RFBT Quicknotes Laco
RFBT Quicknotes Laco
Law on Obligation
1. Definition of Obligation: Article 1156 of the Civil Code defines an obligation as a juridical necessity to
give, to do or not to do.
a. An active subject, who has the power to demand prestation, also known as the obligee or
creditor.
b. A passive subject, who is bound to perform the prestation, also known as the obligor or
debtor.
d. Efficient cause, the tie which binds the parties to the obligation, also known as juridical tie or
vinculum.
i. Examples of juridical tie or vinculum
1. Relation established by law
2. Relation established by contract
3. Relation established by quasi-contract
4. Relation established quasi-delict or culpa aquiliania or tort
5. Relation established by crime or delict
I. Civil obligations derive their binding force from positive law or substantive law, while natural
obligations derive their binding effect from equity and natural justice.
II. Civil obligations can be enforced by court action or the coercive power of public authority,
while the fulfilment of natural obligations cannot be compelled by court action but depends
exclusively upon the good conscience of the debtor. However, voluntarily fulfilment of natural
obligation by the debtor will preclude him from asking for reimbursement from the creditor of
the amount he has voluntarily paid.
a. Law refers to the principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and
applicable to its people, whether in the form of legislation or of custom and policies recognized
and enforced by judicial decision.
i. Only obligations expressly determined in the Civil Code or in special laws are
demandable.
ii. The obligations derived from law are never presumed.
iii. The law cannot exist as a source of obligations, unless the acts to which its principles
may be applied exist.
iv. The obligations and correlative rights arising from law shall be governed by the law by
which they are created.
b. Contract is a meeting of minds between two persons whereby one binds himself, with respect
to the other, to give something or to render some service.
i. Obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between contracting parties.
ii. Obligations arising from contracts should be complied with in good faith.
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c. Quasi-contract is a juridical relation which arises from certain lawful, voluntary and unilateral
acts, to the end that no one may be unjustly enriched or benefited at the expense of another.
2. Solutio Indebiti refers to the juridical relation which is created when something
is received when there is no right to demand it and it was unduly delivered
through mistake.
i. Nature of Liability of Payees in Solutio Indebiti - The liability is solidary.
i. Persons who are exempted from criminal liability but still civilly liable for their
crime committed
1. An imbecile or insane person.
2. A person under 18 of age.
3. Any person who acts under the compulsion of an irresistible force.
4. Any person who acts under the impulse of an uncontrollable fear of an equal or
greater injury.
ii. Persons who are exempt from criminal liability and civil liability
1. Any person who acts in self-defense.
2. Any person who acts in the performance of his duties or obligations.
3. Any person suffering from battered woman syndrome.
b. Obligation to deliver the fruits of the determinate thing if the fruits occur after the
obligation to deliver the determinate thing arises.
i. Accessories refer to those which destined for the embellishment, use or their
preservation of another thing or more importance, have for their object the completion of
the latter for which they are indispensable or convenient.
ii. Accessions include everything which is produced by a thing, or which is incorporated or
attached thereto, either naturally or artificially.
9. Types of Rights of Creditor over the thing and its fruits (Moment the right is obtained)
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a. A real right is the power belonging to a person over a specific thing, without a passive subject
individually determined, against whom such right may be personally exercised. It refers to a
right that can be exercised against the whole world thereby allowing an action to recover the
ownership or possession of a specific thing regardless of the possessor of such thing. Real right
over a determinate thing is acquired from the moment of its actual or constructive delivery.
b. A personal right is the power belonging to one person to demand of another, as a definite
passive subject, the fulfillment of a prestation to give, to do or not to do. It refers to a right that
can be exercised only against a specific person thereby prohibiting an action to recover the
ownership or possession of a specific thing if already with a third person but only allows action
for damages against a specific person. Personal right over a determinate thing is acquired from
the moment provided by the Civil Code or Special Law.
10. General remedies available to creditor when the debtor fails to comply with his obligation
a. Action for specific performance with damages
b. Action to rescind the obligation with damages
c. Action for damages
11. Remedies of the creditor in the case the debtor fails to comply with his obligation to deliver a
determinate or specific thing
a. Action for specific performance in addition to damages under Article 1170
b. Action for damages if action for specific performance becomes legally impossible
12. Remedies of the creditor in the case the debtor fails to comply with his obligation to deliver an
indeterminate or generic thing
a. Action for specific performance with damages
b. He may ask the obligation to be complied with by a third person at the expense of the debtor
with damages.
13. Remedy of the creditor if the debtor fails to do the prestation in obligation to do
a. The creditor or third person may do it in a proper manner at the expense of the debtor.
14. In an obligation to do whereby only the debtor can do the thing, remedy of the creditor if the
debtor fails to do the prestation
a. Action for indemnification for damages
15. In case a public official or officer of a private corporation refuses to perform his ministerial duty,
remedy of the injured person
a. Special civil action of mandamus
16. In an obligation to do, remedy of the creditor in case the debtor did it in contravention of the
tenor of the obligation or did it poorly
a. The creditor or third person may do it in a proper manner or it may be decreed that what had
been poorly done be undone at the expense of the debtor.
17. In an obligation consisting in not doing, remedy of the creditor in case the debtor does what has
been forbidden him
a. It shall be undone at the expense of debtor with indemnification for damages.
18. Definition of Delay – Default – Mora refers to the non-fulfilment of the obligation with respect to time.
19. Requisites in order that the debtor may be in default or for debtor’s delay or mora to exist
a. The obligation must be demandable and already liquidated.
b. The debtor delays performance of the obligation.
c. The creditor demands the performance either judicially or extrajudicially.
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20. As a general rule, judicial or extrajudicial demand is necessary for delay to exist. However, the
following are the cxceptional instances when demand by the creditor shall not be necessary in
order that delay may exist
a. When the obligation expressly so declares that demand is excused or waived.
b. When the law expressly so declares that demand is excused or waived.
c. When from the nature and the circumstances of the obligation it appears that the designation of
the time when the thing is to be delivered or the service is to be rendered was a controlling
motive for the establishment of the contract.
d. When demand would be useless, as when the obligor has rendered it beyond his power to
perform.
23. Grounds for damages in the performance of obligation under Article 1170 or Grounds for breach
of contract
a. Fraud – Dolo refers to the deliberate and intentional evasion of the normal fulfilment of
obligations.
b. Negligence - Fault – Culpa is the failure to observe for the protection of the interests of
another person, that degree of care, precaution and vigilance which the circumstances justly
demand, whereby such person suffers injury.
c. Delay – Default – Mora refers to the non-fulfilment of the obligation with respect to time.
d. Contravention of the tenor of obligation refers to illicit act which impairs the strict and faithful
fulfilment of the obligation or every kind of defective performance.
28. In order to satisfy their claims against the debtor, the unpaid creditor has the following
successive rights in order of priority after prevailing in the civil action for exact fulfillment
a. To levy by attachment and execution upon all the property of the debtor including garnishment
of bank deposits, except such as exempt by law from execution.
b. To exercise all rights and actions of the debtor, except such as are inherently personal to him.
(Accion subrogatoria)
c. To ask for the rescission of the contracts made by the debtor in fraud of his rights. (Accion
pauliana)
d. To file an action for damages against the third person who acquired the property of debtor in
bad faith.
35. Conditions that annul the obligation which depends upon them for their existence
a. Impossible conditions
b. Suspensive conditions which depend upon sole will of debtor
c. Conditions contrary to good customs or public policy
d. Conditions prohibited by law
36. Effect if the obligor voluntarily prevented the fulfillment of the condition of an obligation subject
to a suspensive condition
a. The suspensive condition shall be deemed fulfilled and the obligation becomes demandable.
37. Retroactive effect of fulfillment of suspensive condition in conditional obligation to give subject
a suspensive condition
a. It shall retroact to the day of the constitution of the obligation once the condition has been
fulfilled.
