Case

Digest
101
ATTY. ARLENE Q. ALANGCO 
PROFESSOR, UNC COLLEGE OF LAW
 • Written summary of the case
Case Digest: • Some cases are too long and some are short

What & Why • Help the student in separating one issue

from another in case there are several issues
involved
• Help the student understand how the court
resolved the issue/s in the case
• Easier to remember the case for purposes of
recitation
Parts of a
case digest
• Caption
• Facts
• Issue/s
• Ruling
1.Caption
• Case title
• GR Number
• Date of decision
• Citation
• Petitioner, respondent and
ponente (optional)
2. Facts
• Brief story of the case
• Read the full text of the case
• Do not digest a digest
• Take note of important things
(important names, dates, places,
information and details)
3. Issue/s
• Questions answerable by yes/no
⚬ Is the contract enforceable
• Usually framed by starting with the
word "whether"
⚬ Whether or not the contract is
enforceable
4. Ruling
• Ruling or Held
• Answers the issue/s
• Categorical yes or no answer.
• Explanation or rationale of the decision
• Should show whether the decision of the
lower court was granted or dismissed
01
CAPTION

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA vs. JAMES VINZON

G.R. No. 154705.
June 26, 2003
182 SCRA 644
 02
FACTS
Petitioner Vinzon entered into a Maintenance Agreement with respondent. The maintenance agreement
includes the following specific equipments: air conditioning units, generator sets, electrical facilities,
water heaters and water motor pumps. The agreement shall be effective for 4 years.

The new Minister Counsellor allegedly found respondent's work and services unsatisfactory and not in
compliance with the standards set in the Agreement. The respondent terminated the agreement with the
respondent. The latter claim that it was unlawful and arbitrary. Respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss
alleging that the Republic of Indonesia, as a foreign state, has sovereign immunity from suit and cannot
be sued as party-defendant in the Philippines.
 03
ISSUE
Whether or not the CA erred in sustaining the trial court's
decision that petitioners have waived their immunity from suit by
using as its basis the provision in the Maintenance Agreement
 04
RULING
The mere entering into a contract by a foreign state with a private party cannot be construed as the
ultimate test of whether or not it is an act juri imperii or juri gestionis. Such act is only the start of the
inquiry. There is no dispute that the establishment of a diplomatic mission is an act juri imperii. The state
may enter into contracts with private entities to maintain the premises, furnishings and equipment of the
embassy. The Republic of Indonesia is acting in pursuit of a sovereign activity when it entered into a
contract with the respondent. The maintenance agreement was entered into by the Republic of Indonesia
in the discharge of its governmental functions. It cannot be deemed to have waived its immunity from
suit.
THANK
YOU
References
https://philippinecasedigests.blogspot.com/
https://letstalkaboutthelaw.blogspot.com/2015/04/lets-digest-
guide-on-how-to-digest-case.html
http://diorysdiction.yolasite.com/diory-and-her-diction/how-

to-write-a-case-digest