Torts II3 to 5c

7/25/2019 Torts II3 to 5c

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SECOND DIVISION

ALFREDO P. PACIS and CLEOPATRA D. PACIS,

Petitioners,

- versus -

JEROME JOVANNE MORALES,

Respondent.

.R. No. !"#$"%

Present:

CARPIO,J., Chairperson,

BRION,

DEL CASTILLO,ABAD, and

PEREZ,JJ.

Promu!ated:"e#ruar$ %&, %'('

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * )

D E C I S I O N

ARPIO,J.&

T'e Case

his petition +or reie-(/assais the (( 0a$ %''& De1ision%/and the (2 Au!ust %''& Resoution o+ the Court o+ Appeas in CA*3.R. C4 No. 5'552.

T'e Fa(ts

n (6 7anuar$ (22&, petitioners A+redo P. Pa1is and Ceopatra D. Pa1is 8petitioners9 +ied -ith the tria 1ourt a 1ii 1ase +or dama!es a!ainst respondent 7

anne 0oraes 8respondent9. Petitioners are the parents o+ A+red Dennis Pa1is, 7r. 8A+red9, a (6*$ear od student -ho died in a shootin! in1ident insiop 3un "irearms and Ammunitions Store 8!un store9 in Ba!uio Cit$. Respondent is the o-ner o+ the !un store.

he +a1ts as +ound #$ the tria 1ourt are as +oo-s:

On 7anuar$ (2, (22(, A+red Dennis Pa1is, then (6 $ears od and a +irst $ear student at the Ba!uio Coe!es "oundation tain! up BS

Computer S1ien1e, died due to a !unshot -ound in the head -hi1h he sustained -hie he -as at the Top 3un "irearms/ and Ammunitions/Store o1ated at ;pper 0a#ini Street, Ba!uio Cit$. The !un store -as o-ned and operated #$ de+endant 7erome 7oanne 0oraes.

ith A+red Pa1is at the time o+ the shootin! -ere Aristedes 0ati#a! and 7ason =er#oario. The$ -ere saes a!ents o+ the de+endant, and at that parti1uare 1aretaers o+ the !un store.

he #uet -hi1h ied A+red Dennis Pa1is -as +ired +rom a !un #rou!ht in #$ a 1ustomer o+ the !un store +or repair.

he !un, an A0T Automa! II Ca. %% Rim+ire 0a!num -ith Seria No. SN*=>?(2? 8E)hi#it @9, -as e+t #$ de+endant 0oraes in a dra-er o+ a ta#e oside the !un store.

e+endant 0oraes -as in 0ania at the time. =is empo$ee Armando 7arna!ue, -ho -as the re!uar 1aretaer o+ the !un store -as aso not around. =rier and reuested saes a!ents 0ati#a! and =er#oario to oo a+ter the !un store -hie he and de+endant 0oraes -ere a-a$. 7arna!ue entrusted to 0

d =er#oario a #un1h o+ e$s used in the !un store -hi1h in1uded the e$ to the dra-er -here the +ata !un -as ept.

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It appears that 0ati#a! and =er#oario ater #rou!ht out the !un +rom the dra-er and pa1ed it on top o+ the ta#e. Attra1ted #$ the si!ht o+

the !un, the $oun! A+red Dennis Pa1is !ot hod o+ the same. 0ati#a! ased A+red Dennis Pa1is to return the !un. The atter +oo-ed andhanded the !un to 0ati#a!. It -ent o++, the #uet hittin! the $oun! A+red in the head.

1rimina 1ase +or homi1ide -as +ied a!ainst 0ati#a! #e+ore #ran1h 4II o+ this Court. 0ati#a!, ho-eer, -as a1uitted o+ the 1har!e a!ainst him #e1ae e)emptin! 1ir1umstan1e o+ a11ident under Art. (%, par. ? o+ the Reised Pena Code.

B$ a!reement o+ the parties, the eiden1e addu1ed in the 1rimina 1ase +or homi1ide a!ainst 0ati#a! -as reprodu1ed and adopted #$ them as

part o+ their eiden1e in the instant 1ase.>/

n Apri (22, the tria 1ourt rendered its de1ision in +aor o+ petitioners. The dispositie portion o+ the de1ision reads:


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re+rain +rom that 1ourse or tae pre1aution a!ainst its mis1hieous resuts, and the +aiure to do so 1onstitutes ne!i!en1e.) ) ).

De+endant*appeant maintains that he is not !uit$ o+ ne!i!en1e and a1 o+ due 1are as he did not +ai to o#sere the dii!en1e o+ a !ood

+ather o+ a +ami$. =e su#mits that he ept the +irearm in one o+ his ta#e dra-ers, -hi1h he o1ed and su1h is aread$ an indi1ation that he

too the ne1essar$ dii!en1e and 1are that the said !un -oud not #e a11essi#e to an$one. =e puts si1/ that his store is en!a!ed in sein!+irearms and ammunitions. Su1h items -hi1h are per se dan!erous are ept in a pa1e -hi1h is proper$ se1ured in order that the persons

1omin! into the !un store -oud not #e a#e to tae hod o+ it uness it is done intentiona$, su1h as -hen a 1ustomer is interested to pur1hase

an$ o+ the +irearms, ammunitions and other reated items, in -hi1h 1ase, he ma$ #e ao-ed to hande the same.

(%/o+ the Reised Pena Code,(>/the ia#iit$ o+ the empo$er, or an$ person +or that m

nder Arti1e %(65 o+ the Cii Code is primar$ and dire1t, #ased on a persons o-n ne!i!en1e. Arti1e %(65 states:

Art. %(65.


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$ inur$ #ein! done there#$.(&/;nie the ordinar$ a++airs o+ i+e or #usiness -hi1h inoe itte or no ris, a #usiness deain! -ith dan!erous -e

uires the e)er1ise o+ a hi!her de!ree o+ 1are.

s a !un store o-ner, respondent is presumed to #e no-ed!ea#e a#out +irearms sa+et$ and shoud hae no-n neer to eep a oaded -eapon in his st

oid unreasona#e ris o+ harm or inur$ to others. Respondent has the dut$ to ensure that a the !uns in his store are not oaded. "irearms shoud #e s

noaded and separate +rom ammunition -hen the +irearms are not needed +or read$*a11ess de+ensie use. (5/'th o+ Septem#er, (2'&, painti++, -ith a #o$ named 0anue Caparos, a#out (% $ears o+ a!e, 1rossed the +oot#rid!e to the Isa de Proisor, +or the

urpose o+ isitin! one 0urph$, an empo$ee o+ the de+endant, -ho and promised to mae them a 1$inder +or a miniature en!ine. "indin! on inuir$ that 0

urph$ -as not in his uarters, the #o$s, impeed apparent$ #$ $outh+u 1uriosit$ and perhaps #$ the unusua interest -hi1h #oth seem to hae taen ina1hiner$, spent some time in -anderin! a#out the 1ompan$s premises. The isit -as made on a Sunda$ a+ternoon, and it does not appear that the$ sa- or

oe to an$one a+ter eain! the po-er house -here the$ had ased +or 0r. 0urph$.

+ter -at1hin! the operation o+ the traein! 1rane used in handin! the de+endants 1oa, the$ -aed a1ross the open spa1e in the nei!h#orhood o+ the pa

here the 1ompan$ dumped in the 1inders and ashes +rom its +urna1es. =ere the$ +ound some t-ent$ or thirt$ #rass +uminatin! 1aps s1attered on the !rounhese 1aps are appro)imate$ o+ the sie and appearan1e o+ sma pisto 1artrid!es and ea1h has atta1hed to it t-o on! thin -ires #$ means o+ -hi1h it ma$

s1har!ed #$ the use o+ ee1tri1it$. The$ are intended +or use in the e)posion o+ #astin! 1har!es o+ d$namite, and hae in themsees a 1onsidera#e e)po-er. A+ter some dis1ussion as to the o-nership o+ the 1aps, and their ri!ht to tae them, the #o$s pi1ed up a the$ 1oud +ind, hun! them on sti1, o+ -h

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1h too end, and 1arried them home. A+ter 1rossin! the +oot#rid!e, the$ met a itte !ir named 7essie Adrian, ess than 2 $ears od, and a three -ent to thme o+ the #o$ 0anue. The #o$s then made a series o+ e)periments -ith the 1aps. The$ trust the ends o+ the -ires into an ee1tri1 i!ht so1et and o#taine

sut. The$ ne)t tried to #rea the 1ap -ith a stone and +aied. 0anue ooed +or a hammer, #ut 1oud not +ind one. Then the$ opened one o+ the 1aps -ithni+e, and +indin! that it -as +ied -ith a $eo-ish su#stan1e the$ !ot mat1hes, and Daid hed the 1ap -hie 0anue appied a i!hted mat1h to the 1onten

posion +oo-ed, 1ausin! more or ess serious inuries to a three. 7essie, -ho -hen the #o$s proposed puttin! a mat1h to the 1ontents o+ the 1ap, #e1ame

!htened and started to run a-a$, re1eied a si!ht 1ut in the ne1. 0anue had his hand #urned and -ounded, and Daid -as stru1 in the +a1e #$ seerarti1es o+ the meta 1apsue, one o+ -hi1h inured his ri!ht e$e to su1h an e)tent as to the ne1essitate its remoa #$ the sur!eons -ho -ere 1aed in to 1ar

s -ounds.

he eiden1e does de+inite$ and 1on1usie$ dis1ose ho- the 1aps 1ame to #e on the de+endants premises, nor ho- on! the$ had #een there -hen the #ound them. It appears, ho-eer, that some months #e+ore the a11ident, durin! the 1onstru1tion o+ the de+endants pant, detonatin! 1aps o+ the same sie an

those +ound #$ the #o$s -ere used in sinin! a -e at the po-er pant near the pa1e -here the 1aps -ere +ound and it aso appears that at or a#out the t

hen these 1aps -ere +ound, simiar$ 1aps -ere in use in the 1onstru1tion o+ an e)tension o+ de+endants street 1ar ine to "ort


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ainti++ appears to hae rested his 1ase, as did the tria ud!e his de1ision in painti++s +aor, upon the proisions o+ arti1e ('2 o+ the Cii Code read to!eth arti1es (2'%, (2'>, and (2' o+ that 1ode.

ART. ('2 O#i!ations are 1reated #$ a-, #$ 1ontra1ts, #$ uasi*1ontra1ts, and ii1it a1ts and omissions or #$ those in -hi1h an$ ind o+ +aut or

ne!i!en1e o11urs.

ART. (2'% A person -ho #$ an a1t or omission 1auses dama!e to another -hen there is +aut or ne!i!en1e sha #e o#i!ed to repair the dama!e s

done.

ART. (2'> The o#i!ation imposed #$ the pre1edin! arti1e is demanda#e, not on$ +or persona a1ts and omissions, #ut aso +or those o+ the pers

+or -hom the$ shoud #e responsi#e.

The +ather, and on his death or in1apa1it$ the mother, is ia#e +or the dama!es 1aused #$ the minors -ho ie -ith them.

))) ))) )))

O-ners or dire1tors o+ an esta#ishment or enterprise are eua$ ia#e +or dama!es 1aused #$ their empo$ees in the seri1e o+ the #ran1hes in -

the atter ma$ #e empo$ed or on a11ount o+ their duties.

))) ))) )))

The ia#iit$ re+erred to in this arti1e sha 1ease -hen the persons mentioned therein proe that the$ empo$ed a the dii!en1e o+ a !ood +ather o

+ami$ to aoid the dama!e.

ART. (2' The o-ners sha aso #e ia#e +or the dama!e 1aused

( B$ the e)posion o+ ma1hines -hi1h ma$ not hae #een 1ared +or -ith due dii!en1e, and +or indin! o+ e)posie su#stan1es -hi1h ma$ not h

#een pa1ed in a sa+e and proper pa1e.

ounse +or the de+endant and appeant rests his appea stri1t$ upon his 1ontention that the +a1ts proen at the tria do not esta#ished the ia#iit$ o+ the

+endant 1ompan$ under the proisions o+ these arti1es, and sin1e -e a!ree -ith this ie- o+ the 1ase, it is not ne1essar$ +or us to 1onsider the ariousuestions as to +orm and the ri!ht o+ a1tion 8anao!ous to those raised in the 1ase o+ Raes vs. Atanti1, 3u+ and Pa1i+i1 Co., 6 Phi. Rep., >&29, -hi1h -ou

rhaps, #e inoed in a de1ision a++irmin! the ud!ment o+ the 1ourt #eo-.

e a!ree -ith 1ounse +or appeant that under the Cii Code, as under the !enera$ a11epted do1trine in the ;nited States, the painti++ in an a1tion su1h ander 1onsideration, in order to esta#ish his ri!ht to a re1oer$, must esta#ish #$ 1ompetent eiden1e:

8(9 Dama!es to the painti++.

8%9 Ne!i!en1e #$ a1t or omission o+ -hi1h de+endant persona$, or some person +or -hose a1ts it must respond, -as !uit$.