38. Effects of fulfillment of condition on the determinate thing's fruits occurring during the
pendency of the condition
a. In conditional reciprocal obligation, the fruits and interests during the pendency of the condition
shall be deemed to have been mutually compensated.
b. In conditional unilateral obligation to give or unilateral obligation to give subject to a period, the
fruits shall inure to the sole benefit of the debtor whether the condition is suspensive or
resolutory in the absence of stipulation to the contrary.
c. In conditional obligation to do or not to do, the courts shall determine, in each case, the
retroactive effect to the fruits of the condition that has been complied with taking into account
the agreement of the parties.
d. Before the fulfillment or pendency of the suspensive condition, the creditor may bring
appropriate actions for the preservation of his right regarding the fruits.
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39. Effects of payment or delivery by mistake in a condition subject to a suspensive condition or
suspensive period
a. If during the pendency of the suspensive condition, the debtor has paid by mistake a sum of
money, the debtor can recover the sum of money but with interests only if the creditor acted in
bad faith.
b. If during the pendency of the period in an obligation with a period, the debtor has paid by
mistake a sum of money, the debtor can recover the sum of money and with interests whether
the creditor acted in good faith or bad faith.
c. If during the pendency of the suspensive condition, the debtor has delivered a determinate or
specific thing by mistake, the debtor may file (1) an accion reinvidicatoria if the thing is still with
the creditor or (2) an action for indemnification for damages if the thing is no longer with the
creditor.
40. Rules to be observed in case of the improvement, loss or deterioration of the determinate thing
during the pendency of the suspensive condition in an obligation to give a determinate thing or
pendency of the suspensive period in obligation to give a determinate thing
a. If the thing is lost without the fault of the debtor, the obligation shall be extinguished.
b. If the thing is lost through the fault of the debtor, he shall be obliged to pay damages.
c. When the thing deteriorates without the fault of the debtor, the impairment is to be borne by the
creditor.
d. If the thing is improved by its nature, or by time, the improvement shall inure to the benefit of the
creditor.
e. If it is improved at the expense of the debtor, he shall have no other right than that granted to
the usufructuary which means that he shall only have the right to use the improved thing for a
reasonable period.
41. Alternative remedies of creditor when the determinate thing deteriorates through the fault of the
debtor during the pendency of the suspensive condition in an obligation to give a determinate
thing or suspensive period in an obligation to give a determinate thing
a. He may ask for the rescission of the obligation with indemnity for damages.
b. He may ask for the performance of the obligation with indemnity for damages.
44. Reciprocal obligation refers to a type of obligation which arises from the same cause and in which
each party is a debtor and creditor of the other, such than the obligation of one is dependent upon the
obligation of the other.
45. Right to ask for Rescission of Reciprocal Obligation by the Injured Party
a. The injured party can ask for judicial rescission of the obligations in case one of the obligors
should not comply with what is incumbent upon him because the power to rescind obligations is
implied in reciprocal ones.
48. Obligation with a period is an obligation which is subject to a space of time which, exerting an
influence on obligations as a consequence of a juridical act, suspends their demandability or
determines their extinguishment.
52. As a general rule, the court is not allowed to fix a period in an obligation. However, the following
are the exceptional instances wherein the court may fix the period of an obligation with a
period
a. If the obligation does not fix a period, but from its nature and the circumstances it can be
inferred that a period was intended.
b. If the period depends upon the sole will of the debtor.
c. In case of pure obligation, to prevent unreasonable interpretations of its immediate
demandability.
53. Instances wherein the debtor shall lose every right to make use of the period and therefore the
obligation with a period becomes due and demandable which allows the creditor to demand its
performance from the debtor
a. When after the obligation has been contracted, the debtor becomes insolvent and he does not
give a guaranty or security for the debt.
b. When the debtor does not furnish to the creditor the guaranties or securities which he has
promised.
c. When by debtor’s own acts he has impaired or destroyed said guaranties or securities after their
establishment, unless he immediately gives new one equally satisfactory.
d. When through a fortuitous event the guaranties or securities after their establishment
disappeared, unless the debtor immediately gives new one equally satisfactory.
e. When the debtor violates any undertaking, in consideration of which the creditor agreed to the
period.
f. When the debtor attempts to abscond.
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54. Alternative Obligation vs. Facultative Obligation vs. Conjunctive Obligation
a. Alternative Obligation is an obligation where the debtor is alternatively bound by different
prestations and it is extinguished by the complete performance of any of them.
b. Facultative Obligation is an obligation wherein only one prestation has been agreed upon but
the obligor may render another in substitution.
c. Conjunctive Obligation is an obligation where the debtor has to perform several prestations
and it is extinguished only by the performance of all of them.
a. Novation
b. Compensation
c. Confusion
d. Remission
a. Payment made by one of the solidary debtors extinguishes the obligation and if two or more
solidary debtors offer to pay, the creditor may choose which offer to accept.
b. He who made the payment may claim from his co-debtors only the share which corresponds to
each with the interest for the payment already made.
c. If payment is made before the debt is due, no interest for the intervening period may be
demanded.
d. When one of the solidary debtors cannot, because of his insolvency, reimburse his share to the
debtor paying the obligation, such shall be borne by the paying debtor and the other co-debtors
pro-rata.
e. Payment by a solidary debtor shall not entitle him to reimbursement from his co-debtors if such
payment is made after the obligation has prescribed or become illegal.
f. The remission made by the creditor of the share which affects one of the solidary debtors does
not release the latter from his responsibility towards the co-debtors, in case the debt had been
totally paid by anyone of them before the remission was effected.
g. The remission of the whole obligation, obtained by one the solidary debtors, does not entitle him
to reimbursement from his co-debtors.
h. If the thing has been lost or if the prestation has become impossible without the fault of the
solidary debtors, the obligation shall be extinguished.
62. Defenses that may be availed of by the solidary debtor in actions filed by the creditor
a. Defenses which are inherent from the nature of the solidary obligation
b. Defenses personal to defendant-debtor for the whole amount of the obligation
c. Defenses personal to other debtors as regards that part of the debt for which the latter are
responsible
a. Divisible Obligation is one which is susceptible of partial performance; that is, the debtor can
legally perform the obligation by parts and the creditor cannot demand a single performance of
the entire obligation.
b. Indivisible Obligation is one which is not susceptible of partial performance or the law provides
that the performance of the obligation is indivisible or the contract provides that the performance
of the obligation is indivisible.
66. Obligation with a penal clause is an obligation which has an accessory undertaking to assume
greater liability in case of breach. The penalty is also known as liquidated damages which are stipulated
or predetermined by the contracting parties.
67. Principles pertaining to obligations with a penal clause
a. The debtor does not have absolute right to just pay the penalty for non-performance of the
obligation instead of fulfilling the obligation.
b. The penalty stipulated must not be contrary to law, morals, or public order to be enforceable.
c. Obligations with a penal clause must be construed strictly against the awarding of penalty.
d. In case of breach of obligations with a penal clause, the debtor cannot have both enforcement
of penalty for non-compliance of obligation and specific performance of obligation because they
are inconsistent remedies.
e. Proof of actual damages suffered by the creditor is not necessary in order that the penalty may
be demanded because they are liquidated or predetermined damages by the contracting
parties.
f. The judge shall equitably reduce the penalty when the principal obligation has been partly or
irregularly complied with by the debtor and even if there has been no performance, the penalty
may also be reduced by the courts if it is iniquitous or unconscionable.
g. The nullity of the principal obligation carries with it that of the penal clause.
h. The nullity of the penal clause does not carry with it that of the principal obligation.
68. As a general rule, penalty or liquidated damages for breach of obligation with a penal clause are
awarded in lieu of damages and interest. However, the following are the exceptional instances
when the creditor may demand payment of damages and interest aside from penalty in
obligation with a penal clause
a. If there is stipulation that damages and interests may be demanded in addition to penalty in
case of breach of obligation with a penal clause.
b. When the debtor is guilty of bad faith or fraud in the breach of the obligation with a penal clause.
c. When the debtor fails to pay the penalty in case of breach of the obligation with a penal clause.
