1) suntay vs. suntay

8/10/2019 1) Suntay vs. Suntay

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/1-suntay-vs-suntay 1/34

Suntay vs. Suntay GR No. 132524

FACTS:

Petitioner Federico is the oositor to resondent !sa"e#$s Petition %or &etters o% Ad'inistration over the

estate o% Cristina A. Suntay (ho had died (ithout #eavin) a (i##. The decedent is the (i%e o% Federico and

the )rand'other o% !sa"e#. !sa"e#$s %ather *'i#io+ had redeceased his 'other Cristina.

The 'arria)e o% !sa"e#$s arents had revious#y "een deca#red "y the CF! as ,nu## and void.- Federico

anchors his oostion on this %act+ a##e)in) "ased on Art. 2 o% the CC+ that !sa"e# has no ri)ht to

succeed "y ri)ht o% reresentation as she is an i##e)iti'ate chi#d. The tria# court had denied Federico$s

/otion to 0is'iss+ hence this etition %or certiorari. Federico contends that+ inter a#ia+ that the disositive

ortion o% the the decision dec#arin) the 'arria)e o% !sa"e#$s arents ,nu## and void- "e uhe#d.

!SS*:

!n case o% con%#ict "et(een the "ody o% the decision and the disostive ortion thereo%+ (hich shou#d

revai# Re#ated thereto+ (as the 'arria)e o% !sa"e#$s arents a case o% a void or voida"#e 'arria)e

hether or not !sa"e# is an #e)iti'ate chi#d

*&0:Petition dis'issed

Art. 1 o% the Civi# Code states that in case o% dou"t in the interretation and a#ication o% #a(s+ it is

resu'ed that the #a('a6in) "ody intended ri)ht and 7ustice to revai#. This is a#so a#ica"#e and

"indin) uon courts in re#ation to its 7ud)'ent. hi#e the disositive ortion o% the CF! decision states that

the 'arria)e "e ,dec#ared nu## and void+- the "ody had sho(n that the #e)a# "asis (as ar. 3 Art. 85 o% the

Civi# Code+ (hich (as in e%%ect at the ti'e. Art. 85 enu'erates the causes %or (hich a 'arria)e 'ay "e

annu##ed. As such the con%#ict "et(een the "ody and the disositive ortion o% the decision 'ay "e

reconci#a"#e as noted "y the Sure'e Court. The %unda'enta# distinction "et(een void and voida"#e

'arria)es is that void 'arria)e is dee'ed never to have ta6en #ace at a##. The e%%ects o% void 'arria)es+

(ith resect to roerty re#ations o% the souses are rovided %or under Artic#e 144 o% the Civi# Code.

Chi#dren "orn o% such 'arria)es (ho are ca##ed natura# chi#dren "y #e)a# %iction have the sa'e status+

ri)hts and o"#i)ations as ac6no(#ed)ed natura# chi#dren under Artic#e 8 irresective o% (hether or not thearties to the void 'arria)e are in )ood %aith or in "ad %aith. 9n the other hand+ a voida"#e 'arria)e+ is

considered va#id and roduces a## its civi# e%%ects+ unti# it is set aside "y %ina# 7ud)'ent o% a co'etent

court in an action %or annu#'ent. uridica##y+ the

annu#'ent o% a 'arria)e disso#ves the secia# contract as i% it had never "een entered into "ut the #a(

'a6es e;ress rovisions to revent the e%%ects o% the 'arria)e %ro' "ein) tota##y (ied out.

The status o% chi#dren "orn in voida"#e 'arria)es is )overned "y the second ara)rah o% Artic#e 8 (hich

rovides that:

Chi#dren conceived o% voida"#e 'arria)es "e%ore the decree o% annu#'ent sha## "e considered #e)iti'ate<

and chi#dren conceived therea%ter sha## have the sa'e status+ ri)hts and o"#i)ations as ac6no(#ed)ed

natura# chi#dren+ and are a#so ca##ed natura# chi#dren "y #e)a# %iction. !n vie( thereo%+ the status o% !sa"e#

(ou#d "e covered "y the second ara)rah o% Artic#e 8 o% the Civi# Code (hich rovides that , chi#drenconceived o% voida"#e 'arria)es "e%ore the decree o% annu#'ent sha## "e considered #e)iti'ate.-



*N =ANC

G.R. Nos. L-3087 and L-3088 July 31, 1954

In re: Testate state o! t"e de#eased J$% &. %'NT(). %IL*IN$ %'NT(), etitioner>ae##ant+vs.

In re: Intestate state o! t"e de#eased J$% &. %'NT(),+RI$ . %'NT(), ad'inistrator>ae##ee.

Claro M. Recto for appellant.Sison and Aruego for appellee.

(ILL(, J.:

This is an aea# %ro' a decree o% the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan disa##o(in) the a##e)ed (i##and testa'ent e;ecuted in /ani#a on Nove'"er 12+ and the a##e)ed #ast (i## and testa'ente;ecuted in ?u#an)su+ A'oy+ China+ on 4 anuary 131+ "y ose =. Suntay. The va#ue o% the estate#e%t "y the deceased is 'ore than P5+.

9n 14 /ay 134 ose =. Suntay+ a Fi#iino citi@en and resident o% the Phi#iines+ died in the city o% A'oy+ Foo6ien rovince+ Reu"#ic o% China+ #eavin) rea# and ersona# roerties in the Phi#iinesand a house in A'oy+ Foo6ien rovince+ China+ and chi#dren "y the %irst 'arria)e had (ith the #ate/anue#a T. Cru@ na'e#y+ Ao#onio+ Concecion+ An)e#+ /anue#+ Federico+ Ana+ Aurora+ *'i#iano+and ose+ r. and a chi#d na'ed Si#vino "y the second 'arria)e had (ith /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian(ho survived hi'. !ntestate roceedin)s (ere instituted in the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acansecia# roceedin)s No. 482B and a%ter hearin) #etters o% ad'inistration (ere issued to Ao#onioSuntay. A%ter the #atters death Federico C. Suntay (as aointed ad'inistrator o% the estate. 9n 159cto"er 134 the survivin) (ido( %i#ed a etition in the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan %or thero"ate o% a #ast (i## and testa'ent c#ai'ed to have "een e;ecuted and si)ned in the Phi#iines onNove'"er 12 "y the #ate ose =. Suntay. This etition (as denied "ecause o% the #oss o% said (i##

a%ter the %i#in) o% the etition and "e%ore the hearin) thereo% and o% the insu%%iciency o% the evidenceto esta"#ish the #oss o% the said (i##. An aea# (as ta6en %ro' said order denyin) the ro"ate o% the(i## and this Court he#d the evidence "e%ore the ro"ate court su%%icient to rove the #oss o% the (i##and re'anded the case to the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan %or the %urther roceedin)s D3Phi#.+ E3B. !n site o% the %act that a co''ission %ro' the ro"ate court (as issued on 24 Ari# 13E%or the ta6in) o% the deosition o% Go Toh+ an attestin) (itness to the (i##+ on E Fe"ruary 138 thero"ate court denied a 'otion %or continuance o% the hearin) sent "y ca"#e)ra' %ro' China "y thesurvivin) (ido( and dis'issed the etition. !n the 'eanti'e the Paci%ic ar suervened. A%ter#i"eration+ c#ai'in) that he had %ound a'on) the %i#es+ records and docu'ents o% his #ate %ather a (i##and testa'ent in Chinese characters e;ecuted and si)ned "y the deceased on 4 anuary 131 andthat the sa'e (as %i#ed+ recorded and ro"ated in the A'oy district court+ Province o% Foo6ien+China+ Si#vino Suntay %i#ed a etition in the intestate roceedin)s rayin) %or the ro"ate o% the (i##e;ecuted in the Phi#iines on Nove'"er 12 *;hi"it =B or o% the (i## e;ecuted in A'oy+ Foo6ien+

China+ on 4 anuary 131 *;hi"it NB.

There is no 'erit in the contention that the etitioner Si#vino Suntay and his 'other /aria Natividad&i' =i##ian are estoed %ro' as6in) %or the ro"ate o% the #ost (i## or o% the %orei)n (i## "ecause o%the trans%er or assi)n'ent o% their share ri)ht+ tit#e and interest in the estate o% the #ate ose =.Suntay to ose G. Gutierre@ and the souses Ricardo Gutierre@ and ictoria Goo and thesu"seHuent assi)n'ent thereo% "y the assi)nees to Francisco Pascua# and "y the #atter to FedericoC. Suntay+ %or the va#idity and #e)a#ity o% such assi)n'ents cannot "e threshed out in thisroceedin)s (hich is concerned on#y (ith the ro"ate o% the (i## and testa'ent e;ecuted in the



Phi#iines on Nove'"er 12 or o% the %orei)n (i## a##e)ed#y e;ecuted in A'oy on 4 anuary 131and c#ai'ed to have "een ro"ated in the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy+ Foo6ien rovince+Reu"#ic o% China.

As to rescrition+ the dis'issa# o% the etition %or ro"ate o% the (i## on E Fe"ruary 138 (as no "arto the %i#in) o% this etition on 18 une 14E+ or "e%ore the e;iration o% ten years.

As to the #ost (i##+ section D+ Ru#e EE+ rovides:

No (i## sha## "e roved as a #ost or destroyed (i## un#ess the e;ecution and va#idity o% thesa'e "e esta"#ished+ and the (i## is roved to have "een in e;istence at the ti'e o% thedeath o% the testator+ or is sho(n to have "een %raudu#ent#y or accidenta##y destroyed in the#i%eti'e o% the testator (ithout his 6no(#ed)e+ nor un#ess its rovisions are c#ear#y anddistinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses. hen a #ost (i## is roved+ the rovisionsthereo% 'ust "e distinct#y stated and certi%ied "y the 7ud)e+ under the sea# o% the court+ andthe certi%icate 'ust "e %i#ed and recorded as other (i##s are %i#ed and recorded.

The (itnesses (ho testi%ied to the rovisions o% the #ost (i## are Go Toh+ an attestin) (itness+

Anastacio Teodoro and Ana Suntay. /anue# &oe@+ (ho (as an attestin) (itness to the #ost (i##+ (asdead at the ti'e o% the hearin) o% this a#ternative etition. !n his deosition Go Toh testi%ies that he(as one o% the (itnesses to the #ost (i## consistin) o% t(enty>three sheets si)ned "y ose =. Suntayat the "otto' o% the (i## and each and every a)e thereo% in the resence o% A#"erto =arretto+ /anue#&oe@ and hi'se#% and underneath the testators si)nature the attestin) (itnesses si)ned and eacho% the' si)ned the attestation c#ause and each and every a)e o% the (i## in the resence o% thetestator and o% the other (itnesses ans(ers to the 31st+ 41st+ 42nd+ 4th+ 5th+ 55th and D3rdinterro)atories+ *;hi"it 0>1B+ "ut did not ta6e art in the dra%tin) thereo% ans(er to the 11thinterro)atory+Id.B< that he 6ne( the contents o% the (i## (ritten in Sanish a#thou)h he 6ne( very #itt#eo% that #an)ua)e ans(ers to the 22nd and 23rd interro)atories and to I>2 cross>interro)atory+ Id .Band a## he 6no(s a"out the contends o% the #ost (i## (as revea#ed to hi' "y ose =. Suntay at theti'e it (as e;ecuted ans(ers to the 25th interro)atory and to I>4 and I>8 cross>interro)atories+ Id .B< that ose =. Suntay to#d hi' that the contents thereo% are the sa'e as those o%

the dra%t *;hi"it =B ans(ers to the 33rd interro)atory and to I>8 cross>interro)atory+ Id.B (hich hesa( in the o%%ice o% A#"erto =arretto in Nove'"er 12 (hen the (i## (as si)ned ans(ers to theDth+ E2nd+ and E4th interro)atories+ Id B< that A#"erto =arretto handed the dra%t and said to ose =.Suntay: JKou had "etter see i% you (ant any correctionJ ans(ers to the 81st+ 82nd and 83rdinterro)atories+ Id .B< that Ja%ter chec6in) ose =. Suntay ut the J*;hi"it =J in his oc6et and had theori)ina# si)ned and e;ecutedJ ans(ers to the 1st interro)atory+ and to I>18 cross>interro)atory+ Id .B< that /rs. Suntay had the dra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B trans#ated into Chinese and heread the trans#ation ans(ers to the DEth interro)atory+ Id .B< that he did not read the (i## and did notco'are it chec6 it uB (ith the dra%t *;hi"it =B ans(ers to I>D and I>2 cross>interro)atories+ Id.B.

Ana Suntay testi%ies that so'eti'e in Sete'"er 134 in the house o% her "rother Ao#onio Suntay

she #earned that her %ather #e%t a (i## J"ecause o% the arriva# o% 'y "rother /anue# Suntay+ (ho (as"rin)in) a#on) (ith hi' certain docu'ent and he to#d us or he (as te##in) us that it (as the (i## o% our %ather ose =. Suntay (hich (as ta6en %ro' Go Toh. ...J . 524+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24 Fe"ruary148B< that she sa( her "rother Ao#onio Suntay read the docu'ent in her resence and o% /anue#and #earned o% the ad7udication 'ade in the (i## "y her %ather o% his estate+ to (it: one>third to hischi#dren+ one>third to Si#vino and his 'other and the other third to Si#vino+ Ao#onio+ Concecion andose+ r. . 52D>8+ 53>1+ 542+ t. s. n. Id .B< that Ja%ter Ao#onio read that ortion+ then he turnedover the docu'ent to /anue#+ and he (ent a(ay+J . 528+ t. s. n.+ Id .B. 9n cross>e;a'ination+ shetesti%ies that she read the art o% the (i## on ad7udication to 6no( (hat (as the share o% each heir



. 53+ 544+ t. s. n.+ Id .B and on redirect she testi%ies that she sa( the si)nature o% her %ather+ GoToh+ /anue# &oe@ and A#"erto =arretto . 54D+ t. s. n.+ Id .B.

Anastacio Teodoro testi%ies that one day in Nove'"er 134 . 2E3+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 1 anuary148B+ "e%ore the #ast ostone'ent o% the hearin) )ranted "y the Court+ Go Toh arrived at his #a(o%%ice in the 0e #os Reyes =ui#din) and #e%t an enve#oe (raed in red hand6erchie% L*;hi"it CM .

32+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 13 9cto"er 14EB< that he chec6ed u the si)natures on the enve#oe *;hi"it A(ith those on the (i## #aced in the enve#oe . 33+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that the (i## (as e;act#y the sa'e asthe dra%t *;hi"it = . 32+ 4E+ 5+ t. s. n.+ Id .B.

!% the (i## (as snatched a%ter the de#ivery thereo% "y Go Toh to Anastacio Teodoro And returned "ythe #atter to the %or'er "ecause they cou#d not a)ree on the a'ount o% %ees+ the %or'er co'in) tothe #atters o%%ice strai)ht %ro' the "oat . 315+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 1 anuary 148B that "rou)ht hi'to the Phi#iines %ro' A'oy+ and that de#ivery too6 #ace in Nove'"er 134 . 2E3+ t. s. n.+ Id .B+then the testi'ony o% Ana Suntay that she sa( and heard her "rother Ao#onio Suntay read the (i##so'eti'e in Sete'"er 134 . 524+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24 Fe"ruary 148B+ 'ust not "e true.

A#thou)h Ana Suntay (ou#d "e a )ood (itness "ecause she (as testi%yin) a)ainst her o(n interest+

sti## the %act re'ains that she did not read the (ho#e (i## "ut on#y the ad7udication . 52D>8+ 53>1+542+ t. s. n.+ Id .B and sa( on#y the si)nature+ o% her %ather and o% the (itnesses Go Toh+ /anue#&oe@ and A#"erto =arretto . 54D+ t. s. n.+Id .B. =ut her testi'ony on cross>e;a'ination that she readthe art o% the (i## on ad7udication is inconsistent (ith her testi'ony in chie% that a%ter Ao#onio hadread that art o% the (i## he turned over or handed the docu'ent to /anue# (ho (ent a(ay . 528+ t.s. n.+ Id .B.

!% it is true that Go Toh sa( the dra%t *;hi"it = in the o%%ice o% A#"erto =arretto in Nove'"er 12(hen the (i## (as si)ned+ then the art o% his testi'ony that A#"erto =arretto handed the dra%t toose =. Suntay to (ho' he said: JKou had "etter see i% you (ant any correctionJ and that Ja%terchec6in) ose =. Suntay ut the J*;hi"it =J in his oc6et and had the ori)ina# si)ned and e;ecutedJcannot "e true+ %or it (as not the ti'e %or correctin) the dra%t o% the (i##+ "ecause it 'ust have "eencorrected "e%ore and a## corrections and additions (ritten in #ead enci# 'ust have "een inserted and

coied in the %ina# dra%t o% the (i## (hich (as si)ned on that occasion. The "rin)in) in %or the dra%t*;hi"it =B on that occasion is 7ust to %it it (ithin the %ra'e(or6 o% the ae##ants theory. At any rate+a## o% Go Tohs testi'ony "y deosition on the rovisions o% the a##e)ed #ost (i## is hearsay+ "ecausehe ca'e to 6no( or he #earned to the' %ro' in%or'ation )iven hi' "y ose =. Suntay and %ro'readin) the trans#ation o% the dra%t *;hi"it =B into Chinese.

