Case Digest: Cerezo vs. Tuazon. G.R. No. 141538, March 23, 2004
Torts and Damages | Vicarious Liability
Recit Ver:
On October 1, 1993, David Tuazon, a tricycle driver, filed a damages complaint against Hermana R. Cerezo (bus line owner), her husband Atty. Juan Cerezo, and bus driver Danilo Foronda.
Tuazon alleged he was injured due to Foronda’s negligent driving, which caused severe damage to his tricycle and injuries, rendering him disabled.
Tuazon filed to litigate as a pauper, which was approved by the court.
Initial summons for the Cerezo spouses was unserved in Makati in November 1993, but they were served in Tarlac in April 1994.
The Cerezo spouses engaged in the proceedings, filing various motions and comments through their lawyer, Atty. Valera.
The Cerezo spouses failed to file an answer, leading the trial court to declare them in default.
RTC: Ruled in Tuazon’s favor, holding Mrs. Cerezo solely liable for damages under Article 2180 of the Civil Code.
Mrs. Cerezo filed a petition for relief from judgment, claiming excusable negligence due to alleged lack of notice.
RTC: Denied the petition, stating that an appeal was the appropriate remedy, not a petition for relief.
The Cerezo spouses filed a Petition for Certiorari, claiming lack of jurisdiction due to lack of summons on Foronda (claimed as an indispensable party).
CA: Denied the petition, affirming that the Cerezo spouses’ failure to answer was due to their own negligence.
The Cerezo spouses filed a Petition for Review with the Supreme Court.
SC: Denied for failure to attach an affidavit of service.
Subsequently, they filed a petition for annulment of judgment before the CA.
CA: Dismissed the petition, as they had already sought relief via a previous petition. The spouses voluntarily appeared, giving the court jurisdiction, and any lack of summons for Foronda did not affect the court's jurisdiction over the spouses.
Remedies Available to a Party Declared in Default
Motion to Set Aside Default:
Before judgment.
Motion for New Trial:
After judgment but before it becomes final and executory.
Petition for Relief from Judgment:
If the judgment is final and executory, within 60 days from notice and within six months of its entry.
Appeal:
Even if a party did not file a motion to set aside the default.
Petition for Certiorari (Rule 65):
Available if the court abused its discretion in declaring a party in default, either improperly or with grave abuse of discretion.
Application of Remedies in Cerezo Case
Despite the counsel's options, Mrs. Cerezo’s lawyers failed to take the proper actions, either due to negligence or possible manipulation.
Upon receiving the trial court decision on June 25, 1995, Mrs. Cerezo could have filed an:
Appeal within 15 days.
Motion for new trial.
Petition for Certiorari.
Instead, she filed a petition for relief from judgment, a remedy for exceptional cases.
Restrictions on Petition for Annulment of Judgment:
Annulment of judgment is limited to cases involving extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction.
Mrs. Cerezo cited lack of jurisdiction but had already voluntarily appeared and participated in the proceedings.
Mrs. Cerezos Liability and the Trial Courts Acquisition of Jurisdiction
The case is a civil action for quasi-delict under Article 2180 of the Civil Code, not delict under the Revised Penal Code.
Tuazon pursued a quasi-delict action, which allows him to sue Mrs. Cerezo directly without involving Foronda. Foronda is not an indispensable party.
Under quasi-delict (Civil Code), an employer’s liability is primary and direct.
Under delict (Revised Penal Code), employer liability is only subsidiary and linked to criminal proceedings against the employee.
Foronda’s involvement is unnecessary for Tuazon’s quasi-delict case because Mrs. Cerezo, as an employer, is directly liable.
Since the liability is solidary, Tuazon can claim the entire damages from Mrs. Cerezo alone.
The court acquired jurisdiction over Mrs. Cerezo through her active participation in the case.
Any issues with summons were waived when the Cerezos filed for relief from judgment.
The trial court can decide the case based on its jurisdiction over Mrs. Cerezo alone.
Carpio, J.:
The Case
This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari 1 to annul the Resolution dated 21 October 1999 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 53572, as well as its Resolution dated 20 January 2000 denying the motion for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals denied the petition for annulment of the Decision dated 30 May 1995 rendered by the Regional Trial Court of Angeles City, Branch 56 ("trial court"), in Civil Case No. 7415. The trial court ordered petitioner Hermana R. Cerezo ("Mrs. Cerezo") to pay respondent David Tuazon ("Tuazon") actual damages, loss of earnings, moral damages, and costs of suit.
Antecedent Facts
Around noontime of 26 June 1993, a Country Bus Lines passenger bus with plate number NYA 241 collided with a tricycle bearing plate number TC RV 126 along Captain M. Palo Street, Sta. Ines, Mabalacat, Pampanga.
On 1 October 1993, tricycle driver David Tuazon filed a complaint for damages against Mrs. Hermana R. Cerezo, as owner of the bus line, her husband Attorney Juan Cerezo ("Atty. Cerezo"), and bus driver Danilo A. Foronda ("Foronda"). The complaint alleged that:
7. At the time of the incident, plaintiff [Tuazon] was in his proper lane when the second-named defendant [Foronda], being then the driver and person in charge of the Country Bus with plate number NYA 241, did then and there willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously operate the said motor vehicle in a negligent, careless, and imprudent manner without due regard to traffic rules and regulations, there being a "Slow Down" sign near the scene of the incident, and without taking the necessary precaution to prevent loss of lives or injuries, his negligence, carelessness and imprudence resulted to severe damage to the tricycle and serious physical injuries to plaintiff thus making him unable to walk and becoming disabled, with his thumb and middle finger on the left hand being cut[.]
On 1 October 1993, Tuazon filed a motion to litigate as a pauper. Subsequently, the trial court issued summons against Atty. Cerezo and Mrs. Cerezo ("the Cerezo spouses") at the Makati address stated in the complaint. However, the summons was returned unserved on 10 November 1993 as the Cerezo spouses no longer held office nor resided in Makati. On 18 April 1994, the trial court issued alias summons against the Cerezo spouses at their address in Barangay Sta. Maria, Camiling, Tarlac. The alias summons and a copy of the complaint were finally served on 20 April 1994 at the office of Atty. Cerezo, who was then working as Tarlac Provincial Prosecutor. Atty. Cerezo reacted angrily on learning of the service of summons upon his person. Atty. Cerezo allegedly told Sheriff William Canlas: "Punyeta, ano ang gusto mong mangyari? Gusto mong hindi ka makalabas ng buhay dito? Teritoryo ko ito. Wala ka sa teritoryo mo."
The records show that the Cerezo spouses participated in the proceedings before the trial court. The Cerezo spouses filed a comment with motion for bill of particulars dated 29 April 1994 and a reply to opposition to comment with motion dated 13 June 1994.
On 1 August 1994, the trial court issued an order directing the Cerezo spouses to file a comment to the opposition to the bill of particulars. Atty. Elpidio B. Valera ("Atty. Valera") of Valera and Valera Law Offices appeared on behalf of the Cerezo spouses. On 29 August 1994, Atty. Valera filed an urgent ex-parte motion praying for the resolution of Tuazons motion to litigate as a pauper and for the issuance of new summons on the Cerezo spouses to satisfy proper service in accordance with the Rules of Court.
On 30 August 1994, the trial court issued an order resolving Tuazons motion to litigate as a pauper and the Cerezo spouses urgent ex-parte motion. The order reads:
At the hearing on August 30, 1994, the plaintiff [Tuazon] testified that he is presently jobless; that at the time of the filing of this case, his son who is working in Malaysia helps him and sends him once in a while P300.00 a month, and that he does not have any real property. Attached to the Motion to Litigate as Pauper are his Affidavit that he is unemployed; a Certification by the Barangay Captain of his poblacion that his income is not enough for his familys subsistence; and a Certification by the Office of the Municipal Assessor that he has no landholding in the Municipality of Mabalacat, Province of Pampanga.
The Court is satisfied from the unrebutted testimony of the plaintiff that he is entitled to prosecute his complaint in this case as a pauper under existing rules.
