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The effect of death upon the rights and obligations of the deceased is
determined by law, by contract and by will.
Death is not defined in the Civil Code. Not even doctors know precisely when death
occurs. There are many theories.
The fact of death is important because it affects civil personality and legal relations.
The main effect of death is readily seen in succession. Death is also relevant to labor
law and insurance.
Art. 43. If there is a doubt, as between two or more persons who are
called to succeed each other, as to which of them died first, whoever alleges the
death of one prior to the other, shall prove the same; in the absence of proof, it
is presumed that they died at the same time and there shall be no transmission
of rights from one to the other.
Problem: What if succession is involved and the persons perish in the same
calamity?
Most commentators say Article 43 will prevail. This is the only case of conflict
between the Rules of Court and Article 43.
In Joaquin vs. Navarro, Article 43 was not applied. There was no need to apply the
presumption in Article 43 since there was evidence to show who died first