CO-OWNERSHIP

ARTICLE 484
• C o - o w n e r s h i p – state w h e r e a n i ndi vi dual thi ng o r ri ght b e l o ng s t o t w o o r m o r e pe rs on s
 T w o or m o r e pe rs on s h a v i n g a n i deal part of a thi ng w h i c h is n ot phy si cal l y di v i d e d
• T h e r e is N O c o - o w n e r s h i p w h e n th e diff e re nt porti on s o w n e d b y diff erent p e o pl e a re al re ady c on cr e t e l y
determined and identifiable, even if not yet technically described
What governs co-ownership:
1. Contracts
2. Special legal provision
3. Provisions of the Title on co-ownership

TENANCY IN COMMON
• Ideal division
• M a y di spose i de al/ undi v i de d sh ar e
• C o - o w n e r die s – share g o e s to heir
• If co - o wn e r i s m i no r – othe rs will not benefi t, prescripti on will run agai nst other c o- ow ne rs
JOINT TENANCY
• N O ideal division
• M a y N O T dispose of share
• If c o - o w n e r di e s - b y accre ti on t o othe r j oint te nants
• If co- owne r is a m i n or – will benefi t other co- owne rs, prescripti on will not run

Characteristics of co-ownership:
1. More than one subject or owner
2. One physical whole, divided into ideal shares
 3. Must respect each other in the common use, enjoyment or preservation of the physical whole
4. Each co-owner holds almost absolute control of his ideal share
5. NO juridical personality
6. A co-owner is a trustee for the others

ARTICLE 485
• Share in the B E N E F I T S and C H A R G E S in proporti on to the interest of each
• Contrary sti pulati on is V O I D
• Prop or ti onal s h a r e to the accre ti on o r a l l u v i u m

ARTICLE 486
Right to use:
• I nterest o f t he c o - o w n e r s h i p m u s t n o t b e i nj ure d
• C o - o w n e r s m u s t n ot b e p r e v e n t e d f r o m u s i n g it

ARTICLE 487
• A c o - o w n e r m a y d e f e n d i n court t he interest o f the c o - o w n e r s h i p
• C a s e insti tuted b y o n e is in be hal f o f all
“Ejectment” includes:
1. forcible entry accion interdictal
2. unlawful detainer
3. accion publiciana
4. accion reivindicatoria
5. quieting of title
6. replevin

ARTICLE 488
• M a y c o m p e l o t h e r s t o s h a r e t h e n e c e s s a r y e x p e n s e s f o r p r e s e r v a ti o n
• R e n u n c i a ti o n – i nste ad o f r e i m b u r s e m e n t
 His undivided share as m a y be equivalent to his share of expenses a n d taxes
• D o e s n o t n e c e s sa ri l y r e n o u n c e h i s e nti re s h a r e

ARTICLE 489
Consent of…
ONE – repairs, ejectment action
ALL – alterations, acts of ownership
FINANCIAL MAJORITY – all others, useful improvements, luxurious embellishments, administration, better
enjoyment

• U nj usti fi e d o pp os i ti o n re sul ti ng t o d a m a g e – b e b o r n e b y the o n e w h o o p p o s e d

• Noti fi cati on is requi re d if practi cable

ARTICLE 490
• Perpe ndicul ar co - o wn e r s hi p
Proportionate contribution for:
1. main walls
2. party walls
3. roof
4. other things used in common

• Fl oor o w n e r be ars e x p e n s e s of his fl oor

• Stai rs b e m ai n t a i n e d , S t o r e y b y s to re y , b y t h e u s e r s

Condominium Act
• C o n d o m i n i u m – inte re st i n real p r o p e r t y co ns i s ti ng o f a s e p ar ab l e inte re st i n a uni t i n a residenti al ,
industrial, or commercial building and an undivided interest in common directly or indirectly, in the
land on which it is located and in other common areas in the building
• U ni t – part o f a c o n d o m i n i u m for i nd e p e n de nt u s e o r o w n e r s h i p
• Pr oj ect – enti re parcel o f real prope r ty
• C o m m o n a r e a s – e nti re pr oj e c t e x c e p t all uni ts se pa ra te l y g r a n t e d , h e l d o r r e s e r v e d
• U n d i vi d e d interest / C o m m o n a r e a s – hel d b y the c o n d o m i n i u m corp orati on
• B u y e r o f a uni t acqui re s o w n e r s h i p aft e r p a y m e n t i n full o f pu rc ha se pr i c e
 • Al l i ncorporators o f a c o n d o m i n i u m c or p or a ti o n m u s t b e a n o w n e r o f a c o n d o unit

A RT I C LE 491 Alterati on
is a c h a n g e …
1. W h i c h is m o r e o r le ss p e r m a n e n t
2. Ch an ge s the use of the thing
3. P re j u di ce t h e c on di ti on o f t he t hi ng o r its e n j o y m e n t b y o th e r s

Eff ect of illegal alterati on:

1. C o - o w n e r m a y l o se w h a t h e sp e n t
2. D e m o l i ti o n m a y b e c o m p e l l e d
3. B U T w h a t e v e r benefi ts shal l b e l o n g to the c o- ow ne rs h i p
4. C o - o w n e r s wil l b e enti tled t o propo rti o nal s h a r e of re nt

ARTICLE 492
• L e a s e ( o n e y e a r or less) – act o f adm i ni strati on
• If m o r e t h a n a y e ar – al terati on
• R e g i s t e r e d l e a s e - al te rati on

ARTICLE 493
• If a c o - o w n e r sel ls t he e nti re c o m m o n p ro pe r ty , t he sale is v al i d o n l y i nsofar a s hi s s ha re i s c o n c e r n e d ,
u n l e s s t h e s al e i s c o n s e n t e d b y t h e o t h e r c o - o w n e r s .

ARTICLE 494
C o - o w n e r m a y not d e m a n d parti ti on:
1. If b y a g r e e m e n t f or a ce rtai n p e r i o d of ti m e ( 1 0 y e ar s)
2 . P r o h i b i t e d b y d o n o r o r testator ( 2 0 y e a r s )
3. Prohi bi te d b y l a w
4. Ph y s i c al parti ti o n w o u l d r e n d e r t he p ro pe r ty u n s e r v i c e a b l e
5. L e g a l n at ur e d o e s no t a l l o w parti ti on

• N o prescripti on i n fav or of a c o - o w n e r if h e e xpre ssly o r i m pli e dl y re cogni z e s the c o- ow ne rs h i p

ARTICLE 495
• C o - o w n e r s c an no t d e m a n d phy si cal parti ti on o f a n indivisible obj e ct
• B u t c o - o w n e r s h i p m a y sti ll b e t e r m i na te d

ARTICLE 496
Parti ti on:
1. Extrajudicial, Judicial
2. Prov i si onal o r T e m p o r a r y , P e r m a n e n t
3. Parti ti on o f re al prope rl y , Parti ti on o f pe rsonal pr op e r t y
4. Parti ti on i n a judicial de cre e , Parti ti on du l y re gi stered i n the R e gi stry o f Prope rty , Parti ti on i n a publ i c
i nstrum e nt, Parti ti on i n a pri v ate i ns tr um e n t, O r a l parti ti on
Factors considered in Parti ti on
1 . P r e f e r e n c e i n t h e parti ti on
2. C o m p a r a ti v e v a l u e
3 . L o t s a n d p ar ce l s w h i c h wi l l b e m o s t a d v a n t a g e o u s a n d e qu i t ab l e , h a v i n g d u e r e g a r d to t h e
i m p r o v e m e n t s , si tuati on, a n d qu al i t y o f t he di ff e re nt pa rt s o f t he l a n d

• Parti ti on m a d e b y c o m m i s s i o n e r s w i l l n ot b e eff e cti ve unti l a p p r o v e d b y the court

• C o m m i s s i o n e r s - 3 c o m p e t e n t a n d di si nte re ste d p e r s o n s w i l l b e a s s i g n e d b y t h e co ur t if t h e parti e s
c a n n o t a g r e e u p o n t h e p ar ti ti o n

ARTICLE 497
Ri ghts if cre di tors wi th re spect to parti ti on:
• Creditor X m a y parti cipate
• If h e d i d n o t parti cipate, h e m a y n o t i m p u g n a parti ti on a l r e a d y e x e c u t e d u n l e s s –
 X was defrauded
 X p re v i ou sl y p r e s e n t e d f o r m a l op po si ti o n t o p re v e nt it
ARTICLE 498
Legal Parti ti on
• First, gi v e the w h o l e to o n e c o - o w n e r w h o will n o w b e re qui re d to i n de m n i f y t h e rest
• If this is n o t a g r e e d u p o n , th e r e m u s t b e a sale (p ub l i c a u c ti o n o r pr i v at e sale )

ARTICLE 499
• T h i r d p e r so ns ’ ri ghts a re pr ot e c te d i n parti ti on.

A RT I C LE 500 Eff ects

of Parti ti on:
1. M u t u a l a c c o u n ti n g o f be nefi ts r e c e i v e d
2. Mutual reimbursement for expenses
3. I n d e m n i t y f o r d a m a g e s i n c a s e o f n e g l i g e n c e o r f r a u d
4. R e ci pr oc al w a r r a n t y for: de fe cts o f ti tle (ev icti on) a n d qual i ty ( hi dd e n de fe cts)
5. C o - o w n e r h a s e xcl us i v e p o s s e s s i o n o f t he part all ott e d t o h i m
6 . Parti ti on c o n f e r s u p o n e a c h t h e e x c l u s i v e ti tle o v e r h i s r e s pe cti v e s h a r e

ARTICLE 501
• E a c h c o - o w n e r is liable, aft er parti ti on, f or t he de fe cts of ti tle a n d qual i ty of the porti on
H o w co- owne r shi p is exti ngui shed:
1. Judicial parti ti on
2. Extrajudicial parti ti on
3 . B y pre scri pti on , o n e c o - o w n e r h a s a c q u i r e d t h e p r o p e r t y t h r o u g h a d v e r s e p o s s e s s i o n a n d r e p u d i a ti n g
t he c o - o w n e r s h i p o f t he ot he r
4. S tr an ge r a c q u i r e s b y pre scri pti o n o f t he t hi ng o w n e d i n c o m m o n
5. M e r g e r i n o n e c o - o w n e r
6. L o s s or de structi on
7. E xpropri ati on ( i n de m n i t y will b e distributed accordingl y)
 P O S S E S SIO N
• H o l d i n g o f a thi ng or the e n j o y m e n t o f a right
ARTICLE 523
• Ri ght T O possessi on – incident to owne rshi p
• R i gh t O F p os se ss i o n – a n i nd e p e n de nt ri ght, i n d e p e n d e n t o f o w n e r s h i p
D e g r e e s of Po ss e s si on
1 . M e r e hol di ng, wi thout a n y right
2 . P os se ss i o n w i t h a juridical ti tle, b u t n ot that of a n o w n e r
3 . P os se ss i o n w i t h a just ti tle, bu t n o t f r o m a true o w n e r – R e a l p o s s e s s o r y ri ght
4 . Posse ssi o n w i t h a ti tle o f d o m i n i u m – just ti tle f r o m the true o w n e r
R e qui si te s o r E l e m e n t s o f P os se ss i o n
1. H o l d i n g o r control o f the thi ng or right – m a y b e actual o r constructi v e
2. D e l i be ra te i nt e n ti on t o p o s s e s s ( a n i m u s p os si de nd i )
3. Posse ssi o n b y virtue o f one ’s o w n right
• H o l d i n g o r d e t e n ti on m a y b e actual or constructi v e
• C o n s t r u c ti v e p o s s e s s i o n – e sse nti al that th e p r o p e r t y b e N O T i n t he a d v e r s e p o s s e s s i o n o f a n o t h e r
Cl asse s of Posse ssi on
1 . O n e ’ s o w n n a m e o r an ot he r
2 . C on ce pt o f o w n e r or hol de r
3 . G o o d faith or b a d faith
• O w n e r s h i p is diff erent f r o m posse ssi on. A j u d g m e n t fro o w n e r s h i p d o e s not ne ce ssaril y i n cl u de
p o s s e s s i o n a s a n i n ci d e n t. B u t w h e r e t h e a c t u a l p o s s e s s o r h a s n o v al i d ri gh t o v e r t h e p r o p e r t y ,
t h e s u r r e n d e r o f p o s s e s s i o n s h o u l d b e i n cl u d e d i n t he j u d g m e n t .
• Posse ssion is N O T a defi nite proof of owne rshi p
• P o s s e s s i o n – suffi cient that th e pe ti ti oner w a s ab l e to s ub j e ct the p ro pe r ty t o th e ac ti on o f hi s wil l
• O w n e r s h i p – thing is com pl e te l y subj ect to his will in a m a n n e r N O T prohibited b y l a w a n d inconsistent
w i t h t he ri ghts of o th e r s

ARTICLE 524
P o s s e s s i o n m a y b e e xe r c i s e d :
1. o ne ’s o w n n a m e
2. n a m e of another
P os se ss i o n i n a no th e r ’s n a m e
1 . V o l u n t a r y – a ge nt po ss e s se s f or pri nci pal – b y virtue o f a n a g r e e m e n t
 2. N e c e s s a r y – m o t h e r p o s s e s s e s for u n b o r n c hi l d
3. U n a u t h o r i z e d – on l y if s ub se qu e n tl y au th or i z e d b ut w i t ho ut pre j udi ce n o n e g o ti o r u m ge sti o

• Visits to object – doe s N O T necessarily s h o w posse ssion

• O w n e r s h i p o f re nte d land:
 L e s s o r – t hr u te nant, i n th e c o n c e p t o f o w n e r
 T e n a n t – c o n c e p t o f h ol de r

ART ICLE 525

Possession i n …
1 . C o n c e p t o f o w n e r – w h e t h e r i n g o o d or b a d faith, c l a i m s t o b e a n d acts as if the o w n e r
 P o s s e s s i o n that m a y r i p e n i n to o w n e r s h i p , a l s o k n o w n a s a d v e r s e p o s s e s s i o n
2 . C o n c e p t o f a ho l d e r – r e c o g n i z e s a n o t h e r to b e t he o w n e r
E x a m p l e s of P os se ss i o n i n c on ce pt of a h ol de r
1. tenant
2 . u su fr u ct u a ry
3 . d e p os i t ar y
4 . bai l ee i n c o m m o d a t u m
• P o s s e s s i o n is o f t h e p r o p e r t y c o n c e r n e d . T h e p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e ri ghts a r e p o s s e s s e d b y t h e m i n t h e
concept of an owner.