On the other hand, the Court denies the prayer in the Appearance and Urgent Ex-Parte Motion requiring new summons to be served to the defendants. The Court is of the opinion that any infirmity in the service of the summons to the defendant before plaintiff was allowed to prosecute his complaint in this case as a pauper has been cured by this Order.
If within 15 days from receipt of this Order, the defendants do not question on appeal this Order of this Court, the Court shall proceed to resolve the Motion for Bill of Particulars.
On 27 September 1994, the Cerezo spouses filed an urgent ex-parte motion for reconsideration. The trial court denied the motion for reconsideration.
On 14 November 1994, the trial court issued an order directing the Cerezo spouses to file their answer within fifteen days from receipt of the order. The Cerezo spouses did not file an answer. On 27 January 1995, Tuazon filed a motion to declare the Cerezo spouses in default. On 6 February 1995, the trial court issued an order declaring the Cerezo spouses in default and authorizing Tuazon to present his evidence.
On 30 May 1995, after considering Tuazons testimonial and documentary evidence, the trial court ruled in Tuazons favor. The trial court made no pronouncement on Forondas liability because there was no service of summons on him. The trial court did not hold Atty. Cerezo liable as Tuazon failed to show that Mrs. Cerezos business benefited the family, pursuant to Article 121(3) of the Family Code. The trial court held Mrs. Cerezo solely liable for the damages sustained by Tuazon arising from the negligence of Mrs. Cerezos employee, pursuant to Article 2180 of the Civil Code. The dispositive portion of the trial courts decision reads:
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered ordering the defendant Hermana Cerezo to pay the plaintiff:
a) For Actual Damages - P69,485.35
1) Expenses for operation and medical Treatment
2) Cost of repair of the tricycle
b) For loss of earnings - 39,921.00
c) For moral damages - 43,300.00
d) And to pay the cost of the suit. - 20,000.00
The docket fees and other expenses in the filing of this suit shall be lien on whatever judgment may be rendered in favor of the plaintiff.
SO ORDERED.
Mrs. Cerezo received a copy of the decision on 25 June 1995. On 10 July 1995, Mrs. Cerezo filed before the trial court a petition for relief from judgment on the grounds of "fraud, mistake or excusable negligence." Testifying before the trial court, both Mrs. Cerezo and Atty. Valera denied receipt of notices of hearings and of orders of the court. Atty. Valera added that he received no notice before or during the 8 May 1995 elections, "when he was a senatorial candidate for the KBL Party, and very busy, using his office and residence as Party National Headquarters." Atty. Valera claimed that he was able to read the decision of the trial court only after Mrs. Cerezo sent him a copy.
Tuazon did not testify but presented documentary evidence to prove the participation of the Cerezo spouses in the case. Tuazon presented the following exhibits:
Exhibit 1 - Sheriffs return and summons;
Exhibit 1-A - Alias summons dated April 20, 1994;
Exhibit 2 - Comment with Motion;
Exhibit 3 - Minutes of the hearing held on August 1, 1994;
Exhibit 3-A - Signature of defendants counsel;
Exhibit 4 - Minutes of the hearing held on August 30, 1994;
Exhibit 4-A - Signature of the defendants counsel;
Exhibit 5 - Appearance and Urgent Ex-Parte Motion;
Exhibit 6 - Order dated November 14, 1994;
Exhibit 6-A - Postal certification dated January 13, 1995;
Exhibit 7 - Order dated February [illegible];
Exhibit 7-A - Courts return slip addressed to Atty. Elpidio Valera;
Exhibit 7-B - Courts return slip addressed to Spouses Juan and Hermana Cerezo;
Exhibit 8 - Decision dated May [30], 1995
Exhibit 8-A - Courts return slip addressed to defendant Hermana Cerezo;
Exhibit 8-B - Courts return slip addressed to defendants counsel, Atty. Elpidio Valera;
Exhibit 9 - Order dated September 21, 1995;
Exhibit 9-A - Second Page of Exhibit 9;
Exhibit 9-B - Third page of Exhibit 9;
Exhibit 9-C - Fourth page of Exhibit 9;
Exhibit 9-D - Courts return slip addressed to Atty. Elpidio Valera; and
Exhibit 9-E - Courts return slip addressed to plaintiffs counsel, Atty. Norman Dick de Guzman.
On 4 March 1998, the trial court issued an order denying the petition for relief from judgment. The trial court stated that having received the decision on 25 June 1995, the Cerezo spouses should have filed a notice of appeal instead of resorting to a petition for relief from judgment. The trial court refused to grant relief from judgment because the Cerezo spouses could have availed of the remedy of appeal. Moreover, the Cerezo spouses not only failed to prove fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence by conclusive evidence, they also failed to prove that they had a good and substantial defense. The trial court noted that the Cerezo spouses failed to appeal because they relied on an expected settlement of the case.
The Cerezo spouses subsequently filed before the Court of Appeals a Petition for Certiorari under Section 1 of Rule 65. The petition was docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 48132. The petition questioned whether the trial court acquired jurisdiction over the case considering there was no service of summons on Foronda, whom the Cerezo spouses claimed was an indispensable party. In a resolution dated 21 January 1999, the Court of Appeals denied the Petition for Certiorari and affirmed the trial courts order denying the petition for relief from judgment. The Court of Appeals declared that the Cerezo spouses failure to file an answer was due to their own negligence, considering that they continued to participate in the proceedings without filing an answer. There was also nothing in the records to show that the Cerezo spouses actually offered a reasonable settlement to Tuazon. The Court of Appeals also denied Cerezo spouses motion for reconsideration for lack of merit.
The Cerezo spouses filed before this Court a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45. Atty. Cerezo himself signed the petition, docketed as G.R. No. 137593. On 13 April 1999, this Court rendered a resolution denying the Petition for Review on Certiorari for failure to attach an affidavit of service of copies of the petition to the Court of Appeals and to the adverse parties. Even if the petition complied with this requirement, the Court would still have denied the petition as the Cerezo spouses failed to show that the Court of Appeals committed a reversible error. The Courts resolution was entered in the Book of Entries and Judgments when it became final and executory on 28 June 1999.
Undaunted, the Cerezo spouses filed before the Court of Appeals on 6 July 1999 a petition for annulment of judgment under Rule 47 with prayer for restraining order. Atty. Valera and Atty. Dionisio S. Daga ("Atty. Daga") represented Mrs. Cerezo in the petition, docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 53572.17 The petition prayed for the annulment of the 30 May 1995 decision of the trial court and for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction enjoining execution of the trial courts decision pending resolution of the petition.
The Court of Appeals denied the petition for annulment of judgment in a resolution dated 21 October 1999. The resolution reads in part:
In this case, records show that the petitioner previously filed with the lower court a Petition for Relief from Judgment on the ground that they were wrongfully declared in default while waiting for an amicable settlement of the complaint for damages. The court a quo correctly ruled that such petition is without merit. The defendant spouses admit that during the initial hearing they appeared before the court and even mentioned the need for an amicable settlement. Thus, the lower court acquired jurisdiction over the defendant spouses.
Therefore, petitioner having availed of a petition for relief, the remedy of an annulment of judgment is no longer available. The proper action for the petitioner is to appeal the order of the lower court denying the petition for relief.
Wherefore, the instant petition could not be given due course and should accordingly be dismissed.
SO ORDERED.
On 20 January 2000, the Court of Appeals denied the Cerezo spouses motion for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals stated:
A distinction should be made between a courts jurisdiction over a person and its jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case. The former is acquired by the proper service of summons or by the parties voluntary appearance; while the latter is conferred by law.
Resolving the matter of jurisdiction over the subject matter, Section 19(1) of B[atas] P[ambansa] 129 provides that Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation. Thus it was proper for the lower court to decide the instant case for damages.
Unlike jurisdiction over the subject matter of a case which is absolute and conferred by law; any defects [sic] in the acquisition of jurisdiction over a person (i.e., improper filing of civil complaint or improper service of summons) may be waived by the voluntary appearance of parties.