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69. Modes of extinguishment of obligations: (No-Co-Me-Re-Pa-Lo-Pre-Re-Ful-An)
a. No – Novation
b. Co – Compensation or Offset
c. Me – Merger or Confusion
d. Re – Remission or Donation or Condonation or Renunciation
e. Pa – Payment or Performance
f. Lo – Loss of the thing due
g. Pre – Prescription of Right to File Action converting the civil obligation to natural obligation
h. Re – Rescission of Rescissible Obligation or Rescissible Contract
i. Full – Fulfillment of Resolutory Condition or Resolutory Period
j. An – Annulment of Voidable Obligation or Voidable Contract
70. Prescription refers to the mode of extinguishment of right to file an action or obligation by the mere
lapse of time fixed by law.
a. 6 years for quasi contract
b. 6 years for oral contract
c. 10 years for written contract
d. 10 years for court judgment
e. 4 years for quasi-delict
72. Payment or Performance is a mode of extinguishing obligation which refers to the fulfillment of the
prestation due.
78. Right of a third person who pays for the debtor without the knowledge or against the will of the
debtor
a. The third person may recover only insofar as the payment has been beneficial to the debtor but
there is no legal subrogation.
79. As a general rule, payment to a third person is not valid. However, the following are the
exceptional instances wherein payment by a debtor to a third person is valid
a. When in good faith, the debtor pays to one in possession of the credit.
b. When, without notice of the assignment of the credit, the debtor pays to the original creditor.
c. When the payment to a third person redounded to the benefit of the creditor.
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80. Generally, it is the obligation of the debtor to prove that the payment to a third person
redounded to the benefit of the creditor in order for the payment to be valid. The following are
exceptional instances when benefit to creditor need not be proved by a debtor who pays a third
person for such payment to be valid:
a. If after the payment, the third person acquires the creditor’s rights.
b. If the third person is authorized by the creditor.
c. If the creditor ratifies the payment to the third person.
d. If by the creditor’s conduct, the debtor has led to believe that the third person had authority to
receive payment.
82. Dation in payment or Dacion en Pago refers to a special form of payment whereby a property is
alienated to the creditor in satisfaction of a debt in money when the loan in money is already due at the
time of change. This special mode of payment shall be governed by Law on Sales. If the change occurs
before the maturity day of the obligation to pay a sum of money, the mode of extinguishment of
obligation is not dation en pago but it will be novation.
83. Cession refers to a special type of payment which involves the voluntary abandonment of the
universality of the property of the debtor for the benefit of his creditors, in order that such property may
be applied to the payment of the credits.
85. Application of payment refers to the designation of the debt which is being paid by a debtor who has
several obligations of the same kind in favor of the creditor to whom payment is made. The right of
application of payment belongs to the debtor.
90. As a general rule, consignation shall be preceded by valid tender of payment for consignation
to be valid. However, the following are the exceptional instances of valid consignation releasing
the debtor from liability even without valid tender of payment:
a. When the creditor is absent or unknown, or does not appear at the place of payment
b. When the creditor is incapacitated to receive the payment at the time it is due
c. When, without just cause, the creditor refuses to give a receipt
d. When two or more persons claim the same right to collect
e. When the title of the obligation has been lost
94. Effects if, after the consignation has been made, the creditor should authorize the debtor to
withdraw the same
a. The creditor shall lose every preference which he may have over the thing.
b. The co-debtors shall be released of its solidary obligation but not of their respective shares in
the obligation. It means that the obligation of the other co-debtors is converted into joint
obligation. However, it will remain to be solidary obligation of the part of the consigning debtor.
c. The guarantors and sureties shall be released.
97. Exceptional instances when the debtor is liable even there is fortuitous event at the time of loss
a. When the law expressly provides that the debtor shall be liable even if the loss is due to
fortuitous event.
b. When by express stipulation, the obligor is made liable even if loss occurs through fortuitous
events.
c. When the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk.
d. When the fault or negligence of the debtor concurs with the fortuitous event in causing the loss.
e. When the loss occurs after the debtor has incurred in delay.
f. When the debtor has promised to deliver the same thing to two or more different parties.
g. When the obligation to deliver a determinate object arises from a criminal act.
103. Confusion or merger is a mode of extinguishing obligation that occurs where there is meeting
in one person of the qualities of creditor and debtor with respect to the same obligation.
106. Compensation or Offset is a mode of extinguishing to the concurrent amount, the obligations
of those persons who in their own right are reciprocally debtors and creditors of each other.
111. Instances wherein the debtor may still set up compensation against the assignee of
creditor in case of assignment of credit
a. When the creditor communicated the assignment of his right to the third persons to the debtor
and the latter did not consent thereto.
b. When the debtor has consented to the assignment of rights made by a creditor in favor of a third
person and the assignor reserved his right to the compensation at the time he gave his consent.
c. When the assignment is made without the knowledge of the debtor.
d. When the debtor has consented to the assignment of rights made by a creditor with reservation
as to his right to compensation.
112. Instances when legal compensation is prohibited by law but facultative compensation is
allowed
a. When there is a renunciation of the effect of compensation by a party.
b. When one of the debts arises from obligation of depositary in depositum
c. When one of the debts arises from or of a bailee in commodatum.
d. When the one of the creditor has a claim for future support due by gratuitous title.
e. When one of the debts consists in civil liability arising from a crime.
f. When one of the debts pertains to taxes.
121. Subrogation refers to the transfer of all the rights of the creditor to a third person, who
substitute him in all his rights.
b. Legal subrogation is the substitution of new creditor in exceptional cases provided by law.
Legal subrogation is never presumed and available only in cases provided by law.
i. Instances wherein legal subrogation is presumed or instances of legal
subrogation
1. When a creditor pays another creditor who is preferred, even without the debtor’s
knowledge.
2. When, even without the knowledge of the debtor, a person interested in the
fulfillment of the obligation pays, without prejudice to the effects of confusion as
to the latter’s share.
3. The obligation having been extinguished by the loss of the thing, the creditor
shall have all the rights of action which the debtor may have against third
persons by reason of the loss.
4. In contract of property insurance, when the insurance company pays the insured.
5. Under Negotiable Instruments Law, when there is a valid payment for honor
supra protest.
a. Subrogation transfers to the person subrogated the credit with all the rights thereto
appertaining, either against the debtor or against third persons, be they guarantors or
possessors of mortgages, subject to stipulation in a conventional subrogation.
Law on Contracts
1. Contract is a meeting of minds between two persons whereby one binds himself, with respect to the other, to
give something or to render some service. It is one of the five sources of civil obligations.
a. Obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between contracting parties.
b. Obligations arising from contracts should be complied with in good faith.
2. Stages of a contract
3. Characteristics of contracts
a. Obligatory force of contract means that the contractual agreement constitutes the law as between
the parties.
i. Obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between contracting parties.
ii. Obligations arising from contracts should be complied with in good faith.
b. Mutuality of contract means that the validity and performance cannot be left to the will of only one
of the parties.
c. Relativity of contract means that contract is binding only upon the parties and their successors
such as heirs and assignees.
a. The heirs are liable to the debts of decedent but only up to the extent of
the property they inherited. It is only the natural obligation of the heirs to
pay the unpaid debts of their predecessors beyond the value of the
properties they inherited.
e. Void contract that directly affects a third person – A third person affected
by a void contract may file an action for declaration of nullity of a contract.
d. Liberality of Contract or Freedom to Contract or Autonomy of Contract means that the parties
may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms, and conditions as they may deem convenient
provided they are not contrary to any of the following:
i. Law
ii. Morals
iii. Good customs
iv. Public order
v. Public policy
e. Consensuality of contract means that contracts are perfected by mere consent except in real
contracts and formal or solemn contracts which require additional requirements.
f. Legality of contract means that contracts should not be contrary to law.
a. Essential elements refer to those which are required in order for a contract to exist. They are
necessary for validity of contract and may not be waived by the parties. Absence of any of the
essential elements will make the contract void the remedy of which of injured party is declaration of
nullity.
i. Consensual Contract
1. Consent of the contracting parties
2. Object certain which is the subject matter of the contract
3. Cause of the obligation which is established
b. Natural elements refer to those which already exist in certain contract unless set aside or
suppressed by the parties. They may be waived by the parties as long as the waiver is made in good
faith.
i. Warranty against eviction in a contract of sale.
ii. Warranty against hidden defects in a contract of sale.
iii. Warranty for merchantability in a contract of sale.
iv. Warranty against hidden and unregistered encumbrance in a contract of sale.
c. Accidental elements refer to those that do not normally exist in a contract unless stipulated or
provided by the parties.
i. Terms of payment in a contract of sale.
ii. Conventional interest in a contract of loan.
