Professional Documents
Culture Documents
dismiss? (5%)
Debra, Daniel, and Debbie filed their answer, and (c) Can the facts subject of an unanswered request
raised the affirmative defense that, while the PN for admission be the basis of a summary
and the surety agreement appeared to exist, judgment? (2.5%)
Daniel and Debbie were uncertain whether the
signatures on the documents were theirs. The PN
and the surety agreement were pre-marked during VII
pre-trial, identified but not authenticated during Dory Enterprises Inc. (Dory) leased to Digna
trial, and formally offered. Corporation (Digna) a parcel of land located in
Diliman, Quezon City. During the term of the lease,
Can the RTC of Manila consider the PN and the Digna was informed by DBS Banking Corporation
surety agreement in rendering its decision? (5%) (DBS) that it had acquired the leased property
from the former owner Dory, and required Digna
to pay the rentals directly to it. Digna promptly
VI informed Dory of DBS' claim of ownership. In
Daribell Inc. (Daribell) filed a complaint for sum of response, Dory insisted on its right to collect rent
money and damages against spouses Dake and on the leased property.
Donna Demapilis for unpaid purchases of
construction materials in the sum of PhP 250,000. Due to conflicting claims of Dory and DBS over the
In their answer, spouses Demapilis admitted the rental payments, Digna filed a complaint for
purchases from Daribell, but alleged that they interpleader in the RTC of Manila. Digna prayed
could not remember the exact amount since no that it be allowed to consign in court the
copies of the documents were attached to the succeeding monthly rentals, and that Dory and
complaint. They nevertheless claimed that they DBS be required to litigate their conflicting claims.
made previous payments in the amounts of PhP It later appeared that an action for nullification of
110,000 and PhP 20,000 and that they were willing a dacion en pago was filed by Dory against DBS in
to pay the balance of their indebtedness after the RTC of Quezon City. In said case, Dory raised
account verification. In a written manifestation, the issue as to which of the two (2) corporations
spouses Demapilis stated that, in order to buy had a better right to the rental payments. Dory
peace, they were willing to pay the sum of PhP argued that, to avoid conflicting decisions, the
250,000, but without interests and costs. interpleader case must be dismissed.
Subsequently, Daribell filed a motion for partial
Does the action for nullification of the dacion en No. 777 which the RTC granted. Thus, unknown to
pago bar the filing of the interpleader case? (2.5%) Dempsey, Daria was able to secure a new TCT in
her name.
In his answer, Doy Dogan raised, by way of (a) Was the challenge to the validity of the arrest
affirmative defense, that the purchase price had timely raised? (2.5%)
been fully paid and for this reason the complaint
should have been dismissed. Spouses Dumdum (b) What is the remedy available to Daryll, if any,
then filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings to be able to file an appeal? (2.5%)
which was granted by the RTC of Dapitan City. The
Court awarded PhP1 .5 million actual damages
representing the balance of the purchase price, XI
PhP 200,000 as moral damages, PhP 200,000 as In 2007, Court of Appeals Justice (CA Justice) Dread
exemplary damages, PhP 90,000 as interest, PhP Dong (J. Dong) was appointed to the Supreme
50,000 as attorney's fees, and PhP 5,000 as cost of Court (Court) as Associate Justice. Immediately
suit. after the appointment was announced, several
groups questioned his qualification to the position
Was it proper for the RTC of Dapitan City to grant on the ground that he was not a natural born
the motion for judgment on the pleadings? (2.5%) Filipino citizen. In the same year, the Court issued
an Order enjoining him from accepting the
appointment or assuming the position and
IX discharging the functions of his office until he is
In 2015, Dempsey purchased from Daria a parcel able to successfully complete all the necessary
of land located in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. steps to show that he is a natural born citizen of
The latter executed a deed of absolute sale and the Philippines. However, he continued to exercise
handed to Dempsey the owner's duplicate copy of his functions as CA Justice.
TCT No. 777 covering the property. Since he was
working in Manila and still had to raise funds to Since the qualification of a natural born citizen
cover taxes, registration and transfer costs, applies as well to CA Justices, Atty. Dacio, a
Dempsey kept the TCT in his possession without practicing lawyer, asked the Office of the Solicitor
having transferred it to his name. A few years General (OSG), through a verified request, to
thereafter, when he already had the funds to pay initiate a quo warranto proceeding against J. Dong
for the transfer costs, Dempsey went to the in the latter's capacity as incumbent CA Justice.
