Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. L- !"" Au#ust $% !

$&' (n )e* +ill an, Testa-ent of the ,ecease, RE.EREN/ SANC0O ABA/(A. SE.ER(NA A. ./A. /E ENR(1UE2% ET AL.% petitione)s-appellees% 3s. M(GUEL ABA/(A% ET AL.% opposito)s-appellants. Manuel A. 2osa% Luis B. La,on#a% Ma)iano A. 2osa an, B. G. A,3incula fo) appellants. C. ,e la .icto)ia fo) appellees. MONTEMA4OR% 5.* On Septe-be) 6% !$78% 9athe) Sancho Aba,ia% pa)ish p)iest of Talisa:% Cebu% e;ecute, a ,ocu-ent pu)po)tin# to be his Last +ill an, Testa-ent no< -a)=e, E;hibit >A>. Resi,ent of the Cit: of Cebu% he ,ie, on 5anua): !'% !$'8% in the -unicipalit: of Alo#uinsan% Cebu% <he)e he <as an e3acuee. 0e left p)ope)ties esti-ate, at P"%??? in 3alue. On Octobe) 7% !$'6% one An,)es En)i@ueA% one of the le#atees in E;hibit >A>% file, a petition fo) its p)obate in the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu. So-e cousins an, nephe<s <ho <oul, inhe)it the estate of the ,ecease, if he left no <ill% file, opposition. /u)in# the hea)in# one of the attestin# <itnesses% the othe) t<o bein# ,ea,% testifie, <ithout cont)a,iction that in his p)esence an, in the p)esence of his co-<itnesses% 9athe) Sancho <)ote out in lon#han, E;hibit >A> in Spanish <hich the testato) spo=e an, un,e)stoo,B that he Ctestato)D si#ne, on he left han, -a)#in of the f)ont pa#e of each of the th)ee folios o) sheets of <hich the ,ocu-ent is co-pose,% an, nu-be)e, the sa-e <ith A)abic nu-e)als% an, finall: si#ne, his na-e at the en, of his <)itin# at the last pa#e% all this% in the p)esence of the th)ee attestin# <itnesses afte) tellin# that it <as his last <ill an, that the sai, th)ee <itnesses si#ne, thei) na-es on the last pa#e afte) the attestation clause in his p)esence an, in the p)esence of each othe). The opposito)s ,i, not sub-it an: e3i,ence.

The lea)ne, t)ial cou)t foun, an, ,ecla)e, E;hibit >A> to be a holo#)aphic <illB that it <as in the han,<)itin# of the testato) an, that althou#h at the ti-e it <as e;ecute, an, at the ti-e of the testato)Es ,eath% holo#)aphic <ills <e)e not pe)-itte, b: la< still% because at the ti-e of the hea)in# an, <hen the case <as to be ,eci,e, the ne< Ci3il Co,e <as al)ea,: in fo)ce% <hich Co,e pe)-itte, the e;ecution of holo#)aphic <ills% un,e) a libe)al 3ie<% an, to ca)): out the intention of the testato) <hich acco),in# to the t)ial cou)t is the cont)ollin# facto) an, -a: o3e))i,e an: ,efect in fo)-% sai, t)ial cou)t b: o),e) ,ate, 5anua): 7'% !$&7% a,-itte, to p)obate E;hibit >A>% as the Last +ill an, Testa-ent of 9athe) Sancho Aba,ia. The opposito)s a)e appealin# f)o- that ,ecisionB an, because onl: @uestions of la< a)e in3ol3e, in the appeal% the case <as ce)tifie, to us b: the Cou)t of Appeals. The ne< Ci3il Co,e CRepublic Act No. 8"6D un,e) a)ticle "!? the)eof p)o3i,es that a pe)son -a: e;ecute a holo#)aphic <ill <hich -ust be enti)el: <)itten% ,ate, an, si#ne, b: the testato) hi-self an, nee, not be <itnesse,. (t is a fact% ho<e3e)% that at the ti-e that E;hibit >A> <as e;ecute, in !$78 an, at the ti-e that 9athe) Aba,ia ,ie, in !$'8% holo#)aphic <ills <e)e not pe)-itte,% an, the la< at the ti-e i-pose, ce)tain )e@ui)e-ents fo) the e;ecution of <ills% such as nu-be)in# co))elati3el: each pa#e Cnot folio o) sheetD in lette)s an, si#nin# on the left han, -a)#in b: the testato) an, b: the th)ee attestin# <itnesses% )e@ui)e-ents <hich <e)e not co-plie, <ith in E;hibit >A> because the bac= pa#es of the fi)st t<o folios of the <ill <e)e not si#ne, b: an: one% not e3en b: the testato) an, <e)e not nu-be)e,% an, as to the th)ee f)ont pa#es% the: <e)e si#ne, onl: b: the testato). (nte)p)etin# an, appl:in# this )e@ui)e-ent this Cou)t in the case of (n )e Estate of Sa#uinsin% '! Phil.% " &% " $% )efe))in# to the failu)e of the testato) an, his <itnesses to si#n on the left han, -a)#in of e3e): pa#e% sai,* . . . . This ,efect is )a,ical an, totall: 3itiates the testa-ent. (t is not enou#h that the si#natu)es #ua)anteein# authenticit: shoul, appea) upon t<o folios o) lea3esB th)ee pa#es ha3in# been <)itten on% the authenticit: of all th)ee of the- shoul, be #ua)antee, b: the si#natu)e of the alle#e, testat)i; an, he) <itnesses. An, in the case of Aspe 3s. P)ieto% '6 Phil.% ??% )efe))in# to the sa-e )e@ui)e-ent% this Cou)t ,ecla)e,* 9)o- an e;a-ination of the ,ocu-ent in @uestion% it appea)s that the left

-a)#ins of the si; pa#es of the ,ocu-ent a)e si#ne, onl: b: .entu)a P)ieto. The nonco-pliance <ith section 7 of Act No. 76'& b: the attestin# <itnesses <ho o-itte, to si#n <ith the testato) at the left -a)#in of each of the fi3e pa#es of the ,ocu-ent alle#e, to be the <ill of .entu)a P)ieto% is a fatal ,efect that constitutes an obstacle to its p)obate. +hat is the la< to appl: to the p)obate of E;h. >A>F Ma: <e appl: the p)o3isions of the ne< Ci3il Co,e <hich not allo<s holo#)aphic <ills% li=e E;hibit >A> <hich p)o3isions <e)e in3o=e, b: the appellee-petitione) an, applie, b: the lo<e) cou)tF But a)ticle $& of this sa-e ne< Ci3il Co,e e;p)essl: p)o3i,es* >The 3ali,it: of a <ill as to its fo)- ,epen,s upon the obse)3ance of the la< in fo)ce at the ti-e it is -a,e.> The abo3e p)o3ision is but an e;p)ession o) state-ent of the <ei#ht of autho)it: to the affect that the 3ali,it: of a <ill is to be Gu,#e, not b: the la< enfo)ce at the ti-e of the testato)Es ,eath o) at the ti-e the suppose, <ill is p)esente, in cou)t fo) p)obate o) <hen the petition is ,eci,e, b: the cou)t but at the ti-e the inst)u-ent <as e;ecute,. One )eason in suppo)t of the )ule is that althou#h the <ill ope)ates upon an, afte) the ,eath of the testato)% the <ishes of the testato) about the ,isposition of his estate a-on# his hei)s an, a-on# the le#atees is #i3en sole-n e;p)ession at the ti-e the <ill is e;ecute,% an, in )ealit:% the le#ac: o) be@uest then beco-es a co-plete, act. This )ulin# has been lai, ,o<n b: this cou)t in the case of (n )e +ill of Riosa% 8$ Phil.% 78. (t is a <holeso-e ,oct)ine an, shoul, be follo<e,. Of cou)se% the)e is the 3ie< that the intention of the testato) shoul, be the )ulin# an, cont)ollin# facto) an, that all a,e@uate )e-e,ies an, inte)p)etations shoul, be )eso)te, to in o),e) to ca)): out sai, intention% an, that <hen statutes passe, afte) the e;ecution of the <ill an, afte) the ,eath of the testato) lessen the fo)-alities )e@ui)e, b: la< fo) the e;ecution of <ills% sai, subse@uent statutes shoul, be applie, so as to 3ali,ate <ills ,efecti3el: e;ecute, acco),in# to the la< in fo)ce at the ti-e of e;ecution. 0o<e3e)% <e shoul, not fo)#et that f)o- the ,a: of the ,eath of the testato)% if he lea3es a <ill% the title of the le#atees an, ,e3isees un,e) it beco-es a 3este, )i#ht% p)otecte, un,e) the ,ue p)ocess clause of the constitution a#ainst a subse@uent chan#e in the statute a,,in# ne< le#al )e@ui)e-ents of e;ecution of <ills <hich <oul, in3ali,ate such a <ill. B: pa)it: of )easonin#% <hen one e;ecutes a <ill <hich is in3ali, fo) failu)e to obse)3e an, follo< the le#al )e@ui)e-ents at the ti-e of its e;ecution then upon his ,eath he shoul, be )e#a),e, an, ,ecla)e, as ha3in# ,ie, intestate% an, his hei)s <ill then inhe)it b: intestate succession% an, no subse@uent la< <ith

-o)e libe)al )e@ui)e-ents o) <hich ,ispenses <ith such )e@ui)e-ents as to e;ecution shoul, be allo<e, to 3ali,ate a ,efecti3e <ill an, the)eb: ,i3est the hei)s of thei) 3este, )i#hts in the estate b: intestate succession. The #ene)al )ule is that the Le#islatu)e can not 3ali,ate 3oi, <ills C& A-. 5u).% +ills% Sec. 78!% pp. !$7-!$8D. (n 3ie< of the fo)e#oin#% the o),e) appeale, f)o- is )e3e)se,% an, E;hibit >A> is ,enie, p)obate. +ith costs. Pa)as% C.5.% Pablo% Ben#Aon% Pa,illa% Re:es% A.% 5u#o% Bautista An#elo% Lab)a,o)% Concepcion an, Re:es 5.B.L.% 55.% concu).

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. L-87686 Ma)ch ! % !$8? (n the -atte) Estate of E,<a), Ran,olph 0i;% ,ecease,. A.+. 9LUEMER% petitione)-appellant% 3s. ANN(E COUS0(NG 0(I% opposito)-appellee. C.A. Sob)al fo) appellant. 0a)3e: J OE B)ien an, Gibbs J Mc/onou#h fo) appellee. MALCOLM% 5.* The special a,-inist)ato) of the estate of E,<a), Ran,olph 0i; appeals f)oa ,ecision of 5u,#e of 9i)st (nstance Tuason ,en:in# the p)obate of the ,ocu-ent alle#e, to b: the last <ill an, testa-ent of the ,ecease,. Appellee is not autho)iAe, to ca)): on this appeal. +e thin=% ho<e3e)% that the appellant% <ho appea)s to ha3e been the -o3in# pa)t: in these p)ocee,in#s%

<as a >pe)son inte)este, in the allo<ance o) ,isallo<ance of a <ill b: a Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance%> an, so shoul, be pe)-itte, to appeal to the Sup)e-e Cou)t f)o- the ,isallo<ance of the <ill CCo,e of Ci3il P)oce,u)e% sec. "!% as a-en,e,B .illanue3a 3s. /e Leon K!$7&L% '7 Phil.% "?D. (t is theo): of the petitione) that the alle#e, <ill <as e;ecute, in El=ins% +est .i)#inia% on No3e-be) 8% !$7&% b: 0i; <ho ha, his )esi,ence in that Gu)is,iction% an, that the la<s of +est .e)#inia Co,e% Annotate,% b: 0o##% Cha)les E.% 3ol. 7% !$!'% p. !6$?% an, as ce)tifie, to b: the /i)ecto) of the National Lib)a):. But this <as fa) f)o- a co-pliance <ith the la<. The la<s of a fo)ei#n Gu)is,iction ,o not p)o3e the-sel3es in ou) cou)ts. the cou)ts of the Philippine (slan,s a)e not autho)iAe, to ta=e A-e)ican Union. Such la<s -ust be p)o3e, as facts. C(n )e Estate of 5ohnson K!$!"L% 8$ Phil.% !&6.D 0e)e the )e@ui)e-ents of the la< <e)e not -et. The)e <as no <as p)inte, o) publishe, un,e) the autho)it: of the State of +est .i)#inia% as p)o3i,e, in section 8?? of the Co,e of Ci3il P)oce,u)e. No) <as the e;t)act f)o- the la< atteste, b: the ce)tificate of the office) ha3in# cha)#e of the o)i#inal% un,e) the sale of the State of +est .i)#inia% as p)o3i,e, in section 8?! of the Co,e of Ci3il P)oce,u)e. No e3i,ence <as int)o,uce, to sho< that the e;t)act f)othe la<s of +est .i)#inia <as in fo)ce at the ti-e the alle#e, <ill <as e;ecute,. (n a,,ition% the ,ue e;ecution of the <ill <as not establishe,. The onl: e3i,ence on this point is to be foun, in the testi-on: of the petitione). Asi,e f)o- this% the)e <as nothin# to in,icate that the <ill <as ac=no<le,#e, b: the testato) in the p)esence of t<o co-petent <itnesses% of that these <itnesses subsc)ibe, the <ill in the p)esence of the testato) an, of each othe) as the la< of +est .i)#inia see-s to )e@ui)e. On the supposition that the <itnesses to the <ill )esi,e <ithout the Philippine (slan,s% it <oul, then the ,ut: of the petitione) to p)o3e e;ecution b: so-e othe) -eans CCo,e of Ci3il P)oce,u)e% sec. 688.D (t <as also necessa): fo) the petitione) to p)o3e that the testato) ha, his ,o-icile in +est .i)#inia an, not establish this fact consiste, of the )ecitals in the CAT04 <ill an, the testi-on: of the petitione). Also in be#innin# a,-inist)ation p)ocee,in#s o)#inall: in the Philippine (slan,s% the petitione) 3iolate, his o<n theo): b: atte-ptin# to ha3e the p)incipal a,-inist)ation in the Philippine (slan,s. +hile the appeal pen,in# sub-ission in this cou)t% the atto)ne: fo) the

