusal to
In the Petition for Certiorari, petitioner advances reconcile after their separation; that the
the following contentions: aforementioned caused defendant-appellee to
suffer mental anguish, anxiety, besmirched
THE COURT OF APPEALS GRAVELY ABUSED reputation, sleepless nights not only in those years
ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT REFUSED TO SET the parties were together but also after and
RESPONDENTS MOTION FOR INCREASED throughout their separation.
Plaintiff-appellant assails the trial courts decision on A marriage contracted by any party who, at the time
the ground that unlike those arising from a breach of the celebration, was psychologically
in ordinary contracts, damages arising as a incapacitated to comply with the essential marital
consequence of marriage may not be awarded. obligations of marriage, shall likewise be void even
While it is correct that there is, as yet, no decided if such incapacity becomes manifest only after its
case by the Supreme Court where damages by solemnization.
reason of the performance or non-performance of
marital obligations were awarded, it does not follow Psychological incapacity has been defined,
that no such award for damages may be made. thus:
Defendant-appellee, in her amended answer, . . . no less than a mental (not physical) incapacity
specifically prayed for moral and exemplary that causes a party to be truly incognitive of the
damages in the total amount of 7 million pesos. The basic marital covenants that concomitantly
lower court, in the exercise of its discretion, found must be assumed and discharged by the parties
full justification of awarding at least half of what was to the marriage which, as so expressed by Article
originally prayed for. We find no reason to disturb 68 of the Family Code, include their mutual
the ruling of the trial court.[16] obligations to live together, observe love, respect
and fidelity and render help and support. There is
The award by the trial court of moral damages hardly any doubt that the intendment of the law has
is based on Articles 2217 and 21 of the Civil Code, been to confine the meaning of "psychological
which read as follows: incapacity" to the most serious cases of personality
disorders clearly demonstrative of an utter
ART. 2217. Moral damages include physical insensitivity or inability to give meaning and
suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, significance to the marriage. . . .[18]
besmirched reputation, wounded feelings, moral
shock, social humiliation, and similar injury. Though The Court of Appeals and the trial court
incapable of pecuniary computation, moral considered the acts of the petitioner after the
damages may be recovered if they are the marriage as proof of his psychological incapacity,
proximate result of the defendants wrongful act or and therefore a product of his incapacity or inability
omission. to comply with the essential obligations of marriage.
Nevertheless, said courts considered these acts as
ART. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or willful and hence as grounds for granting moral
injury to another in a manner that is contrary to damages. It is contradictory to characterize acts as
morals, good customs or public policy shall a product of psychological incapacity, and hence
compensate the latter for the damage. beyond the control of the party because of an innate
inability, while at the same time considering the
The trial court referred to Article 21 because same set of acts as willful. By declaring the petitioner
Article 2219[17] of the Civil Code enumerates the as psychologically incapacitated, the possibility of
cases in which moral damages may be recovered awarding moral damages on the same set of facts
and it mentions Article 21 as one of the instances. It was negated. The award of moral damages should
must be noted that Article 21 states that the be predicated, not on the mere act of entering into
individual must willfully cause loss or injury to the marriage, but on specific evidence that it was
another. There is a need that the act is willful and done deliberately and with malice by a party who had
hence done in complete freedom. In granting moral knowledge of his or her disability and yet willfully
damages, therefore, the trial court and the Court of concealed the same. No such evidence appears to
Appeals could not but have assumed that the acts have been adduced in this case.
on which the moral damages were based were done For the same reason, since psychological
willfully and freely, otherwise the grant of moral incapacity means that one is truly incognitive of the
damages would have no leg to stand on. basic marital covenants that one must assume and
On the other hand, the trial court declared the discharge as a consequence of marriage, it removes
marriage of the parties null and void based on Article the basis for the contention that the petitioner
36 of the Family Code, due to psychological purposely deceived the private respondent. If the
incapacity of the petitioner, Noel Buenaventura. private respondent was deceived, it was not due to
Article 36 of the Family Code states: a willful act on the part of the petitioner. Therefore,
the award of moral damages was without basis in
law and in fact.
Since the grant of moral damages was not When a marriage is declared void ab initio, the law
proper, it follows that the grant of exemplary states that the final judgment therein shall provide
damages cannot stand since the Civil Code provides for the liquidation, partition and distribution of the
that exemplary damages are imposed in addition to properties of the spouses, the custody and support
moral, temperate, liquidated or compensatory of the common children and the delivery of their
damages.[19] presumptive legitimes, unless such matters had
been adjudicated in the previous proceedings.
With respect to the grant of attorneys fees and
expenses of litigation the trial court explained, thus:
The parties here were legally married on July 4,
1979, and therefore, all property acquired during
Regarding Attorneys fees, Art. 2208 of the Civil the marriage, whether the acquisition appears to
Code authorizes an award of attorneys fees and
have been made, contracted or registered in the
expenses of litigation, other than judicial costs, name of one or both spouses, is presumed to be
when as in this case the plaintiffs act or omission conjugal unless the contrary is proved (Art. 116,
has compelled the defendant to litigate and to incur New Family Code; Art. 160, Civil Code). Art. 117 of
expenses of litigation to protect her interest (par. 2), the Family Code enumerates what are conjugal
and where the Court deems it just and equitable
partnership properties. Among others they are the
that attorneys fees and expenses of litigation following:
should be recovered. (par. 11)[20]
1) Those acquired by onerous title during the
The Court of Appeals reasoned as follows:
marriage at the expense of the common fund,
whether the acquisition be for the partnership, or for
On Assignment of Error D, as the award of moral only one of the spouses;
and exemplary damages is fully justified, the award
of attorneys fees and costs of litigation by the trial 2) Those obtained from the labor, industry, work or
court is likewise fully justified.[21] profession of either or both of the spouses;
The acts or omissions of petitioner which led the 3) The fruits, natural, industrial, or civil, due or
lower court to deduce his psychological incapacity, received during the marriage from the common
and his act in filing the complaint for the annulment
property, as well as the net fruits from the exclusive
of his marriage cannot be considered as unduly property of each spouse. . . .
compelling the private respondent to litigate, since
both are grounded on petitioners psychological
Applying the foregoing legal provisions, and without
incapacity, which as explained above is a mental
prejudice to requiring an inventory of what are the
incapacity causing an utter inability to comply with
parties conjugal properties and what are the
the obligations of marriage. Hence, neither can be a
exclusive properties of each spouse, it was
ground for attorneys fees and litigation expenses.
disclosed during the proceedings in this case that
Furthermore, since the award of moral and
the plaintiff who worked first as Branch Manager
exemplary damages is no longer justified, the award
and later as Vice-President of Far East Bank &
of attorneys fees and expenses of litigation is left
Trust Co. received separation/retirement package
without basis.
from the said bank in the amount of P3,701,500.00
Anent the retirement benefits received from the which after certain deductions amounting
Far East Bank and Trust Co. and the shares of stock to P26,164.21 gave him a net amount
in the Manila Memorial Park and the Provident of P3,675,335.79 and actually paid to him on
Group of Companies, the trial court said: January 9, 1995 (Exhs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). Not
having shown debts or obligations other than those
The third issue that must be resolved by the Court deducted from the said retirement/separation pay,
is what to do with the assets of the conjugal under Art. 129 of the Family Code The net
partnership in the event of declaration of annulment remainder of the conjugal partnership properties
of the marriage. The Honorable Supreme Court has shall constitute the profits, which shall be divided
held that the declaration of nullity of marriage equally between husband and wife, unless a
carries ipso facto a judgment for the liquidation of different proportion or division was agreed upon in
property (Domingo v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. the marriage settlement or unless there has been a
No. 104818, Sept. 17, 1993, 226 SCRA, pp. 572 voluntary waiver or forfeiture of such share as
573, 586). Thus, speaking through Justice Flerida provided in this Code. In this particular case,
Ruth P. Romero, it was ruled in this case: however, there had been no marriage settlement
between the parties, nor had there been any that henceforth, their conjugal partnership is
voluntary waiver or valid forfeiture of the defendant dissolved. Thereafter, no steps were taken for the
wifes share in the conjugal partnership properties. liquidation of the conjugal partnership.
The previous cession and transfer by the plaintiff of
his one-half (1/2) share in their residential house Finding that defendant-appellee is entitled to at
and lot covered by T.C.T. No. S-35680 of the least half of the separation/retirement benefits
Registry of Deeds of Paraaque, Metro Manila, in which plaintiff-appellant received from Far East
favor of the defendant as stipulated in their Bank & Trust Company upon his retirement as
Compromise Agreement dated July 12, 1993, and Vice-President of said company for the reason that
approved by the Court in its Partial Decision dated the benefits accrued from plaintiffappellants service
August 6, 1993, was actually intended to be in full for the bank for a number of years, most of which
settlement of any and all demands for past support. while he was married to defendant-appellee, the
In reality, the defendant wife had allowed some trial court adjudicated the same. The same is true
concession in favor of the plaintiff husband, for with the outstanding shares of plaintiff-appellant in
were the law strictly to be followed, in the process Manila Memorial Park and Provident Group of
of liquidation of the conjugal assets, the conjugal Companies. As these were acquired by the plaintiff-
dwelling and the lot on which it is situated shall, appellant at the time he was married to defendant-
unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, be appellee, the latter is entitled to one-half thereof as
adjudicated to the spouse with whom their only her share in the conjugal partnership. We find no
child has chosen to remain (Art. 129, par. 9). Here, reason to disturb the ruling of the trial court.[23]
what was done was one-half (1/2) portion of the
house was ceded to defendant so that she will not Since the present case does not involve the
claim anymore for past unpaid support, while the annulment of a bigamous marriage, the provisions of
other half was transferred to their only child as his Article 50 in relation to Articles 41, 42 and 43 of the
presumptive legitime. Family Code, providing for the dissolution of the
absolute community or conjugal partnership of
Consequently, nothing yet has been given to the gains, as the case may be, do not apply. Rather, the
defendant wife by way of her share in the conjugal general rule applies, which is that in case a marriage
properties, and it is but just, lawful and fair, that she is declared void ab initio, the property regime
be given one-half (1/2) share of the applicable and to be liquidated, partitioned and
separation/retirement benefits received by the distributed is that of equal co-ownership.
plaintiff the same being part of their conjugal
partnership properties having been obtained or In Valdes v. Regional Trial Court, Branch 102,
derived from the labor, industry, work or profession Quezon City,[24] this Court expounded on the
of said defendant husband in accordance with Art. consequences of a void marriage on the property
117, par. 2 of the Family Code. For the same relations of the spouses and specified the applicable
reason, she is entitled to one-half (1/2) of the provisions of law:
outstanding shares of stock of the plaintiff husband
with the Manila Memorial Park and the Provident The trial court correctly applied the law. In a void
Group of Companies.[22] marriage, regardless of the cause thereof, the
property relations of the parties during the period of
The Court of Appeals articulated on this matter cohabitation is governed by the provisions of Article
as follows: 147 or Article 148, such as the case may be, of the
Family Code. Article 147 is a remake of Article 144
of the Civil Code as interpreted and so applied in
On Assignment of Error E, plaintiff-appellant assails
the order of the trial court for him to give one-half of previous cases; it provides:
his separation/retirement benefits from Far East
Bank & Trust Company and half of his outstanding ART. 147. When a man and a woman who are
shares in Manila Memorial Park and Provident capacitated to marry each other, live exclusively
Group of Companies to the defendant-appellee as with each other as husband and wife without the
the latters share in the conjugal partnership. benefit of marriage or under a void marriage, their
wages and salaries shall be owned by them in
On August 6, 1993, the trial court rendered a Partial equal shares and the property acquired by both of
Decision approving the Compromise Agreement them through their work or industry shall be
entered into by the parties. In the same governed by the rules on co-ownership.
Compromise Agreement, the parties had agreed
In the absence of proof to the contrary, properties Civil Code; in addition, the law now expressly
acquired while they lived together shall be provides that
presumed to have been obtained by their joint
efforts, work or industry, and shall be owned by (a) Neither party can dispose or encumber by act[s]
them in equal shares. For purposes of this Article, a inter vivos [of] his or her share in co-ownership
party who did not participate in the acquisition by property, without the consent of the other, during
the other party of any property shall be deemed to the period of cohabitation; and
have contributed jointly in the acquisition thereof if
the former's efforts consisted in the care and (b) In the case of a void marriage, any party in bad
maintenance of the family and of the household. faith shall forfeit his or her share in the co-
ownership in favor of their common children; in
Neither party can encumber or dispose by acts inter default thereof or waiver by any or all of the
vivos of his or her share in the property acquired common children, each vacant share shall belong
during cohabitation and owned in common, without to the respective surviving descendants, or still in
the consent of the other, until after the termination default thereof, to the innocent party. The forfeiture
of their cohabitation. shall take place upon the termination of the
cohabitation or declaration of nullity of the
When only one of the parties to a void marriage is marriage.
in good faith, the share of the party in bad faith in
the co-ownership shall be forfeited in favor of their In deciding to take further cognizance of the issue
common children. In case of default of or waiver by on the settlement of the parties' common property,
any or all of the common children or their the trial court acted neither imprudently nor
descendants, each vacant share shall belong to the precipitately; a court which had jurisdiction to
respective surviving descendants. In the absence declare the marriage a nullity must be deemed
of descendants, such share shall belong to the likewise clothed with authority to resolve incidental
innocent party. In all cases, the forfeiture shall take and consequential matters. Nor did it commit a
place upon termination of the cohabitation. reversible error in ruling that petitioner and private
respondent own the "family home" and all their
This peculiar kind of co-ownership applies when a common property in equal shares, as well as in
man and a woman, suffering no legal impediment concluding that, in the liquidation and partition of
to marry each other, so exclusively live together as the property owned in common by them, the
husband and wife under a void marriage or without provisions on co-ownership under the Civil Code,
the benefit of marriage. The term "capacitated" in not Articles 50, 51 and 52, in relation to Articles 102
the provision (in the first paragraph of the law) and 129, of the Family Code, should aptly prevail.
refers to the legal capacity of a party to contract The rules set up to govern the liquidation of either
marriage, i.e., any "male or female of the age of the absolute community or the conjugal partnership
eighteen years or upwards not under any of the of gains, the property regimes recognized for valid
impediments mentioned in Articles 37 and 38" of and voidable marriages (in the latter case until the
the Code. contract is annulled), are irrelevant to the liquidation
of the co-ownership that exists between common-
Under this property regime, property acquired by law spouses. The first paragraph of Article 50 of the
both spouses through their work and industry shall Family Code, applying paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and
be governed by the rules on equal co-ownership. (5) of Article 43, relates only, by its explicit terms,
Any property acquired during the union is prima to voidable marriages and, exceptionally,
facie presumed to have been obtained through their to void marriages under Article 40 of the Code, i.e.,
joint efforts. A party who did not participate in the the declaration of nullity of a subsequent marriage
acquisition of the property shall still be considered contracted by a spouse of a prior void marriage
as having contributed thereto jointly if said party's before the latter is judicially declared void. The
"efforts consisted in the care and maintenance of latter is a special rule that somehow recognizes the
the family household." Unlike the conjugal philosophy and an old doctrine that void marriages
partnership of gains, the fruits of the couple's are inexistent from the very beginning and no
separate property are not included in the co- judicial decree is necessary to establish their nullity.
ownership. In now requiring for purposes of remarriage, the
declaration of nullity by final judgment of the
Article 147 of the Family Code, in substance and to previously contracted void marriage, the present
the above extent, has clarified Article 144 of the law aims to do away with any continuing
uncertainty on the status of the second marriage. It Companies is sustained but on the basis of the
is not then illogical for the provisions of Article 43, liquidation, partition and distribution of the co-
in relation to Articles 41 and 42, of the Family ownership and not of the regime of conjugal
Code, on the effects of the termination of a partnership of gains. The rest of said Decision and
subsequent marriage contracted during the Resolution are AFFIRMED.
subsistence of a previous marriage to be made
applicable pro hac vice. In all other cases, it is not The Petition for Review on Certiorari (G.R. No.
to be assumed that the law has also meant to have 127358) contesting the Court of Appeals
coincident property relations, on the one hand, Resolutions of September 2, 1996 and November
between spouses in valid and voidable marriages 13, 1996 which increased the support pendente
(before annulment) and, on the other, between lite in favor of the parties son, Javy Singh
common-law spouses or spouses of void Buenaventura, is now MOOT and ACADEMIC and
marriages, leaving to ordain, in the latter case, the is, accordingly, DISMISSED.
ordinary rules on co-ownership subject to the No costs.
provision of Article 147 and Article 148 of the
Family Code. It must be stressed, nevertheless,
even as it may merely state the obvious, that the
provisions of the Family Code on the "family home,"
i.e., the provisions found in Title V, Chapter 2, of
the Family Code, remain in force and effect
regardless of the property regime of the spouses.[25]
This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Section 2. Individuals who have legally
Rule 45 of the 1997 Rules of Court, as amended, acquired farm lots in the Estate under
seeking to set aside a Decision1 of the Court of Orders of Award or Certificates of Land
Appeals dated 11 November 1998 in CAG.R. SP Transfer or Agreement to Sell or Deeds of
No. 48396 annulling the sale of a parcel of land Sale, may sell or transfer their lots covered
specified as Lot No. 329, GSS-877 of the Laguna thereby or convert the same for the
Resettlement Project, to the late Ricardo Alvarez purposes mentioned in Section 1 hereof.
and the subsequent transfers to Mercedes Oliver
and petitioner Filinvest Land Inc. (Filinvest); and the The Register of Deeds of the Province of Laguna
reversion of the subject property to the ownership issued Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No.
of the government. The Court of Appeals in its 62731, covering the subject land, in the name of
assailed Decision affirmed the Decision2 of the Ricardo Alvarez on 25 May 1979. On 10 June
Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board 1979, only 16 days after the title was issued,
(DARAB) dated 1 July 1998. Ricardo Alvarez and his wife, Rosario Param, sold
the said land to Mercedes Oliver for Ten Thousand
The subject matter in this case is a parcel of land Pesos (P10, 000.00). Oliver was not a relative
registered as Lot No. 329 of the Laguna within the third degree of consanguinity and had no
Resettlement Project, located in Barrio San capacity to personally cultivate the land, as
Vicente, San Pedro, Laguna, with an area of required of a qualified beneficiary. Thus, TCT No.