8>9 The 1onne1tion o+ 1ause and e++e1t #et-een the ne!i!en1e and the dama!e.

hese proposition are, o+ 1ourse, eementar$, and do not admit o+ dis1ussion, the rea di++i1ut$ arisin! in the appi1ation o+ these prin1ipes to the parti1uareoped in the 1ase under 1onsideration.

is 1ear that the a11ident 1oud not hae happened and not the +uminatin! 1aps #een e+t e)posed at the point -here the$ -ere +ound, or i+ their o-ner had

er1ised due 1are in eepin! them in an appropriate pa1e #ut it is eua$ 1ear that painti++ -oud not hae #een inured had he not, +or his o-n peasurenenien1e, entered upon the de+endants premises, and stroed around thereon -ithout the e)press permission o+ the de+endant, and had he not pi1ed up

rried a-a$ the propert$ o+ the de+endant -hi1h he +ound on its premises, and had he not therea+ter dei#erate$ 1ut open one o+ the 1aps and appied a ma

1ontents.

ut 1ounse +or painti++ 1ontends that #e1ause o+ painti++s $outh and ine)perien1e, his entr$ upon de+endant 1ompan$s premises, and the interention o+ h

tion #et-een the ne!i!ent a1t o+ de+endant in eain! the 1aps e)posed on its premises and the a11ident -hi1h resuted in his inur$ shoud not #e hed to

ntri#uted in an$ -ise to the a11ident, -hi1h shoud #e deemed to #e the dire1t resut o+ de+endants ne!i!en1e in eain! the 1aps e)posed at the pa1e -he$ -ere +ound #$ the painti++, and this atter the pro)imate 1ause o+ the a11ident -hi1h o11asioned the inuries sustained #$ him.

support o+ his 1ontention, 1ounse +or painti++ reies on the do1trine aid do-n in man$ o+ the 1ourts o+ ast resort in the ;nited States in the 1ases no-n

e KTorpedoK and KTurnta#eK 1ases, and the 1ases #ased thereon.

6


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a t$pi1a 1ases, the uestion inoed has #een -hether a rairoad 1ompan$ is ia#e +or an inur$ re1eied #$ an in+ant o+ tender $ears, -ho +rom mere idriosit$, or +or the purposes o+ amusement, enters upon the rairoad 1ompan$s premises, at a pa1e -here the rairoad 1ompan$ ne-, or had !ood reason t

ppose, 1hidren -oud #e ie$ to 1ome, and there +ound e)posie si!na torpedoes e+t une)posed #$ the rairoad 1ompan$s empo$ees, one o+ -hi1h -rried a-a$ #$ the isitor, e)poded and inured him or -here su1h in+ant +ound upon the premises a dan!erous ma1hine, su1h as a turnta#e, e+t in su1h

ndition as to mae it pro#a#e that 1hidren in pa$in! -ith it -oud #e e)posed to a11ident or inur$ there+rom and -here the in+ant did in +a1t su++er inu

a$in! -ith su1h ma1hine.

these, and in !reat ariet$ o+ simiar 1ases, the !reat -ei!ht o+ authorit$ hods the o-ner o+ the premises ia#e.

s aid do-n inRailroad Co. vs. Stout 8(6 9 that an initation or i1ense to 1ross the premises o+ another 1an not #e predi1an the mere +a1t that no steps hae #een taen to inter+ere -ith su1h pra1ti1e 8?9 that there is no di++eren1e #et-een 1hidren and aduts as to the 1ir1umstanat -i -arrant the in+eren1e o+ an initation or a i1ense to enter upon anothers premises.

miar 1riti1isms o+ the opinion in the 1ase o+Railroad Company vs. Stout -ere indu!ed in #$ the 1ourts in Conne1ti1ut and 0assa1husetts. 8Noan vs. Ra

o., &> Conn., ?5( (&? 0ass., >?29. And the do1trine has #een uestioned in &, >59, a$ do-n the rue in these 1ases in a11ord -ith that announ1ed in theRailroad Company vs. Stout 8supra9, and th

upreme Court o+ the ;nited States, in a unanimous opinion deiered #$ 7usti1e =aran in the 1ase o+ !nion "acific Railway Co. vs. #c$onal and re1onsi

e do1trine aid do-n in Rairoad Co. s. Stout, and a+ter an e)haustie and 1riti1a ana$sis and reie- o+ man$ o+ the adud!ed 1ases, #oth En!ish andmeri1an, +orma$ de1ared that it adhered Kto the prin1ipes announ1ed in the 1ase o+Railroad Co. vs. Stout.K

the 1ase o+ !nion "acific Railway Co. vs. #ac$onald 8supra9 the +a1ts -ere as +oo-s: The painti++, a #o$ (% $ears o+ a!e, out o+ 1uriosit$ and +or his o

easure, entered upon and isited the de+endants premises, -ithout de+endants e)press permission or initation, and -hie there, -as #$ a11ident inured #in! into a #urnin! sa1 pie o+ -hose e)isten1e he had no no-ed!e, #ut -hi1h had #een e+t #$ de+endant on its premises -ithout an$ +en1e around it

$thin! to !ie -arnin! o+ its dan!erous 1ondition, athou!h de+endant ne- or had reason the interest or 1uriosit$ o+ passers*#$. On these +a1ts the 1ourt h

at the painti++ 1oud not #e re!arded as a mere trespasser, +or -hose sa+et$ and prote1tion -hie on the premises in uestion, a!ainst the unseen dan!er re the de+endant -as under no o#i!ation to mae proision.

e uote at en!th +rom the dis1ussion #$ the 1ourt o+ the appi1ation o+ the prin1ipes inoed to the +a1ts in that 1ase, #e1ause -hat is said there is striin

pi1a#e in the 1ase at #ar, and -oud seem to dispose o+ de+endants 1ontention that, the painti++ in this 1ase #ein! a trespasser, the de+endant 1ompan$ o-m no dut$, and in no 1ase 1oud #e hed ia#e +or inuries -hi1h -oud not hae resuted #ut +or the entr$ o+ painti++ on de+endants premises.


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o#e1tion or -arnin!, to do so at -i, +or purposes o+ 1uriosit$ or peasureF Re+errin! it the 1ase o+ Townsend vs. Wathen, Judge Thompson, in hison the La- o+ Ne!i!en1e, oume (, pa!e >'&, note, -e sa$s: KIt -oud #e a #ar#arous rue o+ a- that -oud mae the o-ner o+ and ia#e +or

settin! a trap thereon, #aited -ith stinin! meat, so that his nei!h#ors do! attra1ted #$ his natura instin1t, mi!ht run into it and #e ied, and -h-oud e)empt him +rom ia#iit$ +or the 1onseuen1e o+ eain! e)posed and un!uarded on his and a dan!erous ma1hine, so that his nei!h#ors 1

attra1ted to it and tempted to intermedde -ith it #$ instin1ts eua$ stron!, mi!ht there#$ #e ied or maimed +or i+e.K

hie+ 7usti1e Cooe$, oi1in! the opinion o+ the supreme 1ourt o+ 0i1hi!an, in the 1ase o+"owers vs. Harlow 8&> 0i1h., &'69, said that 8p. &(&9:

Chidren, -hereer the$ !o, must #e e)pe1ted to a1t upon 1hidie instin1ts and impuses and others -ho are 1har!ea#e -ith a dut$ o+ 1are and1aution to-ard them must 1a1uate upon this, and tae pre1autions a11ordin!$. I+ the$ eae e)posed to the o#seration o+ 1hidren an$thin! -hi

-oud #e temptin! to them, and -hi1h the$ in their immature ud!ment mi!ht natura$ suppose the$ -ere at i#ert$ to hande or pa$ -ith, the$ s

e)pe1t that i#ert$ to #e taen.

nd the same eminent urist in his treatise or torts, audin! to the do1trine o+ impied initation to isit the premises o+ another, sa$s:

In the 1ase o+ $oun! 1hidren, and other persons not +u$sui %uris, an impied i1ense mi!ht sometimes arise -hen it -oud not on #eha+ o+ other

Thus eain! a temptin! thin! +or 1hidren to pa$ -ith e)posed, -here the$ -oud #e ie$ to !ather +or that purpose, ma$ #e euiaent to an

initation to them to mae use o+ it and, perhaps, i+ one -ere to thro- a-a$ upon his premises, near the 1ommon -a$, thin!s temptin! to 1hidresame impi1ation shoud arise. 8Chap. (', p. >'>.9

he reasonin! -hi1h ed the Supreme Court o+ the ;nited States to its 1on1usion in the 1ases o+Railroad Co. vs. Stout 8supra9 and !nion "acific Railroad

#c$onald 8supra9 is not ess 1o!ent and 1onin1in! in this urisdi1tion than in that -herein those 1ases ori!inated. Chidren here are a1tuated #$ simiaridish instin1ts and impuses. Dra-n #$ 1uriosit$ and impeed #$ the restess spirit o+ $outh, #o$s here as -e as there -i usua$ #e +ound -heneer th

u#i1 is permitted to 1on!re!ate. The moement o+ ma1hiner$, and indeed an$thin! -hi1h arouses the attention o+ the $oun! and inuirin! mind, -i dra-

the nei!h#orhood as ineita#$ as does the ma!net dra- the iron -hi1h 1omes -ithin the ran!e o+ its ma!neti1 in+uen1e. The o-ners o+ premises, there+hereon thin!s attra1tie to 1hidren are e)posed, or upon -hi1h the pu#i1 are e)press$ or impied$ permitted to enter or upon -hi1h the o-ner no-s or

u!ht to no- 1hidren are ie$ to roam a#out +or pastime and in pa$, K must 1a1uate upon this, and tae pre1autions a11ordin!$.K In su1h 1ases the o-ne premises 1an not #e heard to sa$ that #e1ause the 1hid has entered upon his premises -ithout his e)press permission he is a trespasser to -hom the o-n

-es no dut$ or o#i!ation -hateer. The o-ners +aiure to tae reasona#e pre1autions to preent the 1hid +rom enterin! his premises at a pa1e -here he

no-s or ou!ht to no- that 1hidren are a11ustomed to roam a#out o+ to -hi1h their 1hidish instin1ts and impuses are ie$ to attra1t them is at eastuiaent to an impied i1ense to enter, and -here the 1hid does enter under su1h 1onditions the o-ners +aiure to tae reasona#e pre1autions to !uard th

id a!ainst inur$ +rom unno-n or unseen dan!ers, pa1ed upon su1h premises #$ the o-ner, is 1ear$ a #rea1h o+ dut$, responsi#e, i+ the 1hid is a1tua

ured, -ithout other +aut on its part than that it had entered on the premises o+ a stran!er -ithout his e)press initation or permission. To hod other-ise -e)pose a the 1hidren in the 1ommunit$ to unno-n peris and unne1essar$ dan!er at the -him o+ the o-ners or o11upants o+ and upon -hi1h the$ mi!

tura$ and reasona#$ #e e)pe1ted to enter.

his 1on1usion is +ounded on reason, usti1e, and ne1essit$, and neither is 1ontention that a man has a ri!ht to do -hat -i -ith his o-n propert$ or that 1houd #e ept under the 1are o+ their parents or !uardians, so as to preent their enterin! on the premises o+ others is o+ su++i1ient -ei!ht to put in dou#t. In

risdi1tion as -e as in the ;nited States a priate propert$ is a1uired and hed under the ta1it 1ondition that it sha not #e so used as to inure the eua

d interests o+ the 1ommunit$ 8see ;. S. vs. Tori#io,(No. &'5', de1ided 7anuar$ %5, (2('9, and e)1ept as to in+ants o+ er$ tender $ears it -oud #e a#surdnreasona#e in a 1ommunit$ or!anied as is that in -hi1h -e ied to hod that parents or !uardian are !uit$ o+ ne!i!en1e or impruden1e in eer$ 1ase -h

e$ permit !ro-in! #o$s and !irs to eae the parenta roo+ unattended, een i+ in the eent o+ a11ident to the 1hid the ne!i!en1e o+ the parent 1oud in an

ent #e imputed to the 1hid so as to deprie it a ri!ht to re1oer in su1h 1ases a point -hi1h -e neither dis1uss nor de1ide.

ut -hie -e hod that the entr$ o+ the painti++ upon de+endants propert$ -ithout de+endants e)press initation or permission -oud not hae reieed de+e

om responsi#iit$ +or inuries in1urred there #$ painti++, -ithout other +aut on his part, i+ su1h inur$ -ere attri#uta#e to the ne!i!en1e o+ the de+endant,

e o+ opinion that under a the 1ir1umstan1es o+ this 1ase the ne!i!en1e o+ the de+endant in eain! the 1aps e)posed on its premises -as not the pro)imatuse o+ the inur$ re1eied #$ the painti++, -hi1h there+ore -as not, proper$ speain!, Kattri#uta#e to the ne!i!en1e o+ the de+endant,K and, on the other

e are satis+ied that painti++s a1tion in 1uttin! open the detonatin! 1ap and puttin! mat1h to its 1ontents -as the pro)imate 1ause o+ the e)posion and o+ th

sutant inuries in+i1ted upon the painti++, and that the de+endant, there+ore is not 1ii$ responsi#e +or the inuries thus in1urred.

