TORTS

AND

DAMAGES

CLASS NOTES

Torts: not defined in the NCC nor in any Philippine Law

BUT many scattered provisions on tortuous acts
-usually defines as: (1) what it is not; (2) remedies
granted; (3) social/public policy protected
Damages: much longer treatment in the NCC; more
practical importance on damages
Practical Legal Relevance: vehicular accidents
Intentional tort: not a delict (any act or omission
punishable by law)
Why? Intentional act causing damage to another, not a
crime
Act: intentional, voluntary
-damage
-may or may not violate a crime
Negligence: any act or omission causing damage to
another but w/o intent (only difference w/intentional tort)
Strict liability: it doesnt matter if youre negligent or if
you intended it as long as sets of circumstances make
you liable

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Definitions
1. Tort and Quasi-delict
a. Tort
Naguiat v NLRC
FACTS: Naguiat is the president and a stockholder of
Clark Field Taxi, Inc. (CFT). Due to the phase-out of the
US bases in the country, Clark Air Base was closed and
the taxi drivers of CFTI were separated from service.
The drivers filed a complaint for the payment of sep. pay
due to the termination/phase-out. NLRC held Naguiat
and the company solidarily liable for the payment of sep.
pay.
ISSUE: WON Naguait should be held solidarily liable
with CFTI. YES.

PAGE 1
HELD: Under the Corporation Code, Naguait is liable
bec: (1) he actively managed the business; (2) there
was evidence that CFTI obtained reasonably adequate
insurance; and (3) there was a corporate tort in this
case.
Our jurisprudence is wanting to the definite scope of
corporate tort. Essentially, tort consists in the
violation of a right given or the omission of a duty
imposed by law. Simply stated, it is a breach of legal
duty.

CLASS NOTES

CORPORATE TORT: in regards to liability of President

of CFTI: no definition of corporate tort
2 definitions: long and short (legal basis)
Short definition: from a law dictionary
Whats wrong with the definition in Naguiat? TOO
BROAD. Any breach of legal duty becomes a tort (so it
would include crimes, QD, breach of contract)
very sloppy definition but its the only case that
defines Tort
Why SC gave definition of Tort? They had to determine
the liability of the officers (Naguiat) so is it part of the
ratio of the case? NO. Obiter. They already found CFTI
liable under the Labor Code so SC did not need to
establish liability through tort
AQUINO (pp. 1-2)
Tort: taken directly from the French and is derivation of
the Latin word torquere meaning to twist
-common law: an unlawful violation of private right, not
created by contract, and which gives rise to an action for
damages
-an act or omission producing an injury to another,
without any previous existing lawful relation of which the
said act or omission may be said to be a natural
outgrowth or incident (other definitions not discussed)
-no universal formula for torts liability
-includes intentional tort, negligence, and strict liability
*Intentional tort: includes conduct where the actor
desires to cause the consequences of his act or
believes the consequences are substantially certain to
result from it.

-includes
assault,
batter,
false
imprisonment,
defamation, invasion of privacy and interference of
property
*Negligence: involves voluntary acts or omissions
which result in injury to others, without intending to
cause the same
-actor fails to exercise due care in performing such acts
or omissions
*Strict Liability: where the person is made liable
independent of fault or negligence upon submission of
proof of certain facts
DE LEON (pp. 1-3)
Tort: common law expression
-used in French to mean wrong, derived from Latin
tortus meaning twisted, as if to say tortuous conduct is
twisted conduct or conduct that departs from the existing
norm
- a legal wrong that causes harm for which the violator is
subject to civil liability
-fundamental concept of tort: wrongful act or omission +
resulting in breach of a private legal duty (distinguished
from a mere breach of contractual duty) + damage from
said breach of duty (of such character as to afford a
right of redress at law in favor of the injured party
against the wrongdoer)
Note (explained definition in Naguiat vs. NLRC): the
term tort used by SC has same meaning as tort in
common law jurisdictions, as it was used in cases
involving QD and delicts
Tortious act: a wrongful act
-commission or omission of duty of an act by one,
without right, whereby another receives some injury,
directly or indirectly, in person, property, or reputation
(74 Am. Jur. 2d 620)
Essence of tort: defendants potential for civil liability to
the victim for harmful wrongdoing and correspondingly
Art. 2176, NCC
Whoever by act or omission causes damage to
another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to
pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence,
if there is no pre-existing contractual relation
between the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is
governed by the provisions of this Chapter.
the victims potential fro compensation or other relief

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DAMAGES

b. Quasi-delict

-so in this case, emphasize scope of culpa aquiliana

and delict; why needed? Barredo was arguing that he
was not solidarily liable and should only be subsidiarily
liable
-if applied today, would the result be the same? YES
through stare decisis + QD definition changed, removed
phrase not punishable by law

Barredo v Garcia
FACTS: A Head-on collision between a taxi and
carretela resulted in the death of a 16-yr old boy who
was a passenger of the carretela. The taxi driver was
convicted in a crim case but the right to file a sep civil
action was reserved. The parents of the boy sued
Barredo, the drivers employer for damages. Barredo
contends that under the RPC, his liability is only
subsidiary, hence he cannot be held liable as no civil
action has been filed against the driver.
ISSUE: WON the plaintiffs, may bring this separate civil
action against Barredo, making him primarily liable as
employer under the CC. YES.
HELD: The same negligent act causing damage may
produce civil liability arising from a crim under the
RPC or create an action for quasi-delict under the
CC. Thus, there were 2 liabilities of Barredo: a
subsidiary one arising from the drivers crim negligence
nd a primary one as employer under the CC. The
plaintiffs were free to choose which course to take, and
they preferred the second remedy. They were acting
within their rights in doing so.
CLASS NOTES

-during that time, culpa aquiliana (QD) doesnt cover

acts against law? A1903, old CC expressly exclude
acts not punishable by law
-SC needed to have very strong reason not to follow
what the old law says because if A1903 applied literally
there would be no culpa aquiliana, if read together with
RPC (all acts would be under criminal negligence and
imprudence)

suspension of the civil case pending the determination

of the crim case.
ISSUE: WON there can be an independent civil action
for damage to property during the pendency of the
criminal action. YES.

Elcano v Hill

HELD: Liability being predicated on a QD, the civil case

may proceed as a separate and independent civil action
as specifically provided for in Art. 2177 of the CC.

FACTS: In criminal case where Reginald Hill was

charged with the killing of Agapito Elcano, the former
was acquitted for lack of intent to kill, coupled with
mistake. The deceaseds parents thereafter sued
Reginald and his father for dmages. CFI dismissed the
civil cases on the ground of res judicata.

Art. 2176 of the CC is so broad that it includes not

only injuries to persons but also damage to
property. It makes no distinction bet. Damage to
persons and damage to property.

CLASS NOTES

A 2176 explanation: First sentence refers to ALL CIVIL

LIABILITIES. Second sentence limits QD.

PAGE 2

ISSUE: WON the civil action for damages is barred by

Hills acquittal in the crim case. NO.
HELD: Hills acquittal in the crim case has not
extinguished his liability for QD, hence the acquittal is
not a bar to the instant civil action.
Art. 2176 where it refers to fault or negligence,
covers not only acts not punishable by law but
also acts criminal in character, whether intentional
and voluntary or negligent.

CLASS NOTES

-why make intentional acts under QD? To make father

and son liable
-A 2177, NCC expressly points out that theres a
separate civil liability from criminal negligence BUT it
seems to apply to QD only so court dealt with this
limitation by upholding the construction that upholds
the spirit that giveth life rather than that which is
literal that killeth the intent of the lawmaker (A2176
is not just QD, so A2177 really has no problem)

Cinco v Canonoy
FACTS: Cincos car and a eepney collided. Cinco filed a
civil action for damage to property against the eepneys
driver and operators. Thereafter, he also filed a crim
case against the eepney driver. CFI upheld the

CLASS NOTES

Relevance: clarified that QD includes damage to

property (same highlight in reviewer)
Problem: A2191(2) gave example where QD and
damage to property [liability of proprietors of excessive
smoke]; but this is a Tort on STRICT LIABILITY, not QD!

Baksh v CA
FACTS: Baksh was sued for damages for his breach of
promise to marry. CA affirmed TCs award of damages,
relying on Art. 21 CC.
ISSUE: WON damages may be recovered for a breach
of promise to marry based on Art. 21 of the CC. YES.
HELD: Art. 21 may be applied in a breach of promise to
marry where the woman is a victim of moral seduction.
Art. 21 is designed to expand the concept of torts or QD
in this jurisdiction by granting adequate legal remedy for
the untold no. of moral wrongs which is impossible for
human foresight to specifically enumerate and punish in
the statute books.
Art. 2176 which defined a QD is limited to negligent
acts or omissions and excludes the notion of
willingness or intent. Torts is much broader than
culpa aquiliana bec. it includes not only negligence,
but intentional criminal acts as well.

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CLASS NOTES

so whats correct? Include or not to include intentional

acts? In Baksh, Davide showed role of A21, so he
limited A2176 to negligent acts or omissions. A2176
discussion is not necessary for the disposition of
the case (OBITER) THEREFORE, QD still includes
intentional acts!
***Issue: WON QD covers intentional acts or not? If it
covers intentional acts..
Fr litigation pt of view: it doesnt matter
Fr academic pt of view: it matters!

2. Damages
AQUINO (pp. 842-843)
-Reason behind the NCC Title on Damages: to see to it
that whenever a right is transgressed, every manner of
loss or injury is compensated for in some way or
another.
-A2195, NCC: provisions on damages are applicable to
all obligations regardless of source (delict, QD, contract,
or quasi-contract).
-A2196: rules under title of damages are w/o prejudice
to special provisions on damages provided elsewhere in
the Code.
-A2198: principles of general law on damages are
adopted insofar as they are not inconsistent with the
NCC.
-Indemnity has to be proportionate to the fault and to the
loss caused thereby.
-In actions for damages, courts should award an amount
(money value) to the winning party and not its equivalent
in property.

PAGE 3
-dont apply to compensation of workmen and other
employees in cases of death, injury or illness
-in other special laws: same rules observed insofar as
not in conflict with Civil Code
Concept of damages:
Damages: the sum of money which the law awards or
imposes as pecuniary compensation, recompense, or
satisfaction for an injury done or a wrong sustained as a
consequence of a breach of a contractual obligation or a
tortious act
-pecuniary consequences which law imposes for breach
of some duty or violation of some right.

Custodio v CA
FACTS: Custodio et al built an adobe fence making the
passageway to Mabasas apartment narrower. Mabasa
filed a civil action for the grant of easement of right of
way against them. CA, aside from granting right of way,
awarded damages to Mabasa.

Damage, damages, injury: material distinctions

Injury: Illegal invasion of a legal right
Damage: loss, hurt, or harm which results from an
injury; in a popular sense, it is the depreciation in value,
regardless if caused by a wrongful or legal act; as
defined by statutes providing for damages: actionable
loss, injury or harm which results from unlawful act,
omission or negligence of another
-not synonymous to example, fine, penalty, punishment,
revenge, discipline, chastisement
Damages: recompense or compensation awarded for
damages suffered.
Pecuniary loss: loss of money or something by which
money or something of money value may be acquired

ISSUE: WON award of damages was proper. NO

FACTS: Ballesteros et al were convicted of murder.

They were ordered to pay actual, compensatory, and
moral damages to the heirs of the deceased.
ISSUE: WON damages were correctly awarded. YES

Scope of applicability of provisions on damages:

applicable to all obligations arising from sources
enumerated in A1157, NCC, without prejudice to special
provisions on damages formulated elsewhere in said
code.

Moral damages may be invoked when the complainant

has experienced mental anguish, serious anxiety,
physical suffering, moral shock and so forth, and had
furthermore shown that these were the proximate result
of the offenders wrongful act or omission.

Kinds: compensatory, punitie, liquidated damages

(damages recoverable upon breach of a contract, as
stipulated by the parties), nominal damages (given in
vindication of a breach of duty which does not result in
any actual or pecuniary damages)

People v Ballesteros
SANCO, (pp. 940-941)
Basis of Law: introduced in NCC mostly from American
Law since they were either not expressly recognized or
rarely allowed under old code, particularly on subject of
moral damages

Actual or compensatory damages are those awarded

in satisfaction of, or in recompense for, loss or injury
sustained. The party claiming such must present the
best evidence available such as receipts.

HELD: Damages may be defined as the pecuniary

compensation, recompense, or satisfaction for an injury
sustained, or as otherwise expressed, the pecuniary
consequences which the law imposes for the breach of
some duty or the violation of some right.

HELD: In the case at bar, although there was damage,

there was no legal injury. Custodio et als act of
constructing a fence within their lot is a valid exercise of
their right as owners.
Injury is the illegal invasion of a legal right. Damage is
the loss, hurt or harm, which results from the injury.
Damages are the recompense or compensation
awarded fro the damage suffered. Thus, there can be
damage without injury in those instances in which the
loss or harm was not the result of a violation of a legal
duty. These situations are often called damnum
absque injuria. In such cases, the consequences must
be borne by the injured person alone.

b. Damnum absque injuria

AQUINO (pp. 843-845)
-There is no liability even if there is damage because
there was no injury. Mere damage without injury does
not result in liability.
-A related maxim is qui jure suo utitir nullum damnum
facit one who exercises a right does no injury.

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Custodio v CA, supra

Thus, there can be damage without injury in those
instances in which the loss or harm was not the result of
a violation of a legal duty. These situations are often
called damnum absque injuria.

PAGE 4
available are embodied in different provisions of the
code. E.g. Arts. 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36; A2199 on
contributory negligence and proximate cause (however,
a blending of American and Spanish-Philippine Law)
NCC

SANGCO (pp. xxxi-xl)

B. History and Development
AQUINO (pp.1-5)
Tort provisions in our NCC were derived from Spanish,
French and Anglo-American Law. Therefore, RP SC
borrows heavily from decisions of the Court in other
countries especially Spain and US and relies from
annotation of foreign author.
Roman Law served as main inspiration of NCC, as quite
evident in the field of QD: it added 4 new category of
obligations that arise quasi ex delicto (a. liability of a
judge who misconducts a case or gives a wrong
decision; b. liability of an occupier of a building for
double the damage caused by anything thrown or forced
out of the building, no matter by whom, on to a public
place[A2193]; c. liability of the occupier if he keeps any
object suspended from the building which would do
damage if it fell; and d. the liability of the shop keeper,
innkeeper, or keeper of a stable for any theft or damage
caused by slaves or employees, or in case of the
innkeepers, of permanent residents [A2000].)
-Code Commission initially wanted to adopt the word
tort in our NCC but decided later against it because
tort in Anglo-American law is much broader
(includes negligence, intentional criminal acts, false
imprisonment, deceit) than the Spanish-Philippine
concept of obligations arising from non-contractual
negligence. Intentional acts would be governed by
RPC. However, some provisions used tort and
therefore recognize it as a source of liability [Sec22
& 100, Corporation Code; Art.68 Child and Youth
Welfare Code; Sec. 17(a)(6) of the Ship Mortgage
Decree]. Even SC used the term tort in deciding
cases involving negligent acts or omissions as well
as involving intentional acts. They defined it in
Naguiat vs. NLRC.
-There is an evident intent to adopt the common law
concept of tort and to incorporate the different,
intentional and unintentional common law torts in the
NCC. Tortious conduct for which civil remedies are

Civil Code of the Philippines: based on Civil Code of

1889 (Spanish and French in origin); but many
provisions from codes of other countries were adopted.
Rules from Anglo-American law were adopted because
of element of American culture that has been
incorporated into Fil life during US occupation; because
economic relations that continue between US and RP;
and because US and English Courts have developed
certain equitable rules that are not recognized in the
1889 Civil Code
1889 Civil Code
1. Civil Liability Arising From Criminal Offenses
A1089: Civil obligations arise only from law, contracts,
quasi-contracts, acts or omissions punished by law and
quasi-delicts.
-civil obligations from crime or misdemeanor was
governed only by Penal Code (A1092) so when criminal
action was instituted, the civil action arising from the
crime is impliedly instituted with the criminal action
unless the offended party expressly waives the civil
action or reserves his right to institute it separately
(A122, Law of CrimPro)
-right to recover damages arising from crime is
completely dependent on the result of the criminal case.
If an earlier civil action is instituted, upon start of criminal
case, the civil action is suspended and would be
determined by the result of the criminal case. If criminal
action is dismissed, civil action is also deemed
dismissed, regardless if instituted with the criminal
action or separately. Civil liability is treated as purely
incidental to the criminal liability of the offender. The
cases of Springer vs. Odin, Rakes vs. Atlantic Gulf and
Pacific Co., US vs. Guy Sayco, US vs. Bernardo, and
Wise & Co. vs. Larion were ruled using this principle. As
ruled in rakes, any civil action not predicated on offense
committed or charged (based on law, contract, quasicontract, or QD) cannot be instituted with the criminal
action.

-When Penal Code revised, RPC retained what is now

contained in A100; Rules on CRimPro retained what is
contained in Rule 107 (check if still correct)
2. Civil Liability arising from QD
A1902: Any person who by an act or omission causes
damage to another by his fault or negligence shall be
liable fro the damage done
In re: A1903: punish wrongful acts or omissions not
punishable by law
-said articles are not applicable to acts of negligence
which constitute either punishable offenses(delicts) or
breach of contract.
-thus, the liability of employers, et. al. under now A2180
are only subsidiary (in accordance with penal laws)
-QD or culpa aquiliana or extra-contractual culpa:
causative act or omission not punished by law and is
done ONLY negligently, where civil liability could arise
as governed by the Civil Code (not by penal laws), and
the party aggrieved could file an ordinary civil action for
damages using only preponderance of evidence. It gives
rise only to civil liability. Here, the employers liability for
his employees NONCRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE is direct
and primary and not subsidiary, and he could be directly
imputed in an action for recovery of damages.
-an act or omission will give rise to civil liability only if it
causes damage or injury to another or others.

DE LEON (pp.4-8)
Tort law emerged out of criminal law; originally
concerned principally with violent breaches of the place.
(1) Common law tort judges usually define what
counts as torts and how compensation is to be
measured. Still, a statute or even Consti may
make certain conduct legally wrongful and may
permit recovery of damages for such conduct.
(2) No clear distinction between tort and crime
initially, this was the case sine the development
of anything like a clearly formulated conception
of a tort is comparatively recent.
(3) Notion of tort as a specific wrong there was
an attempt in 1720 to consider several specific
wrongs in a work consolidating them under the
general heading of torts. Torts of a specific
character have been increasing.
(4) Place of torts in the Philippine law even if RP
was a civil law country, some of the provisions

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in the 1889 CC dealth with cases of the nature

of torts + with US occupation, a number of laws
patterned after Anglo-American models have
been passed amplifying the field of torts in
Philippine legal system.
Functions or goals of tort law
Medieval England: discourage violence and revenge
Today: compensation of injured persons and deterrence
of undesirable behavior:
System of thoughts (sorry, no parallelism in the
enumeration of de leon):
(1) Morality or corrective justice defendants should
be liable fro harms they wrongfully caused and no
others; liability imposed when and only when it is right
to do so
(2) Social utility or policy a good-for-all-of-us view:
provide a system of rules that works toward the good of
society
(3) Legal process litigation process is a good to be
preserved rather than abstract ideal of justice or social
utility
(4) potential conflicts between justice and policy
outlook and legal process outlook
(5) distribution of loss the cost of loss suffered by
plaintiff is not simply transferred to the defendant but is
distributed through the defendant to a large number of
individuals
(6) redress of social grievances tort law a popular
mechanism that permits ordinary people to put authority
on trial
(7) a mixed system tort law a mixed set of functions
CLASSES OF TORTS: Property torts and Personal torts

II. THE CONCEPT OF QUASI-DELICT

PAGE 5
FACTS: A public utility car and a bus collided, resulting
in injuries to Garcia et al. The chief of police filed a
criminal case against the bus driver. Garcia et al filed a
civil action for damages against the owners and drivers
of both vehicles. Bus company and driver filed a motion
to dismiss. CFI dismissed the civil action holding that the
right to file a separate civil action was not reserved and
that the action was not based on QD.
ISSUE: WON the dismissal of the case was proper. NO
HELD: The action was based on QD and it may proceed
independently. The essential averments for a QD action
are present in this case, namely:
(1) act or omission of private respondents;
(2) presence of fault or negligence or lack of due care in
the operation of the passenger bus by its driver resulting
in the collision;
(3) physical injuries and other damages sustained by
petitioners as a result of the collision;
(4) existence of direct causal connection between the
damage or prejudice and the fault or negligence of
private respondents; and
(5) the absence of preexisting contractual relations
between the parties.
The allegation that private respondents violated traffic
rules does not detract from the nature and the character
of the actions as one based on culpa aquiliana.
Excessive speed in violation of traffic rules is a clear
indication of negligence.

A. Elements
Art. 2176, NCC
Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another,
there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the
damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no
pre-existing contractual relation between the parties, is
called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions
of this Chapter.

Garcia v Florido

CLASS

NOT E

Important: Take note of 4 elements of QD: (1)

acts or omission constituting negligence; (2)
damage; (3) direct causal connection between
damage and act or omission; (4) no preexisting
contractual relation.
The case mentions 5 elements but Prof. Casis
mentioned 4.

Andamo v CA
FACTS: The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
caused the construction of waterpaths and contrivances

in its compound. This allegedly caused flooding and

damage to the adjacent lot, property of the Andamo
spouses. The Andamos filed a criminal case for
destruction by means of inundation, and later also filed a
civil action for damages against respondent corporation.
The civil case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, as
the crim case was field ahead of it.
ISSUE: WON the dismissal of the civil case was proper.
HELD: NO. The civil action was based on QD and may
proceed independently of the criminal case. All the
elements of QD are present in the complaint, to wit:
(1) damages suffered by the plaintiff;
(2) fault or negligence of the defendant, or some other
person for whose acts he must respond; and
(3) the connection of cause and effect between the fault
or negligence of the defendant and the damages
incurred by the plaintiff.

CLASS

NOT E

Important: Take note of 3 elements of QD: (1)

damages suffered by plaintiff; (2) fault or
negligence of defendant; (3) fault of defendant
caused damages suffered by plaintiff

Taylor v MERALCO
FACTS: 15-year old David Taylor with 2 others (Manuel
and Jessie) experimented with detonating caps were
taken from the premises of MERALCO. David and
Manuel ignited the contents of the cap, resulting in an
explosion which led to Davids loss of his right eye.
Davids father filed an action for damages.
ISSUE: WON the plaintiff can recover damages in this
case.
HELD: NO. In order to recover damages, the following
must be established:
(1) damages to the plaintiff;
(2) negligence by act or omission of which defendant
personally, or some person for whose acts it must
respond, was guilty; and
(3) the connection of cause and effect between the
negligence and the damage.

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PAGE 6
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CLASS

NOT E

Important: Qualification of negligence fault or

negligence is a source of obligation when
between such negligence and the injury there
exists the relation of cause and effect

Tayag v Alcantara
FACTS: Tayag who was riding on a bicycle along
McArthur Highway was bumped by a bus and died. His
heirs sued the bus owner and driver for damages. A
crim case was also filed against the bus driver. The bus
driver was acquitted in the crim case on the ground of
reasonable doubt. CFI sustained private respondents
MTS the civil case on the ground of lack of COA due to
the acquittal of the bus driver in the crim case.

