2011 BAR EXAM TRIAL MEMORANDUM

Jonna Bueno filed an action for damae! of "#00$000%00 aain!t &loria 'u(ermart$ Inc% )efore
t*e Reional Trial +ourt of ,ue-on +it. for t*e in/urie! t*at *er !on$ Ric0.$ !uffered at it!
!u(ermar0et$ for t*e e1(en!e$ and for t*e emotional (ain t*at it )rou*t to *im and *i! mot*er%
+on!ider t*e follo2in te!timonie! t*at t*e 2itne!!e! from eit*er !ide (re!ented at t*e trial of
t*e ca!e% A!!ume t*at .ou are t*e la2.er eit*er for Bueno or for &loria 'u(ermart and 2rite a
trial memorandum for t*e !ide .ou *a3e c*o!en to re(re!ent% 4ou 2ould 2ant to con3ince t*e
trial court to decide t*e ca!e in .our client5! fa3or%

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Excerpts from Transcript of Stenographic Notes
Bueno vs. Gloria Supermart, Inc., Civil Case No. !-""#"", $earing of %une !, #"".

DIRE+T EXAMINATION O6 "LAINTI665' 7ITNE''

+OURT 'TA668 9After !2earin in t*e 2itne!!: 'tate .our name and (er!onal circum!tance!%
7ITNE''8 I am Jonna Bueno$ ;# .ear! old$ married$ and a re!ident of <= Little
Bauio 't%$ 'an Juan +it.$ Metro Manila% I am an accountant%
ATT4% REX BELTRAN8 4our >onor$ 2e are offerin t*e te!timon. of M!% Bueno to (ro3e t*at
*er !on$ Ric0.$ !li((ed on t*e 2et floor of &loria 'u(ermart ). rea!on of t*e ro!! nelience
of it! manaement and em(lo.ee!$ cau!in *im to !uffer e1cruciatin (ain from a fractured arm
and undero reat di!comfort and de(re!!ion% M!% Bueno *er!elf incurred an enormou! medical
e1(en!e and !uffered from mental !tre!!%
+OURT8 7*at do .ou !a. coun!el?
ATT4% EMIL 'UN&A8 'u)/ect to cro!!$ 4our >onor%
+OURT8 "roceed$ Att.% Beltran%
ATT4% BELTRAN8
,% M!% Bueno$ do .ou 0no2 t*e defendant &loria 'u(ermart?
A% 4e!$ !ir%
,% 7*. do .ou 0no2 it?
A% I *a3e )een )u.in our rocerie! and ot*er t*in! from &loria 'u(ermart for t*e (a!t 20
.ear!%
,% 7*ere i! &loria 'u(ermart located?
A% On Ortia! A3enue$ 'an Juan$ Metro Manila$ /u!t t2o )loc0! from our condominium%
,% Do .ou remem)er 2*ere .ou 2ere at a)out 10 a%m% on Ma. 11$ 2010?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% 7*ere 2ere .ou?
A% I 2a! at &loria 'u(ermart%
,% 7*at 2ere .ou doin t*ere?
A% I 2a! a)out to coo0 !(a*etti for m. !on Ric0. 2*en I reali-ed I didn5t *a3e an. tomato
!auce !o I 2ent to &loria 'u(ermart to )u. tomato !auce and !ome ot*er t*in! 2e needed in
t*e *ou!e%
,% Did .ou *a3e an. com(anion?
A% 4e!$ m. )o. Ric0.%
,% >o2 old 2a! Ric0. at t*at time?
A% >i! )irt*da. i! Ma. 2$ 200#% >e 2a! # .ear! old alread.%
,% >o2 did .ou do .our !*o((in for rocerie! 2it* Ric0. on ta?
A% I *ad a cart% >e 2ould !ometime! ride on it or 2al0 alon t*e ai!le! 2it* me% At time!$ I
2ill a!0 *im to (ic0 !afe t*in! from t*e !*el3e! and (ut t*em in t*e cart% >e al!o ra)! oodie!
t*at *e li0e!%
,% Do .ou remem)er an.t*in unu!ual t*at *a((ened 2*ile .ou and Ric0. 2ere (ic0in u(
rocerie! at t*e !*el3e!?
A% 4e!$ a !mall )all rolled alon t*e ai!le and Ric0. ran after it%
,% 7a! *e a)le to catc* t*e )all?
A% No% Alt*ou* Ric0. *ad one !ome di!tance do2n t*e ai!le from 2*ere I !tood$ I !a2
*im !li( 2it* a *ea3. )an on a 2et !ection of t*e ai!le%
,% 7*at *a((ened to *im after *e !li((ed?
A% >e !*rie0ed from (ain in *i! ri*t 2ri!t 2*ic* *e u!ed to !to( *i! fall%