ainti++ 1ontends, upon the authorit$ o+ the Turnta#e and Torpedo 1ases, that #e1ause o+ painti++s $outh the interention o+ his a1tion #et-een the ne!i!e

the de+endant in eain! the 1aps e)posed on its premises and the e)posion -hi1h resuted in his inur$ shoud not #e hed to hae 1ontri#uted in an$ -is

e a11ident and it is #e1ause -e 1an not a!ree -ith this proposition, athou!h -e a11ept the do1trine o+ the Turnta#e and Torpedo 1ases, that -e hae thouoper to dis1uss and to 1onsider that do1trine at en!th in this de1ision. As -as said in 1ase o+Railroad Co. vs. Stout8supra9, K


9/56

ao!ous 1ases -hi1h our attention has #een dire1ted, the re1ord dis1oses that the painti++s, in -hose +aor ud!ments hae #een a++irmed, -ere o+ su1h tears that the$ -ere hed not to hae the 1apa1it$ to understand the nature or 1hara1ter o+ the e)posie instruments -hi1h +e into their hands.

the 1ase at #ar, painti++ at the time o+ the a11ident -as a -e*!ro-n $outh o+ (&, more mature #oth menta$ and ph$si1a$ than the aera!e #o$ o+ his a

had #een to sea as a 1a#in #o$ -as a#e to earn P%.&' a da$ as a me1hani1a dra+tsman thirt$ da$s a+ter the inur$ -as in1urred and the re1ord dis1osesrou!hout that he -as e)1eptiona$ -e uai+ied to tae 1are o+ himse+. The eiden1e o+ re1ord eaes no room +or dou#t that, despite his denias on the

tness stand, he -e ne- the e)posie 1hara1ter o+ the 1ap -ith -hi1h he -as amusin! himse+. The series o+ e)periments made #$ him in his attempt to

odu1e an e)posion, as des1ri#ed #$ the itte !ir -ho -as present, admit o+ no other e)panation. =is attempt to dis1har!e the 1ap #$ the use o+ ee1tri1it

o-ed #$ his e++orts to e)pode it -ith a stone or a hammer, and the +ina su11ess o+ his endeaors #rou!ht a#out #$ the appi1ation o+ a mat1h to the 1ontthe 1aps, sho- 1ear$ that he ne- -hat he -as a#out. Nor 1an there #e an$ reasona#e dou#t that he had reason to anti1ipate that the e)posion mi!ht #n!erous, in ie- o+ the +a1t that the itte !ir, 2 $ears o+ a!e, -ho -as -ithin him at the time -hen he put the mat1h to the 1ontents o+ the 1ap, #e1ame

!htened and ran a-a$.

ue, he ma$ not hae no-n and pro#a#$ did not no- the pre1ise nature o+ the e)posion -hi1h mi!ht #e e)pe1ted +rom the i!nition o+ the 1ontents o+ th

p, and o+ 1ourse he did not anti1ipate the resutant inuries -hi1h he in1urred #ut he -e ne- that a more or ess dan!erous e)posion mi!ht #e e)pe1teds a1t, and $et he -i+u$, re1ess$, and no-in!$ produ1ed the e)posion. It -oud #e !oin! +ar to sa$ that Ka11ordin! to his maturit$ and 1apa1it$K he

er1ised su1h and K1are and 1autionK as mi!ht reasona#$ #e reuired o+ him, or that de+endant or an$one ese shoud #e hed 1ii$ responsi#e +or inurie1urred #$ him under su1h 1ir1umstan1es.

he a- +i)es no ar#itrar$ a!e at -hi1h a minor 1an #e said to hae the ne1essar$ 1apa1it$ to understand and appre1iate the nature and 1onseuen1es o+ his

ts, so as to mae it ne!i!en1e on his part to +ai to e)er1ise due 1are and pre1aution in the 1ommission o+ su1h a1ts and indeed it -oud #e impra1ti1a#e

rhaps impossi#e so to do, +or in the er$ nature o+ thin!s the uestion o+ ne!i!en1e ne1essari$ depends on the a#iit$ o+ the minor to understand the 1ha

his o-n a1ts and their 1onseuen1es and the a!e at -hi1h a minor 1an #e said to hae su1h a#iit$ -i ne1essari$ depends o+ his o-n a1ts and theirnseuen1es and at the a!e at -hi1h a minor 1an #e said to hae su1h a#iit$ -i ne1essari$ ar$ in a11ordan1e -ith the ar$in! nature o+ the in+inite ara1ts -hi1h ma$ #e done #$ him. But some idea o+ the presumed 1apa1it$ o+ in+ants under the a-s in +or1e in these Isands ma$ #e !athered +rom an

amination o+ the ar$in! a!es +i)ed #$ our a-s at -hi1h minors are 1on1usie$ presumed to #e 1apa#e o+ e)er1isin! 1ertain ri!hts and in1urrin! 1ertai

sponsi#iities, thou!h it 1an not #e said that these proisions o+ a- are o+ mu1h pra1ti1a assistan1e in 1ases su1h as that at #ar, e)1ept so +ar as the$ iuste rue that the 1apa1it$ o+ a minor to #e1ome responsi#e +or his o-n a1ts aries -ith the ar$in! 1ir1umstan1es o+ ea1h 1ase. ;nder the proisions o+ the

ode a minor oer +i+teen $ears o+ a!e is presumed to #e 1apa#e o+ 1ommittin! a 1rime and is to hed 1rimina$ responsi#e there+ore, athou!h the +a1t tha

ess than ei!hteen $ears o+ a!e -i #e taen into 1onsideration as an e)tenuatin! 1ir1umstan1e 8Pena Code, arts. and 29. At (' $ears o+ a!e a 1hid ma$nder 1ertain 1ir1umstan1es, 1hoose -hi1h parent it pre+ers to ie -ith 8Code o+ Cii Pro1edure, se1. 66(9. At (? ma$ petition +or the appointment o+ a !ua

d., se1. &&(9, and ma$ 1onsent or re+use to #e adopted 8'd., se1. 65&9. And maes o+ (? and +emaes o+ (% are 1apa#e o+ 1ontra1tin! a e!a marria!e 8Cii

ode, art. > 3. O., No. 5, se1. (9.

e are satis+ied that the painti++ in this 1ase had su++i1ient 1apa1it$ and understandin! to #e sensi#e o+ the dan!er to -hi1h he e)posed himse+ -hen he pu

at1h to the 1ontents o+ the 1ap that he -assui %uris in the sense that his a!e and his e)perien1e uai+ied him to understand and appre1iate the ne1essit$ +o

er1ise o+ that de!ree o+ 1aution -hi1h -oud hae aoided the inur$ -hi1h resuted +rom his o-n dei#erate a1t and that the inur$ in1urred #$ him mustd to hae #een the dire1t and immediate resut o+ his o-n -i+u and re1ess a1t, so that -hie it ma$ #e true that these inuries -oud not hae #een in1

ut +or the ne!i!en1e a1t o+ the de+endant in eain! the 1aps e)posed on its premises, neertheess painti++s o-n a1t -as the pro)imate and prin1ipa 1aus

e a11ident -hi1h in+i1ted the inur$.

he rue o+ the Roman a- -as: (uod )uis e* culpa sua damnum sentit, non intelligitur sentire. 8Di!est, #oo &', tit. (6 rue %'>.9

he"atidas 1ontain the +oo-in! proisions:

The ust thin! is that a man shoud su++er the dama!e -hi1h 1omes to him throu!h his o-n +aut, and that he 1an not demand reparation there+or +

another. 8La- %&, tit. &,"artida >.9

And the$ een said that -hen a man re1eied an inur$ throu!h his o-n a1ts the !riean1e shoud #e a!ainst himse+ and not a!ainst another. 8La-tit. 6,"artida %.9

A11ordin! to an1ient sa!es, -hen a man re1eied an inur$ throu!h his o-n a1ts the !riean1e shoud #e a!ainst himse+ and not a!ainst another.

%, tit. 6"artida %.9

nd -hie there does not appear to #e an$thin! in the Cii Code -hi1h e)press$ a$s do-n the a- tou1hin! 1ontri#utor$ ne!i!en1e in this urisdi1tion,

ertheess, the interpretation pa1ed upon its proisions #$ the supreme 1ourt o+ Spain, and #$ this 1ourt in the 1ase o+Ra+es vs. tlantic, -ulf and "acifi

o. 86 Phi. Rep., >&29, 1ear$ den$ to the painti++ in the 1ase at #ar the ri!ht to re1oer dama!es +rom the de+endant, in -hoe or in part, +or the inuriesstained #$ him.

he ud!ment o+ the supreme 1ourt o+ Spain o+ the 6th o+ 0ar1h, (2'% 82>Jurisprudencia Civil, >2(9, is dire1t$ in point. In that 1ase the 1ourt said:

9


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A11ordin! to the do1trine e)pressed in arti1e (2'% o+ the Cii Code, +aut or ne!i!en1e is a sour1e o+ o#i!ation -hen #et-een su1h ne!i!en1ethe inur$ there e)ists the reation o+ 1ause and e++e1t #ut i+ the inur$ produ1ed shoud not #e the resut o+ a1ts or omissions o+ a third part$, the

has no o#i!ation to repair the same, athou!h su1h a1ts or omission -ere imprudent or una-+u, and mu1h ess -hen it is sho-n that the immedi1ause o+ the inur$ -as the ne!i!en1e o+ the inured part$ himse+.

he same 1ourt, in its de1ision o+ 7une (%, (2'', said that Kthe e)isten1e o+ the ae!ed +aut or ne!i!en1e is not su++i1ient -ithout proo+ that it, and no othe

use, !ae rise to the dama!e.K

e aso ud!ment o+ O1to#er %(, (2'>.

To simiar e++e1t S1aeoa, the earned Spanish -riter, -ritin! under that tite in hisJurisprudencia del Codigo Civil 8(2'% Anuario, p. ?&&9,1ommentin! on the de1ision o+ 0ar1h 6, (2'% o+ the Cii Code, +aut or ne!i!en1e !ies rise to an o#i!ation -hen #et-een it and the dama!e th

e)ists the reation o+ 1ause and e++e1t #ut i+ the dama!e 1aused does not arise +rom the a1ts or omissions o+ a third person, there is no o#i!ation tmae !ood upon the atter, een thou!h su1h a1ts or omissions #e imprudent or ie!a, and mu1h ess so -hen it is sho-n that the immediate 1aus

the dama!e has #een the re1essness o+ the inured part$ himse+.

nd a!ain

In a11ordan1e -ith the +undamenta prin1ipe o+ proo+, that the #urden thereo+ is upon the painti++, it is apparent that it is dut$ o+ him -ho sha 1dama!es to esta#ish their e)isten1e. The de1isions o+ Apri 2, (25, and 0ar1h (, 7u$, and Septem#er %6, (2, hae espe1ia$ supported the

prin1ipe, the +irst settin! +orth in detai the ne1essar$ points o+ the proo+, -hi1h are t-o:n act or omission on the part o+ the person -ho is to #e

1har!ed -ith the ia#iit$, and the produ1tion o+ the dama!e #$ said a1t or omission.

This in1udes, #$ in+eren1e, the esta#ishment o+ a reation o+ 1ause or e++e1t #et-een the a1t or omission and the dama!e the atter must #e the d

resut o+ one o+ the +irst t-o. As the de1ision o+ 0ar1h %%, ((, said, it is ne1essar$ that the dama!es resut immediate$ and dire1t$ +rom an a1t

per+ormed 1upa#$ and -ron!+u$ Kne1essari$ presupposin! a e!a !round +or imputa#iit$.K 8De1ision o+ O1to#er %2, (6.9

Ne!i!en1e is not presumed, #ut must #e proen #$ him -ho ae!es it. 8S1aoea,Jurisprudencia del Codigo Civil, o. 5, pp. &&(*&&%.9

+. de1isions o+ supreme 1ourt o+ Spain o+ 7une (%, (2'', and 7une %>, (2''.9

na$ -e thin the do1trine in this urisdi1tion appi1a#e to the 1ase at #ar -as de+inite$ setted in this 1ourt in the mature$ 1onsidered 1ase o+Ra+es vs.

lantic, -ulf and "acific Co. 8supra9, -herein -e hed that -hie KThere are man$ 1ases 8persona inur$ 1ases9 -as e)onerated,K on the !round that Kthe!i!en1e o+ the painti++ -as the immediate 1ause o+ the 1asuat$K 8de1isions o+ the (&th o+ 7anuar$, the (2th o+ "e#ruar$, and the 6th o+ 0ar1h, (2'%, stat

1u#ias Inde) o+ that $ear9 none o+ the 1ases de1ided #$ the supreme 1ourt o+ Spain Kde+ine the e++e1t to #e !ien the ne!i!en1e o+ its 1auses, thou!h no

in1ipa one, and -e are e+t to see the theor$ o+ the 1ii a- in the pra1ti1e o+ other 1ountriesK and in su1h 1ases -e de1ared that a- in this urisdi1tionuire the appi1ation o+ Kthe prin1ipe o+ proportiona dama!es,K #ut e)press$ and de+inite$ denied the ri!ht o+ re1oer$ -hen the a1ts o+ the inured part

ere the immediate 1auses o+ the a11ident.

he do1trine as aid do-n in that 1ase is as +oo-s:

Di++i1ut$ seems to #e apprehended in de1idin! -hi1h a1ts o+ the inured part$ sha #e 1onsidered immediate 1auses o+ the a11ident. The test is siDistin1tion must #e made #et-een the a11ident and the inur$, #et-een the eent itse+, -ithout -hi1h there 1oud hae #een no a11ident, and tho

o+ the i1tim not enterin! into it, independent o+ it, #ut 1ontri#utin! to his o-n proper hurt. "or instan1e, the 1ause o+ the a11ident under reie- -

dispa1ement o+ the 1rosspie1e or the +aiure to repa1e it. This produ1es the eent !iin! o11asion +or dama!esthat is, the sinin! o+ the tra1 asidin! o+ the iron rais. To this eent, the a1t o+ the painti++ in -ain! #$ the side o+ the 1ar did not 1ontri#ute, athou!h it -as an eement o+ the

dama!e -hi1h 1ame to himse+. =ad the 1rosspie1e #een out o+ pa1e -ho$ or part$ throu!h his a1t or omission o+ dut$, that -oud hae #een othe determinin! 1auses o+ the eent or a11ident, +or -hi1h he -oud hae #een responsi#e.