Liability in tort may be predicated upon an injury

resulting from an unlawful or illegal act or omission,
whether injury is on property or person

2. cause damage
I SANGCO (pp. 87-90)
QD liability presupposes 2 conditions: (1) a
connection of cause and effect between the person
liable and the fact from which damage results; (2) a
fault of this person, which implies at once an act of
intelligent volition that is illicit, or contrary to law
It must be shown that the damage to the plaintiff,
who must prove it, was the natural and probable, or
direct and immediate consequence of defendants
culpable act or omission
Proximate cause is determined on the facts of each
case upon mixed considerations of logic, common
sense, policy and precedent.

ISSUE: WON the dismissal of the civil case was proper.

HELD: No. The petitioners COA being based on a QD,
the acquittal of the driver in the crim case is not a bar to
the civil case for damages based on QD.
All the essential averments for a QD action are
present, namely:
1) Act or omission constituting fault or negligence
on the part of private respondent;
2) Damage caused by the said act or omission;
3) Direct causal relation between the damage and
the act or omission; and
4) No pre-existing contractual relation between
the parties.

CLASS

NOT E

Important: There must exist a direct causal connection

1. act or omission
I SANGCO (pp. 1-4)
Conduct may be legally described in terms of action
and inaction or misfeasance or nonfeasance.
Misfeasance is active misconduct working positive
injury to others; while nonfeasance is passive
inaction or failure to take steps to protect them from
harm

3. fault or negligence
I SANGCO (p5-7)
Negligence is the failure to observe, for the
protection of the interest of another person, that
degree of care, precaution and vigilance which the
circumstances reasonably impose. When the
danger is great a high degree of care is necessary,
and the failure to observe it is a want of ordinary
care.
Negligence is conduct, not a state of mind or the
use of sound judgment.
Negligence is a matter of risk that is to say, of
cognizable danger of injury. The actor does not
desire to bring about the consequences which
follow, nor does he know that they are substantially
to occur, or believe they will. There is merely a risk
of such consequences sufficiently great to lead a
reasonable man in his position to anticipate them,
and to guard against them.
The culpability of the actors conduct must be
judged in the light of the possibilities apparent to
him at the time and not by looking backward with
the wisdom born of the event. The standard must
be one of conduct, rather than consequences. At

the same time, the standard imposed must be an

external one, based upon what society demands of
the individual rather than upon his own notion of
what is proper.
Intentional omissions must not be treated as cases
of negligence. These are not cases of omissions;
they are cases of positive action.

B. Distinguished
A. Quasi-delict v Delict
Art 2177, NCC
Responsibility for fault or negligence under the
preceding article is entirely separate and distinct from
the civil liability arising from negligence under the Penal
Code. But the plaintiff cannot recover damages twice for
the same act or omission of the defendant.
Art 365, RPC. Imprudence and Negligence.
Reckless imprudence consists in voluntarily, but
without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which
material damage results by reason of inexcusable lack
of precaution on the part of the person performing or
failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his
employment or occupation, degree of intelligence,
physical condition and other circumstance regarding
persons, time and place.
Simple imprudence consists in the lack of
precaution displayed in those cases in which the
damage impending to be caused is not immediate not
he danger clearly manifest.

Barredo v Garcia, supra

RULE: A QD or culpa aquiliana is a separate legal
institution under the CC, with a substantially all its own,
and individuality that is entirely apart and independent
from crime.

CLASS

NOT ES

Delict
Public interest
Penal Code
Punished only by penal
law

Quasi-Delict
Private interest
Civil Code
Any kind of
negligence

fault

of

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Guilt beyond reasonable

doubt

Preponderance
evidence

PAGE 7
of

People v Ligon
FACTS: Based on the testimony of a taxi driver, Gabat
was convicted of Robbery with Homicide committed
against a 17-yo student working as a cigarette vendor.

There is nothing contrary to Art 29,CC in the

rendition of a judgment of acquittal and a judgment
awarding damages in the same criminal action. The two
can stand side by side. A judgment of acquittal operates
to extinguish the criminal liability. It does not, however,
extinguish the civil liability unless there is a clear
showing that the act from which civil liability might arise
did not exist.

ISSUE: WON Gabats guilt was proven BRD.

Cruz v CA
HELD: NO. Gabats guilt has not been established
beyond reasonable doubt, but preponderance of
evidence establishes that by his ct or omission, with
fault and negligence, he caused damage to the victim
and should answer civilly for the damage done.
It does not follow that a person who is not criminally
liable is also free from civil liability. While the guilt of the
accused in a criminal case must be established BRD,
only a preponderance of evidence is required in a civil
action for damages. The judgment of acquittal
extinguishes civil liability only when it includes a
declaration that the facts from which the civil liability
might arise did not exist.

CLASS

NOT ES

Need to indemnify heirs even if not criminally

liable.

Padilla v CA
FACTS: Padilla, a municipal mayor, together with
policemen and a civilian, demolished a store and took
away its contents, pursuant to a municipal ordinance.
CA acquitted them of the charge of grave coercion
based on reasonable doubt but ordered them to pay
damages.
ISSUE: WON CA erred in requiring petitioners to pay
damages after acquitting them of the criminal charge.
HELD: NO. The civil liability is not extinguished by
acquittal where the acquittal is based on reasonable
count as only a preponderance of evidence is required
in civil cases.

FACTS: Ninevetch Cruz, a surgeon, was convicted of

reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
ISSUE: WON Cruzs conviction is supported by the
evidence.
HELD: Her guilt was not proved BRD. However, the
Court finds her civilly liable for the death of Lydia Umali,
for while a conviction requires proof BRD, only a
preponderance of evidence is required to establish civil
liability.

CLASS

NOT E

Important: elements of reckless imprudence:

(1) the offender does or fails to do an act; (2)
doing or failure to do the act is voluntary; (3)
without malice; (4) material damage results
from the reckless imprudence; (5) there is
inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of
the offender, taking into consideration his
employment or occupation, degree of
intelligence, physical condition, and other
circumstances regarding persons, time and
place

Philippine Rabbit v People

FACTS: Philippine Rabbits employee was convicted of
reckless imprudence resulting in triple homicide, multiple
physical injuries and damage to property, and was
sentenced to suffer imprisonment and to pay damages.

The driver jumped bail. Phil Rabbits notice of appeal

was dismissed.
ISSUE: WON an employer who dutifully participated in
the defense of its accused employee may appeal the
judgment of conviction independently of the accused.
NO.
HELD: The subsidiary liability of Phil. Rabbit is
incidental to and dependent on the pecuniary civil
liability of the accused-employee. Since the civil liability
of the latter has become final and executory by reason
of his flight, then the formers subsidiary civil liability has
also become immediately enforceable.
Under the 2000 Rules of Crim Proc., the civil
liability of the accused arising from the crime is deemed
impliedly instituted in a crim action unless the offended
party waives the action, reserves the rt to institute it
separately, or institutes it prior to the crim action. Hence,
the subsidiary liability of the employer under Art 103,
RPC, may be enforced by execution on the basis of the
judgment of conviction meted out to the employee.
The 2000 Rules of Crim Proc deleted the
requirement of reserving independent civil actions and
allowed these to proceed separately from criminal
actions. Thus, the civil actions referred to in Arts 32, 33,
34 & 2176 of the CC shall remain separate, distinct and
independent of any crim prosecution based on the same
act.

CLASS

NOT E

Important: Clarified 2000 Rules of Court

B. Quasi-Delict v. Breach of Contract

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 tenor
thereof, are liable for damages.
Art. 1171. Responsibility arising from fraud is
demandable in all obligations. Any waiver of an action
for future fraud is void.

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PAGE 8

Art. 1172. Responsibility arising from negligence in

the performance of every kind of obligation is also
demandable, but such liability may be regulated by
the courts, according to the circumstances.

Doctrine: QD and BoC are concentric, and QDs are

broader. Plaintiff with a pre-existing contractual relation
may still sue for QD so long as had there been a no
contract, there is still a quasi-delict.

Art. 1173. The fault or negligence of the obligor

consists in the omission of that diligence which is
required by the nature of the obligation and
corresponds with the circumstances of the persons, of
the time and of the place. When negligence shows
bad faith, the provisions of articles 1171 and 2201,
paragraph 2, shall apply.

Notes: SC held there was a contract of carriage even if

Cangco did not pay for a ticket. Also, Sir took note of the
4 main differences of QD and BoC in this case:

If the law or contract does not state the

diligence which is to be observed in the performance,
that which is expected of a good father of a family
shall be required.

1. liability of
defendant
employer
2.
defendant
employers
defense

Art. 2178. The provisions of articles 1172 to 1174 are

also applicable to a quasi-delict.
Notes: Negligence for BoC and QD are defined in the
same way as provided by Art 2178.Therefore, if you sue
for negligence, you can base the action on quasi-delict,
delict, or contract.

3. vinculum juris
(legal tie)

4.
what
a
plaintiff needs
to prove

Cangco v Manila Railroad

FACTS: Cangcos arm was amputated because he was
drawn from under a railroad car. His foot alighted upon a
melon at the moment he stepped upon the platform. He
sues for negligence in the performance of a contract.
MR argues that [1] the breach was due to negligence of
servant and [2] it exercised due diligence in selection
and supervision. Held: MR is liable. The contract to
transport carries with it the duty to provide safe means
of entering and leaving the train. It is unnecessary for
plaintiff for BoC to prove the breach was due to
negligence. When a contractual relation exists, the
obligor may break the contract by means of an act which
would have constituted a violation of an extracontractual obligation had no contract existed.

CLASS

Under QD
Presumptive
liability

Under BoC
Direct
and
immediate

Rebut
presumption
through proof of
the exercise of
due care in
selection
and
supervision
Created by the
wrongful
or
negligent
act/omission
itself
Defendants
fault
or
negligence

Prove
performance
contract
contributory
negligence

of
or

Independent the
breach of the
duty assumed by
the parties
The contract and
its
nonperformance.
The negligence
need not be
proven

True of False-a breach of contract is not a

basis for QD: FALSE
Court in Sangco said that the circle is
CONCENTRIC: QD is larger and that culpa
contractual is the yolk
So Cangco doesnt say that the two are
mutually exclusive and therefore Cangco is
consistent with Air France
Vinculum juris distinction doesnt matter
because here the act & the breach coincided

Fores v Miranda
FACTS: Miranda was a passenger of a jeep which hit a
wall and fractured his right humerus. He sues under
contract of carriage. CA awarded him with moral
damages.
HELD: SC deleted moral damages. Moral damages are
not recoverable for actions based on BoC unless there
is bad faith. There was no bad faith because: [1] mere
carelessness of the driver does not justify the inference
of bad faith; and [2] under Art 1756, the presumption is
that common carriers acted negligently (and not
maliciously)
Doctrine:
case:

Differences between QD and BoC in this

1.
moral
damages

NOT ES

What is the breach of contract committed?

Negligence, failure to exercise due care
Art. 1903 not applicable in cases where there is
preexisting relationship
Cangco did not pay for his fare so why is a
contract of carriage at issue? It should be a
contract of employment.
MERALCO was held liable for breach of
contract. What was the breach?
Failure to exercise due diligence
This is a landmark case because there is a
glaring statement in Cangco that contradicts
the other cases

2.
defendant
carriers
defense
3. what plaintiff
needs to prove

CLASS

Under QD
Anywhere there
are
physical
injuries
(Art
2219[2])

Proof of due
diligence
in
selection
and
supervision
Carriers fault or
negligence

Under BoC
Recoverable
only
if
passenger dies
or
there
is
malice or bad
faith
(proof of due
diligence
not
available)
Injury
to
passenger. No
need to prove it
was carriers
Fault

NOT ES

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Does not say that when there is a contract, you

cant sue for QD.
A2176 expressly excludes cases where there is
a pre-existing contractual relationship. But
even if there is a pre-existing contractual
relationship, there is still a cause of action for
quasi-delict since it is not expressly prohibited.
The ruling on the interpretation of A2176 is not
ratio, just obiter.
Case is not basis of mutual exclusivity

Rakes v Atlantic

PAGE 9
He sues for damages. RTC awarded him moral and
exemplary damages.

Passengers have a right to be treated by the carriers

employees with kindness, respect, courtesy and due
consideration.

HELD: Complaint is based on contract because without

the contract, the act or omission complained of cannot
by itself be an actionable tort. Moral damages were
deleted because negligence in failing to give personal
notice to Luna is not gross as to amount to malice or
bad faith. Exemplary damages were deleted because

DOCTRINE: The test to determine whether QD can be

deemed to underlie the BoC s where, without a preexisting contract between 2 parties, an act or omission
can nonetheless amount to an actionable tort by itself.

FACTS: Rakess leg was amputated because it was

crushed by an iron rail he was carrying on a hand car for
Atlantic, his employer. He sues for damages because of
Atlantics negligence in not repairing the weakened
track. Atlantic argues that remedey for injuries through
negligence lies only in a criminal action

HELD: Atlantics liability to Rakes ariss out of the

contract of employment because failure to provide or
maintain safe appliances for its workmen

Notes: Differences between QD and BoC in this case:

Unde QD
Under BoC
1. award for Injury
If there was bad
moral damages
faith or gross
negligence
2. award for Gross negligence Act
that
is
exemplary
as
to wanton,
damages
approximate
fraudulent,
malice (Art 2231)
reckless,
oppressive
or
malevolent (Art.
2232)

Doctrine: Employers liability arising out of negligence in

contract of employment may be enforced separate from
criminal action.

CLASS

NOT ES

Statement that you cant sue for QD when

there is a contract is mere obiter, not ratio.
Court already decided that employee is liable
Art 1092 & 1903 come from pre existing
relationship
Rakes is not the basis of the doctrine that
quasi-delict may arise from breach of contract.
If there is no contract, it does not mean that
there is no existing relationship

Far East v CA
FACTS: Plaintiff Luna got a Far East credit card which
was dishonored at a despedida party due to a hotlist
policy compelled by the loss of the complementary card.

CLASS

NOT E

Qualifies Air France case: QD should be

independent of BoC

Air France v Carrasco

FACTS: Carraso was told by the manager that he must
st
vacate his 1 class seats because a white man who had
a better right to it. RTC and CA awarded moral
damages. Air France argues that there was no finding of
bad faith to justify the award of moral damages
HELD: Although there was a pre-existing contract, the
stress of the action was put on the wrongful expulsion,
which is a violation of a public duty, which is a QD.

CLASS

NOT ES

Doctrine: The act that breaks the contract may also be

a tort. why discuss this? To determine damages
contradicts A2176? No. This is tort not QD

PSBA v CA
FACTS: A PSBA student was stabbed and killed by
non-students while in the school premises. His parents
sued PSBA and its officers under A2180 for ther
negligence, recklessness and lack of security measures.
Defendants argue that they are not covered by 2180 as
they are an academic institution. RTC and CA denied
motion to dismiss.
HELD: The school is not liable under QD because [1]
A2180 applies only if damage was caused by students
or pupils [2] a 2176 applies only if there isno contractual
relation. However, the SC ordered the remand of the
case because there was a contractual obligation to
provide both education and security. Trial must proceed
to determine if the breach was due to negligence.
Doctrine: Qualified Air France v Carrascos
pronouncement by saying the phrase, the act that
breaks the contract may also bea tort only applies if the
BoC was done in [1] bad faith and [2] in violation of Art
21 (willfully causing loss or injury to another in a manner
that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy)

CLASS

NOT E

QD not applicable when there is a contract

According to Prof. Casis, the court said that
A2176 only applies if no contract exists. But in
the latter part, it ruled that A2176 can apply if a
contract exists.
This statement (cant have QD if theres a
contract) contradicts Air France yet later on it
cites Air France

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Based on the cases, the second statement of

2176 defines a QD but it is not laying down a
rule that when there is a pre-existing
contractual relationship, there can be no QD.
Air France is safer, it said tort referring to first
sentence of 2176 such that if there is preexisting contractual relationship there can still
be a tort.

Syquia v CA
FACTS: The parents and siblings of the deceased
Syquia file suit for damages arising from BoC and/or QD
against Manila Memorial Park Cemetery because the
coffin was flooded due to a hole in the wall of the
concrete vault placed by defendants. CA determined
that there was no negligence.
HELD: Action is based on BoC. The Deed of Sale and
Certificate of Perpetual Care govern the relation of the
parties and defined their rights and obligations. There is
no stipulation that the vault would be waterproof. Plus,
Memorial exercise the diligence of a good father of a
family in preventing the accumulation of the water inside
the vault which would have resulted in the caving in of
earth around the grave filling the same with earth.
Doctrines:[1] If there is a pre-existing contractual
relation, then any negligence would be actionable under
BoC, not QD. [2] If there is no stipulation or legal
provision to the contrary, the diligence to be observed in
the performance of a contractual obligation is that which
is expected of a good father of a family.

CLASS

NOT ES

The notes in this case are rather confusing.

Prof. Casis asks how putting a hole in the vault
would prevent water from entering it.

AQUINO (pp. 25-26)

1. Culpa Aquiliana Distinguished from Culpa
Contractual

PAGE 10
Culpa Aquiliana (QD)
Independent contract
Defense is available

Employers
responsibility
presumptive

is

Culpa Contractual (BoC)

Foundation of liability is
the contract and its breach
No defense of diligence of
a good father of a family in
the
selection
and
supervision of employees
employers liability is
direct and immediate

2. Culpa Aquiliana Distinguished from Crimes

Culpa Aquiliana (QD)
Crimes
Affect
Private Public Interest
Concerns
Indemnification
Penal Code Punishes
Repairs Damage
or Corrects
Broad- include all acts Narrow punished
where any fault or only if there is a penal
negligence intervenes
law punishing it
Employers liability is Employers liability is
direct and primary
subsidiary
3. Concurrence of Causes of Action
- Far East Banc v. CA a single act or
omission may give rise to two or more causes
of action (i.e. delict, QD, or BoC)
- liability for a tort may arise even under a
contract, where tirt us that which breaks the
contract, where an act which constitutes a
breach would have itself constituted the source
of a quasi-delictual liability has the contract not
existed.

De Leon (pp.157-160)
1. Requisites of QD:
a. An act or omission by defendant
b. Fault or negligence by defendant
c. Damage or injury to plaintiff
d. Direct relation of cause and effect
between act or omission and the
damage
e. No
pre-existing
contractual
relationship

2.

3.

Burden of Proof
a. Falls on the person claiming damages
b. To be established with satisfactory
evidence
c. Negligence is not presumed. Only
under Arts. 2180, 2183, and 2191 is
presumed and burden of proof shifts
to defendant
QD arising from BoC
a. the existence of a contract does not
preclude the commission of a QD..
b. Contractual responsibility and extracontractual liability exclude each other
and cannot be cumulated.
Tort liability arises from BoC when the is
act or omission is in itself wrongful
independent of the contract, the breach of
which being merely incidental to the
commission of the tort.

4.

Culpa Aquiliana and Culpa Contractual

Distinguished
Culpa Aquiliana (QD)
Culpa
Contractual
(BoC)
Wrongful or negligent The act or omission is
act or omission itself merely an incident in
the source of the the performance of an
obligation
obligation
Plaintiff has burden to Plaintiff
need
not
prove the defendant plead or prove it was
was
at
fault
or defendants fault or
negligent
negligence
No presumption that Mere
proof
of
defendant was at fault existence of a contract
or negligent
and its breach raises
presumption of fault or
negligence
Governed
by
Art. Governed by Arts.
2176;
and
also 1170- 1174
governed
by
Art.
1172-1174 under Art.
2178
Based on voluntary act or omission which has
caused damage to another
Requires only preponderance of evidence

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NOT ES

Note from discussion: (hindi ko alam kung

saang case to related) if there is a pre-existing
contractual relation, base action on Art. 21.

III. NEGLIGENCE
A. Concept of Negligence
1. Definition; Elements
Art. 1173 The fault or negligence of the obligor
consists in the omission of that diligence which
is required by the nature of the obligation and
corresponds with the circumstances of the
persons, of the time and of the place. When
negligence shows bad faith, the provisions of
articles 1171 and 2201, paragraph 2 shall
apply.
If the law or contact does not state
the diligence which is to be observed in the
performance, that which is expected of a good
father of a father of a family shall be required.

CLASS

NOT ES

AQUINO on negligence (pp. 23-27)

Actionable negligence may either be culpa contractual,
culpa aquiliana and criminal negligence. Thus, an action
for damages for the negligent acts of the defendant may
be based on contract, quasi-delict or delict. The bases
of liability are separate and distinct from each other
even if only one act or omission is involved.

PAGE 11
HELD: Smith is liable for damages because applying
the standard of a prudent man, he was negligent. A
prudent man would have recognized that the course
which he was pursuing was fraught with risk, and would
have foreseen harm to the horse and rider as a
reasonable consequence of that course. Smith should
have: 1. Stopped 2. Slowed down or 3. Veered to the
right.
Doctrines: 1. The Constitutive fact of negligence is the
reasonable foresight of harm, followed by the ignoring of
the admonition born of this pre-vision.
2. Test of negligence would a prudent man foresee
harm to the person injured as a reasonable
consequence of the course about to be pursued?
3. Take note however, that a person can be expected to
take care only when there is something before them to
suggest or warn of danger. Omniscience of the future is
not a requirement.
Notes: The car was on the proper side of the bridge.
Sir thinks that the ruling is problematic because had the
car veered away, it would then be on the improper side
of the road.

CLASS

NOTES

definition: conduct is said to be negligent when

a prudent man in the position of the tortfeasor
would have foreseen that an effect harmful to
another was sufficiently probable to warrant his
foregoing conduct or guarding against its
consequences.
Test: prudent man
o fictitious character: ordinary prudent
man
o can be reasonably foreseen
o knowledge of tortfeasor at that time

Picart v Smith
FACTS: Picart improperly pulled his horse on the right
side (wrong side of the road) of the bridge. Smith drove
his car toward the horse, veering away only when the
car was only a few feet away from the horse. The horse
got spooked and got killed.

Wright v MERALCO
FACTS: An intoxicated Wright was thrown off his
calesa after it was pitched forward by Meralcos
protruding railtrack. CFI awarded him damages but
apportioned the same since he was negligent as well,

although not as negligent as Meralco in failing to

maintain the tract. Both appealed.
HELD: Wright was not negligent because the sudden
falling of the horse, would ordinarily be sufficient to
throw a sober man from the vehicle.
Doctrine: If a persons conduct is characterized by s
proper degree of care and prudence, it is immaterial
whether hi is drunk or sober.
Notes: Sir asks the question following the doctrine: If
this happened today, would an intoxicated driver be held
liable for hitting a man?

CLASS

NOTES

mere intoxication is not in itself negligence

inconclusive factor

Corliss v Manila
FACTS: Plaintiff orliss husband died of some serious
burns because the jeep he was driving collided with
Manila Railroads train at the railroad crossing because
of his eagerness to beat the locomotive and reach the
other side.
HELD: Complaint is dismissed. Husband was negligent
because [1] one approaching a railroad crossing do so
cautiously and carefully. He should look and listen and
do everything that a reasonably prudent man would do
before he attempts to cross the track; [2] a prudent man
under similar circumstances would have heeded the
siren of the oncoming train, stopped and allowed the
train to pass; [3] the train driver had already applied its
brakes and was running at 23-30kph; and [4] he had the
duty to stop his jeep to avoid a collision because the
driver of the locomotive was not qualified to do so at the
time.
Doctrine: Negligence is defined as the want of care
required by the circumstances. It is not an absolute
term and its application depends upon the situation of
the parties and the degree of care and vigilance which

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PAGE 12

the circumstances reasonably require. Where the

danger is great, a higher degree of care is necessary.

