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INTRODUCTION
NAGUIAT V NLRC (National Organization of Workingmen
and Galang)
269 SCRA 565
PANGANIBAN; March 13, 1997
NATURE
Special civil action in the Supreme Court, certiorari
FACTS
- Clark Field Taxi, Inc. held a concessionaires contract with the Army Air
Force Exchange Services for the operation of taxi services within Clark Air
Base. Sergio Naguiat was the president of CFTI while Antolin Naguiat was
its vice president. Like Naguiat Enterprises, Inc. which was a trading firm, it
was also a family-owned corporation.
- Respondents were employed by the CFTI as taxicab drivers.
> They were required to pay a daily boundary fee of US$26.50 (for those
on duty from 1AM-12N) or US$27 (for those on duty from 12N to 12 MN)
> Incidental expenses were maintained by the drivers (including gasoline
expenses).
> Drivers worked 3-4 times a week depending on the availability of
vehicles and earned no less than US$15.00 a day. In excess of that
amount, they had to make cash deposits to the company which they could
withdraw every fifteen days.
- AAFES was dissolved because of the phase-out of the military bases in
Clark and the services of the respondents were officially terminated on
November 26, 1991.
- AAFES Taxi Drivers Association, the drivers union, and CFTI held
negotiations as regards separation benefits. They arrived at an agreement
that the separated drivers would be given P500 for ever year as severance
pay. Most of the drivers accepted this but some refused to do so.
- Those who did not accept the initial severance pay disaffiliated themselves
with drivers union and through the National Organization of Workingmen,
they filed a complaint against Sergio Naguiat under the name and style
Naguiat Enterprises, AAFES and AAFES union.
- The labor arbiter ordered the petitioner to pay the drivers P1,200 for every
year of service for humanitarian consideration, setting aside the earlier
agreement between the CFTI and the drivers union. It also rejected the idea
that the CFTI was forced to close it business due to great financial losses and
lose opportunity since at the time of its closure it was profitably earning. The
labor arbiter however did not award separation pay because to impose a
monetary obligation to an employer whose profitable business was abruptly
shot (sic) shot down by force majeur would be unfair and unjust.
- The NLRC modified the decision of the labor arbiter after respondents
appealed by granting separation pay to the private respondents. It said that
half of the monthly salary should be US$120 which should be paid in
Philippine pesos. Naguiat Enterprieses should be joined with Sergio and
Antolin Naguiat as jointly and severally liable.
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Petitioners Claim:
- Petitioners claim that the cessation of the business was due to the great
financial losses and lost business opportunity when Clark Air Base was
phased out due to the expiration of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement and
the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
- They admitted that CFTI had agreed with the drivers union to grant the taxi
drivers separation pay equivalent to P500 for every year of service.
- They allege that Sergio and Antolin Naguiat were denied due process
beause the petitioners were not furnished copies of the appeal to the NLRC.
- They also allege that NOWM cannot make legal representation in behalf of
the respondents because the latter should be bound by the decision of the
drivers union.
Respondents Comments:
- The drivers alleged that they were employees of Naguiat Enterprises
although their individual applications were approved by CFTI. They claimed
to have been assigned to Naguiat Enterprises after having been hired by
CFTO and that Naguia Enterprises managed, controlled and supervised their
employment.
- They averred that they should be entitled to separation pay based on their
latest daily earnings or US$15 for working 16 days a month.
ISSUES
1. WON the NLRC acted in excess of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of
discretion in granting separation pay
2. WON NOWM was authorized to represent the private respondents
3. WON Naguiat Enterprieses, Sergio Naguiat and Antolin Naguiat were
liable
4. WON Sergio and Antolin Naguiat were denied due process
HELD
1. NO, the NLRC did not act in excess of jurisdiction or with abuse of
discretion.
Ratio Findings of fact of administrative bodies and quasi-judicial bodies are
afforded great respect by the Court and are binding except when there is a
showing of grave abuse of discretion or the decision was arrived at arbitrarily.
Reasoning
- Respondents showed that their monthly take home pay amounted to no less
than $240 and this was not disputed by petitioners.
- There is no record or evidence which shows that the closure of the taxi
business was brought about by great financial losses no thanks to the
Pinatubo eruption. It was rather brought about by the closure of the military
bases.
- Art. 283 of the CC provides that separation pay shall be equivalent to 1
month pay or at least month pay for every year of service, whichever is
higher. The NLRC ruling was correct in terms of US$120 as the computed
separation pay.
2. Petitioners can no longer question the authority of NOWM and are held in
estoppel.
Reasoning
- NOWM was already representing the respondents before the labor arbiter
and the petitioners did not assail their juridical personality then.
- Petitioners also acknowledged before the Court that the taxi drivers are
themselves parties in the case.
3. Naguiat Enterprises is not liable, Antolin Naguiat is not personally liable
whereas Sergio Naguiat is solidarily liable.
prof. casis
- Re: Naguiat Enterprises liability
Reasoning
- The respondents were regular employees of CFTI who received wages on a
boundary basis. They offered no evidence that Naguiat Enterprises
managed, supervised and controlled their employment. They instead
submitted documents which had to do with CFTI, not Naguiat Enterprises.
- Labor-only contractors are those where 1) the person supplying workers to
the employer does no have substantial capital or investment in the form of
tools or machinery and 2) the workers recruited and placed by such person
are performing activities which are directly related to the principal business of
the employer.
- Independent contractors are those who exercise independent employment,
contracting to do a piece of work according to their own methods without
being subject to the control of their employer except as to the result of their
work.
- Sergio Naguiat was a stockholder and director of Naguiat Enterprises but, in
supervising the taxi drivers and determining their employment terms, he was
carrying out his responsibility as president of CFTI.
- Naguiat Enterprises was in the trading business while CFTI was in the taxi
business.
- The Constitution of the CFTI-AAFES Taxi Drivers Association states that the
members of the union are employees of CFTI and for collective and
bargaining purposes, the employer is also CFTI.
- Re: Antolin Naguiats liability
Reasoning
- Although he carried the title of general manager, it has not been shown that
he had acted in such capacity.
- No evidence on the extent of his participation in the management or
operation of the business was proferred.
- Re: Sergio Naguiats liability
Ratio A director or officer may be held solidarly liable with a corporation by a
specific provision of law because a corporation, being a juridical entity, may
act only through its directors and officers. Obligations incurred by them,
acting as such corporation agents, are not theirs but the direct
accountabilities of the corporation they represent. In the absence of definite
proof of who clearly are the officers of the corporation, the assumption falls
on the President of the corporation.
Reasoning
- In his capacity as President, Sergio Naguiat cannot be exonerated.
- An employer is defined to be any person acting in the interest of an
employer, directly or indirectly.
- Case in point is A.C. Ransom Labor Union CCLU vs. NLRC held that the
identified employer A.C. Ransom Corporation, being an artificial person, must
have an officer and in the absence of proof, the president is assumed to be
the head of the corporation.
- Both CFTI and Naguiat Enterprises were close family corporations owned
by the same family. To the extent that stockholders are actively engaged in
the management or business affairs of a close corporation, the stockholders
shall be held to strict fiduciary duties to each other and among themselves.
Said stockholders shall be liable for corporate torts unless the corporation
has obtained reasonably adequate liability insurance.
> Nothing in the records indicate that CFTI obtained reasonable adequate
liability insurance.
> Jurisprudence is wanting in the definition of corporate tort. Tort
essentially consists in the violation of a right given or the omission of a
duty imposed by law. Tort is a breach of legal duty.
BARREDO V GARCIA
BOCOBO; July 8, 1942
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari
FACTS
- from CA, holding Fausto Barredo liable for damages for death pf Faustino
Garcia caused by negligence of Pedro Fontanilla, a taxi driver employed by
Fausto Barredo
- May 3, 1936 in road between Malabon and Navotas, head-on collision
between taxi of Malate Taxicab and carretela guided by Pedro Dimapilis
thereby causing overturning of the carretela and the eventual death of Garcia,
16-yo boy and one of the passengers
- Fontanilla convicted in CFI and affirmed by CA and separate civil action is
reserved
- Parents of Garcia filed action against Barredo as sole proprietor of Malate
Taxicab as employer of Fontanilla
- CFI and CA awarded damages bec Fontanillas negligence apparent as he
was driving on the wrong side of the road and at a high speed
> no proof he exercised diligence of a good father of the family as Barredo is
careless in employing (selection and supervision) Fontanilla who had been
caught several times for violation of Automobile Law and speeding
> CA applied A1903CC that makes inapplicable civil liability arising from
crime bec this is under obligations arising from wrongful act or negligent acts
or omissions punishable by law
- Barredos defense is that his liability rests on RPC TF liability only
subsidiary and bec no civil action against Fontanilla TF he too cannot be held
responsible
ISSUE
WON parents of Garcia may bring separate civil action against Barredo
making him primarily liable and directly responsible under A1903CC as
employer of Fontanilla
HELD
YES
- There are two actions available for parents of Garcia. One is under the
A100RPC wherein the employer is only subsidiarily liable for the damages
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arising from the crime thereby first exhausting the properties of Fontanilla.
The other action is under A1903CC (quasi-delict or culpa aquiliana) wherein
as the negligent employer of Fontanilla, Barredo is held primarily liable
subject to proving that he exercising diligence of a good father of the family.
The parents simply took the action under the Civil Code as it is more practical
to get damages from the employer bec he has more money to give than
Fontanilla who is yet to serve his sentence.
Obiter
Difference bet Crime and Quasi-delict
1) crimes public interest; quasi-delict only private interest
2) Penal code punishes or corrects criminal acts; Civil Code by means of
indemnification merely repairs the damage
3) delicts are not as broad as quasi-delicts; crimes are only punished if there
is a penal law; quasi-delicts include any kind of fault or negligence intervenes
NOTE: not all violations of penal law produce civil responsibility
e.g. contravention of ordinances, violation of game laws, infraction of rules of
traffic when nobody is hurt
4) crime guilt beyond reasonable doubt; civil mere preponderance of
evidence
- Presumptions:
1) injury is caused by servant or employee, there instantly arises presumption
of negligence of master or employer in selection, in supervision or both
2) presumption is juris tantum not juris et de jure TF may be rebutted by
proving exercise of diligence of a good father of the family
- basis of civil law liability: not respondent superior bu the relationship of pater
familias
- motor accidents need of stressing and accentuating the responsibility of
owners of motor vehicles
ELCANO V HILL
77 SCRA 98
BARREDO; May 26, 1977
NATURE
Appeal from an order of the CFI Quezon City
FACTS
- Reginald Hill, a minor yet married at the time of occurrence, was criminally
prosecuted for the killing of Agapito Elcano (son of Pedro), and was acquitted
for lack of intent to kill, coupled with mistake.
- Pedro Elcano filed a complaint for recovery of damages from Reginald and
his father Atty Marvin. CFI dismissed it.
ISSUES
1. WON the civil action for damages is barred by the acquittal of Reginald in
the criminal case wherein the action for civil liability was not reversed
2. WON Article 2180 (2nd and last par) of the CC can be applied against Atty.
Hill, notwithstanding the fact that at the time of the occurrence, Reginald,
though a minor, living with and getting subsistence from his father, was
already legally married
HELD
1. NO
prof. casis
-The acquittal of Reginal Hill in the criminal case has not extinguished his
liability for quasi-delict, hence that acquittal is not a bar to the instant action
against him.
-Barredo v Garcia (dual charactercivil and criminal of fault or negligence
as a source of obligation):
"The above case is pertinent because it shows that the same act may come
under both the Penal Code and the Civil Code. In that case, the action of the
agent was unjustified and fraudulent and therefore could have been the
subject of a criminal action. And yet, it was held to be also a proper subject of
a civil action under article 1902 of the Civil Code. It is also to be noted that it
was the employer and not the employee who was being sued."
"It will be noticed that the defendant in the above case could have been
prosecuted in a criminal case because his negligence causing the death of
the child was punishable by the Penal Code. Here is therefore a clear
instance of the same act of negligence being a proper subject matter either of
a criminal action with its consequent civil liability arising from a crime or of an
entirely separate and independent civil action for fault or negligence under
article 1402 of the Civil Code. Thus, in this jurisdiction, the separate
individuality of a cuasi-delito or culpa aquiliana under the Civil Code has been
fully and clearly recognized, even with regard to a negligent act for which the
wrongdoer could have been prosecuted and convicted in a criminal case aria
for which, after un a conviction, he could have been sued for this civil liability
arising from his crime.
-Culpa aquiliana includes acts which are criminal in character or in violation of
a penal law, whether voluntary or negligent.
-ART 1162: "Obligations derived from quasi-delicts shall be governed by the
provisions of Chapter 2, Title XVII of this Book, (on quasi-delicts) and by
special laws." More precisely, Article 2177 of the new code provides:
"ART 277. Responsibility for fault or negligence under the preceding article is
entirely separate and distinct from the civil liability arising front negligence
under the Penal Code. But the plaintiff cannot recover damages twice for the
same act or omission of the defendant."
- According to the Code Commission: "The foregoing provision (Article 2177)
through at first sight startling, is not so novel or extraordinary when we
consider the exact nature of criminal and civil negligence. The former is a
violation of the criminal law, while the latter is a 'culpa aquilian' or quasi-delict,
of ancient origin, having always had its own foundation and individuality,
separate from criminal negligence. Such distinction between criminal
negligence and 'culpa extra-contractual' or 'cuasi-delito' has been sustained
by decision of the Supreme Court of Spain and maintained as clear, sound
and perfectly tenable by Maura, an outstanding Spanish jurist. Therefore,
under the proposed Article 2177, acquittal from an accusation of criminal
negligence, whether on reasonable doubt or not, shall not be a bar to a
subsequent civil action, not for civil liability arising from criminal negligence,
but for damages due to a quasi-delict or 'culpa aquiliana'. But said article
forestalls a double recovery,"
- Although, again, this Article 2177 does seem to literally refer to only acts of
negligence, the same argument of Justice Bacobo about construction that
upholds "the spirit that giveth life" rather than that which is literal that killeth
the intent of the lawmaker should be observed in applying the same. And
considering that me preliminary chapter on human relations of the new Civil
Code definitely establishes the separability and independence of liability in a
civil action for acts criminal in character (under Articles 29 to 12) from the civil
responsibility arising from crime fixed by Article 100 of the Revised Penal
Code, and, in a sense, the Rules of Court, under Sections 2 and 3 (c), Rule
111, contemplate also the same separability, its "more congruent with the
CINCO V CANONOY
90 SCRA 369
Melencio-Herrera; May 31, 1979
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari
FACTS
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BAKSH V CA (Gonzales)
219 SCRA 115
DAVIDE, JR; Feb.19, 1993
prof. casis
NATURE
Appeal by certiorari to review and set aside the CA decision which affirmed in
toto the RTCs decision
FACTS
- Private respondent Marilou Gonzales (MG) filed a complaint for damages
against petitioner Gashem Shookat Baksh for the alleged violation of their
agreement to get married.
**MGs allegations in the complaint:
- That she is a 22 yr. old Filipina, single, of good moral character and
respected reputation in her community.
- That Baksh is an Iranian citizen, residing in Dagupan, and is an exchange
student taking up medicine at the Lyceum in Dagupan.
- That Baksh later courted and proposed to marry her. MG accepted his love
on the condition that they would get married. They later agreed to get married
at the end of the school semester. Petitioner had visited MGs parents to
secure their approval of the marriage. Baksh later forced MG to live with him.
A week before the filing of the complaint, petitioner started maltreating her
even threatening to kill her and as a result of such maltreatment, she
sustained injuries. A day before the filing of the complaint, Baksh repudiated
their marriage agreement and asked her not to live with him anymore and
that he is already married to someone in Bacolod. She prayed for payment
for damages amounting to Php 45,000 plus additional costs.
- Baksh answered with a counterclaim, admitting only the personal
circumstances of the parties in the complaint but denied the rest of the
allegations. He claimed that he never proposed marriage to or agreed to be
married; neither sought the consent of her parents nor forced her to live in his
apt.; did not maltreat her but only told her to stop coming to his place after
having discovered that she stole his money and passport. He also prayed for
25,000 as moral damages plus misc. expenses.
- The RTC, applying Art. 21 CC decided in favor of private respondent.
Petitioner was thus ordered to pay Php 20,000 as moral damages and 3,000
pesos attys. fees plus litigation expenses. Petitioner appealed this decision
to respondent CA, contending that the trial court erred in not dismissing the
case for lack of factual and legal basis and in ordering him to pay moral
damages, attys fees, etc.
- Respondent CA promulgated the challenged decision affirming in toto the
trial courts ruling which prompted Baksh to file this petition for certiorari,
raising the single issue of WON Art. 21 applies to this case.
ISSUE
WON damages may be recovered for a breach of promise to marry on the
basis of Art.21 of the Civil Code
HELD
1. YES
Ratio In a breach of promise to marry where the woman is a victim of moral
seduction, Art. 21 may be applied.
Reasoning
- Where a mans promise to marry is in fact the proximate cause of the
acceptance of his love by a woman and his representation to fulfill that
promise becomes the proximate cause of the giving of herself unto him in
sexual congress, proof that he had, in reality, no intention of marrying her and
that the promise was only a subtle scheme or deceptive device to entice or
inveigle to accept him and to obtain her consent to the sexual act, could
justify the award of damages pursuant to Art.21 not because of such promise
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family have suffered incalculable moral damage, she and her parents cannot
bring any action for damages. But under the proposed article, she and her
parents would have such a right of action.
Thus at one stroke, the legislator, if the foregoing rule is approved, would
vouchsafe adequate legal remedy for that untold number of moral wrongs
which it is impossible for human foresight to provide for specifically in the
statutes.
- Art.2176 CC, which defines a quasi-delict, is limited to negligent acts or
omissions and excludes the notion of willfulness or intent. Quasi-delict,
known in Spanish legal treatises as culpa aquiliana, is a civil law concept
while torts is an Anglo-American or common law concept. Torts is much
broader than culpa aquiliana because it includes not only negligence, but
intentional criminal acts as well such as assault and battery, false
imprisonment and deceit. In the general scheme of the Philippine legal
system envisioned by the Commission responsible for drafting the New Civil
Code, intentional and malicious acts, with certain exceptions, are to be
governed by the Revised Penal Code while negligent acts or omissions are to
be covered by Art.2176 CC. In between these opposite spectrums are
injurious acts which, in the absence of Art.21, would have been beyond
redress. Thus, Art.21 fills that vacuum. It is even postulated that together with
Articles 19 and 20 of the Civil Code, Art.21 has greatly broadened the scope
of the law on civil wrongs; it has become much more supple and adaptable
than the Anglo-American law on torts.
DISPOSITION finding no reversible error in the challenged decision, the
instant petition is hereby DENIED
PEOPLE V BALLESTEROS
285 SCRA 438
ROMERO; January 29, 1998
NATURE
An appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court finding the accused
guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder, qualified by treachery.
FACTS
- evening of May 28, 1991, Carmelo Agliam, his half-brother Eduardo
Tolentino, Ronnel Tolentino, Vidal Agliam, his brother Jerry Agliam, Robert
Cacal, Raymundo Bangi and Marcial Barid converged at a carinderia owned
by Ronnel Tolentino. They proceeded to attend a dance but did not stay long
because they sensed some hostility from Cesar Galo and his companions
who were giving them dagger looks. In order to avoid trouble, especially
during the festivity, they decided to head for home instead of reacting to the
perceived provocation of Galo and his companions.
- The group had barely left when their owner jeep was fired upon from the
rear. Vidal Agliam was able to jump out from the jeep and landed just beside
it, scurried to the side of the road and hid in the ricefield. His younger brother
Jerry also managed to jump out, but was shot in the stomach and died.
Carmelo Agliam, Robert Cacal and Ronnel Tolentino sustained injuries.
Eduardo Tolentino was not even able to move from his seat and was hit with
a bullet which punctured his right kidney which caused his death.
- Based upon the affidavits of Carmelo and Vidal Agliam, warrants for the
arrest of Ballesteros, Galo and Bulusan were issued. - All pleaded not guilty.
Paraffin tests conducted on Galo and Ballesteros produced positive
results. Bulusan was not tested for nitrates.
prof. casis
- In his testimony, Galo claimed that he did not even talk to Bulusan or any of
his companions. Having been found with gunpowder residue in his hands,
Galo attempted to exculpate himself from the results by confessing that he
had been a cigarette smoker for the past ten years and had, in fact, just
consumed eight cigarette sticks prior to the test., and that his hand may have
been contaminated by a nitrogenous compound, the source of which is
urine. Lastly, he said that he was not even present at the crime scene
- Ballesteros interposed the defense of alibi, that he went to a nearby store
to purchase some cigarettes. He returned home and cleaned his garlic bulbs
before retiring at 9:00 oclock. The next morning, he busied himself with
some chores, which included fertilizing his pepper plants with sulfate. He
handled the fertilizers without gloves. He said that he uses his left hand in
lighting cigarettes and he had no motive to kill the victims.
- Bulusan echoed the defense of alibi of Galo and Ballesteros
- The trial court found the three accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of
murder, qualified by treachery, and ordered them to pay jointly and solidarily:
1. The heirs of Jerry Agliam compensatory damages in the amount of
P50,000.00, moral damages in the amount of P20,000.00, and actual
damages in the amount of P35,755.00, with interest;
2. The heirs of the late Eduardo Tolentino, Sr., compensatory damages in the
amount of P50,000.00, moral damages in the amount of P20,000.00, and
actual damages in the total amount of P61,785.00, with interest;
3. Carmelo Agliam, actual damages in the amount of P2,003.40, and moral
damages in the amount of P10,000.00, with interest;
4. Vidal Agliam Jr., Robert Cacal and Ronnel Tolentino, moral damages in
the amount of P5,000.00 each, with interest.
5. The costs.
ISSUES
1. WON the trial court was correct in finding accused-appellants guilty beyond
reasonable doubt
2. WON the Court correctly ruled in finding that the offense was qualified by
treachery
3. WON the Court was correct in the award of damages to the heirs of the
victims
HELD
1. YES
Ratio Absolute certainty of guilt is not demanded by law to convict a person
of a criminal charge. The doubt to the benefit of which an accused is entitled
in a criminal trial is a reasonable doubt, not a whimsical or fanciful doubt
based on imagined but wholly improbable possibilities and unsupported by
evidence. Reasonable doubt is that engendered by an investigation of the
whole proof and inability, after such investigation, to let the mind rest easy
upon the certainty of guilt.
Reasoning
- In their testimonies, Carmelo and Vidal Agliam both described the area to
be well illumined by the moon. Considering the luminescence of the moon
and the proximity between them, the victims could distinctly identify their
assailants. Also, the constant interaction between them through the years (in
the buying and selling of cattle and Bulusan was a classmate of Vidal) would
necessarily lead to familiarity with each other such that, at the very least, one
would have been able to recognize the other easily
- That accused-appellants had no motive in perpetrating the offense is
irrelevant. Motive is the moving power which impels one to action for a
definite result. Intent, on the other hand, is the purpose to use a particular
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prof. casis
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therein. With the finality of the judgment of the trial court as to petitioners, the
issue of propriety of the grant of right of way has already been laid to rest.
2. YES
Ratio There is no cause of action for acts done by one person (in this case,
upon his own property) in a lawful and proper manner, although such acts
incidentally cause damage or an unavoidable loss to another, as such
damage or loss is damnum absque injuria.
Reasoning
[1] To warrant the recovery of damages, there must be both a right of action
for a legal wrong inflicted by the defendant, and damage resulting to the
plaintiff therefrom.
[2] Obiter: There is a material distinction between damages and injury. Injury
is the illegal invasion of a legal right; damage is the loss, hurt, or harm which
results from the injury; and damages are the recompense or compensation
awarded for the damage suffered. Thus, there can be damage without injury
in those instances in which the loss or harm was not the result of a violation
of a legal duty. These situations are often called damnum absque injuria.
[3] In order that the law will give redress for an act causing damage, that act
must be not only hurtful, but wrongful. There must be damnum et injuria. The
injury must result from a breach of duty or a legal wrong.
[4] In this case, although there was damage, there was no legal injury.
Contrary to the claim of private respondents, petitioners could not be said to
have violated the principle of abuse of right (Art.21 CC)
[5] The act of petitioners in constructing a fence within their lot is a valid
exercise of their right as owners, hence not contrary to morals, good customs
or public policy. The law recognizes in the owner the right to enjoy and
dispose of a thing, without other limitations than those established by law. It is
within the right of petitioners, as owners, to enclose and fence their property
(See Art.430 CC).
DISPOSITION The appealed decision of CA is REVERSED and SET ASIDE
and the judgment of the trial court is REINSTATED.
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prof. casis
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- The circumstance that the complaint alleged that respondents violated traffic
rules in that the driver drove the vehicle "at a fast clip in a reckless, grossly
negligent and imprudent manner in violation of traffic rules and without due
regard to the safety of the passengers aboard the PU car" does not detract
from the nature and character of the action, as one based on culpa aquiliana.
The violation of traffic rules is merely descriptive of the failure of said driver to
observe for the protection of the interests of others, that degree of care,
precaution and vigilance which the circumstances justly demand, which
failure resulted in the injury on petitioners. Certainly excessive speed in
violation of traffic rules is a clear indication of negligence. Since the same
negligent act resulted in the filing of the criminal action by the Chief of Police
with the Municipal Court (Criminal Case No. 4960) and the civil action by
petitioners, it is inevitable that the averments on the drivers' negligence in
both complaints would substantially be the same. It should be emphasized
that the same negligent act causing damages may produce a civil liability
arising from a crime under Art. 100 of the Revised Penal Code or create an
action for quasi-delict or culpa extra-contractual under Arts. 2176-2194 of the
New Civil Code. This distinction has been amply explained in Barredo vs.
Garcia, et all (73 Phil. 607, 620-621).
- It is true that under Sec. 2 in relation to Sec. 1 of Rule 111 of the Revised
Rules of Court which became effective on January 1, 1964, in the cases
provided for by Articles 31, 33, 39 and 2177 of the Civil Code, an
independent civil action entirely separate and distinct from the civil action,
may be instituted by the injured party during the pendency of the criminal
case, provided said party has reserved his right to institute it separately, but it
should be noted, however, that neither Section 1 nor Section 2 of Rule 111
fixes a time limit when such reservation shall be made.
SEPARATE OPINION
BARREDO [concur]
- Article 2176 and 2177 definitely create a civil liability distinct and different
from the civil action arising from the offense of negligence under the Revised
Penal Code. Since Civil Case No. 2850 is predicated on the above civil code
articles and not on the civil liability imposed by the Revised Penal Code, I
cannot see why a reservation had to be made in the criminal case. As to the
specific mention of Article 2177 in Section 2 of the Rule 111, it is my
considered view that the latter provision is inoperative, it being substantive in
character and is not within the power of the Supreme Court to promulgate,
and even if it were not substantive but adjective, it cannot stand because of
its inconsistency with Article 2177, an enactment of the legislature
superseding the Rules of 1940.
- Besides, the actual filing of Civil Case No. 2850 should be deemed as the
reservation required, there being no showing that prejudice could be caused
by doing so.
- Accordingly, I concur in the judgment reversing the order of dismissal of the
trial court in order that Civil Case No. 2850 may proceed, subject to the
limitation mentioned in the last sentence of Article 2177 of the Civil Code,
which means that of the two possible judgments, the injured party is
entitled exclusively to the bigger one.
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-7-
- A careful examination of the complaint shows that the civil action is one
under Articles 2176 and 2177 of the Civil Code on quasi-delicts. All the
elements of a quasi-delict are present, to wit: (a) damages suffered by the
plaintiff, (b) fault or negligence of the defendant, or some other person for
whose acts he must respond; and (c) the connection of cause and effect
between the fault or negligence of the defendant and the damages incurred
by the plaintiff.
- The waterpaths and contrivances built by respondent corporation are
alleged to have inundated the land of petitioners. There is therefore, an
assertion of a causal connection between the act of building these waterpaths
and the damage sustained by petitioners. Such action if proven constitutes
fault or negligence which may be the basis for the recovery of damages.
- In the case of Samson vs. Dionisio, the Court applied Article 1902, now
Article 2176 of the Civil Code and held that "any person who without due
authority constructs a bank or dike, stopping the flow or communication
between a creek or a lake and a river, thereby causing loss and damages to
a third party who, like the rest of the residents, is entitled to the use and
enjoyment of the stream or lake, shall be liable to the payment of an
indemnity for loss and damages to the injured party.
- While the property involved in the cited case belonged to the public domain
and the property subject of the instant case is privately owned, the fact
remains that petitioners' complaint sufficiently alleges that petitioners have
sustained and will continue to sustain damage due to the waterpaths and
contrivances built by respondent corporation. Indeed, the recitals of the
complaint, the alleged presence of damage to the petitioners, the act or
omission of respondent corporation supposedly constituting fault or
negligence, and the causal connection between the act and the damage, with
no pre-existing contractual obligation between the parties make a clear case
of a quasi delict or culpa aquiliana.
- It must be stressed that the use of one's property is not without limitations.
Article 431 of the Civil Code provides that "the owner of a thing cannot make
use thereof in such a manner as to injure the rights of a third person." SIC
UTERE TUO UT ALIENUM NON LAEDAS. Moreover, adjoining landowners
have mutual and reciprocal duties which require that each must use his own
land in a reasonable manner so as not to infringe upon the rights and
interests of others. Although we recognize the right of an owner to build
structures on his land, such structures must be so constructed and
maintained using all reasonable care so that they cannot be dangerous to
adjoining landowners and can withstand the usual and expected forces of
nature. If the structures cause injury or damage to an adjoining landowner or
a third person, the latter can claim indemnification for the injury or damage
suffered.
- Article 2176 1 of the Civil Code imposes a civil liability on a person for
damage caused by his act or omission constituting fault or negligence.
- Article 2176, whenever it refers to "fault or negligence", covers not only acts
"not punishable by law" but also acts criminal in character, whether
intentional and voluntary or negligent. Consequently, a separate civil action
lies against the offender in a criminal act, whether or not he is criminally
prosecuted and found guilty or acquitted, provided that the offended party is
not allowed, (if the tortfeasor is actually charged also criminally), to recover
damages on both scores, and would be entitled in such eventuality only to the
bigger award of the two, assuming the awards made in the two cases vary.
Article 2177. Responsibility for fault or negligence under the preceding article is entirely separate and
distinct from the civil liability arising from negligence under the Penal Code. But the plaintiff cannot
recover damages twice for the same act or omission of the defendant.
2
Article 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence,
is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual
relation between the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this chapter.
1
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prof. casis
-8-
- But while we hold that the entry of the plaintiff upon defendant's property
without defendant's express invitation or permission would not have relieved
defendant from responsibility for injuries incurred there by plaintiff, without
other fault on his part, if such injury were attributable to the negligence of the
defendant, we are of opinion that under all the circumstances of this case the
negligence of the defendant in leaving the caps exposed on its premises was
not the proximate cause of the injury received by the plaintiff, which therefore
was not, properly speaking, "attributable to the negligence of the defendant,"
and, on the other hand, we are satisfied that plaintiffs action in cutting open
the detonating cap and putting match to its contents was the proximate cause
of the explosion and of the resultant injuries inflicted upon the plaintiff, and
that the defendant, therefore is not civilly responsible for the injuries thus
incurred. Plaintiff contends, upon the authority of the Turntable and Torpedo
cases, that because of plaintiff's youth the intervention of his action between
the negligent act of the defendant in leaving the caps exposed on its
premises and the explosion which resulted in his injury should not be held to
have contributed in any wise to the accident; and it is because we can not
agree with this proposition, although we accept the doctrine of the Turntable
and Torpedo cases, that we have thought proper to discuss and to consider
that doctrine at length in this decision.
- In the case at bar, plaintiff at the time of the accident was a well-grown
youth of 15, more mature both mentally and physically than the average boy
of his age; he had been to sea as a cabin boy; was able to earn P2.50 a day
as a mechanical draftsman thirty days after the injury was incurred; and the
record discloses throughout that he was exceptionally well qualified to take
care of himself. The evidence of record leaves no room for doubt that, despite
his denials on the witness stand, he well knew the explosive character of the
cap with which he was amusing himself.
- True, he may not have known and probably did not know the precise nature
of the explosion which might be expected from the ignition of the contents of
the cap, and of course he did not anticipate the resultant injuries which he
incurred; but he well knew that a more or less dangerous explosion might be
expected from his act, and yet he willfully, recklessly, and knowingly
produced the explosion. It would be going far to say that "according to his
maturity and capacity" he exercised such and "care and caution" as might
reasonably be required of him, or that defendant or anyone else should be
held civilly responsible for injuries incurred by him under such circumstances.
We are satisfied that the plaintiff in this case had sufficient capacity and
understanding to be sensible of the danger to which he exposed himself
when he put the match to the contents of the cap; that he was sui juris in the
sense that his age and his experience qualified him to understand and
appreciate the necessity for the exercise of that degree of caution which
would have avoided the injury which resulted from his own deliberate act; and
that the injury incurred by him must be held to have been the direct and
immediate result of his own willful and reckless act, so that while it may be
true that these injuries would not have been incurred but for the negligence
act of the defendant in leaving the caps exposed on its premises,
nevertheless plaintiff's own act was the proximate and principal cause of the
accident which inflicted the injury.
TAYAG V ALCANTARA
98 SCRA 723
CONCEPCION; July 23, 1980
NATURE
SEPARATE OPINION
AQUINO [concur]
- I concur because petitioners' action for damages is based on article 2177 of
the Civil Code, under which according to the Code Commission, "acquittal
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PEOPLE V LIGON
152 SCRA 419
YAP; July 29, 1987
NATURE
Appeal from the judgment of the RTC Manila
FACTS
- February 17, 1986, RTC convicted Fernando Gabat, of Robbery with
Homicide and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua where he robbed and
killed Jose Rosales y Ortiz, a seventeen-year old working student who was
earning his keep as a cigarette vendor. He was allegedly robbed of his
cigarette box containing cigarettes worth P300.00 more or less. Rogelio
Ligon,the co-accused, was never apprehended and is still at large.
- October 23, 1983 - at about 6:10 p.m. Gabat, was riding in a 1978
Volkswagen Kombi owned by his father and driven by the other accused,
Ligon which was coming from Espaa Street going towards the direction of
Quiapo. At the intersection of Quezon Boulevard and Lerma Street before
turning left towards the underpass at C.M. Recto Avenue, they stopped.
While waiting, Gabat beckoned a cigarette vendor, Rosales to buy some
cigarettes from him. Rosales approached the Kombi and handed Gabat two
sticks of cigarettes. While this transaction was occurring, the traffic light
changed to green, and the Kombi driven by Rogelio Ligon suddenly moved
forward. As to what precisely happened between Gabat and Rosales at
the crucial moment, and immediately thereafter, is the subject of
conflicting versions by the prosecution and the defense. It is not
controverted, however, that as the Kombi continued to speed towards
Quiapo, Rosales clung to the window of the Kombi but apparently lost
his grip and fell down on the pavement. Rosales was rushed by some
bystanders to the Philippine General Hospital, where he was treated for
multiple physical injuries and was confined thereat until his death on October
30, 1983.
- Following close behind (about 3 meters) the Kombi at the time of the
incident was a taxicab driven by Castillo. He was traveling on the same lane
in a slightly oblique position. The Kombi did not stop after the victim fell down
on the pavement near the foot of the underpass, Castillo pursued it as it sped
towards Roxas Boulevard, beeping his horn to make the driver stop. When
they reached the Luneta near the Rizal monument, Castillo saw an ownertype jeep with two persons in it. He sought their assistance in chasing the
Kombi, telling them "nakaaksidente ng tao." The two men in the jeep joined
the chase and at the intersection of Vito Cruz and Roxas Boulevard, Castillo
prof. casis
was able to overtake the Kombi when the traffic light turned red. He
immediately blocked the Kombi while the jeep pulled up right behind it. The
two men on board the jeep turned out to be police officers, Patrolmen
Leonardo Pugao and Peter Ignacio. They drew their guns and told the driver,
Rogelio Ligon, and his companion, Fernando Gabat, to alight from the Kombi.
It was found out that there was a third person inside the Kombi, a certain
Rodolfo Primicias who was sleeping at the rear seat.
- The three were all brought by the police officers to the Western Police
District and turned over to Pfc. Fermin Payuan. The taxicab driver, Prudencio
Castillo, also went along with them. Payuan also prepared a Traffic Accident
Report, dated October 23, 1983.6 Fernando Gabat and Rodolfo Primicias
were released early morning the following day, but Rogelio Ligon was
detained and turned over to the City Fiscal's Office for further investigation.
- December 6, 1983 - Investigating Fiscal Cantos, filed an information against
Rogelio Ligon charging him with Homicide thru Reckless Imprudence.
- October 31, 1983 - an autopsy was conducted by the medico-legal officer of
NBI which stated the cause of death of Rosales as "pneumonia hypostatic,
bilateral, secondary to traumatic injuries of the head."
- June 28, 1984 - Assistant Fiscal Cantos filed another information against
Rogelio Ligon and Fernando Gabat for Robbery with Homicide based on a
Supplemental Affidavit of Prudencio Castillo and a joint affidavit of Armando
Espino and Romeo Castil, cigarette vendors, who allegedly witnessed the
incident . These affidavits were already prepared and merely sworn to before
Fiscal Cantos on January 17, 1984.
- prosecution tried to establish, through the sole testimony of the taxicab
driver that Gabat grabbed the box of cigarettes from Rosales and pried loose
the latter's hand from the window of the Kombi, resulting in the latter falling
down and hitting the pavement.
- The trial court gave full credence to the prosecution's version, stating that
there can be no doubt that Gabat forcibly took or grabbed the cigarette box
from Rosales because, otherwise, there could be no reason for the latter to
run after the Kombi and hang on to its window. The court also believed
Castillo's testimony that Gabat forcibly removed or pried off the right hand of
Rosales from the windowsill of the Kombi, otherwise, the latter could not have
fallen down, having already been able to balance himself on the stepboard.
- On the other hand, the trial court dismissed as incredible the testimony of
Gabat that the cigarette vendor placed the cigarette box on the windowsill of
the Kombi, holding it with his left hand, while he was trying to get from his
pocket the change for the 5peso bill of Gabat. The court said that it is of
common knowledge that cigarette vendors plying their trade in the streets do
not let go of their cigarette box; no vendor lets go of his precious box of
cigarettes in order to change a peso bill given by a customer.
ISSUE
WON the prosecutions set of facts should be given credence
HELD
NO
- a careful review of the record shows that certain material facts and
circumstances had been overlooked by the trial court which, if taken into
account, would alter the result of the case in that they would introduce an
element of reasonable doubt which would entitle the accused to acquittal.
- While the prosecution witness, Castillo, may be a disinterested witness with
no motive, according to the court a quo, "other than to see that justice be
done," his testimony, even if not tainted with bias, is not entirely free from
doubt because his observation of the event could have been faulty or
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- 10 -
DISPOSITION Appellant acquitted for the crime of robbery and homicide, but
sentenced to indemnify the heirs of Jose Rosales y Ortiz.
PADILLA V CA (Vergara)
129 SCRA 558
GUTIERREZ; [date]
NATURE
Civil action for damages in a medical malpractice suit.
NATURE
Petition of rcertiorari to revies the decision of the Court of Appeals
FACTS
- Petitioners, on or about February 8, 1964, went to the public market to
execute an alleged order of the Mayor to clear the public market of stalls
which were considered as nuisance per se. The stall of one Antonio Vergara
was demolished pursuant to this order. In the process however the stock in
trade and certain furniture of Vergara were lost and destroyed.
- The petitioners were found guilty of grave coercion after trial at the CFI and
were sentenced to five months and one day imprisonment and ordered to pay
fines.
- On appeal, the CA reversed the findings of the CFI and acquitted the
appellants based on reasonable doubt but nonetheless ordered them to pay
P9,600.00 as actual damages. The decision of the CA was based on the fact
that the petitioners were charged with coercion when they should have been
more appropriately charged with crime against person. Hence, the crime of
grave coercion was not proved in accordance with the law.
- The petitioner filed the appeal to the SC questioning the grant of actual
damages despite a no guilty verdict.
ISSUE
WON the CA committed a reversible error in requiring the petitioners to pay
civil indemnity to the complainants after acquitting them from the criminal
charge
HELD
NO
- The SC, quoting Section 3 (C) of Rule 111 of the Rules of Court and various
jurisprudence including PNB vs Catipon, De Guzman vs Alvia, held that
extinction of the penal action does not carry with it the extinction of the civil,
unless the extinction proceeds from a declaration in the final judgment that
the facts from which the civil action might arise did not exist. In the case at
bar, the judgment of not guilty was based on reasonable doubt. Since the
standard of proof to be used in civil cases is preponderance of evidence, the
court express a finding that the defendants offenses are civil in nature.
- The Court also tackled the provision of Article 29 of the Civil Code to clarify
whether a separate civil action is required when the accused in a criminal
prosecution is acquitted on the ground that his guilt has not been proved
beyond reasonable doubt. The SC took the position that the said provision
merely emphasizes that a civil action for damages is not precluded by an
acquittal for the same criminal act. The acquittal extinguishes the criminal
liability but not the civil liability particularly if the finding is not guilty based on
reasonable ground.
CRUZ V CA (UMALI)
FACTS
- Rowena Umali De Ocampo accompanied her mother to the Perpetual Help
Clinic and General Hospital. Prior to March 22, 1991, Lydia was examined by
the petitioner who found a "myoma" in her uterus, and scheduled her for a
hysterectomy operation on March 23, 1991.
- Rowena and her mother slept in the clinic on the evening of March 22, 1991
as the latter was to be operated on the next day at 1:00 o'clock in the
afternoon. According to Rowena, she noticed that the clinic was untidy and
the window and the floor were very dusty prompting her to ask the attendant
for a rag to wipe the window and the floor with. Because of the untidy state of
the clinic, Rowena tried to persuade her mother not to proceed with the
operation.
- The following day, Rowena asked the petitioner if the operation could be
postponed. The petitioner called Lydia into her office and the two had a
conversation. Lydia then informed Rowena that the petitioner told her that
she must be operated on as scheduled.
- Rowena and her other relatives waited outside the operating room while
Lydia underwent operation. While they were waiting, Dr. Ercillo went out of
the operating room and instructed them to buy tagamet ampules which
Rowena's sister immediately bought. About one hour had passed when Dr.
Ercillo came out again this time to ask them to buy blood for Lydia. They
bought type "A" blood and the same was brought by the attendant into the
operating room.
- After the lapse of a few hours, the petitioner informed them that the
operation was finished. The operating staff then went inside the petitioner's
clinic to take their snacks. Some thirty minutes after, Lydia was brought out of
the operating room in a stretcher and the petitioner asked Rowena and the
other relatives to buy additional blood for Lydia. Unfortunately, they were not
able to comply with petitioner's order as there was no more type "A" blood
available in the blood bank.
- Thereafter, a person arrived to donate blood which was later transfused to
Lydia. Rowena then noticed her mother, who was attached to an oxygen
tank, gasping for breath. Apparently the oxygen supply had run out and
Rowena's husband together with the driver of the accused had to go to the
San Pablo District Hospital to get oxygen. Lydia was given the fresh supply of
oxygen as soon as it arrived.
- At around 10pm, she went into shock and her blood pressure dropped to
60/50. Lydia's unstable condition necessitated her transfer to the San Pablo
District Hospital so she could be connected to a respirator and further
examined. The transfer to the San Pablo City District Hospital was without the
prior consent of Rowena nor of the other relatives present who found out
about the intended transfer only when an ambulance arrived to take Lydia to
the San Pablo District Hospital. Rowena and her other relatives then boarded
a tricycle and followed the ambulance.
- Upon Lydia's arrival at the San Pablo District Hospital, she was wheeled into
the operating room and the petitioner and Dr. Ercillo re-operated on her
because there was blood oozing from the abdominal incision. The attending
physicians summoned Dr. Bartolome Angeles, head of the Obstetrics and
Gynecology Department of the San Pablo District Hospital. However, when
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NATURE
Petition for Review
FACTS
- Napoleon Macadangdang was found guilty and convicted of the crime of
reckless imprudence resulting to triple homicide, multiple physical injuries and
damage to property and was sentenced to suffer the penalty of 4 years, 9
months and 11 days to 6 years, and to pay damages. But in the event the
the accused becoems insolvent, Phil. Rabbit will be held liable for the civil
liabilities. But admittedly, the accused jumped bail and remained at large.
ISSUE
WON an employer, who dutifully participated in the defense of its accusedemployee, may appeal the judgment of conviction independently of the
accused
HELD
NO
- The accused cannot be accorded the right to appeal unless they voluntarily
submit to the jurisdiction of the court or are otherwise arrested within 15 days
from notice of the judgment against them. While at large, they cannot seek
relief from the court, as they are deemed to have waived the appeal. In the
case before us, the accused-employee has escaped and refused to surrender
to the proper authorities; thus, he is deemed to have abandoned his
appeal. Consequently, the judgment against him has become final and
executory.
- After a judgment has become final, vested rights are acquired by the
winning party. If the proper losing party has the right to file an appeal within
the prescribed period, then the former has the correlative right to enjoy the
finality of the resolution of the case.
- In fact, petitioner admits that by helping the accused-employee, it
participated in the proceedings before the RTC; thus, it cannot be said that
the employer was deprived of due process. It might have lost its right to
appeal, but it was not denied its day in court. In fact, it can be said that by
jumping bail, the accused-employee, not the court, deprived petitioner of the
right to appeal.
- On Subsidiary Liability Upon Finality of Judgment:
- Under Article 103 of the Revised Penal Code, employers are subsidiarily
liable for the adjudicated civil liabilities of their employees in the event of the
latters insolvency.
- To allow employers to dispute the civil liability fixed in a criminal case would
enable them to amend, nullify or defeat a final judgment rendered by a
competent court. By the same token, to allow them to appeal the final criminal
conviction of their employees without the latters consent would also result in
improperly amending, nullifying or defeating the judgment.
- The decision convicting an employee in a criminal case is binding and
conclusive upon the employer not only with regard to the formers civil
liability, but also with regard to its amount. The liability of an employer cannot
be separated from that of the employee.
DISPOSITION Petition is hereby DENIED, and the assailed Resolutions
AFFIRMED. Costs against petitioner.
prof. casis
NATURE
An appeal from a judgment of the Court of First Instance disallowing the claim
of the plaintiff for P1,000 against the estate of the deceased James P.
McElroy.
FACTS
- Jose Cangco, was employed by Manila Railroad Company as clerk. He
lived in San Mateo, Rizal, located upon the line of the defendant railroad
company; and in coming daily by train to the company's office in the city of
Manila where he worked, he used a pass, supplied by the company, which
entitled him to ride upon the company's trains free of charge.
- January 20, 1915, the plaintiff was returning home by rail from his daily
labors; and as the train drew up to the station in San Mateo the plaintiff while
making his exit through the door, took his position upon the steps of the
coach.
- On the side of the train where passengers alight at the San Mateo station
there is a cement platform which begins to rise with a moderate gradient
some distance away from the company's office and extends along in front of
said office for a distance sufficient to cover the length of several coaches. As
the train slowed down another passenger, Emilio Zuniga, also an employee
of the railroad company, got off the same car, alighting safely at the point
where the platform begins to rise from the level of the ground. When Jose
Cangco stepped off, one or both of his feet came in contact with a sack of
watermelons with the result that his feet slipped from under him and he fell
violently on the platform. His body at once rolled from the platform and was
drawn under the moving car, where his right arm was badly crushed and
lacerated. After the plaintiff alighted from the train the car moved forward
possibly six meters before it came to a full stop.
- The accident occurred on a dark night, and the train station was lit dimly by
a single light located some distance away, objects on the platform where the
accident occurred were difficult to discern, especially to a person emerging
from a lighted car.
- The sack of melons on the platform is because it was the customary season
for harvesting these melons and a large lot had been brought to the station
for shipment to the market. This row of sacks was so placed that there was a
space of only about two feet between the sacks of melons and the edge of
the platform; and it is clear that the fall of the plaintiff was due to the fact that
his foot alighted upon one of these melons at the moment he stepped upon
the platform. His statement that he failed to see these objects in the darkness
is readily to be credited.
- The plaintiff was drawn from under the car in an unconscious condition, and
with serious injuries. He was immediately brought to a hospital where an
examination was made and his arm was amputated. The plaintiff was then
carried to another hospital where a second operation was performed and the
member was again amputated higher up near the shoulder. Expenses
reached the sum of P790.25 in the form of medical and surgical fees and for
other expenses in connection with the process of his curation.
- August 31, 1915, he instituted this proceeding in the CFI Manilato recover
damages of the defendant company, founding his action upon the negligence
of the servants and employees of the defendant in placing the sacks of
melons upon the platform and in leaving them so placed as to be a menace
to the security of passenger alighting from the company's trains. At the
hearing in the CFI, the trial judge, found the facts substantially as above
stated, and although negligence was attributable to the defendant by reason
of the fact that the sacks of melons were so placed as to obstruct passengers
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prof. casis
- 12 -
by the carelessness of his employee while acting within the scope of his
employment The Court, after citing the last paragraph of article 1903 of the
Civil Code, said: (1) That when an injury is caused by the negligence of a
servant or employee there instantly arises a presumption of law that there
was negligence on the part of the master or employer either in the selection
of the servant or employee, or in supervision over him after the selection, or
both; and (2) that presumption is juris tantum and not juris et de jure, and
consequently, may be rebutted. It follows necessarily that if the employer
shows to the satisfaction of the court that in selection and supervision he has
exercised the care and diligence of a good father of a family, the presumption
is overcome and he is relieved from liability.
- Every legal obligation must of necessity be extra-contractual or contractual.
Extra-contractual obligation has its source in the breach or omission of those
mutual duties which civilized society imposes upon its members, or which
arise from these relations, other than contractual, of certain members of
society to others, generally embraced in the concept of status. The legal
rights of each member of society constitute the measure of the corresponding
legal duties, which the existence of those rights imposes upon all other
members of society. The breach of these general duties whether due to willful
intent or to mere inattention, if productive of injury, gives rise to an obligation
to indemnify the injured party. The fundamental distinction between
obligations of this character and those which arise from contract, rests upon
the fact that in cases of non-contractual obligation it is the wrongful or
negligent act or omission itself which creates the vinculum juris, whereas in
contractual relations the vinculum exists independently of the breach of the
voluntary duty assumed by the parties when entering into the contractual
relation.
- The railroad company's defense involves the assumption that even granting
that the negligent conduct of its servants in placing an obstruction upon the
platform was a breach of its contractual obligation to maintain safe means of
approaching and leaving its trains, the direct and proximate cause of the
injury suffered by plaintiff was his own contributory negligence in failing to
wait until the train had come to a complete stop before alighting. Under the
doctrine of comparative negligence announced in the Rakes case, if the
accident was caused by plaintiff's own negligence, no liability is imposed
upon defendant, whereas if the accident was caused by defendant's
negligence and plaintiff's negligence merely contributed to his injury, the
damages should be apportioned. It is, therefore, important to ascertain if
defendant was in fact guilty of negligence.
- The Court is of the opinion that the correct doctrine relating to this subject is
that expressed in Thompson's work on Negligence:
"The test by which to determine whether the passenger has been guilty of
negligence in attempting to alight from a moving railway train, is that of
ordinary or reasonable care. It is to be considered whether an ordinarily
prudent person, of the age, sex and condition of the passenger, would have
acted as the passenger acted under the circumstances disclosed by the
evidence. This care has been defined to be, not the care which may or should
be used by the prudent man generally, but the care which a man of ordinary
prudence would use under similar circumstances, to avoid injury."
- In considering the probability of contributory negligence on the part of the
plaintiff the following circumstances are to be noted: The company's platform
was constructed upon a level higher than that of the roadbed and the
surrounding ground. The distance from the steps of the car to the spot where
the alighting passenger would place his feet on the platform was thus
reduced, thereby decreasing the risk incident to stepping off. The cement
platform also assured to the passenger a stable and even surface on which to
alight. The plaintiff was possessed of the vigor and agility of young manhood,
and it was by no means so risky for him to get off while the train was yet
moving as the same act would have been in an aged or feeble person. The
place was perfectly familiar to the plaintiff, as it was his daily custom to get on
and off the train at this station. There could be no uncertainty in his mind with
regard either to the length of the step which he was required to take or the
character of the platform where he was alighting. It is the Courts conclusion
that the conduct of the plaintiff in undertaking to alight while the train was yet
slightly under way was not characterized by imprudence and that therefore he
was not guilty of contributory negligence.
DISPOSITION The decision of the lower court is reversed, and judgment is
hereby rendered plaintiff for the sum of P3,290.25, and for the costs of both
instances.
SEPARATE OPINION
MALCOLM, [dissent]
- With one sentence in the majority decision, we are of full accord, namely, "It
may be admitted that had plaintiff waited until the train had come to a full stop
before alighting, the particular injury suffered by him could not have
occurred." With the general rule relative to a passenger's contributory
negligence, we are likewise in full accord, namely, "An attempt to alight from
a moving train is negligence per se." Adding these two points together, we
have the logical result - the Manila Railroad Co. should be absolved from the
complaint, and judgment affirmed.
FORES V MIRANDA
[citation]
REYES, J.B.L.; March 4, 1959
NATURE
Petition for review of the decision of the Court of Appeals
FACTS
- Respondent was one of the passengers on a jeepney driven by Eugenio
Luga. While the vehicle was descending the Sta. Mesa bridge at an
excessive rate of speed, the driver lost control thereof, causing it to swerve
and to hit the bridge wall. The accident occurred on the morning of March 22,
1953. Five of the passengers were injured, including the respondent who
suffered a fracture of the upper right humerus. He was taken to the National
Orthopedic Hospital for treatment, and later was subjected to a series of
operations; the first on May 23, 1953, when wire loops were wound around
the broken bones and screwed into place; a second, effected to insert a metal
splint, and a third one to remove such splint. At the time of the trial, it appears
that respondent had not yet recovered the use of his right arm.
- The driver was charged with serious physical injuries through reckless
imprudence, and upon interposing a plea of guilty was sentenced
accordingly.
ISSUE
WON the defendant is entitled to moral damages
HELD
NO.
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prof. casis
- 13 -
SEPARATE OPINION
WILLARD AND CARSON [dissent]
-the negligence of the defendant alone was insufficient to cause the
accidentit also required the negligence of the plaintiff. Because of this,
plaintiff should not be afforded relief
A2010
prof. casis
- 14 -
- Art. 2220. Wilful injury to property may be a legal ground for awarding moral
damages if the court should find that, under the circumstances, such
damages are justly due. The same rule applies to breaches of contract where
the defendant acted fraudulently or in bad faith.
- By contrasting the provisions of these two articles it immediately becomes
apparent that:
(a) In case of breach of contract (including one of transportation) proof of bad
faith or fraud (dolus), i.e., wanton or deliberately injurious conduct, is
essential to justify an award of moral damages; and
(b) That a breach of contract can not be considered included in the
descriptive term "analogous cases" used in Art. 2219; not only because Art.
2220 specifically provides for the damages that are caused contractual
breach, but because the definition of quasi-delict in Art. 2176 of the Code
expressly excludes the cases where there is a "preexisitng contractual
relations between the parties."
- Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there
being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or
negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties,
is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
The exception to the basic rule of damages now under consideration is a
mishap resulting in the death of a passenger, in which case Article 1764
makes the common carrier expressly subject to the rule of Art. 2206, that
entitles the spouse, descendants and ascendants of the deceased passenger
to "demand moral damages for mental anguish by reason of the death of the
deceased. But the exceptional rule of Art. 1764 makes it all the more evident
that where the injured passenger does not die, moral damages are not
recoverable unless it is proved that the carrier was guilty of malice or bad
faith. We think it is clear that the mere carelessness of the carrier's driver
does not per se constitute or justify an inference of malice or bad faith on the
part of the carrier; and in the case at bar there is no other evidence of such
malice to support the award of moral damages by the Court of Appeals. To
award moral damages for breach of contract, therefore, without proof of bad
faith or malice on the part of the defendant, as required by Art. 2220, would
be to violate the clear provisions of the law, and constitute unwarranted
judicial legislation.
xxx xxx xxx
- The distinction between fraud, bad faith or malice in the sense of deliberate
or wanton wrong doing and negligence (as mere carelessness) is too
fundamental in our law to be ignored (Arts. 1170-1172); their consequences
being clearly differentiated by the Code.
- Art. 2201. In contracts and quasi-contracts, the damages for which the
obligor who acted in good faith is liable shall be those that are the natural and
probable consequences of the breach of the obligation, and which the parties
have foreseen or could have reasonably foreseen at the time the obligation
was constituted.
- In case of fraud, bad faith, malice or wanton attitude, the obligor shall be
responsible for all damages which may be reasonably attributed to the nonperformance of the obligation.
- It is to be presumed, in the absence of statutory provision to the contrary,
that this difference was in the mind of the lawmakers when in Art. 2220 they
limited recovery of moral damages to breaches of contract in bad faith. It is
true that negligence may be occasionally so gross as to amount to malice;
but the fact must be shown in evidence, and a carrier's bad faith is not to be
lightly inferred from a mere finding that the contract was breached through
negligence of the carrier's employees.
- The Court has not in the process overlooked another rule that a quasi-delict
can be the cause for breaching a contract that might thereby permit the
application of applicable principles on tort even where there is a pre-existing
contract between the plaintiff and the defendant This doctrine, unfortunately,
cannot improve private respondents' case for it can aptly govern only where
the act or omission complained of would constitute an actionable tort
independently of the contract. The test (whether a quasi-delict can be
deemed to underlie the breach of a contract) can be stated thusly: Where,
without a pre-existing contract between two parties, an act or omission can
nonetheless amount to an actionable tort by itself, the fact that the parties are
contractually bound is no bar to the application of quasi-delict provisions to
the case. Here, private respondents' damage claim is predicated solely on
their contractual relationship; without such agreement, the act or omission
complained of cannot by itself be held to stand as a separate cause of action
or as an independent actionable tort.
- Exemplary or corrective damages, in turn, are intended to serve as an
example or as correction for the public good in addition to moral, temperate,
liquidated or compensatory damages (Art. 2229, Civil Code. In criminal
offenses, exemplary damages are imposed when the crime is committed with
one or more aggravating circumstances (Art. 2230, Civil Code). In quasidelicts, such damages are granted if the defendant is shown to have been so
guilty of gross negligence as to approximate malice. In contracts and quasicontracts, the court may award exemplary damages if the defendant is found
to have acted in a wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, or malevolent
manner (Art. 2232, Civil Code).
- Given the above premises and the factual circumstances here obtaining, it
would also be just as arduous to sustain the exemplary damages granted by
the courts below.
- Nevertheless, the bank's failure, even perhaps inadvertent, to honor its
credit card issued to private respondent Luis should entitle him to recover a
measure of damages sanctioned under Article 2221 of the Civil Code
providing thusly:
- Art. 2221. Nominal damages are adjudicated in order that a right of the
plaintiff, which has been violated or invaded by the defendant, may be
vindicated or recognized, and not for the purpose of indemnifying the plaintiff
for any loss suffered by him.
- Reasonable attorney's fees may be recovered where the court deems such
recovery to be just and equitable (Art. 2208, Civil Code). We see no issue of
sound discretion on the part of the appellate court in allowing the award
thereof by the trial court.
DISPOSITION The appealed decision is MODIFIED by deleting the award of
moral and exemplary damages to private respondents; in its stead, petitioner
is ordered to pay private respondent Luis A. Luna an amount of P5,000.00 by
way of nominal damages. In all other respects, the appealed decision is
AFFIRMED.
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prof. casis
Reasoning
- There was a contract to furnish plaintiff a first class passage covering,
amongst others, the Bangkok-Teheran leg; Second, said contract was
breached when petitioner failed to furnish first class transportation at
Bangkok; and Third, there was bad faith when petitioner's employee
compelled Carrascoso to leave his first class accommodation berth "after he
was already seated" and to take a seat in the tourist class, by reason of which
he suffered inconvenience, embarrassments and humiliations, thereby
causing him mental anguish, serious anxiety, wounded feelings and social
humiliation, resulting in moral damages.
- Air France did not present evidence that the white man made a prior
reservation, nor proved that the white man had better right over the seat;
also, if the managers actions could be justified, they should have presented
the manager to testify in court but they did not do so
- The manager not only prevented Carrascoso from enjoying his right to a first
class seat; worse, he imposed his arbitrary will; he forcibly ejected him from
his seat, made him suffer the humiliation of having to go to the tourist class
compartment-just to give way to another passenger whose right thereto has
not been established. Certainly, this is bad faith. Unless, of course, bad faith
has assumed a meaning different from what is understood in law. For, "bad
Reasoning
- Carrascoso testified that the purser of the air-carrier made an entry in his
notebooks reading "First class passenger was forced to go to the tourist class
against his will, and that the captain refused to intervene". The petitioner
contents that it should not be admitted as evidence, as it was only hearsay.
However, the subject of inquiry is not the entry, but the ouster incident. Also,
the said entry was made outside the Philippines and by an employee of
petitioner. It would have been easy for Air France to contradict Carrascosos
testimony if they had presented the purser.
7. YES
Ratio The Civil Code gives the Court ample power to grant exemplary
damages-in contracts and quasi-contracts. The only condition is that
defendant should have "acted in a wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive,
or malevolent manner".
Reasoning
- The manner of ejectment of respondent Carrascoso from his first class seat
fits into this legal precept
8. YES
PSBA V CA
[citation]
PADILLA; February 4, 1992
NATURE
Petition to review the decision of Court of Appeals.
FACTS
- A stabbing incident on August 30, 1985 which caused the death of Carlitos
Bautista on the premises of the Philippine School of Business Administration
(PSBA) prompted the parents of the deceased to file suit in the Manila RTC.
It was established that his assailants were not members of the schools
academic community but were outsiders.
- The suit impleaded PSBA, its President, VP, Treasure, Chief of Security and
Assistant Chief of Security. It sought to adjudge them liable for the victims
death due to their alleged negligence, recklessness and lack of security
precautions.
- Defendants (now petitioners) sought to have the suit dismissed alleging that
since they are presumably sued under Art. 2180 of the Civil Code, the
complaint states no cause of action against them since academic institutions,
like PSBA, are beyond the ambit of that rule.
- Respondent Trial court denied the motion to dismiss. And the MFR was
similarly dealt with. Petitioners the assailed the trial courts dispositions
before the respondent appellate court which affirmed the trial courts ruling.
ISSUE
WON respondent court is correct in denying dismissal of the case
HELD
Ratio Although a school may not be liable under Art. 2180 on quasi-delicts, it
may still be liable under the law on contracts.
Reasoning
- The case should be tried on its merits. But respondent courts premise is
incorrect. It is expressly mentioned in Art. 2180 that the liability arises from
acts done by pupils or students of the institution. In this sense, PSBA is not
liable. But when an academic institution accepts students for enrollment, the
school makes itself responsible in providing their students with an
atmosphere that is conducive for learning. Certainly, no student can absorb
the intricacies of physics or explore the realm of arts when bullets are flying
or where there looms around the school premises a constant threat to life and
limb.
A2010
prof. casis
- 16 -
Ratio Parties are bound by the terms of their contract, which is the law
between them. A contracting party cannot incur a liability more than what is
expressly specified in his undertaking. It cannot be extended by implication,
beyond the terms of the contract. (RCBC v CA)
Reasoning
- They entered into a contract entitled "Deed of Sale and Certificate of
Perpetual Care." Mla Memorial bound itself to provide the concrete box to be
sent in the interment.
- Rule 17 of the Rules and Regulations of MLA MEMORIAL provides that:
Every earth interment shall be made enclosed in a concrete box, or in an
outer wall of stone, brick or concrete, the actual installment of which shall be
made by the employees of the Association. Pursuant to this, a concrete vault
was installed and after the burial, the vault was covered by a cement lid.
- Syquias claim that there was a breach of contract because it was stated in
the brochures that lot may hold single or double internment underground in
sealed concrete vault."
- "Sealed" meant "closed." Standard dictionaries define seal as any of various
closures or fastenings that cannot be opened without rupture and that serve
as a check against tampering or unauthorized opening.
- "Sealed" cannot be equated with "waterproof". When the terms of the
contract are clear and leave no doubt as to the intention of the contracting
parties, then the literal meaning of the stipulation shall control.
2. NO
Ratio Negligence is defined by law as the "omission of that diligence which
is required by the nature of the obligation and corresponds with the
circumstances of the persons, of the time and of the place." In the absence of
stipulation or legal provision providing the contrary, the diligence to be
observed in the performance of the obligation is that which is expected of a
good father of a family.
Reasoning
- Although a pre-existing contractual relation between the parties does not
preclude the existence of a culpa aquiliana, circumstances of the case do not
show negligence. The reason for the boring of the hole was explained by
Henry Flores, Interment Foreman, who said that: When the vault was placed
on the grave a hole was placed on the vault so that water could come into the
vault because it was raining heavily then because the vault has no hole the
vault will float and the grave would be filled with water.
- Private respondent has exercised the diligence of a good father of a family
in preventing the accumulation of water inside the vault which would have
resulted in the caving in of earth around the grave. Finding no evidence of
negligence, there is no reason to award damages.
Dispositive CA decision affirmed in toto.
NEGLIGENCE
PICART V SMITH
[citation]
STREET; March 15, 1918
NATURE
Appeal from a judgment of the CFI of La Union
FACTS
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- The control of the situation had then passed entirely to the defendant; and it
was his duty either to bring his car to an immediate stop or, seeing that there
were no other persons on the bridge, to take the other side and pass
sufficiently far away from the horse to avoid the danger of collision.
- The defendant ran straight on until he was almost upon the horse. He was,
the court thinks, deceived into doing this by the fact that the horse had not yet
exhibited fright.
- But in view of the known nature of horses, there was an appreciable risk
that, if the animal in question was unacquainted with automobiles, he might
get excited and jump under the conditions which here confronted him.
- When the defendant exposed the horse and rider to this danger, he
was, in our opinion, negligent in the eye of the law.
- The test by which to determine the existence of negligence in a
particular case may be stated as follows: Did the defendant in doing the
alleged negligent act use that reasonable care and caution which an
ordinarily prudent person would have used in the same situation? If not,
then he is guilty of negligence.
- The law here in effect adopts the standard supposed to be supplied by the
imaginary conduct of the discreet paterfamilias of the Roman law.
- The existence of negligence in a given case is not determined by reference
to the personal judgment of the actor in the situation before him. The law
considers what would be reckless, blameworthy, or negligent in the man of
ordinary intelligence and prudence and determines liability by that.
- The question as to what would constitute the conduct of a prudent man in a
given situation must of course be always determined in the light of human
experience and in view of the facts involved in the particular case. Could a
prudent man, in the case under consideration, foresee harm as a result
of the course actually pursued? If so, it was the duty of the actor to take
precautions to guard against that harm. Reasonable foresight of harm,
followed by ignoring of the suggestion born of this prevision, is always
necessary before negligence can be held to exist.
- Stated in these terms, the proper criterion for determining the existence of
negligence in a given case is this: Conduct is said to be negligent when a
prudent man in the position of the tortfeasor would have foreseen that
an effect harmful to another was sufficiently probable to warrant his
foregoing conduct or guarding against its consequences.
- Applying this test to the conduct of the defendant in the present case,
negligence is clearly established. A prudent man, placed in the position of the
defendant, would have recognized that the course which he was pursuing
was fraught with risk, and would therefore have foreseen harm to the horse
and the rider as reasonable consequence of that course. Under these
circumstances the law imposed on the defendant the duty to guard against
the threatened harm.
- The plaintiff himself was not free from fault, for he was guilty of antecedent
negligence in planting himself on the wrong side of the road. It will be noted
however, that the negligent acts of the two parties were not
contemporaneous, since the negligence of the defendant succeeded the
negligence of the plaintiff by an appreciable interval. Under these
circumstances the law is that the person who has the last fair chance to
avoid the impending harm and fails to do so is chargeable with the
consequences, without reference to the prior negligence of the other
party.
DISPOSITION Appealed decision is reversed.
prof. casis
- 17 [citation]
CARSON; March 22, 1910
NATURE
An action to recover damages for the loss of an eye and other injuries,
instituted by David Taylor, a minor, by his father, his nearest relative.
FACTS
- The defendant is a foreign corporation engaged in the operation of a street
railway and an electric light system in the city of Manila. Its power plant is
situated at the eastern end of a small island in the Pasig River within the city
of Manila, known as the Isla del Provisor. The power plant may be reached
by boat or by crossing a footbridge, impassable for vehicles, at the westerly
end of the island.
- The plaintiff, David Taylor, was at the same time when he received the
injuries complained of, 15 years of age, the son of a mechanical engineer,
more mature than the average boy of his age, and having considerable
aptitude and training in mechanics.
- On the 30th of September, 1905, plaintiff, with a boy named Manuel
Claparols, about 12 years of age, crossed the footbridge of the Isla del
Provisor, for the purpose of visiting one Murphy, an employee of the
defendant, who had promised to make them a cylinder for a miniature engine.