ARTICLE 526
• F r a u d – c a n n o t b e p r e s u m e d . I t m u s t b e e s ta bl i s he d b y cl e ar a n d c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e .
G o o d faith
• G o o d faith – o n e w h o is not a w a r e that there exi sts in hi s ti tle or m o d e of acquisiti on a n y fl a w w h i c h
i nvalidates it
• G o o d faith i s a qu e s ti on o f inte nti on. It is i ntangi bl e a n d e v i d e n c e d b y e xte rnal signs.
• T h e bel i e f m u s t b e re as on ab l e , n o t a ca pr i c i o us o n e .
• W h i l e t h e p o s s e s s o r i n g o o d faith i s o n e w h o be l i e v e s h e is th e o w n e r , t h e p o s s e s s o r i n t he c o n c e p t o f
a n o w n e r is o n e w h o acts a s if h e is th e o w n e r
B a d faith
• If c i r c u m s t a n c e s e xi st that r e qu i r e a p r u d e n t m a n to i nvesti gate, h e wi l l b e i n b a d faith if h e d o e s n o t
i n v e s ti ga te
• B a d faith o r m a l i ce i m p l i e s a co ns ci ou s a n d inte nti onal d e s i g n t o d o a w r o n g f u l a ct for a d i s ho ne st
p u r p o s e or m o r a l obli quity. It is diff e re nt f r o m h e ne ga ti v e i de a of ne gl i ge nce .
• M al i ce or b a d faith conte m pl ate s a state o f m i n d affi rm ati v ely ope rati n g w i t h futi ve de si gn or ill will. It
m e a n s b r e a c h o f a k n o w n d u t y t h r u s o m e m o ti v e . B a d faith p a r t a k e s o f t he n a t u r e o f f ra ud .
• Fai ls t o act w i t h the d i l i ge nc e of a p r u d e n t m a n

Mi stak e on a Doubtf ul o r Diffi cult Questi on of L a w

• M a y b e th e basi s o f g o o d fai th p r o v i d e d t ha t s u c h i g n o r a n c e is n o t gr os s
• E rr or i n th e appl i cati on o f the l a w a n d t he inte rpre tati on o f a d ou btf u l d oc tr i n e c a n sti ll m a k e t he
p e r s o n a p o s s e s s o r i n g o o d fai th
• B u t m i s t a k e o r i g n o r a n c e o f a l a w b y itself c a n n o t b e t he b as i s o f g o o d fai th , th e l a w m u s t b e o n e that
is doubtf ul or diffi cult
B a d faith is pe r sonal
J us t b e c a u s e a p e r s o n i s in b a d faith d o e s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y m e a n t ha t hi s s u c c e s s or s - in - i nt er es t a r e a l s o i n
b a d fai th.

ARTICLE 527
• P r e s u m p ti o n is a l w a y s g i v e n b e c a u s e e v e r y p e r s o n s h o u l d b e p r e s u m e d h o n e s t unti l t h e c o n t r a r y i s
proved
• If n o e v i d e n c e is p r e s e n t e d p r o v i n g b a d faith, t he p r e s u m p ti o n o f g o o d faith r e m a i n s

ARTICLE 528
W h e n G o o d faith is co nv e r te d to B a d faith
• F r o m t he m o m e n t t h e facts e xist of k n o w l e d g e of the fl a w
• It d o e s n o t m a tt e r w h e t h e r t h e f ac ts w e r e c a u s e b y h i m o r a n o t h e r
W h e n B a d faith be gi ns
E x i s t e n c e m a y b e g i n e i the r f r o m t h e re ce i pt o f j udi ci al s u m m o n s o r e v e n b e f o r e s u c h ti m e s u c h a s a
lett er f r o m t he true o w n e r
DBP vs CA
W h e n a c on tr ac t o f s al e is v o i d , t h e p o s s e s s o r i s e nti tl e d t o t he frui ts d u r i n g th e ti m e t h e p r o p e r t y w a s h e l d i n
g o o d faith
G o o d fai th c e a s e s w h e n ac ti on t o r e c o v e r p o s s e s s i o n i s fi le d a ga i n st h i m a n d h e is s e r v e d s u m m o n s t he re fo r

ARTICLE 529
P r e s u m p t i on s
1. G o o d faith
2. C on ti nu i t y o f characte r o f po ss e s si on – s a m e characte r i n w h i c h it w a s a c q u i r e d unti l o t h e r w i s e
proved
3. N on - i n te rr up ti o n o f po ss e s si on – t ra ns m i ss i o n o f p os se ss i o n o f he re di tary p r o p e r t y
4. P r e s u m p ti o n o f J ust Title – of the p os se ss o r i n the c o n c e p t o f a n o w n e r
5. N on - i n te rr up ti o n o f p os se ss i o n o f p ro pe r ty unj ustl y lost b u t le gally r e c o v e r e d
6. P o s s e s s i o n d u r i n g i nt e r v e n i n g p e r i o d
7. P o s s e s s i o n of m o v a b l e s w i t h real p ro pe r ty
8. E xcl us i v e p os se ss i o n o f c o m m o n p ro pe r ty

ARTICLE 530
• W h a t m a y b e p o s s e s s e d : o n l y t h o s e t hi ng s w h i c h a r e s us ce pti b l e o f b e i n g a p p r o p r i a t e d
• R e s N ul li u s: m a y b e p o s s e s s e d a n d a c q u i r e d b y o c c u p a ti o n b u t c a n n o t b e a c q u i r e d b y pre scri pti o n.

A RT I C LE 531 M a t e r i a l
o c c u p a ti o n E xe rci se
o f a right Subjecti on
to our will
P r o p e r a ct s a n d l e gal form al i ti e s / c on st r uc ti v e
possession
H o w posse ssi on is acqui r e d
1 . M ate ri al o c c u p a ti o n – de te nti on o f thing, al so i ncl ude s co ns ti tu t o m p o s s e s s o r i u m or traditi o bre v i
manu
2 . Subj e cti on to o ur will – include s traditi o l o n g a m a n u a n d traditi o si m bol i ca
3 . C on st r uc ti v e p os se ss i o n
E sse nti al R e q u i r e m e n t s
1 . c or pu s – de te nti on o f thi ng
2 . a n i m u s – i nte nt t o p o s s e s s

ARTICLE 532
A cq ui si ti on o f p os se ss i o n ( f r o m t h e v i e w p o i n t o f w h o p os se ss es )
1 . p e r so na l
2 . t hr u a u t h o r i z e d p e r s o n s
3 . u n a u t h o r i z e d p e r s o n s – b u t s h o u l d b e s u b s e q u e n t l y rati fi e d

E ssenti al R e qui si te s
1 . p e r so na l I - C - O
• i nt e n t t o p o s s e s s
• capacity to possess
• object capable of being possessed
2 . a ut ho ri z e d I - A - P
• i ntent t o p os se ss fo r pri nci pal
• a u t h o r i t y a n d c a p a c i t y to p o s s e s s
• p ri nc i p al h a s c a p a c i t y a n d i nte nt t o p o s s e s s
3. unauthorized I-C-R
• i nt e n t t o p o s s e s s f o r a n o t h e r
• capaci ty o f pri nci pal to p os se ss
• rati fi cati on b y principal
B u t if t h e st ra ng e r h a d p o s s e s s e d it i n hi s o w n n a m e , h e h a s p o s s e s s i o n a n d n o t t h e pri nci pal .

ARTICLE 533
• Possession of the deceased shoul d be adde d to the possession of the heir
• A cq ui si ti on of po ss e s si on thru s uc ce ss i o n m o rti s c a u s a
T i me of Acquisiti on
If hei r a c c e p t s – f r o m t he m o m e n t o f d e a t h si nc e th e r e i s n o i nte rrupti on
 • I n t h e c o m p u t a ti o n o f ti m e n e c e s s a r y f or pr e s cr i p ti o n , t h e p r e s e n t p o s s e s s o r m a y c o m p l e t e t h e p e r i o d
for prescription by tacking his possession to that of his grantor or predecessor-in-interest.
• R e t r o a c ti v e e ff e c t o f th e a c c e p t a n c e

If heir refuses or incapacitated to inherit – deemed never to have possessed the same

Sale – needs delivery

Succession-by the operation of law, direct transmittal of possession

ARTICLE 534
• If t h e fa th e r o r d e c e d e n t w a s in b a d faith, it d o e s n o t n ec es s a ri ly m e a n that t h e s o n w a s a l s o i n b a d
faith. The son is presumed to be in good faith. However, since the father was in bad faith, the
consequences of the good faith of the son should be counted only from the time of the
decedent’s death.
• 3 y e a r s p o s s e s s i o n i n b a d faith s h o u l d b e e qu i v a l e n t t o 1 y e a r p o s s e s s i o n i n g o o d faith

ARTICLE 535
Persons referred
1. unemancipated minors
2. insane
3. prodigal or spendthrift
4. those under civil interdiction
5. deaf-mutes
• i n ge ne ra l , t h o s e l a b o r i n g u n d e r restricti ons o n c a p a c i t y to act
Nature of Possession
• I n ac qu i s i ti o n o f p os se ss i o n , o n l y t h o s e m a tt e r s w h e r e t h e y h a v e c a p a c i t y t o act s u c h a s p h y s i c a l
seizure of res nullius and donation of personal property simultaneously delivered to them
• A n d N O T pos s es s ion w h e r e juridical acts are imperati v e like the pos s es s ion o f l an d the o w n e r s h i p o f
which he desires to test in court, in this case, intervention of the legal representatives or
guardians is needed
Acquisition by prescription

• M a y a c q u i r e p r o p e r t y o r ri ghts ei the r pe rs on al l y , o r th ru pa re nt s, g u a r d i a n s , o r le gal re pr e s e n ta ti v e s

ARTICLE 536
Possession cannot be acquired:
thru force or intimidation – as long as there is a possessor who objects thereto
1. thru mere tolerance – mere inaction or failure to bring an action is NOT tolerance
2. thru clandestine, secret possession – possession without knowledge, or stealth, not open or public.
How to recover possession
Should not be taken into his own hands. First, should request the usurper to give up the thing. If he
refuses, invoke the aid of the competent court. Otherwise, the owner can be made the defendant in a
forcible entry case.

ARTICLE 537
• P o s s e s s i o n b y m e r e t ol e r an ce , n o m a tt e r h o w l o n g c o n ti n u e d , d o e s n o t start t h e r u n n i n g o f t h e p e r i o d
of prescription
• A sq ua tt er ’s p os se s s i o n, w h e n t he r e is n o v io le n ce , is b y m e r e t ol er a n ce
Clandestine possession
• If se cre t t o m a n y , b u t k n o w to t he o w n e r , p o s s e s s i o n i s aff e c te d
• T h e r e i s a p r e s u m p ti o n that w h e n p o s s e s s i o n is cl ande sti ne , it is al so u n k n o w n to th e o w n e r
Possession by force or violence
• F or ce m a y b e p r o v e d e xpre ssl y o r b y i m pli cati on
• T h e ac t o f e nt er in g into t he p r e m i s e s a n d e x c l u d i n g t h e l a w f u l p o s s e s s o r t h e r e f r o m ne ce ss ar i l y i m p l i e s
the exertion of force over the property
• T h e force m a y be :
1. actual or merely threatened
2. done by the possessor himself or by his agent
3. done against the owner or any other possessor
4. done to oust the possessor or prevent him from getting back the premises
Meaning of acts… do not affect possession
1. No legal possession – the intruder does not acquire any right to possession
2. The legal possessor, even if ousted, is still the possessor and therefore:
 • Sti ll e nti tle d t o the be nefi ts o f prescripti on
• E nti tle d to the fruits
• A n d sti ll e nti tle d a s p os se ss o r for all p u r p o s e s fa v o ra bl e to h i m
3. The intruder cannot acquire the property by prescription

ARTICLE 538
Title – either a right or the document evidencing the right
Applies to preference in possession whether personal or real property
• It a l s o ap pl i e s w h e t h e r t h e p o s s e s s i o n w a s l o n g e r o r s ho rt e r t h a n o n e y e a r
• C o - p o s s e s s o r s o f a p a r c e l o f l a n d th a t is m o r t g a g e d m u s t b e m a d e parti e s t o t h e f o r e c l o s u r e
proceedings, otherwise they cannot be deprived of possession of that portion of the land
actually possessed by them
General Rule Regarding Possession as a Fact
Possession as a fact cannot be recognized at the same time in two different
personalities. Except:
• C o- po ss e s s or s
• P o s s e s s i o n i n diff e re nt c o n c e p t s o r d e g r e e s
Rules in case of conflict
1. present possessor
2. if both are present, the one longer in possession
3. if both began possession at the same time, the one who presents a title
4. if both present a title, the Court will decide. Meanwhile, the thing will be judicially deposited.
Preference in Ownership or Double Sale
Movable – first who possessed in good faith
Immovable:
1. first registered in good faith
2. no registration, first possessor in good faith
3. no possession, the one with the oldest title

ARTICLE 539 Effects of Possession

• A n a d v e r s e p o s s e s s i o n o f p r o p e r t y b y a n o t h e r i s n o t a n e n c u m b r a n c e i n l a w , a n d d o e s n o t co nt ra d i c t
the condition that the property be free from encumbrance
• A d v e r s e p os se ss i o n is not a lien for a lien signifi es a se curi ty for a cl ai m
Specific Rights
• R e a s o n s fo r prote cti on o f posse ssi on:
1 . it is si mi l ar to o w n e r s h i p , a n d as a m att e r o f fact it m od i fi e s o w n e r s h i p
2 . g i v e s ri se t o p r e s u m p ti o n t h a t t h e p o s s e s s o r i s t h e o w n e r
• E v e r y p o s s e s s o r is p r o te ct e d u n d e r Ar t. 5 3 9 , w h e t h e r i n t he c o n c e p t o f a n o w n e r o r h o l d e r
• T h e doctri ne o f e x h a u s ti o n of a dm i n i s tr ati v e r e m e d i e s is n o t a pp l i ca bl e to a p ar ty w h o c l ai m s t h e
disputed land as his own private land
• A s q ua tt er h a s n o p o s s e s s o r y r ig ht a g a i n s t t h e o w n e r o f t h e l a n d b e c a u s e hi s o c c u p a n c y o f t h e l a n d is
merely tolerated by the owner
• A wri t o f e x e c u ti o n a n d o rd e r o f d e m o l i ti o n is n o t a pp e a l a bl e w h e r e the re is n o al le gati on that it h a s
varied the tenor of the judgment

Legal means of restoration to possession

• R e a s o n s for le gal m e a n s :
1. to pr e v e n t spol i ati on o r a di sre gard o f p ub l i c or de r
2. to pr e v e n t d e p ri v a ti on o f p ro pe r ty w i t h o u t d u e p ro ce ss o f l a w
3. to p r e v e n t a p e r s o n f r o m t ak i n g t h e l a w i nto hi s o w n h a n d s
• T h e o w n e r s h o u l d g o to court, a n d no t eje ct t h e u n l a w f u l p o s s e s s o r b y f or ce
• A tenan t illegally fo r c ed o ut b y the ow ne r- la nd lo r d m a y insti tute a n ac ti on for FORC IBLE E NT RY e v e n if h e
had not been paying rent regularly
• I nj u nc ti on i s ge ne ra l l y n o t th e p r o p e r r e m e d y t o r e c o v e r p os se ss i o n , p ar ti cu l a rl y w h e n t he re a r e
conflicting claims of ownership
• A fi nal j u d g m e n t i n a n u n l a w f u l de tai ne r c a s e m a y b e e x e c u t e d e v e n if the re is sti ll p e n d i n g a c c i o n
reivindicatoria, for two actions can co-exist
• A m e r e tr e spasse r , e v e n if e je cte d, h a s n o ri ght to insti tute a n ac ti on o f forci bl e e n t r y
Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction
• I nj u nc ti on c a n n o t substi tute f o r t he othe r, a c ti o n s to r e c o v e r p o s s e s s i o n . T h i s is b e c a u s e i n th e
meantime, the possessor has in his favor, the presumption of rightful possession, till the case is
finally decided. Exception: very clear case of usurpation.
R e q ui si t e s for the I s s u a n c e
1 . i n forci bl e e ntry case s i n the ori gi nal court – fi le wi th i n 1 0 d a y s f r o m t he ti m e the co m p l a i n t i s
fi led
2 . in unl awful detai ne r case s i n R T C a n d C A – fi le wi thi n 1 0 da y s f r o m the ti m e the appe al is
perfe cted o n l y if:
• lessee’s a p p e a l is friv ol ous o r dil atory
• l e sse e ’s a p p e a l is p r i m a faci e m e ri to ri o us
• e v e n if the forc ible e n t r y is fi led e l e v e n m o n t h s f r o m entry , th e r e m e d y m a y sti ll b e av ailed of. N o t e :
presc ripti on o f for cible entr y is 1 y e ar
• T h e wri t of pr e l i m i na ry i nj uncti on c a n n o t b e g ra nt e d wi th ou t no ti ce a n d h e a ri ng

ARTICLE 540
P o s s e s s i o n i n th e c o n c e p t of o w n e r
• P o s s e s s o r i n c o n c e p t o f a n o w n e r m a y e v e nt ua l l y b e c o m e th e o w n e r b y pre scri pti o n
• A p os se ss o r i n the c o n c e p t o f ho ld er c a n n o t a cq ui re pr op e r t y b y acqui si ti v e prescripti on. F o r
p re sc ri pti o n t o se t in, t h e p o s s e s s i o n m u s t b e a dv er se , p u b l i c , a n d to th e e x c l u s i o n o f all.
P os se ss i o n i n the c o n c e p t of h ol de r ( th e ff . c an no t ac qu i r e ow ne r s hi p by pr es cr i p ti on )
1. Lessees
2 . T ru st e e s
3 . Anti chreti c creditors
4 . Age nts
5 . Att orne ys
6 . De posi tari e s
7 . C o - o w n e r s – unl e ss t h e c o - o w n e r s h i p is clearl y re pu di at e d b y u n e q u i v o c a l acts c o m m u n i c a t e d
to t h e o t h e r c o - o w n e r s
• T a x de cl arati ons a n d re cei pts a r e n o t c on cl us i v e e v i d e n c e o f o w n e r s h i p bu t w h e n c o u p l e d w i t h p r o o f of
a c t ua l p o s s e s s i o n , t a x d e c l a r a ti o n s a n d r e c e i p ts a r e s t r o n g e v i d e n c e o f o w n e r s h i p .

