A.

ELEMENTS OF QUASI DELICT/TORTS

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

act or omission
damage or injury is caused to another
fault or negligence is present
there is no pre-existing contractual relations between the parties
causal connection between damage done and act/omission

B. DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER SOURCES OF OBLIGATION:

CONTRACT
QUASI DELICT
DELICT
Vinculum Juris Contract
Negligent act/ omission Act/omission committed
(culpa, imprudence)
by means of dolo
(deliberate,
malicious, in bad
faith)
Proof Needed
Preponderance
of Preponderance
of Proof
beyond
evidence
evidence
reasonable doubt
Defense
Exercise
of Exercise of diligence of
available
extraordinary
good father of a
diligence
(in
family
in
the
contract
of
selection
and
carriage),
Force
supervision
of
Majeure
employees
Pre-existing
There is pre-existing No pre-existing contract
No pre-existing contract
contract
contract
Burden
of Contractual party. Prove Victim. Prove the ff.:
Prosecution. Accused
proof
the ff.:
is
presumed
1. damage
innocent until the
1. existence of a contract 2. negligence
contrary is proved.
2. breach
3. causal connection

between negligence
and damage done
C. CIVIL LIABILITY IN QUASI-DELICT vs. DELICT
DIFFERENCE
QUASI-DELICT
Liability of Employer Solidary
Reservation
Civil aspect of the quasi-delict is
Requirement
impliedly instituted with criminal
action, but under 2000 Crimpro
Rules it is
independent and
separate
Effect of judgement Not a bar to recover civil damages
of acquittal in a EXCEPT
when
judgement
criminal
case pronounces that the negligence
involving
same from which damage arise is nonact/omission
existent

DELICT
Subsidiary
Civil aspect is Impliedly instituted
with criminal action

Not a bar to recover civil damages

D. WHAT MUST BE PROVED

1. Negligence - In action for Quasi Delict, plaintiff must prove negligence of defendant
Exception:
a. In cases where negligence is presumed or imputed by law - this is only rebuttable/presumption juris
tantum
b. Principle of res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself) - grounded on the difficulty in proving thru
competent evidence, public policy considerations
2. Damage/injury
3. Causal connection between negligence and damage (to be actionable) -Defendants negligence must be
the proximate cause of the injury sustained by the plaintiff to enable plaintiff to recover. Thus, if plaintiffs
own conduct is the cause of the injury there can be no recovery.
If plaintiff's negligence is only contributory he is considered partly responsible only, may still recover
from defendant but must be reduced by the courts in proportion to his own negligence

Concept of proximate cause the adequate and efficient cause which in the natural order of events
and under the particular circumstances surrounding the case, would naturally produce the event
E. DEFENSES:
1. CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE - the theory here is that the plaintiff was also negligent together with
the defendant; to constitute a defense, proximate cause of injury/damage must be the negligence of
defendant
2. CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE - the theory here is that both parties are equally negligent; the courts
will leave them as they are; there can be no recovery
3. DOCTRINE OF LAST CLEAR CHANCE - even though a persons own acts may have placed him in a
position of peril and an injury results, the injured is entitled to recover if the defendant thru the exercise
of reasonable care and prudence might have avoided injurious consequences to the plaintiff. This
defense is available only in an action by the driver or owner of one vehicle against the driver or owner
of the other vehicle involved.
Elements:
a. plaintiff was in a position of danger by his own negligence
b. defendant knew of such position of the plaintiff
c. defendant had the least clear chance to avoid the accident by exercise of ordinary care but
failed to exercise such last clear chance and
d. accident occurred as proximate cause of such failure
Who may invoke: plaintiff
Inapplicable to:
1. joint tortfeasors
2. defendants concurrently negligent
3. as against 3rd persons
4. EMERGENCY RULE a person is not expected to exercise the same degree of care when he is
compelled to act instinctively under a sudden peril because a person confronted with a sudden
emergency may be left with no time for thought and must make a speedy decision upon impulse or
instinct
Applicable only to situations that are sudden and unexpected such as to deprive actor of all
opportunity for deliberation
But action must still be judged by the standard of the ordinary prudent man
Absence of forseeability
5. DOCTRINE OF ASSUMPTION OF RISK Volenti non fit injuria
Intentional exposure to a known danger
One who voluntarily assumed the risk of an injury from a known danger cannot recover in an action
for negligence or an injury is incurred
Plaintiffs acceptance of risk (by law/contract/nature of obligation) has erased defendants duty so
that his negligence is not a legal wrong
Applies to all known danger
6. DUE DILIGENCE diligence required by law/contract/depends on circumstances of persons, places,
things
7. FORTUITOUS EVENT - no person shall be responsible for those events which cannot be forseen, or
which through forseen were inevitable
Exception: assumption of risk
8. DAMNUM ABSQUE INJURIA a principle that involves damage without injury, therefore no liability is
incurred; there is no legal injury
9. LAW specific provision of law
10. EXERCISE OF DILIGENCE OF GOOD FATHER OF FAMILY IN SELECTION
AND SUPERVISION OF EMPLOYEES
11. PRESCRIPTION
Injury to right of plaintiff/quasi delict - 4 years
Defamation
- 1 year
When no specific provision, must be counted from the day they may be brought
12. PROSCRIPTION AGAINST DOUBLE RECOVERY - Responsibility for fault or negligence under quasidelict is entirely separate and distinct from civil action arising from the RPC but plaintiff cannot recover
damages 2x for same act or omission of the defendant
13. ACT OR OMISSION IS NOT THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE
14. OTHER GROUNDS MOTION TO DISMISS
a. lack of jurisdiction over person of defendant