16,495 square meters. The Department of Agrarian 62731 was cancelled, and TCT No. 64967 was
Reform (DAR) awarded to Ricardo Alvarez the right issued in the name of Mercedes Oliver.7
to purchase the land in question, pursuant to an
Order of Award dated 9 October 1973.3 On 15 On 22 December 1989, Mercedes Oliver sold the
August 1977, Ricardo Alvarez, with the consent of subject land to Filinvest, resulting in the issuance of
his wife, respondent Rosario Param, purchased the TCT No. 201836 on 23 January 1990 in the name
land, evidenced by a Deed of Sale executed by the of Filinvest.8
DAR.4 This Deed of Sale specifically prohibited the
transfer of the land within ten (10) years from the On 7 March 1982, the heirs of the late Ricardo
issuance of the certificate of title to any person Alvarez filed a case for reconveyance, redemption
other than the vendees relatives within the third and damages against Mercedes Oliver, Avelino
civil degree by consanguinity or affinity who are, at Ramos and Jose Nunez, before the Regional Trial
the same time, qualified beneficiaries.5 This Court (RTC) of Bian, Laguna.9 Respondents filed
restriction was in accordance with Section 62 of an Amended Complaint for Annulment of Title with
Republic Act No. 3844, or the Agricultural Land Reconveyance, dated 4 December 1985, wherein
Reform Code.6 they claim that the sale of the subject land was
made without their knowledge, and it was only in
However, pending the issuance of the certificate of the 1980s that they learned of such sale. They
title of the said land, Presidential Decree No. 1474, alleged that their mother and father, both illiterate,
Declaring the San Pedro Tunasan Estate (also were deceived by the defendants into executing the
known as the Laguna Resettlement Project) of the Deed of Sale covering the subject land in favor of
Department of Agrarian Reform Suitable for Mercedes Oliver. Respondents also argued that
Residential, Commercial, or Industrial, or other such sale was void since the Deed of Sale was
Non-Agricultural Purposes, was enacted on 11 executed in violation of the law which enjoins the
June 1978 and published in the Official Gazette on sale of the subject land.10 This case was, however,
27 November 1978. This effectively repealed the dismissed for failure of the respondents and
ten-year prohibition on the transfer of agrarian counsel to appear during the hearing for the
reception of their evidence, despite due notice and WHEREFORE, in view therefrom, Judgment
after eight postponements11. The RTC, in its is hereby rendered dismissing the instant
Order,12 dated 17 February 1989, ruled that: case for lack of merit.
Further considering that without the On appeal, the DARAB reversed and set aside the
evidence of said witness and the plaintiffs Decision dismissing the complaint, and ordered the
not having presented any evidence on reversion of the subject property to the government.
record, upon motion of counsel for The dispositive portion of the said Order,17 dated 1
defendants that this case be dismissed and July 1998 reads:
further manifestation by the defendants that
they are waiving their right to a WHEREFORE, premises considered, the
counterclaim, the Court hereby orders the challenged decision dated August 25, 1993
dismissal of this case (both the complaint is hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE and
and counterclaim). a new judgment is hereby rendered as
follows:
Let copy of this Order be furnished party
plaintiff. 1. Annulling the transfer of the land in
question to the late Ricardo Alvarez and its
The order became final and executory when the subsequent transfers to defendant
respondents failed to file a motion for Mercedes Oliver and defendant Filinvest
reconsideration of this Order, despite receipt Land Incorporated;
thereof.13
2. Ordering the cancellation of Transfer
On 26 March 1990, respondents filed a complaint Certificate of Title No. 201836, covering the
against Mercedes Oliver and Filinvest before the subject land, issued by the Register of
Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudication (PARAD) Deeds for the Province of Laguna, Calamba
of Sta. Cruz, Laguna, seeking to annul the Deed of branch, in the name of defendant Filinvest;
Sale between the Spouses Alvarez and Mercedes and
Oliver and the subsequent transfer between
Mercedes Oliver and Filinvest, on grounds similar 3. Directing the Register of Deeds for the
to the complaint filed before the RTC of Bian. Province of Laguna, Calamba branch, to
They also sought the issuance of a restraining issue in lieu of TCT No. 201836, a
order enjoining Filinvest from bulldozing the subject Certificate of Title in the name of the
land, which was occupied and cultivated by the Republic of the Philippines, through DAR,
respondents. Mercedes Oliver filed a Motion to for distribution to qualified farmer-
Dismiss on the grounds of res judicata and that the beneficiary in accordance with
PARAD had no jurisdiction over the subject matter Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 1992,
of the case. Filinvest similarly filed a motion to which is the Revised Rules and Procedures
dismiss on the grounds of res judicata and laches. Governing the Disposition of Homelots and
It also alleged, in its defense, that it was a other Lots in Barangay Sites and
purchaser for value and in good faith. In its Position Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Lots
Paper, Filinvest likewise asserted that the in Townsites within DAR Settlement Project
restriction against selling the subject land within ten and Similar Other Areas under DAR
years, provided under the Deed of Sale executed Jurisdiction.
by DAR in favor of the Spouses Alvarez had
already been superseded by Presidential Decree The DARAB ruled, too, that res judicata as a bar
No. 1474, which took effect in 1978.14 against filing a complaint with the PARAD is not
applicable in this case since there was no
On 25 August 1993, the PARAD of Sta. Cruz, adjudication of the merits before the RTC of Bian.
Laguna, dismissed the complaint on the ground
of res judicata. Moreover, it ruled that the sale The DARAB considered as self-serving and
between the Spouses Alvarez and Mercedes Oliver unsupported by evidence the allegations of the
was valid.15 The dispositive part of this respondents that the consent of the Spouses
Decision16 reads: Alvarez was obtained through fraud in connection
with the sale made in favor of Mercedes Oliver. It
also ruled that the sale between Ricardo Alvarez
and Mercedes Oliver was a violation of the ten-year OF DISCRETION AND COMMITTED
prohibition against the transfer of the land imposed REVERSIBLE ERROR IN APPLYING
by the Deed of Sale between the government and SECTION 1 (C), RULE II OF THE NEW
Ricardo Alvarez, in accordance with Section 62 of RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE
Republic Act No. 3844. Such act rendered the DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM
Deed of Sale executed by the DAR in favor of ADJUDICATION BOARD (DARAB),
Ricardo Alvarez void, and, therefore, the CONFERRING JURISDICTION OF THE
subsequent transfers to Mercedes Oliver and DARAB OVER THE INSTANT CASE, IN
Filinvest were, likewise, void.18 DISREGARD OF THE PROVISIONS OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1474
In negating Filinvests claim that Presidential
Decree No. 1474 has superseded Section 62 of III
Republic Act No. 3844, the DARAB cited the case
of Tipon v. Intermediate Appellate Court,19 where WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OF
the Court upheld the validity of the ten-year APPEALS ACTED WITH GRAVE ABUSE
prohibition on the transfer of land given by the OF DISCRETION AND COMMITTED
government to farmer-beneficiaries. The DARAB REVERSIBLE ERROR IN RULING THAT
added that the restriction on transfer of land is THE DOCTRINE OF RES
contained in our present agrarian laws, particularly JUDICATA DOES NOT APPLY TO BAR
Republic Act No. 6675.20 RESPONDENTS COMPLAINT IN DARAB
CASE NO. IV-032-L
The petitioners then filed a Petition
for Certiorari under Section 43 of the 1997 Rules of IV
Court before the Court of Appeals, but on 11
November 1998, the appeal was again dismissed WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OF
for lack of merit and the assailed Decision of the APPEALS ACTED WITH GRAVE ABUSE
DARAB was affirmed. 21 OF DISCRETION AND COMMITTED
REVERSIBLE ERROR IN NOT RULING
The petitioners filed a Motion for Reconsideration, THAT PETITIONER IS A BUYER IN GOOD
which was subsequently denied in a Resolution FAITH WHO SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO
dated 8 February 1999.22 PROTECTION AGAINST THE ALLEGED
CLAIM OF THE RESPONDENT HEREIN,
Hence this petition, wherein Filinvest raised the PURSUANT TO THIS HONORABLE
following issues: COURTS RULING IN AGRICULTURAL
AND HOME EXTENSION DEVELOPMENT
I GROUP VS. COURT OF APPEALS, ET
AL., G.R. NO. 92319, SEPTEMBER 3,
WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OF 199223
APPEALS GRAVELY ABUSED ITS
DISCRETION AND COMMITTED This petition is meritorious.
REVERSIBLE ERROR IN HOLDING THAT
THE SALE OF THE SUBJECT PARCEL OF The first issue raised by Filinvest is whether the
LAND BY RICARDO ALVAREZ TO sale between Ricardo Alvarez and Mercedes Oliver
MERCEDES OLIVER VIOLATED THE was void because it violated the prohibitory
TRANSFER RESTRICTION CONTAINED condition contained in the Deed of Sale between
IN THE PRIOR DEED OF SALE OF THE Ricardo Alvarez and the Government, to wit:
SAME PROPERTY EXECUTED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM 2. That from the date of the pertinent Order
IN FAVOR OF RICARDO ALVAREZ AND of Award and within TEN (10) years from
SECTION 62, ARTICLE II, CHAPTER III OF the date of issuance by the proper Register
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3844 of Deeds of the certificate of title, the land
subject hereof shall not, except by
II hereditary succession, be subdivided, sold
or in any manner transferred or encumbered
WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OF except in favor of any of the VENDEES
APPEALS ACTED WITH GRAVE ABUSE relative within the third civil degree by
consanguinity or affinity who fulfill the four In the present case, the government, through the
(4) requirements in Section 6 Land Authority DAR had already issued an Order of Award and a
Administrative Order No. 4, Series of 1967, Deed of Sale in favor of Ricardo Alvarez covering a
or in favor of the Government and its parcel of land located within the Laguna
financial or banking institutions or rural Resettlement Project, when Presidential Decree
banks, and only upon prior written consent No. 1474 was enacted on 11 June 1978. In 1979,
of the Secretary of the Department of Alvarez, with the consent of his spouse, Rosario
Agrarian Reform; and any sale, transfer, Param, transferred the same parcel of land to
encumberance or alienation made in Mercedes Oliver. Such transfer was clearly
violation hereof shall be null and void: x x sanctioned. As earlier adverted to, Section 2 of
x24 Presidential Decree No. 1474 revoked the
application of Section 62 of Republic Act No. 3844
This condition is in accordance with Section 62 of and the condition prohibiting the transfer of the land
Republic Act No. 3844, The Agricultural Land contained in the Deed of Sale executed by the DAR
Reform Code, which provided that: in favor of Alvarez, in so far as land within the
Laguna Resettlement Project was concerned.
Section 62. Limitation on Land Rights. - Except in Since the transfer made by Ricardo Alvarez to
case of hereditary succession by one heir, Mercedes Oliver was valid, the subsequent transfer
landholdings acquired under this Code may not be made by Mercedes Oliver to Filinvest is also valid.
resold, mortgaged, encumbered, or transferred until
after the lapse of ten years from the date of full DARABs reliance on the ruling of the Court
payment and acquisition and after such ten-year in Tipon v. Intermediate Appellate
period, any transfer, sale or disposition may be Court,26 upholding the ten-year prohibition on the
made only in favor of persons qualified to acquire transfer of land distributed by the government in
economic family-size farm units in accordance with favor of its beneficiaries, is misplaced. This case is
the provisions of this Code: Provided, That a not applicable for it did not take into account
purchaser who acquired his landholding under a Presidential Decree No. 1474 because of different
contract to sell may secure a loan on the same factual circumstances. It is true that the Tipon case
from any private lending institution or individual for shares some similarities with the present case - the
an amount not exceeding his equity on said subject property was part of the Laguna
landholding upon a guaranty by the Land Bank. Resettlement Project, and the Deed of Sale
between the DAR and the farmer-beneficiary,
Filinvest, however, contends that these restrictions Renato Tipon, was executed before the enactment
were already revoked by the issuance of of Presidential Decree No. 1474 in 1978. However,
Presidential Decree No. 1474, Declaring the San there is a crucial difference. Unlike the present
Pedro Tunasan Estate of the Department of case where the subsequent transfer by the farmer-
Agrarian Reform Suitable for Residential, beneficiary, Ricardo Alvarez, to Mercedes Oliver
Commercial or Industrial, or Other Non-Agricultural was made in 1979 after Presidential Decree No.
Purposes. This law reclassifies the San Pedro 1474 took effect, the subsequent transfer by
Tunasan Estate, known as and hereinafter referred farmer-beneficiary Renato Tipon to Atty. Umiral
to as the Laguna Resettlement Project, into a Matic, was made in 1976 before the enactment of
commercial, industrial and residential site as it is no Presidential Decree No. 1474. The factual
longer conducive to agricultural development. background of the Tipon case, as recounted by the
Court, are thus:
The position taken by Filinvest is justified. Section 2
of Presidential Decree No. 147425 categorically Petitioner Renato Tipon acquired the lot in
empowers "individuals who have legally acquired question (Lot No. 386 of the Laguna
lots in the (San Pedro Tunasan) Estate" under Settlement Project) from the government by
Orders of Awards or Deeds of Sale, among others virtue of a Deed of Sale executed in his
things, to "sell or transfer their lots covered favor by the Department of Agrarian Reform
thereby." Therefore, transfers of land located within on November 23, 1976, for the price
the Laguna Resettlement Project, made after the of P1,251.20. x x x.
law took effect, are valid and the restriction on
transfer of the land within ten years after its xxxx
registration is no longer applicable.
On the day the Deed of Sale was executed amendments under the administration and
in his favor, Tipon filed a request with the disposition of the DAR and LBP; x x x.
Department of Agrarian Reform for
permission to transfer his rights and interest However, Filinvest argued that under Section 1 of
over the lot in question in favor of Atty. Presidential Decree No. 1474, the Laguna
Umiral P. Matic (respondent herein). This Resettlement Project was no longer agricultural
request was granted by the Regional land but was effectively converted into a
Director of Region IV of the Department of commercial, industrial and residential site, and was
Agrarian Reform on December 9, 1976 therefore outside the jurisdiction of the DARAB.
"subject to the condition that the Deed of Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1474 reads:
Transfer is submitted to this department for
verification and final approval. Section 1. The Department of Agrarian
Reform, as Administrator of the San Pedro
On December 10, 1976, Tipon submitted Tunasan Estate, is hereby ordered to
the Deed of Absolute Sale in favor of Matic convert such estate into a commercial,
for approval and, on the same day, it was industrial and residential site and to transfer
approved by the Regional Director of the same to the National Housing Authority.
Region IV of the Department of Agrarian
Reform. Thereafter, Matic caused the titling From the aforecited provision, it is clear that the
of the property in the name of Tipon to DAR had lost jurisdiction over government lands
whom was issued Transfer Certificate of located in the Laguna Resettlement Project
Title No. 50617 and later, had the same formerly under its administration which it was
transferred to his name under Transfer ordered to transfer to the National Housing
Certificate of Title No. 53850 dated July 12, Authority (NHA). More importantly, the DARAB can
1977, of the Registry of Deeds for the no longer annul the Deed of Sale between the
Province of Laguna.27 government and Ricardo Alvarez, or the
subsequent transfers, on the ground that Alvarez
A basic principle of statutory construction mandates violated Section 62 of Republic Act No. 3844 and
that general legislation must give way to special the conditions laid down in the Deed of Sale
legislation on the same subject, and generally be regarding the ten-year restriction on the transfer of
so interpreted as to embrace only cases in which the same land. At that time, the transfer between
the special provisions are not applicable.28 There is Alvarez and Oliver was made, these
no question that Section 2 of Presidential Decree aforementioned rules were repealed by the
No. 1474 is inconsistent with Section 62 of provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1474. These
Republic Act No. 3844. The former authorizes the rules were no longer applicable to the land in
sale or transfer of agricultural lands within the question, as it was no longer under the
Laguna Resettlement Project, while the latter law administration of the DAR nor agrarian in character.
prohibits the transfer of agricultural lands The validity of the subsequent transfer of the
distributed by the government to farmer- subject land between Ricardo Alvarez and
beneficiaries, at least for a limited period. Mercedes Oliver, or even the later transfer between
Presidential Decree No. 1474 as a special law Mercedes Oliver and Filinvest, was no longer
should govern lands within the Laguna subject to agrarian laws, as the land was already
Resettlement Project, while Republic Act No. 3844 commercial, industrial, or residential in nature at the
is a law generally applied to agrarian lands. time of the transfer. Therefore, any proceeding
which attacks the validity of the subsequent
The second issue Filinvest raised is whether the transfers are within the jurisdiction of regular courts.
DARAB had jurisdiction over a case involving the
subject land. Rule II, Section 1, of the DARAB Clearly, the respondents filed the case before the
Revised Rules of Procedure provides that the PARAD, not because the case involved a dispute
DARAB shall have primary jurisdiction, both original that would be properly resolved by the PARAD, but
and appellate over: because they were already barred from filing the
case before the proper forum. The allegations and
(c) Cases involving the annulment or relief found in the Complaint filed by the
cancellation of orders or decisions of DAR respondents before the PARAD are conspicuously
officials other than the Secretary, lease similar to those in the Amended Complaint which
contracts or deeds of sale or their they had earlier filed before the trial court of
Bian.29 As earlier discussed, the trial court ordered parties are the same, but also those in privity with
the dismissal of the case for failure to prosecute. them, as between their successors-in-interest by
When the respondents failed to file a motion for title subsequent to the commencement of the
reconsideration, despite due notice, such order action, litigating for the same thing and under the
became final. same title and in the same capacity."
