Delizo, Noreen Dorothy D.

Introduction to Law
BSLM 2A

Philippine Bar Exams Reviewer for Civil Law Persons and Family Relations
1. When do laws in the Philippines take effect?
 Laws in the Philippines take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of
their publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in
the Philippines, unless it is otherwise provided.

2. What is a retroactive law?

 It is one intended to affect transactions which occurred, or rights which accrued, before it
becomes operative, and which ascribes to them effects not inherent in their nature, in
view of the law in force at the time of their occurrence.

3. What are the exceptions to the rule that laws shall have no retroactive effect? The
following are the exceptions to the rule that laws shall have no retroactive effect:
 When the law itself expressly provides for its retroactivity;
 When the law is penal insofar as it favors the accused; provided that the accused is
not a habitual delinquent;
 When the law is procedural so long as it does not affect or change vested rights;
 When the law creates new substantive rights;
 When the law is curative in character in the sense that the purpose of its enactment
is to cure defects or imperfections in judicial or administrative proceedings; and
 When the law is interpretative of other laws.

4. What are mandatory laws?

 Laws the violations of which, tenders the act or proceeding illegal and void.

5. What are prohibitory laws?

 Laws which, if omitted, renders the proceeding or acts relating to it generally illegal or
void.

6. What are the exceptions to the rule that an act executed against provisions of
mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void?
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The following are the exceptions:

1. Where the law itself authorizes its validity;
2. Where the law makes the act valid but punishes the violator;
3. Where the law makes the act only voidable; and
4. Where the law declares the nullity of an act but recognizes its effects as legally existing.

7. What is a waiver?
 It is the intentional relinquishment of a known right or such conduct as warrants an
inference of relinquishment of such right.

8. What is a right?
 The power or privilege given to one person and, as a rule, is demandable of another. It
denotes an interest or title in an object or property.

9. Rights may be waived. In what cases may waiver be prohibited and declared null and
void? Waiver is prohibited and may be declared dull and void when:
1. It is contrary to law, public order, public policy, morals and good customs;
2. When prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law.

10. What are some instances where waiver is considered void? Waiver is considered void in
such instances such are:
1. Waiver of future support;
2. Waiver of political rights;
3. Waiver of future inheritance especially if the waiver intended to prejudice creditors.

11. What are the requisites of a valid waiver? The following are the requisites of a valid
waiver:
1. Full capacity to make the waiver;
2. Waiver must be unequivocal;
3. Right must exist at the time of the waiver;
4. It must not be contrary to law, public policy, morals or good customs;
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5. It must be prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law; and

6. When formalities are required, the same must be complied with.

12. What is a repeal of a law?

 It is the legislative act of abrogating through a subsequent law the effects of a previous
statute or portions thereof.

13. What are the types of repeal? Define each.

(a) Express Repeal – One which is literally declared by a new law, either in specific terms, as
where particular laws and provisions are named, identified, and declared to be repealed,
or in general terms.
(b) Implied Repeal – It takes place when a new law contains provisions contrary to or
inconsistent with those of a former law without expressly repealing them.

14. What are the requisites of an implied repeal? The following are the requisites of an
implied repeal:
1. The laws cover the same subject matter; and
2. The latter is repugnant to the other.

15. What is private international law?

 It is a part of municipal law of a state which directs its courts and administrative agencies
when confronted with a legal problem involving foreign element, whether or not they
should apply the foreign law.

