Persons - June 11, 13, 16

(1) Persons (Review) Atty. Galas Lectures : June 11, 13, 16 (Art 1 3 !ew "ivil "o#e) Ja$$ie %.
%. &arona ( %anresa)
June 11
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386
ARTICLE 1. '(is Act s(all )e *nown as t(e +"ivil "o#e o,
t(e P(ili--ines.+ (n)
'(e "ivil "o#e is Re-u)lic Act 3.6. /t too* e0ect on
Au1ust 32, 1342. /t was -u)lis(e# in June 133 an#
circulate# in Au1ust 133.
5y virtue o, Article 6, it too* e0ect one year a,ter its
-u)lication. /t too* e0ect a year later, Au1ust 32, 1342,
a,ter its -u)lication.
ARTICLE 2. Laws s(all ta*e e0ect a,ter 7,teen #ays
,ollowin1 t(e co8-letion o, t(eir -u)lication in t(e 9:cial
Ga$ette or news-a-er o, 1eneral circulation
1
, unless it is
ot(erwise -rovi#e#. '(is "o#e s(all ta*e e0ect one year a,ter
suc( -u)lication. (1a)
'(e -(rase ;unless ot(erwise -rovi#e#< re,ers to t(e
e0ectivity o, t(e law, w(ere)y t(e law s(all ta*e e0ect
wit(out o)servin1 t(e 14=#ays -erio#, as -rovi#e# ,or )y
t(e law. /t can )e len1t(ene# or s(ortene# #e-en#in1 on
t(e -rovision.
5ut t(e re>uire8ent o, -u)lication is indispensable.
/t (as to )e -u)lis(e#, ot(erwise, t(e law is not #ee8e# to
(ave ta*en e0ect.
Wa! a"e !#se !a! a$e !# be publised%
#!e"&ise% !e la& sall n#! be dee'ed !# a$e
!a(en e)e*!+
1. All statutes, w(et(er o, local a--lication an# -rivate
law, or even -rivate laws t(at ,avor a certain
in#ivi#ual or e?e8-t a -articular entity ,ro8 o)servin1
certain re>uire8ents or e?e8-t ,ro8 certain
-rovisions.
TA,A-A $s. TU.ERA
'(is case involves t(e ne-(ew o, t(e late Pres.
@er#inan# %arcos w(ere (e i88e#iately con,erre#
citi$ens(i- on %ic(ael Aeon. '(at was not -u)lis(e#.
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, w(ile it any not
a0ect -u)lic in 1eneral, t(e sa8e (as to )e -u)lis(e#
in or#er ,or it to )e e0ective.
6. 5an1*o &entral n1 Pili-inas (5&P) "ircular as well as
B?ecutive 9r#ers t(at are -unitive in c(aracter 8ust
)e -u)lis(e# in or#er to )e e0ective.
Cow a)out #ecisions o, t(e &u-re8e "ourtD
-ERO/ $s. COURT #0 APPEAL1 2134 1CRA 4345
/n t(is case, t(e court (el# t(at t(ere is no law
re>uirin1 -u)lication o, &u-re8e "ourt #ecisions )e,ore
t(ey can )e )in#in1 as a con#ition )e,ore )eco8in1
e0ective. /t is t(e )oun#en #uty o, a lawyer to *ee-
a)reast wit( t(e latest #ecisions o, t(e &u-re8e "ourt.
/n t(is case o, Ee Roy vs. "ourt o, A--eals, t(e lawyer
7le# a 8otion ,or e?tension o, ti8e to 7le ,or 8otion ,or
reconsi#eration.
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt t(at t(is is not
allowe#, t(is 7lin1 o, e?tension o, ti8e to 7le ,or 8otion
,or reconsi#eration.
'(e lawyer sai# t(at it #oes not a0ect (is case
)ecause t(e case o, Habaluyas
2
was -u)lis(e# a,ter t(ey
(a# 7le# t(e 8otion.
5ut t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# no )ecause t(ere is no
law re>uirin1 t(e -u)lication o, &u-re8e "ourt #ecisions.
Fou are a -racticin1 lawyer an# t(us, you s(oul# )e
a)reast wit( t(e #ecisions o, t(e &u-re8e "ourt.
Cow a)out or#inancesD 9r#inances are not covere#
)y Article 6. 9r#inances are 1overne# )y t(e Local
Govern8ent co#e.
ARTICLE 3. /1norance o, t(e law e?cuses no one ,ro8
co8-liance t(erewit(.
1
As amended by Executive Order 200
2
Actually, De Roy ang sabi ni maam .. naconfuse ao, aya gic!ec o ang
full text .. !e!e
Article 3 a--lies only to local laws, not to ,orei1n laws.
/t a--lies only to 8an#atory or -ro(i)itive laws, not
-er8issive or su--letory laws.
Ge #o not ta*e Hu#icial notice o, ,orei1n laws )ecause
,orei1n laws are 8atters o, ,act an# t(ey 8ust )e alle1e# an#
-rove# )e,ore we ta*e Hu#icial notice o, t(at ,orei1n law. &o,
,actual 8atters 8ust )e -lea#e# an# -rove# )e,ore our courts.
9t(erwise, i, t(e ,orei1n law cannot )e -rove#, t(en, you
a--ly t(e PRINCIPLE O6 PROCE11UAL PRE1U7PTION,
w(ereo, t(e law o, t(e ,orei1n country is t(e sa8e as our laws.
'a*e note t(at Article 3 cannot )e a--lie# to wit( e>ual
,orce wit( 8inors. %inors occu-y a -rivile1e# -osition )e,ore
our laws.
!eit(er #oes it a--ly to laws susce-ti)le o, 6 or 8ore
inter-retations.
'(e ,avorite case un#er i1norance o, t(e law:
7AN8ANO $s. 1ANC9E8
'(is re,ers to a Hu#1e w(o sole8ni$e# a 8arria1e, w(o
also notari$e# an a:#avit e?ecute# )y t(e -arties to t(e
8arria1e w(ere t(ey state# t(ey live# to1et(er as (us)an#
an# wi,e ,or 8ore t(an I years an# t(ere,ore, t(ey are no
lon1er re>uire# ,ro8 1ettin1 a 8arria1e license. G(at was
also state# in t(e a:#avit was t(at t(ey were se-arate# ,ro8
t(eir res-ective s-ouses ,or 8ore t(an I years.
An# it was t(e Hu#1e (i8sel, w(o notari$e# t(e a:#avit.
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at t(e res-on#ent cannot ta*e
re,u1e on t(e Hoint a:#avit t(at t(ey (a# )een co(a)itin1 as
(us)an# an# wi,e ,or I years. &e-aration #oes not sever
8arria1e, no 8atter (ow lon1 t(ey (ave )een se-arate#.
'(e Hu#1e (ere #e8onstrate# 1ross i1norance o, t(e law
w(en (e sole8ni$e# a voi# an# )i1a8ous 8arria1e.
%ost o, t(e cases involvin1 Article 3 woul# involve Hu#1es.
Go to your Hu#icial et(ics
ARTICLE :. Laws s(all (ave no retroactive e0ect, unless t(e
contrary is -rovi#e#.
!ow, we (ave t(e a--lication o, laws.
'(e 1eneral law is t(at laws are -ros-ectively e0ective.
'(ey (ave -ros-ective a--lication as a 1eneral rule.
'o (ol# ot(erwise woul# )e to -reHu#ice veste# ri1(ts,
create new )ur#ens or o)li1ations or i8-air ri1(ts t(at are
alrea#y e?istin1.
&o, laws 1enerally (ave -ros-ective a--lication.
5ut o, course, t(ere are e;*ep!i#ns &e"e !e la&
i!sel0 'a< be =i$en "e!"#a*!i$e appli*a!i#n:
1. /, t(e law is re8e#ial in nature
5ein1 a rule o, -roce#ure, no veste# ri1(ts s(all )e
-reHu#ice#, as w(at was enunciate# )y t(e &u-re8e "ourt in
t(e case o, Atien$a vs. 5rillantes.
ATIEN8A $s. BRILLANTE1% JR. 22:3 1CRA 325
'(e 7rst 8arria1e was cele)rate# w(en t(e "ivil "o#e was
still in e0ect. An# t(e Hu#1e sai# t(e 7rst 8arria1e is voi#
,ro8 t(e )e1innin1 )ecause it was cele)rate# wit(out t(e
re>uire# 8arria1e license. An# t(ere is not(in1 in t(e "ivil
"o#e t(at re>uires a #eclaration o, nullity o, a voi# 8arria1e.
'(is is true.
'(is was re>uire# in Article 2 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e w(ere
t(ere is a nee# ,or a Hu#icial #eclaration o, nullity o, -revious
voi# 8arria1e.
/n t(is case, it was ar1ue# t(at (e #oes not (ave to o)tain
a #eclaration o, nullity o, a -revious voi# 8arria1e )ecause
t(e 7rst 8arria1e was cele)rate# un#er t(e "ivil "o#e. An#
t(is is only true un#er Article 2 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e.
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at Article 2 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e
is a--lica)le to 8arria1es entere# into a,ter t(e e0ectivity o,
t(e @a8ily "o#e on Au1ust 3, 13.. re1ar#less o, t(e #ate o,
t(e 7rst 8arria1e. 5esi#es, Article 646 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e
-rovi#es t(at t(e "o#e is 1iven retroactive e0ect unless
veste# ri1(ts o, t(ir# -ersons s(all )e -reHu#ice#. '(ere is a
-rovision in t(e @a8ily "o#e -rovi#es ,or its retroactivity.
Article 2 is a rule o, -roce#ure. 5rillantes (as not s(own
any veste# ri1(t t(at was i8-aire# )y t(e a--lication o, Article
2.
6. Penal laws -rovi#e# t(at:
1
(1) Persons (Review) Atty. Galas Lectures : June 11, 13, 16 (Art 1 3 !ew "ivil "o#e) Ja$$ie %. &arona ( %anresa)
a. t(e accuse# is not a (a)itual #elin>uent
). it 8ust )e ,avora)le to t(e accuse#
3. "urative laws
. B8er1ency laws
4. Laws creatin1 new ri1(ts
6. 'a? laws
ARTICLE 6. Ri1(ts 8ay )e waive#, unless t(e waiver is
contrary to law, -u)lic or#er, -u)lic -olicy, 8orals, or 1oo#
custo8s, or -reHu#icial to a t(ir# -erson wit( a ri1(t
reco1ni$e# )y law.
WAI.ER O6 RI>9T1. '(is ca8e out in t(e 622 5ar
B?a8s.
@or a waiver to )e vali#, t(ere are certain re>uisites:
1. '(e waivin1 -arty 8ust actually (ave t(e ri1(t to )e
renounce# or it 8ust )e in e?istence at t(e ti8e o, t(e
waiver. Fou cannot waive ,uture in(eritance or w(at you
#o not (ave at t(at ti8e you are waivin1.
6. Fou 8ust (ave t(e ,ull le1al ca-acity to 8a*e t(e
waiver.
3. '(e waiver 8ust )e clear an# une>uivocal.
. '(e waiver 8ust not )e contrary to law, -u)lic or#er,
-u)lic -olicy, 8oral or 1oo# custo8s.
4. '(e waives 8ust not )e -reHu#icial to a t(ir# -erson
wit( a ri1(t reco1ni$e# )y law suc( as an (eir renouncin1
(is clai8 w(ic( suc( renunciation woul# -reHu#ice
cre#itors.
6. G(en ,or8alities are re>uire# ,or its vali#ity, t(en, t(e
,or8alities 8ust )e co8-lie# wit(.
/, you re8e8)er in your 9)li1ations an# "ontracts,
e?-ress con#onation 8ust co8-ly wit( t(e ,or8alities o,
#onation.
'o re,res(, t(ere is a -rovision un#er 9)li1ations an#
"ontracts w(erein i, you owe a #e)t an# i, it is 8onetary
an# t(e a8ount is 8ore t(an P 4,222, t(en, it s(oul# )e in
writin1.
/, it involves real -ro-erties, t(en, it 8ust )e in a
-u)lic instru8ent. '(e acce-tance 8ust also )e in a
-u)lic instru8ent.
>U/ $s. CA 21ep!. 13% 2??65
Aaren an# Aa8ille, re-resente# )y t(eir 8ot(er,
alle1e# t(at t(ey were t(e le1iti8ate c(il#ren o, late &i8a
Gei. '(ey are now as*in1 ,or t(eir s(are in t(e estate o,
t(e late &i8a Gei.
'(e c(il#ren o, &i8a Gei an# t(e wi,e #enie# t(at
Aaren an# Aa8ille were t(e le1iti8ate c(il#ren o, &i8a
Gei. 5ut in t(eir 8otion, asi#e ,ro8 t(e #enial o, t(e
7liation o, t(e c(il#ren, t(ey alle1e# t(at t(e c(il#rens
8ot(er, Re8e#ios, (as alrea#y waive# t(eir ri1(t )ecause
t(ey (ave alrea#y receive# ,ro8 &i8a Gei P 322,222 an#
e#ucational assistance. /n s(ort, t(ey (ave alrea#y
waive# t(eir ri1(t since t(ey (ave alrea#y )een -ai# )y
t(e late &i8a Gei.
'(e &u-re8e "ourt in t(is case sai# t(at t(e Release
an# Gaiver o, "lai8 is not a )ar ,ro8 clai8in1 t(eir
successional ri1(ts. 'o )e vali# an# e0ective, a waiver
8ust )e couc(e# in clear an# une>uivocal ter8s w(ic(
leave no #ou)t as to t(e intention o, a -arty to 1ive u- a
ri1(t or )ene7t w(ic( le1ally -ertains to (i8.
/t 8erely states t(at Re8e#ios receive# P322,222.22
an# an e#ucational -lan ,or (er 8inor #au1(ters ;)y way
o, 7nancial assistance an# in ,ull settle8ent o, any an# all
clai8s o, w(atsoever nature an# *in# ? ? ? a1ainst t(e
estate o, t(e late Ru7no Guy &usi8.<
'(e #ocu8ent #i# not s-eci7cally 8ention -rivate
res-on#ents (ere#itary s(are in t(e estate o, &i8a Gei, it
cannot )e construe# as a waiver o, successional ri1(ts.
%oreover, assu8in1 t(at Re8e#ios truly waive# t(e
(ere#itary ri1(ts o, t(e c(il#ren, suc( waiver will not )ar
t(e latters clai8. Article 12 o, t(e "ivil "o#e, -rovi#es:
ART. 1?::. Any -erson (avin1 t(e ,ree
#is-osal o, (is -ro-erty 8ay acce-t or re-u#iate
an in(eritance.
Any in(eritance le,t to 8inors or
inca-acitate# -ersons 8ay )e acce-te# )y t(eir
-arents or 1uar#ians. Parents or 1uar#ians 8ay
re-u#iate t(e in(eritance le,t to t(eir war#s only
)y Hu#icial aut(ori$ation.
Parents an# 1uar#ians, t(ere,ore, 8ay not re-u#iate
t(e in(eritance o, t(e war# wit(out Hu#icial a--roval.
/n t(e -resent case, -rivate res-on#ents coul# not (ave
-ossi)ly waive# t(eir successional ri1(ts )ecause t(ey are yet
to -rove t(eir status as ac*nowle#1e# ille1iti8ate c(il#ren o,
t(e #ecease#. Petitioner (i8sel, (as consistently #enie# t(at
-rivate res-on#ents are (is co=(eirs. /t woul# t(us )e
inconsistent to rule t(at t(ey waive# t(eir (ere#itary ri1(ts
w(en -etitioner clai8s t(at t(ey #o not (ave suc( ri1(t.
Petitioners invocation o, waiver on t(e -art o, -rivate
res-on#ents 8ust ,ail.
'(at is t(e case o, >u< $s. CA.
>U/ .1. CA 21EPT. 13% 2??65
6ACT1@ '(is is a -etition ,or t(e settle8ent o, t(e intestate
estate o, &i8a Gei. Res-on#ents, re-resente# )y t(eir 8ot(er
(Re8e#ios), alle1e# t(at t(ey are t(e ille1iti8ate c(il#ren o, &i8a
Gei. '(ey -ray ,or t(e or#erly settle8ent o, t(e estate an# t(e
a--oint8ent o, t(e #ecease#Js son as t(e a#8inistrator.
'(e ot(er (eirs o, &i8a Gei o--ose# t(e -etition on t(e
1roun# t(at t(e 7liation (as not yet )een -rove#. @urt(er, t(at t(e
res-on#entJs clai8 (a# )een -ai#, waive#,a)an#one# or ot(erwise
e?tin1uis(e# )y reason o, t(e Release an# Gaiver o, "lai8 si1ne#
)y res-o#entJs 8ot(er, statin1 t(at in e?c(an1e ,or t(e 7nancial
an# e#ucational assistance receive#, t(e res-on#ents #isc(ar1e
t(e estate o, &i8a Gei ,ro8 any an# all lia)ilities.
9EL-: Re8e#ios Release an# Gaiver o, "lai8 #oes not )ar
-rivate res-on#ents ,ro8 clai8in1 successional ri1(ts. 'o )e vali#
an# e0ective, a waiver 8ust )e couc(e# in clear an# une>uivocal
ter8s w(ic( leave no #ou)t as to t(e intention o, a -arty to 1ive
u- a ri1(t or )ene7t w(ic( le1ally -ertains to (i8. A waiver 8ay
not )e attri)ute# to a -erson w(en its ter8s #o not e?-licitly an#
clearly evince an intent to a)an#on a ri1(t.
/n t(is case, we 7n# t(at t(ere was no waiver o, (ere#itary
ri1(ts. '(e Release an# Gaiver o, "lai8 #oes not state wit( clarity
t(e -ur-ose o, its e?ecution. /t 8erely states t(at Re8e#ios
receive# P322,222.22 an# an e#ucational -lan ,or (er 8inor
#au1(ters ;)y way o, 7nancial assistance an# in ,ull settle8ent o,
any an# all clai8s o, w(atsoever nature an# *in# ? ? ? a1ainst t(e
estate o, t(e late Ru7no Guy &usi8.<
"onsi#erin1 t(at t(e #ocu8ent #i# not s-eci7cally 8ention
-rivate res-on#ents (ere#itary s(are in t(e estate o, &i8a Gei, it
cannot )e construe# as a waiver o, successional ri1(ts.
%oreover, even assu8in1 t(at Re8e#ios truly waive# t(e
(ere#itary ri1(ts o, -rivate res-on#ents, suc( waiver will not )ar
t(e latters clai8. Article 12 o, t(e "ivil "o#e, -rovi#es:
AR'. 12. Any -erson (avin1 t(e ,ree #is-osal o, (is -ro-erty
8ay acce-t or re-u#iate an in(eritance.
Any in(eritance le,t to 8inors or inca-acitate# -ersons 8ay
)e acce-te# )y t(eir -arents or 1uar#ians. Parents or 1uar#ians
8ay re-u#iate t(e in(eritance le,t to t(eir war#s only )y Hu#icial
aut(ori$ation.
'(e ri1(t to acce-t an in(eritance le,t to t(e -oor s(all )elon1
to t(e -ersons #esi1nate# )y t(e testator to #eter8ine t(e
)ene7ciaries an# #istri)ute t(e -ro-erty, or in t(eir #e,ault, to
t(ose 8entione# in Article 1232. (B8-(asis su--lie#)
Parents an# 1uar#ians 8ay not t(ere,ore re-u#iate t(e
in(eritance o, t(eir war#s wit(out Hu#icial a--roval. '(is is
)ecause re-u#iation a8ounts to an alienation o, -ro-erty w(ic(
8ust -ass t(e courts scrutiny in or#er to -rotect t(e interest o,
t(e war#. !ot (avin1 )een Hu#icially aut(ori$e#, t(e Release an#
Gaiver o, "lai8 in t(e instant case is voi# an# will not )ar -rivate
res-on#ents ,ro8 assertin1 t(eir ri1(ts as (eirs o, t(e #ecease#.
@urt(er8ore, it 8ust )e e8-(asi$e# t(at waiver is t(e
intentional relin>uis(8ent o, a *nown ri1(t. G(ere one lac*s
*nowle#1e o, a ri1(t, t(ere is no )asis u-on w(ic( waiver o, it can
rest. /1norance o, a 8aterial ,act ne1ates waiver, an# waiver
cannot )e esta)lis(e# )y a consent 1iven un#er a 8ista*e or
8isa--re(ension o, ,act.
/n t(e -resent case, -rivate res-on#ents coul# not (ave
-ossi)ly waive# t(eir successional ri1(ts )ecause t(ey are yet to
-rove t(eir status as ac*nowle#1e# ille1iti8ate c(il#ren o, t(e
#ecease#. Petitioner (i8sel, (as consistently #enie# t(at -rivate
res-on#ents are (is co=(eirs. /t woul# t(us )e inconsistent to rule
t(at t(ey waive# t(eir (ere#itary ri1(ts w(en -etitioner clai8s
t(at t(ey #o not (ave suc( ri1(t. Cence, -etitioners invocation o,
2
waiver on t(e -art o, -rivate res-on#ents 8ust ,ail.