FACTS: While on compulsory pilotage for docking, the

vessel rams into pier because anchor did not take hold

Notes: Sir says that based on jurisprudence, the

standard of care required for crossing railroads is stop,
look and listen. Nevertheless as provided by the SC in
this case, we cannot provide a standard for all specific
cases because it is difficult. There is no formula to
determine negligence. Every case must be dependent of
its facts.

HELD: Both the shipmaster and compulsory pilot are

liable. The shipmaster is liable because of his blind
reliance on the compulsory pilot and because he
supinely stood by with no watchful vigilance on his
part. The compulsory pilot is liable because he failed to
react (or reacted too late) and because he miscalculated
the bulk and size of the vessel.

Valenzuela v CA

Doctrines: [1] Unmindful disregard or neglectful

relinquishment of duty is tantamount to negligence [2]
Extraordinary risk demands extraordinary diligence. [3]
The presumption of fault against a moving vessel that
strikes a stationary object is rebuttable by proof that the
driver was without fault, the collision was the fault of the
stationary object, or that it was the result of an inevitable
accident.

FACTS: Plaintiff Valenzuela was hit by defendants car

while she was attending to a flat tire. She sued for
damages based on QD. He argues that he is not liable
because of her contributory negligence in parking in a
no-park zone and he was driving at a safe speed of
55kph.
HELD: The average motorist alert to road conditions
would have had no difficulty applying the brakes to a car
traveling at the speed claimed by him. Therefore his
failure to be alert must be due either to his intoxication
or his speeding. Also there was no contributory
negligence because the Emergency Rule exempts
plaintiff from negligence since the time for reflective
thought or opportunity to weight the situation was absent
because she was confronted by danger.
Doctrines: [1] adds to the definition in Corliss v. Manila
negligence is conduct which creates an undue risk of
harm to others it is the failure to observe that degree of
care, precaution and vigilance which the circumstance
justly demand, whereby such other person suffers injury
[2]the emergency rule can be considered a defense.
Notes: SC took into consideration normal human
circumstances in determining WON defendant was
negligent. (Examples: the light rainfall, visibility of the
street 100 meters away, etc.)

Far Eastern v CA

Notes: The defense of liability of another person is not

available to join tortfeasors.

Civil Aeronautics v CA
FACTS: The plaintiff broke his thigh bone because he
slipped over a
4-inch elevation at the end of the
viewing deck of the airport since he wanted a better
view of the incoming passengers including his future
son- in- law. He filled an action for damages based on
QD.
HELD: Defendant is liable for exemplary damages since
there was gross negligence in failing in its duty to insure
the safety of the viewers because the tendency of the
viewers on the deck would be to look to where the
planes and the incoming passengers are and not to look
down on the floor or pavement.
Doctrines: [1] An object can still be placed negligently
even if it has a legitimate purpose for being there. [2]
Definition of gross negligence as equivalent to
notorious negligence which consists in the failure to
exercise even slight care
Notes: SC, just like in Valenzuela v. CA, took into
consideration normal human circumstances (i.e. that

people would be looking up) in determining WON

defendant was negligent. But sir asks, what if the
planes had already landed?

2. Standard of conduct
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

the prudent men

children
experts. Professionals
intoxication
insanity

1. The Prudent Man

Picart v Smith
Doctrines: [1] The standard of care is that of a prudent
man [2] the conduct of a prudent man is determined in
the light of human experience an in the particular case
I Sangco (pp.7-8)
1) STANDARD OF CONDUCT
- it is impossible to fix in advance definite rules for all
conceivable human conduct because of the infinite
variety of situations which may arise
- standard of conduct must be:
i. external and objective
ii. the same for all persons
iii. must make allowance for the risk apparent to
the act for his capacity to meet it and for the
circumstances under which he must act

a. Children
Article 8, RPC
A minor fifteen years of age is presumed to be capable
of committing a crime and is to be held criminally liable
therefore. (this was in Taylor. This also might mean Art
80 RPC)???

CLASS

NOT ES

The new law on negligence of children would

still not affect the laws on negligence outlined
by Sangco because it does not expressly
repeal the provisions of the RPC.

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RA 9344 does not affect presumptions of

negligence. However, it affects Art. 2180, CC.

Taylor v Manila Railroad

FACTS: David Taylor, 15, and MANUEL, 12, were
experimenting with fulminating caps they found lying
around the companys premises. After applying a lighted
match to an opened cap, it exploded causing injuries.
Davids father filed a complaint for damages.

PAGE 13
be determines in each case by the circumstances of the
case.

HELD: In the Turntable and Torpedo cases, the owner

of the premises was held liable because of the doctrine
1
of implied invitation . This doctrine, however was
overturned by Railroad Company vs. Stout which held
that while it is the general rule in regard to an adult that
to entitle him to recover damages for an injury resulting
from the fault or negligence of another he must have
been free from fault, such is not the rule in regard to an
infant of tender years. The care and caution required of
a child is according to his maturity and capacity only,
and this is to be determined in each case by the
circumstances of the case. The law fixes no arbitrary
age at which a minor can be said to have the necessary
capacity to understand and appreciate the nature and
consequences of his own acts, so as to make it
negligence on his part to fail to exercise due care and
precaution in the commission of such acts. Plaintiff was
sui juris in the sense that his age and his experience
qualified him to understand and appreciate the necessity
for the exercise of that degree of caution which would
have avoided the injury which resulted for his own
deliberate act. Although the owner of the premises was
negligent leaving the caps exposed n its premises,
plaintiffs own act was the principal and proximate cause
of the accident.

RULE: The care and caution required of a child is

according to his maturity and capacity only and this is to

In the case of young children, and other persons not fully sui juris, an
implied license might sometimes arise when it not on behalf of others. Thus
leaving a tempting thing for children to play with exposed, where they would
be likely to gather for that purpose, may be equivalent to an invitation to them
to make use of it; and perhaps, if one were to throw upon his premises, near
the common way, things tempting to children, the same implication should
arise.

CLASS

NOTES

when children trespass

child & adult: not same appreciation with
regard to contributory negligence
for children, you dont stop at age, you look at
circumstances as well
2 cases: Torpedo (flare gun cases) and
Turntable (DJ stuff) cases: the question
involved has been whether a railroad company
is liable for an injury received by an infant of
tender years, who from mere idle curiosity, or
for purposes of amusement, enters upon the
railroad company's premises, at a place where
the railroad company's premises, at a place
where the railroad company knew, or had a
good reason to suppose, children who would
likely to come, and there found explosive signal
torpedoes left exposed by the railroad
company's employees, one of which when
carried away by the visitor, exploded and
injured him; or where such infant found upon
the premises a dangerous machine, such as a
turntable left in such condition as to make it
probable that children in playing with it would
be exposed to accident or injury therefrom and
where the infant did in fact suffer injury in
playing with such machine. In these, and in a
great variety of similar cases, the great weight
of authority holds the owner of the premises
liable.
Examples: What if its a 25-year old with the
mental capacity of a 9-year old? What if its a
9-year old with the mental capacity of a 25-year
old? Would the doctrine still apply?

childs own act of climbing into the structure that was the
proximate cause of the fall of the counter.
HELD: (Citing Sangco) Since negligence may be a
felony and a quasi-delict and required discernment as a
condition of liability, either criminal or civil, a child under
9 years of age is, by analogy, conclusively presumed to
be incapable of negligence; and that the presumption of
lack of discernment or incapacity for negligence in the
case of a child over 9 but under 15 years of age is
rebuttable, under our law. The rule, therefore, is that the
child under 9 years of age must be conclusively
presumed incapable of contributory negligence as a
matter of law.
RULE: A child under 9 years of age must be
conclusively presumed incapable of contributory
negligence as a matter of law.
Casis: Does this mean that Sangco did not set a
standard of conduct for children but merely a formula?
No. The court did not cite him correctly. Sangco had the
standard of an ordinary prudent child.

Jarco Marketing v CA
FACTS: Zhieneth, 6, was pinned by the bulk of the
department stores gift-wrapping counter/structure and
died. The department store contended that it was the

CLASS

NOTES

Make a distinction between children as a

tortfeasor and children as a victim
If a child is 8 years old and makes a counter fall
over another person who dies, QD can still be
filed because negligence is not equal to
liability
Difference between accident and negligence:
an accident cannot be foreseen while
negligence can be foreseen. So in this case,
negligence and accident cannot coincide.
Companys
counterargument:
It
never
happened before.
In citing Sangco, there is an analogy between
the RPC and the new Civil Code. If below 9,
presumed incapable of negligence (conclusive
presumption), if above 9 and below 15,
rebuttable presumption of incapacity of
negligence, if above 15, that of a prudent child
or adult.
Prof. Casis asks what about a child who is
exactly 9 years old? Apply the rules on above

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9 below 15 because the law should be

construed in favor of the accused.
Is there mutual exclusivity between negligence
and accident? According to the Jarco case,
none.

Magtibay v Tiangco
FACTS: Rowel Tiangco, under 18, was found guilty of
homicide through reckless imprudence. Being under 18,
his sentence was suspended until he reached majority.
Later, in view of his conduct, his lawyer recommended
the dismissal of his case. CFI dismissed but reversed
the right of the heirs to recover damages in a civil action.
HELD: The suspension of sentence did not wipe out his
guilt, but merely put off the imposition of the
corresponding penalty in order to give the delinquent
minor a chance to be reformed. When, therefore, after
he had observed good conduct, the criminal case was
dismissed, this does not mean that he was exonerated
from the crime charged, but simply that he would suffer
no penalty. Nor did such dismissal of the case obliterate
is civil liability for damages.
RULE: Liability of an infant in a civil action for his torts is
imposed as a mode, not of punishment but of
compensation. For every tortuous act of violence or
other pure tort, the infant tort-feasor is liable in a civil
action to the injured person in the same manner and in
the same extent as an adult.

PAGE 14
downwards, exclaiming Ay! Madre. The end of the wire
remained in contact with his body which fell near the
post. Upon being taken to the hospital, he was
pronounced dead.
HELD: It is doubtful whether contributory negligence
can be properly imputed to the deceased, owing to his
immature years and natural curiosity which a child would
feel to do something out of the ordinary, and the mere
fact that the deceased ignored the caution of a
companion of the age of 8 years does not alter the case.
But even supposing that the contributory negligence
could in some measure be properly imputed to the
deceased, yet such negligence would not be wholly fatal
to the right of action in this case,not having been the
determining cause of the accident.
RULE: It is doubtful whether contributory negligence
can be properly imputed to the deceased, owing to his
immature years and natural curiosity.

CLASS

NOTES

Different from Taylor:

o Taylor contributory negligence, child
as tortfeasor
o Del Rosario victim only
Immaturity and natural curiosity taken into
account

Ylarde v Aquino
CLASS

NOTES

Minority is not a factor to escape liability

because even though minority is not a factor
for negligence, it is a factor for liability

Del Rosario v Manila Electric

FACTS: Alberto Del Rosario, 9, despite the warning of
one of his companions, after saying that he had been in
the habit of touching wires, put out his index finger and
touched a fallen electrical wire. He immediately fell face

FACTS: Edgardo Aquino ordered his students to dig

beside a 1 ton concrete block in order to make a whole
to bury huge stones. He left four of them to level the
loose soil around the open hole but allegedly telling
them not to touch the stone. They, however, playfully
jumped into the pit and caused the top of the concrete
block to fall towards the opening. Ylarde wasnt able to
climb out and he died because of the injuries sustained.
HELD: The child Ylarde cannot be charged with
reckless imprudence. (citing Sangco) The degree of
care required to be exercised must vary with the
capacity of the person engendered to care for himself. A
minor should not be held to the same degree of care as

an adult, but his conduct should be judged according to

the average conduct of persons of his own age and
experience. The standard of conduct to which a child
must conform for his own protection is that degree
of care ordinarily exercised by children of the same
age, capacity, discretion, knowledge and experience
under the same or similar circumstances. (RULE)

CLASS

NOTES

Kid was 10/11 yo: *disputable presumption

under Sangco*
*in a case between children and adults, the
trend is that adults should know better*

SANGCO (pp. 70-74)

UNDER 9 YEARS conclusively presumed to have
acted without discernment and is exempt from criminal
liability
OVER 9 BUT UNDER 15 may or may not be guilty
of contributory negligence, depending upon his mental
development and other circumstances (rebuttable
presumption)
OVER 15 YEARS presumed to have sufficient
capacity and understanding to be sensible of danger
with the power to avoid it
(STANDARD is still that of a child his age and capacity,
and not that of an adult.)
STANDARD: ORDINARILY PRUDENT CHILD
The standard of conduct which a child must
conform for his own protection is that of a
reasonable person of like age, intelligence and
experience under like or similar circumstances
or that degree of care ordinarily exercised by
children of the same age, capacity, discretion,
knowledge and experience under the same or
similar circumstances.
TEST as to whether an infant can be subjected to the
same standard of care as an adult:
1. type of activity involved is one that is usually
engaged in by children
2.
one involving the use of potentially
dangerous, adult-oriented instrument, like a car.
WHERE CHILD IS HELD TO THE STANDARD OF

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CARE OF AN ADULT, his violation of a statute or

other enactment entails the same consequences as
those of an adult.

PAGE 15

3. Experts, professionals

CLASS

NOTES

Johnny Quest
when a person who holds himself out as being
competent to do things, he will be held liable
for negligence if he fails to exhibit the care &
skill of an expert
high degree of care

Culion v Phil. Motors

FACTS: When Culion wanted to get his motor
schooner repaired, he went to PMC where Quest,
PMCs manager decided to oversee the repairs.
Apparently, the tube connecting the carburetor and
the fuel tank was not well-fitted, such that the fuel
mixture leaked and dripped down to the engine
compartment. Quest attention was called on this but he
took it lightly. When the engine was started, there
was a backfire and burned the boat.
HELD: Ordinarily, a backfire from an engine would
not be followed by any disaster, but here the leak
along the pipeline and the flooding of the
carburetor created a dangerous situation, which a
prudent mechanic, versed in repairs of boat
engines, would have taken precaution to avoid.
When a person holds himself out as being
competent to do things requiring professional skill,
he will be held liable for negligence if he fails to
exhibit the care and skill of one ordinarily skilled in
the particular work which he attempts to do. Quest
is experienced in fixing car and tractor engines, but
not that of boats. A person skilled in dealing with
boats would have been sufficiently warned by the
circumstances to cause him to take precaution
against the danger. Quest did not use the skill that
would have been exhibited by one ordinarily expert
in repairing gasoline engine on boats.
RULE: When a person holds himself out as being
competent to do things requiring professional skill,
he will be held liable for negligence if he fails to
exhibit the care and skill of one ordinarily skilled in
the particular work which he attempts to do.

US v Pineda
FACTS: Pineda, a pharmacist, sold barium
chlorate(poisonous) instead of potassium chlorate
which killed 2 horses.
HELD: The profession of pharmacy is one demanding
care and skill. The responsibility to use care has
been variously qualified as ordinary care, care of
a specially high degree, the highest degree of
care known to practical men, which is the highest
practicable degree of prudence, thoughtfulness,
vigilance, and the most exact and reliable
safeguards consistent with the reasonable conduct
of business, in order that human life may not
constantly be exposed to danger flowing from the
substitution of deadly poison for harmless medicine.
The care required must be commensurate with the
danger involved, and
the skill employed must
correspond with the superior knowledge of the
business which the law demands. The question of
negligence or ignorance is irrelevant. The druggist is
responsible as an absolute guarantor of what he
sells.
RULE: The profession of pharmacy is one demanding
care and skill. The responsibility to use care has
been variously qualified as ordinary care, care of
a specially high degree, the highest degree of
care known to practical men.

CLASS

NOTES

o pharmacist: knowledgeable
o buyer: cant check for himself
Consider nature of work and danger involved

Cruz v CA
FACTS: Lydia Umali underwent a surgery under Dr.
Ninevetch Cruz wherein the untidy clinic ran out of
medicine, blood and oxygen that the patient had to be
transferred to another hospital, where she died.
HELD: While it may be true that the circumstances
seemed beyond cavil to constitute reckless imprudence
on the part of the surgeon, this conclusion is best
arrived at not through the educated surmises nor
conjectures of laymen, including judges, but by the
unquestionable knowledge of expert witnesses. For
whether a physician or surgeon has exercised the
requisite degree of skill and care in the treatment of his
patient is, in the generality of cases, a matter of expert
opinion. The deference of courts to the expert opinion
of qualified physicians stems from its realization that the
latter possess unusual technical skills which laymen in
most instances are capable of intelligently evaluating.
Expert testimony should have been offered to prove that
the circumstances cited are constitutive of conduct
falling below the standard of care employed by other
physicians in good standing when performing the same
operation.
RULE: The deference of courts to the expert opinion of
qualified physicians stems from its realization that the
latter possess unusual technical skills which laymen in
most instances are capable of intelligently evaluating.

CLASS

NOT ES

Plaintiff has burden of proof; present expert

testimony

BPI v CA
FACTS: BPIs money market people pre-terminated
Fernandos placement through a phone call and only
verified her identity by phone. The phony Fernando
deposited the two BPI checks to China Bank and

Relationship: danger

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thereafter withdrew it all. BPI claimed reimbursement

from China Bank under its clear warranty.
HELD: By the very nature of their work the degree of
responsibility, care and trustworthiness expected of their
employees and officials is far greater than those of
ordinary clerks and employees. For obvious reasons,
the banks are expected to exercise the highest degree
of diligence in the selection and supervision of
employees. No matter how many justifications both
banks present to avoid responsibility, they cannot erase
the fact that they were both guilty in not exercising
extraordinary diligence in the selection and supervisions
of employees.
RULE: The banks are expected to exercise the highest
degree of diligence in the selection and supervision of
employees (stems from the nature of their industry)

CLASS

NOTES

Nature of banks: imbued with public interest so

there is a higher degree of diligence required

CLASS

care. General rule: it is immaterial whether a man is

drunk or sober if no want of ordinary care or prudence
can be imputed to him, and no greater degree of care is
required to be exercised by an intoxicated man for his
own protection than by a sober one. If ones conduct is
characterized by a proper degree of care and prudence,
it is immaterial whether he is drunk or sober. It is
impossible to say that a sober man would not have
fallen from the vehicle under the conditions. A horse
crossing the tracks with not only the rails but a portion of
the ties themselves aboveground, stumbling by reason
of unsure footing and falling, the vehicle crashing
against the rails with such force as to break a wheel, this
might be sufficient to throw a person from the vehicle no
matter what his condition; and to conclude that a sober
man would not have fallen while a drunken man did, is
to draw a conclusion which enters the realm of
speculation and guesswork.
RULE: Mere intoxication is not negligence nor does the
mere fact of intoxication establish a want of ordinary
care.

4. Intoxication

PAGE 16

NOTES

Not negligence in itself but it can be a factor

*questions to ask: (1) how do you know if a
person is intoxicated or not? (2) when is it a
factor enough that it impairs your judgment?*

Wright v Manila Electric

FACTS: Plaintiff drove home in a calesa and in crossing
the tracks to enter his premises the horse stumbled,
leaped forward, and fell, causing the vehicle to strike out
of the rails with great force, throwing the plaintiff from
the vehicle and causing injuries. The tops of the rails
appear to be 5 or 6 inches more above the level of the
street. Plaintiff was intoxicated at the time.
HELD: Mere intoxication is not negligence nor does the
mere fact of intoxication establish a want of ordinary

CLASS

NOTES

Mere intoxication is not in itself negligence

Inconclusive factor

5. Insanity
Art. 2180, NCC
The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable
not only for one's acts or omissions, but also for those of
persons for whom one is responsible.
The father and, in case of his death or incapacity, the
mother, are responsible for the damages caused by the
minor children who live in their company.
Guardians are liable for damages caused by the
minors or incapacitated persons who are under their
authority and live in their company.
The owners and managers of an establishment or
enterprise are likewise responsible for damages caused
by their employees in the service of the branches in
which the latter are employed or on the occasion of their
functions.

Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by

their employees and household helpers acting within the
scope of their assigned tasks. Even though the former
are nor engaged in any business or industry.
The state is responsible in like manner when it acts
through a special agent; but not when the damage has
been caused by the official to whom the task done
properly pertains, in which case what is provided in
Article 2176 shall be applicable.
Lastly, teachers or heads of establishments of arts
and trades shall be liable for damages caused by their
pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they
remain in their custody.
The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease
when the persons herein mentioned prove that they
observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to
prevent damage. (1903a)
Art. 2182
If the minor or insane person causing damage has no
parents or guardian, the minor or insane person shall be
answerable with his own property in an action against
him where a guardian ad litem shall be appointed.

US v Baggay
FACTS: In a song service, Baggay suddenly, without
provocation attacked a woman with a bolo on her head ,
from which she died. He likewise inflicted various
wounds on other women with the same bolo, including
his own mother. Since defendant was suffering from
mental aberration, trial court rendered him exempt from
criminal liability but was obligated to indemnify the heirs
of the murdered woman.
HELD: In the case of a lunatic or insane person who, in
spite of his irresponsibility on account of the deplorable
condition of his deranged mind, is still reasonably and
justly liable with his property for the consequences of his
acts, even though performed unwittingly, for the reason
that his fellows ought not to suffer from the disastrous
results of his harmful acts more than is necessary, in
spite of his unfortunate condition. According to law, the
person in the first place liable are those who have the
insane party under their care or guardianship, unless
they prove that there was no blame or negligence on
their part; but if the demented person or imbecile lack a

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guardian or some person charged with his care, or if the

latter be insolvent, then his own property must meet the
civil liability.
RULE: Although he may not be held criminally liable, a
lunatic or imbecile is still held civilly liable. The person
in the first place liable is those who have the insane
party under their care or guardianship.

CLASS

NOTES

Exemption form criminal liability doesnt mean

exemption from civil liability

PAGE 17
safety of his person, that he could not have been but
conscious of the probable consequences of his
carelessness and that he was indifferent, or worse, to
the danger of his injury. There is more reason to hold
that his death was caused by his notorious negligence.
If while he was working, his bill merely fell from his
pocket, and as he picked it up from the floor something
accidentally fell upon him and injured him, he would
surely be entitled to compensation, his act being
obviously innocent. Jumping into the sea, however, is
entirely different, the danger which it entails being clear,
potent and obvious.
RULE: Notorious negligence has been held to be
tantamount to gross negligence, which is want of
even slight care and diligence.
-

B. Degrees of Negligence
Art. 2231
In quasi-delicts, exemplary damages may be granted if
the defendant acted with gross negligence.

