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PROPERTY - All things which are, or may be, the Parties to a contract may treat as personal
object of appropriation (Art. 414, NCC) property that which by nature is real property;
and it is a familiar phenomenon to see things
Thing and Property Distinguished classed as real property for purposes of
THING PROPERTY taxation which on general principle might be
considered personal property (Standard Oil
includes both things which are Co. vs. Jaranillo GR No. 20329, March 16,
appropriable and non- susceptible of 1923).
appropriable objects appropriation and
which are already IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES
possessed and found
in the possession of Categories: (NIDA)
man 1. Real by nature – it cannot be carried from
place to place (pars. 1 & 8, Art. 415)
Note: Strictly speaking, “thing” is NOT 2. Real by incorporation – attached to an
synonymous with “property”. HOWEVER, the immovable in a fixed manner to be an integral
New Civil Code uses these terms part thereof (pars. 1–3 Art. 415)
interchangeably. 3. Real by destination – placed in an immovable
for the utility it gives to the activity carried
Requisites/Characteristics: (USA) thereon (pars. 4–7 and 9 Art. 415)
1. utility – ability to serve as a means to satisfy 4. Real by analogy – it is so classified by
human needs express provision of law (par. 10, Art. 415)
2. substantivity or individuality – separate and
autonomous existence Types of Immovable Properties (Art. 415)
3. appropriability – even if not yet actually 1. Land, buildings, roads and constructions
appropriated (Reyes-Puno, p.1) of all kinds adhered to the soil
Where a building is sold to be demolished
CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY immediately, it is to be regarded as
movable because the subject matter of
Kinds of Properties: the contract is really the materials thereof.
1. Immovable or real (Art. 415) Buildings are immovables by
2. Movable or personal (Arts. 416, 417) incorporation. Hence, their adherence to
the land must be permanent and
The human body, whether alive or dead, is substantial. Portable structures are not
neither real nor personal property, for it is not immovables.
even property at all, in that it generally cannot A building is an immovable even if not
be appropriated. Under certain conditions, the erected by the owner of the land. The
body of a person or parts thereof may be the only criterion is union or incorporation
subject matter of a transaction (See RA No. with the soil. (Ladera vs. Hodges CA-GR
349, RA No. 7170, RA No. 7719). No. 8027-R, September 23, 1952).
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
HERBERT CALVIN ABUGAN overall chair and chair academics operations, MANOLO ADEL SANTOS chair hotel operations, GRACE SARAH TRIA vice
chair for operations, JUAN CARLOS NUESTRO vice chair for academics, MAE ANGELIE ETANG vice chair for secretariat, KRISTINE ANNABELLEE HIPOS
vice chair for finance, EIREENE XINA ACOSTA vice chair for edp, ACE JELLO CONCEPCION vice chair for logistics
CIVIL LAW:
FRANCESCA LOURDES SENGA subject chair, SHEENA MARIE ABELLA assistant subject chair, ACE ARVIN GANDO edp, FRANCESCA LOURDES SENGA
persons and family relations, CRISCELYN CARAYUGAN property, MA. PELISA CORAZON PARIDO and MARY IVY ANNE GALANG wills and succession,
MARIA DANIAFLOR BERAMO and COLLEEN INFANTE obligations and contracts, MARY IVY ANNE GALANG sales and lease, EVA CHRISTINE NAPARAN
partnership, agency and trust, KATHERINE ANN ASILO credit transactions, SHEENA MARIE ABELLA torts and damages, JAN PEARL PORTUGAL land
titles and deeds, JAN MANUELLE REYES conflict of laws
MEMBERS:
Aldren Abrigo, Lloyd Elgene Apostol, Joanna Arellano, Jonathan Bajeta, Paul Isaac Barrameda, Barbara Jeniffer Bautista, Arlene Borja, Leana Blasco
Keith Francis Briones, Angelita Calalang, Uelah Cangco, Kristine Paula Chu, Benedicto Claravall, Diane Therese Dauz, Herbert Davis, Riyah Lalaine
Domingo, Ana Ofloda delos Reyes, Ramona Diňozo, Clarissa Enano-Caenano, Carla Esplana, Diana Fajardo, Leoponville Ndota Wambui Gitau,
Kristine Carmela Gonzales, Daisy Joy Jalova, Roehl Joson, Jackie Lamug, Flocerfina Lloren, Jerome Matas, Herbert Matienzo, Charlene Clara,
Mendoza, Kristel Concepcion Ona, Joanna Marie Paguio, Patricia Salang, Christine Santos, Rio Rose Santos, Charlotte Sayson, Mary Meilani Suyat,
Jezreel Caridad Taguba, Florence Tolentino, Philip Torres, Gilda Villanueva, Joan Grace Wilson, Joshua Villena, Raul Canon, Deogracias Natividad
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10. Contracts for Public works, and servitudes under its jurisdiction and administration for the
and other real rights collective enjoyment of people. The ownership of
A personal right is always regarded as such properties is in the social group, whether
personal property. The exception is in the national, provincial or municipal.