(Canniya( &evilla )
ARTICLE 8. Ju#icial #ecisions a--lyin1 or inter-retin1
t(e laws or t(e "onstitution s(all ,or8 -art o, t(e le1al syste8
o, t(e P(ili--ines.
Ge 1o to Article . on Hu#icial #ecisions. '(ey are not
laws. '(ey are w(at we call as Au"isp"uden*e B #octrines
,or8ulate# )y t(e #ecisions o, t(e &u-re8e "ourt. 5ut
t(ey are not laws.
ARTICLE C. !o Hu#1e or court s(all #ecline to ren#er
Hu#18ent )y reason o, t(e silence, o)scurity or insu:ciency
o, t(e laws.
'(is only a--lies to civil cases an# not to cri8inal
cases )ecause t(ere is no cri8e w(en t(ere is no law
-unis(in1 it.
ARTICLE 13. Laws relatin1 to ,a8ily ri1(ts an# #uties, or
to t(e status, con#ition an# le1al ca-acity o, -ersons are
)in#in1 u-on citi$ens o, t(e P(ili--ines, even t(ou1( livin1
a)roa#.
'(is is a very co88on source o, )ar e?a8ination
>uestions. '(e last ti8e t(is was as*e# was in 6224. &o,
7E7ORI8E.
Ge a#(ere to NATIONALIT/ T9EOR/. Re1ar#less o,
your resi#ence, ,or as lon1 as you are @ili-ino citi$ens,
t(en, wit( res-ect to ,a8ily ri1(ts an# #uties, status,
con#ition an# le1al ca-acity, you are 1overne# )y
P(ili--ine law.
Ge also (ave t(is REN.OI -OCTRINE, w(ic( was
state# in t(e case o, A8NAR $s. >ARCIA. G(ere our law
re,ers a case to t(e ,orei1n law an# t(e ,orei1n law re,ers
it )ac* to our country ,or #eter8ination.
A8NAR $s. >ARCIA 2Janua"< 31% 1C635
(a.*.a. in &uccession:
/n t(e 8atter o, 'estate /ntestate o, "(ristensen)
9EL-@ P(ili--ine law s(oul# 1overn. '(e national law
8entione# in Article 16 o, our "ivil "o#e is t(e law on conKict
o, laws in t(e "ali,ornia "ivil "o#e, w(ic( aut(ori$es t(e
re,erence o, t(e >uestion to t(e law o, t(e testators #o8icile.
'(e conKict o, law rule in "ali,ornia re,ers )ac* t(e case w(en
a #ece#ent is not #o8icile# in "ali,ornia to t(e law o, (is
#o8icile, t(e P(ili--ine law in t(is case.
'(is is t(e -ro-er a--lication o, t(e d#*!"ine #0 "en$#i
(re,errin1 )ac*).
5ut t(ere is anot(er t(eory, a variation o, t(e Renvoi
Eoctrine, is t(e TRAN17I11ION T9EOR/. '(e
'rans8ission t(eory states t(at i, t(e ,orei1n law re,ers to
a t(ir# country, t(en, t(e laws o, t(e sai# t(ir# country
s(all 1overn.
@or instance, i, a ,orei1ner lives in t(e P(ili--ines )ut
(as -ro-erties in "ana#a, w(o is a citi$en o, Ja-an an#
#ies in t(e P(ili--ines, nor8ally, it woul# re,er )ac* to (is
country o, ori1in. 5ut i, t(e country o, ori1in woul# say
t(at t(e estate s(all )e settle# )y t(e law o, t(e -lace
w(ere t(e -ro-erty is locate#, t(at is w(at we call
!"ans'issi#n !e#"<, a variation o, t(e renvoi #octrine.
'(e case (ere, i, you still re8e8)er, is t(e very ol#
case o,:
.AN -ORN $s. RO7ILLO% JR. 2O*!. 8% 1C835
'(is involves a @ili-ina w(o 8arrie# an A8erican an#
1ot #ivorce#. An# t(e @ili-ina esta)lis(e# a )usiness on
(er own. G(en t(e (us)an# learne# t(at t(e )usiness o,
t(e ,or8er wi,e (ere was success,ul, (e #e8an#e# t(at (e
)e 1iven a ri1(t to 8ana1e t(e -ro-erty o, t(e wi,e
clai8in1 t(at in our law, we #o not reco1ni$e #ivorce.
Eivorce is -ro(i)ite# un#er our law an# t(ere,ore, un#er
our law, (e is still t(e (us)an#.
5ut t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at inas8uc( as we
a#(ere to t(e nationality t(eory, i, #ivorce is allowe#
un#er t(e ,orei1n law, t(en, we reco1ni$e it an# t(ere,ore,
you are no lon1er t(e (us)an#. Fou are alrea#y #ivorce#.
'(e #ecision was reiterate# in t(e case o,:
PILAPIL $s. IBA/ 1O7ERA 214: 1CRA 6335
Pila-il 8arrie# a Ger8an. &u)se>uently, t(e Ger8an
(us)an# o)taine# a #ecree o, #ivorce. A,ter #ivorce, (e le,t
t(e wi,e. Ce ,oun# out t(at t(e wi,e (a# several lovers. An#
so, (e 7le# co8-laints ,or a#ultery.
Eoes (e (ave t(e le1al stan#in1 to sue t(e wi,eD
'(e &u-re8e "ourt reiterate# t(e rulin1 in Lan Eorn.
G(ile our laws #o not allow #ivorce, (owever, )ecause o, t(e
nationality t(eory, we will reco1ni$e t(at #ivorce is allowe#
un#er your law. '(ere,ore, you are no lon1er t(e (us)an#.
/n t(e case o,:
RECIO $s. RECIO 2366 1CRA :345
'(ey were )ot( @ili-inos. Ce 8arrie# a @ili-ina ,ro8
Australia, o)taine# an Australian citi$ens(i-, #ivorce# (is 7rst
wi,e, an# 8arrie# a1ain. '(e secon# wi,e a case o, )i1a8y
a1ainst t(e (us)an# on t(e 1roun# t(at (e #oes not (ave t(e
ca-acity to contract a secon# 8arria1e )ecause (is 7rst
8arria1e is still e?istin1.
G(at t(e (us)an# #i# was to -resent a co-y o, t(e #ivorce
#ecree t(at was issue# )y t(e Australian court. Gas t(at
su:cient to -rove t(at in#ee# (e (as t(e ca-acity to contract
8arria1eD
'(e &u-re8e "ourt (el# t(at t(e -resentation solely o, t(e
#ivorce #ecree is insu:cient. Mn#er Rule 136, &ection 6 an#
64, a recor# o, #ocu8ent 8ust )e -roven as -u)lic recor# o, a
,orei1n country )y (1) an o:cial -u)lication writin1 or
#ocu8ent or (6) a co-y t(ereo, atteste# )y t(e o:cer (avin1
le1al custo#y o, t(e #ocu8ent.
/n s(ort, 8ere -resentation o, t(e #ivorce #ecree will not
)e 1iven #ue reco1nition )y t(e court t(at in#ee# (e (as t(e
ca-acity to contract a su)se>uent 8arria1e.
'(e case o, Recio vs. Recio is also #iscusse# un#er Article
61 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e.
Ge (ave t(is case:
DUITA $s. CA 2-e*. 22% 1CC85
@e an# Arturo are )ot( @ili-ino at t(e ti8e o, t(eir
8arria1e. '(eir relations(i- turne# sour. @e went to t(e
Mnite# &tates an# o)taine# a #ecree o, a)solute #ivorce. &(e
t(en 1ot 8arrie# twice. '(en, Arturo #ie#. &(e went to t(e
P(ili--ines to clai8 (er s(are in t(e estate o, Arturo.
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(ere is a nee# to return or
re8an# t(e case to t(e lower to #eter8ine t(e citi$ens(i- o,
Nuita at t(e ti8e t(e 7rst #ecree o, #ivorce was o)taine#
)ecause i, s(e was still a @ili-ino at t(e ti8e t(e 7rst #ecree o,
#ivorce, t(en, t(at #ivorce is voi# )y virtue o, Article 14 as well
as Article 1I, -ara1ra-( 3. An# t(ere,ore, s(e (as t(e ri1(t to
clai8 in t(e estate o, Arturo.
5ut i, s(e were alrea#y a citi$en o, t(e Mnite# &tates at
t(e ti8e t(e 7rst #ecree o, #ivorce was o)taine#, t(en, t(e
&u-re8e "ourt sai# a--ly t(e #ecision ren#ere# )y t(e
&u-re8e "ourt in t(e case o, Lan Eorn vs. Ro8illo. &(e is no
lon1er t(e wi,e o, Arturo, (avin1 renounce# (er citi$ens(i- at
t(e ti8e s(e o)taine# a #ivorce in accor#ance wit( (er laws.
'(ere is t(is case o,:
EL7AR PERE8 $s. CA 2Jan. 24% 2??65
'ristan an# Lili are @ili-inos. An# t(ey #eci#e# to se-arate
,ro8 eac( ot(er. Anowin1 t(at #ivorce is not allowe# (ere,
w(at t(ey #i#, u-on t(e a#vice o, a ,rien#, is to 7le a #ivorce
)e,ore t(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic t(rou1( an attorney=in=,act.
'(ey aut(ori$e# a t(ir# -erson to 7le a -etition ,or #ivorce
)e,ore t(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic. '(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic
1rante# t(e -etition.
'(en, 'ristan 8arrie# Bl8ar. Bl8ar learne# t(at t(e
#ivorce #ecree o)taine# )y t(e (us)an#, 'ristan, #issolvin1
t(e 7rst 8arria1e is actually null an# voi# since t(ey were )ot(
@ili-inos. '(ey were )ot( @ili-inos at t(e ti8e t(at t(e #ivorce
was o)taine#. &o, s(e con,ronte# t(e (us)an#. An# (e
-ro8ise# t(at (e will (ave (is 7rst 8arria1e annulle# )e,ore
t(e P(ili--ine court an# / will a#o-t our c(il#. '(at is a tacit
a#8ission t(at in#ee# t(e 8arria1e is voi#. G(y will (e say
t(at (e will a#o-t our c(il#D /n s(ort, t(e c(il# is an
ille1iti8ate c(il#. An# (e 7le# a -etition ,or #eclaration o,
nullity o, 8arria1e.
G(en t(e case was still -en#in1, Bl8ar 7le# a 8otion ,or
intervention statin1 t(at (avin1 )een a -artner o, 'ristan ,or a
nu8)er o, years, an# t(us, s(e (as an interest in t(e case. /s
s(e correctD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, t(at (er status as t(e
wi,e an# co8-anion o, 'ristan ,or 1I years vests (er veste#
le1al interest lac*s 8erit. Mn#er t(e law, s(e was never t(e
le1al wi,e, (ence (er clai8 o, le1al interest (as no )asis.
"
G(en t(ey 8arrie# on July 1, 13., 'ristan was still
law,ully 8arrie# to Lily. '(e #ivorce #ecree t(at 'ristan
an# Lily o)taine# ,ro8 t(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic never
#issolve# t(e 8arria1e )on# )etween t(e8. /t is )asic t(at
laws relatin1 to ,a8ily ri1(ts an# #uties state# in Article
14 are )in#in1 u-on citi$ens o, t(e P(ili--ines, even
t(ou1( livin1 a)roa#. Cence, i, a @ili-ino re1ar#less o,
w(et(er (e or s(e was 8arrie# (ere or a)roa#, initiates a
-etition a)roa# to o)tain an a)solute #ivorce ,ro8 s-ouse
an# eventually )eco8es success,ul in 1ettin1 an a)solute
#ivorce #ecree, t(e P(ili--ines will not reco1ni$e suc(
a)solute #ivorce.
An# it cite# t(e very ol# case o, Tenchavez vs. Escao.
EL7AR PERE8 .1. COURT O6 APPEAL1 2Jan. 24% 2??65
6ACT1: 'ristan 8arrie# Lili twice on %ay 136.. &everal years
later, t(e cou-le encountere# 8arital -ro)le8s t(at t(ey
#eci#e# to se-arate ,ro8 eac( ot(er. M-on a#vice o, a 8utual
,rien#, t(ey #eci#e# to o)tain a #ivorce ,ro8 t(e Eo8inican
Re-u)lic. '(us, on A-ril 6I, 13., 'ristan an# Lily e?ecute# a
&-ecial Power o, Attorney a##resse# to t(e Ju#1e o, t(e @irst
"ivil "ourt o, &an "risto)al, Eo8inican Re-u)lic, a--ointin1
an attorney=in=,act to institute a #ivorce action un#er its laws.
'(e #ivorce was later on 1rante#.
9n 13., 'ristan 8arrie# Bl8ar Pere$. Eurin1 t(eir
co(a)itation, -etitioner learne# t(at t(e #ivorce #ecree issue#
)y t(e court in t(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic w(ic( +#issolve#+ t(e
8arria1e )etween 'ristan an# Lily was not reco1ni$e# in t(e
P(ili--ines an# t(at (er 8arria1e to 'ristan was #ee8e# voi#
un#er P(ili--ine law. G(en s(e con,ronte# 'ristan a)out t(is,
t(e latter assure# (er t(at (e woul# le1ali$e t(eir union a,ter
(e o)tains an annul8ent o, (is 8arria1e wit( Lily. 'ristan
,urt(er -ro8ise# t(e -etitioner t(at (e woul# a#o-t t(eir son
so t(at (e woul# )e entitle# to an e>ual s(are in (is estate as
t(at o, eac( o, (is c(il#ren wit( Lily.
9n Au1ust 13, 6221, 'ristan 7le# a -etition ,or t(e
#eclaration o, nullity o, (is 8arria1e to Lily. &u)se>uently,
-etitioner 7le# a %otion ,or Leave to @ile /ntervention
12
clai8in1 t(at s(e (as a le1al interest in t(e 8atter in liti1ation
)ecause s(e *nows certain in,or8ation w(ic( 8i1(t ai# t(e
trial court at a trut(,ul, ,air an# Hust a#Hu#ication o, t(e
annul8ent case, w(ic( t(e trial court 1rante# on &e-te8)er
32, 6226.
I11UE: GO! t(e or#er 1rantin1 t(e 8otion to intervene was
correct.
9EL-: !o.
'(e re>uire8ents ,or intervention are: PaQ le1al interest in
t(e 8atter in liti1ationR an# P)Q consi#eration 8ust )e 1iven
as to w(et(er t(e a#Hu#ication o, t(e ori1inal -arties 8ay )e
#elaye# or -reHu#ice#, or w(et(er t(e intervenorDs ri1(ts 8ay
)e -rotecte# in a se-arate -rocee#in1 or not.
Le1al interest, w(ic( entitles a -erson to intervene, 8ust
)e in t(e 8atter in liti1ation an# o, suc( #irect an# i88e#iate
c(aracter t(at t(e intervenor will eit(er 1ain or lose )y #irect
le1al o-eration an# e0ect o, t(e Hu#18ent. &uc( interest 8ust
)e actual, #irect an# 8aterial, an# not si8-ly contin1ent an#
e?-ectant.
Petitioner clai8s t(at (er status as t(e wi,e an#
co8-anion o, 'ristan ,or 1I years vests (er wit( t(e re>uisite
le1al interest re>uire# o, a woul#=)e intervenor un#er t(e
Rules o, "ourt.
PetitionerJs clai8 lac*s 8erit. Mn#er t(e law, -etitioner
was never t(e le1al wi,e o, 'ristan, (ence (er clai8 o, le1al
interest (as no )asis.
G(en -etitioner an# 'ristan 8arrie# on July 1, 13.,
'ristan was still law,ully 8arrie# to Lily. '(e #ivorce #ecree
t(at 'ristan an# Lily o)taine# ,ro8 t(e Eo8inican Re-u)lic
never #issolve# t(e 8arria1e )on# )etween t(e8. /t is )asic
t(at laws relatin1 to ,a8ily ri1(ts an# #uties, or to t(e status,
con#ition an# le1al ca-acity o, -ersons are )in#in1 u-on
citi$ens o, t(e P(ili--ines, even t(ou1( livin1 a)roa#.
Re1ar#less o, w(ere a citi$en o, t(e P(ili--ines 8i1(t )e, (e
or s(e will )e 1overne# )y P(ili--ine laws wit( res-ect to (is
or (er ,a8ily ri1(ts an# #uties, or to (is or (er status,
con#ition an# le1al ca-acity. Cence, i, a @ili-ino re1ar#less o,
w(et(er (e or s(e was 8arrie# (ere or a)roa#, initiates a
-etition a)roa# to o)tain an a)solute #ivorce ,ro8 s-ouse an#
eventually )eco8es success,ul in 1ettin1 an a)solute #ivorce
#ecree, t(e P(ili--ines will not reco1ni$e suc( a)solute
#ivorce.
G(en 'ristan an# Lily 8arrie# on %ay 1., 136., t(eir
8arria1e was 1overne# )y t(e -rovisions o, t(e "ivil "o#e
61
w(ic( too* e0ect on Au1ust 32, 1342. /n t(e case o, Tenchavez v.
Escano we (el#:
(1) '(at a ,orei1n #ivorce )etween @ili-ino citi$ens, sou1(t an#
#ecree# a,ter t(e e0ectivity o, t(e -resent "ivil "o#e (Re-. Act !o.
3.6), is not entitle# to reco1nition as vali# in t(is Huris#ictionR an#
neit(er is t(e 8arria1e contracte# wit( anot(er -arty )y t(e
#ivorce# consort, su)se>uently to t(e ,orei1n #ecree o, #ivorce,
entitle# to vali#ity in t(e country.
'(us, -etitionerJs clai8 t(at s(e is t(e wi,e o, 'ristan even i,
t(eir 8arria1e was cele)rate# a)roa# lac*s 8erit. '(us, -etitioner
never ac>uire# t(e le1al interest as a wi,e u-on w(ic( (er 8otion
,or intervention is )ase#.
(Canniya( &evilla )
1AN LUI1 $s. 1AN LUI1
'(is involves t(e ,or8er 1overnor o, 5atan1as, @elicisi8o
&an Luis. @elicisi8o &an Luis, #urin1 (is li,eti8e, 8arrie# 3
ti8es. '(e 7rst 8arria1e was ter8inate# )y virtue o, t(e
#eat( o, t(e 7rst wi,e. '(e 7rst 8arria1e -ro#uce# 6 c(il#ren.
@elicisi8o t(en 8arrie# an A8erican, %erry Lee. '(ey
(ave a c(il#. 5ut %ary Lee later on o)taine# a #ecree o,
#ivorce.
&u)se>uently, a,ter t(e #ivorce, @elicisi8o 8arrie#
@elici#a#.
G(en @elicisi8o #ie#, (e (a# an estate o, a)out P 32%.
@elici#a# 7le# )e,ore t(e court a -etition ,or t(e #issolution o,
conHu1al -artners(i- estate as well as t(at s(e )e 1iven t(e
-osition o, a#8inistration over t(e estate o, t(e late
@elicisi8o.
'(e c(il#ren o, t(e 7rst 8arria1e o--ose# t(e -etition
clai8in1 t(at @elici#a# is 8erely a 8istress o, @elicisi8o
)ecause t(e 8arria1e o, @elicisi8o to %erry Lee (as not )een
ter8inate#.
@elici#a# -resente# )e,ore t(e court t(e 8arria1e contract
to %ary Lee, annotatin1 t(e #ecree o, a)solute #ivorce issue#
)y t(e @a8ily "ourt o, t(e @irst "ircuit, &tate o, Cawaii to -rove
t(at t(e 8arria1e o, @elicisi8o to %erry Lee (a# alrea#y )een
#issolve# to s(ow t(at s(e is t(e le1al wi,e o, @elicisi8o.
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# in t(is case t(at -etitioners, t(e
(eirs o, @elicisi8o, cite# Article 14 an# 1I o, t(e "ivil "o#e in
statin1 t(at t(e #ivorce is voi# un#er P(ili--ine law inso,ar as
@ili-inos are concerne#. /n t(e li1(t o, t(e &u-re8e "ourts
rulin1s in Van Dorn, t(e @ili-ino s-ouse s(oul# not )e
#iscri8inate# a1ainst in (is own country i, t(e en#s o, Hustice
are to )e serve#.
'(e #ivorce #ecree alle1e#ly o)taine# )y %erry Lee w(ic(
a)solutely allowe# @elicisi8o to re8arry, woul# (ave veste#
@elici#a# wit( t(e le1al -ersonality to 7le t(e -resent -etition
as @elicisi8oJs survivin1 s-ouse. Cowever, t(e recor#s s(ow
t(at t(ere is insu:cient evi#ence to -rove t(e vali#ity o, t(e
#ivorce o)taine# )y %erry Lee as well as t(e 8arria1e o,
@elici#a# an# @elicisi8o un#er t(e laws o, t(e M.&.A.
