Survey of 2012 SC Decisions in Civil

7/26/2019 Survey of 2012 SC Decisions in Civil

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SURVEY OF 2012 SC DECISIONS IN

CIVIL LAW

By: Dean ED VINCENT S. ALBANO

ARTICLE 8, NCC

Decisions of the SC, not NLRC fo! "#t of the $e%#$ s&ste!'

In International Management Services/Manilyn Pascual v. Logarta , G.R. No. 163657, April 18, 2012, Peralta, J,

the SC had the oa!ion to !a" that altho#$h Art. 8, NCC reo$ni%e! diial dei!ion!, appl"in$ or interpretin$ !tat#te!

a! part o' the le$al !"!te( o' the o#ntr", !#h le)el o' reo$nition i! not a*orded to ad(ini!trati)e dei!ion!. +Phil.

an- o' Co((#niation! ). CIR, G.R. No. 11202, Jan#ar" 28, 1///, 302 SCRA 21. It doe! not appl" to a dei!ion o' the

NRC.

(ARRIA)E

*+%!ent ec$#in% # s"o+se "es+!"ti-e$& e# is i!!ei#te$& .n#$ #n e/ec+to& e!e& is R+$e ,

not R+$e 3'

Q Yolanda Granada and Cyrus Granada got arr!ed !n "##". In "##$% Cyrus &ent to Ta!&an to see'

e(loyent )ut s!n*e t+en% +e ne,er *oun!*ated &!t+ Yolanda. A-ter n!ne #/ years o- &a!t!ng% s+e

0led a 1et!t!on to +a,e Cyrus de*lared (resu(t!,ely dead &+!*+ t+e 2TC granted. T+e 2e(u)l!* o- t+e

1+!l!((!nes a((ealed -ro t+e de*!s!on *ontend!ng t+at Yolanda -a!led to (ro,e earnest e3orts to lo*ate

Cyrus and t+us% -a!led to (ro,e &ell4-ounded )el!e- t+at +e &as already dead. Yolanda o,ed to d!s!ss

t+e a((eal *ontend!ng t+at t+e 1et!t!on -or De*larat!on o- 1resu(t!,e Deat+ )ased under Art. $"% 5a!ly

Code &as a suary 6ud!*!al (ro*eed!ngs !n &+!*+ t+e 6udgent !s !ed!ately 0nal and e7e*utory and%

t+us% not a((eala)le. T+e CA granted t+e ot!on% +en*e% t+e 2e(u)l!* 0led a (et!t!on under 2ule $8%

&+ere t+e )as!* !ssue !s &+et+er t+e CA erred !n d!s!ss!ng t+e a((eal on t+e ground t+at t+e 2TC

de*!s!on !s !ed!ately 0nal and e7e*utory +en*e% not su)6e*t o- ord!nary a((eal. De*!de.

Ans&er:he CA i! orret. he RC dei!ion i! i((ediatel" nal and ee#tor" and not !#4&et to ordinar" appeal.

A (arria$e ontrated 4" an" per!on d#rin$ the !#4!i!tene o' a pre)io#! (arria$e !hall 4e n#ll and )oid, #nle!!

4e'ore the ele4ration o' the !#4!e#ent (arria$e, the prior !po#!e had 4een a4!ent 'or 'o#r on!e#ti)e "ear! and the

!po#!e pre!ent ha! a ell'o#nded 4elie' that the a4!ent !po#!e a! alread" dead. In a!e o' di!appearane here

there i! dan$er o' death #nder the ir#(!tane! !et 'orth in the pro)i!ion! o' Artile 3/1 o' the Ci)il Code, an a4!ene
http://www.chanrobles.com/civilcodeofthephilippines.htmhttp://www.chanrobles.com/civilcodeofthephilippines.htm


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o' onl" to "ear! !hall 4e !#9ient.

:or the p#rpo!e o' ontratin$ the !#4!e#ent (arria$e #nder the preedin$ para$raph the !po#!e pre!ent (#!t

in!tit#te a !#((ar" proeedin$ a! pro)ided in thi! Code 'or the delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death o' the a4!entee,

itho#t predie to the e*et o' reappearane o' the a4!ent !po#!e.

Clearl", a petition 'or delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death o' an a4!ent !po#!e 'or the p#rpo!e o' ontratin$ a !#4!e#ent

(arria$e #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code i! a !#((ar" proeedin$ a! pro)ided 'or; #nder the :a(il" Code.

:#rther, itle


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erroneo#! 'or the BSG to le a notie o' appeal, and 'or the RC to $i)e d#e o#r!e thereto. he Co#rt o' Appeal!

a#ired no ri!dition o)er the a!e, and !ho#ld ha)e di!(i!!ed the appeal o#tri$ht on that $ro#nd.

In Republic v. Bermudez-Lorino, It a! opined that hat the BSG !ho#ld ha)e led a! a petition 'or ertiorari #nder

R#le 65, not a petition 'or re)ie #nder R#le 5.

4etition fo ec$##tion of "es+!"ti-e e#th is not # s"eci#$ "oceein% 5+t # s+!!#& one'

In the pre!ent a!e, the Rep#4li ar$#ed that Bermudez-Lorinoha! 4een !#per!eded 4" the !#4!e#ent ei!ion o' the

Co#rt in Republic v. omoc, /7 Phil. 528 +2005?.

Inomoc, the RC $ranted re!pondent@! Petition 'or elaration o' Pre!#(pti)e eath o' her a4!ent h#!4and 'or the

p#rpo!e o' re(arria$e. Petitioner Rep#4li appealed the RC ei!ion 4" lin$ a Notie o' Appeal. he trial o#rt

di!appro)ed the Notie o' Appeal on the $ro#nd that, #nder

the R#le! o' Co#rt, a reord on appeal i! re#ired to 4e led hen appealin$ !peial proeedin$! a!e!. he CA a9r(ed

the RC r#lin$. In re)er!in$ the CA, it a! laried that hile an ation 'or delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death or a4!ene

#nder R#le 72, Setion 1+(?, epre!!l" 'all! #nder the ate$or" o' !peial proeedin$!, a petition 'or delaration o'

pre!#(pti)e death #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code i! a !#((ar" proeedin$, a! pro)ided 'or 4" Artile 238 o' the!a(e Code. Sine it! p#rpo!e a! to ena4le her to ontrat a !#4!e#ent )alid (arria$e, petitioner@! ation a! a

!#((ar" proeedin$ 4a!ed on Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code, rather than a !peial proeedin$ #nder R#le 72 o' the

R#le! o' Co#rt. Con!iderin$ that thi! ation a! nota !peial proeedin$, petitioner a! notre#ired to le a reord on

appeal hen it appealed the RC ei!ion to the CA.

Republic v. omoc did not !#per!ede o#r r#lin$ in Republic v. Bermudez-Lorino.omocdid not epo#nd on the

harateri!ti! o' a !#((ar" proeedin$ #nder the :a(il" Code. In ontra!t,the Co#rt in Bermudez-Lorino epre!!l"

!tated that it! r#lin$ on the i(propriet" o' an ordinar" appeal a! a )ehile 'or #e!tionin$ the trial o#rt@! ei!ion in a

!#((ar" proeedin$ 'or delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code a! intended to !et the

reord! !trai$ht and 'or the '#t#re $#idane o' the 4enh and the 4ar.;

At an" rate, 'o#r "ear! a'teromoc, thi! Co#rt !ettled the r#le re$ardin$ appeal o' d$(ent! rendered in !#((ar"

proeedin$! #nder the :a(il" Code hen it r#led in Republic v. !ango, G.R. No. 161062, J#l" 31, 200/, 5/ SCRA 560=

hi! a!e pre!ent! an opport#nit" 'or #! to !ettle the r#le on appeal o' d$(ent! rendered in !#((ar" proeedin$!

#nder the :a(il" Code and aordin$l", rene o#r pre)io#! dei!ion! thereon.

Artile 238 o' the :a(il" Code, #nder itle ARD J>ICIA PRBCEEINGS IN FE :AID A, e!ta4li!he! the

r#le! that $o)ern !#((ar" o#rt proeedin$! in the :a(il" Code=

AR. 238. >ntil (odied 4" the S#pre(e Co#rt, the proed#ral r#le! in thi! itle !hall appl" in all a!e! pro)ided 'or in


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thi! Code re#irin$ !#((ar" o#rt proeedin$!. S#h a!e! !hall 4e deided in an epeditio#! (anner itho#t re$ard

to tehnial r#le!.

In t#rn, Artile 253 o' the :a(il" Code !peie! the a!e! o)ered 4" the r#le! in hapter! to and three o' the !a(e

title. It !tate!=

AR. 253. he 'ore$oin$ r#le! in Chapter! 2 and 3 hereo' !hall li-ei!e $o)ern !#((ar" proeedin$! led #nder Artile!

1, 51, 6/, 73, /6, 12 and 217, in!o'ar a! the" are applia4le. +E(pha!i! !#pplied.?

In plain tet, Artile 27 in Chapter 2 o' the !a(e title read!=

AR 27. he d$(ent o' the o#rt !hall 4e i((ediatel" nal and ee#tor".

" epre!! pro)i!ion o' la, the d$(ent o' the o#rt in a !#((ar" proeedin$ !hall 4e i((ediatel" nal and

ee#tor". A! a (atter o' o#r!e, it 'ollo! that no appeal an 4e had o' the trial o#rtH! d$(ent in a !#((ar"

proeedin$ 'or the delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death o' an a4!ent !po#!e #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code. It $oe!

itho#t !a"in$, hoe)er, that an a$$rie)ed part" (a" le a petition 'or ertiorari to #e!tion a4#!e o' di!retion

a(o#ntin$ to la- o' ri!dition. S#h petition !ho#ld 4e led in the Co#rt o' Appeal! in aordane ith the otrine o'

Fierarh" o' Co#rt!. o 4e !#re, e)en i' the Co#rtH! ori$inal ri!dition to i!!#e a rit o' ertiorari i! on#rrent ith the

RC! and the Co#rt o' Appeal! in ertain a!e!, !#h on#rrene doe! not !antion an #nre!trited 'reedo( o' hoie

o' o#rt 'or#(. :ro( the dei!ion o' the Co#rt o' Appeal!, the lo!in$ part" (a" then le a petition 'or re)ie on

ertiorari #nder R#le 5 o' the R#le! o' Co#rt ith the S#pre(e Co#rt. hi! i! 4ea#!e the error! hih the o#rt (a"

o((it in the eeri!e o' ri!dition are (erel" error! o' d$(ent hih are the proper !#4&et o' an appeal.

In !#(, #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code, the lo!in$ part" in a !#((ar" proeedin$ 'or the delaration o'

pre!#(pti)e death (a" le a petition 'or ertiorari ith the CA on the $ro#nd that, in renderin$ d$(ent thereon, the

trial o#rt o((itted $ra)e a4#!e o' di!retion a(o#ntin$ to la- o' ri!dition. :ro( the dei!ion o' the CA, the

a$$rie)ed part" (a" ele)ate the (atter to thi! Co#rt )ia a petition 'or re)ie on ertiorari #nder R#le 5 o' the R#le! o'

Co#rt.

E)identl" then, the CA did not o((it an" error in di!(i!!in$ the Rep#4li@! Notie o' Appeal on the $ro#nd that the

RC d$(ent on the Petition 'or elaration o' Pre!#(pti)e eath o' re!pondent@! !po#!e a! i((ediatel" nal and

ee#tor" and, hene, not !#4&et to ordinar" appeal. +Rep. ). Dolanda C. Granada, G.R. No. 187512, J#l" 13, 2012,

Sereno, J?.

On 6hethe the CA seio+s$& ee in #7!in% the RTCs %#nt of the 4etition fo Dec$##tion of

4es+!"ti-e De#th +ne Atic$e 31 of the F#!i$& Coe 5#se on the e-ience th#t es"onent h#

"esente


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he Rep#4li a!!ailed the RC@! $rant o' the Petition 'or elaration o' Pre!#(pti)e eath o' the a4!ent !po#!e o'

re!pondent on the $ro#nd that !he had not add#ed the e)idene re#ired to e!ta4li!h a ell'o#nded 4elie' that her

a4!ent !po#!e a! alread" dead, a! epre!!l" re#ired 4" Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code. Petitioner ite! Republic v.

"olasco, G.R. No. /053, arh 17, 1//3, 220 SCRA 20 #nited States v. Biasbas, 25 Phil. 71 +1/13? and Republic v.

$ourt o% &ppeals and &legro, 513 Phil. 3/1 +2005? a! a#thoritie! on the !#4&et.

In "olasco, petitioner Rep#4li !o#$ht the re)er!al o' the CA@! a9r(ation o' the RC@! $rant o' a Petition 'or elaration

o' Pre!#(pti)e eath o' hi! a4!ent !po#!e, a riti!h !#4&et ho le't their ho(e in the Philippine! !oon a'ter $i)in$4irth to their !on hile re!pondent a! on 4oard a )e!!el or-in$ a! a !ea'arer. he Rep#4li !o#$ht the re)er!al o' the

r#lin$ on the $ro#nd that re!pondent a! not a4le to e!ta4li!h hi! ell'o#nded 4elie' that the a4!entee i! alread"

dead,; a! re#ired 4" Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code. In r#lin$ thereon, the Co#rt reo$ni%ed that thi! pro)i!ion i(po!e!

(ore !trin$ent re#ire(ent! than Artile 83 o' the Ci)il Code. he Ci)il Code pro)i!ion (erel" re#ire! either that there

4e no ne! that the a4!entee i! !till ali)e or that the a4!entee i! $enerall" on!idered to 4e dead and i! 4elie)ed to 4e

!o 4" the !po#!e pre!ent, or i! pre!#(ed dead #nder Artile! 3/0 and 3/1 o' the Ci)il Code. In o(pari!on, the :a(il"

Code pro)i!ion pre!ri4e! a ell'o#nded 4elie'; that the a4!entee i! alread" dead 4e'ore a petition 'or delaration o'

pre!#(pti)e death an 4e $ranted. he 'o#r re#i!ite! 'or the delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death #nder the :a(il" Code

are a! 'ollo!=

1. hat the a4!ent !po#!e ha! 4een (i!!in$ 'or 'o#r on!e#ti)e "ear!, or to on!e#ti)e "ear! i' the

di!appearane o#rred here there i! dan$er o' death #nder the ir#(!tane! laid don in Artile 3/1, Ci)il

Code

2. hat the pre!ent !po#!e i!he! to re(arr"

3. hat the pre!ent !po#!e ha! a ell'o#nded 4elie' that the a4!entee i! dead and

. hat the pre!ent !po#!e le! a !#((ar" proeedin$ 'or the delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death o' the a4!entee.

