Hernandez v. San Juan-Santos, PDF
Hernandez v. San Juan-Santos, PDF
Hernandez v. San Juan-Santos, PDF
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* FIRST DIVISION.
1 “Ma. Teresa Hernandez-Villa Abrille” in some parts of the records.
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CORONA, J.:
Maria Lourdes San Juan Hernandez (or Lulu) was born
on February 14, 1947 to the spouses Felix Hernandez and
Maria San Juan Hernandez. Unfortunately, the latter died
due to complications during childbirth. After Maria’s death,
Felix left Lulu in the care of her maternal uncle, Sotero C.
San Juan.
On December 16, 1951, Felix married Natividad Cruz.
The union produced three children, petitioners Cecilio C.
Hernandez, Ma. Victoria C. Hernandez-Sagun and Teresa
C. Hernandez-Villa Abrille.
Meanwhile, as the only child of Maria and the sole
testate heir of Sotero, Lulu inherited valuable real
properties from the San Juan family (conservatively
estimated at P50 million in 1997).
Sometime in 1957, Lulu went to live with her father and
his new family. She was then 10 years old and studying at
La Consolacion College. However, due to her “violent
personality,” Lulu stopped schooling when she reached
Grade 5.
In 1968, upon reaching the age of majority, Lulu was
given full control of her estate.3 Nevertheless, because Lulu
did not even finish her elementary education, Felix
continued to exercise actual administration of Lulu’s
properties. Upon Felix’s death in 1993, petitioners took
over the task of administering Lulu’s properties.
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3 Order dated July 31, 1968 in SP No. 1127 penned by Judge Andres
Reyes of the Court of First Instance of Pasig, Rizal, Branch VI. Rollo (G.R.
No. 166470), p. 128.
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VOL. 595, AUGUST 7, 2009 467
Hernandez vs. SanJuan-Santos
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468 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Hernandez vs. SanJuan-Santos
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25 Report [the Court of Appeals] on the Condition of the Ward, Ma.
Lourdes S.J. Fernandez, Annex “A.” Rollo (G.R. No. 166470), pp. 248-249.
26 Prepared by attending physician Edison C. Galindez, pp. 250-254.
27 Section 50, Rule 130, Rules of Court, provides:
Section 50. Opinion of an Ordinary Witness.—The opinion of a
witness for which proper basis is given shall be received in evidence
regarding—
(a) The identity of a person about whom he has adequate
knowledge;
(b) A handwriting with which he has sufficient familiarity; and
(c) The mental sanity of a person with whom he is
sufficiently acquainted.
The witness may also testify on his impression of the emotion,
behavior, condition or appearance of a person. (emphasis supplied)
28 People v. Bacaling, 447 Phil. 197, 204; 399 SCRA 117, 123 (2003).
(citations omitted)
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Petition denied.