CIVILLAW

GOLDENNOTES2011
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
FACULTYOFCIVILLAW
MANILA

AcademicYear20112012
CIVILLAWSTUDENTCOUNCIL

LesterJohnA.Lomeda
WilfredoT.Bonilla,Jr.
RaissaS.Saipudin
BernadetteFaustineC.Balao
MarcMikhaeleJ.Santos
VictorLorenzoL.Villanuea

President
VicePresident
Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
PublicRelationsOfficer

TEAM:BAROPS2011

DianeCamillaR.Borja
CarloArtemusV.Diaz
MaryGraceL.Javier
RonnRobbyD.Rosales
MarkArthurM.Catabona
AngeliP.Albaa
VicenteJanO.PlatonIII
KimverlyA.Ong

Chairperson
ViceChairperson
Secretary
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The UST GOLDEN NOTES is a student-edited work of the University

of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law. It is updated annually.
Communications regarding the NOTES should be addressed to the
Academics Committee of the Team: Bar-Ops.
ADDRESS:

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Academics Committee
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2011ACADEMICSCOMMITTEE

LesterJayAlanE.FloresII
KarenJoyG.Sabugo
JohnHenryC.Mendoza
JeanelleC.Lee
TheenaC.Martinez
EarlLouieM.Masacayan

Chairperson
ViceChairforAcademics
ViceChairforAcademics
ViceChairforAdministrationandFinance
ViceChairforLayoutandDesign
ViceChairforLayoutandDesign

CIVILLAWCOMMITTEE

AlfredoB.DimafelixII
KarenFelizG.Supnad
LambertoL.SantosIII
PaulElbertE.Amon
AlstonAnarna
OzanJ.Fulleros
CecilioM.Jimeno,Jr.
IsmaelSarangaya,Jr.
LoiseRaeG.Naval
MonicaJucom

CivilLawCommitteeHead
Asst.CivilLawCommitteeHead

Asst.CivilLawCommitteeHead
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Contributor
Contributor

ADVISER

Atty.ElmerT.Rabuya

FACULTYOFCIVILLAW
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
AcademicYear20112012

ACADEMICOFFICIALS

Atty.NILOT.DIVINA
Dean

Rev.Fr.ISIDROC.ABAO,O.P.
Regent

Atty.ARTHURB.CAPILI
FacultySecretary

Atty.ELGINMICHAELC.PEREZ
LegalCounsel
USTChiefJusticeRobertoConcepcionLegalAidClinic

JudgePHILIPA.AGUINALDO
SWDBCoordinator

LENYG.GADIANA,RGC
GuidanceCounselor


Ourdeepestappreciationtoour
Mentors&Inspiration

JusticeOswaldoD.Agcaoili
JudgeMyraB.Quiambao
Atty.AugustoK.AligadaJr.
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Atty.CarlaE.SantamariaSea
Atty.ReneB.Gorospe
Atty.IrvinJosephM.Fabella
Atty.TeofiloR.Ragadio
Atty.VincentZ.Bolivar
Atty.AlbertoA.Palacios
Atty.ElmerT.Rabuya

For activating our magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom

and helping us understand the intricate
sphere of Civil Law.
AcademicsCommittee2011

DISCLAIMER

Theriskofuse,nonuseandmisuseof
thismaterialshallbebornesolely
bytheuser.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SYLLABUS FOR 2011 BAR EXAMINATIONS
CIVIL LAW
November 13, 2011
(Second Sunday, Morning)

I.EffectandApplicationofLawsNewCivilCode

A.Whenlawtakeseffect...1

B.IgnoranceoftheLaw. 2

C.RetroactivityofLaws..3

D.MandatoryorProhibitoryLaws..3

E.WaiverofRights 3

F.RepealofLaws.4

G.JudicialDecisions..4

H.DutytoRenderJudgment5

I.PresumptionandApplicabilityofCustom..5

J.LegalPeriods. 5

K.ApplicabilityofPenalLaws 6

L.ConflictofLaws.. 7

II.HumanRelationsNewCivilCode

A.NCCArt.1922,relativetobreachofpromisetomarry...9

B.IndependentCivilActions.10

C.PrejudicialQuestions..10

PERSONS

I.PersonsandPersonality

A.CapacitytoAct.11

B.Domicileandresidenceofperson,NCC5051 14

II.Marriage

A.Requisites14

B.EffectofMarriagecelebratedabroadandforeigndivorce..18

C.VoidandVoidablemarriages 20

III.LegalSeparation
A.Grounds,Art.55,RepublicAct.9262,AntiViolenceAgainstWomenandChildren. 31
B.Defenses..33
C.CoolingoffPeriod.34
D.Reconciliationefforts.34
E.ConfessionofJudgment35
F.EffectsofFilingPetition.35
G.Effectsofpendency.35
H.Effectsoflegalseparation .36
I.Reconciliation.37