The lower court admits the fact that no summons was served on defendant Foronda. Thus, jurisdiction over the person of defendant Foronda was not acquired, for which reason he was not held liable in this case. However, it has been proven that jurisdiction over the other defendants was validly acquired by the court a quo.
The defendant spouses admit to having appeared in the initial hearings and in the hearing for plaintiffs motion to litigate as a pauper. They even mentioned conferences where attempts were made to reach an amicable settlement with plaintiff. However, the possibility of amicable settlement is not a good and substantial defense which will warrant the granting of said petition.
x x x
Assuming arguendo that private respondent failed to reserve his right to institute a separate action for damages in the criminal action, the petitioner cannot now raise such issue and question the lower courts jurisdiction because petitioner and her husband have waived such right by voluntarily appearing in the civil case for damages. Therefore, the findings and the decision of the lower court may bind them.
Records show that the petitioner previously filed with the lower court a Petition for Relief from Judgment on the ground that they were wrongfully declared in default while waiting for an amicable settlement of the complaint for damages. The court a quo correctly ruled that such petition is without merit, jurisdiction having been acquired by the voluntary appearance of defendant spouses.
Once again, it bears stressing that having availed of a petition for relief, the remedy of annulment of judgment is no longer available.
Based on the foregoing, the motion for reconsideration could not be given due course and is hereby DENIED.
SO ORDERED.
The Issues
On 7 February 2000, Mrs. Cerezo, this time with Atty. Daga alone representing her, filed the present Petition for Review on Certiorari before this Court. Mrs. Cerezo claims that:
1. In dismissing the Petition for Annulment of Judgment, the Court of Appeals assumes that the issues raised in the petition for annulment is based on extrinsic fraud related to the denied petition for relief notwithstanding that the grounds relied upon involves questions of lack of jurisdiction.
2. In dismissing the Petition for Annulment, the Court of Appeals disregarded the allegation that the lower court[s] findings of negligence against defendant-driver Danilo Foronda [whom] the lower court did not summon is null and void for want of due process and consequently, such findings of negligence which is [sic] null and void cannot become the basis of the lower court to adjudge petitioner-employer liable for civil damages.
3. In dismissing the Petition for Annulment, the Court of Appeals ignored the allegation that defendant-driver Danilo A. Foronda whose negligence is the main issue is an indispensable party whose presence is compulsory but [whom] the lower court did not summon.
4. In dismissing the Petition for Annulment, the Court of Appeals ruled that assuming arguendo that private respondent failed to reserve his right to institute a separate action for damages in the criminal action, the petitioner cannot now raise such issue and question the lower courts jurisdiction because petitioner [has] waived such right by voluntarily appearing in the civil case for damages notwithstanding that lack of jurisdiction cannot be waived.
The Courts Ruling
The petition has no merit. As the issues are interrelated, we shall discuss them jointly.
Remedies Available to a Party Declared in Default
An examination of the records of the entire proceedings shows that three lawyers filed and signed pleadings on behalf of Mrs. Cerezo, namely, Atty. Daga, Atty. Valera, and Atty. Cerezo. Despite their number, Mrs. Cerezos counsels failed to avail of the proper remedies. It is either by sheer ignorance or by malicious manipulation of legal technicalities that they have managed to delay the disposition of the present case, to the detriment of pauper litigant Tuazon.
Mrs. Cerezo claims she did not receive any copy of the order declaring the Cerezo spouses in default. Mrs. Cerezo asserts that she only came to know of the default order on 25 June 1995, when she received a copy of the decision. On 10 July 1995, Mrs. Cerezo filed before the trial court a petition for relief from judgment under Rule 38, alleging "fraud, mistake, or excusable negligence" as grounds. On 4 March 1998, the trial court denied Mrs. Cerezos petition for relief from judgment. The trial court stated that Mrs. Cerezo could have availed of appeal as a remedy and that she failed to prove that the judgment was entered through fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence. Mrs. Cerezo then filed before the Court of Appeals a Petition for Certiorari under Section 1 of Rule 65 assailing the denial of the petition for relief from judgment. On 21 January 1999, the Court of Appeals dismissed Mrs. Cerezos petition. On 24 February 1999, the appellate court denied Mrs. Cerezos motion for reconsideration. On 11 March 1999, Mrs. Cerezo filed before this Court a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45, questioning the denial of the petition for relief from judgment. We denied the petition and our resolution became final and executory on 28 June 1999.
On 6 July 1999, a mere eight days after our resolution became final and executory, Mrs. Cerezo filed before the Court of Appeals a petition for annulment of the judgment of the trial court under Rule 47. Meanwhile, on 25 August 1999, the trial court issued over the objection of Mrs. Cerezo an order of execution of the judgment in Civil Case No. 7415. On 21 October 1999, the Court of Appeals dismissed the petition for annulment of judgment. On 20 January 2000, the Court of Appeals denied Mrs. Cerezos motion for reconsideration. On 7 February 2000, Mrs. Cerezo filed the present Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 challenging the dismissal of her petition for annulment of judgment.
Lina v. Court of Appeals enumerates the remedies available to a party declared in default:
a) The defendant in default may, at any time after discovery thereof and before judgment, file a motion under oath to set aside the order of default on the ground that his failure to answer was due to fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence, and that he has a meritorious defense (Sec. 3, Rule 18 [now Sec. 3(b), Rule 9]);
b) If the judgment has already been rendered when the defendant discovered the default, but before the same has become final and executory, he may file a motion for new trial under Section 1 (a) of Rule 37;
c) If the defendant discovered the default after the judgment has become final and executory, he may file a petition for relief under Section 2 [now Section 1] of Rule 38; and
d) He may also appeal from the judgment rendered against him as contrary to the evidence or to the law, even if no petition to set aside the order of default has been presented by him (Sec. 2, Rule 41). (Emphasis added)
Moreover, a Petition for Certiorari to declare the nullity of a judgment by default is also available if the trial court improperly declared a party in default, or even if the trial court properly declared a party in default, if grave abuse of discretion attended such declaration.
Mrs. Cerezo admitted that she received a copy of the trial courts decision on 25 June 1995. Based on this admission, Mrs. Cerezo had at least three remedies at her disposal: an appeal, a motion for new trial, or a Petition for Certiorari.
Mrs. Cerezo could have appealed under Rule 41 from the default judgment within 15 days from notice of the judgment. She could have availed of the power of the Court of Appeals to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence, and perform all acts necessary to resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its appellate jurisdiction.
Mrs. Cerezo also had the option to file under Rule 37 a motion for new trial within the period for taking an appeal. If the trial court grants a new trial, the original judgment is vacated, and the action will stand for trial de novo. The recorded evidence taken in the former trial, as far as the same is material and competent to establish the issues, shall be used at the new trial without retaking the same.
Mrs. Cerezo also had the alternative of filing under Rule 65 a Petition for Certiorari assailing the order of default within 60 days from notice of the judgment. An order of default is interlocutory, and an aggrieved party may file an appropriate special civil action under Rule 65. In a Petition for Certiorari, the appellate court may declare void both the order of default and the judgment of default.
Clearly, Mrs. Cerezo had every opportunity to avail of these remedies within the reglementary periods provided under the Rules of Court. However, Mrs. Cerezo opted to file a petition for relief from judgment, which is available only in exceptional cases. A petition for relief from judgment should be filed within the reglementary period of 60 days from knowledge of judgment and six months from entry of judgment, pursuant to Rule 38 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Tuason v. Court of Appeals explained the nature of a petition for relief from judgment:
When a party has another remedy available to him, which may either be a motion for new trial or appeal from an adverse decision of the trial court, and he was not prevented by fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence from filing such motion or taking such appeal, he cannot avail himself of this petition.
Indeed, relief will not be granted to a party who seeks avoidance from the effects of the judgment when the loss of the remedy at law was due to his own negligence; otherwise the petition for relief can be used to revive the right to appeal which has been lost thru inexcusable negligence.