5. Types of Contracts
a. As to Perfection of Contract
ii. Real contract is a contract perfected by the delivery of the object of the contract.
1. Contract of deposit
2. Contract of pledge
3. Contract of loan or mutuum
4. Contract of commodatum
iii. Solemn or Formal contract is a contract perfected by the execution of the formality
required by law.
ii. Gratuitous contract is a contract whereby one party receives no equivalent consideration.
These contracts are referred to as contracts of pure beneficence, the cause of which is the
liberality or generosity of the benefactor.
1. Contract of donation
2. Contract of commodatum
iii. Remuneratory contract is a contract whereby the cause here is the service or benefit
remunerated.
1. Contract of service or employment
c. Other Contracts
ii. Accessory contract is a contract whose existence depends upon another contract known
as principal contract.
1. Contract of pledge,
2. Contract of chattel mortgage
3. Contract of antichresis
4. Contract of real estate mortgage
5. Contract of guarantee
iii. Preparatory contract is a contract which serves as a means by which other contracts may
be entered into.
1. Contract of agency
2. Contract of partnership.
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iv. Nominate contract is a contract which has a name under the Civil Code or special law.
1. Contract of sale
2. Contract of agency
3. Contract of partnership
4. Contract of insurance
5. Contract of marriage
v. Innominate contract is a contract without any name under the Civil Code or special law.
1. Do ut des (I give that you may give.)
2. Do ut facias (I give that you may do.)
3. Facio ut des (I do that you may give.)
4. Facio ut facias (I do that you may do.)
vi. Commutative contract is a contract whereby the parties give almost equivalent values;
hence, there is real fulfillment.
1. Contract of sale
2. Contract of lease
3. Contract of barter
viii. Unilateral contract is a contract whereby only one of the parties is obligated to give or to do
something.
1. Contract of commodatum (bailee)
2. Contract of gratuitous deposit (depositary)
ix. Bilateral contract is a contract whereby both parties are required to give or to do something.
1. Contract of sale
2. Contract of lease
x. Reciprocal contract is a contract whereby the cause on the other party is the object on the
other party.
1. Contract of sale
2. Contract of barter
xii. Contract of adhesion is a contract wherein one party has already prepared the form of the
contract, containing the stipulations he desires, and he simply asks the other party to agree
to them if he wants to enter into the contract. In case of ambiguity or doubt, it shall be
construed strictly against the preparer of the document of the contract.
1. Contract of insurance
2. Contract of enrollment
xiii. Executory contract is a contract that has not yet been performed. Certain executory
contracts are covered by Statute of Fraud and required to be in writing in order for them to be
enforceable.
xiv. Executed contract is a contract which has been performed. It is a contract not covered by
Statute of Fraud.
8. Nature of contract
a. Contract is determined by the principles of law.
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9. Consent is one of the essential elements of contract. It refers to the meeting of minds between the contracting
parties as regards to the object and cause of contract.
15. Instances which if happened to either party before acceptance make the offer ineffective
a. Civil interdiction
b. Insanity
c. Death
d. Insolvency
19. Difference between contract wherein consent is wanting and contract wherein consent is vitiated
a. The contract is void if the consent is wanting requiring declaration of nullity of contract.
b. The contract is voidable if the consent is vitiated requiring annulment of contract.
I. There is violence when in order to wrest consent, serious or irresistible force is employed.
a. Requisites of violence to vitiate consent
i. There must be physical force.
ii. The physical force must be irresistible.
iii. The force must be the determining cause in giving the consent to the contract.
II. There is intimidation when one of the contracting parties is compelled by a reasonable and well-
grounded fear of an imminent and grave evil upon his person or property, or upon the person or property
of his spouse, descendants or ascendants, to give his consent.
a. Requisites of intimidation to vitiate consent
i. The intimidation must be the determining cause of the consent.
ii. The threatened act must be unjust or unlawful.
iii. The threat must be real and serious.
iv. It must produce a reasonable and well-grounded fear.
III. There is undue influence when a person takes improper advantage of his power over the will of
another, depriving the latter of a reasonable freedom of choice.
IV. There is causal fraud when, through insidious words or machinations of one of the contracting parties,
the other is induced to enter into a contract which, without them, he would not have agreed to.
a. Requisites of fraud to vitiate consent
i. It must have been employed by one of the contracting parties only.
ii. It must have induced the other party to enter into the contract.
iii. It must have been serious.
iv. It may or may not result to damage or injury to the contracting parties.
22. Difference between causal fraud (Dolo causante) and incidental fraud (Dolo incidente)
a. In causal fraud, the contract is voidable requiring annulment of contract.
b. In incidental fraud, the contract is perfectly valid but action for damages is the proper remedy.
26. Object or Prestation is one of the essential elements of contract. It refers to the promise or conduct to be
performed in the performance of the contractual, and may consist of giving, doing or not doing a thing.
29. Cause of contract is one of the essential elements of contract. It refers to the immediate and proximate
purpose of the contract or the essential reason which impels the contracting parties to enter into it and which
explains and justifies the creation of the obligation through such contract.
33. Reformation of instrument is the legal remedy available to the injured party in a contract when the instrument
or document that serves as tangible evidence of the contract does not express the true intention of the contracting
parties.
35. Documents or Instrument which cannot be reformed or reformation of instrument is not allowed
a. Simple donation inter vivos wherein no condition is imposed or unconditional donation inter vivos
b. Last will and testament whether holographic will or notarial will
c. When the real agreement is void
37. Action for reformation of instrument and Action for exact fulfillment or specific performance are
inconsistent remedies and the complainant cannot have both.
40. Rescissible contract is a contract that has caused a particular damage to one of the parties or to a third
person, and which for equitable reasons may be set aside even if it is valid. The proper legal remedy is action for
rescission of rescissible contract.
A. Those contracts wherein the ward or absentee suffered by more than ¼ the value of the things on
the contracts entered into by their guardian or representative.
a. Those which are entered into by guardians whenever the wards they represent suffer lesion by more
than ¼ the value of the things which are the object thereof.
b. Those agreed upon in representation of absentees, if the latter suffer more than ¼ the value of the
things which are the object thereof.
43. Rescission of contract is a remedy granted by law to the contracting parties and even to third persons, to
secure the reparation of damages caused to them by a contract, even if this should be valid, by means of the
restoration of things to their condition at the moment prior to the celebration of said contract.
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pledge to bind third persons - Contract of pledge may be in any form for its validity to bi
contracting parties because it is a real contract perfected by the delivery of the thing pledged but it mu
be notarized with the description of the thing pledged and its date stated in the notarized contract
order to bind third persons.
10. Nature of a contract to constitute a pledge vs. nature of contract of pledge - Contract to constitu
a pledge is a consensual contract perfected by mere consent while contract of pledge is a real contra
perfected by the delivery of the thing pledged.
15. Instances when a third person who pledges his own movable property to secure the debt
another shall be released from liability
a. If the creditor voluntarily accepts immovable or other property in payment of the debt even if t
creditor thereafter loses the same by eviction.
b. If an extension of time is granted to the debtor by the creditor without pledgor’s consent.
c. If through some act of the creditor, the pledgor cannot be subrogated to the rights, mortgag
and preferences of the creditor.
d. If the thing pledged is deteriorated on the fault of the pledgee.
b. Direct Modes of Extinguishment of contract of pledge that do not extinguish the secur
contract of loan
i. Return by the pledgee of the thing pledged to the pledgor or owner.
ii. Renunciation or abandonment in writing by the pledgee of the contract of pledge.
c. Direct Modes of Extinguishment of contract of pledge that also extinguish the secur
contract of loan
i. Sale of the thing pledged regardless of the net proceeds of the sale.
ii. Appropriation of the thing pledged by the pledgee if the thing pledged is not sold in
least two public auctions.
21. Real Estate Mortgage is a contract whereby the debtor or third person secures to the creditor t
fulfillment of a principal obligation, specially subjecting to such security immovable property or re
rights over immovable property in case the principal obligation is not complied with at the tim
stipulated.
