Introduction to Obligations

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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of a civil obligation?

It grants the obligee the right to legal enforcement. (correct)

It is based solely on moral principles.

It can only be enforced through informal agreements.

It is not recognized by the court.

According to the provided text, what is the core concept of obligation?

A voluntary act with no legal implications

A juridical necessity to give, to do, or not to do (correct)

A moral duty agreed upon by parties

A suggestion based on ethical ideals

What distinguishes a natural obligation from a civil obligation?

There is no distinction, both are enforceable by law.

A natural obligation is based on equity and conscience, whereas a civil obligation is enforceable by legal action. (correct)

A natural obligation has a stronger legal basis than a civil obligation.

A natural obligation is enforceable by law, while a civil obligation is not.

Which of the following best describes the legal effect of an obligation?

It creates a right for one party to demand fulfillment from another Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what is the source of the definition of obligation in the Philippines?

The Civil Code of the Philippines Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a promissory note's collection time expires according to the statute of limitations (prescription)?

The civil obligation is extinguished, but a natural obligation to pay may still exist. Signup and view all the answers

If a person violates an obligation, what may be the consequence according to the text?

It may become the basis of legal action. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an element of the definition of 'obligation'?

A voluntary agreement between parties Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a natural obligation?

It is based on equity and natural law and not enforceable in courts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the conduct of a debtor which may consist of giving, doing, or not doing something?

Prestation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requisite of a valid prestation?

It must be vague and undefined. Signup and view all the answers

What type of obligation is an agreement where both parties are reciprocally bound, such as a purchase and sale agreement?

Bilateral Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is considered a primary classification of obligation under the New Civil Code?

Joint obligation Signup and view all the answers

Under what source of obligation do the obligations of spouses to support each other typically fall?

Law Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal term for the meeting of minds between two persons which legally binds them to each other?

Contract Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a quasi-contract, when compared with a delict?

It is voluntary and lawful act. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of obligations, what does 'vinculum juris' refer to?

The legal tie or bond that connects the parties to the obligation. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a civil obligation from a natural obligation?

Civil obligations are enforceable in courts, while natural obligations are not. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of obligation arises from the commission of a crime or offense?

Penal obligation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a consensual contract?

It is perfected by mere consent. Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what should happen if there is a conflict between the Civil Code and a special law?

The special law always prevails unless otherwise stipulated. Signup and view all the answers

What are obligations derived from law typically defined as?

Only those expressly determined Signup and view all the answers

If a contract's terms are clear and unambiguous, how should they be interpreted?

Applied in their literal meaning. Signup and view all the answers

In a small community, when a majority decides on a protective measure, what is the obligation of a resident who initially objects but benefits from the project?

They are liable to pay their share of the expenses despite their initial objection. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a quasi-contract from a contract?

Quasi-contracts lack a meeting of minds between the parties, while contracts require it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal basis for the consent in quasi-contracts, when no express consent exists?

Presumptive consent provided by law. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary definition of a quasi-delict?

The fault or negligence of a person causing damage to another independent of any contractual relation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best equivalent term of 'quasi-delict'?

Tort Signup and view all the answers

According to the Civil Code, when can a plaintiff NOT recover damages?

When the plaintiff's own negligence was the immediate and proximate cause of the injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best description of the term 'proximate cause'?

That cause which, in a natural sequence, produces the injury, unbroken by any intervening cause. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, who can be held liable for damages caused by a minor?

The father (or mother in case of death or incapacity), and guardians if the minor lives in their company. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for damages caused by an employee in the service of a business?

The business owner or manager if the act is in service of the business. Signup and view all the answers

Under what specific condition is the State responsible for damages?

When the State acts through a special agent. Signup and view all the answers

When does the responsibility of persons mentioned in Article 2180 of the Civil Code cease?

When they prove that they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent the damage. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requisite for liability under quasi-delict?

The existence of a contractual agreement. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies a quasi-contractual situation?

A person is obliged to return money they were mistakenly given. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a plaintiffs negligence is only contributory in a quasi-delict case?

The plaintiff may recover damages, but the courts have to mitigate the damages to be awarded. Signup and view all the answers

Under what specific condition are teachers or heads of establishments liable for their students' actions?

So long as their pupils and students or apprentices remain in their custody. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, an individual who is exempt from criminal liability under Article 12 of the Revised Penal Code is:

Still liable to indemnify for damages caused, due to lack of justification to inflict harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinguishing factor that categorizes an act of fault or negligence as a quasi-delict under the Civil Code?

The lack of any pre-existing contractual relationship between the parties involved. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, in what scenario can tort liability exist despite contractual relations?

When the tort liability arises from facts independent of the existing contract. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core characteristic of ‘negotiorum gestio’ as a quasi-contract?

It involves the intentional management of another's business or property without formal authorization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main requirement for a situation to be considered ‘solutio indebiti’?

Payment or property delivered when there is no legal right to demand it, and done by mistake. Signup and view all the answers

If a person receives something not due to them (solutio indebiti), what obligation arises?

They are obligated to return the property or money received. Signup and view all the answers

In the case of ‘solutio indebiti,’ what is the liability of multiple payees?

They are solidarily liable for the obligation to return the payment. Signup and view all the answers

According to the quasi-contract provisions, when a third party provides support to an individual without the knowledge of those with obligation to support, what right does this third party have?