Evidently, there was no fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence that prevented Mrs. Cerezo from filing an appeal, a motion for new trial or a Petition for Certiorari. It was error for her to avail of a petition for relief from judgment.
After our resolution denying Mrs. Cerezos petition for relief became final and executory, Mrs. Cerezo, in her last ditch attempt to evade liability, filed before the Court of Appeals a petition for annulment of the judgment of the trial court.
Annulment is available only on the grounds of extrinsic fraud and lack of jurisdiction. If based on extrinsic fraud, a party must file the petition within four years from its discovery, and if based on lack of jurisdiction, before laches or estoppel bars the petition. Extrinsic fraud is not a valid ground if such fraud was used as a ground, or could have been used as a ground, in a motion for new trial or petition for relief from judgment.
Mrs. Cerezo insists that lack of jurisdiction, not extrinsic fraud, was her ground for filing the petition for annulment of judgment. However, a party may avail of the remedy of annulment of judgment under Rule 47 only if the ordinary remedies of new trial, appeal, petition for relief from judgment, or other appropriate remedies are no longer available through no fault of the party.33 Mrs. Cerezo could have availed of a new trial or appeal but through her own fault she erroneously availed of the remedy of a petition for relief, which was denied with finality. Thus, Mrs. Cerezo may no longer avail of the remedy of annulment.
In any event, the trial court clearly acquired jurisdiction over Mrs. Cerezos person. Mrs. Cerezo actively participated in the proceedings before the trial court, submitting herself to the jurisdiction of the trial court. The defense of lack of jurisdiction fails in light of her active participation in the trial court proceedings. Estoppel or laches may also bar lack of jurisdiction as a ground for nullity especially if raised for the first time on appeal by a party who participated in the proceedings before the trial court, as what happened in this case.
For these reasons, the present petition should be dismissed for utter lack of merit. The extraordinary action to annul a final judgment is restricted to the grounds specified in the rules. The reason for the restriction is to prevent this extraordinary action from being used by a losing party to make a complete farce of a duly promulgated decision that has long become final and executory. There would be no end to litigation if parties who have unsuccessfully availed of any of the appropriate remedies or lost them through their fault could still bring an action for annulment of judgment. Nevertheless, we shall discuss the issues raised in the present petition to clear any doubt about the correctness of the decision of the trial court.
Mrs. Cerezos Liability and the Trial Courts Acquisition of Jurisdiction
Mrs. Cerezo contends that the basis of the present petition for annulment is lack of jurisdiction. Mrs. Cerezo asserts that the trial court could not validly render judgment since it failed to acquire jurisdiction over Foronda. Mrs. Cerezo points out that there was no service of summons on Foronda. Moreover, Tuazon failed to reserve his right to institute a separate civil action for damages in the criminal action.
Such contention betrays a faulty foundation. Mrs. Cerezos contention proceeds from the point of view of criminal law and not of civil law, while the basis of the present action of Tuazon is quasi-delict under the Civil Code, not delict under the Revised Penal Code.
The same negligent act may produce civil liability arising from a delict under Article 103 of the Revised Penal Code, or may give rise to an action for a quasi-delict under Article 2180 of the Civil Code. An aggrieved party may choose between the two remedies. An action based on a quasi-delict may proceed independently from the criminal action. There is, however, a distinction between civil liability arising from a delict and civil liability arising from a quasi-delict. The choice of remedy, whether to sue for a delict or a quasi-delict, affects the procedural and jurisdictional issues of the action.
Tuazon chose to file an action for damages based on a quasi-delict. In his complaint, Tuazon alleged that Mrs. Cerezo, "without exercising due care and diligence in the supervision and management of her employees and buses," hired Foronda as her driver. Tuazon became disabled because of Forondas "recklessness, gross negligence and imprudence," aggravated by Mrs. Cerezos "lack of due care and diligence in the selection and supervision of her employees, particularly Foronda."
The trial court thus found Mrs. Cerezo liable under Article 2180 of the Civil Code. Article 2180 states in part:
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or industry.
Contrary to Mrs. Cerezos assertion, Foronda is not an indispensable party to the case. An indispensable party is one whose interest is affected by the courts action in the litigation, and without whom no final resolution of the case is possible. However, Mrs. Cerezos liability as an employer in an action for a quasi-delict is not only solidary, it is also primary and direct. Foronda is not an indispensable party to the final resolution of Tuazons action for damages against Mrs. Cerezo.
The responsibility of two or more persons who are liable for a quasi-delict is solidary. Where there is a solidary obligation on the part of debtors, as in this case, each debtor is liable for the entire obligation. Hence, each debtor is liable to pay for the entire obligation in full. There is no merger or renunciation of rights, but only mutual representation. Where the obligation of the parties is solidary, either of the parties is indispensable, and the other is not even a necessary party because complete relief is available from either. Therefore, jurisdiction over Foronda is not even necessary as Tuazon may collect damages from Mrs. Cerezo alone.
Moreover, an employers liability based on a quasi-delict is primary and direct, while the employers liability based on a delict is merely subsidiary. The words "primary and direct," as contrasted with "subsidiary," refer to the remedy provided by law for enforcing the obligation rather than to the character and limits of the obligation. Although liability under Article 2180 originates from the negligent act of the employee, the aggrieved party may sue the employer directly. When an employee causes damage, the law presumes that the employer has himself committed an act of negligence in not preventing or avoiding the damage. This is the fault that the law condemns. While the employer is civilly liable in a subsidiary capacity for the employees criminal negligence, the employer is also civilly liable directly and separately for his own civil negligence in failing to exercise due diligence in selecting and supervising his employee. The idea that the employers liability is solely subsidiary is wrong.
The action can be brought directly against the person responsible (for another), without including the author of the act. The action against the principal is accessory in the sense that it implies the existence of a prejudicial act committed by the employee, but it is not subsidiary in the sense that it can not be instituted till after the judgment against the author of the act or at least, that it is subsidiary to the principal action; the action for responsibility (of the employer) is in itself a principal action.
Thus, there is no need in this case for the trial court to acquire jurisdiction over Foronda. The trial courts acquisition of jurisdiction over Mrs. Cerezo is sufficient to dispose of the present case on the merits.
In contrast, an action based on a delict seeks to enforce the subsidiary liability of the employer for the criminal negligence of the employee as provided in Article 103 of the Revised Penal Code. To hold the employer liable in a subsidiary capacity under a delict, the aggrieved party must initiate a criminal action where the employees delict and corresponding primary liability are established. If the present action proceeds from a delict, then the trial courts jurisdiction over Foronda is necessary. However, the present action is clearly for the quasi-delict of Mrs. Cerezo and not for the delict of Foronda.
The Cerezo spouses contention that summons be served anew on them is untenable in light of their participation in the trial court proceedings. To uphold the Cerezo spouses contention would make a fetish of a technicality. Moreover, any irregularity in the service of summons that might have vitiated the trial courts jurisdiction over the persons of the Cerezo spouses was deemed waived when the Cerezo spouses filed a petition for relief from judgment.4
We hold that the trial court had jurisdiction and was competent to decide the case in favor of Tuazon and against Mrs. Cerezo even in the absence of Foronda. Contrary to Mrs. Cerezos contention, Foronda is not an indispensable party to the present case. It is not even necessary for Tuazon to reserve the filing of a separate civil action because he opted to file a civil action for damages against Mrs. Cerezo who is primarily and directly liable for her own civil negligence. The words of Justice Jorge Bocobo in Barredo v. Garcia still hold true today as much as it did in 1942:
x x x [T]o hold that there is only one way to make defendants liability effective, and that is, to sue the driver and exhaust his (the latters) property first, would be tantamount to compelling the plaintiff to follow a devious and cumbersome method of obtaining relief. True, there is such a remedy under our laws, but there is also a more expeditious way, which is based on the primary and direct responsibility of the defendant under article [2180] of the Civil Code. Our view of the law is more likely to facilitate remedy for civil wrongs, because the procedure indicated by the defendant is wasteful and productive of delay, it being a matter of common knowledge that professional drivers of taxis and other similar public conveyances do not have sufficient means with which to pay damages. Why, then, should the plaintiff be required in all cases to go through this roundabout, unnecessary, and probably useless procedure? In construing the laws, courts have endeavored to shorten and facilitate the pathways of right and justice.
