Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
TORTS
I. Preliminary Considerations
Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes
A. DEFINITION OF TORT damage to another, there being fault or
negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage
A.1. ACCORDING TO MANNER OF done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no
COMMISSION pre-existing contractual relation between the
(1) Negligent Tort consists in the failure to parties, is called a quasi-delict and is
act according to the standard of diligence governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
required under the attendant circumstances.
It is a voluntary act or omission which results Quasi-delict, known in Spanish legal treatises as
in injury to others, without intending to cause culpa aquiliana, is a civil law concept while torts
the same. is an Anglo-American or common law concept.
Torts is much broader than culpa aquiliana
Note: While the term tort has been used because it includes not only negligennce, but
interchangeably with the term quasi-delict, intentional criminal acts such as assualt and
the latter merely represents an area of tort battery, false imprisonment and deceit. In the
law concerned with damage resulting from general scheme of the Philippine legal system
fault (by doing a positive act constituting envisioned by the Commission responsible for
negligence) or negligence (by omitting to do drafting the New Civil Code, intentional and
an act due to negligence) of the defendant. malicious acts with certain exceptopms, are to
be governed by the Revised Penal Code while
(2) Intentional Tort perpetrated by one who negligent acts or omissions are to be covered by
intends to do that which the law has Article 2176 of the Civil Code. In between these
declared to be wrong. It is conduct where opposite spectrums are injurious acts which, in
the actor desires to cause the the absence of Article 21, would have been
consequences of the act, or that he believes beyond redress. Thus, Article 21 fills that
that the consequences are substantially vacuum [Baksh v. CA, G.R. No. 97336 (1993)].
certain to result therefrom.
The concept of quasi-delict does not cover
(3) Strict Liability one is liable independent intentional acts. The liability arising from from
of fault or negligence. It only requires proof extra-contractual culpa is always based upon a
of a certain set of facts. Liability here is voluntary act or omission, which, without willful
based on the breach of an absolute duty to intent, but by mere negligence or inattention,
make something safe. It most often applies has caused damage to another [Cango v Manila
to ultra-hazardous activities or in product Railroad, G.R. No. 12191 (1918)]
liability cases. It is also known as absolute
liability or liability without fault. The concept of quasi-delict is so broad that it
includes not only injuries to persons but also
Strict liability is imposed by articles 1314, damage to property [Cinco v Canonoy, G.R. No.
1711, 1712, 1723, 2183, 2184, 2187, 2189, L-33171 (1979)]
2190, 2191, 2192, 2193.
C. CULPA AQUILIANA DISTINGUISHED FROM
A.2. ACCORDING TO SCOPE
CRIME
(1) General Tort liability is based on any of
the three categories: intentional, negligent, A quasi-delict is a separate source of obligation
strict liability under Article 1157.
(2) Specific Includes trespass, assault,
battery, negligence, products liability, and Art. 2177. Responsibility for fault or
intentional infliction of emotional distress negligence under the preceding article is
entirely separate and distinct from the civil
B. DEFINITION OF QUASI-DELICT
liability arising from negligence under the alleged that the plaintiff has failed or refused to
Penal Code. But the plaintiff cannot recover perform the contract, it is not necessary for the
damages twice for the same act or omission plaintiff to specify in his pleadings whether the
of the defendant. breach of the contract is due to willful fault or to
negligence on the part of the defendant, or of his
RPC, Art. 100. Every person criminally liable servants or agents. Proof of the contract and of
for a felony is also civilly liable. its nonperformance is sufficient prima facie to
warrant a recovery. [Cangco v. Manila Railroad,
A quasi-delict or culpa aquiliana is a separate supra]
legal institution under the Civil Code, with a
substantivity all its own, and individuality that is D.3. AS TO APPLICABILITY OF THE
entirely apart and independent from a delict or DOCTRINE OF PROXIMATE CAUSE
crime. However, the same negligent act causing The doctrine of proximate cause [to establish the
damage may produce civil liability arising from a fault or negligence of the defendant] is
crime under Article 100 of the Revised Penal applicable only in actions for quasi-delict, not in
Code, or create an action for quasi-delict actions involving breach of contract [Calalas v.
CA, G.R. No. 122039 (2000)].
[Barredo v Garcia, G.R. No. 48006 (1942)]
Art. 2185. Unless there is proof to the contrary, Art. 1752. Even when there is an agreement
it is presumed that a person driving a motor limiting the liability of the common carrier in
vehicle has been negligent if at the time of the the vigilance over the goods, the common
mishap, he was violating any traffic regulation. carrier is disputably presumed to have been
negligent in case of their loss, destruction or
Article 2184 establishes a presumption of deterioration.
negligence on the part of the driver based on
previous violations of traffic regulations. Article iv. RES IPSA LOQUITUR
2185 establishes a presumption of negligence The doctrine of res ipsa loquitur (the thing or
on the basis of simultaneous violations. the transaction speaks for itself) is a rule of
evidence (not of substantive law) peculiar to the
Despite the presumption of negligence arising law of negligence. The doctrine treats the injury
from the traffic regulation violation, the claimant itself as proof of negligence.
must still prove that such negligence was the
proximate cause in order to successfully claim Elements: [Ramos v. CA, G.R. No. 124354
for damages [Sanitary Steam v CA, G.R. No. (1999)]
(a) The accident is of a kind which ordinarily
119092 (1998)].
does not occur in the absence of someones
Article 2185 was not formulated to compel or negligence;
(b) It is caused by an instrumentality within the
ensure obeisance by all to traffic rules and
exclusive control of the defendant or
regulations. It does not apply to non-motorized
defendants; and
vehicles, in recognition of the unequal footing of
standards applicable to motor vehicles as
(c) The possibility of contributing conduct, which done. xxx
would make the plaintiff responsible, is
eliminated. The tortfeasor may be a natural or juridical
person. For natural persons, apply requisites of
Basis Art. 2176 and for juridical persons, apply
The res ipsa loquitur doctrine is based in part vicarious liability provisions.
upon the theory that the defendant in charge of
the instrumentality which causes the injury either (2) Persons vicariously liable
knows the cause of the accident or has the best
Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article
opportunity of ascertaining it and that the plaintiff
2176 is demandable not only for ones own
has no such knowledge, and therefore is
acts or omissions, but also for those of
compelled to allege negligence in general terms
persons for whom one is responsible.
and to rely upon the proof of the happening of
the accident in order to establish negligence xxx
[DM Consunji v. CA, G.R. No. 137873 (2001)].
The responsibility treated of in this article shall
Effect cease when the persons herein mentioned
The fact of the occurrence of an injury, taken prove that they observed all the diligence of a
with the surrounding circumstances, raise a good father of a family to prevent the damage.
presumption of negligence, or make out a
plaintiffs prima facie case, and present a Also referred to as the doctrine of imputed
question of fact for defendant to meet with an negligence. The rationale is to extend liability by
explanation [Ramos v CA, supra]. legal fiction to those in a position to exercise
absolute or limited control over the direct
In medical malpractice cases, when the doctrine tortfeasor. The doctrine does not apply where
of res ipsa loquitur is availed by the plaintiff, the moral culpability can be imputed directly, as
need for expert medical testimony is dispensed when there is actual intent to cause harm to
with because the injury itself provides the proof others.
of negligence. The reason is that the general
rule on the necessity of expert testimony applies The liability of the vicarious obligor is primary
only to such matters clearly within the domain of and direct (solidarily liable with the tortfesor),
medical science, and not to matters that are not subsidiary. His responsibility is not
within the common knowledge of mankind which conditioned upon the insolvency of or prior
may be testified to by anyone familiar with the recourse against the negligent tortfeasor.
facts.
Under Article 2180
Note: For the res ipsa loquitur doctrine to apply, Persons Actor
it must appear that the injured party had no Vicariously Liable
knowledge as to the cause of the accident, or
Father and, in Minor children who live in
that the party to be charged with negligence has
case of his death their company
superior knowledge or opportunity for
or incapacity, the
explanation of the accident.
mother
A.4. PERSONS LIABLE Guardians Minors or incapacitated
(1) The direct tortfeasor persons who are under
their authority and live in
Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes their company
damage to another, there being fault or Owners and Employees in the service of
negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage managers of an the branches in which the
establishment or latter are employed or on children similarly situated, parental authority
enterprise the occasion of their shall be entrusted in summary judicial
functions proceedings to heads of children's homes,
orphanages and similar institutions duly
Employers Employees and household
accredited by the proper government agency.
helpers acting within the
scope of their assigned Art 2180, par 2 of the Civil Code which holds the
tasks, even though the father liable for damages has been modified by
former are not engaged in the Family Code and PD 603. Art. 211 of the FC
any business or industry declares joint parental authority of the mother
State Special agent and father over common children. The parent(s)
Teachers or heads Pupils and students or exercising parental authority are liable for the
of establishments apprentices, so long as torts of their children.
of arts and trades they remain in their custody
Who are liable for minors?
(1) Parents/Adoptive parents
(a) Persons exercising parental authority
(2) Court-appointed guardians
(3) Substitute Parental Authorities
Art. 2180 (2). The father and, in case of his
(a) Grandparents
death or incapacity, the mother, are (b) Oldest qualified sibling over 21 years old
responsible for the damages caused by the (c) Childs actual custodian, provided he is
minor children who live in their company. qualified and over 21 years old.
