Dela Rama Voscar(1)

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G.R. No. 142309. January 30, 2009.*

JUAN DELA RAMA and EUGENIA DELA RAMA, pe!!oner", #". $%&AR 'A'A and

AMEUER(INA 'A'A, re"ponden".

Appea)" +!)e e %upre-e &our !" enera))y no a r!er o/ /a, ere are

reon!ed eep!on" o a ru)e, "u a" en e nd!n" o/ /a are on5!!n,

or en e &our o/ Appea)" -an!/e")y o#er)oo6ed era!n re)e#an /a" no

d!"pued 7y e par!e" and !, !/ proper)y on"!dered, ou)d 8u"!/y a d!eren

on)u"!on.:'e!!oner" de#oe on"!dera7)e eor !n !)!!n /a" and

ad-!""!on" e)!!ed /ro- $"ar 'apa !-"e)/ o a" dou7 on e #a)!d!y o/ e

deed o/ "a)e. ;e ! ou)d 7e !-per!nen on our par o !--ed!ae)y de)) on "u

e#!den!ary -aer" !ou r" onend!n ! e )ea) aru-en" !ed 7y e

&our o/ Appea)" !n d!"-!""!n e o-p)a!n. +!)e !" &our !" enera))y no a r!er

o/ /a, ere are reon!ed eep!on" o a ru)e, "u a" en e nd!n" o/

/a are on5!!n, or en e &our o/ Appea)" -an!/e")y o#er)oo6ed era!n

re)e#an /a" no d!"pued 7y e par!e" and !, !/ proper)y on"!dered, ou)d 8u"!/y a d!eren on)u"!on.

Noar!a) La 're"u-p!on" <e pre"u-p!on" a aa o noar!ed dou-en"

anno 7e a"r!7ed o a deed o/ "a)e ere e #endee d!d no aua))y appear

7e/ore e noary pu7)!, a 7are -!n!-u- re=u!re-en under 'u7)! A No. 2103

+!)e e /a!)ure o/ e #endee o appear 7e/ore e noary pu7)! doe" no !p"o

/ao #o!d e deed o/ "a)e, ! e)!-!nae" e pre"u-p!on" a are arr!ed 7y

noar!ed pu7)! dou-en" and "u78e e deed o/ "a)e o a d!eren )e#e) o/

"ru!ny.:<e pre"u-p!on" a aa o noar!ed dou-en" an 7e a>r-ed

on)y "o )on a" ! !" 7eyond d!"pue a e noar!a!on a" reu)ar. +e anno

a"r!7e a on)u"!on a 7ar o e deed o/ "a)e. Re"ponden /a!)ed o onr-7e/ore e R<& a e ad aua))y appeared 7e/ore e noary pu7)!, a 7are

-!n!-u- re=u!re-en under 'u7)! A No. 2103. %u de/e !)) no !p"o /ao

#o!d e deed o/ "a)e. ?oe#er, ! e)!-!nae" e pre"u-p!on" a are arr!ed 7y

noar!ed pu7)! dou-en" and "u78e e deed o/ "a)e o a d!eren )e#e) o/

"ru!ny an a re)!ed on 7y e &our o/ Appea)". <!" on"e=uene !" !

preeden. In <!no #. %p". A=u!no, 444 %&RA @1 2004B, ere e pu7)! dou-en

!n =ue"!on ad 7een noar!ed 7y a 8ude o ad no auor!y o do "o, e &our

d!"pen"ed ! e )ear and on#!n!n e#!den!ary "andard nor-a))y aaed o

du)y noar!ed dou-en", and !n"ead app)!ed preponderane o/ e#!dene a" e

-ea"ure o e" e #a)!d!y o/ a dou-en.

%a-e %a-e Dou7)e Noar!a!on <e )ear re=u!re-en" o/ )a /or a proper

a6no)ed-en -ay no 7e d!"pen"ed ! "!-p)y 7eau"e enera!on" o/

ran"a!on" a#e 7)!e)y !nored "u re=u!re-en" I/ ! !" py"!a))y !-po""!7)e

/or e #endor and e #endee o -ee and "!n e deed !n e pre"ene o/ one

noary pu7)!, ere !" no !-ped!-en o a#!n o or -ore d!eren noar!e"

ra!/y!n e dou-en /or ea pary a re"pe!#e)y appear" 7e/ore e-.:I



appear" a re"ponden" ad pre#!ou")y )a!d "re"" on e )a!- a ! !" a

o--on pra!e !n rea) e"ae ran"a!on" a deed" o/ on#eyane are "!ned

on "eparae oa"!on" 7y e #endor and e #endee, and no nee""ar!)y !n e

pre"ene o/ e noary pu7)! o noar!e" e dou-en 7u ey addued

no!n o "uppor e!r )a!- 7u e!r -ere "ayC"o. A""u-!n aruendo a !"

!ndeed e o--on pra!e !n e 7u"!ne"", e =u!e /ran6)y do no are. <e )earre=u!re-en" o/ )a /or a proper a6no)ed-en -ay no 7e d!"pen"ed !

"!-p)y 7eau"e enera!on" o/ ran"a!on" a#e 7)!e)y !nored "u

re=u!re-en". I/ ! !" py"!a))y !-po""!7)e /or e #endor and e #endee o -ee

and "!n e deed !n e pre"ene o/ one noary pu7)!, ere !" no !-ped!-en o

a#!n o or -ore d!eren noar!e" ra!/y!n e dou-en /or ea pary a

re"pe!#e)y appear" 7e/ore e-. <!" !" e pruden pra!e adoped 7y

pro/e""!ona) )a enerpr!"e", and ! !" a orre -ea"ure !n on"onane ! e )a.

%a-e (orery E#!dene +!ne""e" %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 ao--odae" e

e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e "!naure !" d!"pued a" a -ean" o e"a7)!"

e enu!nene"" o/ andr!!n.:Doe" %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 ao--odae ee"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e "!naure !" d!"pued a" a -ean" o e"a7)!"

e enu!nene"" o/ andr!!n +e 7e)!e#e a ! doe", and E-a" re-a!n" a ood

)a no!"and!n e "u7"e=uen ena-en o/ e Ru)e" o/ &our. A/er a)), e

oner o/ "u d!"pued "!naure -ay /a)) !!n e aeory o/ any !ne"" o

7e)!e#e" ! o 7e e andr!!n o/ "u per"on 7eau"e e a" "een e per"on

r!e. . . and a" u" a=u!red 6no)ede o/ e andr!!n o/ "u per"on.F

%a-e %a-e %a-e %a-e %e!on 324 o/ e &ode o/ &!#!) 'roedure !"

"u7"an!a))y "!-!)ar o %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132, "o our app)!a!on o/ e /or-er ru)e

!n A)o #. Roa-ora, @ '!). 201 190@B, re-a!n" appropr!ae oday I !" !n /a e))C

e"a7)!"ed !n e )a o/ e#!dene a e e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e

"!naure !" d!"pued !" -ore an o-peen proo/ on e enu!nene"" o/ "u

"!naure.:%e!on 324 o/ e &ode o/ &!#!) 'roedure !" "u7"an!a))y "!-!)ar o

%e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132, "o our app)!a!on o/ e /or-er ru)e !n A)o re-a!n"

appropr!ae oday. A e #ery )ea", %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 doe" no e)ude "u

e"!-ony /ro- on"!dera!on. I !" !n /a e))Ce"a7)!"ed !n e )a o/ e#!dene

a e e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e "!naure !" d!"pued !" -ore an

o-peen proo/ on e enu!nene"" o/ "u "!naure. Aord!n o +!-ore on

E#!dene, ere e#en a" one ou a /or pro#!n e enu!nene"" o/ a

dou-en e a))eed r!er a" a pre/erred !ne"",F ou ! !" no 7e)!e#ed

a no "u ru)e o/ pre/erene e!"". A e "a-e !-e, ere rea))y !" no ru)e aauo-a!a))y d!"oun" e e"!-ony o/ e a))eed r!er a" o e enu!nene"" or

"pur!ou"ne"" o/ !" on "!naure. In enu-era!n e -eod" o/ auen!a!on o/

a andr!!n, 'ro/e""or ?errera aua))y de"!nae" a" e r" -eod, e

e"!-ony o/ e purpored r!er

%a-e %a-e %a-e %a-e <e &our a6no)ede" e enera) pre-!"e a e

e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e "!naure !" pu !n =ue"!on a" pro7a!#e



#a)ue, eer "u e"!-ony !" oered o a>r- or d!"pue e enu!nene"" o/ !"

