Back

Spouses Julita Dela Cruz, et al. vs. Pedro Joaquin

Spouses JULITA DE LA CRUZ and FELIPE DE LA CRUZ, Petitioners, versus PEDRO JOAQUIN, Respondent.

G.R. No. 162788 | 2005-07-28

THIRD DIVISION
 
D E C I S I O N 
 
PANGANIBAN, J.: 
 
The Rules require the legal representatives of a dead litigant to be substituted as parties to a litigation. This requirement is necessitated by due process. Thus, when the rights of the legal representatives of a decedent are actually recognized and protected, noncompliance or belated formal compliance with the Rules cannot affect the validity of the promulgated decision. After all, due process had thereby been satisfied. 
 
The Case 
 
Before us is a Petition for Review[1] under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, assailing the August 26, 2003 Decision...