In e)al#atin$ hether the pre!ent !po#!e ha! 4een a4le to pro)e the ei!tene o' a ell'o#nded 4elie'; that the

a4!ent !po#!e i! alread" dead, the Co#rt in "olascoited #nited States v. Biasbas, hih it 'o#nd to 4e in!tr#ti)e a! to

the dili$ene re#ired in !earhin$ 'or a (i!!in$ !po#!e.

In Biasbas, the Co#rt held that de'endant ia!4a! 'ailed to eeri!e d#e dili$ene in a!ertainin$ the herea4o#t! o' hi!

r!t i'e, on!iderin$ hi! ad(i!!ion that that he onl" had a !#!piion that !he a! dead, and that the onl" 4a!i! o' that

!#!piion a! the 'at o' her a4!ene.

Si(ilarl", in Republic v. $ourt o% &ppeals and &legro, petitioner Rep#4li !o#$ht the re)er!al o' the CA r#lin$ a9r(in$

the RC@! $rant o' the Petition 'or elaration o' Pre!#(pti)e eath o' the a4!ent !po#!e on the $ro#nd that the

re!pondent therein had not 4een a4le to pro)e a ell'o#nded 4elie'; that hi! !po#!e a! alread" dead. he Co#rt


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re)er!ed the CA, $ranted the Petition, and pro)ided the 'olloin$ riteria 'or deter(inin$ the ei!tene o' a ell

'o#nded 4elie'; #nder Artile 1 o' the :a(il" Code=

:or the p#rpo!e o' ontratin$ the !#4!e#ent (arria$e #nder the preedin$ para$raph, the !po#!e pre!ent (#!t

in!tit#te a !#((ar" proeedin$ a! pro)ided in thi! Code 'or the delaration o' pre!#(pti)e death o' the a4!entee,

itho#t predie to the e*et o' reappearane o' the a4!ent !po#!e.

he !po#!e pre!ent i!, th#!, 4#rdened to pro)e that hi! !po#!e ha! 4een a4!ent and that he ha! a ell'o#nded 4elie'that the a4!ent !po#!e i! alread" dead 4e'ore the pre!ent !po#!e (a" ontrat a !#4!e#ent (arria$e. he la doe!

not dene hat i! (eant 4" a ell$ro#nded 4elie'. C#ello Callon rite! that es menester 'ue su creencia sea (rme se

%unde en motivos racionales.;

elie' i! a !tate o' the (ind or ondition pro(ptin$ the doin$ o' an o)ert at. It (a" 4e pro)ed 4" diret e)idene or

ir#(!tantial e)idene hih (a" tend, e)en in a !li$ht de$ree, to el#idate the in#ir" or a!!i!t to a deter(ination

pro4a4l" 'o#nded in tr#th. An" 'at or ir#(!tane relatin$ to the harater, ha4it!, ondition!, attah(ent!,

pro!perit" and o4&et! o' li'e hih #!#all" ontrol the ond#t o' (en, and are the (oti)e! o' their ation!, a!, !o 'ar

a! it tend! to eplain or harateri%e their di!appearane or thro li$ht on their intention!, o(petene !iK e)idene

on the #lti(ate #e!tion o' hi! death.

he 4elie' o' the pre!ent !po#!e (#!t 4e the re!#lt o' proper and hone!t to $oodne!! in#irie! and e*ort! to a!ertain

the herea4o#t! o' the a4!ent !po#!e and hether the a4!ent !po#!e i! !till ali)e or i! alread" dead. hether or not

the !po#!e pre!ent ated on a ell'o#nded 4elie' o' death o' the a4!ent !po#!e depend! #pon the in#irie! to 4e

dran 'ro( a $reat (an" ir#(!tane! o#rrin$ 4e'ore and a'ter the di!appearane o' the a4!ent !po#!e and the

nat#re and etent o' the in#irie! (ade 4" pre!ent !po#!e.

Appl"in$ the 'ore$oin$ !tandard! to the pre!ent a!e, the Rep#4li pointed o#t that re!pondent Dolanda did not initiate

a dili$ent !earh to loate her a4!ent h#!4and. hile her 4rother te!tied to ha)in$ in#ired a4o#t the herea4o#t! o'

C"r#! 'ro( the latter@! relati)e!, the!e relati)e! ere not pre!ented to orro4orate io!dado@! te!ti(on". In !hort,re!pondent a! not dili$ent in her !earh 'or her h#!4and. Petitioner ar$#e! that i' !he ere, !he o#ld ha)e !o#$ht

in'or(ation 'ro( the aiane!e Con!#lar B9e or a!!i!tane 'ro( other $o)ern(ent a$enie! in aian or the

Philippine!. She o#ld ha)e al!o #tili%ed (a!! (edia 'or thi! end, 4#t !he did not. or!e, !he 'ailed to eplain the!e

o(i!!ion!.

he SC held that the Rep#4li@! ar$#(ent! are ellta-en, 4#t denied the Petition a$ain!t the RC r#lin$ on the i!!#e o'

hether re!pondent a! a4le to pro)e her ell'o#nded 4elie'; that her a4!ent !po#!e a! alread" dead prior to her

lin$ o' the Petition to delare hi( pre!#(pti)el" dead i! alread" nal and an no lon$er 4e (odied or re)er!ed.

Indeed, nKothin$ i! (ore !ettled in la than that hen a d$(ent 4eo(e! nal and ee#tor", it 4eo(e!

i((#ta4le and #naltera4le. he !a(e (a" no lon$er 4e (odied in an" re!pet, e)en i' the (odiation i! (eant to


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orret hat i! perei)ed to 4e an erroneo#! onl#!ion o' 'at or la.; +Rep. ). Dolanda Granada, G.R. No. 187512, J#ne

13, 2012, Sereno, J?.

ARTICLE 9

Anna4elle endo%a ). Rep., et al., G.R. No. 1576/, No)e(4er 12, 2012, er!a(in, J, reiterate! the 4a!i r#le in

delaration o' n#llit" o' (arria$e on the $ro#nd o' p!"holo$ial inapait" that p!"holo$ial inapait" (#!t

harateri%ed 4" it! 4ein$ $ra)e, in#ra4le and ei!tin$ prior to the ti(e o' the (arria$e. he totalit" o' e)idene r#leto pro)e p!"holo$ial inapait" i! !#9ient. It re'er! to no le!! than (ental, not ph"!ial inapait" that a#!e! a

part" to 4e ino$niti)e o' the 4a!i (arital o)enant! that (#!t ono(itantl" 4e a!!#(ed and di!har$ed 4" the

partie! to the (arria$e epre!!ed in Artile 68, :.C.

In the !a(e )ein, the SC in Rep. v. $& ) *duardo +uintos, r., G.R. No. 15/5/, No)e(4er 12, 2012, $o!!ipin$

ith nei$h4or!, lea)in$ the ho#!e itho#t the on!ent o' the !po#!e, re'#!al to do ho#!ehold hore!, $a(4lin$ are not

piee! o' e)idene o' p!"holo$ial inapait". Pro)in$ that a !po#!e 'ailed to (eet hi! or her re!pon!i4ilitie! and d#tie!

a! a (arried per!on i! not eno#$h, it i! e!!ential that he or !he (#!t 4e !hon to 4e inapa4le o' doin$ !o d#e to !a(e

p!"holo$ial illne!!. It !ho#ld re'er to (ental inapait" that a#!e! a part" to 4e tr#l" ino$niti)e o' the 4a!i (arital

o)enant! #nder Art. 68, :.C.

4RO4ERTY RELATIONS:I4

To 5e "es+!e con;+%#$ "o"eties, thee !+st 5e "oof of #c+y=

Ans&er:De!. P#r!#ant to Artile 160 o' the $ivil $ode o% te Pilippines, all propert" o' the (arria$e i! pre!#(ed to


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4elon$ to the on$al partner!hip, #nle!! it 4e pro)ed that it pertain! el#!i)el" to the h#!4and or to the

i'e. Altho#$h it i! not nee!!ar" to pro)e that the propert" a! a#ired ith '#nd! o' the partner!hip, +an ). CA, G.R.

No. 1205/, J#ne 10, 1//7, 273 SCRA 22/? proo' o' a#i!ition d#rin$ the (arria$e i! an e!!ential ondition 'or the

operation o' the pre!#(ption in 'a)or o' the on$al partner!hip. +anon$!on$ ). E!ti(o, 52 Phil. 862 +2003?. In the

a!e o' rancisco vs. $ourt o% &ppeals, 35/ Phil. 51/ +1//8?, it a! r#led that=

Artile 160 o' the Ne Ci)il Code pro)ide! that Lall propert" o' the (arria$e i! pre!#(ed to 4elon$ to the on$al

partner!hip, #nle!! it 4e pro)ed that it pertain! el#!i)el" to the h#!4and or to the i'e.L Foe)er, the part" hoin)o-e! thi! pre!#(ption (#!t r!t pro)e that the propert" in ontro)er!" a! a#ired d#rin$ the (arria$e. Proo' o'

a#i!ition duringthe o)ert#re i! a ondition sine 'ua non'or the operation o' the pre!#(ption in 'a)or o' the on$al

partner!hip. he part" ho a!!ert! thi! pre!#(ption (#!t r!t pro)e !aid ti(e ele(ent. Needle!! to !a", the

pre!#(ption re'er! onl" to the propert" a#ired d#rin$ the (arria$e and doe! not operate hen there i! no !hoin$ a!

to hen propert" alle$ed to 4e on$al a! a#ired. oreo)er, thi! pre!#(ption in 'a)or o' on$alit" i! re4#tta4le,

4#t onl" ith !tron$, lear and on)inin$ e)idene there (#!t 4e a !trit proo' o' el#!i)e oner!hip o' one o' the

!po#!e!.;

A! the partie! in)o-in$ the pre!#(ption o' on$alit" #nder Artile 160 o' the $ivil $ode, the ela PeMa! did not e)en

o(e lo!e to pro)in$ that the !#4&et propert" a! a#ired d#rin$ the (arria$e 4#t it a! onl" the 4are and

#norro4orated a!!ertion that the propert" a! p#rha!ed hen !he a! alread" (arried. he reord i! 4ere't o' an"

e)idene 'ro( hih the at#al date o' a#i!ition o' the realt" an 4e a!ertained. Con!iderin$ that the pre!#(ption o'

on$alit" doe! not operate i' there i! no !hoin$ o' enthe propert" alle$ed to 4e on$al a! a#ired, +Go ).

Da(ane, G.R. No. 160762, a" 3, 2006, 8/ SCRA 107?, the CA annot 4e 'a#lted 'or r#lin$ that the realt" in liti$ation

a! Antonia@! el#!i)e propert".

4h#se =!#ie to> is !ee$& esci"ti-e of the st#t+s of the o6ne'

Not ha)in$ e!ta4li!hed the ti(e o' a#i!ition o' the propert", the ela PeMa! in!i!t that the re$i!tration thereo'

in the na(e o' Antonia R. ela PeMa, o' le$al a$e, :ilipino, (arried to Ante$ono A. ela PeMa; !ho#ld ha)e alread"!#9ientl" e!ta4li!hed it! on$al nat#re. Con'ronted ith the !a(e i!!#e in the a!e Ruiz vs. $ourt o% &ppeals, /

Phil. 1/ +2003? it a! r#led hoe)er, that the phra!e (arried to; i! (erel" de!ripti)e o' the i)il !tat#! o' the i'e

and annot 4e interpreted to (ean that the h#!4and i! al!o a re$i!tered oner. ea#!e it i! li-ei!e po!!i4le that the

propert" a! a#ired 4" the i'e hile !he a! !till !in$le and re$i!tered onl" a'ter her (arria$e, neither o#ld

re$i!tration thereo' in !aid (anner on!tit#te proo' that the !a(e a! a#ired d#rin$ the (arria$e and, 'or !aid

rea!on, to 4e pre!#(ed on$al in nat#re. Sine there i! no !hoin$ a! to hen the propert" in #e!tion a!

a#ired, the 'at that the title i! in the na(e o' the i'e alone i! deter(inati)e o' it! nat#re a!

paraphernal, i.e.,4elon$in$ el#!i)el" to !aid !po#!e.; +Antonia dela PeMa, et al. ). Ge((a Reneil"n A)ila, et al., G.R.

No. 187/0, :e4r#ar" 8, 2012, Pere%, J?.


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FA(ILY :O(E

F#!i$& ho!e is e/e!"t fo! #tt#ch!ent, $e-& o foce s#$e'

Q In "#?$% &+!le Ara*el! and Ernesto de esa &ere not yet arr!ed% t+ey 6o!ntly a*


10/60

on!ent o' the other, and it! )al#e (#!t not eeed ertain a(o#nt! dependin$ #pon the area here it i! loated.

:#rther, the de4t! in#rred 'or hih the ee(ption doe! not appl" a! pro)ided #nder Art. 155 'or hih the 'a(il"

ho(e i! (ade an!era4le (#!t ha)e 4een in#rred a'ter A#$#!t 3, 1/88.