Finding on inquiry that Mr. Murphy was not in his quarters, the boys, impelled
apparently by youthful curiosity and perhaps by the unusual interest which
both seem to have taken in machinery, spent some time in wandering about
the company's premises. The visit made on a Sunday afternoon, and it does
not appear that they saw or spoke to anyone after leaving the power house
where they had asked for Mr. Murphy.
- After watching the operation of the traveling crane used in handling the
defendant's coal, they walked across the open space in the neighborhood of
the place where the company dumped the cinders and ashes from its
furnaces. Here they found some twenty or thirty brass fulminating caps
scattered on the ground. These caps are approximately of the size and
appearance of small pistol cartridges and each has attached to it two long
thin wires by means of which it may be discharged by the use of electricity.
They are intended for use in the explosion of blasting charges of dynamite,
and have in themselves considerable explosive power. After some discussion
as to the ownership of caps, and their right to take them, the boys picked up
all they could find, hung them of a stick, of which each took one end, and
carried them home. After crossing the footbridge, they met a little girl named
Jessie Adrian, less than 9 years old, and all three went to the home of the
boy Manuel. The boys then made a series of experiments with the caps. They
thrust the ends of the wires into an electric light socket and obtained no
result. They next tried to break the cap with a stone and failed. Manuel looked
for a hammer, but could not find one. They then opened one of the caps with
a knife, and finding that it was filled with a yellowish substance they got
matches, and David held the cap while Manuel applied a lighted match to the
contents. An explosion followed, causing more or less serious injuries to all
three. Jessie, who, when the boys proposed purring a match to the contents
of the cap, became frightened and started to run away, received a slight cut
in the neck. Manuel had his hand burned and wounded, and David was
struck in the face by several particles of the metal capsule, one of which
injured his right eye to such an extent as to necessitate its removal by the
surgeons who were called in to care for his wounds.
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same rule which governs that of an adult. While it is the general rule in regard
to an adult that to entitle him to recover damages for an injury resulting from
the fault or negligence of another he must himself have been free from fault,
such is not the rule in regard to an infant of tender years. The care and
caution required of a child is according to his maturity and capacity only, and
this is to be determined in such case by the circumstances of the case."
- The doctrine of the case of Railroad Company vs. Stout was vigorously
controverted and sharply criticized in severally state courts, saying that (1)
That the owner of land is not liable to trespassers thereon for injuries
sustained by them, not due to his wanton or willful acts; (2) that no exception
to this rule exists in favor of children who are injured by dangerous machinery
naturally calculated to attract them to the premises; (3) that an invitation of
license to cross the premises of another can not be predicated on the mere
fact that no steps have been taken to interfere with such practice; (4) that
there is no difference between children and adults of an invitation or a license
to enter upon another's premises. However, after an exhaustive and critical
analysis and review of may of the adjudged cases, both English and America,
formally declared that it adhered "to the principles announced in the case of
Railroad Co. vs. Stout." Chief Justice Cooley, voicing the opinion of the
supreme court of Michigan, in the case of Powers vs. Marlow, said that:
Children, wherever they go, must be expected to act upon childlike instincts
and impulses; and others who are chargeable with a duty of care and caution
toward them must calculate upon this, and take precautions accordingly. If
they leave exposed to the observation of children anything which would be
tempting to them, and which they in their immature judgment might naturally
suppose they were at liberty to handle or play with, they should expect that
liberty to be taken."
- The owners of premises, therefore, whereon things attractive to children are
exposed, or upon which the public are expressively or impliedly permitted to
enter to or upon which the owner knows or ought to know children are likely
to roam about for pastime and in play, "must calculate upon this, and take
precautions accordingly." In such cases the owner of the premises can not be
heard to say that because the child has entered upon his premises without
his express permission he is a trespasser to whom the owner owes no duty
or obligation whatever. The owner's failure to take reasonable precautions to
prevent the child form entering premises at a place where he knows or ought
to know that children are accustomed to roam about or to which their childish
instincts and impulses are likely to attract them is at least equivalent to an
implied license to enter, and where the child does not enter under such
conditions the owner's failure to make reasonable precaution to guard the
child against the injury from unknown or unseen dangers, placed upon such
premises by the owner, is clearly a breach of duty, a negligent omission, for
which he may and should be held responsible, if the child is actually injured,
without other fault on its part than that it had entered on the premises of a
stranger without his express invitation or permission. To hold otherwise would
be expose to all the children in the community to unknown perils and
unnecessary danger at the whim of the owners or occupants of land upon
which they might naturally and reasonably be expected to enter.
ISSUE
1. WON the defendants negligence was the proximate cause of the injuries,
making the company liable
HELD
1. NO
prof. casis
- Just because the kids trespassed doesnt mean that the company is not
liable for anything bad that might happen to them. However, we also have to
look at the proximate cause and the maturity of the plaintiff if it was his
negligence that contributed to the principal occurrence of the tragedy. In the
case at bar, the Court said that it is of the opinion that under all the
circumstances of this case the negligence of the defendant in leaving the
caps exposed on its premises was not the proximate cause of the injury
received by the plaintiff, which therefore was not, properly speaking,
"attributable to the negligence of the defendant," and, on the other hand, we
are satisfied that plaintiff's action in cutting open the detonating cap and
putting a match to its contents was the proximate cause of the explosion and
of the resultant injuries inflicted upon the plaintiff, and that the defendant,
therefore, is not civilly responsible for the injuries thus incurred. "While it is
the general rule in regard to an adult that entitle him to recover damages for
an injury resulting from the fault or negligence of another he must himself
have been free from fault, such is not the rule in regard to an infant of tender
years. The care and caution required of a child is according to his maturity
and capacity only, and this is to be determined in each case by the
circumstance of the case."
- As regards the maturity of the child, this has to be examined on a case-tocase basis. In the case at bar, plaintiff at the time of the accident was well
grown youth of 15, more mature both mentally and physically than the
average boy of his age; he had been to sea as a cabin boy; was able to earn
P2.50 a day as a mechanical draftsman thirty days after the injury was
incurred; and the record discloses throughout that he was exceptionally well
qualified to take care. The evidence of record leaves no room for doubt that,
despite his denials on the witness stands, he well knew the explosive
character of the cap with which he was amusing himself. The series of
experiments made by him in his attempt to produce an explosion, as
described by the little girl who was present, admit of no other explanation. His
attempt to discharge the cap by the use of electricity, followed by his efforts to
explode it with a stone or a hammer, and the final success of his endeavors
brought about by the applications of a match to the contents of the cap, show
clearly that he knew what he was about. Nor can there be any reasonable
doubt that he had reason to anticipate that the explosion might be dangerous,
in view of the fact that the little girl, 9 years of age, who was with him at the
time when he put the match to the contents of the cap, became frightened
and ran away.
- We think it is quite clear that under the doctrine thus stated, the immediate
cause of the explosion , the accident which resulted in plaintiff's injury, was
his own act of putting a match to the contents of the cap, and that having
"contributed to the principal occurrence, as one of its determining factors, he
can not recover."
DISPOSITION The petition is DISMISSED.
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prof. casis
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MAGTIBAY V TIANGCO
74 Phil 756
BOCOBO; February 28, 1944
NATURE
Appeal from a judgment of the Court of First Instance Batangas
FACTS
- Defendant-appellant Tiangco, a minor under 18 years of age, pleaded guilty
to an information for homicide through reckless negligence in that he had
recklessly driven an automobile and thereby caused the death of Magtibay, of
whom plaintiffs-appellees are the lawful heirs. The Court of First Instance
(CFI) Batangas found Tiangco guilty as charged, but as he was under 18
years of age, the sentence was suspended, and he was committed to the
care and custody of Atty. Abaya, until Tiangco would reach his majority,
subject to the supervision of the Superintendent of Public Schools of the
Province. Subsequently, Abaya, in view of Tiangcos good conduct
recommended the dismissal of the case. The CFI dismissed the criminal
case, but reserved such right as the heirs of the deceased might have to
recover damages in a civil action against said Tiangco. Accordingly, the civil
action in the instant case was filed against defendant-appellant for damages
in the sum of P2,000 for the death of Magtibay. The CFI gave judgment for
plaintiffs for P2,000 as damages. Hence this appeal.
ISSUE
WON the suspension of the sentence under Art. 80 of the RPC, after
appellant had pleaded guilty, exonerated him from the crime charged
HELD
NO
- The suspension of the sentence under Art.80 of the Revised Penal Code,
after appellant herein had pleaded guilty, did not wipe out his guilt, but merely
put off the imposition of the corresponding penalty, in order to give the
delinquent minor a chance to be reformed. When, therefore, after he had
observed good conduct, the criminal case was dismissed, this did not mean
that he was exonerated from the crime charged, but simply that he would
suffer no penalty. Nor did such dismissal of the criminal case obliterate his
civil liability for damages. Liability of an infant for his torts is imposed as a
mode, not of punishment, but of compensation. If property has been
destroyed or other loss occasioned by a wrongful act, it is just that the loss
A2010
prof. casis
- 20 -
- The wire was an ordinary number 6 triple braid weather proof wire, such as
is commonly used by the defendant company for the purpose of conducting
electricity for lighting.
- The wire was cased in the usual covering, but this had been burned off for
some distance from the point where the wire parted.
- The engineer of the company says that it was customary for the company to
make a special inspection of these wires at least once in six months, and that
all of the company's inspectors were required in their daily rounds to
keep a lookout for trouble of this kind.
- There is nothing in the record indicating any particular cause for the parting
of the wire.l
not subject to criminal prosecution for the act complained of, the question
assumes a vastly different aspect.
- There should be a distinction between the civil liability of an ordinary person
who, by wrongful act, has caused the death of another; and the civil liability of
a corporation, organized primarily for profit, which has caused the death of a
person by failure to exercise due care in the prosecution of its business.
- The liability of such a corporation for damages must be regarded as a part
of the risks which it assumes when it undertakes to promote its own business;
and just as it is entitled to earn adequate profits from its business, so it should
be made adequately to compensate those who have suffered damage by its
negligence.
ISSUE
WON Manila Electric is liable
YLARDE V AQUINO
[citation]
GANCAYCO; July 29, 1988
HELD
YES
Reasoning
- When notice was received at the Malabon station at 2.25 p. m., somebody
should have been dispatched to the scene of the trouble at once, or other
measures taken to guard the point of danger; but more than an 1 hours
passed before anyone from MERALCO appeared on the scene, and in the
meantime Alberto had been claimed as a victim.
- The mere fact that the deceased ignored the caution of Jose (8 yrs old),
doesnt alter the case.
- But even supposing that contributory negligence could in some measure be
properly imputed to the deceased, such negligence would not be wholly fatal
to the right of action in this case, not having been the determining cause of
the accident. (Rakes vs. Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Co., 7 Phil., 359.)
- With respect to the amount of damages recoverable, Julian is entitled to
recover P250 for expenses incurred in connection with the death and burial
of the boy.
- Citing Astudillo vs. Manila Electric Company: Julian should recover the sum
of P1,000 as general damages for loss of service.
Disposition judgment reversed
SEPARATE OPINION
ABAD SANTOS [concur in part and dissent in part]
- He concurs that MERALCO is held liable for the death of Alberto, but
dissents in so far as the decision allows the recovery of the father of the sum
of P1,250 only as damages. It should be P 2250.
- His reasoning: It is well settled in this jurisdiction that an action will lie to
recover damages for death caused by the wrongful act. (Manzanares vs.
Moreta, 38 Phil., 821.)
- In criminal cases- indemnity to the heirs of the deceased is equivalent to
P1,000
- Whatever may be the reasons for the rule followed in criminal cases, I am of
the opinion that those reasons do not obtain in fixing the amount of the
damages recoverable in the present case.
- The indemnity allowed in criminal case is merely incidental to the main
object sought, which is the punishment of the guilty party.
- In a civil action, the principal object is the recovery of damages for
wrongful death; and where, as in this case, the defendant is a corporation,
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari
FACTS
- Soriano was principal. Aquino was a teacher. The school was littered with
concrete blocks. Teacher Banez started burying them. Aquino gathered 18
male pupils to help. He ordered them to dig. Work was unfinished.
- Ff day, Aquino called 4 of the 18 to continue. Aquino continued digging
while the pupils remained inside the pit throwing out the loose soil. Aquino
left the children to level the loose soil and borrowed a key from Banez.
Aquino told the kids not to touch the stone.
- 3 of the 4 kids jumped into the pit. The remaining Abaga jumped on the
concrete block causing it to slide down. 2 were able to escape but student
Ylarde sustained injuries. 3 days later he died.
Parents filed suit against Aquino and Soriano. Lower court dismissed and CA
affirmed and said child Ylarde was negligent.
ISSUE
WON Aquino and Soriano can be held liable for damages
HELD
- Principal Soriano cannot be held liable, being head of academic school and
not school of arts and trades, in line with Amadora case and Art 2180 of Civil
Code. It is only the teacher who should answer for torts committed by their
students. Besides, Soriano did not order the digging.
- Based on Article 2180, Aquino can be held liable. However, petition is
based on Article 2176. Did the acts/omissions of Aquino cause the death of
Ylarde? Yes. He is liable for damages. The work required adult laborers.
He required the children to remain in the pit after they finished digging. He
ordered them to level the soil when a huge stone was at brink of falling. He
went to another place and left the kids.
- Left by themselves, IT WAS BUT NATURAL FOR THE CHILDREN TO
PLAY AROUND. IN RULING THAT YLARDE WAS IMPRUDENT, THE
LOWER COURT DID NOT CONSIDER HIS AGE AND MATURITY. A
MINOR SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO THE SAME DEGREE OF CARE AS AN
ADULT.
- Aquino also said the digging was part of Work Education. This is
unacceptable. Work is too dangerous and it was not even in the lesson plan.
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BPI V CA
216 SCRA 51
GUTIERREZ; November 26, 1992
FACTS
- In the afternoon of October 9, 1981, a person purporting to be Eligia G.
Fernando, who had a money market placement as evidenced by a
promissory note with a maturity date of November 11, 1981 and a maturity
value of P2,462,243.19, called BPI's Money Market Department. The caller
wanted to preterminate the placement, but Reginaldo Eustaquio, Dealer
Trainee in BPI's Money Market Department, told her "trading time" was over
for the day, which was a Friday, and suggested that she call again the
following week. The promissory note the caller wanted to preterminate was a
roll-over of an earlier 50-day money market placement that had matured on
September 24, 1981.
- Later that afternoon, Eustaquio conveyed the request for pretermination to
the officer who before had handled Eligia G. Fernando's account, Penelope
Bulan, but Eustaquio was left to attend to the pretermination process.
- On October 12, 1981, the caller of the previous Friday followed up with
Eustaquio, merely by phone again, on the pretermination of the placement.
Although not familiar with the voice of the real Eligia G. Fernando, Eustaquio
"made certain" that the caller was the real Eligia G. Fernando by "verifying"
that the details the caller gave about the placement tallied with the details in
"the ledger/folder" of the account. Eustaquio knew the real Eligia G. Fernando
to be the Treasurer of Philippine American Life Insurance Company
(Philamlife) since he was handling Philamlife's corporate money market
account. But neither Eustaquio nor Bulan who originally handled Fernando's
account, nor anybody else at BPI, bothered to call up Fernando at her
Philamlife office to verify the request for pretermination.
- Informed that the placement would yield less than the maturity value
because of its pretermination, the caller insisted on the pretermination just the
same and asked that two checks be issued for the proceeds, one for
P1,800,000.00 and the second for the balance, and that the checks be
delivered to her office at Philamlife. Eustaquio, thus, proceeded to prepare
the "purchase order slip" for the requested pretermination as required by
office procedure, and from his desk, the papers, following the processing
route, passed through the position analyst, securities clerk, verifier clerk and
documentation clerk, before the two cashier's checks, nos. 021759 and
021760 for P1,800,000.00 and P613,215.16, respectively, both payable to
Eligia G. Fernando, covering the preterminated placement, were prepared.
The two cashier's checks, together with the papers consisting of the money
prof. casis
market placement was to be preterminated and the promissory note (No.
35623) to be preterminated, were sent to Gerlanda E. de Castro and
Celestino Sampiton, Jr., Manager and Administrative Assistant, respectively,
in BPI's Treasury Operations Department, both authorized signatories for
BPI, who signed the two checks that very morning. Thereafter, the checks
went to the dispatcher for delivery.
- Later in the same morning, however, the same caller changed the delivery
instructions; instead of the checks being delivered to her office at Philamlife,
she would herself pick up the checks or send her niece, Rosemarie
Fernando, to pick them up. Eustaquio then told her that if it were her niece
who was going to get the checks, her niece would have to being a written
authorization from her to pick up the checks. This telephone conversation
ended with the caller's statement that "definitely" it would be her niece,
Rosemarie Fernando, who would pick up the checks. Thus, Eustaquio had to
hurriedly go to the dispatcher, Bernardo Laderas, to tell him of the new
delivery instructions for the checks; in fact, he changed the delivery
instruction on the purchase order slip, writing thereon "Rosemarie Fernando
release only with authority to pick up.
- It was, in fact Rosemarie Fernando who got the two checks from the
dispatcher, as shown by the delivery receipt. As it turned out, the same
person impersonated both Eligia G. Fernando and Rosemarie Fernando.
Although the checks represented the termination proceeds of Eligia G.
Fernando's placement, not just a roll-over of the placement, the dispatcher
failed to get or to require the surrender of the promissory note evidencing the
placement. There is also no showing that Eligia G. Fernando's purported
signature on the letter requesting the pretermination and the latter authorizing
Rosemarie Fernando to pick up the two checks, both of which letters were
presumably handed to the dispatcher by Rosemarie Fernando, was
compared or verified with Eligia G. Fernando's signature in BPI's file. Such
purported signature has been established to be forged although it has a
"close similarity" to the real signature of Eligia G. Fernando. In the afternoon
of October 13, 1981, a woman who represented herself to be Eligia G.
Fernando applied at China Banking Corporation's Head Office for the opening
of a current account. She was accompanied and introduced to Emily Sylianco
Cuaso, Cash Supervisor, by Antonio Concepcion whom Cuaso knew to have
opened, earlier that year, an account upon the introduction of Valentin Co, a
long-standing "valued client" of CBC. What Cuaso indicated in the application
form, however, was that the new client was introduced by Valentin Co, and
with her initials on the form signifying her approval, she referred the
application to the New Accounts Section for processing. As finally proceeds,
the application form shows the signature of "Eligia G. Fernando", "her" date of
birth, sex, civil status, nationality, occupation ("business woman"), tax
account number, and initial deposit of P10,000.00. This final approval of the
new current account is indicated on the application form by the initials of
Regina G. Dy, Cashier, who did not interview the new client but affixed her
initials on the application form after reviewing it.
- On October 14, 1981, the woman holding herself out as Eligia G. Fernando
deposited the two checks in controversy with Current Account No. 126310-3.
Her endorsement on the two checks was found to conform with the
depositor's specimen signature. CBC's guaranty of prior endorsements
and/or lack of endorsement was then stamped on the two checks, which CBC
forthwith sent to clearing and which BPI cleared on the same day.
- Two days after, withdrawals began on Current Account No. 26310-3: On
October 16, 1981, by means of Check No. 240005 dated the same day for
P1,000,000.00, payable to "cash", which the woman holding herself out as
Eligia G. Fernando encashed over the counter, and Check No. 240003 dated
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- In presenting the checks for clearing and for payment, the collecting bank
made an express guarantee on the validity of "all prior endorsements." Thus,
stamped at the back of the checks are the clear warranty: ALL PRIOR
ENDORSEMENTS AND/OR LACK OF ENDORSEMENTS GUARANTEED.
Without such warranty, the drawee bank would not have paid on the checks.
No amount of legal jargon can reverse the clear meaning of the warranty. As
the warranty has proven to be false and inaccurate, the defendant is liable for
any damage arising out of the falsity of its representation.
- Apropos the matter of forgery in endorsements, this Court has emphasized
that the collecting bank or last endorser generally suffers the loss because it
has the duty to ascertain the genuineness of all prior endorsements
considering that the act of presenting the check for payment to the drawee is
an assertion that the party making the presentment has done its duty to
ascertain the genuineness of the endorsements. If the drawee-bank
discovers that the signature of the payee was forged after it has paid the
amount of the check to the holder thereof, it can recover the amount paid
from the collecting bank. However, the point that comes uppermost is
whether the drawee bank was negligent in failing to discover the alteration or
the forgery.
- The general rule under Section 23 of the Negotiable Instruments Law is to
the effect that a forged signature is "wholly inoperative", and payment made
"through or under such signature" is ineffectual or does not discharge the
instrument. The exception to this rule is when the party relying in the forgery
is "precluded from setting up the forgery or want of authority. In this
jurisdiction we recognize negligence of the party invoking forgery as an
exception to the general rule.
- In the present petition the payee's names in the checks were forged.
Following the general rule, the checks are "wholly inoperative" and of no
effect. However, the underlying circumstances of the case show that the
general rule on forgery is not applicable. The issue as to who between the
parties should bear the loss in the payment of the forged checks necessities
the determination of the rights and liabilities of the parties involved in the
controversy in relation to the forged checks.
- The records show that petitioner BPI as drawee bank and respondent CBC
as representing or collecting bank were both negligent resulting in the
encashment of the forged checks.
- The Arbitration Committee in its decision analyzed the negligence of the
employees of petitioner BPI involved in the processing of the pre-termination
of Eligia G. Fernando's money market placement and in the issuance and
delivery of the subject checks in this wise: a) The impostor could have been
readily unmasked by a mere telephone call, which nobody in BPI bothered to
make to Eligia G. Fernando, a vice-president of Philamlife; b) The officer who
used to handle Eligia G. Fernando's account did not do anything about the
account's pre-termination; c) Again no verification appears to have been
made on Eligia G. Fernando's purported signature on the letter requesting the
pre-termination and the letter authorizing her niece to pick-up the checks, yet,
her signature was in BPI's file; and d) Another step that could have foiled the
fraud, but which BPI neglected to take, was requiring before the two checks
in controversy were delivered, the surrender of the promissory note
evidencing the money market placement that was supposedly pre-terminated.
The Arbitration Committee, however, belittled petitioner BPI's negligence
compared to that of respondent CBC which it declared as graver and the
proximate cause of the loss of the subject checks to the impostor who
impersonated Eligia G. Fernando.
- The PCHC Board of Directors, however, stated that these withdrawals,
without any further showing that the CBC employees had actual knowledge
prof. casis
of the infirmity or defect, or knowledge of such facts (Sec. 56, Negotiable
Instruments Law) that their action in accepting their checks for deposit and
allowing the withdrawals against the same amounted to bad faith cannot be
considered as basis for holding CBC liable.
- Banks handle daily transactions involving millions of pesos. By the very
nature of their work the degree of responsibility, care and trustworthiness
expected of their employees and officials is far greater than those of ordinary
clerks and employees. For obvious reasons, the banks are expected to
exercise the highest degree of diligence in the selection and supervision of
their employees.
- In the present case, there is no question that the banks were negligent in
the selection and supervision of their employees. The Arbitration Committee,
the PCHC Board of Directors and the lower court, however disagree in the
evaluation of the degree of negligence of the banks. While the Arbitration
Committee declared the negligence of respondent CBC graver, the PCHC
Board of Directors and the lower courts declared that petitioner BPI's
negligence was graver. To the extent that the degree of negligence is
equated to the proximate cause of the loss, we rule that the issue as to
whose negligence is graver is relevant. No matter how many justifications
both banks present to avoid responsibility, they cannot erase the fact that
they were both guilty in not exercising extraordinary diligence in the selection
and supervision of their employees.
2. NO
- The next issue hinges on whose negligence was the proximate cause of the
payment of the forged checks by an impostor. Petitioner BPI insists that the
doctrine of last clear chance should have been applied considering the
circumstances of this case. Under this doctrine, where both parties were
negligent and such negligence were not contemporaneous, the person who
has the last fair chance to avoid the impending harm and fails to do so is
chargeable with the consequences, without reference to the prior negligence
of the other party.
- Applying these principles, petitioner BPI's reliance on the doctrine of last
clear chance to clear it from liability is not well-taken. CBC had no prior notice
of the fraud perpetrated by BPI's employees on the pretermination of Eligia G.
Fernando's money market placement. Moreover, Fernando is not a depositor
of CBC. Hence, a comparison of the signature of Eligia G. Fernando with that
of the impostor Eligia G. Fernando, which respondent CBC did, could not
have resulted in the discovery of the fraud. Hence, respondent CBC had no
way to discover the fraud at all. In fact the records fail to show that
respondent CBC had knowledge, actual or implied, of the fraud perpetrated
by the impostor and the employees of BPI.
- BPI further argues that the acts and omissions of respondent CBC are the
cause "that set into motion the actual and continuous sequence of events that
produced the injury and without which the result would not have occurred."
Petitioner BPI anchors its argument on its stance that there was "a gap, a
hiatus, an interval between the issuance and delivery of said checks by
petitioner BPI to the impostor and their actual payment of CBC to the
impostor. Petitioner BPI points out that the gap of one (1) day that elapsed
from its issuance and delivery of the checks to the impostor is material on the
issue of proximate cause. At this stage, according to petitioner BPI, there was
yet no loss and the impostor could have decided to desist from completing
the same plan and could have held to the checks without negotiating them.
- Petitioner BPI's contention that CBC alone should bear the loss must fail.
The gap of one (1) day between the issuance and delivery of the checks
bearing the impostor's name as payee and the impostor's negotiating the said
forged checks by opening an account and depositing the same with
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- Trial court held that both parties were negligent, but that plaintiffs
negligence was not as great as defendants, awarded plaintiff P1,000.
ISSUE
WON the negligence of plaintiff contributed to the principal occurrence or
only to his own injury. (If the former, he cannot recover; if the latter, the trial
court was correct in apportioning damages)
HELD
NO
Ratio Intoxication in itself is not negligence. It is but a circumstance to be
considered with the other evidence tending to prove negligence.
Reasoning
- Intoxication in itself is not negligence, and no facts, other than the fact that
Wright was intoxicated, are stated which warrant the conclusion that the
plaintiff was negligent. The conclusion that if he had been sober he would not
have been injured is not warranted by the facts as found. It is impossible to
say that a sober man would not have fallen from the vehicle under the
conditions described.
- A horse crossing the railroad tracks with not only the rails but a portion of
the ties themselves aboveground, stumbling by reason of the unsure footing
and falling, the vehicle crashing against the rails with such force as to break a
wheel, might be sufficient to throw a person from the vehicle no matter what
his condition; and to conclude that, under such circumstances, a sober man
would not have fallen while a drunken man did, is to draw a conclusion which
enters the realm of speculation and guesswork.
DISPOSITION Plaintiff not negligent. No facts to merit a higher award of
damages to plaintiff.
US V BAGGAY
20 PHIL 142
TORRES; September 1, 1911
NATURE
Appeal by the defendant from the judgment rendered on April 28, 1910,
whereby he was declared exempt from criminal liability but was obliged to
indemnify the heirs if the murdered woman, Bil-liingan, in the sum of P1,000,
to pay the costs in the case and to be confined in an institution for the insane
until further order of the court.
FACTS
- About the 4th of October, 1909, several persons were assembled in the
defendant's house in the township of Penarrubia, Abra, Province of Ilocos
Sur, for the purpose of holding a song service called "buni" according to the
Tinguian custom, when he, the non-Christian Baggay, without provocation
suddenly attacked the woman Bil-liingan with a bolo, inflicting a serious
wound on her head from which she expired immediately; and with the same
bolo he like wise inflicted various wounds on the women named Calabayan,
Agueng, Quisamay, Calapini, and on his own mother, named Dioalan.
- For this reason the provincial fiscal filed a complaint in the court of Ilocos
Sur, dated February 15, charging the non-Christian Baggay, jr., with murder,
because of the violent death of the woman Bil-liingan. This cause was
instituted separately from the other, No. 1109, for lesiones. After trial and
proof that the defendant was suffering from mental aberration, the judge on
April 28 rendered the judgment cited above, whereupon the defendant's
AMEDO V RIO
[citation]
CONCEPCION; May 24, 1954
FACTS
- This case was instituted on October 18, 1950. In her original complaint,
plaintiff Elena Amedo sought to collect from defendant Rio y Olabarrieta, Inc.,
the sum of P2,038.40 as compensation for the death of her son, Filomeno
Managuit, who worked for the defendant as a seaman of the M/S Pilar II. The
main allegation of said original complaint was:
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HELD
1. YES
- Petitioner alleges that the criminal case sentencing Macunat to indemnify
the heirs of the deceased was a suit for damages against a third person,
thereby having the effect of releasing the employer from liability.
prof. casis
- The criminal case, however, was not a suit for damages against third
persons because the heirs did not intervene therein and they have not
received the indemnity ordered by the court.
- At any rate, even if the case was against a third person, the court already
decided in Nava vs. Inchausti that criminal prosection of the "other person"
does not affect the liability of the employer.
- Petitioner also contends that the amicable settlement entered into by
Mamador's widow and Macunat barred the widow's claim against the
employer because she has already elected one of the remedies.
- This contention cannot be sustained because what the widow waived was
the offender's criminal proscution and not all civil action for damages.
2. NO
- Mere riding on a haulage truck or stealing a ride thereon is not negligence,
ordinarily. It couldn't be, because transportation by truck is not dangerous per
se.
- Although the employer prohibited its employees to ride the haulage trucks,
its violation does not constitute negligence per se, but it may be an evidence
of negligence.
- Under the circumstance, however, it cannot be declared negligence
because the proibition had nothing to do with the personal safety of the riders.
- Notorious negligence means the same as gross negligence which implies
"conscious indifferenece to consequences", "pursuing a course of conduct
which would naturally and probably result in injury".
Disposition Award for compensation by WCC affirmed
LAYUGAN V IAC
167 SCRA 363
SARMIENTO; November 14, 1968
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari of IAC decision
FACTS
- Plaintiff Pedro Layugan testified that while in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, he
and a companion were repairing the tire of their cargo truck which was
parked along the right side of the National Highway. Defendant's truck driven
recklessly by Daniel Serrano bumped the plaintiff, that as a result, plaintiff
was injured and hospitalized. Due to said injuries, his left leg was amputated
so he had to use crutches to walk.
- Defendant Godofredo Isidro admitted his ownership of the vehicle involved
in the accident driven by Daniel Serrano. Defendant said that the plaintiff was
merely a bystander, not a truck helper being a brother-in-law law of the driver
of said truck; that the truck allegedly being repaired was parked, occupying
almost half of the right lane towards Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, right after the
curve; that the proximate cause of the incident was the failure of the driver of
the parked truck in installing the early warning device,
- Daniel Serrano, defendant driver, said that he knew the responsibilities of a
driver; that before leaving, he checked the truck. The truck owner used to
instruct him to be careful in driving. He bumped the truck being repaired by
Pedro Layugan, plaintiff, while the same was at a stop position. From the
evidence presented, it has been established clearly that the injuries sustained
by the plaintiff was caused by defendant's driver, Daniel Serrano. Serrano
also testified that, When I was a few meters away, I saw the truck which was
loaded with round logs. I stepped on my foot brakes but it did not function
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such as in the ordinary course of things does not happen if those who have
the management use proper care, it affords reasonable evidence, in the
absence of an explanation by the defendant, that the accident arose from
want of care, and
(b) According to Blacks Law dictionary, Res ipsa loquitur. The thing speaks
for itself Rebuttable presumption or inference that defendant was negligent,
which arises upon proof that instrumentality causing injury was in defendant's
exclusive control, and that the accident was one which ordinarily does not
happen in absence of negligence. Res ipsa loquitur is rule of evidence
whereby negligence of alleged wrongdoer may be inferred from mere fact
that accident happened provided character of accident and circumstances
attending it lead reasonably to belief that in absence of negligence it would
not have occurred and that thing which caused injury is shown to have been
under management and control of alleged wrongdoer.
[2] In our jurisdiction, and the way we apply it in cases, particularly in the law
of negligence: Res ipsa loquitur as a rule of evidence is peculiar to the law of
negligence which recognizes that prima facie negligence may be established
without direct proof and furnishes a substitute for specific proof of negligence.
The doctrine is not a rule of substantive law but merely a mode of proof or a
mere procedural convenience. The doctrine merely determines and regulates
what shall be prima facie evidence thereof and facilitates the burden of
plaintiff of proving a breach of the duty of due care. The doctrine can be
invoked when and only when, under the circumstances involved, direct
evidence is absent and not readily available. So, it is inapplicable where
plaintiff has knowledge and testifies or presents evidence as to the specific
act of negligence which is the cause of the injury, or where theres direct
evidence as to the precise cause of the accident and all the facts and
circumstances attendant on the occurrence clearly appear. And once the
actual cause of injury is established beyond controversy, no presumptions will
be involved and the doctrine becomes inapplicable when the circumstances
show that no inference of defendant's liability can reasonably be made,
whatever the source of the evidence.
In this case it is inapplicable because it was established by clear and
convincing evidence the negligence of the defendant driver.
Disposition Petition GRANTED with costs against private respondents.
RAMOS V CA
[citation]
KAPUNAN; December 29, 1999
NATURE
Petition For Certiorari
FACTS
- In the case at bar, the Court is called upon to rule whether a surgeon, an
anesthesiologist and a hospital should be made liable for the unfortunate
comatose condition of a patient scheduled for cholecystectomy.
- Plaintiff Erlinda Ramos was a robust woman except for occasional
complaints of discomfort due to pains allegedly caused by the presence of a
stone in her gall bladder she was as normal as any other woman. Because
the discomforts somehow interfered with her normal ways, she sought
professional advice. She was advised to undergo an operation for the
removal of a stone in her gall bladdershe underwent a series of examinations
which included blood and urine tests which indicated she was fit for surgery.
She and her husband Rogelio met for the first time Dr. Orlino Hozaka, one of
prof. casis
the defendants in this case, on June 10, 1985. They agreed that their date at
the operating table at the De Los Santos Medical Center, would be on June
17, 1985 at 9:00 A.M.. Dr. Hosaka decided that she should undergo a
cholecystectomy operation after examining the documents presented to
him. Rogelio E. Ramos, however, asked Dr. Hosaka to look for a good
anesthesiologist. Dr. Hosaka, in turn, assured Rogelio that he will get a good
anesthesiologist. She was admitted in the hospital and was with her sister-inlaw, Herminda Cruz, who was the Dean of the College of Nursing at the
Capitol Medical Center, was also there for moral support. After praying, she
was given injections. At the operating room, Herminda saw about two or three
nurses and Dr. Perfecta Gutierrez, the other defendant, who was to
administer anesthesia. Although not a member of the hospital staff,
Herminda introduced herself as Dean of the College of Nursing at the Capitol
Medical Center who was to provide moral support to the patient, to them.
Herminda was allowed to stay inside the operating room.
- Hours later at about 12:15 P.M., Herminda Cruz, who was inside the
operating room with the patient, heard somebody say that Dr. Hosaka is
already here. She then saw people inside the operating room moving,
doing this and that, [and] preparing the patient for the operation. As she held
the hand of Erlinda Ramos, she then saw Dr. Gutierrez intubating the hapless
patient. She thereafter heard Dr. Gutierrez say, ang hirap ma-intubate nito,
mali yata ang pagkakapasok. O lumalaki ang tiyan (id., p. 17). Because of
the remarks of Dra. Gutierrez, she focused her attention on what Dr.
Gutierrez was doing. She thereafter noticed bluish discoloration of the
nailbeds of the left hand of the hapless Erlinda even as Dr. Hosaka
approached her. She then heard Dr. Hosaka issue an order for someone to
call Dr. Calderon, another anesthesiologist. After Dr. Calderon arrived at the
operating room, she saw this anesthesiologist trying to intubate the patient.
The patients nailbed became bluish and the patient was placed in a
trendelenburg position. Immediately thereafter, she went out of the operating
room, and she told Rogelio E. Ramos that something wrong was x x x
happening. Dr. Calderon was then able to intubate the patient.
- Herminda Cruz immediately rushed back, and saw that the patient was still
in trendelenburg position. At almost 3:00 P.M. of that fateful day, she saw the
patient taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
- Doctors Gutierrez and Hosaka were also asked by the hospital to explain
what happened to the patient. The doctors explained that the patient had
bronchospasm. Erlinda Ramos stayed for about four months in the hospital,
she incurred hospital bills amounting to P93,542.25. She has been in a
comatose condition. After being discharged from the hospital, she has been
staying in their residence, still needing constant medical attention, with her
husband Rogelio incurring a monthly expense ranging from P8,000.00 to
P10,000.00. She was also diagnosed to be suffering from diffuse cerebral
parenchymal damage.
- Petitioners filed a civil case for damages with the Regional Trial Court of
Quezon City against herein private respondents alleging negligence in the
management and care of Erlinda Ramos.
- During the trial, both parties presented evidence as to the possible cause of
Erlindas injury. Plaintiff presented the testimonies of Dean Herminda Cruz
and Dr. Mariano Gavino to prove that the damage sustained by Erlinda was
due to lack of oxygen in her brain caused by the faulty management of her
airway by private respondents during the anesthesia phase. On the other
hand, private respondents primarily relied on the expert testimony of Dr.
Eduardo Jamora, a pulmonologist, to the effect that the cause of brain
damage was Erlindas allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent, Thiopental
Sodium (Pentothal).
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for filing a motion for reconsideration, referred the same to a legal counsel
only on 20 June 1995.
- It is elementary that when a party is represented by counsel, all notices
should be sent to the partys lawyer at his given address. With a few
exceptions, notice to a litigant without notice to his counsel on record is no
notice at all. In the present case, since a copy of the decision of the appellate
court was not sent to the counsel on record of petitioner, there can be no
sufficient notice to speak of. Hence, the delay in the filing of the motion for
reconsideration cannot be taken against petitioner. Moreover, since the Court
of Appeals already issued a second Resolution, dated 29 March 1996, which
superseded the earlier resolution issued on 25 July 1995, and denied the
motion for reconsideration of petitioner, we believe that the receipt of the
former should be considered in determining the timeliness of the filing of the
present petition. Based on this, the petition before us was submitted on time.
2. YES
- We find the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur appropriate in the case at bar. As
will hereinafter be explained, the damage sustained by Erlinda in her brain
prior to a scheduled gall bladder operation presents a case for the application
of res ipsa loquitur.
- Considering that a sound and unaffected member of the body (the brain) is
injured or destroyed while the patient is unconscious and under the
immediate and exclusive control of the physicians, we hold that a practical
administration of justice dictates the application of res ipsa loquitur. Upon
these facts and under these circumstances the Court would be able to say, as
a matter of common knowledge and observation, if negligence attended the
management and care of the patient. Moreover, the liability of the physicians
and the hospital in this case is not predicated upon an alleged failure to
secure the desired results of an operation nor on an alleged lack of skill in the
diagnosis or treatment as in fact no operation or treatment was ever
performed on Erlinda. Thus, upon all these initial determination a case is
made out for the application of the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur.
- Nonetheless, in holding that res ipsa loquitur is available to the present case
we are not saying that the doctrine is applicable in any and all cases where
injury occurs to a patient while under anesthesia, or to any and all anesthesia
cases. Each case must be viewed in its own light and scrutinized in order to
be within the res ipsa loquitur coverage.
- Res ipsa loquitur is a Latin phrase which literally means the thing or the
transaction speaks for itself. The phrase res ipsa loquitur is a maxim for the
rule that the fact of the occurrence of an injury, taken with the surrounding
circumstances, may permit an inference or raise a presumption of negligence,
or make out a plaintiffs prima facie case, and present a question of fact for
defendant to meet with an explanation. Where the thing which caused the
injury complained of is shown to be under the management of the defendant
or his servants and the accident is such as in ordinary course of things does
not happen if those who have its management or control use proper care, it
affords reasonable evidence, in the absence of explanation by the defendant,
that the accident arose from or was caused by the defendants want of care.
- The doctrine of res ipsa loquitur is simply a recognition of the postulate that,
as a matter of common knowledge and experience, the very nature of certain
types of occurrences may justify an inference of negligence on the part of the
person who controls the instrumentality causing the injury in the absence of
some explanation by the defendant who is charged with negligence. It is
grounded in the superior logic of ordinary human experience and on the basis
of such experience or common knowledge, negligence may be deduced from
the mere occurrence of the accident itself. Hence, res ipsa loquitur is applied
in conjunction with the doctrine of common knowledge.
prof. casis
- However, much has been said that res ipsa loquitur is not a rule of
substantive law and, as such, does not create or constitute an independent or
separate ground of liability. Instead, it is considered as merely evidentiary or
in the nature of a procedural rule. It is regarded as a mode of proof, or a mere
procedural convenience since it furnishes a substitute for, and relieves a
plaintiff of, the burden of producing specific proof of negligence. In other
words, mere invocation and application of the doctrine does not dispense with
the requirement of proof of negligence. It is simply a step in the process of
such proof, permitting the plaintiff to present along with the proof of the
accident, enough of the attending circumstances to invoke the doctrine,
creating an inference or presumption of negligence, and to thereby place on
the defendant the burden of going forward with the proof. Still, before resort to
the doctrine may be allowed, the following requisites must be satisfactorily
shown:
1. The accident is of a kind which ordinarily does not occur in the
absence of someones negligence;
2. It is caused by an instrumentality within the exclusive control of the
defendant or defendants; and
3. The possibility of contributing conduct which would make the plaintiff
responsible is eliminated.
- In the above requisites, the fundamental element is the control of the
instrumentality which caused the damage. Such element of control must be
shown to be within the dominion of the defendant. In order to have the
benefit of the rule, a plaintiff, in addition to proving injury or damage, must
show a situation where it is applicable, and must establish that the essential
elements of the doctrine were present in a particular incident.
- In cases where the res ipsa loquitur is applicable, the court is permitted to
find a physician negligent upon proper proof of injury to the patient, without
the aid of expert testimony, where the court from its fund of common
knowledge can determine the proper standard of care. Where common
knowledge and experience teach that a resulting injury would not have
occurred to the patient if due care had been exercised, an inference of
negligence may be drawn giving rise to an application of the doctrine of res
ipsa loquitur without medical evidence, which is ordinarily required to show
not only what occurred but how and why it occurred. When the doctrine is
appropriate, all that the patient must do is prove a nexus between the
particular act or omission complained of and the injury sustained while under
the custody and management of the defendant without need to produce
expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care. Resort to res ipsa
loquitur is allowed because there is no other way, under usual and ordinary
conditions, by which the patient can obtain redress for injury suffered by him.
- It does not automatically apply to all cases of medical negligence as to
mechanically shift the burden of proof to the defendant to show that he is not
guilty of the ascribed negligence. Res ipsa loquitur is not a rigid or ordinary
doctrine to be perfunctorily used but a rule to be cautiously applied,
depending upon the circumstances of each case. It is generally restricted to
situations in malpractice cases where a layman is able to say, as a matter of
common knowledge and observation, that the consequences of professional
care were not as such as would ordinarily have followed if due care had been
exercised. A distinction must be made between the failure to secure results,
and the occurrence of something more unusual and not ordinarily found if the
service or treatment rendered followed the usual procedure of those skilled in
that particular practice. It must be conceded that the doctrine of res ipsa
loquitur can have no application in a suit against a physician or surgeon
which involves the merits of a diagnosis or of a scientific treatment. The
physician or surgeon is not required at his peril to explain why any particular
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- Proximate cause has been defined as that which, in natural and continuous
sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces injury, and
without which the result would not have occurred. An injury or damage is
proximately caused by an act or a failure to act, whenever it appears from the
evidence in the case, that the act or omission played a substantial part in
bringing about or actually causing the injury or damage; and that the injury or
damage was either a direct result or a reasonably probable consequence of
the act or omission. It is the dominant, moving or producing cause.
- Respondent Dr. Hosakas negligence can be found in his failure to exercise
the proper authority (as the captain of the operative team) in not
determining if his anesthesiologist observed proper anesthesia protocols. In
fact, no evidence on record exists to show that respondent Dr. Hosaka
verified if respondent Dra. Gutierrez properly intubated the patient.
Furthermore, it does not escape us that respondent Dr. Hosaka had
scheduled another procedure in a different hospital at the same time as
Erlindas cholecystectomy, and was in fact over three hours late for the
latters operation. Because of this, he had little or no time to confer with his
anesthesiologist regarding the anesthesia delivery. This indicates that he
was remiss in his professional duties towards his patient. Thus, he shares
equal responsibility for the events which resulted in Erlindas condition.
- We now discuss the responsibility of the hospital in this particular incident.
The unique practice (among private hospitals) of filling up specialist staff with
attending and visiting consultants, who are allegedly not hospital
employees, presents problems in apportioning responsibility for negligence in
medical malpractice cases. However, the difficulty is only more apparent
than real.
- In the first place, hospitals exercise significant control in the hiring and firing
of consultants and in the conduct of their work within the hospital premises.
Doctors who apply for consultant slots, visiting or attending, are required to
submit proof of completion of residency, their educational qualifications;
generally, evidence of accreditation by the appropriate board (diplomate),
evidence of fellowship in most cases, and references. These requirements
are carefully scrutinized by members of the hospital administration or by a
review committee set up by the hospital who either accept or reject the
application. This is particularly true with respondent hospital.
- After a physician is accepted, either as a visiting or attending consultant, he
is normally required to attend clinico-pathological conferences, conduct
bedside rounds for clerks, interns and residents, moderate grand rounds and
patient audits and perform other tasks and responsibilities, for the privilege of
being able to maintain a clinic in the hospital, and/or for the privilege of
admitting patients into the hospital. In addition to these, the physicians
performance as a specialist is generally evaluated by a peer review
committee on the basis of mortality and morbidity statistics, and feedback
from patients, nurses, interns and residents. A consultant remiss in his
duties, or a consultant who regularly falls short of the minimum standards
acceptable to the hospital or its peer review committee, is normally politely
terminated.
- In other words, private hospitals, hire, fire and exercise real control over
their attending and visiting consultant staff. While consultants are not,
technically employees, a point which respondent hospital asserts in denying
all responsibility for the patients condition, the control exercised, the hiring,
and the right to terminate consultants all fulfill the important hallmarks of an
employer-employee relationship, with the exception of the payment of wages.
In assessing whether such a relationship in fact exists, the control test is
determining. Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, we rule that for the
purpose of allocating responsibility in medical negligence cases, an
prof. casis
employer-employee relationship in effect exists between hospitals and their
attending and visiting physicians. This being the case, the question now
arises as to whether or not respondent hospital is solidarily liable with
respondent doctors for petitioners condition.
- The basis for holding an employer solidarily responsible for the negligence
of its employee is found in Article 2180 of the Civil Code which considers a
person accountable not only for his own acts but also for those of others
based on the formers responsibility under a relationship of patria potestas.
Such responsibility ceases when the persons or entity concerned prove that
they have observed the diligence of a good father of the family to prevent
damage. In other words, while the burden of proving negligence rests on the
plaintiffs, once negligence is shown, the burden shifts to the respondents
(parent, guardian, teacher or employer) who should prove that they observed
the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage.
- In the instant case, respondent hospital, apart from a general denial of its
responsibility over respondent physicians, failed to adduce evidence showing
that it exercised the diligence of a good father of a family in the hiring and
supervision of the latter. It failed to adduce evidence with regard to the
degree of supervision which it exercised over its physicians. In neglecting to
offer such proof, or proof of a similar nature, respondent hospital thereby
failed to discharge its burden under the last paragraph of Article 2180.
Having failed to do this, respondent hospital is consequently solidarily
responsible with its physicians for Erlindas condition.
- Upon these disquisitions we hold that private respondents are solidarily
liable for damages under Article 2176 of the Civil Code.
4. Given these considerations, the amount of actual damages recoverable in
suits arising from negligence should at least reflect the correct minimum cost
of proper care, not the cost of the care the family is usually compelled to
undertake at home to avoid bankruptcy.
- Art. 2199. - Except as provided by law or by stipulation, one is entitled to an
adequate compensation only for such pecuniary loss suffered by him as he
has duly proved. Such compensation is referred to as actual or
compensatory damages.
- Our rules on actual or compensatory damages generally assume that at the
time of litigation, the injury suffered as a consequence of an act of negligence
has been completed and that the cost can be liquidated. However, these
provisions neglect to take into account those situations, as in this case, where
the resulting injury might be continuing and possible future complications
directly arising from the injury, while certain to occur, are difficult to predict.
- In these cases, the amount of damages which should be awarded, if they
are to adequately and correctly respond to the injury caused, should be one
which compensates for pecuniary loss incurred and proved, up to the time of
trial; and one which would meet pecuniary loss certain to be suffered but
which could not, from the nature of the case, be made with certainty. In other
words, temperate damages can and should be awarded on top of actual or
compensatory damages in instances where the injury is chronic and
continuing. And because of the unique nature of such cases, no
incompatibility arises when both actual and temperate damages are provided
for. The reason is that these damages cover two distinct phases.
- As it would not be equitable - and certainly not in the best interests of the
administration of justice - for the victim in such cases to constantly come
before the courts and invoke their aid in seeking adjustments to the
compensatory damages previously awarded - temperate damages are
appropriate. The amount given as temperate damages, though to a certain
extent speculative, should take into account the cost of proper care.
BATIQUIN V CA (Villegas)
258 SCRA 334
DAVIDE; July 5, 1996
NATURE
Petition for review of the decision of the Court of Appeals
FACTS
- Mrs. Villegas submitted to Dr. Batiquin for prenatal care as the latter's
private patient sometime before September 21, 1988. In the morning of
September 21, 1988 Dr. Batiquin, along with other physicians and nurses,
performed a caesarian operation on Mrs. Villegas and successfully delivered
the latters baby.
- After leaving the hospital, Mrs. Villegas began to suffer abdominal pains and
complained of being feverish. She also gradually lost her appetite, so she
consulted Dr. Batiquin at the latter's polyclinic who prescribed for her certain
medicines. However, the pains still kept recurring. She then consulted Dr.
Ma. Salud Kho. After examining her, Dr Kho suggested that Mrs. Villegas
submit to another surgery.
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- When Dr. Kho opened the abdomen of Mrs. Villegas she found whitishyellow discharge inside, an ovarian cyst on each of the left and right ovaries
which gave out pus, dirt and pus behind the uterus, and a piece of rubber
material on the right side of the uterus, embedded on the ovarian cyst. The
piece of rubber appeared to be a part of a rubber glove. This was the cause
of all of the infection of the ovaries and consequently of all the discomfort
suffered by Mrs. Villegas
- The piece of rubber allegedly found was not presented in court, and Dr. Kho
testified that she sent it to a pathologist in Cebu City for examination. Aside
from Dr. Kho's testimony, the evidence which mentioned the piece of rubber
are a Medical Certificate, a Progress Record, an Anesthesia Record, a
Nurse's Record, and a Physician's Discharge Summary. The trial court,
however, regarded these documentary evidence as mere hearsay, "there
being no showing that the person or persons who prepared them are
deceased or unable to testify on the facts therein stated
- There was also doubts as to the whereabouts of the piece of rubber, as 2
versions arose from Dr. Khos testimony: 1) that it was sent to the Pathologist
in Cebu as testified to in Court by Dr. Kho and (2) that Dr. Kho threw it away
as told by her to Defendant. The failure of the Plaintiffs to reconcile these two
different versions served only to weaken their claim against Defendant
Batiquin. The trial court ruled in favor of the defendants. The CA reversed the
decision.
ISSUES
Procedural
WON the court can review questions of fact
Substantive
WON Dr. Batiquin is liable
HELD
Procedural
YES
- While the rule is that only questions of law may be raised in a petition for
review on certiorari, there are exceptions, among which are when the factual
findings of the trial court and the appellate court conflict, when the appealed
decision is clearly contradicted by the evidence on record, or when the
appellate court misapprehended the facts
Substantive
- The focal point of the appeal is Dr. Khos testimony. There were
inconsistencies within her own testimony, which led to the different decision
of the RTC and CA. The CA was correct in saying that the trial court erred
when it isolated the disputed portion of Dr. Khos testimony and did not
consider it with other portions of Dr. Khos testimony. Also, the phrase relied
upon by the trial court does not negate the fact that Dr. Kho saw a piece of
rubber in private respondent Villegas' abdomen, and that she sent it to a
laboratory and then to Cebu City for examination by a pathologist.
Furthermore, Dr. Kho's knowledge of the piece of rubber could not be based
on other than first hand knowledge for, as she asserted before the trial court.
- It is also worth noting that the trial court paid heed to Dr. Batiquins
testimony, that there was neither any tear on Dr. Batiquin's gloves after the
operation nor blood smears on her hands upon removing her gloves. But the
trial court failed to recognized that these were mere denials or negative
testimonies. Well-settled is the rule that positive testimony is stronger than
negative testimony.
- While the petitioners claim that contradictions and falsities punctured Dr.
Kho's testimony, a reading of the said testimony reveals no such infirmity and
establishes Dr. Kho as a credible witness. Dr. Kho was frank throughout her
turn on the witness stand. Furthermore, no motive to state any untruth was
ever imputed against Dr. Kho, leaving her trustworthiness unimpaired. The
trial court's following declaration shows that while it was critical of the lack of
care with which Dr. Kho handled the piece of rubber, it was not prepared to
doubt Dr. Kho's credibility, thus only supporting out appraisal of Dr. Kho's
trustworthiness.
- Considering that we have assessed Dr. Kho to be a credible witness, her
positive testimony prevails over the negative testimony in favor of the
petitioners. As such, the rule of res ipsa loquitur comes to fore.
- This doctrine is stated thus: "Where the thing which causes injury is shown
to be under the management of the defendant, and the accident is such as in
the ordinary course of things does not happen if those who have the
management use proper care, it affords reasonable evidence, in the absence
of an explanation by the defendant, that the accident arose from want of
care."
- In the instant case, all the requisites for recourse to the doctrine are
present. First, the entire proceedings of the cesarean section were under the
exclusive control of Dr. Batiquin. In this light, the private respondents were
bereft of direct evidence as to the actual culprit or the exact cause of the
foreign object finding its way into private respondent Villegas' body, which,
needless to say, does not occur unless through the intervention of
negligence. Second, since aside from the cesarean section, private
respondent Villegas underwent no other operation which could have caused
the offending piece of rubber to appear in her uterus, it stands to reason that
such could only have been a by-product of the cesarean section performed
by Dr. Batiquin. The petitioners, in this regard, failed to overcome the
presumption of negligence arising from resort to the doctrine of res ipsa
loquitur. Dr. Batiquin is therefore liable for negligently leaving behind a piece
of rubber in private respondent Villegas' abdomen and for all the adverse
effects thereof
DISPOSITION Decision affirmed
D.M. CONSUNJI V CA
KAPUNAN; April 20, 2001
NATURE
Appeal from CA affirming decision of RTC ordering defendant D.M. Consunji,
Inc. to pay damages to plaintiff Maria J. Juego
FACTS
- At around 1:30 p.m., November 2, 1990, Jose Juego, a construction worker
of D. M. Consunji, Inc., fell 14 floors from the Renaissance Tower, Pasig City
to his death. Investigation disclosed that while victim Jose A. Juego together
with Jessie Jaluag and Delso Destajo were performing their work on board a
steel platform with plywood flooring and cable wires attached to its four
corners and hooked at the 5 ton chain block, when suddenly, the bolt or pin
which was merely inserted to connect the chain block with the platform came
loose causing the whole platform assembly and the victim to fall down to the
basement of the elevator core of the building under construction, save his 2
companions who luckily jumped out for safety.
- On May 9, 1991, Jose Juegos widow, Maria, filed in the RTC of Pasig a
complaint for damages against D.M. Consunji, Inc. The employer raised,
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the claim before the ECC was filed. On the contrary, private respondent
testified that she was not aware of her rights.
DISPOSITION The case is REMANDED to the Regional Trial Court of Pasig
City to determine whether the award decreed in its decision is more than that
of the ECC, whereupon payments already made to private respondent
pursuant to the Labor Code shall be deducted therefrom. In all other
respects, the Decision of the CA is AFFIRMED.
Reasoning
- The death of Magno was primarily caused by his own negligence, and in
some measure by the too close proximity of the media agua to the electric
wire of the company by reason of the violation of the original permit given by
the city and the subsequent approval of said illegal construction of the media
agua. Had the house owner followed the terms of the permit given him by
the city for the construction of his
media agua, the distance from the wires to the edge of said media agua
would have been 3ft and 11 3/8 inches.
- The company cannot be expected to be always on the lookout for any illegal
construction which reduces the distance between its wires and said
construction, and to change the installation of its wires so as to preserve said
distance.
- The violation of the permit for the construction was not the direct cause of
the accident. It merely contributed to it. The real cause of the accident or
death was the reckless or negligent act of Magno himself. It is to be
presumed that due to his age and experience he was qualified to do so. He
had training and experience for the job. He could not have been entirely a
stranger to electric wires and the danger lurking in them.
- To hold the defendant liable in damages for the death of Magno, such
supposed negligence of the company must have been the proximate and
principal cause of the accident.
Disposition The appealed decision of the CA is reversed, and complaint
against the Company dismissed.
BERNARDO V LEGASPI
29 Phil 12
MORELAND; December 23, 1914
NATURE
Appeal from a judgment of CFI Manila dismissing the complaint on the merits
filed in an action to recover damages for injuries
FACTS
- Due to a collision between the respective automobiles of Bernardo and
Legaspi, the former filed an action to recover damages for injuries sustained
by his car which he alleged were by reason of Legaspi's negligence in
causing said collision.
Legaspi, on the other hand, filed a cross-complaint alleging it was Bernardo's
fault. He also asks for damages.
- The lower court found upon the evidence that both the plaintiff and the
defendant were negligent in handling their automobiles and that said
negligence was of such a character and extent on the part of both as to
prevent either from recovering.
ISSUE
WON Manila Electric is guilty of negligence.
ISSUE
WON the parties may recover damages
HELD
NO
- It was the victim who was guilty of negligence
Ratio the liability of electric companies for damages or personal injury is
governed by the rules of negligence, nevertheless such companies are not
insurers of the safety of the public.
HELD
1. NO
- Where two automobiles, going in opposite directions, collide on turning a
street corner, and it appears from the evidence and is found by the trial court
that the drivers thereof were equally negligent and contributed equally to the
BERNAL V HOUSE
54 PHIL 327
MALCOLM; January 30, 1930
FACTS
- Fortunata Enverso with her daughter Purificacion Bernal went to
Tacloban, Leyte to attend the procession of Holy Friday.
- After the procession, they, accompanied by two other persons, passed
along a public street named Gran Capitan.
- The little girl was allowed to get a short distance in advance of her mother
and her friends.
- While in front of the offices of the Tacloban Electric & Ice Plant, Ltd., an
automobile appeared on which frightened the child. She turned to run, but fell
into the street gutter. At that time there was hot water in this gutter or ditch
coming from the Electric Ice Plant of J.V. House.
- When the mother and her companions reached the child, they found her
face downward in the hot water.
- The girl was taken to the provincial hospital. Despite his efforts, the child
died that same night.
- It was certified that the cause of death was "Burns, 3rd Degree, whole
Body", and that the contributory causes were "Congestion of the Brain and
visceras of the chest & abdomen.
- The defense was that the hot water was permitted to flow down the side of
the street Gran Captain with the knowledge and consent of the authorities;
that the cause of death was other than the hot water; and that in the death
the plaintiffs contributed by their own fault and negligence.
- The trial judge, however, after examination of the evidence presented by
the defendants, failed to sustain their theory of the case, except as to the last
mentioned special defense. He nevertheless was led to order the dismissal of
the action because of the contributory negligence of the plaintiffs.
ISSUE
WON the action should be dismissed due to the contributory negligence of
the plaintiffs
HELD
NO
- The death of the child was the result of fault and negligence in permitting
hot water to flow through the public streets, there to endanger the lives of
passers-by who were unfortunately enough to fall into it
- The mother and her child had a perfect right to be on the principal street of
Tacloban, Leyte, on the evening when the religious procession was held.
- There was nothing abnormal in allowing the child to run along a few paces
in advance of the mother. No one could foresee the coincidence of an
automobile appearing and of a frightened child running and falling into a ditch
filled with hot water.
- The doctrines announced in the much debated case of Rakes vs. Atlantic,
Gulf and Pacific Co. ([1907], 7 Phil., 359), still rule. Article 1902 of the Civil
Code must again be enforced. The contributory negligence of the child
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and her mother, if any, does not operate as a bar to recovery, but in its
strictest sense could only result in reduction of the damages.
DISPOSITION Judgment appealed from was in part be reversed and in the
court of origin another judgment was issued in favor of Fortunata Enverso
and against J.V. House for the amount of P1,000, and for the costs of both
instances.
SEPARATE OPINION
ROMUALDEZ [dissent]
- Even taking the finding that the defendant by its negligence helped to bring
about the accident which resulted in the death of the child Purificacion Bernal,
plaintiff, by negligence, contributed to that most regrettable result.
- Judgment appealed from should be affirmed.
prof. casis
ceiling collapsed." Having interposed it as a defense, it had the burden to
prove that the collapse was indeed caused by force majeure. That Mr. Ong
could not offer any explanation does not imply force majeure.
- Definitions of force majeure as cited in Pons y Compaia vs. La Compaia
Maritima:
1. Blackstone, in his Commentaries on English Law: Inevitable accident or
casualty; an accident produced by any physical cause which is irresistible;
such as lightning. tempest, perils of the sea, inundation, or earthquake; the
sudden illness or death of a person.
2. Escriche, in his Diccionario de Legislacion y Jurisprudenci,:
The event which we could neither foresee nor resist; as for example, the
lightning stroke, hail, inundation, hurricane, public enemy, attack by robbers;
Vis major est, says Cayo, ea quae consilio humano neque provideri neque
vitari potest. Accident and mitigating circumstances.
3. Bouvier: Any accident due to natural cause, directly exclusively without
human intervention, such as could not have been prevented by any kind of
oversight, pains and care reasonably to have been expected.
4. Corkburn, chief justice, in a well considered English case, said that were a
captain uses all the known means to which prudent and experienced captains
ordinarily have recourse, he does all that can be reasonably required of him;
and if, under such circumstances, he is overpowered by storm or other
natural agency, he is within the rule which gives immunity from the effects of
such vis major. The term generally applies, broadly speaking, to natural
accidents, such as those caused by lightning, earthquake, tempests, public
enemy ,etc.
-The real reason why Mr. Ong could not explain the cause or reason is that
either he did not actually conduct the investigation or that he isincompetent.
He is not an engineer, but an architect who had not even passed the
government's examination.
- Verily, post-incident investigation cannot be considered as material to the
present proceedings. What is significant is the finding of the trial court,
affirmed by the respondent Court, that the collapse was due to construction
defects. There was no evidence offered to overturn this finding.
- The building was constructed barely 4 years prior to the accident in
question. It was not shown that any of the causes denominates as force
majeure obtained immediately before or at the time of the collapse of the
ceiling. Such defects could have been easily discovered if only petitioner
exercised due diligence and care in keeping and maintaining the premises.
But as disclosed by the testimony of Mr. Ong, there was no adequate
inspection of the premises before the date of the accident.
- That the structural designs and plans of the building were duly approved by
the City Engineer and the building permits and certificate of occupancy were
issued do not at all prove that there were no defects in the construction,
especially as regards the ceiling, considering that no testimony was offered to
prove that it was ever inspected at all.
- It is settled that:
The owner or proprietor of a place of public amusement impliedly
warrants that the premises, appliances and amusement devices are
safe for the purpose for which they are designed, the doctrine being
subject to no other exception or qualification than that he does not
contract against unknown defects not discoverable by ordinary or
reasonable means.
- This implied warranty has given rise to the rule that:
Where a patron of a theater or other place of public amusement is
injured, and the thing that caused the injury is wholly and exclusively
under the control and management of the defendant, and the accident
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Orbeta, CA-G.R. No. 321, March 29, 1947)." (People vs. Quiones, 44 O.G.
1520)
Disposition the appealed decision is affirmed with modification as to the civil
liability of the petitioner which is hereby increased to P30,000. Costs against
petitioner.
RAKES V ATLANTIC
[CITATION]
[PONENTE]
NATURE
Action for damages
FACTS
- The plaintiff, Rakes, one of a group of 8 African-American laborers in the
employment of defendant, Atlantic, was at work transporting iron rails from
the harbor in Manila. The men were hauling the rails on 2 hand cars, some
behind or at it sides and some pulling the cars in the front by a rope. At one
point, the track sagged, the tie broke, the car canted and the rails slid off and
caught the plaintiff who was walking by the cars side, breaking his leg, which
was later amputated at the knee.
- The plaintiffs witness alleged that a noticeable depression in the track had
appeared after a typhoon. This was reported to the foreman, Mckenna, but it
had not been proven that Atlantic inspected the track or had any proper
system of inspection. Also, there were no side guards on the cars to keep the
rails from slipping off.
- However, the companys officers and 3 of the workers testified that there
was a general prohibition frequently made known to all against walking by the
side of cars. As Rakes was walking along the cars side when the accident
occurred, he was found to have contributed in some degree to the injury
inflicted, although not as the primary cause.
- Atlantic contends that the remedy for injury through negligence lies only in a
criminal action against the official directly responsible and that the employer
be held only subsidiarily liable.
ISSUE
WON there was contributory negligence on the part of petitioner
HELD
YES
- Petitioner had walked along the side of the car despite a prohibition to do so
by the foreman.
-The negligence of the injured person contributing to his injury but not being
one of the determining causes of the principal accident, does not operate as
a bar to recovery, but only in reduction of his damages. Each party is
chargeable with damages in proportion to his fault.
- Trial court assessed that damages to plaintiff amount to PhP5,000. SC
deducted PhP2,500, the amount fairly attributable to his own negligence.
SEPARATE OPINION
WILLARD AND CARSON [dissent]
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prof. casis
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actor in the situation before him. The law considers what would be reckless,
blameworthy, or negligent in the man of ordinary intelligence and prudence
and determines liability by that.
- Applying the above test, it appears that the bank's teller, Ms. Azucena
Mabayad, was negligent in validating, officially stamping and signing all the
deposit slips prepared and presented by Ms. Yabut, despite the glaring fact
that the duplicate copy was not completely accomplished contrary to the selfimposed procedure of the bank with respect to the proper validation of
deposit slips, original or duplicate, as testified to by Ms. Mabayad herself.
- The fact that the duplicate slip was not compulsorily required by the bank in
accepting deposits should not relieve the petitioner bank of responsibility. The
odd circumstance alone that such duplicate copy lacked one vital information
that of the name of the account holder should have already put Ms.
Mabayad on guard. Rather than readily validating the incomplete duplicate
copy, she should have proceeded more cautiously by being more probing as
to the true reason why the name of the account holder in the duplicate slip
was left blank while that in the original was filled up. She should not have
been so naive in accepting hook, line and sinker the too shallow excuse of
Ms. Irene Yabut to the effect that since the duplicate copy was only for her
personal record, she would simply fill up the blank space later on. 11 A
"reasonable man of ordinary prudence" 12 would not have given credence to
such explanation and would have insisted that the space left blank be filled
up as a condition for validation. Unfortunately, this was not how bank teller
Mabayad proceeded thus resulting in huge losses to the private respondent.
- Negligence here lies not only on the part of Ms. Mabayad but also on the
part of the bank itself in its lackadaisical selection and supervision of Ms.
Mabayad. In the testimony of Mr. Romeo Bonifacio, then Manager of the
Pasig Branch of the petitioner, to the effect that, while he ordered the
investigation of the incident, he never came to know that blank deposit slips
were validated in total disregard of the bank's validation procedures.
- It was in fact only when he testified in this case in February, 1983, or after
the lapse of more than seven (7) years counted from the period when the
funds in question were deposited in plaintiff's accounts (May, 1975 to July,
1976) that bank manager Bonifacio admittedly became aware of the practice
of his teller Mabayad of validating blank deposit slips. Undoubtedly, this is
gross, wanton, and inexcusable negligence in the appellant bank's
supervision of its employees.
- It was this negligence of Ms. Azucena Mabayad, coupled by the negligence
of the petitioner bank in the selection and supervision of its bank teller, which
was the proximate cause of the loss suffered by the private respondent, and
not the latter's act of entrusting cash to a dishonest employee, as insisted by
the petitioners.
- Proximate cause is determined on the facts of each case upon mixed
considerations of logic, common sense, policy and precedent. Bank of the
Phil. Islands v. Court of Appeals, 17 defines proximate cause as "that cause,
which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient
intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not
have occurred. . . ." In this case, absent the act of Ms. Mabayad in negligently
validating the incomplete duplicate copy of the deposit slip, Ms. Irene Yabut
would not have the facility with which to perpetrate her fraudulent scheme
with impunity.
- LAST CLEAR CHANCE: under the doctrine of "last clear chance" (also
referred to, at times as "supervening negligence" or as "discovered peril"),
petitioner bank was indeed the culpable party. This doctrine, in essence,
states that where both parties are negligent, but the negligent act of one is
appreciably later in time than that of the other, or when it is impossible to
SEPARATE OPINION
PADILLA [dissent]
- It seems that an innocent bank teller is being unduly burdened with what
should fall on Ms. Irene Yabut, RMC's own employee, who should have been
charged with estafa or estafa through falsification of private document. Why is
RMC insulating Ms. Irene Yabut from liability when in fact she orchestrated
the entire fraud on RMC, her employer?