appellant p)esente, an un3e)ifie, petition as=in# the cou)t to accept as pa)t of the e3i,ence the ,ocu-ents attache, to the petition. One of these ,ocu-ents ,iscloses that a pape) <)itin# pu)po)tin# to be the <as p)esente, fo) p)obate on 5une "% !$7$% to the cle)= of Ran,olph Count):% State of +est .i)#inia% in 3acation% an, <as ,ul: p)o3en b: the oaths of /ana +a-sle: an, 5oseph L. MA,,en% the subsc)ibin# <itnesses the)eto % an, o),e)e, to be )eco),e, an, file,. (t <as sho<n b: anothe) ,ocu-ent that% in 3acation% on 5une "% !$7$% the cle)= of cou)t of Ran,olph Count):% +est .i)#inia% appointe, Clau,e +. Ma;<ell as a,-inist)ato)% cu- testa-ento anne;o% of the estate of E,<a), Ran,olph 0i;% ,ecease,. (n this connection% it is to be note, that the application fo) the p)obate of the <ill in the Philippines <as file, on 9eb)ua): 7?% !$7$% <hile the p)ocee,in#s in +est .i)#inia appea) to ha3e been initiate, on 5une "% !$7$. These facts a)e st)on#l: in,icati3e of an intention to -a=e the Philippines the p)incipal a,-inist)ation an, +est .i)#inia the ancilla): a,-inist)ation. 0o<e3e) this -a: be% no atte-pt has been -a,e to co-pl: <ith Ci3il P)oce,u)e% fo) no hea)in# on the @uestion of the allo<ance of a <ill sai, to ha3e been p)o3e, an, allo<e, in +est .i)#inia has been )e@ueste,. The)e is no sho<in# that the ,ecease, left an: p)ope)t: at an: place othe) than the Philippine (slan,s an, no contention that he left an: in +est .i)#inia. Refe)ence has been -a,e b: the pa)ties to a ,i3o)ce pu)po)te, to ha3e been a<a),e, E,<a), Ran,olph 0i; f)o- Annie Cousins 0i; on Octobe) "% !$7&% in the State of +est specific p)onounce-ents on the 3ali,it: o) 3ali,it: of this alle#e, ,i3o)ce. 9o) all of the fo)e#oin#% the Gu,#-ent appeale, f)o- <ill be affi)-e,% <ith the costs of this instance a#ainst the appellant. .illa-o)% Ost)an,% 5ohns% Ro-ual,eA an, .illa-Real% 55.% concu).

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH G.R. No. L-'!!8 5une 8?% !$&7 Testa-enta)ia ,el fina,o +illia- R. Gibe)son. LELA G. /ALTON% solicitanteapelante% -3e)susSPR(NG G(BERSON% oposito)-apela,o.

Los hechos apa)ecen )elaciona,os en la ,ecision ,el T)ibunal. S)es. C. /. 5ohnston : A. P. /een en )ep)esentacion ,e la apelante. /. 9)ancisco E. 9. Re-oti@ue en )ep)esentacion ,el apela,o. PABLO% 5.* Lela G. /alton p)esentoE en !? ,e feb)e)o ,e !$'$ una solicitu, en el 5uA#a,o ,e P)i-e)a (nstancia ,e Cebupi,ien,o la le#aliAacion ,e un ,ocu-ento @ue% se#un ale#a ella% es testa-ento olo#)afo ,e +illia- R. Gibe)son% oto)#a,oen 7$ ,e ab)il ,e !$7? en San 9)ancisco% Califo)niaB @ue Gibe)son e)a ciu,a,ano ,el esta,o ,e (llinois% Esta,os Uni,os% : )esi,ente ,e CebuB : @ue fallecio en 6 ,e a#osto ,e !$'8 en el ca-po ,e concent)acion ,e la Uni3e)si,a, ,e Sto% To-as% Manila% 9ilipinas. Sp)in# Gibe)son% hiGo le#iti-o ,e +illia- R. Gibe)son% p)esento un oposicion ale#an,o @ue el testa-ento es apoc)ifoB @ue no )ep)esenta la 3e),a,e)a 3olunta, ,el fina,o Gibe)son* : @ue no ha si,o oto) #a,o ,e acue),o con la le:. En !.M ,e Gulio ,e !$'$% el oposito) p)esento una -ocionpi,ien,o el sob)esei-iento ,e la solicitu,% ale#an,o @ue% antes ,e @ue un testa-ento oto)#a,o en pais e;t)anGe)opue,a se) le#aliAa,o en las (slas 9ilipinas% ,ebe ,e-ost)a)se @ue ,icho testa-ento habia si,o le#aliAa,o p)e3ia-enteen ,icho pais% ,e acue),o con el a)ticulo ! ,e la Re#la "B @ue la solicitu, no ale#a @ue el testa-ento habia si,o :a le#aliAa,o en Califo)nia. La solicitante se opuso a la -ocion ,e sob)esei-iento. En 7? ,e Gunio ,e !$&? el 5ueA sob)ese:o la solicitu,% ,ecla)an,o* >. . . un,e) ou) e;istin# )ules onl: those <ills that ha3e p)e3iousl: been p)o3e, an, allo<e, in the Unite, States% o) an: state o) te))ito): the)eof% o) an: fo)ei#n count):% acco),in# to the la<s of such state% te))ito):% o) count):% -a: be allo<e,% file, o) )eco),e, in the p)ope) cou)t of fi)st instance in the Philippines. . . .> Cont)a esta o),en la solicitante apela. El oposito)% en apo:o ,e su teo)ia% sostiene @ue el a)ticulo 68& ,el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il ha si,o ,e)o#a,o po) la Re#la "% en 3i)tu, ,e la seccion !8% A)ticulo .((( ,e la Constitucion. /icho a)ticulo 68& ,el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il ,ice asi*

El testa-ento oto)#a,o fue)a ,e las (slas 9ilipinas% @ue pu,ie)e autentica)se : le#aliAa)se confo)-e a las le:es ,el esta,o o pais en ,on,e se oto)#o% po,)a autentica)se% le#aliAa)se : )e#ist)a)se en las (slas 9ilipinas% : ten,)a la -is-a eficacia @uesi se hubie)e oto)#a,o ,e confo)-i,a, con las le:es ,e estas (slas. Este a)ticulo : ha si,o aplica,o en la causa ,e Babcoc= Te-pleton cont)a Ri,e) Babcoc=% &7 5u). 9il.% !8'% en la cual se ,ecla)o @ue el testa-ento oto)#a,o en Califo)nia : @ue po,ia le#aliAa)se en ,icho esta,o% pue,e se) le#aliAa,o en 9ilipinas. En el asunto ,e .a)ela cont)a .a)ela Cal,e)on% & 5u). 9il.% 7$!% se le#aliAo el testa-ento oto)#a,o en Pa)is% 9)ancia% po) el fina,o /). 9)ancisco .a)ela Cal,e)on po)@ue e)a un testa-ento @ue po,iase) le#aliAa,o ,e acue),o con las le:es ,e 9)ancia. Una pe)sona pue,e ,ispone) ,e sus bienes pa)a ,espues ,e su -ue)te po) testa-ento. El oto)#a-iento ,e un testa-entoes un acto Gu)i,ico @ue pue,e )ealiAa)se en 9ilipinas o en el e;t)anGe)oB si se oto)#a en pais e;t)anGe)o% tiene @ue hace)se ,e acue),o con las le:es ,e ,icho pais% @ue es )e#la uni3e)sal-ente a,opta,a. El e;t)anGe)o pue,e ,ispone) pa)a ,espues ,e su -ue)te ,e sus bienes en 9ilipinas po) testa-ento : no es fo)Aoso @ue lo oto)#ue en 9ilipinasB pue,e hace)lo en su p)opio pais o en ot)o% pe)o ,e acue),o con las le:es ,el pais en @ue lo oto)#a. El a)ticulo 68& ,el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il% )espetan,o la libe)ta, ,el testa,o) ,e oto)#a) su testa-ento en cual@uie) lu#a)% ,ispone @ue el testa-ento @ue pue,e le#aliAa)se en un pais e;t)anGe)o en consonancia con las le:es ,e ,icho pais pue,e le#aliAsa)se ta-bien en 9ilipinas. Esa ,isposicion es sustanti3a% c)ea los ,e)echos ,e los beneficia)ios ,el testa-ento* se les ase#u)a po,e) le#aliAa) en 9ilipinas los testa-entos oto)#a,osfue)a ,e las (slas si pue,en se) le#aliAa,os en el pais en @ue fue)on oto)#a,os% ,an,oles causa ,e accion pa)a pe,i)Gu,icial-ente el cu-pli-iento ,e la ulti-a 3olunta, ,el testa,o) sea cual fue)e el lu#a) ,e su oto)#a-iento. Sinesa ,isposicion @ue,a)ia t)unca,a la faculta, ,e testa). Al en-en,a) este T)ibunal el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il% sola-ente en-en,o la pa)te p)ocesal% pe)o no la pa)te sustanti3a. >La le: sustanti3a no pue,e se) en-en,a,apo) )e#las ,e p)oce,i-iento.> CRe:es cont)a .iu,a ,e LuA%N !6 La<:e) 5ou)nal% 678.D 9o) tanto% @ue,a aun subsistente co-o ,e)echo sustanti3o el a)ticulo68& ,el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il.

4 el a)ticulo 68 ,ice asi* >Los testa-entos autentica,os : le#aliAa,os en los Esta,os Uni,os% o en cual@uie) esta,o o te))ito)io ,e los -is-os% o en un esta,o o paise;t)anGe)o% ,e confo)-i,a, con las le:es ,e ,icho esta,o% te))ito)io o pais% po,)an se) le#aliAa,os% )e#ist)a,os :a)chi3a,os en el 5uA#a,o ,e P)i-e)a (nstancia ,e la p)o3inciaen @ue el testa,o) tu3ie)e bienes -uebles% o in-uebles efecta,os po) ,ichos testa-entos.> Este a)ticulono esta en conflicto con el a)ticulo 68&B en )eali,a,% noes -as @ue su co)ola)io. Si un testa-ento oto)#a,o en pais e;t)anGe)o @ue pue,e le#aliAa)se ,e acue),o con las le:es ,e ,icho pais pue,e ta-bien le#aliAa)se en las (slas 9ilipinas% con -a:o) )aAon los testa-entos :a le#aliAa,osen paises e;t)anGe)os ,e acue),o con las le:es ,e ,ichos paises% pue,en le#aliAa)se ta-bien en 9ilipinas. El a)ticulo ! ,e la Re#la " no es -as @ue una t)ansplantacion ,el a)ticulo 68 ,el Co,i#o ,e P)oce,i-iento Ci3il. Rep)o,uci-os las ,os ,isposiciones* RULE "% O SECT(ON !. +ills p)o3e, outsi,e Philippines -a: be allo<e, he)e. O +ills p)o3e, an, allo<e, in a fo)ei#n count):%acco),in# to the la<s of such count):% -a: be allo<e,% file,% an, )eco),e, b: the p)ope) Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance in the Philippines. SEC. 68 . +ills p)o3e, outsi,e islan,s -a: be allo<e, he)e. O +ills p)o3e, an, allo<e, in the Unite, States% o) an: State o) Te))ito): the)eof% o) in a fo)ei#n state o) count):% acco),in# to the la<s of such State% Te))ito):% o) count):% -a: be allo<e,% file,%an, )eco),e, in the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of the p)o3ince in <hich the testato) has )eal o) pe)sonal estate on <hich such <ill -a: ope)ate. Las palab)as sub)a:a,as en la se#un,a ,isposicion son las @ue no apa)ecen en la p)i-e)a. El a)ticulo ! ,e la Re#la " no i-pi,e @ue pue,e le#aliAa)se en 9ilipinas un testa-ento oto)#a,o en un pais e;t)anGe)o%si pue,e se) le#aliAa,o ,e acue),o con las le:es ,e ,icho pais% ni e;i#e @ue sea p)e3ia-ente le#aliAa,o en ,icho pais. Es insostenible% po) tanto% la teo)ia ,el oposito). Se )e3oca la o),en apela,a con costas cont)a el apela,o. Pa)as% P)es.% 9e)ia% Ben#Aon% Pa,illa% Tuason% Monte-a:o)% Bautista An#elo : Lab)a,o)% MM.% estan confo)-es.