"!naure.:+e a6no)ede e enera) pre-!"e a e e"!-ony o/ e #ery

per"on o"e "!naure !" pu !n =ue"!on a" pro7a!#e #a)ue, eer "u

e"!-ony !" oered o a>r- or d!"pue e enu!nene"" o/ !" "!naure. <a

e"!-ony "a!"e" e re=u!re-en" under %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 on o

andr!!n -u" 7e pro#ed. A e "a-e !-e, e e#!den!ary e! o/ "ue"!-ony o))y depend" on e "ren o/ e par!u)ar !ne""H" e"!-ony

#!eed !n on8un!on ! e oa)!y o/ e e#!dene a and.

'E<I<I$N /or re#!e on er!orar! o/ a de!"!on o/ e &our o/ Appea)".

<e /a" are "aed !n e op!n!on o/ e &our.

'ad!))a La $>e /or pe!!oner".

Meer, Meer Meer /or re"ponden".

&e7a))o" A""o!ae" o))a7ora!n oun"e) /or re"ponden".

<INGA, J.

D E & I % I $ N

<!na, J.

<!" pe!!on a))o" u" o re!erae "o-e o/ e 7a"! ru)e" onern!n e

noar!a!on o/ deed" o/ on#eyane !n#o)#!n rea) propery. %u ru)e" are

!-poran 7eau"e an !-proper)y noar!ed dou-en anno 7e on"!dered a pu7)!

dou-en and !)) no en8oy e pre"u-p!on o/ !" due eeu!on and auen!!y.

I.

Petitioner spouses Juan and Eugenia dela Rama were the registered

owners of a parcel of land situated in Calamba, Laguna, o#ered 7y <ran"/er

&er!ae o/ <!)e <&<B No. 911@@ !""ued 7y e Re!"ry o/ Deed" o/ Launa. <e

property was acquired for P96,! by way of sale from Canlubang

"ugar Estate #C"E$, as e%idenced by a notari&ed 'bsolute (eed of "ale

dated ) July )9* e+ecuted by Juan dela Rama and C"E, a" repre"ened 7y



Je"u" de eyra. Euen!a de)a Ra-a a)"o a>ed er "!naure a" proo/ o/ er -ar!a)

on"en.1

Aord!n o Juan de)a Ra-a, e became a resident of the nited "tates by

)9*- and would acquire 'merican citi&enship by )9*9!. /n )99.,

petitioners through their representati%e, were reminded to pay the realty

ta+ on the property, on)y o 7e !n/or-ed 7y e a""e""orH" o>e a e!r title

to the property had in fact been cancelled, and a new title, 0C0 1o!

).).*, issued in fa%or of respondents 2scar and 'meor3na Papa!4

Petitioner spouses Juan and Eugenia dela Rama were the registered

owners of a parcel of land situated in Calamba, Laguna! "aid property wasacquired by way of sale from Canlubang "ugar Estate #C"E$! "aid sale was

e%idenced by a notari&ed absolute deed 5f sale signed by (ela rama and

cse dated uly ) )9*! Later, dela rama became us citi&en by )9*- and in

)99., they were reminded to pay realty ta+ and informed by assessor7s

o8ce that their title to the propert had in fact been cancelled and a new

title was issued in fa%or of respondent papa!

Un!) 31 Ju)y 19K, $"ar 'apa ad 7een e A""!"an !eC 're"!den and ?ead o/

Mar6e!n o/ e Launa E"ae De#e)op-en &orpora!on LED&B, a -ar6e!n ar-o/ &%E and e en!y rou ! e propery ad ear)!er 7een -ar6eed and

"o)d o pe!!oner". <e propery a" ran"/erred o and re!)ed !n e na-e o/ e

"pou"e" 'apa pur"uan o a noar!ed (eed of 'bsolute "ale dated .9 :arch

)9*;, o#er!n e "u78e propery, and identifying petitioners as the

%endors and respondents as the %endees. <e 19K deed o/ "a)e 7ear" e

"!naure" o/ pe!!oner" and re"ponden", a least two witnesses (whose

identities are not spelled out or otherwise ascertainable on the face of the

document), and the notarial signature and seal of Atty. William Gumtang.

The new title in the name of respondents was issued on 21 une 1!"#.

Ar!u)a!n e pr!-ary )a!- a e!r "!naure" on e 19K deed o/ "a)e ere/ored, pe!!oner" )ed a o-p)a!n ! e Re!ona) <r!a) &our o/ &a)a-7a,

ran 92, /or &ane))a!on o/ <!)e $7a!ned Under (ored Deed o/ %a)e.4 <ey

prayed /or e de)ara!on o/ nu))!y o/ e 19K deed o/ "a)e, e orre"pond!n

ane))a!on o/ <&< No. 10212K !n e na-e o/ re"ponden" and e !""uane o/ a

ne one !n e!r na-e". Re"ponden" ounerpo"ed !n e!r An"er !

&o-pu)"ory &ouner)a!- 1B a e 19K deed o/ "a)e ad 7een du)y eeued



2B a )ae" ad 7arred e o-p)a!n "!ne ey ad o7a!ned !)e and py"!a)

po""e""!on a" /ar 7a6 a" 19K 3B a ey ad e#ery rea"on o 7e)!e#e a e

per"on /ro- o- ey pura"ed e propery a" du)y auor!ed o "e)) e

"a-e !#en a "u per"on a" !n po""e""!on o/ e onerH" dup)!ae <&< and

4B a e!r pura"e o/ e propery a" !n ood /a! and /or #a)ue, u" e#en

a""u-!n a e /orery ourred, e a!on "ou)d 7e d!reed aa!n" o"e operperaed e /raud.

Dur!n preCr!a), e /o))o!n /aua) -aer" ere "!pu)aed upon 1B a Juan

de)a Ra-a a" e re!"ered oner o/ e propery o#ered 7y <&< No. <C911@@,

! a" "u7"e=uen)y ane))ed 2B a <&< No. 10212K a" !""ued !n e na-e

o/ re"ponden" a/er ey a=u!red e "a-e /or '9@,000.00 3B a /ro- 19O4 o

19K or erea7ou" $"ar 'apa a" e-p)oyed or onneed ! LED&, o)d!n e

po"!!on o/ ?ead o/ Mar6e!n 4B a LED& a" a de#e)oper and -ar6e!n ar- o/

&%E and B a LED& ad de#e)oped e re"!den!a) "u7d!#!"!on ere e "u78epropery !" )oaed.

'e!!oner Juan de)a Ra-a and re"ponden $"ar 'apa 7o e"!ed !n our. De)a

Ra-a )a!-ed a#!n re)!!ou")y pa!d e propery ae" "!ne 19K0. ?e den!ed a

e or !" !/e eeued e 19K deed o/ "a)e or any oer dou-en a on#eyed

e!r !nere"" or r!" o#er e propery. ?e e#en den!ed a#!n -e 'apa 7e/ore

e e"!ed !n our !n 199. De)a Ra-a a)"o ep)a!ned a e ad pura"ed e

propery !n 19K0 !)e a "uden a Ne ;or6 Un!#er"!y, and a e ad 7een a

per-anen re"!den o/ &a)!/orn!a "!ne 19K4, and a Un!ed %ae" !!en "!ne 19K9.

$"ar 'apa e"!ed a e a" onneed ! LED& /ro- 19O4 o 19K, ere e

-ar6eed re"!den!a), !ndu"r!a) and ar!u)ura) )o" ! 7e)oned o e

&an)u7an %uar E"ae". ?e )a!-ed no o rea)) o ad oered o !- o 7uy

e "u78e propery, and a e ad ne#er -e Juan De)a Ra-a. ?e a)"o ad-!ed

"!n!n e deed o/ "a)e, "u dou-en 7e!n !ne""ed 7y o "a -e-7er" o/

LED&, 7u e d!d no "ee de)a Ra-a "!n e "a-e dou-en. Ne!er ou)d e

re-e-7er "!n!n e deed o/ "a)e !n /ron o/ e noary pu7)! o noar!ed e

dou-en.