In the earlier a!e o' elley, r. v. Planters Products, Inc., G.R. No. 172263, J#l" /, 2005, 557 SCRA //, the SC

!tre!!ed that=

>nder the :a(il" Code, there i! no need to on!tit#te the 'a(il" ho(e diiall" or etradiiall". All 'a(il" ho(e!on!tr#ted a'ter the e*eti)it" o' the :a(il" Code +A#$#!t 3, 1/88? are on!tit#ted a! !#h 4" operation o' la. All

ei!tin$ 'a(il" re!idene! a! o' A#$#!t 3, 1/88 are on!idered 'a(il" ho(e! and are pro!peti)el" entitled to the

4enet! aorded to a 'a(il" ho(e #nder the :a(il" Code.

he 'ore$oin$ r#le! on on!tit#tion o' 'a(il" ho(e!, 'or p#rpo!e! o' ee(ption 'ro( ee#tion, o#ld 4e

!#((ari%ed a! 'ollo!=

:ir!t, 'a(il" re!idene! on!tr#ted 4e'ore the e*eti)it" o' the :a(il" Code or 4e'ore A#$#!t 3, 1/88 (#!t 4e

on!tit#ted a! a 'a(il" ho(e either diiall" or etradiiall" in aordane ith the pro)i!ion! o' the Ci)il Code in

order to 4e ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion

Seond, 'a(il" re!idene! on!tr#ted a'ter the e*eti)it" o' the :a(il" Code on A#$#!t 3, 1/88, are

a#to(atiall" dee(ed to 4e 'a(il" ho(e! and th#! ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion 'ro( the ti(e it a! on!tit#ted and la!t! a!

lon$ a! an" o' it! 4eneiarie! at#all" re!ide! therein

hird, 'a(il" re!idene! hih ere not diiall" or etradiiall" on!tit#ted a! a 'a(il" ho(e prior to the

e*eti)it" o' the :a(il" Code, 4#t ere ei!tin$ therea'ter, are on!idered a! 'a(il" ho(e! 4" operation o' la and are

pro!peti)el" entitled to the 4enet! aorded to a 'a(il" ho(e #nder the :a(il" Code.

Fere, the !#4&et propert" 4ea(e a 'a(il" re!idene !o(eti(e in Jan#ar" 1/87. here a! no !hoin$,

hoe)er, that the !a(e a! diiall" or etradiiall" on!tit#ted a! a 'a(il" ho(e in aordane ith the pro)i!ion!o' the Ci)il Code. Still, hen the :a(il" Code too- e*et on A#$#!t 3, 1/88, the !#4&et propert" 4ea(e a 'a(il" ho(e

4" operation o' la and a! th#! pro!peti)el" ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion. he petitioner! ere th#! orret in a!!ertin$

that the !#4&et propert" a! a 'a(il" ho(e. +Sp!. Araeli Erne!to de e!a ). Sp!. Cla#dio R#na Aero, et al., G.R.

No. 18506, Jan#ar" 16, 2012, Re"e!, J?.

The f#!i$& ho!es e/e!"tion fo! e/ec+tion !+st 5e set +" #n "o-e to the Shei? 5efoe the s#$e of

the "o"et& #t "+5$ic #+ction'

Q T+e s(ouses d!d not assert and (ro,e t+at t+e!r +ouse and lot &as a -a!ly +oe (r!or to t+e (u)l!*

au*t!on *ondu*ted )y t+e s+er!3. State t+e e3e*t o- su*+ -a!lure. E7(la!n.


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Ans&er:heir 'ail#re to in)o-e and pro)e that the ho#!e and lot a! a 'a(il" ho(e i! a ai)er o' !#h de'en!e or

ri$ht. In 0onrado v. $&,512 Phil. 657 +2005?, it a! !aid that at no other ti(e an the !tat#! o' a re!idential ho#!e a! a

'a(il" ho(e an 4e !et #p and pro)ed and it! ee(ption 'ro( ee#tion 4e lai(ed 4#t 4e'ore the !ale thereo' at

p#4li a#tion=

hile it i! tr#e that the 'a(il" ho(e i! on!tit#ted on a ho#!e and lot 'ro( the ti(e it i! o#pied a! a 'a(il"

re!idene and i! ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion or 'ored !ale #nder Artile 153 o' the :a(il" Code, !#h lai( 'or ee(ption

!ho#ld 4e !et #p and pro)ed to the Sheri* 4e'ore the !ale o' the propert" at p#4li a#tion. :ail#re to do !o o#ld e!topthe part" 'ro( later lai(in$ the ee(ption. A! the Co#rt r#led in 1omez v. 1ealone2

Altho#$h the R#le! o' Co#rt doe! not pre!ri4e the period ithin hih to lai( the ee(ption, the r#le i!,

ne)erthele!!, ell!ettled that the ri$ht o' ee(ption i! a per!onal pri)ile$e $ranted to the d$(ent de4tor and a!

!#h, it (#!t 4e lai(ed not 4" the !heri*, 4#t 4" the de4tor hi(!el' at the ti(e o' the le)" or ithin a rea!ona4le

period therea'ter

In the a4!ene o' epre!! pro)i!ion it ha! )ario#!l" held that lai( +'or ee(ption? (#!t 4e (ade at the ti(e

o' the le)" i' the de4tor i! pre!ent, that it (#!t 4e (ade ithin a rea!ona4le ti(e, or pro(ptl", or 4e'ore the reditor

ha! ta-en an" !tep in)ol)in$ '#rther o!t!, or 4e'ore ad)erti!e(ent o' !ale, or at an" ti(e 4e'ore !ale, or ithin area!ona4le ti(e 4e'ore the !ale, or 4e'ore the !ale ha! o((ened, 4#t a! to the la!t there i! ontrar" a#thorit".;

In the li$ht o' the 'at! a4o)e !#((ari%ed, it i! !el'e)ident that appellant! did not a!!ert their lai( o' ee(ption

ithin a rea!ona4le ti(e. Certainl", rea!ona4le ti(e, 'or p#rpo!e! o' the la on ee(ption, doe! not (ean a ti(e a'ter

the epiration o' the one"ear period pro)ided 'or in Setion 30 o' R#le 3/ o' the R#le! o' Co#rt 'or d$(ent de4tor! to

redee( the propert" !old on ee#tion, otheri!e it o#ld render n#$ator" nal 4ill! o' !ale on ee#tion and de'eat

the )er" p#rpo!e o' ee#tion O to p#t an end to liti$ation. e !aid 4e'ore, and e repeat it no, that liti$ation (#!t

end and ter(inate !o(eti(e and !o(ehere, and it i! e!!ential to an e*eti)e ad(ini!tration o' !tie that, one a

d$(ent ha! 4eo(e nal, the innin$ part" 4e not, thro#$h a (ere !#4ter'#$e, depri)ed o' the 'r#it! o' the )erdit.

e no r#le that lai(! 'or ee(ption 'ro( ee#tion o' propertie! #nder Setion 12 o' R#le 3/ o' the R#le! o' Co#rt(#!t 4e pre!ented 4e'ore it! !ale on ee#tion 4" the Sheri*.;

In Sps. 3ersola v. $ourt o% &ppeals, 52/ Phil. 377 +2006? it a! li-ei!e !aid=

>nder the ited pro)i!ion, a 'a(il" ho(e i! dee(ed on!tit#ted on a ho#!e and lot 'ro( the ti(e it i! o#pied

a! a 'a(il" re!idene there i! no need to on!tit#ted the !a(e diiall" or etradiiall".

he !ettled r#le i! that the ri$ht to ee(ption or 'ored !ale #nder Artile 153 o' the :a(il" Code i! a per!onal

pri)ile$e $ranted to the d$(ent de4tor and a! !#h, it (#!t 4e lai(ed not 4" the !heri*, 4#t 4" the de4tor hi(!el'

4e'ore the !ale o' the propert" at p#4li a#tion. It i! not !#9ient that the per!on lai(in$ ee(ption (erel" alle$e!


12/60

that !#h propert" i! a 'a(il" ho(e. hi! lai( 'or ee(ption (#!t 4e !et #p and pro)ed to the Sheri*.;

Fa)in$ 'ailed to !et #p and pro)e to the !heri* the !#ppo!ed ee(ption o' the !#4&et propert" 4e'ore the !ale

thereo' at p#4li ation, the" no are 4arred 'ro( rai!in$ the !a(e. :ail#re to do !o e!top the( 'ro( later lai(in$ the

!aid ee(ption. +e e!a ). Aero, et al., G.R. No. 18506, Jan#ar" 16, 2012, Re"e!, J?.

F#!i$& ho!e #s the s&!5o$ of $o-e'

Indeed, the 'a(il" ho(e i! a !ared !"(4ol o' 'a(il" lo)e and i! the repo!itor" o' heri!hed (e(orie! that la!t

d#rin$ one@! li'eti(e. +Ca4an$ ). a!a", G.R. No. 180587, arh 20, 200/, 582 SCRA 172?. It i! li-ei!e itho#t di!p#te

that the 'a(il" ho(e, 'ro( the ti(e o' it! on!tit#tion and !o lon$ a! an" o' it! 4eneiarie! re!ide! therein, i! $enerall"

ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion, 'ored !ale or attah(ent. +Art. 153, :.C.?.

he 'a(il" ho(e i! a real ri$ht, hih i! $rat#ito#!, inaliena4le and 'ree 'ro( attah(ent. It annot 4e !ei%ed 4"

reditor! eept in ertain !peial a!e!. +Jo!e' ). Santo!, G.R. No. 165060, No)e(4er 27, 2008, 572 SCRA 57?.

Foe)er, thi! ri$ht an 4e ai)ed or 4e 4arred 4" lahe! 4" the 'ail#re to !et #p and pro)e the !tat#! o' the propert" a!

a 'a(il" ho(e at the ti(e o' the le)" or a rea!ona4le ti(e therea'ter.

In thi! a!e, it i! #ndi!p#ted that the petitioner! alloed a on!idera4le ti(e to lap!e 4e'ore lai(in$ that the

!#4&et propert" i! a 'a(il" ho(e and it! ee(ption 'ro( ee#tion and 'ored !ale #nder the :a(il" Code. he

petitioner! alloed the !#4&et propert" to 4e le)ied #pon and the p#4li !ale to proeed. Bne +1? "ear lap!ed 'ro( the

ti(e the !#4&et propert" a! !old #ntil a :inal eed o' Sale a! i!!#ed to Cla#dio, and, later, Araeli@! orren! title a!

anelled and a ne one i!!#ed #nder Cla#dio@! na(e, !till, the petitioner re(ained !ilent. In 'at, it a! onl" a'ter the

re!pondent! led a o(plaint 'or #nla'#l detainer, or approi(atel" 'o#r +? "ear! 'ro( the ti(e o' the a#tion !ale,

that the petitioner lai(ed that the !#4&et propert" i! a 'a(il" ho(e, th#!, ee(pt 'ro( ee#tion.

:or all intent! and p#rpo!e!, the petitioner!@ ne$li$ene or o(i!!ion to a!!ert their ri$ht ithin a rea!ona4le

ti(e $i)e! ri!e to the pre!#(ption that the" ha)e a4andoned, ai)ed or delined to a!!ert it. Sine the ee(ption

#nder Artile 153 o' the :a(il" Code i! a per!onal ri$ht, it i! in#(4ent #pon the petitioner! to in)o-e and pro)e the

!a(e ithin the pre!ri4ed period and it i! not the !heri*@! d#t" to pre!#(e or rai!e the !tat#! o' the !#4&et propert"

a! a 'a(il" ho(e.

he petitioner!@ ne$li$ene or o(i!!ion render! their pre!ent a!!ertion do#4t'#l it appear! that it i! a (ere

a'tertho#$ht and artie that annot 4e o#ntenaned itho#t doin$ the re!pondent! in!tie and depri)in$ the 'r#it!

o' the d$(ent aard in their 'a)or. Si(ple !tie and 'airne!! and e#ita4le on!ideration! de(and that Cla#dio@!

title to the propert" 4e re!peted. E#it" ditate! that the petitioner! are (ade to !#*er the on!e#ene! o' their

#neplained ne$li$ene.


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4ROOF OF FILIATION

@#"tis!#$ ceti.c#te st#nin% #$one c#nnot 5e # "oof of .$i#tion'

Q ay a )a(t!sal *ert!0*ate )e a (roo- o- 0l!at!on= E7(la!n.

Ans&er: A! a r#le, no, 4ea#!e 4ein$ hear!a", it i! not onl#!i)e proo' o' liation.

Reentl", there are to +2? a!e! epo#ndin$ on the pro4ati)e )al#e o' a 4apti!(al ertiate. Bne i! the a!eo' the 0eirs o% Pedro $abais v. $&, G.R. No. 1063115, Bto4er 8, 1///, 316 SCRA 338 here the SC r#led that=

A 4irth ertiate, 4ein$ a p#4li do#(ent, o*er!prima %aciee)idene o' liation and a hi$h de$ree o' proo' i! needed

to o)erthro the pre!#(ption o' tr#th ontained in !#h p#4li do#(ent. hi! i! p#r!#ant to the r#le that entrie! in

o9ial reord! (ade in the per'or(ane o' hi! d#t" 4" a p#4li o9er areprima %aciee)idene o' the 'at! therein

!tated. he e)identiar" nat#re o' !#h do#(ent (#!t, there'ore, 4e !#!tained in the a4!ene o' !tron$, o(plete and

onl#!i)e proo' o' it! 'al!it" or n#llit".

Bn the ontrar", a 4apti!(al ertiate i! a pri)ate do#(ent, hih, 4ein$ hear!a", i! not a onl#!i)e proo' o'

liation. It doe! not ha)e the !a(e pro4ati)e )al#e a! a reord o' 4irth, an o9ial or p#4li do#(ent. In #S v.*vangelista, thi! Co#rt held that h#rh re$i!ter! o' 4irth!, (arria$e!, and death! (ade !#4!e#ent to the

pro(#l$ation o' General Brder! No. 68 and the pa!!a$e o' At No. 1/0 are no lon$er p#4li ritin$!, nor are the" -ept

4" d#l" a#thori%ed p#4li o9ial!. h#!, in thi! ri!dition, a ertiate o' 4apti!( !#h a! the one herein ontro)er!"

i! no lon$er re$arded ith the !a(e e)identiar" )al#e a! o9ial reord! o' 4irth. oreo)er, on thi! !ore, ri!pr#dene

i! on!i!tent and #ni'or( in r#lin$ that the anonial ertiate o' 4apti!( i! not !#9ient to pro)e reo$nition.

A 4apti!(al ertiate ha! a li(ited e)identiar" )al#e a! proo' o' liation in'erior to that o' a 4irth ertiate. It

doe! not atte!t to the )erait" o' the !tate(ent! re$ardin$ the -in!'ol- o' the one 4apti%ed. hi! i! e!peiall" tr#e i' the

4irth ertiate i! not pre!ented.