En,notes HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. L-7?78' /ece-be) 78% !$6' PAULA /E LA CERNA% ET AL.% petitione)s% 3s. MANUELA REBACA POTOT% ET AL.% an, T0E 0ONORABLE COURT O9 APPEALS% )espon,ents. Philip M. Alo an, C)ispin M. Mencha3eA fo) petitione)s. Nicolas 5u-apao fo) )espon,ents. RE4ES% 5.B.L.% 5.* Appeal b: Paula ,e la Ce)na an, othe)s f)o- a ,ecision of the Cou)t of Appeals% Si;th /i3ision CC.A.-G.R. No. 78 68-RD )e3e)sin# that of the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu CCi3. Case No. R-8"!$D an, o),e)in# the ,is-issal of an action fo) pa)tition. The factual bac=#)oun, appea)s in the follo<in# po)tion of the ,ecision of the Cou)t of Appeals CPetition% Anne; A% pp. 7-'D* (t appea)s that on Ma: $% !$8$% the spouses% Be)nabe ,e la Se)na an, Ge)3asia Rebaca% e;ecute, a Goint last <ill an, testa-ent in the local ,ialect <he)eb: the: <ille, that >ou) t<o pa)cels of lan, ac@ui)e, ,u)in# ou) -a))ia#e to#ethe) <ith all i-p)o3e-ents the)eon shall be #i3en to Manuela Rebaca% ou) niece% <ho- <e ha3e nu)tu)e, since chil,hoo,% because Go, ,i, not #i3e us an: chil, in ou) union% Manuela Rebaca bein# -a))ie, to Nicolas Potot>% an, that ><hile each of the testato)s is :et li3in#% he o) she <ill continue to enGo: the f)uits of the t<o lan,s afo)e-entione,>% the sai,

t<o pa)cels of lan, bein# co3e)e, b: Ta; No. '6 6 an, Ta; No. 66 % both situate, in sitio Bucao% ba))io Lu#o% -unicipalit: of Bo)bon% p)o3ince of Cebu. Be)nabe ,ela Se)na ,ie, on Au#ust 8?% !$8$% an, the afo)esai, <ill <as sub-itte, to p)obate b: sai, Ge)3asia an, Manuela befo)e the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu <hich% afte) ,ue publication as )e@ui)e, b: la< an, the)e bein# no opposition% hea), the e3i,ence% an,% b: O),e) of Octobe) 8!% !$8$B in Special P)ocee,in#s No. '$$% >,ecla)a le#aliAa,o el ,ocu-ento E;hibit A co-o el testa-ento : ulti-a 3olunta, ,el fina,o Be)nabe ,e la Se)na con ,e)echo po) pa)te ,u su 3iu,a supe)stite Ge)3asia Rebaca : ot)a testa,o)a al p)opio tie-po se#un el E;hibit A ,e #oAa) ,e los f)utos ,e los te))anos ,esc)itos en ,icho ,ocu-entsB : habi,o consi,e)acion ,e la cuantia ,e ,ichos bienes% se ,ec)eta la ,ist)ibucion su-a)ia ,e los -is-os en fa3o) ,e la lo#ata)ia uni3e)sal Manuela Rebaca ,e Potot p)e3ia p)estacion po) pa)te ,e la -is-a ,e una fianAa en la su- ,e P&??.?? pa)a )espon,e) ,e cuales@uie)a )ecla-aciones @ue se p)esenta)e cont)a los bienes ,el fina,o Be)nabe ,e la Se)na ,e los aPos ,es,e esta fecha> CAct Esp. '$$% Testa-enta)ia 9ina,o Be)nabe ,e la Se)naD Upon the ,eath of Ge)3asia Rebaca on Octobe) !'% !$&7% anothe) petition fo) the p)obate of the sa-e <ill insofa) as Ge)3asia <as conce)ne, <as file, on No3e-be) 6% !$&7% bein# Special P)ocee,in#s No. !?!6-R of the sa-e Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu% but fo) failu)e of the petitione)% Manuela R. Potot an, he) atto)ne:% Manuel Potot to appea)% fo) the hea)in# of sai, petition% the case <as ,is-isse, on Ma)ch 8?% !$&' Spec. P)oc. No. !?!6-R% (n the -atte) of the P)obate of the +ill of Ge)3asia RebacaD. The Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance o),e)e, the petition hea), an, ,ecla)e, the testa-ent null an, 3oi,% fo) bein# e;ecute, cont)a): to the p)ohibition of Goint <ills in the Ci3il Co,e CA)t. 66$% Ci3il Co,e of !""$ an, A)t. "!"% Ci3il Co,e of the PhilippinesDB but on appeal b: the testa-enta): hei)% the Cou)t of Appeals )e3e)se,% on the #)oun, that the ,ec)ee of p)obate in !$8$ <as issue, b: a cou)t of p)obate Gu)is,iction an, conclusi3e on the ,ue e;ecution of the testa-ent. 9u)the)% the Cou)t of Appeals ,ecla)e, that* ... . (t is t)ue the la< CA)t. 66$% ol, Ci3il Co,eB A)t. "!"% ne< Ci3il Co,eD. p)ohibits the -a=in# of a <ill Gointl: b: t<o o) -o)e pe)sons eithe) fo) thei) )ecip)ocal benefit o) fo) the benefit of a thi), pe)son. 0o<e3e)% this fo)- of <ill has lon# been sanctione, b: use% an, the sa-e has continue, to be use,B an, <hen% as in the p)esent case% one such Goint last <ill an, testa-ent has been a,-itte, to p)obate b: final o),e) of a Cou)t of co-petent Gu)is,iction% the)e see-s to be no alte)nati3e e;cept to #i3e effect

to the p)o3isions the)eof that a)e not cont)a): to la<% as <as ,one in the case of Mac)ohon 3s. Saa3e,)a% &! Phil. 76 % <he)ein ou) Sup)e-e Cou)t #a3e effect to the p)o3isions of the Goint <ill the)ein -entione,% sa:in#% >assu-in# that the Goint <ill in @uestion is 3ali,.> +hence this appeal b: the hei)s intestate of the ,ecease, husban,% Be)nabe ,e la Ce)na. The appeale, ,ecision co))ectl: hel, that the final ,ec)ee of p)obate% ente)e, in !$8$ b: the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu C<hen the testato)% Be)nabe ,e la Ce)na% ,ie,D% has conclusi3e effect as to his last <ill an, testa-ent ,espite the fact that e3en then the Ci3il Co,e al)ea,: ,ec)ee, the in3ali,it: of Goint <ills% <hethe) in fa3o) of the Goint testato)s% )ecip)ocall:% o) in fa3o) of a thi), pa)t: CA)t. 66$% ol, Ci3il Co,eD. The e))o) thus co--itte, b: the p)obate cou)t <as an e))o) of la<% that shoul, ha3e been co))ecte, b: appeal% but <hich ,i, not affect the Gu)is,iction of the p)obate cou)t% no) the conclusi3e effect of its final ,ecision% ho<e3e) e))oneous. A final Gu,#-ent )en,e)e, on a petition fo) the p)obate of a <ill is bin,in# upon the <hole <o)l, CManalo 3s. Pa)e,es% ' Phil. $8"B (n )e Estates of 5ohnson% 8$ Phil. !&6DB an, public polic: an, soun, p)actice ,e-an, that at the )is= of occasional e))o)s Gu,#-ent of cou)ts shoul, beco-e final at so-e ,efinite ,ate fi;e, b: la<. (nte)est )ei publicae ut finis set litiu- C/: Ca: 3s. C)ossfiel,% 8" Phil% &7!% an, othe) cases cite, in 7 Mo)an% Co--ents on the Rules of Cou)t C!$68 E,.% p. 877D. Petitione)s% as hei)s an, successo)s of the late Be)nabe ,e la Ce)na% a)e conclu,e, b: the !$8$ ,ec)ee a,-ittin# his <ill to p)obate. The contention that bein# 3oi, the <ill cannot be 3ali,ate,% o3e)loo=s that the ulti-ate ,ecision on +hethe) an act is 3ali, o) 3oi, )ests <ith the cou)ts% an, he)e the: ha3e spo=en <ith finalit: <hen the <ill <as p)obate, in !$8$. On this cou)t% the ,is-issal of thei) action fo) pa)tition <as co))ect. But the Cou)t of Appeals shoul, ha3e ta=en into account also% to a3oi, futu)e -isun,e)stan,in#% that the p)obate ,ec)ee in !$"$ coul, onl: affect the sha)e of the ,ecease, husban,% Be)nabe ,e la Ce)na. (t coul, not inclu,e the ,isposition of the sha)e of the <ife% Ge)3asia Rebaca% <ho <as then still ali3e% an, o3e) <hose inte)est in the conGu#al p)ope)ties the p)obate cou)t ac@ui)e, no Gu)is,iction% p)ecisel: because he) estate coul, not then be in issue. Be it )e-e-be)e, that p)io) to the ne< Ci3il Co,e% a <ill coul, not be p)obate, ,u)in# the testato)Es lifeti-e.

(t follo<s that the 3ali,it: of the Goint <ill% in so fa) as the estate of the <ife <as conce)ne,% -ust be% on he) ,eath% )ee;a-ine, an, a,Gu,icate, ,e no3o% since a Goint <ill is consi,e)e, a sepa)ate <ill of each testato). Thus )e#a),e,% the hol,in# of the cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Cebu that the Goint <ill is one p)ohibite, b: la< <as co))ect as to the pa)ticipation of the ,ecease, Ge)3asia Rebaca in the p)ope)ties in @uestion% fo) the )easons e;tensi3el: ,iscusse, in ou) ,ecision in Bilbao 3s. Bilbao% " Phil. !''% that e;plaine, the p)e3ious hol,in# in Mac)ohon 3s. Saa3e,)a% &! Phil. 76 . The)efo)e% the un,i3i,e, inte)est of Ge)3asia Rebaca shoul, pass upon he) ,eath to he) hei)s intestate% an, not e;clusi3el: to the testa-enta): hei)% unless so-e othe) 3ali, <ill in he) fa3o) is sho<n to e;ist% o) unless she be the onl: hei) intestate of sai, Ge)3asia. (t is unnecessa): to e-phasiAe that the fact that Goint <ills shoul, be in co--on usa#e coul, not -a=e the- 3ali, <hen ou) Ci3il Co,es consistentl: in3ali,ate, the-% because la<s a)e onl: )epeale, b: othe) subse@uent la<s% an, no usa#e to the cont)a): -a: p)e3ail a#ainst thei) obse)3ance CA)t. &% Ci3. Co,e of !""$B A)t. % Ci3il Co,e of the Philippines of !$&?D. +(T0 T0E 9OREGO(NG MO/(9(CAT(ON% the Gu,#-ent of the Cou)t of Appeals in CA-G.R. No. 78 68-R is affi)-e,. No Costs. Ben#Aon% C.5.% Bautista% An#elo% Concepcion% Ba))e)a% Pa)e,es% /iAon Re#ala% Ma=alintal% Ben#Aon% 5.P.% an, 2al,i3a)% 55.% concu).

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. L-!6 '$ 5anua): 8!% !$68

(N T0E MATTER O9 T0E TESTATE ESTATE O9 E/+AR/ E. C0R(STENSEN% /ECEASE/. A/OL9O C. A2NAR% E;ecuto) an, LUC4 C0R(STENSEN% 0ei) of the ,ecease,% E;ecuto) an, 0ei)-appellees% 3s. 0ELEN C0R(STENSEN GARC(A% opposito)-appellant. M. R. Sotelo fo) e;ecuto) an, hei)-appellees. Leopol,o M. Abelle)a an, 5o3ito Salon#a fo) opposito)-appellant. LABRA/OR% 5.* This is an appeal f)o- a ,ecision of the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of /a3ao% 0on. .icente N. Cusi% 5).% p)esi,in#% in Special P)ocee,in# No. 677 of sai, cou)t% ,ate, Septe-be) !'% !$'$% app)o3in# a-on# thin#s the final accounts of the e;ecuto)% ,i)ectin# the e;ecuto) to )ei-bu)se Ma)ia Luc: Ch)istensen the a-ount of P8%6?? pai, b: he) to 0elen Ch)istensen Ga)cia as he) le#ac:% an, ,ecla)in# Ma)ia Luc: Ch)istensen entitle, to the )esi,ue of the p)ope)t: to be enGo:e, ,u)in# he) lifeti-e% an, in case of ,eath <ithout issue% one-half of sai, )esi,ue to be pa:able to M)s. Ca))ie Louise C. Bo)ton% etc.% in acco),ance <ith the p)o3isions of the <ill of the testato) E,<a), E. Ch)istensen. The <ill <as e;ecute, in Manila on Ma)ch &% !$&! an, contains the follo<in# p)o3isions* 8. ( ,ecla)e ... that ( ha3e but ONE C!D chil,% na-e, MAR(A LUC4 C0R(STENSEN Cno< M)s. Be)na), /ane:D% <ho <as bo)n in the Philippines about t<ent:-ei#ht :ea)s a#o% an, <ho is no< )esi,in# at No. 66& Ro,#e) 4oun# .illa#e% Los An#eles% Califo)nia% U.S.A. '. ( fu)the) ,ecla)e that ( no< ha3e no li3in# ascen,ants% an, no ,escen,ants e;cept -: abo3e na-e, ,au#hte)% MAR(A LUC4 C0R(STENSEN /ANE4. ;;;;;;;;; . ( #i3e% ,e3ise an, be@ueath unto MAR(A 0ELEN C0R(STENSEN% no< -a))ie, to E,ua),o Ga)cia% about ei#hteen :ea)s of a#e an, <ho% not<ithstan,in# the fact that she <as baptiAe, Ch)istensen% is not in an: <a: )elate, to -e% no) has she been at an: ti-e a,opte, b: -e% an, <ho% f)o- all info)-ation ( ha3e no< )esi,es in E#pit% /i#os% /a3ao% Philippines%

the su- of T0REE T0OUSAN/ S(I 0UN/RE/ PESOS CP8%6??.??D% Philippine Cu))enc: the sa-e to be ,eposite, in t)ust fo) the sai, Ma)ia 0elen Ch)istensen <ith the /a3ao B)anch of the Philippine National Ban=% an, pai, to he) at the )ate of One 0un,)e, Pesos CP!??.??D% Philippine Cu))enc: pe) -onth until the p)incipal the)eof as <ell as an: inte)est <hich -a: ha3e acc)ue, the)eon% is e;hauste,.. ;;;;;;;;; !7. ( he)eb: #i3e% ,e3ise an, be@ueath% unto -: <ell-belo3e, ,au#hte)% the sai, MAR(A LUC4 C0R(STENSEN /ANE4 CM)s. Be)na), /ane:D% no< )esi,in# as afo)esai, at No. 66& Ro,#e) 4oun# .illa#e% Los An#eles% Califo)nia% U.S.A.% all the inco-e f)o- the )est% )e-ain,e)% an, )esi,ue of -: p)ope)t: an, estate% )eal% pe)sonal an,Qo) -i;e,% of <hatsoe3e) =in, o) cha)acte)% an, <he)esoe3e) situate,% of <hich ( -a: be possesse, at -: ,eath an, <hich -a: ha3e co-e to -e f)o- an: sou)ce <hatsoe3e)% ,u)in# he) lifeti-e* .... (t is in acco),ance <ith the abo3e-@uote, p)o3isions that the e;ecuto) in his final account an, p)oGect of pa)tition )atifie, the pa:-ent of onl: P8%6?? to 0elen Ch)istensen Ga)cia an, p)opose, that the )esi,ue of the estate be t)ansfe))e, to his ,au#hte)% Ma)ia Luc: Ch)istensen. Opposition to the app)o3al of the p)oGect of pa)tition <as file, b: 0elen Ch)istensen Ga)cia% insofa) as it ,ep)i3es he) C0elenD of he) le#iti-e as an ac=no<le,#e, natu)al chil,% she ha3in# been ,ecla)e, b: Us in G.R. Nos. L!!'"8-"' an ac=no<le,#e, natu)al chil, of the ,ecease, E,<a), E. Ch)istensen. The le#al #)oun,s of opposition a)e CaD that the ,ist)ibution shoul, be #o3e)ne, b: the la<s of the Philippines% an, CbD that sai, o),e) of ,ist)ibution is cont)a): the)eto insofa) as it ,enies to 0elen Ch)istensen% one of t<o ac=no<le,#e, natu)al chil,)en% one-half of the estate in full o<ne)ship. (n a-plification of the abo3e #)oun,s it <as alle#e, that the la< that shoul, #o3e)n the estate of the ,ecease, Ch)istensen shoul, not be the inte)nal la< of Califo)nia alone% but the enti)e la< the)eof because se3e)al fo)ei#n ele-ents a)e in3ol3e,% that the fo)u- is the Philippines an, e3en if the case <e)e ,eci,e, in Califo)nia% Section $'6 of the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e% <hich )e@ui)es that the ,o-icile of the ,ece,ent shoul, appl:% shoul, be applicable. (t <as also alle#e, that Ma)ia 0elen Ch)istensen ha3in# been ,ecla)e, an ac=no<le,#e, natu)al chil, of the ,ece,ent% she is ,ee-e, fo) all pu)poses le#iti-ate f)o- the ti-e of he) bi)th.