'apa )a!-ed a !n rea) e"ae ran"a!on", ! a" "andard pra!e a e

7uyer r" "!n e dou-en 7e/ore e "e))er d!d "o. ?e a)"o )a!-ed a ! a"

)!6e!"e "andard pra!e !n e rea) e"ae !ndu"ry a e 7uyer and "e))er d!d

no nee""ar!)y a#e o -ee /ae o /ae. Re"ponden /urer a))eed a a e



!-e o/ e ran"a!on, "a)e" o/ rea) propery a" "!B #ery 7ad ! "e#era)

oner" ry!n o "e)) 7a6 e!r propery e#en a a pr!e )e"" an e pura"e

pr!e, a" !" a-e "or)y a/er e a""a""!na!on o/ %enaor en!no A=u!no, Jr.

$n 2@ June 19K@, e R<& pro-u)aed a De!"!on@ annu))!n e deed o/ "a)e,

ane))!n re"ponden"H !)e and re!n"a!n pe!!oner"H !)e o e "u78e propery.

<e R<& "a!d a e /a" and e#!dene pre"ened !nd!aed prepondera!n

e#!dene a e p)a!n!"H "!naure" !n e deed o/ "a)e are no e!r

"!naure",O "u on)u"!on 7e!n orro7oraed 7y e ad-!""!on o/ 'apa a e

d!d no "ee pe!!oner" "!n e deed o/ "a)e. <e R<& a)"o d!"7e)!e#ed re"ponden"H

onen!on a ! a" "andard pra!e !n rea) e"ae ran"a!on" /or e 7uyer o

r" a> !" "!naure 7e/ore e "e))er no!n a P!Q -u" 7e a 7e/ore a

7uyer ou)d par ! !" -oney, e !)) r" "ee o ! a e "e))er" P"!Q

"!naure" ere a)ready a>ed and !/ po""!7)e, a>ed !n !" pre"ene.K

<e R<& d!d no on"!der re"ponden" a" 7uyer" !n ood /a!, !#en e!r du7!ou"

a""er!on a ! a" yp!a) a e 7uyer "!n" e deed o/ "a)e 7e/ore e "e))er,

a" e)) a" "u !ru-"ane" )!6e e /a!)ure o/ re"ponden" o e#er pay rea) e"ae

ae" on e propery and o a""er po""e""!on or oupany o#er e propery.

Aord!n)y, ! e)d a e ane))a!on o/ re"ponden"H !)e a" proper. In

add!!on, e R<& d!"ouned e )a!- o/ de/endan" a )ae" and e"oppe) ad

"e !n o 7ar e a!on, po!n!n ou a under %e!on 4O o/ 're". Deree No. 129,

no !)e o re!"ered )and !n deroa!on o/ e !)e o/ e re!"ered oner "a)) 7e

a=u!red 7y pre"r!p!on or ad#er"e po""e""!on, and a under Ar!)e 1410 o/ e&!#!) &ode, PQe a!on o/ de/en"e /or e de)ara!on o/ e !ne!"ene o/ a

onra doe" no pre"r!7e.9

Re"ponden" appea)ed o e &our o/ Appea)". $n O %epe-7er 1999, e appe))ae

our rendered a De!"!on re#er"!n e R<& and upo)d!n e #a)!d!y o/ e deed

o/ "a)e.10

<e &our o/ Appea)" on"!dered e p!#oa) !""ue a" eer e "!naure" o/ epe!!oner" on e deed o/ "a)e ere !ndeed /ored, and u)!-ae)y on)uded a

ere a" no "u e#!dene o "uppor e nd!n o/ /orery. I a" o7"er#ed a

e 7urden o/ pro#!n e /orery /e)) upon e pe!!oner", ye ey /a!)ed o pre"en

on#!n!n e#!dene o e"a7)!" e /orery. <e on)y e#!dene pre"ened o

e"a7)!" e /orery a" e ora) e"!-ony o/ Juan de)a Ra-a !-"e)/, !

aord!n o e &our o/ Appea)", a" "e)/C"er#!n. <e R<& a" !ded /or no



app)y!n %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 o/ e Ru)e" o/ E#!dene, ! pro#!ded !n )ear

er-" o andr!!n -u" 7e pro#ed. I a" po!ned ou a e Ru)e re=u!red

a e andr!!n o/ a per"on 7e pro#ed 7y any !ne"" o 7e)!e#e" ! o 7e

e andr!!n o/ "u per"on 7eau"e e a" "een e per"on r!e, or a" "een

r!!n purpor!n o 7e !" upon ! e !ne"" a" aed or 7een ared, and

a" u" a=u!red 6no)ede o/ e andr!!n o/ "u per"on.11

Moreo#er, e &our o/ Appea)" !ed a ne!er one o/ e de)a Ra-a" a"

on/roned ! e!r "!naure" !n e a))ened deed o/ "a)e. Nor d!d ey

po"!!#e)y and une=u!#oa))y de)are a e "!naure" ere no e!r" or a

e"e ere /ored.

II.

?ene, !" pe!!on /or re#!e. 'e!!oner" de#oe on"!dera7)e eor !n !)!!n

/a" and ad-!""!on" e)!!ed /ro- $"ar 'apa !-"e)/ o a" dou7 on e #a)!d!y

o/ e deed o/ "a)e. ;e ! ou)d 7e !-per!nen on our par o !--ed!ae)y de)) on

"u e#!den!ary -aer" !ou r" onend!n ! e )ea) aru-en" !ed 7y

e &our o/ Appea)" !n d!"-!""!n e o-p)a!n. +!)e !" &our !" enera))y no a

r!er o/ /a, ere are reon!ed eep!on" o a ru)e, "u a" en e nd!n"

o/ /a are on5!!n, or en e &our o/ Appea)" -an!/e")y o#er)oo6ed era!n

re)e#an /a" no d!"pued 7y e par!e" and !, !/ proper)y on"!dered, ou)d

8u"!/y a d!eren on)u"!on.12

<e pe!!on !ne" on a /aua) =ue"!oneer e "!naure" o/ e pe!!oner"

a" appear!n on e deed o/ "a)e ere /ored. <e &our o/ Appea)" orre)y

o7"er#ed a pe!!oner" ad e onu" pro7and! o e"a7)!" "u /orery. In

on)ud!n a pe!!oner" /a!)ed o d!"are "u 7urden, e appe))ae our

!ed e ru)e upo)d!n e pre"u-p!on o/ reu)ar!y o/ a noar!ed dou-en.

App)y!n a ru)e, ! !" nee""ary a e /orery -u" 7e e"a7)!"ed no -ere)y

7y preponderane o/ e#!dene, 7u 7y )ear, po"!!#e and on#!n!n e#!dene, and

e &our o/ Appea)" appear" o a#e app)!ed a -ore ea!n "andard.

?oe#er, pe!!oner" po!n ou a re"ponden 'apa ad ad-!ed 7e/ore e &our

a e d!d no "!n e deed o/ "a)e !n /ron o/ e Noary 'u7)!. a"ed on e

ran"r!p o/ 'apaH" e"!-ony 7e/ore e R<&,13 ! !" )ear a )ea" a e !ne""



ou)d no ae" o e /a a e ad "!ned e dou-en !n /ron o/ e Noary

'u7)!.

Ay. L!are"

Do you rea)) Mr. +!ne"" !/ you "!nPedQ !" dou-en !n /ron o/ a Noary 'u7)!

P'apaQ

NoP,Q "!r.

Ay. L!are"

Do you 6no !" Mr. +!))!a- Gu-an

+!ne""

;e"

Ay. L!are"

?o do you 6no !- Mr. +!ne""

+!ne""

Ay. Gu-an !" one o/ e Noary 'u7)! o/ &%E.



Ay. L!are"

?e !" one o/ e Noary 'u7)! o/ &%E

+!ne""

;e"P,Q "!r.

Ay. L!are"

%o you do no rea)) !/ you "!ned !" !n /ron o/ Ay. Gu-PaQn

+!ne""

I do no rea)).

<e deed a" purpored)y noar!ed 7y Ay. +!))!a- Gu-an, o a" per"ona))y

6non o 'apa a" e a" one o/ e noar!e" pu7)! o/ &%E.14 ?ad Ay. Gu-an

e"!ed a 'apa ad "!ned e deed o/ "a)e !n !" pre"ene, 'apaH" -e-ory

)ap"e ou)d a#e ad )e"" re)e#ane. ;e Ay. Gu-an a" ne#er a))ed on a" a

!ne"" /or e de/en"e, nor a" any oer "ep a6en 7y e re"ponden" o

oer!"e e"a7)!" a 'apa ad "!ned e deed o/ "a)e !n /ron o/ e noary

pu7)!.