Register of Deeds of Dumaguete and discovered The OSG refused to initiate the action on the
that, after the sale, Daria had filed a petition for ground that the issue of J. Dong's citizenship was
reconstitution of the owner's duplicate copy of TCT still being litigated in another case.
and (iv) that before dying, Drew signed a
When the OSG refused to initiate a quo statement in which he identified Denny as the
warranto proceeding, Atty. Dacio filed a petition shooter.
for certiorari against the OSG and certiorari and
prohibition against J. Dong. The petition Is the proposed testimony of Danilo admissible?
for certiorari against the OSG alleged that the OSG (2.5%)
committed grave abuse of discretion when it
deferred the filing of a quo warranto proceeding
against J. Dong, while the petition
for certiorari and prohibition against J. Dong asked
the Court to order him to cease and desist from
further exercising his powers, duties and XIV
responsibilities as CA Justice. In both instances, Dave is on trial for sexual assault of Delly, a law
Atty. Dacio relied on the fact that, at the lime of J. student who sidelines as a call center agent. Dave
Dong's appointment as CA Justice, his birth offers the testimony of Danny, who says that Dave
certificate indicated that he was a Chinese citizen is known in the community as a decent and
and his bar records showed that he was a discerning person. The prosecution presents a
naturalized Filipino citizen. rebuttal witness, Dovie, who testifies that, if Dave
was reputed to be a good person, that reputation
(a) May the OSG be compelled, in an action was a misperception because Dave had been
for certiorari, to initiate a quo previously convicted of homicide.
warranto proceeding against J. Dong? (2.5%)
Is Dovie's testimony admissible as to the character
(b) Does Atty. Dacio have the legal personality to of Dave? (2.5%)
initiate the action for certiorari and prohibition
against J. Dong? (2.5%)
XV
Atty. Dalmacio, the Director of the National Bureau
XII of Investigation, applied for a search warrant
Dodo was knocked unconscious in a fist fight with before the Executive Judge of RTC Manila. He
Dindo. He was rushed to the emergency room of alleged in his application that a certain alias Django
the Medical City where he was examined and was keeping about 10 kilos of shabu in a wooden
treated by Dr. Datu. As he was being examined, a cabinet located at Dillian's Store in Paseo de Sta.
plastic sachet appearing to contain shabu fell from Rosa, Laguna. The Executive Judge of Manila
Dodo's jacket which was on a chair beside him. personally examined Atty. Dalmacio and his
Dodo was thus arrested by the same policemen witnesses and thereafter issued the search
who assisted him to the hospital. At Dodo's trial, warrant particularly describing the place to be
the public prosecutor called Dr. Datu to the searched and the items to be seized.
witness stand. When the public prosecutor asked
Or. Datu as to what he saw in the emergency (a) Can the search warrant issued by the Executive
room, Dodo's counsel objected, claiming doctor- Judge of Manila be enforced in Laguna? (2.5%)
patient privilege rule.
(b) Can the legal concept of "venue is
How would you rule on the objection? (2.5%) jurisdictional" be validly raised in applications for
search warrants? (2.5%)
XIII
Denny is on trial for homicide. The prosecution XVI
calls Danilo, a police officer, who interviewed the Danjo, a stay-in gardener at the Dy family home in
victim, Drew, shortly after the shooting. Danila's Quezon City, applied for overseas employment in
testimony is being offered by the prosecution for Riyadh as a flower arranger. After he left for
purposes of proving that (i) Drew is now dead; (ii) abroad, Dino Dy, head of the family, discovered
while in the emergency room, Drew was posting that all his wristwatches were missing. Dino
his medical condition on Facebook and was "liking" followed Danjo's lnstagram account and in one
the posts of his Facebook friends; (iii) Drew asked instance saw Danjo wearing his Rolex watch. He
the nurse for water but was refused because he filed a complaint for qualified theft against Danjo
was bleeding, which subsequently angered Drew; with the Office of the Prosecutor (OP), Quezon
City. The subpoena with the affidavit-complaint particulars by the Republic, Demo filed a motion to
was served on Denden, Danjo's wife, at their dismiss arguing that the answers in the bill of
house. No counter-affidavit was filed by Danjo who particulars were indefinite and deficient responses
continued to work in Riyadh. After conducting a to the question of what the alleged illegally
preliminary investigation, the OP found probable acquired funds or properties of Demo were. The
cause against Danjo and subsequently filed the Sandiganbayan dismissed the case.
information for qualified theft before the RTC of
Quezon City. The court likewise found probable (a) Was the Sandiganbayan correct in dismissing
cause and issued in 2016 a warrant for Danjo's the case? (2.5%)
arrest.
(b) What can the defendant, in a civil case, do in
Danjo was repatriated to the Philippines in 2018. the event that his motion for bill of particulars is
While Danjo was lurking outside the Dys' house, denied? (2.5%)
which was only about 100 meters away from the XIX
police station, SPO1 Dody recognized Danjo. Drylvik, a German national, married Dara, a
Realizing that the police station had a copy of Filipina, in Dusseldorf, Germany. When the
Danjo's warrant of arrest, SPO1 Dody immediately marriage collapsed, Dara filed a petition for
pursued and arrested Danjo. declaration of nullity of marriage before the RTC of
Manila. Drylvik, on the other hand, was able to
(a) Was the warrant of arrest issued against Danjo obtain a divorce decree from the German Family
who was not in the Philippines valid? (2.5%) Court. The decree, in essence, states:
(b) Can the warrant of arrest be served on Danjo The marriage of the Parties contracted on xxx
upon his return? (2.5%) before the Civil Registrar of Dusseldorf is hereby
dissolved. The parental custody of the children
Diktor and Daus is granted to the father.
