Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila SECOND DIVISION G.R. No.

155733 January 27, 2006

IN THE MATTER O THE INTESTATE ESTATES O THE !ECEASE! JOSE A !E"GA!O AN! GUI""ERMO RUSTIA CAR"OTA !E"GA!O #!A. !E !E "A ROSA an$ o%&'r HEIRS O "UIS !E"GA!O, na(')y, HEIRS O CONCHA #!A. !E ARE#A"O, HEIRS O "UISA !E"GA!O #!A. !E !ANAO, ANGE"A !E"GA!O ARESPACOCHAGA, TERESA !E"GA!O PER"AS, CARO"INA !E"GA!O*ARESPACOCHAGA, RO!O" O !E"GA!O, +ENJAMIN !E"GA!O, G"ICERIA !E"GA!O an$ C"EO AS !E"GA!O, an$ HEIRS O GORGONIO !E"GA!O, na(')y, RAMON !E"GA!O CAMPO, CAR"OS !E"GA!O CAMPO, C"ARITA !E"GA!O CAMPO*REI-A, .O"AN!A !E"GA!O ENCINAS, E"ISA !E"GA!O CAMPO*ENCINAS an$ ME"IN!A !E"GA!O CAMPO*MA!ARANG, Petitioners, vs. HEIRS O MARCIANA RUSTIA #!A. !E !AMIAN, na(')y, GUI""ERMO R. !AMIAN an$ JOSE R. !AMIAN, HEIRS O HORTENCIA RUSTIA CRU-, na(')y, TERESITA CRU-*SISON, HORACIO R. CRU-, JOSE INA CRU-*RO!I", AME"IA CRU-*ENRI/UE- an$ I!E" R. CRU-, JR., HEIRS O ROMAN RUSTIA, SR., na(')y, JOSE INA RUSTIA A"+ANO, #IRGINIA RUSTIA PARAISO, ROMAN RUSTIA, JR., SERGIO RUSTIA, RANCISCO RUSTIA, "ETICIA RUSTIA*MIRAN!A, an$ GUI""ERMINA RUSTIA, a0 O11o02%or0, 1 an$ GUI""ERMA RUSTIA, a0 In%'r3'nor, Respon!ents." DECISION CORONA, J.: In this petition for revie# on certiorari, petitioners see$ to reinstate the Ma% 11, 1&&' !ecision of the Re(ional )rial Court *R)C+ of Manila, ,ranch --,. in SP Case No. &/001, #hich #as reverse! an! set asi!e b% the Court of 2ppeals in its !ecision- !ate! October ., '' . FACTS OF THE CASE )his case concerns the settle3ent of the intestate estates of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o. 0 )he 3ain issue in this case is relativel% si3ple6 #ho, bet#een petitioners an! respon!ents, are the la#ful heirs of the !ece!ents. 7o#ever, it is atten!e! b% several collateral issues that co3plicate its resolution. )he clai3ants to the estates of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o 3a% be !ivi!e! into t#o (roups6 *1+ the alle(e! heirs of 5osefa Del(a!o, consistin( of her half8 an! full8bloo! siblin(s, nephe#s an! nieces, an! (ran!nephe#s an! (ran!nieces, an! * + the alle(e! heirs of 4uiller3o Rustia, particularl%, his sisters, / his nephe#s an! nieces,1 his ille(iti3ate chil!,& an! the de facto a!opte! chil!1' *ampun-ampunan+ of the !ece!ents. T&' a))'4'$ &'2r0 o5 Jo0'5a !')4a$o )he !ecease! 5osefa Del(a!o #as the !au(hter of 9elisa11 Del(a!o b% one :ucio Ca3po. 2si!e fro3 5osefa, five other chil!ren #ere born to the couple, na3el%, Na;ario, E!ilberta, 5ose, 5acoba, an! 4or(onio, all surna3e! Del(a!o. 9elisa Del(a!o #as never 3arrie! to :ucio Ca3po, hence, 5osefa an! her full8bloo! siblin(s #ere all natural chil!ren of 9elisa Del(a!o. 7o#ever, :ucio Ca3po #as not the first an! onl% 3an in 9elisa Del(a!o<s life. ,efore hi3 #as Ra3on Osorio 1 #ith #ho3 9elisa ha! a son, :uis Del(a!o. ,ut, unli$e her relationship #ith :ucio Ca3po #hich #as a!3itte!l% one #ithout the benefit of 3arria(e, the le(al status of Ra3on Osorio<s an! 9elisa Del(a!o<s union is in !ispute. )he =uestion of #hether 9elisa Del(a!o an! Ra3on Osorio ever (ot 3arrie! is crucial to the clai3ants because the ans#er #ill !eter3ine #hether their successional ri(hts fall #ithin the a3bit of the rule a(ainst reciprocal intestate succession bet#een le(iti3ate an! ille(iti3ate relatives. 1" If Ra3on Osorio an! 9elisa Del(a!o ha! been vali!l%