A.

'apaH" ad-!""!on", re/re"!n !n e!r "e)/C!nr!-!naory andor, 7ear )ea)

"!n!ane. +! re"pe o deed" o/ "a)e or on#eyane, a "pe))" e d!erene

7eeen a pu7)! dou-en and a pr!#ae dou-en !" e a6no)ed-en !n e

/or-er a e par!e" a6no)ed!n e dou-en appear 7e/ore e noary



pu7)! and "pe!a))y -an!/e" under oa a ey are e per"on" o eeued

!, and a6no)ede a e "a-e are e!r /ree a and deed. <e &our, rou

&!e/ Ju"!e Da#!de, ad pre#!ou")y ep)a!ned

A 8ura ! !" nor-a))y !n !" /or-

%u7"r!7ed and "orn o 7e/ore -e !n SSSSSSSSSSSS, !" SSSS day o/ SSSSSSSSSS,

a>an a#!n e!7!ed o -e !" &o--un!y 7e/ore, Re"!deneB <a &er!ae No.

SSSSSSSSSS !""ued a SSSSSSSSSS on SSSSSSSSSSS.

!" a par o/ an a>da#! !n ! e o>er er!e" a e !n"ru-en a"

"orn o 7e/ore !-. I !" no a par o/ a p)ead!n 7u -ere)y e#!dene" e /a ae a>da#! a" proper)y -ade ;oun #". +ooden, 2@ %+ 24, 204 Ty. @94B. <e

8ura !n e pe!!on !n e a"e a)"o 7e!n" ! e ord" "u7"r!7ed and "orn o

-e.

<o "u7"r!7e )!era))y -ean" o r!e undernea, a" one" na-e o "!n a e end

o/ a dou-en. <o "ear -ean" o pu on oa o de)are on oa e ru o/ a

p)ead!n, e. Aord!n)y, !n a 8ura, e a>an -u" "!n e dou-en !n e

pre"ene o/ and a6e !" oa 7e/ore a noary pu7)! or any oer per"on auor!ed

o ad-!n!"er oa".

A" o a6no)ed-en, %e!on 1 o/ 'u7)! A No. 2103 pro#!de"

aB <e a6no)ed-en "a)) 7e -ade 7e/ore a noary pu7)! or an o>er du)y

auor!ed 7y )a o/ e ounry o a6e a6no)ed-en" o/ !n"ru-en" or

dou-en" !n e p)ae ere e a !" done. <e noary pu7)! or e o>er a6!n

e a6no)ed-en "a)) er!/y a e per"on a6no)ed!n e !n"ru-en or

dou-en !" 6non o !- and a e !" e "a-e per"on o eeued !, anda6no)eded a e "a-e !" !" /ree a and deed. <e er!ae "a)) 7e -ade

under !" o>!a) "ea), !/ e !" 7y )a re=u!red o 6eep a "ea), and !/ no, !"

er!ae "a)) "o "ae.



I !" o7#!ou" a e pary a6no)ed!n -u" )!6e!"e appear 7e/ore e noary

pu7)! or any oer per"on auor!ed o a6e a6no)ed-en" o/ !n"ru-en" or

dou-en".E-pa"!" "upp)!edB1

<e pre"u-p!on" a aa o noar!ed dou-en" an 7e a>r-ed on)y "o )on

a" ! !" 7eyond d!"pue a e noar!a!on a" reu)ar. +e anno a"r!7e a

on)u"!on a 7ar o e deed o/ "a)e. Re"ponden /a!)ed o onr- 7e/ore e R<&

a e ad aua))y appeared 7e/ore e noary pu7)!, a 7are -!n!-u-

re=u!re-en under 'u7)! A No. 2103. %u de/e !)) no !p"o /ao #o!d e deed

o/ "a)e. ?oe#er, ! e)!-!nae" e pre"u-p!on" a are arr!ed 7y noar!ed pu7)!

dou-en" and "u78e e deed o/ "a)e o a d!eren )e#e) o/ "ru!ny an a

re)!ed on 7y e &our o/ Appea)". <!" on"e=uene !" ! preeden. In <!no #.

%p". A=u!no,1@ ere e pu7)! dou-en !n =ue"!on ad 7een noar!ed 7y a

8ude o ad no auor!y o do "o, e &our d!"pen"ed ! e )ear and

on#!n!n e#!den!ary "andard nor-a))y aaed o du)y noar!ed dou-en",and !n"ead app)!ed preponderane o/ e#!dene a" e -ea"ure o e" e #a)!d!y

o/ a dou-en.

I appear" a re"ponden" ad pre#!ou")y )a!d "re"" on e )a!- a ! !" a

o--on pra!e !n rea) e"ae ran"a!on" a deed" o/ on#eyane are "!ned

on "eparae oa"!on" 7y e #endor and e #endee, and no nee""ar!)y !n e

pre"ene o/ e noary pu7)! o noar!e" e dou-en 7u ey addued

no!n o "uppor e!r )a!- 7u e!r -ere "ayC"o. A""u-!n aruendo a !"

!ndeed e o--on pra!e !n e 7u"!ne"", e =u!e /ran6)y do no are. <e )earre=u!re-en" o/ )a /or a proper a6no)ed-en -ay no 7e d!"pen"ed !

"!-p)y 7eau"e enera!on" o/ ran"a!on" a#e 7)!e)y !nored "u

re=u!re-en". I/ ! !" py"!a))y !-po""!7)e /or e #endor and e #endee o -ee

and "!n e deed !n e pre"ene o/ one noary pu7)!, ere !" no !-ped!-en o

a#!n o or -ore d!eren noar!e" ra!/y!n e dou-en /or ea pary a

re"pe!#e)y appear" 7e/ore e-. <!" !" e pruden pra!e adoped 7y

pro/e""!ona) )a enerpr!"e", and ! !" a orre -ea"ure !n on"onane ! e )a.

.

<ere !" anoer !-p)!a!on under our ru)e" o/ e#!dene. Under %e!on 19, Ru)e 132

o/ e Ru)e" o/ &our, dou-en" a6no)eded 7e/ore a noary pu7)! eep /or

)a" !))" and e"a-en" are dee-ed a" pu7)! dou-en", and a" "u, under

%e!on 23 o/ e "a-e Ru)e, ey are e#!dene o/ e /a ! a#e r!"e o !"



eeu!on and a" o !" dae.1O Eep!n e oer pu7)! dou-en" enu-eraed

!n %e!on 19, a)) oer r!!n" are pr!#ae, and 7e/ore "u pr!#ae dou-en !"

oered a" auen!, !" due eeu!on and auen!!y -u" 7e pro#ed e!er aB

7y anyone o "a e dou-en eeued or r!en or 7B 7y e#!dene o/ e

enu!nene"" o/ e "!naure or andr!!n o/ e -a6er.1K Aord!n)y, !n order

a e a))ened deed o/ "a)e -ay 7e aeped 7y e &our a" enu!ne, e -u"7e "a!"ed 7y e e#!dene on reord e"a7)!"!n a !" enu!nene"" a" pro#ed

7y anyone o "a e dou-en eeued or r!en, or 7y e#!dene o/ e

enu!nene"" or andr!!n o/ e -a6er.

<!" "!/ !n per"pe!#e" re)!e#e" pe!!oner" o/ an eraord!nary 7urden o pro#e

! )ear and on#!n!n e#!dene a e deed o/ "a)e a" /ored, a" e)) a" any

pre"u-p!on a e "a!d dou-en !" enu!ne a" o !" due eeu!on. <e

=ue"!on no !" u" eer ey ere a7)e o e"a7)!" e /a o/ /orery rou

a preponderane o/ e#!dene.

III.

