Q:DoestheCCcontainsaneffectivityclause?

A:Yes.Oneyearafteritspublication,thecodetook
effect.
Q:WhendoestheCCtookeffect?
A:August30,1950
BooksoftheCivilCode
(a)BookIPersons(NoteBookIiscalled
PersonsinsteadofPersonsandFamilyRelations
becausejuridicalpersonssuchascorporations,which
arelikewisereferredtoinBookI,haveNOfamilies.)
(b)BookIIProperty,Ownership,andits
Modifications
(c)BookIIIDifferentModesofAcquiring
Ownership
(d)BookIVObligationsandContracts:Other
Parts:
1)PreliminaryTitle
2)HumanRelations
3)TransitionalProvisions
4)RepealingClause
Whendoeslawtakeeffect?
Lawsshalltakeeffectafterfifteendaysfollowing
thecompletionoftheirpublicationintheOfficial
Gazette,unlessitisotherwiseprovided.ThisCode
shalltakeeffectoneyearaftersuchpublication.
Twokindsoflaw
(a)Anordinarylaw
(b)TheCivilCode
Art.3.Ignoranceofthelawexcusesnoonefrom
compliancetherewith.
Presumption:Everypersonispresumedtoknowthe
law,sincethegovernmenthasalreadycomplied
withtherequirementofpublication.
EXC.:
1.Ignoranceoffactmayexcuseapartyfromthe
legalconsequencesofhisconduct.(Ignoratia
Facti)
Ex.Ignoranceofforeignlawisamistakeoffact.
2.Mistakeastodifficultquestionswhichisthe
sameasmistakeoffact.
Art.4.Lawsshallhavenoretroactiveeffect,unless
thecontraryisprovided.
Examples:
CaseofRobinPadillatherewasabillproposed
reducingthesentenceofillegalpossessionoffirearms.
ThebillwasauthoredbySenatorRamonRevilla,Sr..
ThePresidentdecidedtoremovethedeathpenalty.
Convictswhoareinthedeathrowwerenotpunished
becauseofthelaw.
Art.5.
MandatoryorProhibitoryLaws
Kindsofmandatorylegislation
(a)Positivewhensomethingmustbedone
(b)Negativeorprohibitorywhensomethingshould
notbedone

Example:Generally,inordertobevalid,asimple
donationintervivosofaparceloflandmustbeina
publicinstrument.Iforallymade,orifeffectuatedina
privateinstrument,thedonationisnullandvoid.
Art.6.Rightsmaybewaived,unlessthewaiveris
contrarytolaw,publicorder,publicpolicy,morals,
orgoodcustoms,orprejudicialtoathirdperson
witharightrecognizedbylaw.
Art.7.
EXAMPLE:LawAisexpresslyrepealedbyLawB.If
LawBisitselfrepealedbyLawC,isLawArevived?
No,unlessLawCexpresslysoprovides.
EXAMPLE:LawAisimpliedlyrepealedbyLawB.
LawBislaterrepealedbyLawC.IsLawArevived?
Yes,unlessLawCprovidesotherwise.
Art.8.
AreJudicialDecisionslaws?
Whileitistruethatdecisionswhichapplyorinterpret
theConstitutionorthelawsarepartofthelegalsystem
ofthePhilippinesstilltheyareNOTlaws,ifthiswere
so,thecourtswouldbeallowedtolegislatecontraryto
theprincipleofseparationofpowers.
Judicialdecisions,thoughnotlaws,areevidence,
however,ofwhatthelawsmean,andthisiswhythey
arepartofthelegalsystemofthePhilippines
DoctrineofStareDecisis
adherencetoprecedents,statesthatonceacasehas
beendecidedoneway,thenanothercase,involving
exactlythesamepointatissue,shouldbedecidedinthe
samemanner.
ObiterDicta
opinionsnotnecessarytothedeterminationofacase.
Theyarenotbinding,andcannothavetheforceof
judicialprecedents
HowJudicialDecisionsMayBeAbrogated?
ByacontraryrulingbytheSupremeCourtitself
BycorrectivelegislativeactsofCongress
IsThereaPhilippineCommonLaw?
