Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(STATCON) Part I and Part 2 Cases
(STATCON) Part I and Part 2 Cases
Sec. 25. Any commercial bank may purchase, hold and convey
real estate for the following purposes:
(a) such as shall be necessary for its immediate accommodation
in the transaction of its business: Provided, however, that the
total investment in such real estate and improvements thereof,
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:
Stare decisis et non quieta movere. This principle of
in the law.
Filipino sold its eleven (11) branch sites all over the country to
Tala. In turn Tala leased those sites to Banco Filipino under
contracts of lease executed by both parties on the same day.
rentals.
Resolution, thus:
case.[10]
127586, now constitutes the law of the case between the parties
motion
for
reconsideration
are
hereby
Court
Resolved
to DECLARE
THIS
CASE
of
Court
contract; (2) the records of the notary public who notarized the
the said document; and (3) the said contract was never
Clerk
Supreme Court in G.R. No. 127586 did not decide the case on
and whose initials allegedly appear in all the pages thereof. She
what was submitted to the Central Bank was the twenty (20)-
documents
and
the res inter alios acta aliis non nocet (Section 28, Rule 130,
notarial commission.
thereto
attached. Under
this
procedure
It is not the eleven (11)-year lease contract but the twenty (20)-
supplied)
(1997)], to wit
Petitioner
criticizes
the
lower
courts
reliance
on
the Mecenas case, arguing that although this case arose out of
thus:
ship on April 22, 1980 and its liability for such accident, of
where the facts are substantially the same. Stare decisis et non
quieta movere.
85
SCRA
644
the First Division of this Court in the same G.R. No. 137980
held:
The records reveal that the new rentals demanded since 1979
the part of the lessor to accept was justified. However, what the
cautioned that
The trial court found that private respondent had failed to pay
From the foregoing facts, it is clear that the lessor was correct
deposited the rents in arrears in the bank, this fact cannot alter
he should be granted not only the current rentals but also all the
proper reliefs. x x x
the records show that such advance rental had already been
applied for rent on the property for the period of August, 1985
to November, 1989.
It bears stressing that the facts of the instant case and those
of G.R. Nos. 129887 and 137980 are substantially the
same. The only difference is the site of respondent bank. The
Factual Antecedents
DECISION
of
Court
seeks to set aside the January 15, 2007 Decision[2] and the March16
, 2007
[3]
documented;
7. In an action for refund, the burden of
proof is on the taxpayer to establish its right to
refund, and failure to [do so] is fatal to the claim for
to
administrative
refund/ credit;
routinary
8. Petitioner must show that it has complied
with the provisions of Section 204 (c) and 229 of the
refund/credit;
[15]
petition
is
hereby DENIED
DUE
petition as follows:
WHEREFORE, the petition for review
is DENIED for lack of merit. ACCORDINGLY,
the Decision dated June 30, 2005 and Resolution
datedOctober 5, 2005 of Second Division of the
SO ORDERED.[20]
Petitioners Arguments
Presiding Justice Ernesto D. Acosta (Presiding Justice
Acosta) concurred with the findings of the majority that there was
failure on the part of petitioner to comply with the invoicing
A.
CTA En Banc
REQUIRE
RECEIPTS
THAT
INVOICES
ISSUED
BY
AND/OR
A
VAT-
B.
PETITIONERS
ZERO-RATED
SALES
RECEIPTS
REGULATIONS
E.
INVOICES/OFFICIAL
UNDER
NO.
EVIDENTIARY
7-95
RULES
REVENUE
ARE
AND
NOT
THE
WORD
ZERO-RATED
THE
ON
ITS
ITS
TRANSACTIONS
C.
ARE
NON-RESIDENT
[THAT]
FOREIGN
CORPORATIONS
ARE
NOT
SYSTEM.
OF THE LAW.
F.
D.
PETITIONER
SUBSTANTIAL
UNEQUIVOCALLY
PRESENTED
EVIDENCE
THAT
PROVED
IN
CIVIL
CLAIMS
FOR
CASE[S],
SUCH
REFUND,
AS
STRICT
EVIDENCE
IS
NOT
REQUIRED.
invoices/receipts is
of
input VAT
Respondents Arguments
Emphasizing that tax refunds are in the nature of tax exemptions
CTA En Banc. [26] He insists that the denial of petitioners claim for
Our Ruling
word zero-rated on
the
person,
xxxx
[paid]
or
is
and
taxpayer's
client.
WHEREFORE,
assailed Decision
dated January 15, 2007 and the Resolution dated March 16, 2007 of
SO ORDERED.
Leoncio Zarate vs. The Director of Lands, G.R. No. L13334, 18 March 1919
MALCOLM, J.:
that "Under Act No. 926, a patent issued under the homestead
litigated anew in the same case upon any and every subsequent
Law has all the force and effect of a Torrens title acquired
under Act No. 496; and that being the case . . . we must respect
decisions
of
this
court.
(See
for
instance
De
los
[1895],
[1857],
162
U.S.,
339,
343;
20
How.,
467,
481;
graphical language:
but they become and remain the law of the case in all
JJ., concur
Separate Opinions
TORRES, J., concurring:
It has not been proven by the petitioner that the land occupied
fact that the said land is not public land, it can not be the object
No. 1690-G,5 a suit for rescission of two (2) deeds solely for
harassment and dilatory purposes although the suit actually
to place her in the possession and use of her said property, and
prohibiting respondents from disturbing the same; and
Civil Case No. 9114, which found its way to this Court via the
3
the decision in M.C. No. 374-82 via a petition for certiorari and
January 11, 1982 per Entry No. 54967, and (b) the deed of sale
29, 1986, the Supreme Court declared that the trial court has
Court set aside the September 23, 1983 decision of the trial
court and ordered a new trial where all parties interested in the
RTC
of
Gumaca,
Quezon
Province
for
improper
the new trial, the trial court rendered a Decision dated May 5,
1690-G.24
No. 1690-G for improper venue,25 the hearing in Civil Case No.
respondent
June 17, 1991 for failure to show that the Court of Appeals had
374-82.28
committed
any
reversible
error
in
the
Averia's
November
18,
1987
Motion
to
questioned
same;
Court of Appeal's affirmance of the decision in M.C. No. 37482,32 the trial court rendered the assailed March 31, 1992
Decision33 in Civil Case No. 9114, which reads:
WHEREFORE,
in
view
of
the
foregoing
5) Costs of suit.
SO ORDERED.
On appeal to the Court of Appeals, the appellate court in CAG.R. CV No. 40142 rendered its subject decision on November
22, 1994 reversing the trial court based on the ground of res
judicata. The appellate court ratiocinated:
xxx
xxx
xxx
Investment
and
Finance
Corp.
vs.
9863.
[Averia]. x x x37
C. THE RESPONDENT COURT OF APPEALS
Hence, petitioner interposed the instant petition for review
ERRED
IN
REVERSING
THE
JUST
AND
DECISION.
DISREGARDING
THE
OWN.
COURT
IN
G.R.
THE
NO.
EFFECT
96662
OF
DECLARING
F.
RESPONDENT
COURT
APPEALS
UNDUE
PFTITIONER'S
EXPLOITATION
OF
OF
was filed ahead of M.C. No. 37442 and that Civil Case No.
G. THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRST DIVISION OF
RESPONDENT COURT GRAVELY ABUSED THEIR
DISCRETION
CONSTITUTIONAL
IN
VIOLATING
THE
MANDATE
ON
xxx
xxx
xxx
matter and cause of action. When the three (3) identities are
litigating for the same thing and under the same title
have been offered for that purpose. But where between the first
case wherein judgment is rendered and the second case wherein
matters
actually
and
directly
controverted
and
or necessary thereto.
Under ordinary circumstances, this Court would have
Section 49 (b) refers to bar by prior judgment while Section 49
(c) enunciates conclusiveness of judgment.
Bar by prior judgment exists when, between the first case
where the judgment was rendered, and the second case where
such judgment is invoked, there is identity of parties, subject
and Civil Case No. 9114 both involved the petitioner and
respondent Averia. The subject matter of both actions is the
parcel of land and building erected thereon covered by TCT
No. T-9863. The causes of action are also identical since the
principle of law of the case. Law of the case has been defined
not only prescribed the duty and limit the power of the
but they become and remain the law of the case in all
litigated anew in the same case upon any and every subsequent
independent proceeding.
different from the concept of res judicata. Law of the case does
not have the finality of the doctrine of res judicata, and applies
only to that one case, whereas res judicata forecloses parties or
privies in one case by what has been done in another case. 50 In
the 1975 case of Comilang v. Court of Appeals (Fifth
Division.),51 a further distinction was made in this manner:
pendency of M.C. No. 374-82 was raised before the trial court
wherein the said Civil Case No. 9114 was docketed, the trial
for damages in Civil Case No. 9114. The decision of the Court
dismissing the case and/or ordering that the claim for damages
December 21, 1989 and by then, M.C. No. 374 82 had long
been resolved by the trial court and pending appeal with the
vacated the property,56 it is but just for him to pay petitioner the
possible. Petitioner did not detail out how such huge amount of
income could have been derived from the use of the disputed
insufficient,
as
allowed.54 Verily,
in
the
this
case,
testimonial
no
damages
evidence
on
will
be
alleged
such an award.
The issue of whether the trial court in M.C. No. 374-82 could
adjudicate contentious issues was only resolved by this Court
in G.R. No. 65129 on December 29, 1986 60 long after the
dismissal of Civil Case No. 1690-G which was instituted by
respondent Averia.61 That respondent Averia instituted a
exception rather than the general rule; counsel's fees are not
The law could not have meant to impose a penalty on the right
may have erred, but error alone is not a ground for moral
damages.62
anxieties suffered by her and her husband64 are only such as are
that would bring the case within the exception and justify the
SO ORDERED.
Bellosillo,
Mendoza,
and
Quisumbing,
JJ., concur.
Eloisa Tolentino vs. Roy Loyola, et. al., G.R. No. 153809,
27 July 2011
Complaint-Affidavit
charging
DECISION
Aniano
Mayor
A.
Desierto
in
OMB-ADM-1-99-1035,
which
Roy
M.
Loyola
requested
the
to wit:
xxxx
II SG 15
ACCOUNTING OFFICE
III SG 18
One (1) Licensing Officer II SG
15
ENRO
GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE
Two (2) Environment Mngt.
One (1) Supply Officer III SG 18
Specialist II SG 15
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Farm Foreman SG 6
Three (3) Farm Worker II SG 4
TREASURERS OFFICE
On
November
23,
1998,
the
1.
xxxx
2.
DA
3.
4.
Farm Foreman SG 6
Three (3) Farm Worker II SG 4
out of savings.
dishonesty
documents.
and
falsification
of
official
Petitioner
On May 23, 2000, upon recommendation
submits
the
following
issues
consideration:
THAT
THE
QUESTIONED
POSITIONS
the
2001
this was denied by the Court of Appeals in its May 28, 2002
Resolution.
OF
assailed
ruling
in
its December
3,
DUTY,
FALSIFICATION
Hence, the instant petition.
DOCUMENTS[5]
DISHONESTY
OF
AND
PUBLIC
for
On November 23, 1998, Municipal Resolution No. 061Petitioner, then Vice-Mayor of Carmona, Cavite filed
[6]
the
plantilla
were
not
validly
created. When
the
from the fact that no express provision for the creation of the
was deferred until such time that the copy of the proposed
issue was sourced from the savings of the municipal budget for
1999.
were created.
successively
by
the
Court
of
Appeals via a
case
continues
to
be
the law
of
the
appellate
rehearing.[10]
court
to
perform
its
duties
and thereafter remands the case to the lower court for further
becomes the law of the case at the lower court and in any
subsequent appeal.[13]
(1)
unappealable.
month's
salary
shall
be
final
and
xxxx
Ombudsman
Rules
is
to
deny
the
implemented
through
the
petition
whimsical,
arbitrary
or
despotic
manner
the CA.[18]
Budget.
Since
respondent
the
Mayor
Loyola
requested
the
appointments
were
There
being
appointment
appointments
appointments
grave
approval/confirmation.
misconduct,
valid
neglect
of
duty
and
thereto,
were
the
Civil
submitted
Service
for
dishonesty.
Since the appointed personnel has
The appointments made by respondent
liable
since
their
official
of
personnel,
appointment,
and
2001 as well as the Resolution dated May 28, 2002 of the Court
(Emphases supplied.)
No.
006-98
enacting
the
1999
Annual
in the
SO ORDERED.
Judicial Legislation
CASTRO, J.:
next closest, the second; and the next, the third. Prizes at this
level consist of a 3-burner kerosene stove for first; a thermos
bottle and a Ray-O-Vac hunter lantern for second; and an
Everready Magnet-lite flashlight with batteries and a
screwdriver set for third. The first-prize winner in each station
will then be qualified to join in the "Regional Contest" in seven
different regions. The winning stubs of the qualified
contestants in each region will be deposited in a sealed can
from which the first-prize, second-prize and third-prize winners
of that region will be drawn. The regional first-prize winners
will be entitled to make a three-day all-expenses-paid round
trip to Manila, accompanied by their respective Caltex dealers,
in order to take part in the "National Contest". The regional
second-prize and third-prize winners will receive cash prizes of
sealed can from which the drawing for the final first-prize,
the media for publicizing the contest but also for the
transmission
thereto,
promises.
of
communications
relative
its agent.
justify its position that the contest does not violate the anti-
and in his letter of December 10, 1960 not only denied the use
of the mails for purposes of the proposed contest but as well
threatened that if the contest was conducted, "a fraud order will
have to be issued against it (Caltex) and all its representatives".
Caltex thereupon invoked judicial intervention by filing the
present petition for declaratory relief against Postmaster
General Enrico Palomar, praying "that judgment be rendered
declaring its 'Caltex Hooded Pump Contest' not to be violative
of the Postal Law, and ordering respondent to allow petitioner
the use of the mails to bring the contest to the attention of the
public". After issues were joined and upon the respective
memoranda of the parties, the trial court rendered judgment as
follows:
aforesaid, the appellee laid out plans for the sales promotion
No. 2, pp. 576, 578-579; Edades vs. Edades, et al., G.R. No. L-
Against this backdrop, the stage was indeed set for the remedy
prayed for. The appellee's insistent assertion of its claim to the
use of the mails for its proposed contest, and the challenge
thereto and consequent denial by the appellant of the privilege
demanded, undoubtedly spawned a live controversy. The
justiciability of the dispute cannot be gainsaid. There is an
active antagonistic assertion of a legal right on one side and a
denial thereof on the other, concerning a real not a mere
theoretical question or issue. The contenders are as real as
their interests are substantial. To the appellee, the uncertainty
this pose lies in the fact that it proceeds from the assumption
fact that the given case is not explicitly provided for in the
901, 31 Cal. Rptr., 800, 383 P. 2d., 152, cited in 22 Am. Jur.,
final and definitive pronouncement as to whether the antilottery provisions of the Postal Law apply to its proposed
extent that they are applicable, the criteria which must control
that it will not have the final and pacifying function that a
17 App. Div. 2d., 207, 234 N.Y.S. 2d., 435; Zeitlin vs.
A. 2d., 903.
In fine, we hold that the appellee has made out a case for
declaratory relief.
