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PREPARATION OF TRIAL MEMORANDUM AND LEGAL

OPINION
By: Prof. Jaime Bilan Montealegre

I.

TrialMemorandum.

A. Concept

Generally,atrialmemorandumoutlinesthelegalargumentssupportingoropposingthepositionofapartytoacase.It
includestheexplanationofthepartiesunderstandingofthefactsofthematter,thelaworlawstheybelieveshalldeterminethe
outcomeofthetrial,andtheconclusiontheybelievethejudgeshouldreach.Itspurposeistopersuadethecourtthatapartyis
entitledtoajudgmentinitsfavor.TheTrialMemorandumshouldexplainwhyaparticularlawappliesandhoweachfactrelates
tothelaw.

Atrialmemorandummaybelikenedtoorprobablyequivalenttotheoralsummaryofthecasesbythecounselsintrials
byjury.Inthisjurysystemofhearinganddecidingcases,trialsareusuallyfollowedbyoralargumentsfrombothsides.Counsels
orallysumuptheircasesandtrytopersuadethejurywiththeevidenceandargumentstoaccepttheirclientspointofview.In
thePhilippines,sincethereisnotrialbyjurybutrathercasesaredecidedbyasingleperson,thejudge,counselsdonothavethe
chancetoorallysumuptheircasesandtrytopersuadethejudgewiththeevidenceandargumentstoaccepttheirclientspoint
of view.  Thus, at the end of the trial, the counsels sum up their cases, not by oral arguments, butby what is called the trial
memorandum.

B. PartsofaTrialMemorandum

Innoparticularorder,aTrialMemorandumshouldcontainthefollowingparts:

1.
TheHeadingorCaseCaption.

(Inourcourtsorquasijudicialagencies,thereisalreadyastructurefortheheadingorthecaption.)

2.
TheStatementoftheNatureoftheActionorCaseandtheproceedingsthatthecourthaddoneinthecase.

2.1.
Thestatementofthenatureoftheactionorcaseissimplyastatementofwhatthecaseisallabout.It
isthestatementofthelegaldisputebetweenthepartiestoacase.

- Incivilcases,thereisalegaldisputewhenapartytoacasecomplainsthathisrightprotectedbylaw,
orwhichviolationthelawpunishes,isviolatedbytheotherpartywhodeniessuchaviolation.

- Incriminalcases,thereislegaldisputewhentheStateclaimsthattheaccusedviolateditsrightto
enforcethelawsandtheaccusedwoulddenyitduringthearraignment.

2.1
Tosomelawyers,theyincludeinthissectionthequestionoflaworfactthatthepartiespresentfor
resolution and which the judge should decide or what is referred to as the issues. To the others, of course, the
questionoflaworfactthatthepartiespresentforresolutionandwhichthejudgeshoulddecide(issues)istreatedasa
separatepartofthetrialmemorandum.Inanycase,thequestionorissueshouldincludeafewoftheessentialfactsof


thecase,butshouldbeverybriefandconcise.

3.
TheBriefAnswertothequestionorissuesposed.

This part serves as the thesis of the Memorandum andshouldbrieflyanalyze the reasons why you believe the judge
shouldruleinyourfavor.Itsummarizesthelawthatshouldbeusedtoanalyzethecase.

4.
TheStatementofFacts.Thispartdetailsallofthefactsthatarematerialtothecase.Herearesomeguidesin
statingthefactsofthecase:
a.
The facts should be outlined briefly. Opinions and/or conclusions of the lawyer preparing the trial
memorandumshouldnotbeincluded.Statedotherwise,thelawyershouldavoideditorializinginthestatementoffacts.
Instead,thefactsshouldbepresentedinaneutralwaysimilartohowareportermightdescribeanevent.

b.
The Statement of Facts is normally prepared by first writing out a rather complete statement of
facts. At the start, the statement of facts should be overinclusive, rather than under inclusive. Moreover, the facts
shouldbewrittenchronologically.Thiswillenablethelawyertoseesomerelationshipsthatwerenotimaginedandto
seeclearlyhoworwhythepartiesactedastheydid.

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c.
Thereafter, the lawyer preparing the trial memorandum can now cut down on the facts, so as to
eliminate those that are not material or do not provide helpful background.  The factual presentation can also be
reorganizedsoastomakeiteasiertounderstand.

