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*
No. L-73998. No embe 14, 1988.

PEDRO T. LAYUGAN, e i ione , . INTERMEDIATE

APPELLATE COURT, GODOFREDO ISIDRO, and
TRAVELLERS MULTI-INDEMNITY CORPORATION,
e onden .

Re ed a La ; C P ced e; E de ce; T e e a e
d ac eC A ea a e e ed ea e ec
a d d a be d bed e b e; b ec
e e ab ed e ce . Indeed, i i an elemen a le in
he e ie of deci ion of he Co of A eal ha i finding of
fac a e en i led o g ea e ec and ill no o dina il be
di bed b hi Co . Fo if e ha e o e ie e e e ion of
fac ele a ed o , e o ld ha dl ha e an mo e ime lef fo
he eigh ie i e com elling and de e ing o efe en ial
a en ion. Be ha a i ma , hi le i no infle ible. S el
he e a e e abli hed e ce ion hen he Co ho ld e ie
and ec if he finding of fac of he lo e co , ch a : 1) hen
he concl ion i a finding g o nded en i el on ec la ion,
mi e, o conjec e; 2) he infe ence made i manife l
mi aken; 3) he e i g a e ab e of di c e ion; 4) he j dgmen i
ba ed on mi a ehen ion of fac ; 5) he Co of A eal en
be ond he i e of he ca e if he finding a e con a o he
admi ion of bo h he a ellan and he a ellee; 6) he finding
of fac of he Co of A eal a e con a o ho e of he ial
co ; 7) he aid finding of fac a e concl ion i ho ci a ion
of ecific e idence on hich he a e ba ed; 8) he fac e fo h
in he e i ion a ell a in he e i ione ' main and e l b ief
a e no di ed b he e onden ; and 9) hen he finding of
fac of he Co of A eal a e emi ed on he ab ence of
e idence and a e con adic ed on eco d.
C La ; T a d Da a e ; Ne e ce, De ed; T e
e e ce e e ce a e ca e de e ed b e
e a d e e ac a e a ; I e a
a de e e

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________________

* SECOND DIVISION.

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a d be ec e e e . The e ion befo e i

ho a negligen ? Negligence i he omi ion o do ome hing
hich a ea onable man, g ided b ho e con ide a ion hich
o dina il eg la e he cond c of h man affai , o ld do, o he
doing of ome hing hich a den and ea onable man o ld
no do, o a J dge Coole define i , "(T)he fail e o ob e e fo
he o ec ion of he in e e of ano he e on, ha deg ee of
ca e, eca ion, and igilance hich he ci c m ance j l
demand, he eb ch o he e on ffe inj ." In Pica .
Smi h, decided mo e han e en ea ago b ill a o nd le,
e held: The e b hich o de e mine he e i ence of
negligence in a a ic la ca e ma be a ed a follo : Did he
defendan in doing he alleged negligen ac e ha ea ab e
ca e a d ca c a d a de e d a e
ed e a e a ? If no , hen he i g il of negligence.
The la he e in effec ado he anda d o ed o be
lied b he imagina cond c of he di c ee a e a a of
he Roman La . The e i ence of negligence in a gi en ca e i no
de e mined b efe ence o he e onal j dgmen of he ac o in
he i a ion befo e him. The La con ide ha o ld be
eckle , blame o h , o negligen in he man of o dina
in elligence and dence and de e mine liabili b ha .
Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; E de ce; D c e Re I a
L , De ed. A hi j nc e, i ma be enligh ening and
hel f l in he o e e ol ion of he i e of negligence o
e amine he doc ine of Re i a lo i . Thi doc ine i a ed
h : "Whe e he hing hich ca e inj i ho n o be nde
he managemen of he defendan , and he acciden i ch a in
he o dina co e of hing doe no ha en if ho e ho ha e
he managemen e o e ca e, i affo d ea onable e idence,
in he ab ence of an e lana ion b he defendan , ha he
acciden a o e f om an of ca e. O a Black' La Dic iona
i : Re a . The hing eak fo i elf. Reb able
e m ion o infe ence ha defendan a negligen , hich
a i e on oof ha in men ali ca ing inj a in
defendan ' e cl i e con ol, and ha he acciden a one
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hich o dina il doe no ha en in ab ence of negligence. Re

a i le of e idence he eb negligence of alleged
ongdoe ma be infe ed f om me e fac ha acciden ha ened
o ided cha ac e acciden and ci c m ance a ending i lead
ea onabl o belief ha in ab ence of negligence i o ld no
ha e occ ed and ha hing hich ca ed inj i ho n o
ha e been nde managemen and con ol of alleged ongdoe .
Hillen . Hooke Con . Co., Te . Ci . A ., 484 S.W. 2d 113, 115.
Unde doc ine of " e i a lo i " he ha ening of an inj
e mi an infe ence of negli-