Interest at the rate of 6% per annum is due on the amount of damages adjudged by the trial court. The 6% per annum interest shall commence from 30 May 1995, the date of the decision of the trial court. Upon finality of this decision, interest at 12% per annum, in lieu of 6% per annum, is due on the amount of damages adjudged by the trial court until full payment.
WHEREFORE, we DENY the instant Petition for Review . The Resolution dated 21 October 1999 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 53572, as well as its Resolution dated 20 January 2000 denying the motion for reconsideration, is AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that the amount due shall earn legal interest at 6% per annum computed from 30 May 1995, the date of the trial courts decision. Upon finality of this decision, the amount due shall earn interest at 12% per annum, in lieu of 6% per annum, until full payment.
SO ORDERED.
Valenzuela vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. Nos. 115024 and 117944, February 7, 1996
Kapunan, J:
These two petitions for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court stem from an action to recover damages by petitioner Lourdes Valenzuela in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City for injuries sustained by her in a vehicular accident in the early morning of June 24, 1990. The facts found by the trial court are succinctly summarized by the Court of Appeals below:
This is an action to recover damages based on quasi-delict, for serious physical injuries sustained in a vehicular accident.
Plaintiff's version of the accident is as follows: At around 2:00 in the morning of June 24, 1990, plaintiff Ma. Lourdes Valenzuela was driving a blue Mitsubishi lancer with Plate No. FFU 542 from her restaurant at Marcos highway to her home at Palanza Street, Araneta Avenue.
She was travelling along Aurora Blvd. with a companion, Cecilia Ramon, heading towards the direction of Manila. Before reaching A. Lake Street, she noticed something wrong with her tires; she stopped at a lighted place where there were people, to verify whether she had a flat tire and to solicit help if needed. Having been told by the people present that her rear right tire was flat and that she cannot reach her home in that car's condition, she parked along the sidewalk, about 1-1/2 feet away, put on her emergency lights, alighted from the car, and went to the rear to open the trunk. She was standing at the left side of the rear of her car pointing to the tools to a man who will help her fix the tire when she was suddenly bumped by a 1987 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by defendant Richard Li and registered in the name of defendant Alexander Commercial, Inc. Because of the impact plaintiff was thrown against the windshield of the car of the defendant, which was destroyed, and then fell to the ground. She was pulled out from under defendant's car. Plaintiff's left leg was severed up to the middle of her thigh, with only some skin and sucle connected to the rest of the body. She was brought to the UERM Medical Memorial Center where she was found to have a "traumatic amputation, leg, left up to distal thigh (above knee)". She was confined in the hospital for twenty (20) days and was eventually fitted with an artificial leg. The expenses for the hospital confinement (P120,000.00) and the cost of the artificial leg (P27,000.00) were paid by defendants from the car insurance.
In her complaint, plaintiff prayed for moral damages in the amount of P1 million, exemplary damages in the amount of P100,000.00 and other medical and related expenses amounting to a total of P180,000.00, including loss of expected earnings.
Defendant Richard Li denied that he was negligent. He was on his way home, travelling at 55 kph; considering that it was raining, visibility was affected and the road was wet. Traffic was light. He testified that he was driving along the inner portion of the right lane of Aurora Blvd. towards the direction of Araneta Avenue, when he was suddenly confronted, in the vicinity of A. Lake Street, San Juan, with a car coming from the opposite direction, travelling at 80 kph, with "full bright lights". Temporarily blinded, he instinctively swerved to the right to avoid colliding with the oncoming vehicle, and bumped plaintiff's car, which he did not see because it was midnight blue in color, with no parking lights or early warning device, and the area was poorly lighted.
He alleged in his defense that the left rear portion of plaintiff's car was protruding as it was then "at a standstill diagonally" on the outer portion of the right lane towards Araneta Avenue (par. 18, Answer). He confirmed the testimony of plaintiff's witness that after being bumped the car of the plaintiff swerved to the right and hit another car parked on the sidewalk. Defendants counterclaimed for damages, alleging that plaintiff was reckless or negligent, as she was not a licensed driver.
The police investigator, Pfc. Felic Ramos, who prepared the vehicular accident report and the sketch of the three cars involved in the accident, testified that the plaintiff's car was "near the sidewalk"; this witness did not remember whether the hazard lights of plaintiff's car were on, and did not notice if there was an early warning device; there was a street light at the corner of Aurora Blvd. and F. Roman, about 100 meters away. It was not mostly dark, i.e. "things can be seen" (p. 16, tsn, Oct. 28, 1991).
A witness for the plaintiff, Rogelio Rodriguez, testified that after plaintiff alighted from her car and opened the trunk compartment, defendant's car came approaching very fast ten meters from the scene; the car was "zigzagging". The rear left side of plaintiff's car was bumped by the front right portion of defendant's car; as a consequence, the plaintiff's car swerved to the right and hit the parked car on the sidewalk. Plaintiff was thrown to the windshield of defendant's car, which was destroyed, and landed under the car. He stated that defendant was under the influence of liquor as he could "smell it very well" (pp. 43, 79, tsn, June 17, 1991).
After trial, the lower court sustained the plaintiff's submissions and found defendant Richard Li guilty of gross negligence and liable for damages under Article 2176 of the Civil Code. The trial court likewise held Alexander Commercial, Inc., Li's employer, jointly and severally liable for damages pursuant to Article 2180. It ordered the defendants to jointly and severally pay the following amounts:
1. P41,840.00, as actual damages, representing the miscellaneous expenses of the plaintiff as a result of her severed left leg;
2. The sums of (a) P37,500.00, for the unrealized profits because of the stoppage of plaintiff's Bistro La Conga restaurant three (3) weeks after the accident on June 24, 1990; (b) P20,000.00, a month, as unrealized profits of the plaintiff in her Bistro La Conga restaurant, from August, 1990 until the date of this judgment and (c) P30,000.00, a month for unrealized profits in plaintiff's two (2) beauty salons from July, 1990 until the date of this decision;
3. P1,000,000.00, in moral damages;
4. P50,000.00, as exemplary damages;
5. P60,000.00, as reasonable attorney's fees; and
6. Costs.
As a result of the trial court's decision, defendants filed an Omnibus Motion for New Trial and for Reconsideration, citing testimony in Criminal Case O.C. No. 804367 (People vs. Richard Li), tending to show that the point of impact, as depicted by the pieces of glass/debris from the parties' cars, appeared to be at the center of the right lane of Aurora Blvd. The trial court denied the motion. Defendants forthwith filed an appeal with the respondent Court of Appeals.
In a Decision rendered March 30, 1994, the Court of Appeals found that there was "ample basis from the evidence of record for the trial court's finding that the plaintiff's car was properly parked at the right, beside the sidewalk when it was bumped by defendant's car. Dismissing the defendants' argument that the plaintiff's car was improperly parked, almost at the center of the road, the respondent court noted that evidence which was supposed to prove that the car was at or near center of the right lane was never presented during the trial of the case. The respondent court furthermore observed that:
Defendant Li's testimony that he was driving at a safe speed of 55 km./hour is self serving; it was not corroborated. It was in fact contradicted by eyewitness Rodriguez who stated that he was outside his beerhouse located at Aurora Boulevard after A. Lake Street, at or about 2:00 a.m. of June 24, 1990 when his attention was caught by a beautiful lady (referring to the plaintiff) alighting from her car and opening the trunk compartment; he noticed the car of Richard Li "approaching very fast ten (10) meters away from the scene"; defendant's car was zigzagging", although there were no holes and hazards on the street, and "bumped the leg of the plaintiff" who was thrown against the windshield of defendant's care, causing its destruction. He came to the rescue of the plaintiff, who was pulled out from under defendant's car and was able to say "hurting words" to Richard Li because he noticed that the latter was under the influence of liquor, because he "could smell it very well" (p. 36, et. seq., tsn, June 17, 1991). He knew that plaintiff owned a beerhouse in Sta. Mesa in the 1970's, but did not know either plaintiff or defendant Li before the accident.
