Juanito Javier [Substituted By His Heirs] v. Teodora J. Villamin

Summary

This Supreme Court case involved a family property dispute over two lots allegedly sold through forged deeds of absolute sale. The petitioners, heirs of Juanito Javier, challenged the validity of deeds executed after their father's death, admitting the signatures were forged. The respondents, also family members, contested the sales claiming their inheritance rights were violated. The Supreme Court denied the petition and affirmed lower court decisions, ruling that contracts executed after a party's death with forged signatures are null and void as simulated contracts. The Court emphasized that upon the father's death, the properties became part of his estate and were co-owned by all compulsory heirs, requiring unanimous consent for any sale. The decision reinforced Civil Code principles on inheritance, co-ownership, and the invalidity of contracts involving deceased parties, while rejecting defenses of prescription and laches given the timeline of discovery.