I !" no upon !" &our o a"era!n eer e enu!nene"" and due eeu!on o/

e deed o/ "a)e a#e 7een du)y pro#en, ere 7e!n no pre"u-p!on a ! a". In

do!n "o, e on!nue o reon!e a ! re-a!n" !nu-7en on e pe!!oner" o

pro#e e!r a))ea!on a e deed o/ "a)e a" /ored e#en ou a dou-en

no )oner en8oy" any "!n!an)y e!ed pre"u-p!on a" o !" #a)!d!y "!ne !anno 7e on"!dered a" a pu7)! dou-en. <e proper)y app)!a7)e "andard o/

preponderane o/ e#!dene nee""!ae" a e our ounere! e re"pe!#e

e#!dene "u7-!ed 7y e )!!an" o e" eer e p)a!n!H" )a!-" are

a!ona7)e. Aord!n)y, !n !" a"e !/ e e#!dene pre"ened 7y e pe!!oner"

a e deed o/ "a)e !" a /orery !" reaer or -ore on#!n!n an a pre"ened

7y e re"ponden", en /a#ora7)e re)!e/ -ay 7e raned o pe!!oner".

<e e#!deneC!nC!e/ pre"ened 7y pe!!oner" o pro#e a e deed o/ "a)e a"

/raudu)en on"!"" o/ e e"!-ony o/ o !ne""e" /or e p)a!n! pe!!oner Juan de)a Ra-a, and re"ponden $"ar 'apa, o a))ed a" a o"!)e !ne"" /or e

p)a!n!.

A.



<e begin with Juan dela Rama=s testimony! Petitioners assert that Juan

dela Rama e+pressly denied in open court his signature on the deed of

sale, and "u den!a) !" -ade p)a!n !n e ran"r!p o/ !" e"!-ony o/ 2 Ju)y

199.

Ay. L!are"

Mr. +!ne"" I a- "o!n o you e dou-en -ar6PedQ a" p)a!n!PV"Q e!7!

! !" e Deed o/ PAQ7"o)ue %a)e ! !" a)"o e Anne & o/ o-p)a!n

purpored)y eeued on Mar 29, 19K 7y Juan Euen!o de)a Ra-a and Euen!a

de)a Ra-a !n /a#or o/ Mr. $"ar 'apa, d!d you eeuPeQ e dou-en

Pde)a Ra-aQ

I d!d no.

&our

+a e!7! !" a.

Ay. L!are"

E!7! 1 your ?onor !" de/endan -ar6!n e "a-e dou-en a !" -ar6 a"

e!7! M and MC1 /or e p)a!n! !" a o--on e!7!. <!" !" a 2 paPeQ

dou-en. D!d you eeue e dou-en

+!ne""



No PIQ d!d no.

Ay. (orun

May I 6no e dae

Ay. L!are"

Mar 29, 19K. D!d you eeue any dou-en a"oe#er MPrQ. +!ne"" d!"po"!n

or ran"/err!n any !nere" or r! o#er e propery ! a" ear)!er e#!denePdQ

7y your <&< No. <C911@@

+!ne""

No "u dou-en a" e#er eeued 7y -e or -y !/e.

P$n ro"" ea-!na!onQ

Ay. (orun

;ou de)are a en you PereQ "on a onra, ! Appear" a 7eeen you

and Mr. 'apa you "aed a a" no your "!naure

+!ne""



;e" MaHa-.19

P$n red!reQ

Ay. L!are" %o you ne#er eeued any Deed o/ A7"o)ue %a)e on any dou-en

ran"/err!n your r! or !nere" o/ e propery o#ered 7y <&< No. <C911@@.

+!ne""

No "!r.20

<e &our o/ Appea)" noed a !" e"!-ony was not corroborated, thus,

>self?ser%ing,> and further castigated the trial court for failing to apply

"ection .. of Rule )4., which establishes how the genuineness of

handwriting must be pro%ed! 0he pro%ision reads@

"EC! ..! Aow genuineness of handwriting pro%ed!B0he handwriting of a

person may be pro%ed by any witness who belie%es it to be the

handwriting of such person because he has seen the person write, or has

seen writing purporting to be his upon which the witness has acted or

been charged, and has thus acquired 5nowledge of the handwriting of

such person! E%idence respecting the handwriting may also be gi%en by a

comparison, made by the witness or the court, with writings admitted or

treated as genuine by the party against whom the e%idence is oered, or

pro%ed to be genuine to the satisfaction of the udge!

'e!!oner" arue a our ru)!n !n E-a" #. De Wuuarreu! and Au!)ar21 !" !n po!n.

E-a" !n#o)#ed a p)a!n! o "ou annu)-en o/ !)e on e round a !"

"!naure on e onra o/ -orae on ! e on#eyane o/ e propery a"

7a"ed ad 7een /ored. In ep)a!n!n a e p)a!n!H" e"!-ony on e /orery o/

!" "!naure "u>ed o de7un6 e enu!nene"" o/ e onra, e e)d



<e proo/ addued 7e/ore e r!a) our "o", e !n6, 7eyond any dou7, a

e deed, or!!na) o/ E!7! A, ! purpor" o "o a on#eyane o/ e propery

!n ! purpor" o "o a on#eyane o/ e propery !n =ue"!on /ro- e

p)a!n!, Lu!o E-a", o e de/endan De Wuuarreu!, !" a /orery, and a e

/raud a" on"u--aed "u7"an!a))y !n e -anner a7o#e de"r!7ed. <e p)a!n!

!n !" a!on e rea) Lu!o E-a"B e"!ed une=u!#oa))y a e ad ne#er a6enany par !n e rea!on o/ e deed !n =ue"!on, and !" e"!-ony, !n our op!n!on,

)ea#e" no roo- o dou7 a e a" "pea6!n e ru. A" e#!dene o/ e r!-e o/

/orery, e p)a!n!" aorney "u7-!ed !n e r!a) our er!ed op!e" o/ e

8ud-en" enered !n e &our o/ (!r" In"ane o/ Man!)a and a/erard" !n e

%upre-e &our !n e r!-!na) a"e on#!!n $rea o/ e r!-e o/ e"a/a 7y

/a)"!a!on o/ a pu7)! dou-en. <e"e er!ed op!e" ere ad-!ed 7y e r!a)

our a" o-peen proo/ and e aorney /or e de/endan" o78eed on e

round a "a!d 8ud-en" are !nad-!""!7)e !n !" !#!) a!on, 7e!n re" !ner a)!o"

aa. A" an a7"ra po!n o/ )a e a""!n-en o/ error 7a"ed on !" eep!on !"

perap" e)) a6en 7u e are o/ e op!n!on a, apar /ro- "a!d er!ed

8ud-en", e reord ona!n" a-p)e e#!dene o "uppor e nd!n o/ e r!a)

our a e or!!na) o/ e E!7! A !" a /ored dou-en, and a e pre"en

p)a!n!, Lu!o E-a", a" no a pary ereo.22

Doe" %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 ao--odae e e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e

"!naure !" d!"pued a" a -ean" o e"a7)!" e enu!nene"" o/ andr!!n +e

7e)!e#e a ! doe", and E-a" re-a!n" a ood )a no!"and!n e "u7"e=uen

ena-en o/ e Ru)e" o/ &our. A/er a)), e oner o/ "u d!"pued "!naure -ay

/a)) !!n e aeory o/ any !ne"" o 7e)!e#e" ! o 7e e andr!!n o/ "u

per"on 7eau"e e a" "een e per"on r!eX and a" u" a=u!red 6no)ede o/

e andr!!n o/ "u per"on. In A)o #. Roa-ora,23 p)a!n! A)o pre"ened !n

e#!dene a deed o/ "a)e e"a7)!"!n a e, and no e de/endan, a" e pr!or

pura"er o/ e )and !n =ue"!on. A)o !-"e)/ e"!ed a" o e auen!!y o/ e

deed o/ "a)e. In d!"u""!n eer e enu!nene"" o/ "u dou-en a" pro#ed,

e !ed e en %e!on 324 o/ e &ode o/ &!#!) 'roedure, ! pro#!de" any

r!!n -ay 7e pro#ed, e!er 7y anyone o "a e r!!n eeued or 7y

e#!dene o/ e enu!nene"" o/ e andr!!n o/ e -a6er or 7y a "u7"r!7!n

!ne"". <e &our en pronouned

A" o e auen!!y o/ E!7! A, !nrodued 7y e p)a!n!, ! -ay 7e "a!d a !

a" /u))y e"a7)!"ed 7y e e"!-ony o/ e p)a!n! !-"e)/ and 7y a o/ e

!ne"", !ene A)=u!o)a, o "!ned e "a-e oeer ! e o7ernador!))o

and o e"!ed under oa a e a" pre"en en e dou-en a" eeued

and "!ned 7y o"e o"e na-e" are "u7"r!7ed ereo.