CLASS

NOTES

Grossly negligent vs slightly negligent

degree of danger

cf. value

RA 9044 Sec. 6: child 15 & below-incapable of

negligence

question still to be resolved is the laws effect

on 2180 CC

Amedo v Rio

FACTS: Filomeno Manguit, a seaman, jumped

overboard from his ship into the water to retrieve a 2peso bill that was blown by the breeze to the sea. He
drowned.
HELD: He failed to exercise even the slightest care and
diligence, that he displayed a reckless disregard of the

what determines if an act if negligent is the

danger of an act
the nature of the act of jumping into the sea
involves danger
CLASS

NOTES

What determines if an act if negligent is the

danger of an act.
The nature of the act of jumping into the sea
involves danger per se.
Why notorious negligence?
Because
compared with other cases, the danger is
apparent and imminent because the shore is
1 miles away from the location of the ship. It
was not a case of the money falling off
someones pocket to the floor. He is not said
to be a good swimmer but he jumped into the
water as opposed to Cuervo vs. Barretto
wherein the emoloyer ordered him to jump into
the water to protect the property of the
company.
What determines the grossness of negligence?
The degree of danger and other factors which
would justify the dangerous act.

Marinduque Iron Mines v Workmen's

Compensation

FACTS: Mamador hitched a ride together with other

laborers on a company-owned truck. When the truck
tried to overtake another truck, it collided with a coconut
tree, which resulted in his death. There was a company
prohibition against laborers riding the haulage trucks.
Petitioner claims that such violation was the laborer's
notorious negligence which, under the law, precludes
recovery.
HELD: Mere riding on a haulage truck or stealing a ride
thereon is not negligence, ordinarily. Violation of a rule
promulgated by a commission or board is not
negligence per se; but it may be evidence of negligence.
Under the circumstances, the laborer could not be
declared to have acted with negligence since the
prohibition had nothing to do with the personal safety of
riders. Getting or accepting a free ride on the company's
haulage truck couldn't be gross negligence, because no
danger or risk was apparent.
RULE: Violation of a rule promulgated by a
commission or board is not negligence per se; but it
may be evidence of negligence.

CLASS

NOTES

Theres only an alleged prohibition on part of

employer
Even if there was indeed a prohibition, violation
of policy is not necessarily negligence per se
but it may be an evidence of negligence

SANGCO (10-12)
The amount of care demanded by the standard of
reasonable conduct must be proportionate to the
apparent risk.
DEGREES OF NEGLIGENCE:
SLIGHT NEGLIGENCE - an absence of that degree of
vigilance which persons of extraordinary prudence and
foresight are accustomed to use. (failure to exercise
care)

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PAGE 18

GROSS NEGLIGENCE described as failure to

exercise even that care which a careless person would
use. There is no generally accepted meaning, but the
probability is that it signifies more than ordinary
inadvertence or inattention, but less than conscious
indifference to consequences. (extreme departure from
the ordinary standard of care)
WILFUL, WANTON, AND RECKLESS quasi-intent,
lying between intent to do harm and the mere
reasonable risk of harm to another. They apply to
conduct which is still merely negligent but which is so far
from a proper state of mind that it is treated in many
respects as if it were intended (actor has intentionally
done an act of unreasonable character in disregard of a
risk known to him or so obvious that he must be taken to
have been aware of it, and so great as to make it highly
probably that harm would follow).
There is often NO CLEAR DISTINCTION between the
above and gross, and the two have tended to merge
and take on the same meaning as an AGGRAVATED
form of negligence, differing in QUALITY rather than in
DEGREE from ordinary lack of care.

C. Proof of Negligence
1. Burden of Proof
RULE
131:
BURDEN
OF
PROOF
PRESUMPTIONS
BURDEN OF PROOF AND PRESUMPTIONS

AND

Sec. 1. Burden of proof in civil cases. - Each party must

prove his own affirmative allegations. Evidence need not
be given in support of a negative allegation except when
such negative allegation is an essential part of the
statement of the right or title on which the cause of
action or defense is founded, nor even in such case
when the allegation is a denial of the existence of a
document the custody of which belongs to the opposite
party. The burden of proof lies on the party who would
be defeated if no evidence were given on either side.
Sec. 2. Burden of proof in criminal cases.
Sec. 3. Conclusive presumptions.

Sec. 5. Disputable presumptions. - The following

presumptions are satisfactory if uncontradicted, but may
be contradicted and overcome by other evidence;

driving or violating traffic regulations at least twice within

the next preceding two months.
If the owner was not in the motor vehicle, the provisions
of Article 2180 are applicable.

(a) That a person is innocent of crime or wrong;

(b) That an unlawful act was done with an unlawful
intent;
(c) That a person intends the ordinary consequences of
his voluntary act;
(d) That a person takes ordinary care of his concerns;
(m) That official duty has been regularly performed;
(n) That a court, or judge acting as such , whether in the
Philippines or elsewhere, was acting in the lawful
exercise of his jurisdiction;
(p) That private transactions have been fair and regular;
(q) That the ordinary course of business has been
followed;
ee) That a thing once proved to exist continues as long
as is usual with things of that nature;
(ff) That the law has been obeyed;
Sec. 6. No presumption of legitimacy or illegitimacy. There is no presumption of legitimacy or illegitimacy of a
child born after three hundred days following the
dissolution of the marriage or the separation of the
spouses. Whoever alleges the legitimacy or illegitimacy
of such child must prove his allegation.

1. Presumption
Art. 2184
In motor vehicle mishaps, the owner is solidarily liable
with his driver, if the former, who was in the vehicle,
could have, by the use of the due diligence, prevented
the misfortune. It is disputably presumed that a driver
was negligent, if he had been found guilty or reckless

Art. 2185
Unless there is proof to the contrary, it is presumed that
a person driving a motor vehicle has been negligent if at
the time of the mishap, he was violating any traffic
regulation.
Art. 2188
There is prima facie presumption of negligence on the
part of the defendant if the death or injury results from
his possession of dangerous weapons or substances,
such as firearms and poison, except when the
possession or use thereof is indispensable in his
occupation or business.
Art. 1734
Common carriers are responsible for the loss,
destruction, or deterioration of the goods, unless the
same is due to any of the following causes only:
(1) Flood, storm, earthquake, lightning, or other natural
disaster or calamity;
(2) Act of the public enemy in war, whether international
or civil;
(3) Act of omission of the shipper or owner of the goods;
(4) The character of the goods or defects in the packing
or in the containers;
(5) Order or act of competent public authority.
Art. 1735
In all cases other than those mentioned in Nos. 1, 2, 3,
4, and 5 of the preceding article, if the goods are lost,
destroyed or deteriorated, common carriers are
presumed to have been at fault or to have acted
negligently, unless they prove that they observed
extraordinary diligence as required in Article 1733.

CLASS

NOTES

Art 2184 CC

disputable presumption:

Sec. 4. Quasi-conclusive presumptions of legitimacy. -

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2x w/in the next preceeding 2 mos:

guilty of reckless driving / violation of
traffic rules
if the owner is not in the car, does the
disputable presumption apply?
o n/a when the owner is not in the car /
common carrier
requires conviction

Art 2185 CC

disputable
presumption:
violate
traffic
regulation
o no conviction required
o however, Sangco says this also
requires conviction

** but when is one found guilty of traffic

violation?
Art 2188

prima facie presumption

o injury results from possession of
dangerous weapons/ substances,
except when the possession or use
thereof is indispensable in his
occupation/business
Arts 1734 & 1735

common carriers

loss, destroyed, deteriorate

presume negligence common carrier

o UNLESS
prove
extraordinary
diligence
SANGCO (18-27)
It is NEGLIGENCE PER SE when:
1. a professional driver permits any
unlicensed person to drive the car placed
under his responsibility
2. violation of an ordinance prohibiting
pedestrians from crossing a street in
places other than regular cross-walks
3. driving a motor vehicle without a license, at
a high rate of speed and under the
influence of alcohol
Where there is NO local regulation restricting the
pedestrians rights in the use of a street, a pedestrian
HAS THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL upon roads and streets
WHETHER THERE BE SIDEWALKS OR NOT, although

PAGE 19
he should have due regard for the rights of motor
vehicles and should exercise due care for his own
safety.
Where proof of violation makes:
1. a prima facie case of negligence
2. gives rise to a presumption of lack of
ordinary care
PRESUMPTION IS REBUTTABLE
FOUR GENERAL GROUNDS OR EXCUSES FOR
VIOLATION OF A STATUTE:
1. anything that would make it impossible to
comply with the statute or ordinance
2. anything over which the defendant has no
control and which places him or an
instrumentality that he is operating in a
position contrary to that required by the
statute or ordinance
3. an emergency not of the actors own
making which causes him to fail to obey
the enactment
4. conduct which comes within an excuse or
exception provided in the statute
One who has in his possession or under his control an
instrumentality EXTREMELY DANGEROUS in character
is bound to take EXCEPTIONAL precautions to prevent
injury being done thereby.
The care required is a great or high
degree, or the HIGHEST degree of
precaution.
The presumption DOES NOT APPLY to
those whose occupation or business
REQUIRES the possession or use of a
firearm, such as peace officers or armed
forces, or in the case of poison, the drug
companies or stores.
WRT to COMMON CARRIERS
Common carriers from the nature of their business and
for reasons of public policy are bound to observe
EXTRAORDINARY DILIGENCE in the vigilance over the
goods and safety of passengers transported by them
according to all circumstances of each case.
The law on averages under the Code of
Commerece cannot be applied in

determining
negligence.

liability

where

there

is

IN ALL CASES, violation must be the PROXIMATE

CAUSE.

3. Res Ipsa Loquitor

Layugan v IAC
FACTS: A truck bumped into the plaintiff while he and a
companion were repairing the tire of their parked truck
along the right side of the highway. He sustained
injuries. Defendant contends that the proximate cause
was the failure of the driver of the parked truck to install
an early warning device. IAC concluded that under the
doctrine, the plaintiff was negligent. The question is
whether the doctrine was applicable.
HELD: Res ipsa loquitor (the thing speaks for itself)
Where the thing which causes the injury is shown to be
under the management of the defendant, and the
accident is such as in the ordinary course of things does
not happen if those who have he management use
proper care, it affords reasonable evidence, in the
absence of an explanation by the defendant, that the
accident arose from want of care. It is not rule of
substantive law but merely a mode of proof or a mere
procedural convenience. It can be involved when and
only when, under the circumstances involved, direct
evidence is absent and not readily available. It cannot
be availed of when the plaintiff has knowledge and
testifies or presents evidence as to the specific act of
negligence which is the cause of injury complained of or
where there is direct evidence as to the precise cause of
the accident and all the facts and circumstances
attendant to the occurrence appear. The absence of
want of care of the driver has been established by clear
and convincing evidence. The doctrine does not apply.
RULE: Res ipsa can be involed when and only when,
under the circumstances involved, direct evidence is
absent and not readily available.

CLASS

NOTES

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RIL made a special defense by Isidro to allege

negligence of the truck driver and Layugan.
IAC ruled RIL as the basis for holding Layugan
negligent.
RIL N/A because theres direct (clear &
convincing) evidence
Why? Because the mode of proof only, so
when theres evidence, use evidence / facts so
that judgment will be based on facts and not
presumptions

Ramos v CA
FACTS: Ramos, undergoing a gall bladder operation,
went comatose because she was incorrectly intubated.
HELD: Res ipsa (The thing or transaction speaks for
itself) the fact of the occurrence of the injury, taken
with the surrounding circumstances, may permit an
inference or raise a presumption of negligence, or make
out a plaintiffs prima facie case, and present a question
of fact for defendant to meet with an explanation.
Requisites are:
1. the accident is of a kind that ordinarily
does not occur in the absence of
someones negligence
2. it is caused by an instrumentality within the
exclusive control of the defendant or
defendants
3. the possibility of contributing conduct
which would make plaintiff responsible is
eliminated.
The fundamental element is control of instrumentality
which caused the damage. Generally, expert testimony
is relied upon in malpractice suits to prove a physician
has done a negligent act or that he has deviated from
the standard medical procedure, when the doctrine is
availed of by the plaintiff, the need for expert medical
testimony is dispensed with because the injury itself
provides the proof of negligence. In cases where the
doctrine is applicable, the court is permitted to find a
physician negligent upon proper proof of injury to
patient, without aid of expert testimony, where the court
from its common knowledge can determine the proper
standard of care. The doctrine is generally restricted to

PAGE 20
situations in malpractice cases where a layman is able
to say, as a matter of common knowledge and
observation, that the consequences of professional care
were not as such as would ordinarily have followed if
due care had been exercised.

accomplished if the problem is based on

medical science (Cruz vs. CA). But if common
knowledge can be applied, RIL applies.

RULE: In cases where the doctrine is applicable, the

court is permitted to find a physician negligent upon
proper proof of injury to the patient, without aid of expert
testimony, where the court from its fund of common
knowledge can determine the proper standard of care.

FACTS: Dr. Batiquin performed a caesarian operation

on a patient. Afterwards, she was found to be feverish.
When the patient submitted herself to another surgery,
she was found to have an ovarian cyst on the left and
right side of the ovaries and a piece of rubber material
was embedded on the right side of the uterus.

CLASS

NOTES

RIL applicable:
No expert testimony
Court adjudicated based on common
knowledge fund
The foundation of RIL is common knowledge
evidentiary rule: doesnt do away with
presenting evidence
must prove these elements:
accident doesnt occur w/o persons negligence
defendant has exclusive control over the
instrumentality
no contributory negligence on plaintiffs part
RIL & malpractice suits:
o Gen rule: expert testimony needed
(Cruz v CA)
o Exception: If case can be gleaned
from common knowledge (Ramos v
CA)
in Cruz, they didnt provide expert testimony
therefore they lost
in Ramos, can use common knowledge
medical malpractice
domain of medical science: expert needed
RIL
common knowledge: no need for expert
preparation for procedure
if theres failure / didnt get the results
expected, RIL n/a
*question: when is a medical malpractice case
common knowledge or in the domain of
medical science?*
RIL is NA in malpractice suits if the only
showing is that the desired result was not

Batiguin v CA

HELD: Res ipsa Where the thing which causes the

injury is shown to under the management of the
defendant, and the accident is such as in the ordinary
course of things does not happen if those who have the
management used proper care, it affords reasonable
evidence, in the absence of an explanation by the
defendant, that the accident arose from ordinary want of
care. All the requisites are present in this case. (1) The
entire proceedings of the caesarian were under the
exclusive
control
of
Dr.
Batiquin.
(2) The patient underwent no other operation which
could habe caused the offending piece of rubber to
appear in her uterus, it stands to reason that it could
habe only been a by-product of the caesarian section.
RULE: Res ipsa Where the thing which causes injury
is shown to be under the management of the Defendant,
and the accident is such as in the ordinary course of
things does not happen if those who have the
management use proper care, it affords reasonable
evidence, in the absence of an explanation by the
defendant, that the accident arose from want of ordinary
care.

CLASS

NOTES

RIL applies; all elements present:

o entire C-section under control &
management of doctor
o no other operation after C-section
although there is no proof directly linking Dr.
Batiquin to the rubber, applying RIL, Dr. is
liable

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PAGE 21

Theoretical basis for RIL: The proof should

come from the defendant (RIL is the bridge
which allows the plaintiff to reach the
defendant).

DM Consunji v CA
th

Facts: A construction worker fell from the 14 floor

when the platform assembly he was standing on fell
down.
Held: The theoretical basis for the doctrine is its
necessity, i.e., that the necessary evidence is not
available.
The defendant in charge of the
instrumentality which causes the injury either knows the
cause of the accident or has the best opportunity of
ascertaining it and the plaintiff has no such knowledge.
It furnishes a bridge by which the plaintiff, without
knowledge of the cause, reaches over to defendant who
knows or should know the cause, for any explanation of
care exercised by the defendant in respect of the matter
of which the plaintiff complains. It is a rule of necessity.
Rule: The theoretical basis for the doctrine is its
necessity.

CLASS

NOTES

RIL applies
theoretical basis:
o proof is in exclusive control of
defendant
o bridge that connects plaintiff to the
proof
Prof. Casiss problem: theres evidence (police
report, testimony & affidavit). It is like saying
that even if there is evidence, one could still
argue RIL to win the case.
Prof. Casis thinks that it is the victims fault for
falling off the platform.

SANCO (27-32)
RES IPSA LOQUITOR the facts or circumstances
attending an injury may be such as to raise a
presumption, or permit an inference, of negligence on

the part of the defendant, or some other person who is

charged with negligence.
It relates to the MODE rather than the BURDEN of
establishing negligence.
It is NOT an exception to the rule of initial presumption
of negligence, but is DESCRIPTIVE of a class of cases
wherein the initial presumption is overcome by evidence
inherently carrying with it implications of negligence
without the necessity of proof of specific facts or
conduct.
WHEN DOES IT APPLY? Upon the satisfaction of 3
conditions:
1. The accident was of a kind which ordinarily
does not occur unless someone is negligent
2. The instrumentality or agency which caused
the injury was under the exclusive control of
the person charged with negligence
3. The injury suffered must not have been due to
any voluntary action or contribution on the part
of the person injured
COURTS ADD A FURTHER CONDITION:
4.
Plaintiff had no knowledge or means of
knowledge as to the cause of the accident

F. DEFENSES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Plaintiffs negligence
Contributory negligence
Fortuitous event
Assumption of risk
Due diligence
Damnum absque injuria
Prescription
Double recovery

damages, but the court shall mitigate the damages to be

awarded.

CLASS

NOTE

Applies only when both parties are negligent.

Manila Electric v Remonquillo

FACTS: Magno was repairing the media agua when
he was electrocuted to death. The galvanized iron
sheet he was holding came in contact with the electric
wire.
HELD: Court said Meralco was not negligent. But
assuming it was Magnos heirs still cant recover
because the proximate cause of the electrocution was
not the electric wire but the reckless and negligent act of
Magno in turning around and swinging the galvanized
iron sheet without precaution. It is assumed that due to
his age and experience, he was qualified to do the job.

CLASS

NOTES

proximate cause: negligence of repairman in

turning with GI sheet
difference between this & Astudillo v. Manila
Electric Co.:
o Meralco wouldve had to have been
more careful if public place
* The son could have sued stepbrother of his
father for building the house so close to the
wire*

1. Plaintiffs Negligence
Art. 2179, NCC
When the plaintiffs own negligence was the immediate
and proximate cause of his injury, he cannot recover
damages. But if his negligence was only contributory,
the immediate and proximate cause being the
defendants lack of due care, the plaintiff may recover

Bernardo v Legaspi
FACTS: CFI dismissed the complaint filed in an action
to recover damages for injuries sustained by plaintiffs
automobile by reason of defendants negligence in
causing a collision. Court also dismissed a crosscomplaint filed by the defendant, praying for damages

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on the ground that the injuries sustained by his

automobile, and those to the plaintiffs car were caused
by plaintiffs own negligence.
HELD: Court found that both plaintiff and defendant
were negligent in handling their automobile so both
cannot recover. Where plaintiff in a negligence action
by his own carelessness contributes to the principal
occurrence as one of the determining causes thereof, he
cannot recover.
RULE: When the negligence of both the plaintiff and
the defendant is the proximate cause of the accident,
they cannot recover from each other.

PAGE 22
excavation allegedly undertaken by PLDT for the
installation of its underground conduit system.
HELD: The accident was due to the lack of diligence of
Antonio. His jeep was running along the inside lane of
the street but it swerved abruptly, causing the jeep to hit
the mound. Proximate cause was the unexplained and
abrupt swerving of the jeep. Court also found that the
jeep was running too fast. The negligence of Antonio
was not only contributory to his injuries and those of his
wife, but goes to the very cause of the occurrence of the
accident and thereby precludes their right to recover
damages.
NOTES: negligence imputed included knowledge of the
place. The Estebans passed that mound several times.

Bernal v House
2. Contributory Negligence
FACTS: Mother and child were walking along a street,
with the child a few steps ahead. She got startled by an
automobile and ran back to her mother. She fell into a
ditch with hot water and later died. CFI denied damages
to parents because they were negligent.
HELD: SC held they were not. Mother and child had a
right to be on that street. There was nothing abnormal
in letting a child run along a few paces ahead of the
mother. Contributory negligence of the child and her
mother, if any, does not operate as a bar to recovery but
could only result in reduction of damages.

CLASS

NOTES

No contributory negligence of mother & kid

Even if they did have contributory negligence, it
is not a bar to recovery; only mitigates

Art. 2179, NCC

When the plaintiffs own negligence was the immediate
and proximate cause of his injury, he cannot recover
damages. But if his negligence was only contributory,
the immediate and proximate cause of the injury being
the defendants lack of due care, the plaintiff may
recover damages, but the courts shall mitigate the
damages to be awarded. (n)
Art. 2214, NCC
In quasi-delicts, the contributory negligence of the
plaintiff shall reduce the damages that he may recover.

CLASS

NOTE

Contributory negligence is a mitigating factor in

awarding damages.

FACTS: Rig driven by appellant bumped an 81 y.o. lady

who was crossing the street. His defense was that it was
the old lady who bumped his car. TC and CA found him
guilty of homicide through reckless imprudence.
HELD: Court said that the alleged contributory
negligence of the victim, if any, does not exonerate
accused. The defense of contributory negligence does
not apply in criminal cases committed through reckless
imprudence since one cannot allege the negligence of
another to evade the effects of his own negligence.

Rakes v Atlantic
FACTS: The truck plaintiff was riding fell because the
track sagged. The rails that they were transporting slid
off the truck and caught his lag. Later, his leg was
amputated. Company said Rakes was negligent
because: (1) he continued his work despite having
noticed the depression in the track, and (2) he walked
on the ends of the ties at the side of the car instead of
along the boards.
HELD: As to the first, Court held that Rakes had been
working for less than 2 days. He could not have known
that one rail was lower than the other or that the
stringers and rails joined in the same place. As to the
second, Court found that there was a general prohibition
against walking by the side of the car. The disobedience
of the plaintiff in placing himself in danger contributed in
some degree to the injury as a proximate, although not
its primary cause. The Court made a distinction between
the accident and the injury. If the plaintiffs negligence
contributed to the accident, he cannot recover. But if his
negligence only contributed to his injury, he may recover
the amount that the defendant responsible for the
accident should pay fpr the injury, less a sum deemed
an equitable equivalent for his own imprudence.

PLDT v CA
FACTS: Antonio and Gloria Estebans jeep ran over a
mound of earth and fell into an open trench, an

Genobiagon v CA

CLASS

NOTES

accident v. injury
o accident: cant recover

contrib. to primary event

o injury: may recover

Defendants
contrib.

Plaintiffs contrib. = Recovery

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FACTS: For over a year, RMCs secretary had been

depositing the companys money to her husbands bank
account, without the company noticing it. RMC sued
PBC to collect the money.
HELD: Court held that the proximate cause was the
negligence of the bank. The bank teller was negligent in
validating the duplicate copy of the deposit slip even if
ccount name was left blank, contrary to the banks selfimposed procedure; and PBC was negligent in the
selection and supervision of employees. However, Court
found that RMC was also negligent in not checking its
monthly statements of account for more than one year.
This omission by RMC amounts to contributory
negligence which shall mitigate the damages that may
be awarded to it. Therefore: 60 - 40 ratio in damages.