Valhalla
Hotel
Construction
Company vs.
inasmuch as in the same case just cited, this Court has laid
property by chance.
drawing;
does
not
supply
the
element
of
in the opinion relied upon, rulings there are indeed holding that
which goods are sold for their market value but by way of
is prohibited (E.g.: Crimes vs. States, 235 Ala 192, 178 So. 73;
Russell vs. Equitable Loan & Sec. Co., 129 Ga. 154, 58 S.E.,
C.J.S., 850; 34 Am. Jur., 654; Black, Law Dictionary, 4th ed.,
Corporation, 132 P. 2d., 689, 694, 698, 114 Mont. 52). But this
Plattsmouth vs. Kieck, 257 N.W., 493, 128 Neb. 13; Barker vs.
State, 193 S.E., 605, 56 Ga. App., 705; Bell vs. State, 37 Tenn.
2d., 139, 142, 113 Colo., 326; D'Orio vs. Jacobs, 275 P. 563,
565, 151 Wash., 297; People vs. Psallis, 12 N.Y.S., 2d., 796;
851, citing: Barker vs. State, 193 S.E., 605, 607, 56 Ga. App.,
rel.
Stafford
vs.
Fox-Great
Falls
Theater
Taking this cue, we note that in the Postal Law, the term in
morals (Com. vs. Lund, 15 A. 2d., 839, 143 Pa. Super. 208).
costs.
Constitutional Construction
Civil Liberties Union vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No.
83896, 22 February 1991
T.
REYES, petitioners,
vs.
Juan
CARLOS
DOMINGUEZ, as
Secretary of Agriculture;
T.
David
for
petitioners
in
83896.
LUIS
SANTOS, as
Secretary of Local
FERNAN, C.J.:p
These two (2) petitions were consolidated per resolution dated
August 9, 1988 1 and are being resolved jointly as both seek a
declaration of the unconstitutionality of Executive Order No.
284 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino on July 25, 1987.
The pertinent provisions of the assailed Executive Order are:
positions
in
the
government
and
government
corporations
and
receive
the
corresponding
Chairman.
follows:
in
government-owned
or
controlled
the
No.
1987, 5 declaring
any and all amounts or benefits that they may have received
petitions
as
Annex
"C"
in
G.R.
that
Cabinet
members,
their
deputies
one, the President and her official family, and the other, public
Section 13, Article VII and par. (2) of Section 7, Article I-XB
Sec. 7. . . . . .
Opinion No. 129, series of 1987 and DOJ Opinion No. 155,
government-owned
or
controlled
VII or the Secretary of Justice being designated an exofficio member of the Judicial and Bar Council under Article
general under Section 7, par. (2), Article I-XB which, for easy
its
proposed
Constitution
the
provisions
under
during the campaign for its ratification was the assurance given
would be discontinued.
government-owned
or
controlled
Section 13, Article VII which states that "(T)he President, Vice-
office or employment.
more cheeks and restraints on them are called for because there
government-owned
or
controlled
corporations
or
their
Thus, while all other appointive officials in the civil service are
allowed to hold other office or employment in the government
during their tenure when such is allowed by law or by the
every word operative, rather than one which may make the
and (3), Article VII; and, the Secretary of Justice being ex-
agencies.
Board. 24 Neither
can
their
respective
The Court had occasion to explain the meaning of an exofficio position in Rafael vs. Embroidery and Apparel Control
the questioned statute (R.A. 3137) reveals that for the chairman
the
original appointments." 32
representatives
from
the
other
offices.
No
new
The term is not restricted to the singular but may refer to the
subsidiaries.
bureaus and offices and to ensure that the laws are faithfully
being
actually
and
in
legal
functions of his position," 36 express reference to certain highranking appointive public officials like members of the Cabinet
were made. 37 Responding to a query of Commissioner Blas
Ople, Commissioner Monsod pointed out that there are
instances when although not required by current law,
membership of certain high-ranking executive officials in other
offices and corporations is necessary by reason of said
officials'
primary
functions.
The
example
given
by
Industry. 38
That this exception would in the final analysis apply also to the
President and his official family is by reason of the legal
principles governing additional functions and duties of public
It being clear, as it was in fact one of its best selling points, that
42
as said
posts held without additional compensation in an exofficio capacity as provided by law and as required by the
primary functions of their office, the citation of Cabinet
members (then called Ministers) as examples during the debate
and deliberation on the general rule laid down for all
appointive officials should be considered as mere personal
opinions which cannot override the constitution's manifest
intent and the people' understanding thereof.
of
attention,
knowledge
and
expertise,
employment
including
held
by
virtue
of
legislation,
officer de facto and then be freed from all liability to pay any
retained by them.
and
Jr.,
JJ.,
concur.
Davide,
ANTONIO, J.:p
of
poblacion,
September,
1964,
in
the
Indeed, the accused had appointments from the abovementioned officials as claimed by him. His appointment from
Governor Feliciano Leviste, dated December 10, 1962, reads:
and
particularly
to
help
in
Kind: ROHM-Revolver
the
Make: German
SN: 64
Cal: .22
marines
Philippines],
lieutenant
doctrine
that
following ground:
in Macarandang,
and
by
implication,
[of
the
Armed
the
Philippine
governors,
Forces
of
the
Constabulary,
provincial
treasurers,
exempt. ... .
construction
Macarandang (1959)
Our
competent court has the force of law. The doctrine laid down
came only in 1967. The sole question in this appeal is: Should
hence of the law, of the land, at the time appellant was found in
view
of
of
the
and People
v.
complete
Lucero (1958).
reversal
merely
establishes
the
contemporaneous
who had relied on the old doctrine and acted on the faith
Decisions of this Court, although in themselves not laws, are
nevertheless evidence of what the laws mean, and this is the
reason why under Article 8 of the New Civil Code "Judicial
decisions applying or interpreting the laws or the Constitution
shall form a part of the legal system ... ." The interpretation
upon a law by this Court constitutes, in a way, a part of the law
part of respondent.
beat, slap and kick her. At one time, he chased petitioner with a
imprisonment.
presence of the children. She was battered black and blue. She
parties.
the fact of his marriage with petitioner and the birth of their
children. He also confirmed the veracity of Annex "A" of the
complaint which listed the conjugal property. Respondent
vehemently denied, however, the allegation that he was
psychologically incapacitated.
partnership.
Respondent appealed the above decision to the Court of
Appeals, contending that the trial court erred, particularly, in
holding that there was legal basis to declare the marriage null
and void and in denying his motion to reopen the case.