<e)e"/oro A)o and !ene A)=u!o)a !ne""ed e eeu!on o/ e "a!d !n"ru-en,

e )aer a#!n 7een one o/ e ao-pany!n !ne""e" o/ e )oa) auor!y

7e/ore o- ! a" eeued. &on"e=uen)y ere !" no dou7 a" o e auen!!y

o/ e "a!d dou-en, nor a" o e ru o/ e onen" ereo/, nor !" ereany!n !n e reord, or any )ea) rea"on, a ou)d 8u"!/y !" our !n o)d!n

a e "a!d dou-en a" /a)"e.24

%e!on 324 o/ e &ode o/ &!#!) 'roedure !" "u7"an!a))y "!-!)ar o %e!on 22 o/

Ru)e 132, "o our app)!a!on o/ e /or-er ru)e !n A)o re-a!n" appropr!ae oday. A

e #ery )ea", %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 doe" no e)ude "u e"!-ony /ro-

on"!dera!on. /t is in fact well?established in the law of e%idence that the

testimony of the %ery person whose signature is disputed is more than

competent proof on the genuineness of such signature! 'ccording to<igmore on E%idence, there e%en was once thought >that for pro%ing the

genuineness of a document the alleged writer was a preferred witness,>

though it is now belie%ed that no such rule of preference e+ists!.; 't the

same time, there really is no rule that automatically discounts the

testimony of the alleged writer as to the genuineness or spuriousness of

his own signature! /n enumerating the methods of authentication of a

handwriting, Professor Aerrera actually designates as the 3rst method,

the testimony of the purported writer

I. 'roo/ o/ e Genu!nene"" o/ a andr!!n

A. Meod" o/ Auen!a!on

1. <e <e"!-ony o/ e purpored r!er

Eep o e een a era!n /or-a)!!e" o/ proo/ are re=u!red 7y e ru)e"re)a!n o ae"!n !ne""e" or ru)e" re=u!r!n /or-a) er!a!on, and e )!6e,

#ar!ou" -ean" are a#a!)a7)e /or pro#!n e auen!!y o/ a dou-en a" a

prere=u!"!e o !" ad-!""!on !n e#!dene. Under ord!nary !ru-"ane", ! ou)d

"ee- a e e"!-ony o/ e purpored r!er ou)d 7e e -o" "a!"/aory

auen!a!on, ere ! !" a#a!)a7)e.



+!)e !" !" enera))y rue, ! !" no nee""ar!)y "o !n a)) a"e". <ere !" no

pre/eren!a) ru)e re=u!r!n e e"!-ony o/ e r!er on e round a ! !" e

7e" e#!dene e /a a e 7e" a#a!)a7)e e#!dene !" no u"ed 7e!n "!n!an

on)y !n "o /ar a" ! ae" e e!. <u" e#!dene o/ andr!!n -ay 7e

ad-!""!7)e e#en ou e per"on o"e r!!n ! !" )a!-ed o 7e !n a#a!)a7)e a"

a !ne"".

+en e e"!-ony o/ e r!er !" no a#a!)a7)e ! -ay 7e "a!d a e ne 7e"

e#!dene !n =ua)!y ou)d 7e !n e e"!-ony o/ a !ne"" o ad "een e r!er

"!n !" na-e or aua))y -a6e e r!!n &!a!on" o-!edB2@

+e a6no)ede e enera) pre-!"e a e e"!-ony o/ e #ery per"on o"e

"!naure !" pu !n =ue"!on a" pro7a!#e #a)ue, eer "u e"!-ony !" oered

o a>r- or d!"pue e enu!nene"" o/ !" "!naure. <a e"!-ony "a!"e" e

re=u!re-en" under %e!on 22 o/ Ru)e 132 on o andr!!n -u" 7e pro#ed. A

e "a-e !-e, e e#!den!ary e! o/ "u e"!-ony o))y depend" on e

"ren o/ e par!u)ar !ne""H" e"!-ony #!eed !n on8un!on ! e oa)!y

o/ e e#!dene a and.

I -ay 7e po""!7)e, a" e &our o/ Appea)" d!d !n !" a"e, o d!"oun e

e"!-ony o/ a p)a!n! d!"a#o!n e auen!!y o/ !" purpored "!naure a"

"e)/C"er#!n, 7u "u po"ure an on)y 7e arraned !/ e "e)/C"er#!n a""er!on

!" neaed 7y oer e#!dene or )ea) pre"u-p!on". I/ e a))ened deed o/ "a)e

ere on"!dered 7y u" a" a pu7)! dou-en, en de)a Ra-aH" -ere e"!-on!a)

d!"a#oa) o/ !" "!naure ou)d 7e !n"u>!en o re7u e pre"u-p!#e due

eeu!on o/ a r!!n. ?oe#er, "!ne e anno on"!der e deed o/ "a)e a" a

pu7)! dou-en o!n o !" !-proper a6no)ed-en, De)a Ra-aH" den!a) a

e "!naure a" !" a!n" reaer e! /or e#!den!ary purpo"e".

.

&ounerC!nu!!#e)y perap", e pe!!oner" a" p)a!n!" a))ed on $"ar 'apa o

e"!/y !n e!r 7ea)/ a" a o"!)e !ne"". <!" e d!d on 2 Ju)y 199. I a" an



!-pre""!#e a-7! on e par o/ oun"e) /or e pe!!oner" a produed

"peau)ar re"u)".

'apa e"!ed /or e pe!!oner" a e d!d no "!n e dou-en !n e pre"ene

o/ e de)a Ra-a".

Ay. L!are"

u you do no "!B -ee e per"on. +o "!ned a" Juan

Euen!o de)a Ra-a

P'apaQ

No I d!d no "ee !- "!n.

Ay. L!are"

%o you d!d no "ee !- "!n!n

+!ne""

;e".

Ay. L!are"

u you "a!d you "!nPedQ !" dou-en



+!ne""

;e".

Ay. L!are"

+en you "!nPedQ !" dou-en d!d Mr. de)a Ra-a ere P"!Q e per"on o

purpored)y "!ned !n !" 7ea)/

Ay. (orun

;our ?onor e ad repeaed)y an"ered a e "!ned ! !ou "ee!n !-.2O

A onrary ad-!""!on on $"ar 'apaH" par ou)d a#e a))oed e &our au"e o

7e)!e#e a e pe!!oner" ad on"ened o e "a)e.

A" a !ne"" /or e pe!!oner", $"ar 'apa ad-!ed a e ad no ne#er -e

Juan de)a Ra-a 7e/ore and dur!n e "a)e, and un!) 199 or en year" a/er e

"a)e.

Ay. L!are"

?a#e you e#er -e Juan Euen!o de)a Ra-a

P'apaQ

No "!r.



Ay. L!are"

?e !" no e one Juan Euen!o de)a Ra-a o e"!ed a !)e ao

Ay. (orun

A)ready an"ered your ?onor !ne"" anno rea)).

&our

%u"a!nPedQ.

Ay. L!are"

A e !-e you a=u!rePdQ e propery "uppo"ed)y /ro- Mr. de)a Ra-a you ere

e ?ead Po/ eQ Mar6e!n Depar-en

+!ne""

;e" "!r.

Ay. L!are"

+o !nroduePdQ you o Mr. Juan Euen!o de)a Ra-a

Ay. (orun



M!")ead!n your ?onor.

&our

%u"a!nPedQ.

Ay. L!are"

%o you -ean you ne#er -e e per"on o eeuePdQ !" dou-en

+!ne""

;e" "!r.2K

A" a !ne"" /or e pe!!oner", 'apa ou)d no rea)) o ea)y ad oered e

"u78e propery o !-.

Ay. L!are"

+o oerPedQ you !" propery ! !" e "u78e -aer o/ !" a"e

P'apaQ

I ou)d no "pe!a))y rea)) o !n par!u)ar oerPedQ e propery, ! ou)d a#e

7een one o/ -y "a, or 7ro6er" a e !-e 7eau"e a"!de /ro- -y 8o7 I a-

and)!n "e#era) on"ru!on no on)y !" "u7d!#!"!on, no on)y &ere" I, ere !"