,% 7*at did .ou do after .ou !a2 Ric0. fall do2n t*e floor$ loo0in *urt?
A% I immediatel. came to *i! !ide to *el( *im% I al!o a!0ed a !tore cler0 2*o came around
to *el( me carr. Ric0. to m. car !o I could )rin *im to t*e *o!(ital% I did not et to fini!* m.
!*o((in%
,% Did t*e !tore cler0 *el( .ou?
A% 4e!$ 'ir% But *e 2a! not 3er. friendl.% After2ard!$ I )rou*t Ric0. to t*e
"*ili((ine Ort*o(edic >o!(ital%
,% 4ou !aid t*at Ric0. !li((ed on a 2et floor !ection of t*e ai!le% >o2 did .ou 0no2 t*at t*e
!ection .ou referred to 2a! 2et?
A% I !a2 t*e (uddle of li@uid on t*e floor%
,% Did .ou et to 0no2 2*at 0ind of li@uid it 2a!?
A% It 2a! !.ru( t*at !ee(ed out from a lea0in )ottle in a near). !*elf%
,% 7a! t*ere an. !u(ermar0et cleaner near). 2*en .ou came near t*at (uddle of !.ru(?
A% None !ir%
,% Did .ou !ee an. !u(ermar0et rocer. cler0 around?
A% None$ 'ir% T*ere !*ould *a3e )een !omeone to 2arn (eo(le of t*at (uddle of !.ru( on
t*e floor%
,% Did .ou !ee an. !in near t*at (uddle or around it$ 2arnin cu!tomer! of t*e daner it
(re!ent!?
A% None$ 'ir$ alt*ou* I *eard !omeone !*out$ A>o.$ )ata$ inatB Ma. )a!a di.anBC
ATT4% 'UN&A8 I mo3e to !tri0e out t*at te!timon.% It i! *ear!a.%
ATT4% BELTRAN8 It i! admi!!i)le a! a re! e!tae !tatement$ 4our >onor%
+OURT8 'tri0e out t*e an!2er%
,% 4ou !aid t*at .ou )rou*t .our !on$ Ric0.$ to t*e "*ili((ine Ort*o(edic >o!(ital$ 2*o
attended to .our !on at t*e *o!(ital?
A% Dr% Jo*n D% Lim$ an ort*o(edic !ureon% >e 2a! t*e (*.!ician at t*e emerenc. room% I
t*in0 *e i! in *i! midDfortie!%
,% 4ou !aid it 2a! *i! ri*t 2ri!t t*at Ric0. com(lained of% >o2 did .ou 0no2 t*at?
A% >e (ointed to it 2*ile cr.in from (ain% After 2e )rou*t *im to t*e "*ili((ine Ort*o(edic
>o!(ital$ I !a2 t*e doctor o(erate on *i! ri*t 2ri!t to re!tore t*e (o!ition of a fractured )one%
Later$ t*e doctor !*o2ed me an 1Dra. (icture of t*e 2ri!t )one )efore and after t*e o(eration%
,% >o2 lon did Ric0. !ta. in t*e *o!(ital?
A% T*e doctor re@uired Ric0. to !ta. o3erni*t at t*e *o!(ital for (ain manaement and
care% >e ordered *i! relea!e on t*e follo2in da.%
,% Ba!ed on .our o)!er3ation$ *o2 lon did it ta0e for Ric0. to reco3er t*e u!e of *i! ri*t
2ri!t?
A% A)out !i1 2ee0!%
,% >o2 did .our !on ta0e t*e!e t*in! t*at *a((ened to *im?
A% >e com(lained of reat (ain at t*e )einnin% Later$ *e mo3ed 2it* di!comfort and
difficult.$ una)le to u!e )ot* *and!%
,% >o2 a)out .ou$ M!% Bueno? >o2 did .ou ta0e t*e!e e3ent!?
A% >e i! m. !on% I mentall. !uffered more (ain t*an *e did% >e i! m. onl. !on% I don5t 0no2
2*at I 2ould do if I lo!e *im% M. *u!)and and I 2aited for .ear! )efore 2e *ad Ric0.% And t*en
t*i! *a((en!%
,% >o2 muc* e1(en!e$ if an.$ did .ou incur for t*e *o!(itali-ation and medical treatment of
Ric0.?
A% I !(ent "22$<E0%00 for doctor5! fee$ *o!(itali-ation$ and medicine% 7e al!o )ou*t to.!
for Ric0. to di!tract *im from t*e (ain t*at *e !uffered% 7e !(ent a((ro1imatel. "#$000%00%
,% Do .ou *a3e e3idence of t*e!e e1(en!e!?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ *ere are m. recei(t!
FNote: Assume that the marking and presentation of the receipts for the expenses mentioned
above, although omitted here, were done right.G
ATT4% BELTRAN8 T*at i! all for t*e 2itne!!%
+OURT8 +ro!!%