Another a!e i! the 0eirs o% Ignacio $onti v. $&, G.R. No. 1186, ee(4er 21, 1//8, 300 SCRA 35, here the

SC !aid that the re!pondent! ere a4le to pro)e 4" preponderane o' e)idene their 4ein$ ollateral relati)e! o' the

deedent #!in$ the 4apti!(al ertiate a! proo' o' liation. hi! i! !o 4ea#!e, a!ide 'ro( the 4apti!(al ertiate,

there ere te!ti(onie! o' itne!!e! pointin$ to the heir a! the onl" !i4lin$ le't 4" the deedent, hene, the 4apti!(al

ertiate a#ired e)identiar" ei$ht to pro)e liation. here ere in 'at 'o#r +? 4apti!(al ertiate! pointin$ to the

heir and other !i!ter! a! ha)in$ the !a(e !et o' parent!.

In Conti, the Co#rt a9r(ed the r#lin$! o' the trial o#rt and the CA to the e*et that the Conti re!pondent! ere a4le to

pro)e 4" preponderane o' e)idene their 4ein$ the ollateral heir! o' deea!ed o#rde! Sa(pa"o. he Conti

petitioner! di!a$reed, ar$#in$ that 4apti!(al ertiate! did not pro)e the liation o' ollateral relati)e! o' the


14/60

deea!ed. A$reein$ ith the CA, the Co#rt !aid=

>nder Art. 172 o' the :a(il" Code, the liation o' le$iti(ate hildren !hall 4e pro)ed 4" an" other (ean! alloed 4" the

R#le! o' Co#rt and !peial la!, in the a4!ene o' a reord o' 4irth or a parent@! ad(i!!ion o' !#h le$iti(ate liation in

a p#4li or pri)ate do#(ent d#l" !i$ned 4" the parent. S#h other proo' o' one@! liation (a" 4e a 4apti!(al

ertiate, a diial ad(i!!ion, a 'a(il" i4le in hih hi! na(e ha! 4een entered, o((on rep#tation re!petin$ hi!

pedi$ree, ad(i!!ion 4" !ilene, the te!ti(onie! o' itne!!e! and other -ind! o' proo' ad(i!!i4le #nder R#le 130 o' the

R#le! o' Co#rt. " analo$", thi! (ethod o' pro)in$ liation (a" al!o 4e #tili%ed in the in!tant a!e.

P#4li do#(ent! are the ritten o9ial at!, or reord! o' the o9ial at o' the !o)erei$n a#thorit", o9ial 4odie! and

tri4#nal!, and p#4li o9er!, hether o' the Philippine!, or a 'orei$n o#ntr". he 4apti!(al ertiate! pre!ented in

e)idene 4" pri)ate re!pondent! are p#4li do#(ent!. Pari!h prie!t! ontin#e to 4e the le$al #!todian! o' the pari!h

reord! and are a#thori%ed to i!!#e tr#e opie!, in the 'or( o' ertiate!, o' the entrie! ontained therein.

he ad(i!!i4ilit" o' 4apti!(al ertiate! o*ered 4" "dia S. Re"e!, a4!ent the te!ti(on" o' the o9iatin$ prie!t or the

o9ial reorder, a! !ettled in People ). Ritter, itin$ >.S. ). de era +28 Phil. 105 1/1K, th#!=

Q. he entrie! (ade in the Re$i!tr" oo- (a" 4e on!idered a! entrie! (ade in the o#r!e o' 4#!ine!! #nder Setion

3 o' R#le 130, hih i! an eeption to the hear!a" r#le. he 4apti!(! ad(ini!tered 4" the h#rh are one o' it!

tran!ation! in the eeri!e o' ele!ia!tial d#tie! and reorded in the 4oo- o' the h#rh d#rin$ thi! o#r!e o' it!

4#!ine!!.

B4)io#!l", Conti did not treat a 4apti!(al ertiate, !tandin$ alone, a! !#9ient to pro)e liation on the ontrar",

Conti epre!!l" held that a 4apti!(al ertiate had e)identiar" )al#e to pro)e liation i' on!idered alon$!ide other

e)idene o' liation. A! !#h, a 4apti!(al ertiate alone i! not !#9ient to re!ol)e a di!p#ted liation. +a-ati

Shan$ria Fotel Re!ort In. ). Farper, et al., G.R. No. 18///8, A#$#!t 26, 2012, er!a(in, J?.

4oof of .$i#tion s+""ot'

Q In a *o(la!nt -or su((ort alleg!ng t+at a *+!ld !s an !lleg!t!ate *+!ld o- t+e alleged -at+er% t+e )ases

&ere t+e re*ord o- )!rt+ alt+oug+ uns!gned )y t+e alleged -at+er and t+e )a(t!sal *ert!0*ate !dent!-y!ng

t+e alleged -at+er% as t+e -at+er o- t+e *+!ld &!t+out t+e s!gnature o- t+e alleged -at+er. T+e 2TC granted

t+e su((ort )ased on t+ose do*uents. Is t+e de*!s!on *orre*t= >+y=

Ans&er: No, 4ea#!e the to +2? do#(ent! are not proo'! o' liation. e'ore a hild (a" 4e entitled to !#pport, he

(#!t 4e reo$ni%ed 4" the alle$ed 'ather. i(e and a$ain, thi! Co#rt ha! r#led that a hi$h !tandard o' proo' i! re#ired

to e!ta4li!h paternit" and liation. An order 'or !#pport (a" reate an #nhole!o(e !it#ation or (a" 4e an

irritant to the 'a(il" or the li)e! o' the partie! !o that it (#!t 4e i!!#ed onl" i' paternit" or liation i! e!ta4li!hed 4"


15/60

lear and on)inin$ e)idene.;

he R#le! 'or e!ta4li!hin$ liation are 'o#nd in Artile! 172 and 175 o' the :a(il" Code. Bne !#h proo' i! the

reord o' 4irth appearin$ in the i)il re$i!ter, Artile 172+1? and an" other (ean! alloed 4" the R#le! o' Co#rt and

!peial la!, +Art. 172+2?+2?, :a(il" Code.

It i! !ettled that aK ertiate o' li)e 4irth p#rportedl" identi'"in$ the p#tati)e 'ather i! not o(petent

e)idene o' paternit" hen there i! no !hoin$ that the p#tati)e 'ather had a hand in the preparation o' !aidertiate.; e al!o annot lend redene to ira!ol@! lai( that Antonio !#pplied ertain in'or(ation thro#$h Erlinda.

A!ide 'ro( Antonio@! denial in ha)in$ an" partiipation in the preparation o' the do#(ent a! ell a! the a4!ene o' hi!

!i$nat#re thereon, re!pondent! did not pre!ent Erlinda to onr( that Antonio indeed !#pplied ertain entrie! in

Rand"@! 4irth ertiate. e!ide!, the !e)eral #neplained di!repanie! in Antonio@! per!onal ir#(!tane! a!

reeted in the !#4&et 4irth ertiate are (ani'e!tation! o' Antonio@! nonpartiipation in it! preparation. o!t

i(portant, it a! ira!ol ho !i$ned a! in'or(ant thereon hih !he onr(ed on the itne!! !tand.;

Neither doe! the te!ti(on" o' Rand" e!ta4li!h hi! ille$iti(ate liation. hat d#rin$ their r!t eno#nter in 1//

Rand" alled Antonio Papa; and -i!!ed hi! hand hile Antonio h#$$ed hi( and pro(i!ed to !#pport hi( or that hi!

A#nt elita treated hi( a! a relati)e and a! $ood to hi( d#rin$ hi! oneee- !ta" in her plae, annot 4e on!idereda! indiation! o' Rand"@! open and ontin#o#! po!!e!!ion o' the !tat#! o' an ille$iti(ate hild #nder the !eond

para$raph o' Artile 172+1?. Ko pro)e open and ontin#o#! po!!e!!ion o' the !tat#! o' an ille$iti(ate hild, there

(#!t 4e e)idene o' the (ani'e!tation o' the per(anent intention o' the !#ppo!ed 'ather to on!ider the hild a! hi!,

4" ontin#o#! and lear (ani'e!tation! o' parental a*etion and are, hih annot 4e attri4#ted to p#re harit". S#h

at! (#!t 4e o' !#h a nat#re that the" re)eal not onl" the on)ition o' paternit", 4#t al!o the apparent de!ire to ha)e

and treat the hild a! !#h in all relation! in !oiet" and in li'e, not aidentall", 4#t ontin#o#!l".; Fere, the !in$le

in!tane that Antonio alle$edl" h#$$ed Rand" and pro(i!ed to !#pport hi( annot 4e on!idered a! proo' o'

ontin#o#! po!!e!!ion o' the !tat#! o' a hild. o e(pha!i%e, tKhe 'ather@! ond#t toard! hi! !on (#!t 4e

!pontaneo#! and #ninterr#pted 'or thi! $ro#nd to ei!t.; Fere, eept 'or that !in$#lar oa!ion in hih the" (et,

there are no other at! o' Antonio treatin$ Rand" a! hi! !on. Neither an Antonio@! paternit" 4e ded#ed 'ro( ho hi!

!i!ter elita treated Rand". o thi! Co#rt, elita@! at#ation! o#ld ha)e 4een done d#e to harit" or !o(e other

rea!on!.;

Rand"@! 4apti!(al ertiate i! not a $ood proo' o' Antonio@! paternit" o' Rand". J#!t li-e in a 4irth ertiate, the la-

o' partiipation o' the !#ppo!ed 'ather in the preparation o' a 4apti!(al ertiate render! thi! do#(ent ino(petent

to pro)e paternit". And hile a 4apti!(al ertiate (a" 4e on!idered a p#4li do#(ent, it an onl" !er)e a!

e)idene o' the ad(ini!tration o' the !ara(ent on the date !peied 4#t not the )erait" o' the entrie! ith re!pet to

the hild@! paternit". h#!, 4apti!(al ertiate! areper se inad(i!!i4le in e)idene a! proo' o' liation and the"

annot 4e ad(itted indiretl" a! ir#(!tantial e)idene to pro)e the !a(e.; +Antonio Perla ). ira!ol arin$, et al.,


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G.R. No. 17271, No)e(4er 12, 2012, rion, J See= Gotardo ). #lin$, G.R. No. 165166, A#$#!t 15, 2010, rion, J?.

4RO4ERTYLAND RE)ISTRATION

4ossession #n occ+"#tion istin%+ishe'

Co((onealth At No. 11, otheri!e -non a! the P#4li and At, $o)ern! the la!!iation and di!po!ition o' land!

o' the p#4li do(ain. It i! lear #nder Setion 8+4? thereo', hih applie! el#!i)el" to a$ri#lt#ral land! o' the p#4li

do(ain, that po!!e!!ion i! not eno#$h. In order to e(pha!i%e the nee!!it" 'or at#al po!!e!!ion and el#de tional

or on!tr#ti)e po!!e!!ion, Setion 8+4? !pea-! o' po!!e!!ion and o#pation. A! eplained 4" thi! Co#rt in Republic

o% te Pilippines v. &lconaba=

he la !pea-! o'possession and occupation. Sine the!e ord! are !eparated 4" the onntion and, the lear

intention o' the la i! not to (a-e one !"non"(o#! ith the other. Po!!e!!ion i! 4roader than o#pation 4ea#!e it

inl#de! on!tr#ti)e po!!e!!ion. hen, there'ore, the la add! the ord occupation, it !ee-! to deli(it the all

eno(pa!!in$ e*et o' on!tr#ti)e po!!e!!ion. a-en to$ether ith the ord! open, ontin#o#!, el#!i)e and

notorio#!, the ord occupation!er)e! to hi$hli$ht the 'at that 'or an appliant to #ali'", hi! po!!e!!ion (#!t not 4e a

(ere tion. +71 Phil. 607 +200??.

It doe! not (atter hether the appliant 'or re$i!tration ha! 4een in po!!e!!ion and o#pation onl" a'ter J#ne

12, 1/5 'or the re#ire(ent! 'or onr(ation o' title i! dee(ed o(plied ith a! hi! predee!!or!inintere!t@!

po!!e!!ion and o#pation that date 4a- to J#ne 12, 1/5 or earlier are ta-ed to hi!. h#!, it i! o' $reat i(portane

that there ei!t! ellni$h inontro)erti4le; e)idene that the appliant@! predee!!or!inintere!t had 4een in

po!!e!!ion and o#pation o' the propert" !o#$ht to 4e re$i!tered !ine J#ne 12, 1/5. +Rep. ). Feir! o' oroteo

onto&a, G.R. No. 1/5137, J#ne 23, 2012, Re"e!, J?.

4RO4ERTY

B+ietin% of tit$e e


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4elon$! to the oner o' the land ad&aent to the 4an-! o' ri)er! here it 'or(!. he dr"in$ #p o' the ri)er i! not

aretion. Fene, the dried #p ri)er 4ed 4elon$! to the State a! propert" o' p#4li do(inion, not to the riparian oner,

#nle!! the la )e!t! the oner!hip to !o(e other per!on. +Rep. ). Santo! III, et al., G.R. No. 16053, No)e(4er 12,

20012?.

O#$ "#tition is in-#$i'

he )alidit" o' an oral partition i! alread" ell!ettled. It i! not re#ired that the partition a$ree(ent 4ere$i!tered or annotated in the title to 4e )alid. A'ter eeri!in$ at! o' oner!hip o)er their re!peti)e portion! o' the

onte!ted e!tate, the" are e!topped 'ro( den"in$ the ei!tene o' an oral partition.

In thi! a!e, none o' the ori$inal ooner! di!p#ted the partition a! it i! onl" the pre!ent oner! and

!#e!!or!inintere!t ho are in!i!tin$ that no partition had ta-en plae, a! the title a! (erel" partiall" anelled and

(an" o' the oner! ha)e "et to !e#re their on !eparate title!. E!toppel! ha! !et in to 4ar the pre!ent oner! 'ro(

den"in$ an oral partition in )ie o' the a#ie!ene o' their predee!!or!inintere!t a! ell a! their on at! o'

oner!hip o)er tho!e portion! the" are o#p"in$.

