ENRIQUETA H. BERNARDO, EDILBERTO TAYAG, ANTONIO TAYAG, ISMAEL TAYAG, TRIFENE TAYAG, MARIQUITA LUGTU, ROSALINDA A. PETELL, FREDESWINDA A. VDA. DE HENSON, EFREN ARCILLA, ZENAIDA ARCILLA and TERESITA A. GRAGEDA, vs. THE COURT OF APPEALS and ATTY. RICARDO P. BERMUDO.
- G.R. Number: G.R. No. 101680
- Promulgated: 1992-12-07
- Ponente: Campos, J.
Doctrine
The Supreme Court is not a trier of facts and will not reweigh evidence or reassess witness credibility; it limits review to errors of law.
The Court will defer to the factual findings of the trial court, which had better opportunity and facilities to examine witnesses and evidence.
Facts
Petition under Rule 45 seeks review and setting aside of the Court of Appeals decision in CA-G.R. CV No. 18143 affirming the RTC decision granting Atty. Ricardo B. Bermudo's petition in SP Proc. No. 1495 (probate matter).
Petitioners are the oppositors in the RTC probate proceeding and oppositors-appellants in the Court of Appeals case.
The trial court considered testimony (e.g., Enrique Talavera, Ener Bernardo) and resolved issues on alteration of the will's date and alleged undue influence by the sole designated heir.
Issues
Whether the Supreme Court should review and set aside the Court of Appeals' decision affirming the RTC in the probate proceeding under Rule 45.
Whether the evidence and credibility determinations (including alleged alteration of date and undue influence) warrant reversal of the lower courts' factual findings.
Ruling
The Court found no reversible error by the court a quo and AFFIRMED the appealed decision; the appeal is DISMISSED.
The Court AFFIRMED the resolution denying the Motion for New Trial and the Motion for Reconsideration; the petition is DISMISSED.
Keywords
G.R. No. 101680, Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, decision and resolution of respondent Court of Appeals, CA-G.R. CV No. 18143, Regional Trial Court of Pampanga, Branch 56, SP Proc. No. 1495, probate of a will, Last Will and Testament, allowance of the will, issuance of letters of administration with the will annexed, Motion for Reconsideration, Petition for New Trial, formal invalidity of the will, sound and disposing mind, testamentary capacity, undue pressure and influence, forgery, fraud, special administrator, instrumental witnesses