IV.RightsandObligationsBetweenHusbandandWife
A.EssentialObligations..39
B.Familydomicile 39
C.Support.39
D.Managementofhousehold40
E.Effectofneglectofduty40
F.Exerciseofprofession.40

V.PropertyRelationsoftheSpouses
A.MarriageSettlements 40

TABLE OF CONTENTS
B.DonationsbyReasonofMarriage 41
C.Voiddonationsbythespouses.. 41
D.AbsoluteCommunityofproperty. 44
E.ConjugalPartnershipofGains. 48
F.SeparationofPropertyoftheSpousesandAdministration
ofCommonPropertybyOneSpouseDuringtheMarriage. 51
G.RegimeofSeparationofProperty.51
H.PropertyRegimeofUnionsWithoutMarriage . 52

VI.TheFamily
A.TheFamilyasanInstitution.. 55
B.TheFamilyHome. 56

VII.PaternityandFiliation

A.LegitimateChildren..57
B.ProofofFiliation60
C.IllegitimateChildren 62
D.LegitimatedChildren. 62

VIII.Adoption

A.DomesticAdoptionLaw (RA8552) 64

B.TheLawonInterCountryAdoption(RA8043). 67

IX.Support
A.WhatitComprises.68
B.WhoareObliged.. 69
C.Supportduringmarriagelitigation 70
D.Amount 71
E.WhenDemandable..71
F.Options. 71
G.Attachment71

X.ParentalAuthority
A.GeneralProvisions72
B.SubstituteandSpecialParentalAuthority. 75
C.EffectofParentalAuthorityuponthePersonsoftheChildren.. 75
D.EffectsofParentalAuthorityuponthePropertyoftheChildren.. 76
E.SuspensionorTerminationofParentalAuthority 77

XI.Emancipation 77
XII.SummaryJudicialProceedingsintheFamilyLaw 77
XIII.FinalProvisions..78
XIV.Funeral.78
XV.Useofsurnames 79

XVI.Absence..83

A.ProvisionalmeasuresinCaseofAbsence.83
B.DeclarationofAbsence.83
C.AdministrationofthePropertyoftheAbsentee 83
D.PresumptionofDeath84

XVII.CivilRegistrar
A.Arts.407413.. 87
B.RA9048;Clericalerrors 87
C.Rule108,RulesofCourt88

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROPERTY

I.Characteristics.. 89

II.Classification.89
A.HiddenTreasure89
B.RightofAccession.90
C.ByObject 101
D.ByOwner 104
E.ByNature 105

III.Ownership
A.Rightingeneral 106
B.Modesofacquiringownership 110
C.Limitations..110

IV.Accession

A.Righttohiddentreasure..110
B.GeneralRules110

V.Quietingoftitleto/interestinandremoval/preventionofcloudovertitleto/interestinrealproperty
A.Requirement 115
B.Distinctionbetweenquietingtitleandremoving/preventingacloud 115
C.Prescription/nonprescriptionofaction.. 115

VI.Coownership
A.Characteristicsofcoownership. 116
B.Sourceofcoownership.118
C.Rightsofcoowners..120
D.Termination/extinguishment120

VII.Possession

A.Characteristics.126
B.AcquisitionofPossession.......127
C.EffectsofPossession.. 128
D.LossorUnlawfulDeprivationofaMovable130
E.Inconceptofowner,holder,inonesownname,innameofanother.. 132
F.Rightsofthepossessor..132
G.Loss/termination.. 134

VIII.Usufruct
A.Characteristics.134
B.Classification.135
C.RightsandobligationsofUsufructuary. 136
D.Rightsoftheowner.140
E.Extinction/termination141

IX.Easements
A.Characteristics 141
B.Classification 143
C.ModesofAcquiringEasements.. 150