- Going back to Yabut's modus operandi, it is not disputed that each time
Yabut would transact business with PBC's tellers, she would accomplish two
(2) copies of the current account deposit slip. PBC's deposit slip, as issued in
1975, had two parts. The upper part was called the depositor's stub and the
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- It was private respondent who had the last and clear chance to prevent any
further misappropriation by Yabut had it only reviewed the status of its current
accounts on the bank statements sent to it monthly or regularly. Since a
sizable amount of cash was entrusted to Yabut, private respondent should, at
least, have taken ordinary care of its concerns, as what the law presumes. Its
negligence, therefore, is not contributory but the immediate and proximate
cause of its injury.
JUNTILLA V FONTANAR
136 SCRA 624
GUITERREZ JR; May 31, 1985
NATURE
Petition to review the decision of CFI of Cebu
FACTS
- Petitioner Roberto Juntilla was sitting a the front seat of a jeepney (driven by
one Berfol Camoro, registered under the franchise of Clemente Fontanar, but
actually owned by Fernando Banzon) when its right rear tire exploded
causing it to turn turtle. Plaintiff was thrown out of the vehicle and lost
consciousness upon landing on the ground. When he came back to his
senses, he found that he had a lacerated wound on his right palm, injuries on
his left arm, right thigh and on his back and also found this Omega wrist
watch was lost. He went to Danao city and upon arrival there he entered the
City Hospital to attend to his injuries and asked his father-in-law to go to site
of the accident to look for his watch but the watch was nowhere to be found.
- Petitioner then filed a civil case for breach of contract with damages before
the City Court of Cebu against Fontanar, Banzon, and Camoro, who filed
their answer, alleging that the accident was beyond their control taking into
account that the tire that exploded was newly bought and slightly used at the
time it blew up.
- City Court rendered judgment in favor of petitioner. The respondents then
appealed to the CFI of Cebu, which reversed the judgment upon a finding
that the accident in question was due to a fortuitous event. Petitioners MFR
was denied, hence this appeal.
ISSUES
1. WON the CFI erred in absolving the carrier from any liability upon a finding
that the tire blow out is a fortuitous event
2. WON the accident was due to a fortuitous event
HELD
1. YES
- The CFI relied on the ruling of the CA in Rodriguez v Red Line
Transportation Co., that a tire blow-out does not constitute negligence unless
the tire was already old and should not have been used at all. This
conclusion is based on a misapprehension of overall facts. In La Mallorca and
Pampanga Bus Co. v De Jesus, et al, We held that, not only are the rulings
of the CA in Rodriguez v Red Line Trans. Co. not binding on this Court but
they were also based on considerations quite different from those that obtain
in the case at bar. In the case at bar, there are specific acts of negligence on
the part of the respondents. The records show that the passenger jeepney
turned turtle and jumped into a ditch immediately after its right rear tire
exploded. The evidence shows that the passenger jeepney was running at a
very fast speed before the accident. We agree with the observation of the
prof. casis
petitioner that a public utility jeep running at a regular and safe speed will not
jump into a ditch when its right rear tire blows up. There is also evidence to
show that the passenger jeepney was overloaded at the time of the accident.
The petitioner stated that there were 3 passengers in the front seat and 14 in
the rear.
- While it may be true that the tire that blew-up was still good because the
grooves of the tire were still visible, this fact alone does not make the
explosion of the tire a fortuitous event. No evidence was presented to show
that the accident was due to adverse road conditions or that precautions were
taken by the jeepney driver to compensate for any conditions liable to cause
accidents. The sudden blowing-up, therefore, could have been caused by too
much air pressure injected into the tire coupled by the fact that the jeepney
was overloaded and speeding at the time of the accident.
2. NO
Ratio A caso fortuito (fortuitous event) presents the following essential
characteristics:
1. The cause of the unforeseen and unexpected occurrence, or of the failure
of the debtor to comply with his obligation, must be independent of the human
will
2. It must be impossible to foresee the even which constitutes the caso
fortuito, or if it can be foreseen, it must be impossible to avoid
3. The occurrence must be such as to render it impossible for the debtor to
fulfill his obligation in a normal manner
4. The obligor (debtor) must be free from any participation in the aggravation
of the injury resulting to the creditor
Reasoning
- In the case at bar, the cause of the unforeseen and unexpected occurrence
was not independent of the human will. The accident was caused either
through the negligence of the driver or because of mechanical defects in the
tire. Common carriers should teach their drivers not to overload their vehicles
not to exceed safe and legal speed limits and to know the correct measures
to take when a tire blows up thus insuring the safety of passengers at all
times.
- Relative to the contingency of mechanical defects, we held in Necesito, et
al. v. Paras, et al, that: The preponderance of authority is in favor of the
doctrine that a passenger is entitled to recover damages from a carrier for an
injury resulting from a defect in an appliance purchased from a manufacturer,
whenever it appears that the defect would have been discovered by the
carrier if it had exercised the degree of care which under the circumstances
was incumbent upon it. with regard to inspection and application of the
necessary tests. For the purposes of this doctrine, the manufacturer is
considered as being in law the agent or servant of the carrier, as far as
regards the work of constructing the appliance. According to this theory, the
good repute of the manufacturer will not relieve the carrier from liability.
- It is sufficient to reiterate that the source of a common carrier's legal liability
is the contract of carriage, and by entering into the said contract, it binds itself
to carry the passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can
provide, using the utmost diligence of a very cautious person, with a due
regard for all the circumstances. The records show that this obligation was
not met by the respondents.
Disposition Decision appealed from is REVERSED and SET ASIDE.
Decision of City Court is REINSTATED
Section 638. Credit for loss occurring in transit or due to casualty Notice to Auditor. When a loss
of government funds or property occurs while the same is in transit or is caused by fire, theft, or other
casualty, the officer accountable therefor or having custody thereof shall immediately notify the Auditor
General, or the provincial auditor, according as a matter is within the original jurisdiction of the one or
the other, and within thirty days or such longer period as the Auditor, or provincial auditor, may in the
particular case allow, shall present his application for relief, with the available evidence in support
thereof. An officer who fails to comply with this requirement shall not be relieved of liability or allowed
credit for any such loss in the settlement of his accounts.
3
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event that could not have reasonably been foreseen, especially on that busy
highway.
- then Solicitor-General argued that Hernandez was negligent in the
safekeeping of the stolen funds. Later, however, his successor sided with the
petitioner, agreeing that Hernandez had not committed any negligence or,
assuming he was guilty of contributory negligence, had made up for it with his
efforts to retrieve the money and his capture of one of the robbers, who was
eventually convicted.
- COA insists that the petitioner should not be relieved from his money
accountability because it was his own negligence that led to the loss of the
cash he had sought to take not to Ternate but to Marilao. Its contention is that
the petitioner should not have encashed the checks as the hour was already
late and he knew he could not return to Ternate before nightfall. The memo
concludes that in deciding to take the money with him to Marilao after
imprudently withdrawing it from the main office, the petitioner was assuming a
risk from which he cannot now be excused after the loss of the money as a
result of the robbery to which it was unreasonably exposed.
ISSUE
WON petitioners acts are so tainted with negligence or recklessness as to
justify the denial of the petitioner's request for relief from accountability for the
stolen money
HELD
NO
- This was undoubtedly a fortuitous event covered by the said provisions,
something that could not have been reasonably foreseen although it could
have happened, and did. For most of us, all we can rely on is a reasoned
conjecture of what might happen, based on common sense and our own
experiences, or our intuition, if you will, and without any mystic ability to peer
into the future. So it was with the petitioner.
- It is true that the petitioner miscalculated, but the Court feels he should not
be blamed for that. The decision he made seemed logical at that time and
was one that could be expected of a reasonable and prudent person.
Disposition The petitioner is entitled to be relieved from accountability for
the money forcibly taken from him. ACCORDINGLY, the petition is
GRANTED.
prof. casis
theater was plunged into darkness and pandemonium ensued. Shocked and
hurt, plaintiffs managed to crawl under the fallen ceiling. As soon as they
were able to get out to the street they walked the nearby FEU Hospital where
they were confined and treated for one (1) day.
- The next day, they transferred to the UST hospital. Plaintiff Gloria Chatto
was treated in said hospital from June 5 to June 19 and plaintiff Lina Delza
Chatto from June 5 to 11. Per Medico Legal Certificate (Exh, "C") issued by
Dr. Ernesto G. Brion, plaintiff Lina Delza Chatto suffered the following
injuries:
- Defendant tried to avoid liability by alleging that the collapse of the ceiling of
its theater was done due to force majeure. It maintained that its theater did
not suffer from any structural or construction defect.
ISSUES
1. WON Jesus Lim Ongs investigation maybe given weight in the trial
2. WON the collapse was due to force majeure
HELD
1. NO
- there was no authoritative investigation conducted by impartial civil and
structural engineers on the cause of the collapse of the theater's ceiling,
Jesus Lim Ong is not an engineer, He is a graduate of architecture from the
St. Louie University in Baguio City. It does not appear he has passed the
government examination for architects. In fine, the ignorance of Mr. Ong
about the cause of the collapse of the ceiling of their theater cannot be
equated, as an act, of God. To sustain that proposition is to introduce
sacrilege in our jurisprudence.
2. NO
- Petitioner's claim that the collapse of the ceiling of the theater's balcony was
due to force majeure is not even founded on facts because its own witness,
Mr. Jesus Lim Ong, admitted that "he could not give any reason why the
ceiling collapsed." Having interposed it as a defense, it had the burden to
prove that the collapse was indeed caused by force majeure. It could not
have collapsed without a cause. That Mr. Ong could not offer any explanation
does not imply force majeure. Petitioner could have easily discovered the
cause of the collapse if indeed it were due to force majeure. To Our mind, the
real reason why Mr. Ong could not explain the cause or reason is that either
he did not actually conduct the investigation or that he is, as the respondent
Court impliedly held, incompetent. He is not an engineer, but an architect who
had not even passed the government's examination. Verily, post-incident
investigation cannot be considered as material to the present proceedings.
What is significant is the finding of the trial court, affirmed by the respondent
Court, that the collapse was due to construction defects. There was no
evidence offered to overturn this finding. The building was constructed barely
four (4) years prior to the accident in question. It was not shown that any of
the causes denominates as force majeure obtained immediately before or at
the time of the collapse of the ceiling. Such defects could have been easily
discovered if only petitioner exercised due diligence and care in keeping and
maintaining the premises. But as disclosed by the testimony of Mr. Ong, there
was no adequate inspection of the premises before the date of the accident.
His answers to the leading questions on inspection disclosed neither the
exact dates of said. inspection nor the nature and extent of the same. That
the structural designs and plans of the building were duly approved by the
City Engineer and the building permits and certificate of occupancy were
issued do not at all prove that there were no defects in the construction,
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WON the above stipulation validly limits the liability of the shipowner in this
case
HELD
YES
Ratio The parties may stipulate anything in the contract for so long as the
stipulation is not contrary to law, morals, public policy. The stipulation which
merely iterates the principle of caso fortuito is for all intents and purposes
valid.
Reasoning
- We sustain the validity of the above stipulation; there is nothing therein that
is contrary to law, morals or public policy.
- Appellees would contend that the above stipulation does not bind them
because it was printed in fine letters on the back-of the bills of lading; and
that they did not sign the same. This argument overlooks the pronouncement
of this Court in Ong Yiu vs. Court of Appeals, promulgated June 29, 1979, 3
where the Court held that while it may be true that petitioner had not signed
the plane ticket , he is nevertheless bound by the provisions thereof. 'Such
provisions have been held to be a part of the contract of carriage, and valid
and binding upon the passenger regardless of the latter's lack of knowledge
or assent to the regulation'. It is what is known as a contract of 'adhesion', in
regards which it has been said that contracts of adhesion wherein one party
imposes a ready made form of contract on the other, as the plane ticket in the
case at bar, are contracts not entirely prohibited. The one who adheres to the
contract is in reality free to reject it entirely; if he adheres, he gives his
consent." (Tolentino, Civil Code, Vol. IV, 1962 Ed., p. 462, citing Mr. Justice
J.B.L. Reyes, Lawyer's Journal, Jan. 31, 1951, p. 49).
- Besides, the agreement contained in the above quoted Clause 14 is a mere
iteration of the basic principle of law written in Article 1 1 7 4 of the Civil
Code4 Thus, where fortuitous event or force majeure is the immediate and
proximate cause of the loss, the obligor is exempt from liability for nonperformance. The Partidas, the antecedent of Article 1174 of the Civil Code,
defines 'caso fortuito' as 'an event that takes place by accident and could not
have been foreseen. Examples of this are destruction of houses, unexpected
fire, shipwreck, violence of robbers.'
- In its dissertation of the phrase 'caso fortuito' the Enciclopedia Juridicada
Espanola 5 says: "In a legal sense and, consequently, also in relation to
contracts, a 'caso fortuito' presents the following essential characteristics: (1)
the cause of the unforeseen and unexpected occurrence, or of the failure of
the debtor to comply with his obligation, must be independent of the human
will; (2) it must be impossible to foresee the event which constitutes the 'caso
fortuito', or if it can be foreseen, it must be impossible to avoid; (3) the
occurrence must be such as to render it impossible for the debtor to fulfill his
obligation in a normal manner; and (4) the obligor must be free from any
participation in the aggravation of the injury resulting to the creditor." In the
case at bar, the burning of the customs warehouse was an extraordinary
event which happened independently of the will of the appellant. The latter
could not have foreseen the event.
- There is nothing in the record to show that appellant carrier ,incurred in
delay in the performance of its obligation. It appears that appellant had not
only notified appellees of the arrival of their shipment, but had demanded that
Article 1174. Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when it is otherwise declared by
stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk, no person shall be
responsible for those events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable.
4
ISSUE
prof. casis
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SEPARATE OPINION
AQUINO [concur]
- I concur. Under article 1738 of the Civil Code "the extraordinary liability of
the common carrier continues to be operative even during the time the goods
are stored in the warehouse of the carrier at the place of destination, until the
consignee has been advised of the arrival of the goods and has had
reasonable opportunity thereafter to remove them or otherwise dispose of
them".
- From the time the goods in question were deposited in the Bureau of
Customs' warehouse in the morning of their arrival up to two o' clock in the
afternoon of the same day, when the warehouse was burned, Amparo C.
Servando and Clara Uy Bico, the consignees, had reasonable opportunity to
remove the goods. Clara had removed more than one-half of the rice
consigned to her. Moreover, the shipping company had no more control and
responsibility over the goods after they were deposited in the customs
warehouse by the arrastre and stevedoring operator. No amount of
extraordinary diligence on the part of the carrier could have prevented the
loss of the goods by fire which was of accidental origin.
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- The principle embodied in the act of God doctrine strictly requires that the
act must be one occasioned exclusively by the violence of nature and all
human agencies are, to be excluded from creating or entering into the cause
of the mischief. When the effect, the cause of which is to be considered, is
found to be in part the result of the participation of man whether it be from
active intervention or neglect, or failure to act, the whole occurrence is
thereby humanized, as it were, and removed from the rules applicable to the
acts of God. (1 Corpus Juris, pp. 1174-1175).
Disposition Petition dismissed.
SOUTHEASTERN COLLEGE V CA
PURISIMA; July 10, 1998
NATURE
Petition for review seeking to set aside the Decision promulgated on July 31,
1996, and Resolution dated September 12, 1996 of the Court of Appeals in
Juanita de Jesus vda. de Dimaano, et al. vs. Southeastern College, Inc.,
which reduced the moral damages awarded below from P1,000,000.00 to
P200,000.00. The Resolution under attack denied petitioners motion for
reconsideration.
FACTS
- Private respondents are owners of a house at 326 College Road, Pasay
City, while petitioner owns a four-storey school building along the same
College Road. On October 11, 1989, at about 6:30 in the morning, a
powerful typhoon Saling hit Metro Manila. Buffeted by very strong winds,
the roof of petitioners building was partly ripped off and blown away, landing
on and destroying portions of the roofing of private respondents house. After
the typhoon had passed, an ocular inspection of the destroyed buildings was
conducted by a team of engineers headed by the city building official, Engr.
Jesus L. Reyna. Pertinent aspects of the latters Reporti[5] dated October 18,
1989 stated, as follows:
5. One of the factors that may have led to this calamitous event is the
formation of the buildings in the area and the general direction of the wind.
Situated in the peripheral lot is an almost U-shaped formation of 4-storey
building. Thus, with the strong winds having a westerly direction, the
general formation of the buildings becomes a big funnel-like structure, the
one situated along College Road, receiving the heaviest impact of the
strong winds. Hence, there are portions of the roofing, those located on
both ends of the building, which remained intact after the storm.
6. Another factor and perhaps the most likely reason for the dislodging of
the roofings structural trusses is the improper anchorage of the said
trusses to the roof beams. The 1/2 diameter steel bars embedded on the
concrete roof beams which serve as truss anchorage are not bolted nor
nailed to the trusses. Still, there are other steel bars which were not even
bent to the trusses, thus, those trusses are not anchored at all to the roof
beams.
- It then recommended that to avoid any further loss and damage to lives,
limbs and property of persons living in the vicinity, the fourth floor of subject
school building be declared as a structural hazard.
- In their Complaintii[6] before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, Branch
117, for damages based on culpa aquiliana, private respondents alleged that
the damage to their house rendered the same uninhabitable, forcing them to
stay temporarily in others houses. And so they sought to recover from
petitioner P117,116.00, as actual damages, P1,000,000.00, as moral
prof. casis
damages, P300,000.00, as exemplary damages and P100,000.00, for and as
attorneys fees; plus costs.
- In its Answer, petitioner averred that subject school building had withstood
several devastating typhoons and other calamities in the past, without its
roofing or any portion thereof giving way; that it has not been remiss in its
responsibility to see to it that said school building, which houses school
children, faculty members, and employees, is in tip-top condition; and
furthermore, typhoon Saling was an act of God and therefore beyond
human control such that petitioner cannot be answerable for the damages
wrought thereby, absent any negligence on its part.
- The Trial Court and the Court of Appeals gave credence to the ocular
inspection made by the city engineer. Thus, this appeal.
ISSUES
WON the damage on the roof of the building of private respondents resulting
from the impact of the falling portions of the school buildings roof ripped off
by the strong winds of typhoon Saling, was, within legal contemplation, due
to fortuitous event
HELD
YES
- Petitioner cannot be held liable for the damages suffered by the private
respondents. This conclusion finds support in Article 1174 of the Civil Code,
which provides:
Art 1174. Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when it is
otherwise declared by stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation
requires the assumption of risk, no person shall be responsible for those
events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were
inevitable.
- The antecedent of fortuitous event or caso fortuito is found in the Partidas
which defines it as an event which takes place by accident and could not
have been foreseen.iii[9] Escriche elaborates it as an unexpected event or
act of God which could neither be foreseen nor resisted. Civilist Arturo M.
Tolentino adds that [f]ortuitous events may be produced by two general
causes: (1) by nature, such as earthquakes, storms, floods, epidemics, fires,
etc. and (2) by the act of man, such as an armed invasion, attack by bandits,
governmental prohibitions, robbery, etc.iv
- In order that a fortuitous event may exempt a person from liability, it is
necessary that he be free from any previous negligence or misconduct by
reason of which the loss may have been occasioned.. An act of God cannot
be invoked for the protection of a person who has been guilty of gross
negligence in not trying to forestall its possible adverse consequences.
When a persons negligence concurs with an act of God in producing damage
or injury to another, such person is not exempt from liability by showing that
the immediate or proximate cause of the damage or injury was a fortuitous
event. When the effect is found to be partly the result of the participation of
man whether it be from active intervention, or neglect, or failure to act the
whole occurrence is hereby humanized, and removed from the rules
applicable to acts of God.
- After a thorough study and evaluation of the evidence on record, this Court
believes otherwise, notwithstanding the general rule that factual findings by
the trial court, especially when affirmed by the appellate court, are binding
and conclusive upon this Court. After a careful scrutiny of the records and the
pleadings submitted by the parties, we find exception to this rule and hold
that the lower courts misappreciated the evidence proffered.
- There is no question that a typhoon or storm is a fortuitous event, a natural
occurrence which may be foreseen but is unavoidable despite any amount of
AFIALDA V HISOLE
85 Phil 67
REYES; November 29, 1949
NATURE
Appeal from judgment of CFI Iloilo
FACTS
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Art. 2183. The possessor of an animal or whoever may make use of the same is responsible for the
damage which it may cause, although it may escape or be lost. This responsibility shall cease only in
case the damage should come from force majeure or from the fault of the person who has suffered
damage.
5
prof. casis
- In a decision of the Spanish SC, cited by Manresa, the death of an
employee who was bitten by a feline which his master had asked him to take
to his establishment was by said tribunal declared to be a veritable accident
of labor which should come under the labor laws rather than under article
1905, CC. The present action, however, is not brought under labor laws in
effect, but under Art.1905.
Disposition Judgment AFFIRMED.
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whenever the switch is on. The switch must have been left on, hence,
causing the deceased's electrocution when she tried to open her gate that
early morning of June 29, 1967
- CFI: awarded P25,000 moral damages; P45,000 attys fees
- CA: P30,229.45 in actual damages (i.e., P12,000 for the victim's death and
P18,229.45 for funeral expenses); P50,000 in compensatory damages,
computed in accordance with the formula set in the Villa-Rey Transit case (31
SCRA 511) with the base of P15,000 as average annual income of the
deceased; P10,000 in exemplary damages; P3,000 attorney's fees
defendant to produce an injury, the defendant is liable if the injury would not
have resulted but for his own negligent conduct or omission"
Disposition CA decision, except for the slight modification that actual
damages be increased to P48,229.45, is AFFIRMED.
ISSUE
WON the legal principle of "assumption of risk" bars private respondents from
collecting damages from INELCO
NATURE
Appeal from a CA decision
HELD
NO
Ratio The maxim "volenti non fit injuria" relied upon by petitioner finds no
application in the case at bar. It is imperative to note the surrounding
circumstances which impelled the deceased to leave the comforts of a roof
and brave the subsiding typhoon. As testified by the salesgirls, the deceased
went to the Five Star Emporium "to see to it that the goods were not flooded."
As such, shall We punish her for exercising her right to protect her property
from the floods by imputing upon her the unfavorable presumption that she
assumed the risk of personal injury? Definitely not. For it has been held that a
person is excused from the force of the rule, that when he voluntarily assents
to a known danger he must abide by the consequences, if an emergency is
found to exist or if the life or property of another is in peril, or when he seeks
to rescue his endangered property. Clearly, an emergency was at hand as
the deceased's property, a source of her livelihood, was faced with an
impending loss. Furthermore, the deceased, at the time the fatal incident
occurred, was at a place where she had a right to be without regard to
INELCOs consent as she was on her way to protect her merchandise.
Hence, private respondents, as heirs, may not be barred from recovering
damages as a result of the death caused by INELCOs negligence
Reasoning
- INELCO can be exonerated from liability since typhoons and floods are
fortuitous events. While it is true that typhoons and floods are considered
Acts of God for which no person may be held responsible, it was not said
eventuality which directly caused the victim's death. It was through the
intervention of petitioner's negligence that death took place.
- In times of calamities such as the one which occurred in Laoag City on the
night of June 28 until the early hours of June 29, 1967, extraordinary
diligence requires a supplier of electricity to be in constant vigil to prevent or
avoid any probable incident that might imperil life or limb. The evidence does
not show that defendant did that. On the contrary, evidence discloses that
there were no men (linemen or otherwise) policing the area, nor even
manning its office.
- INELCO was negligent in seeing that no harm is done to the general
public"... considering that electricity is an agency, subtle and deadly, the
measure of care required of electric companies must be commensurate with
or proportionate to the danger. The duty of exercising this high degree of
diligence and care extends to every place where persons have a right to be"
The negligence of petitioner having been shown, it may not now absolve itself
from liability by arguing that the victim's death was solely due to a fortuitous
event. "When an act of God combines or concurs with the negligence of the
FACTS
- The facts with regard the accident that Andres Bonifacio caused is not in the
case. The Court limited its ruling on the decision of the CA to absolve
defendant Pepsi Cola from liability under Article 2180 6 of the Civil Code.
There was, however, a finding that Bonifacio was in fact negligent.
- The petiton for appeal questioned the testimony of one Anasco with regard
the process and procedures followed by Pepsi in the hiring and supervision of
its drivers. The SC ruled that the issue brought before it with regard the
credibility of Anasco is one of fact and not of law. It went on to stay that the
CA is a better judge of the facts.
ISSUE
WON Pepsi Cola is liable under the doctrine of vicarious liability
HELD
NO
- The Court ruled that based on the evidence and testimonies presented
during the trial, Pepsi Cola exercised the due diligence of a good father in the
hiring and supervision of its drivers. This being the case, the Company is
relieved of any responsibility from the accident.
Reasoning
- In its ruling, the court citing its ruling on Bahia as follows:
From this article (2180) two things are apparent:
(1) that when an injury is caused by the negligence of a servant
or
employee there instantly arise a presumption of law that there was
negligence on the part of the employer or
master either n the
selection of the servant or employee, or in
the supervision over him
after the selection, or both, and
(2) that they presumption is juris tantum ( so much or so little of law) and
not juris et de jure (of law and from law), and consequently may be
rebutted .
- It follows necessarily that if the employer shows to the satisfaction of the
court that in the selection and supervision he has exercised the care and
diligence of a good father of the family, the presumption is overcome and he
is relieved from liability.
Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for ones own acts or
omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible,
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting
within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or
industry.
The responsibility treated of this article shall cease when the persons herein mentioned prove that they
observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage.
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- It was shown in this case that Pesi Cola did not merely satisfy itself that
Bonifacio possessed a drivers license. A background check was done and
he was required to submit various clearances, previous experience, and
medical records. He was also made to undergo both theoretical and practical
driving tests prior to being hired as driver. In terms of the aspect of
supervision, the petitioners raised no questions. Given this, the proof called
for under Article 2180 to show diligence of a good father of a family has been
met.
Disposition Decision of the CA is affirmed.
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KRAMER VS CA (TRANS-ASIA SHIPPING LINES)
178 SCRA 289
GANCAYCO; October 13, 1989
FACTS
- The F/B Marjolea, a fishing boat owned by Ernesto Kramer, Jr. and Marta
Kramer, was navigating its way from Marinduque to Manila. Somewhere near
Maricabon Island and Cape Santiago, the boat figured in a collision with an
inter-island vessel, the M/V Asia Philippines owned byTrans-Asia Shipping
Lines, Inc. As a consequence of the collision, the F/B Marjolea sank, taking
with it its fish catch.
- The Board concluded that the loss of the F/B Marjolea and its fish catch
was due to the negligence of the employees of Trans-Asia. The Kramers
instituted a Complaint for damages against the private respondent before
Branch 117 of the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City. Trans-Asia filed a
motion seeking the dismissal of the Complaint on the ground of prescription.
He argued that under Article 1146 of the Civil Code, the prescriptive period
for instituting a Complaint for damages arising from a quasi-delict like a
maritime collision is four years. He maintained that the petitioners should
have filed their Complaint within four years from the date when their cause of
action accrued, i.e., from April 8, 1976 when the maritime collision took place,
and that accordingly, the Complaint filed on May 30, 1985 was instituted
beyond the four-year prescriptive period.
Petitioners claim:
- that maritime collisions have peculiarities and characteristics which only
persons with special skill, training and experience like the members of the
Board of Marine Inquiry can properly analyze and resolve
- that the running of the prescriptive period was tolled by the filing of the
marine protest and that their cause of action accrued only on April 29, 1982,
the date when the Decision ascertaining the negligence of the crew of the
M/V Asia Philippines had become final, and that the four-year prescriptive
period under Article 1146 of the Civil Code should be computed from the said
date.
ISSUE
WON a Complaint for damages instituted by the petitioners against the
private respondent arising from a marine collision is barred by presciption
HELD
YES
- Under A1146 CC, an action based upon a quasi-delict must be instituted
within four (4) years. The prescriptive period begins from the day the quasidelict is committed. In Paulan vs. Sarabia, this Court ruled that in an action
for damages arising from the collision of two (2) trucks, the action being
based on a quasi-delict, the four (4) year prescriptive period must be counted
from the day of the collision.
- In Espanol vs. Chairman, Philippine Veterans Administration, this Court
held: The right of action accrues when there exists a cause of action, which
consists of 3 elements, namely: a) a right in favor of the plaintiff by whatever
means and under whatever law it arises or is created; b) an obligation on the
part of defendant to respect such right; and c) an act or omission on the part
of such defendant violative of the right of the plaintiff ... It is only when the last
element occurs or takes place that it can be said in law that a cause of action
has arisen. From the foregoing ruling, it is clear that the prescriptive period
must be counted when the last element occurs or takes place, that is, the
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defendant may assert any defense which the third-party plaintiff has, or may
have against plaintiffs claim. (Capayas v CFI Albay)
The claim of third-party plaintiff, private respondent herein, can be
accommodated under tests (a) and (b) abovementioned.
2. YES
- The action for damages instituted by private respondent arising from the
quasidelict or alleged "tortious interference" should be filed within four 4 years
from the day the cause of action accrued.
- It is from the date of the act or omission violative of the right of a party when
the cause of action arises and it is from this date that the prescriptive period
must be reckoned. (Espaol vs. Chairman, Philippine Veterans Admistration)
- While the third party complaint in this case may be admitted as above
discussed, since the cause of action accrued on March 25, 1980 when the
Monetary Board ordered the GENBANK to desist from doing business in the
Philippines while the third party complaint was filed only on June 17, 1987,
consequently, the action has prescribed. The third party complaint should not
be admitted.
Disposition petition is GRANTED. The decision of CA denying the motion
for reconsideration filed by petitioner are hereby reversed and set aside and
declared null and void, and another judgment is hereby rendered sustaining
the orders of the RTC denying the admission of the third party complaint
CAUSATION
BATACLAN V MEDINA
102 PHIL 181
MONTEMAYOR; October 22, 1957
FACTS
- Juan Bataclan rode Bus No. 30 of the Medina Transportation, driven by
Saylon, shortly after midnight. While the bus was running very fast on a
highway, one of the front tires burst. The bus fell into a canal and turned
turtle. Four passengers could not get out, including Bataclan. It appeared that
gasoline began to leak from the overturned bus. Ten men came to help. One
of them carried a torch and when he approached the bus, a fierce fire started,
burning the four passengers trapped inside.
- The trial court was of the opinion that the proximate cause of the death of
Bataclan was not the overturning of the bus, but rather, the fire that burned
the bus, including himself and his co-passengers who were unable to leave it;
that at the time the fire started, Bataclan, though he must have suffered
physical injuries, perhaps serious, was still alive, and so damages were
awarded, not for his death, but for the physical injuries suffered by him.
ISSUES
What is the proximate cause of death of the four passengers?
HELD
The proximate cause of death is the overturning of the bus.
- see definition of proximate cause under A1
- It may be that ordinarily, when a passenger bus overturns, and pins down a
passenger, merely causing him physical injuries, "If through some event,
unexpected and extraordinary, the overturned bus is set on fire, say, by
lightning, or if some highwaymen after looting the vehicle sets it on fire, and
the passenger is burned to death, one might still contend that the proximate
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victims would not have died, had they not opened the tank which they were
not authorized to open in the first place. They find it illogical that the septic
tank which had been around since the 50s would be the proximate cause of
an accident which occurred only 20 years later, especially since no other
deaths or injuries related to the tank had ever occurred.
Disposition amended decision of the CA is AFFIRMED
URBANO V IAC
157 SCRA 1
GUTIERREZ JR; January 7, 1988
NATURE
Petition to review the decision of the then IAC
FACTS
ON oct. 23, 1980, Marcelo Javier was hacked by the Filomeno Urbano using
a bolo. As a result of which, Javier suffered a 2-inch incised wound on his
right palm.
On November 14, 1981, which was the 22nd day after the incident, Javier
was rushed to the hospital in a very serious condition. When admitted to the
hospital, Javier had lockjaw and was having convulsions. Dr. Edmundo
Exconde who personally attended to Javier found that the latter's serious
condition was caused by tetanus toxin. He noticed the presence of a healing
wound in Javier's palm which could have been infected by tetanus. On
November 15, 1980, Javier died in the hospital.
- In an information, Urbano was charged with the crime of homicide before
the then Circuit Criminal Court of Dagupan City.
- The trial court found Urbano guilty as charged. The lower courts held that
Javier's death was the natural and logical consequence of Urbano's unlawful
act. He was sentenced accordingly.
- The then IAC affirmed the conviction of Urbano on appeal.
- Appellant alleges that the proximate cause of the victim's death was due to
his own negligence in going back to work without his wound being properly
healed, and that he went to catch fish in dirty irrigation canals in the first
week of November, 1980. He states that the proximate cause of the death of
Marcelo Javier was due to his own negligence, that Dr. Mario Meneses found
no tetanus in the injury, and that Javier got infected with tetanus when after
two weeks he returned to his farm and tended his tobacco plants with his
bare hands exposing the wound to harmful elements like tetanus germs.
ISSUE
WON there was an efficient intervening cause from the time Javier was
wounded until his death which would exculpate Urbano from any liability for
Javier's death
HELD
YES.
- The case involves the application of Article 4 of the Revised Penal Code
which provides that "Criminal liability shall be incurred: (1) By any person
committing a felony (delito) although the wrongful act done be different from
that which he intended ..." Pursuant to this provision "an accused is criminally
responsible for acts committed by him in violation of law and for all the natural
and logical consequences resulting therefrom."
- The record is clear that - The evidence on record does not clearly show
that the wound inflicted by Urbano was infected with tetanus at the time of the
infliction of the wound. The evidence merely confirms that the wound, which
was already healing at the time Javier suffered the symptoms of the fatal
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- In the case at bar, Javier suffered a 2-inch incised wound on his right palm
when he parried the bolo which Urbano used in hacking him. This incident
took place on October 23, 1980. After 22 days, or on November 14, 1980, he
suffered the symptoms of tetanus, like lockjaw and muscle spasms. The
following day, November 15, 1980, he died.
If, therefore, the wound of Javier inflicted by the appellant was already
infected by tetanus germs at the time, it is more medically probable that
Javier should have been infected with only a mild cause of tetanus because
the symptoms of tetanus appeared on the 22nd day after the hacking incident
or more than 14 days after the infliction of the wound. Therefore, the onset
time should have been more than six days. Javier, however, died on the
second day from the onset time. The more credible conclusion is that at the
time Javier's wound was inflicted by the appellant, the severe form of tetanus
that killed him was not yet present. Consequently, Javier's wound could have
been infected with tetanus after the hacking incident. Considering the
circumstance surrounding Javier's death, his wound could have been infected
by tetanus 2 or 3 or a few but not 20 to 22 days before he died.
The rule is that the death of the victim must be the direct, natural, and logical
consequence of the wounds inflicted upon him by the accused. And since we
are dealing with a criminal conviction, the proof that the accused caused the
victim's death must convince a rational mind beyond reasonable doubt. The
medical findings, however, lead us to a distinct possibility that the infection of
the wound by tetanus was an efficient intervening cause later or between the
time Javier was wounded to the time of his death. The infection was,
therefore, distinct and foreign to the crime.
- Doubts are present. There is a likelihood that the wound was but the
remote cause and its subsequent infection, for failure to take necessary
precautions, with tetanus may have been the proximate cause of Javier's
death with which the petitioner had nothing to do.
- A prior and remote cause cannot be made the be of an action if such
remote cause did nothing more than furnish the condition or give rise to the
occasion by which the injury was made possible, if there intervened between
such prior or remote cause and the injury a distinct, successive, unrelated,
and efficient cause of the injury, even though such injury would not have
happened but for such condition or occasion. If no danger existed in the
condition except because of the independent cause, such condition was not
the proximate cause. And if an independent negligent act or defective
condition sets into operation the instances which result in injury because of
the prior defective condition, such subsequent act or condition is the
proximate cause
DISPOSITION :. The petitioner is ACQUITTED of the crime of homicide.
and was proceeding down General Lacuna Street without headlights when he
hit a dump truck owned by Phoenix Construction Inc. (PHOENIX), which was
parked on the right hand side of General Lacuna Street (DIONISIOs lane).
The dump truck was parked askew in such a manner as to stick out onto the
street, partly blocking the way of oncoming traffic. There were no lights nor
any so-called "early warning" reflector devices set anywhere near the dump
truck, front or rear. The dump truck had earlier that evening been driven
home by petitioner Armando U. Carbonel (CARBONEL), its regular driver,
with the permission of his employer PHOENIX, in view of work scheduled to
be carried out early the following morning, DIONISIO claimed that he tried to
avoid a collision by swerving his car to the left but it was too late and his car
smashed into the dump truck. As a result of the collision, DIONISIO suffered
some physical injuries including some permanent facial scars, a "nervous
breakdown" and loss of two gold bridge dentures.
DIONISIOs claim: the legal and proximate cause of his injuries was the
negligent manner in which Carbonel had parked the dump truck entrusted to
him by his employer Phoenix
PHOENIX + CARBONELs claim: the proximate cause of Dionisio's injuries
was his own recklessness in driving fast at the time of the accident, while
under the influence of liquor, without his headlights on and without a curfew
pass; if there was negligence in the manner in which the dump truck was
parked, that negligence was merely a "passive and static condition" and that
private respondent Dionisio's recklessness constituted an intervening,
efficient cause determinative of the accident and the injuries he sustained.
TC: in favor of Dionisio, awarded damages in favor of Dionisio
IAC: in favor of Dionisio, reduced the damages awarded
ISSUES
Factual issues: (court discussed this to administer substantial justice without
remanding the case to the lower court since both TC and IAC did not
consider defenses set by petitioners)
1. WON private respondent Dionisio had a curfew pass valid and effective for
that eventful night
2. WON Dionisio was driving fast or speeding just before the collision with the
dump truck;
3. WON Dionisio had purposely turned off his car's headlights before contact
with the dump truck
4. WON Dionisio was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Substantial Issues:
5. WON the legal and proximate cause of the accident and of Dionisio's
injuries was the wrongful or negligent manner in which the dump truck was
parked
a. WON the drivers negligence was merely a "passive and static condition"
and that Dionisio's negligence was an "efficient intervening cause," and
that consequently Dionisio's negligence must be regarded as the legal
and proximate cause of the accident rather than the earlier negligence of
Carbonel
b. WON the court, based on the last clear chance doctrine, should hold
Dionisio alone responsible for his accident
6. WON Phoenix has successfully proven that they exercised due care in the
selection and supervision of the dump truck driver
7. WON the amount of damages awarded should be modified
HELD
FACTUAL
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proximate cause" of the injury remained the truck driver's "lack of due care"
and that consequently respondent Dionisio may recover damages though
such damages are subject to mitigation by the courts
a. NO. Besides, this argument had no validity under our jurisdiction and even
in the United States, the distinctions between" cause" and "condition" have
already been "almost entirely discredited.
- the truck driver's negligence far from being a "passive and static condition"
was rather an indispensable and efficient cause; Dionisio's negligence,
although later in point of time than the truck driver's negligence and therefore
closer to the accident, was not an efficient intervening or independent
cause. The petitioner truck driver owed a duty to private respondent Dionisio
and others similarly situated not to impose upon them the very risk the truck
driver had created. Dionisio's negligence was not of an independent and
overpowering nature as to cut, as it were, the chain of causation in fact
between the improper parking of the dump truck and the accident, nor to
sever the juris vinculum of liability.
FROM PROF. PROSSER AND KEETON: "Cause and condition. Many courts have
sought to distinguish between the active "cause" of the harm and the existing
"conditions" upon which that cause operated If the defendant has created only a
passive static condition which made the damage possible, the defendant is said not to
be liable. But so far as the fact of causation is concerned, in the sense of necessary
antecedents which have played an important part in producing the result, it is quite
impossible to distinguish between active forces and passive situations, particularly since,
as is invariably the case the latter am the result of other active forces which have gone
before. The defendant who spills gasoline about the premises creates a "condition," but
the act may be culpable because of the danger of fire. When a spark ignites the
gasoline, the condition has done quite as much to bring about the fire as the spark; and
since that is the very risk which the defendant has created, the defendant will not escape
responsibility. Even the lapse of a considerable time during which the "condition"
remains static will not necessarily affect liability; one who digs a trench in the highway
may still be liable to another who falls into it a month afterward. "Cause" and
"condition" still find occasional mention in the decisions; but the distinction is
now almost entirely discredited So far as it has any validity at all, it must refer to the
type of case where the forces set in operation by the defendant have come to rest in a
position of apparent safety. and some new force intervenes. But even in such cases, it
is not the distinction between "cause" and "condition" which is important, but the
nature of the risk and the character of the intervening cause."
"Foreseeable Intervening Causes. If the intervening cause is one which in ordinary
human experience is reasonably to be anticipated, or one which the defendant has
reason to anticipate under the particular circumstances, the defendant may be negligent,
among other reasons, because of failure to guard against it; or the defendant may be
negligent only for that reason Thus one who sets a fire may be required to foresee that
an ordinary, usual and customary wind arising later will spread it beyond the defendant's
own property, and therefore to take precautions to prevent that event. The person who
leaves the combustible or explosive material exposed in a public place may foresee the
risk of fire from some independent source. x x x In all of these cases there is an
intervening cause combining with the defendant's conduct to produce the result
and in each case the defendant's negligence consists in failure to protect the
plaintiff against that very risk.
Obviously the defendant cannot be relieved from liability by the fact that the risk or
a substantial and important part of the risk, to which the defendant has subjected
the plaintiff has indeed come to pass. Foreseeable intervening forces are within the
scope of the original risk, and hence of the defendant's negligence. The courts are
quite generally agreed that intervening causes which fall fairly in this category will not
supersede the defendant's responsibility.
Thus it has been held that a defendant will be required to anticipate the usual weather of
the vicinity, including all ordinary forces of nature such as usual wind or rain, or snow or
frost or fog or even lightning; that one who leaves an obstruction on the road or a
railroad track should foresee that a vehicle or a train will run into it; x x x.
The risk created by the defendant may include the intervention of the foreseeable
negligence of others. x x x [T]he standard of reasonable conduct may require the
prof. casis
defendant to protect the plaintiff against 'that occasional negligence which is one
of the ordinary incidents of human life, and therefore to be anticipated.' Thus, a
defendant who blocks the sidewalk and forces the plaintiff to walk in a street where the
plaintiff will be exposed to the risks of heavy traffic becomes liable when the plaintiff is
run down by a car, even though the car is negligently driven; and one who parks an
automobile on the highway without lights at night is not relieved of responsibility when
another negligently drives into it - - "
b. NO. The last clear chance doctrine of the common law was imported into
our jurisdiction by Picart vs. Smith but it is a matter for debate whether, or to
what extent, it has found its way into the Civil Code of the Philippines.
Accordingly, it is difficult to see what role, if any, the common law last
clear chance doctrine has to play in a jurisdiction where the common
law concept of contributory negligence as an absolute bar to recovery
by the plaintiff, has itself been rejected, as it has been in Article 2179 of
the Civil Code of the Philippines.
-The relative location in the continuum of time of the plaintiff's and the
defendant's negligent acts or omissions, is only one of the relevant factors
that may be taken into account. Of more fundamental importance are the
nature of the negligent act or omission of each party and the character and
gravity of the risks created by such act or omission for the rest of the
community.
ON LAST CLEAR CHANCE DOCTRINE: The historical function of that
doctrine in the common law was to mitigate the harshness of another
common law doctrine or rule-that of contributory negligence. The common
law rule of contributory negligence prevented any recovery at all by a plaintiff
who was also negligent, even if the plaintiff's negligence was relatively minor
as compared with the wrongful act or omission of the defendant. The
common law notion of last clear chance permitted courts to grant recovery to
a plaintiff who had also been negligent provided that the defendant had the
last clear chance to avoid the casualty and failed to do so.
6. NO. The circumstance that Phoenix had allowed its track driver to bring the
dump truck to his home whenever there was work to be done early the
following morning, when coupled with the failure to show any effort on the
part of Phoenix to supervise the manner in which the dump truck is parked
when away from company premises, is an affirmative showing of culpa in
vigilando on the part of Phoenix.
7. YES. Taking into account the comparative negligence ot DIONISIO
and the petitioners, the demands of substantial justice are satisfied by
allocating most of the damages on a 20-80 ratio. As to the other awards
of damages, sustain.
20% of the damages awarded by the respondent appellate court, except the
award of P10,000.00 as exemplary damages and P4,500.00 as attorney's
fees and costs, shall be home by private respondent Dionisio; only the
balance of 800% needs to be paid by petitioners Carbonel and Phoenix who
shall be solidarily liable therefor to the former. The award of exemplary
damages and attorney's fees and costs shall be home exclusively by
the petitioners. Phoenix is of course entitled to reimbursement from
Carbonel.
Disposition. WHEREFORE, the decision of the respondent appellate court is
modified by reducing the aggregate amount of compensatory damages, loss
of expected income and moral damages private respondent Dionisio is
entitled to by 20% of such amount. Costs against the petitioners.
SO ORDERED.
Art. 2179. When the plaintiff's own negligence was the immediate and proximate cause of his injury,
he cannot recover damages. But if his negligence was only contributory, the immediate and proximate
cause of the injury being the defendant's lack of due care, the plaintiff may recover damages, but the
courts shall mitigate the damages to be awarded.
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- The bank employee is deemed to have failed to exercise the degree of care
required in the performance of his duties.
Dispositive Petition denied.
-The unanimity of the CA and the trial court in their factual ascertainment that
petitioners negligence was the proximate cause of the accident bars us from
supplanting their findings and substituting these with our own.
-That the negligence of petitioners was the proximate cause of the accident
was aptly discussed in the lower courts finding:
Facts obtaining in this case are crystal clear that the accident of February
28, 1988 which caused almost the life and limb of Fulgencio Dacara, Jr. when
his car turned turtle was the existence of a pile of earth from a digging done
relative to the base failure at Matahimik Street nary a lighting device or a
reflectorized barricade or sign perhaps which could have served as an
adequate warning to motorists especially during the thick of the night where
darkness is pervasive. Contrary to the testimony of the witnesses for the
defense that there were signs, gasera which was buried so that its light could
not be blown off by the wind and barricade, none was ever presented to
stress the point that sufficient and adequate precautionary signs were placed.
If indeed signs were placed thereat, how then could it be explained that
according to the report even of the policeman, none was found at the scene
of the accident.
-The provisions of Article 2189 9 of the New Civil Code capsulizes the
responsibility of the city government relative to the maintenance of roads and
bridges since it exercises the control and supervision over the same. Failure
of the defendant to comply with the statutory provision is tantamount to
negligence which renders the City government liable
-Petitioners belatedly point out that Fulgencio Jr. was driving at the speed of
60 kilometers per hour (kph) when he met the accident. This speed was
allegedly well above the maximum limit of 30 kph allowed on city streets with
light traffic, as provided under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Thus, petitioners assert that Fulgencio Jr., having violated a traffic regulation,
should be presumed negligent pursuant to Article 2185 of the Civil Code.
-These matters were, however, not raised by petitioners at any time during
the trial. It is evident from the records that they brought up for the first time in
their Motion for Reconsideration.
-It is too late in the day for them to raise this new issue. To consider their
belatedly raised arguments at this stage of the proceedings would trample on
the basic principles of fair play, justice, and due process.
-Indeed, both the trial and the appellate courts findings, which are amply
substantiated by the evidence on record, clearly point to petitioners
negligence as the proximate cause of the damages suffered by respondents
car. No adequate reason has been given to overturn this factual conclusion.
2. No.
-To award moral damages, a court must be satisfied with proof of the
following requisites: (1) an injury--whether physical, mental, or psychological-clearly sustained by the claimant; (2) a culpable act or omission factually
established; (3) a wrongful act or omission of the defendant as the proximate
cause of the injury sustained by the claimant; and (4) the award of damages
predicated on any of the cases stated in Article 2219.
-Article 2219(2) specifically allows moral damages to be recovered for quasidelicts, provided that the act or omission caused physical injuries. There can
be no recovery of moral damages unless the quasi-delict resulted in physical
injury.
-In the present case, the Complaint alleged that respondents son Fulgencio
Jr. sustained physical injuries.
. Provinces, cities and municipalities shall be liable for damages for the death of, or injuries suffered
by, any person by reason of the defective condition of roads, streets, bridges, public buildings, and
other public works under their control or supervision.
9
GABETO V. ARANETA
42 Phil 252. October 17, 1921 Street
Facts:
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or seen the call of Araneta, and that he had taken up the two passengers
then in the carromata as the first who had offered employment. At or about
the same time Pagnaya pulled on the reins of the bridle to free the horse from
the control of Agaton Araneta, in order that the vehicle might pass on. Owing,
however, to the looseness of the bridle on the horse's head or to the
rottenness of the material of which it was made, the bit came out of the
horse's mouth; and it became necessary for the driver to get out, which he
did, in order to fix the bridle. The horse was then pulled over to near the curb,
by one or the other it makes no difference which and Pagnaya tried to
fix the bridle.
While he was thus engaged, the horse, being free from the
control of the bit, became disturbed and moved forward, in doing which he
pulled one of the wheels of the carromata up on the sidewalk and pushed
Julio Pagnaya over. After going a few yards further the side of the carromata
struck a police telephone box which was fixed to a post on the sidewalk, upon
which the box came down with a crash and frightened the horse to such an
extent that he set out at full speed up the street.
Meanwhile one of the passengers, to wit. Basilio Ilano, had
alighted while the carromata was as yet alongside the sidewalk; but the other,
Proceso Gayetano, had unfortunately retained his seat, and after the
runaway horse had proceeded up the street to a point in front of the Mission
Hospital, the said Gayetano jumped or fell from the rig, and in so doing
received injuries from which he soon died.
This action was brought by Consolacion Gabeto, in her own right
as widow of Proceso Gayetano, and as guardian ad litem of the three
children, Conchita Gayetano, Rosita Gayetano, and Fermin Gayetano, for the
purpose of recovering damages incurred by the plaintiff as a result of the
death of the said Proceso Gayetano, supposedly caused by the wrongful act
of the defendant Agaton Araneta.
Judge awarded damages to the widow to which decision Araneta
appealed.
Issue: WON the stopping of the rig by Agaton Araneta in the middle of the
street was too remote from the accident that presently ensued to be
considered the legal or proximate cause thereof
Held: NO. The evidence indicates that the bridle was old, and the leather of
which it was made was probably so weak as to be easily broken. it was Julio
who jerked the rein, thereby causing the bit to come out of the horse's mouth;
and Julio, after alighting, led the horse over to the curb, and proceeded to fix
the bridle; and that in so doing the bridle was slipped entirely off, when the
horse, feeling himself free from control, started to go away.
Disposition: Judgment is REVERSED.
got angry and demanded that Javier pay for his soaked palay. A quarrel
between them ensued. Urbano hacked Javier hitting him on the right palm of
his hand . Javier who was then unarmed ran away from Urbano but was
overtaken by Urbano who hacked him again hitting Javier on the left leg with
the back portion of said bolo, causing a swelling on said leg.
On November 14,1980, Javier was rushed to the Nazareth General Hospital
in a very serious condition. Javier had lockjaw and was having convulsions.
Dr. Edmundo Exconde who personally attended to Javier found that the
latter's serious condition was caused by tetanus toxin. He noticed the
presence of a healing wound in Javier's palm which could have been infected
by tetanus.
On November 15, 1980 Javier died in the hospital.
Appellants claim:
-there was an efficient cause which supervened from the time the deceased
was wounded to the time of his death
-the proximate cause of the victim's death was due to his own negligence in
going back to work without his wound being properly healed, and lately, that
he went to catch fish in dirty irrigation canals in the first week of November,
1980
- Javier got infected with tetanus when after two weeks he returned to his
farm and tended his tobacco plants with his bare hands exposing the wound
to harmful elements like tetanus germs.
ISSUE:
WON there was an efficient intervening cause from the time Javier was
wounded until his death which would exculpate Urbano from any liability for
Javier's death
HELD:
Yes. The medical findings lead us to a distinct possibility that the infection of
the wound by tetanus was an efficient intervening cause later or between the
time Javier was wounded to the time of his death. The infection was,
therefore, distinct and foreign to the crime.
Reasoning:
-The case involves the application of Article 410 of the Revised Penal Code.
-The evidence on record does not clearly show that the wound inflicted by
Urbano was infected with tetanus at the time of the infliction of the wound.
The evidence merely confirms that the wound, which was already healing at
the time Javier suffered the symptoms of the fatal ailment, somehow got
infected with tetanus However, as to when the wound was infected is not
clear from the record.
-In Vda. de Bataclan, et al. v. Medina (102 Phil. 1181), we adopted the
following definition of proximate cause:
"x x x A satisfactory definition of proximate cause is found in Volume 38,
pages 695-696 of American Jurisprudence, cited by plaintiffsappellants in
their brief. It is as follows:
"x x x 'that cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by
any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the
result would not have occurred.' And more comprehensively, the proximate
legal cause is that acting first and producing the injury, either immediately or
Art. 4. Criminal liability shall be incurred: (1) By any person committing a felony (delito) although the
wrongful act done be different from that which he intended x x x." Pursuant to this provision "an
accused is criminally responsible for acts committed by him in violation of law and for all the natural and
logical consequences resulting therefrom
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FACTS
- On June 20, 1980, the M/V PAVLODAR, flying under the flagship of the
USSR, owned and operated by the Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESC),
arrived at the Port of Manila from Vancouver, British Columbia at about 7:00
o'clock in the morning. The vessel was assigned Berth 4 of the Manila
International Port, as its berthing space. Captain Roberto Abellana was
tasked by the Philippine Port Authority to supervise the berthing of the vessel.
Appellant Senen Gavino was assigned by the Appellant Manila Pilots'
Association (MPA) to conduct docking maneuvers for the safe berthing of the
vessel to Berth No. 4.
- Gavino boarded the vessel at the quarantine anchorage and stationed
himself in the bridge, with the master of the vessel, Victor Kavankov, beside
him. After a briefing of Gavino by Kavankov of the particulars of the vessel
and its cargo, the vessel lifted anchor from the quarantine anchorage and
proceeded to the Manila International Port. The sea was calm and the wind
was ideal for docking maneuvers.
- When the vessel reached the landmark (the big church by the Tondo North
Harbor) one-half mile from the pier, Gavino ordered the engine stopped.
When the vessel was already about 2,000 feet from the pier, Gavino ordered
the anchor dropped. Kavankov relayed the orders to the crew of the vessel
on the bow. The left anchor, with 2 shackles, were dropped. However, the
anchor did not take hold as expected. The speed of the vessel did not
slacken. A commotion ensued between the crew members. A brief
conference ensued between Kavankov and the crew members. When Gavino
inquired what was all the commotion about, Kavankov assured Gavino that
there was nothing to it.
- After Gavino noticed that the anchor did not take hold, he ordered the
engines half-astern. Abellana, who was then on the pier apron noticed that
the vessel was approaching the pier fast. Kavankov likewise noticed that the
anchor did not take hold. Gavino thereafter gave the "full-astern" code.
Before the right anchor and additional shackles could be dropped, the bow of
the vessel rammed into the apron of the pier causing considerable damage to
the pier. The vessel sustained damage too. Kavankov filed his sea protest.
Gavino submitted his report to the Chief Pilot who referred the report to the
Philippine Ports Authority. Abellana likewise submitted his report of the
incident.
- The rehabilitation of the damaged pier cost the Philippine Ports Authority the
amount of P1,126,132.25.
PERTINENT RULES on PILOTAGE
- The Port of Manila is within the Manila Pilotage District which is under
compulsory pilotage pursuant to Section 8, Article III of Philippine Ports
Authority Administrative Order No. 03-85:
SEC. 8. Compulsory Pilotage Service. For entering a harbor and
anchoring thereat, or passing through rivers or straits within a pilotage
district, as well as docking and undocking at any pier/wharf, or shifting
from one berth or another, every vessel engaged in coastwise and foreign
trade shall be under compulsory pilotage.
- In case of compulsory pilotage, the respective duties and responsibilities of
the compulsory pilot and the master have been specified by the same
regulation:
SEC. 11. Control of vessels and liability for damage. On compulsory
pilotage grounds, the Harbor Pilot providing the service to a vessel shall
be responsible for the damage caused to a vessel or to life and property at
ports due to his negligence or fault. He can only be absolved from liability
if the accident is caused by force majeure or natural calamities provided
prof. casis
he has exercised prudence and extra diligence to prevent or minimize
damage.
The Master shall retain overall command of the vessel even on pilotage
grounds whereby he can countermand or overrule the order or command
of the Harbor Pilot on board. In such event, any damage caused to a
vessel or to life and property at ports by reason of the fault or negligence
of the Master shall be the responsibility and liability of the registered
owner of the vessel concerned without prejudice to recourse against said
Master
Such liability of the owner or Master of the vessel or its pilots shall be
determined by competent authority in appropriate proceedings in the light
of the facts and circumstances of each particular case.
SEC. 32. Duties and responsibilities of the Pilot or Pilots' Association.
The duties and responsibilities of the Harbor Pilot shall be as follows:
xxx
xxx
xxx
f) a pilot shall be held responsible for the direction of a vessel from the
time he assumes his work as a pilot thereof until he leaves it anchored or
berthed safely; Provided, however, that his responsibility shall cease at
the moment the Master neglects or refuses to carry out his order.
- Customs Administrative Order No. 15-65 issued twenty years earlier
likewise provided in Chapter I thereof for the responsibilities of pilots:
Par. XXXIX. A Pilot shall be held responsible for the direction of a
vessel from the time he assumes control thereof until he leaves it
anchored free from shoal; Provided, That his responsibility shall cease at
the moment the master neglects or refuses to carry out his instructions.
xxx
xxx
xxx
Par. XLIV. Pilots shall properly and safely secure or anchor vessels
under their control when requested to do so by the master of such
vessels.
ISSUE
WON both the pilot and the master were negligent
HELD
YES.
- The SC started by saying that in a collision between a stationary object and
a moving object, there is a presumption of fault against the moving object
(based on common sense and logic). It then went on to determine who
between the pilot and the master was negligent.
PILOT
- A pilot, in maritime law, is a person duly qualified, and licensed, to conduct a
vessel into or out of ports, or in certain waters. He is an expert whos
supposed to know the seabed, etc. that a master of a ship may not know
because the pilot is familiar with the port. He is charged to perform his duties
with extraordinary care because the safety of people and property on the
vessel and on the dock are at stake.
- Capt. Gavino was found to be negligent. The court found that his reaction
time (4 minutes) to the anchor not holding ground and the vessel still going
too fast was too slow. As an expert he shouldve been reacting quickly to any
such happenings.
MASTER
- In compulsory pilotage, the pilot momentarily becomes the master of the
vessel. The master, however may intervene or countermand the pilot if he
deems there is danger to the vessel because of the incompetence of the pilot
or if the pilot is drunk.
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To avoid any liability, Lagunda and Sabido throw all the blame on Mudales.
However, Makabuhay, widoy of Custodio, testified that the 6 x 6 truck was
running fast when it met the LTB Bus. And Lagunda had time and opportunity
to avoid the mishap if he had been sufficiently careful and cautious because
the two trucks never collided with each other. By simply swerving to the right
side of the road, the 6 x 6 truck could have avoided hitting Custodio.
The sideswiping of the deceased and his two fellow passengers took place
on broad daylight at about 9:30 in the morning of June 9, 1955 when the LTB
bus with full load to passengers was negotiating a sharp curve of a bumpy
and sliding downward a slope, whereas the six by six truck was climbing up
with no cargoes or passengers on board but for three helpers, owner Sabido
and driver Lagunda (tsn. 308-309, Mendoza). LTB passengers had testified
to the effect that the 6 x 6 cargo truck was running at a fast rate of speed.
Driver Lagunda admitted that three passengers rode on the running board of
the bus when his vehicle was still at a distance of 5 or 7 meters from the bus.
Despite the presence of a shallow canal on the right side of the road which he
could pass over with ease, Lagunda did not avert the accident simply
because to use his own language the canal "is not a passage of trucks.
Based upon these facts, the Court of First Instance of Laguna and the Court
of Appeals concluded that the Laguna-Tayabas Bus Co. hereinafter
referred to as the carrier and its driver Mudales (none of whom has
appealed), had violated the contract of carriage with Agripino Custodio,
whereas petitioners Sabido and Lagunda were guilty of a quasi delict, by
reason of which all of them were held solidarity liable.
ISSUES
1. WON petitioners were guilty of negligence
2. WON petitioners should be held solidarily liable with the carrier and its
driver
HELD
1. YES. The views of the Court of Appeals on the speed of the truck and its
location at the time of the accident are in the nature of findings of fact, which
we cannot disturb in a petition for review by certiorari, such as the one at bar.
At any rate, the correctness of said findings is borne out by the very
testimony of petitioner Lagunda to the effect that he saw the passengers
riding on the running board of the bus while the same was still five or seven
meters away from the truck driven by him. Indeed, the distance between the
two vehicles was such that he could have avoided sideswiping said
passengers if his truck were not running at a great speed.
Although the negligence of the carrier and its driver is independent, in its
execution, of the negligence of the truck driver and its owner, both acts of
negligence are the proximate cause of the death of Agripino Custodio. In fact,
the negligence of the first two would not have produced this result without the
negligence of petitioners' herein. What is more, petitioners' negligence was
the last, in point of time, for Custodio was on the running board of the carrier's
bus sometime before petitioners' truck came from the opposite direction, so
that, in this sense, petitioners' truck had the last clear chance.
2. YES. Where the carrier bus and its driver were clearly guilty of contributory
negligence for having allowed a passenger to ride on the running board of the
bus, and where the driver of the other vehicle was also guilty of contributory
ART. 1733
ART. 1755
ART. 1759
ART. 1763
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- The trial court was of the opinion that the proximate cause of the death of
Bataclan was not the overturning of the bus, but rather, the fire that burned
the bus, including himself and his co-passengers who were unable to leave it;
that at the time the fire started, Bataclan, though he must have suffered
physical injuries, perhaps serious, was still alive, and so damages were
awarded, not for his death, but for the physical injuries suffered by him.
- In the public interest the prosecution of said erring driver should be pursued,
this, not only as a matter of justice, but for the promotion of the safety of
passengers on public utility buses.
Note: This case was under the heading but for. I dont know if the
italicized phrases are pertinent, but these were the only ones that
contained but for.
DISPOSITION
In view of the foregoing, with the modification that the
damages awarded by the trial court are increased to P6,000
and P800, for the death of Bataclan and for the attorney's
fees, respectively.
PHILIPPINE RABBIT BUS LINES, INC v. IAC & CASIANO
PASCUA, ET AL.,
189 SCRA 158
MEDIALDEA/August 30, 1990
NATURE: CERTIORARI
FACTS:
- This case is for recovery of damages for the 3 jeepney passengers who
died as a result of the collision between the Phil. Rabbits bus driven by
Tomas delos Reyes and the jeepney driven by Tranquilino Manalo.
- Other passengers of the jeepney sustained physical injuries.
- It was said that upon reaching a certain barrio, the jeepneys right rear
wheel detached which caused it to run in an unbalanced position.
-Manalo stepped on the brake, as a result of which, the jeepney which was
then running on the eastern lane (its right of way) made a U-turn, invading
and eventually stopping on the western lane of the road in such a manner
that the jeepney's front faced the south (from where it came) and its rear
faced the north (towards where it was going).
-The jeepney practically occupied and blocked the greater portion of the
western lane, which is the right of way of vehicles coming from the north,
among which was Bus No. 753 of Rabbit
- Almost at the time when the jeepney made a sudden U-turn and
encroached on the western lane of the highway, or after stopping for a couple
of minutes, the bus bumped from behind the right rear portion of the jeepney
which resulted in the said deaths and injuries.
- At the time and in the vicinity of the accident, there were no vehicles
following the jeepney, neither were there oncoming vehicles except the bus.
The weather condition of that day was fair.
- A criminal complaint against the two drivers for Multiple Homicide.
- Manalo was eventually convicted and was imprisoned. The case against
delos Reyes was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.
***As regards the damages.
prof. casis
- Three cases were filed and in all 3 the spouses (owners of the jeepney)
Mangune and Carreon, (jeepney driver)Manalo, Rabbit and (Rabbits
driver)delos Reyes were all impleaded as defendants.
- Plaintiffs anchored their suits against spouses Mangune and Carreon and
Manalo on their contractual liability.
- As against Rabbit and delos Reyes, plaintiffs based their suits on their
culpability for a quasi-delict.
- Filriters Guaranty Assurance Corporation, Inc. (the insurer of the jeepney)
was also impleaded as additional defendant in the civil case filed by the
Pascuas.
- Damages sought to be claimed in the 3 cases were for medical expenses,
burial expenses, loss of wages, for exemplary damages, moral damages and
attorney's fees and expenses of litigation.
- Rabbit filed a cross-claim for attorney's fees and expenses of litigation.
- On the other hand, spouses Mangune and Carreon filed a cross-claim for
the repair of the jeepney and for its non-use during the period of repairs.
- TC: found the couple and Manalo to be NEGLIGENT and held that there
was a breach of the contract of carriage with their passengers; ordered them
to pay the damages. Filriters was jointly and severally liable as it was the
jeepneys insurer. Rabbit was to be paid by the jeepney party for actual
damages.
- IAC reversed this ruling in the sense that it found delos Reyes to be
negligent; ordered to pay jointly and severally with Rabbit the plaintiffs;
Applied primarily (1) the doctrine of last clear chance, (2) the presumption
that drivers who bump the rear of another vehicle guilty and the cause of the
accident unless contradicted by other evidence, and (3) the substantial factor
test to conclude that delos Reyes was negligent.
ISSUE: WON THE JEEPNEY OWNERS AND ITS DRIVER ARE LIABLE
FOR THE INJURIES AND DEATH SUFFERED BY THE PASSENGERS OF
THE JEEPNEY
HELD: YES. BUT ONLY THE SPOUSES AND FILRITERS ARE LIABLE.
REASONING:
TC WAS CORRECT IN APPRECIATING THE FF FACTS CONCERNING
MANALOS NEGLIGENCE.
(1) That the unrebutted testimony of his passenger Caridad Pascua that the
Mangune jeepney was "running fast" that his passengers cautioned driver
Manalo to slow down but did not heed the warning
(2) The likewise unrebutted testimony of Police Investigator Tacpal of the San
Manuel (Tarlac) Police who found that the tracks of the jeepney ran on the
Eastern shoulder (outside the concrete paved road) until it returned to the
concrete road at a sharp angle, crossing the Eastern lane and the (imaginary)
center line and encroaching fully into the western lane where the collision
took place as evidenced by the point of impact;
(3) The observation of witness Police Corporal Cacalda also of the San
Manuel Police that the path of the jeepney they found on the road \was
shown by skid marks which he described as "scratches on the road caused
by the iron of the jeep, after its wheel was removed;"
(4) His conviction for the crime of Multiple Homicide and Multiple Serious
Physical Injuries with Damage to Property thru Reckless Imprudence by the
CFI of Tarlac, as a result of the collision, and his commitment to prison and
service of his sentence
(5) The application of the doctrine of res-ipsa loquitar attesting to the
circumstance that the collision occured on the right of way of the Phil. Rabbit
Bus.
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toward which Dionisio's car was proceeding), facing the oncoming traffic. It
was parked askew (not parallel to the street curb) in such a manner as to
stick out onto the street, partly blocking the way of oncoming traffic. There
were no lights or any so-called "early warning" reflector devices set
anywhere near the dump truck, front or rear.
- The dump truck had earlier that evening been driven home by petitioner
Armando U. Carbonel, its regular driver, with the permission of his
employer Phoenix, in view of work scheduled to be carried out early the
following morning.
- Dionisio claimed that he tried to avoid a collision by swerving his car to the
left but it was too late and his car smashed into the dump truck.
- As a result of the collision, Dionisio suffered some physical injuries
including some permanent facial scars, a "nervous breakdown" and loss of
two gold bridge dentures.
- Trial court ruled in favor of Dionisio. IAC affirmed the lower courts ruling,
with modification on award of damages.
Petitionerscomments
- the proximate cause of Dionisio's injuries was his own recklessness in
driving fast at the time of the accident, while under the influence of liquor,
without his headlights on and without a curfew pass.
- if there was negligence in the manner in which the dump truck was
parked, that negligence was merely a "passive and static condition" and
that private respondent Dionisio's recklessness constituted an
intervening, efficient cause determinative of the accident and the
injuries he sustained. (NOTE: this was the contention of petitioners which
SC noted in is decision)
Private respondents comments
- the legal and proximate cause of his injuries was the negligent manner in
which Carbonel had parked the dump truck entrusted to him by his
employer Phoenix
Issue:
WON the proximate cause of the accident was Dionisios negligence (driving
faster than he should have, and without headlights) or the negligence of the
driver in parking the truck.
Held:
- it is the drivers negligence. (see previous digest)
- ON CAUSE v CONDITION (under IV A 3c, page 5 of outline)
- petitioners' arguments are drawn from a reading of some of the older
cases in various jurisdictions in the United States. These arguments,
however, do not have any validity in this jurisdiction.
