De Asis vs CA

De Asis vs. CA

GR No. 127578, February 15, 1999

FACTS:

Vircel Andres as legal guardian of Glen Camil Andres de Asis, filed an action in 1988 for maintenance and support against the alleged father Manuel De Asis who failed to provide support and maintenance despite repeated demands.  Vircel later on withdrew the complaint in 1989 for the reason that Manuel denied paternity of the said minor and due to such denial, it seems useless to pursue the said action.  They mutually agreed to move for the dismissal of the complaint with the condition that Manuel will not pursue his counter claim.  However in 1995, Vircel filed a similar complaint against the alleged father, this time as the minor’s legal guardian/mother.  Manuel interposed maxim of res judicata for the dismissal of the case.  He maintained that since the obligation to give support is based on existence of paternity between the child and putative parent, lack thereof negates the right to claim support. 

ISSUE: WON the minor is barred from action for support.

HELD:

The right to give support cannot be renounced nor can it be transmitted to a third person.  The original agreement between the parties to dismiss the initial complaint was in the nature of a compromise regarding future support which is prohibited by law.  With respect to Manuel’s contention for the lack of filial relationship between him and the child and agreement of Vircel in not pursuing the original claim, the Court held that existence of lack thereof of any filial relationship between parties was not a matter which the parties must decide but should be decided by the Court itself.  While it is true that in order to claim support, filiation or paternity must be first shown between the parties, but the presence or lack thereof must be judicially established and declaration is vested in the Court.  It cannot be left to the will or agreement of the parties.  Hence, the first dismissal cannot bar the filing of another action asking for the same relief (no force and effect).  Furthermore, the defense of res judicata claimed by Manuel was untenable since future support cannot be the subject of any compromise or waiver.