Re$ardle!! o' hether a parol partition or a$ree(ent to partition i! )alid or en'orea4le at la, e#it" ill in

proper a!e!, here the parol partition ha! at#all" 4een on!#((ated 4" the ta-in$ o' po!!e!!ion in !e)eralt" and the

eeri!e o' oner!hip 4" the partie! o' their re!peti)e portion! !et o* to eah other, reo$ni%e and en'ore !#h parol

partition and the ri$ht! o' the partie! there#nder. +Fernande% ). Andal, 78 Phil. 1/6 +1/7? an ). i(, G.R. No. 12800,

Septe(4er 25, 1//8, 2/6 SCRA 5 Notarte, et al. ). Notarte, G.R. No. 18061, A#$#!t 2/, 2012?.

SUCCESSION

Fo%etf+$ness is not e


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It !hall 4e !#9ient i' the te!tator a! a4le at the ti(e o' (a-in$ the ill to -no the nat#re o' the e!tate to 4e

di!po!ed o', the proper o4&et! o' hi! 4o#nt", and the harater o' the te!ta(entar" at.

he te!ti(on" o' !#4!ri4in$ itne!!e! to a ill onernin$ the te!tator@! (ental ondition i! entitled to $reat

ei$ht here the" are tr#th'#l and intelli$ent. ore i(portantl", a te!tator i! pre!#(ed to 4e o' !o#nd (ind at the ti(e

o' the ee#tion o' the ill and the 4#rden to pro)e otheri!e lie! on the oppo!itor. Artile 800 o' the Ne Ci)il Code

!tate!=

Art. 800. he la pre!#(e! that e)er" per!on i! o' !o#nd (ind, in the a4!ene o' proo' to the ontrar".

he 4#rden o' proo' that the te!tator a! not o' !o#nd (ind at the ti(e o' (a-in$ hi! di!po!ition i! on the per!on ho

oppo!e! the pro4ate o' the ill 4#t i' the te!tator, one (onth, or le!!, 4e'ore (a-in$ hi! ill a! p#4lil" -non to 4e

in!ane, the per!on ho (aintain! the )alidit" o' the ill (#!t pro)e that the te!tator (ade it d#rin$ a l#id inter)al.

he 4#rden o' proo' to !ho that the te!tator a! o' #n!o#nd (ind at the ti(e o' the ee#tion o' the ill lie! in

the oppo!itor!. In thi! a!e, the" 'ailed to di!har$e !#h 4#rden, hene, the ad(i!!ion o' the ill to pro4ate i! orret.

+alta%ar, et al. ). aa, G.R. No. 178/, April 11, 2012, el Ca!tillo, J?.

O@LI)ATIONS CONTRACTS

RESCISSION

Rescission is the e!e& fo e"##tion of the #!#%e one'

Q A-ter t+e deat+ o- t+e!r (rede*essor4!n4!nterest% t+e +e!rs )e*ae t+e *o4o&ners o- se,eral (ar*els o-

land. Soe o- t+e too' (ossess!on o- t+e (ro(ert!es +en*e% t+ere &as a *o(la!nt -or (art!t!on 0led )y

one o- t+e +e!rs as t+e ot+er re-used to (art!t!on t+e (ro(ert!es. >+!le t+e a*t!on &as (end!ng% one o-

t+e donated a (ro(erty )elong!ng to t+e *o4o&ners+!( to one o- +er ne(+e&s% &!t+out a((ro,al o- t+e

*ourt% +en*e% a-ter learn!ng t+at t+ere &as a Donat!on Inter V!,os% t+ey 0led a Su((leental 1lead!ng(ray!ng t+at t+e donat!on )e res*!nded !n a**ordan*e &!t+ Art!*le "?"$/ o- t+e C!,!l Code. T+e donee

o((osed t+e Su((leental 1lead!ng *ontend!ng t+at res*!ss!on under Art!*le "?$"/% NCC a((l!es only

&+en t+ere !s already a (r!or 6ud!*!al de*ree on &+o )et&een t+e *ontend!ng (art!es a*tually o&ned t+e

(ro(ert!es under l!t!gat!on. T+e 2TC ordered t+e res*!ss!on o- t+e deed o- donat!on as !t &as done &!t+out

t+e 'no&ledge and a((ro,al o- t+e ot+er (art!es or (la!nt!3s or t+e Court. On a((eal% t+e CA re,ersed t+e

6udgent on t+e ground t+at )e-ore an a*t!on -or res*!ss!on ay )e 0led t+ere ust 0rst )e a 6ud!*!al

deter!nat!on t+at t+e sae a*tually )elonged to t+e estate o- t+e donor. en*e% t+e (et!t!on ra!s!ng su*+

!ssue. De*!de.

Ans&er: Re!i!!ion i! a re(ed" $ranted 4" la to the ontratin$ partie! and e)en to third per!on!, to !e#re the


19/60

reparation o' da(a$e! a#!ed to the( 4" a ontrat, e)en i' it !ho#ld 4e )alid, 4" (ean! o' the re!toration o' thin$! to

their ondition at the (o(ent prior to the ele4ration o' !aid ontrat. It i! a re(ed" to (a-e ine*eti)e a ontrat,

)alidl" entered into and there'ore o4li$ator" #nder nor(al ondition!, 4" rea!on o' eternal a#!e! re!#ltin$ in a

pe#niar" predie to one o' the ontratin$ partie! or their reditor!. Contrat! hih are re!i!!i4le are )alid

ontrat! ha)in$ all the e!!ential re#i!ite! o' a ontrat, 4#t 4" rea!on o' inr" or da(a$e a#!ed to either o' the

partie! therein or to third per!on! are on!idered de'eti)e and, th#!, (a" 4e re!inded.

he -ind! o' re!i!!i4le ontrat!, aordin$ to the rea!on 'or their !#!epti4ilit" to re!i!!ion, are the 'olloin$= (rst,tho!e hih are re!i!!i4le 4ea#!e o' le!ion or predie +Art. 1381+1? +2?, NCC? second, tho!e hih are re!i!!i4le

on ao#nt o' 'ra#d or 4ad 'aith +Art!. 1381 +3? +? 1382, NCC? and tird, tho!e hih, 4" !peial pro)i!ion! o' la,

+Ci)il Code o' the Philippine!, Artile! 118/, 11/1, 1526, 153, 1538, 153/, 152, 1556, 1560, 1567 and 165/? are

!#!epti4le to re!i!!ion.

Cont#cts 6hich efe to thin%s s+5;ect of $iti%#tion is escissi5$e "+s+#nt to Atic$e 19813 of the Ci-i$

Coe'

Contrat! hih are re!i!!i4le d#e to 'ra#d or 4ad 'aith inl#de tho!e hih in)ol)e thin$! #nder liti$ation, i' the" ha)e

4een entered into 4" the de'endant itho#t the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' o(petent diiala#thorit". h#!, Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code pro)ide!=

Art. 1381. he 'olloin$ ontrat! are re!i!!i4le= +? ho!e hih re'er to thin$! #nder liti$ation i' the" ha)e

4een entered into 4" the de'endant itho#t the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' o(petent diial

a#thorit". he re!i!!ion o' a ontrat #nder Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code onl" re#ire! the on#rrene o' the

'olloin$= (rst, the de'endant, d#rin$ the penden" o' the a!e, enter! into a ontrat hih re'er! to the thin$ !#4&et

o' liti$ation and second, the !aid ontrat a! entered into itho#t the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' a

o(petent diial a#thorit". A! lon$ a! the 'ore$oin$ re#i!ite! on#r, it 4eo(e! the d#t" o' the o#rt to order the

re!i!!ion o' the !aid ontrat.

he rea!on 'or thi! i! !i(ple. Artile 1381+? !ee-! to re(ed" the pre!ene o' 4ad 'aith a(on$ the partie! to a a!e

andor an" 'ra#d#lent at hih the" (a" o((it ith re!pet to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation.

hen a thin$ i! the !#4&et o' a diial ontro)er!", it !ho#ld #lti(atel" 4e 4o#nd 4" hate)er di!po!ition the o#rt

!hall render. he partie! to the a!e are there'ore epeted, in de'erene to the o#rt@! eeri!e o' ri!dition o)er the

a!e, to re'rain 'ro( doin$ at! hih o#ld di!!ipate or de4a!e the thin$ !#4&et o' the liti$ation or otheri!e render

the i(pendin$ dei!ion therein ine*et#al.

here i!, then, a re!trition on the di!po!ition 4" the partie! o' the thin$ that i! the !#4&et o' the liti$ation. Artile

1381+? o' the Ci)il Code re#ire! that an" ontrat entered into 4" a de'endant in a a!e hih re'er! to thin$! #nder


20/60

liti$ation !ho#ld 4e ith the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' a o(petent diial a#thorit".

:#rther, an" di!po!ition o' the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation or an" at hih tend! to render in#tile the o#rt@! i(pendin$

di!po!ition in !#h a!e, sans the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' the o#rt, i! #n(i!ta-a4l" and

irre'#ta4l" indiati)e o' 4ad 'aith. S#h at! #nder(ine the a#thorit" o' the o#rt to la" don the re!peti)e ri$ht! o'

the partie! in a a!e relati)e to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation and 4ind the( to !#h deter(ination.

he de'endant in !#h a a!e i! not a4!ol#tel" pro!ri4ed 'ro( enterin$ into a ontrat hih re'er to thin$! #nder

liti$ation. I', 'or in!tane, a de'endant enter! into a ontrat hih on)e"! the thin$ #nder liti$ation d#rin$ the

penden" o' the a!e, the on)e"ane o#ld 4e )alid, there 4ein$ no denite di!po!ition "et o(in$ 'ro( the o#rt

ith re!pet to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation. A'ter all, notith!tandin$ that the !#4&et thereo' i! a thin$ #nder

liti$ation, !#h on)e"ane i! 4#t (erel" an eeri!e o' oner!hip.

hi! i! tr#e e)en i' the de'endant e*eted the on)e"ane itho#t the -noled$e and appro)al o' the liti$ant! or o' a

o(petent diial a#thorit". he a4!ene o' !#h -noled$e or appro)al o#ld not preipitate the in)alidit" o' an

otheri!e )alid ontrat. Ne)erthele!!, !#h ontrat, tho#$h on!idered )alid, (a" 4e re!inded at the in!tane o' the

other liti$ant! p#r!#ant to Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code.

Altho#$h the $rat#ito#! on)e"ane o' the !aid parel! o' land a! )alid, the donation inter vivos o' the !a(e 4ein$

(erel" an eeri!e o' oner!hip, the !eller@! 'ail#re to in'or( and !ee- the appro)al o' the petitioner! or the RC

re$ardin$ the on)e"ane $a)e the petitioner! the ri$ht to ha)e the !aid donation re!inded p#r!#ant to Artile 1381+?

o' the Ci)il Code.

Rescission +ne Atic$e 19813 of the Ci-i$ Coe is not "econitione +"on the ;+ici#$ ete!in#tion #s

to the o6neshi" of the thin% s+5;ect of $iti%#tion'

he a!!ertion that re!i!!ion (a" onl" 4e had a'ter the RC had nall" deter(ined that the parel! o' land 4elon$ed to

the e!tate o' Spo#!e! a"lon doe! not intrin!iall" a(i!!. he petitioner!@ ri$ht to in!tit#te the ation 'or re!i!!ion

p#r!#ant to Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code i! not preonditioned #pon the RC@! deter(ination a! to the oner!hip o'

the !aid parel! o' land.

he ri$ht to a!- 'or the re!i!!ion o' a ontrat #nder Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code i! not ontin$ent #pon the nal

deter(ination o' the oner!hip o' the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation. he pri(ordial p#rpo!e o' Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il

Code i! to !e#re the po!!i4le e*eti)it" o' the i(pendin$ d$(ent 4" a o#rt ith re!pet to the thin$ !#4&et o'

liti$ation. It !ee-! to protet the 4indin$ e*et o' a o#rt@! i(pendin$ addiation vis-4-vis the thin$ !#4&et o'

liti$ation re$ardle!! o' hih a(on$ the ontendin$ lai(! therein o#ld !#4!e#entl" 4e #pheld. Aordin$l", a

deniti)e diial deter(ination ith re!pet to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation i! not a ondition sine 'ua non 4e'ore the

re!i!!or" ation onte(plated #nder Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code (a" 4e in!tit#ted.


21/60

oreo)er, onedin$ that the ri$ht to 4rin$ the re!i!!or" ation p#r!#ant to Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code i!

preonditioned #pon a diial deter(ination ith re$ard to the thin$ !#4&et liti$ation, thi! o#ld onl" 4rin$ a4o#t the

)er" predia(ent that the !aid pro)i!ion o' la !ee-! to o4)iate. A!!#(in$ arguendo that a re!i!!or" ation #nder

Artile 1381+? o' the Ci)il Code o#ld onl" 4e in!tit#ted a'ter the di!p#te ith re!pet to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation

i! diiall" deter(ined, there i! the po!!i4ilit" that the !a(e (a" had alread" 4een on)e"ed to third per!on! atin$ in

$ood 'aith, renderin$ an" diial deter(ination ith re$ard to the thin$ !#4&et o' liti$ation ill#!or". S#rel", thi!

paradoial e)ent#alit" i! not hat the la had en)i!ioned. +ilia Ada, et al. ). :lorante a"lon, G.R. No. 18235, A#$#!t

13, 2012, Re"e!, J?.

E?ect of escission

In a!e! in)ol)in$ re!i!!ion #nder the !aid pro)i!ion, (#t#al re!tit#tion i! re#ired. +>niland Re!o#re! e). Corp. ).

ra$on, G.R. No. 1/338, J#l" 28, 2008, 560 SCRA 63?. he partie! !ho#ld 4e 4ro#$ht 4a- to their ori$inal po!ition

prior to the ineption o' the ontrat. +>niland Re!o#re! e). Corp. ). ra$on, G.R. No. 1/338, J#l" 28, 2008, 560

SCRA 63?. Aordin$l", hen a deree o' re!i!!ion i! handed don, it i! the d#t" o' the o#rt to re#ire 4oth partie! to

!#rrender that hih the" ha)e re!peti)el" reei)ed and to plae eah other a! 'ar a! pratia4le in theirK ori$inal

!it#ation.; P#r!#ant to thi!, Goldloop !ho#ld ret#rn to GSIS the po!!e!!ion and ontrol o' the propert" !#4&et o' their

a$ree(ent! hile GSIS !ho#ld rei(4#r!e Goldloop hate)er a(o#nt it had reei)ed 'ro( the latter 4" rea!on o' theBA and the Addend#(.