3arrie!, then their onl% chil! :uis Del(a!o #as a le(iti3ate half8bloo! brother of 5osefa Del(a!o an! therefore e>clu!e! fro3 the latter<s intestate estate. 7e an! his heirs #oul! be barre! b% the principle of absolute separation bet#een the le(iti3ate an! ille(iti3ate fa3ilies. Conversel%, if the couple #ere never 3arrie!, :uis Del(a!o an! his heirs #oul! be entitle! to inherit fro3 5osefa Del(a!o<s intestate estate, as the% #oul! all be #ithin the ille(iti3ate line. Petitioners alle(e that Ra3on Osorio an! 9elisa Del(a!o #ere never 3arrie!. In support thereof, the% assert that no evi!ence #as ever presente! to establish it, not even so 3uch as an alle(ation of the !ate or place of the alle(e! 3arria(e. ?hat is clear, ho#ever, is that 9elisa retaine! the surna3e Del(a!o. So !i! :uis, her son #ith Ra3on Osorio. :ater on, #hen :uis (ot 3arrie!, his Partida de Casamiento1. state! that he #as @hijo natural de Felisa Delgado" *the natural chil! of 9elisa Del(a!o+, 1- si(nificantl% o3ittin( an% 3ention of the na3e an! other circu3stances of his father.10 Nevertheless, oppositors *no# respon!ents+ insist that the absence of a recor! of the alle(e! 3arria(e !i! not necessaril% 3ean that no 3arria(e ever too$ place. 5osefa Del(a!o !ie! on Septe3ber 1, 1&/ #ithout a #ill. She #as survive! b% 4uiller3o Rustia an! so3e collateral relatives, the petitioners herein. Several 3onths later, on 5une 1-, 1&/", 4uiller3o Rustia e>ecute! an affi!avit of self8 a!Au!ication of the re3ainin( properties co3prisin( her estate. T&' (arr2a4' o5 Gu2))'r(o Ru0%2a an$ Jo0'5a !')4a$o So3eti3e in 1&1/, 4uiller3o Rustia propose! 3arria(e to 5osefa Del(a!o 1/ but #hether a 3arria(e in fact too$ place is !ispute!. 2ccor!in( to petitioners, the t#o eventuall% live! to(ether as husban! an! #ife but #ere never 3arrie!. )o prove their assertion, petitioners point out that no recor! of the conteste! 3arria(e e>iste! in the civil re(istr%. Moreover, a baptis3al certificate na3in( 5osefa Del(a!o as one of the sponsors referre! to her as @Seorita" or un3arrie! #o3an. )he oppositors *respon!ents here+, on the other han!, insist that the absence of a 3arria(e certificate !i! not of necessit% 3ean that no 3arria(e transpire!. )he% 3aintain that 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o #ere 3arrie! on 5une ", 1&1& an! fro3 then on live! to(ether as husban! an! #ife until the !eath of 5osefa on Septe3ber 1, 1&/ . Durin( this perio! spannin( 3ore than half a centur%, the% #ere $no#n a3on( their relatives an! frien!s to have in fact been 3arrie!. )o support their proposition, oppositors presente! the follo#in( pieces of evi!ence6 1. Certificate of I!entit% No. &-& !ate! BDece3ber 1, 1&..C issue! to Mrs. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia b% Carlos P. Ro3ulo, then Resi!ent Co33issioner to the Dnite! States of the Co33on#ealth of the PhilippinesE . Philippine Passport No. ./0/ issue! to 5osefa D. Rustia on 5une -, 1&./E ". Veterans 2pplication for Pension or Co3pensation for Disabilit% Resultin( fro3 Service in the 2ctive Militar% or Naval 9orces of the Dnite! States8 Clai3 No. C8., ''., -'" *V2 9or3 - 0+ file! #ith the Veterans 2!3inistration of the Dnite! States of 23erica b% Dr. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia #herein Dr. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia hi3self Bs#oreC to his 3arria(e to 5osefa Del(a!o in Manila on " 5une 1&1&E 11 .. )itles to real properties in the na3e of 4uiller3o Rustia in!icate! that he #as 3arrie! to 5osefa Del(a!o. T&' a))'4'$ &'2r0 o5 Gu2))'r(o Ru0%2a 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o never ha! an% chil!ren. ?ith no chil!ren of their o#n, the% too$ into their ho3e the %oun(sters 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia an! Nanie Rustia. )hese chil!ren, never le(all% a!opte! b% the couple, #ere #hat #as $no#n in the local !ialect as ampun-ampunan. Durin( his life #ith 5osefa, ho#ever, 4uiller3o Rustia !i! 3ana(e to father an ille(iti3ate chil!, 1& the intervenor8 respon!ent 4uiller3a Rustia, #ith one 23paro Sa(arbarria. 2ccor!in( to 4uiller3a, 4uiller3o Rustia treate! her as his !au(hter, his o#n flesh an! bloo!, an! she enAo%e! open an! continuous possession of that status fro3 her birth in 1& ' until her father<s !e3ise. In fact, 5osefa Del(a!o<s obituar% #hich #as prepare! b% 4uiller3o Rustia,

na3e! the intervenor8respon!ent as one of their chil!ren. 2lso, her report car! fro3 the Dniversit% of Santo )o3as i!entifie! 4uiller3o Rustia as her parentF(uar!ian. ' Oppositors *respon!ents here+ nonetheless posit that 4uiller3a Rustia has no interest in the intestate estate of 4uiller3o Rustia as she #as never !ul% ac$no#le!(e! as an ille(iti3ate chil!. )he% conten! that her ri(ht to co3pulsor% ac$no#le!(e3ent prescribe! #hen 4uiller3o !ie! in 1&/. an! that she cannot clai3 voluntar% ac$no#le!(e3ent since the !ocu3ents she presente! #ere not the authentic #ritin(s prescribe! b% the ne# Civil Co!e. 1 On 5anuar% /, 1&/., 3ore than a %ear after the !eath of 5osefa Del(a!o, 4uiller3o Rustia file! a petition for the a!option of their ampun-ampunan 4uiller3ina Rustia. 7e state! un!er oath @BtChat he haB!C no le(iti3ate, le(iti3ate!, ac$no#le!(e! natural chil!ren or natural chil!ren b% le(al fiction.@ " )he petition #as overta$en b% his !eath on 9ebruar% 1, 1&/.. :i$e 5osefa Del(a!o, 4uiller3o Rustia !ie! #ithout a #ill. 7e #as survive! b% his sisters Marciana Rustia vda. deDa3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia8Cru;, an! b% the chil!ren of his pre!ecease! brother Ro3an Rustia Sr., na3el%, 5osefina Rustia 2lbano, Vir(inia Rustia Paraiso, Ro3an Rustia, 5r., Ser(io Rustia, 9rancisco Rustia an! :eticia Rustia Miran!a. . ANTECEDENT PROCEEDINGS On Ma% 1, 1&/-, :uisa Del(a!o vda. de Danao, the !au(hter of :uis Del(a!o, file! the ori(inal petition for letters of a!3inistration of the intestate estates of the @spouses 5osefa Del(a!o an! 4uiller3o Rustia@ #ith the R)C of Manila, ,ranch --. - )his petition #as oppose! b% the follo#in(6 *1+ the sisters of 4uiller3o Rustia, na3el%, Marciana Rustia vda. de Da3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia8Cru;E 0 * + the heirs of 4uiller3o Rustia<s late brother, Ro3an Rustia, Sr., an! *"+ the ampun-ampunan 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia. )he opposition #as (roun!e! on the theor% that :uisa Del(a!o vda. de Danao an! the other clai3ants #ere barre! un!er the la# fro3 inheritin( fro3 their ille(iti3ate half8bloo! relative 5osefa Del(a!o. In Nove3ber of 1&/-, 4uiller3a Rustia file! a 3otion to intervene in the procee!in(s, clai3in( she #as the onl% survivin( !escen!ant in the !irect line of 4uiller3o Rustia. Despite the obAections of the oppositors *respon!ents herein+, the 3otion #as (rante!. On 2pril ", 1&/1, the ori(inal petition for letters of a!3inistration #as a3en!e! to state that 5osefa Del(a!o an! 4uiller3o Rustia #ere never 3arrie! but ha! 3erel% live! to(ether as husban! an! #ife. On 5anuar% ., 1&1', oppositors *respon!ents herein+ file! a 3otion to !is3iss the petition in the R)C insofar as the estate of 4uiller3o Rustia #as concerne!. )he 3otion #as !enie! on the (roun! that the interests of the petitioners an! the other clai3ants re3aine! in issue an! shoul! be properl% threshe! out upon sub3ission of evi!ence. On March 1., 1&11, Carlota Del(a!o vda. de !e la Rosa substitute! for her sister, :uisa Del(a!o vda. de Danao, #ho ha! !ie! on Ma% 11, 1&1/. On Ma% 11, 1&&', the R)C appointe! Carlota Del(a!o vda. de !e la Rosa as a!3inistratri> of both estates. / )he !ispositive portion of the !ecision rea!6 6HERE ORE, in vie# of all the fore(oin(, petitioner an! her co8clai3ants to the estate of the late 5osefa Del(a!o liste! in the Petitions, an! enu3erate! else#here in this Decision, are hereb% !eclare! as the onl% le(al heirs of the sai! 5osefa Del(a!o #ho !ie! intestate in the Cit% of Manila on Septe3ber 1, 1&/ , an! entitle! to partition the sa3e a3on( the3selves in accor!ance #ith the proportions referre! to in this Decision. Si3ilarl%, the intervenor 4uiller3a S. Rustia is hereb% !eclare! as the sole an! onl% survivin( heir of the late Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia, an! thus, entitle! to the entire estate of the sai! !ece!ent, to the e>clusion of the oppositors an! the other parties hereto.