/n Garcia v. Recio, t(e "ourt lai# #own t(e s-eci7c
1ui#elines ,or -lea#in1 an# -rovin1 ,orei1n law an# #ivorce
Hu#18ents. /t (el# t(at -resentation solely o, t(e #ivorce
#ecree is insu:cient. "itin1 a1ain &ections 6 an# 64 o, Rule
136 o, t(e Rules o, "ourt, a writin1 or #ocu8ent 8ay )e
-roven as a -u)lic or o:cial recor# o, a ,orei1n country )y
eit(er (1) an o:cial -u)lication or (6) a co-y t(ereo, atteste#
)y t(e o:cer (avin1 le1al custo#y o, t(e #ocu8ent. /, t(e
recor# is not *e-t in t(e P(ili--ines, suc( co-y 8ust )e (a)
acco8-anie# )y a certi7cate issue# )y t(e -ro-er #i-lo8atic
or consular o:cer in t(e P(ili--ine ,orei1n service statione# in
t(e ,orei1n country in w(ic( t(e recor# is *e-t an# ())
aut(enticate# )y t(e seal o, (is o:ce.
'(ose are t(e a##itional re>uire8ents in t(e case o, 1an
Luis $s. 1an Luis.
1AN LUI1 $s. 1AN LUI1 26eb. 6% 2??45
6ACT1: @elicisi8o contracte# 3 8arria1es:
a. wit( Lir1inia &ulit in 136 == Lir1ini -re#ecease# @elicisi8o
). wit( %ary Lee "orwin == an A8erican citi$en w(o 7le# ,or
#ivorce in Cawaii w(ic( was 1rante# in 13I3
c. wit( @elici#a# (res-on#ent) in LA, "ali,ornia in 13I.
@elicisi8o #ie# in 1336. '(erea,ter, res-on#ent sou1(t t(e
#issolution o, t(eir conHu1al -artners(i- an# t(e settle8ent o, t(e
estate o, @elicisi8o. '(e -etitioners (c(il#ren ,ro8 t(e 1st
8arria1e) o--ose# t(e -etition on t(e 1roun# t(at t(e res-on#ent
was only a 8istress o, @elicisi8o, since at t(e ti8e o, (is #eat(,
@elicisi8o was still le1ally 8arrie# to %ary Lee.
#
Res-on#ent t(erea,ter -resetne# t(e #ecree o, a)solute
#ivorce issue# )y t(e @a8ily "ourt o, t(e @irst "ircuit, &tate o,
Cawaii to -rove t(at t(e 8arria1e o, @elicisi8o to %erry Lee
(a# alrea#y )een #issolve#. '(us, s(e clai8e# t(at @elicisi8o
(a# t(e le1al ca-acity to 8arry (er )y virtue o, -ara1ra-(
6,Article 66 o, t(e @a8ily "o#e an# t(e #octrine lai# #own in
Lan Eorn v. Ro8illo, Jr.
9EL-: /n t(is case, t(e &" a--lie# t(e rulin1 in Lan Eor8 vs.
Ro8illo case.
Anent t(e issue o, res-on#ent @elici#a#s le1al
-ersonality to 7le t(e -etition ,or letters o, a#8inistration, we
8ust 7rst resolve t(e issue o, w(et(er a @ili-ino w(o is
#ivorce# )y (is alien s-ouse a)roa# 8ay vali#ly re8arry
un#er t(e "ivil "o#e, consi#erin1 t(at @elici#a#s 8arria1e to
@elicisi8o was sole8ni$e# on June 62, 13I, or )e,ore t(e
@a8ily "o#e too* e0ect on Au1ust 3, 13... /n resolvin1 t(is
issue, we nee# not retroactively a--ly t(e -rovisions o, t(e
@a8ily "o#e, -articularly Art. 66, -ar. (6) consi#erin1 t(at
t(ere is su:cient Huris-ru#ential )asis allowin1 us to rule in
t(e a:r8ative.
'(e #ivorce #ecree alle1e#ly o)taine# )y %erry Lee w(ic(
a)solutely allowe# @elicisi8o to re8arry, woul# (ave veste#
@elici#a# wit( t(e le1al -ersonality to 7le t(e -resent -etition
as @elicisi8oJs survivin1 s-ouse. 9#&e$e", t(e recor#s s(ow
t(at t(ere is insu:cient evi#ence to -rove t(e vali#ity o, t(e
#ivorce o)taine# )y %erry Lee as well as t(e 8arria1e o,
res-on#ent an# @elicisi8o un#er t(e laws o, t(e M.&.A.
/n Garcia v. Recio, t(e "ourt lai# #own t(e s-eci7c
1ui#elines ,or -lea#in1 an# -rovin1 ,orei1n law an# #ivorce
Hu#18ents. /t (el# t(at -resentation solely o, t(e #ivorce
#ecree is insu:cient an# t(at -roo, o, its aut(enticity an# #ue
e?ecution 8ust )e -resente#. Mn#er &ections 6 an# 64 o,
Rule 136, a writin1 or #ocu8ent 8ay )e -roven as a -u)lic or
o:cial recor# o, a ,orei1n country )y eit(er (1) an o:cial
-u)lication or (6) a co-y t(ereo, atteste# )y t(e o:cer (avin1
le1al custo#y o, t(e #ocu8ent. /, t(e recor# is not *e-t in t(e
P(ili--ines, suc( co-y 8ust )e (a) acco8-anie# )y a
certi7cate issue# )y t(e -ro-er #i-lo8atic or consular o:cer
in t(e P(ili--ine ,orei1n service statione# in t(e ,orei1n
country in w(ic( t(e recor# is *e-t an# (b) authenticated
by the seal of his ofce.
Git( re1ar# to res-on#entJs 8arria1e to @elicisi8o
alle1e#ly sole8ni$e# in "ali,ornia, M.&.A., s(e su)8itte#
-(otoco-ies o, t(e %arria1e "erti7cate an# t(e annotate# te?t
o, t(e @a8ily Law Act o, "ali,ornia w(ic( -ur-orte#ly s(ow
t(at t(eir 8arria1e was #one in accor#ance wit( t(e sai# law.
As state# in Garcia, (owever, t(e "ourt cannot ta*e Hu#icial
notice o, ,orei1n laws as t(ey 8ust )e alle1e# an# -rove#.
'(ere,ore, t(is case s(oul# )e re8an#e# to t(e trial court
,or ,urt(er rece-tion o, evi#ence on t(e #ivorce #ecree
o)taine# )y %erry Lee an# t(e 8arria1e o, res-on#ent an#
@elicisi8o.
Bven assu8in1 t(at @elicisi8o was not ca-acitate# to
8arry res-on#ent in 13I, nevert(eless, we 7n# t(at t(e
latter (as t(e le1al -ersonality to 7le t(e su)Hect -etition ,or
letters o, a#8inistration, as s(e 8ay )e consi#ere# t(e co=
owner o, @elicisi8o as re1ar#s t(e -ro-erties t(at were
ac>uire# t(rou1( t(eir Hoint e0orts #urin1 t(eir co(a)itation.
(Canniya( &evilla )
'(ere is t(is case on Article 14 )ut wit( 8ore or less
t(e sa8e ,acts. '(e case is:
CATALAN $s. COURT O6 APPEAL1 26eb. 6% 2??45
'(is case involves @ili-ino s-ouses w(o 8i1rate# to
t(e Mnite# &tates an# o)taine# A8erican citi$ens(i-.
A,ter 6. years o, 8arria1e, t(ey #eci#e# to #ivorce.
&oon a,ter t(e #ivorce, 9rlan#o returne# to t(e
P(ili--ines an# 8arrie# %ero-e in Pan1asinan. G(en t(e
7rst wi,e, @elicitas, learne# o, t(e 8arria1e, s(e 7le# an
action ,or #eclaration o, nullity o, 8arria1e wit( #a8a1es
a1ainst 9rlan#o an# %ero-e, clai8in1 t(at t(e 8arria1e is
voi# )ecause %ero-e is -reviously 8arrie# to Juan
5ra1an$a, w(ic( 8arria1e (as not yet )een ter8inate#
eit(er )y #eat( or )y t(e court t(rou1( annul8ent.
Eoes @elicitas (ave t(e le1al -ersonality to 7le an
action ,or #eclaration o, nullity o, t(e su)se>uent 8arria1e
)etween (er ,or8er (us)an# an# t(e -resent wi,eD
Petition to #eclare nullity o, 8arria1e an# any ot(er action
8ust )e -rosecute# in t(e na8e o, t(e real -arty in interest,
w(ic( 8ust )e )ase# on a cause o, action.
'(us, in Nial vs. Bayadog, t(e "ourt (el# t(at t(e
c(il#ren (ave t(e -ersonality to 7le t(e -etition to #eclare t(e
nullity o, t(e 8arria1e o, t(eir #ecease# ,at(er to t(eir
ste-8ot(er as it a0ects t(eir successional ri1(ts.
/n 7ne, -etitioners -ersonality to 7le t(e -etition to
#eclare t(e nullity o, 8arria1e cannot )e ascertaine# )ecause
o, t(e a)sence o, t(e #ivorce #ecree an# t(e ,orei1n law
allowin1 it. Cence, a re8an# o, t(e case to t(e trial court ,or
rece-tion o, a##itional evi#ence is necessary to #eter8ine
w(et(er res-on#ent 9rlan#o was 1rante# a #ivorce #ecree
an# w(et(er t(e ,orei1n law w(ic( 1rante# t(e sa8e allows or
restricts re8arria1e. /, it is -rove# t(at a vali# #ivorce #ecree
was o)taine# an# t(e sa8e #i# not allow res-on#ent 9rlan#os
re8arria1e, t(en t(e trial court s(oul# #eclare res-on#ents
8arria1e as )i1a8ous an# voi# ab iniio.
9n t(e contrary, i, it is -rove# t(at a vali# #ivorce #ecree
was o)taine# w(ic( allowe# 9rlan#o to re8arry, t(en t(e trial
court 8ust #is8iss t(e instant -etition to #eclare nullity o,
8arria1e on t(e 1roun# t(at -etitioner @elicitas A8or="atalan
lac*s le1al -ersonality to 7le t(e sa8e.
&o, a1ain, t(ere is a nee# to re8an# to t(e lower court t(e
case ,or #eter8inin1 t(e vali#ity o, t(e #ivorce #ecree to )e
-rove# in accor#ance wit( &ection 6 an# 64 o, Rule 136 o,
t(e Rules o, "ourt, as well as t(e ot(er re>uisites 8entione#
)y t(e &u-re8e "ourt in t(e case o, !an "uis vs. !an "uis.
ARTICLE 16. Real -ro-erty as well as -ersonal -ro-erty is
su)Hect to t(e law o, t(e country w(ere it is situate#.
Cowever, intestate an# testa8entary successions, )ot( wit(
res-ect to t(e or#er o, succession an# to t(e a8ount o,
successional ri1(ts an# to t(e intrinsic vali#ity o, testa8entary
-rovisions, s(all )e re1ulate# )y t(e national law o, t(e -erson
w(ose succession is un#er consi#eration, w(atever 8ay )e t(e
nature o, t(e -ro-erty an# re1ar#less o, t(e country w(erein sai#
-ro-erty 8ay )e ,oun#. (12a)
('(e 7rst -ara1ra-( is t(e 1eneral rule.)
('(e secon# -ara1ra-( is t(e e?ce-tion.)
/n relation to Article 16, i, you are a ,orei1ner an# you are
a resi#ent o, t(e P(ili--ines, you cannot -rovi#e in your will
t(at your estate s(all )e #istri)ute# in accor#ance wit(
P(ili--ine laws )ecause o, t(e nationality t(eory.
ARTICLE 14. '(e ,or8s an# sole8nities o, contracts, wills,
an# ot(er -u)lic instru8ents s(all )e 1overne# )y t(e laws o, t(e
country in w(ic( t(ey are e?ecute#.
G(en t(e acts re,erre# to are e?ecute# )e,ore t(e #i-lo8atic
or consular o:cials o, t(e Re-u)lic o, t(e P(ili--ines in a ,orei1n
country, t(e sole8nities esta)lis(e# )y P(ili--ine laws s(all )e
o)serve# in t(eir e?ecution.
Pro(i)itive laws concernin1 -ersons, t(eir acts or -ro-erty,
an# t(ose w(ic( (ave ,or t(eir o)Hect -u)lic or#er, -u)lic -olicy
an# 1oo# custo8s s(all not )e ren#ere# ine0ective )y laws or
Hu#18ents -ro8ul1ate#, or )y #eter8inations or conventions
a1ree# u-on in a ,orei1n country. (11a)
Articles 1I, -ara1ra-(s 1 an# 6, re,er to t(e ,or8s an#
sole8nities o, contract, wills an# ot(er -u)lic instru8ents
w(ic( s(all )e 1overne# )y t(e laws o, t(e -lace w(ere t(e
instru8ent is e?ecute# or t(e country w(ere t(e instru8ent is
e?ecute#.
G(en we say 0#"'% it re,ers to t(e le1al or tec(nical
8anner w(ic( is to )e o)serve# )y t(e le1al instru8ent. /ts
e?ternal a--earance.
G(en we say sole8nities, contracts 8ust ,ollow certain
,or8s.
Git( res-ect to t(e -rovision o, -ara1ra-( 1 o, Article 1I,
it is e?ecute# )e,ore a consular o:cial o, t(e Re-u)lic o, t(e
P(ili--ines, t(en, it 8ust )e in accor#ance wit( t(e laws o, t(e
P(ili--ines w(ic( s(all )e o)serve# in t(e e?ecution o, t(e
contract.
&o8e o, w(ic( are 1enerally un#er our law, t(e Eee# o,
Eonation involvin1 real -ro-erty 8ust )e in a -u)lic
#ocu8ent. '(e acce-tance 8ust )e in a -u)lic #ocu8ent.
5ut i, t(e @ili-ino (as a -ro-erty in Con1 Aon1, an# i, t(ere
is not(in1 in Con1 Aon1 laws t(at woul# re>uire t(e sa8e to
)e in a -u)lic #ocu8ent. /, it were e?ecute# )e,ore t(e
lawyers o, Con1 Aon1 an# t(ere is no nee# o, -u)lic
$
#ocu8ent, it is su:cient t(at it is in writin1, t(en, it is
alrea#y vali#.
Nuestions wit( res-ect to t(e #ocu8ent, )e,ore our
laws, you 1o )ac* to p"#*essual p"esu'p!i#n. Let t(e
-erson alle1e it an# -rove it )e,ore t(e court t(e law in
Con1 Aon1.
Para1ra-( 3, you correlate it wit( Article 14. '(is
-articular -rovision was cite# in t(e case o, TENC9A.E8
$s. E1CA,O. '(is was a)out BscaSo w(o went to t(e
Mnite# &tates an# 7le# ,or #ivorce.
TENC9A.E8 $s. E1CA,O 2N#$. 2C% 1C635
6ACT1@ BscaSo e?c(an1e# vows wit( Pastor 'enc(ave$.
BscaSo t(en le,t to t(e M&. &(e 7le# ,or #ivorce. A #ecree o,
#ivorce was t(en issue# )y t(e Eistrict "ourt o, !eva#a.
BscaSo later 8arrie# an A8erican. &(e t(en, ac>uire#
A8erican citi$ens(i-. 'enc(ave$ initiate# -rocee#in1s a1ainst
BscaSo an# (er -arents w(o8 (e c(ar1e# o, (avin1
#issua#e# an# #iscoura1e# BscaSo ,ro8 Hoinin1 (i8 an#
alienatin1 (er a0ections. Ce as*e# ,or a le1al se-aration an#
clai8e# 8oral #a8a1es.
BscaSo clai8e# a vali# #ivorce an# e>ually vali# 8arria1e
to (er A8erican (us)an#.
I11UE@ G(et(er or not t(e P(ili--ine court 8ay reco1ni$e a
#ivorce #ecree o)taine# a)roa# )y s-ouses w(o are @ili-ino
citi$ens
9EL-@ '(e 8arria1e )etween 'enc(ave$ an# BscaSo
re8aine# su)sistin1 an# un#issolve# un#er P(ili--ine law,
notwit(stan#in1 t(e #ecree o, a)solute #ivorce o)taine# )y
BscaSo ,ro8 !eva#a. At t(e ti8e t(e #ivorce #ecree was
issue#, BscaSo, li*e (er (us)an#, was still a @ili-ino citi$en.
&(e was t(en su)Hect to P(ili--ine law, an# Article 14 o, t(e
"ivil "o#e o, t(e P(ili--ines.
@or t(e P(ili--ine courts to reco1ni$e an# 1ive reco1nition
or e0ect to a ,orei1n #ecree o, a)solute #ivorce )etween
@ili-ino citi$ens coul# )e a -atent violation o, t(e #eclare#
-u)lic -olicy o, t(e state, s-ecially in view o, t(e 3
r#
-ara1ra-( o, Article 1I o, t(e "ivil "o#e.
/n t(is Huris#iction, BscaSos #ivorce an# secon# 8arria1e
are not entitle# to reco1nition as vali#, ,or (er -revious union
to 'enc(ave$ 8ust )e #eclare# to )e e?istent an#
un#issolve#.
JUNE 13 26"ida< !e 13
!
5
'(ere is t(is new case. '(e case is 8ore actually on
t(e c(an1e o, na8e. 5ut one o, t(e issues raise# )y t(e
-etitioner )e,ore t(e &u-re8e "ourt was t(e a--lication o,
Article 3, w(en t(e law is insu:cient or silent, t(e court or
Hu#1e s(all not #ecline to ren#er Hu#18ent.
1IL.ERIO $s. REPUBLIC 2O*!. 22% 2??45
/n t(e case at t(e )ar, Ro88el Jacinto Eantes &ilverio
7le# )e,ore t(e Re1ional 'rial "ourt a -etition ,or a c(an1e
o, na8e, as well as 1en#er, )ecause (e (a# (is 1en#er
c(an1e ,ro8 8ale to ,e8ale. Accor#in1 to (i8, t(e
recor#s s(oul# now con,or8 to t(e -(ysical c(an1e (e (as
un#er1one. /n ,act, (e is a)out to 8arry (is A8erican
)oy,rien#, %r. B#el. !ow, (e 7le# a -etition to c(an1e (is
na8e ,ro8 Ro88el to %ely an# t(e 1en#er ,ro8 8ale to
,e8ale. 9ne o, t(ose (e -resente# was (is 7ancT, (is
A8erican )oy,rien#.
/n s(ort, t(ere was no o--osition or a co-y o, t(e
-etition ,urnis(e# to t(e 9:ce o, t(e &olicitor General.
'(ere was no o--ositor. !eit(er t(e &olicitor General nor
a re-resentative ,ro8 t(e 9:ce o, t(e &olicitor General
a--eare# #urin1 t(e trial w(en t(e trial was 8a#e in t(e
lower court. &o, it was 1rante#.
'(e lower court )elieves t(at no (ar8, inHury or
-reHu#ice will )e cause# to any)o#y or t(e co88unity in
1rantin1 t(e -etition. 9n t(e contrary, 1rantin1 t(e
-etition woul# )rin1 t(e 8uc(=awaite# (a--iness on t(e
-art o, t(e -etitioner an# (er 7ancT an# t(e reali$ation o,
t(eir #rea8s )ecause (e (as always ,elt, t(ou1(t an#
acte# li*e a wo8an, now -ossesses t(e -(ysi>ue o, a
,e8ale. Cis 8is,ortune to )e tra--e# in a 8ans )o#y is
not (is own #oin1 an# s(oul# not )e in any way ta*en
a1ainst (i8. '(at was t(e -ronounce8ent o, t(e lower
court.
G(en it was 1rante#, )e,ore it )eca8e 7nal an#
e?ecutory, t(e Re-u)lic o, t(e P(ili--ines 7le# now a
-etition ,or certiorari )e,ore t(e a--ellate court. '(e
a--ellate court, o, course, reverse# t(e #ecision o, t(e lower
court )ecause t(ere is no law t(at allows t(e c(an1e o, ones
na8e as well as ones 1en#er w(en one (a# a se?
reassi1n8ent.
&o, t(e -etitioner went to t(e &u-re8e "ourt. A8on1
t(ose (e raise#, (e >uote# Article 3. '(at it was Hust -ro-er
,or t(e court to ren#er a #ecision in (is ,avor, even i, t(ere is
no law )ecause Article 3 says:
ARTICLE C. !o Hu#1e or court s(all #ecline to ren#er
Hu#18ent )y reason o, t(e silence, o)scurity or insu:ciency o, t(e
laws.
/s (e correctD '(ere are ot(er issues t(ere )ut we will
#iscuss t(e issue w(en we 1o to t(e a--ro-riate article. Aasi
8eron #in1 8arria1e #ito e( .. yun1 re>uire8ent .. )etween
8an an# a wo8an.