5.
TheDiscussionoftheArguments.

Eachlegalargumentoutlinestheissueoflaw,orfactthejudgemustdecide,therulethatshouldbeusedtodetermine
theissueoflaworfact,adecisionabouthowtheruleshouldbeappliedtothefactsofthecase,andtheconclusionsummarizing
theargument.Inotherwords,thediscussionforeachlegalargumentshouldcontaintheIssue,Rule,ApplicationandConclusion.
Theissueisthebriefstatementofthedispute;theRuleisthesectionsthatcontainsanyelementsorstatutoryrequirementsthat
mustbeproven;theApplicationishowthefactssupportoropposetheparticularRule,whichusuallystartswiththewordInthe
instantcaseorHere;theconclusionisthebriefsentencesummingupwhatwassaid.

6.
TheSummaryoftheTrialMemorandum.

Thispartcontainstheconclusionthatreiteratesthemajorlegalarguments,andthefactsofthecasethatsupportsyour
pointofview.

C. Sample Trial Memorandum for the Plaintiff (Sample Essay Problem  1 given by the Chairman of the 2011 Bar
ExaminationsCommittee)


TheHeadingorCaseCaption.
(ThisshouldnotbeyourconcerninthisBarExaminationsbecausetheInstructionfortheEssayExaminationsspecifically
directsyoutoomitthecasecaption.Butasearlierstated,inourcourtsorquasijudicialagencies,thereisalreadyastructurefor
theheadingorthecaption.)

MEMORANDUMFORTHEPLAINTIFF


PLAINTIFF,bytheundersignedcounsel,mostrespectfullysubmitsthisMemorandumasfollows:

NatureoftheCase

This is a case for the annulment of the contract of sale with damages involving a onebedroom condominium unit
coveredbyaCertificateofTitleinthenameMr.Geronimo,theplaintiffshusband,andwhichwasboughtbyhimwhilehewas
stillsingle.
Plaintiffclaimedthatherrightoverthejointadministrationandenjoymentoftheonebedroomcondominiumunitwas
violatedwhenitwassoldbyherhusbandtothedefendantwithoutherconsent.Defendant,ontheotherhand,deniestheclaim
ontheargumentthatthesalehadalreadybeenconsummated.
Facts
1.Thecondominiumunit,whichistheobjecttheDeedofSalesoughttobeannulled,iscoveredbyaCertificateofTitle
inthenameofMr.Geronimo,plaintiffshusband.Mr.Geronimoboughtthepropertyin2001andbroughtitintothemarriage
whenheandtheplaintiffweremarriedin2006.

2.InApril2009,theplaintiffofferedthecondominiumunitforsaletothedefendantforP2millionandtowhichoffer,
thelatterrepliedthathewillcallbackoncethedeedofsaleandmanagerscheckwereready.

3.InMay2009,theplaintiffleftfortheUnitedStateswithoutthedefendantcallingherbackaspromised.Butwhilethe
plaintiff was in the United States, defendant called plaintiffs husband instead. Without the knowledge of the plaintiff, her
husbandsignedthedeedofsaleofthecondominiumunitandacceptedthemanagerscheckofthedefendant.

4. In June 2009, plaintiff was informed by her husband that he already signed the deed of sale and accepted the
managerscheckofthedefendant.Beforeplaintiffreceivedthisinformation,however,shehadalreadychangedhermindand
decidednottosellthecondominiumunit.

5.Plaintiffofferedtoreturntheconsiderationforthesaleofthecondominiumunitbutthedefendantrefused.

6.Thus,thiscaseforannulmentofcontractwithdamages.

Issues


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Theissuestoberesolvedinthiscaseareasfollows:

1.
Whetherornotplaintiffsrightoverthejointadministrationandenjoymentoftheonebedroomcondominium
unitwasviolatedwhenthiswassoldbyherhusbandtothedefendantwithoutherconsentandthus,hasabasistohavethe
contractofsaleannulled.

2.Whetherornotplaintiffisentitledtodamages.