case of contracts for public works which
are considered as real property. Purpose: To serve the citizens and not the state
MOVABLE PROPERTIES as a juridical person.
Tests: Kinds:
1. By exclusion: all not included in Art. 415 1. For public use – may be used by anybody
2. By description: an object is movable if: 2. For public service – may be used only by
a. It can be transported from place to place; authorized persons
b. Without substantial injury to the 3. For the development of national wealth
immovable to which it is attached.
3. Real Property considered as personal The charging of fees to the public does not
property by special provision of law. determine the character of the property,
whether it is of public dominion or not. Art.
Kinds of Movable Properties (ASFTOS): 420 defines property of public dominion as
1. Those movables susceptible of appropriation one “intended for public use”. Even if the
which are not included in the preceding article government collects toll fees, the road is still
2. Real property which by any special provision “intended for public use” if anyone can use it
of law is considered personalty under the same terms and conditions as the
3. Forces of nature which are brought under rest of the public (MIIA vs. CA, GR No.
control by science 155650, July 20, 2006).
4. In general, all things which can be
transported from place to place without Characteristics: (OI-PAE)
impairment of the real property to which they 1. Outside the commerce of man
are fixed (Art. 416) 2. Inalienable, but when it is no longer needed
5. Obligations and actions which have for their for public use or service, it may be declared
object movables or demandable sums patrimonial property.
6. Shares of agricultural, commercial and 3. Cannot be acquired by prescription
industrial entities, although they may have 4. Not subject to attachment or execution
real estate (Art. 417) 5. Cannot be burdened with easements
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10 years from the time the cause of ACCESSORIES - things joined to or included with
action arises. the principal thing for the latter’s embellishment,
Requisites: better use, or completion
i. The thing must be corporeal,
concrete, and determinate
ii. Proof of identity
iii. Proof of title (Reyes-Puno, p.24)
Classifications:
SURFACE RIGHTS (Art. 437) 1. Accession Discreta – the right pertaining to
The owner of parcel of land is the owner of its the owner of a thing over everything produced
surface and everything under it. thereby
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Classes:
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1. Remedial (Action to quiet title) - the action The fall of the tree, occasioned by the inaction
may be brought to remove a cloud or quiet or negligence of the owner, someone has
title to real property or an interest therein (Art. been hurt, the owner of the tree is liable for
476 par. 1) damages under the law on quasi-delict (Art.
2. Preventive (Action quia timet) - to prevent a 2191, par. 3).
future cloud (doubt) from being cast upon the
title to real property or an interest therein (Art.
CO- OWNERSHIP
476 par. 2).
That form of ownership which exists whenever an
Prescriptive Period: undivided thing or right belongs to different
1. plaintiff in possession – imprescriptible persons.
2. plaintiff not in possession – 10 (ordinary) or By the nature of co–ownership, a co–owner
30 years (extraordinary) cannot point to any specific portion of the
property owned in common as his own
The action to quiet title does NOT apply: because his share in it remains intangible and
1. to questions involving interpretation of ideal (Avila et al. vs. Sps. Barabat GR No.
documents 141993, May 17, 2006).
