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I. OBLIGATIONS guardian, after the annulment of the contract voluntarily returns the whole
thing or price received, notwithstanding the fact the he has not been
A. IN GENERAL benefited thereby, there is no right to demand the thing or price thus
returned.
1. Definition
Art. 1427. When a minor between eighteen and twenty-one years of age,
Article 1156. An obligation is a juridical necessity to give, to do or not to who has entered into a contract without the consent of the parent or
do. guardian, voluntarily pays a sum of money or delivers a fungible thing in
fulfillment of the obligation, there shall be no right to recover the same
JURIDICAL NECESSITY: Art. 1423 provides that obligations are either from the obligee who has spent or consumed it in good faith. (1160A)
natural or civil. Art. 1156 provides the definition of civil obligations. Under
Art. 1423, civil obligations give a right of action to compel their performance NOT APPLICABLE ANYMORE: since the congress already changed the
or fulfillment. In this sense, there is juridical necessity. age of majority from 21 to 18 under RA No. 6809.
2. Kinds of Obligations as to basis and enforceability Art. 1429. When a testate or intestate heir voluntarily pays a debt of the
decedent exceeding the value of the property which he received by will or
Art. 1423. Obligations are civil or natural. Civil obligations give a right of by the law of intestacy from the estate of the deceased, the payment is
action to compel their performance. Natural obligations, not being based valid and cannot be rescinded by the payer.
on positive law but on equity and natural law, do not grant a right of
action to enforce their performance, but after voluntary fulfillment by the EXAMPLE: D owes C P10M. Upon the death of D, A and B, heirs of D, paid
obligor, they authorize the retention of what has been delivered or the full P10M. Later on, they discovered that the value of the estate is only
rendered by reason thereof. Some natural obligations are set forth in the P3M.
following articles.
a. Is there a natural obligation? Yes. For the P7M;
CIVIL OBLIGATIONS VS. NATURAL OBLIGATIONS: b. Can A and B compel D to return the P10M? No. voluntary obligation is
only upto P7M?
CIVIL NATURAL c. Can A and B compel D to return the P7M? Yes. The law requires
Basis Positive, man- Equity and natural law voluntary payment, which means not merely the absence of fraud,
made law violence or intimidation, but also that the payor knew that under the
Enforceability Grants a right of Does not grant a right of action for law they cannot be compelled to pay, but they paid.
action to compel fulfillment.
performance or Under. Art. 1311, last par. the heir is not liable beyond the value of
fulfillment However, it can still be enforced: the property he received from the decedent.
1. If the plaintiff required
fulfillment before a court and there In this case, payment was not voluntary, since A and B paid at the
is no objection; or time that they had no knowledge that the value of the estate was only
2. if voluntarily fulfilled, creditor P3M.
can still retain the benefits of
fulfillment. Art. 1430. When a will is declared void because it has not been executed
in accordance with the formalities required by law, but one of the intestate
EXAMPLE: If the action for the payment of a debt has already prescribed, heirs, after the settlement of the debts of the deceased, pays a legacy in
the obligation is converted from civil to natural (See Art. 1139 to 1155 for compliance with a clause in the defective will, the payment is effective and
Prescription). Note that what prescribed is the action and not the irrevocable.
obligation. If still fulfilled after the period has expired, debtor can no longer
demand the return of what has been delivered. Art. 1428 provides: CASES:
Art. 1428. When, after an action to enforce a civil obligation has failed JUAN F. VILLAROEL
the defendant voluntarily performs the obligation, he cannot demand the vs.
return of what he has delivered or the payment of the value of the service BERNARDINO ESTRADA
he has rendered. G.R. No. L-47362 December 19, 1940
RETENTION of the benefits is premised on the fulfillment being FACTS: On May 1912, Alexandra Callao, mother of Villaroel, obtained from
voluntary, i.e., the debtor knew that he had no obligation to fulfill the said the Spouses Mariano Estrada and Severina a loan of P1,000 payable after 7
obligation, but still chose to do so. years. Alexandra died, leaving Villaroel as the only heir. Severina and
Mariano died as well, leaving Estrda as the only heir.
Other provisions dealing with natural obligations:
On August 30, 1930, Villaroel signed a document which states that he owed
Art. 1424. When a right to sue upon a civil obligation has lapsed by Estrada P1,000 with an interest of 12% per year, which pertains to the
extinctive prescription, the obligor who voluntarily performs the contract original debt. When the obligation became due, Villaroel failed to pay. An
cannot recover what he has delivered or the value of the service he has action was brought in the CFI Laguna to collect the amount. CFI ordered
rendered. Villaroel to pay the claimed amount with interest from August 30, 1930 until
full payment.
Art. 1425. When without the knowledge or against the will of the debtor,
a third person pays a debt which the obligor is not legally bound to pay ISSUE: WON the obligation arising from the original contract of loan,
because the action thereon has prescribed, but the debtor later voluntarily having been prescribed, would still be demandable from the only heir of the
reimburses the third person, the obligor cannot recover what he has paid. original debtor?
Art. 1426. When a minor between eighteen and twenty-one years of age HELD: YES. The prescribed debt of the mother of the debtor was
who has entered into a contract without the consent of the parent or held to be sufficient consideration to make valid and effective the
promise of the son to pay the same. Although the action to recover the
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
1 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
original debt has prescribed when the lawsuit was filed, the question that vs.
arises in this appeal is whether, notwithstanding such prescription, the HON. ADIL and SPOUSES PATRICIO CONFESSOR
debtor is liable to pay. G.R. No. L-48889 May 11, 1989
This action is based on the original obligation contracted by the mother of FACTS: On February 10, 1940 spouses Patricio Confesor and Jovita
Villaroel, which has prescribed, but in which the defendant assumed liability Villafuerte obtained an agricultural loan from the Agricultural and Industrial
to fulfil that obligation. Being the only heir of the debtor, that debt legally Bank (AIB), now the Development of the Philippines (DBP), in the sum of
contracted by his mother, is now a moral obligation of him which is enough P2,000.00, as evidenced by a promissory note of said date whereby they
to create and make effective and enforceable his obligation which he bound themselves jointly and severally to pay the account in ten (10) equal
contracted on August 9, 1930. yearly amortizations. As the obligation remained outstanding and unpaid
even after the lapse of the aforesaid ten-year period, Confesor, who was by
A promise to perform a natural obligation is as effective as then a member of the Congress of the Philippines, executed a second
performance itself and converts the obligation into a civil one. The promissory note on April 11, 1961 expressly acknowledging said loan and
natural obligation is a valid cause for a civil obligation. promising to pay the same on or before June 15, 1961. The new promissory
note reads as follows
PRIMITIVO ANSAY
vs. I hereby promise to pay the amount covered by my promissory note on or
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY before June 15, 1961. Upon my failure to do so, I hereby agree to the
G.R. No. L-13667 April 29, 1960 foreclosure of my mortgage. It is understood that if I can secure a
certificate of indebtedness from the government of my back pay I will be
FACTS: On July 25, 1956, appellants filed against appellees in the CFI allowed to pay the amount out of it.
Manila an action praying for a 20% Christmas Bonus for the years 1954 and
1955. CFI held that they are not entitled to such because: Said spouses not having paid the obligation on the specified date, the DBP
filed a complaint against the spouses for the payment of the loan.
(a) A bonus is an act of liberality and the court takes it that it is not within
its judicial powers to command respondents to be liberal; City Court ruled in favor of DBP, ordering the spouses to pay the loan. CFI
reversed this order. Hence, this appeal.
(b) Petitioners admit that respondents are not under legal duty to give such
bonus but that they had only ask that such bonus be given to them because ISSUE: WON the validity of a promissory note which was executed in
it is a moral obligation of respondents to give that but as this Court consideration of a previous promissory note, the enforcement of which is
understands, it has no power to compel a party to comply with a moral barred by prescription, may still be demandable?
obligation (Art. 142, New Civil Code.).
HELD: YES. The right to prescription may be waived or renounced.
ISSUE: WON the appellees have the legal obligation to give the claimed Article 1112 of Civil Code provides:
bonus despite the fact that the same has been granted from a moral
obligation or the natural obligation to do the same? Art. 1112. Persons with capacity to alienate property may renounce
prescription already obtained, but not the right to prescribe in the future.
HELD: NO. Article 1423 of the New Civil Code classifies obligations into civil
or natural. "Civil obligations are a right of action to compel their Prescription is deemed to have been tacitly renounced when the
performance. Natural obligations, not being based on positive law but on renunciation results from acts which imply the abandonment of the right
equity and natural law, do not grant a right of action to enforce their acquired.
performance, but after voluntary fulfillment by the obligor, they authorize
the retention of what has been delivered or rendered by reason thereof". There is no doubt that prescription has set in as to the first promissory note
of February 10, 1940. However, when respondent Confesor executed the
It is thus readily seen that an element of natural obligation before it second promissory note on April 11, 1961 whereby he promised to pay the
can be cognizable by the court is voluntary fulfillment by the amount covered by the previous promissory note on or before June 15,
obligor. Certainly retention can be ordered but only after there has been 1961, and upon failure to do so, agreed to the foreclosure of the mortgage,
voluntary performance. But here there has been no voluntary performance. said respondent thereby effectively and expressly renounced and waived his
In fact, the court cannot order the performance. right to the prescription of the action covering the first promissory note.
At this point, we would like to reiterate what we said in the case of This Court had ruled in a similar case that
Philippine Education Co. vs. CIR and the Union of Philippine Education Co.,
Employees: ... when a debt is already barred by prescription, it cannot be
enforced by the creditor. But a new contract recognizing and
From the legal point of view a bonus is not a demandable and assuming the prescribed debt would be valid and enforceable ... .
enforceable obligation. It is so when it is made a part of the wage
or salary compensation. Thus, it has been held
And while it is true that the subsequent case of H. E. Heacock vs. National Where, therefore, a party acknowledges the correctness of a debt and
Labor Union, et al, we stated that: promises to pay it after the same has prescribed and with full knowledge of
the prescription he thereby waives the benefit of prescription.
Even if a bonus is not demandable for not forming part of the wage, salary
or compensation of an employee, the same may nevertheless, be granted This is not a mere case of acknowledgment of a debt that has
on equitable consideration as when it was given in the past, though prescribed but a new promise to pay the debt. The consideration of
withheld in succeeding two years from low salaried employees due to salary the new promissory note is the pre-existing obligation under the
increases. first promissory note. The statutory limitation bars the remedy but
does not discharge the debt.
Still the facts in said Heacock case are not the same as in the instant one,
and hence the ruling applied in said case cannot be considered in the A new express promise to pay a debt barred ... will take the case from the
present action. operation of the statute of limitations as this proceeds upon the ground that
as a statutory limitation merely bars the remedy and does not
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES discharge the debt, there is something more than a mere moral
... It is this new promise, either made in express terms or deduced from an 3. QUASI-CONTRACTS:
acknowledgement as a legal implication, which is to be regarded as
reanimating the old promise, or as imparting vitality to the remedy (which Art. 1160. Obligations derived from quasi-contracts shall be subject to the
by lapse of time had become extinct) and thus enabling the creditor to provisions of Chapter 1, Title XVII, of this Book.
recover upon his original contract.
Art. 2142. Certain lawful, voluntary and unilateral acts give rise to the
3. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF OBLIGATION juridical relation of quasi-contract to the end that no one shall be unjustly
enriched or benefited at the expense of another.
1. Active subject (creditor) - obligee
2. Passive subject (debtor) - obligor PROBLEM: A, resident of an island struck by a storm, found a decaying
3. Prestation subject matter of the obligation object. body and buried the same without intention for it to be a gratuitous act.
4. Vinculum (Efficient Cause) the reason why the obligation exists. Finding C, aunt of the deceased, demanded reimbursement for the cost of
juridical tie. burial.
IN A CONTRACT OF SALE, WHO IS THE PASSIVE SUBJECT? Is there an obligation to reimburse? Yes. Obligation arose from Art. 2165,
Depending on which obligation youre referring to. Pay the price debtor is which provides:
the buyer. Deliver and transfer ownership seller.
Art. 2165. When funeral expenses are borne by a third person,
OBJECT not the same as thing. As to obligations, it is the prestation without the knowledge of those relatives who were obliged to give
([3] above: to give, to do or not to do); sometimes, it is the purpose, which support to the deceased, said relatives shall reimburse the third
is not necessarily the subject matter, but in obligations, it is a prestation, person, should the latter claim reimbursement.
not a thing, it is a conduct.
Can A demand reimbursement from C? No. A can only demand
VINCULUM juridical tie, vinculum juris is that which binds the parties reimbursement from those who are obliged to give support to the deceased.
to an obligation, without which, no obligation may exists (at least civil). An aunt is not required to support nephew/niece. Art. 105 of the Family
Code provides:
This is the element lacking in natural obligations.
Art. 105. Subject to the provisions of the succeeding articles, the
obligation is from the root word in latin: obligacio/ obligare/obligamus
following are obliged to support each other to the whole extent set
tying/binding; at least one person would be bound.
forth in the preceding article:
(1) The spouses;
CONSIDERATION is not an element of an obligation, it is an essential
(2) Legitimate ascendants and descendants;
element of contracts. Obligations may arise from contracts, but they are not
(3) Parents and their legitimate children and the legitimate and
contracts. Contracts are not obligations, but is a source of obligation.
illegitimate children of the latter;
(4) Parents and their illegitimate children and the legitimate and
BAR QUESTION: what is an obligation without agreement?
illegitimate children of the latter; and
(5) Legitimate brothers and sisters, whether of full or half-blood.
Answer: Obligations without an agreement are those which would arise
even without consent of one of the parties or both parties, which may arise
NEGOTIORUM GESTIO
from four sources: law (pay taxes), quasi-contract, quasi-delict, acts or
omissions punished by law.
Art. 2144. Whoever voluntarily takes charge of the agency or
management of the business or property of another, without any power
Note that only in contracts are consent of both parties are required.
from the latter, is obliged to continue the same until the termination of the
affair and its incidents, or to require the person concerned to substitute
What are those that bind? The sources.
him, if the owner is in a position to do so. This juridical relation does not
arise in either of these instances:
B. SOURCES OF OBLIGATIONS:
(1) When the property or business is not neglected or abandoned;
Art. 1157. Obligations arise from:
(2) If in fact the manager has been tacitly authorized by the owner.
(1) Law;
In the first case, the provisions of Articles 1317, 1403, No. 1, and 1404
(2) Contracts;
regarding unauthorized contracts shall govern.
(3) Quasi-contracts;
(4) Acts or omissions punished by law; and
In the second case, the rules on agency in Title X of this Book shall be
(5) Quasi-delicts.
applicable.
1. LAW: never presumed:
PROBLEM: In fear of reprisals, X left his fishpond and went to Europe. Y
seeing the fishes ready for harvest, harvested the same, and sold them to
Art. 1158. Obligations derived from law are not presumed. Only those
Z. Y borrowed from W to prepare the fishpond for the next batch.
expressly determined in this Code or in special laws are demandable, and
shall be regulated by the precepts of the law which establishes them; and
a. What is the juridical relation between X and Y? Negotiorum gestio: X is
as to what has not been foreseen, by the provisions of this Book.
owner. Y is gestor or negotiorum gestor.
b. Upon return of X, what are the obligations of Y or X, as regards Ys
2. CONTRACTS: contract with:
i. Z: contract of sale to account for the sale and remit the
Art. 1159. Obligations arising from contracts have the force of law proceeds
between the contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith.
Art. 2154. If something is received when there is no right to demand it, From the very language of this provision, it is obvious that a presumed
and it was unduly delivered through mistake, the obligation to return it quasi-contract cannot emerge as against one party when the
arises. subject matter thereof is already covered by an existing contract
with another party. Predicated on the principle that no one should be
PROBLEM: BPO asked RRA to go to a store to buy a pack of cigarettes allowed to unjustly enrich himself at the expense of another, Article 2124
which costs P225, BPO gave RRA P500. Store owner gave RRA the cigarette creates the legal fiction of a quasi-contract precisely because of the absence
and P375 as change. of any actual agreement between the parties concerned. Corollarily, if the
one who claims having enriched somebody has done so pursuant to a
How is this relationship denominated? contract with a third party, his cause of action should be against the latter,
a. Solutio indebiti - BPO received something which he does not have the who in turn may, if there is any ground therefor, seek relief against the
right to demand, i.e., P100. Change should have been P275 only. (Art. party benefited. It is essential that the act by which the defendant is
2154) benefited must have been voluntary and unilateral on the part of the
b. Donation if the delivery of the excess P100 was not made through plaintiff. As one distinguished civilian puts it, "The act is voluntary. because
mistake. the actor in quasi-contracts is not bound by any pre-existing obligation to
act. It is unilateral, because it arises from the sole will of the actor who is
PROBLEM: A bus accident happened, X tried to help by carrying Z, one of not previously bound by any reciprocal or bilateral agreement. The reason
the passengers of the bus and brought her to the hospital. why the law creates a juridical relations and imposes certain obligation is to
prevent a situation where a person is able to benefit or take advantage of
X incurred costs in cleaning the car which was stained by the blood of Z. such lawful, voluntary and unilateral acts at the expense of said actor."
(Ambrosio Padilla, Civil Law, Vol. VI, p. 748, 1969 ed.) In the case at bar,
a. Is there a quasi-contract between X and Z? Yes. Z is liable to since appellant has a clearer and more direct recourse against the Deudors
reimburse for the gasoline expense and cleaning of the car. with whom he had entered into an agreement regarding the improvements
and expenditures made by him on the land of appellees. it Cannot be said,
b. Can Z, when asked to pay the bill of the hospital, refuse payment on in the sense contemplated in Article 2142, that appellees have been
the ground that she did not give her consent? No. Quasi-contract. If enriched at the expense of appellant.
she is not allowed to pay, she would be unjustly enriched.
GUTIEREZ HERMANOS
OTHER QUASI-CONTRACTS: see Arts. 2164 to 2175. vs.
ENGRACIO ORENSE
CASES: G.R. No. L-9188 December 4, 1914
FAUSTINO CRUZ FACTS: Engracio Orense is the owner of a parcel of land, which nephew,
vs. Jose Duran, with the formers consent and knowledge, sold and conveyed
J.M. TUASON & COMPANY, INC. vs. GREGORIO ARANETA, INC. the same to Hermanos company for P1,500 with the reservation of the right
G.R. No. L-23749 April 29, 1977 to repurchase it for the same price within a period of 4 years. But the same
land was not repurchased by Jose Duran due to insolvency. Despite
FACTS: Faustino Cruz complaint alleged two causes of action, namely: repeated demand upon Duran, the latter never vacated the land.
(1) that upon request of the Deudors (the family of Telesforo Deudor who His refusal was based on allegations that he did not know of said sale and
laid claim on the land in question on the strength of an "informacion that he remains the owner of the land.
posesoria" ) plaintiff made permanent improvements valued at P30,400.00
on said land having an area of more or less 20 quinones and for which he
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
4 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Petitioner filed a complaint for estafa against Jose Duran. However, at the in a criminal action by the sworn testimony of the principal and presented in
trial of the case Engracio Orense, called as a witness, being interrogated by this civil suit by other sworn testimony of the same principal and by other
the fiscal as to whether he had consented to Duran's selling the said evidence to which the defendant made no objection. Therefore the principal
property under right of redemption to the firm of Gutierrez Hermanos, is bound to abide by the consequences of his agency as though it had
replied that he had. In view of this statement by the defendant, the court actually been given in writing.
acquitted Jose Duran of the charge of estafa.
The repeated and successive statements made by the defendant Orense in
As a result of the acquittal of Jose Duran, based on the explicit testimony of two actions, wherein he affirmed that he had given his consent to the sale
his uncle, Engacio Orense, the owner of the property, to the effect that he of his property, meet the requirements of the law and legally excuse the
had consented to his nephew Duran's selling the property under right of lack of written authority, and, as they are a full ratification of the acts
repurchase to Gutierrez Hermanos, counsel for this firm filed a complainant executed by his nephew Jose Duran, they produce the effects of an express
praying, among other remedies, that the defendant Orense be compelled to power of agency.
execute a deed for the transfer and conveyance to the plaintiff company of
all the right, title and interest with Orense had in the property sold, and to RUSTICO ADILLE
pay to the same the rental of the property due from February 14, 1911. vs.
COURT OF APPEALS, EMETRIA ASEJO, et. al.
ISSUE: WON Orense can be compelled to deliver the property to Hermanos G.R. No. L-44546 January 29, 1988
as premised above?
FACTS: Feliza Azul owns a parcel of land. She married twice in her lifetime:
HELD: YES. It having been proven at the trial that he gave his consent to the first, with Bernabe Adille, with whom she had a child, Rustico Adille; the
the said sale, it follows that the defendant conferred verbal, or at least second marriage with Procopio Asejo, her children were Emetria Asejo, et.
implied, power of agency upon his nephew Duran, who accepted it in the al.
same way by selling the said property. The principal must therefore fulfill all
the obligations contracted by the agent, who acted within the scope of his Sometime in 1939, said Felisa sold the property in pacto de retro to certain
authority. 3rd persons, period of repurchase being 3 years, but she died in 1942
without being able to redeem and after her death, but during the period of
Even should it be held that the said consent was granted subsequently to redemption, herein defendant repurchased, by himself alone, and after that,
the sale, it is unquestionable that the defendant, the owner of the property, he executed a deed of extra-judicial partition representing himself to be the
approved the action of his nephew, who in this case acted as the manager only heir and child of his mother Felisa with the consequence that he was
of his uncle's business, and Orense's ratification produced the effect of an able to secure title in his name alone also, so that OCT. No. 21137 in the
express authorization to make the said sale. name of his mother was transferred to his name, that was in 1955; that was
why after some efforts of compromise had failed, his half-brothers and
Article 1259 of the Civil Code prescribes: "No one can contract in the name sisters, herein plaintiffs, filed present case for partition with accounting on
of another without being authorized by him or without his legal the position that he was only a trustee on an implied trust when he
representation according to law. redeemed,-and this is the evidence, but as it also turned out that one of
plaintiffs, Emeteria Asejo was occupying a portion, defendant
A contract executed in the name of another by one who has neither his counterclaimed for her to vacate that.
authorization nor legal representation shall be void, unless it should be
ratified by the person in whose name it was executed before being revoked ISSUE: WON Adille can acquire exclusive ownership over the land?
by the other contracting party.
HELD: NO. It is the view of the respondent Court that the petitioner, in
The sworn statement made by the defendant, Orense, while testifying as a taking over the property, did so either on behalf of his co-heirs, in which
witness at the trial of Duran for estafa, virtually confirms and ratifies the event, he had constituted himself a negotiorum gestor under Article 2144 of
sale of his property effected by his nephew, Duran, and, pursuant to article the Civil Code, or for his exclusive benefit, in which case, he is guilty of
1313 of the Civil Code, remedies all defects which the contract may have fraud, and must act as trustee, the private respondents being the
contained from the moment of its execution. beneficiaries, under the Article 1456. The evidence, of course, points to the
second alternative the petitioner having asserted claims of exclusive
On the testimony given by Engacio Orense at the trial of Duran for estafa, ownership over the property and having acted in fraud of his co-heirs. He
the latter was acquitted, and it would not be just that the said testimony, cannot therefore be said to have assume the mere management of the
expressive of his consent to the sale of his property, which determined the property abandoned by his co-heirs, the situation Article 2144 of the Code
acquittal of his nephew, Jose Duran, who then acted as his business contemplates. In any case, as the respondent Court itself affirms, the result
manager, and which testimony wiped out the deception that in the would be the same whether it is one or the other. The petitioner would
beginning appeared to have been practiced by the said Duran, should not remain liable to the Private respondents, his co-heirs.
now serve in passing upon the conduct of Engracio Orense in relation to the
firm of Gutierrez Hermanos in order to prove his consent to the sale of his Andres
property, for, had it not been for the consent admitted by the defendant vs.
Orense, the plaintiff would have been the victim of estafa. Mantrust
G.R. No. 82670 September 15, 1989
If the defendant Orense acknowledged and admitted under oath that he
had consented to Jose Duran's selling the property in litigation to Gutierrez Art. 2154 of the Civil Code, which embodies the doctrine of solutio indebiti
Hermanos, it is not just nor is it permissible for him afterward to deny that
admission, to the prejudice of the purchaser, who gave P1,500 for the said This legal provision, which determines the quasi-contract of solution
property. indebiti, is one of the concrete manifestations of the ancient principle that
no one shall enrich himself unjustly at the expense of another.
The contract of sale of the said property contained in the notarial
instrument of February 14, 1907, is alleged to be invalid, null and void FACTS: Petitioner Andres, using the business name Irenes Wearing
under the provisions of paragraph 5 of section 335 of the Code of Civil Apparel, transacts with Facets Funwear, Inc (Facets), one of its foreign
Procedure, because the authority which Orense may have given to Duran to buyers.
make the said contract of sale is not shown to have been in writing and
signed by Orense, but the record discloses satisfactory and conclusive proof In one transaction, Facets instructed the First National State Bank of New
that the defendant Orense gave his consent to the contract of sale executed Jersey (FNSB) to transfer to herein petitioner, via Philippine National Bank
in a public instrument by his nephew Jose Duran. Such consent was proven (PNB), the amount of $10,000.00. Acting on the instruction, FNSB instructed
Art. 1895. If a thing is received when there was no right to claim it and Puyat & Sons
which, through an error, has been unduly delivered, an obligation to restore vs.
it arises. City of Manila
G. R. No. L-17447 April 30, 1963
In Velez v. Balzarza, 73 Phil. 630 (1942), the Court, speaking through Mr.
Justice Bocobo explained the nature of this article thus: It is too well settled in this state to need the citation of authority that if
money be paid through a clear mistake of law or fact, essentially affecting
Article 1895 [now Article 2154] of the Civil Code abovequoted, is therefore the rights of the parties, and which in law or conscience was not payable,
applicable. This legal provision, which determines the quasi-contract of and should not be retained by the party receiving it, it may be recovered.
solution indebiti, is one of the concrete manifestations of the ancient Both law and sound morality so dictate.
principle that no one shall enrich himself unjustly at the expense of another.
In the Roman Law Digest the maxim was formulated thus: "Jure naturae FACTS: Appellee Puyat & Sons requested for refund of Retail Dealers Taxes
acquum est, neminem cum alterius detrimento et injuria fieri locupletiorem." it paid to appellant City of Manila, on the ground that it is tax exempt on the
And the Partidas declared: "Ninguno non deue enriquecerse tortizeramente sale of the various kinds of furniture manufactured by it pursuant to the
con dano de otro." Such axiom has grown through the centuries in provisions of Sec. 18(n) of Republic Act No. 409 (Revised Charter of Manila),
legislation, in the science of law and in court decisions. The lawmaker has as restated in Section 1 of Ordinance No.3816. However, such request was
found it one of the helpful guides in framing statutes and codes. Thus, it is denied by herein appellant.
unfolded in many articles scattered in the Spanish Civil Code. (See for
example, articles, 360, 361, 464, 647, 648, 797, 1158, 1163, 1295, 1303, Appellee filed an action for refund with the Court of First Instance, which
1304, 1893 and 1895, Civil Code.) This time-honored aphorism has also ruled in its favor, hence this appeal.
been adopted by jurists in their study of the conflict of rights. It has been
accepted by the courts, which have not hesitated to apply it when the ISSUE: Whether or not appellee Puyat & Sons are entitled to the refund of
exigencies of right and equity demanded its assertion. It is a part of that the taxes paid erroneosly, on the ground that it is tax exempt, pursuant to
affluent reservoir of justice upon which judicial discretion draws whenever the Revised Charter of Manila.
the statutory laws are inadequate because they do not speak or do so with
a confused voice. [at p. 632.] HELD: Yes, the Court held that appellee Puyat & Sons are entitled to the
refund of the taxes paid erroneously.
For this article to apply the following requisites must concur:
If something is received when there is no right to demand it, and it was
"(1) that he who paid was not under obligation to do so; and unduly delivered through mistake, the obligationto retun it arises.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the payments made by appellee was
(2) that payment was made by reason of an essential mistake of fact". due to a mistake in the construction of a doubtful question of law. The
reason underlying similar provisions, as applied to illegal taxation, in the
It is undisputed that private respondent delivered the second $10,000.00 United States, is expressed in the case of Newport v. Ringo, 37 Ky. 635,
remittance. However, petitioner contends that the doctrine of solutio 636; 10 S.W. 2, in the following manner:
indebiti, does not apply because its requisites are absent.
"It is too well settled in this state to need the citation of authority that if
The contention is without merit. money be paid through a clear mistake of law or fact, essentially affecting
Every person who through an act or performance by another, or any other When an academic institution accepts students for enrollment, there is
means, acquires or comes into possession of something at the expense of established a contract between them, resulting in bilateral obligations which
the latter without just or legal grounds, shall return the same to him"(Art. both parties are bound to comply with.
22, Civil Code). It would seems unedifying for the government, (here the
City of Manila), that knowing it has no right at all to collect or to receive It is settled that in culpa contractual, the mere proof of the existence of the
money for alleged taxes paid by mistake, it would be reluctant to return the contract and the failure of its compliance justify, prima facie, a
same. No one should enrich itself unjustly at the expense of another (Art. corresponding right of relief.
2125, Civil Code)
FACTS: Petitioner Saludaga was a sophomore student at private respondent
4. ACTS OR OMISSIONS PUNISHABLE BY LAW; DELICT Far Eastern University (FEU), in which private respondent De Jesus was the
President. He was shot by Alejandro Rosete (Rosete), one of the security
Art. 1167. If a person obliged to do something fails to do it, the same guards on duty at the school premises. He was hospitalized due to the
shall be executed at his cost. wound he sustained.
This same rule shall be observed if he does it in contravention of the tenor Thereafter, herein petitioner filed a complaint for damages against private
of the obligation. Furthermore, it may be decreed that what has been respondents on the ground that they breached their obligation to provide
poorly done be undone. students with a safe and secure environment and an atmosphere conducive
to learning. In turn, private respondent filed a third-party complaint against
Revised Penal Code: the Galaxy, the security agency of Rosete.
Art. 100. Civil liability of a person guilty of felony. Every person The trial Court rendered its decision in favor of herein petitioner. On appeal,
criminally liable for a felony is also civilly liable the appellate Court reversed the decision of the trial Court, hence this
petition.
Art. 104. What is included in civil liability. The civil liability
established in Articles 100, 101, 102, and 103 of this Code includes: ISSUE: Whether or not the appellate Court erred when it reversed the
1. Restitution; decision of the trial Court and held that private respondent is not liable for
2. Reparation of the damage caused; the damages on the ground that the Rosete is not a party to the contract to
3. Indemnification for consequential damages. which the petitioner is suing.
5. QUASI-DELICTS HELD: Yes, the Court held that the appellate Court did err when it reversed
the decision of the trial Court.
Art. 1162. Obligations derived from quasi-delicts shall be governed by the
provisions of Chapter 2, Title XVII of this Book, and by special laws. In Philippine School of Business Administration v. Court of Appeals, we held
that:
Art. 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there
When an academic institution accepts students for enrollment, there is
being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such
established a contract between them, resulting in bilateral obligations which
fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between
both parties are bound to comply with. For its part, the school undertakes to
the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this
provide the student with an education that would presumably suffice to
Chapter
equip him with the necessary tools and skills to pursue higher education or
a profession. On the other hand, the student covenants to abide by the
QUESTION: From a single act, can there be a basis of a claim under more
school's academic requirements and observe its rules and regulations.
than one source?
Institutions of learning must also meet the implicit or "built-in" obligation of
ANSWER: Yes, from delict, quasi-delict and contract.
providing their students with an atmosphere that promotes or assists in
attaining its primary undertaking of imparting knowledge. Certainly, no
Note that these require ifferent procedures, requirements, quantim of
student can absorb the intricacies of physics or higher mathematics or
evidence.
explore the realm of the arts and other sciences when bullets are flying or
grenades exploding in the air or where there looms around the school
Note still, that no recovery from more than one source is allowed. Example:
premises a constant threat to life and limb. Necessarily, the school must
Art. 2177 double recovery rule:
ensure that adequate steps are taken to maintain peace and order within
the campus premises and to prevent the breakdown thereof.
Art. 2177. Responsibility for fault or negligence under the preceding
article is entirely separate and distinct from the civil liability arising
It is undisputed that petitioner was enrolled as a sophomore law student in
from negligence under the Penal Code. But the plaintiff cannot recover
respondent FEU. As such, there was created a contractual obligation
damages twice for the same act or omission of the defendant.
between the two parties. On petitioner's part, he was obliged to comply
with the rules and regulations of the school. On the other hand, respondent
See case of Saludaga vs. FEU FEU, as a learning institution is mandated to impart knowledge and equip its
Respondents also failed to show that they undertook steps to ascertain and Likewise, attorney's fees and litigation expenses in the amount of
confirm that the security guards assigned to them actually possess the P50,000.00 as part of damages is reasonable in view of Article 2208 of the
qualifications required in the Security Service Agreement. It was not proven Civil Code. However, the award of exemplary damages is deleted
that they examined the clearances, psychiatric test results, 201 files, and considering the absence of proof that respondents acted in a wanton,
other vital documents enumerated in its contract with Galaxy. Total reliance fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, or malevolent manner.
on the security agency about these matters or failure to check the papers
stating the qualifications of the guards is negligence on the part of We note that the trial court held respondent De Jesus solidarily liable with
respondents. A learning institution should not be allowed to completely respondent FEU. In Powton Conglomerate, Inc. v. Agcolicol, we held that:
relinquish or abdicate security matters in its premises to the security agency
it hired. To do so would result to contracting away its inherent obligation to [A] corporation is invested by law with a personality separate and distinct
ensure a safe learning environment for its students. from those of the persons composing it, such that, save for certain
exceptions, corporate officers who entered into contracts in behalf of the
Consequently, respondents' defense of force majeure must fail. In order for corporation cannot be held personally liable for the liabilities of the latter.
force majeure to be considered, respondents must show that no negligence Personal liability of a corporate director, trustee or officer along (although
or misconduct was committed that may have occasioned the loss. An act of not necessarily) with the corporation may so validly attach, as a rule, only
God cannot be invoked to protect a person who has failed to take steps to when - (1) he assents to a patently unlawful act of the corporation, or when
forestall the possible adverse consequences of such a loss. One's negligence he is guilty of bad faith or gross negligence in directing its affairs, or when
may have concurred with an act of God in producing damage and injury to there is a conflict of interest resulting in damages to the corporation, its
another; nonetheless, showing that the immediate or proximate cause of stockholders or other persons; (2) he consents to the issuance of watered
the damage or injury was a fortuitous event would not exempt one from down stocks or who, having knowledge thereof, does not forthwith file with
liability. When the effect is found to be partly the result of a person's the corporate secretary his written objection thereto; (3) he agrees to hold
participation - whether by active intervention, neglect or failure to act - the himself personally and solidarily liable with the corporation; or (4) he is
whole occurrence is humanized and removed from the rules applicable to made by a specific provision of law personally answerable for his corporate
acts of God. action.
Article 1170 of the Civil Code provides that those who are negligent in the None of the foregoing exceptions was established in the instant case;
performance of their obligations are liable for damages. Accordingly, for hence, respondent De Jesus should not be held solidarily liable with
breach of contract due to negligence in providing a safe learning respondent FEU.
environment, respondent FEU is liable to petitioner for damages. It is
essential in the award of damages that the claimant must have satisfactorily Incidentally, although the main cause of action in the instant case is the
proven during the trial the existence of the factual basis of the damages and breach of the school-student contract, petitioner, in the alternative, also
its causal connection to defendant's acts. holds respondents vicariously liable under Article 2180 of the Civil Code,
which provides:
In the instant case, it was established that petitioner spent P35,298.25 for
his hospitalization and other medical expenses. While the trial court Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only
correctly imposed interest on said amount, however, the case at bar for one's own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one
involves an obligation arising from a contract and not a loan or forbearance is responsible.
of money. As such, the proper rate of legal interest is six percent (6%) per
annum of the amount demanded. Such interest shall continue to run from xxxx
the filing of the complaint until the finality of this Decision. After this
Decision becomes final and executory, the applicable rate shall be twelve Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and
percent (12%) per annum until its satisfaction. household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even
though the former are not engaged in any business or industry.
Cangco his distinction is of the utmost importance. The liability, which, under the
vs. Spanish law, is, in certain cases imposed upon employers with respect to
Manila Railroad damages occasioned by the negligence of their employees to persons to
G.R. No. L-12191 October 14, 1918 whom they are not bound by contract, is not based, as in the English
Common Law, upon the principle of respondeat superior if it were, the
The opinion there expressed by this Court, to the effect that in case of master would be liable in every case and unconditionally but upon the
extra-contractual culpa based upon negligence, it is necessary that there principle announced in article 1902 of the Civil Code, which imposes upon all
shall have been some fault attributable to the defendant personally, and persons who by their fault or negligence, do injury to another, the obligation
that the last paragraph of article 1903 merely establishes a rebuttable of making good the damage caused. One who places a powerful automobile
presumption in the hands of a servant whom he knows to be ignorant of the method of
managing such a vehicle, is himself guilty of an act of negligence which
A brief review of the earlier decision of this court involving the liability of makes him liable for all the consequences of his imprudence. The obligation
employers for damage done by the negligent acts of their servants will show to make good the damage arises at the very instant that the unskillful
that in no case has the court ever decided that the negligence of the servant, while acting within the scope of his employment causes the injury.
defendant's servants has been held to constitute a defense to an action for The liability of the master is personal and direct. But, if the master has not
damages for breach of contract. been guilty of any negligence whatever in the selection and direction of the
servant, he is not liable for the acts of the latter, whatever done within the
FACTS: Appellant Cango incurred injuries when he alighted from the train, scope of his employment or not, if the damage done by the servant does
by accidentally stepping of watermelon sacks placed all over the platform. not amount to a breach of the contract between the master and the person
injured.
Appellant filed a complaint against herein appellee Manila Railroad for the
damages and medical expenses for such incident. Appellant contends that It is not accurate to say that proof of diligence and care in the selection and
herein appellee is negligent in maintaining the safety of the train station, by control of the servant relieves the master from liability for the latter's acts
allowing sacks of watermelon to be placed over the premises. on the contrary, that proof shows that the responsibility has never existed.
As Manresa says (vol. 8, p. 68) the liability arising from extra-contractual
The trial Court rendered its decision in favor of herein appellee, on the culpa is always based upon a voluntary act or omission which, without
ground that herein appellant failed to use due caution in alighting from the willful intent, but by mere negligence or inattention, has caused damage to
train, hence this appeal. another. A master who exercises all possible care in the selection of his
servant, taking into consideration the qualifications they should possess for
ISSUE: WON appellant is entitled to damages due to the sustained injuries the discharge of the duties which it is his purpose to confide to them, and
caused by the negligence of herein appellee Manila Railroad. directs them with equal diligence, thereby performs his duty to third persons
to whom he is bound by no contractual ties, and he incurs no liability
HELD: Yes, the Court held that herein appellant is entitled to damages due whatever if, by reason of the negligence of his servants, even within the
to the sustained injuries. scope of their employment, such third person suffer damage. True it is that
under article 1903 of the Civil Code the law creates a presumption that he
It can not be doubted that the employees of the railroad company were has been negligent in the selection or direction of his servant, but the
guilty of negligence in piling these sacks on the platform in the manner presumption is rebuttable and yield to proof of due care and diligence in this
above stated; that their presence caused the plaintiff to fall as he alighted respect.
from the train; and that they therefore constituted an effective legal cause
of the injuries sustained by the plaintiff. It necessarily follows that the The supreme court of Porto Rico, in interpreting identical provisions, as
defendant company is liable for the damage thereby occasioned unless found in the Porto Rico Code, has held that these articles are applicable to
recovery is barred by the plaintiff's own contributory negligence. In cases of extra-contractual culpa exclusively. (Carmona vs. Cuesta, 20 Porto
resolving this problem it is necessary that each of these conceptions of Rico Reports, 215.)
liability, to-wit, the primary responsibility of the defendant company and the
contributory negligence of the plaintiff should be separately examined. This distinction was again made patent by this Court in its decision in the
case of Bahia vs. Litonjua and Leynes, (30 Phil. rep., 624), which was an
It is important to note that the foundation of the legal liability of the action brought upon the theory of the extra-contractual liability of the
defendant is the contract of carriage, and that the obligation to respond for defendant to respond for the damage caused by the carelessness of his
the damage which plaintiff has suffered arises, if at all, from the breach of employee while acting within the scope of his employment. The Court, after
that contract by reason of the failure of defendant to exercise due care in its citing the last paragraph of article 1903 of the Civil Code, said:
performance. That is to say, its liability is direct and immediate, differing
essentially, in legal viewpoint from that presumptive responsibility for the From this article two things are apparent: (1) That when an injury is caused
negligence of its servants, imposed by article 1903 of the Civil Code, which by the negligence of a servant or employee there instantly arises a
can be rebutted by proof of the exercise of due care in their selection and presumption of law that there was negligence on the part of the master or
supervision. Article 1903 of the Civil Code is not applicable to obligations employer either in selection of the servant or employee, or in supervision
arising ex contractu, but only to extra-contractual obligations or to use over him after the selection, or both; and (2) that that presumption is juris
the technical form of expression, that article relates only to culpa aquiliana tantum and not juris et de jure, and consequently, may be rebutted. It
and not to culpa contractual. follows necessarily that if the employer shows to the satisfaction of the
ISSUE: WON the trial Court erred when it awarded the sum of Php NARCISO GUTIERREZ, plaintiff-appellee,
1,000.00 instead of the actual damages of P8,489.10, pursuant to their vs.
Guard Service Contract. BONIFACIO GUTIERREZ, MARIA V. DE GUTIERREZ, MANUEL
GUTIERREZ, ABELARDO VELASCO, and SATURNINO CORTEZ, defendants-
HELD: Yes, the trial Court did err when is merely awarded the sum of Php appellants.
1,000.00 to herein appellant. G.R. No. 34840 | September 23, 1931
Paragraph 4 of the contract, which limits defendant's liability for the amount FACTS: A passenger truck, driven by Velasco and Cortez, and an
of loss or damage to any property of plaintiff to "P1,000.00 per guard post," automobile owned by spouses-defendants Gutierrez and was being driven at
is by its own terms applicable only for loss or damage 'through the that time by their son, Bonifacio who was 18 y/o, collided. At the time of the
negligence of its guards ... during the watch hours" provided that the same collision, the father was not in the car, but the mother, together will several
is duly reported by plaintiff within 24 hours of the occurrence and the other members of the Gutierrez family, seven in all, were accommodated
guard's negligence is verified after proper investigation with the attendance therein. As a result of the said incident, herein plaintiff, a passenger in the
of both contracting parties. Said paragraph is manifestly inapplicable to the autobus, suffered a fracture which required medical attendance, prompting
stipulated facts of record, which involve neither property of plaintiff that has him to sue herein defendants. It was found by the trial court that both the
been lost or damaged at its premises nor mere negligence of defendant's boy and the driver of the autobus were negligent by which neither of them
security guard on duty. were willing to slow up and give the right of way to the other.
Here, instead of defendant, through its assigned security guards, complying ISSUE: How should civil liability be imposed upon the parties in the present
with its contractual undertaking 'to safeguard and protect the business case?
premises of (plaintiff) from theft, robbery, vandalism and all other unlawful
acts of any person or persons," defendant's own guard on duty unlawfully HELD: In the United States, it is uniformly held that the head of a house,
and wrongfully drove out of plaintiffs premises a customer's car, lost control the owner of an automobile, who maintains it for the general use of his
of it on the highway causing it to fall into a ditch, thereby directly causing family is liable for its negligent operation by one of his children, whom he
plaintiff to incur actual damages in the total amount of P8,489.10. designates or permits to run it, where the car is occupied and being used at
the time of the injury for the pleasure of other members of the owner's
Defendant is therefore undoubtedly liable to indemnify plaintiff for the entire family than the child driving it. The theory of the law is that the running of
damages thus incurred, since under paragraph 5 of their contract it the machine by a child to carry other members of the family is within the
"assumed the responsibility for the proper performance by the guards scope of the owner's business, so that he is liable for the negligence of the
employed of their duties and (contracted to) be solely responsible for the child because of the relationship of master and servant.
acts done during their watch hours" and "specifically released (plaintiff)
from any and all liabilities ... to the third parties arising from the acts or The liability of Saturnino Cortez, the owner of the truck, and of his chauffeur
omissions done by the guards during their tour of duty." As plaintiff had Abelardo Velasco rests on a different basis, namely, that of contract which,
duly discharged its liability to the third party, its customer, Joseph Luy, for we think, has been sufficiently demonstrated by the allegations of the
the undisputed damages of P8,489.10 caused said customer, due to the complaint, not controverted, and the evidence. The reason for this
wanton and unlawful act of defendant's guard, defendant in turn was clearly conclusion reaches to the findings of the trial court concerning the position
liable under the terms of paragraph 5 of their contract to indemnify plaintiff of the truck on the bridge, the speed in operating the machine, and the lack
in the same amount. of care employed by the chauffeur. While these facts are not as clearly
evidenced as are those which convict the other defendant, we nevertheless
The trial court's approach that "had plaintiff understood the liability of the hesitate to disregard the points emphasized by the trial judge. In its broader
defendant to fall under paragraph 5, it should have told Joseph Luy, owner aspects, the case is one of two drivers approaching a narrow bridge from
of the car, that under the Guard Service Contract, it was not liable for the opposite directions, with neither being willing to slow up and give the right
damage but the defendant and had Luy insisted on the liability of the of way to the other, with the inevitable result of a collision and an accident.
plaintiff, the latter should have challenged him to bring the matter to court.
If Luy accepted the challenge and instituted an action against the plaintiff, it The defendants Velasco and Cortez further contend that there existed
should have filed a third-party complaint against the Commando Security contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff, consisting principally of
Art. 1246. When the obligation consists in the delivery of an Potestative Condition:
indeterminate or generic thing, whose quality and circumstances have not
been stated, the creditor cannot demand a thing of superior quality. Art. 1182. When the fulfillment of the condition depends upon the
Neither can the debtor deliver a thing of inferior quality. The purpose of sole will of the debtor, the conditional obligation shall be void. If it
the obligation and other circumstances shall be taken into consideration. depends upon chance or upon the will of a third person, the
obligation shall take effect in conformity with the provisions of this
Art. 1460. A thing is determinate when it is particularly designated or Code
physical segregated from all other of the same class.
NOTE: Art. 1182 does not apply when there is a pre-existing debt.
The requisite that a thing be determinate is satisfied if at the time the
contract is entered into, the thing is capable of being made determinate BAR-EXAM QUESTION: Pedro promised to give his grandson his car after
without the necessity of a new or further agreement between the parties. the latter passed the bar. Upon passing the bar, Pedro refused to give the
car claiming that the condition is purely potestative and is thus void. Is
D. KINDS OF CIVIL OBLIGATIONS Pedro correct?
1. As to Perfection and Extinguishment ANSWER: No. Passing the bar is a condition not considered potestative since
it is not dependent solely upon the will of one of the parties, therefore the
PURE OBLIGATIONS obligation is not void.
Art. 1179. Every obligation whose performance does not depend upon a Likewise, Art. 1182 is not applicable, the fulfillment must be dependent
future or uncertain event, or upon a past event unknown to the parties, is upon the sole will of the debtor in order for the obligation to be void. In this
demandable at once. case, the debtor is the grandfather, Pedro, and he is not the one taking the
bar exam.
Every obligation which contains a resolutory condition shall also be
demandable, without prejudice to the effects of the happening of the When debtor prevented the happening of the condition:
event.
Art. 1186. The condition shall be deemed fulfilled when the obligor
CONDITIONAL voluntarily prevents its fulfillment.
Answer: Yes. Applying Art. 1186, by preventing the workers from entering Answer: No. Under Art. 1187, the happening of the condition, in an
the premises, A, as debtor, prevented the happening of the condition, i.e., obligation to give, retroacts to the day of the constitution of the
completion of the house. B is entitled to the remaining 50%. obligation. However, since there are reciprocal obligations, to pay on
the part of Eva, and to deliver the house and lot on the part of Manuel,
NOTE, HOWEVER: if prevention is pursuant to a valid right, say, workers they are deemed mutually compensated for the rent and interests on
are not following the plans, or the contractor uses inferior materials the the property and money, respectively.
debtor is not compelled to pay. He can even ask for the demolition of the
work already completed at the expense of the contractor. As such, the seller would just deliver and the buyer would pay the
price. There will be no issue as to the amounts of rent, or interest on
Impossible Conditions: the purchase price.
Art. 1183. Impossible conditions, those contrary to good customs or What if unilateral only? Manuel shall be entitled to the rent. In the
public policy and those prohibited by law shall annul the obligation which above example, if Manuel has the unilateral obligation to deliver the
depends upon them. If the obligation is divisible, that part thereof which is house and lot upon passing of Eva of the 1998 Bar Exams. Applying
not affected by the impossible or unlawful condition shall be valid. Art. 1187, Manuel, as the debtor, is entitled to the fruits (rent) of the
property.
PROBLEM: A promised to pay P100 to B on the condition that B will go to
the sun on the same day. What is the status of the obligation? Rules as to improvement, loss or deterioration:
ANSWER: annulled in accordance with Art. 1183. This is not correct, Art. 1189. When the conditions have been imposed with the intention of
because it would connote that the obligation was voidable. It is actually suspending the efficacy of an obligation to give, the following rules shall be
void, thats why there are criticism with the word used in the above article. observed in case of the improvement, loss or deterioration of the thing
(Uribe, 2015) during the pendency of the condition:
Compare with: testamentary conditions which are impossible, the condition (1) If the thing is lost without the fault of the debtor, the obligation shall
is deemed not written. This is because obligations are essentially onerous, be extinguished;
while succession is unilaterally gratuitous. (2) If the thing is lost through the fault of the debtor, he shall be obliged
to pay damages; it is understood that the thing is lost when it perishes, or
WITH A TERM OR PERIOD goes out of commerce, or disappears in such a way that its existence is
unknown or it cannot be recovered;
Art. 1180. When the debtor binds himself to pay when his means permit (3) When the thing deteriorates without the fault of the debtor, the
him to do so, the obligation shall be deemed to be one with a period, impairment is to be borne by the creditor;
subject to the provisions of Article 1197. (4) If it deteriorates through the fault of the debtor, the creditor may
choose between the rescission of the obligation and its fulfillment, with
MEANS TO PAY valid obligation with a period, because the remedy of indemnity for damages in either case;
the creditor is to go to court once the debtor has the means to pay. (5) If the thing is improved by its nature, or by time, the improvement
shall inure to the benefit of the creditor;
BAR EXAM QUESTION: Manuel promised to sell to Eva, his house and lot (6) If it is improved at the expense of the debtor, he shall have no other
rented by another, if Eva passes the 1998 bar exams. Eva passed the said right than that granted to the usufructuary.
bar exams.
QUESTION: A promised to deliver to B when the latter passes the bar
a. Suppose it was sold to another before Eva passed the bar exams is exams. Before the happening of the condition, the A thought that the
such sale valid? Why? condition will no longer be fulfilled since B continuously failed the bar
exams. As such, A had the car repainted and seat covers were changed.In
Yes. Three essential requisites are present. It can be a valid contract of the following bar exam, B passed and demanded that A deliver the car. B
sale. can because other information not given, it may be void for refused demanding reimbursement for the repainting and the new seat
some other reason, e.g., if they are husband and wife, or Eva is a covers. Can he validly do so?
foreigner not allowed to own land in the Philippines.
Answer: No. Under Art. 1189, par. 6, A has no better right than a
Note that in this case, the condition had not yet happened, as such, usufructuary. Accordingly, he has no right to demand reimbursement for the
ownership remains with Manuel and he has the right to dispose of it. repainting and the new seat covers, he will only have the right to remove
the improvements as long as it will not cause damage to the thing. Likewise,
b. Assuming Eva is the one entitled to buy the house and lot, is she he does not have the right to retain the thing.
entitled to the rental before she passed the bar exams?
Suppose in the above question, the property was land which was increased
No. because, the condition was fulfilled only in 1998, she is entitled to by alluvion, who is entitled to the improvement? The creditor. As provided
the fruits after she passed the bar. defective answer.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
14 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
under par. 5 above, improvement of the thing by nature inures to the a. If the period intended has not yet expired, specific performance
benefit of the creditor. would be premature.
b. If period had elapsed, will specific performance prosper?
OBLIGATIONS WITH A TERM: Generally, yes.
*Use arrival of the term and expiration of the period. Exception: if it would be violative of the right against involuntary
servitude. (see Araneta, Inc. vs. Phil Sugar Estates)
KINDS OF TERM:
1. Definite specific date, e.g. Dec. 31, end of the year this year, within Benefit of the period:
6 months;
2. Indefinite period may arrive upon the fulfilment of a certain event Art. 1196. Whenever in an obligation a period is designated, it is
which is certain to happen. E.g., death. presumed to have been established for the benefit of both the
creditor and the debtor, unless from the tenor of the same or other
or circumstances it should appear that the period has been established in
3. Legal imposed or provided by law, e.g. filing of taxes; obligation to favor of one or of the other
give support within the first 5 days of the month.
4. Voluntary agreed upon by the parties. PRESUMPTION: is that the period was fixed for the benefit of both
5. Judicial those fixed by courts. parties. EXCEPTION: when from the tenor of the obligation or other
circumstances, it was only established for one or the other.
When may the court fix the period?
QUESTION: Before arrival of the period:
1. Under Art. 1191, par. 3: 1. Can the debtor be bound to perform?
2. Can the creditor can be bound/compelled to accept?
Art. 1191. The power to rescind obligations is implied in reciprocal ones,
in case one of the obligors should not comply with what is incumbent upon ANSWER: determine for whose benefit the period was fixed. If fixed for
him. the benefit of the debtor, then the debtor cannot be bound to perform, but
the creditor can be compelled to accept.
The injured party may choose between the fulfillment and the rescission of
the obligation, with the payment of damages in either case. He may also EXAMPLE OF EXCEPTION: use of the words on or before for the
seek rescission, even after he has chosen fulfillment, if the latter should benefit of the debtor. As such, the it can be seen from the tenor of the
become impossible. condition that the benefit was for the debtor who can perform or fulfill the
obligation even prior to the expiration of the term.
The court shall decree the rescission claimed, unless there be just
cause authorizing the fixing of a period. PROBLEM: A borrowed money from B on Jan. 1 1983, payable Dec. 31,
1983. A pledged his car with the agreement that B can use it. Can A
This is understood to be without prejudice to the rights of third persons compel B to accept payment before due date?
who have acquired the thing, in accordance with Articles 1385 and 1388
and the Mortgage Law. Answer: No, the presumption is that the period is established for the
benefit of both parties. In this case, the period is actually for the benefit
2. Under Art. 1197: both, for the debtor to have time to pay, while the creditor to have time to
use the car. As such, B cannot be compelled to accept payment prior to the
Art. 1197. If the obligation does not fix a period, but from its nature and arrival of the period agreed upon.
the circumstances it can be inferred that a period was intended, the courts
may fix the duration thereof. Can B be compelled to deliver the car? It depends, pledge is an accessory
contract, B accepts payment, then the principal obligation, the loan, is
The courts shall also fix the duration of the period when it depends upon extinguished, thus with it the pledge.
the will of the debtor.
Debtors loss of benefit of the period:
In every case, the courts shall determine such period as may under the
circumstances have been probably contemplated by the parties. Once fixed Art. 1198. The debtor shall lose every right to make use of the period:
by the courts, the period cannot be changed by them (1) When after the obligation has been contracted, he becomes insolvent,
unless he gives a guaranty or security for the debt;
(2) When he does not furnish to the creditor the guaranties or securities
There are two instances when the court may fix a period as provided above: which he has promised;
1. The parties intended a period, but no period was fixed; (3) When by his own acts he has impaired said guaranties or securities
2. The period depends solely on the will of the debtor. after their establishment, and when through a fortuitous event they
disappear, unless he immediately gives new ones equally satisfactory;
Rules for Applicability: (4) When the debtor violates any undertaking, in consideration of which
1. If the obligation is one arising from a contract, Art. 1197 applies only if the creditor agreed to the period;
the contract was perfected. (5) When the debtor attempts to abscond.
2. No period was fixed, but it was intended. Insolvency means the debtor is unable to fulfil his obligations as they fall
due. As such, the creditor may not wait for the arrival of period because at
If there was a period agreed upon by the parties, Art. 1197 would not that time, there may be insufficient assets to cover his claim.
be applicable. (see Lim vs. People)
Exception: if debtor provides for sufficient security or guaranty.
3. Courts should determine from the nature and circumstances whether
the parties intended a period and fix the same. PROBLEM: A obtained from B a loan payable in a year, secured by a
mortgage on As house. The said house was later on destroyed by fire. B
Note: sometimes, action to fix a period is concurrent with specific collected from A before the arrival of the period. A countered that the period
performance. is for both their benefit and thus, he cannot be compelled to pay. Is A
correct?
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
15 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
1179 of the Civil Code applies. The spouses Broquezas obligation to pay
Answer: No. A lost the benefit of the period when the mortgaged house HSBCL-SRP is a pure obligation. The fact that HSBCL-SRP was content with
was destroyed by fire, as provided under Art. 1198 (3). the prior monthly check-off from Editha Broquezas salary is of no moment.
Once Editha Broqueza defaulted in her monthly payment, HSBCL-SRP made
Why should A bear the loss? a demand to enforce a pure obligation.
1. The lender would not have lent the money if there was no security;
2. Lender likewise did not cause the loss; In their Answer, the spouses Broqueza admitted that prior to Editha
3. Borrower remains the owner of the property who should bear the loss. Broquezas dismissal from HSBC in December 1993, she "religiously paid the
loan amortizations, which HSBC collected through payroll check-off."1 A
MULTIPLE CHOICE: On june 1, 1999, 15% loan A signed PM to pay X definite amount is paid to HSBCL-SRP on a specific date. Editha Broqueza
P100,000 on June 30, 1999. For whose benefit was the period fixed? authorized HSBCL-SRP to make deductions from her payroll until her loans
are fully paid. Editha Broqueza, however, defaulted in her monthly loan
a. Can X demand payment before June 30, 1999? No. Presumption is that payment due to her dismissal. Despite the spouses Broquezas
the benefit of both. Debtor cannot be compelled to pay. protestations, the payroll deduction is merely a convenient mode of
b. On June 30, 1999, can X refuse payment? No. The debt is already due payment and not the sole source of payment for the loans. HSBCL-
regardless for whose benefit it is paid. SRP never agreed that the loans will be paid only through salary deductions.
c. Can X be compelled to accept before? No. Why would creditor would Neither did HSBCL-SRP agree that if Editha Broqueza ceases to be an
not like to accept? Because debtor may pay interest only upto time of employee of HSBC, her obligation to pay the loans will be suspended.
payment. HSBCL-SRP can immediately demand payment of the loans at anytime
d. Benefit of both. correct. because the obligation to pay has no period. Moreover, the spouses
Broqueza have already incurred in default in paying the monthly
No. 2: 1:05 involving multiple prestations. installments.
MeTC ruled that the nature of HSBCL-SRPs demands for payment is civil The lower court held that the ten-year period of limitation of actions did
and has no connection to the ongoing labor dispute. Gerong and Editha apply, the note being immediately due and demandable, the creditor
Broquezas termination from employment resulted in the loss of continued admitting expressly that he was relying on the wording "upon demand."
benefits under their retirement plans. Thus, the loans secured by their
future retirement benefits to which they are no longer entitled are reduced Petitioner appealed the lower courts decision.
to unsecured and pure civil obligations. As unsecured and pure obligations,
the loans are immediately demandable. ISSUE: WON a creditor is barred by prescription in his attempt to collect on
a promissory note executed more than fifteen years earlier with the debtor
RTC affirmed the MeTCs decision in toto. On appeal, the CA reversed the sued promising to pay either upon receipt by him of his share from a certain
RTC. estate or upon demand, the basis for the action being the latter alternative?
ISSUE: WON the obligations of Broqueza and Gerong are pure obligations HELD: Yes. Prescribed. From the manner in which the promissory note was
which are immediately demandable? executed, it would appear that petitioner was hopeful that the satisfaction
of his credit could be realized either through the debtor sued receiving cash
HELD: YES In ruling for HSBCL-SRP, we apply the first paragraph of Article payment from the estate of the late Carlos Palanca presumptively as one of
1179 of the Civil Code: the heirs, or, as expressed therein, "upon demand." There is nothing in the
record that would indicate whether or not the first alternative was fulfilled.
Art. 1179. Every obligation whose performance does not depend upon a What is undeniable is that on August 26, 1967, more than fifteen years after
future or uncertain event, or upon a past event unknown to the parties, is the execution of the promissory note on January 30, 1952, this petition was
demandable at once. filed. The defense interposed was prescription. Its merit is rather obvious.
x x x. Article 1179 of the Civil Code provides: "Every obligation whose
performance does not depend upon a future or uncertain event, or upon a
We affirm the findings of the MeTC and the RTC that there is no date of past event unknown to the parties, is demandable at once." This used to be
payment indicated in the Promissory Notes. The RTC is correct in Article 1113 of the Spanish Civil Code of 1889. As far back as Floriano v.
ruling that since the Promissory Notes do not contain a period, Delgado, 5 a 1908 decision, it has been applied according to its express
HSBCL-SRP has the right to demand immediate payment. Article language. The well-known Spanish commentator, Manresa, on this point,
ISSUE: WON, under the contracts entered into and the circumstances A day certain is understood to be one which must necessarily arrive,
established in the record, the plaintiff has fulfilled, in due time, its obligation even though its date be unknown.
to bring the goods in question to Manila?
If the uncertainty should consist in the arrival or non-arrival of the day,
HELD: YES. As regards the tanks, the contracts A and B (pages 61 and 62 the obligation is conditional and shall be governed by the rules of the
of the record) are similar, and in both of them we find this clause: next preceding section. (referring to pure and conditional obligations).
(Art. 1125, Civ. Code.)
To be delivered within 3 or 4 months The promise or indication of
shipment carries with it absolutely no obligation on our part And as the export of the machinery in question was, as stated in the
Government regulations, railroad embargoes, lack of vessel space, the contract, contingent upon the sellers obtaining certificate of priority and
exigencies of the requirement of the United States Government, or a permission of the United States Government, subject to the rules and
number of causes may act to entirely vitiate the indication of shipment regulations, as well as to railroad embargoes, then the delivery was
as stated. In other words, the order is accepted on the basis of subject to a condition the fulfillment of which depended not only
shipment at Mill's convenience, time of shipment being merely an upon the effort of the herein plaintiff, but upon the will of third
indication of what we hope to accomplish. persons who could in no way be compelled to fulfill the condition.
In cases like this, which are not expressly provided for, but impliedly
In the contract Exhibit C (page 63 of the record), with reference to the covered, by the Civil Code, the obligor will be deemed to have
expellers, the following stipulation appears: sufficiently performed his part of the obligation, if he has done all
that was in his power, even if the condition has not been fulfilled in
The following articles, hereinbelow more particularly described, to be reality.
shipped at San Francisco within the month of September /18, or as soon
as possible. Two Anderson oil expellers . . . . In such cases, the decisions prior to the Civil Code have held that the
obligee having done all that was in his power, was entitled to enforce
FACTS: Plaintiff delivered to the defendant, who is a typewriter repairer, a In addition, the defendant-appellee is likewise liable, under Article 1170 of
portable typewriter for routine cleaning and servicing. Despite repeated the Code, for the cost of the missing parts, in the amount of P31.10, for in
reminders made by the plaintiff, defendant was not able to finish the job his obligation to repair the typewriter he was bound, but failed or neglected,
after some time. Later, plaintiff gave to the defendant the sum of P6 asked to return it in the same condition it was when he received it.
by the latter for the purchase of spare parts. Exasperated due to the delay,
plaintiff asked for the return of the typewriter. Upon examination by Appellants claims for moral and temperate damages and attorneys fees
plaintiff, the typewriter was found to be in shambles, with the interior cover were, however, correctly rejected by the trial court, for these were not
and some parts and screws missing. Plaintiff demanded from defendant the alleged in his complaint (Record on Appeal, pages 1-5).
return of the missing parts, interior cover and the sum of P6. The defendant
returned to the plaintiff some of the missing parts, the interior cover and VICENTE SINGSON ENCARNACION, plaintiff-appellee,
the P6. vs.
JACINTA BALDOMAR, ET AL., defendants-appellants.
Plaintiff had his typewriter repaired by another, and the repair job cost him [G.R. No. L-264 | October 4, 1946 | EN BANC | J. Hilado]
a total of P89.85, including labor and materials.
FACTS: Plaintiff leased his house to Jacinto Baldomar, and her son, Lefrado
Plaintiff commenced this action before the City Court of Manila, demanding Fernando, upon a month-to-month basis. Subsequently, plaintiff notified
from the defendant the payment of P90 as actual and compensatory defendants to vacate the said house because plaintiff needed it for his
damages, P100 for temperate damages, P500 for moral damages, and P500 offices. Despite this demand, defendants insisted on continuing their
as attorneys fees. Defendant claimed that the total cost of P89.95 should occupancy. Plaintiff filed an action before the Municipal Court of Manila
be fully chargeable against him since the repair invoice showed that the during which defendants were in arrears in the payment of the rental for
missing parts had total value of only P31.10. The court order the defendant that month.
to pay the sum of P31.10.
On appeal to the CFI, the defendants interposed that their lease contract
Plaintiff directly appealed to the SC contending that the court a quo erred with the plaintiff authorized them to continue occupying the house
when it did not award the whole cost of labor and materials that went into indefinitely as long as they faithfully pay their rentals. The CFI decided in
the repair of the machine, as provided for in Article 1167 CC. favor of the plaintiff ratiocinating that the lease had always been upon a
month-to-month basis.
Defendant countered that he is not liable at all, not even for the sum of
P31.10, because his contract with plaintiff did not contain a period, so that ISSUE: WON the lease contract entered into by the parties is for an
plaintiff should have first filed a petition for the court to fix the period, indefinite period (as long as rentals are paid), or on a month-to-month
under Article 1197 of the Civil Code. basis?
