TORTS AND DAMAGES
I. Concept of Torts
A. Elements of Torts or Quasi-Delict
B. Negligence
C. Kinds of Negligence
D. Quasi-Delict distinguished from other sources of obligation
E. Civil liability in Quasi-Delict vs. Civil liability in Delict
Laws
o Civil Code
Article 20
Article 2176
Article 2177
Article 2178
Article 1173
Articles 1170 to 1174
o Revised Penal Code
Article 365
Cases
o “Quasi-delict”
Fausto Barredo v. Severino Garcia and Timotea Almario, G.R. No. 48006
Pedro Elcano, et al., v. Reginal Hill et al., G.R. No. L-24803
Porfirio P. Cinco, v. Hon. Mateo Canonoy et al., G.R. No. L-33171
Gashem Shookat Baksh v. Hon. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 97336
Maria Benita A. Dulay, et al., v. The Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 108017
Bernabe Castillo et al v. Hon. Court of Appeals, et al G.R. No. 48541
o “Elements of Quasi-Delict”
German Garcia et al., v. The Hon. Mariano M. Florido et al., G.R. No. L-35095
Natividad V. Andamo, et al., v. Intermediate Appellate Court et al., G.R. No. 74761
David Taylor v. Manila Electric Company and Light Company G.R. No. 4977
Heirs of Pedro Tayag v. Hon. Fernando S. Alcantara, et al. G.R. No. 50959
o “Negligence”
Amado Picart v. Frank Smith G.R. No. L-12219
Mr. and Mrs. Amador C. Ong v. Metropolitan Water District G.R. No. L-7664
Civil Aeronautics Administration v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 51806
o “Pater familias”
Preciolita V. Corliss v. The Manila Railroad Co., G.R. No. L-21291
II. Special Rules
Laws:
o Civil Code
Article 1173
Article 2180
Article 2182
Article 2185
Article 2187
o Family Code
Article 221
o Revised Penal Code
Article 12
Article 100
Cases:
o Good Father of a Family
Julian del Rosario v. Manila Electric Co., 57 Phil 478
Taylor v. Manila Electric Railroad and Light Co., 16 Phil 8
Federico Ylarde v. Edgardo Aquino, 163 SCRA 697
Jarco Marketing v. CA, GR No. 129792
o Experts and Professionals
Culion Ice, Fish and Electric co v. Phil Motors Corp., G.R. No. 32611
US v. Pineda, 37 Phil 456
BPI v. CA, 216 SCRA 51
Fernando v. CA, G.R. No. 92087
o Intoxication
Wright v. Manila Electric, 28 Phil 122
o Insanity
US v. Baggay 20 Phil 142
o Calculation of risk
Valenzuela v. CA, GR No. 115024
III. Degrees of Negligence
Civil Code
o Article 2231
Cases
o Marinduque v. Workmen’s, G.R. No. L-8110, June 30, 1956
o Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 127326, December 23, 1999
IV. Proof of Negligence
A. Burden of Proof
Rules of Court
o Section 1, Rule 131
B. Res Ipsa Loquitur
Cases:
o Perla Compania De Seguros, Inc., et al. v. Sps. Gaudencio and Primitiva Sarangaya, G.R. No. 147746, October 25, 2005
o Marcelo Macalinao, et al., v. Eddie Medecielo Ong, G.R. No. 146635, December 14, 2005
o Joaquinita P. Capili v. Sps. Dominador and Rosalita Cardana, G.R. No. 157906, November 2, 2006
o Professional Services, Inc. v. Natividad and Enrique Agana, G.R. No. 126297, January 31, 2007
C. Last Clear Chance
Cases:
o Anuran v. Buno, G.R. Nos. L-21353 and L-21354, May 20, 1966
o Pantranco North Express, Inc. v. Maricar Baesa, G.R. Nos. 79050-51, November 14, 1989
o Bustamante v. CA, G.R. No. 89880. February 6, 1991
o Philippine Bank of Commerce v. CA, G.R. No. 97626, March 14, 1997
o Canlas v. CA, GR No. 112160, February 28, 2000
o Engada v. CA, GR No. 140698, June 20, 2003
V. Causation
1) Definition of Proximate Cause
Cases:
o Salud Villanueva Vda. De batacan, et al., v. Mariano Media, G.R. No. L-10126, October 22, 1957
o Filomeno Urbano v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 72964, January 7, 1988
o Phoenix Construction, Inc. v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. L-65295, March 10, 1987
o Quezon City Government, et al., v. Fulgencio Dacara, G.R. No. 150304, June 15, 2005
2) Distinguished from other kinds
a. Remote
Cases:
o Filomeno Urbano v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 72964, January 7, 1988
b. Concurrent
Cases:
o Prospero Sabido and Aser Lagunda v. Macabuhay Custodio, G.R. No. L-21512, August 31, 1966
VI. Defenses
1) Plaintiff’s Negligence as the Proximate Cause
Civil Code
o Article 2179
Cases:
o Manila Electric v. Remonquillo, 99 Phil 117