+RO''DEXAMINATION B4 ATT4% 'UN&A

ATT4% 'UN&A8
,% M!% Bueno$ .ou !aid t*at .ou )rou*t .our !on Ric0. to &loria 'u(ermart on Ma.
11$ 2010% Did .ou need *im to )e t*ere 2*ene3er .ou )u. .our rocerie!?
A% No$ 'ir$ )ut I did not *a3e an.one to lea3e *im *ome 2it*%
,% But 2*en .ou too0 *im t*ere$ .ou of cour!e are a2are t*at t*e !u(ermar0et did not *a3e
a lea3eD.ourDc*ild !er3ice?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% +on!e@uentl.$ .ou 2ere a2are t*at t*e re!(on!i)ilit. for loo0in after Ric0.5! need! and
!afet. 2*ile in t*e !u(ermar0et i! (rimaril. in .our *and! a! *i! mot*er?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ )ut !u(ermar0et! al2a.! e1(ect c*ildren to come 2it* t*eir (arent! and !o it
*a! to ma0e !ure t*at t*e (lace i! !afe for c*ildren%
,% But do .ou aree t*at$ a! *i! mot*er$ *e i! !afer 2*en *e !ta.! ). .our !ide in a (u)lic
(lace li0e a !u(ermar0et?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% 'till$ .ou let *im !li( a2a. from .our control$ 2*en *e ran after t*at )all?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ )ut t*e !u(ermar0et !*ould 0ee( t*eir e.e! o(en for t*in! li0e loo!e )all!
runnin do2n t*eir ai!le!$ dra2in c*ildren a2a. from t*eir (arent!$ and lettin t*em !li( on
carele!!l. !(illed li@uid!%
,% But did .ou not notice t*at t*e ai!le! of &loria 'u(ermart *a3e !ale! cler0! t*at attend to
in@uirie! and need! of it! cu!tomer!?
A% Not all t*e time% 7*en m. !on *ad *i! accident$ no one 2a! around to (re3ent it from
*a((enin%
ATT4% 'UN&A8 T*at i! all$ 4our >onor%

Excerpts from Transcript of Stenographic Notes
Bueno vs. Gloria Supermart, Inc., Civil Case No. !-""#"", $earing of %une "&, #""

DIRE+T EXAMINATION O6 DE6ENDANT5' 7ITNE''