27. Formality of a contract of real estate mortgage for validity vs. Formality of a contract of re
estate mortgage to bind third persons - Contract of real estate mortgage may be in any form for
validity to bind contracting parties because it is a consensual contract perfected by mere consent but
must be notarized and registered with Registry of Deeds in order to affect or to bind third persons.
28. Foreclosure refers to the remedy available to the mortgagee by which he subjects the proper
mortgaged to the satisfaction of the obligation secured when the principal obligation is not paid whe
due or when there is any violation of any condition, stipulation or warranty by the mortgagor.
a. Judicial Foreclosure is a type of foreclosure made through the filling of a petition in cou
under Rule 68 of Rules of Court and availed of when the deed of real estate mortgage does n
provide for special power of attorney (SPA) authorizing the mortgagee-creditor to foreclosure
extrajudicially.
i. Equity of Redemption – The judgment debtor/mortgagor has a period of not less th
90 days nor more than 120 days from the entry of judgment to pay his liability to preve
the public sale of his mortgaged property.
b. Extrajudicial Foreclosure is a type of foreclosure made in compliance with Act No. 3135 a
available when there is a stipulation in the mortgage contract that the mortgage may
foreclosed extrajudicially or when such foreclosure sale is made under a special power
attorney inserted in the contract of mortgage.
i. Equity of Redemption – The mortgagor may pay his obligation to prevent the pub
sale of his property in the grace period given by the mortgagee.
ii. Right of Redemption – The mortgagor may repurchase the property sold in pub
auction within a period of:
1. Generally within 12 months or 1 year from public sale (Act No. 3135 - R
Estate Mortgage Law)
2. Exceptionally within 3 months or 90 days from public sale if the mortgagee is
bank and the mortgagor is a juridical or artificial person. (General Banking Law
32. Chattel mortgage is a conditional sale of personal property as security for the payment of a debt,
the performance of some other obligation specified therein, the condition being that the sale shall b
void upon the seller paying to the purchaser a sum of money or doing some other act named. If th
condition is performed according to its terms the mortgage and sale immediately become void, and t
mortgagee is thereby divested of his title.
39. Antichresis is a contract whereby the creditor acquires the right to receive the fruits of an immovab
of his debtor, with the obligation to apply them to the payment of the interest, if owing, and thereafter
the principal of his credit. It is a formal contract perfected by the execution of the written instrume
containing the antichretic agreement together with the amount of the principal and interest of the loan
44. Agency is a contract, whereby a person binds himself to render some service or to do something
representation or in behalf of another, with the consent and authority of the latter.
49. Acts requiring special power of appointment to the agent (Acts of Strict Ownership or Str
Dominion)
a. To make such payments as are not usually considered as acts of administration
b. To effect novations which put an end to obligations already in existence at the time the agency
was constituted
c. To compromise, to submit questions to arbitration, to renounce the right to appeal from a
judgment, to waive objections to the venue of an action or to abandon a prescription already
acquired
d. To waive any obligation gratuitously
e. To enter into any contract by which the ownership of an immovable is transmitted or acquired
either gratuitously or for a valuable consideration
f. To make gifts, except customary ones for charity or those made to employees in the business
managed by the agent
g. To loan or borrow money, unless the latter act be urgent and indispensable for the preservatio
of the things which are under administration
h. To lease any real property to another person for more than one year
i. To bind the principal to render some service without compensation
j. To bind the principal in a contract of partnership
k. To obligate the principal as a guarantor or surety
l. To create or convey real rights over immovable property
m. To accept or repudiate an inheritance
n. To ratify or recognize obligations contracted before the agency
o. Any other act of strict dominion or strict ownership.
50. The acceptance by the agent of the contract of agency may be express or implied.
a. Instances of implied acceptance by agent of the agency:
a. Acts of the agent to carry out the agency.
b. Silence or inaction by the agent according to the circumstances.
c. Between persons who are absent, when the principal transmits his power to the agent, a
the latter returns it without objection.
d. Between persons who are absent, when the principal entrusts to him by letter or telegram
power of attorney with respect to the business in which he is habitually engaged as
agent, and he did not reply to the letter or telegram.
53. Effects if the agent acts within the scope of his authority but in his (agent’s) behalf or witho
disclosing the principal
a. The principal has no right of action against the person with whom the agent has contracted.
b. The person with whom the agent has contracted has no right of action against the principal.
c. The agent is directly bound in favor of the one with whom he has contracted.
d. The contract binds the third person and the principal if the contract involves thing belonging
the principal.
56. Rules that shall be observed as regards to the liability of agent when he appoints a substitute
a. If the agent is not prohibited to appoint a substitute, the agent may appoint a substitute but h
shall be responsible for the acts of the substitute.
b. If the agent is authorized to appoint a substitute and the principal designated the person to b
appointed as substitute, the agent is not responsible for the acts of the substitute.
c. If the agent is authorized to appoint a substitute and the principal does not designate the perso
to be appointed as a substitute, the agent shall be liable if the person appointed as substitute
notoriously incompetent or insolvent man.
d. If the agent is prohibited to appoint a substitute, the agent cannot appoint a substitute. If h
appoints one, all the acts of the substitute shall be void against the principal.
58. Rights and obligations of third persons who have contracted with an agent who has exceed
his authority
a. As to third persons, an act is deemed to have been performed within the scope of the agen
authority, if such act is within the power of attorney, as written, even if the agent has in fa
exceeded the limits of his authority according to an understanding between the principal and t
agent.
b. A third person cannot set up the fact that the agent has exceeded his powers, if the princip
has ratified or has signified his willingness to ratify the agent’s acts.
c. A third person may require the agent to present his power of attorney or the instructions
regards the agency.
d. Private or secret orders and instructions of the principal do not prejudice third persons who ha
relied upon the power of attorney or instructions shown them.
59. Commission agent or Consignee is a person who buys and sells goods or chattels consigned
delivered to him by his principal, for a compensation known as commission.
62. Degree of liability of two or more agents if they have been appointed simultaneously
a. Joint or proportionate unless agreed otherwise.
63. Degree of liability of two or more persons who have appointed a single agent to the sam
transaction
a. Solidary unless agreed otherwise.
64. Instances wherein the principal shall not be liable for the expenses incurred by the agent
a. When the agent acted in contravention of the principal’s instructions and the principal does n
himself of the benefits derived from the contract.
b. When the expenses were due to the fault of the agent.
c. When the agent incurred them with knowledge that an unfavorable result would ensue if t
principal was not aware thereof.
d. When it was stipulated that the expenses would be borne by the agent, or that the latter wou
be allowed only a certain amount.
65. Right to retain in pledge the property or legal pledge is the right of the agent over the object of t
agency until the principal reimburses him for the sums necessary for the execution of the agency whi
he had advanced and until the principal pays him the indemnity for all damages in the execution of th
agency.
67. Revocation refers to the act of the principal of terminating the agency at will. The principal may revo
the agency at will and compel the agent to return the document evidencing the agency. The revocatio
may be express or implied. The following acts are considered implied revocation by principal
the contract of agency:
a. When a new agent is appointed for the same business or transaction.
b. If the principal directly manages the business entrusted to the agent by dealing directly with th
persons.
c. When a special power of attorney is granted to an agent with a general power of attorney.
68. As a general rule, the principal may revoke the contract of agency at will. The following are t
exceptional instances when contract of agency may not be revoked at will by the principal
a. If a bilateral contract depends upon an agency.
b. If the agency is a means of fulfilling an obligation already contracted.
c. If a partner is appointed as a manager of the partnership in the articles or contract of partnersh
and his removal from the management is unjustifiable.
d. If the agency is coupled with interest.
71. As a general rule, the death of the principal extinguishes the agency. However, the agency is n
extinguished by the death of the principal in the following exceptional instances
a. If the agency has been constituted in the common interest of the principal and the agent.
b. If the agency has been constituted in the interest of a third person who has accepted th
stipulation in his favor.
c. In so far as to finish the business already begun on the death of the principal, should del
entail any danger.
72. Status of the acts done by the agent after the death of the principal or other cause
extinguishment of the agency
a. The acts are valid if done without the knowledge of the death of the principal or of any oth
cause of extinguishment and shall be fully effective with respect to third persons who may ha
contracted in good faith.