A! di!#!!ed, 4oth partie! 'ailed to o(pl" ith their re!peti)e o4li$ation! #nder their a$ree(ent!. Fene, rele)ant i!

the pro)i!ion o' Artile 11/2 o' the Ci)il Code hih read!=

Art. 11/2. In a!e 4oth partie! ha)e o((itted a 4reah o' the o4li$ation, the lia4ilit" o' the r!t in'rator !hall 4e

e#ita4l" te(pered 4" the o#rt!. If it c#nnot 5e ete!ine 6hich of the "#ties .st -io$#te the cont#ct,

the s#!e sh#$$ 5e ee!e e/tin%+ishe, #n e#ch sh#$$ 5e# his o6n #!#%es. +Goldloop Propertie!, In. ).

GSIS, G.R. No. 171076, A#$#!t 1, 2012, el Ca!tillo, J?.

O@LI)ATIONS AND CONTRACTS

No-#tion thee !+st 5e e/"ess ec$##tion of e/tin%+ish!ent o the t6o 2 cont#cts !+st 5e

inco!"#ti5$e'

Q In a su!t -or su o- oney% &!t+ (rayer -or atta*+ent% a *ounter4)ond &as !ssued !n *ons!derat!on o-

t+e d!s*+arge o- t+e atta*+ent. A *o(ro!se &as entered !nto )y t+e (art!es &!t+out !n*lud!ng t+e

)ond!ng *o(any% )ut &+en t+e de-endants -a!led to *o(ly t+ere &as a ot!on to order t+e )ond!ng

*o(any to (ay a**ord!ng to t+e *ounter4)ond. T+e *o(any *ontended t+at &+en t+e (art!es su)!tted

a *o(ro!se agreeent &!t+out !n*lud!ng !t% t+ere &as no,at!on o- t+e *ontra*t% +en*e% !t !s no longer%


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l!a)le. Is t+e *ontent!on *orre*t= >+y=

Ans&er: No, 4ea#!e the o#nter4ond pro)ide! that it !hall pa" an" d$(ent that (a" 4e !e#red 4" the plainti*

a$ain!t the de'endant!. In order 'or no)ation to etin$#i!h an o4li$ation, there (#!t 4e a !hoin$ that there i!

ino(pati4ilit" 4eteen the ter(! o' the o(pro(i!e a$ree(ent and the ter(! o' the o#nter4ond. >nder Artile

12/2, NCC, in order that an o4li$ation (a" 4e etin$#i!hed 4" another hih !#4!tit#te! the !a(e, it i! i(perati)e that

it 4e !o delared in #ne#i)oal ter(!, or that the old and the ne o4li$ation! 4e on e)er" point ino(pati4le ith eah

other.

Nothin$ in the o(pro(i!e a$ree(ent indiate!, or e)en hint! at, relea!in$ the 4ondin$ o(pan" 'ro( it! o4li$ation to

pa" the plainti* a'ter the latter ha! o4tained a 'a)ora4le d$(ent. Clearl", there i! no ino(pati4ilit" 4eteen the

o(pro(i!e a$ree(ent and the o#nter4ond. Neither an no)ation 4e pre!#(ed. In 5u6go v. Lopena, 116 Phil 1305

+1/62?, it a! !aid that no)ation 4" pre!#(ption ha! ne)er 4een 'a)ored. o 4e !#!tained, it need 4e e!ta4li!hed that

the old and ne ontrat! are ino(pati4le in all point!, or that the ill to no)ate appear! 4" epre!! a$ree(ent o' the

partie! or in at! o' !i(ilar i(port.

All thin$! on!idered, the 4ondin$ o(pan", a! !#ret" #nder the ter(! o' the o#nter4ond it i!!#ed, !ho#ld 4e

held lia4le 'or the pa"(ent o' the #npaid 4alane d#e to the d$(ent reditor. +>nited P#lp Paper Co., In. ).Aropoli! Central G#arant" Corp., G.R. No. 171750, Jan#ar" 25, 2012, endo%a, J?.

A !#ret" on a o#nter4ond $i)en to !e#re the pa"(ent o' a d$(ent 4eo(e! lia4le 'or the pa"(ent o' the a(o#nt

d#e #pon= +1? de(and (ade #pon the !#ret" and +2? notie and !#((ar" hearin$ on the !a(e ation. +Se. 17, R#le

57, R#le! o' Co#rt?.

It ha! 4een on!i!tentl" held that the lin$ o' a o(plaint on!tit#te! a diial de(and. Aordin$l", the lin$ 4" >PPC

o' the otion to Brder S#ret" to Pa" A(o#nt o' Co#nterond a! alread" a de(and #pon Aropoli!, a! !#ret", 'or the

pa"(ent o' the a(o#nt d#e, p#r!#ant to the ter(! o' the 4ond. In !aid 4ond, Aropoli! 4o#nd it!el' in the !#( o'

T2,8,353.1 to !e#re the pa"(ent o' an" d$(ent that >PPC (i$ht reo)er a$ain!t >ni4o and Brte$a.

he (otion a! led and a! !et 'or hearin$ and the 4ondin$ o(pan" a! d#l" notied o' the hearin$ hene, it a!

$i)en the opport#nit" to 4e heard. +>nited P#lp Paper Co., In. ). Aropoli! Central G#arant" Corp., G.R. No. 171750,

Jan#ar" 25, 2012, endo%a, J?.

FOR(S OF CONTRACTS

Re


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or other !peial 'or(, the ontratin$ partie! (a" o(pel eah other to o4!er)e that 'or( one the ontrat ha! 4een

per'eted.

In ule v. $&, G.R. No. 112212, arh 2, 1//8, it a! held that the re#ire(ent #nder Art. 1358, NCC i! onl" 'or

on)eniene and re$i!tration o' the in!tr#(ent onl" ad)er!el" a*et! third per!on!. :or(al re#ire(ent! are there'ore,

'or the 4enet o' third partie!. +Art. 1357, NCC?. Nono(pliane thereith doe! not ad)er!el" a*et the )alidit" o' the

ontrat nor the ontrat#al ri$ht! and o4li$ation! o' the partie!. +Ua(ora ). iranda, G.R. No. 162/30, ee(4er 5,

2012, Peralta, J?.

2ule:Reeipt o' pa"(ent parta-e! o' the nat#re o' e)idene o' per'etion o' a ontrat. #t i' it i! a 'or$ed do#(ent,

hene, )oid, there i! no ontrat to !pea- o'.

NOVATION

The "inci"$e of no-#tion c#nnot 5e #""$ie in # ci!in#$ c#se'

Q T+ere &as a sale o- a real (ro(erty -or 1@ )ut !t &as -ound out t+at !nstead o- reg!ster!ng t+e sae

under t+e nae o- t+e ,endee% !t &as reg!stered under anot+er;s nae. T+e ,endee deanded -or t+e

return o- t+e 1@ &+ere t+e seller !ssued t&o @/ *+e*'s &+!*+ &ere d!s+onored &+en (resented -or(ayent. T&o @/ Esta-a t+ru 5als!0*at!on o- 1u)l!* Do*uents *ases &ere 0led )ut )e-ore t+ey *ould )e

0led !n *ourt% t+e res(ondent !ssued anot+er t&o @/ *+e*'s &+ere s+e *ontended t+at t+ere &as no,at!on

o- +er o)l!gat!on &+en s+e !ssued t+ose *+e*'s. Is t+e *ontent!on *orre*t= >+y=

Ans&er: No. he priniple! o' no)ation annot appl" to etin$#i!h ri(inal lia4ilit". illa ite! People v. "eryto !#pport

hi! ontention that hi! i!!#ane o' the he-! prior to the lin$ o' the ri(inal o(plaint a)erted hi! inipient ri(inal

lia4ilit". Foe)er, it (#!t 4e laried that (ere pa"(ent o' an o4li$ation 4e'ore the in!tit#tion o' a ri(inal o(plaint

doe! not, on it! on, on!tit#te no)ation that (a" pre)ent ri(inal lia4ilit". he Co#rt@! r#lin$ in "ery in 'at arned=

It (a" 4e o4!er)ed in thi! re$ard that no)ation i! not one o' the (ean! reo$ni%ed 4" the Penal Code here4" ri(inallia4ilit" an 4e etin$#i!hed hene, the role o' no)ation (a" onl" 4e to either pre)ent the ri!e o' ri(inal lia4ilit" or to

a!t do#4t on the tr#e nat#re o' the ori$inal petition, hether or not it a! !#h that it! 4reah o#ld not $i)e ri!e to

penal re!pon!i4ilit", a! hen (one" loaned i! (ade to appear a! a depo!it, or other !i(ilar di!$#i!e i! re!orted to

+A4eto )!. People, /0 Phil. 581 illareal, 27 Phil. 81?.

E-en in Ci-i$ L#6 the #cce"t#nce of "#ti#$ "#&!ents, 6itho+t f+the ch#n%e in the oi%in#$ e$#tion

5et6een the co!"$#in#nt #n the #cc+se, c#nnot "o+ce no-#tion' Fo the $#tte to e/ist, thee !+st 5e

"oof of intent to e/tin%+ish the oi%in#$ e$#tionshi", #n s+ch intent c#nnot 5e infee fo! the !ee

#cce"t#nce of "#&!ents on #cco+nt of 6h#t is tot#$$& +e' #h le!! an it 4e !aid that the aeptane o' partial

!ati!'ation an e*et the n#lliation o' a ri(inal lia4ilit" that i! '#ll" (at#red, and alread" in the proe!! o'


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en'ore(ent. h#!, thi! Co#rt ha! r#led that the o?ene "#t&s #cce"t#nce of # "o!isso& note fo #$$ o

"#t of the #!o+nt !is#""$ie oes not o5$ite#te the ci!in#$ o?ense +Ca(#! )!. Co#rt o' Appeal!, 8 B*.

Ga%. 38/8?.

:#rther, in +uinto v. People, the Co#rt eha#!ti)el" eplained the onept o' no)ation in relation to inipient

ri(inal lia4ilit", viz=

No-#tion is ne-e "es+!e, and the animus novandi, hether totall" or partiall", (#!t appear 4" epre!!

a$ree(ent o' the partie!, or 4" their at! that are too lear and #ne#i)oal to 4e (i!ta-en.

he etin$#i!h(ent o' the old o4li$ation 4" the ne one i! a nee!!ar" ele(ent o' no)ation hih (a" 4e e*eted

either epre!!l" or i(pliedl".he ter( epre!!l"; (ean! that the ontratin$ partie! inontro)erti4l" di!lo!e that

their o4&et in ee#tin$ the ne ontrat i! to etin$#i!h the old one. >pon the other hand, no !pei 'or( i! re#ired

'or an i(plied no)ation, and all that i! pre!ri4ed 4" la o#ld 4e an ino(pati4ilit" 4eteen the to ontrat!. Whi$e

thee is e#$$& no h# #n f#st +$e to ete!ine 6h#t !i%ht constit+te to 5e # s+7cient ch#n%e th#t c#n

5in% #5o+t no-#tion, the to+chstone fo cont#iet&, ho6e-e, 6o+$ 5e #n ieconci$#5$e inco!"#ti5i$it&

5et6een the o$ #n the ne6 o5$i%#tions'

here are to a"! hih o#ld indiate, in ne, the pre!ene o' no)ation and there4" prod#e the e*et o'

etin$#i!hin$ an o4li$ation 4" another hih !#4!tit#te! the !a(e. he r!t i! hen no)ation ha! 4een epliitl" !tated

and delared in #ne#i)oal ter(!. he !eond i! hen the old and the ne o4li$ation! are ino(pati4le on e)er"

point. The test of inco!"#ti5i$it& is 6hethe o not the t6o o5$i%#tions c#n st#n to%ethe, e#ch one h#-in%

its ine"enent e/istence' If the& c#nnot, the& #e inco!"#ti5$e #n the $#tte o5$i%#tion no-#tes the

.st' Coo$$#i$&, ch#n%es th#t 5ee inco!"#ti5i$it& !+st 5e essenti#$ in n#t+e #n not !ee$&

#ccient#$' The inco!"#ti5i$it& !+st t#e "$#ce in #n& of the essenti#$ e$e!ents of the o5$i%#tion, s+ch #s

its o5;ect, c#+se o "inci"#$ conitions theeof othe6ise, the ch#n%e 6o+$ 5e !ee$& !oi.c#to& in

n#t+e #n ins+7cient to e/tin%+ish the oi%in#$ o5$i%#tion'

The ch#n%es #$$+e to 5& "etitione consists on$& in the !#nne of "#&!ent'here a! reall" no !#4!tit#tion

o' de4tor! !ine pri)ate o(plainant (erel" a#ie!ed to the pa"(ent 4#t did not $i)e her on!ent to enter into a

ne ontrat. he appellate o#rt o4!er)ed=

1.

The #cce"t#nce 5& co!"$#in#nt of "#ti#$ "#&!ent tenee 5& the 5+&e, Leono C#!#cho, oes not

e-ince the intention of the co!"$#in#nt to h#-e thei #%ee!ent no-#te' It 6#s si!"$& necessit#te 5&

the f#ct th#t, #t th#t ti!e, C#!#cho h# s+5st#nti#$ #cco+nts "#$e to co!"$#in#nt, #n 5ec#+se of the

f#ct th#t #""e$$#nt !#e hese$f sc#ce to co!"$#in#nt' TSN, A"i$ 1, 1G81, 91H92 Th+s, to o5-i#te the

sit+#tion 6hee co!"$#in#nt 6o+$ en +" 6ith nothin%, she 6#s foce to ecei-e the tene of


25/60

C#!#cho'oreo)er, it i! to 4e noted that the a'ore!aid pa"(ent a! 'or the p#rha!e, not o' the &eelr" !#4&et o'

thi! a!e, 4#t o' !o(e other &eelr" !#4&et o' a pre)io#! tran!ation. +Ibid. J#ne 8, 1/81, 1011?

1.