ISSUE: WON defendant can invoke Article 1197 CC on the ground that his HELD: month-to-month. The defense thus set up by defendant Lefrado
contract with plaintiff did not contain a period? Fernando would leave to the sole and exclusive will of one of the
contracting parties (defendants in this case) the validity and fulfillment of
HELD: NO. The appealed judgment states that the "plaintiff delivered to the the contract of lease, within the meaning of article 1256 of the Civil Code,
defendant . . . a portable typewriter for routine cleaning and servicing" ; since the continuance and fulfillment of the contract would then depend
that the defendant was not able to finish the job after some time despite solely and exclusively upon their free and uncontrolled choice between
repeated reminders made by the plaintiff" ; that the "defendant merely gave continuing paying the rentals or not, completely depriving the owner of all
assurances, but failed to comply with the same" ; and that "after getting say in the matter.
exasperated with the delay of the repair of the typewriter", the plaintiff
went to the house of the defendant and asked for its return, which was If this defense were to be allowed, so long as defendants elected
done. The inferences derivable from these findings of fact are that the to continue the lease by continuing the payment of the rentals, the
appellant and the appellee had a perfected contract for cleaning and owner would never be able to discontinue it; conversely, although
servicing a typewriter; that they intended that the defendant was the owner should desire the lease to continue, the lessees could
to finish it at some future time although such time was not effectively thwart his purpose if they should prefer to terminate
specified; and that such time had passed without the work having the contract by the simple expedient of stopping payment of the
been accomplished, far the defendant returned the typewriter rentals. This, of course, is prohibited by the aforesaid article of the Civil
cannibalized and unrepaired, which in itself is a breach of his Code. (8 Manresa, 3d ed., pp. 626, 627; Cuyugan vs. Santos, 34 Phil., 100.)
obligation, without demanding that he should be given more time
to finish the job, or compensation for the work he had already DARIO AND GAUDENCIO ELEIZEGUI, plaintiffs-appellees,
done. The time for compliance having evidently expired, and there being a vs.
breach of contract by non-performance, it was academic for the plaintiff to THE MANILA LAWN TENNIS CLUB, defendant-appellant.
have first petitioned the court to fix a period for the performance of the G.R. No. 967 May 19, 1903
contract before filing his complaint in this case. Defendant cannot invoke
Article 1197 of the Civil Code for he virtually admitted non- FACTS: This suit concerns the lease of a piece of land for a fixed
performance by returning the typewriter that he was obliged to consideration of P25 per month and to endure at the will of the lessee, by
repair in a non-working condition, with essential parts missing. plaintiff-appellee to herein defendant-appellant.
The fixing of a period would thus be a mere formality and would
Usufruct is a right of superior degree to that which arises from a lease. It is FACTS: Justina Santos y Canon Faustino and her sister Lorenzo were the
a real right and includes all the jus utendi and jus fruendi. Nevertheless, the owners in common of a piece of land in Manila where two residential houses
utmost period for which a usufruct can endure, if constituted in favor a are built one where the 2 sisters lived, and the other where Wong Heng
natural person, is the lifetime of the usufructuary (art. 513, sec. 1); and if in had been a long-time lessee paying a monthly rental of P2,620.
favor of juridical person, it cannot be created for more than thirty years.
(Art. 515.) If the lease might be perpetual, in what would it be distinguished When Lorenzo died, Justina became the sole owner of the property, who
from an emphyteusis? Why should the lessee have a greater right than the being close to Wong Hengs family, executed a contract of lease in favor of
usufructuary, as great as that of an emphyteuta, with respect to the Wong, covering the portion already leased to him and another portion of the
duration of the enjoyment of the property of another? Why did they not land, with a term of 50 years, although the lessee was given the right to
contract for a usufruct or an emphyteusis? It was repeatedly stated in the withdraw at any time from the agreement; the monthy rental was P3,210.
document that it was a lease, and nothing but a lease, which was agreed The contract was later on amended to cover the entire property, including
upon: "Being in the full enjoyment of the necessary legal capacity to enter the portion where the house of Justina stood.
into this contract of lease . . . they have agreed upon the lease of said
estate . . . They lease to Mr. Williamson, who receives it as such. . . . Eventually, she executed another contract giving Wong the option to buy
The rental is fixed at 25 pesos a month. . . . The owners bind themselves to the leased premises (in installments) conditioned upon Wongs
In the meantime, Security Bank and Trust Co, was appointed guardian of [A]liens are not completely excluded by the Constitution from the use of
the properties of Justina Santos, while Ephraim G. Gochangco was lands for residential purposes. Since their residence in the Philippines is
appointed guardian of her person. temporary, they may be granted temporary rights such as a lease contract
which is not forbidden by the Constitution. Should they desire to remain
Except for the initial lease contract, all subsequent contracts were declared here forever and share our fortunes and misfortunes, Filipino citizenship is
null and void. not impossible to acquire.
Among others, the plaintiff-appellant contends that the lease contract But if an alien is given not only a lease of, but also an option to
should likewise be annulled since Paragraph 5 thereof states that "The buy, a piece of land, by virtue of which the Filipino owner cannot
lessee may at any time withdraw from this agreement." It is claimed that sell or otherwise dispose of his property,21 this to last for 50 years,
this stipulation offends article 1308 of the Civil Code which provides that then it becomes clear that the arrangement is a virtual transfer of
"the contract must bind both contracting parties; its validity or compliance ownership whereby the owner divests himself in stages not only of
cannot be left to the will of one of them." the right to enjoy the land ( jus possidendi, jus utendi, jus
fruendi and jus abutendi) but also of the right to dispose of it ( jus
ISSUE: WON the above-cited provision of the lease contract makes it disponendi) rights the sum total of which make up ownership. It
invalid? is just as if today the possession is transferred, tomorrow, the use, the next
day, the disposition, and so on, until ultimately all the rights of which
HELD: No. We have had occasion to delineate the scope and application of ownership is made up are consolidated in an alien. And yet this is just
article 1308 in the early case of Taylor v. Uy Tieng Piao.1 We said in that exactly what the parties in this case did within the space of one year, with
case: the result that Justina Santos' ownership of her property was reduced to a
hollow concept. If this can be done, then the Constitutional ban against
Article 1256 [now art. 1308] of the Civil Code in our opinion alien landholding in the Philippines, as announced in Krivenko v. Register of
creates no impediment to the insertion in a contract for personal Deeds, is indeed in grave peril.
service of a resolutory condition permitting the cancellation of the
contract by one of the parties. Such a stipulation, as can be readily It does not follow from what has been said, however, that because the
seen, does not make either the validity or the fulfillment of the parties are in pari delicto they will be left where they are, without relief. For
contract dependent upon the will of the party to whom is conceded one thing, the original parties who were guilty of a violation of the
the privilege of cancellation; for where the contracting parties fundamental charter have died and have since been substituted by their
have agreed that such option shall exist, the exercise of the option administrators to whom it would be unjust to impute their guilt. For another
is as much in the fulfillment of the contract as any other act which thing, and this is not only cogent but also important, article 1416 of the Civil
may have been the subject of agreement. Indeed, the cancellation Code provides, as an exception to the rule on pari delicto, that "When the
of a contract in accordance with conditions agreed upon agreement is not illegal per se but is merely prohibited, and the prohibition
beforehand is fulfillment. by law is designed for the protection of the plaintiff, he may, if public policy
is thereby enhanced, recover what he has paid or delivered." The
And so it was held in Melencio v. Dy Tiao Lay that a "provision in a lease Constitutional provision that "Save in cases of hereditary succession, no
contract that the lessee, at any time before he erected any building on the private agricultural land shall be transferred or assigned except to
land, might rescind the lease, can hardly be regarded as a violation of article individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of
1256 [now art. 1308] of the Civil Code." the public domain in the Philippines" is an expression of public policy to
conserve lands for the Filipinos.
The case of Singson Encarnacion v. Baldomar cannot be cited in support of
the claim of want of mutuality, because of a difference in factual setting. In That policy would be defeated and its continued violation sanctioned if,
that case, the lessees argued that they could occupy the premises as long instead of setting the contracts aside and ordering the restoration of the
as they paid the rent. This is of course untenable, for as this Court said, "If land to the estate of the deceased Justina Santos, this Court should apply
this defense were to be allowed, so long as defendants elected to continue the general rule of pari delicto. To the extent that our ruling in this case
the lease by continuing the payment of the rentals, the owner would never conflicts with that laid down in Rellosa v. Gaw Chee Hun and subsequent
be able to discontinue it; conversely, although the owner should desire the similar cases, the latter must be considered as pro tanto qualified.
lease to continue the lessees could effectively thwart his purpose if they
should prefer to terminate the contract by the simple expedient of stopping ACCORDINGLY, the contracts in question (Plff Exhs. 3-7) are annulled and
payment of the rentals." Here, in contrast, the right of the lessee to set aside; the land subject-matter of the contracts is ordered returned to
continue the lease or to terminate it is so circumscribed by the term of the the estate of Justina Santos as represented by the Philippine Banking
contract that it cannot be said that the continuance of the lease depends Corporation; Wong Heng (as substituted by the defendant-appellant Lui
upon his will. At any rate, even if no term had been fixed in the She) is ordered to pay the Philippine Banking Corporation the sum of
agreement, this case would at most justify the fixing of a P56,564.35, with legal interest from the date of the filing of the amended
period but not the annulment of the contract. complaint; and the amounts consigned in court by Wong Heng shall be
HELD: Yes. It is clear in the agreement, Exhibit "A", that the proceeds of All that the trial court's amended decision (Rec. on Appeal, p. 124) says in
the sale of the tobacco should be turned over to the complainant as soon as this respect is that "the proven facts precisely warrant the fixing of such a
the same was sold, or, that the obligation was immediately demandable as period," a statement manifestly insufficient to explain how the two period
soon as the tobacco was disposed of. Hence, Article 1197 of the New Civil given to petitioner herein was arrived at.
Code, which provides that the courts may fix the duration of the obligation if
it does not fix a period, does not apply. It must be recalled that Article 1197 of the Civil Code involves a
two-step process. The Court must first determine that "the
GREGORIO ARANETA, INC., petitioner, obligation does not fix a period" (or that the period is made to
vs. depend upon the will of the debtor)," but from the nature and the
THE PHILIPPINE SUGAR ESTATES DEVELOPMENT CO., circumstances it can be inferred that a period was intended" (Art.
LTD., respondent. 1197, pars. 1 and 2). This preliminary point settled, the Court must then
G.R. No. L-22558 May 31, 1967 proceed to the second step, and decide what period was "probably
contemplated by the parties" (Do., par. 3). So that, ultimately, the Court
FACTS: JM Tuason & Co, Inc., through Gregorio Araneta, Inc., sold a cannot fix a period merely because in its opinion it is or should be
portion of its parcel of land known as Sta. Mesa Heights Subdivision to reasonable, but must set the time that the parties are shown to have
respondent Philippine Sugar Estates Development Co., Ltd., with a intended. As the record stands, the trial Court appears to have pulled the
stipulation, aside from the mortgage, that the buyer will build on the said two-year period set in its decision out of thin air, since no circumstances are
parcel of land the Sto. Domingo Church and Convent, while the seller will mentioned to support it. Plainly, this is not warranted by the Civil Code.
clear the block surrounding the lot.
In this connection, it is to be borne in mind that the contract shows that the
The buyer complied, but the seller which began constructing the streets, is parties were fully aware that the land described therein was occupied by
unable to finish the construction in the Northeast side because a third-party, squatters, because the fact is expressly mentioned therein (Rec. on Appeal,
by the name of Manuel Abundo, who is occupying the middle part thereof, Petitioner's Appendix B, pp. 12-13). As the parties must have known that
refused to vacate the same. they could not take the law into their own hands, but must resort to legal
processes in evicting the squatters, they must have realized that the
Respondent filed a complaint for specific performance against petitioner. In duration of the suits to be brought would not be under their control nor
their answer, JM Tuason & Co., and petitioner Gregorio Araneta, Inc. could the same be determined in advance. The conclusion is thus forced
alleged that the action was premature since its obligation was without a that the parties must have intended to defer the performance of the
definite period which needs to be fixed first by ht ecourt in a proper suit. obligations under the contract until the squatters were duly evicted, as
contended by the petitioner Gregorio Araneta, Inc.
The trial court dismissed the complaint. Upon reconsideration, the trial court
fixed the period to two years from notice. The Court of Appeals objected to this conclusion that it would render the
date of performance indefinite. Yet, the circumstances admit no other
On appeal, the CA affirmed that the fixing of the period was well within the reasonable view; and this very indefiniteness is what explains why the
pleadings. agreement did not specify any exact periods or dates of performance.
ISSUE: WON the contract between the parties did not contain a period It follows that there is no justification in law for the setting the date of
which justifies the trial and appellate court to fix the same? performance at any other time than that of the eviction of the squatters
occupying the land in question; and in not so holding, both the trial Court
HELD: No. Neither of the courts below seems to have noticed that, on the and the Court of Appeals committed reversible error. It is not denied that
hypothesis stated, what the answer put in issue was not whether the court the case against one of the squatters, Abundo, was still pending in the
should fix the time of performance, but whether or not the parties agreed Court of Appeals when its decision in this case was rendered.
that the petitioner should have reasonable time to perform its part of the
bargain. If the contract so provided, then there was a period fixed, a PACIFICA MILLARE, petitioner,
The above notwithstanding, Mrs. Millare wrote the Co spouses to vacate the The respondents themselves, public and private, do not pretend that the
leased premises as she had no intention of renewing the contract. In reply, continued occupancy of the leased premises after 31 May 1980, the date of
the Co spouses signified their unwillingness to pay the P1,200 monthly expiration of the contract, was with the acquiescence of the lessor. Even if it
rentals. be assumed that tacite reconduccion had occurred, the implied new lease
could not possibly have a period of five years, but rather would have been a
The Co spouses filed a complaint seeking reneweal of the lease contract at month-to-month lease since the rentals (under the original contract) were
a rate of P700 a month. Later on, Mrs. Millare filed an ejectment case payable on a monthly basis. At the latest, an implied new lease (had one
against the Co Spouses. arisen) would have expired as of the end of July 1980 in view of the written
demands served by the petitioner upon the private respondents to vacate
The respondent judge ordered the renewal of the Contract of Lease holding the previously leased premises.
that par. 13 of the Contract already is a consummated and finished mutual
agreement of the parties to renew the contract of lease, what is left It follows that the respondent judge's decision requiring renewal of the
unsettled between the parties is the amount of monthly rental. lease has no basis in law or in fact. Save in the limited and exceptional
situations envisaged in Articles 1197 and 1670 of the Civil Code, which do
Par. 13 reads: not obtain here, courts have no authority to prescribe the terms and
conditions of a contract for the parties.
13. This contract of lease is subject to the laws and regulations ofthe
goverrunent; and that this contract of lease may be renewed after a period Contractual terms and conditions created by a court for two parties are a
of five (5) years under the terms and conditions as will be mutually agreed contradiction in terms. If they are imposed by a judge who draws upon his
upon by the parties at the time of renewal; ... (Emphasis supplied.) own private notions of what morals, good customs, justice, equity and
public policy" demand, the resulting "agreement" cannot, by definition, be
ISSUE: WON there was absence of period and the judge may fix the same? consensual or contractual in nature. It would also follow that such coerced
terms and conditions cannot be the law as between the parties themselves.
HELD: No. Clearly, the respondent judge's grasp of both the law and the Contracts spring from the volition of the parties. That volition cannot be
Enghsh language is tenuous at best. We are otherwise unable to supplied by a judge and a judge who pretends to do so, acts tyrannically,
comprehend how he arrived at the reading set forth above. Paragraph 13 of arbitrarily and in excess of his jurisdiction.
the Contract of Lease can only mean that the lessor and lessee may agree
to renew the contract upon their reaching agreement on the terms and 2. As to Plurality of Prestation
conditions to be embodied in such renewal contract. Failure to reach
agreement on the terms and conditions of the renewal contract will of a. Conjunctive usually use the word and compared to alternative
course prevent the contract from being renewed at all. In the instant case, obligations which use the word or.
the lessor and the lessee conspicuously failed to reach agreement both on b. Alternative
the amount of the rental to be payable during the renewal term, and on the
term of the renewed contract. Art. 1199. A person alternatively bound by different prestations shall
completely perform one of them.
The respondent judge cited Articles 1197 and 1670 of the Civil Code to
sustain the "Judgment by Default" by which he ordered the renewal of the The creditor cannot be compelled to receive part of one and part of the
lease for another term of five years and fixed monthly rentals thereunder at other undertaking.
P700.00 a month. Article 1197 of the Civil Code provides as follows:
Alternative Obligations: where several objects are due, the fulfillment of
If the obligation does not fix a period, but from its nature and the one is sufficient. (Tolentino)
circumstances it can be inferred that a period was intended, the courts may
fix the duration thereof. Art. 1200. The right of choice belongs to the debtor, unless it has been
expressly granted to the creditor.
The courts shall also fix the duration of the period when it depends upon
the will of the debtor. The debtor shall have no right to choose those prestations which are
impossible, unlawful or which could not have been the object of the
obligation.
On December 13, 1979, the lower court rendered its Decision based on the The term "individually" has the same meaning as "collectively", "separately",
compromise agreement submitted by the parties, the pertinent portion of "distinctively", respectively or "severally". An agreement to be "individually
which reads as follows: liable" undoubtedly creates a several obligation, and a "several obligation is
one by which one individual binds himself to perform the whole obligation.
1. Plaintiff agrees to reduce its total claim of P117,498-95 to only
P11,000 .00 and defendants agree to acknowledge the validity of such In the case of Parot vs. Gemora We therein ruled that "the phrase juntos
claim and further bind themselves to initially pay out of the total or separadamente or in the promissory note is an express
indebtedness of P10,000.00 the amount of P55,000.00 on or before statement making each of the persons who signed it individually
December 24, 1979, the balance of P55,000.00, liable for the payment of the full amount of the obligation
defendants individually and jointly agree to pay within a period of contained therein." Likewise in Un Pak Leung vs. Negorra We held that
Partnership The subsidiary liability shall be enforced, first against the property
of the principals; next, against that of the accomplices, and, lastly,
Art. 1824. All partners are liable solidarily with the partnership for against that of the accessories.
everything chargeable to the partnership under Articles 1822 and
1823. (n) Whenever the liability in solidum or the subsidiary liability has been
enforced, the person by whom payment has been made shall have
Agency a right of action against the others for the amount of their
respective shares.
Art. 1911. Even when the agent has exceeded his authority, the
principal is solidarily liable with the agent if the former allowed the ROLITO CALANG and PHILTRANCO SERVICE ENTERPRISES,
latter to act as though he had full powers. (n) INC., Petitioners,
vs.
Art. 1915. If two or more persons have appointed an agent for a PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.
common transaction or undertaking, they shall be solidarily liable G.R. No. 190696 August 3, 2010
to the agent for all the consequences of the agency. (1731)
Since the cause of action against Calang arose from delict, Philtranco,
Loan whose liability arose from quasi-delict, cannot be made solidarily liable with
Calang. Art. 2180 does not apply to civil liability arising from delict.
Art. 1945. When there are two or more bailees to whom a thing is
loaned in the same contract, they are liable solidarily. (1748a) FACTS: As a result of the collision of Philtranco Bus driven by one Rolito
Calang to the left portion of a jeep coming from the opposite direction,
Solutio Indebiti Cresencio Pinohermoso, the driver of the jeep, lost control of the vehicle
and bumped and killed Jose Mabansag, a bystander. The jeep turned turtle
Art. 2157. The responsibility of two or more payees, when there three times and two of the passengers thereof, Armando Nablo and an
has been payment of what is not due, is solidary. (n) unidentified woman, were instantly killed, while the other passengers were
sustained serious physical injuries.
Negotiorum Gestio
Calang was charged with multiple homicide, multiple serious physical
Art. 2146. If the officious manager delegates to another person injuries and damage to property through reckless imprudence and was
all or some of his duties, he shall be liable for the acts of the found guilty. The RTC ordered Calang and Philtranco, jointly and severally to
delegate, without prejudice to the direct obligation of the latter pay P50,000 as death indemnity to the heirs of Armando, P50,000 death
toward the owner of the business. indemnity to the heirs of Mabansag and P90,083.93 as actual damages to
private complainants.
The responsibility of two or more officious managers shall be
solidary, unless the management was assumed to save the thing or On appeal, the CA affirmed the RTC in toto. The CA found that the RTC
correctly held Philtranco jointly and severally liable with petitioner Calang,
business from imminent danger. (1890a)
for failing to prove that it had exercised the diligence of a good father of the
family to prevent the accident.
Quasi-Delict
The petitioners filed with this Court a petition for review on certiorari. In our
Art. 2194. The responsibility of two or more persons who are
Resolution dated February 17, 2010, we denied the petition for failure to
liable for quasi-delict is solidary. (n)
sufficiently show any reversible error in the assailed decision to warrant the
exercise of this Courts discretionary appellate jurisdiction.
Family Code
ISSUE: WON Philtranco can be held jointly and severally liable with Calang
Art. 94. The absolute community of property shall be liable for: even if it was not a party to the criminal case?
xxx
If the community property is insufficient to cover the foregoing HELD: No.
liabilities, except those falling under paragraph (9), the spouses
shall be solidarily liable for the unpaid balance with their separate Liability of Calang
properties.
We see no reason to overturn the lower courts finding on Calangs
Art. 121. The conjugal partnership shall be liable for: culpability. The finding of negligence on his part by the trial court, affirmed
xxx by the CA, is a question of fact that we cannot pass upon without going into
If the conjugal partnership is insufficient to cover the foregoing factual matters touching on the finding of negligence. In petitions for review
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
25 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court, this Court is
limited to reviewing only errors of law, not of fact, unless the factual MALAYAN INSURANCE CO., INC., petitioner,
findings complained of are devoid of support by the evidence on record, or vs.
the assailed judgment is based on a misapprehension of facts. THE HON. COURT OF APPEALS (THIRD DIVISION) MARTIN C.
VALLEJOS, SIO CHOY, SAN LEON RICE MILL, INC. and
Liability of Philtranco PANGASINAN TRANSPORTATION CO., INC., respondents.
G.R. No. L-36413 September 26, 1988
We, however, hold that the RTC and the CA both erred in holding Philtranco
jointly and severally liable with Calang. We emphasize that Calang was FACTS: Petitioner issued in favor of private respondent Sui Choy Private Car
charged criminally before the RTC. Undisputedly, Philtranco was not a direct a Comprehensive Policy coverying Willys jeep covering own damage not
party in this case. Since the cause of action against Calang was to exceed P600.00 and third-party liability in the amount of P20,000.
based on delict, both the RTC and the CA erred in holding
Philtranco jointly and severally liable with Calang, based on quasi- During the effectivity of said insurance policy, the jeep, driven by Juan
delict under Articles 2176 and 2180 of the Civil Code. Articles 2176 Campollo, an employee of respondent San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. collided with
and 2180 of the Civil Code pertain to the vicarious liability of an employer a passenger bus belonging to PANTRANCO causing damage to the insured
for quasi-delicts that an employee has committed. Such provision of law vehicle and injuries to the driver, Campollo and the respondent Martin
does not apply to civil liability arising from delict. Vallejos, a passenger of the jeep.
If at all, Philtrancos liability may only be subsidiary. Article 102 of the Vallejos filed an action for damages against Sio Choy, Mayan Insurance and
Revised Penal Code states the subsidiary civil liabilities of innkeepers, PANTRANCO.
tavernkeepers and proprietors of establishments, as follows:
In their answers:
In default of the persons criminally liable, innkeepers, tavernkeepers, PANTRANCO claimed that the jeep of Sio Choy was then operated at
and any other persons or corporations shall be civilly liable for crimes an excessive speed and bumped PANTRANCO which had moved to,
committed in their establishments, in all cases where a violation of and stopped at, the shoulder of the highway to avoid the jeep; and
municipal ordinances or some general or special police regulations shall that it had observed the diligence of a good father of a family to
have been committed by them or their employees. prevent damage, especially in the selection and supervision of its
employees and in the maintenance of its motor vehicles;
Innkeepers are also subsidiary liable for the restitution of goods taken Sio Choy and the petitioner insurance company, in their answer, also
by robbery or theft within their houses from guests lodging therein, or denied liability to the plaintiff, claiming that the fault in the accident
for the payment of the value thereof, provided that such guests shall was solely imputable to the PANTRANCO.
have notified in advance the innkeeper himself, or the person Sio Choy, however, later filed a separate answer with a cross-claim
representing him, of the deposit of such goods within the inn; and shall against the herein petitioner wherein he alleged that he had actually
furthermore have followed the directions which such innkeeper or his paid the plaintiff, Martin C. Vallejos, the amount of P5,000.00 for
representative may have given them with respect to the care of and hospitalization and other expenses, and claimed reimbursement for the
vigilance over such goods. No liability shall attach in case of robbery damage to his motor vehicle, as well as for any liability to third persons
with violence against or intimidation of persons unless committed by arising out of any accident during the effectivity of such insurance
the innkeepers employees. contract.
Also later, the herein petitioner sought, and was granted, leave to file a
The foregoing subsidiary liability applies to employers, according to Article third-party complaint against the San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. for the
103 of the Revised Penal Code, which reads: reason that the person driving the jeep of Sio Choy, at the time of the
accident, was an employee of the San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. performing
The subsidiary liability established in the next preceding article shall his duties within the scope of his assigned task, and not an employee
also apply to employers, teachers, persons, and corporations engaged of Sio Choy; and that, as the San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. is the employer of
in any kind of industry for felonies committed by their servants, pupils, the deceased driver, Juan P. Campollo, it should be liable for the acts
workmen, apprentices, or employees in the discharge of their duties. of its employee, pursuant to Art. 2180 of the Civil Code.
The provisions of the Revised Penal Code on subsidiary liability Articles The trial court rendered a decision in favor of the plaintiff and against Sio
102 and 103 are deemed written into the judgments in cases to which Choy, Malayan Insurance and San Leon Rice Mill.
they are applicable. Thus, in the dispositive portion of its decision, the trial
court need not expressly pronounce the subsidiary liability of the On appeal, the respondent Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the
employer. Nonetheless, before the employers subsidiary liability is trial court that Sio Choy, the San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. and the Malayan
enforced, adequate evidence must exist establishing that (1) they Insurance Co., Inc. are jointly and severally liable for the damages awarded
are indeed the employers of the convicted employees; (2) they are to the plaintiff Martin C. Vallejos. It ruled, however, that the San Leon Rice
engaged in some kind of industry; (3) the crime was committed by Mill, Inc. has no obligation to indemnify or reimburse the petitioner
the employees in the discharge of their duties; and (4) the insurance company for whatever amount it has been ordered to pay on its
execution against the latter has not been satisfied due to policy, since the San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. is not a privy to the contract of
insolvency. The determination of these conditions may be done in the insurance between Sio Choy and the insurance company.
same criminal action in which the employees liability, criminal and civil, has
been pronounced, in a hearing set for that precise purpose, with due notice ISSUE: WON petitioner is solidarily liable with San Leon and Sio Choy?
to the employer, as part of the proceedings for the execution of the
judgment. HELD: No. We do not agree with the aforesaid ruling. We hold instead that
it is only respondents Sio Choy and San Leon Rice Mill, Inc, (to the exclusion
3. When the nature of the obligation requires solidarity. of the petitioner) that are solidarily liable to respondent Vallejos for the
damages awarded to Vallejos.
Obligations arising from different sources: In Gutierrez vs. Gutierrez,
the driver of the bus, who is liable under quasi-delict, and the owner, liable It must be observed that respondent Sio Choy is made liable to said
under contract was held to be solidarily liable although no explanation was plaintiff as owner of the ill-fated Willys jeep, pursuant to Article 2184 of
provided why their obligation was considered such. the Civil Code which provides:
However, in Malayan Insurance, the SC held that there is no solidarity since Art. 2184. In motor vehicle mishaps, the owner is solidarily liable with his
the obligation arose from different sources. driver, if the former, who was in the vehicle, could have, by the use of due
If the owner was not in the motor vehicle, the provisions of article 2180 are In the case at bar, the trial court held petitioner together with respondents
applicable. Sio Choy and San Leon Rice Mills Inc. solidarily liable to respondent Vallejos
for a total amount of P29,103.00, with the qualification that petitioner's
On the other hand, it is noted that the basis of liability of respondent liability is only up to P20,000.00. In the context of a solidary
San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. to plaintiff Vallejos, the former being the obligation, petitioner may be compelled by respondent Vallejos to
employer of the driver of the Willys jeep at the time of the motor vehicle pay the entire obligation of P29,013.00, notwithstanding the
mishap, is Article 2180 of the Civil Code which reads: qualification made by the trial court. But, how can petitioner be
obliged to pay the entire obligation when the amount stated in its
Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by article 2176 is demandable not only insurance policy with respondent Sio Choy for indemnity against
for one's own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one third party liability is only P20,000.00? Moreover, the qualification
is responsible. made in the decision of the trial court to the effect that petitioner is
xxx xxx xxx sentenced to pay up to P20,000.00 only when the obligation to pay
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and P29,103.00 is made solidary, is an evident breach of the concept of a
household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even solidary obligation. Thus, We hold that the trial court, as upheld by the
though the former are not engaged ill any business or industry. Court of Appeals, erred in holding petitioner, solidarily liable with
xxx xxx xxx respondents Sio Choy and San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. to respondent Vallejos.
The responsibility treated in this article shall cease when the persons herein
mentioned proved that they observed all the diligence of a good father of a ISSUE2: WON petitioner can seek reimbursement from San Leon even
family to prevent damage. though it is not a party to its contract with Sio Choi?
It thus appears that respondents Sio Choy and San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. are HELD: Yes. Petitioner, upon paying respondent Vallejos the amount of riot
the principal tortfeasors who are primarily liable to respondent Vallejos. exceeding P20,000.00, shall become the subrogee of the insured, the
The law states that the responsibility of two or more persons who respondent Sio Choy; as such, it is subrogated to whatever rights the latter
are liable for a quasi-delict is solidarily. has against respondent San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. Article 1217 of the Civil
Code gives to a solidary debtor who has paid the entire obligation the right
On the other hand, the basis of petitioner's liability is its insurance to be reimbursed by his co-debtors for the share which corresponds to each.
contract with respondent Sio Choy. If petitioner is adjudged to pay
respondent Vallejos in the amount of not more than P20,000.00, Art. 1217. Payment made by one of the solidary debtors extinguishes the
this is on account of its being the insurer of respondent Sio Choy obligation. If two or more solidary debtors offer to pay, the creditor may
under the third party liability clause included in the private car choose which offer to accept.
comprehensive policy existing between petitioner and respondent
Sio Choy at the time of the complained vehicular accident. He who made the payment may claim from his co-debtors only the share
which corresponds to each, with the interest for the payment already made.
In Guingon vs. Del Monte, `a passenger of a jeepney had just alighted If the payment is made before the debt is due, no interest for the
therefrom, when he was bumped by another passenger jeepney. He died as intervening period may be demanded.
a result thereof. In the damage suit filed by the heirs of said passenger xxx xxx xxx
against the driver and owner of the jeepney at fault as well as against the
insurance company which insured the latter jeepney against third party In accordance with Article 1217, petitioner, upon payment to
liability, the trial court, affirmed by this Court, adjudged the owner and the respondent Vallejos and thereby becoming the subrogee of
driver of the jeepney at fault jointly and severally liable to the heirs of the solidary debtor Sio Choy, is entitled to reimbursement from
victim in the total amount of P9,572.95 as damages and attorney's fees; respondent San Leon Rice Mill, Inc.
while the insurance company was sentenced to pay the heirs the amount of
P5,500.00 which was to be applied as partial satisfaction of the judgment To recapitulate then: We hold that only respondents Sio Choy and San Leon
rendered against said owner and driver of the jeepney. Thus, in Rice Mill, Inc. are solidarily liable to the respondent Martin C. Vallejos for the
said Guingon case, it was only the owner and the driver of the amount of P29,103.00. Vallejos may enforce the entire obligation on only
jeepney at fault, not including the insurance company, who were one of said solidary debtors. If Sio Choy as solidary debtor is made to pay
held solidarily liable to the heirs of the victim. for the entire obligation (P29,103.00) and petitioner, as insurer of Sio Choy,
is compelled to pay P20,000.00 of said entire obligation, petitioner would be
While it is true that where the insurance contract provides for indemnity entitled, as subrogee of Sio Choy as against San Leon Rice Mills, Inc., to be
against liability to third persons, such third persons can directly sue the reimbursed by the latter in the amount of P14,551.50 (which is 1/2 of
insurer, however, the direct liability of the insurer under indemnity P29,103.00 )
contracts against third party liability does not mean that the
insurer can be held solidarily liable with the insured and/or the Otherwise, if none of the above are present, which would give rise
other parties found at fault. The liability of the insurer is based on to solidarity, the obligation may be considered joint, as follows:
contract; that of the insured is based on tort.
Art. 1208. If from the law, or the nature or the wording of the
In the case at bar, petitioner as insurer of Sio Choy, is liable to respondent obligations to which the preceding article refers the contrary does not
Vallejos, but it cannot, as incorrectly held by the trial court, be made appear, the credit or debt shall be presumed to be divided into as
"solidarily" liable with the two principal tortfeasors namely respondents Sio many shares as there are creditors or debtors, the credits or debts
Choy and San Leon Rice Mill, Inc. For if petitioner-insurer were being considered distinct from one another, subject to the Rules of
solidarily liable with said two (2) respondents by reason of the Court governing the multiplicity of suits. (1138a)
indemnity contract against third party liability-under which an
insurer can be directly sued by a third party this will result in a PROBLEM: Four foreign medical students rented the apartment of Thelma
violation of the principles underlying solidary obligation and for a period of one year. After one semester, three of them returned to
insurance contracts. their home country and the fourth transferred to a boarding house. Thelma
discovered that they left unpaid telephone bills in the total amount of
In solidary obligation, the creditor may enforce the entire obligation against P80,000.00 The lease contract provided that the lessees shall pay for the
one of the solidary debtors. On the other hand, insurance is defined as "a telephone services in the leased premises. Thelma demanded that the
Art. 1211. Solidarity may exist although the creditors and the debtors may He who made the payment may claim from his co-debtors only the share
not be bound in the same manner and by the same periods and conditions. which corresponds to each, with the interest for the payment already made.
(1140) If the payment is made before the debt is due, no interest for the
intervening period may be demanded.
Art. 1212. Each one of the solidary creditors may do whatever may be
useful to the others, but not anything which may be prejudicial to the latter. When one of the solidary debtors cannot, because of his insolvency,
(1141a) reimburse his share to the debtor paying the obligation, such share shall be
borne by all his co-debtors, in proportion to the debt of each. (1145a)
Art. 1213. A solidary creditor cannot assign his rights without the consent
of the others. (n) PROBLEM: A, B and C solidarily promised to pay D the amount of
P3,000.00. Unfortunately, C became insolvent.
Enforcement of Solidary Obligations:
What recourse does D have against A and B? What are the rights of A and
Art. 1214. The debtor may pay any one of the solidary creditors; but if any B as against each other?
demand, judicial or extrajudicial, has been made by one of them, payment
should be made to him. (1142a) ANSWER: D can hold either A and/or B liable for P3,000. In solidary
obligations, the insolvency of one of the debtors does not reduce the
Art. 1215. Novation, compensation, confusion or remission of the debt, obligation. The share of the insolvent debtors will be shouldered by the
made by any of the solidary creditors or with any of the solidary debtors, other debtors who are not insolvent in accordance with the 3rd paragraph of
shall extinguish the obligation, without prejudice to the provisions of Article Art. 1217.
1219.
If A paid the whole obligation, he will have the right to seek reimbursement
The creditor who may have executed any of these acts, as well as he who from B the amount of P1,500 in accordance with the 2 nd paragraph of Art.
collects the debt, shall be liable to the others for the share in the obligation 1217.
corresponding to them. (1143)
PROBLEM: A, B, C, D and E made themselves solidarily indebted to X for
Remission or condonation of the share of one of the debtors: the amount of P50,000.00. When X demanded payment from A the latter
refused to pay on the following grounds:
Art. 1219. The remission made by the creditor of the share which affects B is only 16 years old
one of the solidary debtors does not release the latter from his responsibility C has already been condoned by X.
towards the co-debtors, in case the debt had been totally paid by anyone of D is insolvent.
them before the remission was effected. (1146a) E was given by X an extension of 6 months without the consent of the
other four co-debtors.
Defenses available to other debtors may be a partial defense as to ANSWER:
the one from whom performance is demanded: 1. The minority is a defense of B. As invoked by A, it would reduce the
obligation as to his share. Since no agreement as to the share is shown
in the facts, 1/5 of the debt is annulled by Bs minority, since such
Art. 1222. A solidary debtor may, in actions filed by the creditor, avail
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
28 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
minority is a partial defense. A can still be held liable for the remaining the latter, the decedent's liability being absolute and primary; and if
P40,000. the claim is not presented within the time provided by the rules, the
2. A can still be made liable for P40,000; same will be barred as against the estate. It is evident from the
3. The insolvency of D does not reduce the obligation. As such, A can still foregoing that Section 6 of Rule 87 (now Rule 86) provides the
be made liable for the whole P50,000; procedure should the creditor desire to go against the
4. The extension given to E applies to A as well. As such, A cannot be deceased debtor, but there is certainly nothing in the said
made to pay prior to the expiration of the 6 months. provision making compliance with such procedure a condition
precedent before an ordinary action against the surviving
EXAMPLES OF TOTAL DEFENSE: solidary debtors, should the creditor choose to demand
1. Payment by another co-debtor, as to a subsequent demand of a payment from the latter, could be entertained to the extent
creditor; that failure to observe the same would deprive the court
2. If the contract is void; jurisdiction to take cognizance of the action against the
3. If the obligation has prescribed. surviving debtors. Upon the other hand, the Civil Code expressly
allows the creditor to proceed against any one of the solidary
Art. 1216. The creditor may proceed against any one of the solidary debtors or some or all of them simultaneously. There is,
debtors or some or all of them simultaneously. The demand made against therefore, nothing improper in the creditor's filing of an action
one of them shall not be an obstacle to those which may subsequently be against the surviving solidary debtors alone, instead of
directed against the others, so long as the debt has not been fully collected. instituting a proceeding for the settlement of the estate of the
(1144a) deceased debtor wherein his claim could be filed.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, plaintiff-appellant, Similarly, in PNB vs. Asuncion, 80 SCRA 321 at 323-324, this Court,
vs. speaking thru Mr. Justice Makasiar, reiterated the doctrine.
INDEPENDENT PLANTERS ASSOCIATION, INC., ANTONIO
DIMAYUGA, DELFIN FAJARDO, CEFERINO VALENCIA, MOISES A cursory perusal of Section 6, Rule 86 of the Revised Rules of Court
CARANDANG, LUCIANO CASTILLO, AURELIO VALENCIA, LAURO reveals that nothing therein prevents a creditor from
LEVISTE, GAVINO GONZALES, LOPE GEVANA and BONIFACIO proceeding against the surviving solidary debtors. Said
LAUREANA, defendants-appellees. provision merely sets up the procedure in enforcing
G.R. No. L-28046 May 16, 1983 collection in case a creditor chooses to pursue his
claim against the estate of the deceased solidary, debtor.
The CFI of Manila dismissed PNBs complaint against several solidary
debtors for collection of a sum of money on the ground that one of the It is crystal clear that Article 1216 of the New Civil Code is the
defendants (Ceferino Valencia) died during the pendency of the case after applicable provision in this matter. Said provision gives the creditor the
the plaintiff had presented its evidence and therefore the complaint, being a right to 'proceed against anyone of the solidary debtors or some or all
money claim based on contract, should be prosecuted in the estate or of them simultaneously.' The choice is undoubtedly left to the solidary,
intestate proceeding in accordance with Sec. 6 of Rule 86 of the Rules of creditor to determine against whom he will enforce collection. In case
Court, which provides: of the death of one of the solidary debtors, he (the creditor) may, if he
so chooses, proceed against the surviving solidary debtors without
SEC. 6. Solidary obligation of decedent. the obligation of the necessity of filing a claim in the estate of the deceased debtors. It is
decedent is solidary with another debtor, the claim shall be filed not mandatory for him to have the case dismissed against the surviving
against the decedent as if he were the only debtor, without prejudice debtors and file its claim in the estate of the deceased solidary
to the right of the estate to recover contribution from the other debtor. debtor
In a joint obligation of the decedent, the claim shall be confined to the
portion belonging to him. As correctly argued by petitioner, if Section 6, Rule 86 of the Revised
Rules of Court were applied literally, Article 1216 of the New Civil Code
The appellant assails the order of dismissal, invoking its right of recourse would, in effect, be repealed since under the Rules of Court, petitioner
against one, some or all of its solidary debtors under Article 1216 of the Civil has no choice but to proceed against the estate of Manuel Barredo
Code only. Obviously, this provision diminishes the Bank's right under the
New Civil, Code to proceed against any one, some or all of the solidary
ART. 1216. The creditor may proceed against any one of the solidary debtors. Such a construction is not sanctioned by the principle, which
debtors or some or all of them simultaneously. The demand made is too well settled to require citation, that a substantive law cannot be
against one of them shall not be an obstacle to those which may amended by a procedural rule. Otherwise stared, Section 6, Rule 86 of
subsequently be directed against the others, so long as the debt has the Revised Rules of Court cannot be made to prevail over Article 1216
not been fully collected. of the New Civil Code, the former being merely procedural, while the
latter, substantive.
ISSUE: WON the action for collection of a sum of money based on contract
against all the solidary debtors, the death of one defendant deprives the Art. 1218. Payment by a solidary debtor shall not entitle him to
court of jurisdiction to proceed with the case against the surviving reimbursement from his co-debtors if such payment is made after the
defendants? obligation has prescribed or become illegal. (n)
HELD: No. It is now settled that the quoted Article 1216 grants the creditor Art. 1220. The remission of the whole obligation, obtained by one of the
the substantive right to seek satisfaction of his credit from one, some or all solidary debtors, does not entitle him to reimbursement from his co-debtors.
of his solidary debtors, as he deems fit or convenient for the protection of (n)
his interests; and if, after instituting a collection suit based on contract
against some or all of them and, during its pendency, one of the defendants c. Disjunctive
dies, the court retains jurisdiction to continue the proceedings and decide
the case in respect of the surviving defendants. Thus in Manila Surety & This is not covered by New Civil Code. In this case, there are 2 or more
Fidelity Co., Inc. vs. Villarama et al., 107 Phil. 891 at 897, this Court ruled: creditors and 2 or more debtors but they are named disjunctively as debtors
and creditors in the alternative.
Construing Section 698 of the Code of Civil Procedure from whence the
aforequoted provision (Sec. 6, Rule 86) was taken, this Court held that The rules on solidary obligations must apply because if rules on alternative
where two persons are bound in solidum for the same debt and one of obligations will be applied then the debtor will generally be given the choice
them dies, the whole indebtedness can be proved against the estate of to whom shall he give payment.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
29 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
be divisible.
Example: A binds himself to pay P100 either to X or Y. A or B will pay 100 to
X. However, even though the object or service may be physically divisible, an
obligation is indivisible if so provided by law or intended by the parties.
4. As to Performance of Prestation
In obligations not to do, divisibility or indivisibility shall be determined by
Art. 1209. If the division is impossible, the right of the creditors may be the character of the prestation in each particular case.
prejudiced only by their collective acts, and the debt can be enforced only
by proceeding against all the debtors. If one of the latter should be 5. As to the Presence of an Accessory Undertaking in case of
insolvent, the others shall not be liable for his share. (1139) breach
Art. 1210. The indivisibility of an obligation does not necessarily give rise a. With a Penal Clause
to solidarity. Nor does solidarity of itself imply indivisibility. (n)
Art. 1226. In obligations with a penal clause, the penalty shall substitute
In determining whether an obligation is divisible or indivisible, the question the indemnity for damages and the payment of interests in case of
asked should be: whether the obligation is capable of partial performance? noncompliance, if there is no stipulation to the contrary. Nevertheless,
damages shall be paid if the obligor refuses to pay the penalty or is guilty of
GENERAL RULE: the creditor cannot be compelled to accept partial fraud in the fulfillment of the obligation.
performance.
The penalty may be enforced only when it is demandable in accordance
EXCEPTIONS: with the provisions of this Code. (1152a)
1. If stipulated;
2. If the obligation is divisible; GENERAL RULE: the penalty shall substitute the indemnity for damages
3. If the obligation is partially liquidated and partially unliquidated, the and payment of interests in case of non-compliance.
liquidated portion may already be performed;
4. An obligation which would require a number of days to be performed, EXCEPTIONS:
it may be considered divisible by operation of law. 1. If there is stipulation to the contrary;
2. If the debtor refuses to pay the penalty;
a. Divisible 3. If the debtor is guilty of fraud in the fulfilment of the obligation.
b. Indivisible
c. Joint Indivisible PROBLEMT: The Betis Furniture Co. undertook to deliver to Mr.
Bagongkasal specified pieces of living room, dining room and bedroom
Art. 1224. A joint indivisible obligation gives rise to indemnity for damages furniture, all mad of narra, for a price stated in the contract. The
from the time anyone of the debtors does not comply with his undertaking. agreement had a penal clause that any violation of the contract would
The debtors who may have been ready to fulfill their promises shall not entitle the aggrieved party to damages in the amount of P100,000.00. The
contribute to the indemnity beyond the corresponding portion of the price of furniture delivered by Betis was made, not a narra, but of inferior wood.
the thing or of the value of the service in which the obligation consists.
(1150) In a suit to recover damages, Bagongkasal was able to prove that the actual
damages he sustained amounted to P200,000.00. He demanded the
d. Solidary Indivisible amount plus the P100,000.00 penalty or total of P300,000.00. Betis,
however, countered that if it were liable for damages at all, the maximum
Art. 1221. If the thing has been lost or if the prestation has become award should not exceed P100,000.00 as stated in the penal clause of the
impossible without the fault of the solidary debtors, the obligation shall be contract.
extinguished.
Whose claim would you sustain? Why?
If there was fault on the part of any one of them, all shall be responsible to
the creditor, for the price and the payment of damages and interest, ANSWER: If Betis was guilty of fraud since those delivered were made of
without prejudice to their action against the guilty or negligent debtor. inferior materials, he would be liable for both the actual damages and the
penalty. The exception under Art. 1226 would apply.
If through a fortuitous event, the thing is lost or the performance has
become impossible after one of the solidary debtors has incurred in delay *NOTE: fraud is not presumed. There should be proof that there is fraud.
through the judicial or extrajudicial demand upon him by the creditor, the The fact that those delivered were made of inferior wood does not
provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply. (1147a) necessarily mean that there was fraud. There could have been mistake.
Even assuming that there was fraud, Bagongkasal is wrong. He cannot
Art. 1222. A solidary debtor may, in actions filed by the creditor, avail recover both actual damages plus penalty. He can only recover damages
himself of all defenses which are derived from the nature of the obligation only in excess of penalty. It cannot exceed actual damages unless other
and of those which are personal to him, or pertain to his own share. With damages are awarded. (see Pamintuan)
respect to those which personally belong to the others, he may avail himself
thereof only as regards that part of the debt for which the latter are THE BACHRACH MOTOR CO., INC., plaintiff-appellee,
responsible. (1148a) vs.
FAUSTINO ESPIRITU, defendant-appellant.
Art. 1223. The divisibility or indivisibility of the things that are the object of G.R. No. L-28497 November 6, 1928
obligations in which there is only one debtor and only one creditor does not ------------------------------
alter or modify the provisions of Chapter 2 of this Title. (1149) THE BACHRACH MOTOR CO., INC., plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
FAUSTINO ESPIRITU, defendant-appellant, and ROSARIO
Art. 1225. For the purposes of the preceding articles, obligations to give
ESPIRITU, intervenor-appellant.
definite things and those which are not susceptible of partial performance
G.R. No. L-28498 November 6, 1928
shall be deemed to be indivisible.
Since there was partial performance, the penalty was reduced.
When the obligation has for its object the execution of a certain number of
days of work, the accomplishment of work by metrical units, or analogous
things which by their nature are susceptible of partial performance, it shall
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
30 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
FACTS: Case 28497: Defendant Espiritu purchased a two-ton White truck of the VENDEE within the period of six (6) months from the date of full
paying P1,000 down and the rest to be paid within the periods agreed upon, payment and in case the VENDOR fails to issue said transfer certificate
securing the purchase was the same truck and two others which were also of title, it shall bear the obligation to refund to the VENDEE the total
brought from petitioner and already fully paid. amount already paid for, plus an interest at the rate of 4% per
annum. (record on appeal, p. 9)
Case 28498: defendant bought a one-ton White truck from the plaintiff and
paid P500 cash payment and the 12& annual interest on the unpaid After full payment of the purchase price, petitioner failed to comply with its
principal, secured by the same truck and two others which also secured the obligations. As such, respondent filed a complaint for specific performance
earlier purchase. and damages.
In both sales it was agreed that 12 per cent interest would be paid upon the The trial court decided in favor of respondent and ordered petitioner to
unpaid portion of the price at the executon of the contracts, and in case of execute the deed and cause the issuance of the TCT, otherwise it will be
non-payment of the total debt upon its maturity, 25 per cent thereon, as liable for total amount paid plus 4% interest until fully paid. On top of
penalty. which, the trial court awarded nominal damages of P20,000 and attorneys
fees of P5,000.
In addition to the mortagage deeds referred to, which the defendant
executed in favor of the plaintiff, the defendant at the same time also ISSUE: WON the 4% interest is a penalty?
signed a promissory note solidarily with his brother Rosario Espiritu for the
several sums secured by the two mortgages. HELD: No. Yes. We hold that the trial court did not err in awarding nominal
damages; however, the circumstances of the case warrant a reduction of
Defendant failed to pay. Thus, petitioner executed the present action. the amount of P20,000.00 granted to private respondent Millan.
Rosario Espiritu appeared in the two cases as intervenor alleging to be the
exclusive owner of the two trucks mortgaged by defendants. There can be no dispute in this case under the pleadings and the admitted
facts that petitioner corporation was guilty of delay, amounting to
The trial court ordered the defendants and the intervenor to pay the plaintiff nonperformance of its obligation, in issuing the transfer certificate of title to
the unpaid amount plus 12% interest and 25% thereof as penalty. vendee Millan who had fully paid up her installments on the lot bought by
her. Article 1170 of the Civil Code expressly provides that those who in the
Aside from the legality of the mortgage, the defendant and intervenor performance of their obligations are guilty of fraud, negligence, or delay,
assails the validity of the 25% penalty. and those who in any manner contravene the tenor thereof, are liable for
damages.
ISSUE: WON they are liable for the 25% penalty?
Petitioner contends that the deed of absolute sale executed between the
HELD: Yes. But reduced due to partial performance. It is finally contended parties stipulates that should the vendor fail to issue the transfer certificate
that the 25 per cent penalty upon the debt, in addition to the interest of 12 of title within six months from the date of full payment, it shall refund to the
per cent per annum, makes the contract usurious. Such a contention is not vendee the total amount paid for with interest at the rate of 4% per annum,
well founded. Article 1152 of the Civil Code permits the agreement upon a hence, the vendee is bound by the terms of the provision and cannot
penalty apart from the interest. Should there be such an agreemnet, the recover more than what is agreed upon. Presumably, petitioner in invoking
penalty, as was held in the case of Lopez vs. Hernaez (32 Phil., 631), does Article 1226 of the Civil Code which provides that in obligations with a penal
not include the interest, and which may be demamded separetely. clause, the penalty shall substitute the indemnity for damages and the
According to this, the penalty is not to be added to the interest for payment of interests in case of noncompliance, if there is no stipulation to
the determination of whether the interest exceeds the rate fixed the contrary.
by the law, since said rate was fixed only for the interest. But
considering that the obligation was partly performed, and making The foregoing argument of petitioner is totally devoid of merit. We would
use of the power given to the court by article 1154 of the Civil agree with petitioner if the clause in question were to be considered as a
Code, this penalty is reduced to 10 per cent of the unpaid debt. penal clause. Nevertheless, for very obvious reasons, said clause does
not convey any penalty, for even without it, pursuant to Article
With the sole modification that instead of 25 per cent upon the sum owed, 2209 of the Civil Code, the vendee would be entitled to recover the
the defendants need pay only 10 per cent thereon as penalty, the judgment amount paid by her with legal rate of interest which is even more
appealed from is affired in all other respects without special pronouncement than the 4% provided for in the clause.
as to costs. So ordered.
It is therefore inconceivable that the aforecited provision in the
ROBES-FRANCISCO REALTY & DEVELOPMENT deed of sale is a penal clause which will preclude an award of
CORPORATION, petitioner, damages to the vendee Millan. In fact the clause is so worded as to
vs. work to the advantage of petitioner corporation.
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF RIZAL (BRANCH XXXIV), and
LOLITA MILLAN, respondents. Unfortunately, the vendee, now private respondent, submitted her case
G.R. No. L-41093 October 30, 1978 below without presenting evidence on the actual damages suffered by her
as a result of the nonperformance of petitioner's obligation under the deed
The clause providing for 4% interest liability does not purport to be a of sale. Nonetheless, the facts show that the right of the vendee to acquire
penalty since the legal rate (6%) is even more than such. It is therefore, title to the lot bought by her was violated by petitioner and this entitles her
inconceivable that the aforecited provision in the deed of sale is a penal at the very least to nominal damages.
clause.
ISSUE2: WON respondent is entitled to nominal damages?
FACTS: Robes-Francisco Realty & Development Corporation, herein
petitioner, agreed to sell to private respondent Lolita Millan a parcel of land HELD: Yes. The pertinent provisions of our Civil Code follow:
with the obligation to execute a deed of sale and cause the issuance of the
TCT upon full payment of the purchase price. Art. 2221. Nominal damages are adjudicated in order that a right of
the plaintiff, which has been violated or invaded by the defendant, may
Their contract embodied a provision, as follows: be vindicated or recognized, and not for the purpose of indemnifying
the plaintiff for any loss suffered by him.
That the VENDOR further warrants that the transfer certificate of title
of the above-described parcel of land shall be transferred in the name
In this jurisdiction, in Vda. de Medina, et al. v. Cresencia, et al. 1956, which In case of fraud the difference between the proven damages and the
was an action for damages arising out of a vehicular accident, this Court stipulated penalty may be recovered. The proven damages supersede the
had occasion to eliminate an award of P10,000.00 imposed by way of stipulated liquidated damages.
nominal damages, the Court stating inter alia that the amount cannot, in
common sense, be demeed "nominal". FACTS: Paminuntuan entered into an agreement to ship white flint corn to
Tokyo Menka Kaisah Ltd. of Osaka, Japan in exchange for plastic sheetings.
In a subsequent case, viz: Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Nicolas L. He contracted to sell these to Yu Ping Kun Co., Inc. (respondent company)
Cuenca, 1965, this Court, however, through then Justice Roberto for P265,000. The Company undertook to open an irrevocable domestic
Concepcion who later became Chief Justice of this Court, sustained an letter of credit for that amount in favor of Pamintuan.
award of P20,000.00 as nominal damages in favor of respnodent Cuenca.
The Court there found special reasons for considering P20,000.00 as It was further agreed that Pamintuan would deliver the plastic sheetings to
"nominal". Cuenca who was the holder of a first class ticket from Manila to the company at its bodegas in Manila or suburbs directly from the piers
Tokyo was rudely compelled by an agent of petitioner Airlines to move to "within one month upon arrival of" the carrying vessels. Any violation of
the tourist class notwithstanding its knowledge that Cuenca as the contract of sale would entitle the aggreived party to collect
Commissioner of Public Highways of the Republic of the Philippines was from the offending party liquidated damages in the sum of ten
travelling in his official capacity as a delegate of the country to a conference thousand pesos (Exh. A).
in Tokyo."
The plastic sheetings arrived in Manila and were received by Pamintuan. Out
Actually, as explained in the Court's decision in Northwest Airlines, there is of the shipments, Pamintuan delivered to the company's warehouse only the
no conflict between that case and Medina, for in the latter, the P10,000.00 following quantities of plastic sheetings:
award for nominal damages was eliminated principally because the
aggrieved party had already been awarded P6,000.00 as compensatory November 11, 1960 140 cases, size 48 inches by 50 yards.
damages, P30,000.00 as moral damages and P10,000.00 as exemplary November 14, 1960 258 cases out of 352 cases. November 15, 1960
damages, and "nominal damages cannot coexist with compensatory 11 cases out of 352 cases. November 15, 1960 10 cases out of
damages," while in the case of Commissioner Cuenca, no such 100 cases. November 15, 1960 30 cases out of 100 cases.
compensatory, moral, or exemplary damages were granted to the latter.
While the plastic sheetings were arriving in Manila, Pamintuan informed the
At any rate, the circumstances of a particular case will determine whether or president of Yu Ping Kun Co., Inc. that he was in dire need of cash with
not the amount assessed as nominal damages is within the scope or intent which to pay his obligations to the Philippine National Bank. Inasmuch as
of the law, more particularly, Article 2221 of the Civil Code. the computation of the prices of each delivery would allegedly be a long
process, Pamintuan requested that he be paid immediately.
In the situation now before Us, We are of the view that the amount of
P20,000.00 is excessive. The admitted fact that petitioner corporation Consequently, Pamintuan and the president of the company, Benito Y.C.
failed to convey a transfer certificate of title to respondent Millan Espiritu, agreed to fix the price of the plastic sheetings at P0.782 a yard,
because the subdivision property was mortgaged to the GSIS does regardless of the kind, quality or actual invoice value thereof.
not in itself show that there was bad faith or fraud. Bad faith is not
to be presumed. Moreover, there was the expectation of the After Pamintuan had delivered 224,150 yards of sheetings of interior quality
vendor that arrangements were possible for the GSIS to make valued at P163,.047.87, he refused to deliver the remainder of the
partial releases of the subdivision lots from the overall real estate shipments. As justification for his refusal, Pamintuan said that the company
mortgage. It was simply unfortunate that petitioner did not failed to comply with the conditions of the contract and that it was novated
succeed in that regard. with respect to the price.
For that reason We cannot agree with respondent Millan Chat the The company filed a complaint for damages against Pamintuan. The trial
P20,000.00 award may be considered in the nature of exemplary damages. court rendered judgment ordering Pamintuan to deliver certain plastic
sheetings, and if he could not do so, to pay P100,559.28 as damages with
In case of breach of contract, exemplary damages may be awarded if the 6% interest from the date of the filing of the complaint for damages with
guilty party acted in wanton, fraudulent, reckless, oppressive or malevolent moral damages.
manner. Furthermore, exemplary or corrective damages are to be imposed
by way of example or correction for the public good, only if the injured On appeal, the CA modified the trial courts decision by removing moral
damages.
We hold that appellant's contention cannot be sustained because the Art. 1230. The nullity of the penal clause does not carry with it that of the
second sentence of article 1226 itself provides that I nevertheless, principal obligation.
damages shall be paid if the obligor ... is guilty of fraud in the
fulfillment of the obligation". "Responsibility arising from fraud is The nullity of the principal obligation carries with it that of the penal clause.
demandable in all obligations" (Art. 1171, Civil Code). "In case of (1155)
fraud, bad faith, malice or wanton attitude, the obligor shall be
responsible for an damages which may be reasonably attributed to E. BREACH OF OBLIGATIONS
the non-performance of the obligation" (Ibid, art. 2201).
Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the
The trial court and the Court of Appeals found that Pamintuan was guilty
performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and
of fraud because he did not make a complete delivery of the plastic
observe honesty and good faith.
sheetings and he overpriced the same. That factual finding is conclusive
upon this Court.
Cardinal Rule: the above provision embodies the cardinal rule in
performance of obligations.
There is no justification for the Civil Code to make an apparent distinction
between penalty and liquidated damages because the settled rule is that
MANNER OF BREACH
there is no difference between penalty and liquidated damages
insofar as legal results are concerned and that either may be
Art. 1170. Those who in the performance of their obligations are guilty of
recovered without the necessity of proving actual damages and
fraud, negligence, or delay, and those who in any manner contravene the
both may be reduced when proper (Arts. 1229, 2216 and 2227, Civil
tenor thereof, are liable for damages. (1101)
Code. See observations of Justice J.B.L. Reyes, cited in 4 Tolentino's Civil
Code, p. 251).
a. Fraud
The penalty clause is strictly penal or cumulative in character and does not
partake of the nature of liquidated damages (pena sustitutiva) when the Art. 1171. Responsibility arising from fraud is demandable in all
parties agree "que el acreedor podra pedir, en el supuesto incumplimiento o obligations. Any waiver of an action for future fraud is void. (1102a)
mero retardo de la obligacion principal, ademas de la pena, los danos y
perjuicios. Se habla en este caso depena cumulativa, a differencia de Art. 1338. There is fraud when, through insidious words or machinations of
aquellos otros ordinarios, en que la pena es sustitutiva de la reparacion one of the contracting parties, the other is induced to enter into a contract
ordinaria." (Ibid, Castan Tobenas, p. 130). which, without them, he would not have agreed to. (1269)
After a conscientious consideration of the facts of the case, as found by Art. 1344. In order that fraud may make a contract voidable, it should be
Court of Appeals and the trial court, and after reflecting on the tenor of the serious and should not have been employed by both contracting parties.
stipulation for liquidated damages herein, the true nature of which is
not easy to categorize, we further hold that justice would be Incidental fraud only obliges the person employing it to pay damages.
adequately done in this case by allowing Yu Ping Kun Co., Inc. to (1270)
recover only the actual damages proven and not to award to it the
stipulated liquidated damages of ten thousand pesos for any Kinds of Fraud:
breach of the contract. The proven damages supersede the 1. Dolo causante or fraud in obtaining consent, is applicable only to
stipulated liquidated damages. contracts where consent is necessary and thus affects the validity of
the contract, making it voidable.
This view finds support in the opinion of Manresa (whose comments were
the bases of the new matter found in article 1226, not found in article 1152 Under this kind of fraud, the party would not have entered into the
of the old Civil Code) that in case of fraud the difference between the contract were it not for the fraud; annulment is the remedy of the
proven damages and the stipulated penalty may be recovered (Vol. party whos consent was obtained through fraud;
8, part. 1, Codigo Civil, 5th Ed., 1950, p. 483).
2. Dolo incidente or fraud in the performance of the obligation and
Hence, the damages recoverable by the firm would amount to ninety applicable to obligations arising from any source. This kind, however,
thousand five hundred fifty-nine pesos and twenty-eight centavos does not affect the validity of the contract and makes the party guilty
(P90,559.28), with six percent interest a year from the filing of the of fraud liable for damages.
complaint,
Under this kind, a party would have entered the obligation with or
Art. 1227. The debtor cannot exempt himself from the performance of the without the fraud. Remedy is damages.
obligation by paying the penalty, save in the case where this right has been
expressly reserved for him. Neither can the creditor demand the b. Negligence
fulfillment of the obligation and the satisfaction of the penalty at the same
time, unless this right has been clearly granted him. However, if after the Art. 1172. Responsibility arising from negligence in the performance of
Art. 1173. The fault or negligence of the obligor consists in the omission of In reciprocal obligations, neither party incurs in delay if the other does not
that diligence which is required by the nature of the obligation and comply or is not ready to comply in a proper manner with what is incumbent
corresponds with the circumstances of the persons, of the time and of the upon him. From the moment one of the parties fulfills his obligation, delay
place. When negligence shows bad faith, the provisions of Articles 1171 and by the other begins. (1100a)
2201, paragraph 2, shall apply.
Kinds of Delay:
If the law or contract does not state the diligence which is to be observed in 1. Mora Solvendi delay on the part of the debtor;
the performance, that which is expected of a good father of a family shall 2. Mora Accipiendi delay on the part of the creditor;
be required. (1104a) 3. Compensatio Morae delay on the part of both parties.
Good Definition of Negligence or Fault: consists in the omission of that When both parties are already in delay, there is no delay. Accordingly, the
diligence which is required by the nature of the obligation and corresponds debtor is not liable for interest from the moment payment was tendered but
with the circumstances of the persons, of the time and of the place. was not accepted by the creditor for no justifiable reason, or when the
creditor fails to fulfill his part of the obligation. This could have been the
Circumstances of the persons, of the time and of the place: in the proper basis, instead of justice and equity, in Agcaoili vs. GSIS.
case of Cangco vs. MRR, where Cangco alighted a still moving train and
stepped on watermelons in the platform and was injured, sued MRR for When in delay? As a rule, upon demand, exceptions:
damages. MRR countered that the act of Cangco was the cause of his injury 1. When stipulated e.g., credit card due dates;
and thus, it should not be held liable. However, the SC ruled that it is 2. When the law so declares examples:
negligent considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, as
follows: Obligation to deliver a determinate thing:
Person Cangco was at his prime (20s) and couldve alighted safely,
as he has done so in the past, even if the train was still moving. Art. 1165. When what is to be delivered is a determinate thing, the
Moreover, there was a passenger who alighted earlier when the train creditor, in addition to the right granted him by Article 1170, may
was moving faster as compared to when Cangco alighted. compel the debtor to make the delivery.
Time it was nighttime, but the platform was poorly lit;
Place Cangco was familiar with the place as it was his daily routine to If the thing is indeterminate or generic, he may ask that the
take the train going home. Moreover, the employees of MRR were obligation be complied with at the expense of the debtor.
negligent when they allowed watermelons to be stacked on the
platform which caused the fall of Cangco. If the obligor delays, or has promised to deliver the same thing to
two or more persons who do not have the same interest, he shall be
Standard of Care: responsible for any fortuitous event until he has effected the delivery.
1. Ordinary: that which is expected of a good father of a family (bonus (1096)
pater pamilyas);
2. Extraordinary: utmost diligence. E.g., common carriers, banks, public Art. 1786. Every partner is a debtor of the partnership for whatever
utility companies (Meralco vs. Ramoy) and realty firms. he may have promised to contribute thereto.
Stevedoring companies are required only to exercise ordinary He shall also be bound for warranty in case of eviction with regard to
diligence: a stevedoring company which was charged with the loading and specific and determinate things which he may have contributed to the
stowing the cargoes of Del Monte Produce aboard M/V Mistrau, had acted partnership, in the same cases and in the same manner as the
merely as a labor provider in the case at bar. There is no specific provision vendor is bound with respect to the vendee. He shall also be liable for
of law that imposes a higher degree of diligence than ordinary diligence for the fruits thereof from the time they should have been delivered,
a stevedoring company or one who is charged only with the loading and without the need of any demand. (1681a)
stowing of cargoes. It was neither alleged nor proven by Phoenix and
McGee that Mindanao Terminal was bound by contractual stipulation to Art. 1788. A partner who has undertaken to contribute a sum of
observe a higher degree of diligence than that required of a good father of money and fails to do so becomes a debtor for the interest and
a family. We therefore conclude that following Article 1173, Mindanao damages from the time he should have complied with his obligation.
Terminal was required to observe ordinary diligence only in loading and
stowing the cargoes of Del Monte Produce aboard M/V Mistrau. (Mindanao The same rule applies to any amount he may have taken from the
Terminal and Brokerage Services, Inc. vs. Phoenix) partnership coffers, and his liability shall begin from the time he
converted the amount to his own use. (1682)
Kinds of Negligence as to EXTENT:
1. Simple Negligence failure to comply with the diligence required; Art. 1896. The agent owes interest on the sums he has applied to
2. Gross Negligence amounts to bad faith and may thus be the source his own use from the day on which he did so, and on those which he
of moral damages. (Telefast vs. Castro) still owes after the extinguishment of the agency. (1724a)
c. Delay Art. 1942. The bailee is liable for the loss of the thing, even if it
should be through a fortuitous event:
Art. 1169. Those obliged to deliver or to do something incur in delay from (1) If he devotes the thing to any purpose different from that for
the time the obligee judicially or extrajudicially demands from them the which it has been loaned;
fulfillment of their obligation. (2) If he keeps it longer than the period stipulated, or after the
accomplishment of the use for which the commodatum has been
However, the demand by the creditor shall not be necessary in order that constituted;
delay may exist: (3) If the thing loaned has been delivered with appraisal of its value,
(1) When the obligation or the law expressly so declare; or unless there is a stipulation exemption the bailee from responsibility
(2) When from the nature and the circumstances of the obligation it appears in case of a fortuitous event;
that the designation of the time when the thing is to be delivered or the (4) If he lends or leases the thing to a third person, who is not a
service is to be rendered was a controlling motive for the establishment of member of his household;
the contract; or (5) If, being able to save either the thing borrowed or his own thing,
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
34 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
he chose to save the latter. (1744a and 1745) General Rule: is that no personal shall be responsible for those events
which could not be foresee, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable.