- Even in the United States, the distinctions between" cause" and
"condition" have already been "almost entirely discredited." Professors
Prosser and Keeton make this quite clear:
Many courts have sought to distinguish between the active
"cause" of the harm and the existing "conditions" upon which
that cause operated. If the defendant has created only a passive
static condition which made the damage possible, the defendant
is said not to be liable. But so far as the fact of causation is
concerned, in the sense of necessary antecedents which have
played an important part in producing the result, it is quite
impossible to distinguish between active forces and passive
situations, particularly since, as is invariably the case the latter
(is) the result of other active forces which have gone before. The
defendant who spills gasoline about the premises creates a
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No. It merely provided the condition from which the cause arose (it set the
stage for the cause of the injury to occur).
Ratio A prior and remote cause (which furnishes the condition or gives rise to
the occasion by which an injury was made possible) cannot be the basis of
an action if a distinct, successive, unrelated and efficient cause of the injury
intervenes between such prior and remote cause and the injury.
If no danger existed in the condition except because of the independent
cause, such condition was not the proximate cause. And if an independent
negligent act or defective condition sets into operation the circumstances
which result in injury because of the prior defective condition, such
subsequent act or condition is the proximate cause.
Reasoning We fail to see how the Company could be held guilty of
negligence or as lacking in due diligence. To us it is clear that the principal
and proximate cause of the electrocution was not the electric wire, evidently a
remote cause, but rather the reckless and negligent act of Magno in turning
around and swinging the galvanized iron sheet without taking any precaution,
such as looking back toward the street and at the wire to avoid its contacting
said iron sheet, considering the latter's length of 6 feet.
- The real cause of the accident or death was the reckless or negligent act of
Magno himself. When he was called by his stepbrother to repair the media
agua just below the third story window, it is to be presumed that due to his
age and experience he was qualified to do so. Perhaps he was a tinsmith or
carpenter and had had training and experience for the job. So, he could not
have been entirely a stranger to electric wires and the danger lurking in them.
But unfortunately, in the instant case, his training and experience failed him,
and forgetting where he was standing, holding the 6-ft iron sheet with both
hands and at arms length, evidently without looking, and throwing all
prudence and discretion to the winds, he turned around swinging his arms
with the motion of his body, thereby causing his own electrocution.
Disposition CA decision reversed. Complaint against company dismissed
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Yes.
- Manila Railroads defense is not a bar to recovery by the other plaintiffs.
- There was no proof that Rodrigueza unlawfully intruded upon companys
property. His house was there before the railroad companys property. He
may be at risk for fire, but should not bear loss if the fire resulted from the
companys negligence.
- The PROXIMATE AND ONLY CAUSE of the damage was the negligent act
of the company. That Rodriguezas house was near was an ANTECEDENT
CONDITION but that cant be imputed to him as CONTRIBUTORY
NEGLIGENCE because that condition was not created by himself and
because his house remained by the toleration and consent of company and
because even if the house was improperly there, company had no right to
negligently destroy it. The company could have removed the house through
its power of eminent domain.
Although it may be said that the act of Jose Koh, if at all negligent, was the
initial act in the chain of events, it cannot be said that the same caused the
eventual injuries and deaths because of the occurrence of a sufficient
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intervening event, the negligent act of the truck driver, which was the actual
cause of the tragedy. The entry of the car into the lane of the truck would not
have resulted in the collision had the latter heeded the emergency signals
given by the former to slow down and give the car an opportunity to go back
into its proper lane. Instead of slowing down and swerving to the far right of
the road, which was the proper precautionary measure under the given
circumstances, the truck driver continued at full speed towards the car.
- The truck driver's negligence is apparent in the records. He himself said that
his truck was running at 30 miles (48 km) per hour along the bridge while the
maximum speed allowed by law on a bridge is only 30 kph. Under Article
2185 of the Civil Code, a person driving a vehicle is presumed negligent if at
the time of the mishap, he was violating any traffic regulation.
- Even if Jose Koh was indeed negligent, the doctrine of last clear chance
finds application here. Last clear chance is a doctrine in the law of torts which
states that the contributory negligence of the party injured will not defeat the
claim for damages if it is shown that the defendant might, by the exercise of
reasonable care and prudence, have avoided the consequences of the
negligence of the injured party. In such cases, the person who had the last
clear chance to avoid the mishap is considered in law solely responsible for
the consequences thereof.
- Last clear chance: The doctrine is that the negligence of the plaintiff does
not preclude a recovery for the negligence of the defendant where it appears
that the defendant, by exercising reasonable care and prudence, might have
avoided injurious consequences to the plaintiff notwithstanding the plaintiff's
negligence. The doctrine of last clear chance means that even though a
person's own acts may have placed him in a position of peril, and an injury
results, the injured person is entitled to recovery. a person who has the last
clear chance or opportunity of avoiding an accident, notwithstanding the
negligent acts of his opponent or that of a third person imputed to the
opponent is considered in law solely responsible for the consequences of the
accident. The practical import of the doctrine is that a negligent defendant is
held liable to a negligent plaintiff, or even to a plaintiff who has been grossly
negligent in placing himself in peril, if he, aware of the plaintiff's peril, or
according to some authorities, should have been aware of it in the reasonable
exercise of due care, had in fact an opportunity later than that of the plaintiff
to avoid an accident.
- As employers of the truck driver, the private respondents are, under Article
2180 of the Civil Code, directly and primarily liable for the resulting damages.
The presumption that they are negligent flows from the negligence of their
employee. That presumption, however, is only juris tantum, not juris et de
jure. Their only possible defense is that they exercised all the diligence of a
good father of a family to prevent the damage. The answers of the private
respondents in the civil cases did not interpose this defense. Neither did they
attempt to prove it.
On the separate civil and criminal actions
- The civil cases, which were for the recovery of civil liability arising from a
quasi-delict under Article 2176 in relation to Article 2180 of the Civil Code,
were filed ahead of criminal case. They were eventually consolidated for joint
trial. The records do not indicate any attempt on the part of the parties, and it
may therefore be reasonably concluded that none was made, to consolidate
criminal case with the civil cases, or vice-versa.
- Section 1, Rule 31 of the Rules of Court, which seeks to avoid a multiplicity
of suits, guard against oppression and abuse, prevent delays, clear
congested dockets to simplify the work of the trial court, or in short, attain
justice with the least expense to the parties litigants, would have easily
sustained a consolidation, thereby preventing the unseeming, if no ludicrous,
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the first event should, as an ordinarily prudent and intelligent person, have
reasonable ground to expect at the moment of his act or default that an injury
to some person might probably result there from. [Citing Bataclan v Medina]
- The petitioner relates the chain of events that resulted in the death of
Lourdes Fernandez as follows: (1) violation of ordinance; (2) fire at a
neighboring place; (3) shouts of "Fire!, Fire!"; (4) panic in the Institute; (5)
stampede; and (6) injuries and death. The violation of the ordinance, it is
argued, was only a remote cause, and cannot be the basis of liability since
there intervened a number of independent causes which produced the injury
complained of.
- A prior and remote cause cannot be made the basis of an action if such
remote cause did nothing more than furnish the condition or give rise to the
occasion by which the injury was made possible, if there intervened between
such prior or remote cause and the injury a distinct, successive, unrelated,
and efficient cause of the injury, even though such injury would not have
happened but for such condition or occasion. If no danger existed in the
condition except because of the independent cause, such condition was not
the proximate cause. And if an independent negligent act or defective
condition sets into operation the circumstances which result in injury because
of the prior defective condition, such subsequent act or condition is the
proximate cause. [Citing MERALCO v Remoquillo]
- According to the petitioner "the events of fire, panic and stampede were
independent causes with no causal connection at all with the violation of the
ordinance." The weakness in the argument springs from a faulty juxtaposition
of the events which formed a chain and resulted in the injury. It is true that the
petitioner's non-compliance with the ordinance in question was ahead of and
prior to the other events in point of time, in the sense that it was coetaneous
with its occupancy of the building. But the violation was a continuing one,
since the ordinance was a measure of safety designed to prevent a specific
situation which would pose a danger to the occupants of the building. That
situation was undue overcrowding in case it should become necessary to
evacuate the building, which, it could be reasonably foreseen, was bound to
happen under emergency conditions if there was only one stairway available.
It is true that in this particular case there would have been no overcrowding in
the single stairway if there had not been a fire in the neighborhood which
caused the students to panic and rush headlong for the stairs in order to go
down. But it was precisely such contingencies or events that the authors of
the ordinance had in mind, for under normal conditions one stairway would be
adequate for the occupants of the building.
- To consider the violation of the ordinance as the proximate cause of the
injury does not portray the situation in its true perspective; it would be more
accurate to say that the overcrowding at the stairway was the proximate
cause and that it was precisely what the ordinance intended to prevent by
requiring that there be two stairways instead of only one. Under the doctrine
of the cases cited by the respondents, the principle of proximate cause
applies to such violation.
Dispositive Decision appealed from is affirmed.
PICART V SMITH
STREET; March 15, 1918
NATURE
Appeal from a judgment of the CFI of La Union
FACTS
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On December 12, 1912, plaintiff was riding on his pony over the
Carlatan Bridge, at San Fernando, La Union.
Before he had gotten half way across, the defendant approached from
the opposite direction in an automobile, going at the rate of about ten or
twelve miles per hour.
As the defendant neared the bridge he saw the plaintiff and blew his
horn to give warning of his approach.
He continued his course and after he had taken the bridge, he gave
two more successive blasts, as it appeared to him that the man on
horseback before him was not observing the rule of the road.
The plaintiff saw the automobile coming and heard the warning signals.
However, given the novelty of the apparition and the rapidity of the
approach, he pulled the pony closely up against the railing on the right
side of the bridge instead of going to the left.
He did this because he thought he did not have sufficient time to get
over to the other side.
As the automobile approached, the defendant guided it toward his left,
that being the proper side of the road for the machine.
In so doing the defendant assumed that the horseman would move to
the other side.
The pony had not as yet exhibited fright, and the rider had made no
sign for the automobile to stop.
Seeing that the pony was apparently quiet, the defendant, instead of
veering to the right while yet some distance away or slowing down,
continued to approach directly toward the horse without diminution of
speed.
When he had gotten quite near, there being then no possibility of the
horse getting across to the other side, the defendant quickly turned his
car sufficiently to the right to escape hitting the horse alongside of the
railing where it as then standing; but in so doing the automobile passed
in such close proximity to the animal that it became frightened and
turned its body across the bridge with its head toward the railing.
In so doing, it was struck on the hock of the left hind leg by the flange
of the car and the limb was broken.
The horse fell and its rider was thrown off with some violence.
As a result of its injuries the horse died.
The plaintiff received contusions which caused temporary
unconsciousness and required medical attention for several days.
CFI absolved defendant from liability
Hence, the appeal
ISSUE
WON the defendant, in maneuvering his car in the manner above described,
was guilty of negligence that would give rise to a civil obligation to repair the
damage done
Ratio: The person who has the last fair chance to avoid the impending
harm and fails to do so is chargeable with the consequences, without
reference to the prior negligence of the other part.
HELD
Yes.
As the defendant started across the bridge, he had the right to assume
that the horse and the rider would pass over to the proper side; but as
he moved toward the center of the bridge it was demonstrated to his
eyes that this would not be done; and he must in a moment have
perceived that it was too late for the horse to cross with safety in front
of the moving vehicle.
In the nature of things this change of situation occurred while the
automobile was yet some distance away; and from this moment it was
no longer within the power of the plaintiff to escape being run down by
going to a place of greater safety.
The control of the situation had then passed entirely to the defendant;
and it was his duty either to bring his car to an immediate stop or,
seeing that there were no other persons on the bridge, to take the other
side and pass sufficiently far away from the horse to avoid the danger
of collision.
The defendant ran straight on until he was almost upon the horse. He
was, the court thinks, deceived into doing this by the fact that the horse
had not yet exhibited fright.
But in view of the known nature of horses, there was an appreciable
risk that, if the animal in question was unacquainted with automobiles,
he might get excited and jump under the conditions which here
confronted him.
When the defendant exposed the horse and rider to this danger, he
was, in our opinion, negligent in the eye of the law.
The test by which to determine the existence of negligence in a
particular case may be stated as follows: Did the defendant in
doing the alleged negligent act use that reasonable care and
caution which an ordinarily prudent person would have used in
the same situation? If not, then he is guilty of negligence.
The law here in effect adopts the standard supposed to be supplied by
the imaginary conduct of the discreet paterfamilias of the Roman law.
The existence of negligence in a given case is not determined by
reference to the personal judgment of the actor in the situation before
him. The law considers what would be reckless, blameworthy, or
negligent in the man of ordinary intelligence and prudence and
determines liability by that.
The question as to what would constitute the conduct of a prudent man
in a given situation must of course be always determined in the light of
human experience and in view of the facts involved in the particular
case. Could a prudent man, in the case under consideration, foresee
harm as a result of the course actually pursued? If so, it was the duty of
the actor to take precautions to guard against that harm. Reasonable
foresight of harm, followed by ignoring of the suggestion born of this
prevision, is always necessary before negligence can be held to exist.
Stated in these terms, the proper criterion for determining the existence
of negligence in a given case is this: Conduct is said to be negligent
when a prudent man in the position of the tortfeasor would have
foreseen that an effect harmful to another was sufficiently probable to
warrant his foregoing conduct or guarding against its consequences.
Applying this test to the conduct of the defendant in the present case,
negligence is clearly established. A prudent man, placed in the position
of the defendant, would have recognized that the course which he was
pursuing was fraught with risk, and would therefore have foreseen
harm to the horse and the rider as reasonable consequence of that
course. Under these circumstances the law imposed on the defendant
the duty to guard against the threatened harm.
The plaintiff himself was not free from fault, for he was guilty of
antecedent negligence in planting himself on the wrong side of the
road. It will be noted however, that the negligent acts of the two parties
were not contemporaneous, since the negligence of the defendant
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that
of
private
respondent's.
Held:
It was the negligence of Ms. Azucena Mabayad, coupled by the negligence of
the petitioner bank in the selection and supervision of its bank teller, which
was the proximate cause of the loss suffered by the private respondent.
- There are three elements of a quasi-delict: (a) damages suffered by the
plaintiff; (b) fault or negligence of the defendant, or some other person for
whose acts he must respond; and (c) the connection of cause and effect
between the fault or negligence of the defendant and the damages incurred
by the plaintiff.
- Negligence is the omission to do something which a reasonable man,
guided by those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of
human affairs, would do, or the doing of something which a prudent and
reasonable man would do.
- Picart v. Smith. The test by which to determine the existence of
negligence in a particular case: Did the defendant in doing the alleged
negligent act use that reasonable care and caution which an ordinarily
prudent person would have used in the same situation? If not, then he is
guilty of negligence. The law here in effect adopts the standard supposed to
be supplied by the imaginary conduct of the discreet paterfamilias of the
Roman law. The existence of negligence in a given case is not determined by
reference to the personal judgment of the actor in the situation before him.
The law considers what would be reckless, blameworthy, or negligent in the
man of ordinary intelligence and prudence and determines liability by that.
- the bank's teller, Ms. Azucena Mabayad, was negligent in validating,
officially stamping and signing all the deposit slips prepared and presented by
Ms. Yabut, despite the glaring fact that the duplicate copy was not completely
accomplished contrary to the self-imposed procedure of the bank with respect
to the proper validation of deposit slips, original or duplicate.
- Negligence here lies not only on the part of Ms. Mabayad but also on the
part of the bank itself in its lackadaisical selection and supervision of Ms.
Mabayad.
- Proximate cause is determined on the facts of each case upon mixed
considerations of logic, common sense, policy and precedent. Proximate
cause is "that cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken
by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the
result would not have occurred. . . ." In this case, absent the act of Ms.
Mabayad in negligently validating the incomplete duplicate copy of the
deposit slip, Ms. Irene Yabut would not have the facility with which to
perpetrate her fraudulent scheme with impunity.
- Furthermore, under the doctrine of "last clear chance" (also referred to, at
times as "supervening negligence" or as "discovered peril"), petitioner bank
was indeed the culpable party. This doctrine, in essence, states that where
both parties are negligent, but the negligent act of one is appreciably later in
time than that of the other, or when it is impossible to determine whose fault
or negligence should be attributed to the incident, the one who had the last
clear opportunity to avoid the impending harm and failed to do so is
chargeable with the consequences thereof. Stated differently, the rule would
also mean that an antecedent negligence of a person does not preclude the
recovery of damages for the supervening negligence of, or bar a defense
against liability sought by another, if the latter, who had the last fair chance,
could have avoided the impending harm by the exercise of due diligence.
Here, assuming that private respondent RMC was negligent in entrusting
cash to a dishonest employee, thus providing the latter with the opportunity to
defraud the company, as advanced by the petitioner, yet it cannot be denied
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GR No.70493
NARVASA; May 18, 1989
NATURE
Petition for certiorari praying for a reversal of the judgment of the
Intermediate Appellate Court which, it is claimed, ignored or ran counter to
the established facts.
FACTS
- Engineer Orlando T. Calibo, Agripino Roranes, and Maximo Patos were on
the jeep owned by the Bacnotan Consolidated Industries, Inc., with Calibo at
the wheel, as it approached from the South Lizada Bridge going towards the
direction of Davao City at about 1:45 in the afternoon of July 4,1979. At about
that time, the cargo track, loaded with cement bags, GI sheets, plywood,
driven by defendant Paul Zacarias y Infants, coming from the opposite
direction of Davao City and bound for Glan, South Cotabato, had just crossed
said bridge. At about 59 yards after crossing the bridge, the cargo truck and
the jeep collided as a consequence of which Engineer Calibo died while
Roranes and Patos sustained physical injuries. Zacarias was unhurt. As a
result of the impact, the left side of the truck was slightly damaged while the
left side of the jeep, including its fender and hood, was extensively damaged.
After the impact, the jeep fell and rested on its right side on the asphalted
road a few meters to the rear of the truck, while the truck stopped on its
wheels on the road.
- On November 27, 1979, the instant case for damages was filed by the
surviving spouse and children of the late Engineer Calibo who are residents
of Tagbilaran City against the driver and owners of the cargo truck.
- Trial Court dismissed the complaint (and defendants' counterclaim) "for
insufficiency of evidence." The circumstances leading to the conclusion just
mentioned:
1. Moments before its collission with the truck being operated by Zacarias,
the jeep of the deceased Calibo was "zigzagging."
2. Unlike Zacarias who readily submitted himself to investigation by the
police, Calibo's companions who suffered injuries on account of the collision,
refused to be so investigated or give statements to the police officers. This,
plus Roranes' waiver of the right to institute criminal proceedings against
Zacarias, and the fact that indeed no criminal case was ever instituted in
Court against Zacarias, were "telling indications that they did not attribute the
happening to defendant Zacarias' negligence or fault."
3. Roranes' testimony, given in plaintiffs' behalf, was "not as clear and
detailed as that of Zacarias," and was "uncertain and even contradicted by
the physical facts and the police investigators Dimaano and Esparcia."
4. That there were skid marks left by the truck's tires at the scene, and none
by the jeep, demonstrates that the driver of the truck had applied the brakes
and the jeep's driver had not; and that the jeep had on impact fallen on its
right side is indication that it was running at high speed.
5. Even if it be considered that there was some antecedent negligence on the
part of Zacarias shortly before the collision, in that he had caused his truck to
run some 25 centimeters to the left of the center of the road, Engr. Calibo had
the last clear chance of avoiding the accident because he still had ample
room in his own lane to steer clear of the truck, or he could simply have
braked to a full stop.
- IAC reversed TC. It found Zacarias to be negligent on the basis of the
following circumstances, to wit:
1) "the truck driven by defendant Zacarias occupied the lane of the jeep when
the collision occurred,' and although Zacarias saw the jeep from a distance of
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about 150 meters, he "did not drive his truck back to his lane in order to avoid
collision with the oncoming jeep . . .;" what is worse, "the truck driver
suddenly applied his brakes even as he knew that he was still within the lane
of the jeep;" had both vehicles stayed in their respective lanes, the collision
would never have occurred, they would have passed "along side each other
safely;"
2) Zacarias had no license at the time; what he handed to Pfc. Esparcia, on
the latter's demand, was the 'driver's license of his co-driver Leonardo
Baricuatro;"
3) the waiver of the right to file criminal charges against Zacarias should not
be taken against "plaintiffs" Roranes and Patos who had the right, under the
law, to opt merely to bring a civil suit.
ISSUES
WON respondent court is correct in reversing the decision of trial court.
HELD
NO.
Ratio The doctrine of the last clear chance provides as valid and complete a
defense to accident liability. (Picart v Smith)
Reasoning Both drivers, as the Appellate Court found, had had a full view of
each other's vehicle from a distance of one hundred fifty meters. Both
vehicles were travelling at a speed of approximately thirty kilometers per
hour. The private respondents have admitted that the truck was already at a
full stop when the jeep plowed into it. And they have not seen fit to deny or
impugn petitioners' imputation that they also admitted the truck had been
brought to a stop while the jeep was still thirty meters away. From these facts
the logical conclusion emerges that the driver of the jeep had what
judicial doctrine has appropriately called the last clear chance to avoid
the accident, while still at that distance of thirty meters from the truck,
by stopping in his turn or swerving his jeep away from the truck, either of
which he had sufficient time to do while running at a speed of only thirty
kilometers per hour. In those circumstances, his duty was to seize that
opportunity of avoidance, not merely rely on a supposed right to expect, as
the Appellate Court would have it, the truck to swerve and leave him a clear
path.
-Picart v Smith:
The plaintiff was riding a pony on a bridge. Seeing an automobile ahead he
improperly pulled his horse over to the railing on the right. The driver of the
automobile, however guided his car toward the plaintiff without diminution of
speed until he was only few feet away. He then turned to the right but passed
so closely to the horse that the latter being frightened, jumped around and
was killed by the passing car. . . . .
It goes without saying that the plaintiff himself was not free from fault, for he
was guilty of antecedent negligence in planting himself on the wrong side of
the road. But as we have already stated, the defendant was also negligent;
and in such case the problem always is to discover which agent is
immediately and directly responsible. It will be noted that the negligent acts of
the two parties were not contemporaneous, since the negligence of the
defendant succeeded the negligence of the plaintiff by an appreciable
interval. Under these circumstances the law is that the person who has the
last fair chance to avoid the impending harm and fails to do so is chargeable
with the consequences, without reference to the prior negligence of the other
party.
Dispositive WHEREFORE, the appealed judgment of the Intermediate
Appellate Court is hereby REVERSED, and the complaint against herein
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avoid the impending harm and failed to do so, is made liable for all the
consequences of the accident notwithstanding the prior negligence of the
plaintiff
- The above contention of petitioner is manifestly devoid of merit. Contrary to
the petitioner's contention, the doctrine of "last clear chance" finds no
application in this case
- Contrary to the petitioner's contention, the doctrine of "last clear chance"
finds no application in this case. For the doctrine to be applicable, it is
necessary to show that the person who allegedly had the last opportunity to
avert the accident was aware of the existence of the peril or should, with
exercise of due care, have been aware of it
- In this case, there is nothing to show that the jeepney driver David Ico knew
of the impending danger. When he saw at a distance that the approaching
bus was encroaching on his lane, he did not immediately swerve the jeepney
to the dirt shoulder on his right since he must have assumed that the bus
driver will return the bus to its own lane upon seeing the jeepney approaching
from the opposite direction.
- Moreover, both the trial court and the Court of Appeals found that at the
time of the accident the Pantranco bus was speeding towards Manila. At the
time David Ico must have realized that the bus was not returning to its own
lane, it was already too late to swerve the jeepney to his right to prevent an
accident.
- This Court has held that the last clear chance doctrine "can never apply
where the party charged is required to act instantaneously, and if the injury
cannot be avoided by the application of all means at hand after the peril is or
should have been discovered"
- Petitioner likewise insists that David Ico was negligent in failing to observe
Section 43 (c), Article III Chapter IV of Republic Act No. 4136** which
provides that the driver of a vehicle entering a through highway or a stop
intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching in either
direction on such through highway.
-Petitioner's misplaced reliance on the aforesaid law is readily apparent in this
case. The cited law itself provides that it applies only to vehicles entering a
through highway or a stop intersection. At the time of the accident, the
jeepney had already crossed the intersection and was on its way to Malalam
River
-On the issue of its liability as an employer, petitioner claims that it had
observed the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage,
conformably to the last paragraph of Article 2180 of the Civil Code
-When an injury is caused by the negligence of an employee, there instantly
arises a presumption that the employer has been negligent either in the
selection of his employees or in the supervision over their acts. Although this
presumption is only a disputable presumption which could be overcome by
proof of diligence of a good father of a family, this Court believes that the
evidence submitted by the defendant to show that it exercised the diligence of
a good father of a family iti the case of Ramirez, as a company driver is far
from sufficient
ANURAN V BUO
17 SCRA 224
BENGZON, May 20, 1966
NATURE: Petition for Review by certiorari of CA decision.
FACTS
- On January 12, 1958, a passenger jeepney was parked on the road to Taal,
Batangas. Buo, driver of said jeepney stopped his vehicle in order to allow
one of his passengers to alight. But he parked his jeepney in such a way that
of its width (the left wheels) was on the asphalted pavement of the road
and the other half, on the right shoulder of the said road. A motor truck
speeding along, negligently bumped it from behind, which such violence that
three of its passengers died, even as 2 other passengers suffered injuries
that required their confinement at the Provincial Hospital for many days.
- Suits were instituted by the representatives of the dead and the injured, to
recover consequently damages against the drivers and the owners of the
trucks and also against the driver and the owners of the jeepney.
- CFI Batangas absolved the driver of the jeepney and its owners, but it
required the truck driver and the owners o make compensation. Plaintiffs
appealed to the CA insisting that the driver and the owners of the jeepney
should also be made liable for damages.
ISSUE
WON the driver and owners of the jeepney should also be made liable.
HELD
YES. An error of law was committed in releasing the jeepney from liability. It
must be remembered that the obligation of the carrier to transport its
passengers safely is such that the New Civil Code requires utmost diligence
from the carriers (Art. 1755) who are presumed to have been at fault or to
have acted negligently, unless they prove that they have observed
extraordinary diligence (Art. 1756). In this instance, this legal presumption of
negligence is confirmed by the CAs finding that jeepney driver in question
was at fault in parking the vehicle improperly. It must follow that the driver
and the owners of the jeepney must answer for injuries to its passengers.
Obiter on Application of Principle of Last Clear Chance: The principle about
the last clear chance applies in a suit between the owners and drivers of the
two colliding vehicles. It does not arise where a passenger demands
responsibility from the carrier to enforce its contractual obligations. For it
would be inequitable to exempt the negligent driver of the jeepney and its
owners on the ground that the other driver was likewise guilty of negligence.
This principle does not apply in this case.
DISPOSITION: Judgment modified.
CANLAS V, CA
Purisima; February 28, 2000
Nature
Petition for Review on Certiorari
Facts
-Sometime in August, 1982, Osmundo S. Canlas, and Vicente Maosca,
decided to venture in business and to raise the capital needed therefor. The
former then executed a Special Power of Attorney authorizing the latter to
mortgage two parcels of land situated in San Dionisio, (BF Homes)
Paranaque, Metro Manila, each lot with semi-concrete residential house in
the name of the SPS Canlas. Osmundo Canlas agreed to sell the said
parcels of land to Vicente Maosca, for and in consideration of P850,000.00,
P500,000.00 of which payable within one week, and the balance of
P350,000.00 to serve as his (Osmundo's) investment in the business. Thus,
Osmundo Canlas delivered to Vicente Maosca the transfer certificates of
title of the parcels of land involved. Vicente Maosca, as his part of the
transaction, issued two postdated checks in favor of Osmundo Canlas in the
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In the case under consideration, from the evidence on hand it can be gleaned
unerringly that respondent bank did not observe the requisite diligence in
ascertaining or verifying the real identity of the couple who introduced
themselves as the spouses Osmundo Canlas and Angelina Canlas. It is
worthy to note that not even a single identification card was exhibited by the
said impostors to show their true identity; and yet, the bank acted on their
representations simply on the basis of the residence certificates bearing
signatures which tended to match the signatures affixed on a previous deed
of mortgage to a certain Atty. Magno, covering the same parcels of land in
question.
Applying Art. 1173 It could be said that the degree of diligence required of
banks is more than that of a good father of a family in keeping with their
responsibility to exercise the necessary care and prudence in dealing even
on a registered or titled property. The business of a bank is affected with
public interest, holding in trust the money of the depositors, which bank
deposits the bank should guard against loss due to negligence or bad faith,
by reason of which the bank would be denied the protective mantle of the
land registration law, accorded only to purchasers or mortgagees for value
and in good faith.
Evidently, the efforts exerted by the bank to verify the identity of the couple
posing as Osmundo Canlas and Angelina Canlas fell short of the
responsibility of the bank to observe more than the diligence of a good father
of a family. The negligence of respondent bank was magnified by the fact that
the previous deed of mortgage (which was used as the basis for checking the
genuineness of the signatures of the supposed Canlas spouses) did not bear
the tax account number of the spouses, as well as the Community Tax
Certificate of Angelina Canlas. But such fact notwithstanding, the bank did
not require the impostors to submit additional proof of their true identity.
For not observing the degree of diligence required of banking institutions,
whose business is impressed with public interest, respondent Asian Savings
Bank has to bear the loss sued upon.
Disposition
WHEREFORE, the Petition is GRANTED and the Decision of the Court of
Appeals, dated September 30, 1993, in CA-G.R. CV No. 25242 SET ASIDE.
The Decision of Branch 59 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati City in Civil
Case No. M-028 is hereby REINSTATED. No pronouncement as to costs.
SO ORDERED.1wphi1.nt
- An information for estafa was filed against one of their messengers (Ilagan)
and one Roscoe Verdazola. LC Diaz demanded SolidBank the return of their
money. The latter refused and a case for recovery of a sum of money was
filed against them
- TC applied rules on savings account written on the passbook. The rules
state that possession of this book shall raise the presumption of ownership
and any payment or payments made by the bank upon the production of the
said book and entry therein of the withdrawal shall have the same effect as if
made to the depositor personally. Also, they applied the rule that the holder
of the passport is presumed the owner. It was also held that Solidbank did not
have any participation in the custody and care of the passbook and as such,
their act was not the proximate cause of the loss. The proximate cause was
LC Diaz negligence.
- CA revered. It ruled that Solidbanks negligence was the proximate cause. It
applied the provision on the CC on quasi delicts and found that the requisite
elements were present. They found that the teller made no inquiry upon the
withdrawal of 300k. The teller could have called up LC Diaz since the amount
being drawn was significant. The appellate court ruled that while L.C. Diaz
was also negligent in entrusting its deposits to its messenger and its
messenger in leaving the passbook with the teller, Solidbank could not
escape liability because of the doctrine of last clear chance. Solidbank could
have averted the injury suffered by L.C. Diaz had it called up L.C. Diaz to
verify the withdrawal.
ISSUES
WON Solidbank was liable
HELD
- For breach of the savings deposit agreement due to negligence, or culpa
contractual, the bank is liable to its depositor.
- When the passbook is in the possession of Solidbanks tellers during
withdrawals, the law imposes on Solidbank and its tellers an even higher
degree of diligence in safeguarding the passbook. Likewise, Solidbanks
tellers must exercise a high degree of diligence in insuring that they return the
passbook only to the depositor or his authorized representative
- In culpa contractual, once the plaintiff proves a breach of contract, there is a
presumption that the defendant was at fault or negligent. The burden is on
the defendant to prove that he was not at fault or negligent. Solidbank failed
to discharge this burden. (they could have presented the teller to whom the
passbook was left, but they didnt)
- L.C. Diaz was not at fault that the passbook landed in the hands of the
impostor. Solidbank was in possession of the passbook while it was
processing the deposit. After completion of the transaction, Solidbank had
the contractual obligation to return the passbook only to Calapre, the
authorized representative of L.C. Diaz. SolidBanks negligence in returning
the passbook was the proximate cause.
- The doctrine of last clear chance states that where both parties are
negligent but the negligent act of one is appreciably later than that of the
other, or where it is impossible to determine whose fault or negligence
caused the loss, the one who had the last clear opportunity to avoid the loss
but failed to do so, is chargeable with the loss. Stated differently, the
antecedent negligence of the plaintiff does not preclude him from recovering
damages caused by the supervening negligence of the defendant, who had
the last fair chance to prevent the impending harm by the exercise of due
diligence.
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the negligent acts of his opponent, is considered in law solely responsible for
the consequences of the accident. But what has been shown is the presence
of an emergency and the proper application of the emergency rule. There
was no clear chance to speak of. Iran swerved to the left only to avoid
petitioners pick-up, which was already on a head to head position going
against Irans Tamaraw jeepney immediately before the vehicles collided. No
convincing proof was adduced by petitioner that Iran could have avoided a
head-on collision.
DISPOSITIVE
Decision affirmed, modification only to damages
Dispositive
The appealed decision is AFFIRMED.
ENGADA V CA
QUISUMBING, J.: June 20, 2003
STRICT LIABILITY
NATURE
Petition for review seeking the reversal of the decision of the CA which
affirmed with modification the judgment of the RTC of Iloilo City
FACTS
- On November 29, 1989, at about 1:30 in the afternoon, Edwin Iran was
driving a blue Toyota Tamaraw jeepney bound for Iloilo City. On board was
Sheila Seyan, the registered owner of the Tamaraw. The Tamaraw
passengers allegedly saw from the opposite direction a speeding Isuzu pickup, driven by petitioner Rogelio Engada. When it was just a few meters away
from the Tamaraw, the Isuzu pick-ups right signal light flashed, at the same
time, it swerved to its left, encroaching upon the lane of the Tamaraw and
headed towards a head-on collision course with it. Seyan shouted at Iran to
avoid the pick-up. Iran swerved to his left but the pick-up also swerved to its
right. Thus, the pick-up collided with the Tamaraw, hitting the latter at its right
front passenger side. The impact caused the head and chassis of the
Tamaraw to separate from its body. Seyan was thrown out of the Tamaraw
and landed on a ricefield. Seyan incurred P130,000 in medical
expenses. The Toyota Tamaraw jeepney ended up in the junk heap. Its total
loss was computed at P80,000.
ISSUES
1. WON petitioners negligence was the proximate cause of the accident
HELD
1. YES. Ratio It is a settled rule that a driver abandoning his proper lane for
the purpose of overtaking another vehicle in an ordinary situation has the
duty to see to it that the road is clear and he should not proceed if he cannot
do so in safety. For failing to observe the duty of diligence and care imposed
on drivers of vehicles abandoning their lane, petitioner must be held liable.
Iran could not be faulted when in his attempt to avoid the pick-up, he swerved
to his left. Petitioners acts had put Iran in an emergency situation which
forced him to act quickly. An individual who suddenly finds himself in a
situation of danger and is required to act without much time to consider the
best means that may be adopted to avoid the impending danger, is not guilty
of negligence if he fails to undertake what subsequently and upon reflection
may appear to be a better solution, unless the emergency was brought by his
own negligence.
Reasoning The doctrine of last clear chance states that a person who has
the last clear chance or opportunity of avoiding an accident, notwithstanding
NATURE
Petition to reinstate the decision of the Appellate Court.
FACTS
- July 29, 1975: Theness was bitten by a dog while she was playing with a
child of the petitioners in the house of the late Vicente Miranda, the father of
Purita Vestil. She was rushed to the Cebu General Hospital, where she was
treated for "multiple lacerated wounds on the forehead. She was discharged
after nine days but was re-admitted one week later due to "vomiting of
saliva." The following day, on August 15, 1975, the child died. The cause of
death was certified as broncho-pneumonia.
- Theness developed hydrophobia, a symptom of rabies, as a result of the
dog bites, and second, that asphyxia broncho-pneumonia, which ultimately
caused her death, was a complication of rabies
- Seven months later, the Uys sued for damages, alleging that the Vestils
were liable to them as the possessors of "Andoy," the dog that bit and
eventually killed their daughter.
- Judge Jose R. Ramolete of the Court of First Instance of Cebu sustained
the defendants. IAC found that the Vestils were in possession of the house
and the dog and so should be responsible under Article 2183 of the Civil
Code for the injuries caused by the dog.
- On the strength of the foregoing testimony, the Court finds that the link
between the dog bites and the certified cause of death has been satisfactorily
established.
Petitioners Claim
The Vestils are liable for the death of Theness, since they own the dog that
bit her.
Respondents Comments
The dog belonged to the deceased Vicente Miranda, that it was a tame
animal, and that in any case no one had witnessed it bite Theness.
ISSUE
WON the Vestils are liable for the damage caused by the dog.
HELD
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Ratio The obligation imposed by Article 2183 of the Civil Code is not based
on the negligence or on the presumed lack of vigilance of the possessor or
user of the animal causing the damage. It is based on natural equity and on
the principle of social interest that he who possesses animals for his utility,
pleasure or service must answer for the damage which such animal may
cause.
Reasoning
ART. 2183. The possessor of an animal or whoever may make use of the
same is responsible for the damage which it may cause, although it may
escape or be lost. This responsibility shall cease only in case the damage
should come from force majeure or from the fault of the person who has
suffered damage.
- While it is true that she is not really the owner of the house, which was still
part of Vicente Miranda's estate, there is no doubt that she and her husband
were its possessors at the time of the incident in question.
- There is evidence showing that she and her family regularly went to the
house, once or twice weekly.
- Theness developed hydrophobia, a symptom of rabies, as a result of the
dog bites, and second, that asphyxia broncho-pneumonia, which ultimately
caused her death, was a complication of rabies. The Court finds that the link
between the dog bites and the certified cause of death has been satisfactorily
established.
- It does not matter that the dog was tame and was merely provoked by the
child into biting her. The law does not speak only of vicious animals but
covers even tame ones as long as they cause injury. As for the alleged
provocation, the petitioners forget that Theness was only three years old at
the time she was attacked and can hardly be faulted for whatever she might
have done to the animal.
- Obligation imposed by Article 2183 of the Civil Code is not based on the
negligence or on the presumed lack of vigilance of the possessor or user of
the animal causing the damage. It is based on natural equity and on the
principle of social interest that he who possesses animals for his utility,
pleasure or service must answer for the damage which such animal may
cause.
DISPOSITION
The Court approves the time.
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the pipes and spilled to the ground, wetting the articles and merchandise of
the "American Bazaar," causing a loss which the CFI sets at P1,089.61.
-The Kanaans (Halim, Nasri and Michael), representing the establishment
"American Bazaar," thereafter filed this complaint for damages against Loreto
Dingcong, Jose Dingcong and Francisco Echevarria.
-CFI held Francisco Echevarria liable, and acquitted Jose Dingcong. CA
reversed and declared Jose Dingcong responsible, sentencing him to pay the
plaintiffs damages.
defendant the equal protection of the law, and impairs the obligation of the
contract between the defendant and Leopoldo Madlangbayan, and deprives
the Courts of First Instance of their probate jurisdiction over the estate of
deceased persons and nullifies Chapters XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII,
and XXXIV of the Civil Code Procedure and related articles of the Civil Code.
ISSUE
WON Jose Dingcong and Francisco Echevarria are liable for damages
RULING
NO.
- As the deceased Leopoldo Madlangbayan was killed on November 16, 1930
and Act No. 3812 was not approved until December 8, 1930, it is apparent
that the law which is applicable is Act No. 3428, section 23 of which reads as
follows:
When any employee receives a personal injury from any accident due
to in the pursuance of the employment, or contracts any illness directly
caused by such employment or the result of the nature of such
employment, his employer shall pay compensation in the sums and to
the persons hereinafter specified.
- The accident which caused the death of the employee was not due to and in
pursuance of his employment.
- At the time that he was over by the truck Leopoldo Madlangbayan was not
in the pursuance of his employment with the defendant corporation, but was
on his way home after he had finished his work for the day and had left the
territory where he was authorized to take collections for the defendant.
- The employer is not an insurer "against all accidental injuries which might
happen to an employee while in the course of the employment", and as a
general rule an employee is not entitled to recover from personal injuries
resulting from an accident that befalls him while going to or returning from his
place of employment, because such an accident does no arise out of and in
the course of his employment.
- The phrase "due to and in the pursuance of" used in section 2 of Act No.
3428 was changed in Act No. 3812 to "arising out of and in the course of".
Discussing this phrase, the Supreme Court of Illinois in the case of Mueller
Construction Co. vs. Industrial Board, said:
The words "arising out of" refer to the origin or cause of the accident,
and are descriptive of its character, while the words "in the course of"
refer to the time, place, and circumstances under which the accident
takes place. By the use of these words it was not the intention of the
legislature to make the employer an insurer against all accidental
injuries which might happen to an employee while in the course of the
employment, but only for such injuries arising from or growing out of
the risks peculiar to the nature of the work in the scope of the
workman's employment of incidental to such employment, and
accidents in which it is possible to trace the injury to some risk or
hazard to which the employee is exposed in a special degree by
reason of such employment. Risks to which all persons similarly
situated are equally exposed and not traceable in some special degree
to the particular employment are excluded.
- If the deceased had been killed while going from house to house in San
Francisco del Monte in the pursuance of his employment, the plaintiffs would
undoubtedly have the right, prima facie, to recover.
- In the case at bar the deceased was going from work in his own
conveyance.
HELD
YES.
-Francisco Echevarria, the hotel guest, is liable for being the one who directly,
by his negligence in leaving open the faucet, caused the water to spill to the
ground and wet the articles and merchandise of the plaintiffs.
-Jose Dingcong, being a co-renter and manager of the hotel, with complete
possession of the house, must also be responsible for the damages caused.
He failed to exercise the diligence of a good father of the family to prevent
these damages, despite his power and authority to cause the repair of the
pipes.
Disposition Appealed decision is affirmed, with the costs against apellant.
ISSUE
WON the employer is liable to pay the employees heirs.
prof. casis
- Furthermore, it appears that the deceased had never notified the defendant
corporation of his removal from San Francisco del Monte of Manila, and that
the company did not know that he was living in Manila on the day of the
accident; that the defendant company did not require its employees to work
on Sunday, or furnish or require its agents to use bicycles.
- These are additional reasons for holding that the accident was not due to
and pursuance of the employment of the deceased. If the deceased saw fit to
change his residence from San Francisco del Monte to Manila and to make
use a bicycle in going back and forth, he did so at his own risk, as the
defendant company did not furnish him a bicycle or require him to use one;
and if he made collections on Sunday, he did not do so in pursuance of his
employment, and his employer is not liable for any injury sustained by him.
DISPOSITION The decision appealed from was affirmed, with the costs
against the appellants.
GILCHRIST v CUDDY
29 Phil 542
TRENT; February 18, 1915
NATURE
Appeal from the decision of the CFI
FACTS
-Cuddy was the owner of the film Zigomar. Gilchrist was the owner of a
theatre in Iloilo. They entered into a contract whereby Cuddy leased to
Gilchrist the Zigomar for exhibition in his theatre for a week for P125.
- Cuddy returned the money already paid by Gilchrist days before the delivery
date so that he can lease the film to Espejo and Zaldarriaga instead and
receive P350 for the film for the same period.
- Gilchrist filed a case for specific performance against Cuddy, Espejo and
Zaldarriaga. He also prayed for damages against Espejo and Zaldarriaga for
interfering with the contract between Gilchrist and Cuddy.
ISSUE
WON Espejo and Zaldarriaga is liable for interfering with the contract
between Gilchrist and Cuddy, they not knowing at the time the identity of the
parties
HELD
YES
- Appellants have the legal liability for interfering with the contract and
causing its breach. This liability arises from unlawful acts and not from
contractual obligations to induce Cuddy to violate his contract with Gilchrist.
- Article 1902 of the Civil Code provides that a person who, by act or
omission causes damage to another when there is fault or negligence, shall
be obliged to pay for the damage done. There is nothing in this article which
requires as a condition precedent to the liability of the tortfeasor that he must
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PERSONS LIABLE
WORCESTER v OCAMPO
22 PHIL 42
Johnson; Feb. 27, 1912
NATURE
Appeal from judgment of CFI
FACTS
- Plaintiff Dean Worcester, member of the Civil Commission of the Philippines
and Secretary of the Interior of the Insular Government commenced an action
against defendants Ocampo, Kalaw, Santos, Reyes, Aguilar, Liquete, Palma,
Arellano, Jose, Lichauco, Barretto and Cansipit (owners, directors, writers,
editors and administrators of a certain newspaper known as El
Renacimiento or Muling Pagsilang) for the purpose of recovering damages
resulting from an alleged libelous publication.
- The editorial Birds of Prey was alleged to have incited the Filipino people
into believing that plaintiff was a vile despot and a corrupt person, unworthy
of the position which he held. The said editorial alluded to him as an eagle
that surprises and devours, a vulture that gorges himself on dead and rotten
meat, an owl that affects a petulant omniscience, and a vampire that sucks
the blood of the victim until he leaves it bloodless.
- After hearing the evidence adduced during trial, the judge of the CFI
rendered judgment in favor of petitioner, holding all the defendants (except
for Reyes, Aguilar and Liquete who were found to be editors but in a
subordinate position and found to have merely acted under the direction of
their superiors) liable jointly and severally for sustained damages on account
of petitioners wounded feelings, mental suffering and injuries to his standing
and reputation in the sum of P35,000 as well as P25,000 as punitive
damages.
- This judgment prompted defendants to appeal to the SC, claiming that the
CFI committed several errors in rendering said judgment among which was
that the lower court committed an error in rendering a judgment jointly and
severally against the defendants.
ISSUE
WON the defendants, regardless of their participation in the commission of
the actual tort, may be held jointly and severally liable as joint tortfeasors
HELD
YES.
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Ratio Joint tortfeasors are all the persons who command, instigate, promote,
encourage, advise, countenance, cooperate in, aid or abet the commission of
a tort, or who approve of it after it is done, if done for their benefit.
Joint tortfeasors are jointly and severally liable for the tort which they commit.
They are each liable as principals, to the same extent and in the same
manner as if they had performed the wrongful act themselves.
***If several persons jointly commit a tort, the plaintiff or person injured, has
his election to sue all or some of the parties jointly, or one of them separately,
because tort is in its nature a separate act of each individual.
Reasoning Defendants fail to recognize that the basis of the present action is
a tort. They fail to recognize the universal doctrine that each joint tortfeasor is
not only individually liable for the tort in which he participates, but is also
jointly liable with his tortfeasors. The defendants might have been sued
separately for the commission of the tort. They might have sued jointly and
severally, as they were. It is not necessary that the cooperation should be a
direct, corporeal act. **note: Ponente used examples of torts as held under
common law** (In a case of assault and battery committed by various
persons, under the common law, all are principals). So also is the person who
counsels, aids, or assists in any way the commission of a wrong. Under the
common law, he who aided, assisted or counseled, in any way the
commission of a crime, was as much a principal as he who inflicted or
committed the actual tort.
- Joint tortfeasors are jointly and severally liable for the tort which they
commit. The person injured may sue all of them, or any number less than all.
Each is liable for the whole damage caused by all, and altogether jointly liable
for the whole damage. It is no defense for one sued alone, that the others
who participated in the wrongful act are not joined with him as defendants;
nor is it any excuse for him that his participation in the tort was insignificant
as compared with that of the others.
- The courts during the trial may find that some of the alleged joint tortfeasors
are liable and that others are not liable. The courts may release some for lack
of evidence while condemning others of the alleged tort. And this is true even
though they are charged jointly and severally. However, in this case, the
lower court, committed no error in rendering a joint and several judgment
against the defendants. As recognized by Section 6 of Act 277 of the
Philippine Commission: Every author, editor, or proprietor * * * is chargeable
with the publication of any words in any part * * * or number of each
newspaper, as fully as if he were the author of the same.
Disposition Judgment of the lower court modified. Ocampo, Kalaw, Palma,
Arellano, Jose, Lichauco, Barretto, and Cansipit held jointly and severally
liable for the sum of P25, 000 with interest at 6%. Santos absolved from any
liability.
ARELLANO, C.J. and MAPA, J. [concurring]
- We concur, except with reference to the liability imposed upon Lichauco.
The real owner and founder, Ocampo, explicitly stated that the other socalled founders subscribed and paid sums of money to aid the paper but as
to Lichauco, he offered to contribute, but did not carry out his offer and in fact
paid nothing. It is incomprehensible how one could claim the right or title to
share the earnings or profits of a company when he had put no capital into it,
neither is it comprehensible how one could share in the losses thereof, and
still less incur liability for damages on account of some act of the said
company, an unrestricted liability to the extent of all his property, as though
he were a regular general partner when he was not such.
TORRES [dissenting in part]
CHAPMAN V UNDERWOOD
27 Phil 374
MORELAND; March 28, 1914
NATURE
Appeal from the judgment of trial court finding for the defendant
FACTS
- The plaintiff-appellant, Chapman, desired to board a certain "San Marcelino"
car coming from Sta. Ana and bound for Manila. Being told by his friend that
the car was approaching, he immediately, and somewhat hurriedly, passed
into the street for the purpose of signaling and boarding the car. The car was
a closed one, the entrance being from the front or the rear platform. Plaintiff
attempted to board the front platform but, seeing that he could not reach it
without extra exertion, stopped beside the car, facing toward the rear
platform, and waited for it to come abreast of him in order to board. While in
this position he was struck from behind and run over by the defendant's
(Underwood) automobile.
- The defendant entered Calle Herran at Calle Peafrancia in his automobile
driven by his chauffeur, a competent driver. A street car bound from Manila to
Sta. Ana being immediately in front of him, he followed along behind it. Just
before reaching the scene of the accident the street car which was following
took the switch (there was a single-track street-car line running along Calle
Herran, with occasional switches to allow cars to meet and pass each other)that is, went off the main line to the left upon the switch lying alongside of the
main track. Thereupon the defendant either kept straight ahead on the main
street-car track or a bit to the right. The car which the plaintiff intended to
board was on the main line and bound in an opposite direction to that in
which the defendant was going. When the front of the "San Marcelino" car
was almost in front of the defendant's automobile, defendant's driver
suddenly went to the right and struck and ran over the plaintiff.
- The judgment of the trial court was for defendant.
ISSUE
WON Underwood is responsible for the negligence of his driver.
HELD
NO.
Ratio An owner who sits in his automobile or other vehicle, and permits his
driver to continue in a violation of the law by the performance of negligent
acts, after he has had a reasonable opportunity to observe them and to direct
that the driver cease therefrom, becomes himself responsible for such acts.
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On the other hand, if the driver, by a sudden act of negligence, and without
the owner having a reasonable opportunity to prevent the act or its
continuance, injures a person or violates the criminal law, the owner of the
automobile, although present herein at5 the time the act was committed, is
not responsible, either civilly or criminally, therefore. The act complained of
must be continued in the presence or the owner for such a length of time that
the owner by his acquiescence, makes his drivers act his own.
Reasoning Defendant's driver was guilty of negligence in running upon and
over the plaintiff. He was passing an oncoming car upon the wrong side.
- The plaintiff needed only to watch for cars coming from his right, as they
were the only ones under the law permitted to pass upon that side of the
street car.
- in the case of Johnson vs. David, the driver does not fall within the list of
persons in Art.1903 of the Civil Code for whose acts the defendant would be
responsible.
Although in the David case the owner of the vehicle was not present at the
time the alleged negligent acts were committed by the driver, the same rule
applies where the owner is present, unless the negligent act of the driver are
continued for such a length of time as to give the owner a reasonable
opportunity to observe them and to direct his driver to desist therefrom.
- it appears with fair clearness that the interval between the turning out to
meet and pass the street car and the happening of the accident was so small
as not to be sufficient to charge defendant with the negligence of the driver.
DISPOSITION
The judgment appealed from is affirmed.
FACTS
- Bernardo is the driver of Yu Khe Thai. He was driving the latters
Cadillac along highway 54. On the other side of the road, Caedo was
driving his Mercury car. He was with his family.
- A carretela was in front of the Cadillac. Bernardo did not see the
carretela from afar. When he approached the carritela, he decided to
overtake it even though he had already seen the car of the Caedos
approaching from the opposite lane. As he did so the curved end of
his car's right rear bumper caught the forward rim of the rig's left
wheel, wrenching it off and carrying it along as the car skidded
obliquely to the other lane, where it collided with the oncoming
vehicle.
- The Caedos were injured. They filed a suit for recovery of damages
against Bernardo and Yu Khe Thai. The CFI ruled in favor of the
Caedos and held Bernardo and Yu solidarily liable.
ISSUES
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HELD
No.
- Bernardo had no record of any traffic violation. No negligence of
having employed him maybe imputed to his master.
- Negligence on the employers part, if any, must be sought in the
immediate setting,, that is, in his failure to detain the driver from
pursuing a course which not only gave him clear notice of the danger
but also sufficient time to act upon it.
- No negligence can be imputed. The car was running at a
reasonable speed. The road was wide and open. There was no
reason for Yu to be specially alert. He had reason to rely on the skill
of his driver. The time element was such that there was no
reasonable opportunity for Yu Khe Thai to assess the risks involved
and warn the driver accordingly.
- The law does not require that a person must possess a certain
measure of skill or proficiency either in the mechanics of driving or in
the observance of traffic rules before he may own a motor vehicle.
The test of his intelligence, within the meaning of Article 2184, is his
omission to do that which the evidence of his own senses tells him
he should do in order to avoid the accident. And as far as perception
is concerned, absent a minimum level imposed by law, a maneuver
that appears to be fraught with danger to one passenger may appear
to be entirely safe and commonplace to another
DISPOSITIVE
Decision modified. Yu Khe Thai is free from liability
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- 64 -
sat on his left side. They have not gone far when the jeep turned turtle and
two of its passengers, Amado Ticzon and Isidoro Caperia, died as a
consequence. It further appears that Delfin Capuno, father of Dante, was not
with his son at the time of the accident, nor did he know that his son was
going to attend a parade. He only came to know it when his son told him after
the accident that he attended the parade upon instruction of his teacher.
RULING
YES.12
FACTS
Dante Capuno, son of Delfin Capuno, was accused of double homicide
through reckless imprudence for the death of Isidoro Caperia and Amado
Ticzon on March 31, 1949 in the Court of First Instance of Laguna. During the
trial, Sabina Exconde, as mother of the deceased Isidoro Caperia, reserved
her right to bring a separate civil action for damages against the accused.
After trial, Dante Capuno was found guilty of the crime charged and, on
appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision. Dante Capuno was only
fifteen (15) years old when he committed the crime.
In line with her reservation, Sabina Exconde filed the present action against
Delfin Capuno and his son Dante Capuno asking for damages in the
aggregate amount of P2,959.00 for the death of her son Isidoro Caperia.
Defendants set up the defense that if any one should be held liable for the
death of Isidoro Caperia, he is Dante Capuno and not his father Delfin
because at the time of the accident, the former was not under the control,
supervision and custody of the latter. This defense was sustained by the
lower court and, as a consequence, it only convicted Dante Capuno to pay
the damages claimed in the complaint. From this decision, plaintiff appealed
to the Court of Appeals but the case was certified to the Supreme Court on
the ground that the appeal only involves questions of law.
It appears that Dante Capuno was a member of the Boy Scouts Organization
and a student of the Balintawak Elementary School situated in a barrio in the
City of San Pablo and on March 31, 1949 he attended a parade in honor of
Dr. Jose Rizal in said city upon instruction of the city school's supervisor.
From the school Dante, with other students, boarded a jeep and when the
same started to run, he took hold of the wheel and drove it while the driver
Plaintiff contends that defendant Delfin Capuno is liable for the damages in
question jointly and severally with his son Dante because at the time the
latter committed the negligent act which resulted in the death of the victim, he
was a minor and was then living with his father, and inasmuch as these facts
are not disputed, the civil liability of the father is evident. And so, plaintiff
contends, the lower court erred in relieving the father from liability.
ISSUE
Whether defendant Delfin Capuno can be held civilly liable, jointly and
severally with his son Dante, for damages resulting from the death of Isidoro
Caperia caused by the negligent act of minor Dante Capuno.
RATIO
Parents shall be liable for the tortious conduct of their minor children living
with them although at the time of the tort, the children were under the direct
control or supervision of an academic institution. (THIS IS A LANDMARK
DOCTRINE, WHICH WAS LATER MODIFIED BY J CRUZ IN AMADORA VS.
COURT OF APPEALS)
REASONING
The provision Teachers or directors of arts and trades are liable for any
damages caused by their pupils or apprentices while they are under
their custody", only applies to an institution of arts and trades and not to any
academic educational institution.
Dante Capuno was then a student of the Balintawak Elementary School and
as part of his extra-curricular activity, he attended the parade in honor of Dr.
Jose Rizal upon instruction of the city school's supervisor. And it was in
connection with that parade that Dante boarded a jeep with some
companions and while driving it, the accident occurred. In the circumstances,
it is clear that neither the head of that school, nor the city school's supervisor,
could be held liable for the negligent act of Dante because he was not then a
student of an institution of arts and trades as provided for by law.
The case involves an interpretation of Article 1903 of the Spanish Civil Code, paragraph 1 and 5,
(schools liability versus parental liability) which provides:
"ART. 1903. The obligation imposed by the next preceding articles is enforceable not only for personal
acts and omissions, but also for those of persons for whom another is responsible.
12
The father, and, in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, are liable for any damages caused by
the minor children who live with them.
xxx
xxx
xxx
Finally, teachers or directors of arts and trades are liable for any damages caused by their pupils or
apprentices while they are under their custody."
SALEN V. BALCE
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FUELLAS V. CADANO
Nature: Appeal from the Decision of the Trial Court making defendant
therein, now appellant Agapito Fuellas, the father of the minor who caused
the injuries to Pepito Cadano, also a minor, liable under Art. 2180 of the new
Civil Code for damages.
Facts: Pepito Cadano and Rico Fuellas, son of defendant-appellant Agapito
Fuellas, were both 13 years old, on September 16, 1954. They were
classmates at St. Mary's High School, Dansalan City. They had a quarrel that
lead to Pepitos injury, his right arm was broken after Rico pushed him on the
ground.
It is contended that in the decision of the Court of Appeals, the
petitioner-appellant was ordered to pay damages for the deliberate injury
caused by his son; that the said court held the petitioner liable pursuant to
par. 2 of Art. 2180 of the Civil Code, in connection with Art. 2176 of the same
Code; that according to the last article, the act of the minor must be one
wherein "fault or negligence" is present; and that there being no fault or
negligence on the part of petitioner-appellant's minor son, but deliberate
intent, the above mentioned articles are not applicable, for the existence of
deliberate intent in the commission of an act negatives the presence of fault
or negligence in its commission. Appellant, therefore, submits that the
appellate Court erred in holding him liable for damages for the deliberate
criminal act of his minor son.
Issue: WON the father is liable civilly for the criminal act of his son?
Held: Yes. In an earlier case (Exconde vs. Capuno, et al., G.R. No. L-10132,
prom. June 29, 1957), holding the defendants jointly and severally liable with
his minor son Dante for damages, arising from the criminal act committed by
the latter, this tribunal gave the following reasons for the rule:
The civil liability which the law imposes upon the father and,
in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, for any
damages that may be caused by the minor children who live
with them, is obvious. This is a necessary consequence of
the parental authority they exercise over them which
imposes upon the parents the "duty of supporting them,
keeping them in their company, educating them in
proportion to their means", while on the other hand, gives
them the "right to correct and punish them in moderation"
(Arts. 134 and 135, Spanish Civil Code). The only way by
which they can relieve themselves of this liability is if they
prove that they exercised all the diligence of a good father of
a family to prevent the damage (Art. 1903, last paragraph,
Spanish Civil Code). This, defendants failed to prove.
In another case, Salen and Salbanera vs. Jose Balce, the defendant Balce
was the father of a minor Gumersindo Balce, below 18 years of age who was
living with him. Gumersindo was found guilty of homicide for having killed
Carlos Salen, minor son of plaintiffs. The trial court rendered judgment
dismissing the case, stating that the civil liability of the minor son of defendant
arising from his criminal liability must be determined under the provisions of
the Revised Penal Code and not under Art. 2180 of the new Civil Code. In
reversing the decision, this tribunal held:
It is true that under Art. 101 of the Revised Penal Code, a father
is made civilly liable for the acts committed by his son only if the
latter is an imbecile, an insane, under 9 years of age, or over 9
but under 15 years of age, who acts without discernment, unless
prof. casis
it appears that there is no fault or negligence on his part. This is
because a son who commits the act under any of those
conditions is by law exempt from criminal liability (Article 12,
subdivisions 1, 2 and 3, Revised Penal Code). The idea is not to
leave the act entirely unpunished but to attach certain civil
liability to the person who has the delinquent minor under his
legal authority or control. But a minor over 15 who acts with
discernment is not exempt from criminal liability, for which reason
the Code is silent as to the subsidiary liability of his parents
should he stand convicted. In that case, resort should be had to
the general law which is our Civil Code.
The particular law that governs this case is Article 2180, the
pertinent portion of which provides: "The father and, in case
of his death or incapacity, the mother, are responsible for
damages caused by the minor children who live in their
company." To hold that this provision does not apply to the
instant case because it only covers obligations which arise
from quasi-delicts and not obligations which arise from
criminal offenses, would result in the absurdity that while for
an act where mere negligence intervenes the father or
mother may stand subsidiarily liable for the damage caused
by his or her son, no liability would attach if the damage is
caused with criminal intent. Verily, the void apparently
exists in the Revised Penal Code is subserved by this
particular provision of our Civil Code, as may be gleaned
from some recent decisions of this Court which cover equal
or identical cases.
Moreover, the case at bar was decided by the Court of Appeals on the basis
of the evidence submitted therein by both parties, independently of the
criminal case. And responsibility for fault or negligence under Article 2176
upon which the action in the present case was instituted, is entirely separate
and distinct from the civil liability arising from fault of negligence under the
Penal Code (Art. 2177), and having in mind the reasons behind the law as
heretofore stated, any discussion as to the minor's criminal responsibility is of
no moment.
IN VIEW HEREOF, the petition is dismissed, the decision appealed from is
affirmed
GUTIERREZ VS GUTIERREZ
MALCOLM; September 23, 1931
Nature:
an action brought by the plaintiff in the Court of First Instance of Manila
against the five defendants, to recover damages in the amount of P10,000,
for physical injuries suffered as a result of an automobile accident.
Facts:
A passenger truck and an automobile of private ownership collided while
attempting to pass each other on the Talon bridge on the Manila South Road
in the municipality of Las Pias, Province of Rizal. The truck was driven by
the chauffeur Abelardo Velasco, and was owned by Saturnino Cortez. The
automobile was being operated by Bonifacio Gutierrez, a lad 18 years of age,
and was owned by Bonifacio's father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Manuel
Gutierrez. At the time of the collision, the father was not in the car, but the
1.
2.
Disposition
In consonance with the foregoing rulings, the judgment appealed from will be
modified, and the plaintiff will have judgment in his favor against the
defendants Manuel Gutierrez, Abelardo Velasco, and Saturnino Cortez,
jointly and severally, for the sum of P5,000, and the costs of both instances.
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prof. casis
larger than foot-pedaled four wheeled conveyances. It was error on the part
of the CA to have disturbed the determination of the RTC which it had
previously affirmed.
Also, it was an error to increase the expenses without increasing the gross
income. It stands to reason that if his annual personal expenses should
increase because of the escalating price of gas which is a key expenditure in
Roberto R. Luna's social standing [a statement which lacks complete basis],
it would not be unreasonable to suppose that his income would also increase
considering the manifold sources thereof
2. YES
Ratio: The attorney's fees were awarded in the concept of damages in a
quasi-delict case and under the circumstances, interest as part thereof may
be adjudicated at the discretion of the court.
(The attys fees should accrue interest from the date of filing of the
compliant.)
Obiter:
The Dela Rosas invoke the ruling in Elcano v Hilll, where the court held that
A2180 applied to Atty. Hill nothwithstanding the emancipation by marriage of
his son, but since the son had attained majority, as a matter of equity, the
liability of Atty. Hill became merely subsidiarily to that of his son. The Dela
Rosas now invoke that the father should also be held only subsidiarily.
To this contention, the court is unwilling to apply equity instead of strict law
because to do so will not serve the ends of justice. Luis is abroad and beyond
the reach of Philippine Courts. Also, he has no property in the Phils or
elsewhere.
Disposition: resolution of CA SET ASIDE, reinstating the earlier decision
with slight modification regarding the award of attys fees.
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prof. casis
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Reasoning- The act of Adelberto gave rise to a cause of action on quasi-delict against
him under Article 2176. However, because of his minority, the provision of
Article 2180 would be applicable. Article 2180 reads the obligation imposed
by Article 2176 is demandable not only for ones own acts or omissions, but
also for those of persons for whom one is responsible The father and,
incase of his death or incapacity, the mother are responsible for the damages
caused by the children who live in their company The responsibility treated
of in this Article shall cease when the person herein mentioned prove that
they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent
damage.
- The principle of parental liability is designated as vicarious liability or the
doctrine of imputed liability under the Anglo-American tort law. Thus, under
this doctrine, a person is not only liable for torts committed by him also torts
committed by others with whom he has a certain relationship and for whom
he is responsibility. Thus parental liability is made a natural or logical
consequence of the duties and responsibilities of the parents which include
the instructing, controlling, and disciplining of the child. The presumption
under law is that when a child under their care commits a tortuous act the
parents were negligent in the performance of these duties and
responsibilities. As stated, sufficient proof can be presented to overcome this
presumption.
Disposition
Petition granted. Decision set aside.
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at them. Daffon made a remark to the effect that Palisoc was acting like a
foreman. Because of this remark Palisoc slapped slightly Daffon on the face.
Daffon, in retaliation, gave Palisoc a strong flat blow on the face, which was
followed by other fist blows on the stomach. Palisoc retreated apparently to
avoid the fist blows, but Daffon followed him and both exchanged blows until
Palisoc stumbled on an engine block which caused him to fall face
downward. Palisoc became pale and fainted. First aid was administered to
him but he was not revived, so he was immediately taken to a hospital. He
never regained consciousness; finally he died.
- Defendants were: Antonio C. Brillantes, at the time when the incident
occurred was a member of the Board of Directors of the institute; Teodosio
Valenton, the president thereof; Santiago M. Quibulue, instructor of the class
to which the deceased belonged; and Virgilio L. Daffon, a fellow student of
the deceased.
- At the beginning the Manila Technical Institute was a single proprietorship,
but lately, it was duly incorporated.
- the trial court found defendant Daffon liable for the quasi delict under Article
2176 of the Civil Code.
- The trial court, however, absolved from liability the three other defendantsofficials of the Manila Technical Institute, in this wise:
In the opinion of the Court, this article(art.2180) of the Code is not applicable
to the case at bar, since this contemplates the situation where the control or
influence of the teachers and heads of school establishments over the
conduct and actions by the pupil supersedes those of the parents...The
clause "so long as they remain in their custody" contemplated a situation
where the pupil lives and boards with the teacher, such that the control or
influence on the pupil supersedes those of the parents...There is no evidence
that the accused Daffon lived and boarded with his teacher or the other
defendant officials of the school.
ISSUE
WON the school officials are jointly and severally liable as tortfeasors with
Daffon.
HELD
a. YES (head and teacher of the Manila Technical Institute, Valenton and
Quibulue, respectively)
Ratio The rationale of such liability of school heads and teachers for the
tortious acts of their pupils and students, so long as they remain in their
custody, is that they stand, to a certain extent, as to their pupils and students,
in loco parentis and are called upon to "exercise reasonable supervision over
the conduct of the child." In the law of torts, the governing principle is that the
protective custody of the school heads and teachers is mandatorily
substituted for that of the parents, and hence, it becomes their obligation as
well as that of the school itself to provide proper supervision of the students'
activities during the whole time that they are at attendance in the school,
including recess time, as well as to take the necessary precautions to protect
the students in their custody from dangers and hazards that would
reasonably be anticipated, including injuries that some student themselves
may inflict willfully or through negligence on their fellow students.
Reasoning
- The lower court based its legal conclusion expressly on the Court's dictum
in Mercado vs. Court of Appeals, that "(I)t would seem that the clause "so
long as they remain in their custody," contemplates a situation where the
pupil lives and boards with the teacher, such that the control, direction and
influence. It is true that under the law abovequoted, teachers or directors of
prof. casis
arts and trades are liable for any damage caused by their pupils or
apprentices while they are under their custody, but this provision only applies
to an institution of arts and trades and not to any academic educational
institution"
- phrase used in the cited article "so long as (the students) remain in their
custody" means the protective and supervisory custody that the school and
its heads and teachers exercise over the pupils and students for as long as
they are at attendance in the school, including recess time. There is nothing
in the law that requires that for such liability to attach the pupil or student who
commits the tortious act must live and board in the school, as erroneously
held by the lower court, and the dicta in Mercado on which it relied, must now
be deemed to have been set aside by the present decision.