In agreeing with the trial court that the defendant Li was liable for the injuries sustained by the plaintiff, the Court of Appeals, in its decision, however, absolved the Li's employer, Alexander Commercial, Inc. from any liability towards petitioner Lourdes Valenzuela and reduced the amount of moral damages to P500,000.00. Finding justification for exemplary damages, the respondent court allowed an award of P50,000.00 for the same, in addition to costs, attorney's fees and the other damages. The Court of Appeals, likewise, dismissed the defendants' counterclaims.
Consequently, both parties assail the respondent court's decision by filing two separate petitions before this Court.
Richard Li, in G.R. No. 117944, contends that he should not be held liable for damages because the proximate cause of the accident was Ma. Lourdes Valenzuela's own negligence. Alternatively, he argues that in the event that this Court finds him negligent, such negligence ought to be mitigated by the contributory negligence of Valenzuela.
On the other hand, in G.R. No. 115024, Ma. Lourdes Valenzuela assails the respondent court's decision insofar as it absolves Alexander Commercial, Inc. from liability as the owner of the car driven by Richard Li and insofar as it reduces the amount of the actual and moral damages awarded by the trial court.4
As the issues are intimately related, both petitions are hereby consolidated.
It is plainly evident that the petition for review in G.R. No. 117944 raises no substantial questions of law. What it, in effect, attempts to have this Court review are factual findings of the trial court, as sustained by the Court of Appeals finding Richard Li grossly negligent in driving the Mitsubishi Lancer provided by his company in the early morning hours of June 24, 1990. This we will not do. As a general rule, findings of fact of the Court of Appeals are binding and conclusive upon us, and this Court will not normally disturb such factual findings unless the findings of fact of the said court are palpably unsupported by the evidence on record or unless the judgment itself is based on a misapprehension of facts.
In the first place, Valenzuela's version of the incident was fully corroborated by an uninterested witness, Rogelio Rodriguez, the owner-operator of an establishment located just across the scene of the accident. On trial, he testified that he observed a car being driven at a "very fast" speed, racing towards the general direction of Araneta Avenue. Rodriguez further added that he was standing in front of his establishment, just ten to twenty feet away from the scene of the accident, when he saw the car hit Valenzuela, hurtling her against the windshield of the defendant's Mitsubishi Lancer, from where she eventually fell under the defendant's car. Spontaneously reacting to the incident, he crossed the street, noting that a man reeking with the smell of liquor had alighted from the offending vehicle in order to survey the incident. Equally important, Rodriguez declared that he observed Valenzuela's car parked parallel and very near the sidewalk, contrary to Li's allegation that Valenzuela's car was close to the center of the right lane. We agree that as between Li's "self-serving" asseverations and the observations of a witness who did not even know the accident victim personally and who immediately gave a statement of the incident similar to his testimony to the investigator immediately after the incident, the latter's testimony deserves greater weight. As the court emphasized:
The issue is one of credibility and from Our own examination of the transcript, We are not prepared to set aside the trial court's reliance on the testimony of Rodriguez negating defendant's assertion that he was driving at a safe speed. While Rodriguez drives only a motorcycle, his perception of speed is not necessarily impaired. He was subjected to cross-examination and no attempt was made to question .his competence or the accuracy of his statement that defendant was driving "very fast". This was the same statement he gave to the police investigator after the incident, as told to a newspaper report (Exh. "P"). We see no compelling basis for disregarding his testimony.
The alleged inconsistencies in Rodriguez' testimony are not borne out by an examination of the testimony. Rodriguez testified that the scene of the accident was across the street where his beerhouse is located about ten to twenty feet away (pp. 35-36, tsn, June 17, 1991). He did not state that the accident transpired immediately in front of his establishment. The ownership of the Lambingan se Kambingan is not material; the business is registered in the name of his mother, but he explained that he owns the establishment (p. 5, tsn, June 20, 1991). Moreover, the testimony that the streetlights on his side of Aurora Boulevard were on the night the accident transpired (p. 8) is not necessarily contradictory to the testimony of Pfc. Ramos that there was a streetlight at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and F. Roman Street (p. 45, tsn, Oct. 20, 1991).
With respect to the weather condition, Rodriguez testified that there was only a drizzle, not a heavy rain and the rain has stopped and he was outside his establishment at the time the accident transpired (pp. 64-65, tsn, June 17, 1991). This was consistent with plaintiff's testimony that it was no longer raining when she left Bistro La Conga (pp. 10-11, tsn, April 29, 1991). It was defendant Li who stated that it was raining all the way in an attempt to explain why he was travelling at only 50-55 kph. (p. 11, tsn, Oct. 14, 1991). As to the testimony of Pfc. Ramos that it was raining, he arrived at the scene only in response to a telephone call after the accident had transpired (pp. 9-10, tsn, Oct. 28, 1991). We find no substantial inconsistencies in Rodriguez's testimony that would impair the essential integrity of his testimony or reflect on his honesty. We are compelled to affirm the trial court's acceptance of the testimony of said eyewitness.
Against the unassailable testimony of witness Rodriguez we note that Li's testimony was peppered with so many inconsistencies leading us to conclude that his version of the accident was merely adroitly crafted to provide a version, obviously self-serving, which would exculpate him from any and all liability in the incident. Against Valenzuela's corroborated claims, his allegations were neither backed up by other witnesses nor by the circumstances proven in the course of trial. He claimed that he was driving merely at a speed of 55 kph. when "out of nowhere he saw a dark maroon lancer right in front of him, which was (the) plaintiff's car". He alleged that upon seeing this sudden "apparition" he put on his brakes to no avail as the road was slippery.
One will have to suspend disbelief in order to give credence to Li's disingenuous and patently self-serving asseverations. The average motorist alert to road conditions will have no difficulty applying the brakes to a car traveling at the speed claimed by Li. Given a light rainfall, the visibility of the street, and the road conditions on a principal metropolitan thoroughfare like Aurora Boulevard, Li would have had ample time to react to the changing conditions of the road if he were alert - as every driver should be - to those conditions. Driving exacts a more than usual toll on the senses. Physiological "fight or flight" mechanisms are at work, provided such mechanisms were not dulled by drugs, alcohol, exhaustion, drowsiness, etc. Li's failure to react in a manner which would have avoided the accident could therefore have been only due to either or both of the two factors:
that he was driving at a "very fast" speed as testified by Rodriguez; and
that he was under the influence of alcohol.
Either factor working independently would have diminished his responsiveness to road conditions, since normally he would have slowed down prior to reaching Valenzuela's car, rather than be in a situation forcing him to suddenly apply his brakes.
As the trial court noted (quoted with approval by respondent court):
Secondly, as narrated by defendant Richard Li to the San Juan Police immediately after the incident, he said that while driving along Aurora Blvd., out of nowhere he saw a dark maroon lancer right in front of him which was plaintiff's car, indicating, again, thereby that, indeed, he was driving very fast, oblivious of his surroundings and the road ahead of him, because if he was not, then he could not have missed noticing at a still far distance the parked car of the plaintiff at the right side near the sidewalk which had its emergency lights on, thereby avoiding forcefully bumping at the plaintiff who was then standing at the left rear edge of her car.
Since, according to him, in his narration to the San Juan Police, he put on his brakes when he saw the plaintiff's car in front of him, but that it failed as the road was wet and slippery, this goes to show again, that, contrary to his claim, he was, indeed, running very fast. For, were it otherwise, he could have easily completely stopped his car, thereby avoiding the bumping of the plaintiff, notwithstanding that the road was wet and slippery. Verily, since, if, indeed, he was running slow, as he claimed, at only about 55 kilometers per hour, then, inspite of the wet and slippery road, he could have avoided hitting the plaintiff by the mere expedient or applying his brakes at the proper time and distance.