(4) Special Parental Authorities
FC, Art. 221. Parents and other persons (a) School
exercising parental authority shall be civilly (b) Administrators
liable for the injuries and damages caused by (c) Teachers
the acts or omissions of their unemancipated (d) Individual, entity, or institution engaged
children living in their company and under their in child care
parental authority subject to the appropriate
Illegitimate children
defenses provided by law.
Responsibility is with the mother whom the law
FC, Art. 216. In default of parents or a vests with parental authority.
judicially appointed guardian, the following
person shall exercise substitute parental Basis of liability of parents and adopters
authority over the child in the order indicated: Parental liability is anchored upon parental
(1) The surviving grandparent, as provided in authority coupled with presumed parental
Art. 214; dereliction in the discharge of the duties
(2) The oldest brother or sister, over twenty- accompanying such authority. The parental
one years of age, unless unfit or dereliction is, of course, only presumed and the
disqualified; and presumption can be overturned under Article
(3) The child's actual custodian, over twenty- 2180 of the Civil Code by proof that the parents
one years of age, unless unfit or had exercised all the diligence of a good father
disqualified. of a family to prevent the damage [Tamargo v.
CA, G.R. No. 85044 (1992)].
Whenever the appointment or a judicial
guardian over the property of the child Meaning of Minority
becomes necessary, the same order of Par. 2 and 3 of Art. 2180 speak of minors.
preference shall be observed. Minors here refer to those who are below 21
years of age, not below 18 years. The law
FC, Art. 217. In case of foundlings, abandoned reducing the majority age from 21 to 18 years
neglected or abused children and other old did not amend these paragraphs. Basis is
FC, Art. 236 (3), as amended by RA 6809, supervision, instruction or custody.
provides, Nothing in this Code shall be
construed to derogate from the duty or Authority and responsibility shall apply to all
responsibility of parents and guardians for authorized activities whether inside or outside
children and wards below 21 years of age the premises of the school, entity or institution.
mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of
2180 of the Civil Code. FC, Art. 219. Those given the authority and
responsibility under the preceding Article shall
Art. 2180 (3). Guardians are liable for be principally and solidarily liable for damages
damages caused by the minors or caused by the acts or omissions of the
incapacitated persons who are under their unemancipated minor. The parents, judicial
authority and live in their company. guardians or the persons exercising substitute
parental authority over said minor shall be
The liability of guardians with respect to their subsidiarily liable.
wards is governed by the same rule as in the
liability of parents with respect to their children The respective liabilities of those referred to in
below 21 years and who live with them the preceding paragraph shall not apply if it is
proved that they exercised the proper
Incompetent includes (Rule 92, ROC): diligence required under the particular
(1) Those suffering the penalty of civil circumstances.
interdiction,
(2) Prodigals, All other cases not covered by this and the
(3) Deaf and dumb who are unable to read and
preceding articles shall be governed by the
write
provisions of the Civil Code on quasi-delicts.
(4) Unsound mind, even though they have lucid
intervals Under Article 2180, the teacher is liable for the
(5) Being of sound mind, but by reason of age,
acts or omissions of the pupils and students,
disease, weak mind, and other similar
and so is the head of establishment of arts and
causes, cannot take care of themselves or
trades for the apprentices, so long as they
manage their property
remain in custody, regardless of age. Under the
Family Code, liability attaches to the school, its
Liability of minor or insane tortfeasor without
administrators and teachers, or the individual or
a parent or guardian
entity engaged in child care, so long as the child
He shall be answerable with his own property in
is under their supervision, instruction, or custody,
an action against him where a guardian ad litem
and the child is below 18 years old.
shall be appointed. [Art. 2182]
Basis of liability of teachers and heads of
(b) Teachers and schools
establishments of arts and trades
Art. 2180 (7). Lastly, teachers or heads of They stand, to a certain extent, in loco parentis
establishments of arts and trades shall be and are called upon to exercise reasonable
liable for damages caused by their pupils and supervision over the conduct of the child.
students or apprentices, so long as they
Custody means the protective and supervisory
remain in their custody.
custody that the school, its head and teachers
FC, Art. 218. The school, its administrators exercise over the pupils, for as long as they are
and teachers, or the individual, entity or in attendance in school, which includes recess
institution engaged in child are shall have time [Palisoc v. Brillantes, G.R. No. L-29025
special parental authority and responsibility (1971)].
over the minor child while under their
As long as it is shown that the student is in the earlier ruled that there was employer-employee
school premises pursuant to a legitimate student relationship between the doctor and employee
objective, in the exercise of a legitimate right, or but reversed itself upon motion for
the enjoyment of a legitimate student privilege, reconsideration. They still held the hospital liable
the responsibility of the school authorities over on the basis of agency and corporate
the student continues [Amadora v CA, G.R. No. responsibility [Professional Services v. CA and
L-47745 (1988)]. Agana, G.R. No. 126297 (2010)].
Differentiated from:
B. CAUSE
(1) Concurrent Cause Several causes
producing the injury, and each is an efficient
Concept of Proximate Cause
In order that civil liability for negligence may cause without which the injury would not
arise, there must be a direct causal connection have happened. The injury is attributed to
between the damage suffered by the plaintiff and any or all the causes, and recovery may be
the act or omission of the defendant. had against any or all of those responsible.
C.3. AUTHORITY OF LAW Art. 2179. When the plaintiffs own negligence
was the proximate cause of his injury, he
Art. 5. Acts executed against the provisions of cannot recover damages. xxx
mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void,
except when the law itself authorizes their This defense of plaintiffs negligence as
validity. proximate cause is absolute, for it bars recovery
on the part of the plaintiff. In Manila Electric v.
RPC, Art. 11. The following do not incur any Remoquillo, supra, the Court did not allow
criminal liability: recovery by Magno, ruling that his death was
(5) Any person who acts in the fulfillment of a primarily caused by his own negligence and in
duty or in the lawful exercise of a right or office some measure by the too close proximity of the
media agua to the electric wire.
(8) Any person who acts in obedience to an
order issued by a superior for some lawful If the plaintiff in a negligence action, by his own
purpose carelessness contributed to the principal
occurrence, that is, to the accident, as one of the
C.4. DAMNUM ABSQUE INJURIA determining causes thereof, he cannot recover
There can be damage without injury in those [Bernardo v. Legaspi, G.R. No. 9308 (1914)].
instances in which the loss or harm was not the
result of a violation of a legal duty. C.6. CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE OF THE
PLAINTIFF
Right to recover damages does not arise from
the mere fact that the plaintiff suffered losses. To Art. 2179. xxx But if his negligence was only
warrant the recovery of damages, there must be contributory, the immediate and proximate
both a right of action for a legal wrong inflicted cause of the injury being the defendant's lack
by the defendant, and damage resulting to the of due care, the plaintiff may recover
damages, but the courts shall mitigate the the debtor to comply with his obligation,
damages to be awarded. must be independent of the human will;
(b) It must be impossible to foresee the event or
Art. 2214. In quasi-delicts, the contributory if it can be foreseen, it must be impossible to
negligence of the plaintiff shall reduce the avoid;
damages that he may recover. (c) The occurrence must be such as to render it
impossible for the debtor to fulfill his
Contributory negligence is defined as conduct obligation in a normal manner; and
on the part of the injured party, which contributed (d) The obligor must be free from any
as a legal cause to the harm he has suffered, participation in the aggravation of the injury
which falls below the standard to which he is resulting to the creditor.
required to conform for his own protection
[Valenzuela v. CA, GR. No. 115024 (1996)]. C.8. PLAINTIFFS ASSUMPTION OF RISK /
VOLENTI NON FIT INJURIA
Contributory negligence does not defeat an The doctrine of volenti non fit injuria (that to
action if it can be shown that the defendant which a person assents is not presumed in law
might, by the exercise of reasonable care and as injury) refers to self-inflicted injury or to the
prudence, have avoided the consequences of consent to injury which precludes the recovery
the injured party's negligence. Where the plaintiff of damages by one who has knowingly and
contributes to the principal occurrence as one of voluntarily exposed himself to danger, even if he
its determining factors, he cannot recover. is not negligent in doing so. This is so because,
Where, in conjunction with the occurrence, he in theory, the plaintiffs acceptance of the risk
contributes only to his own injury, he may has wiped out the defendants duty, and as to
recover the amount that the defendant the plaintiff the defendants negligence is not a
responsible for the event should pay for such legal wrong.
injury, less a sum deemed a suitable equivalent
for his own imprudence [MH Rakes v. Atlantic, Requisites:
G.R. No. L-1719 (1907)]. (a) That the plaintiff had actual knowledge of
the danger;
The defense of contributory negligence does not (b) That he understood and appreciated the risk
apply in criminal cases committed through from the danger; and
reckless imprudence, since one cannot allege (c) That he voluntarily exposed himself to such
the negligence of another to evade the effects of risk
his own negligence [Genobiagon v. CA, G.R. No.