2. to mere written or oral assertions of claims, The possession of a co–owner is like that of a
EXCEPT: trustee and shall not be regarded as adverse
a. if made in a legal proceeding to the other co–owner but in fact beneficial to
b. if it is being asserted that the instrument all of them (Salvador vs. CA, G.R. No.
or entry in plaintiff’s favor is not what it 109910, April 5, 1995)
purports to be
3. to boundary disputes REQUISITES:
4. to deeds by strangers to the title UNLESS 1. Plurality of owners
purporting to convey the property of the 2. The object of ownership must be a thing or
plaintiff right which is undivided
5. to instruments invalid on their face 3. Each co–owner’s right must be limited only to
6. where the validity of the instrument involves his ideal share of the physical whole
pure questions of law CHARACTERISTICS: (PSNCLG)
1. Plurality of subjects/owners
Duty of plaintiff to restore benefits and 2. there is a single object which is not materially
expenses (Art. 479): divided
1. Restoration is required whenever the 3. there is no mutual representation by the co–
complainant is shown to be morally bound to owners
reimburse the defendant 4. it exists for the common enjoyment of the co–
2. Even if the debt is not enforceable by reason owners
of the statue of limitations, payment may be 5. it has no distinct legal personality
required by the court 6. it is governed first of all by the contract of the
parties; otherwise, by special legal provisions,
Reason: “He who seeks equity must do equity.” and in default of such provisions, by the
provisions of Title III on co–ownership
RUINOUS BUILDINGS AND TREES IN
DANGER OF FALLING (Arts. 482–483): SOURCES: (C2LOST)
1. Contract
As to buildings: 2. Chance
The complainant must show that his property 3. Law
is adjacent to the dangerous construction, or 4. Occupation
must have to pass by necessity in the 5. Succession
immediate vicinity. 6. Testamentary disposition or donation inter
Lack of knowledge of the falling condition of vivos
the structure will not excuse the owner from
liability. CO–OWNERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP
If the damage is caused by defects in the DISTINGUISHED
construction, then the builder is responsible
for the damages. CO–OWNERSHIP PARTNERSHIP
Can be created Can be created only
As to trees: without the formalities by contract, express
of a contract or implied
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d. Do not give rise to a real right over the repudiation. In fact, there was bad faith of the
thing owned in common (Reyes-Puno. co–heir in feigning sole ownership of the
p.73). property to the exclusion of the other co–
e. Expenses to improve or embellish are heirs. (Galvez vs. CA, GR No. 157954, March
decided by the majority 24, 2006).
The Torrens title does not furnish a shield for
Minority may appeal to the court against fraud. Thus, where one registered the
the majority’s decision if the same is property in question in his name in fraud of
seriously prejudicial. his co–heirs, prescription can only be deemed
2. Enjoyment to have commenced from the time the latter
3. Improvement or embellishment discovers the fraudulent act (Adille vs. CA,
GR No. L-46484 January 29, 1988).
III. Rights as to the ideal share of each co– Under the law, anyone of the co–owners may
owner: bring an action in ejectment (Art. 487). This
1. Each has full ownership of his part and of can be done without joining all other co–
his share of the fruits and benefits owners because the suit is presumed to have
2. Right to substitute another person in its been filed for the benefit of his co–owners.
enjoyment, EXCEPT when personal But if the suit is for the benefit of the plaintiff
rights are involved alone who claims to be the sole owner and
3. Right to alienate, dispose or encumber entitled to the possession of the litigated
4. Right to renounce part of his interest to property the action should be dismissed and it
reimburse necessary expenses incurred will not prosper especially so that there is
by another co–owner evidence of co–ownership of the property,
5. Transactions entered into by each co– and there is no showing that they waived their
owner only affect his ideal share. rights (Baloloy vs. Hular GR No. 159723.