/uch stress is #aid uon the testi'ony o% Federico C. Suntay (ho testi%ies that he read thesuosed (i## or the a##e)ed (i## o% his %ather and that the share o% the survivin) (ido(+ accordin) tothe (i##+ is t(o>thirds o% the estate . 22+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24 9cto"er 14EB. =ut this (itnesstesti%ied to oose the aoint'ent o% a co>ad'inistrator o% the estate+ %or the reason that he hadacHuired the interest o% the survivin) (ido( not on#y in the estate o% her deceased hus"and "ut a#soin the con7u)a# roerty . 148+ 25+ 228+ 22+ 231+ t. s. n.+ Id .B hether he read the ori)ina# (i## or

7ust the coy thereo% *;hi"it =B is not c#ear. For hi' the i'ortant oint (as that he had acHuired a##the share+ articiation and interest o% the survivin) (ido( and o% the on#y chi#d "y the second'arria)e in the estate o% his deceased %ather. =e that as it 'ay+ his testi'ony that under the (i## thesurvivin) (ido( (ou#d ta6e t(o>thirds o% the estate o% the #ate ose =. Suntay is at variance (ith*;hi"it = and the testi'ony o% Anastacio Teodoro. Accordin) to the #atter+ the third %or strict #e)iti'eis %or the ten chi#dren< the third %or "etter'ent is %or Si#vino+ Ao#onio+ Concecion and ose r.< andthe third %or %ree disosa# is %or the survivin) (ido( and her chi#d Si#vino.



ence+ )rantin) that there (as a (i## du#y e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay #aced in the enve#oe*;hi"it AB and that it (as in e;istence at the ti'e o%+ and not revo6ed "e%ore+ his death+ sti## thetesti'ony o% Anastacio Teodoro a#one %a##s short o% the #e)a# reHuire'ent that the rovisions o% the#ost (i## 'ust "e Jc#ear#y and distinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses.J Credi"#e (itnesses'ean co'etent (itnesses and those (ho testi%y to %acts %ro' or uon hearsay are neitherco'etent nor credi"#e (itnesses.

9n the other hand+ A#"erto =arretto testi%ies that in the ear#y art o% 12 he reared or dre( u t(o'i##s %or ose =. Suntay at the #atters reHuest+ the rou)h dra%t o% the %irst (i## (as in his o(nhand(ritin)+ )iven to /anue# &oe@ %or the %ina# dra%t or tyin) and returned to hi'< that a%terchec6in) u the %ina# (ith the rou)h dra%t he tore it and returned the %ina# dra%t to /anue# &oe@< thatthis dra%t (as in %avor o% a## the chi#dren and the (ido( . 32>4+ 44+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 21Fe"ruary 148B< that t(o 'onths #ater ose =. Suntay and /anue# &oe@ ca##ed on hi' and the%or'er as6ed hi' to dra( u another (i## %avorin) 'ore his (i%e and chi#d Si#vino< that he had therou)h dra%t o% the second (i## tyed . 35+ 44 t. s. n.+ Id .B and )ave it to /anue# &oe@ . 3D+ t.s. n.+ Id .B< that he did not si)n as (itness the second (i## o% ose =. Suntay coied %ro' thetye(ritten dra%t L*;hi"it =M . 42+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that the hand(ritten insertions or additions in #eadenci# to *;hi"it = are not his . 415>E 435>D+ 45E+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that the %ina# dra%t o% the %irst (i##'ade u o% %our or %ive a)es . 4+ t. s. n.+ Id .B (as si)ned and e;ecuted+ t(o or three 'onthsa%ter Suntay and &oe@ had ca##ed on hi' . 3E>8+ 43+ 44+ t. s. n.+ Id .B in his o%%ice at the Ce"uPort#and Ce'ent in the China =an6in) =ui#din) on 0as'arias street "y ose =. Suntay+ /anue#&oe@ and a China'an (ho had a## co'e %ro' a)onoy . 38+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that on that occasionthey "rou)ht an enve#oe *;hi"it AB (here the %o##o(in) (ords (ere (ritten: JTesta'ento de ose=. SuntayJ . 3+ 44+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that a%ter the si)nin) o% the (i## it (as #aced inside theenve#oe *;hi"it AB to)ether (ith an inventory o% the roerties o% ose =. Suntay and the enve#oe(as sea#ed "y the si)natures o% the testator and the attestin) (itnesses . 38+ 41+ 441+ 443+4D1+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that he a)ain sa( the enve#oe *;hi"it AB in his house one Saturday in the #aterart o% Au)ust 134+ "rou)ht "y Go Toh and it (as then in er%ect condition . 45>D+ 411+ 44>2+ t.s. n.+ Id .B< that on the %o##o(in) /onday Go Toh (ent to his #a( o%%ice "rin)in) a#on) (ith hi' theenve#oe *;hi"it AB in the sa'e condition< that he to#d Go Toh that he (ou#d char)e P25+ as %ee%or ro"atin) the (i## . 4D+ 44>2+ Id .B< that Go Toh did not #eave the enve#oe *;hi"it AB either in

his house or in his #a( o%%ice . 4E+ t. s. n.+ Id .B< that Go Toh said he (anted to 6ee it and on nooccasion did Go Toh #eave it to hi' . 4+ 41+ t. s. n.+ Id .B.

The testi'ony o% Go Toh ta6en and heard "y Assistant Fisca# F. =. A#"ert in connection (ith theco'#aint %or esta%a %i#ed a)ainst /anue# Suntay %or the a##e)ed snatchin) o% the enve#oe *;hi"it

AB+ corro"orates the testi'ony o% A#"erto =arretto to the e%%ect that on#y one (i## (as si)ned "y ose=. Suntay at his o%%ice in (hich he A#"erto =arrettoB+ /anue# &oe@ and Go Toh too6 art asattestin) (itnesses . 15+ t. s. n.+ *;hi"it DB. Go Toh testi%ied "e%ore the sa'e assistant %isca# that hedid not #eave the (i## in the hands o% Anastacio Teodoro . 2D+ t. s. n.+ *;hi"it DB. e said+ Huotin) hiso(n (ords+ J=ecause ! can not )ive hi' this enve#oe even thou)h the contract on %eesB (assi)ned. ! have to "rin) that docu'ent to court or to any(here e#se 'yse#%.J . 2E+ t. s. n.+ *;hi"it DB.

As to the (i## c#ai'ed to have "een e;ecuted on 4 anuary 131 in A'oy+ China+ the #a( on the ointin Ru#e E8. Section 1 o% the ru#e rovides:

i##s roved and a##o(ed in a %orei)n country+ accordin) to the #a(s o% such country+ 'ay "ea##o(ed+ %i#ed+ and recorded "y the roer Court o% First !nstance in the Phi#iines.

Section 2 rovides:



hen a coy o% such (i## and the a##o(ance thereo%+ du#y authenticated+ is %i#ed (ith aetition %or a##o(ance in the Phi#iines+ "y the e;ecutor or other erson interested+ in thecourt havin) 7urisdiction+ such court sha## %i; a ti'e and #ace %or the hearin)+ and causenotice thereo% to "e )iven as in case o% an ori)ina# (i## resented %or a##o(ance.

Section 3 rovides:

!% it aears at the hearin) that the (i## shou#d "e a##o(ed in the Phi#iines+ the court sha##so a##o( it+ and a certi%icate o% its a##o(ance+ si)ned "y the ud)e+ and attested "y the sea# o% the courts+ to (hich sha## "e attached a coy o% the (i##+ sha## "e %i#ed and recorded "y thec#er6+ and the (i## sha## have the sa'e e%%ect as i% ori)ina##y roved and a##o(ed in such court.

The %act that the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy+ China+ is a ro"ate court 'ust "e roved. The #a(o% China on rocedure in the ro"ate or a##o(ance o% (i##s 'ust a#so "e roved. The #e)a#reHuire'ents %or the e;ecution o% a va#id (i## in China in 131 shou#d a#so "e esta"#ished "yco'etent evidence. There is no roo% on these oints. The unveri%ied ans(ers to the Huestionsroounded "y counse# %or the ae##ant to the Consu# Genera# o% the Reu"#ic o% China set %orth in*;hi"its R>1 and R>2+ o"7ected to "y counse# %or the ae##ee+ are inad'issi"#e+ "ecause aart %ro'

the %act that the o%%ice o% Consu# Genera# does not Hua#i%y and 'a6e the erson (ho ho#ds it ane;ert on the Chinese #a( on rocedure in ro"ate 'atters+ i% the sa'e "e ad'itted+ the adversearty (ou#d "e derived o% his ri)ht to con%ront and cross>e;a'ine the (itness. Consu#s areaointed to attend to trade 'atters. /oreover+ it aears that a## the roceedin)s had in the'unicia# district court o% A'oy (ere %or the urose o% ta6in) the testi'ony o% t(o attestin)(itnesses to the (i## and that the order o% the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy does not urort toro"ate the (i##. !n the a"sence o% roo% that the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy is a ro"ate courtand on the Chinese #a( o% rocedure in ro"ate 'atters+ it 'ay "e resu'ed that the roceedin)s inthe 'atter o% ro"atin) or a##o(in) a (i## in the Chinese courts are the a deosition or to aeretuation o% testi'ony+ and even i% it (ere so it does not 'easure sa'e as those rovided %or inour #a(s on the su"7ect. !t is a roceedin)s in re' and %or the va#idity o% such roceedin)s ersona#notice or "y u"#ication or "oth to a## interested arties 'ust "e 'ade. The interested arties in thecase (ere 6no(n to reside in the Phi#iines. The evidence sho(s that no such notice (as received

"y the interested arties residin) in the Phi#iines . 4E4+ 4ED+ 481+ 53>4+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24Fe"ruary 148B. The roceedin)s had in the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy+ China+ 'ay "e #i6enedtoe or co'e u to the standard o% such roceedin)s in the Phi#iines %or #ac6 o% notice to a##interested arties and the roceedin)s (ere he#d at the "ac6 o% such interested arties.

The order o% the 'unicia# district court o% A'oy+ China+ (hich reads as %o##o(s:

9R0*R:

S** =*&9

The a"ove 'inutes (ere satis%actori#y con%ir'ed "y the interro)ated arties+ (ho dec#are

that there are no errors+ a%ter said 'inutes (ere #oud#y read and announced actua##y in thecourt.

0one and su"scri"ed on the Nineteenth day o% the *n)#ish 'onth o% the 35th year o% theReu"#ic o% China in the Civi# Section o% the /unicia# 0istrict Court o% A'oy+ China.

ANG ?ANG C*NGClerk of Court



C!ANG T*NG AJudge

*;hi"it N>13+ . 8 Fo#der o% *;hi"its.B.

does not urort to ro"ate or a##o( the (i## (hich (as the su"7ect o% the roceedin)s. !n vie(thereo%+ the (i## and the a##e)ed ro"ate thereo% cannot "e said to have "een done in accordance(ith the acceted "asic and %unda'enta# concets and rinci#es %o##o(ed in the ro"ate anda##o(ance o% (i##s. ConseHuent#y+ the authenticated transcrit o% roceedin)s he#d in the 'unicia#district court o% A'oy+ China+ cannot "e dee'ed and acceted as roceedin)s #eadin) to the ro"ateor a##o(ance o% a (i## and+ there%ore+ the (i## re%erred to therein cannot "e a##o(ed+ %i#ed and recorded"y a co'etent court o% this country.

The decree aea#ed %ro' is a%%ir'ed+ (ithout ronounce'ent as to costs.

Pablo, Bengzon, A. Reyes, abrador and Concepcion, JJ., concur.

%e/arate $/nons

(R(%, C.J., dissentin):

As a re#i'inary state'ent (e 'ay (e## re%er to the case o% /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian+ etitionerand ae##ant+!s. Ao#onio Suntay+ An)e# Suntay+ /anue# Suntay+ and ose Suntay+ oositors andae##ees+ D3 Phi#.+ E3>EE+ in (hich the %o##o(in) decision (as rendered "y this Court onNove'"er 25+ 13D+ ho#din) that the (i## e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay (ho died in the City o% A'oy+China+ on /ay 14+ 134+ (as #ost under the circu'stances ointed out therein+ and orderin) the

return o% the case to the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan %or %urther roceedin)s:

9n /ay 14+ 134+ ose =. Suntay died in the City o% A'oy+ China. e 'arried t(ice+ the %irstti'e to /anue#a T. Cru@ (ith (ho' he had severa# chi#dren no( residin) in the Phi#iines+and the second ti'e to /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian (ith (ho' he had a son.

9n the sa'e date+ /ay 14+ 134+ Ao#onio Suntay+ e#dest son o% the deceased "y his %irst'arria)e+ %i#ed the #atters intestate in the Court o% First !nstance o% /ani#a civi# case No.482B.

9n 9cto"er 15+ 134+ and in the sa'e court+ /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian a#so instituted theresent roceedin)s %or the ro"ate o% a (i## a##e)ed#y #e%t "y the deceased.

Accordin) to the etitioner+ "e%ore the deceased died in China he #e%t (ith her a sea#edenve#oe *;hi"it AB containin) his (i## and+ a#so another docu'ent *;hi"it = o% theetitionerB said to "e a true coy o% the ori)ina# contained in the enve#oe. The (i## in theenve#oe (as e;ecuted in the Phi#iines+ (ith /essrs. Go Toh+ A#"erto =arretto and /anue#&oe@ as attestin) (itnesses. 9n Au)ust 25+ 134+ Go Toh+ as attorney>in>%act o% theetitioner+ arrived in the Phi#iines (ith the (i## in the enve#oe and its coy *;hi"it =. hi#eGo Toh (as sho(in) this enve#oe to Ao#onio Suntay and An)e# Suntay+ chi#dren "y %irst



'arria)e o% the deceased+ they snatched and oened it and+ a%ter )ettin) its contents andthro(in) a(ay the enve#oe+ they %#ed.

on this a##e)ation+ the etitioner as6s in this case that the "rothers Ao#onio+ An)e#+/anue# and ose Suntay+ chi#dren "y the %irst 'arria)e o% the deceased+ (ho a##e)ed#y havethe docu'ent contained in the enve#oe (hich is the (i## o% the deceased+ "e ordered to

resent it in court+ that a day "e set %or the recetion o% evidence on the (i##+ and that theetitioner "e aointed e;ecutri; ursuant to the desi)nation 'ade "y the deceased in the(i##.

!n ans(er to the courts order to resent the a##e)ed (i##+ the "rothers Ao#onio+ An)e#+/anue# and ose Suntay stated that they did not have the said (i## and denied havin)snatched it %ro' Go Toh.

!n vie( o% the a##e)ations o% the etition and the ans(er o% the "rothers Ao#onio+ An)e#+/anue# and ose Suntay+ the Huestions raised herein are: The #oss o% the a##e)ed (i## o% thedeceased+ (hether *;hi"it = acco'anyin) the etition is an authentic coy thereo%+ and(hether it has "een e;ecuted (ith a## the essentia# and necessary %or'a#ities reHuired "y #a(

%or its ro"ate.

At the tria# o% the case on /arch 2D+ 134+ the etitioner ut t(o (itnesses uon the stand+Go Toh and Tan =oon Chon)+ (ho corro"orated the a##e)ation that the "rothers Ao#onio and

An)e# aroriated the enve#oe in the circu'stances a"ove>'entioned. The oositorshave not adduced any evidence counter to the testi'ony o% these t(o (itnesses. The court+(hi#e 'a6in) no e;ress %indin) on this %act+ too6 it %or )ranted in its decision< "ut itdis'issed the etition "e#ievin) that the evidence is insu%%icient to esta"#ish that the enve#oesei@ed %ro' Go Toh contained the (i## o% the deceased+ and that the said (i## (as e;ecuted(ith a## the essentia# and necessary %or'a#ities reHuired "y #a( %or its ro"ate.

!n our oinion+ the evidence is su%%icient to esta"#ish the #oss o% the docu'ent contained inthe enve#oe. 9ositors ans(er ad'its that+ accordin) to =arretto+ he reared a (i## o% thedeceased to (hich he #ater "eco'e a (itness to)ether (ith Go Toh and /anue# &oe@+ andthat this (i## (as #aced in an enve#oe (hich (as si)ned "y the deceased and "y theinstru'enta# (itnesses. !n court there (as resented and attached to the case an oen ande'ty enve#oe si)ned "y ose =. Suntay+ A#"erto =arretto+ Go Toh and /anue# &oe@. !t isthus undenia"#e that this enve#oe *;hi"it A is the sa'e one that contained the (i## e;ecuted"y the deceased>dra%ted "y =arretto and (ith the #atter+ Go Toh and /anue# &oe@ asattestin) (itnesses. These to6ens su%%icient#y oint to the #oss o% the (i## o% the deceased+ acircu'stance 7usti%yin) the resentation o% secondary evidence o% its contents and o%(hether it (as e;ecuted (ith a## the essentia# and necessary #e)a# %or'a#ities.