ARTICLE 541
R e q u i r e m e n t s o f p r e s u m p ti o n o f a j ust ti tle:
1 . M u s t b e i n po ss e s si on (actual o r constr ucti v e )
2 . T h e p o s s e s s i o n m u s t b e i n t he c o n c e p t o f o w n e r
• A c t u a l p o s s e s s i o n of t he pr op e r t y u n d e r c l a i m o f o w n e r s h i p rai se s t he d i s pu ta bl e p r e s u m p ti o n of
o w n e r s h i p . T h e true o w n e r m u s t re sort to j udi ci al p r o c e s s fo r t he r e c o v e r y o f t he prope r ty .
• T h e arti cl e c a n a p p l y to b o t h re al a n d p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y
R e a s o n s for p r e su mp ti on :
1 . P r e s u m p ti o n that o n e is i n g o o d faith
2 . I nc on v e ni e n ce of carry i ng proo fs of o wn e r sh i p a r o u n d
“Just ti tle” in possession
1 . It is p r e s u m e d
2 . J ust ti tle m e a n s tr ue a n d v alid ti tle suffi c ient t o transfer o w n e r s h i p
T hr ee kind s of Titles
1 . T r u e a n d V a l i d Title – the re w a s a m o d e o f transfe rring o w n e r s h i p a n d t he grantor w a s the o w n e r
2 . C ol or ab l e Title – a l t ho ug h the re w a s a m o d e o f transfe rri ng o wn e r sh i p , s o m e t h i n g is w r o n g
because the grantor is not the o w n e r
• Titulo C o l o r a d o is w h a t is m e a n t b y just ti tle in the l a w of prescripti on
• O r d i n a r y pre scri pti o n n e e d s g o o d fai th a n d just ti tle
• E xt ra or d i n ar y pr e s cr i p ti o n d o e s n o t n e e d e i the r g o o d faith o r just ti tle
• I n c a s e o f re al prope r ti e s, pr e s cr i p ti o n i s 1 0 a n d 3 0 y e a r s r e s pe cti v e l y
3 . P ut ati v e T i t l e – a l t h o u g h a p e r s o n be l i e v e s h i m s e l f t o b e t he o w n e r , h e n o n e t h e l e s s is not, b e c a u s e
the re w a s n o m o d e o f a cq ui ri ng o w n e r s h i p
• A d v e r s e p o s s e s s i o n is n e e d e d o n l y to a cq ui re s o m e t h i n g b y pre scri pti on. B u t t he re is n o n e e d for
pre scri pti o n if y o u a re al re ad y t h e o w n e r .
• A p e r s o n w h o is n o t i n fact i n p o s s e s s i o n c a n n o t a c q u i r e a pre scri pti v e r i g ht to t he l a n d b y th e m e r e
a ss e r ti on o f a ri ght t he re i n

ARTICLE 542
• B y an al og y , if m y po ss e s si on o f the h o u s e is i n the c o n c e p t o f o w n e r , m y po ss e s si on o f the furniture i s
a l s o p r e s u m e d t o b e i n th e c o n c e p t o f o w n e r . T h e r e f o r e , m y just ti tle t o b o t h t h e h o u s e a n d furni tu re
is presumed.
• B y “real prope r ty ” a n d “ m o v a b l e s ” w e m e a n o nl y real or pe rsonal things, N O T rights.
Applicability of the Arti cle
1 . W h e t h e r t h e p o s s e s s o r b e i n g o o d o r b a d fai th
 2. Whether the possession be in one’s n a m e or another
3. W h e t h e r th e p o s s e s s i o n b e i n th e c o n c e p t o f o w n e r o r h o l d e r

ARTICLE 543
C o- p osse ssi on
• E xcl usi ve p os se ss i o n – be gi ns at the ti m e o f divi sion
• Interrupti on i n posse ssi on of P A R T of the thi ng – o nl y li mited to that part thereof. Al so , there is a
p r o p o r ti o n a t e l o s i n g i n t h e a r e a p o s s e s s e d .
Rules i n civil interrupti on
1 . Ci vil i nterrupti on i s p r o d u c e d b y judicial s u m m o n s t o the posse ssor
2 . J udi ci al s u m m o n s shal l b e d e e m e d n o t to h a v e b e e n i s su e d , a n d shal l n o t g i v e ri se to i nte rrupti on:
• If it shoul d b e v oi d for lack of legal solemniti es
• If the plainti ff s h o u l d desist f r o m the c o m p l a i n t or s h o u l d a l l o w the p ro ce e d i n gs t o l apse
• If t he p o s s e s s o r s h o u l d n o t b e a b s o l v e d f r o m th e c o m p l a i n t
I n all th e s e case s, t h e p e r i o d o f th e i nter r upti on shal l b e c o u n t e d F O R t he pr escr i pti on.

ARTICLE 544
First paragraph
• A l t h o u g h b e c a u s e o f t h e i nt e r ru pti on hi s g o o d fai th ce as e s , t h e p o s s e s s o r c a n sti ll re tai n t h e p r o p e r t y
unti l h e h a s b e e n fi ll r e i m b u r s e d for all t h e N E C E S S A R Y A N D U S E FU L E X P E N S E S m a d e b y h i m
o n th e p r o p e r t y
• Fruits re fe r to th e natural , i ndustrial, a n d civil fruits, n o t to othe r th i n gs
• L e g a l i nte rrupti on h a p p e n s w h e n a c o m p l a i n t is fi led agai nst h i m a n d h e r e c e i v e s the p r o p e r j udi ci al
summons
• B e f o r e l e gal i nterrupti on, t h e fruits re ce i v e d ar e his o w n
• A ft e r t h e re ce i pt o f t h e s u m m o n s , t h e r i g ht t o g e t t h e frui ts n o t y e t g a t h e r e d c e a s e s
• P os sess or is enti tled to the fruits rec eiv ed before the c onv ers ion into B A D F A I T H , for then, h e w o u l d
sti ll b e in g o o d faith
• W h e n a contract o f sal e is v oi d, th e po ss e s so r i s enti tl ed t o k e e p th e fruits d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d for w h i c h
it h e l d th e pr op e r t y i n g o o d faith
Second paragraph
• If at t he ti m e of le gal i nte rrupti on , th e c r o p s a re sti ll g r o w i n g , th e rul e o n p e n d i n g c ro ps , n o t that o n
gathered crops, should apply
• If at t h e ti m e o f l e g al i nte rrupti on , t h e c r o p s h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n g a t h e r e d , b u t a r e s o l d o n l y aft e r s u c h
i nte rrupti on, t he sal e is i m m a te ri al , f o r t he l a w o n l y re qu i r e s o n l y a ga th e r i n g o r s e v e r a n c e
Third paragraph
• If civil fruits accrue daily, Art. 5 4 5 doe s not appl y
• A c t u a l receipt o f t he re nts i s i m m at e r i a l

ARTICLE 545
• T hi s arti cle applie s to P E N D I N G fruits, natural or industrial. A l s o to crops al re ady planted bu t not ye t
m a n i f e s t.
• T h e e x p e n s e s fo r culti v ati on shal l al so b e d i v i de d p r o r ata. M a n r e s a : t he bett e r rul e w o u l d b e for t he
e x p e n s e s t o b e b o r n e i n p r o p o r ti o n t o w h a t e a c h r e c e i v e s f r o m t h e h a r v e s t
• T h e c h a r g e s ( ta xe s, i nte re st o n m o r t g a g e s ) a r e a l s o t o b e d i v i d e d i n p r o p o r ti o n t o t h e ti m e o
possession

ARTICLE 546 EXPENSES

N e c e s s a r y E x p e n s e s – t h e y a re t h o s e w i t h o u t w h i c h t h e th i n g w o u l d ph y s i c al l y de te ri orate o r b e lost; t h o s e
m a d e f o r t h e p r e s e r v a ti o n o f t h e t h i n g
T h e y d o n o t i nc re as e t h e th i n g’ s v al ue ; t h e y m e r e l y p r e v e n t t h e th i n gs f r o m b e c o m i n g
useless Examples
• T h o s e i ncurre d fo r culti vati on, pr od u cti on , a n d u p k e e p
• N e c e s s a r y re pai rs f o r t h e h o u s e
N O T necessary expenses
• T h o s e i ncurre d for fi lling u p wi th soil a v acant or d e e p lot
• H ou se constructed o n land possessed b y a stranger
 • Land taxes – they are merely charges
• U n n e c e s s a r y i m p r o v e m e n t s o n a p a r c e l o f l a n d p u r c h a s e d at a u c ti o n s al e , m a d e j ust t o p r e v e n t
r e d e m p ti o n
• Expense s m a d e by the possessor to enable h i m to use the property for his o w n purposes
Rights of a possessor a s to necessary expenses
• If in good faith
1. R e f u n d
2. R e t a i n p r e m i s e s ti ll p a i d
• If in bad faith – refund onl y
• If th e o w n e r s u e s t h e p o s s e s s o r f o r t h e r e c o v e r y o f t he p ro pe r ty , t h e p o s s e s s o r i n g o o d faith m u s t fi le a
c o u n t e r c l a i m f o r t h e r e f u n d o f n e c e s s a r y a n d u se fu l e x p e n s e s , o t h e r w i s e t h e j u d g m e n t i n t he c a s e
wi l l b e a B A R to a s u b s e q u e n t sui t b r o u g h t sol e ly fo r th e r e c o v e r y o f s u c h e x p e n s e s
U s e f u l e x p e n s e s – t h o s e t ha t a d d v a l u e to t h e
property Examples
• T h o s e i ncurre d fo r a n irrigati on s y s t e m
• E re cti on of a chape l
• M ak i ng arti fi cial fi shponds
• C on st r uc ti o n o f addi ti onal r o o m s i n the h o u s e
• F o r cle ari ng u p the l a n d f or m e rl y thi ck l y c o v e r e d w i t h tree s a n d s h r u b b e r y
R i g h t s o f a p o s s e s s o r a s t o us e f ul e x p e n s e s
• If in good faith
1 . R e i m b u r s e m e n t – ei the r t h e a m o u n t s p e n t o r fo r t h e i n c r e a s e i n v a l u e
2. Re te nti on – ti ll pa i d
3. R e m o v a l – p r o v i d e d n o substanti al d a m a g e o r i nj ury c a u s e d to th e princi pal, r e d u c i n g its v al ue .
U nl e ss, o pti o n 1 is e xerci se d.
T h e p o s s e s s o r i n g o o d fai th i s e nti tle t o b o t h t h e frui ts a n d e x p e n s e s , h e n c e t h e y do n o t
compensate each other.

• If in b a d faith – is N O T enti tled to a n y right r e g ar di ng the use ful e xpe nse s. T h e bui l der i n b a d faith
l ose s w h a t e v e r is built w i t h o u t p a y m e n t o f a n y i n de mn i t y.
R e c o v e r y c a n n o t p r o sp e r :
• P os se ss o r i n b a d fai th
• Fai l ure t o pr e s e n t a c o u n t e r c l a i m
Remarks
• R i g h t o f re te nti on – n o n e e d to p a y re nt
• D u r i n g th e pe ri od o f retenti on , ad di ti on al i m p r o v e m e n t s w i l l n o t b e enti tl ed t o r e f u n d b e c a u s e t h e
b ui l d e r a l r e a d y k n e w that h e is n o t t h e o w n e r ( b a d fai th)

ARTICLE 547
D a m a g e – substanti al o n e that r e d u c e s t h e v a l u e o f th e pr op e r t y , t h u s a sli ght i nj ur y c u r a b l e b y a n
o r d i n a r y r e p ai r d o e s n o t d e f e a t t h e ri gh t o f r e m o v a l , b u t t h e re pa i r s s h o u l d b e c h a r g e a b l e t o t h e
possessor

ARTICLE 548
L u x u r i o u s o r O r n a m e n t a l e x p e n s e s – th os e w h i c h a d d v a l u e to t he t hi ng o n l y for ce rtai n d e t e r m i n a t e
p e r s o n s i n v i e w of their parti cul ar w h i m s . T h e y a re ne i the r e ssenti al fo r pre se rv ati on n o r use ful t o
everybody in general.
Examples
• H a n d pai nti ngs o n t he wa l l o f t he h o u s e
• G a r a g e m a d e o f p l a ti n u m
• W a t e r f ou nt a i n s i n g a r d e n s
R i g h t s of a p o s s e s s o r a s to l u x u r i o u s e x p e n s e s
• If in good faith
N o ri ght o f re fu nd o r retenti on b u t c a n r e m o v e if n o substanti al i nj u ry is cause . H o w e v e r , o w n e r h a s
opti on to allow:
1. Possessor to re mo v e
2. O r retain for himself by refunding the A M O U N T S P E N T

• I n ba d faith
 No right of refund or retention but can remove if no substantial injury is cause. However, owner has
option to allow:
1. Possessor to remove
2. Or retain for himself by refunding the VALUE it has at the time owner ENTERS into possession
• T h e v a l u e o f th e r e f u n d if th e p o s s e s s o r i s i n b a d fai th is le ss b e c a u s e d e p re ci ati o n h a s set in.

ARTICLE 549
• P o s s e s s o r i n b a d fai th: T h e r e f u n d s h o u l d n o t e x c e e d t h e a m o u n t s pe nt , o t h e r w i s e h e is p l a c e d i n a
better position than the possessor in good faith
Rights of a possessor regarding the fruits
• If in good faith
1. Gathered or severed fruits are his own
2. Pending or ungathered fruits – pro-rating between possessor and owner of expenses, net harvest,
and charges
• B a d faith
1. Gathered fruits – must return value of fruits already received as wells as the value of fruits
which the owner or legitimate possessor could have received with due care or diligence, minus
the necessary expenses
2. Pending or ungathered fruits – no rights at all, not even to expenses for cultivation
• T h e p o s s e s s o r i n b a d faith is d u t y b o u n d t o r e n d e r a n a c c o u n ti n g o f th e fruits r e c e i v e d o r c o u l d h a v e
been received and must pay damages amounting to a reasonable rent for the term of his possession.
• T h e r ul e a s t o t h e frui ts d o e s n o t a p p l y t o a d e f e n d a n t i n a f or ci bl e e n t r y c a s e w h e r e t h e r e c o v e r a b l e
damages are the reasonable compensation for the use and occupation of the premises – the fair
rental value.