The cou)t belo< )ule, that as E,<a), E. Ch)istensen <as a citiAen of the Unite, States an, of the State of Califo)nia at the ti-e of his ,eath% the successional )i#hts an, int)insic 3ali,it: of the p)o3isions in his <ill a)e to be #o3e)ne, b: the la< of Califo)nia% in acco),ance <ith <hich a testato) has the )i#ht to ,ispose of his p)ope)t: in the <a: he ,esi)es% because the )i#ht of absolute ,o-inion o3e) his p)ope)t: is sac)e, an, in3iolable C(n )e Mc/anielEs Estate% Cal. Appl. 7, " % ! 6 P. 7, $&7% an, (n )e Rauf-an% !! Cal. 7"6% '$ Pac. !$7% cite, in pa#e ! $% Reco), on AppealD. Opposito) Ma)ia 0elen Ch)istensen% th)ou#h counsel% file, 3a)ious -otions fo) )econsi,e)ation% but these <e)e ,enie,. 0ence% this appeal. The -ost i-po)tant assi#n-ents of e))o) a)e as follo<s* ( T0E LO+ER COURT ERRE/ (N (GNOR(NG T0E /EC(S(ON O9 T0E 0ONORABLE SUPREME COURT T0AT 0ELEN (S T0E ACRNO+LE/GE/ NATURAL C0(L/ O9 E/+AR/ E. C0R(STENSEN AN/% CONSE1UENTL4% (N /EPR(.(NG 0ER O9 0ER 5UST S0ARE (N T0E (N0ER(TANCE. (( T0E LO+ER COURT ERRE/ (N ENT(REL4 (GNOR(NG AN/QOR 9A(L(NG TO RECOGN(2E T0E EI(STENCE O9 SE.ERAL 9ACTORS% ELEMENTS AN/ C(RCUMSTANCES CALL(NG 9OR T0E APPL(CAT(ON O9 (NTERNAL LA+. ((( T0E LO+ER COURT ERRE/ (N 9A(L(NG TO RECOGN(2E T0AT UN/ER (NTERNAT(ONAL LA+% PART(CULARL4 UN/ER T0E REN.O( /OCTR(NE% T0E (NTR(NS(C .AL(/(T4 O9 T0E TESTAMENTAR4 /(SPOS(T(ON O9 T0E /(STR(BUT(ON O9 T0E ESTATE O9 T0E /ECEASE/ E/+AR/ E. C0R(STENSEN S0OUL/ BE GO.ERNE/ B4 T0E LA+S O9 T0E P0(L(PP(NES. (. T0E LO+ER COURT ERRE/ (N NOT /ECLAR(NG T0AT T0E SC0E/ULE O9 /(STR(BUT(ON SUBM(TTE/ B4 T0E EIECUTOR (S CONTRAR4 TO T0E P0(L(PP(NE LA+S.

. T0E LO+ER COURT ERRE/ (N NOT /ECLAR(NG T0AT UN/ER T0E P0(L(PP(NE LA+S 0ELEN C0R(STENSEN GARC(A (S ENT(TLE/ TO ONE-0AL9 C!Q7D O9 T0E ESTATE (N 9ULL O+NERS0(P. The)e is no @uestion that E,<a), E. Ch)istensen <as a citiAen of the Unite, States an, of the State of Califo)nia at the ti-e of his ,eath. But the)e is also no @uestion that at the ti-e of his ,eath he <as ,o-icile, in the Philippines% as <itness the follo<in# facts a,-itte, b: the e;ecuto) hi-self in appelleeEs b)ief* (n the p)ocee,in#s fo) a,-ission of the <ill to p)obate% the facts of )eco), sho< that the ,ecease, E,<a), E. Ch)istensen <as bo)n on No3e-be) 7$% !" & in Ne< 4o)= Cit:% N.4.% U.S.A.B his fi)st a))i3al in the Philippines% as an appointe, school teache)% <as on 5ul: !% !$?!% on boa), the U.S. A)-: T)anspo)t >She)i,an> <ith Po)t of E-ba)=ation as the Cit: of San 9)ancisco% in the State of Califo)nia% U.S.A. 0e sta:e, in the Philippines until !$?'. (n /ece-be)% !$?'% M). Ch)istensen )etu)ne, to the Unite, States an, sta:e, the)e fo) the follo<in# nine :ea)s until !$!8% ,u)in# <hich ti-e he )esi,e, in% an, <as teachin# school in Sac)a-ento% Califo)nia. M). Ch)istensenEs ne;t a))i3al in the Philippines <as in 5ul: of the :ea) !$!8. 0o<e3e)% in !$7"% he a#ain ,epa)te, the Philippines fo) the Unite, States an, ca-e bac= he)e the follo<in# :ea)% !$7$. So-e nine :ea)s late)% in !$8"% he a#ain )etu)ne, to his o<n count):% an, ca-e bac= to the Philippines the follo<in# :ea)% !$8$. +he)efo)e% the pa)ties )espectfull: p)a: that the fo)e#oin# stipulation of facts be a,-itte, an, app)o3e, b: this 0ono)able Cou)t% <ithout p)eGu,ice to the pa)ties a,,ucin# othe) e3i,ence to p)o3e thei) case not co3e)e, b: this stipulation of facts. !S<phT!.PUt Bein# an A-e)ican citiAen% M). Ch)istensen <as inte)ne, b: the 5apanese Milita): 9o)ces in the Philippines ,u)in# +o)l, +a) ((. Upon libe)ation% in Ap)il !$'&% he left fo) the Unite, States but )etu)ne, to the Philippines in /ece-be)% !$'&. Appellees Collecti3e E;hibits >6>% C9( /a3ao% Sp. P)oc. 677% as E;hibits >AA>% >BB> an, >CC-/ane:>B E;hs. >MM>% >MM-l>% >MM-7-/ane:> an, p. ' 8% t.s.n.% 5ul: 7!% !$&8.D

(n Ap)il% !$&!% E,<a), E. Ch)istensen )etu)ne, once -o)e to Califo)nia sho)tl: afte) the -a=in# of his last <ill an, testa-ent Cno< in @uestion he)einD <hich he e;ecute, at his la<:e)sE offices in Manila on Ma)ch &% !$&!. 0e ,ie, at the St. Lu=eEs 0ospital in the Cit: of Manila on Ap)il 8?% !$&8. Cpp. 7-8D (n a))i3in# at the conclusion that the ,o-icile of the ,ecease, is the Philippines% <e a)e pe)sua,e, b: the fact that he <as bo)n in Ne< 4o)=% -i#)ate, to Califo)nia an, )esi,e, the)e fo) nine :ea)s% an, since he ca-e to the Philippines in !$!8 he )etu)ne, to Califo)nia 3e): )a)el: an, onl: fo) sho)t 3isits Cpe)haps to )elati3esD% an, consi,e)in# that he appea)s ne3e) to ha3e o<ne, o) ac@ui)e, a ho-e o) p)ope)ties in that state% <hich <oul, in,icate that he <oul, ulti-atel: aban,on the Philippines an, -a=e ho-e in the State of Califo)nia. Sec. !6. Resi,ence is a te)- use, <ith -an: sha,es of -eanin# f)o- -e)e te-po)a): p)esence to the -ost pe)-anent abo,e. Gene)all:% ho<e3e)% it is use, to ,enote so-ethin# -o)e than -e)e ph:sical p)esence. CGoo,)ich on Conflict of La<s% p. 7$D As to his citiAenship% ho<e3e)% +e fin, that the citiAenship that he ac@ui)e, in Califo)nia <hen he )esi,e, in Sac)a-ento% Califo)nia f)o- !$?' to !$!8% <as ne3e) lost b: his sta: in the Philippines% fo) the latte) <as a te))ito): of the Unite, States Cnot a stateD until !$'6 an, the ,ecease, appea)s to ha3e consi,e)e, hi-self as a citiAen of Califo)nia b: the fact that <hen he e;ecute, his <ill in !$&! he ,ecla)e, that he <as a citiAen of that StateB so that he appea)s ne3e) to ha3e inten,e, to aban,on his Califo)nia citiAenship b: ac@ui)in# anothe). This conclusion is in acco),ance <ith the follo<in# p)inciple e;poun,e, b: Goo,)ich in his Conflict of La<s. The te)-s >E)esi,ence> an, >,o-icile> -i#ht <ell be ta=en to -ean the sa-e thin#% a place of pe)-anent abo,e. But ,o-icile% as has been sho<n% has ac@ui)e, a technical -eanin#. Thus one -a: be ,o-icile, in a place <he)e he has ne3e) been. An, he -a: )esi,e in a place <he)e he has no ,o-icile. The -an <ith t<o ho-es% bet<een <hich he ,i3i,es his ti-e% ce)tainl: )esi,es in each one% <hile li3in# in it. But if he <ent on business <hich <oul, )e@ui)e his p)esence fo) se3e)al <ee=s o) -onths% he -i#ht p)ope)l: be sai, to ha3e sufficient connection <ith the place to be calle, a )esi,ent. (t is clea)% ho<e3e)% that% if he t)eate, his settle-ent as continuin# onl: fo) the

pa)ticula) business in han,% not #i3in# up his fo)-e) >ho-e%> he coul, not be a ,o-icile, Ne< 4o)=e). Ac@uisition of a ,o-icile of choice )e@ui)es the e;e)cise of intention as <ell as ph:sical p)esence. >Resi,ence si-pl: )e@ui)es bo,il: p)esence of an inhabitant in a #i3en place% <hile ,o-icile )e@ui)es bo,il: p)esence in that place an, also an intention to -a=e it oneEs ,o-icile.> Resi,ence% ho<e3e)% is a te)- use, <ith -an: sha,es of -eanin#% f)o- the -e)est te-po)a): p)esence to the -ost pe)-anent abo,e% an, it is not safe to insist that an: one use et the onl: p)ope) one. CGoo,)ich% p. 7$D The la< that #o3e)ns the 3ali,it: of his testa-enta): ,ispositions is ,efine, in A)ticle !6 of the Ci3il Co,e of the Philippines% <hich is as follo<s* ART. !6. Real p)ope)t: as <ell as pe)sonal p)ope)t: is subGect to the la< of the count): <he)e it is situate,. 0o<e3e)% intestate an, testa-enta): successions% both <ith )espect to the o),e) of succession an, to the a-ount of successional )i#hts an, to the int)insic 3ali,it: of testa-enta): p)o3isions% shall be )e#ulate, b: the national la< of the pe)son <hose succession is un,e) consi,e)ation% <hate3e) -a: be the natu)e of the p)ope)t: an, )e#a),less of the count): <he)e sai, p)ope)t: -a: be foun,. The application of this a)ticle in the case at ba) )e@ui)es the ,ete)-ination of the -eanin# of the te)- >national la<> is use, the)ein. The)e is no sin#le A-e)ican la< #o3e)nin# the 3ali,it: of testa-enta): p)o3isions in the Unite, States% each state of the Union ha3in# its o<n p)i3ate la< applicable to its citiAens onl: an, in fo)ce onl: <ithin the state. The >national la<> in,icate, in A)ticle !6 of the Ci3il Co,e abo3e @uote, can not% the)efo)e% possibl: -ean o) appl: to an: #ene)al A-e)ican la<. So it can )efe) to no othe) than the p)i3ate la< of the State of Califo)nia. The ne;t @uestion is* +hat is the la< in Califo)nia #o3e)nin# the ,isposition of pe)sonal p)ope)t:F The ,ecision of the cou)t belo<% sustains the contention of the e;ecuto)-appellee that un,e) the Califo)nia P)obate Co,e% a testato) -a: ,ispose of his p)ope)t: b: <ill in the fo)- an, -anne) he ,esi)es% citin# the case of Estate of Mc/aniel% Cal. Appl. 7, " % ! 6 P. 7, $&7. But appellant in3o=es the p)o3isions of A)ticle $'6 of the Ci3il Co,e of Califo)nia% <hich is as follo<s*