3. When time was a controlling motive e.g., a florist for a wedding;
4. When demand would be useless. Exceptions:
1. Expressly specified by law: e.g., Art. 1165 and 1942;
BAR QUESTION: Kristina brought her diamond ring to a jewelry shop for 2. Declared by stipulation;
cleaning. The jewelry shop undertook to return the ring by February 1, 3. When the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk: e.g.,
1999. When the said date arrived, the jewelry shop informed Kristina that insurance contracts.
the job was not yet finished. They asked her to return five days after. On
February 6, 1999, Kristina went to the shop to claim the ring, but she was BAR QUESTION: Mr. Mekanico leased some automobile repair equipment
informed that the same was stolen by a thief who entered the shop the to Mr. Masipag, who was opening his auto repair shop. The lease
night before. Kristina filed an action for damages against the jewelry shop agreement was executed on February 15, 1985. It stipulated that the
which put up the defense of force majeure. Will the action prosper or not? period was one month only, at the expiration of which Masipag was to
(5%) return the equipment of Mekanico. The equipment was delivered on
February 15, 1985. On March 15, 1985 Mekanico, in a telephone call, asked
ANSWER: Even if we consider the incident (stealing) as a fortuitous event, Masipag to return the leased property that same day. Because this truck
the action may still prosper since at the time of the loss, the debtor is broke down, Masipag was unable to comply. Early the next morning, the
already in delay as provided under Art. 1165. equipment was burned in an accidental fire that stated in a nearby
restaurant and gutted Masipags auto repair shop. Mekanico seeks to hold
Reciprocal Obligations: In reciprocal obligations, as in a contract of sale, Masipag liable for the value of the lost property plus damages on the
the general rule is that the fulfillment of the parties' respective obligations ground that he did not return it as agreed upon. Is Mekanicos claim
should be simultaneous. Hence, no demand is generally necessary because, tenable? Explain.
once a party fulfills his obligation and the other party does not fulfill his, the
latter automatically incurs in delay. But when different dates for ANSWER: No. The general rule provided under Art. 1774 is that no person
performance of the obligations are fixed, the default for each obligation shall be responsible for those events which could not be foreseen, or though
must be determined by the rules given in the first paragraph of the present foreseen, are inevitable. Except when the parties so stipulate, or if the law
article, that is, the other party would incur in delay only from the moment so provides, or if the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of
the other party demands fulfillment of the former's obligation. Thus, even in risk.
reciprocal obligations, if the period for the fulfillment of the obligation is
fixed, demand upon the obligee is still necessary before the obligor can be In the case at bar, there was no stipulation, nor did the obligation of
considered in default and before a cause of action for rescission will accrue. Mekaniko entail assumption of risk. However, under Art. 1165, even if the
(Solar Harvest, Inc. vs. Davao Corrugated Carton Corporation) loss was due to a fortuitous event, if the debtor was already in delay, he
would be liable for damages.
d. Any other manner of contravention
However still, to be considered in delay, there must have been a prior
Non-performance may fall under this category which may make the debtor demand, except when stipulated, or the law so provides, or the time is the
liable for damages. controlling motive or demand would be useless. In the case at bar, none of
the exceptions are attendant. Accordingly, demand is necessary for the
In general, every debtor who fails in performance of his obligations is bound debtor to incur delay.
to indemnify for the losses and damages caused thereby. The phrase "any
manner contravene the tenor" of the obligation includes any illicit act which The demand was made on March 15, 1985, at the time the obligation was
impairs the strict and faithful fulfillment of the obligation or every kind or not yet due. As such, there was no valid demand. Accordingly, Mekaniko
defective performance. (Arrieta vs. NARIC) would not yet be considered in delay. The general rule applies since the loss
was due to accidental fire. Mekanikos claim is tenable.
Excuse for non-performance:
Robbery in a pawnshop business is not a fortuitous event:
1. Fortuitous Event Arts. 1174, 552,1165, 2147,2159 pawnshops are aware that robbery is a possibility which is foreseeable and
can be anticipated, this is why pawnshops normally have security guards
Art. 1174. Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when it is and vaults. Moreover, the concurrence of negligence, such as when there
otherwise declared by stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation are no security measures adopted in the operation of the pawnshop, will not
requires the assumption of risk, no person shall be responsible for those excuse a pawnshop owner from liability when the thing pledged is lost
events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were through robbery. (Sicam vs. Jorge)
inevitable. (1105a)
Art. 552. A possessor in good faith shall not be liable for the deterioration
Fortuitous events by definition are extraordinary events not foreseeable or loss of the thing possessed, except in cases in which it is proved that he
or avoidable. It is therefore, not enough that the event should not have has acted with fraudulent intent or negligence, after the judicial summons.
been foreseen or anticipated, as is commonly believed but it must be one
impossible to foresee or to avoid. The mere difficulty to foresee the A possessor in bad faith shall be liable for deterioration or loss in
happening is not impossibility to foresee the same. (Sicam vs. Jorge) every case, even if caused by a fortuitous event. (457a)
Elements: To constitute a fortuitous event, the following elements must Art. 1165. When what is to be delivered is a determinate thing, the
concur: creditor, in addition to the right granted him by Article 1170, may compel
a. The cause of the unforeseen and unexpected occurrence or of the the debtor to make the delivery.
failure of the debtor to comply with obligations must be independent of
human will; If the thing is indeterminate or generic, he may ask that the obligation be
b. It must be impossible to foresee the event that constitutes the caso complied with at the expense of the debtor.
fortuito or, if it can be foreseen, it must be impossible to avoid;
c. The occurrence must be such as to render it impossible for the debtor If the obligor delays, or has promised to deliver the same thing to
to fulfill obligations in a normal manner; and, two or more persons who do not have the same interest, he shall
d. The obligor must be free from any participation in the aggravation of be responsible for any fortuitous event until he has effected the
the injury or loss. delivery. (1096)
2. Act of creditor May the court compel A to deliver the TV set and the refrigerator and repair
the piano? Why? If not, what relief may the court grant B? Why?
Negligence, Delay or Fraud concurring with Fortuitous Event: if
upon the happening of a fortuitous event or an act of God, there concurs a ANSWER: TV set: generic. 1460: a thing is determinate only when:
corresponding fraud, negligence, delay or violation or contravention in any physically segregated or particularly designated. Specific performance is not
manner of the tenor of the obligation as provided for in Article 1170 of the a remedy. However, the creditor can have another person to have such kind
Civil Code, which results in loss or damage, the obligor cannot escape of thing delivered at the cost of the debtor plus damages - substitute
liability. performance.
The principle embodied in the act of God doctrine strictly requires that the Refrigerator: determinate: physically segregated (store) and particularly
act must be one occasioned exclusively by the violence of nature and designated (by motor number). Specific performance is an available remedy
human agencies are to be excluded from creating or entering into the cause only if it is still possible (legal and physical) to have it delivered. Substitute
of the mischief. When the effect, the cause of which is to be considered, is performance is not a remedy. Specific performance
found to be in part the result of the participation of man, whether it be from
active intervention or neglect, or failure to act, the whole occurrence is Piano the court can never compel anyone to do anything against his will
thereby humanized, as it was, and removed from the rules applicable to the as this would be violative of his right against involuntary servitude. The
acts of God. relief the court can give is that the debtor shouldve asked somebody else
do the obligation at the cost of the debtor plus damages. substitute
Thus, it has been held that when the negligence of a person concurs with performance.
an act of God in producing a loss, such person is not exempt from liability
by showing that the immediate cause of the damage was the act of God. To RESCISSION AS A REMEDY: TWO KINDS:
be exempt from liability for loss because of an act of God, he must be free 1. Rescission under Art. 1191, which shouldve been properly termed as
from any previous negligence or misconduct by which the loss or damage resolution
may have been occasioned. (NPC vs. CA)
Art. 1191. The power to rescind obligations is implied in reciprocal ones, in
F. REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF OBLIGATIONS case one of the obligors should not comply with what is incumbent upon
him.
Obligations to give:
The injured party may choose between the fulfillment and the rescission of
Art. 1165. When what is to be delivered is a determinate thing, the the obligation, with the payment of damages in either case. He may also
creditor, in addition to the right granted him by Article 1170, may compel seek rescission, even after he has chosen fulfillment, if the latter should
the debtor to make the delivery. become impossible.
If the thing is indeterminate or generic, he may ask that the obligation be The court shall decree the rescission claimed, unless there be just cause
complied with at the expense of the debtor. authorizing the fixing of a period.
If the obligor delays, or has promised to deliver the same thing to two or This is understood to be without prejudice to the rights of third persons who
more persons who do not have the same interest, he shall be responsible have acquired the thing, in accordance with Articles 1385 and 1388 and the
for any fortuitous event until he has effected the delivery. (1096) Mortgage Law. (1124)
1. Determinate thing specific performance only if it is legally and 2. Rescission under Art. 1301/1303
physically possible. Substitute performance is not possible.
2. Generic thing substitute performance. The creditor can have another Differences:
person to have such kind of thing be delivered at the cost of the debtor
plus damages. RESOLUTION (Art. 1911) RESCISSION (Art. 1301)
Principal remedy may be availed Subsidiary remedy can only be
Obligations to do: the remedy of the creditor: Substitute performance of even if the party has other invoked if there is no other remedy
have somebody else perform the obligation at the debtors cost, including remedies available. (Art. 1303)
the costs of having to undo that which was poorly done. Cause of action is substantial or Breach is not required.
fundamental breach
Art. 1167. If a person obliged to do something fails to do it, the May be invoked even if both parties
same shall be executed at his cost. already complied with their
obligation.
This same rule shall be observed if he does it in contravention of the
tenor of the obligation. Furthermore, it may be decreed that what has Cause of action is lesion or
been poorly done be undone. (1098) economic injury to a party.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
36 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
sale or attachment except as hereinafter provided and to the extent of the
Rescission under Art. 1911 not necessarily judicial: since it is implied value allowed by law.(223a)
in reciprocal obligations. However, rescission shall take effect only at the
time notice was given to the other party but without prejudice to the right Art. 155. The family home shall be exempt from execution, forced sale or
of such party to question the validity of rescission. Court action here is only attachment except:
to determine the validity of the rescission, such as to determine if there was (1) For nonpayment of taxes;
substantial breach. However still, the rescission takes effect from notice and (2) For debts incurred prior to the constitution of the family home;
not from court decision. (Magdalena Estate vs. Myrick and UP vs. (3) For debts secured by mortgages on the premises before or after such
DLANDelos Angeles. constitution; and
(4) For debts due to laborers, mechanics, architects, builders, materialmen
Effect of Rescission; Mutual restitution: in rescission under Art. 1301, and others who have rendered service or furnished material for the
it shall be the duty of both parties to return the things which were the construction of the building. (243a)
object of the contract as provided under Art. 1385. This same article was
likewise held applicable to Rescission under Art. 1911. In Unlad vs. Dragon, Rule 39, Sec. 13, Rules of Court:
the SC held that mutual restitution is required in cases involving rescission
under Article 1191. This means bringing the parties back to their original Section 13. Property exempt from execution. Except as otherwise
status prior to the inception of the contract. expressly provided by law, the following property, and no other, shall be
exempt from execution:
Rescission has the effect of "unmaking a contract, or its undoing from the (a) The judgment obligor's family home as provided by law, or the
beginning, and not merely its termination." Hence, rescission creates the homestead in which he resides, and land necessarily used in connection
obligation to return the object of the contract. It can be carried out only therewith;
when the one who demands rescission can return whatever he may be (b) Ordinary tools and implements personally used by him in his trade,
obliged to restore. To rescind is to declare a contract void at its inception employment, or livelihood;
and to put an end to it as though it never was. It is not merely to terminate (c) Three horses, or three cows, or three carabaos, or other beasts of
it and release the parties from further obligations to each other, but to burden, such as the judgment obligor may select necessarily used by him in
abrogate it from the beginning and restore the parties to their relative his ordinary occupation;
positions as if no contract has been made. (d) His necessary clothing and articles for ordinary personal use, excluding
jewelry;
OTHER PROVISIONS: (e) Household furniture and utensils necessary for housekeeping, and used
for that purpose by the judgment obligor and his family, such as the
Art. 1166. The obligation to give a determinate thing includes that of judgment obligor may select, of a value not exceeding one hundred
delivering all its accessions and accessories, even though they may not have thousand pesos;
been mentioned. (1097a) (f) Provisions for individual or family use sufficient for four months;
(g) The professional libraries and equipment of judges, lawyers, physicians,
Art. 1170. Those who in the performance of their obligations are guilty of pharmacists, dentists, engineers, surveyors, clergymen, teachers, and other
fraud, negligence, or delay, and those who in any manner contravene the professionals, not exceeding three hundred thousand pesos in value;
tenor thereof, are liable for damages. (1101) (h) One fishing boat and accessories not exceeding the total value of one
hundred thousand pesos owned by a fisherman and by the lawful use of
Art. 1177. The creditors, after having pursued the property in possession which he earns his livelihood;
of the debtor to satisfy their claims, may exercise all the rights and bring all (i) So much of the salaries, wages, or earnings of the judgment obligor for
the actions of the latter for the same purpose, save those which are his personal services within the four months preceding the levy as are
inherent in his person; they may also impugn the acts which the debtor may necessary for the support of his family;
have done to defraud them. (1111) (j) Lettered gravestones;
(k) Monies, benefits, privileges, or annuities accruing or in any manner
Art. 1178. Subject to the laws, all rights acquired in virtue of an obligation growing out of any life insurance;
are transmissible, if there has been no stipulation to the contrary. (1112) (l) The right to receive legal support, or money or property obtained as such
support, or any pension or gratuity from the Government;
Art. 1192. In case both parties have committed a breach of the obligation, (m) Properties specially exempted by law.
the liability of the first infractor shall be equitably tempered by the courts. If
it cannot be determined which of the parties first violated the contract, the But no article or species of property mentioned in this section shall be
same shall be deemed extinguished, and each shall bear his own damages. exempt from execution issued upon a judgment recovered for its price or
(n) upon a judgment of foreclosure of a mortgage thereon. (12a)
Art. 2236. The debtor is liable with all his property, present and future, for 1. Extra-judicial remedies
the fulfillment of his obligations, subject to the exemptions provided by law. a. Expressly granted by law Art. 1786, 1788, 1526
(1911a)
Art. 1786. Every partner is a debtor of the partnership for whatever he
Art. 302. Neither the right to receive legal support nor any money or may have promised to contribute thereto.
property obtained as such support or any pension or gratuity from the
government is subject to attachment or execution. (n) He shall also be bound for warranty in case of eviction with regard to
specific and determinate things which he may have contributed to the
Art. 1708. The laborer's wages shall not be subject to execution or partnership, in the same cases and in the same manner as the vendor is
bound with respect to the vendee. He shall also be liable for the fruits
attachment, except for debts incurred for food, shelter, clothing and medical
attendance. thereof from the time they should have been delivered, without the need of
any demand. (1681a)
Arts. 153 and 155, Family Code
Art. 1788. A partner who has undertaken to contribute a sum of money
Art. 153. The family home is deemed constituted on a house and lot from and fails to do so becomes a debtor for the interest and damages from the
time he should have complied with his obligation.
the time it is occupied as a family residence. From the time of its
constitution and so long as any of its beneficiaries actually resides therein,
The same rule applies to any amount he may have taken from the
the family home continues to be such and is exempt from execution, forced
partnership coffers, and his liability shall begin from the time he converted
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
37 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
the amount to his own use. (1682) the debtor. (1158a)
Art. 1526. Subject to the provisions of this Title, notwithstanding that the Art. 1237. Whoever pays on behalf of the debtor without the knowledge or
ownership in the goods may have passed to the buyer, the unpaid seller of against the will of the latter, cannot compel the creditor to subrogate him in
goods, as such, has: his rights, such as those arising from a mortgage, guaranty, or penalty.
(1) A lien on the goods or right to retain them for the price while he is in (1159a)
possession of them;
(2) In case of the insolvency of the buyer, a right of stopping the goods in Payment made by a third person:
transitu after he has parted with the possession of them; a. Who has an interest in the fulfilment of the obligation or when the
(3) A right of resale as limited by this Title; debtor consents.
(4) A right to rescind the sale as likewise limited by this Title.
Effects:
b. Stipulated 1. The creditor can be compelled to receive payment
2. The third party payor may demand reimbursement for the full
2. Judicial remedies amount
a. Principal remedies 1191, 1170 3. Results in subrogation: As such, the 3rd party payor may exercise
rights belonging to the creditor, such as going against the
Art. 1191. The power to rescind obligations is implied in reciprocal ones, in guarantor or foreclosure of mortgage.
case one of the obligors should not comply with what is incumbent upon
him. Person who has interest in the fulfillment of the obligation: include
those subsidiarily liable such as guarantors and mortgagors, and co-
The injured party may choose between the fulfillment and the rescission of debtors (including joint co-debtors).
the obligation, with the payment of damages in either case. He may also
seek rescission, even after he has chosen fulfillment, if the latter should b. One who has no interest in the fulfilment of the obligation or when the
become impossible. debtor had no knowledge of or did not consent (against his will).
The court shall decree the rescission claimed, unless there be just cause Effects:
authorizing the fixing of a period. 1. The creditor cannot be compelled to receive payment.
2. If payment was made, 3rd party payor can only demand
This is understood to be without prejudice to the rights of third persons who reimbursement upto the extent that has been beneficial to the
have acquired the thing, in accordance with Articles 1385 and 1388 and the debtor.
Mortgage Law. (1124) 3. No subrogation. As such, the third party payor cannot go against
guarantors or foreclose the mortgage.
Art. 1170. Those who in the performance of their obligations are guilty of
fraud, negligence, or delay, and those who in any manner contravene the In both instances, the payment shall extinguish the obligation.
tenor thereof, are liable for damages. (1101)
Subrogation: when the 3rd party payor steps in the shoes of the creditor.
b. Subsidiary remedies 1380, 1177 There is legal subrogation when:
Art. 1380. Contracts validly agreed upon may be rescinded in the cases Art. 1302. It is presumed that there is legal subrogation:
established by law. (1290) (1) When a creditor pays another creditor who is preferred, even
without the debtor's knowledge;
Art. 1177. The creditors, after having pursued the property in possession (2) When a third person, not interested in the obligation, pays with the
of the debtor to satisfy their claims, may exercise all the rights and bring all express or tacit approval of the debtor;
the actions of the latter for the same purpose, save those which are (3) When, even without the knowledge of the debtor, a person
inherent in his person; they may also impugn the acts which the debtor may interested in the fulfillment of the obligation pays, without prejudice to
have done to defraud them. (1111) the effects of confusion as to the latter's share. (1210a)
c. Ancillary remedies Rules of Court When creditor may be bound to accept payment from a third
person:
G. MODES OF EXTINGUISHMENT OF OBLIGATIONS Art. 1231 1. When stipulated;
2. When the 3rd party payor has an interest in the fulfilment of the
Art. 1231. Obligations are extinguished: obligation
(1) By payment or performance: 3. When the debtor gives his consent.
(2) By the loss of the thing due:
(3) By the condonation or remission of the debt; Art. 1238. Payment made by a third person who does not intend to be
(4) By the confusion or merger of the rights of creditor and debtor; reimbursed by the debtor is deemed to be a donation, which requires the
(5) By compensation; debtor's consent. But the payment is in any case valid as to the creditor
(6) By novation. who has accepted it. (n)
1. Payment or performance Art. 1239. In obligations to give, payment made by one who does not have
the free disposal of the thing due and capacity to alienate it shall not be
1. Provisions as to the payor valid, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 1427 under the Title on
"Natural Obligations." (1160a)
Art. 1236. The creditor is not bound to accept payment or performance by
a third person who has no interest in the fulfillment of the obligation, unless Capacity and Free Disposal: the payor should have capacity to alienate
there is a stipulation to the contrary. and the free disposal of the thing due for payment to be effective. Such that
minors (who dont have capacity) and those suffering the penalty of civil
Whoever pays for another may demand from the debtor what he has paid, interdiction (no free disposal) cannot make a valid payment.
except that if he paid without the knowledge or against the will of the
debtor, he can recover only insofar as the payment has been beneficial to c. Provisions as to the payee
Payment to a wrong party: The delivery of promissory notes payable to order, or bills of exchange or
other mercantile documents shall produce the effect of payment only when
Art. 1241. Payment to a person who is incapacitated to administer his they have been cashed, or when through the fault of the creditor they have
property shall be valid if he has kept the thing delivered, or insofar as the been impaired.
payment has been beneficial to him.
In the meantime, the action derived from the original obligation shall be
Payment made to a third person shall also be valid insofar as it has held in the abeyance. (1170)
redounded to the benefit of the creditor. Such benefit to the creditor need
not be proved in the following cases: Art. 1250. In case an extraordinary inflation or deflation of the
(1) If after the payment, the third person acquires the creditor's rights; currency stipulated should supervene, the value of the currency at the time
(2) If the creditor ratifies the payment to the third person; of the establishment of the obligation shall be the basis of payment, unless
(3) If by the creditor's conduct, the debtor has been led to believe that the there is an agreement to the contrary. (n)
third person had authority to receive the payment. (1163a)
Applicable only to contracts: since the provision deals with currency
Payment to anyone not authorized as provided under Art. 1240 is stipulated
considered a void payment. As such, the debtor may be compelled to pay
again, his remedy being to run against the person he made payment to. Republic Act No. 8183
Except in the following circumstances: June 11, 1996
1. It redounded to the benefit of the creditor; Repealing RA 529
2. Such benefit need not be proven if:
a. after the payment, the third person acquires the creditor's rights; AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED FIVE HUNDRED
b. the creditor ratifies the payment to the third person; TWENTY-NINE AS AMENDED, ENTITLED"AN ACT TO ASSURE THE
c. by the creditor's conduct, the debtor has been led to believe that UNIFORM VALUE OF PHILIPPINE COIN AND CURRENCY."
the third person had authority to receive the payment.
Section 1. All monetary obligations shall be settled in the Philippine
3. Payment made in good faith to any person in possession of the credit. currency which is legal tender in the Philippines. However, the parties may
(Art. 1242) agree that the obligation or transaction shall be settled in any other
currency at the time of payment.
BAR QUESTION: A owes B P20,000 which became due and payable last xxx
October 1, 1983. On that date, A offered B P10,000 the only money he
then had, but refused to accept the payment. A thereafter met C, Bs 22- PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 72
year old son, to whom he gave the P10,000 with the request that he turn November 29, 1972
the money over to B. The money was stolen while in Cs possession. AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED TWO HUNDRED AND
SIXTY-FIVE, ENTITLED "THE CENTRAL BANK ACT"
Was B justified in refusing to accept the payment of A? May he still recover
the full amount of his debt of P20,000? Why? Section 31. Section fifty-four of the same Act is hereby amended to read
as follows:
ANSWER: Yes, B was justified in refusing to accept payment because as a
rule, the creditor cannot be bound to accept partial payment. "Sec. 54. Legal tender power. All notes and coins issued by the Central
Bank shall fully guaranteed by the Government of the Republic of the
Yes, B may still recover the full amount regardless of payment to Bs son. B Philippines and shall be legal tender in the Philippines for all debts, both
is not C. In this case there is payment to a wrong party and none of the public and private: Provided, however, That coins shall be legal tender in
exceptions provided under Art. 1241, i.e., there appears to be no amounts not exceeding fifty pesos for denominations from ten centavos to
assignment of right to Bs son, B did not ratify the payment, nor were there one peso, and in amounts not exceeding twenty pesos for denominations of
any conduct of B that would lead A to believe that C had authority to five centavos or less."
receive payment. Moreover, it was stated that the money was stolen, thus,
it cannot be said that the payment redounded to the benefit of B. Section 32. Section sixty-three of the same Act is hereby amended to read
as follows:
d. Thing to be paid or delivered
"Sec. 63. Legal character. Checks representing deposit money do not have
Art. 1232. Payment means not only the delivery of money but also the legal tender power and their acceptance in the payment of debts, both
performance, in any other manner, of an obligation. (n) public and private, is at the option of the creditor: Provided, however, That
a check which has been cleared and credited to the account of the creditor
Art. 1244. The debtor of a thing cannot compel the creditor to receive a shall be equivalent to a delivery to the creditor of cash in an amount equal
different one, although the latter may be of the same value as, or more to the amount credited to his account."
valuable than that which is due.
Legal Tender Power:
In obligations to do or not to do, an act or forbearance cannot be 1. P1, P5 and P10 coins shall be legal tender in amounts not exceeding
substituted by another act or forbearance against the obligee's P1,000;
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
39 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
2. Coins below P1 legal tender not exceeding P100. There being no express stipulation and if the undertaking is to deliver a
determinate thing, the payment shall be made wherever the thing might be
Checks: creditors cannot be compelled to receive payment through checks, at the moment the obligation was constituted.
they may, however, accept the same if they want to.
In any other case the place of payment shall be the domicile of the debtor.
Extinguishment: of the obligation through payment shall only be at the If the debtor changes his domicile in bad faith or after he has incurred in
time the check or other mercantile documents have been encashed. delay, the additional expenses shall be borne by him.
Stale Checks: when the check becomes stale, this does not result in These provisions are without prejudice to venue under the Rules of Court.
extinguishment of the obligation, unless, by the fault of the creditor, the (1171a)
checks value has been impaired.
SPECIAL FORMS OF PAYMENT
The fact that the creditor is still in possession of the check gives rise to the
presumption that the same has not been encashed and the obligation has Is the consent of the creditor necessary?
not been extinguished. Dation in payment absolutely, because the creditor has to accept the
thing;
BAR QUESTION: Mr. Magaling obtained a judgment against Mr. Mayaman Application not necessarily. As a rule, the debtor can designate to
in the amount of P500,000.00. A writ of execution was issued pursuant to which debt payment applies.
which various personal properties of Mayaman were levied upon by the Payment by cession absolutely, because the creditors would accept
sheriff. An auction sale was scheduled. these properties for them to sell.
Consignation not necessarily. two ways of extinguishment through
Before the appointed day of the auction, Mayaman delivered to the sheriff a consignation: (1) when the creditor accepts; (2) court determines the
cashiers check of Far East Bank in the amount of P200,000.00 and enough consignation proper (here, there is no consent from the creditor)
cash to cover the remainder of the total amount due. Magaling refused to
accept the check and asked the sheriff to proceed with the auction sale. Effect of delivery of the thing by the debtor to the creditor or the
court: transfer of ownership?
Did Magaling have the right to refuse the payment of part of the obligation Dation in payment there has to be. Otherwise, it may be another
with a cashiers check? Explain. transaction, e.g., mortgage, pledge, etc. In Filinvest vs. Philippine
Acetyline, the SC held that after the letter was given representing the
ANSWER: In 1986: No. The effective ruling of the SC in New Pacific Timber assignment of the car, a SPA was executed authorizing creditor to sell
vs. Seneris is that managers check, certified check and cashiers check are the thing. Thus, it is clear that there was no transfer of ownership.
as good as cash. As such, the creditor does not have a right to refuse. Thus, no dation in payment.
Application of payment yes. Question is to which debt shall it apply.
Today: Yes. The SC reverted back to earlier decisions that checks of Cession none. Creditors are merely constituted as agents to sell the
whatever kind do not have legal tender power. A creditor cannot be properties.
compelled to accept payment through checks. Consignation it depends. Only when the creditor accepts or the court
determines that the consignation was proper. The effect retroacts to
As to the cash component of the payment: Yes. Magaling is not compelled the date of delivery to the court.
to receive partial payment. Partial payment is no payment.
Effect as to extinguishment:
e. Place, date, time and manner of payment Dation in payment total extinguishment UNLESS intention of the
parties to the contrary is clear.
Art. 1233. A debt shall not be understood to have been paid unless the Application of payments no total extinguishment precisely because
thing or service in which the obligation consists has been completely amount being paid is not sufficient to cover all the debts.
delivered or rendered, as the case may be. (1157) Cession to the extent of the net proceeds UNLESS the creditors
would agree otherwise.
Art. 1234. If the obligation has been substantially performed in good faith, Consignation No, if creditor made reservation that payment is only
the obligor may recover as though there had been a strict and complete partial.
fulfillment, less damages suffered by the obligee. (n)
Dation in Payment
Art. 1235. When the obligee accepts the performance, knowing its
incompleteness or irregularity, and without expressing any protest or Art. 1245. Dation in payment, whereby property is alienated to the creditor
objection, the obligation is deemed fully complied with. (n) in satisfaction of a debt in money, shall be governed by the law of sales.
Art. 1243. Payment made to the creditor by the debtor after the latter has Dation in payment is the delivery or transmission of ownership of a thing
been judicially ordered to retain the debt shall not be valid. (1165) by the debtor to the creditor as an accepted equivalent of the performance
of the obligation.
Art. 1247. Unless it is otherwise stipulated, the extrajudicial expenses
required by the payment shall be for the account of the debtor. With regard It may consists not only of a thing but also of rights, i.e., usufruct or credit.
to judicial costs, the Rules of Court shall govern. (1168a)
Nature: there has to be delivery of the thing and prior acceptance and a
Art. 1248. Unless there is an express stipulation to that effect, the creditor consequent transfer of ownership to consider it a dation in payment. A mere
cannot be compelled partially to receive the prestations in which the promise to deliver a thing in lieu of the originally constituted subject
obligation consists. Neither may the debtor be required to make partial amounts to a novation.
payments.
Applicability of warranties in sales: since the law of sales is applicable
However, when the debt is in part liquidated and in part unliquidated, the as provided under Art. 1245, the warranties and the breach thereof under
creditor may demand and the debtor may effect the payment of the former Art. 1155 are applicable.
without waiting for the liquidation of the latter. (1169a)
Article 1555. When the warranty has been agreed upon or nothing
Art. 1251. Payment shall be made in the place designated in the obligation. has been stipulated on this point, in case eviction occurs, the vendee
shall have the right to demand of the vendor:
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
40 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
(1) The return of the value which the thing sold had at the time of the HELD: NO. The mere return of the mortgaged motor vehicle by the
eviction, be it greater or less than the price of the sale; mortgagor, the herein appellant, to the mortgagee, the herein appellee,
(2) The income or fruits, if he has been ordered to deliver them to the does not constitute dation in payment or dacion en pago in the absence,
party who won the suit against him; express or implied of the true intention of the parties. Dacion en pago,
(3) The costs of the suit which caused the eviction, and, in a proper according to Manresa, is the transmission of the ownership of a thing by the
case, those of the suit brought against the vendor for the warranty; debtor to the creditor as an accepted equivalent of the performance of
(4) The expenses of the contract, if the vendee has paid them; obligation. 4 In dacion en pago, as a special mode of payment, the debtor
(5) The damages and interests, and ornamental expenses. offers another thing to the creditor who accepts it as equivalent of payment
of an outstanding debt. The undertaking really partakes in one sense of the
Hence, when the creditor is EVICTED from the thing delivered, HE may no nature of sale, that is, the creditor is really buying the thing or property of
longer revive because the first obligation has already been extinguished. the debtor, payment for which is to be charged against the debtor's debt. As
such, the essential elements of a contract of sale, namely, consent, object
Extent of extinguishment: General rule: to the extent of the value of the certain, and cause or consideration must be present. In its modern concept,
thing delivered as agreed upon or as may be proved. Exception: if the what actually takes place in dacion en pago is an objective novation of the
parties consider the thing as equivalent to the obligation through an express obligation where the thing offered as an accepted equivalent of the
or implied agreement or by silence. performance of an obligation is considered as the object of the contract of
sale, while the debt is considered as the purchase price. 5 In any case,
FILINVEST CREDIT CORPORATION, plaintiff-appellee, common consent is an essential prerequisite, be it sale or innovation to
vs. have the effect of totally extinguishing the debt or obligation.
PHILIPPINE ACETYLENE, CO., INC., defendant-appellant.
G.R. No. L-50449 | January 30, 1982 | Second Division | J. De Castro The evidence on the record fails to show that the mortgagee, the herein
appellee, consented, or at least intended, that the mere delivery to, and
FACTS: On October 30, 1971, the Philippine Acetylene (appellant) acceptance by him, of the mortgaged motor vehicle be construed as actual
purchased from one Alexander Lim, as evidenced by a Deed of Sale, a payment, more specifically dation in payment or dacion en pago. The fact
motor vehicle described as Chevorlet, 1969 model with Serial No. that the mortgaged motor vehicle was delivered to him does not necessarily
136699Z303652 for P55,247.80 with a down payment of P20,000.00 and mean that ownership thereof, as juridically contemplated by dacion en
the balance of P35,247.80 payable, under the terms and conditions of the pago, was transferred from appellant to appellee. In the absence of clear
promissory note, at a monthly installment of P1,036.70 for 34 months, due consent of appellee to the proferred special mode of payment, there can be
and payable on the first day of each month starting December 1971 through no transfer of ownership of the mortgaged motor vehicle from appellant to
and inclusive September 1, 1974 with 12 % interest per annum on each appellee. If at all, only transfer of possession of the mortgaged motor
unpaid installment, and attorney's fees in the amount equivalent to 25% of vehicle took place, for it is quite possible that appellee, as mortgagee,
the total of the outstanding unpaid amount. merely wanted to secure possession to forestall the loss, destruction,
fraudulent transfer of the vehicle to third persons, or its being rendered
As security, the appellant executed a chattel mortgage over the same motor valueless if left in the hands of the appellant.
vehicle in favor of Lim. All rights, title, and interests in the PN and CHM
were ultimately assigned to Filinvest Credit Corporation (appellee) by virtue A more solid basis of the true intention of the parties is furnished by the
of a Deed of Assignment. document executed by appellant captioned "Voluntary Surrender with
Special Power of Attorney To Sell" dated March 12, 1973, attached as Annex
Since appellant defaulted in 9 successive installments, appellee sent the "C" of the appellant's answer to the complaint. An examination of the
former a letter demanding "that you (appellant) remit the aforesaid amount language of the document reveals that the possession of the mortgaged
in full in addition to stipulated interest and charges or return the mortgaged motor vehicle was voluntarily surrendered by the appellant to the appellee
property to my client at its office at 2133 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila within authorizing the latter to look for a buyer and sell the vehicle in behalf of the
five (5) days from date of this letter during office hours." In reply, appellant appellant who retains ownership thereof, and to apply the proceeds of the
advised appellee of its decision to "return the mortgaged property, which sale to the mortgage indebtedness, with the undertaking of the appellant to
return shall be in full satisfaction of its indebtedness pursuant to Article pay the difference, if any, between the selling price and the mortgage
1484 of the New Civil Code." Accordingly, the mortgaged vehicle was obligation. With the stipulated conditions as stated, the appellee, in essence
returned to the appellee together with the document "Voluntary Surrender was constituted as a mere agent to sell the motor vehicle which was
with Special Power of Attorney To Sell" executed by appellant on March 12, delivered to the appellee, not as its property, for if it were, he would have
1973 and confirmed to by appellee's vice-president. full power of disposition of the property, not only to sell it as is the limited
authority given him in the special power of attorney. Had appellee intended
Unable to sell the motor vehicle due to unpaid taxes, appellee offered to to completely release appellant of its mortgage obligation, there would be
deliver back the motor vehicle to the appellant but the latter refused to no necessity of executing the document captioned "Voluntary Surrender
accept it, so appellee instituted an action for collection of a sum of money with Special Power of Attorney To Sell." Nowhere in the said document can
with damages in the CFI of Manila on September 14, 1973. We find that the mere surrender of the mortgaged motor vehicle to the
appellee extinguished appellant's obligation for the unpaid price.
CFI ruled in favor of the appellee Hence, Philippine Acetylene filed the
instant appeal. Appellant would also argue that by accepting the delivery of the mortgaged
motor vehicle, appellee is estopped from demanding payment of the unpaid
Appellant maintained that when it opted to return, as in fact it did return, obligation. Estoppel would not he since, as clearly set forth above, appellee
the mortgaged motor vehicle to the appellee, said return necessarily had never accepted the mortgaged motor vehicle in full satisfaction of the
the effect of extinguishing appellant's obligation for the unpaid price to the mortgaged debt.
appellee, construing the return to and acceptance by the appellee of the
mortgaged motor vehicle as a mode of payment, specifically, dation in Under the law, the delivery of possession of the mortgaged property to the
payment or dacion en pago which according to appellant, virtually made mortgagee, the herein appellee, can only operate to extinguish appellant's
appellee the owner of the mortgaged motor vehicle by the mere delivery liability if the appellee had actually caused the foreclosure sale of the
thereof, citing Articles 1232, 1245, and 1497 of the Civil Code. mortgaged property when it recovered possession thereof. 6 It is worth
noting that it is the fact of foreclosure and actual sale of the mortgaged
ISSUE: Whether the return of the mortgaged motor vehicle to the appellee chattel that bar the recovery by the vendor of any balance of the
by virtue of its voluntary surrender by the appellant constituted dacion en purchaser's outstanding obligation not satisfied by the sale. 7 As held by this
pago, which totally extinguished and/or cancelled its obligation to the Court, if the vendor desisted, on his own initiative, from consummating the
appellee. auction sale, such desistance was a timely disavowal of the remedy of
The petitioner filed before the CFI of Batanga a claim for sum of money The petitioner issued the two (2) surety bonds on December 4, 1959 in
against the estate of the late Nicasia Sarmiento which was being behalf of the Pascual M. Perez Enterprises to guaranty fullfillment of its
administered by Pascual M. Perez. obligation under the "Contract of Sale of Goods" entered into with the
Singer Sewing Machine Co. In consideration of the two surety bonds, two
CFI of Batangas ordered the administrator Pascual M. Perez to pay the indemnity agreements were executed by Pascual M. Perez followed by a
claimant P144,000.00 with interest, minus the payments already made in Deed of Assignment which was also executed on the same date.
the amount of P55,600 considering that the estate of the late, Nicasia
Sarmiento is jointly and severally liable to the petitioner for the amount the In the case of Lopez v. Court of appeals (114 SCRA 673), we stated that:
latter had paid the Singer Sewing Machine Company, Ltd.
The indemnity agreement and the stock assignment must be
On appeal, the CA reversed and set aside the trial courts decision; hence, considered together as related transactions because in order to judge
petitioner filed a petition for review before the SC. the intention of the contracting parties, their contemporaneous and
subsequent acts shall be principally considered. (Article 1371, New
ISSUE: WON the administrator's obligation under the surety bonds and Civil Code). Thus, considering that the indemnity agreement connotes
indemnity agreements had been extinguished by reason of the execution of a continuing obligation of Lopez towards Philamgen, while the stock
the deed of assignment? assignment indicates a complete discharge of the same obligation, the
existence of the indemnity agreement whereby Lopez had to pay a
HELD: It is the general rule that when the words of a contract are plain and premium of P1,000.00 for a period of one year and agreed at all times
readily understandable, there is no room for construction thereof (San to indemnify Philamgen of any and all kinds of losses which the latter
Mauricio Milling Co. v. Ancheta, 105 SCRA 371). However, this is only a might sustain by reason of it becoming a surety, is inconsistent with
general rule and it admits exceptions. the theory of an absolute sale for and in consideration of the same
undertaking of Philamgen. There would have been no necessity for the
Pascual M. Perez executed an instrument denominated as "Deed of execution of the indemnity agreement if the stock assignment was
Assignment." Pertinent portions of the deed read as follows: really intended as an absolute conveyance. Hence, there are strong
and cogent reasons to conclude that the parties intended said stock
I, Pascual M. Perez, Filipino, of legal age, married, with residence and assignment to complement the indemnity agreement and thereby
postal address at 115 D. Silang, Batangas, as the owner and operator sufficiently guarantee the indemnification of Philamgen should it be
of a business styled "PASCUAL M. PEREZ ENTERPRISES," with office at required to pay Lopez" loan to Prudential Bank. (at pp. 682-683)
R-31 Madrigal Building, Escolta, Manila, hereinafter referred to as
ASSIGNOR, for and in consideration of the issuance in my behalf and The respondent court stated that "by virtue of the execution of the deed of
in favor of the SINGER SEWING MACHINE COMPANY, LTD., of two assignment ownership of administrator-appellant's lumber materials had
Surety Bonds (CSIC) Bond Nos. 2631 and 2632 each in the amount of been transferred to the claimant-appellant and this amounted to dation in
SEVENTY TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P72,000.00), or with a total sum of payment whereby the former is considered to have alienated his property in
ONE RED FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND PESOS (Pl44,000.00), Philippine favor of the latter in satisfaction of a monetary debt (Artide 1245). As a
Currency, by the CITIZENS' SURETY AND INSURANCE CO., INC., a consequence thereof, administrator-appellant's obligation under the surety
corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the bonds is thereby extinguished upon the execution of the deed of
laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at R-306 assignment." This statement is not sustained by the records.
Samanillo Building, Escolta, Manila, Philippines, and duly represented
in the act by its Vice-President and General Manager, ARISTEO L. LAT, The transaction could not be dation in payment. As pointed out in the
hereinafter referred to as ASSIGNEE, assign by these presents, unto concurring and dissenting opinion of Justice Edgardo L. Paras and the
said ASSIGNEE, its heirs, successors, administrators or assigns the dissenting opinion of Justice Mariano Serrano when the deed of assignment
In the case of Lopez v. Court of Appeals (supra) we had the occasion to However, when the debt is in part liquidated and in part unliquidated,
explain: the creditor may demand and the debtor may effect the payment of
the former without waiting for the liquidation of the latter. (1169a)
Considering the above jurisprudence, We find that the debt or
obligation at bar has not matured on June 2, 1959 when Lopez 2. Debtor cannot apply payment to principal if interest has not been paid.
'alienated' his 4,000 shares of stock to Philamgen. Lopez' obligation
would arise only when he would default in the payment of the principal Art. 1253. If the debt produces interest, payment of the principal
obligation (the loan) to the bank and Philamgen had to pay for it. Such shall not be deemed to have been made until the interests have been
fact being adverse to the nature and concept of dation in payment, the covered. (1173)
same could not have been constituted when the stock assignment was
executed. Moreover, there is no express provision in the terms of the 3. The debt must be liquidated, except when the parties agree otherwise;
stock assignment between Philamgen and Lopez that the principal 4. Cannot be made when the period has not arrived and such period was
obligation (which is the loan) is immediately extinguished by reason of constituted in favour of the creditor, except with the consent of the
such assignment. (at p. 686) creditor (Art. 1252);
5. When there is agreement as to which debt must be paid first.
The deed of assignment cannot be regarded as an absolute conveyance
whereby the obligation under the surety bonds was automatically Example: if A is indebted to B for P100, P50 and P25, and A pays P25, to
extinguished. The subsequent acts of the private respondent bolster the fact which shall the payment apply?
that the deed of assignment was intended merely as a security for the
issuance of the two bonds. Partial payments amounting to P55,600.00 were Answer: Generally, the debt which was assigned by the debtor.
made after the execution of the deed of assignment to satisfy the obligation
under the two surety bonds. Since later payments were made to pay the What if A designates the second debt, P50? Not allowed, because a
indebtedness, it follows that no debt was extinguished upon the execution limitation as to his right to designate is that the creditor cannot be
of the deed of assignment. Moreover, a second real estate mortgage was compelled to receive partial payment. Except if it is partly liquidated and
executed on April 12, 1960 and eventually cancelled only on May 15, 1962. partly unliquidated.
If indeed the deed of assignment extinguished the obligation, there was no
reason for a second mortgage to still have to be executed. We agree with What if A designates the third debt, P25? Generally allowed, except if the
the two dissenting opinions in the Court of Appeals that the only same is not yet due and the benefit of the period was constituted for the
conceivable reason for the execution of still another mortgage on April 12, creditor.
1960 was because the obligation under the indemnity bonds still existed. It
was not yet extinguished when the deed of assignment was executed on If the debtor did not designate, to which debt shall payment
December 4, 1959. The deed of assignment was therefore intended merely apply? That which was chosen by the creditor as reflected in the receipt
as another collateral security for the issuance of the two surety bonds. which is accepted by the debtor without protest. (Art. 1252, 2nd par.)
Application of Payments Art. 1254. When the payment cannot be applied in accordance with the
preceding rules, or if application cannot be inferred from other
Art. 1252. He who has various debts of the same kind in favor of one and circumstances, the debt which is most onerous to the debtor, among
the same creditor, may declare at the time of making the payment, to which those due, shall be deemed to have been satisfied.
of them the same must be applied. Unless the parties so stipulate, or when
the application of payment is made by the party for whose benefit the term If the debts due are of the same nature and burden, the payment shall
has been constituted, application shall not be made as to debts which are be applied to all of them proportionately. (1174a)
not yet due.
If debtor and creditor did not designate:
If the debtor accepts from the creditor a receipt in which an application of 1. If the debts are of different nature and burden to that debt which is
the payment is made, the former cannot complain of the same, unless there most onerous to the debtor;
is a cause for invalidating the contract. (1172a) 2. IF the debts are of the same nature and burden applied
proportionately.
Application of Payment: is the designation of the debt which is being
paid by a debtor who has several obligations of the same kind in favor of Debts which are considered more onerous:
the creditor to whom payment is made.
1.
Requisites: PRINCIPAL
1. There is only one debtor; 2. ebt
2. There are several debts; where he is the SOLE DEBTOR
3. The debts are of the same kind; 3.
4. There is only one and the same creditor. each is more burdensome than as to every debtor
4.
Due and demandable debts: as a general rule, all the debts must be due 5. t with
and demandable. EXCEPTION: when there is mutual agreement or when the HIGHEST INTEREST RATE
consent of the party for whose benefit the term was constituted was 6. When there is an unsecured debt with interest and a secured debt
obtained.
7.
Right to apply payment: generally, the debtor has the right to apply the 8. When there is a bond where the principal and surety are solidarily
payment at the time of making the payment, subject to the following
LIMITATIONS: principal, the UNSECURED PORTION of the debt is more onerous
1. Creditor cannot be compelled to accept partial payment. (Art. 1248);
Payment by Cession or Assignment Art. 1256. If the creditor to whom tender of payment has been
made refuses without just cause to accept it, the debtor shall be
Art. 1255. The debtor may cede or assign his property to his creditors in released from responsibility by the consignation of the thing or sum
payment of his debts. This cession, unless there is stipulation to the due.
contrary, shall only release the debtor from responsibility for the net
proceeds of the thing assigned. The agreements which, on the effect of the Consignation alone shall produce the same effect in the following
cession, are made between the debtor and his creditors shall be governed cases:
by special laws. (1175a) (1) When the creditor is absent or unknown, or does not appear at
the place of payment;
Two Kinds: (2) When he is incapacitated to receive the payment at the time it is
1. Voluntary Art. 1255; due;
2. Judicial under the Insolvency Law. Remedy of the debtor if the (3) When, without just cause, he refuses to give a receipt;
creditors do not accept his voluntary cession. (4) When two or more persons claim the same right to collect;
(5) When the title of the obligation has been lost. (1176a)
Advantages of judicial cession is that the court discharges the debtor of
his debts and the obligations are extinguished. As a rule, tender of payment is not required prior to consignation.
There is only one instance where tender of payment is required, i.e.,
Properties exempt from Execution: are generally not covered by when the creditor refuses to accept without just cause.
cession. Except if the debtor waives such exemption.
3. There is previous notice to consign to the persons having interest in
Does the debtor need to be insolvent? Authors have different opinion. the fulfilment of the obligation;
But Atty. Uribe is agreeing with Professor Sta. Maria, that the debtor need
not be insolvent, financial difficulty suffices. Art. 1257. In order that the consignation of the thing due may
release the obligor, it must first be announced to the persons
Dation in payment vs. Assignment: interested in the fulfillment of the obligation.
Dation in payment Cession or Assignment The consignation shall be ineffectual if it is not made strictly in
both are substitute of performance of an obligation consonance with the provisions which regulate payment. (1177)
Art 1245 Art 1255
Ownership of the thing is No such transfer Effect if there is no notice:
transferred to the creditor According to Tolentino, it does not invalidate the consignation but
Obligation may be totally Obligation is extinguished only merely makes the debtor liable for damages;
extinguished insofar as the net proceeds However, in Soco vs. Militante, it was held that without the notice
(except: otherwise stipulated) first announced to the persons interested in the fulfillment of the
does not involve plurality of involves plurality of creditors obligation, the consignation as a payment is void. The purpose of
creditors the notice is in order to give the creditor an opportunity to
Involves a specific thing Involves all the properties of the reconsider his unjustified refusal and to accept payment thereby
debtor unless exempt from avoiding consignation and the subsequent litigation. This previous
execution. notice is essential to the validity of the consignation and its lack
may be made even by a solvent supposes financial difficulty on the invalidates the same. In this case, since there were 9 debts, there
debtor; merely involves a change part of the debtor should have been 18 notices, one before consignation is done to
of the object of the obligation by inform those who have interest in the fulfilment of the obligation
agreement of the parties and at and another one after consignation has been done.
the same time fulfilling the same
voluntarily 4. The amount or thing due is deposited in court.
How proceeds distributed to the creditors: Art. 1258. Consignation shall be made by depositing the things due
1. Stipulation; at the disposal of judicial authority, before whom the tender of
2. Preference of credit. payment shall be proved, in a proper case, and the announcement of
the consignation in other cases.
Tender of Payment and Consignation
The consignation having been made, the interested parties shall also
Tender of Payment is the manifestation made by the debtor to the be notified thereof. (1178)
creditor of his desire to comply with his obligation, with the offer of
immediate performance. It is a PREPARATORY ACT to consignation and in Art. 1259. The expenses of consignation, when properly made, shall be
itself DOES NOT extinguish the obligation. charged against the creditor. (1178)
Consignation is the deposit of the object of the obligation in a competent Withdrawal of the Thing Deposited:
court in accordance with rules prescribed by law, AFTER the tender of
payment has been refused or because of circumstances which render direct Art. 1260. Once the consignation has been duly made, the debtor may ask
payment to the creditor impossible. It extinguishes the obligation. the judge to order the cancellation of the obligation.
Applies only to extinguish of obligation not to exercise a right: such Before the creditor has accepted the consignation, or before a judicial
that in a situation where a party would exercise his right of repurchase and declaration that the consignation has been properly made, the debtor may
the buyer refused to accept. The right to redeem is a RIGHT, not an withdraw the thing or the sum deposited, allowing the obligation to remain
obligation, therefore, there is no consignation required. (Immaculata vs. in force. (1180)
Navarro)
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
44 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Art. 1261. If, the consignation having been made, the creditor should The allegation that the offer to redeem was not sincere, because there was
authorize the debtor to withdraw the same, he shall lose every preference no consignation of the amount in Court is devoid of merit. The right to
which he may have over the thing. The co-debtors, guarantors and sureties redeem is a RIGHT, not an obligation, therefore, there is no consignation
shall be released. (1181a) required (De Jesus v. Garcia, C.A. 47 O.G. 2406; Resales v. Reyes, 25 Phil.
495, Vda. de Quirino v. Palarca, L-28269, Aug. 16, 1969) to preserve the
Withdrawal as a matter of right: debtor withdraws before acceptance right to redeem (Villegas v. Capistrano, 9 Phil. 416).
by the creditor or before judicial declaration of propriety of consignation. In
this case, no extinguishment yet of the obligation. As such, no revival since The case is remanded to the court a quo for it to accept payment or
the obligation has not been extinguished to begin with. consignation 2 (in connection with the legal redemption which We are
hereby allowing the petitioner to do) by the herein petitioner of whatever he
Withdrawal after acceptance or declaration: obligation is revived. As received from respondent at the time the transaction was made.
such, creditor can no longer run after the guarantor, unless the latter
consented. This is because the obligation has been extinguished. The revival 2. Loss of the thing due or Impossibility of Performance
did not revive the guaranty.
Loss: means when the thing goes out of commerce, perishes or disappears
INTEREST LIABILITY OF DEBTOR: A was indebted to B payable in in such a way that its existence is unknown or that it cannot be recovered.
2003. The following transpired:
2005: tender of payment; Art. 1262. An obligation which consists in the delivery of a determinate
2009: consignation in court; thing shall be extinguished if it should be lost or destroyed without the fault
2014: promulgation of the decision finding that the consignation was of the debtor, and before he has incurred in delay.
proper.
When by law or stipulation, the obligor is liable even for fortuitous events,
What is the liability of A as to interest? From 2003 to 2005 only. Although the loss of the thing does not extinguish the obligation, and he shall be
the obligation was extinguished only in 2009 when the consignation in court responsible for damages. The same rule applies when the nature of the
was made, in this case, A made a tender of payment in 2005, which B obligation requires the assumption of risk. (1182a)
refused. At that moment, A was already in delay for non-payment, but B
was also in delay for unjustified refusal to accept payment. As such, both of Fortuitous Event: generally, the debtor is not liable for damages if the
them are already in delay starting 2005. As such, no one is in delay. thing is lost due to fortuitous event, EXCEPTIONS:
Accordingly, A should not be liable for interest from the time the tender of 1. When the law so provides;
payment was made. 2. When stipulation so provides;
3. When the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk.
LAURO IMMACULATA, represented by his wife AMPARO VELASCO,
as Guardian Ad Litem, petitioner, For fortuitous event to be invoked, there must be no negligence on the part
vs. of the party invoking.
HON. PEDRO C. NAVARRO, in his capacity as Presiding Judge of the
Court of First Instance of Rizal, Branch No. II, and HEIRS OF Malfunction of the break system is not a fortuitous event since this
JUANITO VICTORIA, namely: LOLITA, TOMAS, BENJAMIN, couldve been prevented by a regular maintenance of the vehicle.
VIRGINIA, BRENDA and ELVIE, all surnamed VICTORIA, and
JUANITA NAVAL, surviving widow; and the PROVINCIAL SHERIFF Robbery and Theft: are not considered Fortuitous Event for a pawnshop
OF RIZAL, respondents. business or a bank. (Sicam vs. Jorge)
G.R. No. L-42230 | April 15, 1988 | Second Division | J. Paras
Reciprocal Obligations: the extinguishment of one partys obligation due
FACTS: The case involves a Motion for Reconsideration of the SCs decision to loss due to a fortuitous event, likewise extinguishes the other partys
dated November 26, 1986 asking the Court to consider the matter of legal obligation based on the principle of res perit domino (the thing is lost to the
redemption of a parcel of land previously obtained by petitioner Lauro owner).
Immaculata thru a free patent.
Liability even if the loss is due to a fortuitous event as provided by
ISSUE: WON consignation is required when an offer to redeem is made law:
within the legal redemption period?
Article 1942. The bailee is liable for the loss of the thing, even if it should
HELD: The reconsideration of this issue is hereby GRANTED. be through a fortuitous event:
(1) If he devotes the thing to any purpose different from that for which it
While res judicata may bar questions on the validity of the sale in view of has been loaned;
alleged insanity and intimidation (and this point is no longer pressed by (2) If he keeps it longer than the period stipulated, or after the
counsel for the petitioner) still the question of the right of legal redemption accomplishment of the use for which the commodatum has been
has remained unresolved. constituted;
(3) If the thing loaned has been delivered with appraisal of its value, unless
Be it noted that in an action (Civil Case No. 20968) filed on March 24, 1975 there is a stipulation exempting the bailee from responsibility in case of a
before the defunct Court of First Instance of Rizal, petitioner presented an fortuitous event;
alternative cause of action or prayer just in case the validity of the sale (4) If he lends or leases the thing to a third person, who is not a member of
would be sustained. And this alternative cause of action or prayer is to allow his household;
petitioner to legally redeem the property. (5) If, being able to save either the thing borrowed or his own thing, he
chose to save the latter. (1744a and 1745)
We hereby grant said alternative cause of action or prayer. While the sale
was originally executed sometime in December, 1969, it was only on Article 1979. The depositary is liable for the loss of the thing through a
February 3, 1974 when, as prayed for 1 by private respondent, and as fortuitous event:
ordered by the court a quo, a "deed of conveyance" was formally executed. (1) If it is so stipulated;
Since offer to redeem was made on March 24, 1975, this was clearly within (2) If he uses the thing without the depositor's permission;
the five-year period of legal redemption allowed by the Public Land Act (See (3) If he delays its return;
Abuan v. Garcia, 14 SCRA 759, 761). (4) If he allows others to use it, even though he himself may have been
authorized to use the same. (n)
If the thing is indeterminate or generic, he may ask that the obligation be Art. 1266. The debtor in obligations to do shall also be released when the
complied with at the expense of the debtor. prestation becomes legally or physically impossible without the fault of the
obligor. (1184a)
If the obligor delays, or has promised to deliver the same thing to two or
more persons who do not have the same interest, he shall be responsible Loss of the thing may likewise cover impossibility of performance, e.g.,
for any fortuitous event until he has effected the delivery. (1096) a debtor is obliged to paint a building and the building was destroyed
(physical impossibility) or a law took effect making the obligation illegal
Article 1268. When the debt of a thing certain and determinate proceeds (legal impossibility).
from a criminal offense, the debtor shall not be exempted from the payment
of its price, whatever may be the cause for the loss, unless the thing having When: In impossibility, the law should take effect, or the impossibility
been offered by him to the person who should receive it, the latter refused happened DURING the existence of the obligation so as to extinguish
without justification to accept it. (1185) it. If the law took effect or the impossibility arose BEFORE the existence of
the obligation, the obligation is void.
Art. 1263. In an obligation to deliver a generic thing, the loss or
destruction of anything of the same kind does not extinguish the obligation. Types of Impossibility:
(n) 1. As to nature: Physical (by reason of its nature); and Legal (through
some subsequent law);
Genus nunquam perit: Genus does not perish. 2. As to whom impossibility refers:
a. Objective impossibility of the act or service itself without
EXCEPTIONS: considering the person of the debtor;
1. When the thing goes out of commerce; b. Subjective - impossibility refers to the fact that the act or service
2. By legal impossibility; can no longer be done by the debtor but may still be performed
3. Limited Generic: In such cases where the generic thing belongs to a by another person
particular group of thing and the loss pertains to the whole group and 3. As to extent: Partial or Total;
NOT ONLY to the thing itself, then the obligation is extinguished. E.g., 4. As to period of impossibility: Permanent or Temporary.
A promise to deliver one of his horses and ALL the horses of the A
died, the obligation is extinguished. Not applicable to a surety company who issued a bail bond even if
the DFA provided the accused with a passport: it is still the duty of
BAR EXAM QUESITON: For value received, Pedro promised to deliver to the surety to make sure that the accused will appear before the trial and to
Juan on or before Aug. 15, 1984 a Mercedes benz with plate number 123 do everything and take all steps necessary to prevent departure. As such, it
which he had just brought home from Germany as well as a 1984 tv set. should have informed the DFA of the pending case against the accused.
Unfortunately the two were destroyed by an accidental fire. Are obligations
of Pedro extinguished? Moreover, Art. 1266 is not applicable since it pertains to the relationship of
creditor and debtor which does not exists between a surety company on
ANSWER: CAR due to fortuitous event extinguished. This is an one hand, and the State on the other. (See People vs. Franklin)
obligation to deliver a determinate thing, therefore, with the loss of the
thing due to a FE, the obligation is extinguished without liability for PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
damages on the part of the debtor. vs.
NATIVIDAD FRANKLIN, accused, ASIAN SURETY & INSURANCE
TV not extinguished. Generic. Loss of the thing of the same kind and COMPANY, INC., bondsman-appellant.
quality as that of the thing to be delivered will not extinguish the obligation G.R. No. L-21507 | June 7, 1971 | EN BANC | J. Dizon
to deliver a generic thing. A genus does not perish. Genus nunquam perit.
FACTS: Natividad Franklin was charged before the Justice of the Peace
Art. 1264. The courts shall determine whether, under the circumstances, Court of Angeles, Pampanga with estafa. Upon a bail bond posted by the
the partial loss of the object of the obligation is so important as to Asian Surety & Insurance Company, Inc. in the amount of P2,000, she was
extinguish the obligation. (n) released from custody.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
46 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
That the accused in this case was able to secure a Philippine passport which
After preliminary investigation, the Justice of the Peace Court elevated it to enabled her to go to the United States was, in fact, due to the surety
the CFI of Pampanga where the Provincial Fiscal filed the corresponding company's fault because it was its duty to do everything and take all
information against the accused. As the accused failed to appear on the steps necessary to prevent that departure. This could have been
date set for her arraignment, the court ordered her arrest and required the accomplished by seasonably informing the Department of Foreign Affairs
surety company to show cause why the bail bond posted by it should not be and other agencies of the government of the fact that the accused for
forfeited. whose provisional liberty it had posted a bail bond was facing a criminal
charge in a particular court of the country. Had the surety company done
Due to the failure of the surety company to produce the accused again this, there can be no doubt that no Philippine passport would have been
notwithstanding the 60-day period granted to it, the court rendered the issued to Natividad Franklin.
judgment of forfeiture of the bail bond posted by it for the provisional
release of Natividad Franklin. Difficulty of prestation
Subsequently, the trial court denied the surety companys motion for a Art. 1267. When the service has become so difficult as to be manifestly
reduction of bail and its ensuing motion for reconsideration. beyond the contemplation of the parties, the obligor may also be released
therefrom, in whole or in part. (n)
The surety company appealed before the SC.
Court action: when the performance of the obligation is difficult, it does
Appellant contended that the lower court should have released it from all not, on its own, warrant extinguishment of the obligation. However, when it
liability under the bail bond posted by it because its failure to produce and has become so difficult beyond the contemplation of the parties, the debtor
surrender the accused was due to the negligence of the Philippine may go to court to release him from the obligation but not to modify the
Government itself in issuing a passport to said accused, thereby enabling terms of the contract.
her to leave the country and proceed to the United States. In support of this
contention the provisions of Article 1266 of the New Civil Code are invoked. International law: the rule in international law is pacta sunt servanda, an
exception thereto similar to Art. 1267 is rebus sic stantibus. However, Art.
ISSUE: WON Article 1266 of the NCC is applicable in this case? 1267 is not an absolute application of the latin maxim since it may impair
the rights of parties to an agreement.
HELD: NO. Appellant's contention is untenable. The abovementioned
legal provision does not apply to its case, because the same speaks Rebus sic stantibus: or things thus standing is the legal doctrine allowing
of the relation between a debtor and a creditor, which does not for treaties to become inapplicable because of a fundamental change of
exist in the case of a surety upon a bail bond, on the one hand, and circumstances. It is essentially an "escape clause" that makes an exception
the State, on the other. to the general rule of pacta sunt servanda (promises must be kept).
In U.S. vs. Bonoan, et al., 22 Phil., p. 1, We held that: Requisites for applicability:
1. Event or change in the circumstances that could not have been
The rights and liabilities of sureties on a recognizance or bail foreseen at the time of the execution of the contract;
bond are, in many respects, different from those of sureties on 2. Such event or change makes the performance extremely difficult but
ordinary bonds or commercial contracts. The former can not impossible;
discharge themselves from liability by surrendering their 3. Such event or change is not due to the act of any of the parties;
principal; the latter, as a general rule, can only be released by 4. The contract concerns a future prestation.
payment of the debt or performance of the act stipulated.
Loss of protected interest: where the creditors interest which is sought
In the more recent case of Uy Tuising, 61 Phil. 404, We also held that: to be protected by the obligation disappears, such obligation is extinguished
By the mere fact that a person binds himself as surety for the Difficulty must be caused by an event not contemplated by the
accused, he takes charge of, and absolutely becomes parties: For Art. 1267 to apply, the difficulty must be something beyond
responsible for the latter's custody, and under such the contemplation of the parties, such that, increase in the prices of
circumstances it is incumbent upon him, or rather, it is his construction materials would not warrant extinguishment of the obligation
inevitable obligation not merely a right, to keep the accused as this is not a fortuitous event beyond the contemplation of the parties.
at all times under his surveillance, inasmuch as the authority
emanating from his character as surety is no more nor less Moreover, assuming it was not foreseen, the power of the court is only to
than the Government's authority to hold the said accused release the debtor from his obligations and does not cover changing the
under preventive imprisonment. In allowing the accused Eugenio terms of the obligation. (see Occena vs. Jabson)
Uy Tuising to leave the jurisdiction of the Philippines, the appellee
necessarily ran the risk of violating and in fact it clearly violated the JESUS V. OCCENA and EFIGENIA C. OCCENA, petitioners,
terms of its bail bonds because it failed to produce the said accused vs.
when on January 15, 1932, it was required to do so. Undoubtedly, the HON. RAMON V. JABSON, Presiding Judge of the Court Of First
result of the obligation assumed by the appellee to hold the accused at Instance of Rizal, Branch XXVI; COURT OF APPEALS and TROPICAL
all times to the orders and processes of the lower court was to prohibit HOMES, INC., respondents.
said accused from leaving the jurisdiction of the Philippines because, G.R. No. L-44349 | October 29, 1976 |
otherwise, said orders and processes would be nugatory and inasmuch
as the jurisdiction of the court from which they issued does not extend FACTS: On February 25, 1975, private respondent Tropical Homes, Inc.
beyond that of the Philippines, they would have no binding force filed a complaint for modification of the terms and conditions of its
outside of said jurisdiction. subdivision contract with petitioners (landowners of a 55,330 square meter
parcel of land in Davao City), making the following allegations:
It is clear, therefore, that in the eyes of the law a surety becomes the
legal custodian and jailer of the accused, thereby assuming the "That due to the increase in price of oil and its derivatives and the
obligation to keep the latter at all times under his surveillance, and concomitant worldwide spiralling of prices, which are not within the
to produce and surrender him to the court upon the latter's control of plaintiff, of all commodities including basis raw materials
demand. required for such development work, the cost of development has
risen to levels which are unanticipated, unimagined and not within the
remotest contemplation of the parties at the time said agreement was
ISSUE: WON the worldwide increase in prices cited by respondent Sometime after the execution of the lease contract, Bian Transportation
constitute a sufficient cause for modification of the subdivision contract? Company was declared insolvent in Special Proceedings No. B-30 of the CFI
of Laguna, and Francisco C. Manabat was appointed as its assignee. The
HELD: NO. The Court reverses the Court of Appeals appealed resolution. petitioners paid the lease rentals up to December, 1957, with the exception
The Civil Code authorizes the release of an obligor when the service has of the rental for August 1957, from which there was deducted the sum of
become so difficult as to be manifestly beyond the contemplation of the P1,836.92 without the consent of the plaintiff. This deduction was based on
parties but does not authorize the courts to modify or revise the the ground that the employees of the defendants on the leased lines went
subdivision contract between the parties or fix a different sharing on strike. The assignee of the plaintiff objected to such deduction. The
ratio from that contractually stipulated with the force of law defendants neither refunded the deductions nor paid the rentals beginning
between the parties. Private respondent's complaint for modification of January, 1958, notwithstanding demands therefor made from time to time.
the contract manifestly has no basis in law and must therefore be dismissed
for failure to state a cause of action. On February 18, 1958, the Batangas Transportation Company and Laguna-
Tayabas Bus Company separately filed with the Public Service Commission a
While respondent court correctly cited in its decision the Code Commission's petition for authority to suspend the operation on the lines covered by the
report giving the rationale for Article 1267 of the Civil Code, to wit; certificates of public convenience leased to each of them by the Bian
Transportation Company.