Ingeneral,thePhilippinesisnotacommonlaw
country.Butifwhatismeantbythephraseiscaselaw,
basedalmostexclusivelyonAngloAmerican
commonlawwhichisnotinconflictwithlocallaws,
customsandconstitution,thenwehavesomesortof
PhilippineCommonLawacommonlawthat
supplementsandamplifiesourstatutelaw
Art.9.
Ajudgemustgiveadecision,whetherheknowswhat
lawtoapplyornot.
DoesArt.9ApplytoCriminalCases?
Inaway,yes.True,anoffenseisnotacrimeunless
prohibitedandpunishedbythelaw,applyingtherule
nullumcrimen,nullapoenasinelege(thereisno
crimeandthereisnopenaltyintheabsenceoflaw)

Art.10.Incaseofdoubtintheinterpretationor
applicationoflaws,itispresumedthatthe
lawmakingbodyintendedrightandjusticeto
prevail.
DuraLexSedLex
Thelawmaybeharsh,butitisstillthelaw.
Custom
Acustomisaruleofhumanaction(conduct)
establishedbyrepeatedacts,anduniformlyobservedor
practicedasaruleofsociety,thrutheimplicitapproval
ofthelawmakers,andwhichisthereforegenerally
obligatoryandlegallybinding
RequisitesBeforetheCourtscanConsiderCustoms
(a)Acustommustbeprovedasafact,accordingtothe
rulesofevidence;otherwise,thecustomcannotbe
consideredasasourceofright.
(b)Thecustommustnotbecontrarytolaw(contra
legem),publicorder,orpublicpolicy.
(c)Theremustbeanumberofrepeatedacts.
(d)Therepeatedactsmusthavebeenuniformly
performed.
(e)Theremustbeajuridicalintention(convictiojuris
seunecessitatis)tomakearuleofsocialconduct,
f)Theremustbeasufficientlapseoftime
LawDistinguishedfromCustom
Whileordinarilyalawiswritten,consciouslymade,
andenactedbyCongress,acustomisunwritten,
spontaneous,andcomesfromsociety.Moreover,alaw
issuperiortoacustomasasourceofright.
Art.12.Acustommustbeprovedasafact,
accordingtotherulesofevidence
KindsofCustoms
(a)Ageneralcustomisthatofacountry;acustomof
theplaceisonewhereanacttranspires.
(b)Acustommaybepropterlegem(inaccordance
withlaw)orcontralegem(againstthelaw).
Art.14.Penallawsandthoseofpublicsecurityand
safetyshallbeobligatoryuponallwholiveor
sojourninPhilippineterritory,subjecttothe
principlesofpublicinternationallawandtotreaty
stipulations.
Art.15.Lawsrelatingtofamilyrightsanddutiesor
tothestatus,conditionandlegalcapacityofpersons
arebindinguponcitizensofthePhilippines,even
thoughlivingabroad.
(a)Familyrightsandduties
(b)Status;
(c)Condition;
(d)Legalcapacity
Art.16
(LexReiSitae)

Property,whetherrealorpersonal,isasarulegoverned
bythelexreisitae(lawoftheplacewheretheproperty
issituated).
Example:
FACTS:Thesaleofsharesofthecapitalstockofthe
PampangaSugarMillswasnegotiated,perfected,and
consummatedinSanFrancisco,California.
ISSUE:MayourGovernmentimposeincometaxon
saidsale?HELD:No,sinceallthefactors
(negotiation,perfectionandconsummation)took
placeinCalifornia
XPN
(a)Orderofsuccession.
(b)Amountofsuccessionalrights.
(c)Intrinsicvalidityoftheprovisionsofawill
(d)Capacitytosucceed.
Example:IncountryX,evenrecognizedillegitimate
childrenarenotallowedtoinherit.Acitizenof
countryXdiesinthePhilippines,withsomeofhis
parcelsoflandlocatedinourcountry.Underourlaws,
recognizedillegitimatechildrencaninherit.WillY,a
recognizedillegitimatechildofthedeceased,be
entitledtoinherit?
ANSWER:No,becauseunderthelawofhisfathers
country,hehasnorighttoinherit.Thisissoevenif
thelandsarefoundinthePhilippines.Whatshould
controlisthenationallawofthedeceased.