+OURT 'TA668 9After !2earin in t*e 2itne!!: 'tate .our name and (er!onal circum!tance!%
7ITNE''H I am Rene +a!tro$ ## .ear! old$ married$ and a re!ident of 12 I%&% +ru-$ 'am(aloc$
Manila% I am a !u(ermar0et !u(er3i!or%
ATT4% EMIL 'UN&A8 4our >onor$ 2e are offerin t*e te!timon. of Mr% +a!tro to (ro3e t*at
&loria 'u(ermart e1erci!ed (ro(er dilience in ma0in it! (remi!e! !afe for it! cu!tomer!H t*at
t*e accident in3ol3in Ric0. 2a! !omet*in it could not rea!ona)l. antici(ate and !o )e.ond it!
controlH t*at$ in an. e3ent$ Ric0. and *er mot*er contri)uted to Ric0. !li((in on t*e floor and
!ufferin (*.!ical in/ur. and (ainH and t*at &loria 'u(ermart (ro3ided immediate *el( and
a!!i!tance to Ric0. and *er mot*er%
+OURT8 7*at do .ou !a. coun!el?
ATT4% BELTRAN8 'u)/ect to cro!!$ 4our >onor%
+OURT8 "roceed Att.% 'una%
ATT4% 'UN&A8
,% Mr% +a!tro$ .ou !aid t*at .ou are a !u(ermar0et !u(er3i!or% 6or 2*om do .ou 2or0 a!
!u(ermar0et !u(er3i!or?
A% I *a3e )een 2it* &loria 'u(ermart for # .ear! alread.$ 'ir%
,% Do .ou 0no2 t*e (laintiff Jonna Bueno?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ !*e *a! )een a cu!tomer at our !u(ermar0et%
,% Do .ou recall !eein *er at .our !u(ermar0et a)out 10 a%m% on Ma. 11$ 2010?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% 7*. do .ou recall !eein *er t*ere at t*at time and on t*at date?
A% Becau!e *er !on Ric0. *ad an accident and I 2a! around%
,% Did .ou !ee *o2 t*e accident *a((ened?
A% No$ 'ir$ )ut I 2a! /u!t at t*e ne1t ai!le fi1in t*e ne2 !toc0! of in!tant noodle!% 7*en I
*eard t*e commotion$ I @uic0l. 2al0ed do2n t*ere and !a2 Ric0. l.in on t*e floor$ cr.in 2it*
(ain% >er mot*er$ M!% Bueno$ 2a! tr.in to mini!ter to *im%
,% 7*at el!e did .ou !ee?
A% 'ome item! from a near). !*elf *ad fallen do2n t*e floor%
,% 7*at 2ere t*e!e item!?
A% T*ere 2ere a cou(le of )ottle! of !.ru($ mo!tl. in (la!tic )ottle!$ e1ce(t one la!! )ottle
t*at *ad )ro0en and !(illed (art of it! content! on t*e floor%
,% To 2*at do .ou account t*i!?
A% I could infer from t*e (o!ition of Ric0. t*at *e )um(ed into t*e !*elf containin !.ru(
)ottle! and 0noc0ed off !ome of t*em%
,% Did .ou !(ea0 to M!% Bueno a)out it?
A% I tal0ed to *er at t*e *o!(ital 2*ile 2e 2ere 2aitin for Ric0.5! treatment to )e fini!*ed
and I a!0ed *er 2*at *a((ened%
,% 7*at did !*e !a.?
A% '*e !aid t*at Ric0. !a2 a )all rollin do2n t*e ai!le and *e ran after it% 'ome*o2$ *e
!li((ed on t*e floor and *urt *i! arm% '*e 2a! !o flu!tered%
,% Are c*ildren allo2ed in .our !u(ermar0et?
A% All !u(ermar0et! allo2 cu!tomer! to )rin t*eir c*ildren into t*e !tore% It i! often a
nece!!it. for t*em% It i! under!tood of cour!e t*at t*eir (arent! 2ould loo0 after t*em$
(re3entin t*em from mi!)e*a3in$ cau!in damae to t*e merc*andi!e$ or ettin in/ured%
,% M!% Bueno !aid t*at Ric0. !lid on t*e floor )ecau!e !ome !.ru( !ee(ed out of a lea0in
)ottle in one of t*e !*el3e!% Do .ou 0no2 an.t*in a)out it?
A% 4e!$ !ir% 7*at !*e !aid i! not true% T*e !.ru( mu!t *a3e come from one of t*e
)ottle! t*at Ric0. 0noc0ed off from t*e !*elf 2*en *e ran 2ild do2n t*e ai!le$ !u((o!edl.
runnin after a loo!e )all% T*ere can )e no ot*er e1(lanation%
,% 7*at did .ou do t*en?
A% I *el(ed M!% Bueno (ic0 u( Ric0.$ intendin to )rin *im to a *o!(ital )ut *i! mom
in!i!ted t*at 2e ta0e *im to *er car !o !*e can dri3e *im @uic0l. to t*e *o!(ital% I carried Ric0.
to *er car and accom(anied t*em to t*e *o!(ital%
,% Did M!% Bueno tell .ou an.t*in 2*ile .ou 2ere in t*e car?
A% '*e 2a! )lamin t*e !u(ermar0et for t*e accident%
,% Did .ou re(l. to *er?
A% No$ 'ir$ I !aid not*in to u(!et *er )ecau!e !*e 2a! dri3in and 2a! 2orried a)out *er
c*ild%
ATT4% 'UN&A8 T*at i! all$ 4our >onor%