)he 2ffi!avit of Self82!Au!ication of the estate of 5osefa Del(a!o e>ecute! b% the late 4uiller3o 5. Rustia on 5une 1-, 1&/" is hereb% SE) 2SIDE an! !eclare! of no force an! effect. 2s the estates of both !eceB!Cents have not as %et been settle!, an! their settle3ent Bi sC consi!ere! consoli!ate! in this procee!in( in accor!ance #ith la#, a sin(le a!3inistrator therefor is both proper an! necessar%, an!, as the petitioner Carlota Del(a!o V!a. !e !ela Rosa has establishe! her ri(ht to the appoint3ent as a!3inistratri> of the estates, the Court hereb% 2PPOIN)S her as the 2DMINIS)R2)RIG of the intestate estate of the !ece!ent 5OSE92 DE:42DO in relation to the estate of DR. 4DI::ERMO 5. RDS)I2. 2ccor!in(l%, let the correspon!in( :E))ERS O9 2DMINIS)R2)ION issue to the petitioner C2R:O)2 DE:42DO VD2. DE DE :2 ROS2 upon her filin( of the re=uisite bon! in the su3 of 9IVE 7DNDRED )7ODS2ND PESOS *P-'','''.''+. 9inall%, oppositor 4DI::ERMIN2 RDS)I2 RDS)I2 is hereb% or!ere! to cease an! !esist fro3 her acts of a!3inistration of the subAect estates, an! is li$e#ise or!ere! to turn over to the appointe! a!3inistrati> all her collections of the rentals an! inco3e !ue on the assets of the estates in =uestion, inclu!in( all !ocu3ents, papers, recor!s an! titles pertainin( to such estates to the petitioner an! appointe! a!3inistrati> C2R:O)2 DE:42DO VD2. DE DE :2 ROS2, i33e!iatel% upon receipt of this Decision. )he sa3e oppositor is hereb% re=uire! to ren!er an accountin( of her actual a!3inistration of the estates in controvers% #ithin a perio! of si>t% *0'+ !a%s fro3 receipt hereof. SO ORDERED. 1 On Ma% ', 1&&', oppositors file! an appeal #hich #as !enie! on the (roun! that the recor! on appeal #as not file! on ti3e. & )he% then file! a petition for certiorari an! 3an!a3us "' #hich #as !is3isse! b% the Court of 2ppeals."1 7o#ever, on 3otion for reconsi!eration an! after hearin( the parties< oral ar(u3ents, the Court of 2ppeals reverse! itself an! (ave !ue course to oppositors< appeal in the interest of substantial Austice. " In a petition for revie# to this Court, petitioners assaile! the resolution of the Court of 2ppeals, on the (roun! that oppositors< failure to file the recor! on appeal #ithin the re(le3entar% perio! #as a Auris!ictional !efect #hich nullifie! the appeal. On October 1', 1&&/, this Court allo#e! the continuance of the appeal. )he pertinent portion of our !ecision"" rea!6 2s a rule, perio!s prescribe! to !o certain acts 3ust be follo#e!. 7o#ever, un!er e>ceptional circu3stances, a !ela% in the filin( of an appeal 3a% be e>cuse! on (roun!s of substantial Austice. >>> >>> >>> )he respon!ent court li$e#ise pointe! out the trial court<s pronounce3ents as to certain 3atters of substance, relatin( to the !eter3ination of the heirs of the !ece!ents an! the part% entitle! to the a!3inistration of their estate, #hich #ere to be raise! in the appeal, but #ere barre! absolutel% b% the !enial of the recor! on appeal upon too technical (roun! of late filin(. >>> >>> >>> In this instance, private respon!ents< intention to raise vali! issues in the appeal is apparent an! shoul! not have been construe! as an atte3pt to !ela% or prolon( the a!3inistration procee!in(s. >>> >>> >>> 2 revie# of the trial court<s !ecision is nee!e!. >>> >>> >>> 6HERE ORE, in vie# of the fore(oin( consi!erations, the Court hereb% A IRMS the Resolution !ate! Nove3ber /, 1&&1 of the Court of 2ppeals in C284.R. SP No. ".1-, for the APPRO#A" of the private respon!ents< Recor!