This Court cannot countenance the party-litigants The only contention between the parties was
recourse to such measures. The foundation whether the second requirement, that the decision
principle upon which the doctrine of res or order must have been based on the merits of the
judicata rests is that parties should not be permitted case, was met. In situations contemplated in
to litigate the same issue more than once. When a Section 3, Rule 17 of the Rules of Court,36 where a
right or fact has been judicially tried and determined complaint is dismissed for failure of the plaintiff to
by a court of competent jurisdiction, or an comply with a lawful order of the court, such
opportunity for such trial has been given, the dismissal has the effect of an adjudication upon the
judgment of the court, so long as it is not reversed, merits.37 A dismissal for failure to prosecute has the
should be conclusive upon the parties and those in effect of an adjudication on the merits, and
privity with them in law or estate.30 operates as res judicata, particularly when the court
did not direct that the dismissal was without
The following requisites must concur in order that a prejudice.38
prior judgment may bar a subsequent action: (1)
the former judgment or order must be final; (2) it Having complied with the four requisites needed for
must be a judgment or order on the merits, that is, it the doctrine of res judicata to operate, the Order
was rendered after a consideration of the evidence rendered by the RTC of Bian dismissing Civil
or stipulations submitted by the parties at the trial of Case No. B-1941 finally determined the ownership
the case; (3) it must have been rendered by a court of the subject land, the heirs of the late Ricardo
having jurisdiction over the subject matter and the Alvarez, Mercedes Oliver, and her successor-in-
parties; and (4) there must be, between the first interest, Filinvest, as no motion for reconsideration
and second actions, identity of parties, of subject on this Order was filed. Moreover, this would bar
matter and of cause of action. 31 any dispute over the subject land from being
brought before any judicial forum. Rule 39, Section
A perusal of the records easily shows that the first, 47 of the Rules of Court39 provides that in case of a
third and fourth requirements have been complied judgment or final order over a specific thing,
with in this case. The Order rendered by Branch rendered by a court having jurisdiction, the
XXIV of the RTC of Bian, dated 17 February 1989, judgment or final order is conclusive upon the title
dismissing the case, is clearly final, as it disposed to the thing and binding upon the parties and their
of all the rights and obligations of the parties before successors-in-interest.
it.32 There was never any question raised on the
jurisdiction of Branch XXIV of the RTC to hear and Furthermore, the allegations of the private
decide the question of whether the sale executed respondents of their counsels negligence cannot
between Ricardo Alvarez and Mercedes Oliver was be given any credence. In the Affidavit of private
valid. It is also obvious that the allegations of the respondent Romeo Alvarez, and reiterated in the
respondents in their Amended Complaint filed Comment filed by the private respondents before
before the RTC of Bian are substantially identical the Court of Appeals, it was alleged that on 12
to the Complaint filed before the PARAD; involved December 1986, their counsel, Atty. Rosendo O.
the same subject matter, and raised the same Chavez, executed a Notice of Withdrawal, which
causes of action.33 Filinvest was named as a party was not filed before the trial court and did not bear
only in the complaint before the PARAD, since it the conformity of the private
acquired the property from Mercedes Oliver only on respondents.40 Thereafter, Atty. Chavez allegedly
22 December 1989,34 after the case before the stopped attending the hearings before the trial
RTC was dismissed on 17 February 1997. court. As a result thereof, the private respondents
Moreover, the fact that its predecessor-in interest, were not notified of the 17 February 1989 hearing,
Mercedes Oliver, was a party in the case filed when the Order dismissing the case was issued.
before the RTC of Bian satisfies the requirement
on the identity of parties. In the case of Camara v. Records clearly show that Atty. Chavez could not
Court of Appeals,35 this Court has ruled that, have withdrawn from the case on 12 December
"[t]here is identity of parties not only where the 1986. As of 14 December 1987, Atty. Chavez
presented as his witness, Rosario Param, one of
the private respondents.41 Since he requested for
continuance, he was required to bring the witness
on the next hearing date. However, seven
postponements later, he was unable to bring the
witness he presented.42 On 17 October 1988, Atty.
Chavez attended the hearing. He failed to attend
the next hearing on 20 January 1989.
Nevertheless, he was still at that time the counsel
of the private respondents and therefore the notice
to him was binding upon the parties. Moreover, the
private respondent Rosario Param was perfectly
aware that her testimony was far from finished, and
that she still needed to appear before the Court.
Given the foregoing facts, private respondents
allegations that their counsel was grossly negligent
and that he had deceived them is not credible.
SO ORDERED.
DOMINGO GONZALO, Petitioner,
vs.
JOHN TARNATE, JR., Respondent.
DECISION
BERSAMIN, J.:
The doctrine of in pari delicto which stipulates that In his answer, Gonzalo admitted the deed of
the guilty parties to an illegal contract are not assignment and the authority given therein to
entitled to any relief, cannot prevent a recovery if Tarnate, but averred that the project had not been
doing so violates the public policy against unjust fully implemented because of its cancellation by the
enrichment. DPWH, and that he had then revoked the deed of
assignment. He insisted that the assignment could
Antecedents not stand independently due to its being a mere
product of the subcontract that had been based on
After the Department of Public Works and his contract with the DPWH; and that Tarnate,
Highways (DPWH) had awarded on July 22, 1997 having been fully aware of the illegality and
the contract for the improvement of the Sadsadan- ineffectuality of the deed of assignment from the
Maba-ay Section of the Mountain Province-Benguet time of its execution, could not go to court with
Road in the total amount of 7 014 963 33 to his unclean hands to invoke any right based on the
company, Gonzalo Construction,1 petitioner invalid deed of assignment or on the product of
Domingo Gonzalo (Gonzalo) subcontracted to such deed of assignment.7
respondent John Tarnate, Jr. (Tarnate) on October
15, 1997, the supply of materials and labor for the Ruling of the RTC
project under the latter s business known as JNT
Aggregates. Their agreement stipulated, among On January 26, 2001, the RTC, opining that the
others, that Tarnate would pay to Gonzalo eight deed of assignment was a valid and binding
percent and four percent of the contract price, contract, and that Gonzalo must comply with his
respectively, upon Tarnate s first and second billing obligations under the deed of assignment, rendered
in the project.2 judgment in favor of Tarnate as follows:
Gonzalo appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA). We deny the petition for review, but we delete the
grant of moral damages, attorneys fees and
Decision of the CA litigation expenses.
On February 18, 2003, the CA affirmed the RTC.9 There is no question that every contractor is
prohibited from subcontracting with or assigning to
Although holding that the subcontract was an illegal another person any contract or project that he has
agreement due to its object being specifically with the DPWH unless the DPWH Secretary has
prohibited by Section 6 of Presidential Decree No. approved the subcontracting or assignment. This is
1594; that Gonzalo and Tarnate were guilty of pursuant to Section 6 of Presidential Decree No.
entering into the illegal contract in violation of 1594, which provides:
Section 6 of Presidential Decree No. 1594; and that
the deed of assignment, being a product of and Section 6. Assignment and Subcontract. The
dependent on the subcontract, was also illegal and contractor shall not assign, transfer, pledge,
unenforceable, the CA did not apply the doctrine of subcontract or make any other disposition of the
in pari delicto, explaining that the doctrine applied contract or any part or interest therein except with
only if the fault of one party was more or less the approval of the Minister of Public Works,
equivalent to the fault of the other party. It found Transportation and Communications, the Minister
Gonzalo to be more guilty than Tarnate, whose guilt of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as
had been limited to the execution of the two illegal the case may be. Approval of the subcontract shall
contracts while Gonzalo had gone to the extent of not relieve the main contractor from any liability or
violating the deed of assignment. It declared that obligation under his contract with the Government
the crediting of the 10% retention fee equivalent nor shall it create any contractual relation between
to P233,256.13 to his account had unjustly the subcontractor and the Government.
enriched Gonzalo; and ruled, accordingly, that
Gonzalo should reimburse Tarnate in that amount Gonzalo, who was the sole contractor of the project
because the latters equipment had been utilized in in question, subcontracted the implementation of
the project. the project to Tarnate in violation of the statutory
prohibition. Their subcontract was illegal, therefore,
Upon denial of his motion for because it did not bear the approval of the DPWH
reconsideration,10 Gonzalo has now come to the Secretary. Necessarily, the deed of assignment
Court to seek the review and reversal of the was also illegal, because it sprung from the
decision of the CA. subcontract. As aptly observed by the CA:
This petition for review on certiorari[1] emanated from the Dep-Ed nullified it. [5]
Aggrieved, Tan filed a complaint in the first week of April and told him that Tan was planning
Department of Education (Dep-Ed) for violation of to sue the officers of RIS in their personal capacities.
the Manual of Regulation of Private Schools, Before they hung up, petitioner told Ching:
Ching then called Tan and informed him that The prosecution essentially tried to establish
petitioner said talking to him was dangerous. that petitioner depicted Tan as a dangerous person.
That on or about the 13th day ill-feelings against Tan despite the latters complaint
of March, 2003 in the City of
Mandaluyong, Philippines, a place against RIS in the Dep-Ed. Although he admitted
within the jurisdiction of this
Honorable Court, the above-named conversing with Ching (whom he considered as a
[petitioner], with deliberate intent of
bringing ATTY. ALBERT P. TAN, into
close acquaintance) on the telephone a few days
discredit, dishonor, disrepute and
contempt, did then and there,
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously after RIS 2003 commencement exercises, petitioner
speak and utter the following words
to Ms. Bernice C. Ching: asserted that he never said or insinuated that Tan or
OK, YOU TOO, YOU
TAKE CARE AND BE talking to Tan was dangerous. On cross-
CAREFUL TALKING
TO [TAN], THATS
DANGEROUS. examination, however, he did not categorically deny
statement. Petitioner, on the other hand, harbored RTC ruled that prescription had already set in; it
personal resentment, aversion and ill-will against therefore acquitted petitioner on that ground. [9]
In a decision dated December 27, 2005, the offense to slight oral defamation. The RTC allegedly
MeTC found petitioner guilty beyond reasonable misappreciated the antecedents which provoked
On appeal, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) affirmed Petitioner moved for reconsideration but it
the factual findings of the MeTC. However, in view was denied.[12] Hence, this recourse.
evidence presented by the parties) but failed to entered and (5) when the accused was acquitted or
prove that the RTC committed grave abuse of convicted or the case was dismissed or otherwise
discretion. Thus, double jeopardy attached when the terminated without the express consent of the
xxxxxxxxx
errors of judgment (or those involving
(or those involving the commission of grave abuse WHEREFORE, the petition is
SO ORDERED.
DECISION
BERSAMIN, J.:
In this consolidated administrative case, settlement, Atty. Victorio, Jr. filed a Motion to
complainants Jessie T. Campugan and Robert C. Withdraw Complaint dated February 26,
Torres seek the disbarment of respondents Atty. 2008,6 which the RTC granted in its order dated
Federico S. Tolentino, Jr., Atty. Daniel F. Victorio, May 16, 2008 upon noting the defendants' lack of
Jr., Atty. Renato G. Cunanan, Atty. Elbert T. Quilala objection thereto and the defendants' willingness to
and Atty. Constante P. Caluya, Jr. for allegedly similarly withdraw their counterclaim.7
falsifying a court order that became the basis for
the cancellation of their annotation of the notice of The complainants alleged that from the time of the
adverse claim and the notice of lis pendens in the issuance by the RTC of the order dated May 16,
Registry of Deeds in Quezon 2008, they could no longer locate or contact Atty.
City.chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary Victorio, Jr. despite making several phone calls and
visits to his office; that they found out upon
Antecedents verification at the Register of Deeds of Quezon City
that new annotations were made on TCT No. N-
Atty. Victorio, Jr. had replaced Atty. Edgardo Abad 290546, specifically: (1) the annotation of the letter-
as counsel of the complainants in a civil action they request appearing to be filed by Atty. Tolentino,
brought to seek the annulment of Transfer Jr.8 seeking the cancellation of the affidavit of
Certificate of Title (TCT) No. N-290546 of the adverse claim and the notice of lis
Registry of Deeds of Quezon City in the first week pendens annotated on TCT No. N-290546; and (2)
of January 2007 in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) the arinotation of the decision dated May 16, 2008
in Quezon City (Civil Case No. Q-07-59598). They rendered in Civil Case No. Q-07-59598 by the RTC,
impleaded as defendants Ramon and Josefina Branch 95, in Quezon City, granting the
Ricafort, Juliet Vargas and the Register of Deeds of complainants' Motion to Withdraw Complaint;9 and
Quezon City. They caused to be annotated on TCT that a copy of the letter-request dated June 30,
No. N-290546 their affidavit of adverse claim, as 2008 addressed to Atty. Quilala, Registrar of Deeds
well as the notice of lis pendens.1 Atty. Tolentino, of Quezon City, disclosed that it was defendant
Jr. was the counsel of defendant Ramon and Ramon Ricafort who had signed the letter.
Josefina Ricafort.
Feeling aggrieved by their discovery, the
In their sworn complaint for disbarment dated April complainants filed an appeal en consulta with the
23, 2009 (later docketed as A.C. No. 8261),2 the Land Registration Authority (LRA), docketed as
complainants narrated that as the surviving children Consulta No. 4707, assailing the unlawful
of the late Spouses Antonio and Nemesia Torres, cancellation of their notice of adverse claim and
they inherited upon the deaths of their parents a their notice of lis pendens under primary entries
residential lot located at No. 251 Boni Serrano PE-2742 and PE-3828-9, respectively. The LRA set
Street, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City registered Consulta No. 4707 for hearing on March 30, 2009,
under Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. RT- and directed the parties to submit their respective
64333(35652) of the Register of Deeds of Quezon memoranda and/or supporting documents on or
City;3 that on August 24, 2006, they discovered that before such scheduled hearing.10 However, the
TCT No. RT-64333(35652) had been unlawfully records do not disclose whether Consulta No. 4707
cancelled and replaced by TCT No. N-290546 of was already resolved, or remained pending at the
the Register of Deeds of Quezon City under the LRA.
names of Ramon and Josefina Ricafort;4 and that,
accordingly, they immediately caused the Unable to receive any response or assistance from
annotation of their affidavit of adverse claim on TCT Atty. Victorio, Jr. despite their having paid him for
No. N-290546. his professional services, the complainants felt that
said counsel had abandoned their case. They
It appears that the parties entered into an amicable submitted that the cancellation of their notice of
settlement during the pendency of Civil Case No. adverse claim and their notice of lis
Q-07-59598 in order to end their dispute,5 whereby pendens without a court order specifically allowing
the complainants agreed to sell the property and such cancellation resulted from the connivance and
the proceeds thereof would be equally divided conspiracy between Atty. Victorio, Jr. and Atty.
between the parties, and the complaint and Tolentino, Jr., and from the taking advantage of
counterclaim would be withdrawn respectively by their positions as officials in the Registry of Deeds
the complainants (as the plaintiffs) and the by respondents Atty. Quilala, the Chief Registrar,
defendants. Pursuant to the terms of the amicable and Atty. Cunanan, the acting Registrar and
signatory of the new annotations. Thus, they involvement in the proceedings in the case.
claimed to be thereby prejudiced.
Atty. Cunanan did not file any comment.15
On July 6, 2009, the Court required the
respondents to comment on the verified As the result of Atty. Quilala's allegation in his
complaint.11 Comment in A.C. No. 8261 that it had been Atty.
Caluya, Jr.'s signature that appeared below the
Atty. Victorio, Jr. asserted in his Comment dated cancelled entries, the complainants filed another
August 17, 200912 that complainant Robert Torres sworn disbarment complaint dated August 26, 2010
had been actively involved in the proceedings in alleging that Atty. Caluya, Jr. had forged the
Civil Case No. Q-07-59598, which included the signature of Atty. Cunanan.16 This disbarment
mediation process; that the complainants, after complaint was docketed as A.C. No. 8725, and was
having aggressively participated in the drafting of later on consolidated with A.C. No. 826117 because
the amicable settlement, could not now claim that the complaints involved the same parties and
they had been deceived into entering the rested on similar allegations against the
agreement in the same way that they could not respondents.
feign ignorance of the conditions contained therein;
that he did not commit any abandonment as Atty. Quilala filed his Comment in A.C. No. 8725 to
alleged, but had performed in good faith his duties belie the allegation of forgery and to reiterate the
as the counsel for the complainants in Civil Case arguments he had made in A.C. No. 8261.18 On his
No. Q-07-59598; that he should not be held part, Atty. Caluya, Jr. manifested that he adopted
responsible for their representation in other Atty. Quilala's Comment.19
proceedings, such as that before the LRA, which
required a separate engagement; and that the only Ruling
payment he had received from the complainants
were those for his appearance fees of P1,000.00 We dismiss the complaints for disbarment for being
for every hearing in the RTC. bereft of merit.
In his Comment dated August 24, 2009,13 Atty. Well entrenched in this jurisdiction is the rule that a
Tolentino, Jr. refuted the charge of conspiracy, lawyer may be disciplined for misconduct
stressing that he was not acquainted with the other committed either in his professional or private
respondents, except Atty. Victorio, Jr. whom he had capacity. The test is whether his conduct shows
met during the hearings in Civil Case No. Q-07- him to be wanting in moral character, honesty,
59598; that although he had notarized the letter- probity, and good demeanor, or whether his
request dated June 30, 2008 of Ramon Ricafort to conduct renders him unworthy to continue as an
the Register of Deeds, he had no knowledge about officer of the Court.20 Verily, Canon 7 of the Code of
how said letter-request had been disposed of by Professional Responsibility mandates all lawyers to
the Register of Deeds; and that the present uphold at all times the dignity and integrity of the
complaint was the second disbarment case filed by Legal Profession. Lawyers are similarly required
the complainants against him with no other motive under Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the same Code not to
except to harass and intimidate him. engage in any unlawful, dishonest and immoral or
deceitful conduct. Failure to observe these tenets of
Atty. Quilala stated in his Comment dated the Code of Professional Responsibility exposes
September 1, 200914 that it was Atty. Caluya, Jr., the lawyer to disciplinary sanctions as provided in
another Deputy Register of Deeds, who was the Section 27, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, as
actual signing authority of the annotations that amended, viz.:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
resulted in the cancellation of the affidavit of Section 27. Disbarment or suspension of attorneys
adverse claim and the notice of lis pendens on TCT by Supreme Court, grounds therefor. A member
No. N-290546; that the cancellation of the of the bar may be disbarred or suspended from his
annotations was undertaken in the regular course office as attorney by the Supreme Court for any
of official duty and in the exercise of the ministerial deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in
duty of the Register of Deeds; that no irregularity such office, grossly immoral conduct, or by reason
occurred or was performed in the cancellation of of his conviction of a crime involving moral
the annotations; and that the Register of Deeds turpitude, or for any violation of the oath which he is
was impleaded in Civil Case No. Q-07-59598 only required to take before the admission to practice, or
as a nominal party, thereby discounting any for a wilful disobedience appearing as an attorney
for a party to a case without authority so to do. The Atty. Cunanan, and Atty. Caluya, Jr. with respect to
practice of soliciting cases at law for the purpose of the cancellation of the notice of adverse claim and
gain, either personally or through paid agents or the notice of lis pendens annotated on TCT No. N-
brokers, constitutes malpractice. 290546. Whether or not the RTC order dated May
The complainants' allegations of the respondents' 16, 2008 or the letter-request dated June 30, 2008
acts and omissions are insufficient to establish any had been falsified, fraudulent or invalid was not for
censurable conduct against them. them to determine inasmuch as their duty to
examine documents presented for registration was
Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1529 limited only to what appears on the face of the
(Property Registration Decree) enumerates the documents. If, upon their evaluation of the letter-
general duties of the Register of Deeds, as request and the RTC order, they found the same to
follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary be sufficient in law and t]o be in conformity with
Section 10. General functions of Registers of existing requirements, it became obligatory for
Deeds. - x x x them to perform their ministerial duty without
unnecessary delay.24
It shall be the duty of the Register of Deeds
to immediately register an instrument presented Should they be aggrieved by said respondents'
for registration dealing with real or personal performance of duty, complainants were not bereft
property which complies with all the requisites for of any remedy because they could challenge the
registration. He shall see to it that said instrument performance of duty by bringing the matter by way
bears the proper documentary science stamps and of consulta with the LRA, as provided by Section
that the same are properly canceled. If the 11725 of Presidential Decree No. 1529. But, as
instrument is not registrable, he shall forthwith deny enunciated in Gabriel v. Register of Deeds of
registration thereof and inform the presenter of Rizal,26 it was ultimately within the province of a
such denial in writing, stating the ground or reason court of competent jurisdiction to resolve issues
therefor, and advising him of his right to appeal concerning the validity or invalidity of a document
by consulta in accordance with Section 117 of this registered by the Register of Deeds.