Art. 315 o' the Re)i!ed Penal Code dene! e!ta'a and penali%e! an" per!on ho !hall de'ra#d another 4"

(i!appropriatin$ or on)ertin$, to the predie o' another, (one", $ood!, or an" other per!onal propert" reei)ed 4"

the o*ender in tr#!t or on o((i!!ion, or 'or ad(ini!tration, or #nder an" other o4li$ation in)ol)in$ the d#t" to (a-e

deli)er" o' or to ret#rn the !a(e, e)en tho#$h !#h o4li$ation 4e totall" or partiall" $#aranteed 4" a 4ond or 4"

den"in$ ha)in$ reei)ed !#h (one", $ood!, or other propert". It i! aio(ati that the $ra)a(en o' the o*en!e i! the

appropriation or on)er!ion o' (one" or propert" reei)ed to the predie o' the oner. he ter(! on)ert; and

(i!appropriate; ha)e 4een held to onnote an at o' #!in$ or di!po!in$ o' another@! propert" a! i' it ere one@! on

or de)otin$ it to a p#rpo!e or #!e di*erent 'ro( that a$reed #pon.; he phra!e, to (i!appropriate to one@! on #!e;

ha! 4een !aid to inl#de not onl" on)er!ion to one@! per!onal ad)anta$e, 4#t al!o e)er" atte(pt to di!po!e o' the

propert" o' another itho#t ri$ht. eril", the !ale o' the piee! o' &eelr" on in!tall(ent! +!i? in ontra)ention o' the

epliit ter(! o' the a#thorit" $ranted to her in Ehi4it A; +supra? i! dee(ed to 4e one o' on)er!ion. h#!, neither the

theor" o' dela" in the '#lll(ent o' o((i!!ion; nor that o' no)ation po!ed 4" petitioner, an a)oid the inipient

ri(inal lia4ilit". In People vs. "ery, thi! Co#rt held=

1.

The ci!in#$ $i#5i$it& fo est#f# #$e#& co!!itte is then not #?ecte 5& the s+5se


26/60

in order to etin$#i!h an o4li$ation=

Pa"(ent (ade 4" the de4tor to the per!on o' the reditor or to one a#thori%ed 4" hi( or 4" the la to reei)e it

etin$#i!he! the o4li$ation. hen pa"(ent i! (ade to the ron$ part", hoe)er, the o4li$ation i! not etin$#i!hed a!

to the reditor ho i! itho#t 'a#lt or ne$li$ene e)en i' the de4tor ated in #t(o!t $ood 'aith and 4" (i!ta-e a! to the

per!on o' the reditor or thro#$h error ind#ed 4" 'ra#d o' a third per!on.

In $eneral, a pa"(ent in order to 4e e*eti)e to di!har$e an o4li$ation, (#!t 4e (ade to the proper per!on. h#!,

pa"(ent (#!t 4e (ade to the o4li$ee hi(!el' or to an a$ent ha)in$ a#thorit", epre!! or i(plied, to reei)e the

parti#lar pa"(ent. Pa"(ent (ade to one ha)in$ apparent a#thorit" to reei)e the (one" ill, a! a r#le, 4e treated a!

tho#$h at#al a#thorit" had 4een $i)en 'or it! reeipt. i-ei!e, i' pa"(ent i! (ade to one ho 4" la i! a#thori%ed to

at 'or the reditor, it ill or- a di!har$e. he reeipt o' (one" d#e on a d$(ent 4" an o9er a#thori%ed 4" la to

aept it ill, there'ore, !ati!'" the de4t.

Ad(ittedl", pa"(ent o' the re(ainin$ 4alane o' P200,000.00 a! not (ade to the reditor! the(!el)e!. Rather, it a!

alle$edl" (ade to a ertain o!lo!o. Re!pondent lai(! that o!lo!o a! the a#thori%ed a$ent o' petitioner!, 4#t the

latter di!p#te it.

o!lo!o@! a#thorit" to reei)e pa"(ent a! e(4odied in petitioner!@ letter3/ addre!!ed to re!pondent, dated A#$#!t 7,

1//7, here the" in'or(ed re!pondent o' the a(o#nt! the" ad)aned 'or the pa"(ent o' the 1//7 real e!tate tae!. In

!aid letter, petitioner! re(inded re!pondent o' her re(ainin$ 4alane, to$ether ith the a(o#nt o' tae! paid. a-in$

into on!ideration the 4#!" !hed#le o' re!pondent, petitioner! ad)i!ed the latter to lea)e the pa"(ent to a ertain

ori; ho ad(ittedl" i! o!lo!o, or to her tr#!ted helper. hi! i! an epre!! a#thorit" $i)en to o!lo!o to reei)e

pa"(ent. oreo)er, a! orretl" held 4" the CA=

:#rther(ore, that Adoraion o!lo!o a! indeed an a$ent o' the appellant !po#!e! i! 4orne o#t 4" the 'olloin$

ad(i!!ion! o' plainti*appellant Att". iniano dela Cr#%, to it=

V= Do# o#ld a$ree ith (e that "o# ha)e a#thori%ed thi! oir" o!lo!o to reei)e pa"(ent o' hate)er 4alane i! d#e

"o# o(in$ 'ro( Ana arie Conepion, that i! orretW

A= In one or to ti(e! 4#t not total a#thorit", !ir.

V= De!, 4#t "o# ha)e a#thori%ed her to reei)e pa"(entW

A= Bne or to ti(e!, "e! . +!S", une 78, 9:::, pp.9;-9


27/60

alread" 4een (ade and that it etin$#i!hed re!pondentH! o4li$ation!. +Sp!. ela Cr#% ). Ana arie Conepion, G.R. No.

172825, Bto4er 11, 2012, Peralta, J?.

Fo no-#tion to e/tin%+ish #nothe it !+st 5e so ec$#e in #n +ne+y=

Ans&er: No, 4ea#!e there a! no ne ontrat that etin$#i!hed the old one. here i! nothin$ in the BA that

epre!!l" etin$#i!hed the old o4li$ation o' the !#ret". In 'at, it pro)ide! that all the ter(! and ondition! o' the old

ontrat !hall 4e in '#ll 'ore and e*et.

:#rther(ore, in order that the o4li$ation (a" 4e etin$#i!hed 4" another hih !#4!tit#te! the !a(e, it i!

i(perati)e that it 4e !o delared in #ne#i)oal ter(!, or that the old and ne o4li$ation 4e in e)er" point

ino(pati4le ith eah other. +Art. 12/3, NCC?. No)ation o' a ontrat i! ne)er pre!#(ed. In the a4!ene o' an epre!!

a$ree(ent, no)ation ta-e! plae onl" hen the old and the ne o4li$ation! are ino(pati4le on e)er" point. +Se#rit"

an- r#!t Co., In. ). C#ena, 3/6 Phil. 108 +2000??.

>ndo#4tedl", a !#ret" i! relea!ed 'ro( it! o4li$ation hen there i! a (aterial alteration o' the prinipal ontrat

in onnetion ith hih the 4ond i! $i)en, !#h a! a han$e hih i(po!e! a ne o4li$ation on the pro(i!in$ part", or

hih ta-e! aa" !o(e o4li$ation alread" i(po!ed, or one hih han$e! the le$al e*et o' the ori$inal ontrat and

not (erel" it! 'or(. +Stron$hold In!. Co., In. ). o-"# Con!tr#tion Co., td., G.R. No. 15882021, J#ne 5, 1//0, 588SCRA 10 Phil. Charter In!. Corp. ). Petrole#( i!tri4#tor! Ser)ie! Corp., G.R. No. 1808/8, April 18, 2012, endo%a,

J?.

CONTRACTS

4efection e$e!ents of cont#cts #7/in% of si%n#t+e on # $ette is consiee #s e/"ess confo!it&'

Q >+at !s t+e e3e*t !- a (arty to a *ontra*t o- sale a7es +!s s!gnature on a letter (ro(os!ng t+e sae=

E7(la!n.

Ans&er:here i! epre!! on'or(it" to the ter(! and ondition! o' the ontrat 4" the at o' a9in$ hi! !i$nat#re on


28/60

the letter. here a! a (eetin$ o' the (ind! a! to the o4&et and on!ideration o' the ontrat.

hree ele(ent! are needed to reate a per'eted ontrat= +1? the on!ent o' the ontratin$ partie! +2? an

o4&et ertain hih i! the !#4&et (atter o' the ontrat and +3? the a#!e o' the o4li$ation hih i! e!ta4li!hed.

>nder the la on !ale!, a ontrat o' !ale i! per'eted hen the !eller, o4li$ate! hi(!el', 'or a prie ertain, to deli)er

and to tran!'er oner!hip o' a thin$ or ri$ht to the 4#"er, o)er hih the latter a$ree!. :ro( that (o(ent, the partie!

(a" de(and reiproal per'or(ane. +Star4ri$ht Sale! Ent. In. ). Phil. Realt" Corporation, G.R. No. 177/36, Jan#ar" 16,

2012, A4ad, J?.

4o-ision in cont#ct of $e#se %#ntin% the $essee e/c$+si-e i%ht to ene6 -#$i "inci"$e of !+t+#$it& of

cont#cts'

Q T+e (art!es entered !nto a lease *ontra*t o,er a (ar*el o- land grant!ng unto t+e lessee t+e e7*lus!,e

o(t!on to rene& t+e *ontra*t su)6e*t to t+e *ond!t!on t+at !t s+ould *o(ly &!t+ a H4day not!*e o- t+e

!ntent!on to e7er*!se t+e o(t!on to rene& t+e *ontra*t &+!*+ t+e lessee d!d. T+e lessor re-used to rene&

t+e *ontra*t% +en*e% a *o(la!nt to *o(el t+e lessor to rene& !t &as 0led. T+e lessor argued t+at t+e

rene&al o- t+e *ontra*t *annot )e ade to de(end u(on t+e sole &!ll o- t+e lessee% ot+er&!se% t+e sae

&ould )e ,o!d -or )e!ng a (otestat!,e *ond!t!on. >!ll t+e a*t!on (ros(er= >+y=

Ans&er:De!, 4ea#!e o' the priniple o' (#t#alit" o' ontrat!.

In&llied Ban=ing $orporation v. $ourt o% &ppeals, 38 Phil. 382 +1//8?, it a! r#led that Artile 1308 o' the Ci)il Code

epre!!e! hat i! -non in la a! the priniple o' (#t#alit" o' ontrat!. It pro)ide! that Lthe ontrat (#!t 4ind 4oth

the ontratin$ partie! it! )alidit" or o(pliane annot 4e le't to the ill o' one o' the(.L hi! 4indin$ e*et o' a

ontrat on 4oth partie! i! 4a!ed on the priniple that the o4li$ation! ari!in$ 'ro( ontrat! ha)e the 'ore o' la

4eteen the ontratin$ partie!, and there (#!t 4e (#t#alit" 4eteen the( 4a!ed e!!entiall" on their e#alit" #nder

hih it i! rep#$nant to ha)e one part" 4o#nd 4" the ontrat hile lea)in$ the other 'ree there'ro(. he #lti(ate

p#rpo!e i! to render )oid a ontrat ontainin$ a ondition hih (a-e! it! '#lll(ent dependent !olel" #pon the#nontrolled ill o' one o' the ontratin$ partie!.

An epre!! a$ree(ent hih $i)e! the le!!ee the !ole option to rene the lea!e i! 're#ent and !#4&et to !tat#tor"

re!trition!, )alid and 4indin$ on the partie!. hi! option, hih i! pro)ided in the !a(e lea!e a$ree(ent, i!

'#nda(entall" part o' the on!ideration in the ontrat and i! no di*erent 'ro( an" other pro)i!ion o' the lea!e arr"in$

an #nderta-in$ on the part o' the le!!or to at onditioned on the per'or(ane 4" the le!!ee. It i! a p#rel" ee#tor"

ontrat and at (o!t on'er! a ri$ht to o4tain a reneal i' there i! o(pliane ith the ondition! on hih the ri$ht i!

(ade to depend. he ri$ht o' reneal on!tit#te! a part o' the le!!eeH! intere!t in the land and 'or(! a !#4!tantial and

inte$ral part o' the a$ree(ent.

he 'at that !#h option i! 4indin$ onl" on the le!!or and an 4e eeri!ed onl" 4" the le!!ee doe! not render it )oid


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'or la- o' (#t#alit". A'ter all, the le!!or i! 'ree to $i)e or not to $i)e the option to the le!!ee. And hile the le!!ee ha!

a ri$ht to elet hether to ontin#e ith the lea!e or not, one he eeri!e! hi! option to ontin#e and the le!!or

aept!, 4oth partie! are therea'ter 4o#nd 4" the ne lea!e a$ree(ent. heir ri$ht! and o4li$ation! 4eo(e (#t#all"

ed, and the le!!ee i! entitled to retain po!!e!!ion o' the propert" 'or the d#ration o' the ne lea!e, and the le!!or

(a" hold hi( lia4le 'or the rent there'or. he le!!ee annot therea'ter e!ape lia4ilit" e)en i' he !ho#ld !#4!e#entl"

deide to a4andon the pre(i!e!. #t#alit" o4tain! in !#h a ontrat and e#alit" ei!t! 4eteen the le!!or and the

le!!ee !ine the" re(ain ith the !a(e 'a#ltie! in re!pet to '#lll(ent. +IAA ). in$ ela"o Sport! Center, In., G.R.

No. 161718, ee(4er 1, 2011?.

Q It &as *ontended t+at t+e ters o- t+e lease *ontra*t erely (ro,!ded -or a (ro*edural )as!s -or a

negot!at!on -or rene&al o- t+e lease and t+e ters t+ereo-. It *ontended t+at t+ere ust )e renegot!at!on

o- t+e ters t+ereo-. Is t+e *ontent!on *orre*t= >+y=

Ans&er: No, otheri!e, it o#ld )iolate the priniple o' (#t#alit" o' ontrat!. A! !aid in&llied Ban=ing v. $&, that i' e

ere to adopt the ontrar" theor" that the ter(! and ondition! to 4e e(4odied in the reneed ontrat ere !till

!#4&et to (#t#al a$ree(ent 4" and 4eteen the partie!, then the option hih i! an inte$ral part o' the

on!ideration 'or the ontrat o#ld 4e rendered orthle!!. :or then, the le!!or o#ld ea!il" de'eat the le!!eeH! ri$ht

o' reneal 4" !i(pl" i(po!in$ #nrea!ona4le and onero#! ondition! to pre)ent the partie! 'ro( reahin$ ana$ree(ent, a! in the a!e at 4ar. A! in a !tat#te, no ord, la#!e, !entene, pro)i!ion or part o' a ontrat !hall 4e

on!idered !#rpl#!a$e or !#per#o#!, (eanin$le!!, )oid, in!i$niant or n#$ator", i' that an 4e rea!ona4l" a)oided. o

thi! end, a on!tr#tion hih ill render e)er" ord operati)e i! to 4e pre'erred o)er that hih o#ld (a-e !o(e

ord! idle and n#$ator". +IAA ). in$ ela"o Sport! Center, In., G.R. No. 161718, ee(4er 1, 2011?.

