SAN BEDA

COLLEGE OF LAW
TORTS AND DAMAGES

COURSE OUTLINE
I.

CONCEPT OF TORTS; HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE LAW ON TORTS

De Leon, Chapters I and II

II.

THE CONCEPT OF QUASI-DELICT

A.

Elements
Article 2176, CC
Barredo vs. Garcia, 73 Phil 607
Elcano vs. Hill, 77 SCRA 98
Cinco vs. Canonoy, 90 SCRA 369
Baksh vs. CA, 219 SCRA 115
Dulay vs. CA, 243 SCRA 220 (1995)
Garcia vs. Florido, 52 SCRA 420
Andamo vs. IAC, 191 SCRA 195
Taylor vs. Manila Electric Company, 16 Phil 8
Tayag vs. Alcantara, 98 SCRA 723

B.

Distinctions
1.

Quasi-delict v. Delict
Article 2177, CC
Article 365, RPC
Barredo vs. Garcia, 73 Phil 607
Padilla vs. CA, 129 SCRA 558
Cruz vs. CA, 282 SCRA
Philippine Rabbit vs. People, GR No. 147703 (2004)
People vs. Ligon, 152 SCRA 419 (1987)

2.

Quasi-delict v. Breach of contract

Articles 1170-1174, CC
Article 1174, CC
Article 2178, CC
Cangco vs. Manila Railroad, 38 Phil 768
Fores vs. Miranda, 105 Phil 266
Far East vs. CA, 241 SCRA 671
Air France vs. Carrascoso, 18 SCRA 155
PSBA vs. CA, 205 SCRA 729
Syquia vs. CA, 217 SCRA 624
Calalas vs. Sunga, 332 SCRA 356 (2000)

III.
1

NEGLIGENCE

A.

Concept of Negligence
1.

Definition; Elements
Article 20, CC
Article 1173 CC
Picart vs. Smith, 37 Phil 809

2.

Standard of Conduct
2.1.

Ordinary prudent person

2.2

Special Cases
Children
Article 12, RPC & Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Law
Taylor vs. Manila Railroad, 16 Phil 8
Ylarde vs. Aquino, 163 SCRA 697
Experts/Professionals
Article 2187,CC
BPI vs. CA, 216 SCRA 51
Intoxication
Wright vs. Manila Electric, 28 Phil 122
Insanity
Articles 2180, 2182, CC
US vs. Baggay, 20 Phil 142

B.

Degrees of Negligence
Article 2231, CC
Marinduqe vs. Workmens, 99 Phil 48

C.

Proof of Negligence
1.

Burden of proof
Rule 131, Rules of Court (ROC)

2.

Presumption
Articles 2184-2185, 2188, 1734-1735, CC

3.

D.

Res ipsa loquitur

Ramos vs. CA, 321 SCRA 584

DM Consunji vs. CA, 357 SCRA 249
Defenses
1.

Plaintiffs Negligence
Article 2179, CC

Manila Electric vs. Remonquillo, 99 Phil 117 GR No. L-8328 (1956)

PLDT vs. CA, GR No 57079, 178 SCRA 94 (September 29, 1989)
1.

Contributory Negligence
Articles 2179, 2214, CC
Philippine Bank of Commerce vs. CA, 269 SCRA 695

3.

Fortuitous Event
Article 1174, CC
National Power vs. CA, GR Nos. 103442-45 (1993)
Southeastern College vs. CA, GR No. 126389, 292 SCRA 422 (July 10, 1998)

4.

Assumption of Risk
Ilocos Norte vs. CA, 179 SCRA 5

5.

Due diligence
Metro Manila vs. CA, 223 SCRA 521

6.

Prescription
Allied Banking vs. CA, 178 SCRA 526

7.

Double recovery
Article 2177, CC

IV.

PERSONS LIABLE
A.

The Tortfeasor
Articles 2176, 2181, 2194, CC
Worcester vs. Ocampo, (5932) 22 Phil 42 (1912)
Article 2184, CC
Caedo vs. Yu Khe Thai, G.R. No. L-20392 (Dec 18 1968)
Rodriguez Luna vs. IAC, 135 SCRA 242 (1995)

B.