Decree. (Emphasis supplied)
The aforementioned duty of the Register of Deeds The complainants charge Atty. Victorio, Jr. and
is ministerial in nature.21 A purely ministerial act or Atty. Tolentino, Jr. with having conspired with each
duty is one that an officer or tribunal performs in a other to guarantee that the parties in Civil Case No.
given state of facts, in a prescribed manner, in Q-59598 would enter into the amicable settlement,
obedience to the mandate of a legal authority, and then to cause the cancellation of the affidavit of
without regard to or the exercise of his own adverse claim and notice of lis pendens annotated
judgment upon the propriety or impropriety of the on TCT No. N-290546. The complainants further
act done. If the law imposes a duty upon a public fault Atty. Victorio, Jr. with having abandoned their
officer and gives him the right to decide how or cause since the issuance of the RTC of its order
when the duty shall be performed, such duty is dated May 16, 2008.
discretionary, not ministerial. The duty is ministerial
only when its discharge requires neither the The complainants' charges are devoid of
exercise of official discretion nor the exercise of substance.
judgment.22
Although it is not necessary to prove a formal
In Gabriel v. Register of Deeds of Rizal,23 the Court agreement in order to establish conspiracy because
underscores that registration is a merely ministerial conspiracy may be inferred from the circumstances
act of the Register of Deeds, attending the commission of an act, it is
explaining:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary nonetheless essential that conspiracy be
xxx [W]hether the document is invalid, frivolous or established by clear and convincing
intended to harass, is not the duty of a Register of evidence.27 The complainants failed in this regard.
Deeds to decide, but a court of competent Outside of their bare assertions that Atty. Victorio,
jurisdiction, and that it is his concern to see whether Jr. and Atty. Tolentino, Jr. had conspired with each
the documents sought to be registered conform other in order to cause the dismissal of the
with the formal and legal requirements for such complaint and then discharge of the annotations,
documents. they presented no evidence to support their
In view of the foregoing, we find no abuse of allegation of conspiracy. On the contrary, the
authority or irregularity committed by Atty. Quilala, records indicated their own active pjarticipation in
arriving at the amicable settlement with the the complainants had no right to assume that Atty.
defendants in Civil Case No. Q-07-59598. Hence, Victorio, Jr.'s legal representation was indefinite as
they could not now turn their backs on the amicable to extend to his representation of them in the LRA.
settlement that they had themselves entered into. The Law Profession did not burden its members
with the responsibility of indefinite service to the
Even assuming that Atty. Victorio, Jr. and Atty. clients; hence, the rendition of professional services
Tolentino, Jr. initiated ahd participated in the depends on the agreement between the attorney
settlement of the case, there was nothing wrong in and the client. Atty. Victorio, Jr.'s alleged failure to
their doing so. It was actually their obligation as respond to the complainants' calls or visits, or to
lawyers to do so, pursuant to Rule 1.04, Canon 1 of provide them with his whereabouts to enable them
the Code of Professional to have access to him despite the termination of his
Responsibility, viz.:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary engagement in Civil Case No. Q-07-59598 did not
RULE 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients to equate to abandonment without the credible
avoid, end or settle a controversy if it will admit of a showing that he continued to come under the
fair settlement. professional obligation towards them after the
In fine, the presumption of the validity of the termination of Civil Case No. Q-07-59598.cralawred
amicable settlement of the complainants and the
defendants in Civil Case No. Q-07-59598 WHEREFORE, the Court DISMISSES the baseless
subsisted.28 disbarment complaints against Atty. Federico S.
Tolentino, Jr., Atty. Renato G. Cunanan, Atty.
Anent the complainants' charge of abandonment Daniel F. Victorio, Jr., Atty. Elbert T. Quilala and
against Atty. Victorio, Jr., Rule 18.03 and Rule Atty. Constante P. Caluya, Jr.
18.04, Canon 18 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility are applicable, to SO ORDERED.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
wit:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
CANON 18 - A lawyer shall serve his client with
competence and diligence.
In his comment, the Solicitor General expressed his With reference to Castillo's criminal
view that the death of accused-appellant did not liability, there is no question. The law
extinguish his civil liability as a result of his is plain. Statutory construction is
commission of the offense charged. The Solicitor unnecessary. Said liability is
General, relying on the case of People extinguished.
v. Sendaydiego 1 insists that the appeal should still
be resolved for the purpose of reviewing his The civil liability, however, poses a
conviction by the lower court on which the civil problem. Such liability is
liability is based. extinguished only when the death of
the offender occurs before final
Counsel for the accused-appellant, on the other judgment. Saddled upon us is the
hand, opposed the view of the Solicitor General task of ascertaining the legal import
arguing that the death of the accused while of the term "final judgment." Is it final
judgment of conviction is pending appeal judgment as contradistinguished
extinguishes both his criminal and civil penalties. In from an interlocutory order? Or, is it
support of his position, said counsel invoked the a judgment which is final and
ruling of the Court of Appeals in People v. Castillo executory?
and Ocfemia 2 which held that the civil obligation in
a criminal case takes root in the criminal liability We go to the genesis of the law. The
and, therefore, civil liability is extinguished if legal precept contained in Article 89
accused should die before final judgment is of the Revised Penal Code
rendered. heretofore transcribed is lifted from
Article 132 of the Spanish El Codigo
We are thus confronted with a single issue: Does Penal de 1870 which, in part,
death of the accused pending appeal of his recites:
conviction extinguish his civil liability?
La responsabilidad
In the aforementioned case of People v. Castillo, penal se extingue.
this issue was settled in the affirmative. This same
issue posed therein was phrased thus: Does the 1. Por la muerte del
death of Alfredo Castillo affect both his criminal reo en cuanto a las
responsibility and his civil liability as a consequence penas personales
of the alleged crime? siempre, y respecto a
las pecuniarias, solo
It resolved this issue thru the following disquisition: cuando a su
fallecimiento no
Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code hubiere
is the controlling statute. It reads, in recaido sentencia
part: firme.
On the other hand, this Court in the subsequent In Torrijos, the Supreme Court held
cases of Buenaventura Belamala v. Marcelino that:
Polinar 7 and Lamberto Torrijos v. The Honorable
Court of Appeals 8 ruled differently. In the former, xxx xxx xxx
the issue decided by this court was: Whether the
civil liability of one accused of physical injuries who It should be stressed that the
died before final judgment is extinguished by his extinction of civil liability follows the
demise to the extent of barring any claim therefore extinction of the criminal liability
against his estate. It was the contention of the under Article 89, only when the civil
administrator-appellant therein that the death of the liability arises from the criminal act
accused prior to final judgment extinguished all as its only basis. Stated differently,
criminal and civil liabilities resulting from the where the civil liability does not exist
offense, in view of Article 89, paragraph 1 of the independently of the criminal
Revised Penal Code. However, this court ruled responsibility, the extinction of the
therein: latter by death, ipso
facto extinguishes the
We see no merit in the plea that the former, provided, of course, that
civil liability has been extinguished, death supervenes before final
in view of the provisions of the Civil judgment. The said principle does
Code of the Philippines of 1950 not apply in instant case wherein the
(Rep. Act No. 386) that became civil liability springs neither solely nor
operative eighteen years after the originally from the crime itself but
revised Penal Code. As pointed out from a civil contract of purchase and
by the Court below, Article 33 of the sale. (Emphasis ours)
xxx xxx xxx This court in an unprecedented move resolved to
dismiss Sendaydiego's appeal but only to the
In the above case, the court was convinced extent of his criminal liability. His civil liability was
that the civil liability of the accused who was allowed to survive although it was clear that such
charged with estafa could likewise trace its claim thereon was exclusively dependent on the
genesis to Articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Civil criminal action already extinguished. The legal
Code since said accused had swindled the import of such decision was for the court to
first and second vendees of the property continue exercising appellate jurisdiction over the
subject matter of the contract of sale. It entire appeal, passing upon the correctness of
therefore concluded: "Consequently, while Sendaydiego's conviction despite dismissal of the
the death of the accused herein criminal action, for the purpose of determining if he
extinguished his criminal liability including is civilly liable. In doing so, this Court issued a
fine, his civil liability based on the laws of Resolution of July 8, 1977 stating thus:
human relations remains."
The claim of complainant Province
Thus it allowed the appeal to proceed with respect of Pangasinan for the civil liability
to the civil liability of the accused, notwithstanding survived Sendaydiego because his
the extinction of his criminal liability due to his death occurred after final judgment
death pending appeal of his conviction. was rendered by the Court of First
Instance of Pangasinan, which
To further justify its decision to allow the civil convicted him of three complex
liability to survive, the court relied on the following crimes of malversation through
ratiocination: Since Section 21, Rule 3 of the Rules falsification and ordered him to
of Court 9 requires the dismissal of all money indemnify the Province in the total
claims against the defendant whose death occurred sum of P61,048.23 (should be
prior to the final judgment of the Court of First P57,048.23).
Instance (CFI), then it can be inferred that actions
for recovery of money may continue to be heard on The civil action for the civil liability is
appeal, when the death of the defendant deemed impliedly instituted with the
supervenes after the CFI had rendered its criminal action in the absence of
judgment. In such case, explained this tribunal, "the express waiver or its reservation in a
name of the offended party shall be included in the separate action (Sec. 1, Rule 111 of
title of the case as plaintiff-appellee and the legal the Rules of Court). The civil action
representative or the heirs of the deceased- for the civil liability is separate and
accused should be substituted as defendants- distinct from the criminal action
appellants." (People and Manuel vs. Coloma,
105 Phil. 1287; Roa vs. De la Cruz,
It is, thus, evident that as jurisprudence evolved 107 Phil. 8).
from Castillo to Torrijos, the rule established was
that the survival of the civil liability depends on When the action is for the recovery
whether the same can be predicated on sources of of money and the defendant dies
obligations other than delict. Stated differently, the before final judgment in the Court of
claim for civil liability is also extinguished together First Instance, it shall be dismissed
with the criminal action if it were solely based to be prosecuted in the manner
thereon, i.e., civil liability ex delicto. especially provided in Rule 87 of the
Rules of Court (Sec. 21, Rule 3 of
However, the Supreme Court in People the Rules of Court).
v. Sendaydiego, et al. 10 departed from this long-
established principle of law. In this case, accused The implication is that, if the
Sendaydiego was charged with and convicted by defendant dies after a money
the lower court of malversation thru falsification of judgment had been rendered against
public documents. Sendaydiego's death him by the Court of First Instance,
supervened during the pendency of the appeal of the action survives him. It may be
his conviction. continued on appeal (Torrijos vs.
Court of Appeals, L-40336, October
24, 1975; 67 SCRA 394).
The accountable public officer may and Section 21, Rule 3 of the Revised Rules of
still be civilly liable for the funds Court.
improperly disbursed although he
has no criminal liability (U.S. vs. Article 30 of the Civil Code provides:
Elvina, 24 Phil. 230; Philippine
National Bank vs. Tugab, 66 Phil. When a separate civil action is
583). brought to demand civil liability
arising from a criminal offense, and
In view of the foregoing, no criminal proceedings are
notwithstanding the dismissal of the instituted during the pendency of the
appeal of the deceased civil case, a preponderance of
Sendaydiego insofar as his criminal evidence shall likewise be sufficient
liability is concerned, the Court to prove the act complained of.
Resolved to continue exercising
appellate jurisdiction over his Clearly, the text of Article 30 could not possibly lend
possible civil liability for the money support to the ruling in Sendaydiego. Nowhere in its
claims of the Province of text is there a grant of authority to continue
Pangasinan arising from the alleged exercising appellate jurisdiction over the accused's
criminal acts complained of, as if no civil liability ex delicto when his death supervenes
criminal case had been instituted during appeal. What Article 30 recognizes is an
against him, thus making applicable, alternative and separate civil action which may be
in determining his civil liability, brought to demand civil liability arising from a
Article 30 of the Civil Code . . . and, criminal offense independently of any criminal
for that purpose, his counsel is action. In the event that no criminal proceedings
directed to inform this Court within are instituted during the pendency of said civil case,
ten (10) days of the names and the quantum of evidence needed to prove the
addresses of the decedent's heirs or criminal act will have to be that which is compatible
whether or not his estate is under with civil liability and that is, preponderance of
administration and has a duly evidence and not proof of guilt beyond reasonable
appointed judicial administrator. Said doubt. Citing or invoking Article 30 to justify the
heirs or administrator will be survival of the civil action despite extinction of the
substituted for the deceased insofar criminal would in effect merely beg the question of
as the civil action for the civil liability whether civil liability ex delicto survives upon
is concerned (Secs. 16 and 17, Rule extinction of the criminal action due to death of the
3, Rules of Court). accused during appeal of his conviction. This is
because whether asserted in
Succeeding cases 11 raising the identical issue the criminal action or in a separate civil action, civil
have maintained adherence to our ruling liability ex delicto is extinguished by the death of
in Sendaydiego; in other words, they were a the accused while his conviction is on appeal.
reaffirmance of our abandonment of the settled rule Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code is clear on
that a civil liability solely anchored on the criminal this matter:
(civil liability ex delicto) is extinguished upon
dismissal of the entire appeal due to the demise of Art. 89. How criminal liability is
the accused. totally extinguished. Criminal
liability is totally extinguished:
But was it judicious to have abandoned this old
ruling? A re-examination of our decision 1. By the death of the convict, as to
in Sendaydiego impels us to revert to the old ruling. the personal penalties; and as to
pecuniary penalties, liability therefor
To restate our resolution of July 8, 1977 is extinguished only when the death
in Sendaydiego: The resolution of the civil action of the offender occurs before final
impliedly instituted in the criminal action can judgment;
proceed irrespective of the latter's extinction due to
death of the accused pending appeal of his xxx xxx xxx
conviction, pursuant to Article 30 of the Civil Code
However, the ruling in Sendaydiego deviated from of July 8, 1977 notwithstanding. Thus, it was held in
the expressed intent of Article 89. It allowed claims the main decision:
for civil liability ex delicto to survive by ipso
facto treating the civil action impliedly instituted with Sendaydiego's appeal will be
the criminal, as one filed under Article 30, as resolved only for the purpose of
though no criminal proceedings had been filed but showing his criminal liability which is
merely a separate civil action. This had the effect of the basis of the civil liability for which
converting such claims from one which is his estate would be liable. 13
dependent on the outcome of the criminal action to
an entirely new and separate one, the prosecution In other words, the Court, in resolving the issue of
of which does not even necessitate the filing of his civil liability, concomitantly made a
criminal proceedings. 12One would be hard put to determination on whether Sendaydiego, on the
pinpoint the statutory authority for such a basis of evidenced adduced, was indeed guilty
transformation. It is to be borne in mind that in beyond reasonable doubt of committing the offense
recovering civil liability ex delicto, the same has charged. Thus, it upheld Sendaydiego's conviction
perforce to be determined in the criminal action, and pronounced the same as the source of his civil
rooted as it is in the court's pronouncement of the liability. Consequently, although Article 30 was not
guilt or innocence of the accused. This is but to applied in the final determination of Sendaydiego's
render fealty to the intendment of Article 100 of the civil liability, there was a reopening of the criminal
Revised Penal Code which provides that "every action already extinguished which served as basis
person criminally liable for a felony is also civilly for Sendaydiego's civil liability. We reiterate: Upon
liable." In such cases, extinction of the criminal death of the accused pending appeal of his
action due to death of the accused pending appeal conviction, the criminal action is extinguished
inevitably signifies the concomitant extinction of the inasmuch as there is no longer a defendant to
civil liability. Mors Omnia Solvi. Death dissolves all stand as the accused; the civil action instituted
things. therein for recovery of civil liability ex delicto is ipso
facto extinguished, grounded as it is on the
In sum, in pursuing recovery of civil liability arising criminal.
from crime, the final determination of the criminal
liability is a condition precedent to the prosecution Section 21, Rule 3 of the Rules of Court was also
of the civil action, such that when the criminal invoked to serve as another basis for
action is extinguished by the demise of accused- the Sendaydiego resolution of July 8, 1977. In citing
appellant pending appeal thereof, said civil action Sec. 21, Rule 3 of the Rules of Court, the Court
cannot survive. The claim for civil liability springs made the inference that civil actions of the type
out of and is dependent upon facts which, if true, involved in Sendaydiego consist of money claims,
would constitute a crime. Such civil liability is an the recovery of which may be continued on appeal
inevitable consequence of the criminal liability and if defendant dies pending appeal of his conviction
is to be declared and enforced in the criminal by holding his estate liable therefor. Hence, the
proceeding. This is to be distinguished from that Court's conclusion:
which is contemplated under Article 30 of the Civil
Code which refers to the institution of a separate "When the action is for the recovery
civil action that does not draw its life from a criminal of money" "and the defendant dies
proceeding. The Sendaydiego resolution of July 8, before final judgment in the court of
1977, however, failed to take note of this First Instance, it shall be dismissed
fundamental distinction when it allowed the survival to be prosecuted in the manner
of the civil action for the recovery of civil liability ex especially provided" in Rule 87 of
delicto by treating the same as a separate civil the Rules of Court (Sec. 21, Rule 3
action referred to under Article 30. Surely, it will of the Rules of Court).
take more than just a summary judicial
pronouncement to authorize the conversion of said The implication is that, if the
civil action to an independent one such as that defendant dies after a money
contemplated under Article 30. judgment had been rendered against
him by the Court of First Instance,
Ironically however, the main decision in the action survives him. It may be
Sendaydiego did not apply Article 30, the resolution continued on appeal.