&ere" II and &ere" III and a)) e !ndu"r!a) )o".29



Ay. L!are"

;ou donH rea)) o oerPedQ !" propery

+!ne""

A !" -o-en "pe!a))y I anno rea)).30

A" a !ne"" /or e pe!!oner", 'apa ad-!ed e ou)d no rea)) eer or no

any o/ e de)a Ra-a" ad a)ready "!ned e deed o/ "a)e en e "!ned e

"a-e

Ay. L!are"

+en you "!ned e dou-en a" ! a)ready "!ned 7y e "uppo"ePdQ #endor

P'apaQ

I ou)d no rea))y rea)) r! no 7u e /a !" a e !-e

/or e 7uyer o "!n ! r" and en !#e ! PoQ e "e))er

"e))er and en e "e))er "!ned ! a/erard".31



Ay. L!are"

And you a)"o donH rea)) eer e "!naure Juan Euen!o de)a Ra-a a"

a)ready !n !" dou-en en you "!n !" dou-en

+!ne""

I do no "pe!a))y rea)) no a" I a#e "a!d ear)!er e pra!e a" /or e 7uyer

o "!n r" and en e "e))er "!ned a/erard".32

A" a !ne"" /or e pe!!oner", 'apa ad-!ed e ou)d no re-e-7er ere and

o e "!ned e deed o/ "a)e.

Ay. L!are"

No "o o pre"ened !" dou-en o you /or your "!naure

P'apaQ

My e!er "!B -y "a or aen o o)d -e a "u propery !" /or "a)e.

Ay. L!are"

+en e "a or aen o)d you a e propery !" /or "a)e a dou-en d!d you

a"6 /ro- aen or "a



+!ne""

Deed o/ A7"o)ue "a)e and I pre"u-e a e !-e oe#er a" "e))!n ! !n/or- -e

a e !)e !" a#a!)a7)e.

Ay. L!are"

No en you "!nPedQ !" dou-en ere d!d you P"!nQ !

+!ne""

I ou)d a#e "!ned ! !n e o>e or !n our ou"e.

Ay. L!are"

;ou donH rea)) ere

+!ne""

;e" I anno rea)).

Ay. L!are"

+en you "!ned ! ere you a)one

+!ne""



I ou)d no e#en rea)) ere I "!ned !.

Ay. L!are"

$r perap" ! your !/e

Ay. (orun

A)ready an"ered your ?onor e doe" no 6no.33

?ad oun"e) /or pe!!oner" 7een onen ! re)y!n "!n)y on de)a Ra-aH"

e"!-ony, ere ou)d a#e 7een a ood ane a e o-p)a!n ou)d no a#e

"ur#!#ed. ?!" -o#e o a)) !n 'apa a" a o"!)e !ne"" a))oed e a7o#eC!ed

e"!-ony o /or- par o/ e e#!dene /or e p)a!n!". <e r!a) our orre)y

appre!aed 'apaH" e"!-ony on 2 Ju)y 199 a" d!"!nu!"ed /ro- !" "u7"e=uen

e"!-ony a" a !ne"" /or e de/en"eB a" par o/ e e#!dene /or e

pe!!oner".34

In add!!on, anoer orro7ora!#e p!ee o/ e#!dene o/ e pe!!oner", a" /ound 7y

e r!a) our, )ay !n e /a a e de)a Ra-a" ad pa!d rea) e"ae ae" on e

propery un!) a7ou 1993,3 or e! KB year" a/er e purpored "a)e. Any

rea"ona7)e per"on o ad "o)d !" propery ou)d no undera6e e unnee""ary

7urden o/ on!nu!n o pay rea) propery ae" on e "a-e.

<a p!ee !n e#!dene "ou)d 7e a6en !no aoun oeer ! pe!!oner"H

pre"ena!on o/ 'apaH" )earCu and unre7ued e"!-ony o/ a" e)) a" e e#a"!#e

and a-7!#a)en e"!-ony o/ 'apa. <e oa)!y o/ e e#!dene /or e pe!!oner"

e"a7)!"ed a pr!-a /a!e a"e a e deed o/ "a)e a" no enu!ne. E#en a" e

7urden o/ proo/ -ay a#e !n!!a))y )a!n ! pe!!oner" !n e"a7)!"!n e /orery o/

a !" a pr!#ae dou-en, e!r e#!dene a" "u>!en o "!/ e 7urden o/

e#!dene o re"ponden" o e"a7)!" e auen!!y and due eeu!on o/ "a!d

pr!#ae dou-en, e"pe!a))y a" ! !" ey o re)y on e "a-e !n e!r de/en"e.



III.

<ere are a -yr!ad o/ ay" re"ponden" ou)d a#e "ayed e a"e en !n e!r

7ea)/ a/er e 7urden o/ e#!dene ad "!/ed o e-. Mo" per!nen)y, ey

ou)d a#e pre"ened e o per"on" o- $"ar 'apa ad !den!ed a" !ne""e"

o e deed o/ "a)e, Mr". Ga)eo" and Mr". Reye", a" e)) a" Ay. Gu-an, o o-

e deed a" re/erred o /or noar!a!on. A)) ree per"on" ere per"ona))y 6non

o 'apa. Ga)eo" and Reye" ere, aord!n o 'apa, "a o/ LED&Xo na)!ePdQ

e dou-en,3@ !)e Ay. Gu-an a" one o/ e noar!e" pu7)! o/ &%E.3O ;e

none o/ e- e"!ed !n re"ponden"H 7ea)/.

Re"ponden" ad !n!!a))y -an!/e"ed o e r!a) our a ey ere o pre"en

Ga)e" and Reye" a" !ne""e" !n e!r 7ea)/,3K ye on)y 'apa u)!-ae)y e"!ed /or

e de/en"e. A""u-!n a e deed o/ "a)e a" prepared, "!ned and noar!ed

aord!n o 'apaH" #er"!on o/ e#en", any o/ e"e ree !ne""e" ou)d a#e

ea"!)y 7o)"ered e e#!dene !n /a#or o/ e enu!nene"" o/ e deed "!ne 'apa

!-"e)/ ae"ed o e!r per"ona) 6no)ede o/ e"e e#en". <a ey ere no

pre"ened 7y 'apa !n !" 7ea)/ "pea6" poor)y o/ e #era!y o/ !" a)e.1apY

1.Z

+en 'apa d!d e"!/y !n 7ea)/ o/ e de/en"e on 2@ Mar 199@, !" oun"e)

adoped !n /u)) !" ear)!er 2 Ju)y 199 e"!-ony a" a o"!)e !ne"".39 <a ear)!er

e"!-ony un/orunae)y a" =u!e !nr!-!naory. <o -a6e -aer" or"e, !" one"!-ony !n !" de/en"e po6ed e#en -ore o)e" o !" #er"!on o/ e#en". $n ro""C

ea-!na!on, e -ade ! )ear a e ad no par!u)ar !nere" !n -ee!n e

pe!!oner" /or e purpo"e" o/ neo!a!n or on"u--a!n e "a)e.

Ay. L!are"

In your pre#!ou" e"!-ony Mr. +!ne"" you e"!ed a you ne#er -e Mr. De)a

Ra-a do you onr- a

P'apaQ



;e" "!r.

Ay. L!are"

And you ne#er ad a ane o "pea6 ! !-

+!ne""

;e" "!r.

Ay. L!are"

And ne!er !" !/e

+!ne""

;e" "!r.

Ay. L!are"

D!d you e#er aP#eQ a ane o a"6 e 7ro6er or e per"on /a!)!a!n !"

oe#er e a" a you an o -ee Mr. de)a Ra-a

Ay. (orun

$78e!on your ?onor. M!")ead!n.



Ay. L!are"

No IH- 8u" a"6!n eer e ad a ane o a"6.

&our

Re/or- your =ue"!on.

Ay. L!are"

D!d you e#er -a6e a re=ue" !n onne!on ! !" <ran"a!on o -ee ! Mr.

de)a Ra-a

+!ne""

I anno an"er 7eau"e I anno rea)).40

Mo" !nred!7)y, 'apa re#ea)ed e ou)d no e#en re-e-7er o o- e endered

e pura"e pr!e o/ '9@,000.00.

Ay. L!are"

Mr. +!ne"", you or do you rea)) o o- d!d you -ade pa!d "!B o/ e '9@,000.00

a you "a!d you pa!d o oe#er o eeed or /a!)!aePdQ e "a)e

P'apaQ



Un/orunae)y I anno rea)) a !" !-e 7eau"e ! a" on 19K and !" !" no e

on)y ran"a!on I a- and)!n a a !-e 7e!n !n "a)e" I a- a)"o and)!n e

"a-e o/ o-panyH" o--er!a) )o", a)"o and)!n e !ndu"r!a) )o" e o)/ "are",

IH#e 7een -ee!n a )o o/ peop)e, I ou)d no rea))y rea)) o !" par!u)ar

ran"a!on appen.