X.Nuisance..151
XI.ActiontoQuietTitle153

XII.ModesofAcquiringOwnership

A.Occupation154
B.Donation155

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESCRIPTION

I.Definition
A.Acquisitive 166
B.Extinctive 170

II.NoPrescriptionApplicable
A.ByOffender.. 171
B.RegisteredLands171
C.Art.1143,NCC..171
D.Actiontoquiettitleifplaintiffinpossession..171
E.Voidcontracts.171
F.Actiontodemandpartition.171
G.Propertyofpublicdominion..171

III.PrescriptionorLimitationofActions
A.Torecovermovables..171
B.Torecoverimmovables 171
C.Otheractions 171

IV.Interruption..172

V.Nuisance

A.Definition 172
B.Classification 172
C.Remedies 172

OBLIGATIONS

I.Definition. 173
II.ElementsofanObligation. 173
III.DifferentKindsofPrestations. 173
IV.ClassificationofObligations 174
V.SourcesofObligations.. 175

VI.NatureandEffectofobligations

A.Obligationtogive. 178
B.Obligationtodoornottodo 179
C.Breachesofobligations 180
D.Remediesavailabletocreditorincasesofbreach.186

VII.Kindsofcivilobligations
A.Pure.188
B.Conditional.188
C.Obligationwithaperiodoraterm.. 192
D.AlternativeorFacultative 193

VIII.JointandSolidaryobligation
A.Joint(divisible)obligation 195
B.JointIndivisibleObligation.. 195
C.Solidaryobligation.. 195
D.DivisibleandIndivisible 197
E.ObligationswithaPenalClause 197

IX.ExtinguishmentofObligations
A.Payment..198
B.LossofDeterminateThingDueorImpossibilityordifficultyofperformance205
C.CondonationorRemissionofDebt206

TABLE OF CONTENTS
D.Confusion207
E.Compensation..207
F.Novation210

CONTRACTS

I.EssentialRequisites.. 212

II.KindsofContracts

A.Consensual.216
B.Real 216
C.FormalorSolemn217

III.Formality217

IV.DefectiveContracts
A.RescissibleContracts..218
B.VoidableContracts222
C.UnenforceableContracts225
D.VoidContracts.226

V.EffectofContracts.227

SALES

I.Introduction
A.DefinitionofSales..229
B.EssentialRequisitesofaContractofSale 230
C.StagesofContractofSale .231
D.ObligationsCreated235
E.CharacteristicsofaContractofSale.236
F.SaleDistinguishedFromOtherContracts.236
G.ContractofSale/ContracttoSell.237

II.PartiestoaContractofSale
A.Capacityofparties..238
B.Absoluteincapacity..238
C.Relativeincapacity:MarriedPersons..238
D.Specialdisqualifications240

III.SubjectMatter
A.Requisitesofavalidsubjectmatter 241
B.Particularkinds.. 241

IV.ObligationsoftheSellertoTransferOwnership
A.Salebyapersonnottheownerattimeofdelivery.242
B.Salebyapersonhavingavoidabletitle 243

V.Price
A.Meaningofprice243
B.Requisitesforavalidprice 243
C.Howpriceisdetermined. 243
D.Inadequacyofprice.244
E.Whennopriceagreed.244
F.Mannerofpaymentmustbeagreedupon..245
G.Earnestmoneyvs.optionmoney..245

VI.FormationofContractofSale..231

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.Preparatory..231
B.Perfection234
C.FormalitiesoftheContract230

VII.TransferofOwnership
A.MannerofTransfer. 247
B.Whendeliverydoesnottransfertitle.. 248
C.Kindsofdelivery249
D.DoubleSales.251
E.PropertyRegistrationDecree.251

VIII.RiskofLoss
A.Generalrule..252
B.Whenlossoccurredbeforeperfection252
C.Whenlossoccurredattimeofperfection252
D.Whenlossoccurredafterperfectionbutbeforedelivery.252
E.Whenownershipistransferred247

IX.DocumentsofTitle
A.Definition.253
B.Purposeofdocumentsoftitle253
C.Negotiabledocumentsoftitle253
D.Nonnegotiabledocumentsoftitle253
E.Warrantiesofsellerofdocumentsoftitle.253
F.Rulesonlevy/garnishmentofgoods.253

X.RemediesofanUnpaidSeller
A.Definitionofunpaidseller254
B.Remediesofunpaidseller.254

XI.PerformanceofContract
A.Deliveryofthingsold255
B.Paymentofprice..256,257

XII.Warranties
A.Expresswarranties.258
B.Impliedwarranties.258
C.Effectsofwarranties.258
D.Effectsofwaivers260
E.Buyersoptionsincaseofbreachofwarranty..262