TheRenvoiProblem
Renvoiliterallymeansareferringback;theproblem
ariseswhenthereisadoubtastowhetherareference
inourlawtoaforeignlaw
(a)isareferencetotheINTERNALlawofsaid
foreignlaw;or
(b)isareferencetotheWHOLEoftheforeignlaw,
includingitsCONFLICTSRULES.
FACTS:
AmosG.Belliswasacitizenandresidentof
Texasatthetimeofhisdeath.Beforehedied,he
madetwowills,onedisposingofhisTexasproperties,
theother,disposingofhisPhilippineproperties.In
bothwills,hisrecognizedillegitimatechildrenwere
notgivenanything.Texashasnoconflictsrule(rule
ofPrivateInternationalLaw)governingsuccessional
rights.Furthermore,underTexasLaw,thereareno
compulsoryheirsandthereforenolegitimes.The
illegitimatechildrenopposedthewillsontheground
thattheyhavebeendeprivedoftheirlegitimes(to
whichtheywouldbeentitled,ifPhilippinelawwere
toapply).
ISSUE:Aretheyentitledtotheirlegitimes?
HELD:
(1)SaidchildrenareNOTentitledtotheirlegitimes
forunderTexasLawwhichwemustapply
(becauseitisthenationallawofthedeceased),there
arenolegitimes
(2)Therenvoidoctrine,appliedinTestateEstateof
thechildren,cannotbeapplied.Saiddoctrineis
usuallypertinentwherethedecedentisanationalof
onecountry,andadomiciliaryofTexasatthetimeof
hisdeath.SothatevenassumingthatTexashasa

conflictsoflawruleprovidingthatthelawofthe
domicileshouldgovern,thesamewouldnotresultin
areferenceback(renvoi)toPhilippinelaw,butwould
stillrefertoTexaslawbecausethedeceasedwas
BOTHacitizenandadomiciliaryofTexas.
Nonetheless,ifTexashasaconflictsruleadoptingthe
situstheory(lexreisitae)callingfortheapplicationof
thelawoftheplacewherethepropertiesaresituated,
renvoiwouldarise,sincethepropertieshereinvolved
arefoundinthePhilippines.
Art.17
LexLociCelebrationis
FACTS:Apowerofattorneywasexecutedin
Germanygivingtherecipientauthoritytobringan
actioninthePhilippines.Saidpowerofattorneywas
notauthenticatedbyanotarypublic.InGermany,no
suchauthenticationwasneeded,contraryto
Philippinerules.
Question:Wasthepowerofattorneyproperlymade
insofarasformwasconcerned?
HELD:Yes,becauseitwasexecutedinGermany.
Thereisnoreasonwhythelexlocicelebrationis
shouldnotapply.
RuleofExterritoriality
Eveniftheactbedoneabroad,stillifexecutedbefore
Philippinediplomaticandconsularofficials,the
solemnitiesofPhilippinelawsshallbeobserved.The
theoryisthattheactisbeingdonewithinan
extensionofPhilippineterritory(theprincipleof
exterritoriality).
Art.18.Inmatterswhicharegovernedbythe
Codeof
Commerceandspeciallaws,theirdeficiencyshall
besuppliedbytheprovisionsofthisCode.
RuleinCaseofConflictBetweentheCivilCodeand
OtherLawsIncaseofconflictwiththeCodeof
Commerceorspeciallaws,theCivilCodeshallonly
besuppletory,exceptifotherwiseprovidedforunder
theCivilCode.Ingeneral,therefore,incaseof
conflict,thespeciallawprevailsovertheCivilCode,
whichisgeneralinnature.
Example:
FACTS:Aappliedforalifeannuity.Theinsurance
companyaccepted,andintendedtomailits
acceptance,butneveractuallymailedthesame.Sothe
applicantneverreceivedtheletterofacceptance.
Later,theapplicantdied.Wasthecontractever
perfected?
HELD:No,becauseacceptancewasnevermade
knowntotheapplicant.ThisruleintheCivilCode,
whichrequiresknowledgebytheofferorofthe
acceptance,canbeappliedbecausetheInsuranceLaw
(aspeciallaw)containsnoruleonthematter.Inother
words,theCivilCodecansupplythedeficiency.