o The Le Kim v. Philippine Aerial Taxi Co., G.R. No. 39309, November 24, 1933
o Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Co. v. Court of Appeals, GR No. 57079, September 29, 1989
2) Contributory Negligence
Civil Code
o Article 2179
o Article 2214
Cases:
o Gregorio Genobiagon v. CA, GR No. 40452, October 12, 1989
o Phoenix Construction, Inc. v. IAC
o Philippine Bank of Commerce v. CA, 269 SCRA 695
3) Fortuitous Event
Civil Code
o Article 1174
Cases:
o Roberto Juntilla v. Clemente Fontanar, G.R. No. L-45637, May 31, 1985
o Teodoro M. Hernandez v. Commission on Audit, GR No. 71871, November 6, 1989
o Amparo Servando v. Philippine Steam Navigation, GR No. L-36481-2, October 23, 1982
o National Power Corporation v. Court of Appeals, GR Nos. 103442-45, May 21, 1993
o Southeastern College, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, GR No. 126389, July 10, 1989
4) Assumption of Risk
Cases:
o Margarita Afialda v. Basilio Hisole, GR No. L-2075, November 29, 1949
o Ilocos Norte Electric Company v. Court of Appeals, GR No. 53401, November 6, 1989
5) Due Diligence
Cases:
o Placido Ramos and Augusto Ramos v. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., G.R. No. L-22533, February 9, 1967
o Metro Manila Transit Corporation v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 104408. June 21, 1993
6) Prescription
Cases:
o Ernesto Kramer v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 83524. October 13, 1989
o Allied Banking Corporation v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 85868. October 13, 1989
7) Double Recovery
Civil Code
o Article 2177
VII. Strict Liability
A. Possessor of Animals
Article 2183
o Vestil v. IAC, G.R. No. 74431, November 6, 1989
B. Things thrown or falling
Article 2193
C. Death or Injuries in the course of employment
Articles 1711-1712
D. Product Liability
Article 2187
Articles 50-52, 97, 99, 106-107 RA No. 7394
Section 11, RA No. 3720
o Coca Cola v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110295, October 18, 1993
E. Interference with Contractual Relations
Article 1314
o Gilchrist v. Cuddy, G.R. No. 9356, February 18, 1915
o So Ping Bun v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 120554, September 21, 1999
F. Liability of LGUs
Article 2189
o Guilatco v. City of Dagupan, G.R. No. 61516, March 21, 1989
VIII. Intentional Torts
A. Abuse of Rights
Article 19
o Albenson Enterprises Corp, et al., v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 88694, January 11, 1993
o Barons Marketing Corp. v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 126486, February 9, 1998
o University of the East v. Romeo A. Jader, G.R. No. 132344, February 17, 2000
o Sergio Amonoy v. Spouses Jose Gutierrez and Angela Fornilda, G.R. No. 140420, February 15, 2001
B. Acts contra bonus mores
Article 21
o Enrique J.L. Ruiz, et al., v. The Secretary of National Defense, et al, G.R. No. L-15526, December 28, 1963
i. Breach of promise, seduction and sexual assault
Beatriz P. Wassmer v. Francisco X. Velez, G.R. No. L-20089, December 26, 1964
Apolonio Tanjanco v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. L-18630, December 17, 1966
Conrado Bunag, Jr. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 101749, July 10, 1992
Amelita Constantino, et al., v. Ivan Mendez, et al., G.R. No. 57227, May 14, 1992
ii. Malicious prosecution
Article 2219
o Magtanggol Que v. IAC, G.R. No. 66865. January 13, 1989
o Franklin M. Drilon v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 107019. March 20, 1997
o Andres Lao v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 47013, February 17, 2000
iii. Public humiliation
Grand Union Supermarket et al., v. Jose J. Espino, Jr., et al., G.R. No. L-48250. December 28, 1979
Rafael Patricio v. Hon. Oscar Leviste, et al., G.R. No. 51832. April 26, 1989
iv. Unjust dismissal
Ernesto Medina et al., v. Hon. Floreliana Castro-Bartolome, G.R. No. L-59825. September 11, 1982
Singapore Airlines v. Hon. Ernani Cruz Pano, et al., G.R. No. L-47739, June 22, 1983
IX. Other Torts
1) Dereliction of Duty
Article 27
o Cornelio Amaro, et al., v. Ambrocio Sumanguit, G.R. No. L-14986. July 31, 1962.