XIII.BreachofContract
A.RemediesoftheSeller..258
B.RectoLaw:SaleofMovablesonInstallment..258
C.RemediesoftheBuyer263

XIV.ExtinguishmentoftheSale
A.Causes264
B.Periodofredemption.264
C.Exerciseoftherighttoredeem265
D.Conventionalredemption.265
E.Legalredemption265
F.Equitablemortgage..266
G.Distinguishedfromoptiontobuy267

XV.TheLawonSaleofSubdivisionandCondominium(PD957)268
XVI.TheCondominiumAct(RA4726)272

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUCCESSION

I.GeneralProvisions
A.Definition/Whatistransmitted.280
B.Successionoccursatthemomentofdeath.280
C.KindsofSuccessors..282

II.TestamentarySuccession
A.Wills.284
B.InstitutionofHeirs299
C.SubstitutionofHeirs302
D.ConditionalTestamentaryDispositionsandTestamentaryDispositionswithaTerm.305
E.Legitime306

III.LegalorIntestateSuccession

A.GeneralProvisions321
B.OrderofIntestateSuccession..324

IV.ProvisionsCommontoTestateandIntestateSuccession
A.RightofAccretion.324
B.CapacitytoSucceedbyWillorIntestacy..325
C.AcceptanceandRepudiationoftheInheritance.328
D.Collation..329
E.PartitionandDistributionofEstate..329

PARTNERSHIP

I.Contractofpartnership
A.Definition.331
B.Elements331
C.Rulestodetermineexistence.333
D.Howpartnershipisformed.334
E.Partnershipterm.335
F.Universalvs.Particular;Generalvs.Limited338
G.Partnershipbyestoppels..340
H.Partnershipv.JointVenture..340
I.Professionalpartnership.341
J.Management..341

II.Rightsandobligationsofpartnership..344
III.Rightsandobligationsofpartnersamongthemselves344
IV.Obligationsofpartnership/partnerstothirdpersons.347
V.Dissolution..348

VI.Limitedpartnership
A.Definition.353
B.Howlimitedpartnershipisformed/amended353
C.Rightsandobligationsofalimitedpartner..354

AGENCY

I.Definitionofagency358

II.Powers..360
A.Tobindprincipal360
B.Exception.362

III.Expressvs.ImpliedAgency.363

TABLE OF CONTENTS
IV.AgencybyEstoppel.363
V.Generalvs.SpecialAgency..365
VI.Agencycouchedingeneralterms..365
VII.Agencyrequiringspecialpowerofattorney.365
VIII.Agencybyoperationoflaw366
IX.RightsandObligationsofPrincipal..366
X.Irrevocableagency369
XI.Modesofextinguishment369

COMPROMISE

I.Definition373
II.VoidCompromise..373
III.Effect.373

CREDITTRANSACTIONS

I.Loan376
A.Commodatumvs.Mutuum.377
B.ObligationsofBailorandBailee380
C.InterestandthesuspensionofUsuryLaw383

II.Deposit386
A.Voluntarydeposit388
B.Necessarydeposit..392
C.Judicialdeposit.392

III.GuarantyandSuretyship
A.Natureandextentofguaranty.392
B.Effectsofguaranty
C.Extinguishmentofguaranty399
D.Legalandjudicialbonds.399

IV.Pledge
A.Definition.403
B.Kinds.403
C.Essentialrequirements403
D.Obligationofpledgee..404
E.Rightsofpledgor.407
F.Perfection407
G.Foreclosure408
H.PledgebyOperationofLaw..408
I.DistinguishedfromChattelMortgage..409

V.RealMortgage
A.Definitionandcharacteristics410
B.Essentialrequisites410
C.Foreclosure.412

VI.Antichresis
A.Definitionandcharacteristics420
B.Obligationsofantichreticcreditor.422

VII.ChattelMortgage
A.Definitionandcharacteristics418
B.Registration.419

TABLE OF CONTENTS
VIII.QuasiContracts
A.NegotiorumGestio422
B.SolutioIndebiti.423

IX.ConcurrenceandPreferenceofCredits
A.Meaningofconcurrenceandpreference..424
BClassificationofcredits.424
C.PreferredCreditsonSpecificMovables
D.PreferredCreditonSpecificImmovables..424
E.ExemptProperty.425
F.Orderofpreferenceofcredits427

