G.R. No. L-2166; August 30, 1949
ESTRELLA LEDESMA, petitioner, vs. EDUARDO ENRIQUEZ, Judge of the Court of First Instance of Negros Oriental, respondent.

FACTS

Petitioner Estrella Ledesma was the administratrix of the testate estate of Marcelo Ledesma in Negros Occidental. Appointed about 25 years prior, she had allegedly not filed any inventory or annual reports, resided permanently in Manila, and abandoned the estate’s properties. Upon a co-heir’s petition, the court ordered her to appear and show cause why she should not be punished for contempt. She requested postponements via telegrams citing indisposition but without supporting medical certificates. After granting the first postponement, respondent Judge Eduardo Enriquez denied a second unsupported request and issued a warrant for her arrest for failure to comply with the court order.

ISSUE

Whether the respondent judge committed a grave abuse of discretion in issuing the warrant of arrest against the petitioner for her failure to appear in court as ordered.

RULING

No. The Supreme Court held that the respondent judge did not commit grave abuse of discretion. The court was justified in ordering the petitioner’s appearance to account for her administration, given her prolonged neglect of duties as administratrix. Her unsupported requests for postponement, coupled with her failure to fulfill a prior promise to file a written reply, warranted the court’s use of its coercive power to enforce its lawful orders. The arrest order was a valid exercise of the court’s inherent power to compel compliance and ensure the orderly administration of justice. The petition for prohibition was denied, and the petitioner was ordered to appear before the lower court as originally required.

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