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gence he e lain iff od ce b an ial e idence ha inj

a ca ed b an agenc o in men ali nde e cl i e
con ol and managemen of defendan , and ha he occ ence
a ch ha in he o dina co e of hing o ld no ha en if
ea onable ca e had been ed.
Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; T e d c e Re
I a L ca be ed e a d e , de e
c c a ce ed, d ec e de ce ab e a d ead
a a ab e. The doc ine of Re i a lo i a a le of e idence
i a ic la o he la of negligence hich ecogni e ha ima
facie negligence ma be e abli hed i ho di ec oof and
f ni he a b i e fo ecific oof of negligence. The doc ine
i no a le of b an i e la b me el a mode of oof o a
me e oced al con enience. The le, hen a licable o he
fac and ci c m ance of a a ic la ca e, i no in ended o
and doe no di en e i h he e i emen of oof of c l able
negligence on he a of he a cha ged. I me el de e mine
and eg la e ha hall be ima facie e idence he eof and
facili a e he b den of lain iff of o ing a b each of he d of
d e ca e. The doc ine can be in oked hen and onl hen, nde
he ci c m ance in ol ed, di ec e idence i ab en and no
eadil a ailable. Hence, i ha gene all been held ha he
e m ion of infe ence a i ing f om he doc ine canno be
a ailed of, o i o e come, he e lain iff ha kno ledge and
e ifie o e en e idence a o he ecific ac of negligence
hich i he ca e of he inj com lained of o he e he e i
di ec e idence a o he eci e ca e of he acciden and all he
fac and ci c m ance a endan on he occ ence clea l
a ea . Finall , once he ac al ca e of inj i e abli hed
be ond con o e , he he b he lain iff o b he defendan ,
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110 e m ion ill be in ol ed and he doc ine become

ina licable hen he ci c m ance ha e been o com le el
el cida ed ha no infe ence of defendan ' liabili can
ea onabl be made, ha e e he o ce of he e idence, a in
hi ca e.
Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; P e Ne e ce Ma e
E e ;T e e e e ce e a e a e
e e a a d e de e a d
c e e , a be eb ed; I a be e c e b a
ee e e e c ed e d e ce a d a e a a
e e ec e e ee . The i ae
e onden i ed nde A . 2176 in ela ion o A . 2180,
a ag a h 5, of he Ci il Code. In he la e , hen an inj i
ca ed b he negligence of a e an o em lo ee he e in an l
a i e a e m ion of la ha he e a

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negligence on he a of he ma e o em lo e ei he in he
elec ion of he e an o em lo ee, o in e i ion o e him
af e elec ion, o bo h. S ch e m ion i j i an m and no
j i e de j e and con e en l , ma be eb ed. If follo
nece a il ha if he em lo e ho o he a i fac ion of he
co ha in he elec ion and in he e i ion he ha e e ci ed
he ca e and diligence of a good fa he of a famil , he
e m ion i o e come and he i elie ed f om liabili . In
di claiming liabili fo he inciden , he i a e e onden
e e ha he negligence of hi em lo ee ha al ead been
ade a el o e come b hi d i e ' a emen ha he kne hi
e on ibili ie a a d i e and ha he ck o ne ed o
in c him o be ca ef l in d i ing.

PETITION fo ce io a i o e ie he deci ion of he hen

In e media e A ella e Co . Velo o, J.
The fac a e a ed in he o inion of he Co .
Ed a S. Ma e fo e i ione .
O a d L. E a fo e onden T a elle M l i-
Indemni Co .
R be T. Va a a fo e onden Godof edo I id o.

SARMIENTO, J.:

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A ailed1 in hi e i ion fo e ie on ce io a i a 2e 1) he
deci ion of he hen In e media e A ella e Co in AC-
G.R. CV No. 01055, en i led "Ped o T. La gan, Plain iff-
A ellee, e Godof edo I id o, Defendan -A ellan
and Thi d-Pa Plain iff-A ellee, e T a elle
M l i-Indemni Co o a ion, Thi d Pa Defendan
3
-
A ellan , " hich e e ed and e a ide he deci ion of
he Regional T ial Co , Thi d J dicial Region, B anch
XXVI, Cabana an Ci , and al o di mi ed he com lain ,
hi d a com lain , and
4
he co n e claim of he a ie
and 2) he e ol ion den ing he lain iff-a ellee'
(he ein e i ione ) mo ion fo econ ide a ion,

_______________

1 Velo o, Ma celino R., e e; Si on, Po fi io V., Bidin, Abd l ahid

A., and B i anico, Ramon B., JJ., conc ing.
2 Fo h Ci il Ca e Di i ion.
3 Rende ed b J dge Le icia P. Mo ale .
4 Velo o, Me celino R., J., e e; Si on, Po fi io V., Bidin,
Abd l ahid A., and B i anico, Ramon B., JJ., conc ing.