- At any rate, the law holds them liable unless they relieve themselves of such
liability, in compliance with the last paragraph of Article 2180, Civil Code, by
"(proving) that they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to
prevent damage." In the light of the factual findings of the lower court's
decision, said defendants failed to prove such exemption from liability.
b. NO (Brillantes as a mere member of the school's board of directors and the
school) itself cannot be held similarly liable, since it has not been properly
impleaded as party defendant
- the school had been incorporated since and therefore the school itself, as
thus incorporated, should have been brought in as party defendant.
DISPOSITION
The judgment appealed from is modified so as to provide as follows: .
1. Sentencing the Daffon, Valenton and Quibulue jointly and severally to pay
plaintiffs as heirs of the deceased Dominador Palisoc (a) P12,000.00 for the
death of Dominador Palisoc; (b) P3,375.00 for actual and compensatory
expenses; (c) P5,000.00 for moral, damages; (d) P10,000.00 for loss of
earning power and (e) P2,000.00 for attorney's fee, plus the costs of this
action in both instances; 2. absolving defendant Antonio C. Brillantes from the
complaint; and 3. dismissing defendants' counterclaims. .
REYES, J.B.L., J., concurring:
-I would like to clarify that the argument of the dissenting opinion of the effect
that the responsibility of teachers and school officers under Articles 2180
should be limited to pupils who are minors is not in accord with the plain text
of the law.
- Examination of the article shows that where the responsibility prescribed
therein is limited to illegal acts during minority, the article expressly so
provides, as in the case of the parents and of the guardians. It is natural to
expect that if the law had intended to similarly restrict the civil responsibility of
the other categories of persons enumerated in the article, it would have
expressly so stated. The fact that it has not done so indicates an intent that
the liability be not restricted to the case of persons under age. Further, it is
not without significance that
- finally, that while in the case of parents and guardians, their authority and
supervision over the children and wards end by law upon the latter reaching
majority age, the authority and custodial supervision over pupils exist
regardless of the age of the latter.
MAKALINTAL, J., dissenting:
- I see no reason to depart from the doctrine laid down by this Court in
Mercado v. Court of Appeals. I think it is highly unrealistic and conducive to
unjust results, considering the size of the enrollment in many of our
educational institutions, academic and non-academic, as well as the temper,
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attitudes and often destructive activism of the students, to hold their teachers
and/or the administrative heads of the schools directly liable for torts
committed by them.
- It would demand responsibility without commensurate authority, rendering
teachers and school heads open to damage suits for causes beyond their
power to control.
- one other factor constrains me to dissent. The opinion of the majority states:
"Here, the parents of the student at fault, defendant Daffon, are not involved,
since Daffon was already of age at the time of the tragic incident." Note that
for parental responsibility to arise the children must be minors who live in
their company...it stands to reason that (1) the clause "so long as they remain
in their custody" as used in reference to teachers and school heads should be
equated with the phrase "who live in their company" as used in reference to
parents; and (2) that just as parents are not responsible for damages caused
by their children who are no longer minors, so should teachers and school
heads be exempt from liability for the tortious acts of their students in the
same age category.
AMADORA VS CA
RECOLLETOS)
160 SCRA 315
CRUZ; April 15, 1988
(COLLEGIO
DE
SAN
JOSE-
Facts:
It was summer of 1972 Alfredo Amadora about to graduate at the Colegio de
San Jose-Recoletes. Alfredo went to the school to submit his Report in
Physic. While they were in the auditorium of their school, hewas shot to
death by his classmate Pablito Daffon.
ISSUE:
WON Art 2180 is applicable.
Held:
Yes. Art 2180 NCC applies to all schools, academic or non-academic.
Teachers are liable for acts of their student except where the school is
technical in nature (arts and trade establishment) in which case the head
thereof shall be answerable.
There is really no substantial difference distinction between the academic
and non-academic schools in so far as torts committed by their students are
concerned. The same vigilance is expected from the teacher over the student
under their control and supervision, whatever the nature of the school where
he is teaching. x x x x The distinction no longer obtains at present. x x x
The student is in the custody of the school authorities as long as he is under
the control and influence of the school and within its premises, whether the
semester has not ended, or has ended or has not yet begun. The term
custody signifies that the student is within the control and influence of the
school authorities. The teacher in charge is the one designated by the dean,
principal, or other administrative superior to exercise supervision over the
pupils or students in the specific classes or sections to which they are
assigned. It is not necessary that at the time of the injury, the teacher is
physically present and in a position to prevent it.
prof. casis
- 69 -
Thus, for injuries caused by the student, the teacher and not the parent shall
be held responsible if the tort was committed within the premises of the
school at any time when its authority could be validly exercised over him.
In any event, the school may be held to answer for the acts of its teacher or
the head thereof under the general principle of respondent superior, but it
may exculpate itself from liability by proof that it had exercised the diligence
of a bonus paterfamilias. Such defense they had taken necessary
precautions to prevent the injury complained of and thus be exonerated from
liability imposed by Art 2180.
Basis of teachers vicarious liability is, as such, they acting in Loco Parentis
(in place of parents). However teachers are not expected to have the same
measure of responsibility as that imposed on parent for their influence over
the child is not equal in degree. x x x The parent can instill more lasting
discipline more lasting disciple on the child than the teacher and so should be
held to a greater accountability than the teacher or the head for the tort
committed by the child.
As the teacher was not shown to have been negligent nor the school remised
in the discharged of their duties, they were exonerated of liability.
(Note the court view on increasing students activism likely causing violence
resulting to injuries, in or out of the school premises J. Guttierez, Jr
concurringly said many student x x x view some teachers as part of the
bourgeois and or reactionary group whose advice on behavior deportment
and other non-academic matters is not only resented but actively rejected. It
seems most unfair to hold teacher liable on a presumption juris tantum of
negligence for acts of students even under circumstances where strictly
speaking there could be no in loco parentis relationship.
The provision of Art 2180 NCC involved in this case has outlived its purpose.
The court cannot make law, it can only apply the law with its imperfections.
However the court can suggest that such a law should be amended or
repealed.
civil liability in this case arose from a crime, which they did not commit. Since
it was a civil case, respondent school claims that a demand should have
been made by the plaintiff rendering it premature to bring an action for
damages against respondent school. MTD was granted by the CA.
- Petitioner mover to reconsider the Order of Dismissal. Motion was denied
due to insufficient justification to disturb ruling.
ISSUE
WON the Art 2180 CC13 applies to academic institutions
HELD
It is unnecessary to answer the issue. What the petitioner wants to know is
WON the school or the university itself is liable. The answer is no since the
provision speaks of teachers or heads
Dispositive
WHEREFORE, this Petition is DISMISSED for lack of merit.
YLARDE
vs.
GANCAYCO; 1988 July 29
AQUINO
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari
FACTS
Private respondent Mariano Soriano was the principal of the Gabaldon
Primary School and private respondent Edgardo Aquino was a teacher
therein. At that time, the school was littered with several concrete blocks
which were remnants of the old school shop that was destroyed in World War
II. Realizing that the huge stones were serious hazards to the schoolchildren,
another teacher by the name of Sergio Banez stated burying them all by
himself.
Deciding to help his colleague, private respondent Edgardo Aquino gathered
eighteen of his male pupils, aged ten to eleven. Being their teacher-in-charge,
he ordered them to dig beside a one-ton concrete block in order to make a
hole wherein the stone can be buried. The work was left unfinished. The
following day, also after classes, private respondent Aquino called four of the
original eighteen pupils to continue the digging. These four pupils ---Reynaldo Alonso, Fransico Alcantara, Ismael Abaga and Novelito Ylarde, dug
until the excavation was one meter and forty centimeters deep. At this point,
private respondent Aquino alone continued digging while the pupils remained
inside the pit throwing out the loose soil that was brought about by the
digging.
When the depth was right enough to accommodate the concrete block,
private respondent Aquino and his four pupils got out of the hole. Then, said
private respondent left the children to level the loose soil around the open
hole while he went to see Banez who was about thirty meters away. Private
respondent wanted to borrow from Banez the key to the school workroom
where he could get some rope. Before leaving, private respondent Aquino
allegedly told the children "not to touch the stone."
"Lastly, teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades shall be liable for damages caused by
their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they remain in their custody."
13
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A few minutes after private respondent Aquino left, three of the four kids,
Alonso, Alcantara and Ylarde, playfully jumped into the pit. Then, without any
warning at all, the remaining Abaga jumped on top of the concrete block
causing it to slide down towards the opening. Alonso and Alcantara were able
to scramble out of the excavation on time but unfortunately for Ylarde, the
concrete block caught him before he could get out, pinning him to the wall in
a standing position. As a result thereof, Ylarde sustained injuries and died
three (3) days later.
Ylarde's parents, petitioners in this case, filed a suit for damages against both
private respondents Aquino and Soriano. The lower court dismissed the
complaint on the following grounds: (1) that the digging done by the pupils is
in line with their course called Work Education; (2) that Aquino exercised the
utmost diligence of a very cautious person; and (3) that the demise of Ylarde
was due to his own reckless imprudence.
ISSUE
WON whether or not under Article 2176 and Article 2180 of the Civil Code,
both private respondents can be held liable for damages.
Article 2176 of the Civil Code provides:
"Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there
being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or
negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties,
is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter."
On the other hand, the applicable provision of Article 2180 states:
"Art. 2180. . . .
xxx
xxx
xxx
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(1) failed to avail himself of services of adult manual laborers and instead
utilized his pupils aged ten to eleven to make an excavation near the one-ton
concrete stone which he knew to be a very hazardous task;
(2) required the children to remain inside the pit even after they had finished
digging, knowing that the huge block was lying nearby and could be easily
pushed or kicked aside by any pupil who by chance may go to the perilous
area;
(3) ordered them to level the soil around the excavation when it was so
apparent that the huge stone was at the brink of falling;
(4) went to a place where he would not be able to check on the children's
safety; and (5) left the children close to the excavation, an obviously attractive
nuisance.
(6) In ruling that the child Ylarde was imprudent, it is evident that the lower
court did not consider his age and maturity. This should not be the case. The
degree of care required to be exercised must vary with the capacity of the
person endangered to care for himself. A minor should not be held to the
same degree of care as an adult, but his conduct should be judged according
to the average conduct of persons of his age and experience. The standard
of conduct to which a child must conform for his own protection is that degree
of care ordinarily exercised by children of the same age, capacity, discretion,
knowledge and experience under the same or similar circumstances.
Bearing this in mind, We cannot charge the child Ylarde with reckless
imprudence.
DISPOSITION
Granted.
prof. casis
HELD
NO. Jimmy B. Abon cannot be considered to have been "at attendance in the
school," or in the custody of BCF, when he shot Napoleon Castro. Logically,
therefore, petitioners cannot under Art. 2180 of the Civil Code be held
solidarity liable with Jimmy B. Abon for damages resulting from his acts.
Ratio:
Under the penultimate paragraph of Art. 2180 of the Civil Code, teachers or
heads of establishments of arts and trades are hable for "damages caused by
their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they remain in their
custody." The rationale of such liability is that so long as the student remains
in the custody of a teacher, the latter "stands, to a certain extent, in loco
parentis [as to the student] and [is] called upon to exercise reasonable
supervision over the conduct of the [student]." Likewise, "the phrase used in
[Art. 2180 'so long as (the students) remain in their custody means the
protective and supervisory custody that the school and its heads and
teachers exercise over the pupils and students for as long as they are at
attendance in the school, including recess time."
Reasoning:
a. The SC hold a contrary view to that espoused by the CA. According to the
CA, while it is true that Abon was not attending any class or school function at
the time of the shooting incident, which was at about 8 o'clock in the evening;
but considering that Abon was employed as an armorer and property
custodian of the BCF ROTC unit, he must have been attending night classes
and therefore that hour in the evening was just about dismissal time for him
or soon thereafter. The time interval is safely within the "recess time" that the
trial court spoke of and envisioned by the Palisoc case, supra. In line with the
case of Palisoc, 17 a student not "at attendance in the school" cannot be in
"recess" thereat. A "recess," as the concept is embraced in the phrase "at
attendance in the school," contemplates a situation of temporary adjournment
of school activities where the student still remains within call of his mentor
and is not permitted to leave the school premises, or the area within which
the school activity is conducted. Recess by its nature does not include
dismissal. Likewise, the mere fact of being enrolled or being in the premises
of a school without more does not constitute "attending school" or being in
the "protective and supervisory custody' of the school, as contemplated in the
law.
b. Jimmy B. Abon was supposed to be working in the armory with definite
instructions from his superior, the ROTC Commandant, when he shot
Napoleon Castro.
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(3) Since petitioners were able to prove that they had exercised the diligence
required of them, no moral or exemplary damages under Art. 2177 may be
awarded in favor of respondent spouses.
PREMISES CONSIDERED, the questioned decision is SET ASIDE
PSBA v CA (BENITEZ/BAUTISTA)
205 SCRA 729
Padilla, J.: Feb. 4, 1992
FACTS
-Carlitos Bautista, enrolled in the 3rd year commerce course of PSBA, was
stabbed and killed while on campus by assailants who were from outside the
schools academic community. This prompted his parents to file suit with the
RTC of Manila w/ Judge Ordonez-Benitez presiding for damages against
PSBA and its corporate officers, alleging negligence, recklessness and lack
of security precautions, means and methods before, during and after the
attack of the victim.
-PSBA sought to dismiss the case, alleging that since they were presumably
sued under Art 2180, there was no cause of action since academic
institutions are not subject to the said provision.
-A motion to dismiss and a subsequent MFR were denied by the TC, yielding
the same results upon appeal with the CA. Hence this petition.
ISSUES
(1) WON PSBA may be held liable under articles 2176 and 2180
HELD
(1) NO. Because the circumstances of the present case evince a contractual
relation between the parties, the rules on quasi-delict do not really govern;
but the court has repeatedly held that the liability for a tort may still exist even
when there is a contract.
-Quoting Cangco v Manila Railroad: the mere fact that a person is bound
to another by contract does not relieve him from extra-contractual liability to
such person. When such a contractual relation exists the obligor may break
the contract under such conditions that the same act which constitutes a
breach of the contract would have constituted the source of an extracontractual obligation had no contract existed between the parties
-Using the test in Cangco, a contractual relation is a condition sine qua non to
PSBAs liability; hence, any finding of negligence would generally give rise to
a breach of contractual obligation only.
-When an academic institution accepts a student for enrollment, a contract is
established between them, resulting in a bilateral obligation. The school is
obliged to provide the student with an education, along with a safe
atmosphere that promotes the undertaking of imparting knowledge. In turn,
the student abides by the schools academic requirements and observes its
rules and regulations. However, a school cannot be an insurer for its students
against all risks; one can only expect it to employ the degree of diligence
required by the nature of the obligation and corresponding to the
circumstances of persons, time and place.
- In the case at bar a finding is yet to be made as to whether the contract was
breached due to PSBAs negligence in providing proper security measures.
At this stage, the proceedings have yet to commence on the substance of the
private respondents complaint and the record is bereft of all material facts
which only the TC can determine.
prof. casis
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Court of origin is hereby
ordered to continue proceedings consistent with this ruling of the
Court. Costs against the petitioners.
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prof. casis
Carpitanos sued the school, James Daniel II, his parents, and Vivencio
Villanueva.
-TC: absolved Villanueva and James Daniel II, held parents and school liable
-CA: school liable under A218 and 219, FC, finding that school was negligent
in letting a minor drive the vehicle without a teacher accompanying them.
ISSUE (regarding liability of St. Marys Academy)
WON St. Marys Academy should be held liable for death of Sherwin
Carpitanos, and therefore, liable for damages
HELD
NO. The negligence of petitioner St. Marys Academy was only a remote
cause of the accident. Between the remote cause and the injury, there
intervened the negligence of the minors parents or the detachment of the
steering wheel guide of the jeep.
Ratio. For the school to be liable, it must be shown that the injury for which
recovery is sought must be the legitimate consequence of the wrong done;
the connection between the negligence and the injury must be a direct and
natural sequence of events, unbroken by intervening efficient causes.
Reasoning. The Carpitanos failed to prove that the negligence of the school
was the proximate cause of the death of the victim.
-The cause of the accident was not the recklessness of James Daniel II but
the mechanical defect in the jeep of Vivencio Villanueva.
-Respondents did not present any evidence to show that the proximate cause
of the accident was the negligence of the school authorities, or the reckless
driving of James Daniel II so reliance on A219 is unfounded.
-There was no evidence that petitioner school allowed the minor James
Daniel II to drive the jeep of respondent Vivencio Villanueva. It was Ched
Villanueva was in possession and in control of the jeep, and was in fact the
one who allowed James Daniel II to drive the jeep.
-Liability for the accident, whether caused by the negligence of the minor
driver or mechanical detachment of the steering wheel guide of the jeep,
must be pinned on the minors parents primarily. The negligence of petitioner
St. Marys Academy was only a remote cause of the accident. Between the
remote cause and the injury, there intervened the negligence of the minors
parents or the detachment of the steering wheel guide of the
jeep.Considering that the negligence of the minor driver or the detachment of
the steering wheel guide of the jeep owned by respondent Villanueva was an
event over which petitioner St. Marys Academy had no control, and which
was the proximate cause of the accident, petitioner may not be held liable for
the death resulting from such accident.
- It is not the school, but the registered owner of the vehicle who shall be held
responsible for damages for the death of Sherwin Carpitanos.
Disposition. WHEREFORE, the Court REVERSES and SETS ASIDE the
decision of the Court of Appeals[18] and that of the trial court.[19] The Court
remands the case to the trial court for determination of the liability of
defendants, excluding petitioner St. Marys Academy, Dipolog City. No costs.
SO ORDERED.
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-Civil Case No. 373 was an action against herein petitioners for damages
instituted by the heirs of Ramon A. Acuesta
-Private respondents alleged that the petitioners were guilty of gross
negligence, recklessness, violation of traffic rules and regulations,
abandonment of victim, and attempt to escape from a crime
Private Respondents Version
-In the early morning of March 24, 1990, about 6:00 oclock, the victim
Ramon A. Acuesta was riding in his easy rider bicycle along the Gomez
Street
-On the Magsaysay Blvd., defendant Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc.
(Philtranco for brevity) Bus No. 4025 driven by defendant Manilhig was being
pushed by some persons in order to start its engine.
-The Magsaysay Blvd. runs perpendicular to Gomez St. and the said
Philtranco bus 4025 was heading in the general direction of the said Gomez
Street.
-As the bus was pushed, its engine started thereby the bus continued on its
running motion and it occurred at the time when Ramon A. Acuesta who was
still riding on his bicycle was directly in front of the said bus.
-As the engine of the Philtranco bus started abruptly and suddenly, its
running motion was also enhanced by the said functioning engine, thereby
the subject bus bumped on the victim Ramon A. Acuesta who, as a result
thereof fell and, thereafter, was run over by the said bus.
Petitioners Version
-Manilhig, in preparation for his trip back to Pasay City, warmed up the
engine of the bus and made a few rounds within the city proper of Calbayog.
-While the bus was slowly and moderately cruising along Gomez Street, the
victim, who was biking towards the same direction as the bus, suddenly
overtook two tricycles and swerved left to the center of the road.
-The swerving was abrupt and so sudden that even as Manilhig applied the
brakes and blew the bus horn, the victim was bumped from behind and run
over by the bus.
-Petitioners alleged that Philtranco exercised the diligence of a good father of
a family in the selection and supervision of its employees, including petitioner
Manilhig who had excellent record as a driver and had undergone months of
rigid training before he was hired.
-Petitioners further claimed that it was the negligence of the victim in
overtaking two tricycles, without taking precautions such as seeing first that
the road was clear, which caused the death of the victim
**Trial Court ruled in favor of private respondents
-Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the trial court, and denied MFR
-Hence, this appeal
ISSUE
WON petitioner Philtranco is solidarily liable with Manilhig for damages
HELD
Yes.
-Civil Case No. 373 is an action for damages based on quasi-delict under
Article 217614 and 218015 of the Civil Code against petitioner Manilhig and his
employer, petitioner Philtranco, respectively.
NATURE
Appeal by certiorari from a decision of the CA
FACTS
14Art.
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2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is
obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual
relation between the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter
-We have consistently held that the liability of the registered owner of a
public service vehicle, like petitioner Philtranco, for damages arising
from the tortious acts of the driver is primary, direct, and joint and
several or solidary with the driver. As to solidarity, Article 2194
expressly provides: the responsibility of two or more persons who are
liable for a quasi-delict is solidary.
-Since the employer's liability is primary, direct and solidary, its only recourse
if the judgment for damages is satisfied by it is to recover what it has paid
from its employee who committed the fault or negligence which gave rise to
the action based on quasi-delict. Article 2181 of the Civil Code provides:
Whoever pays for the damage caused by his dependents or employees may
recover from the latter what he has paid or delivered in satisfaction of the
claim.
Disposition
Appealed decision is affirmed. (with regard to this issue)
CASTILEX V. VASQUEZ
Dec. 21, 1999. Davide
Facts: At around 1:30 to 2:00 in the morning, Romeo So Vasquez, was
driving a Honda motorcycle around Fuente Osmea Rotunda. He was
traveling counter-clockwise, (the normal flow of traffic in a rotunda) but
without any protective helmet or goggles. He was also only carrying a
Student's Permit to Drive at the time. Upon the other hand, Benjamin Abad
[was a] manager of Appellant Castilex Industrial Corporation, registered
owner [of] a Toyota Hi-Lux Pick-up with plate no. GBW-794. On the same
date and time, Abad drove the said company car out of a parking lot but
instead of going around the Osmea rotunda he made a short cut against
[the] flow of the traffic in proceeding to his route to General Maxilom St. or to
Belvic St.
In the process, the motorcycle of Vasquez and the pick-up of
Abad collided with each other causing severe injuries to the former. Abad
stopped his vehicle and brought Vasquez to the Southern Islands Hospital
and later to the Cebu Doctor's Hospital. Vasquez died at the Cebu Doctor's
Hospital. It was there that Abad signed an acknowledgment of Responsible
Party (Exhibit K) wherein he agreed to pay whatever hospital bills,
professional fees and other incidental charges Vasquez may incur.
After the police authorities had conducted the investigation of the
accident, a Criminal Case was filed against Abad but which was
subsequently dismissed for failure to prosecute. So, the present action for
damages was commenced by Vicente Vasquez, Jr. and Luisa So Vasquez,
parents of the deceased Romeo So Vasquez, against Jose Benjamin Abad
15Art.
2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for one's own acts or
omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible.
xxxxxxxxx
The owners and managers of an establishment or enterprise are likewise responsible for damages
caused by their employees in the service of the branches in which the latter are employed or on the
occasion of their functions.
xxxxxxxxx
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting
within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or
industry.
xxxxxxxxx
The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease when the persons herein mentioned prove that
they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage
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prof. casis
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the employee has left the direct route to his work or back home and is
pursuing a personal errand of his own.
III.
Use of Employer's Vehicle Outside Regular Working
Hours
An employer who loans his motor vehicle to an employee for the
latter's personal use outside of regular working hours is generally not liable
for the employee's negligent operation of the vehicle during the period of
permissive use, even where the employer contemplates that a regularly
assigned motor vehicle will be used by the employee for personal as well as
business purposes and there is some incidental benefit to the employer. Even
where the employee's personal purpose in using the vehicle has been
accomplished and he has started the return trip to his house where the
vehicle is normally kept, it has been held that he has not resumed his
employment, and the employer is not liable for the employee's negligent
operation of the vehicle during the return trip.
The foregoing principles and jurisprudence are applicable in our
jurisdiction albeit based on the doctrine of respondeat superior, not on the
principle of bonus pater familias as in ours. Whether the fault or negligence of
the employee is conclusive on his employer as in American law or
jurisprudence, or merely gives rise to the presumption juris tantum of
negligence on the part of the employer as in ours, it is indispensable that the
employee was acting in his employer's business or within the scope of his
assigned task. ABAD was engaged in affairs of his own or was carrying out a
personal purpose not in line with his duties at the time he figured in a
vehicular accident. It was then about 2:00 a.m., way beyond the normal
working hours. ABAD's working day had ended; his overtime work had
already been completed. His being at a place which, as petitioner put it, was
known as a "haven for prostitutes, pimps, and drug pushers and addicts," had
no connection to petitioner's business; neither had it any relation to his duties
as a manager. Rather, using his service vehicle even for personal purposes
was a form of a fringe benefit or one of the perks attached to his position.
FILAMER V IAC
212 SCRA 637
GUTIERREZ SR; August 17, 1992
NATURE
Motion for Reconsideration
FACTS
- Funtecha is a scholar of FCI. He is also employed as a janitor. The
president of FCI is Agustin Masa. Agustin has a son, Allan, who is the school
bus (bus na jeepney) driver. Allan lives with his dad. Funtecha also lives in
the presidents house free of charge while a student at FCI.
- It is the practice of the driver (Allan) after classes to bring the kids home,
then go back to the school, then go home in the school jeep. He is allowed to
bring home the jeep because in the morning hes supposed to fetch the kids
and bring them to school.
- One night, Funtecha wanted to drive home. He has a student license. After
a dangerous curb, and seeing that the road was clear, Allan let Funtecha
drive. Then there was a fast moving truck (opposite direction) with glaring
lights. Funtecha swerved right and hit the pedestrian Kapunan. Kapunan was
walking in his lane in the direction against vehicular traffic (I think ito yung
tamang lane and direction ng pedestrians). The jeep had only one functioning
headlight that night.
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prof. casis
- 75 397 SCRA 75
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REASONING:
- Law and jurisprudence dictate that a common carrier, both from the nature
of its business and for reasons of public policy, is burdened with the duty of
exercising utmost diligence in ensuring the safety of passengers.
- The Civil Code, governing the liability of a common carrier for death of or
injury to its passengers, provides:
"Article 1755. A common carrier is bound to carry the passengers
safely as far as human care and foresight can provide, using the utmost
diligence of very cautious persons, with a due regard for all the
circumstances.
"Article 1756. In case of death of or injuries to passengers,
common carriers are presumed to have been at fault or to have acted
negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence as
prescribed in articles 1733 and 1755."
"Article 1759. Common carriers are liable for the death of or
injuries to passengers through the negligence or willful acts of the formers
employees, although such employees may have acted beyond the scope of
their authority or in violation of the orders of the common carriers.
"This liability of the common carriers does not cease upon proof
that they exercised all the diligence of a good father of a family in the
selection and supervision of their employees."
"Article 1763. A common carrier is responsible for injuries
suffered by a passenger on account of the willful acts or negligence of other
passengers or of strangers, if the common carriers employees through the
exercise of the diligence of a good father of a family could have prevented or
stopped the act or omission."
-The law requires common carriers to carry passengers safely using the
utmost diligence of very cautious persons with due regard for all
circumstances.
- Such duty of a common carrier to provide safety to its passengers so
obligates it not only during the course of the trip but for so long as the
passengers are within its premises and where they ought to be in pursuance
to the contract of carriage
- The statutory provisions render a common carrier liable for death of or injury
to passengers (a) through the negligence or wilful acts of its employees or b)
on account of wilful acts or negligence of other passengers or of strangers if
the common carriers employees through the exercise of due diligence could
have prevented or stopped the act or omission.
- In case of such death or injury, a carrier is presumed to have been at fault
or been negligent, and by simple proof of injury, the passenger is relieved of
the duty to still establish the fault or negligence of the carrier or of its
employees and the burden shifts upon the carrier to prove that the injury is
due to an unforeseen event or to force majeure. In the absence of
satisfactory explanation by the carrier on how the accident occurred, which
LRTA and Roman, according to the CA, have failed to show, the presumption
would be that it has been at fault, an exception from the general rule that
negligence must be proved.
DISPOSITION: CAS DECISION AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION but only in
that (a) the award of nominal damages is DELETED and (b) petitioner
Rodolfo Roman is absolved from liability. No costs.
______________
12 Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there
being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or
prof. casis
negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties,
is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
13 Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only
for ones own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one
is responsible.
The father and, in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, are responsible
for the damages caused by the minor children who live in their company.
Guardians are liable for damages caused by the minors or incapacitated
persons who are under their authority and live in their company.
The owners and managers of an establishment or enterprise are likewise
responsible for damages caused by their employees in the service of the
branches in which the latter are employed or on the occasion of their
functions.
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and
household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even
though the former are not engaged in any business or industry.
The State is responsible in like manner when it acts through a special agent,
but not when the damage has been caused by the official to whom the task
done properly pertains, in which case what is provided in article 2176 shall be
applicable.
Lastly, teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades shall be liable
for damages caused by their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as
they remain in their custody.
The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease when the persons
herein mentioned prove that they observed all the diligence of a good father
of a family to prevent damage.
14 Art. 2194. The responsibility of two or more persons who are liable for a
quasi-delict is solidary.
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the body. She was confined in the hospital for twenty (20) days and was
eventually fitted with an artificial leg. She filed a claim for damages against
defendant.
- Lis alibi was that he was driving at 55kph when he was suddenly confronted
with a speeding car coming from the opposite direction. He instinctively
swerved to the right to avoid colliding with the oncoming vehicle, and bumped
plaintiff's car, which he did not see because it was midnight blue in color, with
no parking lights or early warning device, and the area was poorly lighted.
Defendants counterclaimed for damages, alleging that plaintiff was the one
who was reckless or negligent.
-RTC found Li and Alexander solidarily liable. CA absolved Alexander.
ISSUE
1. WON Li was grossly negligent in driving the company issued car
2. WON Valenzuela was guilty of contributory negligence
3. WON Alexander Commercial is liable as Lis employer
HELD
1. YES
- The average motorist alert to road conditions will have no difficulty applying
the brakes to a car traveling at the speed claimed by Li. Given a light rainfall,
the visibility of the street, and the road conditions on a principal metropolitan
thoroughfare like Aurora Boulevard, Li would have had ample time to react to
the changing conditions of the road if he were alert as every driver should be
to those conditions. Driving exacts a more than usual toll on the senses.
Physiological "fight or flight" mechanisms are at work, provided such
mechanisms were not dulled by drugs, alcohol, exhaustion, drowsiness, etc.
Li's failure to react in a manner which would have avoided the accident could
therefore have been only due to either or both of the two factors: 1) that he
was driving at a "very fast" speed as testified by one of the witneses; and 2)
that he was under the influence of alcohol. Either factor working
independently would have diminished his responsiveness to road conditions,
since normally he would have slowed down prior to reaching Valenzuela's
car, rather than be in a situation forcing him to suddenly apply his brakes.
- Li was, therefore, negligent in driving his company-issued Mitsubishi Lancer
2. NO
- Contributory negligence is conduct on the part of the injured party,
contributing as a legal cause to the harm he has suffered, which falls below
the standard to which he is required to conform for his own protection. Under
the "emergency rule" adopted by this Court in Gan vs. Court of Appeals, an
individual who suddenly finds himself in a situation of danger and is required
to act without much time to consider the best means that may be adopted to
avoid the impending danger, is not guilty of negligence if he fails to undertake
what subsequently and upon reflection may appear to be a better solution,
unless the emergency was brought by his own negligence.
- While the emergency rule applies to those cases in which reflective thought
or the opportunity to adequately weigh a threatening situation is absent, the
conduct which is required of an individual in such cases is dictated not
exclusively by the suddenness of the event which absolutely negates
thoroughful care, but by the over-all nature of the circumstances. A woman
driving a vehicle suddenly crippled by a flat tire on a rainy night will not be
faulted for stopping at a point which is both convenient for her to do so and
which is not a hazard to other motorists. She is not expected to run the entire
boulevard in search for a parking zone or turn on a dark street or alley where
she would likely find no one to help her.
MERRITT v GOVERNMENT
34 Phil 311
TRENT; March 31, 1916
NATURE
Appeal from decision of the CFI
FACTS
- E. Merritt, riding on a motorcycle, was hit by the General Hospital
ambulance, which turned suddenly and unexpectedly to Taft Avenue without
sounding any whistle or horn, in contravention of an ordinance and the Motor
Vehicle Act.
- Plaintiff was so severely injured. His leg showed a contraction of an inch
and a half and a curvature that made his leg very weak and painful at the
point of the fracture. Examination of his head revealed a notable
readjustment of the functions of the brain and nerves. The patient apparently
was slightly deaf, had a light weakness in his eyes and in his mental
condition. This latter weakness was always noticed when the plaintiff had to
do any difficult mental labor, especially when he attempted to use his money
for mathematical calculations.
- Witnesses testified that plaintiffs physical and mental condition before the
accident was excellent. He was one of the best contractors of wooden
buildings. He could not now earn even a half of the income that he had
secured for his work because he had lost 50 per cent of his efficiency. He had
to dissolve a partnership that he had with an engineer and give up a contract
for the construction of a building.
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case where the state acts as a judicial person capable of acquiring rights and
contracting obligations.
- The Civil Code in chap 2, title 16, book 4, regulates the obligations which
arise out of fault or negligence; and whereas in the first article thereof. No.
1902, where the general principle is laid down that where a person who by an
act or omission causes damage to another through fault or negligence, shall
be obliged to repair the damage so done, reference is made to acts or
omissions of the persons who directly or indirectly cause the damage, the
following articles refers to this persons and imposes an identical obligation
upon those who maintain fixed relations of authority and superiority over the
authors of the damage, because the law presumes that in consequence of
such relations the evil caused by their own fault or negligence is imputable to
them. This legal presumption gives way to proof, however, because, as held
in the last paragraph of article 1903, responsibility for acts of third persons
ceases when the persons mentioned in said article prove that they employed
all the diligence of a good father of a family to avoid the damage, and among
these persons, called upon to answer in a direct and not a subsidiary manner,
are found, in addition to the mother or the father in a proper case, guardians
and owners or directors of an establishment or enterprise, the state, but not
always, except when it acts through the agency of a special agent, doubtless
because and only in this case, the fault or negligence, which is the original
basis of this kind of objections, must be presumed to lie with the state.
- Although in some cases the state might by virtue of the general principle
set forth in article 1902 respond for all the damage that is occasioned to
private parties by orders or resolutions which by fault or negligence are made
by branches of the central administration acting in the name and
representation of the state itself and as an external expression of its
sovereignty in the exercise of its executive powers, yet said article is not
applicable in the case of damages said to have been occasioned to the
petitioners by an executive official, acting in the exercise of his powers, in
proceedings to enforce the collections of certain property taxes owing by the
owner of the property which they hold in sublease.
- The responsibility of the state is limited by article 1903 to the case wherein
it acts through a special agent (one who receives a definite and fixed order or
commission, foreign to the exercise of the duties of his office if he is a special
official) so that in representation of the state and being bound to act as an
agent thereof, he executes the trust confided to him. This concept does not
apply to any executive agent who is an employee of the acting administration
and who on his own responsibility performs the functions which are inherent
in and naturally pertain to his office and which are regulated by law and the
regulations.
- The responsibility of the state is limited to that which it contracts through a
special agent, duly empowered by a definite order or commission to perform
some act or charged with some definite purpose which gives rise to the claim,
and not where the claim is based on acts or omissions imputable to a public
official charged with some administrative or technical office who can be held
to the proper responsibility in the manner laid down by the law of civil
responsibility.
- The chauffeur of the ambulance of the General Hospital was not such an
agent within the meaning of paragraph 5 of article 1903
On the computation of damages
The two items which constitute a part of the P14,741 and which are drawn in
question by the plaintiff are (a) P5,000, the award awarded for permanent
injuries, and (b) the P2,666, the amount allowed for the loss of wages during
the time the plaintiff was incapacitated from pursuing his occupation. We find
nothing in the record which would justify us in increasing the amount of the
first. As to the second, the record shows, and the trial court so found, that the
plaintiff's services as a contractor were worth P1,000 per month. The court,
however, limited the time to 2months and 21 days, which the plaintiff was
actually confined in the hospital. In this we think there was error, because it
was clearly established that the plaintiff was wholly incapacitated for a period
of 6 months. The mere fact that he remained in the hospital only 2 months
and 21 days while the remainder of the 6 months was spent in his home,
would not prevent recovery for the whole time. We, therefore, find that the
amount of damages sustained by the plaintiff, without any fault on his part, is
P18,075.
Dispositive Judgment appealed from reversed. Whether the Government
intends to make itself legally liable for the amount of damages above set
forth, which the plaintiff has sustained by reason of the negligent acts of one
of its employees, by legislative enactment and by appropriating sufficient
funds therefor, we are not called upon to determine. This matter rests solely
with the Legislature and not with the courts.
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xx
That the responsibility of the state is limited by
article 1903 to the case wherein it acts through a special agent
(and a special agent, in the sense in which these words are
employed, is one who receives a definite and fixed order by the
commission, foreign to the exercise of duties of his office if he is
a special official) so that in representation of the state and being
bound to act as an agent thereof, he executes the trust confided
to him.
- There being no showing that whatever negligence may be imputed to the
ECA or its officers, was done by a special agent, because the officers of the
ECA did not act as special agents of the government within the above defined
meaning of that wod in Article 1903 of the Civil Code in storing gasoline in the
warehouse of ECA, the government is not responsible for damages caused
through such negligence.
- Although there is an act (Act No. 327) authorizing the filing of claims against
the government with the Insular Auditor, and appeal by private persons or
entities from the latters decision to the Supreme Court, it does not make any
and all claims against the government allowable, and the latter responsible
for all claims.
DISPOSITION Decision appealed from is affirmed.
MENDOZA V. DE LEON
FONTANILLA V MALIAMAN and NATIONAL IRRIGATION
ADMINSITRATION
194 SCRA 486
PARAS; February 27, 1991
NATURE
Resolution
FACTS
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) maintains that it does not
perform solely and primarily proprietary functions, but is an agency of
the government tasked with governmental functions, and is therefore
not liable for the tortuous act of its driver Garcia, who was not its
special agent.
o
NIA believes this bases this on:
- 79 -
nature of its powers and functions does not show that it was intended
to bring to the Government any special corporate benefit or pecuniary
profit, a strong dissenting opinion held that Angat River system is a
government entity exercising proprietary functions.
The Angat dissenting opinion:
Alegre protested the announced termination of his employment. He
argued that although his contract did stipulate that the same would
terminate on July 17, 1976, since his services were necessary and
desirable in the usual business of his employer, and his employment
had lasted for five years, he had acquired the status of regular
employee and could not be removed except for valid cause.
The employment contract of 1971 was executed when the Labor Code
of the Philippines had not yet been promulgated, which came into
effect some 3 years after the perfection of the contract.
ISSUE
WON the NIR is a government agency with a juridical personality separate
and distinct from the government, thereby opening it up to the possibility that
it may be held liable for the damages caused by its driver, who was not its
special agent
HELD YES
Reasoning the functions of government have been classified into
governmental or constituent and proprietary or ministrant. The former
involves the exercise of sovereignty and considered as compulsory; the latter
connotes merely the exercise of proprietary functions and thus considered as
optional.
The National Irrigation Administration was not created for purposes of local
government. While it may be true that the NIA was essentially a service
agency of the government aimed at promoting public interest and public
welfare, such fact does not make the NIA essentially and purely a
"government-function" corporation. NIA was created for the purpose of
"constructing, improving, rehabilitating, and administering all national
irrigation systems in the Philippines, including all communal and pump
irrigation projects." Certainly, the state and the community as a whole are
largely benefited by the services the agency renders, but these functions are
only incidental to the principal aim of the agency, which is the irrigation of
lands.
NIA is a government agency invested with a corporate personality separate
and distinct from the government, thus is governed by the Corporation Law.
Section 1 of Republic Act No. 3601 provides:
Sec. 1. Name and Domicile A body corporate is hereby created which
shall be known as the National Irrigation Administration. . . . which shall be
organized immediately after the approval of this Act. It shall have its principal
seat of business in the City of Manila and shall have representatives in all
provinces, for the proper conduct of its business. (Emphasis for emphasis).
Besides, Section 2, subsection b of P.D. 552 provides that:
(b) To charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation
systems constructed by or under its administration, such fees or
administration charges as may be necessary to cover the cost of operation,
maintenance and insurance, and to recover the cost of construction within a
reasonable period of time to the extent consistent with government policy; to
recover funds or portions thereof expended for the construction and/or
rehabilitation of communal irrigation systems which funds shall accrue to a
special fund for irrigation development under section 2 hereof;
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Unpaid irrigation fees or administration charges shall be preferred liens first,
upon the land benefited, and then on the crops raised thereon, which liens
shall have preference over all other liens except for taxes on the land, and
such preferred liens shall not be removed until all fees or administration
charges are paid or the property is levied upon and sold by the National
Irrigation Administration for the satisfaction thereof. . . .
The same section also provides that NIA may sue and be sued in court.
It has its own assets and liabilities. It also has corporate powers to be
exercised by a Board of Directors. Section 2, subsection (f):
(f) . . . and to transact such business, as are directly or indirectly necessary,
incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above powers and objectives,
including the power to establish and maintain subsidiaries, and in general, to
exercise all the powers of a corporation under the Corporation Law, insofar
as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
DISPOSITION
We conclude that the National Irrigation Administration is a
government agency with a juridical personality separate and distinct from the
government. It is not a mere agency of the government but a corporate body
performing proprietary functions. Therefore, it may be held liable for the
damages caused by the negligent act of its driver who was not its special
agent.
ACCORDINGLY, the Motion for Reconsideration dated January 26, 1990 is
DENIED WITH FINALITY. The decision of this Court in G.R. No. 55963 and
G.R. No. 61045 dated December 1, 1989 is hereby AFFIRMED.
DISSENTING: PADILLA: to say that NIA has opened itself to suit is one
thing; to say that it is liable for damages arising from tort committed by its
employees, is still another thing.
The state or a government agency performing governmental functions may
be held liable for tort committed by its employees only when it acts through a
special agent.
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decided by the Court of Appeals in the affirmative, is one of fact, and the
findings of said Court thereon are not subject to our review.
Dispositive WHEREFORE, the decision appealed from should be as it is
hereby affirmed, with costs against the City of Manila.
Voting Reyes, J.B.L., Dizon, Makalintal, Bengzon, J.P., Zaldivar, Sanchez,
Castro, Angeles and Fernando, JJ., concur.
ARANETA v JOYA
57 SCRA 59
CASTRO J.: May 24, 1974
FACTS:
-An employee of the Ace ADVERTISING Company was sent to the States to
pursue studies in television. When asked about the expenses of the trip,
respondent answered that these were not shouldered by the company and
instead by other parties
-while abroad, he continued to receive his salaries in the form of vouchers
ordered and signed by respondent Joya. The petitioner signed three of these
checks. The others were signed by either the respondent, or Vicente Araneta
(company treasurer) who put up part of the bill connected with Taylor's trip
and also handed him letters for delivery in the United States. The Ace
Advertising disbursed P5,043.20, all told, on account of Taylor's travel and
studies
-the Ace Advertising filed a complaint with the court of first instance of Manila
against the respondent for recovery of the total sum disbursed to Taylor,
alleging that the trip was made without its knowledge, authority or ratification.
The respondent, in his answer, denied the charge and claimed that the trip
was nonetheless ratified by the company's board of directors, and that in any
event under the by-laws he had the discretion, as general manager, to
authorize the trip which was for the company's benefit
-Joya also filed a 3rd party complaint against the two Aranetas proving that
they were involved in sending Taylor abroad
-trial court rendered judgment ordering the respondent to pay the Ace
Advertising "the sum of P5,043.20 with interest at the legal rate from August
23, 1954 until full payment. 3rd party complaint dismissed
-CA affirmed however dismissal of 3rd party complaint was reversed stating
that Taylor's trip had been neither authorized nor ratified by the company
-CA noted that based on the facts, both petitioners knew and through their
acts showed that they approved of the trip. were also privy to the
unauthorized disbursement of the corporate moneys jointly with the appellant;
what had happened was in truth and in fact a venture by them given their
stamp of approval; and as it was an unauthorized act of expenditure of
corporate funds, and it was these three without whose acts the same could
not have happened, the juridical situation was a simple quasi-delict by them
committed upon the corporation, for which solidary liability should have been
imposed upon all in the first place
ISSUE:
WON petitioner is guilty of quasi-delict
HELD: Yes
- The petitioner's assertion that he signed the questioned payroll checks in
good faith has not been substantiated, he in particular not having testified or
offered testimony to prove such claim. Upon the contrary, in spite of his being
a vice-president and director of the Ace Advertising, the petitioner remained
ABERCA V VER
G.R. No. L-69866
YAP; April 15, 1988
NATURE: Petition for certiorari
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FACTS
This case stems from alleged illegal searches and seizures and other
violations of the rights and liberties of plaintiffs by various intelligence units of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, known as Task Force Makabansa (TFM)
ordered by General Fabian Ver "to conduct pre-emptive strikes against
known communist-terrorist (CT) underground houses in view of increasing
reports about CT plans to sow disturbances in Metro Manila,"
Plaintiffs allegations: That complying with said order of Ver, elements of
the TFM raided several places, employing in most cases defectively issued
judicial search warrants; that during these raids, certain members of the
raiding party confiscated a number of purely personal items belonging to
plaintiffs; that plaintiffs were arrested without proper warrants issued by the
courts; that for some period after their arrest, they were denied visits of
relatives and lawyers; that plaintiffs were interrogated in violation of their
rights to silence and counsel; that military men who interrogated them
employed threats, tortures and other forms of violence on them in order to
obtain incriminatory information or confessions and in order to punish them;
that all violations of plaintiffs constitutional rights were part of a concerted and
deliberate plan to forcibly extract information and incriminatory statements
from plaintiffs and to terrorize, harass and punish them, said plans being
previously known to and sanctioned by defendants.
Plaintiffs sought actual/compensatory damages of P39,030; moral damages
of at least P150K each or a total of P3M; exemplary damages of at least
P150K each or a total of P3M; and attorney's fees not less than P200K.
Respondents contentions: A motion to dismiss was filed by defendants,
through their counsel, then Sol-Gen. Estelito Mendoza, alleging that (1)
plaintiffs may not cause a judicial inquiry into the circumstances of their
detention in the guise of a damage suit because the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus is suspended; (2) assuming that the courts can entertain the
present action, defendants are immune from liability for acts done in the
performance of their official duties; and (3) the complaint states no cause of
action against the defendants.
ISSUES
1. WON the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus bars a
civil action for damages for illegal searches conducted by military personnel
and other violations of rights and liberties guaranteed under the Constitution.
2. WON a superior officer under the notion of respondent superior be
answerable for damages, jointly and severally with his subordinates, to the
person whose constitutional rights and liberties have been violated.
3. WON trial court correct in dismissing the complaint with respect to (dome
of the) plaintiffs on the basis of the alleged failure of said plaintiffs to file MFR
of the court's resolution granting the respondent's motion to dismiss
HELD
1. NO.
Ratio: The suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus does not
destroy petitioners' right and cause of action for damages for illegal arrest
and detention and other violations of their constitutional rights. The
suspension does not render valid an otherwise illegal arrest or detention.
What is suspended is merely the right of the individual to seek release from
detention through the writ of habeas corpus as a speedy means of obtaining
his liberty.
Reasoning: [a] The purpose Art. 32 CC is to provide a sanction to the deeply
cherished rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. Its message is
clear; no man may seek to violate those sacred rights with impunity. In times
of great upheaval or of social and political stress, when the temptation is
strongest to yield to the law of force rather than the force of law, it is
prof. casis
necessary to remind ourselves that certain basic rights and liberties are
immutable and cannot be sacrificed to the transient needs or imperious
demands of the ruling power. [b] The invocation of the doctrine of state
immunity from suit totally misplaced. It cannot be construed as a blanket
license or a roving commission untramelled by any constitutional restraint, to
disregard or transgress upon the rights and liberties of the individual citizen
enshrined in and protected by the Constitution. The Constitution remains the
supreme law of the land to which all officials, high or low, civilian or military,
owe obedience and allegiance at all times. [c] Art. 32 of CC which renders
any public officer or employee or any private individual liable in damages for
violating the Constitutional rights and liberties of another does not exempt the
respondents from responsibility. Only judges are excluded from liability under
the said article, provided their acts or omissions do not constitute a violation
of the RPC or other penal statute. [d] Even assuming that the suspension of
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus suspends petitioners' right of action
for damages for illegal arrest and detention, it does not and cannot suspend
their rights and causes of action for injuries suffered because of respondents'
confiscation of their private belongings, the violation of their right to remain
silent and to counsel and their right to protection against unreasonable
searches and seizures and against torture and other cruel and inhuman
treatment.
2. NO
Ratio: Although the doctrine of respondent superior is applicable to the case,
as contended by respondents, the decisive factor in this case is the language
of Art. 32 CC. The law speaks of an officer or employee or person 'directly' or
"indirectly" responsible for the violation of the constitutional rights and
liberties of another. Thus, it is not the actor alone (i.e. the one directly
responsible) who must answer for damages under Art. 32; the person
indirectly responsible has also to answer for the damages or injury caused to
the aggrieved party
Reasoning: [a] The doctrine of respondent superior has been generally
limited in its application to principal and agent or to master and servant (i.e.
employer and employee) relationship. No such relationship exists between
superior officers of the military and their subordinates. But in this case, Art. 32
governs. [b] By this provision, the principle of accountability of public officials
under the Constitution acquires added meaning and acquires a larger
dimension. A superior have to answer for the transgressions of his
subordinates against the constitutionally protected rights and liberties of the
citizen. Hence, Art. 32 of CC makes the persons who are directly, as well as
indirectly, responsible for the transgression joint tortfeasors. [c] To determine
the sufficiency of the cause of action, only the facts alleged in the complaint,
and no others, should be considered. For this purpose, the motion to dismiss
must hypothetically admit the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint. [d]
So, under the above principles, it is difficult to justify the TCs dismissal for
lack of cause of action the complaint against all the defendants, except
Maj.Aguinaldo and MSgt. Balaba. The complaint contained allegations
against all the defendants which, if admitted hypothetically, would be
sufficient to establish a cause or causes of action against all of them under
Art. 32 of CC.
3. NO.
The body of the motion itself clearly indicated that the motion was filed on
behalf of all the plaintiffs. And this must have been also the understanding of
defendants' counsel himself for when he filed his comment on the motion, he
furnished copies thereof, not just to the lawyers who signed the motion, but to
all the lawyers of plaintiffs In filing the motion to set aside the resolution, the
signing attorneys did so on behalf of all the plaintiff. They needed no specific
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prof. casis
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Instructions which the petitioners miserably failed to do. And thirdly, they
should have filed a third-party complaint against the raiding team for
contribution or any other relief, in respect of respondents' claim for Recovery
of Sum of Money with Damages. Again, they did not.
WON an award for moral damages should be awarded
Yes. It is consistently ruled that moral damages are not awarded to penalize
the defendant but to compensate the plaintiff for the injuries he may have
suffered. Conformably with our ruling in Lim vs. Ponce de Leon, op. cit.,
moral damages can be awarded in the case at bench. There can be no doubt
that petitioners must have suffered sleepless nights, serious anxiety, and
wounded feelings due the tortious raid caused by petitioners. Private
respondents' avowals of embarrassment and humiliation during the seizure of
their merchandise were supported by their testimonies.
The wantonness of the wrongful seizure justifies the award of exemplary
damages. It will also serve as a stern reminder to all and sundry that the
constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure is a virile
reality and not a mere burst of rhetoric. The all encompassing protection
extends against intrusions directly done both by government and indirectly by
private entities.
Disposition
IN VIEW WHEREFORE, the appealed decision is AFFIRMED WITH
MODIFICATION. We impose a SIX PERCENT (6%) interest from January 9,
1987 on the TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P2,000.00) for the unreturned
twenty-six (26) pieces of girl scouts items and a TWELVE PERCENT (12%)
interest, in lieu of SIX PERCENT (6%), on the said amount upon finality of
this Decision until the payment thereof. Costs against petitioners.
MARCIA V CA (PAJE)
205 PHIL 147
RELOVA; January 27, 1983
NATURE
Petition for certiorari
FACTS
- Paje is a driver of a Victory Liner Bus
- His bus collided with the jeep driven by Clemente Marcia, causing
the latters death and physical injuries to herein petitioners, Edgar
Marcia and Renato Yap
- Paje was charged with homicide and serious physical injuries thru
reckless imprudence. A civil case was also instituted against him by
herein petitioners for reckless imprudence and negligence in driving
the passenger bus.
- He was convicted in the criminal case in the RTC. However, he
was acquitted in the CA. The CA ruled that criminal negligence is
wanting and that Paje was not even guilty of civil negligence, for the
case was of pure accident.
- The defendants presented the copy of said criminal case to the
court handling the civil case against them. The civil case was
dismissed.
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HELD
1. YES. Ratio Section 2, Rule 111 of the Rules of Court in relation to Article
33 of the Civil Code is the applicable provision. The two enactments are
quoted hereinbelow:
"Sec, 2. Independent civil action. - an independent civil action entirely
separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be brought by the injured
party during the pendency of the criminal case, provided the right is reserved
as required in the preceding section. Such civil action shall proceed
independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a
preponderance of evidence. "
- "Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries, a civil action for
damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be
brought by the injured party. Such civil action shall proceed independently of
the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a preponderance of
evidence."
Obiter - There are at least two things about Art. 33 of the Civil Code which
are worth noting, namely:
1. The civil action for damages which it allows to be instituted is ex-delicto.
This is manifest from the provision which uses the expressions "criminal
action" and "criminal prosecution."
Tolentino says: "While the State is the complainant in the criminal case, the
injured individual is the one most concerned because it is he who has
suffered directly. He should be permitted to demand reparation for the wrong
which peculiarly affects him."
2. The term "physical injuries" is used in a generic sense. It is not the crime of
physical injuries defined in the Revised Penal Code. It includes not only
physical injuries but consummated, frustrated and attempted homicide.
MADEJA V CARO
ABAD SANTOS, J.: December 21, 1983
Dispositive
Petition is GRANTED; the order dismissing Civil Case No. 141 is SET ASIDE
NATURE
Petition which seeks to set aside the order of the respondent judge granting
the defendant's motion to dismiss
FACTS
- Dr. Eva A. Japzon is accused of homicide through reckless imprudence for
the death of Cleto Madeja after an appendectomy. The complaining witness
is the widow of the deceased, Carmen L. Madeja. The information states that:
"The offended party Carmen L. Madeja reserving her right to file a separate
civil action for damages."
- The criminal case still pending, Madeja sued Dr. Japzon for damages in the
same court. She alleged that her husband died because of the gross
negligence of Dr. Japzon. The respondent judge granted the defendant's
motion to dismiss which invoked Section 3 (a) of Rule 111 of the Rules of
Court which reads: "Sec. 3. Other civil actions arising from offenses. - In all
cases not included in the preceding section the following rules shall be
observed: (a) Criminal and civil actions arising from the same offense may be
instituted separately, but after the criminal action has been commenced the
civil action can not be instituted until final judgment has been rendered in the
criminal action.". . .
NATURE
Petition for review of CA Deci
ISSUES
1. WON an independent civil action may be filed during the pendency of the
criminal case
FACTS
(Consti II Case)
-Respondent Morales wrote an article for Peoples Journal Tonight based on
the sworn statement in the police blotter and interview of Emelita Despuig
where Despuig alleged that Arafiles raped her the month before then
attempted to rape her the night she filed a complaint. Morales attempted to
contact Arafiles but since the latters office was still closed at that time (past
12mn he works for NIAS-PAGASA), he was not able to do so.
-About a year following the published article, Arafiles filed action for damages
based on the alleged grossly malicious and overly sensationalized report by
Morales which cast aspersions on his character, being the object of public
contempt and ridicule as he was depicted as a sex-crazed stalker and serial
rapist.
-RTC: in favor of Arafiles
-CA: in favor of Morales, et. al. based on doctrine of fair comment
ISSUE
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WON the CA erred in holding that the publication of the news item was not
attended with malice to thus free respondents of liability for damages
HELD
NO. Every citizen of course has the right to enjoy a good name and
reputation, but we do not consider that the respondents, under the
circumstances of this case, had violated said right or abused the freedom of
the press.
Ratio. The newspapers should be given such leeway and tolerance as to
enable them to courageously and effectively perform their important role in
our democracy. In the preparation of stories, press reporters and [editors]
usually have to race with their deadlines; and consistently with good faith and
reasonable care, they should not be held to account, to a point of
suppression, for honest mistakes or imperfection in the choice of words.
Reasoning. First discussed applicable provisions (A33, 19, 21 NCC): Article
33 contemplates a civil action for the recovery of damages that is entirely
unrelated to the purely criminal aspect of the case. A civil action for libel
under this article shall be instituted and prosecuted to final judgment and
proved by preponderance of evidence separately from and entirely
independent of the institution, pendency or result of the criminal action
because it is governed by the provisions of the New Civil Code and not by the
Revised Penal Code governing the criminal offense charged and the civil
liability arising therefrom.
-then discussed how to determine if a published work is libelous: In actions
for damages for libel, it is axiomatic that the published work alleged to
contain libelous material must be examined and viewed as a whole.
-then discussed the petitioners allegation that the news item as a malicious
sensationalization failed: even though the police blotter only shows 1 count
of abduction and rape, respondent was present when Emelita executed her
sworn-statement where she reported an abduction with rape and an
abduction incident (where no rape occurred, but was about to happen) so
respondents article was not maliciously sensationalized. The presentation of
the news item subject of petitioners complaint may have been in a
sensational manner, but it is not per se illegal. Respondents could of course
have been more circumspect in their choice of words as the headline and first
seven paragraphs of the news item give the impression that a certain director
of the NIAS actually committed the crimes complained of by Emelita. The
succeeding paragraphs (in which petitioner and complainant Emelita were
eventually identified) sufficiently convey to the readers, however, that the
narration of events was only an account of what Emelita had reported at the
police headquarters.
-then mentioned doctrine: The newspapers should be given such leeway and
tolerance as to enable them to courageously and effectively perform their
important role in our democracy. In the preparation of stories, press reporters
and [editors] usually have to race with their deadlines; and consistently with
good faith and reasonable care, they should not be held to account, to a point
of suppression, for honest mistakes or imperfection in the choice of words.
Disposition. WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DENIED. SO ORDERED
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- Any party seeking recovery for mental anguish must prove more than mere
worry, anxiety, embarrassment, or anger. (AmJur)
Disposition Petition granted. Decision reversed.
SEPARATE OPINION
VITUG [concur]
- The present controversy stems from a civil action for damages and not from
a criminal complaint. CC recognizes the possibility of such a civil action either
pursuant to Art 26, par. 4, to the effect that although it may not constitute a
criminal offense, vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious
beliefs xxx can give rise to a cause of action for damages, or to Art. 33
which provides that in case of defamation, a civil complaint for damages,
entirely separate and distinct from the criminal case, may be brought by the
injured party.
- In the present case, the article relates to the entire Muslim population and
not just to the IDCP or to any of the individual respondents. There is no direct
reference or allusion to the federation or any of its members, or to any of the
individual complainants. Respondents scarcely can claim having been
singled out for social censure pointedly resulting in damages.
CARPIO [dissent]
- I dissent not because the newspaper article in question is libelous, but
because it constitutes an intentional tortious act causing mental distress to
those whom private respondent IDCP represents.
- Both RTC and CA found the article insulting and humiliating to Muslims,
causing wounded feelings and mental anguish to believers of Islam. This
finding of fact establishes that petitioners have inflicted on private
respondents an intentional wrongful act - humiliating persons because of their
religious beliefs.
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ [dissent]
- Focal point of claim for damages: insult caused by the article that the
Muslims worship the pig as their God which is absolutely contrary to their
basic belief as Muslims that there is only one God, and, that the greatest sin
in Islam is to worship things or persons other than Allah.
- The article is not only an imputation of irreligious conduct but also a
downright misrepresentation of the religious beliefs of Muslims. Liability for
libel does not depend on the intention of the defamer, but on the fact of
defamation.
SALTA V DE VEYRA
202 Phil 527
DE CASTRO; September 30, 1982
FACTS
- Two cases involving the same issue disposed of by two judges in a manner
directly in opposition of each other. For a uniform ruling that would
authoritatively settle this regrettable conflict of opinion, the two cases have
been consolidated for a single decision.
- Salta was an employee of the PNB assigned as Manager of the Malolos'
branch. His duty was to grant loans, or only to recommend the granting of
loans, depending on the amount of the loan applied for.
prof. casis
- In disregard of the pertinent rules, regulations and policies of the respondent
bank, Salta indiscriminately granted certain loans mentioned in the
complaints filed by PNB, in manner characterized by negligence, fraud and
manifest partiality, and upon securities not commensurate with the amount of
the loans.
- PNB filed two civil actions to recover losses the bank suffered (Civil Case
No. 79583, Civil Case No. 88343). With this the bank filed a criminal action
against Salta, for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
- Salta was acquitted in the criminal case, and filed Motions to Dismiss in
each of the two civil cases. It is in the resolution of the motions to dismiss that
Judges de Veyra and Purisima of the CFI of Manila took diametrically
opposing views, the former denying the motion, the latter granting it.
ISSUE
WON a decision of acquittal in a criminal case operates to dismiss a separate
civil action filed on the basis of the same facts as alleged in the criminal case
(Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
HELD
NO.
Ratio The civil action permitted therein to be filed separately from the criminal
action may proceed independently of the criminal proceedings "regardless of
the result of the latter." Acquittal in the criminal case will not be an obstacle
for the civil case to prosper unless in the criminal case the Court makes a
finding that even civilly, the accused would not be liable.
Reasoning
ART 33.
In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries, a civil action
for damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action,
may be brought by the injured party. Such civil action shall proceed
independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a
preponderance of evidence.
- The filing in this case of a civil action separate from the criminal action is
fully warranted under the provision of Article 33 of the New Civil Code. The
criminal case is for the prosecution of an offense the main element of which is
fraud, one of the kinds of crime mentioned in the aforecited provision. Based
on the same acts for which the criminal action was filed, the civil actions very
clearly alleged fraud and negligence as having given rise to the cause of
action averred in the complaints.
- The offenses specified in Article 33 are of such a nature, unlike other
offenses not mentioned, that they may be made the subject of a separate civil
action because of the distinct separability of their respective juridical cause or
basis of action. This is clearly illustrated in the case of swindling, a specie of
an offense committed by means of fraud, where the civil case may be filed
separately and proceed independently of the criminal case, regardless of the
result of the latter.
- That there was fraud committed by the defendant in granting the aforesaid
loans which rendered him liable for his acts, which fraud is positively and
easily identifiable in the manner and scheme aforementioned.
- JUSTICE JBL REYES: in the case of an independent civil actions under
the Civil Code, the result of the criminal case, whether acquittal or conviction,
would be entirely irrelevant to the civil action. This seems to be the spirit of
the law when it decided to make these actions `entirely separate and distinct'
from the criminal action. Hence in these cases, I think Rule 107 Sec. 1(d)
does not apply.
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-The obligation of the Phil Rayon arising from the letter of credit
and the trust receipt remained unpaid and unliquidated.
Repeated formal demands for the payment of the said trust
receipt yielded no result Hence, the present action for the
collection of the principal amount of P956,384.95 was filed on
October 3, 1974 against the Phil Rayon and Anacleto R. Chi.
Defendants Defenses lack of cause of action; prescription;
laches
Lower Courts Ruling Both the CFI and the IAC ruled that
Philippine Rayon could be held liable for the two (2) drafts
because only these appear to have been accepted by the latter
after due presentment. The liability for the remaining ten (10)
drafts did not arise because the same were not presented for
acceptance. In short, both courts concluded that acceptance of
the drafts by Philippine Rayon was indispensable to make the
latter liable thereon.
ISSUES:
1. Whether presentment for acceptance of the drafts was
indispensable to make Philippine Rayon liable thereon;
2. Whether Philippine Rayon is liable on the basis of the trust
receipt;
3. Whether private respondent Chi is jointly and severally liable
with Philippine Rayon for the obligation sought to be enforced
3a. If not, WON he may be considered a guarantor
3b. If he is a guarantor, WON the case should have been
dismissed on the ground of lack of cause of action as there was
no prior exhaustion of Philippine Rayon's properties.
HELD:
1. NO. Presentment for acceptance is necessary only in the
cases expressly provided for in Section 143 of the Negotiable
Instruments Law (NIL). The parties herein agree, and the trial
court explicitly ruled, that the subject, drafts are sight drafts
which do not require presentment for acceptance. They are,
pursuant to Section 7 of the NIL, payable on demand. And even
if these were not sight drafts, thereby necessitating acceptance,
it would be the petitioner and not Philippine Rayon which
had to accept the same for the latter was not the drawee.
2. YES.
-And although it is true that the petitioner commenced a
criminal action for the violation of the Trust Receipts Law, no
legal obstacle prevented it from enforcing the civil liability
arising out of the trust, receipt in a separate civil action. Under
Section 13 of the Trust Receipts Law, the failure of an
entrustee to turn over the proceeds of the sale of goods,
documents or instruments covered by a trust receipt to the
extent of the amount owing to the entruster or as appear in the
trust receipt or to return said goods, documents or instruments
if they were not sold or disposed of in accordance with the
terms of the trust receipt shall constitute the crime of estafa,
punishable under the provisions of Art.315, par. 1(b) of the
RPC.
-Under Article 33 of the Civil Code, a civil action for
damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal
action, may be brought by the injured party in cases of
prof. casis
defamation, fraud and physical injuries. Estafa falls under
fraud.
3. NO. Private respondent Chi's signature in the dorsal portion
of the trust receipt did not bind him solidarily with Philippine
Rayon.
3a. YES. SCs own reading of the questioned solidary guaranty
clause yields the conclusion that the obligation of Chi is only
that of a guarantor.
Reasoning Last sentence of the clause speaks of waiver of
exhaustion, which, nevertheless, is ineffective in this case
because the space therein for the party whose property may
not be exhausted was not filled up.
-The clause "we jointly and severally agree and undertake"
refers to the undertaking of the two (2) parties who are to sign it
or to the liability existing between themselves. It does not refer
to the undertaking between either one or both of them on the
one hand and the petitioner on the other with respect to the
liability described under the trust receipt. Elsewise stated, their
liability is not divisible as between them, i.e., it can be enforced
to its full extent against any one of them.
-Any doubt as to the import, or true intent of the solidary
guaranty clause should be resolved against the petitioner since
the trust receipt, together with the questioned solidary guaranty
clause, is a contract of adhesion which must be strictly
construed against the party responsible for its preparation.
-By his signing, Chi became the sole guarantor. The attestation
by witnesses and the acknowledgement before a notary public
are not required by law to make a party liable on the
instrument. Contracts shall be obligatory in whatever form they
may have been entered into, provided all the essential
requisites for their validity are present; however, when the law
requires that a contract be in some form in order that it may be
valid or enforceable, or that it be proved in a certain way, that
requirement is absolute and indispensable. With respect to a
guaranty, which is a promise to answer for the debt or default of
another, the law merely requires that it, or some note or
memorandum thereof, be in writing. Otherwise, it would be
unenforceable unless ratified. While the acknowledgement of a
surety before a notary public is required to make the same a
public document, under Article 1358 of the Civil Code, a
contract of guaranty does not have to appear in a public
document.
-Reading Section 13 of PD No. 115: It is clear that if the
violation or offense is committed by a corporation, partnership,
association or other juridical entities, the penalty of
imprisonment shall be imposed upon the directors, officers,
employees or other officials or persons therein responsible for
the offense. However, it is these corporations, partnerships,
associations, etc, which are made liable for the civil liability
arising from the criminal offense.
-Since that violation of a trust receipt constitutes fraud
under Article 33 of the Civil Code, petitioner was acting
well within its rights in filing an independent civil action to
enforce the civil liability arising therefrom against
Philippine Rayon.
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CORPUS V PAJE
28 SCRA 1062
CAPISTRANO; July 31, 1969
NATURE
Direct appeal from an order of the Court of First Instance of Rizal
FACTS
- December 23, 1956 Felardo Paje was driving a Victory Liner bus. It
collided with a jeepney driven by Clemente Marcia in Lubao, Pampanga. As
a result of the collision, Marcia died while two other people were physically
injured.
- An information for homicide and double serious physical injuries through
reckless imprudence was filed against Paje. Marcias heirs reserved their
right to institute a separate civil action against Paje. Paje was later found
guilty on November 7, 1960.
- November 21, 1961 Pending Pajes appeal, the window and children of
Marcia instituted the separate civil action for damages arising from the
accident against Paje and Victory Liner, praying that the defendants be jointly
and severally liable.
- November 9, 1962 Paje was acquitted by the appellate court, saying that
the collision was purely an accident.
- December 29, 1962 Paje filed a motion to dismiss the civil action on the
ground that his acquittal barred the said action but the motion was denied.
Petitioners Claim
> The petitioners claim that the Lower Court erred in acquitting Paje and that
his acquittal was a bar to the civil action. Quoting Chantangco vs. Abaroai: It
is true that one of the plaintiffs in the present case reserved whatever right he
may have had to bring a civil action. This was obviously of no avail, inasmuch
as there resulted a judgment for the defendant, and the plain inference from
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the foregoing is that a verdict of acquittal must carry with it exemption from
civil responsibility.
Respondents Comments:
> At the pre-trial of the civil case, the defendants asked the court to rule on
their special defense that plaintiffs' cause of action based upon a quasi-delict
had prescribed considering that the complaint was brought four years and
eleven months after the collision and that according to Article 1144 of the
Civil Code an action based upon a quasi-delict must be instituted within four
years. The lower court ruled that the action had already prescribed.
