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Bienvenida Salandanan, et al. Vs. CA, et al.

BIENVENIDA SALANDANAN, CATALINA SALANDANAN, and HEIRS OF CONCEPCION SALANDANAN, petitioners, vs. THE COURT OF APPEALS, HON. JUDGE LUIS TONGCO, Regional Trial Court of Bi?an, Laguna, REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF BI?AN & CALAMBA, LAGUNA, and HEIRS OF ELVIRA PANDINCO, respondents.

G.R. No. 127783 | 1998-06-05

D E C I S I O N

MARTINEZ, J:

This case illustrates the application of the legal precept that the law aids the vigilant, not those who slumber on their rights. Vigilantibus, sed non dormientibus jura subveniunt.

The facts:

On September 14, 1955, Edilberta Pandinco filed a petition 1 for the settlement of the testate estate of Vicenta Alviar, before then Court of First Instance (now Regional Trial Court) of Biñan, Laguna, which was docketed as Special Proceeding No. 4749. The subject thereof for probate is the will 2 of Vicenta Alviar, portions of which read:

"xxx xxx xxx

'Aking sinasaysay at ipinaliliwanag na ako'y tatlo (3)...