RFBT - OBLIGATIONS Flashcards
What is an obligation?
Art 1156 : An OBLIGATION is a juridical necessity to give, to do, or not to do.
What does juridical necessity mean?
It means that the courts may be asked to order the performance of the obligation if the debtor refuses to perform it.
What are the requisites of an obligation? Explain each.
Passive Subject - Debtor
Active Subject - Creditor
Prestation - Object of the obligation, it is what is given, done, or not done.
Efficient Cause/Vinculum Juris/Legal tie - that which binds the parties to an obligation. It can be any of the 5 sources of obligations.
Differentiate Civil and Natural obligations.
Civil obligations are based on positive law, hence enforceable by court action.
Natural obligations exist only in moral justice and equity, it is not enforceable in court.
What are the sources of an obligation?
L- Law C- Contract Q- Quasi-contract D- Delicts Q- Quasi-delict
Briefly discuss each source of obligation.
Law - rule of conduct laid down by authority. OBLIGATIONS DERIVED FROM LAW ARE NOT PRESUMED. ONLY THOSE EXPRESSLY DETERMINED ARE DEMANDABLE.
Contract - meeting of minds between 2 persons whereby one binds himself with respect to the other to give something or to render some service.
Quasi-Contract - lawful,voluntary, and unilateral acts giving rise to a juridical relation on the basis that 'NO ONE SHALL BE UNJUSTLY ENRICHED AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER." Common QC include: Solutio Indebiti(payment by mistake) and Negotiorum Gestio(Voluntary administration)
Delicts - Crime/acts/omissions punishable by law makes the offender civilly liable.
Quasi-delicts/torts/culpa aquiliana - acts that cause damage to another but without any pre-existing contractual relation between parties.
What are the elements of a Quasi-delict?
(1) an act or omission
(2) the presence of fault or negligence in the performance or non-performance of the act;
(3) injury;
(4) a causal connection between the negligent act and the injury;
(5) no pre-existing contractual relation.
Differentiate Generic and Determinate things.
Generic - not particularly designated.
Determinate - designated from all others of the same class.
Why is it important to know whether a thing is determinate or generic?
Whether a thing is determinate or generic has its implications in obligations. For example, loss of a determinate thing through fortuitous event extinguishes the obligation.
What are the obligations of one obliged to deliver a determinate thing?
- ) Take good care of the thing with the DILIGENCE OF A GOOD FATHER OF A FAMILY, unless another standard of care is needed.
- ) To deliver the thing, either actually or constructively.
- ) To deliver the fruits of the thing. Right to the fruits arises from the time the obligation to deliver it arises. Real right is established only when the thing has been delivered to him.
- ) To deliver the accessions and accessories even if they had not been mentioned.
- ) Answer for damages in case of breach/non-fulfillment.
What does diligence of a good father mean?
It means the ordinary care that an AVERAGE person exercises in taking care of his property.
What are the kinds of fruits? Explain each.
Natural fruits - are spontaneous products of soil and young and other products of animals.
Industrial fruits - refer to those produced by land of any kind through human cultivation/labor.
Civil fruits - result of juridical relation
Note: The young/offspring of animals, even with human intervention, or natural fruits.
Define Accessions and Accessories and differentiate both.
Accessions - include those that are PRODUCED/ATTACHED to the thing.
Accessories - those joined to or included with the principal things FOR THE THINGS BETTER USE/PERFECTION/ENJOYMENT.
Differentiate Personal and Real right.
Personal right - enforceable by one person against another. EG right to demand payment.
Real right - right/power over a specific thing, which is enforceable against the whole world. EG ownership of land.
What are the remedies of a creditor if debtor fails to perform his obligation to deliver a determinate thing?
- ) Compel the debtor to make the delivery
2. ) To demand damages from the debtor.
What are the remedies of a creditor if debtor fails to perform his obligation to deliver a generic thing?
- ) To ask that the obligation be complied with at the expense of the debtor.
- ) To demand damages from the debtor.