[2]
[3]
retroactive
application
and,
on
the
assumption
that
parties who have relied on the old doctrine and have acted in
hardly any doubt that the intendment of the law has been to
that
followed,
has
additionally
provided
incapacity. Molina
has
strengthened,
not
overturned, Santos.
with
respondent,
totally
terminating
that
(Chairman),
Panganiban,
Gonzaga-
contesting their dismissal. The parties then agreed that the sole
prevailing provides:
71, Rollo):
xxx
Sec. 9(b). Where the termination of employment
is due to retrechment initiated by the employer
to prevent losses or other similar causes, or
where the employee suffers from a disease and
RESPONSIVE
TO
THE
FOREGOING,
company.
xxx
SO ORDERED.
rendered, and
includes
the
fair
and
remuneration or earnings.
declared by the courts that where the law speaks in clear and
categorical language, there is no room for interpretation or
and
nuances
and
should
be
what
salary rates.
should
be
controlling
in
matters
words "wages", "pay" and "salary" have the same meaning, and
that some salesmen do not receive any basic salary but depend
that some salesman do not received any basic salary but depend
on commissions and allowances or commissions alone,
although an employer-employee relationship exists. Bearing in
mind the preceeding dicussions, if we adopt the opposite view
that commissions, do not form part of wage or salary, then, in
effect, We will be saying that this kind of salesmen do not
receive any salary and therefore, not entitled to separation pay
in the event of discharge from employment. Will this not be
absurd? This narrow interpretation is not in accord with the
liberal spirit of our labor laws and considering the purpose of
separation pay which is, to alleviate the difficulties which
confront a dismissed employee thrown the the streets to face
the harsh necessities of life.
commission'
plus
'net
deposit
of
the
respondent
National
Labor
Relations
DECISION
party-list affiliation.
2007. It also found the petition which was filed on October 17,
2007 to be out of time, the reglementary period being 10 days
on June 30, 2010. While the petition has, thus, become moot
Section
Representatives
13. How
are
Party-List
Chosen. Party-list
submitted
respondent.
by
the
respective
parties,
erroneous.
entire
tenure. Once
required
challenged.
any
of
the
[11]
On the second and more substantial issue, the Court shall first
expiration
of
his
underscoring supplied.)
term.
(Emphasis
and
sector.
sound legislative intent, and could not have been the objective
of RA No. 7941.
There is likewise no rhyme or reason in public
respondents ratiocination that after the third congressional term
from the ratification of the Constitution, which expired in 1998,
more than thirty (30) years of age on the day of the election , so
Section
Affiliation;
changes
sectoral
his
index of intention.[14]
seat:
15. Change
his political
Provided,
of
party
That
or
if
he
changes
for
representative
nomination
under
organization. (emphasis
his
as
new
and
party-list
party
or
underscoring
supplied.)
did not change his sectoral affiliation at least six months before
Representatives
CIBAC.
representing
the
party-list
organization
petition
is GRANTED. The
Associate Justice
RESOLUTION
MELO, J.:
Commission (SEC).
will
now
resolve
petitioners
motion
for
from proceeding with the public auction sale. The sale was
filed with the Regional Trial Court, Br. 140, Rizal (CC 10042)
preliminary
bond. However, petitioner did not file a bond until January 29,
injunction
upon
petitioners
filing
of
owners copies of the new land titles replacing them until the
902-A.
3. Even
the
extra-judicial
sale
(p. 5, Rollo.)
On November 12, 1986, the Court gave due course to the
petition. During the pendency of the case, RCBC brought to the
attention of the Court an order issued by the SEC on October
16, 1986 in Case No.002693, denying the consolidated Motion
to Annul the Auction Sale and to cite RCBC and the Sheriff for
SO ORDERED.
(p. 143, Rollo.)
and nullifying the TCTs issued to it, the Court held that:
with the public auction sale. The dissent maintain that Section
Court,
therefore,
grants
the
motion
for
[1968]).
Emphasis supplied.)
Where the law is clear and unambiguous, it must be taken to
It is thus adequately clear that suspension of claims against
mean exactly what it says and the court has no choice but to see
Association vs. Ople, 138 SCRA 273 [1985]; Luzon Surety Co.,
is
appropriate
and
necessary
under
the
to
protect
the
interests
of
its
investors
and
or
clarified, might mislead the Bench and the Bar, the Court
Petitioner
additionally
argues
in
its
motion
for
rely on its security and that it need not join the unsecured
Third Division).
dissipate all its assets. The sooner the SEC takes over and
imposes a freeze on all the assets, the better for all concerned.
(pp. 265-266, Rollo; also p. 838, 213 SCRA 830[1992].
Emphasis supplied.)
Taking the lead from Alemars Sibal & Sons, the Court also
applied this same ruling in Araneta vs. Court of Appeals (211
SCRA 390 [1992] per Nocon, J.: Second Division).
All the foregoing cases departed from the ruling of the
Court in the much earlier case of PCIB vs. Court of
against the distressed firm, they are directed to file their claims
with the receiver who is a duly appointed officer of the
v.
Court
of
Appeals,
Araneta
v.
Court
of
Bench and the Bar, the following rules of thumb shall are laid
down:
1. All claims against corporations, partnerships, or
associations that are pending before any court, tribunal, or
board, without distinction as to whether or not a creditor is
secured or unsecured, shall be suspended effective upon the
appointment of a management committee, rehabilitation
receiver, board, or body in accordance with the provisions of
Presidential Decree No. 902-A.
decisions.
In
It behooves the Court, therefore, to settle the issue in this
present resolution once and for all, and for the guidance of the
other
words,
once
management
committee,
the
unsecured
creditors
(still
preference
3018.
xxx
xxx
xxx
Plaintiff-appellee, having been required by agents of RICOB to
law, defining the term "by product" used in the law, as follows:
year period from the effectivity of the law. It has limited its
shall
warehousing, transporting,
importation, handling
secures from others who mill rice and corn. In the processing
mean
and
include
the
the
culture,
milling,
exportation,
distribution,
either
in
intended
to
include
in
its
object
the
rice and/or corn. So the court's only duty was to apply the law
statute nugatory and defeat its aims, rather than apply and
effectuate its provisions,6 since it struck off the phrase "byproducts thereof" from the text of the law.
JJ.,
concur.
FERNANDO, J.:
the lower court at the outset asked the counsel for the accused:
his counsel Atty. Cabigao also affirms that the accused admits."
Upon the lower court stating that the fiscal should examine the
for the accused then stated that with the presentation of the
asked the following question: "Does the accused admit that this
admitted and the parties were given time to file their respective
memoranda.1wph1.t
lieutenant
governors,
provincial
treasurers,
municipal
prisoners and jails," are not covered "when such firearms are in
possession of such officials and public servants for use in the
performance of their official duties."6
penalty of from one year and one day to two years and to pay
the costs. The firearm and ammunition confiscated from him
The only question being one of law, the appeal was taken to
this Court. The decision must be affirmed.
of
firearms,
parts
of
firearms,
or
however
would
rely
on People
v.
