Title
Supreme Court
Quiao vs. Quiao
Case
G.R. No. 176556
Decision Date
Jul 4, 2012
Petitioner challenges RTC's order on property division post-legal separation, forfeiting his share of net conjugal profits to children under Family Code provisions.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 176556)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Antecedent Facts and RTC Decision
    • On October 26, 2000, Rita C. Quiao filed a complaint for legal separation against Brigido B. Quiao in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 1, Butuan City.
    • On October 10, 2005, the RTC rendered a Decision declaring the legal separation pursuant to Art. 55 of the Family Code, awarding custody of the three minor children to Rita, ordering equal division of the conjugal properties listed below subject to legitimes and payment of unpaid conjugal liabilities of ₱45,740.00, forfeiting Brigido’s share of the net profits in favor of the common children, and awarding attorney’s fees of ₱19,000.00 and litigation expenses of ₱5,000.00.
      • Coffee mill, Balongagan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte
      • Coffee mill, Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte
      • Corn mill, Casiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte
      • Coffee mill, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur
      • Land (1,200 sqm) in Tungao, Butuan City
      • Agricultural land (5 ha) in Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City
      • Land (84 sqm) in Tungao, Butuan City
      • Bashier Bon Factory in Tungao, Butuan City
  • Post-Judgment Proceedings
    • December 12, 2005: respondents moved for execution; December 16, 2005: RTC granted; February 10, 2006: writ of execution issued.
    • July 6, 2006: partial execution; petitioner paid ₱46,870.00 (₱22,870.00 conjugal share, ₱19,000.00 attorney’s fees, ₱5,000.00 litigation expenses).
    • July 7, 2006: petitioner filed Motion for Clarification to define “net profits earned.”
    • August 31, 2006: RTC Order held net profits are the remainder of the properties after deducting separate properties and debts; directed sheriff to proceed.
    • September 8, 2006: petitioner moved for reconsideration; November 8, 2006: RTC set aside August Order and adopted Art. 102(4) definition of net profits.
    • November 21, 2006: respondents moved for reconsideration; January 8, 2007: RTC reinstated August 31, 2006 Order.
    • February 27, 2007: petitioner filed Rule 45 Petition for Review on Certiorari to the Supreme Court.

Issues:

  • Finality and Executory Effect
    • Whether the RTC Decision of October 10, 2005 became final and executory, barring further substantive modification.
  • Applicable Law and Definitions
    • Whether the spouses’ property relations are governed by the Civil Code or the Family Code.
    • What is the proper definition of “net profits earned” for forfeiture under Art. 63(2) of the Family Code.
    • Whether the Family Code may be retroactively applied to a 1977 marriage without impairing vested rights.
    • Which properties are subject to forfeiture of the guilty spouse’s share.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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