ISABELITA S.

LAHOM, petitioner,
vs.
JOSE MELVIN SIBULO (previously referred to as "DR. MELVIN S.
LAHOM"), respondent.
G.R. No. 143989

July 14, 2003

VITUG, J.:
Nature of the case:
A petition to rescind the decree of adoption before the Regional Trial Court
(RTC), Branch 22, of Naga City.
FACTS:

The spouses Dr. Diosdado Lahom and Isabelita Lahom decided to file a
petition for adoption of Jose Melvin Sibulo. Subsequently, an order granting
the petition was issued. In keeping with the court order, the civil registrar of
Naga City, changed the name of Jose Melvin Sibulo to Josde Melvin Lahom.
Eventually, Mrs. Lahom commenced a petition to rescind the decree of
adoption for the reason that respondent, despite the pleadings of said
spouses, refused to change his surname to Lahom to the frustrations of the
spouses. In all the dealings and activities he is Jose Melvin Sibulo. That
herein petitioner being a widow, and living alone, has yearned for the care
and show of concern from a son, but respondent remained indifferent and
would only come to Naga to see her once a year.

Prior to the institution of the case, RA No. 8552, also known as the
Domestic Adoption Act, went into effect. The new statute deleted from the
law the right of adopters to rescind a decree of adoption. To this Melvin

moved for the dismissal of the petition contending that the petitioner had no
cause of action.

ISSUES:
Whether the adopter, while barred from severing the legal ties of adoption,
can always, for a valid reason cause the forfeiture of his inheritance.

RULINGS:
It was months after the effectively of RA 8552 that herein petitioner filed an
action to revoke. By then, the new law, had already abrogated and repealed
the right of an adopter under the Civil Code. Consistently, the court held that
the action for rescission of the adoption decree no longer could be pursued.
However, an adopter, while barred from severing the legal ties of adoption,
can always for a valid reason cause the forfeiture of certain benefits
otherwise accruing to an undeserving child. Upon the grounds provided for
by law, an adopter may deny to an adopted child his legitime, and, by will,
may freely exclude him from having a share in the disposable portion of his
estate.