+RO''DEXAMINATION B4 ATT4% BELTRAN
ATT4% BELTRAN8
,% Mr% +a!tro$ 4ou !aid t*at .ou did not actuall. !ee t*e accident 2*en it *a((ened$ i! t*at
ri*t?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% In fact$ .ou 2ere in anot*er ai!le at t*at time?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% 'o 2*en .ou !aid t*at Ric0. )um(ed into t*e !*elf containin !.ru( )ottle! and 0noc0ed
off !ome of t*em$ .ou 2ere merel. !(eculatin on 2*at could *a3e *a((ened$ ri*t?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ )ut t*e !cene !ue!ted it%
,% 'ince .ou did not !ee 2*at actuall. *a((ened at t*at ai!le$ i! it (o!!i)le for !ome ot*er
(er!on to *a3e 0noc0ed off t*o!e )ottle!?
A% 4e!$ 'ir$ t*at i! (o!!i)le )ut not li0el. !ince I did not !ee an. (er!on lea3e t*e (lace in
*a!te%
,% 'o$ it i! al!o (o!!i)le t*at t*e !.ru( on t*e floor$ !(illed ). !omeone el!e$ cau!ed
Ric0. to !li( a! *e 2a! runnin after !ome )all )efore .ou !*o2ed u(?
A% 4e!$ t*at i! (o!!i)le$ )ut unli0el.% T*e !*el3e! are carefull. !toc0ed%
,% Do accident! re!ultin in in/ur. *a((en in .our !u(ermar0et!?
A% 4e! )ut not !o oftenH a)out one accident a .ear$ if I remem)er ri*t% T*e!e t*in! are
una3oida)le )ecau!e *undred! of (eo(le come to t*e !u(ermar0et e3er.da.%
,% >o2 a)out !*o(liftin$ doe! t*i! *a((en often?
A% E3er. no2 and t*en$ 'ir% It5! normal for !u(ermar0et!%
,% 'o naturall. .ou mu!t *a3e !ome (rocedure for dealin 2it* e3ent! li0e accident! or
!*o(liftin?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% To (rotect .our ri*t! and intere!t!$ i! t*at correct?
A% 4e!$ 'ir%
,% 'ince Ric0. *ad t*i! !eriou! accident t*at .ou claim 2a! not .our fault a! t*e !cene
!ue!ted$ did .our !u(ermar0et )ot*er to ta0e (icture! of t*e (uddle on t*e floor and t*e
)ottle! of !.ru( t*at .ou !aid Ric0. *ad 0noc0ed off?
A% No$ 'ir%
ATT4% BELTRAN8 T*at i! all for t*e 2itne!!%

'()S (N* %+,IS-,+*ENCE

.(/I'0 C1*E

-(,ENT(' (+T$1,IT0

ART% 20=% "ur!uant to t*e natural ri*t and dut. of (arent! o3er t*e (er!on and (ro(ert. of
t*eir unemanci(ated c*ildren$ (arental aut*orit. and re!(on!i)ilit. !*all include t*e carin for
and rearin of !uc* c*ildren for ci3ic con!ciou!ne!! and efficienc. and t*e de3elo(ment of t*eir
moral$ mental and (*.!ical c*aracter and 2ellD)ein%
Art% 20% "arental aut*orit. and re!(on!i)ilit. ma. not )e renounced or tran!ferred e1ce(t in t*e
ca!e! aut*ori-ed ). la2%
Art% 220% T*e (arent! and t*o!e e1erci!in (arental aut*orit. !*all *a3e 2it* re!(ect to t*eir
unemanci(ated c*ildren or 2ard! t*e follo2in ri*t! and dutie!8
91: To 0ee( t*em in t*eir com(an.$ to !u((ort$ educate and in!truct t*em ). ri*t (rece(t and
ood e1am(le$ and to (ro3ide for t*eir u()rinin in 0ee(in 2it* t*eir mean!H
111 111 111
9<: To im(o!e di!ci(line on t*em a! ma. )e re@uired under t*e circum!tance!H and
9=: To (erform !uc* ot*er dutie! a! are im(o!ed ). la2 u(on (arent! and uardian!%
Art% 221% "arent! and ot*er (er!on! e1erci!in (arental aut*orit. !*all )e ci3ill. lia)le for t*e
in/urie! and damae! cau!ed ). t*e act! or omi!!ion! of t*eir unemanci(ated c*ildren li3in in
t*eir com(an. and under t*eir (arental aut*orit. !u)/ect to t*e a((ro(riate defen!e! (ro3ided
). la2%