(f the)e is no la< to the cont)a):% in the place <he)e pe)sonal p)ope)t: is situate,% it is ,ee-e, to follo< the pe)son of its o<ne)% an, is #o3e)ne, b: the la< of his ,o-icile. The e;istence of this p)o3ision is alle#e, in appellantEs opposition an, is not ,enie,. +e ha3e chec=e, it in the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e an, it is the)e. Appellee% on the othe) han,% )elies on the case cite, in the ,ecision an, testifie, to b: a <itness. COnl: the case of Rauf-an is co))ectl: cite,.D (t is a)#ue, on e;ecuto)Es behalf that as the ,ecease, Ch)istensen <as a citiAen of the State of Califo)nia% the inte)nal la< the)eof% <hich is that #i3en in the abo3ecite, case% shoul, #o3e)n the ,ete)-ination of the 3ali,it: of the testa-enta): p)o3isions of Ch)istensenEs <ill% such la< bein# in fo)ce in the State of Califo)nia of <hich Ch)istensen <as a citiAen. Appellant% on the othe) han,% insists that A)ticle $'6 shoul, be applicable% an, in acco),ance the)e<ith an, follo<in# the ,oct)ine of the )en3oi% the @uestion of the 3ali,it: of the testa-enta): p)o3ision in @uestion shoul, be )efe))e, bac= to the la< of the ,ece,entEs ,o-icile% <hich is the Philippines. The theo): of ,oct)ine of )en3oi has been ,efine, b: 3a)ious autho)s% thus* The p)oble- has been state, in this <a:* >+hen the Conflict of La<s )ule of the fo)u- )efe)s a Gu)al -atte) to a fo)ei#n la< fo) ,ecision% is the )efe)ence to the pu)el: inte)nal )ules of la< of the fo)ei#n s:ste-B i.e.% to the totalit: of the fo)ei#n la< -inus its Conflict of La<s )ulesF> On lo#ic% the solution is not an eas: one. The Michi#an cou)t chose to accept the )en3oi% that is% applie, the Conflict of La<s )ule of (llinois <hich )efe))e, the -atte) bac= to Michi#an la<. But once ha3in# ,ete)-ine, the the Conflict of La<s p)inciple is the )ule loo=e, to% it is ,ifficult to see <h: the )efe)ence bac= shoul, not ha3e been to Michi#an Conflict of La<s. This <oul, ha3e )esulte, in the >en,less chain of )efe)ences> <hich has so often been c)iticiAe, be le#al <)ite)s. The opponents of the )en3oi <oul, ha3e loo=e, -e)el: to the inte)nal la< of (llinois% thus )eGectin# the )en3oi o) the )efe)ence bac=. 4et the)e see-s no co-pellin# lo#ical )eason <h: the o)i#inal )efe)ence shoul, be the inte)nal la< )athe) than to the Conflict of La<s )ule. (t is t)ue that such a solution a3oi,s #oin# on a -e)):-#o-)oun,% but those <ho ha3e accepte, the )en3oi theo): a3oi, this ine;t)icabilis ci)culas b: #ettin# off at the secon, )efe)ence an, at that point appl:in# inte)nal la<. Pe)haps the opponents of the )en3oi a)e a bit -o)e consistent fo) the: loo= al<a:s to inte)nal la< as the )ule of )efe)ence.

St)an#el: enou#h% both the a,3ocates fo) an, the obGecto)s to the )en3oi plea, that #)eate) unifo)-it: <ill )esult f)o- a,option of thei) )especti3e 3ie<s. An, still -o)e st)an#e is the fact that the onl: <a: to achie3e unifo)-it: in this choice-of-la< p)oble- is if in the ,ispute the t<o states <hose la<s fo)- the le#al basis of the liti#ation ,isa#)ee as to <hethe) the )en3oi shoul, be accepte,. (f both )eGect% o) both accept the ,oct)ine% the )esult of the liti#ation <ill 3a): <ith the choice of the fo)u-. (n the case state, abo3e% ha, the Michi#an cou)t )eGecte, the )en3oi% Gu,#-ent <oul, ha3e been a#ainst the <o-anB if the suit ha, been b)ou#ht in the (llinois cou)ts% an, the: too )eGecte, the )en3oi% Gu,#-ent <oul, be fo) the <o-an. The sa-e )esult <oul, happen% thou#h the cou)ts <oul, s<itch <ith )espect to <hich <oul, hol, liabilit:% if both cou)ts accepte, the )en3oi. The Restate-ent accepts the )en3oi theo): in t<o instances* <he)e the title to lan, is in @uestion% an, <he)e the 3ali,it: of a ,ec)ee of ,i3o)ce is challen#e,. (n these cases the Conflict of La<s )ule of the situs of the lan,% o) the ,o-icile of the pa)ties in the ,i3o)ce case% is applie, b: the fo)u-% but an: fu)the) )efe)ence #oes onl: to the inte)nal la<. Thus% a pe)sonEs title to lan,% )eco#niAe, b: the situs% <ill be )eco#niAe, b: e3e): cou)tB an, e3e): ,i3o)ce% 3ali, b: the ,o-icile of the pa)ties% <ill be 3ali, e3e):<he)e. CGoo,)ich% Conflict of La<s% Sec. % pp. !8-!'.D I% a citiAen of Massachusetts% ,ies intestate% ,o-icile, in 9)ance% lea3in# -o3able p)ope)t: in Massachusetts% En#lan,% an, 9)ance. The @uestion a)ises as to ho< this p)ope)t: is to be ,ist)ibute, a-on# IEs ne;t of =in. Assu-e C!D that this @uestion a)ises in a Massachusetts cou)t. The)e the )ule of the conflict of la<s as to intestate succession to -o3ables calls fo) an application of the la< of the ,ecease,Es last ,o-icile. Since b: h:pothesis IEs last ,o-icile <as 9)ance% the natu)al thin# fo) the Massachusetts cou)t to ,o <oul, be to tu)n to 9)ench statute of ,ist)ibutions% o) <hate3e) co))espon,s the)eto in 9)ench la<% an, ,ec)ee a ,ist)ibution acco),in#l:. An e;a-ination of 9)ench la<% ho<e3e)% <oul, sho< that if a 9)ench cou)t <e)e calle, upon to ,ete)-ine ho< this p)ope)t: shoul, be ,ist)ibute,% it <oul, )efe) the ,ist)ibution to the national la< of the ,ecease,% thus appl:in# the Massachusetts statute of ,ist)ibutions. So on the su)face of thin#s the Massachusetts cou)t has open to it alte)nati3e cou)se of action* CaD eithe) to appl: the 9)ench la< is to intestate succession% o) CbD to )esol3e itself into a 9)ench cou)t an, appl: the Massachusetts statute of ,ist)ibutions% on the

assu-ption that this is <hat a 9)ench cou)t <oul, ,o. (f it accepts the socalle, )en3oi ,oct)ine% it <ill follo< the latte) cou)se% thus appl:in# its o<n la<. This is one t:pe of )en3oi. A Gu)al -atte) is p)esente, <hich the conflict-ofla<s )ule of the fo)u- )efe)s to a fo)ei#n la<% the conflict-of-la<s )ule of <hich% in tu)n% )efe)s the -atte) bac= a#ain to the la< of the fo)u-. This is )en3oi in the na))o<e) sense. The Ge)-an te)- fo) this Gu,icial p)ocess is ERuc=3e)<eisun#.E> C0a)3a), La< Re3ie<% .ol. 8!% pp. &78-& !.D Afte) a ,ecision has been a))i3e, at that a fo)ei#n la< is to be )eso)te, to as #o3e)nin# a pa)ticula) case% the fu)the) @uestion -a: a)ise* A)e the )ules as to the conflict of la<s containe, in such fo)ei#n la< also to be )eso)te, toF This is a @uestion <hich% <hile it has been consi,e)e, b: the cou)ts in but a fe< instances% has been the subGect of f)e@uent ,iscussion b: te;t<)ite)s an, essa:istsB an, the ,oct)ine in3ol3e, has been ,esc)ipti3el: ,esi#nate, b: the- as the >Ren3o:e)> to sen, bac=% o) the >Ruch3e)s<eisun#>% o) the >+eite)3e)<eisun#>% since an affi)-ati3e ans<e) to the @uestion postulate, an, the ope)ation of the a,option of the fo)ei#n la< in toto <oul, in -an: cases )esult in )etu)nin# the -ain cont)o3e)s: to be ,eci,e, acco),in# to the la< of the fo)u-. ... C!6 C.5.S. " 7.D Anothe) theo):% =no<n as the >,oct)ine of )en3oi>% has been a,3ance,. The theo): of the ,oct)ine of )en3oi is that the cou)t of the fo)u-% in ,ete)-inin# the @uestion befo)e it% -ust ta=e into account the <hole la< of the othe) Gu)is,iction% but also its )ules as to conflict of la<s% an, then appl: the la< to the actual @uestion <hich the )ules of the othe) Gu)is,iction p)esc)ibe. This -a: be the la< of the fo)u-. The ,oct)ine of the )en3oi has #ene)all: been )epu,iate, b: the A-e)ican autho)ities. C7 A-. 5u). 7$6D The scope of the theo): of )en3oi has also been ,efine, an, the )easons fo) its application in a count): e;plaine, b: P)of. Lo)enAen in an a)ticle in the 4ale La< 5ou)nal% .ol. 7 % !$! -!$!"% pp. &7$-&8!. The pe)tinent pa)ts of the a)ticle a)e @uote, he)ein belo<* The )eco#nition of the )en3oi theo): i-plies that the )ules of the conflict of la<s a)e to be un,e)stoo, as inco)po)atin# not onl: the o),ina): o) inte)nal la< of the fo)ei#n state o) count):% but its )ules of the conflict of la<s as <ell. Acco),in# to this theo): Ethe la< of a count):E -eans the <hole of its la<.

;;;;;;;;; .on Ba) p)esente, his 3ie<s at the -eetin# of the (nstitute of (nte)national La<% at Neuchatel% in !$??% in the fo)- of the follo<in# theses* C!D E3e): cou)t shall obse)3e the la< of its count): as )e#a),s the application of fo)ei#n la<s. C7D P)o3i,e, that no e;p)ess p)o3ision to the cont)a): e;ists% the cou)t shall )espect* CaD The p)o3isions of a fo)ei#n la< <hich ,isclai-s the )i#ht to bin, its nationals ab)oa, as )e#a),s thei) pe)sonal statute% an, ,esi)es that sai, pe)sonal statute shall be ,ete)-ine, b: the la< of the ,o-icile% o) e3en b: the la< of the place <he)e the act in @uestion occu))e,. CbD The ,ecision of t<o o) -o)e fo)ei#n s:ste-s of la<% p)o3i,e, it be ce)tain that one of the- is necessa)il: co-petent% <hich a#)ee in att)ibutin# the ,ete)-ination of a @uestion to the sa-e s:ste- of la<. ;;;;;;;;; (f% fo) e;a-ple% the En#lish la< ,i)ects its Gu,#e to ,ist)ibute the pe)sonal estate of an En#lish-an <ho has ,ie, ,o-icile, in Bel#iu- in acco),ance <ith the la< of his ,o-icile% he -ust fi)st in@ui)e <hethe) the la< of Bel#iu<oul, ,ist)ibute pe)sonal p)ope)t: upon ,eath in acco),ance <ith the la< of ,o-icile% an, if he fin,s that the Bel#ian la< <oul, -a=e the ,ist)ibution in acco),ance <ith the la< of nationalit: O that is the En#lish la< O he -ust accept this )efe)ence bac= to his o<n la<. +e note that A)ticle $'6 of the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e is its conflict of la<s )ule% <hile the )ule applie, in (n )e Rauf-an% Sup)a% its inte)nal la<. (f the la< on succession an, the conflict of la<s )ules of Califo)nia a)e to be enfo)ce, Gointl:% each in its o<n inten,e, an, app)op)iate sphe)e% the p)inciple cite, (n )e Rauf-an shoul, appl: to citiAens li3in# in the State% but A)ticle $'6 shoul, appl: to such of its citiAens as a)e not ,o-icile, in Califo)nia but in othe) Gu)is,ictions. The )ule lai, ,o<n of )eso)tin# to the la< of the ,o-icile in the ,ete)-ination of -atte)s <ith fo)ei#n ele-ent in3ol3e, is in acco), <ith the #ene)al p)inciple of A-e)ican la< that the ,o-icilia): la< shoul, #o3e)n in -ost -atte)s o) )i#hts <hich follo< the pe)son of the o<ne).