Fou 8i1(t )e intereste# to *now t(at t(e -onente (ere is
Justice "orona. An# (e starte# (is #ecision in t(is way:
#hen God creaed $an, He $ade hi$ in he li%eness o& God'
He creaed he$ $ale and &e$ale. (Genesis )*+,2-
.$ihan gazed u/on he ba$boo reed /laned by Bahala and
she heard voices co$ing &ro$ inside he ba$boo. 01h Norh
#ind2 Norh #ind2 3lease le us ou2,4 he voices said. !he
/ec%ed he reed once, hen 5ice. .ll o& a sudden, he ba$boo
crac%ed and sli o/en. 1u ca$e 5o hu$an beings' one 5as a
$ale and he oher 5as a &e$ale. .$ihan na$ed he $an
06ala%as4 (!rong- and he 5o$an 06aganda4 (Beaui&ul-.
(The "egend o& 6ala%as and 6aganda-
Anyway, can Article 3 )e a--lie#D
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# it is true t(at Article 3 o, t(e "ivil
"o#e 8an#ates t(at ;no Hu#1e or court s(all #ecline to ren#er
Hu#18ent )y reason o, t(e silence, o)scurity or insu:ciency o,
t(e law.< Cowever, it is not a license ,or courts to en1a1e in
Hu#icial le1islation. '(e #uty o, t(e courts is to a--ly or
inter-ret t(e law, not to 8a*e or a8en# it )ecause suc( woul#
)e actually an a8en#8ent o, t(e law.
@irst, o, course, it s(oul# )e a 8an an# a wo8an. An# t(e
"onstitution itsel, -rotects t(e sanctity o, 8arria1e.
5e,ore we 1o to Article 13, / woul# li*e to 1o )ac* to
Article 16 on t(e e?ce-tions.
'(e e?ce-tions / sai# woul# re,er to intestate or
testa8entary succession, wit( res-ect to t(e or#er o,
succession. /n t(e or#er o, succession, we (ave t(e
co8-ulsory (eirs an# t(e le1al or intestate (eirs. '(e
co8-ulsory (eirs can )e #ivi#e# into t(e -ri8ary, w(ic( are
t(e le1iti8ate c(il#ren. ()itin .. secon#ary si1uro yun1
-asa)ot na isa ). Fan an1 or#er o, succession.
A8ount o, successional ri1(t, un#er t(e @a8ily "o#e,
woul# only )e )etween t(at o, t(e le1iti8ate an# ille1iti8ate
c(il# )ecause t(e #istinction o, ille1iti8ate c(il#ren (as )een
re8ove# )y t(e @a8ily "o#e. Ge no lon1er (ave ot(er ty-es
o, ille1iti8ate c(il#ren. Ge only (ave 6 ty-es o, c(il#ren, t(e
le1iti8ate an# t(e ille1iti8ate. An# we *now very well t(at in
t(e a8ount o, successional ri1(t, t(e le1iti8ate c(il#ren
receive a )i11er -art t(an t(at o, t(e ille1iti8ate c(il#ren. '(e
s(are o, t(e ille1iti8ate is U o, t(e s(are o, t(e le1iti8ate
c(il#.
&o, you 8i1(t (ave ,or1otten t(at also
/ntrinsic vali#ity o, t(e testa8entary -rovisions re,er only
to instances w(ere t(ere is a will, w(et(er it is notarial or
(olo1ra-(ic )ecause i, t(ere is no will, w(at will 1overn is t(e
laws on intestate succession.
ARTICLE 1C. Bvery -erson 8ust, in t(e e?ercise o, (is ri1(ts
an# in t(e -er,or8ance o, (is #uties, act wit( Hustice, 1ive
everyone (is #ue, an# o)serve (onesty an# 1oo# ,ait(.
'(at is w(at is co88only re,erre# to as t(e PRINCIPLE
O6 ABU1E O6 RI>9T1.
'(is was 7rst enunciate# )y t(e &u-re8e "ourt in t(e very
early case o,:
.ELA/O $s. 19ELL 21C365
'(e #e)tor (a# con,erre# wit( t(e several cre#itors an#
tol# t(e cre#itors t(at (e coul# not ,ully satis,y t(e #i0erent
cre#its. &o, (e sai# t(at (e is 1oin1 a--ortion in -ro-ortion to
t(e res-ective clai8s o, t(e cre#itors.
%
5ut one o, t(e cre#itors *new t(at t(e #e)tor (as a
-lane so8ew(ere in t(e Mnite# &tates an# tol# a
re-resentative to attac( t(e -lane.
(&(ell was t(e sai# cre#itor. /t e0ecte# a trans,er o,
its cre#it a1ainst t(e #e)tor to t(e A8erican "or-oration
&(ell 9il "o8-any, assi1nin1 its cre#it. /t was A8erican
"or-oration &(ell 9il co8-any w(ic( 7le# a co8-laint
a1ainst t(e #e)tor )e,ore t(e &u-erior "ourt in t(e M&A
an# a writ o, attac(8ent was a--lie# ,or an# issue#
a1ainst a -lane. )
&o, t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at t(at act w(ile it 8ay
)e in accor#ance wit( Article 13, (owever, t(e cre#itor (as
a)use (is ri1(ts to t(e -reHu#ice o, t(e ot(er cre#itors.
&o, t(at was t(e very 7rst.
9, course, you (ave (ear# t(e case o,:
>LOBE 7ACEA/ $s. CA 2Au=. 23% 1C8C5
/n t(is case o, Glo)e %ac*ay, t(e @ili-ino e8-loyee,
'o)ias, #iscovere# certain ano8alies in t(e co8-any.
G(at (e #i# was to tell t(e ,orei1ner )oss a)out t(e
ano8alies t(at (e #iscovere#. 5ut instea# o, )ein1
co88en#e# ,or w(at (e #iscovere#, (e was instea#
accuse# o, #oin1 t(e very sa8e act w(ic( (e (a#
#iscovere#. Ce was accuse# o, )ein1 t(e aut(or o, t(ose
ano8alies t(at was co88itte# in t(e o:ce.
An# (e was (arasse#. '(ere were investi1ations
con#ucte# )y -rivate investi1ation a1ency. Ce was sue#
)e,ore t(e court )ut t(e cases t(at were 7le# )y t(e court
were #is8isse# )y t(e -rosecution.
Mna)le to )ear (arass8ent, (e #eci#e# to resi1n. /n
,act, it was not really resi1nation )ut (e was sort o, )ein1
*ic*e# out ,ro8 t(e o:ce.
A,ter t(at, (e #eci#e# to a--ly ,or a Ho) wit( Re-u)lic
'ele-(one "o8-any (RB'BL"9). 5ut t(e ,or8er )oss,
learnin1 o, t(e a--lication, wrote to RB'BL"9 not to
acce-t 'o)ias )ecause 'o)ias is a t(ie,. !aturally,
RB'BL"9 #i# not acce-t 'o)ias.
G(at 'o)ias #i# was to sue Glo)e %ac*ay ,or
#a8a1es.
/n t(is case, t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at t(is Article,
*nown to contain w(at is co88only re,erre# to as t(e
-rinci-le o, a)use o, ri1(ts, sets certain stan#ar#s w(ic(
8ust )e o)serve# not only in t(e e?ercise o, ones ri1(ts
)ut also in t(e -er,or8ance o, ones #uties.
'(e i8-utation o, 1uilt wit(out )asis an# t(e -attern
o, (arass8ent #urin1 t(e investi1ations o, 'o)ias
trans1ress t(e stan#ar#s o, (u8an con#uct set ,ort( in
Article 13. '(e "ourt (as alrea#y rule# t(at t(e ri1(t o,
t(e e8-loyer to #is8iss an e8-loyee s(oul# not )e
con,use# wit( t(e 8anner in w(ic( t(e ri1(t is e?ercise#
an# t(e e0ects Kowin1 t(ere,ro8.
'(ere is t(is case:
6AR EA1T BANE 2n#& (n#&n as Ban( #0 Pilippine
Islands5 $s. PACILAN% JR. 2Jul< 2C% 2??35
Pasilan is a current account (ol#er wit( @ar Bast 5an*.
Ce issue# I seven c(ec*s. Cis current account (as only a
#e-osit o, P 6,222 -lus. '(e I c(ec*s (e issue# a8ounte#
to 8ore t(an P I,222.
G(en t(e last o, t(e c(ec* was -resente# )y t(e
(ol#er, naturally, it was #is(onore# on t(e 1roun# o,
insu:cient ,un#s.
5ut, i88e#iately t(erea,ter, t(e ,ollowin1 #ay, 7rst
t(in1 in t(e 8ornin1, Pasilan #e-osite# t(e a8ount
corres-on#in1 to t(e c(ec* t(at was su--ose#ly
#is(onore#. 5ut @ar Bast 5an* close# t(e account o,
Pasilan on t(e 1roun# o, i8-ro-erly 8is(an#le# account.
G(en Pasilan learne# o, t(e closure, (e wrote to @ar
Bast 5an* as*in1 ,or t(e reason w(y t(ere was t(e closure
o, (is account w(erein (e (as alrea#y #e-osite# t(e
a8ount o, t(e c(ec* t(at (a# )ounce# or t(e one t(at was
#is(onore#.
Ce #i# not 1et any re-ly ,ro8 @ar Bast 5an*. G(at (e
#i# was to 7le a co8-laint a1ainst @ar Bast 5an* ,or
#a8a1es un#er Article 13, clai8in1 t(at @ar Bast 5an* (as
a)use# its ri1(ts w(en it close# (is account )ecause (e
sai# t(at t(e closure was unHusti7e#. %oreover, t(e
closure woul# e?-ose (i8 to -rosecution o, cri8inal cases
involvin1 violation o, 5atas Pa8)ansa 66. %oreover, (e
sai# t(at woul# e8)arrass (i8 )ecause (e is a res-ecte#
lea#er in t(e civic an# )an*in1 co88unity. Pasila is a
cas(ier o, Pru#ential 5an*.
Accor#in1 to (i8, it cause# (i8 slee-less ni1(ts,
)es8irc(e# re-utation, social (u8iliation, woun#e# ,eelin1s,
etc. /n s(ort, (e cite# t(e article on 8oral #a8a1es.
/n t(e case o, Pasilan, t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# in or#er
t(at t(ere s(all )e w(at we call as a)use o, ri1(ts, t(ere are 3
ele8ents.
'(e 7rst is !e e;is!en*e #0 a le=al "i=! #" du!<.
&econ#, &i* du!< is e;e"*ised in bad 0ai!.
An# t(ir#, 0#" !e s#le in!en! #0 p"eAudi*in= #"
inAu"in= an#!e".
%alice or )a# ,ait( is at t(e core o, t(e sai# -rovision. 5ut
t(e law always -resu8es 1oo# ,ait(. '(e law always
-resu8es 1oo# ,ait( an# any -erson w(o see*s to )e awar#e#
#a8a1es #ue to acts o, anot(er (as t(e )ur#en o, -rovin1 t(at
t(e latter acte# in )a# ,ait( or wit( ill=8otive.
'(e ,acts, as ,oun# )y t(e court a 7uo an# t(e a--ellate
court, #o not esta)lis( t(at, in t(e e?ercise o, t(is ri1(t, @ar
Bast 5an* co88itte# an a)use t(ereo,. &-eci7cally, t(e
secon# an# t(ir# ele8ents ,or a)use o, ri1(ts are not
atten#ant in t(e -resent case. '(e evi#ence -resente# )y t(e
)an* ne1ates t(e e?istence o, )a# ,ait( or 8alice )ecause it
was s(own t(at -revious to t(at Pasilan (a# over#rawn (is
account in 13.6 ,or a)out 146 ti8es. /n 13.I, (e (as
over#rawn (is account ,or 11I ti8es. /n 13.., (e (as
over#rawn (is account ,or a)out 66 ti8es. An# 8oreover, it
was also -roven )y @ar Bast 5an* t(at so8eti8es (is si1nature
is #i0erent wit( t(e si1nature on 7le wit( t(e )an*. &o, t(e
&u-re8e "ourt t(at it was Hust )ut -ro-er t(at ,or t(e )an* to
close t(e account o, Pasilan an# (e is not entitle# to #a8a1es
w(atsoever.
5ut ta*e note t(at as 8uc( as you are a)out to )eco8e a
lawyer, t(ere is t(is case o,:
U/PITC9IN> $s. DUIA7CO 2-e*. 6% 2??65
/n 13.6, a settle8ent o, t(e civil as-ect o, a cri8inal case
t(at was 7le# )y Nuia8co a1ainst Euvalan, Ga)utero an#
Generoso. '(e 3 accuse# surren#ere# to Nuia8co a
8otorcycle an# only a 8ac(ine co-y o, a certi7cate o,
re1istration o, 8otorcycle. '(at was su--ose#ly a settle8ent
o, t(e civil as-ect o, t(e cri8inal case.
G(en (e as*e# ,or t(e ori1inal co-y o, t(e certi7cate o,
re1istration, t(e 3 -ro8ise# t(at t(ey woul# return to t(e
o:ce o, Nuia8co to 1ive t(e ori1inal certi7cate o, re1istration.
5ut t(ey #i# not return.
/t turne# out t(at t(e 8otorcycle t(at was )rou1(t )y t(e
3 accuse# to Nuia8co was actually )ou1(t )y one o, t(e
accuse# on install8ent ,ro8 Ra8as My-itc(in1, /nc. /t was
assu8e# )y one o, t(e 3 accuse# also. /t was ori1inally owne#
)y one o, t(e 3 accuse#, an# assu8e# )y anot(er.
G(en t(e collector o, Ra8as My-itc(in1 went to t(e
#e)tor, t(e #e)tor sai# ;/ a8 no lon1er lia)le ,or t(e
install8ent )ecause Nuia8cos 8en 1ot (ol# o, t(e
8otorcycle.<
!ine years later, Ra8as My-itc(in1 went to t(e )usiness
esta)lis(8ent o, Nuia8co )ecause t(e 8otorcycle was
)rou1(t to t(e )usiness esta)lis(8ent o, Nuia8co. /t was in
,act, o-en an# accessi)le to t(e -u)lic. Any)o#y can see t(e
8otorcycle. /t was Hust t(ere. '(e -u)lic can rea#ily see t(e
8otorcycle.
&o, Ra8as My-itc(in1 went to t(e )usiness esta)lis(8ent
o, Nuia8co to1et(er wit( an ar8y o, -olice8en loo*in1 ,or
Nuia8co. Mn,ortunately, Nuia8co was not aroun#. G(ile
waitin1 ,or Nuia8co, )ecause t(ey were tol# )y t(e cler* t(at
Nuia8co (as Hust le,t t(e o:ce an# will )e returnin1 anyti8e,
My-itc(in1, wal*in1 to an# ,ro, was 8utterin1 t(at Nuia8co is
a t(ie,. An# t(e cler* (ear# t(at. An# )ecause Nuia8co #i#
not i88e#iately return, My-itc(in1 #irecte# t(e -olice8en to
ta*e (ol# o, t(e 8otorcycle an# le,t. &o, t(ey 1ot (ol# o, t(e
8otorcycle an# le,t t(e )usiness esta)lis(8ent, over t(e
-rotest o, t(e cler* o, Nuia8co.
&u)se>uently, My-itc(in1 7le# a co8-laint a1ainst
Nuia8co ,or >uali7e# t(e,t an#Oor violation o, t(e Anti=@encin1
Law. 5ut t(e case was #is8isse# )y t(e "ity Prosecution.
A,ter t(at, Nuia8co 7le# a case a1ainst My-itc(in1 ,or
#a8a1es ,or t(e (1) unlaw,ul ta*in1 o, t(e 8otorcycleR (6)
utterance o, a #e,a8atory re8ar* (t(at res-on#ent was a
t(ie,) an# (3) -reci-itate 7lin1 o, a )aseless an# 8alicious
co8-laint. Accor#in1 to (i8, t(e acts (u8iliate# an#
e8)arrasse# (i8 an# inHure# (is re-utation an# inte1rity.
/s (e entitle# to #a8a1esD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, t(at w(ile it 8ay )e true
t(at a 8ort1a1ee 8ay ta*e ste-s to recover t(e 8ort1a1e#
&
-ro-erty to ena)le it to en,orce or -rotect its ,oreclosure
ri1(t t(ereon, t(ere is, (owever, a well=#e7ne# -roce#ure
,or t(e recovery o, -ossession o, 8ort1a1e# -ro-erty. &o
8uc( t(at (e 8ust )rin1 a civil action eit(er to recover
suc( -ossession as a -reli8inary ste- to t(e sale, or to
o)tain Hu#icial ,oreclosure.
Petitioner cor-oration ,aile# to )rin1 t(e -ro-er civil
action necessary to ac>uire le1al -ossession o, t(e
8otorcycle. /nstea#, My-itc(in1 #escen#e# on
res-on#ents esta)lis(8ent wit( (is -olice8en an#
or#ere# t(e sei$ure o, t(e 8otorcycle wit(out a searc(
warrant or court or#er. Gorse, in t(e course o, t(e ille1al
sei$ure o, t(e 8otorcycle, My-itc(in1 even 8out(e# a
slan#erous state8ent.
!o #ou)t, t(e cor-oration, actin1 t(rou1( its co=
-etitioner My-itc(in1, )latantly #isre1ar#e# t(e law,ul
-roce#ure ,or t(e en,orce8ent o, its ri1(t, to t(e -reHu#ice
o, Nuia8co. '(eir acts violate# t(e law as well as -u)lic
8orals, an# trans1resse# t(e -ro-er nor8s o, (u8an
relations.
'(e )asic -rinci-le o, (u8an relations, e8)o#ie# in
Article 13 o, t(e "ivil "o#e, is also *nown as t(e p"in*iple
#0 abuse #0 "i=!s.
'(ere is an a)use o, ri1(t w(en it is e?ercise# solely
to -reHu#ice or inHure anot(er.
/n t(is case, t(e 8anner )y w(ic( t(e 8otorcycle was
ta*en at -etitioners instance was not only atten#e# )y
)a# ,ait( )ut also contrary to t(e -roce#ure lai# #own )y
law. "onsi#ere# in conHunction wit( t(e #e,a8atory
state8ent, -etitioners e?ercise o, t(e ri1(t to recover t(e
8ort1a1e# ve(icle was utterly -reHu#icial an# inHurious to
Nuia8co. '(us, t(e totality o, -etitioners actions s(owe#
a calculate# #esi1n to e8)arrass, (u8iliate an# -u)licly
ri#icule Nuia8co.
/n as 8uc( t(at Ra8as My-itc(in1 is a lawyer an# an
o:cer o, t(e court, tri-le costs a1ainst -etitioners ,or (is
i8-ro-er )e(avior.
'a*e note, you are a)out to )eco8e lawyers.
'(ere was t(is case:
CEBU COUNTR/ CLUB% INC. 2CCCI5 $s.
ELI8A>ADUE
2Janua"< 18% 2??85
9ne o, t(e 8e8)ers o, "e)u "ountry "lu) is &an
%i1uel "or-oration, a s-ecial co8-any -ro-rietary
8e8)er o, """/. &an %i1uel "or-oration #esi1nate# as
its s-ecial non=-ro-rietary 8e8)er Bli$a1a>ue.
!ow, Bli$a1a>ue wante# to )eco8e a -ro-rietary
8e8)er o, """/. Ce was tol# t(at in or#er ,or one to
)eco8e a 8e8)er o, "e)u "ountry "lu), (e (as to
-urc(ase a s(are ,ro8 t(e "e)u "ountry "lu), /nc. A
s(are o, t(e "e)u "ountry "lu) woul# cost a)out P 4%.
5ut Mnc(uan o0ere# Bli$a1a>ue (is s(are ,or only P 3.4%.
5ut Bli$a1a>ue instea# )ou1(t t(e s(are o, 5utali# ,or only
P 3%. An# t(erea,ter, 7le# (is a--lication to )eco8e a
-ro-rietary 8e8)er o, t(e """/.
Cis a--lication was en#orse# )y 6 o, t(e 5oar# o,
Eirectors o, """/. G(en t(e 5oar# o, Eirectors 8et, (is
a--lication was #e,erre#. &u)se>uently, in two ot(er
8eetin1s, t(e 5oar# #eci#e# to #eny t(e a--lication o,
Bli$a1a>ue an# wrote Bli$a1a>ue t(e #enial or t(e re,usal
to acce-t (is a--lication to )eco8e a 8e8)er o, t(e "e)u
"ountry "lu), /nc. wit(out statin1 t(e reason.
Bli$a1a>ue 8ove# ,or a reconsi#eration. !o answer
was 8a#e. Ce wrote a1ain twice. &o, (e wrote t(ree
ti8es to t(e "e)u "ountry "lu), /nc. ,or reconsi#eration as
well as as*in1 t(e reason w(y (is a--lication ,or
-ro-rietary 8e8)ers(i- was reHecte#.
G(en t(e 3 co88unications were not answere#,
Bli$a1a>ue now 7le# a co8-laint ,or #a8a1es a1ainst t(e
"e)u "ountry "lu), /nc. "e)u "ountry "lu), /nc. 8ove#
,or t(e #is8issal o, t(e co8-laint on t(e 1roun# o,
#a8nu8 a)s>ue inHuria or #a8a1e wit(out inHury.