Q State t+e e3e*t !- t+e lessee e7er*!ses t+e o(t!on to rene& t+e *ontra*t )ut t+ere are no ne& ters

and *ond!t!ons o- t+e ne& lease *ontra*t. E7(la!n.

Ans&er: In a!e the le!!ee hoo!e! to rene the lea!e 4#t there are no !peied ter(! and ondition! 'or the ne

ontrat o' lea!e, the !a(e ter(! and ondition! a! the ori$inal ontrat o' lea!e !hall ontin#e to $o)ern, a! the'olloin$ !#r)e" o' a!e! in&llied Ban=ingo#ld !ho=

In Ledesma v. avellanathi! Co#rt a! on'ronted ith a !i(ilar pro4le(. In that a!e the le!!ee a! $i)en the !ole

option to rene the lea!e, 4#t the ontrat 'ailed to !pei'" the ter(! and ondition! that o#ld $o)ern the ne

ontrat. hen the lea!e epired, the le!!ee de(anded an eten!ion #nder the !a(e ter(! and ondition!. he le!!or

epre!!ed on'or(it" to the reneal o' the ontrat 4#t re'#!ed to aede to the lai( o' the le!!ee that the reneal

!ho#ld 4e #nder the !a(e ter(! and ondition! a! the ori$inal ontrat. In !#!tainin$ the le!!ee, thi! Co#rt (ade the

'olloin$ prono#ne(ent=

iKn the a!e o' 0ic=s v. Manila 0otel $ompany, a !i(ilar i!!#e a! re!ol)ed 4" thi! Co#rt. It a! held that s+ch #


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c$#+se e$#tes to the -e& cont#ct in 6hich it is "$#ce, #n oes not "e!it the efen#nt +"on the

ene6#$ of the cont#ct in 6hich the c$#+se is fo+n, to insist +"on i?eent te!s th#n those e!5#ce in

the cont#ct to 5e ene6eand that # sti"+$#tion to ene6 #$6#&s e$#tes to the cont#ct in 6hich it is

fo+n #n the i%hts %#nte thee+ne, +n$ess it e/"ess$& "o-ies fo -#i#tions in the te!s of the

cont#ct to 5e ene6e'

he !a(e priniple i! #pheld in A(erian a re$ardin$ the reneal o' lea!e ontrat!. In 50 A(. J#r. 2d, Se. 115/, at

p. 5, here it a! !aid= The +$e is 6e$$Hest#5$ishe th#t # %ene#$ co-en#nt to ene6 o e/ten # $e#se6hich !#es no "o-ision #s to the te!s of # ene6#$ o e/tension i!"$ies # ene6#$ o e/tension

+"on the s#!e te!s #s "o-ie in the oi%in#$ $e#se'

In the lea!e ontrat #nder on!ideration, there i! no pro)i!ion to indiate that the reneal ill 4e !#4&et to ne ter(!

and ondition! that the partie! (a" "et a$ree #pon. It i! to reneal pro)i!ion! o' lea!e ontrat! o' the -ind pre!entl"

on!idered that the priniple! !tated a4o)e !#arel" appl". e do not a$ree ith the ontention o' the appellant! that

i' it a! intended 4" the partie! to rene the ontrat #nder the !a(e ter(! and ondition! !tip#lated in the ontrat

o' lea!e, !#h !ho#ld ha)e epre!!l" !o !tated in the ontrat it!el'. he !a(e ar$#(ent o#ld ea!il" 4e interpo!ed

4" the appellee ho o#ld li-ei!e ontend that i' the intention a! to rene the ontrat o' lea!e #nder !#h ne

ter(! and ondition! that the partie! (a" a$ree #pon, the ontrat !ho#ld ha)e !o !peied. eteen the toa!!ertion!, there i! (ore lo$i in the latter.

he !ettled r#le i! that in a!e o' #nertaint" a! to the (eanin$ o' a pro)i!ion $rantin$ eten!ion to a ontrat o' lea!e,

the tenant i! the one 'a)ored and not the landlord. HA! a $eneral r#le, in on!tr#in$ pro)i!ion! relatin$ to reneal! or

eten!ion!, here there i! an" #nertaint", the tenant i! 'a)ored, and not the landlord, 4ea#!e the latter, ha)in$ the

poer o' !tip#latin$ in hi! on 'a)or, ha! ne$leted to do !o and al!o #pon the priniple that e)er" (anH!

$rant i! to 4e ta-en (o!t !tron$l" a$ain!t hi(!el' +50 A( J#r. 2d, Se. 1162, p. 8 !ee al!o 51 C.J.S. 5//?.H

In !#(, the reneed ontrat o' lea!e o' the !#4&et propert" 4eteen petitioner and re!pondent !hall 4e

4a!ed on the !a(e ter(! and ondition! a! the ori$inal ontrat o' lea!e. +IAA ). in$ ela"o Sport! Center, In.,!#pra.?.

SALES

Q >+at !s t+e e3e*t !- t+e (r!*e !n a -ore*losure sale !s !nadenli-e in an ordinar" !ale, inade#a" o' the prie at a 'ored !ale i! i((aterial and doe!

not n#lli'" a !ale !ine, in a 'ored !ale, a lo prie i! (ore 4eneial to the (ort$a$e de4tor 'or it (a-e! rede(ption o'

the propert" ea!ier. +Ne Sa(pa$#ita #ilder! Con!tr#tion, In. ). PN, 7/ Phil. 53 +200??.

In the a!e o' !e "ational Loan and Investment Board v. Meneses , 67 Phil. /8 +1/3/?, the SC had the oa!ion to !a"


31/60

that=

A! to the in#ender the aeda a, the at#al anellation o' a ontrat to !ell

ta-e! plae a'ter 30 da"! 'ro( reeipt 4" the 4#"er o' the notari%ed notie o' anellation, and #pon '#ll pa"(ent o' the

a!h !#rrender )al#e to the 4#"er. In other ord!, 4e'ore a ontrat to !ell an 4e )alidl" and e*eti)el" anelled, the


32/60

!eller ha! +1? to !end a notari%ed notie o' anellation to the 4#"er and +2? to re'#nd the a!h !#rrender )al#e. >ntil

and #nle!! the !eller o(plie! ith the!e tin (andator" re#ire(ent!, the ontrat to !ell 4eteen the partie!

re(ain! )alid and !#4!i!tin$. h#!, the 4#"er ha! the ri$ht to ontin#e o#p"in$ the propert" !#4&et o' the ontrat to

!ell, and (a" !till rein!tate the ontrat 4" #pdatin$ the ao#nt d#rin$ the $rae period and 4e'ore the at#al

anellation; o' the ontrat.

In thi! a!e, the !eller o(plied onl" ith the r!t ondition 4" !endin$ a notari%ed notie o' anellation to the 4#"er!.

It 'ailed, hoe)er, to re'#nd the a!h !#rrender )al#e to the(. h#!, the Contrat to Sell re(ain! )alid and !#4!i!tin$and !#ppo!edl", the 4#"er! ha)e the ri$ht to ontin#e o#p"in$ the !#4&et propert".

Sine the 4#"er! paid at lea!t to "ear! o' in!tall(ent, the" are entitled to reei)e the a!h !#rrender )al#e o' the

pa"(ent! the" had (ade hih, #nder Setion 3+4? o' the aeda a, i! e#i)alent to 50X o' the total pa"(ent!

(ade. +Co((#nitie! Ca$a"an, In. ). Sp!. Nanol, et al., G.R. No. 1767/1, No)e(4er 1, 2012?.

2es(ondent4s(ouses are ent!tled to re!)urseent o- t+e !(ro,eents ade on t+e (ro(erty.

Q 1et!t!oner (os!ted t+at Art!*le $$? o- t+e C!,!l Code does not a((ly and t+at t+e )uyers are not ent!tled

to re!)urseent o- t+e ,alue o- t+e !(ro,eents ade on t+e (ro(erty )e*ause t+ey &ere )u!lders !n

)ad -a!t+. T+e *ontent!on !s )ased on t+e -a*t t+at t+ere &as only a *ontra*t to sell% +en*e% t+e seller

reta!ned t+e o&ners+!(% +en*e% t+e )uyer !s a )u!lder !n )ad -a!t+% +en*e% t+e 6udgent order!ng t+e seller

to re!)urse t+e ,alue o- t+e +ouse !s not *orre*t. It *ontended t+at Art. $$?% NCC !s not a((l!*a)le. Is t+e

*ontent!on *orre*t= >+y=

Ans&er: No. A! a $eneral r#le, Artile 8 on 4#ilder! in $ood 'aith doe! not appl" here there i! a ontrat#al relation

4eteen the partie!, !#h a! a ontrat to !ell. #t 'or 'ail#re to pro)e 4ad 'aith there i! a pre!#(ption o' $ood 'aith,

th#! Artile 8, NCC applie!.

Artile 8 o' the Ci)il Code applie! hen the 4#ilder 4elie)e! that he i! the oner o' the land or that 4" !o(e title he

ha! the ri$ht to 4#ild thereon, +Ro!ale! ). Ca!tel'ort, 50/ Phil. 137 +2005??, or that, at lea!t, he ha! a lai( o' titlethereto. Conededl", thi! i! not pre!ent in the in!tant a!e. he !#4&et propert" i! o)ered 4" a Contrat to Sell hene

oner!hip !till re(ain! ith the !eller. Ne)erthele!!, there ere alread" in!tane! here the Co#rt applied Artile 8

e)en i' the 4#ilder! do not ha)e a lai( o' title o)er the propert". h#!=

hi! Co#rt ha! r#led that thi! pro)i!ion o)er! onl" a!e! in hih the 4#ilder!, !oer! or planter! 4elie)e the(!el)e!

to 4e oner! o' the land or, at lea!t, to ha)e a lai( o' title thereto. It doe! not appl" hen the intere!t i! (erel" that o'

a holder, !#h a! a (ere tenant, a$ent or #!#'r#t#ar". :ro( the!e prono#ne(ent!, $ood 'aith i! identied 4" the

4elie' that the land i! oned or that O 4" !o(e title O one ha! the ri$ht to 4#ild, plant, or !o thereon.

Foe)er, in !o(e !peial a!e!, the Co#rt ha! #!ed Artile 8 4" reo$ni%in$ $ood 'aith 4e"ond thi! li(ited denition.


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h#!, in 5el $ampo v. &besia, thi! pro)i!ion a! applied to one ho!e ho#!e O de!pite ha)in$ 4een 4#ilt at the ti(e he

a! !till ooner O o)erlapped ith the land o' another. hi! artile a! al!o applied to a!e! herein a 4#ilder had

on!tr#ted i(pro)e(ent! ith the on!ent o' the oner. he Co#rt r#led that the la dee(ed the 4#ilder to 4e in

$ood 'aith. In Sarmiento v. &gana, the 4#ilder! ere 'o#nd to 4e in $ood 'aith de!pite their reliane on the on!ent o'

another, ho( the" had (i!ta-enl" 4elie)ed to 4e the oner o' the land. +Sp!. aa!aet ). Sp!. aa!aet, 82 Phil.

853 +200??.

he Co#rt li-ei!e applied Artile 8 in Spouses Macasaet v. Spouses Macasaetnotith!tandin$ the 'at that the4#ilder! therein -ne the" ere not the oner! o' the land. In !aid a!e, the parent! ho oned the land alloed their

!on and hi! i'e to 4#ild their re!idene and 4#!ine!! thereon. A! 'o#nd 4" the Co#rt, their o#pation a! not 4" (ere

tolerane 4#t #pon the in)itation o' and ith the o(plete appro)al o' +their parent!?, ho de!ired that their hildren

o#ld o#p" the pre(i!e!. It aro!e 'ro( 'a(ilial lo)e and a de!ire 'or 'a(il" !olidarit" .; Soon a'ter, onit

4eteen the partie! aro!e. he parent! de(anded their !on and hi! i'e to )aate the pre(i!e!. he Co#rt th#! r#led

that a! oner! o' the propert", the parent! ha)e the ri$ht to po!!e!!ion o)er it. Foe)er, the" (#!t rei(4#r!e their

!on and hi! i'e 'or the i(pro)e(ent! the" had introd#ed on the propert" 4ea#!e the" ere on!idered 4#ilder! in

$ood 'aith e)en i' the" -ne 'or a 'at that the" did not on the propert", th#!=

a!ed on the a'oreited !peial a!e!, Artile 8 applie! to the pre!ent 'at#al (ilie#. he e!ta4li!hed 'at! o' thi!a!e !ho that re!pondent! '#ll" on!ented to the i(pro)e(ent! introd#ed 4" petitioner!. In 'at, 4ea#!e the

hildren o#pied the lot! #pon their in)itation, the parent! ertainl" -ne and appro)ed o' the on!tr#tion o' the

i(pro)e(ent! introd#ed thereon. h#!, petitioner! (a" 4e dee(ed to ha)e 4een in $ood 'aith hen the" 4#ilt the

!tr#t#re! on tho!e lot!.

he in!tant a!e i! 'at#all" !i(ilar toavier v. avier. In that a!e, thi! Co#rt dee(ed the !on to 4e in $ood 'aith 'or

4#ildin$ the i(pro)e(ent +the ho#!e? ith the -noled$e and on!ent o' hi! 'ather, to ho( 4elon$ed the land #pon

hih it a! 4#ilt. h#!, Artile 8 a! applied.

In ne, the Co#rt app

Documents

Survey of 2012 SC Decisions in Civil