CASE NO.

19
GR 144274, SEPTEMBER 20, 2004
NOSTRADAMUS VILLANUEVA VS. DOMINGO
FACTS: 
 Respondent Domingo is the registered owner of a Silver Mitsubishi Lancer
Car.
 Petitioner Villanueva is the registered owner of a Green Mitsubishi Lancer
car. 
 While being driven by Leandro Domingo, cruising along the South
Superhighway, the Silver Lacer car was hit on the front left portion by the
Green Lancer car, driven by Renato Dela Cruz Ocfemia. 
 This resulted in the Silver Lancer car hitting 2 parked vehicles and the Green
Lancer hit another car parked in front of it. 
 The driver of the Green Mitsubishi Lancer was driving under the influence
of alcohol as well as driving with an expired license.
 Petitioner Villanueva stated that he was not the owner of the car during the
accident since he traded the Green Lancer for a Pajero owned by Jaucian
 Jaucian on the other hand stated that he could not be held subsidiarily liable
for the actions of Ocfemia, since he was not the registered owner of the
Green Lancer

ISSUE:
 Whether or not the authorization of the registered owner of a vehicle
removes from him the liability caused by the damages done by his vehicle.

HELD:
 The Supreme Court held in the negative. The purpose of registration of a
vehicle is to permit the use of the vehicle upon any public highway and
roads. It is used to identify the owner of the vehicle in case of any accidents
or any other damages it may cause to the public. The authorization of the
registered owner to a driver, in this specific case, is irrelevant in determining
the liability of the owner, who is primarily liable for any accident and
damage it may result into. The fact that Petitioner Villanueva voluntarily
delivered the car to Jaucian is a clear indication that his car was not stolen,
which is the only exception to the registered owner rule.