ARTICLE 550
Every possessor – refers to one in good or bad faith, concept of owner or holder, in one’s own name
or another, and NOT to the owner or the person adjudged by the court to be lawfully entitled to
possess.

Litigation – refers to a court action

ARTICLE 551
Neither the possessor in good faith nor in bad faith is entitled to:

• Improvements cause d by N A T U R E
• I m prov e m e nts cause d b y T I M E

ARTICLE 552LOSS
DETERIORATION
Rules applicable
• G o o d faith
1. Before receipt of judicial summons – NOT liable
2. After judicial summons
• L os s or deteriorati on thru fortuitous e ve nt – N O T liable
• T hru fraudulent intent or negligence - L I A B L E
• Bad faith – LI AB LE in any case

ARTICLE 553
ARTICLE 554
--
ARTICLE 555
Ways of Losing Possession
• T h r u posse ssor’s v ol un ta ry wil l a n d intent
1. Abandonment
2. Assignment (onerous or gratuitous conveyance)
• Agai nst the posse ssor’s will
1. Possession of another for more than one year
2. Final judgment in favor of another
3. Expropriation
4. Prescription in favor of another
5. Recovery or reivindication by the legitimate owner
• B e c a u s e o f th e o bj e c t
1. Destruction or total loss of the thing
2. Going out of commerce
3. Escaping from possessor’s control of wild animals
A b a n d o n m e n t – vol untar y r e nunci ati on o f a thing
R e qu isi te s:
• T he abandoner must hav e been a possessor in the concept of owner
• H e m u s t h a v e t h e c a p a c i t y t o r e n o u n c e o r a l i e n at e
• N o e x p e c t a ti o n t o r e c o v e r o r i nte nt t o r e t ur n o r g e t b a c k
Additi onal Doctrines:
• A p r o p e r t y o w n e r c a n n o t b e h e l d to h a v e a b a n d o n e d t h e s a m e unti l at le ast h e h a s s o m e k n o w l e d g e o f
t he l oss if its p o s s e s s i o n o r th e t h i n g
• T h e r e i s n o r eal i n te nti o n to a b a n d o n p r o p e r t y w h e n a s i n c a s e o f a s h i p w r e c k o r a fi re, th i n gs a r e
t h r o w n i n to t he s e a o r u p o n th e h i g h w a y
• A n o w n e r m a y a b a n d o n p o s s e s s i o n m e r e l y , l e av i ng o w n e r s h i p i n force , b u t a m e r e p o s s e s s o r c a n n o t
abandon ownership since he never h ad the s a m e
• If a n o w n e r h a s n o t l ost p o s s e s s i o n b e c a u s e t h e r e h a s b e e n n o a b a n d o n m e n t , i t s u r e l y c a n n o t b e
a c q u i r e d b y a n o t h e r t h r u pr e s cr i p ti o n
• T h e r e i s n o a b a n d o n m e n t if a n o w n e r m e r e l y tolerate d a n o t h e r ’ s p o s s e s s i o n , n o r if t he latt er w a s d o n e
b y stealth o r e ff e c te d th ru f or ce a n d i nti m i da ti on
• T h e r e is n o a b a n d o n m e n t o f m o v a b l e s e v e n if th e r e is t e m p o r a r y i g n o r a n c e o f their w h e r e a b o u t s , s o
l o n g a s t h e y r e m a i n u n d e r t h e co nt r ol o f t h e p o s s e s s o r ( s o l o n g a s a n o t h e r h a s n o t o b t a i n e d
control over them)
• I n t r u e a b a n d o n m e n t , p o s s e s s i o n d e f a c t o a n d d e j ur e a r e l ost
• A b a n d o n m e n t w h i c h co nv e r ts t h e t hi ng into re s nul l i us d o e s no t a p p l y to l a n d
A s s i g n m e n t – c o m p l e t e tr an sm i s si on o f o w n e r s h i p rights t o a no th e r pe rs on , o n e r o u s l y o r gratui tousl y
• at n o ti m e d i d t h e t h i n g n o t h a v e a p o s s e s s o r f o r p o s s e s s i o n m e r e l y c h a n g e d h a n d s o r c o n t r o l
• b o t h p os se ss i o n d e facto a n d d e jure a r e lost, a n d n o acti on w i l l a l l o w r e c o v e r y
P os se ss i o n o f an ot he r
• If a p e r so n is not in posse ssi on for m o r e th an o n e year, h e l oses posse ssi on D E F A C T O . T hu s, h e c a n n o
l onge r b ri ng a n acti on for forcible e ntry o r un l a wf ul de tainer. M o r e o v e r , constructi v e p os se ss i o n is
also l ost p os se ss i o n. B u t m a y sti ll insti tute a n a c c i o n p u b l i c i a n a to r e c o v e r p o s s e s s i o n d e jure ,
p o s s e s s i o n a s a l e gal ri ght, o r th e re al ri ght o f po ss e s si on .
• If a p e r s o n l o s e s p o s s e s s i o n f o r m o r e t h a n 1 0 y e a rs , h e l o se s p o s s e s s i o n d e jure , o r t h e re al ri ght o f
posse ssi on. A c c i o n publ i ci ana o r re ivindi catori a is sti ll possi bl e unl e ss prescripti on h a s set in.
Destr ucti on, L o ss , W i t h d r a w a l f r o m c o m m e r c e
• A th i n g is lost w h e n it pe ri she s, o r g o e s o u t of c o m m e r c e , o r di sa pp e a rs i n s u c h a w a y that its
e xi s te nc e i s u n k n o w n , o r it c a n n o t b e r e c o v e r e d .
• Parti al l oss i n g e n e r al re sults o n l y i n the l oss o f p o s s e s s i o n of t he part lost
• A rt . 5 5 5 re fe r t o b o t h re al a n d p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y e x c e p t p ar . 4.

ARTICLE 556
• P o s s e s s i o n i s l ost – w h e n h e h a s n o i d e a at all a b o u t t h e w h e r e a b o u t s o f t h e m o v a b l e
• N O T lost – h e m o r e or less k n o w s its ge ne ral locati on, t h o u g h h e m a y no t k n o w its pre ci se or defi nite
l oc ati on

ARTICLE 557
• If I l e av e m y l a n d a n d a n o t h e r p o s s e s s e s t h e s a m e fr o th e r e q u i r e d pe ri od , I h a v e lost m y p o s s e s s i o n
a n d t h e o w n e r s h i p o v e r t h e s a m e , i n so fa r a s t h e o c c u p i e r i s c o n c e r n e d , b u t n o t i n s o f a r a s o t h e r
p e o pl e . F o r strangers, r e l y i n g o n t he R e gi stry , a r e sti ll pri v i le ge d t o c on si de r m e p os se ss o r a n d
owner.

ARTICLE 558 --
ARTICLE 559
P os se ss i o n of m o v a b l e p r o pe r t y acqui r e d:
• I n b a d faith – is n e v e r e qui v ale nt t o ti tle
• I n g o o d faith – as a g e n e r a l rul e, e q ui v al e nt t o ti tle. If t he o w n e r w a n t s to ge t b a c k , h e m u s t r e i m b u r s e .
• Excepti on: NO T equivalent to title when the owner had LOST it or U NL AWFU L Y DEPRI VED of it, U NLESS
t he p o s s e s s o r h a d a c q u i r e d it i n g o o d fai th at a p u b l i c sale .
Not e:
• T h e ti tle i s n o t that o f a n a b s o l u t e o w n e r b u t o n e that c a n b e d e f e a t e d o n l y b y t he t ru e o w n e r w h o
gives reimbursement
• E v e n if n ot the ab so l u te o w n e r ye t, po ss e s si on m a y e ve ntual l y r i p e n i nto full o w n e r s h i p th ru acqui si ti ve
pre scri pti on
• It is n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e p o s s e s s i o n b e i n t h e c o n c e p t o f o w n e r a n th at t h e o w n e r h a d n o t l ost t h e
prope rty n o r unl awful l y de pri v e d of it
Acquired in good faith – the possessor is of the belief that the person whom he received the thing was its
owner and could transfer valid title thereto
Title – the juridical act of transferring or conferring ownership; and not a
document Lost – missed or misplaced

Unlawfully deprived – taken by another thru theft, robbery or estafa. Not applicable if only “civil liability”
arises.
Summary:
• O wn e r m a y recover W I T H O U T rei mburse me nt
1. From possessor in bad faith
2. From possessor in good faith if owner had lost or unlawfully deprived of it
• O w n e r m a y recover but S H O U L D re im burse
1. If possessor acquired the object in good faith at a PUBLIC SALE or AUCTION
• O w n e r C A N N O T recover, e v e n if h e off ers r e i m b ur se m e nt (whe the r or not lost or unl awfull y de pri v e d)
1. If possessor had acquired it in good faith by purchase from a MERCHANT’S STORE, FAIRS, or
MARKETS
2. If owner by his conduct is precluded from denying the seller’s authority to sell (estoppel)
3. If possessor had obtained the goods because he was an innocent purchaser for value and holder
of a NEGOTIABLE document of title to the goods

ARTICLE 560
• O ne’s possession of wild animals is lost w he n they are under A N O T H E R ’ S control or under N O O N E ’ S
control
Rules on Domesticated or Tamed animals
1. The possessor does NOT lose possession of them – as long as they habitually return to possessor’s
premises
2. Possession is LOST – if the aforementioned habit has ceased

ARTICLE 561
• R e c o v e r y s h o u l d b e a c c o r d i n g t o th e l a w s u c h a s p r o p e r wr i t s a n d ac ti on s or w i t h t h e ai d o f t he
competent authorities
• Art. 5 6 1 applies to both possessors i n g oo d a nd ba d faith but only if B E N E F I C I A L to th e m
• P os se ss o r i n g o o d faith – m a y m a k e u s e o f t he arti cle for t he p u r p o s e of pre scri pti o n
• P o s s e s s o r i n b a d faith – is n o t r e q u i r e d to r e t ur n t he fruits t h e o w n e r c o u l d h a v e r e c e i v e d d u r i n g t he
period of interruption, for to impose the duty would prejudice and not benefit, said possessor.

USUFRUCT

Article 562
USUFRUCT – gives a right to enjoy the property of another with the obligation of preserving its form and
substance, unless the title constituting it or the law otherwise provide

• R e a l right, o f t e m p o r a r y i n nature , w h i c h authori z e s its ho l d e r t o e nj o y all the be ne fi ts w h i c h resul t

from the normal enjoyment of another’s property, with the obligation to return, at the designated
time, either the same thing, or in special cases, its equivalent
• c o m b i n a ti o n o f right t o u s e a n d rig ht t o th e fruits

• right to di spose – “ n a k e d o w n e r s h i p ”
• Full ow ne rs hi p = N a k e d ow ne rs hi p + U sufruct
Essential Characteristics

1.R e a l right – w h e t h e r R e gi st e r e d o r n ot
2.T e m p o r a r y i n na tu re or d ur ati o n
3.Its p u r p o s e i s to e n j o y t h e b e n e fi t s a n d d e r i v e all t h e a d v a n t a g e s f r o m t h e o b j e c t a s a
consequence of normal use or exploitation
Natural Characteristics
The obligation of CONSERVING or PRESERVING the FORM AND SUBSTANCE of the thing.

Accidental Characteristics
1 . w h e t h e r it b e p u r e o r a co nd i ti o n al u su fr u ct
2 . the n u m b e r o f ye ars it wil l e xist
3 . w h e t h e r it is i n f av or o f o n e p e r s o n or se v e ral , etc.
Object of Usufruct
1 . m a y b e re al o r p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y
2 . m a y b e sterile or producti v e (fruitf ul thi ngs)
3 . m a y b e cr e a te d o v e r a ri ght ( as l o n g a s it is N O T strictly p e r s o n a l o r i ntransm i ssi bl e , a n d h a s a n
independent existence
Rights of Action
1 . a cti o n t o pr ot e c t t h e u su fr u ct itsel f
2 . a c ti o n to p ro te ct t h e e x e r c i s e o f t h e u s u f r u c t

Article 563 Classification

as to Origin
1. Legal – created by law. Such usufruct cannot, because of family reasons, be mortgaged or alienated by
the parents.
2. Voluntary or Conventional
a. created by the will of the parties INTER VIVOS (during lifetime)
• if this i s cr e a te d b y sal e o r a n y v al ua bl e co ns i d e r ati on – Statute o f F r a u d s ap pl i e s to
real property and personal property P500 or more
b. created MORTIS CAUSA
• the formaliti es o f a will o r codicil m u s t b e c om pl i e d wi th, either notarial or
holographic
3. Mixed or Prescriptive – created by both law and act of person
• T o consti tute a v ali d usufr uct, all the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f the l a w m u s t b e c o m p l i e d w i t h
• A us uf r uc t o v e r re al pr op e r t y , b e i n g a real ri ght, m u s t b e d u l y re gi ste re d t o b i n d
innocent third persons

Article 564
Classification as to Quantity or Extent
1. as to fruits – total or partial (depending on whether all the fruits are given or not)
2. as to object – UNIVERSAL (if over the entire patrimony) or SINGLE or PARTICULAR (if only individual
things are included
Classification as to Number of persons enjoying the right
1. Simple – only one usufructuary
2. Multiple – several
a. Simultaneous – at the same time
b. Successive – one after the other
• If c r e a t e d b y d o n a ti o n – all t h e d o n e e s m u s t b e al iv e , o r at l e ast a l r e a d y c o n c e i v e d , a t t h e
time of he perfection of the donation
• T e s t a m e n t a r y s u c c e s s i o n – t he re m u s t o n l y b e t w o s u c c e s s i v e u su fr u ct u a ri e s , b o t h m u s t
be alive or at least conceived at the time of the testator’s death
Classification as to Quality or Kinds of Objects
1. over RIGHTS – the right must not be strictly personal or intransmissible
• ri ght t o r e c e i v e p r e s e n t o r fu tu re s u p p o r t c a n n o t b e s u b j e c t o f a u s u f r u c t
• a u su fr u ct o v e r a re al right is a l s o b y itself a real ri ght
2. over THINGS
• N O R M A L – or perfect or regular. This involves non- consumabl e things
where the form and substance are preserved.
• A B N O R M A L – imperfect or irregular. Usufruct ove r consum able property
(quasi- usufruct), over non-consumable things that gradually deteriorate by use,
over unproductive or sterile animals OWT
Classification as to Terms or Conditions
1. Pure usufruct – no term or condition
2. With a period or term (“a termino”)
a. Ex die – from a certain day
b. In diem – up to a certain day
c. Ex die in diem – from a certain day up to a certain day
3. With a condition (conditional)

Article 565
Rules governing a usufruct
1. the agreement of the parties or the title granting the usufruct
2. in case of deficiency, apply the Civil Code
In case of Conflict
The rights granted by virtue of a will prevails over the codal provisions, unless repugnant to the
mandatory provisions of the Civil Code.