Vicarious Liability
Quasi-tort Blacks Law Dictionary, 6th Edition, p.1489
Article 58 PD No. 603
Articles 216, 218- 219, 221, 236, FC
Articles 101-103, RPC
Sec. 6, RA 9344
Articles 2180 2182, CC
1.

Parents
Tamargo vs. CA, (85044) 209 SCRA 518 (1992)
Cuadra vs. Monfort, 35 SCRA 160 (1970)

2.

Guardians
Articles 216 and 218, Family Code
Articles 2180-2181, CC

3.

Teachers and Heads of Institutions

Articles 218-219, FC
Article 2180, CC
St Francis vs. CA, (82465) 194 SCRA 340 (1991)
Soliman vs. Tuazon, (66207) 209 SCRA 47 (1992)
St. Marys Academy vs. Carpitanos, (143363) (Feb 6 2002)

4.

Owners and Managers of Establishments

Philippine Rabbit vs. Phil American, (L-25142) 63 SCRA 231 (1975)

5.

Employers
Philtranco vs. CA, (120553) 273 SCRA 562 (1997)
Ligh Rail Transit vs. Natividad, (145804) 397 SCRA 75 (2003)

6.

State
Merrit vs. Government (11154) 34 Phil 311 1916
Article 2189, CC
De los Santos vs IAC
Republic vs Sandiganbayan

V.

CAUSATION
A. Proximate Cause
1.

Definition
Bataclan vs. Medina, 102 Phil 181(L-10126) (1957)
Phoenix Construction vs. IAC, 148 SCA 353 (L-652095) (1987)

B. Others
Article 1723, CC
a.

Proprietors of Buildings
Articles 2190- 2192, CC

2.

Employees
Araneta vs. Joya, (L-25172) 57 SCRA 59 (1974)

3.
C.

VI.

Engineer/Architect

Nature of Liability: Joint or Solidary?

TORTS WITH INDEPENDENT CIVIL ACTION

A.

Violation of Civil and Political Rights

Article 32, CC

Aberca vs. Ver, G.R. No. L-69866 (1988)

MHP Garments vs. CA, 236 SCRA 227
B.

Defamation, Fraud, Physical Injuries

Article 33, CC
Articles 353-359, RPC
Madeja vs. Caro, 211 Phil 469
Arafiles vs. Phil Journalists, GR No 135306 (2004)
1.

Defamation
MVRS vs. Islamic, GR No 135306, 396 SCRA 210 (January 28, 2003)

2.

Fraud
Salta vs. De Veyra, 202 Phil 527

3.

Physical Injuries
Corpus vs. Paje, G.R. No. L-26737 (1969)
Dulay vs. CA, GR No 108017 (1995)

C.

Neglect of Duty
Article 34, CC

D.

Action for damages where no in independent civil action is provided

Article 35, CC

VII.

INTENTIONAL TORTS
A.

Abuse of Rights
Article 19, CC
Velayo vs. Shell, 100 Phil 186
Saudi Arabia vs. CA, 297 SCRA 469
Amonoy vs. Gutierrez, 351 SCRA 731
UE vs. Jader, 325 SCRA 804 GR No 132344 (2000)

B.

Acts contra bonus mores

Article 21, CC
1.

Elements

1.

Examples
a.

Breach of promise to marry, Seduction and Sexual Assault

Wassmer vs. Velez, 12 SCRA 648
Tanjanco vs. Santos, GR No L-18630 (1966)

b.
5

Malicious prosecution

Article 2219, CC
Lao vs. CA, 325 SCRA 694
Que vs. IAC, 169 SCRA 137
c.
d.

Public Humiliation
Unjust Dismissal
Medina vs. Castro-Bartolome, G.R. No. L-59825 (1982) 116 SCRA 597

VIII. LIABILITY
A.

Possessor of Animals
Article 2183, CC
Vestil vs. IAC. 179 SCRA47

B.

Things thrown or falling from a building

Article 2193, CC
Dincong vs. Kanaan, 72 Phil 14

C.
D.

E.

