Case Summary (G.R. No. L-26502)
Factual Background of the First Case
In the support case (L-26502), Rosario M. Ponce Enrile alleged that she and Alfonso Ponce Enrile were married on March 2, 1911, and lived together until 1925, when Alfonso abandoned the family home without justification. The defendant countered this claim by asserting that their marriage had been legally dissolved in 1944 through a decree of divorce issued by the Court of First Instance of Manila. Following a preliminary hearing on this affirmative defense, the court ruled partially in favor of the defendant on April 28, 1966, confirming the existence of a valid divorce decree issued on March 28, 1944.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
The plaintiff appealed the partial decision emphasizing the alleged invalidity of the divorce. In the following proceedings, the defendant's arguments were presented in a brief, denying the plaintiff's claims and upholding the validity of the divorce. The court subsequently deemed the case submitted for decision, initiating the discourse around the marital status of Rosario and Alfonso Ponce Enrile.
Factual Background of the Second Case
As for the intestate proceedings (L-28160), Rosario M. Ponce Enrile petitioned the court for letters of administration, asserting that Alfonso died intestate. However, Attorney Leonardo Siguion Reyna opposed the petition by claiming that he possessed a last will and testament delivered to the Rizal Court of First Instance on July 20, 1967, appointing himself as an executor. Following legal proceedings, the court issued an order on September 4, 1967, granting the motion to dismiss on the grounds that intestate proceedings could only occur after the contested will was declared void.
Motions to Dismiss
The appeals in both cases were submitted to the Supreme Court, where motions to dismiss were filed by Rosario M. Ponce Enrile. In these motions, she indicated an amicable settlement had been reached regarding Alfonso's estate with all his heirs, expressing her desire to ce
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Case Overview
- This case involves two distinct but related legal actions, both featuring Rosario M. Ponce Enrile as the principal party, against Alfonso Ponce Enrile, who is deceased.
- The first case (G.R. No. L-26502) concerns an action for support initiated by Rosario M. Ponce Enrile in 1964.
- The second case (G.R. No. L-28160) pertains to intestacy proceedings following the death of Alfonso Ponce Enrile in 1967.
Proceedings in G.R. No. L-26502
- Rosario M. Ponce Enrile filed for support on June 26, 1964, alleging that she was legally married to Alfonso Ponce Enrile since March 2, 1911.
- Rosario claimed they lived as a couple until Alfonso abandoned their home in 1925 without justifiable cause.
- In response, Alfonso raised a special defense claiming that their marriage was legally dissolved by a valid decree of divorce issued by the Court of First Instance of Manila on March 28, 1944.
- A preliminary hearing was held regarding this affirmative defense, leading to a