CI2I' C1*E
-E,S1N(' 'I(BI'IT0
Art% 20% E3er. (er!on 2*o$ contrar. to la2$ 2illfull. or nelientl. cau!e! damae to anot*er$
!*all indemnif. t*e latter for t*e !ame%
N+IS(NCE
Art% J=E% A nui!ance i! an. act$ omi!!ion$ e!ta)li!*ment$ )u!ine!!$ condition of (ro(ert.$ or
an.t*in el!e 2*ic*8
91: In/ure! or endaner! t*e *ealt* or !afet. of ot*er!H or 111 111 111
Art% J=K% T*e a)atement of a nui!ance doe! not (reclude t*e ri*t of an. (er!on in/ured to
reco3er damae! for it! (a!t e1i!tence%
(ttractive Nuisance
One 2*o maintain! on *i! (remi!e! danerou! in!trumentalitie! or a((liance! of a c*aracter
li0el. to attract c*ildren in (la.$ and 2*o fail! to e1erci!e ordinar. care to (re3ent c*ildren from
(la.in t*ere2it* or re!ortin t*ereto$ i! lia)le to a c*ild of tender .ear! 2*o i! in/ured t*ere).$
e3en if t*e c*ild i! tec*nicall. a tre!(a!!er in t*e (remi!e!% (Hidalgo Enterprises, nc., v.
!alandan, et al., "#$%&&, 'une ($, ()*&, )( +hil. %,,-
3+(SI-*E'ICTS
Art% 21KJ% 7*oe3er ). act or omi!!ion cau!e! damae to anot*er$ t*ere )ein fault or
nelience$ i! o)lied to (a. for t*e damae done% 'uc* fault or nelience$ if t*ere i! no (reD
e1i!tin contractual relation )et2een t*e (artie!$ i! called a @ua!iDdelict and i! o3erned ). t*e
(ro3i!ion! of t*i! +*a(ter%
An accident (ertain! to an unfore!een e3ent in 2*ic* no fault or nelience attac*e! to t*e
defendant% 111
On t*e ot*er *and$ nelience i! t*e omi!!ion to do !omet*in 2*ic* a rea!ona)le man$ uided
). t*o!e con!ideration! 2*ic* ordinaril. reulate t*e conduct of *uman affair!$ 2ould do$ or t*e
doin of !omet*in 2*ic* a (rudent and rea!ona)le man 2ould not do% 111
Accident and nelience are intrin!icall. contradictor.H one cannot e1i!t 2it* t*e ot*er% Accident
occur! 2*en t*e (er!on concerned i! e1erci!in ordinar. care$ 2*ic* i! not cau!ed ). fault of
an. (er!on and 2*ic* could not *a3e )een (re3ented ). an. mean! !ue!ted ). common
(rudence% ('arco .arketing /orporation v. /ourt of Appeals, 0.1. No. (&)2)&, 3ecember &(,
())), $&( 4/1A $2*-
T*e doctrine of re! i(!a lo@uitor a((lie! 2*ere 91: t*e accident 2a! of !uc* c*aracter a! to
2arrant an inference t*at it 2ould not *a3e *a((ened e1ce(t for t*e defendant5! nelienceH 92:
t*e accident mu!t *a3e )een cau!ed ). an aenc. or in!trumentalit. 2it*in t*e e1clu!i3e
manaement or control of t*e (er!on c*ared 2it* t*e nelience com(lained ofH and 9;: t*e
accident mu!t not *a3e )een due to an. 3oluntar. action or contri)ution on t*e (art of t*e
(er!on in/ured% (/hild "earning /enter, nc. v. 5agorio, 0.1. No. (*6)&6, November &*, &66*,
%27 4/1A &$7-
T*e te!t for determinin 2*et*er a (er!on i! nelient in doin an act 2*ere). in/ur. or damae
re!ult! to t*e (er!on or (ro(ert. of anot*er i! t*i!8 could a (rudent man$ in t*e (o!ition of t*e
(er!on to 2*om nelience i! attri)uted$ fore!ee *arm to t*e (er!on in/ured a! a rea!ona)le
con!e@uence of t*e cour!e actuall. (ur!ued? (+hilippine National /onstruction /orporation v.
/ourt of Appeals, 0.1. No. (*)&26, August &&, &66*, %72 4/1A *7)-
Art% 21K=% 7*en t*e (laintiff5! o2n nelience 2a! t*e immediate and (ro1imate cau!e of *i!
in/ur.$ *e cannot reco3er damae!% But if *i! nelience 2a! onl. contri)utor.$ t*e immediate
and (ro1imate cau!e of t*e in/ur. )ein t*e defendant5! lac0 of due care$ t*e (laintiff ma.
reco3er damae!$ )ut t*e court! !*all mitiate t*e damae! to )e a2arded%
+ontri)utor. nelience i! conduct on t*e (art of t*e in/ured (art.$ contri)utin a! a leal cau!e