Article 566
Fruits -The usufructuary is entitled to the natural, industrial and civil fruits that will accrue during the existence
of the usufruct.
Dividends – they are income or civil fruits, whether cash or stock dividends. They should belong to the
usufructuary because they are declared out of company profits and not corporate capital.
• G e ne ra l l y , pr od u ct s w h i c h d i m i n i s h capi tal, c a n n o t b e c on si de re d fruits, un l e ss a c on tr a ry i nte nti on
appears.
• H i d d e n tre asure – us u fr u ct u a r y is a stra ng er . B u t m a y b e enti tled t o on e- ha lf if h e is fi nd er .

Article 567
Rules
• Fruits p e n d i n g at the b e g i n n i n g o f us ufruc t
1. belong to the usufructuary
2. no necessity of refunding owner of expenses incurred
3. but without prejudice to the right of third persons
• Fr uits p e n d i n g at th e t e r m i n a ti o n o f th e u s u fr uc t
1. belong to the owner
2. but the owner must reimburse the usufructuary for the ordinary cultivation
expenses, and for the seeds and similar expenses, from the proceeds of the fruits
3. Also, rights of innocent third parties should not be prejudiced.

Article 568
Rules when leased property to another
Lease executed by the usufructuary should terminate at the end of the usufruct or earlier except in the
case of leases of rural lands, because if the usufruct ends earlier, the lease continues for the remainder of
the agricultural year.

• It is n o t t h e n a k e d o w n e r , b u t t h e u s u f r u c t u a r y w h o h a s t h e r ig ht t o c h o o s e t h e t en an t .

Article 569
---
Article 570
Civil fruits shall accrue proportionately to the naked owner and usufructuary, for the time the usufruct lasts.

• T h e parti e s m a y sti pulate o t h e r w i s e i n the ir contract, a b s e n t t he sti pul ati on a p p l y A r t 5 7 0 .

• T h e arti cle appl i e s w h e t h e r t he date o f di stri buti on o f benefi ts f r o m industri al o r c o m m e r c i a l
enterprises are fixed or not.
• T h e S C rul e d that b o t h c a s h a n d s to ck di v i d e n ds a r e fruits. S a m e s h o u l d a p p l y to profi ts o f a
partnership.

Article 571
Usufruct has the right to the enjoyment of:

1. accessions (whether artificial or natural)

2. servitudes or easements
3. all benefits inherent in the property – like the right to hunt, fish, construct rain water receptacles, etc

Article 572
Rights with Reference to thing itself
1. He may personally enjoy the thing (entitled to possession and fruits)
• T h e e n j o y m e n t m a y a l s o b e t h r u a n o t h e r u n l e s s t h e c o n t r a r y h a s b e e n p r o v i d e d o r sti p ul at e d
2. He may lease the thing to another – even without the owner’s consent. Moreover, ordinarily the
lease must NOT extend to a period longer than that of the usufruct, unless the owner consents.
Thus, the lease ends at the time the usufruct ends, except in rural leases.
• If t h e l e s se e s h o u l d d a m a g e t h e p r o p e r t y , t h e u s u f r u c t u a r y s h a l l a n s w e r t o t h e o w n e r
• T h e u s u f r u c t u a r y m a y d e m a n d r e i m b u r s e m e n t f r o m t h e le sse e , b e c a u s e o f t h e b r e a c h
of contract of the lease
 • If the us uf r uc t ua r y c a n n o t p a y , hi s b o n d shal l b e liable
Rights with Reference to the right itself
1. He may alienate the usufructuary right – sell, donate, bequeath, or devise except:
a. Legal usufruct
b. Usufruct granted in consideration of his person
c. Usufruct acquired thru a caucion juratoria
2. He may pledge or mortgage the usufructuary right. But he may not pledge or mortgage the
thing itself.
• Parental usufruct cannot be alienated or pledged or mortgaged.

Article 573
Effect of the Deterioration – fast deteriorating things
1 . N O R M A L U S E – the usufructuary is N O T responsible. N o necessity to m a k e repairs to restore t h e m
to their formal condition. Failure to return the thing will result in indemnification for the value
of the object may have at the end of the usufruct
2 . EVENT OR ACT that E NDANGE RS their preservati on / FORTUITOUS EVENT, even though NO fault
or negligence or fraud on the part of the usufructuary – required to make ordinary or
necessary repairs
3 . F R A U D or N E G L I G E N C E – the usufructuary is responsible. Su ch liability m a y however be set off
against improvements

Article 574
Quasi-usufruct - on consumable things. Form and substance is not really preserved. This is really a SIMPLE
LOAN.
Rules for Quasi-usufruct
1. the usufructuary(debtor-borrower) can use them as if he is the owner, with complete right of pledge or
alienation
2. BUT at the end of the usufruct, he must
a. Pay the APPRAISED value (if appraised when first delivered)
b. Or if there was no appraisal, return the same kind, quality or quantity OR pay the price current
at the termination of the usufruct (not the original price or value)

Article 575
Special usufruct on fruit bearing trees - Rights
The usufructuary can use the following:
1. dead trunks
2. those cut off or uprooted by accident
• but he must replace t he m with n e w plants

Article 576
1. if it is impossible or too burdensome to replace them, the usufructuary has an option. He –
a. may use the trunks but should replace them
b. or may leave the dead, fallen, or uprooted trunks at the owner’s disposal, and demand that the
latter remove them and clear the land
2. if it is slightly burdensome to replace them, the usufructuary must replace them (whether he uses the
dead trunks or not), and he cannot demand clearance of the land by the owner

Article 577
Obligations of the usufructuary – Special usufruct over WOODLAND

1. in the exercise of the diligence in caring for the property, the woodland should be preserved, either by
development or by replanting, he cannot consume all
2. in the cutting or felling of the trees, he must –
a. follow the owner’s habit or practices
b. in default thereof, follow the customs of the place (as to manner, amount, season), all
without prejudice to the owner, for he can use but cannot abuse – applicable if woodland is
a copse(thicket of small trees) or consists of timber for building
c. of there be no customs, the only time the usufructuary can cut down trees will be for repair or
improvement, but here the owner must first be informed
3. cannot alienate the trees unless he is expressly or impliedly permitted by the owner or unless he
needs the money to do some repairs (but need to inform owner)

Article 578
What the usufructuary can demand from the owner
1. authority to bring the action (usually a special power of attorney)
 2. proofs needed for recovery

• t o p r e j u d i c e t hi rd parti e s, t h e u s u f r u c t m u s t e i th e r b e r e g i s te re d o r k n o w n to t h e m

Institution of the action

The action may be instituted in the usufructuary’s name, for being the owner of the usufruct, he is deemed a
real party in the interest
• if t he p u r p o s e is t he r e c o v e r y o f t he p r o p e r t y o r right, h e is sti ll r e q ui re d t o ob ta i n a ut ho ri ty o f th e
naked owner
• if t h e p u r p o s e is t o o b j e c t to o r p r e v e n t d i s t u r b a n c e o v e r t h e p ro pe r ty , n o a ut ho ri ty i s n e e d e d

Effect of the judgment

1. naked ownership belongs to the owner
2. usufruct belongs to the usufructuary

Article 579
Useful and Luxurious Improvements
The usufructuary has the right to
make:
1. useful improvements
2. luxurious improvements
BUT –
1. he must not alter the form or substance of the property held in usufruct
2. he is NOT entitled to a refund, BUT he may –
a. either remove the improvements if no substantial damage is caused
b. or set-off(compensate) the improvements against damages for which he may be liable
• I m p r o v e m e n t s m a y b e re gi ste re d, b u t n o t i n d e p e n d e n t l y , b u t i n t h e re gi strati on p r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e
land held in usufruct to protect him against third persons
• E x a m p l e : t o e nf or ce ri ght of r e m o v a l o f use ful i m p r o v e m e n t s agai nst i n n o c e n t pu rc ha se r f or v a l u e o f
land sold
• W h i l e a po s s es s o r i n g o o d faith is enti tled t o a r e f u n d for us ef ul i m p r o v e m e n t s , a u s u fr uc tu a ry is not .

Article 580
Rules – Set-off
1. If damage exceeds the value of the improvements, usufructuary is still liable for the difference
2. If the value of the improvements exceeds the damage, the difference does not go to the
usufructuary, but accrues instead in the absence of a contrary stipulation in favor of the naked
owner, otherwise it is as if the usufructuary would be entitled to a partial refund in cash
Requisites – Set-off
1. The damage must have been caused by the usufructuary
2. The improvements must have augmented the value of the property

Article 581
Naked owner – retains the right to alienate the property But –
1. He cannot alter its form or substance
2. Or do anything prejudicial to the usufructuary

• A p u r c h a s e r o f t he p r o p e r t y m u s t re sp e c t t h e us uf r uc t i n c a s e it is re gi st e r e d o r k n o w n to h i m ,
OTHERWISE, he can oust the usufructuary, who ca then look to the naked owner for damages
• If t h e n a k e d o w n e r b e q u e a t h s o r d e v i s e s t o a n o t h e r t h r u a wil l , t h e l e g a t e e o r d e v i s e e s h o u l d r e s p e c t
the usufruct
• D o u b l e sale: ordi nari l y no t a l l o w e d to sell usufr uct t o a no th e r aft er h a v i n g s ol d it fi rst to the
usufructuary. But if he does so Art 1544 on Double Sale will apply.
Other rights of the naked owner
1. Construct any works
2. Make any improvements
3. Or make new plantings thereon if it be rural
BUT – such acts must NOT cause:
1. Decrease in the value of the usufruct
2. Or prejudice the right of the usufructuary
Article 582
Usufructuary of a part of common property
A co-owner may give the usufruct of his share to another, even without the consent of others, unless
personal considerations are present.

The usufructuary in such a case takes the owner’s place as to:

1. Administration (management)
2. Collection of fruits or interest
Effect of Partition
1. If there be partition, the usufructuary continues to have the usufruct of the part allotted to the co-
owner concerned
2. If the co-owners make a partition, without the intervention of the usufructuary, this is alright, and
the partition binds said usufructuary. Necessarily however, the naked owner must also respect the
usufruct.

Article 583
• I n v e n t o r y a n d s e c ur i t y – n o t n e c e s s a r y b e f o r e t h e ri ght to u su fr u ct b e g i n s . T h e y a r e m e r e l y n e c e s s a r y
before physical possession and enjoyment of the property can be had
Requirements for the making of the inventory
1. The owner must be previously notified
2. The condition of the immovables must be described
3. The movables must be appraised
4. No form is required except real property in public instrument to bind third persons
5. Expenses to be borne by the usufructuary
6. Effect of not making inventory – same as not giving security
7. When inventory is NOT required:
a. When no one will be injured thereby provided the naked owner consents
b. In case of waiver by the naked owner or the law, or when there is a stipulation in a will or
contract
The giving of Security
• P ur p os e : t o i nsure fai thful c o m p l i a n c e o f the duti e s o f t he u su fr u ct u a ry
• F o r m – a n y k i nd o f suffi cient se curi ty shall b e al l ow e d – cash, pe rsonal b o n d , m o r t g a g e , etc
• W h e n se curi ty i s n ot re quired:
a. No one will be injured thereby (prejudice)
b. Waiver by the naked owner, or stipulation in a will or by contract
c. When the usufructuary is the donor of the property (who has reserved the usufruct)
d. When there is parental usufruct- except when the parents contract a subsequent marriage,
provided that each child’s property does not exceed 50,000 in which case, the parents have to
file a bond not as usufructuary, but as guardian or administrator
e. When there is a caucion juratoria, which takes place of the bond

Article 584
---
Article 585
---
Article 586
Effects of Failure to give security
• O n th e ri ghts o f th e n a k e d o w n e r
a. He may deliver the property to the usufructuary (but even if delivery is made, naked owner
may still later demand the needed security)
b. Or the naked owner may choose retention of the property as administrator (usufructuary gets
the net proceeds minus the administration expenses, fixed by agreement or the courts)
c. Or the naked owner may demand receivership or administration (by another) of the real
property, sale of movable, conversion or deposit of credit instruments, or investment of
cash or profits
• O n t he ri ghts o f the u su fr u ct u a ry
a. The usufructuary cannot possess the property till he gives security
b. He cannot administer the property, he cannot execute a lease thereon
c. Cannot collect credits that have matured, nor invest them unless the Court or naked owner
consents
• (c) - appl i e s e v e n if t he u su fr u ct u a ry is e x e m p t e d f r o m g i v i ng se curi ty
d. But can alienate his right to the usufruct. The grantee may possess the moment he gives
security.
 • A l t h o u g h th e o w n e r m a y d e m a n d s al e o f m o v a b l e s , h e m a y re tain s o m e o f t h e m fo r the ir arti sti c w o r t h
or sentimental value, he may demand their delivery to him provided he gives security for the
payment of legal interest on their appraised value
• N o t e that if t h e m o v a b l e so l d , t h e c a s h b e l o n g s t o t h e o w n e r , b u t t h e i nte re st t h e r e o n ( 6 % p e r a n n u m )
belongs to the usufructuary

Article 587
• T h e Arti cl e appl i e s w h e n h e is re qui re d b u t c a n n o t aff ord to g i v e se curi ty . D o e s n o t a pp l y w h e n
exempted from giving security
Caucion Juratoria
• The promise under oath
• A s w o r n d u t y t o t a k e g o o d c a r e o f t h e p r o p e r t y a n d r e t u r n t h e s a m e at t h e e n d o f t h e u s u f r u c t
• It t a k e s p l a c e o f t h e b o n d o r s e c ur i t y b a s e d o n n e c e s s i t y a n d h u m a n i t y
Requisites
• P ro pe r court pe ti ti on
• N e ce ss i t y for de l iv e ry o f furniture, i m p l e m e n t s , o r h o u s e i n cl u de d i n the usufr uct
• A pp ro v a l of the court
• S w o r n pr om i s e
Restriction – usufructuary cannot alienate or lease the property for this means that he does not need them

Article 588
• RETROACTIVE eff ect of giving bond

Article 589
Duty to take care of property
1. Although care of a pater familias is required, still a usufruct is NOT extinguished by bad use. Bad use
entitles the owner to demand its administration without prejudice to the usufruct.
2. Usufructuary is required to make ordinary repairs and to notify the naked owner of urgency of
extraordinary repairs. Moreover, usufructuary answers for damage caused by the fault or negligence
of his alienee, grantee, agent, or lessee.
Rules
• D a m a g e t o p r o p e r t y c a u s e d b y t h e faul t o r n e g l i g e n c e o f t he u s u f r u c t u a r y i s d e m a n d a b l e ri gh t a w a y
(no need to wait for the end of the usufruct)
• T h e us uf r uc t ua r y is N O T enti tl ed to r e i m b u r s e m e n t f o r or di na ry re pai rs bu t m a y retai n the pr op e r t y ti ll
he is reimbursed of extraordinary expenses, which he may have been compelled to do.

Article 590
Liability of Usufructuary for acts of the substitute
1. Usufructuary is made liable for the acts of the substitute. While the substitute answers to the
usufructuary, the usufructuary answers to the naked owner.
2. Even when there is a sub-usufructuary, it is still the usufructuary who answers to the naked owner for
ordinary repairs, taxes on the fruits, etc.