The tria# o% this case (as #i'ited to the roo% o% #oss o% the (i##+ and %ro' (hat has ta6en#ace (e deduce that it (as not etitioners intention to raise+ uon the evidence adduced "y

her+ the other oints invo#ved herein+ na'e#y+ as (e have hereto%ore indicated+ (hether*;hi"it = is a true coy o% the (i## and (hether the #atter (as e;ecuted (ith a## the %or'a#itiesreHuired "y #a( %or its ro"ate. The testi'ony o% A#"erto =arretto "ears i'ortant#y in thisconnection.

here%ore+ the #oss o% the (i## e;ecuted "y the deceased havin) "een su%%icient#yesta"#ished+ it is ordered that this case "e re'anded to the court o% ori)in %or %urtherroceedin)s in o"edience to this decision+ (ithout any ronounce'ent as to the costs. Soordered



9n une 18+ 14E+ Si#vino Suntay+ the herein etitioner+ %i#ed a etition in the Court o% First !nstanceo% =u#acan rayin) Jthat an order "e issued aB either directin) the continuation o% the roceedin)s inthe case re'anded "y the Sure'e Court "y virtue o% its decision in G. R. No. 442ED and %i;in) adate %or the recetion o% evidence o% the contents o% the (i## dec#ared #ost+ or the a##o(ance+ %i#in) andrecordin) o% the (i## o% the deceased (hich had "een du#y ro"ated in China+ uon the resentationo% the certi%icates and authentications reHuired "y Section 41+ Ru#e 123 Ku

Chen)co !s. TiaoHui supraB+ or "oth roceedin)s concurrent#y and si'u#taneous#y< bB that #etters o%ad'inistration "e issued to herein etitioner as co>ad'inistrator o% the estate o% the deceasedto)ether (ith Federico Suntay< and c B that such other necessary and roer orders "e issued (hichthis onora"#e Court dee's aroriate in the re'ises.J hi#e this etition (as oosed "yFederico C. Suntay+ son o% the deceased ose =. Suntay (ith his %irst (i%e+ /anue#a T. Cru@+ theother chi#dren o% the %irst 'arria)e+ na'e#y+ Ana Suntay+ Aurora Suntay+ Concecion Suntay+ &ourdesGuevara da. de Suntay+ /anue# Suntay and *'i#iano Suntay+ %i#ed the %o##o(in) ans(er statin) thatthey had no oosition thereto< JCo'e no( the heirs Concecion Suntay+ Ana Suntay+ AuroraSuntay+ &ourdes Guevara da. de Suntay+ /anue# Suntay+ and *'i#iano Suntay+ throu)h theirundersi)ned attorney+ and+ in ans(er to the a#ternative etition %i#ed in these roceedin)s "y Si#vinoSuntay+ throu)h counse#+ dated une 18+ 14E+ to this onora"#e Court resect%u##y state that+ sincesaid a#ternative etition see6s on#y to ut into e%%ect the testa'entary disosition and (ishes o% their#ate %ather+ they have no oosition thereto.J

A%ter hearin)+ the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan rendered on Ari# 1+ 148+ the %o##o(in)decision:

This action is %or the #e)a#i@ation o% the a##e)ed (i## o% ose =. Suntay+ deceased.

!n order to have a co'rehensive understandin) o% this case+ it is necessary to state the"ac6)round on (hich the a#ternative etition o% the herein etitioner Si#vino Suntay has "een"ased.

The decision o% the Sure'e Court *;hi"it 9B+ in re (i## o% the deceased ose =. Suntay+ D3Phi#.+ E3>EE+ is hereunder roduced:

As Huoted a"oveB

The a"ove Huoted decision o% the Sure'e Court (as ro'u#)ated on Nove'"er 25+ 13D*;hi"it 9B.

The C#er6 o% the Court o% Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan noti%ied the arties o% thedecision on 0ece'"er 15+ 13D< and the case (as set %or hearin) on Fe"ruary 12+ 13E+ "utit (as trans%erred to /arch 2+ 13E *;hi"it 9B+ on 'otion o% the then etitioner /ariaNatividad &i' =i##ian *;hi"it FB. A)ain+ it (as ostoned unti# J%urther settin)J in the order o%court dated /arch 18+ 13E+ uon 'otion o% the etitioner *;hi"it B.

!n the 'eanti'e+ the deosition o% Go Toh (as "ein) sou)ht *;hi"it B.

The hearin) o% the case (as a)ain set %or Fe"ruary E+ 13D+ "y order o% the court datedanuary 5+ 138+ uon 'otion o% *'i#iano Suntay and ose Suntay+ r. 9n the sa'e day o%the hearin) (hich had "een set+ the etitioner+ then+ /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian+ sent ate#e)ra' %ro' A'oy+ China+ addressed to the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan 'ovin) %orthe ostone'ent o% the hearin) on the )round that Atty. *ri"erto de Si#va (ho (asreresentin) her died *;hi"it ?B. The court+ instead o% )rantin) the te#e)rahic 'otion %orostone'ent+ dis'issed the case in the order dated Fe"ruary E+ 138 *;hi"it &B.



9n u#y 3+ 14E+ the etitioner Si#vino Suntay %i#ed a 'otion %or the conso#idation o% theintestate *state o% the deceased ose =. Suntay+ Secia# Proceedin) No. 482 and theTestate *state o% ose =. Suntay+ Secia# Proceedin) No. 452+ (hich #atter case is thesu"7ect o% the said a#ternative etition. The 'otion %or the 'er)er and conso#idation o% thet(o cases (as )ranted on u#y 3+ 14E.

That oositor+ Federico C. Suntay+ in the Testate Proceedin) %i#ed a 'otion to dis'iss thea#ternative etition on Nove'"er 14+ 14E+ (hich (as denied "y the court in its reso#ution o%Nove'"er 22+ 14E. The said oositor not "ein) satis%ied (ith the ru#in) o% this courtdenyin) the 'otion to dis'iss+ %i#ed "e%ore the Sure'e Court a etition %or a (rito% certiorari (ith re#i'inary in7unction+ (hich (as dis'issed %or #ac6 o% 'erit on anuary 2E+148.

!n o"edience to the decision o% the Sure'e Court *;hi"it 9B and uon the a#ternativeetition o% Si#vino Suntay+ and+ %urther+ uon the dis'issa# o% the etition %or a (rito% certiorari (ith re#i'inary in7unction+ the court (as constrained to roceed (ith the hearin)o% the ro"ate o% the #ost (i##+ the dra%t o% (hich is *;hi"it =+ or the ad'ission and recordin)o% the (i## (hich had "een ro"ated in A'oy+ China.

The evidence %or the etitioner+ Si#vino Suntay+ sho(s that ose =. Suntay 'arried t(ice< %irstto /anue#a T. Cru@ (ho died on une 15+ 12 and had "e)otten (ith her Ao#onio+ no(deceased+ Concecion+ An)e#+ /anue#+ Federico+ Ana+ Aurora+ *'i#iano and ose+ r.+ a##surna'ed Suntay+ and second+ to /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian (ith (ho' he had as the on#ychi#d Si#vino Suntay+ the etitioner herein.

So'e ti'e in Nove'"er 12+ ose =. Suntay e;ecuted his #ast (i## and testa'ent in theo%%ice o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto in /ani#a+ (hich (as (itnessed "y A#"erto =arretto+ /anue#&oe@ and Go Toh. The (i## (as reared "y said A#"erto =arretto uon the instance o% ose=. Suntay+ and it (as (ritten in the Sanish #an)ua)e (hich (as understood and so6en "ysaid testator. A%ter the due e;ecution o% the (i##+ that is si)nin) every a)e and the attestationc#ause "y the testator and the (itnesses in the resence o% each other+ the (i## (as #aced

inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB+ sea#ed and on the said enve#oe the testator and the threesu"scri"in) (itnesses a#so si)ned+ a%ter (hich it (as de#ivered to ose =. Suntay.

A year or so a%ter the e;ecution o% the (i##+ ose =. Suntay to)ether (ith his second (i%e/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian and Si#vino Suntay (ho (as then o% tender a)e (ent to reside in

A'oy+ Foo6ien+ China+ (here he died on /ay 14+ 134. The (i## (as entrusted to the (ido(+/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian.

on the death o% ose =. Suntay on /ay 14+ 134+ Ao#onio Suntay+ the o#dest son no(deceased+ instituted the !ntestate Proceedin)s No. 482+ uon the resu'tion that no (i##e;isted. /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian (ho re'ained in A'oy+ China+ had (ith her the (i## andshe en)a)ed the services o% the #a( %ir' o% =arretto and Teodoro %or the ro"ate o% the (i##.

on the reHuest o% the said attorneys the (i## (as "rou)ht to the Phi#iines "y Go Toh (ho(as one o% the attestin) (itnesses+ and it (as ta6en to the #a( o%%ice o% =arretto andTeodoro. The #a( %ir' o% =arretto and Teodoro (as co'osed o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto andud)e Anastacio Teodoro. The ro"ate o% the (i## (as entrusted to the 7unior artner ud)e

Anastacio Teodoro< and+ uon the resentation o% the sea#ed enve#oe to hi'+ he oened itand e;a'ined the said (i## rearatory to the %i#in) o% the etition %or ro"ate. There (as adisa)ree'ent as to the %ees to "e aid "y /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian+ and as she throu)hGo TohB cou#d not a)ree to ay+ P2+ as %ees+ the (i## (as returned to Go Toh "y ud)e

Anastacio Teodoro a%ter the #atter had 6et it in his sa%e+ in his o%%ice+ %or three days.



Su"seHuent#y+ the (i## inside the enve#oe (as snatched %ro' Go Toh "y /anue# Suntay andose+ r.+ (hich %act has "een esta"#ished in the decision o% the Sure'e Court at the"e)innin) o% this decision. Go Toh cou#d recover the enve#oe *;hi"it AB and the iece o%c#oth (ith (hich the enve#oe (as (raed *;hi"it CB.

The Testate Proceedin) (as %i#ed neverthe#ess and in #ien o% the #ost (i## a dra%t o% the (i##

*;hi"it =B (as resented as secondary evidence %or ro"ate. !t (as disa##o(ed "y this courtthrou)h ud)e =uenaventura 9ca'o+ "ut on aea# the Sure'e Court re'anded thecase to this court %or %urther roceedin) *;hi"it CB.

!n the 'eanti'e+ a Chinese (i## (hich (as e;ecuted in A'oy Foo6ien+ China+ on anuary 4+131+ "y ose =. Suntay+ (ritten in Chinese characters *;hi"it PB (as discovered in A'oy+China+ a'on) the aers #e%t "y ose =. Suntay+ and said (i## had "een a##o(ed to ro"ate inthe A'oy 0istrict Court+ China+ (hich is "ein) a#so resented "y Si#vino Suntay %ora##o(ance and recordin) in this court.

The said etition is oosed "y Federico C. Suntay on the 'ain )round that /aria Natividad&i' =i##ian and Si#vino Suntay have no 'ore interest in the roerties #e%t "y ose =. Suntay+

"ecause they have a#ready so#d their resective shares+ interests and articiations. =utsuch a )round o% oosition is not o% 'o'ent in the instant case+ "ecause the roositioninvo#ved herein in the #e)a#i@ation o% the #ost (i## or the a##o(ance and recordin) o% the (i##(hich had "een ro"ated in A'oy+ China.

!t is no( incu'"ent uon this court to de#ve into the evidence (hether or not ose =. Suntay+deceased+ #e%t a (i## the dra%t o% (hich is *;hi"it =B and another (i## (hich (as e;ecuted andanother (i## (hich (as e;ecuted and ro"ated in A'oy+ China.

There is no #on)er any dou"t that ose =. Suntay (hi#e he (as sti## residin) in thePhi#iines+ had e;ecuted a (i##< such is the conc#usion o% the Sure'e Court in its decision*;hi"it 9B. That the (i## (as snatched and it has never "een roduced in court "y those (hosnatched it+ and conseHuent#y considered #ost+ is a#so an esta"#ished %act.

The contention o% the oositor+ Federico C. Suntay+ is that the (i## that (as e;ecuted "yose =. Suntay in the Phi#iines contained rovisions (hich rovided %or eHua# distri"utiono% the roerties a'on) the heirs< hence+ the dra%t *;hi"it =B cannot "e considered assecondary evidence+ "ecause it does not rovide %or eHua# distri"ution+ "ut i% %avors /ariaNatividad &i' =i##ian and Si#vino Suntay. e re#ies on the testi'ony o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto(ho dec#ared that the %irst (i## (hich he dra%ted and reduced into a #ain coy (as the (i##that (as e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay and #aced inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB.

Grantin) that the %irst (i## (hich Atty. A#"erto =arretto had dra%ted "eca'e the (i## o% ose =.Suntay and it (as snatched "y+ and+ there%ore+ it had %a##en into the hands o%+ /anue# Suntayand the "rothers o% the %irst 'arria)e+ it stands to reason that said /anue# Suntay and

"rothers (ou#d have "een ri'ari#y interested in the roduction o% said (i## in court+ %oro"vious reasons+ na'e#y+ that they (ou#d have "een %avored. =ut it (as suressed andJevidence (i##%u##y suressed (ou#d "e adverse i% roducedJ Section D eB+ Ru#e 123 o% theRu#es o% CourtB. The contention+ there%ore+ that the %irst (i## (hich (as dra%ted "y Atty.=arretto (as the one #aced inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB is untena"#e.

!t 'i)ht "e said in this connection that the dra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B has "een ad'itted "y Atty. A#"erto =arretto as identica# in su"stance and %or' to the second dra%t (hich hereared in tye(ritin)< it di%%ers on#y+ accordin) to hi'+ in sty#e. e denied that the insertions



in #on) hand in the said dra%t are in his o(n hand(ritin)< ho(ever+ ud)e Anastacio Teodoroaverred that the said insertions are the hand(ritin) o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto. =ut (hen Atty.

A#"erto =arretto (as as6ed to sho( any 'anuscrit o% his %or uroses o% co'arison+ hedec#ined to do so a##e)in) that he did not have any docu'ent in his ossession sho(in) hishand(ritin) not(ithstandin) the %act that he (as testi%yin) in his o(n house at 188 Sta. /esa=ou#evard+ /ani#a. e %urther testi%ied that the %irst (i## "e dra%ted contained %our or %ive

a)es+ "ut the second dra%t contained t(enty>three a)es< that he dec#ared in one "reaththat he did not read the (i## any 'ore (hen it (as si)ned "y the testator and the attestin)(itnesses "ecause it (ou#d ta6e u 'uch ti'e+ and in the sa'e "reath he dec#ared that hechec6ed it "e%ore it (as si)ned< and that he destroyed the dra%t o% the %irst (i## (hich (as inhis o(n hand(ritin)+ "ut he de#ivered the dra%t o% the second (i## (hich he reared to ose=. Suntay in the resence o% /anue# &oe@+ no( deceased.

hether or not the %ina# #ain coy o% the dra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B (as e;ecuted "y thetestator+ ose =. Suntay+ and attested "y the su"scri"in) (itnesses+ Atty. A#"erto =arretto+/anue# &oe@ and Go Toh+ is the ivota# oint in this instant case. ud)e Anastacio Teodorotesti%ied that he oened the sea#ed enve#oe (hen it (as )iven to hi' "y Go Toh rearatoryto the resentation o% the etition %or the ro"ate o% the said (i##. As the #a(yer entrusted (iththat tas6+ he had to e;a'ine the (i## and have it coied to "e reroduced or aended to theetition. e cou#d not do other(ise i% he is (orth sa#t as a )ood #a(yer< he cou#d not er%or'the stunt o% J"#ind %#yin)J in the 7udicia# %ir'a'ent. *very ste 'ust "e ta6en (ith certaintyand recision under any circu'stances. e cou#d not have ta#6ed a"out the attorneys %ees(ith Go Toh+ un#ess he has not e;a'ined the (i## "e%orehand. And+ dec#arin) that it (as thee;act dra%t o% the (i## that (as inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB+ the testi'ony o% Atty. A#"erto=arretto to the contrary not(ithstandin).

The testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro is corro"orated "y Go Toh+ one o% the attestin)(itnesses+ in his deosition *;hi"it 0>1B.

Ana Suntay+ one o% the heirs and (ho (ou#d "e a%%ected adverse#y "y the #e)a#i@ation o% the(i## in Huestion+ a#so testi%ied on re"utta# that she sa( the ori)ina# (i## in the ossession o%

/anue# Suntay+ i''ediate#y a%ter the snatchin). She read it and she articu#ar#y re'e'"ersthe 'anner in (hich the roerties (ere to "e distri"uted. *;hi"it = (as sho(n to her on the(itness stand and she dec#ared that the rovision re)ardin) the distri"ution o% the roertiesin said *;hi"it = is the sa'e as that contained in the ori)ina# (i##. Said testi'ony o% AnaSuntay+ there%ore+ "e#ies the testi'ony o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto.

ith resect to the roo% o% #ost or destroyed (i##+ Section D o% Ru#e EE rovides as %o##o(s:

JNo (i## sha## "e roved as a #ost or destroyed (i## un#ess the e;ecution and va#idity o% thesa'e "e esta"#ished+ and the (i## is roved to have "een in e;istence at the ti'e o% thedeath o% the testator+ or it is sho(n to have "een %raudu#ent#y or accidenta##y destroyed in the#i%eti'e o% the testator (ithout his 6no(#ed)e+ nor un#ess its rovisions are c#ear#y and

distinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses. hen a #ost (i## is roved+ the rovisionsthereo% 'ust "e distinct#y stated and certi%ied "y the 7ud)e+ under the sea# o% the court+ andthe certi%icate 'ust "e %i#ed and recorded as other (i##s are %i#ed and recorded.J

Section 8 o% the sa'e Ru#e rovides as %o##o(s:

J!% it aears at the ti'e %i;ed %or the hearin) that the su"scri"in) (itnesses are dead orinsane+ or that none o% the' resides in the Phi#iines the court 'ay ad'it the testi'ony o%other (itnesses to rove the sanity o% the testator+ and the due e;ecution o% the (i##< and as



evidence o% the due e;ecution o% the (i##+ it 'ay ad'it roo% o% the hand(ritin) o% the testatorand o% the su"scri"in) (itnesses+ or any o% the'.J

/anue# &oe@ as one o% the su"scri"in) (itnesses is dead. Atty. A#"erto =arretto and Go Tohare sti## #ivin). The %or'er testi%ied durin) the hearin)+ (hi#e Go Tohs deosition (asintroduced in evidence (hich (as ad'itted. !n the a"sence o% the testi'ony o% /anue#

&oe@+ deceased+ the testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro and Ana Suntay (as received.

!t is an esta"#ished %act that the (i##+ dra%t o% (hich is *;hi"it =+ (as #ost or destroyed< that it(as e;ecuted and va#id and that it e;isted at the ti'e o% the death o% ose =. Suntay. Thesecircu'stances a#so a#y to the (i## *;hi"it PB (hich (as e;ecuted in A'oy+ China.