- The criminal case still pending, Carmen L. Madeja sued Dr. Eva A. Japzon
for damages, alleging that her husband died because of the gross negligence
of Dr. Japzon.
- The defendant filed a motion to dismiss, which the respondent judge
granted on the basis of Section 3(a) of Rule 111 of the Rules of Court16
ISSUE
WON the civil action against Paje can still prosper despite his acquittal
HELD
YES
- Section 2, Rule 111 of the Rules of Court in relation to Article 33 of the Civil
Code is the applicable provision. A
- Sec. 2. Independent civil action. In the cases provided for in Articles 31,
32, 33, 34 and 2177 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, an independent
civil action entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action, may
be brought by the injured party during the pendency of the criminal
case, provided the right is reserved as required in the preceding
section. Such civil action shall proceed independently of the criminal
prosecution, and shall require only a preponderance of evidence." (Rule 111,
Rules of Court.)
- Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries, a civil
action for damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal
action, may be brought by the injured party. Such civil action shall
proceed independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require
only a preponderance of evidence. (Civil Code,)
Obiter
- There are at least two things about Art. 33 of the Civil Code which are worth
noting, namely:
1. The civil action for damages which it allows to be instituted is ex-delicto.
This is manifest from the provision which uses the expressions "criminal
action" and "criminal prosecution."
2. The term "physical injuries" is used in a generic sense. It is not the
crime of physical injuries defined in the Revised Penal Code. It
includes not only physical injuries but consummated, frustrated and
attempted homicide.
- The Article in question uses the words 'defamation', 'fraud' and 'physical
injuries.' Defamation and fraud are used in their ordinary sense because
there are no specific provisions in the Revised Penal Code using these terms
as means of offenses defined therein, so that these two terms defamation
and fraud must have been used not to impart to them any technical meaning
in the laws of the Philippines, but in their generic sense. With this in mind, it is
evident that the terms 'physical injuries' could not have been used in its
specific sense as a crime defined in the Revised Penal Code, for it is difficult
to believe that the Code Commission would have used terms in the same
article-some in their general and another in its technical sense.
- In other words, the term 'physical injuries' should be understood to mean
bodily injury, not the crime of physical injuries, because the terms used with
the latter are general terms.
HELD
NO
Ratio Criminal negligence, that is, reckless imprudence, is not one of the
three crimes mentioned in Article 33 of the Civil Code which authorizes the
institution of an independent civil action, that is, of an entirely separate and
distinct civil action for damages, which shall proceed independently of the
criminal prosecution and shall be proved only by a preponderance of
evidence. Thearticle mentions only the crimes of defamation, fraud, (estafa)
and physical injuries.
Reasoning
- Although in the case of Dyogi vs. Yatco this Court held that the term
"physical injuries" used in Article 33 of the Civil Code includes homicide, it is
to be borne in mind that the charge against Felardo Paje was for reckless
imprudence resulting in homicide, and not for homicide and physical injuries.
- In People vs. Buan, the Court ruled that the offense of criminal negligence
under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code lies in the execution of an
imprudent or negligent act that, if intentionally done, would be punishable as
a felony. The law penalizes thus the negligent or careless act, not the result
thereof.
- Homicide through reckless imprudence or criminal negligence comes under
the general rule that the acquittal of the defendant in the criminal action is a
bar to his civil liability based upon the same criminal act notwithstanding that
the injured party reserved.
- With regard to the issue of prescription, the Court ruled that the action had
indeed prescribed because the prescription period was pegged at 4 years
(A1146, CC) and began to run on the day the quasi-delict was committed.
Disposition PREMISES CONSIDERED, the order appealed from is
affirmed, without special pronouncement as to costs.
MADEJA V CARO
211 PHIL 469
ABAD SANTOS; December 21, 1983
NATURE
Petition seeking to set aside the order of the CFI dismissing the civil case
against Japzon
FACTS
- DR. EVA A. JAPZON was accused of homicide through reckless
imprudence for the death of Cleto Madeja after an appendectomy.
- In the information, the offended party Carmen L. Madeja reserved her right
to file a separate civil action for damages
ISSUE
WON a civil action for damages may be instituted pending the resolution of a
criminal case
Sec. 3. Other civil actions arising from offenses. In all cases not included in the preceding section
the following rules shall be observed: (a) Criminal and civil actions arising from the same offense may
be instituted separately, but after the criminal action has been commenced the civil action can not be
instituted until final judgment has been rendered in the criminal action. ...
16
prof. casis
- In any case the Code Commission recommended that the civil action for
physical injuries be similar to the civil action for assault and battery in
American Law, and this recommendation must hove been accepted by the
Legislature when it approved the article intact as recommended. If the intent
has been to establish a civil action for the bodily harm received by the
complainant similar to the civil action for assault and battery, as the Code
Commission states, the civil action should lie whether the offense committed
is that of physical injuries, or frustrated homicide, or attempted homicide, or
even death" **(end of obiter)
- Corpus vs. Paje, which states that reckless imprudence or criminal
negligence is not included in Article 33 of the Civil Code is not
authoritative. Of eleven justices only nine took part in the decision and
four of them merely concurred in the result.
Disposition Petition is granted; the order dismissing Civil Case No. 141 is
hereby set aside.
INTENTIONAL TORTS
VELAYO V SHELL CO OF THE PHILS
100 PHIL 186
FELIX; October 31, 1956
NATURE
Appeal from a judgment of CFI Manila
FACTS
- Since the start of Commercial Air Line, Incs (CALI) operations, its fuel
needs were all supplied by Shell Company of the P.I., Ltd, (Shell). Desmond
Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries, a civil action for damages, entirely
separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be brought by the injured party. Such civil action
shall proceed independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a preponderance of
evidence
18 Rule 111.Sec. 3.
When civil action may proceed independently - In the cases provided for in
Articles 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the independent civil-action which has
been reserved may be brought by the offended party, shall proceed independently of the criminal
action, and shall require only a preponderance of evidence.
17
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prof. casis
- Velayo instituted case against Shell for the purpose of securing writ of
injunction restraining Shell from prosecuting against CALI, and as an
alternative, that Shell be ordered to pay damages double the value of the
plane if the case in the US will defeat the procurement of CALI of its plane.
- Dec 22, 1948, Court denied petition because whether the conveyance of
Shells credit was fraudulent or not, the Phil court would not be in a position to
enforce its orders as against the American corporation Shell Oil Co., Inc.,
which is outside the jurisdiction of the Phils.
- Plaintiff confined his action to the recovery of damages against Shell. Lower
court dismissed the case.
Defendants Comments
> Assignment of credit in favor of American Shell was for valuable
consideration and made in accordance with established commercial practices
> It has no interest in the case instituted by American Shell, as they are
separate and distinct corporations.
> Fitzgerald was merely invited to the luncheon-meeting, without knowing the
purpose for which it was called. Fitzgerald could not have officially
represented Shell because authority resides on Crawford.
ISSUES
1. WON Shell Co., of the P.I. Ltd, taking advantage of its knowledge of the
existence of CALIs airplane C-54 at California, USA, acted in bad faith and
betrayed the confidence and trust of other creditors of CALI present in said
meeting by affecting a hasty telegraphic transfer of its credit to the American
corporation Shell Oil Company, Inc., thus defeating the purpose of the
informal meetings of CALIs principal creditors and depriving the plaintiff of
the means of obtaining the plane, or its value, to the detriment and prejudice
of other CALI creditors who were consequently deprived of their share in the
distribution of said value
2. WON by reason of said betrayal of confidence and trust, Shell may be
made to answer for the damages, and if so, the amount of such damages
HELD
1. YES, Shell acted in bad faith.
- It is evident that Shell, upon learning the precarious economic situation of
CALI and that will all probability, it could not get much of its outstanding credit
because of the preferred claims of other creditors, entirely disregarded all
moral inhibitory tenets.
- The telegraphic transfer made without knowledge and at the back of other
creditors of CALI may be a shrewd and surprise move that enabled Shell to
collect almost all if not the entire amount of its credit, but the Court of Justice
(SC) cannot countenance such attitude at all, and much less from a foreign
corporation to the detriment of Philippine Government and local business.
- Shells transfer of credit would have been justified only if Fitzgerald had
declined to take part in the working committee and frankly and honestly
informed the other creditors present that he had no authority to bind his
principal and that the latter was to be left free to collect its credit from CALI by
whatever means his principal deemed wise and were available to it. But then,
such information would have dissolved all attempts to come to an amicable
conciliation and would have precipitated the filing of CALIs voluntary
insolvency proceedings and nullified the intended transfer of Shells credit to
American Shell.
2. YES, Shell must answer for damages.
- Section 37 of the Insolvency Law states
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- The transfer of credit to its sister corporation in the US did not prejudice the
Government, because its claims were fully paid, not caused any loss or injury
to other creditors, except the entities and groups controlled by Alfonso Sycip.
It is not liable for exemplary damages because the provisions of the new Civil
Code on the matter are not applicable to this case
- Plaintiff-appellant has no cause of action against it and is not the real party
in interest
- Plaintiffs right of action was based and prosecuted in the lower court under
the provisions of the Insolvency Law and consequently he is stopped from
pursuing another theory and is not entitled to damages under the provisions
of the new Civil Code.
HELD
- The facts on which Court based its conclusion that Shell acted in bad faith
are not and cannot be denied or contradicted by defendant.
- There is no sensible reason for disturbing the finding that Shell is liable for
exemplary damages. The amount of the award, however, may be modified.
- According to the Civil Code, exemplary or corrective damages are imposed
by way of example or correction for the public good, in addition to the moral,
temperate, liquidated or compensatory damages, and that the amount of the
exemplary damages need not be proved, for it is left to the sound discretion
of the Court.
- Majority of the Court is of the opinion that the value of the C-54 plane might
result too high, and that exemplary damages should not be left to speculation
but properly determined by a certain and fixed amount. The amount of
exemplary damages is thus modified, and fixed at P25,000.
prof. casis
- A year and a half later, she was again asked to go to Jeddah to see
Miniewy. When she did, a certain Khalid of Saudia brought her to a Saudi
court where she was asked to sign a document written in Arabic. She was
told that it was necessary to close the case against Thamer and Allah. As it
turned out, she signed a document to appear before the court a week later.
When the date of appearance came, she complied but only after being
assured by Saudias Manila manager that the investigation was routinary and
posed no danger to her. She was brought before the court and was
interrogated by a Saudi judge and let go, however, just as she was about to
board a plane home, she was told that she had been forbidden to take flight.
She was later told to remain in Jeddah and her passport was again
confiscated. A few days later, she was again brought before the same court
where the Saudi judge, to her astonishment and shock, sentenced her to 5
months imprisonment and 286 lashes. Only then did she realize that the
Saudi court had tried her, together with Thamer and Allah for what happened
in Jakarta. The court found her guilty of adultery; going to a disco, dancing
and listening to music in violation of Islamic laws; and socializing with the
male crew, in contravention of Islamic tradition.
- Facing conviction, she sought help from her employer, petitioner Saudia but
she was denied assistance of any kind. She asked the Phil. Embassy to help
her. Because she was wrongfully convicted, the Prince of Makkah dismissed
the case against her and allowed her to leave Saudi Arabia. Shortly before
her return to Manila, she was terminated from the service by Saudia without
being informed of the cause.
- She then filed a complaint for damages against Saudia and Mr. Al-Balawi,
its country manager. Saudia filed a motion to dismiss raising the issues of
lack of cause of action and lack of jurisdiction. The RTC denied the motion to
dismiss by Saudia, as well as the subsequent MFR. Saudia then filed petition
for certiorari and prohibition with prayer for issuance of writ of preliminary
injunction and/or TRO with the CA. The CA issued a TRO prohibiting
respondent judge from conducting any proceeding unless otherwise directed.
The CA, however, in another resolution, denied Saudias prayer for issuance
of writ of preliminary injunction. Saudia then filed to the SC this instant
petition. However, during the pendency of this petition, respondent CA
rendered a decision that the Philippines is an appropriate forum considering
that the Amended Complaint's basis for recovery of damages is Art.21 CC,
thus, clearly within the jurisdiction of respondent Court.
ISSUES
1. WON Morada had a cause of action
2. Which law should govern (Phil. Law or Saudi Law)
HELD
1. YES
- She aptly predicated her cause of action on Art.19 and Art.21 of the CC. As
held in PNB v CA, the aforecited provisions on human relations were
intended to expand the concept of torts in this jurisdiction by granting
adequate legal remedy for the untold no. of moral wrongs which is impossible
for human foresight to specifically provide in the statutes. Although Art.19
merely declares a principle of law, Art.21 gives flesh to its provisions.
Reasoning
- After a careful study of the pleadings, We are convinced that there is
reasonable basis for private respondents assertion that although she was
already working in Manila, petitioner brought her to Jeddah on the pretense
that she would merely testify in an investigation of the charges she made
against the two crew members for the attack on her person. As it turned out,
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GLOBE MACKAY V CA
176 SCRA 778
CORTES; August 25, 1989
NATURE
An appeal from the decision of CA
FACTS
- Private respondent Restituto M. Tobias was employed by petitioner Globe
Mackay Cable and Radio Corporation as a purchasing agent and
administrative assistant to the engineering operations manager.
- GLOBE MACKAY discovered fictitious purchases and other fraudulent
transactions for which it lost several thousands of pesos.
According to private respondent it was he who actually discovered the
anomalies and reported them to his immediate superior Eduardo T. Ferraren
and to petitioner Herbert C. Hendry who was then the Executive VP and
General Manager of GLOBE MACKAY.
- one day after Tobias made the report, Hendry confronted him by stating that
he was the number one suspect, and ordered him to take a one week forced
leave, not to communicate with the office, to leave his table drawers open,
and to leave the office keys.
- when Tobias returned to work after the forced leave, Hendry went up to him
and called him a "crook" and a "swindler." Tobias was then ordered to take a
lie detector test. He was also instructed to submit specimen of his
handwriting, signature, and initials for examination by the police investigators
to determine his complicity in the anomalies.
- the Manila police investigators cleared Tobias of participation in the
anomalies.
- Not satisfied with the police report, petitioners hired a private investigator
who submitted a report finding Tobias guilty. This report however expressly
stated that further investigation was still to be conducted.
- Nevertheless, Hendry issued a memo suspending Tobias from work
preparatory to the filing of criminal charges against him.
- the Police Chief Document Examiner, after investigating other documents
pertaining to the alleged anomalous transactions, submitted a second
laboratory crime report reiterating his previous finding that the handwritings,
signatures, and initials appearing in the checks and other documents involved
in the fraudulent transactions were not those of Tobias. The lie detector tests
conducted on Tobias also yielded negative results.
- Notwithstanding the two police reports exculpating Tobias from the
anomalies petitioners filed a complaint for estafa through falsification of
commercial documents, later amended to just estafa.
- Subsequently five other criminal complaints were filed against Tobias, four
of which were for estafa while the fifth was for of Art.290 of' RPC (Discovering
Secrets Through Seizure of Correspondence).
- All of the 6 criminal complaints were dismissed by the fiscal.
- In the meantime, Tobias received a notice from petitioners that his
employment has been terminated. Whereupon, Tobias filed a complaint for
illegal dismissal.
- Secretary of Labor, acting on petitioners' appeal from the NLRC ruling,
reinstated the labor arbiter's decision and dismissed the complaint. Tobias
appealed the Secretary of Labor's order with the Office of the President.
- Unemployed, Tobias sought employment with the Republic Telephone
Company. However, petitioner Hendry, without being asked by RETELCO,
prof. casis
wrote a letter to the latter stating that Tobias was dismissed by GLOBE
MACKAY due to dishonesty.
- Tobias filed a civil case for damages anchored on alleged unlawful,
malicious, oppressive, and abusive acts of petitioners.
- Petitioner Hendry, claiming illness, did not testify during the hearings.
- The RTC rendered judgment in favor of Tobias by ordering petitioners to
pay him P80,000.00 as actual damages, P200,000.00 as moral damages,
P20,000.00 as exemplary damages, P30,000.00 as attorney's fees, and
costs.
- CA affirmed the RTC decision in toto.
ISSUE
WON petitioners are liable for damages to private respondent
HELD
YES
Ratio Art.19, known to contain what is commonly referred to as the principle
of abuse of rights, sets certain standards which must be observed not only in
the exercise of one's rights but also in the performance of one's duties. These
standards are the following: to act with justice; to give everyone his due; and
to observe honesty and good faith. The law, therefore, recognizes a
primordial limitation on all rights; that in their exercise, the norms of human
conduct set forth in Article 19 must be observed. A right, though by itself legal
because recognized or granted by law as such, may nevertheless become
the source of some illegality. When a right is exercised in a manner which
does not conform with the norms enshrined in Article 19 and results in
damage to another, a legal wrong is thereby committed for which the
wrongdoer must be held responsible.
Reasoning
- One of the more notable innovations of the New Civil Code is the
codification of "some basic principles that are to be observed for the rightful
relationship between human beings and for the stability of the social order."
Foremost among these principles is that pronounced in Article 19 which
provides:
Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the
performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and
observe honesty and good faith.
- But while Art.19 lays down a rule of conduct for the government of human
relations and for the maintenance of social order, it does not provide a
remedy for its violation. Generally, an action for damages under either Article
20 or Article 21 would be proper.
- Article 20, which pertains to damage arising from a violation of law, provides
that:
Art. 20. Every person who contrary to law, wilfully or negligently causes
damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.
- However, in the case at bar, petitioners claim that they did not violate any
provision of law since they were merely exercising their legal right to dismiss
private respondent. This does not, however, leave private respondent with no
relief because Article 21 of the Civil Code provides that:
Art. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner
that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the
latter for the damage.
- In determining whether or not the principle of abuse of rights may be
invoked, there is no rigid test which can be applied. The question of whether
or not the principle of abuse of rights has been violated resulting in damages
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damnum absque injuria, damage or loss which does not constitute a violation
of a legal right or amount to a legal wrong is not actionable. This principle
finds no application in this case. It bears repeating that even granting that
petitioners might have had the right to dismiss Tobias from work, the abusive
manner in which that right was exercised amounted to a legal wrong for
which petitioners must now be held liable. Moreover, the damage incurred by
Tobias was not only in connection with the abusive manner in which he was
dismissed but was also the result of several other quasi-delictual acts
committed by petitioners.
- Petitioners next question the award of moral damages. However, the Court
has already ruled that moral damages are recoverable in the cases
mentioned in Article 21 of said Code.
- Lastly, the award of exemplary damages is impugned by petitioners. The
nature of the wrongful acts shown to have been committed by petitioners
against Tobias is sufficient basis for the award of exemplary damages to the
latter.
Disposition petition is hereby DENIED and the decision of the CA is
AFFIRMED.
ALBENSON V CA
BIDIN; January 11, 1993
NATURE
Petition assailing the decision of respondent CA which modified the judgment
of the RTC and ordered petitioner to pay private respondent moral damages
and attorney's fees.
FACTS
- Petitioner Albenson Enterprises Corporation delivered to Guaranteed
Industries, Inc. the mild steel plates which the latter ordered. As part payment
thereof, Albenson was given a check in the amount of P2,575.00 and drawn
against the account of E.L. Woodworks. When presented for payment, the
check was dishonored for the reason "Account Closed."
- From the records of the SEC, Albenson discovered that the president of
Guaranteed, the recipient of the unpaid mild steel plates, was one "Eugenio
S. Baltao." Upon further inquiry, Albenson was informed by the Ministry of
Trade and Industry that E.L. Woodworks, a single proprietorship business,
was registered in the name of one "Eugenio Baltao". In addition, upon
verification with the drawee bank, Albenson was advised that the signature
appearing on the subject check belonged to one "Eugenio Baltao." After
obtaining the foregoing information, Albenson made an extrajudicial demand
upon private respondent Eugenio S. Baltao to replace and/or make good the
dishonored check. However, private respondent has a namesake, his son
Eugenio Baltao III, who manages a business establishment, E.L. Woodworks,
with the very same business address as Guaranteed.
- Assistant Fiscal Ricardo Sumaway filed an information against Eugenio S.
Baltao for Violation of BP 22. In filing said information, Fiscal Sumaway
claimed that he had given Eugenio S. Baltao opportunity to submit
controverting evidence, but the latter failed to do so and therefore, was
deemed to have waived his right. Baltao, claiming ignorance of the complaint
against him, immediately filed with the Provincial Fiscal of Rizal a motion for
reinvestigation. Provincial Fiscal Mauro M. Castro of Rizal reversed the
AMONOY V GUTIERREZ
351 SCRA 731
PANGANIBAN; 2001
FACTS
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UE V JADER
325 SCRA 804
YNARES-SANTIAGO; February 17, 2000
FACTS
- Jader was enrolled in the UE College of Law from 1984 up to 1988. He
failed to take the regular final examination in Practice Court I for which he
was given an incomplete grade .He enrolled for the second semester as
fourth year law student .He filed an application for the removal of the
incomplete grade but got a grade of five (5).
- In the mean time, his name appeared in the Tentative List of Candidates for
graduation with an annotation regarding his deficiencies. His name also
appeared in the invitation for the graduation as one of the candidates for
graduation. At the foot of the list of the names of the candidates there
appeared however an annotation saying that it was a tentative list and that
degrees will be conferred upon these candidates who satisfactorily complete
requirements as stated in the University Bulletin . Jader attended the
graduation and brought his family with him. He thereafter prepared himself for
prof. casis
the bar examination. He took a leave of absence without pay from his job and
enrolled at the pre-bar review class. Jader later learned of the deficiency and
he dropped his review class and was not able to take the bar examination.
Consequently, he sued UE for damages.
- UE denied liability arguing that it never led respondent to believe that he
completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Laws degree when his name
was included in the tentative list of graduating students.
- TC rendered judgment in favor of the Jader and ordered UE to pay Jader
P35,470.00
- CA Affirmed and added an award of P50,000.00 for moral damages
- UE elevated the case to this Court on a petition for review arguing that it has
no liability to respondent Romeo A. Jader, considering that the proximate and
immediate cause of the alleged damages incurred by the latter arose out of
his own negligence in not verifying from the professor concerned the result of
his removal exam.
ISSUE
WON an educational institution may be held liable for damages for
misleading a student into believing that the latter had satisfied all the
requirements for graduation when such is not the case
HELD
YES
- UE had a contractual obligation to inform his students as to whether or not
they have met all the requirements for the conferment of a degree. Thus, UE
in belatedly informing respondent of the result of the removal examination,
particularly at a time when he had already commenced preparing for the bar
exams, cannot be said to have acted in good faith. Absence of good faith
must be sufficiently established for a successful prosecution by the
aggrieved party in a suit for abuse of right under Article 19 of the Civil
Code. Good faith connotes an honest intention to abstain from taking undue
advantage of another, even though the forms and technicalities of the law,
together with the absence of all information or belief of facts, would render
the transaction unconscientious.
- Considering that the institution of learning involved herein is a university
which is engaged in legal education, it should have practiced what it
inculcates in its students, more specifically the principle of good dealings
enshrined in Articles 19 and 20 of the Civil Code which states:
Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the
performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and
observe honesty and good faith.
Art. 20. Every person who, contrary to law, wilfully or negligently causes
damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.
- Article 19 was intended to expand the concept of torts by granting adequate
legal remedy for the untold number of moral wrongs which is impossible for
human foresight to provide specifically in statutory law.
- In civilized society, men must be able to assume that others will do them no
intended injury that others will commit no internal aggressions upon them;
that their fellowmen, when they act affirmatively will do so with due care
which the ordinary understanding and moral sense of the community exacts
and that those with whom they deal in the general course of society will act in
good faith. The ultimate thing in the theory of liability is justifiable reliance
under conditions of civilized society. Schools and professors cannot just take
students for granted and be indifferent to them, for without the latter, the
former are useless.
GARCIANO V CA
212 SCRA 436
GRIO-AQUINO; August 10, 1992
NATURE
Petition for review of the decision of the Court of Appeals dismissing the
complaint for damages filed by the petitioner against the private respondents.
FACTS
- The petitioner was hired to teach during the 1981-82 school year in the
Immaculate Concepcion Institute in the Island of Camotes. On January 13,
1982, or before the school year ended, she applied for an indefinite leave of
absence because her daughter was taking her to Austria where her daughter
was employed. The application was recommended for approval by the school
principal, Emerito O. Labajo, and approved by the President of the school's
Board of Directors.
- On June 1, 1982, Emerito Labajo addressed a letter to the petitioner
through her husband, Sotero Garciano (for she was still abroad), informing
her of the decision of Fr. Joseph Wiertz, the school's founder, concurred in by
the president of the Parent-Teachers Association and the school faculty, to
terminate her services as a member of the teaching staff because of: (1) the
absence of any written contract of employment between her and the school
due to her refusal to sign one; and (2) the difficulty of getting a substitute for
her on a temporary basis as no one would accept the position without a
written contract. Upon her return from Austria in the later part of June, 1982,
she received the letter informing her that her services at the Immaculate
Concepcion Institute had been terminated. She made inquiries from the
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school about the matter and, on July 7, 1982, the members of the Board of
Directors of the school, with the exception of Fr. Joseph Wiertz, signed a
letter notifying her that she was "reinstated to report and do your usual duties
as Classroom Teacher . . . effective July 5, 1982," and that "any letter or
notice of termination received by you before this date has no sanction or
authority by the Board of Directors of this Institution, therefore it is declared
null and void."
- On July 9, 1982, the president, vice president, secretary, and three
members of the Board of Directors, out of a membership of nine (9), resigned
their positions from the Board "for the reason that the ICI Faculty, has reacted
acidly to the Board's deliberations for the reinstatement of Mrs. Esteria F.
Garciano, thereby questioning the integrity of the Board's decision".
- On September 3, 1982, petitioner filed a complaint for damages in the
Regional Trial Court, Cebu, Branch XI, against Fr. Wiertz, Emerito Labajo,
and some members of the faculty of the school for discrimination and unjust
and illegal dismissal.
ISSUE
WON the defendants prevented the petitioner from reporting to the school
and thus making them liable for damages
HELD
NO
- The Court of Appeals was correct in finding that petitioner's discontinuance
from teaching was her own choice. While the respondents admittedly wanted
her service terminated, they actually did nothing to physically prevent her
from reassuming her post, as ordered by the school's Board of Directors.
That the school principal and Fr. Wiertz disagreed with the Board's decision
to retain her, and some teachers allegedly threatened to resign en masse,
even if true, did not make them liable to her for damages. They were simply
exercising their right of free speech or their right to dissent from the
Board's decision. Their acts were not contrary to law, morals, good customs
or public policy. They did not "illegally dismiss" her for the Board's decision to
retain her prevailed. She was ordered to report for work on July 5, 1982, but
she did not comply with that order. Consequently, whatever loss she may
have incurred in the form of lost earnings was self-inflicted. Volenti non fit
injuria.
Ratio Liability for damages under Articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Civil Code
arises only from unlawful, willful or negligent acts that are contrary to law, or
morals, good customs or public policy.
prof. casis
was stipulated that an interest of 12% would be imposed, plus 25% for attys
fees and collection. On Sept1987, Barons paid P300k (thereby leaving an
unpaid account of P3.8m). Phelps sent several demands, but Barons still did
not pay. It instead wrote Phelps requesting if it could pay the outstanding
account in monthly installments of P500k plus 1% interest.
- Phelps, instead of responding to the request of Barons, filed a complaint for
recovery of the P3.8m plus interest, and prayed for attys fees of 25% of the
amt, and exemplary damages amounting to P100k.
- Barons admitted the purchase of the wires and cables, but disputed the amt
claimed by Phelps. The RTC rendered decision in favor of Phelps, ordering
Barons to pay the debt and interest of 12% and awarding 25% as attys fees.
CA affirmed (with modification, reducing attys fees to 5%) Barons now assail
the CA decision, alleging that Phelps should have been held guilty of
creditors abuse of rights, and Barons should not be liable for attys fees.
*note: Barons contends that Phelps abused its rights when it rejected Barons
offer to settle the debt in installments
**right involved: right of a creditor to refuse partial fulfillment of a prestation
due to him
ISSUES
1. WON there was creditors abuse of rights in this case
2. WON Barons should be liable for interest and attys fees
HELD
1. NO
Ratio there is no abuse of rights when there is no bad faith nor intent to
prejudice another. Also, the mere exercise of a right cannot be said to be an
abuse of right.
Reasoning
- the law prescribes a "primordial limitation on all rights" by setting certain
standards that must be observed in the exercise thereof. Thus, the inclusion
of Art.19 in the CC: Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the
performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and
observe honesty and good faith.
- To constitute abuse of rights, there must be bad faith or intent to prejudice
the plaintiff. Citing Tolentino: There is undoubtedly an abuse of right when it
is exercised for the only purpose of prejudicing or injuring another. When the
objective of the actor is illegitimate, the illicit act cannot be concealed under
the guise of exercising a right. xxx The exercise of a right must be in
accordance with the purpose for which it was established, and must not be
excessive or unduly harsh; there must be no intention to injure another.
- In this case, bad faith on the part of Phelps was not proved. More
importantly, Phelps was driven by legitimate reasons for rejecting Barons
offer. It merely wanted to avoid a situation wherein its cash position would be
compromised, making it harder for them to pay its own obligations.
Clearly, this (the request of Barons) would be inimical to the interests of
any enterprise, especially a profit-oriented one like Phelps. It is plain to
see that what we have here is a mere exercise of rights, not an abuse
thereof.
2. YES
Ratio the penal clause included in the contract should be complied with in
the event of breach.
Reasoning
- the contract expressly provided for the imposition of the 12% interest plus
25% for attorneys fees and collection, by way of penal clause. Thus, Barons
is bound to pay the said amounts.
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- March 12, 1990 MARASIGAN sent another letter reminding the manager
of FEBTC that he had long rescinded and cancelled whatever arrangement
he entered into with BPI and requesting for his correct billing, less the
improper charges and penalties, and for an explanation within five (5) days
from receipt thereof why his card was dishonored on December 8, 1989
despite assurance to the contrary by defendant's personnel-in-charge,
otherwise the necessary court action shall be filed to hold defendant
responsible for the humiliation and embarrassment suffered by him
- March 21, 1990 - final demand by BPI requiring him to pay in full his
overdue account, including stipulated fees and charges, within 5 days from
receipt thereof or face court action and also to replace the postdated check
with cash within the same period or face criminal suit for violation of Bouncing
Check Law
- April 5, 1990 MARASIGAN demanded BPI compliance with his request in
his first letter dated March 12, 1990 within three (3) days from receipt,
otherwise the plaintiff will file a case against them
- May 7, 1990 - MARASIGAN filed a complaint for damages against
petitioner before the RTC Makati
- TC: ruled for MARASIGAN finding that BPI abused its right in contravention
of A19 CC ordering BPI to pay P 100,000.00 as moral damages; P 50,000.00
as exemplary damages; and P 20,000.00 by way of attorney's fees.
- CA: AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION P50,000.00 as moral damages:
P25,000.00 as exemplary damages; and P10,000.00 by way of attorney's
fees.
ISSUES
1. WON BPI abused its right to suspend the credit card
2. WON MARASIGAN can recover moral damages arising from the
cancellation of his credit card by BPI
HELD
1. NO
Ratio The agreement was for the immediate payment of the outstanding
account. A check is not considered as cash especially when it is postdated
sent to BPI. Thus, the issuance of the postdated check was not effective
payment. BPI was therefore justified in suspending his credit card. BPI did
not capriciously and arbitrarily canceled the use of the card.
Reasoning
- Under the terms and conditions of the credit card, signed by MARASIGAN,
any card with outstanding balances after thirty (30) days from original
billing/statement shall automatically be suspended,
Any CARD with outstanding balances unpaid after thirty (30) days from
original billing/statement date shall automatically be suspended and those
with accounts unpaid after sixty (60) days from said original
billing/statement date shall automatically be cancelled without prejudice to
BECC's right to suspend or cancel any CARD any time and for whatever
reason.
- By his own admission MARASIGAN made no payment within 30 days for
his billing/statement dated 27 September 1989. Neither did he make payment
for his original billing/statement dated 27 October 1989. Consequently as
early as 28 October 1989 thirty days from the non-payment of his billing
dated 27 September 1989, BPI could automatically suspend his credit card.
Ratio To find the existence of an abuse of right A19 the following elements
must be present (1) There is a legal right or duty; (2) which is exercised in
bad faith; (3) for the sole intent of prejudicing or injuring another.
Reasoning
- Good faith is presumed and the burden of proving bad faith is on the party
alleging it. As early as 28 October 1989, BPI could have suspended
MARASIGANS card outright. Instead, BPI allowed him to use his card for
several weeks.
Ratio The underlying basis for the award of tort damages is the premise that
an individual was injured in contemplation of law. Thus, there must first be a
breach of some duty and the imposition of liability for that breach before
damages may be awarded; and the breach of such duty should be the
proximate cause of the injury.
Reasoning
- Injury is the illegal invasion of a legal right; damage is the loss, hurt or harm
which results from the injury; and damages are the recompense or
compensation awarded for the damage suffered. Thus, there can be damage
without injury in those instances in which the loss or harm was not the results
of a violation of a legal duty. In such cases, the consequences must be borne
by the injured person alone, the law affords no remedy for damages resulting
from an act which does not amount to a legal injury or wrong. These
situations
are
often
called
damnum
absque
injuria
- It was petitioner's failure to settle his obligation which caused the
suspension of his credit card and subsequent dishonor at Caf Adriatico. He
can not now pass the blame to the petitioner for not notifying him of the
suspension of his card. As quoted earlier, the application contained the
stipulation that the petitioner could automatically suspend a card whose
billing has not been paid for more than thirty days. Nowhere is it stated in the
terms and conditions of the application that there is a need of notice before
suspension may be affected as private respondent claims.
2. NO
- MARASIGANS own negligence was the proximate cause of his
embarrassing and humiliating experience in not reading the letter of notice of
cancellation. The award of damages by the CA is clearly unjustified.
RUIZ V SECRETARY
PAREDES; 1966
NATURE
Appeal from an order of the Manila CFI
FACTS
- Enrique Ruiz and Jose Herrera, both shareholders of Allied Technilogists,
Inc. filed an action against the Secretary of National Defense and also
against their own company (together with Pablo Panlilio who is also a
shareholder of the company) in connection with the 15% retention fund
withheld by the DND relating to the construction of the Veterans Hospital. It
turned out that said retention was already released by the DND to the
Company. The Court then proceeded with the other cause of action which
was deemed to be the controversy between Ruiz and Panlilio over the said
15%.
- As it turned out, the real issue was the credit as to the architects of the
building were. Under the contract and all other documents relating to the
construction of the Veterans Hospital, the named architect was only Panlilio.
Ruiz and Herrera want to be recognized as architects of the building also
citing Article 21 of the Civil Code as their base for he cause of action.
ALBENSON V CA (BALTAO)
217 SCRA 16
BIDIN; January 11, 1993
NATURE
Appeal from decision of the Court of Appeals
FACTS
- Albenson Enterprises Corp. delivered to Guaranteed Industries Inc. the mild
steel plates which the latter ordered. As part payment, Albenson was given a
check drawn against the account of E.L. Woodworks.
- Check was dishonored for the reason Account closed.
- Albenson discovered that the president of Guaranteed was one Eugenio S.
Baltao and that E.L. Woodworks was registered in the name Eugenio Baltao.
The signature on the subject check belonged to Eugenio Baltao.
- Albenson made an extrajudicial demand but Balbao denied issuing the
check. Thus, Albenson filed a complaint against Eugenio S. Baltao for
violation of BP 22.
- Asst. Fiscal Ricardo Sumaway filed an information against Eugenio S.
Baltao for Violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22.
- Baltao filed with the Provincial Fiscal of Rizal a motion for reinvestigation. It
appears that private respondent has a namesake, his son Eugenio Baltao III,
who manages E.L. Woodworks.
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WASSMER V VELEZ
12 SCRA 648
BENGZON; December 24, 1964
FACTS
- Francisco X. Velez and Beatriz P. Wassmer, following their mutual promise
of love, decided to get married and set September 4, 1954 as the big day. On
September 2, Velez left a note for Wassmer saying that he has to postpone
the wedding because his mother opposes it.
- But the next day, he sent a telegram assuring Wassmer that nothing has
changed and he will return soon. But Velez did not appear nor was he heard
from again.
- Sued by Beatriz for damages, Velez filed no answer and was declared in
default. Plaintiff adduced evidence before the clerk of court as commissioner
Judgment was rendered ordering defendant to pay plaintiff P2,000 as actual
damages; P25,000 as moral and exemplary damages; P2,500 as attorney's
fees; and the costs.
ISSUE
WON Velez is liable for the cost of wedding preparations spent by Wassmer
HELD
YES
- While mere breach of contract is not an actionable wrong, Article 21 of the
Civil Code says that when the person willfully causes loss or injury contrary to
good custom, he shall compensate the latter for damages. It is the abuse of
right which can be a cause for moral and material damages.
- The record reveals that on August 23, 1954 plaintiff and defendant applied
for a license to contract marriage, which was subsequently issued. Their
wedding was set. Invitations were printed and distributed to relatives, friends
and acquaintances. The bride-to-be's trousseau, party dresses and other
apparel for the important occasion were purchased. Dresses for the maid of
honor and the flower girl were prepared. A matrimonial bed, with accessories,
was bought. Bridal showers were given and gifts received.
- This is not a case of mere breach of promise to marry. To formally set a
wedding and go through all the above-described preparation and publicity,
only to walk out of it when the matrimony is about to be solemnized, is quite
different. This is palpably and unjustifiably contrary to good customs for which
defendant must be held answerable in damages in accordance with Article 21
aforesaid.
- Per express provision of Article 2219 (10) of the New Civil Code, moral
damages are recoverable in the cases mentioned in Article 21 of said Code.
As to exemplary damages, defendant contends that the same could not be
adjudged against him because under Article 2232 of the New Civil Code the
condition precedent is that "the defendant acted in a wanton, fraudulent,
reckless, oppressive, or malevolent manner." The argument is devoid of merit
as under the above-narrated circumstances of this case defendant clearly
acted in a "wanton ... , reckless [and] oppressive manner." P15,000.00 as
moral and exemplary damages is deemed to be a reasonable award.
TANJANCO V SANTOS
REYES; December 17, 1966
NATURE
Appeal from a decision of the Court of Appeals revoking an order of the CFI
dismissing appellant's action for support and damages.
FACTS
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BAKSH V CA
219 SCRA 115
DAVIDE JR; February 19, 1993
NATURE
Appeal by certioriari to review and set aside the decision of the Court of
Appeals
FACTS
- Private respondent, without the assistance of counsel, filed with the
aforesaid trial court a complaint 2 for damages against the petitioner for the
alleged violation of their agreement to get married. She alleges in said
complaint that: she is 22 years old, single, Filipino and a pretty lass of good
moral character and reputation duly respected in her community; petitioner,
on the other hand, is an Iranian citizen residing at the Lozano Apartments,
Guilig, Dagupan City, and is an exchange student taking a medical course at
the Lyceum Northwestern Colleges in Dagupan City; before 20 August 1987,
the latter courted and proposed to marry her; she accepted his love on the
condition that they would get married; they therefore argued to get married
after the end of the school semester, which was in October of that year;
petitioner then visited the private respondent's parents in Baaga, Bugallon,
Pangasinan to secure their approval to the marriage; sometime in 20 August
1987, the petitioner forced her to live with him in the Lozano Apartments; she
was a virgin before she began living with him; a week before the filing of the
complaint, petitioner's attitude towards her started to change; he maltreated
and threatened to kill her; as a result of such maltreatment, she sustained
injuries, during a confrontation with a representative of the barangay captain
prof. casis
of Guilig a day before the filing of the complaint, petitioner repudiated their
marriage agreement and asked her not to live with him anymore and; the
petitioner is already married to someone living in Bacolod City. Private
respondent then prayed for judgment ordering the petitioner to pay her
damages, reimbursement for actual expenses, attorney's fees and costs, and
granting her such other relief and remedies as may be just and equitable.
- In his Answer with Counterclaim, petitioner admitted only the personal
circumstances of the parties as averred in the complaint and denied the rest
of the allegations either for lack of knowledge or information sufficient to form
a belief as to the truth thereof or because the true facts are those alleged as
his Special and Affirmative Defenses. He thus claimed that he never
proposed marriage to or agreed to be married with the private respondent; he
neither sought the consent and approval of her parents nor forced her to live
in his apartment; he did not maltreat her, but only told her to stop coming to
his place because he discovered that she had deceived him by stealing his
money and passport; and finally, no confrontation took place with a
representative of the barangay captain. Insisting, in his Counterclaim, that the
complaint is baseless and unfounded and that as a result thereof, he was
unnecessarily dragged into court and compelled to incur expenses, and has
suffered mental anxiety and a besmirched reputation, he prayed for an award
for miscellaneous expenses and moral damages.
- After trial on the merits, the lower court, applying Article 21 of the Civil
Code, rendered on 16 October 1989 a decision 5 favoring the private
respondent. The petitioner was thus ordered to pay the latter damages and
attorney's fees.
- The decision is anchored on the trial court's findings and conclusions that
(a) petitioner and private respondent were lovers, (b) private respondent is
not a woman of loose morals or questionable virtue who readily submits to
sexual advances, (c) petitioner, through machinations, deceit and false
pretenses, promised to marry private respondent, (d) because of his
persuasive promise to marry her, she allowed herself to be deflowered by
him, (e) by reason of that deceitful promise, private respondent and her
parents in accordance with Filipino customs and traditions made some
preparations for the wedding that was to be held at the end of October 1987
by looking for pigs and chickens, inviting friends and relatives and contracting
sponsors, (f) petitioner did not fulfill his promise to marry her and (g) such
acts of the petitioner, who is a foreigner and who has abused Philippine
hospitality, have offended our sense of morality, good customs, culture and
traditions. The trial court gave full credit to the private respondent's testimony
because, inter alia, she would not have had the temerity and courage to
come to court and expose her honor and reputation to public scrutiny and
ridicule if her claim was false.
- Petitioner appealed the trial court's decision to the respondent Court of
Appeals. Respondent Court promulgated the challenged decision affirming in
toto the trial court's ruling. Unfazed by his second defeat, petitioner filed the
instant petition; he raises therein the single issue of whether or not Article 21
of the Civil Code applies to the case at bar.
- It is petitioner's thesis that said Article 21 is not applicable because he had
not committed any moral wrong or injury or violated any good custom or
public policy; he has not professed love or proposed marriage to the private
respondent; and he has never maltreated her. He criticizes the trial court for
liberally invoking Filipino customs, traditions and culture, and ignoring the fact
that since he is a foreigner, he is not conversant with such Filipino customs,
traditions and culture. As an Iranian Moslem, he is not familiar with Catholic
and Christian ways. He stresses that even if he had made a promise to
marry, the subsequent failure to fulfill the same is excusable or tolerable
BUNAG V CA (CIRILO)
211 SCRA 441
REGALADO; July 10, 1992
NATURE
Petition for review from the decision of CA
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prof. casis
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FACTS
- Conrado Bunag, Jr brought Zenaida Cirilo to a hotel where they had sex.
Later that evening, Bunag brough her to his grandmothers house in Las
Pinas where they liver together as husband and wife for 21 days. During that
time, Bunag, Jr. and Cirilo applied for their respective Marriage Licenses, but
after leaving, Bunag Jr withdrew his application. Cirilo contends that she was
abducted by Bunag Jr along with unidentified man and brought her to the
motel where she was raped. The Court a quo adopted her evidence.
- The Court found that Cirilo and Bunag Jr were sweethearts but for 2eeks
before the alleged rape, they had a quarrel. On the day of the said rape,
Bunag jr invited her for merienda to talk things over. Bunag Jr came riding in
a car with an unidentified man. Cirilo rode in the passengers seat while
Bunag Jr was driving. When she noticed they were going the wrong way,
Cirilo protested but Bunag threatened her that he would bump the car against
the post if she made any noise. They never got to the restaurant where they
were supposed to eat.
- She was then dragged by the 2 men in the hotel where Bunag Jr deflowered
her against her will and consent.
- Bunag initially allowed her to go home but later refused to consent and
stated that he would only let her go after they were married, so much so that
she promised not to make any scandal and to marry him. they proceeded to
Bunags grandmothers house. That night, Bunag Sr arrived and assured
them that they would apply for the ML the next day.
- After filing for the ML, they lived as husband and wife for 21 days. Bunag
then left and never returned. Cirilo was ashamed when she went home and
could not sleep and eat because of the deception done against her by Bunag,
Jr.
- A complaint fro breach of promise to marry was filed against Bunag Sr and
Bunag Jr. The RTC upon finding that she was forcibly abducted and raped
Bunag Jr was ordered to pay for P80K for moral damages, P20K for
exemplary damage, P20K by way of temperate damage, and P10K for attys
fees. Bunag Sr was absolved from liability.
- Cirilo appealed on the disculpation of Bunag Srs liability. While the Bunags
assigned several errors in the TC decision. CA dismissed the petitions and
affirmed judgment of RTC in toto.
- Bunag filed for the petition for review claiming that CA failed to consider vital
exhibits and testimonies and error in the proper application of the law.
ISSUE
WON lower courts erred in granting damages for the breach of promise to
marry
HELD
Ratio A breach of promise to marry is not actionable per se, except where
the plaintiff incurred expenses for the wedding and the necessary incidents
therrof. However, the award for moral damages is allowed in cases specified
and analogous to those provided in Art 2219 CC. Under Art 21 CC, in relation
to Art 2219, par10, any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another in
a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall
compensate the latter for damages.
Reasoning
- The court is constrained with the factual findings of the lower courts.
- A breach of promise to marry has no standing in the civil law, apart from the
right to recover for money or property advanced by the plaintiff upon the faith
of such promise.
CONSTANTINO V MENDEZ
BIDIN; May 14, 1992
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari
FACTS
- Petitioner Amelita Constantino filed an action for acknowledgment, support
and damages against private respondent Ivan Mendez.
- In her complaint, Amelita Constantino alleges that she met Ivan Mendez at
Tony's Restaurant located at Sta. Cruz, Manila, where she worked as a
waitress; that the day following their first meeting, Ivan invited Amelita to dine
with him at Hotel Enrico where he was billeted; that while dining, Ivan
professed his love and courted Amelita; that Amelita asked for time to think
about Ivan's proposal; that at about 11:00 o'clock in the evening, Amelita
asked Ivan to bring her home to which the latter agreed, that on the pretext of
getting something, Ivan brought Amelita inside his hotel room and through a
promise of marriage succeeded in having sexual intercourse with the latter;
that after the sexual contact, Ivan confessed to Amelita that he is a married
man; that they repeated their sexual contact in the months of September and
November, 1974, whenever Ivan is in Manila, as a result of which Amelita got
pregnant; that her pleas for help and support fell on deaf ears; that Amelita
had no sexual relations with any other man except Ivan who is the father of
the child yet to be born at the time of the filing of the complaint; that because
of her pregnancy, Amelita was forced to leave her work as a waitress; that
Ivan is a prosperous businessman of Davao City with a monthly income of
P5,000 to P8,000.00. As relief, Amelita prayed for the recognition of the
unborn child, the payment of actual, moral and exemplary damages,
attorney's fees plus costs.
ISSUE
WON Amelita can claim for damages which is based on Articles 19 3 & 21 4
of the Civil Code on the theory that through Ivan's promise of marriage, she
surrendered her virginity
HELD
NO
Ratio Mere sexual intercourse is not by itself a basis for recovery. Damages
could only be awarded if sexual intercourse is not a product of voluntariness
and mutual desire.
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Reasoning
- Her attraction to Ivan is the reason why she surrendered her womanhood.
Had she been induced or deceived because of a promise of marriage, she
could have immediately severed her relation with Ivan when she was
informed after their first sexual contact sometime in August, 1974, that he
was a married man. Repeated sexual intercourse only indicates that passion
and not the alleged promise of marriage was the moving force that made her
submit herself to Ivan.
QUIMIGUING V ICAO
34 SCRA 132
REYES; July 31, 1970
NATURE
Appeal on points of law from an order of the CFI
FACTS
- Appellant, Quimiguing, assisted by her parents, sued her neighbor Icao with
whom she had close and confidential relations. The latter, although married,
succeeded in having sex with plaintiff several times by force and intimidation
and without her consent. She became pregnant and despite efforts and drugs
(abortion pills?) supplied by defendant, she had to stop studying. Hence, she
claimed support of P120/mo.
- Icao moved to dismiss for lack of cause of action as the complaint did not
allege the child had been bornthe motion was sustained. Plaintiff amended
the complaint but the TC ruled such was not allowable as the original
complaint averred no cause of action.
ISSUES
1. WON Quimiguing had a right to the support of the child
2. WON Quimiguing is entitled to damages
HELD
1. YES
- A conceived, unborn child is given a provisional personality by law and
therefore has a right to support from its progenitors, particularly Icao (Art. 40)
and may receive donations (Art. 742). Its being ignored by the parent in his
testament may result in preterition of a forced heir that annuls the institution
of the testamentary heir, even if such child should be born after the death of
the testator (Art. 854)
2. YES
- For a married man to force a woman not his wife to yield to his lust (as
averred in the original complaint) constitutes a clear violation of the rights of
his victim that entitles her to claim compensation for damages caused. As
stated in Art. 21, Any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another in
a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall
compensate the latter for damage. This is furthered by Art. 2219 which
provides compensation in cases of seduction, abduction, rape or other
lascivious acts.
- Hence, independent of the right to support of the child, plaintiff herself had a
cause of action for damages; thus the order dismissing it for failure to state a
cause of action was doubly in error.
Disposition the orders under appeal are reversed and set aside
PE V PE
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5 SCRA 200
1962
FACTS
- Plaintiffs are parents, brothers and sisters of Lolita PE, an unmarried
woman 24 years of age. Defendant, a married man, frequently visited Lolitas
house on the pretext that he wanted her to teach him to pray the rosary. They
fell in love and conducted clandestine trysts. When the parents learned
about this, they prohibited defendant from going to their house. The affair
continued just the same. On april 14, 1957, Lolita disappeared from her
brothers house where she was living. A note in the handwriting of the
defendant was found inside Lolitas aparador. The present action was
instituted under Article 21 of the Civil Code. The lower court dismissed the
action. Hence, this appeal by the plaintiffs
ISSUE
WON the defendant can be held liable under Article 21
HELD
YES
- The circumstances under which the defendant tried to win Lolitas affection
cannot lead to any other conclusion than that it was he who, through an
ingenious scheme or trickery, seduced the latter to the extent of making her
fall in love with him. This is shown by the fact that defendant frequented the
house of Lolita on the pretext that he wanted her to teach him how to pray the
rosary. Because of the frequency of his visits to the latters family who
allowed free access because he was a collateral relative and was considered
as a member of the family, the two eventually fell in love with each other and
conducted clandestine love affairs. Defendant continued his love affairs with
Lolita until she disappeared from the parental home. Indeed, no other
conclusion can be drawn from this chain of events than that the defendant not
only deliberately, but through a clever strategy, succeeded in winning the
affection and love of Lolita to the extent of having illicit relations with her. The
wrong he had caused her and her family is indeed immeasurable considering
the fact that he is a married man. Verily, he has committed an injury to
Lolitas family in a manner contrary to morals, good customs and public policy
as contemplated in Article 21 of the New Civil Code.
him by Que were defective and that Que allegedly refused to replace them.
Que on his part alleged that the said defective products were only returned
after he filed an estafa case. TC ruled in favor of Que, IAC reversed.
ISSUE
WON Que had instituted a malicious prosecution of the private respondent
(WON the reversal made by IAC was correct)
HELD
NO
- It is evident that the petitioner was not motivated by ill feeling but only by an
anxiety to protect his his rights when he filed the criminal complaint for estafa
with the fiscal's office.
Ratio. One cannot be held liable in damages for maliciously instituting a
prosecution where he acted with probable cause.
Reasoning
-. 'Under the Spanish Law, the element of probable cause was not treated
separately from that of malice, as under the American Law. When a
complaint was laid and there was probable cause to believe that the person
charged had committed the acts complained of, although, as a matter of fact,
he had not, the complainant was fully protected, but not so much on the
theory of probable cause as on the ground that, under such circumstances,
there was no intent to accuse falsely. If the charge, although false, was made
with an honest belief in its truth and justice, and there were reasonable
grounds on which such a belief could be founded, the accusation could not
be held to have been false in the legal sense.
- To constitute malicious prosecution, there must be proof that the
prosecution was prompted by a sinister design to vex and humiliate a person
that it was initiated deliberately by the defendant knowing that his charges
were false and groundless. Concededly, the mere act of submitting a case to
the authorities for prosecution does not make one liable for malicious
prosecution (Manila Gas Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 100 SCRA 602)
- Nicolas issued 5 checks which Que cannot encash, inspite of demands by
the latter. Also, the goods which were allegedly defective were not yet
returned to Que before the filing of the estafa case. Instead, Nicolas kept the
goods, did not demand for its repair. He just stopped payment, without Que
knowing that there were defects in the goods he delivered. Therefore, from
Ques point of view, the circumstances presented the possibility that Nicolas
might cheat him.
Disposition decision of the respondent court dated March 12, 1984, is SET
ASIDE and the amended decision of the trial court dated February 21, 1979,
is REINSTATED as above modified. This decision is immediately executory.
DRILON V CA (ADAZA)
270 SCRA 211
HERMOSISIMA JR; March 20, 1997
NATURE
Petition to reverse CAs Resolutions
FACTS
- Gen Renato DE VILLA, Chief of Staff of the AFP, requested the DOJ
(headed by Sec Franklin DRILON) to order the investigation of several
individuals, including private respondent ADAZA for their alleged participation
in the failed Dec 1989 coup detat.
HELD
1. YES
Definition of Malicious Prosecution:
- In American jurisdiction, it has been defined asOne begun in malice without probable cause to believe the charges can be
sustained. Instituted with intention of injuring defendant and without probable
cause, and which terminates in favor of the person prosecuted. For this
injury an action on the case lies, called the action of malicious prosecution.
- In Philippine jurisdiction, it has been defined asAn action for damages brought by one against whom a criminal prosecution,
civil suit, or other legal proceeding has been instituted maliciously and without
probable cause, after the termination of such prosecution, suit, or other
proceeding in favor of the defendant therein. The gist of the action is the
putting of legal process in force, regularly, for the mere purpose of vexation or
injury.
Reasoning
- Nowhere in his complaint filed with the trial court did respondent Adaza
allege that his action is one based on tort. (Sec 3e of RA 3019) An
examination of the records would show that this latest posture as to the
nature of his cause of action is only being raised for the first time on appeal.
Such a change of theory cannot be allowed.
2. NO
Ratio In order for a malicious prosecution suit to prosper, the plaintiff must
prove these elements:
(a) The fact of the prosecution and the further fact that the defendant was
himself the prosecutor and that the action finally terminated with an acquittal;
(b) That in bringing the action, the prosecutor acted without probable cause;
and
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(c) That the prosecutor was actuated or impelled by legal malice, that is by
improper or sinister motive.
- The statutory basis for a civil action for damages for malicious prosecution
are found in the provisions of the NCC [Art 19, 20, 21, 26, 29, 32, 33, 35,
2217 and 2219 (8)].
Reasoning
- Judging from the face of the complaint itself filed by Adaza, NONE of these
requisites have been alleged, thus rendering the complaint dismissible on the
ground of failure to state a cause of action.
(a) Insofar as Adazas Criminal Case is concerned, what appears clear from
the records only is that respondent has been discharged on a writ of habeas
corpus and granted bail. This is not considered the termination of the action
contemplated under Philippine jurisdiction to warrant the institution of a
malicious prosecution suit against those responsible for the filing of the
information against him.
(b) It is well-settled that one cannot be held liable for maliciously instituting a
prosecution where one has acted with probable cause. The petitioners were
of the honest conviction that there was probable cause to hold Adaza for trial.
(c) Suffice it to state that the presence of probable cause signifies, as a legal
consequence, the absence of malice.
Disposition Petition is GRANTED. Respondent Judge is DIRECTED to take
no further action on civil case except to DISMISS it.
GLOBE MACKAY V CA
CORTES; August 25, 1989
NATURE
Certiorari
FACTS
- Globe Mackay found out an anomaly that has been causing them to lose
money, to which Tobias was the number one suspect though he claimed he
was the one who reported it.
- The results of the investigations said that the handwritings, signatures, and
initials appearing in the checks and other documents involved in the
fraudulent transactions were not those of -Tobias. The lie detector tests
conducted on Tobias also yielded negative results.
- Despite being cleared, complaints for estafa were filed against Tobias. All of
the six criminal complaints were dismissed by the fiscal and MRs of Globe
were denied too.
- Tobias filed a complaint for illegal dismissal upon receiving the notice of his
termination.
- LA: dismissed the complaint; NLRC- reversed; the Secretary of Labor:
reinstated the LA's decision which Tobias appealed to the Office of the
President.
- During the pendency of the appeal with said office, petitioners and private
respondent Tobias entered into a compromise agreement regarding the
latter's complaint for illegal dismissal.
- Unemployed, Tobias sought employment with the Republic Telephone
Company (RETELCO).
ALBENSON V CA (BALTAO)
BIDIN; January 11, 1993
NATURE
Appeal from CA judgment modifying RTCs decision as regards amount to be
paid
FACTS
- Albenson Enterprises delivered mild steel plates to 3267 V. Mapa Street,
Sta. Mesa, Manila. The delivery was received by Guaranteed Industries, of
which Eugeneio Baltao was president; a check in the amount of P2,575 was
given as payment. Said check was signed by a Eugenio Baltao, drawn
against the account of E.L. Woodworks.
- The check bounced. Albenson extrajudicially demanded payment from
Baltao. Baltao denied that it was his signature on the check. Albenson filed
case for violation of BP22. Investigating fiscal found probable cause and filed
info with the RTC. Baltao appealed to the Provincial Prosecutor. The
provincial prosecutor found out that something was amiss during the
investigation and upon reinvestigation, found no probable cause. He told the
trial fiscal to move for dismissal.
- After the criminal case was dismissed, Baltao filed a complaint for damages
against Albenson because the latter had unjustly filed a criminal case against
him.
- IT TURNS OUT that E.L. Woodworks business address was the same as
Guaranteed Industries. ELW was owned by Baltaos son, who is his
namesake.
- RTC granted actual (P133k), moral (P1M) and exemplary damages
(P200k), and attys fees (P100k). CA modified by awarding only half of
original moral damages and attys fees.
ISSUE
WON Baltao is entitled to damages
HELD
NO
- An award of damages and attorney's fees is unwarranted where the action
was filed in good faith. If damage results from a person's exercising his legal
rights, it is damnum absque injuria.
- ABUSE OF RIGHTS
Article 19, known to contain what is commonly referred to as the principle of
abuse of rights, sets certain standards which may be observed not only in
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the exercise of one's rights but also in the performance of one's duties. These
standards are the following: to act with justice; to give everyone his due; and
to observe honesty and good faith. The law, therefore, recognizes the
primordial limitation on all rights: that in their exercise, the norms of human
conduct set forth in Article 19 must be observed. A right, though by itself legal
because recognized or granted by law as such, may nevertheless become
the source of some illegality. When a right is exercised in a manner which
does not conform with the norms enshrined in Article 19 and results in
damage to another, a legal wrong is thereby committed for which the
wrongdoer must be held responsible. Although the requirements of each
provision is different, these three articles are all related to each other.
"With this article (Article 21), combined with articles 19 and 20, the scope
of our law on civil wrongs has been very greatly broadened; it has become
much more supple and adaptable than the Anglo-American law on torts. It
is now difficult to conceive of any malevolent exercise of a right which
could not be checked by the application of these articles" (Tolentino, 1
Civil Code of the Philippines 72).
- There is however, no hard and fast rule which can be applied to determine
whether or not the principle of abuse of rights may be invoked. The question
of whether or not the principle of abuse of rights has been violated, resulting
in damages under Articles 20 and 21 or other applicable provision of law,
depends on the circumstances of each case. (Globe Mackay Cable and
Radio Corporation vs. Court of Appeals, 176 SCRA 778 [1989]).
- The elements of an abuse of right under Article 19 are the following:
(1) There is a legal right or duty;
(2) which is exercised in bad faith;
(3) for the sole intent of prejudicing or injuring another.
- ACTS CONTRA BONUS MORES
Article 21 deals with acts contra bonus mores, and has the following
elements:
1) There is an act which is legal;
2) but which is contrary to morals, good custom, public order, or public policy;
3) and it is done with intent to injure.
- Thus, under any of these three provisions of law, an act which causes injury
to another may be made the basis for an award of damages.
- There is a common element under Articles 19 and 21, and that is, the act
must be intentional. However, Article 20 does not distinguish: the act may be
done either "willfully", or "negligently". The trial court as well as the
respondent appellate court mistakenly lumped these three articles together,
and cited the same as the bases for the award of damages.
- Albenson did not abuse its rights. The second and third elements are not
present. All they wanted was to collect what is owed them. They believed
Baltao was really the one who issued the check because it was his company
who ordered and received the delivery. They wrote to him. He replied by
denying and telling them to check the veracity of their claim. He didnt tell
them that his son was his namesake and that the latter operated a business
in the same building. Albenson acted in good faith and had probable cause in
filing their complaint against Baltao.
- There was no malicious prosecution. To constitute malicious prosecution,
there must be proof that the prosecution was prompted by a sinister design to
vex and humiliate a person, and that it was initiated deliberately by the
defendant knowing that his charges were false and groundless. The presence
of probable cause means the absence of malice.
Disposition Petition granted. CA reversed and set aside.
prof. casis
MAKASIAR; October 30, 1980
NATURE
Petition for certiorari to review the decision of the CA (treated as a special
civil action)
FACTS
- On May 20, 1964, respondent Ongsip applied for gas service connection
with petitioner Manila Gas Corporation.
- A burner gas was installed by petitioner's employees in respondent's kitchen
at his residence.
- On July 27, 1965, respondent Ongsip requested petitioner to install
additional appliances as well as additional gas service connections in his 46door Reyno Apartment: petitioner installed two 20-gallon capacity water
storage heaters and two heavy-duty gas burners and replaced the original
gas meter with a bigger 50-light capacity gas meter.
- The installations and connections were all done solely by petitioner's
employees.
- There was no significant change in the meter reading despite additional
installations, and on May and June 1966, no gas consumption was registered
in the meter, prompting petitioner to issue a 'meter order' with instructions to
change the gas meter in respondent's residence.
- On August 17, 1966, petitioner's employees went to Ongsip's place.
- Without notifying or informing respondent Ongsip, they changed the gas
meter and installed new tube connections. Private respondent was then
taking a nap, but he was informed afterwards of what had taken place by his
houseboy.
- On that same afternoon, petitioner's employees returned with a
photographer who took pictures of the premises. Ongsip inquired from
Coronel why they were taking pictures but the latter simply gave him a calling
card with instructions to go to his office. There, he was informed about the
existence of a by-pass valve or "jumper" in the gas connection and that
unless he gave P3,000.00, he would be deported.
- Respondent Ongsip refused to give the money
- By the end of August, a reading was made on the new meter and
expectedly, it registered a sudden increase in gas consumption.
-Thereafter, in October, 1966, a complaint for qualified theft was filed by
petitioner against respondent Ongsip
- On February, 1967, pending investigation of the criminal complaint,
petitioner disconnected respondent's gas service for alleged failure
and/or refusal to pay his gas consumptions from July, 1965 to January,
1967.
- Subsequently, the complaint was dismissed
- On July 14, 1967, following the dismissal by the investigating fiscal of
the complaint for qualified theft and the disconnection by petitioner of
his gas service, respondent Ongsip filed a complaint for moral and
exemplary damages against petitioner Manila Gas Corporation based
on two causes of action, firstly: the malicious, oppressive and
malevolent filing of the criminal complaint; and, secondly: the illegal
closure of respondent Ongsip's gas service connection without court
order and without notice of warning.
- Petitioner filed a motion to dismiss, but it was denied
- On May 2, 1972, the trial court rendered its decision ordering defendant to
pay plaintiff:(1) P50,000.00 as moral damages in the FIRST CAUSE OF
ACTION; (2) P10,000.00 as exemplary damages in the FIRST CAUSE OF
ACTION; (3) P30,000.00 as moral damages in the SECOND CAUSE OF
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PATRICIO V LEVISTE
PADILLA; April 26, 1989
FACTS
- Rafael Patricio, an ordained Catholic priest, and actively engaged in social
and civic affairs in Pilar, Capiz, where he is residing, was appointed Director
General of the 1976 Religious and Municipal Town Fiesta of Pilar, Capiz.
While a benefit dance was on-going in connection with the celebration of the
town fiesta, petitioner together with two (2) policemen were posted near the
gate of the public auditorium to check on the assigned watchers of the gate.
Private respondent Bienvenido Bacalocos, President of the Association of
Barangay Captains of Pilar, Capiz and a member of the Sangguniang Bayan,
who was in a state of drunkenness and standing near the same gate together
with his companions, struck a bottle of beer on the table causing an injury on
his hand which started to bleed. Then, he approached petitioner in a hostile
manner and asked the latter if he had seen his wounded hand, and before
petitioner could respond, private respondent, without provocation, hit
petitioner's face with his bloodied hand. As a consequence, a commotion
prof. casis
ensued and private respondent was brought by the policemen to the
municipal building. As a result, Patricio filed a complaint for Slander by Deed.
the court ruled in favor of herein petitioner (as complainant), holding private
respondent liable to the former for moral damages as a result of the physical
suffering, moral shock and social humiliation caused by private respondent's
act of hitting petitioner on the face in public.
ISSUE
WON Patricio is entitled to damages for the humiliation he experienced
during the town fiesta
HELD
YES
- As to moral damages, An award of moral damages is allowed in cases
specified or analogous to those provided in Article 2219 of the Civil Code, to
wit:
"ART. 2219.
Moral damages may be recovered in the following
and analogous cases:
(1)
A criminal offense resulting in physical injuries;
(2)
Quasi-delicts causing physical injuries;
(3)
Seduction, abduction, rape, or other lascivious acts.
(4)
Adultery or concubinage;
(5)
Illegal or arbitrary detention or arrest;
(6)
Illegal search;
(7)
Libel, slander or any other form of defamation;
(8)
Malicious prosecution;
(9)
Acts mentioned in article 309;
(10)
Acts and actions referred to in articles 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 32,
34, and 35.
- Private respondent's contention that there was no bad faith on his part in
slapping petitioner on the face and that the incident was merely accidental is
not tenable. It was established before the court a quo that there was an
existing feud between the families of both petitioner and private respondent
and that private respondent slapped the petitioner without provocation in the
presence of several persons.
- The act of private respondent in hitting petitioner on the face is contrary to
morals and good customs and caused the petitioner mental anguish, moral
shock, wounded feelings and social humiliation. Pursuant to Art. 21 of the
Civil Code in relation to par. (10) of Art. 2219 of the same Code, "any person
who wilfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to
morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the latter for the
damage."
- In addition to the award of moral damages, exemplary or corrective
damages may be imposed upon herein private respondent by way of
example or correction for the public good. The amount of exemplary
damages need not be proved where it is shown that plaintiff is entitled to
either moral, temperate or compensatory damages
Disposition Decision in favor of Patricio.
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- 102 -
CARPIO V VALMONTE
438 SCRA 38
TINGA; September 9, 2004
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari of a decision of the Court of Appeals
FACTS
- Respondent Valmonte is a wedding coordinator. Del Rosario and Sierra
engaged her services for their church wedding on 10 October 1996. At about
4:30 p.m. on that day, Valmonte went to the Manila Hotel where the bride and
her family were billeted. When she arrived at Suite 326-A, several persons
were already there including the bride, the bride's parents and relatives, the
make-up artist and his assistant, the official photographers, and the fashion
designer. Among those present was petitioner Carpio, an aunt of the bride
who was preparing to dress up for the occasion.
- After reporting to the bride, Valmonte went out of the suite carrying the
items needed for the wedding rites and the gifts from the principal sponsors.
She proceeded to the Maynila Restaurant where the reception was to be
held. She paid the suppliers, gave the meal allowance to the band, and went
back to the suite. Upon entering the suite, Valmonte noticed the people
staring at her. It was at this juncture that petitioner allegedly uttered the
following words to Valmonte: Ikaw lang ang lumabas ng kwarto, nasaan ang
dala mong bag? Saan ka pumunta? Ikaw lang ang lumabas ng kwarto, ikaw
ang kumuha. Petitioner then ordered one of the ladies to search Valmonte's
bag. It turned out that after Valmonte left the room to attend to her duties,
petitioner discovered that the pieces of jewelry which she placed inside the
comfort room in a paper bag were lost. The hotel security was called in to
help in the search. The bags and personal belongings of all the people inside
the room were searched. Valmonte was allegedly bodily searched,
interrogated and trailed by a security guard throughout the evening. Later,
police officers arrived and interviewed all persons who had access to the
suite and fingerprinted them including Valmonte. During all the time Valmonte
was being interrogated by the police officers, petitioner kept on saying the
words Siya lang ang lumabas ng kwarto. Valmonte's car which was parked
at the hotel premises was also searched but the search yielded nothing.