40452 (1989)]. The defense is not applicable in the following
cases:
C.7. FORTUITOUS EVENT A person is excused from the force of the rule
(volenti non fit injuria), that when he voluntarily
Art. 1174. Except in cases expressly specified assents to a known danger he must abide by the
by the law, or when it is otherwise declared by consequences, if an emergency is found to exist
stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation or if the life or property of another is in peril or
requires the assumption of risk, no person when he seeks to rescue his endangered
shall be responsible for those events which, property [Ilocos Norte v. CA, G.R. No. 53401
could not be foreseen, or which, though (1989)].
foreseen, were inevitable.
The doctrine does not find application to the
Elements of caso fortuito [Juntilla v. Fontanar, case because even if respondent Reyes
G.R. No. L-45637 (1985)]: assumed the risk of being asked to leave the
(a) The cause of the unforeseen and pary, petitioners, under Articles 19 and 21 of the
unexpected occurrence, or of the failure of Civil Code, were still under the obligation to treat
him fairly in order not to expose him to An individual, who suddenly finds himself in a
unnecessary ridicule and shame [Nikko Hotel v. situation of danger and is required to act without
Roberto Reyes, G.R. No. 154259 (2005)]. much time to consider the best means that may
be adopted to avoid the impending danger, is
C.9. PRESCRIPTION not guilty of negligence if he fails to undertake
what subsequently and upon reflection may
Art. 1146. The following actions must be appear to be a better solution, unless the
instituted within four years: emergency was brought by his own negligence
(1) Upon an injury to the rights of the plaintiff; [Valenzuela v. CA, supra].
(2) Upon a quasi-delict;
III. INTENTIONAL TORTS
However, when the action arises from or out of
any act, activity, or conduct of any public Liability for personal acts or omission is founded
officer involving the exercise of powers or on that indisputable principle of justice
authority arising from Martial Law including the recognized by all legislators that when a person
arrest, detention and/or trial of the plaintiff, the by his act or omission causes damage or
same must be brought within one (1) year. prejudice to another, a juridical relation is
created by virtue of which the injured person
Art. 1150. The time for prescription for all kinds acquires a right to be indemnified and the
of actions, when there is no special provision person causing the damage is charged with the
which ordains otherwise, shall be counted corresponding duty of repairing the damage. The
from the day they may be brought. reason for this is found in the obvious truth that
man should subordinate his acts to the precepts
Prescription periods: of prudence and if he fails to observe them and
4 years for quasi-delict cause damage to another, he must repair the
1 year for defamation
damage [MANRESA].
It is clear that the prescriptive period must be
A. HUMAN RELATIONS TORTS
counted when the last element occurs or takes
place, the time of the commission of an act or
A.1. ABUSE OF RIGHT
omission violative of the right of the plaintiff,
which is the time when the cause of action
Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of
arises. Thus, the prescription period begins from
his rights and in the performance of his duties,
the day the quasi-delict is committed [Kramer v.
act with justice, give everyone his due, and
CA, G.R. No. 83524 (1989)].
observe honesty and good faith.
C.10. WAIVER
Generally, the exercise of any right must be in
accordance with the purpose for which it was
Art. 6. Rights may be waived, unless the
established. It must not be excessive or unduly
waiver is contrary to law, public order, public
harsh; there must be no intention to injure
policy, morals, or good customs or prejudicial
another.
to a third person with a right recognized by
law. There is abuse of right when:
(1) The right is exercised for the only purpose of
Art. 1171. Responsibility arising from fraud is prejudicing or injuring another
demandable in all obligations. Any waiver of (2) The objective of the act is illegitimate
an action for future fraud is void. (3) There is an absence of good faith
Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, VIOLATION OF PERSONAL DIGNITY
In order to be actionable it is not necessary that
personality, privacy and peace of mind of his
the act constitutes a criminal offense. The
neighbors and other persons. The following
remedy afforded by the law is not only the
and similar acts, though they may not
recovery of damages. Prevention and other
constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a
relief is also available. In other words, injunction
cause of action for damages, prevention and
and other appropriate reliefs may also be
other relief:
obtained by the aggrieved party.
(1) Prying into the privacy of anothers
residence; VIOLATION OF PRIVACY
(2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life Privacy is the right to be let alone, or to be free
or family relations of another; from unwarranted publicity, or to live without
(3) Intriguing to cause another to be alienated
unwarranted interference by the public in
from his friends;
matters in which the public is not necessarily
(4) Vexing or humiliating another on account
concerned. This right is purely personal in
of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life,
nature, such that it can be invoked only by the
place of birth, physical defect, or other
person actually injured, it is subject to a proper
personal condition.
waiver, and it ceases upon death. However, the
Article 26 specifically applies to intentional acts privilege may be given to heirs of a deceased to
which fall short of being criminal offenses. It protect his memory, to protect the feelings of the
itself expressly refers to tortious conduct which living heirs.
"may not constitute criminal offenses." The
Reasonableness of Expectation of Privacy
purpose is precisely to fill a gap or lacuna in the
Test: [Ople v. Torres, G.R. No. 127685 (1998)]
law where a person who suffers injury because
(1) Whether by ones conduct, the individual
has exhibited an expectation of privacy Tort of putting in false
(2) Whether this expectation is one that society Defamation
light
recognizes and accepts as reasonable
The embarrassment of Concerns the
The general rule is that the right to privacy may a person being reputational harm to a
only be invoked by natural persons. Juridical portrayed as person
persons cannot invoke this because the basis to something he is not
this right is an injury to the feelings and Statement should be Publication is satisfied
sensibilities of the injured party, and a actually made in public even if communicated
corporation has none of those. The exception is to only one specific
where the right to privacy is invoked along with third person
the right against unreasonable searches and
seizures. An individuals right to privacy under (4) Commercial appropriation of likeness of
Article 26(1) of the Civil Code should not be image It consists of appropriation, for the
confined to his house or residence as it may defendants benefit or advantage (ex. used
in defendants advertisement), of the
extend to places where he has the right to
plaintiffs name or likeness (picture or
exclude the public or deny them access [Sps. portrait).
Hing v. Choachuy, G.R. No. 179736 (2013)].
DISTURBANCE OF PEACE OF MIND
Types of invasion of privacy The disturbance of the mental and emotional
(1) Publication of embarrassing private facts tranquility of the plaintiff by the defendant is a
The interest here is the right to be free from legal injury in itself and, therefore, a sufficient
unwarranted publicity, wrongful publicizing of cause of action for damages, injunction, and
private affairs and activities, as these are other relief. A person, however, cannot be held
outside the ambit of legitimate public liable for damages for the mental or emotional
concern. disturbance of the plaintiff which was due to the
latters susceptibility to such disturbance, where
Public figures enjoy a limited right to privacy the defendant had no knowledge of such
as compared to ordinary individuals [Ayer v. peculiar susceptibility. The tendency of the law is
Capulong, G.R. No. 82380 (1988)]. to secure an interest in mental comfort only to
the extent of the ordinary sensibilities of men.
(2) Intrusion upon plaintiffs private affairs
This is not limited to situations where the
Interference with Relations
wrongdoer physically trespasses into An interference with the continuance of
ones property. unimpaired interests founded upon the relation
Generally, there is no invasion of privacy
in which the plaintiff stands toward one or more
when journalists report something that
third persons [Prosser and Keeton].
occurs in the public realm, except when
KINDS:
the acts of the journalist are to an extent (1) Family relations
that it constitutes harassment. (2) Social relations
RA 4200: It is illegal for any person not (3) Economic relations
authorized by both parties to any private (4) Political relations
communication to secretly record such
communication. Family Relations
ALIENATION OF AFFECTION
(3) Publicity which puts one in a false light in the This is a cause of action in favor of a
public eye The interest here is in not being husband against one who wrongfully
made or forced to appear before the public alienates the affection of his wife, depriving
in an objectionable false light or position.
him of his conjugal rights to her consortium, CRIMINAL CONVERSATION (ADULTERY)
that is, her society, affection, and assistance. Interference with the marital relations by
committing adultery with one of the spouses.
Elements: This is obvious enough in the case of rape
(a) Wrongful conduct of the defendant: but also applies where the adulterous
intentional and malicious enticing of a spouse consented to or initiated the
spouse away from the other spouse intercourse. [PROSSER AND KEETON, p.