Arguments


PLAINTIFF SUBMITS THAT THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT, WHICH IS THE OBJECT OF THE DEED OF SALE SOUGHT TO BE
ANNULED, IS A COMMUNITY PROPERTY AND THUS, ITS SALE WITHOUT PLAINTIFFS CONSENT, ENTITLES HER TO HAVE THE
SALEANNULLED.

The condominium unit, which is the object the Deed of Sale sought to be annulled, is a community property, having
beenboughtbytheplaintiffshusbandin2001andbroughtintothemarriagewhentheplaintiffandherhusbandweremarried
in2006.ThisispursuanttoArticle76oftheFamilyCode,thelawineffectatthetimeofthemarriagebetweentheplaintiffand
her husband, which provides that in the absence of any property regime agreed upon by spouses, the regime of absolute
communityofproperty,whichconsistsofallthepropertyownedbythespousesatthetimeofthecelebrationofthemarriage,
shallgoverntheirmaritalpropertyrelationship.

Theadministrationandenjoymentofthecondominiumunitbeingacommunitypropertyisgovernedbyfirstparagraph
of Article 96 of the Family Code which provides that these shall belong to both spouses jointly. In case of disagreement, the
husband'sdecisionshallprevail,subjecttorecoursetothecourtbythewifeforproperremedy,whichmustbeavailedofwithin
five years from the date of the contract implementing such decision.  While Article 96 of the Family Code speaks only of the
administration and enjoyment of the community property, plaintiff submits that the power to dispose of the community
propertyiswithintheambitofthephraseadministrationandenjoyment.Thisisforthereasonthatinthesecondparagraph
ofArticle96,theassumptionofpowersofaspousehasbeenlimitedandrestrictedsoasnottoincludethepowerofdisposition,
alienationandencumbrance.Thisimplies,therefore,thatthepowertoadministerisbroadlytreatedunderthefirstparagraph
ofArticle96butmaybelimitedbylawasinthecaseofthesecondparagraphofthesaidArticle.

Intheinstantcase,thesaleofthesubjectcondominiumunit,asshownbythefactthattheDeedofSalethereofwas
signed only by plaintiffs husband, is one where the latter, without suffering from any incapacity whatsoever, encumbers,
alienatesordisposesacommunitypropertywithouttheconsentoftheotherspousewhoislikewisecapacitated.Thetransaction
isthuswithinthecontemplationofthefirstparagraphofArticle96oftheFamilyCode.

That the encumbrance, alienation or disposition of the community property was made without the consent of the
plaintiff is apparent. While it is true that it was the plaintiff who made the offer to sell the subject condominium unit to the
defendant,theacceptancebythelatteroftheoffertosellwasnotknowntotheformeratthetimethatthelatterhandedthe
managers check to the plaintiffs husband and at the time plaintiffs husband signed the deed of sale of the subject
condominiumunit.Thereisthusnoconsentyetbytheplaintifftospeakofbecausetherewasnomanifestationofthemeetingof
theofferandtheacceptanceuponthethingandthecausewhicharetoconstitutethecontract,pursuanttoArticle1319ofthe
CivilCode.

Moreover,defendantstestimonythathewillcallbackoncethedeedofsaleandmanagerscheckwerereadyallthe
moreconfirmsthattherewasnomeetingofthemindsyetbecausetheacceptancewasnotabsoluteandthusitistantamountto
aqualifiedacceptancewhichineffectconstitutesacounterofferpursuantArticle1319oftheCivilCode.

AsheldbytheSupremeCourtinthecaseofMalbarosav.CourtofAppeals(G.R.No.125761,April30,2003,402SCRA
168),theacceptanceofanoffermustbemadeknowntotheofferor.Unlesstheofferorknowsoftheacceptance,thereisno
meetingofthemindsoftheparties,norealconcurrenceofofferandacceptance.Moreover,theofferormaywithdrawitsoffer
andrevokethesamebeforeacceptancethereofbytheofferee.Thecontractisperfectedonlyfromthetimeanacceptanceofan
offerismadeknowntotheofferor.Intheinstantcase,itisclearthattheplaintiffhadrevokedtheofferbeforeshecameto
knowoftheacceptanceofthesaidofferbythedefendant.