- A few days after the incident, petitioner received a letter from Valmonte
demanding a formal letter of apology which she wanted to be circulated to the
newlyweds' relatives and guests to redeem her smeared reputation as a
result of petitioner's imputations against her. Petitioner did not respond to the
letter. Thus, Valmonte filed a suit for damages against her before the
Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasig City, Branch 268. In her complaint,
Valmonte prayed that petitioner be ordered to pay actual, moral and
exemplary damages, as well as attorney's fees.
- Responding to the complaint, petitioner denied having uttered words or
done any act to confront or single out Valmonte during the investigation and
claimed that everything that transpired after the theft incident was purely a
police matter in which she had no participation. Petitioner prayed for the
dismissal of the complaint and for the court to adjudge Valmonte liable on her
counterclaim.
- The trial court rendered its Decision dismissing Valmonte's complaint for
damages. It ruled that when petitioner sought investigation for the loss of her
jewelry, she was merely exercising her right and if damage results from a
person exercising his legal right, it is damnum absque injuria. It added that no
proof was presented by Valmonte to show that petitioner acted maliciously
and in bad faith in pointing to her as the culprit. The court said that Valmonte
failed to show that she suffered serious anxiety, moral shock, social
humiliation, or that her reputation was besmirched due to petitioner's wrongful
act.
- Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeals alleging that the trial court
erred in finding that petitioner did not slander her good name and reputation
and in disregarding the evidence she presented. The Court of Appeals ruled
differently. It opined that Valmonte has clearly established that she was
singled out by petitioner as the one responsible for the loss of her jewelry.
The appellate court held that Valmonte's claim for damages is not predicated
on the fact that she was subjected to body search and interrogation by the
police but rather petitioner's act of publicly accusing her of taking the missing
jewelry. It categorized petitioner's utterance defamatory considering that it
imputed upon Valmonte the crime of theft. The court concluded that
petitioner's verbal assault upon Valmonte was done with malice and in bad
faith since it was made in the presence of many people without any solid
proof except petitioner's suspicion. Such unfounded accusation entitles
Valmonte to an award of moral damages in the amount of P100,000.00 for
she was publicly humiliated, deeply insulted, and embarrassed. However, the
court found no sufficient evidence to justify the award of actual damages.
- Hence, this petition. Petitioner contends that the appellate court's conclusion
that she publicly humiliated respondent does not conform to the evidence
presented. She adds that even on the assumption that she uttered the words
complained of, it was not shown that she did so with malice and in bad faith.
ISSUE
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- Quisaba avers in his complaint that for 18 yrs prior to his dismissal, he was
in the employ of the defendant corporation.
- That Robert Hyde instructed him to purchase logs for the company's plant to
which he refused on the ground that the work of purchasing logs is
inconsistent with his position as internal auditor
- That on the following day Hyde informed him of his temporary relief as
internal auditor so that he could carry out immediately the instructions thus
given, and he was warned that his failure to comply would be considered a
ground for his dismissal
- He pleaded for fairness but was instead demoted from a position of dignity
to a servile and menial job; that the defendants did not reconsider their
"clever and subterfugial dismissal" of him which for all purposes constituted a
"constructive discharge;" and that because of the said acts of the defendants,
he suffered mental anguish, serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, wounded
feelings, moral shock and social humiliate on. The complaint does not pray
for reinstatement or payment of backwages.
- Sta Ines et al moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground of lack of
jurisdiction of the Davao CFI, asserting that the proper forum is the NLRC
established by Presidential Decree No. 21.
- Quisaba opposed the motion;the NLRC's authorized representative in
Davao City opined that the NLRC no power to award damages
- CFI granted the motion to dismiss on the ground that the complaint basically
involves an employee-employer relationship.
ISSUE
WON a complaint for moral damages, exemplary damages, termination pay
and attorney's fees, arising from an employer's constructive dismissal of an
employee, is exclusively cognizable by the regular courts of justice or by the
NLRC
HELD
NO
- The case at bar is intrinsically concerned with a civil (not a labor) dispute. It
has to do with an alleged violation of Quisaba's rights as a member of society,
and does not involve an existing EE-ER relation within the meaning of section
2(1) of LC. The complaint is thus properly and exclusively cognizable by the
regular courts of justice, not by the National Labor Relations Commission.
Reasoning
-The jurisdiction of the NLRC is defined by section 2 of PD No. 21(AKA LC)
which reads:
SEC. 2. The Commission shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction
over the following.
(1) All matters involving employee employer relations including all disputes
and grievances which may otherwise lead to strikes and lockouts under
Republic Act No. 875;
(2) All strikes overtaken by Proclamation No. 1081; and
(3) All pending cases in the Bureau of Labor Relations.
- Although the acts complained of seemingly appear to constitute "matters
involving employee-employer relations" as Quisaba's dismissal was the
severance of a pre-existing employee-employer relation, his complaint is
grounded not on his dismissal per se as in fact he does not ask for
reinstatement or backwages, but on the manner of his dismissal and the
consequent effects of such dismissal.
prof. casis
- Civil law consists of that "mass of precepts that determine or regulate the
relations ... that exist between members of a society for the protection of
private interests. 3
- The "right" of the respondents to dismiss Quisaba should not be confused
with the manner in which the right was exercised and the effects flowing
therefrom.
- If the dismissal was done anti-socially or oppressively, as the complaint
alleges, then the respondents violated article 1701 of the Civil Code which
prohibits acts of oppression by either capital or labor against the other, and
article 21, which makes a person liable for damages if he wilfully causes loss
or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or
public policy, the sanction for which, by way of moral damages, is provided in
article 2219, no. 10.
Art. 2219. Moral damages may be recovered in the following and
analogous cages:
(10) Acts and actions referred to in articles 21, ....
Disposition CASE REMANDED to the CFI for further proceedings in
accordance with law.
MEDINA V CASTRO-BARTOLOME
ABAD SANTOS; September 11, 1982
FACTS
- This is a civil case filed by Medina and Ong against Cosme de Aboitiz and
Pepsi-cola Bottling. Medina was the former Plant General Manager and Ong
was the former Plant Comptroller. De Aboitiz is President and CEO of Pepsicola Bottling.
- Without provocation, De Aboitiz shouted at plaintiffs in the presence of the
plaintiffs subordinates, GOD DAMN IT. YOU FUCKED ME UP. YOU SHUT
UP! FUCK YOU! YOU ARE BOTH SHIT TO ME! YOU ARE FIRED!
(Medina) YOU TOO ARE FIRED! (Ong)
- Plaintiffs filed joint criminal complaint for oral defamation. But after
preliminary investigation, complaint was dismissed allegedly because the
expression was not intended to slander but to express anger. Deputy
Minister of Justice issued resolution sustaining complaint, reversing the
resolution of the Provincial Fiscal.
- It was alleged that the defendants dismissed the plaintiffs because of an
alleged delay in the use of promotional crowns when such delay was true
with respect to the other plants.
- The dismissal was effected on the very day that plaintiffs were awarded
rings of loyalty to the Company, five days before Christmas and on the day
when the employees' Christmas party was held in the Muntinlupa Plant, when
plaintiffs went home that day and found their wives and children already
dressed up for the party, they didn't know what to do and so they cried.
- Motion to dismiss the complaint on the ground of lack of jurisdiction was
filed by the defendants. The trial court denied the motion because civil
damage complaint is not based on employer-employee relationship but on
SEPARATE OPINION
AQUINO [dissent]
- In my opinion the dismissal of the civil action for damages is correct
because the claims of Medina and Ong were within the exclusive jurisdiction
of the Labor Arbiter and the NLRC.
- Medina and Ong should not split their cause of action against Aboitiz and
Pepsi-Cola.
OTHER TORTS
AMARO V SUMANGUIT
G.R. No. L-14986
MAKALINTAL; July 31, 1962
NATURE
Appeal from decision of CFI
FACTS
- October 5, 1958: Jose Amaro was assaulted and shot at near the city
government building of Silay
- The following day he, together with his father and his witnesses, "went to
the office of the defendant but instead of obtaining assistance to their
complaint they were harassed and terrorized"
-In view thereof, they "gave up and renounced their right and interest in the
prosecution of the crime "
- Upon advice of the City Mayor an investigation was conducted and as a
result the city attorney of Silay was about to file or had already filed an
information for illegal discharge of firearm against the assailant
- Having finished the investigation of the crime complained of, the defendant
chief of police is now harassing the plaintiffs in their daily work, ordering them
thru his police to appear in his office when he is absent, and he is about to
order the arrest of the plaintiffs to take their signatures in prepared affidavits
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exempting the police from any dereliction of duty in their case against the
perpetrator of the crime."
- Appellants filed suit for damages in the CFI of Negros Occidental against
the chief of police of the City of Silay. Although not specifically alleged in the
complaint, it is admitted by both parties, as shown in their respective briefs,
that the action is predicated on Articles 21 and/or 27 of the Civil Code.The
complaint was dismissed upon appellee's motion in the court below on the
ground that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
ISSUE
WON the case should have been dismissed
HELD
NO
Ratio An action should not be dismissed upon mere ambiguity, indefiniteness
or uncertainty, for these are not grounds for a motion to dismiss, under Rule
8, but rather for a bill of particulars according to Rule 16.
Reasoning
- The facts set out constitute an actionable dereliction on appellee's part in
the light of Article 27 of the Civil Code, which states that
Art. 27. Any person suffering material or moral loss because a public
servant or employee refuses or neglects, without just cause, to perform his
official duty may file an action for damages and other relief against he
latter, without prejudice to any disciplinary administrative action that may
be taken.
- That appellants were "harrased and terrorized" may be a conclusion of law
and hence improperly pleaded. Their claim for relief, however, is not based
on the fact of harassment and terrorization but on appellee's refusal to give
them assistance, which it was his duty to do as an officer of the law. The
requirement under the aforesaid provision that such refusal must be "without
just cause" is implicit in the context of the allegation. The statement of
appellee's dereliction is repeated in a subsequent paragraph of the complaint,
where it is alleged that "he is about to order the arrest of the plaintiffs" to
make them sign affidavits of exculpation in favor of the policemen.
- All that the Rules require is that there be a showing by a statement of
ultimate facts, that the plaintiff has a right and that such right has been
violated by the defendant.
- Moran: The real test of good pleading under the new rules is whether the
information given is sufficient to enable the party to plead and prepare for
trial. A legal conclusion may serve the purpose of pleading as well as
anything else if it gives the proper information. If the party wants more he
may ask for more details in regard to the particular matter that is stated too
generally
Disposition THE ORDER APPEALED from is set aside and the case is
remanded to the Court of origin for further proceedings. Costs against
appellee.
prof. casis
Doctor Aramil and the Arcadio family and then below the photograph was the
following write-up:
"Home is where the heart is. And the hearts of MR. AND MRS. ARCADIO
S. ARCADIO and their family have been captured by BROOKSIDE HELLS
[note: thats not MY typo ha]. They used to rent a small 2-bedroom house
in a cramped neighborhood, sadly inadequate and unwholesome for the
needs of a large family. They dream(ed) of a more pleasant place free
from the din and dust of city life yet near all facilities. Plans took shape
when they heard of BROOKSIDE HELLS [again, not MY typo]. With thrift
and determination, they bought a lot and built their dream house . . . for
P31,000. The Arcadios are now part of the friendly, thriving community of
BROOKSIDE HILLS [whew, there you are, no typo at last]... a beautiful
first-class subdivision planned for wholesome family living."
- The same advertisement appeared in the Sunday Times dated January 5,
1969. Doctor Aramil, a neuropsychiatrist and a member of the faculty of the
U.E. Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital, noticed the mistake. On that
same date, he wrote St. Louis Realty a letter of protest.
- The letter was received by Ernesto Magtoto, an officer of St. Louis Realty in
charge of advertising. He stopped publication of the advertisement. He
contacted Doctor Aramil and offered his apologies. However, no rectification
or apology was published.
- On February 20, 1969, Aramil's counsel demanded from St. Louis Realty
actual, moral and exemplary damages of P110,000. St. Louis Realty claimed
that there was an honest mistake and that if Aramil so desired, rectification
would be published in the Manila Times. It published in the issue of the
Manila Times of March 18, 1969 a new advertisement with the Arcadio family
and their real house. But it did not publish any apology to Doctor Aramil and
an explanation of the error.
- On March 29, Aramil filed his complaint for damages. St. Louis Realty
published in the issue of the Manila Times of April 15,1969 the following
"NOTICE OF RECTIFICATION" in a space 4 by 3 inches:
"This will serve as a notice that our print ad 'Where the Heart is' which
appeared in the Manila Times issue of March 18, 1969 is a rectification of
the same ad that appeared in the Manila Times issues of December 15,
1968 and January 5, 1969 wherein a photo of the house of another
Brookside Homeowner (Dr. Aramil-private respondent) was mistakenly
used as a background for the featured homeowners the Arcadio family.
The ad of March 18, 1969 shows the Arcadio family with their real house
in the background, as was intended all along."
- Judge Jose Leuterio observed that St. Louis Realty should have
immediately published a rectification and apology. He found that as a result of
St. Louis Realty's mistake, magnified by its utter lack of sincerity, Doctor
Aramil suffered mental anguish and his income was reduced by about P1,000
to P1,500 a month. Moreover, there was violation of Aramil's right to privacy
(Art. 26, Civil Code). The trial court awarded Aramil P8,000 as actual
damages, P20,000 as moral damages and P2,000 as allomey's fees. St.
Louis Realty appealed. The CA affirmed. The CA reasoned that St. Louis
Realty committed an actionable quasi-delict under Articles 21 and 26 of the
Civil Code because the questioned advertisements pictured a beautiful house
which did not belong to Arcadio but to Doctor Aramil who, naturally, was
annoyed by that.
ISSUE
WON the CA erred by ignoring certain facts and resorting to surmises and
conjectures hence its decision is contrary to law and the rulings of the SC
CONCEPCION V CA
DAMAGES
PEOPLE V BALLESTEROS
285 SCRA 438
ROMERO; January 29, 1998
NATURE
Appeal from the decision of the RTC of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, finding the
accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder, qualified by treachery, as
charged under Article 248 of the RPC.
FACTS
- The information alleged that the accused with the use of firearms caused
the death of Eduardo Tolentino Sr. and Jerry Agliam and inflicted gunshot
wounds to Vidal Agliam, Carmelo Agliam, Robert Cacal and Ronnel
Tolentino.
- The Supreme Court upheld the RTCs decision as to the guilt of the three
accused, FELIPE BALLESTEROS, CESAR GALO and ALVIN BULUSAN.
This digest will focus on the RTCs award of damages which is relevant to our
recitation.
- As to damages, the RTC further sentenced them to pay jointly and solidarily:
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CUSTODIO V CA
ALGARRA V SANDEJAS
27 Phil 284
TRENT; March 24, 1914
NATURE
Civil action for personal injuries received from a collision with the defendants
automobile due to the negligence of the defendant, who was driving the car.
prof. casis
The negligence is not questioned and this case involves only the amount of
damages which should be allowed.
FACTS
- The accident occurred on July 9, 1912.
- Because of injuries, plaintiff spent 10 days in the hospital. The first 4-5
days he couldnt leave his bed. After being discharged, he received medical
attention from a private practitioner for several days.
- Plaintiff testified that he had down no work since the accident, that his
earning capacity was P50/month
- He described himself as being well at the end of July; the trial took place
September 19
- Plaintiff sold distillery products and had about 20 regular customers who
purchased in small quantities, necessitating regular, frequent deliveries
- It took him about 4 years to build up the business he had at the time of the
accident, and since the accident, he only kept 4 of his regular customers.
- The lower court refused to allow him any compensation for injury to his
business due to his enforced absence therefrom.
ISSUE
How to determine the amount of damages to award plaintiff
HELD
Reasoning
- Actions for damages such as the case at bar are based upon article 1902 of
the Civil Code: "A person who, by act or omission, causes damage to another
where there is fault or negligence shall be obliged to repair the damage so
done." Of this article, the supreme court of Spain, in considering the
indemnity imposed by it, said: "It is undisputed that said reparation, to be
efficacious and substantial, must rationally include the generic idea of
complete indemnity, such as is defined and explained in article 1106 of the
said (Civil) Code."
- Art 1106. Indemnity for losses and damages includes not only the amount of
the loss which may have been suffered, but also that of the profit which the
creditor may have failed to realize, reserving the provisions contained in the
following articles.
- Art 1107. The losses and damages for which a debtor in good faith is liable,
are those foreseen or which may have been foreseen, at the time of
constituting the obligation, and which may be a necessary consequence of its
nonfulfillment.
- The rules for the measure of damages, once that liability is determined: The
Civil Code requires that the defendant repair the damage caused by his fault
or negligence. No distinction is made therein between damage caused
maliciously and intentionally and damages caused through mere negligence
in so far as the civil liability of the wrongdoer in concerned. Nor is the
defendant required to do more than repair the damage done, or, in other
words, to put the plaintiff in the same position, so far as pecuniary
compensation can do so, that he would have been in had the damage not
been inflicted. In this respect there is a notable difference between the two
systems. Under the Anglo-SAxon law, when malicious or willful intention to
cause the damage is an element of the defendant's act, it is quite generally
regarded as an aggravating circumstance for which the plaintiff is entitled to
more than mere compensation for the injury inflicted. These are called
exemplary or punitive damages, and no provision is made for them in article
1902 of the Civil Code.
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prof. casis
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practically nothing. Other agents had invaded his territory, and upon
becoming physically able to attend to his business, he found that would be
necessary to start with practically no regular trade, and either win back his old
customers from his competitors or else secure others. During this process of
reestablishing his patronage his income would necessarily be less than he
was making at the time of the accident and would continue to be so for some
time. Of course, if it could be mathematically determined how much less he
will earn during this rebuilding process than he would have earned if the
accident had not occurred, that would be the amount he would be entitled to
in this action. But manifestly this ideal compensation cannot be ascertained.
The question therefore resolves itself into whether this damage to his
business can be so nearly ascertained as to justify a court in awarding any
amount whatever.
- When it is shown that a plaintiff's business is a going concern with a fairly
steady average profit on the investment, it may be assumed that had the
interruption to the business through defendant's wrongful act not occurred, it
would have continued producing this average income "so long as is usual
with things of that nature." When in addition to the previous average income
of the business it is further shown what the reduced receipts of the business
are immediately after the cause of the interruption has been removed, there
can be no manner of doubt that a loss of profits has resulted from the
wrongful act of the defendant. In the present case, we not only have the value
of plaintiff's business to him just prior to the accident, but we also have its
value to him after the accident. At the trial, he testified that his wife had
earned about fifteen pesos during the two months that he was disabled. That
this almost total destruction of his business was directly chargeable to
defendant's wrongful act, there can be no manner of doubt; and the mere fact
that the loss can not be ascertained with absolute accuracy, is no reason for
denying plaintiff's claim altogether. As stated in one case, it would be a
reproach to the law if he could not recover damages at all. (Baldwin vs.
Marquez, 91 Ga., 404)
- We are of the opinion that the lower court had before it sufficient evidence of
the damage to plaintiff's business in the way of prospective loss of profits to
justify it in calculating his damages as to his item. That evidence has been
properly elevated to this court of review. Under section 496 of the Code of
Civil Procedure, we are authorized to enter final judgment or direct a new
trial, as may best subserve the ends of justice. We are of the opinion that the
evidence presented as to the damage done to plaintiff's business is credible
and that it is sufficient and clear enough upon which to base a judgment for
damages. Plaintiff having had four years' experience in selling goods on
commission, it must be presumed that he will be able to rebuild his business
to its former proportions; so that at some time in the future his commissions
will equal those he was receiving when the accident occurred. Aided by his
experience, he should be able to rebuild this business to its former
proportions in much less time than it took to establish it as it stood just prior to
the accident. One year should be sufficient time in which to do this. The
profits which plaintiff will receive from the business in the course of its
reconstruction will gradually increase. The injury to plaintiff's business begins
where these profits leave off, and, as a corollary, there is where defendant's
liability begins. Upon this basis, we fix the damages to plaintiff's business at
P250.
Disposition The judgment of the lower court is set aside, and the plaintiff is
awarded the following damages; ten pesos for medical expenses; one
hundred pesos for the two months of his enforced absence from his business;
and two hundred and fifty pesos for the damage done to his business in the
way of loss of profits, or a total of three hundred and sixty pesos. No costs
will be allowed in this instance.
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INTEGRATED PACKING V CA
DBP V CA (CUBA)
DAVIDE JR; January 5, 1998
FACTS
- Plaintiff Lydia Cuba is a grantee of a Fishpond Lease Agreement. She
obtained loans from DBP. As security for said loans, plaintiff Lydia P. Cuba
executed two Deeds of Assignment of her Leasehold Rights.
- Plaintiff failed to pay her loan. Without foreclosure proceedings, DBP
appropriated the leasehold Rights of Cuba over the fishpond in question.
After which defendant DBP, in turn, executed a Deed of Conditional Sale of
the Leasehold Rights in favor of plaintiff Lydia Cuba over the same fishpond.
prof. casis
- In the negotiation for repurchase, plaintiff Lydia Cuba addressed two letters
to the Manager DBP, Dagupan City thereafter accepted the offer to
repurchase in a letter addressed to CUBA.
- After the Deed of Conditional Sale was executed in favor of Cuba, a new
Fishpond Lease Agreement was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food .
- Cuba failed to pay the amortizations stipulated in the Deed of Conditional
Sale. After which she entered with the DBP a temporary arrangement
whereby in consideration for the deferment of the Notarial Rescission of Deed
of Conditional Sale, plaintiff Lydia Cuba promised to make certain payments
as stated in temporary Arrangement.
- DBP thereafter sent a Notice of Rescission thru Notarial Act and which was
received by Cuba. After the Notice of Rescission, DBP took possession of the
Leasehold Rights of the fishpond in question;
- That after defendant DBP took possession of the Leasehold Rights over the
fishpond in question, DBP thereafter executed a Deed of Conditional Sale in
favor of defendant Agripina Caperal.
- Thereafter, defendant Caperal was awarded Fishpond Lease Agreement by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
- CUBA filed complaint questioning the act of DBP in appropriating to itself
CUBA's leasehold rights over the fishpond in question without foreclosure
proceedings. TC ruled in favor of petitioner and granted actual damages in
the amount of P1,067,500 representing lost equipment and dead fish due to
DBPs forecloseure of fishpond and ejectment of laborers.
- CA regarding damages granted ruled that CUBA was not entitled to loss of
profits for lack of evidence, but agreed with the trial court as to the actual
damages of P1,067,500. It, however, deleted the amount of exemplary
damages and reduced the award of moral damages from P100,000 to
P50,000 and attorney's fees, from P100.00 to P50,000
ISSUE
WON the damages granted to CUBA are valid
HELD
NO
- Article 2199 provides:
Except as provided by law or by stipulation, one is entitled to an adequate
compensation only for such pecuniary loss suffered by him as he has duly
proved. Such compensation is referred to as actual or compensatory
damages
- Actual or compensatory damages cannot be presumed, but must be proved
with reasonable degree of certainty. A court cannot rely on speculations,
conjectures, or guesswork as to the fact and amount of damages, but must
depend upon competent proof that they have been suffered by the injured
party and on the best obtainable evidence of the actual amount thereof.
- In the present case, the trial court awarded in favor of CUBA P1,067,500 as
actual damages consisting of P550,000 which represented the value of the
alleged lost articles of CUBA and P517,500 which represented the value of
the 230,000 pieces of bangus allegedly stocked in 1979 when DBP first
ejected CUBA from the fishpond and the adjoining house.
- We find that the alleged loss of personal belongings and equipment was not
proved by clear evidence. Other than the testimony of CUBA and her
caretaker, there was no proof as to the existence of those items before DBP
took over the fishpond in question. As pointed out by DBP, there was no
"inventory of the alleged lost items before the loss which is normal in a project
FUENTES V CA
323 PHIL 508
BELLOSILLO; February 9, 1996
FACTS
- 24 June 1989 Julieto Malaspina was at a benefit dance at Dump Site,
Tudela, Trento, Agusan del Sur. Petitioner called Malaspina and placed his
right arm on the shoulder of the latter saying, "Before, I saw you with a long
hair but now you have a short hair. Suddenly petitioner stabbed Malaspina in
the abdomen with a hunting knife. After muttering that Fuentes stabbed him,
he died.
- Petitioner claims on the other hand that it was his cousin Zoilo Fuentes, Jr.,
alias "Jonie" who knifed Malaspina. He said that his cousin directly told him
that he stabbed the victim out of grudge.
- The Regional Trial Court of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, found petitioner
guilty of murder qualified by treachery and imposed on him an indeterminate
prison term of ten (10) years and one (1) day of prision mayor as minimum to
seventeen (17) years and four (4) months of reclusion temporal as maximum,
to indemnify the heirs of the victim Julieto Malaspina the amount of
P50,000.00 and to pay P8,300.00 as actual damages plus costs. CA affirmed
ISSUE
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1. WON appellate court erred when it held that petitioner was positively and
categorically identified as the killer of Malaspina, in affirming the judgnment of
conviction
2. WON CA erred in holding petitioner liable for damages to the heirs of the
victim
HELD
1. NO
- Petitioner would make much of the alleged confession of Zoilo Fuentes, Jr.,
since it is a declaration against penal interest and therefore an exception to
the hearsay rule. One of the recognized exceptions to the hearsay rule is that
pertaining to declarations made against interest
- There are three (3) essential requisites for the admissibility of a declaration
against interest: (a) the declarant must not be available to testify; (b) the
declaration must concern a fact cognizable by the declarant; and (c) the
circumstances must render it improbable that a motive to falsify existed.
- we find that the declaration particularly against penal interest attributed to
Zoilo Fuentes Jr. is not admissible in evidence as an exception to the hearsay
rule
- One striking feature that militates against the acceptance of such a
statement is its patent untrustworthiness. Zoilo who is related to
accusedappellant had every motive to prevaricate
2. NO
- Petitioner maintains that assuming that he committed the crime it is error to
hold him answerable for P8,300.00 as actual damages on the basis of the
mere testimony of the victim's sister, Angelina Serrano, without any tangible
document to support such claim.
- This is a valid point. In crimes and quasi-delict's, the defendant is liable for
all damages which are the natural and probable consequences of the act or
omission complained of. To seek recovery for actual damages it is essential
that the injured party proves the actual amount of loss with reasonable
degree of certainty premised upon competent proof and on the best evidence
available.. Courts cannot simply rely on speculation, conjecture or guesswork
in determining the fact and amount of damages.
- The award by the court a quo of P8,300.00 as actual damages is not
supported by the evidence on record. We have only the testimony of the
victim's elder sister stating that she incurred expenses of P8,300.00 in
connection with the death of Malaspina
- However, no proof of the actual damages was ever presented in court. Of
the expenses alleged to have been incurred, the Court can only give
credence to those supported by receipts and which appear to have been
genuinely expended in connection with the death of the victim. Since the
actual amount was not substantiated, the same cannot be granted
prof. casis
- On 15 February 1966, Talisay-Silay Milling Co., Inc. ("TSMC") and TalisaySilay Industrial Cooperative Association, Inc. ("TSICA") instituted an action
for damages against defendants Asociacion de Agricultores de Talisay-Silay,
Inc. ("AATSI"), et. al.
- On 4 March 1972, the then Court of First Instance of Rizal rendered its
decision condemning the defendants jointly and severally to pay plaintiff
Talisay-Silay Industrial Cooperative Association the amount of P6,609,714.32
and to plaintiff Talisay-Silay Milling Co., Inc. the sum of P8,802,612.89 with
legal rate of interest from the filing of the complaint until fully paid.
- The Court of Appeal rendered a decision affirming with modification the
decision of the court a quo by reducing the amount of damages due plaintiffsappellees TSMC and TSICA from approximately P15.4 million to only P1
million.
ISSUE
WON the reduction of damages was proper
HELD
- In reducing the amount of damages awarded by the court a quo to
petitioners TSMC and TSICA from roughly P15.4 million to only P1 million,
the Court of Appeals, citing Malayan Insurance Co.. Inc. v. Manila Port
Service reasoned that the reduction was dictated by the failure or TSMC and
TSICA to comply with Section 5, Rule 10 of the Rule of Court, i.e., TSMC and
TSICA's failure to amend their complaint to conform to the evidence
presented during trial which showed that TSMC and TSICA suffered
damages amounting to more than P1 million by virtue of the illegal transfer of
export sugar quota from TSMC to FFMCI. We are unable to agree with the
Court of Appeals on this point.
- A court may rule and render judgment on the basis of the evidence before it
even though the relevant pleading had not been previously amended, so long
as no surprise or prejudice is thereby caused to the adverse party. Put a little
differently, so long as the basic requirements of fair play had been met, as
where litigants were given full opportunity to support their respective
contentions and to object to or refute each other's evidence, the court may
validly treat the pleadings as if they had been amended to conform to the
evidence and proceed to adjudicate on the basis of all the evidence before it.
- The record of the instant case shows that TSMC and TSICA formally offered
as evidence documents which set out in detail the estimated unrealized
income suffered by TSMC and TSICA during four (4) consecutive crop years,
i.e., (CYs) 1964-1965, 1965-1966, 1966-1967 and 1967-1968, the failure of
realization being attributed to the transfer by AATSI, et al. of their sugar quota
to FFMCI. These documents, along with the corroborative testimony of one
Ricardo Yapjoco, a Certified Public Accountant and Internal Auditor of TSMC,
were the basis of the trial court's award of P8,802,612.89 to TSMC and of
P6,609,714.32 to TSICA. It is noteworthy that the joint record on appeal
reveals that AATSI, et al. objected to the Offer of Evidence of TSMC and
TSICA not on the basis that such evidence fell outside the scope of the
issues as defined in the pleadings as they then stood, but rather on the basis
that such evidence was "incompetent" and speculative in character, i.e., as
"being mere estimates prepared by witness Yapjoco" and constituting merely
his "opinion." It should also be noted that the testimony of Mr. Yapjoco was
subjected to extensive cross-examination by counsel for AATSI, et al. The
trial court did not expressly overrule AATSI, et al.'s objection to the Offer of
Evidence of TSMC and TSICA; it is nevertheless clear that the trial court did
not accord much weight to that objection.
PNOC V CA
297 SCRA 402
ROMERO; October 8, 1998
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NATURE
Petition for review on the decision of CA
FACTS
- M/V Maria Efigenia XV, owned by private respondent Maria Efigenia Fishing
Corporation, collided with the vessel Petroparcel which at the time was
owned by the Luzon Stevedoring Corporation (LSC).
- After investigation was conducted by the Board of Marine Inquiry, Philippine
Coast Guard Commandant Simeon N. Alejandro rendered a decision finding
the Petroparcel at fault. Based on this finding by the Board and after
unsuccessful demands on petitioner private respondent sued the LSC and
the Petroparcel captain, Edgardo Doruelo, before the then Court of First
Instance of Caloocan City. In particular, private respondent prayed for an
award of P692,680.00, allegedly representing the value of the fishing nets,
boat equipment and cargoes of M/V Maria Efigenia XV. Meanwhile, during
the pendency of the case, petitioner PNOC Shipping and Transport
Corporation sought to be substituted in place of LSC as it had already
acquired ownership of the Petroparcel.
- Private respondent later sought the amendment of its complaint on the
ground that the original complaint failed to plead for the recovery of the lost
value of the hull of M/V Maria Efigenia XV. Accordingly, in the amended
complaint, private respondent averred that M/V Maria Efigenia XV had an
actual value of P800,000.00 and that, after deducting the insurance payment
of P200,000.00, the amount of P600,000.00 should likewise be claimed.
Furthermore, on account of the sinking of the vessel, private respondent
supposedly incurred unrealized profits and lost business opportunities that
would thereafter be proven.
- The lower court its decision in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant
PNOC Shipping & Transport Corporation, to pay the plaintiff the sum of
P6,438,048.00 representing the value of the fishing boat with interest from
the date of the filing of the complaint at the rate of 6% per annum.
HELD
RE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
- Under Article 2199 of the Civil Code, actual or compensatory damages are
those awarded in satisfaction of, or in recompense for, loss or injury
sustained. They proceed from a sense of natural justice and are designed to
repair the wrong that has been done, to compensate for the injury inflicted
and not to impose a penalty. In actions based on torts or quasi-delicts, actual
damages include all the natural and probable consequences of the act or
omission complained of. There are two kinds of actual or compensatory
damages: one is the loss of what a person already possesses (dao
emergente), and the other is the failure to receive as a benefit that which
would have pertained to him (lucro cesante). Thus:
"Where goods are destroyed by the wrongful act of the defendant the
plaintiff is entitled to their value at the time of destruction, that is, normally,
the sum of money which he would have to pay in the market for identical
or essentially similar goods, plus in a proper case damages for the loss of
use during the period before replacement. In other words, in the case of
profit-earning chattels, what has to be assessed is the value of the chattel
to its owner as a going concern at the time and place of the loss, and this
means, at least in the case of ships, that regard must be had to existing
and pending engagements.x x x.
prof. casis
x x x. If the market value of the ship reflects the fact that it is in any case
virtually certain of profitable employment, then nothing can be added to
that value in respect of charters actually lost, for to do so would be pro
tanto to compensate the plaintiff twice over. On the other hand, if the ship
is valued without reference to its actual future engagements and only in
the light of its profit-earning potentiality, then it may be necessary to add to
the value thus assessed the anticipated profit on a charter or other
engagement which it was unable to fulfill. What the court has to ascertain
in each case is the `capitalised value of the vessel as a profit-earning
machine not in the abstract but in view of the actual circumstances,'
without, of course, taking into account considerations which were too
remote at the time of the loss."
- Nominal damages are awarded in every obligation arising from law,
contracts, quasi-contracts, acts or omissions punished by law, and quasidelicts, or in every case where property right has been invaded. [Arts. 2222 &
1157, Civil Code.] Under Article 2223 of the Civil Code, "(t)he adjudication of
nominal damages shall preclude further contest upon the right involved and
all accessory questions, as between the parties to the suit, or their respective
heirs and assigns."
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- Moral damages: the actual physical, emotional and financial cost of the care
of petitioner which would be virtually impossible to quantify. The husband and
the children will have to live with the day to day uncertainty of the patient's
illness, knowing any hope of recovery is close to nil. They have fashioned
their daily lives around the nursing care of petitioner, altering their long term
goals to take into account their life with a comatose patient. They are charged
with the moral responsibility of the care of the victim. The family's moral injury
and suffering in this case is clearly a real one.
- Finally, by way of example, exemplary damages are awarded considering
the length and nature of the instant suit.
Disposition Decision and resolution of the appellate court appealed from
are modified so as to award in favor of petitioners, and solidarily against
private respondents the ff: 1) P1.352M as actual damages computed as of
the date of promulgation of this decision plus a monthly payment of P8K up to
the time that petitioner Erlinda Ramos expires or miraculously survives; 2)
P2M as moral damages, 3) P1.5Mas temperate damages; 4) P100K each as
exemplary damages and attorney's fees; and, 5) the costs of the suit.
GATCHALIAN V DELIM
203 SCRA 126
FELICIANO; October 21, 1991
NATURE
Appeal from a decision of CA
FACTS
- In July 1973, petitioner Reynalda Gatchalian boarded, as a paying
passenger, respondent's "Thames" mini bus and on the way, while the bus
was running along the highway in Bauang, La Union, "a snapping sound" was
suddenly heard at one part of the bus and, shortly thereafter, the vehicle
bumped a cement flower pot on the side of the road, went off the road, turned
turtle and fell into a ditch. Several passengers, including petitioner
Gatchalian, were injured. They were promptly taken the hospital for medical
treatment. Upon medical examination, petitioner was found to have sustained
physical injuries on the leg, arm and forehead.
- While injured. passengers were confined in the hospital, Mrs. Adela Delim,
wife of respondent, visited them and later paid for their hospitalization and
medical expenses. She also gave petitioner P12 with which to pay her
transportation expense in going home from the hospital. She also had the
injured passengers, including petitioner, sign an already prepared Joint
Affidavit which stated, among other things: That we are no longer interested
to file a complaint, criminal or civil against the said driver and owner of the
said Thames, because it was an accident and the said driver and owner of
the said Thames have gone to the extent of helping us to be treated upon our
injuries.
- Despite this document, petitioner Gathalian filed with CFI La Union an
action extra contractu to recover compensatory and moral damages.
Respondents defense was that vehicular mishap was due to force majeure,
and that petitioner had already been paid and moreover had waived any right
to institute any action against him and his driver, when Gatchalian signed the
Joint Affidavit.
- TC ruled in favor of respondents because of the waiver. CA reversed but
affirmed TC in denying petitioners claim for damages. Hence, this appeal.
19
ISSUES
prof. casis
1. WON there was a valid waiver to effect relinquishment of any right of
action on the oart of the petitioner
2. WON private respondent Delim was able to prove that he had exercised
extraordinary diligence to prevent the mishap
3. WON damages may be awarded petitioner Gatchalian
HELD
1. NO
Ratio A waiver, to be valid and effective, must in the first place be couched
in clear and unequivocal terms which leave no doubt as to the intention of a
person to give up a right or benefit which legally pertains to him. A waiver
may not casually be attributed to a person when the terms thereof do not
explicitly and clearly evidence an intent to abandon a right vested in such
person.
Reasoning
[1] Under the circumstances petitioner was still reeling from the effects of the
vehicular accident, having been in the hospital for only 3 days, when the
waiver/Joint Affidavit was presented to her for signing; that while reading it,
she experienced dizziness but that, seeing the other passengers who had
also suffered injuries sign the document, she too signed without bothering to
read it in its entirety. There is substantial doubt whether petitioner fully
understood it
[2] because what is involved here is the liability of a common carrier for
injuries sustained by passengers in respect of whose safety a common
carrier must exercise extraordinary diligence, we must construe any such
purported waiver most strictly against the common carrier. For a waiver to be
valid and effective, it must not be contrary to law, morals, public policy or
good customs. To uphold a supposed waiver of any right to claim damages
by an injured passenger, under circumstances like those exhibited in this
case, would be to dilute and weaken the standard of extraordinary diligence
exacted by the law from common carriers and hence to render that standard
unenforceable. Such waiver is offensive to public policy.
2. NO
Ratio A duty to exercise extraordinary diligence in protecting the safety of its
passengers is imposed upon a common carrier. In case of death or injuries to
passengers, a statutory presumption arises that the common carrier was at
fault or had acted negligently "unless it proves that it [had] observed
extraordinary diligence as prescribed in A1733 and A1755. To overcome this
presumption, the common carrier must slow to the court that it had exercised
extraordinary diligence to prevent the injuries. The standard of extraordinary
diligence imposed upon common carriers is considerably more demanding
than the standard of ordinary.
Reasoning
- When a "snapping sound" was suddenly heard at one part of the bus. One
of the passengers cried out, "What happened?" The driver replied, "That is
only normal". The driver did not stop to check if anything had gone wrong with
the bus. The driver's reply necessarily indicated that the same "snapping
sound" had been heard in the bus on previous occasions. This meant that the
bus had not been checked physically or mechanically to determine what was
causing the "snapping sound" which had occurred so frequently that the
driver had gotten accustomed to it. Force majeure is no defense.
3. YES
- Compensatory and moral damages may be awarded.
[1] A person is entitled to the physical integrity of his or her body; if that
integrity is violated or diminished, actual injury is suffered for which actual or
PEOPLE V MANGAHAS
311 SCRA 384
GONZAGA-REYES; July 28, 1999
NATURE
Appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court
FACTS
- Rodrigo Mangahas alias Mang Rudy was accused of shooting and killing
Rufino Gestala.
- Different witnesses came forward for the prosecution Police Captain
Florante Baltazar, the medico-legal officer at the PC-INP, QC testified about
the post-mortem examination saying the victim sustained 3 gunshot wounds.
He estimated the distance between the assailant and the victim at more than
24 inches. Diosdado Padios, said that while the two were drinking, he saw
Mangahas suddenly shoot Rufino Gestala, who was then seated less than
one meter away from the former while he himself, was one meter away from
the two when the incident occurred. Renato Panoso the best friend of Gestala
said they had been conversing for about four (4) minutes when Rudy
Mangahas arrived and offered a beer to each of them. They had been
drinking for only a short time when the accused suddenly approached Rufino
Gestala, pulled out a gun and shot him. After the shooting and upon seeing
Gestala bloodied and clutching his chest, the witness ran away in the
direction of his house and reported the matter to his uncle.
he saw witness Diosdado Padios but the latter did not drink beer nor was he
offered one as he was just passing by. Trinidad Balatbat, was likewise
presented and she testified mainly on the expenses their family incurred as a
result of the death of the victim.
- Mangahas admitted that he shot the victim but alleged that the killing was
done in self-defense. Mangahas narrated that on his way home from work to
check up on his lunch. When he was near the sari-sari store of Tiangco, he
was called by Renato Panoso who was then talking with the victim Gestala.
Gestala was then sitting on the pasimano in front of the store while Renato
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Panoso was standing on the other side. When he approached them, Panoso
got a gun from behind his waist, showed it to the accused and offered it to
him saying, Bilihin mo na lang ito, mahusay ito, to which the accused
replied, mahirap yan. Gestala, who was standing about one (1) meter away
from them suddenly raised his voice and said, Putang-ina mo mahusay
naman yong isinasanla namin sa iyo bat ayaw mong tanggapin? In order to
pacify them, he offered them bottles of beer. After they had consumed onehalf of the bottles of beer, Gestala, who was then about two meters away
from him, said, Putang-ina mo bat ayaw mong tanggapin yon ay mahusay
naman. Immediately thereafter, Gestala pulled out a gun from the right side
of his body, poked it at him and squeezed the trigger. The gun did not fire
however. The accused then moved away from Gestala towards the
pasimano of the store and bumped Panoso. He was able to take hold of the
gun which was on the pasimano of the store and he fired the same at
Gestala. The accused stressed that he fired only once at Gestala as he was
only defending himself and that he threw away the gun which he used right
after the incident. After he fired at Gestala, the latter, still carrying his gun, ran
away towards the back portion of the store. He himself ran way after the
shooting incident as he was confused and afraid of the group of Gestala.
When he had calmed down, he went to the barangay hall of Barangay
Tungkong Mangga to surrender himself and explain his side but nobody was
there when he arrived. Upon returning to his house, he was told that the
group of Panoso had been looking for him. Because of this threat on his life,
he left the place and went to his in-laws at Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Nestor dela
Rosa collaborated the accuseds account of the incident.
- SP03 Mario Fernandez who testified on the procedures undertaken by his
police detachment in investigating the shooting of Rufino Gestala.
- The Court a sided with plaintiff. Defendant filed an MFR which was denied.
ISSUES
1. WON trial court erred in concluding that herein accused-appellant failed to
prove any basic element of self-defense
2. WON treachery can be appreciated to qualify the crime into murder
3. What is the correct amount for the indemnity
HELD
1. NO
- The Court has almost invariably ruled that the matter of assigning value to
the declaration of witnesses is best done by trial courts which, unlike
appellate courts, can assess such testimony in the light of the demeanor,
conduct and attitude of the witnesses at the trial stage and thus, unless
cogent reasons are shown, the findings of the trial court are accorded great
respect and credit.
- Accuseds defense is devoid of merit. At first, accused put up the defense
of alibi when the instant case was being investigated by the Office of the
Provincial Prosecutor of Bulacan. Then, he sets up self-defense at the trial on
the merits of the case. These two defenses are incompatible with each other.
They do not at all provide shield to the accused to ward off the commission of
the crime charged against him. Setting up such contradictory defenses will
lead to the conclusion that the accused is confused of what defense is for
real. This being so, accuseds testimony is wanting of credence at the outset.
When accused finally he adopts self-defense saying that the victim pulled out
a gun from his right side then poked it to the accused, squeezed its trigger
once but misfired. Reacting to the situation, accused picked up the gun from
the pasimano of the store, fired it once to the victim and then ran away from
the scene of the incident. Analyzing the testimony of the accused, the
prof. casis
inevitable conclusion would be that such testimony is unreasonable and
improbable. If the victim really intended to kill the accused, it is natural for
him, under the situation, to squeeze the trigger of his gun not only once if the
first squeeze missed, but for several times until his gun fired or to pick up the
gun on the pasimano of the store and use it instead in shooting the
accused. It is inconceivable also that the victim would have to kill the
accused just because the latter refused to buy or accept as pledge the gun
Renato Panoso was offering to the accused. Incidentally, the alleged gun of
the victim was not presented in Court. Likewise unbelievable is the claim of
the accused that he picked up the gun from the pasimano of the store then
shot the victim. At the moment of the incident, accused was facing the store
and 1 meter, more or less, away from the victim who was sitting on the said
pasimano indicating that that the victim was nearer to the gun on the
pasimano than him. This being so, the victim should have picked up the
gun from the pasimano ahead of the accused or should have grappled for
the gun taken by the accused after his gun misfired at first squeeze of the
trigger. This should have been the natural reaction of the victim when his life
was placed in imminent danger after his gun misfired. Moreover, it is strange
why Renato Panoso a best friend of the victim and who was much nearer to
the gun on the pasimano than the accused and the victim did not react to
the situation when the life of his best friend was in imminent danger. It is
likewise strange why Renato Panoso should place and leave the gun on the
pasimano and then continued drinking beer while the transaction on the gun
has already been through.
- Another doubt on the testimonies of the accused and his witness Nestor
dela Rosa lies on their claims that the accused fired his gun only once. The
victim sustained 3 gunshot wounds of separate and different entries and exits
on his body. For a single shot to produce those wounds is highly
irreconcilable. Further, the accused claimed as he demonstrated in open
Court, that while he was standing he pointed his gun towards the victim at the
level of his (accuseds) chest. The accused and the victim were of the same
height. If the accused fired his gun in the position demonstrated, the wounds
would be through and through straight at the level of the chest from the point
of entry to the point of exit. The 2 gunshot wounds of the victim were through
and through from his chest towards the lower exit at his back, indicating that
the position of the accused was higher than that of the victims when the fatal
shots were fired. In other words, the allege position of the accused is
inconsistent with the location and direction of the wounds. It is rather
consistent with the established facts that the accused was standing when he
shot the victim who was then sitting and facing him.
- By the same token, the corroborating testimony of defense witness Nestor
dela Rosa likewise lacks credence. The fact that he could not identify or
name the person who pointed a gun to the accused and squeezed its trigger
once but misfired and other persons in the group, even as he has already
discussed the incident with the accused, indicates that he was not an eye
witness to the incident.
- It is doctrinal that the assessment of the credibility of the witnesses is left
largely to the trial court because of its opportunity, unavailable to the
appellate court, to see witnesses on the stand and determine by their conduct
and demeanor whether they are testifying truthfully or are simply lying. The
determination of credibility is the domain of the trail court, and the matter of
assigning values to the testimonies of the witnesses is best performed by it;
thus the evaluation by the trial judge on the credibility of witnesses is well
nigh conclusive on this Court.
- Inconsistent defenses put up by the accused during the preliminary
investigation and trial of the case as seen in the Sworn Statement and the
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day, 40th day and 1st year death anniversaries are deleted as these were
incurred after a considerable lapse of time from the burial of the victim.
Disposition the appealed decision of the Regional Trial Court is hereby
MODIFIED, and the accused-appellant is found GUILTY OF HOMICIDE and
sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of eight (8) years and one (1) day of
prision mayor, as minimum, to fourteen (14) years and eight (8) months and
one (1) day of reclusion temporal, as maximum. Accused-appellant is further
ordered to pay the heirs of the victim the death indemnity of P50,000.00; and
actual damages of P21,875.00.
prof. casis
Disposition Decision affirmed with modification
QUIRANTE V IAC
REGALADO; January 31, 1989
NATURE
Appeal by certiorari seeking to set aside the judgment of the IAC which found
the petition for certiorari therein meritorious
FACTS
- Dr. Indalecio Casasola (father of respondents) had a contract with a building
contractor named Norman GUERRERO. The Philippine American General
Insurance Co. Inc. (PHILAMGEN, for short) acted as bondsman for
GUERRERO. In view of GUERRERO'S failure to perform his part of the
contract within the period specified, Dr. Indalecio Casasola, thru his counsel,
Atty. John Quirante, sued both GUERRERO and PHILAMGEN before the CFI
of Manila for damages, with PHILAMGEN filing a cross-claim against
GUERRERO for indemnification.
- The CFI ruled in favor of the plaintiff by rescinding the contract; ordering
GUERRERO and PHILAMGEN to pay the plaintiff actual, moral, and
exemplary damages and attorney's fees; ordering Guerrero alone to pay
liquidated damages of P300.00 a day from December 15, 1978 to July 16,
1979; and ordering PHILAMGEN to pay the plaintiff the amount of the surety
bond equivalent to P120,000.00. In the meantime, on November 16, 1981,
Dr. Casasola died leaving his widow and several children as survivors.
- Herein petitioner Quirante filed a motion in the trial court for the confirmation
of his attorney's fees. According to him, there was an oral agreement
between him and the late Dr. Casasola with regard to his attorney's fees,
which was allegedly confirmed in writing by the widow and the two daughters
of the deceased. The trial court granted the motion for confirmation despite
an opposition thereto.
ISSUE
WON petitioner may claim his attorneys fees
HELD
NO
Ratio Since the main case from which the petitioner's claims for their fees
may arise has not yet become final, the determination of the propriety of said
fees and the amount thereof should be held in abeyance. This procedure
gains added validity in the light of the rule that the remedy for recovering
attorney's fees as an incident of the main action may be availed of only when
something is due to the client.
Reasoning
- Well settled is the rule that counsel's claim for attorney's fees may be
asserted either in the very action in which the services in question have been
rendered, or in a separate action. What is being claimed here as attorney's
fees by petitioners is, however, different from attorney's fees as an item of
damages provided for under Article 2208 of the CC, wherein the award is
made in favor of the litigant, not of his counsel, and the litigant, not his
counsel, is the judgment creditor who may enforce the judgment for attorney's
fees by execution. Here, the petitioner's claims are based on an alleged
contract for professional services, with them as the creditors and the private
respondents as the debtors. In filing the motion for confirmation of attorney's
fees, petitioners chose to assert their claims in the same action. This is also a
CRISMINA GARMENTS V CA
CERRANO V TAN
38 Phil 392
FISHER; August 1, 1918
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Defendants Comments
> His offer to lease it at the higher rate was never accepted.
> In the absence of an express stipulation regarding the duration of the hire,
duration is deemed to be from month to month when a monthly rental is
agreed upon.
> Cerranos claim of P60 profit does not furnish the proper measure of
damages, and that plaintiff's right is limited to the recovery of the difference
between the contract price at which the casco was hired by him and such
higher rate as he might have been compelled to pay for the hire of a similar
casco in the open market to take its place.
> It Cerranos responsibility to rent another casco seeing that the one owned
by Tan was already sold to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. (thus mitigating his liability
to pay damages).
NATURE
An action by plaintiff for damages alleged to have been caused by the breach
of a contract for the hiring of a casco.
ISSUES
1. WON it was agreed between the plaintiff and defendant that the casco was
to be leased to the former again after it had been repaired
2. What is the duration of the term
3. WON there is liability for damages, and to what extent (mitigation of
liability)
FACTS
- During the month of January, 1916, Tan (defendant), who was then the
owner of casco No. 1033, rented it to Cerrano (plaintiff) at a monthly rental of
P70. Delivery was made in Manila.
- Some time during the month of May, 1916, the Tan notified Cerrano that in
the following month it would be necessary to send the casco to Malabon for
repairs. Cerrano then informed Tan that he would like to rent the casco again
after the repairs had been completed. Defendant indicated that he was willing
to rent it, but would expect P80 a month for it.
- There was no agreement between the parties concerning the length of time
for which the hire of the casco was to continue.
- One week before the end of the repair period Tan sold the casco to Siy
Cong Bieng & Co. J. Santos, the man who had been employed by Cerrnao as
patron of the casco while it was in his possession, upon hearing that it had
been sold to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. went to the office of the latter in Manila,
and asked for employment in the same capacity.
- Cerrano, claiming that he was entitled to the possession of the casco under
his contract with Tan regardless of its sale to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. induced
Santos to refuse to take orders from the new owners. Siy Cong Bieng & Co.
was obliged to bring an action of replevin against Santos for the recovery of
the possession of their casco.
- After the casco had been in possession of Santos for three months, the
replevin suit was submitted to the court for decision upon a written stipulation
in which it was admitted that the casco was the property of Siy Cong Bieng &
Co. at the time of the suit was commenced, and that the "illegal detention" of
the casco by Santos had caused damages to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. in the
sum of P457.98.
- Cerrano testified his average profit from other cascos rented by him was
P60 a month for each casco (P600 for 10 months supposedly).
Petitioners Claim
> It was agreed that he was to take the casco at the increased rental.
> A contract for the rental of a casco, when made by the owner, is deemed in
the absence of an express stipulation to the contrary, to run from the date of
the contract until the casco has to be docked for its annual overhauling and
repair (ten months).
HELD
1. YES, there was an agreement for the subsequent rental.
Reasoning
- It was understood between the parties that Cerrano was to have it again at
the increased rental as soon as the contemplated repairs had been
completed. That such was the understanding is shown by the fact that plaintiff
paid for the towage of the casco to the dry dock at Malabon; that he left his
equipment in it; and that his patron stayed with the casco in Malabon during
the time it was on the dock.
- The sale to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. was a breach of contract between the
Cerrano and Tan.
2. The period was for a monthly rental.
Ratio The reasonable presumption that one who agrees to pay a monthly
rent intends that his tenancy is to endure for a like period, subject to indefinite
tacit renewals at the end of each month as long as the arrangement is
agreeable to both parties.
Reasoning
- When no definite agreement has been made regarding its duration, the
lease of a house is deemed to have been made from day to day, from month
to month, or from year to year, according to whether a daily, monthly, or
yearly rent is to be paid.
3. YES, there is liability for damages, and there is no mitigation of the liability.
Ratio Plaintiff is entitled to recover, as damages for the breach of the contract
by the defendant, the profit which he would have been able to make had the
contract been performed. HOWEVER, It is a well-recognized principle of law
that damages resulting from avoidable consequences of the breach of a
contract or other legal duty are not recoverable. It is the duty of one injured by
the unlawful act of another to take such measures as prudent men usually
take under such circumstances to reduce the damages as much as possible.
Reasoning
- By selling the casco to Siy Cong Bieng & Co. Tan broke his contract with
Cerrano and is responsible for the damages caused by his failure to give
plaintiff possession of the casco for the term of one month.
- Article 1106 of the Civil Code establishes the rule that prospective profits
may be recovered as damages, while article 1107 of the same Code provides
prof. casis
that the damages recoverable for the breach of obligations not originating in
fraud (dolo) are those which were or might have been foreseen at the time
the contract was entered into.
- The injured party must produce the best evidence of which his case is
susceptible and if that evidence warrants the inference that he has been
damaged by the loss of profits which he might with reasonable certainty have
anticipated but for the defendant's wrongful act, he is entitled to recover.
- It is equally well-settled, however, that the burden of proof rests upon the
defendant to show that the plaintiff might have reduced the damages. In this
case the defendant has made no effort whatever to show that any other
similar cascos were in fact available to plaintiff, or the price at which he would
have been able to obtain the use of one. In the absence of evidence it will not
be presumed that plaintiff could have secured another casco at the same
price had he looked for one.
Disposition It is decreed that Cerrano recover from Tan P50 as damages,
and his costs in the Court of First Instance.
A2010
10,00.00
100,000.00
500,000.00
200,000.00
96,825.15
96,825.15
107,583.50
96,825.15
6,328.18
10,000.00
6,328.18
25,000.00
100,000.00
50,000.00
25,000.00
YES
50,000.00
YES
16,000.00
50,000.00
50,000.00
50,000.00
+ interest
+6%
legal
interest from
date of RTC
decision until
actual payment
ISSUES
How much moral, exemplary and actual damages are victims of vehicular
accidents entitled to?
1. WON the bus driver was negligent and such negligence (and not a
fortuitous event) was the proximate cause of the accident
2. WON Victors claim for deprivation of the right to marital consortium as a
factor for the award of moral damages is proper
3. WON social and financial standing of Lucila can be considered in awarding
moral damages
4. WON exemplary damages should be awarded
5. WON loss of earnings may be a component of damages in this case
6. WON the 10% reduction of the estimated actual damages on the pickup
was proper
HELD
1. Negligence and proximate cause are factual issues which SC can not pass
upon in the absence of conflict between the findings of the trial court and the
CA.
2. NO
- For lack of factual basis, such claim of deprivation of the right to consortium
cannot be ruled upon by this Court at this time.
- Petitioners cited a California case, Rodriguez vs. Bethlehem Steel
Corporation, as authority for the claim of damages by reason of loss of
marital consortium, i.e. loss of conjugal fellowship and sexual relations. In the
Rodriguez case20, it was ruled that when a person is injured to the extent that
he/she is no longer capable of giving love, affection, comfort and sexual
relations to his or her spouse, that spouse has suffered a direct and real
personal loss. The loss is immediate and consequential rather than remote
and unforeseeable; it is personal to the spouse and separate and distinct
from that of the injured person.
- Whether Rodriguez may be cited as authority to support the award of moral
damages to Victor &/or Lucila Kierulf for "loss of consortium" cannot be
20Rodriguez
involved a couple in their early 20s, who were married for only 16 months and full of
dreams of building a family of their own, when the husband was struck and almost paralyzed by a
falling 600-pound pipe. The wife testified how her life had deteriorated because her husband became a
lifelong invalid, confined to the home, bedridden and in constant need of assistance for his bodily
functions; and how her social, recreational and sexual life had been severely restricted. It also deprived
her of the chance to bear their children. As a constant witness to her husband's pain, mental anguish
and frustration, she was always nervous, tense, depressed and had trouble sleeping, eating and
concentrating. Thus, the California court awarded her damages for loss of consortium.
prof. casis
- 114 -
properly considered in this case. Victor's claim, although argued before CA, is
not supported by the evidence on record.
3. NO
- The social and financial standing of a claimant of moral damages may be
considered in awarding moral damages only if he or she was subjected to
contemptuous conduct despite the offender's knowledge of his or her social
and financial standing.
- But, it is still proper to award moral damages to Lucila for her physical
sufferings, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety and wounded feelings. She
sustained multiple injuries on the scalp, limbs and ribs. She lost all her
teeth. She had to undergo several corrective operations and
treatments. She suffered sleepless nights and shock as a consequence of
the vehicular accident. And it has taken 10yrs to prosecute the complaint and
this appeal!
4. YES
- in view of CAs finding of gross negligence on the part of Pantranco: "Public
utility operators like the defendant, have made a mockery of our laws, rules
and regulations governing operations of motor vehicles and have ignored
either deliberately or through negligent disregard of their duties to exercise
extraordinary degree of diligence for the safety of the travelling public and
their passengers."
- Batangas Transportation Company vs. Caguimbal: "it is high time to impress
effectively upon public utility operators the nature and extent of their
responsibility in respect of the safety of their passengers and their duty to
exercise greater care in the selection of drivers and conductors."
- Exemplary damages are designed to permit the courts to mould behavior
that has socially deleterious consequences, and its imposition is required by
public policy to suppress the wanton acts of an offender. However, it cannot
be recovered as a matter of right. It is based entirely on the discretion of the
court.
5. For Lucila, NO.
- CA already considered this when it stated that the award of P25k included
compensation for "mental anguish and emotional strain of not earning
anything with a family to support."
- Lucila's claim of loss of earning capacity has not been duly proven with
ITRs. The alleged loss must be established by factual evidence for it partakes
of actual damages. A party is entitled to adequate compensation for such
pecuniary loss actually suffered and duly proved. Such damages, to be
recoverable, must not only be capable of proof, but must actually be shown
with a reasonable degree of certainty.
- For Legaspi, YES. Pantranco failed to rebut the claim of Legaspi that he had
been incapacitated for 10 months and that during said period he did not have
any income.
6. YES
- SC takes judicial notice of the propensity of motor repair shops to
exaggerate their estimates. An estimate is not an actual expense incurred or
to be incurred in the repair. The reduction made by respondent court is
reasonable considering that in this instance such estimate was secured by
the complainants themselves.
Epilogue
- In order that moral damages may be awarded, there must be pleading and
proof of moral suffering, mental anguish, fright and the like. While no proof of
pecuniary loss is necessary in order that moral damages may be awarded,
the amount of indemnity being left to the discretion of the court, it is
nevertheless essential that the claimant should satisfactorily show the
VISAYAN SAWMILL V CA
219 SCRA 378
CALLEJO; January 17, 2005
NATURE
Petition for certiorari
FACTS
- ON may 1, 1983, Visayan Sawmill and RJH trading entered into a sale of
scrap iron located at the formers stockyard, subject to the condition that RJH
will open a letter of credit in favor of Visayan in the amount of P250,000.
- Respondentfs men started digging and gather scrap iron in petitioners
premises. On may 30, they were asked to stop by the plaintiff in view of an
alleged case filed against respondent by a certain Albert Pursuelo. This is
howver denied by the petitioner who alleges that on May 23, 1983, they sent
a telegram to respondent cancelling the contract of sale because of failure of
the latter to comply with the conditions thereof.
- On may 24, respondent informed petitioner that the letter of credit was
opened on may 12, 1983 but then the transmittal was delayed.
- On may 26, the bank sent a letter to petitioner informing that the letter of
credit was opened in their favor.
- On july 19, respondent sent a series of telegrams stating that the case
against him has been dismissed and demanding that petitioner comply with
the contract. Respondent filed a complaint against petitioner. RTC and CA
ruled in favor of respondent. (+P100,000 moral damages)
ISSUE
WON the Visayan Sawmill can be compelled to honor the agreement
HELD
NO
- There was only a contract to sell, not a contract of sale. The petitioner
corporation's obligation to sell is unequivocally subject to a positive
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limits of the possible, of the spiritual status quo ante, and it must be
proportional to the suffering inflicted.
Disposition Petition granted
prof. casis
The lower court's award of damages, was reversed and set aside. No costs.
MIRANDA-RIBAYA V BAUTISTA
95 SCRA 672
TEEHANKEE; January 28, 1980
FACTS
- Mrs. Niceta Miranda-Ribaya was engaged in the pawnshop business in
1968 and in the buying and selling of jewelry.
- Sometime before April 23, 1968 Josefine Roco Robles, one of her agents,
informed her that millionaire logger Marino Bautista was interested to buy big
diamond stones. Miranda-Ribaya went to visit Bautista and at the sight of his
huge house, she became convinced that he indeed was as rich as Josefina
had portrayed him to be.
> Miranda-Ribaya then offend to sell to the Bautista ten pieces of jewelry
for the total amount of P224,000. After some haggling (But I thought they
were rich!), Miranda-Ribaya settled for P222,000 (Para naman two
thousand lang!).
> Miranda-Ribaya was paid through two Equitable PCI cheques, one for
P112,000 and the other for P110,000. In return, she issued a voucher as
evidence of payment.
> The next day, Miranda-Ribaya went back to see Bautista to request him
to break up the P110,000 cheque into smaller amounts. She had to share
some of the money with Miss Gisioco who owned some of the jewelry
sold. She was then issued 4 Bank of America cheques with the following
amounts: P14,000, P84,000, P12,000 and P50,000.
- April 24, 1968 Miranda-Ribaya sold four pieces of jewelry to Bautista for
P94,000 in Bautistas office. She was then issued four Bank of America
checks amounting to the total price of the pieces of jewelry. She again
issued another voucher as proof of payment.
- The original owners of some of the jewelry sold by Miranda-Ribaya wanted
to have them back so Miranda-Ribaya went to Bautistas house. She brought
with her three pieces of jewelry to be offered in exchange for some of the
jewelry she wanted to take back. Since his wife and daughter were not
home, Bautista requested Miranda-Ribaya to leave the jewelry with him so he
could show the jewelry to his wife and daughter first.
- Bautista did not return the jewelry but instead sent Miranda-Ribaya a
P45,000 cheque as payment for the three pieces of jewelry she left with him.
She also heard that these pieces of jewelry were given away by Bautista as
gifts.
- Miranda-Ribaya tried to contact Bautista when the post-dated checks
neared their maturity date but she was unable to do so. Worse, when she
deposited the cheques, the bank dishonored them because the accounts
were closed.
- Following a hunch acquired from years of experience as a pawnshop
dealer, Miranda-Ribaya ran a check on the different pawnshops in Manila and
discovered that most of the jewelry she had sold to Bautista were pledged to
different pawnshops.
- Bautista promised to settle his obligations with Miranda-Ribaya but was
unable to do so despite repeated demands. He eventually surrendered the
pawnshop tickets to Miranda-Ribaya who was then able to regain possession
of the pawned pieces of jewelry. She recomputed Bautistas obligations and
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- The Del Rosarios' charged Metal Forming Corp (MFC) with a violation of
Section 3 of Act No. 3740, "An Act to Penalize Fraudulent Advertising,
Mislabeling or Misbranding of Any Product, Stocks, Bonds, etc.
- MFC sold to the public roofing materials known as "Banawe" shingles which
they advertised to be structurally safe and strong. Del Rosarios purchased a
quantity and had installed in their house. However when typhoon Ruping
came, portions of the roof were blown away by strong winds and this also led
to the damage of the interior of their home.
- The spouses sought to recover from MFC, damages resulting from the
events, contending that aside from the destruction of the roof of their house,
injury was also caused to its electrical wiring, ceiling, furtures, walls, wall
paper, wood parquet flooring and furniture. The plaintiffs reckoned their
actual damages at P1,008,003.00 "representing the estimated cost of the
repair, restoration and/or replacement of the damaged areas and items in
plaintiffs' house and the cost of the inspection conducted by the independent
adjuster..." They also prayed for an award to them of moral damages in
the sum of P3,000,000,00, exemplary damages in the amount of
P1,000,000.00, and attorney's fees in the sum of P1,000,000.00.
ISSUE
WON the Del Rosario spouses are entitled to moral damages
HELD
YES
- That MFC did in truth act with bad faith, in flagrant breach of its
express warranties made to the general public and in wanton disregard
of the rights of the Del Rosarios who relied on those warranties, is
adequately demonstrated by the recorded proofs. The law explicitly
authorizes the award of moral damages "in breaches of contract where
the defendant acted fraudulently or in bad faith." There being,
moreover, satisfactory evidence of the psychological and mental
trauma actually suffered by the Del Rosarios, the grant to them of moral
damages is warranted. Over a period of about a month. they
experienced "feelings of shock, helplessness, fear, embarrassment and
anger."
- As declared by this Court in Makabili v. Court of Appeals, among other
precedents:
It is essential. . . . in the award of damages that the claimant must have
satisfactorily proven during the trial the existence of the factual basis of
the damages and its causal connection to defendant's acts. This is so
because moral damages though incapable of pecuniary estimation, are in
the category of an award designed to compensate the claimant for actual
injury suffered and not to impose a penalty on the wrongdoer (Enervida v.
De la Torre, 55 SCRA 340 [1974.] and are allowable only when
specifically prayed for in the complaint. (San Miguel Brewery, Inc. v.
Magno, 21 SCRA 292 [1968])
- As reflected in the records of the case, the Court of Appeals was in
agreement with the findings of the trial court that petitioners suffered anguish,
embarrassment and mental sufferings due to the failure of private respondent
to perform its obligation to petitioners.
- Its grant of moral and exemplary damages was justified by the Trial Court as
follows:
Form the evidence presented, plaintiffs' sufferings have been duly and
substantially proven by the defendant's fraudulent actuation and breach of
warranty, and thereby entitled for the claim of damages and litigation costs
as enunciated by the testimony of the plaintiff... that the damages to his
prof. casis
house caused sufferings and feelings of shock. helplessness, fears,
embarrassment and anger, thereby entitling him to Moral Damages which
should be assessed at P500,000.00.
"The moral damages. . . . (are awarded) for indemnity or reparation not
punishment or correction, that is, an award to entitle the injured party to
obtain means (of) diversions and amusement that will serve to alleviate
the moral sufferings he has undergone by reason of defendant's culpable
action. (RNB Surety and Ins. Co. v. IAC, G.R No. 64515, June 22, 1984,
129 SCRA 745)."
- This Court also agrees with the Trial Court
- However, the same statutory and jurisprudential standards just mentioned
dictate reduction of the amounts of moral and exemplary damages fixed by
the Trial Court. the moral damages awarded must be commensurate with
the loss or injury suffered.
RAAGAS v TRAYA
22 SCRA 839
CASTRO; Feb 27, 1968
FACTS
- spouses Raagas filed a complaint with the CFI Leyte against spouses Traya
and Bienvenido Canciller.
- Complaint alleges that on or about April 9, 1958, while Canciller was
"recklessly" driving a truck owned by the Traya spouses, the vehicle ran over
the Raagas' three-year old son Regino, causing his instantaneous death.
