Child Illegitimate Legitimate Armand Brothers Half Blood Danny Dante

Armand died intestate. His full-blood brothers, Bobby and Conrad, and half-blood brothers, Danny, Edward and Floro, all predeceased him. The following are the surviving relatives: 

1. Benny and Bonnie, legitimate children of Bobby;

2. Cesar, legitimate child of Conrad;

3. Dante, illegitimate child of Danny;

4. Ernie, adopted child of Edward; and

5. Felix, grandson of Floro.

The net value of Armand's estate is P1,200,000.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(E)  None of the above.

There is no showing that Danny is an illegitimate half-blood brother of Armand.  In the absence of proof to the contrary, the law presumes that the relationship is legitimate.  Thus, Dante, an illegitimate child of Danny, is barred from inheriting from Armand pursuant to the iron curtain rule which disqualifies an illegitimate child from inheriting ab intestato from the legitimate children and relatives of his father or mother, and vice versa (Art. 992 Civil Code).