Art.19.Everypersonmust,intheexerciseofhis
rightsandintheperformanceofhisduties,act
withjustice,giveeveryonehisdue,andobserve
honestyandgoodfaith.
Achapteronhumanrelationswasformulatedto
presentsomebasicprinciplesthataretobeobserved
fortherightfulrelationshipbetweenhumanbeings
andthestabilityofthesocialorder.
Example
Aninstitutionoflearninghasacontractualobligation
toaffordtostudentsafairopportunitytocompletethe
coursetheyseektopursue,butwhenastudent
commitsaseriousbreachofdisciplineorfailsto
maintaintherequiredacademicstandard,heforfeits
hiscontractualright.
Honestycarefulregardforothersrightsand
property.
Goodfaithhonestintentiontoavoidtakingundue
advantageofanother
Art.20.Everypersonwho,contrarytolaw,
willfullyornegligentlycausesdamagetoanother,
shallindemnifythelatterforthesame.
Astudentwillfullyhumiliatesaprofessor,causingher
tohaveanervousbreakdown.Thiswouldbecontrary
togoodcustomsandmorals,andtheprofessorcansue
fordamages.
Article21DistinguishedfromArticle20
(a)InArt.21Theactiscontrarytomorals,good
customs,orpublicpolicy.InArt.20Theactis
contrarytolaw.
(b)InArt.21Theactisdonewillfully.
[NOTE:Willfulmaymeannotmerelyvoluntarily
butwithabadpurpose.Theactisdoneeither
willfullyornegligently
ExampleAstudentwillfullyhumiliatesaprofessor,
causinghertohaveanervousbreakdown.Thiswould
becontrarytogoodcustomsandmorals,andthe
professorcansuefordamages.
CanThereBeAnActionforBreachofPromiseto
Marry?
(a)Fortherecoveryofactualdamages,yes.
A,amarriedman,andB,anunmarriedwoman,
enteredintoawrittenagreementtomarryeachother
whenAbecomesawidower.Afterbecominga
widower,Amarriedanotherwoman.CanBsueAfor
breachofpromise?
No,insofarasmoraldamagesareconcerned.
Moreover,toengageinsuchapromiseduringthe
lifetimeofanothersspousewouldbecontraryto
goodmoralsandgoodcustoms,andtheagreement,
evenonthatgroundalone,mustbeconsideredvoid.

Inanactionbasedonabreachofpromiseto
marry,whatrightshastheaggrievedpartyin
cases:
(a)Whentherehasbeencarnalknowledge?
(b)WhentherehasbeenNOcarnalknowledge?
ANSWER:
(a)Whentherehasbeencarnalknowledge,the
aggrievedpartymay:
1)asktheothertorecognizethechild,shouldthere
beone,andgivesupporttosaidchild.
2)sueformoraldamages,iftherebecriminalor
moralseduction,butnotiftheintercoursewasdueto
mutuallust.(Inotherwords,iftheCAUSEbethe
promisetomarry,andtheEFFECTbethecarnal
knowledge,thereisachancethattherewascriminal
ormoralseduction,hence,recoveryofmoraldamages
willprosper.Ifitbetheotherwayaround,therecan
benorecoveryofmoraldamages,becausehere
mutuallusthasintervened).However,moraldamages
mayberecoveredbythegirliftheman,inhiseffort
tomakethegirlwithdrawasuitforsupportofthe
child,deliberatelycallstheattentionofthegirls
employertoherconditionasanunwedmothera
maneuvercausinghermentalanguishandeven
physicalillnessandsuffering.
3)sueforACTUALdamages,shouldtherebeany,
suchastheexpensesfortheweddingpreparations.
(b)WhentherehasbeenNOcarnalknowledge,there
maybeanactionforactualandmoraldamagesunder
CERTAINconditions,aswhentherehasbeena
deliberatedesiretoinflictlossorinjury,orwhenthere
hasbeenanevidentabuseofaright.Thus,amanwho
deliberatelyfailstoappearatthealtarduringthe
scheduledweddingsimplybecauseitwashis
intentiontoembarrassorhumiliatethegirlnodoubt
inflictsirreparableinjurytoherhonorandreputation,
woundsherfeelings,andleadsthewayforher
possiblesocialostracism.Thegirlinsuchacasecan
recovernotonlyactualbutalsomoralandexemplary
damages.
