- Petitioner
- Isabel Velasco y Resurreccion
- Respondent
- Francisco Lopez y Lopez
- Citation
- G.R. No. 905
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- Ladd, J.
- Decided
- February 12, 1903
Summary
This landmark 1903 succession case established the strict formal requirements for valid wills under the Civil Code. Santiago Velasco's 1893 will was challenged by his next of kin Isabel Velasco against testamentary heir Francisco Lopez. The will omitted the hour of execution as required by Article 695. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling that the will was void, emphasizing that all Civil Code formalities for wills are equally essential with no exceptions. The Court rejected arguments about practical utility, stating they must administer the law as written. The decision reinforced that even seemingly minor omissions in will formalities render the entire testament invalid, establishing important precedent for succession law in the Philippines.