Even if a co-owner sells the whole September 9, 2004).
property as his, the sale will affect
only his own share but not those of EXTINGUISHMENT OF CO–OWNERSHIP
the other co-owners who did not (CALSTEP)
consent to the sale. This is because 1. consolidation or merger in one co–owner
the sale or other disposition affects 2. acquisitive prescription in favor of a third
only his share and the transferee gets person or a co–owner who repudiates the co–
only what would correspond to his ownership
grantor in the partition of the thing 3. loss or destruction of property co–owned
owned in common. Since a co-owner 4. sale of property co–owned
is entitled to sell his undivided share, 5. termination of period agreed upon by the co–
a sale of the entire property by one owners
co-owner without the consent of the 6. expropriation
other co-owners is not null and void. 7. judicial or extra–judicial partition
Only the rights of the co-owner-seller
are transferred, thereby making the CONDOMINIUM ACT (RA 4726)
buyer a co-owner of the property
(Bailon-Casilao vs. CA, GR No. L- Condominium - an interest in real property
78178, April 15, 1988). consisting of a separate interest in a unit in a
residential, industrial or commercial building and
A co-owner cannot acquire by prescription the an undivided interest in common, directly or
share of the co-owners, absent any clear indirectly, in the land on which it is located and in
repudiation of the co-ownership. In order that other common areas of the building.
the title may prescribe in favor of a co-owner, Any transfer or conveyance of a unit or an
the following requisites must concur: (1) the apartment, office or store or other space
co-owner has performed unequivocal acts of therein, shall include transfer or conveyance
repudiation amounting to an ouster of the of the undivided interest in the common areas
other co-owners; (2) such positive acts of or, in a proper case, the membership or
repudiation have been made known to the shareholdings in the condominium
other co-owners; and (3) the evidence thereof corporation: Provided, however, that where
is clear and convincing (Robles vs. CA, GR the common areas in the condominium
No. 123509, March 14, 2000). project are held by the owners of separate
The act of executing the affidavit of self– units as co–owners thereof, no condominium
adjudication did not constitute sufficient act of unit therein shall be conveyed or transferred
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to persons other than Filipino citizens or 1. Before 1902: R.D. sobre Mineria 1867
corporations at least 60% of the capital stock 2. Between 1902-1906: The Philippine Bill of
of which belong to Filipino citizens, except in 1902 and Legislative Acts
cases of hereditary succession. 3. After the Advent of the Commonwealth: Art.
XIII of the Philippine Constitution and CA No.
General rule: Common areas shall remain 137
undivided, and there shall be no judicial partition 4. Present: Mineral Resources Development
thereof Decree of 1974 (P.D. 463) and the Civil Code
of the Philippines
Exceptions:
1. When the project has not been rebuilt or Minerals – all inorganic substances found in
repaired substantially to its state prior to its nature, whether in solid, liquid, gaseous, or any
damage or destruction 3 years after damage intermediate state, with the exception of soil
or destruction which rendered a material part which supports the organic life, and of ordinary
thereof unfit for use; earth, gravel, sand, and stone which are used for
2. When damage or destruction has rendered ½ building or construction purposes
or more of the units untenantable and that the
condominium owners holding more than 30% TRADEMARK AND TRADE NAMES (Arts. 520-
interest in the common areas are opposed to 523)
restoration of the projects;
3. When the project has been in existence for Laws Governing Trademarks and Trade
more than 50 years, that it is obsolete and names:
uneconomic, and the condominium owners 1. Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293)
holding in aggregate more than 50% interest 2. Civil Code of the Philippines
in the common areas are opposed to
restoration, remodeling or modernizing; POSSESSION
4. When the project or a material part thereof
has been condemned or expropriated and the CONCEPT:
project is no longer viable, or that the 1. As an act – the holding of a thing or the
condominium owners holding in aggregate enjoyment of a right with the intention to
more than 70% interest in the common areas possess in one’s own right
are opposed to the continuation of the 2. As a fact – when there is holding or
condominium regime; enjoyment
5. When conditions for partition by sale set forth 3. As a right – the right of a person to holding or
in the declaration of restrictions duly enjoyment to the exclusion of all others
registered have been met. having better right than the possessor
a. jus possidendi - right to possession which
SOME SPECIAL PROPERTIES is incidental to or included in the right of
ownership
WATERS (Arts. 502-518) b. jus possessionis – right of possession
independent from the right of ownership
Laws Governing Waters:
1. Civil Code of the Philippines REQUISITES:
2. Special Law of Waters of August 3, 1866 1. occupancy, apprehension, or taking of a thing
3. The Irrigation Acts, Act 2152 and its or right (possession in fact);
amendments 2. deliberate intention to possess (animus
4. Water Power Act No. 4062 possidendi)
5. Art. XIII of the Philippine Constitution An insane or demented person CANNOT
acquire possession as they are incapable
Classification of understanding the import of their
1. Waters public per se (water is the principal); actions.
the bed follows the character of the water
2. Waters public or private according to their bed 3. by virtue of ones own right – in his own name
(water is accessory to bed) or in that of another.