Art.22.Everypersonwhothroughanactof
performancebyanother,oranyothermeans,
acquiresorcomesintopossessionofsomethingat
theexpenseofthelatterwithoutjustorlegal
ground,shallreturnthesametohim.
Example:
AowedBasumofmoneyevidencedbyapromissory
note.Atmaturity,Apaid,andareceiptwasgiven
him.Whenlateronhewasagainaskedtopay,he
couldnotfindthereceipt,sotoavoidtroublehepaid
again.Subsequently,hefoundthemissingreceipt.
Canhenowgetbackwhathehadintentionally(but
unwillingly)paid?
ANSWER:Yes,inviewofArt.22,which
incidentallytreatsofanaccioninremverso.
Art.23.Evenwhenanactoreventcausingdamage
toanotherspropertywasnotduetothefaultor
negligenceofthedefendant,thelattershallbe

liableforindemnityifthroughtheactoreventhe
wasbenefited.
Example:
WithoutAsknowledge,aflooddriveshiscattleto
the
cultivatedhighlandofB.Ascattlearesaved,butBs
cropsare
destroyed.True,Awasnotatfault,buthewas
benefited.It
isbutrightandequitablethatheshouldindemnifyB.
Art.24.Inallcontractual,propertyorother
relations,whenoneofthepartiesisata
disadvantageonaccountofhismoraldependence,
ignorance,indigence,mentalweakness,tenderage
orotherhandicap,thecourtsmustbevigilantfor
hisprotection.
FACTS:
WhenL,ablindmanwashired,hisemployersknew
ofhisphysicaldefect.Formanyyears,hedidhis
workefficiently.Later,thecompanydismissedhim
onaccountofhisblindness,asrecommendedbythe
companyphysician,allegingitwasdangerousforhim
towork(inthestreets)becausehemightbestruck
downbypassingvehicles.Wasthedismissalproper?
HELD:No.Whileanemployercanordinarilychoose
andfireemployeeswithoutinterference,thisright
shouldnotbeabusedorexercisedcapriciously,with
referencetoaworkerwhohasworkedfaithfullyand
satisfactorilywithadefectvisibleandknown;for
otherwiseinfuturesimilarcasestheexerciseofsuch
rightmightbeabusedandusedasadisguisefor
dismissinganemployeeforunionadherence
Art.25.Thoughtlessextravaganceinexpensesfor
pleasureordisplayduringaperiodofacutepublic
wantoremergencymaybestoppedbyorderofthe
courtsattheinstanceofanygovernmentorprivate
charitableinstitution.
Art.26
Example:
Intriguingtocauseanothertobealienatedfromhis
friendsincludesgossiping,andrelianceonhearsay
Art.27
1)thepabagsakthegiftgivensothatanillegal
thingmaybedone.
2)thepampadulasthegiftgiventofacilitateor
expeditethedoingofalegalthing.
3)thepampasalamatthegiftgivenin
appreciationofathingalreadydone.
Example:
AgoestoagovernmentofficewhereB,an
administrativeclerk,insteadofattendingtoA(upon
Asrequest)justreadsthenewspaper.IfAsuffers
materialormoralloss,Bwillbeliable.Also,ifB
refusestoperformhisdutyunlessgivenabribe,

damagesmaybeaskedofhiminadditiontothe
propercriminalandadministrativeliabilities
Art.28.Unfaircompetitioninagricultural,
commercialorindustrialenterprisesorinlabor
throughtheuseofforce,intimidation,deceit,
machinationoranyotherunjust,oppressiveorhigh
handedmethodshallgiverisetoarightofactionby
thepersonwhotherebysuffersdamages.
Art.29
Art.29doesnotspeakofanindependentcivil
action.
Example:
Awasaccusedoftheft,buthewasacquittedbecause
hisguilthadnotbeenprovedbeyondreasonable
doubt.B,theoffendedparty,caninstitutethecivil
actionfordamagesforthesameactandthistime,
merepreponderanceofevidenceissufficient.
Art.30.Whenaseparatecivilactionisbroughtto
demandcivilliabilityarisingfromacriminaloffense,
andnocriminalproceedingsareinstitutedduringthe
pendencyofthecivilcase,apreponderanceof
evidenceshalllikewisebesufficienttoprovetheact
complainedof.