11/56


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their ans-er -ith 1ounter1aim, petitioners denied an$ ia#iit$ +or the inuries and 1onseuent death o+ Z=IENET=. The$ 1aimed that CRISELDA -as!i!ent in e)er1isin! 1are and dii!en1e oer her dau!hter #$ ao-in! her to +ree$ roam around in a store +ied -ith !ass-are and appian1es. Z=IENE

o, -as !uit$ o+ 1ontri#utor$ ne!i!en1e sin1e she 1im#ed the 1ounter, tri!!erin! its eentua 1oapse on her. Petitioners aso emphasied that the 1ounterade o+ sturd$ -ood -ith a stron! support it neer +e nor 1oapsed +or the past +i+teen $ears sin1e its 1onstru1tion.

dditiona$, petitioner 7ar1o 0aretin! Corporation maintained that it o#sered the dii!en1e o+ a !ood +ather o+ a +ami$ in the see1tion, superision and

ntro o+ its empo$ees. The other petitioners ie-ise raised due 1are and dii!en1e in the per+orman1e o+ their duties and 1ountered that the 1ompaint -a

ai1ious +or -hi1h the$ su++ered #esmir1hed reputation and menta an!uish. The$ sou!ht the dismissa o+ the 1ompaint and an a-ard o+ mora and e)emp

ma!es and attorne$s +ees in their +aor.

its de1ision %the tria 1ourt dismissed the 1ompaint and 1ounter1aim a+ter +indin! that the preponderan1e o+ the eiden1e +aored petitioners. It rued tha

o)imate 1ause o+ the +a o+ the 1ounter on Z=IENET= -as her a1t o+ 1in!in! to it. It #eieed petitioners -itnesses -ho testi+ied that Z=IENET= 1un!e 1ounter, a+ter-hi1h the stru1ture and the !ir +e -ith the stru1ture +ain! on top o+ her, pinnin! her stoma1h. In 1ontrast, none o+ priate respondents

tnesses testi+ied on ho- the 1ounter +e. The tria 1ourt aso hed that CRISELDAs ne!i!en1e 1ontri#uted to Z=IENET=s a11ident.

a#soin! petitioners +rom an$ ia#iit$, the tria 1ourt reasoned that the 1ounter -as situated at the end or 1orner o+ the %nd +oor as a pre1autionar$ measn1e, it 1oud not #e 1onsidered as an attra1tie nuisan1e. 9The 1ounter -as hi!her than Z=IENET=. It has #een in e)isten1e +or +i+teen $ears. Its stru1ture

+e and -e*#aan1ed. Z=IENET=, there+ore, had no #usiness 1im#in! on and 1in!in! to it.

iate respondents appeaed the de1ision, attri#utin! as errors o+ the tria 1ourt its +indin!s that: 8(9 the pro)imate 1ause o+ the +a o+ the 1ounter -as=IENET=s mis#ehaior 8%9 CRISELDA -as ne!i!ent in her 1are o+ Z=IENET= 8>9 petitioners -ere not ne!i!ent in the maintenan1e o+ the 1ounter a

9 petitioners -ere not ia#e +or the death o+ Z=IENET=.

urther, priate respondents asserted that Z=IENET= shoud #e entited to the 1on1usie presumption that a 1hid #eo- nine 829 $ears is in1apa#e o+

ntri#utor$ ne!i!en1e. And een i+ Z=IENET=, at si) 859 $ears od, -as aread$ 1apa#e o+ 1ontri#utor$ ne!i!en1e, sti it -as ph$si1a$ impossi#e +ore propped herse+ on the 1ounter. She had a sma +rame 8+our +eet hi!h and seent$ pounds9 and the 1ounter -as mu1h hi!her and heaier than she -as.

e testimon$ o+ one o+ the stores +ormer empo$ees, 3erardo 3onaes, -ho a11ompanied Z=IENET= -hen she -as #rou!ht to the emer!en1$ room o+ thaati 0edi1a Center #eied petitioners theor$ that Z=IENET= 1im#ed the 1ounter. 3onaes 1aimed that -hen Z=IENET= -as ased #$ the do1tor -

e did, Z=IENET= repied, KN/othin!, I did not 1ome near the 1ounter and the 1ounter ust +e on me.K #A11ordin!$, 3onaes testimon$ on Z=IENET

ontaneous de1aration shoud not on$ #e 1onsidered as part o+res gestae#ut aso a11orded 1redit.

oreoer, ne!i!en1e 1oud not #e imputed to CRISELDA +or it -as reasona#e +or her to hae et !o o+ Z=IENET= at the pre1ise moment that she -as si!e 1redit 1ard sip.

na$, priate respondents i!orous$ maintained that the pro)imate 1ause o+ Z=IENET=s death, -as petitioners ne!i!en1e in +aiin! to institute measur

e the 1ounter permanent$ naied.

n the other hand, petitioners ar!ued that priate respondents raised pure$ +a1tua issues -hi1h 1oud no on!er #e distur#ed. The$ e)pained that Z=IENE

ath -hie un+ortunate and tra!i1, -as an a11ident +or -hi1h neither CRISELDA nor een Z=IENET= 1oud entire$ #e hed +autess and #ameess. "urt

titioners aderted to the tria 1ourts ree1tion o+ 3onaes testimon$ as un-orth$ o+ 1reden1e.

s to priate respondents 1aim that the 1ounter shoud hae #een naied to the !round, petitioners usti+ied that it -as not ne1essar$. The 1ounter had #een isten1e +or seera $ears -ithout an$ prior a11ident and -as dei#erate$ pa1ed at a 1orner to aoid su1h a11idents. Truth to te, the$ a1ted -ithout +aut o

!i!en1e +or the$ had e)er1ised due dii!en1e on the matter. In +a1t, the 1rimina 1ase !0+or homi1ide throu!h simpe ne!i!en1e +ied #$ priate respondeainst the indiidua petitioners -as dismissed a erdi1t o+ a1uitta -as rendered in their +aor.

he Court o+ Appeas, ho-eer, de1ided in +aor o+ priate respondents and reersed the appeaed ud!ment. It +ound that petitioners -ere ne!i!ent in

aintainin! a stru1tura$ dan!erous 1ounter. The 1ounter -as shaped ie an inerted KLK !!-ith a top -ider than the #ase. It -as top hea$ and the -ei!ht

e upper portion -as neither een$ distri#uted nor supported #$ its narro- #ase. Thus, the 1ounter -as de+e1tie, unsta#e and dan!erous a do-n-ard pre

n the oerhan!in! portion or a push +rom the +ront 1oud 1ause the 1ounter to +a. T-o +ormer empo$ees o+ petitioners had aread$ preious$ #rou!ht to tention o+ the mana!ement the dan!er the 1ounter 1oud 1ause. But the atter i!nored their 1on1ern. The Court o+ Appeas +auted the petitioners +or thismission, and 1on1uded that the in1ident that #e+e Z=IENET= 1oud hae #een aoided had petitioners repaired the de+e1tie 1ounter. It -as in1onseue

at the 1ounter had #een in use +or some time -ithout a prior in1ident.

he Court o+ Appeas de1ared that Z=IENET=, -ho -as #eo- seen 869 $ears od at the time o+ the in1ident, -as a#soute$ in1apa#e o+ ne!i!en1e or o

rt. It reasoned that sin1e a 1hid under nine 829 $ears 1oud not #e hed ia#e een +or an intentiona -ron!, then the si)*$ear od Z=IENET= 1oud not #ea11ount +or a mere mis1hie+ or re1ess a1t. It aso a#soed CRISELDA o+ an$ ne!i!en1e, +indin! nothin! -ron! or out o+ the ordinar$ in momentari$

o-in! Z=IENET= to -a -hie she si!ned the do1ument at the near#$ 1ounter.

he Court o+ Appeas aso ree1ted the testimonies o+ the -itnesses o+ petitioners. It +ound them #iased and preudi1ed. It instead !ae 1redit to the testimonsinterested -itness 3onaes. The Court o+ Appeas then a-arded P22,?%'.5 as a1tua dama!es, the amount representin! the hospitaiation e)penses in1

12


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$ priate respondents as eiden1ed #$ the hospitas statement o+ a11ount. !/It denied an a-ard +or +unera e)penses +or a1 o+ proo+ to su#stantiate the sastead, a 1ompensator$ dama!e o+ P&',''' -as a-arded +or the death o+ Z=IENET=.

e uote the dispositie portion o+ the assaied de1ision, !7thus:


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e uote the testimon$ o+ 3erardo 3onaes -ho -as at the s1ene o+ the in1ident and a11ompanied CRISELDA and Z=IENET= to the hospita:

@ ' o+ th

ues o+ Court, thus:

Part o+ res gestae. Statements made #$ a person -hie a startin! o11urren1e is tain! pa1e or immediate$ prior or su#seuent thereto -

respe1t to the 1ir1umstan1es thereo+, ma$ #e !ien in eiden1e as part o+ the res gestae. So, aso, statements a11ompan$in! an euio1amateria to the issue, and !iin! it a e!a si!ni+i1an1e, ma$ #e re1eied as part o+ the res gestae.

is a)iomati1 that matters reatin! to de1arations o+ pain or su++erin! and statements made to a ph$si1ian are !enera$ 1onsidered de1arations and

missions. /7A that is reuired +or their admissi#iit$ as part o+ the res gestaeis that the$ #e made or uttered under the in+uen1e o+ a startin! eent #e+or1arant had the time to thin and 1on1o1t a +asehood as -itnessed #$ the person -ho testi+ied in 1ourt. ;nder the 1ir1umstan1es thus des1ri#ed, it is

nthina#e +or Z=IENET=, a 1hid o+ su1h tender a!e and in e)treme pain, to hae ied to a do1tor -hom she trusted -ith her i+e.


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@ F

))) ))) )))

A That 1ounter assi!ned to me -as -hen m$ superisor ordered me to 1arr$ that 1ounter to another pa1e. I tod him

the 1ounter needs naiin! and it has to #e naied #e1ause it mi!ht 1ause inur$ or a11ident to another sin1e it -as sha

@


16/56

haped ie an inerted KL,K the 1ounter -as hea$, hu!e, and its top aden -ith +ormi1a. It protruded to-ards the 1ustomer -aitin! area and its #ase -as no1ured. 70

RISELDA too, shoud #e a#soed +rom an$ 1ontri#utor$ ne!i!en1e. Initia$, Z=IENET= hed on to CRISELDAs -aist, ater to the atters

nd. 7!CRISELDA momentari$ reeased the 1hids hand +rom her 1ut1h -hen she si!ned her 1redit 1ard sip. At this pre1ise moment, it -as reasona#e aua +or CRISELDA to et !o o+ her 1hid. "urther, at the time Z=IENET= -as pinned do-n #$ the 1ounter, she -as ust a +oot a-a$ +rom her mother and

+t*-rappin! 1ounter -as ust +our meters a-a$ +rom CRISELDA. 7/The time and distan1e -ere #oth si!ni+i1ant. Z=IENET= -as near her mother and di

iter as petitioners -oud -ant to impress upon us. She een admitted to the do1tor -ho treated her at the hospita that she did not do an$thin! the 1ounter

on her.

=ERE"ORE, in ie- o+ a the +ore!oin!, the instant petition is DENIED and the 1haen!ed de1ision o+ the Court o+ Appeas o+ (6 7une (225 in C.A. 3

o. C4 >62>6 is here#$ A""IR0ED.

osts a!ainst petitioners.