Thus,consideringthattheencumbrance,alienationanddispositionofthecommonpropertywasmadebytheplaintiffs
husbandwithouttheconsentoftheplaintiff,pursuanttoArticle96oftheFamilyCode,theplaintiffhasalltherighttogoto
courttoseektheproperremedywhichincludestheannulmentofthecontract.

Goingnowintotheissueofwhethertheplaintiffisentitledtodamages,plaintiffsubmitsthatsheis.

The second paragraph of Article 2201 of the Civil Code provides that in case of fraud, bad faith, malice or wanton
attitude, the obligor shall be responsible for all damages which may be reasonably attributed to the nonperformance of the
obligation.  In the instant case, it is apparent that the encumbrance, alienation and disposition of the common property was

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made by the plaintiffs husband without the consent of the plaintiff.  Despite this, the defendant continued with the sale. It
cannotthusbesaidthatthedefendantactedinbadfaithinbuyingthesubjectcondominiumunit.Thus,hiswantonattitudein
refusing to return the unit would make him liable for all damages which may be attributed to the nonperformance of his
obligationtoreturn.

Inconclusion,plaintiffisentitledtotheannulmentofcontractwithdamagesforthesaleofthesubjectonebedroom
condominiumunit.
PRAYER

WHEREFORE,premisesconsidered,itismostrespectfullyprayedthatthethisHonorableCourtrendersjudgment:(a)
annullingthecontractofsaleinvolvingtheonebedroomcondominiumunitcoveredbyaCertificateofTitleinthenameofMr.
Geronimoand(b)orderingthedefendanttopaytheplaintiffdamagesintheaggregateamountofP______.


OTHERREILEFS,justandequitableunderthepremises,arelikewiseprayedfor.

Cityof______fortheCity______.(Date)
Counsel
Address
D. Sample Trial Memorandum for the Defendant (Sample Essay Problem  1 given by the Chairman of the 2011 Bar
ExaminationsCommittee)



TheHeadingorCaseCaption.
(ThisshouldnotbeyourconcerninthisBarExaminationsbecausetheInstructionfortheEssayExaminations
specificallydirectsyoutoomitthecasecaption.)

MEMORANDUMFORTHEDEFENDANT


DEFENDANT,bytheundersignedcounsel,mostrespectfullysubmitsthisMemorandumasfollows:

NatureoftheCase

This is a case for the annulment of the contract of sale with damages involving a onebedroom condominium unit
coveredbyaCertificateofTitleinthenameMr.Geronimo,theplaintiffshusband,andwhichwasboughtbyhimwhilehewas
stillsingle.
Plaintiffclaimedthatherrightoverthejointadministrationandenjoymentoftheonebedroomcondominiumunitwas
violatedwhenitwassoldbyherhusbandtothedefendantwithoutherconsent.Defendant,ontheotherhand,deniedtheclaim
ontheargumentthatthesalehadalreadybeenconsummated.
Facts
1.Thecondominiumunit,whichistheobjecttheDeedofSalesoughttobeannulled,iscoveredbyaCertificateofTitle
inthenameofMr.Geronimo,plaintiffshusband.Mr.Geronimoboughtthepropertyin2001andbroughtitintothemarriage
whenheandtheplaintiffweremarriedin2006.

2. In April 2009, the plaintiff offered the condominium unit for sale to the defendant for P2 million. The defendant
acceptedtheofferandtoldtheplaintiffthathewillcallbackoncethedeedofsaleandmanagerscheckwereready.

3. Defendant, through his lawyer, immediately prepared the Deed of Sale and prepared a managers check for P2
million.Thereafter,inJune2009,defendantmetwithplaintiffshusband,Mr.Geronimowhoacceptedthemanagerscheckand
signedtheDeedofSale.
4.InSeptember2009,plaintiffinformedthedefendantthatshewillnotbesellingthecondominiumunitanymoreand
offeredtoreturntheconsideration.

5.Defendantrefusedbecausethesalehadalreadybeenconsummated.

6.Thus,thiscaseforannulmentofcontractwithdamages.

Issues


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Theissuestoberesolvedinthiscaseareasfollows:

1. WhetherornotthereislegalbasisfortheplaintifftohavetheContractofSaleofthecondominiumunitannulled.

2.Whetherornotdefendantisliabletotheplaintifffordamages.