Vicente Garcia "to enjoin [such Sheriff] from selling the sugar
allegedly owned by their conjugal partnership, pursuant to a
writ of garnishment issued by virtue of a writ of execution
issued in Civil Case No. 3893 of the same Court of First
Instance ... against the respondent Vicente Garcia ... ."1
No. 3893, against Ladislao Chavez and Luzon Surety Co., Inc.
doing right for the benefit of the family. This is not true in the
that involved in this case did not act for the benefit of the
There is none in this case. Nor could there be, considering that
the benefit was clearly intended for a third party, one Ladislao
provision.
solicitude and tender regard that the law manifests for the
family as a unit. Its interest is paramount; its welfare uppermost
This
particular
emphasizes
the
codal
provision in
responsibility
of
question
the
rightfully
husband
as
would produce such benefit for the partnership. This is the ratio
Sibonghanoy.8
TRENT, J.:
The appellants, Hart, Miller, and Natividad, were arraigned in
the Court of First Instance of Pampanga on a charge of
vagrancy under the provisions of Act No. 519, found guilty,
and were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Hart and
Miller were further sentenced to a fine of P200, and Natividad
to a fine of P100. All appealed.
The evidence of the prosecution as to the defendant Hart shows
that he pleaded guilty and was convicted on a gambling charge
about two or three weeks before his arrest on the vagrancy
charge; that he had been conducting two gambling games, one
in his saloon and the other in another house, for a considerable
length of time, the games running every night. The defense
showed that Hart and one Dunn operated a hotel and saloon at
Angeles which did a business, according to the bookkeeper, of
P96,000 during the nineteen months preceding the trial; that
Hart was also the sole proprietor of a saloon in the barrio of
Punctuation and Grammar: An Aid to Construction
US v. Hart, G.R. No. L-8848, 21 November 1913
clothes, and earned from P80 to P100 per month, which was
made unlawful by the Gambling Act, No. 1757, and that Miller
inserted.
EN BANC
G.R. No. L-30642 April 30, 1985
PERFECTO S. FLORESCA, in his own behalf and on behalf
of the minors ROMULO and NESTOR S. FLORESCA; and
ERLINDA FLORESCA-GABUYO, PEDRO S. FLORESCA,
JR., CELSO S. FLORESCA, MELBA S. FLORESCA,
JUDITH S. FLORESCA and CARMEN S. FLORESCA;
LYDIA CARAMAT VDA. DE MARTINEZ in her own behalf
and on behalf of her minor children LINDA, ROMEO,
ANTONIO JEAN and ELY, all surnamed Martinez; and
DANIEL MARTINEZ and TOMAS MARTINEZ;
May 27, 1968 to the said motion to dismiss claiming that the
damages, particularly:
errors:
II
Philex under the Civil Code. They point out that workmen's
A
In the first assignment of error, petitioners argue that the lower
court has jurisdiction over the cause of action since the
same.
Philex cites the case of Manalo vs. Foster Wheeler (98 Phil.
On the other hand, Philex asserts that work-connected injuries
The claimant for damages under the Civil Code has the burden
of proving the causal relation between the defendant's
negligence and the resulting injury as well as the damages
suffered. While under the Workmen's Compensation Act, there
is a presumption in favor of the deceased or injured employee
that the death or injury is work-connected or work-aggravated;
and the employer has the burden to prove otherwise (De los
the industrial plant of his employer. Under the Civil Code, the
simultaneously.
SCRA 379).
In Pacaa WE said:
WE now come to the query as to whether or not the injured
employee or his heirs in case of death have a right of selection
or choice of action between availing themselves of the worker's
right under the Workmen's Compensation Act and suing in the
regular courts under the Civil Code for higher damages (actual,
moral and exemplary) from the employers by virtue of that
negligence or fault of the employers or whether they may avail
themselves cumulatively of both actions, i.e., collect the
limited compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act
and sue in addition for damages in the regular courts.
its motion to dismiss dated May 14, 1968 before the court a
because they became cognizant of the fact that Philex has been
121-122, rec.) in the lower court, but they set up the defense
their favor.
(emphasis supplied).
Article 173 of the New Labor Code does not repeal expressly
No. 610, as amended, R.A. No. 4864, as amended, and all other
Philippines.
The aforequoted provisions of Section 5 of the Workmen's
The Court, through the late Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro, in
People vs. Licera ruled:
Article 8 of the Civil Code of the Philippines
decrees that judicial decisions applying or
interpreting the laws or the Constitution form
part of this jurisdiction's legal system. These
decisions, although in themselves not laws,
constitute evidence of what the laws mean. The
application or interpretation placed by the Court
upon a law is part of the law as of the date of the
enactment of the said law since the Court's
Yacht Club (28 SCRA 724, June 30,1969) and the 1958 case of
Article 1711 of the New Civil Code, vis-a-vis Article 173 of the
Since the first sentence of Article 173 of the New Labor Code
is merely a re-statement of the first paragraph of Section 5 of
relieve the employer from liability for the death of his workers
protection of the life, limb and health of his worker. Even from
has been discarded soon after the close of the 18th century due
to the Industrial Revolution that generated the machines and
constitutional provision.
by the dissent, The Prisley case was decided in 1837 during the
era of economic royalists and robber barons of America. Only
ruthless, unfeeling capitalistics and egoistic reactionaries
feeble or strong, into the inert pages of the Constitution and all
statute books."
caused by the nature of the work, without any fault on the part
Article 173 of the New Labor Code, does not cover the tortious
the law for the protection of the life, limb and health of the
between gaps. He fills the open spaces in the law. " (The
employee.
pronounced:
word was the sovereign talisman, and every slip was fatal"
on.
underprivileged.
True, there are jurists and legal writers who affirm that judges
from him. These rights are not found in the American Bill of
holding that the equal protection clause means that the Negroes
COSTS.
SO ORDERED.
Fernando, C.J., Teehankee, Plana, Escolin, De la Fuente,
Cuevas and Alampay JJ., concur.
Separate Opinions
Compensation
SPECIAL LAWS.
B.
employee
compensation
p. 713.)
shall exclude all other rights and remedies
Compensation is not payable when injury is due
S.S., p. 713.)
under the Civil Code and other laws, because of
When the act is applicable the remedy
supplied)
provision:
under the Civil Code for injuries compensable under the Act.
such that the remedies under the Act would not be exclusive;
yet, the legislator refrained from doing so. That shows the
legislatives continuing intent to maintain the exclusory
provision of the first paragraph of Section 5 unless otherwise
provided in the Act itself.
the employer under the Act, or under the Civil Code, should the
legislating.
[1938]).
It is in view of the foregoing that I vote for affirmation of the
In time, it must have been thought that it was inequitable to
by the employer and not a fellow worker, and that he was not
guilty of contributory negligence. The employer could employ
not only his wealth in defeating the claim for damages but a
"the mere relation of the master and the servant never can
related injuries.
compensation.
interpreting them.
compensation principle.
other particulars.
trust fund and many other interrelated parts have all been
followed.
Fund will still have to bear the cost of damage suits or get
Separate Opinions
Compensation
B.
p. 713.)
Compensation Act, p. 2]
S.S., p. 713.)
compensation
therefore, as a rule, cannot presume that the lawmaking body does not know the meaning of
made for remedies other than within the Act itself. Thus,
the Civil Code, the legislator could very easily have formulated
the said first paragraph of Section 5 according to the pattern of
Section 6. That that was not done shows the legislative intent
under the Civil Code for injuries compensable under the Act.