X.InsolvencyLaw
A.Definitionofinsolvency.427
B.Suspensionofpayments427
C.Voluntaryinsolvency430
D.Involuntaryinsolvency431

LEASE

I.Leaseofthings440
II.Leaseofworkorservices..445

III.Leaseofruralandurbanlands.446
A.Qualifiedpersons447
B.Registration.447
C.Prohibitions.447

IV.Rightsandobligationsoflessorandlessee.448
V.Specialrulesforleaseofrural/urbanlands.449
VI.Householdservice...451

VII.Contractoflabor..451
A.Obligationincaseofdeath/injuryoflaborers452

VIII.Contractforpieceofwork452

LANDTITLESANDDEEDS

I.TorrensSystem..454
A.Conceptandbackground..454
B.CertificateofTitle..454

II.RegalianDoctrine
A.Concept.460
B.Effects.460
C.Conceptofnativetitle,timeimmemorialpossession..461

III.CitizenshipRequirement
A.Individualsandcorporations..461

IV.OriginalRegistration
A.Whomayapply463
B.Registrationprocessandrequirements..466
C.Remedies..479
D.Cadastralregistration..487

TABLE OF CONTENTS
V.SubsequentRegistration
A.Voluntarydealings.489
B.Involuntarydealings.489

VI.NonRegistrableProperties492
VII.DealingswithUnregisteredLands493

TORTSANDDAMAGES

I.Principles
A.AbuseofRight;Elements....500
B.UnjustEnrichment.500
C.LiabilitywithoutFault..500
D.ActsContrarytoLaw501
E.ActsContrarytoMorals.501

II.ClassificationofTorts
A.Accordingtomannerofcommission:intentional,negligentandstrictliability.502
B.Accordingtoscope:generalorspecific..502

III.TheTortfeasor

A.TheDirectTortfeasor..502

B.PersonsMadeResponsibleforOthers.503

C.JointTortfeasors(Art.2194,CivilCode).511

IV.ActofOmissionandItsModalities

A.ConceptofAct.....511

V.ProximateCause
A.Concept.511
B.CauseinFact..512
C.LegalCause.512
D.EfficientInterveningCause.512
E.Causevs.Condition513
F.LastClearChance513

VI.LegalInjury
A.Concept.524
B.ElementsofRight524
C.ViolationofRightorLegalInjury.514
D.ClassesofInjury..514

VII.IntentionalTorts
A.General..515
B.Interferencewithrightstopersonsandproperty515
C.Interferencewithrelations..515

VIII.Negligence
A.Concept.529
B.GoodFatherofaFamilyorReasonablyPrudentMan..530
C.StandardofCare.531
D.UnreasonableriskofHarm..532
E.Evidence.532
F.PresumptionofNegligence..532
G.Defenses533

IX.SpecialLiabilityinParticularActivities
A.General..535

TABLE OF CONTENTS
B.ProductsLiability.535
C.NuisanceNCCArts.694707536
D.ViolationofConstitutionalRights537
E.ViolationofRightsCommittedbyPublicOfficers.537
F.Provinces,CitiesandMunicipalities..538
G.OwnerofMotorVehicle538
H.ProprietorofBuildingorStructureorThing538

X.StrictLiability
A.Animals..538
B.Nuisance
C.ProductsLiability

BOOKIIDAMAGES

I.GeneralConsiderations
A.Classification..539

II.ActualandCompensatoryDamages
A.Concept....541
B.Requisites.541
C.ComponentElements..542
D.Extentorscopeofactualdamages543

III.MoralDamages
A.Concept544
B.Whenrecoverable......544

IV.NominalDamages
A.Concept.546
B.Whenawarded.546

V.TemperateorModerateDamages

A.Concept.546

VI.LiquidatedDamages
A.Concept.546
B.Rulesgoverningincaseofbreachofcontract546

VII.ExemplaryorCorrectiveDamages
A.Concept.546
B.Whenrecovered..547
C.Requisites.547

VIII.DamagesinCaseofDeath

A.Incrimesandquasidelictscausingdeath.547

IX.GraduationofDamages

A.DutyofInjuredParty548

B.Rules.548

X.MiscellaneousRules

A.Damagesthatcannotcoexists.549

B.Damagesthatmustcoexist549

C.Damagesthatmuststandalone..549
INDEX550

BIBLIOGRAPHY...553