3. Waters public by special provision
DEGREES:
1. possession without any title whatsoever -
MINERALS (Art. 519) mere holding without any right at all (ex. thief
or squatter)
Laws Governing Minerals:
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2. possession with juridical title - predicated Only personal knowledge of the flaw in
on juridical relation existing between the one’s title or mode of acquisition can
possessor and the owner (ex. lessee, make him a possessor in bad faith. It is
usufructuary, depositary, agent, pledgee and not transmissible even to an heir.
trustee) Possession in good faith ceases from the
3. possession with just title – the possession moment defects in his title are made
of an adverse claimant whose title is sufficient known to the possessor
to transfer ownership but is defective (ex.
when the seller is not the true owner or could EXTENT OF POSSESSION:
not transmit his rights thereto to a possessor 1. Actual possession – occupancy in fact of
who acted in GF) the whole or at least substantially the whole
4. possession with a title in fee simple - property
derived from the right of dominion or 2. Constructive possession – occupancy of
possession of an owner; the highest degree part, in the name of the whole, under such
of possession circumstances that the law extends the
occupancy to the possession of the whole
Doctrine of constructive possession –
possession in the eyes of the law does not
CLASSES: mean that a man has to have his feet on
1. In one’s own name – where possessor every square meter of ground before it can be
claims the thing for himself said that he is in possession (Ramos vs.
2. In the name of another – for whom the thing Director of Lands GR No. 13298, November
is held by the possessor 19, 1918).
3. In the concept of owner – possessor of
thing or right, by his actions, is considered or PRESUMPTIONS IN FAVOR OF POSSESSOR:
believed by others as the owner, regardless 1. of good faith (Art. 527)
of good or bad faith of the possessor 2. of continuity of initial good faith (Art. 528)
Possessor in the concept of an owner is 3. of enjoyment in the same character in which
presumed with just title. (Art. 541) possession was acquired until the contrary is
4. In the concept of holder – possessor holds proved (Art. 529)
it merely to keep or enjoy it, the ownership 4. of non–interruption in favor of the present
pertaining to another person; possessor possessor (Art. 554)
acknowledges in another a superior right 5. of continuous possession by the one who
which he believes to be ownership; cannot recovers possession of which he was
acquire ownership by prescription wrongfully deprived (Art. 561)
None of these holders may assert a claim 6. of extension of possession of real property to
of ownership for himself over the thing but all movables contained therein (Art. 542)
they may be considered as possessors in
the concept of owner, or under claim of OBJECT OF POSSESSION:
ownership, with respect to the right they General rule: All things and rights susceptible of
respectively exercise over the thing. being appropriated (Art. 530)
5. In good faith – possessor is not aware that
there is in his title or mode of acquisition a Exceptions:
defect that invalidates it 1. Res communes
Requisites: 2. Property of public dominion
a. Ostensible title or mode of acquisition 3. Discontinuous servitudes
b. Vice or defect in the title 4. Non–apparent servitudes
c. Possessor is ignorant of the vice or defect ACQUISITION OF POSSESSION (Arts. 531-538)
and must have an honest belief that the
thing belongs to him Manner of acquiring possession:
1. Material occupation of the thing or exercise of
Gross and inexcusable ignorance of the a right
law may not be the basis of good faith, 2. Subjection to our will
but possible excusable ignorance may be 3. Proper acts and legal formalities established
such basis (Kasilag vs. Roque GR No. for acquiring such right
46623, December 7, 1939).
6. In bad faith – possessor is aware of the Special Cases of Acquisition of Possession:
invalidating defect in his own title. 1. Acquisition through another person.