%oreover, accor#in1 to t(e8, t(ey (ave t(is rule t(at in
or#er ,or -erson to )eco8e a -ro-rietary 8e8)er o, t(e
clu), t(e acce-tance 8ust )e unani8ous, w(ic( 8eans
t(at t(e votes o, all t(e #irectors 8ust )e unani8ous.
5ut in t(e a--lication ,or8, t(ere was not(in1 t(ere
t(at states t(at it re>uires a unani8ous vote. Accor#in1
to ""/, t(at -articular rule was actually a8en#e#. /t now
re>uires a unani8ous vote )y t(e 5oar# o, Eirectors.
&o, w(en t(ey (a# t(at 8eetin1, t(ere was one )lac*
)all. Paran1 -o-e )a1a, yun1 s8o*e. '(ere was t(is
)lac* )all. /n s(ort, t(ere was no unani8ity in t(e #ecision.
Cence, t(e #enial o, t(e a--lication.
5ut t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# in t(is case, t(at o)viously,
t(e 5oar# (as t(e ri1(t to a--rove or #isa--rove an
a--lication ,or -ro-rietary 8e8)ers(i-. 5ut suc( ri1(t s(oul#
not )e e?ercise# ar)itrarily. Articles 13 an# 61 o, t(e "ivil
"o#e on t(e "(a-ter on Cu8an Relations -rovi#e restrictions.
9ne, t(e a8en#8ent to &ection 3(-ara1ra-( c) o, its
A8en#e# 5y=Laws re>uirin1 t(e unani8ous vote o, t(e
#irectors -resent at a s-ecial or re1ular 8eetin1 was n#!
p"in!ed on t(e a--lication ,or8 res-on#ent 7lle# an#
su)8itte# to t(e "ountry "lu). G(at was -rinte# t(ereon was
t(e ori1inal -rovision o, &ection 3(c) w(ic( was silent on t(e
re>uire# nu8)er o, votes nee#e# ,or a#8ission.
'(e e?-lanation t(at t(e a8en#8ent was not -rinte# on
t(e a--lication ,or8 #ue to econo8ic reasons is Ki8sy an#
unconvincin1. &uc( a8en#8ent, asi#e ,ro8 )ein1 e?tre8ely
si1ni7cant, was intro#uce# way )ac* in 13I. or al8ost twenty
(62) years )e,ore Bli$a1a>ue 7le# (is a--lication. /t cannot )e
,at(o8e# w(y suc( a -resti1ious an# e?clusive 1ol, country
clu) w(ose 8e8)ers are aVuent, #i# not (ave enou1( 8oney
to cause t(e -rintin1 o, an u-#ate# a--lication ,or8.
/t is t(us clear t(at res-on#ent was le,t 1ro-in1 in t(e #ar*
won#erin1 w(y (is a--lication was #isa--rove#. Ce was not
even in,or8e# t(at a unani8ous vote o, t(e 5oar# 8e8)ers
was re>uire#. G(en (e sent a letter ,or reconsi#eration an#
an in>uiry w(et(er t(ere was an o)Hection to (is a--lication,
-etitioners a--arently i1nore# (i8. At t(e very least, t(ey
s(oul# (ave in,or8e# (i8 w(y (is a--lication was
#isa--rove#.
'(e e?ercise o, a ri1(t, t(ou1( le1al )y itsel,, 8ust
nonet(eless )e in accor#ance wit( t(e -ro-er nor8. G(en
t(e ri1(t is e?ercise# ar)itrarily, unHustly or e?cessively an#
results in #a8a1e to anot(er, a le1al wron1 is co88itte# ,or
w(ic( t(e wron1#oer 8ust )e (el# res-onsi)le. Petitioners
#isa--roval o, res-on#ents a--lication is c(aracteri$e# )y )a#
,ait( as ,oun# )y )ot( t(e trial an# a--ellate court.
G(at a)out t(e reliance on #a8nu8 a)s>ue inHuriaD
&u:ce it to state t(at t(e sa8e is 8is-lace#. /n .$onoy
v. Guierrez, we (el# t(at t(is -rinci-le #oes not a--ly w(en
!e"e is an abuse #0 a pe"s#nFs "i=!, as in t(is case.
'(at is t(e case o, "e)u "ountry "lu).
&o, t(is is t(e catc(=all -rovision o, t(e "ivil "o#e. Article
13 is t(e 1ol#en rule o, t(e "ivil "o#e.
ARTICLE 2?. Bvery -erson w(o, contrary to law, wil,ully or
ne1li1ently causes #a8a1e to anot(er, s(all in#e8ni,y t(e latter
,or t(e sa8e.
ARTICLE 21. Any -erson w(o wil,ully causes loss or inHury to
anot(er in a 8anner t(at is contrary to 8orals, 1oo# custo8s or
-u)lic -olicy s(all co8-ensate t(e latter ,or t(e #a8a1e.
G(at are t(ose #a8a1esD Fou (ave 6: 7ENTAL or
7ANTLE %oral, B?e8-lary, !o8inal, 'e8-erate, Actual an#
Li>ui#ate#.
/n )ot( instances, w(et(er it is contrary to laws or
contrary to 8orals. (.. you are entitle# to #a8a1es )
9, course, you *now very well t(at a 8ere )reac( o,
-ro8ise to 8arry is not an actiona)le wron1, unless actual
e?-enses were incurre# or t(e act was 8eant to e8)arrass or
to (u8iliate t(e ot(er -erson suc( as enunciate# in t(e case
o,:
WA117ER $s. .ELE8 2-e*. 26% 1C6:5
'(e 8an (a# a c(an1e o, 8in#. &a)i niya we will not 1o
t(rou1( wit( t(e we##in1. / a8 1oin1 )ac* to "a1ayan. '(en,
a,ter t(at, (e sent a tele1ra8 to t(e 7ancTe an# sai# t(at t(e
we##in1 will -us( t(rou1(. &o, t(e )ri#e=to=)e or#ere# (er
we##in1 1own, we##in1 invitations were sent out an# t(ere
was alrea#y a #own-ay8ent 8a#e. G(en t(e we##in1 #ate
arrive#, (e #i# not arrive.
/n t(at case, t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# w(ile a 8ere )reac(
o, -ro8ise to 8arry is not an actiona)le wron1, )ut to ,or8ally
set a we##in1 an# 1o t(rou1( all t(e -re-aration an# -u)licity,
only to wal* out o, it w(en t(e 8atri8ony is a)out to )e
sole8ni$e#, is >uite #i0erent. '(is is -al-a)ly an#
unHusti7a)ly contrary to 1oo# custo8s ,or w(ic( #e,en#ant
8ust )e (el# answera)le in #a8a1es in accor#ance wit(
Article 61.
'
An# o, course, asi#e ,ro8 t(at, t(ere is t(is -ay8ent
,or actual #a8a1es i, you (ave alrea#y incurre# e?-enses.
&uc( as w(at (a--ene# in t(e case o, #ass$er, not only
8oral )ut also actual #a8a1es. 5ut )ein1 actual, it 8ust
)e -rove#. /n t(e a)sence o, -roo, )ut t(ere are
e?-enses, te8-erate #a8a1es can )e as*e#. !o lon1er
actual #a8a1es. !o8inal #a8a1es can only )e as*e# ,or
t(e vin#ication o, a ri1(t. Li>ui#ate# can only )e as*e# i,
it is a1ree# u-on )y t(e -arties.
BUENA.ENTURA $s. CA 27a"* 31% 2??35
/, t(e 8arria1e is ter8inate# )y reason o,
-syc(olo1ical inca-acity o, one o, t(e s-ouses, is t(e
a11rieve# s-ouse or t(e -syc(olo1ically ca-acitate#
s-ouse entitle# to #a8a1esD
'(at was t(e issue in t(e case o, Buenavenura vs.
8., w(ere t(e (us)an# was not actually rea#y ,or
8arria1e. Ce #oes not want to 1et 8arrie# in s(ort. 5ut
t(e -arents -us(e# (i8 to 1et 8arrie#. G(at (e #i# was
to court a wo8an an# -reten# t(at (e was in love wit( t(e
wo8an. G(en t(ey 1ot 8arrie# an# (a# a c(il#, (e coul#
no lon1er relate to t(e c(il# as well as to t(e wi,e. Ce
#oes not want, in ,act, (is 8arria1e to wor*. Bvery ti8e
t(ey woul# >uarrel, (e woul# leave t(e (ouse, instea# o,
t(e wo8an leavin1 t(e (ouse. /n one o, t(eir >uarrels, (e
7nally le,t t(e conHu1al (o8e an# re,use# to reconcile wit(
t(e wi,e.
'(ere was now t(is case. G(en t(e wi,e testi7e#,
accor#in1 to (er, t(e very act o, t(e (us)an# cause# (er
serious an?iety, 8ental an1uis(, )es8irc(e# re-utation,
slee-less ni1(, etc. an# t(ere,ore, s(e is entitle# to
#a8a1es. /s s(e correctD
/, you are 1oin1 to note Article 61, it says will,ully
causes loss or inHury to anot(er in a 8anner t(at is
contrary to 8orals, 1oo# custo8s or -u)lic -olicy.
/n t(is case, t(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# it 8ust )e note#
t(at Article 61 states t(at t(e in#ivi#ual 8ust will,ully
cause loss or inHury to anot(er. '(ere is a nee# t(at t(e
act is will,ul an# (ence #one in co8-lete ,ree#o8.
/t is contra#ictory to c(aracteri$e acts as a -ro#uct o,
-syc(olo1ical inca-acity, an# t(ere,ore, )eyon# t(e
control o, t(e inca-acitate# -arty )ecause o, (is
-syc(olo1ical inca-acity, )ecause o, (is innate ina)ility to
co8-ly wit( t(e essential 8arital o)li1ations o, 8arria1e,
an# at t(e sa8e ti8e consi#erin1 t(e sa8e set o, acts as
will,ul. 5y #eclarin1 !oel as -syc(olo1ically inca-acitate#,
t(e -ossi)ility o, awar#in1 8oral #a8a1es on t(e sa8e
set o, ,acts was ne1ate# )ecause it is not will,ul on t(e
-art o, !oel not to co8-ly wit( t(e essential 8arital
o)li1ations o, 8arria1e.
/n s(ort, i, t(e 8arria1e is ter8inate# )y reason o,
-syc(olo1ical inca-acity, t(en, t(ere can )e no awar# ,or
#a8a1es.
'(e awar# o, 8oral #a8a1es s(oul# )e -re#icate#,
not on t(e 8ere act o, enterin1 into t(e 8arria1e, )ut on
s-eci7c evi#ence t(at it was #one #eli)erately an# wit(
8alice )y a -arty w(o (a# *nowle#1e o, (is #isa)ility an#
yet will,ully conceale# t(e sa8e. '(is is not true w(en
one is -syc(olo1ically inca-acitate#.
ARTICLE 22. Bvery -erson w(o t(rou1( an act o,
-er,or8ance )y anot(er, or any ot(er 8eans, ac>uires or
co8es into -ossession o, so 8et(in1 at t(e e?-ense o, t(e
latter wit(out Hust or le1al 1roun#, s(all return t(e sa8e to
(i8.
Article 66 is unAus! en"i*'en!.
As we (ave learne# in 7rst year, t(is is not t(e sa8e
as solutio in#e)iti )ecause (ere, t(ere is no 8ista*e. /n
solution in#e)iti, t(ere is -ay8ent or #elivery )y 8ista*e.
B?a8-le o, t(ose acts t(at woul# ,all un#er Article 66
is -ay8ent ,or 1oo#s 8ore t(an its value an# you *now
t(at it is in e?cess o, its value. &o, t(e )uyer can #e8an#
,or t(e return o, t(e e?cess.
REPUBLIC $s. LACAP 27a"* 2% 2??45
Laca- is a contractor o-eratin1 un#er t(e )usiness
na8e o, "arwin "onstruction. An# t(e awar# o, t(e
)i##in1 t(at was con#ucte# )y t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer o,
Pa8-an1a ,or t(e re(a)ilitation o, &itio 4 5a(ay Pare, (e
won t(e )i##in1.
A,ter 7nis(in1 t(e concretin1 o, &itio 4 5a(ay Pare, t(e
o:ce o, Eistrict Bn1ineer o, &an @ernan#o, Pa8-an1a,
acce-te# t(e co8-lete# wor* an# in ,act, issue# a "erti7cates
o, @inal /ns-ection an# @inal Acce-tance.
&o, Laca- now #e8an#e# ,or t(e -ay8ent o, t(e wor*.
5ut "9A #isa--rove# t(e 7nal release ,or t(e -ay8ent o, t(e
wor* t(at was 8a#e )y Laca- on t(e 1roun# t(at (is license as
a contractor (a# alrea#y e?-ire# w(en (e entere# into t(e
contract wit( t(e EPGC o, t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer o, Pa8-an1a.
G(at t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer o, Pa8-an1a #i# was to re,er
t(e 8atter to t(e EPGC Le1al Ee-art8ent. '(e lawyer o-ine#
t(at t(ere was not(in1 un#er Re-u)lic Act 466 t(at -revents
t(e -ay8ent o, t(e co8-lete# wor* even i, t(e contractors
license (as alrea#y e?-ire#. /t #i# not #eclare it voi# )ut
rat(er, it 8erely -rovi#e# ,or certain -enalties.
!evert(eless, t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer re,use# to yiel# to t(e
a#vice o, t(e lawyer. A1ain, (e re>ueste# a clari7cation ,ro8
t(e sa8e Le1al Ee-art8ent. An# a1ain, t(e Le1al Ee-art8ent
issue# t(e sa8e o-inion an# or#ere# t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer to
-ay Laca-. 5ut no -ay8ent was 8a#e.
&o, Laca- now was ,orce# to 7le an action or co8-laint,
a1ainst t(e Eistrict Bn1ineer ,or s-eci7c -er,or8ance. /s (e
entitle# to -ay8entD
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at t(e wor#in1s o, RA !o. 466
are clear. /t #oes not #eclare, e?-ressly or i8-lie#ly, as voi#
contracts entere# into )y a contractor w(ose license (a#
alrea#y e?-ire# )ecause it 8erely -rovi#e# t(at t(e use o, an
e?-ire# or revo*e# certi7cate or license, t(e -erson w(o use#
t(at s(all only )e 1uilty o, 8is#e8eanor an# s(all u-on
conviction )e sentence# to -ay a 7ne o, not less t(an P 422
)ut not 8ore t(an P4,222.
5esi#es, Article 66 o, t(e "ivil "o#e w(ic( e8)o#ies t(e
8a?i8 Ne$o e9 alerius inco$$ode debe lecu/leari (no
8an ou1(t to )e 8a#e ric( out o, anot(ers inHury). '(is
article is -art o, t(e c(a-ter o, t(e "ivil "o#e on Cu8an
Relations, t(e -rovisions o, w(ic( were ,or8ulate# as ;)asic
-rinci-les to )e o)serve# ,or t(e ri1(t,ul relations(i- )etween
(u8an )ein1s an# ,or t(e sta)ility o, t(e social or#er.<
'o allow -etitioner to ac>uire t(e 7nis(e# -roHect at no
cost woul# un#ou)te#ly constitute unHust enric(8ent ,or t(e
-etitioner to t(e -reHu#ice o, res-on#ent.
JUNE 16
ARTICLE 23. Bven w(en an act or event causin1 #a8a1e to
anot(erJs -ro-erty was not #ue to t(e ,ault or ne1li1ence o, t(e
#e,en#ant, t(e latter s(all )e lia)le ,or in#e8nity i, t(rou1( t(e act
or event (e was )ene7te#.
Article 63 is )ase# on e>uity. '(e in#e8nity is )ase# on
e>uity. G(ile t(e act is consi#ere# to )e involuntary, (owever,
)ecause (e is enric(e# )y reason o, suc( act, t(en, (e is
o)li1e# to in#e8ni,y t(e -erson w(o (as )een -reHu#ice# )y
suc( involuntary act.
9, course, 8ost aut(ors woul# only cite one e?a8-le (/
t(in* yun1 a Koo# #rives As cattle to t(e lan# o, 5 an# 5s cro- is
#estroye# )y As cattle ). Anot(er e?a8-le (ere is t(ere is
t(is 7re. 'o -revent t(e 7re ,ro8 s-rea#in1, you #estroy t(e
(ouse w(ic( is )e,ore t(e ot(er (ouse. '(en, t(e (ouse w(ic(
(as )een save# )y reason o, t(e #estruction o, t(e (ouse is
o)li1e# to in#e8ni,y t(e owner o, t(e (ouse t(at was
#estroye# )ecause t(rou1( suc( involuntary act, (e (as )een
enric(e#.
ARTICLE 2:. /n all contractual, -ro-erty or ot(er relations,
w(en one o, t(e -arties is at a #isa#vanta1e on account o, (is
8oral #e-en#ence, i1norance, in#i1ence, 8ental wea*ness,
ten#er a1e or ot(er (an#ica-, t(e courts 8ust )e vi1ilant ,or (is
-rotection.
Article 6 is anc(ore# on t(e -#*!"ine #0 Pa"ens
Pa!"iae, t(e in(erent -ower o, t(e state to -rovi#e -rotection
not only to t(e -erson )ut also to t(e -ro-erty o, an
inca-acitate# -erson.
ARTICLE 23. '(ou1(tless e?trava1ance in e?-enses ,or
-leasure or #is-lay #urin1 a -erio# o, acute -u)lic want or
e8er1ency 8ay )e sto--e# )y or#er o, t(e courts at t(e instance
o, any 1overn8ent or -rivate c(arita)le institution.
'a*e note t(at Article 64 is only true #urin1 a -erio# o,
acute -u)lic want or e8er1ency w(ic( we (o-e woul# not
(a--en to t(e P(ili--ines )ecause t(is is alrea#y (a--enin1 in
(
so8e ot(er -arts o, t(e worl#. '(ey )eca8e suc(
)ecause o, natural cala8ity.
'a*e note also t(at t(is can only )e sto--e#, t(is
#is-lay o, e?trava1ance, )y t(e 1overn8ent or !G9, a
c(arita)le institution.
ARTICLE 26. Bvery -erson s(all res-ect t(e #i1nity,
-ersonality,
-rivacy an# -eace o, 8in# o, (is nei1()ors an# ot(er -ersons.
'(e ,ollowin1 an# si8ilar acts, t(ou1( t(ey 8ay not constitute
a cri8inal o0ense, s(all -ro#uce a cause o, action ,or
#a8a1es, -revention an# ot(er relie,:
(1) Pryin1 into t(e -rivacy o, anot(erJs resi#enceR
(6) %e##lin1 wit( or #istur)in1 t(e -rivate li,e or ,a8ily
relations o, anot(erR
(3) /ntri1uin1 to cause anot(er to )e alienate# ,ro8 (is
,rien#sR
() Le?in1 or (u8iliatin1 anot(er on account o, (is reli1ious
)elie,s, lowly station in li,e, -lace o, )irt(, -(ysical #e,ect, or
ot(er -ersonal con#ition.
Article 66 ca8e out in 13II.
'(ese are acts #one )y a t(ir# -erson, t(ou1( t(ey
8ay not constitute a cri8inal o0ense, (owever, t(ey s(all
1ive rise to actions ,or #a8a1es, -revention an# ot(er
relie,.
'(ese are t(e acts.
ARTICLE 24. Any -erson su0erin1 8aterial or 8oral loss
)ecause a -u)lic servant or e8-loyee re,uses or ne1lects,
wit(out Hust cause, to -er,or8 (is o:cial #uty 8ay 7le an
action ,or #a8a1es an# ot(er relie, a1ainst t(e latter, wit(out
-reHu#ice to any #isci-linary a#8inistrative action t(at 8ay )e
ta*en.
Article 6I re,ers to n#n0easan*e% not #oin1 o, t(e
-u)lic servant or e8-loyee wit(out Hust cause (is o:cial
#uty.
&o, asi#e ,ro8 t(e #a8a1es, one can 7le )e,ore t(e
9:ce o, t(e 98)u#s8an, #e-en#in1 on t(e -osition o,
t(e -erson.
!ow, lets 1o to *i$il a*!i#ns a"isin= 0"#' *"i'inal
#)enses. '(is is )ase# on t(e -rinci-le t(at a -erson
w(o is cri8inally lia)le is also civilly lia)le.
ARTICLE 2C. G(en t(e accuse# in a cri8inal -rosecution
is ac>uitte# on t(e 1roun# t(at (is 1uilt (as not )een -rove#
)eyon# reasona)le #ou)t, a civil action ,or #a8a1es ,or t(e
sa8e act or o8ission 8ay )e institute#. &uc( action re>uires
only a -re-on#erance o, evi#ence. M-on 8otion o, t(e
#e,en#ant, t(e court 8ay re>uire t(e -lainti0 to 7le a )on# to
answer ,or #a8a1es in case t(e co8-laint s(oul# )e ,oun# to
)e 8alicious.