It could not be true, therefore, as he now claims during his testimony, which is contrary to what he told the police immediately after the accident and is, therefore, more believable, that he did not actually step on his brakes but simply swerved a little to the right when he saw the on-coming car with glaring headlights, from the opposite direction, in order to avoid it.
For, had this been what he did, he would not have bumped the car of the plaintiff which was properly parked at the right beside the sidewalk. And, it was not even necessary for him to swerve a little to the right in order to safely avoid a collision with the on-coming car, considering that Aurora Blvd. is a double lane avenue separated at the center by a dotted white paint, and there is plenty of space for both cars, since her car was running at the right lane going towards Manila on the on-coming car was also on its right lane going to Cubao.
Having come to the conclusion that Li was negligent in driving his company-issued Mitsubishi Lancer, the next question for us to determine is whether or not Valenzuela was likewise guilty of contributory negligence in parking her car alongside Aurora Boulevard, which entire area Li points out, is a no parking zone.
We agree with the respondent court that Valenzuela was not guilty of contributory negligence.
Contributory negligence is conduct on the part of the injured party, contributing as a legal cause to the harm he has suffered, which falls below the standard to which he is required to conform for his own protection. Based on the foregoing definition, the standard or act to which, according to petitioner Li, Valenzuela ought to have conformed for her own protection was not to park at all at any point of Aurora Boulevard, a no parking zone. We cannot agree.
Courts have traditionally been compelled to recognize that an actor who is confronted with an emergency is not to be held up to the standard of conduct normally applied to an individual who is in no such situation. The law takes stock of impulses of humanity when placed in threatening or dangerous situations and does not require the same standard of thoughtful and reflective care from persons confronted by unusual and oftentimes threatening conditions.
Under the "emergency rule" adopted by this Court in Gan vs. Court of Appeals, an individual who suddenly finds himself in a situation of danger and is required to act without much time to consider the best means that may be adopted to avoid the impending danger, is not guilty of negligence if he fails to undertake what subsequently and upon reflection may appear to be a better solution, unless the emergency was brought by his own negligence.
Applying this principle to a case in which the victims in a vehicular accident swerved to the wrong lane to avoid hitting two children suddenly darting into the street, we held, in Mc Kee vs. Intermediate Appellate Court, that the driver therein, Jose Koh, "adopted the best means possible in the given situation" to avoid hitting the children. Using the "emergency rule" the Court concluded that Koh, in spite of the fact that he was in the wrong lane when the collision with an oncoming truck occurred, was not guilty of negligence.
While the emergency rule applies to those cases in which reflective thought, or the opportunity to adequately weigh a threatening situation is absent, the conduct which is required of an individual in such cases is dictated not exclusively by the suddenness of the event which absolutely negates thoroughful care, but by the over-all nature of the circumstances.
A woman driving a vehicle suddenly crippled by a flat tire on a rainy night will not be faulted for stopping at a point which is both convenient for her to do so and which is not a hazard to other motorists. She is not expected to run the entire boulevard in search for a parking zone or turn on a dark street or alley where she would likely find no one to help her. It would be hazardous for her not to stop and assess the emergency (simply because the entire length of Aurora Boulevard is a no-parking zone) because the hobbling vehicle would be both a threat to her safety and to other motorists.
In the instant case, Valenzuela, upon reaching that portion of Aurora Boulevard close to A. Lake St., noticed that she had a flat tire. To avoid putting herself and other motorists in danger, she did what was best under the situation. As narrated by respondent court:
"She stopped at a lighted place where there were people, to verify whether she had a flat tire and to solicit help if needed. Having been told by the people present that her rear right tire was flat and that she cannot reach her home she parked along the sidewalk, about 1 1/2 feet away, behind a Toyota Corona Car."
In fact, respondent court noted, Pfc. Felix Ramos, the investigator on the scene of the accident confirmed that Valenzuela's car was parked very close to the sidewalk. The sketch which he prepared after the incident showed Valenzuela's car partly straddling the sidewalk, clear and at a convenient distance from motorists passing the right lane of Aurora Boulevard. This fact was itself corroborated by the testimony of witness Rodriguez.
Under the circumstances described, Valenzuela did exercise the standard reasonably dictated by the emergency and could not be considered to have contributed to the unfortunate circumstances which eventually led to the amputation of one of her lower extremities. The emergency which led her to park her car on a sidewalk in Aurora Boulevard was not of her own making, and it was evident that she had taken all reasonable precautions.
Obviously in the case at bench, the only negligence ascribable was the negligence of Li on the night of the accident. "Negligence, as it is commonly understood is conduct which creates an undue risk of harm to others." It is the failure to observe that degree of care, precaution, and vigilance which the circumstances justly demand, whereby such other person suffers injury. We stressed, in Corliss vs. Manila Railroad Company, that negligence is the want of care required by the circumstances.
The circumstances established by the evidence adduced in the court below plainly demonstrate that Li was grossly negligent in driving his Mitsubishi Lancer. It bears emphasis that he was driving at a fast speed at about 2:00 A.M. after a heavy downpour had settled into a drizzle rendering the street slippery. There is ample testimonial evidence on record to show that he was under the influence of liquor. Under these conditions, his chances of effectively dealing with changing conditions on the road were significantly lessened. As Presser and Keaton emphasize:
[U]nder present day traffic conditions, any driver of an automobile must be prepared for the sudden appearance of obstacles and persons on the highway, and of other vehicles at intersections, such as one who sees a child on the curb may be required to anticipate its sudden dash into the street, and his failure to act properly when they appear may be found to amount to negligence.
Li's obvious unpreparedness to cope with the situation confronting him on the night of the accident was clearly of his own making.
We now come to the question of the liability of Alexander Commercial, Inc. Li's employer. In denying liability on the part of Alexander Commercial, the respondent court held that:
There is no evidence, not even defendant Li's testimony, that the visit was in connection with official matters. His functions as assistant manager sometimes required him to perform work outside the office as he has to visit buyers and company clients, but he admitted that on the night of the accident he came from BF Homes Paranaque he did not have "business from the company" (pp. 25-26, ten, Sept. 23, 1991). The use of the company car was partly required by the nature of his work, but the privilege of using it for non-official business is a "benefit", apparently referring to the fringe benefits attaching to his position.
Under the civil law, an employer is liable for the negligence of his employees in the discharge of their respective duties, the basis of which liability is not respondeat superior, but the relationship of pater familias, which theory bases the liability of the master ultimately on his own negligence and not on that of his servant (Cuison v. Norton and Harrison Co., 55 Phil. 18).
Before an employer may be held liable for the negligence of his employee, the act or omission which caused damage must have occurred while an employee was in the actual performance of his assigned tasks or duties (Francis High School vs. Court of Appeals, 194 SCRA 341).
In defining an employer's liability for the acts done within the scope of the employee's assigned tasks, the Supreme Court has held that this includes any act done by an employee, in furtherance of the interests of the employer or for the account of the employer at the time of the infliction of the injury or damage (Filamer Christian Institute vs. Intermediate Appellate Court, 212 SCRA 637). An employer is expected to impose upon its employees the necessary discipline called for in the performance of any act "indispensable to the business and beneficial to their employer" (at p. 645).
In light of the foregoing, We are unable to sustain the trial court's finding that since defendant Li was authorized by the company to use the company car "either officially or socially or even bring it home", he can be considered as using the company car in the service of his employer or on the occasion of his functions. Driving the company car was not among his functions as assistant manager; using it for non-official purposes would appear to be a fringe benefit, one of the perks attached to his position. But to impose liability upon the employer under Article 2180 of the Civil Code, earlier quoted, there must be a showing that the damage was caused by their employees in the service of the employer or on the occasion of their functions. There is no evidence that Richard Li was at the time of the accident performing any act in furtherance of the company's business or its interests, or at least for its benefit. The imposition of solidary liability against defendant Alexander Commercial Corporation must therefore fail.