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fo lack of me i .
The finding of fac b he ial co 5
hich e e
ado ed b he a ella e co a e a follo d:

"Ped o T, La gan filed an ac ion fo damage again

Godof edo I id o, alleging ha on Ma 15, 1979 hile a Ba e be ,
Bagabag, N e a Vi ca a, he Plain iff and a com anion e e
e ai ing he i e of hei ca go ck i h Pla e No. SU-730
hich a a ked along he igh ide of he Na ional High a ;
ha defendan ' ck bea ing Pla e No. PW-583, d i en
eckle l b Daniel Se ano b m ed he lain iff; ha a a
e l , lain iff a inj ed and ho i ali ed a D . Pa lino J.
Ga cia Re ea ch and Medical Cen e and he O Lad of Lo de
Ho i al; ha he en TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00)
and ill inc mo e e en e a he ec e a e f om aid inj ie ;
ha beca e of aid inj ie he o ld be de i ed of a life ime
income in he m of SEVENTY THOUSAND PESOS
(P70,000.00); and ha he ag eed o a hi la e he m of
TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00).

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A a ed fo b he lain iff' co n el, he Co decla ed

he defendan in defa l 011 Oc obe 12, 1979, and lain iff
e idence a ecei ed e - a e on Jan a 11, 1978 and Feb a
19, 1980. The deci ion on behalf of he lain iff a e a ide o
gi e a chance o he defendan o file hi an e and la e on, a
hi d- a com lain .
Defendan admi ed hi o ne hi of he ehicle in ol ed in
he acciden d i en b Daniel Se ano. Defendan co n e ed ha
he lain iff a me el a b ande , no a ck hel e being a
b o he in-la of he d i e of aid ck; ha he ck allegedl
being e ai ed a a ked, occ ing almo half of he igh lane
o a d Solano, N e a Vi ca a, igh af e he c e; ha he
o ima e ca e of he inciden a he fail e of he d i e of he
a ked ck in in alling he ea l a ning de ice, hence he
d i e of he a ked ca ho ld be liable fo damage ained b
he ck of he he ein defendan in he amo n of mo e han
P20,000.00; ha lain iff being a me e b ande and hi chhike
m ffe all he damage he inc ed. B a of co n e claim
defendan alleged ha d e o lain iff ba ele com lain he
a con ained o engage he e ice of co n el fo P5,000.00
and P200.00 e co a ea ance; ha he ffe ed lee le
nigh , h milia ion, o nded feeling hich ma be e ima ed a
P30.000.00.

_______________

5 Deci ion of IAC, Rollo, 46-49.

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On Ma 29, 1981, a hi d- a com lain a filed b he

defendan again hi in e , he T a elle M l i Indemni
Co o a ion; ha he hi d- a lain iff, i ho admi ing hi
liabili o he lain iff, claimed ha he hi d- a defendan i
liable o he fo me fo con ib ion, indemni and b oga ion
b i e of hei con ac nde In ance Polic No. 11723
hich co e he in e ' liabili fo damage a i ing f om
dea h, bodil inj ie and damage o o e .
Thi d- a defendan an e ed ha , e en a ming ha he
bjec ma e of he com lain i co e ed b a alid and e i ing
in ance olic , i liabili hall in no ca e e ceed he limi
defined nde he e m and condi ion a ed he ein; ha he
com lain i ema e a no claim ha been bmi ed o he
hi d a defendan a e c ibed nde he In ance Code;
ha he acciden in e ion a a o ima el ca ed b he
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ca ele ne and g o negligence of he lain iff; ha b ea on

of he hi d- a com lain , hi d- a defendan a
con ained o engage he e ice of co n el fo a fee of
P3,000.00.
Ped o La gan decla ed ha he i a ma ied man i h one (1)
child. He a em lo ed a ec i g a d in Mandal ong, Me o
Manila, i h a ala of SIX HUNDRED PESOS (600.00) a
mon h. When he i off-d , he o ked a a ck hel e and
hile o king a ch, he ained inj ie a a e l of he
b m ing of he ca go ck he e e e ai ing a Ba e be ,
Bagabag, N e a Vi ca a b he d i e of he defendan . He ed
o ea n TWO HUNDRED PESOS (P200.00) o THREE
HUNDRED PESOS (P300.00) mon h , a he a e of ONE
HUNDRED PESOS (P1 00.00) e i . D e o aid inj ie , hi
lef leg a am a ed o he had o e c che o alk. P io o
he inciden , he o ed hi famil fficien l , b af e ge ing
inj ed, hi famil i no being o ed b hi a en and
b o he .
GODOFREDO ISIDRO, defendan / hi d- a lain iff,
e ified ha hi ck in ol ed in hi ehic la acciden i
in ed i h he T a elle M l i Indemni Co o a ion co e ing
o n damage and hi d- a liabili , nde ehicle olic No.
11723 (E h. T) da ed Ma 30, 1978; ha af e he filed he
in ance claim he in ance com an aid him he m of
P18,000.00 fo he damage ained b hi ck b no he
hi d a liabili .
DANIEL SERRANO, defendan d i e , decla ed ha he ga e a
a emen befo e he m nici al olice of Bagabag, N e a Vi ca a
on Ma 16, 1979; ha he kne he e on ibili ie of a d i e ;
ha befo e lea ing, he checked he ck. The ck o ne ed o
in c him o be ca ef l in d i ing. He b m ed he ck being
e ai ed b Ped o La gan, lain iff, hile he ame a a a
o