AaccusedBofstealinghis(As)watch,andsohe(A)
broughtacivilactionagainstBtogetthewatchand
damages.Ifthefiscalinstitutescriminalproceeding
againstBthecivilcaseissuspendedinthemeantime,
thiscasenotbeingoneofthoseforwhichtherecanbe
anindependentcivilaction.Butifthefiscaldoesnot,
thenthecivilcasecontinues,andhere,amere
preponderanceofevidencewouldbesufficientto
enableAtorecover.
Art.31.Whenthecivilactionisbasedonan
obligationnotarisingfromtheactoromission
complainedofasafelony,suchcivilactionmay
proceedindependentlyofthecriminalproceedings
andregardlessoftheresultofthelatter.
Independentcivilaction
isonethatisbroughtdistinctlyandseparatelyfroma
criminalcaseallowedforconsiderationsofpublic
policy,bec190ausetheproofneededforcivilcasesis
LESSthanthatrequiredforcriminalcases;butwith
theinjunctioningeneralthatsuccessinfinancially
recoveringinonecaseshouldpreventarecoveryof
damagesintheother.
InstancesWhentheLawGrantsanIndependent
CivilAction
(a)Art.32(breachofconstitutionalandother
rights)
(b)Art.33(defamation,fraud,physicalinjuries)
(c)Art.34(refusalorfailureofcityormunicipal
policetogiveprotection)
(d)Art.2177(quasidelictorculpaaquiliana)
Example:

Acivilactionforrecoveryofgovernmentfundsin
thehandsofapostmastercanprosperindependently
ofachargeofmalversation,sinceinthefirst,the
obligationarisesfromlaw(exlege),whileinthe
secondtheobligationtoreturnthemoneyarisesex
delicto.Acivilcomplaintforseparationofproperty
cancontinueevenifacriminalactionforconcubinage
issubsequentlyfiled.Whileitistruethatthefirstis
notaprejudicialquestionforthedeterminationofthe
latter,stillitiscompletelyDIFFERENTfromthe
second.
Art.32
BillofRights
TheArticleallowsanindependentcivilaction,
whetherornotacrimehasbeencommitted,with
indemnificationformoralandexemplarydamagesin
additiontootherdamages.Inthecaseofexemplary
damages,awardthereofisdiscretionarywiththe
Court.
FACTS:Personsapprehendedandimprisoned
withoutchargesduringtheMartialLawregime,upon
theirreleaseafteranewadministrationtookover,fi
ledsuitsfordamagesagainstGeneralFabianVerand
companywhoeffectedtheirarrestanddetention.
HELD:Art.32,whichrendersanypublicofficeror
employeeoranypublicindividualliableindamages
forviolatingtheconstitutionalrightsandlibertiesof
another,asenumeratedtherein,doesnotexempt
militaryofficialsandofficersfromresponsibility.
Art.33speaksof:
(a)Defamation(orlibelorslanderorintrigueagainst
honor)
(b)Fraud(orestafaorswindling)
(c)Physicalinjuriesincludingconsummated,
frustratedandattemptedmurder,parricide,infanticide
solongastherewasphysicalinjury.
UnderArt.33oftheCivilCode,evenwithouta
reservation,aninjuredpersoncanprosecutehiscivil
actionfordamagesfromthephysicalinjuries
separatelyandindependentlyofthecriminalaction
andwouldrequireonlyapreponderanceofevidence
tosupporthisaction.Suchseparateandindependent
civilactionunderthecitedcodalarticleproceedsto
trialandfinaljudgmentirrespectiveoftheresultof
thecriminalaction.
Art.34
IndependentCivilActionfortheLiabilityofCityor
MunicipalPoliceForce
(a)Primaryliabilityisassessedagainstthememberof
thepoliceforcewhorefusesorfailstorenderaidor
protection.
(b)Subsidiaryliabilityisimposedonthecityor
municipalityconcernedincaseofinsolvency.
SinceArt.34speaksmerelyofacityormunicipal
policeforce,itwouldseemthattheanswerisinthe
negative.