/, in a cri8inal case t(e Hu#18ent o, ac>uittal is )ase#
u-on reasona)le #ou)t, t(e court s(all so #eclare. /n t(e
a)sence o, any #eclaration to t(at e0ect, it 8ay )e in,erre#
,ro8 t(e te?t o, t(e #ecision w(et(er or not t(e ac>uittal is
#ue to t(at 1roun#.
5ut Article 63 is not )ase# on an in#e-en#ent civil
action. Rat(er, t(e cri8inal case was #is8isse# )ecause
t(e 1uilt o, t(e accuse# cannot )e -rove# )eyon#
reasona)le #ou)t. An# t(ere was no awar# ,or #a8a1es.
'(ere,ore, t(e co8-lainant or t(e o0en#e# -arty can
institute a se-arate civil action ,or #a8a1es w(ic( will
only re>uire 8ere -re-on#erance o, evi#ence. 5ut t(e
#e,en#ant 8ay 8ove t(at t(e -lainti0 s(all 7le a )on# to
answer ,or #a8a1es i, t(e court 7n#s t(at t(e co8-laint is
,oun# to )e 8alicious.
&o, (ere t(ere was t(is #ecision )ut t(e ac>uittal is
not )ase# on t(e ,act t(at (e #i# not co88it t(e cri8e )ut
rat(er, (is 1uilt cannot )e -roven )eyon# reasona)le
#ou)t.
Generally, un#er t(e rules, t(e civil action is #ee8e#
i8-lie#ly institute# wit( t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1s ,or t(ose
civil actions arisin1 ,ro8 t(e ,elonious act itsel,.
'(e e?ce-tions w(ere no civil lia)ility s(all arise are
t(e ,ollowin1:
1. '(e ,acts ,ro8 w(ic( t(e civil action is )ase# #i# not
e?ist
6. '(e accuse# #i# not co88it t(e cri8e
3. '(at no cri8e e?iste#
5ut -rescri-tion o, t(e cri8inal action #oes not )ar
t(e 7lin1 o, civil action.
'(e e?ce-tion to t(e rule t(at t(e civil action is #ee8e#
i8-lie#ly institute# in t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1 is w(en:
1. The co$/lainan or o:ended /ary ;les a se/arae civil
acion or $a%es a reservaion
'(e reservation is to )e 8a#e at any ti8e )e,ore t(e
-rosecution starts to -resent its evi#ence an# a0or#in1 t(e
co8-lainant su:cient o--ortunity to 7le t(e civil action.
&u--ose t(e co8-lainant (a# )een inHure# an# (as to )e
(os-itali$e#. Ce is 1iven su:cient o--ortunity to institute a
se-arate civil action, even i, t(e -rosecution (as alrea#y
starte# to -resent its evi#ence.
6. <& he o:ended /ary 5aives he righ o insiue a
se/arae civil acion
'(e e?ce-tion to t(e e?ce-tion: Reservations o, civil
actions arisin1 ,ro8 violations o, 5P 66 s(all not )e allowe# or
reco1ni$e#. '(is is t(e e?ce-tion to t(e rule w(ere t(e
o0en#e# -arty 8ay 7le a se-arate civil action ,or #a8a1es
)ecause (e (as in#e-en#ently institute# it or (e (as 8a#e a
reservation.
5ut i, it is )ase# on t(e cri8inal o0ense o, 5P 66, you
cannot institute a se-arate civil action ,or #a8a1es nor are
you allowe# to 8a*e a reservation. /t is always #ee8e#
i8-lie#ly institute# wit( t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1s.
!ow, t(e actions t(at #o not re>uire reservation are w(at
we call as IN-EPEN-ENT CI.IL ACTION1.
ARTICLE 31. G(en t(e civil action is )ase# on an o)li1ation
not arisin1 ,ro8 t(e act or o8ission co8-laine# o, as a ,elony,
suc( civil action 8ay -rocee# in#e-en#ently o, t(e cri8inal
-rocee#in1s an# re1ar#less o, t(e result o, t(e latter.
Alt(ou1( Article 31 is not e?actly an in#e-en#ent civil
action, it is only suc( )ecause t(e civil action is not )ase# on
t(e act or o8ission t(at is co8-laine# o, as a ,elony, )ut ,ro8
ot(er sources o, o)li1ations suc( as law, contracts, >uasi=
contracts an# >uasi=#elicts not )ase# on t(e act or o8ission
co8-laine# o, as a ,elony )ut on so8e ot(er sources o,
o)li1ations.
Bven i, t(e cri8inal action is )ase# on esta,a, )ut t(e civil
action is )ase# on t(e )reac( o, contract, t(e civil action
)ase# on t(e )reac( o, contract can -rocee# in#e-en#ently o,
t(e esta,a case )ecause it is not )ase# on t(e ,elonious act
)ut on anot(er source o, o)li1ation, w(ic( is contract.
ARTICLE 32. Any -u)lic o:cer or e8-loyee, or any -rivate
in#ivi#ual, w(o #irectly or in#irectly o)structs, #e,eats, violates or
in any 8anner i8-e#es or i8-airs any o, t(e ,ollowin1 ri1(ts an#
li)erties o, anot(er -erson s(all )e lia)le to t(e latter ,or #a8a1es:
(1) @ree#o8 o, reli1ionR
(6) @ree#o8 o, s-eec(R
(3) @ree#o8 to write ,or t(e -ress or to 8aintain a -erio#ical
-u)licationR
() @ree#o8 ,ro8 ar)itrary or ille1al #etentionR
(4) @ree#o8 o, su0ra1eR
(6) '(e ri1(t a1ainst #e-rivation o, -ro-erty wit(out #ue -rocess
o, lawR
(I) '(e ri1(t to a Hust co8-ensation w(en -rivate -ro-erty is
ta*en ,or -u)lic useR
(.) '(e ri1(t to t(e e>ual -rotection o, t(e lawsR
(3) '(e ri1(t to )e secure in oneJs -erson, (ouse, -a-ers, an#
e0ects a1ainst unreasona)le searc(es an# sei$uresR
(12) '(e li)erty o, a)o#e an# o, c(an1in1 t(e sa8eR
(11) '(e -rivacy o, co88unication an# corres-on#enceR
(16) '(e ri1(t to )eco8e a 8e8)er o, associations or societies ,or
-ur-oses not contrary to lawR
(13) '(e ri1(t to ta*e -art in a -eacea)le asse8)ly to -etition t(e
Govern8ent ,or re#ress o, 1rievancesR
(1) '(e ri1(t to )e ,ree ,ro8 involuntary servitu#e in any ,or8R
(14) '(e ri1(t o, t(e accuse# a1ainst e?cessive )ailR
(16) '(e ri1(t o, t(e accuse# to )e (ear# )y (i8sel, an#
counsel, to )e in,or8e# o, t(e nature an# cause o, t(e
accusation a1ainst (i8, to (ave a s-ee#y an# -u)lic trial,
to 8eet t(e witnesses ,ace to ,ace, an# to (ave
co8-ulsory -rocess to secure t(e atten#ance o, witness in
(is )e(al,R
(1I) @ree#o8 ,ro8 )ein1 co8-elle# to )e a witness a1ainst oneJs
sel,, or ,ro8 )ein1 ,orce# to con,ess 1uilt, or ,ro8 )ein1
in#uce# )y a -ro8ise o, i88unity or rewar# to 8a*e suc(
con,ession, e?ce-t w(en t(e -erson con,essin1 )eco8es a
&tate witnessR
10
(1.) @ree#o8 ,ro8 e?cessive 7nes, or cruel an# unusual
-unis(8ent, unless t(e sa8e is i8-ose# or inKicte# in
accor#ance wit( a statute w(ic( (as not )een
Hu#icially #eclare# unconstitutionalR an#
(13) @ree#o8 o, access to t(e courts.
/n any o, t(e cases re,erre# to in t(is article, w(et(er or
not t(e #e,en#antJs act or o8ission constitutes a cri8inal
o0ense, t(e a11rieve# -arty (as a ri1(t to co88ence an
entirely se-arate an# #istinct civil action ,or #a8a1es, an# ,or
ot(er relie,. &uc( civil action s(all -rocee# in#e-en#ently o,
any cri8inal -rosecution (i, t(e latter )e institute#), an# 8ay
)e -rove# )y a -re-on#erance o, evi#ence.
'(e in#e8nity s(all inclu#e 8oral #a8a1es. B?e8-lary
#a8a1es 8ay also )e a#Hu#icate#.
'(e res-onsi)ility (erein set ,ort( is not #e8an#a)le ,ro8
a Hu#1e unless (is act or o8ission constitutes a violation o,
t(e Penal "o#e or ot(er -enal statute.
!ow, asi#e ,ro8 Article 31 is Article 36, on violations
o, ones civil li)erty, w(et(er #irect or in#irect, co88itte#
)y a -u)lic o:cer or e8-loyee or )y a -rivate in#ivi#ual,
suc( as w(at (as )een #eci#e# in t(e case o,:
79P >AR7ENT1 $s. CA 2 1ep!. 2% 1CC:5
/n t(is case, t(e -rivate res-on#ent sai# t(at ;/ cannot
)e (el# lia)le ,or #a8a1es )ecause it was t(e 8e8)ers o,
t(e #e,unct P(ili--ine "onsta)ulary w(o 8a#e t(e rai#.
An# we were not t(e ones w(o con7scate# t(e 5oy &cout
Para-(ernalia, )ut t(e 8e8)ers o, t(e #e,unct P(ili--ine
"onsta)ulary.<
'(e &u-re8e "ourt sai# t(at t(e law says ;w(et(er
#irectly or in#irectly an# co88itte# )y a -rivate
in#ivi#ual<. /n t(at case, t(ey were t(e ones w(o went to
t(e o:ce o, t(e P(ili--ine "onsta)ulary an# co8-laine#
t(at t(ere is t(is anot(er store t(at was sellin1 5oy &cout
-ara-(ernalia w(ic( is in violation o, t(e a1ree8ent
)etween t(e 5oy &couts o, t(e P(ili--ines an# %CP
Gar8ents, w(o is su--ose# to )e t(e only #istri)utor o,
5oy &cout uni,or8s.
Git(out )ein1 ar8e# wit( a warrant, t(ey rai#e# t(e
-lace an# su)se>uent to t(at, a civil action ,or #a8a1es
was 7le#.
ARTICLE 3:. G(en a 8e8)er o, a city or 8unici-al -olice
,orce re,uses or ,ails to ren#er ai# or -rotection to any -erson
in case o, #an1er to li,e or -ro-erty, suc( -eace o:cer s(all
)e -ri8arily lia)le ,or #a8a1es, an# t(e city or 8unici-ality
s(all )e su)si#iarily res-onsi)le t(ere,or. '(e civil action
(erein reco1ni$e# s(all )e in#e-en#ent o, any cri8inal
-rocee#in1s, an# a -re-on#erance o, evi#ence s(all su:ce to
su--ort suc( action.
'a*e note t(at Article 3 re,ers to a 8e8)er o, a
8unici-al or city -olice ,orce. Alt(ou1(, t(ere is now a
#ou)t to w(et(er can t(is still )e a--lie# to#ay inas8uc(
as t(e -olice8en are alrea#y un#er t(e control an#
su-ervision o, t(e P(ili--ine !ational Police.
ARTICLE 33. /n cases o, #e,a8ation, ,rau#, an# -(ysical
inHuries, a civil action ,or #a8a1es, entirely se-arate an#
#istinct ,ro8 t(e cri8inal action, 8ay )e )rou1(t )y t(e
inHure# -arty. &uc( civil action s(all -rocee# in#e-en#ently o,
t(e cri8inal -rosecution, an# s(all re>uire only a
-re-on#erance o, evi#ence.
'(ose un#er Article 33 on ,rau#, #e,a8ation an#
-(ysical inHury.
'a*e note t(at t(e -(ysical inHury 8ust )e
intentionally co88itte# )ecause i, t(is is co88itte#
t(rou1( rec*less i8-ru#ence, it s(oul# no lon1er ,all
un#er Article 33 )ut un#er Article 61I6.
'(e -(ysical inHury is use# in its 1eneric ter8.
P(ysical inHuries woul# inclu#e (o8ici#e an# 8ur#er
)ecause t(is is use# in its 1eneric s-eci7cation.
ARTICLE 2146. G(oever )y act or o8ission causes #a8a1e
to anot(er, t(ere )ein1 ,ault or ne1li1ence, is o)li1e# to -ay
,or t(e #a8a1e #one. &uc( ,ault or ne1li1ence, i, t(ere is no
-re=e?istin1 contractual relation )etween t(e -arties, is calle#
a >uasi=#elict an# is 1overne# )y t(e -rovisions o, t(is
"(a-ter. (1326a)
'(e nu8)er ,our in#e-en#ent civil action is Article 61I6
on >uasi=#elicts.
'(e -(ysical inHuries un#er Article 33 8ust )e intentionally
co88itte#, ot(erwise, it woul# ,all un#er Article 61I6.
N# Rese"$a!i#n Clause
!o reservation is necessary ,or one to institute a se-arate
civil action ,or #a8a1es un#er t(e new rules. /t is 1iven
retroactive e0ect )y t(e courts. /t will a--ly to cases still
-en#in1 as enunciate# )y t(e &u-re8e "ourt in t(e cases o,
CA1UPANAN $s. LARO/A an# CANCIO $s. I1IP.
CA1UPANAN $s. LARO/A 2Au=. 26% 2??25
6ACT1@ 'wo ve(icles, one #riven )y Laroya an# t(e ot(er was
owne# )y "a-itulo an# #riven )y "asu-anan, 71ure# in an
acci#ent. Laroya 7le# a cri8inal case a1ainst "asu-anan ,or
rec*less i8-ru#ence resultin1 in #a8a1e to -ro-erty w(ile
"asu-anan an# "a-itulo 7le# a civil case a1ainst Laroya ,or >uasi=
#elict.
G(en t(e civil case was 7le#, t(e cri8inal case was t(en at its
-reli8inary investi1ation sta1e. Laroya, 7le# a 8otion to #is8iss
t(e civil case on t(e 1roun# o, ,oru8=s(o--in1 consi#erin1 t(e
-en#ency o, t(e cri8inal case. '(e %"'" #is8isse# t(e civil case.
"asu-anan an# "a-itulo insiste# t(at t(e civil case is a se-arate
civil action w(ic( can -rocee# in#e-en#ently o, t(e cri8inal case.
I11UE@ G(et(er or not an accuse# in a -en#in1 cri8inal case ,or
rec*less i8-ru#ence can vali#ly 7le, si8ultaneously an#
in#e-en#ently, a se-arate civil action ,or >uasi=#elict a1ainst t(e
-rivate co8-lainant in t(e cri8inal case
9EL-@ '(ere is no ,oru8=s(o--in1 in t(e instant case )ecause
t(e law an# t(e rules e?-ressly allow t(e 7lin1 o, a se-arate civil
action w(ic( can -rocee# in#e-en#ently o, t(e cri8inal action.
Laroya 7le# t(e cri8inal case ,or rec*less i8-ru#ence
resultin1 in #a8a1e to -ro-erty )ase# on t(e Revise# Penal "o#e
w(ile "asu-anan an# "a-itulo 7le# t(e civil action ,or #a8a1es
)ase# on Article 61I6 o, t(e "ivil "o#e. Alt(ou1( t(ese two
actions arose ,ro8 t(e sa8e act or o8ission, t(ey (ave #i0erent
causes o, action. '(e cri8inal case is )ase# on cul-a cri8inal
-unis(a)le un#er t(e Revise# Penal "o#e w(ile t(e civil case is
)ase# on cul-a a>uiliana actiona)le un#er Articles 61I6 an# 61II
o, t(e "ivil "o#e.
Any a11rieve# -erson can invo*e t(ese articles -rovi#e# (e
-roves, )y -re-on#erance o, evi#ence, t(at (e (as su0ere#
#a8a1e )ecause o, t(e ,ault or ne1li1ence o, anot(er. Bit(er t(e
-rivate co8-lainant or t(e accuse# can 7le a se-arate civil action
un#er t(ese articles. '(ere is not(in1 in t(e law or rules t(at state
only t(e -rivate co8-lainant in a cri8inal case 8ay invo*e t(ese
articles.
&ince t(e -resent Rules o, "ourt re>uire t(e accuse# in a
cri8inal action to 7le (is counterclai8 in a se-arate civil action,
t(ere can )e no ,oru8=s(o--in1 i, t(e accuse# 7les suc( se-arate
civil action.
&ection 1, Rule 111 o, t(e 13.4 Rules on "ri8inal Proce#ure,
as a8en#e# in 13.., allowe# t(e 7lin1 o, a se-arate civil action
in#e-en#ently o, t(e cri8inal action -rovi#e# t(e o0en#e# -arty
reserve# t(e ri1(t to 7le suc( civil action. Mnless t(e o0en#e#
-arty reserve# t(e civil action )e,ore t(e -resentation o, t(e
evi#ence ,or t(e -rosecution, all civil actions arisin1 ,ro8 t(e
sa8e act or o8ission were #ee8e# ;i8-lie#ly institute#< in t(e
cri8inal case. '(ese civil actions re,erre# to t(e recovery o, civil
lia)ility e9,delico, t(e recovery o, #a8a1es ,or >uasi=#elict, an#
t(e recovery o, #a8a1es ,or violation o, Articles 36, 33 an# 3 o,
t(e "ivil "o#e on Cu8an Relations.
Mn#er &ection 1 o, t(e -resent Rule 111, w(at is ;#ee8e#
institute#< wit( t(e cri8inal action is only t(e action to recover
civil lia)ility arisin1 ,ro8 t(e cri8e or e9,delico. All t(e ot(er civil
actions un#er Articles 36, 33, 3 an# 61I6 o, t(e "ivil "o#e are no
lon1er ;#ee8e# institute#,< an# 8ay )e 7le# se-arately an#
-rosecute# in#e-en#ently even wit(out any reservation in t(e
cri8inal action. '(e ,ailure to 8a*e a reservation in t(e cri8inal
action is not a waiver o, t(e ri1(t to 7le a se-arate an#
in#e-en#ent civil action )ase# on t(ese articles o, t(e "ivil "o#e.
'(e -rescri-tive -erio# on t(e civil actions )ase# on t(ese articles
o, t(e "ivil "o#e continues to run even wit( t(e 7lin1 o, t(e
cri8inal action. Lerily, t(e civil actions )ase# on t(ese articles o,
t(e "ivil "o#e are se-arate, #istinct an# in#e-en#ent o, t(e civil
action ;#ee8e# institute#< in t(e cri8inal action.
Mn#er t(e -resent Rule 111, t(e o0en#e# -arty is still 1iven
t(e o-tion to 7le a se-arate civil action to recover civil lia)ility e?=
#elicto )y reservin1 suc( ri1(t in t(e cri8inal action )e,ore t(e
-rosecution -resents its evi#ence. Also, t(e o0en#e# -arty is
#ee8e# to 8a*e suc( reservation i, (e 7les a se-arate civil action
)e,ore 7lin1 t(e cri8inal action. /, t(e civil action to recover civil
lia)ility e9,delico is 7le# se-arately )ut its trial (as not yet
11
co88ence#, t(e civil action 8ay )e consoli#ate# wit( t(e
cri8inal action. '(e consoli#ation un#er t(is Rule #oes not
a--ly to se-arate civil actions arisin1 ,ro8 t(e sa8e act or
o8ission 7le# un#er Articles 36, 33, 3 an# 61I6 o, t(e "ivil
"o#e.
A se-arate civil action, i, reserve# in t(e cri8inal action,
coul# not )e 7le# until a,ter 7nal Hu#18ent was ren#ere# in
t(e cri8inal action. /, t(e se-arate civil action was 7le#
)e,ore t(e co88ence8ent o, t(e cri8inal action, t(e civil
action, i, still -en#in1, was sus-en#e# u-on t(e 7lin1 o, t(e
cri8inal action until 7nal Hu#18ent was ren#ere# in t(e
cri8inal action. '(is rule a--lie# only to t(e se-arate civil
action 7le# to recover lia)ility e9,delico. '(e rule #i# not
a--ly to in#e-en#ent civil actions )ase# on Articles 36, 33, 3
an# 61I6 o, t(e "ivil "o#e, w(ic( coul# -rocee#
in#e-en#ently re1ar#less o, t(e 7lin1 o, t(e cri8inal action.
&ection 3 o, t(e -resent Rule 111 e?-ressly allows t(e
;o0en#e# -arty< to )rin1 an in#e-en#ent civil action un#er
Articles 36, 33, 3 an# 61I6 o, t(e "ivil "o#e. As state# in
&ection 3 o, t(e -resent Rule 111, t(is civil action s(all
-rocee# in#e-en#ently o, t(e cri8inal action an# s(all re>uire
only a -re-on#erance o, evi#ence. /n no case, (owever, 8ay
t(e ;o0en#e# -arty recover #a8a1es twice ,or t(e sa8e act
or o8ission c(ar1e# in t(e cri8inal action.<
'(ere is no >uestion t(at t(e o0en#e# -arty in t(e
cri8inal action can 7le an in#e-en#ent civil action ,or >uasi=
#elict a1ainst t(e accuse#. "learly, &ection 3 o, Rule 111
re,ers to t(e o0en#e# -arty in t(e cri8inal action, not to t(e
accuse#.