What are the remedies of a creditor if debtor fails to perform his obligation or performs it but in contravention to the tenor of the obligation?
- ) Creditor may have the obligation executed at the expense of the debtor.
- ) Demand damages from debtor.
What are the remedies of a creditor if debtor performs but does it poorly?
- ) Creditor may have the same be undone at debtor’s expense.
- ) Creditor may also demand damages from debtor.
What are the remedies of a creditor if the debtor does what has been forbidden him?
- ) The creditor may demand that what has been done be undone.
- ) He may also demand damages.
What are the grounds for liability to pay damages?
F Fraud
N Negligence
D Delay
C Contravention of the tenor of the obligation
What are damages? How is it different from Injury?
INJURY CAUSES DAMAGE
Damages - refer to the harm done and the sum of money that may be recovered in reparation for the harm done.
Injury - refers to the wrongful/unlawful/tortuous act which causes loss or harm to another.
What are the kinds of damages? Explain each.
M Moral - Damages suffered because of physical suffering, mental anguish, etc.
E Exemplary/Corrective - Imposed as an example or correction for public good.
N Nominal - damages to vindicate a right.
T Temperate/Moderate - more than nominal but less than compensatory. Damages given when amount of pecuniary loss cannot be proved with certainty.
A Actual/Compensatory - Pecuniary loss suffered and profits not realized.
L Liquidated - Agreed upon by parties in case of breach.
What is fraud?
Fraud is the deliberate/intentional evasion by debtor of normal compliance of his obligation.
What are the kinds of fraud ? Explain each.
Causal Fraud (Dolo Causante) - Fraud without which consent would not have been given. Renders the contract VOIDABLE.
Incidental Fraud (Dolo Incidente) Fraud without which consent would still be given, but on different terms. It renders the contract valid but the party guilty of fraud is liable for damages.
What happens when there is fraud in the performance of the obligation?
The fraud has no effect on the validity of the contract since it was employed after perfection. However the guilty party shall be liable for damages. Dolo Incidente occurs in this case
Discuss waiver for future and past fraud.
A waiver for future fraud cannot be made. If there is, it is void.
A waiver of an action of past fraud may be made by the creditor/aggrieved party.
What is negligence?
It is the omission of diligence which is required by the nature of the obligation and corresponds with the circumstances of the person/time/place. It is the failure to observe the degree of care/caution/vigilance which the circumstances justly demand.
What are the kinds of negligence? Explain each.
Contractual negligence (Culpa Contractual) - Negligence in the performance of a contract. MASTER-SERVANT RULE APPLIES.
Civil Negligence (Tort/Quasi-delict/Culpa extra-contractual) Acts or omissions that cause damage to another, there being no contractual relation between parties.
Criminal Negligence (Culpa Criminal) Negligence that results in commission of a crime.
Passenger may sue owner for contractual negligence plus criminal negligence on the driver.
Pedestrian may sue driver for civil and criminal negligence. He may also sue the owner for civil negligence.
What is delay?
Delay (Mora) is the non-fulfillment of an obligation with respect to time.
What are the kinds of delay? Explain each.
Mora solvendi - delay on the part of the debtor. 2 types
a. ) Ex re - delay in real obligation
b. ) Ex persona - delay in personal obligations
Mora accipiendi - delay on the part of the creditor. This happens when creditor refuses to accept the thing without any justification.
Compensatio Morae - Delay by both parties, it is as if there is no delay.
What is the general rule in delay in obligations?
No demand, no delay. Debtor incurs delay from the time the creditor demands fulfillment of the obligation, but debtor fails to comply.
What are the requisites of delay?
- ) That the obligation be due and demandable.
- ) The debtor does not perform the obligation.
- ) The creditor demands the performance either judicially or extra-judicially.
- ) Debtor fails to comply with the demand.
When will delay exist even without demand?
The following are the exceptions:
- ) When the law so provides.
- ) When the obligation so expressly declares.
- ) When time is of the essence of the contract.