(b) Loss of affection or consortium
917]
Note: Complete absence of affection
between the spouses is not a defense. Social Relations
(c) Causal connection between such
(1) Meddling with or disturbing family
conduct and loss
relations
There is no evidence that the parents of
Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity,
Vicenta, out of improper motives, aided and
personality, privacy and peace of mind of his
abetted her original suit for annulment, or
neighbors and other persons. The following
her subsequent divorce; she appears to
and similar acts, though they may not
have acted independently, and being of age,
constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a
she was entitled to judge what was best for
cause of action for damages, prevention and
her and ask that her decisions be respected.
other relief;
Her parents, in so doing, certainly cannot be
xxx
charged with alienation of affections in the
2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life or
absence of malice or unworthy motives,
family relations of another;
which have not been shown, good faith
being always presumed until the contrary is
Developed as an offshoot of the action for
proved [Tenchavez v. Escao, G.R. No. L-
enticing away a servant and depriving the
19671 (1965)].
master of the proprietary interest in [the
servants] services until there has been a
LOSS OF CONSORTIUM
gradual shift of emphasis away from
The plaintiff Aleko E. Lilius also seeks to
services and toward a recognition of more
recover the sum of P2,500 for the loss of
intangible elements in the domestic
what is called Anglo-Saxon common law
relations, such as companionship and
"consortium" of his wife, that is, "her
affection. [PROSSER AND KEETON, p. 916]
services, society and conjugal
companionship", as a result of personal INTRIGUING TO CAUSE ANOTHER TO BE ALIENATED
injuries which she had received from the FROM HIS FRIENDS
accident now under consideration. Inasmuch A person who committed affirmative acts
as a wife's domestic assistance and intended to alienate the existing friendship of
conjugal companionship are purely personal one with his friends is liable for damages. A
and voluntary acts which neither of the man is a social being and for being so, he
spouses may be compelled to render, it is needs friends to socialize with and to
necessary for the party claiming indemnity depend upon in case of need. To alienate
for the loss of such services to prove that him wrongfully or with malice from his
the person obliged to render them had done friends is to cause him suffering for which he
so before he was injured and that he would is entitled to damages.
be willing to continue rendering them had he
not been prevented from so doing [Lilius v. Economic Relations
Manila Railroad Company, G.R. No. L-
39587 (1934)]. Art. 1314. Any person who induces another to
violate his contract with another person shall
be liable for damages to the other contracting perform his official duty may file an action for
party. damages and other relief against the latter,
without prejudice to any disciplinary
Tort liability may be imposed upon a defendant administrative action that may be taken.
who intentionally and improperly interferes with
the plaintiffs rights under a contract with another This applies only to acts of nonfeasance or the
person if the interference causes the plaintiff to nonperformance of some acts which a person is
lose a right under the contract or makes the obliged or has responsibility to perform. The duty
contract rights more costly or less valuable. This of the public servant must be ministerial in
law of interference of contract is part of a larger character. If the duty is discretionary, he is not
body of tort law aimed at protection of liable unless he acted in a notoriously arbitrary
relationships [PROSSER AND KEETON]. manner.
Elements of tort interference: [So Ping Bun v. The defense of good faith is not available
CA, G.R. No. 120554 (1999)] because an officer is under constant obligation
(a) Existence of a valid contract to discharge the duties of his office, and it is not
(b) Knowledge on the part of the third person of necessary to show that his failure to act was due
the existence of contract; and to malice or willfulness.
(c) Interference of the third person is without
legal justification or excuse. Requisites: [Amaro v. Sumanguit, G.R. No. L-
14986 (1962)]
Everyone has a right to enjoy the fruits and (a) Defendant is a public officer charged with a
advantages of his own enterprise, industry, skill performance of a duty in favor of the plaintiff;
(b) He refused or neglected without just cause
and credit. He has no right to be protected
to perform the duty;
against competition; but he has a right to be free
(c) Plaintiff sustained material or moral loss as
from malicious and wanton interference,
a consequence of such non-performance;
disturbance or annoyance. If disturbance or loss (d) The amount of such damages, if material.
comes as a result of competition, or the exercise
of like rights by others, it is damnum absque A.7. UNFAIR COMPETITION
injuria, unless some superior right by contract or
otherwise is interfered with. Thus, a plaintiff Art. 28. Unfair competition in agricultural,
loses his cause of action if the defendant commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor
provides a sufficient justification for such through the use of force, intimidation, deceit,
interference, which must be an equal or superior machination or any other unjust, oppressive or
right in themselves. The defendant may not highhanded method shall give rise to a right of
legally excuse himself on the ground that he action by the person who thereby suffers
acted on a wrong understanding of his own damage.
rights, or without malice, or bona fide, or in the
best interests of himself [Gilchrist v. Cuddy, G.R. B. INDEPENDENT CIVIL ACTIONS
No. 9356 (1915)].
Rule 111, Sec. 3, ROC. In the cases provided
Bad faith/Malice is required to make the for in Articles 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil
defendant liable for damages in cases of Code of the Philippines, the independent civil
tortuous interference [So Ping Bun v. CA, supra]. action may be brought by the offended party. It
shall proceed independently of the criminal
A.6 DERELICTION OF DUTY action and shall require only a preponderance
of evidence. In no case, however, may the
Art. 27. Any person suffering material or moral offended party recover damages twice for the
loss because a public servant or employee same act or omission charged in the criminal
refuses or neglects, without just cause, to
action. when the person confessing becomes a
State witness.
B.1. VIOLATION OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL (18)Freedom from excessive fines, or cruel
RIGHTS and unusual punishment, unless the same
is imposed or inflicted in accordance with
Art. 32. Any public officer or employee, or any a statute which has not been judicially
private individual, who directly or indirectly declared unconstitutional;
obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner (19)Freedom of access to the courts
impedes or impairs any of the following rights
and liberties of another person shall be liable In any of the cases referred to in this article,
to the latter for damages: whether or not the defendants act or omission
(1) Freedom of religion constitutes a criminal offense, the aggrieved
(2) Freedom of speech party has a right to commence an entirely
(3) Freedom to write for the press or to separate and distinct civil action for damages,
maintain a periodical publication and for other relief. Such civil action shall
(4) Freedom from arbitrary or illegal detention proceed independently of any criminal
(5) Freedom of suffrage prosecution (if the latter be instituted) and may
(6) The right against deprivation of property
be proved by a preponderance of evidence.
without due process of law
(7) The right to just compensation when The indemnity shall include moral damages.
property is taken for public use Exemplary damages may also be adjudicated.
(8) The right to equal protection of the laws
(9) The right to be secure in ones person, The responsibility herein set forth is not
house, papers and effects against demandable from a judge unless his act or
unreasonable searches and seizures omission constitutes a violation of the Penal
(10)The liberty of abode and of changing the
code or any other penal statute.
same
(11)The right to privacy of communication and Article 32 speaks of a particular specie of an
correspondence act that may give rise to an action for damages
(12)The right to become a member of
against a public officer, and that is, a tort for
associations and societies for purposes
impairment of rights and liberties. [Vinzons-
not contrary to law
Chato v. Fortune, supra]
(13)The right to take part in a peaceable
assembly and petition the government for Article 32 is clear that not only public officers but
redress of grievances also private individuals can incur civil liability for
(14)The right to be free from involuntary
violation of rights enumerated therein. Because
servitude in any form
the provision speaks of an officer, employee or
(15)The right of the accused against excessive
person directly or indirectly responsible for the
bail
(16)The right of the accused to be heard by violation of the constitutional rights and liberties
himself and counsel, to be informed of the of another, it is not the actor alone who must
nature and the cause of the accusation answer for damages under Article 32. It is not
against him, to have a speedy and public even necessary that the defendant should have
trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, to acted with malice or bad faith, otherwise, it
have compulsory process to secure the would defeat its main purpose, which is the
attendance of witnesses on is behalf; effective protection of individual rights. [Silahis v.
(17)Freedom from being compelled to be a Soluta, G.R. No. 163087 (2006)]
witness against ones self, or from being
forced to confess his guilt, or from being B.2. DEFAMATION, FRAUD, PHYSICAL
induced by a promise of immunity or INJURIES
reward to make such confession, except
Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and
physical injuries, a civil action for damages, In determining whether certain utterances
entirely separate and distinct from the criminal are defamatory, the words used are to be
action, may be brought by the injured party. construed in their entirety and taken in their
Such civil action shall proceed independently plain, natural and ordinary meaning, as they
of the criminal prosecution, and shall require would naturally be understood by persons
only a preponderance of evidence. hearing or reading them, unless it appears
that they were used and understood in
another sense. When malice in fact is
The civil action for damages that Article 33 proven, assertions and proofs that the
allows to be instituted is ex-delicto. This is libelous articles are qualifiedly privileged
manifest from the provision which uses the communications are futile, since being
expressions criminal action and criminal qualifiedly privileged communications merely
prosecution. Quoting Tolentino, the Court ruled prevents the presumption of malice from
that this provision is an exception to the general attaching in a defamatory imputation
rule that the civil action for recovery of civil [Yuchengco v. Manila Chronicle, G.R. No.
liability arising from the offense charged is 184315 (2009)].
impliedly instituted with the criminal action.
Where the offense is defamation, fraud, or (2) Fraud Estafa under RPC, 315; Article 33
physical injuries, a civil action may be filed does not cover violations of B.P. 22.
independently of the criminal action, even
though no reservation is made [Madeja v. Caro, (3) Physical Injuries (Assault and Battery)
G.R. No. 51183 (1983)]. Battery
(1) Defamation the offense of injuring a Battery is the actual infliction of any unlawful
persons character, fame or reputation or unauthorized violence on the person of
through false or malicious statements. another, irrespective of its degree. The law
Defamation is an invasion of a relational protects the interest of the individual in
interest since it involves the opinion which freedom from bodily harm or any impairment
others in the community may have, or tend of the physical integrity of the body.
to have, of the plaintiff.