O ORDERED.

R. No. L-77%// Ju): /#, !#99

EDERICO 1LARDE and ADELAIDA DORONIOpetitioners,

.

DARDO A;6INO, MA6RO SORIANO and CO6RT OF APPEALS, respondents.

uenaventura C. 0vangelista for petitioners.

odesto 1. Ca&anela for respondent 0dgardo )uino.

anuel ". "astor for respondent #auro Soriano.

ANCA1CO,J.:

this petition +or reie- on 1ertiorari seein! the reersa o+ the de1ision o+ the Court o+ Appeas in CA*3.R. No. >5>2'*R entited K"ederi1o Garde, et a

d!ardo Auino, et a.,K a 1ase -hi1h ori!inated +rom the Court o+ "irst Instan1e o+ Pan!asinan, , priate respondent 0ariano Soriano -as the prin1ipa o+ the 3a#adon Primar$ S1hoo, a pu#i1 edu1ationa institution o1ated in Ta$u!, Pan!asin

iate respondent Ed!ardo Auino -as a tea1her therein. At that time, the s1hoo -as +ittered -ith seera 1on1rete #o1s -hi1h -ere remnants o+ the odhoo shop that -as destro$ed in


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%. Contusion -ith e11h$mosis entire s1rota re!ion.

>. La1erated -ound, e+t atera aspe1t o+ penie sin -ith phimosis

?. A#rasion, !utea re!ion, #iatera.

&. Intraperitonea and e)trapertitonea e)traasation o+ #ood and urine a#out % iters.

5. "ra1ture, simpe, s$mphesis pu#is

6. Ruptured 8ma1erated9 urinar$ #adder -ith #od$ o+ #adder amost entire$ separated +rom its ne1.

E0ARJS:

(. A#oe -ere in1urred #$ 1rushin! inur$.

%. Pro!nosis er$ poor.

8S!d.9 0EL@;IADES A. BRA4O

Ph$si1ian on Dut$. !

hree da$s ater, Noeito Garde died.

ardes parents, petitioners in this 1ase, +ied a suit +or dama!es a!ainst #oth priate respondents Auino and Soriano. The o-er 1ourt dismissed the 1omp

n the +oo-in! !rounds: 8(9 that the di!!in! done #$ the pupis is in ine -ith their 1ourse 1aed 9 that the demise o+ Garde -as due to his o-n re1ess impruden1e. /

n appea, the Court o+ Appeas a++irmed the De1ision o+ the o-er 1ourt.

titioners #ase their a1tion a!ainst priate respondent Auino on Arti1e %(65 o+ the Cii Code +or his ae!ed ne!i!en1e that 1aused their sons death -hi

mpaint a!ainst respondent Soriano as the head o+ s1hoo is +ounded on Arti1e %(' o+ the same Code.

rti1e %(65 o+ the Cii Code proides:

Art. %(65.


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!enera rue. In the 1ase o+ esta#ishments o+ arts and trades, it is the head thereo+, and on$ he, -ho sha #e hed ia#e as an e)1eption !enera rue. In other -ords, tea1hers in !enera sha #e ia#e +or the a1ts o+ their students e)1ept -here the s1hoo is te1hni1a in natur

-hi1h 1ase it is the head thereo+ -ho sha #e ans-era#e. "oo-in! the 1anon o+reddendo singula sin)uilis tea1hers shoud app$ to t-ords Kpupis and students and heads o+ esta#ishments o+ arts and trades to the -ord Kapprenti1es.K

en1e, app$in! the said do1trine to this 1ase,


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=ERE"ORE, in ie- o+ the +ore!oin!, the petition is here#$ 3RANTED and the uestioned ud!ment o+ the respondent 1ourt is RE4ERSED and SET Ad another ud!ment is here#$ rendered orderin! priate respondent Eda!ardo Auino to pa$ petitioners the +oo-in!:

9 Indemnit$ +or the death o+ Chid Garde P>','''.''

9 E)empar$ dama!es (','''.''

9 0ora dama!es %','''.''

O ORDERED.

R. No. !700"9 O(to3er !, !##9

AR EASTERN SIPPIN COMPAN1,petitioner,

.O6RT OF APPEALS and PILIPPINE PORTS A6TORIT1, respondents.

R. No. !70!80 O(to3er, !##9

ANILA PILOTS ASSOCIATION,petitioner,

.ILIPPINE PORTS A6TORIT1 and FAR EASTERN SIPPIN COMPAN1, respondents.

EALADO,J.:

hese 1onsoidated petitions +or reie- oncertiorari see in unison to annu and set aside the de1ision!o+ respondent Court o+ Appeas o+ Noem#er (&, (d its resoution /dated 7u$ >(, (226 in CA*3.R. C4 No. %?'6%, entited KPhiippine Ports Authorit$, Painti++*Appeee s. "ar Eastern Shippin! Compan

nen C. 3aino and 0ania Piots Asso1iation, De+endants*Appeants,K -hi1h a++irmed -ith modi+i1ation the ud!ment o+ the tria 1ourt hodin! the

+endants*appeants therein soidari$ ia#e +or dama!es in +aor o+ herein priate respondent.

here is no dispute a#out the +a1ts as +ound #$ the appeate 1ourt,

us

. . . On 7une %', (2', the 0H4 PA4LODAR, +$in! under the +a!ship o+ the ;SSR, o-ned and operated #$ the "ar Eastern Shippin!Compan$ 8"ESC +or #reit$s sae9, arried at the Port o+ 0ania +rom 4an1ouer, British Coum#ia at a#out 6:'' o1o1 in the mornin

The esse -as assi!ned Berth ? o+ the 0ania Internationa Port, as its #erthin! spa1e. Captain Ro#erto A#eana -as tased #$ the

Phiippine Port Authorit$ to superise the #erthin! o+ the esse. Appeant Senen 3aino -as assi!ned #$ the Appeant 0ania PiotsAsso1iation 80PA +or #reit$s sae9 to 1ondu1t do1in! maneuers +or the sa+e #erthin! o+ the esse to Berth No. ?.

3aino #oarded the esse at the uarantine an1hora!e and stationed himse+ in the #rid!e, -ith the master o+ the esse, 4i1tor Jaan

#eside him. A+ter a #rie+in! o+ 3aino #$ Jaano o+ the parti1uars o+ the esse and its 1ar!o, the esse i+ted an1hor +rom the uaraan1hora!e and pro1eeded to the 0ania Internationa Port. The sea -as 1am and the -ind -as idea +or do1in! maneuers.


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n 7anuar$ (', (2>, the Phiippine Ports Authorit$ 8PPA, +or #reit$9, throu!h the Soi1itor 3enera, +ied #e+ore the Re!iona Tria Court o+ 0ania, Bran1ompaint +or a sum o+ mone$ a!ainst "ar Eastern Shippin! Co., Capt. Senen C. 3aino and the 0ania Piots Asso1iation, do1eted as Cii Case No. >

2&,$pra$in! that the de+endants therein #e hed oint$ and seera$ ia#e to pa$ the painti++ a1tua and e)empar$ dama!es pus 1osts o+ suit. In a de1ted Au!ust (, (2&, the tria 1ourt ordered the de+endants therein oint$ and seera$ to pa$ the PPA the amount o+ P(,'&>,>''.'' representin! a1tua da

d the 1osts o+ suit. 8

he de+endants appeaed to the Court o+ Appeas and raised the +oo-in! issues: 8(9 Is the piot o+ a 1ommer1ia esse, under 1ompusor$ piota!e, soe$

r the dama!e 1aused #$ the esse to the pier, at the port o+ destination, +or his ne!i!en1eF and 8%9 . in a++irmin! the amount o+ dama!es sustained #$ the respondent Phiippine Ports Authorit$ despite a stron! and 1onin1in! eiden1e

the amount is 1ear$ e)or#itant and unreasona#e

?. in not a-ardin! an$ amount o+ 1ounter1aim pra$ed +or #$ the petitioner in its ans-er and

&. in not !rantin! herein petitioners 1aim a!ainst piot Senen C. 3aino and 0ania Piots Asso1iation in the eent that it #e hed

ia#e. #

titioner asserts that sin1e the 04 PA4LODAR -as under 1ompusor$ piota!e at the time o+ the in1ident, it -as the 1ompusor$ piot, Capt. 3aino, -ho

1ommand and had 1ompete 1ontro in the nai!ation and do1in! o+ the esse. It is the piot -ho supersedes the master +or the time #ein! in the 1ommad nai!ation o+ a ship and his orders must #e o#e$ed in a respe1ts 1onne1ted -ith her nai!ation. Conseuent$, he -as soe$ responsi#e +or the dama!

used upon the pier apron, and not the o-ners o+ the esse. It 1aims that the master o+ the #oat did not 1ommit an$ a1t o+ ne!i!en1e -hen he +aied tountermand or oerrue the orders o+ the piot #e1ause he did not see an$ usti+ia#e reason to do so. In other -ords, the master 1annot #e +auted +or re$in

soute$ on the 1ompeten1e o+ the 1ompusor$ piot. I+ the master does not o#sere that a 1ompusor$ piot is in1ompetent or ph$si1a$ in1apa1itated, the

aster is usti+ied in re$in! on the piot. !0

espondent PPA, in its 1omment, predi1ta#$ in +u a!reement -ith the ruin! o+ respondent 1ourt on the soidar$ ia#iit$ o+ "ESC, 0PA and Capt. 3ainoresses the 1on1urrent ne!i!en1e o+ Capt. 3aino, the har#or piot, and Capt. 4itor Ja#ano, '(&', ori!ina$ assi!ned to the Courts "irst Diision and ater trans+erred to the Third Diision. 0PA, no- as petitioner

se, aers that respondent 1ourts errors 1onsisted in disre!ardin! and misinterpretin! Customs Administratie Order No. (&*5& -hi1h imits the ia#iit$ oPA. Said piots asso1iation asseerates that it shoud not #e hed soidari$ ia#e -ith Capt. 3aino -ho, as hed #$ respondent 1ourt is on$ a mem#er, n

mpo$ee, thereo+. There #ein! no empo$er*empo$ee reationship, neither 1an 0PA #e hed ia#e +or an$ i1arious ia#iit$ +or the respe1tie e)er1ise o+

o+ession #$ its mem#ers nor #e 1onsidered a oint tort+easor as to #e hed oint$ and seera$ ia#e. !/It +urther ar!ues that there -as erroneous reian1eustoms Administratie Order No. (&*5& and the 1onstitution and #$*a-s o+ 0PA, instead o+ the proisions o+ the Cii Code on dama!es -hi1h, #ein! a

#stantie a-, is hi!her in 1ate!or$ than the a+oresaid 1onstitution and #$*a-s o+ a pro+essiona or!aniation or an administratie order -hi1h #ears no

oision 1assi+$in! the nature o+ the ia#iit$ o+ 0PA +or the ne!i!en1e its mem#er piots. !7

20


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s +or Capt. 3aino, 1ounse +or 0PA states that the +ormer had retired +rom a1tie piota!e seri1es sin1e 7u$ %, (22? and has 1eased to #e a mem#er o+titioner piots asso1iation. =e is not oined as a petitioner in this 1ase sin1e his -herea#outs are unno-n. !$

ESCs 1omment thereto reied on the 1ompeten1e o+ the Court o+ Appeas in 1onstruin! proisions o+ a- or administratie orders as #ases +or as1ertainin!

a#iit$ o+ 0PA, and e)pressed +u a11ord -ith the appeate 1ourts hodin! o+ soidar$ ia#iit$ amon! itse+, 0PA and Capt. 3aino. It +urther aers that tsputed proisions o+ Customs Administratie Order No. (&*5& 1ear$ esta#ished 0PAs soidar$ ia#iit$. !8

n the other hand, pu#i1 respondent PPA, ie-ise throu!h representations #$ the Soi1itor 3enera, assumes the same supportie stan1e it too in 3.R. No

''5 in de1arin! its tota a11ord -ith the ruin! o+ the Court o+ Appeas that 0PA is soidari$ ia#e -ith Capt. 3aino and "ESC +or dama!es, and in itpi1ation to the +uest e)tent o+ the proisions o+ Customs Administratie Order No. (&*5& in reation to 0PAs 1onstitution and #$*a-s -hi1h spe out

nditions o+ and !oern their respe1tie ia#iities. These proisions are 1ear and unam#i!uous as re!ards 0PAs ia#iit$ -ithout need +or interpretation o

nstru1tion. Athou!h Customs Administratie Order No. (&*5& is a mere re!uation issued #$ an administratie a!en1$ pursuant to dee!ated e!isatiethorit$ to +i) detais to impement the a-, it is e!a$ #indin! and has the same statutor$ +or1e as an$ aid statute. !"

pon motion !%#$ "ESC dated Apri %?, (22 in 3.R. No. (>'(&', said 1ase -as 1onsoidated -ith 3.R. No. (>''5. !9

e+atori$, on matters o+ 1ompian1e -ith pro1edura reuirements, it must #e mentioned that the 1ondu1t o+ the respe1tie 1ounse +or "ESC and PPA ea

u1h to #e desired, to the dispeasure and disappointment o+ this Court.