The general rule is that impossibility of performance releases the
obligor. However, it is submitted that when the service has become so The petitioners alleged as reasons the reduction in the amount of dollars
difficult as to be manifestly beyond the contemplation of the parties, allowed by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines for the
the court should be authorized to release the obligor in whole or in purchase of spare parts needed in the operation of their trucks, the alleged
part. The intention of the parties should govern and if it appears that difficulty encountered in securing said parts, and their procurement at
the service turns out to be so difficult as have been beyond their exorbitant costs, thus rendering the operation of the leased lines prohibitive.
contemplation, it would be doing violence to that intention to hold the They further alleged that the high cost of operation, coupled with the lack of
obligor still responsible. ... passenger traffic on the leased lines resulted in financial losses.
It misapplied the same to respondent's complaint. Bians assignee opposed the petition on the ground that the Public Service
Commission had no jurisdiction to grant the relief prayed for. The latter,
If respondent's complaint were to be released from having to comply with however, overruled all oppositions filed by the assignee and other creditors
the subdivision contract, assuming it could show at the trial that the service of the insolvent.
undertaken contractually by it had "become so difficult as to be manifestly
beyond the contemplation of the parties", then respondent court's upholding On May 19, 1959, plaintiff Bian Transportation Company represented by
of respondent's complaint and dismissal of the petition would be justifiable Francisco C. Manabat, assignee, filed this action against defendants Laguna
under the cited codal article. Without said article, respondent would remain Tayabas Bus Company and Batangas Transportation Company for the
bound by its contract under the theretofore prevailing doctrine that recovery of the sum of P42,500 representing the accrued rentals for the
Article 1680 of the Civil Code reads thus: Contrary to what petitioners want to suggest, WE refused in the Reyes case,
supra, to apply by analogy Article 1680 and consequently, WE denied the
Art. 1680. The lessee shall have no right to a reduction of the rent on plea of lessee therein for an equitable reduction of the stipulated rentals,
account of the sterility of the land leased, or by reason of the loss of holding that:
fruits due to ordinary fortuitous events; but he shall have such right in
case of the loss of more than one-half of the fruits through The general rule on performance of contracts is graphically set forth in
extraordinary and unforeseen fortuitous events, save always when American treatises which is also the rule, in our opinion, obtaining
there is a specific stipulation to the contrary. under the Civil Code.
Extraordinary fortuitous events are understood to be: fire, war, Where a person by his contract charges himself with an obligation
pestilence, unusual flood, locusts, earthquake, or others which are possible to be performed, he must perform it, unless the
uncommon, and which the contracting parties could not have performance is rendered impossible by the act of God, by the law,
reasonably foreseen. or by the other party, it being the rule that in case the party
desires to be excused from the performance in the event of
Article 1680, it will be observed is a special provision for leases of rural contingencies arising, it is his duty to provide therefor in his
lands. No other legal provision makes it applicable to ordinary leases. Had contract. Hence, performance is not excused by subsequent
theintention of the lawmakers been so, they would have placed the article inability to perform, by unforeseen difficulties, by unusual or
among the general provisions on lease. Nor can the article be applied unexpected expenses, by danger, by inevitable accident, by
analogously to ordinary leases, for precisely because of its special character, breaking of machinery, by strikes, by sickness, by failure of a party
it was meant to apply only to a special specie of lease. It is a provision of to avail himself of the benefits to be had under the contract, by
social justice designed to relieve poor farmers from the harsh consequences weather conditions, by financial stringency or by stagnation of
of their contracts with rich landowners. And taken in that light, the article business. Neither is performance excused by the fact that the
provides no refuge to lessees whose financial standing or social position is contract turns out to be hard and improvident, unprofitable, or
equal to, or even better than, the lessor as in the case at bar. impracticable, ill-advised, or even foolish, or less profitable,
unexpectedly burdensome. (17 CJS 946-948) (Reyes vs. Caltex, supra,
Even if the cited article were a general rule on lease, its provisions 664. Emphasis supplied).
nevertheless do not extend to petitioners. One of its requisites is that
the cause of loss of the fruits of the leased property must be an Also expressed in said case is a ruling in American jurisprudence, which
"extraordinary and unforeseen fortuitous event." The found relevance again in the case at bar, to wit: "(S)ince, by the lease, the
circumstances of the instant case fail to satisfy such requisite. As lessee was to have the advantage of casual profits of the leased premises,
correctly ruled by the Court of Appeals, the alleged causes for the he should run the hazard of casual losses during the term and not lay the
suspension of operations on the lines leased, namely, the high whole burden upon the lessor." (Reyes vs. Caltex, supra, 664).
prices of spare parts and gasoline and the reduction of the dollar
allocations, "already existed when the contract of lease was Militating further against a grant of reduction of the rentals to the
executed". The cause of petitioners' inability to operate on the petitioners is the petitioners' conduct which is not in accord with the rules of
lines cannot, therefore, be ascribed to fortuitous events or fair play and justice. Petitioners, it must be recalled, promised to pay the
circumstances beyond their control, but to their own voluntary accrued rentals in due time. Later, however, when they believed they found
desistance. a convenient excuse for escaping their obligation, they reneged on their
earlier promise. Moreover, petitioners' option to suspend operation on the
i. Acceptance is necessary for this to become effective; If in order to nullify this waiver it should be claimed to be inofficious, the
debtor and his heirs may uphold it by proving that the delivery of the
Article 745. The donee must accept the donation personally, or document was made in virtue of payment of the debt. (1188)
through an authorized person with a special power for the
purpose, or with a general and sufficient power; otherwise, the Implied/Tacit Remission may be had from:
donation shall be void. (630) 1. Delivery of a private document evidencing a credit, voluntarily made by
the creditor to the debtor (Art. 1271);
Article 746. Acceptance must be made during the lifetime of 2. Voluntary destruction or cancellation of the evidence of credit by the
the donor and of the donee. (n) creditor with intent to renounce his right
ii. Movable property must comply with the form prescribed Covers private instrument only: because if what was delivered is a
under Art. 748: public document, the fact that there remains a copy in the archive of certain
offices of such document means that there can be no renunciation if such
Art. 748. The donation of a movable may be made orally or in were the case.
writing.
Art. 1272. Whenever the private document in which the debt appears is
An oral donation requires the simultaneous delivery of the thing found in the possession of the debtor, it shall be presumed that the creditor
or of the document representing the right donated. delivered it voluntarily, unless the contrary is proved. (1189)
If the value of the personal property donated exceeds five Art. 1273. The renunciation of the principal debt shall extinguish the
thousand pesos, the donation and the acceptance shall be made accessory obligations; but the waiver of the latter shall leave the former in
in writing, otherwise, the donation shall be void. (632a) force. (1190)
iii. Immovable property must comply with the form prescribed Art. 1274. It is presumed that the accessory obligation of pledge has been
under Art. 749: remitted when the thing pledged, after its delivery to the creditor, is found
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
50 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
in the possession of the debtor, or of a third person who owns the thing. 5. Compensation
(1191a)
Art. 1278. Compensation shall take place when two persons, in their own
4. Confusion or Merger of Rights right, are creditors and debtors of each other. (1195)
Art. 1275. The obligation is extinguished from the time the characters of Compensation: a mode of extinguishment to the concurrent amount, the
creditor and debtor are merged in the same person. (1192a) obligations of those persons who in their own right, are reciprocally
creditors and debtors of each other.
Merger/Confusion: the meeting in one person of the qualities of the
creditor and debtor with respect to the same obligation. Compensation vs. Payment, Merger and Counterclaim
QUESTION: A borrowed money from B for P3B in 1998. In 2005, there was Compensation Counterclaim
merger of the credit and the debt in the person of B. In 2014, there was
need to allege need not be alleged and must be alleged and
rescission of such merger. On 2016, B filed an action against A for the proven because it takes effect proven
collection of the P3B. A put up the defense of prescription.
by operation of law
Will the action prosper?
Kinds of Compensation:
1. As to effects/extent:
ANSWER: Yes. The running of the prescriptive period is suspended during
a. Total when the two obligations are of the same amount;
the time of merger, i.e., 2005 to 2014. This is because B cannot be
expected to sue itself. As such, it has only been 9 years from the time the
Art. 1281. Compensation may be total or partial. When the two
obligation was constituted to the time the action was filed (1998-2005,
debts are of the same amount, there is a total compensation. (n)
2014-2016).
b. Partial when the amounts are not equal. This is total as to the
Art. 1276. Merger which takes place in the person of the principal debtor
debt with lower amount.
or creditor benefits the guarantors. Confusion which takes place in the
2. As to origin/cause:
person of any of the latter does not extinguish the obligation. (1193)
a. Legal takes effect by operation of law because all the requisites
are present;
Guarantors: this article is for the benefit of the guarantor. But the merger
b. Facultative can be claimed by one of the parties who, however,
of the creditor and guarantor does not affect the principal application.
has the right to object to it
Art. 1277. Confusion does not extinguish a joint obligation except as Example: when one of the obligations has a period for the benefit
regards the share corresponding to the creditor or debtor in whom the two
of one party alone and who renounces that period so as to make
characters concur. (1194) the obligation due
c. Conventional when the parties agree to compensate their
Art. 1215. Novation, compensation, confusion or remission of the debt, mutual obligations even if some of the requisite are lacking.
made by any of the solidary creditors or with any of the solidary debtors,
shall extinguish the obligation, without prejudice to the provisions of Article Art. 1282. The parties may agree upon the compensation of
1219. debts which are not yet due. (n)
The creditor who may have executed any of these acts, as well as he who
d. Judicial decreed by the court in a case where there is a
collects the debt, shall be liable to the others for the share in the obligation counterclaim.
corresponding to them. (1143)
Art. 1283. If one of the parties to a suit over an obligation has
Art. 1217. Payment made by one of the solidary debtors extinguishes the a claim for damages against the other, the former may set it off
obligation. If two or more solidary debtors offer to pay, the creditor may by proving his right to said damages and the amount thereof.
choose which offer to accept. (n)
He who made the payment may claim from his co-debtors only the share
Requisites:
which corresponds to each, with the interest for the payment already made.
If the payment is made before the debt is due, no interest for the
Art. 1279. In order that compensation may be proper, it is necessary:
intervening period may be demanded.
(1) That each one of the obligors be bound principally, and that he be at
the same time a principal creditor of the other;
When one of the solidary debtors cannot, because of his insolvency,
(2) That both debts consist in a sum of money, or if the things due are
reimburse his share to the debtor paying the obligation, such share shall be
consumable, they be of the same kind, and also of the same quality if the
borne by all his co-debtors, in proportion to the debt of each. (1145a)
latter has been stated;
One claim is asserted by the ACEROS Gloria G. Vda. de Ong Acero, Quite obviously, as the IAC has further observed, the most persuasive
Arnolfo Ong Acero and Soledad Ong Acero-Chua, judgment creditors of the evidence of these facts i.e., ISABELA's availment of the credit, as well as
depositor (hereafter simply referred to as ISABELA) who seek to enforce the actual delivery of the goods covered by and shipped pursuant to the
against said savings account the final and executory judgment rendered in letter of credit-assuming these facts to have occurred, would naturally and
their favor by the Court of First Instance of Rizal QC, arising from a logically have been in PNB's possession and could have been readily
garnishment thereof in the first judgment for P1.5M and the rest for the submitted to the Court.
second judgment obtained by the ACEROS.
It bears stressing that PNB did not at all lack want for opportunity to
The other claim has been put forth by the Philippine National Bank produce these documents, if it does indeed have them. Judge Solano, it
(hereafter, simply PNB) which claims that since ISABELA was at some point should be recalled, specifically allowed PNB to introduce evidence in relation
in time both its debtor and creditor-ISABELA's deposit being deemed a loan to its Motion for Reconsideration filed on August 26, 1980, and thus
to it (PNB)-there had occurred a mutual set-off between them, which furnished the occasion for PNB to prove, among others, ISABELA's debt to
effectively precluded the ACEROS' recourse to that deposit, by virtue of an it. PNB unaccountably failed to do so. Moreover, PNB never even attempted
agreement between ISABELA and PNB that the said deposit was collateral in to offer or exhibit such evidence, in the course of the appellate proceedings
connection to the indebtedness to PNB as to which ISABELA had assumed before the IAC, which is a certain indication, in that Court's view, that PNB
certain undertakings and failure to fulfill the same would empower PNB to does not really have these proofs at all.
apply the deposit as payment of that indebtedness.
For this singular omission PNB offers no explanation except that it saw no
As such, PNB intervened in the execution of the judgment in favor of the necessity to submit the Documents in evidence, because sometime on
ACEROS and moved for reconsideration but was denied by the lower court. March 14, 1980, the ACEROS's attorney had been shown those precise
Petitioner again moved for the reconsideration of the second judgment documents setting forth ISABELA's loan obligations, such as the import
where the trial court (now under Judge Solano) set aside the two judgments bills and the sight draft covering drawings on the L/C for ISABELA's account
and set for hearing PNBs first motion for reconsideration of the earlier and after all, the ACEROS had not really put this indebtedness in
judgment which was eventually stricken down, holding that there was a issue. The explanation cannot be taken seriously. In the picturesque but
valid assignment by ISABELA to PNB which effectively placed the amounts forceful language of the Appellate Court, the explanation "is silly as you do
beyond the reach of PNB. not prove a fact in issue by showing evidence in support thereof to the
opposing counsel; you prove it by submitting evidence to the proper court."
Petitioner, therefore, was notified about the auction sale. It was negligence Indeed, Jose K. Lapuz demanded from petitioner the amount of P5,000.00
on his part when he ignored such notice. By his very own admission that he with a notice that in the event he (petitioner) would fail to pay the amount,
received the notice, his now coming to court assailing the validity of the Lapuz would file an estafa case against him.
auction sale loses its force.
By and large, respondent Court of Appeals has not overlooked facts of
They must be creditors in their own right If one of the creditors is substance and value that, if considered, would alter the result of the
not a creditor in his own right, that is, his right to collect is because of a judgment.
contract of agency, compensation cannot take place between the debt of
such agent to a party who is indebted to the principal. (See Sycip vs. CA) 2. Both debts must be due and demandable does not necessitate
that both debts are due AT THE SAME TIME; one debt may have been
FRANCISCO SYCIP, petitioner, due earlier. The requirement is that at the time of the compensation,
vs. both debts are already due.
HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS and PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, respondents. 3. Debts must pertain to sums of money or if consumables, they
G.R. No. L-38711 January 31, 1985 must be of the same kind and quality
FACTS: Jose Lapuz received from Albert Smith 2,000 shares of stock of the No compensation in reciprocal obligations:
Republic Flour Mills, Inc. in the name of the Dwight Dill who had left for a. They must have arisen from the same cause, as such they can never
Honolulu. Lapuz was supposed to sell the shares at present market value involve both sums of money or the same consumables of the same
out of which he was supposed to get certain commission. kind and quality;
b. Otherwise, no one can be compelled to perform an obligation
Sycip approached Lapuz and told him that he had good connections in the
Stock Exchange, assuring him that he could sell them at a good price. The Attorneys Fees may be the subject of legal compensation
shares of stocks were given to Sycip with knowledge that the shares did not
belong to Lapuz and that the same are entrusted for sale only. MINDANAO PORTLAND CEMENT CORPORATION
MPCC opposed this, stating that said amount is set-off by a sum of 10K In the opinion of said court, the requisites of legal compensation, namely,
which MPCC has collectible in its favor from Pacweld, also by way of that the parties must be creditors and debtors of each other in their own
attorneys fees which MPCC recovered from CFI Manila, by virtue of a writ of right (Art. 1278, Civil Code) and that each one of them must be bound
execution. principally and at the same time be a principal creditor of the other (Art.
CFI ordered MPCC to pay the amount of 10K attorneys fees to Atty. Casiano 1279), are not present in the instant case, since the real creditor with
Laquihon. respect to the sum of P500 was the defendant's counsel.
Hence, MPCC appealed to the SC on pure question of law. ISSUE: WON there was legal compensation between the parties as to the
accrued rentals and attorneys fees due to each other?
ISSUE: WON the set off made by MPCC was proper?
HELD: Yes. This is not an accurate statement of the nature of an award for
HELD: YES. It is clear from the record that both corporations, petitioner attorney's fee's. The award is made in favor of the litigant, not of his
Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation (appellant) and respondent Pacweld counsel, and is justified by way of indemnity for damages recoverable by
Steel Corporation (appellee), were creditors and debtors of each other, the former in the cases enumerated in Article 2208 of the Civil Code. It is
their debts to each other consisting in final and executory the litigant, not his counsel, who is the judgment creditor and who
judgments of the Court of First Instance in two (2) separate cases, may enforce the judgment by execution. Such credit, therefore,
ordering the payment to each other of the sum of P10,000.00 by may properly be the subject of legal compensation. Quite obviously it
way of attorney's fees. The two (2) obligations, therefore, would be unjust to compel petitioner to pay his debt for P500 when
respectively offset each other, compensation having taken effect admittedly his creditor is indebted to him for more than P4,000.
by operation of law and extinguished both debts to the concurrent
amount of P10,000.00, pursuant to the provisions of Arts. 1278, 1279 WHEREFORE, the judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed, and the
and 1290 of the Civil Code, since all the requisites provided in Art. 1279 of writ of execution issued by the Court of First Instance of Manila in its Civil
the said Code for automatic compensation "even though the creditors and Case No. 49535 is set aside. Costs against respondent.
debtors are not aware of the compensation" were duly present.
4. The claim must be clearly demandable, i.e., no controversy as
Necessarily, the appealed order of June 26, 1978 granting Atty. Laquihon's to the claim.
motion for amendment of the judgment of September 14, 1976 against
Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation so as to make the award therein of BAR QUESTION: Stockton is a stockholder of Core Corp. He desires to sell
P10,000.00 as attorney's fees payable directly to himself as counsel of his shares in Core Corp. in vies of a court suit that Core Corp. has filed
Pacweld Steel Corporation instead of payable directly to said corporation as against him for damages in the amount of P10 million, plus attorneys fees
provided in the judgment, which had become final and executory long of P1 million, as a result of statements published by Stockton which are
before the issuance of said "amendatory" order was a void alteration of allegedly defamatory because it was calculated to injure and damage the
judgment. It was a substantial change or amendment beyond the trial corporations reputation and goodwill.
court's jurisdiction and authority and it could not defeat the compensation
or set-off of the two (2) obligations of the corporations to each other which The articles of incorporation of Core Corp. provide for a right of first refusal
had already extinguished both debts by operation of law. in favor of the corporation. Accordingly, Stockton gave written notice to the
corporation of his offer to sell his shares of P10 million. The response of
GAN TION, petitioner, Core Corp. was an acceptance of the offer in the exercise of its rights of first
vs. refusal, offering for the purpose payment in form of compensation or set-off
HON. COURT OF APPEALS, HON. JUDGE AGUSTIN P. MONTESA, as against the amount of damages it is claiming against him, exclusive of the
Judge of the Court of First Instance of Manila, ONG WAN SIENG claim for attorneys fees. Stockton rejected the offer of the corporation,
and THE SHERIFF OF MANILA, respondents. arguing that compensation between the value of the shares and the amount
G.R. No. L-22490 May 21, 1969 of damages demanded by the corporation cannot legally take effect. It
Stockton correct? Give reasons for your answer. (5%)
FACTS: Ong Wan Sieng was a tenant in certain premises owned by Gan
Tion. In 1961 the latter filed an ejectment case against the former, alleging ANSWER: Yes. The Corporations claim for damages is not yet vested. For
non-payment of rents for August and September of that year, at P180 a all we know, the Corporation may lose. Compensation may not be invoked
month, or P360 altogether. The defendant denied the allegation and said until it wins in the suit.
that the agreed monthly rental was only P160, which he had offered to but
was refused by the plaintiff. The plaintiff obtained a favorable judgment in CASE:
the municipal court (of Manila), but upon appeal the CFI, on July 2, 1962,
reversed the judgment and dismissed the complaint, and ordered the Proof of the liquidation of a claim, in order that there be compensation of
plaintiff to pay the defendant the sum of P500 as attorney's fees. That debts, is proper if such claim is disputed. But, if the claim is undisputed, as
judgment became final. in the case at bar, the statement is sufficient and no other proof may be
required.
On October 10, 1963 Gan Tion served notice on Ong Wan Sieng that he was
increasing the rent to P180 a month, effective November 1st, and at the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, in behalf of the RICE AND CORN
same time demanded the rents in arrears at the old rate in the aggregate ADMINISTRATION, petitioner,
amount of P4,320.00, corresponding to a period from August 1961 to vs.
October 1963. HON. WALFRIDO DE LOS ANGELES, in his capacity as Judge of the
The motion was denied on December 19, 1968. Before the motion could be resolved, petitioner filed a separate action
against the respondent spouses for collection of the total amount of
ISSUE: WON compensation took place between the debt of Petra Farin and P71,000 alleging that the defendants borrowed from him P45,000 secured
RCA which would make the latter no longer liable for rentals? by a real estate mortgage, P3,000 evidenced by a receipt issued by them;
P23,000 for dishonored checks.
HELD: Yes. The respondent Judge erred in denying the claim of the RCA
that compensation of debts had taken place allegedly because "The records In their answer, the respondents Lutero traversed the material averments of
does not show any proof that the plaintiff is indebted to the aforesaid the complaint and set up legal and factual defenses. They further pleaded a
movant, RCA, as alleged in the said motion and assuming that the herein counterclaim against petitioners for the total sum of P 125,000.00
plaintiff is really indebted to the RCA, the records further does not show representing unpaid rentals on Hacienda Tambal. Basis of the counterclaim
that a case has been filed against her, or a decision has been rendered is the allegation that they had purchased one-half [1/2] of Hacienda
against her for the payment of such obligation." Proof of the liquidation Tambal, and that plaintiffs had failed to pay said rentals despite demands.
of a claim, in order that there be compensation of debts, is proper
if such claim is disputed. But, if the claim is undisputed, as in the On June 14, 1978, the respondent judge issued an order in Sp. Proc. No.
case at bar, the statement is sufficient and no other proof may be 1870, granting the respondent Lutero's motion for reimbursement from
required. In the instant case, the claim of the RCA that Petra R. Farin has petitioner of the sum of P25,000.00 plus interest.
an outstanding obligation to the RCA in the amount of P263,062.40 which
should be compensated against the rents already due or may be due, was Petitioner filed a petition for certiorari before this Court, docketed as G.R.
raised by the RCA in its motion for the reconsideration of the order of No. L-48776, assailing the above order. This Court, however, in a resolution
December 23, 1967. A copy of said motion was duly furnished counsel for dated January 4, 1979 dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
Petra R. Farin and although the said Petra R. Farin subsequently filed a
similar motion for the reconsideration of the order of December 23, 1967, Thereafter the respondent Luteros filed with the respondent court a "Motion
she did not dispute nor deny such claim Neither did the Marcelo Steel to Reiterate Motion for Execution of the Order dated June 14, 1978."
Because of this, the formal bareboat charter agreement was not approved. Since we are holding that the obligation of REPUBLIC to pay P40,797.54 to
PAN-ORIENTAL was not extinguished by compensation, the obligation of
Pan Oriental protested the restoration of Froilans rights under the contract REPUBLIC to pay legal interest on said amount has neither become stale as
of sale. Pan Oriental refused to surrender possession of the vessel despite REPUBLIC contends. Of special note is the fact that payment of that interest
payment by Froilan of the required cash. was the specific ruling of this Court in its Resolution of August 27, 1965,
thus:
Froilan filed an action for replevin in the CFI Manila to recover possession
thereof and to have him declared as the rightful owner of the property. This ... For this reason, Froilan and the REPUBLIC of the Philippines are declared
jointly and severally liable, not only for reimbursement to Pan Oriental, of
THE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE BANK INC. It must be noted that Civil Case No. 83-19717 is still pending consideration
vs. at the RTC Manila, for annulment of Sheriffs sale on extra-judicial
THE IMMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, HON. ZOILO AGUINALDO, foreclosure of private respondent's property from which the alleged
NATIVIDAD FAJARDO and SILVINO PASTRANA deficiency arose. Therefore, the validity of the extrajudicial
G.R. No. L-69569 June 30, 1988 foreclosure sale and petitioner's claim for deficiency are still in
question, so much so that it is evident, that the requirement of
FACTS: In the early 1980, Natividad Fajardo secured from International Article 1279 that the debts must be liquidated and demandable has
Corp. Banks (ICB) predecessors-in-interest the then Investment and not yet been met. For this reason, legal compensation cannot take place
Underwriting Corp. of the Philippines and Atrium Capital Corp., a loan in the under Article 1290 of the Civil Code.
amount of P50M, secured by a real estate mortgage of her properties in
Manila and Bulacan.
Art. 1280. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding article, the
Only P20M was approved for release. The same amount was applied to pay guarantor may set up compensation as regards what the creditor may owe
her other obligations to ICB - bank charges and fees. Thus, it is claimed by the principal debtor. (1197)
Fajardo that she did not receive anything from the approved loan.
Art. 1284. When one or both debts are rescissible or voidable, they may be
On September 11, 1980, Fajardo made a money market placement with compensated against each other before they are judicially rescinded or
Atrium in the amount of P1M. avoided. (n)
Meanwhile, Fajardo allegedly failed to pay her mortgaged indebtedness to Art. 1285. The debtor who has consented to the assignment of rights
the bank so that the latter refused to pay the proceeds of the money market made by a creditor in favor of a third person, cannot set up against the
placement on maturity but applied the amount instead to the deficiency in assignee the compensation which would pertain to him against the assignor,
the proceeds of the auction sale of the mortgaged properties. As Atrium was unless the assignor was notified by the debtor at the time he gave his
the sole bidder, the properties were sold in its favor for only P20M. ICB consent, that he reserved his right to the compensation.
claims that Fajardo, even after deducting this amount, is still indebted to it
of P6.81M. If the creditor communicated the cession to him but the debtor did not
consent thereto, the latter may set up the compensation of debts previous
Fajardo filed a complaint for annulment of the sheriffs sale of her to the cession, but not of subsequent ones.
properties, and prayed for the release of P30M loan, and recovery of P1M
money market investment. If the assignment is made without the knowledge of the debtor, he may set
up the compensation of all credits prior to the same and also later ones until
ICB answered that it had the right to set off Fajardos money market claim. he had knowledge of the assignment. (1198a)
The trial court ruled for Fajardo, ordering ICB to deliver to her the amount Debtor may still invoke compensation even after assignment, if:
covered by the money market investment (P1,046,253.77). 1. Had no knowledge of or did not consent to the assignment; or
2. If with knowledge or consent, but reserved his right to the
CA affirmed this ruling, holding that legal compensation cannot take place in compensation.
this case since the question of whether Fajardo was indebted to ICB is
vigorously disputed. ILLUSTRATION: A borrowed money from B for P100,000 payable on July
31, 2016. In turn, B is indebted to A on the following amounts:
Trial court then issued a writ of execution to implement its Order and a levy
was made on ICBs personal properties consisting of 20 motor vehicles; and P40k due on February 1, 2016;
ordered the four branches of ICB to pay P250K each to Fajardo. P30k due on August 15, 2016;
P15l due on Oct. 2, 3016
Hence, ICB filed for a petition for review on certiorari with prayer for a TRO
and a writ of preliminary injunction. On August 5, 2016 B assigned his credit to X.
ISSUE: WON there can be legal compensation for the proceeds of the a. How much can X demand from A on June 5, 2016? None. The debt is
money market placement and deficiency from the foreclosure of the not yet due.
mortgage? b. If demand was made on Aug. 5, 2015, how much can X collect from A?
It depends:
HELD: No. Compensation shall take place when two persons, in their own 1. If A had knowledge of the assignment and gave his consent
right, are creditors and debtors of each other. (Art. 1278, Civil Code). thereto, and made no reservation as to his right to set-up
"When all the requisites mentioned in Art. 1279 of the Civil Code are compensation: P100k
present, compensation takes effect by operation of law, even without the 2. If he made a reservation: P60k, the debt that became due on
consent or knowledge of the debtors." (Art. 1290, Civil Code). Article 1279 Feb. 1, 2016 is compensated.
of the Civil Code requires among others, that in order that legal 3. If he had knowledge but did not give his consent: P60k, the debt
compensation shall take place, "the two debts be due" and "they be that became due before the assignment is compensated.
liquidated and demandable." Compensation is not proper where the claim of 4. If he had no knowledge: P60k.
the person asserting the set-off against the other is not clear nor liquidated; c. If demand was made on September 30, 2016, how much can X collect
compensation cannot extend to unliquidated, disputed claim arising from from A?
breach of contract. 1. If A had knowledge of the assignment and gave his consent
thereto, and made no reservation as to his right to set-up
There can be no doubt that petitioner is indebted to private respondent in compensation: P100k
the amount of P1,062,063.83 representing the proceeds of her money 2. If he made reservation: P60k, he can only set-up those debts
market investment. This is admitted. But whether private respondent is which were due before the assignment but not later ones.
indebted to petitioner in the amount of P6.81 million representing 3. If he had knowledge but did not give his consent: similar to (2).
the deficiency balance after the foreclosure of the mortgage
Art. 1286. Compensation takes place by operation of law, even though the In its Answer, BPI alleged hat Julio Templonuevo, 3rd party defendant and
debts may be payable at different places, but there shall be an herein private respondent, demanded from the former payment in the said
indemnity for expenses of exchange or transportation to the place of amount representing the aggregate of 3 checks which were allegedly
payment. (1199a) payable to him but which were deposited with the account of Salazar
without his knowledge and corresponding endorsement.
Art. 1287. Compensation shall not be proper when one of the debts arises
from a depositum or from the obligations of a depositary or of a bailee in BPI froze Account No. 0201-0588-48 of AA Salazar Construction and
commodatum. Engineering Services, instead of Account No. 0203-1187-67 where the
checks were deposited, since the latter account was alredy closed by
Neither can compensation be set up against a creditor who has a claim for respondent Salazar or had an insufficient balance.
support due by gratuitous title, without prejudice to the provisions of
paragraph 2 of Article 301. (1200a) As it appeared that Salazar was not entitled to the funds represented by the
checks, BPI decided to debit the amount from Salazars account (0201-
Art. 1288. Neither shall there be compensation if one of the debts consists 0588-48) and the same was paid to Templonuevo by means of a cashiers
in civil liability arising from a penal offense. (n) check.
When compensation may not be proper: In his answer, Templonuevo admitted the payment to him by BPI and
1. Depositum as to the depositary; argued that the said payment was to correct the malicious deposit made by
2. Bail as to the bailee; private respondent Salazar to her private account.
3. Support as to the one giving support, EXCEPT: support in arrears and
those contractual in nature; The RTC rendered a decision against petitioner and ordered to pay the
4. Civil liability arising from a penal offense. amount debited and damages.
BAR QUESTION: X, who has a savings deposit with Y Bank in the sum of On appeal, the CA affirmed the trial court holding that Salazar and
P1,000,000.00, incurs a loan obligation with the said Bank in the sum of Templonuevo had previously agreed that the checks payable to JRT
P800,000.00 which has become due. When X tries to withdraw his deposit, Construction and Trading actually belonged to Salazar and would be
Y Bank allows only P200,000.00 to be withdrawn, less service charges, deposited to her account, with petitioner acquiescing to the arrangement.
claiming that compensation has extinguished its obligation under the
savings account to the concurrent amount of Xs debt. X contends that ISSUE: WON petitioner Bank had the right to set-off Salazars account for
compensation is improper when one of the debts, as here, arises from a the said checks?
contract of deposit. Assuming that the promissory note signed by X to
evidence the loan does not provide for compensation between said loan and HELD: Yes. The right of set-off was explained in Associated Bank v. Tan:
his savings deposit, who is correct? (3%)
A bank generally has a right of set-off over the deposits therein for
ANSWER: By opening a deposit, they did not enter a contract of deposit. the payment of any withdrawals on the part of a depositor. The
Deposits in bank are simple loans. The bank is correct. right of a collecting bank to debit a client's account for the value of a
dishonored check that has previously been credited has fairly been
MODIFIED: instead of opening a savings account, X instead delivered a established by jurisprudence. To begin with, Article 1980 of the Civil Code
sum of money with the bank for safekeeping in a safety deposit box. If the provides that "[f]ixed, savings, and current deposits of money in banks and
bank would invoke compensation for the debt due, can the Bank do that? similar institutions shall be governed by the provisions concerning simple
loan."
ANSWER: No. this time, one of the debts pertain to an obligation arising
from a depositum. SC would consider this a special kind of deposit, Hence, the relationship between banks and depositors has been
therefore, 1287 is applicable, compensation would not be proper since one held to be that of creditor and debtor. Thus, legal compensation
of the contract is a depositum. under Article 1278 of the Civil Code may take place "when all the
requisites mentioned in Article 1279 are present," as follows:
What if the Bank is the one demanding and X says that the Bank
get it from the deposit, is it proper? Yes. 1287 only legal (1) That each one of the obligors be bound principally, and that he be at the
compensation is not allowed. Depositor can invoke compensation. The law same time a principal creditor of the other;
protects the depositor, that upon demand, the depositary should deliver. As (2) That both debts consist in a sum of money, or if the things due are
such, the Bank cannot refuse compensation. consumable, they be of the same kind, and also of the same quality if the
latter has been stated;
CASE: (3) That the two debts be due;
(4) That they be liquidated and demandable;
The relationship between banks and depositors has been held to be that of (5) That over neither of them there be any retention or controversy,
creditor and debtor. Thus, legal compensation under Article 1278 of the Civil commenced by third persons and communicated in due time to the debtor.
Code may take place "when all the requisites mentioned in Article 1279 are
present. ISSUE2: WON petitioner Bank acted properly as to its right of set-off?
BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Petitioner, HELD: No. While, however, it is conceded that petitioner had the right of
vs. set-off over the amount it paid to Templonuevo against the deposit of
COURT OF APPEALS, ANNABELLE A. SALAZAR, and JULIO R. Salazar, the issue of whether it acted judiciously is an entirely different
TEMPLONUEVO, Respondents matter. As businesses affected with public interest, and because of the
G.R. No. 136202 January 25, 2007 nature of their functions, banks are under obligation to treat the accounts of
their depositors with meticulous care, always having in mind the fiduciary
For the above reasons, the Court finds no reason to disturb the award of Death of one of the creditor: the new creditor is(are) the heir(s), no
damages granted by the CA against petitioner. This whole incident would novation. Mere change in the person of the creditor does not cause
have been avoided had petitioner adhered to the standard of diligence novation.
expected of one engaged in the banking business. A depositor has the right
to recover reasonable moral damages even if the banks negligence may not Art. 1291. Obligations may be modified by:
have been attended with malice and bad faith, if the former suffered mental (1) Changing their object or principal conditions;
anguish, serious anxiety, embarrassment and humiliation. Moral damages (2) Substituting the person of the debtor;
are not meant to enrich a complainant at the expense of defendant. It is (3) Subrogating a third person in the rights of the creditor. (1203)
only intended to alleviate the moral suffering she has undergone. The award
of exemplary damages is justified, on the other hand, when the acts of the Kinds of Novation:
bank are attended by malice, bad faith or gross negligence. The award of 1. As to nature:
reasonable attorneys fees is proper where exemplary damages are a. Subjective/Personal
awarded. It is proper where depositors are compelled to litigate to protect b. Objective/Real
their interest. c. Mixed
2. As to form:
WHEREFORE, the petition is partially GRANTED. The assailed Decision a. Express;
dated April 3, 1998 and Resolution dated April 3, 1998 rendered by the b. Implied
Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CV No. 42241 are MODIFIED insofar as it 3. As to extent:
ordered petitioner Bank of the Philippine Islands to return the amount of a. Total;
Two Hundred Sixty-seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Seven and 70/100 b. Partial.
Pesos (P267,707.70) to respondent Annabelle A. Salazar, which portion is
REVERSED and SET ASIDE. In all other respects, the same Subjective Novation: changing the subject:
are AFFIRMED. 1. Active if a third person is subrogated to the rights of the creditor;
How?
a. By agreement or express
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
60 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
As to right of the creditor when the new debtor becomes insolvent
Whose consent necessary: or fails to fulfil the obligation he cannot run after the old debtor.
Art. 1300. Subrogation of a third person in the rights of the creditor Art. 1294. If the substitution is without the knowledge or against
is either legal or conventional. The former is not presumed, except in the will of the debtor, the new debtor's insolvency or non-fulfillment
cases expressly mentioned in this Code; the latter must be clearly of the obligations shall not give rise to any liability on the part of the
established in order that it may take effect. (1209a) original debtor. (n)
Art. 1301. Conventional subrogation of a third person requires the b. Delegacion - with consent or knowledge of the original debtor
consent of the original parties and of the third person. (n) but without any objection. Here, it is the debtor who offers the
change.
b. By law or implied Art. 1302
Parties:
Art. 1302. It is presumed that there is legal subrogation: Delegante the old debtor;
(1) When a creditor pays another creditor who is preferred, even Delegado the new debtor
without the debtor's knowledge; Delegatorio the creditor.
(2) When a third person, not interested in the obligation, pays with
the express or tacit approval of the debtor; As to extent of reimbursement the whole amount paid
(3) When, even without the knowledge of the debtor, a person regardless of the extent the old debtor was benefited.
interested in the fulfillment of the obligation pays, without prejudice As to right of the creditor when the new debtor becomes insolvent
to the effects of confusion as to the latter's share. (1210a) he can run after the old debtor, IF: the insolvency was already
existing and of public knowledge, or known to the debtor.
In the above cases, Legal Subrogation is because of payment. Otherwise, the creditor cannot run after the old debtor.
BAR QUESTION: JC construction bought steel bars from Matibay Art. 1295. The insolvency of the new debtor, who has been
Steel Industries owned by Buddy Batongbakal. JC failed to pay. JC proposed by the original debtor and accepted by the creditor, shall
persuaded its client Amoroso with whom it had receivables to pay MSI. not revive the action of the latter against the original obligor, except
Amoroso agreed and paid. Later on, Amoroso failed to pay. MSI when said insolvency was already existing and of public knowledge,
collected from JC. JC contended that the obligation has been or known to the debtor, when the delegated his debt. (1206a)
extinguished as to him; that MSI consented to the novation because of
acceptance of the partial payments of Amoroso. Can MSI validly Creditors consent in any case, the creditors consent is necessary
demand from JC? for there to be a novation in the person of the debtor as provided
under Art. 1293.
ANSWER: Yes. for substitution to take place, it must be clearly
intended by the parties that this third person will be the new and only BAR QUESTION: Baldomero leased his house with a telephone to
debtor. Jose. The lease contract provided that Jose shall pay for all electricity,
water and telephone services in the leased premises during the period
In this case, the acceptance of the partial payment was not a clear act of the lease. Six months later, Jose surreptitiously vacated the
of consenting to the substitution. The creditor merely accepted premises. He left behind unpaid telephone bills for overseas telephone
payments but the debtor JC was not released from his obligation. calls amounting to over P20,000.00. Baldomero refused to pay the
said bill on the ground that Jose had already substituted him as the
Effects of subrogation: customer of the telephone company. The latter maintained that
Baldomero remained, as his customer as far as their service contract
Art. 1303. Subrogation transfers to the persons subrogated the was concerned, notwithstanding the lease contract between Baldomero
credit with all the rights thereto appertaining, either against the and Jose.
debtor or against third person, be they guarantors or possessors of
mortgages, subject to stipulation in a conventional subrogation. Who is correct, Baldomero or the telephone company? Explain.
(1212a)
ANSWER: Telephone Company. Because the claim of substitution is
Art. 1304. A creditor, to whom partial payment has been made, may untenable. There can never be a substitution in the person of the
exercise his right for the remainder, and he shall be preferred to the debtor without the consent of the creditor.
person who has been subrogated in his place in virtue of the partial
payment of the same credit. (1213) CASE ON SUBSTITUTION OF DEBTOR:
2. Passive if a third person is substituted to the person of the debtor. ESTRELLA BENIPAYO RODRIGUEZ, MANUEL D. BENIPAYO, DONATO
In this case, it should be clear to both parties that the new debtor is in BENIPAYO, JR., JAIME D. BENIPAYO, MAXIMA BENIPAYO MORALES,
lieu of the old debtor. AURORA BENIPAYO DE LEON, FRANCISCO D. BENIPAYO, ALEJANDRO D.
BENIPAYO, TERESITA BENIPAYO DE LOS SANTOS, LYDIA BENIPAYO
a. Expromision - without knowledge or against the will of the CLEMENTE, and JULIA C. MERCADO, petitioners,
original debtor vs.
HON. JUAN O. REYES, in his capacity as Presiding Judge of the Manila
As to extent of reimbursement Arts. 1236 and 1237 shall be Court of First Instance, Branch XXI, ALBERTO D. BENIPAYO, DR. JOSE N.
applicable, as such, the new debtor can only recover only upto DUALAN and VICENTE SAYSON, JR., respondents.
the extent that the old debtor was benefited. G.R. No. L-22958 January 30, 1971
Art. 1293. Novation which consists in substituting a new debtor in By buying the property with notice that it was mortgaged, respondent
the place of the original one, may be made even without the Dualan only undertook either to pay or else allow the land's being sold if the
knowledge or against the will of the latter, but not without the mortgage creditor could not or did no obtain payment from the principal
consent of the creditor. Payment by the new debtor gives him the debtor when the debt matured. Nothing else. Certainly the buyer did not
rights mentioned in Articles 1236 and 1237. (1205a) obligate himself to replace the debtor in the principal obligation, and he
could not do so in law without the creditor's consent..
Thus, the questioned order of the trial court ordering the vendors-heirs to A final deed of sale was executed in favor of FUA.
clear the property of all its encumbrances is not in accordance with law.
FUA filed an action in the CFI of Sorsogon against the YAPs for their refusal
Objective or Real Novation to recognize FUAs title and to vacate the land.
1. Change in the object
2. Change in the principal conditions of the obligation, which may either YAPs interposed the defense of novation by the mortgage they executed in
be: favor of FUA.
a. Express; or
b. Implied: CFI ruled for FUA, recognizing the latter to be the owner of the land and
ordered the YAPs to deliver the same to him.
Art. 1292. In order that an obligation may be extinguished by
another which substitute the same, it is imperative that it be so Hence, the YAPs filed this petition.
declared in unequivocal terms, or that the old and the new
obligations be on every point incompatible with each other. (1204) ISSUE: WON there was novation with the changes in the terms of the final
and executor judgment?
The SC has ruled that there are no hard and fast rule to determine if
there was implied novation. The TEST: is whether the old and the new HELD: YES, implied novation took place. We concur in the theory that
obligations are incompatible with each other. appellants liability under the judgment in civil case No. 42125 had been
extinguished by the settlement evidenced by the mortgage executed by
Changes in the terms of a final and executory judgment: them in favor of the appellee on December 16, 1933. Although said
There is Novation: liability under the judgment in civil case No. mortgage did not expressly cancel the old obligation, this was
42125 had been extinguished by the settlement evidenced by the impliedly novated by reason of incompatibly resulting from the fact
mortgage executed by them in favor of the appellee on December that, whereas the judgment was for P1,538.04 payable at one
16, 1933. Although said mortgage did not expressly cancel the old time, did not provide for attorney's fees, and was not secured, the
obligation, this was impliedly novated by reason of incompatibly new obligation is or P1,200 payable in installments, stipulated for
resulting from the fact that, whereas the judgment was for attorney's fees, and is secured by a mortgage. The appellee, however,
P1,538.04 payable at one time, did not provide for attorney's argues that the later agreement merely extended the time of payment and
fees, and was not secured, the new obligation is or P1,200 did not take away his concurrent right to have the judgment executed. This
payable in installments, stipulated for attorney's fees, and is court not have been the purpose for execution of the mortgage, because it
secured by a mortgage. (Fua vs. Yap) was therein recited that the appellants promised to pay P1,200 to the
There is no Novation: Where the new obligation merely appellee as a settlement of the judgment in civil case No. 42125 (en forma
reiterates or ratifies the old obligation, although the former effects de transaccion de la decision . . . en el asunto civil No. 42125). Said
but minor alterations or slight modifications with respect to the judgment cannot be said to have been settled, unless it was extinguished.
cause or object or conditions of he latter, such changes do not
effectuate any substantial incompatibility between the two Moreover, the sheriff's sale in favor of the appellee is void because no
obligations Only those essential and principal changes introduced notice thereof was published other than that which appeared in the Mamera
by the new obligation producing an alteration or modification of Press regarding the sale to be held on December 12, 1933. Lack of new
the essence of the old obligation result in implied novation. In the publication is shown by appellee's own evidence and the issue, though not
case at bar, the mere reduction of the amount due in no sense raised in the pleadings, was thereby tried by implied consent of the parties,
constitutes a sufficient indictum of incompatibility, especially in emphasized by the appellants in the memorandum filed by them in the
the light of (a) the explanation by the petitioner that the reduced lower court and squarely threshed out in this Court by both the appellants
indebtedness was the result of the partial payments made by the and the appellee. The latter had, besides, admitted that there was no new
respondent before the execution of the chattel mortgage publication, and so much so that in his brief he merely resorted to the
agreement and (b) the latter's admissions bearing thereon. (Millar argument that "section 460 of Act 190 authorized the sheriff to adjourn any
vs. CA) sale upon execution to any date agreed upon in writing by the parties . . .
and does not require the sheriff to publish anew the public sale which was
CASES ON EXPRESS AND IMPLIED NOVATION: adjourned." The appellee has correctly stated the law but has failed to show
that it supports his side, for it is not pretended that there was any written
FUA CAM LU agreement between the parties to adjourn the sale advertised for December
vs. 12, 1933, to May 28, 1934. Neither may it be pretended that the sale in
YAP FAUCO and YAP SINGCO favor of the appellee was by virtue of a mere adjournment, it appearing that
G.R. No. L-48797 July 30, 1943 it was made pursuant to an alias writ of execution. Appellee's admission has
thus destroyed the legal presumption that official duty was regularly
FACTS: FUA obtained a favorable judgment in the CFI Manila ordering YAP performed.
FAUCO and YAP SINGCO to pay FUA P1,538.04 with legal interest and costs.
SC reversed the ruling of the lower court.
By virtue of a writ of execution, a land belonging to YAPs in Sorsogon was
levied upon and was scheduled to be sold at public auction. SPOUSES ANICETO BALILA and EDITHA S. DE GUZ MAN, SPOUSES
ASTERIO DE GUZMAN and ERLINDA CONCEPCION and
To prevent the sale, YAPs executed a mortgage in favor of FUA, wherein it ENCARNACION OCAMPO VDA. DE CONCEPCION, petitioners,
was stipulated that their obligation would be reduced to P1,200 which was vs.
made payable in 3 installments from 1934 to 1935, secured by a Camarin HONORABLE INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, HONORABLE
belonging to YAPs. FLORANTE S. ABASOLO, in his capacity as Judge, Regional Trial
Court, First Judicial Region, Branch L, Villasis, Pangasinan,
As a result of this agreemet, the sale did not take place. GUADALUPE C. VDA. DE DEL CASTILLO and WALDO DEL CASTILLO,
respondents.
G. R. No. L-68477 October 29, 1987
"having sold under a pacto de retro sale the parcels of land 4 described in These transactions took place during the pendency of the motion
the complaint in the amount of P84,000.00" and for reconsideration of the Order of the trial court dated April 26,
1983 in Civil Case No. U-3501, during the pendency of the petition
"hereby promise to pay the said amount within the period of four (4) for certiorari in AC-G.R. SP-01307 before the Intermediate
months but not later than May 15,1981." Appellate Court and after the filing of the petition before us. This
answers the claim of the respondents on the failure of the petitioners to
On December 11, 1980, the trial Court rendered its judgment based on present evidence or proofs of payment in the lower court and the appellate
compromise agreement. court. We have touched on this issue, similarly, in the case of de los Santos
vs. Rodriguez wherein We ruled that:
On December 30, 1981, petitioners were able to redeem one of the parcels
of land described in the complaint. As early as Molina vs. De la Riva the principle has been laid down that,
when, after judgment has become final, facts and circumstances
On August 4, 1982, private respondent filed a motion for hearing on the transpire which render its execution impossible or unjust, the
consolidation of title over the remaining parcels of land, on the ground that interested party may ask the court to modify or alter the judgment
the petitioners failed to comply with their obligation to pay. Petitioners to harmonize the same with justice and the facts.
contend that they had made partial payments of their obligation through
plaintiff's attorney in fact and son, private respondent Waldo del Castillo, as For this reason, in Amor vs. Judge Jose, We used the following language:
well as to the Sheriff. However, the trial Court ruled in favor of the
consolidation The Court cannot refuse to issue a writ of execution upon a final and
executory judgment, or quash it, or order its stay, for, as a general rule,
On June 8, 1983, while the order of the lower Court was not yet enforced, parties will not be allowed, after final judgment, to object to the execution
petitioners tendered the amount of P28,800.00, leaving a balance of by raising new issues of fact or of law, except when there had been a
P35,200.00. Petitioners were given 45 days to comply with such obligation. change in the situation of the parties which makes such execution in-
However, despite the given period of 45 days, petitioners still failed to equitable; or when it appears that the controversy has never been
comply. submitted to the judgment of the court, or when it appears that the writ of
execution has been improvidently issued, or that it is defective in substance,
On certiorari, the IAC affirmed the lower court. or issued against the wrong party or that judgment debt has been paid or
otherwise satisfied or when the writ has been issued without authority.
Petitioners contend that respondent appellate Court failed to recognize that
the decision of the trial Court was already novated by the subsequent Likewise in the case of Dormitorio vs. Fernandez, We held:
mutual agreement of the parties.
What was done by respondent Judge in setting aside the writ of execution
ISSUE: WON the decision rendered by the trial Court was novated by the in Civil Case No. 5111 finds support in the applicable authorities. There is
subsequent mutual agreements between the parties? this relevant excerpt in Barretto v. Lopez this Court speaking through the
then Chief Justice Paras: "Allegating that the respondent judge of the
HELD: Yes. The root of all the issues raised before Us is that judgment by municipal court had acted in excess of her jurisdiction and with grave abuse
compromise rendered by the lower court based on the terms of the of discretion in issuing the writ of execution of December 15, 1947, the
amicable settlement of the contending parties. Such agreement not being petitioner has filed the present petition for certiorari and prohibition for the
contrary to law, good morals or public policy was approved by the lower purpose of having said writ of execution annulled. Said petition is
court and therefore binds the parties who are enjoined to comply therewith. meritorious. The agreement filed by the parties in the ejectment case
However, the records show that petitioners made partial payments created as between them new rights and obligations which naturally
to private respondent Waldo del Castillo after May 15, 1981 or the superseded the judgment of the municipal court." In Santos v. Acuna, it was
last day for making payments, redeeming Lot No. 52 as earlier contended that a lower court decision was novated by the subsequent
stated. (Annex "A," Petition). agreement of the parties. Implicit in this Court's ruling is that such a plea
would merit approval if indeed that was what the parties intended.
There is no question that petitioners tendered several payments to Waldo
del Castillo even after redeeming lot No. 52. A total of these payments
reveal that petitioners fully paid the amount stated in the judgment by EUSEBIO S. MILLAR, petitioner,
compromise. The only issue is whether Waldo del Castillo was a person duly vs.
authorized by his mother Guadalupe Vda. de del Castillo, as her attorney-in- THE HON. COURT OF APPEALS and ANTONIO P. GABRIEL,
fact to represent her in transactions involving the properties in question. We respondents.
believe that he was so authorized in the same way that the appellate court G.R. No. L-29981 April 30, 1971
took cognizance of such fact as embodied in its assailed decision. reading as
follows: The defense of implied novation requires clear and convincing proof of
complete incompatibility between the two obligations. The law requires no
It may be mentioned that on May 25,1981, Guadalupe Vda. de Del Castillo, specific form for an effective novation by implication. The test is whether
represented by her attorney in fact Waldo Castillo, filed a complaint for the two obligations can stand together. If they cannot, incompatibility
consolidation of ownership against the same petitioners herein before the arises, and the second obligation novates the first. If they can stand
Court of First Instance of Pangasinan, docketed as Civil Case No. U-3650, together, no incompatibility results and novation does not take place.
the allegations of which are Identical to the complaint filed in Civil Case No.
U-3501 of the same court. This case U-3650 was, however, dismissed in an FACTS: Petitioner Millar obtained favorable decision from the Court of First
Order dated May 27, 1983, in view of the order of consolidation issued in Instance of Manila, which ordered herein private respondent Gabriel to pay
Civil Case No. U-350 1. (p. 37, Rollo) (Underscoring supplied) him the sum of P1,746.00 with interest amounting to 12% per annum from
the date of the filing of the complaint, the sum of P400 as attorney's fees,
The fact therefore remains that the amount of P84,000.00 payable on or and the costs of suit.
before May 15, 1981 decreed by the trial court in its judgment by
compromise was novated and amended by the subsequent mutual Upon motion of petitioner, a writ of execution was issued on which basis the
agreements and actions of petitioners and private respondents. Petitioners sheriff of Manila seized the respondent's Willy's Ford jeep.
ISSUE: WON respondent Court of Appeals erred when it held that the At all events, in the absence of clear and convincing proof showing
judgment obligation was novated due to the subsequent agreement of the that the parties, in stipulating the payment of P300 as attorney's
parties in the deed of chattel mortgage entered into between the petitioner fees in the deed of chattel mortgage, intended the same as an
and the private respondent? obligation for the payment of liquidated damages in case of default
on the part of the respondent, we find it difficult to agree with the
HELD: Yes, the Court held that respondent Court of Appeals did err when it conclusion reached by the Court of Appeals.
held that the judgment obligation was novated.
3. As to the second and fourth circumstances relied upon by the Court of
The Court of Appeals, in arriving at the conclusion that implied novation has Appeals in holding that the montage obligation superseded, through implied
taken place, took into account the four circumstances heretofore already novation, the judgment debt, the petitioner points out that the appellate
adverted to as indicative of the incompatibility between the judgment debt court considered said circumstances in a way not in accordance with law or
and the principal obligation under the deed of chattel mortgage. accepted jurisprudence. The appellate court stated that while the judgment
specified no mode for the payment of the judgment debt, the deed of
1. Anent the first circumstance, the petitioner argues that this does not chattel mortgage provided for the payment of the amount fixed therein in
constitute a circumstance in implying novation of the judgment debt, stating two equal installments.
that in the interim from the time of the rendition of the judgment in civil
case 27116 to the time of the execution of the deed of chattel mortgage On this point, we see no substantial incompatibility between the mortgage
the respondent made partial payments, necessarily resulting in the lesser obligation and the judgment liability of the respondent sufficient to justify a
sum stated in the deed of chattel mortgage. He adds that on record appears conclusion of implied novation. The stipulation for the payment of the
the admission by both parties of the partial payments made before the obligation under the terms of the deed of chattel mortgage serves only to
execution of the deed of chattel mortgage. The erroneous conclusion provide an express and specific method for its extinguishment payment in
arrived at by the Court of Appeals, the petitioner argues, creates the wrong two equal installments. The chattel mortgage simply gave the
impression that the execution of the deed of chattel mortgage provided the respondent a method and more time to enable him to fully satisfy
consideration or the reason for the reduced judgment indebtedness. the judgment indebtedness. The chattel mortgage agreement in no
manner introduced any substantial modification or alteration of
Where the new obligation merely reiterates or ratifies the old the judgment. Instead of extinguishing the obligation of the respondent
obligation, although the former effects but minor alterations or arising from the judgment, the deed of chattel mortgage expressly ratified
2. The defendant shall pay plaintiff the value of the line materials which FACTS: An action for Foreclosure of Chattel Mortgage was filed by herein
were stolen but recovered, by plaintiff's agency which value is to be appellee Peoples Bank and Trust Company against appellant Syvels Inc.,
determined after a joint inventory by the representatives of both against its stocks of goods, personal properties and other materials owned
parties; by it and located at its stores or warehouses at No. 406, Escolta, Manila,
due to the failure of appellant corporation to pay a commercial line credit in
the amount of P900,000.00.
The trial Court rendered its decision in favor of herein appellee, hence this MWSS' failure to pay within the stipulated period removed the very cause
appeal. and reason for the agreement, rendering some ineffective. Petitioners,
therefore, were remitted to their original rights under the judgment award.
Appellant contend that there was novation by the subsequent execution of a
real estate mortgage as additional collateral to the obligation secured by FACTS: Herein petitioners Integrated Construction Service and Engineering
said chattel mortgage. Construction Inc. filed an action against private respondent Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) with the Court of First instance
ISSUE: WON the original obligation to pay the commercial credit line was of Manila, wherein respondent Judge Relova was the presiding Judge, for
novated through the execution of a subsequent real estate mortgage? breach of contract.
HELD: No. Novation takes place when the object or principal condition of The parties entered into arbitration, which resulted to a decision-award in
an obligation is changed or altered. It is elementary that novation is favor of herein petitioners. Subsequently, however, petitioners agreed to
never presumed; it must be explicitly stated or there must be give MWSS some discounts in consideration of an early payment of the
manifest incompatibility between the old and the new obligations award.
in every aspect.
Upon MWSS' request, the petitioners signed their "Conforme" to the said
In the case at bar, there is nothing in the Real Estate Mortgage which letter-agreement, and extended the period to pay the judgment less the
supports appellants' submission. The contract on its face does not discounts aforesaid to October 31, 1972. MWSS, however, paid only on
show the existence of an explicit novation nor incompatibility on December 22, 1972, the amount stated in the decision but less the
every point between the "old and the "new" agreements as the reductions provided for in the October 2, 1972 letter-agreement.
second contract evidently indicates that the same was executed as
new additional security to the chattel mortgage previously entered Three years thereafter, or on June, 1975, after the last balance of the trust
into by the parties. fund had been released and used to satisfy creditors' claims, the petitioners
filed a motion for execution in said civil case against MWSS for the balance
Moreover, records show that in the real estate mortgage, appellants agreed due under the decision-award. Respondent MWSS opposed execution
that the chattel mortgage "shall remain in full force and shall not be setting forth the defenses of payment and estoppel.
impaired by this (real estate) mortgage."
Respondent Judge denied the motion filed by herein petitioners on the
It is clear, therefore, that a novation was not intended. The real estate ground that the parties had novated the award by their subsequent letter-
mortgage was evidently taken as additional security for the performance of agreement, hence this Petition for Mandamus.
the contract (Bank of P.I. v. Herrige, 47 Phil. 57).
ISSUE: Whether or not respondent Judge erred when it denied the Motion
Art. 1296. When the principal obligation is extinguished in consequence of for Execution on the ground that the parties novated the award through the
a novation, accessory obligations may subsist only insofar as they may letter-agreement.
benefit third persons who did not give their consent. (1207)
HELD: Yes, the Court held that respondent Judge did err when it denied the
Accessory obligations: General Rule: extinguished as a consequence of Motion for Execution.
novation.
While the tenor of the subsequent letter-agreement in a sense novates the
Exception: insofar as pour atrui is concerned and the third person for judgment award there being a shortening of the period within which to pay
whose benefit the obligation was constituted did not give his consent. (Kabangkalan Sugar Co. vs. Pacheco, 55 Phil. 555), the suspensive and
conditional nature of the said agreement (making the novation conditional)
Art. 1299. If the original obligation was subject to a suspensive or is expressly acknowledged and stipulated in the 14th whereas clause of
resolutory condition, the new obligation shall be under the same condition, MWSS' Resolution No. 132-72, (p. 23, Rollo) which states:
unless it is otherwise stipulated. (n)
WHEREAS, all the foregoing benefits and advantages secured by the
Art. 1215. Novation, compensation, confusion or remission of the debt, MWSS out of said conferences were accepted by the Joint Venture
made by any of the solidary creditors or with any of the solidary debtors, provided that the remaining net amount payable to the Joint Venture
shall extinguish the obligation, without prejudice to the provisions of will be paid by the MWSS within fifteen (15) days after the official
Article 1219. release of this resolution and a written CONFORME to be signed by the
Joint Venture;
The creditor who may have executed any of these acts, as well as he who
collects the debt, shall be liable to the others for the share in the obligation MWSS' failure to pay within the stipulated period removed the very cause
corresponding to them. (1143) and reason for the agreement, rendering some ineffective. Petitioners,
therefore, were remitted to their original rights under the judgment award.
Case on Novation subject to a suspensive period:
The placing of MWSS under the control and management of the Secretary
INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC., and ENGINEERING of National Defense thru Letter of Instruction No. 2, dated September 22,
CONSTRUCTION, INC., petitioners, 1972 was not an unforeseen supervening factor because when MWSS
vs. forwarded the letter-agreement to the petitioners on October 2, 1972, the
THE HONORABLE LORENZO RELOVA, as Judge of the Court of First MWSS was already aware of LOI No. 2.
Instance of Manila, and METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS &
SEWERAGE SYSTEM, respondents. MWSS' contention that the stipulated period was intended to pressure
G.R. No. L-41117 December 29, 1986 MWSS officials to process the voucher is untenable. As aforestated, it is
apparent from the terms of the agreement that the 15-day period was
While the tenor of the subsequent letter-agreement in a sense novates the intended to be a suspensive condition. MWSS, admittedly, was aware of
judgment award there being a shortening of the period within which to pay this, as shown by the internal memorandum of a responsible MWSS official,
(Kabangkalan Sugar Co. vs. Pacheco, 55 Phil. 555), the suspensive and stating that necessary steps should be taken to effect payment within 15
days, for otherwise, MWSS would forego the advantages of the discount.
Criticisms in the definition provided under Art. 1305: Rules promulgated by administrative agencies by virtue of its quasi-
a. to give something or to render some service connotes that legislative power to implement statutes cannot be the source of a
obligation not to do is not covered, which is wrong. E.g., contract not contractual obligation. In this case, M.B. Resolution No. 857, as
to put up a fence or not to sell products of a competitor company, or in amended, merely laid down a general policy on the utilization of the dollar
the case of Honda cars prohibiting conversion of the cars to taxicabs. earnings of Filipino and resident American contractors undertaking projects
b. whereby one binds himself connotes that only one is obligated, in U.S. military bases. It did not create an obligation on the part of the CB,
which is wrong as well. Most of the contracts are actually reciprocal or based on contract, to resell dollars at the preferred rate.
bilateral.
c. Two persons connotes that a contract cannot be perfected if there Had there been greater care therefore on the part of the plaintiff to show
is only one person, which is wrong. Auto-contracts involve only one why in his opinion he could assert a right in accordance not with a contract
person, although such person represent different interests. binding on the Central Bank, because there is none, but by virtue of
compliance with rules and regulations of an administrative tribunal, then
AUTO-CONTRACTS Arts. 1491, 1646, 1890 perhaps a different outcome would have been justified. Here, there was
wrong cause of action.
Auto-Contracts: one person is responsible for the perfection of the
contract but this person is acting in two capacities, one in behalf of himself, GEORGE W. BATCHELDER, doing business under the name and
one in behalf of another. style of Batchelder Equipment, plaintiff-appellant,
vs.
E.g., in a contract of agency, where A authorized B to borrow money in his THE CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, defendant-appellant.
behalf. If B would lend the money himself, he would be signing both as the G.R. No. L-25071 March 29, 1972
lender and the borrower (in behalf of A). Void? No. As long as the interest
rate is the current market rate. FACTS: On March 30, 1960, the U.S. Navy accepted the proposal of the
plaintiff of March 18, 1960 in the sum of $188,000.00 for the construction of
Generally valid: the number of parties is not determinative of the the Mindanao Weather Station, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines, in
existence of a contract; what is important is that there be at least 2 accordance with Bid Item 3, Yards and Docks Specifications No. 13374/59."
declaration of wills.
Defendant Central Bank issued several circulars covering the sale of foreign
Auto-Contracts which are void: exchange in the Philippines, the full decontrol of which was when it issued
Circular No. 133 on Jan. 21, 1962. Under its Memorandum to Authorized
Art. 1491. The following persons cannot acquire by purchase, even at a Agent Bank ID-FM No. 11, and under Resolution No. 857 of the Monetary
public or judicial auction, either in person or through the mediation of Board of the Central Bank, it was specifically provided that: "For imports
another: against proceeds of contracts entered into prior to April 25, 1960, the
(1) The guardian, the property of the person or persons who may be under preferred buying rate shall govern, regardless of the present commodity
his guardianship; classifications." There was however a modification arising from Monetary
(2) Agents, the property whose administration or sale may have been Board Resolution No. 695 of April 28, 1961, which specified that the agent
entrusted to them, unless the consent of the principal has been given; bank should, upon compliance with its terms, credit the contractor's
(3) Executors and administrators, the property of the estate under accounts in pesos, the buying rate being governed by the appropriate rules
administration; and regulations.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
68 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
included, it still exists in a projected state. There remains to give its
In compliance with defendant's Monetary Board Resolutions Nos. 857 and obligatory force by an act of will, expressing the individual adherence of
695, plaintiff surrendered to the Central Bank, through the latter's each one of the parties to the act thus prepared. When all the necessary
authorized agents, his dollar earnings amounting to U.S. $199,966.00. The consents (sic) are obtained, and manifested in legal form, the contract is
plaintiff also appears to have applied with the defendant for license to utilize formed, the lien of law is tied. It is therefore the union of these
90% of his surrendered earnings or the sum of U.S. $25,847.84 or 21.41% adherences (sic) which constitute the contract and which gives
of the amount applied for. The plaintiff demanded from the defendant that birth to the obligations which are derived from it. It is an act of
it be allowed to utilize the balance of the 90% of his surrendered dollar volition, while the preliminary operation of discussion of the
earnings. However, it was only on March 21, 1963, after the plaintiff had project is a work of the mind and reasoning.
filed the complaint in the present case and after full decontrol had been
established through Circular No. 133 dated January 21, 1962, that the In their Jurisprudence and Legal Philosophy, the late Professors Morris R.
defendant informed the plaintiff, through its communication, that the latter Cohen and Felix R. Cohen, father and son and jurists of note, noted that the
could utilize at the free market rate the balance of his said 90% of concepts found in the Civil Code of Spain showing basic contract rules are
surrendered earnings which had not been previously granted by the "equally valid in France, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Holland, Italy, Mexico,
defendant for his importations. Portugal and many other lands, and equally honored across eighteen and
more centuries." Even more impressive is their conclusion that the views of
Plaintiff Batchelder filed a complaint to compel defendant Central Bank of such common law scholars as Maine, Williston, Pound, Holdsworth,
the Philippines to resell to him $170,210.60 at the preferred rate of Llewellyn, and Kessler, are not dissimilar. Thus Pollock could describe the
exchange of two Philippine pesos for one American dollar (P2:$1), more English common law quoting whole paragraphs from a German scholar's
specifically P2.00375, or, in the alternative, to pay to him the difference description of the law of ancient Rome. It is in that sense that for them the
between the peso cost of such amount at the market rate prevailing on the Roman phrasing contrahitur obligation throws more light than volumes of
date of the satisfaction of the judgment in his favor and the peso cost of exegesis: One contracts an obligation as one contracts pneumonia or any
$170,210.60 at said preferred rate. other disability. Contract is that part of our legal burdens that we bring on
ourselves."