+hen a -an ,ies lea3in# pe)sonal p)ope)t: in one o) -o)e states% an, lea3es a <ill ,i)ectin# the -anne) of ,ist)ibution of the p)ope)t:% the la< of the state <he)e he <as ,o-icile, at the ti-e of his ,eath <ill be loo=e, to in ,eci,in# le#al @uestions about the <ill% al-ost as co-pletel: as the la< of situs is consulte, in @uestions about the ,e3ise of lan,. (t is lo#ical that% since the ,o-icilia): )ules cont)ol ,e3olution of the pe)sonal estate in case of intestate succession% the sa-e )ules shoul, ,ete)-ine the 3ali,it: of an atte-pte, testa-enta): ,ispostion of the p)ope)t:. 0e)e% also% it is not that the ,o-icilia): has effect be:on, the bo),e)s of the ,o-icilia): state. The )ules of the ,o-icile a)e )eco#niAe, as cont)ollin# b: the Conflict of La<s )ules at the situs p)ope)t:% an, the )eason fo) the )eco#nition as in the case of intestate succession% is the #ene)al con3enience of the ,oct)ine. The Ne< 4o)= cou)t has sai, on the point* EThe #ene)al p)inciple that a ,ispostiton of a pe)sonal p)ope)t:% 3ali, at the ,o-icile of the o<ne)% is 3ali, an:<he)e% is one of the uni3e)sal application. (t ha, its o)i#in in that inte)national co-it: <hich <as one of the fi)st f)uits of ci3iliAation% an, it this a#e% <hen business inte)cou)se an, the p)ocess of accu-ulatin# p)ope)t: ta=e but little notice of boun,a): lines% the p)actical <is,o- an, Gustice of the )ule is -o)e appa)ent than e3e). CGoo,)ich% Conflict of La<s% Sec. !6'% pp. ''7-''8.D Appellees a)#ue that <hat A)ticle !6 of the Ci3il Co,e of the Philippines pointe, out as the national la< is the inte)nal la< of Califo)nia. But as abo3e e;plaine, the la<s of Califo)nia ha3e p)esc)ibe, t<o sets of la<s fo) its citiAens% one fo) )esi,ents the)ein an, anothe) fo) those ,o-icile, in othe) Gu)is,ictions. Reason ,e-an,s that +e shoul, enfo)ce the Califo)nia inte)nal la< p)esc)ibe, fo) its citiAens )esi,in# the)ein% an, enfo)ce the conflict of la<s )ules fo) the citiAens ,o-icile, ab)oa,. (f <e -ust enfo)ce the la< of Califo)nia as in co-it: <e a)e boun, to #o% as so ,ecla)e, in A)ticle !6 of ou) Ci3il Co,e% then <e -ust enfo)ce the la< of Califo)nia in acco),ance <ith the e;p)ess -an,ate the)eof an, as abo3e e;plaine,% i.e.% appl: the inte)nal la< fo) )esi,ents the)ein% an, its conflict-of-la<s )ule fo) those ,o-icile, ab)oa,. (t is a)#ue, on appelleesE behalf that the clause >if the)e is no la< to the cont)a): in the place <he)e the p)ope)t: is situate,> in Sec. $'6 of the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e )efe)s to A)ticle !6 of the Ci3il Co,e of the Philippines an, that the la< to the cont)a): in the Philippines is the p)o3ision in sai, A)ticle !6 that the national la< of the ,ecease, shoul, #o3e)n. This contention can not be sustaine,. As e;plaine, in the 3a)ious autho)ities cite, abo3e the national la< -entione, in A)ticle !6 of ou) Ci3il Co,e is the la< on

conflict of la<s in the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e% i.e.% A)ticle $'6% <hich autho)iAes the )efe)ence o) )etu)n of the @uestion to the la< of the testato)Es ,o-icile. The conflict of la<s )ule in Califo)nia% A)ticle $'6% Ci3il Co,e% p)ecisel: )efe)s bac= the case% <hen a ,ece,ent is not ,o-icile, in Califo)nia% to the la< of his ,o-icile% the Philippines in the case at ba). The cou)t of the ,o-icile can not an, shoul, not )efe) the case bac= to Califo)niaB such action <oul, lea3e the issue incapable of ,ete)-ination because the case <ill then be li=e a football% tosse, bac= an, fo)th bet<een the t<o states% bet<een the count): of <hich the ,ece,ent <as a citiAen an, the count): of his ,o-icile. The Philippine cou)t -ust appl: its o<n la< as ,i)ecte, in the conflict of la<s )ule of the state of the ,ece,ent% if the @uestion has to be ,eci,e,% especiall: as the application of the inte)nal la< of Califo)nia p)o3i,es no le#iti-e fo) chil,)en <hile the Philippine la<% A)ts. "" C'D an, "$'% Ci3il Co,e of the Philippines% -a=es natu)al chil,)en le#all: ac=no<le,#e, fo)ce, hei)s of the pa)ent )eco#niAin# the-. The Philippine cases C(n )e Estate of 5ohnson% 8$ Phil. !&6B Rie)a 3s. Pal-a)oli% '? Phil. !?&B Miciano 3s. B)i-o% &? Phil. "6 B Babcoc= Te-pleton 3s. Ri,e) Babcoc=% &7 Phil. !8?B an, Gibbs 3s. Go3e)n-ent% &$ Phil. 7$8.D cite, b: appellees to suppo)t the ,ecision can not possibl: appl: in the case at ba)% fo) t<o i-po)tant )easons% i.e.% the subGect in each case ,oes not appea) to be a citiAen of a state in the Unite, States but <ith ,o-icile in the Philippines% an, it ,oes not appea) in each case that the)e e;ists in the state of <hich the subGect is a citiAen% a la< si-ila) to o) i,entical <ith A)t. $'6 of the Califo)nia Ci3il Co,e. +e the)efo)e fin, that as the ,o-icile of the ,ecease, Ch)istensen% a citiAen of Califo)nia% is the Philippines% the 3ali,it: of the p)o3isions of his <ill ,ep)i3in# his ac=no<le,#e, natu)al chil,% the appellant% shoul, be #o3e)ne, b: the Philippine La<% the ,o-icile% pu)suant to A)t. $'6 of the Ci3il Co,e of Califo)nia% not b: the inte)nal la< of Califo)nia.. +0ERE9ORE% the ,ecision appeale, f)o- is he)eb: )e3e)se, an, the case )etu)ne, to the lo<e) cou)t <ith inst)uctions that the pa)tition be -a,e as the Philippine la< on succession p)o3i,es. 5u,#-ent )e3e)se,% <ith costs a#ainst appellees. Pa,illa% Bautista An#elo% Concepcion% Re:es% Ba))e)a% Pa)e,es% /iAon% Re#ala an, Ma=alintal% 55.% concu). Ben#Aon% C.5.% too= no pa)t.

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC G.R. No. L-786 " 5une 6% !$6 TESTATE ESTATE O9 AMOS G. BELL(S% ,ecease,. PEOPLEES BANR an, TRUST COMPAN4% e;ecuto). MAR(A CR(ST(NA BELL(S an, M(R(AM PALMA BELL(S% opposito)s-appellants% 3s. E/+AR/ A. BELL(S% ET AL.% hei)s-appellees. .icente R. Macasaet an, 5ose /. .illena fo) opposito)s appellants. Pa)e,es% Pobla,o)% C)uA an, NaAa)eno fo) hei)s-appellees E. A. Bellis% et al. 1uiGano an, A))o:o fo) hei)s-appellees +. S. Bellis% et al. 5. R. Balon=ita fo) appellee PeopleEs Ban= J T)ust Co-pan:. OAaeta% Gibbs an, OAaeta fo) appellee A. B. Alls-an. BENG2ON% 5.P.% 5.* This is a ,i)ect appeal to Us% upon a @uestion pu)el: of la<% f)o- an o),e) of the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Manila ,ate, Ap)il 8?% !$6'% app)o3in# the p)oGect of pa)tition file, b: the e;ecuto) in Ci3il Case No. 8 ?"$ the)ein.!S<phT!.PUt The facts of the case a)e as follo<s* A-os G. Bellis% bo)n in Te;as% <as >a citiAen of the State of Te;as an, of the Unite, States.> B: his fi)st <ife% Ma): E. Mallen% <ho- he ,i3o)ce,% he ha, fi3e le#iti-ate chil,)en* E,<a), A. Bellis% Geo)#e Bellis C<ho p)e-,ecease, hi- in infanc:D% 0en): A. Bellis% Ale;an,e) Bellis an, Anna Bellis Alls-anB b:

his secon, <ife% .iolet Renne,:% <ho su)3i3e, hi-% he ha, th)ee le#iti-ate chil,)en* E,<in G. Bellis% +alte) S. Bellis an, /o)oth: BellisB an, finall:% he ha, th)ee ille#iti-ate chil,)en* A-os Bellis% 5).% Ma)ia C)istina Bellis an, Mi)ia- Pal-a Bellis. On Au#ust &% !$&7% A-os G. Bellis e;ecute, a <ill in the Philippines% in <hich he ,i)ecte, that afte) all ta;es% obli#ations% an, e;penses of a,-inist)ation a)e pai, fo)% his ,ist)ibutable estate shoul, be ,i3i,e,% in t)ust% in the follo<in# o),e) an, -anne)* CaD V7'?%???.?? to his fi)st <ife% Ma): E. MallenB CbD P!7?%???.?? to his th)ee ille#iti-ate chil,)en% A-os Bellis% 5).% Ma)ia C)istina Bellis% Mi)ia- Pal-a Bellis% o) P'?%???.?? each an, CcD afte) the fo)e#oin# t<o ite-s ha3e been satisfie,% the )e-ain,e) shall #o to his se3en su)3i3in# chil,)en b: his fi)st an, secon, <i3es% na-el:* E,<a), A. Bellis% 0en): A. Bellis% Ale;an,e) Bellis an, Anna Bellis Alls-an% E,<in G. Bellis% +alte) S. Bellis% an, /o)oth: E. Bellis% in e@ual sha)es.!S<phT!.PUt Subse@uentl:% o) on 5ul: "% !$&"% A-os G. Bellis ,ie, a )esi,ent of San Antonio% Te;as% U.S.A. 0is <ill <as a,-itte, to p)obate in the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Manila on Septe-be) !&% !$&". The PeopleEs Ban= an, T)ust Co-pan:% as e;ecuto) of the <ill% pai, all the be@uests the)ein inclu,in# the a-ount of V7'?%???.?? in the fo)- of sha)es of stoc= to Ma): E. Mallen an, to the th)ee C8D ille#iti-ate chil,)en% A-os Bellis% 5).% Ma)ia C)istina Bellis an, Mi)ia- Pal-a Bellis% 3a)ious a-ounts totallin# P'?%???.?? each in satisfaction of thei) )especti3e le#acies% o) a total of P!7?%???.??% <hich it )elease, f)o- ti-e to ti-e acco),in# as the lo<e) cou)t app)o3e, an, allo<e, the 3a)ious -otions o) petitions file, b: the latte) th)ee )e@uestin# pa)tial a,3ances on account of thei) )especti3e le#acies. On 5anua): "% !$6'% p)epa)ato): to closin# its a,-inist)ation% the e;ecuto) sub-itte, an, file, its >E;ecuto)Es 9inal Account% Repo)t of A,-inist)ation an, P)oGect of Pa)tition> <he)ein it )epo)te,% inte) alia% the satisfaction of the le#ac: of Ma): E. Mallen b: the ,eli3e): to he) of sha)es of stoc= a-ountin# to V7'?%???.??% an, the le#acies of A-os Bellis% 5).% Ma)ia C)istina Bellis an, Mi)ia- Pal-a Bellis in the a-ount of P'?%???.?? each o) a total of P!7?%???.??. (n the p)oGect of pa)tition% the e;ecuto) O pu)suant to the >T<elfth> clause of the testato)Es Last +ill an, Testa-ent O ,i3i,e, the )esi,ua): estate into se3en e@ual po)tions fo) the benefit of the testato)Es se3en le#iti-ate chil,)en b: his fi)st an, secon, -a))ia#es.

On 5anua): ! % !$6'% Ma)ia C)istina Bellis an, Mi)ia- Pal-a Bellis file, thei) )especti3e oppositions to the p)oGect of pa)tition on the #)oun, that the: <e)e ,ep)i3e, of thei) le#iti-es as ille#iti-ate chil,)en an,% the)efo)e% co-pulso): hei)s of the ,ecease,. A-os Bellis% 5). inte)pose, no opposition ,espite notice to hi-% p)oof of se)3ice of <hich is e3i,ence, b: the )e#ist): )eceipt sub-itte, on Ap)il 7 % !$6' b: the e;ecuto).! Afte) the pa)ties file, thei) )especti3e -e-o)an,a an, othe) pe)tinent plea,in#s% the lo<e) cou)t% on Ap)il 8?% !$6'% issue, an o),e) o3e))ulin# the oppositions an, app)o3in# the e;ecuto)Es final account% )epo)t an, a,-inist)ation an, p)oGect of pa)tition. Rel:in# upon A)t. !6 of the Ci3il Co,e% it applie, the national la< of the ,ece,ent% <hich in this case is Te;as la<% <hich ,i, not p)o3i,e fo) le#iti-es. Thei) )especti3e -otions fo) )econsi,e)ation ha3in# been ,enie, b: the lo<e) cou)t on 5une !!% !$6'% opposito)s-appellants appeale, to this Cou)t to )aise the issue of <hich la< -ust appl: O Te;as la< o) Philippine la<. (n this )e#a),% the pa)ties ,o not sub-it the case on% no) e3en ,iscuss% the ,oct)ine of )en3oi% applie, b: this Cou)t in AAna) 3. Ch)istensen Ga)cia% L!6 '$% 5anua): 8!% !$68. Sai, ,oct)ine is usuall: pe)tinent <he)e the ,ece,ent is a national of one count):% an, a ,o-icile of anothe). (n the p)esent case% it is not ,ispute, that the ,ece,ent <as both a national of Te;as an, a ,o-icile the)eof at the ti-e of his ,eath.7 So that e3en assu-in# Te;as has a conflict of la< )ule p)o3i,in# that the ,o-icilia): s:ste- Cla< of the ,o-icileD shoul, #o3e)n% the sa-e <oul, not )esult in a )efe)ence bac= C)en3oiD to Philippine la<% but <oul, still )efe) to Te;as la<. Nonetheless% if Te;as has a conflicts )ule a,optin# the situs theo): Cle; )ei sitaeD callin# fo) the application of the la< of the place <he)e the p)ope)ties a)e situate,% )en3oi <oul, a)ise% since the p)ope)ties he)e in3ol3e, a)e foun, in the Philippines. (n the absence% ho<e3e)% of p)oof as to the conflict of la< )ule of Te;as% it shoul, not be p)esu-e, ,iffe)ent f)o- ou)s.8 AppellantsE position is the)efo)e not )este, on the ,oct)ine of )en3oi. As state,% the: ne3e) in3o=e, no) e3en -entione, it in thei) a)#u-ents. Rathe)% the: a)#ue that thei) case falls un,e) the ci)cu-stances -entione, in the thi), pa)a#)aph of A)ticle ! in )elation to A)ticle !6 of the Ci3il Co,e.