Sadly, reliance on this provision of law is Sendaydiego's civil liability. "What are
misplaced. From the standpoint of procedural law, contemplated in Section 21 of Rule 3, in relation to
this course taken in Sendaydiego cannot be Section 5 of Rule 86, 14 are contractual money
sanctioned. As correctly observed by Justice claims while the claims involved in civil liability ex
Regalado: delicto may include even the restitution of personal
or real property." 15 Section 5, Rule 86 provides an
xxx xxx xxx exclusive enumeration of what claims may be filed
against the estate. These are: funeral expenses,
I do not, however, agree with the expenses for the last illness, judgments for money
justification advanced in and claim arising from contracts, expressed or
both Torrijos and Sendaydiego whic implied. It is clear that money claims arising from
h, relying on the provisions of delict do not form part of this exclusive
Section 21, Rule 3 of the Rules of enumeration. Hence, there could be no legal basis
Court, drew the strained implication in (1) treating a civil action ex delicto as an ordinary
therefrom that where the civil liability contractual money claim referred to in Section 21,
instituted together with the criminal Rule 3 of the Rules of Court and (2) allowing it to
liabilities had already passed beyond survive by filing a claim therefor before the estate of
the judgment of the then Court of the deceased accused. Rather, it should be
First Instance (now the Regional extinguished upon extinction of the criminal action
Trial Court), the Court of Appeals engendered by the death of the accused pending
can continue to exercise appellate finality of his conviction.
jurisdiction thereover despite the
extinguishment of the component Accordingly, we rule: if the private offended party,
criminal liability of the deceased. upon extinction of the civil liability ex delicto desires
This pronouncement, which has to recover damages from the same act or omission
been followed in the Court's complained of, he must subject to Section 1, Rule
judgments subsequent and 111 16 (1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure as
consonant amended) file a separate civil action, this time
to Torrijos and Sendaydiego, should predicated not on the felony previously charged but
be set aside and abandoned as on other sources of obligation. The source of
being clearly erroneous and obligation upon which the separate civil action is
unjustifiable. premised determines against whom the same shall
be enforced.
Said Section 21 of Rule 3 is a rule of
civil procedure in ordinary civil If the same act or omission complained of also
actions. There is neither authority arises from quasi-delict or may, by provision of law,
nor justification for its application in result in an injury to person or property (real or
criminal procedure to civil actions personal), the separate civil action must be filed
instituted together with and as part against the executor or administrator 17 of the
of criminal actions. Nor is there any estate of the accused pursuant to Sec. 1, Rule 87
authority in law for the summary of the Rules of Court:
conversion from the latter category
of an ordinary civil action upon the Sec. 1. Actions which may and
death of the offender. . . . which may not be brought against
executor or administrator. No
Moreover, the civil action impliedly instituted in a action upon a claim for the recovery
criminal proceeding for recovery of civil liability ex of money or debt or interest thereon
delicto can hardly be categorized as an ordinary shall be commenced against the
money claim such as that referred to in Sec. 21, executor or administrator; but
Rule 3 enforceable before the estate of the actions to recover real or personal
deceased accused. property, or an interest therein, from
the estate, or to enforce a lien
Ordinary money claims referred to in Section 21, thereon, and actions to recover
Rule 3 must be viewed in light of the provisions of damages for an injury to person or
Section 5, Rule 86 involving claims against the property, real or personal, may be
estate, which in Sendaydiego was held liable for commenced against him.
This is in consonance with our ruling in civil action and subject to Section 1, Rule 111 of the
Belamala 18 where we held that, in recovering 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure as amended.
damages for injury to persons thru an independent This separate civil action may be enforced either
civil action based on Article 33 of the Civil Code, against the executor/administrator or the estate of
the same must be filed against the executor or the accused, depending on the source of obligation
administrator of the estate of deceased accused upon which the same is based as explained above.
and not against the estate under Sec. 5, Rule 86
because this rule explicitly limits the claim to those 4. Finally, the private offended party need not fear a
for funeral expenses, expenses for the last forfeiture of his right to file this separate civil action
sickness of the decedent, judgment for money and by prescription, in cases where during the
claims arising from contract, express or implied. prosecution of the criminal action and prior to its
Contractual money claims, we stressed, refers only extinction, the private-offended party instituted
to purely personal obligations other than those together therewith the civil action. In such case, the
which have their source in delict or tort. statute of limitations on the civil liability is deemed
interrupted during the pendency of the criminal
Conversely, if the same act or omission complained case, conformably with provisions of Article
of also arises from contract, the separate civil 1155 21 of the Civil Code, that should thereby avoid
action must be filed against the estate of the any apprehension on a possible privation of right by
accused, pursuant to Sec. 5, Rule 86 of the Rules prescription. 22
of Court.
Applying this set of rules to the case at bench, we
From this lengthy disquisition, we summarize our hold that the death of appellant Bayotas
ruling herein: extinguished his criminal liability and the civil
liability based solely on the act complained of, i.e.,
1. Death of the accused pending appeal of his rape. Consequently, the appeal is hereby
conviction extinguishes his criminal liability as well dismissed without qualification.
as the civil liability based solely thereon. As opined
by Justice Regalado, in this regard, "the death of WHEREFORE, the appeal of the late Rogelio
the accused prior to final judgment terminates his Bayotas is DISMISSED with costs de oficio.
criminal liability and only the civil
liability directly arising from and based solely on the SO ORDERED.
offense committed, i.e., civil liability ex
delicto in senso strictiore."
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the Petitioner received from respondent two million
sum of THREE MILLION PESOS (P3,000,000.00) pesos in cash and one million pesos in a post-
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the dated check dated February 28, 1990, instead of
FIRST PARTY from the SECOND PARTY, the 1991, which rendered said check stale.7 Petitioner
parties have agreed as follows: then gave respondent TCT No. 168173 in the name
of IMRDC and the Deed of Absolute Sale over the
1. That the SECOND PARTY has a period property between petitioner and IMRDC.
of Six (6) months from the date of the
execution of this contract within which to Respondent decided not to purchase the property
notify the FIRST PARTY of her intention to and notified petitioner through a letter8 dated March
purchase the aforementioned parcel of land 20, 1991, which petitioner received only on June
together within (sic) the improvements 11, 1991,9 reminding petitioner of their agreement
thereon at the price of SIX MILLION FOUR that the amount of two million pesos which
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS petitioner received from respondent should be
(P6,400,000.00). Upon notice to the FIRST considered as a loan payable within six months.
PARTY of the SECOND PARTYs intention Petitioner subsequently failed to pay respondent
to purchase the same, the latter has a the amount of two million pesos.
period of another six months within which to
pay the remaining balance of P3.4 million. On April 1, 1993, respondent filed with the Regional
Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, a complaint10 for sum
2. That prior to the six months period given of money with preliminary attachment against
to the SECOND PARTY within which to petitioner. The case was docketed as Civil Case
decide whether or not to purchase the No. 93-65367 and raffled to Branch 30.
above-mentioned property, the FIRST Respondent alleged the foregoing facts and in
PARTY may still offer the said property to addition thereto averred that petitioner tried to
other persons who may be interested to buy deprive her of the security for the loan by making a
the same provided that the amount false report11 of the loss of her owners copy of TCT
of P3,000,000.00 given to the FIRST No. 168173 to the Tagig Police Station on June 3,
PARTY BY THE SECOND PARTY shall be 1991, executing an affidavit of loss and by filing a
paid to the latter including interest based on petition12 for the issuance of a new owners
prevailing compounded bank interest plus duplicate copy of said title with the RTC of Makati,
the amount of the sale in excess Branch 142; that the petition was granted in an
of P7,000,000.00 should the property be Order13 dated August 31, 1991; that said Order was
sold at a price more than P7 million. subsequently set aside in an Order dated April 10,
199214where the RTC Makati granted respondents
3. That in case the FIRST PARTY has no petition for relief from judgment due to the fact that
other buyer within the first six months from respondent is in possession of the owners
the execution of this contract, no interest duplicate copy of TCT No. 168173, and ordered the
shall be charged by the SECOND PARTY provincial public prosecutor to conduct an
on the P3 million however, in the event that investigation of petitioner for perjury and false
on the sixth month the SECOND PARTY testimony. Respondent prayed for the ex-parte
issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment and WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby RENDERED:
payment of two million pesos with interest at 36%
per annum from December 7, 1991, P100,000.00 1) Ordering defendant to pay plaintiff the
moral, corrective and exemplary damages sum of P2 Million plus interest thereon at
and P200,000.00 for attorneys fees. the rate of thirty two (32%) per cent per
annum beginning December 7, 1991 until
In an Order dated April 6, 1993, the Executive fully paid.
Judge of the RTC of Manila issued a writ of
preliminary attachment upon the filing of a bond in 2) Ordering defendant to pay plaintiff the
the amount of two million pesos.15 sum of P70,000.00 representing premiums
paid by plaintiff on the attachment bond with
Petitioner filed an Amended Answer16 alleging that legal interest thereon counted from the date
the Memorandum of Agreement was conceived and of this decision until fully paid.
arranged by her lawyer, Atty. Carmelita Lozada,
who is also respondents lawyer; that she was 3) Ordering defendant to pay plaintiff the
asked to sign the agreement without being given sum of P100,000.00 by way of moral,
the chance to read the same; that the title to the corrective and exemplary damages.
property and the Deed of Sale between her and the
IMRDC were entrusted to Atty. Lozada for 4) Ordering defendant to pay plaintiff
safekeeping and were never turned over to attorneys fees of P100,000.00 plus cost of
respondent as there was no consummated sale yet; litigation.18
that out of the two million pesos cash paid, Atty.
Lozada took the one million pesos which has not The RTC found that petitioner was under obligation
been returned, thus petitioner had filed a civil case to pay respondent the amount of two million pesos
against her; that she was never informed of with compounded interest pursuant to their
respondents decision not to purchase the property Memorandum of Agreement; that the fraudulent
within the six month period fixed in the agreement; scheme employed by petitioner to deprive
that when she demanded the return of TCT No. respondent of her only security to her loaned
168173 and the Deed of Sale between her and the money when petitioner executed an affidavit of loss
IMRDC from Atty. Lozada, the latter gave her these and instituted a petition for the issuance of an
documents in a brown envelope on May 5, 1991 owners duplicate title knowing the same was in
which her secretary placed in her attache case; that respondents possession, entitled respondent to
the envelope together with her other personal moral damages; and that petitioners bare denial
things were lost when her car was forcibly opened cannot be accorded credence because her
the following day; that she sought the help of Atty. testimony and that of her witness did not appear to
Lozada who advised her to secure a police report, be credible.
to execute an affidavit of loss and to get the
services of another lawyer to file a petition for the The RTC further found that petitioner admitted that
issuance of an owners duplicate copy; that the she received from respondent the two million pesos
petition for the issuance of a new owners duplicate in cash but the fact that petitioner gave the one
copy was filed on her behalf without her knowledge million pesos to Atty. Lozada was without
and neither did she sign the petition nor testify in respondents knowledge thus it is not binding on
court as falsely claimed for she was abroad; that respondent; that respondent had also proven that in
she was a victim of the manipulations of Atty. 1993, she initially paid the sum of P30,000.00 as
Lozada and respondent as shown by the filing of premium for the issuance of the attachment
criminal charges for perjury and false testimony bond, P20,000.00 for its renewal in 1994,
against her; that no interest could be due as there and P20,000.00 for the renewal in 1995, thus
was no valid mortgage over the property as the plaintiff should be reimbursed considering that she
principal obligation is vitiated with fraud and was compelled to go to court and ask for a writ of
deception. She prayed for the dismissal of the preliminary attachment to protect her rights under
complaint, counter-claim for damages and the agreement.
attorneys fees.
Petitioner filed her appeal with the CA. In a
Trial on the merits ensued. On January 31, 1996, Decision dated June 18, 2002, the CA affirmed the
the RTC issued a decision,17 the dispositive portion RTC decision with modification, the dispositive
of which reads: portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the decision DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS FEES IS
appealed from is MODIFIED in the sense that the PROPER EVEN IF NOT MENTIONED IN
rate of interest is reduced from 32% to 25% per THE TEXT OF THE DECISION.22
annum, effective June 7, 1991 until fully paid.19
Petitioner contends that the interest, whether at
The CA found that: petitioner gave the one million 32% per annum awarded by the trial court or at
pesos to Atty. Lozada partly as her commission and 25% per annum as modified by the CA which
partly as a loan; respondent did not replace the should run from June 7, 1991 until fully paid, is
mistakenly dated check of one million pesos contrary to the parties Memorandum of Agreement;
because she had decided not to buy the property that the agreement provides that if respondent
and petitioner knew of her decision as early as April would decide not to purchase the property,
1991; the award of moral damages was warranted petitioner has the period of another six months to
since even granting petitioner had no hand in the pay the loan with compounded bank interest for the
filing of the petition for the issuance of an owners last six months only; that the CAs ruling that a loan
copy, she executed an affidavit of loss of TCT No. always bears interest otherwise it is not a loan is
168173 when she knew all along that said title was contrary to Art. 1956 of the New Civil Code which
in respondents possession; petitioners claim that provides that no interest shall be due unless it has
she thought the title was lost when the brown been expressly stipulated in writing.
envelope given to her by Atty. Lozada was stolen
from her car was hollow; that such deceitful We are not persuaded.
conduct caused respondent serious anxiety and
emotional distress. While the CAs conclusion, that a loan always bears
interest otherwise it is not a loan, is flawed since a
The CA concluded that there was no basis for simple loan may be gratuitous or with a stipulation
petitioner to say that the interest should be charged to pay interest,23 we find no error committed by the
for six months only and no more; that a loan always CA in awarding a 25% interest per annum on the
bears interest otherwise it is not a loan; that interest two-million peso loan even beyond the second six
should commence on June 7, 199120 with months stipulated period.
compounded bank interest prevailing at the time
the two million was considered as a loan which was The Memorandum of Agreement executed between
in June 1991; that the bank interest rate for loans the petitioner and respondent on December 7, 1990
secured by a real estate mortgage in 1991 ranged is the law between the parties. In resolving an issue
from 25% to 32% per annum as certified to by based upon a contract, we must first examine the
Prudential Bank,21 that in fairness to petitioner, the contract itself, especially the provisions thereof
rate to be charged should be 25% only. which are relevant to the controversy.24 The
general rule is that if the terms of an agreement are
Petitioners motion for reconsideration was denied clear and leave no doubt as to the intention of the
by the CA in a Resolution dated September 11, contracting parties, the literal meaning of its
2002. stipulations shall prevail.25 It is further required that
the various stipulations of a contract shall be
Hence the instant Petition for Review interpreted together, attributing to the doubtful ones
on Certiorari filed by petitioner raising the following that sense which may result from all of them taken
issues: jointly.26
(A) WHETHER OR NOT THE In this case, the phrase "for the last six months
COMPOUNDED BANK INTEREST only" should be taken in the context of the entire
SHOULD BE LIMITED TO SIX (6) agreement. We agree with and adopt the CAs
MONTHS AS CONTAINED IN THE interpretation of the phrase in this wise:
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT.
Their agreement speaks of two (2) periods of six
(B) WHETHER OR NOT THE months each. The first six-month period was given
RESPONDENT IS ENTITLED TO MORAL to plaintiff-appellee (respondent) to make up her
DAMAGES. mind whether or not to purchase defendant-
appellants (petitioner's) property. The second six-
(C) WHETHER OR NOT THE GRANT OF month period was given to defendant-appellant to
CORRECTIVE AND EXEMPLARY pay the P2 million loan in the event that plaintiff-
appellee decided not to buy the subject property in 25% per annum awarded by the CA to a P2 million
which case interest will be charged "for the last six loan is fair and reasonable.
months only", referring to the second six-month
period. This means that no interest will be charged Petitioner next claims that moral damages were
for the first six-month period while appellee was awarded on the erroneous finding that she used a
making up her mind whether to buy the property, fraudulent scheme to deprive respondent of her
but only for the second period of six months after security for the loan; that such finding is baseless
appellee had decided not to buy the property. This since petitioner was acquitted in the case for
is the meaning of the phrase "for the last six perjury and false testimony filed by respondent
months only". Certainly, there is nothing in their against her.
agreement that suggests that interest will be
charged for six months only even if it takes We are not persuaded.
defendant-appellant an eternity to pay the loan.27
Article 31 of the Civil Code provides that when the
The agreement that the amount given shall bear civil action is based on an obligation not arising
compounded bank interest for the last six months from the act or omission complained of as a felony,
only, i.e., referring to the second six-month period, such civil action may proceed independently of the
does not mean that interest will no longer be criminal proceedings and regardless of the result of
charged after the second six-month period since the latter.32
such stipulation was made on the logical and
reasonable expectation that such amount would be While petitioner was acquitted in the false
paid within the date stipulated. Considering that testimony and perjury cases filed by respondent
petitioner failed to pay the amount given which against her, those actions are entirely distinct from
under the Memorandum of Agreement shall be the collection of sum of money with damages filed
considered as a loan, the monetary interest for the by respondent against petitioner.
last six months continued to accrue until actual
payment of the loaned amount. We agree with the findings of the trial court and the
CA that petitioners act of trying to deprive
The payment of regular interest constitutes the respondent of the security of her loan by executing
price or cost of the use of money and thus, until the an affidavit of loss of the title and instituting a
principal sum due is returned to the creditor, regular petition for the issuance of a new owners duplicate
interest continues to accrue since the debtor copy of TCT No. 168173 entitles respondent to
continues to use such principal amount.28 It has moral damages.1a\^/phi1.net Moral damages may
been held that for a debtor to continue in be awarded in culpa contractual or breach of
possession of the principal of the loan and to contract cases when the defendant acted
continue to use the same after maturity of the loan fraudulently or in bad faith. Bad faith does not
without payment of the monetary interest, would simply connote bad judgment or negligence; it
constitute unjust enrichment on the part of the imports a dishonest purpose or some moral
debtor at the expense of the creditor.29 obliquity and conscious doing of wrong. It partakes
of the nature of fraud.33
Petitioner and respondent stipulated that the loaned
amount shall earn compounded bank interests, and The Memorandum of Agreement provides that in
per the certification issued by Prudential Bank, the the event that respondent opts not to buy the
interest rate for loans in 1991 ranged from 25% to property, the money given by respondent to
32% per annum. The CA reduced the interest rate petitioner shall be treated as a loan and the
to 25% instead of the 32% awarded by the trial property shall be considered as the security for the
court which petitioner no longer mortgage. It was testified to by respondent that
assailed.1awphi1.nt after they executed the agreement on December 7,
1990, petitioner gave her the owners copy of the
In Bautista v. Pilar Development Corp.,30 we upheld title to the property, the Deed of Sale between
the validity of a 21% per annum interest on petitioner and IMRDC, the certificate of occupancy,
a P142,326.43 loan. In Garcia v. Court of and the certificate of the Secretary of the IMRDC
Appeals,31 we sustained the agreement of the who signed the Deed of Sale.34 However,
parties to a 24% per annum interest on notwithstanding that all those documents were in
an P8,649,250.00 loan. Thus, the interest rate of respondents possession, petitioner executed an
affidavit of loss that the owners copy of the title and Article 220841 of the New Civil Code enumerates
the Deed of Sale were lost. the instances where such may be awarded and, in
all cases, it must be reasonable, just and equitable
Although petitioner testified that her execution of if the same were to be granted.42 Attorney's fees as
the affidavit of loss was due to the fact that she was part of damages are not meant to enrich the
of the belief that since she had demanded from winning party at the expense of the losing litigant.