b. lack of jurisdiction over subject matter

c. venue improperly laid
d. plaintiff has no legal capacity to sue
e. there is another action pending between same parties for same cause
f. cause of action is barred by prior judgement /statute of limitations
g. pleading asserting claim states no cause of action
h. claim set forth in pleading has been paid, waived, abandoned, extinguished
i. claim is unenforceable under the provision of statute of fraud
j. condition precedent for filing claim has not been complied with
F. PERSONS LIABLE FOR QUASI DELICT
1. TORTFEASOR - Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being no fault or
negligence is obliged to pay for the damage done (art 2176).
2. PERSONS VICARIOUSLY LIABLE the obligation imposed in 2176 is demandable not only for ones own
act or omission but also for those persons for whom one is responsible (art 2180).
VICARIOUS LIABILITY law on imputed negligence; a person who himself is not guilty of
negligence is made liable for conduct of another

a)

b)

c)

d)

Reason:
1. public policy deeper pocket/capacity to pay
2. violation of duty on account of relationship he is negligent
PARENTS - The father, and in case of his death or incapacity, the mother are responsible for damage
caused by:
i. minor children
ii. who live in their company
Note: Father and Mother shall jointly exercise parental authority over common children. In case of
disagreement, father's decision shall prevail (art 211).
GUARDIANS - Guardians are liable for damages caused by the minor or incapacitated persons who
are
i. under their authority &
ii. live in their company
OWNERS & MANAGERS OF ESTABLISHMENT/ENTERPRISE - Owners & managers of
establishment or enterprise are responsible for damages caused by their employees
i. in the service of the branches in which the latter are employed OR
ii. in occasion of their function
EMPLOYERS - Employers shall be liable for damages caused by their employees & household helpers
i. acting w/in the scope of their assigned task
ii.
even though the former are not engaged in any business or industry (unlike in RPC
subsidiary liability of employer attaches in case of insolvency of employer for as long as the
employer is engaged in business/industry)

Defenses available to employers:

i. exercise of due diligence ins election and supervision of employees
ii. act/omission was made outside working hours and in violation of
company's rules and regulations
e) STATE - The state is responsible when it acts through a special agent, but not when the same is
caused by an official to whom task done properly pertains in which case art 2176 is applicable
f) SCHOOLS, ADMINISTRATOR, TEACHER - Teachers or heads of establishments of arts & trades shall
be liable for damages caused by their
i. pupils, students & apprentices
ii. as long as they remain in their custody
Note:
Family Code, art 218 - The school, its administration & teachers or the individual, entity or institution
engaged in child care shall have special parental authority & responsibility over the minor child under
their supervision, instruction or custody (authority & responsibility shall apply to all authorized activities
whether inside or outside the premises or the school, entity or institution).
Family Code, art 219 - those given the authority & responsibility shall be solidarily & principally liable for
damages caused by act/omission of the unemancipated minor; parents, judicial guardian or person
exercising substitute parental authority over said minor shall be subsidiarily liable.
Difference between Articles 218 & 2180
Art 218

Art 2180

School, admin, teachers engaged in child

care are made expressly liable
Liability of school, admin, teachers is
solidary and parents are made subsidiary
liable
Students involved must be minor

Teachers, head of establishment in Arts

and trades are made expressly liable
No such express solidary nor subsidiary
liability is stated
Students involved not necessarily minor