2) Unfair Competition
Article 28
3) Violation of Human Dignity and Privacy
Article 26
o St. Louis Realty Corporation v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. L-46061. November 14, 1984.
o Rodrigo Concepcion v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 120706. January 31, 2000
X. Torts with Independent Civil Action
A. Violation of Civil and Political Rights
Article 32
o Delfin Lim, et al., v. Francisco Ponce De Leon, et al., G.R. No. L-22554, August 29, 1975
o Rogelio Aberca, et al., v. Major General Fabian Ver, et al., G.R. No. 69866, April 15, 1988
o MHP Garments, Inc., et al., v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 86720. September 2, 1994
B. Defamation, Fraud and Physical Injuries
Article 33, Civil Code
Article 353 up to 359, RPC
o Maximo Marcia, et al., v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. L-34529. January 27, 1983
o Carmen L. Madeja v. Felix T. Caro, et al., G.R. No. L-51183. December 21, 1983
o Catalino Arafiles, v. Philippine Journalists, Inc., et al., G.R. No. 150256, March 25, 2004
1) Defamation
MVRS Publications, Inc., et al., v. Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines, G.R. No. 135306. January 28, 2003.
2) Fraud
Almario Salta v. Jesus De Veyra, G.R. No. L-37733, September 30, 1982
3) Physical Injuries
Victoria Capuno, et al., v. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, et al., G.R. No. L-19331. April 30, 1965
Laura Corpus, et al., v. Felardo Paje, et al., G.R. No. L-26737. July 31, 1969
Maria Benita Dulay, et al., v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 108017, April 3, 1995
C. Neglect of Duty
Article 34, Civil Code
D. Action for damages where no independent civil action is provided
Article 35, Civil Code
XI. The Defendants
A. Concurrent Negligence or Acts
1) Joint Tort-feasors
Article 2194, Civil Code
o Dean Worcester v. Martin Ocampo, et al., G.R. No. 5932, February 27, 1912
2) Motor Vehicle Mishaps
Article 2184, Civil Code
o J.H. Chapman v. James Underwood, G.R. No. 9010. March 28, 1914
o Marcial T. Caedo, et al., v. Yu Khe Thai, et al., G.R. No. L-20392. December 18, 1968
B. Vicarious Liability
Article 2180 up to 2182, Civil Code
Article 58, Presidential Decree No. 603
Articles 218, 219, 221, and 236, Family Code
Articles 101, 102, and 103, RPC
Section 6, RA No. 9344
1) Parents
Cresencio Libi v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 70890. September 18, 1992
Macario Tamargo et al., v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 85044. June 3, 1992.
2) Guardians
Articles 216, 218, Family Code
3) Teachers and Heads of Institutions
Maximo Soliman, Jr., et al., v. Ramon Tuazon, G.R. No. 66207. May 18, 1992
St. Mary’s Academy v. William Carpitanos, et al., G.R. No. 143363. February 6, 2002
4) Owners and Managers
Philippine Rabbit Bus Line, et al., v. Philippine-American Forwarders, Inc., et al., G.R. No. L-25142. March 25, 1975.
