Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. 17714 May 31, 1922
In the mater of the estate of Jesus de Leon.
IGNACIA DIAZ, petitioner-appellant,
vs.
ANA DE LEON, opponent-appellee.
Montinola, Montinola & Hontiveros and Jose Lopez Vito for appellant.
Francisco A. Delgado, Powell & Hill and Padilla & Treñas for appellee.
ROMUALDEZ, J.:
The only question raised in this case is whether or to the will executed by Jesus de Leon, now, was revoked by him.
The petitioner denies such revocation, while the contestant affirms the same by alleging that the testator revoked his will by destroying it, and by executing another will expressly revoking the former.
We find that the second will Exhibit 1 executed by the deceased is not cloth with all the necessary requisites to constitute a sufficient revocation.
But according to the statute governing the subject in this jurisdiction, the destruction of a will animo revocandi constitutes, in itself, a sufficient revocation. (Sec. 623, Code of Civil Procedure.)lävvphì1·né+
From the evidence submitted in this case, it appears that the testator, shortly after the execution of the first will in question, asked that the same be returned to him. The instrument was returned to the testator who ordered his servant to tear the document. This was done in his presence and before a nurse who testified to this effect. After some time, the testator, being asked by Dr. Cornelio Mapa about the will, said that it had been destroyed.
The intention of revoking the will is manifest from the established fact that the testator was anxious to withdraw or change the provisions he had made in his first will. This fact is disclosed by the testator's own statements to the witnesses Canto and the Mother Superior of the Hospital where he was confined.
The original will herein presented for probate having been destroyed with animo revocandi, cannot now be probated as the will and last testament of Jesus de Leon.
Judgement is affirmed with costs against the petitioner. So ordered.
Araullo, C.J., Malcolm, Avanceña, Ostrand and Johns, JJ., concur.
Villamor, J., took no part.
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