- ) When demand would be useless.
- ) In reciprocal obligations, where the obligations arise out of the same cause and must be fulfilled at the same time.
What are the effects of delay on the part of the debtor? On the part of the creditor?
Debtor shall be liable for damages.
If the obligation consists in the delivery of a determinate thing, he shall be liable for any fortuitous events until he has effected delivery.
Creditor shall bear the risk of loss and shoulder expenses for the preservation of the thing. Debtor may resort to consignation of the thing.
What is a Fortuitous event?
These are events that could not be foreseen or are inevitable, such as war, flood, and other calamities.
What are the elements of a fortuitous events?
- ) The cause must be independent of the debtor’s will.
- ) There must be impossibility of foreseeing the event or avoiding it if it can be foreseen.
- ) The occurrence of the event must be of such character as to render it impossible for the debtor to perform his obligation in a normal manner.
What is the general rule for fortuitous events?
That no person be liable for fortuitous events, i.e., his obligation will be extinguished.
What are exceptions to the general rule on fortuitous events?
- ) When the law expressly provides for liability even in case of fortuitous events. (Example: Debtor has promised the same thing to different creditors not sharing the same interest.)
- ) When the parties have declared liability even in case of fortuitous event.
- ) When the nature of obligation requires the assumption of risk. (Insurance)
What are the remedies of a creditor to enforce payment of his claims against the debtor?
In the following order:
- ) Pursue the property in the possession of the debtor, except those exempt by law.
- ) Accion Subrogatoria - Exercise all the rights and bring all the actions of the debtor except those rights personal to him.
- ) Accion Pauliana - Impugn the acts which the debtor may have done to defraud his creditors.
What is the general rule on transmissibility of rights?
All rights acquired in virtue of an obligation are transmissible.
What are the exceptions to the general rule on transmissibility of rights?
- ) If the law prohibits the transmissibility of rights.
- ) If the parties agreed against transmissibility.
- ) If the right is by its nature is not transmissible.
What is a Pure obligation?
Obligation without a term or condition.
What is a conditional obligation?
Obligation whose demandability or extinguishment depends upon the happening of a condition.
What is a condition? Briefly discuss its types.
It is an uncertain event which wields an influence on a legal relationship. It has several classifications:
1.) Suspensive/CONDITION PRECEDENT/ANTECEDENT - gives rise to obligation.
- ) Resolutory/CONDITION SUBSEQUENT -extinguishes an obligation.
- ) Potestative - depends upon the will of one of the contracting parties. (Suspensive postestative condition on the part of debtor is VOID)
- ) Casual - depends upon chance or will of third person.
- ) Mixed - partly upon will of one of the parties and upon chance/3rd person.
- ) Possible - capable of fulfillment
- ) Impossible - VOID
- ) Positive - condition that some event will happen at a future time..
- ) Negative - condition that some event will not happen at a future time.
- ) Divisible - capable of partial performance.
- ) Indivisible - not capable of partial performance either by its nature or law or agreement of parties.
What is the general rule on the effect of suspensive conditions?
That the effect of the fulfillment of the suspensive condition RETROACTS to the day of the constitution of the obligation.
What are the exceptions to the general rule of the effect of suspensive conditions?
- ) There shall be no retroactive effect with respect to fruits and interest in:
a. ) Reciprocal obligations, the fruits and interests are deemed to be mutually compensated.
b. ) Unilateral obligations, since it is gratuitous.
What is the effect when the debtor voluntarily prevents the fulfillment of the condition?
The condition is deemed fulfilled and the obligation becomes immediately demandable.
What happens when a thing deteriorates because of debtor’s fault before the fulfillment of a suspensive condition?
The creditor may either:
- ) Ask for rescission plus damages
- ) Fulfillment plus damages
What is an obligation with a period?
One whose demandability or extinguishment is subjected to expiration of the term WHICH MUST NECESSARILY COME at a date beforehand, or at a time that cannot be determined.
What is a period?
Period is a space of time which determines the effectivity or extinguishment of an obligation.