Arguments


DEFENDANT SUBMITS THAT THE CONTRACT OF SALE OF THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT HAD ALREADY BEEN
CONSUMATEDANDTHUS,THEREISNOLEGALBASISFORTHEPLAINTFFTOHAVEITANNULLED.

TheSupremeCourthadtheoccasiontoruleinthecaseofAbalosvsMacatangay,Jr.(G.R.No.155043.September30,
2004,439SCRA649)thatacontractofSale,beingessentiallyconsensual,isperfectedatthemomentthereismeetingofthe
mindsuponthethingwhichistheobjectofthecontractandupontheprice.However,ownershipofthethingsoldshallnotbe
transferredtothevendeeuntilactualorconstructivedeliveryoftheproperty.

Intheinstantcase,theplaintiffhadofferedtoselltheonebedroomcondominiumunit,theobjectofthecontract,to
thedefendantforadefinitepriceofP2million,andwhichofferthedefendanthadreadilyaccepted.

Thus, at the time that the defendant accepted the offer, notwithstanding that there was no payment yet and the
contractofsalehasyettobesigned,alltheelementsofaperfectedcontractwerealreadypresent.

Moreover, the title of the condominium unit had already been transferred in the name of the defendant, a clear
indicationthattheownershipofthecondominiumunithadbeentransferredtothedefendant.Thisallthemoreconfirmsthat
thecontractofsalehadnotonlybeenperfectedbutisalreadyconsummated.

Thecontractofsaleofthecondominiumunithavingbeenperfectedandconsummated,thenthereisnobasisforthe
plaintifftohaveitannulled.

Further, there is no basis for the plaintiff to claim that the onebedroom  condominium unit was sold without her
consent thus, violating her right over the joint administration and enjoyment of a community property, a basis to have the
contractofsaleannulledunderArticle96oftheFamilyCode.

Tobeginwith,asearlierdiscussed,theconsentoftheplaintiffwasnotvitiated.Moreover,Article96oftheFamilyCode
indicatesonlyofadministrationandenjoymentofcommunitypropertyandnotdispositionthereof.Thus,thedispositionof
communitypropertycouldnothavebeencontemplatedfollowingtherulethatwhatthelawdoesnotinclude,itexcludes.This
addstothefactthatthereisnobasisfortheplaintifftohavetheContractofSaleannulled.

Consequently,plaintiffsclaimfordamageshasnolegtostandon.

Inconclusion,plaintiffisnotentitledtotheannulmentofcontractwithdamagesforthesaleofthesubjectonebed
roomcondominiumunit.
PRAYER

WHEREFORE,premisesconsidered,itismostrespectfullyprayedthatthisHonorableCourtrendersjudgmentdismissing
theinstantcomplaintforutterlackofmerit.


OTHERREILEFS,justandequitableunderthepremises,arelikewiseprayedfor.

Cityof______fortheCity______.(Date)
Counsel
Address

II. LegalOpinion
A. Concept/Purpose

Thepurposeofalegalopinionistoanalyzealegalproblemandgiveanobjectivelegalopiniononthatproblem.Usually,
alegalopinionisnotanadvocacypaper.Althoughthepurposeistoreachalegalconclusion,theargumentspresentedmustbe
objective.Inpreparingalegalopinion,itmustbeexplainedwhycertainlawsapplybutthelegalopinionmustnotattemptto
convincetheclientoftheabsolutecorrectnessoftheconclusion.Instead,itshouldacknowledgetheweaknessoftheargument.


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B. StepsinPreparingaLegalOpinion





Inactualpractice,thefollowingarenecessarystepsinthepreparationofalegalopinion:
1.
2.

Makesurethattherecordsofthecasearecomplete.

Writedownthefacts.


3. Researchthelaw.Thelawshouldincludethosethatarefavorabletotheclientspositionandthosethatare
unfavorable.Statedotherwise,thelegalopinionmustaddressthelawthatishelpfulandharmfultotheclientscase.

4. Chartthelawagainstthefacts.Thismeansthatyouhavetolisteachessentialfactoreventandidentifythe
mainlegalelementthatpertainstotheevent.