Issues:
1. whether or not schools are liable?
gen rule: schools are not liable as party defendants
exception:
a) FC 218 schools are expressly made liable
b) St. Francis case ruling schools liability as employer
c) PSBA case ruling school has liability based on contract
So that
a) if culprit is a teacher, follow St. Francis ruling (sue school as employer)
b) if culprit is a stranger, follow PSBA ruling (sue school based on contract)
c) if culprit is a student - apply 2180
2. does 2180 apply to school of arts & trades only? No. applies to all including academic institution
per weight of jurisprudence based on obiter of Justice JBL Reyes in the Exconde case
3. basis of liability of teacher principle of loco parentis (stand in place of parents)
4. so long as they remain in their custody
not literal anymore; before: boarding & living with teacher due to peculiar characteristic of
trade & arts school
as long as they are in the protective, supervisory capacity of teacher special parental
authority
3. PERSONS EXPRESSLY MADE LIABLE BY LAW (even without fault)
a. POSSESSOR OF AN ANIMAL OR WHOEVER MAKES USE OF THEM EVEN
IF THE ANIMAL IS LOST OR ESCAPED
Except:
1. Force majeure
2. Fault of the injured/damaged person
b. OWNER OF MOTOR VEHICLE - In motor vehicle mishap, the owner is solidarily
liable with the driver if:
1. he was in the vehicle, and
2. could have through due diligence prevented the misfortune
c. MANUFACTURERS & PROCESSORS OF FOODSTUFFS, DRINKS, TOILET ARTICLES & SIMILAR
GOODS - they are liable for death and injuries caused by any noxious or harmful substances used
although no contractual relation exists between them and the consumers
d. DEFENDANT IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS OR SUBSTANCES, SUCH AS
FIREARMS AND POISON - there is prima facie presumption of negligence on the part of defendant if
death or injury results from such possession
Exception: The possession or use thereof is indispensable in his occupation or business
e. PROVINCES, CITIES & MUNICIPALITIES -shall be liable for damages for the death or injuries suffered
by any person by reason of the defective condition of roads, streets, bridges, public buildings, and other
public works under their control or supervision
f. PROPRIETOR OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE - responsible for the damages resulting from any of
the ff.:
i. total or partial collapse of building or structure if due to lack of necessary repairs
ii.
explosion of machinery which has not been taken cared of with due diligence, and the
inflammation of explosive substances which have not been kept in a safe and adequate
place
iii.
by excessive smoke, which may be harmful to persons or property
iv.
by falling of trees situated at or near highways or lanes, if not caused by force majeure
v.
by emanations from tubes, canals, sewers or deposits of infectious matter, constructed
without precautions suitable to the place
g. ENGINEER, ARCHITECT OR CONTRACTOR - if damage of building or structure is caused by defect
in construction which happens within 15 years from construction; action must be brought within 10
years from collapse

h. HEAD OF FAMILY THAT LIVES IN A BUILDING OR PART THEREOF - liable for damages caused by
things thrown or falling from the same

G. SPECIAL TORTS
1. Art 19, 20, 21 (catch-all provision)
a. ABUSE OF RIGHTS (Art 19)
ELEMENTS:
i.
There is a legal right or duty
ii.
Which is exercised in bad faith
iii.
For the sole intent of prejudicing or injuring another
b. GENERAL SANCTION (Art. 20)
- for all other provisions of law which do not especially provide their own sanction
ELEMENTS:
i.
In the exercise of his legal right or duty
ii.
Willfully or negligently causes damage to another
c. CONTRA BONUS MORES (ART 21)
ELEMENTS:
i.
There is an act which is legal
ii.
But which is contrary to morals, good custom, public order or public policy
iii.
And it is done with intent to injure
2. UNJUST ENRICHMENT - Arts. 22, 23, 2142 & 2143
3. OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY OF WEALTH - Art. 25; thoughtless extravagance for
pleasure or display during a period of public want or emergency
4. VIOLATION OF RIGHT OF PRIVACY AND FAMILY RELATIONS
Art 26 - every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of
mind of his neighbors and other persons. The ff. acts though they may not constitute
a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and
other relief:
i.
prying into the privacy of another's residence
iii.
meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of
another
iii.
intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends
iv.
vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life.
Place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition
5. DERELICTION OF OFFICIAL DUTY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS
May be brought by any person suffering from material or moral loss because a public
servant refuses or neglects, without just cause to perform his official duty (art 27).
REQUISITES:
a. defendant is a public officer charged with the performance of a duty in favor of the plaintiff
b. he refused or neglected without just cause to perform such duty (ministerial)
c. plaintiff sustained material or moral loss as consequence of such non-performance
d. the amount of such damages, if material
6. UNFAIR COMPETITION - Unfair competition in agricultural, commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor
through the use of force, intimidation, deceit. Machination or other unjust, oppressive or highhanded
method (Art 28)
7. MALICIOUS PROSECUTION
ELEMENTS;
a. that the defendant was himself the prosecutor/ he instigated its commencement
b. that it finally terminates in his acquittal
c. that in bringing it the prosecutor acted without probable cause, and
d. that he was actuated by legal malice, that is, by improper and sinister motive
8. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF ANOTHER PERSON
9. NUISANCE
a. DEFINITION - any act, omission, establishment, condition of property, or anything else which:
i.
injures or endangers the health or safety to others, or
ii. annoys or offends the senses, or
iii. shocks, defies, or disregards decency or morality, or