Art.35

RuleifNoIndependentCivilActionIsGrantedThis
Articleappliestocaseswhenthereisnoindependent
civilaction(suchaswhentheliabilitysoughttobe
recoveredarisesfromacrime);
andnottoatortiousactionsuchasthatprovidedfor
underArt.33.
ExampleAwomanaccusedherclassmateof
committingagainstherthecrimeofunintentional
abortion.Butthefiscalrefusedtoinstitutecriminal
proceedings.Shemaybringacivilactionfordamages
againsttheallegedoffender,butifinthecourseofthe
trial,aninformationshouldbepresentedbythefi
scal,chargingtheclassmatewiththecrime,thecivil
actionshallbesuspendeduntiltheterminationofthe
criminalproceedings.
Art.36.Prejudicialquestions,whichmustbe
decidedbeforeanycriminalprosecutionmaybe
institutedormayproceed,shallbegovernedby
rulesofcourtwhichtheSupremeCourtshall
promulgateandwhichshallnotbeinconflictwith
theprovisionsofthisCode.
Aprejudicialquestionisonewhichmustbedecided
firstbeforeacriminalactionmaybeinstitutedormay
proceedbecauseadecisionthereinisvitaltothe
judgmentinthecriminalcase.
Theprejudicialquestionmustbedeterminativeofthe
casebeforetheCourt;thisisthefirstelement.
Jurisdictiontotrysaidquestionmustbelodgedin
anothertribunal;thisisthesecondelement
Foracivilcasetobeconsideredprejudicialtoa
criminalactionastocausethesuspensionofthelatter
pendingthefinaldeterminationoftheformer,itmust
appearnotonlythatthecivilcaseinvolvesthesame
factsuponwhichthecriminalprosecutionwouldbe
based,butalsothatintheresolutionoftheissues
raisedinsaidcivilaction,theguiltorinnocenceofthe
accusedwouldnecessarilybedetermined
Thecivilactionfornullitymustfirstbedecided
beforetheactionforbigamycanproceed;hence,the
validityofthefirstmarriageisaprejudicialquestion.
Aprejudicialquestionisaquestionwhichisbased
onafactdistinctandseparatefromthecrimebutso
intimatelyconnectedwithitthatitsresolutionis
determinativeoftheguiltorinnocenceoftheaccused.
Itmustappearnotonlythatthecivilcaseinvolves
factsintimatelyrelatedtothoseuponwhichthe
criminalprosecutionisbasedbutalsothatthe
decisionoftheissueorissuesraisedinthecivilcase
wouldbedecisiveoftheguiltorinnocenceofthe
accused.

RequisitesofPrejudicialQuestions
(a)thecivilcaseinvolvesfactsintimatelyrelatedto
thoseuponwhichthecriminalprosecutionwouldbe
based;
(b)intheresolutionoftheissueorissuesraisedinthe
civil
actions,theguiltorinnocenceoftheaccusedwould
necessarilybedetermined;and
(c)jurisdictiontotry,saidquestionmustbelodgedin
anothertribunal.
Example:
AwaslawfullymarriedtoB.Atthepointofagun,A
wasthreatenedifhewouldnotmarryC.SoAmarried
C.Outofjealousy,Baskedthefiscaltofilebigamy
chargesagainstA,whohadinthemeantimeasked
thatthesecondmarriagebeannulledinviewofthe
intimidationcommittedonhim.Shouldthecriminal
actionproceedatonce?
ANSWER:No.Forthedecisioninthecivilcase
wouldaffectAscriminalliability,andthistherefore
isaprejudicialquestion
(1)Personanybeing,naturalorartificial,capable
ofpossessinglegalrightsandobligations.
(2)TwoKindsofPersons
(a)NaturalpersonshumanbeingscreatedbyGod
throughtheinterventionoftheparents.
(b)Juridicalpersonsthosecreatedbylaw
Art.37.Juridicalcapacity,whichisthefitnessto
bethesubjectoflegalrelations,isinherentin
everynaturalpersonandislostonlythrough
death.Capacitytoact,whichisthepowertodo
actswithlegaleffect,isacquiredandmaybelost.
JuridicalCapacitythefitnesstobethesubjectof
legalrelations.
CapacitytoActthepowertodoactswithlegal
effect.