Where possession is acquired, not by an
agent or representative but by a stranger
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General Causes: General rule: One who has lost or has been
1. By the will of the possessor unlawfully deprived of a movable may recover it
a. Abandonment from whoever possesses it without
b. Transfer or conveyance reimbursement. The owner of the thing must
2. Against the will of the possessor prove: (1) ownership of the thing, and (2) loss or
a. Eminent domain unlawful deprivation; or bad faith of the
b. Acquisitive prescription possessor.
c. Judicial decree in favor of one who has a
better right Exceptions:
d. Possession of another for more than one 1. Where the owner acts negligently or
year voluntarily parts with the thing owned, he
This refers to possession de facto cannot recover it from the possessor.
where the possessor loses the right 2. If the possessor of the movable acquired it in
to a summary action; but he may still good faith at a public sale, the owner cannot
bring action publiciana or obtain its return without reimbursing the price
reivindicatoria. paid therefor.
e. By reason of the object
i. destruction or total loss of the things Public sale – one where there has been a public
ii. withdrawal from commerce notice of the sale in which anyone is allowed to
bid for the object he desires to buy.
Acts NOT Constituting Loss of Possession
(Arts. 537–538)
1. Acts executed by stealth and without POSSESSION OF ANIMALS (Art. 560):
knowledge of the possessor
2. Acts merely tolerated either by the possessor Wild Animals – living in a state of nature
or by his representative or holder in his name independently of and without the aid and care of
unless authorized or ratified man; considered possessed only while they are
3. Violence under man’s control
4. Temporary ignorance of the whereabouts of
movable property Domesticated/ Tamed Animals - wild or savage
by nature but have been subdued and became
The possessor who recovers possession is accustomed to live in a tamed condition;
considered as having had uninterrupted considered possessed if they habitually return to
possession despite these acts of violence, the premises of their possessor
stealth and tolerance; but he must recover
possession by due process, and not Domestic/ Tame animals – live, born and reared
otherwise (Arts. 561, 536, 539) under the control and care of man
Theory of Irrevindicability - Possession in good Gives the right to enjoy the property of another
faith of a movable is presumed ownership. It is with the obligation of preserving its form and
equivalent to title. No further proof is necessary substance, unless the title constituting it or the
(Aznar vs. Yapdiangco, G.R. No. L-18536, March law otherwise provides.
31, 1965). The rule isnecessary for purposes of
facilitating transactions on movable property CHARACTERISTICS:
which are usually done without special formalities 1. real right
(Sotto vs. Enage, 43 O.G. 5075 [1947]). 2. of temporary duration
3. to derive all advantages from the thing due to
Requisites: normal exploitation
1. possession is in good faith 4. may be constituted on real or personal
2. the owner has voluntarily parted with the property, consumable or non–consumable,
possession of the thing
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a. close the openings if the wall XI. Intermediate Distances And Works For
becomes a party wall Certain Constructions And Plantings (Arts.
b. block the light by building or erecting 677–681)
his own wall unless a servitude is 1. Constructions: wells, sewers, etc.
acquired by title or prescription a. distance is fixed by ordinances or
c. ask for the reduction of the opening to custom must be observed
the proper size b. protective structures prescribed by
ordinances or custom must be
Restrictions as to views: erected; if none, precautions must be
1. Direct views: the distance of 2m between taken to avoid damage to neighboring
the wall and the boundary must be estates
observed c. violation causes responsibility for
2. Oblique views: (walls perpendicular or at damages caused
an angle to the boundary line) must not 2. Plantings:
be less than 60cm from the boundary line a. distances as prescribed by
to the nearest edge of the window ordinances or customs must be
observed. If none:
Any stipulation permitting lesser i. for large trees: at least 2m from
distances is void (Art. 673). boundary
ii. for shrubs: at least 50cm from the
Modes of Acquisition center of the tree
1. by title b. intrusions;
2. by prescription i. of branches: the owner of the tree
a. positive – counted from the time of may be compelled to cut intruding
the opening of the window, if it is branches at the boundary
through a party wall ii. of roots: the owner of the invaded
b. negative – counted from the formal tenement may cut them himself
prohibition on the servient owner. at the boundary
iii. fruits falling naturally belong to
Mere non–observance of distances the owner of the land
prescribed by Art. 670 without formal
prohibition, does not give rise to XII. Easement Against Nuisance (Arts. 682-
prescription. 683)
X. Drainage of Buildings (Arts. 674–676) XIII.Lateral and Subjacent Support (Arts. 684-
1. Easement of drainage of buildings – 687)
the right to divert or empty the rain waters
from one’s own roof or shed to the Lateral support – when the supported and
neighbor’s estate either drop by drop or supporting lands are divided by a vertical
through conduits plane
2. Easement to receive falling rain waters
– deals not with legal easement but with a Subjacent support – when the supported
voluntary easement to receive rain water land is above and the supporting land is
falling from the roof of an adjoining beneath
building
3. Easement giving outlet to rain water There exists a doubt as to whether
where house surrounded by other easements against nuisance and lateral
houses and subjacent support may be
Requisites: categorized as legal easements (Reyes-
a. there must be no adequate outlet to Puno. pp.188–189).