XVII Drylvik filed a motion to dismiss in the RTC of
Don Deles, a contractor, was sued together with Manila on the ground that the court no longer had
Mayor Dante Dungo and Congressman Dal Dilim jurisdiction over the matter as a decree of divorce
for malversation of public funds before the Office had already been promulgated dissolving his
of the Ombudsman. Danny Din, a material witness marriage to Dara. Dara objected, saying that while
of the complainant Diego Domingo, was hired as she was not challenging the divorce decree, the
an engineer by a construction company in Qatar, case in the RTC still had to proceed for the purpose
and had to depart in two (2) months. To of determining the issue of the children's custody.
perpetuate Danny Din's testimony, Diego Domingo Drylvik counters that the issue had been disposed
applied for his conditional examination before the of in the divorce decree, thus constituting res
Sandiganbayan. judicata.
Should the application for conditional examination (a) Should Drylvik's motion to dismiss be granted?
of Danny Din be granted? (2.5%) (2.5%)
XXI
The municipality of Danao, Cebu was a quiet and
peaceful town until a group of miners from
Denmark visited the area and discovered that it
was rich in nickel. In partnership with the
municipal mayor, the Danish miners had to flatten
10 hectares of forest land by cutting all the trees
before starting their mining operations. The local
DENR, together with the Samahan Laban sa
Sumisira sa Kalikasan, filed a petition for writ
of kalikasan against the municipal mayor and the
Danish miners in the RTC of Cebu.
XXII
Danica obtained a personal loan of PhP 180,000
from Dinggoy, payable in 18 equal monthly
installments of PhP 10,000 until fully paid. In order
to complete her payment at an earlier date, Danica
instead paid PhP 20,000 monthly, and continued
doing so until the 15th month, which payments
Dinggoy all accepted. Later on, she realized that
she had overpaid Dinggoy by 100% as she should
have already completed payment in nine (9)
months. She demanded the return of the excess
payment, but Dinggoy completely ignored her.
Thus, Danica availed of the Rules of Procedure for
Small Claims Cases by filing before the Municipal
Trial Court (MTC) a statement of claim, together
with the required documents.
II
Rico, a hit man, positioned himself at the rooftop
of a nearby building of a bank, to serve as a
lookout for Red and Rod while the two were
robbing the bank, as the three of them had
previously planned. Ramiro, a policeman,
responded to the reported robbery. Rico saw
Ramiro and, to eliminate the danger of Red and
Rod being caught, pulled the trigger of his rifle,
intending to kill Ramiro. He missed as Ramiro
slipped and fell down to the ground. Instead, a
CRIMINAL LAW (2018) woman depositor who was coming out of the bank
was fatally shot. After their apprehension, Rico,
Red, and Rod were charged with the special
I
complex crime of robbery with homicide. Rico's
Roberto and Ricardo have had a long-standing
defense was that he never intended to shoot and
dispute regarding conflicting claims over the
kill the woman, only Ramiro. Red and Rod's
ownership of a parcel of land. One night, Roberto
defense was that they were not responsible for the
was so enraged that he decided to kill Ricardo.
death of the woman as they had no participation
Roberto asked his best friend, Rafael, to lend him a
therein.
gun and drive him to Ricardo's house. Rafael knew
about Roberto's plan to kill Ricardo, but agreed to
(a) Is Rico's defense meritorious? (2.5%)
lend him a gun nevertheless. Rafael also drove
Roberto to the street corner nearest the house of
(b) Is Red and Rod's defense meritorious? (2.5%)
Ricardo. Rafael waited for him there, until the task
had been accomplished, so that he could drive
Roberto to the next town to evade arrest. Roberto
III
also asked another friend, Ruel, to stand guard
On February 5, 2017, Rho Rio Fraternity held
outside Ricardo's house, for the purpose of
initiation rites. Present were: (i) Redmont, the Lord
warning him in case there was any danger or
Chancellor and head of the fraternity; (ii) ten (10)
possible witnesses, and to keep other persons
members, one (1) of whom was Ric, and (iii) five
away from the vicinity. All three - Roberto, Rafael
(5) neophytes, one (1) of whom was Ronald.
and Ruel - agreed to the plan and their respective
Absent were: (i) Rollie, the fraternity's Vice
roles.