We agree with the respondent court that the relationship in question is not based on the principle of respondeat superior, which holds the master liable for acts of the servant, but that of pater familias, in which the liability ultimately falls upon the employer, for his failure to exercise the diligence of a good father of the family in the selection and supervision of his employees. It is up to this point, however, that our agreement with the respondent court ends. Utilizing the bonus pater familias standard expressed in Article 2180 of the Civil Code, we are of the opinion that Li's employer, Alexander Commercial, Inc. is jointly and solidarily liable for the damage caused by the accident of June 24, 1990.
First, the case of St. Francis High School vs. Court of Appeals upon which respondent court has placed undue reliance, dealt with the subject of a school and its teacher's supervision of students during an extracurricular activity. These cases now fall under the provision on special parental authority found in Art. 218 of the Family Code which generally encompasses all authorized school activities, whether inside or outside school premises.
Second, the employer's primary liability under the concept of pater familias embodied by Art 2180 (in relation to Art. 2176) of the Civil Code is quasi-delictual or tortious in character. His liability is relieved on a showing that he exercised the diligence of a good father of the family in the selection and supervision of its employees. Once evidence is introduced showing that the employer exercised the required amount of care in selecting its employees, half of the employer's burden is overcome. The question of diligent supervision, however, depends on the circumstances of employment.
Ordinarily, evidence demonstrating that the employer has exercised diligent supervision of its employee during the performance of the latter's assigned tasks would be enough to relieve him of the liability imposed by Article 2180 in relation to Article 2176 of the Civil Code. The employer is not expected to exercise supervision over either the employee's private activities or during the performance of tasks either unsanctioned by the former or unrelated to the employee's tasks. The case at bench presents a situation of a different character, involving a practice utilized by large companies with either their employees of managerial rank or their representatives.
It is customary for large companies to provide certain classes of their employees with courtesy vehicles. These company cars are either wholly owned and maintained by the company itself or are subject to various plans through which employees eventually acquire their vehicles after a given period of service, or after paying a token amount. Many companies provide liberal "car plans" to enable their managerial or other employees of rank to purchase cars, which, given the cost of vehicles these days, they would not otherwise be able to purchase on their own.
Under the first example, the company actually owns and maintains the car up to the point of turnover of ownership to the employee; in the second example, the car is really owned and maintained by the employee himself. In furnishing vehicles to such employees, are companies totally absolved of responsibility when an accident involving a company-issued car occurs during private use after normal office hours?
Most pharmaceutical companies, for instance, which provide cars under the first plan, require rigorous tests of road worthiness from their agents prior to turning over the car (subject of company maintenance) to their representatives. In other words, like a good father of a family, they entrust the company vehicle only after they are satisfied that the employee to whom the car has been given full use of the said company car for company or private purposes will not be a threat or menace to himself, the company or to others. When a company gives full use and enjoyment of a company car to its employee, it in effect guarantees that it is, like every good father, satisfied that its employee will use the privilege reasonably and responsively.
In the ordinary course of business, not all company employees are given the privilege of using a company-issued car. For large companies other than those cited in the example of the preceding paragraph, the privilege serves important business purposes either related to the image of success an entity intends to present to its clients and to the public in general, or - for practical and utilitarian reasons - to enable its managerial and other employees of rank or its sales agents to reach clients conveniently.
In most cases, providing a company car serves both purposes. Since important business transactions and decisions may occur at all hours in all sorts of situations and under all kinds of guises, the provision for the unlimited use of a company car therefore principally serves the business and goodwill of a company and only incidentally the private purposes of the individual who actually uses the car, the managerial employee or company sales agent. As such, in providing for a company car for business use and/or for the purpose of furthering the company's image, a company owes a responsibility to the public to see to it that the managerial or other employees to whom it entrusts virtually unlimited use of a company issued car are able to use the company issue capably and responsibly.
In the instant case, Li was an Assistant Manager of Alexander Commercial, Inc. In his testimony before the trial court, he admitted that his functions as Assistant Manager did not require him to scrupulously keep normal office hours as he was required quite often to perform work outside the office, visiting prospective buyers and contacting and meeting with company clients. These meetings, clearly, were not strictly confined to routine hours because, as a managerial employee tasked with the job of representing his company with its clients, meetings with clients were both social as well as work-related functions. The service car assigned to Li by Alexander Commercial, Inc. therefore enabled both Li - as well as the corporation - to put up the front of a highly successful entity, increasing the latter's goodwill before its clientele. It also facilitated meeting between Li and its clients by providing the former with a convenient mode of travel.
Moreover, Li's claim that he happened to be on the road on the night of the accident because he was coming from a social visit with an officemate in Paranaque was a bare allegation which was never corroborated in the court below. It was obviously self-serving. Assuming he really came from his officemate's place, the same could give rise to speculation that he and his officemate had just been from a work-related function, or they were together to discuss sales and other work related strategies.
In fine, Alexander Commercial, inc. has not demonstrated, to our satisfaction, that it exercised the care and diligence of a good father of the family in entrusting its company car to Li. No allegations were made as to whether or not the company took the steps necessary to determine or ascertain the driving proficiency and history of Li, to whom it gave full and unlimited use of a company car. Not having been able to overcome the burden of demonstrating that it should be absolved of liability for entrusting its company car to Li, said company, based on the principle of bonus pater familias, ought to be jointly and severally liable with the former for the injuries sustained by Ma. Lourdes Valenzuela during the accident.
Finally, we find no reason to overturn the amount of damages awarded by the respondent court, except as to the amount of moral damages. In the case of moral damages, while the said damages are not intended to enrich the plaintiff at the expense of a defendant, the award should nonetheless be commensurate to the suffering inflicted. In the instant case we are of the opinion that the reduction in moral damages from an amount of P1,000,000.00 to P800,000,00 by the Court of Appeals was not justified considering the nature of the resulting damage and the predictable sequelae of the injury.
As a result of the accident, Ma. Lourdes Valenzuela underwent a traumatic amputation of her left lower extremity at the distal left thigh just above the knee. Because of this, Valenzuela will forever be deprived of the full ambulatory functions of her left extremity, even with the use of state of the art prosthetic technology. Well beyond the period of hospitalization (which was paid for by Li), she will be required to undergo adjustments in her prosthetic devise due to the shrinkage of the stump from the process of healing.
These adjustments entail costs, prosthetic replacements and months of physical and occupational rehabilitation and therapy. During her lifetime, the prosthetic devise will have to be replaced and re-adjusted to changes in the size of her lower limb effected by the biological changes of middle-age, menopause and aging. Assuming she reaches menopause, for example, the prosthetic will have to be adjusted to respond to the changes in bone resulting from a precipitate decrease in calcium levels observed in the bones of all post-menopausal women. In other words, the damage done to her would not only be permanent and lasting, it would also be permanently changing and adjusting to the physiologic changes which her body would normally undergo through the years. The replacements, changes, and adjustments will require corresponding adjustive physical and occupational therapy. All of these adjustments, it has been documented, are painful.
The foregoing discussion does not even scratch the surface of the nature of the resulting damage because it would be highly speculative to estimate the amount of psychological pain, damage and injury which goes with the sudden severing of a vital portion of the human body. A prosthetic device, however technologically advanced, will only allow a reasonable amount of functional restoration of the motor functions of the lower limb. The sensory functions are forever lost. The resultant anxiety, sleeplessness, psychological injury, mental and physical pain are inestimable.
As the amount of moral damages are subject to this Court's discretion, we are of the opinion that the amount of P1,000,000.00 granted by the trial court is in greater accord with the extent and nature of the injury - physical and psychological - suffered by Valenzuela as a result of Li's grossly negligent driving of his Mitsubishi Lancer in the early morning hours of the accident.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the decision of the Court of Appeals is modified with the effect of REINSTATING the judgment of the Regional Trial Court.
SO ORDERED.
Padilla, Bellosillo and Hermosisima, Jr., JJ., concur.
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