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o i ion.
F om he e idence e en ed, i ha been e abli hed clea l
ha he inj ie ained b he lain iff a ca ed b
defendan ' d i e , Daniel Se ano. The olice e o confi med
he allega ion of he lain iff and admi ed b Daniel Se ano on
c o -e amina ion. The colli ion di lodged he jack f om he
a ked ck and inned he lain iff o he g o nd. A a e l
he eof, lain iff ained inj ie on hi lef fo ea m and lef
foo . The lef leg of he lain iff f om belo he knee a la e on

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am a ed (E h. 'C') hen gang ene had e in, he eb ende ing

him inca aci a ed fo o k de i ing him of hi income." ( . 118
o 120, Reco d on A eal.)

U on ch finding , am l o ed b he e idence on
eco d, he ial co ende ed
6
i deci ion, he di o i i e
a of hich ead a follo :

WHEREFORE, emi e con ide ed, he defendan i he eb

o de ed:

a) To a he lain iff SEVENTY THOUSAND (P70,000.00)

PESOS ac al and com en a o damage ;
b) TWO THOUSAND (P2,000.00) PESOS fo a o ne ' fee ;
c) FIVE THOUSAND (P5,000.00) PESOS fo mo al
damage ; and
d) To a he co of hi i.

On he hi d- a com lain , he hi d- a defendan i

o de ed o indemnif he defendan / hi d a lain iff:

a) The m of FIFTY THOUSAND (P50,000.00) PESOS fo

ac al and com en a o damage ; and
b) The co of hi i.

The In e media e A ella e Co a ea lie a ed

e e ed he deci ion of he ial co and di mi ed he
com lain , he hi d- a 7 com lain , and he co n e -
claim of bo h a ellan .
Hence, hi e i ion. 8
The e i ione allege he follo ing e o .

_______________

6 Deci ion of he Regional T ial Co , Rollo, 32.

7 Ib d., . 52.
8 Pe i ion, Rollo, . 8-9.

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1. WHETHER UPON THE GIVEN FACTS, THE

INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT ACTED
CORRECTLY IN REVERSING AND SETTING

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ASIDE AND DISMISSING THE PLAINTIFF-

APPELLEE'S COMPLAINT.
2. WHETHER THE INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE
COURT ACTED CORRECTLY IN APPLYING THE
DOCTRINE OF "RES IPSA LOQUITUR" WITH
PROPER JURIS-PRUDENTIAL ( ic) BASIS.

The c of he con o e lie in he co ec ne o e o

of he deci ion of he e onden co finding he
e i ione negligen nde he doc ine of Re a
(The hing eak fo i elf), Co olla he e o, i he
e ion a o ho i negligen , if he doc ine i
ina licable.
The e onden co o a ion e e ha he i e
ai ed in he e i ion being fac al, he ame i no
e ie able9 b hi Co in a e i ion fo e ie b
ce io a i.
Indeed, i i an elemen a le in he e ie of
deci ion of he Co of A eal ha i finding of fac
a e en i led o g ea e10 ec and ill no o dina il be
di bed b hi Co . Fo if e ha e o e ie e e
e ion of fac ele a ed o , e o ld ha dl ha e an
mo e ime lef fo he eigh ie i 11 e com elling and
de e ing o efe en ial a en ion. Be ha a i ma ,
hi le 12
i no infle ible. S el he e a e e abli hed
e ce ion hen he Co ho ld e ie and ec if he
finding of fac of he lo e co , ch a :
1) hen he concl ion i a finding g o nded en i el on

_______________

9 Rollo, 108.
10 The E ec i e Sec e a , e al. . CA, G.R. No. L-37999, J ne 10,
1988, ci ing Chan . CA, G.R. No. L-27488, J ne 30, 1970, 33 SCRA 737;
Lianga Ba Logging Co., Inc. . CA, G.R. No. L-37783, Jan a 28,1988.
11 Ande on Co., e al. . IAC, G.R. No. L-65928, J ne 21,1988.
12 Di ec o of Land . CA, G.R. No. L-46068, Se embe 30, 1982, 117
SCRA 346, ci ing Macadangdang . CA, No. L-49542, Se embe 12,1980,
100 SCRA 73; Mane o . CA, G.R. No. L-49824, Feb a 20,1981; 102
SCRA 817; Pio L. Padilla . C.A., Jan a 29,1988; G.R. 75577, Jan a
29,1988; M nici ali of Me ca a an, B lacan . IAC, G.R. L-72126,
Jan a 29,1988.