Chancellor and who actually planned the initiation;
and (ii) Ronnie, the owner of the house where the
On the agreed date, Rafael drove Roberto and Ruel
initiation was conducted.
to the nearest corner near Ricardo's house.
Roberto and Ruel walked about 50 meters where
Due to the severe beating suffered by Ronald on
Ruel took his post as guard, and Roberto walked
that occasion, he lost consciousness and was
about five (5) meters more, aimed the gun at
brought to the nearest hospital by Redmont and
Ricardo's bedroom, and peppered it with bullets.
Ric. However, Ronald was declared dead on arrival
When he thought that he had accomplished his
at the hospital.
plan, Roberto ran away, followed by Ruel, and
together they rode in Rafael's car where they
During the investigation of the case, it was found
drove to the next town to spend the night there. It
out that, although Ronald really wanted to join the
turned out that Ricardo was out of town when the
fraternity because his father is also a member of
incident happened, and no one was in his room at
the same fraternity, it was his best friend Ric who
the time it was peppered with bullets. Thus, no
ultimately convinced him to join the fraternity and,
one was killed or injured during the incident.
as a prerequisite thereto, undergo initiation. It was
also shown that Redmont and Ric did not actually
(a) Was a crime committed? If yes, what is/are the
participate in the beating of the neophytes
crime/s committed (2.5%); and
(hazing). The two (2) either merely watched the
hazing or helped in preparing food. And, lastly, two
(2) days prior thereto, Ronnie texted Rollie that (b) Will your answer in (a) be the same if the victim
the fraternity may use his house as the venue for is a 15-year old lass who was enticed, through
the planned initiation. cunning and deceit of Romy, to voluntarily go to
the house of Robert where the latter subsequently
Aside from those who actually participated in the had carnal knowledge with her? (2.5%)
hazing, Redmont, Rollie, Ric, and Ronnie were
criminally charged for the hazing of Ronald that
resulted in the latter's death. VI
A group of homeless and destitute persons
(a) Are the four criminally liable? (2.5%) invaded and occupied the houses built by the
National Housing Authority (NHA) for certain
(b) Can all those criminally charged be exonerated military personnel. To gain entry to the houses, the
upon proof that Ronald, knowing the risks, group intimidated the security guards posted at
voluntarily submitted himself to the initiation? Will the entrance gate with the firearms they were
the absence of proof that the accused intended to carrying and destroyed the padlocks of the doors
kill the victim affect their liability? (2.5%) of the houses with the use of crowbars and
hammers. They claimed that they would occupy
the houses and live therein because the houses
IV were idle and they were entitled to free housing
On the way home from work, Rica lost her from the government.
necklace to a snatcher. A week later, she saw what
looked like her necklace on display in a jewelry For the reason that the houses were already
store in Raon. Believing that the necklace on awarded to military personnel who have been
display was the same necklace snatched from her found to have fully complied with the
the week before, she surreptitiously took the requirements for the award thereof, NHA
necklace without the knowledge and consent of demanded the group to vacate within ten (10)
the store owner. Later, the loss of the necklace days from notice the houses they occupied and
was discovered, and Rica was shown on the CCTV were still occupying. Despite the lapse of the
camera of the store as the culprit. Accordingly, deadline, the group refused to vacate the houses
Rica was charged with theft of the necklace. Rica in question.
raised the defense that she could not be guilty as
charged because she was the owner of the What is the criminal liability of the members of the
necklace and that the element of intent to gain group, if any, for their actions? (5%)
was lacking.
(a) Can he be held liable under both actions? Are the indictments correct? (5%)
(2.5%)
XII
Orphaned when still an infant, Rocky lived under
the care of his grandmother Rosario. Now 18, (b) Will the testimony of General Riturban,
Rocky entered Rosario's bedroom who was then assuming he can testify on acts within his personal
outside doing her daily marketing. He ransacked knowledge, be sufficient to convict the Ratute
the bedroom and took Rosario's money and brothers, Ricalde, and Riboli? (2.5%)
valuables amounting to PhP100,000.
Ricalde and Riboli were charged with conspiracy to (a) Can Robin and Rowell be prosecuted for use of
commit treason. During the hearing of the two dangerous drugs for their one-night use of these
cases, the government only presented as witness, products in Amsterdam? (2.5%)
General Riturban, who testified on the activities of
the Ratute brothers, Ricalde, and Riboli. (b) Can they be prosecuted for importation of
dangerous drugs? (2.5%)
(a) Can Ricalde and Riboli be convicted of the
crime of conspiracy to commit treason? (2.5%)
(c) If found liable under either (a) or (b) above, Rona, who was born on March 1, 2014. However,
what is the penalty that may be imposed on them? the partners' relationship became sour when
(2.5%) Ruben began indulging in vices, such as women
and alcohol, causing frequent arguments between
(d) Can Roccino be prosecuted for the act of them. Their relationship got worse when, even for
accessing and sharing on Facebook the private slight mistakes, Ruben would lay his hands on
pictures sent by PM to his brother? If yes, for what Rorie. One day, a tipsy Ruben barged into their
crime? (2.5%) house and, for no reason, repeatedly punched
Rorie in the stomach. To avoid further harm, Rorie
ran out of the house. But Ruben pursued her and
XV stripped her naked in full view of their neighbors;
During the presentation of the prosecution's and then he vanished.