Ay. L!are"

%o you do no re-e-7er o o- you pay e -oney

+!ne""

;e" "!r.

Ay. L!are"

Do you re-e-7er !/ ere !" on)y one or o or ree per"onP"Q o arranePdQ !

you /or e "a)e o/ e propery

+!ne""

I anno rea)) 7u a" I a- ry!n o rea)) e nu-erou" ran"a!on and)ed a a

!-e, nor-a))y ! !" 6!nd o/ ran"a!on ! !)) !n#o)#PeQ "o-e per"on, or "o-e

7ro6er or e#en "o-e aen.

Ay. L!are"

u /or !" par!u)ar ran"a!on you an e)) ea)y o -any



+!ne""

No "!r.41

In e one o/ ry!n o e"a7)!" e auen!!y and due eeu!on o/ e deed

o/ "a)e, 'apaH" e"!-ony pro#e" oe/u))y !n"u>!en. I -u" 7e re-e-7ered a

e ran"a!on a" per"ona) o 'apa, and e a" no ondu!n !n 7ea)/ o/ !"

e-p)oyer". I a" !" on -oney, and no e o-panyH", a e a" ender!n.

<u", ! !" !)y !nredu)ou" a 'apa ou)d no rea)) e#en e -o" 7a"! dea!)"

o#er !" on per"ona) ran"a!on, !n /a e on)y one e ad dur!n !" "!n a e

LED&, a !n#o)#ed a en pr!ne)y "u- o/ '9@,000.00 o/ !" on -oney.

'apa d!d e"!/y !n our a e ad "!ned e deed o/ "a)e,42 and a a""er!on

7y !"e)/ a" a7ou a" -u e! a" de)a Ra-aH" )a!- a e d!d no. A e

"a-e !-e, a "ae-en e#en !/ rue doe" no on)u"!#e)y pro#e e #a)!d!y o/

e "a)e a" ! doe" no e"a7)!" -uua) on"en a" o e pua!#e #endor" and

#endee" o e "a)e. <a po!n !" e"pe!a))y "a)!en "!ne 'apa ad-!ed a e d!d

no "!n e dou-en !n e pre"ene o/ e pe!!oner".

I.

+e are on!an a e &our o/ Appea)" approaed !" ana)y"!" o/ e a"e /ro-

a o))y d!eren, and u)!-ae)y erroneou" per"pe!#e. +e are una7)e o u!)!e !"

appre!a!on o/ e /a". <e &our o/ Appea)" a" una7)e o ad#er o any!n on

reord a" o o e deed o/ "a)e a" "u7"an!aed dur!n r!a) 7y 'apa.

Re"ponden", 7e/ore !" &our, are )!6e!"e una7)e o oer any on#!n!n

aru-en end!n o #er!/y e deed o/ "a)e a !" !ndependen o/ e noC

de7un6ed )ea) pre"u-p!on a e dou-en a" du)y eeued.

<e re#er"a) o/ e &our o/ Appea)" de!"!on !" )ear)y arraned. +e do no

d!"oun e /a a e pe!!oner" ou)d a#e /urer 7o)"ered e!r a"e e!er

7y pre"en!n a andr!!n eper, or A-uerna de)a Ra-a a" a !ne"". %!)), e!r

/a!)ure o do "o !" no /aa) a" e dou-en !n =ue"!on !" a pr!#ae dou-en, one

! arr!e" no pre"u-p!on a" o !" auen!!y and due eeu!on. A)) o)d, e

nd!n" and on)u"!on" o/ e r!a) our are orre and red!7)e, o-pared o



o"e o/ e &our o/ Appea)" ene, re!n"ae-en o/ e )oer ourH" de!"!on !"

!n order.

A e "a-e !-e, e !" o !-par a /e -ore o7"er#a!on".

G!#en a e deed o/ "a)e a" 7een pro#en a" /a)"e, !" ere "!)) any 7a"!" /or

! e re"ponden" an rea!n !)e o e!r propery +e o7"er#e a a e

re"pe!#e )e#e)" o/ e r!a) our and e &our o/ Appea)", re"ponden" ad

arued a ey "ou)d 7e on"!dered a" pura"er" !n ood /a!, e"pe!a))y "!ne

e o-p)a!n ad ad#ered o era!n un"rupu)ou" per"on" !))ea))y repre"en!n

e-"e)#e" o 7e e p)a!n!" and !))!!)y /or!n p)a!n!H" "!naure" "o)d o

ere!n de/endan".43 +e are una7)e o aree. y e #ery #er"!on o/ /a"

"u7-!ed 7y e re"ponden", ere are enou !ru-"ane" o d!"oun ood

/a! on e!r par. 'apa ne#er 7oered o o--un!ae d!re)y ! e

pe!!oner" o a"era!n eer e per"on" )a!-!n o 7e e!r repre"ena!#e"

per"on" 'apa ou)d no e#en !den!/y ere !ndeed auor!ed 7y e pe!!oner".

'apaH" !na7!)!y o re-e-7er o o- e endered pay-en /or e propery

)!6e!"e re#ea)" uer apay on !" par a" o e !ru-"ane" o/ e "a)e.

In A7ad #. Gu!-7a,44 e ru)ed a a pary a" no an !nnoen -oraee !n ood

/a! 7eau"e e ne)eed o e6 !/ e per"on e a" dea)!n ! ad any

auor!y o -orae e propery. <e ru)e" on a"era!n!n -oraee !n ood

/a! are e "a-e a" o"e /or pura"er" !n ood /a!. +!ou d!re)yo--un!a!n ! e pe!!oner", o ou)d a#e 'apa 7een era!n a e

per"on" apparen)y un6non o !- ere !ndeed du)y auor!ed 7y e pe!!oner"

o "e)) e propery.

<e /o))o!n o7"er#a!on o/ e r!a) our !" a)"o per!nen !n !" reard

<e de/endan" "a!d a ! !" e pra!e !n rea) e"ae ran"a!on /or e 7uyer o

r" a>ed !" "!naure and en e "e))er. <!" a""e#era!on" anno 7e aeped

a" ord!nary. I -u" 7e a 7e/ore a 7uyer ou)d par ! !" -oney, e !)) r"

"ee o ! a e "e))er" "!naure" ere a)ready a>ed and !/ po""!7)e, a>ed !n

!" pre"ene. Inr!u!n a)"o !" e /a!)ure o/ e de/endan" o a""er e!r r! o/

oner"!p o#er e )and 7y aua))y ener!n and oupy!n e pre-!"e" and e!r

/a!)ure a any -o-en e rea) e"ae ae" "!ne 19K en ey a))eed)y

pura"ed e propery. 4



(!na))y, e &our o/ Appea)" ad o7"er#ed a upon )o"e o-par!"on o/ e

"!naure" on e =ue"!oned deed o/ "a)e and a ear)!er eeued 7eeen e

pe!!oner" and &%E and !n pe!!oner"H pa""por, e a))ened "!naure"

appeared #ery "!-!)ar ! ea oer. +e a#e ea-!ned e "!naure" !n eo deed" o/ "a)e, and !n /a no!ed d!"!n d!erene", and #ary!n r!!n

"y)e". <e "!naure" o/ e pe!!oner" on e 19K0 deed o/ "a)e are "-oo and

"-a))er an e!r purpored "!naure" on e 19K deed o/ "a)e. Moreo#er, e

"!naure o/ Juan de)a Ra-a !n e deed o/ "a)e appear" e"!an and nonC5u!d. <e

"!naure Euen!a de)a Ra-a on e o deed" 7eray e!r #ery d!"!n!#e an)e"

or ")an".

+?ERE($RE, e pe!!on !" GRAN<ED. <e a""a!)ed De!"!on o/ e &our o/ Appea)"

daed O %epe-7er 1999 and e Re"o)u!on daed 1 Mar 2000 !n &A G.R. & No.3914 are REER%ED and %E< A%IDE. <e De!"!on o/ e Re!ona) <r!a) &our o/

&a)a-7a, ran 92 daed 2@ June 199@ !" REIN%<A<ED. &o"" aa!n" pr!#ae

re"ponden".

%$ $RDERED.

Dela Rama Voscar(1)

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