A)ticle !6% pa). 7% an, A)t. !?8$ of the Ci3il Co,e% )en,e) applicable the national la< of the ,ece,ent% in intestate o) testa-enta): successions% <ith )e#a), to fou) ite-s* CaD the o),e) of successionB CbD the a-ount of successional )i#htsB CeD the int)insic 3ali,it: of the p)o3isions of the <illB an, C,D the capacit: to succee,. The: p)o3i,e that O ART. !6. Real p)ope)t: as <ell as pe)sonal p)ope)t: is subGect to the la< of the count): <he)e it is situate,. 0o<e3e)% intestate an, testa-enta): successions% both <ith )espect to the o),e) of succession an, to the a-ount of successional )i#hts an, to the int)insic 3ali,it: of testa-enta): p)o3isions% shall be )e#ulate, b: the national la< of the pe)son <hose succession is un,e) consi,e)ation% <hate3e) -a: he the natu)e of the p)ope)t: an, )e#a),less of the count): <he)ein sai, p)ope)t: -a: be foun,. ART. !?8$. Capacit: to succee, is #o3e)ne, b: the la< of the nation of the ,ece,ent. Appellants <oul, ho<e3e) counte) that A)t. ! % pa)a#)aph th)ee% of the Ci3il Co,e% statin# that O P)ohibiti3e la<s conce)nin# pe)sons% thei) acts o) p)ope)t:% an, those <hich ha3e fo) thei) obGect public o),e)% public polic: an, #oo, custo-s shall not be )en,e)e, ineffecti3e b: la<s o) Gu,#-ents p)o-ul#ate,% o) b: ,ete)-inations o) con3entions a#)ee, upon in a fo)ei#n count):. p)e3ails as the e;ception to A)t. !6% pa). 7 of the Ci3il Co,e afo)e-@uote,. This is not co))ect. P)ecisel:% Con#)ess ,elete, the ph)ase% >not<ithstan,in# the p)o3isions of this an, the ne;t p)ece,in# a)ticle> <hen the: inco)po)ate, A)t. !! of the ol, Ci3il Co,e as A)t. ! of the ne< Ci3il Co,e% <hile )ep)o,ucin# <ithout substantial chan#e the secon, pa)a#)aph of A)t. !? of the ol, Ci3il Co,e as A)t. !6 in the ne<. (t -ust ha3e been thei) pu)pose to -a=e the secon, pa)a#)aph of A)t. !6 a specific p)o3ision in itself <hich -ust be applie, in testate an, intestate succession. As fu)the) in,ication of this le#islati3e intent% Con#)ess a,,e, a ne< p)o3ision% un,e) A)t. !?8$% <hich ,ec)ees that capacit: to succee, is to be #o3e)ne, b: the national la< of the ,ece,ent. (t is the)efo)e e3i,ent that <hate3e) public polic: o) #oo, custo-s -a: be

in3ol3e, in ou) S:ste- of le#iti-es% Con#)ess has not inten,e, to e;ten, the sa-e to the succession of fo)ei#n nationals. 9o) it has specificall: chosen to lea3e% inte) alia% the a-ount of successional )i#hts% to the ,ece,entEs national la<. Specific p)o3isions -ust p)e3ail o3e) #ene)al ones. Appellants <oul, also point out that the ,ece,ent e;ecute, t<o <ills O one to #o3e)n his Te;as estate an, the othe) his Philippine estate O a)#uin# f)othis that he inten,e, Philippine la< to #o3e)n his Philippine estate. Assu-in# that such <as the ,ece,entEs intention in e;ecutin# a s epa)ate Philippine <ill% it <oul, not alte) the la<% fo) as this Cou)t )ule, in Miciano 3. B)i-o% &? Phil. "6 % " ?% a p)o3ision in a fo)ei#ne)Es <ill to the effect that his p)ope)ties shall be ,ist)ibute, in acco),ance <ith Philippine la< an, not <ith his national la<% is ille#al an, 3oi,% fo) his national la< cannot be i#no)e, in )e#a), to those -atte)s that A)ticle !? O no< A)ticle !6 O of the Ci3il Co,e states sai, national la< shoul, #o3e)n. The pa)ties a,-it that the ,ece,ent% A-os G. Bellis% <as a citiAen of the State of Te;as% U.S.A.% an, that un,e) the la<s of Te;as% the)e a)e no fo)ce, hei)s o) le#iti-es. Acco),in#l:% since the int)insic 3ali,it: of the p)o3ision of the <ill an, the a-ount of successional )i#hts a)e to be ,ete)-ine, un,e) Te;as la<% the Philippine la< on le#iti-es cannot be applie, to the testac: of A-os G. Bellis. +he)efo)e% the o),e) of the p)obate cou)t is he)eb: affi)-e, in toto% <ith costs a#ainst appellants. So o),e)e,. Concepcion% C.5.% Re:es% 5.B.L.% /iAon% Re#ala% Ma=alintal% 2al,i3a)% SancheA an, Cast)o% 55.% concu).

9ootnotes !0e late) file, a -otion p)a:in# that as a le#al hei) he be inclu,e, in this case as one of the opposito)s-appellantsB to file o) a,opt the opposition of his siste)s to the p)oGect of pa)titionB to sub-it his b)ief afte) pa:in# his p)opo)tionate sha)e in the e;penses incu))e, in the p)intin# of the )eco), on appealB o) to allo< hi- to a,opt the b)iefs file, b: his siste)s O but this Cou)t )esol3e, to ,en: the -otion.

7San Antonio% Te;as <as his le#al )esi,ence. 8Li- 3s. Collecto)% 86 Phil. ' 7B (n )e Testate Estate of Sunta:% $& Phil. &??.

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila 9(RST /(.(S(ON G.R. No. L-&'$!$ Ma: 8?% !$"' POLL4 CA4ETANO% petitione)% 3s. 0ON. TOMAS T. LEON(/AS% in his capacit: as the P)esi,in# 5u,#e of B)anch III.(((% Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Manila an, NEN(TA CAMPOS PAGU(A% )espon,ents. E)-elo P. GuA-an fo) petitione). A)-an,o 2. GonAales fo) p)i3ate )espon,ent.

GUT(ERRE2% 5R.% 5.* This is a petition fo) )e3ie< on ce)tio)a)i% see=in# to annul the o),e) of the )espon,ent Gu,#e of the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Manila% B)anch III.(((% <hich a,-itte, to an, allo<e, the p)obate of the last <ill an, testa-ent of A,o)acion C. Ca-pos% afte) an e;-pa)te p)esentation of e3i,ence b: he)ein p)i3ate )espon,ent. On 5anua): 8!% !$ % A,o)acion C. Ca-pos ,ie,% lea3in# he) fathe)%

petitione) 0e)-o#enes Ca-pos an, he) siste)s% p)i3ate )espon,ent Nenita C. Pa#uia% Re-e,ios C. LopeA an, Ma)ieta C. Me,ina as the su)3i3in# hei)s. As 0e)-o#enes Ca-pos <as the onl: co-pulso): hei)% he e;ecute, an Affi,a3it of A,Gu,ication un,e) Rule '% Section ( of the Rules of Cou)t <he)eb: he a,Gu,icate, unto hi-self the o<ne)ship of the enti)e estate of the ,ecease, A,o)acion Ca-pos. Ele3en -onths afte)% on No3e-be) 7&% !$ % Nenita C. Pa#uia file, a petition fo) the )ep)obate of a <ill of the ,ecease,% A,o)acion Ca-pos% <hich <as alle#e,l: e;ecute, in the Unite, States an, fo) he) appoint-ent as a,-inist)at)i; of the estate of the ,ecease, testat)i;. (n he) petition% Nenita alle#e, that the testat)i; <as an A-e)ican citiAen at the ti-e of he) ,eath an, <as a pe)-anent )esi,ent of '688 /it-an St)eet% Phila,elphia% Penns:l3ania% U.S.A.B that the testat)i; ,ie, in Manila on 5anua): 8!% !$ <hile te-po)a)il: )esi,in# <ith he) siste) at 7!6 Le3e)iAa% Malate% ManilaB that ,u)in# he) lifeti-e% the testat)i; -a,e he) last <i# an, testa-ent on 5ul: !?% !$ &% acco),in# to the la<s of Penns:l3ania% U.S.A.% no-inatin# +ilf)e,o Ba)Aa#a of Ne< 5e)se: as e;ecuto)B that afte) the testat)i; ,eath% he) last <ill an, testa-ent <as p)esente,% p)obate,% allo<e,% an, )e#iste)e, <ith the Re#ist): of +ins at the Count: of Phila,elphia% U.S.A.% that Cle-ent L. McLau#hlin% the a,-inist)ato) <ho <as appointe, afte) /). Ba)Aa#a ha, ,ecline, an, <ai3e, his appoint-ent as e;ecuto) in fa3o) of the fo)-e)% is also a )esi,ent of Phila,elphia% U.S.A.% an, that the)efo)e% the)e is an u)#ent nee, fo) the appoint-ent of an a,-inist)at)i; to a,-iniste) an, e3entuall: ,ist)ibute the p)ope)ties of the estate locate, in the Philippines. On 5anua): !!% !$ "% an opposition to the )ep)obate of the <ill <as file, b: he)ein petitione) alle#in# a-on# othe) thin#s% that he has e3e): )eason to belie3e that the <ill in @uestion is a fo)#e):B that the int)insic p)o3isions of the <ill a)e null an, 3oi,B an, that e3en if pe)tinent A-e)ican la<s on int)insic p)o3isions a)e in3o=e,% the sa-e coul, not appl: inas-uch as the: <oul, <o)= inGustice an, inGu): to hi-. On /ece-be) !% !$ "% ho<e3e)% the petitione) th)ou#h his counsel% Att:. 9)anco Lo:ola% file, a Motion to /is-iss Opposition C+ith +ai3e) of Ri#hts o) (nte)estsD statin# that he >has been able to 3e)if: the 3e)acit: the)eof Cof the <illD an, no< confi)-s the sa-e to be t)ul: the p)obate, <ill of his ,au#hte) A,o)acion.> 0ence% an e;-pa)te p)esentation of e3i,ence fo) the )ep)obate of

the @uestione, <ill <as -a,e. On 5anua): !?% !$ $% the )espon,ent Gu,#e issue, an o),e)% to <it* At the hea)in#% it has been satisfacto)il: establishe, that A,o)acion C. Ca-pos% in he) lifeti-e% <as a citiAen of the Unite, States of A-e)ica <ith a pe)-anent )esi,ence at '688 /it-an St)eet% Phila,elphia% PA !$!7'% CE;hibit /D that <hen ali3e% A,o)acion C. Ca-pos e;ecute, a Last +ill an, Testa-ent in the count: of Phila,elphia% Penns:l3ania% U.S.A.% acco),in# to the la<s the)eat CE;hibits E-8 to E-8-bD that <hile in te-po)a): soGou)n in the Philippines% A,o)acion C. Ca-pos ,ie, in the Cit: of Manila CE;hibit CD lea3in# p)ope)t: both in the Philippines an, in the Unite, States of A-e)icaB that the Last +ill an, Testa-ent of the late A,o)acion C. Ca-pos <as a,-itte, an, #)ante, p)obate b: the O)phanEs Cou)t /i3ision of the Cou)t of Co--on Pleas% the p)obate cou)t of the Co--on<ealth of Penns:l3ania% Count: of Phila,elphia% U.S.A.% an, lette)s of a,-inist)ation <e)e issue, in fa3o) of Cle-ent 5. McLau#hlin all in acco),ance <ith the la<s of the sai, fo)ei#n count): on p)oce,u)e an, allo<ance of <ills CE;hibits E to E-!?DB an, that the petitione) is not suffe)in# f)o- an: ,is@ualification <hich <oul, )en,e) he) unfit as a,-inist)at)i; of the estate in the Philippines of the late A,o)acion C. Ca-pos. +0ERE9ORE% the Last +ill an, Testa-ent of the late A,o)acion C. Ca-pos is he)eb: a,-itte, to an, allo<e, p)obate in the Philippines% an, Nenita Ca-pos Pa#uia is he)eb: appointe, A,-inist)at)i; of the estate of sai, ,ece,entB let Lette)s of A,-inist)ation <ith the +ill anne;e, issue in fa3o) of sai, A,-inist)at)i; upon he) filin# of a bon, in the a-ount of P&%???.?? con,itione, un,e) the p)o3isions of Section (% Rule "! of the Rules of Cou)t. Anothe) -anifestation <as file, b: the petitione) on Ap)il !'% !$ $% confi)-in# the <ith,)a<al of his opposition% ac=no<le,#in# the sa-e to be his 3olunta): act an, ,ee,. On Ma: 7&% !$ $% 0e)-o#enes Ca-pos file, a petition fo) )elief% p)a:in# that the o),e) allo<in# the <ill be set asi,e on the #)oun, that the <ith,)a<al of his opposition to the sa-e <as secu)e, th)ou#h f)au,ulent -eans. Acco),in# to hi-% the >Motion to /is-iss Opposition> <as inse)te, a-on# the pape)s <hich he si#ne, in connection <ith t<o /ee,s of Con,itional Sales <hich he e;ecute, <ith the Const)uction an, /e3elop-ent Co)po)ation of the Philippines CC/CPD. 0e also alle#e, that the la<:e) <ho file, the <ith,)a<al