evidence, Reichter was called to the witness stand
with the stated purpose that he would testify that Ten days later, Ruben came back to Rorie and
his wife Rima had shot him in the stomach with pleaded for forgiveness. However, Rorie expressed
a .38 caliber pistol, resulting in near fatal injuries. her wish to live separately from Ruben and asked
Upon objection of the defense on the ground of him to continue providing financial support for
the marital disqualification rule, the presiding their daughter Rona. At that time, Ruben was
judge (Judge Rossano) disallowed Reichter from earning enough to support a family. He threatened
testifying in the case. Its motion for to withdraw the support he was giving to Rona
reconsideration having been denied, the People of unless Rorie would agree to live with him again.
the Philippines went up on certiorari to the Court But Rorie was steadfast in refusing to live with
of Appeals (CA) questioning Judge Rossano's Ruben again, and insisted on her demand for
ruling. support for Rona. As the ex-lovers could not reach
an agreement, no further support was given by
After due proceedings, the CA rendered judgment Ruben.
declaring Judge Rossano's ruling void ab initio for
having been made with grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and What crimes did Ruben commit:
directing Judge Rossano to allow Reichter to testify
in the criminal case for the stated purpose. This is (a) For beating and humiliating Rorie? (2.5%)
based on the fact that the marital privilege rule
does not apply where a spouse committed the (b) For withdrawing support for Rona? (2.5%)
crime against the other.
XVIII
Mrs. Robinson is a teacher at an elementary
school. In one of her classes, she found, to her
consternation, that an 8-year old Richard was
always the cause of distraction, as he was fond of
bullying classmates smaller in size than him.
One morning, Reymart, a 7-year old pupil, cried
loudly and complained to Mrs. Robinson that
Richard had boxed him on the ear. Confronted by
Mrs. Robinson about Reymart's accusation,
Richard sheepishly admitted the same. Because of
this, Mrs. Robinson ordered Richard to lie face
down on a desk during class. After Richard obliged,
Mrs. Robinson hit him ten (10) times on the legs
with a ruler and pinched his ears. Richard ran
home and reported to his mother what he had
suffered at the hands of Mrs. Robinson. When
Richard's parents went to Mrs. Robinson to
complain, she interposed the defense that she
amount owed under the trust receipt. YBM
thereafter commenced the following:
II
Yolanda executed and signed a promissory note
with all the requisites for negotiability being
present, except for the amount which was left
blank. She kept the promissory note in her desk
and decided to place the amount at a later date.
The indicated payee, Yohann, managed to obtain
the promissory note from Yolanda's desk and filled
out the amount for the sum of PhP 10 million,
MERCANTILE LAW (2018) which was the amount actually lent by him to
Yolanda, but excluding the agreed interest. Yohann
later endorsed and delivered the check to Yvette,
I
under circumstances that would constitute the
Yeti Export Corporation (YEC), thru its President,
latter to be a holder in due course.
negotiated for Yahoo Bank of Manila {YBM) to
issue a letter of credit to course the importation of
(a) May Yvette hold Yolanda liable on the note?
electronic parts from China to be sold and
(2.5%)
distributed to various electronic manufacturing
companies in Manila. YBM issued the letter of
(b) Would your answer be the same if the
credit and forwarded it to its correspondent bank,
promissory note was actually completed by
Yunan Bank (YB) of Beijing, to notify the Chinese
Yolanda (including the amount of PhP 10 million),
exporters to submit the bill of lading in the name
but stolen from her desk by Yohann? Can Yvette
of YBM covering the goods to be exported to
enforce the note against Yolanda? (2.5%)
Manila and to pay the Chinese exporters the
purchase price upon verification of the
authenticity of the shipping documents.
III
On November 23, 2017, Yas Ysmael (Ysmael)
The electronic parts arrived in the Port of Manila,
loaned the amount of PhP 5 million to Yarn &
and YBM released them to the custody of YEC as
Thread Corporation (YTC), through its President,
an entrustee under a trust receipt. When YEC
Ylmas Yektas (Yektas), which loan was evidenced
unpacked the imported parts in its warehouse, it
by a Promissory Note (PN), which reads as follows:
found that they were not only of inferior quality
but also did not fit the descriptions contained in Date: _______
the bill of lading. YEC refused to pay YBM the
Within one year from date hereof, I promise to (e) The PN .is void for being in violation of the
pay to the order of YAS YSMAEL, the sum of PhP 5 Usury Law seeking interest at an unconscionable
million with interest at 120% per annum. rate of 120% p.a.