Assault
Elements of libel pursuant to RPC, Art. Assault is an intentional, unlawful offer of
353: physical injury to another by force unlawfully
(a) An allegation or imputation of a directed toward the person of another, under
discreditable act or condition concerning such circumstances as to create a well-
another founded fear of imminent peril, coupled with
(b) Publication of the imputation the apparent present ability to effectuate the
(c) Identity of the person defamed attempt if not prevented. The law seeks to
(d) Existence of malice protect the interest of the individual in
freedom from offensive bodily touching
Where the defamation is alleged to have
although no actual harm is done.
been directed at a group or class, it is
essential that the statement must be so Defamation and fraud (in Art. 33) are used in
sweeping or all-embracing as to apply to their ordinary sense because there are no
every individual in that group or class, or specific provisions in the Revised Penal
sufficiently specific so that each individual in Code using these terms as names of
the class or group can prove that the offenses defined therein, so that these two
defamatory statement was specifically terms defamation and fraud must have been
pointed to him [MVRS Publications, Inc. v. used not to impart to them any technical
Islamic, supra].
meaning in the laws of the Philippines, but in
their generic sense. With these apparent Art. 34 covers a situation where:
circumstances in mind, it is evident that the (1) There is danger to the life or property of a
term physical injuries could not have been person;
(2) A member of a city or municipal police force
used in its specific sense as a crime defined
who is present in the scene refused or failed
in the Revised Penal Code, for it is difficult
to render aid or protection to the person; and
to believe that the Code Commission would
(3) Damages are caused whether to the person
have used terms in same articlesome in
and/or property of the victim.
this general and others in its technical
sense. In other words, the term physical Nature of liability
injuries should be understood to mean (1) Of the police officer Primary
bodily injury, not the crime of physical (2) City or municipality Subsidiary
injuries, because the terms used with the
latter are general terms [Carandang v. The defense of having observed the diligence of
Santiago and Valenton, G.R. No. L-8238 a good father of a family to prevent the damage
(1955)]. is not available to the city/municipality.
Liability does not attach to the proprietor if the Acceptance of the building, after completion,
damage was caused by any defect in the does not imply waiver of any of the cause of
construction mentioned in Article 1723, in which action by reason of any defect mentioned in
case the action should be against the engineer the preceding paragraph.
or architect.
The action must be brought within ten years
Under Article 2190, the plaintiff is required to
following the collapse of the building.
prove:
(a) The total or partial collapse of a building or Engineer or architect who drew up the plans and
structure specifications is liable if the building collapses
(b) That the defendant is the proprietor
within 15 years due to:
(c) That the collapse was due to the lack of
(1) A defect in those plans and specifications; or
necessary repairs
(2) Due to the defects in the ground.
Note: There is no requirement to prove Contractor is liable if the edifice falls within 15
negligence. years due to:
(1) Defects in the construction;
Under Article 2191, with the exception of No. 1, (2) The use of materials of inferior quality
negligence is also not an issue. furnished by the contractor; or
(3) Due to any violation of the terms of the
The owner or proprietor of a place of public contract.
amusement impliedly warrants that the
premises, appliances and amusement devices Here, the plaintiff need only prove that such
are safe for the purpose for which they are conditions (defects) exist, and need not prove
designed, the doctrine being subject to no other that negligence of the defendant be the cause of
exception or qualification than that he does not the conditions.
contract against unknown defects not
discoverable by ordinary or reasonable means A.5. OWNERS OF ENTERPRISES OR OTHER
[Gotesco Investment Corp. v. Chatto, G.R. No. EMPLOYERS
87584 (1992)].
Art. 1711. Owners of enterprises and other
A.4. ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT OF employers are obliged to pay compensation
COLLAPSED BUILDING for the death of or injuries to their laborers,
workmen, mechanics or other employees,
Art. 1723. The engineer or architect who drew even though the event may have been purely
up the plans and specifications for a building is accidental or entirely due to a fortuitous cause,
liable for damages if within fifteen years from if the death or personal injury arose out of and
the completion of the structure, the same in the course of the employment. The
should collapse by reason of a defect in those employer is also liable for compensation if the
plans and specifications, or due to the defects employee contracts any illness or disease
caused by such employment or as the result of (2) When death or injury is
the nature of the employment. If the mishap caused by a fellow worker
was due to the employee's own notorious General rule: The employer is solidarily
negligence, or voluntary act, or drunkenness, liable with the fellow worker causing the
the employer shall not be liable for death or injury
compensation. When the employee's lack of Exception: If the only cause of the death
due care contributed to his death or injury, the or injury was the fellow workers
compensation shall be equitably reduced. intentional or malicious act
Exception to the exception: If it is shown
Art. 1712. If the death or injury is due to the that the employer did not exercise due
negligence of a fellow worker, the latter and diligence in the selection and supervision
the employer shall be solidarily liable for of the fellow worker causing the death or
compensation. If a fellow worker's intentional injury
malicious act is the only cause of the death or
injury, the employer shall not be answerable, A.6. HEAD OF A FAMILY FOR THINGS
unless it should be shown that the latter did THROWN OR FALLING
not exercise due diligence in the selection or
supervision of the plaintiff's fellow worker. Art 2193. The head of a family that lives in a
building or a part thereof, is responsible for
Alarcon, a teacher, hired Urzino and Azaa to damages caused by things thrown or falling
dig a well on his land; in the course of which from the same.
Urzino died of asphyxia. The Court found that
under the principle of ejusdem generis, said The purpose of the law is to relieve the injured
other employers mentioned in Article 1711 party of the difficulty of determining and proving
must be construed to refer to persons who who threw the thing or what caused it to fall, or
belong to a class analogous to owners of that either was due to the fault or negligence of
enterprises, such as those operating a business any particular individual.
or engaged in a particular industry or trade,
requiring its managers to contract the services of Lessee is considered as the head of the family. It
laborers, workers and/or employees. Alarcon, is enough that he lives in and has control over it
not owning any enterprise, did not fall under the [Dingcong v. Kanaan, G.R. No. L-47033 (1941)].
category of other employers [Alarcon v.
A.7. PRODUCTS LIABILITY
Alarcon, G.R. No. L-15692 (1961)].
Defenses available to the employer: Under the foregoing provision, liability is not
(1) When death or injury is not made to depend upon fault or negligence of the
caused by a fellow worker manufacturer or processor. The provision
The mishap due to the employees own likewise dispensed with any contractual relation
notorious negligence or voluntary act, or between the manufacturer and the consumer,
drunkenness
thereby clearly implying that liability is imposed another person who attaches his own brand
by law as a matter of public policy. name to the consumer products, the latter
shall be deemed the manufacturer. In case of
Proof of negligence under this provision is not imported products, the manufacturer's
necessary; as such, traditional contract and representatives or, in his absence, the
warranty defenses as (1) lack of privity; (2) lack importer, shall be deemed the manufacturer.
of reliance on a warranty; (3) lack of notice to
the defendant of the breach of warranty; and (4) Article 92. Exemptions. If the concerned
disclaimer of implied warranties are inapplicable. department finds that for good or sufficient
reasons, full compliance with the labeling
Requisites of liability requirements otherwise applicable under this
(a) Defendant is a manufacturer or possessor of Act is impracticable or is not necessary for the
foodstuff, drinks, toilet articles and similar adequate protection of public health and
goods; safety, it shall promulgate regulations
(b) He used noxious or harmful substances in exempting such substances from these
the manufacture or processing of the requirements to the extent it deems consistent
foodstuff, drinks or toilet articles consumed with the objective of adequately safeguarding
or used by the plaintiff; public health and safety, and any hazardous
(c) Plaintiffs death or injury was caused by the substance which does not bear a label in
product so consumed or used; and accordance with such regulations shall be
(d) The damages sustained and claimed by the
deemed mislabeled hazardous substance.
plaintiff and the amount thereof.
Article 97. Liability for the Defective Products.
Burden of proof
The burden of proof that the product was in a Any Filipino or foreign manufacturer,
defective condition at the time it left the hands of producer, and any importer, shall be liable for
the manufacturer and particular seller is upon redress, independently of fault, for damages
the injured plaintiff. caused to consumers by defects resulting from
design, manufacture, construction, assembly
Who may recover and erection, formulas and handling and
Although the article used the term consumer, making up, presentation or packing of their
such term includes a user and purchaser of products, as well as for the insufficient or
the injuriously defective food product or toilet inadequate information on the use and
article. The person who may recover need not hazards thereof.
be the purchaser of the foodstuff or toilet article.
A product is defective when it does not offer
ii. CONSUMER ACT RA 7394, SECS. 92-107 the safety rightfully expected of it, taking
(CH. 1) relevant circumstances into consideration,
including but not limited to:
Consumer Act Provisions (a) presentation of product
Article 4. Definition of Terms. (b) use and hazards reasonably expected of
(n) "Consumer" means a natural person who is it;
a purchaser, lessee, recipient or prospective (c) the time it was put into circulation.
purchaser, lessor or recipient of consumer
products, services or credit. A product is not considered defective because
another better quality product has been placed
(as) "Manufacturer" means any person who in the market. The manufacturer, builder,
manufactures, assembles or processes producer or importer shall not be held liable
consumer products, except that if the goods when it evidences:
are manufactured, assembled or processed for (a) that it did not place the product on the
market;
(b) that although it did place the product on Article 100. Liability for Product and Service
the market such product has no defect; Imperfection. The suppliers of durable or
(c) that the consumer or a third party is solely nondurable consumer products are jointly
at fault. liable for imperfections in quality that render
the products unfit or inadequate for
Article 98. Liability of Tradesman or Seller. consumption for which they are designed or
The tradesman/seller is likewise liable, decrease their value, and for those resulting
pursuant to the preceding article when: from inconsistency with the information
(a) it is not possible to identify the provided on the container, packaging, labels or
manufacturer, builder, producer or publicity messages/advertisement, with due
importer; regard to the variations resulting from their
(b) the product is supplied, without clear
nature, the consumer being able to demand
identification of the manufacturer,
replacement to the imperfect parts.
producer, builder or importer;
(c) he does not adequately preserve
If the imperfection is not corrected within thirty
perishable goods. The party making
(30) days, the consumer may alternatively
payment to the damaged party may
demand at his option:
exercise the right to recover a part of the
(a) the replacement of the product by another
whole of the payment made against the
of the same kind, in a perfect state of use;
other responsible parties, in accordance
(b) the immediate reimbursement of the
with their part or responsibility in the
amount paid, with monetary updating,
cause of the damage effected.
without prejudice to any losses and
damages;
Article 99. Liability for Defective Services. (c) a proportionate price reduction.