5. Identifytheissues.

6. Preparetheoutlinewhichshouldprovideanexplanationofhoweachelementwillbeappliedtoeachfact.

7. Writethelegalopinion.Thisshould,ofcourse,includeeditingofthelegalopinion.

C. PartsofaLegalOpinion

Alegalopinionismadeupof:

1.
Heading. This simply includes the date and theperson for whom the legal opinion is intended. For
purposes of the Bar Examinations, however, this should not be your concern because the Instruction for the Essay
Examinationsspecificallydirectsyoutoomitthecasecaption.

2.
TheQuestionsorIssuesPresented.Theseencompassboththelegalandfactualelementsthatmust
beanalyzed.Legalandfactualcomponentsshouldbeincorporated.

3.
Answers.

4.
StatementofFacts.Thisshouldtellthestorythatgaverisetothelegalquestion,butshouldinclude
only those facts that are necessary for the legal analysis.  Moreover, legal terms or legal conclusions should not be
incorporated in the facts.  If there are disputed facts, they should be clearly identified with modifying terms such as
alleged, stated, or testified. Bias or distortion should be avoided and thus, facts that are both favorable and
unfavorableshouldbementioned.

5.
TheDiscussion.Thismustprovideobjectiveyetconvincingsupportfortheconclusion.Everysection
oftheDiscussionmustcontainfiveelements:Answer,Issue,Rule,Analysis,andConclusion.

6.
Conclusion.ThisshouldprovideabriefsummaryofthefactsandlawrequiredintheDiscussion.

D. SAMPLELEGALOPINION(SampleEssayProblem3givenbytheChairmanofthe2011BarExaminationsCommittee)

Date:

To:
JudyAnnSanchez

Subject: Legal Opinion on the possibility of bringing a lawsuit against Mc.Bee as a result of the injuries sustained after
fallingfromthefoodchainsstaircase.

DearMs.Sanchez:


This answers your query about the possibility ofyoubringing a lawsuitagainstMc.Bee as a result of the injuries you
sustainedafterfallingfromthefoodchainsstaircase.


Basedontheinterviewwithyourdaughter,MaraClarita,theantecedentfactsareasfollows:


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On18October2010,whileyouwereatMcBeeMetroparkBranch,theMcBeemascot,whowassobig
andhurryingdownthestairs,causedyoutoloseyourbalanceandmissfourstepswhileyouwereonyourway
upstairs, and as a consequence, you suffered injuries in your head, shoulders, back and buttocks. The store
manager,soasnotwastetimetobringyoutothenearesthospital,usedherowncarinsteadofwaitingforan
ambulance. Because of the incident, you suffered pain and you were greatly inconvenienced by the weekly
therapyyouwereundergoing.


ThemanagementofMcBeeMetroparkBranchpaidforthehospitalbills.Thedemandofyourdaughter
intheaggregateamountofPesos:OneHundredThousand(P100,000.00)was,however,ignoredthroughaletter
dated15December2010,althoughthemanagementassuredyouthatitwillcontinuetoshoulderallexpenses
relatedtoyourweeklyphysicaltherapyuntilsuchtimethatyouarefullyrestoredtoyourprevioushealth.

Fromtheforegoingfacts,itisapparentthatthemanagementofMcBeeMetroparkBranchacknowledgeditsliabilityto
youfortheactualdamagesasaconsequenceoftheactoromissionofitsmascot.Thisisevidentfromitsactsofpayingforthe
hospitalbillsanditsassurancetoyoutoshoulderallexpensesrelatedtoyourweeklyphysicaltherapy.IbelievethatMcBee
MetroparkBranchcouldnothavedoneotherwisebecauseArticle2180oftheCivilCodeexpresslyprovidesthattheownersand
managersofanestablishmentorenterprisesarelikewiseresponsiblefordamagescausedbytheiremployeesintheserviceof
thebranchesinwhichthelatterareemployedorontheoccasionoftheirfunctions.

TheonlyquestionthenthatshouldbeanswerediswhetherMcBeeMetroparkBranchmaybeheldliablefordamages
forthepainandinconveniencethatyousufferedasaresultoftheincident.

Inthisregard,itismyopinionthatthequestioncannotbutbeansweredinthepositiveonthebasisofthefollowing:

1.
Article 2176 of the Civil Code provides that whoever by act or omission causes damage to another,
there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre
existing contractual relation between the parties, is called a quasidelict and is governed by the provisions of this
Chapter.