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ec la ion, mi e, o conjec e; 2) he infe ence made

i manife l mi aken; 3) he e i g a e ab e of
di c e ion; 4) he j dgmen i ba ed on mi a ehen ion of
fac ; 5) he Co of A eal en be ond he i e of he
ca e if he finding a e con a o he admi ion of bo h
he a ellan and he a ellee; 6) he finding of he Co
of A eal a e con a o ho e of he ial co ; 7) he
aid finding of fac a e concl ion i ho ci a ion of
ecific e idence on hich he a e ba ed; 8) he fac e
fo h in he e i ion a ell a in he e i ione ' main and
e l b ief a e no di ed b he e onden ; and 9)
hen he finding of fac of he Co of A eal a e
emi ed on he ab ence of e idence and a e con adic ed
on eco d.
E ce ion 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9 ob ain in he in an ca e
o a an a de ia ion f om he gene al le.
F om i finding ha13 he a ked ck a loaded i h
en (10) big o nd log , he Co of A eal infe ed ha
beca e of i eigh he ck co ld no ha e been d i en
o he ho lde of he oad and concl14 ded ha he ame
a a ked on a o ion of he oad a he ime of he
acciden . Con e en l , he e onden co infe ed ha
he mi ha a
15
d e o he negligence of he d i e of he
a ked ck. The infe ence o concl ion i manife l
e oneo . In a la ge mea e, i i g o nded on
ec la ion, mi e, o conjec e. Ho he e onden
co co ld ha e e e ed he finding 16
of he ial co ha
a a ning de ice a in alled e ca e beca e i i
e iden f om he eco d ha eall ch a de ice, in he
fo m of a ligh ed ke o ene lam , a in alled b he d i e
of he a ked 17 ck h ee o fo me e f om he ea of hi
a ked ck. We ee hi nega i e finding of he
e onden a ella e co a a mi eading of he fac and
he e idence on eco d and di ec l con a ening he
o i i e finding of he ial co ha an ea l a ning
de ice a in o e lace hen he acciden ha ened and
ha he d i e

_______________

13 Deci ion, Co of A eal , 50.

14 Id.
15 Id.
16 Id.
17 Pe i ion, 13.

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372 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

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of he i a e e onden a he one negligen . On he

o he hand, he e onden co , in ef ing o gi e i
"im ima o he ial co ' finding and concl ion ha
Daniel Se ano ( i a e e onden I id o' d i e ) a
negligen in d i ing he ck ha b m ed he a ked
ck", did no ci e ecific e idence o o i
concl ion. In ca alie fa hion, i im l and neb18 lo l
ad e ed o n ecified " can e idence on eco d."
On he echnical a ec of he ca e, he e onden
co o a ion o ld an o di mi hi e i ion on he
g o nd ha i a filed o of ime. 19
I m be no ed ha
he e a a mo ion fo e en ion, albei filed e oneo l
ih he e onden co , da ed Ma ch 19,1986,
e e ing fo 30 da f om Ma ch 20,1986, o file he
nece a e i ion o leading befo e he S eme Co ".
Al o, on A il 1,1986, an a ea ance of a ne la 20 e fo
he e i ione befo e he S eme Co " i h mo ion a
filed, again e oneo l , i h he Co of A eal ,
e e ing fo 20 da e en ion " o file he Pe 21
i ion fo
Re ie on Ce io a i." Like i e a imila mo ion a filed
i h hi Co al o on A il 1, 1986. On he o he hand,
he in an e i ion fo e ie a filed on A il 17, 198622
b i a 23onl af e h ee mon h , on A g 1,1986, in i
commen , ha he e onden co o a ion ai ed he i e
of a dine . The e onden co o a ion ho ld no ha e
ai ed in amb h befo e he commen a e i ed and
befo e d e co e a gi en. In an e en , o e ac i "a
o nd of fle h", o o eak, a hi e la e age, o ld
ca e a g a e mi ca iage of j ice. Pa en he icall , i
m be no ed ha i a e e onden I id o did no ai e
hi i e of la e filing. We no come o he me i of hi
e i ion.
The e ion befo e i ho a negligen ? Negligence
i he omi ion o do ome hing hich a ea onable man,
g ided b ho e con ide a ion hich o dina il eg la e
he cond c