to t*e *arm *e *a! !uffered$ 2*ic* fall! )elo2 t*e !tandard 2*ic* *e i! re@uired to conform for
*i! o2n (rotection%
111 111 111
It i! an act or omi!!ion amountin to 2ant of ordinar. care on t*e (art of t*e (er!on in/ured
2*ic*$ concurrin 2it* t*e defendant5! nelience$ i! t*e (ro1imate cau!e of t*e in/ur.%
(National +ower /orporation v. Heirs of Noble /asionan, 0.1. No. (7*)7), November &2,
&66,, *2& 4/1A 2(-
"ro1imate cau!e i! defined a! t*at cau!e$ 2*ic*$ in natural and continuou! !e@uence$
un)ro0en ). an. efficient inter3enin cau!e$ (roduce! t*e in/ur.$ and 2it*out 2*ic* t*e re!ult
2ould not *a3e occurred% (1amos v. /.8.". 1ealt9 /orporation, 0.1. No. (,%)6*, August &,,
&66), *)2 4/1A *&7-
Art% 21<0% T*e o)liation im(o!ed ). Article 21KJ i! demanda)le not onl. for one5! o2n act! or
omi!!ion!$ )ut al!o for t*o!e of (er!on! for 2*om one i! re!(on!i)le%
111 111 111
T*e o2ner! and manaer! of an e!ta)li!*ment or enter(ri!e are li0e2i!e re!(on!i)le for
damae! cau!ed ). t*eir em(lo.ee! in t*e !er3ice of t*e )ranc*e! in 2*ic* t*e latter are
em(lo.ed or on t*e occa!ion of t*eir function!%
111 111 111
T*e re!(on!i)ilit. treated of in t*i! article !*all cea!e 2*en t*e (er!on! *erein mentioned (ro3e
t*at t*e. o)!er3ed all t*e dilience of a ood fat*er of a famil. to (re3ent damae%
*(/(GES
Art% 21=K% Damae! ma. )e8
91: Actual or com(en!ator.H
92: MoralH
9;: NominalH
9E: Tem(erate or moderateH
9#: Li@uidatedH or
9J: E1em(lar. or correcti3e%
Art% 21==% E1ce(t a! (ro3ided ). la2 or ). !ti(ulation$ one i! entitled to an ade@uate
com(en!ation onl. for !uc* (ecuniar. lo!! !uffered ). *im a! *e *a! dul. (ro3ed% 'uc*
com(en!ation i! referred to a! actual or com(en!ator. damae!%
Art% 220;% T*e (art. !ufferin lo!! or in/ur. mu!t e1erci!e t*e dilience of a ood fat*er of a
famil. to minimi-e t*e damae! re!ultin from t*e act or omi!!ion in @ue!tion%
Art% 221E% In @ua!iDdelict!$ t*e contri)utor. nelience of t*e (laintiff !*all reduce t*e damae!
t*at *e ma. reco3er%
T*e underl.in (rece(t on contri)utor. nelience i! t*at a (laintiff 2*o i! (artl. re!(on!i)le for
*i! o2n in/ur. !*ould not )e entitled to reco3er damae! in full )ut mu!t )ear t*e con!e@uence!
of *i! o2n nelience% (National +ower /orporation v. Heirs of Noble /asionan, 0.1. No.
(7*)7), November &2, &66,, *2& 4/1A 2(-
In +hoenix /onstruction, nc., v. ntermediate Appellate /ourt$ 2*ere 2e *eld t*at t*e leal and
(ro1imate cau!e of t*e accident and of Dioni!io5! in/urie! 2a! t*e 2ronful and nelient
manner in 2*ic* t*e dum( truc0 2a! (ar0ed )ut found Dioni!io uilt. of contri)utor. nelience
on t*e ni*t of t*e accident$ 2e allocated mo!t of t*e damae! on a 20D<0 ratio% In !aid ca!e$
2e re@uired Dioni!io to )ear 20L of t*e damae! a2arded ). t*e a((ellate court$ e1ce(t a! to
t*e a2ard of e1em(lar. damae!$ attorne.5! fee! and co!t!% (Estacion v. !ernardo,
0.1. No. (%%2&$, :ebruar9 &2, &667, %,$ 4/1A &&&-
Art% 221K% Moral damae! include (*.!ical !ufferin$ mental anui!*$ fri*t$ !eriou! an1iet.$
)e!mirc*ed re(utation$ 2ounded feelin!$ moral !*oc0$ !ocial *umiliation$ and !imilar in/ur.%
T*ou* inca(a)le of (ecuniar. com(utation$ moral damae! ma. )e reco3ered if t*e. are t*e
(ro1imate re!ult of t*e defendant5! 2ronful act for omi!!ion%
Art% 221=% Moral damae! ma. )e reco3ered in t*e follo2in and analoou! ca!e!8
111 111 111
92: ,ua!iDdelict! cau!in (*.!ical in/urie!H
111 111 111