On the other hand, the CB was insistent on the absence of any such right
on the part of plaintiff to re-acquire from it the sum of $170,210.60 at the If there be full cognizance of the implications of the controlling principles as
preferred rate of exchange. thus expounded, impressive for their well-nigh unanimity of approach, the
conclusion reached by the lower court certainly cannot be accepted as
The lower court decided in favor of plaintiff Batchelder holding that the correct.
defendant CB is now bound by a contract, which could be implied from its
stated policy, as enunciated in Monetary Board Resolutions Nos. 857 and As is so evident from the recital of facts made in the lower court and equally
695, and the plaintiff's reliance on said resolutions,to resell in favor of the so in the brief of plaintiff Batchelder, as appellant, what was done by the
plaintiff 90% of the U.S. dollars earned by him under his U.S. Navy Contract Central Bank was merely to issue in pursuance of its rule-making
aforementioned which were duly surrendered to the defendant. power the resolutions relied upon by plaintiff, which for him should
be impressed with a contractual character.
ISSUE: WON the issuance of a monetary policy by it, thereafter
implemented by the appropriate resolutions, as to the rate of exchange at There is no question that the Central Bank as a public corporation could
which dollars after being surrendered and sold to it could be re-acquired, enter into contracts. It is so provided for among the corporate powers
creates a contractual obligation? vested in it. Thus: "The Central Bank is hereby authorized to adopt, alter,
and use a corporate seal which shall be judicially noticed; to make
HELD: No. The Civil Code expressly provides that a contract is a contracts; to lease or own real personal property, and to sell or otherwise
meeting of minds between two persons whereby one binds himself dispose of the same; to sue and be sued; and otherwise to do and perform
with respect to the other to give something or render some any and all things that may be necessary or proper to carry out the
service. The above provision is practically a restatement, with slight purposes of this Act." No doubt would have arisen therefore if
modification, of Article1254 of the Civil Code of Spain of 1889, formerly defendant Central Bank, utilizing a power expressly granted, did
enforced in our jurisdiction. Such an article, in the opinion of Justice J.B.L. enter into a contract with plaintiff. It could have done so, but it did
Reyes, speaking for the Court, in A. Magsaysay, Inc. v. Cebu Portland not do so. How could it possibly be maintained then that merely
Cement Co., requires that "the area of agreement must extend to all through the exercise of its regulatory power to implement
points that the parties deem material or there is no contract." It is statutory provisions, a contract as known to the law was thereby
noteworthy that in his Outlines on Civil Law, with Judge Ricardo Puno as co- created?
author, he speaks highly of Article 1321 of the Civil Code of Italy. It reads
thus: "A contract is the accord of two (or more) persons (with previously Yet that is precisely what the lower court held in reaching such a conclusion.
diverging interests) for the purpose of creating, modifying or extinguishing a It was not only unmindful of the controlling doctrines as to when a contract
juridical relation between them." Likewise all commentators on the Civil exists, but it was equally oblivious of the competence lodged in an
Code have agreed that the birth or perfection of a consensual contract, administrative agency like the Central Bank. Even the most cursory perusal
Article 1315, commences from the moment the parties come to an of Republic Act No. 265 would yield the irresistible conclusion that the
agreement on a definite subject matter and valid consideration. Justice establishment of the Central Bank was intended to attain basic objectives in
Capistrano, who was with the Code Commission, and Senators Ambrosio the field of currency and finance. In the language of the Act: "It shall be the
Padilla and Arturo Tolentino,all three distinguished in the field of civil law, responsibility of the Central Bank of the Philippines to administer the
are substantially in agreement." monetary and banking system of the Republic. It shall be the duty of the
Central Bank to use the powers granted to it under this Act to achieve the
Planiol states the following: "The consent of the parties, that is to say, the following objectives: (a) to maintain monetary stability in the Philippines;
accord of wills, is the essential element of every contract. The consent, in (b) to preserve the international value of the peso and the convertibility of
the matter of contracts, is composed of a double operation. (1) The the peso into other freely convertible currencies; and (c) to promote a rising
parties must commence by agreeing as to the contents the level of production, employment and real income in the Philippines."
"convention" that is to say, by making sufficiently precise the
object and the essential conditions, and discussing the particular It would be then to set at naught fundamental concepts in administrative
clauses which they desire to introduce to modify or to complete law that accord due recognition to the vesting of quasi-legislative and quasi-
the ordinary effects. (2) This first operation having been judicial power in administrative law for the purpose of attaining statutory
terminated, the parties are in accord on the projected contract: objectives, especially now that government is saddled with greater
there is between them what Littre calls the uniformity of opinions, responsibilities due to the complex situation of the modern era, if the lower
which is one sense of the word "consent", but the contract is not court is to be upheld. For if such be the case then, by the judiciary failing to
Art. 1305. A contract is a meeting of minds between two persons whereby On 5 March 1958, the plaintiff, through the Director of Telecommunications,
one binds himself, with respect to the other, to give something or to render entered into an agreement with RCA Communications, Inc., for a joint
some service. (1254a) overseas telephone service whereby the Bureau would convey radio-
telephone overseas calls received by RCA's station to and from local
Art. 1317. No one may contract in the name of another without being residents. Actually, they inaugurated this joint operation on 2 February
authorized by the latter, or unless he has by law a right to represent him. 1958, under a "provisional" agreement.
A contract entered into in the name of another by one who has no authority The Bureau of Telecommunications had proposed to the PLDT on 8 January
or legal representation, or who has acted beyond his powers, shall be 1958 that both enter into an interconnecting agreement, with the
unenforceable, unless it is ratified, expressly or impliedly, by the person on government paying (on a call basis) for all calls passing through the
whose behalf it has been executed, before it is revoked by the other interconnecting facilities from the Government Telephone System to the
contracting party. (1259a) PLDT. The PLDT replied that it was willing to enter into an agreement on
overseas telephone service to Europe and Asian countries provided that the
CONTRACT OF ADHESION - one where there is already a prepared form Bureau would submit to the jurisdiction and regulations of the Public Service
containing the stipulations desired by one party whereby the latter only asks Commission and in consideration of 37 1/2% of the gross revenues. In its
the other party to agree to them if he wants to enter into a contract. memorandum in lieu of oral argument in this Court dated 9 February 1964,
on page 8, the defendant reduced its offer to 33 1/3 % (1/3) as its share in
A perusal of the complaint shows that the Republic's cause of action is On November 15, 1960, Judge Lantin denied the motion for reconsideration.
predicated upon the radio telephonic isolation of the Bureau's facilities from On November 19, 1960, the plaintiff perfected the appeal from the order of
the outside world if the severance of interconnection were to be carried out dismissal dated June 14, 1960. For purposes of said appeal the plaintiff
by the PLDT, thereby preventing the Bureau of Telecommunications from prepared a 232-page brief and submitted the same before the SC on April
properly discharging its functions, to the prejudice of the general public. 20, 1961, where plaintiff David is the one who orally argued. In connection
Save for the prayer to compel the PLDT to enter into a contract (and the with the trip to Baguio for the said oral argument, the plaintiff used his car
prayer is no essential part of the pleading), the averments make out a case which broke down and necessitated extensive repairs paid for by the
for compulsory rendering of inter-connecting services by the telephone plaintiff himself.
company upon such terms and conditions as the court may determine to be
just. And since the lower court found that both parties "are practically at On March 30, 1962, the Supreme Court promulgated its decision reversing
one that defendant (PLDT) is entitled to reasonable compensation from the order of dismissal and remanding the case for further proceedings. On
plaintiff for the reasonable use of the former's telephone facilities" April 18, 1962, after the promulgation of the decision of the Supreme Court
(Decision, Record on Appeal, page 224), the lower court should have reversing the dismissal of the case the defendant wrote the plaintiff the
proceeded to treat the case as one of condemnation of such services following letter, Exhibit 'Q'. .
independently of contract and proceeded to determine the just and
reasonable compensation for the same, instead of dismissing the petition. xxxxxxxxx
Dear Juaning
In the ultimate analysis, the true objection of the PLDT to continue the link Will you please accept the attached check in the amount of TWO
between its network and that of the Government is that the latter competes THOUSAND P2,000.00) PESOS for legal services in the handling of L-
"parasitically" (sic) with its own telephone services. Considering, however, 17860 recently decided by the Court? I wish I could give more but as
Where one has rendered services to another, and these ANSWER: Yes. The action will prosper. The increase or decrease in the
services are accepted by the latter, in the absence of proof rental is a valid stipulation since it is based on a valid and reasonable
that the service was rendered gratuitously, it is but just that standard, i.e., appreciation or devaluation of the dollar.
he should pay a reasonable remuneration therefor because 'it
is a well-known principle of law, that no one should be Note: this is different from extraordinary inflation or deflation which requires
permitted to enrich himself to the damage of another (emphasis a government pronouncement (which was the suggested answer in the UP
supplied). Law Center). Art. 1250 is not applicable in this case since the increase is not
extraordinary. Here, it is only by stipulation. Art. 1250 is by law, when there
Likewise, under American law, the same rule obtains (7 CJS 1079; FL Still & is no stipulation as to increase or decrease.
Co. v. Powell, 114 So 375).
Contract of loan: where the escalation clause as to the interest is
WHEREFORE, PETITIONER R. MARINO CORPUS IS HEREBY DIRECTED TO dependent on the Bank only void. However, if the increase is based on
PAY RESPONDENT ATTY. JUAN T. DAVID THE SUM OF TWENTY THOUSAND reasonable standards, such as: (1) the requirement of a de-escalation
(P20,000.00) PESOS AS ATTORNEY'S FEES. clause; (2) the clause can be invoked only once a year on the anniversary
date; (3) the remaining period of the loan must be at least 730 days. (See
2. AUTONOMY OF CONTRACTS ARTS. 1306, 1799, 2088, 2130 Banco Filipino Savings vs. Navarro and Florendo vs. CA)
Art. 1306. The contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, BANCO FILIPINO SAVINGS and MORTGAGE BANK, petitioner,
terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not vs.
contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy. HON. MIGUEL NAVARRO, Presiding Judge, Court of First Instance
(1255a) of Manila, Branch XXXI and FLORANTE DEL VALLE, respondents.
G.R. No. L-46591 July 28, 1987
Otherwise known as the Freedom or Liberty to Contract.
FACTS: On May 20, 1975, respondent Florante del Valle (the BORROWER)
Examples of void stipulations for being CONTRARY TO LAW: obtained a loan secured by a real estate mortgage (the LOAN, for short)
from petitioner BANCO FILIPINO in the sum of P41,300.00, payable and to
a. Partnership: Pactum Leonina be amortized within fifteen (15) years at 12% interest annually. Hence, the
LOAN still had more than 730 days to run by January 2, 1976, the date
Art. 1799. A stipulation which excludes one or more partners from any when CIRCULAR No. 494 was issued by the Central Bank.
share in the profits or losses is void. (1691)
Stamped on the promissory note evidencing the loan is an Escalation
b. Mortgage/Pledge: Pactum Commissorium Clause, reading as follows:
Art. 2088. The creditor cannot appropriate the things given by way of I/We hereby authorize Banco Filipino to correspondingly increase the
pledge or mortgage, or dispose of them. Any stipulation to the contrary is interest rate stipulated in this contract without advance notice to
null and void. (1859a) me/us in the event law should be enacted increasing the lawful rates of
interest that may be charged on this particular kind of loan.
c. Mortgage/Pledge: Pactum de non aliendo
The Escalation Clause is based upon Central Bank CIRCULAR No. 494 issued
Art. 2130. A stipulation forbidding the owner from alienating the on January 2, 1976, the pertinent portion of which reads:
immovable mortgaged shall be void.
3. The maximum rate of interest, including commissions, premiums,
ESCALATION CLAUSE: where one increases/decreases compensation of fees and other charges on loans with maturity of more than seven
hundred thirty (730) days, by banking institutions, including thrift
one of the parties.
banks and rural banks, or by financial intermediaries authorized to
engage in quasi-banking functions shall be nineteen percent (19%) per
When Void: when the increase is dependent solely upon the will of one of
the parties. This is void for violation of the principle of mutuality of annum.
xxx xxx xxx
contracts.
7. Except as provided in this Circular and Circular No. 493, loans or
renewals thereof shall continue to be governed by the Usury Law, as
When Valid: when the increase/decrease is dependent on valid and
reasonable standards. amended."
Contract for a piece of work: where the compensation of the contractor On the strength of CIRCULAR No. 494 BANCO FILIPINO gave notice to the
may be increased on the basis of minimum wage or as to materials, based BORROWER on June 30, 1976 of the increase of interest rate on the LOAN
on the consumer price index. from 12% to 17% per annum effective on March 1, 1976.
Contract of Lease: where the rental would be increased or decreased Contending that CIRCULAR No. 494 is not the law contemplated in the
based on the movement (increase or devaluation) of foreign exchange Escalation Clause of the promissory note, the BORROWER filed suit against
BANCO FILIPINO for "Declaratory Relief" with respondent Court, praying
valid. (Del Rosario vs. Shell)
that the Escalation Clause be declared null and void and that BANCO
FILIPINO be ordered to desist from enforcing the increased rate of interest
BAR QUESTION: On July 1, 1998, Brian leased an office space in a
building for a period of five years at a rental rate of P1,000.00 a month. on the BORROWER's real estate loan.
The contract of lease contained the proviso that in case of inflation or
devaluation of the Philippine peso, the monthly rental will automatically be The trial court nullified the escalation clause reasoning that P.D. No. 116
does not expressly grant the Central Bank authority to maximize interest
increased or decreased depending on the devaluation or inflation of the
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
73 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
rates with retroactive effect and that BANCO FILIPINO cannot legally be reduced in the event that the applicable maximum rate of interest is
impose a higher rate of interest before the expiration of the 15-year period reduced by law or by the Monetary Board;
in which the loan is to be paid other than the 12% per annum in force at
the time of the execution of the loan. Provided, further, That the adjustment in the rate of interest agreed
upon shall take effect on or after the effectivity of the increase or
ISSUE: WON the questioned escalation clause is valid? decrease in the maximum rate of interest. (Paragraphing and emphasis
supplied).
HELD: Yes. Some contracts contain what is known as an "escalator
clause," which is defined as one in which the contract fixes a base It is now clear that from March 17, 1980, escalation clauses to be valid
price but contains a provision that in the event of specified cost should specifically provide: (1) that there can be an increase in
increases, the seller or contractor may raise the price up to a fixed interest if increased by law or by the Monetary Board; and (2) in
percentage of the base. Attacks on such a clause have usually been order for such stipulation to be valid, it must include a provision
based on the claim that, because of the open price-provision, the contract for reduction of the stipulated interest "in the event that the
was too indefinite to be enforceable and did not evidence an actual meeting applicable maximum rate of interest is reduced by law or by the
of the minds of the parties, or that the arrangement left the price to be Monetary Board."
determined arbitrarily by one party so that the contract lacked mutuality. In
most instances, however, these attacks have been unsuccessful. While P.D. No. 1684 is not to be given retroactive effect, the absence of a
de-escalation clause in the Escalation Clause in question provides another
The Court further finds as a matter of law that the cost of living index reason why it should not be given effect because of its one-sidedness in
adjustment, or escalator clause, is not substantively unconscionable. favor of the lender.
Cost of living index adjustment clauses are widely used in commercial WHEREFORE, the Court rules that while an escalation clause like the one in
contracts in an effort to maintain fiscal stability and to retain "real dollar" question can ordinarily be held valid, nevertheless, petitioner Banco Filipino
value to the price terms of long term contracts. The provision is a common cannot rely thereon to raise the interest on the borrower's loan from 12% to
one, and has been universally upheld and enforced. Indeed, the Federal 17% per annum because Circular No. 494 of the Monetary Board was not
government has recognized the efficacy of escalator clauses in tying Social the "law" contemplated by the parties, nor should said Circular be held as
Security benefits to the cost of living index, 42 U.S.C.s 415(i). Pension applicable to loans secured by registered real estate in the absence of any
benefits and labor contracts negotiated by most of the major labor unions such specific indication and in contravention of the policy behind the Usury
are other examples. That inflation, expected or otherwise, will cause a Law. The judgment appealed from is, therefore, hereby affirmed in so far as
particular bargain to be more costly in terms of total dollars than originally it orders petitioner Banco Filipino to desist from enforcing the increased rate
contemplated can be of little solace to the plaintiffs. of interest on petitioner's loan.
ISSUE2: WON BANCO FILIPINO can increase the interest rate on the LOAN SPOUSES MARIANO and GILDA FLORENDO, petitioners,
from 12% to 17% per annum under the Escalation Clause? vs.
COURT OF APPEALS and LAND BANK OF THE
HELD: No. The Monetary Board Circular is not the law contemplated PHILIPPINES, respondents.
therein. It is clear from the stipulation between the parties that the interest G.R. No. 101771 December 17, 1996
rate may be increased "in the event a law should be enacted increasing the
lawful rate of interest that may be charged on this particular kind of loan." " FACTS: Petitioner Gilda FLorendo was an employee of respondent Ban from
The Escalation Clause was dependent on an increase of rate made by "law" May 17, 1976 to August 16, 1984. However, before her resignation, she
alone. applied for a housing loan of P148,000, payable within 25 years from the
Banks Provident Fund. Under the Loan Agreement, a Real Estate Mortgage
CIRCULAR No. 494, although it has the effect of law, is not a law. and Promissory Note was executed.
"Although a circular duly issued is not strictly a statute or a law, it has,
however, the force and effect of law." (Italics supplied). "An administrative On March 19, 1985, the Bank increased the interest rate on said loan from
regulation adopted pursuant to law has the force and effect of law." 7 "That 9% to 17%, the said increase to take effect on March 19, 1985 and
administrative rules and regulations have the force of law can no longer be petitioner was informed for said increase.
questioned.
Petitioners protested the increase without any heed from the Bank. The
The distinction between a law and an administrative regulation is recognized Bank continued to demand the increased interest or the new monthly
in the Monetary Board guidelines quoted in the letter to the BORROWER of installments based on the increased interest rates, but petitioner
Ms. Paderes of September 24, 1976 (supra). According to the guidelines, for vehemently maintained that the said increase is unlawful and unjustifiable.
a loan's interest to be subject to the increases provided in CIRCULAR No.
494, there must be an Escalation Clause allowing the increase "in the event Because of the Banks repeated demands, the petitioner filed the instant
that any law or Central Bank regulation is promulgated increasing the injunction suit and damages.
maximum interest rate for loans." The guidelines thus presuppose that a
Central Bank regulation is not within the term "any law." The clauses or provisions in the Housing Loan Agreement and the Real
Estate Mortgage as the basis for the escalation are:
The distinction is again recognized by P.D. No. 1684, promulgated on March
17, 1980, adding section 7-a to the Usury Law, providing that parties to an a. Section I-F of Article VI of the Housing Loan Agreement, 3 which
agreement pertaining to a loan could stipulate that the rate of interest provides that, for as long as the loan or any portion thereof or any sum
agreed upon may be increased in the event that the applicable maximum that may be due and payable under the said loan agreement remains
rate of interest is increased "by law or by the Monetary Board." To quote: outstanding, the borrower shall
Sec. 7-a Parties to an agreement pertaining to a loan or forbearance of f) Comply with all the rules and regulations of the program imposed by
money, goods or credits may stipulate that the rate of interest agreed the LENDER and to comply with all the rules and regulations that the
upon may be increased in the event that the applicable maximum rate Central Bank of the Philippines has imposed or will impose in connection
of interest with the financing programs for bank officers and employees in the form
is increased by law or by the Monetary Board: of fringe benefits.
Provided, That such stipulation shall be valid only if there is also a b. Paragraph (f) of the Real Estate Mortgage which states:
stipulation in the agreement that the rate of interest agreed upon shall
Consequently, respondent sued petitioner for damages alleging, among However, in Del Castillo v. Richmond, we upheld a similar stipulation as
others, that petitioners employment with Professional Pension Plans, Inc. legal, reasonable, and not contrary to public policy. In the said case, the
violated the non-involvement clause in her contract of employment, to wit: employee was restricted from opening, owning or having any connection
with any other drugstore within a radius of four miles from the employers
8. NON INVOLVEMENT PROVISION The EMPLOYEE further place of business during the time the employer was operating his drugstore.
undertakes that during his/her engagement with EMPLOYER and in We said that a contract in restraint of trade is valid provided there is
case of separation from the Company, whether voluntary or for cause, a limitation upon either time or place and the restraint upon one
he/she shall not, for the next TWO (2) years thereafter, engage in or party is not greater than the protection the other party requires.
be involved with any corporation, association or entity, whether directly
or indirectly, engaged in the same business or belonging to the same Finally, in Consulta v. Court of Appeals, we considered a non-involvement
pre-need industry as the EMPLOYER. Any breach of the foregoing clause in accordance with Article 1306 of the Civil Code. While the
In this case, the non-involvement clause has a time limit: two years from EMETERIO CUI, plaintiff-appellant,
the time petitioners employment with respondent ends. It is also limited as vs.
to trade, since it only prohibits petitioner from engaging in any pre-need ARELLANO UNIVERSITY, defendant-appellee.
business akin to respondents. G.R. No. L-15127 May 30, 1961
More significantly, since petitioner was the Senior Assistant Vice-President FACTS: Emetrio Cui, plaintiff, before the school year 1948-1949 took up
and Territorial Operations Head in charge of respondents Hongkong and preparatory law course in the defendant University. After finishing his
Asean operations, she had been privy to confidential and highly sensitive preparatory law course plaintiff enrolled in the College of Law of the
marketing strategies of respondents business. To allow her to engage in a defendant from the school year 1948-1949. Plaintiff finished his law studies
rival business soon after she leaves would make respondents trade secrets in the defendant university up to and including the first semester of the
vulnerable especially in a highly competitive marketing environment. In fourth year. During all the school years in which plaintiff was studying law in
sum, we find the non-involvement clause not contrary to public welfare and defendant law college, Francisco R. Capistrano, uncle of Emetrio Cui, was
not greater than is necessary to afford a fair and reasonable protection to the dean of the College of Law and legal counsel of the defendant
respondent. university. Plaintiff enrolled for the last semester of his law studies in the
defendant university but failed to pay his tuition fees because his uncle
In any event, Article 1306 of the Civil Code provides that parties to a Dean Francisco R. Capistrano having severed his connection with defendant
contract may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as and having accepted the deanship and chancellorship of the College of Law
they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, of Abad Santos University, plaintiff left the defendant's law college and
good customs, public order, or public policy. enrolled for the last semester of his fourth year law in the college of law of
the Abad Santos University graduating from the college of law of the latter
Article 1159 of the same Code also provides that obligations arising from university.
contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and should
be complied with in good faith. Courts cannot stipulate for the parties Plaintiff, during all the time he was studying law in defendant university was
nor amend their agreement where the same does not contravene awarded scholarship grants, for scholastic merit, so that his semestral
law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy, for to do tuition fees were returned to him after the ends of semester. The whole
so would be to alter the real intent of the parties, and would run amount of tuition fees paid by plaintiff to defendant and refunded to him by
contrary to the function of the courts to give force and effect the latter from the first semester up to and including the first semester of
thereto. Not being contrary to public policy, the non-involvement his last year in the college of law or the fourth year, is in total P1,033.87.
clause, which petitioner and respondent freely agreed upon, has After graduating in law from Abad Santos University he applied to take the
the force of law between them, and thus, should be complied with bar examination. To secure permission to take the bar he needed the
in good faith. transcripts of his records in defendant Arellano University. Plaintiff
petitioned the latter to issue to him the needed transcripts. The defendant
Thus, as held by the trial court and the Court of Appeals, petitioner is bound refused until after he had paid back the P1,033.87 which defendant
to pay respondent P100,000 as liquidated damages. While we have refunded to him as above stated. As he could not take the bar examination
equitably reduced liquidated damages in certain cases, we cannot do so in without those transcripts, plaintiff paid to defendant the said sum under
this case, since it appears that even from the start, petitioner had not protest. This is the sum which plaintiff seeks to recover from defendant in
shown the least intention to fulfill the non-involvement clause in good faith. this case.
BAR QUESTION: Alma was hired as a domestic helper in Hongkong by the Before defendant awarded to plaintiff the scholarship grants as above
Dragon Services, Ltd., through its local agent. She executed a standard stated, he was made to sign the following contract covenant and
employment contract designed by the Philippine Overseas Workers agreement:
Administration (POEA) for overseas Filipino workers. It provided for her
employment for one year at a salary of US$1,000.00 a month. It was "In consideration of the scholarship granted to me by the University, I
submitted to and approved by the POEA. However, when she arrived in hereby waive my right to transfer to another school without having
Hongkong, she was asked to sign another contract by Dragon Services, Ltd. refunded to the University (defendant) the equivalent of my
which reduced her salary to only US$600.00 a month. Having no other scholarship cash.
choice, Alma signed the contact but when she returned to the Philippines,
(Sgd.) Emeterio Cui".
she demanded payment of the salary differential of US$400.00 a month.
Both Dragon Services, Ltd. and its local agent claimed that the second
contract is valid under the laws of Hongkong, and therefore binding on It is admitted that, on August 16, 1949, the Director of Private Schools
Alma. issued Memorandum No. 38, series of 1949, on the subject of "Scholarship,"
addressed to "All heads of private schools, colleges and universities,"
Is their claim correct? Explain reading:
ANSWER: No. Just because a contract is valid in the place where it was 1. School catalogs and prospectuses submitted to this Bureau show
celebrated, it can be enforced here in the Philippines. The Philippine that some schools offer full or partial scholarships to deserving
Constitution affords full protection to labor. Such stipulation reducing the students for excellence in scholarship or for leadership in extra-
curricular activities. Such inducements to poor but gifted students
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
77 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
should be encouraged. But to stipulate the condition that such 1941, p. 67 we read: 'In order to declare a contract void as
scholarships are good only if the students concerned continue in the against public policy, a court must find that the contract as to
same school nullifies the principle of merit in the award of these consideration or the thing to be done, contravenes some
scholarships. established interest of society, or is inconsistent with sound
2. When students are given full or partial scholarships, it is understood policy and good morals or tends clearly to undermine the
that such scholarships are merited and earned. The amount in tuition security of individual rights. The policy enunciated in Memorandum
and other fees corresponding to these scholarships should not be No. 38, s. 1949 is sound policy. Scholarships are awarded in
subsequently charged to the recipient students when they decide to recognition of merit not to keep outstanding students in school to
quit school or to transfer to another institution. Scholarships should not bolster its prestige. In the understanding of that university scholarships
be offered merely to attract and keep students in a school. award is a business scheme designed to increase the business
3. Several complaints have actually been received from students who potential of an education institution. Thus conceived it is not only
have enjoyed scholarships, full or partial, to the effect that they could inconsistent with sound policy but also good morals. But what is
not transfer to other schools since their credentials would not be morals? Manresa has this definition. It is good customs; those
released unless they would pay the fees corresponding to the period of generally accepted principles of morality which have received some
the scholarships. Where the Bureau believes that the right of the kind of social and practical confirmation. The practice of awarding
student to transfer is being denied on this ground, it reserves the right scholarships to attract students and keep them in school is not good
to authorize such transfer. customs nor has it received some kind of social and practical
confirmation except in some private institutions as in Arellano
The plaintiff asked the Bureau of Private Schools to pass upon the issue on University. The University of the Philippines which implements Section
his right to secure the transcript of his record in defendant University, 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution with reference to the giving of free
without being required to refund the sum of P1,033.87 and was upheld by scholarships to gifted children, does not require scholars to reimburse
the Bureau. However, defendant still refused to release the transcript of the corresponding value of the scholarships if they transfer to other
records. As above stated, plaintiff was, accordingly, constrained to pay, and schools. So also with the leading colleges and universities of the United
did pay under protest, said sum of P1,033.87, in order that he could take States after which our educational practices or policies are patterned.
the bar examination in 1953. Subsequently, he brought this action for the In these institutions, scholarships are granted not to attract and to
recovery of said amount, aside from P2,000 as moral damages, P500 as keep brilliant students in school for their propaganda mine but to
exemplary damages, P2,000 as attorney's fees, and P500 as expenses of reward merit or help gifted students in whom society has an
litigation. established interest or a first lien. (Emphasis supplied.)
WHEREFORE, the decision appealed from is hereby reversed and another
In its answer, defendant reiterated the stand it took, vis-a-vis the Bureau of one shall be entered sentencing the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the
Private Schools, namely, that the provisions of its contract with plaintiff are sum of P1,033.87, with interest thereon at the legal rate from September 1,
valid and binding and that the memorandum above-referred to is null and 1954, date of the institution of this case, as well as the costs, and
void. dismissing defendant's counterclaim. It is so ordered.
The trial court ruled in favor of defendant and upheld the validity of the RAMON E. SAURA, plaintiff-appellant,
above-quoted provision. vs.
ESTELA P. SINDICO, defendant-appellee.
ISSUE: WON the above-quoted provision of the contract between plaintiff G.R. No. L-13403 March 23, 1960
and the defendant, whereby the former waived his right to transfer to
another school without refunding to the latter the equivalent of his FACTS: Ramon E. Saura and Estela P. Sindico were contesting for
scholarships in cash, is valid? nomination as the official candidate of the Nacionalista Party in the fourth
district of Pangasinan in the congressional elections of November 12, 1957.
HELD: No. We are of the opinion that the stipulation in question is contrary On August 23, 1957, the parties entered into a written agreement bearing
to public policy and, hence, null and void. The aforesaid memorandum the same date, containing among other matters stated therein, a pledge
merely incorporates a sound principle of public policy. As the Director of that
Private Schools correctly pointed, out in his letter, Exhibit B, to the
defendant, Each aspirant shall respect the result of the aforesaid convention, i.e.,
no one of us shall either run as a rebel or independent candidate after
There is one more point that merits refutation and that is whether or losing in said convention.
not the contract entered into between Cui and Arellano University on
September 10, 1951 was void as against public policy. In the case of In the provincial convention, Saura was elected and proclaimed the Party's
Zeigel vs. Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, 245 Ill. 180, 19 Ann. Case official congressional candidate for the aforesaid district of Pangasinan.
127, the court said: 'In determining a public policy of the state, Nonetheless, Sindico, in disregard of the covenant, filed, on September 6,
courts are limited to a consideration of the Constitution, the 1957, her certificate of candidacy for the same office with the COMELEC,
judicial decisions, the statutes, and the practice of and she openly and actively campaigned for her election. Wherefore, on
government officers.' It might take more than a government bureau October 5, 1957, plaintiff Saura commenced this suit for the recovery of
or office to lay down or establish a public policy, as alleged in your damages which was dismissed on the basis that the agreement sued upon is
communication, but courts consider the practices of government null and void, in that (1) the subject matter of the contract, being a public
officials as one of the four factors in determining a public policy of the office, is not within the commerce of man; and (2) the "pledge" was in
state. It has been consistently held in America that under the curtailment of the free exercise of elective franchise and therefore against
principles relating to the doctrine of public policy, as applied public policy. Hence, this appeal.
to the law of contracts, courts of justice will not recognize or
uphold a transaction which its object, operation, or tendency ISSUE: WON the agreement in question is valid?
is calculated to be prejudicial to the public welfare, to sound
morality or to civic honesty. If Arellano University understood HELD: No. Among those that may not be the subject matter
clearly the real essence of scholarships and the motives which (object) of contracts are certain rights of individuals, which the
prompted this office to issue Memorandum No. 38, s. 1949, it should law and public policy have deemed wise to exclude from the
have not entered into a contract of waiver with Cui on September 10, commerce of man. Among them are the political rights conferred
1951, which is a direct violation of our Memorandum and an open upon citizens, including, but not limited to, one's right to vote, the
challenge to the authority of the Director of Private Schools because right to present one's candidacy to the people and to be voted to
the contract was repugnant to sound morality and civic honesty. And public office, provided, however, that all the qualifications
finally, in Gabriel vs. Monte de Piedad, Off. Gazette Supp. Dec. 6, prescribed by law obtain. Such rights may not, therefore, be
3. MUTUALITY ARTS. 1308-1310, 1182 PRIVITY OF CONTRACTS: means that the contract takes effect only
between the parties, their assigns and heirs which are referred to as privies.
Art. 1308. The contract must bind both contracting parties; its validity or
compliance cannot be left to the will of one of them. (1256a) When not transmissible:
a. When the nature of the obligation is that it is not transmissible: when
Validity or compliance: not extinguishment. As such, in a contract of the rights are purely or strictly personal in nature, i.e., the
lease which may be terminated upon the will of the lessee by simply giving qualifications and skills of the person have been considered in the
notice to the lessor, the same is valid and does not violate the mutuality of constitution of the contract.
contracts principle. The principle pertains to validity or compliance and not b. By stipulation: e.g. the right to sublease is granted by law, but may be
termination of contracts. prohibited by stipulation.
Art. 1177. The creditors, after having pursued the property in ANSWER: Yes. Roland is bound under Art. 1159, obligations arising
possession of the debtor to satisfy their claims, may exercise all the from contract have the force of law between the parties.
rights and bring all the actions of the latter for the same purpose, save
those which are inherent in his person; they may also impugn the acts Yes, he is liable for breach of contract. He can be held liable with
which the debtor may have done to defraud them. (1111) Sweet Taste under Art. 1314, this can be considered malicious
interference to violate the contract.
Art. 1381. The following contracts are rescissible:
xxx d. Third persons may be benefited by a contract 2nd paragraph
(3) Those undertaken in fraud of creditors when the latter cannot in any of Art. 1311, otherwise known as a stipulation pour atrui.
other manner collect the claims due them;
xxx Art. 1311. xxx
Rescission by accion pauliana. As such, the creditor has a cause of If a contract should contain some stipulation in favor of a third person,
action against the acts of the debtor and any person he contracts with, he may demand its fulfillment provided he communicated his
where the contract is to defraud the creditor, i.e., the creditor will have acceptance to the obligor before its revocation. A mere incidental
a right to rescind said contract. benefit or interest of a person is not sufficient. The contracting parties
must have clearly and deliberately conferred a favor upon a third
c. Third persons may be liable under a contract person.
Art. 1314. Any third person who induces another to violate his contract Subject matter: must be secondary or incidental only, not the main
shall be liable for damages to the other contracting party. object of the contract. E.g., in a contract of loan with a stipulation that
the interests are payable to a third person.
Malicious interference by third persons: as the name implies, there
should be malice or a malicious inducement by the third person as a Communication of acceptance to the obligor is required. No form is
result of which, the debtor does not comply with his obligation under required. It can even be implied from the acts of the third person.
the contract, which necessarily implies that such third person has
knowledge of the existence of the contract. Revocation: cannot be done by one party alone. The Supreme Court
has held that if this revocation is a unilateral act of one of the parties,
How to know if there was malice: usually, the words use would it is void for violation of the principle of mutuality of contracts. For a
revocation to take effect, it must be with consent of both parties
indicate malice, e.g., entice, sometimes, it may be inferred from the
circumstances, i.e., where a party entice an employee of another to (obligor and oblige) and should be done before the communication of
acceptance to the obligor.
leave by offering him a better compensation package.
C. CLASSIFICATION OF CONTRACTS
BAR QUESTION: Francis Albert, a citizen and resident of New Jersey
U.S.A., under whose law he was still a minor, being only 20 years of 1. ACCORDING TO DEGREE OF DEPENDENCE
age, was hired by ABC Corporation of Manila to serve for two years as
its chief computer programmer. But after serving for only four months, a. PREPARATORY ARTS. 1479, 1767, 1868
he resigned to join XYZ Corporation, which enticed him by offering
more advantageous terms. His first employer sues him in Manila for Art. 1479. A promise to buy and sell a determinate thing for a price certain
damages arising from the breach of his contract of employment. He is reciprocally demandable.
sets up his minority as a defense and asks for annulment of the
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
80 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
An accepted unilateral promise to buy or to sell a determinate thing for a a. CONSENSUAL are those perfected by mere consent.
price certain is binding upon the promissor if the promise is supported by a
consideration distinct from the price. (1451a) Art. 1315. Contracts are perfected by mere consent, and from that
moment the parties are bound not only to the fulfillment of what has been
Art. 1767. By the contract of partnership two or more persons bind expressly stipulated but also to all the consequences which, according to
themselves to contribute money, property, or industry to a common fund, their nature, may be in keeping with good faith, usage and law. (1258)
with the intention of dividing the profits among themselves.
Art. 1475. The contract of sale is perfected at the moment there is a
Two or more persons may also form a partnership for the exercise of a meeting of minds upon the thing which is the object of the contract and
profession. (1665a) upon the price.
Art. 1868. By the contract of agency a person binds himself to render From that moment, the parties may reciprocally demand performance,
some service or to do something in representation or on behalf of another, subject to the provisions of the law governing the form of contracts.
with the consent or authority of the latter. (1709a) (1450a)
b. PRINCIPAL ARTS. 1458, 1638, 1642, 1933, 1962 b. REAL those which are perfected only upon delivery of the thing
subject of the contract. E.g., deposit, pledge, commodatum and
Art. 1458. By the contract of sale one of the contracting parties obligates mutuum.
himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate thing, and
the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its equivalent. Art. 1316. Real contracts, such as deposit, pledge and Commodatum, are
not perfected until the delivery of the object of the obligation. (n)
A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional. (1445a)
Art. 1934. An accepted promise to deliver something by way
Art. 1638. By the contract of barter or exchange one of the parties binds of commodatum or simple loan is binding upon parties, but
himself to give one thing in consideration of the other's promise to give the commodatum or simple loan itself shall not be perfected until the
another thing. (1538a) delivery of the object of the contract. (n)
Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service. c. FORMAL those which require a certain form for its validity.
(1542) E.g., antichresis
Art. 1933. By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another, Art. 1356. Contracts shall be obligatory, in whatever form they may have
either something not consumable so that the latter may use the same for a been entered into, provided all the essential requisites for their validity are
certain time and return it, in which case the contract is called a present. However, when the law requires that a contract be in some form in
commodatum; or money or other consumable thing, upon the condition that order that it may be valid or enforceable, or that a contract be proved in a
the same amount of the same kind and quality shall be paid, in which case certain way, that requirement is absolute and indispensable. In such cases,
the contract is simply called a loan or mutuum. the right of the parties stated in the following article cannot be exercised.
(1278a)
Commodatum is essentially gratuitous.
Article 1357. If the law requires a document or other special form, as in
Simple loan may be gratuitous or with a stipulation to pay interest. the acts and contracts enumerated in the following article, the contracting
parties may compel each other to observe that form, once the contract has
In commodatum the bailor retains the ownership of the thing loaned, while been perfected. This right may be exercised simultaneously with the action
in simple loan, ownership passes to the borrower. (1740a) upon the contract.
c. ACCESSORY those which cannot stand on its own and are Art. 1357: does not apply where the formality is a requirement for validity.
dependent upon other contracts for its validity. E.g., guaranty, As such, an action under Art. 1357 cannot prosper to compel the other
suretyship, mortgage and antichresis. party to execute a formality, when it has not been complied with, in cases
where the formality is required for validity.
Art. 2047. By guaranty a person, called the guarantor, binds himself to the
creditor to fulfill the obligation of the principal debtor in case the latter Art. 1357 presupposes the existence of a valid contract and cannot possibly
should fail to do so. refer to the form required to make it valid but rather to that required to
simply to make it effective.
If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions
of Section 4, Chapter 3, Title I of this Book shall be observed. In such case Form requirements as to the validity of the contract: or ad
the contract is called a suretyship. (1822a) essential/ad solemnitatem:
Negotiable instruments must be in writing;
Art. 2085. The following requisites are essential to the contracts of pledge Donations of personal property more than P5,000 must be in writing;
and mortgage: Donations of real property must be in a public instrument;
Interests on loan must be stipulated in writing, otherwise they are
(1) That they be constituted to secure the fulfillment of a principal not due;
obligation; Principal and interests in antichresis must be specified in writing,
(2) That the pledgor or mortgagor be the absolute owner of the thing otherwise the contract is void.
pledged or mortgaged; Sale and transfer of large cattle under the Cattle Registration Act, the
(3) That the persons constituting the pledge or mortgage have the free same must be registered and a certificate of transfer must be issued.
disposal of their property, and in the absence thereof, that they be legally Chattel mortgage requires registration.
authorized for the purpose. Contract of partnership where real property or real rights are
contributed must be in a public instrument with an inventory
Third persons who are not parties to the principal obligation may secure the attached.
latter by pledging or mortgaging their own property. (1857)
Article 1358. The following must appear in a public document:
2. ACCORDING TO PERFECTION (1) Acts and contracts which have for their object the creation,
transmission, modification or extinguishment of real rights over immovable
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
81 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
property; sales of real property or of an interest therein are governed by
articles 1403, No. 2, and 1405; 3. ACCORDING TO SOLEMNITY OR FORM ART. 1356
(2) The cession, repudiation or renunciation of hereditary rights or of those
of the conjugal partnership of gains; Art. 1356. Contracts shall be obligatory, in whatever form they may have
(3) The power to administer property, or any other power which has for its been entered into, provided all the essential requisites for their validity are
object an act appearing or which should appear in a public document, or present. However, when the law requires that a contract be in some form in
should prejudice a third person; order that it may be valid or enforceable, or that a contract be proved in a
(4) The cession of actions or rights proceeding from an act appearing in a certain way, that requirement is absolute and indispensable. In such cases,
public document. the right of the parties stated in the following article cannot be exercised.
(1278a)
All other contracts where the amount involved exceeds five hundred pesos
must appear in writing, even a private one. But sales of goods, chattels or a. ANY FORM e.g. loan.
things in action are governed by articles, 1403, No. 2 and 1405. (1280a) b. SPECIAL FORM e.g. donations, mortgage of immovable
property.
Formal requirements to prove existence: STATUTE OF FRAUDS:
4. ACCORDING TO PURPOSE
Article 1403. The following contracts are unenforceable, unless they are a. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP Donation, Sale and Barter
ratified: (ARTS. 725, 1458, 1638)
(1) Those entered into in the name of another person by one who has been
given no authority or legal representation, or who has acted beyond his Art. 725. Donation is an act of liberality whereby a person disposes
powers; gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another, who accepts it. (618a)
(2) Those that do not comply with the Statute of Frauds as set forth in this
number. In the following cases an agreement hereafter made shall be Art. 1458. By the contract of sale one of the contracting parties obligates
unenforceable by action, unless the same, or some note or memorandum, himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate thing, and
thereof, be in writing, and subscribed by the party charged, or by his agent; the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its equivalent.
evidence, therefore, of the agreement cannot be received without the
writing, or a secondary evidence of its contents: A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional. (1445a)
(a) An agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within a
year from the making thereof; Art. 1638. By the contract of barter or exchange one of the parties binds
(b) A special promise to answer for the debt, default, or himself to give one thing in consideration of the other's promise to give
miscarriage of another; another thing. (1538a)
(c) An agreement made in consideration of marriage, other than a
mutual promise to marry; b. CONVEYANCE OF USE Usufruct, Lease and Loan (ARTS. 562,
(d) An agreement for the sale of goods, chattels or things in action, at a 1642, 1933)
price not less than five hundred pesos, unless the buyer accept and
receive part of such goods and chattels, or the evidences, or some of Art. 562. Usufruct gives a right to enjoy the property of another with the
them, of such things in action or pay at the time some part of the obligation of preserving its form and substance, unless the title constituting
purchase money; but when a sale is made by auction and entry is made it or the law otherwise provides. (467)
by the auctioneer in his sales book, at the time of the sale, of the amount
and kind of property sold, terms of sale, price, names of the purchasers Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service.
and person on whose account the sale is made, it is a sufficient
(1542)
memorandum;
(e) An agreement for the leasing for a longer period than one year,
Art. 1643. In the lease of things, one of the parties binds himself to give to
or for the sale of real property or of an interest therein; another the enjoyment or use of a thing for a price certain, and for a period
(f) A representation as to the credit of a third person. which may be definite or indefinite. However, no lease for more than ninety-
(3) Those where both parties are incapable of giving consent to a contract. nine years shall be valid. (1543a)
IMPORTANCE OF CLASSIFICATION AS TO PERFECTION: if the
Art. 1933. By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another,
contract is consensual, it is perfected by mere consent; if real, by delivery; if
either something not consumable so that the latter may use the same for a
formal; upon compliance with the required form.
certain time and return it, in which case the contract is called a
commodatum; or money or other consumable thing, upon the condition that
BAR QUESTION: Merle offered to sell her automobile to Violy for
the same amount of the same kind and quality shall be paid, in which case
P60,000.00. After inspecting the automobile, Violy offered to buy it for
the contract is simply called a loan ormutuum.
P50,000.00. This offer was accepted by Merle. The next day, Merle offered
to deliver the automobile, but Violy being short of funds, secured
Commodatum is essentially gratuitous.
postponement of the delivery, promising to pay the price upon arrival of
the steamer, Helena. The steamer however never arrived because it was
Simple loan may be gratuitous or with a stipulation to pay interest.
wrecked by a typhoon and sank somewhere off the Coast of Samar.
In commodatum the bailor retains the ownership of the thing loaned, while
Is there a perfected contract in this case? Why?
in simple loan, ownership passes to the borrower. (1740a)
ANSWER: Yes. In this case, the contract involved is one of sale. Sale is not
c. RENDITION OF SERVICE Lease and Agency (ARTS. 1642,
a real or a formal contract which would require delivery or compliance with
1868)
a certain form for its perfection; it is a consensual contract which is
perfected at the moment there is meeting of the minds.
Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service.
(1542)
In this case, there was meeting of the minds the moment the counter-offer
or offer to buy was accepted. As such, there is a perfected contract.
Art. 1868. By the contract of agency a person binds himself to render
Note: that the condition upon arrival of the steamer Helena was only for some service or to do something in representation or on behalf of another,
performance and not for perfection. It is a condition as to the payment but with the consent or authority of the latter. (1709a)
not as to whether the contract would be perfected or not.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
82 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
5. ACCORDING TO NATURE OF OBLIGATION PRODUCED
a. BILATERAL where both parties are reciprocally obligated, e.g., b. GRATUITOUS OR LUCRATIVE ARTS. 725, 1933
lease (where the lessor is obliged to allow the use of the thing
and the lessee is obliged to pay rent) and sale (where the buyer is Art. 725. Donation is an act of liberality whereby a person disposes
obliged to pay the price and the seller obliged to deliver the thing) gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another, who accepts it. (618a)
(ARTS. 1642, 1458)
Art. 1933. By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another,
Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service. either something not consumable so that the latter may use the same for a
(1542) certain time and return it, in which case the contract is called a
commodatum; or money or other consumable thing, upon the condition that
Art. 1458. By the contract of sale one of the contracting parties obligates the same amount of the same kind and quality shall be paid, in which case
himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate thing, and the contract is simply called a loan ormutuum.
the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its equivalent.
Commodatum is essentially gratuitous.
A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional. (1445a)
Simple loan may be gratuitous or with a stipulation to pay interest.
b. UNILATERAL only one party is obliged. E.g., guaranty and
pledge. (ARTS. 2047, 2093) In commodatum the bailor retains the ownership of the thing loaned, while
in simple loan, ownership passes to the borrower. (1740a)
Art. 2047. By guaranty a person, called the guarantor, binds himself to the
creditor to fulfill the obligation of the principal debtor in case the latter c. REMUNERATORY
should fail to do so.
IMPORTANCE OF CLASSIFICATION; EXAMPLES:
If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions
of Section 4, Chapter 3, Title I of this Book shall be observed. In such case Presumption that the transfer of ownership is in fraud of creditors: A sold
the contract is called a suretyship. (1822a) his only property to B. At the time of sale, he was indebted to X. In this
case, it may not necessarily be in fraud of X, since the sale may have been
Art. 2093. In addition to the requisites prescribed in Article 2085, it is precisely to have the proceeds delivered to X for payment. Would there be
necessary, in order to constitute the contract of pledge, that the thing such presumption? It depends:
pledged be placed in the possession of the creditor, or of a third person by
common agreement. (1863) Onerous: if there is already a judgment against A as to his liability to X
and the transfer is onerous, such as this one (a sale), there is a
IMPORTANCE OF CLASSIFICATION: presumption that the transfer of ownership is in fraud of creditors.
Gratuitous: it would depend on the remaining amount of property,
As to FRUITS: in conditional obligations, who would be entitled to the fruits such that if A donated his property to B worth P3M, the presumption
before the happening of the suspensive condition? would arise only if A did not reserve sufficient properties to cover his
Bilateral: the fruits are deemed mutually compensated under Art. 1187. debts.
Unilateral: the fruits shall pertain to the debtor unless a contrary
intention is clear. Interpretation of contracts: A obliged to deliver a car to B and upon
delivery, B noticed that the car stereo was missing. B asked for the stereo
Rescission: under Art. 1191, is implied in reciprocal obligations, or in this but A claims that he is the owner thereof. Who is entitled to the stereo? It
case, bilateral contracts where both are reciprocally obligated. But if the depends:
contract is unilateral, logically, the creditor would not rescind, he would Gratuitous: such as a donation, the principle that would apply is the
either demand performance or seek damages. least transmission of rights, such that the donor would be entitled
to the stereo.
Delay: in reciprocal obligations (bilateral contracts), from the moment one Onerous: such as a sale, the principle that would apply is the greatest
of the parties had already complied and the other did not, the latter shall be reciprocity of interests, such that the buyer would be entitled to the
considered in delay even if there is no demand. stereo.
6. ACCORDING TO CAUSE ART. 1350 NOTE: the above principles would be applicable only on secondary matters
of the contract. Such that if the ambiguity pertains to the principal
Art. 1350. In onerous contracts the cause is understood to be, for each prestation, such as the car in this case, then the contract would be void.
contracting party, the prestation or promise of a thing or service by the
other; in remuneratory ones, the service or benefit which is remunerated; 7. ACCORDING TO RISK
and in contracts of pure beneficence, the mere liberality of the benefactor. a. CUMULATIVE
(1274) b. ALEATORY ART. 2010
a. ONEROUS ARTS. 1458, 1638, 1642 Art. 2010. By an aleatory contract, one of the parties or both reciprocally
bind themselves to give or to do something in consideration of what the
Art. 1458. By the contract of sale one of the contracting parties obligates other shall give or do upon the happening of an event which is uncertain, or
himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate thing, and which is to occur at an indeterminate time. (1790)
the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its equivalent.
8. ACCORDING TO NAME
A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional. (1445a) a. NOMINATE
b. INNOMINATE ART. 1307
Art. 1638. By the contract of barter or exchange one of the parties binds
himself to give one thing in consideration of the other's promise to give Art. 1307. Innominate contracts shall be regulated by the stipulations of
another thing. (1538a) the parties, by the provisions of Titles I and II of this Book, by the rules
governing the most analogous nominate contracts, and by the customs of
Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service. the place.
(1542)
9. ACCORDING TO SUBJECT MATTER
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
83 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
a. THING
b. RIGHT BAR QUESTION: Sergio is the registered owner of a parcel of land. His
c. SERVICE friend Marcelo succeeded in convincing him to sell such land to Marcelo. On
June 2, 2012, they agreed on the price of P600,000 and a period until June
D. STAGES OF CONTRACTS 30, 2012 within which Marcel may raise the amount. Marcelo in a light tone,
1. NEGOTIATION usual between them, said that they should seal their agreement through a
case of Jack Daniels Black and P5,000 pulutan, which they did. On June 13,
CONTRACT OF OPTION ARTS. 1324, 1479, 1482 2015, Sergio learned of a new buyer Roberto who is offering to buy the land
for P800,000 cash. Sergio withdrew his offer to Marcelo. Marcelo objected
Art. 1324. When the offerer has allowed the offeree a certain period to claiming that there is an option to buy supported by a valuable
accept, the offer may be withdrawn at any time before acceptance by consideration. Does Marcelo have a cause of action against Sergio?
communicating such withdrawal, except when the option is founded upon a
consideration, as something paid or promised. Answer: Yes. There is already a perfected contract of sale. From the facts,
succeeded in persuading Sergio to sell it to him and given the period until
Option Agreement: in an option agreement, as provided under Art. 1324, June 30, 2012 is only for the performance.
the offeror may withdraw the offer before acceptance is communicated to
him, and he would not be liable for damages. The case of bourbon and P5,000 pulutan - can be considered only as to
statute of frauds that this should be in writing, but the party had already
Offeror is not bound, he may withdraw anytime before acceptance is performed. Decided to withdraw his offer is not accurate, because he did
conveyed to him. not withdraw from the offer, but from the contract of sale.
Art. 1479. A promise to buy and sell a determinate thing for a price certain Art. 1482. Whenever earnest money is given in a contract of sale, it shall
is reciprocally demandable. be considered as part of the price and as proof of the perfection of the
contract. (1454a)
An accepted unilateral promise to buy or to sell a determinate thing for a
price certain is binding upon the promissor if the promise is supported by a Earnest Money: the above provision refers to earnest money which is
consideration distinct from the price. (1451a) considered part of the price and proof of the perfection of the contract of
sale.
Option Contract: there is already a perfected contract of option. Here,
there is a consideration distinct and separate from the price. As such, the 2. PERFECTION goes into the essential elements of the contract.
offeror cannot validly withdraw before the period agreed upon without being 3. PERFORMANCE
liable for damages. This does not, however, entitle the offeree the right to 4. CONSUMMATION
demand specific performance since there is no perfected contract of sale
yet. E. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CONTRACTS ART. 1318
Likewise, an option contract does not bind the offeror to enter into a 1. CONSENT OF CONTRACTING PARTIES ARTS. 1319-1346, 37-
contract, he has the choice whether to pursue or not the contract, if he 42, 739, 1476(4), 1490-1491, 1533(5), 1646, 1782, 1409(7),
does not pursue, he loses his right to the option money given. (What if the 5;
the exercise of the option was at the fault of the offeree, e.g., reservation
fee paid for a car, and the color chosen for which the option payment was Art. 1319. Consent is manifested by the meeting of the offer and the
given, was not available?) acceptance upon the thing and the cause which are to constitute the
contract. The offer must be certain and the acceptance absolute. A qualified
Offeree accepted before withdrawal of the offer is communicated to him: acceptance constitutes a counter-offer.
the contract of sale, being consensual, is already perfected.
Acceptance made by letter or telegram does not bind the offerer except
Option Money: from the time it came to his knowledge. The contract, in such a case, is
is not necessarily money only, it can be any prestation like services presumed to have been entered into in the place where the offer was made.
or other things. (1262a)
Not necessarily paid already. Promise may also be considered as a
consideration for the option contract. Art. 1320. An acceptance may be express or implied. (n)
BAR QUESTION: Marvin offered to construct the house of Carlos for a very Art. 1321. The person making the offer may fix the time, place, and
reasonable price of P900,000.00, giving the latter 10 days within which to manner of acceptance, all of which must be complied with. (n)
accept or reject the offer. On the fifth day, before Carlos could make up his
mind, Marvin withdrew his offer. Art. 1322. An offer made through an agent is accepted from the time
acceptance is communicated to him. (n)
(a) What is the effect of the withdrawal of Marvins offer? (2%)
Valid. Offeror may validly withdraw before acceptance is communicated to Art. 1323. An offer becomes ineffective upon the death, civil interdiction,
him. insanity, or insolvency of either party before acceptance is conveyed. (n)
(b) Will your answer be the same if Carlos paid Marvin P10,000.00
Art. 1324. When the offerer has allowed the offeree a certain period to
as consideration for that option? Explain. (2%) No. Here there is an
accept, the offer may be withdrawn at any time before acceptance by
option contract. Offeror cannot validly withdraw the offer. Otherwise, there
communicating such withdrawal, except when the option is founded upon a
would be breach of the option contract. Remedy is action for damages.
consideration, as something paid or promised. (n)
(c) Supposing that Carlos accepted the offer before Marvin could
Art. 1325. Unless it appears otherwise, business advertisements of things
communicate his withdrawal thereof? Discuss the legal
for sale are not definite offers, but mere invitations to make an offer. (n)
consequences. (2%) There would be a perfected contract. A contract for
a piece of work is a consensual contract perfected by the meeting of the
minds of the parties. As such, the contract was already perfected when the Art. 1326. Advertisements for bidders are simply invitations to make
acceptance was communicated to Marvin before he could communicate his proposals, and the advertiser is not bound to accept the highest or lowest
withdrawal. bidder, unless the contrary appears. (n)
Art. 1646. The persons disqualified to buy referred to in Articles 1490 and Section 1. Article 234 of Executive Order No. 209, the Family Code of the
1491, are also disqualified to become lessees of the things mentioned Philippines, is hereby amended to read as follows:
therein. (n)
"Art. 234. Emancipation takes place by the attainment of majority. Unless
Art. 1533. xxx otherwise provided, majority commences at the age of eighteen years."
The seller is bound to exercise reasonable care and judgment in making a Section 2. Articles 235 and 237 of the same Code are hereby repealed.
resale, and subject to this requirement may make a resale either by public
or private sale. He cannot, however, directly or indirectly buy the goods. Section 3. Article 236 of the same Code is also hereby amended to read as
follows:
Art. 1409. The following contracts are inexistent and void from the
beginning: "Art. 236. Emancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person
(1) Those whose cause, object or purpose is contrary to law, morals, good and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all
customs, public order or public policy; acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special
(2) Those which are absolutely simulated or fictitious; cases.
(3) Those whose cause or object did not exist at the time of the transaction;
(4) Those whose object is outside the commerce of men; "Contracting marriage shall require parental consent until the age of twenty-
(5) Those which contemplate an impossible service; one.
(6) Those where the intention of the parties relative to the principal object
of the contract cannot be ascertained; "Nothing in this Code shall be construed to derogate from the duty or
(7) Those expressly prohibited or declared void by law responsibility of parents and guardians for children and wards below
twenty-one years of age mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of
These contracts cannot be ratified. Neither can the right to set up the Article 2180 of the Civil Code."
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
86 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Section 4. Upon the effectivity of this Act, existing wills, bequests, b. Both parties gave their consent, but one is incapacitated
donations, grants, insurance policies and similar instruments containing
references and provisions favorable to minors will not retroact to their i. Absolute Incapacity the party cannot give consent in any
prejudice. contract, with anyone, in whatever capacity, over anything.
ii. Relative Incapacity a person may be prohibited from entering
Section 5. This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in at specific contracts or that in a contract, he may be prohibited in a
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. certain capacity, i.e., prohibited to be the buyer, or to specific
things, or to specific persons.
ART. XII, SEC. 7 & 8, 1987 CONSTITUTION
Example: an alien is prohibited under the Constitution from
Section 7. Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be acquiring private lands. EXCEPT: when acquired through (1)
transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations succession; or (2) sale of residential land to a former natural born
qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain. Filipino citizen.
Section 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7 of this Article, a A sale in violation of the prohibition is void. As such, the seller
natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may recover the land. However, if at the time the action to
may be a transferee of private lands, subject to limitations provided by law. recover was filed, the land was already transferred to a Filipino,
the action will no longer prosper.
COGNITION THEORY contract is perfected upon receipt of the
acceptance. CASE: Common-law spouses bought land through salaries of
MANIFESTATION THEORY contract is perfected upon manifestation of alien Jamrich but was registered under the name of the Filipino
acceptance. wife. Jamrich used the lot to pay for his debt (purchase of yacht)
to Borromeo. Agro-Macro, the seller, filed for annulment of sale.
Kinds of Capacity: SC: if land is invalidly transferred to an alien who subsequently
a. Juridical Capacity fitness to be subject to a legal relation. becomes a Filipino citizen or transfers it to a Filipino, the flaw in
the original transaction is considered cured and the title of the
Example of incapacity: a corporation without SEC Certificate of Registration. transferee is rendered valid. (Borromeo vs. Descallar)
If incapacity pertains to juridical capacity, the contract is void. c. Both parties gave their consent
b. Capacity to Act power to do acts with legal effects. Incapacity Valid? It depends:
pertains to restrictions on the capacity to act. If consent is given in behalf of another without authority
unenforceable UNLESS the person acting has authority under the
Situations concerning consent of the parties: law (e.g., guardians, sheriff, executor, administrator, etc.)
a. No consent of one or both parties If there was fraud, mistake, violence, intimidation or undue
influence voidable.
Here the contract is void. Art. 1409 involves fictitious or simulated contracts:
Fictitious Contracts: where one of the parties did not actually gave Can be grouped into two:
his consent. E.g., a partys signature in a deed of sale is forged;
Simulated Contracts: where the parties would make it appear that i. Those affecting COGNITION or the awareness of certain facts:
they entered into a contract when in fact they did not. mistake and fraud.
ii. Those affecting VOLITION or voluntariness of the act: Violence,
i. Absolutely Simulated Contracts they did not intend to be Intimidation or Undue Influence.
bound by the contract or any contract for that matter. Usually to
defraud someone. Relevance of the above grouping: If violence was employed on
the wife of the contracting party to force him to enter into a
Example: in the trial of CJ Corona, the prosecution claimed that contract, the same would be voidable. Even though Art. 1335 only
the sale of real properties made by the CJ to his relatives are mentions intimidation on the person or property of the spouse,
simulated contracts in order to avoid presenting them in the ascendants or descendants, the party may still invoke vitiation of
SALN. The defense countered that these sales are supported by consent due to the violence employed on the person of his
notarized deeds of sale. However, the prosecution presented the spouse. This is because they have the same effect, i.e., they
clerk of court where the supposed notary was commissioned and affect volition or voluntariness of giving consent. Moreover, if the
testified that no such person was commissioned during the period law would already consider as ground for vitiation of consent, the
when the supposed sale happened. intimidation, there is more reason to consider if violence is
employed.
ii. Relatively Simulated Contracts the parties intended another
contract. d. Both parties gave their consent, but both of the parties
consent is vitiated or both are incapacitated unenforceable.
Example: Sale of CJ Coronas condominium unit to her daughter Art. 1403(3).
Karla worth P16M. The prosecution theorized that the sale is
either absolutely or relatively simulated in order to avoid 2. OBJECT CERTAIN WHICH IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE
presenting the unit in the SALN. The prosecution presented the CONTRACT ARTS. 1347-1349, 1311, 1178
Commissioner of Internal Revenue who testified that Karlas
income statement the year prior to the supposed sale, Karlas Art. 1347. All things which are not outside the commerce of men, including
income was only P9,000 for the whole year. As such, it was future things, may be the object of a contract. All rights which are not
theorized that if it was a realtively simulated sale, the intention intransmissible may also be the object of contracts.
was actually a donation. It was made to appear as a sale in order
to avoid paying donors tax. No contract may be entered into upon future inheritance except in cases
expressly authorized by law.
Proof of relatively simulated sale: capacity of the buyer to buy. If
he does not have capacity to buy, it would be proof of simulation. All services which are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public
OBJECT: is the subject matter of a contract which may not necessarily be a Example: if the deed of sale did not indicate the price or there was no
thing, it may be rights or service. mention at all of the price, the contract may still be considered valid
because the law expressly provides that the cause is presumed to exists and
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: is lawful.
Rights must not be intransmissible;
Services not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or Rationale: ordinarily, when one enters into a contract, there is a cause.
public policy;
Things must not be outside of commerce of men, it must be licit and Art. 1355. Except in cases specified by law, lesion or inadequacy of cause
not impossible. Example: internal organs of humans. shall not invalidate a contract, unless there has been fraud, mistake or
undue influence. (n)
Future Inheritance: cannot be the subject matter of a valid contract as
provided under Art. 1347. This is because the seller owns no inheritance Example: A car with book value of P250,000 was sold for P1 in the deed of
while his predecessor lives. Public policy demands that if youre going to sale. Does this affect validity? Not necessarily. As a rule, gross inadequacy
sell, you have the right to do so, but not necessarily requiring that the seller of the price does not affect the validity of contracts. There might have been
is the owner. another cause, such as liberality or previously rendered service. Except: in
cases of rescissible contracts.
Art. 1349. The object of every contract must be determinate as to its kind.
The fact that the quantity is not determinate shall not be an obstacle to the 4. DELIVERY
existence of the contract, provided it is possible to determine the same, 5. DUE OBSERVANCE OF PRESCRIBED FORMALITIES
without the need of a new contract between the parties. (1273)
e. FORMS OF CONTRACT
Art. 1311. Contracts take effect only between the parties, their assigns and
heirs, except in case where the rights and obligations arising from the Art. 1356. Contracts shall be obligatory, in whatever form they may have
contract are not transmissible by their nature, or by stipulation or by been entered into, provided all the essential requisites for their validity are
provision of law. The heir is not liable beyond the value of the property he present. However, when the law requires that a contract be in some form in
received from the decedent. order that it may be valid or enforceable, or that a contract be proved in a
certain way, that requirement is absolute and indispensable. In such cases,
If a contract should contain some stipulation in favor of a third person, he the right of the parties stated in the following article cannot be exercised.
may demand its fulfillment provided he communicated his acceptance to the (1278a)
obligor before its revocation. A mere incidental benefit or interest of a
person is not sufficient. The contracting parties must have clearly and Article 1357. If the law requires a document or other special form, as in
deliberately conferred a favor upon a third person. (1257a) the acts and contracts enumerated in the following article, the contracting
parties may compel each other to observe that form, once the contract has
Art. 1178. Subject to the laws, all rights acquired in virtue of an obligation been perfected. This right may be exercised simultaneously with the action
are transmissible, if there has been no stipulation to the contrary. (1112) upon the contract.