2 kinds of contribution: (1) contribution to the

principal event; (2) contribution to his own
injury

Phil. Bank of Commerce v CA

PAGE 23

CLASS

NOTES

Both negligent but proximate cause is the teller

allowing the practice of validating incomplete
form
Solution to proximate cause issue: 60-40
*Sir has doubts as to the use of the Doctrine of
Last Clear Chance in this case*

3. Fortuitous Event
Art. 1174, NCC
Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when
it is otherwise declared by stipulation, or when the
nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk,
no person shall be responsible for those events which
could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were
inevitable.

CLASS

NOTES

** Is this really a defense? **

theres only one case cited because in Transpo
course, Court was not always consistent
whether a tire blowout is a fortuitous event or
not
*how different is a tire blowout from a fire?*
*memorize elements of Fortuitous Event*

NOTES: Sir said force majeure is not the same as Acts

of God.

Juntilla v Funtanar
FACTS: Plaintiff was seated in the front passenger seat
of a public utility jeepney when the right tire blew up. He
was thrown out of the jeep and suffered injuries. He
also lost his omega watch.
HELD:
SC said that there are specific acts of
negligence on the part of the respondents. Jeep was
running at a very fast speed and was overloaded. In
this case, the cause of the unforeseen and unexpected
occurrence was not independent of human will. It was
caused either through the negligence of the driver or
because of the mechanical defects in the tire.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CASO FORTUITO:
1.
Cause of the unforeseen and unexpected
occurrence, or of the failure of the debtor to comply with
his obligation must be independent of human will.
2. It must be impossible to foresee the event which
constitutes the caso fortuito, or if it can be foreseen, it is
impossible to avoid.
3. The occurrence must be such as to render it
impossible for the debtor to fulfill his obligation in a
normal manner
4. Obligor must be free from participation in the
aggravation of the injury resulting to the creditor.

CLASS

NOT ES

Many possibilities were pposed by the Court to

justify that the tire blowing up was not a
fortuitous event.
Important: memorize characteristics of caso
fortuito

Hernandez v COA
FACTS: Hernandez encashed 2 checks salaries of
employees and operating expenses of the project. He
chose to bring the money with him to his house in
Bulacan instead of returning to the office in Cavite. On
his way home, 2 robbers boarded the jeep and took the
money. He ran after them, but was only able to
apprehend one. He filed a request for relief from money
accountability. COA denied the request.
HELD: SC held in favor of Hernandez. The decision he
made seemed logical at that time and one that could be
expected of a reasonable and prudent person. And if,
as it happened, the 2 robbers attacked him in broad
daylight in the jeep, while it was on a busy highway, and
in the presence of other passengers, it cannot be said
that all this was a result of his imprudence and
negligence. It was a fortuitous event, something that
could not have reasonably be foreseen though it could
have happened, and it did.
NOTES: This case doesnt say that robberies are
fortuitous events. It just said that this particular robbery
was a fortuitous event.

CLASS

NOTES

robbery in this case was FE

o but not all robberies are FEs
some human acts can be considered FE
it may be an accident but not really FE

Gotesco Investment v Chato

FACTS: Chato and 15 yo daughter went to see a movie

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at the theater owned by Gotesco. Balcony collapsed

and they sustained injuries. Chato even went to Illinois
for further treatment.
Gotescos defense:
force
majeure.
HELD: (1) Having interposed force majeure as a
defense, Gotesco had the burden to prove that the
collapse was indeed caused by force majeure. This
Gotesco did not do. Its own witness admitted that he
could not give any reason why the ceiling collapsed.
(2) Force majeure inevitable accident or casualty;
even which we could neither foresee nor resist; any
accident due to natural causes, directly, exclusively
without human intervention, such as could not have
been prevented by any kind of oversight, pains and care
reasonably to have been expected.
(3) Assuming that the cause was force majeure,
Gotesco could still be held liable because it was guilty of
negligence.
NOTE: Res ipsa loquitur applies in this case.

CLASS

NOTES

Ongs incompetence is not equal to Act of God

not necessarily Act of God just because there
are no / unknown explanations
even assuming that theres FE, Gotesco is still
liable because theres implied warranty in
public places
o still negligent
Just because you cannot explain it, it does not
necessarily mean that it is fortuitous.

Servando v Philippine Steam

FACTS:
Plaintiffs loaded their cargo on board
appellants vessel. Cargoes were discharged unto the
warehouse of Bureau of Customs. A fire of unknown
origin razed the warehouse, destroying the remaining
cargo.
HELD: Court said that where the fortuitous event is the
immediate and proximate cause of the loss, obligor is
exempt from liability for non-performance. Caso fortuito
an event that takes place by accident and could not
have been foreseen. In this case, there was not a shred
of proof that the cause of the fire was in any way

PAGE 24
attributable to the negligence of the appellant or its
employees.
NOTE:
event.

This case established that fire is a fortuitous

CLASS

NOTES

fire was FE
*it was taken for granted that a fire is a
fortuitous event (there was no explanation
given why fire was a fortuitous event)*

National Power v CA
FACTS: Respondents filed a complaint for damages
against NPC for loss of lives and property caused by the
flooding of Norzagaray, Bulacan. They claimed that
despite knowledge of the impending entry of the
typhoon Kading, NPC failed to exercise due diligence in
monitoring the water level so when the water level went
beyond the maximum allowable limit, NPC suddenly,
negligently and recklessly opened 3 of the dams
spillways.
HELD: SC did not accept defense of force majeure.
PRINCIPLE OF ACT OF GOD strictly requires that the
act must be one occasioned exclusively by the violence
of nature and all human agencies are to be excluded
from creating or entering inot the cause of the mischief.
When the effect, the cause of which is to be considered,
is found to be in part the result of the participation of
man, whether to be from active intervention or neglect,
or failure to act, the whole occurrence is thereby
humanized.

CLASS

NOTES

the flooding of the Angat River was not FE but

due to the negligence of NPC
is typhoon a force majeure? No because in this
case there was negligence
*so is force majeure really a defense then?*

Southeastern College v CA
FACTS: During a typhoon, schools roof was partly
ripped off and blown away, landing on and destroying
portions of the roofing of respondents house. A team of
engineers conducted an ocular inspection and found
that the causes may have been the U-shaped formation
of the building and the improper anchorage of the
trusses to the roof beams.
HELD: Court found that other than the report submitted
by the engineers, no investigation was conducted to
determine the real cause of the incident. Respondents
did not even show that the plans, specs and design of
the school building were defective. On the other hand,
city building official testified that the school obtained
both building permit and certificate of occupancy; same
official gave go signal for repairs of damage of typhoon
th
and subsequently authorized the use of the entire 4
floor of the building; annual maintenance inspection and
repair of the school building was regularly undertaken;
and that no complaints have been lodged in the past.
Therefore, petitioner has not been shown negligent or at
fault regarding the construction and maintenance of the
school building. Typhoon was the proximate cause.
CASO FORTUITO event which takes place by
accident and could not have been reasonably foreseen,
it is an unexpected event or act of God which could
neither be foreseen nor resisted.
2 GENERAL CAUSES:
1. By nature- earthquakes, storms, floods, etc.
2. By the act of man- armed invasion, attack by bandits,
governmental prohibition, etc.

CLASS

NOTES

typhoon is FE
flying roof is FE
typhoon was proximate cause of damage to
neighboring house
*take this case for definition of force majeur*
*credibility of ocular inspection discredited so
this is strange because this runs counter to
Gotesco*

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*they could have used RIL*

PAGE 25
known danger, he must abide by the consequence, if an
emergency is found to exist, or if the life or property of
another is in peril or when he seeks to rescue his
endangered property.

CLASS

4. ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Afialda v Hisole
FACTS: Caretaker of carabaos was gored by a carabao
and he later died as a consequence of his injuries.
Action was predicated on Art 1905 CC.
HELD: Court said A1905 makes possessory user of
animal liable for any damages it may cause. In this
case, the animal was under the control of the caretaker.
It was his business to try to prevent the animal from
causing injury to anyone, including himself. Being
injured by the animal under these circumstances was
one of the risks of the occupation which he had
voluntarily assumed and for which he must take the
consequences.

CLASS

NOTES

inherent risks voluntarily & knowingly assumed

by caretaker when he agreed to be caretaker

NOTES

Rule is the Emergency Rule: A person is

excused from the force of the assumption of
risk rule, that when he voluntarily assents to a
known danger he must abide by the
consequences, if an emergency is found to
exist or if the life or property of another is in
peril, or when he seeks to rescue his
endangered property.

*SANGCO (pp.81-84)
NOTES:
VIOLENTI NON FIT INJURIA: applies to noncontractual relations;
3 requisites:
(1) plaintiff had actual knowledge of the
damage;
(2) he understood an appreciated the risk from
danger;
(3) he voluntarily exposed himself to such risk.

5. DUE DILIGENCE

Ilocos Norte v CA

Ramos v PEPSI

FACTS: After a 2-day typhoon, Isabel went out of her

house to check on her grocer store. She waded in waistdeep flood and got electrocuted. According to the NPC
Engr, there were no INELCO linemen who were going
around.

FACTS: Ramos car collided with Pepsi truck driven by

Andres Bonifacio.

HELD: Court said that contrary to petitioners claim, the

maxim violenti non fit injuria does not apply here.
Isabel should not be punished for exercising her right to
protect her property from the floods by imputing upon
her the unfavorable presumption that she assumed the
risk of personal in injury. A person is excused from the
force of the rule, that when he voluntarily assents to a

HELD: SC found Bonifacio negligent, but absolved

Pepsi for having sufficiently proven that it exercised due
diligence in the selection of its driver (background
check, clearance, previous experience, physical exam,
drivers exam- theoretical and practical driving exams).
In order that defendant may be considered as having
exercised all diligence of a good father of a family, he
should not be satisfied with the mere possession of a
professional drivers license; he should have carefully
examined the applicant for employment as to his

qualifications, his experience and record of service. The

presumption of negligence on the part of the master or
employer, either in the selection of servant/ employee or
in their supervision, when an injury is caused by the
negligence of a servant/employee may be rebutted if the
employer shows to the satisfaction of the court that in
the selection and supervision, he has exercised the care
and diligence of a good father of a family.

Metro Manila v CA
FACTS: A jeep and a bus collided. Their owners
refused to pay damages to the injured passenger.
HELD: SC held that testimonial evidence of due
diligence, in order to hold sway, must be corroborated
by documentary evidence. Mere formulation of various
company policies on safety (as testified by Christian
Bautista), without showing documentary proof that they
were being followed or complied with is not sufficient to
exempt petitioner from liability arising from negligence of
its employees.
NOTES: defense of due diligence is plausible when
defendant has presented enough evidence to overcome
the presumption of negligence. It is not enough that it is
alleged.
(Sir: MMTC said that it was not enough to issue manuals
etc, but implementation or actual enforcement is more
important.)

CLASS

NOTES

it is not enough that the company provides

manuals
there has to be proof of enforcement and
actual application

6. DAMNUM ABSQUE INJURIA

7. PRESCRIPTION

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PAGE 26

Kramer v CA

instituted on Feb 7, 1979, when the complain in the case

was filed.

FACTS: 1976: 2 vessels collided

- 1981: Phil Coast Guard concluded that the collision
was due to M/V Asias negligence
nd
-1982: Coast Guard suspended 2 mate of M/V Asia.
-1985: Petitioners instituted complaint for damages
against respondent. Motion to dismiss was filed on the
basis of prescription.

HELD: Action for damages arising from QD should be

filed within 4 yrs from the day cause of action accrued.
The cause of action in this case accrued on Mar 25,
1980 when the Monetary Board ordered the GenBank to
rd
desist fr doing biz in the Phils, while 3 party complaint
was filed only on Jun 17, 1987 the action has
prescribed.

HELD: SC dismissed the case, saying that according to

Art. 1146, action based on quasi-delict must be
instituted within 4 yrs. Prescriptive period begins from
the day the quasi-delict was committed.

NOTE, MEMORIZE ME (in footnote so not doctrine)!

Relations Bank Doctrine principle of law by which
an act done at one time is considered by a fiction of law
to have been done at some antecedent period. It is a
doctrine which, although of equitable origin, has a well
recognized application to proceedings at law; a legal
fiction invented to promote the ends of justice or to
prevent injustice and the occurrence of injuries where
otherwise there would be no remedy.

Allied Banking v CA
FACTS: Apr 1, 1976 Yujuico obtained loan fr
GenBank payable on or before Apr 1, 1977
- Mar 25, 1977 Monetary Board issued resolution
forbidding GenBank from doing business in Phils.
- Allied acquired all assets and assumed all liabilities of
GenBank
- Feb 7, 1979 Allied filed complaint against resp
Joselita for collection of a sum of money
- 1987 in the course of the proceedings, resp sought
rd
to implead Central Bank and Aurellano as 3 party
defendants. It was alleged that by reason of the tortous
interference by the CB with affairs of GenBank, resp
was prevented from performing his obligation under the
loan.
rd
- RTC denied admission of 3 party complainant.
- Petitioner claims that cause of action has already
prescribed.
Since it was founded on tortuous
interference, it prescribes in 4 yrs. Petitioner believes
that the cause of action accrued on Mar 25, 1977, the
date when Monetary Board ordered GenBank to desist
from doing business in the Philippines. Complainant
should have filed before Mar 25, 1981.
- Respondent relies on the Doctrine of Relations or
Relations Bank Doctrine to support his claim that the
rd
cause of action as against the proposed 3 party
defendant accrued only on Dec 12, 1986 when the
decision became final and executory.
Thus, it is
rd
contended that while the 3 party complaint was filed
only on Jun 17, 1987, it must be deemed to have been

CLASS

NOTES

Take note of Relations Bank Doctrine

*Not sure if Relations Bank Doctrine is ratio in
this case*

8. DOUBLE RECOVERY
Art. 2177, NCC
Responsibility for fault or negligence under the
preceding article is entirely separate and distinct from
the civil liability arising from negligence under the Penal
Code. But the plaintiff cannot recover damages twice
for the same act or omission of the defendant.

IV.

The longer version can be shortened by removing

sufficient intervening cause
*memorize definition of proximate cause*

1. Definition
Bataclan v Medina
FACTS: A bus speeding on its way to Pasay City at
2am when one of its front tires burst, as a result of which
the vehicle zigzagged, fell into a canal or ditch, and
turned turtle. 4 passengers were unable to get out of
the bus. Calls and shouts for help were made in the
neighborhood. At 2:30am, 10 men came, one of them
carrying a lighted torch made of bamboo with a wick
fueled with petroleum. When they approached the bus,
a fierce fire started, burning the bus and the 4
passengers. It appears that as the bus overturned, the
gasoline began to leak and escape from the gasoline
tank, spreading over the bus and the ground under it,
and that the lighted torch set it on fire.
ISSUE: What was the proximate cause of the accident?
HELD: The overturning of the bus, and not the fire that
burned the bus, is the proximate cause. The coming of
the men with the torch was to be expected and was a
natural sequence of the overturning of the bus, the
trapping of the passengers and the call for outside help.

CLASS

Definition #1 of proximate cause according to

Bataclan v. Medina:
Proximate cause is that cause which, in natural
and continuous sequence, unbroken by any
efficient intervening cause, produces the injury,
and without which the result would not have
occurred.

Definition #2 of proximate cause according to

Bataclan vs. Medina:
More comprehensively, the proximate legal
cause is that acting first and producing the
injury either immediately or by setting other
events in motion, all constituting a natural and
continuous chain of events, each having a

CAUSATION

A. Proximate cause

CLASS

NOTES

Usually its the shorter definition thats being cited in the

other cases. So for our purpose-shorter version

NOTES

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close causal connection with its immediate

predecessor, the final event in the chain
immediately effecting the injury as a natural
and probable result of the cause which first
acted, under such circumstances that the
person responsible for the first event should, as
an ordinarily prudent and intelligent person,
have reasonable ground to expect at the
moment of his act or default that an in jury to
some person might probably result therefrom.

PAGE 27
Urbano v IAC
FACTS: On October 23, 1980, Urbano hacked Javier in
his right palm. Javier was brought to a doctor who
issued a certificate stating the incapacitation is from 7-9
days. On November 5, Javier was seen catching fish in
dirty shallow irrigation canals after a typhoon. On
November 14, he died of tetanus.
ISSUE: WON the hacking by Urbano of Javier was the
proximate cause of Javiers death. ---NO.

Fernando v CA
FACTS: Bertulano was invited to bid for the reemptying of a septic tank, which had not been cleaned
for 19 years. Before the award was made (he lost), he
and 4 companions surreptitiously entered the septic
tank, without clearance from the market master. They
died in the septic tank due to the intake of toxic gas
produced from the waste matter therein.
ISSUE: What was the proximate cause of the death of
the victims?
HELD: The proximate cause of the death of the victims
was their failure to take precautionary measures for their
safety. Considering the nature of the task of emptying a
septic tank, especially one which has not been cleaned
for years, an ordinarily prudent person would
undoubtedly be aware of the attendant risks. More so
with Bertulano, an old hand in this kind of service, who
is presumed to know the hazards of the job.
Note: The court adopted the Bataclan definition of
proximate cause.

CLASS

NOT ES

Government negligence was not the proximate

cause because it was not continuing.
The claimant must establish that he had no
negligence.
A higher degree of diligence is expected from
an expert.
Prof. Casis included the case to show that it is
not necessary to attend school to be an expert.
Quoted Taylor, but it should have been Rakes

HELD: The tetanus, not the hacking, was the proximate

cause of Javiers death. The death of the victim must be
the direct, natural and logical consequence of the
wounds inflicted upon him by the accused (People v
Cardenas). Medical findings lead to a distinct possibility
that the infection of the wound by tetanus was an
efficient intervening cause later or between the time
Javier was wounded to the time of his death. The
infection was, therefore, distinct and foreign to the
crime.
Note: The court adopted the Bataclan definition of
proximate cause.

Phoenix Construction Inc. v IAC

FACTS: A dump truck, owned by Phoenix, was parked
askew on the right hand side of the street in such a
manner as to stick out onto General Lacuna St., partly
blocking the way of oncoming traffic. There were no
early warning devices placed near the truck. At 1:30AM,
Dionisio was on his way home when his car headlights
allegedly suddenly failed. He switched his headlights on
bright and saw the truck looming 2 meters away
from his car. His car smashed into the dump truck.
ISSUE: What was the proximate cause of the accident?
HELD: The wrongful and negligent parking of the truck,
and not the negligence of Dionisio, was the proximate
cause of the accident.
The truck drivers negligence was far from being a
passive and static condition and was rather an
indispensable and efficient cause.
The collision of Dionisios car with the dump truck was a
natural and foreseeable consequence of the truck

drivers negligence. The improper parking of the truck

created an unreasonable risk of injury for anyone driving
down General Lacuna St. and for having so created this
risk, the truck driver must be held liable.
What the petitioners describe as an intervening cause
was no more than a foreseeable consequence of the
risk created by the negligent manner in which the truck
driver had parked the dump truck.
Quoting Posser and Keeton on Foreseeable intervening
causes: If the intervening cause is one which in
ordinary human experience is reasonable to be
anticipated, or one which the defendant has reason to
anticipate under the particular circumstances, the
defendant may be negligent xxx because of failure to
guard against it; or the defendant may e negligent only
for that reason. Foreseeable intervening forces are
within the scope of the original risk, and hence of the
defendants negligence.
Note: Court mentioned foreseeability.

Pilipinas Banking v CA
FACTS: Florencio Reyes issued two post-dated checks.
To cover the face value of the checks, he requested
PCIB to effect a withdrawal from his savings account
there and have it deposited with his current account with
Pilipinas Bank. Santos, who made the deposit, wrote the
wrong account number on the deposit slip, but wrote the
name of Florencio Reyes as the depositors name. The
Current Account Bookkeeper of Pilipinas Bank, seeing
that the account number coincided with the name
Florencio, deposited the amount in the account of
Florencio Amador.
ISSUE: What was the proximate cause of the injury to
Reyes?
HELD: The proximate cause of the injury is the
negligence of Pilipinas Banks employee in erroneously
positing the cash deposit of Reyes in the name of
another depositor who had a similar first name. The
employee should have continuously gone beyond mere
assumption.

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Proximate cause is any cause which, in natural

and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient
intervening cause, produces the result complained of
and without which would not have occurred and from
which it ought to have been foreseen or reasonably
anticipated by a person of ordinary care that the injury
complained of or some similar injury, would result
therefrom as a natural and probable cause.
Note: Different definition of PC from Bataclan case. This
case adds the element of foreseeability.
Prof. Casiss opinion: Theres no basis for this additional
element. Under Art. 2202, foreseeability should not be a
factor.

CLASS

NOT ES

*Sir said that there is a problem with foreseeability as an

element. So as a solution, if theres a case similar to
Pilipinas Bank, apply Pilipinas Bank definition*

Quezon City v Dacara

FACTS: At about 1AM, Dacara, (son of petitioner), while
driving a Toyota Corolla, rammed into a pile of
earth/street diggings (accident mound) found at
Matahimik St. The lower court found that no evidence
was presented that sufficient and adequate
precautionary signs were placed in the said street.
ISSUE: What was the proximate cause of the accident?
HELD: The negligence of the Quezon City Government
was the proximate cause of the accident.
Proximate cause is defined as any cause that produces
injury in a natural and continuous sequence, unbroken
by any efficient intervening cause, such that the result
would not have occurred otherwise.
Proximate cause is determined from the facts of each
case, upon a combined consideration of logic, common
sense, policy and precedent.

PAGE 28

CLASS

NOT ES

An admission by the court that proximate cause

is what they think is fair in each case.

2. Distinguished from other kinds

a. Remote
Gabeto v Araneta
FACTS: Gayetano (husband of plaintiff) and Ilano took a
carromata to go to a cockpit. When the carromata was
about to move, Araneta held the reins of the horse,
saying he hailed the carromata first. Driver Pagnaya
pulled the reins to take it away from Aranetas control,
as a result of which, the bit came off the horses mouth.
Pagnaya fixed the bridle on the curb. The horse, free
form the control of the bit, moved away, causing the
carromata to hit a telephone booth and caused it to
crash. This frightened the horse and caused it to run up
the street with Gayetano still inside the carromata.
Gayetano jumped or fell from the rig, causing injuries
from which he soon died.
ISSUE: WON Araneta is liable for Gayetanos death. --NO.
HELD: Aranetas act of stopping the rig was too remote
from the accident to be considered the legal or
proximate cause thereof. After Pagnaya alighted, the
horse was conducted to the curb and an appreciable
interval of time elapsed before the horse started to
career up to the street. Moreover, by getting out and
taking his post at the head of the horse, the driver was
the person primarily responsible for the control of the
animal, and Araneta cannot be charged with liability for
the accident resulting from the action of the horse
thereafter.

It is not the counting of the time but the

SERIES

Urbano v IAC
FACTS: On October 23, 1980, Urbano hacked Javier in
his right palm. Javier was brought to a doctor who
issued a certificate stating the incapacitation is from 7-9
days. On November 5, Javier was seen catching fish in
dirty shallow irrigation canals after a typhoon. On
November 14, he died of tetanus.
ISSUE: WON the hacking was the proximate cause of
Javiers death. ---NO.
HELD: There is a likelihood that the wound was but the
remote cause and its subsequent infection, for failure to
take necessary precautions, with tetanus may have
been the proximate cause of Javiers death with which
Urbano had nothing to do.
Citing Manila Electric v. Remoquillo: A prior
and remote cause cannot be made the basis of an
action if such remote cause did nothing more than
furnish the condition or give rise to the occasion by
which the injury was made possible, if there intervened
between such prior or remote cause and the injury a
distinct, successive, unrelated and efficient cause of the
injury, even though such injury would not have
happened except but for such condition or occasion.