on 2ppeal an! the CONTINUANCE of the appeal fro3 the Manila, ,ranch :V Re(ional )rial Court<s Ma% 11, 1&&' !ecision. SO ORDERED. 2ctin( on the appeal, the Court of 2ppeals ". partiall% set asi!e the trial court<s !ecision. Dpon 3otion for reconsi!eration,"- the Court of 2ppeals a3en!e! its earlier !ecision."0 )he !ispositive portion of the a3en!e! !ecision rea!6 ?ith the further 3o!ification, our assaile! !ecision is RECONSI!ERE! an! #ACATE!. Conse=uentl%, the !ecision of the trial court is RE#ERSE! an! SET ASI!E. 2 ne# one is hereb% REN!ERE! !eclarin(6 1.+ Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o Rustia to have been le(all% 3arrie!E .+ the intestate estate of Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia, 5acoba Del(a!o8Encinas an! the chil!ren of 4or(onio Del(a!o *Ca3po+ entitle! to partition a3on( the3selves the intestate estate of 5osefa D. Rustia in accor!ance #ith the proportion referre! to in this !ecisionE ".+ the oppositors8 appellants as the le(al heirs of the late Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia an! thereb% entitle! to partition his estate in accor!ance #ith the proportion referre! to hereinE an! ..+ the intervenor8appellee 4uiller3a S. Rustia as ineli(ible to inherit fro3 the late Dr. 4uiller3o RustiaE thus revo$in( her appoint3ent as a!3inistratri> of his estate. )he letters of a!3inistration of the intestate estate of Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia in relation to the intestate estate of 5osefa Del(a!o shall issue to the no3inee of the oppositors8appellants upon his or her =ualification an! filin( of the re=uisite bon! in the su3 of 9IVE 7DNDRED )7ODS2ND PESOS *P-'','''.''+. Oppositor8appellant 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia is hereb% or!ere! to cease an! !esist fro3 her acts of a!3inistration of the subAect estates an! to turn over to the appointe! a!3inistrator all her collections of the rentals an! inco3es !ue on the assets of the estates in =uestion, inclu!in( all !ocu3ents, papers, recor!s an! titles pertainin( to such estates to the appointe! a!3inistrator, i33e!iatel% upon notice of his =ualification an! postin( of the re=uisite bon!, an! to ren!er an accountin( of her *4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia+ actual a!3inistration of the estates in controvers% #ithin a perio! of si>t% *0'+ !a%s fro3 notice of the a!3inistrator<s =ualification an! postin( of the bon!. )he issue of the vali!it% of the affi!avit of self8a!Au!ication e>ecute! b% Dr. 4uiller3o Rustia on 5une 1-, 1&/" isREMAN!E! to the trial court for further procee!in(s to !eter3ine the e>tent of the shares of 5acoba Del(a!o8 Encinas an! the chil!ren of 4or(onio Del(a!o *Ca3po+ affecte! b% the sai! a!Au!ication. 7ence, this recourse. )he issues for our resolution are6 1. #hether there #as a vali! 3arria(e bet#een 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!oE . #ho the le(al heirs of the !ece!ents 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o areE ". #ho shoul! be issue! letters of a!3inistration. )he 3arria(e of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o 2 presu3ption is an inference of the e>istence or non8e>istence of a fact #hich courts are per3itte! to !ra# fro3 proof of other facts. Presu3ptions are classifie! into presu3ptions of la# an! presu3ptions of fact. Presu3ptions of la# are, in turn, either conclusive or !isputable. "/ Rule 1"1, Section " of the Rules of Court provi!es6 Sec. ". Disputable presumptions. H )he follo#in( presu3ptions are satisfactor% if uncontra!icte!, but 3a% be contra!icte! an! overco3e b% other evi!ence6 >>> >>> >>>

*aa+ )hat a 3an an! a #o3an !eportin( the3selves as husban! an! #ife have entere! into a la#ful contract of 3arria(eE >>> >>> >>> In this case, several circu3stances (ive rise to the presu3ption that a vali! 3arria(e e>iste! bet#een 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o. )heir cohabitation of 3ore than -' %ears cannot be !oubte!. )heir fa3il% an! frien!s $ne# the3 to be 3arrie!. )heir repute! status as husban! an! #ife #as such that even the ori(inal petition for letters of a!3inistration file! b% :uisa Del(a!o vda. de Danao in 1&/- referre! to the3 as @spouses.@ Iet, petitioners 3aintain that 5osefa Del(a!o an! 4uiller3o Rustia ha! si3pl% live! to(ether as husban! an! #ife #ithout the benefit of 3arria(e. )he% 3a$e 3uch of the absence of a recor! of the conteste! 3arria(e, the testi3on% of a #itness"1 attestin( that the% #ere not 3arrie!, an! a baptis3al certificate #hich referre! to 5osefa Del(a!o as @Seorita" or un3arrie! #o3an."& ?e are not persua!e!. First, althou(h a 3arria(e contract is consi!ere! a pri3ar% evi!ence of 3arria(e, its absence is not al#a%s proof that no 3arria(e in fact too$ place. .' Once the presu3ption of 3arria(e arises, other evi!ence 3a% be presente! in support thereof. )he evi!ence nee! not necessaril% or !irectl% establish the 3arria(e but 3ust at least be enou(h to stren(then the presu3ption of 3arria(e. 7ere, the certificate of i!entit% issue! to 5osefa Del(a!o as Mrs. 4uiller3o Rustia,.1 the passport issue! to her as 5osefa D. Rustia,. the !eclaration un!er oath of no less than 4uiller3o Rustia that he #as 3arrie! to 5osefa Del(a!o." an! the titles to the properties in the na3e of @4uiller3o Rustia 3arrie! to 5osefa Del(a!o,@ 3ore than a!e=uatel% support the presu3ption of 3arria(e. )hese are public !ocu3ents #hich are prima facie evi!ence of the facts state! therein. .. No clear an! convincin( evi!ence sufficient to overco3e the presu3ption of the truth of the recitals therein #as presente! b% petitioners. Second, Elisa vda. de 2nson, petitioners< o#n #itness #hose testi3on% the% pri3aril% relie! upon to support their position, confir3e! that 4uiller3o Rustia ha! propose! 3arria(e to 5osefa Del(a!o an! that eventuall%, the t#o ha! @live! to(ether as husban! an! #ife.@ )his a(ain coul! not but stren(then the presu3ption of 3arria(e. Third, the baptis3al certificate.- #as conclusive proof onl% of the baptis3 a!3inistere! b% the priest #ho bapti;e! the chil!. It #as no proof of the veracit% of the !eclarations an! state3ents containe! therein, .0 such as the alle(e! sin(le or un3arrie! *@Seorita@+ civil status of 5osefa Del(a!o #ho ha! no han! in its preparation. Petitioners faile! to rebut the presu3ption of 3arria(e of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o. In this Auris!iction, ever% inten!3ent of the la# leans to#ar! le(iti3i;in( 3atri3on%. Persons !#ellin( to(ether apparentl% in 3arria(e are presu3e! to be in fact 3arrie!. )his is the usual or!er of thin(s in societ% an!, if the parties are not #hat the% hol! the3selves out to be, the% #oul! be livin( in constant violation of the co33on rules of la# an! propriet%.Semper praesumitur pro matrimonio . 2l#a%s presu3e 3arria(e../ )he :a#ful 7eirs Of 5osefa Del(a!o )o !eter3ine #ho the la#ful heirs of 5osefa Del(a!o are, the =uestione! status of the cohabitation of her 3other 9elisa Del(a!o #ith Ra3on Osorio 3ust first be a!!resse!. 2s 3entione! earlier, presu3ptions of la# are either conclusive or !isputable. Conclusive presu3ptions are inferences #hich the la# 3a$es so pere3ptor% that no contrar% proof, no 3atter ho# stron(, 3a% overturn the3..1On the other han!, !isputable presu3ptions, one of #hich is the presu3ption of 3arria(e, can be relie! on onl% in the absence of sufficient evi!ence to the contrar%. :ittle #as sai! of the cohabitation or alle(e! 3arria(e of 9elisa Del(a!o an! Ra3on Osorio. )he oppositors *no# respon!ents+ chose 3erel% to rel% on the !isputable presu3ption of 3arria(e even in the face of such countervailin( evi!ence as *1+ the continue! use b% 9elisa an! :uis *her son #ith Ra3on Osorio+ of the surna3e Del(a!o an! * + :uis Del(a!o<s an! Cari!a! Concepcion<s Partida de Casamiento.& i!entif%in( :uis as @hijo natural de Felisa Delgado@ *the natural chil! of 9elisa Del(a!o+.-'