The contents o% the Chinese (i## is su"stantia##y the sa'e as the dra%t *;hi"it =B. Grantin)that the (i## e;ecuted in the Phi#iines is non>e;istent as contended "y the oositor+a#thou)h the %indin)s o% this court is other(ise+ the (i## e;ecuted and ro"ated in Chinashou#d "e a##o(ed and recorded in this court. A## the %or'a#ities o% the #a( in China had "een%o##o(ed in its e;ecution+ on account o% (hich it (as du#y ro"ated in the A'oy 0istrict Court.There is no co)ent reason+ there%ore+ (hy it shou#d not "e ad'itted and recorded in this

7urisdiction.

The said (i## *;hi"it PB in Chinese characters is resented as an a#ternate in case the (i##e;ecuted in the Phi#iines (ou#d not "e a##o(ed to ro"ate+ or as a corro"orative evidencethat the (i##+ the dra%t o% (hich is *;hi"it =+ has "een du#y e;ecuted in the Phi#iines "y ose=. Suntay.

Ru#e E8 o% the Ru#es o% Court covers the a##o(ance o% (i## roved outside o% the Phi#iinesand ad'inistration o% estate thereunder.

Section 1 o% said ru#e rovides:

Ji##s roved and a##o(ed in the nited States+ or any state or territory thereo%+ or in %orei)ncountry+ accordin) to the #a(s o% such state+ territory+ or country+ 'ay "e a##o(ed+ %i#ed+ andrecorded "y the roer Court o% First !nstance in the Phi#iines.J

Section 2 o% the sa'e ru#e rovides:

Jhen a coy o% such (i## and the a##o(ance thereo%+ du#y authenticated+ is %i#ed (ith aetition %or a##o(ance in the Phi#iines+ "y the e;ecutor or other erson interested+ in thecourt havin) 7urisdiction+ such court sha## %i; a ti'e and #ace %or the hearin)+ and causenotice thereo% to "e )iven as in case o% an ori)ina# (i## resented %or a##o(ance.J

This court has de#ved dee into the evidence adduced durin) the hearin) (ith that

enetratin) scrutiny in order to discovery the rea# %acts< it had used unsarin)#y the 7udicia#scae#< and it has (inno(ed the evidenced to searate the )rain %ro' the cha%%. A## the %acts#ead to the inevita"#e conc#usion that ose =. Suntay+ in his sound and disosin) 'ind andnot actin) under duress or undue in%#uence+ e;ecuted the (i## (hich is #ost+ the dra%t o% (hichis *;hi"it =+ (ith a## the necessary %or'a#ities rescri"ed "y #a(. e+ #i6e(ise+ e;ecuted thesecond (i## *;hi"it PB in A'oy+ China+ (hich has "een du#y ro"ated in A'oy 0istrict Court+>a corro"orative evidence that the testator rea##y e;ecuted the (i##. Coies o% the said (i##sdu#y certi%ied and under the sea# o% the court are aended hereto+ 'ar6ed *;hi"its = and P+and they %or' art o% this decision.



!n vie( o% the %ore)oin) considerations+ the court is o% the oinion and so dec#ares that thedra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B is+ to a## #e)a# intents and uroses+ and testa'ent o% thedeceased ose =. Suntay. ith costs a)ainst the oositor+ Federico C. Suntay.

9ositor Federico C. Suntay %i#ed on /ay 2+ 148+ a 'otion %or ne( tria# and to set aside thedecision rendered on Ari# 1+ 148+ to (hich the etitioner %i#ed an oosition+ %o##o(ed "y a re#y

%i#ed "y the oositor and an ans(er on the art o% the etitioner. ithout reoenin) the case andreceivin) any ne( or additiona# evidence+ the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan+ on Sete'"er 2+148+ ro'u#)ated the %o##o(in) reso#ution settin) aside his %irst decision and disa##o(in) the (i##ssou)ht to "e ro"ated "y the etitioner in his a#ternative etition %i#ed on une 18+ 14E:

This is a 'otion %or ne( tria# and to set aside the decision #e)a#i@in) the (i## o% ose =.Suntay and a##o(in) and recordin) another (i## e;ecuted "y hi' in A'oy+ China.

=y virtue o% this 'otion+ this court is constrained to )o over the evidence and the #a(a#ica"#e thereto (ith the vie( o% ascertainin) (hether or not the 'otion is (e## %ounded.=oth arties have resented e;tensive 'e'oranda in suort o% their resectivecontentions.

This court has )one over the evidence conscientious#y+ and it reiterates its %indin)s o% thesa'e %acts in this reso#ution+ (hether or not the %acts esta"#ished "y the etitioner+ Si#vinoSuntay+ (arrant the #e)a#i@ation o% the #ost (i## and the a##o(ance and recordin) o% the (i##that (as e;ecuted in A'oy+ China+ is there%ore+ the su"7ect o% this instant 'otion.

A. As to the #e)a#i@ation o% the &ost i##. There is no Huestion in the 'ind o% this court thatthe ori)ina# (i## (hich ose =. Suntay+ deceased e;ecuted in the Phi#iines in the year 12(as #ost *;hi"it 9+ 0ecision o% the Sure'e CourtB. The evidence adduced "y the etitioner durin) the hearin) has esta"#ished throu)h the testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro andthat o% Go Toh an attestin) (itnessB that the (i## (as e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay+ deceased+(ith a## the %or'a#ities reHuired "y #a(. For the urose o% #e)a#i@in) an ori)ina# and e;istin)(i##+ the evidence on record is su%%icient as to the e;ecution and attestin) in the 'annerreHuired "y #a(.

Section 8 o% Ru#e EE rovides as %o##o(s:

JS*C. 8. Proof "#en "itnesses dead or insane or do not reside in t#e P#ilippines. !% itaears at the ti'e %i;ed %or the hearin) that the su"scri"in) (itnesses are dead or insane+or that none o% the' resides in the Phi#iines+ the court 'ay ad'it the testi'ony o% other(itnesses to rove the sanity o% the testator+ and the due e;ecution o% the (i##< and asevidence o% the e;ecution o% the (i##+ 'ay ad'it roo% o% the hand(ritin) o% the testator ando% the su"scri"in) (itnesses+ or any o% the'.J

Section 11 o% said ru#e a#so rovides as %o##o(s:

JS*C. 11. Subscribing "itnesses produced or accounted for "#ere contest. !% the (i## iscontested+ a## the su"scri"in) (itnesses resent in the Phi#iines and not insane+ 'ust "eroduced and e;a'ined+ and the death+ a"sence+ or insanity o% any o% the' 'ust "esatis%actori#y sho(n to the court. !% a## or so'e o% the su"scri"in) (itnesses are resent in thePhi#iines+ "ut outside the rovince (here the (i## has "een %i#ed+ their deosition 'ust "eta6en. !% a## or so'e o% the su"scri"in) (itnesses roduced and e;a'ined testi%y a)ainst thedue e;ecution o% the (i##+ or do not re'e'"er havin) attested to it+ or are other(ise o%dou"t%u# credi"i#ity+ the (i## 'ay "e a##o(ed i% the court is satis%ied %ro' the testi'ony o% other



(itnesses and %ro' a## the evidence resented that the (i## (as e;ecuted and attested in the'anner reHuired "y #a(.J

The three attestin) (itnesses (ere /anue# &oe@+ deceased A#"erto =arretto and Go Toh.The #ast t(o (itnesses are sti## #ivin)< the %or'er testi%ied a)ainst and the #atter in %avor. !nother (ords+ the attestin) (itness+ Go Toh+ on#y+ testi%ied in his deosition in %avor o% the due

e;ecution o% the (i##. ence+ the etitioner resented another (itness+ ud)e AnastacioTeodoro+ to esta"#ish and rove the due e;ecution o% the said (i##. Ana Suntay (as a#soresented as a (itness in re"utta# evidence. The testi'ony o% Go Toh in his deosition as anattestin) (itness+ cou#ed (ith the testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro (ho (as a"#e toe;a'ine the ori)ina# (i## that (as e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay+ deceased+ (hen it (as )ivento hi' "y Go Toh %or the urose o% %i#in) the etition in court %or its #e)a#i@ation+ and cou#dreco)ni@e the si)natures o% the testator as (e## as o% the three attestin) (itnesses on thesaid ori)ina# (i## is su%%icient to convince the court that the ori)ina# (i## (as e;ecuted "y thedeceased ose =. Suntay (ith a## the %or'a#ities reHuired "y #a(. The ori)ina# (i##+ there%ore+i% it (as resented in court to ro"ate (ou#d "e a##o(ed to a## #e)a# intents and uroses. =utit (as not the ori)ina# (i## that (as resented+ "ecause it (as #ost+ "ut an a##e)ed dra%t*;hi"it =B o% the said ori)ina# (i## (hich does not "ear the si)nature o% the testator and anyo% the attestin) (itness. The ori)ina# (i## (as du#y e;ecuted (ith a## the %or'a#ities reHuired"y #a(+ "ut it (as un%ortunate#y #ost< and the curtain %a##s %or the ne;t settin).

The Court is no( con%ronted (ith the #e)a#i@ation o% the #ost (i## (hether or not the dra%t*;hi"it =B shou#d "e ad'itted as secondary evidence in #ieu o% the #ost (i## and a##o(ed toro"ate.

Section D. Ru#e EE rovides as %o##o(s:

JS*C. D. Proof of lost or destroyed "ill $ Certificate t#ereupon. No (i## sha## "e roved asa #ost (i## or destroyed (i## un#ess the e;ecution and va#idity o% the sa'e "e esta"#ished+ andthe (i## is roved to have "een in e;istence at the ti'e o% the death o% the testator+ or issho(n to have "een %raudu#ent#y or accidenta##y destroyed in the #i%eti'e o% the testator

(ithout his 6no(#ed)e+ nor unless its pro!isions are clearly and distinctly pro!ed by at leastt"o credible "itnesses. hen a #ost (i## is roved+ the rovisions thereo% 'ust "e distinct#ystated and certi%ied "y the ud)e+ under the sea# o% the court and the certi%icate 'ust "e %i#edand recorded as other (i##s are %i#ed and recorded.J *'hasis CourtsB

Fro' the a"ove Huoted rovision o% the #a(+ it is c#ear that the etitioner shou#d not on#yesta"#ish the e;ecution and va#idity o% the (i##+ its e;istence at the ti'e o% the death o% thetestator or its %raudu#ent and accidenta# destruction in the #i%eti'e o% the testator (ithout his6no(#ed)e+ "ut a#so 'ust pro!e its pro!isions clearly and distinctly by at least t"o credible"itnesses. The e;act #an)ua)e o% the c#ause in the a"ove Huoted rovision o% the #a( is Jnorun#ess its rovisions are c#ear#y and distinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses.J The#e)a#i@ation o% a #ost (i## is not so easy+ there%ore+ as that o% an ori)ina# (i##. The Huestion+

there%ore+ is "oi#ed do(n to+ and ro7ected on the screen+ in a very shar %ocus< na'e#y+ thee;ecution and va#idity 'ust "e esta"#ished and the rovisions 'ust "e c#ear#y and distinct#yroved "y at #east credi"#e (itnesses.

Grantin) that the e;ecution and va#idity o% the #ost (i## have "een esta"#ished throu)h thetesti'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro and Go Toh+ and erhas suer%icia##y "y the re"utta#(itness+ Ana Suntay+ does it %o##o( that the rovisions o% the #ost (i## have "een c#ear#y anddistinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses A care%u# revie( o% the evidence hasrevea#ed that at 'ost the on#y credi"#e (itness (ho testi%ied as to the rovisions o% the (i##



(as ud)e Anastacio Teodoro+ and yet he testi%ied on the rovisions o% the #ost (i## (ith thedra%t *;hi"it =B in his hands (hi#e testi%yin). !t 'ay "e )ranted+ ho(ever+ that (ith or (ithoutthe dra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B in his hands+ he cou#d have testi%ied c#ear#y and distinct#y onthe rovisions o% the said #ost (i##+ "ecause he had 6et the (i## in his sa%e+ in his o%%ice+ %orthree days+ a%ter oenin) it+ and he is (e## versed in Sanish #an)ua)e in (hich the (i## as(ritten. =ut did the attestin) (itness Go Toh+ testi%y in his deosition and rove c#ear#y and

distinct#y the rovisions o% the #ost (i## e did not+ and he cou#d not have done so even i% hetried "ecause the ori)ina# (i## (as not read to hi' nor "y hi' "e%ore or at the si)nin) o% thesa'e. !t (as (ritten in Sanish and he did not and does not understand the Sanish#an)ua)e. Neither (as there any occasion %or hi' to have the contents o% the said (i##+ a%terits e;ecution and sea#in) inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB+ read to hi' "ecause it (as oenedon#y (hen ud)e Teodoro had e;a'ined it and then su"seHuent#y snatched %ro' Go Toh.

Ana Suntay on re"utta# did not+ #i6e(ise+ rove c#ear#y and distinct#y the rovisions o% thesaid #ost (i## "ecause she has not had enou)h schoo#in) and she does ossess adeHuate6no(#ed)e o% the Sanish #an)ua)e as sho(n "y the %act that she had to testi%y in Ta)a#o)on the (itness standin).

!t is evident+ there%ore+ that a#thou)h the etitioner has esta"#ished the e;ecution and va#idityo% the #ost (i##+ yet he had not roved c#ear#y and distinct#y the rovisions o% the (i## "y at#east t(o credi"#e (itnesses.

=. As to t#e Allo"ance and Recording of t#e "ill %&ecuted in A'oy, C#ina. ose =.Suntay+ (hi#e he (as residin) in China durin) the re'ainin) years o% his #i%e+ e;ecuted a#so a(i##+ (ritten in Chinese characters+ the trans#ation o% (hich is 'ar6ed *;hi"it P. !t (asa##o(ed to ro"ate in the 0istrict Court o% A'oy+ China. The Huestion is (hether or not thesaid (i## shou#d "e a##o(ed and recorded in this 7urisdiction.

Section 1 o% Ru#e E8 rovides as %o##o(s:

JS*C. 1. (ill pro!ed outside P#ilippines any be allo"ed #ere. i## roved and a##o(ed inthe nited States+ or any state or territory thereo%+ or in a %orei)n country+ accordin) to the

#a(s o% such state+ territory+ or country+ 'ay "e a##o(ed+ %i#ed+ and recorded "y the roercourt o% First !nstance in the Phi#iines.J

Section 2 o% the sa'e Ru#e a#so rovides:

JS*C. 2. )otice of #earing for allo"ance. hen a coy o% such (i## and the a##o(ancethereo%+ du#y authenticated+ is %i#ed (ith a etition %or a##o(ance in the Phi#iines "y thee;ecutor or other ersons interested+ in the Court havin) 7urisdiction+ such court sha## %i; ati'e and #ace %or the hearin)+ and cause notice thereo% to "e )iven as in case o% an ori)ina#(i## resented %or a##o(ance.J

Sections 41 and 42 o% Ru#e 123 rovides as %o##o(s:

JS*C. 41. Proof of Public or official record . An o%%icia# record or an entry therein+ (henad'issi"#e %or any urose+ 'ay "e evidenced "y an o%%icia# u"#ication thereo% or "y a coyattested "y the o%%icer havin) the #e)a# custody o% the record+ or "y his deuty+ andacco'anied+ i% the record is not 6et in the Phi#iines+ (ith a certi%icate that such o%%icerhas the custody. !% the o%%ice in (hich the record is 6et is (ithin the nited States or itsterritory+ the certi%icate 'ay "e 'ade "y a 7ud)e o% a court o% record o% the district or o#itica#su"division in (hich the record is 6et+ authenticated "y the sea# o% the court+ or 'ay "e'ade "y any u"#ic o%%icer havin) a sea# o% the o%%ice and havin) o%%icia# duties in the district



or o#itica# su"division in (hich the record is 6et+ authenticated "y the sea# o% his o%%ice. !%the o%%ice in (hich the record is 6et is in a %orei)n country+ the certi%icate 'ay "e 'ade "y asecretary o% e'"assy or #e)ation+ consu# )enera#+ consu#+ vice consu#+ or consu#ar a)ent or"y any o%%icer in the %orei)n service o% the nited States stationed in the %orei)n country in(hich the record is 6et+ and authenticated "y the sea# o% his o%%ice.J

F. JS*C. 42. hat attestation o% coy 'ust state. henever a coy o% (ritin) is attested%or the urose o% evidence+ the attestation 'ust state+ in su"stance+ that the coy is acorrect coy o% the ori)ina#+ or a seci%ic art thereo%+ as the case 'ay "e. The attestation'ust "e under the o%%icia# sea# o% the attestin) o%%icer+ i% there "e any+ or i% he "e the c#er6 o% acourt havin) a sea#+ under the sea# o% such court.J

!n the case o% *u C#angco !s. +iaoui + 11 Phi#. 58+ 5+ D+ our Sure'e Court said:

JSection D3E o% the Code o% Civi# Procedure says that (i## roved and a##o(ed in a %orei)ncountry+ accordin) to the #a(s o% such country+ 'ay "e a##o(ed+ %i#ed+ and recorded in theCourt o% First !nstance o% the rovince in (hich the testator has rea# or ersona# estate on(hich such (i## 'ay oerate< "ut section D38 reHuires that the roo% o% the authenticity o% a