Differentiate Period and Condition.
Condition - may or may not happen
Period - must happen
Condition - may refer to past or future.
Period - future
Condition - causes obligation to arise or cease
Period - merely fixes the time for efficaciousness of an obligation.
What are the kinds of period?
Ex die - period with a suspensive effect.
In diem - period with a resolutory effect.
Legal - fixed by law
Voluntary - fixed by parties
Judicial - fixed by court
“I will pay my debt when my means permit me to do so.” Period or condition?
It is an obligation with a period. The remedy is to ask the court to fix a period.
When can the court fix the period?
- ) When the obligation does not fix a period, but it can be inferred from its nature that a period was intended.
- ) When the duration of the period depends upon the will of the debtor.
What is the presumption as to who has the benefit of the period?
It is assumed that the period was designated for the benefit of both parties, unless otherwise stated in the obligation.
Give an example of a period wherein benefit is vested on the debtor and the creditor.
Debtor’s benefit - Abdul is obliged to pay Rashid 500 on or before Ramadan.
Creditor’s benefit - Abdul borrowed 500 from Rashid, collectible by Rashid on or before Ramadan.
What are the instances when the debtor loses his right to make use of the period if it is for his benefit?
- ) When the debtor becomes insolvent, unless he gives a guaranty/security for the debt.
- ) When the debtor fails to furnish the guarantee or securities he promised.
- ) When he impairs said guaranty/security by his own acts, or because of fortuitous events they disappear, unless he gives a new one equally satisfactory.
- ) When he violates any undertaking in consideration of which the creditor agreed to the period.
- ) When he attempts to abscond.
Differentiate Alternative and Facultative obligations.
Alternative obligation - one where several prestations are due but the complete performance of one of them is sufficient to extinguish the obligation.
Facultative - An obligation where only one prestation is due but the debtor may render another in substitution..
What are the kinds of obligation according to the number of prestations?
Simple - only one prestation is due.
Compound - 2 or more prestations are due.
a.) Conjunctive - all must be performed to extinguish obligation
b.) Distributive/disjunctive - either facultative or alternative.
By default, who has the right to choose prestation in an alternative obligation?
The debtor, unless it has been EXPRESSLY granted to the creditor.
When does an obligation cease to be alternative therefore becomes a simple obligation?
- ) When the debtor has communicated his choice to the creditor.
- ) When only one of the prestations is practicable.
- ) When the creditor has been given expressly the right to choose, and he has communicated his choice to debtor.
Differentiate Joint and Solidary Obligations.
Joint - debtor is only liable for a proportionate share of the debt, and the creditor is entitled only to a proportionate part of the credit. (IF SILENT, ASSUME JOINT)
Solidary - each debtor is liable for the whole obligation, each creditor is entitled to demand payment of the whole obligation.
What are the other terms for Solidary obligations?
- ) Jointly and severally
- ) Individually and collectively
- ) In solidum
- ) Mancomunada solidaria
- ) Juntos o separadamente
What are other terms for Joint obligations?
- ) Proportionately
- ) Pro rata
- ) Mancomunada
- ) Mancomunada simple
A and B are solidary debtors of X and Y, solidary creditors in the amount of 20000. If X renounces the whole obligation without Y’s consent, will the obligation be extinguished?
Yes, remission made by any SOLIDARY CREDITOR extinguishes the whole obligation, but X has to reimburse Y’s share.
A and B are solidary debtors of X and Y, solidary creditors in the amount of 20000. If A obtains remission from the creditors, may A demand reimbursement from B?
No, because the remission is gratuitous only, and does not entitle him to reimbursement.
A and B are solidary debtors of X and Y, solidary creditors in the amount of 20000. X renounces A’s share of 10000, but it turns out that B already paid the whole 20000 a day ago. May B still go after A?
Yes he can go after A for 10000. The remission made by X does not release A from his liability to his co-debtor B. A’s remedy will be to go to X or Y.