(a) Can YBC Bank unilaterally increase the interest (a) Can Aling Voling successfully obtain court relief
rates on the loan? (2.5%) to prohibit Aling Yasmin from using the brand
name "Ysmaellas" in her products on the basis of
(b) Is YBC Bank a mortgagee buyer in good faith? Is her (Aling Yoling's) copyright? What is the
it preferred over Mr. Yamsuan? (2.5%) difference between registration as a copyright and
registration as a trade or brand name? (2.5%)
XVIII
Through various acts of graft and bribery, Mayor
Ycasiano accumulated a large amount of wealth
which he converted into U.S. dollars and deposited
in a Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) account
with the Yuen Bank (YB). On a tip given by the
secretary of the mayor, the Anti-Money
Laundering Council (AMLC) sent an order to YB to
confirm the amount of U.S. dollars that Mayor
Ycasiano had in his FCDU account. YB claims that,
under the Foreign Currency Deposit Act (R.A. No.
6426, as amended), a written permission from the
depositor is the only instance allowed for the
examination of FCDU accounts. YB alleges that
AMLC on its own cannot order a banking
institution to reveal matters relating to bank
accounts.
II
After finding out that his girlfriend Sandy was four
(4) months pregnant, Sancho married Sandy. Both
were single and had never been in any serious
relationship in the past. Prior to the marriage, they
agreed in a marriage settlement that the regime of
conjugal partnership of gains shall govern their
property relations during marriage. Shortly after
the marriage, their daughter, Shalimar, was born.
Before they met and got married, Sancho
purchased a parcel of land on installment, under a
Contract of Sale, with the full purchase price
payable in equal annual amortizations over a
period of ten (10) years, with no down payment,
and secured by a mortgage on the land. The full
purchase price was PhP1 million, with interest at
the rate of 6% per annum. After paying the fourth
(4th) annual installment, Sancho and Sandy got
married, and Sancho completed the payments in
the subsequent years from his salary as an
accountant. The previous payments were also paid
out of his salary. During their marriage, Sandy also
won PhP1 million in the lottery and used it to
purchase jewelry. When things didn't work out for
the couple, they filed an action for declaration of
nullity of their marriage based on the psychological
incapacity of both of them. When the petition was
granted, the parcel of land and the jewelry bought
CIVIL LAW (2018) by Sandy were found to be the only properties of
the couple.
VI
IV Sammy and Santi are cousins who separately
Severino died intestate, survived by his wife inherited two (2) adjoining lots from their
Saturnina, and legitimate children Soler, Sulpicio, grandfather. Sammy is based overseas but wants
Segundo and the twins Sandro and Sandra. At the to earn income from his inherited land, so he
asked a local contractor to build a row of to last until Sinforoso reaches the age of majority.
apartments on his property which he could rent Sabrina was given possession of the property on
out. The contractor sent him the plans and Sammy the basis of caucion juratoria. Two (2) years after
noticed that the construction encroached on a part the creation of the usufruct, the house accidentally
of Santi's land but he said nothing and gave burned down, and three (3) years thereafter,
approval to construct based on the plans Sinforoso died before he could reach the age of 18.
submitted by the local contractor. Santi, based
locally, and who loved his cousin dearly, did not Will the usufruct continue after the house has
object even if he knew of the encroachment since burned down? If yes, will it continue after
he was privy to the plans and visited the property Sinforoso's death? (2.5%)
regularly. Later, the cousins had a falling out and
Santi demanded that the portion of the
apartments that encroached on his land be IX
demolished. Newlyweds Sam and Sienna had contracted with
Sangria Hotel for their wedding reception. The
Can Santi successfully file legal action to require couple was so unhappy with the service, claiming,
the demolition? (5%) among other things, that there was an
unreasonable delay in the service of dinner and
that certain items promised were unavailable. The
VII hotel claims that, while there was a delay in the
Sydney, during her lifetime, was a successful service of the meals, the same was occasioned by
lawyer. By her own choice, she remained the sudden increase of guests to 450 from the
unmarried and devoted all her time to taking care guaranteed expected number of 350, as stated in
of her nephew and two (2) nieces: Socrates, the Banquet and Meeting Services Contract. In the
Saffinia, and Sophia. She wrote a will giving all her action for damages for breach of contract
properties remaining upon her death to the three instituted by the couple, they claimed that the
(3) of them. The will was admitted to probate Banquet and Meeting Services Contract was a
during her lifetime. Later, she decided to make a contract of adhesion since they only provided the
new will giving all her remaining properties only to number of guests and chose the menu. On the
the two (2) girls, Saffinia and Sophia. She then tore other hand, the hotel's defense was that the
up the previously probated will. The second will proximate cause of the complainant's injury was
was presented for probate only after her death. the unexpected increase in their guests, and this
However, the probate court found the second will was what set the chain of events that resulted in
to be void for failure to comply with formal the alleged inconveniences.
requirements.
