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Adelaida Orina
G.R. No. 184843, July 30, 2010
Facts:
Virgilio Dycoco(Dycoco) is alleged to have executed on October 9,1995 a Real
Estate Mortgage with Special Power to sell Mortgaged Property without judicial
proceedings (REM) in favor of respondent Adelaida Orina (Adelaida), covering a
parcel of land located in Sta. Cruz, Manila and registered under Transfer
Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 105730 in Dycocos name. The REM was notarized on
even date by the Notary Public. Dycocos attorneys-in-fact claimed that Dycocos
signature on the REM was forged, to prove which they presented various
documents that Dycoco was working in the United States of America as a licensed
physician on the alleged date of execution of the REM. They also presented
Dycocos U.S. Passport, personal checks, Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit;
and a Certification from the Clerk of Court of RTC Manila that the office does not
possess a copy of REM, Notary Public Sinaguinan having not submitted her
notarial report for October 1995. Respondents Adelaida et al., maintaining the
due execution of the REM, presented Evelyn who testified on a photocopy of
REM. The RTC dismissed Dycocos complaint.The Court of Appleals affirmed the
trial courts dismissal of Dycocos complaint.
Issue:
WON the REM is a public document.
Held:
NO. The REM is not a public document.
Documents acknowledge before a notary public, except last wills and testaments,
are public documents. Since the subject REM was not properly notarized, since
the name of the person who personally appeared before the notary public is not
stated, it is subject to the requirement of proof for private documents under
Section 20, Rule 132, which provides:
Facts:
The Regional Trial of Makati convicted Mario Tandoy (Tandoy) of the crime of
violation of Art.II, Sec.4 of Rep.Act No. 6425 known as Dangerous Drug Act of
1972, an appeal before this court was made.
Issue:
WON the best evidence rule is applicable upon the admission of the xerox
copy of the marked P10.00 bill.
Held:
The best evidence rule applies only when the contents of the document are
the subject of the inquiry. Where the issue is only as to whether or not such
document was actually executed,or exists or in the circumstances relevant to
or surrounding its execution, the best evidence rule does not apply and
testimonial evidence is admissible.
Since the aforesaid marked money was presented by the prosecution solely for
the purpose of establishing its existence and not its contents, other
substitutionary evidence like a Xerox copy thereof, is therefore admissible
without the need of accounting for the original.