Defendants Comments
> They specifically deny that Canciller was "driving recklessly" at the time of
the mishap, and assert that the truck "was fully loaded and was running at a
very low speed and on the right side of the road"
> it was the child who "rushed from an unseen position and bumped the truck
so that he was hit by the left rear tire of the said truck and died", and
consequently the defendants are not to blame for the accident which was
"entirely attributable to an unforeseen event" or due to the fault of the child
and negligence of his parents;
> defendants-spouses have exercised due diligence in the selection and
supervision of their driver Canciller, whom they hired in 1946 only after a
thorough study of his background as a truck driver; and that each time they
allowed him to drive it was only after a check of his physical condition and the
mechanical fitness of the truck assigned to him.
Lower Court
> plaintiffs moved for a judgment on the pleadings, upon the claim that the
defendants' answer not only "failed to tender an issue" but as well "admitted
material allegations" of the complaint. This motion was set for hearing on
June 18. On the previous day, however, defendants counsel requested for
postponement as he was sick. The lower court denied the request for lack of
"proper notice to the adverse party," and considered the case submitted for
decision upon the filing of the plaintiffs' memorandum.
- On June 24 it rendered a judgment on the pleadings, condemning the
defendants, jointly and severally, to pay damages, attorneys fees and costs
of suit.
- The lower court reasoned that
the denial of the charge of reckless driving "did not affect the plaintiffs'
positive allegation in their complaint that the truck . . . did not have a
current year registration plate . . . for the year 1958 when the accident
occurred,"
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son of Ciriaco and that the sale of the property in question was well beyond
the 5 year prohibition period.
- During pre-trial, petitioner admitted the claims of the defendants: his father
was still living, that he has siblings, and that the sale did not take place within
the prohibited period. The CFI, in view of such admissions, dismissed
Roques complaint and held that he had no cause of action, no legal capacity
to sue and that he is prompted with malice and bad faith in alleging false
statements in his complaint. He was also ordered to pay the defendants
P2000 for actual, moral and exemplary damages.
- Petitioner then filed an appeal to the CA which certified the case to the SC
as it involved purely a question of law.
for actual injury suffered, which they are intended to be. Moral damages, in
other words, are not corrective or exemplary damages.
Disposition the dismissal order is affirmed with modification that only attys
fees are awarded to respondents.
ISSUE
WON the award for moral damages by reason of the unfounded civil action
was proper
FACTS
- Alberto Cauan and Leticia Yu Cauan were married and had 3 children,
ALBERT, HONEYLET and ARLENE, the private complainant herein. The
spouses separated. Albert and Arlene stayed with their mother Leticia while
Honeylet stayed with her grandmother Anita Yu. Later, Alberto and Leticia
started living together with another woman and another man respectively.
Leticia cohabited with the accused RODELIO BUGAYONG and had a child,
CATHERINE BUGAYONG.
- the accused RODELIO BUGAYONG had ARLENE hold his penis inside the
room he shared with Leticia. At that time CATHERINE who was 6yrs. old
was also inside the same room and her father, the accused was letting her
sleep. Bugayong threatened to maim Arlene if she did not hold his
penis. When the penis was already hard and stiff, he placed it inside the
mouth of Arlene and a white substance came out from the
penis. CATHERINE saw this incident.
- Arlene Cauan accompanied by her father Alberto Cauan and her aunt
Marilyn Yu, Carmelita Yu and Rosie Yu went to the NBI to file a complaint.
- Arlene gave her sworn statement. Alberto Cauan also gave his sworn
statement.
- Arlene testified that her stepfather had been doing the same act when she
was still in Grade 3 and was nine years old. She also said that there were
occasions when BUGAYONG played first with his penis then touched her
vagina with his penis until a white substance came out of it and that was the
time BUGAYONG would pull back his penis. Arlene said that the penis of
BUGAYONG partly entered [her] vagina and she got hurt.
- The trial court held that the accused raped the victim in 1993, not in
1994. Notwithstanding the rather encompassing allegation in the Information
that the crime was committed before and until October 15, 1994, the trial
court ruled that it could legally convict the accused for the crime committed in
1993. The primordial consideration in determining the sufficiency of the
averment in the Information as to time is whether the accused was accorded
the opportunity to prepare a defense. In this case, the trial court observed
that he was not so deprived. Furthermore, it noted that the Information
charged more than one offense, but that the accused failed to interpose an
opposition.
- The Information charged appellant with statutory rape committed before
and until October 15, 1994 xxx several times. In the instant appeal, accused
asserts that this allegation regarding the date of the commission of the
offense violated his constitutional right to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation against him.
- Appellant claims a violation of his constitutional right to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation against him. He maintains that he was
unable to prepare properly for his defense or to anticipate the evidence to be
controverted
HELD
NO
Ratio Art.2219 enumerates the cases when moral damages may be
recovered. A clearly unfounded suit is not included in the enumeration and
cannot be basis for an award of moral damages.
Reasoning
- It will be observed that unlike compensatory or actual damages which are
generally recoverable in tort cases as long as there is satisfactory proof
thereof (Art. 2202), the Code has chosen to enumerate the cases in which
moral damages may be recovered (Art. 2219).
- A like enumeration is made in regard to the recovery of attorney's fees as an
item of damage (Art. 2208). But the two enumerations differ in the case of a
clearly unfounded suit, which is expressly mentioned in Art. 2208 (par. 4), as
justifying an award of attorney's fees, but is not included in the enumeration
of Art.2219 in respect to moral damages.
- Art. 2219 also provides that moral damages may be awarded in analogous
cases to those enumerated, but we do not think the Code intended a clearly
unfounded civil action or proceedings to be one of these analogous cases
wherein moral damages may be recovered, or it would have expressly
mentioned it in Art.2219, as it did in Art.2208; or else incorporated Art.2208
by reference in Art.2219.
- Art.2219 specifically mentions quasi-delicts causing physical injuries, as
an instance when moral damages may be allowed, thereby implying that all
other quasi-delicts not resulting in physical injuries are excluded, excepting,
the special torts referred to in Art.309, par. 9, Art.2219 and in Arts.21, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 32, 34, and 35 on the chapter on human relations (par. 10, Art.
2219).
- While no proof of pecuniary loss is necessary in order that moral damages
may be awarded, the amount of indemnity being left to the discretion of the
court, it is, nevertheless, essential that the claimant satisfactorily prove the
existence of the factual basis of the damage (Art.2217) and its causal relation
to the defendants acts because moral damages, though incapable of
pecuniary estimation, are in the category of an award designed to
compensate the claimant for actual injury suffered and not to impose a
penalty on the wrongdoer.
- The trial court and the CA both seem to be of the opinion that the mere fact
that respondents were sued without any legal foundation entitled them to an
award of moral damages, hence they made no definite finding as to what the
supposed moral damages suffered consist of. Such a conclusion would make
of moral damages a penalty, which they are not, rather than a compensation
PEOPLE V BUGAYONG
PANGANIBAN; December 2, 1998
NATURE
Appeal from the decision of RTC Baguio
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prof. casis
ISSUES
1. WON the telegram generated a contract that is valid and binding upon the
parties
2. WON Francisco is entitled to damages (moral damages in the outline)
FRANCISCO V GSIS
7 SCRA 577
REYES JBL; March 30, 1963
NATURE
Appeal by the Government Service Insurance System from the decision of
the Court of First Instance of Rizal.
FACTS
- CFI ordered GSIS to abide by the terms of the contract created by plaintiff's
offer and its unconditional acceptance, with costs against the GSIS. Trinidad
J. Francisco (plaintiff) appealed separately (L-18155), because the trial court
did not award the P535,000.00 damages and attorney's fees she claimed.
- October 10,1956: Trinidad J. Francisco mortgaged in favor of Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) a parcel of land containing an area of
18,232 square meters, with twenty-one (21) bungalows, known as Vic-Mari
Compound. This was in consideration of a loan in the amount of P400K, out
of which the sum of P336,100.00 was released to her.
- January 6, 1959: GSIS extrajudicially foreclosed the mortgage on the
ground that up to that date Francisco was in arrears on her monthly
installments in the amount of P52,000.00. Payments made by the plaintiff at
the time of foreclosure amounted to P130,000.00. GSIS itself was the buyer
of the property in the foreclosure sale.
- February 20, 1959: the plaintiff's father, Atty. Vicente J. Francisco, sent a
letter to the general manager of the defendant corporation, Mr. Rodolfo P.
Andal, proposing to pay said amount of P30,000 to the GSIS if it would
agree that after such payment the foreclosure of my daughter's mortgage
would be set aside. As for the balance, Atty. Francisco proposed for GSIS to
take over the administration of the mortgaged property and to collect the
monthly installments, amounting to about P5,000, until the balance is paid.
- February 20 1959: Atty. Francisco received a telegram containing an
approval of his request. It was signed by Andal.
- February 28 1959: Atty. Francisco remitted to GSIS, through Andal, a check
for P30K. GSIS received the amount of P30K, and issued an official receipt
No. 1209874, dated 4 March 1959. It did not, however, take over the
administration of the compound (as was proposed by Atty. Francisco).
- Remittances, all accompanied by letters, corresponding to the months of
March, April, May, and June, 1960 and totalling P24,604.81 were also sent by
Francisco to GSIS from time to time, all of which were received and duly
receipted for.
- Then the System sent three (3) letters, one dated 29 January 1960, which
was signed by its assistant general manager, and the other two letters, dated
19 and 26 February 1960, respectively, which were signed by Andal, asking
the plaintiff for a proposal for the payment of her indebtedness, since
according to the System the one-year period for redemption had expired.
Respondents Comment
> The remittances previously made by Atty. Francisco were allegedly not
sufficient to pay off her daughter's arrears, including attorney's fees incurred
by the defendant in foreclosing the mortgage.
HELD
1. YES, the contract is binding.
Ratio If a corporation knowingly permits one of its officers, or any other
agent, to do acts within the scope of an apparent authority, and thus holds
him out to the public as possessing power to do those acts, the corporation
will, as against any one who has in good faith dealt with the corporation
through such agent, be estopped from denying his authority
Reasoning
- GSIS does not disown the telegram, and even asserts that it came from its
offices, as may be gleaned from the letter, dated 31 May 1960, to Atty.
Francisco, and signed "R. P. Andal, general manager by Leovigildo
Monasterial, legal counsel.
- In remitting the payment of P30,000 advanced by her father, Trinidads letter
to Mr. Andal quoted verbatim the telegram of acceptance Mr. Andal sent.
- Notwithstanding this notice, the defendant System pocketed the amount,
and kept silent about the telegram not being in accordance with the true facts,
as it now alleges. This silence, taken together with the unconditional
acceptance of three other subsequent remittances from plaintiff, constitutes in
itself a binding ratification of the original agreement.
2. NO, Francisco is not entitled to damages.
- The court a quo correctly refused to award such actual or compensatory
damages because it could not determine with reasonable certainty the
difference between the offered price and the actual value of the property.
- Without proof the Court cannot assume, or take judicial notice, as
suggested by the plaintiff, that the practice of lending institutions in the
country is to give out as loan 60% of the actual value of the collateral.
- There was no error in the appealed decision in denying moral damages, not
only on account of the plaintiff's failure to take the witness stand and testify to
her social humiliation, wounded feelings, anxiety, etc., as the decision holds,
but primarily because a breach of contract like that of defendant, not being
malicious or fraudulent, does not warrant the award of moral damages under
Article 2220 of the Civil Code.
ART. 2220
Disposition The appealed decision if affirmed, with costs against GSIS.
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prof. casis
- Editha Mijares, aside from being the operator of Aklan Drug, was also an
officer of the Ospital Ng Maynila Consumers Cooperative, Inc., which became
a concessionaire of a small area right inside the hospital compound and it
operated a drugstore. Said drugstore had some transactions with the plaintiff
as supplier of pharmaceutical products. Subsequently the Cooperative was
dissolved and it stopped operating. Solomon Silverio, Jr. leased from the City
of Manila the site previously occupied by the Cooperative and put up a
drugstore on the same.
- Lamenta delivered pharmaceutical products to the said store (8 times).
- The first to the seventh deliveries were received by Luz Espares,the 8th
delivery was received by Hilda Rodrigona. Both were never the employees of
the defendants.
- In partial payment of these receivables Solomon Silverio, Jr. issued a check
under the account name Farmacia delos Remedios in the amount of
P14,180.46, which was subsequently dishonored on the ground of insufficient
fund.
- Metro Drug went after Mijares demanding full redemption of the dishonored
check and full payment of outstanding account for P27,938.06.
- When Lamenta tried to collect from Editha Mijares for the disputed claim,
Editha Mijares referred him to Mr. Silverio as the new operator and
concessionaire of the drugstore. She informed him verbally that they have no
more business inside the Ospital ng Maynila as the cooperative drugstore
has already stopped operations. Despite said verbal notice, the demand
telegram addressed to Aklan Drug was still sent to Editha Mijares. On
Lamenta's follow-up of said telegram, Editha Mijares again directed Lamenta
to see Solomon Silverio, the new owner of the drugstore.
- RTC: Complaint dismissed; plaintiff ordered to pay the defendants
P30,000.00 for moral damages and P10,000.00 as attorney's fees
CA: Reversed
ISSUE
WON moral damages should be awarded to the Mijares spouses (bec of
malicious prosecution)
HELD
NO
- Settled in our jurisprudence is the rule that moral damages cannot be
recovered from a person who has filed a complaint against another in good
faith, or without malice or bad faith (Philippine National Bank v. Court of
Appeals, 159 SCRA 433 [1988]; R & B Surety and Insurance v. Intermediate
Appellate Court, 129 SCRA 736 [1984]).
Reasoning
- Mijares spouses failed to show that private respondent was motivated by
bad faith when it instituted the action for collection.
- In China Banking Corporation vs. Court of Appeals it was held that
Malicious prosecution, both in criminal and civil cases, requires the presence
of two elements, to wit: a) malice; and b) absence of probable cause.
Moreover, there must be proof that the prosecution was prompted by a
sinister design to vex and humiliate a person, and that it was initiated
deliberately knowing that the charge was false and baseless (Manila Gas
Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 100 SCRA 602 [1980]).
- Mere filing of a suit does not render a person liable for malicious
prosecution should he be unsuccessful, for the law could not have meant to
impose a penalty on the right to litigate (Ponce v. Legaspi, 208 SCRA 377
[1992]; Saba v. Court of Appeals, 189 SCRA 50 [1990]); Rubio v. Court of
Appeals, 141 SCRA 488 [1986]).
DE LA PEA V CA (TAN)
231 SCRA 456
BELLOSILLO; March 28, 1994
NATURE
Appeal from the decision of CA dismissing petitioners action for
reconveyance with damages against private respondent.
FACTS
- Pantaleon De La Pena imputes fraud and misrepresentation to private
respondent Herotido Tan in securing Free Patent No. (XI-6) 1326 and OCT
No. P-7923 over the same.
- Ciriaco Reducto was occupying a 24-hectare parcel of land in Sulongvale,
Sulop, Davao del Norte (previously Padada, Tanwalang, Davao), designated
as Lot No. 5714, for which he filed Homestead Application No. 192495 (E100806) with the Bureau of Lands.
- However, another party also filed a Homestead Application for the same.
- Ciriaco transferred his possessory rights over six (6) hectares (later
increased to eight [8]) of Lot 5714 to petitioner Pantaleon de la Pea who
thereafter entered his appearance in the administrative case when the portion
transferred to him remained included in the homestead applications of Ciriaco
Reducto and Potenciano Nazaret. After it was ascertained in a field
verification that petitioner had a better right to acquire the portion claimed by
him being its actual occupant and cultivator, the Director of Lands directed
petitioner to apply for the portion himself within sixty (60) days after its survey
or else "lose his preferential right thereto." However, no such application was
filed.
- Meanwhile, on 7 March 1950, Ciriaco transferred his rights over another 1
1/2-hectare portion of Lot 5714 to Michael Doble who in turn sold his rights in
1956 to Ricardo Tan, herein private respondent's father. The portion sold to
Michael Doble, and later on acquired by Ricardo Tan, became the western
boundary of de la Pea's land.
- On 24 and 25 August 1970, a survey was conducted and it was discovered
that the land occupied by petitioner was bigger by 3/4 of a hectare than what
he actually bought and paid for from Ciriaco. On the other hand, the land
ceded to Doble (later acquired by Tan) was "very much smaller" than what he
actually bought.
- Although the 3/4-hectare portion was part of the area acquired by Doble in
1950, it was petitioner de la Pea who cultivated the same without objection
from Doble. However, when Ricardo Tan acquired the lot on 2 March 1956,
he built a fence to reclaim the portion, but petitioner kept destroying it; hence,
the start of a boundary dispute.
- On 5 May 1975, Ricardo Tan transferred his rights over Lot 5714-C to his
son, private respondent Herotido Tan, by means of "Affidavit of
Relinquishment." But the conflict over the 3/4-hectare portion continued. In an
effort to resolve the conflict, a relocation survey was agreed upon except that
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the dispute regarding the 3/4-hectare portion started even before a free
patent and OCT could be issued to private respondent in 1975. As early as
1956, the controversy already began between petitioner and private
respondent's father. Hence, petitioner's possession falls short of the required
period. Not being the owner, petitioner cannot maintain the present suit.
- An award for attorney's fees and moral damages on the sole basis of an
action later declared to be unfounded in the absence of a deliberate intent to
cause prejudice to the other party is improper. The right to litigate is so
precious that a Penalty should not be charged on those who may exercise it
erroneously.
Disposition Affirmed, with the sole modification that the award for attorney's
fees, expenses of litigation, and moral damages is DELETED.
J MARKETING V SIA
285 SCRA 580
FRANCISCO; January 29, 1998
NATURE
Appeal from decision of CA
FACTS
- J Marketing was company engaged in the business of appliances and
motorcycles. It received from Kawasaki motors one brand new, color blue
motorcycle, which was stored in the company bodega. However (4 years
after receipt), the company found out that the motorcycle was missing, and
immediately reported this to the police.
- The companys representative, Caludac, tried to trace the lost motorcycle to
Felicidad SIa (defendant herein), who brought a motorcycle from a Renato
Pelande. Allegedly, Caludac went to the house of Sia and examined the
chasis and motor numbers of the motorcycle in his possession, and found out
that the chasis and motor numbers have been tampered with to jibe with the
chais and motor numbers of a motorcycle previously purchased by Pelande
from J Mktg.
- When Caludac confronted Sia about the questionable motorcycle, Sia
refused to surrender possession of the motorcycle and instead told Caludac
to file a case in court. Hence, J mktg filed a complaint for replevin against
Sia. Sia, in turn, filed a 3rd party complaint against Pelante (which was
subsequently declared in default).
- RTC dismissed J mktgs complaint but awarded damages (moral and
exemplary) and attys fees. CA affirmed RTCs decision.
ISSUE
WON award of moral and exemplary damages and attys fees is proper
HELD
1. NO
Ratio No damages can be charged on those who may exercise their rights in
good faith, even if done erroneously.
Reasoning
- A person's right to litigate should not be penalized by holding him liable for
damages. This is especially true when the filing of the case is to enforce what
he believes to be his rightful claim against another although found to be
erroneous.
- J mktg precisely instituted the replevin case against Sia based on the latter's
own challenge to the former that if they really had a right on the motorcycle,
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the defendants against Guevara had absolutely no basis in fact and in law.
Quite clearly, defendants had filed the aforesaid case with the sole intent of
harassing and pressuring Guevara, in his capacity as Chairman of GIDC, to
give in to their illicit and malicious desire to appropriate the remaining unsold
properties of GIDC and/or to influence the appellate courts to decide in their
favor, their appeal of the lower court's decision in the GIDC case.
ISSUE
WON requisites for malicious prosecution are present
HELD
YES
- a complaint for malicious prosecution states a cause of action if it alleges
the following:
(1) that the defendant was himself the prosecutor or that at least the
prosecution was instituted at his instance;
(2) that the prosecution finally terminated in the acquittal of the plaintiff;
(3) that in bringing the action the prosecutor acted without probable cause;
and
(4) that the prosecutor was actuated by malice, i.e. by improper and sinister
motives
- first TWO requisites are sufficiently alleged in the complaint.
- the FOURTH requisite malice in which a a general averment is sufficient
in view of Rule 8, 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Petitioners filed the
criminal case for the purpose of harassing and pressuring Guevarra, in his
capacity as chairman of Guevent Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC),
to give in to their illicit and malicious desire to appropriate the remaining
unsold properties of the corporation, may be considered sufficient.
- To be sure, lack of probable cause is an element separate and distinct from
that of malice. It follows, therefore, that one cannot be held liable in damages
for maliciously instituting a prosecution where he acted with probable cause.
- Obviously, a determination that there was no probable cause cannot be
made to rest solely on the fact that the trial court, acting on private
respondent Guevarra's demurrer to evidence, dismissed the criminal
prosecution, just as it cannot be made to turn on the fact that the Department
of Justice reversed the fiscal's findings and ordered the criminal case against
private respondent Guevarra to be filed in court. The first would transform all
acquittals into veritable countersuits for malicious prosecution. On the other
hand, the second would result in the dismissal of all complaints for malicious
prosecutions.
- Accordingly, the inquiry should be whether sufficient facts are alleged
showing that in bringing the criminal action, the defendant in the civil action
for malicious prosecution acted without probable cause. This Court has ruled
that for purposes of malicious prosecution, "probable cause" means "such
facts and circumstances as would excite the belief, in a reasonable mind,
acting on the facts within the knowledge of the prosecutor, that the person
charged was guilty of the crime for which he was prosecuted." Buchanan v.
Vda. de Esteban. In this case, even if we consider the allegations in the
complaint as true, as well as the order of the trial court annexed thereto, we
do not find the same sufficient to establish the absence of probable cause.
- To prove that the subject UNDERTAKING (Exhibit "N") is falsified, the
prosecution presented the testimony of complaining witness REYNALDO
COMETA to prove that as President of the STATE INVESTMENT he did not
execute the document of undertaking and thus, the subject document (Exhibit
"N") is falsified and his signature thereat is not his signature. To corroborate
the testimony of COMETA, the NBI handwriting expert LUZVIMINDA C.
prof. casis
SABADO, submitted the questioned Documents Report No. 278-688 dated
21 June 1988 to show that the signature above the name of COMETA in the
subject undertaking (Exhibit "N") and the specimen signatures of COMETA
WERE not written by one and the same person (Exhibit "Y").
- To prove that accused falsified and/or caused the falsification of the subject
undertaking (Exhibit "N"), the prosecution presented the records of the
HOUSING BOARD which include the "Official Form" letter-application (Exhibit
"J") submitted by accused together with the required documents enumerated
therein which supposedly included the undertaking to release mortgage. The
testimony of a HOUSING BOARD official, Ms. Floredeliza Manuel was
presented to testify as an official of the HOUSING BOARD the standard
procedure is that the BOARD requires from applicants for authority such as
that applied for by accused, the following requirements were quoted by the
prosecution in page 5 of their OPPOSITION and reproduced hereunder:
- there is neither direct nor circumstantial evidence to prove that accused is
the author of this falsified document
- trial court ruled that the evidence for the prosecution did not establish "a
prima facie case against accused private private respondent Reynaldo
Guevarra." However, prima facie evidence is different from probable cause.
Prima facie evidence requires a degree or quantum of proof greater than
probable cause. "It denotes evidence which, if unexplained or uncontradicted,
is sufficient to sustain a prosecution or establish the facts, as to
counterbalance the presumption of innocence and warrant the conviction of
the accused." On the other hand, probable cause for the filing of an
information merely means "reasonable ground for belief in the existence of
facts warranting the proceedings complained of, or an apparent state of facts
found to exist upon reasonable inquiry which would induce a reasonably
intelligent and prudent man to believe that the accused person has committed
the crime." What is needed to bring an action in court is simply probable
cause, not prima facie evidence. In the terminology of the Rules of Criminal
Procedure, what is required for bringing a criminal action is only such
evidence as is sufficient to "engender a well founded belief as to the facts of
the commission of a crime and the respondent's probable guilt thereof.
Disposition petitioners' motion for reconsideration is GRANTED, the
decision of the Court of Appeals is REVERSED, and the complaint against
petitioners is DISMISSED for failure to state a cause of action.
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contract, Osdana was engaged to work as Food Server for a period of thirtysix (36) months with a salary of five hundred fifty Saudi rials.
- Osdana claims she was required by petitioner to pay a total of P11,950.00
in placement fees and other charges, for which no receipt was issued. She
was likewise asked to undergo a medical examination conducted by the
Philippine Medical Tests System, a duly accredited clinic for overseas
workers, which found her to be Fit of Employment.
- Petitioner asked Osdana to sign another Contractor-Employee Agreement
which provided that she would be employed as a waitress for twelve (12)
months with a salary of two hundred eighty US dollars ($280). It was this
employment agreement which was approved by the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA).
- Osdana left for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and commenced working for GCC.
She was assigned to the College of Public Administration of the Oleysha
University and, contrary to the terms and conditions of the employment
contract, was made to wash dishes, cooking pots, and utensils, perform
janitorial work and other tasks which were unrelated to her job designation as
waitress. She was made to work a gruelling twelve-hour shift, without
overtime pay.
- Osdana suffered from numbness and pain in her arms. The pain was such
that she had to be confined at a housing facility of GCC from June 18 to
August 22, 1993, during which period, she was not paid her salaries.
- Osdana was allowed to resume work, this time as Food Server and Cook at
the Hota Bani Tameem Hospital, where she worked seven days a week from
August 22 to October 5, 1993. Again, she was not compensated.
- Then, from October 6 to October 23, 1993, Osdana was again confined for
no apparent reason. During this period, she was still not paid her salary.
- On October 24, 1993, she was re-assigned to the Oleysha University to
wash dishes and do other menial tasks. Osdana worked long hours and
under harsh conditions. She was diagnosed as having Bilateral Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, a condition precipitated by activities requiring repeated
flexion, pronation, and supination of the wrist and characterized by
excruciating pain and numbness in the arms.
- Osdana underwent two surgical operations. Between these operations, she
was not given any work assignments even if she was willing and able to do
light work in accordance with her doctors advice. Again, Osdana was not
paid any compensation for the period between February to April 22, 1994.
- Osdana was discharged from the hospital on April 25, 1994. The medical
report stated that she had very good improvement of the symptoms and she
was discharged on the second day of the operation.
- Four days later, however, she was dismissed from work, allegedly on the
ground of illness. She was not given any separation pay nor was she paid her
salaries for the periods when she was not allowed to work.
- Upon her return to the Philippines, Osdana sought the help of petitioner, but
to no avail. She was thus constrained to file a complaint before the POEA.
NATURE
Petition for certiorari
ISSUES
WON NLRC committed grave abuse of discretion for the following reasons:
(a) ruling in favor of Osdana even if there was no factual or legal basis for the
award and, (b) holding petitioner solely liable for her claims despite the fact
that its liability is joint and several with its principal, GCC.
FACTS
- In August 1992, private respondent Osdana was recruited by petitioner for
employment with the latters principal, Gulf Catering Company (GCC), a firm
based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the original employment
HELD
- The decisions of both the labor arbiter and the NLRC were based mainly on
the facts and allegations in Osdanas position paper and supporting
documents. We find these sufficient to constitute substantial evidence to
prof. casis
support the questioned decisions. Generally, findings of facts of quasijudicial agencies like the NLRC are accorded great respect and, at times,
even finality if supported by substantial evidence. This Court, therefore,
upholds the finding of herein public respondents that the facts and the
evidence on record adduced by Osdana and taken in relation to the answer
of petitioner show that indeed there was breach of the employment contract
and illegal dismissal committed by petitioners principal.
- Article 284 of the Labor Code is clear on the matter of termination by reason
of disease or illness, viz:
Art. 284. Disease as a ground for termination An employer may
terminate the services of an employee who has been found to be suffering
from any disease and whose continued employment is prohibited by law
or prejudicial to his health as well as the health of his co-employees: x x
x.
- Specifically, Section 8, Rule 1, Book VI of the Omnibus Rules Implementing
the Labor Code provides:
Sec. 8. Disease as a ground for dismissal Where the employee suffers
from a disease and his continued employment is prohibited by law or
prejudicial to his health or to the health of his co-employees, the employer
shall not terminate his employment unless there is a certification by
competent public authority that the disease is of such nature or at such a
stage that it cannot be cured within a period of six (6) months with proper
medical treatment. If the disease or ailment can be cured within the
period, the employer shall not terminate the employee but shall ask the
employee to take a leave. The employer shall reinstate such employee to
his former position immediately upon the restoration of his normal health.
- Viewed in the light of the foregoing provisions, the manner by which Osdana
was terminated was clearly in violation of the Labor Code and its
implementing rules and regulations. Osdanas continued employment
despite her illness was not prohibited by law nor was it prejudicial to her
health, as well as that of her co-employees. In fact, the medical report issued
after her second operation stated that she had very good improvement of the
symptoms. Besides, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not a contagious disease.
- Petitioner has not presented any medical certificate or similar document
from a competent public health authority in support of its claims. If, indeed,
Osdana was physically unfit to continue her employment, her employer could
have easily obtained a certification to that effect from a competent public
health authority in Saudi Arabia, thereby heading off any complaint for illegal
dismissal. The requirement for a medical certificate under Article 284 of the
Labor Code cannot be dispensed with; otherwise, it would sanction the
unilateral and arbitrary determination by the employer of the gravity or extent
of the employees illness and thus defeat the public policy on the protection of
labor.
- As regards the monetary award of salaries for the unexpired portion of the
employment contract, unpaid salaries and salary differential granted by public
respondents to Osdana, petitioner assails the same for being contrary to law,
evidence and existing jurisprudence, all of which therefore constitutes grave
abuse of discretion.
- Although this contention is without merit, the award for salaries for the
unexpired portion of the contract must, however, be reduced. Paragraph 5,
Section 10 of R.A. No. 8042, applies in this case, thus:
In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or
authorized cause as defined by law or contract, the worker shall be
entitled to the full reimbursement of his placement fee with interest at
twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired
portion of his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year
PEOPLE V PIRAME
ARCONA V CA (PEOPLE)
YNARES-SANTIAGO; December 9, 2002
NATURE
Instant petition for review of the decision of the CA.
FACTS
- Carlos Arcona pleaded not guilty to a murder using the justifying
circumstance of self-defense. The element of unlawful aggression by the
victim was not proven. He was convicted of murder with the mitigating
circumstance of voluntary surrender. In this petition, the Court affirmed CA
decision but modified the damages.
- Petitioner Carlos Arcona y Moban and his brother Benito Arcona y Moban
were charged with Murder and Frustrated Murder in separate informations.
Both pleaded not guilty.
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- At around 7:30 in the evening of June 27, 1986, Napoleon Ong and
Edgardo Talanquines were walking on their way home after coming from a
birthday party. When they were near the house of Jerry Boston, Edgardo
heard a loud thud. He turned around saw Napoleon slump to the ground.
Suddenly, someone hit Edgardo from behind with a piece of bamboo, causing
him to fall. He saw no one in the immediate premises except petitioner.
Edgardo then stood up and ran towards the house of Cesar Umapas to ask
for help.
- Prosecution witness Leo Zaragoza testified that he was standing in front of
Jerry Boston house, about 7 meters away, when he saw petitioner stab
Napoleon.
- Napoleon died on the way to the hospital. The doctor certified that the cause
of death was the stab wound sustained at the stomach area just above the
waistline.
- Carlos voluntarily surrendered go the police.
- In his defense, Carlos alleged that he was walking alone when he met
Napoleon and Edgardo . Without any provocation, Napoleon suddenly drew
his bolo and shouted, "Caloy, I will kill you!" Napoleon swung the bolo at him
twice but missed him. Petitioner then drew out his knife and stabbed
Napoleon. When he saw Edgardo rushing towards him, he grabbed a piece
of bamboo from the newly constructed culvert and hit the former on the left
arm. Edgardo ran away. Carlos also left the premises and went home. On the
way, he met his brother, Benito, and together they proceeded to their house.
- TC convicted the Carlos Arcona of homicide, with the mitigating
circumstance of voluntary surrender, and acquitted him of attempted
homicide. He was ordered to pay indemnity of 30k for Napoleons death, 10K
for actual damages, and 10K as moral damages.
On the other hand, Benito Arcona was acquitted of homicide and convicted of
attempted homicide. He was made to indemnify Edgardo the sum of 10K as
actual damages.
- Only Carlos appealed. CA affirmed the TC findings but increased civil
liability to 50K. Hence, this petition. He maintains that it was self-defense.
ISSUES
1. WON all elements of self-defense were present
2. What are the proper damages to be rendered?
HELD
1. NO
- Unlawful aggression was not proven.
- When self-defense is invoked, the defendant has the burden of proving that
the killing was justified. Even if the prosecution is weak, the case cannot be
dismissed because of the open admission of the killing.
- To prove self-defense, the accused must show with clear and convincing
evidence that:
(1) he is not the unlawful aggressor;
(2) there was lack of sufficient provocation on his part; and
(3) he employed reasonable means to prevent or repel the aggression.
- Self-defense is a question of fact. He failed to prove that there was unlawful
aggression of the part of the victim. Although the bolo of Napoleon was
unsheathed, it does not conclude that there was unlawful aggression. When
Jerry Boston testified to hearing someone say, Caloy, I will kill you, he did
not categorically say it was Napoleon; and iIt was still possible that he said it
while being assaulted by Carlos. It was not possible that Carlos escaped his
alleged ambush with out a scratch.
prof. casis
2. CA was correct in increasing civil indemnity to 50K in line with existing
jurisprudence. In cases of murder, homicide, parricide and rape, civil
indemnity in the amount of 50K is automatically granted to the offended party
or his heirs in case of his death, without need of further evidence other than
the fact of the commission of the crime.
- On the other hand, the award of moral damages (10K) must be increased to
50K. As borne out by human nature and experience, a violent death
invariably and necessarily brings about emotional pain and anguish on the
part of the victims family. It is inherently human to suffer sorrow, torment,
pain and anger when a loved one becomes the victim of a violent or brutal
killing. Such violent death or brutal killing not only steals from the family of the
deceased his precious life, deprives them forever of his love, affection and
support, but often leaves them with the gnawing feeling that an injustice has
been done to them. For this reason, moral damages must be awarded even
in the absence of any allegation and proof of the heirs emotional suffering.
- The award of actual damages in the amount of 10K was not substantiated.
Only those expenses which are duly proven, or those that appear to have
been genuinely incurred in connection with the death, wake or burial of the
victim, will be recognized in court. It was deleted.
Disposition petition for review is DENIED. The decision of CA is AFFIRMED
with MODIFICATION. As modified, petitioner is further ordered to pay the
heirs of the deceased moral damages in the increased amount of 50KThe
award of actual damages is deleted for lack of factual and legal basis.
PNB V CA (FLORES)
266 SCRA 136
KAPUNAN; 1997 Jan 6
FACTS
- Flores is a prominent businessman, licensed and engaged in the real
estate business, buying and selling houses and lots. Flores filed a complaint
against PNB when the appellant bank refused to honor his Manager's Checks
worth P1 Million because of the alleged shortage in appellee's payment to the
effect that he had to go back and forth the bank to encash said checks and
that he lost a deal of a house for sale in Baguio City worth P1 Million as he
could not produce said amount withheld by the appellant bank. Appellee
Flores further testified as to the effect of the incident on his integrity as a
businessman.
- Flores won in the suit and the LC awarded him P1M moral damages andt
P100,000.00 exemplary damages, but was later reduced by the CA to
P100,000.00 and P25,000.00 respectively.
- PNB appealed from the decision, believing that no or lower amount of
damages should be awarded to Flores. As a defense, PNB even attacked
Flores character by alluding to his alleged reputation as a gambler and big
time casino player. PNB asserted that Flores used the proceeds of the
managers check on the gaming table and not for purchase of a house.
ISSUE
WON the moral and exemplary damages should be reduced
HELD
NO
- The SC even increased the moral and exemplary damages awarded by CA
by 50% (P200,000.00 and P50,000.00 respectively).
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prof. casis
- On October 23, 1988, private respondent Pantejo, then City Fiscal of
Surigao City, boarded a PAL plane in Manila and disembarked in Cebu City
where he was supposed to take his connecting flight to Surigao City.
However, due to typhoon Osang, the connecting flight to Surigao City was
cancelled.
- To accommodate the needs of its stranded passengers, PAL initially gave
out cash assistance of P100.00 and, the next day, P200.00, for their
expected stay of two days in Cebu. Pantejo requested instead that he be
billeted in a hotel at PAL's expense because he did not have cash with him at
that time, but PAL refused. Thus, respondent Pantejo was forced to seek and
accept the generosity of a co-passenger, an Engr. Andoni Dumlao, and he
shared a room with the latter at Sky View Hotel with the promise to pay his
share of the expenses upon reaching Surigao.
- When the flight for Surigao was resumed, Pantejo came to know that the
hotel expenses of his co-passengers were reimbursed by PAL. At this point,
Pantejo informed Oscar Jereza, PAL's Manager for Departure Services at
Mactan Airport and who was in charge of cancelled flights, that he was going
to sue the airline for discriminating against him. It was only then that Jereza
offered to pay respondent Pantejo P300 which, due to the ordeal and anguish
he had undergone, the latter decline. Thereafter, PAntejo filed an action for
damages against PAL.
- The RTC of Surigao City, rendered judgment against PAL, ordering the
latter to pay Pantejo P300 for actual damages, P150,000 as moral damages,
P100,000 as exemplary damages, P15,000.00 as attorney's fees, and 6%
interest from the time of the filing of the complaint until said amounts shall
have been fully paid, plus costs of suit.
- On appeal, the CA affirmed the decision of the court a quo, but with the
exclusion of the award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses.
ISSUE
WON the lower courts erred in awarding damages in favor of plaintiff
HELD
NO
- It must be emphasized that a contract to transport passengers is quite
different in kind and degree from any other contractual relation, and this is
because of the relation which an air carrier sustain with the public. Its
business is mainly with the travelling public. It invites people to avail of the
comforts and advantages it offers. The contract of air carriage, therefore,
generates a relation attended with a public duty. Neglect or malfeasance of
the carrier's employees naturally could give ground for an action for
damages.
- In ruling for Pantejo, both the RTC and the CA found that PAL acted in bad
faith in refusing to provide hotel accommodations for Pantejo or to reimburse
him for hotel expenses incurred despite and in contrast to the fact that other
passengers were so favored.
Factors considered in computing damages
> PAL acted in bad faith in disregarding its duties as a common carrier to its
passengers and in discriminating against Pantejo. It was even oblivious to the
fact that PAntejo was exposed to humiliation and embarrassment especially
because of his government position and social prominence, which altogether
necessarily subjected him to ridicule, shame and anguish. It remains
uncontroverted that at the time of the incident, herein respondent was then
the City Prosecutor of Surigao City, and that he is a member of the Philippine
Jaycee Senate, past Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis Club of Surigao, a past
Master of the Mount Diwata Lodge of Free Masons of the Philippines,
VALENZUELA V CA
SUMALPONG V CA (PEOPLE)
268 SCRA 764
FRANCISCO, February 26, 1997
NATURE
Petition for review
FACTS
- Sumalpong shot the victim Ramos after the former slapped the latters wife.
Before this, Sumalpong called upon the spouses then inquired regarding the
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prof. casis
identity of those who stoned his house, then accused Ramos of stoning his
house. Ramos wife, Leonarda, remarked that he should first confirm the
information he received before accusing anyone, then after this Sumalpong
shot Leonarda at the back of her head (though apparently, Leonarda was not
harmed) then Ramos rushed towards Sumalpong who then shot Ramos twice
but missed. They wrestled and in the act, Sumalpong bit on Ramos ear,
causing its mutilation.
- TC: Sumalpong convicted of attempted homicide. Ramos awarded with P
16,800.00 for the loss of his crops due to his failure to attend to his farmwork
because of the injuries inflicted upon him by the petitioner, P2,000.00 for
hospitalization expenses, and P5,000.00 by way of moral damages.
- CA: affirm conviction, removed award for loss of crops and hospitalization
expenses, increased moral damages to P10,000.00, and awarding nominal
damages in the same amount.
- CFI Rizal decision: in favor of plaintiff and granted (a) P100T, moral
damages; (b) P20T, exemplary damages; (c) P25T, atty's fees, and costs of
the action.
- Plaintiffs filed MFR asking that moral damages be increased to P400T and
for 6% interest per annum on amount to be granted.
- CFI modified decision: (a) P150T, moral damages; (b) P25T, exemplary
damages; with legal interest on both from date of filing of complaint until
paid; (c) P25T, atty's fees; and costs of the action.
- Both appealed: PAN-AM contended that there was NO bad faith; Lopez et al
wanted a total of P650T as award for damages.
ISSUE
WON the increase in moral damages is warranted
HELD
1. YES
Reasoning
- Defendant through its agents first cancelled plaintiffs, reservations by
mistake and thereafter deliberately and intentionally withheld from plaintiffs or
their travel agent such information. In so misleading plaintiffs into purchasing
first class tickets in the conviction that they had confirmed reservations, when
in fact they had none, defendant wilfully and knowingly placed itself into the
position of having to breach its contracts with plaintiffs should there be no
last-minute cancellation by other passengers before flight time, as it turned
out in this case. Bad faith means a breach of a known duty through some
motive of interest or ill-will.
- At any rate, granting all the mistakes advanced by the defendant, there
would at least be negligence so gross and reckless as to amount to malice or
bad faith.
2. YES
Ratio Moral damages are recoverable in breach of contracts where the
defendant acted fraudulently or in bad faith (Art. 2220). Exemplary or
corrective damages may be imposed by way of example or correction for the
public good, in breach of contract where the defendant acted in a wanton,
fraudulent, reckless, oppressive or malevolent manner (Art. 2229, 2232). A
written contract for an attorney's services shall control the amount to be paid
therefor unless found by the court to be unconscionable or unreasonable
(Sec. 24, Rule 138, ROC).
- Factors in determining Amount for Moral Damages: The amount of
damages awarded in this appeal has been determined by adequately
considering the official, political, social, and financial standing of the offended
parties on one hand, and the business and financial position of the offender
on the other. The present rate of exchange and the terms at which the
amount of damages awarded would approximately be in U.S. dollars has also
been considered.
(a) MORAL DAMAGES
- As a proximate result of defendant's breach in bad faith of its contracts with
plaintiffs, the latter suffered social humiliation, wounded feelings, serious
anxiety and mental anguish. It may not be humiliating to travel as tourist
passengers; it is humiliating to be compelled to travel as such, contrary to
what is rightfully to be expected from the contractual undertaking.
- Sen Lopez was then Senate President Pro Tempore. International carriers
like defendant know the prestige of such an office. For the Senate is not only
the Upper Chamber of the Philippine Congress, but the nation's treaty-
HELD
YES
- Anent the increase in the amount of moral damages awarded, suffice it to
state that the nature of the injuries and the degree of physical suffering
endured by the complainant warrants the same. The tragic incident caused a
mutilation of complainant's left ear and a permanent scar on his right forearm.
These injuries have left indelible marks on the complainant's body and will
serve as a constant reminder of this traumatic experience. (more discussion
on the modification of amount of nominal damages and moral damages when
it was not the issue appealed, rationalization for deletion of actual and
compensatory damages)
Disposition the assailed decision of the Court of Appeals is hereby
AFFIRMED in toto.
ISSUES
1. WON there was bad faith on the part of PAN-AM
2. WON the amount of damages should be increased
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STREBEL V FIGUERAS
96 PHIL 321
CONCEPCION; December 29, 1954
FACTS
- Strebels side: As a lessee of a lot situated in Santa Mesa, Manila, plaintiff
Strebel subleased part thereof to the Standard Vacuum Oil Company; that
the latter constructed thereon a Mobilgas Station which was operated by
Eustaquio & Co., a partnership organized by said plaintiff and one Primo
Eustaquio, that, "out of spite and with a view to the eventual acquisition of the
said property for himself and his men," defendant Jose Figueras "tried all he
could to built a drainage through" the aforementioned property; that, in order
to accomplish this purpose, and, using his official and political influence,
defendant Figueras, then Under-Secretary of Labor, caused. his codefendant Cornelio S. Ruperto, an Assistant City Fiscal of Manila, to prepare
an opinion which was signed by the City Fiscal, holding that the City of Manila
has a right to construct said drainage, and, to this effect, make the necessary
excavations at the boundary line of said lot leased to Strebel and the lot
belonging to Figueras
- Plaintiff Strebel also claims that defendant Figueras "by making use of his
official and political connections," was able to induce the Secretary of Justice
to transfer temporarily, from the Bureau of Immigration to the Bureau of
Prisons, one Dr. Manuel Hernandez, the husband of plaintiff's step daughter;
- Plaintiff asked Secretary Nepomuceno to mediate between them and
Under-Secretary of Labor to forget about past family problems.
- Plaintiff later on claims that Figueras still didnt forget about the past and
"making use of his official and political influence," and with the cooperation of
his former secretary, defendant Cornelio S. Ruperto, an Assistant City Fiscal
of Manila, as well as "in connivance with the Director of Labor" which office
was then held by defendant Felipe E. Jose, "and other employees in the
Department and Bureau of Labor," defendant Figueras succeeded in securing
the institution, against plaintiff Strebel, and his partner, Primo Eustaquio, of
Criminal Case No. 11005 of the Court of First Instance of Manila, for allegedly
compelling several employees to work more than eight (8) hours a day, in
violation of Commonwealth Act No. 444, in relation to Commonwealth Act No.
303, although before the filing of the information "the defendants collectively
and singly knew that the allegations therein are false;" that said criminal case
was subsequently dismissed by the Court of First Instance of Manila for
failure of the prosecution "to establish even a prima facie case against the
accused";
- Through the foregoing series of acts, the defendants have "caused moral
and mental suffering to the . . . plaintiff, his wife, and his entire family, and
damage to his business in the amount of P15,000.00 besides actual
damages in the amount of P1,500.00 paid to his attorney in defending himself
from the malicious charge,"
ISSUE
WON Plaintiff may recover damages for moral and mental suffering
HELD
NO
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the Director of Labor, to the flagrant violation of the eight-hour labor law by
the accused, was a mere reiteration of the theory of the Bureau of Labor,
which the prosecution had adopted by filing the information in said case.
Being a matter of court record, which had been taken up at the hearing held
publicly, and settled in a decision already promulgated, said theory was open
for public consumption, and, hence, an allusion thereto or statement thereof,
in order to justify said criticism, is not actionable.
- As regards the malicious prosecution point raised by Strebel, by specific
mandate of Article 2219 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, however,
moral damages may not be recovered in cases of crime or tort, unless
either results or causes "physical injuries," which are lacking in the
case at bar. Although the same article permits recovery of said damages in
cases of malicious prosecution, this feature of said provision may not be
availed of by the plaintiff herein, inasmuch as the acts set forth in the
complaint took place in 1949, or before said Code became effective (laws
shouldnt have retroactive effect).
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him as he has duly proved. The indemnification shall comprehend not only
the value of the loss suffered, but also that of the profits that the obligee failed
to obtain. In contracts and quasi-contracts the damages which may be
awarded are dependent on whether the obligor acted with good faith or
otherwise. In case of good faith, the damages recoverable are those which
are the natural and probable consequences of the breach of the obligation
and which the parties have foreseen or could have reasonably foreseen at
the time of the constitution of the obligation. If the obligor acted with fraud,
bad faith, malice, or wanton attitude, he shall be responsible for all damages
which may be reasonably attributed to the non-performance of the obligation.
In crimes and quasi-delicts, the defendant shall be liable for all damages
which are the natural and probable consequences of the act or omission
complained of, whether or not such damages have been foreseen or could
have reasonably been foreseen by the defendant.
- Actual damages may likewise be recovered for loss or impairment of
earning capacity in cases of temporary or permanent personal injury, or for
injury to the plaintiff's business standing or commercial credit.
- RBS claims actual damages based on Arts 19-21 for the injunction for
having to put up a counterbond. The SC said that since ABS had not posted
a bond and was in fact still challenging it, RBS didnt have to put up the
counterbond.
- RBS also claims actual damages for the advertisements for the airing of
Maging Sino Ka Man. The SC said that ABS is not liable for lack of sufficient
basis. The prelim injunction was lifted by RTC upon RBS paying the
counterbond, and not on any legal and factual basis.
ATTYS FEES
- As regards attorney's fees, the law is clear that in the absence of
stipulation, attorney's fees may be recovered as actual or compensatory
damages under any of the circumstances provided for in Article 2208 of the
Civil Code.
- The general rule is that attorney's fees cannot be recovered as part of
damages because of the policy that no premium should be placed on the
right to litigate. They are not to be awarded every time a party wins a suit.
The power of the court to award attorney's fees under Article 2208 demands
factual, legal, and equitable justification. Even when a claimant is compelled
to litigate with third persons or to incur expenses to protect his rights, still
attorney's fees may not be awarded where no sufficient showing of bad faith
could be reflected in a party's persistence in a case other than an erroneous
conviction of the righteousness of his cause.
MORAL DAMAGES
- Moral damages are in the category of an award designed to compensate
the claimant for actual injury suffered and not to impose a penalty on the
wrongdoer. The award is not meant to enrich the complainant at the expense
of the defendant, but to enable the injured party to obtain means, diversion,
or amusements that will serve to obviate the moral suffering he has
undergone. It is aimed at the restoration, within the limits of the possible, of
the spiritual status quo ante, and should be proportionate to the suffering
inflicted.
- The award of moral damages cannot be granted in favor of a corporation
because, being an artificial person and having existence only in legal
contemplation, it has no feelings, no emotions, no senses. It cannot,
therefore, experience physical suffering and mental anguish which can be
experienced only by one having a nervous system. The award for damages
must be set aside, since RBS is a corporation.
EXEMPLARY DAMAGES
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VENTANILLA V CENTENO
PADILLA; January 28, 1961
NATURE
APPEAL
FACTS
- Ventanilla instituted this action to recover damages against his lawyer, Atty.
Centeno for neglecting to perfect within the reglementary period his (V)
appeal from an adverse judgment rendered by the CFI of Manila.
- TCs facts showed that the required appeal bond was not filed by Atty.
Centeno. The fact that the record on appeal was admitted for filing is the best
evidence that Atty. Centeno had not in fact filed any appeal bond. The record
on appeal was disapproved because it was filed out of time and no appeal
bond had been filed by the plaintiff.
- TC: rendered judgment in favor of V; ordered Centeno to pay V the sum of
P200 as nominal damages and the costs.
- V appealed to the CA which certified the case to this Court on the ground
that only questions of law are raised. The defendant did not appeal.
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PEOPLE V GOPIO
346 SCRA 408
MENDOZA; November 29, 2000
NATURE
Appeal from Decision of RTC
FACTS
- Princess Millano, 10 years old, went to Agustin Gopios store to buy cooking
oil. However, it was closed. As Millano was about to leave, Gopio called her.
When she came near him, he seized her, brought her inside his empty house,
brought her to his bedroom and raped her. As she would not stop crying, he
eventually let her go.
- The victim rushed home. Although she felt intense pain and was actually
bleeding, she did not inform her mother of what happened to her.
- Victim related that she was molested by Gopio in 2 other occasions in the
same year. The first happened when she went to her godsisters house and
found the accused playing cards. She was about to leave when she saw her
godsisters brother crying inside the room. She went inside and the accused
followed him, locked the door and caressed her private parts. The second
instance was when the accused followed her on her way to her grandfathers
house to get the pail requested by her aunt.
- The victim did not confide to her family about these incidents because she
was very afraid of accused-appellant and of what her parents would do to
her. Likewise, the victim was ashamed and worried that her friends would
spread the news regarding her unfortunate experience.
- Victims mother testified about victims age. She also said that after the
incident, her daughter became inattentive and withdrawn. Her daughters
grades even dropped. Subsequently, she brought the victim to the Municipal
Health Center because the latter has been experiencing navel pains. This is
when she discovered that her child got raped. She presented receipts
covering medical, transportation, food, and other expenses which she
allegedly incurred on account of the incident.
- Gopio denied allegations and said that he was in Novaliches in May and
June 1995 to sell fish. He claims that there was animosity between their
families which started when she failed to bring along victims mother to the
market to sell fish.
- RTC found Gopio guilty of statutory rape and ordered him to pay P3,727 as
actual damages and P30,000 as moral damages.
ISSUES
1. WON accused-appellant was guilty beyond reasonable doubt
2. WON award of damages was correct
HELD
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damages, and the additional amount of P50k as civil indemnity, plus the costs
of the suit.
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contract of air carriage, therefore, generates a relation attended with a public
duty, Neglect or malfeasance of the carrier's employees, naturally, could give
ground for an action for damages Passengers do not contract merely for
transportation. They have the right to be treated by the carrier's employees
with kindness, respect, courtesy and due consideration. They are entitled to
be protected against personal misconduct, injurious language, indignities and
abuses from such employees. So it is that any rude or discourteous conduct
on the part of employees towards a passenger gives the latter an action for
damages against the carrier. [Citing Air France v Carrascoso]
Reasoning
- The gross negligence committed by Northwest in the issuance of the tickets
with entries as to the time of the flight, the failure to correct such erroneous
entries and the manner by which petitioners were rudely informed that they
were bumped off are clear indicia of such malice and bad faith and establish
that Northwest committed a breach of contract which entitles petitioners to
moral damages.
- The CA observed that the Armovits failed to take the witness stand and
testify on the matter. It overlooked however, that their failure to appear in
court to testify was explained by them. The assassination of Senator Benigno
Aquino, Jr. on August 21, 1983 following the year they were bumped off
caused turmoil in the country. This turmoil spilled over to the year 1984 when
they were scheduled to testify. However, the violent demonstrations in the
country were sensationalized in the U.S. media so they were advised to
refrain from returning to the Philippines at the time.
- Nevertheless, Atty. Raymund Armovit, brother of Dr. Armovit, took the
witness stand as he was with the petitioners from the time they checked in up
to the time of their ultimate departure. He was a witness when the check-in
officer rudely informed the Armovits that their flight had already taken off,
while Dr. Armovit remonstrated that their tickets reflected their flight time to
be 10:30 AM; that in anger and frustration, Dr. Armovit told the said check-inofficer that he had to be accommodated that morning so that he could attend
to all his appointments in the US; that Jacqueline Armovit also complained
about not being able to report for work at the expiration of her leave of
absence; that while the Armovits had to accept Northwest's offer for hotel
accommodations at the Philippine Village Hotel so that they could follow up
and wait for their flight out of Manila the following day, they did not use their
meal coupons because of the limitations thereon so they had to spend for
lunch, dinner, and breakfast in the sum of P1,300 while waiting to be flown
out of Manila; that Dr. Armovit had to forego the professional fees for the
medical appointments he missed due to his inability to take the January 17
flight; that the petitioners were finally able to fly out of Manila on January 18,
1982, but were assured of this flight only on the very morning of that day, so
that they experienced anxiety until they were assured seats for that flight.
- No doubt Atty. Raymund Armovit's testimony adequately and sufficiently
established the serious anxiety, wounded feelings and social humiliation that
petitioners suffered upon having been bumped off. However, considering that
Northwest took care of their accommodations while waiting and boarding
them in the flight back to the US, the following day, the Court finds that the
petitioners are entitled to moral damages in the amount of P100,000 each.
- To provide an example for the public good, an award of exemplary damages
is also proper. The award of the CA is adequate. Nevertheless, the deletion
of the nominal damages by the CA is well-taken since there is an award of
actual damages. Nominal damages cannot co-exist with actual or
compensatory damages.
Disposition Petition is granted. The judgment of the CA is hereby modified
such that Northwest shall pay the following:
FRANCISCO V FERRER
PLENO V CA (PHILIPPINE PAPER PRODUCTS INC ET AL)
307 SCRA 675
GUTTIERREZ JR; May 9, 1988
NATURE
Petition for review on certiorari of CA decision which modified the CFI
decision in a vehicular accident case and reduced by one half the award for
temperate damages, moral damages, and attorneys fees from P430,000 to
P215,000. the awards for actual damages in the amount of P48,244 and
exemplary damages in the amount of P50,000 were affirmed
FACTS
- Philippine Paper Products is the owner of a delivery truck, and one of their
drivers, Florante de Luna, in a reckless and imprudent manner, by driving the
vehicle at a great speed, without taking any precautions to avoid accidents,
hit, bumped, and sideswiped plaintiffs Volkswagen Delivery Van, driven by
plaintiff, causing the Van to swerve and ram into the rear part of another truck
- As a result of the accident, plaintiff was hospitalized, suffered injuries
affecting his brain, acted beyond normalcy at times
- Petitioner questioned the set off since there was no call or notice for the
payment of the unpaid subscription, and that the alleged obligation is not
enforceable.
- The NLRC held that a stockholder who fails to pay his unpaid subscription
on call becomes a debtor of the corporation and that the set-off of said
obligation against the wages and other due to petitioner is not contrary to law,
morals, public policy
ISSUES
1. WON the employer's liability in quasi-delict is subsidiary
2. WON the appellant court was correct in reducing the amount of damages
awarded to the petitioner
HELD
1. NO
Reasoning
- We sustain the view of the petitioner that the ability of an employer in quasidelict is primary and solidary and not subsidiary. This, we have ruled in a
long line of cases.
2.
NO
Reasoning
- The Court of Appeals affirmed the awards of damages. Nevertheless, as
stated earlier, the appellate court reduced the amount of temperate and
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moral damages as well as the amount of attorney's fees on the ground that
the awards were "too high" .The award of temperate damages was reduced
by the appellate court on the ground that the amount of P200,000.00 is rather
"too high" especially considering the fact that the driver De Luna is a mere
driver and defendant-appellant Corporation is only subsidiarily liable thereof.
The award was reduced to P100,000.00.
- The award of temperate, moral, and exemplary damages as well as
attorney's fees lies upon the discretion of the court based on the facts and
circumstances of each case.
- The court's discretion is, of course, subject to the condition that the award
for damages is not excessive under the attendant facts and circumstance of
the case.
- Temperate damages are included within the context of compensatory
damages.
- In the case of moral damages, the yardstick shaould be that the "amount
awarded should not be palpably and scandalously excessive" so as to
indicate that it was the result of passion, prejudice or corruption on the part of
the trial court. The actual losses sustained by the aggrieved parties and the
gravity of the injuries must be considered in arriving at reasonable levels
- The lower court's awards of damages are more consonant with the factual
circumstances of the instant case.21 The trial court's findings of facts are clear
and well-developed. Each item of damages is adequately supported by
evidence on record. On the other hand, there are no substantial reasons and
The trial court based the amounts of damages awarded to the petitioner on the following
circumstances:
Coming now to the damages suffered by plaintiff Maximo Pleno, it is not controverted that Pleno was
hospitalized for about five months beginning December 21, 1971, the day of the incident, up to May 9,
1972. While in the hospital, he underwent several major operations on his legs and in spite of Id
operations, a deformity still resulted and that his left leg is shorter than the right. The medical expenses,
hospital bills and doctor's fees were properly exhibited and not rebutted by defendants. This being the
case, actual expenses of P48,244.08 may be awarded.
As to the loss or impairment of earning capacity, there is no doubt that Pleno is an enterpreneur and
the founder of his own corporation, the Mayon Ceramics Corporation. It appears also that he is an
industrious and resourceful person with several projects in line and were it not for the incident, might
have pushed them through. On the day of the incident, Pleno was driving homeward with geologist
Langley after an ocular inspection of the site of the Mayon Ceramics Corporation. His actual income
however has not been sufficiently established so that this Court cannot award actual damages, but, an
award of temperate or moderate damages may still be made on loss or impairment of earning capacity.
That Pleno sustained a permanent deformity due to a shortened left leg and that he also suffers from
double vision in his left eye is also established. Because of this, he suffers from some inferiority
complex and is no longer active in business as well as in social life. In similar cases as in Borromeo v.
Manila Electric Railroad Co., 44 Phil 165; Cordage, et al. v. LTB Co., et al., L-11037, Dec. 29,1960, and
in Araneta, et al. v. Arreglado, et al., L-11394, Sept. 9, 1958, the proper award of damages were given.
There is also no doubt that due to the incident, Pleno underwent physical suffering, mental anguish,
fight, severe arudety and that he also underwent several major operations. As previously stated, Pleno
is the founder of Mayon Ceramics Corporation, manufacturer of the now famous Crown Lynn ceramic
wares. He is a mechanical engineer and the topnotcher of the professional examination for mechanical
engineering in 1938. From the record, most if not all of his children excelled in academic studies here
and abroad. The suffering, both mental and physical, which he experienced, the anxiety and fright that
he underwent are sufficiently proved, if not patent. He is therefore entitled to moral damages. Pleno is
also entitled to exemplary damages since it appears that gross negligence was committed in the hiring
of driver de Luna. In spite of his past record, he was still hired by the corporation. As regards de Luna,
the very fact that he left the scene of the incident without assisting the victims and without reporting to
the authorities entitles an award of exemplary damages, so as to serve as an example that in cases of
accidents of this kind, the drivers involved should not leave their victims behind but should stop to
assist the victims or if this is not possible, to report the matter immediately to the authorities. That the
corporation did not also report the matter to the authorities and that their lawyer would attempt to bribe
the police officers in order that the incident would be kept a secret shows that the corporation ratified
the act of their employees and such act also shows bad faith. Hence, Id corporation is able to pay
exemplary damages.
The award of attorney's fees is also proper in this case considering the circumstances and that it took
more than five years of trial to finish this case. Also, plaintiffs counsel prepared lengthy and exhausive
memorandum. (pp- 48-50, Amended Joint Record on Appeal)
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no references to any misimpressions of facts in the appellate decision. The
Court of Appeals has shown no sufficient reasons for altering factual findings
which appear correct. We, therefore, affirm the lower court's awards of
damages and hold that the appellate court's reduction of the amounts of
temperate and moral damages is not justified. However, we modify the award
of attorney's fees to P20,000.00 which we deem to be just and equitable
under the circumstances.
Disposition instant petition is GRANTED. The questioned decision is
REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The decision of the Court of First Instance of
Rizal (Pasig) in Civil Case No. 16024 is AFFIRMED in all respects, except for
the award of attorney's fees which is reduced to P20,000.00.
PEOPLE V SINGH
360 SCRA 404
21
FACTS
- Dilbag Singh, private complainant for frustrated murder in Criminal Case No.
8682, recounts that on November 26, 1993, at around 7:30 in the morning
while he was cleaning his motorbike in front of the Mendiola Apartment in
Barangay Canlalay, Bian, Laguna, Dalvir, Balwinder, Gurmok, Jarnail,
Amarjit, Mohinder, Dial, Kuldip- all surnamed Singh-Johander Singh Dhillon,
and Malkit Singh Dhillon arrived, shouting foul remarks in their native
language and demanding Surinder Singh to come out of the apartment.
When Surinder Singh came out of his apartment, Dalvir Singh tried to stab
him but Surinder Singh was able to move away. Dalvir Singh told his
companions to hold Surinder Singh as he will kill him. Thereafter, Dial Singh
and Johinder Singh each held the right and left arms of Surinder Singh, with
Kuldip Singh pushing Surinder Singh on his back. Dalvir Singh then stabbed
Surinder Singh, hitting him on the right side of his stomach, and causing him
to fall on the ground. Dial Singh remarked that Surinder Singh failed to give
money and if others will likewise refuse, the same fate will befall them. As
Surinder Singh tried to get up, Malkit Singh Dhillon and Jarnail Singh started
hitting him with lead pipes all over his body, while Johinder Singh and Dial
Singh punched and kicked Surinder. Amarjit Singh, who was holding a gun,
warned everyone not to help Surinder Singh or else he will shoot. Thereat,
when all these things were going on, private complainant Dilbag Singh tried
to stop them but Balwinder Singh stabbed him on the left side of his back.
Gurmok Singh likewise stabbed him with a bolo, but he was not hit as he was
able to move to one side. After that, the ten (10) accused Indians left.
Dilbag Singh and Surinder Singh, both injured, were brought to the Perpetual
Help Hospital, Bian, Laguna, by Jaswinder Singh, Johinder Singh Gill,
Balwinder Singh Gill and Alwan Singh, for treatment. There, Surinder Singh
was pronounced dead on arrival.
- The events, according to appellants, happened in this wise. Appellant Dalvir
Singh testified that on November 26, 1993, at around 7:30 in the morning, he
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- In Criminal Case No. 8682 for frustrated murder, the trial court awarded
private complainant Dilbag Singh the amount of P16,000.00 representing his
hospitalization and medical expenses, and P 30,000.00 as attorneys fees.
For his hospitalization and medical expenses, the receipts submitted to
support said claim amounted only to P370.50. Hence, private complainant
Dilbag Singh is entitled only to the said amount. The award of attorneys fees
is hereby deleted. Nonetheless, private complaint is entitled to moral
damages in the amount of P50,000.00 for the suffering he endured from
appellants felonious acts.
- In Criminal Case No. 8683 for murder, the following amount of actual
damages were duly proven P16,500.00 funeral expenses and air
ticket/freight of the cadaver $600.27. The amount of P400.00 for
hospitalization expenses should be deleted for not being supported by
evidence. The trial courts award of P50,000.00 as civil indemnity, and
P50,000.00 moral damages are affirmed. The award of P500,000.00 as
attorneys fees and P5,760,000 as compensation for loss of earning capacity,
are likewise deleted for lack of basis. Awards for loss of earning capacity
partake of damages which must be proven not only by credible and
satisfactory evidence, but also by unbiased proof. The testimony of Balwinder
Singh Gill, first cousin of the deceased, on the alleged income of the
deceased while in the Philippines, is not enough. The best evidence to
substantiate income earned by foreigners while in the Philippines is the
payment of taxes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Absent such proof,
bare allegation is insufficient. Nevertheless, considering that the definite proof
of pecuniary loss cannot be offered, and the fact of loss has been
established, appellants shall pay the heirs of Surinder Singh temperate
damages in the amount of P200,000.00.
Obiter
- In lieu of actual damages which was not proven or documented, temperate
damages may be awarded in a murder case. (People vs. dela Tongga)
Disposition in accordance with the foregoing disquisition, the decision
appealed from is hereby affirmed subject to the following modifications1. In Criminal Case No. 8682 for frustrated murder, appellants shall only be
liable to pay
a. P370.50 for hospitalization expenses;
b. P50,000.00, as moral damages, plus costs; and,
2. In Criminal Case No. 8683 for murder, in addition to the civil indemnity,
moral damages and attorneys fees awarded by the trial court, appellants
shall paya. P16,500.00, as funeral expenses;
b. $600.27, as air ticket/freight of the cadaver, to be computed at the
prevailing rate of exchange at the time of the promulgation of this decision;
and,
c. P200,000.00, as temperate damages, plus costs.
PEOPLE V PLAZO
350 SCRA 433
QUISUMBING; January 29, 2001
FACTS
- Leonor Fabula went out of her house to buy sugar from a nearby store.
There she saw her son Romeo being beaten by Plazo for allegedly disclosing
the whereabouts of his (Plazo) brother who was wanted for robbery in Manila.
- She tried to intervene but this was to no avail. Eventually Romeo was able
to escape. But he was chased down by Plazo and stabbed many times the
last being a stab to the chest which led to his death. Leonora then told people
not to move her son as she was going to ask for help from policemen.
- on the other hand, Plazo stated that it was an act of self defense. He said
that a he and his friend were lpaynig billiards when Romeo suddenly
disrupted he game. He was drunk and when being pacified got angry and
chased Plazo with a bolo. Thy both fell and the bolo suddenly was imbedded
in Romeos chest.
- Court found Plazo guilty of murder and made to pay 50,000 for moral
damages, 15,712 for actual damages, and 10,000 for moral damages
ISSUES
1. WON Plazo is guilty of murder.
2. WON the 15,712 amount for actual damages is valid
HELD
1. NO
- Plazo avers that the killing of Romeo Fabula was an act of self defense.
He also questions the inconsistencies in the testimonies of the police and
Leonora Fabula
- Court held that inconsistencies were not substantial enough as to affect the
validity of the testimony. Testimonies arent expected to be error-free. The
inconsistencies pointed out by Plazo were not enough to disprove the
testimonies of the witnesses.
- his claim of self-defense was likewise unsupported. He wasnt able to fulfill
all the elements necessary for self-defense. The number of stab wounds was
indicated that the means employed was not necessary to repel the
aggression.
- However the circumstances qualifying the crime as murder were
unsubstantiated. Premeditation and treachery were not proven as the
elements for such were not present. therefore the crime committed was not
murder but homicide.
2. NO
- The trial court correctly awarded the amount of P50,000.00 as indemnity.
However, the award of actual damages in the amount of P15,712.00 was
based solely on the bare assertions of the mother of the victim. The Court
can only grant such amount for expenses if they are supported by receipts. In
the absence thereof, no actual damages can be awarded. However, in lieu of
actual damages, temperate damages under Art. 2224 of the Civil Code may
be recovered where it has been shown that the victims family suffered some
pecuniary loss but the amount thereof cannot be proved with certainty
- We find the award of P15,000.00 as temperate damages reasonable. Moral
damages cannot be awarded in the absence of any evidence to support its
award
PNB V CA
DEL ROSARIO V CA (METAL FORMING CORP.)
267 SCRA 158
NARVASA; January 29, 1997
NATURE
An appeal of a Decision of the Court of Appeals.
FACTS
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