(i## e;ecuted in a %orei)n country 'ust "e du#y-aut#enticated- . Such authentication+considered as a %orei)n 7udicia# record+ is rescri"ed "y section 34+ (hich reHuires theattestation o% the c#er6 or o% the #e)a# 6eeer o% the records (ith the sea# o% the courtanne;ed+ i% there "e a sea#+ to)ether (ith a certi%icate o% the chie% 7ud)e or residin)'a)istrate that the si)nature o% either o% the %unctionaries attestin) the (i## is )enuine+ and+%ina##y+ the certi%ication o% the authenticity o% the si)nature o% such 7ud)e or residin)'a)istrate+ "y the a'"assador+ 'inister+ consu#+ vice consu# or consu#ar a)ent o% the nitedStates in such %orei)n country. And+ shou#d the (i## "e considered+ %ro' an ad'inistrativeoint o% vie(+ as a 'ere o%%icia# docu'ent o% a %orei)n country+ it 'ay "e roved+ "y theori)ina#+ or "y a coy certi%ied "y the #e)a# 6eeer thereo%+ (ith a certi%icate+ under the sea# o% the country or soverei)n+ that the docu'ent is a va#id and su"sistin) docu'ent o% suchcountry+ and that the coy is du#y certi%ied "y the o%%icer havin) the #e)a# custody o% theori)ina#. Sec. 313+ ar. 8B.J

!n the case o% F#ue'er !s. i;+ 54 Phi#. D1+ D11+ D12+ and D13+ our Sure'e Court said:

J!t is the theory o% the etitioner that the a##e)ed (i## (as e;ecuted in *#6ins+ est ir)inia+ onNove'"er 3+ 125+ "y i; (ho had his residence in that 7urisdiction+ and that the #a(s o%est ir)inia )overn. To this end+ there (as su"'itted a coy o% section 38D8 o% Acts 1882+c. 84 as %ound in est ir)inia Code+ Annotated+ "y o))+ Char#es *.+ o#. 2+ 114+ . 1D+and as certi%ied to "y the 0irector o% the Nationa# &i"rary. =ut this (as %ar %ro' co'#iance(ith the #a(. The #a(s o% a %orei)n 7urisdiction do not rove the'se#ves in our courts. Thecourts o% the Phi#iine !s#ands are not authori@ed to ta6e 7udicia# notice o% the #a(s o% thevarious States o% the A'erican nion. Such #a(s 'ust "e roved as %acts. !n re *state o%ohnson 118B+ 3 Phi#.+ 15D.B ere the reHuire'ents o% the #a( (ere not 'et. There (as

not sho(in) that the "oo6 %ro' (hich an e;tract (as ta6en (as rinted or u"#ished underthe authority o% the State o% est ir)inia+ as rovided in section 3 o% the Code o% Civi#Procedure. Nor (as the e;tract %ro' the #a( attested "y the certi%icate o% the o%%icer havin)char)e o% the ori)ina# under the sea# o% the State o% est ir)inia+ as rovided in section 31o% the Code o% Civi# Procedure. No evidence (as introduced to sho( that the e;tract %ro' the#a(s o% est ir)inia (as in %orce at the ti'e the a##e)ed (i## (as e;ecuted.



J!t (as a#so necessary %or the etitioner to rove that the testator had his do'ici#e in estir)inia and not in the Phi#iine !s#ands. The on#y evidence introduced to esta"#ish this %actconsisted o% the recita#s in the a##e)ed (i## and the testi'ony o% the etitioner.

Jhi#e the aea# (as endin) su"'ission in this court+ the attorney %or the ae##antresented an unveri%ied etition as6in) the court to accet as art o% the evidence the

docu'ents attached to the etition. 9ne o% these docu'ents disc#oses that a aer (ritin)urortin) to "e the #ast (i## and testa'ent o% *d(ard Rando#h i;+ deceased+ (asresented %or ro"ate on une 8+ 12+ to the c#er6 o% Rando#h County+ State o% estir)inia+ in vacation+ and (as du#y roven "y the oaths o% 0ana ans#ey and oseh &./adden+ the su"scri"in) (itnesses thereto+ and ordered to "e recorded and %i#ed. !t (assho(n "y another docu'ent that in vacation+ on une 8+ 12+ the c#er6 o% court o% Rando#hCounty+ est ir)inia+ aointed C#aude *. /a;(e## as ad'inistrator+ cu' testa'entoanne&o+ o% the estate o% *d(ard Rando#h i;+ deceased ... o(ever this 'ay "e no atte'thas "een 'ade to co'#y (ith the rovisions o% sections D3E+ D38+ and D3 o% the Code o%Civi# Procedure+ %or no hearin) on the Huestion o% the a##o(ance o% a (i## said to have "eenroved and a##o(ed in est ir)inia has "een reHuested. ... .J

Grantin) that the (i## o% ose =. Suntay (hich (as e;ecuted in A'oy+ China+ (as va#id#ydone in accordance (ith the #a( o% the Reu"#ic o% China on the 'atter+ is it necessary torove in this 7urisdiction the e;istence o% such #a( in China as a rereHuisite to the a##o(anceand recordin) o% said (i## The ans(er is in the a%%ir'ative as enunciated inF#ue'er !s. i;+ supra+ and in Kane@ de =arnuevo !s. Fuster+ 2 Phi#.+ DD. !n the #attercase+ the Sure'e Court said:

JA %orei)n #a( 'ay "e roved "y the certi%icate o% the o%%icer havin) in char)e o% the ori)ina#+under the sea# o% the state or country. !t 'ay a#so "e roved "y an o%%icia# coy o% the sa'eu"#ished under the authority o% the articu#ar state and urortin) to contain such #a(.Secs. 3 and 31+ Act No. 1.B+ Sy##a"us.B

The rovisions o% section 3 and 31 o% the Code o% Civi# Procedure Act No. 1B are as

%o##o(s:

JS*C. 3. Printed la"s of t#e State or Country. =oo6s rinted or u"#ished under theauthority o% the nited States+ or one o% the States o% the nited States+ or a %orei)n country+and urortin) to contain statutes+ codes+ or other (ritten #a( o% such State or country orroved to "e co''on#y ad'itted in the tri"una#s o% such State or country an evidence o% the(ritten #a( thereo%+ are ad'issi"#e in the Phi#iine !s#ands are evidence o% such #a(.J

JS*C. 31. Attested copy of foreign la"s. A coy o% the (ritten #a( or other u"#ic (ritin)o% any state or country+ attested "y the certi%icate o% the o%%icer havin) char)e o% the ori)ina#+under the sea# o% the state or country+ is ad'issi"#e as evidence o% such #a( or (ritin).J

The etitioner has resented in evidence the certi%ication o% the Chinese Consu# Genera#+Tsutsen) T. Shen+ o% the e;istence o% the #a( in China *;hi"it =>3B+ re#ative to the e;ecutionand ro"ate o% the (i## e;ecuted "y ose =. Suntay in A'oy+ China *;hi"it PB. !s thatevidence ad'issi"#e+ in vie( o% the rovisions o% Sections 41 and 42 o% the Ru#es o% theRu#es o% Court. !s the said certi%ication o% the Chinese Consu# Genera# in the Phi#iines asu"stantia# co'#iance (ith the rovisions o% the a"ove 'entioned section 41 and 42 o% ourRu#es o% Court



This court has its dou"ts as to the ad'issi"i#ity in evidence o% the Chinese Consu# Genera# inthe Phi#iines o% the e;istence o% the #a(s o% Reu"#ic o% China re#ative to the e;ecution andro"ate o% a (i## e;ecuted in China. Such #a( 'ay e;ist in China+ "ut

JAn o%%icia# record or an entry therein+ (hen ad'issi"#e %or any urose+ 'ay "e evidence "yan o%%icia# u"#ication thereo% or "y a coy attested "y the o%%icer havin) the #e)a# custody o%

the record+ or "y his deuty+ and acco'anied+ i% the record is not 6et in the Phi#iines+(ith a certi%icate that such o%%icer has the custody. ... !% the o%%ice in (hich the record is 6et isin a %orei)n country+ the certi%icate 'ay "e 'ade "y a secretary o% e'"assy or #e)ation+consu# )enera#+ consu#+ vice consu#+ or consu#ar a)ent or "y any o%%icer in the %orei)n serviceo% the nited States stationed in the %orei)n country in (hich the record is 6et+ andauthenticated "y the sea# o% his o%%ice.J Sec. 41 o% Ru#e 123.B

The #a( o% the Reu"#ic o% China is a u"#ic or o%%icia# record and it 'ust "e roved in this 7urisdiction throu)h the 'eans rescri"ed "y our Ru#es o% Court. !t is+ there%ore+ o"vious thatthe Chinese Counse# Genera# in the Phi#iines (ho certi%ied as to the e;istence o% such #a(is not the officer #a!ing t#e legal custody of t#e record + nor is he a deuty o% such o%%icer.

And+ i% the o%%ice in (hich the record is 6et is in a %orei)n country+ the certi%icate 'ay "e

'ade "y a secretary o% e'"assy or #e)ation+ consu# )enera#+ consu#+ vice consu#+ or consu#ar a)ent or "y any o%%icer in the %orei)n service o% the nited States stationed in the %orei)ncountry in (hich the record is 6et+ and authenticated "y the sea# o% his o%%ice.

!t is c#ear+ there%ore+ that the a"ove rovisions o% the Ru#es o% Court Ru#e 123+ sec. 41B nothavin) "een co'#ied (ith+ the dou"t o% this court has "een dissiated+ and it is o% theoinion and so ho#ds that the certi%ication o% the Chinese Consu# Genera# alone is notad'issi"#e as evidence in the 7urisdiction.

The evidence o% record is not c#ear as to (hether ose =. Suntay+ (ho (as "orn in China+"ut resided in the Phi#iines %or a #on) ti'e+ has "eco'e a Fi#iino citi@en "y natura#i@ation+or he re'ained a citi@en o% the Reu"#ic o% China. The record does not+ #i6e(ise+ sho( (ithcertainty (hether or not he had chan)ed his er'anent do'ici#e %ro' the Phi#iines to

A'oy+ China. is chan)e o% er'anent do'ici#e cou#d on#y "e in%erred. =ut the Huestion o%his er'anent do'ici#e a#es into insi)ni%icance in vie( o% the overto(erin) %act that the #a(o% China ertinent to the a##o(ance and recordin) o% the said (i## in this 7urisdiction has "eensatis%actori#y esta"#ished "y the etitioner.

=oth the etitioner and the oositor have e;tensive#y ur)ed in their resective'e'orandu' and in the ora# ar)u'ent in "eha#% o% the oositor the Huestion o% estoe#.The consideration o% the oints raised "y the' (ou#d oen the door to the areciation o%the intrinsic va#idity o% the rovisions o% the (i## (hich is not o% 'o'ent at the resent sta)e o% the roceedin). hi#e the ro"ate o% a (i## is conc#usive as to the co'#iance (ith a## %or'a#reHuisites necessary to the #a(%u# e;ecution o% the (i##+ such ro"ate does not a%%ect theintrinsic va#idity o% the rovisions o% the (i##. ith resect to the #atter the (i## in )overned "y

the su"stantive #a( re#ative to descent and distri"ution. !n re ohnson+ 3 Phi#.+ 15EB.

!N !* 9F T* F9R*G9!NG+ and uon reconsideration+ the revious decision renderedin this case a##o(in) the (i## *;hi"it =B and a##o(in) and recordin) the %orei)n (i## *;hi"it PBis set aside< and this court is o% the oinion and so ho#ds that the said t(o (i##s shou#d "e+ asthey are here"y disa##o(ed. ithout secia# ronounce'ent as to costs.

!t is very si)ni%icant that in the %ore)oin) reso#ution+ the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan Jreiteratesits %indin) o% the sa'e %acts in this reso#ution+J and 'ere#y roceeds to ose the so#e Huestion



J(hether or not the %acts esta"#ished "y the etitioner+ Si#vino Suntay+ (arrant the #e)a#i@ation o% the#ost (i## and a##o(ance and recordin) o% the (i## that (as e;ecuted in A'oy+ China.J The so'ersau#te;ecuted "y the tria# court is re'ised on the )round that Ja#thou)h the etitioner has esta"#ishedthe e;ecution and va#idity o% the #ost (i##+ yet he has not roved c#ear#y and distinct#y the rovisions o% the (i## "y the #east t(o credi"#e (itnessesJ< and that+ assu'in) that the (i## o% ose =. Suntaye;ecuted in A'oy+ China+ (as in accordance (ith the #a( o% the Reu"#ic o% China+ the certi%ication

o% the Chinese Consu# Genera# in the Phi#iines as the e;istence o% such #a( is not ad'issi"#eevidence in this 7urisdiction. !n e%%ect the reso#ution on the 'otion %or reconsideration ro'u#)ated "ythe tria# court+ and the decision o% the 'a7ority herein+ adot the osition that the testi'ony o% ud)e

Anastacio Teodoro as to the rovisions o% the #ost (i##+ (hi#e credi"#e and erhas su%%icient in e;tent+is not corro"orated "y the (itnesses Go Toh and Ana Suntay and+ there%ore+ %a##s short o% thereHuire'ent in section D+ Ru#e EE+ o% the Ru#es o% Court that the rovisions o% the #ost (i## 'ust "eJc#ear#y and distinct#y roved "y at #east t(o (itnesses.J That this reHuire'ent (as o"vious#yconstrued+ to 'ean that the e;act rovisions are to "e esta"#ished+ 'ay "e deduced %ro' the%o##o(in) dia#o)ue "et(een his onor+ ud)e Potenciano Pecson+ and attorney Teo%i#o Sison+ ne(counse# %or oositor Federico C. Suntay+ (ho aeared %or the %irst ti'e at the e& parte hearin) o%the oositors 'otion %or ne( tria# on Sete'"er 1+ 14:

C9RT: o(ever+ Ru#e EE+ Section D+ rovides in rovin) a #ost (i##+ the rovisions o% the#ost (i## 'ust "e distinct#y stated and certi%ied "y the ud)e.

ATTK. T*9F!&9 S!S9N: Kes+ Kour onor.

C9RT: That resuoses that the 7ud)e cou#d on#y certi%y to the e&act pro!isions o% the (i##%ro' the evidence resented.

ATTK. T*9F!&9 S!S9N: That is our contention+ rovided that rovision is c#ear#y esta"#ished"y t(o credi"#e (itnesses so that the Court cou#d state that in the decision+ (e a)ree+ that isthe very oint.

t. s. n. E5+ Session o% Set. 1+ 148B

The sound ru#e+ ho(ever+ as (e have %ound it to "e+ as to the de)ree o% roo% reHuired to esta"#ishthe contents o% a #ost or destroyed (i##+ is that there is su%%icient co'#iance i% t(o (itnesses havesu"stantiated the rovisions a%%ectin) the disosition o% the testators roerties< and this isesecia##y necessary to revent the Jeretration o% %raud "y er'ittin) a resu'tion to su#y thesuressed roo%+J to 6ee a (ron)>doer %ro' uti#i@in) the ru#e as his J'ost e%%ective (eaon+J or toavoid the en7oy'ent o% a Jre'iu' %ro' the rasca#ity o% one (hose interests 'i)ht su))est thedestruction o% a (i##.J

Section 18D5 o% the Code reHuires that the rovisions o% a #ost (i## 'ust "e c#ear#y anddistinct#y roved "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses "e%ore it can "e ad'itted to ro"ate< "utthis section 'ust receive a #i"era# construction oo6 !s. Pratt+ 8 un. 12>1B and its sirit

is co'#ied (ith "y ho#din) that it applies only to t#ose pro!isions "#ic# affect t#e dispositionof t#e testators roerty and (hich are o% the su"stance o% the (i##.

The a##e)ations o% the contents o% the (i## are )enera#+ and under ordinary circu'stances+(ou#d "e in su%%icient< "ut the %act a##e)ed+ i% roven as a##e)ed+ (ou#d certain#y authori@e theesta"#ish'ent o% the (i## so %ar as its "eHuests are concerned. To reHuire that a coy o% the(i## or the #an)ua)e o% the "eHuests+ in detai#+ shou#d "e #eaded+ (here no coy has "eenreserved+ and (here the 'e'ory o% the (itnesses does not ho#d the e;act (ords+ (ou#d noton#y deny the su"stance %or 'ere %or'+ "ut (ou#d o%%er a re'iu' uon the rasca#ity o% one



(hose interests 'i)ht su))est the destruction o% a (i##. As said in Anderson !s. !r(in+ 11 !##.411: JThe instru'ent in controversy havin) "een destroyed (ithout the %au#t o% the de%endantin error ... and there not aearin) to "e any coy o% it in e;istence+ it (ou#d be eui!alent todenying t#e co'plainant relief altoget#er to reuire #er to pro!e t#e !ery ter's in "#ic# it"as concei!ed. All t#at could reasonably be reuired of #er under t#e circu'stances couldbe to s#o" in general ter's t#e disposition "#ic# t#e testator 'ade of #is property by t#e

instru'ents< that it urorted to "e his (i## and (as du#y attested "y the reHuisite nu'"er o%(itnesses.J !n A##ison !s. A##ison+ E 0ana 1+ it (as said in sea6in) o% the character ande;tent o% roo% reHuired in such a case:J nor is there any 7ust )round to o"7ect to the roo%"ecause the (itnesses have not )iven the #an)ua)e o% the (i## or the su"stance thereo%.+#ey #a!e gi!en t#e substance of t#e different de!ises as to t#e property or interest de!ised, andto "#o' de!ised and "e "ould not stop, in t#e case of a destroyed "ill, to scan "it# rigidscrutiny t#e for' of t#e proof, pro!ided "e are satisfied of t#e substance of its pro!isions .Jose !s. Cas#er 13 !nd. 32+ 38 N. *. 812B.