5) Employers
Castilex Industrial Corporation v. Vicente Vasquez, et al., G.R. No. 132266, December 21, 1999
Light Rail Transit Authority v. Marjorie Navidad, G.R. No. 145804. February 6, 2003
6) State
City of Manila v. Genero Teotico, et al., G.R. No. L-23052. January 29, 1968.
Spouses Jose and Virginia Fontanilla v. Inocencio Maliaman, et al., G.R. Nos. 55963 & 61045. February 27, 1991.
XII. DAMAGES
A. Definition and Concept
2195, 2197 CC
o Heirs of Borlado vs. Vda. De Bulan G.R. 114118 (2001)
o Lazatin vs. Twano 2 SCRA 842 (1961)
B. Kinds of Damages
i. Actual or Compensatory
• 2216, 2199, 2200, 205 CC
o Algarra v. Sandejas 27 Phil 284
i. Kinds
• PNOC v. CA 297 SCRA 402
• Integrated Packing v. CA 333 SCRA 170
ii. Extent
• 2201-2202 CC
iii. Certainty
• DBP v. CA GR No. 118367 (1998) Fuentes v.CA 323 Phil 508 (1996)
iv. Damage to Property
• PNOC v. CA, supra
v. Personal Injury and Death
• Ramos v. CA G.R. No. 124354 (1999) Gatchalian v. Delim 203 SCRA 126
vi. Attorney’s Fee
• 2208 CC
• Quirante v. IAC G.R. No. 73886 (1989)
vii. Interest
• 2209-2213 CC C
• Crismina Garments v. CA G.R. No. 128721 (1999)
viii. Mitigation of Liability
• 2203-2204, 2214, 2215
• Cerrano v. Tan 38 Phil 392
ii. Moral
i. Concept
• 2217 CC
• Kierulf v. CA 269 SCRA 433
ii. Proof and Proximate Cause
• Miranda-Ribaya v. Carbonell 95 SCRA 672
• Del Rosario v. CA 267 SCRA 58
• Raagas v. Traya 22 SCRA 839
• Enervida v. dela Torre 55 SCRA 339
• People v. Bagayong GR. No 126518 (1998)
iii. Cases where allowed
• 2219-2220 CC
• Francisco v. GSIS 7 SCRA 577
• Expert Travel v. CA G.R. No. 130030 (1999)
a. Unfounded Suits
• Mijares v. CA 271 SCRA 558
• De la Pena v. CA 231 SCRA 456
• J Marketing v. Sia 285 SCRA 580
• Cometa v. CA 301 SCRA 459
b. Labor cases
• Triple Eight v. NLRC 299 SCRA 608
c. Taking of Life
• People v. Pirame 327 SCRA (2000)
• Carlos Arcona y Moban v. CA GR No 134784 (2002)
d. Factors in determining the amount
• PNB v. CA 266 SCRA 136
• Fule v. CA 286 SCRA 698
• Philippine Airlines v. CA 275 SCRA 621
• Valenzuela v. CA, supra
• Sumaplong v. CA 268 SCRA 764
• Lopez v. Pan American 16 SCRA 431
• Producer's Bank v. CA GR No 111584 (2001)
e. Who may recover
• Strebel v. Figueros 96 Phil 321
• ABS-CBN v. CA G.R. No. 128690
• National Power v. Philipp Brothers G.R. No 126204
iii. Nominal
• 2221-2223 CC
• Ventanilla v. Centeno 1 SCRA 215
• Robes-Francisco v. CFI 86 SCRA 59
• People v. Gopio 346 SCRA 408
• Armovit v. CA 184 SCRA 476
iv. Temperate
• 2224-2225 CC
• Pleno v. CA G.R. No. 56505 (1988)
• People v. Singh 360 SCRA 404
• People v. Plazo 350 SCRA 433
v. Liquidated
• 2226-2228 CC
vi. Exemplary or Corrective
• 2229-2235 CC
• PNB v. CA 256 SCRA 44
• Del Rosario v. CA 267 SCRA 158