1. %, Rue ?% o+ the (226 Rues o+ Cii Pro1edure !#in1orporates the +ormer Cir1uar No. %*2( -hi1h proided +or -hat has 1ome to #e no-n as the

rti+i1ation a!ainst +orum shoppin! as an additiona reuisite +or petitions +ied -ith the Supreme Court and the Court o+ Appeas, aside +rom the other

uirements 1ontained in pertinent proisions o+ the Rues o+ Court there+or, -ith the end in ie- o+ preentin! the +iin! o+ mutipe 1ompaints inoin!me issues in the Supreme Court, Court o+ Appeas or di++erent diisions thereo+ or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$.

ore parti1uar$, the se1ond para!raph o+ Se1tion %, Rue ?% proides:

))) ))) )))

The petitioner sha aso su#mit to!ether -ith the petition a 1erti+i1ation under oath that he has not thereto+ore 1ommen1ed an$ other a1inoin! the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court o+ Appeas or di++erent diisions thereo+, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$if t

is such other action or proceeding, he must state the status of the same7 and if he should thereafter learn that a similar action or procee

has &een filed or is pending &efore the Supreme Court, the Court of ppeals or different divisions thereof, or any other tri&unal or agenunderta+es to promptly inform the aforesaid courts and other tri&unal or agency thereof within five 89: days therefrom. 8Emphasis ours.

"or petitions +or reie- +ied #e+ore the Supreme Court, Se1tion ?8e9, Rue ?& spe1i+i1a$ reuires that su1h petition sha 1ontain a s-orn 1erti+i1

a!ainst +orum shoppin! as proided in the ast para!raph o+ Se1tion %, Rue ?%.

he re1ords sho- that the a- +irm o+ De Rosario and De Rosario throu!h its asso1iate, Att$. =er#ert A. Tria, is the 1ounse o+ re1ord +or "ESC in #oth 3.o. (>''5 and 3.R. No. (>'(&'.

R. No. (>''5, -hi1h is assi!ned to the Courts Se1ond Diision, 1ommen1ed -ith the +iin! #$ "ESC throu!h 1ounse on Au!ust %%, (226 o+ a eri+ied

otion +or e)tension o+ time to +ie its petition +or thirt$ 8>'9 da$s +rom Au!ust %, (226 or unti Septem#er %6, (226. /0Said motion 1ontained the +oo-inrti+i1ation a!ainst +orum shoppin! /!si!ned #$ Att$. =er#ert A. Tria as a++iant:

C0RT'4'CT';

-'ST 4;R!# SH;""'-

IH-e here#$ 1erti+$ that IH-e hae not 1ommen1ed an$ other a1tion or pro1eedin! inoin! the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Co+ Appeas, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$ that to the #est o+ m$ o-n no-ed!e, no su1h a1tion or pro1eedin! is pendin! in the Supre

Court, the Court o+ Appeas, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$ that i+ IH-e shoud therea+ter earn that a simiar a1tion or pro1eedin! has #

+ied or is pendin! #e+ore the Supreme Court, the Court o+ Appeas, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$, IH-e undertae to report that +a1t -+ie 8&9 da$s there+rom to this =onora#e Court.

This motion hain! #een !ranted, "ESC su#seuent$ +ied its petition on Septem#er %5, (226, this time #earin! a Keri+i1ation and 1erti+i1ation a

+orum*shoppin!K e)e1uted #$ one Teodoro P. Lope on Septem#er %?, (226, //to -it:

10R'4'CT'; $ C0RT'4'CT';

-'ST 4;R!# SH;""'-

21


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in compliance with Section . That I hae read the same and the ae!ations therein 1ontained are true and 1orre1t #ased on the re1ords o+ this 1ase.

?. That I 1erti+$ that petitioner has not 1ommen1ed an$ other a1tion or pro1eedin! inoin! the same issues in the Supreme Court or C

Appeas, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$, that to the &est of my own +nowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the Supreme

Court, the Court of ppeals or any other tri&unal or agency, that if ' should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has &eefiled or is pending &efore the Supreme Court, the Court of ppeals, or any other tri&unal or agency, ' underta+e to report the fact within

89: days therefrom to this Honora&le Court. 8Itai1s suppied +or emphasis.9

eie-in! the re1ords, -e +ind that the petition +ied #$ 0PA in 3.R. No. (>'(&' then pendin! -ith the Third Diision -as du$ +ied on Au!ust %2, (226 -p$ thereo+ +urnished on the same date #$ re!istered mai to 1ounse +or "ESC. /7Counse o+ re1ord +or 0PA. Att$. 7esus P. Amparo, in his eri+i1ation

1ompan$in! said petition duti+u$ reeaed to the Court that

))) ))) )))

>. Petitioner has not 1ommen1ed an$ other a1tion or pro1eedin! inoin! the same issues in this =onora#e Court, the Court o+ Appeadi++erent Diisions thereo+, or an$ other tri#una or a!en1$,&ut to the &est of his +nowledge, there is an action or proceeding pending in

Honora&le Court, entitled 4ar 0astern Shipping Co., "etitioner, vs. "hilippine "orts uthority and Court of ppeals with a #otion for

0*tension of time to file "etition 4or Review &y Certiorari filed sometime on ugust 5=, 5>=3. I+ undersi!ned 1ounse -i 1ome to no-an$ other pendin! a1tion or 1aim +ied or pendin! he undertaes to report su1h +a1t -ithin +ie 8&9 da$s to this =onora#e Court. /$8Em

suppied.9

asmu1h as 0PAs petition in 3.R. No. (>'(&' -as posted #$ re!istered mai on Au!ust %2, (226 and tain! udi1ia noti1e o+ the aera!e period o+ time ies o1a mai to rea1h its destination, #$ reasona#e estimation it -oud #e +air to 1on1ude that -hen "ESC +ied its petition in 3.R. No. (>''5 on Septe

, (226, it -oud aread$ hae re1eied a 1op$ o+ the +ormer and -oud then hae no-ed!e o+ the penden1$ o+ the other petition initia$ +ied -ith the "

ision. It -as there+ore in1um#ent upon "ESC to in+orm the Court o+ that +a1t throu!h its 1erti+i1ation a!ainst +orum shoppin!. "or +aiure to mae su1hs1osure, it -oud appear that the a+oreuoted 1erti+i1ation a11ompan$in! the petition in 3.R. No. (>''5 is de+e1tie and 1oud hae #een a !round +or

smissa thereo+.

en assumin! that "ESC had not $et re1eied its 1op$ o+ 0PAs petition at the time it +ied its o-n petition and e)e1uted said 1erti+i1ation, its si!nator$ dihat i+ I shoud therea+ter earn that a simiar a1tion or pro1eedin! has #een +ied or is pendin! #e+ore the Supreme Court, the Court o+ Appeas or an$ other

#una or a!en1$, I undertae to report the +a1t -ithin +ie 8&9 da$s there+rom to this =onora#e Court.K /8S1ourin! the re1ords pa!e #$ pa!e in this 1ase, -

nd that no mani+estation 1on1ordant -ith su1h undertain! -as then or at an$ other time therea+ter eer +ied #$ "ESC nor -as there an$ attempt to #rin! atter to the attention o+ the Court. 0oreoer, it 1annot +ei!n non*no-ed!e o+ the e)isten1e o+ su1h other petition #e1ause "ESC itse+ +ied the motion +o

nsoidation in 3.R. No. (>'(&' o+ these t-o 1ases on Apri %?, (22.

is distur#in! to note that 1ounse +or "ESC, the a- +irm o+ De Rosario and De Rosario, dispa$s an unpro+essiona tenden1$ o+ tain! the Rues +or !ranthis instan1e e)empi+ied #$ itspro forma 1ompian1e there-ith #ut apparent$ -ithout +u 1omprehension o+ and -ith ess than +aith+u 1ommitment to

ndertain!s to this Court in the interest o+ ust, speed$ and order$ administration o+ 1ourt pro1eedin!s.

s #et-een the a-$er and the 1ourts, a a-$er o-es 1andor, +airness and !ood +aith to the 1ourt. /"=e is an o++i1er o+ the 1ourt e)er1isin! a priie!e -hi1hdispensa#e in the administration o+ usti1e. /%Candidness, espe1ia$ to-ards the 1ourts, is essentia +or the e)peditious administration o+ usti1e. Courts a

tited to e)pe1t on$ 1ompete honest$ +rom a-$ers appearin! and peadin! #e+ore them. /9Candor in a deain!s is the er$ essen1e o+ honora#e mem#

the e!a pro+ession. /#0ore spe1i+i1a$, a a-$er is o#i!ed to o#sere the rues o+ pro1edure and not to misuse them to de+eat the ends o+ usti1e. 70Ithooes a a-$er, there+ore, to e)ert eer$ e++ort and 1onsider it his dut$ to assist in the speed$ and e++i1ient administration o+ usti1e. 7!Bein! an o++i1er o

urt, a a-$er has a responsi#iit$ in the proper administration o+ usti1e. Lie the 1ourt itse+, he is an instrument to adan1e its ends the speed$, e++i1ie

mpartia, 1orre1t and ine)pensie adudi1ation o+ 1ases and the prompt satis+a1tion o+ +ina ud!ments. A a-$er shoud not on$ hep attain these o#e1tieoud ie-ise aoid an$ unethi1a or improper pra1ti1es that impede, o#stru1t or preent their reaiation, 1har!ed as he is -ith the primar$ tas o+ assistin

e speed$ and e++i1ient administration o+ usti1e. 7/

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ad to sa$, the mem#ers o+ said a- +irm sore$ +aied to o#sere their duties as responsi#e mem#ers o+ the Bar. Their a1tuations are indi1atie o+ theiredisposition to tae i!ht$ the ao-ed duties o+ o++i1ers o+ the Court to promote respe1t +or a- and +or e!a pro1esses. 77''5 and 3.R. No.

'(&' and -as presuma#$ +u$ a1uainted -ith the +a1ts and issues o+ the 1ase, it too the OS3 an inordinate$ and amost unreasona#$ on! period o+ t

+ie its 1omment, thus undu$ dea$in! the resoution o+ these 1ases. It too seera 1han!es o+ eadership in the OS3 +rom Siestre =. Beo III to Rodea Cru and, +ina$, Ri1ardo P. 3ae #e+ore the 1omment in #eha+ o+ PPA -as +ina$ +ied.

3.R. No. (>''5, it too ei!ht 89 motions +or e)tension o+ time totain! %(' da$s, a -arnin! that no +urther e)tensions sha #e !ranted, and persona sern the Soi1itor 3enera himse+ o+ the resoution reuirin! the +iin! o+ su1h 1omment #e+ore the OS3 indu!ed the Court -ith the on! reuired 1omment

$ (', (22. 78This, despite the +a1t that said o++i1e -as reuired to +ie its 1omment -a$ #a1 on Noem#er (%, (226. 7"A 1oser s1rutin$ o+ the re1ords

e-ise indi1ates that petitoner "ESC -as not een +urnished a 1op$ o+ said 1omment as reuired #$ Se1tion &, Rue ?%. Instead, a 1op$ thereo+ -asadertent$ +urnished to 0PA -hi1h, +rom the point o+ ie- o+ 3.R. No. (>''5, -as a non*part$. 7%The OS3 +ared si!ht$ #etter in 3.R. No. (>'(&' in

o on$ si) 859 e)tensions, or a tota o+ (' da$s, #e+ore the 1omment -as +ina$ +ied. 79And -hie it proper$ +urnished petitioner 0PA -ith a 1op$ o+ imment, it -oud hae #een more desira#e and e)pedient in this 1ase to hae +urnished its therein 1o*respondent "ESC -ith a 1op$ thereo+, i+ on$ as a m

pro+essiona 1ourtes$. 7#

his undenia#$ diator$ disin1ination o+ the OS3 to seasona#$ +ie reuired peadin!s 1onstitutes depora#e disseri1e to the ta)*pa$in! pu#i1 and 1an o

1ate!oried as 1ensura#e ine++i1ien1$ on the part o+ the !oernment a- o++i1e. This is most 1ertain$ pro+essiona$ un#e1omin! o+ the OS3.

nother thin! that #a++es the Court is -h$ the OS3 did not tae the inititie o+ +iin! a motion +or 1onsoidation in either 3.R. No. (>''5 or 3.R. No. (>'

nsiderin! its +amiiarit$ -ith the #a1!round o+ the 1ase and i+ on$ to mae its o# easier #$ hain! to prepare and +ie on$ one 1omment. It 1oud not ha

en una-are o+ the penden1$ o+ one or the other petition #e1ause, #ein! 1ounse +or respondent in #oth 1ases, petitioner is reuired to +urnish it -ith a 1ope petition under pain o+ dismissa o+ the petition +or +aiure other-ise. $0

esides, in 3.R. (>''5, it pre+a1es its dis1ussions thus

In1identa$, the 0ania Piots Asso1iation 80PA9, one o+ the de+endants*appeants in the 1ase #e+ore the respondent Court o+ Appeas,

taen a separate appea +rom the said de1ision to this =onora#e Court, -hi1h -as do1eted as 3.R. No. (>'(&' and entited K0ania PAsso1iation, Petitioner, ersus Phiippine Ports Authorit$ and "ar Eastern Shippin! Co., Respondents.K $!