of the opposition <as not his counsel-of-)eco), in the special p)ocee,in#s case. The petition fo) )elief <as set fo) hea)in# but the petitione) faile, to appea). 0e -a,e se3e)al -otions fo) postpone-ent until the hea)in# <as set on Ma: 7$% !$"?. On Ma: !"% !$"?% petitione) file, anothe) -otion entitle, >Motion to .acate an,Qo) Set Asi,e the O),e) of 5anua): !?% !$ $% an,Qo) ,is-iss the case fo) lac= of Gu)is,iction. (n this -otion% the notice of hea)in# p)o3i,e,* Please inclu,e this -otion in :ou) calen,a) fo) hea)in# on Ma: 7$% !$"? at "*8? in the -o)nin# fo) sub-ission fo) )econsi,e)ation an, )esolution of the 0ono)able Cou)t. Until this Motion is )esol3e,% -a: ( also )e@uest fo) the futu)e settin# of the case fo) hea)in# on the Opposito)Es -otion to set asi,e p)e3iousl: file,. The hea)in# of Ma: 7$% !$"? <as )e-set b: the cou)t fo) 5une !$% !$"?. +hen the case <as calle, fo) hea)in# on this ,ate% the counsel fo) petitione) t)ie, to a)#ue his -otion to 3acate instea, of a,,ucin# e3i,ence in suppo)t of the petition fo) )elief. Thus% the )espon,ent Gu,#e issue, an o),e) ,is-issin# the petition fo) )elief fo) failu)e to p)esent e3i,ence in suppo)t the)eof. Petitione) file, a -otion fo) )econsi,e)ation but the sa-e <as ,enie,. (n the sa-e o),e)% )espon,ent Gu,#e also ,enie, the -otion to 3acate fo) lac= of -e)it. 0ence% this petition. Mean<hile% on 5une 6%!$"7% petitione) 0e)-o#enes Ca-pos ,ie, an, left a <ill% <hich% inci,entall: has been @uestione, b: the )espon,ent% his chil,)en an, fo)ce, hei)s as% on its face% patentl: null an, 3oi,% an, a fab)ication% appointin# Poll: Ca:etano as the e;ecut)i; of his last <ill an, testa-ent. Ca:etano% the)efo)e% file, a -otion to substitute he)self as petitione) in the instant case <hich <as #)ante, b: the cou)t on Septe-be) !8% !$"7. A -otion to ,is-iss the petition on the #)oun, that the )i#hts of the petitione) 0e)-o#enes Ca-pos -e)#e, upon his ,eath <ith the )i#hts of the )espon,ent an, he) siste)s% onl: )e-ainin# chil,)en an, fo)ce, hei)s <as ,enie, on Septe-be) !7% !$"8. Petitione) Ca:etano pe)sists <ith the alle#ations that the )espon,ent Gu,#e acte, <ithout o) in e;cess of his Gu)is,iction <hen*

!D 0e )ule, the petitione) lost his stan,in# in cou)t ,ep)i3e, the Ri#ht to Notice CsicD upon the filin# of the Motion to /is-iss opposition <ith <ai3e) of )i#hts o) inte)ests a#ainst the estate of ,ecease, A,o)acion C. Ca-pos% thus% pa3in# the <a: fo) the hea)in# e;-pa)te of the petition fo) the p)obate of ,ece,ent <ill. 7D 0e )ule, that petitione) can <ai3e% )enounce o) )epu,iate Cnot -a,e in a public o) authenticate, inst)u-entD% o) b: <a: of a petition p)esente, to the cou)t but b: <a: of a -otion p)esente, p)io) to an o),e) fo) the ,ist)ibution of the estate-the la< especiall: p)o3i,in# that )epu,iation of an inhe)itance -ust be p)esente,% <ithin 8? ,a:s afte) it has issue, an o),e) fo) the ,ist)ibution of the estate in acco),ance <ith the )ules of Cou)t. 8D 0e )ule, that the )i#ht of a fo)ce, hei) to his le#iti-e can be ,i3este, b: a ,ec)ee a,-ittin# a <ill to p)obate in <hich no p)o3ision is -a,e fo) the fo)ce, hei) in co-plete ,is)e#a), of La< of Succession 'D 0e ,enie, petitione)Es petition fo) Relief on the #)oun, that no e3i,ence <as a,,uce, to suppo)t the Petition fo) Relief <hen no Notice no) hea)in# <as set to affo), petitione) to p)o3e the -e)it of his petition O a ,enial of the ,ue p)ocess an, a #)a3e abuse of ,isc)etion a-ountin# to lac= of Gu)is,iction. &D 0e ac@ui)e, no Gu)is,iction o3e) the testate case% the fact that the Testato) at the ti-e of ,eath <as a usual )esi,ent of /as-a)iPas% Ca3ite% conse@uentl: Ca3ite Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance has e;clusi3e Gu)is,iction o3e) the case C/e Bo)Ga 3s. Tan% G.R. No. L- $7% 5ul: !$&&D. The fi)st t<o issues )aise, b: the petitione) a)e ancho)e, on the alle#ation that the )espon,ent Gu,#e acte, <ith #)a3e abuse of ,isc)etion <hen he allo<e, the <ith,)a<al of the petitione)Es opposition to the )ep)obate of the <ill. +e fin, no #)a3e abuse of ,isc)etion on the pa)t of the )espon,ent Gu,#e. No p)oof <as a,,uce, to suppo)t petitione)Es contention that the -otion to <ith,)a< <as secu)e, th)ou#h f)au,ulent -eans an, that Att:. 9)anco Lo:ola <as not his counsel of )eco),. The )eco),s sho< that afte) the fi)in# of the conteste, -otion% the petitione) at a late) ,ate% file, a -anifestation <he)ein he confi)-e, that the Motion to /is-iss Opposition <as his

3olunta): act an, ,ee,. Mo)eo3e)% at the ti-e the -otion <as file,% the petitione)Es fo)-e) counsel% Att:. 5ose P. La#)osa ha, lon# <ith,)a<n f)othe case an, ha, been substitute, b: Att:. 9)anco Lo:ola <ho in tu)n file, the -otion. The p)esent petitione) cannot% the)efo)e% -aintain that the ol, -anEs atto)ne: of )eco), <as Att:. La#)osa at the ti-e of filin# the -otion. Since the <ith,)a<al <as in o),e)% the )espon,ent Gu,#e acte, co))ectl: in hea)in# the p)obate of the <ill e;-pa)te% the)e bein# no othe) opposition to the sa-e. The thi), issue )aise, ,eals <ith the 3ali,it: of the p)o3isions of the <ill. As a #ene)al )ule% the p)obate cou)tEs autho)it: is li-ite, onl: to the e;t)insic 3ali,it: of the <ill% the ,ue e;ecution the)eof% the testat)i;Es testa-enta): capacit: an, the co-pliance <ith the )e@uisites o) sole-nities p)esc)ibe, b: la<. The int)insic 3ali,it: of the <ill no)-all: co-es onl: afte) the cou)t has ,ecla)e, that the <ill has been ,ul: authenticate,. 0o<e3e)% <he)e p)actical consi,e)ations ,e-an, that the int)insic 3ali,it: of the <ill be passe, upon% e3en befo)e it is p)obate,% the cou)t shoul, -eet the issue. CManinan# 3s. Cou)t of Appeals% !!' SCRA ' "D. (n the case at ba)% the petitione) -aintains that since the )espon,ent Gu,#e allo<e, the )ep)obate of A,o)acionEs <ill% 0e)-o#enes C. Ca-pos <as ,i3este, of his le#iti-e <hich <as )ese)3e, b: the la< fo) hi-. This contention is <ithout -e)it. Althou#h on its face% the <ill appea)e, to ha3e p)ete)ite, the petitione) an, thus% the )espon,ent Gu,#e shoul, ha3e ,enie, its )ep)obate out)i#ht% the p)i3ate )espon,ents ha3e sufficientl: establishe, that A,o)acion <as% at the ti-e of he) ,eath% an A-e)ican citiAen an, a pe)-anent )esi,ent of Phila,elphia% Penns:l3ania% U.S.A. The)efo)e% un,e) A)ticle !6 pa). C7D an, !?8$ of the Ci3il Co,e <hich )especti3el: p)o3i,e* A)t. !6 pa). C7D. ;;; ;;; ;;; 0o<e3e)% intestate an, testa-enta): successions% both <ith )espect to the o),e) of succession an, to the a-ount of successional )i#hts an, to the int)insic 3ali,it: of testa-enta): p)o3isions% shall be )e#ulate, b: the national la< of the pe)son <hose succession is un,e) consi,e)ation%

<hate3e) -a: be the natu)e of the p)ope)t: an, )e#a),less of the count): <he)ein sai, p)ope)t: -a: be foun,. A)t. !?8$. Capacit: to succee, is #o3e)ne, b: the la< of the nation of the ,ece,ent. the la< <hich #o3e)ns A,o)acion Ca-poEs <ill is the la< of Penns:l3ania% U.S.A.% <hich is the national la< of the ,ece,ent. Althou#h the pa)ties a,-it that the Penns:l3ania la< ,oes not p)o3i,e fo) le#iti-es an, that all the estate -a: be #i3en a<a: b: the testat)i; to a co-plete st)an#e)% the petitione) a)#ues that such la< shoul, not appl: because it <oul, be cont)a): to the soun, an, establishe, public polic: an, <oul, )un counte) to the specific p)o3isions of Philippine La<. (t is a settle, )ule that as )e#a),s the int)insic 3ali,it: of the p)o3isions of the <ill% as p)o3i,e, fo) b: A)ticle !6C7D an, !?8$ of the Ci3il Co,e% the national la< of the ,ece,ent -ust appl:. This <as s@ua)el: applie, in the case of Bellis 3. Bellis C7? SCRA 8&"D <he)ein <e )ule,* (t is the)efo)e e3i,ent that <hate3e) public polic: o) #oo, custo-s -a: be in3ol3e, in ou) s:ste- of le#iti-es% Con#)ess has not inten,e, to e;ten, the sa-e to the succession of fo)ei#n nationals. 9o) it has specificall: chosen to lea3e% inte) alia% the a-ount of successional )i#hts% to the ,ece,entEs national la<. Specific p)o3isions -ust p)e3ail o3e) #ene)al ones. ;;; ;;; ;;; The pa)ties a,-it that the ,ece,ent% A-os G. Bellis% <as a citiAen of the State of Te;as% U.S.A.% an, un,e) the la< of Te;as% the)e a)e no fo)ce, hei)s o) le#iti-es. Acco),in#l:% since the int)insic 3ali,it: of the p)o3ision of the <ill an, the a-ount of successional )i#hts a)e to be ,ete)-ine, un,e) Te;as la<% the Philippine La< on le#iti-es cannot be applie, to the testac: of A-os G. Bellis. As )e#a),s the alle#e, absence of notice of hea)in# fo) the petition fo) )elief% the )eco),s <i# bea) the fact that <hat <as )epeate,l: sche,ule, fo) hea)in# on sepa)ate ,ates until 5une !$% !$"? <as the petitione)Es petition fo) )elief an, not his -otion to 3acate the o),e) of 5anua): !?% !$ $. The)e is no )eason <h: the petitione) shoul, ha3e been le, to belie3e othe)<ise. The

cou)t e3en a,-onishe, the petitione)Es failin# to a,,uce e3i,ence <hen his petition fo) )elief <as )epeate,l: set fo) hea)in#. The)e <as no ,enial of ,ue p)ocess. The fact that he )e@ueste, >fo) the futu)e settin# of the case fo) hea)in# . . .> ,i, not -ean that at the ne;t hea)in#% the -otion to 3acate <oul, be hea), an, #i3en p)efe)ence in lieu of the petition fo) )elief. 9u)the)-o)e% such )e@uest shoul, be e-bo,ie, in a -otion an, not in a -e)e notice of hea)in#. 9inall:% <e fin, the contention of the petition as to the issue of Gu)is,iction utte)l: ,e3oi, of -e)it. Un,e) Rule 8% Section !% of the Rules of Cou)t% it is p)o3i,e, that* SECT(ON !. +he)e estate of ,ecease, pe)sons settle,. O (f the ,ece,ent is an inhabitant of the Philippines at the ti-e of his ,eath% <hethe) a citiAen o) an alien% his <ill shall be p)o3e,% o) lette)s of a,-inist)ation #)ante,% an, his estate settle,% in the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance in the p)o3ince in <hich he )esi,e, at the ti-e of his ,eath% an, if he is an inhabitant of a fo)ei#n count):% the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of an: p)o3ince in <hich he ha, estate. The cou)t fi)st ta=in# co#niAance of the settle-ent of the estate of a ,ece,ent% shall e;e)cise Gu)is,iction to the e;clusion of all othe) cou)ts. The Gu)is,iction assu-e, b: a cou)t% so fa) as it ,epen,s on the place of )esi,ence of the ,ece,ent% o) of the location of his estate% shall not be conteste, in a suit o) p)ocee,in#% e;cept in an appeal f)o- that cou)t% in the o)i#inal case% o) <hen the <ant of Gu)is,iction appea)s on the )eco),. The)efo)e% the settle-ent of the estate of A,o)acion Ca-pos <as co))ectl: file, <ith the Cou)t of 9i)st (nstance of Manila <he)e she ha, an estate since it <as alle#e, an, p)o3en that A,o)acion at the ti-e of he) ,eath <as a citiAen an, pe)-anent )esi,ent of Penns:l3ania% Unite, States of A-e)ica an, not a >usual )esi,ent of Ca3ite> as alle#e, b: the petitione). Mo)eo3e)% petitione) is no< estoppe, f)o- @uestionin# the Gu)is,iction of the p)obate cou)t in the petition fo) )elief. (t is a settle, )ule that a pa)t: cannot in3o=e the Gu)is,iction of a cou)t to secu)e affi)-ati3e )elief% a#ainst his opponent an, afte) failin# to obtain such )elief% )epu,iate o) @uestion that sa-e Gu)is,iction. CSee Saulo# T)ansit% (nc. 3s. 0on. Manuel LaAa)o% et al.% G. R. No. 68 7"'% Ap)il '% !$"'D. +0ERE9ORE% the petition fo) ce)tio)a)i an, p)ohibition is he)eb: ,is-isse, fo) lac= of -e)it.

SO OR/ERE/. Melencio-0e))e)a% Plana% Relo3a an, /e la 9uente% 55.% concu). Teehan=ee% 5.% CChai)-anD% too= no pa)t.

The La<phil P)oGect - A)ellano La< 9oun,ation