Kinds of Obligation

1. Alternative Obligation

The most basic definition of alternative obligation is an obligation in which only one of two or
more prestation is due. Ana, for example, borrowed P30,000 from Ben. Ana could fulfill her
responsibility by providing Ben P30,000, a new laptop, or by painting Ben's house, according to
both parties. It is sufficient to meet the obligation by delivering the P30,000, a new laptop, or by
painting Ben's house. The performance has to be completed. Ben cannot be forced to accept, for
example, P15,000 and half of a new laptop, creating joint ownership, or P15,000 and the
painting of a portion of his property.

2. Joint Obligation

A joint obligation is a whole obligation that must be shared or met proportionately by many
debtors or creditors. A simple example of this type of obligation is when X and Y are jointly liable
for P2,000,000 and are joint debtors of A, B, C, and D. Only P250,000 from X and P250,000 from
Y may be demanded by A. The rights of B, C, D, and E are the same as those of A.

Extinguishment of Obligation

1. Condonation

D owes C P1,000.00 evidenced by a

promissory note. The
note, signed by D, is given to C. If the
promissory note is voluntarily
delivered to D, the presumption is that the
debt must have been
paid by D. If it is known that D
has not yet paid C, it must be
presumed that the obligation has been
remitted by C. Suppose it is
not known how D came into possession of
the promissory note. The
presumption is that it was voluntarily
delivered by C, unless C proves
the contrary.
Condonation is the renunciation of the primary debts will abolish the accessory obligations,
while the waiver of the latter will not affect the former. If the debt has not yet been paid, the
creditor will want the document in order to pursue payment. A promissory note shows that Y
owes X P1,000. X receives the signed note from Y. The obligation is presumed to have been paid
by Y if the promissory note is willingly given to him. If it is known that Y has not yet paid X, it
must be assumed that X has fulfilled the obligation. Assume no one knows how Y got his hands
on the promissory note. Unless X establishes otherwise, it is assumed that it was delivered freely
by X.

2. Loss of the thing due/Impossibility of Performance

The obligation that consists in the delivery of a specific object shall be terminated if it is lost or
destroyed without the debtor's fault and before he has suffered delay, according to the phrase
itself. A simple example is when Karl borrowed Kyle's motorcycle. Karl's house was damaged by
an earthquake on the due date of the obligation. Kyle's motorcycle happened to be in the home
at the time of the incident. As a result, Karl is not accountable unless Kyle can show Karl's
negligence.