iv. obstructs or interferes with the free passage of any public highway or streets, or any body of
water
v. hinders or impairs use of property

b. KINDS:
NUISANCE PER SE - denounced as nuisance by common law or by statute
NUISANCE PER ACCIDENS - those which are in their nature not nuisances, but may become so by
reason of their locality, surroundings, or the manner in which they may be conducted, managed, etc.

PUBLIC - affects a community or neighborhood or any considerable number of persons

REMEDIES AGAINST PUBLIC NUISANCES
1. Prosecution under the RPC or any local ordinance
2. Civil action
3. Abatement, without judicial proceeding
WHO MAY AVAIL OF REMEDIES
1. Public officers
2. Private persons - if nuisance is specially injurious to himself; the ff. steps
must be made:
i.
demand be first made upon owner or possessor of the property to abate the nuisance
ii.
that such demand has been rejected
iii.
that the abatement be approved by the district health officer and executed with the
assistance of local police
iv.
that the value of destruction does not exceed P3,000

PRIVATE - one that is not included in the foregoing definition; affect an individual
or a limited number of individuals only
REMEDIES AGAINST PRIVATE NUISANCES
(1). Civil action
(2). Abatement, without judicial proceedings
WHO MAY AVAIL OF REMEDIES
(1). Public officers
(2). Private persons - if nuisance is specially injurious to himself; the ff. steps
must be made:
i.
demand be first made upon owner or possessor of the property to
abate the nuisance
ii.
that such demand has been rejected
iii.
that the abatement be approved by the district health officer and executed with the
assistance of local police
iv.
that the value of destruction does not exceed P3,000
c. DOCTRINE OF ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE - a class of cases within the general rule that one is liable
for the injury resulting to another from failure to exercise the degree of care commiserate with the
circumstances

the attractiveness of the premises or of the dangerous instrumentality to children of tender

years is to be considered as an implied invitation, which takes the children who accepted it
out of the category of a trespasser and puts them in the category of invitees, towards whom
the owner of the premises or instrumentality owes the duty of ordinary care

H. DAMAGES
* MORAL

Kinds of Damages: (MENTAL)

* EXEMPLARY * NOMINAL * TEMPERATE

1. ACTUAL/COMPENSATORY - adequate compensation for

a) the value of loss suffered
b) profits which obligee failed to obtain
Exception:

* ACTUAL

* LIQUIDATED

a. provided by law
b. by stipulation
WHAT MUST BE DONE TO COLLECT ACTUAL DAMAGES:
1.) Plead or allege the loss
GENERAL DAMAGE - natural, necessary and logical consequences of a particular wrongful act
which result in injury; need not be specifically pleaded because the law itself implies or
presumes that they resulted from the wrongful act
SPECIAL DAMAGES - damages which are the natural, but not the
necessary and inevitable result of the wrongful act; need to be pleaded
2.) Pray for the relief that claim for loss be granted
3.) Prove the loss
WHEN LOSS NEED NOT BE PROVED:
1.) Liquidated damages previously agreed upon; liquidated damages take the place of actual
damages except when additional damages incurred
2.) If damages other than actual are sought
3.) Loss is presumed (ex: loss if a child or spouse)
4.) Forfeiture of bonds in favor of the government for the purpose of promoting public interest or
policy (ex: bond for temporary stay of alien)
CONTRACTS & QUASI CONTRACTS
1. Damages in case of Good faith a. Natural and probable consequence of breach of obligation, and
b. Parties have forseen or could have reasonably forseen at time obligation was
constituted
2. Damages in case of bad faith
a. it is sufficient that damages may be reasonably attributed to the non-performance of
the obligation
CRIMES & QUASI-CRIMES
defendant is liable for all damages that are natural and probable consequence of the
act/omission complained of
not necessary that damages have been forseen or could have been reasonably forseen