_______________

18 Deci ion, CA, 50.

19 Anne K, 59.
20 Anne M, 62.
21 Mo ion fo E en ion, 2.
22 Pe i ion, 4.
23 Commen , 65.

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of h man affai , o ld do, o he doing of ome 24

hing
hich a den and ea onable man o ld no do, o a
J dge Coole define i , "(T)he fail e o ob e e fo he
o ec ion of he in e e of ano he e on, ha deg ee of
ca e, eca ion, and igilance hich he ci c m ance25
j l demand, he eb 26 ch o he e on ffe inj ."
In Pica . Smi h, decided mo e han e en ea
ago b ill a o nd le, e held:
The e b hich o de e mine he e i ence of
negligence in a a ic la ca e ma be a ed a follo :
Did he defendan in doing he alleged negligen ac e
ha ea ab e ca e a d ca c a d a
de e d a e ed e a e a ? If
no , hen he i g il of negligence. The la he e in effec
ado he anda d o ed o be lied b he
imagina cond c of he di c ee a e familia of he
Roman la . The e i ence of negligence in a gi en ca e i
no de e mined b efe ence o he e onal j dgmen of
he ac o in he i a ion befo e him. The La con ide
ha o ld be eckle , blame o h , o negligen in he
man of o dina in elligence and dence and de e mine
liabili b ha .
Re onden I id o o i ha an immobile objec along
he high a , like a a ked ck, o e e io dange o a
mo ing ehicle hich ha he igh o be on he high a .
He a g e ha ince he a ked ca go ck in hi ca e
a a h ea o life and limb and o e , i a
inc mben on he d i e a ell a he e i ione , ho
claim o be a hel e of he ck d i e , o e e ci e
e eme ca e o ha he mo o i nego ia ing he oad
o ld be o e l fo e a ned of he e il of a a ked
ehicle. I id o bmi ha he b den of o ing ha ca e
and diligence e e ob e ed i hif ed o he e i ione , fo ,
a e io l claimed, hi (I id o' ) I ck had a igh
o be on he oad, hile he immobile ca go ck had no
b ine , o o eak, o be he e. Like i e, I id o offe
ha he e i ione m ho o he a i fac ion of a
ea onable

_______________

24 Black La Dic iona , Fif h Edi ion, 930.

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25 Coole on To , Fo h Edi ion, Vol. 3, 265.

26 37 Phil. 809, 813, No. L-12219, Ma ch 15, 1918; Hed Gan . The
Hon. Co of A eal , G.R. L-44264, Se embe 19,1988.

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374 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

La a .I e ed a e A e aeC

mind ha he d i e and he ( e i ione ) him elf, o ided

an ea l a ning de ice, like ha e i ed b la , o , b
ome o he ade a e mean ha o ld o e l fo e a n
ehicle of he im ending dange ha he a ked ehicle
o ed con ide ing he ime, lace, and o he ec lia
ci c m ance of he occa ion. Ab en ch oof of ca e, a
in he ca e a ba , I id o concl de , o ld, nde he
doc ine of Re a , e oke he e m ion of
negligence on he a of he d i e of he a ked ca go
ck a ell a hi hel e , he e 27i ione he ein, ho a
fi ing he fla i e of he aid ck.
Re onden I id o' con en ion i n enable.
The e idence on eco d di clo e ha h ee o fo
me e f om he ea of he 28
a ked ck, a ligh ed
ke o ene lam a laced. Mo eo e , he e i he
admi 29
ion of e onden I id o' d i e , Daniel Se ano, o
i:

"Q e ion No. 8 (b Pa olman Jo efino Vela co) Will o

na a e o me in b ief ho he acciden ha en ( ic) if
o can ill emembe ?
An e : (b Daniel Se ano)
Tha on o abo 10:40 .m., 15 Ma 1979 hile d i ing
I ck a Ba e be , Bagabag, N e a Vi ca a and a
KM 285, I me ano he ehicle ho ( ic) did no dim hi
( ic) ligh c ca e ( c) e be b ded e e
a e e a' dd ce a a ed c
( c) a e a a a e. When I a a fe
me e a a , I a he ck hich a loaded i h o nd
log . / e ( ic) b a e b dd c
a a e . I a e ( c) d ae a e
d e e ea a c a' e b ea
dd c ." (I alic lied).

Whe he he ca go ck a a ked along he oad o on

half he ho lde of he igh ide of he oad o ld be of no

_______________

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27 Memo and m of P i a e Re onden , 2-3.

28 Rollo, 13.
29 Id., 11, o ing he olice in e iga ion e o b Pa olman Jo efino
Vela co a abo 10:00 a.m., on Ma 16,1979, he mo ning af e he
acciden , of he a emen of Daniel Se ano, he d i e of e onden
I id o.

