Facts:

• The case "Alunan v. Veloso" centers on the settlement of Rosendo Hernaez's estate.
• Rafael R. Alunan, the judicial administrator, submitted an account for settlement, approved by the lower court.
• Jose Hernaez, an heir, assigned his share to Eleuteria Ch. Veloso.
• Veloso objected to several items in the account, citing four errors:
  • Imposition of a preferred lien on the Panaogao Hacienda.
  • Inclusion of a potential lien in favor of the administrator.
  • Amount allocated for attorney's fees and administrator compensation.
  • Partition of the estate, particularly the widow's portion.
• The lower court favored the administrator, leading Veloso to appeal to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, led by Chief Justice Avanceña.

Issue:

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Ruling:

1. The Supreme Court ruled that the imposition of the preferred lien of P12,683.83 on the Panaogao Hacienda was not erroneous.
   • The lien was upheld.
2. The Supreme Court agreed to eliminate the holding that the Panaogao Hacienda should answer for the amount of P20,000 as a lien in favor of Rafael Alunan.
   • The additional lien was removed.
3. The Supreme Court found no merit in the objection to the sum of P24,991.42 for attorney's fees and administrator compensation.
   • Fees were deemed appropriate.
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Ratio:

• The lien of P12,683.83 was a legal debt of Jose Hernaez, which was transmitted to Veloso, affecting her inheritance share.
• The heirs had an agreement that each heir's share would be liable for any debt owed to the estate.
• The court agreed to eliminate the potential lien of P20,000 on the Panaogao Hacienda because Rafael Alunan, the administrator, consented to this adjustment.
• The fees for attorney's services and administrator compensation were justified by the case's complexity and the interests involved; many fees...continue reading