They have the right to claim reimbursement from those obligated to support. Signup and view all the answers

When would a third person be entitled to reimbursement for funeral expenses, according to the content?

When the expenses were borne by a third person without knowledge of relatives obliged to give support. Signup and view all the answers

According to the quasi-contract provisions, when the government undertakes necessary safety work on a person’s property due to noncompliance, the property owner is:

Liable for the cost of expenses even if it was over their objections. Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition does a person have to pay for services if they are treated during an accident or illness?

If they were in a condition to consent to a contract for the treatment or help, unless rendered out of generosity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal implication when during a calamity property is saved by one person without the knowledge of the owner?

The rescuer is entitled to just compensation from the owner. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the rights of a person who pays the debt of another without the debtor's knowledge in the context of quasi-contracts?

Their rights are governed by articles 1236 and 1237, which refer to payment by a third party. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for negotiorum gestio to be considered valid?

The manager must act voluntarily and with good faith. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the owner becomes aware of someone managing their affairs through negotiorum gestio and does not object?

The quasi-contract transforms into an implied agency. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Obligations are a body of rules defining the nature, sources, types, and effects of obligations, plus their extinguishment, per the Philippines' Civil Code.
This module introduces core obligation principles, including case applications related to business.
Learning aims to heighten student understanding through case studies applying obligation theories.

General Concepts of Obligations

Definition: A juridical necessity to act (give, do, or not do) creating a legal relation where one party compels another to fulfill a demandable prestation.
Civil Obligation: Legally enforceable, allowing the obligee to seek court action against the obligor. Defined under Article 1156 of the Civil Code.
Natural Obligation: Not legally enforceable, but binding in conscience and natural law. If a civil obligation's legal time limit (e.g., statute of limitations) passes, it can still exist as a natural obligation.
Juridical Necessity: Breach leads to legal sanctions.
Prestation: The debtor's required conduct (giving, doing, or not doing). Not the thing itself.

Requisites of Obligations

Active Subject (Obligee/Creditor): The party who demands fulfillment.
Passive Subject (Obligor/Debtor): The party obliged to fulfill the prestation.
Juridical Tie (Vinculum Juris): The cause establishing the obligor-obligee relationship from bilateral or unilateral acts.
Prestation/Object: The debtor's act involving giving, doing, or not doing.
- Requisite elements for valid prestation: physically/legally possible; ascertainable/determinable; within commercial purview; lawful; and convertible to a monetary equivalent.

Primary Classifications of Obligations

Pure and Conditional: (Article 1179-1192) Pure obligations are immediate; conditional obligations depend on a future or uncertain event.
With a Period or Term: (Article 1193-1198) Obligations with a specific date of performance.
Alternative and Facultative: (Article 1199-1206) Alternative permits choice among several prestations; facultative has one principal prestation with substitute option.
Joint and Solidary: (Article 1207-1222). Joint obligors act separately in proportion to the share; solidarity obligors can be sued as a singular entity.
Divisible and Indivisible: (Article 1223-1225) Divisible obligations can be separated; indivisible obligations cannot.
With a Penal Clause: (Article 1226-1230) A penalty for non-performance.

Secondary Classifications of Obligations

Legal: Arise from law.
Conventional: Arise from contracts.
Penal: Arise from criminal acts.
Real/Personal: Real obligations involve things while personal involve acts or services.
Determinate/Generic: Determinate refers to specific things; generic refers to an item from a class.
Positive/Negative: Positive are actions; negative are refraining from actions..
Unilateral/Bilateral (Synallagmatic): Unilateral has one-sided obligations; bilateral has reciprocal obligations.

Sources of Obligations

Law (Ex-Lege): Obligations imposed by law; not presumed, explicitly defined.
Contracts (Ex-Contractu): Agreements between parties with the force of law. Contracts are perfected through consent.
Quasi-Contracts (Quasi Ex-Contractual): Voluntary acts creating juridical relations where neither party is wrongly enriched.
Delict(Ex-Delictu): Civil liability arising from a crime (criminal offense). Criminal liability often implies civil liability, though some exceptions exist.
Quasi-Delict (Quasi Ex-Delicto): Civil liability for damages caused by negligence or fault in the absence of a contract.

Solutio Indebiti and Negotiorum Gestio

Solutio Indebiti: Payment of something to which there's no right to claim, through mistake. Obligation to return arises.
Negotiorum Gestio: Voluntary management of another's property without authority. The manager is bound to continue until the end or offer a substitute if possible. Applies while the owner is unaware and doesn't repudiate.

Quasi-Contracts (Other)

There are additional quasi-contractual obligations (Articles 2164-2175). Examples include support obligations, unexpected expenses, or property saved from calamity.

Proximate Cause in Quasi-Delicts

Quasi-Delict: Negligence causing damage in the absence of a pre-existing contract. Equivalent to "tort."
Proximate Cause: The direct cause of an injury, establishing a natural sequence unbroken by any intervening cause. Determined through logic, common sense, policy, and precedent, per legal case decisions.
Different individuals and entities may have liability depending on the circumstances leading to the damage (i.e., parents, guardians, businesses, the state, etc.).

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Description

Explore the fundamental principles of obligations as defined in the Philippines' Civil Code. This module covers the types, sources, and effects of obligations, as well as case applications related to business. Gain insights through case studies that enhance your understanding of obligation theories.

Introduction to Obligations - Philippines Civil Code

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