The evidence in the case %a##s short o% esta"#ishin) the e;istence o% such a (ritin)+ e;cet asit 'ay "e resu'ed+ under the 'a;i' 9'nia reasu'untur in odiu' so#iateris.J There (asevidence tendin) to sho( that the second (i## o% Anne &a'"ie (as in the ossession o%Francis &a'"ie+ and that it ca'e to the hands o% the roonents+ (arrantin) the in%erencethat it has "een suressed or destroyed. !% %ro' this evidence the 7ury %ound such aerdestroyed the #a( er'its the resu'tion that it (as #e)a##y dra(n and e;ecuted+not(ithstandin) the ter's o% the statute+ (hich reHuires the revo6in) instru'ent to "e%or'a##y e;ecuted. If a "ill be lost, secondary e!idence 'ay be gi!en of its contents/ ifsuppressed or destroyed, t#e sa'e is true/ and, if necessary t#e la" "ill pre!ent t#e

perpetration of a fraud by per'itting a presu'ption to supply t#e suppressed proof. (ecannot assent to t#e proposition t#at t#e statute is so rig#t as to be t#e "rongdoers 'osteffecti!e "eapons. +#e 'isconduct once establis#ed to t#e satisfaction of t#e 0ury, it is no#ards#ip to t#e "rongdoer to say. -Produce t#e e!idence in your possession, or "e "ill

presu'e t#at your opponents contention is true.- (#en one deliberately destroys, or purposely induces anot#er to destroy, a "ritten instru'ent subseuently beco'e a 'atter of 0udicial inuiry bet"een t#e spoliator and an innocent party, t#e latter "ill not be reuired to

'ake strict proof of t#e contents of suc# instru'ent in order to establis# a rig#t foundedt#ereon. =roo6+ &e). /a;. 5ED+ Preston !s. Preston+ 132+ At#. 55+ D1. Re &a'"ies *state+E /ich+ 55+5D N. . 225B

ud)ed %ro' the standard set %orth in the %ore)oin) authorities+ and "earin) in 'ind that thecircu'stances o% this case #ead to the on#y conc#usion that the #oss o% the (i## in Huestion is o% coursei'uta"#e to those (hose interests are adverse to the etitioner and the (ido( &i' =i##ian+ (e haveno hesitancy in ho#din) the vie( that the disositions o% the roerties #e%t "y the deceased ose =.Suntay is rovided in his (i## (hich (as #ost or snatched in the 'anner recited in the decision o% thisCourt in the case o% &i' =i##ian !s. Suntay+ D3 Phi#.+ E8>EE+ had "een 'ore than su%%icient#y roved"y the testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro+ Go Toh+ and Ana Suntay+ suorted conc#usive#y "ythe dra%t o% the #ost (i## resented in evidence as *;hi"it J=J+ and even "y the testi'ony o% oositorFederico C. Suntay hi'se#%.

!t is to "e reca##ed that the tria# ud)e+ in his %irst decision o% Ari# 1+ 148+ 'ade the %o##o(in)e;ress %indin)s (ith resect to the testi'ony o% ud)e Teodoro: Jud)e Anastacio Teodoro testi%iedthat he oened the sea#ed enve#oe (hen it (as )iven to hi' "y Go Toh rearatory to theresentation o% the etition %or the ro"ate o% the said (i##. As the #a(yer entrusted (ith that tas6+ hehad to e;a'ine the (i## and have it coied to "e reroduced or aended to the etition. e cou#dnot do other(ise i% he is (orth his sa#t as a )ood #a(yer. e cou#d not er%or' the stunt o% J"#ind%#yin)J in the 7udicia# %ir'a'ent. *very ste 'ust "e ta6en (ith certainty and recision under anycircu'stances. e cou#d not have ta#6ed a"out the attorneys %ees (ith Go Toh+ un#ess he has not



e;a'ined the (i## "e%orehand. And+ (hen he (as sho(n *;hi"it =+ he did not hesitate in dec#arin)that it (as the e;act dra%t o% the (i## that (as inside the enve#oe *;hi"it AB+ the testi'ony o% Atty.

A#"erto =arretto to the contrary not(ithstandin).J

e shou#d not %or)et+ in this connection+ that in the reso#ution on the 'otion %or reconsideration thetria# ud)e reiterated the %indin)s in his decision+ a#thou)h as re)ards the testi'ony o% ud)e

Teodoro ad'itted#y Jthe on#y credi"#e (itness (ho testi%ied as to the rovisions o% the (i##+J heo"served that ud)e Teodoro had the dra%t *;hi"it J=J in his hands (hi#e testi%yin). e cannot seeany 7usti%yin) %or the o"servation+ assu'in) that ud)e Teodoro consu#ted the dra%t+ since even thetria# ud)e )ranted that he Jcou#d have testi%ied c#ear#y and distinct#y on the rovisions o% the said#ost (i##+ "ecause he had 6et the (i## in his sa%e+ in his o%%ice+ %or three days+ a%ter oenin) it+ and heis (e## versed in Sanish #an)ua)e in (hich the (i## (as (ritten.J As a 'atter o% %act+ ho(ever+ it isnot true that ud)e Teodoro had the dra%t in Huestion "e%ore hi' (hi#e testi%yin) as 'ay "e seen%ro' the %o##o(in) assa)es o% the transcrit:

O. And+ have you read that (i## (hich (as inside this enve#oe+ *;hi"it A JA. Kes.

O. 0o you re'e'"er 'ore or #ess the contents o% the (i##

ATTK. F*RR!N: ith our o"7ection+ the "est evidence is ori)ina# (i## itse#%+ Kour onor.

ATTK. R*CT9: e are recise#y rovin) "y 'eans o% secondary evidence+ the contents o%the (i##+ "ecause accordin) to the Sure'e Court+ and that is a %act a#ready decided+ that the(i## o% ose =. Suntay (as #ost and that is res ad0udicata.

C9RT: itness 'ay ans(er.

!TN*SS: ! re'e'"er the 'ain %eatures o% the (i## "ecause as ! said ! (as the one %i)htin)%or the ostone'ent o% the hearin) o% the intestate case "ecause ! (as as6ed "y 0on

A#"erto =arretto to secure the ostone'ent unti# the (i## that (as e;ecuted "y the deceased

is sent here "y the (ido( %ro' China+ (ith (ho' (e co''unicated (ith severa# #etters+ and(hen the (i## arrived. ! had to chec6 the %acts as aearin) in the (i##+ and e;a'ined %u##y inconnection (ith the %acts a##e)ed in the intestate+ and there (as a stri6in) %act in the intestatethat Ao#onio Suntay has..

ATTK. F*RR!N: !nterrutin)B /ay (e as6 that the (itness ans(er cate)orica##y theHuestions o% Atty. Recto+ it see's that the ans(ers o% the (itness are 6i#o'etric ...

ATTK. R*CT9: So'eti'es the Huestion cannot "e ans(ered %u##y un#ess the (itness (ou#dre#ate and )ive a## the %acts.

C9RT: The Attorney %or the Ad'inistrator 'ay 'ove %or the stri6in) out o% any testi'ony

that is not resonsive to the Huestion.

ATTK. F*RR!N: That is (hy+ our o"7ection+ the ans(er is out o% the Huestion.

C9RT: Atty. Recto 'ay roound another Huestion.

ATTK. R*CT9: ! heard the (itness (as sayin) so'ethin) and he has not %inished thesentence+ and ! (ant to as6 the Court 7ust to a##o( the (itness to %inish his sentence.



C9RT: Kou 'ay %inish.

!TN*SS: JA. There (as a sentence+ the oint ! (as tryin) to chec6 %irst (as (hether theva#ue o% the estate #e%t "y the deceased (as S!ITK T9SAN0 P*S9S PD+.B as

Ao#onio Suntay 'ade it aear in his etition+ and (hen ! #oo6ed at the ori)ina# (i##+ ! %oundout that it (as severa# hundred thousand esos+ severa# thousands o% esos+ hundreds o%

esos+ that (as very stri6in) %act to 'e "ecause the etition %or intestate (as %or S!ITKT9SAN0 P*S9S PD+.B+ and ! ca'e to 6no( that it (as (orth 'ore than S**NN0R*0 T9SAN0 PE+.B P*S9S.

O. 0o you re'e'"er+ ud)e+ the disosition o% the (i##+ the 'ain disosition o% the (i## JA. Kes+ "ecause our c#ient (ere the (ido(+ /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian+ and his son+ Si#vino+the on#y son in the second 'arria)e+ that (as very i'ortant %or 'e to 6no(.

O. o( (ere the roerties distri"uted accordin) to that (i##> JA. The roerties (eredistri"uted into three 3B arts+ one art (hich (e ca## legiti'a corta+ (ere eHua##y distri"utedto the ten 1B chi#dren+ nine B in the %irst 'arria)e+ and one 1B in the second 'arria)e (ith/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian. The other third+ the "etter'ent (as )iven to %our 4B chi#dren+

Concecion+ and Ao#onio )ettin) a Huiet su"stantia# share in the "etter'ent+ around S!ITKT9SAN0 PD+.B %or Concecion+ Ao#onio the a'ount o% S**NTK T9SAN0E++B P*S9S or #itt#e over+ and then a"out 9N* N0R*0 T9SAN0P1+.B P*S9S o% the "etter'ent in %avor o% Si#vino+ the 'inor o% the second'arria)e+ and to ose eHua# to Concecion.

O. So the "etter'ent+ as ! understand %ro' you (ent to %our 4B chi#dren>JA. Kes.

O. Si#vino in the second 'arria)e+ Concecion+ Ao#onio and ose in the %irst 'arria)e J A. Kes.

O. hat a"out the %ree disosa#>J A. The %ree disosa# (as disosed in %avor o% the (ido(+

/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian and Si#vino+ his 'inor son in eHua# arts..

O. hat a"out+ i% you re'e'"er+ i% there (as so'ethin) in the (i## in connection (ith thatarticu#ar o% the usu%ruct o% the (ido( JA. !t (as so'e(hat incororated into the assetso% the estate #e%t "y the deceased.

O. 0o you re'e'"er the nu'"er o% a)es o% (hich that (i## consisted JA. T(enty>three23B a)es.

O. 0o you re'e'"er i% the a)es (ere si)ned "y the testator JA. Kes+ sir+ it (as si)ned.

O. And the %oot o% the testa'ent or the end o% the testa'ent+ (as it si)ned "y the testator

JA. Kes+ sir+ and the attestation c#ause (as the #ast a)e si)ned "y the three instru'enta#(itnesses+ A#"erto =arretto+ one China'an Go Toh+ and /anue# &oe@+ 'y %or'er ustice o%the Peace o% a)onoy.

O. 0o you re'e'"er i% there (itnesses si)ned on the di%%erent a)es o% the (i## JA. Kes+sir+ they si)ned (ith their na'e si)natures.

O. Sho(in) you this docu'ent consistin) o% t(enty>three 23B a)es in Sanish and (hichdocu'ent aears a#ready attached to this sa'e testa'entary roceedin)s and a#ready



'ar6ed as *I!=!T =+ (i## you #ease te## the Court i% and %or instance on a)e ei)ht 8B o%this docu'ent+ pagina octa!o+ it says+ there are hand(ritin)s in enci#+ so'e o% (hich readas %o##o(s: J&os cinco>octavos 58B artes corresonds a 'i hi7o *'i#ianoJ+ can youreco)ni@e (hose hand(ritin) is that JA. Fro' 'y "est esti'ate it is the hand(ritin) o%0on A#"erto =arretto.

O. A"out the end o% the sa'e a)e ei)ht 8B pagina octa!o+ o% the sa'e docu'ent *;hi"it =+there is a#so the hand(ritin) in enci# (hich reads: J&a otra se;ta arte D.aB corresonde a=oni%acio &oe@J+ can you reco)ni@e that hand(ritin) JA. Kes+ sir+ this is the hand(ritin)o% 0on A#"erto =arretto+ and ! (ish to ca## the attention o% the Court to co'are #etter J=J(hich is in caita# #etter (ith the si)nature o% 0on A#"erto =arretto in the enve#oe+ JA#"erto=arrettoJ and stro6e identi%ies one hand as havin) (ritten those (ords.

O. (ill you please go o!er cursorily t#is docu'ent, %&#ibit B co'posed of t"enty1t#ree 2345 pages and please tell t#e Court if t#is docu'ent #ad anyt#ing to do "it# t#e "ill "#ic#according to you "as contained in t#e en!elope, %&#ibit A JA. This is e;act#y thecontents o% the ori)ina# (i## (hich ! received and 6et in 'y o%%ice inside the sa%e %or three 3Bdays+ and ! recise#y too6 secia# case in the credits #e%t "y the deceased+ and ! re'e'"er

a'on) the'+ (ere the 0e &eon %a'i#y+ and Sandi6o+ (e## 6no(n to 'e+ and then thedisosition o% the estate+ divided into three 3B eHua# arts+ and ! noticed that they are thecontents o% the (i## read.

is onor+ ud)e Pecson+ (as ositive in his %irst decision that Jthe testi'ony o% ud)e AnastacioTeodoro is corro"orated "y Go Toh+ one o% the attestin) (itnesses+ in his deosition *;hi"it 0>1B.JKet in settin) aside his %irst decision+ he re'ar6ed that Go Tohs testi'ony did not rove c#ear#y anddistinct#y the rovision o% the #ost (i##+ "ecause: Je did not+ and he cou#d not have done so even i%he tried "ecause the ori)ina# (i## (as not read to hi' nor "y hi' "e%ore or at the si)nin) o% the sa'e.!t (as (ritten in Sanish and he did not and does not understand the Sanish #an)ua)e. Neither (asthere any occasion %or hi' to have the contents o% the said (i##+ a%ter its e;ecution and sea#in) insidethe enve#oe *;hi"it AB+ read to hi'+ "ecause it (as oened on#y (hen ud)e Teodoro hade;a'ined it and then su"seHuent#y snatched %ro' Go Toh.J

The #ater osition thus ta6en "y ud)e Pecson is a#a"#y inconsistent (ith the %o##o(in)uneHuivoca# state'ents o% Go Toh contained in hid disosition ta6en in A'oy+ China+ on Ari# 1E+138+ and in oositors *;hi"it JDJ:

2D. State (hat you 6no( o% the contents o% that (i##.

. . . . Re)ardin) 1B e;enditures 2B Phi#iine citi@enshi< 3B 0istri"ution o% estates a'on)chi#dren 4B Ta6in) care o% )rave #ot< 5B )uardianshi o% Si#vino Suntay and DB a%ter ayin)his de"ts he (i## have aro;i'ate#y E2+ esos #e%t. This a'ount (i## "e divided intothree eHua# arts o% 24+ esos each. The %irst art is to "e divided eHua##y a'on) the tenchi#dren "orn "y the %irst and second (ives and the second art a'on) the three sons

Si#vino Suntay+ E5+ aro;i'ate#y< Ao#onio Suntay+ 5+ esos aro;i'ate#y< oseSuntay and Concecion Suntay+ 3D+ each aro;i'ate#y. The third art is to "e divided"et(een /aria &i' =i##ian and Si#vino Suntay< each (i## )et aro;i'ate#y 11+ esos.Si#vino Suntay (i## )et a tota# o% 21+ esos aro;i'ate#y+ /aria Natividad &i' =i##ian atota# o% 2+ aro;i'ate#y+ and Ao#onio Suntay a tota# o% 8+ aro;i'ate#y+Concecion Suntay and ose Suntay (i## )et D+ esos each aro;i'ate#y. The rest o%the chi#dren (i## )et aro;i'ate#y 2+ each. The (ay o% distri"ution o% the roerty o%ose =. Suntay+ 'ova"#e and i''ova"#e+ and the outstandin) de"ts to "e co##ected (asarran)ed "y ose =. Suntay.



; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

E8. 9n the occasion o% the e;ecution o% the testa'ent o% ose =. Suntay+ state (hether or notyou say *;hi"it = ... Kes.

E. !n the a%%ir'ative case+ state i% you 6no( (ho had the ossession o% *;hi"it = and the

testa'ent the %irst ti'e you sa( the' on that occasion. ... Kes+ ! 6no( (ho hadossession o% the'.

8. Can you say (hether or not ose =. Suntay haened to )et those docu'ents #ater on+on that sa'e occasion ... e )ot the' a%ter the e;ecution.

81. P#ease na'e the erson (ho )ave those docu'ents to /r. Suntay. ... A#"erto =arretto)ave the docu'ents to ose =. Suntay.

82. 0id the erson (ho )ave those docu'ents to Suntay say anythin) to hi' SuntayB at theti'e o% )ivin) the' ... Kes.

83. !% so (hat (as it that he said+ i% he said any ... e said+ JKou had "etter see i% you(ant any correction.J

84. hat did /r. Suntay do a%ter those docu'ents (ere )iven to hi' ... ose =. Suntay#oo6ed at the' and then )ave one coy to /anue# &oe@ %or chec6in).

85. State (hether or not /r. Suntay )ave one o% those docu'ents to another 'an. ... Kes.

8D. !n the a%%ir'ative case+ can you say (hich o% the t(o docu'ents (as )iven and (ho the'an (as ... Kes he )ave *;hi"it = to /anue# &oe@.

8E. State (hether or not /r. Suntay said so'ethin) to the 'an to (ho' he )ave one o%

those docu'ents. ... Kes.

88. !n the a%%ir'ative case can you reeat 'ore or #ess (hat /r. Suntay said to that 'an ... e to#d hi' to read it %or chec6in).

8. State i% you 6no( (hat did the 'an do (ith one o% those docu'ents )iven to hi'. ...e too6 it and read it %or chec6in).

. hat did in turn /r. Suntay do (ith the other one #e%t (ith hi' ... ose =. Suntay#oo6ed at the ori)ina# and chec6ed the'.

1. hat (as done (ith those docu'ents #ater on i% there (as anythin) done (ith the'

... A%ter chec6in)+ ose =. Suntay ut *;hi"it = in his oc6et and had the ori)ina# si)nedand e;ecuted.