[1938]).
employer was not negligent. Based on that thinking, Section 4A 1 was included into the Act, on June 20, 1952, through RA
772. Said Section 4-A increased the compensation payable by
50% in case there was negligence on the part of the employer.
That additional section evidenced the intent of the legislator not
to give an option to an employee, injured with negligence on
the part of the employer, to sue the latter under the provisions
of the Civil Code.
On June 20, 1964, Section 4-A was amended (insubstantially)
by RA 4119. The legislator was again given the opportunity to
was either negligent or in bad faith, that his injury was caused
by the employer and not a fellow worker, and that he was not
guilty of contributory negligence. The employer could employ
not only his wealth in defeating the claim for damages but a
"the mere relation of the master and the servant never can
compensation.
receive the total damages for his pain and suffering which he
related injuries.
working class.
viewpoint. ....
other particulars.
63-65).
trust fund and many other interrelated parts have all been
followed.
Footnotes
1 SEC. 4-A. Right to additional compensation.In case of the employee's death, injury or
1997
Before us is a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45
PANGANIBAN, J.:
The Facts
This case was commenced on August 16, 1990 with the filing
by respondent Roridel O. Molina of a verified petition for
declaration of nullity of her marriage to Reynaldo Molina.
Essentially, the petition alleged that Roridel and Reynaldo were
married on April 14, 1985 at the San Agustin Church 4 in
Manila; that a son, Andre O. Molina was born; that after a year
of marriage, Reynaldo showed signs of "immaturity and
and assistance, and was never honest with his wife in regard to
29, 1986;
The Issue
damages;
the facts of the case," adding that the appealed Decision tended
"to establish in effect the most liberal divorce procedure in the
world which is anathema to our culture."
In denying the Solicitor General's appeal, the respondent Court
relied 5 heavily on the trial court's findings "that the marriage
between the parties broke up because of their opposing and
conflicting personalities." Then, it added it sown opinion that
"the Civil Code Revision Committee (hereinafter referred to as
Committee) intended to liberalize the application of our civil
laws on personal and family rights. . . ." It concluded that:
As ground for annulment of marriage, We view
psychologically incapacity as a broad range of
mental and behavioral conduct on the part of
one spouse indicative of how he or she regards
and her husband could nor get along with each other. There had
been no showing of the gravity of the problem; neither its
COURT
Q It is therefore the
recommendation of the
psychiatrist based on your
findings that it is better for the
Court to annul (sic) the
marriage?
A Yes, Your Honor.
Q There is no hope for the
marriage?
parties?
During its deliberations, the Court decided to go beyond
A Yes, Your Honor.
Q Neither are they
psychologically unfit for their
professions?
written memoranda.
Art. 36 of the Family Code are hereby handed down for the
11
the illness was existing when the parties exchanged their "I
at such time, but the illness itself must have attached at such
husband and wife as well as Articles 220, 221 and 225 of the
obligation of marriage.
decision.
provides:
(8) The trial court must order the prosecuting attorney or fiscal
of psychological nature. 14
crucially, more than in any field of the law, on the facts of the
case. InLeouel Santos v. Court of Appeals and Julia RosarioBedia Santos, G.R. No. 112019, 4 January 1995, 240 SCRA
SO ORDERED.
judge must take pains in examining the actual millieu and the
appellate court must, as much as possible, avoid substituting its
own judgment for that of the trial court.
ROMERO, J., separate opinion:
The majority opinion, overturning that of the Court of Appeals
which affirmed the Regional Trial Court ruling. upheld
incapacity, for the latter "is not simply the neglect by the
That the intent of the members of the U.P. Law Center's Civil
Code Revision Committee was to excludemental inability to
the celebration.
The twists and turns which the ensuing discussion took finally
produced the following revised provision even before the
situations.
remarry.
beginning.
declares the marriage null and void, i.e., it never really existed
Canon 1095 which states, inter alia, that the following persons
are incapable of contracting marriage: "3. (those) who, because
A brief historical note on the Old Canon Law (1917). This Old
Code, while it did not provide directly for psychological
incapacity, in effect recognized the same indirectly from a
combination of three old canons: "Canon #1081 required
persons to 'be capable according to law' in order to give valid
consent; Canon #1082 required that persons 'be at least not
ignorant' of the major elements required in marriage; and
Canon #1087 (the force and fear category) required that
internal and external freedom be present in order for consent to
be valid. This line of interpretation produced two distinct but
related grounds for annulment, called 'lack of due discretion'
the time of the wedding and therefore the union is invalid. Lack
such cases. Data about the person's entire life, both before and
The Church took pains to point out that its new openness in this
area did not amount to the addition of new grounds for
annulment, but rather was an accommodation by the Church to
the advances made in psychology during the past
decades. There was now the expertise to provide the allimportant connecting link between a marriage breakdown and
premarital causes.
During the 1970s, the Church broadened its whole idea of
marriage from that of a legal contract to that of a covenant. The
result of this was that it could no longer be assumed in
annulment cases that a person who could intellectually
understand the concept of marriage could necessarily give
valid consent to marry. The ability to both grasp and assume
the real obligations of a mature, lifelong commitment are now
considered a necessary prerequisite to valid matrimonial
consent. 2
marriage, etc.
subsisting.
end of marriage," the wife brought the action in the lower court
concluded:
of the spouses.
Code explained:
mutually;
marriage
incapacity. 4
remains that the language of the law has failed to carry out,
even if true, any such intendment. It might have indeed turned
out for the better, if it were otherwise, there could be good
reasons to doubt the constitutionality of the measure. The
fundamental law itself, no less, has laid down in terse language
its unequivocal command on how the State should regard
for the tone it has set. The Court there has held that
constitutional provisions are to be considered mandatory unless
Separate Opinions
PADILLA, J., concuring opinion:
I concur in the result of the decision penned by Mr. Justice
Panganiban but only because of the peculiar facts of the case.
As to whether or not the psychological incapacity exists in a
given case calling for annulment of a marriage, depends
crucially, more than in any field of the law, on the facts of the
case. InLeouel Santos v. Court of Appeals and Julia Rosario-
duties.
That the intent of the members of the U.P. Law Center's Civil
Code Revision Committee was to excludemental inability to
read:
The twists and turns which the ensuing discussion took finally
produced the following revised provision even before the
session was over:
(7) That contracted by any party who, at the
time of the celebration, was psychologically
degree.
contract;
Canon 1095 which states, inter alia, that the following persons
finally enacted.
that the person did not have the ability to give valid consent at
the time of the wedding and therefore the union is invalid. Lack
A brief historical note on the Old Canon Law (1917). This Old
Code, while it did not provide directly for psychological
incapacity, in effect recognized the same indirectly from a
willingness to use this kind of hindsight, the way was paved for
premarital causes.
such cases. Data about the person's entire life, both before and
consent. 2
The Church took pains to point out that its new openness in this
after ten (10) months' sleeping with his wife never had coitus
with her, a fact he did not deny but he alleged that it was due to
incapacity.
We declared:
This Court, finding the gravity of the failed relationship in
which the parties found themselves trapped in its mire of
unfulfilled vows and unconsummated marital obligations, can
do no less but sustain the studied judgment of respondent
appellate court.
1 concur with the majority opinion that the herein marriage
marriage
incapacity. 4
incurable.
institution . . . .
that to have them enforced strictly would cause more harm than
follows:
That on or before the 21st day of June, 1969, in
DE CASTRO, J.:
In this petition for certiorari, petitioner-accused Aisporna seeks
the reversal of the decision dated August 14, 1974 1in CA-G.R.