Law on Sales
1. Contract of Sales is a contract whereby one of the contracting parties, known as the seller or vendo
obligates himself to transfer the ownership of and to deliver a determinate thing, and the other part
known as the buyer or vendee, obligates himself to pay therefore a price certain in money or
equivalent.
3. Essential elements of the contract of sale – These are elements necessary for validity a
perfection of contract of sale.
ii. Things that may become the subject matter of a contract of sale
iii. Things not allowed to become the subject matter of a contract of sale making t
contract null and void
1. Emptio rei speratae is the sale of future thing while emptio spei is a sale
hope or expectancy.
2. Sale of future harvest is emptio rei speratae while sale of lottery ticket No. 1
is emptio spei.
3. In emptio rei speratae the thing expected will definitely come into existence, b
its quality or quantity unknown; while in emptio spei it is not certain that the thi
will exist much less its quantity or quality.
4. Emptio rei speratae is subject to the condition that the thing should exist, so th
if it does not, there will be no contract of sale by reason of the absence of
essential element of subject matter while emptio spei produces effects ev
though the thing does not come into existence because the subject matter is t
hope itself.
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Comparison of Pledge, Real Mortgage, Chattel Mortgage and Antichresis
Basis of Conventional Pledge Real Estate Chattel Mortgage Antichresis
Difference Mortgage
Type of Real – By delivery of Consensual – By Formal – By Formal – By execution
Contract as to object mere consent registration of the of written agreement
perfection contract of chattel of antichresis with
mortgage in the statement of the
Chattel Mortgage amount of principal
Registry and interest of the
contract of loan.
To bind third Must be in a public Must be registered in Must be Must be registered in
persons instrument showing the Registry of accompanied by the Registry of
a description of the Property affidavit of good faith Property
thing pledged and
the date of the
pledge
Object of Movable or personal Immovable or real Movable or personal Immovable or real
contract property property property property
Prohibition Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
against
pactum
commissorium
Indivisibility of Indivisible Indivisible Indivisible Indivisible
the contract
Remedy of Foreclose security Foreclose security Foreclose security Gather the fruits of the
Creditor in and sell the and sell the collateral and sell the collateral land and apply the fair
case of collateral in public in public action with in public action with market value of the
Debtor’s action with the the proceeds to be the proceeds to be fruits at the time of
default proceeds to be applied to the unpaid applied to the unpaid application first to the
applied to the obligation obligation interest of the loan
unpaid obligation and the remainder to
the principal of the
loan.
As to Deficiency can Deficiency can be Deficiency can be Deficiency can be
deficiency never be recovered recovered unless recovered unless recovered through
even if there is a there is stipulation to there is stipulation to continuous gathering
stipulation. Any the contrary. the contrary. (Except of fruits.
stipulation for in case of personal
recovery of property sold in
deficiency is null and installment under
void. (Exception – Recto Law)
Legal Pledge)
As to excess Excess belongs to Excess belongs to Excess belongs to Excess fruits belongs
of proceeds the pledgee-creditor the mortgagor unless the mortgagor unless to the owner of the
unless there is there is stipulation to there is stipulation to land or antichretic
stipulation to the the contrary. the contrary. debtor.
contrary. (Exception
– Legal Pledge)
As to The pledgee may The mortgagee The mortgagee The antichretic
appropriation appropriate the thing cannot appropriate cannot appropriate creditor cannot
of property pledged if the same the thing mortgaged. the thing mortgaged. appropriate the land
is not sold in two used as collateral but
public auctions. may sell the fruits to
be applied to interest
and principal of loan.
As to selling The pledgor may The mortgagor can The mortgagor can The antichretic debtor
of property only sell the property sell the property. Any sell the property. Any can sell the land.
after the with the consent of stipulation prohibiting stipulation prohibiting
pledge or the pledgee. the mortgagor to sell the mortgagor to sell
mortgage by the property is void. the property is void.
the owner.
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Comparison of Special Contracts
Name of Contract of Contract of Loan or Contract of Contract of Lease
Contract Commodatum Mutuum Deposit
Definition It is a contract It is a contract It is a contract It is a contract
wherein one of the wherein one of the wherein a person wherein one party
parties delivers to parties delivers to receives a thing binds himself to give
another, either another money or belonging to another the enjoyment
something not other consumable another, with the or use of a thing for a
consumable so that thing, upon the obligation of safely price certain, and for a
the latter may use condition that the keeping it and of period which may be
the same for a same amount of the returning the same definite or indefinite.
certain time and same kind and quality and the the
return it. shall be paid. safekeeping of the
thing delivered is
the principal
purpose of the
contract.
49. Acts requiring special power of appointment to the agent (Acts of Strict Ownership or Strict
Dominion)
a. To make such payments as are not usually considered as acts of administration
b. To effect novations which put an end to obligations already in existence at the time the agency
was constituted
c. To compromise, to submit questions to arbitration, to renounce the right to appeal from a
judgment, to waive objections to the venue of an action or to abandon a prescription already
acquired
d. To waive any obligation gratuitously
e. To enter into any contract by which the ownership of an immovable is transmitted or acquired
either gratuitously or for a valuable consideration
f. To make gifts, except customary ones for charity or those made to employees in the business
managed by the agent
g. To loan or borrow money, unless the latter act be urgent and indispensable for the preservation
of the things which are under administration
h. To lease any real property to another person for more than one year
i. To bind the principal to render some service without compensation
j. To bind the principal in a contract of partnership
k. To obligate the principal as a guarantor or surety
l. To create or convey real rights over immovable property
m. To accept or repudiate an inheritance
n. To ratify or recognize obligations contracted before the agency
o. Any other act of strict dominion or strict ownership.
50. The acceptance by the agent of the contract of agency may be express or implied.
a. Instances of implied acceptance by agent of the agency:
a. Acts of the agent to carry out the agency.
b. Silence or inaction by the agent according to the circumstances.
c. Between persons who are absent, when the principal transmits his power to the agent, and
the latter returns it without objection.
d. Between persons who are absent, when the principal entrusts to him by letter or telegram a
power of attorney with respect to the business in which he is habitually engaged as an
agent, and he did not reply to the letter or telegram.
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51. Rules regarding appointment and revocation of agency
a. When a person is appointed as special agent through special information, the person appointed
will be considered a duly authorized agent with respect to the person who received the special
information.
b. When a person is appointed as special agent through a public advertisement, the person
appointed will be considered a duly authorized agent with respect to all persons whether or not
they read the newspaper.
c. If the announcement of the appointment is by special information, revocation shall be made also
by special information.
d. If the announcement of the appointment is by public advertisement, revocation of the
appointment shall also be made by public advertisement.
53. Effects if the agent acts within the scope of his authority but in his (agent’s) behalf or without
disclosing the principal
a. The principal has no right of action against the person with whom the agent has contracted.
b. The person with whom the agent has contracted has no right of action against the principal.
c. The agent is directly bound in favor of the one with whom he has contracted.
d. The contract binds the third person and the principal if the contract involves thing belonging to
the principal.
56. Rules that shall be observed as regards to the liability of agent when he appoints a substitute
a. If the agent is not prohibited to appoint a substitute, the agent may appoint a substitute but he
shall be responsible for the acts of the substitute.
b. If the agent is authorized to appoint a substitute and the principal designated the person to be
appointed as substitute, the agent is not responsible for the acts of the substitute.
c. If the agent is authorized to appoint a substitute and the principal does not designate the person
to be appointed as a substitute, the agent shall be liable if the person appointed as substitute is
notoriously incompetent or insolvent man.
d. If the agent is prohibited to appoint a substitute, the agent cannot appoint a substitute. If he
appoints one, all the acts of the substitute shall be void against the principal.
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57. The general rule is that the agent who acts in the name of the principal shall not be liable to the
party with whom he contracts. The following are the instances wherein the agent is personally
liable for the contract he entered into for the principal:
a. If the agent expressly binds himself.
b. If the agent exceeds the limits of his authority without giving the other party sufficient notice of
his powers.
c. If the agent acts without the authority of the principal.