Atty. Lozada the return of the title, she thought that They are not awarded every time a party prevails in
the brown envelope with markings which Atty. a suit because of the policy that no premium should
Lozada gave her on May 5, 1991 already contained be placed on the right to litigate.43 The award of
the title and the Deed of Sale as those documents attorney's fees is the exception rather than the
were in the same brown envelope which she gave general rule. As such, it is necessary for the trial
to Atty. Lozada prior to the transaction with court to make findings of facts and law that would
respondent.35 Such statement remained a bare bring the case within the exception and justify the
statement. It was not proven at all since Atty. grant of such award. The matter of attorney's fees
Lozada had not taken the stand to corroborate her cannot be mentioned only in the dispositive portion
claim. In fact, even petitioners own witness, of the decision.44 They must be clearly explained
Benilda Ynfante (Ynfante), was not able to and justified by the trial court in the body of its
establish petitioner's claim that the title was decision. On appeal, the CA is precluded from
returned by Atty. Lozada in view of Ynfante's supplementing the bases for awarding attorneys
testimony that after the brown envelope was given fees when the trial court failed to discuss in its
to petitioner, the latter passed it on to her and she Decision the reasons for awarding the same.
placed it in petitioners attach case36 and did not Consequently, the award of attorney's fees should
bother to look at the envelope.37 be deleted.
It is clear therefrom that petitioners execution of WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, the
the affidavit of loss became the basis of the filing of Decision dated June 18, 2002 and the Resolution
the petition with the RTC for the issuance of new dated September 11, 2002 of the Court of Appeals
owners duplicate copy of TCT No. 168173. in CA-G.R. CV No. 52839 are AFFIRMED with
Petitioners actuation would have deprived MODIFICATION that the award of attorneys fees
respondent of the security for her loan were it not is DELETED.
for respondents timely filing of a petition for relief
whereby the RTC set aside its previous order No pronouncement as to costs.
granting the issuance of new title. Thus, the award
of moral damages is in order. SO ORDERED.
At around 7:30 in the evening of the same day, as During arraignment, accused-appellants pleaded
Roderick was on his way to Batangas to deliver the not guilty11 and interposed the defenses of denial
ransom money, the kidnappers called and and alibi. Except for Rodolfo, they individually
instructed him to open all the windows of the car he claimed that on said date and time, they were in
was driving and to turn on the hazard light when he their respective houses when they were taken by
reaches the designated place. After a while, men in police uniforms, then subsequently brought
Roderick received another call directing him to exit to Camp Crame, and there allegedly tortured and
in Bicutan instead and proceed to C-5 until he detained. On the other hand, Rodolfo, for himself,
arrives at the Centennial Village. He was told to averred that at around 8 oclock in the evening of
park beside the Libingan ng mga Bayani. After June 12, 2003, while walking on his way home, he
several hours, an orange Mitsubishi car with plate noticed that a van had been following him.
number DEH 498 pulled up in front of his vehicle Suddenly, four (4) persons alighted from the
where four (4) men alighted. Roderick saw one of vehicle, boarded him inside, blindfolded him, and
the men take a mobile phone and upon uttering the eventually tortured him. He likewise claimed that he
word "alat," the men returned to their car and drove was made to sign an extrajudicial confession,
away.6 purporting too that while a certain Atty.
Nepomuceno had been summoned to assist him,
Meanwhile, a team had been organized to the latter failed to do so.12
investigate the kidnapping of Edwin, headed by
SPO3 Romeo Caballero (SPO3 Caballero) and During trial, the death of the victim, Edwin, was
PO3 Nestor Acebuche (PO3 Acebuche) of the established through a Certificate of Death13 with
Camp Crame Police Anti-Crime Emergency Registry No. 2003-050 (subject certificate of death)
Response (PACER). During the course of the
showing that he died on May 19, 2003 from a sustained the finding that the kidnapping was
gunshot wound on the head. committed for the purpose of extorting ransom, as
sufficiently proven by the testimony of the brother of
The RTC Ruling the victim.22 Moreover, the CA affirmed that
conspiracy attended the commission of the crime,
In a Decision14 dated June 13, 2007, the Regional as the acts of accused-appellants emanated from
Trial Court of Caloocan City, Branch 129 (RTC), in the same purpose or common design, and they
Crim. Case No. C-68329, convicted accused- were united in its execution.23
appellants of the crime of Kidnapping and Serious
Illegal Detention, sentencing each of them to suffer Separately, the CA found that accused-appellants
the penalty of reclusion perpetua. claims of torture were never supported, and that
Rodolfo voluntarily signed the extrajudicial
It gave credence to the positive and straightforward confession and was afforded competent and
testimonies of the prosecution witnesses which independent counsel in its execution.24
clearly established that it was the
accusedappellants who forcibly dragged a bloodied Aggrieved by their conviction, accused-appellants
Edwin into a car and, consequently, deprived him of filed the instant appeal.
his liberty.15 In light thereof, it rejected accused-
appellants respective alibis and claims of torture, The Issue Before the Court
which were not substantiated. It also held that the
crime of Kidnapping had been committed for the The sole issue to be resolved by the Court is
purpose of extorting ransom, which is punishable whether or not accusedappellants are guilty of the
by death. However, in view of the suspended crime of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention.
imposition of the death penalty pursuant to
Republic Act No. (RA) 9346,16 only the penalty of The Courts Ruling
reclusion perpetua was imposed.17 Further, the
RTC found that conspiracy attended the The appeal is devoid of merit.
commission of the crime, as the accused-
appellants individual participation was geared Well-settled is the rule that the question of
toward a joint purpose and criminal design.18 credibility of witnesses is primarily for the trial court
to determine. Its assessment of the credibility of a
Notably, while the RTC found that the testimonies witness is entitled to great weight, and it is
of the prosecution witnesses prove that the victim conclusive and binding unless shown to be tainted
Edwin was abducted, deprived of liberty, and with arbitrariness or unless, through oversight,
eventually killed,19 a fact which is supported by the some fact or circumstance of weight and influence
subject certificate of death, it did not consider said has not been considered. Absent any showing that
death in its judgment. The CA Ruling the trial judge overlooked, misunderstood, or
misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight
In a Decision20 dated February 15, 2013, the CA which would affect the result of the case, or that the
affirmed in toto the RTCs conviction of accused- judge acted arbitrarily, his assessment of the
appellants, finding that the prosecution was able to credibility of witnesses deserves high respect by
clearly establish all the elements of the crime of the appellate court.25
Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, namely:
(a) the offender is a private individual; (b) he In this case, the RTC, as affirmed by the CA, gave
kidnaps or detains another, or in any manner weight and credence to the testimonies of the
deprives the latter of his liberty; (c) the act of prosecution witnesses, which they found to be
detention or kidnapping must be illegal; and (d) in straightforward and consistent. Through these
the commission of the offense, any of the following testimonies, it was clearly established that
circumstances is present: (1) the kidnapping or accused-appellants, who were all private
detention lasts for more than three days; (2) it is individuals, took the victim Edwin and deprived him
committed simulating public authority; (3) any of his liberty, which acts were illegal, and for the
serious physical injuries are inflicted upon the purpose of extorting ransom.26 Thus, seeing no
person kidnapped or detained or threats to kill him semblance of arbitrariness or misapprehension on
are made; or (4) the person kidnapped or detained the part of the court a quo, the Court finds no
is a minor, except when the accused is any of the compelling reason to disturb its factual findings on
parents, female or a public officer.21 It likewise this score.1wphi1
Anent the finding that conspiracy attended the 2. If it shall have been committed simulating
commission of the crime, the Court likewise finds public authority.
the conclusion of the RTC in this regard, as
affirmed by the CA, to be well-taken. Conspiracy 3. If any serious physical injuries shall have
exists when two or more persons come to an been inflicted upon the person kidnapped or
agreement concerning the commission of a felony detained; or if threats to kill him shall have
and decide to commit it, and when conspiracy is been made.
established, the responsibility of the conspirators is
collective, not individual, rendering all of them 4. If the person kidnapped or detained shall
equally liable regardless of the extent of their be a minor, except when the accused is any
respective participations.27 In this relation, direct of the parents, female or a public officer;
proof is not essential to establish conspiracy, as it
can be presumed from and proven by the acts of The penalty shall be death where the kidnapping or
the accused pointing to a joint purpose, design, detention was committed for the purpose of
concerted action, and community of extorting ransom from the victim or any other
interests.28 Hence, as the factual circumstances in person, even if none of the circumstances above-
this case clearly show that accused-appellants mentioned were present in the commission of the
acted in concert at the time of the commission of offense.
the crime and that their acts emanated from the
same purpose or common design, showing unity in When the victim is killed or dies as a consequence
its execution,29 the CA, affirming the trial court, of the detention or is raped, or is subjected to
correctly ruled that there was conspiracy among torture or dehumanizing acts, the maximum penalty
them. shall be imposed. (Emphases supplied)
The foregoing notwithstanding, the Court is, The Court further elucidated in People v.
however, constrained to modify the ruling of the Mercado:32
RTC and the CA, as the crime the
accusedappellants have committed does not, as
In People v. Ramos, the accused was found guilty
the records obviously bear, merely constitute
of two separate heinous crimes of kidnapping for
Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, but that
ransom and murder committed on July 13, 1994
of the special complex crime of Kidnapping for
and sentenced to death. On appeal, this Court
Ransom with Homicide. This is in view of the
modified the ruling and found the accused guilty of
victims (i.e., Edwins) death, which was (a)
the "special complex crime" of kidnapping for
specifically charged in the Information,30 and (b)
ransom with murder under the last paragraph of
clearly established during the trial of this case.
Article 267, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659.
Notably, while this matter was not among the
This Court said:
issues raised before the Court, the same should
nonetheless be considered in accordance with the
settled rule that in a criminal case, an appeal, as in x x x This amendment introduced in our criminal
this case, throws open the entire case wide open statutes the concept of special complex crime of
for review, and the appellate court can correct kidnapping with murder or homicide. It effectively
errors, though unassigned, that may be found in the eliminated the distinction drawn by the courts
appealed judgment.31 between those cases where the killing of the
kidnapped victim was purposely sought by the
accused, and those where the killing of the victim
After the amendment of the Revised Penal Code on
was not deliberately resorted to but was merely an
December 31, 1993 by RA 7659, Article 267 of the
afterthought. Consequently, the rule now is: Where
same Code now provides:
the person kidnapped is killed in the course of the
detention, regardless of whether the killing was
Art. 267. Kidnapping and serious illegal detention. purposely sought or was merely an afterthought,
Any private individual who shall kidnap or detain the kidnapping and murder or homicide can no
another, or in any other manner deprive him of his longer be complexed under Art. 48, nor be treated
liberty, shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua as separate crimes, but shall be punished as a
to death: special complex crime under the last paragraph of
Art. 267, as amended by RA No.
1. If the kidnapping or detention shall have 7659.33 (Emphases supplied; citations omitted)
lasted more than three days.
Thus, further taking into account the fact that the exemplary damages in the amount of P100,000.00
kidnapping was committed for the purpose of to the family of the kidnap victim.
extorting ransom, accused-appellants conviction
must be modified from Kidnapping and Serious In addition, interest at the rate of six percent (6%)
Illegal Detention to the special complex crime of per annum shall be imposed on all damages
Kidnapping for Ransom with Homicide, which awarded from the date of finality of judgment until
carries the penalty of death. As earlier intimated, fully paid, pursuant to prevailing jurisprudence.40
the enactment of RA 9346 had suspended the
imposition of the death penalty. This means that the WHEREFORE, the appeal is DISMISSED. The
accused-appellants could, as the CA and trial court Decision dated February 15, 2013 of the Court of
properly ruled, only be sentenced to the penalty of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 02888 is hereby
reclusion perpetua. To this, the Court adds that the AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that all the
accused-appellants are not eligible for parole.34 accusedappellants herein are equally found
GUILTY of the special complex crime of Kidnapping
On a final note, the Court observes that the RTC for Ransom with Homicide, and are sentenced to
and the CA failed to award civil indemnity as well each suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua,
as damages to the family of the kidnap victim. In without eligibility for parole, and to pay, jointly and
People v. Quiachon,35 the Court explained that severally, the family of the kidnap victim Edwin
even if the death penalty was not to be imposed on Navarro the following amounts: (1) P100,000.00 as
accused-appellants in view of the prohibition in RA civil indemnity; (2) P100,000.00 as moral damages;
9346, the award of civil indemnity was nonetheless and (3) P100,000.00 as exemplary damages, all
proper, not being dependent on the actual with interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per
imposition of the death penalty but on the fact that annum from the date of finality of judgment until
qualifying circumstances warranting the imposition fully paid.
of the death penalty attended the commission of
the crime.36 In the present case, considering that SO ORDERED.
both the qualifying circumstances of ransom and
the death of the victim during captivity were duly
alleged in the information and proven during trial,
civil indemnity in the amount of P100,000.00 must
therefore be awarded to the family of the victim, to
conform with prevailing jurisprudence.37
WHEREFORE, in view of the Hence, this special civil action for certiorari and
foregoing, the arraignment of the prohibition where petitioners attribute to respondent
accused which was scheduled today Sandiganbayan the following errors:
is cancelled. Mayor Reynaldo
Tuanda, Hermenegildo Faburada, A. The Respondent Court committed
Nicanor P. Agosto, Erenieta K. grave abuse of discretion in denying
Mendoza, Hacubina V. Serillo and petitioners' motions for the
Iluminado Estrellanes are, however, suspension of the proceedings in
hereby ordered to show cause in Criminal Case No. 16936 in spite of
writing within ten (10) days from the pendency of a prejudicial issue
service hereof why they should not before the Court of Appeals in CA-
be cited for contempt of court for G.R. CV No. 36769;
their failure to appear in court today
for arraignment. B. The Respondent Court acted
without or in excess of jurisdiction in
In case of an adverse resolution on refusing to suspend the proceedings
the motion to quash which is to be that would entail a retrial and
filed by the counsel for the defense, rehearing by it of the basic issue
set this case for arraignment, pre- involved, i.e., the validity of the
trial and trial on January 4 & 5, 1993, appointments of private respondents
on all dates the trial to start at 8:30 and their entitlement to
o'clock in the morning. compensation which is already
pending resolution by the Court of
SO ORDERED. 7 Appeals in C.A. G.R. CV No. 36769;
and
On 19 February 1993, respondent Sandiganbayan
issued an order holding consideration of all C. The Respondent Court committed
incidents pending the issuance of an extended grave abuse of discretion and/or
resolution. 8 acted without or in excess of
jurisdiction in effectively allowing
petitioners to be prosecuted under
two alternative theories that private issue raised in the criminal action;
respondents are de jure and/or de and
facto officers in violation of
petitioners' right to due process. 10 (b) the resolution of such issue
determines whether or not the
In sum, the only issue in the case at bench is criminal action may proceed. 15
whether or not the legality or validity of private
respondents' designation as sectoral Applying the foregoing principles to the case at
representatives which is pending resolution in CA- bench, we find that the issue in the civil case, CA-
G.R. No. 36769 is a prejudicial question justifying G.R. CV No. 36769, constitutes a valid prejudicial
suspension of the proceedings in the criminal case question to warrant suspension of the arraignment
against petitioners. and further proceedings in the criminal case against
petitioners.
A prejudicial question is one that must be decided
before any criminal prosecution may be instituted or All the elements of a prejudicial question are clearly
before it may proceed (see Art. 36, Civil Code) and unmistakably present in this case. There is no
because a decision on that point is vital to the doubt that the facts and issues involved in the civil
eventual judgment in the criminal case. Thus, the action (No. 36769) and the criminal case (No.
resolution of the prejudicial question is a logical 16936) are closely related. The filing of the criminal
antecedent of the issues involved in said criminal case was premised on petitioners' alleged partiality
case. 11 and evident bad faith in not paying private
respondents' salaries and per diems as sectoral
A prejudicial question is defined as that which representatives, while the civil action was instituted
arises in a case the resolution of which is a logical precisely to resolve whether or not the designations
antecedent of the issue involved therein, and the of private respondents as sectoral representatives
cognizance of which pertains to another tribunal. were made in accordance with law.
The prejudicial question must be determinative of
the case before the court but the jurisdiction to try More importantly, ,the resolution of the civil case
and resolve the question must be lodged in another will certainly determine if there will still be any
court or tribunal. 12 It is a question based on a fact reason to proceed with the criminal action.
distinct and separate from "the crime but so
intimately connected with it that it determines the Petitioners were criminally charged under the Anti-
guilt or innocence of the accused, and for it to Graft & Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019, sec, 3[e])
suspend the criminal action, it must appear not only due to their refusal, allegedly in bad faith and with
that said case involves facts intimately related to manifest partiality, to pay private respondents'
those upon which the criminal prosecution would be salaries as sectoral representatives. This refusal,
based but also that in the resolution of the issue or however, was anchored on petitioners' assertion
issues raised in the civil case, the guilt or that said designations were made in violation of the
innocence of the accused would necessarily be Local Government Code (B.P. Blg. 337) and thus,
determined. It comes into play generally in a were null and void. Therefore, should the Court of
situation where a civil action and a criminal action Appeals uphold the trial court's decision declaring
are both pending and there exists in the former an null and void private respondents' designations as
issue which must be preemptively resolved before sectoral representatives for failure to comply with
the criminal action may proceed, because the provisions of the Local Government Code (B.P.
howsoever the issue raised in the civil action is Blg. 337, sec. 146[2]), the charges against
resolved would be determinative juris et de jure of petitioners would no longer, so to speak, have a leg
the guilt or innocence of the accused in the criminal to stand on. Petitioners cannot be accused of bad
case." 13 faith and partiality there being in the first place no
obligation on their part to pay private respondents'
The rationale behind the principle of prejudicial claims. Private respondents do not have any legal
question is to avoid two conflicting decisions. 14 It right to demand salaries, per diems and other
has two essential elements: benefits. In other words, the Court of Appeals'
resolution of the issues raised in the civil action will
(a) the civil action involves an issue ultimately determine whether or not there is basis to
similar or intimately related to the proceed with the criminal case.