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VOL. 167, NOVEMBER 14, 1988 375

La a .I e ed a e A e aeC

momen aking in o acco n he a ning de ice con i ing

of he ligh ed ke o ene lam 30 laced h ee o fo me e
f om he back of he ck. B de i e hi a ning
hich e le a fficien , he I ck d i en b
Daniel Se ano, an em lo ee of he i a e e onden ,
ill b m ed he ea of he a ked ca go ck. A a di ec
con e ence of ch acciden he e i ione ained
inj ie on hi lef fo ea m and lef foo . Hi lef leg a
la e am31
a ed f om belo he knee hen gang ene had
e in.
I i clea f om he fo egoing di i i ion ha he
ab ence o an of ca e of Daniel Se ano ha been
e abli hed b clea and con incing e idence. I follo
ha in am ing i im ima on he in oca ion b
e onden I id o of he doc ine of Re i a lo i o
e ca e liabili fo he negligence of hi em lo ee, he
e onden co commi
32
ed e e ible e o . The
e onden co led:

In addi ion o hi , e ag ee i h he follo ing a g men of

a ellan Godof edo I id o hich o ld ho ha he acciden
a ca ed d e o he negligence of he d i e of he ca go ck:

" In he ca e a ba he b den of o ing ha ca e and diligence

a ( ic) ob e ed i hif ed e iden l o he lain iff, fo , a ad e ed o,
he mo o i ha e he igh o be on he oad, hile he immobile ck
ha no b ine , o . o eak, o be he e. I i h fo he lain iff o
ho o he a ifac ion of a ea onable mind ha he d i e and he
him elf did em lo ea l a ning de ice ch a ha e i ed b la o
b e e ade ae ea de ce a d e e a
e ce e e d da e a e a ed e ce ed
c de e e, ace a d e ec a c c a ce e
cca . Ab en ch oof of ca e, a in he ca e a ba , ill e oke he
e m ion of negligence nde he doc ine of e a , on he

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a of he d i e of he a ked ca go ck a ell a lain iff ho a

fi ing he fla i e of aid ck. ( . 14-17, A ellan ' B ief)." (I alic
lied).

_______________

30 Pe i ion, Rollo, 13.

31 Deci ion, RTC, Rollo, 13.
32 Deci ion, IAC, Rollo, 50-51, 52.

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376 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

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A hi j nc e, i ma be enligh ening and hel f l in he

o e e ol ion of he i e of negligence o e amine he
doc ine of Re a .
Thi doc ine i a ed h : "Whe e he hing hich
ca e inj i ho n o be nde he managemen of he
defendan , and he acciden i ch a in he o dina
co e of hing doe no ha en if ho e ho ha e he
managemen e o e ca e, i affo d ea onable
e idence, in he ab ence of an e lana ion b 33 he
defendan , ha he acciden34
a o e f om an of ca e." O
a B ac ' La D c a i:

Re a . The hing eak fo i elf. Reb able

e m ion o infe ence ha defendan a negligen , hich
a i e on oof ha in men ali ca ing inj a in
defendan ' e cl i e con ol, and ha he acciden a one
hich o dina il doe no ha en in ab ence of negligence. Re
i a lo i i le of e idence he eb negligence of alleged
ongdoe ma be infe ed f om me e fac ha acciden ha ened
o ided cha ac e of acciden and ci c m ance a ending i
lead ea onabl o belief ha in ab ence of negligence i o ld no
ha e occ ed and ha hing hich ca ed inj i ho n o
ha e been nde managemen and con ol of alleged ongdoe .
Hillen . Hooke Con . Co., Te . Ci . A ., 484 S.W. 2d 133,155.
Unde doc ine of " e a " he ha ening of an inj
e mi an infe ence of negligence he e lain iff od ce
b an ial e idence ha inj a ca ed b an agenc o
in men ali nde e cl i e con ol and managemen of
defendan , and ha he occ ance a ch ha in he o dina
co e of hing o ld no ha en if ea onable ca e had been
ed.

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In hi j i dic ion e ha e a lied hi doc ine in i e a

n mbe
35
of ca e , no abl in A ca e a . . Ca e , I c., e
a ., and36 he la e i in he ca e of F.F. C a d C ., I c.
. C.A.
The doc ine of Re a a a le of e idence i
ec lia o he la of negligence hich ecogni e ha
a ac e negligence ma be e abli hed i ho di ec
oof and 37f ni he a b i e fo ecific oof of
negligence. The

_______________

33 Coole on To , Vol. 3, 369.

34 Fif h Edi ion, 1173.
35 L-12986, Ma ch 31, 1966, 16 SCRA 448.
36 L-52732, A g 29,1988.
37 Co J i Sec nd m, Vol. 5A, 525.

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VOL. 167, NOVEMBER 14, 1988 377

La a .I e ed a e A e aeC

38
doc ine i no a le of b an i e la b 39 me el a
mode of oof o a me e oced al con enience. The le,
hen a licable o he fac and ci c m ance of a
a ic la ca e, i no in ended o and doe no di en e
i h he e i emen of oof40 of c l able negligence on he
a of he a cha ged. I me el de e mine and
eg la e ha hall be a ac e e idence he eof and
facili a e he b 41den of lain iff of o ing a b each of he
d of d e ca e. The doc ine can be in oked hen and
onl hen, nde he ci c m ance in42 ol ed, di ec
e idence i ab en and no eadil a ailable. Hence, i ha
gene all been held ha he e m ion of infe ence
a i ing f om he doc ine canno be a ailed of, o i
o e come, he e lain iff ha kno ledge and e ifie o
e en e idence a o he ecific ac of negligence hich
i he ca e of he inj com lained of o he e he e i
di ec e idence a o he eci e ca e of he acciden and
all he fac and 43
ci c m ance a endan on he occ ence
clea l a ea . Finall , once he ac al ca e of inj i
e abli hed be ond con o e , he he b he lain iff o
b he defendan , no e m ion ill be in ol ed and he
doc ine become ina licable hen he ci c m ance
ha e been o com le el el dica ed ha no infe ence of
defendan ' liabili can 44
ea onabl be made, ha e e he
o ce of he e idence, a in hi ca e.
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The i a e e onden i ed nde A . 2176 in

