Jamby wins battle over inheritance

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ruled that Sen. Jamby Madrigal is a valid heir to the estate of her billionaire-aunt Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal.

In his Feb. 12, 2009 order, Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel ruled that Senator Madrigal has the legal personality to participate in the probate proceedings of her aunt’s last will and testament, being a valid heir to the estate.

Pimentel also ruled with finality the court’s July 2, 2008 order that the properties of the late Consuelo Madrigal which were not covered by her last will and testament will be covered by the rules on legal succession.

The court, in its July 2, 2008 decision ruled that no property of the late Consuelo Madrigal shall be disposed of without approval from the court.

Earlier, Sen. Madrigal, through her counsel Ernesto Francisco Jr., asked the Makati RTC to order the settlement of the estate and other properties that have a probable value of several billion pesos.

Francisco said that Madrigal, as a niece and one of the intestate heirs, has legal interest to take charge of her aunt’s properties outside the will. Included in the estate that the lawmaker wanted to be settled are shares in 18 corporations including Aquatic Food Center, Inc.; Ceus Realty Corp.; Chela Realty Corp.; Chine Realty Corp.; Chirpy Realty Corp.; and C. Hito Realty Corp.

Some of these corporations, Francisco said, were realty companies owning sizable properties, including two parcels of land at Forbes Park, Makati City; four office condominium units in Makati City; two houses and lots in Ayala Alabang; two condominium units at the Pinnacle Condominium in Mandaluyong City; one condominium unit at Two Salcedo Place condominium in Makati City; and two condominium units at Three Salcedo Place condominium also in Makati.

He said his client also wanted the court to settle her late aunt’s bank deposits and trust accounts in foreign and Philippine banks.

Chito Madrigal died March 24 last year at the age of 87.

“I am pleased by the recent decision of the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, affirming its earlier decision on mixed succession in the estate of my late aunt Doña Chito Madrigal and that I am legal heir. The order is already final and executory,” Sen. Madrigal said in a press conference.

Francisco added that the court’s decision is a vindication of his client’s position that the estate of her late aunt should be divided among the legal heirs.

Madrigal also made an appeal to her relatives to respect the court’s decision. She also asked all the banks and the other financial institutions to take notice of the court’s order and make no disposition of her late aunt’s estate without prior order of the court.

“I shall oppose and exercise all legal remedies to ensure that my late aunt’s estate will not be vandalized,” she said. - With Christina Mendez