3. CAUSE OF THE OBLIGATION ARTS. 1350-1355 Art. 1358. The following must appear in a public document:
Art. 1350. In onerous contracts the cause is understood to be, for each (1) Acts and contracts which have for their object the creation,
contracting party, the prestation or promise of a thing or service by the transmission, modification or extinguishment of real rights over immovable
other; in remuneratory ones, the service or benefit which is remunerated; property; sales of real property or of an interest therein a governed by
and in contracts of pure beneficence, the mere liberality of the Articles 1403, No. 2, and 1405;
benefactor. (1274) (2) The cession, repudiation or renunciation of hereditary rights or of those
of the conjugal partnership of gains;
Pledge: what is the cause? (3) The power to administer property, or any other power which has for its
1. Onerous the same as that of the principal contract; compensation; object an act appearing or which should appear in a public document, or
2. Gratuitous liberality. should prejudice a third person;
(4) The cession of actions or rights proceeding from an act appearing in a
Art. 1351. The particular motives of the parties in entering into a contract public document.
are different from the cause thereof. (n)
All other contracts where the amount involved exceeds five hundred pesos
Question: A bought a gun to kill B and he was able to do so. Was the sale must appear in writing, even a private one. But sales of goods, chattels or
valid? Yes. As a rule, motive does not affect the validity of a contract since things in action are governed by Articles, 1403, No. 2 and 1405. (1280a)
motive is different from cause and the illegality of motive does not affect
the validity of the contract. 1. GENERAL RULE: contracts are obligatory in whatever form they may
have been entered into, provided all the essential requisites are
Exception: if it predominates the purpose of the party to enter into a present.
contract. E.g., sale to defraud creditors.
2. SPECIAL FORM:
Art. 1352. Contracts without cause, or with unlawful cause, produce no
effect whatever. The cause is unlawful if it is contrary to law, morals, good a. VALIDITY ARTS. 748, 749, 1744, 1773, 1874, 1956,
customs, public order or public policy. (1275a) 2134
Art. 1353. The statement of a false cause in contracts shall render them Art. 748. The donation of a movable may be made orally or in writing.
void, if it should not be proved that they were founded upon another cause
which is true and lawful. (1276) An oral donation requires the simultaneous delivery of the thing or of the
document representing the right donated.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
88 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
year from the making thereof;
If the value of the personal property donated exceeds five thousand pesos, (b) A special promise to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of
the donation and the acceptance shall be made in writing, otherwise, the another;
donation shall be void. (632a) (c) An agreement made in consideration of marriage, other than a
mutual promise to marry;
Art. 749. In order that the donation of an immovable may be valid, it must (d) An agreement for the sale of goods, chattels or things in action, at
be made in a public document, specifying therein the property donated and a price not less than five hundred pesos, unless the buyer accept and
the value of the charges which the donee must satisfy. receive part of such goods and chattels, or the evidences, or some of
them, of such things in action or pay at the time some part of the
The acceptance may be made in the same deed of donation or in a separate purchase money; but when a sale is made by auction and entry is
public document, but it shall not take effect unless it is done during the made by the auctioneer in his sales book, at the time of the sale, of
lifetime of the donor. the amount and kind of property sold, terms of sale, price, names of
the purchasers and person on whose account the sale is made, it is a
If the acceptance is made in a separate instrument, the donor shall be sufficient memorandum;
notified thereof in an authentic form, and this step shall be noted in both (e) An agreement of the leasing for a longer period than one year, or
instruments. (633) for the sale of real property or of an interest therein;
(f) A representation as to the credit of a third person.
Art. 1744. A stipulation between the common carrier and the shipper or
owner limiting the liability of the former for the loss, destruction, or (3) Those where both parties are incapable of giving consent to a contract.
deterioration of the goods to a degree less than extraordinary diligence shall
be valid, provided it be: Art. 1878. Special powers of attorney are necessary in the following cases:
(1) In writing, signed by the shipper or owner; (1) To make such payments as are not usually considered as acts of
(2) Supported by a valuable consideration other than the service rendered administration;
by the common carrier; and (2) To effect novations which put an end to obligations already in existence
(3) Reasonable, just and not contrary to public policy. at the time the agency was constituted;
(3) To compromise, to submit questions to arbitration, to renounce the right
Art. 1773. A contract of partnership is void, whenever immovable property to appeal from a judgment, to waive objections to the venue of an action or
is contributed thereto, if an inventory of said property is not made, signed to abandon a prescription already acquired;
by the parties, and attached to the public instrument. (1668a) (4) To waive any obligation gratuitously;
(5) To enter into any contract by which the ownership of an immovable is
Art. 1874. When a sale of a piece of land or any interest therein is through transmitted or acquired either gratuitously or for a valuable consideration;
an agent, the authority of the latter shall be in writing; otherwise, the sale (6) To make gifts, except customary ones for charity or those made to
shall be void. (n) employees in the business managed by the agent;
(7) To loan or borrow money, unless the latter act be urgent and
Art. 1956. No interest shall be due unless it has been expressly stipulated indispensable for the preservation of the things which are under
administration;
in writing. (1755a)
(8) To lease any real property to another person for more than one year;
(9) To bind the principal to render some service without compensation;
Art. 2134. The amount of the principal and of the interest shall be
(10) To bind the principal in a contract of partnership;
specified in writing; otherwise, the contract of antichresis shall be void. (n)
(11) To obligate the principal as a guarantor or surety;
(12) To create or convey real rights over immovable property;
ACT 1147: CATTLE REGISTRATION DECREE, SEC. 22
(13) To accept or repudiate an inheritance;
(14) To ratify or recognize obligations contracted before the agency;
Section 22 of Act No. 1147, enacted May 3, 1904, provides that, "No (15) Any other act of strict dominion. (n)
transfer of large cattle shall be valid unless registered, and a
certificate of transfer secured as herein provided.
c. GREATER EFFICACY OR CONVENIENCE ART. 1358
Contract of Sale: nowhere in the Civil Code is there a requirement of a Art. 1358. The following must appear in a public document:
specific form for a contract of sale. However, under special laws, such as
the one above, transfer of large cattle need to be in a public instrument,
(1) Acts and contracts which have for their object the creation,
registered and there must be a certificate of transfer.
transmission, modification or extinguishment of real rights over immovable
property; sales of real property or of an interest therein a governed by
b. ENFORCEABILITY ARTS. 1403, 1878;
Articles 1403, No. 2, and 1405;
(2) The cession, repudiation or renunciation of hereditary rights or of those
Note: the contracts here are valid but cannot be enforced until ratified.
of the conjugal partnership of gains;
(3) The power to administer property, or any other power which has for its
Art. 1403. The following contracts are unenforceable, unless they are object an act appearing or which should appear in a public document, or
ratified: should prejudice a third person;
(4) The cession of actions or rights proceeding from an act appearing in a
(1) Those entered into in the name of another person by one who has been public document.
given no authority or legal representation, or who has acted beyond his
powers; All other contracts where the amount involved exceeds five hundred pesos
must appear in writing, even a private one. But sales of goods, chattels or
(2) Those that do not comply with the Statute of Frauds as set forth in this things in action are governed by Articles, 1403, No. 2 and 1405. (1280a)
number. In the following cases an agreement hereafter made shall be
unenforceable by action, unless the same, or some note or memorandum,
Note: the requirement that the contract appear in a public instrument is
thereof, be in writing, and subscribed by the party charged, or by his agent;
only to bind third persons and does not affect the validity of the contract.
evidence, therefore, of the agreement cannot be received without the
writing, or a secondary evidence of its contents:
While conveyances of immovable are covered by Art. 1358, which includes a
sale of land, the same article would tell us that a contract of sale involving
(a) An agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within a
an immovable is covered by Art. 1403. As such, it only is required to be in
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
89 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
writing to be valid. However, if the sale is orally made, it is unenforceable. contemporaneous and subsequent acts shall be principally considered.
The requirement of a public instrument is to bind third persons. (1282)
f. REFORMATION OF CONTRACTS ARTS. 1359-1369 Contemporaneous and Subsequent Acts: may be considered to
determine if the parties intention are different from the clear words of the
Art. 1359. When, there having been a meeting of the minds of the agreement.
parties to a contract, their true intention is not expressed in the
instrument purporting to embody the agreement, by reason of mistake, In a case where a Deed of Assignment was issued as payment for the
fraud, inequitable conduct or accident, one of the parties may ask for the obligation of the debtor in an indemnity agreement by way of dacion en
reformation of the instrument to the end that such true intention may be pago, the debtor thereafter made subsequent installment payments and
expressed. executed a mortgage, the SC held that clearly the subsequent acts of the
debtor does not reflect his claim that the deed of assignment was by dacion
If mistake, fraud, inequitable conduct, or accident has prevented a meeting en pago. The deed of assignment was a form of security for the indemnity
of the minds of the parties, the proper remedy is not reformation of the agreement.
instrument but annulment of the contract.
Art. 1372. However general the terms of a contract may be, they shall not
Art. 1360. The principles of the general law on the reformation of be understood to comprehend things that are distinct and cases that are
instruments are hereby adopted insofar as they are not in conflict with the different from those upon which the parties intended to agree. (1283)
provisions of this Code.
Art. 1373. If some stipulation of any contract should admit of several
Art. 1361. When a mutual mistake of the parties causes the failure of the meanings, it shall be understood as bearing that import which is most
instrument to disclose their real agreement, said instrument may be adequate to render it effectual. (1284)
reformed.
Art. 1374. The various stipulations of a contract shall be interpreted
Art. 1362. If one party was mistaken and the other acted fraudulently or together, attributing to the doubtful ones that sense which may result from
inequitably in such a way that the instrument does not show their true all of them taken jointly. (1285)
intention, the former may ask for the reformation of the instrument.
Art. 1375. Words which may have different significations shall be
Art. 1363. When one party was mistaken and the other knew or believed understood in that which is most in keeping with the nature and object of
that the instrument did not state their real agreement, but concealed that the contract. (1286)
fact from the former, the instrument may be reformed.
Art. 1376. The usage or custom of the place shall be borne in mind in the
Art. 1364. When through the ignorance, lack of skill, negligence or bad interpretation of the ambiguities of a contract, and shall fill the omission of
faith on the part of the person drafting the instrument or of the clerk or stipulations which are ordinarily established. (1287)
typist, the instrument does not express the true intention of the parties, the
courts may order that the instrument be reformed. Art. 1377. The interpretation of obscure words or stipulations in a contract
shall not favor the party who caused the obscurity. (1288)
Art. 1365. If two parties agree upon the mortgage or pledge of real or
personal property, but the instrument states that the property is sold Art. 1378. When it is absolutely impossible to settle doubts by the rules
absolutely or with a right of repurchase, reformation of the instrument is established in the preceding articles, and the doubts refer to incidental
proper. circumstances of a gratuitous contract, the least transmission of rights
and interests shall prevail. If the contract is onerous, the doubt shall be
Art. 1366. There shall be no reformation in the following cases: settled in favor of the greatest reciprocity of interests.
(1) Simple donations inter vivos wherein no condition is imposed;
(2) Wills; If the doubts are cast upon the principal object of the contract in such a
(3) When the real agreement is void. way that it cannot be known what may have been the intention or will of
the parties, the contract shall be null and void. (1289)
Art. 1367. When one of the parties has brought an action to enforce the
instrument, he cannot subsequently ask for its reformation. Example: Lino entered into a contract to sell with Ramon to convey with
one of the five lots he owns without specifying which lot. Later on, the
Art. 1368. Reformation may be ordered at the instance of either party or parties cannot agree which of the five lots is the subject of the contract.
his successors in interest, if the mistake was mutual; otherwise, upon
petition of the injured party, or his heirs and assigns. What is the status of the contract? Void under Art. 1409(6): those where
the intention of the parties relative to the principal object of the contract
Art. 1369. The procedure for the reformation of instrument shall be cannot be ascertained.
governed by rules of court to be promulgated by the Supreme Court.
h. KINDS OF CONTRACT AS TO VALIDITY
g. INTERPRETATION OF CONTRACTS ARTS. 1370-1379
1. VALID AND BINDING
Art. 1370. If the terms of a contract are clear and leave no doubt upon the
intention of the contracting parties, the literal meaning of its stipulations 2. VALID BUT DEFECTIVE
shall control. a. RESCISSIBLE CONTRACTS ARTS. 1380-1389
If the words appear to be contrary to the evident intention of the parties, Art. 1380. Contracts validly agreed upon may be rescinded in the cases
the latter shall prevail over the former. (1281) established by law. (1290)
Primordial Consideration: is the intention of the parties. Such that even Art. 1381. The following contracts are rescissible:
if the terms of the contract are clear, but does not reflect the intention of (1) Those which are entered into by guardians whenever the wards whom
the parties, it is the intention which would prevail. they represent suffer lesion by more than one-fourth of the value of the
things which are the object thereof;
Art. 1371. In order to judge the intention of the contracting parties, their (2) Those agreed upon in representation of absentees, if the latter suffer
The presumption of a fraudulent transaction which is not overcome by the Article 1297 of the old Civil Code which was the law in force at the time of
mere fact that the deeds of sale in question were in the nature of public the transaction provides:
instruments
Contracts by virtue of which the debtor alienates property by
Alienations by onerous title are also presumed fraudulent when made by gratuitous title are presumed to be made in fraud of creditors.
persons against whom some judgment has been rendered in any instance or
some writ of attachment has been issued. The decision or attachment need Alienations by onerous title are also presumed fraudulent when made
not refer to the property alienated, and need not have been obtained by the by persons against whom some judgment has been rendered in any
party seeking the rescission. instance or some writ of attachment has been issued. The decision or
attachment need not refer to the property alienated and need not have
Facts: Petitioner Isidora Cabaliw was the wife of Benigno Sadorra by his been obtained by the party seeking rescission.
second marriage, they had a child, herein petitioner Soledad Sadorra.
During their marriage, the spouses acquired two (2) parcels of land situated The above-quoted legal provision was totally disregarded by the appellate
in Iniangan, Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya. court, and there lies its basic error.
Having been abandoned by her husband, Isidora Cabaliw instituted an We agree with petitioners that the parties here do not stand in equipoise,
action for support, which required Benigno Sadorra to pay herein petitioner for the petitioners have in their favor, by a specific provision of law, the
Cabaliw the amount of P75.00 a month in terms of support as of January 1, presumption of a fraudulent transaction which is not overcome by the mere
1933, and P150.00 in concept of attorney's fees and the costs. fact that the deeds of sale in question were in the nature of public
instruments. As well said in the dissenting opinion of Justice Magno
Due to the failure of Benigno to comply with the judgment of support, Gatmaitan, the principle invoked by the majority opinion that to destroy the
petitioner Cabaliw filed another action which authorized her to take validity of an existing public document "strong and convincing evidence is
possession of the conjugal property, to administer the same, and to avail necessary", operates "where the action was brought by one party against
herself of the fruits thereof in payment of the monthly support in arrears. the other to impugn the contract but that rule cannot operate and does not,
where the case is one wherein the suit is not between the parties inter se
Unknown to petitioner Cabaliw, Benigno executed two deeds of sale and but is one instituted by a third person, not a party to the contract but
sold the subject properties to herein private respondents. Such was fact precisely the victim of it because executed to his prejudice and behind his
only discovered after the judgment which authorized her to manage the back; neither law, nor justice, nor reason, nor logic, should so permit,
same, otherwise, in such a suit, the courts would be furnishing a most effective
shield of defense to the aggressor."
Petitioners filed an action with the trial Court to recover the subject
properties, which was ruled in their favor. The trial Court held that the Furthermore, the presumption of fraud established by the law in favor of
deeds of sale executed by Benigno Sadorra to be simulated and fictitious. petitioners is bolstered by other indicia of bad faith on the part of the
vendor and vendee. Thus (1) the vendee is the son-in-law of the vendor. In
On appeal, the CA reversed the decision of the trial Court, hence this the early case of Regalado vs. Luchsinger & Co., 5 Phil. 625, this Court held
petition. that the close relationship between the vendor and the vendee is one of the
known badges of fraud. (2) At the time of the conveyance, the vendee,
On the part of the transferee, he did not present satisfactory and convincing ISSUE: WON the trial Court erred when it dismissed Civil Case No. 465 on
evidence sufficient to overthrow the presumption and evidence of a the ground of prescription?
fraudulent transaction. His is the burden of rebutting the presumption of
fraud established by law, and having failed to do so, the fraudulent nature HELD: No, the Court held that the trial Court did no err when it dismissed
of the conveyance in question prevails. Civil Case No. 465.
The decision of the Court of Appeals makes mention of Art. 1413 of the old Has the action for annulment of the sale of Lot 693 to the Garganeras
Civil Code which authorizes the husband as administrator to alienate and prescribed? Did prescription of the action commence to run from the
bind by onerous title the property of the conjugal partnership without the registration of the sale, or from the discovery of the transaction by the
consent of the wife, and by reason thereof, concludes that petitioner Isidora Bank?
Cabaliw cannot now seek annulment of the sale made by her husband. On
this point, counsel for petitioners rightly claims that the lack of consent of When a transaction involves registered land, the four-year period fixed in
the wife to the conveyances made by her husband was never invoked nor Article 1391 within winch to bring an action for annulment of the deed, shall
placed in issue before the trial court. What was claimed all along by plaintiff, be computed from the registration of the conveyance (March 5, 1963) on
Isidora Cabaliw now petitioner, was that the conveyances or deeds of sale the familiar theory that the registration of the document is constructive
were executed by her husband to avoid payment of the monthly support notice of the conveyance to the whole world (Armentia vs. Patriarca, 18
adjudged in her favor and to deprive her of the means to execute said SCRA 1253; Avecilla vs. Yatco, 103 Phil. 666).
judgment. In other words, petitioner seeks relief not so much as an
aggrieved wife but more as a judgment creditor of Benigno Sadorra. Art. Plaintiff's submission that the four-year period commenced to run from the
1413 therefore is inapplicable; but even if it were, the result would be the date when the Bank obtained actual knowledge of the fraudulent sale of
same because the very article reserves to the wife the right to seek redress Pauli's land to the Garganeras (sometime in 1969) and that hence the four-
in court for alienations which prejudice her or her heirs. The undisputed year period for bringing an action to annul the sale had not yet expired
facts before Us clearly show that, the sales made by the husband were when it filed the action for annullment on February 17, 1971, is
merely a scheme to place beyond the reach of the wife the only properties unacceptable. That theory would diminish public faith in the integrity of
belonging to the conjugal partnership and deprive her of what rightly torrens titles and impair commercial transactions involving registered lands
belongs to her and her only daughter Soledad. for it would render uncertain the computation of the period for the
prescription of such actions.
HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, plaintiff-
appellant, Civil Case No. 465, the action for annulment of the Sale is not barred by res
vs. judicata, specifically, the prior judgment in Civil Case No. 75319, for revival
RALPH PAULI and SPOUSES SALLY P. GARGANERA and MATEO of the judgment in the collection suit, Civil Case No. 32799, for the subject
GARGANERA, defendants-appellees. matter and causes of action in the two cases are different. The three (3)
G. R. No. L-38303 May 30, 1988 Identities required for the application of the bar by prior judgment: Identity
of parties, of subject matter and causes of action, are lacking.
When a transaction involves registered land, the four-year period fixed in
Article 1391 within winch to bring an action for annulment of the deed, shall Nevertheless, as the plaintiff's right of action in Civil Case No. 465 had
be computed from the registration of the conveyance. already prescribed, the trial court did not err in dismissing the case.
The registration of the document is constructive notice of the conveyance to Art. 1382. Payments made in a state of insolvency for obligations to whose
the whole world fulfillment the debtor could not be compelled at the time they were
effected, are also rescissible. (1292)
FACTS: In Civil Case No. 32799 dated June 14, 1957, appellant filed an
action against appellee Pauli, in which its trial Court rendered in its favor. Art. 1383. The action for rescission is subsidiary; it cannot be instituted
However, the writs of execution were returned unsatisfied because no except when the party suffering damage has no other legal means to
leviable assets of Pauli could be located by the sheriffs. obtain reparation for the same. (1294)
Unknown to herein appellant, Pauli had on January 8, 1957 purchased from Art. 1384. Rescission shall be only to the extent necessary to cover the
the Philippine National Bank (PNB) a sugar cane plantation known as damages caused. (n)
Hacienda Riverside. To avoid discovery of the transaction by his creditors,
he did not register the deed of Sale. Six years later, on March 1, 1963, he Art. 1385. Rescission creates the obligation to return the things which
fraudulently sold the hacienda to his daughter, defendant-appellee Sally were the object of the contract, together with their fruits, and the price with
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
92 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
its interest; consequently, it can be carried out only when he who demands that there is a tacit ratification if, with knowledge of the reason which
rescission can return whatever he may be obliged to restore. renders the contract voidable and such reason having ceased, the person
who has a right to invoke it should execute an act which necessarily implies
Neither shall rescission take place when the things which are the object of an intention to waive his right. (1311a)
the contract are legally in the possession of third persons who did not act in
bad faith. Art. 1394. Ratification may be effected by the guardian of the
incapacitated person. (n)
In this case, indemnity for damages may be demanded from the person
causing the loss. (1295) Art. 1395. Ratification does not require the conformity of the contracting
party who has no right to bring the action for annulment. (1312)
Art. 1386. Rescission referred to in Nos. 1 and 2 of Article 1381 shall not
take place with respect to contracts approved by the courts. (1296a) Art. 1396. Ratification cleanses the contract from all its defects from the
moment it was constituted. (1313)
Art. 1387. All contracts by virtue of which the debtor alienates property by
gratuitous title are presumed to have been entered into in fraud of Art. 1397. The action for the annulment of contracts may be instituted by
creditors, when the donor did not reserve sufficient property to pay all debts all who are thereby obliged principally or subsidiarily. However, persons who
contracted before the donation. are capable cannot allege the incapacity of those with whom they
contracted; nor can those who exerted intimidation, violence, or undue
Alienations by onerous title are also presumed fraudulent when made by influence, or employed fraud, or caused mistake base their action upon
persons against whom some judgment has been issued. The decision or these flaws of the contract. (1302a)
attachment need not refer to the property alienated, and need not have
been obtained by the party seeking the rescission. Art. 1398. An obligation having been annulled, the contracting parties shall
restore to each other the things which have been the subject matter of the
In addition to these presumptions, the design to defraud creditors may be contract, with their fruits, and the price with its interest, except in cases
proved in any other manner recognized by the law of evidence. (1297a) provided by law.
Art. 1388. Whoever acquires in bad faith the things alienated in fraud of In obligations to render service, the value thereof shall be the basis for
creditors, shall indemnify the latter for damages suffered by them on damages. (1303a)
account of the alienation, whenever, due to any cause, it should be
impossible for him to return them. Art. 1399. When the defect of the contract consists in the incapacity of one
of the parties, the incapacitated person is not obliged to make any
If there are two or more alienations, the first acquirer shall be liable first, restitution except insofar as he has been benefited by the thing or price
and so on successively. (1298a) received by him. (1304)
Art. 1389. The action to claim rescission must be commenced within four Art. 1400. Whenever the person obliged by the decree of annulment to
years. return the thing can not do so because it has been lost through his fault, he
shall return the fruits received and the value of the thing at the time of the
For persons under guardianship and for absentees, the period of four years loss, with interest from the same date. (1307a)
shall not begin until the termination of the former's incapacity, or until the
domicile of the latter is known. (1299) Art. 1401. The action for annulment of contracts shall be extinguished
when the thing which is the object thereof is lost through the fraud or fault
b. VOIDABLE CONTRACTS ARTS. 1390-1402, 1327-1328, of the person who has a right to institute the proceedings.
1339
If the right of action is based upon the incapacity of any one of the
Art. 1390. The following contracts are voidable or annullable, even though contracting parties, the loss of the thing shall not be an obstacle to the
there may have been no damage to the contracting parties: success of the action, unless said loss took place through the fraud or fault
of the plaintiff. (1314a)
(1) Those where one of the parties is incapable of giving consent to a
contract;
Art. 1402. As long as one of the contracting parties does not restore what
(2) Those where the consent is vitiated by mistake, violence, intimidation, in virtue of the decree of annulment he is bound to return, the other cannot
undue influence or fraud.
be compelled to comply with what is incumbent upon him. (1308)
These contracts are binding, unless they are annulled by a proper action in
Art. 1327. The following cannot give consent to a contract:
court. They are susceptible of ratification. (n)
(1) Unemancipated minors;
(2) Insane or demented persons, and deaf-mutes who do not know how to
Art. 1391. The action for annulment shall be brought within four years. write. (1263a)
This period shall begin:
Art. 1328. Contracts entered into during a lucid interval are valid. Contracts
agreed to in a state of drunkenness or during a hypnotic spell are voidable.
In cases of intimidation, violence or undue influence, from the time the
(n)
defect of the consent ceases.
In case of mistake or fraud, from the time of the discovery of the same. Art. 1339. Failure to disclose facts, when there is a duty to reveal them, as
when the parties are bound by confidential relations, constitutes fraud. (n)
And when the action refers to contracts entered into by minors or other
incapacitated persons, from the time the guardianship ceases. (1301a) c. UNENFORCEABLE CONTRACTS ARTS. 1403-1408, 1317,
1878
Art. 1392. Ratification extinguishes the action to annul a voidable contract.
(1309a) Art. 1403. The following contracts are unenforceable, unless they are
ratified:
(1) Those entered into in the name of another person by one who has been
Art. 1393. Ratification may be effected expressly or tacitly. It is understood
given no authority or legal representation, or who has acted beyond his
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
93 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
powers; For breach of that mutual promise to marry, Geronimo may sue Socorro for
(2) Those that do not comply with the Statute of Frauds as set forth in this damages. This is such action, and evidence of such mutual promise is
number. In the following cases an agreement hereafter made shall be admissible. However Felipe Cabague's action may not prosper, because it is
unenforceable by action, unless the same, or some note or memorandum, to enforce an agreement in consideration of marriage. Evidently as to Felipe
thereof, be in writing, and subscribed by the party charged, or by his agent; Cabague and Matias Auxilio this action could not be maintained on the
evidence, therefore, of the agreement cannot be received without the theory of "mutual promise to marry". Neither may it be regarded as action
writing, or a secondary evidence of its contents: by Felipe against Socorro "on a mutual promise to marry."
(a) An agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within a year Consequently, we declare that Geronimo may continue his action against
from the making thereof; Socorro for such damages as may have resulted from her failure to carry
(b) A special promise to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of out their mutual matrimonial promises.
another;
(c) An agreement made in consideration of marriage, other than a mutual Art. 1404. Unauthorized contracts are governed by Article 1317 and the
promise to marry; principles of agency in Title X of this Book.
(d) An agreement for the sale of goods, chattels or things in action, at a
price not less than five hundred pesos, unless the buyer accept and Art. 1405. Contracts infringing the Statute of Frauds, referred to in No. 2
receive part of such goods and chattels, or the evidences, or some of of Article 1403, are ratified by the failure to object to the presentation of
them, of such things in action or pay at the time some part of the oral evidence to prove the same, or by the acceptance of benefit under
purchase money; but when a sale is made by auction and entry is made them.
by the auctioneer in his sales book, at the time of the sale, of the amount
and kind of property sold, terms of sale, price, names of the purchasers Art. 1406. When a contract is enforceable under the Statute of Frauds, and
and person on whose account the sale is made, it is a sufficient a public document is necessary for its registration in the Registry of Deeds,
memorandum; the parties may avail themselves of the right under Article 1357.
(e) An agreement of the leasing for a longer period than one year, or for
the sale of real property or of an interest therein; Art. 1407. In a contract where both parties are incapable of giving
(f) A representation as to the credit of a third person. consent, express or implied ratification by the parent, or guardian, as the
(3) Those where both parties are incapable of giving consent to a contract. case may be, of one of the contracting parties shall give the contract the
same effect as if only one of them were incapacitated.
Breach of Promise to Marry: CASE:
If ratification is made by the parents or guardians, as the case may be, of
FELIPE CABAGUE and GERONIMO CABAGUE, plaintiffs-appellants, both contracting parties, the contract shall be validated from the inception.
vs.
MATIAS AUXILIO and SOCORRO AUXILIO, defendants-appellees. Art. 1408. Unenforceable contracts cannot be assailed by third persons.
G. R. No. L-5028 November 26, 1952
Art. 1317. No one may contract in the name of another without being
For breach of that mutual promise to marry, Geronimo may sue Socorro for
authorized by the latter, or unless he has by law a right to represent him.
damages. This is such action, and evidence of such mutual promise is
admissible. However Felipe Cabague's action may not prosper, because it is
A contract entered into in the name of another by one who has no authority
to enforce an agreement in consideration of marriage. Evidently as to Felipe
or legal representation, or who has acted beyond his powers, shall be
Cabague and Matias Auxilio this action could not be maintained on the
unenforceable, unless it is ratified, expressly or impliedly, by the person on
theory of "mutual promise to marry". Neither may it be regarded as action
whose behalf it has been executed, before it is revoked by the other
by Felipe against Socorro "on a mutual promise to marry."
contracting party. (1259a)
Facts: Appellants Felipe Cabague and Geronimo Cabague filed an action
Art. 1878. Special powers of attorney are necessary in the following cases:
against herein appellees Matias Auxilio and Socorro Auxilio, to recover
(1) To make such payments as are not usually considered as acts of
damages resulting from the appellees refusal to carry out the previously
administration;
agreed marriage between Socorro and Geronimo.
(2) To effect novations which put an end to obligations already in existence
at the time the agency was constituted;
The complaint alleged, in short: (a) that defendants promised such marriage
(3) To compromise, to submit questions to arbitration, to renounce the right
to plaintiffs, provided the latter would improve the defendants' house in
to appeal from a judgment, to waive objections to the venue of an action or
Basud and spend for the wedding feast and the needs of the bride; (b) that
to abandon a prescription already acquired;
relying upon such promises plaintiffs made the improvement and spent
(4) To waive any obligation gratuitously;
P700; and (c) that without cause defendants refused to honor their pledged
(5) To enter into any contract by which the ownership of an immovable is
word.
transmitted or acquired either gratuitously or for a valuable consideration;
(6) To make gifts, except customary ones for charity or those made to
Herein appellees moved to dismiss the case on the ground that the contract
employees in the business managed by the agent;
was oral, unenforceable under the rule of evidence hereinbefore mentioned,
(7) To loan or borrow money, unless the latter act be urgent and
which was granted by the trial Court. On appeal, the appellate Court
indispensable for the preservation of the things which are under
likewise issued an Order dismissing the case, hence this appeal.
administration;
(8) To lease any real property to another person for more than one year;
ISSUE: Whether or not the contract of promise to marry is unenforceable,
(9) To bind the principal to render some service without compensation;
on the ground that it is an oral contract.
(10) To bind the principal in a contract of partnership;
(11) To obligate the principal as a guarantor or surety;
HELD: No. There is no question here that the transaction was not in
(12) To create or convey real rights over immovable property;
writing. The only issue is whether it may be proved in court.
(13) To accept or repudiate an inheritance;
(14) To ratify or recognize obligations contracted before the agency;
The understanding between the plaintiffs on one side and the defendants
(15) Any other act of strict dominion. (n)
on the other, really involves two kinds of agreement. One, the agreement
between Felipe Cabague and the defendants in consideration of the
marriage of Socorro and Geronimo. Another, the agreement between the 3. VOID OR INEXISTENT ARTS. 1409-1422, 1318, 1353, 1378,
two lovers, as "a mutual promise to marry". 1491, 1898
These contracts cannot be ratified. Neither can the right to set up the
defense of illegality be waived. III. SPECIAL CONTRACTS
Art. 1410. The action or defense for the declaration of the inexistence of a A. SALES
contract does not prescribe.
Title VI. - SALES
Art. 1411. When the nullity proceeds from the illegality of the cause or
object of the contract, and the act constitutes a criminal offense, both QUESTION: A and B entered into an agreement whereby A obliged himself
parties being in pari delicto, they shall have no action against each other, to deliver to A a specific thing and B will pay a certain price at the time of
and both shall be prosecuted. Moreover, the provisions of the Penal delivery. Was there a contract of sale?
Code relative to the disposal of effects or instruments of a crime shall be
applicable to the things or the price of the contract. ANSWER: Not necessarily. Threre is no certainty as to the purpose of the
delivery. If there is transfer of ownership, it will be regarded as a sale. If for
This rule shall be applicable when only one of the parties is guilty; but the use, lease. If for safekeeping, deposit.
innocent one may claim what he has given, and shall not be bound to
comply with his promise. (1305) Art. 1458. By the contract of sale one of the contracting parties obligates
himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate thing, and
Art. 1412. If the act in which the unlawful or forbidden cause consists does the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its equivalent.
not constitute a criminal offense, the following rules shall be observed:
A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional. (1445a)
(1) When the fault is on the part of both contracting parties, neither may
recover what he has given by virtue of the contract, or demand the DEFINITION: Sales is a contract whereby one of the contracting parties
performance of the other's undertaking; obligates himself to transfer the ownership and to deliver a determinate
(2) When only one of the contracting parties is at fault, he cannot recover thing, and the other to pay therefor a price certain in money or its
what he has given by reason of the contract, or ask for the fulfillment of equivalent.
what has been promised him. The other, who is not at fault, may demand
the return of what he has given without any obligation to comply his From the above definition:
promise. (1306) 1. Purpose: is to transfer of ownership;
2. Perfection: is by mere consent, since one of the parties obligates
Art. 1413. Interest paid in excess of the interest allowed by the usury laws himself, as such, he already bound himself, a contract is already
may be recovered by the debtor, with interest thereon from the date of the perfected even before delivery of the thing;
payment. 3. Subject Matter: determinate thing.
4. Cause: the contract of sale is onerous, since the other party has the
Art. 1414. When money is paid or property delivered for an illegal purpose, obligation to pay;
the contract may be repudiated by one of the parties before the purpose 5. Bilateral Contract: since both parties have their respective
has been accomplished, or before any damage has been caused to a third obligations;
person. In such case, the courts may, if the public interest will thus be 6. Nominate Contract: not only because theres a specific designation
subserved, allow the party repudiating the contract to recover the money or of the contract, but more so because there are specific rules are
property. provided by law to govern the rights and obligations of the parties,
after stipulations;
Art. 1415. Where one of the parties to an illegal contract is incapable of 7. Commutative: classic commutative in the sense that there is
giving consent, the courts may, if the interest of justice so demands allow equivalence in the prestation of the parties. Ordinarily, price reflects
recovery of money or property delivered by the incapacitated person. the value of the property, since the seller would not normally accept a
price below the value of the property and the buyer would not
Art. 1416. When the agreement is not illegal per se but is merely normally pay an amount more than the value of the property.
prohibited, and the prohibition by the law is designated for the protection of
the plaintiff, he may, if public policy is thereby enhanced, recover what he Aleatory: there is also a sale of hope where there is no equivalence in
has paid or delivered. the value of prestations. Since the obligation of the other party is not
certain to arise. E.g., lotto.
Art. 1417. When the price of any article or commodity is determined by
statute, or by authority of law, any person paying any amount in excess of Art. 1461. Things having a potential existence may be the object of
the maximum price allowed may recover such excess. the contract of sale.
Art. 1419. When the law sets, or authorizes the setting of a minimum
KINDS OF SALE: NATURE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER:
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
95 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
1. Real or Personal:
After delivery of initial payment of P100,000, Monica took possession of the
Relevant as to: land but failed to pay the remaining balance. Nante filed an action to
a. Application of the statute of frauds; recover the property alleging that the contract is one to sell which was not
b. Rules on double sale; perfected because of non-payment of the price in full.
c. Maceda law which covers only residential realty. E.g.,
condominium units, land, buildings; Is the contention of Nante tenable?
d. Recto law which covers personal property only.
2. Thing (corporeal or tangible) or Rights (incorporeal or intangible)
HELD: No. This cannot be a contact to sell, because there is nothing in the
Relevant as to mode of delivery. contract that he reserved ownership until a certain condition is fulfilled.
Thus, the contract is one of absolute sale. As such, upon delivery, Monica
KINDS OF SALE AS TO VALIDITY: valid, rescissible, voidable, acquired ownership of the property.
unenforceable, or void.
The action will not prosper because Monica is the owner and has a right to
BAR QUESTION: State the basic difference (only in their legal effects) possess the property. Remedy of Nante should be rescission since there is
(a) Between a contract to sell, on the one hand, and a contract of sale, on substantial breach.
the other hand;
(b) Between a conditional sale, on the one hand, and an absolute sale, on DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER TRANSACTIONS::
the other hand.
Rationale for distinguishing: because there are similarities which may cause
ANSWER: contract to sell vs. contract of sale (both absolute and confusion as to the rights and obligations of the parties.
conditional): contract to sell is a special kind of conditional sale where
ownership does not automatically pass upon fulfillment of the condition 1. Contract for a piece of work
which is usually the full payment of the purchase price. It will only give the
buyer the right to demand the execution of a deed of sale or to compel the Art. 1467. A contract for the delivery at a certain price of an article which
seller to sell and the seller is now bound to sell. Ownership transfers upon the vendor in the ordinary course of his business manufactures or procures
execution of the deed of sale. The premise is that the buyer is already in for the general market, whether the same is on hand at the time or not, is a
possession of the property even before execution of the deed of sale. contract of sale, but if the goods are to be manufactured specially for the
customer and upon his special order, and not for the general market, it is a
Whereas a conditional sale, ownership automatically transfers to the contract for a piece of work. (n)
buyer upon fulfillment of the condition, without need of a new agreement or
to execute a new contract Importance of Distinction: sale is covered by the statute of frauds. On
the other hand, contracts for a piece of work is covered only if to be
In absolute sale, ownership transfers upon delivery, actual or constructive, performed after more than one year.
even if no total payment yet. If no payment happened, the buyer becomes
a debtor as far as the price is concerned. The remedy for the seller is E.g., customized shoes. If for more than 1 year covered by statute of
rescission and not reconveyance of the property since the property already frauds. If for 6 months depends on type of contract.
belongs to the buyer.
SIMILARITIES: transfer of ownership; buyer pays the price.
BAR QUESTION: Arthur gave Richard a receipt which states:
Subject matter: sale: thing; contract for a piece of work: service.
Receipt
Received from Richard as down payment the Massachussetts Rule: if the thing to be delivered by the obligor is
for my 1995 Toyota Corolla with manufactured in the ordinary course of business, and being offered to the
plate no. XYZ-123 P50,000.00 general market, even if not at hand at the time the order is made, it is a
Balance payable: 12/30/01 P50,000.00 contract of sale;
September 15, 2001 But, if the thing is to be manufactured only because of the order of the
(Sgd.) Arturo buyer; not offered to the general market contract for a piece of work.
ANSWER: No. there is nothing in the receipt that would indicate that the Similarity: upon delivery, ownership passes. Although, dacion en pago,
seller reserved ownership. In a contract where the seller did not reserve there is always transfer of ownership.
ownership, it is an absolute sale. In a contract to sell, you have to impose
as a condition for the transfer of ownership, the full payment of the price. Delivery in dacion en pago is always required.
Both governed by the law on sales.
Would action for recovery possession prosper? No. Because Richard is the
owner. The action should be rescission. Distinction: sale is a contract and a source of obligation. Dation in
payment is a special form of payment and a mode of extinguishment of an
BAR QUESTION: a contract to sell is the same as a conditional sale. Do obligation.
you agree? Why?
In sale, an obligation arises. In dation in payment, the obligation is
ANSWER: I do not agree. A contract to sell is a kind of conditional contract extinguished.
of sale, it is not the same as a conditional contract of sale.
In sale, there is no requirement of a pre-existing obligation, in dation in
BAR QUESTION: Nante, a registered owner of a parcel of land in QC sold payment, as a special form of payment, there is a need for a pre-existing
the property to Monica under a Deed of Sale which reads as follows: That obligation. If there is no obligation, there is nothing to be extinguished.
for and in consideration of P500,000 to be delivered to me and receipt of
which will be acknowledge by me, I hereby transfer, cede to Monica, a 3. Barter
parcel of land covered by TCT No. 9138
FACTS: Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a contract where plaintiff The plaintiff also endeavored to prove that the defendant had returned beds
Quiroga gave the exclusive right to sell his beds to Parsons Harware Co.s in that it could not sell; that, without previous notice, it forwarded to the
the Visayan Islands under the following conditions, among others: defendant the beds that it wanted; and that the defendant received its
commission for the beds sold by the plaintiff directly to persons in Iloilo. But
1. Quiroga would invoice the beds on the price fixed for sales in all this, at the most only shows that, on the part of both of them, there was
Manila and shall make an allowance of 25% of the invoiced prices mutual tolerance in the performance of the contract in disregard of its
as commission on the sale; terms; and it gives no right to have the contract considered, not as the
2. Quiroga would order by the dozen, whether the same or different parties stipulated it, but as they performed it. Only the acts of the
styles; contracting parties, subsequent to, and in connection with, the
3. Mr. Quiroga to give notice 15 days before any alteration in the execution of the contract, must be considered for the purpose of
price which he may plan to make in respect to his beds; interpreting the contract, when such interpretation is necessary,
4. Mr. Parsons binds himself not to sell any other kind except the but not when, as in the instant case, its essential agreements are
Quiroga beds; clearly set forth and plainly show that the contract belongs to a
certain kind and not to another. Furthermore, the return made was of
Of the three causes of action alleged by the plaintiff in his complaint, only certain brass beds, and was not effected in exchange for the price paid for
two of them constitute the subject matter of this appeal and both them, but was for other beds of another kind; and for the letter Exhibit L-1,
substantially amount to the averment that the defendant violated the requested the plaintiff's prior consent with respect to said beds, which
following obligations: not to sell the beds at higher prices than those of the shows that it was not considered that the defendant had a right, by virtue
For the foregoing reasons, we are of opinion that the contract by and Art. 1490. The husband and the wife cannot sell property to each
between the plaintiff and the defendant was one of purchase and sale, and other, except:
that the obligations the breach of which is alleged as a cause of action are (1) When a separation of property was agreed upon in the marriage
not imposed upon the defendant, either by agreement or by law. settlements; or
(2) When there has been a judicial separation or property under Article
The judgment appealed from is affirmed, with costs against the appellant. 191. (1458a)
So ordered.
1491: prohibits in acquiring by purchase: (1) guardians as to the property
ELEMENTS OF A CONTRACT OF SALE: of his ward; (2) agents, for properties delivered to him by the principal; (3)
executors/administrators; (4) lawyers.
1. Natural those which are deemed part of the contract even if not
stipulated or even if the parties are unaware. Deemed part of the Art. 1491. The following persons cannot acquire by purchase, even at
contract by law. E.g., warranties. a public or judicial auction, either in person or through the mediation of
2. Accidental present only because the parties so stipulated. E.g. another:
obligation to pay interest. E.g., in a contract of sale of a parcel of land, (1) The guardian, the property of the person or persons who may be
obligation of the seller to cause the registration of the land in the name under his guardianship;
of the buyer. (2) Agents, the property whose administration or sale may have been
3. Essential required for validity. entrusted to them, unless the consent of the principal has been given;
(3) Executors and administrators, the property of the estate under
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A CONTRACT OF SALE: administration;
1. Consent of the contracting parties, i.e., the buyer and the seller. (4) Public officers and employees, the property of the State or of any
subdivision thereof, or of any government-owned or controlled
No consent of one of the contracting parties: the contract is VOID. corporation, or institution, the administration of which has been
Under the law on sales, it is a fictitious contract where the signature of one intrusted to them; this provision shall apply to judges and government
of the parties was forged. If the signature of the seller is forged, that would experts who, in any manner whatsoever, take part in the sale;
be a fictitious contract. The alleged seller will not have participation in the (5) Justices, judges, prosecuting attorneys, clerks of superior and
execution of the contract. inferior courts, and other officers and employees connected with the
administration of justice, the property and rights in litigation or levied
Simulated Contract: parties to this contract actually would have upon an execution before the court within whose jurisdiction or
participation or would have given their consent by voluntarily signing. territory they exercise their respective functions; this prohibition
However, they do not intend to be bound at all or they may intend to be includes the act of acquiring by assignment and shall apply to lawyers,
bound to another contract aside from the contract executed. Example, the with respect to the property and rights which may be the object of any
parties may have executed a deed of sale and voluntarily gave their consent litigation in which they may take part by virtue of their profession.
thereto and signed the same, but no payment of the purchase price or no (6) Any others specially disqualified by law. (1459a)
intention to pay such price, in this case, the contract intended might have
been a donation. Art. 1492. The prohibitions in the two preceding articles are applicable to
sales in legal redemption, compromises and renunciations. (n)
Gross Inadequacy of Price: as a rule, gross inadequacy of the price does
not affect a contract of sale, but may reflect a different intention of the Constitution: aliens are prohibited from acquiring lands in the Philippines,
parties (e.g., donation). In which case, the price is simulated, it will be void except: by succession or in case of a former natural born Filipino citizen who
as a sale: has lost his citizenship.
Art. 1471. If the price is simulated, the sale is void, but the act may be Status of Contract: VOID. Contrary to public policy. Not subject to
shown to have been in reality a donation, or some other act or contract. ratification.
(n)
Rubias vs. Batiller the SC held that 1491 cannot be ratified. There are
Why would they enter into such simulated contract? others who claim that these can be ratified. The execution of a second
a. To defraud creditors the seller might sell all of his assets to make it contract does not retroact to the first contract. Ruling in Waltson vs.
appear as if he had no more assets left; Martinez, holding that sale under 1491 is voidable, has long been
b. To defraud the government to make it appear that the applicant for a abandoned even before the effectivity of the new Civil Code.
resident visa has real property in the Philippines or in some other
country for purposes of such visa. BAR QUESTION: Rica filed a petition for annulment of his marriage with
c. To minimize tax liabilities this is when the parties would normally Richard. Richard hired Atty. Cruz who was paid through conveyance of a
make it appear that they entered into a donation to minimize the tax parcel of land which he recently purchased with his lotto winnings. The
liabilities imposable compared to the taxes due on a regular sale. transfer documents were duly signed and Atty .Cruz took possession by
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
98 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
fencing the entire parameter. Richard then offered the same parcel of land Both would pertain to generic thing. Under the law, a thing is considered
to spouses Garcia. Immediately after the sale, Sps. Garcia commenced the determinate only when it is particularly designated or physically segregated
construction on the land which was objected to by Atty. Cruz, who claims he from all others of the same class. Both transactions pertain to generic so
has a better right over the property. Is Atty. Cruz correct? both transactions are void?
ANSWER: Atty. Cruz is not correct. First contract with Atty. Cruz is a dation A: No. The first transaction is void. The second transaction is valid because
in payment. Second contract is a sale. Double sale applicable despite dation Article 1460 requires that the requirement of the law that a thing should be
since it is governed by law on sales. However, 1544 requires that both sales determinate would be sufficiently complied with if the thing which is the
are valid. object of the sale is capable of being made determinate without a need of a
new or further agreement.
Dation in payment valid transaction? No. Void. 1491: a lawyer cannot in
anyway acquire by purchase (law on sales is applicable on dation in Art. 1464. In the case of fungible goods, there may be a sale of an
payment) a thing which is the subject matter of an action. There was undivided share of a specific mass, though the seller purports to sell and the
annulment of marriage, the parcel of land is one of the properties which buyer to buy a definite number, weight or measure of the goods in the
would be considered in settlement of conjugal properties. mass, and though the number, weight or measure of the goods in the mass
is undetermined. By such a sale the buyer becomes owner in common of
Property acquired through his lotto winnings, if the marriage is solemnized such a share of the mass as the number, weight or measure bought bears
under the Family Code, and no marriage settlement was entered into, to the number, weight or measure of the mass. If the mass contains less
absolute community of property. As such, lotto winnings are considered than the number, weight or measure bought, the buyer becomes the owner
community property, consequently, the land is community property. As of the whole mass and the seller is bound to make good the deficiency from
such, sale of such without the consent of the wife is void. goods of the same kind and quality, unless a contrary intent appears. (n)
Vitiated consent: by force, intimidation, violence, mistake or fraud the Art. 1462. The goods which form the subject of a contract of sale may be
contract is voidable. either existing goods, owned or possessed by the seller, or goods to be
manufactured, raised, or acquired by the seller after the perfection of the
Consent by a party given by another without authority: the contract contract of sale, in this Title called "future goods."
is unenforceable.
There may be a contract of sale of goods, whose acquisition by the seller
Minors and those without capacity to act: may enter into a valid depends upon a contingency which may or may not happen. (n)
contract of sale of necessaries as provided under Art. 1489. Necessaries
are those which are indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing and Art. 1463. The sole owner of a thing may sell an undivided interest therein.
medical attendance. (Art. 290 of the Civil Code under Support) (n)
2. Cause as to each contracting party is the prestation or promise to Art. 1465. Things subject to a resolutory condition may be the object of
be performed by the other party. the contract of sale. (n)
3. Object not synonymous to thing, it is the subject matter in sales, PRICE: must be certain in money.
i.e., things and rights not service (object in contracts, in general)
since no person acquires ownership over service object as to lease
Art. 1469. In order that the price may be considered certain, it shall be
and agency.
sufficient that it be so with reference to another thing certain, or that the
determination thereof be left to the judgment of a special person or
Sale of right often called assignment. But assignment of right is not
persons.
always a contract of sale, since it can be done by donation or dacion
en pago.
Should such person or persons be unable or unwilling to fix it, the contract
shall be inefficacious, unless the parties subsequently agree upon the price.
Must be within the commerce of men: Examples: sale of a navigable
If the third person or persons acted in bad faith or by mistake, the courts
river is void, sale of a cadaver is void but donation of a cadaver is allowed,
may fix the price.
sale of human organs is void, things which are not appropriated like air is
void but if appropriated it can be the object of a valid sale.
Where such third person or persons are prevented from fixing the price or
terms by fault of the seller or the buyer, the party not in fault may have
Art. 1459. The thing must be licit and the vendor must have a right to such remedies against the party in fault as are allowed the seller or the
transfer the ownership thereof at the time it is delivered. (n) buyer, as the case may be. (1447a)
Thing must be licit: not contrary to law, i.e., sale of prohibited drugs, wild Price Certain in Money: it is sufficient that it be so:
flowers or wild animals. 1. With reference to another thing certain; or
2. That the determination thereof be left to the judgment of a special
Art. 1460. A thing is determinate when it is particularly designated or person or persons.
physical segregated from all other of the same class.
Art. 1470. Gross inadequacy of price does not affect a contract of sale,
The requisite that a thing be determinate is satisfied if at the time the except as it may indicate a defect in the consent, or that the parties really
contract is entered into, the thing is capable of being made determinate intended a donation or some other act or contract. (n)
without the necessity of a new or further agreement between the parties.
(n)
OTHER PROVISIONS ON PRICE:
Must be determinate: or at least capable of being made determinate
Art. 1472. The price of securities, grain, liquids, and other things shall also
without the requirement of a new or further agreement.
be considered certain, when the price fixed is that which the thing sold
would have on a definite day, or in a particular exchange or market,
QUESTION: Sale of a car without agreement as to the features for
or when an amount is fixed above or below the price on such day, or
P1M. On the other hand, another transaction would be a sale of
in such exchange or market, provided said amount be certain. (1448)
Mitsubishi Lancer, 2007, GSL and color black for P1M. Are these 2
transactions, valid sale?
Art. 1473. The fixing of the price can never be left to the discretion of one
From that moment, the parties may reciprocally demand performance, Art. 1482. Whenever earnest money is given in a contract of sale, it
subject to the provisions of the law governing the form of contracts. shall be considered as part of the price and as proof of the perfection of
(1450a) the contract. (1454a)
Consensual Contract: sale, being a consensual contract, is perfected by Does this mean that there is already a perfected contract of sale?
mere consent. The above article is likewise applicable to sale of rights, when Not necessarily. Earnest money is proof of perfection of the contract. The
there is a meeting of the minds as the right involved and the price. law does not say its presence entails perfection of the contract. Considering
that it concerns price only, which is just one element of a contract of sale.
However, ownership over the thing or rights subject of the sale, does not
transfer until delivery: Art. 1481. In the contract of sale of goods by description or by sample, the
contract may be rescinded if the bulk of the goods delivered do not
Art. 1477. The ownership of the thing sold shall be transferred to the correspond with the description or the sample, and if the contract be by
vendee upon the actual or constructive delivery thereof. (n) sample as well as description, it is not sufficient that the bulk of goods
correspond with the sample if they do not also correspond with the
Moreover, the parties may stipulate that ownership shall not pass until full description.
payment of the price:
The buyer shall have a reasonable opportunity of comparing the bulk with
Art. 1478. The parties may stipulate that ownership in the thing shall the description or the sample. (n)
not pass to the purchaser until he has fully paid the price. (n)
Art. 1483. Subject to the provisions of the Statute of Frauds and of any
Art. 1476. In the case of a sale by auction: other applicable statute, a contract of sale may be made in writing, or by
(1) Where goods are put up for sale by auction in lots, each lot is the word of mouth, or partly in writing and partly by word of mouth, or may be
subject of a separate contract of sale. inferred from the conduct of the parties. (n)
(2) A sale by auction is perfected when the auctioneer announces its
perfection by the fall of the hammer, or in other customary manner. Until Form: no specific form is required for the perfection of a contract of sale.
such announcement is made, any bidder may retract his bid; and the However, the same is still subject to the Statute of Frauds for its
auctioneer may withdraw the goods from the sale unless the auction has enforceability.
been announced to be without reserve.
(3) A right to bid may be reserved expressly by or on behalf of the seller, BAR QUESTION: (2) X came across an advertisement in the Manila
unless otherwise provided by law or by stipulation. Daily Bulletin about the rush sale of three slightly used TOYOTA cars,
(4) Where notice has not been given that a sale by auction is subject to a Model 1989 for only P200,000 each. Finding the price to be very cheap and
right to bid on behalf of the seller, it shall not be lawful for the seller to bid in order to be sure that he gets one unit ahead of the others, X
himself or to employ or induce any person to bid at such sale on his behalf immediately phoned the advertiser Y and placed an order for one car. Y
or for the auctioneer, to employ or induce any person to bid at such sale on accepted the order and promised to deliver the ordered unit on July 15,
behalf of the seller or knowingly to take any bid from the seller or any 1989. On the said date, however, Y did not deliver the unit. X brings an
person employed by him. Any sale contravening this rule may be treated as action to compel Y to deliver the unit. Will such action prosper? Give
fraudulent by the buyer. (n) your reasons.
Art. 1479. A promise to buy and sell a determinate thing for a price certain ANSWER: WON the action will prosper goes into perfection, which may
is reciprocally demandable. also be subject to formalities required by law. Since the subject matter is a
movable, and price is more than P500, it is unenforceable since it is not
An accepted unilateral promise to buy or to sell a determinate thing for a written. The action will not prosper, if there is proper objection.
price certain is binding upon the promissor if the promise is supported by a
consideration distinct from the price. (1451a) BAR QUESTION: A and B entered into a verbal contract whereby A
agreed to sell to B his only parcel of land for P20,000.00, and B agreed
Option Agreement: in an option agreement, as provided under Art. 1324, to buy at the aforementioned price. B went to the bank, withdrew the
the offerer may withdraw the offer before acceptance is communicated to necessary amount, and returned to A for the consummation of the
him, and he would not be liable for damages. contract. A however, had changed his mind and refused to go through
with the sale. Is the agreement valid? Will an action by B against A for
Offerer is not bound, he may withdraw anytime before acceptance is specific performance prosper? Reason.
conveyed to him.
ANSWER: even though there was an agreement as to the object and the
The above rule is likewise applicable to contracts of sale. price, and all the essential requisites are present and there is a valid
CIRILO PAREDES, plaintiff-appellant, Remedies are alternative: if the seller invoked one, he is no longer
vs. allowed to invoke any of the two remaining remedies.
JOSE L. ESPINO, defendant-appellee.
G.R. No. L-23351 March 13, 1968 If only one installment was not paid: the seller can only choose the
first remedy, since the 2nd and 3rd requires that there must be non-payment
FACTS: Appellant Cirilo Parades filed an action to compel defendant- of two or more consecutive installments. Consecutive since the law does not
appellee Jose L. Espino to execute a deed of sale and to pay damages state that the buyer failed to pay TWICE. (Uribe, 2016)
alleging that the defendant "had entered into the sale" of a lot; that the
deal had been "closed by letter and telegram" but the actual execution of Restitution of payments under the 2nd option, cancellation of the
the deed of sale and payment of the price were deferred to the arrival of sale:
defendant at Puerto Princesa; that defendant upon arrival had refused to 1. The cancellation would entail mutual restitution by the parties;
execute the deed of sale although plaintiff was able and willing to pay the 2. The seller may retain a reasonable amount of the purchase price
price, and continued to refuse despite written demands of plaintiff; that as a already paid as compensation for the use of the thing;
result, plaintiff had lost expected profits from a resale of the property, and 3. The seller cannot retain ALL of the purchase price, EXCEPT: if there is
caused plaintiff mental anguish and suffering. a forfeiture clause, which entitles him to the purchase price already
paid at the time of cancellation. However, this clause will not apply if
Defendant filed a motion to dismiss upon the ground that the complaint the retention of ALL the purchase price would be unconscionable.
stated no cause of action, and that the plaintiff's claim upon which the
action was founded was unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds which Note that under the MACEDA law, a forfeiture clause would not be
was granted by the court on the ground that there is no written contract valid.
between the parties.
BAR QUESTION: bought a truck from B payable in installment secured by
ISSUE: WON the contract is unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds? a chattel mortgage executed by A on the truck. As additional security, As
brother, C, executed a real estate mortgage in favor of B.
HELD: No. The Statute of Frauds, embodied in Article 1403 of the Civil
Code of the Philippines, does not require that the contract itself be in A defaulted in the payment of several installments. Consequently, B
writing. The plain text of Article 1403, paragraph (2) is clear that a written foreclosed the chattel mortgage.
note or memorandum, embodying the essentials of the contract and signed
by the party charged, or his agent, suffices to make the verbal agreement Can B proceed against the other properties of A and the real estate
enforceable, taking it out of the operation of the statute. mortgage executed by C to recover the deficiency, if any, after the chattel
mortgage foreclosure sale? Explain.
In the case at bar, the complaint in its paragraph 3 pleads that the deal had
been closed by letter and telegram" (Record on Appeal, p. 2), and the letter ANSWER: No. The sale in this case is that of a personal property in
referred to was evidently the one copy of which was appended as Exhibit A installment. As such, the Recto Law applies. As such, the remedies being
to plaintiff's opposition to the motion dismiss. This letter, together with alternative under such law, since B already foreclosed the chattel mortgage,
that one marked as Appendix B, constitute an adequate memorandum he can no longer exact fulfillment of the obligation by foreclosing the real
of the transaction. They are signed by the defendant-appellee; refer to estate mortgage or by proceeding against the other properties of A.
the property sold as a lot in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, covered, by TCT
No. 62; give its area as 1826 square meters and the purchase price of If A wouldve foreclosed the real estate mortgage, the Recto Law would not
four (P4.00) pesos per square meter payable in cash. We have in them have applied since the mortgage foreclose is not on the thing sold.
therefore, all the essential terms of the contract, and they satisfy the Accordingly, such foreclosure would be in line with exacting fulfillment and
requirements of the Statute of Frauds. We have ruled in Berg vs. Magdalena he wouldve been entitled to a deficiency in the proceeds of the foreclosure
Estate, Inc., 92 Phil. 110, 115, that a sufficient memorandum may be sale and the unpaid amount.
contained in two or more documents.
Art. 1485. The preceding article shall be applied to contracts purporting to
Defendant-appellee argues that the authenticity of the letters has not been be leases of personal property with option to buy, when the lessor has
established. That is not necessary for the purpose of showing prima deprived the lessee of the possession or enjoyment of the thing. (1454-A-a)
facie that the contract is enforceable. For as ruled by us in Shaffer vs.
Palma, L-24115, March 1, 1968, whether the agreement is in writing or not, Art. 1486. In the case referred to in two preceding articles, a stipulation
is a question of evidence; and the authenticity of the writing need not be that the installments or rents paid shall not be returned to the vendee or
established until the trial is held. The plaintiff having alleged that the lessee shall be valid insofar as the same may not be unconscionable under
contract is backed by letter and telegram, and the same being a sufficient the circumstances. (n)
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
101 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
THE MACEDA LAW: or the Realty Installment Buyer Act (RA No. 6552). the time of delivery, shall be governed by Articles 1163 to 1165, and 1262.
Object: is sale of residential realty on installments. This rule shall apply to the sale of fungible things, made independently and
Realty: covers house and lot and condominium units, NOT immovales. for a single price, or without consideration of their weight, number, or
Installment: not on credit. measure.
Rights of the buyer: if installments have not yet reached 2 years Should fungible things be sold for a price fixed according to weight, number,
equivalent: or measure, the risk shall not be imputed to the vendee until they have
1. Pay without interest within 60 days; been weighed, counted, or measured and delivered, unless the latter has
2. The buyer may sell his interest; incurred in delay. (1452a)
3. He may assign his interest (by way of donation or dacion en pago);
4. Pay the entire balance RISK OF LOSS:
After two years worth of installment, the buyer will have: Art. 1493. If at the time the contract of sale is perfected, the thing which is
the object of the contract has been entirely lost, the contract shall be
5. Grace period of minimum of 60 days, if the instalments already without any effect.
covers AT LEAST two years, plus 1 month for every year after two
years; But if the thing should have been lost in part only, the vendee may choose
6. Seller has a right to rescind, but the seller should first give the CASH between withdrawing from the contract and demanding the remaining part,
SURRENDER VALUE: minimum of 50% of all payments (including paying its price in proportion to the total sum agreed upon. (1460a)
downpayment) plus 5% after five years (55% after 7 years of
payment), and 5% for every additional year thereafter upto a Art. 1494. Where the parties purport a sale of specific goods, and the
maximum of 90% (or 14 years of instalment). goods without the knowledge of the seller have perished in part or have
wholly or in a material part so deteriorated in quality as to be substantially
Stipulations which are considered void: changed in character, the buyer may at his option treat the sale:
1. Automatic cancellation or rescission upon default of the buyer; (1) As avoided; or
2. Stipulation as to interest or damages or penalty during the grace (2) As valid in all of the existing goods or in so much thereof as have not
period. deteriorated, and as binding the buyer to pay the agreed price for the goods
in which the ownership will pass, if the sale was divisible. (n)
BAR QUESTION: Pricilla purchased a condominium unit in Makati City from
the Citiland Corporation for a price of P10 Million, payable P3 Million down OBLIGATIONS OF THE VENDOR:
and the balance with interest thereon at 14% per annum payable in sixty 4. To take care of the thing after the contract has been perfected, prior to
(60) equal monthly installments of P198,333.33. They executed a Deed of delivery.
Conditional Sale in which it is stipulated that should the vendee fail to pay 5. Obligation to pay taxes and incidents of the sale, unless otherwise
three (3) successive installments, the sale shall be deemed automatically agreed upon:
rescinded without the necessity of judicial action and all payments made by
the vendee shall be forfeited in favor of the vendor by way of rental for the Article 1487. The expenses for the execution and registration of the
use and occupancy of the unit and as liquidated damages. For 46 months, sale shall be borne by the vendor, unless there is a stipulation to the
Pricilla paid the monthly installments religiously, but on the 47th and 48th contrary. (1455a)
months, she failed to pay. On the 49th month, she tried to pay the
installments due but the vendor refused to receive the payments tendered 6. To warrant the thing;
by her. The following month, the vendor sent her a notice that it was
7. To transfer ownership.
rescinding the Deed of Conditional Sale pursuant to the stipulation for
automatic rescission, and demanded that she vacate the premises. She Obligation to Transfer Ownership
replied that the contract cannot be rescinded without judicial demand or
notarial act pursuant to Article 1592 of the Civil Code.
Art. 1495. The vendor is bound to transfer the ownership of and deliver, as
well as warrant the thing which is the object of the sale. (1461a)
Can the vendor rescind the contract? (2%)
Art. 1496. The ownership of the thing sold is acquired by the vendee from
ANSWER: Sale of condominium unit and it would appear that it is a
the moment it is delivered to him in any of the ways specified in Articles
residential unit, in installment. This is covered by the Maceda Law. The
1497 to 1501, or in any other manner signifying an agreement that the
stipulation of automatic rescission is void.
possession is transferred from the vendor to the vendee. (n)
When the buyer defaulted, it was already on the 47 th month. She had
already paid 46 months or 3 years and 10 months. The grace period should May a vendor sell a thing which he does not own? Yes. There are two
have been 90 days. Since 1 month for every year after two years. On the aspects: validity of the contract of sale and ability to transfer ownership.
47th month, she was 1 day in default, 48th month, she was already 31 days
in default, on the 49th month, 61 days. As such, the offer to pay was made VALIDITY OF THE CONTRACT: the seller need not be the owner, he may
within the 90 day period. The vendor does not have the right to rescind the be a liquidator, executor, administrator, sheriff, or a notary (in case of
contract. pledge).
What if 5th month defaulted: grace period is 60 days since the default This is different from a pledge or mortgage which requires the pledger or
happened only on the first year, unless otherwise stipulated. If she was able mortgagor to be the absolute owner of the thing.
to pay within the 60 days, and eventually failed to pay on the 3 rd month of
the 5th year. The payment is made beyond the grace period. Under the law, TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP: Yes. If the seller had authority to sell:
the buyer is entitled only to a grace period once in every 5 years of the 1. From the owner himself agent;
lifetime of the contract. 2. From the law such as those mentioned under validity of contract
above.
INJURY OR BENEFIT PENDING DELIVERY: 3. From the court in cases of judicial sale.
Art. 1480. Any injury to or benefit from the thing sold, after the contract
What if the seller had no authority to sell: Art. 1505:
has been perfected, from the moment of the perfection of the contract to
Art. 1505. Subject to the provisions of this Title, where goods are sold by a
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
102 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
person who is not the owner thereof, and who does not sell them under BAR QUESTION: Before migrating to Canada in 1992, the spouses
authority or with the consent of the owner, the buyer acquires no better Teodoro and Anita entrusted all their legal papers and documents to
title to the goods than the seller had, unless the owner of the goods is by their nephew, Atty. Tan. Taking advantage of the situation, Atty. Tan
his conduct precluded from denying the seller's authority to sell. forged a deed of sale, making it appear that he had bought the
couples property in Quezon City. In 2000, he succeeded in obtaining a
Nothing in this Title, however, shall affect: TCT over the property in his name. Subsequently, Atty. Tan sold the
(1) The provisions of any factors' act, recording laws, or any other provision same property to Luis, who built an auto repair shop on the property.
of law enabling the apparent owner of goods to dispose of them as if he In 2004, Luis registered the deed of conveyance, and title over the
were the true owner thereof; property was transferred in his name.
(2) The validity of any contract of sale under statutory power of sale or
under the order of a court of competent jurisdiction; In 2006, the spouses Teodoro and Anita came to the Philippines for a
(3) Purchases made in a merchant's store, or in fairs, or markets, in visit and discovered what had happened to their property. They
accordance with the Code of Commerce and special laws. (n) immediately hire you as lawyer. What action or actions will you
institute in order to vindicate their rights? Explain fully. (4%)
General Rule: the buyer acquires no better title to the goods than the
seller had. EXCEPTIONS: ANSWER: Annulment or declaration of nullity of the contracts, if it can
1. Estoppel: be proven that Luis is a buyer not in good faith, since he bought it
a. As to the owner: estoppel in pais - by his conduct or from an apparent owner, Atty. Tan, who is the registered owner of the
representation, he led the buyer to believe that the seller had land.
authority to sell.