2ll thin(s consi!ere!, #e rule that these factors sufficientl% overca3e the rebuttable presu3ption of 3arria(e. 9elisa Del(a!o an! Ra3on Osorio #ere never 3arrie!. 7ence, all the chil!ren born to 9elisa Del(a!o out of her relations #ith Ra3on Osorio an! :ucio Ca3po, na3el%, :uis an! his half8bloo! siblin(s Na;ario, E!ilberta, 5ose, 5acoba, 4or(onio an! the !ece!ent 5osefa, all surna3e! Del(a!o, -1 #ere her natural chil!ren.Pertinent to this 3atter is the follo#in( observation6 Suppose, ho#ever, that 2 be(ets G #ith ,, an! I #ith another #o3an, CE then G an! I #oul! be natural brothers an! sisters, but of half8bloo! relationship. Can the% succee! each other reciprocall%J )he la# prohibits reciprocal succession bet#een ille(iti3ate chil!ren an! le(iti3ate chil!ren of the sa3e parent, even thou(h there is un=uestionabl% a tie of bloo! bet#een the3. It see3s that to allo# an ille(iti3ate chil! to succee! ab intestato *fro3+ another ille(iti3ate chil! be(otten #ith a parent !ifferent fro3 that of the for3er, #oul! be allo#in( the ille(iti3ate chil! (reater ri(hts than a le(iti3ate chil!. Not#ithstan!in( this, ho#ever, #e sub3it that succession shoul! be allo#e!, even #hen the ille(iti3ate brothers an! sisters are onl% of the half8bloo!. )he reason i3pellin( the prohibition on reciprocal successions bet#een le(iti3ate an! ille(iti3ate fa3ilies !oes not appl% to the case un!er consi!eration. )hat prohibition has for its basis the !ifference in cate(or% bet#een ille(iti3ate an! le(iti3ate relatives. )here is no such !ifference #hen all the chil!ren are ille(iti3ate chil!ren of the sa3e parent, even if be(otten #ith !ifferent persons. )he% all stan! on the sa3e footin( before the la#, Aust li$e le(iti3ate chil!ren of half8bloo! relation. ?e sub3it, therefore, that the rules re(ar!in( succession of le(iti3ate brothers an! sisters shoul! be applicable to the3. 9ull bloo! ille(iti3ate brothers an! sisters shoul! receive !ouble the portion of half8bloo! brothers an! sistersE an! if all are either of the full bloo! or of the half8bloo!, the% shall share e=uall%. -" 7ere, the above8na3e! siblin(s of 5osefa Del(a!o #ere relate! to her b% full8bloo!, e>cept :uis Del(a!o, her half8 brother. Nonetheless, since the% #ere all ille(iti3ate, the% 3a% inherit fro3 each other. 2ccor!in(l%, all of the3 are entitle! to inherit fro3 5osefa Del(a!o. ?e note, ho#ever, that the petitioners before us are alrea!% the nephe#s, nieces, (ran!nephe#s an! (ran!nieces of 5osefa Del(a!o. Dn!er 2rticle &/ of the ne# Civil Co!e, the ri(ht of representation in the collateral line ta$es place onl% in favor of the chil!ren of brothers an! sisters *nephe#s an! nieces+. Conse=uentl%, it cannot be e>ercise! b% (ran!nephe#s an! (ran!nieces.-. )herefore, the onl% collateral relatives of 5osefa Del(a!o #ho are entitle! to parta$e of her intestate estate are her brothers and sisters or their children !ho !ere still alive at the time of her death on September " #$%&. )he% have a veste! ri(ht to participate in the inheritance. -- )he recor!s not bein( clear on this 3atter, it is no# for the trial court to !eter3ine #ho #ere the survivin( brothers an! sisters *or their chil!ren+ of 5osefa Del(a!o at the ti3e of her !eath. )o(ether #ith 4uiller3o Rustia, -0 the% are entitle! to inherit fro3 5osefa Del(a!o in accor!ance #ith 2rticle 1''1 of the ne# Civil Co!e6 -/ 2rt. 1''1. Shoul! brothers an! sisters or their chil!ren survive #ith the #i!o# or #i!o#er, the latter shall be entitle! to one8half of the inheritance an! the brothers an! sisters or their chil!ren to the other one8half. Since 5osefa Del(a!o ha! heirs other than 4uiller3o Rustia, 4uiller3o coul! not have vali!l% a!Au!icate! 5osefa<s estate all to hi3self. Rule /., Section 1 of the Rules of Court is clear. 2!Au!ication b% an heir of the !ece!ent<s entire estate to hi3self b% 3eans of an affi!avit is allo#e! onl% if he is the 0o)' heir to the estate6 SEC)ION 1. '(trajudicial settlement b) agreement bet!een heirs. K If the !ece!ent left no #ill an! no !ebts an! the heirs are all of a(e, or the 3inors are represente! b% their Au!icial or le(al representatives !ul% authori;e! for the purpose, the parties 3a%, #ithout securin( letters of a!3inistration, !ivi!e the estate a3on( the3selves as the% see fit b% 3eans of a public instru3ent file! in the office of the re(ister of !ee!s, an! shoul! the% !isa(ree, the% 3a% !o so in an or!inar% action of partition. I5 %&'r' 20 on)y on' &'2r, &' (ay a$7u$28a%' %o &2(0')5 %&' '0%a%' 9y ('an0 o5 an a552$a32% 52)'$ 2n %&' o5528' o5 %&' r'420%'r o5 $''$0. > > > *e3phasis supplie!+ )he :a#ful 7eirs Of 4uiller3o Rustia Intervenor *no# co8respon!ent+ 4uiller3a Rustia is an ille(iti3ate chil! -1 of 4uiller3o Rustia. 2s such, she 3a% be entitle! to successional ri(hts onl% upon proof of an a!3ission or reco(nition of paternit%. -& She, ho#ever, clai3e!

the status of an ac$no#le!(e! ille(iti3ate chil! of 4uiller3o Rustia onl% a5%'r the !eath of the latter on 9ebruar% 1, 1&/. at #hich ti3e it #as alrea!% the ne# Civil Co!e that #as in effect. Dn!er the ol! Civil Co!e *#hich #as in force till 2u(ust &, 1&-'+, ille(iti3ate chil!ren absolutel% ha! no here!itar% ri(hts. )his !raconian e!ict #as, ho#ever, later rela>e! in the ne# Civil Co!e #hich (rante! certain successional ri(hts to ille(iti3ate chil!ren but onl% on con!ition that the% #ere first reco(ni;e! or ac$no#le!(e! b% the parent. Dn!er the ne# la#, reco(nition 3a% be co3pulsor% or voluntar%. 0' Reco(nition is co3pulsor% in an% of the follo#in( cases6 *1+ in cases of rape, ab!uction or se!uction, #hen the perio! of the offense coinci!es 3ore or less #ith that of the conceptionE * + #hen the chil! is in continuous possession of status of a chil! of the alle(e! father *or 3other+ 01 b% the !irect acts of the latter or of his fa3il%E *"+ #hen the chil! #as conceive! !urin( the ti3e #hen the 3other cohabite! #ith the suppose! fatherE *.+ #hen the chil! has in his favor an% evi!ence or proof that the !efen!ant is his father.
0