Death/Injuries in the course of employment

Article 1711, CC cf 1712
Strict Liability/Product Liability
Blacks Law Dictionary, 6th Edition, p. 142
Article 2187, CC
Articles 50-52. 97. 99. 106-107, Consumer Act
Sec. 11 RA 3720
Coca-cola vs. CA, 227 SCRA 293

Interference With Contractual Relations

Article 1314, CC
Gilchrist vs. Cuddy, 29 Phil 42
So Ping Bun vs. CA (120554) (September 21, 1999)

F.

Liability of Local Government Units

Article 2189, CC

G.

Presumption of Negligence
Articles 2185, 2188, 2190 to 2193, Civil Code

IX.

OTHER TORTS
A.

Dereliction of Duty
Article 27, CC

B.

Unfair Competition
Article 28, CC

C.

Violation of Human Dignity and Privacy

Article 26, CC
Concepcion vs. CA, GR No. 120706 (2000), 324 SCRA 85 (January 31, 2000)
X.

DAMAGES
A.

Definition and Concept

Custodio vs. CA, 253 SCRA 483
Articles 2195, 2197, CC
Heirs of Borlado vs. CA, G.R. 114118 (2001), 363 SCRA 753
Damnum Absque Injuria
Board of Liquidators vs. Heirs of Kalaw, 20 SCRA 987
Custodio vs. CA, supra

B.

Kinds of Damages
1.

Actual or Compensatory
Articles 2216, 2199, 2200, 205, CC
a.

Kinds
PNOC vs. CA, 297 SCRA 402
Integrated Packing vs. CA, 333 SCRA 170

b.

Extent
Articles 2201-2202, CC

c.

Certainty
DBP vs. CA, GR No. 118367 (1998)

d.

Damage to property
PNOC vs.CA, supra

e.

Personal Injury and Death

Article 2206, CC
Ramos vs. CA, G.R. No. 124354 (1999), 380 SCRA 467 (April 11, 2002)

f.

Attorneys Fees
Article 2208, CC
Quirante vs. IAC, G.R. No. 73886, 169 SCRA 769 (January 31, 1989)

g.

Interest
Articles 2209-2213, CC
Crismina Garments vs. CA, G.R. No. 128721, 304 SCRA 356 (March 9, 1999)

h.
7

Mitigation of Liability

2.

Moral
a.

Articles 2203-2204, 2214, 2215

Cerrano vs. Tan, 38 Phil 392
Concept
Article 2217, CC
Kierulf vs. CA, 269 SCRA 433

b.

Proof and Proximate Cause

Del Rosario vs. CA, 267 SCRA 58
People vs. Bagayong, GR. No 126518, 299 SCRA 528 (Dec. 2, 1998)

c.

Cases where allowed

Articles 2219-2220, CC
Francisco vs. GSIS, 7 SCRA 577
Unfounded Suits
J Marketing vs. Sia, 285 SCRA 580
Cometa vs. CA, 301 SCRA 459
Labor Cases
Triple Eight vs. NLRC, 299 SCRA 608
Taking of Life

d.

People vs. Pirame, 327 SCRA (2000)

Carlos Arcona y Moban vs. CA, GR No 134784, 393 SCRA 524
(Dec. 9, 2002)
Factors in determining amount
PNB vs. CA, 266 SCRA 136
Fule vs. CA, 286 SCRA 698
Philippine Airlines vs. CA, 275 SCRA 621
Sumalpong vs. Ca, 268 SCRA 764

e.

3.

Who may recover

ABS-CBN vs. CA, G.R. No. 128690, 301 SCRA 572 (Jan. 21, 1999)
National Power vs. Philipp Brothers, G.R. No 126204, 369 SCRA 629
(Nov. 20, 2001)
Nominal
Articles 2221-2223, CC
People vs. Gopio, 346 SCRA 408
Armovit vs. CA, 184 SCRA 476

4.

Temperate
Articles 2224-2225, CC
People vs. Singh, 360 SCRA 404
People vs. Plazo, 350 SCRA 433, 161 SCRA 208 (May 9, 1988)

5.
8

Liquidated

Articles 2226-2228, CC
6.

Exemplary or Corrective
Articles 2229-2235, CC
PNB vs. CA, 256 SCRA 44
Del Rosario vs. CA, 267 SCRA 158