BAR QUESTION: (2) A is the owner of a registered land. The
Article 1431. Through estoppel an admission or representation is Torrens Title is entrusted to B, his clerk secretary, who forged As
rendered conclusive upon the person making it, and cannot be denied signature on a deed of sale of said land in his (Bs) favor. A new title is
or disproved as against the person relying thereon. issued in the name of B, upon registration. Does B have a valid
title over the land? If B sells the property to C, does the latter
b. As to the seller: estoppel by deed if after the sale, he acquired acquire a valid title over it?
ownership, such ownership automatically passes to the buyer.
THERE MUST BE DELIVERY. ANSWER: B does not have a valid title to the land. A forger will never
acquire any right over the object of the contract. Otherwise stated, a
Article 1434. When a person who is not the owner of a thing sells or forged document cannot convey any title.
alienates and delivers it, and later the seller or grantor acquires title
thereto, such title passes by operation of law to the buyer or grantee. However, C may acquire valid title to the land because, while a forged
deed cannot convey a valid title, it may be a root of a valid title if as a
2. Sale of an Apparent Owner, REQUISITES: result of the forgery, the forger was able to register the land in his
name and the land is bought by a purchaser in good faith and for
a. There is apparent ownership: usually involves a registered value.
piece of land.
CASE:
Examples:
An old lady asked a lawyer to register her land in her name. MIGUEL MAPALO, ET AL., petitioners,
However, the lawyer instead registered it in his name. vs.
A group of businessmen agreed to register the lot in the MAXIMO MAPALO, ET AL., respondents.
name of the one who will manage the business. G.R. No. L-21489 and L-21628 May 19, 1966
b. Buyer in good faith and for value the buyer had no FACTS: The spouses Miguel Mapalo and Candida Quiba, simple illiterate
knowledge of any defect in the sellers title at the time of full farmers, who, out of love and affection for Maximo Mapalo a brother of
payment (not only at the time of sale). Miguel who was about to get married decided to donate the eastern half
c. There must be a law from which apparent ownership may of the land to him. The OCT was delivered. As a result, however, they were
be had: such as PD 1529 which provides that those dealing with deceived into signing a deed of absolute sale over the entire land in his
registered land need not inquire into matter beyond the title, also favor. Their signatures thereto were procured by fraud, that is, they were
known as the mirror principle, unless the buyer is required made to believe by Maximo Mapalo and by the attorney who acted as
under the law to exercise the highest degree of diligence, e.g., notary public who "translated" the document, that the same was a deed of
banks and public utility companies. donation in Maximo's favor covering one-half (the eastern half) of their land.
Although the document of sale stated a consideration of Five Hundred
Other examples: (1) Factors Act (agency) so far as third (P500.00) Pesos, the aforesaid spouses did not receive anything of value for
persons are concerned, they only have to rely on the power of the land. The attorney's misbehaviour was the subject of an investigation
attorney as written, they need not inquire into limitations imposed but its result does not appear on record. However we took note of the fact
by the principal to the agent not written. (Art. 1900) that during the hearing of these cases said notary public was present but
did not take the witness stand to rebut the plaintiffs' testimony supporting
(2) Art. 1518 for goods covered by negotiable instruments. the allegation of fraud in the preparation of the document.
Art. 1518. The validity of the negotiation of a negotiable Following the execution of the afore-stated document, the spouses Miguel
document of title is not impaired by the fact that the negotiation Mapalo and Candida Quiba immediately built a fence of permanent structure
was a breach of duty on the part of the person making the in the middle of their land segregating the eastern portion from its western
negotiation, or by the fact that the owner of the document was portion. Said fence still exists. The spouses have always been in continued
deprived of the possession of the same by loss, theft, fraud, possession over the western half of the land up to the present.
accident, mistake, duress, or conversion, if the person to whom
the document was negotiated or a person to whom the Not known to them, meanwhile, Maximo Mapalo registered the Deed of Sale
document was subsequently negotiated paid value therefor in and obtained a TCT over the entire land. 13 years later, he sold the land for
good faith without notice of the breach of duty, or loss, theft, P2,500 in favor of Evaristo, Petronila, Pacifico and Miguel all surnamed
fraud, accident, mistake, duress or conversion. (n) Narciso, who in turn obtained a TCT in their names.
On appeal by the Narcisos, the CA reversed the trial court declaring that the In our view, therefore, the ruling of this Court in Ocejo, Perez & Co. vs.
sale was merely voidable and not void ab initio and therefore an action to Flores, 40 Phil. 921, is squarely applicable herein. In that case we ruled that
annul the same within four years had long prescribed. From said decision of a contract of purchase and sale is null and void and produces no
the Court of Appeals, the Mapalo spouses appealed to this Court. effect whatsoever where the same is without cause or
consideration in that the purchase price which appears thereon as
ISSUE: WON the sale was void for lack of consideration? paid has in fact never been paid by the purchaser to the vendor.
HELD: Yes, as to the western portion. Starting with fundamentals, under Needless to add, the inexistence of a contract is permanent and
the Civil Code, either the old or the new, for a contract to exist at all, three incurable and cannot be the subject of prescription. In Eugenio v.
essential requisites must concur: (1) consent, (2) object, and (3) cause or Perdido, 97 Phil. 41, 42-43, involving a sale dated 1932, this Court, speaking
consideration. The Court of Appeals is right in that the element of consent is through Justice Cesar Bengzon, now Chief Justice, stated:
present as to the deed of sale. For consent was admittedly given, albeit
obtained by fraud. Accordingly, said consent, although defective, did exist. Under the existing classification, such contract would be "inexisting"
In such case, the defect in the consent would provide a ground for and "the action or defense for declaration" of such inexistence "does
annulment of a voidable contract, not a reason for nullity ab initio. not prescribe". (Art. 1410, New Civil Code). While it is true that this is a
new provision of the New Civil Code, it is nevertheless a principle
The parties are in agreement that the second element of object is likewise recognized since Tipton vs. Velasco, 6 Phil. 67 that "mere lapse of time
present in the deed of October 15, 1936, namely, the parcel of land subject cannot give efficacy to contracts that are null and void".
matter of the same.
ISSUE2: WON the Narcisos are purchasers in good faith?
Not so, however, as to the third element of cause or consideration. And on
this point the decision of the Court of Appeals is silent. HELD: No. Anent the matter of whether the Narcisos were purchasers in
good faith, the trial court in its decision resolved this issue, thus:
As regards the eastern portion of the land, the Mapalo spouses are not
claiming the same, it being their stand that they have donated and freely With regard to the second issue, the Narcisos contend that they are
given said half of their land to Maximo Mapalo. And since they did not the owners of the above-described property by virtue of the deed of
appeal from the decision of the trial court finding that there was a valid and sale (Exh. B, plaintiffs in 11991 and Exh. 2, defendants in U-133)
effective donation of the eastern portion of their land in favor of Maximo executed in their favor by Maximo Mapalo, and further claim that they
Mapalo, the same pronouncement has become final as to them, rendering it are purchasers for value and in good faith. This court, however, cannot
no longer proper herein to examine the existence, validity efficacy of said also give weight and credit on this theory of the Narcisos on the
donation as to said eastern portion. following reasons: Firstly, it has been positively shown by the
undisputed testimony of Candida Quiba that Pacifico Narciso and
Now, as to the western portion, however, the fact not disputed Evaristo Narciso stayed for some days on the western side (the portion
herein is that no donation by the Mapalo spouses obtained as to in question) of the above-described land until their house was removed
said portion. Accordingly, we start with the fact that liberality as a in 1940 by the spouses Mapalo and Quiba; secondly, Pacifica Narciso
cause or consideration does not exist as regards the western admitted in his testimony in chief that when they bought the property,
portion of the land in relation to the deed of 1936; that there was Miguel Mapalo was still in the premises in question (western part)
no donation with respect to the same. which he is occupying and his house is still standing thereon; and
thirdly, said Pacifico Narciso when presented as a rebuttal and sub-
It is reduced, then, to the question whether there was an onerous rebuttal witness categorically declared that before buying the land in
conveyance of ownership, that is, a sale, by virtue of said deed of October question he went to the house of Miguel Mapalo and Candida Quiba
15, 1936, with respect to said western portion. Specifically, was there a and asked them if they will permit their elder brother Maximo to sell
cause or consideration to support the existence of a contrary of sale? the property.
The rule under the Civil Code, again be it the old or the new, is that Aside from the fact that all the parties in these cases are neighbors,
contracts without a cause or consideration produce no effect except Maximo Mapalo the foregoing facts are explicit enough and
whatsoever. Nonetheless, under the Old Civil Code, the statement of a sufficiently reveal that the Narcisos were aware of the nature and
false consideration renders the contract voidable, unless it is proven that it extent of the interest of Maximo Mapalo their vendor, over the above-
In view of defendants' bad faith under the circumstances we deem it just If the owner is not unlawfully deprived, can he recover? Yes. 559 is
and equitable to award, in plaintiffs' favor, attorneys' fees on appeal, in the still applicable if the thing was lost, the owner has a right to recover subject
amount of P1,000.00 as prayed for in the counterclaim. to the right of reimbursement.
Wherefore, the decision of the Court of Appeals is hereby reversed and set What if the thing is also not lost but bought from a seller who
aside, and another one is hereby rendered affirming in toto the judgment of doesnt have the right to sell, can the owner recover? Will he
the Court of First Instance a quo, with attorney's fees on appeal in favor of reimburse? If the owner was NOT unlawfully deprived of the thing or lost
appellants in the amount of P1,000.00, plus the costs, both against the it, Art. 559 is no longer applicable. See Sun Brothers vs. Velasco.
private appellees. So ordered.
SUN BROTHERS and Co.
3. Valid Sale by Statutory or Judicial Authority such as sales VS.
made by guardians, executors, administrators, sheriffs, etc. JOSE VELASCO and CO KANG CHIU
4. Purchase from a Merchant Store, Market or Fair in good faith FACTS: Sun Velasco was in the business of selling refrigerators. In this case
and for value: the purpose of this exception is to facilitate 3 contracts of sale involving the same refrigerator occurred:
commercial transactions so as not to degrade the trust in sales made
through such stores. 1st sale: to Lopez: conditional sale: full payment was condition for transfer
of ownership. Refrigerator was delivered.
ART. 1505 in relation to Art. 559:
2nd sale: Lopez sold the same the day after, misrepresenting himself as a
Article 559. The possession of movable property acquired in good faith is certain LIM, to JV Trading owned by Velasco.
equivalent to a title. Nevertheless, one who has lost any movable or has
been unlawfully deprived thereof, may recover it from the person in 3rd sale: Velasco to Co.
possession of the same.
ISSUE: Who has a better right to the refrigerator?
If the possessor of a movable lost or which the owner has been unlawfully
deprived, has acquired it in good faith at a public sale, the owner cannot HELD: Co. Art. 559 does not apply, but Art. 1505. Under Art. 1505, sale of
obtain its return without reimbursing the price paid therefor. (464a) goods by one who is not an owner does not vest a better title to the buyer.
However, where purchases were made in a merchants store, or in fairs, or
BAR QUESTION: Rita owned a valuable painting which was stolen from markets, such rule does not apply.
her house. The theft was duly reported to the authorities. A year after,
Rita saw the painting hanging in the office of Mario. When queried, Mario In the case at bar, Lopez had no title because he acquired the title under a
said that he bought the painting in a gallery auction. The painting was conditional sale and he failed to give the full payment of the price to SBC.
positively identified as the one stolen from the house of Rita. The sale to Velasco also did not vest him any title because of his negligence.
MODES OF DELIVERY: THINGS Delivery to a common carrier: when the parties so agreed that the seller
will deliver to the common carrier for ultimate delivery to the buyer. In this
Art. 1497. The thing sold shall be understood as delivered, when it is case, there is already delivery upon receipt of the common carrier.
placed in the control and possession of the vendee. (1462a)
Art. 1503. When there is a contract of sale of specific goods, the seller
Actual Delivery: The actual and physical transfer of the thing to the may, by the terms of the contract, reserve the right of possession or
buyer. Note that actual delivery entails that the control over the thing is ownership in the goods until certain conditions have been fulfilled. The right
transferred to the transferee. As such, if a thing is delivered to a depositary, of possession or ownership may be thus reserved notwithstanding the
there is no delivery, since there is no transfer of ownership. delivery of the goods to the buyer or to a carrier or other bailee for the
purpose of transmission to the buyer.
CONSTRUCTIVE DELIVERY
Where goods are shipped, and by the bill of lading the goods are deliverable
Art. 1498. When the sale is made through a public instrument, the to the seller or his agent, or to the order of the seller or of his agent, the
execution thereof shall be equivalent to the delivery of the thing which is seller thereby reserves the ownership in the goods. But, if except for the
the object of the contract, if from the deed the contrary does not appear or form of the bill of lading, the ownership would have passed to the buyer on
cannot clearly be inferred. shipment of the goods, the seller's property in the goods shall be deemed to
be only for the purpose of securing performance by the buyer of his
With regard to movable property, its delivery may also be made by the obligations under the contract.
delivery of the keys of the place or depository where it is stored or kept.
(1463a) Where goods are shipped, and by the bill of lading the goods are deliverable
to order of the buyer or of his agent, but possession of the bill of lading is
Execution of Public Instrument: This mode of delivery is available to retained by the seller or his agent, the seller thereby reserves a right to the
both sale of rights and sale of things. possession of the goods as against the buyer.
Art. 1499. The delivery of movable property may likewise be made by the Where the seller of goods draws on the buyer for the price and transmits
mere consent or agreement of the contracting parties, if the thing sold the bill of exchange and bill of lading together to the buyer to secure
cannot be transferred to the possession of the vendee at the time of the acceptance or payment of the bill of exchange, the buyer is bound to return
sale, or if the latter already had it in his possession for any other reason. the bill of lading if he does not honor the bill of exchange, and if he
(1463a) wrongfully retains the bill of lading he acquires no added right thereby. If,
however, the bill of lading provides that the goods are deliverable to the
Traditio Longa Manu: by mere consent of the seller, ownership transfers buyer or to the order of the buyer, or is indorsed in blank, or to the buyer
to the buyer, because at the time of sale, the seller cannot transfer by the consignee named therein, one who purchases in good faith, for
possession to the buyer, e.g., the thing is leased by another. value, the bill of lading, or goods from the buyer will obtain the ownership
in the goods, although the bill of exchange has not been honored, provided
Art. 1500. There may also be tradition constitutum possessorium. (n) that such purchaser has received delivery of the bill of lading indorsed by
the consignee named therein, or of the goods, without notice of the facts
Consitutum Posessorium: at the time of sale, the seller is in possession making the transfer wrongful. (n)
and remains in possession in another concept other than an owner, like that
of a lessee, depositary or borrower. EXCEPTIONS TO 1523:
1. Ownership is reserved by the seller such as if it is deliverable to the
Other Modes: seller or his agent.
2. The seller reserved possession goods are deliverable to the buyer,
Brevi Manu: or short hand delivery. When the buyer is in possession of the but possession of the bill of lading is with the seller.
thing, in a concept other than that of an owner, at the time of sale, and
remains in possession after sale, now as owner. E.g., a lessee who buys the MODE OF DELIVERY: As to rights:
thing leased.
Art. 1501. With respect to incorporeal property, the provisions of the first
Symbolic Delivery: where the seller merely gives the key to a warehouse paragraph of article 1498 shall govern. In any other case wherein said
where the goods are located. Note, if the object of the sale is the provisions are not applicable, the placing of the titles of ownership in the
warehouse, this is actual delivery, since the buyer would have possession possession of the vendee or the use by the vendee of his rights, with the
and control of the warehouse. vendor's consent, shall be understood as a delivery. (1464)
Art. 1523. Where, in pursuance of a contract of sale, the seller is There is delivery of rights, other than by execution of public instrument by:
authorized or required to send the goods to the buyer, delivery of the goods
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
106 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
1. When the title of ownership is placed in the possession of the vendee ANSWER: Yes. Although there was a conditional sale, the condition, i.e.,
(e.g., certificates of stock for sale of shares of stock); delivery to X was already fulfilled. As such, ownership already transferred
2. By the use of the vendee of his rights with the vendors consent. (e.g., prior to the destruction of the car. Following res perit domino, buyer bears
the vendee of shares where the same has not been transferred in his the loss who is already the owner at the time of the loss.
name yet, with the consent of the owner, through a proxy, he may
exercise his rights as a stockholder) EXCEPTIONS TO THE RES PERIT DOMINO:
1. By stipulation;
SALE OR RETURN AND SALE ON APPROVAL OR ON TRIAL OR ON 2. If ownership is retained only to secure performance by the buyer. Title
SATISFACTION: of the seller is known as SECURITY TITLE. This is whats provided
under Art. 1504(1). See Lawyers Coop vs. Tabora:
Art. 1502. When goods are delivered to the buyer "on sale or return" to
give the buyer an option to return the goods instead of paying the price, the LAWYERS COOPERATIVE PUBLISHING COMPANY, plaintiff-appellee,
ownership passes to the buyer of delivery, but he may revest the vs.
ownership in the seller by returning or tendering the goods within the time PERFECTO A. TABORA, defendant-appellant.
fixed in the contract, or, if no time has been fixed, within a reasonable time. G.R. No. L-21263 April 30, 1965
(n)
FACTS: Tabora bought from Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company one
When goods are delivered to the buyer on approval or on trial or on complete set of American Jurisprudence, plus one set of American
satisfaction, or other similar terms, the ownership therein passes to the Jurisprudence, General Index. Tabora made a partial payment and the
buyer: books were duly delivered and receipted for by Tabora.
(1) When he signifies his approval or acceptance to the seller or does In the midnight of the same date, a fire broke out in the locality and burned
any other act adopting the transaction; all the buildings including the law office and library of Tabora. He then
(2) If he does not signify his approval or acceptance to the seller, but informed LCPC of the incident. As a token of goodwill, LCPC sent to Tabora,
retains the goods without giving notice of rejection, then if a time free of charge 4 volumes of Philippine Reports.
has been fixed for the return of the goods, on the expiration of such time,
and, if no time has been fixed, on the expiration of a reasonable time. What Tabora failed to pay the monthly installments and such, LCPC commenced
is a reasonable time is a question of fact. (n) an action before the CFI for recovery of the balance.
RISK OF LOSS: to determine who bears the risk of loss, it is important to Defendant, in his answer, pleaded force majeure as a defense and argued
know what kind of sale is involved and whether there was already delivery. that the seller retained ownership of the goods. As such, he should not bear
the loss.
Art. 1504. Unless otherwise agreed, the goods remain at the seller's risk
until the ownership therein is transferred to the buyer, but when the The trial court rendered judgment in favor of petitioner. On appeal, the case
ownership therein is transferred to the buyer the goods are at the buyer's was forwarded to the SC involving purely questions of law.
risk whether actual delivery has been made or not, except that:
ISSUE: WON respondent may be held liable for the balance of the purchase
(1) Where delivery of the goods has been made to the buyer or to a bailee price?
for the buyer, in pursuance of the contract and the ownership in the goods
has been retained by the seller merely to secure performance by the buyer HELD: Yes. Appellant bought from appellee one set of American
of his obligations under the contract, the goods are at the buyer's risk from Jurisprudence, including one set of general index, payable on installment
the time of such delivery; plan. It was provided in the contract that "title to and ownership of the
(2) Where actual delivery has been delayed through the fault of either the books shall remain with the seller until the purchase price shall have been
buyer or seller the goods are at the risk of the party in fault. (n) fully paid. Loss or damage to the books after delivery to the buyer shall be
borne by the buyer." The total price of the books, including the cost of
Res Perit Domino: as a rule, the one who bears the loss of the thing is freight, amounts to P1,682.40. Appellant only made a down payment of
the owner thereof. P300.00 thereby leaving a balance of P1,382.40. This is now the import of
the present action aside from liquidated damages.
BAR QUESTION: D sold a second-hand car to E for P150,000.00. The
agreement between D and E was that half of the purchase price, or Appellants contention cannot be sustained. While as a rule the loss of
P75,000.00, shall be paid upon delivery of the car to E and the balance of the object of the contract of sale is borne by the owner or in case
P75,000.00 shall be paid in five equal monthly installments of P15,000.00 of force majeure the one under obligation to deliver the object is
each. The car was delivered to E, and E paid the amount of P75,000.00 to exempt from liability, the application of that rule does not here
D. Less than one month thereafter, the car was stolen from Es garage with obtain because the law on the contract entered into on the matter
no fault on Es part and was never recovered. Is E legally bound to pay the argues against it. It is true that in the contract entered into between the
said unpaid balance of P75,000.00? Explain your answer. parties the seller agreed that the ownership of the books shall remain with it
until the purchase price shall have been fully paid, but such stipulation
ANSWER: Yes. This case involves an absolute sale and there was already cannot make the seller liable in case of loss not only because such was
delivery. As such, ownership already passed to the buyer. Applying the res agreed merely to secure the performance by the buyer of his obligation but
perit domino doctrine, the buyer bears the loss since he is already the in the very contract it was expressly agreed that the "loss or damage to the
owner at the time of loss. He can be compelled to pay the unpaid balance. books after delivery to the buyer shall be borne by the buyer." Any such
stipulation is sanctioned by Article 1504 of our Civil Code, which in part
BAR QUESTION: S, an American resident of Manila, about to leave on a provides:
vacation, sold his car to B for U.S.$2,000.00, the payment to be made ten
days after delivery to X, a third party depositary agreed upon, who shall (1) Where delivery of the goods has been made to the buyer or to a
deliver the car to B upon receipt by X of the purchase price. It was bailee for the buyer, in pursuance of the contract and the ownership in
stipulated that ownership is retained by S until delivery of the car to X. the goods has been retained by the seller merely to secure
Five days after delivery of the car to X, it was destroyed in a fire which performance by the buyer of his obligations under the contract, the
gutted the house of X, without the fault of either X or B. goods are at the buyer's risk from the time of such delivery.
Is buyer B still legally obligated to pay the purchase price? Explain. Neither can appellant find comfort in the claim that since the books were
destroyed by fire without any fault on his part he should be relieved from
Art. 1506. Where the seller of goods has a voidable title thereto, but his Art. 1582. The vendee is bound to accept delivery and to pay the
title has not been avoided at the time of the sale, the buyer acquires a good price of the thing sold at the time and place stipulated in the
title to the goods, provided he buys them in good faith, for value, and contract.
without notice of the seller's defect of title. (n)
If the time and place should not have been stipulated, the payment
Art. 1507. A document of title in which it is stated that the goods referred must be made at the time and place of the delivery of the thing sold.
to therein will be delivered to the bearer, or to the order of any person (1500a)
named in such document is a negotiable document of title. (n)
3. What kind of thing is to be delivered:
Art. 1508 to 1521: covers negotiable documents of title, such as a a. Specific or determinate the place where the thing was located at
warehouse receipt. the time of perfection of the contract, provided, the buyer is
aware of such place;
TIME AND PLACE OF DELIVERY: b. Generic the place of business of the seller, or if none, his
residence.
Art. 1521. Whether it is for the buyer to take possession of the goods or of
the seller to send them to the buyer is a question depending in each case DELIVERY OF LESS OR MORE OF THE QUANTITY AGREED UPON:
on the contract, express or implied, between the parties. Apart from any
such contract, express or implied, or usage of trade to the contrary, the Art. 1522. Where the seller delivers to the buyer a quantity of goods less
place of delivery is the seller's place of business if he has one, and if not his than he contracted to sell, the buyer may reject them, but if the buyer
residence; but in case of a contract of sale of specific goods, which to the accepts or retains the goods so delivered, knowing that the seller is not
knowledge of the parties when the contract or the sale was made were in going to perform the contract in full, he must pay for them at the contract
some other place, then that place is the place of delivery. rate. If, however, the buyer has used or disposed of the goods delivered
before he knows that the seller is not going to perform his contract in full,
Where by a contract of sale the seller is bound to send the goods to the the buyer shall not be liable for more than the fair value to him of the goods
buyer, but no time for sending them is fixed, the seller is bound to send so received.
them within a reasonable time.
Where the seller delivers to the buyer a quantity of goods larger than he
Where the goods at the time of sale are in the possession of a third person, contracted to sell, the buyer may accept the goods included in the contract
the seller has not fulfilled his obligation to deliver to the buyer unless and and reject the rest. If the buyer accepts the whole of the goods so delivered
until such third person acknowledges to the buyer that he holds the goods he must pay for them at the contract rate.
on the buyer's behalf.
Where the seller delivers to the buyer the goods he contracted to sell mixed
Demand or tender of delivery may be treated as ineffectual unless made at with goods of a different description not included in the contract, the buyer
a reasonable hour. What is a reasonable hour is a question of fact. may accept the goods which are in accordance with the contract and reject
the rest.
Unless otherwise agreed, the expenses of and incidental to putting the
goods into a deliverable state must be borne by the seller. (n) In the preceding two paragraphs, if the subject matter is indivisible, the
buyer may reject the whole of the goods.
Time of Delivery:
1. At the time of sale, if it is a pure obligation. However, as a rule, the The provisions of this article are subject to any usage of trade, special
seller is not bound to deliver until the buyer pays. agreement, or course of dealing between the parties. (n)
Art. 1524. The vendor shall not be bound to deliver the thing sold, if Delivery of less than that agreed upon:
the vendee has not paid him the price, or if no period for the 1. The buyer may reject;
payment has been fixed in the contract. (1466) 2. The buyer may accept:
a. If the buyer had knowledge that the seller is not going to perform
2. Period agreed upon. Except, if the buyer loses the right to make use of the contract in full he must pay for them at the contract rate.
the period under Art. 1198: b. If the buyer had no such knowledge he is liable for the fair
value of the goods received.
Art. 1536. The vendor is not bound to deliver the thing sold in case
the vendee should lose the right to make use of the terms as Note that in a commercial sale, the fair value would normally be
provided in Article 1198. (1467a) less than the contract price due to the intended profit.
3. If the subject matter is indivisible the buyer may reject the whole.
Place of Delivery:
1. Stipulated; Delivery in excess of that agreed upon:
2. Place fixed by usage or trade this may be determined by the shipping 1. The buyer may accept the quantity agreed upon and reject the rest;
arrangements. Examples: 2. The buyer may accept all and pay them at the contract price;
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
108 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
3. If the subject matter is indivisible the buyer may reject the whole buyer is not entitled to the excess as provided under Art. 1542. This is
because the parties agreed to an area more or less and the difference
Art. 1539. The obligation to deliver the thing sold includes that of placing with the actual area cannot be considered a slight deviation which the
in the control of the vendee all that is mentioned in the contract, in phrase connotes. See Sps Caballero vs. Carmen Del Prado.
conformity with the following rules:
Art. 1543. The actions arising from Articles 1539 and 1542 shall prescribe
If the sale of real estate should be made with a statement of its area, at the in six months, counted from the day of delivery. (1472a)
rate of a certain price for a unit of measure or number, the vendor shall be
obliged to deliver to the vendee, if the latter should demand it, all that may UNPAID SELLER:
have been stated in the contract; but, should this be not possible, the
vendee may choose between a proportional reduction of the price and the Art. 1525. The seller of goods is deemed to be an unpaid seller within
rescission of the contract, provided that, in the latter case, the lack in the the meaning of this Title:
area be not less than one-tenth of that stated.
(1) When the whole of the price has not been paid or tendered;
The same shall be done, even when the area is the same, if any part of the (2) When a bill of exchange or other negotiable instrument has been
immovable is not of the quality specified in the contract. received as conditional payment, and the condition on which it was
received has been broken by reason of the dishonor of the instrument, the
The rescission, in this case, shall only take place at the will of the vendee, insolvency of the buyer, or otherwise.
when the inferior value of the thing sold exceeds one-tenth of the price
agreed upon. In Articles 1525 to 1535 the term "seller" includes an agent of the seller to
whom the bill of lading has been indorsed, or a consignor or agent who has
Nevertheless, if the vendee would not have bought the immovable had he himself paid, or is directly responsible for the price, or any other person who
known of its smaller area of inferior quality, he may rescind the sale. is in the position of a seller. (n)
(1469a)
Art. 1526. Subject to the provisions of this Title, notwithstanding that
Real property: If the property turns out less than the area agreed upon: the ownership in the goods may have passed to the buyer, the
1. The buyer may ask for specific performance only if the seller is in a unpaid seller of goods, as such, has:
position to give the lacking area
2. Accion Quanti Minoris the buyer may ask for the proportionate (1) A lien on the goods or right to retain them for the price while he is in
reduction in price if the sale appears to be for a certain price per unit possession of them;
of measure. (2) In case of the insolvency of the buyer, a right of stopping the goods in
3. Rescission only if the area that is lacking is not substantial or more transitu after he has parted with the possession of them;
than 10%. Note that this remedy is available only if there was (3) A right of resale as limited by this Title;
substantial breach. However, the buyer may still ask for recission if he (4) A right to rescind the sale as likewise limited by this Title.
can prove that he would not have bought the land if the area would be
less than that agreed upon. Where the ownership in the goods has not passed to the buyer, the unpaid
seller has, in addition to his other remedies a right of withholding delivery
Art. 1540. If, in the case of the preceding article, there is a greater area or similar to and coextensive with his rights of lien and stoppage in transitu
number in the immovable than that stated in the contract, the vendee may where the ownership has passed to the buyer. (n)
accept the area included in the contract and reject the rest. If he accepts
the whole area, he must pay for the same at the contract rate. (1470a) Rights of unpaid seller:
1. Possessory lien right to retain the goods or right to withhold
If the area is in EXCESS: delivery of the goods.
1. The buyer may accept the area included in the contract and reject the
rest; Art. 1527. Subject to the provisions of this Title, the unpaid seller of goods
2. The buyer may accept the whole area and pay the same at the who is in possession of them is entitled to retain possession of them until
contract rate. payment or tender of the price in the following cases, namely:
Art. 1541. The provisions of the two preceding articles shall apply to (1) Where the goods have been sold without any stipulation as to credit;
judicial sales. (n) (2) Where the goods have been sold on credit, but the term of credit has
expired;
Art. 1542. In the sale of real estate, made for a lump sum and not at the (3) Where the buyer becomes insolvent.
rate of a certain sum for a unit of measure or number, there shall be no
increase or decrease of the price, although there be a greater or less area The seller may exercise his right of lien notwithstanding that he is in
or number than that stated in the contract. possession of the goods as agent or bailee for the buyer. (n)
The same rule shall be applied when two or more immovables as sold for a Art. 1528. Where an unpaid seller has made part delivery of the goods, he
single price; but if, besides mentioning the boundaries, which is may exercise his right of lien on the remainder, unless such part delivery
indispensable in every conveyance of real estate, its area or number should has been made under such circumstances as to show an intent to waive the
be designated in the contract, the vendor shall be bound to deliver all that is lien or right of retention. (n)
included within said boundaries, even when it exceeds the area or number
specified in the contract; and, should he not be able to do so, he shall suffer Difference with lien of the seller under rules on concurrence and
a reduction in the price, in proportion to what is lacking in the area or preference of credit: possessory lien entails that the possession of the
number, unless the contract is rescinded because the vendee does not goods is still with the seller. In concurrence and preference of credits, the
accede to the failure to deliver what has been stipulated. (1471) goods are already with the buyer. In the former, insolvency is not a
required, though it may be a ground. In the latter, it presupposes that the
Lump-Sum Sale: note that accion quanti minoris is applicable only if the buyer is already insolvent.
sale is for a certain rate/price per unit. Otherwise, if the sale is lumpsum,
there can be no proportional reduction of the price. Art. 1535. Subject to the provisions of this Title, the unpaid seller's right of
lien or stoppage in transitu is not affected by any sale, or other disposition
More or less even if the sale is lumpsum and the area agreed upon is of the goods which the buyer may have made, unless the seller has
4,000 sqm, more or less, and the area turned out to be 14,000 sqm, the assented thereto.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
109 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
either by obtaining actual possession of the goods or by giving notice of his
If, however, a negotiable document of title has been issued for goods, no claim to the carrier or other bailee in whose possession the goods are. Such
seller's lien or right of stoppage in transitu shall defeat the right of any notice may be given either to the person in actual possession of the goods
purchaser for value in good faith to whom such document has been or to his principal. In the latter case the notice, to be effectual, must be
negotiated, whether such negotiation be prior or subsequent to the given at such time and under such circumstances that the principal, by the
notification to the carrier, or other bailee who issued such document, of the exercise of reasonable diligence, may prevent a delivery to the buyer.
seller's claim to a lien or right of stoppage in transitu. (n)
When notice of stoppage in transitu is given by the seller to the carrier, or
While with possessory lien, buyer sells the goods to a third person, other bailee in possession of the goods, he must redeliver the goods to, or
will the seller lose possessory lien? As a rule, no. Exceptions: according to the directions of, the seller. The expenses of such delivery
1. He assented to the transfer; must be borne by the seller. If, however, a negotiable document of title
2. If instead of alienated, the buyer sold the goods to the third person, representing the goods has been issued by the carrier or other bailee, he
(a) who is a buyer in good faith and for value, and shall not obliged to deliver or justified in delivering the goods to the seller
(b) the goods are covered by a negotiable document of title, unless such document is first surrendered for cancellation. (n)
(c) which is negotiated to the third person.
Requisites:
Loss of Possessory Lien: a. The seller already parted with the possession of the goods;
b. The goods are already in transit;
Art. 1529. The unpaid seller of goods loses his lien thereon: c. The buyer is insolvent.
(1) When he delivers the goods to a carrier or other bailee for the
purpose of transmission to the buyer without reserving the ownership How?
in the goods or the right to the possession thereof; a. The seller can take lawful possession of the goods from the carrier;
(2) When the buyer or his agent lawfully obtains possession of the b. Inform the carrier as to the exercise of the right and instruct him of the
goods; place of delivery.
(3) By waiver thereof.
What if carrier refused? Common carrier is not automatically liable. In
The unpaid seller of goods, having a lien thereon, does not lose his order for him to be bound to follow the instructions, the seller must
lien by reason only that he has obtained judgment or decree for the surrender the document of title, like a negotiable bill of lading. Considering
price of the goods. (n) that a third person may have a better right (see when a seller would lose his
lien in sale of goods involving a negotiable document of title).
2. Stoppage in transit right to stop the goods while in transit. If the buyer sells the thing to a third person: the seller does not lose
the right to exercise stoppage in transitu, subject to the exceptions under
Art. 1530. Subject to the provisions of this Title, when the buyer of goods Art. 1535 as discussed under possessory lien.
is or becomes insolvent, the unpaid seller who has parted with the
possession of the goods has the right of stopping them in transitu, that is to 3. Resale
say, he may resume possession of the goods at any time while they are in
transit, and he will then become entitled to the same rights in regard to the Art. 1533. Where the goods are of perishable nature, or where the seller
goods as he would have had if he had never parted with the possession. (n) expressly reserves the right of resale in case the buyer should make default,
or where the buyer has been in default in the payment of the price for an
Art. 1531. Goods are in transit within the meaning of the preceding article: unreasonable time, an unpaid seller having a right of lien or having stopped
(1) From the time when they are delivered to a carrier by land, water, or the goods in transitu may resell the goods. He shall not thereafter be liable
air, or other bailee for the purpose of transmission to the buyer, until the to the original buyer upon the contract of sale or for any profit made by
buyer, or his agent in that behalf, takes delivery of them from such carrier such resale, but may recover from the buyer damages for any loss
or other bailee; occasioned by the breach of the contract of sale.
(2) If the goods are rejected by the buyer, and the carrier or other bailee
continues in possession of them, even if the seller has refused to receive Where a resale is made, as authorized in this article, the buyer acquires a
them back. good title as against the original buyer.
Goods are no longer in transit within the meaning of the preceding article: It is not essential to the validity of resale that notice of an intention to resell
(1) If the buyer, or his agent in that behalf, obtains delivery of the goods the goods be given by the seller to the original buyer. But where the right to
before their arrival at the appointed destination; resell is not based on the perishable nature of the goods or upon an express
(2) If, after the arrival of the goods at the appointed destination, the carrier provision of the contract of sale, the giving or failure to give such notice
or other bailee acknowledges to the buyer or his agent that he holds the shall be relevant in any issue involving the question whether the buyer had
goods on his behalf and continues in possession of them as bailee for the been in default for an unreasonable time before the resale was made.
buyer or his agent; and it is immaterial that further destination for the
goods may have been indicated by the buyer; It is not essential to the validity of a resale that notice of the time and place
(3) If the carrier or other bailee wrongfully refuses to deliver the goods to of such resale should be given by the seller to the original buyer.
the buyer or his agent in that behalf.
The seller is bound to exercise reasonable care and judgment in making a
If the goods are delivered to a ship, freight train, truck, or airplane resale, and subject to this requirement may make a resale either by public
chartered by the buyer, it is a question depending on the circumstances of or private sale. He cannot, however, directly or indirectly buy the goods. (n)
the particular case, whether they are in the possession of the carrier as such
or as agent of the buyer. Grounds:
a. Stipulated;
If part delivery of the goods has been made to the buyer, or his agent in b. The buyer was in default for an unreasonable length of time;
that behalf, the remainder of the goods may be stopped in transitu, unless c. The goods are perishable.
such part delivery has been under such circumstances as to show an
agreement with the buyer to give up possession of the whole of the goods. Notice Requirement:
(n) (1) intention of the seller to resell - the first notice is relevant if the ground
of the seller is (b) above, as proof that the buyer has been in default for an
Art. 1532. The unpaid seller may exercise his right of stoppage in transitu unreasonable length of time.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
110 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
(2) date, time and place of resale The seller is only entitled to the molasses and that the agreed sale was for only 300,000 gallons (not
deficiency (price in resale and unpaid amount) if the resale was made in 400,000).
good faith and the notice would be a manifestation since the buyer was
notified of the resale and he couldve been there. ISSUE: WON the agreement was for only 300,000 gallons and not 400,000
as claimed by the plaintiff?
Note that the seller is not allowed to buy the goods, directly or indirectly.
HELD: Yes. We agree with appellant that the correspondence is susceptible
What if the sale is in excess? It is still with the seller. There is no unjust of but one interpretation. The Hawaiian-Philippine Co. agreed to deliver to
enrichment, since the buyer is the one in default, and the seller only Song Fo & Company 300,000 gallons of molasses. The Hawaiian-Philippine
exercised his rights. Co. also believed it possible to accommodate Song Fo & Company by
supplying the latter company with an extra 100,000 gallons. But the
Non-compliance with the notice requirement does not invalidate the resale. language used with reference to the additional 100,000 gallons was not a
definite promise. Still less did it constitute an obligation.
Kalaw vs. CA: if ownership already transferred to the buyer, seller is not
required to rescind before he can exercise right to resell. Even if ownership If Exhibit T relied upon by the trial court shows anything, it is simply that
is already transferred, when the seller sells the goods to another, the the defendant did not consider itself obliged to deliver to the plaintiff
ownership of the first buyer is terminated by operation of law; and since the molasses in any amount. On the other hand, Exhibit A, a letter written by
seller still has possessory lien, his delivery to the second buyer transfers the manager of Song Fo & Company on October 17, 1922, expressly
ownership. mentions an understanding between the parties of a contract for P300,000
gallons of molasses.
4. Rescission
ISSUE2: WON defendant had the right to rescind the contract?
Art. 1534. An unpaid seller having the right of lien or having stopped the
goods in transitu, may rescind the transfer of title and resume the HELD: No. Song Fo & Company was to pay the Hawaiian-Philippine Co.
ownership in the goods, where he expressly reserved the right to do so in upon presentation of accounts at the end of each month. Under this
case the buyer should make default, or where the buyer has been in default hypothesis, Song Fo & Company should have paid for the molasses
in the payment of the price for an unreasonable time. The seller shall not delivered in December, 1922, and for which accounts were received by it on
thereafter be liable to the buyer upon the contract of sale, but may recover January 5, 1923, not later than January 31 of that year. Instead, payment
from the buyer damages for any loss occasioned by the breach of the was not made until February 20, 1923. All the rest of the molasses was paid
contract. for either on time or ahead of time.
The transfer of title shall not be held to have been rescinded by an unpaid The terms of payment fixed by the parties are controlling. The time
seller until he has manifested by notice to the buyer or by some other overt of payment stipulated for in the contract should be treated as of
act an intention to rescind. It is not necessary that such overt act should be the essence of the contract. Theoretically, agreeable to certain
communicated to the buyer, but the giving or failure to give notice to the conditions which could easily be imagined, the Hawaiian-Philippine Co.
buyer of the intention to rescind shall be relevant in any issue involving the would have had the right to rescind the contract because of the breach of
question whether the buyer had been in default for an unreasonable time Song Fo & Company. But actually, there is here present no outstanding fact
before the right of rescission was asserted. (n) which would legally sanction the rescission of the contract by the Hawaiian-
Philippine Co.
Grounds:
1. Stipulated; The general rule is that rescission will not be permitted for a slight
2. The buyer was in default for an unreasonable length of time; or casual breach of the contract, but only for such breaches as are
so substantial and fundamental as to defeat the object of the
Art. 1191: rules are also applicable to rescission as a right. As such, it need parties in making the agreement. A delay in payment for a small
not be stipulated and are available in reciprocal obligations. quantity of molasses for some twenty days is not such a violation
of an essential condition of the contract was warrants rescission
Substantial Breach: there must be substantial breach for rescission to be for non-performance. Not only this, but the Hawaiian-Philippine Co.
a ground. A delay in payment for a small quantity for some twenty waived this condition when it arose by accepting payment of the
days is not such a violation of an essential condition of the contract overdue accounts and continuing with the contract. Thereafter, Song
was warrants rescission for non-performance. See Song Fo & Fo & Company was not in default in payment so that the Hawaiian-
Company vs. Hawaiian Phil. Co. Philippine co. had in reality no excuse for writing its letter of April 2, 1923,
cancelling the contract. (Warner, Barnes & Co. vs. Inza [1922], 43 Phil.,
Waiver of the condition of when to pay: accepting payment of the 505.)
overdue accounts and continuing with the contract.
We rule that the appellant had no legal right to rescind the contract of sale
SONG FO & COMPANY, plaintiff-appellee, because of the failure of Song Fo & Company to pay for the molasses within
vs. the time agreed upon by the parties. We sustain the finding of the trial
HAWAIIAN PHILIPPINE CO., defendant-appellant. judge in this respect.
G.R. No. 23769 September 16, 1925
FACTS: Plaintiff Song Fo & Company filed a complaint for breach of Are the remedies of the unpaid seller alternative? No. the right to
contract against defendant Hawaiian Philippine Co. alleging failure to deliver rescind and resell would require that the seller still has possessory lien.
400,000 gallons of molasses as agreed upon. However, possessory lien and stoppage in transit are exclusive in the sense
that the latter requires that the seller had already delivered possession of
In an amended answer and cross-complaint, the defendant set up the the goods to the seller. However still, if the seller retained possession, such
special defense that since the plaintiff had defaulted in the payment for the as when the goods are deliverable to the seller, the right to be invoked is
molasses delivered to it by the defendant under the contract between the possessory lien and not stoppage in transit.
parties, the latter was compelled to cancel and rescind the said contract.
Insolvency: not a requirement, only in stoppage in transit. But insolvency
The trial court decided in favor of plaintiff. On appeal, the defendant raises may be a ground (not required) in other remedies.
the issue that it had sufficient cause to cancel the contract for the sale of
Art. 1538. In case of loss, deterioration or improvement of the thing before If a public instrument was executed for the first sale, but the buyer did not
its delivery, the rules in Article 1189 shall be observed, the vendor being exercise rights of ownership, and the second buyer did, such as collect
considered the debtor. (n) rentals on the property, the second buyer would be considered the one who
took possession in good faith. There is hierarchy of modes of delivery and
DOUBLE SALE: between a notarized deed and actual possession, the latter prevails.
(Viatingo vs. Bugasis)
Art. 1544. If the same thing should have been sold to different vendees,
the ownership shall be transferred to the person who may have first taken ROSALIO BAUTISTA, plaintiff-appellee,
possession thereof in good faith, if it should be movable property. vs.
FRANCISCO SIOSON, ET AL., defendants.
Should it be immovable property, the ownership shall belong to the person RAYMUNDO DE LA CRUZ, appellant.
acquiring it who in good faith first recorded it in the Registry of Property. G.R. No. L-13125 February 11, 1919
Should there be no inscription, the ownership shall pertain to the person FACTS: Plaintiff, through a contract of sale with repurchase, bought a
who in good faith was first in the possession; and, in the absence thereof, camarin or a warehouse of strong materials with an iron roof and a house of
to the person who presents the oldest title, provided there is good faith. mixed materials with a nipa roof, giving the spouses Francisco Sioson and
(1473) Lorenza de la Cruz, the right of repurchase from the date of sale, or from
Sept. 4, 1912. The same property was leased to the spouses.
If thing sold is movable property:
1. The first to take possession in good faith; The two years elapsing, the spouses not paying any rent and not exercising
2. If no one took possession, the person with the oldest title, who is in their right of repurchase, and finding that defendant-appellant Raymundo
good faith. dela Cruz was in possession of the said property by virtue of a sale made by
the spouses to her within the 2 year period, she initiated a complaint which
If the thing sold is immovable property: was granted by the trial court.
1. The first to register in good faith;
2. The first to take possession; The trial court declared her the owner of the two properties subject of the
3. If no one registered nor took possession, the person with the oldest case and ordered defendant to place her in possession of the same.
title, who is in good faith.
ISSUE: Who is the owner of the camarin of strong materials with an iron
Good faith pertains to the Registrant not the buyer: as such, if roof: (1) Rosalio Bautista, in whose favor its ownership became consolidated
at the time of the second sale, the buyer had no knowledge of the prior by the lapse of the term of two years without its having been repurchased
sale, but learns of it prior to registration, he may still be considered a by the vendors; or to (2) Raymundo de la Cruz, to whom Francisco Sioson
registrant NOT in good faith. likewise sold the said camarin on August 5, 1914, one year and eleven
months after the sale of this building to the plaintiff Bautista, effected on
First buyer in bad faith: the first buyer cannot be in bad faith in relation September 4, 1912?
to the second sale. However, he may be considered in bad faith if he has
knowledge of any defect in the title of the seller or if he obtained title not HELD: Rosalio Bautista. Both alienations, effected successively by Francisco
through legal means (e.g., duress or intimidation). Sioson in favor of Bautista and Cruz, are recorded in notarial instruments,
though they were not entered in the registry of property. To determine who
BAR QUESTION: On June 15, 1995, Jesus sold a parcel of registered land is the lawful owner of the camarin sold, if the provisions of said article of
to Jaime. On June 30, 1995, he sold the same land to Jose. Who has a the Code are to be observed, we have first to determine the contention in
better right if: regard to which of the two purchasers is in possession thereof, and if, on
the execution of the contract of lease by the first purchaser in favor of the
a) the first sale is registered ahead of the second sale with knowledge of vendor himself, the constitutum possessorium agreement is to be
the latter. Why? (3%) considered to have been stipulated, the conclusion must necessarily be
b) the second sale is registered ahead of the first sale, with knowledge of reached as to which of the two purchasers first took possession of
the latter? Why? (2%) the camarin sold, and also whether the material possession of the tenant is
of a precarious nature, enjoyed in the same and representation of the
ANSWER: owner Bautista.
a) Jaime. Even if the registration was done after the second sale, Jaime
would still have a better title. He cannot be considered a registrant in
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
112 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
From the context of Article 1462, it is deduced that the delivery or HELD: No. While under the invoked Article 1544 registration in good faith
tradition of the thing sold may be real or actual, and feigned. The prevails over possession in the event of a double sale by the vendor of the
execution of a public instrument constitutes one of the kinds of same piece of land to different vendees, said article is of no application to
symbolic tradition, but, in all the different manners by which the the case at bar, even if Balbuena, the later vendee, was ignorant of the
thing sold may be delivered, it is necessary that the record bear prior sale made by his judgment debtor in favor of petitioner Carumba. The
proof and that it may be held that such delivery or tradition was reason is that the purchaser of unregistered land at a sheriff's
determined by the will of the parties to deliver and receive, execution sale only steps into the shoes of the judgment debtor,
respectively, the thing that is the subject of the contract. and merely acquires the latter's interest in the property sold as of
the time the property was levied upon. This is specifically provided by
So that by the execution of the deed of sale of September 4, 1912, section 35 of Rule 39 of the Revised Rules of Court, the second paragraph
Rosalio Bautista entered into the material possession under title of of said section specifically providing that:
owner, of the camarin sold to him by Francisco Sioson, and, by virtue of
another instrument of lease, of the same date, the purchaser and owner of Upon the execution and delivery of said (final) deed the purchaser,
the camarin conveyed and delivered this building to the lessee in view of redemptioner, or his assignee shall be substituted to and acquire all
said contract. Under these perfectly legal suppositions it is unquestionable the right, title, interest, and claim of the judgment debtor to the
that the purchaser Rosalio Bautista was the first person who property as of the time of the levy, except as against the judgment
entered into the possession of the camarin as soon as soon as he debtor in possession, in which case the substitution shall be effective
acquired it by virtue of said sale. as of the time of the deed ... (Emphasis supplied)
The material possession which the other defendant, Raymundo de la Cruz, While the time of the levy does not clearly appear, it could not have been
now enjoys, not only was subsequent by one year and eleven months, but made prior to 15 April 1957, when the decision against the former owners
also, on the other hand, is an unlawful possession which was transmitted to of the land was rendered in favor of Balbuena. But the deed of sale in favor
him by Francisco Sioson, who held the camarin precariously and in the of Canuto had been executed two years before, on 12 April 1955, and while
capacity of tenant, and, consequently, without any right whatever to convey only embodied in a private document, the same, coupled with the fact that
to Raymundo de la Cruz the possession under title of owner referred to in the buyer (petitioner Carumba) had taken possession of the unregistered
article 1473, aforementioned of the Civil Code. land sold, sufficed to vest ownership on the said buyer. When the levy was
made by the Sheriff, therefore, the judgment debtor no longer had
This article says: "If the same thing should have been sold to different dominical interest nor any real right over the land that could pass to the
vendees. . .;" but it must be understood that said sale was made by its purchaser at the execution sale. Hence, the latter must yield the land to
original owner. In the instant case Francisco Sioson, on affecting the petitioner Carumba. The rule is different in case of lands covered by Torrens
second sale in favor of Raymundo de la Cruz, was in possession of titles, where the prior sale is neither recorded nor known to the execution
the camarin and occupied it, not in the capacity of owner, but in purchaser prior to the levy; but the land here in question is admittedly not
that of lessee or tenant, and therefore absolutely had no right to registered under Act No. 496.
dispose of the building in the capacity of owner thereof;
consequently Sioson could not convey to the second purchaser the lawful CONDITIONS:
possession of the disputed camarin.
Art. 1545. Where the obligation of either party to a contract of sale is
AMADO CARUMBA, petitioner, subject to any condition which is not performed, such party may refuse to
vs. proceed with the contract or he may waive performance of the condition. If
THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANTIAGO BALBUENA and ANGELES the other party has promised that the condition should happen or be
BOAQUIA as Deputy Provincial Sheriff,respondents. performed, such first mentioned party may also treat the nonperformance of
G.R. No. L-27587 February 18, 1970 the condition as a breach of warranty.
FACTS: On April 12, 1955, the spouses Amado Canuto and Nemesia Ibasco, Where the ownership in the thing has not passed, the buyer may treat the
by virtue of a "Deed of Sale of Unregistered Land with Covenants of fulfillment by the seller of his obligation to deliver the same as described
Warranty" (Exh. A), sold a parcel of land, partly residential and partly and as warranted expressly or by implication in the contract of sale as a
coconut land to the spouses Amado Carumba and Benita Canuto, for the condition of the obligation of the buyer to perform his promise to accept
sum of P350.00. The referred deed of sale was never registered in the and pay for the thing. (n)
Office of the Register of Deeds of Camarines Sur, and the Notary, Mr.
Vicente Malaya, was not then an authorized notary public in the place, as Conditions not fulfilled: the buyer may:
shown by Exh. 5. 1. Cancel the sale;
2. Waive the happening of the condition and proceed with the sale;
On January 21, 1957, a complaint (Exh. B) for a sum or money was filed by 3. Treat the non-happening of the condition as a breach of warranty and
Santiago Balbuena against Amado Canuto and Nemesia Ibasco which hold the seller liable for damages.
rendered a decision in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendants. On
October 1, 1968, the ex-officio Sheriff, Justo V. Imperial, of Camarines Sur, OBLIGATION TO WARRANT
issued a "Definite Deed of Sale (Exh. D) of the property now in question in
favor of Santiago Balbuena, which instrument of sale was registered before Art. 1546. Any affirmation of fact or any promise by the seller relating to
the Office of the Register of Deeds of Camarines Sur, on October 3, 1958. the thing is an express warranty if the natural tendency of such affirmation
The aforesaid property was declared for taxation purposes (Exh. 1) in the or promise is to induce the buyer to purchase the same, and if the buyer
name of Santiago Balbuena in 1958. purchase the thing relying thereon. No affirmation of the value of the thing,
nor any statement purporting to be a statement of the seller's opinion only,
On appeal, the CFI reversed the justice of the peace. On appeal to the CA, shall be construed as a warranty, unless the seller made such affirmation or
the CA, without altering the findings of fact made by the court of origin, statement as an expert and it was relied upon by the buyer. (n)
declared that there having been a double sale of the land subject of the suit
Balbuena's title was superior to that of his adversary under Article 1544 of Express Warranty: is an affirmation of fact or promise by the seller
the Civil Code of the Philippines, since the execution sale had been properly relating to the thing which would induce the buyer to buy the same.
registered in good faith and the sale to Carumba was not recorded. However, those relating to opinions of the seller are not considered
warranties unless they are made by experts and the buyer relies upon them.
ISSUE: WON there was a double sale and Balbuena has a right to the said
property? Implied Warranties:
Art. 1548. Eviction shall take place whenever by a final judgment based on Art. 1553. Any stipulation exempting the vendor from the obligation
a right prior to the sale or an act imputable to the vendor, the vendee is to answer for eviction shall be void, if he acted in bad faith. (1476)
deprived of the whole or of a part of the thing purchased.
2. If the seller is in good faith:
The vendor shall answer for the eviction even though nothing has been said a. With waiver:
in the contract on the subject. 1) Consciente the buyer is not aware of the risk, or without
knowledge of the defect in the title of the seller: seller is still
The contracting parties, however, may increase, diminish, or suppress this liable but only for the value of the thing at the time of
legal obligation of the vendor. (1475a) eviction;
2) Intencionada the buyer was aware of the risk of eviction or
Coverage: not only deprivation of ownership, but also deprivation of of the defect in the title of the seller the seller is no longer
possession. E.g., when there is an existing lease contract covering the thing liable for anything.
sold. b. Without waiver: seller is liable for all except damages.
Second-hand items: this warranty is still applicable even on second-hand Art. 1556. Should the vendee lose, by reason of the eviction, a part of the
items. Unlike the warranty against hidden defects, which may not apply. thing sold of such importance, in relation to the whole, that he would not
have bought it without said part, he may demand the rescission of the
When would the seller be liable? If the buyer is deprived of ownership contract; but with the obligation to return the thing without other
and/or possession because of: encumbrances that those which it had when he acquired it.
1. .
He may exercise this right of action, instead of enforcing the vendor's
REQUISITES: liability for eviction.
1. There must be a final judgment;
2. The buyer was derived of the thing due to a right prior to the sale; or The same rule shall be observed when two or more things have been jointly
3. Even if the right has arisen after sale, if the same is imputable to the sold for a lump sum, or for a separate price for each of them, if it should
vendor; clearly appear that the vendee would not have purchased one without the
other. (1479a)
Example: the first buyer who is deprived of the thing by the second
buyer whose right accrued after the first sale but the deprivation would Art. 1557. The warranty cannot be enforced until a final judgment has
be imputable to the vendor been rendered, whereby the vendee loses the thing acquired or a part
thereof. (1480)
Art. 1549. The vendee need not appeal from the decision in order that the
vendor may become liable for eviction. (n) Art. 1558. The vendor shall not be obliged to make good the proper
warranty, unless he is summoned in the suit for eviction at the instance of
Art. 1550. When adverse possession had been commenced before the sale the vendee. (1481a)
but the prescriptive period is completed after the transfer, the vendor shall
not be liable for eviction. (n) Art. 1559. The defendant vendee shall ask, within the time fixed in the
Rules of Court for answering the complaint, that the vendor be made a co-
Art. 1551. If the property is sold for nonpayment of taxes due and not defendant. (1482a)
made known to the vendee before the sale, the vendor is liable for eviction.
(n) Art. 1560. If the immovable sold should be encumbered with any non-
apparent burden or servitude, not mentioned in the agreement, of such a
Art. 1552. The judgment debtor is also responsible for eviction in judicial nature that it must be presumed that the vendee would not have acquired it
sales, unless it is otherwise decreed in the judgment. (n) had he been aware thereof, he may ask for the rescission of the contract,
Within one year, to be computed from the execution of the deed, the Art. 1565. In the case of a contract of sale by sample, if the seller is a
vendee may bring the action for rescission, or sue for damages. dealer in goods of that kind, there is an implied warranty that the goods
shall be free from any defect rendering them unmerchantable
One year having elapsed, he may only bring an action for damages within which would not be apparent on reasonable examination of the
an equal period, to be counted from the date on which he discovered the sample. (n)
burden or servitude. (1483a)
Art. 1566. The vendor is responsible to the vendee for any hidden faults or
Non-apparent encumbrances: example: a right of way. Sellers liability defects in the thing sold, even though he was not aware thereof.
shall attach only if the encumbrance was not:
1. Apparent; This provision shall not apply if the contrary has been stipulated, and the
2. Not declared at the time of sale; or vendor was not aware of the hidden faults or defects in the thing sold.
3. Not annotated. (1485)
Otherwise, if it should have been known to the vendee, the seller would not Art. 1567. In the cases of Articles 1561, 1562, 1564, 1565 and 1566, the
be liable. vendee may elect between withdrawing from the contract and demanding a
proportionate reduction of the price, with damages in either case. (1486a)
Prescription of action:
1. Rescission within 1 year from the execution of the deed; Remedies of the vendee:
2. Damages within 1 year from discovery. 1. Withdraw from the contract plus damages.
2. Demand a proportionate reduction of the price plus damages.
SUBSECTION 2. - Warranty Against Hidden Defects
of or Encumbrances Upon the Thing Sold Thing with hidden defect is lost or destroyed; liability of the seller:
Art. 1561. The vendor shall be responsible for warranty against the hidden 1. If the cause was the defect itself: return the price, expenses of the
defects which the thing sold may have, should they render it unfit for the contract, damages (if he was aware), interest (if he is not aware);
use for which it is intended, or should they diminish its fitness for such use
to such an extent that, had the vendee been aware thereof, he would not Art. 1568. If the thing sold should be lost in consequence of the
have acquired it or would have given a lower price for it; but said vendor hidden faults, and the vendor was aware of them, he shall bear the
shall not be answerable for patent defects or those which may be visible, or loss, and shall be obliged to return the price and refund the expenses
for those which are not visible if the vendee is an expert who, by reason of
of the contract, with damages. If he was not aware of them, he shall
his trade or profession, should have known them. (1484a) only return the price and interest thereon, and reimburse the
expenses of the contract which the vendee might have paid. (1487a)
Defects: must be physical and hidden, i.e., not obvious to the buyer even
after exercising his right of inspection. Note that the seller is NOT liable:
2. If the cause is fortuitous event the price less the value at the time of
1. For patent defects or those which may be visible; or loss, plus damages (if he was aware).
2. Those which are invisible but the buyer is an expert on the thing and
by reason of his trade or profession, he should have known.
Art. 1569. If the thing sold had any hidden fault at the time of the
sale, and should thereafter be lost by a fortuitous event or through
Effect of the hidden defect:
the fault of the vendee, the latter may demand of the vendor the
1. It would render the thing unfit for its intended use;
price which he paid, less the value which the thing had when it was
2. Diminish its fitness for such use to such extent that, had the vendee
lost.
ben aware thereof, he would not have acquired it or would have given
a lower price for it.
If the vendor acted in bad faith, he shall pay damages to the vendee.
(1488a)
Art. 1562. In a sale of goods, there is an implied warranty or condition as
to the quality or fitness of the goods, as follows:
(1) Where the buyer, expressly or by implication, makes known to the seller
Art. 1570. The preceding articles of this Subsection shall be applicable to
the particular purpose for which the goods are acquired, and it appears that
judicial sales, except that the judgment debtor shall not be liable for
the buyer relies on the seller's skill or judgment (whether he be the grower
damages. (1489a)
or manufacturer or not), there is an implied warranty that the goods shall
be reasonably fit for such purpose;
(2) Where the goods are brought by description from a seller who deals in Art. 1571. Actions arising from the provisions of the preceding ten articles
goods of that description (whether he be the grower or manufacturer or shall be barred after six months, from the delivery of the thing sold. (1490)
not), there is an implied warranty that the goods shall be of merchantable
quality. (n) Prescription of action: 6 months from DELIVERY.
Warranty of Quality: in this case, there is no hidden defect, its just that Art. 1572. If two or more animals are sold together, whether for a lump
the thing is unfit for the particular purpose which the buyer intended it for. sum or for a separate price for each of them, the redhibitory defect of one
Liability attaches if: shall only give rise to its redhibition, and not that of the others; unless it
1. The buyer expressly or impliedly made known such purpose and he should appear that the vendee would not have purchased the sound animal
relies on the sellers skill or judgment that the thing sold would be or animals without the defective one.
reasonably fit therefor;
2. Where the goods are brought by description from a seller who deals in The latter case shall be presumed when a team, yoke pair, or set is bought,
goods of that description. even if a separate price has been fixed for each one of the animals
composing the same. (1491)
Art. 1563. In the case of contract of sale of a specified article under its
patent or other trade name, there is no warranty as to its fitness for
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
115 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
If more than one animal is bought: generally, the buyer can only cancel Art. 1583. Unless otherwise agreed, the buyer of goods is not bound to
the sale pertaining to the animal with the hidden defect. EXCEPT: if it can accept delivery thereof by installments.
be shown that the purchase would not have been made without the
defective one, such as purchase of a team, yoke pair, or set. Where there is a contract of sale of goods to be delivered by stated
installments, which are to be separately paid for, and the seller makes
Art. 1576. If the hidden defect of animals, even in case a professional defective deliveries in respect of one or more instalments, or the buyer
inspection has been made, should be of such a nature that expert neglects or refuses without just cause to take delivery of or pay for one
knowledge is not sufficient to discover it, the defect shall be considered as more instalments, it depends in each case on the terms of the contract and
redhibitory. the circumstances of the case, whether the breach of contract is so material
as to justify the injured party in refusing to proceed further and suing for
But if the veterinarian, through ignorance or bad faith should fail to discover damages for breach of the entire contract, or whether the breach is
or disclose it, he shall be liable for damages. (1495) severable, giving rise to a claim for compensation but not to a right to treat
the whole contract as broken. (n)
Hidden defects in animals: for the seller to be liable, the defect must be
redhibitory, i.e., even expert knowledge is not sufficient to detect the same. Art. 1584. Where goods are delivered to the buyer, which he has not
previously examined, he is not deemed to have accepted them unless and
Art. 1573. The provisions of the preceding article with respect to the sale until he has had a reasonable opportunity of examining them for the
of animals shall in like manner be applicable to the sale of other things. purpose of ascertaining whether they are in conformity with the contract if
(1492) there is no stipulation to the contrary.
Art. 1574. There is no warranty against hidden defects of animals sold at Unless otherwise agreed, when the seller tenders delivery of goods to the
fairs or at public auctions, or of live stock sold as condemned. (1493a) buyer, he is bound, on request, to afford the buyer a reasonable
opportunity of examining the goods for the purpose of ascertaining whether
Art. 1575. The sale of animals suffering from contagious diseases shall be they are in conformity with the contract.
void.
Where goods are delivered to a carrier by the seller, in accordance with an
A contract of sale of animals shall also be void if the use or service for which order from or agreement with the buyer, upon the terms that the goods
they are acquired has been stated in the contract, and they are found to be shall not be delivered by the carrier to the buyer until he has paid the price,
unfit therefor. (1494a) whether such terms are indicated by marking the goods with the words
"collect on delivery," or otherwise, the buyer is not entitled to examine
Art. 1577. The redhibitory action, based on the faults or defects of the goods before the payment of the price, in the absence of
animals, must be brought within forty days from the date of their delivery to agreement or usage of trade permitting such examination. (n)
the vendee.
Art. 1585. The buyer is deemed to have accepted the goods when he
This action can only be exercised with respect to faults and defects which intimates to the seller that he has accepted them, or when the goods have
are determined by law or by local customs. (1496a) been delivered to him, and he does any act in relation to them which is
inconsistent with the ownership of the seller, or when, after the lapse of a
Art. 1578. If the animal should die within three days after its purchase, the reasonable time, he retains the goods without intimating to the seller that
vendor shall be liable if the disease which cause the death existed at the he has rejected them. (n)
time of the contract. (1497a)
When the buyer is deemed to have accepted delivery:
QUESTION: S sold a dog to B, 2 days after the dog died. B sued. Will S be 1. He intimates to the seller his acceptance;
liable? 2. He does any act which is inconsistent with the ownership of the seller;
3. After the lapse of reasonable time, he retains the goods without
HELD: No. whether the seller is aware or not aware of the defect is not intimating to the seller that he has rejected them.
important, it will only be determinative of the extent and not whether he is
liable. S is not liable since the defect must be existing at the time of sale, Art. 1586. In the absence of express or implied agreement of the parties,
even if the dog died within 3 days. acceptance of the goods by the buyer shall not discharge the seller from
liability in damages or other legal remedy for breach of any promise or
Art. 1579. If the sale be rescinded, the animal shall be returned in the warranty in the contract of sale. But, if, after acceptance of the goods, the
condition in which it was sold and delivered, the vendee being answerable buyer fails to give notice to the seller of the breach in any promise of
for any injury due to his negligence, and not arising from the redhibitory warranty within a reasonable time after the buyer knows, or ought to know
fault or defect. (1498) of such breach, the seller shall not be liable therefor. (n)
Art. 1580. In the sale of animals with redhibitory defects, the vendee shall Art. 1587. Unless otherwise agreed, where goods are delivered to the
also enjoy the right mentioned in article 1567; but he must make use buyer, and he refuses to accept them, having the right so to do, he is not
thereof within the same period which has been fixed for the exercise of the bound to return them to the seller, but it is sufficient if he notifies the seller
redhibitory action. (1499) that he refuses to accept them. If he voluntarily constitutes himself a
depositary thereof, he shall be liable as such. (n)
Art. 1581. The form of sale of large cattle shall be governed by special
laws. (n)
CHAPTER 5 OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT: Aside from paying the price, it is the obligation
of the vendee to accept delivery. If he refuses:
OBLIGATIONS OF THE VENDEE
1. Without just cause ownership is deemed transferred to him;
2. With just cause ownership will not pass to the buyer.
Art. 1582. The vendee is bound to accept delivery and to pay the
price of the thing sold at the time and place stipulated in the contract.