Article 591
Rules in case of fruitful or productive livestock
1. REPLACE
a. If some animals die from natural causes
b. or lost due to rapacity of beasts of prey
• e v e n if t h e c a u s e b e fortui to us, t h e r e is t h e d u t y to r e p l a c e
• re pl ace m e nt s h o u l d be m a d e f r o m the Y O U N G produce d.
2. NO obligation to replace
a. If there is a total loss of the animals because of some unexpected or unnatural loss (like
contagious disease or any uncommon event, provided usufructuary has NO fault
b. If there is a partial loss (under the same conditions)
• Remains, not the remainder, must be given to the naked own er
• I n c a s e d o f parti al loss, us uf r uc t co nti n ue s o n th e re m a i n de r, p r o v i d e d u su fr u ct u a ry h a s N O fault
• If b e c au se o f F A U L T – usufruct sti ll conti nue s b e c a u s e b a d u se do e s n ot exti ngui sh usufruct
(Manresa)
• Sterile a ni m al s – rule o n usufruct o v e r fungi bl e s appl ies
Article 592
Duty to make ordinary repairs
For the usufructuary to be responsible for ordinary repairs, the following conditions must be present:
1. They are required by NORMAL or NATURAL use
2. They are needed for preservation
3. They must have occurred during the usufruct
4. They must have happened with or without the fault of the usufructuary
• If H E w a s at fault, t h e u su fr u ct u a ry m u s t p a y i n d e m n i ty for d a m a g e s
If he renounces usufruct:
• If N O fault, n o n e e d to m a k e o r p a y for n e c e s s a r y re pa i r s b u t h e m u s t s u r r e n d e r th e frui ts
received
• If at fault, h e is n o t e x e m p t e d f r o m n e c e s s a r y repai rs. H e w o u l d sti ll b e li able for d a m a g e s .
Remedy of naked owner if usufructuary does not make repairs

Provided that the naked owner had demanded, the owner may make them at the expense of the usufructuary

Ordinary repairs – those required by wear and tear due to the natural use of the thing and are indispensible
for its preservation

Article 593
---
Article 594
Kinds of extraordinary repairs
1. Those caused by NATURAL use but not needed for preservation -
2. Those caused by ABNORMAL and EXCEPTIONAL circumstances and are needed for preservation
3. Those caused by ABNORMAL and EXCEPTIONAL circumstances but are not needed for preservation

Who should pay

1. For 1,2,3 – Naked Owner (whether or not he is notified by the usufructuary)
2. For (1) - The naked owner is not required to make them. But if made, it should be borne by the owner
3. He cannot be compelled by the usufructuary to make them
4. For (2) – owner cannot be compelled but the usufructuary may make them with the right to get the
increase in value and the right of retention till paid at the termination of the usufruct, provided
there was notification and failure owner to make repairs
5. For (3) – owner cannot be compelled to make them. Also, the usufructuary is not allowed to make the
repairs because it is not necessary for the preservation

• If e x t r a o r d i n a r y re pa i r s w e r e m a d e , o w n e r m a y d e m a n d le gal i nte re st o n th e a m o u n t
for the duration of the usufruct (because the usufructuary benefited)

Requisites before usufructuary is allowed to make repairs

1. There must be due notification to the naked owner of urgency
2. The naked owner failed to make them
3. The repair is needed for preservation
Right of Usufructuary who made repairs
1. Get increase in value (difference in value before and after repair) or get reimbursement of expenses
2. Right of retention till paid – reimbursement is to be made only at the end of the usufruct

Article 595
The naked owner may:
1. Construct works
2. Make improvements
3. Make new plantings (if rural)
Provided:
1. The value of the usufruct is NOT diminished
2. Or the right of the usufructuary is not prejudiced
Effect of increase in value of the usufruct because of the constructions or plantings
1. The usufructuary profits by the said increase
2. He does NOT have to pay legal interest on the improvement because it is a VOLUNTARY act of the
naked owner
Article 596
Usufructuary should pay for:
1. Annual charges (on the fruits)
2. Annual taxes on the fruits
3. Theoretically, also the annual taxes on the land(including real estate tax)
• L a n d T a x e s / R e a l p ro pe r ty t a x – o w n e r , b e c a u s e it is a b u r d e n u p o n t he capital
• E ff e ct o f p a y m e n t o f a n n u a l re al pr op e r t y t a x – d o e s n o t ne ce ssari l y f o l l o w that h e h a s
adverse possession, for after all, it is he who must pay for said taxes (Quirante vs
Quirante)
Other Charges
1. Ordinary repairs
2. Necessary cultivation expenses

Article 597
The naked owner pays for taxes imposed directly on the capital (provided that they are not annual) – e.g.
estate tax
Rules
1. If paid by naked owner, he can demand legal interest on the sum paid
2. If advanced by the usufructuary, he --
a. Should be REIMBURSED the amount paid without legal interest
b. Entitled to RETENTION till paid
• Reimbursement should be m ade only at the T E R M I N A T I O N of the usufruct provided A D V A N C E had
been made voluntarily. If forced to pay, reimbursement with damages should be made
immediately thereafter.

Article 598
Applicability of the article
1. If the usufruct is a universal one
2. The naked owner
a. Has debts
b. Or is obliged to make periodical payments
• Parti cul arl y a p p l i e s if a p e r s o n d o n a t e s e v e r y t h i n g b u t r e s e r v e s t o h i m th e u s u f r u c t th e r e o f

When the usufructuary has to pay for the debts of the naked owner
1. There being no stipulation regarding the payment of debts, the done shall be responsible thereof only
when the donation has been made in fraud of creditors
• T h e d o n a ti o n is a l w a y s p r e s u m e d t o b e i n f ra ud o f cre di tors
2. When the donation imposes upon the done the obligation to pay the debts of the donor, I the
clause does not contain any declaration to the contrary, the former is understood to be liable to pay
only the debts which appear to have been previously contracted. In no case shall the done be
responsible for debts exceeding the value of the property donated, unless a contrary intention
clearly appears.

Article 599
Rules on Usufruct on matured credit
1. If usufructuary has given security, collection and investment can be done WITHOUT the approval of the
court or of the naked owner
2. If the usufructuary has NOT given security, or when he is exempted or when there was only a caucion
juratoria, collection and investment can be done only WITH the approval of the court or the naked
owner
Ownership of the credit collected
If the credit is collected, same belongs to the naked owner, but the usufructuary gets the usufruct.
• T h e us uf r uc t ua r y shal l b e liable for fail ure to col lect m a t u r e d cre di t b e c a u s e o f hi s fault or n e g l i g e n ce

Article 600
How liability of naked owner may be extinguished
1. By constituting a usufruct over an equivalent estate
2. Or by payment of a periodical pension equivalent to the loss
3. Or in any other similar way

Article 601
When notification of the usufructuary is required
1. If a third party commits acts prejudicial to the rights of the ownership
2. If urgent repairs are needed
 3. If an inventory is to be made
Effect of non-notification
1. In (1) – usufructuary is liable for damages, as if they had been caused thru his own fault
2. In (2) – the usufructuary cannot even make the extraordinary repairs needed
3. In (3) – the inventory can go on, but the naked owner may later point out discrepancies and omissions
in the inventory

Article 602
• Arti cl e appl i e s w h e n us uf r uc t ua r y lost th e ca se
• T h e d e f e n s e o f t he n a k e d o w n e r s h i p i s na tu ra l l y c h a r g e a b l e t o t h e n a k e d o w n e r

Article 603
Usufruct is extinguished:
1. By the DEATH of the usufructuary unless a contrary intention appears;
Exceptions:
a. In case of multiple usufructs – ends on the death of the last survivor
b. In case there is a period fixed based on the number of years that would elapse before a person
reach a certain age
c. In case the contrary intention clearly appears (express or implied)
2. By the expiration of the period for which it was constituted, or by the fulfillment of any resolutory
condition provided in the title creating the usufruct;
• If t h e us uf r uc t i s o n re al pr op e r t y , o r o n a re al ri ght o n re al p ro pe r ty , t h e p e r i o d m u s t b e
recorded to bind third persons
• T h e t e r m s h o u l d n o t e x c e e d 5 0 y e a r s if th e u s u f r u c t u a r y is a j uridical p e r s o n . P r e m a t u r e
abandonment or dissolution of the juridical entity extinguishes the usufruct
3. By merger of the usufruct and ownership in the same person;
4. By renunciation of the usufructuary;
• M a y b e m a d e e x pr e s sl y o r im pl i e dly , a s l o n g a s it is d o n e clearly, w i t h i ntent t o r e n o u n c e
(Art 1270)
• N o n e e d f or n a k e d o w n e r s c o n s e n t – m e r e a b a n d o n m e n t o f o n e ’ s o w n ri ght
• If t he r e n un ci ati o n i s m a d e gratui tousl y a n d i n f ra ud o f creditors, s a i d cre di tors c a n r e s ci nd
the renunciation, to the extent of their credits
5. By the total loss of the thing in usufruct;
• Parti al l oss – usufr uct c o n ti n u e s o n the r e m a i n i n g p a r t
• F o r total l oss of the bui l di ng ( wh e t he r l an d is i ncl ude d i n usufruct o r not)
• F o r legal l oss (as i n the c as e of e xpropri ati on)
6. By the termination of the right of the person constituting the usufruct;
• If t h e u s u f r u c t u a r y h a s a s u b - u s u f r u c t u a r y , t h e s u b - u s u f r u c t e n d s at t h e ti m e t h e u s u f r u c t
is extinguished. If the sub-usufructuary dies ahead of the usufructuary, the sub-
usufruct ends, unless a contrary intention appears
• D e a t h o f the n a k e d o w n e r d o e s N O T e xti ngui sh t h e usufruct
7. By prescription
• R e f e r s t o acqui si ti v e p re sc ri pti o n b y a s tr an ge r e i the r o f t he u su fr u ct o r o f t he n a k e d
ownership
• M e r e n o n - u s e r b y t h e u s u f r u c t u a r y o f th e u s u f r u c t d o e s n o t t e r m i n a t e t h e u su fr u ct , u n l e s s
it is also a renunciation
Other causes for Extinguishment
a. Annulment
b. Rescission
c. Mutual withdrawal
d. Legal causes – such as attainment of age of majority in parental usufruct
• A B U S E or M I S U S E of the usufruct do e s N o t exti nguish it, unless by virtue of such abuse or
misuse, the thing has been totally lost
• Non- ful fi l l m e nt o f a suspe nsi v e co nd i ti o n d oe s N O T e xti ngui sh usufruct, b e c au se t he usufruct
NEVER came into existence

Article 604
---
Article 605
• N o t appl i cabl e t o trusts
Article 606
---
Article 607
Rules
1. Usufruct on BOTH building and land (but the building is destroyed in any manner whatsoever before
the expiration of the usufruct
a. The usufruct on the building is ended, but the usufruct on the land continues
b. Usufructuary is still entitled to the use of the land and the use of whatever materials of the
house remain
c. If the naked owner wants to rebuild but the usufructuary refuses, it is the usufructuary who
prevails for the use of the land is still his for the remainder of the period
2. Usufruct on the building ALONE (building is destroyed before the termination of the period)
a. The usufruct on the building ends, but may still make use of the materials of the house remain
b. The usufructuary is entitled to the use of the land – automatic use of the land by usufruct of
the building
c. But since there is no usufruct over the land, the naked owner has preferential right to its use.
• If t he o w n e r w a n t s t o re bui l d, h e shal l h a v e t h e ri ght to o c c u p y th e l a n d a n d to m a k e
use of the materials, being obliged to pay to the usufructuary, during the
continuance of the usufruct the legal interest upon the sum equivalent to the value
of the land and of the materials
Note: there should be interest –

1. On the materials
2. On the land
• De structi on (of buil di ng) – pe rson at fault m u s t i n de m n i f y

Article 608
Rules
1. If the naked owner and the usufructuary share in the premiums (and the property is destroyed):
a. If the owner rebuilds, the usufruct continues on the new building
• If cost of bui lding is L E S S than i nsurance i n de m n i ty – usufructuary sh ou l d get legal
interest on the difference (the amount not invested)
• If the cost is M O R E – usufructuary e nj oy s n e w building com pl e te ly wi th n o obligati on to
give interest on the additional cost to the naked owner
b. If the owner does NOT rebuild, he gets the insurance indemnity but should pay the
interest(fruits) thereon to the usufructuary
2. If the naked owner ALONE pays for the insurance and the usufructuary has REFUSED to share (and the
property is destroyed)
a. The naked owner gets the whole indemnity
b. If usufruct was on the building and the land, usufruct continues on the land and the materials.
• O w n e r ha s n o right t o re buil d if o p p o s e d b y usufr uctua ry .
• If rebui ld w i t h conse nt, the re is N O usufr uct o n the n e w buil di ng, b u t the n a k e d o w n e r
must pay interest on the value of the land and the old materials
c. If usufruct on building alone – naked owner may rebuild with or without approval of the
usufructuary, but he must pay interest on the value of the land and materials that may
have been used
3. If the naked owner ALONE paid because of failure or omission of usufructuary – effect is the same as if
there was sharing, but the usufructuary must reimburse his share of insurance premium to the owner
4. If the usufructuary ALONE pays –
a. The insurance indemnity goes t the usufructuary ALONE
b. Usufruct continues unless the usufruct is constituted on the building alone
c. Usufructuary has no obligation to rebuild
• A contrary sti pulati on betwe en the parti es will P R E V A I L

Article 609
Rules in case of expropriation
1. If the owner ALONE was given the indemnity, he has the option –
a. To replace with equivalent thing
b. Or to pay to the usufructuary legal interest on the indemnity – requires security given by the
naked owner for the payment of the interest
2. If BOTH were separately given indemnity – usufruct is totally extinguished
3. If usufructuary ALONE – must give it to the naked owner and compel the latter to return either the
interest or to replace the property. He may even deduct the interest himself, if the naked owner fails
to object.
Article 610
Effect of Bad use
1. BAD use – which does NOT cause considerable injury to the naked owner
• U sufruct conti nues, n a k e d o w n e r C A N N O T d e m a n d administrati on b y him sel f
2. BAD use – which causes considerable injury
• U s u f r u c t co nti n ue s , b u t th e n a k e d o w n e r c a n d e m a n d de l i v e ry t o a n d a dm i n i s tr ati o n b y h i m ,
but he will be obliged to pay the NET PROCEEDS to the usufructuary
• B e i n g a n a d m i n i s t r a t o r m e r e l y , h e c a n n o t se l l o r al i e na te t h e ri ght t o t he us uf r uc t , t h o u g h h e
may still alienate the property, without prejudice to the usufruct
• C O U R T wil l d e t e r m i ne wh e t he r o r not there is consi de rabl e i njury to the n a k e d o w n e r .

Article 611
Rules in case of multiple usufruct
1. If constituted simultaneously – death of the last survivor terminates the usufruct
2. If constituted successively – death of last survivor
However, it is essential that

a. If by virtue of donation – the donees-usufructuaries must be living at the time of donation

b. Virtue of last will – there should only be two successive usufructuaries, and both must be alive
or at least conceived

Article 612
Rights and obligations at the termination of the usufruct
1. Usufructuary:
a. Must RETURN the property to the naked owner, but he has the right
b. To RETAIN the property till he is REIMBURSED for TAXES on the capital (which had been advanced
to him) and EXTRAORDINARY REPAIRS or EXPENSES (insofar as there has been an increase in the
value)
c. To REMOVE removable improvements or set them off against damages he has caused
• R e m o v a l m a y b e d o n e e i the r d u r i n g o r aft er t h e u su fr u ct
2. Naked owner:
a. Must cancel the security or mortgage (provided the usufructuary has complied with the
obligations)
b. In case of rural leases, respect leases until the end of the agricultural year
c. Make reimbursements to the usufructuary in the proper cases

EASEMENTS OR SERVITUDES

Article 613
Easements – an encumbrance imposed upon an immovable for the benefit of the community or one or
more persons or for the benefit of another immovable belonging to a different owner

• Re al right
• T h e r e is rightf ul li m i te d us e wi th ou t o w n e r s h i p or posse ssi on
• R e fe rs to i m m o v a b l e s
Rule in choosing
The one where the way is SHORTEST and will cause LEAST damage should be chosen. If these two
circumstances do not concur in one single tenement, the way which will cause the least damage should
be used, even if it will not be the shortest.