CL ASS

NOTE

The remote cause was noted to be the wound

of Urbano.

b. Concurrent
Far Eastern Shipping Company v CA

CLASS

NOT ES

Classical description of remote cause with

series of events.

FACTS: A ship owned by FESC rammed into the apron

of the pier. Kavankov was the master of the vessel.
Gavino was the compulsory pilot.

Note: Followed Bataclans definition.

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ISSUE: Who was negligent --- Gavino or Kvankov? --BOTH.

HELD: Both Gavino (compulsory pilot) and Kavankov
(master of the vessel) were concurrently negligent.
Gavino was negligent for failing to react on time;
Kavankov was negligent in leaving the entire docking
procedure up to Gavino instead of being vigilant.
Negligence, in order to render a person liable need not
be the sole cause of an injury. Where several causes
combine to produce injuries, a person is not relieved
from liability because he is responsible for only one of
them, it being sufficient that the negligence of the
person charged with injury is an efficient cause without
which the injury would not have resulted to as great an
extent, and that such cause is not attributable to the
person injured.
Each wrongdoer is responsible for the entire result and
is liable as though his acts were the sole cause of the
injury. There is no contribution between joint tortfeasors
whose liability is solidary since both of them are liable
for the whole damage.
Reason: It is impossible to determine in what proportion
each contributed to the injury and either of them is
responsible for the whole injury.
Note: Liability of concurrent negligence = solidary.

CL ASS

PAGE 29
HELD: The carrier and its driver were negligent for
allowing Custodio to hang by the side of the bus. The
truck driver was also negligent for speeding through the
middle portion of the road.
Although the negligence of the carrier and its driver is
independent, in its execution, of the negligence of the
truck driver and its owner, both acts of negligence are
the proximate cause of Custodios death.
Where the concurrent or successive negligent acts or
omission of two or more persons, although acting
independently of each other, are, in combination, the
direct and proximate cause of a single injury to a third
person, and it is impossible to determine in what
proportion each contributed to the injury, either is
responsible for the whole injury, even though his act
alone might not have caused the entire injury, or the
same damage might have resulted from the acts of the
other tortfeasor.

CL ASS

NOTE

Prof. Casis thinks that this is a problematic

case because the facts would indicate that the
victim was at fault because he was negligent.

a. But for
Bataclan v Medina

Sabido v Custodio
FACTS: Custodio, a passenger of a bus, was hanging
onto its left side. While the bus was negotiating a sharp
curve of a bumpy and downward slope, a speeding truck
going in the opposite direction side-swiped Custodio,
who died as a result thereof.
ISSUE: Who was negligent and what is the extent of
liability? ---BOTH solidarily liable.

Proximate cause is that cause which, in natural and

continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient
intervening cause, produces the injury, and without
which the result would not have occurred.
Note: Italicized phrase=but for test

The Court of Appeals ruled that the bus driver was

negligent. It applied the substantial factor test: It is a
rule under this test that if the actors conduct is a
substantial factor in bringing about the harm to
another, the fact that the actor neither foresaw nor
should have foreseen the extent of the harm or the
manner in which it occurred does not prevent him
from being liable.
ISSUE: Who is liable?-Jeep.
HELD: The Supreme Court was not convinced by the
application of the substantial factor test. Even though
the bus was driving at 80-90 kph, it was still within the
speed limit allowed in highways. The bus driver had little
time to react and had no options available: it could not
swerve to the right (western shoulder was narrow and
had tall grasses; already near the canal) or to the left (it
would have it the jeep head-on).
Note: The substantial factor test contains no element of
foreseeability.

3. Tests

NOTE

If the concurrent act was the proximate cause, the

degree of participation does not matter.

What is the rule on liability? liability is

impossible to determine in what proportion
each contributed to the injury

lane. A Philippine Rabbit Bus from the opposite lane

bumped the rear portion of the jeep. Three passengers
of the jeep died as a result.

CL ASS

NOTE

Refers to absolute cause

This is the strictest test

b. Substantial Factor

Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines v IAC

FACTS: A jeep was carrying passengers to Pangasinan
when its right rear wheel became detached, causing it to
be unbalanced. The driver stepped on the brake, which
made the jeep turn around, encroaching on the opposite

CL ASS

N O T E S ()

Prof. Casis thinks that this case should not be

cited for the substantial factor test because
the SC did not apply the test; only the CA
did.
Substantial factor = Main cause, not the only
cause
Important : memorize the test
*This is the only case that defines substantial
factor test*
*Also see Pilipinas Bank*

1 SANGCO (pp. 103-114)

Tests of proximate cause
1. Cause in fact

Traditionally, courts have used the term

proximate cause as descriptive of the actual
cause in fact relation which must exist

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between a defendants conduct and a plaintiffs

injury before liability may arise.
The first step is to determine whether the
defendants conduct was a factor in causing
plaintiffs damage.
If the injury as to causes, in fact show that the
defendants conduct was not a factor in
causing plaintiffs damage, the matter ends
there. But if it shows that his conduct was a
factor in causing such damage then the further
question is whether his conduct played such a
part in causing the damage as would make him
the author of such damage and be liable in the
eyes of the law.

2. Effectiveness of the cause; but for rule

Whether such conduct is a cause without which

the injury would not have taken place (referred
to as the sine qua non rule) or is the efficient
cause which set in motion the chain of
circumstances leading to the injury

A cause need not be the sole cause of the

injury but it is enough that it should be the
concurrent proximate cause

It is useful and generally adequate for

determining whether specific conduct actually
caused the harmful result in question but it
cannot be indiscriminately used as an
unqualified measure of the defendants liability
because an actors negligence is not a
substantial factor in bringing about harm to
another if the harm was sustained even if the
actor were negligent.

The converse of the rule: a negligent act

cannot be said to be the proximate cause of an
accident unless the accident could have been
avoided without such negligent act.
3. Substantial factor test under Restatement

Question to ask: Was the defendants conduct

a substantial factor in producing the plaintiffs
injuries?

The actors negligent conduct is a legal cause

of harm to another if:
a) his conduct is a substantial factor in
bringing about the harm
b) there is no law relieving the actor of
liability because of the manner in

PAGE 30

which his negligence has resulted in

the harm
It is preferable to use the but for test in
connection with the substantial factor test since
the former is the adverse of the restatement
formulation.
The Restatement adopts the rule that if the
actors conduct is a substantial factor in
bringing about the harm to another, the fact
that the actor neither foresaw nor should have
foreseen the extent of the harm or the manner
in which it occurred does not prevent him from
being liable.

4. Foreseeability test

Negligence involves a foreseeable risk, a

threatened danger or injury and conduct
unreasonable in proportion to danger.

Foreseeability becomes a test in an effort to

limit liability to a consequence which has a
reasonably close connection with the
defendants conduct and the harm which it
originally threatened.

When the result complained of is not

reasonably foreseeable in the exercise of
ordinary care under all the facts as they
existed, an essential element of actionable
negligence is lacking.

The foreseeability test is applied in conjunction

with the natural and probable consequences
test.
5. Natural and probable consequence test

This test is designed to limit the liability of a

negligent actor by holding him responsible only
for injuries which are the probable
consequences of his conduct as distinguished
from consequences that are merely possible.
For this purpose, the term probable is used in
the sense of foreseeable.

An injury is deemed the natural and probable

result of a negligent act if after the event, and
viewing the event in retrospect to the act, the
injury appears to be the reasonable rather than
the extraordinary consequence of the wrong, or
such as, according to common experience and
the usual course of events, might reasonably
have been anticipated.

The consequence of the negligent act must be

within the range of probability as viewed by the
ordinary man.
The natural and probable consequences have
been said to be those which human foresight
can anticipate because they happen so
frequently they may be expected to recur.

6. Ordinary and natural or direct consequences

This test states that, as a matter of legal policy,

if negligence is a cause in fact of the injury
under the criteria previously discussed, the
liability of the wrongdoer extends to all the
injurious consequences.

This is based on the principle that in tort, the

wrongdoer is liable for all the consequences
which naturally flow from his wrongful act,
provided only that they are not too remote, and
that as far as proximate cause is concerned,
the question is not whether the damage was
foreseen or foreseeable, but rather, where it in
fact resulted as a direct consequence of the
defendants act.
7. Hindsight test

The hindsight test eliminates foreseeability as

an element.

A party guilty of negligence or omission of duty

is responsible for all the consequences which a
prudent
and
experienced
party,
fully
acquainted with all the circumstances which in
fact exist, whether they could have been
ascertained by reasonable diligence, or not,
would have thought at the time of the negligent
act as reasonably possible to follow, if they had
been suggested to his mind.
8. Orbit of the risk test

This was intended to be a test of duty and not a

test of proximate cause.

If the foreseeable risk to plaintiff created a duty

which the defendant breached, liability is
imposed for any resulting injury within the orbit
or scope of such injury, it is not the unusual
nature of the of the act resulting in injury to
plaintiff that is the test of foreseeability but
whether the result of the act is within the ambit

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PAGE 31

of the hazards covered by the duty imposed

upon the defendant.

CL ASS

NOTE

Prof. Casis thinks that the 8 tests mentioned in

Sangco are not practical and relevant because
they are all similarly described and the courts
never use them.

c. Cause and Condition

Phoenix v CA
FACTS: A dump truck, owned by Phoenix, was parked
askew on the right hand side of the street, in such a
manner as to stick out onto General Lacuna Street,
partly blocking the way of oncoming traffic. There were
no early warning devices placed near the truck. At 1:30
am, Dionisio was on his way home when his car
headlights allegedly suddenly failed. He switched his
headlights on bright and saw the truck looming 2
meters away from his car. His car smashed into the
dump truck.
HELD: The distinctions between cause and condition
have already been almost entirely discredited.
Posser and Keeton: So far as the fact of causation is
concerned, in the sense of necessary antecedents
which have played an important part in producing the
result, it is quite impossible to distinguish between active
forces and passive situations, particularly since the latter
are the result of other active forces which have gone
before. Even the lapse of a considerable time during
which the condition remains static will not necessarily
affect liability. It is not the distinction which is important,
but the nature of the risk and the character of the
intervening cause.

CLASS NOTES

The cause is the active aspect whereas the

condition is the passive action that may
produce the injury.
It is difficult to distinguish between a cause
and a condition because of the time element.

A condition was a cause at some point in

time.
It cannot be cited in saying that cause and
condition are no longer applicable in our
jurisdiction because it only said that it is
discredited.

house was built on the same spot before the defendant

laid its tracks over the land.

Manila Electric v Remonquillo

FACTS: Efren Magno repaired the media agua below

Pealozas 3-storey house. In the course of the repair,
the end of the iron sheet he was holding came into
contact with an uninsulated electric wire of Manila
Electric, causing his death by electrocution. The
distance from the electric wire to the media agua was
only 2 feet, in violation of the regulation of the City of
Manila requiring 3 feet.
ISSUE: What was the cause and condition of the
accident?
HELD: The cause was Magnos own negligence. The
condition was the too close proximity of the media agua,
or rather, its edge, to the electrical wire of the company
by reason of the violation of the original permit given by
the city and the subsequent approval of said illegal
construction of media agua.

Rodrigueza v Manila Railroad

FACTS: The house of Rodrigueza and 3 others were
burned when a passing train emitted a great quantity of
sparks from its smokestack. Rodriguezas house was
partly within the property of the Manila Railroad.
ISSUE: WON Manila Railroads negligence was the
proximate cause of the fire
HELD: Yes. The fact that Rodriguezas house was partly
on the defendants property is an antecedent condition
that may have made the fire possible but cannot be
imputed as contributory negligence because: (1) that
condition was not created by himself; (2) his house
remained on this ground by the tolerance, and thus
consent of the train company; (3) even supposing the
house to be improperly there, this fact would not justify
the defendant in negligently destroying it. Rodriguezas

Note: Condition = plaintiffs house was partly within the

defendants property. Cause = the sparks on the train
which was the negligent act of the defendant.

CLASS NOTES

Rodrigueza was not guilty of contributory

negligence
Even if condition was created, the company is
not going to be justified in negligently
destroying the house

4. Efficient Intervening cause

CLASS

NOT ES

The efficient intervening cause destroys the

link between the negligent act and injury. It
should occur after the purported proximate
cause because it would then be a condition.
Negligence of the defendant if pre-empted by
the negligence of the plaintiff.
The efficient intervening cause is actually a
proximate cause.
Although there is still lack of a definite ruling by
the Court, any violation of administrative
ordinances and the like would either be seen
as 1) negligence per se or 2) prima facie
evidence of negligence.
It is not an efficient intervening cause when it is
already in existence during the happening of
the proximate cause.

McKee v IAC
FACTS: A cargo truck and a Ford Escort were traveling
in opposite directions. When the car was 10 meters

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away from the bridge, 2 boys suddenly darted into the

cars lane. The car driver blew the horn, swerved to the
left and entered the trucks lane. He then switched on
the headlights, braked, and attempted to return to his
lane. Before he could do so, his car collided with the
truck.
ISSUE: WON there was an efficient intervening cause
YES.

PAGE 32
by lightning, or if some highway men after looting the
vehicle sets it on fire, and the passenger is burned to
death, one might still contend that the proximate cause
of his death was the fire and not the overturning of the
vehicle.

FACTS: A vocational school for hair and beauty culture

had only one stairway, in violation of an ordinance
requiring 2 stairways. A fire broke out in a nearby store
and the students panicked and caused a stampede.
Four students died.

ISSUE: WON there was an independent intervening

cause NO.

HELD: Although it may be said that the act of the car

driver, if at all negligent, was the initial act in the chain of
events, it cannot be said that the same caused the
eventual injuries and deaths because of the occurrence
of a sufficient intervening event, the negligent act of the
truck driver, which was the actual cause of the tragedy.
It was the truck drivers subsequent negligence in failing
to take the proper measure and degree of care
necessary to avoid the collision, which was the
proximate cause of the tragedy.

Bataclan v Medina
FACTS: A bus was speeding on its way to Pasay City at
2AM when one of its front tires burst, as a result of
which the vehicle zigzagged, fell into a canal or ditch,
and turned turtle. Four passengers were unable to get
out of the bus. Calls and shouts for help were made in
the neighborhood. At 2:30AM, 10 men came, one of
them carrying a lighted torch made of bamboo with a
wick fueled in petroleum. When they approached the
bus, a fierce fire started, burning the bus and the 4
passengers. It appears that as the bus overturned, the
gasoline began to leak and escape from the gasoline
tank, spreading over the bus and the ground under it,
and that the lighted torch set it on fire.
ISSUE: WON there was an efficient intervening cause
NO.
HELD: The coming of the men with the torch was to be
expected and was a natural sequence of the overturning
of the bus, the trapping of passengers and the call for
outside help.
It may be that ordinarily, when a passenger bus
overturns, and pins down a passenger, merely causing
him physical injuries, if through some event, unexpected
and extraordinary, the overturned bus is set on fire, say,

CLASS

NOT ES

The Court did not agree with the theory of the

defense that it was the bringing of the torch
which was the proximate cause as it was an act
of rescue and hence cannot be considered as
negligence

Manila Electric v Remonquillo

FACTS: Efren Magno repaired the media agua below
Penalozas 3-story house. In the course of the repair,
the end of the iron sheet he was holding came into
contact with an uninsulated electric wire of Manila
Electric, causing his death by electrocution. The
distance from the electric wire to the media agua was
only 2 feet, in violation of the regulation of the City of
Manila requiring 3 feet.

HELD: the violation of a stature or ordinance is not

rendered remote as the cause of an injury by the
intervention of another agency if the occurrence of the
accident, in the manner in which it happened, was the
very thing which the stature or ordinance was intended
to prevent. In the present case, the violation was a
continuing violation in that the ordinance was a measure
of safety designed to prevent the specific situation of
undue crowding in case of evacuation.
Note: The PC of the deaths is the overcrowding brought
about by the violation. However, the court did not
specifically identify the violation itself as the PC.

ISSUE: WON there was an efficient intervening cause

YES.
HELD: Efficient intervening cause: the negligent and
reckless act of MAgno in turning around and swinging
the galvanized iron sheet without taking any precaution,
such as looking back toward the street and at the wire to
avoid its contacting the said iron sheet, considering the
latters length of 6 feet.

CLASS

NOT ES

CLASS

NOT ES

Rule: if the injury was caused by an act which

the statute violated tended to prevent, the
violation of the statute can be considered
negligence per se and is the proximate cause.
But this is only of limited application and is not
yet settled.
Effects of violation of statute is not settled. It
can be: a) negligence per se, b) prima facie
proof of negligence, c) rebuttable proof of
negligence, d) proof of negligence
*Limited application because its municipal
ordinance. Can you apply this if what is
involved is a national statute?- You might be
able to use argument by analogy*

The IC here was the turning

What could have been the IC now becomes the
remote cause

Teague v Fernandez
Urbano v IAC

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PAGE 33
Smith

FACTS: On October 23, 1980, Urbano hacked Javier in

his right palm. Javier was brought to a doctor who
issued a certificate stating the incapacitation is from 7-9
days. On November 5, Javier was seen catching fish in
dirty shallow irrigation canals after a typhoon. ON
November 14, he died of tetanus.
ISSUE: WON there was efficient intervening cause
YES.
HELD: The death must be the direct, natural, and logical
consequence of the wounds inflicted upon him by the
accused. The medical findings, in the case at bar, show
that the infection of the wound by the tetanus was an
effacing intervening cause later or between the time
Javier was wounded to the time of death.

4.

CLASS

NOT E

Was there expert testimony here or did they

use RIL?-no discussion in the case

Last Clear Chance

CLASS

NOT ES

Take note of the definition of last clear chance

in all the cases.

Picart v Smith
*Provides for the classic definition of Last Clear Chance:
the person who has the last fair chance to avoid the
impending harm and fails to do so is chargeable with the
consequences, without reference to the prior negligence
of the other party.
FACTS: Picart riding his pony was on the wrong side of
the road. Smith driving his car stayed on his right lane
and so both Picart and Smith were on the same lane.
Smith stayed on his lane and swerved to the other lane
quickly, thereby almost hitting the pony. Pony became
frightened and lost control and Picart was thrown out of
the pony and got injured. Picart then filed a case against

RATIO: The negligent acts of both parties were NOT

contemporaneous. Negligence of Smith succeeded the
negligence of Picart by an appreciable interval. th saw
the pony when he was still far and he had control of the
situation. was his duty to avoid the threatened harm by
bringing the car to a stop or taking the other lane to
avoid the collision.
t take into consideration the
NATURE OF HORSES and the ANIMAL NOT BEING
ACQUAINTED TO CARS. ligence of Smith: when it
exposed Picart and pony to danger. This negligence of
Smith was the immediate and determining cause of the
accident and the antecedent negligence of Picart was a
more remote factor
-Applied the LCCD and made the defendant liable

CLASS

NOT E

import (stated above) provides that negligent defendant

shall be liable to negligent plaintiff. Thus, the LCCD
does not arise where the passenger demands
responsibility from the carrier to enforce its contractual
obligations. The doctrine also cannot be extended into
the field of joint tortfeasors as a test whether one of
them should be liable to the injured person. So, the
doctrine cannot apply in this case because this is NOT a
suit between owners and drivers but a suit brought by
the heirs of the deceased passengers against both
owners and drivers of the colliding vehicles
- did not apply LCCD

Important: there should be a sequence of

events

Bustamante v CA
- Practical importance of LCCD

The negligent defendant is held liable to a

negligent plaintiff, or even to a plaintiff who has
been grossly negligent in placing himself in
peril, if he, aware of the plaintiffs peril, or
should have been aware of it in the reasonable
exercise of due care, had in fact had an
opportunity later than that of the plaintiff to
avoid an accident
FACTS: Collision between a truck and a bus when the
bus tried to overtake a hand tractor. Bus saw that the
trucks wheels were wiggling and that truck was heading
towards his lane. Still, bus driver did not mind and
instead applied more speed. Thus, many were killed
and injured. Victims heirs filed this case to claim
damages from bus and truck
RATIO: Last Clear Chance Doctrine: negligence of the
plaintiff does not preclude a recovery for the negligence
of the defendant where it appears that the defendant, by
exercising reasonable care and prudence, might have
avoided injurious consequences to the plaintiff
notwithstanding the plaintiffs negligence. The practical

CLASS

N O T E S ()

Last clear chance contemplates a series of

negligent acts.
The definition of last clear chance in the case
of Bustamante is deemed to be the common
definition (from the point of view of recovery of
plaintiff) and is defined as an exception to a
rule.
The doctrine of last clear chance would apply
even if the plaintiff is grossly negligent.
Exceptions, however, include joint tortfeasors
(according to Americn Jurisprudence).
Last clear chance cannot apply when there are:
1) contractual relations, 2) joint tortfeasors, 3)
concurrent negligence

Phoenix Construction v IAC

- basis for saying that there is doubt in the application of
the Last Clear Chance Doctrine because of Art. 2179.
However, the statements made on the Last Clear
Chance Doctrine were merely obiter
FACTS: Dionisio was on his way home from a cocktails
and dinner-meeting when he collided with the dumptruck
of Phoenix which was parked askew at the side of the
road. Thus, Dionisio filed an action for damages against
Phoenix. Phoenix invoked the Last Clear Chance
Doctrine: Dionisio had the Last Clear Chance of
avoiding the accident and so Dionisio, having failed to
take the last clear chance, must bear his own injuries
alone

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RATIO:
The Last Clear Chance doctrine of the
Common Law was imported into our jurisdiction by
Picart vs. Smith but it is still a matter of debate whether,
or to what extent, it has found its way into the Civil Code
of the Philippines.
The doctrine was applied by
Common Law because they had a rule that contributory
negligence prevented any recovery at all by a negligent
plaintiff. BUT in the Philippines we have Article 2179 of
the Civil Code which rejects the Common Law doctrine
of contributory negligence. Thus, the court in this case
stated that it does not believe so that the general
concept of Last Clear Chance has been utilized in our
jurisdiction. Article 2179 on contributory negligence is
not an exercise in chronology or physics but what is
important is the negligent act or omission of each party
and the character and gravity of the risks created by
such act or omission for the rest of the community. To
say that Phoenix should be absolved from liability would
come close to wiping out the fundamental law that a
man must respond for the foreseeable consequences of
his own negligent act or omission.
-LCCD was not applied because the court thinks that
it is not applicable in our jurisdiction

CLASS

NOT ES

The issue on the element of foreseeability:

There is no general concept of last clear
chance. Rather, what is more important is the
nature, not the order of events. In last clear
chance, timing is of the essence.
In the case at hand, the truck drivers parking
askew led to an increased diligence for the
driver of the car. court should allocate risks
(policy of consideration)
Historical function of last clear chance: mitigate
harshness of doctrine of
contributory
negligence
Nature of negligent act should determine
liability, not sequence of events
Does the last clear chance doctrine still stand?
Yes, because it was still used in later cases
Phoenix-1987, PBC-1997: appreciably later in
time

Philippine Bank of Commerce v CA

- apply the last Clear Chance Doctrine when fault or
negligence is difficult to attribute

PAGE 34
Glan Peoples Lumber & Hardware v IAC
FACTS: RMC had an account in PBC and Secretary of
RMC was tasked to deposit its money. However, it turns
out that the Secretary would leave blank the duplicate
copy of the deposit slip where the banks teller would
validate it. Instead of writing the account number of the
company in the original copy retained by the bank,
Secretary would write the account number of husband.
Thus, RMCs funds were now in Secretarys husbands
account. RMC discovered this after 7 yers and then
filed a case against PBC to return its money
RATIO: PBC was negligent when its employee, teller,
validated a blank duplicate copy of the deposit slip.
PBC was also lackadaisical in its selection and
supervision on the teller since it never knew that blank
deposit slips were validated until this incident . Court
also applied Last Clear Chance Doctrine in saying that
PBC was really negligent.
LAST CLEAR CHANCE

Aka supervening negligence or discovered peril

Where both parties are negligent, but the

negligent act of one is appreciably later in time
than that of the other, or when it is impossible to
determine whose fault or negligence should be
attributed to the incident, the one who had the
last clear opportunity to avoid the impending
harm and failed to do so is chargeable with the
consequence thereof
The bank had the last clear opportunity to avert the
injury incurred by its client, simply by faithfully observing
their self-imposed validation procedure. Still, court said
that RMC was also negligent in not checking its monthly
statements of account. Applied 2179 of CC on
contributory negligence.
60-40 ratio! 40% of the
damages shall be borne by RMC; 60% by PBC
-applied LCCD in knowing whether PBC was
negligent

CLASS

NOT ES

Elements: 1) 2 parties negligent, 2) appreciable

time bet. 2 negligent acts and it is impossible to
determine whose fault or negligence caused
injury
Problem: overlaps with doctrine of concurrent
negligence

- may be used as basis against the ruling made on Last

Clear Chance Doctrine in the case of Phoenix
FACTS
jeep and cargo truck collided
jeepney driver came from a beach party
jeep was zigzagging
cargo truck was staying on his lane because the line
in the road was wrongly painted
case filed by heirs of the driver of the jeep who died
as a result of the collision
RATIO:
- The truck driver was not negligent and so cannot be
held liable. Furthermore, the doctrine of Last Clear
Chance also cannot apply because there is no
negligence of the other party
- Even assuming that the truck driver was negligent, the
doctrine of Last Clear Chance would still absolve him
from any actionable responsibility for the accident
because both drivers had full view of each others
vehicle.
The truck stopped 30 m away from the jeep and so by
this time, the jeep should have stopped or swerved
Jeep driver had the last clear chance to avoid the
accident
It was the jeeps driver who had the duty to seize the
opportunity of avoidance and not merely rely on a
supposed right to expect that the truck would swerve
and leave him a clear path
- The doctrine of Last Clear Chance provides a valid
and complete defense to accident liability today as it
did when invoked and applied in the 1918 case of
Picart vs. Smith, which involved a similar state of facts
- Thus, this ruling would clearly apply to exonerate
truck driver
- did not apply the doctrine of last clear chance
because the other party was not negligent

CLASS

NOT ES

How did the case of Glan Peoples Lumber

affect the case of Phoeix? In the case of Glan,
last clear chance was deemed to be a valid
defense.

