Guerrero vs. Bihis Digest
Guerrero vs. Bihis Digest
Guerrero vs. Bihis Digest
Such declaration is under oath and under pain of perjury, thus paving
521 SCRA 394, April 17, 2007 the way for the criminal prosecution of persons who participate in the
execution of spurious wills, or those executed without the free consent of the
Petitioner: Bella A. Guerrero testator. It also provides a. further degree of assurance that the testator is of a
Respondent: Resurrecion A. Bihis certain mindset in making the testamentary dispositions to the persons
instituted as heirs or designated as devise or legatees in the will.
RULING OF THE LOWER COURTS: Disposition: SC affirmed decision of CA and denied probate of the will.
Trial court denied the probate of the will ruling that Art. 806 was not complied
with because the will was “acknowledged” by the testatrix and witnesses at
the testatrix’s residence in Quezon City before Atty. Macario O. Directo who
has a commissioned notary public for and in Caloocan City.
CA affirmed ruling by the trial court.
PETITIONER’S CONTENTION:
Guerrero contended that the fact that the notary public was acting outside his territorial
jurisdiction did not affect the validity of the notarial will.
ISSUE: Whether the will “acknowledged “ by the testatrix and the instrumental witnesses
before a notary public acting outside the place of his commission satisfy the
requirement under Art. 806 of the Civil Code
RULING + RATIO: NO
A notarial will that is not acknowledged before a notary public by the testator
and the instrumental witnesses is void and cannot be accepted for probate.