The service supplier is liable for redress,
independently of fault, for damages caused to The parties may agree to reduce or increase
consumers by defects relating to the rendering the term specified in the immediately
of the services, as well as for insufficient or preceding paragraph; but such shall not be
inadequate information on the fruition and less than seven (7) nor more than one
hazards thereof. hundred and eighty (180) days.
The service is defective when it does not The consumer may make immediate use of
provide the safety the consumer may rightfully the alternatives under the second paragraph of
expect of it, taking the relevant circumstances this Article when by virtue of the extent of the
into consideration, including but not limited to: imperfection, the replacement of the imperfect
(a) the manner in which it is provided; parts may jeopardize the product quality or
(b) the result of hazards which may
characteristics, thus decreasing its value.
reasonably be expected of it;
(c) the time when it was provided.
If the consumer opts for the alternative under
sub-paragraph (a) of the second paragraph of
A service is not considered defective because
this Article, and replacement of the product is
of the use or introduction of new techniques.
not possible, it may be replaced by another of
a different kind, mark or model: Provided, That
The supplier of the services shall not be held
any difference in price may result thereof shall
liable when it is proven:
be supplemented or reimbursed by the party
(a) that there is no defect in the service
which caused the damage, without prejudice
rendered;
(b) that the consumer or third party is solely at to the provisions of the second, third and
fault. fourth paragraphs of this Article.
Article 101. Liability for Product Quantity Improper services are those which prove to be
Imperfection. Suppliers are jointly liable for inadequate for purposes reasonably expected
imperfections in the quantity of the product of them and those that fail to meet the
when, in due regard for variations inherent provisions of this Act regulating service
thereto, their net content is less than that rendering.
indicated on the container, packaging, labeling
or advertisement, the consumer having Article 103. Repair Service Obligation. When
powers to demand, alternatively, at his own services are provided for the repair of any
option: product, the supplier shall be considered
(a) the proportionate price implicitly bound to use adequate, new, original
(b) the supplementing of weight or measure replacement parts, or those that maintain the
differential; manufacturer's technical specifications unless,
(c) the replacement of the product by another otherwise authorized, as regards to the latter
of the same kind, mark or model, without by the consumer.
said imperfections;
(d) the immediate reimbursement of the Article 104. Ignorance of Quality Imperfection.
amount paid, with monetary updating The supplier's ignorance of the quality
without prejudice to losses and damages if imperfections due to inadequacy of the
any. products and services does not exempt him
from any liability.
The provisions of the fifth paragraph of Article
99 shall apply to this Article. Article 105. Legal Guarantee of Adequacy.
The legal guarantee of product or service
The immediate supplier shall be liable if the adequacy does not require an express
instrument used for weighing or measuring is instrument or contractual exoneration of the
not gauged in accordance with official supplier being forbidden.
standards.
Article 106. Prohibition in Contractual
Article 102. Liability for Service Quality Stipulation. The stipulation in a contract of a
Imperfection. The service supplier is liable clause preventing, exonerating or reducing the
for any quality imperfections that render the obligation to indemnify for damages effected,
services improper for consumption or as provided for in this and in the preceding
decrease their value, and for those resulting Articles, is hereby prohibited, if there is more
from inconsistency with the information than one person responsible for the cause of
contained in the offer or advertisement, the the damage, they shall be jointly liable for the
consumer being entitled to demand redress established in the pertinent provisions
alternatively at his option: of this Act. However, if the damage is caused
(a) the performance of the services, without by a component or part incorporated in the
any additional cost and when applicable; product or service, its manufacturer, builder or
(b) the immediate reimbursement of the importer and the person who incorporated the
amount paid, with monetary updating component or part are jointly liable.
without prejudice to losses and damages,
if any; A.8. NUISANCE
(c) a proportionate price reduction.
Art. 694. A nuisance is any act, omission,
Reperformance of services may be entrusted
establishment, business, condition of property,
to duly qualified third parties, at the supplier's
or anything else which:
risk and cost.
(1) Injures or endangers the health or safety
of others; or Condition Act complained There is continuing
(2) Annoys or offends the senses; or of the act of is already harm being
(3) Shocks, defies or disregards decency or
done which suffered by the
morality; or
caused injury to aggrieved party
(4) Obstructs or interferes with the free
the plaintiff because of the
passage of any public highway or street,
maintenance of the
or any body of water; or
(5) Hinders or impairs the use of property. act or thing which
constitutes the
Art. 696. Every successive owner or nuisance
possessor of property who fails or refuses to Remedy Action for Abatement
abate a nuisance in that property started by a damages
former owner or possessor is liable therefor in
the same manner as the one who created it. Easement against Nuisance
Art. 697. The abatement of a nuisance does Art. 682. Every building or piece of land is
not preclude the right of any person injured to subject to the easement which prohibits the
recover damages for its past existence. proprietor or possessor from committing
nuisance through noise, jarring, offensive odor,
Art. 698. Lapse of time cannot legalize any smoke, heat, dust, water, glare and other
nuisance, whether public or private. causes.
Nuisance is a condition and not an act or failure Art. 683. Subject to zoning, health, police and
to act, so that if a wrongful condition exists, the other laws and regulations, factories and
person responsible for its existence is shops may be maintained provided the least
responsible for the resulting damages to others. possible annoyance is caused to the
neighborhood.
Sangco: A person who creates or maintains a
nuisance is liable for the resulting injury to The provisions impose a prohibition upon
others regardless of the degree of care or skill owners of buildings of land from committing
exercised to avoid the injury. The creation or therein a nuisance or using such buildings or
maintenance of a nuisance is a violation of an lands in a manner as will constitute a nuisance.
absolute duty. It is based on the maxim sic utere tuo ut alienum
non laedas (so use your own as not to injure
Liability for Negligence v. Liability for
anothers property).
Nuisance
Negligence Nuisance The general rule is that everyone is bound to
Basis Liability is Liability attaches bear the habitual or customary inconveniences
based on lack regardless of the that result from the proximity of others, and so
of proper care skill exercised to long as this level is not surpassed, he may not
and diligence avoid the injury complain against them. But if the prejudice
exceeds the inconveniences that such proximity
habitually brings, the neighbor who causes such
disturbances is held responsible for the resulting
damage, being guilty of causing nuisance. There
can be no doubt that commercial and industrial
activities which are lawful in themselves may
become nuisances if they are so offensive to the
senses that they render the enjoyment of life
and property uncomfortable. It is no defense that
skill and care have been exercised and the most harmless cause of the nuisance. For this
improved methods and appliances employed to reason, it will readily be seen that whether a
prevent such result. In this case, the Court ruled particular thing is a nuisance is generally a
that causing or maintaining disturbing noises or question of fact, to be determined in the first
sounds may constitute an actionable nuisance instance before the term nuisance can be
[Velasco v. Manila Electric Co., G.R. No. 18390 applied to it [Iloilo Ice and Cold Storage Co.
(1971)]. v. Municipal Council, G.R. No. L-7012
(1913)].
Types of Nuisance:
(1) Nuisance per se (3) Public nuisance
It is recognized as a nuisance under any
and all circumstances because it constitutes Art. 695. Nuisance is either public or private. A
a direct menace to public health and safety public nuisance affects a community or
and, for that reason, may be abated neighborhood or any considerable number of
summarily under the undefined law of persons, although the extent of the
necessity. annoyance, danger or damage upon
individuals may be unequal. A private nuisance
To become a nuisance per se, the thing is one that is not included in the foregoing
must, of itself, because of its inherent definition.
qualities, without complement, be productive
of injury, or, by reason of the matter of its A public nuisance is the doing of or the failure to
use or exposure, threaten or be dangerous do something that injuriously affects safety,
to life or property. health, or morals of the public, or works some
substantial annoyance, inconvenience or injury
(2) Nuisance per accidens to the public. It causes hurt, inconvenience, or
It becomes a nuisance depending upon damage to the public generally, or such part of
certain conditions and circumstances, and the public as necessarily comes in contact with it
its existence being a question of fact, it in the exercise of a public or common right.
cannot be abated without due hearing
thereon in a tribunal authorized to decide Art. 699. The remedies against a public
whether such a thing does in law constitute nuisance are:
a nuisance. (1) A prosecution under the Penal Code or
any local ordinance: or
A nuisance is, according to Blackstone, "Any (2) A civil action; or
thing that works3 hurt, inconvenience, or (3) Abatement, without judicial proceedings.
damages." They arise from pursuing
particular trades or industries in populous Art. 700. The district health officer shall take
neighborhoods; from acts of public care that one or all of the remedies against a
indecency, keeping disorderly houses, and public nuisance are availed of.
houses of ill fame, gambling houses, etc.