On the other han!, voluntar% reco(nition 3a% be 3a!e in the recor! of birth, a #ill, a state3ent before a court of recor! or in an% authentic #ritin(.0" Intervenor 4uiller3a sou(ht reco(nition on t#o (roun!s6 first, co3pulsor% reco(nition throu(h the open an! continuous possession of the status of an ille(iti3ate chil! an! secon!, voluntar% reco(nition throu(h authentic #ritin(. )here #as apparentl% no !oubt that she possesse! the status of an ille(iti3ate chil! fro3 her birth until the !eath of her putative father 4uiller3o Rustia. 7o#ever, this !i! not constitute ac$no#le!(3ent but a mere ground b) !hich she could have compelled ac*no!ledgment through the courts .0. 9urther3ore, an% *Au!icial+ action for co3pulsor% ac$no#le!(3ent has a !ual li3itation6 the lifeti3e of the chil! an! the lifeti3e of the putative parent. 0-On the !eath of either, the action for co3pulsor% reco(nition can no lon(er be file!. 00 In this case, intervenor 4uiller3a<s ri(ht to clai3 co3pulsor% ac$no#le!(3ent prescribe! upon the !eath of 4uiller3o Rustia on 9ebruar% 1, 1&/.. )he clai3 of voluntar% reco(nition *4uiller3a<s secon! (roun!+ 3ust li$e#ise fail. 2n authentic #ritin(, for purposes of voluntar% reco(nition, is un!erstoo! as a (enuine or in!ubitable #ritin( of the parent *in this case, 4uiller3o Rustia+. )his inclu!es a public instru3ent or a private #ritin( a!3itte! b% the father to be his. 0/ Di! intervenor<s report car! fro3 the Dniversit% of Santo )o3as an! 5osefa Del(a!o<s obituar% prepare! b% 4uiller3o Rustia =ualif% as authentic #ritin(s un!er the ne# Civil Co!eJ Dnfortunatel% not. )he report car! of intervenor 4uiller3a !i! not bear the si(nature of 4uiller3o Rustia. )he fact that his na3e appears there as intervenor<s parentF(uar!ian hol!s no #ei(ht since he ha! no participation in its preparation. Si3ilarl%, #hile #itnesses testifie! that it #as 4uiller3o Rustia hi3self #ho !rafte! the notice of !eath of 5osefa Del(a!o #hich #as publishe! in the Sun!a% )i3es on Septe3ber 1', 1&/ , that publishe! obituar% #as not the authentic #ritin( conte3plate! b% the la#. ?hat coul! have been a!3itte! as an authentic #ritin( #as the ori(inal 3anuscript of the notice, in the han!#ritin( of 4uiller3o Rustia hi3self an! si(ne! b% hi3, not the ne#spaper clippin( of the obituar%. )he failure to present the ori(inal si(ne! 3anuscript #as fatal to intervenor<s clai3. )he sa3e 3isfortune befalls the ampun-ampunan, 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia, #ho #as never a!opte! in accor!ance #ith la#. 2lthou(h a petition for her a!option #as file! b% 4uiller3o Rustia, it never ca3e to fruition an! #as !is3isse! upon the latter<s !eath. ?e affir3 the rulin( of both the trial court an! the Court of 2ppeals hol!in( her a le(al stran(er to the !ecease! spouses an! therefore not entitle! to inherit fro3 the3 ab intestato. ?e =uote6 2!option is a Auri!ical act, a procee!in( in re3, #hich Bcreate!C bet#een t#o persons a relationship si3ilar to that #hich results fro3 le(iti3ate paternit% an! filiation. Onl% an a!option 3a!e throu(h the court, or in pursuance #ith the proce!ure lai! !o#n un!er Rule && of the Rules of Court is vali! in this Auris!iction. It is not of natural la# at all, but is #holl% an! entirel% artificial. )o establish the relation, the statutor% re=uire3ents 3ust be strictl% carrie! out,

other#ise, the a!option is an absolute nullit%. )he fact of a!option is never presu3e!, but 3ust be affir3ativel% BprovenC b% the person clai3in( its e>istence.01 Pre3ises consi!ere!, #e rule that t#o of the clai3ants to the estate of 4uiller3o Rustia, na3el%, intervenor 4uiller3a Rustia an! the ampun-ampunan 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia, are not la#ful heirs of the !ece!ent. Dn!er 2rticle 1'' of the ne# Civil Co!e, if there are no !escen!ants, ascen!ants, ille(iti3ate chil!ren, or survivin( spouse, the collateral relatives shall succee! to the entire estate of the !ecease!. )herefore, the la#ful heirs of 4uiller3o Rustia are the re3ainin( clai3ants, consistin( of his sisters,0& nieces an! nephe#s./' Entitle3ent )o :etters Of 2!3inistration 2n a!3inistrator is a person appointe! b% the court to a!3inister the intestate estate of the !ece!ent. Rule /1, Section 0 of the Rules of Court prescribes an or!er of preference in the appoint3ent of an a!3inistrator6 Sec. 0. +hen and to !hom letters of administration granted . K If no e>ecutor is na3e! in the #ill, or the e>ecutor or e>ecutors are inco3petent, refuse the trust, or fail to (ive a bon!, or a person !ies intestate, a!3inistration shall be (rante!6 *a+ )o the survivin( husban! or #ife, as the case 3a% be, or ne>t of $in, or both, in the !iscretion of the court, or to such person as such survivin( husban! or #ife, or ne>t of $in, re=uests to have appointe!, if co3petent an! #illin( to serveE *b+ If such survivin( husban! or #ife, as the case 3a% be, or ne>t of $in, or the person selecte! b% the3, be inco3petent or un#illin(, or if the husban! or #i!o# or ne>t of $in, ne(lects for thirt% *"'+ !a%s after the !eath of the person to appl% for a!3inistration or to re=uest that the a!3inistration be (rante! to so3e other person, it 3a% be (rante! to one or 3ore of the principal cre!itors, if co3petent an! #illin( to serveE *c+ If there is no such cre!itor co3petent an! #illin( to serve, it 3a% be (rante! to such other person as the court 3a% select. In the appoint3ent of an a!3inistrator, the principal consi!eration is the interest in the estate of the one to be appointe!./1 )he or!er of preference !oes not rule out the appoint3ent of co8a!3inistrators, speciall% in cases #here Austice an! e=uit% !e3an! that opposin( parties or factions be represente! in the 3ana(e3ent of the estates, / a situation #hich obtains here. It is in this li(ht that #e see fit to appoint Aoint a!3inistrators, in the persons of Carlota Del(a!o vda. de !e la Rosa an! a no3inee of the nephe#s an! nieces of 4uiller3o Rustia. )he% are the ne>t of $in of the !ecease! spouses 5osefa Del(a!o an! 4uiller3o Rustia, respectivel%. 6HERE ORE, the petition *#hich see$s to reinstate the Ma% 11, 1&&' !ecision of the R)C Manila, ,ranch --+ is hereb% !ENIE!. )he assaile! October ., '' !ecision of the Court of 2ppeals is A IRME! #ith the follo#in( 3o!ifications6 1. 4uiller3o Rustia<s 5une 1-, 1&/" affi!avit of self8a!Au!ication is hereb% ANNU""E!. . the intestate estate of 4uiller3o Rustia shall inherit half of the intestate estate of 5osefa Del(a!o. )he re3ainin( half shall pertain to *a+ the full an! half8siblin(s of 5osefa Del(a!o #ho survive! her an! *b+ the chil!ren of an% of 5osefa Del(a!o<s full8 or half8siblin(s #ho 3a% have pre!ecease! her, also survivin( at the ti3e of her !eath. 5osefa Del(a!o<s (ran!nephe#s an! (ran!nieces are e>clu!e! fro3 her estate. In this connection, the trial court is hereb% or!ere! to !eter3ine the i!entities of the relatives of 5osefa Del(a!o #ho are entitle! to share in her estate. ". 4uiller3o Rustia<s estate *inclu!in( its one8half share of 5osefa Del(a!o<s estate+ shall be inherite! b% Marciana Rustia vda. de Da3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia Cru; *#hose respective shares shall be per capita+ an! the chil!ren of the late Ro3an Rustia, Sr. *#ho survive! 4uiller3o Rustia an! #hose respective shares