No. 13243-CR entitled "People of the Philippines, plaintiffappellee, vs. Mapalad Aisporna, defendant-appellant" of
respondent Court of Appeals affirming the judgment of the City
Court of Cabanatuan 2 rendered on August 2, 1971 which found
the petitioner guilty for having violated Section 189 of the
Insurance Act (Act No. 2427, as amended) and sentenced her to
pay a fine of P500.00 with subsidiary imprisonment in case of
insolvency, and to pay the costs.
Philippines.
CONTRARY TO LAW.
The facts, 4 as found by the respondent Court of Appeals are
quoted hereunder:
Philippines."
1974. 5
convicted person.
subject.
The respondent appellate court ruled that the petitioner is
Any person or company violating the provisions
Law,
solicitation or procurement of
insurance agent.
procuring a certificate of
authority to act from the
insurance commissioner, which
must be renewed annually on the
first day of January, or within six
months thereafter.
must be overruled. 12
Any person who for compensation ... shall be
From the above-mentioned ruling, the respondent appellate
section, ...
to qualify the term "agent" mentioned in both the first and third
detached and isolated expressions, but the whole and every part
1997
PANGANIBAN, J.:
job in Manila and went to live with her parents in Baguio City;
that a few weeks later, Reynaldo left Roridel and their child,
The Facts
This case was commenced on August 16, 1990 with the filing
by respondent Roridel O. Molina of a verified petition for
declaration of nullity of her marriage to Reynaldo Molina.
Essentially, the petition alleged that Roridel and Reynaldo were
married on April 14, 1985 at the San Agustin Church 4 in
Manila; that a son, Andre O. Molina was born; that after a year
of marriage, Reynaldo showed signs of "immaturity and
irresponsibility" as a husband and a father since he preferred to
spend more time with his peers and friends on whom he
squandered his money; that he depended on his parents for aid
and assistance, and was never honest with his wife in regard to
their finances, resulting in frequent quarrels between them; that
sometime in February 1986, Reynaldo was relieved of his job
and had since then abandoned them; that Reynaldo had thus
shown that he was psychologically incapable of complying
with essential marital obligations and was a highly immature
and habitually quarrel some individual who thought of himself
as a king to be served; and that it would be to the couple's best
interest to have their marriage declared null and void in order
to free them from what appeared to be an incompatible
marriage from the start.
In his Answer filed on August 28, 1989, Reynaldo admitted
that he and Roridel could no longer live together as husband
and wife, but contended that their misunderstandings and
frequent quarrels were due to (1) Roridel's strange behavior of
insisting on maintaining her group of friends even after their
marriage; (2) Roridel's refusal to perform some of her marital
stipulated:
The Issue
In his petition, the Solicitor General insists that "the Court of
Appeals made an erroneous and incorrect interpretation of the
phrase 'psychological incapacity' (as provided under Art. 36 of
the facts of the case," adding that the appealed Decision tended
fates.
physical) illness.
Q It is therefore the
recommendation of the
Q Neither are they
professions?
parties?
beloved.
its dissolution and nullity. This is rooted in the fact that both
the state.
obligation of marriage.
the illness was existing when the parties exchanged their "I
at such time, but the illness itself must have attached at such
of psychological nature. 14
decision.
provides:
(8) The trial court must order the prosecuting attorney or fiscal
the court such certification within fifteen (15) days from the
date the case is deemed submitted for resolution of the court.
The Solicitor General shall discharge the equivalent function of
the defensor vinculicontemplated under Canon 1095.
crucially, more than in any field of the law, on the facts of the
say that no case is on "all fours" with another case. The trial
judge must take pains in examining the actual millieu and the
That the intent of the members of the U.P. Law Center's Civil
incapacity, for the latter "is not simply the neglect by the
duties.
At the Committee meeting of July 26, 1986, the draft provision
In the present case, the alleged personality traits of Reynaldo,
the husband, did not constitute so much "psychological
incapacity" as a "difficulty," if not outright "refusal" or
read:
the celebration.
The twists and turns which the ensuing discussion took finally
produced the following revised provision even before the
Canon 1095 which states, inter alia, that the following persons
finally enacted.
that the person did not have the ability to give valid consent at
the time of the wedding and therefore the union is invalid. Lack
A brief historical note on the Old Canon Law (1917). This Old
Code, while it did not provide directly for psychological
incapacity, in effect recognized the same indirectly from a
willingness to use this kind of hindsight, the way was paved for
premarital causes.
such cases. Data about the person's entire life, both before and
consent. 2
The Church took pains to point out that its new openness in this
after ten (10) months' sleeping with his wife never had coitus
with her, a fact he did not deny but he alleged that it was due to
incapacity.
We declared:
This Court, finding the gravity of the failed relationship in
which the parties found themselves trapped in its mire of
unfulfilled vows and unconsummated marital obligations, can
do no less but sustain the studied judgment of respondent
appellate court.
1 concur with the majority opinion that the herein marriage
guidelines that he prepared for the bench and the bar in the
Code explained:
3. who for causes of psychological nature are
(T)he Committee would like the judge to
interpret the provision on a case-to-case basis,
guided by experience, the findings of experts
physical, in nature;
institution . . . .
Constitution)
The case of Marcelino vs. Cruz, 121 SCRA 51, might here be
significant not so much for the specific issue there resolved but
for the tone it has set. The Court there has held that
constitutional provisions are to be considered mandatory unless
by necessary implication, a different intention is manifest such
that to have them enforced strictly would cause more harm than
by disregarding them. It is quite clear to me that the
constitutional mandate on marriage and the family has not been
meant to be simply directory in character, nor for mere
expediency or convenience, but one that demands a
meaningful, not half-hearted, respect.
Separate Opinions
judge must take pains in examining the actual millieu and the
appellate court must, as much as possible, avoid substituting its
That the intent of the members of the U.P. Law Center's Civil
Code Revision Committee was to excludemental inability to
understand the essential nature of marriage and focus strictly
on psychological incapacity is demonstrated in the way the
provision in question underwent revisions.
At the Committee meeting of July 26, 1986, the draft provision
read:
(7) Those marriages contracted by any party
who, at the time of the celebration, was wanting
in the sufficient use of reason or judgment to
understand the essential nature of marriage or
was psychologically or mentally incapacitated to
discharge the essential marital obligations, even
if such lack of incapacity is made manifest after
the celebration.
The twists and turns which the ensuing discussion took finally
marriage." 1
degree.
situations.
finally enacted.
Canon 1095 which states, inter alia, that the following persons
are incapable of contracting marriage: "3. (those) who, because
declares the marriage null and void, i.e., it never really existed
A brief historical note on the Old Canon Law (1917). This Old
Code, while it did not provide directly for psychological
incapacity, in effect recognized the same indirectly from a
combination of three old canons: "Canon #1081 required
persons to 'be capable according to law' in order to give valid
consent; Canon #1082 required that persons 'be at least not
ignorant' of the major elements required in marriage; and
Canon #1087 (the force and fear category) required that
internal and external freedom be present in order for consent to
be valid. This line of interpretation produced two distinct but
related grounds for annulment, called 'lack of due discretion'
and 'lack of due competence.' Lack of due discretion means
that the person did not have the ability to give valid consent at
the time of the wedding and therefore the union is invalid. Lack
such cases. Data about the person's entire life, both before and
The Church took pains to point out that its new openness in this
area did not amount to the addition of new grounds for
annulment, but rather was an accommodation by the Church to
the advances made in psychology during the past
decades. There was now the expertise to provide the allimportant connecting link between a marriage breakdown and
premarital causes.
