Lawyer and Madrigal estate executor Perry Pe reacted to our column item last Thursday titled “Jamby’s new win” in relation to the recent ruling issued by acting presiding judge Ma. Rita Sarabia of the Makati City Court’s Branch 148 declaring Jamby Madrigal as an heir to the estate of the late Doña Chito Madrigal-Collantes. According to Pe, the former senator could not be considered an heir because Doña Chito left a will and did not die intestate (without leaving any will). Judge Sarabia’s ruling had affirmed the earlier decision of her predecessor Judge Oscar Pimentel (who retired early this year) that Jamby, being a niece of the deceased and considering that she shared the same name as her aunt, is clearly an heir “under the law on intestate succession.”
Pe explained however that if there’s no will, then that’s the only time when the state of intestacy can be considered. But if there’s a will, then there should be probate proceedings (done in court to effect a will and recognize the rightful heirs) to check whether the will was validly executed after which there will be separate proceedings to have the will settled and distributed. Aside from Doña Chito’s husband, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Manuel Collantes, named in the will (reportedly prepared by Doña Chito in 2006) were Jamby’s sister Susana “Chuchu” Madrigal and Gustav Warns who both were bequeathed 40 percent of the late philanthropist’s residuary estate, and Gizela Gonzalez-Montinola who was given the remaining 20 percent. Jamby, said to have been the deceased’s favorite niece, was not named at all.
Inside sources say that the reason why Jamby was totally left out was because she already received her share of her aunt’s wealth when she ran for the Senate in 2004. “Since the will was probated and declared valid, we went and filed for separate proceedings in the Regional Trial Court of Makati Branch 143 for the settlement and distribution. This is what’s driving her (Jamby) berserk, and that’s the reason why she’s running around telling everyone that she’s an heir. She may be an heir in intestacy (i.e. when there is no will) but whether or not there was intestacy is still the subject of appeal in the Court of Appeals,” Pe said.
Contacted for comment, a close associate of Jamby Madrigal said the former senator has never lost a battle in her life. “This legal battle will certainly not be the first one,” the associate countered.
United Cojuangcos
It’s been decades since the Cojuangco clan has been together, and long before former president Cory Cojuangco Aquino died, the Cojuangco clan whose members were alienated due to differing political affiliations has finally reconciled. The reconciliation happened at the Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong home of Cory’s older brother Don Pedro – then considered the patriarch of the Jose Cojuangco branch – where the heads of the Antonio Sr. and Eduardo Sr. branches got together for dinner.
There is no doubt the Cojuangco clan is considered the most powerful family in the country, with no less than the President of the Republic belonging to their family. At the wake of Don Pedro (who died of cardiac arrest last week and will be buried today at the family mausoleum in Manila Memorial), evidence of the “united Cojuangcos” was clear, with cousins Danding and Peping seen in animated conversation.
SMART ‘Jorge’ Araneta
If there’s one smart move, it’s the clever agreement Jorge “Nene” Araneta and Manny Pangilinan forged, engaging in what is known as a “naming rights deal” that gave Smart an exclusive five-year lease of the world-known coliseum for an undisclosed amount.
MVP managed a coup of sorts by renaming The Big Dome into the “SMART Araneta Coliseum” since the new name strengthens the brand equity already established by both the telecoms giant and the half-a-century-old multipurpose sports arena. The renamed venue kicked off with the “Ultimate All-Star Weekend” that saw NBA’s Kobe Bryant leading a powered-up NBA-Smart All-Stars against the PBA selection team and the Smart Gilas Pilipinas before a jam-packed crowd over the weekend with no less than world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and US Ambassador Harry Thomas in attendance.
Spy tidbit
–– Our photographer artist-friend Mayie Delgado is currently holding an exhibit dubbed as “Unchartered Universe” at the Tower Club in Makati featuring some 33 artworks from his gallery’s Reserve Series. Mayie held a successful exhibit in Singapore three months ago. There are plans for similar exhibits in New York and Beverly Hills next year.
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Email: spybits08@yahoo.com