2. hat (as done (ith the testa'ent o% ose =. Suntay a%ter it (as si)ned "y the testatorand its (itnesses ... !t (as ta6en a(ay "y ose =. Suntay. *;hi"it 0+ 0>1.B

O. 0id you 6no( the contents o% this enve#oe JA. ! 6ne( that it (as a (i##.



O. =ut did you 6no( the rovisions o% the (i## JA. !t is a"out the distri"ution o% theroerty to the heirs.

O. 6id you kno" #o" t#e property "as distributed according to t#e "ill JA. I kno" t#at'ore t#an P788,888 "as for t#e "ido" and #er son, 'ore t#an P988,888 for t#e #eirs t#atare in t#e fa'ily . *;hi"it JDJ+ . 28B.

O. Kou stated that you (ere one o% the (itnesses to the (i## and that the (i## (as (ritten inSanish. as it (ritten in tye(ritin) or in hand(ritin) o% so'e"ody JA. That (i## (as(ritten in tye(ritin).

O. 0id you read the contents o% that (i##+ or do you 6no( the contents o% that (i## A. No+sir+ "ecause ! do not 6no( Sanish.

O. o( do you 6no( that it (as the (i## o% ose =. Suntay JA. =ecause ! (as one o% thesi)ners and ! sa( it.J *;hi"it JDJ+ . 1.B

22. 0o you understand the #an)ua)e in (hich that (i## (as (ritten ... ! 6no( a #itt#e

Sanish.

23. 0o you ta#6 or (rite that #an)ua)e ! can (rite and ta#6 a #itt#e Sanish. *;hi"its 0+ 0>1.B

As to Ana Suntays corro"oratin) testi'ony+ ud)e Pecson at#y 'ade the %o##o(in) %indin)s: JAnaSuntay+ one o% the heirs and (ho (ou#d "e a%%ected adverse#y "y the #e)a#i@ation o% the (i## inHuestion+ a#so testi%ied on re"utta# that she sa( the ori)ina# (i## in the ossession o% /anue# Suntayi''ediate#y a%ter the snatchin). She read it and she articu#ar#y re'e'"ers the 'anner in (hich theroerties (ere to "e distri"uted. *;hi"it = (as sho(n to her on the (itness stand and she dec#aredthat the rovision re)ardin) the distri"ution o% the roerties in said *;hi"it = is the sa'e as thatcontained in the ori)ina# (i##. Said testi'ony o% Ana Suntay+ there%ore+ "e#ies the testi'ony o% Atty.

A#"erto =arretto.J And yet in the reso#ution on the 'otion %or ne( tria#+ the tria# ud)e had to state

that JAna Suntay on re"utta# did not+ #i6e(ise+ rove c#ear#y and distinct#y the rovisions o% the said#ost (i##+ "ecause she has not had enou)h schoo#in) and she does not ossess adeHuate 6no(#ed)eo% the Sanish #an)ua)e as sho(n "y the %act that she had to testi%y in Ta)a#o) on the (itnessstand.J The otent error co''itted "y ud)e Pecson in reversin) his vie(s as re)ards Anastesti'ony+ is revea#ed readi#y in the %o##o(in) ortions o% the transcrit:

P. Cuantas a)inas tenia aHue# docu'ento a Hue usted se re%iere JR. Pro"a"#e'enteseria 'as de veinte 2B a)inas.

P. No serian treinta 3B a)inas JA"o)ado Recto: &a testi)o ha contestado ya Hue 'asde veinte 2B.

u@)ado: Se esti'a

A"o)ado /e7ia:

P. sted ersona#'ente #eyo e# docu'entoJ JR. Ko #eyo 'i her'ano en resencia 'ia.

P. &a re)unta es+ si usted ersona#'ente ha #eido e# docu'ento J R. Si, lo #e !isto.



P. No so#a'ente #e re)unto a usted si d. ha visto e# testa'ento sino si usted #a leido personal'ente el testa'ento JR. Si la parte de la ad0udicacion lo #e leido araase)urar'e a Hue orcion corresonde a cada uno de nosotros.

P. Puede usted reetir oco 'as o 'enos esa orcion a Hue se hacia #a distri"ucion de#a#e)ado testa'ento JR. Co'o ya he dec#arado+ Hue #as roiedades de 'i di%unto adre

se ha"ian dividido en tres artes+ una tercera arte se nos ad7udica a nosotros die@ 1B hi7osen ri'eros nucias y se)unda nucia+ #a se)unda tercera arte #os ad7udica a #a viuda y aSi#vino+ y #a otra tercera arte se #o ad7udica a sus hi7os co'o 'e7ora a Si#vino+ Ao#onio+Concecion y ose.

P. %so, tal co'o usted personal'ente lo leyo en el docu'ento JR. Si Se:or.

P. Ouiere usted tener #a "ondad+ seora+ de reetir oco 'as o 'enos #as a#a"ras en esedocu'ento Hue se distri"uia #as roiedades de# de%undo adre usted co'o usted re#ataaHui JA"o)ado Recto: 9"7eta'os a #a re)unta or %a#ta de "ase+ orHue e##e so#a'ente se%i7o en #a arte co'o se distri"uian #as roiedades ero no ha dicho #a testi)o Hue e##a #o hauesto de 'e'oria+ ni d. ha re)untado en Hue #en)ua7e esta"a escrito e# testa'ento ...

u@)ado: Se esti'a.

A"o)ado /e7ia:

P. Sa"e usted en Hue #en)ua7e esta"a redactado e# docu'ento Hue usted #eyoersona#'ente JR. *n Caste##ano.

P. Puede usted reetirnos ahora en Caste##ano a#)unas %rases o a#a"ras co'o se hi@o #adistri"ucion en aHue# suuesto testa'ento

A"o)ado Recto: 9"7ecion+ or %a#ta de "ase+ uno uede entender e# esao# y sin e'"ar)o

no odra reetir #o Hue ha #eido+ y no se sa"e todavia si ha estudiado e# esao# "astantehasta e# unto de oder ha"#ar#o.

u@)ado: Se esti'a.

A"o)ado /e7ia

P. sted di7o Hue esta"a uesto en caste##ano e# suuesto testa'ento Hue da. #eyo+ ustedoso e# caste##ano JR. *o entiendo el castellano, pero no puedo #ablar bien.

P. sted estudio e# caste##ano en a#)un co#e)io JR7. Si+ seor+ *n Sta. Cata#ina.

P. Cuantos aos JR. Nuestros estudios no han sido continuous orHue 'i adre nosin)resa"a en e# co#e)io y desues nos saca"a ara estar a%uera+ y no era continuo nuestroestudio.

P. Pero en tota#+ co'o cuantos 'eses o aos esta"a usted en e# co#e)io arendiendo e#caste#ano JR. nos cuatro o cinco aos.

P. *ntonces usted uede #eer e# caste##ano con %aci#idad+ seora JR. Si+ caste##anosenci##o uedo entender y #o uedo #eer.



P. sted entiende #as re)untas Hue se #e diri)ian aHui en caste##ano sin interretacion o sine# interrete JR. Si+ Seor.

P. Puede usted contestar en caste##ano JR. =ueno+ ero co'o de contestar+ or esoHuiero Hue #a re)unta se 'e tradu@ca antes. asi uedo contestar de"ida'ente. t.s.n. .533>534.B

e are rea##y at a #oss to understand (hy+ (ithout any chan)e (hatsoever in the evidence+ the tria#ud)e reversed his %irst decision+ articu#ar#y (hen he announced therein that Jit is no( incu'"entuon this court to de#ve into the evidence (hether or not ose =. Suntay+ deceased+ #e%t a (i## thedra%t o% (hich is *;hi"it =B and another (i## (hich (as e;ecuted and ro"ated in A'oy+ China.J isaction is indeed surrisin) (hen (e ta6e into account the various circu'stancia# %eatures resent#yto "e stated+ that c#ear#y con%ir' the testi'ony o% ud)e Anastacio Teodoro+ G. Toh and Ana Suntay+or other(ise constitute visi"#e indicia o% oositors desire to %rustrate the (ishes o% his %ather+ ose=. Suntay.

!n our oinion the 'ost i'ortant iece o% evidence in %avor o% the etitioners case is the dra%t o% the#ost (i##+ *;hi"it J=.J !ts authenticity cannot "e serious#y Huestioned+ "ecause accordin) to the tria#

ud)e hi'se#%+ oositors o(n (itness+ Atty. A#"erto =arretto+ ad'itted it to "e Jidentica# insu"stance and %or' to the second dra%t (hich he reared in tye(ritin).J !ndeed+ a## the JAsJ andJ=sJ in the hand(ritten insertions o% the dra%t are very si'i#ar to those in =arrettos ad'itted#y)enuine si)nature on the enve#oe+ *;hi"it JA.J The %indin) o% ud)e Pecson on the oint in his %irstdecision reiterated e;ress#y in the reso#ution on the 'otion %or ne( tria#B+ shou#d contro#+ not on#y"ecause it is in accordance (ith the evidence "ut "ecause the oositor had %ai#ed and did not evenatte't to have the tria# ud)e reconsider or reverse his %actua# conc#usions. The dra%t+ *;hi"it J=+Jhavin) "een ositive#y identi%ied "y the (itnesses %or the etitioner to "e an e;act coy o% the #ost (i##o% ose =. Suntay+ is there%ore conc#usive. 9ositors e%%ort to sho( that said dra%t (as never si)nedin %ina# %or'+ and (as thou)ht o% 'ere#y to deceive etitioners 'other+ &i' =i##ian+ and that the (i##actua##y e;ecuted and ut in the enve#oe+ *;hi"it JAJ+ rovided that the testators estate (ou#d "edivided eHua##y a'on) his heirs+ as in the case o% intestacy+ (as necessari#y %uti#e "ecause+ i% thisa##e)ation is true+ the (i## (ou#d not have "een JsnatchedJ %ro' Go Toh and the #oss certain#y

cannot "e i'uted to the (ido( &i' =i##ian or the etitioner< the snatched (i## (ou#d have "eenroduced to ut an end to etitioners and his 'others c#ai' %or )reater inheritance or articiationunder the #ost (i##< and the enve#oe containin) the %irst (i## rovidin) %or eHua# shares+ (ou#d nothave "een entrusted to the care and custody o% the (ido( &i' =i##ian.

!t is very note(orthy that out o% the nine chi#dren o% the %irst 'arria)e+ on#y An)e#+ ose and FedericoSuntay had oosed the ro"ate o% the (i## in Huestion< the rest+ na'e#y+ Ana+ Aurora+ Concecion+&ourdes+ /anue# and *'i#iano Suntay+ havin) e;ress#y 'ani%ested in their ans(er that they had nooosition thereto+ since the etitioners a#ternative etition Jsee6s on#y to ut into e%%ect thetesta'entary disosition and (ishes o% their #ate %ather.J This attitude is si)ni%icant#y an indication o%the 7ustness o% etitioners c#ai'+ "ecause it (ou#d have "een to their )reater advanta)e i% they hadsided (ith oositor Federico Suntay in his theory o% eHua# inheritance %or a## the chi#dren o% ose =.

Suntay. nder the #ost (i## or its dra%t *;hi"it J=J+ each o% the Suntay chi#dren (ou#d receive on#yso'e P 25+.+ (hereas in case o% intestacy or under the a##e)ed (i## rovidin) %or eHua# shares+each o% the' (ou#d receive so'e P1+.. And yet the Suntay chi#dren other than An)e#+ oseand Federico had chosen to )ive their con%or'ity to the a#ternative etition in this case.

Another uneHuivoca# con%ir'ation o% the #ost (i## is the (i## (hich ose =. Suntay e;ecuted in A'oy+Foo6ien+ China+ on anuary 4+ 131+ and ro"ated in A'oy 0istrict Court+ China+ containin) virtua##ythe sa'e rovisions as those in the dra%t *;hi"it J=J. hat "etter evidence is there o% an 'ansdesire or insistence to e;ress his #ast (ishes than the e;ecution o% a (i## reiteratin) the sa'e



rovisions contained in an ear#ier (i##. Assu'in) that the Chinese (i## cannot "e ro"ated in the 7urisdiction+ its ro"ative va#ue as corro"oratin) evidence cannot "e i)nored.

9ositor hi'se#% had ad'itted havin) read the (i## in Huestion under (hich the (ido( &i' =i##ian(as %avored< and this a)ain in a (ay )oes to corro"orate the evidence %or the etitioner as to thecontents o% the (i## sou)ht to "e ro"ated.

C9RT:

O. ave you read the suosed (i## or the a##e)ed (i## o% your %ather JA. Kes+ sir.

C9RT:

O. Can you tell t#e court t#e s#are or participation in t#e in#eritance of Maria )ati!idad i'Billian according to t#e "ill

A. *es sir, s#e "ill in#erit, I t#ink, t"o1t#irds 23;45 of t#e estate, in ot#er "ords s#e is t#e'ost fa!ored in t#e "ill, so "#en t#ey sold t#at, t#ey sold e!eryt#ing, they are se##in)

everythin) even the con7u)a# roerty. t. s. n. 228>22.B

The decision o% the 'a7ority #eans heavi#y on the testi'ony o% Atty. A#"erto =arretto+ %or)et%u# erhaso% the %act that the tria# ud)e )ave no credence to said (itness. !t shou#d "e reeated that ud)ePecson reiterated in the reso#ution on the 'otion %or ne( tria# a## his %indin)s in the %irst decision. !% as

Atty. =arretto testi%ied+ &i' =i##ian (as entit#ed under the (i## actua##y si)ned "y ose Suntay on#y toP1+.+ in addition to roerties in China va#ue at P15+.+ the %ees o% P25+.ad'itted#y as6ed "y hi' (ou#d a"sor" her entire inheritance< and this (ou#d nor'a##y not "e done "yany #a( ractitioner. on the other hand+ there is evidence to the e%%ect that Atty. =arretto 'i)hthave "eco'e hosti#e to the etitioner and his 'other &i' =i##ian in vie( o% the #atters re%usa# toa)ree to the a'ount o% P25+. and her o%%er to ay on#y P1.. There is a#so evidencetendin) to sho( that as ear#y as 142+ Atty. =arretto (as aid "y oositor Federico Suntay the su'

o% P1D+. (hich+ a#thou)h a##e)ed#y %or services in the testate roceedin)s+ (as aid out o% theersona# %unds o% said oositors to su#y Atty. =arrettos needs. This circu'stances erhas%urther e;#ains (hy the #atter had to suort the side o% Federico Suntay.

e have Huoted in %u## the decision o% this court in the Jsnatchin)J case and the %irst decision o%ud)e Pecson in this case+ "oth in the hoe and in the "e#ie% 1B that the %irst (ou#d revea# the'anner "y (hich those adverse#y a%%ected had #anned to revent the #ast (ishes o% the deceasedose =. Suntay %ro' "ein) carried on+ and 2B that the second+ "y the %acts correct#y recited thereinand "y the %orce and accuracy o% its #o)ic (ou#d a'#y sho( the (ea6ness and utter #ac6 o%%oundation o% the reso#ution on the 'otion %or reconsideration. e have set %orth at #en)th ertinentortions o% the testi'ony o% various (itnesses to de'onstrate 'ore #ain#y the #ausi"i#ity o% theori)ina# decision o% ud)e Pecson+ and the #atters conseHuent "ad 7ud)'ent in havin) %orced hi'se#% to acco'#ish a so'ersau#t+ a %eat (hich the 'a7ority+ in 'y oinion+ have 'ista6en#y co''ended.

e have %ound this to "e one o% the cases o% this court in (hich (e have had occasion to articiate+(here there can "e a"so#ute#y no dou"t as to the resu#t outri)ht reversa# %or (hich+ (ith dueresect to the 'a7ority oinion+ (e vote (ithout hesitancy.

Monte'ayor and Jugo, JJ., concur.



R%$L'TI$N

7 )o!e'ber 9<7=

(ILL(, J.:

This is a 'otion %or reconsideration o% the decision ro'u#)ated on 31 u#y 154+ a%%ir'in) thedecree o% the Court o% First !nstance o% =u#acan (hich disa##o(ed the a##e)ed #ast (i## and testa'ente;ecuted in Nove'"er 12 and the a##e)ed #ast (i## and testa'ent e;ecuted in ?u#an)su+ A'oy+China+ on 4 anuary 131+ "y ose =. Suntay+ (ithout ronounce'ent as to costs+ on )rounds that(i## resent#y "e ta6en u and discussed.

Ae##ant oints to an a##e)ed error in the decision (here it states that

. . . This etition (as denied "ecause o% the #oss o% said (i## a%ter the %i#in) o% the etition and"e%ore the hearin) thereo%+ . . .

