Title
Dela Fuente vs. Fortune Life Insurance Co., Inc.
Case
G.R. No. 224863
Decision Date
Dec 2, 2020
Susan, a creditor and beneficiary, sued Fortune Life after it denied her P15M claim, alleging suicide. SC ruled in her favor, awarding P14M, as Fortune failed to prove suicide.
A

Case Digest (G.R. No. 129107)

Facts:

  • Investments and Insurance Policy
    • On February 17, 2011, petitioner Susan Co Dela Fuente invested ₱2,000,000 in the lending business of Reuben Protacio; additional investments of ₱1,000,000 on March 3 and ₱1,000,000 on March 14, 2011.
    • On March 10, 2011, Reuben applied for a ₱15,000,000 life insurance policy with Fortune Life Insurance Co., Inc., naming Susan as revocable beneficiary; Policy No. 61761 was issued on March 25, 2011 upon payment of ₱82,500.
  • Death of Insured and Claim Denial
    • Reuben died on April 15, 2011 of a gunshot wound to the chest; Susan filed a claim for the policy proceeds.
    • Fortune’s investigation relied on a Clinical Abstract by Dr. Pagayatan recounting Randolph Protacio’s statement that Reuben “wanted to die,” and on Dr. Fortun’s interpretation of records; it denied the claim as suicide and refunded Susan ₱80,643, which she refused.
  • Procedural History
    • RTC Decision (Feb. 27, 2015): Found no proof of suicide; awarded Susan ₱15,000,000 plus 12% interest from May 18, 2011, ₱50,000 attorney’s fees, and costs.
    • CA Decision (Feb. 17, 2016): Admitted Randolph’s statement as res gestae and Dr. Fortun’s testimony; held Reuben committed suicide; dismissed the complaint.
    • SC Petition: Susan filed a Rule 45 petition, raising laches, burden of proof, and extent of insurable interest.

Issues:

  • Whether Fortune is barred by laches from questioning the one-day late filing of Susan’s motion for reconsideration.
  • Whether the insurer bears the burden of proving that the insured’s death was due to suicide.
  • Whether Susan is entitled to the full ₱15,000,000 face value of the policy despite her insurable interest being only ₱4,000,000 at inception and a prior ₱2,000,000 refund.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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