the rain water because the yard or The duty of an adjacent owner making
court of a house is surrounded by excavations upon his land not to deprive
other houses any adjacent land of sufficient lateral or
b. the outlet to the water must be at the subjacent support is an absolute one. It
point where egress is easiest and does not depend upon the degree of care
establishing a conduit for drainage and precaution made by the proprietor in
c. there must be payment of proper making the excavation or building in his
indemnity land (De Jesus, et al vs. Howmart Corp.
et al, GR No. 44191-R, August 28, 1974).
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VOLUNTARY EASEMENTS (Arts. 688-693) care to prevent children from playing therewith or
Constituted by the will of the parties or of a resorting thereto is liable to a child of tender years
testator. who is injured thereby, even if the child is
technically a trespasser in the premises.
The owner possessing capacity to encumber
property may constitute voluntary servitude. A swimming pool or water tank is not an
If there are various owners, ALL must attractive nuisance (Hidalgo Enterprises vs.
consent; but consent once given is not Balandan GR No. L-3422, June 13, 1952).
revocable.
MODE – the actual process of acquisition or c. traditio brevi manu – when the vendee
transfer of ownership over a thing in question. already has possession of the thing sold
This is the proximate cause of the acquisition. by virtue of another title
d. traditio constitutum possessorium – when
TITLE - the juridical justification for the acquisition the vendor continues in possession of the
or a transfer of ownership or other real right. This thing sold not as owner but in some other
is the remote cause of the acquisition (Acap vs. capacity
CA, GR No. 118114, December 7, 1995) 3. Quasi–tradition – exercise of the right of the
grantee with the consent of the grantor
4. Tradicion por ministerio de la ley – delivery
by operation of law
5. Tradition by public instrument – the
Different Modes and Titles of Acquiring execution is equivalent to the delivery of the
Ownership thing, object of the contract
MODES OF TITLES OF
ACQUIRING ACQUIRING
OCCUPATION
OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP
Original Modes A mode of acquiring ownership by the seizure of
Occupation Condition of being corporeal things that have no owner, with the
without known owner intention of acquiring them, and according to the
Work which includes Creation, discovery or rules laid down by law
Intellectual creation invention
Derivative Modes REQUISITES:
Law Existence of required 1. There must be seizure of a thing;
conditions 2. The thing seized must be corporeal personal
Tradition Contract of the parties property;
Donation Contract of the parties 3. The thing must be susceptible of
Prescription Possession in the appropriation by nature;
concept of owner 4. The thing must be without an owner;
Succession Death 5. There must be an intention to appropriate;
and
6. Requisites laid down by law must be complied
TRADITION/ DELIVERY - a mode of acquiring
with.
ownership as a consequence of certain contracts,
by virtue of which, the object is placed in the
SPECIFIC INSTANCES:
control and possession of the transferee, actually
1. hunting and fishing
or constructively.
2. finding of movables which do not have an
owner
Requisites:
3. finding of abandoned movables
1. Right transmitted should have previously
4. finding of hidden treasure
existed in the patrimony of the grantor;
5. catching of swarm of bees that has escaped
2. Transmission should be by just title;
from its owner, under certain conditions
3. Grantor and grantee should have intention
6. catching of domesticated animals that have
and capacity to transmit and acquire; and
escaped from their owners, under certain
4. Transmission should be manifested by some
conditions
act which should be physical, symbolical or
7. catching of pigeons without fraud or artifice
legal.