Article 614
Characteristics of Easement
1. real right
2. imposable only on another’s property
3. jus in re aliena – a real right that may be alienated though the naked ownership is maintained
 4. it is a limitation or encumbrance on the servient estate for another’s benefit
5. there is INHERENCE or INSEPARABILITY
6. it is INDIVISIBLE
7. it is INTRANSMISSIBLE
8. it is PERPETUAL

Note:
a. It is essential that there is a BENEFIT
b. NOT essential that the benefit be exercised
c. NOT essential that the benefit be very great
d. The benefit should not be so great as to completely absorb or impair the usefulness of the
servient estate
e. The utility or benefit goes to the dominant estate – limited use but NO possession
f. The exercise is naturally restricted by the needs of the dominant estate or of its owner
g. Easements are not presumed, but may be imposed by law
• T he re can b e N O e asem e nt i m pose d o n P E R S O N A L property

Article 615 Article

616 Classification
According to benefit
1. real – for th e benefi t o f a no th e r i m m o v a b l e b e l o n g i n g to a diff e re nt o w n e r
2. p e r so na l – for t he be ne fi t o f o n e o r m o r e p e r s o n s o r o f a c o m m u n i t y
According to manner
1 . c o n ti n u o u s – the ir u s e is i nce ssant, o r m a y b e i nc e s sa nt w i t h o u t t h e i nt e r v e n ti on o f a n y a ct o f m a n
2 . d i s c o n ti n u o u s – t h e y a r e u s e d at i n te rv al s a n d d e p e n d u p o n t h e a ct s o f m a n
According to existence
1 . a p p a r e n t – t h o s e m a d e k n o w n a n d co nti n ua l l y k e p t b y e x te r na l s i g ns
2. n o n - a p p a r e n t – s h o w n o e xte rnal i n di ca ti on of the ir e xi st e n ce
According to purpose
1 . posi ti v e – t he o w n e r o f t he se rvi e nt e state is o b l i g e d t o a l l o w s o m e t h i n g t o b e d o n e o n hi s p r o p e r t y or
do it himself
2 . n e g a ti v e – t h e o w n e r o f t h e s e r v i e nt e state i s p r o h i b i t e d to d o s o m e t h i n g
According to the right given
1 . parti al u s e
2 . getti ng o f specifi c m ate ri al
According to source
1 . v o l u n t a r y – consti tute d b y wil l o r a g r e e m e n t o f parti es o r b y a testator
2 . le gal – t ho se consti tu te d b y l a w for pu bl i c u s e o r pri v ate i nterest
3 . m i x e d – partl y b y a g r e e m e n t a n d partl y b y l a w

Article 617
Consequence of Inseparability
• E a s e m e n t s c a n n o t b e s o l d o r d o n a t e d o r m o r t g a g e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f th e re al p r o p e r t y t o w h i c h t h e y
may be attached
• R e gi st ra ti o n of t he d o m i n a n t e state w i t h o u t t h e v o l u n t a r y e a s e m e n t – d o e s N O T e xti n gu i s h t h e
easement
• If se rv i e n t e s ta te – e x ti n g u i s h e s t h e v o l u n t a r y e a s e m e n t
Except:
1 . a ct ua l k n o w l e d g e o f t h e e xi s t e n c e o f t h e u n r e c o r d e d e a s e m e n t
2 . t h e r e is a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o r sti p ul ati o n th at t h e e a s e m e n t w o u l d c o n ti n u e t o e xi st
• A ct ua l k n o w l e d g e o f third p e r s o n s is e quiv al e nt t o registrati on

Article 618
• Parti ti on or div i si on o f a n estate d o e s N O T d i v i de the e a s e m e n t
• Increase in the n um be r of owners – does not m a k e the easement m or e burdens ome
Article 619
Judicial declaration that an easement exists – not creating one, but merely declares the existence of
an easement created either by law or by the parties or testator.

Article 620
Modes of Acquiring
1 . If conti nuous and apparent – by TI T L E or by PR ESCR I PT IO N (ten years)
2 . All others – by TITLE only
• I nt e s ta te s u c c e s s i o n – d o e s n o t c r e a t e a n e a s e m e n t b u t m e r e l y t r a n s m i t s a n e a s e m e n t a l r e a d y
existing
• Prescription in Art. 620 – requires 10 years irrespective of good faith or bad faith

Article 621
Rules
1. Positive – from the day the dominant estate began to exercise it
2. Negative – from the time NOTARIAL PROHIBITION was made on the servient estate

Article 622
Easements that may be acquired only by title
1. continuous non-apparent – because they are not public
2. discontinuous apparent – because the possession is not uninterrupted
3. discontinuous non-apparent – because possession is neither public or uninterrupted
Requisites of Prescription
1. possession in the concept of owner
2. public
3. peaceful
4. uninterrupted

Article 623
Proof of existence of easements
1. the deed of recognition by the servient owner
2. final judgment

Article 624
Apparent signs of an easement that apparently exists
• ori gi nal l y , n o true e a s e m e n t b e c a u s e t h e r e is o n l y o n e o w n e r
• s i g n o f t h e e a s e m e n t – m e r e l y a n o u t w a r d i n d i c a ti o n t h a t t h e e a s e m e n t e xi s ts
• it is N O T e s se nti a l t h a t t h e r e b e a n a p p a r e n t s i g n b e t w e e n t h e t w o e state s, it is i m p o r t a n t t ha t th at
there is an apparent sign that an easement exist
Rules
1 . B e fo re alie nati on – N O true e a s e m e n t
2 . Aft er alienati on –
a. There arises an easement if the sign continuous to remain unless there is a contrary
agreement
b. There is no easement if the sign is removed or if there is an agreement to this effect
• If th e D E E D b e silent, t h e e a s e m e n t exi sts u n l e s s t h e s i g n b e r e m o v e d

Article 625
• U n l e s s t h e n e c e s s a r y ri gh ts a r e a l s o g r a n t e d , t h e ri gh t t o t h e e a s e m e n t i tself i s r e n d e r e d n u g a t o r y
• N e c e s s a r y r i g ht s i n c l u d e re pai r, m a i n t e n a n c e , a n d a c c e s s o r y e a s e m e n t s
• T o p r e j u d i c e thi rd p e r so ns , v o l u n t a r y e a s e m e n t s m u s t b e re gi ste re d. R e g i s tr ati o n i s ge ne ra l l y n o t
essential for legal easements.

Article 626
• E aseme nt s appurtenant – easements with a dominant estate
• E a s e m e n t s i n g r o s s – w i t h o u t a d o m i n a n t e state , p u r e l y p e r s o n a l
Article 627
Article 628
Article 629
Article 630
Rights of the DOMINANT estate
1 . t o e x e r c i s e t h e e a s e m e n t a n d all n e c e s s a r y r i g h t s
2 . to m a k e o n th e se rv i e n t e state, all t h e n e c e s s a r y w o r k s f or u s e a n d p r e s e r v a ti o n o f t h e se rvi tude , B U T
–
a. must be at his own expense
b. must notify the servient estate
c. select convenient time and manner
d. must not alter the easement nor render it more burdensome
3 . a s k for m a n d a t o r y i nj uncti on t o p re v e nt i m p a i r m e n t o r obstr ucti o n
4 . to RENOUNCE totally

Obligations of the DOMINANT estate

1. cannot alter the easement
2. cannot make it more burdensome
a. he cannot use the easement except for immovable originally contemplated
b. in easement of right of way, cannot increase width of path or deposit soil outside the
boundaries but may allow others to pass unless the contrary has been stipulated
3. if there be several dominant estates, each must contribute to necessary repairs and expenses in
proportion to the benefits received by each estate

Rights of the SERVIENT estate

1. retain ownership and possession of the portion of his land affected by the easement
2. to make use of the easement, unless deprived by stipulation, provided that the exercise of the
easement is not adversely affected, provided further that he contributes to the expenses, unless
there is a contrary stipulation
3. to change the location of a very inconvenient easement, provided an equally convenient substitute is
made, without injury to the dominant estate

Obligations of the SERVIENT estate

1. cannot impair the use of the easement
2. must contribute to the expenses in case he uses the easement, unless there is a contrary stipulation
3. in case of impairment, to restore conditions to the status quo at his expense plus damages
4. to pay for the expenses incurred for the change of location or form of easement

Article 631
Modes of Extinguishment
1. merger in the same person of the ownership of the dominant and servient estates
2. non-user for ten years
From what time to compute:
• d i s c o n ti n u o u s – f r o m t h e ti m e it c e a s e d t o b e u s e d
• c o n ti n u o u s – f r o m th e d a y o n w h i c h a n act co nt ra r y t o th e s a m e t o o k p l a c e
3. when either or both of the estates fall into the condition that the easement cannot be used
• b a d c on di ti on o f th e t e n e m e n t o r im possi bi l i ty o f u s e – m e r e l y s u s p e n d s si nce possibil ity o f u s e
revives the easement
4. expiration of the term or fulfillment of the condition
5. renunciation
6. redemption
Other causes of extinguishment
1. expropriation
2. permanent impossibility of use
3. annulment, rescission, or cancellation of the title
4. abandonment of the servient estate
5. resolution of the right of the grantor to create the easement
6. registration of the servient estate as FREE, easement was not registered
7. in legal easement of right of way, opening of adequate outlet to the highway

Article 632
Voluntary
Easements
• t h e e a s e m e n t itsel f m a y p r e s c r i b e
• t he f o r m o r m a n n e r o f u s i n g m a y a l s o pr e s cr i b e
Legal Easements
• s o m e l e g a l e a s e m e n t s d o n o t p r e s c r i b e , m o r e o v e r , t h e r i g ht t o e xe r c i s e t h e m c a n n o t a l s o pr e s cr i b e .
But the form and manner of using them may prescribe
• s o m e l e ga l e a s e m e n t s d o pr e s cr i b e , l i k e t h e s e r v i t u d e o f n a t u r a l d r a i n a g e

Article 633
• co- owne rship – the use of on e prevents prescripti on wi th respect to others be cause of I N D I VI S I B I L I T Y

Article 634
Legal Easements – imposed by law and which have for their object:
1. public use
2. or the interest of private persons
Different Legal Easements
1. easements relating to waters
2. right of way
3. party wall
4. light and view
5. drainage
6. intermediate distances
7. easement against nuisance
8. lateral and subjacent support

Article 635
How public or communal easements are governed
1. special laws and regulations
2. Civil code (suppletory)

Article 636
How legal easements for private interests are governed
1. agreement of interested parties not prohibited by law nor prejudicial to third persons
2. in default of (1), general or local laws and ordinances for general welfare
3. in default of (2), Civil Code

Article 637
Legal Easements relating to waters
1. natural drainage of lands
2. natural drainage of buildings
3. easement on riparian banks for navigation, floatage, fishing, salvage
4. easement of a dam
5. easement of drawing water or for watering animals
6. easement of aqueduct
7. easement for the construction of a stop lock or sluice gate
Art 637 – natural drainage of lands - prescribes by non-user for 10 years

What lower estates are obliged to receive

1. water which naturally and without the intervention of man descends from the higher estates
2. stones and earth carried by the waters
Art50, PD1607

1. cannot construct works that will impede the natural flow unless he provides an alternative method of
drainage
2. owner of the higher estate cannot make works that will increase the natural flow
Duties of the servient estate

1. cannot construct works that will impede the easement, divert the flow, and burden another tenement
2. BUT he may regulate or control the descent of the water
3. should he really cause an OBSTRUCTION, the easement may be extinguished by non-user and barred
by prescription if the action to destroy is brought only after 10 years
Duties of the dominant estate
1. he cannot make works that will INCREASE the burden
2. may construct works preventing erosion
3. if descending waters are result of artificial development or proceed from industrial establishment or
overflow from irrigation dams – should pay compensation for loss or damage
• a C O N T R A C T , one rous o r otherwi se , m a y exti ngui sh the legal e a se m e n t prov i de d n o injury to
third persons
 • N O i nde m ni ty re qui re d – if condi ti ons i n the arti cle a re c om pl i e d wi th
• If w a t e r that fl o w s a re colle cted f r o m m a n - m a d e l a g o o n s – i n d e m n i ty is re qui re d
(compensation)

Article 638
Easements along riparian banks
• U r b a n – 3 m e te rs
• Agricultural – 2 0 meters
• F or e s t – 4 0 m e t e r s
• T O W P A T H – 2 meters for animals, 1 me te r for pedestrians

• Al l ri ver b a n k s ar e of publ i c o w n e r s h i p e x c e p t rive r b a n k s w h i c h h a d al re ady b e c o m e o f pri vate

ownership under the Siete Partidas
Easements allowed
1. on banks of rivers, a public easement for:
a. navigation
b. floatage
c. fishing
d. salvage
2. o n ba nk s of navi gabl e o r fl oatable rivers, also the e a se m e n t of T O W P A T H – for the exclusi ve
service of river navigation and floatage
Payment of Indemnity
1 . if land be of PU B LI C ownership – N O indemnity
2 . if private – inde mnity
Effect if municipal ordinance make easement impossible – the authority of local governments to
enact municipal ordinances is subject to the general limitation that the same shall not be repugnant
to law

Article 639
Easement for the construction, abutment, or buttress of a dam
• p a y m e n t o f i n d e m n i ty i s re qu i r e d

Article 640
Easements for drawing water or for watering animals
1 . they can only be im pose d for reasons of P U B L I C U S E
2 . must be in favor of a T O WN or VILLAGE
3. proper i ndem ni ty m u s t b e paid

Article 641
• pri nci pal e a s e m e n t – for d r a w i n g w a t e r a n d w a t e r i n g a n i m a l s
• a c c e s s o r y e a s e m e n t – e a s e m e n t o f ri ght o f w a y
Requirements for such easement to exist
1. must be for PUBLIC USE
2. in favor of a to wn or village
3. s ou gh t n o t b y o n e i ndi vi dual b ut t he t o w n or vill age
4. p a y m e n t o f p r o p e r i n d e m n i ty
5. right of w a y – m a x i m u m o f 1 0 m e te rs

Article 642
Article 643
Article 644
Article 645
Article 646
Legal Easement of Aqueduct
• ri ght t o m a k e w a t e r fl o w t h r u i n t e r v e n i n g e st at e s i n o r d e r th at o n e m a y m a k e u s e o f s a i d w a t e r s
• e a s e m e n t o f ri ght o f w a y d o e s n o t n e c e s sa ri l y i n c l u d e e a s e m e n t o f a q u e d u c t
Requisites
1. i n d e m n i t y m u s t b e p a i d – a m o u n t d e p e n d s o n d u r a ti o n a n d i n c o n v e n i e n c e c a u s e d
2. if for private interest – cannot be imposed on existing:
a. buildings
b. courtyards
c. annexes
d. out-houses
e. orchards
f. gardens
 g. can be imposed on other things – provided no injury to said properties
3. There must be proof:
a. That he can dispose of the water
b. Water is sufficient for use for which it is intended
c. Most convenient and least onerous to third persons
d. Proper administrative permission be obtained
Possible ways of making easement effective
1. open canal
2. c o v e r e d o r c l o s e d ca na l
3. tubes or pipes
Obligations of the dominant owner
1. to k e e p the aq ue du ct in prope r u s e or care
2 . t o k e e p o n h a n d n e c e s s a r y m a t e r i a l s f o r its u s e
Right of servient estate to fence or build over the aqueduct as long as:
1. n o d a m a g e is ca us e d
2 . o r re pairs o r cl e an i n gs b e c o m e i m p o s s i b l e