58. Rights and obligations of third persons who have contracted with an agent who has exceeded
his authority
a. As to third persons, an act is deemed to have been performed within the scope of the agent’s
authority, if such act is within the power of attorney, as written, even if the agent has in fact
exceeded the limits of his authority according to an understanding between the principal and the
agent.
b. A third person cannot set up the fact that the agent has exceeded his powers, if the principal
has ratified or has signified his willingness to ratify the agent’s acts.
c. A third person may require the agent to present his power of attorney or the instructions as
regards the agency.
d. Private or secret orders and instructions of the principal do not prejudice third persons who have
relied upon the power of attorney or instructions shown them.
59. Commission agent or Consignee is a person who buys and sells goods or chattels consigned or
delivered to him by his principal, for a compensation known as commission.
62. Degree of liability of two or more agents if they have been appointed simultaneously
a. Joint or proportionate unless agreed otherwise.
63. Degree of liability of two or more persons who have appointed a single agent to the same
transaction
a. Solidary unless agreed otherwise.
64. Instances wherein the principal shall not be liable for the expenses incurred by the agent
a. When the agent acted in contravention of the principal’s instructions and the principal does not
himself of the benefits derived from the contract.
b. When the expenses were due to the fault of the agent.
c. When the agent incurred them with knowledge that an unfavorable result would ensue if the
principal was not aware thereof.
d. When it was stipulated that the expenses would be borne by the agent, or that the latter would
be allowed only a certain amount.
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65. Right to retain in pledge the property or legal pledge is the right of the agent over the object of the
agency until the principal reimburses him for the sums necessary for the execution of the agency which
he had advanced and until the principal pays him the indemnity for all damages in the execution of the
agency.
67. Revocation refers to the act of the principal of terminating the agency at will. The principal may revoke
the agency at will and compel the agent to return the document evidencing the agency. The revocation
may be express or implied. The following acts are considered implied revocation by principal of
the contract of agency:
a. When a new agent is appointed for the same business or transaction.
b. If the principal directly manages the business entrusted to the agent by dealing directly with third
persons.
c. When a special power of attorney is granted to an agent with a general power of attorney.
68. As a general rule, the principal may revoke the contract of agency at will. The following are the
exceptional instances when contract of agency may not be revoked at will by the principal
a. If a bilateral contract depends upon an agency.
b. If the agency is a means of fulfilling an obligation already contracted.
c. If a partner is appointed as a manager of the partnership in the articles or contract of partnership
and his removal from the management is unjustifiable.
d. If the agency is coupled with interest.
71. As a general rule, the death of the principal extinguishes the agency. However, the agency is not
extinguished by the death of the principal in the following exceptional instances
a. If the agency has been constituted in the common interest of the principal and the agent.
b. If the agency has been constituted in the interest of a third person who has accepted the
stipulation in his favor.
c. In so far as to finish the business already begun on the death of the principal, should delay
entail any danger.
72. Status of the acts done by the agent after the death of the principal or other cause of
extinguishment of the agency
a. The acts are valid if done without the knowledge of the death of the principal or of any other
cause of extinguishment and shall be fully effective with respect to third persons who may have
contracted in good faith.
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REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
Law on Sales
1. Contract of Sales is a contract whereby one of the contracting parties, known as the seller or vendor,
obligates himself to transfer the ownership of and to deliver a determinate thing, and the other party,
known as the buyer or vendee, obligates himself to pay therefore a price certain in money or its
equivalent.
3. Essential elements of the contract of sale – These are elements necessary for validity and
perfection of contract of sale.
ii. Things that may become the subject matter of a contract of sale
iii. Things not allowed to become the subject matter of a contract of sale making the
contract null and void
1. Emptio rei speratae is the sale of future thing while emptio spei is a sale of
hope or expectancy.
2. Sale of future harvest is emptio rei speratae while sale of lottery ticket No. 113
is emptio spei.
3. In emptio rei speratae the thing expected will definitely come into existence, but
its quality or quantity unknown; while in emptio spei it is not certain that the thing
will exist much less its quantity or quality.
4. Emptio rei speratae is subject to the condition that the thing should exist, so that
if it does not, there will be no contract of sale by reason of the absence of an
essential element of subject matter while emptio spei produces effects even
though the thing does not come into existence because the subject matter is the
hope itself.
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b. Price certain in money or its equivalent
1. It must be certain.
2. It must be real
3. It must not be fictitious.
1. If the parties have agreed upon a definite amount for the sale.
iii. The third person is prevented from fixing the price or terms by
fault of the seller or the buyer.
1. The injured party may ask for damages.
4. If the price is fixed by the court which price may no longer be changed by the
contracting parties.
5. If the price fixed is that which the thing sold would have on a definite day, or in a
particular exchange or market, or when an amount is fixed above or below the
price on such day, or in such exchange or market, provided said amount is
certain.
6. If the price is fixed by one of the contracting parties and accepted by the other.
1. It does not affect a contract of sale, except as it may indicate a defect in the
consent which makes the contract voidable requiring annulment of contract.
2. It renders the contract one of donation if that is the real intention of parties. Thus,
it will require reformation of instrument.
1. If the price is absolutely simulated, the contract of sale is null and void requiring
declaration of nullity.
2. It the price is relatively simulated, the intent of the parties is hidden requiring
reformation of instrument.
c. Consent of the contracting parties on the determinate thing and the price certain in
money
1. At the moment there is a meeting of minds upon the thing which is the object of
the contract and upon the price.
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ii. Moment of perfection of contract of sale by auction
1. When the auctioneer announces its perfection by the fall of the hammer or
in any other manner.
a. Rights of auctioneer and highest bidder before the perfection of
contract of sale by auction
i. Before perfection, any bidder may retract his bid.
ii. Before perfection, the auctioneer may generally withdraw the
goods from the sale unless the auction has been announced
without reservation by auctioneer.
b. Rights of auctioneer and highest bidder after the perfection of
contract of sale by auction
i. After perfection, the winning bidder cannot retract his bid.
ii. After perfection, the auctioneer cannot withdraw the goods.
c. Requisites before auctioneer may participate in bidding or auction
i. The right to bid must have been reserved expressly by or on
behalf of the seller.
ii. The right to bid must not be prohibited by law or stipulation.
iii. Notice must be given that the sale is subject to a right to bid by or
on behalf of the seller.
d. By bidders or puffers refer to persons employed by the seller to bid in
his behalf, the purpose of which is to raise the price, but the said persons
are not in themselves bound by their bids. The employment by the seller
of by-bidders or puffers without notice to the other bidders may make the
perfected contract of sale voidable because the consent of the highest
bidder is vitiated by causal fraud.
4. Natural elements of the contract of sale – These are elements which are presumed to exist in a
contract of sale unless validly waived by the contracting parties.
5. Accidental elements in the contract of sale – These are elements which do not exist in a contract of
sale unless provided by the contracting parties.
a. In sale, there is no pre-existing credit while in payment by cession, there are pre-existing
credits.
b. A sale creates obligations while payment by cession extinguishes obligations.
c. In sale, the cause or consideration is the price from the seller’s point of view, and the delivery of
the object, from the buyer’s point of view while in payment by cession, the cause or
consideration is the extinguishment of the obligation from the debtor’s point of view and the
assignment of the things to be sold from the creditor’s point of view.
d. In sale, there is greater freedom in fixing the price while in payment by cession there is less
freedom in fixing the price because of the fixed amount of the pre-existing credits which the
parties seek to extinguish.
e. In sale, the buyer becomes the owner of the thing transferred upon delivery while in cession,
the creditors do not become the owners of the property assigned to them but are merely given
the right to sell such property and apply the proceeds to their claims.
f. Contract of sale is governed by Law on Sales while payment by cession is governed by
Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act, a special law.
a. It is a contact of sale if it is for the delivery at a certain price of an article which the vendor in
the ordinary course of business, manufactures or procures for the general market, whether the
same is on hand or not while it is a contract for a piece of work if the goods are to be
manufactured especially for the customer upon his special order and not for the general market.
b. Contract of sale of movable property with a price of at least P500 or sale of immovable
regardless of price is covered by Statute of Fraud while contract for a piece of work at a price
of P500 is not covered by Statute of Fraud.
a. In a contract of sale, the cause is cash while in a contract of barter, the cause is a noncash
asset.
b. Contract of sale of movable property with a price of at least P500 or sale of immovable
regardless of price is covered by Statute of Fraud while contract of barter of movable with
price of at least P500 or barter of immovable regardless of price is not covered by Statute of
Fraud.