Private respondents insist that even if their
designations are nullified, they are entitled to
compensation for actual services rendered. 16 We
disagree. As found by the trial court and as borne
out by the records, from the start, private
respondents' designations as sectoral
representatives have been challenged by
petitioners. They began with a petition filed with the
Office of the President copies of which were
received by private respondents on 26 February
1989, barely eight (8) days after they took their oath
of office. 17 Hence, private respondents' claim that
they have actually rendered services as sectoral
representatives has not been established.
One can qualify as a de facto officer only if all the REYNARDO L. BELTRAN, petitioner,
aforestated elements are present. There can be vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, and HON.
no de facto officer where there is no de jure office, JUDGE FLORENTINO TUAZON, JR., being the
although there may be a de facto officer in a de Judge of the RTC, Branch 139, Makati
jure office. 19 City, respondents.
Petitioner Meynardo Beltran and wife Charmaine E. Undaunted, petitioner filed the instant petition for
Felix were married on June 16, 1973 at the review.
Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church in Cubao,
Quezon City.[1] Petitioner contends that the pendency of the
petition for declaration of nullity of his marriage
On February 7, 1997, after twenty-four years of based on psychological incapacity under Article 36
marriage and four children,[2] petitioner filed a of the Family Code is a prejudicial question that
petition for nullity of marriage on the ground of should merit the suspension of the criminal case for
psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the concubinage filed against him by his wife.
Family Code before Branch 87 of the Regional Trial
Court of Quezon City. The case was docketed as Petitioner also contends that there is a possibility
Civil Case No. Q-97-30192.[3] that two conflicting decisions might result from the
civil case for annulment of marriage and the
In her Answer to the said petition, petitioner's wife criminal case for concubinage. In the civil case, the
Charmaine Felix alleged that it was petitioner trial court might declare the marriage as valid by
who abandoned the conjugal home and lived with a dismissing petitioner's complaint but in the criminal
certain woman named Milagros case, the trial court might acquit petitioner because
Salting.[4] Charmaine subsequently filed a criminal the evidence shows that his marriage is void on
complaint for concubinage[5] under Article 334 of ground of psychological incapacity. Petitioner
the Revised Penal Code against petitioner and his submits that the possible conflict of the courts'
paramour before the City Prosecutor's Office of ruling regarding petitioner's marriage can be
Makati who, in a Resolution dated September 16, avoided, if the criminal case will be suspended,
1997, found probable cause and ordered the filing until the court rules on the validity of marriage; that
of an Information[6] against them. The case, if petitioner's marriage is declared void by reason of
docketed as Criminal Case No. 236176, was filed psychological incapacity then by reason of the
before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Makati City, arguments submitted in the subject petition, his
Branch 61. marriage has never existed; and that, accordingly,
petitioner could not be convicted in the criminal
On March 20, 1998, petitioner, in order to forestall case because he was never before a married man.
the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, filed a
Motion to Defer Proceedings Including the Issuance Petitioner's contentions are untenable.
of the Warrant of Arrest in the criminal case.
Petitioner argued that the pendency of the civil The rationale behind the principle of prejudicial
case for declaration of nullity of his marriage posed question is to avoid two conflicting decisions. It has
a prejudicial question to the determination of the two essential elements: (a) the civil action involves
criminal case. Judge Alden Vasquez Cervantes an issue similar or intimately related to the issue
denied the foregoing motion in the Order[7] dated raised in the criminal action; and (b) the resolution
August 31, 1998. Petitioner's motion for of such issue determines whether or not the
reconsideration of the said Order of denial was criminal action may proceed.[11]
likewise denied in an Order dated December 9,
1998. The pendency of the case for declaration of nullity
of petitioner's marriage is not a prejudicial question
In view of the denial of his motion to defer the to the concubinage case. For a civil case to be
proceedings in the concubinage case, petitioner considered prejudicial to a criminal action as to
went to the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, cause the suspension of the latter pending the final
Branch 139 on certiorari, questioning the Orders determination of the civil case, it must appear not
dated August 31, 1998 and December 9, 1998 only that the said civil case involves the same facts
issued by Judge Cervantes and praying for the upon which the criminal prosecution would be
based, but also that in the resolution of the issue or his marriage is void from the beginning is not a
issues raised in the aforesaid civil action, the guilt defense.
or innocence of the accused would necessarily be
determined. Analogous to this case is that of Landicho vs.
Reloval[13] cited in Donato vs. Luna[14] where this
Article 40 of the Family Code provides: Court held that:
"The absolute nullity of a previous "xxx Assuming that the first marriage
marriage may be invoked for was null and void on the ground
purposes of remarriage on the basis alleged by petitioner, that fact would
solely of a final judgment declaring not be material to the outcome of the
such previous marriage void." criminal case. Parties to the
marriage should not be permitted to
In Domingo vs. Court of Appeals,[12] this Court judge for themselves its nullity, for
ruled that the import of said provision is that for the same must be submitted to the
purposes of remarriage, the only legally acceptable judgment of the competent courts
basis for declaring a previous marriage an absolute and only when the nullity of the
nullity is a final judgment declaring such previous marriage is so declared can it be
marriage void, whereas, for purposes of other than held as void, and so long as there is
remarriage, other evidence is acceptable. The no such declaration the presumption
pertinent portions of said Decision read: is that the marriage exists.
Therefore, he who contracts a
"xxx Undoubtedly, one can conceive second marriage before the judicial
of other instances where a party declaration of nullity of the first
might well invoke the absolute nullity marriage assumes the risk of being
of a previous marriage for purposes prosecuted for bigamy."
other than remarriage, such as in
case of an action for liquidation, Thus, in the case at bar it must also be held that
partition, distribution and separation parties to the marriage should not be permitted to
of property between the erstwhile judge for themselves its nullity, for the same must
spouses, as well as an action for the be submitted to judgment of the competent courts
custody and support of their and only when the nullity of the marriage is so
common children and the delivery of declared can it be held as void, and so long as
the latters' presumptive legitimes. In there is no such declaration the presumption is that
such cases, evidence needs must the marriage exists for all intents and purposes.
be adduced, testimonial or Therefore, he who cohabits with a woman not his
documentary, to prove the existence wife before the judicial declaration of nullity of the
of grounds rendering such a marriage assumes the risk of being prosecuted for
previous marriage an absolute concubinage. The lower court therefore, has not
nullity. These needs not be limited erred in affirming the Orders of the judge of the
solely to an earlier final judgment of Metropolitan Trial Court ruling that pendency of a
a court declaring such previous civil action for nullity of marriage does not pose a
marriage void." prejudicial question in a criminal case for
concubinage.
So that in a case for concubinage, the accused, like
the herein petitioner need not present a final WHEREFORE, for lack of merit, the instant petition
judgment declaring his marriage void for he can is DISMISSED.
adduce evidence in the criminal case of the nullity
of his marriage other than proof of a final judgment SO ORDERED.
declaring his marriage void.
DECISION
TINGA, J.:
PASI itself was organized by the consortium in The third cause of action, for damages, imputed
1996. The government, together with PASI, several acts to Lichauco as part of her alleged
coordinated through the International "crusade" to malign the name of plaintiff [D]e
Telecommunication Union two (2) orbital slots, Guzman and sabotage the business of [PASI]:
designated as 161 East Longitude and 153 East
Longitude, for Philippine satellites. On 28 June 12. xxx
1996, PASI wrote then DOTC Secretary Amado S.
Lagdameo, Jr., seeking for official Philippine (a) On 4 December 1996, in a meeting with
government confirmation on the assignment of the the members of the Board of Directors of
two aforementioned Philippine orbital slots to PASI plaintiff corporation, defendant Lichauco
for its satellites, which PASI had designated as the then uttered disparaging and defamatory
Agila satellites.5 Secretary Lagdameo, Jr. replied in comments against plaintiff de Guzman.
a letter dated 3 July 1996, confirming "the These defamatory remarks triggered efforts
Philippine Government's assignment of Philippine from within the plaintiff corporation aimed at
orbital slots 161E and 153E to [PASI] for its [Agila] ousting plaintiff de Guzman from his
satellites."6 position.
PASI avers that after having secured the (b) Defendant Lichauco, then an
confirmation from the Philippine government, it undersecretary of DOTC, wrote Mr. Jesli
proceeded with preparations for the launching, Lapuz on 5 December 1996 (barely two
operation and management of its satellites, days after plaintiff de Guzman wrote him) to
including the availment of loans, the increase in its deny that the DOTC has assigned the two
capital, negotiation with business partners, and an (2) Philippine orbital slots to plaintiff
initial payment of US$3.5 Million to the French corporation. Defendant Lichauco falsely
satellite manufacturer. However, respondent asserted that only orbital slot 161 E was
Lichauco, then DOTC Undersecretary for assigned to plaintiff, orbital slot 153 E was
Communications, allegedly "embarked on a not.
crusade to malign the name of [Michael de
Guzman] and sabotage the business of PASI."
In the same letter, defendant Lichauco entering into or executing any agreement or
branded as FALSE plaintiff de Guzman's arrangement of whatever nature in connection with
claim that "Agila" is a registered corporate the said orbital slot. The complaint also averred that
name of plaintiff corporation. the purported award of the orbital slot to the
"Unknown Awardee was illegal, and thus should be
A copy of the letter is attached as Annex E. declared null and void. Finally, the complaint
alleged a cause of action for damages against
(c) Not contented, defendant Lichauco, Lichauco, cast in the following manner:
again for reasons known only to her, and
with malice aforethought, made defamatory xxxx
remarks against plaintiffs during a
telecommunications forum held in Makati 21. Defendant Lichauco attacked the good name
City sometime in October 1997 in the and reputation of plaintiffs.
presence of public officials and business
executives. 22. She willfully caused damage to plaintiffs by
orchestrating the above-described acts which are
(d) Defendant Lichauco did not spare contrary to law; morals and basic norms of good
plaintiff corporation from her unprovoked faith.
defamation. Defendant Lichauco arrogantly
said that she had asked President Fidel V. 23. She interefered with and violated plaintiff
Ramos to sue plaintiff Michael de Guzman. corporation's contract with DOTC by offering and
With the same degree of arrogance she awarding orbital slot 153 E to defendant Unknown
threatened plaintiff corporation not to use Awardee.
the name "Agila", otherwise she would fight
plaintiff corporation and would make sure 24. Because of defendant Lichauco's reprehensible
that the name of Agila would never be given acts, plaintiffs suffered actual damages of at least
back to plaintiff corporation. P10 million each, for all of which defendant
Lichauco should be held liable to pay.
(e) To top it all, defendant Lichauco without
basis and with evident bad faith, said that 25. By reason of defendant Lichauco's illegal and
plaintiff corporation will never pay its malicious acts, plaintiff corporation's business
contractors. name and goodwill was tarnished, for which plaintiff
corporation should be indemnified by way of moral
(f) In December 1997, defendant Lichauco damages in the amount of at least P10 million.
delivered the coup de' grace. Again, acting
unilaterally, without prior notice to plaintiff 26. For the same reasons, plaintiff de
corporation and in gross violation of DOTC's Guzman suffered and continue to suffer
earlier assignment to plaintiff corporation of extreme mental anguish, serious anxiety,
orbital slot 153 E, defendant Lichauco wounded feelings, moral shock and
offered said slot to interested applicants. A besmirched reputation, for all of which
copy of the notice of offer is attached as plaintiff de Guzman should be indemnified
Annex F. in the amount of at least P10 million.
13. Plaintiffs learned of defendant Lichauco's acts 27. Defendant Lichauco should also be sanctioned,
after orbital slot 153 E was offered for bidding. To as a deterrent for public good, to pay each plaintiff
plaintiff coproration's knowledge, the orbital slot exemplary damages in the amount of at least P5
was eventually awarded to defendant Unknown million.
Awardee.
28. In order to protect and enforce their rights,
x x x x10 plaintiffs were compelled to institute this suit,
engage the services of counsel and incur litigation
The complaint alleged that since Lichauco's act of expenses, for all of which plaintiffs should be
offering and awarding orbital slot 153 East indemnified in the amount of at least P500
Longitude was patently illegal and violative of Thousand each.11
DOTC's prior commitment to PASI, Lichauco
should be enjoined from performing any acts and
xxxx not be sued without its consent; that the complaint
stated no cause of action; and that the petitioners
In sum, petitioners sought the following reliefs for had failed to exhaust administrative remedies by
the three (3) causes of action: failing to seek recourse with the Office of the
President.
xxxx
In an order13 dated 14 August 1998, the RTC
3. After trial of the issues, render judgment as denied the motion to dismiss. It characterized the
follows: defense of state immunity as "at very least a
contentious issue which can not be resolved by
[a] On the first cause of action, making mere allegations in the pleadings but which can be
permanent the writ of preliminary injunction; best threshed out in a litig[i]ous forum where parties
are accorded enormous (sic) opportunity to argue
[b] On the second cause of action, declaring for the ascertainment of whether the act
the offer and award of orbital slot 153 E to complained of are indeed within the parameters
defendant Unknown Awardee null and void. and prerogatives of the authority exercising the
same."14 The RTC also noted that the allegations in
the complaint regarding the ultimate facts
[c] On the third cause of action, directing
sufficiently presented an ultra vires act of Lichauco,
defendant Lichauco to pay the following
and that she was being sued in her personal
sums:
capacity. As to the argument pertaining to the non-
exhaustion of administrative remedies, the RTC
i. P10 million each to plaintiffs as noted that the principle is not an inflexible rule, and
actual damages; may be dispensed with when its application would
cause great and irreparable damage or when it
ii. P10 million to plaintiff corporation would not constitute a plain, speedy and adequate
as moral damages; remedy.15
iii. P10 million to plaintiff de Guzman Lichauco assailed the RTC order through a Petition
as moral damages; for Certiorari under Rule 65 before the Court of
Appeals, which subsequently nullified the RTC
iv. P5 million each to plaintiffs as order in the Decision now assailed before us. The
exemplary damages; Court of Appeals sustained the contention that the
complaint is a suit against the State with the
v. P500 Thousand each to plaintiffs following ratiocination:
as attorney's fees and litigation
expenses. The suit is to the mind of this court a suit against
the state.1avvphil.net
x x x x12
The notice of offer signed by herein petitioner
The complaint was filed before the Regional Trial allegedly tainted with bad faith was done in the
Court (RTC) of Mandaluyong City, and exercise of and in pursuance of an official duty. Her
subsequently raffled to Branch 214. On 2 February duties are as follows:
1998, the RTC issued a temporary restraining order
against Lichauco, who received the summons SEC. 10. Powers and Duties of the
together with the complaint on 28 January 1998. Undersecretary. The Undersecretary shall:
Lichauco failed to file an answer within the
reglementary period, but eight (8) days after the (1) Advise and assist the Secretary in the
lapse thereof, she filed a Manifestation and Motion formulation and implementation of
asking for a new five (5)-day period, or until 25 department objectives and policies;
February 1998, to file a responsive pleading to the
complaint. However, she filed instead a Motion to (2) Oversee all the operational activities of
Admit with attached Motion to Dismiss on 27 the department for which he shall be
February 1998. She rooted her prayer for the responsible to the Secretary;
dismissal of the complaint primarily on the grounds
that the suit is a suit against the State which may
(3) Coordinate the programs and projects of decision, however, erroneous judgment may be,
the department and be responsible for its provided the acts complained of are done within the
economical, efficient and effective scope of the officer's authority, and without
administration: willfulness, malice, or corruption." (43 Am. Jur., pp.
85-86).
xxxxxxxxx
In Sanders vs. Veridiano[16], the Supreme Court
It is apparent from the above enumeration that the held:
petitioner is directly under and answerable to the
DOTC Secretary. We can therefore conclude that "Given the official character of the above-described
her official acts such as the said "notice of offer" letters, we have to conclude that the petitioners
was with the blessing and prior approval of the were, legally speaking, being sued as officers of the
DOTC Secretary himself. United States government. As they have acted on
behalf of that government, and within the scope of
Being an official act, it is also protected by the their authority, it is that government and not the
presumption that the same was performed in good petitioners personally, that is responsible for their
faith and in the regular performance of official duty. acts. Assuming that the trial can proceed and it is
proved that the claimants have a right to the
"Acts in Line of Duty or under Color of payment of damages, such award will have to be
Authority. - As a rule, a public officer, whether satisfied not by the petitioners in their personal
judicial, quasi-judicial, or executive, is not capacities but by the United States government as
personally liable to one injured in consequence of their principal. This will require that
an act performed within the scope of his official government, viz.: the appropriation of the
authority, and in the line of his official duty. In order necessary amount to cover the damages awarded,
that acts may be done within the scope of official thus making the action a suit against that
authority, it is not necessary that they be prescribed government without its consent.
by statute, or even that they be specifically directed
or requested by a superior officer, but it is sufficient There should be no question by now that such
if they are done by an officer in relation to matters complaint cannot prosper unless the government
committed by law to his control or supervision, or sought to be held ultimately liable has given its
that they have more or less connection with such consent to be sued. So we have ruled not only in
matters, or that they are governed by a lawful Baer but in many other decisions where we upheld
requirement of the department under whose the doctrine of state immunity as applicable not
authority the officer is acting. Under this principle, only to our own government but also to foreign
state building commissioners who, in obedience to States sought to be subjected to the jurisdiction of
a stature, discharge one who has been employed our courts.
to construct a state building, take possession of the
work, and place it in the hands of another xxxxxxxxx
contractor, are not liable to the former contractor in
damages, since in so doing they are merely acting The Court finds that, even under the law of public
in the line of their duty. An officer is not personally officers, the acts of the petitioners are protected by
responsible for the necessary and unavoidable the presumption of good faith, which has not been
destruction of goods stored in buildings, when such overturned by the private respondents. Even
buildings were destroyed by him in the lawful mistakes concededly committed by such public
performance of a public duty imposed on him by a officers are not actionable as long as it is not shown
valid and constitutional statute." that they were motivated by malice or gross
negligence amounting to bad faith. This too is well-
xxxxxxxxx settled."17
SO ORDERED.
vs.
DECISION
PERALTA, J.:
This is a petition for review on certiorari under Rule Subsequently, on various dates, the Office of the
45 of the Rules of Court with prayer for the City Prosecutor of General Santos City filed several
issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and/or informations for violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang
issuance of status quo order seeking to annul and (B.P. Blg.) 22 against the petitioner with the
set aside the Resolution1 of the Court of Appeals Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), General
(CA) dated July 17, 2003 denying petitioner's Santos City. The criminal complaints were
motion for reconsideration of the Decision2 dated docketed as Criminal Case Nos. 34873, 34874,
April 30, 2003 in CA-G.R. SP No. 68250. 34862 to 34869, and Criminal Case No. 35522-I.5
The facts of the case are as follows: In the criminal cases, petitioner filed separate
motions to suspend proceedings on account of the
existence of a prejudicial question and motion to
exclude the private prosecutor from participating in
Petitioner Jesse Y. Yap and his spouse Bessie Yap the proceedings.6 Petitioner prayed that the
are engaged in the real estate business through proceedings in the criminal cases be suspended
their company Primetown Property Group. until the civil cases pending before the RTC were
finally resolved.