Mn#er &ection 1 o, t(e -resent Rule 111, t(e in#e-en#ent
civil action in Articles 36, 33, 3 an# 61I6 o, t(e "ivil "o#e is
not #ee8e# institute# wit( t(e cri8inal action )ut 8ay )e
7le# se-arately )y t(e o0en#e# -arty even wit(out
reservation. '(e co88ence8ent o, t(e cri8inal action #oes
not sus-en# t(e -rosecution o, t(e in#e-en#ent civil action
un#er t(ese articles o, t(e "ivil "o#e. '(e sus-ension in
&ection 6 o, t(e -resent Rule 111 re,ers only to t(e civil action
arisin1 ,ro8 t(e cri8e, i, suc( civil action is reserve# or 7le#
)e,ore t(e co88ence8ent o, t(e cri8inal action.
'(us, t(e o0en#e# -arty can 7le two se-arate suits ,or
t(e sa8e act or o8ission. '(e 7rst a cri8inal case w(ere t(e
civil action to recover civil lia)ility e9,delico is #ee8e#
institute#, an# t(e ot(er a civil case ,or 7uasi,delic = wit(out
violatin1 t(e rule on non=,oru8 s(o--in1. '(e two cases can
-rocee# si8ultaneously an# in#e-en#ently o, eac( ot(er. '(e
co88ence8ent or -rosecution o, t(e cri8inal action will not
sus-en# t(e civil action ,or 7uasi,delic. '(e only li8itation is
t(at t(e o0en#e# -arty cannot recover #a8a1es twice ,or t(e
sa8e act or o8ission o, t(e #e,en#ant.
&i8ilarly, t(e accuse# can 7le a civil action ,or 7uasi,
delic ,or t(e sa8e act or o8ission (e is accuse# o, in t(e
cri8inal case.
'(us, !e *i$il a*!i#n based #n quasi-delict Gled
sepa"a!el< b< Casupanan and Capi!ul# is p"#pe".
CANCIO $s. I1IP 2N#$e'be" 12% 2??25
6ACT1@ "ancio 7le# 3 cases o, violation o, 5P 66 an# 3 cases
o, esta,a a1ainst /si-. '(e cri8inal cases in violation o, 5P 66
were #is8isse#. '(e -rosecution 8ove# ,or t(e #is8issal o,
t(e 3 cases o, esta,a. Cowever, t(e -rosecution reserve# its
ri1(t to 7le a se-arate civil action arisin1 ,ro8 t(e sai#
cri8inal cases.
"ancio 7le# t(e instant cases ,or collection o, su8 o,
8oney, see*in1 to recover t(e a8ount o, t(e c(ec*s su)Hects
o, t(e esta,a cases. /si- 8ove# ,or t(e #is8issal t(ereo, on
t(e 1roun# o, res Hu#icata, w(ic( was 1rante#.
I11UE@ G(et(er or not t(e #is8issal o, t(e esta,a a1ainst /si-
)ars t(e institution o, a civil action ,or collection o, t(e value
o, t(e c(ec*s su)Hect o, t(e esta,a cases.
9EL-@ "ancio sou1(t to en,orce /si-s o)li1ation to 8a*e
1oo# t(e value o, t(e c(ec*s in e?c(an1e ,or t(e cas( (e
#elivere# to /si-. "ancios cause o, action is /si-s )reac( o,
contractual o)li1ation. An# in#e-en#ent civil action arisin1
,ro8 contracts, as in t(is case, 8ay )e 7le# se-arately an#
-rosecute# in#e-en#ently even wit(out any reservation in t(e
cri8inal action. !ot )ein1 #ee8e# institute# in t(e cri8inal
action )ase# on cul-a cri8inal, a rulin1 on t(e cul-a)ility o,
t(e o0en#er will (ave no )earin1 on sai# in#e-en#ent civil
action )ase# on an entirely #i0erent cause o, action, suc( as
cul-a contractual.
G(yD 5ecause t(ese are 8ere -roce#ural rules. '(ey
can )e 1iven retroactive e0ect.
'(e rule is t(at t(e e?tinction o, t(e cri8inal lia)ility #oes
not carry wit( t(e e?tinction o, t(e civil lia)ility, unless t(ere
(as )een no -ronounce8ent yet as to t(e 1uilt o, t(e accuse#.
9ne o, t(e cases is t(e very ol# case o,:
PEOPLE $s. BA/OTA1 2236 1CRA 23C5
G(ere t(ere was conviction, (owever, it went on a--eal.
9n a--eal, t(e accuse# #ie#. &o, to1et(er wit( it, accor#in1 to
t(e &u-re8e "ourt, is also t(e civil lia)ility, t(e #eat( o, t(e
civil lia)ility )ecause it (as not )een -roven w(et(er 5ayotas
in#ee# co88itte# t(e cri8e o, ra-e. An# t(e civil lia)ility is
)ase# on t(e ,elonious act, an# t(ere,ore, it is also
e?tin1uis(e# )y t(e e?tinction o, t(e cri8inal lia)ility.
5ut i, it is )ase# on a contract or so8e ot(er sources o,
o)li1ation, t(en, t(ere is no e?tinction o, t(e civil action.
PEOPLE $s. BA/OTA1 2236 1CRA 23C5
'(e #eat( o, t(e accuse# -rior to 7nal Hu#18ent ter8inates
(is cri8inal lia)ility an# only t(e civil lia)ility #irectly arisin1 ,ro8
an# )ase# solely on t(e o0ense co88itte#.
G(ere t(e civil lia)ility survives ()ecause it is -re#icate# on a
source o, o)li1ation ot(er t(an #elictOcri8e), an action ,or recovery
8ay )e -ursue# )ut only )y way o, 7lin1 a se-arate civil action.
'(is 8ay )e en,orce# a1ainst t(e e?ecutorOa#8inistrator or t(e
estate o, t(e accuse#, #e-en#in1 on t(e source o, o)li1ation u-on
w(ic( t(e sa8e is )ase#.
6RIA1 $s. 1AN -IE>OH1I1ON 2Ap"il :% 2??45
@rias entere# into an a1ree8ent wit( &ison w(ere &ison
will )uy t(e (ouse an# lot o, @rias ,or a)out P 6.%. '(e
a1ree8ent was ,or &ison to 8a*e a #own-ay8ent o, P 3% an#
t(e )alance o, P 3.% to )e -ai# later. /t was a1ree# t(at
&ison is 1iven 6 8ont(s wit(in w(ic( to #eci#e w(et(er (e
woul# )uy t(e -ro-erty or not. /n t(e 8eanti8e, w(ile &ison
will #eci#e to )uy t(e -ro-erty or not, @rias (as t(e ri1(t to
o0er it to t(ir# -ersons.
An# in t(e event t(at a t(ir# -erson woul# )uy t(e
-ro-erty, @rias woul# return t(e 8oney to &ison wit( le1al
interest rate. 5ut i, wit(in t(e 6=8ont( -erio#, no )uyer is
intereste# an# &ison is also not intereste# to )uy t(e -ro-erty,
@rias will return t(e P 3% )ut t(e rate o, interest will start on
t(e 6
t(
8ont(. '(at was t(e a1ree8ent. '(e a8ount o, P 3%
s(all no )e consi#ere# as a loan, secure# )y t(e (ouse an# lot.
'(at was t(e a1ree8ent.
/t s(owe# t(at no )uyer was intereste#. &ison li*ewise #i#
not s(ow interest in )uyin1 t(e -ro-erty. A,ter 6 8ont(s, &ison
#e8an#e# ,or t(e return o, t(e P 3% o, #own-ay8ent. !o
return was 8a#e an# su)se>uently, s(e ,oun# out @rias 7le#
an a:#avit clai8in1 t(at t(e title to t(e -ro-erty was lost an#
-raye# t(at s(e )e issue# a new title. 5ut actually, t(e title is
in t(e -ossession o, &ison.
G(en &ison learne#, s(e now 7le# a civil case a1ainst
@rias. @rias 8ove# ,or t(e #is8issal o, t(e case on t(e 1roun#
t(at s(e was ac>uitte# in t(e cri8inal case ,or -erHury an#
,alse testi8ony. Accor#in1 to (er, inas8uc( as s(e was
ac>uitte# in t(e cri8inal case, t(ere,ore, t(ere can )e no 8ore
civil lia)ility. '(at was t(e ar1u8ent.
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, t(e civil action is )ase#
on Article 31 an# not on t(e act or o8ission co8-laine# o, as
a ,elony, )ut so8e ot(er sources o, o)li1ation, w(ic( in t(e
case at )ar is t(e contract.
G(ile t(e -etitioner was ac>uitte# in t(e ,alse testi8ony
an# -erHury cases, t(ose actions are entirely #istinct ,ro8 t(e
collection o, su8 o, 8oney wit( #a8a1es. /t is )ase# on
)reac( o, contract.
'(en, we 1o now to p"eAudi*ial Iues!i#ns.
ARTICLE 36. Pre=Hu#icial >uestions, w(ic( 8ust )e #eci#e#
)e,ore any cri8inal -rosecution 8ay )e institute# or 8ay -rocee#,
s(all )e 1overne# )y rules o, court w(ic( t(e &u-re8e "ourt s(all
-ro8ul1ate an# w(ic( s(all not )e in conKict wit( t(e -rovisions o,
t(is "o#e.
A p"eAudi*ial Iues!i#n is #e7ne# as one )ase# on a ,act
#istinct an# se-arate ,ro8 t(e cri8e )ut so inti8ately
connecte# wit( it t(at it #eter8ines t(e 1uilt or innocence o,
t(e accuse#, an# ,or it to sus-en# t(e cri8inal action, it 8ust
a--ear not only t(at sai# case involves ,acts inti8ately relate#
to t(ose u-on w(ic( t(e cri8inal -rosecution woul# )e )ase#
)ut also t(at in t(e resolution o, t(e issue or issues raise# in
12
t(e civil case, t(e 1uilt or innocence o, t(e accuse# woul#
)e necessarily #eter8ine#.
'(e 6 ele8ents are:
1. '(e civil action involves an issue si8ilar or inti8ately
relate# to t(e issue raise# in t(e cri8inal action
6. '(e resolution o, suc( issue #eter8ines w(et(er or
not t(e cri8inal action 8ay -rocee#
G(en will you 7le a -etition ,or t(e sus-ension o, t(e
cri8inal -rocee#in1s on t(e 1roun# o, t(e e?istence o, a
-reHu#icial >uestionD
Eurin1 t(e -reli8inary investi1ation, you 7le it wit(
t(e -rosecutor or 9:ce o, t(e "ity Prosecutor. 9r i, t(e
case is alrea#y -en#in1, )e,ore t(e court w(ere t(e case
is )ein1 (ear# )e,ore t(e -rosecution rests its case.
Generally, t(e ri1(t to 7le a -etition ,or t(e
sus-ension o, t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1 is 1rante# to t(e
accuse# )ecause it is (e w(ose ri1(t to t(e constitutional
-rovision on s-ee#y trial t(at woul# )e violate#. &o, t(at
is 1enerally 1rante# to t(e accuse#.
&o, (ere t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1 is sus-en#e# unli*e
t(at o, a civil action )ase# on t(e cri8inal case, w(ere i,
t(e civil action is 7le# a(ea#, t(e civil action is sus-en#e#.
'(e cri8inal case (as to 8ove, -en#in1 t(e resolution o,
t(e cri8inal case )e,ore t(e civil action can )e (ear#.
9ne o, t(e cases w(ere t(e court t(at t(ere is a
-reHu#icial >uestion is t(e case o,:
TUAN-A $s. 1AN-I>ANBA/AN 2O*!. 14% 1CC35
'(is involves t(e a--oint8ent o, 6 sectoral
re-resentatives in one o, t(e towns o, !e1ros 9riental.
'(e 8ayor o)Hecte# to t(e a--oint8ent o, Bstrellanes an#
5inao(an as sectoral re-resentatives )ecause it #i# not
o)serve t(e re>uire8ent un#er 5P 33I (Local Govern8ent
"o#e), w(ere it was re>uire# t(at )e,ore a sectoral
re-resentative can )e a--ointe#, t(ere 8ust )e 7rst a
re-resentation wit( t(e sectors t(at woul# )e a0ecte# )y
suc( a--oint8ent. '(is was not co8-lie# wit(. '(en &ec.
Luis &antos 8erely a--ointe# t(e8 wit(out co8-lyin1
wit( t(e re>uire8ent.
&o, %ayor 'uan#a 7le# a co8-laint )e,ore t(e
Re1ional 'rial "ourt ,or t(e nulli7cation o, t(e a--oint8ent
o, 5inao(an an# Bstrellanes as sectoral re-resentatives
)ecause o, t(e non=o)servance o, t(e re>uire8ent un#er
5P 33I.
%eanw(ile, 5inao(an an# Bstrellanes 7le# a co8-laint
)e,ore t(e &an#i1an)ayan. Accor#in1 to t(e8, t(ere was
t(is alle1e# ,ailure on t(e -art o, t(e 8ayor to -ay t(e8
t(eir salaries, wa1es as well as t(eir -er #ie8s.
'uan#a 8ove# ,or t(e sus-ension o, t(e cri8inal
-rocee#in1s )e,ore t(e &an#i1an)ayan on t(e 1roun# o,
e?istence o, a -reHu#icial >uestion.
/s 'uan#a correctD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, all t(e ele8ents o, a
-reHu#icial >uestion are clearly an# un8ista*a)ly -resent
in t(is case. '(ere is no #ou)t t(at t(e ,acts an# issues
involve# in t(e civil action an# t(e cri8inal case are
closely relate#. '(e 7lin1 o, t(e cri8inal case was
-re8ise# on -etitioners alle1e# -artiality an# evi#ent )a#
,ait( in not -ayin1 -rivate res-on#ents salaries an# -er
#ie8s as sectoral re-resentatives, w(ile t(e civil action
was institute# -recisely to resolve w(et(er or not t(e
#esi1nation o, -rivate res-on#ents as sectoral
re-resentatives were 8a#e in accor#ance wit( law.
'(e 1eneral rule is t(at in or#er ,or a -reHu#icial
>uestion to e?ist, one 8ust )e cri8inal an# t(e ot(er civil.
5ut t(ere are e?ce-tions.
/n t(e case o,:
DUIA7BAO $s. O1ORIO 27a"* 16% 1C885
/n t(is case, one is a#8inistrative an# t(e ot(er is civil
law.
G(ile accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, t(e actions
involve# in t(e case at )ar )ein1 res-ectively civil an#
a#8inistrative in c(aracter, it is o)vious t(at tec(nically,
t(ere is no -reHu#icial >uestion to s-ea* o,.
B>ually a--arent, (owever, is t(e inti8ate correlation
)etween sai# two -rocee#in1s, ste88in1 ,ro8 t(e ,act
t(at t(e ri1(t o, -rivate res-on#ents to eHect -etitioner
,ro8 t(e #is-ute# -ortion #e-en#s -ri8arily on t(e -en#in1
a#8inistrative case.
DUIA7BAO $s. O1ORIO 27a"* 16% 1C885
6ACT1@ Private res-on#ents 7le# a co8-laint ,or ,orci)le entry
a1ainst Nuia8)ao alle1in1 t(at t(ey were t(e le1iti8ate
-ossessors o, a -arcel o, lan# in %ala)on, Ri$al e?ecute# in t(eir
,avor )y t(e ,or8er Lan# 'enure A#8inistration. '(ey also alle1e#
t(at Nuia8)ao surre-titiously an# )y ,orce, inti8i#ation, strate1y
an# stealt(, entere# into a -ortion o, t(e sai# lan#, -lace# )a8)oo
-osts an# )e1an construction o, a (ouse t(ereon. '(ey conten#e#
t(at t(ese acts o, Nuia8)ao were unlaw,ul -er se an# as suc(,
t(ey are entitle# to a writ o, -reli8inary inHunction to t(e
eHecti8ent o, Nuia8)ao ,ro8 t(e lot in >uestion.
Nuia8)ao 7le# a 8otion to #is8iss t(e co8-laint an# u-on
#enial t(ereo,, 7le# (is answer to t(e co8-laint, s-eci7cally
#enyin1 t(e 8aterial alle1ations t(erein an# averrin1 t(at t(e
A1ree8ent u-on w(ic( -rivate res-on#ents )ase t(eir -rior
-ossession over t(e >uestion lot (a# alrea#y )een cancelle# in an
or#er si1ne# )y Gov. Bstrella. Nuia8)ao alle1e# t(at t(e
-en#ency o, an a#8inistrative case )e,ore t(e 9:ce o, t(e Lan#
Aut(ority )etween t(e sa8e -arties an# involvin1 t(e sa8e -iece
o, lan# is a 1roun# ,or #is8issin1 t(e civil case. /n t(e
a#8inistrative case, Nuia8)ao #is-ute -rivate res-on#ents ri1(t
o, -ossession over t(e -ro-erty in >uestion )y reason o, t(e
latters #e,ault in t(e install8ent -ay8ents ,or t(e -urc(ase o,
sai# lot. Nuia8)ao asserte# t(at t(e a#8inistrative case was
#eter8inative o, -rivate res-on#ents ri1(t to eHect -etitioner ,ro8
t(e lot in >uestion an# (ence, a -reHu#icial >uestion
I11UE@ G(et(er or not t(e a#8inistrative case constitutes a
-reHu#icial >uestion w(ic( woul# o-erate as a )ar to sai#
eHect8ent case
9EL-@ '(e #octrine o, -reHu#icial >uestion co8es into -lay
1enerally in a situation w(ere civil an# cri8inal actions are
-en#in1 an# t(e issues involve# in )ot( cases are si8ilar or so
closely relate# t(at an issue 8ust )e -re=e8-tively resolve# in t(e
civil case )e,ore t(e cri8inal action can -rocee#. '(us, t(e
e?istence o, a -reHu#icial >uestion in a civil case is alle1e# in t(e
cri8inal case to cause t(e sus-ension o, t(e latter -en#in1 7nal
#eter8ination o, t(e ,or8er.
'(e actions involve# in t(e case at )ar )ein1 res-ectively civil
an# a#8inistrative in c(aracter, it is o)vious t(at tec(nically, t(ere
is no -reHu#icial >uestion to s-ea* o,. B>ually a--arent, (owever,
is t(e inti8ate correlation )etween sai# 6 -rocee#in1s, ste88in1
,ro8 t(e ,act t(at t(e ri1(t o, -rivate res-on#ents to eHect
Nuia8)ao ,ro8 t(e #is-ute# -ortion #e-en#s -ri8arily on t(e
resolution o, t(e -en#in1 a#8inistrative case. @or w(ile it 8ay )e
true t(at -rivate res-on#ents (a# -rior -ossession o, t(e lot in
>uestion, at t(e ti8e o, t(e institution o, t(e eHect8ent case, suc(
ri1(t o, -ossession (a# )een ter8inate#, or at t(e very least,
sus-en#e# )y t(e cancellation )y t(e Lan# Aut(ority o, t(e
A1ree8ent to &ell e?ecute# in t(eir ,avor. G(et(er or not -rivate
res-on#ents can continue to e?ercise t(eir ri1(t o, -ossession is
)ut a necessary, lo1ical conse>uence o, t(e issue involve# in t(e
-en#in1 a#8inistrative case assailin1 t(e vali#ity o, t(e
cancellation o, t(e A1ree8ent to &ell an# t(e su)se>uent awar# o,
t(e #is-ute# -ortion to -etitioner. /, t(e cancellation o, t(e
A1ree8ent to &ell an# t(e su)se>uent awar# to -etitioner are
voi#e#, t(en -rivate res-on#ents woul# (ave every ri1(t to eHect
Nuia8)ao ,ro8 t(e #is-ute# area. 9t(erwise, -rivate res-on#entJs
li1(t o, -ossession is lost an# so woul# t(eir ri1(t to eHect
-etitioner ,ro8 sai# -ortion.
Anot(er >uestion, w(ere )ot( cases are civil in nature, in
t(e case o,:
CIT/ O6 PA1I> $s. CO7ELEC 21ep!. 1?% 1CCC5
6ACT1@ '(e resi#ents o, Aaran1alan Lilla1e -etitione# t(at t(ey
)e se1re1ate# ,ro8 its 8ot(er 5aran1ays %an11a(an an# Eela
Pa$, "ity o, Pasi1, an# to )e converte# an# se-arate# into a
#istinct )aran1ay. '(e "ity o, Pasi1 -asse# an# a--rove# an
or#inance creatin1 5aran1ay Aaran1alan in Pasi1 "ity. A -le)iscite
on t(e creation o, sai# )aran1ay was t(en set.
'(erea,ter, t(e "ity o, Pasi1 issue# an or#inance creatin1
5aran1ay !a-ico in Pasi1 "ity. A -le)iscite was also set.
