Ildelfonso Doronila v. Jose Lopez

Summary

Doronila sought to annul a settlement contract claiming his consent was obtained through intimidation when he was imprisoned for contempt of court. As former guardian of minor heirs, he had failed to render accounting after allegedly losing estate documents during the American occupation. The Superior Provost Court ordered his imprisonment until he complied with accounting requirements. After brief imprisonment under harsh conditions, he executed a settlement agreement assuming liability for lost documents and estate debts. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's rejection of the annulment claim, ruling that fear of imprisonment for violating legitimate court orders does not constitute legal duress sufficient to invalidate contracts under Civil Code provisions on vices of consent.