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Simiar$, in 3.R. No. (>'(&', it states

In1identa$, respondent "ar Eastern Shippin! Co. 8"ESC9 had aso taen an appea +rom the said de1ision to this =onora#e Court, do1

as 3.R. No. (>''5, entited K"ar Eastern Shippin! Co. s. Court o+ Appeas and Phiippine Ports Authorit$.K $/

e +ind here a a1adaisi1a attitude and 1ompa1en1$ on the part o+ the OS3 in the handin! o+ its 1ases and an amost re+e)ie propensit$ to moe +oruntess e)tensions, as i+ to test the patien1e o+ the Court, #e+ore +aorin! it -ith the time$ su#mission o+ reuired peadin!s.

must #e emphasied that the Court 1an resoe 1ases on$ as +ast as the respe1tie parties in a 1ase +ie the ne1essar$ peadin!s. The OS3, #$ needess$

tendin! the penden1$ o+ these 1ases throu!h its numerous motions +or e)tension, 1ame er$ 1ose to e)haustin! this Courts +or#earan1e and has re!retta#

en short o+ its duties as the Peopes Tri#une.

he OS3 is reminded that ust ie other mem#ers o+ the Bar, the 1anons under the Code o+ Pro+essiona Responsi#iit$ app$ -ith eua +or1e on a-$ers i

ernment seri1e in the dis1har!e o+ their o++i1ia tass. $7These ethi1a duties are rendered een more e)a1tin! as to them #e1ause, as !oernment 1ounse

e$ hae the added dut$ to a#ide #$ the poi1$ o+ the State to promote a hi!h standard o+ ethi1s in pu#i1 seri1e. $$"urthermore, it is in1um#ent upon the Opart o+ the !oernment #ureau1ra1$, to per+orm and dis1har!e its duties -ith the hi!hest de!ree o+ pro+essionaism, intei!en1e and si $8and to e)tend

ompt, 1ourteous and adeuate seri1e to the pu#i1. $"

o-, on the merits o+ the 1ase. A+ter a udi1ious e)amination o+ the re1ords o+ this 1ase, the peadin!s +ied, and the eiden1e presented #$ the parties in thetitions, -e +ind no 1o!ent reason to reerse and set aside the uestioned de1ision.


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))) ))) )))

Par. LI4. Piots sha proper$ and sa+e$ se1ure or an1hor esses under their 1ontro -hen reuested to do so #$ the master o+ su1h

esses.

'. -.R. o. 5?@@A=

titioner "ESC +auts the respondent 1ourt -ith serious error in not hodin! 0PA and Capt. 3aino soe$ responsi#e +or the dama!es 1ause to the pier. It at sin1e the esse -as under 1ompusor$ piota!e at the time -ith Capt. 3aino in 1ommand and hain! e)1usie 1ontro o+ the esse durin! the do1in

aneuers, then the atter shoud #e responsi#e +or dama!es 1aused to the pier. $9It ie-ise hods the appeate 1ourt in error +or hodin! that the master o

ip, Capt. Ja#ano, did not e)er1ise the reuired dii!en1e demanded #$ the 1ir1umstan1es. $#

e start our dis1ussion o+ the su11essie issues #earin! in mind the eidentiar$ rue in Ameri1an urispruden1e that there is a presumption o+ +aut a!ainst a

oin! esse that stries a stationar$ o#e1t su1h as a do1 or nai!ationa aid. In admirat$, this presumption does more than mere$ reuire the ship to !o

r-ard and produ1e some eiden1e on the presumptie matter. The moin! esse must sho- that it -as -ithout +aut or that the 1oision -as o11asioned ut o+ the stationar$ o#e1t or -as the resut o+ ineita#e a11ident. It has #een hed that su1h esse must e)haust eer$ reasona#e possi#iit$ -hi1h the

r1umstan1es admit and sho- that in ea1h, the$ did a that reasona#e 1are reuired. 80In the a#sen1e o+ su++i1ient proo+ in re#utta, the presumption o+ +au

ta1hes to a moin! esse -hi1h 1oides -ith a +i)ed o#e1t and maes aprima facie1ase o+ +aut a!ainst the esse. 8!Lo!i1 and e)perien1e support thisesumption:

The 1ommon sense #ehind the rue maes the #urden a hea$ one. Su1h a11idents simp$ do not o11ur in the ordinar$ 1ourse o+ thin!s u

the esse has #een mismana!ed in some -a$. It is nor su++i1ient +or the respondent to produ1e -itnesses -ho testi+$ that as soon as thedan!er #e1ame apparent eer$thin! possi#e -as done to aoid an a11ident. The uestion remains, =o- then did the 1oision o11urF Th

ans-er must #e either that, in spite o+ the testimon$ o+ the -itnesses, -hat -as done -as too itte or too ate or, i+ not, then the esse -

+aut +or #ein! in a position in -hi1h an unaoida#e 1oision -oud o11ur. 8/

The tas, there+ore, in these 1ases is to pinpoint -ho -as ne!i!ent the master o+ the ship, the har#or piot or #oth.

piot, in maritime a-, is a person du$ uai+ied, and i1ensed, to 1ondu1t a esse into or out o+ ports, or in 1ertain -aters. In a #road sense, the term Kpi

1udes #oth 8(9 those -hose dut$ it is to !uide esses into or out o+ ports, or in parti1uar -aters and 8%9 those entrusted -ith the nai!ation o+ esses on !h seas. 87=o-eer, the term KpiotK is more !enera$ understood as a person taen on #oard at a parti1uar pa1e +or the purpose o+ 1ondu1tin! a ship thro

er, road or 1hanne, or +rom a port. 8$

nder En!ish and Ameri1an authorities, !enera$ speain!, the piot supersedes the master +or the time #ein! in the 1ommand and nai!ation o+ the ship,

s orders must #e o#e$ed in a matters 1onne1ted -ith her nai!ation. =e #e1omes the masterpro hac vice and shoud !ie a dire1tions as to speed, 1our

oppin! and reersin! an1horin!, to-in! and the ie. And -hen a i1ensed piot is empo$ed in a pa1e -here piota!e is 1ompusor$, it is his dut$ to insistin! e++e1tie 1ontro o+ the esse, or to de1ine to a1t as piot. ;nder 1ertain s$stems o+ +orei!n a-, the piot does not tae entire 1har!e o+ the esse, #uemed mere$ the adiser o+ the master, -ho retains 1ommand and 1ontro o+ the nai!ation een in o1aities -here piota!e is 1ompusor$. 88

is uite 1ommon +or states and o1aities to proide +or 1ompusor$ piota!e, and sa+et$ a-s hae #een ena1ted reuirin! esses approa1hin! their ports,

rtain e)1eptions, to tae on #oard piots du$ i1ensed under o1a a-. The purpose o+ these a-s is to 1reate a #od$ o+ seamen thorou!h$ a1uainted -ith

r#or, to piot esses seein! to enter or depart, and thus prote1t i+e and propert$ +rom the dan!ers o+ nai!ation. 8"

ine -ith su1h esta#ished do1trines, Chapter II o+ Customs Administratie Order No. (&*5& pres1ri#es the rues +or 1ompusor$ piota!e in the 1oered

ota!e distri1ts, amon! -hi1h is the 0ania Piota!e Distri1t,

B.

PARA3RAP= I. Piota!e +or enterin! a har#or and an1horin! thereat, as -e as do1in! and undo1in! in an$ pier or shi+tin! +rom

#erth to another sha #e 1ompusor$, e)1ept 3oernment esses and esses o+ +orei!n !oernments entited to 1ourtes$, and other es

en!a!ed soe$ in rier or har#or -or, or in a dai$ +err$ seri1e #et-een ports -hi1h sha #e e)empt +rom 1ompusor$ piota!e proiso+ these re!uations:provided, ho-eer, that 1ompusor$ piota!e sha not app$ in piota!e distri1ts -hose optiona piota!e is ao-ed

under these re!uations.

ursuant thereto, Capt. 3aino -as assi!ned to piot 04 Paodar into Berth ? o+ the 0ania Internationa Port. ;pon assumin! su1h o++i1e as 1ompusor$ apt. 3aino is hed to the uniersa$ a11epted hi!h standards o+ 1are and dii!en1e reuired o+ a piot, -here#$ he assumes to hae si and no-ed!e in

spe1t to nai!ation in the parti1uar -aters oer -hi1h his i1ense e)tends superior to and more to #e trusted than that o+ the master. 8%A piot &6 shoud ha

orou!h no-ed!e o+ !enera and o1a re!uations and ph$si1a 1onditions a++e1tin! the esse in his 1har!e and the -aters +or -hi1h he is i1ensed, su1hrti1uar har#or or rier.

e is not hed to the hi!hest possi#e de!ree o+ si and 1are, #ut must hae and e)er1ise the ordinar$ si and 1are demanded #$ the 1ir1umstan1es, and us

o-n #$ an e)pert in his pro+ession. ;nder e)traordinar$ 1ir1umstan1esm, a piot must e)er1ise e)traordinar$ 1are. 89

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tlee vs. The orthwesrern !nion "ac+et Company. 8#0r. 7usti1e 0ier speed out in !reat detai the duties o+ a piot:

. . . 8T9he piot o+ a rier steamer, ie the har#or piot, is see1ted +or his persona no-ed!e o+ the topo!raph$ throu!h -hi1h he steers

esse. In the on! 1ourse o+ a thousand mies in one o+ these riers, he must #e +amiiar -ith the appearan1e o+ the shore on ea1h side o

rier as he !oes aon!. Its #ans, to-ns, its andin!s, its houses and trees, are a andmars #$ -hi1h he steers his esse. The 1ompass itte use to him. =e must no- -here the nai!a#e 1hanne is, in its reation to a these e)terna o#e1ts, espe1ia$ in the ni!ht. =e mu

aso #e +amiiar -ith a dan!ers that are permanent$ o1ated in the 1ourse o+ the rier, as sand*#ars, sna!s, sunen ro1s or trees or

a#andoned esses or#ar!es. A this he must no- and remem#er and aoid. To do this, he must #e 1onstant$ in+ormed o+ the 1han!es

1urrent o+ the rier, o+ the sand*#ars ne-$ made,o+ o!s or sna!s, or other o#e1ts ne-$ presented, a!ainst -hi1h his esse mi!ht #e in

))) ))) )))

It ma$ #e said that this is e)a1tin! a er$ hi!h order o+ a#iit$ in a piot. But -hen -e 1onsider the aue o+ the ies and propert$ 1ommto their 1ontro, +or in this the$ are a#soute masters, the hi!h 1ompensation the$ re1eie, the 1are -hi1h Con!ress has taen to se1ure #

ri!id and +reuent e)aminations and rene-a o+ i1enses, this er$ 1ass o+ si, -e do not thin -e +i) the standard too hi!h.

ested there#$, -e a++irm respondent 1ourts +indin! that Capt. 3aino +aied to measure up to su1h stri1t standard o+ 1are and dii!en1e reuired o+ piots in

r+orman1e o+ their duties.