shall be per stirpes+. Consi!erin( that Marciana Rustia vda. de Da3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia Cru; are no# !ecease!, their respective shares shall pertain to their estates. .. :etters of a!3inistration over the still unsettle! intestate estates of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o shall issue to Carlota Del(a!o vda. de !e la Rosa an! to a no3inee fro3 a3on( the heirs of 4uiller3o Rustia, as Aoint a!3inistrators, upon their =ualification an! filin( of the re=uisite bon! in such a3ount as 3a% be !eter3ine! b% the trial court. No pronounce3ent as to costs. SO OR!ERE!. RENATO C. CORONA 2ssociate 5ustice ?E CONCDR6 RE.NATO S. PUNO 2ssociate 5ustice Chair3an ANGE"INA SAN!O#A"*GUTIERRE2ssociate 5ustice CANCIO C. GARCIA 2ssociate 5ustice 2))ES)2)ION I attest that the conclusions in the above !ecision #ere reache! in consultation before the case #as assi(ne! to the #riter of the opinion of the Court<s Division. RE.NATO S. PUNO 2ssociate 5ustice Chair3an, Secon! Division CER)I9IC2)ION Pursuant to 2rticle VIII, Section 1" of the Constitution, an! the Division Chair3an<s 2ttestation, I hereb% certif% that the conclusions in the above !ecision #ere reache! in consultation before the case #as assi(ne! to the #riter of the opinion of the Court. ARTEMIO #. PANGANI+AN Chief 5ustice A!O" O S. A-CUNA 2sscociate 5ustice

oo%no%'0
1

Oppositors in SP Case No. &/001 #ith the R)C Manila, ,ranch --. Intervenor in SP Case No. &/001 #ith the R)C Manila, ,ranch --.

In the petition for revie# on certiorari file! b% petitioners, the oppositors #ere i!entifie! as @oppositors8 respon!ents,@ #hile intervenor #as i!entifie! as @intervenor8respon!ent.@ 9or clarit%, #e shall refer to the3
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collectivel% as @respon!ents@ in this !ecision. )he Court of 2ppeals #as also i3plea!e! as public respon!ent but this #as not necessar% since this is a petition for revie# un!er Rule .- of the Rules of Court.
.

5u!(e 7er3o(enes :i#a(, Rollo, pp. & 81'0.

Penne! b% 2ssociate 5ustice 5ose :. Sabio, 5r., an! concurre! in b% 2ssociate 5ustices Os#al!o D. 2(caoili an! Ser(io :. PestaLo of the for3er 1-th Division, Rollo, pp. /-8&'.
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)he ori(inal action #as a petition for letters of a!3inistration of the intestate estates of 4uiller3o Rustia an! 5osefa Del(a!o, Rollo, p. & .
0

Marciana Rustia vda. de Da3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia Cru;, both !ecease! an! no# substitute! b% their respective heirs.
/ 1

)he chil!ren of 4uiller3o Rustia<s !ecease! brother Ro3an Rustia, Sr. Intervenor 4uiller3a Rustia. Oppositor 4uiller3ina Rustia Rustia. In so3e plea!in(s, this #as spelle! as @9eli;a.@ In so3e plea!in(s, this #as spelle! as @Osario@ an! in others, @Oscorro.@

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2rt. && , ne# Civil Co!e. 2n ille(iti3ate chil! has no ri(ht to inherit ab intestato fro3 the le(iti3ate chil!ren an! relatives of his father or 3otherE nor shall such chil!ren or relatives inherit in the sa3e 3anner fro3 the ille(iti3ate chil!.
1" 1.

Rollo, p. 1 0 . ,d., pp. 1 ''81 '1.

1-

In relation, the Civil Co!e of Spain *the ol! Civil Co!e+ provi!e! that #hen the ac$no#le!(3ent #as 3a!e separatel% b% either parent, the na3e of the other parent shall not be reveale!. Nor shall an% circu3stance be 3entione! b% #hich such person 3i(ht be reco(ni;e! *2rticle 1" +. )his sho#e! the intent of the sai! Co!e to protect the i!entit% of the non8ac$no#le!(in( parent.
10 1/

One of the chil!ren of 9elisa Del(a!o #ith :ucio Ca3po. C2 !ecision, Rollo, pp. //8/1.

11

Dn!er the ol! Civil Co!e, #hich #as in effect at the ti3e of 4uiller3a Rustia<s birth in 1& ', she #as an ille(iti3ate chil!, not a natural child, since she #as born of parents #ho at the ti3e of conception #ere !is=ualifie! to 3arr% each other.
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Rollo, p. & '. :a# in effect at the ti3e of the !eath of 4uiller3o Rustia. 9ile! before the then 5uvenile an! Do3estic Relations Court of Manila.

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Rollo, p. 11.&. Most of the respon!ents herein.