• f or l e g a l p u r p o s e s t h e e a s e m e n t i s c o n s i d e r e d c o n ti n u o u s a n d a p p a r e n t – t o m a k e t h e e a s e m e n t
susceptible to acquisitive prescription fro the benefit of agriculture

Article 647
Requisites if construction of a stop lock or sluice gate

1 . p u r p o s e m u s t b e for irri gati on o r i m p r o v e m e n t

2 . t h e c o n s t r u c ti o n m u s t b e o n t h e e s t a t e o f a n o t h e r
3. damages must be paid
4 . thi rd p e r s o n s s h o u l d n o t b e p re j u di ce d

Article 648
• PD 1607 will PREVAIL

Article 649
Easement of Right of Way – allowed to pass over another’s
land Requisites:
1 . T h e p r o p e r t y i s s u r r o u n d e d b y e state s o f o th e r s
2 . N o a d e q u a t e outle t t o a pu bl i c h i g h w a y
3 . P a y m e n t of pr op e r i n d e m n i ty - u s e b e f or e i n d e m n i ty is no t a l l o w e d
4 . M u s t b e e s t a b l i s h e d a t t h e p o i n t le ast p re j u di ci al t o t h e s e r v i e n t e st at e
5. T h e i sol ati on m u s t n o t b e d u e to th e propri e to r’s a c t
6 . D e m a n d a b l e o n l y b y the o w n e r o r o n e w i t h a real right like a u su fr u ct u a ry

• Its e x i s t e n c e d o e s n o t d e p e n d o n t h e c o n s e n t o f t h e c o - o w n e r s b e i n g a l e g al e a s e m e n t a n d n o t a
voluntary one
• N O T enti tl ed t o e a s e m e n t f o r fail ure t o m e e t t he re qui si te s
• M e r e i n c o n v e n i e n c e f o r t h e d o m i n a n t e state i s n o t e n o u g h t o s e r v e a s b as i s f o r a n e a s e m e n t o f ri ght o f
way
• T h e b u r d e n o f p r o v i n g the e xi ste nce t o v ali dl y c l a i m the right o f w a y lies o n the o w n e r of the d o m i n a n t
estate
Proper indemnity
• P E R M A N E N T – pa y the val ue of the l and occupi e d b y the path plus da m a ge s
• T E M P O R A R Y – pay for the damages caused
Classification of right of way
1 . Private
2 . Public

Easement in favor of the Government

• Only the easement of a public highway, way, private way established by law, or any governmental
canal or lateral thereof
• It i s n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e e a s e m e n t is p r e - e xi s ti n g a t t h e ti m e o f t h e re gi st ra ti o n o f t h e l a n d i n o r d e r t h a t
the owner be compelled to respect it
 • Easement not pre-existing – there should be proper expropriation proceedings and payment of just
compensation

Article 650
Easement of right of way – point least prejudicial to the servient estate, distance be shortest to the
public highway

Article 651
Width of the
Path
• M a y b e m o d i fi e d f r o m ti m e to ti m e d e p e n d i n g o n th e r e a s o n a b l e n e e d s o f t h e d o m i n a n t e s ta te
• P a t h w a y sh ou l d b e suffi cient fo r use of autom obi l e s(L ar raco s v s. D e l R osari o)

Article 652
Article 653
Rules – when land acquired by sale, easement of right of way
• E N C L O S I N G estate is that of the grantor – grantee d oe s N O T pa y
• E N C L O S E D estate is that of the grantor – grantor M U S T pay

Article 654
Ownership, Repairs, Taxes
• O w n e r s h i p – s e r v i e n t e state , e v e n p e r m a n e n t , t h u s h e p a y s all t h e t a x e s
• B U T the d o m i n a n t estate
a. Should pay for the repairs
b. Pay proportionate share of taxes

Article 655
Extinguishment of right of way
a. Opening of a new road
b. Joining the dominant estate with another with access to public highway. BUT the new access must be
adequate and convenient.
• E x ti n g u i s h m e n t N O T a ut om ati c , se rv i e nt e state “ m a y ” d e m a n d .
• N O T appli cabl e t o v ol untary e as e m e nt o f right of w a y
• If e a s e m e n t i s t e m p o r a r y , n o r e t u r n o f i n d e m n i t y b e c a u s e d a m a g e h a d a l r e a d y b e e n c a u s e d

Article 656
Temporary easement of right of way
• Proper indemnity m ust be given
• “I ndispe nsible” – gre at i nconv e ni e nce i s suffi cient

Article 657
Width of Right of way for passage of livestock
1. Animal path – 75 meters
2. Animal trail – 37 meters and 50 cm
3. Cattle – 10 meters

• P a y m e n t of i nd e m ni ty
• C a n o nl y b e i m p o s e d for re asons o f publ ic u s e in fav or of a t o w n or village

Article 658
Easement of party wall – wall at the dividing line of the estates

Article 659
How Presumption that a wall is a party wall be rebutted:
1. Title to the contrary
2. Exterior signs to the contrary
3. Proof to the contrary

• Title prev ail s o v e r exterior si gn

Article 660
Exterior signs
• If th e o w n e r h a s s i g n s i n h i s f av or , a n d s o m e a g a i n s t h i m , t h e y c a n c e l e a c h othe r, u n l e s s it c a n b e
shown from the purpose of the wall that it had been made for the exclusive benefit of one
Article 661
Presumption of party ditches or drains – rebuttable

Article 662
Repairs and construction on party wall – proportionate contribution
Renunciation can be made – UNLESS:
1. The repair had already been contracted for and made
2. He still uses the wall
Requisites
1. Must be total or complete renunciation
2. Must be made voluntarily and full knowledge of the facts
3. Must be made before the expenses are incurred
4. Is made with the implied condition that the other owner should meke or pay for the repairs
5. Must be of both share in the wall and the land

Article 663
• I n d e m n i fi c a ti o n m u s t b e m a d e f or d a m a g e s

Article 664
Right to increase height of the party wall
• M u s t d o s o at hi s o w n e x p e n s e
• P a y fo r t h e n e c e s s a r y d a m a g e s c a u s e d e v e n if t e m p o r a r y
• B e a r th e c o s t o f m a i n t e n a n c e o f th e p o r ti o n a d d e d
• P a y fo r th e i n c r e a s e d co st o f pr e s e r v a ti on
• M u s t re construc t if ori gi nal w a l l c a n n o t b e a r t he i nc re as e d h e i g ht
• M u s t gi v e additi onal s pa ce if wal l b e thi ck e ne d
• H e will howe v e r be the E X C L U S I V E o w n e r of the additi ons unless 6 6 5 is availed of

Article 665
• M a y ac qu i r e p ar t- o wn e r sh i p i n the addi ti ons – p a y the v al u e at the ti m e o f acqui si ti on

Article 666
• U s e b y the co - o wn e r s o f the wal l

Article 667
• Prohi bi ti on t o m a k e a n o p e n i n g thru the party wa l l – a n y w i n d o w o r ape rture of a n y k i n d

Article 668
Easement of Light and View
• Positi ve – w i n d o w is thru a party wal l – prescripti on c o u n t e d f r o m ti m e of the o pe ni ng of the w i n d o w
• Ne gati v e – w i n d o w thru one ’s o w n wal l – f r o m the ti m e of notarial prohibiti on u p o n the adjoining o w n e r

Article 669
Restricted windows – openings for light and not view
Restriction
1. Maximum size – 30 sq. cm.
2. Must have an iron grating embedded in the wall
3. There must be a wire screen
4. Opening must be at the height of the ceiling beams or immediately inder the ceiling

• If the re b e sev e ral o p e n i n g s – restricti ons m u s t b e c o m p l i e d w i t h for e v e r y o p e n i n g

• U n l e s s t h e e a s e m e n t o f li ght h a s b e e n a cq ui re d, re stri cte d w i n d o w s m a y sti ll b e o b s t r u c t e d
Sanctions in case of violations
1. Can ask for the reduction of size
2. May obstruct the light
a. By constructing a higher building on his own land
b. Or raising a blocking wall
3. If the wall becomes a party wall, he can close the window, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary
Article 670
Article 671
Rules for Regular Windows – can be opened provided that the proper distance are
followed Proper Distances
• Di re ct v i e w – 2 m e t e r s b e t w e e n t h e w al l h a v i n g t h e w i n d o w s a n d the b o u n d a r y li ne
• S i d e o r ob l i qu e v i e w – at least 6 0 c m . f r o m t he ne are st e d g e o f th e w i n d o w
• It is pe rm i s si bl e t o b ui l d e v e n u p to th e b o u n d a r y l i ne p r o v i d e d that n o re gul ar w i n d o w s a r e o p e n e d
(restricted windows are allowed)
• Arti cl e al so a pp l i e s to te rrace s if the re ar e rai lings

Article 672
• Art 6 7 0 is appl icable to bui lding se parate d b y publi c w a y or alley N O T L E S S than 3 m e te rs wi de ,
subject to special regulations and ordinances

Article 673
• A ri ght h a s b e e n a c q u i r e d to h a v e di re ct v i e w s – true se rv i tu de (restrai nt o r ab st e n ti on )

Article 674 Drainage

of Buildings
1. A person should let rain water fall on his own land and not on the adjacent land, even if he be a co-
owner of the latter
2. Rain water must be COLLECTED instead of just being allowed to drift to the adjacent or lower land

Article 675
• E a s e m e n t o f receivi ng w a t e r falling f r o m roofs – c o m p u l s o r y u p o n p a y m e n t of i n de m n i ty

Article 676
Conditions
1. Because of the enclosure, there is no adequate outlet for the rain water
2. The outlet must be at the point of easiest egress
3. Least possible damage
4. Payment of proper indemnity

Article 677
• N O constructi ons n e a r forti fi ed pl ac e s o r fortre sses

Article 678
Construction of Aqueduct, Wells, Sewers, Etc
• F o l l o w t h e di st an ce s p r e s c r i b e d b y th e re gu l a ti on s a n d c u s t o m s , o f th e r e b e a n y , o t h e r w i s e t a k e
precaution
• N o w ai v e r or alterati on b y sti pulati on is al l ow e d
• A violator is liable for d a m a g e s

Article 679
Rules in planting of trees (distances)
1. Follow ordinances
2. Then customs
3. If both are not present, follow the minimum:
a. Tall trees – 2 meters from boundary to center of tree
b. Small trees or shrubs – 50 cm
• E x p e c t e d n at ur al h e i g h t is t he cri te ri on
• R e m e d y for vi ol ati on: d e m a n d u pr o oti ng o f tree o r s h r u b

Article 680
Rules on Intrusion or Extensions of branches and roots
• B r a n c h e s – ri ght to d e m a n d that t h e y b e cu t o ff
• R oo ts – m a y cut t h e m off hi mself
Prescription
• B r a n c h e s – d o e s N O T pre scri be if tole rate d b y i nv a d e d o w n e r ; if d e m a n d is m a d e , prescripti on r u n s
from the date of demand
• R o o t s – im prescripti bl e unl e ss notari al prohibiti on i s m a d e
• R i g h t o f th e o w n e r o f th e tree- t o c ut th e tre e h i m s e l f
Article 681
Rules as to fruits
• If sti ll h a n g s o n th e tree – o w n e d b y th e tree o w n e r
• If natural ly fal len – be l on g to the o w n e r o f the i nv a de d l a n d

Article 682
Easement against nuisance
Remedies:
1. If public nuisance
a. Prosecution under the Penal Code or any local ordinance
b. Civil action
c. Abatement, without judicial proceedings
2. If private nuisance
a. Civil action
b. Abatement, without judicial proceedings

Article 683
• F a c t o r i e s a n d s h o p s m a y b e m a i n t a i n e d p r o v i d e d t h e l e ast p o s s i b l e a n n o y a n c e i s c a u s e d t o t h e
neighborhood

Article 684
Lateral and Subjacent support
• Lateral – both the land being supported an d the supported land are on the s a m e plane
• S u b j a c e n t – s u p p o r t e d l a n d is a b o v e t h e s u p p o r ti n g l a n d
Remedies for infraction:
• Injuncti on
• Damages

Article 685
• A n y sti pulati on a l l o wi ng e x cav ati o n that ca us e da ng e r to a n adjace nt l a n d or bui lding i s V O I D

Article 686
• Applicability to future constructi ons

Article 687
• Noti fy o w n e r s o f adj ace nt l and of a n y e xcav ati on
• N oti c e is N o t re qui re d if the re is actual k n o w l e d g e o f the e x cav ati o n
• If th e r e b e noti ce , e x c a v a ti o n s h o u l d n o t d e p r i v e t h e o th e r o w n e r s o f l ate ral a n d s u b j a c e n t s u p p o r t
• N o ti c e i s r e q ui re d to e n a b l e ad j o i n i n g o w n e r s to t ak e p r o p e r p re ca uti o n

Article 688
Kinds of Voluntary Easements:
1. Predial – for the benefit of an estate
2. Personal
• O n l y th e o w n e r or s o m e o n e else, i n th e n a m e o f a n d w i t h authori ty o f t he o w n e r m a y e stabl i sh a
voluntary predial servitude – fro this is an act of ownership
• Conse nt of usufructuary is ne eded to create perpetual voluntary e aseme nt
• If o w n e r w i t h a re so l u to r y ti tle o r a nn ul l a bl e o n e – e a s e m e n t d e e m e d e x ti n g u i s h e d at th e re sol uti on o r
annulment of right

Article 689
• N a k e d o w n e r m a y i m p o s e a n y se rvi tude w i t h o u t c o n s e n t o f the usufr uct, p r o v i d e d to i nj ury is suff e re d
by the latter

Article 690
Rules when usufruct exists
• T h e be ne fi ci al o w n e r (u su f ru c t) m a y b y h i m s e l f cre ate a t e m p o r a r y e a s e m e n t c o m p a ti b l e w i t h th e
extent of his beneficial dominion
• If e a s e m e n t i s p e r p e t u a l – b o t h be ne fi c i al a n d n a k e d o w n e r s m u s t c o n s e n t

Article 691
• C o n s e n t o f all c o - o w n e r s a r e re qui re d t o i m p o s e
• C o n s e n t n e e d n o t b e s i m ul t a n e o u s , m a y b e g i v e n s u c c e s s i v e l y
 • C o n s e n t g i v e n c a n n o t later o n b e r e v o k e d
• C o n s e n t g i v e n is bi nd i n g u p o n su cc e s so r s
Article 692
Governing rules for voluntary easements
• If create d b y ti tle (contract, will, etc.) – ti tle gov e rns. Ci vil c o d e is
suppl etory.
• If pre scri pti on – the f o r m a n d m a n n e r it w a s acqui re d. Civil c o d e is
suppl etory.
• If cre ate d b y pre scri pti on i n a pr op e r c a s e – f o r m a n d m a n n e r o f
posse ssi on. Ci v i l c o d e is suppl e tory .

Article 693
• S e r v i e n t e s ta te h a s b o u n d itsel f t o p a y f o r t h e m a i n t e n a n c e o f t h e
easement – m a y renounce the
property to the owner of the dominant estate
• R e n o u n c e o n l y th e pa rt aff e c te d b y t he e a s e m e n t , if w h o l e p r o p e r t y i s
aff e ct e d t h e w h o l e p r o p e r t y
should be renounced
• R e nu nc i a ti on i s m a d e : m u s t c o m p l y w i t h the p ro pe r juridical f o r m for the transm i ssi on o f
ownership