Art. 1589. The vendee shall owe interest for the period between the
If the time and place should not have been stipulated, the payment must be delivery of the thing and the payment of the price, in the following three
cases:
made at the time and place of the delivery of the thing sold. (1500a)
(1) Should it have been so stipulated;
(2) Should the thing sold and delivered produce fruits or income;
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
116 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
(3) Should he be in default, from the time of judicial or extrajudicial paragraph, are not applicable, the seller may offer to deliver the goods to
demand for the payment of the price. (1501a) the buyer, and, if the buyer refuses to receive them, may notify the buyer
that the goods are thereafter held by the seller as bailee for the buyer.
Art. 1590. Should the vendee be disturbed in the possession or ownership Thereafter the seller may treat the goods as the buyer's and may maintain
of the thing acquired, or should he have reasonable grounds to fear such an action for the price. (n)
disturbance, by a vindicatory action or a foreclosure of mortgage, he may
suspend the payment of the price until the vendor has caused the Art. 1596. Where the buyer wrongfully neglects or refuses to accept and
disturbance or danger to cease, unless the latter gives security for the pay for the goods, the seller may maintain an action against him for
return of the price in a proper case, or it has been stipulated that, damages for nonacceptance.
notwithstanding any such contingency, the vendee shall be bound to make
the payment. A mere act of trespass shall not authorize the suspension of The measure of damages is the estimated loss directly and naturally
the payment of the price. (1502a) resulting in the ordinary course of events from the buyer's breach of
contract.
Suspension of payments: may be made by the vendee if he is disturbed
or have reasonable grounds to fear such disturbance upon his possession or Where there is an available market for the goods in question, the measure
ownership, by a vindicatory action or a foreclosure of mortgage. EXCEPT: of damages is, in the absence of special circumstances showing proximate
1. The vendor gives security for the return of the price in a proper case; damage of a different amount, the difference between the contract price
2. It has been stipulated that there shall be no suspension of payments and the market or current price at the time or times when the goods ought
even if there is such contingency. to have been accepted, or, if no time was fixed for acceptance, then at the
time of the refusal to accept.
A mere trespass shall not authorize suspension of the payment of the price.
If, while labor or expense of material amount is necessary on the part of the
However, if the fear of loss covers immovable property, the vendor may seller to enable him to fulfill his obligations under the contract of sale, the
immediately sue for rescission: buyer repudiates the contract or notifies the seller to proceed no further
therewith, the buyer shall be liable to the seller for labor performed or
Art. 1591. Should the vendor have reasonable grounds to fear the expenses made before receiving notice of the buyer's repudiation or
loss of immovable property sold and its price, he may immediately sue countermand. The profit the seller would have made if the contract or the
for the rescission of the sale. sale had been fully performed shall be considered in awarding the damages.
(n)
Should such ground not exist, the provisions of Article 1191 shall be
observed. (1503) Art. 1597. Where the goods have not been delivered to the buyer, and the
buyer has repudiated the contract of sale, or has manifested his inability to
Length of suspension: until the seller caused the disturbance or danger perform his obligations thereunder, or has committed a breach thereof, the
to cease. seller may totally rescind the contract of sale by giving notice of his election
so to do to the buyer. (n)
Art. 1592. In the sale of immovable property, even though it may have
been stipulated that upon failure to pay the price at the time agreed upon Art. 1598. Where the seller has broken a contract to deliver specific or
the rescission of the contract shall of right take place, the vendee may pay, ascertained goods, a court may, on the application of the buyer, direct that
even after the expiration of the period, as long as no demand for rescission the contract shall be performed specifically, without giving the seller the
of the contract has been made upon him either judicially or by a notarial option of retaining the goods on payment of damages. The judgment or
act. After the demand, the court may not grant him a new term. (1504a) decree may be unconditional, or upon such terms and conditions as to
damages, payment of the price and otherwise, as the court may deem just.
Art. 1593. With respect to movable property, the rescission of the sale (n)
shall of right take place in the interest of the vendor, if the vendee, upon
the expiration of the period fixed for the delivery of the thing, should not Art. 1599. Where there is a breach of warranty by the seller, the buyer
have appeared to receive it, or, having appeared, he should not have may, at his election:
tendered the price at the same time, unless a longer period has been (1) Accept or keep the goods and set up against the seller, the breach of
stipulated for its payment. (1505) warranty by way of recoupment in diminution or extinction of the price;
(2) Accept or keep the goods and maintain an action against the seller for
CHAPTER 6 damages for the breach of warranty;
ACTIONS FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OF SALE OF GOODS (3) Refuse to accept the goods, and maintain an action against the seller for
damages for the breach of warranty;
Art. 1594. Actions for breach of the contract of sale of goods shall be (4) Rescind the contract of sale and refuse to receive the goods or if the
governed particularly by the provisions of this Chapter, and as to matters goods have already been received, return them or offer to return them to
not specifically provided for herein, by other applicable provisions of this the seller and recover the price or any part thereof which has been paid.
Title. (n)
When the buyer has claimed and been granted a remedy in anyone of these
Art. 1595. Where, under a contract of sale, the ownership of the goods has ways, no other remedy can thereafter be granted, without prejudice to the
passed to the buyer and he wrongfully neglects or refuses to pay for the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 1191.
goods according to the terms of the contract of sale, the seller may
maintain an action against him for the price of the goods. Where the goods have been delivered to the buyer, he cannot rescind the
sale if he knew of the breach of warranty when he accepted the goods
Where, under a contract of sale, the price is payable on a certain day, without protest, or if he fails to notify the seller within a reasonable time of
irrespective of delivery or of transfer of title and the buyer wrongfully the election to rescind, or if he fails to return or to offer to return the goods
neglects or refuses to pay such price, the seller may maintain an action for to the seller in substantially as good condition as they were in at the time
the price although the ownership in the goods has not passed. But it shall the ownership was transferred to the buyer. But if deterioration or injury of
be a defense to such an action that the seller at any time before the the goods is due to the breach or warranty, such deterioration or injury shall
judgment in such action has manifested an inability to perform the contract not prevent the buyer from returning or offering to return the goods to the
of sale on his part or an intention not to perform it. seller and rescinding the sale.
Although the ownership in the goods has not passed, if they cannot readily Where the buyer is entitled to rescind the sale and elects to do so, he shall
be resold for a reasonable price, and if the provisions of article 1596, fourth cease to be liable for the price upon returning or offering to return the
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
117 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
goods. If the price or any part thereof has already been paid, the seller shall apparent vendor may ask for the reformation of the instrument. (n)
be liable to repay so much thereof as has been paid, concurrently with the
return of the goods, or immediately after an offer to return the goods in Possible reason of the creditor to enter in to a sale with right of
exchange for repayment of the price. repurchase rather than mortgage: he wants to circumvent the law on
mortgage.
Where the buyer is entitled to rescind the sale and elects to do so, if the 1. Sale would transfer ownership upon delivery. In mortgage, ownership
seller refuses to accept an offer of the buyer to return the goods, the buyer remains with the mortgagor;
shall thereafter be deemed to hold the goods as bailee for the seller, but 2. Buyer would already be entitled to the fruits and to possession. In
subject to a lien to secure payment of any portion of the price which has mortgage, these remain with the mortgagor;
been paid, and with the remedies for the enforcement of such lien allowed 3. Upon default, after the lapse of the period, buyers ownership becomes
to an unpaid seller by Article 1526. absolute. In mortgage, there should be foreclosure and compliance
with the procedures thereto. Moreover, creditor would not always be
(5) In the case of breach of warranty of quality, such loss, in the absence of entitled to the property.
special circumstances showing proximate damage of a greater amount, is
the difference between the value of the goods at the time of delivery to the Why would debtor sign? beggars cant be choosers.
buyer and the value they would have had if they had answered to the
warranty. (n) Burden of proof: ordinarily, seller a retro, who claims that the transaction
is an equitable mortgage. But, under Art. 1602 provides the circumstances
CHAPTER 7 where the PRESUMPTION that the transaction is an equitable mortgage
EXTINGUISHMENT OF SALE would arise. As such, the creditor-buyer would have the burden of proof.
Art. 1600. Sales are extinguished by the same causes as all other In case of doubt: equitable mortgage, under Art. 1603:
obligations, by those stated in the preceding articles of this Title, and by
conventional or legal redemption. (1506) Art. 1603. In case of doubt, a contract purporting to be a sale with right to
repurchase shall be construed as an equitable mortgage. (n)
SECTION 1. - Conventional Redemption
Art. 1604. The provisions of Article 1602 shall also apply to a contract
Art. 1601. Conventional redemption shall take place when the vendor purporting to be an absolute sale. (n)
reserves the right to repurchase the thing sold, with the obligation to
comply with the provisions of Article 1616 and other stipulations which may Art. 1606. The right referred to in Article 1601, in the absence of an
have been agreed upon. (1507) express agreement, shall last four years from the date of the
contract.
Right to repurchase: for a party to be exercise conventional redemption,
the contract must have been a contract of sale with right to repurchase, or Should there be an agreement, the period cannot exceed ten years.
a pacto de retro sale.
However, the vendor may still exercise the right to repurchase within thirty
Ownership: transfers to the vendee a retro upon delivery. However, this days from the time final judgment was rendered in a civil action on the
ownership is not absolute but only conditional. This is because the seller a basis that the contract was a true sale with right to repurchase. (1508a)
retro may be able to exercise the right to repurchase and the ownership of
the buyer will be terminated. PERIOD TO REDEEM:
1. No period 4 years from the date of the contract;
Amount to be paid at the time the right is exercised: 2. Stipulation not exceeding 10 years.
1. The purchase price;
2. Useful and necessary expenses (e.g., fencing of the land) BAR QUESTION: On January 2, 1980, A and B entered into a contract
whereby A sold to B a parcel of land for and in consideration of P10,000.00.
Art. 1602. The contract shall be presumed to be an equitable mortgage, in A reserving to himself the right to repurchase the same. Because they were
any of the following cases: friends, no period was agreed upon for the repurchase of the property.
(1) When the price of a sale with right to repurchase is unusually 1) Until when must A exercise his right of repurchase?
inadequate; 2) If A fails to redeem the property within the allowable period, what
(2) When the vendor remains in possession as lessee or otherwise; would you advise B to do for his better protection?
(3) When upon or after the expiration of the right to repurchase another
instrument extending the period of redemption or granting a new period is ANSWER:
executed; 1) Since no period was agreed upon, Art. 1606 provides that the period to
(4) When the purchaser retains for himself a part of the purchase redeem shall be 4 years from the date of the contract.
price;
(5) When the vendor binds himself to pay the taxes on the thing sold; What if they agreed to a period of 25 years? Can A redeem on the 15
(6) In any other case where it may be fairly inferred that the real intention year? No more. The law provides for a maximum period of 10 years.
of the parties is that the transaction shall secure the payment of a debt or The 25 year agreement was void. As such, A should have redeemed
the performance of any other obligation. within the 10 year period.
In any of the foregoing cases, any money, fruits, or other benefit to be 2) For As failure to redeem, Bs ownership from being conditional upon
received by the vendee as rent or otherwise shall be considered as the exercise to right, becomes absolute. B would be entitled to
interest which shall be subject to the usury laws. (n) registration. B should file an action for consolidation of title in order to
effect such registration.
Relevance: the parties may have intended the property as a security for a
pre-existing obligation. As such, by treating it as a mortgage, the supposed Art. 1607. In case of real property, the consolidation of ownership in the
seller may still redeem the property regardless of the expiration of the vendee by virtue of the failure of the vendor to comply with the provisions
period to repurchase agreed upon by the parties. of article 1616 shall not be recorded in the Registry of Property without a
judicial order, after the vendor has been duly heard. (n)
Remedy: of the seller is for reformation of the contract.
Art. 1608. The vendor may bring his action against every possessor whose
Art. 1605. In the cases referred to in Articles 1602 and 1604, the right is derived from the vendee, even if in the second contract no mention
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
118 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
should have been made of the right to repurchase, without prejudice to the 2. Owners of adjoining lands
provisions of the Mortgage Law and the Land Registration Law with respect
to third persons. (1510) Subject property: In co-owners, the property may either be movable or
immovable property. While owners of adjoining land refer only to lands.
Art. 1609. The vendee is subrogated to the vendor's rights and actions.
(1511) Art. 1619. Legal redemption is the right to be subrogated, upon the same
terms and conditions stipulated in the contract, in the place of one who
Art. 1610. The creditors of the vendor cannot make use of the right of acquires a thing by purchase or dation in payment, or by any other
redemption against the vendee, until after they have exhausted the transaction whereby ownership is transmitted by onerous title. (1521a)
property of the vendor. (1512)
Onerous transfer: not only sale, although sale is the most common
Art. 1611. In a sale with a right to repurchase, the vendee of a part of an transaction where right of redemption arises. Note that the law also
undivided immovable who acquires the whole thereof in the case of article provides dation in payment as a possible transaction where the right may
498, may compel the vendor to redeem the whole property, if the latter arise. Thus, even barter may give rise to a right to redeem.
wishes to make use of the right of redemption. (1513)
If the transfer made is not onerous (like donation), there can be no right of
Art. 1612. If several persons, jointly and in the same contract, should sell redemption.
an undivided immovable with a right of repurchase, none of them may
exercise this right for more than his respective share. Art. 1620. A co-owner of a thing may exercise the right of redemption in
case the shares of all the other co-owners or of any of them, are sold to a
The same rule shall apply if the person who sold an immovable alone has third person. If the price of the alienation is grossly excessive, the
left several heirs, in which case each of the latter may only redeem the part redemptioner shall pay only a reasonable one.
which he may have acquired. (1514)
Should two or more co-owners desire to exercise the right of redemption,
Art. 1613. In the case of the preceding article, the vendee may demand of they may only do so in proportion to the share they may respectively have
in the thing owned in common. (1522a)
all the vendors or co-heirs that they come to an agreement upon the
purchase of the whole thing sold; and should they fail to do so, the vendee
cannot be compelled to consent to a partial redemption. (1515) BAR QUESTION: Raul, Esther and Rufo inherited a 10 hectare land from
their father. Before the land could be partitioned, Raul sold his hereditary
right to Raffy, a stranger to the family for P5M. Do Esther and Rufo have a
Art. 1614. Each one of the co-owners of an undivided immovable who may
remedy on keeping the land within the family?
have sold his share separately, may independently exercise the right of
repurchase as regards his own share, and the vendee cannot compel him to
ANSWER: Yes, The moment Raul sold his share, Esther and Rufo had a
redeem the whole property. (1516)
right of redemption. Within the required time, they may redeem Rauls
share by paying the P5M Raffy paid for Rauls share.
Art. 1615. If the vendee should leave several heirs, the action for
Multiple redemptioners: all co-owners may only do so in proportion to
redemption cannot be brought against each of them except for his own
the share they respectively have in common. Note that in owners of
share, whether the thing be undivided, or it has been partitioned among
adjoining lands, not all may redeem, in case there are multiple
them.
redemptioners, the one with the smallest land area will be prioritized. If the
areas are the same, the first one to request would be prioritized. See Art.
But if the inheritance has been divided, and the thing sold has been
1621, last paragraph
awarded to one of the heirs, the action for redemption may be instituted
against him for the whole. (1517)
Amount to be paid: the amount actually paid for the share sold. Even if
the amount indicated in the deed of sale is higher, the amount actually paid
Art. 1616. The vendor cannot avail himself of the right of repurchase will be the redemption price. This applies if the amount that appears in the
without returning to the vendee the price of the sale, and in addition: deed is unconscionable. The redemptioner cannot be compelled to pay the
(1) The expenses of the contract, and any other legitimate payments made same.
by reason of the sale;
(2) The necessary and useful expenses made on the thing sold. (1518) Spouses RAMON DOROMAL, SR., and ROSARIO SALAS, and
Spouses RAMON DOROMAL, JR., and GAUDELIA VEGA, petitioners,
Art. 1617. If at the time of the execution of the sale there should be on vs.
the land, visible or growing fruits, there shall be no reimbursement for or HON. COURT OF APPEALS and FILOMENA JAVELLANA, respondents.
prorating of those existing at the time of redemption, if no indemnity was G.R. No. L-36083 September 5, 1975
paid by the purchaser when the sale was executed.
FACTS: The subject land was originally decreed to the late Justice Antonio
Should there have been no fruits at the time of the sale and some exist at Horilleno, in 1916, under an OCT; but before he died, he executed a last will
the time of redemption, they shall be prorated between the redemptioner and testament attesting to the fact that it was a co-ownership between
and the vendee, giving the latter the part corresponding to the time he himself and his brothers and sisters, Luis, Soledad, Fe, Rosita, Carlos and
possessed the land in the last year, counted from the anniversary of the Esperanza, all surnamed Horilleno, and since Esperanza had already died,
date of the sale. (1519a) she was succeeded by her only daughter and heir herein plaintiff, Filomena
Javellana, in the proportion of 1/7 undivided ownership each.
Art. 1618. The vendor who recovers the thing sold shall receive it free
from all charges or mortgages constituted by the vendee, but he shall Even though their right had not as yet been annotated in the title, the co-
respect the leases which the latter may have executed in good faith, and in owners led by Carlos, and as to deceased Justice Antonio Horilleno, his
accordance with the custom of the place where the land is situated. (1520) daughter Mary, sometime since early 1967, had wanted to sell their shares,
or if possible if Filomena Javellana were agreeable, to sell the entire
SECTION 2. - Legal Redemption property, and they hired an acquaintance Cresencia Harder, to look for
buyers, and the latter came to interest defendants, the father and son,
TWO GROUPS OF PERSONS WHO WOULD HAVE RIGHT OF LEGAL named Ramon Doromal, Sr. and Jr., and in preparation for the execution of
REDEMPTION: the sale, since the brothers and sisters Horilleno were scattered in various
1. Co-owners when one of the co-owners alienated his interest in the parts of the country, Carlos in Ilocos Sur, Mary in Baguio, Soledad and Fe, in
co-owned property by onerous title. Mandaluyong, Rizal, and Rosita in Basilan City, they all executed various
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
119 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
powers of attorney in favor of their niece, Mary H. Jimenez, they also have indeed been paid to Carlos in October, 1967, there is nothing to show
caused preparation of a power of attorney of identical tenor for signature by that the same was in the concept of the earnest money contemplated in
plaintiff, Filomena Javellana. Article 1482 of the Civil Code, invoked by petitioner, as signifying perfection
of the sale. Viewed in the backdrop of the factual milieu thereof extant in
It now turns out according to Exh. 3 that as early as 22 October, 1967, the record, We are more inclined to believe that the said P5,000 were paid
Carlos had received in check as earnest money from defendant Ramon in the concept of earnest money as the term was understood under the Old
Doromal, Jr., the sum of P5,000.00 and the price therein agreed upon was Civil Code, that is, as a guarantee that the buyer would not back out,
five (P5.00) pesos a square meter. considering that it is not clear that there was already a definite agreement
as to the price then and that petitioners were decided to buy 6/7 only of the
At any rate, plaintiff not being agreeable, did not sign the power of property should respondent Javellana refuse to agree to part with her 1/7
attorney, and the rest of the co-owners went ahead with their sale of their share.
6/7.
In the light of these considerations, it cannot be said that the Court of
A TCT was issued to the co-owners for the 6/7 of the property which was Appeals erred in holding that the letters aforementioned sufficed to comply
then transferred to the Doromals and another TCT for the 1/7 in the name with the requirement of notice of a sale by co-owners under Article 1623 of
of Javellana. the Civil Code. We are of the considered opinion and so hold that for
purposes of the co-owner's right of redemption granted by Article
On 10 June, 1968, plaintiff Javellanas lawyer Atty. Arturo Villanueva, came 1620 of the Civil Code, the notice in writing which Article 1623
to the residence of the Doromals and made a formal offer to repurchase or requires to be made to the other co-owners and from receipt of
redeem the 6/7 undivided share of the other co-owners for the sum of which the 30-day period to redeem should be counted is a notice
P30,000, which amount was tendered by the lawyer for legal redemption. not only of a perfected sale but of the actual execution and
delivery of the deed of sale. This is implied from the latter portion of
Javellana filed a case against the Doromals asserting that, as a co-owner, Article 1623 which requires that before a register of deeds can record a sale
she had the right to redeem the property at the price stipulated in the deed by a co-owner, there must be presented to him, an affidavit to the effect
of sale, namely P30,000. that the notice of the sale had been sent in writing to the other co-owners.
A sale may not be presented to the register of deeds for registration unless
In their answer, the defendants alleged that the plaintiff no longer had the it be in the form of a duly executed public instrument. Moreover, the law
right to redeem because he was informed of the intended sale of the 6/7 prefers that all the terms and conditions of the sale should be definite and
share belonging to the Horillenos; that if she thus had the right to redeem, in writing. As aptly observed by Justice Gatmaitan in the decision under
she should pay P115,250 which was actually paid by the defendants to the review, Article 1619 of the Civil Code bestows unto a co-owner the
co-owners. right to redeem and "to be subrogated under the same terms and
conditions stipulated in the contract", and to avoid any controversy
The trial court rendered judgment in favor of the Doromals. On appeal, the as to the terms and conditions under which the right to redeem
CA reversed the trial court holding that although respondent Javellana was may be exercised, it is best that the period therefor should not be
informed of her co-owners' proposal to sell the land in question to deemed to have commenced unless the notice of the disposition is
petitioners she was, however, "never notified ... least of all, in writing", of made after the formal deed of disposal has been duly executed.
the actual execution and registration of the corresponding deed of sale, And it being beyond dispute that respondent herein has never been notified
hence, said respondent's right to redeem had not yet expired at the time in writing of the execution of the deed of sale by which petitioners acquired
she made her offer for that purpose thru her letter of June 10, 1968 the subject property, it necessarily follows that her tender to redeem the
delivered to petitioners on even date. same made on June 10, 1968 was well within the period prescribed by law.
Indeed, it is immaterial when she might have actually come to know about
ISSUE: WON notice was given to Javellana and the 30-day period to said deed, it appearing she has never been shown a copy thereof through a
redeem already prescribed? written communication by either any of the petitioners-purchasers or any of
her co-owners-vendees. (Cornejo et al. vs.CA et al., 16 SCRA 775.)
HELD: No. The letters sent by Carlos Horilleno to respondent and dated
January 18, 1968, Exhibit 7, and November 5, 1967, Exhibit 6, constituted ISSUE2: WON Javellana should only pay the P30,000 stated in the Deed of
the required notice in writing from which the 30-day period fixed in said Sale?
provision should be computed. But to start with, there is no showing that
said letters were in fact received by respondent and when they HELD: Yes. As stated in the decision under review, the trial court found
were actually received. Besides, petitioners do not pinpoint which of that "the consideration of P30,000 only was placed in the deed of
these two letters, their dates being more than two months apart, is the sale to minimize the payment of the registration fees, stamps and
required notice. In any event, as found by the appellate court, neither of sales tax." With this undisputed fact in mind, it is impossible for
said letters referred to a consummated sale. As may be observed, it was the Supreme Court to sanction petitioners' pragmatic but immoral
Carlos Horilleno alone who signed them, and as of January 18, 1968, posture. Being patently violative of public policy and injurious to
powers of attorney from the various co-owners were still to be secured. public interest, the seemingly wide practice of understating
Indeed, the later letter of January 18, 1968 mentioned that the price was considerations of transactions for the purpose of evading taxes
P4.00 per square meter whereas in the earlier letter of November 5, 1967 it and fees due to the government must be condemned and all
was P5.00, as in fact, on that basis, as early as October 27, 1967, Carlos parties guilty thereof must be made to suffer the consequences of
had already received P5,000 from petitioners supposedly as earnest money, their ill-advised agreement to defraud the state. Verily, the trial court
of which, however, mention was made by him to his niece only in the later fell short of its devotion and loyalty to the Republic in officially giving its
letter of January 18, 1968, the explanation being that "at later negotiation it stamp of approval to the stand of petitioners and even berating respondent
was increased to P5.00 per square meter." (p. 4 of petitioners' brief as Javellana as wanting to enrich herself "at the expense of her own blood
appellees in the Court of Appeals quoting from the decision of the trial relatives who are her aunts, uncles and cousins." On the contrary, said
court.) In other words, while the letters relied upon by petitioners "blood relatives" should have been sternly told, as We here hold, that they
could convey the idea that more or less some kind of consensus are in pari-delicto with petitioners in committing tax evasion and
had been arrived at among the other co-owners to sell the should not receive any consideration from any court in respect to
property in dispute to petitioners, it cannot be said definitely that the money paid for the sale in dispute. Their situation is similar to that
such a sale had even been actually perfected. The fact alone that in of parties to an illegal contract.
the later letter of January 18, 1968 the price indicated was P4.00
per square meter while in that of November 5, 1967, what was Of course, the Court of Appeals was also eminently correct in its
stated was P5.00 per square meter negatives the possibility that a considerations supporting the conclusion that the redemption in controversy
"price definite" had already been agreed upon. While P5,000 might should be only for the price stipulated in the deed, regardless of what might
This is because Art. 1619 defines Legal redemption as the right to be Title VIII. - LEASE
subrogated, upon the same terms and conditions stipulated in the contract.
By furnishing the redemptioner a copy of the contract or deed, he may CHAPTER 1
know what the terms and conditions are. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Period: begins to run upon giving of the written notice. Art. 1642. The contract of lease may be of things, or of work and service.
(1542)
BAR QUESTION: Betty and Lydia were co-owners of a parcel of land. Last
January 1, 2001, when she paid her real estate tax, Betty discovered that KINDS OF LEASES:
Lydia had sold her share to Emma on November 10, 2000. The following 1. Labor;
day, Betty offered to redeem but the latter replied that her right to redeem 2. Involving household help;
had already prescribed. Is Emma correct? 3. Carriage;
4. Piece of work
ANSWER: EMMA is not correct. Because the law provides 30 days from the
time notice was given to the co-owner. In this problem, the 30 days had not Jardin vs. NLRC: the drivers of Goodman taxicab complained about the
even started to run because no notice was given. P30 deducted from their salary purportedly for carwash of the taxicabs.
What kind of relationship does the drivers and the operator have?
BAR QUESTION: Adella and Beth are co-owners of an undivided parcel of
land. Beth sold her share to Sandro, who promptly told Adella of the sale SC: Lease of labor. The relationship between the drivers and the operator
and furnished the latter a copy of the deed of absolute sale. When Sandro under the boundary system, is that of an employer-employee following the
presented the deed of absolute sale for registration, the register of deeds control test
also notified Adella of the said sale, enclosing a copy of the deed with the
notice. However, Adella ignored the notices. A year later, Sandro, the buyer, Art. 1643. In the lease of things, one of the parties binds himself to give to
filed a petition for the partition of the property. Upon receipt of the another the enjoyment or use of a thing for a price certain, and for a period
summons, Adella immediately tendered the requisite amount for the which may be definite or indefinite. However, no lease for more than ninety-
redemption. Sandro contends that Adella lost her right of redemption after nine years shall be valid. (1543a)
the expiration of 30days from her receipt of notice of sale given by him. May
Adella still exercise her right of redemption? One of the parties binds himself: this makes the contract consensual.
Even if the obligation involves delivery, it does not make the contract real.
ANSWER: No. Even if the notice was not given by the VENDOR as stated
under Art. 1623, the provision should not be interpreted so literally. Sandro, To give to another the enjoyment or the use: this is the purpose of a
the buyer, already informed Adella through notice with a copy of the deed, lease. This is likewise the purpose of commodatum. However, in lease it
twice. involves a price certain, which means the contract is essentially onerous.
If the lease of thing is gratuitous, it is considered a commodatum.
As interpredted by the SC in the case of DOROMAL vs. CA, the 30 day
period will begin to run from the time a COPY of the DEED of SALE is given Art. 1644. In the lease of work or service, one of the parties binds himself
to the REDEMPTIONER. Not just any other writing. to execute a piece of work or to render to the other some service for a price
certain, but the relation of principal and agent does not exist between them.
CASE: There was a sale of a parcel of land, and the adjoining lot owner, (1544a)
the parents of Dolores Banias, manifested their intention to redeem. But this
Amador Barcellano, did not give written notice, only oral. The parties went Essentially onerous: lease of service is essentially onerous in character. If
to the Baranggay to solve their claims but nothing happened. More than 1 the services are free, it could be another contract but not lease of service.
year after the sale to Barcellano, Dolores Banias expressed his intention to
exercise her right of redemption. Principal-agent relationship: in order to be classified as a lease of
service, there must NOT be a principal-agent relationship.
SC: A WRITTEN notice is required for the prescriptive period of 30 days to
begin to run.
Art. 1645. Consumable goods cannot be the subject matter of a contract of
lease, except when they are merely to be exhibited or when they are
B. BARTER OR EXCHANGE
accessory to an industrial establishment. (1545a)
Art. 1638. By the contract of barter or exchange one of the parties binds
SIMILARITIES AND DISTINCTIONS FROM OTHER CONTRACTS:
himself to give one thing in consideration of the other's promise to give
1. WITH SALE: they are both principal, consensual and essentially
another thing. (1538a)
onerous, nominate, commutative and bilateral contracts.
Art. 1639. If one of the contracting parties, having received the thing But, in lease the purpose is to give to another the ENJOYMENT or the
promised him in barter, should prove that it did not belong to the person USE, while in sales, the purpose is to TRANSFER OWNERSHIP.
who gave it, he cannot be compelled to deliver that which he offered in
exchange, but he shall be entitled to damages. (1539a)
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
122 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Moreover, lease can cover things, rights or services. While sale can
only cover things or rights. BAR QUESTION: O verbally leased his house and lot to L for 2 years at a
monthly rental of P250 a month. After the first year, O demanded a rental
2. WITH COMMODATUM: the subject matter is a thing, the purpose is increase of P500 claiming that due to energy crisis, with a sudden increase
delivery of the thing for the use of the other. in the price of oil, which no one expected, there was also a general increase
in all of the prices. O proved an inflation rate of 100%. When L refused to
However, Lease is essentially onerous, while commodatum is vacate the house, O brought an action for ejectment. O denied that he
essentially gratuitous. agreed for the lease for 2 years.
Safety deposit boxes: a special kind of deposit since the depositor Can the lessee testify on a verbal contract of lease?
does not have access to the box 24/7 which is usually inside the bank.
Even if during banking hours, the depositor or even the officers of the ANSWER: Yes. Even if the contract covers real property and the period is
bank will not have access to the box at any time. more than 2 years, the contract has been taken out of the operation of the
Statute of Frauds by part performance. This is because it has been more
3. WITH AGENCY vs. LEASE OF SERVICE: subject matter in both are than a year that O was receiving rentals, he cannot now claim that the
services. contract is unenforceable since there was already part performance.
The distinction lies with the concept of representation. If there is no Formal Requirements for Contract for a Piece of Work: CHANGE
such right of representation, it cannot be considered an agency. ORDER OR VARIATION: Art. 1724 requires that the AUTHORIZATION for
change of order and the ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION be both in writing,
NIELSON vs. LEPANTO MINING: Lepanto claims that its contract in order for the contractor to be entitled to such:
with Nielson is that of agency which Lepanto, as principal, can revoke
anytime. Nielson, on the other hand, claims that it is a contract for Art. 1724. The contractor who undertakes to build a structure or any
lease of service. other work for a stipulated price, in conformity with plans and
specifications agreed upon with the land-owner, can neither withdraw
SC: Nielson is correct. There is no right of representation. In the from the contract nor demand an increase in the price on account of
contract, Nielson cannot even buy materials necessary for the the higher cost of labor or materials, save when there has been a
operation of the mine without the consent of the Board of Directors. change in the plans and specifications, provided:
4. CONTRACT FOR A PIECE OF WORK vs. LEASE OF SERVICE: the (1) Such change has been authorized by the proprietor in writing; and
main difference lies with the control of one party over the other. In a (2) The additional price to be paid to the contractor has been
contract for a piece of work, the extent of control of the principal determined in writing by both parties. (1593a)
(employer) is limited to the end results. As to the method and manner
used by the contractor, the principal or employer does not have BAR QUESTION: Lino entered into a written agreement for the repair of
control. The contractor is otherwise known as Independent Contractor. his private plane, with Aero Repair Works for P500K. Additional work was
done by Aero, incurring an expense of P250K. Lino refused to pay the
ESSENTIAL REQUISITES OF A LEASE: additional expense, interposing as a defense the absence of a written
1. Consent of the contracting parties; contract for the additional work done. Is the defense of Lino valid?
Who are prohibited from entering into a contract of lease? Art. ANSWER: YES. By express provision of the law, i.e., Art. 1724, the
1490 and 1491 likewise applies to a contract of lease. As such, a authorization of the additional work and the additional compensation must
husband and a wife which is prohibited from entering into a contract of be both in writing to entitle the contractor to such additional compensation.
sale are likewise prohibited from becoming lessees of each other. (Chung vs. Olanday Construction)
Art. 1646. The persons disqualified to buy referred to in Articles Art. 1647. If a lease is to be recorded in the Registry of Property, the
1490 and 1491, are also disqualified to become lessees of the things following persons cannot constitute the same without proper authority: the
mentioned therein. (n) husband with respect to the wife's paraphernal real estate, the father or
guardian as to the property of the minor or ward, and the manager without
2. Subject matter a thing, right or service. special power. (1548a)
In a lease of a thing, the subject matter must be NON- Art. 1648. Every lease of real estate may be recorded in the Registry of
FUNGIBLE: this is because there is an obligation to return the thing at Property. Unless a lease is recorded, it shall not be binding upon
the end of the lease term. The thing cannot be replaced by any other third persons. (1549a)
thing even if of the same or better quality.
Registration: is not a requirement for validity but for greater efficacy, in
Non-consumable: it follows, then, that the thing must not be order to bind third persons.
consumable in order for the lessee to be able to return it. Otherwise, if
the thing is consumable and used in accordance with its nature, then it Art. 1649. The lessee cannot assign the lease without the consent of the
would be consumed and nothing will be returned. lessor, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary. (n)
Exception: a consumable may be the subject of a lease if it would only ASSIGNMENT OF THE LEASE: the right to assign a lease is prohibited by
be used for exhibition or display. the law but can be granted by stipulation.
3. Cause essentially onerous. As to the lessor, it may be the rent, as to Art. 1650. When in the contract of lease of things there is no express
the lessee the use of the thing. prohibition, the lessee may sublet the thing leased, in whole or in part,
without prejudice to his responsibility for the performance of the contract
FORM OF A LEASE: toward the lessor. (1550)
A lease being a consensual contract will not require any particular form for
SUBLEASE: the lessee has the right to sublease, by law but this right may
its validity. However, a contract of lease over a real property with a period be limited or removed by stipulation.
more than one year must be IN WRITING in order to be enforceable under
the Statute of Frauds. Subject to the exception of part performance.
Art. 1680. The lessee shall have no right to a reduction of the rent on Art. 1665. The lessee shall return the thing leased, upon the termination of
account of the sterility of the land leased, or by reason of the loss of fruits the lease, as he received it, save what has been lost or impaired by the
due to ordinary fortuitous events; but he shall have such right in case of the lapse of time, or by ordinary wear and tear, or from an inevitable cause.
loss of more than one-half of the fruits through extraordinary and (1561a)
unforeseen fortuitous events, save always when there is a specific
stipulation to the contrary. Art. 1666. In the absence of a statement concerning the condition of the
thing at the time the lease was constituted, the law presumes that the
Extraordinary fortuitous events are understood to be: fire, war, pestilence, lessee received it in good condition, unless there is proof to the contrary.
unusual flood, locusts, earthquake, or others which are uncommon, and (1562)
which the contracting parties could not have reasonably foreseen. (1575)
Art. 1667. The lessee is responsible for the deterioration or loss of the
Right to a reduced rent: thing leased, unless he proves that it took place without his fault. This
1. In case of loss of more than of the fruits; burden of proof on the lessee does not apply when the destruction is due to
2. The cause of the loss is extraordinary and unforesen fortuitous events. earthquake, flood, storm or other natural calamity. (1563a)
Extraordinary fortuitous events are understood to be: fire, war, Art. 1668. The lessee is liable for any deterioration caused by members of
pestilence, unusual flood, locusts, earthquake, or others which are his household and by guests and visitors. (1564a)
uncommon, and which the contracting parties could not have
reasonably foreseen.
Art. 1669. If the lease was made for a determinate time, it ceases upon
the day fixed, without the need of a demand. (1565)
Note, however, that in the event of a partial loss on the thing, the lessee
has the option to continue with the lease for a reduced rent under Art.
TACITA RECONDUCCION: IMPLIED NEW LEASE:
1655. (see Termination at the end of Lease below)
Art. 1670. If at the end of the contract the lessee should continue enjoying
Art. 1681. Neither does the lessee have any right to a reduction of the rent
the thing leased for fifteen days with the acquiescence of the lessor, and
if the fruits are lost after they have been separated from their stalk, root or
unless a notice to the contrary by either party has previously been given, it
trunk. (1576)
is understood that there is an implied new lease, not for the period of the
original contract, but for the time established in Articles 1682 and 1687. The
Art. 1656. The lessor of a business or industrial establishment may other terms of the original contract shall be revived. (1566a)
continue engaging in the same business or industry to which the lessee
devotes the thing leased, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary. (n)
Implied new lease: requisites:
1. The lease contract already expired;
Art. 1657. The lessee is obliged: 2. The lessee continues enjoying possession of the thing leased for AT
(1) To pay the price of the lease according to the terms stipulated; LEAST 15 days with the acquiesccence of the lessor
(2) To use the thing leased as a diligent father of a family, devoting it to 3. No notice for the termination of the contract coming from the lessor or
the use stipulated; and in the absence of stipulation, to that which may the lessee.
be inferred from the nature of the thing leased, according to the custom of
the place; Period: is not the same as the original contract, but those estbalished
(3) To pay expenses for the deed of lease. (1555) under Art. 1682 and 1687, for rural and urban lands, respectively:
Art. 1659. If the lessor or the lessee should not comply with the 1. Rural Lands: all the time necessary for the gathering of whole estate:
obligations set forth in Articles 1654 and 1657, the aggrieved party may ask a. May yield in one year;
for the rescission of the contract and indemnification for damages, or only b. Yield once, although two or more years have to elapse
the latter, allowing the contract to remain in force. (1556)
Art. 1682. The lease of a piece of rural land, when its duration has
Art. 1660. If a dwelling place or any other building intended for human not been fixed, is understood to have been for all the time necessary
habitation is in such a condition that its use brings imminent and serious for the gathering of the fruits which the whole estate leased may
danger to life or health, the lessee may terminate the lease at once by yield in one year, or which it may yield once, although two or more
notifying the lessor, even if at the time the contract was perfected the years have to elapse for the purpose. (1577a)
former knew of the dangerous condition or waived the right to rescind the
lease on account of this condition. (n) 2. Urban Lands:
a. Annual rent year to year;
Art. 1661. The lessor cannot alter the form of the thing leased in such a b. Monthly month to month;
way as to impair the use to which the thing is devoted under the terms of c. Weekly week to week;
the lease. (1557a) d. Daily day to day.
Art. 1662. If during the lease it should become necessary to make some However, the courts may fix a longer period, even if the rent is paid:
urgent repairs upon the thing leased, which cannot be deferred until the a. Monthly if the lessee has rented for more than 1 year;
termination of the lease, the lessee is obliged to tolerate the work, although b. Weekly if the lessee has rented for over 6 months;
it may be very annoying to him, and although during the same, he may be c. Daily if the lessee has rented for more than 1 month.
deprived of a part of the premises.
Art. 1687. If the period for the lease has not been fixed, it is
If the repairs last more than forty days the rent shall be reduced in understood to be from year to year, if the rent agreed upon is
Art. 1672. In case of an implied new lease, the obligations contracted by a 1. If the lessor wishes to appropriate to himself the said improvements:
third person for the security of the principal contract shall cease with a. Necessary and useful improvement pay of the value at the
respect to the new lease. (1567) time the lease is extinguished;
b. Ornamental expenses pay 100% of the value at the time the
Art. 1673. The lessor may judicially eject the lessee for any of the lease is extinguished.
following causes:
Note: in both cases, the value is to be reckoned at the TIME THE
(1) When the period agreed upon, or that which is fixed for the duration of LEASE IS EXTINGUISHED, not based on the cost of the improvement.
leases under Articles 1682 and 1687, has expired;
(2) Lack of payment of the price stipulated; 2. If the lessor does not wish to appropriate to himself the said
(3) Violation of any of the conditions agreed upon in the contract; improvements:
(4) When the lessee devotes the thing leased to any use or service not a. The lessee may remove the improvement:
stipulated which causes the deterioration thereof; or if he does not 1) Necessary and useful improvement even if it may cause
observe the requirement in No. 2 of Article 1657, as regards the use damage to the leased property, provided no unnecessary
thereof. damage is caused;
2) Ornamental expenses if it would not cause damage to the
The ejectment of tenants of agricultural lands is governed by special laws. principal thing limited rght of removal.
(1569a) b. If the lessee refuses to remove, the lessor may have it
demolished.
Art. 1674. In ejectment cases where an appeal is taken the remedy
granted in Article 539, second paragraph, shall also apply, if the higher ART. 448 on BUILDER IN GOOD FAITH DOES NOT APPLY: a lessee is
court is satisfied that the lessee's appeal is frivolous or dilatory, or that the neither a builder nor a possessor in good faith This principle of possessor
lessor's appeal is prima facie meritorious. The period of ten days referred to in good faith naturally cannot apply to a lessee because as such lessee
in said article shall be counted from the time the appeal is perfected. (n) he knows that he is not the owner of the leased property. Neither
can he deny the ownership or title of his lessor. Knowing that his occupation
Art. 1675. Except in cases stated in Article 1673, the lessee shall have a of the premises continues only during the life of the lease contract and that
right to make use of the periods established in Articles 1682 and 1687. he must vacate the property upon termination of the lease or upon the
(1570) violation by him of any of its terms, he introduces improvements on said
property at his own risk in the sense that he cannot recover their value from
Art. 1676. The purchaser of a piece of land which is under a lease that is the lessor, much less retain the premises until such reimbursement. Being
not recorded in the Registry of Property may terminate the lease, save mere lessees, respondents knew that their right to occupy the premises
when there is a stipulation to the contrary in the contract of sale, or when existed only for the duration of the lease. (Lopez v. Philippine & Eastern
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
126 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Trading Co., Inc.)
In this case, the lessee was not allowed to rescind the sale since the buyer
In Cortez v. Manimbo, the Court held that if the rule were otherwise, it was not impleaded. Rescission of the sale would violate the buyers right to
would always be in the power of the tenant to improve his landlord out of due process.
his property. Under Article 1678 of the Civil Code, the lessor has the primary
right (or the first move) to reimburse the lessee for 50% of the value of the Equatorial Realty vs. Mayfair Theater: the lessee has a right to rescind
improvements at the end of the lease. If the lessor refuses to make the if the buyer is in bad faith, i.e., he had knowledge of the existence of the
reimbursement, the subsidiary right of the lessee to remove the lease contract, and the lessee has the right to compel the lessor to sell to
improvements, even though the principal thing suffers damage, arises. him.
(Cheng vs. Vittorio)
BAR QUESTION: Dax leased his house to Iris for a period of 2 years, at a
Note that under Art. 448, the BUILDER, PLANTER or SOWER as such must rate of P25K monthly, payable annually in advance. The contract stipulated
be IN THE CONCEPT OF AN OWNER. Thus, the lessee cannot be that it may be renewed for another 2 years by agreement of the parties.
considered as such because he cannot even question the title of the lessor The contract also granted Iris a right of first refusal to purchase the
under Sec. 2(b) Rule 131 of the Rules of Court: property at anytime during the lease if Dax decided to sell the property at
the same price or the property is offered for sale to another third party. 23
"[o]nce a contact of lease is shown to exist between the parties, the lessee months after the execution of the lease contract, Dax sold the house to his
cannot by any proof, however strong, overturn the conclusive presumption mother for 2M. Iris claimed that the sale was a breach of her right of first
that the lessor has a valid title to or a better right of possession to the refusal but Dax said that there was no breach because the property was
subject premises than the lessee sold to his mother who is not a third party. Iris filed an action to rescind the
sale and asked Dax to sell the property to her. Alternatively, she asked the
BAR QUESTION: Anselmo is a registered owner of a land and a house that court to extend the lease for another two years for the same terms.
his friend Boboy occupied for a nominal rental, and on a condition that
Boboy would vacate the property on demand. With Anselmos knowledge, CAN Iris seek rescission of the sale of the property to Daxs mother?
Boboy introduced renovations consisting of an additional bedroom, a
covered veranda, and a concrete fence, all at his own expense. Suddenly, ANSWER: No. For rescission to be a remedy of the lessee in order to
Anselmo needed the property for his residence and thus asked Boboy to exercise his right of first refusal, there must ba showing that the buyer was
vacate the property and turn it over to him. Boboy failed to vacate the in bad faith and the lessee has the burden of proving the same.
property prompting Anselmo to send him a written demand to vacate. In his
own written reply, Boboy signified that he is ready to leave but Anselmo In the problem, there is nothing that would indicate that the mother was in
must first reimburse him the value of improvements on the property as he bad faith. As such, the presumption of good faith stands. Accordingly, Iris
was a builder in good faith. Anselmo refused, insisting that Boboy cannot cannot seek the rescission of the sale.
ask for reimbursement as he is a mere lessee. Boboy responded by
removing the improvements and leaving the building in its original state. BAR QUESTION: Tess leased her 1,500 sqm lot in Antipolo city to Ruth for
Resolving Boboys claim, that as a builder in good faith, he should be a period of 3 years from Jan 2010 to Feb. 2013. On March 19, 2011, Tess
reimbursed the value of improvements he introduced. Resolve Boboys sent a letter to Ruth as follows: I am offering you to buy the property you
claim. are presently leasing at 5k per sqm of 7.5M. You can pay the installment
price for two years without interest. I will give you a period of 1 year from
ANSWER: There is a contract of lease. Boboys claim of being a builder a the receipt of this letter to decide whether you will buy the property or not.
good faith is untenable because he did not make such improvements on the After the expiration of the lease contract, Tess sold the property to
property as the owner thereof. Art. 448 applies only to a builder who was her niece for a total consideration of P4M. Ruth filed a complaint for the
such in the concept of an owner. annulment of sale, reconveyance and damages against Tess and her niece.
Ruth alleged that the sale of the property to the niece violated her right to
However, Boboy cannot be held liable for damages. Anselmo, as the lessor, buy under the right of first refusal. Is the allegation Ruth tenable?
already made a choice of NOT appropriating the improvements. As such, the
lessee would have the right to remove the necessary and useful ANSWER: No. What is involved in this problem is an option to buy, not the
improvement even if it caused damage to the principal. So long as no right of first refusal. It appears that Ruth did not exercise her option to buy
unnecessary damage was caused. In the problem, there wasnt even because the lease term, which is also the period within which she can
damage to the thing leased since it was stated that the building was left in exercise such right, already expired.
its original state.
SECTION 3. - Special Provisions for Leases of Rural Lands
Art. 1679. If nothing has been stipulated concerning the place and the
time for the payment of the lease, the provisions or Article 1251 shall be Art. 1683. The outgoing lessee shall allow the incoming lessee or the
observed as regards the place; and with respect to the time, the custom of lessor the use of the premises and other means necessary for the
the place shall be followed. (1574) preparatory labor for the following year; and, reciprocally, the incoming
lessee or the lessor is under obligation to permit the outgoing lessee to do
whatever may be necessary for the gathering or harvesting and utilization of
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL: This is different with Option to Buy. In the the fruits, all in accordance with the custom of the place. (1578a)
latter, the lessee exercises such right to buy the property leased even if the
lessor does not want to sell. In the former, the seller is already selling the Art. 1684. Land tenancy on shares shall be governed by special laws, the
property, and the lessee must be given the right to first refuse to buy the stipulations of the parties, the provisions on partnership and by the customs
same. of the place. (1579a)
This right is not provided for under the Civil Code, only under jurisprudence. Art. 1685. The tenant on shares cannot be ejected except in cases
specified by law. (n)
Conflicting court cases:
Ang Yu Asuncion vs. CA: if the lessor sold the property without the SECTION 4. - Special Provisions of the Lease of Urban Lands
consent, or without informing the lessee:
a. The lessee does not have the right to rescind the sale; Art. 1686. In default of a special stipulation, the custom of the place shall
b. The lessee cannot compel the lessor to sell to him the property; be observed with regard to the kind of repairs on urban property for which
c. The lessee may be entitled to damages for the quasi-delictual act of the lessor shall be liable. In case of doubt it is understood that the repairs
the lessor. are chargeable against him. (1580a)
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
127 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
right to an equitable part of the compensation proportionally to the work
Art. 1688. When the lessor of a house, or part thereof, used as a dwelling done, and reimbursement for proper expenses made. (n)
for a family, or when the lessor of a store, or industrial establishment, also
leases the furniture, the lease of the latter shall be deemed to be for the Art. 1723. The engineer or architect who drew up the plans and
duration of the lease of the premises. (1582) specifications for a building is liable for damages if within fifteen years from
the completion of the structure, the same should collapse by reason of a
CHAPTER 3 defect in those plans and specifications, or due to the defects in the ground.
WORK AND LABOR The contractor is likewise responsible for the damages if the edifice falls,
within the same period, on account of defects in the construction or the use
SECTION 3. - Contract for a Piece of Work of materials of inferior quality furnished by him, or due to any violation of
the terms of the contract. If the engineer or architect supervises the
Art. 1713. By the contract for a piece of work the contractor binds himself construction, he shall be solidarily liable with the contractor.
to execute a piece of work for the employer, in consideration of a certain
price or compensation. The contractor may either employ only his labor or Acceptance of the building, after completion, does not imply waiver of any
skill, or also furnish the material. (1588a) of the cause of action by reason of any defect mentioned in the preceding
paragraph.
Art. 1714. If the contractor agrees to produce the work from material
furnished by him, he shall deliver the thing produced to the employer and The action must be brought within ten years following the collapse of the
transfer dominion over the thing. This contract shall be governed by the building. (n)
following articles as well as by the pertinent provisions on warranty of title
and against hidden defects and the payment of price in a contract of sale. BAR EXAM: O (lot owner), contracted with B (builder), to build a mall,
(n) designed by A (architect). A was paid a fee to supervise the construction
and execution of his design. When completed, O accepted the work and
Art. 1715. The contract shall execute the work in such a manner that it has occupied the same but within one year, it collapsed in an earthquake which
the qualities agreed upon and has no defects which destroy or lessen its destroyed only the building but not the surrounding buildings. The
value or fitness for its ordinary or stipulated use. Should the work be not of construction was faulty. The building costs P3M, but reconstruction would
such quality, the employer may require that the contractor remove the cost P10M.
defect or execute another work. If the contract fails or refuses to comply
with this obligation, the employer may have the defect removed or another 1) What are the rights of O against A and B?
work executed, at the contractor's cost. (n) 2) Could O demand reconstruction of the building?
Art. 1716. An agreement waiving or limiting the contractor's liability for ANSWER:
any defect in the work is void if the contractor acted fraudulently. (n) 1) O can hold A and B liable for damages. Even if the collapse was due to
an earthquake, it was clear in the problem that the construction was
Art. 1717. If the contractor bound himself to furnish the material, he shall faulty. Moreover, only the building of O collapse and not the
suffer the loss if the work should be destroyed before its delivery, save surrounding buildings. As such, B, as the builder is liable for such faulty
when there has been delay in receiving it. (1589) construction.
Exceptions: owner may be held liable even if he no longer owe anything to Example of a juridical act: act of buying. Where an agent is hired to buy
the contractor something in behalf of the principal and the act of buying creates a legal
1. If he paid the contractor when his obligation was not yet due and relationship between the seller and the principal (not the agent). The act of
demandable; the agent of paying for the thing sold, would extinguish the legal obligation
2. The owner is not liable to the contractor because the latter renounced of the principal, the act of paying is likewise a juridical act.
the amount the owner owes him;
3. No bond was executed was executed to secure the claims of the with the consent or representation of the latter: redundancy because the
materialmen (Performance Bond) the owner and contractor are beginning of the definition already mentions a contract.
solidarily liable.
Consensual: perfected by mere consent and does not require delivery or a
Art. 1730. If it is agreed that the work shall be accomplished to the certain form to be valid.
satisfaction of the proprietor, it is understood that in case of disagreement
the question shall be subject to expert judgment. DISTINCTION WITH LEASE (or SALE): the cause in agency is presumed
to be onerous, but it may be gratuitous. Lease or sale is essentially onerous.
If the work is subject to the approval of a third person, his decision shall be
final, except in case of fraud or manifest error. (1598a) Who would have the burden of proof that an agency is gratuitous? Anyone
who would claim that it is gratuitous since the law already presumes it to be
Art. 1731. He who has executed work upon a movable has a right to retain with compensation.
it by way of pledge until he is paid. (1600)
Why agent? Under Art. 1909, if the agent caused damaged to the principal,
TERMINATION OF THE LEASE: the liability may be mitigated if the agency is gratuitous.
1. Death of the lessor or the lessee as a rule, it does not extinguish PREPARATORY: the agency is a contract which is not an end to itself, it is
the lease contract since this is not a purely personal contract, EXCEPT meant to enter into another contract.
if it was stipulated that the rights under the lease contract are
intransmissible; BAR QUESTION: Joan asked her friend Aiza to buy some groceries for her
in the supermarket, was there a nominate contract entered into by Joan and
2. Loss of the thing subject of the contract of lease through a Aiza?
fortuitous event:
ANSWER: Yes, agency, provided Aiza agreed. Subject matter is a service,
Art. 1655. If the thing leased is totally destroyed by a fortuitous event, the i.e., to buy some groceries. Purpose is to buy in behalf of Joan. This cannot
lease is extinguished. If the destruction is partial, the lessee may choose be considered a lease of service, since the cause in lease of service cannot
between a proportional reduction of the rent and a rescission of the lease. be gratuitous and there should have been no principal-agent relationship.
(n)
DISTINCTION WITH LEASE OF SERVICE: in agency, there is right of
BAR QUESTION: A is the owner of a lot on which he consstructed a representation.
building with a cost of P10M, B contributed P5M, provided the building as a
whole would be leased to him for a period of 10 years at a renal of P100k. DISTINCTION WITH NEGOTIORUM GESTIO: there is right of
representation in both, but the manner of creation is different: in agency, it
During the effectivity of the lease, the building was destroyed through a
fortuitous event. Soon after, the workers of A collected the debris and is created by contact; in negotiorum gestio, it is created by law.
constructed a new building. B then served notice that he would occupy the
building being constructed for the unexpired portion of the lease since he Moreover, agency is fiduciary in character while negotiorum gestio is not.
contributed to the construction of the first building. A rejected. Did A do
right in rejecting the demand? DISTINCTION WITH AGENCY TO SELL: effect of delivery of the thing
from one thing to another: if there will be tranasfer of ownership at the time
of delivery sale; if there will not be a transfer of ownership, but only
ANSWER: Yes. Because the contract has been terminated upon the loss of
the thing subject of the lease, which is the building. possession and right to sell agency to sell.
What if partial loss? The lessee has two options: DISTINCTION WITH CONTRACT FOR A PIECE OF WORK: extent of
control: in a contract for a piece of work, the control aspect is only as to the
1. Demand for the reduction of the rent;
2. Rescind the contract if the loss is substantial consistent with the Art. end result and does not include the manner the contractor will perform his
obligation.
1911.
Cesar Nickolai F. Soriano Jr.
129 Arellano University School of Law 2011-0303
Civil Law Review 2 under the class of Atty. Uribe
Accordingly, B leased As parcel of land in Manila to C for four years at
AS TO TERMINATION: just like any other contract involving trust and P60,000 per year, payable annually in advance. Also, B leased As land in
confidence, this may be terminated by the unilateral act of one of the Caloocan to D without a fixed term for P3,000 per month, payable manually.
parties without prejudice to the liability of the party who caused the
termination: as to principal revocation; as to agent withdrawal. All these contracts are entered into by B while A was in the hospital due to
illness in the Makati Medical Center.
KINDS OF AGENCY: IN GENERAL: the relevance of this classification
1. Actual: Manner of Creation: Rule on the validity of the above contracts upon A, the principal.
a. express or
b. implied (by the mere silence of one of the parties, like in the case ANSWER: Despite the stipulation that the principal withholds no power
of De la Pena vs. Hidalgo, where the principal did not repudiate from the agent, the agents power is limited only to acts of administration
the acts of the agent after knowing of the representation that the under Art. 1877 since the contract is couched in general terms.
latter is acting as such).
The lease contract to C: contract of lease involving a real property for more
When the parties are present or absent: than 1 year act of ownership. There being no Special Power of Attorney,
1) Parties are both present: one of them delivered a SPA and this contract of lease is not binding, it is unenforceable upon A.
the same was accepted without any objections, an agency is
created by mere silence. The lease contract to D: contract of lease involving a real property with no
2) Parties are absent: A sent an email to B for the creation of period. Since the contract did not state a term, and the subject being an
agency, B did not reply, is there an agency? If the subject of urban land (being situtated in Caloocan), the law fixes the term to be on a
the contract is a business he is habitually engaged in, yes. month-to-month basis since the payment of the rent is monthly. As such,
the period of the lease is only one month. Therefore, it is merely an act of
2. Apparent or Ostensible Art. 1873 (Rallos vs. Yangco) administration that does not require a Special Power of Attorney. The
contract is binding upon the principal.
Art. 1873. If a person specifi cally informs another or states by public
advertisement that he has given a power of attorney to a third person, ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:
the latter thereby becomes a duly authorized agent, in the former case 1. Consent of the principal and agent;
with respect to the person who received the special information, and in
the latter case with regard to any person. If the agent is a minor the contract of sale (subject of the agency) was
entered into: the contract is not considered voidable, the capacity of
The power shall continue to be in full force until the notice is rescinded the principal is to be considered not that of the agent. Moreover, the
in the same manner in which it was given. (n) buyer cannot invoke the agents minority as a ground for annulment,
the minor is the only one who can invoke such incapacity.
PROBLEM: A company wrote a circular letter to its customers
introducing a certain X as its duly authorized agent. One customer then 2. Object: the execution of a juridical act.
dealt with the company thru X. One day, Xs authority was revoked, 3. Cause: presumed to be for compensation, but may be gratuitous.
but the customer continued to deal thru X since it never was informed
by circular or otherwise of the revocation. Is the Company still liable FORM: does not pertain to the agency itself, since no particular form is
for Xs acts even after the revocation of the agency? required for its VALIDITY. Under Art. 1869, a contract of agency may be
oral, UNLESS THE LAW REQUIRES A SPECIFIC FORM.
ANSWER: Yes, for the customer was in good faith, not having been
informed by circular or otherwise, of the revocation. (See Compania Here, the SPECIFIC FORM does not affect validity, but enforceability, if it is
Gen. de Tabacos v. Diaba, 20 Phil. 321 and Rallos v. Yangco, 20 Phil. not to be performed within one year, it will be covered by the Statute of
269). Frauds.
Criticism of Justice JBL Reyes: the above should not be taken Contracts entered into by the agent: may require specific form to be
literally. The principal may not be liable if the third person (or the binding upon the principal. GENERAL RULE: no form is required. Except:
customer in the above letter) had ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE, even if the 1. Art. 1874: sale of a piece of land or any interest therein: the
customer was not informed of the termination in the same manner as authority of the agent shall be IN WRITING, otherwise the contract of
the announcement of the agency. sale shall be void.
3. Agency by Estoppel: a person may be held as a principal despite the Agency is not void, only the contract of sale.
lack of proof of the existence of agency if he clothed another person as
if he had full powers as an agent, the principal would not, later on, be Note that the above provision covers a piece or parcel of land. Not
allowed to deny such, to the prejudice of a third person who relied on immovable. As such, sale of condo, house or building is not covered by
his conduct or representations. (Art. 1431 as discussed int eh case of the provision. Sale of such without the agents authority in writing, will
Mac vs. Cams) make it unenforceable upon the principal, not void.
Art. 1431. Through estoppel an admission or representation is CASE: Ana Marie Concepcion is a buyer of a parcel of land who claims
rendered conclusive upon the person making it, and cannot be denied to have fully paid the amount of such land to a certain Adoracion
or disproved as against the person relying thereon. Losloso on the basis of a note by the seller-spouses that the payment
be given to a certain Dory, who appepars to be Adoracion Losloso.
SCOPE OF AUTHORITY OF AN AGENT: The sellers on the other hand claim that there no full payment yet. SC:
1. Mere Administration the note is sufficient authorization to collect.
2. Act of Strict Dominion
CASE: Brigida Nido sold a parcel of land representing her daughter
BAR QUESTION: A, as principal, appointed B as his agent, granting him Srivastava. The authority of the mother was not put in writing. SC: By
general and unlimited management over As properties, stating that A express provision of the law, the agents authority to sell the land must
withholds no power from B, and that the agent may execute acts as he may be in writing. As such, the sale of land is void.
deem appropriate.
BAR QUESTION: Fe, Esperanza and Caridad inherited from their
parents a 500 sqm lot which they leased to Maria for 3 years. One year
(1) When he was not given the power to appoint one; 3. Liable for damages to a third person whose contract is rejected when
(2) When he was given such power, but without designating the person, the same thing is the subject of incompatible contracts entered into by
and the person appointed was notoriously incompetent or insolvent. the agent and the principal to different persons.
All acts of the substitute appointed against the prohibition of the principal Agent is likewise liable if he acted in bad faith.
shall be void
MODES OF EXTINGUISHMENT: (EDWARD)
What if at the time the property is being managed by the 1. Expiration of the term;
substitute losses were incurred by the principal. Can the principal 2. Death, Insolvency or Insanity of either of the parties;
hold the agent or substitute liable? Even if there is no privity of 3. Withdrawal of the agent;
contract, Art. 1893, provides the principal a cause of action. As such, the 4. Accomplishmetn of the object or purpose of the agency;
principal MAY hold the substitute liable, if the cause of the loss was due to 5. Revocation by the principal;
his fault. However, he may not be held liable if he acted within his scope of 6. Dissolution of the firm or corporation which entrusted or accepted the
authority, in good faith and diligently. This is because the agent is not the agency.
insurer of the principals success.
Not exclusive: modes of extinguishment under OBLICON are likewise
Agent is liable: applicable.
1. When he appointed a substitute if prohibited;
2. When the agent was not prohibited, he shall be responsible for the Death of Principal: ordinarily, the agency is extingsuished since death of
acts of the substitute if he was not given the power to appoint one one of the parties extinguishes this contract under Art. 1919. Moreover, the
the liability attaches only when the substitute acted in bad faith, agency is representative in character, with the death of the principal, there
outside the scope of his authority or was negligent; is no one the agent can represent. EXCEPT: if the agency was constituted
3. When he was given the power to appoint a specific person but for the benefit of the common interest of the principal and the agent, or in
appointed another one; the interest of the third person who has accepted the stipulation in his
4. When he was given the power to appoint a substitute without favor. In this case, the agency shall remain in full force and effect even
specifying the person, but the person he appointed was notoriously after the death of the principal. (Art. 1930)
incompetent or insolvent.
With a SPA, who has a better right? Art. 1931 will be applicable. D has a Just cause: there is no need for the principal to have a just cause to
better right. B did not have knowledge of the death of A. As such, the revoke the agency, such right being available at will. However, the principal
transaction entered into by B would still bind the principal (or in this case, cannot revoke the agency at will if it is coupled with interest. However still,
his estate). As such, his sale to D was valid. if the principal revoked the agency, even if coupled with interest, the
revocation may still be valid if there is just cause.
D, registering the property first, in good faith, has a better right over C,
following the rules on double sale under Art. 1544. 2. It is the means of fulfilling an obligation already contracted;
Continuation of the agent: As a general rule, the agent need no longer BAR QUESTION: Richard sold a parcel of land to Leo for P100M payable in
continue with the agency. annual installments over a period of 10 years but title will remain with
Richard until the price is fully paid. To enable Leo to pay the price, Richard
EXCEPTION: the agent should continue with tasks already begun and there gave him a power of attorney authorizing him to subdivide the land and sell
would be danger (to the estate of the deceased or third persons). the lands and to deliver the proceeds as payment for the land. 5 years later,
Richard revoked the power of attorney and took over the sale of the
Death of Agent: agency is representative in character, if the agent is subdivision lots himself. Is the revocation valid?
dead, who will represent the principal? As such, the death of the agent
would extinguish the agency. ANSWER: No. The scenario pertains to an agency coupled with interest
because it was constituted as a means of fulfilling an obligation which have
Loss of the Thing subject of the Agency: already been contracted or previously been contracted, i.e., to pay the
BAR QUESTION: Edgar gave to Mario a pendant with diamond to be sold price. As such, as long as the interest is still existing, the principal cannot
or to be retruned on demand. On one evening in the 80s, Mario, wearing validly revoke the agency.
the necklace was robbed and the pendant was taken. The robbers were
apprehended and during the pendency of the criminal case, Edgar initiated 3. A parter is appointed manager of a partnership in the contract of
a complaint to recover from Mario the value of the pendant and damages. partnership and his removal from the management is unjustifiable.
Mario interposed the defense of fortuitous event. Edgar contended that the
defense is untenable because (1) Mario was negligent; and (2) there must BAR QUESTION: Joe Miguel, a well known treasure hunter in Mindanao,
be a prior conviction of robber before the defense can be availed of. Decide executed a SPA appointing his nephew John Paul as his attorney in fact to
the case. deal with treasure hunting activities on Joe Miguels land and to file charges
against those who may enter it without the latters authority. JM agreed to
ANSWER: pay 40% of the treasure that may be found on the land. Thereafter, JP filed
1. The criminality rate in the 80s was already high. As such, Mario is a case against Lilo for illegally entering JMs land. Subsequently, JP hired the
negligent to be wearing a necklace with diamonds at night time. services of Atty. Audrey agreeing to give the latter 30% of JMs share in
2. In Austria vs. CA, the court ruled that as a fortuitous event to be a whatever treasure may be found on the land. Dissatisfied, however, with
defense, it is not required that the perpetrator be apprehended nor the strategies implemented by JP, JM revoked the SPA granted. Is the
much worse, convicted. It is only necessary that the event was proven revocation proper?
by preponderance of evidence.
ANSWER: No. because the agency is one coupled with interest because a
REVOCATION: the principal may revoke the agency at will. bilateral contract depends upon the agency, i.e., contract involving the legal
services of Atty. Audrey. Thus, the principal cannot revoke the authority of
What if with period? Sta. Marina vs. Barretto: even if there was a period the agency.
agreed upon by the parties, the principal can revoke the authority of such
agent at any time because agency is based on trust and confidence. E. PARTNERSHIP
CASE: Collongco vs. Claparols: Claparols is the owner of a factory and badly
needed funds for his business to survive. He tried to obtain loans from
banks, but he was rejected. Collongco offered to lend money to Claparols on
the condition that, among others, he should be appointed as agent of
Claparols to obtain the bills of lading upon shipment to buyers and to
market the products.