sic itur ad astra

Transportation Law | Registered Owner Rule Bienvenido Gelisan was the registered owner of a freight truck which he leased on January 31, 1962 to Roberto Espiritu, with an agreement that the latter would bear all losses. On February 1, 1962, Espiritu used the truck to haul 400 bags of fertilizer for Benito Alday but failed to deliver them and instead misappropriated the goods. Alday was forced to reimburse the value of the fertilizer and filed a case for damages against both Espiritu and Gelisan. The trial court held only Espiritu liable, but on appeal, the Court of Appeals ruled that Gelisan, as the registered owner, was also liable. The issue is whether the registered owner (Gelisan) can be held liable to a third person despite a private lease transferring responsibility to another (Espiritu). The Supreme Court affirmed Gelisan’s liability, applying the registered owner rule, which holds the registered owner of a public service vehicle directly and solidarily liable for damages aris...

  Insurance Law | Incontestability Clause (Section 48) Kind of Insurance: Life Insurance Parties: Petitioner: Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Insurer) Respondents: Ma. Daisy S. Sibya, Jesus Manuel S. Sibya III, and Jaime Luis S. Sibya (Beneficiaries) Insured: Atty. Jesus Sibya, Jr. Insurer: Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. Beneficiaries: Ma. Daisy S. Sibya, Jesus Manuel S. Sibya III, and Jaime Luis S. Sibya This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari filed by Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) , Inc. assailing the Court of Appeals’ decision affirming the RTC ruling ordering it to pay life insurance proceeds and damages to the beneficiaries of the insured. On January 10, 2001, Atty. Jesus Sibya, Jr. applied for a life insurance policy with Sun Life. In his application, he disclosed that in 1987 he underwent lithotripsy for kidney stones at the National Kidney Institute, and stated that there was “no recurrence.” He also executed an authorization allowing Sun Life to...