M-on learnin1 o, suc( or#inances, t(e %unici-ality o, "ainta
8ove# to sus-en# or cancel t(e -le)iscites sc(e#ule# an# 7le#
-etitions wit( t(e "9%BLB". '(e %unici-ality o, "ainta calle#
calle# t(e attention o, "9%BLB" to a -en#in1 case )e,ore t(e R'"
o, Anti-olo, Ri$al ,or settle8ent o, )oun#ary #is-ute, w(erein t(e
-ro-ose# )aran1ays involve areas w(ic( are inclu#e# in t(e
)oun#ary #is-ute su)Hect o, sai# -en#in1 case.
I11UE@ G(et(er or not t(e -le)iscite# sc(e#ule# ,or t(e creation
o, 5aran1ays Aaran1alan an# !a-ico s(oul# )e sus-en#e# or
1"
cancelle# in view o, t(e -en#in1 )oun#ary #is-ute )etween
t(e two local 1overn8ents
9EL-@ '(e civil case involvin1 t(e )oun#ary #is-ute )etween
t(e %unici-ality o, "ainta an# t(e "ity o, Pasi1 -resents a
-reHu#icial >uestion w(ic( 8ust 7rst )e #eci#e# )e,ore
-le)iscites ,or t(e creation o, t(e -ro-ose# )aran1ays 8ay )e
(el#.
'(e "ity o, Pasi1 ar1ues t(at t(ere is no -reHu#icial
>uestion since t(e sa8e conte8-lates a civil an# cri8inal
action an# #oes not co8e into -lay w(ere )ot( cases are civil,
as in t(e instant case. G(ile t(is 8ay )e t(e 1eneral rule, t(is
"ourt (as (el# in Vidad v. RT8 o& Negros 1rienal, Br. =2,
iPIQ
t(at, t(e court can very well sus-en# action on one case
-en#in1 t(e 7nal outco8e o, anot(er case closely interrelate#
or lin*e# to t(e 7rst.
G(et(er t(e areas in controversy s(all )e #eci#e# as
wit(in t(e territorial Huris#iction o, t(e %unici-ality o, "ainta
or t(e "ity o, Pasi1 (as 8aterial )earin1 to t(e creation o, t(e
-ro-ose# 5aran1ays Aaran1alan an# !a-ico. /n#ee#, a
re>uisite ,or t(e creation o, a )aran1ay is ,or its territorial
Huris#iction to )e -ro-erly i#enti7e# )y 8etes an# )oun#s or
)y 8ore or less -er8anent natural )oun#aries. Precisely
)ecause territorial Huris#iction is an issue raise# in t(e
-en#in1 civil case, until an# unless suc( issue is resolve# wit(
7nality, to #e7ne t(e territorial Huris#iction o, t(e -ro-ose#
)aran1ays woul# only )e an e?ercise in ,utility.
'(e -le)iscite on t(e creation o, 5aran1ay Aaran1alan
s(oul# )e (el# in a)eyance -en#in1 7nal resolution o, t(e
)oun#ary #is-ute )etween t(e "ity o, Pasi1 an# t(e
%unici-ality o, "ainta )y t(e Re1ional 'rial "ourt o, Anti-olo
"ity.
/n t(e case o,:
U7ALI $s. IAC 2June 21% 1CC?5
'(ere is no -reHu#icial >uestion w(ic( ste8s ,ro8 a
contract o, sale w(ere t(e )uyer -ai# its -urc(ase -rice in
install8ent an# issue# several -ost=#ate# c(ec*s.
G(en t(e secon# c(ec* was -resente# ,or -ay8ent, it
was #is(onore# )y t(e )an*. Ees-ite #e8an#, no
-ay8ent was 8a#e.
An# so, t(e seller 7le# a cri8inal case ,or violation o,
5P 66. '(e )uyer 8ove# ,or t(e sus-ension o, t(e
cri8inal action on t(e 1roun# o, t(e e?istence o,
-reHu#icial >uestion )ecause accor#in1 to (i8, (e 7le# an
action ,or t(e annul8ent o, t(e #ee# o, sale as t(ere was
,rau# on t(e -art o, t(e seller w(en (e was not tol# t(at
t(e -ro-erty was occu-ie# )y s>uatters.
/s t(ere a -reHu#icial >uestionD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, t(ere is no
-reHu#icial >uestion. Bven i, t(e civil case were to )e
7nally a#Hu#1e# to t(e e0ect t(at t(e #ee# o, sale s(oul#
)e annulle#, suc( #eclaration woul# )e o, no 8aterial
i8-ortance in t(e #eter8ination o, t(e 1uilt or innocence
o, t(e accuse# in t(e cri8inal case o, t(e latter involvin1
5P 66. 5P 66 is a s-ecial law.
!ow, let us 1o to newer cases.
P9ILIPPINE A>ILA 1ATELLITE% INC. 2PA1I5 $s.
LIC9AUCO
PA&/, t(rou1( t(e con7r8ation o, t(en E9'" &ecretary
La1#a8eo, was awar#e# 6 or)ital slots. G(en it receive#
con7r8ation t(at t(ey were awar#e# two or)ital slots,
t(ey un#ertoo* -re-arations ,or t(e launc(in1, o-eration
an# 8ana1e8ent o, t(e satellites. /n or#er ,or t(at to )e
reali$e#, t(ey inten#e# to o)tain loans ,ro8 several )an*s.
9ne o, t(ose )an*s was Lan# 5an* o, t(e P(ili--ines.
'(e Presi#ent o, PA&/ wrote t(e Lan# 5an* Presi#ent o, t(e
a--roval an# attac(e# wit( it is t(e letter o, con7r8ation
)y &ecretary La1#a8eo.
G(at La-u$, t(e -resi#ent o, Lan# 5an*, #i# was to
,orwar# t(e letter o, Ee Gu$8an, t(e -resi#ent o, PA&/, to
E9'" Mn#ersecretary Jose7na Lic(auco.
Lic(auco #enie# t(at PA&/ was awar#e# 6 or)ital slots.
Accor#in1 to (er, PA&/ was only awar#e# 1 or)ital slot.
'(is is ,or t(e -ur-ose o, o-eratin1 as a satellite. An#
su)se>uent to t(at 8a*e an o0er ,or ot(er )i##ers wit(
res-ect to t(e re8ainin1 or)ital slots, inclu#in1 t(at one
or)ital slot w(ic( was su--ose#ly awar#e# to PA&/.
Accor#in1 to (er, isa lan1 8an an1 )ini1ay sa PA&/. '(e
ot(er or)ital slot was not. &(e inclu#e# t(at or)ital slot ,or
)i##in1 an# was awar#e# to an un*nown )i##er.
G(en PA&/ learne# o, t(at awar#, PA&/ 7le# an action
)e,ore t(e court ,or t(e annul8ent o, t(e awar# -lus #a8a1es.
&u)se>uently, PA&/ 7le#, t(rou1( its -resi#ent, 7le# a cri8inal
co8-laint )e,ore t(e &an#i1an)ayan a1ainst Lic(auco.
'(e 9:ce o, t(e 98)u#s8an, w(o con#ucte# t(e
-reli8inary investi1ation, ,oun# out t(at t(ere was a
-reHu#icial >uestion an# #is8isse# t(e co8-laint t(at was 7le#
)e,ore t(e &an#i1an)ayan )ecause o, t(at e?istence o,
-reHu#icial >uestion.
Gas it -ro-er ,or t(e &an#i1an)ayan to #is8iss t(e
cri8inal co8-laintD
"itin1 >a/ vs. 3aras, w(ic( is a General &antos case, it
s(oul# not (ave )een #is8isse# )ut only sus-en#e#. /t can
only )e 8a#e only u-on -etition, an# not u-on t(e instance o,
t(e Hu#1e alone or as in t(is case, t(e investi1atin1 o:cer.
/n s(ort, accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, i, t(ere is a
-reHu#icial >uestion, t(en, t(ere is a -ri8a ,acie case. An#
t(ere,ore, it s(oul# not )e ,or t(e investi1atin1 o:cer to
#is8iss it an# even to sus-en# it )ecause t(e sus-ension 8ust
co8e ,ro8 t(e accuse#, not ,ro8 t(e Hu#1e or t(e
investi1atin1 o:cer, as #eci#e# in t(e case o, >a/ vs. 3aras.
'(ere is t(is case o, :
O7ICTIN $s. CA 2Jan. 22% 2??45
98ictin was a--ointe# as 9-erations %ana1er A# /nteri8
o, &aa1 P(ils., /nc. Ce accuse# La1os ,or esta,a, ,or (is re,usal
#es-ite #e8an# to return 6 co8-any ve(icles t(at were
entruste# to La1os w(en (e was still Presi#ent o, &aa1 P(ils.,
/nc.
La1os, on t(e ot(er (an#, 8ove# ,or t(e sus-ension o, t(e
cri8inal -rocee#in1s on t(e 1roun# t(at (e 7le# )e,ore t(e
&ecurities an# B?c(an1e "o88ission >uestionin1 t(e
a--oint8ent o, 98ictin as 9-erations %ana1er A# /nteri8 o,
&aa1 P(ils as well as 'an as Presi#ent A# /nteri8 o, &aa1 P(ils.
Accor#in1 to La1os, t(ere was t(is a1ree8ent )etween
&aa1 P(ils. an# &aa1 &in1a-ore, t(e 8aHor stoc*(ol#er o, &aa1
P(ils, t(at in t(e event t(at t(ere will )e intra=cor-orate
#is-utes, an# one o, t(e8 s(oul# resi1n, t(e s(ares o, t(ose
w(o resi1ne# s(oul# 7rst )e o0ere# to t(e #irectors or
#irectors still (ol#in1 suc( -ositions. 5ut t(is was not
,ollowe#. /nstea#, &aa1 P(ils a--ointe# 98ictin an# 'an.
La1os resi1ne# an# (e #i# not return t(e co8-any ve(icles.
'(at was t(e reason w(y t(ere was t(at esta,a case 7le#.
Deailed "oo% a he ?acs o& he 8ase
Eue to intra=cor-orate #is-utes, Gan an# '(ian1, 8e8)ers o,
t(e 5oar# o, Eirectors o,, resi1ne# an# #iveste# t(eir s(ares in
&aa1 "or-oration (5(#), t(ere)y resultin1 in a c(an1e in t(e
controllin1 interest in &aa1 (&in1a-ore). 5arely 3 8ont(s
t(erea,ter, La1os resi1ne# (is -ost as -resi#ent o, &aa1 P(ils., /nc.
w(ile still retainin1 (is -osition as a #irector o, t(e co8-any.
Accor#in1 to La1os, t(e Hoint venture a1ree8ent (JLA) )etween
(i8 or &aa1 P(ils., /nc. an# &aa1 (&) Pte. Lt#. -rovi#e# t(at s(oul#
t(e controllin1 interest in t(e latter co8-any, or its -arent
co8-any &aa1 "o,r-. (5(#), )e ac>uire# )y any ot(er -erson or
entity wit(out (is -rior consent, (e (as t(e o-tion eit(er to re>uire
t(e ot(er stoc*(ol#ers to -urc(ase (is s(ares or to ter8inate t(e
JLA an# #issolve &aa1 P(ils., /nc. alto1et(er. '(us, -ursuant to t(is
-rovision, since La1os #i# not 1ive (is consent as re1ar#s t(e
trans,er o, s(ares 8a#e )y Gan an# '(ian1, (e 8a#e several
re>uests to !ic(olas !1, w(o re-lace# Gan as #irector, an# Jani,er
Feo, B?ecutive Eirector o, &aa1 (&) Pte. Lt#., to call ,or a )oar#
8eetin1 in or#er to #iscuss t(e ,ollowin1: a) i8-le8entation o, t(e
)oar# resolution #eclarin1 #ivi#en#sR )) ac>uisition o, -rivate
res-on#ents s(ares )y &aa1 (&) Pte. Lt#.R c) #issolution o, &aa1
P(ils., /nc.R an# #) t(e ter8ination o, t(e JLA.
!1 an# Feo ,aile# to a--ear, (owever, in t(e sc(e#ule# )oar#
8eetin1s. /nstea#, t(ey issue# a letter a--ointin1 'an as Presi#ent
A# /nteri8 o, &aa1 P(ils., /nc. 'an, in turn, a--ointe# 98ictin as
t(e co8-anys 9-erations %ana1er A# /nteri8.
"itin1 as a reason t(e a)sence o, a )oar# resolution
aut(ori$in1 t(e continue# o-erations o, &aa1 P(ils., /nc., La1os
retaine# (is -ossession o, t(e o:ce e>ui-8ent o, t(e co8-any in
a 7#uciary ca-acity as #irector o, t(e cor-oration -en#in1 its
#issolution an#Oor t(e resolution o, t(e intra=cor-orate #is-ute. Ce
li*ewise c(an1e# t(e loc*s o, t(e o:ces o, t(e co8-any alle1e#ly
to -revent 'an an# 98ictin ,ro8 sei$in1 co8-any -ro-erty.
/s t(ere a -reHu#icial >uestionD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, ulti8ately, t(e resolution
o, t(e issues raise# in t(e intra=cor-orate #is-ute will
#eter8ine t(e 1uilt or innocence o, La1os in t(e cri8e o,
esta,a.
1#
Lo1ically, un#er t(e circu8stances, since t(e alle1e#
o0en#e# -arty is &aa1 P(ils., /nc., t(e vali#ity o, t(e
#e8an# ,or t(e #elivery o, t(e su)Hect ve(icles rests u-on
t(e aut(ority o, t(e -erson 8a*in1 suc( a #e8an# on t(e
co8-anys )e(al,. /n as 8uc( as La1os is c(allen1in1
98ictins aut(ority, t(en, it 8ust 7rst )e resolve#.
/, in#ee# t(ere was no 1roun# ,or t(e a--oint8ent o,
98ictin, t(en, t(ere can )e no cri8inal case o, esta,a.
/n t(e case o,:
7A>E1TRA-O $s. PEOPLE 2Jul< 1?% 2??45
%a1estra#o o)taine# a loan ,ro8 Li)roHo, secure# )y a
real estate 8ort1a1e. '(e title to t(e -ro-erty was
surren#ere# )y %a1estra#o to Li)roHo.
5ut a,ter t(at, %a1estra#o, Hust li*e in t(e case o,
?rias vs. !ison, e?ecute# an a:#avit o, loss o, t(e title o,
t(e -ro-erty w(en in trut( an# in ,act, t(e title was in t(e
-ossession o, Li)roHo.
G(en Li)roHo learne# o, t(at a:#avit, (e 7le# a case
a1ainst %a1estra#o. %a1estra#o 8ove# ,or t(e
sus-ension o, t(e cri8inal -rocee#in1s )ase# on a
-reHu#icial >uestion. Accor#in1 to (i8, t(e civil action ,or
t(e cancellation o, t(e 8ort1a1e 8ust 7rst )e resolve#
)e,ore t(e cri8inal case can -rocee#.
/s (e correctD
Accor#in1 to t(e &u-re8e "ourt, a -erusal o, t(e
alle1ations o, t(e civil cases is -rinci-ally ,or t(e
#eter8ination o, w(et(er a loan was o)taine# )y
-etitioner Li)roHo an# w(et(er %a1estra#o e?ecute# a real
estate 8ort1a1e involvin1 t(e -ro-erty.
9n t(e ot(er (an#, t(e cri8inal case involves t(e
#eter8ination o, w(et(er t(e -etitioner co88itte# -erHury
in e?ecutin1 an a:#avit to su--ort (is re>uest ,or
issuance o, a new owners #u-licate co-y o, t(e title.
/t is evi#ent t(at t(e civil cases an# t(e cri8inal case
can -rocee# in#e-en#ently o, eac( ot(er. Re1ar#less o,
t(e outco8e o, t(e 6 civil cases, it will not esta)lis( t(e
innocence or t(e 1uilt o, t(e -etitioner in t(e cri8inal case
,or -erHury. '(e -urc(ase )y %a1estra#o o, t(e lan# or (is
e?ecution o, a real estate 8ort1a1e will (ave no )earin1
w(atsoever on w(et(er -etitioner *nowin1ly an#
,rau#ulently e?ecute# a ,alse a:#avit o, loss.
ARTICLE 34. Juri#ical ca-acity, w(ic( is t(e 7tness to )e
t(e su)Hect o, le1al relations, is in(erent in every natural
-erson an# is lost only t(rou1( #eat(. "a-acity to act, w(ic(
is t(e -ower to #o acts wit( le1al e0ect, is ac>uire# an# 8ay
)e lost.
Article 3I on Au"idi*al *apa*i!< an# *apa*i!< !# a*!.
Ju"idi*al *apa*i!< is in(erent in every natural -erson an#
is lost only t(rou1( #eat(. Capa*i!< !# a*! is t(e -ower
to #o acts wit( le1al e0ect, is ac>uire# an# 8ay )e lost.
'(at is w(y an un)orn c(il# (as t(e ca-acity to
receive #onations an# to )e reco1ni$e# as a le1iti8ate
c(il# )ecause )ot( are ,avora)le to t(e un)orn c(il#.
G(ile it 8ay )e true t(at )irt( #eter8ines -ersonality,
t(e conceive# c(il# s(all )e consi#ere# )orn ,or all
-ur-oses ,avora)le to it -rovi#e# it )e )orn later in
accor#ance wit( t(e -rovisions o, Article 1.
ARTICLE :?. 5irt( #eter8ines -ersonalityR )ut t(e
conceive# c(il# s(all )e consi#ere# )orn ,or all -ur-oses t(at
are ,avora)le to it, -rovi#e# it )e )orn later wit( t(e
con#itions s-eci7e# in t(e ,ollowin1 article.
ARTICLE :1. @or civil -ur-oses, t(e ,oetus is consi#ere#
)orn i, it is alive at t(e ti8e it is co8-letely #elivere# ,ro8 t(e
8ot(erJs wo8). Cowever, i, t(e ,oetus (a# an intra=uterine
li,e o, less t(an seven 8ont(s, it is not #ee8e# )orn i, it #ies
wit(in twenty=,our (ours a,ter its co8-lete #elivery ,ro8 t(e
8aternal wo8). (32a)
/, it (as an intra=uterine li,e o, at least I 8ont(s, it is
su:cient t(at it is alive at t(e ti8e it is co8-letely
#elivere# ,ro8 t(e 8ot(ers wo8).
5ut i, t(e intra=uterine li,e is less t(an I 8ont(s, t(en,
t(e c(il# 8ust )e alive ,or at least 6 (ours a,ter its
co8-lete #elivery ,ro8 t(e 8aternal wo8) in or#er ,or it
to ac>uire civil -ersonality, in or#er ,or all t(ose acts
,avora)le to t(e c(il# s(all )eco8e vali#.
ARTICLE :3. /, t(ere is a #ou)t, as )etween two or 8ore
-ersons w(o are calle# to succee# eac( ot(er, as to w(ic( o, t(e8
#ie# 7rst, w(oever alle1es t(e #eat( o, one -rior to t(e ot(er, s(all
-rove t(e sa8eR in t(e a)sence o, -roo,, it is -resu8e# t(at t(ey
#ie# at t(e sa8e ti8e an# t(ere s(all )e no trans8ission o, ri1(ts
,ro8 one to t(e ot(er.
Article 3 is only ,or -ur-oses o, succession, only
>uestions on succession.
!or8ally, t(is (a--ens )etween a -arent an# a c(il# or a
1ran#-arent an# c(il#.
'(is was as*e# in t(e 6222 5ar B?a8s, w(ere t(e ,at(er
-re#ecease# t(e -arent. &o, t(e c(il#ren s(all in(erit )y ri1(t
o, re-resentation.
Article 3 can only )e invo*e# on >uestions involvin1
succession. All ot(er >uestions woul# )e resolve# )y t(e
-resu8-tion on survivors(i- un#er t(e Rules o, "ourt.
'(at was as*e# in t(e 133. 5ar B?a8s. '(is involves a
li,e insurance -olicy. /n t(at case, t(at s(oul# )e resolve#
)ase# on t(e -resu8-tion on survivors(i-, not )ase# on
Article 3. Re8e8)er t(at Article 3 will only a--ly to
>uestions involvin1 succession an# t(ere is a #ou)t as to
w(ic( o, t(e8 #ie# 7rst. &o, in t(e a)sence o, -roo,, t(ey are
-resu8e# to (ave #ie# to1et(er an# t(ere s(all )e no
trans8ission o, ri1(ts ,ro8 one to t(e ot(er.
I0 <#u d#nF! d"ea' bi=
Wa!Fs !e use in d"ea'in=+
I0 <#u d#nF! a$e 0ai!
Te"eFs n#!in= &#"! belie$in=
I! !a(es #ne #pe !# 'a(e !e s!a"s &#"! "ea*in= 0#"
1# "ea* #u!% 0#" s#'e!in= '#"e
H-REA7 BI>
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(1) Persons (Review) Atty. Galas Lectures : June 11, 13, 16 (Art 1 3 !ew "ivil "o#e) Ja$$ie %.

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