"ecause accordin) to hi' the J(i## (as #ost "e%ore not a%ter theB %i#in) o% the etition.J This s#i)hterror+ i% it is an error at a##+ does not+ and cannot+ a%ter the conc#usions and ronounce'ents 'ade inthe 7ud)'ent rendered in the case. !n his a#ternative etition the ae##ant a##e)es:

4. That on 9cto"er 15+ 134+ /arian Natividad &i' =i##ian+ the 'other o% herein etitioner%i#ed a etition in this court %or the a##o(ance and ro"ate o% a #ast (i## and testa'ente;ecuted+ and si)ned in the Phi#iines in the year 12 "y said deceased ose =. Suntay.P. 3+ a'ended record on aea#.B

!% such (i## and testa'ent (as a#ready #ost or destroyed at the ti'e o% the %i#in) o% the etition "y/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian 15 9cto"er 134B+ the ae##ant (ou#d have so stated and a##e)ed. !%

Anastacio Teodoro+ a (itness %or the ae##ant+ is to "e "e#ieved (hen he testi%ied

. . . that one day in Nove'"er 134 . 2E3+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 1 anuary 148B+ ... Go Toharrived at his #a( o%%ice in the 0e &os Reyes =ui#din) and #e%t an enve#oe (raed in redhand6erchie% L*;hi"it CM . 32+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 13 9cto"er 14E . . .

and

!% the (i## (as snatched a%ter the de#ivery thereo% "y Go Toh to Anastacio Teodoro andreturned "y the #atter to the %or'er "ecause they cou#d not a)ree on the a'ount o% %ees+ . . .

then on 15 9cto"er 134+ the date o% the %i#in) o% the etition+ the (i## (as not yet #ost. And i% the %actsa##e)ed in ara)rah 5 o% the ae##ants a#ternative etition (hich states:

That this onora"#e Court+ a%ter hearin)+ denied the a%oresaid etition %or ro"ate %i#ed "y/aria Natividad &i' =i##ian in vie( o% the #oss andor destruction o% said (i## subseuent tothe %i#in) o% said etition and prior to the hearin) thereo%+ and the a##e)ed insu%%iciency o% theevidence adduced to esta"#ished the #oss andor destruction o% the said (i##+ *'hasissu#ied+ P. 3+ a'ended record on aea#.B

'ay "e re#ied uon+ then the a##e)ed error ointed out "y the ae##ant+ i% it is an error+ is due to thea##e)ation in said ara)rah o% his a#ternative etition. 0id the ae##ant a##e)e the %acts in said



ara)rah (ith rec6#ess a"andon 9r+ did the ae##ant 'a6e the a##e)ation as erroneous#y as that(hich he 'ade in ara)rah 1 o% the a#ternative etition that Jhis (i## (hich (as #ost andordered probated "y our Sure'e Court in G. R. No. 442ED+ a"ove re%erred toJ P. E+ a'endedrecord on aea#.B This Court did not order the ro"ate o% the (i## in said case "ecause i% it did+ there(ou#d have "een no %urther and su"seHuent roceedin)s in the case a%ter the decision o% this Courtre%erred to had "een rendered and had "eco'e %ina#. =e that as it 'ay+ (hether the #oss o% the (i##

(as "e%ore or su"seHuent to the %i#in) o% the etition+ as a#ready stated+ the %act (ou#d not a%%ect inthe s#i)htest de)ree the conc#usions and ronounce'ents 'ade "y this Court.

The ae##ant advances the ostu#ate that the decision o% this Court in the case o% i' Billian !s.Suntay + G. R. No. 442ED+ D3 Phi#.+ E3+ constitutes res 0udicata on these oints: aB that on#y one (i##(as reared "y attorney =arretto+ and "B that the issue to "e reso#ved "y the tria# court (as(hether the dra%t *;hi"it =B is a true coy or dra%t o% the snatched (i##+ and contends that theseoints a#ready ad7ud)ed (ere over#oo6ed in the 'a7ority oinion. The decision o% this Court in thecase re%erred to does not constitute res 0udicata on the oints adverted to "y the ae##ant. The on#yoint decided in that case is that Jthe evidence is su%%icient to esta"#ish the #oss o% the docu'entcontained in the enve#oe.J !n the oinion o% this Court+ this circu'stance 7usti%ied Jthe resentationo% secondary evidence o% its contents and o% (hether it (as e;ecuted (ith a## the essentia# andnecessary #e)a# %or'a#ities.J That is a## that (as decided. This Court %urther said:

The tria# o% this case (as #i'ited to the roo% o% #oss o% the (i##+ and %ro' (hat has ta6en#ace (e deduce that it (as not etitioners intention to raise+ uon the evidence adduced "yher+ and other oints invo#ved herein+ na'e#y+ as (e have hereto%ore indicated+ (hether*;hi"it = is a true coy o% the (i## and (hether the #atter (as e;ecuted (ith a## the %or'a#itiesreHuired "y #a( %or its ro"ate. The testi'ony o% A#"erto =arretto "ears i'ortant#y in thisconnection. P. ED+ supra.B

Ae##ants contention that the Huestion "e%ore the ro"ate court (as (hether the dra%t *;hi"it =B isa true coy or dra%t o% the snatched (i## is a 'ista6en interretation and vie( o% the decision o% thisCourt in the case re%erred to+ %or i% this Court did 'a6e that ronounce'ent+ (hich+ o% course+ it didnot+ such ronounce'ent (ou#d "e contrary to #a( and (ou#d have "een a )rievous and irreara"#e

'ista6e+ "ecause (hat the Court assed uon and decided in that case+ as a#ready stated+ is thatthere (as su%%icient evidence to rove the #oss o% the o% the (i## and that the ne;t ste (as to rove"y secondary evidence its due e;ecution in accordance (ith the %or'a#ities o% the #a( and itscontents+ c#ear#y and district#y+ "y the testi'ony o% at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses.1

The ae##ant invo6es Ru#e 133 to ar)ue that Ru#e EE shou#d not have "een a#ied to the case "utthe rovisions o% section D23 o% the Code o% Civi# Procedure Act No. 1B+ %or the reason that thiscase had "een co''enced "e%ore the Ru#es o% Court too6 e%%ect. =ut Ru#e 133 cited "y theae##ant rovides:

These ru#es sha## ta6e e%%ect on u#y 1+ 14. They sha## )overn a## cases "rou)ht a%ter theyta6e e%%ect+ andalso all furt#er proceedings in cases t#en pending + e;cet to the e;tent that in

the oinion o% the court their a#ication (ou#d not "e %easi"#e or (ou#d (or6 in7ustice+ in(hich event the %or'er rocedure sha## a#y.2%'p#asis supplied.5

So+ Ru#e EE a#ies to this case "ecause it (as a %urther roceedin)s in a case then endin). =uteven i% section D23 o% the Code o% Civi# Procedure (ere to "e a#ied+ sti## the evidence to rove thecontents and due e;ecution o% the (i## and the %act o% its unauthori@ed destruction+ cance##ation+ oro"#iteration 'ust "e esta"#ished J"y %u## evidence to the satis%action o% the Court.J This reHuire'ent'ay even "e 'ore strict and e;actin) than the t(o>(itness ru#e rovided %or in section D+ Ru#e EE.The under#yin) reason %or the e;actin) rovisions %ound in section D23 o% Act No. 1 and section D+



Ru#e EE+ the roduct o% e;erience and (isdo'+ is to revent i'osters %ro' %oistin)+ or at #east to'a6e %or the' di%%icu#t to %oist+ uon ro"ate courts a##e)ed #ast (i##s or testa'ents that (ere nevere;ecuted.

!n co''entin) un%avora"#y uon the decree disa##o(in) the #ost (i##+ "oth the ae##ant and thedissentin) oinion su%%er %ro' an in%ir'ity "orn o% a 'ista6en re'ise that a## the conc#usions and

ronounce'ents 'ade "y the ro"ate court in the %irst decree (hich a##o(ed the ro"ate o% the #ost(i## o% the #ate ose =. Suntay 'ust "e acceted "y this Court. This is an error. !t 'ust "e "orne in'ind that this is not a etition %or a (rit o% certiorari to revie( a 7ud)'ent o% the Court o% Aea#s onHuestions o% #a( (here the %indin)s o% %act "y said Court are "indin) uon this Court. This is anaea# %ro' the ro"ate court+ "ecause the a'ount invo#ved in the controversy e;ceeds P5++and this Court in the e;ercise o% its ae##ate 7urisdiction 'ust revie( the evidence and the %indin)so% %act and #e)a# ronounce'ents 'ade "y the ro"ate court. !% such conc#usions andronounce'ents are un7usti%ied and erroneous this Court is in duty "ound to correct the'. Not #on)a%ter enterin) the %irst decree the ro"ate court (as convinced that it had co''itted a 'ista6e+ so itset aside the decree and entered another. This Court a%%ir'ed the #ast decree not recise#y uon the%acts %ound "y the ro"ate court "ut uon %acts %ound "y it a%ter a care%u# revie( and scrutiny o% theevidence+ aro#e and docu'entary. A%ter such revie( this Court has %ound that the rovisions o% the(i## had not "een esta"#ished c#ear#y and distinct#y "y at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses and thatconc#usion is unassai#a"#e "ecause it is so#id#y "ased on the esta"#ished %acts and in accordance(ith #a(.

The ae##ant and the dissent try to 'a6e 'uch out o% a #eadin) %i#ed "y %ive 5B chi#dren and the(ido( o% Ao#onio Suntay+ another chi#d o% the deceased "y the %irst 'arria)e+ (herein they statethat

. . . in ans(er to the a#ternative etition %i#ed in these roceedin)s "y Si#vino Suntay+ throu)hcounse#+ dated une 18+ 14E+ to this onora"#e Court resect%u##y state that+ since saida#ternative etition see6s on#y to ut into e%%ect the testa'entary disosition and (ishes o%their #ate %ather+ they have no oosition thereto. P. E1>E2+ a'ended record on aea#.B

0oes that 'ean that they (ere consentin) to the ro"ate o% the #ost (i## 9% course not. !% the #ost(i## sou)ht to "e ro"ated in the a#ternative etition (as rea##y the (i## o% their #ate %ather+ they+ as)ood chi#dren+ natura##y had+ cou#d have+ no o"7ection to its ro"ate. That is a## that their ans(eri'#ies and 'eans. =ut such #ac6 o% o"7ection to the ro"ate o% the #ost (i## does not re#ieve theroonent thereo% or the arty interested in its ro"ate %ro' esta"#ishin) its due e;ecution androvin) c#ear#y and distinct#y the rovisions thereo% at #east t(o credi"#e (itnesses. !t does not 'eanthat they accet the dra%t *;hi"it = as an e;act and true coy o% the #ost (i## and consent to itsro"ate. Far %ro' it. !n the #eadin) coied in the dissent+ (hich the ae##ant has o(ned and usedas ar)u'ent in the 'otion %or reconsideration+ there is nothin) that 'ay "o#ster u his contention.*ven i% a## the chi#dren (ere a)reea"#e to the ro"ate o% said #ost (i##+ sti## the due e;ecution o% the#ost (i## 'ust "e esta"#ished and the rovisions thereo% roved c#ear#y and distinct#y "y at #east t(ocredi"#e (itnesses+ as rovided %or in section D+ Ru#e EE. The ae##ants e%%ort %ai#ed to rove (hat is

reHuired "y the ru#e. *ven i% the chi#dren o% the deceased "y the %irst 'arria)e+ out o% )enerosity+(ere (i##in) to donate their shares in the estate o% their deceased %ather or arts thereo% to their ste'other and her on#y chi#d+ the herein ae##ant+ sti## the donation+ i% va#id#y 'ade+ (ou#d not disense(ith the roceedin)s %or the ro"ate o% the (i## in accordance (ith section D+ Ru#e EE+ "ecause the%or'er 'ay convey "y (ay o% donation their shares in the state o% their deceased %ather or artsthereo% to the #atter on#y a%ter the decree disa##o(in) the (i## sha## have "een rendered and sha##have "eco'e %ina#. !% the #ost (i## is a##o(ed to ro"ate there (ou#d "e no roo' %or such donatione;cet o% their resective shares in the ro"ated (i##.



The art o% the deosition o% Go Toh Huoted in the 'otion %or reconsideration (hich ae##antunderscores does not re%er to Go Toh "ut to /anue# &oe@. *ven i% Go Toh heard /anue# &oe@read the dra%t *;hi"it =B %or the urose o% chec6in) it u (ith the ori)ina# he#d and read "y ose =.Suntay+ Go Toh shou#d not have understood the rovisions o% the (i## "ecause he 6ne( very #itt#e o%the Sanish #an)ua)e in (hich the (i## (as (ritten ans(er to 22nd and 23rd interro)atories and toI>2 cross>interro)atoryB. !n %act+ he testi%ies in his deosition that a## he 6no(s a"out the contents o%

the #ost (i## (as revea#ed to hi' "y ose =. Suntay at the ti'e it (as e;ecuted ans(ers to 25thinterro)atory and to I>4 and I>8 cross>interro)atoriesB< that ose =. Suntay to#d hi' that thecontents thereo% are the sa'e as those o% the dra%t L*;hi"it =M ans(ers to 33rd interro)atory and toI>8 cross>interro)atoryB< that /rs. Suntay had the dra%t o% the (i## *;hi"it =B trans#ated into Chineseand he read the trans#ation ans(er to the DEth interro)atoryB< that he did not read the (i## and didnot co'are it chec6 it uB (ith the dra%t L*;hi"it =M ans(ers to I>D and I>2 cross>interro)atoriesB.e reeat that

. . . a## o% Go Tohs testi'ony "y deosition on the rovisions o% the a##e)ed #ost (i## ishearsay+ "ecause he ca'e to 6no( or he #earned o% the' %ro' in%or'ation )iven hi' "yose =. Suntay and %ro' readin) the trans#ation o% the dra%t *;hi"it =B into Chinese.

This %indin) cannot "e contested and assai#ed.

The ae##ant does not understand ho( the Court ca'e to the conc#usion that Ana Suntay+ a (itness%or the ae##ant cou#d not have read the art o% the (i## on ad7udication. Accordin) to her testi'onyJshe did not read the (ho#e (i## "ut on#y the ad7udication+J (hich+ this Court %ound+ Jis inconsistent(ith her testi'ony in chie% to the e%%ectB that Ja%ter Ao#onio read that ortion+ then he turned overthe docu'ent o% /anue#+ and he (ent a(ay.J P. 528+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24 Fe"ruary 148.B Andae##ant as6s the Huestion: Jho (ent a(ay as it /anue# or Ao#onioJ !n ans(er to his o(nHuestion the ae##ant says: JThe 'ore o"vious in%erence is that it (as Ao#onio and not /anue#(ho (ent a(ay.J This in%erence 'ade "y the ae##ant not on#y is not o"vious "ut it is a#so i##o)ica#+ i% it "e "orne in 'ind that /anue# ca'e to the house o% Ao#onio and it haened that Ana (as there+accordin) to her testi'ony. So the sentence Jhe (ent a(ayJ in Anas testi'ony 'ust #o)ica##y andreasona"#y re%er to /anue#+ (ho (as a ca##er or visitor in the house o% his "rother Ao#onio and not

to the #atter (ho (as in his house. !% it (as Ao#onio (ho J(ent a(ay+J counse# %or the ae##antcou#d have "rou)ht that out "y a sin)#e Huestion. As the evidence stands cou#d it "e said that theone (ho (ent a(ay (as Ao#onio and not /anue# The o"vious ans(er is that it (as /anue#. Thatin%erence is the resu#t o% a strai)ht rocess o% reasonin) and c#ear thin6in).

There is a vei#ed insinuation in the dissent that A#"erto =arretto testi%ied as he did "ecause he had"een aid "y Federico C. Suntay the su' o% P1D+. Federico C. Suntay testi%ies on the oint thus

O. Kou 'entioned in your direct testi'ony that you aid certain a'ount to Atty. A#"erto=arretto %or services rendered+ ho( 'uch did you ay A. Around S!IT**N T9SAN0P1D+.B.

O. hen did you 'a6e the ay'ent A. 0urin) the aanese ti'e.

O. 0id you state that %act in any accounts you resented to the Court A. ! do not Huitere'e'"er that.

. . . P. 18+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 24 9cto"er 14E.B



O. hen you 'ade that ay'ent+ (as itB your intention to char)e it to the state or to co##ectit #ater %ro' the estate A. Kes+ sir.

O. /ore or #ess (hen (as such ay'ent 'ade+ durin) the aanese ti'e+ (hat articu#ar'onth and year+ do you re'e'"er A. ! thin6 in 142.

O. And you said you aid hi' "ecause o% services he rendered A. on the order to theCourt.

O. And those services (ere recise#y "ecause he 'ade a (i## and he 'ade a (i## (hich (as#ost+ the (i## o% ose =. Suntay ... P. 181+ t. s. n.+ supra.B A. ! thin6 ! re'e'"er correct#yaccordin) to e;>Reresentative era (ho is the ad'inistrator (ho' ! %o##o(ed at that ti'e+that (as aid accordin) to the services rendered "y 0on A#"erto =arretto (ith re)ard to ourcase in the testa'entaria "ut he a#so rendered services to 'y %ather.

O. At #east your Counse# said that there (as an order o% the Court orderin) you to ay that+do you have that coy o% the order A. Kes+ sir+ ! have+ "ut ! thin6 that (as "urned. P. 184+t. s. n.+ supra.B.

So the su' o% P1D+ (as aid uon reco''endation o% the %or'er ad'inistrator and order o% thero"ate court %or services rendered "y A#"erto =arretto not on#y in the ro"ate roceedin)s that a#so%or services rendered to his %ather. =ut i% this su' o% P1D+ aid to A#"erto =arretto uonreco''endation o% the revious ad'inistrator and order o% the ro"ate court %or ro%essiona#services rendered in the ro"ate roceedin)s and to the deceased in his #i%eti'e "e ta6en a)ainsthis truth%u#ness and veracity as to a%%ect adverse#y his testi'ony+ (hat a"out the ro%essiona#services o% Anastacio Teodoro (ho aeared in this case as one o% the attorneys %or the etitioner>ae##ant P. 2+ t. s. n.+ hearin) o% 13 9cto"er 14E.Bou#d that not #i6e(ise or "y the sa'e to6ena%%ect his credi"i#ity !t is the #atters interest 'ore co'e##in) than the %or'ers

For the %ore)oin) reasons+ the 'otion %or reconsideration is denied.

Pablo, Bengzon, Reyes, A. and Concepcion, JJ., concur.

aras, C.J., dissentin):

For the sa'e reasons and considerations set %orth in detai# in 'y dissent ro'u#)ated on u#y 31+154+ ! vote to )rant the 'otion %or reconsideration.

Monte'ayor and Jugo, JJ., concur.

+ootnotes

1 Section D+ Ru#e EE.

1) suntay vs. suntay

Documents