Ramos v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This case involves a challenge to a Court of Appeals order granting support pendente lite for alleged illegitimate children. Felisa Lagos sued municipal mayor Luis Ramos for support of two children born in 1963 and 1965, claiming they resulted from illicit relations. The trial court found paternity established through evidence including love letters and ordered monthly support. When Ramos appealed, the Court of Appeals ordered him to deposit half the amount due as support pending appeal. The Supreme Court dismissed Ramos' certiorari petition, holding that the Court of Appeals did not abuse its discretion. The Court emphasized that support pendente lite may be granted based on prima facie evidence of paternity, and that refusing support to school-age children who had been litigating for seven years would constitute a travesty of justice. The decision establishes important precedent on the standards for granting support pendente lite in paternity cases.