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er$ man -ho o++ers his seri1es to another, and is empo$ed, assumes to e)er1ise in the empo$ment su1h sis he possesses, -ith a reasona#e de!ree o+i!en1e. In a these empo$ments -here pe1uiar si is reuisite, i+ one o++ers his seri1es he is understood as hodin! himse+ out to the pu#i1 as posses

e de!ree o+ si 1ommon$ possessed #$ others in the same empo$ment, and i+ his pretensions are un+ounded he 1ommits a spe1ies o+ +raud on eer$ mampo$s him in reian1e on his pu#i1 pro+ession. "$

urthermore, there is an o#i!ation on a persons to tae the 1are -hi1h, under ordinar$ 1ir1umstan1es o+ the 1ase, a reasona#e and prudent man -oud ta

e omission o+ that 1are 1onstitutes ne!i!en1e. "83enera$, the de!ree o+ 1are reuired is !raduated a11ordin! to the dan!er a person or propert$ attendant

e a1tiit$ -hi1h the a1tor pursues or the instrumentait$ -hi1h he uses. The !reater the dan!er the !reater the de!ree o+ 1are reuired. ' o1o1 in the mornin!. =

ordered the en!ines o+ the esse stopped at :>( o1o1. B$ then,3aino must hae reaied that the an1hor did not hit a hard o#e1t an

not 1a-ed so as to redu1e the momentum o+ the esse. In point o+ +a1t, the esse 1ontinued traein! to-ards the pier at the same spe3aino +aied to rea1t, At :>% o1o1, the t-o 8%9 tu!#oats #e!an to push the stern part o+ the esse +rom the port side #ur the moment

the esse -as not 1ontained. Sti, 3aino did not rea1t. =e did not een order the other an1hor and t-o 8%9 more sha1es dropped to athe momentum o+ the esse. Neither did he order +u*astern. It -as on$ at :>? o1o1, or four 8?, &6 Am 7ur, %d pa!e ?(9. "%

his a++irms the +indin!s o+ the tria 1ourt re!ardin! Capt. 3ainos ne!i!en1e:

This dis1ussion shoud not ho-eer, diert the 1ourt +rom the +a1t that ne!i!en1e in manueerin! the esse must #e attri#uted to Capt.Senen 3aino. =e -as an e)perien1ed piot and #$ this time shoud hae on! +amiiaried himse+ -ith the depth o+ the port and the di

he 1oud eep #et-een the esse and port in order to #erth sa+e$. "9

he ne!i!en1e on the part o+ Capt. 3aino is eident #ut Capt. Ja#an1o is no ess responsi#e +or the aision. =is un1on1erned ethar!$ as master o+ the the +a1e o+ trou#ous e)i!en1e 1onstitutes ne!i!en1e.

hie it is indu#ita#e that in e)er1isin! his +un1tions a piot is in soe 1ommand o+ the ship "#and supersedes the master +or the time #ein! in the 1ommand

i!ation o+ a ship and that he #e1omes masterpro hac viceo+ a esse pioted #$ him, %0there is oer-hemin! authorit$ to the e++e1t that the master doesrrender his esse to the piot and the piot is not the master. The master is sti in 1ommand o+ the esse not-ithstandin! the presen1e o+ a piot. There ar

1asions -hen the master ma$ and shoud inter+ere and een dispa1e the piot, as -hen the piot is o#ious$ in1ompetent or into)i1ated and the 1ir1umst

a$ reuire the master to dispa1e a 1ompusor$ piot #e1ause o+ in1ompeten1$ or ph$si1a in1apa1it$. I+, ho-eer, the master does nor o#sere that ampusor$ piot is in1ompetent or ph$si1a$ in1apa1itated, the master is usti+ied in re$in! on the piot, #ut not #ind$. %!

he master is not -ho$ a#soed +rom his duties -hie a piot is on #oard his esse, and ma$ adise -ith or o++er su!!estions to him. =e is sti in 1omma

e esse, e)1ept so +ar as her nai!ation is 1on1erned, and must 1ause the ordinar$ -or o+ the esse to #e proper$ 1arried on and the usua pre1aution ta

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hus, in parti1uar, he is #ound to see that there is su++i1ient -at1h on de1, and that the men are attentie to their duties, aso that en!ines are stopped, to-st o++, and the an1hors 1ear and read$ to !o at the piots order. %/

perusa o+ Capt. Ja#anos testimon$ maes it apparent that he -as remiss in the dis1har!e o+ his duties as master o+ the ship, eain! the entire do1in!

o1edure up to the piot, instead o+ maintainin! -at1h+u i!ian1e oer this ris$ maneuer:

@


29/56

A None Gour =onor, I #eiee that Capt. 3aino thou!ht that the an1hor 1oud eep or hod the esse.

@ Gou -ant us to understand, 0r.


30/56

A


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@ So that, I assume that $ou -ere -at1hin! Capt. 3aino er$ 1ose$ at the time he -as main! his 1ommandsF

A I -as 1ose to him, I -as hearin! his 1ommand and #ein! e)e1uted.

@ And that $ou -ere aso aert +or an$ possi#e mistaes he mi!ht 1ommit in the maneuerin! o+ the esseF

A Ges sir, that is ri!ht.

@ But at no time durin! the maneuer did $ou issue order 1ontrar$ to the orders Capt. 3aino madeF

A No sir.

@ So that $ou -ere in +u a11ord -ith a o+ Capt. 3ainos ordersF

A Ges sir.

@ Be1ause, other-ise, $ou -oud hae issued order that -oud supersede his o-n orderF

A In that 1ase, I shoud t,e him a-a$ +rom his 1ommand or remoe the 1ommand +rom him.

Court 8to the -itness9

@ Gou -ere in +u a11ord -ith the steps #ein! taen #$ Capt. 3aino #e1ause $ou reied on his no-ed!e, on his

+amiiarit$ o+ the sea#ed and shoas and other surroundin!s or 1onditions under the sea, is that 1orre1tF

A Ges sir, that is ri!ht.

))) ))) )))

Soi1itor A#ad 8to the -itness9

@ And so a+ter the an1hors -ere ordered dropped and the$ did not tae hod o+ the sea#ed, $ou -ere aerted that the

-as dan!er aread$ on handF

A No sir, there -as no imminent dan!er to the esse.

@ Do $ou mean to te us that een i+ the an1hor -as supposed to tae hod o+ the #ottom and it did not, there -as ndan!er to the shipF

A Ges sir, #e1ause the an1hor dra!!ed on the !round ater.

@ And a+ter a +e- moments -hen the an1hor shoud hae taen hod the sea#ed #ur not done 8sic9, as $ou e)pe1tedaread$ -ere aerted that there -as dan!er to the ship, is that 1orre1tF

A Ges sir, I -as aerted #ut there -as no dan!er.

@ And $ou -ere aerted that some#od$ -as -ron!F

A Ges sir, I -as aerted.

@ And this aert ou assumed -as the ordinar$ aertness that $ou hae +or norma do1in!F

A Ges sir, I mean that it -as usua 1ondition o+ an$ man in time o+ do1in! to #e aert.

@ And that is the same aertness -hen the an1hor did not hod onto the !round, is that 1orre1tF

A Ges sir, me and Capt. 3aino 8thou!ht9 that the an1hor -i hod the !round.

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@ Sin1e, as $ou said that $ou a!reed a the -hie -ith the orders o+ Capt. 3aino, $ou aso there+ore a!reed -ith hihis +aiure to tae ne1essar$ pre1aution a!ainst the eentuait$ that the an1hor -i not hod as e)pe1tedF

Att$. De Rosario:

0a$ I as that the uestion . . .

Soi1itor A#ad:

Neer mind, I -i re+orm the uestion.

))) ))) )))

Soi1itor A#ad 8to the -itness9

@ Is it not a +a1t that the esse #umped the pierF

A That is ri!ht, it #umped the pier.

@ "or the main reason that the an1hor o+ the esse did not hod the !round as e)pe1tedF

A Ges sir, that is m$ opinion. %7

urther, on redire1t e)amination, Capt. Ja#ano +orti+ied his apatheti1 assessment o+ the situation:

@ No-, a+ter the an1hor -as dropped, -as there an$ point in time that $ou +et that the esse -as in imminent dan!

A No, at that time, the esse -as not in imminent, dan!er, sir. %$

his 1aaier appraisa o+ the eent #$ Capt. Ja#ano is distur#in!$ antipoda to Capt. 3ainos an)ious assessment o+ the situation:

@


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In +a1t, the 0aster o+ the esse testi+ied here that he -as a aon! in 1on+ormit$ -ith the orders $ou, !ae to him, amatter o+ +a1t, as he said, he o#e$ed a $our orders. Can $ou te, i+ in the 1ourse o+ !iin! su1h norma orders +or th

sa+8e9 do1in! o+ the 04 Paodar, do $ou remem#er o+ an$ instan1e that the 0aster o+ the esse did not o#e$ $ou1ommand +or the sa+et$ do1in! o+ the 04 PaodarF

Att$. de Rosario:

Aread$ ans-ered, he aread$ said $es sir.

Court:

Ges, he has ust ans-ered $es sir to the Court that there -as no disa!reement inso+ar as the #rin!in! o+ the esse sato the port.

Att$. Catris:

But in this instan1e o+ do1in! o+ the 04 Paodar, do $ou remem#er o+ a time durin! the 1ourse o+ the do1in! tha

04 Paodar -as in imminent dan!er o+ #umpin! the pierF

A


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re+used to a1t een as 3aino +aied to a1t. Een as 3aino !ae mere Kha+*asternK order, Jaano supine$ stood #$. The esse -asaread$ a#out t-ent$ 8%'9 meters a-a$ +rom the pier -hen 3aino !ae the K+u*asternK order. Een then, Jaano did nothin! to pre

the esse +rom hittin! the pier simp$ #e1ause he reied on the 1ompeten1e and pan o+ 3aino.


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n!er, and there -as in the e)er1ise o+ reasona#e 1are and i!ian1e an opportunit$ +or the master to interene so as to sae the ship +rom dan!er, the masoud hae a1ted a11ordin!$. 97The master of a vessel must e*ercise a degree of vigilance commensurate with the circumstances. 9$

asmu1h as the matter o+ ne!i!en1e is a uestion o+ +a1t, 98-e de+er to the +indin!s o+ the tria 1ourt, espe1ia$ as this is a++irmed #$ the Court o+

ppeas. 9"But een #e$ond that, our o-n eauation is that Capt. Ja#anos shared ia#iit$ is due main$ to the +a1t that he +aied to a1t -hen the periouuation shoud hae spurred him into ui1 and de1isie a1tion as master o+ the ship. In the +a1e o+ imminent or a1tua dan!er, he did not hae to -ait +or t

ppenstan1e to o11ur #e+ore 1ountermandin! or oerruin! the piot. B$ his o-n admission, Capt. Ja#ano 1on1urred -ith Capt. 3ainos de1isions, and

e1ise$ the reason -h$ he de1ided not to 1ountermand an$ o+ the atters orders. Inasmu1h as #oth o-er 1ourts +ound Capt. 3aino ne!i!ent, #$ e)pressi

a!reement there-ith Capt. Ja#ano -as ust as ne!i!ent as Capt. 3aino.

!enera, a piot is persona$ ia#e +or dama!es 1aused #$ his o-n ne!i!en1e or de+aut to the o-ners o+ the esse, and to third parties +or dama!es sust

a 1oision. Su1h ne!i!en1e o+ the piot in the per+orman1e o+ dut$ 1onstitutes a maritime tort. 9%At 1ommon a-, a shipo-ner is not ia#e +or inuries in1usie$ #$ the ne!i!en1e o+ a piot a11epted #$ a esse 1ompusori$. 99The e)emption +rom ia#iit$ +or su1h ne!i!en1e sha app$ i+ the piot is a1tu

1har!e and soe$ in +aut. Sin1e, a piot is responsi#e on$ +or his o-n persona ne!i!en1e, he 1annot #e hed a11ounta#e +or dama!es pro)imate$ 1au

e de+aut o+ others, 9#or, i+ there #e an$thin! -hi1h 1on1urred -ith the +aut o+ the piot in produ1in! the a11ident, the esse master and o-ners are ia#e

n1e the 1oidin! esse isprima facie responsi#e, the #urden o+ proo+ is upon the part$ 1aimin! #ene+it o+ the e)emption +rom ia#iit$. It must #e sho-

+irmatie$ that the piot -as at +aut, and that there -as no +aut on the part o+ the o++i1ers or 1re-, -hi1h mi!ht hae #een 1ondu1ie to the dama!e. The

at the a- 1ompeed the master to tae the piot does not e)onerate the esse +rom ia#iit$. The parties -ho su++er are entited to hae their remed$ a!ainsse that o11asioned the dama!e, and are not under ne1essit$ to oo to the piot +rom -hom redress is not a-a$s had +or 1ompensation. The o-ners o+ th

sse are responsi#e to the inured part$ +or the a1ts o+ the piot, and the$ must #e e+t to re1oer the amount as -e as the$ 1an a!ainst him. It 1annot #e

aintained that the 1ir1umstan1e o+ hain! a piot on #oard, and a1tin! in 1on+ormit$ to his dire1tions operate as a dis1har!e o+ responsi#iit$ o+ the

-ners.#0

E)1ept inso+ar as their ia#iit$ is imited or e)empted #$ statute, the esse or her o-ner are ia#e +or a dama!es 1aused #$ the ne!i!en1e or otron!s o+ the o-ners or those in 1har!e o+ the esse.


36/56

her 1on1urrent rort+easor. ##


37/56

@ Gou said in the 1ross*e)amination that there -ere si) pies dama!ed #$ the a11ident, #ut that in the re1onstru1tionthe pier, PPA droe and 1onstru1ted pies. ,>''.'' -hi1h represents a1tua dama!es 1aused #$ the damto Berth ? o+ the 0ania Internationa Port. Co*de+endants "ar Eastern Shippin!, Capt. Senen 3aino and 0ania Piots Asso1iation are

soidarii$ ia#e to pa$ this amount to painti++. !0$

The Soi1itor 3enera ri!ht$ 1ommented that the adudi1ated amount o+ dama!es represents the proportiona 1ost o+ repair and reha#iitation o+ thdama!ed se1tion o+ the pier. !08

)1ept inso+ar as their ia#iit$ is imited or e)empted #$ statute, the esse or her o-ners are ia#e +or a dama!es 1aused #$ the ne!i!en1e or other -ron!e o-ners or those in 1har!e o+ the esse. As a !enera rue, the o-ners or those in possession and 1ontro o+ a esse and the esse

Documents

Torts II3 to 5c