Abdul, Rashid, and Mohammed are solidary creditors of Ustadz for 30000. If Abdul pays Ustadz for the whole amount and Mohammed has become insolvent, how much can Abdul claim from Rashid? What if all of them are joint debtors?
Rashid must reimburse Abdul for 15000. Abdul and Rashid split up Mohammed’s share since he is insolvent.
If it was a joint obligation on the part of debtors, Abdul and Rashid do not have to be liable for Mohammed’s share.
Abdul, Rashid and Mohammed are solidarily liable to Jamal for 30000. However it was agreed that Abdul’s share is payable on demand, Rashid’s share next Ramadan, and Mohammed’s on the next Feast day St. Peter. What is the effect?
Jamal can demand payment from any of the debtor’s share for 10000(Abdul). He can demand another 10000(Rashid) from any of them on Ramadan. He can demand the last 10000(Mohammed) from any of them on St. Peter’s Day.
Explain Joint Indivisible Obligations.
It is an obligation where the debtors or creditors are jointly bound but the prestation is indivisible.
- ) Creditors must act collectively in making the demand, unless one is specifically authorized to act for the others. A demand made by one or some of them will have no effect.
- ) Demand must be made against all debtors since compliance is possible only when they act together.
- ) The right of creditors may be prejudiced only by their collective acts.
- ) If one of the debtors does not comply with his undertaking, the obligation is converted into a monetary obligation to pay damages. The debtors who were ready to comply shall not contribute to the indemnity beyond his/her share.
A,B, and C are jointly indebted to deliver a specific car to X,Y,Z worth 900000. Explain what happens.
XYZ must make a demand against ABC.
If A does not comply, B and C each owes 300000, but A must pay 300000 plus damages.
If A is insolvent, B and C will not absorb A’s share.
If X renounces his share, Y and Z are entitled to receive 200000 each from the debtors.
What are divisible and indivisible obligations?
Divisible - capable of partial performance.
Indivisible - not capable of partial performance.
What is a penal clause?
Penal clause - clause that provides greater liability on the part of the debtor, to ensure performance, either as punishment or reparation for damages, or both.
Is proof of actual damages suffered necessary in obligations with a penal clause?
No. Obligor is bound to pay the stipulated indemnity without the need of proof of damages.
What is the general rule when obligations have a penal clause?
GR: The penalty takes the place of the damages and interest in case of non-compliance.
What are the exceptions to the general rule on penal clauses?
- ) When there is a stipulation that aside from penalty, damages and interest may also be demanded.
- ) When the debtor refuses to pay the penalty.
- ) When the debtor is guilty of fraud in the performance of the obligation.
What are the causes of extinguishment of obligations?
Payment/performance Loss of the thing due Condonation/remission of debt Confusion/merger Compensation Novation Annulment Rescission Fulfillment Prescription Other causes
What is legal tender?
Legal tender is the money or currency which the debtor may compel his creditor to accept in payment of his debt.
Centavos - LT up to 100 pesos
Coins - LT up to 1000
Bills - any amount
What is the formula for the amount to be paid in cases of extraordinary inflation or deflation?
A = (B/C) x B
Wherein:
A = new amount to be paid
B = Old amount
C = value of the amount at date of maturity.
FOR THIS TO BE APPLICABLE, THERE MUST BE AN OFFICIAL PRONOUNCEMENT MADE BY COMPETENT AUTHORITIES.
When do mercantile documents like checks produce the effect of payment?
When they have been cashed or deposited, OR when through the fault of the creditor they have been impaired.
Is a check a legal tender?
No.
What are the two instances wherein payment or performance MAY NOT be complete?
- ) When the obligation has been substantially performed in good faith, the obligor may recover as though there had been strict and complete fulfillment less damages suffered by obligee.
- ) When the obligee accepts the performance knowing its completeness or irregularity and without expressing any protest or objection, the obligation is deemed fully complied with.
When can partial payments be made?
- ) When there is an agreement to that effect.
2. ) When the debit is in part liquidated.