Voltaire Arbolario v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves a family inheritance dispute over Lot 323 in Negros Occidental. The Arbolarios claimed to be legitimate half-siblings of the deceased Purificacion Arbolario and sought to inherit her share of the family property. However, the Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' finding that they were illegitimate children of Juan Arbolario's extramarital relationship with Francisca Malvas, as there was no proof that Juan's marriage to Catalina Baloyo had legally ended before the new union. Under Article 992 of the Civil Code, illegitimate children cannot inherit from legitimate relatives. The Court established the principle that a valid marriage continues until legally terminated, and mere cohabitation does not create presumption of legitimacy for children of subsequent unions. The Colincos were recognized as the rightful heirs, and the Salhays were ordered to vacate the disputed property.