(a) Does the doctrine of proximate cause apply in
(a) Will the doctrine of dependent relative this case? (2.5%)
revocation apply? (2.5%)
(b) Was the Banquet and Meeting Services
(b) Will your answer be the same if the second will Contract a contract of adhesion? If yes, is the
was found to be valid but both Saffinia and Sophia contract void? (2.5%)
renounce their inheritance? (2.5%)
VIII
Sofronio was a married father of two when he had X
a brief fling with Sabrina, resulting in her Sinclair and Steffi had an illicit relationship while
pregnancy and the birth of their son Sinforoso. Sinclair was married to another. The relationship
Though his wife knew nothing of the affair, produced a daughter Sabina, who grew up with
Sofronio regretted it, but secretly provided child her mother. For most parts of Sabina's youth, Steffi
support for Sinforoso. Unfortunately, when spent for her support and education. When Sabina
Sinforoso was 10 years old, Sofronio died. Only was 21 years old, Sinclair's wife of many years
Sofronio's father, Salumbides, knew of Sabrina and died. Sinclair and Steffi lost no time in legitimizing
Sinforoso. For the purpose of providing support to their relationship. After the 40-day prayers for
Sinforoso, Salumbides gave Sabrina usufructruary · Sinclair's late wife, Sinclair and Steffi got married
rights over one of his properties - a house and lot -
without a marriage license, claiming that they have suspected Saachi to be. the impostor, and filed a
been cohabiting for the last 20 years. criminal case of estafa against him. While the case
After graduating from college, Sabina decided to was still pending with the Prosecutor's office, the
enroll in law school. Sinclair said that he was not bank took over Saachi's savings deposit on the
willing to pay for her school fees since she was no basis of the Holdout Agreement.
longer a minor. Sinclair claimed that, if Sabina
wanted to be a lawyer, she had to work and spend (a) What kind of contract is created when a
for her law education. depositor opens a deposit account with a bank?
(2.5%)
(a) What is Sabina's filiation status? (2.5%)
(b) In this case, did the bank have the right to take
(b) Is Sinclair legally required to finance Sabina's over Saachi's bank deposit? (2.5%)
law education? (2.5%)
XIV
XI Socorro is the registered owner of Lot A while
Samantha sold all her business interest in a sole Segunda is the registered owner of the adjoining
proprietorship to Sergio for the amount of PhP1 Lot B. Lot A is located at an elevated plateau of
million. Under the sale agreement, Samantha was about 15 feet above the level of Lot B. Since
supposed to pay for all prior unpaid utility bills Socorro was allegedly removing portions of the
incurred by the sole proprietorship. A month after land and cement that supported the adjoining
the Contract to Sell was executed, Samantha still property, Segunda caused the annotation of an
had not paid the PhP50,000 electricity bills adverse claim against 50 sq. m. on Lot A's Transfer
incurred prior to the sale. Since Sergio could not Certificate of Title, asserting the existence of a
operate the business without electricity and the legal easement.
utility company refused to restore electricity
services unless the unpaid bills were settled in full, (a) Does a legal easement in fact exist? If so, what
Sergio had to pay the unpaid electricity bills. When kind? (2.5%)
the date for payment arrived, Sergio only tendered
PhP950,000 representing the full purchase price, (b) If a legal easement does in fact exist, is an
less the amount he paid for the unpaid utility bills. annotation of an adverse claim on the title of the
Samantha refused to accept the tender on the servient estate proper? (2.5%)
ground that she was the one supposed to pay the
bills and Sergio did not have authorization to pay
on her behalf. XV
Simon owned a townhouse that he rented out to
(a) What is the effect of payment made by Sergio Shannon, a flight attendant with Soleil Philippine
without the knowledge and consent of Samantha? Airlines (SPA). They had no written contract but
(2.5%) merely agreed on a three (3)-year lease. Shannon
had been using the townhouse as her base in
(b) Is Samantha guilty of mora accipiendi? (2.5%) Manila and had been paying rentals for more than
a year when she accepted a better job offer from
Sing Airlines. This meant that Singapore was going
XII to be her new base and so she decided, without
Saachi opened a savings bank account with informing Simon, to sublease the townhouse to
Shanghainese Bank. He made an initial deposit of Sylvia, an office clerk in SPA.