It is expressly provided in Article 2219 of the Civil Code that moral damages may be recovered in analogous
caseswhichincludequasidelictscausingphysicalinjuries.


Moreover, Article 2217 of the Civil Code provides that moral damages include physical suffering, mental
anguish,fright,seriousanxiety,besmirchedreputation,woundedfeelings,moralshock,socialhumiliation,andsimilar
injury.Thoughincapableofpecuniarycomputation,moraldamagesmayberecoverediftheyaretheproximateresult
ofthedefendant'swrongfulactforomission.

Basedontheforegoingexpressprovisionsofthelaw,thereisnodoubtthatyouareentitledtomoraldamages
becauseitisanundeniablefactthatyousufferedpainandinconvenienceasaresultoftheincident.

2.Consideringthatthereislegalbasisforyoutobeentitledtorecovermoraldamages,youmaylikewisebe
entitled to exemplary damages pursuant to the pronouncement of the Supreme Court in the case of B.F. Metal
(Corporation)v.Lomotan,G.R.No.170813,April16,2008,551SCRA618)whichprovidesthus:

Exemplaryorcorrectivedamagesareimposed,bywayofexampleorcorrectionforthepublic
good, in addition to moral, temperate, liquidated or compensatory damages. Exemplary damages
cannot be recovered as a matter of right; the court will decide whether or not they should be
adjudicated. In quasidelicts, exemplary damages may be granted if the defendant acted with gross
negligence.Whiletheamountoftheexemplarydamagesneednotbeproved,theplaintiffmustshow
thatheisentitledtomoral,temperateorcompensatorydamagesbeforethecourtmayconsiderthe
questionofwhetherornotexemplarydamagesshouldbeawarded.

Pleasetakenote,however,thattobeentitledtoexemplarydamages,youmustshowtothecourtthat
youareentitledtomoraldamagesbeforethecourtmayconsiderthatyouareentitledtoexemplarydamages.


Asshownbytheforegoing,itisclearthatyouhaveallthelegalbasistofilealawsuitagainstMc.Beeasaresultofthe
injuries you sustained after falling from the food chains staircase. I should, however, emphasize at this juncture that while
existing laws and jurisprudence may support your action, there is no reason why McBee, on its part, may not interpose the
defensethattheyshouldnotbeheldliablepursuanttotheexpressprovisionofArticle2180oftheLaborCodewhichprovides
thatitsresponsibilityshallceaseiftheycouldprovethatitobservedallthediligenceofagoodfatherofafamilytopreventthe
damage.


As your lawyer, therefore, I recommend the filing of a civil suit for damages against McBee  Metropark Branch for
damagesresultingfromtheincidentthathappenedon18October2010.Butbeforethefilingofthelawsuit,Iwouldlikewise

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recommendthesendingofanotherdemandlettertoMcBee,thistimebyyourcounsel,clearlyindicatingthedamagessoughtfor
moresothatitsletterdated15December2010didnotindicateadenialofyourdemandfordamages.Foryourconvenience,I
havealreadyattachedherewithadraftofthedemandletter.


Ifyouhavefurtherquery,pleasedonothesitatetocallme.


Verytrulyyours,

(Counsel)

DemandLetter


Date:______

MCBEEMETROPARKBRANCH
(ADDRESS)



Attention:
TEDPALLONE




OperationsManger


Subject:DemandforDamages

Gentleman:


WewriteinbehalfofourclientJudyAnnSanchezwhoacknowledgedreceiptofyourletterdated15December
2010.

Whileweappreciateyourassurancetocontinuetoshoulderallexpensesrelatedtoourclientsweeklyphysical
therapy,you,however,ignoredinyourletterherdemandfordamagesforthepainandinconvenienceshesufferedasa
resultofthenegligenceofyouremployee.

Let this, therefore, serve as our final demand for you to pay our client the amount of Pesos: One Hundred
Thousand(P100,000.00)asearlierdemanded.Shouldwenothearfromyouwithintheperiodoffive(5)days,weshallbe
constrainedtofiletheappropriatecasetoprotectourclientsinterest.

Pleasegivethisyourpreferentialattention.

Verytrulyyours,

(Counsel)






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