Case Digest (G.R. No. 72969-70)
Facts:
In Heirs of Fedelina Sestoso Estella vs. Jesus Marlo O. Estella (G.R. No. 245469, December 9, 2020), petitioners Virgilia E. Poliquit, Amadeo Estella, Thelma E. Alvarado, Nelita E. Sumampong and the late Rebecca E. Guanco (represented by Omar E. Guangco and Milani E. Guangco) are the children of Fedelina Sestoso Estella, daughter of Julian Sestoso and Epifania Fegarido. Respondents Jesus Marlo O. Estella, Ramil O. Estella, Amalia O. Estella and Gloria O. Estella are the children of Lamberto S. Estella, Julian’s grandson. On August 10, 1976, in Boljoon, Cebu, Julian executed an instrument entitled “Donacion Mortis Causa Kon Hatag Nga Pagabalihon Sa Akong Kamatayon,” donating three parcels of land to Lamberto. The deed, written in Cebuano, bore the signatures and thumbmarks of the donor, the acceptance clause of the donee, the attestation clause and signatures of three witnesses, and was notarized by Municipal Judge Vedasto R. Niere. Julian died seven days later; Lamberto died MayCase Digest (G.R. No. 72969-70)
Facts:
- Parties and Relationships
- Petitioners are the heirs of Fedelina Sestoso Estella (deceased 1975), namely Virgilia E. Poliquit, Amadeo Estella, Thelma E. Alvarado, Nelita E. Sumampong and the late Rebecca E. Guanco, represented by their respective legal representatives.
- Respondents are the children of Lamberto S. Estella (deceased 1990)—Jesus Marlo O. Estella, Ramil O. Estella, Amalia O. Estella and Gloria O. Estella—Lamberto being a grandson of Julian Sestoso.
- The Instrument of Donation
- On August 10, 1976, Julian Sestoso executed a document titled “Donacion Mortis Causa Kon Hatag Nga Pagabalihon Sa Akong Kamatayon,” entirely in Cebuano, donating three parcels of land in Boljoon, Cebu to his grandson Lamberto S. Estella. The two-page instrument bore Julian’s signature and thumbmark, the acceptance clause by Lamberto, the attestations and signatures of three credible witnesses, and was notarized by Municipal Judge Vedasto R. Niere.
- Julian died on August 17, 1976. In May 1990 Lamberto died, succeeded by respondents. In 2000 tax declarations for the subject lots were cancelled in Julian’s name and reissued in the name of the heirs of Lamberto.
- Procedural History
- Petitioners filed a Complaint for Declaration of Nullity of Dubious and Inofficious Deed of Donation Mortis Causa, Partition and Damages, alleging the deed was fraudulent, inofficious (prejudicing their legitime), and that the parcels formed part of Julian’s conjugal partnership with Epifania Fegarido.
- RTC of Argao, Cebu (Branch 26) in Civil Case No. AV-1220 (Decision March 27, 2015) declared the deed void for non-compliance with testamentary formalities, adjudged the lots as conjugal partnership property, and ordered their partition among Fedelina’s heirs and cancellation of tax declarations in Lamberto’s heirs’ names.
- CA in CA-G.R. CEB CV No. 05971 (Decision June 19, 2018; Resolution January 21, 2019) reversed the RTC, ruling the instrument a valid donation inter vivos and dismissing the complaint.
- Petitioners filed this Petition for Review on Certiorari before the Supreme Court.
Issues:
- Whether the “Donacion Mortis Causa Kon Hatag Nga Pagabalihon Sa Akong Kamatayon” is a donation mortis causa or a donation inter vivos.
- Whether the donation is inofficious for impairing the legitime of compulsory heirs.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)