The CA ruled:
2. THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS
ERRED IN NOT GRANTING THE PRAYER FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF A WRIT OF PRELIMINARY
In the instant case, a careful perusal of Civil Cases INJUNCTION AND/OR STATUS QUO ORDER.20
Nos. 6231 and 6238 reveals that the issue involved
therein is not the validity of the sale as incorrectly
pointed out by the petitioner, but it is, whether or
not the complainants therein are entitled to collect The main contention of the petitioner is that a
from the petitioner the sum or the value of the prejudicial question, as defined by law and
checks which they have rediscounted from Evelyn jurisprudence, exists in the present case. It is the
Te. It behooves this Court to state that the sale and petitioner's assertion that Civil Case Nos. 6231 and
the rediscounting of the checks are two 6238 for collection of sum of money and damages
transactions, separate and distinct from each other. were filed ahead of the criminal cases for violation
It so happened that in the subject civil cases it is of B.P. Blg. 22. He further alleged that, in the
not the sale that is in question, but rather the pending civil cases, the issue as to whether private
rediscounting of the checks. Therefore, petitioner's respondents are entitled to collect from the
contention that the main issue involved in said civil petitioner despite the lack of consideration, is an
cases is the validity of the sale stands on hollow issue that is a logical antecedent to the criminal
ground. Furthermore, if it is indeed the validity of cases for violation of B.P. Blg. 22. For if the court
the sale that is contested in the subject civil cases, rules that there is no valid consideration for the
then, We cannot fathom why the petitioner never check's issuance, as petitioner contends, then it
contested such sale by filing an action for the necessarily follows that he could not also be held
annulment thereof or at least invoked or prayed in liable for violation of B.P. Blg. 22.
his answer that the sale be declared null and void.
Accordingly, even if Civil Cases Nos. 6231 and
6238 are tried and the resolution of the issues
therein is had, it cannot be deduced therefrom that Petitioner further avers that B.P. Blg. 22 specifically
the petitioner cannot be held liable anymore for requires, among other elements, that the check
violation of B.P. Blg. 22.17 should have been issued for account or for value.
There must be a valid consideration; otherwise, no
violation of the said law could be rightfully pursued.
Petitioner said that the reason for the dishonor of
Petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration,18 the checks was his order to the drawee bank to
which was denied in the Order19 dated July 17, stop payment and to close his account in order to
2003. avoid necessary penalty from the bank. He made
this order due to the failure of Evelyn to deliver to
him the titles to the purchased properties to him.
SO ORDERED.
vs.
DECISION
The Case
On September 20, 2006, private respondent, joined Should the trial court declare the rescission of
contract and the nullification of the checks issued as
by her husband, instituted a civil complaint against
petitioner by filing a Complaint dated August 20065 the same are without consideration, then the instant
for the rescission of an alleged construction criminal cases for alleged violation of BP 22 must be
agreement between the parties, as well as for dismissed. The belated filing of the civil case by the
damages. The case was filed with the RTC, Branch herein accused did not detract from the correctness
of her cause, since a motion for suspension of a
197 in Las Pias City and docketed as Civil Case
No. LP-06-0197. Notably, the checks, subject of the criminal action may be filed at any time before the
criminal cases before the MTC, were issued in prosecution rests (Section 6, Rule 111, Revised
consideration of the construction agreement. Rules of Court).8
Thereafter, on July 25, 2007, private respondent In an Order dated March 12, 2008,9 the MTC denied
filed a Motion to Suspend Proceedings dated July petitioners Motion for Reconsideration dated
November 29, 2007.
24, 20076 in Criminal Case Nos. 55554-61, alleging
that the civil and criminal cases involved facts and
issues similar or intimately related such that in the
resolution of the issues in the civil case, the guilt or Petitioner appealed the Orders to the RTC with a
innocence of the accused would necessarily be Petition dated May 13, 2008. Thereafter, the RTC
determined. In other words, private respondent issued the assailed decision dated August 26, 2008,
claimed that the civil case posed a prejudicial denying the petition. On the issue of the existence of
question as against the criminal cases. a prejudicial question, the RTC ruled:
Additionally, it must be stressed that the requirement
of a "previously" filed civil case is intended merely to
obviate delays in the conduct of the criminal SEC. 5. Elements of prejudicial question. The two
proceedings. Incidentally, no clear evidence of any (2) essential elements of a prejudicial question are:
intent to delay by private respondent was shown. (a) the civil action involves an issue similar or
The criminal proceedings are still in their initial intimately related to the issue raised in the criminal
stages when the civil action was instituted. And, the action; and (b) the resolution of such issue
fact that the civil action was filed after the criminal determines whether or not the criminal action may
action was instituted does not render the issues in proceed.
the civil action any less prejudicial in character.10
The Issue
On the other hand, private respondent cites Article Even if we ignored petitioners procedural lapse and
36 of the Civil Code which provides: resolved their petition on the merits, we hold that
Sandiganbayan did not abuse its discretion
amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction in denying
their omnibus motion for the suspension of the
Art. 36. Pre-judicial questions which must be
decided before any criminal prosecution may be proceedings pending final judgment in Civil Case
instituted or may proceed, shall be governed by rules No. 7160. Section 6, Rule lll of the Rules of Criminal
of court which the Supreme Court shall promulgate Procedure, as amended, reads:
and which shall not be in conflict with the provisions
of this Code. (Emphasis supplied.)
Sec. 6. Suspension by reason of prejudicial
question. - A petition for suspension of the criminal
action based upon the pendency of a prejudicial
Private respondent argues that the phrase "before
any criminal prosecution may be instituted or may question in a civil action may be filed in the office of
proceed" must be interpreted to mean that a the prosecutor or the court conducting the
prejudicial question exists when the civil action is preliminary investigation. When the criminal action
has been filed in court for trial, the petition to
filed either before the institution of the criminal action
or during the pendency of the criminal action. Private suspend shall be filed in the same criminal action at
respondent concludes that there is an apparent any time before the prosecution rests.
conflict in the provisions of the Rules of Court and
the Civil Code in that the latter considers a civil case
to have presented a prejudicial question even if the Sec. 7. Elements of prejudicial question. - The
criminal case preceded the filing of the civil case. elements of a prejudicial question are: (a) the
previously instituted civil action involves an issue
similar or intimately related to the issue raised in the
We cannot agree with private respondent. subsequent criminal action, and (b) the resolution of
such issue determines whether or not the criminal
action may proceed.
DECISION
CARPIO, J.:
The Case
Civil Case Must be Instituted There is a prejudicial question when a civil action
and a criminal action are both pending, and there
Before the Criminal Case
exists in the civil action an issue which must be
preemptively resolved before the criminal action
may proceed because howsoever the issue raised in
Section 7, Rule 111 of the 2000 Rules on Criminal the civil action is resolved would be determinative of
Procedure[6] provides: the guilt or innocence of the accused in the criminal
case.[10] A prejudicial question is defined as:
vs.
DECISION
BERSAMIN, J.:
The Case
Issue
Did the CA err in reversing itself on the issue of the
existence of a prejudicial question that warranted the
Petitioner reiterates his contention that the decision suspension of the proceedings in the Makati criminal
case?
in G.R. No. 148193 was not controlling in relation to
C.A.-G.R. No. 71252, which involved Plus Builders,
not Unicapital, the complainant in Criminal Case No.
00-120. He posits that in arriving at its amended Ruling
decision, the CA did not consider the pendency of
the Makati civil case (Civil Case No. 99-1418), which
raised a prejudicial question, considering that the The petition for review on certiorari is absolutely
resolution of such civil action would include the issue
meritless.
of whether he had falsified a certificate of title or had
willfully defrauded Unicapital, the resolution of either
of which would determine his guilt or innocence in
Criminal Case No. 00-120. Consing has hereby deliberately chosen to ignore
the firm holding in the ruling in G.R. No. 148193 to
the effect that the proceedings in Criminal Case No.
00-120 could not be suspended because the Makati
In its comment,19 the Office of the Solicitor General civil case was an independent civil action, while the
(OSG) counters that Unicapital brought the Makati Pasig civil case raised no prejudicial question. That
civil case as an independent civil action intended to was wrong for him to do considering that the ruling
exact civil liability separately from Criminal Case No. fully applied to him due to the similarity between his
00-120 in a manner fully authorized under Section case with Plus Builders and his case with Unicapital.
1(a) and Section 2, Rule 111 of the Rules of Court.20
It argues that the CA correctly took cognizance of
the ruling in G.R. No. 148193, holding in its
challenged amended decision that the Makati civil A perusal of Unicapitals complaint in the Makati civil
case, just like the Manila civil case, was an case reveals that the action was predicated on fraud.
independent civil action instituted by virtue of Article This was apparent from the allegations of Unicapital
33 of the Civil Code; that the Makati civil case did not in its complaint to the effect that Consing and de la
raise a prejudicial question that justified the Cruz had acted in a "wanton, fraudulent, oppressive,
suspension of Criminal Case No. 00-120; and that or malevolent manner in offering as security and
as finally settled in G.R. No. 148193, the Pasig civil later object of sale, a property which they do not
case did not also raise any prejudicial question, own, and foisting to the public a spurious title."22 As
because the sole issue thereat was whether such, the action was one that could proceed
Consing, as the mere agent of his mother, had any independently of Criminal Case No. 00-120 pursuant
obligation or liability toward Unicapital. to Article 33 of the Civil Code, which states as
follows:
vs.
FELIX ICAO, defendant-appellee. We find the appealed orders of the court below to be
untenable. A conceived child, although as yet
REYES, J.B.L., J.: unborn, is given by law a provisional personality of
its own for all purposes favorable to it, as explicitly
provided in Article 40 of the Civil Code of the
Appeal on points of law from an order of the Court of Philippines. The unborn child, therefore, has a right
First Instance of Zamboanga del Norte (Judge to support from its progenitors, particularly of the
Onofre Sison Abalos, presiding), in its Civil Case No. defendant-appellee (whose paternity is deemed
1590, dismissing a complaint for support and admitted for the purpose of the motion to dismiss),
damages, and another order denying amendment of even if the said child is only "en ventre de sa mere;"
the same pleading. just as a conceived child, even if as yet unborn, may
receive donations as prescribed by Article 742 of the
same Code, and its being ignored by the parent in Los derechos atribuidos al nasciturus no son
his testament may result in preterition of a forced simples expectativas, ni aun en el sentido tecnico
heir that annuls the institution of the testamentary que la moderna doctrina da a esta figura juridica sino
heir, even if such child should be born after the death que constituyen un caso de los propiamente
of the testator Article 854, Civil Code). Ilamados 'derechos en estado de pendenci'; el
nacimiento del sujeto en las condiciones previstas
por el art. 30, no determina el nacimiento de
ART. 742. Donations made to conceived and unborn aquellos derechos (que ya existian de antemano),
children may be accepted by those persons who sino que se trata de un hecho que tiene efectos
would legally represent them if they were already declarativos. (1 Manresa, Op. cit., page 271)
born.
If the omitted compulsory heirs should die before the ART. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or
testator, the institution shall be effectual, without injury to another in a manner that is contrary to
prejudice to the right of 'representation. morals, good customs or public policy shall
compensate the latter for the damage.
DECISION
CHICO-NAZARIO, J.:
HON. ACCREDITED VOLUNTARY ARBITRATOR The antecedent facts of the case are as follows:
ALLAN S. MONTAO and NAGKAKAISANG
MANGGAGAWA NG CENTRO STEEL
CORPORATION-SOLIDARITY OF UNIONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES FOR EMPOWERMENT AND Hortillano, an employee of petitioner Continental
REFORMS (NMCSC-SUPER), Steel Manufacturing Corporation (Continental Steel)
and a member of respondent Nagkakaisang
Respondents. Manggagawa ng Centro Steel Corporation-Solidarity
of Trade Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment
and Reforms (Union) filed on 9 January 2006, a
claim for Paternity Leave, Bereavement Leave and 4.3 DEPENDENTSEleven Thousand Five Hundred
Death and Accident Insurance for dependent, Fifty Pesos (Php11,550.00) in case of death of the
pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement employees legitimate dependents (parents, spouse,
(CBA) concluded between Continental and the and children). In case the employee is single, this
Union, which reads: benefit covers the legitimate parents, brothers and
sisters only with proper legal document to be
presented (e.g. death certificate).[4]
xxxx
and Article XVIII, Section 4.3 of the CBA.[10] The
parties mutually chose Atty. Montao, an Accredited
Voluntary Arbitrator, to resolve said issue.[11] Finally, the Union invoked Article 1702 of the Civil
Code, which provides that all doubts in labor
legislations and labor contracts shall be construed in
favor of the safety of and decent living for the
When the preliminary conferences again proved laborer.
futile in amicably settling the dispute, the parties
proceeded to submit their respective Position
Papers, [12] Replies,[13] and Rejoinders[14] to Atty.
Montao. On the other hand, Continental Steel posited that the
express provision of the CBA did not contemplate
the death of an unborn child, a fetus, without legal
personality. It claimed that there are two elements
The Union argued that Hortillano was entitled to for the entitlement to the benefits, namely: (1) death
bereavement leave and other death benefits and (2) status as legitimate dependent, none of
pursuant to the CBA. The Union maintained that which existed in Hortillanos case. Continental Steel,
Article X, Section 2 and Article XVIII, Section 4.3 of relying on Articles 40, 41 and 42[16] of the Civil
the CBA did not specifically state that the dependent Code, contended that only one with civil personality
should have first been born alive or must have could die. Hence, the unborn child never died
acquired juridical personality so that his/her because it never acquired juridical personality.
subsequent death could be covered by the CBA Proceeding from the same line of thought,
death benefits. The Union cited cases wherein Continental Steel reasoned that a fetus that was
employees of MKK Steel Corporation (MKK Steel) dead from the moment of delivery was not a person
and Mayer Steel Pipe Corporation (Mayer Steel), at all. Hence, the term dependent could not be
sister companies of Continental Steel, in similar applied to a fetus that never acquired juridical
situations as Hortillano were able to receive death personality. A fetus that was delivered dead could
benefits under similar provisions of their CBAs. not be considered a dependent, since it never
needed any support, nor did it ever acquire the right
to be supported.
The Union mentioned in particular the case of Steve
L. Dugan (Dugan), an employee of Mayer Steel,
whose wife also prematurely delivered a fetus, which Continental Steel maintained that the wording of the
had already died prior to the delivery. Dugan was CBA was clear and unambiguous. Since neither of
able to receive paternity leave, bereavement leave, the parties qualified the terms used in the CBA, the
and voluntary contribution under the CBA between legally accepted definitions thereof were deemed
his union and Mayer Steel.[15] Dugans child was automatically accepted by both parties. The failure
only 24 weeks in the womb and died before labor, as of the Union to have unborn child included in the
opposed to Hortillanos child who was already 37-38 definition of dependent, as used in the CBA the
weeks in the womb and only died during labor. death of whom would have qualified the parent-
employee for bereavement leave and other death
benefits bound the Union to the legally accepted
The Union called attention to the fact that MKK Steel definition of the latter term.
and Mayer Steel are located in the same compound
as Continental Steel; and the representatives of
MKK Steel and Mayer Steel who signed the CBA Continental Steel, lastly, averred that similar cases
with their respective employees unions were the involving the employees of its sister companies,
same as the representatives of Continental Steel MKK Steel and Mayer Steel, referred to by the
who signed the existing CBA with the Union. Union, were irrelevant and incompetent evidence,
given the separate and distinct personalities of the fetus was already a dependent, although he/she
companies. Neither could the Union sustain its claim died during the labor or delivery. There was also no
that the grant of bereavement leave and other death question that Hortillano and his wife were lawfully
benefits to the parent-employee for the loss of an married, making their dependent, unborn child,
unborn child constituted company practice. legitimate.
On 20 November 2007, Atty. Montao, the appointed In the end, Atty. Montao decreed:
Accredited Voluntary Arbitrator, issued a
Resolution[17] ruling that Hortillano was entitled to
bereavement leave with pay and death benefits. WHEREFORE, premises considered, a resolution is
hereby rendered ORDERING [herein petitioner
Continental Steel] to pay Rolando P. Hortillano the
Atty. Montao identified the elements for entitlement amount of Four Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Nine
to said benefits, thus: Pesos (P4,939.00), representing his bereavement
leave pay and the amount of Eleven Thousand Five
Hundred Fifty Pesos (P11,550.00) representing
death benefits, or a total amount of P16,489.00
On the otherhand, for the entitlement to benefit for Further, parties are hereby ORDERED to faithfully
death and accident insurance as provided under abide with the herein dispositions.
Article XVIII, Section 4, paragraph (4.3) of the parties
CBA, four (4) indispensable elements must be
present: (a) there is death; (b) such death must be
of employees dependent; (c) such dependent must
be legitimate; and (d) proper legal document to be Aggrieved, Continental Steel filed with the Court of
presented.[18] Appeals a Petition for Review on Certiorari,[19]
under Section 1, Rule 43 of the Rules of Court,
docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 101697.
Atty. Montao found that there was no dispute that the Continental Steel claimed that Atty. Montao erred in
death of an employees legitimate dependent granting Hortillanos claims for bereavement leave
occurred. The fetus had the right to be supported by with pay and other death benefits because no death
the parents from the very moment he/she was of an employees dependent had occurred. The
conceived. The fetus had to rely on another for death of a fetus, at whatever stage of pregnancy,
support; he/she could not have existed or sustained was excluded from the coverage of the CBA since
himself/herself without the power or aid of someone what was contemplated by the CBA was the death
else, specifically, his/her mother. Therefore, the of a legal person, and not that of a fetus, which did
not acquire any juridical personality. Continental for statistical purposes only sadly misses this crucial
Steel pointed out that its contention was bolstered point.[20]
by the fact that the term death was qualified by the
phrase legitimate dependent. It asserted that the
status of a child could only be determined upon said
childs birth, otherwise, no such appellation can be
had. Hence, the conditions sine qua non for Accordingly, the fallo of the 27 February 2008
Hortillanos entitlement to bereavement leave and Decision of the Court of Appeals reads:
other death benefits under the CBA were lacking.