Nuisances have been divided into two Art. 701. If a civil action is brought by reason
classes: Nuisances per se, and nuisances of the maintenance of a public nuisance, such
per accidens. To the first belong those which action shall be commenced by the city or
are unquestionably and under all municipal mayor.
circumstances nuisances, such as gambling
houses, houses of ill fame, etc. The number Art. 702. The district health officer shall
of such nuisances is necessarily limited, and determine whether or not abatement, without
by far the greater number of nuisances are judicial proceedings, is the best remedy
such because of particular facts and against a public nuisance.
circumstances surrounding the otherwise
Art. 703. A private person may file an action on (1) If he causes unnecessary injury; or
account of a public nuisance, if it is specially (2) If an alleged nuisance is later declared by
injurious to himself. the courts to be not a real nuisance.
Art. 704. Any private person may abate a (5) Attractive Nuisance
public nuisance which is specially injurious to General Rule: When people come to the
him by removing, or if necessary, by lands or premises of others for their own
destroying the thing which constitutes the purposes, without right or invitation, they
same, without committing a breach of the must take the lands as they see them.
peace, or doing unnecessary injury. But it is
Exception: Attractive Nuisance doctrine.
necessary:
(1) That demand be first made upon the One who maintains on his premises
owner or possessor of the property to dangerous instrumentalities or appliances of
abate the nuisance; a character likely to attract children at play,
(2) That such demand has been rejected;
and who fails to exercise ordinary care to
(3) That the abatement be approved by the
prevent children from playing therewith or
district health officer and executed with the
resorting thereto, is liable to a child of tender
assistance of the local police; and
(4) That the value of the destruction does not years who is injured thereby, even if the
exceed three thousand pesos. child is technically a trespasser in the
premises. The principle reason for the
(4) Private nuisance doctrine is that the condition or appliance in
It is one which violates only private rights question although its danger is apparent to
and produces damage to but one or a few those of age, is so enticing or alluring to
persons, and cannot be said to be public. children of tender years as to induce them to
approach, get on or use it, and this
Art. 705. The remedies against a private attractiveness is an implied invitation to such
nuisance are: children [Hidalgo Enterprises v. Balandan,
(1) A civil action; or G.R. No. L-3422 (1952)].
(2) Abatement, without judicial proceedings.
When Applicable/Not Applicable: [De Leon on
Art. 706. Any person injured by a private Torts and Damages]
nuisance may abate it by removing, or if The danger to the child must be caused by the
necessary, by destroying the thing which attraction itself, or by something with which the
constitutes the nuisance, without committing a attraction brings the child in contact.
breach of the peace or doing unnecessary Protects a meddling child, but not a danger
injury. However, it is indispensable that the which was created by the child himself.
procedure for extrajudicial abatement of a Limited to latent dangers, and is no basis for
public nuisance by a private person be recovery where peril is obvious or patent.
followed. Does not apply to natural dangers.
The age and maturity of the injured child and
Art. 707. A private person or a public official the reason for the childs presence are
extrajudicially abating a nuisance shall be important considerations in the application of
liable for damages: the doctrine.
In a case where the offender-father was Moral damages cannot be recovered from a
convicted of simple rape instead of qualified person who has filed a complaint against
rape due to the prosecutions failure to another in good faith, or without malice or bad
specifically allege the age and minority of the faith. If damage results from the filing of the
victim-daughter, but such was nonetheless complaint, it is damnum absque injuria [Mijares
established during the trial, the award of civil v. CA (1997)].
indemnity and moral damages in a conviction for
simple rape should equal the award of civil The adverse result of an action does not per se
indemnity and moral damages in convictions for make the act wrongful and subject the actor to
qualified rape. Truly, [the victims] moral suffering the payment of moral damages. The law could
is just as great as when her father who raped not have meant to impose a penalty on the right
her is convicted for qualified rape as when he is to litigate; such right is so precious that moral
convicted only for simple rape due to a damages may not be charged on those who may
technicality [People v. Bartolini, supra]. exercise it erroneously [Barreto vs. Arevalo
(1956)].
for as long as the moral damages suffered by
IN ACTS REFERRED TO IN ARTS. 21, 26, 27, [the plaintiff] were the proximate result of
28, 29, 32, 34 &35, NCC [defendants] refusal to perform an official duty
Art. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or or neglect in the performance thereof. In fact,
injury to another in a manner that is contrary to under Articles 19 and 27 of the Civil Code, a
morals, good customs or public policy shall public official may be made to pay damages for
compensate the latter for the damage. performing a perfectly legal act, albeit with bad
faith or in violation of the "abuse of right"
Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, doctrine [Concepcion v. CA, supra].
personality, privacy and peace of mind of his Art. 28. Unfair competition in agricultural,
neighbors and other persons. The following commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor
and similar acts, though they may not through the use of force, intimidation, deceit,
constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a machination or any other unjust, oppressive or
cause of action for damages, prevention and highhanded method shall give rise to a right of
other relief: action by the person who thereby suffers
(1) Prying into the privacy of another's damage.
residence:
(2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life Art. 29. When the accused in a criminal
or family relations of another; prosecution is acquitted on the ground that his
(3) Intriguing to cause another to be guilt has not been proved beyond reasonable
alienated from his friends; doubt, a civil action for damages for the same
(4) Vexing or humiliating another on account act or omission may be instituted. Such action
of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, requires only a preponderance of evidence.
place of birth, physical defect, or other Upon motion of the defendant, the court may
personal condition. require the plaintiff to file a bond to answer for
damages in case the complaint should be
VIOLATION OF HUMAN DIGNITY found to be malicious.
The law seeks to protect a person from being
unjustly humiliated. Using this provision, the SC If in a criminal case the judgment of acquittal is
awarded moral damages to the plaintiff, a based upon reasonable doubt, the court shall
married man, against the defendant, who so declare. In the absence of any declaration
confronted the plaintiff face-to-face, invading the to that effect, it may be inferred from the text of
latters privacy, to hurl defamatory words at him the decision whether or not the acquittal is due
in the presence of his wife and children, to that ground.
neighbors and friends, accusing him of having
an adulterous relationship with another woman Art. 32. Any public officer or employee, or any
[Concepcion v. CA (1998)]. private individual, who directly or indirectly
obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner
Art. 27. Any person suffering material or moral impedes or impairs any of the following rights
loss because a public servant or employee and liberties of another person shall be liable
refuses or neglects, without just cause, to to the latter for damages:
perform his official duty may file an action for (1) Freedom of religion;
damages and other relief against the latter, (2) Freedom of speech;
without prejudice to any disciplinary (3) Freedom to write for the press or to
administrative action that may be taken. maintain a periodical publication;
(4) Freedom from arbitrary or illegal
REFUSAL OR NEGLECT OF DUTY detention;
Under CC 27, in relation to CC 2219 and 2217, a (5) Freedom of suffrage;
public officer may be liable for moral damages (6) The right against deprivation of property
without due process of law; separate and distinct civil action for damages,
(7) The right to a just compensation when and for other relief. Such civil action shall
private property is taken for public use; proceed independently of any criminal
(8) The right to the equal protection of the prosecution (if the latter be instituted), and mat
laws; be proved by a preponderance of evidence.
(9) The right to be secure in one's person,
house, papers, and effects against The indemnity shall include moral damages.
unreasonable searches and seizures; Exemplary damages may also be adjudicated.
(2) The liberty of abode and of changing the
same; The responsibility herein set forth is not
(3) The privacy of communication and demandable from a judge unless his act or
correspondence; omission constitutes a violation of the Penal
(4) The right to become a member of Code or other penal statute.
associations or societies for purposes not
contrary to law; VIOLATION OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
(5) The right to take part in a peaceable The purpose of [CC 32] is to provide a sanction
assembly to petition the government for to the deeply cherished rights and freedoms
redress of grievances; enshrined in the Constitution. Under [CC 32], it
(6) The right to be free from involuntary is not necessary that the public officer acted with
servitude in any form; malice or bad faith. To be liable, it is enough that
(7) The right of the accused against there was a violation of the constitutional rights
excessive bail; of petitioner, even on the pretext of justifiable
(8) The right of the accused to be heard by motives or good faith in the performance of
himself and counsel, to be informed of the one's duties [Cojuangco v. CA, (1999)].
nature and cause of the accusation
against him, to have a speedy and public Article 32 of the Civil Code provides that moral
trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, damages are proper when the rights of
and to have compulsory process to individuals, including the right against
secure the attendance of witness in his deprivation of property without due process of
behalf; law, are violated [Meralco v Spouses Chua
(9) Freedom from being compelled to be a (2010)].
witness against one's self, or from being
forced to confess guilt, or from being Art. 34. When a member of a city or municipal
induced by a promise of immunity or police force refuses or fails to render aid or
reward to make such confession, except protection to any person in case of danger to
when the person confessing becomes a life or property, such peace officer shall be
State witness; primarily liable for damages, and the city or
(10) Freedom from excessive fines, or cruel municipality shall be subsidiarily responsible
and unusual punishment, unless the therefor. The civil action herein recognized
same is imposed or inflicted in shall be independent of any criminal
accordance with a statute which has not proceedings, and a preponderance of
been judicially declared unconstitutional; evidence shall suffice to support such action.
and
(11) Freedom of access to the courts. Art. 35. When a person, claiming to be injured
by a criminal offense, charges another with the
In any of the cases referred to in this article, same, for which no independent civil action is
whether or not the defendant's act or omission granted in this Code or any special law, but the
constitutes a criminal offense, the aggrieved justice of the peace finds no reasonable
party has a right to commence an entirely grounds to believe that a crime has been
committed, or the prosecuting attorney refuses or in bad faith, or is guilty of gross negligence
or fails to institute criminal proceedings, the amounting to bad faith, or in wanton disregard of
complaint may bring a civil action for damages his contractual obligations [Bankard, Inc. v.
against the alleged offender. Such civil action Feliciano, G.R. No 141761 (2006)].
may be supported by a preponderance of
evidence. Upon the defendant's motion, the As an exception [to the requirement of bad faith],
court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to moral damages may be awarded in case of
indemnify the defendant in case the complaint breach of contract of carriage that results in the
should be found to be malicious. death of a passenger [Sulpicio Lines v. Curso,
supra].