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Pantranco North express Inc v Baesa

PAGE 35
means at hand after the peril is or should have been
discovered
In this case, Pantranco bus was speeding and at
the speed of the approaching bus prevented
jeepney driver from swerving to avoid collision
Jeepney driver had NO opportunity to avoid it
- Sole and proximate cause of the accident:
Pantrancos driver in encroaching into the lane of the
incoming jeepney and in failing to return the bus to its
own lane immediately upon seeing the jeepney
coming from the opposite direction

- awareness and opportunity

FACTS:
Passenger jeepney and Pantranco bus collided when
Pantranco bus encroached on the jeepneys lane
Heirs of passengers in jeepney who died filed this
case against Pantranco
Pantranco wants the court to apply the doctrine of
Last Clear Chance against the jeepney driver saying
that the jeepney driver had the last clear chance in
avoiding the collision.

- did not apply LCCD because there was no

opportunity to avoid the accident and the jeepney
driver was not aware of the peril.

CLASS

NOT E

Do not apply last clear chance under the

emergency rule
Important: memorize emergency rule

Doctrine of Last Clear Chance: negligence of a

claimant does not preclude recovery for the
negligence of the defendant where it appears that the
latter, by exercising reasonable care and prudence,
might have avoided injurious consequences to
claimant notwithstanding his negligence
The Last Clear Chance doctrine can never apply
where the party charged is required to act
instantaneously, and if the injury cannot be avoided
by the application of all means at hand after the peril
is or should have been discovered.
In this case, it was unknown how the kid got into the
pool and whether the kid violated one of the
regulations of Metropolitan Water District because he
went unaccompanied. It also appears that the
lifeguard responded to the call for held and
immediately made all efforts to resuscitate the kid
There is no room in this case for the application of the
doctrine!
LCCD not applied because no negligence on the
part of Metropolitan Water District was proven

Ong v Metropolitan Water District

RATIO:
- Generally, the last clear chance doctrine is invoked for
the purpose of making a defendant liable to a plaintiff
who was guilty of prior or antecedent negligence,
although it may also be raised as a defense to defeat
claim for damages
- Thus, Pantranco raises the doctrine in order to
escape liability
- However, the court said that the doctrine of last clear
chance cannot be applied in this case!
- For the doctrine to be applicable, it is necessary to
show that the person who allegedlty had the last
opportunity to avert the accident was aware of the
existence of the peril or should, with exercise of due
care, have been aware of it
In this case, jeepney driver did not know of the
impending danger because he must have assumed
that the bus driver will return to its own lane upon
seeing the jeepney approaching from the opposite
direction
- Court said that the doctrine can never apply where the
party charged is required to act instantaneously and if
the injury cannot be avoided by the application of all

Anuran v Buno
-Last Clear Chance Doctrine was not applied in this
case because there was no negligence on the part of
the Metropolitan Water District
FACTS
Kid drowned in one of the pools of Metropolitan Water
District
Reason why the kid drowned is unknown
Employees of the Metropolitan Water District acted as
soon as calls for help were heard and tried to revive
the kid but he still died
Case filed by parents of kid who drowned claiming
damages against Metropolitan Water District
Parents of kid claim that Metropolitan Water District
may still be held liable for the doctrine of Last Clear
Chance because it had the last opportunity to save
the kid
RATIO:
There is sufficient evidence to show that Metropolitan
Water District had taken all necessary precautions to
avoid danger to the lives of its patron or prevent
accidents which may cause their deaths

FACTS:
A passenger jeepney was parked at the side of the
road since one of the passengers alighted
A motor truck, speeding, then bumped into the
jeepney from behind with such violence that 3
passengers died
Thus, this case was filed by the heirs of the deceased
and of the injured to recover damages from the driver
and owner of the truck and the owner of the jeepney
CA: applied the Doctrine of Last Clear Chance and
held that only the truck was liable because although
the jeepney was guilty of antecedent negligence, the
truck was guilty of greater negligence which was the
efficient cause of the collision
RATIO:
Disagreed with the CA and held that both the truck
and jeepney were liable
The principle of Last Clear Chance would call for the
application in a suit between the owners and drivers
of the 2 colliding vehicles. It does NOT arise where a

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passenger demands responsibility from the carrier to

enforce its contractual obligations.
For it would be inequitable to exempt the negligent
driver of the jeepney and its owners on the ground
that the other driver was likewise guilty of negligence
- did not apply LCCD because there was a
contractual obligation on the part of the carrier to
transport its passengers safely

PAGE 36
that of the other, or where it is impossible to
determine whose fault or negligence brought about
the occurrence of the incident, the one who had the
last clear opportunity to avoid the impending harm
but failed to do so, is chargeable with the
consequences arising therefrom
In this case, ASB had the last clear chance to prevent
fraud, by simple expedient of faithfully complying with
the requirements of banks to ascertain the identity of
the persons transacting with them
For not observing the degree of diligence required of
banking institutions, ASB has to bear the loss sued
upon
-applied the LCCD

Canlas v CA
-Last Clear Chance Doctrine can apply in commercial
transactions

CLASS

NOT ES

The Canlas sps. were negligent in giving their

title to the property to Maosca.
With regard to the special power of attorney:
the SPA given to Maosca was to mortgage so
the presence of the Canlas sps. was actually
not a requirement.
Was there really negligence on the part of the
bank even if Manosca had an SPA and the
land title?
In Canlas, the Court talked about 2 definitionsshort and long: take note of these

FACTS:
2 parcels of land owned by Canlas were sold to
Manosca
Manosca issued 2 check that bounced
Manosca was then granted a loan by Asian Savings
Bank with the 2 parcels of land as security
2 impostors used who introduced themselves as the
spouses Canlas
mortgage was foreclosed
Canlas wrote to Asian Savings Bank regarding the
mortgage of Manosca of the 2 properties without their
consent
Canlas filed this case for annulment of the deed of
real estate mortgage against ASB

- Last Clear Chance Doctrine is NOT applicable in

culpa contractual

RATIO:
ASB was negligent in not exerting more effort to verify
the identity of the sps Canlas
The Bank should have required additional proof of the
true identity of the impostor aside from their residence
certificate
Applied the doctrine of Last Clear Chance which
states that:
Where both parties are negligent but the negligent
act of one is appreciable later in a point of time that

FACTS:
LC Diaz had a savings account with Solidbank.
After messenger of LC Diaz deposited amount, it took
so long so he had to leave the passbook
Turns out that the passbook was given to somebody
else (not the messenger or any employee of LC Diaz)
and was able to withdraw P300,000.00 from its
account.
Thus, LC Diaz filed this case for the recovery of sum
of money against Solidbank

Consolidated Bank & Trust Corporation v CA

CA: found that Solidbank was negligent and it had the

last clear chance to avoid the injury if it had only
called up LC Diaz to verify the withdrawal
RATIO:
In this case, Solidbank is liable for breach of contract
due to negligence or culpa contractual
The bank is under the obligation to treat the accounts
of its depositors with meticulous care, always having
in mind the fiduciary nature of their relationship.
However, in this case, they failed to do this.
Solidbank was supposed to return the passbook only
to the depositor or his authorized representative, but
here, Solidbank through teller gave it to someone else
Solidbank breached its contractual obligation to return
the passbook only to the authorized representative of
LC Diaz
Thus, Solidbank was negligent in not returning the
passbook to messenger of LC Diaz proximate
cause
CA wrongly applied the doctrine of last clear chance
Last Clear Chance Doctrine is not applied in this case
because Solidbank is liable for breach of contract due
to negligence in the performance of contractual
obligation to LC Diaz
This case of culpa contractual, where neither the
contributory negligence of plaintiff nor his last clear
chance to avoid the loss, would exonerate the
defendant from liability
Such contributory negligence or last clear chance by
the plaintiff merely serves to reduce the recovery of
damages by the plaintiff but does not exculpate the
defendant from his breach of contract
LC Diaz guilty of contributory negligence in allowing
withdrawal slip signed by its authorized signatories to
fall into the hands of an impostor and so liability of
Solidbank should be reduced.40-60
- LCCD not applied

CLASS

NOT E

Implied that the last clear chance doctrine is

not applicable to culpa contractual

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Engada v CA

- Last Clear Chance Doctrine was not applied; instead

applied the emergency rule.
- Last Clear Chance Doctrine was not applied because
there was no clear chance emergency situation.
FACTS
Iran driving a tamaraw jeepney
In the other lane was an isuzu pick-up that was
speeding.
Right signal light was flashing but swerved to the left
and encroached on the lane of tamaraw jeepney
Tamaraw jeepney tried to avoid the Isuzu pick-up but
Isuzu pick-ip swerved to where tamaraw jeepney was
going and so they collided
Information was then filed against the driver of the
Isuzu pick-up charging him with serious physical
injuries and damage to property through reckless
imprudence
RATIO:
It was the Isuzu pick-up trucks negligence that was
the proximate cause of the collision
- Isuzu abandoned his lane and did not first see to it
that the opposite lane was free from on-coming
traffic and was available for safe passage.
- After seeing the tamaraw, Isuzu did not slow down
Iran, tamaraw driver, could not be faulted when he
swerved to the lane of Isuzu to the lane of Isuzu to
avoid collision
Isuzu drivers acts had put tamaraw driver in an
emergency situation which forced him to act quickly
EMERGENCY RULE: an individual who suddenly
finds himself in a situation of danger and is required to
act without much time to consider the best means that
may be adopted to avoid the impending danger, it not
guilty of negligence if he fails to undertake what
subsequently and upon reflection may appear to be a
better solution, unless the emergency was brought by
his own negligence
Defense of Isuzu: invoked Last Clear Chance
Doctrine
SC: The doctrine of last clear chance states that a
person who has the last clear chance or opportunity of
avoiding the accident, notwithstanding the negligent

PAGE 37
acts of his opponent, is considered in law solely
responsible for the consequences of the accident
- However, no convincing evidence was adduced to
support this defense
- Furthermore, the doctrine cannot be applied
because there was no time or opportunity to ponder
the situation at all. There was no clear chance to
speak of
Thus, driver of Isuzu guilty!
- did not apply LCCD because no clear chance

1 Sangco, (pp. 74-81)

The Doctrine of Last Clear Chance

Also known as the doctrine of discovered peril,

doctrine of supervening negligence, humanitarian
doctrine, doctrine of gross negligence

The negligence of the plaintiff does not preclude a

recovery for the negligence of the defendant where
it appears that the defendant, by exercising
reasonable care and prudence, might have avoided
injurious
consequences
to
the
plaintiff
notwithstanding the plaintiffs negligence.

A negligent defendant is held liable to a negligent

plaintiff or even to a plaintiff who has been grossly
negligent in placing himself in peril, if he, aware of
the plaintiffs peril, or according to some authorities,
should have been aware of it in the reasonable
exercise of due care, had in fact an opportunity later
than that of the plaintiff to avoid an accident.
1. As a phase of proximate cause principle

The doctrine of last clear chance negatives an

essential element of the defense of contributory
negligence by rendering plaintiffs negligence a
mere condition or remote cause of the accident.

The failure to avoid injuring a person occupying a

position of peril may be a supervening cause.
2. Elements and conditions of doctrine

Facts required:
o That the plaintiff was in a position of danger
and by his own negligence became unable to
escape from such position by the use of
ordinary care, either because it became
physically impossible for him to do so or
because he was totally unaware of the danger.
o The defendant knew that the plaintiff was in a
position of danger and further knew, or in the

exercise of ordinary care should have known

that the plaintiff was unable to escape
therefrom
o That thereafter the defendant had the last clear
chance to avoid the accident by the exercise of
ordinary care but failed to exercise such last
clear chance and the accident occurred as a
proximate result of such failure
To state a cause of action, the pleader must
disclose:
o The exposed condition brought about by the
negligence of plaintiff or the injured party
o The actual discovery by the defendant of the
perilous situation of the person or property
injured in time to avert injury
o Defendants failure thereafter to exercise
ordinary care to avert the injury

3. Parties who invoke doctrine

Many courts take the view that the doctrine of last

clear chance is not available to defendant. LCC
can only be invoked in favor of the person injured,
since it implies contributory negligence on his part,
and is, generally speaking, only operative in those
cases where, notwithstanding the injured persons
want of care, another person wantonly, or with
knowledge of the perilous situation of the person
injured carelessly or recklessly injured him.

The doctrine embraces successive acts of

negligence: primary negligence on the part of the
defendant then contributory negligence on the part
of the plaintiff which creates a situation of
inextricable peril to him and then becomes passive
or static followed by the subsequent negligence of
the defendant in failing to avoid injury to the plaintiff.

Although the defendant may not invoke the

doctrine, it does not preclude him from proving that
the plaintiff had the last clear opportunity to avert
the injury complained of and thus establish that the
plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence which
proximately caused the accident and consequently
bars plaintiffs recovery.

Between the defendants, the doctrine cannot be

extended into the field of joint tortfeasors as a test
of whether only one of them should be held liable to
the injured person by reason of his discovery of the
latters peril and it cannot be invoked as between
defendants concurrently negligent.

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LCC applies in a suit between the owners and

drivers of colliding vehicles. It does not arise where
a passenger demands responsibility from the carrier
to enforce its contractual obligations.

PAGE 38

Pantranco
Baesa

Summary on Last Clear Chance

The Last Clear Chance Doctrine renders plaintiffs
contributory negligence as a mere condition
Invoked by the plaintiff
Cannot be invoked by joint tortfeasors
Case
Plaintiff
WON
Why?
applied
the
LCCD
Picart
vs. Picart (one YES
Smith had a
Smith
of
the
clear
parties who
opportunity
caused the
to avoid the
collision)
accident
Bustamante
Passengers
NO
No
Picart
v Picart (one Yes
Smith had clear
Smith
of
the
opportunity to
parties who
avoid
the
caused the
accident
collision)
Bustamante v Passengers
No
No
negligent
CA
of the bus
plaintiff
because
the
plaintiff in the
case are the
passengers of
the bus who are
asking
for
damages
Phoenix
v Phoenix
No
Doctrine
was
IAC
(one of the
not carried over
parties who
to the CC
caused the
collision)
Philippine
RMC (one of Yes
Just to know if
Bank
of the parties
PBC
was
Commerce v who caused
negligent
but
CA
the
damages were
accident)
divided 40-60
Glan v IAC
Heirs of the No
Truck
driver
driver of the
(other party in
jeep (one of
the
collision)
-

Ong
v
Metropolitan
Anuran
Buno

Canlas v CA

Consolidated
Bank v CA

Engada v CA

the parties
who caused
the collision)
Heirs of the
passengers
of jeepney
(no contract)

was
negligent
No

Parents of
the
deceased
Heirs of the
passengers
of jeep (with
contract)
Canals (one
of
the
parties who
caused the
incident)
for
the
annulment
of the deed

No

LC Diaz
for
the
recovery of
the sum of
money

No

Inured party
(owner
of
the
Tamaraw)

CLASS

No

Yes

No

not

There was no
opportunity to
avoid
the
accident
and
driver was not
aware of the
peril
Defendant was
not negligent
There
was
contractual
relation
Defendant bank
had the last
clear chance to
prevent
the
fraud
Note: there was
no contractual
relation
between Canlas
and the bank
Liability of bank
arose
from
culpa
contractual and
so
doctrine
cannot
be
applied
There was no
clear chance in
avoiding
the
accident
because it was
an emergency
situation

NOT ES

According to Sangco, the last clear chance

doctrine is a phase of contributory negligence.
It is considered in determining proximate cause

and should only apply when there is a time

sequence.
Other names: doctrine of discovered peril,
doctrine of supervening negligence, doctrine of
gross negligence, humanitarian doctrine.
Last clear chance doctrine considered to
determine the proximate cause.
Last clear chance doctrine should not apply
when there is a time sequence.
The elements of the doctrine of last clear
chance:
a) the plaintiff is in danger
b) the defendant knew of plaintiffs state
c) the defendant had the last clear chance to
avoid the accident
Who may invoke? Solely for plaintiffs benefit

V. STRICT LIABILITY
Blacks Law Dictionary definition:
Liability does not depend on actual negligence or intent
to harm, but that is based on the breach of an absolute
duty to make something safe. It most often applies
either to ultra hazardous activities or in product liability
cases. It is also known as absolute liability or liability
without fault.

CLASS

NOT E

Test: when the conditions provided in the law

exist, you are already liable

A. Possessor of animals
Art. 2183, NCC
The possessor of an animal or whoever may make use
of the same is responsible for the damage which it may
cause, although it may escape or be lost. This
responsibility shall cease only in case the damage
should come from force majeure or from the fault of the
person who has suffered damage.

Vestil v IAC
FACTS: Theness Uy was bitten by Andoy, the dog of
Vestils father, when the victim was playing with Vestils

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child in their compound. Theness, who was only 3 yrs

old, was brought to the hospital and was later
discharged, but after 9 days she was readmitted for
exhibiting signs of hydrophobia and vomiting of saliva.
The next day she died of broncho-pneumonia.
-Uys sued Vestil for being the possessor of Andoy.
Vestils claimed that they dont own the dog, that it was a
tame animal, and that Theness provoked the dog so it
bit her.
HELD: The obligation imposed by Article 2183 of the
Civil Code is not based on the negligence or on the
presumed lack of vigilance of the possessor or user of
the animal causing the damage. It is based on natural
equity and on the principle of social interest that he who
possesses animals for his utility, pleasure or service
must answer for the damage which such animal may
cause.
- While it is true that she is not really the owner of the
house, which was still part of Vicente Miranda's estate,
there is no doubt that she and her husband were its
possessors at the time of the incident in question.
- It does not matter that the dog was tame and was
merely provoked by the child into biting her. The law
does not speak only of vicious animals but covers even
tame ones as long as they cause injury. As for the
alleged provocation, the petitioners forget that Theness
was only three years old at the time she was attacked
and can hardly be faulted for whatever she might have
done to the animal.

CLASS

NOT ES

Remote control argument does not lie. This is a

strict liability case.
Does it matter if the dog is tame? No. Law
covers even tame animals as long as they
produce injury
Dog follows the house: accessory follows the
principal (so would a rat living in the house
make the house owners liable if the rat bites a
guest and causes the latters death?)

B. Things thrown or falling from a building

Art. 2193 The head of a family that lives in a building or
a part thereof, is responsible for damages caused by
things thrown or falling from the same.

PAGE 39

CLASS

NOT ES

This provision applies regardless of

how things fell from the house.
Dingcong v Kanaan

FACTS:
-The Dingcongs rented a house and established Central
Hotel. Kanaan, et.al. rented the ground floor of house
where they established the American Bazaar.
Echeverria rented room in the hotel.
-One night, Echevarria, carelessly left the faucet open
when retiring to bed, causing the water to run off and
spill to the ground, wetting the articles and merchandise
of the Kanaan's "American Bazaar" in the ground floor.
Kanaans filed complaint for damages against Echevarria
and Dingcongs.
HELD:
-Echevarria is liable for being the one who directly, by
his negligence in leaving open the faucet, caused the
water to spill to the ground and wet the articles and
merchandise of the plaintiffs.
-Dingcong, being a co-tenant and manager of the hotel,
with complete possession of the house, must also be
responsible for the damages caused. He failed to
exercise the diligence of a good father of the family to
prevent these damages, despite his power and authority
to cause the repair of the pipes.

CLASS

NOT E

Is A2193,CC applicable in this case? Prof.

Casis seems to believe otherwise since A2193
speaks of the liability of a head of family when
a structure or similar object falls off the balcony
or second storey of his building. Dingcong is
not the head of a family.
Can water be considered as a thing thrown or
falling?

C. Death/Injuries in the course of employment

Art. 1711 Owners of enterprises and other employers

are obliged to pay compensation for the death of or
injuries to their laborers, workmen, mechanics or other
employees, even though the event may have been
purely accidental or entirely due to a fortuitous cause, if
the death or personal injury arose out of and in the
course of the employment. The employer is also liable
for compensation if the employee contracts any illness
or disease caused by such employment or as the result
of the nature of the employment. If the mishap was due
to the employee's own notorious negligence, or
voluntary act, or drunkenness, the employer shall not be
liable for compensation. When the employee's lack of
due care contributed to his death or injury, the
compensation shall be equitably reduced.