ela ion o A . 2180, a ag a h 5, of he Ci il Code. In he
la e , hen an inj i ca ed b he negligence of a
e an o em lo ee he e in an l a i e a e m ion of
la ha he e a negligence on he a of he ma e o
em lo e ei he in he elec ion of he e an o em lo ee,
o in e i ion o e him af e elec ion, o bo h. S ch
e m ion i j i an m and no e de e and
con e en l , ma be eb ed. If

_______________

38 Id., 527.
39 Id., 529.
40 Id., 529-530.
41 Id., 530.
42 Id., 543-544.
43 Id., 544-545.
44 Id., 548.

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378 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

La a .I e ed a e A e aeC

follo nece a il ha if he em lo e ho o he
a i fac ion of he co ha in he elec ion and in he
e i ion he ha e e ci ed he ca e and diligence of a
good fa he of a famil , he45 e m ion i o e come and
he i elie ed f om liabili . In di claiming liabili fo he
inciden , he i ae e onden e e ha he
negligence of hi em lo ee ha al ead been ade a el
o e come b hi d i e ' a emen ha he kne hi
e on ibili ie a a d i e and ha he 46
ck o ne ed
o in c him o be ca ef l in d i ing.
We do no ag ee i h he i a e e onden in hi
bmi ion. In he fi lace, i i clea ha he d i e did
no kno hi e on ibili ie beca e he a a en l did no
check hi ehicle befo e he ook i on he oad. If he did he
co ld ha e di co e ed ea lie ha he b ake fl id i e on
he igh a c , and co ld ha e e ai ed i and h he
acciden co ld ha e been a oided. Mo eo e , o o mind,
he fac ha he i a e e onden ed o in c hi
d i e o be ca ef l in hi d i ing, ha he d i e a
licen ed, and he fac ha he had no eco d of an acciden ,
a fo nd b he e onden co , a e no fficien o
de o he finding of negligence of he Regional
47
T ial
Co gi en he fac e abli hed a he ial The i a e
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e onden o hi mechanic, ho m be com e en ,

ho ld ha e cond c ed a ho o gh in ec ion of hi ehicle
befo e allo ing hi d i e o d i e i . In he ligh of he
ci c m ance ob aining in he ca e, e hold ha I id o
failed o o e he-diligence of a good fa he of a famil in
he e i ion of hi em lo ee hich o ld e c l a e
him f om olida liabili i h hi d i e o he e i ione .
B e en if e concede ha he diligence of a good fa he of
a famil a ob e ed b I id o in he e i ion of hi
d i e , he e i no an io a of e idence on eco d of he
ob e ance b I id o of he ame an m of diligence in
he e i ion of hi mechanic, if an , ho o ld be
di ec l in cha ge in main aining he oad o hine of hi
(I id o' ) ck. B ha i no all. The e i a ci of oof
ha I id o e e ci ed he diligence of a good

_______________

45 Bahia . Li on ia and Le ne , No. L-9734, Ma ch 31,1915 30 Phil .

624.
47 Deci ion, IAC, Rollo, 52.
46 Memo and m of i ae e onden , 6.

37

VOL. 167, NOVEMBER 14, 1988 379

Ba a a La a Ta aba B C . . IAC

fa he of a famil in he elec ion of hi d i e , Daniel

Se ano, a ell a in he elec ion of hi mechanic, if an ,
in o de o in e he afe o e a ion of hi ck and h
e en damage o o he . Acco dingl , he e on ibili of
I id o a em lo e ea ed in A icle 2180, a ag a h 5, of
he Ci il Code ha no cea ed.
WHEREFORE, he e i ion i he eb GRANTED. The
Deci ion of he e onden co a ell a i Re ol ion
den ing he e i ione ' mo ion fo econ ide a ion a e.
he eb SET ASIDE and he deci ion of he ial co ,
da ed Jan a 20, 1983, i he eb REINSTATED in o o.
Wi h co again he i a e e onden .
SO ORDERED.

Me e c -He e a, (C a a ), Pa a and Pad a,

JJ., conc .

Pe a ed.

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No e. Fac al finding of ial co and Co of

A eal en i led o g ea e ec . (Vda. de R a .
I e ed a e A e a e C , 143 SCRA 77.)

o0o

C 2020 C B S ,I .A .

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