PhP100,000. Part of the bank opening forms that
he was required to sign when he opened the (a) Can Simon compel Shannon to reduce the lease
account was a Holdout Agreement which provided agreement into writing? (2.5%)
that, should he incur any liability or obligation to
the bank, the bank shall have the right to (b) Does the sublease without Simon's knowledge
immediately and automatically take over his and consent constitute a ground for terminating
savings account deposit. After he opened his the lease? (2.5%)
deposit account, the Shanghainese Bank
discovered a scam wherein the funds in the
account of another depositor in the bank was XVI
withdrawn by an impostor. Shanghainese Bank
Selena was a single 18-year old when she got the latter endorsing to SMA the Hanoi-Manila
pregnant and gave birth to Suri. She then left to segment of the journey. All her flights were
work as a caregiver in Canada, leaving Suri with confirmed by SAL before she left Manila. Shasha
her parents in the Philippines. Selena, now 34 took the flight from Manila to Bangkok on board
years old and a permanent resident in Canada, SAL using the ticket. When she arrived in Bangkok,
met and married Sam who is a 24-year old she went to the SAL ticket counter and confirmed
Canadian citizen who works as a movie star in her return trip from Hanoi to Manila on board SMA
Canada. Sam's parents are of Filipino ancestry but Flight No. SA 888. On the date of her return trip,
had become Canadian citizens before Sam was she checked in for SMA Flight No. SA 888, boarded
born. Wanting Suri to have all the advantages of a the plane, and before she could even settle in on
legitimate child, Selena and Sam decided to adopt her assigned seat, she was off-loaded and treated
her. Sam's parents, already opposed to the rudely by the crew. She lost her luggage and
marriage of their son to someone significantly missed an important business meeting. She
older, vehemently objected to the adoption. They thereafter filed a complaint solely against SAL and
argued that Sam was not old enough and that the argued that it was solidarily liable with SMA for the
requisite age gap required by the Inter-Country damages she suffered since the latter was only an
Adoption Act between Sam as adopter and Suri as agent of the former.
adoptee was not met.
(a) Should either, or both, SAL and SMA be held
Are Sam's parents correct? (2.5%) liable for damages that Shasha suffered? (2.5%)
II
Kronge Konsult, Inc. (KKI) is a Philippine
corporation engaged in architectural design,
engineering, and construction work. Its principal
office is located in Makati City, but it has various
infrastructure projects in the country and abroad.
Thus, KKI employs both local and foreign workers.
The company has adopted a policy that the
employees' salaries are paid in the currency of the
country where they are assigned or detailed.
(d) Kamilo Konde, Krisanto's brother, also an Kornelio, in turn, sold the property in 2000 to
engineer assigned to KKl's project in Taipei, Katrina for PhP 6.5 million and paid the capital
Taiwan. Since KKI provides for housing and other gains tax, documentary stamp tax, local transfer
basic needs, Kamila requested that all his salaries, tax, and other fees and charges. Katrina, in turn,
paid in Taiwanese dollars, be paid to his wife in donated the land to Klaret School last August 30,
Manila in its Philippine Peso equivalent; and 2017 to be used as the site for additional
classrooms. No donor's tax was paid, because
(e) Karen Karenina, a Filipino architect in KKl's Katrina claimed that the donation was exempt
Design Department who reported back to KKl's from taxation. At the time of the donation to
Makati office in June 2017 after KKl's project in Klaret School, the land had a fair market value of
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was completed. PhP 65 million.
XI XIV
Koko's primary source of income is his The City of Kabankalan issued a notice of
employment with the government. He earns extra assessment against KKK, Inc. for deficiency real
from the land he inherited from his parents, and property taxes for the taxable years 2013 to 2017
which land he has been leasing to a private, non- in the amount of PhP 20 million. KKK paid the taxes
stock, non-profit school since 2005. under protest and instituted a complaint entitled
"Recovery of Illegally and/or Erroneously-Collected
Last January, the school offered to buy the land Local Business Tax, Prohibition with Prayer to Issue
from Koko for an amount equivalent to its zonal TRO and Writ of Preliminary Injunction" with the
value plus 15% of such zonal value. Koko agreed RTC of Negros Occidental.
but required the school to pay, in addition to the
purchase price, the 12% VAT. The school refused The RTC denied the application for TRO. Its motion
Koko's proposal to pass on the VAT contending for reconsideration having been denied as well,
that it was an entity exempt from such tax. KKK filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of
Moreover, it said that Koko was not regularly Appeals (CA) assailing the denial of the TRO.
engaged in the real estate business and, therefore,
Will the petition prosper? (5%) realty taxes since it was Kaka who possessed the
property throughout 2016.
XIX
President Alfredo died during his third year in
office. In accordance with the Constitution, Vice
President Anastasia succeeded him. President
Anastasia then nominated the late President
Alfredo's Executive Secretary, Anna Maria, as her
replacement as Vice President. The nomination
was confirmed by a majority of all the Members of
the House of Representatives and the Senate,
voting separately.
XX
Andreas and Aristotle are foreign nationals
working with the Asian Development Bank (ADS) in