11. Rules for determining whether a contract is one of sale or barter if the cause is a combination of
cash and noncash asset.
b. If the evident intention of the parties is not present, apply the following rules:
i. The contract is one of barter if the value of the thing given as part of the consideration
exceeds the monetary consideration.
ii. The contract is one of sale if the monetary consideration is more than the value of the
thing given as part of the consideration.
iii. The contract is one of sale if the monetary consideration is equal to the value of the
thing given as part of the consideration.
a. In contract of sale, ownership passes to the buyer upon delivery while in contract to sell, the
title to the goods does not pass to the buyer until some future time and oftentimes upon
payment of the price.
b. In contract of sale, the risk of loss or damage to the goods upon delivery is on the buyer, under
the rule “res perit domino”, or the thing perished with the owner; while in contract to sell, the
risk is borne by the seller after delivery based on the same principle that the thing perishes with
the owner.
c. In contract of sale, the non-payment of the price is a resolutory condition while in contract to
sell, the payment in full of the price is a suspensive condition.
Note: The rule on double sale applies only if both contracts are of sale but it is not applicable to contract to
sell.
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73. The time and place of payment of the price of the contract of sale
74. Instances wherein the buyer shall pay interest for the period between the delivery of the thi
and the payment of the price
a. If there is stipulation for payment of interest and if the rate is not provided, it should be 12
before July 1,2013 and 6% afterwards.
b. If the thing sold produces fruits or income.
c. If the buyer is in default, from the time of judicial or extrajudicial demand for the payment of t
purchase price.
75. Grounds for the suspension of the payment of the price by the vendee
a. Disturbance in the vendee’s possession or ownership of the thing purchased.
b. Reasonable grounds to fear such disturbance, by a vindicatory action or foreclosure
mortgage.
c. Loss of the thing due to the fault of the vendor.
76. Instances wherein the right to suspend payment by the vendee is not available
a. If the vendor gives security for the return of the price.
b. If it has been stipulated that the vendee shall pay the price notwithstanding the existence
disturbance or danger.
c. If the disturbance is a mere act of trespass.
77. Remedy of vendor to sue for immediate rescission of the contract of sale of immovable
a. If there are reasonable grounds to fear the loss of the immovable property sold and its price.
78. Alternative remedies of vendor in case there is reasonable ground to fear the loss of t
immovable property or its price
79. Effects if the buyer failed to pay the price of the contract of sales of immovable at maturity dat
80. Grounds for immediate rescission of the sale of a movable at vendor’s option
I. If at the time of the delivery of the thing, the vendee does not appear to receive the thing.
II. If at the time of the delivery of the thing, the vendee having appeared, does not pay the pric
unless a longer period is stipulated for its payment.
81. Remedies or Actions by the seller for breach of contract of sale of goods committed by buyer
a. Assuming the goods have already been delivered, maintain an action for the price of the goo
if the buyer wrongfully neglects or refuses to pay.
b. Maintain an action for damages if the buyer wrongfully neglects or refuses to accept and pay f
the goods.
c. Rescind the contract if the buyer has repudiated the sale or manifested his inability to perfor
his obligation or has committed a breach of contract, where the goods have not been deliver
to buyer.
82. Proper Action or remedy by the buyer if the seller has broken the contract to deliver specific
ascertained goods by not delivering the goods
a. Bring an action for specific performance plus damages.
b. Action for rescission plus damages.
c. Action for damages.
a. Conventional redemption is a type of redemption that occurs when the vendor reserved t
right to repurchase the thing sold with the obligation to return to the vendee the price of the sa
expenses of the contract and necessary and useful expenses made on the thing sold and
comply with other stipulations which may have been agreed upon.
3. By adjoining urban lot owner. If a small piece of urban land which was boug
for speculation has been resold, the owner of the adjoining land has a right
redemption at a reasonable price.
a. The adjacent urban land owner whose intended use of the land
question appears best justified shall be preferred.
Note: It is only the adjoining urban lot owner who has the right of legal p
emption which is the right to be given the first opportunity before being offered
other person.
Note: A co-owner has better right over adjoining rural or urban lot owner in t
exercise of right of legal redemption.
87. Assignment of credit is a contract whereby a person transfers his credit, right or action against a th
person to another person for a consideration which is certain in money or its equivalent. It is perfect
by mere consent.
b. For assignment of credit involving real property, it must be recorded in the Registry of Property
91. Exceptional instances when the vendor or assignor of credit is liable for the insolvency of t
debtor of the credit
a. When the assignor expressly warrants the solvency of the debtor of the credit.
i. Prescriptive period of warranty for solvency of debtor in assignment of credit
1. 1 year from the maturity date of credit or date of assignment whichever is later
b. When the assignor acted in bad faith because the insolvency of the debtor of the credit is
public knowledge when he assigned the credit.
Law on Partnership
1. Contract of Partnership is a contract of two or more persons who bind themselves to contribu
money, property, or industry to a common fund, with the intention of dividing the profits amo
themselves. It may also be formed by two or more persons for the exercise of a profession.
2. Characteristics of a contract of partnership
a. Consensual – It is generally perfected by mere consent except if real property is contribut
wherein it must be notarized and inventory of real property must be attached to the pub
instrument.
b. Principal – It does not depend upon any other contract for its validity or existence.
c. Bilateral or Multilateral – It is entered into by two or more persons whose rights a
obligations are reciprocal.
d. Nominate – It has a special name given to it by law.
e. Preparatory – It is a means by which other contracts will be entered into as the partnersh
pursues its business.
f. Onerous – The partners contribute money, property or industry to a common fund except
case of universal partnership which is actually a contract of donation classified as gratuito
contract.
4. Delectus Personae means that a partner has a right to choose those whom he wants to be associate
with the partnership.
7. Generally, receipt by a person of share of the profits of a business is a prima facie evidence th
he is a partner. However, these are exceptional instances when the receipt by a person of
share of the profits of a business shall not be considered a prima facie evidence that he is
partner in a business:
a. As a debt by installment or otherwise
b. As wages of an employee
c. As rent to a landlord.
d. As an annuity to a widow or representative of a deceased partner.
e. As interest on a loan, though the amounts of payment vary with the profits of the business.
f. As the consideration for the sale of a goodwill of a business or other property by installment
otherwise.
9. Properties that shall belong to the common fund in a universal partnership of all prese
property
a. Property belonging to the partners at the time of the constitution of the partnership.
b. Profits that may be acquired from the present property.
c. Property acquired by each partner after the formation of the partnership if stipulated.
d. Profits and fruits from property acquired by each partner, even those from property acquired
inheritance, legacy or donation after the formation of the partnership if stipulated.
10. Universal partnership of profits is a partnership whereby the common fund comprises all that t
partners may acquire by their work or industry during the existence of the partnership.
11. Properties that shall belong to the common fund in a universal partnership of profits
a. Profits obtained by the partners by their work or industry during the existence of the partnershi
b. The usufruct or use of the property belonging to each partner at the time of the constitution
the partnership.
c. The profits and fruits from the properties mentioned in letter a and b.
d. The profits and fruits, if stipulated, of the property acquired by each partner after t
constitution of the partnership.
12. Persons who cannot enter into a universal partnership but can enter into a particu
partnership
a. Husband and wife
b. Persons who were guilty of adultery or concubinage at the time of formation
c. Persons who were guilty of the same criminal offense
d. Public officer or his wife, descendants or ascendants and another person by reason of t
public officer’s position
13. In case Universal Partnership is entered into without specification of the type of Universal Partnership
shall be presumed to be a Universal Partnership of Profits. Since Universal Partnership is
gratuitous contract of donation, the ambiguity shall be interpreted in favor of least transmission of righ
and Universal Partnership of Profits involves lesser transmission of rights.
14. Particular partnership is a partnership which has for its object determinate things, their use or frui
or a specified undertaking, or the exercise of a profession. Example is General Profession
Partnership.