8. transfer of fish to another breeding place
without fraud or artifice
Kinds:
1. Real Tradition – actual delivery
2. Constructive Tradition A thing that has been lost or taken by force is
a. traditio symbolica – parties make use of a not ipso facto converted to res nullius for it to
token or symbol to represent the thing belong to the person who takes possession of
delivered the same without the necessity of proving the
b. traditio longa manu – by mere consent of mode of his acquisition and it may thus be
the parties if the thing sold cannot be recovered by the original owner (See Art.
transferred to the possession of the 559). Such thing cannot be acquired by
vendee at the time of the sale prescription even if extraordinary.
Land cannot be the object of occupation
because when land is without an owner, it
pertains to the State (Report of Code
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Commission). The State need not acquire (Quilala vs. Alcantara, GR No. 132681,
abandoned lands by occupation because December 3, 2001).
once the requisites of abandonment had been
fulfilled; reversion operates automatically
(Pineda, 497).
DONATION
DONATION INTER VIVOS AND DONATION
An act of liberality whereby a person disposes MORTIS CAUSA DISTINGUISHED
gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another DONATION INTER DONATION MORTIS
who accepts it (Art. 725) VIVOS CAUSA
Takes effect Takes effect upon the
REQUISITES: (CIDA) independently of the death of the donor
1. donor must have capacity to make the donor’s death
donation Made out of donor’s Made in contemplation
2. he must have donative intent (animus pure generosity of his death without the
donandi) intention to lose the
3. there must be delivery thing or its free disposal
4. donee must accept or consent to the donation in case of survival
Title conveyed to the Title conveyed upon
donee before the donor’s death
donor’s death
ESSENTIAL FEATURES/ELEMENTS OF A Valid if donor survives Void if donor survives
TRUE DONATION: done done
1. Alienation of property by the donor during his Donation Inter Vivos Donation Mortis Causa
lifetime, which is accepted Takes effect Takes effect upon the
2. Irrevocability by the donor independently of the death of the donor
3. Animus Donandi donor’s death
4. Consequent impoverishment of the donor Made out of donor’s Made in contemplation
pure generosity of his death without the
CLASSIFICATION: intention to lose the
1. As to effectivity: thing or its free disposal
a. inter vivos in case of survival
b. mortis causa Title conveyed to the Title conveyed upon
c. propter nuptias donee before the donor’s death
2. As to perfection/ extinguishment: donor’s death
a. pure Valid if donor survives Void if donor survives
b. with a condition done done
c. with a term Generally irrevocable Always revocable at
3. As to consideration: during donor’s lifetime anytime and for any
a. simple – gratuitous except for grounds reason before the
b. remuneratory or compensatory – made provided by law (Arts. donor’s death
on account of donee’s merits 760, 765)
c. modal – imposes upon the donee a Must comply with the Must comply with the
burden which is less than the value of the formalities required by formalities required by
thing donated Arts. 748 and 749 of law for the execution of
d. onerous – imposes upon the done a the Code wills
reciprocal obligation or, to be more Must be accepted by Can only be accepted
precise, this is the kind of donation made the donee during his after the donor’s death
for a valuable consideration, the cost of lifetime
which is equal to or more than the thing Subject to donor’s tax Subject to estate tax
donated (Republic vs. Silim, GR No.
149487, April 2, 2001)
The title given to a Deed of Donation is NOT
the determinative factor which makes the
A stipulation in the donation that it was made donation “inter vivos” or “mortis causa.”
for and in consideration of the “love and Whether a donation is inter vivos or mortis
affection which the Donee inspires in the causa depends upon the nature of the
Donor, and as an act of liberality and disposition made (Reyes vs. Mosqueda, GR
generosity” is sufficient cause for a donation No. 45262, July 23, 1990).
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PERIOD OF PRESCRIPTION
MOVABLES IMMOVABLES
Good Faith
4 years 10 years
Bad Faith
8 years 30 years
72