If during the pendency of the civil action, an
information should be presented by the WHO MAY RECOVER MORAL DAMAGES
prosecuting attorney, the civil action shall be Art. 2219. Moral damages may be recovered
suspended until the termination of the criminal in the following and analogous cases:
proceedings. (1) A criminal offense resulting in physical
injuries;
Please refer to previous discussions on the (2) Quasi-delicts causing physical injuries;
provisions. (3) Seduction, abduction, rape, or other
lascivious acts;
Art. 2220. Willful injury to property may be a (4) Adultery or concubinage;
legal ground for awarding moral damages if (5) Illegal or arbitrary detention or arrest;
the court should find that, under the (6) Illegal search;
circumstances, such damages are justly due. (7) Libel, slander or any other form of
The same rule applies to breaches of contract defamation;
where the defendant acted fraudulently or in (8) Malicious prosecution;
bad faith. (9) Acts mentioned in article 309;
(10) Acts and actions referred to in articles 21,
IN WILLFUL INJURY TO PROPERTY 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, and 35.
To sustain an award of damages, the damage The parents of the female seduced, abducted,
inflicted upon [plaintiffs] property must be raped, or abused, referred to in No. 3 of this
malicious or willful, an element crucial to merit article, may also recover moral damages.
an award of moral damages under Article 2220
of the Civil Code [Regala v. Carin, G.R. No. The spouse, descendants, ascendants, and
188715 (2011)]. brothers and sisters may bring the action
mentioned in No. 9 of this article, in the order
IN BREACH OF CONTRACT IN BAD FAITH named.
Moral damages may be recovered in culpa
contractual where the defendant acted in bad RELATIVES OF INJURED PERSONS
faith or with malice in the breach of the contract. Article 2219 circumscribes the instances in
However, a conscious or intentional design need which moral damages may be awarded. The
not always be present since negligence may provision does not include succession in the
occasionally be so gross as to amount to malice collateral line as a source of the right to recover
or bad faith. Bad faith, in the context of Art. 2220 moral damages. The usage of the phrase
of the Civil Code, analogous cases in the provision means simply
includes gross negligence. Thus, we have held that the situation must be held similar to those
in a number of cases that moral damages may expressly enumerated in the law in question
be awarded in culpa contractual or breach of [Sulpicio Lines v Curso, supra].
contract when the defendant acted fraudulently
JURIDICAL PERSONS in order that a right of the plaintiff, which has
The award of moral damages cannot be granted been violated or invaded by the defendant,
in favor of a corporation because, being an may be vindicated or recognized, and not for
artificial person and having existence only in the purpose of indemnifying the plaintiff for any
legal contemplation, it has no feelings, no loss suffered by him.
emotions, no senses, It cannot, therefore,
experience physical suffering and mental Art. 2222. The court may award nominal
anguish, which can be experienced only by one damages in every obligation arising from any
having a nervous system. [ABS-CBN v. CA, source enumerated in article 1157, or in every
supra]. case where any property right has been
invaded.
FACTORS CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING
AMOUNT Art. 2223. The adjudication of nominal
The amount of damages awarded in this appeal damages shall preclude further contest upon
has been determined by adequately considering the right involved and all accessory questions,
the official, political, social, and financial as between the parties to the suit, or their
standing of the offended parties on one hand, respective heirs and assigns.
and the business and financial position of the
offender on the other. The SC further considered One does not ask for nominal damages, and it is
the present rate of exchange and the terms at in lieu of the actual, moral, temperate, or
which the amount of damages awarded would liquidated damages.
approximately be in U.S. dollars, the defendant
being an international airline. Senate President Nominal damages are incompatible with actual,
Lopez, for his social standing and prestige, temperate and exemplary damages.
received P100,000; his wife Maria Lopez
received P50,000 for her discomfort, and the fact Nominal damages cannot co-exist with actual or
that she was already sick and suffering a flu compensatory damages [Armovit v. CA (1990)].
when she left the Philippines via defendants
plane; and the Montelibanos received P25,000 Nominal damages "are recoverable where a
each, for being immediate family members of legal right is technically violated and must be
Senator Lopez, and as such they likewise vindicated against an invasion that has produced
shared his prestige and humiliation [Lopez v. no actual present loss of any kind. Its award is
Pan American, G.R. No. L-22415 (1966)]. thus not for the purpose of indemnification for a
loss but for the recognition and vindication of a
right. When granted by the courts, they are not
IV. Nominal Damages treated as an equivalent of a wrong inflicted but
Nominal damages consist in damages awarded, simply a recognition of the existence of a
not for purposes of indemnifying the plaintiff for technical injury. A violation of the plaintiffs right,
any loss suffered, but for the vindication or even if only technical, is sufficient to support an
recognition of a right violated by the defendant. award of nominal damages. Conversely, so long
as there is a showing of a violation of the right of
REQUISITES AND CHARACTERISTICS the plaintiff, an award of nominal damages is
(1) Invasion or violation of any legal or property proper [Gonzales v. PCIB, G.R. No. 180257
right. (2011)].
(2) No proof of loss is required.
(3) The award is to vindicate the right violated. NATURE AND DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT
The assessment of nominal damages is left to
WHEN AWARDED the discretion of the trial court according to the
Art. 2221. Nominal damages are adjudicated circumstances of the case. Generally, nominal
damages by their nature are small sums fixed by Temperate damages are incompatible with
the court without regard to the extent of the harm nominal damages hence, cannot be granted
done to the injured party. However, it is generally concurrently [Citytrust Bank v. IAC (1994)].
held that a nominal damage is a substantial
claim, if based upon the violation of a legal right; Temperate damages are included within the
in such a case, the law presumes damage context of compensatory damages. [Tan v. OMC
although actual or compensatory damages are Carriers, supra].
not proven [Gonzales v. People, G.R. No.
159950 (2007)]. The SC awarded temperate damages in lieu of
actual damages for loss of earning capacity
where earning capacity is plainly established but
V. Temperate Damages no evidence was presented to support the
Art. 2224. Temperate or moderate damages, allegation of the injured partys actual income
which are more than nominal but less than [Pleno v. CA, G.R. No. 56505 (1988)].
compensatory damages, may be recovered
when the court finds that some pecuniary loss Courts are authorized to award temperate
has been suffered but its amount cannot, from damages even in cases where the amount of
the nature of the case, be provided with pecuniary loss could have been proven with
certainty. certainty, if no such adequate proof was
presented. The allowance of temperate
Art. 2225. Temperate damages must be damages when actual damages were not
reasonable under the circumstances. adequately proven is ultimately a rule drawn
from equity, the principle affording relief to those
These damages are awarded for pecuniary loss, definitely injured who are unable to prove how
in an amount that, from the nature of the case, definite the injury [Republic v. Tuvera, G.R. No.
cannot be proved with certainty. 148246 (2007)].
VI.Liquidated Damages
Art. 2226. Liquidated damages are those
agreed upon by the parties to a contract, to be and on the measure of damages caused by the
paid in case of breach thereof. breach [Suatengco v. Reyes (2008)].
Art. 2227. Liquidated damages, whether General Rule: The penalty shall substitute the
intended as an indemnity or a penalty, shall be indemnity for damages and the payment of the
equitably reduced if they are iniquitous or interests in case of breach.
unconscionable.
Exceptions
Liquidated damages are those damages agreed (1) When there is a stipulation to the contrary.
upon by the parties to a contract to be paid in (2) When the obligor is sued for refusal to pay
case of breach thereof. the agreed penalty.
(3) When the obligor is guilty of fraud.
It differs from a penal clause in that in the latter
case the amount agreed to be paid may bear no The amount can be reduced if:
relation to the probable damages resulting from (1) it is unconscionable as determined by the
the breach. Basically, a penalty is ad terrorem, court
while liquidated damages are ad reparationem. (2) there is partial or irregular performance.
NOMINAL DAMAGES
Art. 2223. The 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.