Evidence

Evidence

Evidence is the means, sanctioned by these rules (Rules of Court), of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding, the truth respecting a matter of fact. (Rule 128, Sec. 1)

Cases:

1. Mayon Hotel and Restaurant vs Adava GR 157634 5/16/2005 (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/may2005/157634.htm)

2. Samalio vs CA 454 SCRA 462 (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/mar2005/140079.htm)

3. Ong Chia vs Republic 328 SCRA 749 (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2000/mar2000/127240.html)

4. Bantolino vs Coca Cola 403 SCRA 699 (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/jun2003/153660.htm)

5. Lagon vs Hooven 439 SCRA 363 (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/jun2003/..%5C..%5C2001%5Cjan2001%5C135657.htm)

Classes of Evidence

1. Relevant – when in has the tendency in reason to establish the probability or improbability of a fact in issue

2. Competent – when it is not excluded by law

3. Testimonial – evidence on oath or affirmation

i. Oral evidence – otherwise known as Parol Evidence

ii. Documentary evidence – consists of writings or any material containing letters, words, figures, symbols, and other modes of written expressions offered as proof of their contents

4. Object – evidence addressed to the senses of the tribunal

5. Direct – evidence which proves the fact in dispute without aid of any inference or presumption

6. Circumstantial – proof of fact, which when taken collectively, the existence of a particular fact in dispute may be inferred as a necessary or probable consequence

7. Best or Primary – evidence which affords the greatest certainty of the fact in question; this could be the primary document or original document

8. Secondary – evidence which is inferior to the primary evidence and shows on its face that better evidence exists

9. Positive – affirmation of a fact

10. Negative – denial of a fact

· In case of collusion between positive and negative evidence, the former prevails.

11. Corroborative – additional evidence of a different kind and character tending to prove the same point

12. Cumulative – additional evidence of the same kind and character tending to prove the same point

13. Prima Facie – evidence which suffices for the proof of a particular fact until contradicted and overcome by other evidence

14. Conclusive – evidence which is incontrovertible

15. Rebuttal – evidence which is given to explain, repel, counteract or disprove facts given in evidence by the adverse party

16. Sur-rebuttal – evidence given to disprove the rebuttal evidence

17. Expert – an evidence given by one who is knowledgeable in a certain field or expertise not usually acquired by other persons

18. Substantial – that amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate for justifying a conclusion

Proof vs Evidence

Proof is the result or perfection of the evidence while evidence is the means by which proof is established

Factum Probandum vs Factum Probans

Factum probandum is the proposition to be established while factum probans is the material evidencing the proposition

Burden of Proof vs Burden of Evidence

Burden of proof is the duty of the party to prove the allegations while burden of evidence is the duty of the party to overthrow the prima facie presumption against him

Collateral matters – those which are outside the controversy, or those not directly connected with the principal matters and issues in dispute, as indicated in the pleadings

Facts in issue – facts that a plaintiff must prove to establish his claim or facts that the defendant must prove in order to establish a defense set up by him

Facts relevant to the issue – those facts which render probable the existence or non-existence of a fact in issue, or some other relevant fact

June 23, 2008

Equipoise or equiponderance doctrine – when there is equal amount of evidence presented; under this doctrine, the decision shall be rendered against the party who has the burden of proof

Construction of evidence: Evidence shall be construed/applied/interpreted so as not to frustrate substantial justice (Quiambao vs CA 454 SCRA 17, March 28, 2005)

Wills and Succession

Notes on Wills and Succession

SUCCESSION – a mode of acquisition by virtue of which the property, rights, and obligations up to the extent of the value of the inheritance, of a person are transmitted through his death to another or others either by his will or by operation of law. (Art. 774)

What is succession? It is a mode of acquisition

What may be acquired?

1. Property
2. Rights
3. Obligations up to the extent of the value of inheritance (meaning, obligation transmitted may not exceed the value of the inheritance received)

How are the properties, rights and obligations acquired? Through death, either by will (testamentary succession), or by operation of law (intestate or legal succession).

Kinds of Succession:

1. Testamentary Succession – when the decedent left a will
2. Intestate or Legal – when the decedent has left no will and succession takes place by operation of law
3. Mixed Succession – when succession is partly by will and partly by operation of law

4. Contractual Succession – a contract executed by future spouses to give to each other in their marriage settlement as much of their future property, in the event of death, as they may validly dispose of in a will

Decedent – the person whose estate is transmitted through his death

Testator – the decedent who left a will

Intestate – the decedent who left no will

Heir – a person called to the succession either by the provision of a will or by operation of law

Compulsory heir – those to whom legitimes are reserved

Voluntary heir – one who is called to succeed the excess of the legitime

Legatee – on who succeeds a particular personal property (legacy)

Devisee – on who succeeds a particular real property (devise)

WILL – an act whereby a person is permitted, with the legal formalities prescribed by law, to control to a certain degree the disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death. (Art. 783)

Essential elements and characteristics of a will:

1. The making of a will is statutory
2. It is a unilateral act
3. It is a solemn or formal act
4. There must be animus testandi (intent to make a will)
5. The testator must be capacitated to make a will
6. A strictly personal act
7. Effective mortis cause
8. Essentially revocable or ambulatory (capable of being revoked anytime)
9. Free from vitiated consent
10. Individual
11. It disposes of the testator’s estate

Kinds of Will
1. Notarial Will – one done with the intervention of a Notary Public
2. Holographic Will – a will handwritten by the testator, dated and signed by him

Classes start on the 16th

I had quite an overreaction when I learned that classes didn't start last June 10. I was so ha-ha-happy... I figured that it would be better to start the classes on the 16th to afford me some more time to chase last-minute gimmicks with friends before the suicidal law school days begin.

Whoohooh!