a) VALUE OF LOSS SUFFERED - Destruction of things, fines or penalties,

medical & hospital bills, attorney's fees, interests, cost of litigation
Damages recoverable:
1. Medical & Hospital Bills
2. Loss or impairment of earning capacity (in case of physical disability)
3. Damages for death
a) Minimum amount: P50,000
b) Loss of earning capacity unless deceased had permanent physical disability not caused by
defendant so that deceased had no earning capacity at time of death
c) Support, if deceased was obliged to give support (for period not more than 5 years)
d) Moral damages
4. Attorney's fees - as a general rule, attorney's fees (other than judicial costs) are not recoverable,
except:
a) stipulation between parties
b) when exemplary damages are awarded
c) when defendant's act/omission compelled plaintiff to litigate with 3 rd persons or incur expenses
to protect his interest
d) malicious prosecution
e) clearly unfounded civil action or proceeding against plaintiff
f) defendant acted in gross & evident bad faith in refusing to satisfy plaintiff's just & demandable
claim
g) legal support actions
h) recovery of wages of household helpers, laborers & skilled workers
i) actions for indemnity under workmen's compensation and employer liability laws
j) separate civil action to recover civil liability arising from crime

k) when double judicial costs are awarded

5. Judicial costs
6. interest - discretionary on part of the court
b) UNREALIZED PROFITS - future earnings
WHEN IS DAMAGES MITIGATED:
1. Contributory negligence
2. In contracts. Quasi-contracts and quasi-delict a. plaintiff has contravened the terms of contract
b. plaintiff derived some benefit as result of contract
c. in case where exemplary damages are to be awarded, that the defendant acted upon the advise
of counsel
d. that the loss would have resulted in any event
e. that since the filing of the action, the defendant has done his best to lessen the plaintiff's loss or
injury
2. MORAL DAMAGES - (PBMF-MWSS)
a. Physical suffering
b. Besmirched reputation
c. Mental anguish
d. Fright
e. Moral shock
f. Wounded feelings
g. Social humiliation
h. Serious anxiety
Notes:
Sentimental value of real or personal property may be considered in adjudicating moral damages
The social and economic/financial standing of the offender and the offended party should be taken
into consideration in the computation of moral damages
Moral damages is awarded only to enable the injured party to obtain means, diversions or
amusements that will serve to alleviate the moral suffering he has undergone, by reason of
defendant's culpable action and not intended to enrich a complainant at the expense of defendant
IN WHAT CASES MAY MORAL DAMAGES BE RECOVERED (enumeration not exclusive):
a. Criminal offense resulting in physical injuries
b. Quasi-delicts causing physical injuries
c. Seduction, abduction, rape or other acts of lasciviousness
d. Adultery and concubinage
e. Illegal or arbitrary detention or arrest
f. Illegal search
g. Libel, slander or other form of defamation
h. Malicious prosecution
i. Acts mentioned in art 309 of the RPC relating to disrespect of the dead and interference with
funeral
j. Acts and actions referred to in arts 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34 and 35
k. The parents of the female seduced, abducted, raped, or abused
l. Spouse, descendants, ascendants and brother and sisters for acts mentioned in art 309
m. Art 2220 - in cases of willful injury to property or breaches of contract where defendant acted
fraudulently or in bad faith
3. NOMINAL DAMAGES - adjudicated in order that a right of the plaintiff, which has been violated or invaded
by the defendant, may be vindicated or recognized, and not for the purpose of indemnifying the plaintiff for
any loss suffered by him
ELEMENTS:
a. Plaintiff has a right
b. Right of plaintiff is violated
c. Purpose is not to identify but vindicate or recognize right violated
4. TEMPERATE OR MODERATE DAMAGES - more than nominal but less than compensatory where some
pecuniary loss has been suffered but its amount can't be proved with certainty due to the nature of the case
REQUISITES:
a. Some pecuniary loss
b. Loss is incapable of pecuniary estimation
c. Must be reasonable

5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES - those agreed upon by the parties to a contract, to be paid in case of breach
thereof
WHEN LIQUIDATED DAMAGES MAY BE EQUITABLY REDUCED:
a. iniquitous or unconscionable
b. partial or irregular performance
6. EXEMPLARY OR CORRECTIVE DAMAGE - imposed by way example or correction for the public good, in
addition to the moral, temperate, liquidated to compensatory damages