During the 1970s, the Church broadened its whole idea of
marriage from that of a legal contract to that of a covenant. The
result of this was that it could no longer be assumed in
annulment cases that a person who could intellectually
understand the concept of marriage could necessarily give
valid consent to marry. The ability to both grasp and assume
the real obligations of a mature, lifelong commitment are now
considered a necessary prerequisite to valid matrimonial
consent. 2
marriage, etc.
subsisting.
end of marriage," the wife brought the action in the lower court
concluded:
of the spouses.
appellate court.
Code explained:
marriage
physical, in nature;
that to have them enforced strictly would cause more harm than
by disregarding them. It is quite clear to me that the
institution . . . .
Section 1, Article XV:
The case of Marcelino vs. Cruz, 121 SCRA 51, might here be
significant not so much for the specific issue there resolved but
for the tone it has set. The Court there has held that
vs.
PHILEX MINING CORPORATION and HON. JESUS P.
MORFE, Presiding Judge of Branch XIII, Court of First
Instance of Manila, respondents.
Rodolfo C. Pacampara for petitioners.
MAKASIAR, J.:
1966;
Art. 2201. x x x x x x x x x
JURISDICTION.
A
In the first assignment of error, petitioners argue that the lower
take the necessary security for the protection of the lives of its
Philex under the Civil Code. They point out that workmen's
Philex cites the case of Manalo vs. Foster Wheeler (98 Phil.
memoranda.
sue in the regular court under the Civil Code for higher
Bacungan and adds that once the heirs elect the remedy
provided for under the Act, they are no longer entitled to avail
The claimant for damages under the Civil Code has the burden
and the employer has the burden to prove otherwise (De los
SCRA 379).
simultaneously.
In Pacaa WE said:
In the analogous case of Esguerra vs. Munoz
Palma, involving the application of Section 6 of
the Workmen's Compensation Act on the injured
workers' right to sue third- party tortfeasors in
the regular courts, Mr. Justice J.B.L. Reyes,
again speaking for the Court, pointed out that
the injured worker has the choice of remedies
but cannot pursue both courses of action
simultaneously and thus balanced the relative
advantage of recourse under the Workmen's
Compensation Act as against an ordinary action.
121-122, rec.) in the lower court, but they set up the defense
that the claims were filed under the Workmen's Compensation
because they became cognizant of the fact that Philex has been
2176, 2177, 2178, 1173, 2201, 2216, 2231 and 2232 of the
B
Contrary to the perception of the dissenting opinion, the Court
does not legislate in the instant case. The Court merely applies
and gives effect to the constitutional guarantees of social
security of all the people "... regulate the use ... and disposition
(emphasis supplied).
of the New Labor Code, both the New Labor Code and the
enunciated:
Code).
provided:
Article 173 of the New Labor Code does not repeal expressly
nor impliedly the applicable provisions of the New Civil Code,
because said Article 173 provides:
Art. 173. Exclusiveness of liability.- Unless
otherwise provided, the liability of the State
Insurance Fund under this Title shall be
exclusive and in place of all other liabilities of
the employer to the employee, his dependents or
anyone otherwise entitled to receive damages on
behalf of the employee or his dependents. The
payment of compensation under this Title shall
aforequoted, Article 173 of the New Labor Code does not even
Philippines.
The Court, through the late Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro, in
Since the first sentence of Article 173 of the New Labor Code
Commonwealth Act No. 772 on June 20, 1952, limited the right
the 1970 case of Pacana vs. Cebu Autobus Company (32 SCRA
either to recover from the employer the fixed amount set by the
Article 1711 of the New Civil Code, vis-a-vis Article 173 of the
and the servant never can imply an obligation on the part of the
fill in the gaps in the law; because the mind of the legislator,
all possible cases to which the law may apply Nor has the
caused by the nature of the work, without any fault on the part
Article 173 of the New Labor Code, does not cover the tortious
on.
True, there are jurists and legal writers who affirm that judges
should not legislate, but grudgingly concede that in certain
underprivileged.
The requisites of double jeopardy are not spelled out in the Bill
the United States and in the Philippines even before people vs.
from him. These rights are not found in the American Bill of
Rights. These rights are now institutionalized in Section 20,
Article IV of the 1973 Constitution. Only the peace-and-order
adherents were critical of the activism of the American
Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Earl Warren.
holding that the equal protection clause means that the Negroes
hours not exceeding eight (8) daily, and maternity leave for
women employees.
Separate Opinions
MELENCIO-HERRERA, J., dissenting:
SO ORDERED.
Muoz Palma, etc., et al., 104 Phil. 582, 586, Justice J.B.L.
the Civil Code. In the first place, the proceedings under the
Compensation
B.
add:
S.S., p. 713.)
employee
provision:
under the Civil Code for injuries compensable under the Act.
made for remedies other than within the Act itself. Thus,
Section 6. That that was not done shows the legislative intent
the employer under the Act, or under the Civil Code, should the
[1938]).
"the mere relation of the master and the servant never can
related injuries.
compensation.
receive the total damages for his pain and suffering which he
working class.
viewpoint. ....
other particulars.
63-65).
trust fund and many other interrelated parts have all been
followed.
Separate Opinions
MELENCIO-HERRERA, J., dissenting:
Fund will still have to bear the cost of damage suits or get
SPECIAL LAWS.
election, This was not done in the case before the Court.
B.
add:
S.S., p. 713.)
provision:
the Civil Code, the legislator could very easily have formulated
the said first paragraph of Section 5 according to the pattern of
Section 6. That that was not done shows the legislative intent
not to allow any option to an employee to sue the employer
under the Civil Code for injuries compensable under the Act.
5. There should be no question but that the original first
paragraph of Section 5 of the Workmen's Compensation Act,
formulated in 1927, provided that an injured worker or
employee, or his heirs, if entitled to compensation under the
Act, cannot have independent recourse neither to the Civil
Code nor to any other law relative to the liability of the
employer. After 1927, there were occasions when the legislator
had the opportunity to amend the first paragraph of Section 5
such that the remedies under the Act would not be exclusive;
yet, the legislator refrained from doing so. That shows the
legislatives continuing intent to maintain the exclusory
provision of the first paragraph of Section 5 unless otherwise
provided in the Act itself.
[1938]).
employer was not negligent. Based on that thinking, Section 4A 1 was included into the Act, on June 20, 1952, through RA
772. Said Section 4-A increased the compensation payable by
50% in case there was negligence on the part of the employer.
the part of the employer, to sue the latter under the provisions
was either negligent or in bad faith, that his injury was caused
by the employer and not a fellow worker, and that he was not
guilty of contributory negligence. The employer could employ
not only his wealth in defeating the claim for damages but a
"the mere relation of the master and the servant never can
related injuries.
compensation.
receive the total damages for his pain and suffering which he
working class.
viewpoint. ....
other particulars.
63-65).
trust fund and many other interrelated parts have all been
followed.