9ile! on behalf of the survivin( brothers, sisters, nephe#s, nieces, (ran!nephe#s an! (ran!nieces of 5osefa Del(a!o.
0

No# represente! b% their heirs as respon!ents. I!. Rollo, pp. 1'-81'0. Date! Septe3ber -, 1&&'.

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)his petition #as initiall% file! #ith the Supre3e Court but #as referre! to the Court of 2ppeals, the latter havin( concurrent Auris!iction #ith the Supre3e Court over the petition.
"'

Penne! b% 2ssociate 5ustice 2rte3on :una, an! concurre! in b% 2ssociate 5ustices Serafin Ca3ilon an! Celso Ma(sino of the Seventh Division, !ate! March ', 1&&1, Rollo, pp. 0 /80...
"1 "

Resolution !ate! Nove3ber /, 1&&1, Rollo, pp. 0-080/1. De la Rosa v. Court of 2ppeals, ".- Phil. 0/1 *1&&/+.

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Decision penne! b% 2ssociate 5ustice 5ose :. Sabio, 5r., an! concurre! in b% 2ssociate 5ustices Os#al!o D. 2(caoili an! Ser(io :. PestaLo of the 1-th Division, !ate! 5anuar% "1, '' , Rollo, pp. .080".
".

,oth the petitioner an! the oppositors file! a 3otion for reconsi!eration of the 5anuar% "1, '' !ecision of the Court of 2ppeals.
""0

Date! October ., '' . II 9loren; D. Re(ala!o, Re3e!ial :a# Co3pen!iu3 0/ *&th rev. e!. ''1+. Elisa v!a. !e 2nson. Rollo, p. 1 00. ,alo(bo( v. Court of 2ppeals, ""0 Phil. - *1&&/+.

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Certificate of I!entit% No. &-& !ate! Dece3ber 1, 1&.. issue! to Mrs. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia b% Carlos P. Ro3ulo, then Resi!ent Co33issioner to the Dnite! States of the Co33on#ealth of the Philippines.
.1 .

Philippine Passport No. ./0/ issue! to 5osefa D. Rustia on 5une -, 1&./.

Veterans 2pplication for Pension or Co3pensation for Disabilit% Resultin( fro3 Service in the 2ctive Militar% or Naval 9orces of the Dnite! States8 Clai3 No. C8., ''., -'" *V2 9or3 - 0+ file! #ith the Veterans 2!3inistration of the Dnite! States of 23erica b% Dr. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia #herein Dr. 4uiller3o 5. Rustia hi3self state! un!er oath to his 3arria(e to 5osefa Del(a!o in Manila on 5une ", 1&1&.
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Rule 1" , Section ", Rules of Court.

5osefa Del(a!o stoo! as sponsor in the baptis3 of :uisa Del(a!o on Septe3ber 1., 1&1&, Rollo, p. 1 00. In 1&/-, :uisa Del(a!o v!a. !e Danao file! a petition for letters of a!3inistration for the intestate estate of 5osefa Del(a!oE supra, note -.
..0

2cebe!o v. 2r=uero, ../ Phil. /0 * ''"+.

V!a. !e 5acob v. Court of 2ppeals, "/1 Phil. 0&" *1&&&+, citin( Peri!o v. Peri!o, No. :8 1 .1, 1 March 1&/-, 0" SCR2 &/.
./ .1

Ricar!o 9rancisco, Evi!ence .'' *"r! e!. 1&&0+. Rollo, p. 1 0 . I!., pp. 1 ''81 '1. Ol! Civil Co!e, art. 1".. 2n ac$no#le!(e! natural chil! is entitle!6 1. )o bear the surna3e of the person ac$no#le!(in( it. . )o receive support fro3 such person, in accor!ance #ith article 1.". ". )o receive the here!itar% portion, if available, !eter3ine! b% this Co!e.

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)he recor!s !o not in!icate the !ates of birth of 9elisa Del(a!o<s chil!ren. )he !ates #hen 9elisa Del(a!o cohabite! #ith Ra3on Osorio an! :ucio Ca3po #ere li$e#ise not state!. 9ro3 the li3ite! facts of the case on this issue, it is safe to assu3e that the% #ere all born !urin( the effectivit% of the ol! Civil Co!e. Dn!er the sai! Co!e, chil!ren born out of #e!loc$ of parents #ho, at the ti3e of conception, coul! have 3arrie!, #ere natural chil!ren.
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III 2rturo M. )olentino, Co33entaries an! 5urispru!ence on the Civil Co!e of the Philippines .&"8.&. *1&/& e!.+ citin( / Manresa 1"&.
-" -.

Desi!erio P. 5ura!o, Co33ents an! 5urispru!ence on Succession "&1 *1th e!. 1&&1+.

In case the survivin( collateral relatives are alrea!% !ecease! at the ti3e of e>ecution of this Au!(3ent, their shares in the inheritance of 5osefa Del(a!o shall accrue to their respective estates.
--0

)hen survivin( spouse, no# represente! b% his intestate estate. :a# in effect at the ti3e of the !eath of 5osefa Del(a!o.

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Dn!er the ol! Civil Co!e, #hich #as in effect at the ti3e of 4uiller3a Rustia<s birth in 1& ', she is an ille(iti3ate chil!, not a natural chil!, since she #as born of parents #ho, at the ti3e of conception, #ere !is=ualifie! to 3arr% each other.
-1 -&

Paterno v. Paterno, No. :8 "'0', "' 5une 1&0/, ' SCR2 -1-.

I 2rturo M. )olentino, Co33entaries an! 5urispru!ence on the Civil Co!e of the Philippines -// *1&1e!.+.
0'

2rt. 1. of the ne# Civil Co!e provi!e! that the 3other is obli(e! to reco(ni;e her natural chil! in an% of the cases referre! to in 2rt. 1".
01 0

Ne# Civil Co!e, 2rt. 1". Ne# Civil Co!e, 2rt. /1. Supra, note 0', at 1".

0"

0.

)his #as provi!e! in 2rticle 1- of the ne# Civil Co!e an! carrie! over to 2rticle 1/- of the 9a3il% Co!e. ?hile there are e>ceptions to this rule, 4uiller3a<s case !oes not fall #ithin the e>ceptions.
000

SubAect to e>ceptions provi!e! in para(raphs *1+ an! * + of 2rticle 1- of the ne# Civil Co!e.

0/

I )olentino, supra note 0', at -1-8-10. R)C !ecision, Rollo, p. 1'.. Marciana Rustia v!a. !e Da3ian an! 7ortencia Rustia Cru;, represente! b% their heirs in this petition. Chil!ren of his pre!ecease! brother Ro3an Rustia, Sr. II Re(ala!o, supra note "/, at "&. 4abriel et al. v. Court of 2ppeals, 4.R. No. 1'1-1 , / 2u(ust 1&& , 1 SCR2 .1".

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