CLASS

NOT ES

Who is liable? Employers, owners of

establishment
Who are they liable to? Laborers, employees
Under what conditions? Death or illness arising
out of the course of employment

Art. 1712 If the death or injury is due to the negligence

of a fellow worker, the latter and the employer shall be
solidarily liable for compensation. If a fellow worker's
intentional malicious act is the only cause of the death
or injury, the employer shall not be answerable, unless it
should be shown that the latter did not exercise due
diligence in the selection or supervision of the plaintiff's
fellow worker.

Afable v Singer Sewing Machine

FACTS:
-One Sunday afternoon, Leopoldo Madlangbayan, a
collector for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, while
riding his bicycle was run over and killed by a truck. At
the time of his death he was returning home after
making some collections.
-The widow and children of Madlangbayan brought an
action to recover from the defendant corporation under

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PAGE 40

Act No. 3428, as amended by Act. No. 3812. The

complaint was subsequently amended, and they sought
to recover under sections 8 and 10 of Act No. 3428.
RATIO:
-The phrase "due to and in the pursuance of" used in
section 2 of Act No. 3428 was changed in Act No. 3812
to "arising out of and in the course of".
-The words "arising out of" refer to the origin or cause of
the accident, and are descriptive of its character, while
the words "in the course of" refer to the time, place, and
circumstances under which the accident takes place. By
the use of these words it was not the intention of the
legislature to make the employer an insurer against all
accidental injuries which might happen to an employee
while in the course of the employment, but only for such
injuries arising from or growing out of the risks peculiar
to the nature of the work in the scope of the workman's
employment of incidental to such employment, and
accidents in which it is possible to trace the injury to
some risk or hazard to which the employee is exposed
in a special degree by reason of such employment.
Risks to which all persons similarly situated are equally
exposed and not traceable in some special degree to
the particular employment are excluded.
-As a general rule an employee is not entitled to recover
from personal injuries resulting from an accident that
befalls him while going to or returning from his place of
employment, because such an accident does no arise
out of and in the course of his employment.
-If the deceased saw fit to change his residence from
San Francisco del Monte to Manila and to make use a
bicycle in going back and forth, he did so at his own risk,
as the defendant company did not furnish him a bicycle
or require him to use one; and if he made collections on
Sunday, he did not do so in pursuance of his
employment, and his employer is not liable for any injury
sustained by him.

CLASS

place, and circumstances under which the

accident takes place.

D. Product liability
Art. 2187 Manufacturers and processors of foodstuffs,
drinks, toilet articles and similar goods shall be liable for
death or injuries caused by any noxious or harmful
substances used, although no contractual relation exists
between them and the consumers.

CLASS

NOT ES

Who is liable? Manufacturers and processors

of foodstuffs, drinks, toilet articles
Under what circumstances? Death or injuries
caused by noxious or harmful substances
Who are they liable to? Anyone who consumed
goods (even if goods were stolen)

Consumer Act
Art. 97. Liability for the Defective Products. - Any
Filipino or foreign manufacturer, producer, and any
importer, shall be liable for redress, independently of
fault, for damages caused to consumers by defects
resulting from design, manufacture, construction,
assembly and erection, formulas and handling and
making up, presentation or packing of their products, as
well as for the insufficient or inadequate information on
the use and hazards thereof.
A product is defective when it does not offer the safety
rightfully expected of it, taking relevant circumstances
into consideration, including but not limited to:
(a) presentation of product;
(b) use and hazards reasonably expected of it;
(c) the time it was put into circulation.

(b) that although it did place the product on the

market such product has no defect;
(c) that the consumer or a third party is solely at
fault.
Art. 99. Liability for Defective Services. - The service
supplier is liable for redress, independently of fault, for
damages caused to consumers by defects relating to
the rendering of the services, as well as for insufficient
or inadequate information on the fruition and hazards
thereof.
The service is defective when it does not provide the
safety the consumer may rightfully expect of it, taking
the relevant circumstances into consideration, including
but not limited to:
(a) the manner in which it is provided;
(b) the result of hazards which may reasonably be
expected of it;
(c) the time when it was provided.
A service is not considered defective because of the use
or introduction of new techniques.
The supplier of the services shall not be held liable
when it is proven:
(a) that there is no defect in the service rendered;
(b) that the consumer or third party is solely at fault.
Art. 106. Prohibition in Contractual Stipulation.
The stipulation in a contract of a clause preventing,
exonerating or reducing the obligation to indemnify for
damages effected, as provided for in this and in the
preceding Articles, is hereby prohibited, if there is more
than one person responsible for the cause of the
damage, they shall be jointly liable for the redress
established in the pertinent provisions of this Act.
However, if the damage is caused by a component or
part incorporated in the product or service, its
manufacturer, builder or importer and the person who
incorporated the component or part are jointly liable.

NOT E

Defenses available to an employer: a)

notorious negligence, b) voluntary act of the
employee and c) drunkenness.
Case distinguishes arising out of and in the
course of. The first refers to the origin or cause
of the accident. The latter refers to the time,

A product is not considered defective because another

better quality product has been placed in the market.
The manufacturer, builder, producer or importer shall
not be held liable when it evidences:

Art. 107. Penalties.

Any person who shall violate any provision of this
Chapter or its implementing rules and regulations with
respect to any consumer product which is not food,
cosmetic, or hazardous substance shall upon conviction,
be subject to a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos

(a) that it did not place the product on the market;

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(P5,000.00) and by imprisonment of not more that one

(1) year or both upon the discretion of the court.
In case of judicial persons, the penalty shall be imposed
upon its president, manager or head. If the offender is
an alien, he shall, after payment of fine and service of
sentence, be deported without further deportation
proceedings.
CHAPTER VI. Prohibited Acts and Penalties (RA3720
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act)
Sec. 11. The following acts and the causing thereof are
hereby prohibited:
(a) The manufacture, sale, offering for sale or transfer of
any food, drug, device or cosmetic that is adulterated or
misbranded.
(b) The adulteration or misbranding of any food, drug,
device, or cosmetic.
(c) The refusal to permit entry or inspection as
authorized by Section twenty-seven hereof or to allow
samples to be collected.
(d) The giving of a guaranty or undertaking referred to
in Section twelve (b) hereof which guaranty or
undertaking is false, except by a person who relied upon
a guaranty or undertaking to the same effect signed by,
and containing the name and address of, the person
residing in the Philippines from whom he received in
good faith the food, drug, device, or cosmetic or the
giving of a guaranty or undertaking referred to in Section
twelve (b) which guaranty or undertaking is false.
(e)
Forging, counterfeiting, simulating, or falsely
representing or without proper authority using any mark,
stamp, tag label, or other identification device authorized
or required by regulations promulgated under the
provisions of this Act.
( f ) The using by any person to his own advantage, or
revealing, other than to the Secretary or officers or
employees of the Department or to the courts when
relevant in any judicial proceeding under this Act, any
information acquired under authority of Section nine, or
concerning any method or process which as a trade
secret is entitled to protection.
(g) The alteration, mutilation, destruction, obliteration,
or removal of the whole or any part of the labeling of, or
the doing of any other act with respect to, a food, drug,
device, or cosmetic, if such act is done while such article

PAGE 41
is held for sale (whether or not the first sale) and results
in such article being adulterated or misbranded.
(h)
The use, on the labeling of any drug or in any
advertising relating to such drug, of any representation
or suggestion that an application with respect to such
drug is effective under Section twenty-one hereof, or
that such drug complies with the provisions of such
section.
(i)
The use, in labeling, advertising or other sales
promotion of any reference to any report or analysis
furnished in compliance with Section twenty-six hereof.

warranties against hidden defects or encumbrances

upon the thing sold are not limited to those prescribed in
A1567. The vendee may also ask for the annulment of
the contract upon proof of error or fraud in which case
the ordinary rule on obligations shall be applicable.

CLASS

NOT ES

Is a restaurant owner a seller or a processor?

Could the company stipulate limited liability?
No. A106 of the Consumer Act. If basis is not
Consumer Act, you can use 2187 on strict
liability which is a powerful provision except
against sellers (law on SALES will be the basis
in this case)
Elements of 2187: 1) causal link 2)
manufacturers, processors
What do you mean by similar goods?-Sangcoconsumed by humans. Question: What about
those consumed by animals?
Do you apply strict liability even if defendant
exercised due diligence? Yes. Precisely why it
is called strict liability

Coca-Cola v CA
FACTS: Geronimo sold food and softdrinks in a school
canteen. A group of parents complained that fibrous
materials were found in the softdrink bottles bought by
their children. Upon inspection by the DOH, the bottles
were found to be adulterated. The sales of Geronimo
drastically dropped and she was forced to close shop.
She brought an action for damages against Coca-cola
and the trial court ruled that the complaint was based on
a contract, not quasi-delict and should have been filed
within 6 months from the delivery of the softdrinks.
Geronimo argues that her case is based on quasi-delict
and should prescribe in 4 years.
HELD: The Court sided with Geronimo. The vendees
remedies against a vendor with respect to the

CLASS

NOT ES

Requisites of 2187: 1) death or injury caused

by noxious substance and 2) by manufacturer
or processor
What is similar goods? Anything intended to
be consumed by humans.
What if the person who consumed the goods
did not buy them but stole them? The
manufacturer/processor may still be held liable.

II SANGCO (p. 714-734)

Product Liability
1. Governing law: Art. 2187, NCC

The elimination in this article of both fault or

negligence and contract as the basis of liability
thereunder are the essence of strict liability. The
consumers cause of action does not depend upon
the validity of his contract with the person from
whom he acquires the product, and it is not affected
by any disclaimer or other agreement.

However, Art. 2187 does not preclude an action

based on negligence for the same act of using
noxious or harmful substance in the manufacture or
processing of the foodstuff, drinks, toilet articles, or
similar goods which caused the death or injury
complained of, if the injured party opts to recover on
that theory. Neither does this article preclude an
action for breach of contract and warranty.
2. Requisites of liability under Art. 2187, Civil Code
(1) Defendant is a manufacturer or processor of
foodstuff, drinks, toilet articles and similar goods;
(2) He use noxious or harmful substances in the
manufacture or processing of the foodstuff, drinks,
toilet articles consumed or used by the plaintiff;
(3) Plaintiffs death or injury was caused by the product
so consumed or used; and

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(4) The damages sustained and claimed by the plaintiff

and the amount thereof.

The burden of proof that the product was in a

defective condition at the time it left the hands of
the manufacturer and particular seller is upon the
injured plaintiff.

3. Persons who may be held liable, and for what

products

Manufacturers and processors who used noxious

or harmful substances may be held liable.
-sellers of the enumerated goods which turn out to be
injuriously defective CANNOT be held liable for the
obvious reason that they have nothing to do either with
the defect or with the manufacture of such product

Products: limited to foodstuffs, drinks, toilet articles

and similar goods
4. Proof that food product was defective or
unwholesome

The one seeking to recover is under the duty of

proving with reasonable certainty that the food
eaten was in fact deleterious.

Proof of a defect in the product may not be supplied

by the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, unless the
product is one whose character and content must
necessarily have remained unchanged since it left
the manufacturers possession.

Expert testimony is generally necessary to prove

the defect in the product.

It must appear that the unwholesome or unsound

quality of the food product in question existed at the
time the defendant sold it, and did not come into
existence thereafter.
5. Proof of causation

One seeking recovery has the burden of proof that

the resulting illness was caused by the deleterious
food.

A manufacturers strict liability in tort should be

defined in terms of the safety of the product in
normal and proper use. The plaintiff must allege
and prove that he was using the product in the way
it was intended to be used.
6. Who may recover

PAGE 42

A purchasing and non-purchasing consumer or

user of a defective food product or toilet article is
entitled to recover damages for physical injuries
caused thereby.

7. Compensable Damages

Expressly limited to death or injuries caused by any

noxious or harmful substance used by
manufacturers and processors of foodstuffs, drinks,
toilet articles and similar goods.

Applicable only to personal injuries, which includes

death, and only damages arising therefrom. This
precludes claims for purely pecuniary or commercial
losses in absence of personal injuries.
8. Unavoidably unsafe product

The seller of unavoidably unsafe products, with

qualification that they are properly prepared and
marketed, and proper warning is given, where the
situation calls for it, is not to be held to strict liability
for unfortunate consequences attending their use,
merely because he has undertaken to supply the
public with apparently reasonable risk.

b. Duty of care of restaurant operator

A restaurateur has no duty to serve perfect products.
But the law of negligence requires him to exercise a
care proportionate to the serious consequences that
may follow from a want of care.
c. Duty of seller other than restaurant operator.
A vendor of provisions selected, sold, and delivered to
the purchaser for his immediate use is bound to know
the peril that the provisions are sound and wholesome
and fit for immediate use, and if they turn out to be
unsound and not wholesome, and the purchaser is
injured thereby, the vendor is liable to him.
d. Duty of warning; inspecting; testing.
A manufacturer or seller of a product which, to his actual
or constructive knowledge, involves danger to users has
a duty to give warning of such danger. As a matter of
elementary logic, no duty to warn arises with respect to
a product which is not in fact dangerous.

Liability for negligence in food products.

To constitute negligence an act must be one

from which a reasonably careful person would
foresee such an appreciable risk of harm to
others as to cause him to forego the act or to
do it in a more careful manner.

Whether recovery is sought under strict liability

or on fault or negligence, it would seem
contributory
negligence
would
diminish
recovery.

The vendor of food should indemnify his vendee against

latent defects contained in the product which the
vendee, by inspection or taste, could not have
discovered himself.

a. Duty of care of manufacturer or processor of

food.
The duty owed to the consumer by the manufacturer of
food products intended for human consumption is
commensurate with the danger and the possible and
probable result of a lack of care.

Note:
The seller is not liable when he delivers the product in a
safe condition and subsequent mishandling or other
causes makes it harmful by the time it is consumed.

A high degree of care is required of the producer of

foods (in the production of such product, advertising,
inspecting the ingredients and warning the consumers of
possible injury from consumption of a food).

The test of commodities required is no more than that

commonly or usually practised by careful dealers under
the same conditions and circumstances, which is at
least as high a duty of care as the consumer expects or
has the right to expect of his groceryman or food dealer.

CLASS

NOT ES

Important: Requisites of 2187 in Sangco

If it falls under A2187, can you still sue for
breach of contract? Sangco says, yes.

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PAGE 43

E. Interference with contractual relations

Art. 1314 Any third person who induces another to

violate his contract shall be liable for damages to the
other contracting party.

No damages were due from Espejo because

no malice was proven (the motive was only to
make profit).
Is malice an element of tortuous interference?
Court does not say that it is.

So Ping Bun v CA
Gilchrist v Cuddy
FACTS: Cuddy was the owner of the film Zigomar.
Gilchrist was the owner of a theatre in Iloilo. They
entered into a contract whereby Cuddy leased to
Gilchrist the Zigomar for exhibition in his theatre for a
week for P125.
-Days before the delivery date, Cuddy returned the
money already paid by Gilchrist so that he can lease the
film to Espejo and Zaldarriaga instead and receive P350
for the film for the same period.
-Gilchrist filed a case for specific performance against
Cuddy, Espejo and Zaldarriaga. He also prayed for
damages against Espejo and Zaldarriaga for interfering
with the contract between Gilchrist and Cuddy.
ISSUE: WON Espejo and Zaldarriaga are liable for
interfering with the contract between Gilchrist and
Cuddy, they not knowing at the time the identity of the
parties
HELD: YES, Appellants have the legal liability for
interfering with the contract and causing its breach. This
liability arises from unlawful acts and not from
contractual obligations to induce Cuddy to violate his
contract with Gilchrist.
-ART 1902 CC provides that a person who, by act or
omission causes damage to another when there is fault
or negligence, shall be obliged to pay for the damage
done. There is nothing in this article which requires as a
condition precedent to the liability of the tortfeasor that
he must know the identity of a person to whom he
causes damage. No such knowledge is required in order
that the injured party may recover for the damages
suffered.

CLASS

NOT ES

Had legal liability but not under A1314.

Is malice required to apply A1314?

FACTS: Tek Hua Trading originally entered into a lease

agreement with DC Chuan covering stalls in Binondo.
The contracts were initially for 1 year but were continued
on month to month basis upon expiration of the 1 yr. Tek
Hua was dissolved, original members of Tek Hua
formed Tek Hua Enterprises (THE) with Manuel Tiong
as one of the incorporators. However, the stalls were
occupied by the grandson (So Ping Bun) of one of the
original incorporators of Tek Hua under business name
Trendsetter Marketing.
-new lease contracts with increase in rent were sent to
THE, although not signed.
-THE through Tiong asked So Ping Bun to vacate the
stalls so THE would be able to go back to business BUT
instead, SO PING BUN SECURED A NEW LEASE
AGEEMENT WITH DC CHUAN.
ISSUE: WON So Ping Bun was guilty of tortuous
interference of contract
HELD: Yes. A duty which the law on torts is concerned
with is respect for the property of others, and a cause of
action ex delicto may be predicated upon an unlawful
interference by one party of the enjoyment of the other
of his private property. In the case at bar, petitioner,
Trendsetter asked DC Chuan to execute lease contracts
in its favor, and as a result petitioner deprived
respondent of the latters property right.
- Damage is the loss, hurt, or harm which results from
injury, and damages are the recompense or
compensation awarded for the damage suffered.
- One becomes liable in an action for damages for a
nontrespassory invasion of anothers interest in the
private use and enjoyment of asset if: a) the other has
property rights and privileges with respect to the use or
enjoyment interfered with; b) the invasion is substantial;
c) the defendants conduct is a legal cause of the
invasion; d) the invasion is either intentional and

unreasonable or unintentional and actionable under the

general negligence rules.
- elements of tort interference:
a) existence of a valid contract
b) knowledge on the part of the third party of its
existence
c) interference of the third party is without legal
justification or excuse
- Since there were existing lease contracts between Tek
Hua and DC Chuan, Tek Hua in fact had property rights
over the leased stalls. The action of Trendsetter in
asking DC Chuan to execute the contracts in their favor
was unlawful interference.
- The SC handled the question of whether the
interference may be justified considering that So acted
solely for the purpose of furthering his own financial
or economic interest. It stated that it is sufficient that
the impetus of his conduct lies in a proper business
interest rather than in wrongful motives to conclude that
So was not a malicious interferer. Nothing on the record
imputes deliberate wrongful motives or malice on the
part of So. Hence the lack of malice precludes the
award of damages.
- The provision in the Civil Code with regard tortuous
interference is Article 1314.

CLASS

NOT ES

Did not include malice as one of the

elements under A1314. Then discussed
Gilchrist in saying that to award damages,
there should be malice but it was never
mentioned in Gilchrist in the first place.
Implied malice as an element.
De Leon included malice as an element.
Sir said as guidance: If we apply Gilchrist
and So Ping Bun, we need malice in 1314.
But if question is just on the elements, just
answer the three elements given by So
Ping Bun.
So Ping Bun was okay had it not cited
Gilchrist
Sir said that it seems this is the case right
now: You can compete in Business
Contracts as long as intention is financial
interest and there is no malice. If this is the
case, then one cannot recover from 1314
as against the third party.

Jec

TORTS

AND

DAMAGES

AQUINO, (pp. 795-801)

Interference with contracts:
A. Statutory provision and rationale: Under Article
1314 of the Civil Code, a third party may sue a third
party not for breach of contract but for inducing another
to commit such breach. This tort is known as
interference with contractual relations. Such interference
is considered tortious because it violates the rights of
the contacting parties to fulfill the contract and to have it
fulfilled, to reap the profits resulting therefrom, and to
compel the performance by the other party. The theory
is that a right derived from a contract is a property right
that entitles each party to protection against all the world
and any damage to said property should be
compensated.
B. History: This particular tort started in the UK in
Lumley vs, Gye in 1853 and was first adopted in the
Philippines in 1915 in Gilchrist vs Cuddy.
C. Elements:
1. Existence of a valid contract: This existence is
necessary and the breach must occur because of the
alleged act of interference. No tort is committed if the
party had already broken the contract. Neither can
action be maintained if the contract is void. However,
there is authority for the view that an action for
interference can be maintained even if the contract is
unenforceable. The view is that inducement, if
reprehensible in an enforceable contracts, is equally
reprehensible in an unenforceable one.
2. Knowledge on the part of the third party of the
existence of the contract:
The elements do
not include malice as a necessary act in interference.
However, the Supreme Court in its various rulings have
held that the aggrieved party will only be entitled to
damages if malice was present in the commission of the
tortious act. It was held that mere competition is not
sufficient unless it is considered unfair competition or
the dominant purpose is to inflict harm or injury.
3. Interference of the third party without legal
justification or excuse: In general, social policy
permits a privilege or justification to intentionally invade
the legally protected interests of others only if the
defendant acts to promote the interests of others or
himself if the interest which he seeks to advance is
superior to the interest invaded in social importance.

PAGE 44
Competition in business also affords a privilege to
interfere provided that the defendants purpose is a
justifiable one and the defendant does not employ fraud
or deception which are regarded as unfair.
D. Extent of liability: The rule is that the defendant
found guilty of interference with contractual relations
cannot be held liable for more than the amount for which
the party who was induced to break the contract can be
held liable. This is consistent with Article 2202 if the
contracting party who was induced to break the contract
was in bad faith. However, when there is good faith, the
party who breached the contract is only liable for
consequence that can be foreseen. In fact, it is possible
for the contracting party to be not liable at all, as in the
case where the defendant prevented him from
performing his obligation through force or fraud.

F. Liability of local government units

Art. 2189 Provinces, cities and municipalities shall be
liable for damages for the death of, or injuries suffered
by, any person by reason of the defective condition of
roads, streets, bridges, public buildings, and other public
works under their control or supervision.

by reason of the defective condition of roads,

streets, bridges, public buildings, and other
public works under their control or supervision.
- It is not even necessary for the defective road or
street to belong to the province, city or municipality for
liability to attach. The article only requires that either
control or supervision is exercised over the defective
road or street.
- In this case, control or supervision is provided for in
the charter of Dagupan and is exercised through the
City Engineer.
The charter only lays down general rules regulating that
liability of the city. On the other hand, article 2189
applies in particular to the liability arising from defective
streets, public buildings and other public works.

CLASS

NOT ES

Can last clear chance apply? Wasnt it

Guilatcos fault that she was negligent in
alighting a tricycle? No because it is under
strict liability.
Sir said it is wise to apply this to the case of
PLDT and the accident mound case (DACARA)

Guilatco v City of Dagupan

FACTS: Guilatco, a court interpreter, fell into a manhole
at Perez Blvd. which is owned by the national
Government. She fractured her right leg, thus was
hospitalized, operated on, and confined. City Engineer
testified that he supervises the maintenance of said
manholes and sees to it that they are properly covered.
City Charter of Dagupan also says that the city
supervises and manages National roads and national
sidewalks.
HELD: City liable
- The liability of private corporations for damages
arising from injuries suffered by pedestrians from the
defective condition of roads is expressed in the Civil
Code as follows:
Article
2189.
Provinces,
cities
and
municipalities shall be liable for damages for
the death of, or injuries suffered by, any person

Jec