,+'ES 1. C1+,T
E2I*ENCE
'ec% ;J%5estimon9 generall9 confined to personal knowledgeH hearsa9 excluded% M A 2itne!!
can te!tif. onl. to t*o!e fact! 2*ic* *e 0no2! of *i! (er!onal 0no2ledeH t*at i!$ 2*ic* are
deri3ed from *i! o2n (erce(tion$ e1ce(t a! ot*er2i!e (ro3ided in t*e!e rule!%
7*ere t*e !tatement! or 2ritin! attri)uted to a (er!on 2*o i! not on t*e 2itne!! !tand are
)ein offered not to (ro3e t*e trut* of t*e fact! !tated t*erein )ut onl. to (ro3e t*at t*o!e
!tatement! 2ere actuall. made or t*o!e 2ritin! 2ere e1ecuted$ !uc* e3idence i! not co3ered
). t*e *ear!a. e3idence rule%(/orne;o, 4r., vs. 4andiganba9an, 0.1. No. *,,$(, 'ul9 $(, (),2,
(*& 4/1A **)-
Under t*e doctrine of inde(endentl. rele3ant !tatement!$ onl. t*e fact t*at !uc* !tatement!
2ere made i! rele3ant$ and t*e trut* or fal!it. t*ereof i! immaterial% T*e *ear!a. rule doe! not
a((l.% (+eople v. 0umimba et al., 0.1. No. (2%6*7, :ebruar9 &2, &662, *(2 4/1A &*-
'ec% E2% +art of res gestae% M 'tatement! made ). a (er!on 2*ile a !tartlin occurrence i!
ta0in (lace or immediatel. (rior or !u)!e@uent t*ereto 2it* re!(ect to t*e circum!tance!
t*ereof$ ma. )e i3en in e3idence a! (art of res gestae% 111
A declaration made !(ontaneou!l. after a !tartlin occurrence i! deemed a! (art of t*e res
gestae 2*en 91: t*e (rinci(al act$ t*e res gestae i! a !tartlin occurrenceH 92: t*e !tatement!
2ere made )efore t*e declarant *ad time to contri3e or de3i!eH and 9;: t*e !tatement! concern
t*e occurrence in @ue!tion and it! immediatel. attendin circum!tance!% (<arate v. 1egional
5rial /ourt, !ranch %$, 0ingoog /it9, .isamis 8riental, 0.1. No. (*&&7$, 'ul9 $, &66),
*)( 4/1A *(6-
'ec% E<% 0eneral rule% M T*e o(inion of 2itne!! i! not admi!!i)le$ e1ce(t a! indicated in t*e
follo2in !ection!%
'ec% ;% 3isputable presumptions% M T*e follo2in (re!um(tion! are
!ati!factor. if uncontradicted$ )ut ma. )e contradicted and o3ercome ). ot*er e3idence8
1 1 1
9d: T*at a (er!on ta0e! ordinar. care of *i! concern!H
9@: T*at t*e ordinar. cour!e of )u!ine!! *a! )een follo2edH
9.: T*at t*in! *a3e *a((ened accordin to t*e ordinar. cour!e of nature and ordinar. nature
*a)it! of lifeH
In e3er. tort ca!e filed under Article 21KJ of t*e +i3il +ode$ (laintiff *a! to (ro3e ). a
(re(onderance of e3idence8 91: t*e damae! !uffered ). t*e (laintiffH 92: t*e fault or nelience
of t*e defendant or !ome ot*er (er!on for 2*o!e act *e mu!t re!(ondH and 9;: t*e connection
of cau!e and effect )et2een t*e fault or nelience and t*e damae! incurred% (/hild "earning
/enter, nc. v. 5agorio, 0.1. No. (*6)&6, November &*, &66*, %27 4/1A &$7