16. What is conflict of laws?

 It is the inconsistency or difference between the laws of different states or countries,
arising in the case of persons who have acquired rights, incurred obligations, injuries or
damages, or made contracts, within the territory of two or more jurisdictions.
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17. What are the elements of conflicts of laws? The following are the elements of conflict of
laws:
1. Legal problem or case involving foreign element; and
2. Foreign element – factual situation cutting across territorial lines, affected by diverse
laws of two or more states.
Primary function is to determine whether the law or judgments of other state/s will govern and if
so the extent if its recognition or application in the forum

18. What are the different conflict-of-law rules found in the New Civil Code and the Family
Code which sanction the operation of either Philippine laws upon Filipinos residing or
sojourning abroad and foreign laws upon foreigners residing or sojourning in the
Philippines?
They are the following:
1. With respect to penal laws and laws of public security – Although penal laws are
obligatory upon who live or sojourn in Philippine territory, nevertheless, this rule
is subject to the principles of public international law and to treaty stipulations.
2. With respect to laws relating to Family Rights and Duties or to the Status,
Condition and Legal Capacity of Persons – As a general rule, nationality rule
applies regardless of their place of residence. However, if a divorce is validly
obtained abroad by alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino
spouse shall have the capacity to remarry under Philippine law.
3. With respect to Laws on Real and Personal Property – The doctrine of Lex Rei
Sitae shall govern which provides that the law of the country where the property
is situated shall govern property transactions.
The following are its exceptions:
1. Capacity to succeed;
2. Intrinsic Validity of testamentary provisions;
3. Amount of successional rights; and
4. Order of succession.
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4. With respect to Laws on Forms and Solemnities – The doctrine of Lex Loci
Celebrationis shall govern which provides that forms and solemnities of
contracts, wills and other public instruments (pertaining to extrinsic validity)
shall be governed by the laws of the country in which they are executed.

The following are its exceptions:

1. Marriage between Filipinos validly solemnized abroad shall be void when under
Philippine laws, such marriage is void; and
2. Intrinsic Validity of Contracts which shall be determined by the following rules:
a. The law stipulated by the parties shall be applied;
b. In default thereof, and the parties are of the same nationality, their national law
shall be applied;
c. If the parties are not of the same nationalities, the law of the place of the
perfection of the obligation shall govern its fulfillment; or
d. If the above places are not specified and they cannot be deduced from the nature
and circumstances of the obligation, then the law of the passive subject shall
apply.

19. What are the rules on personal law? Distinguished.

1. Domiciliary Rule where the basis of determining personal law of an individual is his
domicile; and
2. Nationality Rule where the basis of determining personal law is his citizenship.

20. What are the rules to follow when the court is confronted with a case involving a
foreign element? If the court is faced with a case involving a foreign element, it should
first determine:
1. Whether it has jurisdiction over the case
2. If it has no jurisdiction, it should be dismissed on that ground;
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3. If it has jurisdiction, the court will determine whether it should assume jurisdiction,
or it should dismiss the case on the ground of forum non-convenience;
4. Once the court has determined it has jurisdiction over the case, it will next
determine whether to apply the internal law of the forum or apply the proper foreign
law.

21. What is Forum Non Convenience?

 It is the refusal to assume jurisdiction because it would prove inconvenience for the
forum.

22. When can internal or domestic law be applied?

Internal or domestic law can be applied when:
1. Law of the forum expressly so provides in its conflicts rule;
2. Proper foreign law has not been properly pleaded and proved;
3. Case involves any of the exceptions to the application of the foreign law.

23. What is the Doctrine of Processual Presumption of law?

 When the proper foreign law has not been properly proved, the court of the forum may
presume that said foreign law is the same as the law of the forum that said court can now
apply. It applies when the foreign law is not alleged or if alleged, it is not proved.

24. What is renvoi doctrine?

 It literally means referring back. It occurs when a citizen of another country dies as a
domiciliary of another country. Where the conflict rules of the forum refer to a foreign
law, and the latter refers it back to the internal law, the law of the forum shall apply.

25. What will the Courts do, if it is confronted with a case with a “Renvoi” problem? The
Court has the following options:
1. Reject the renvoi – If the conflict rules of the forum refer later the case to the law of
another state, it is deemed to mean only the internal law of that state. Thus, the court
will apply the foreign law.
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2. Accept the renvoi – If the conflict rules of the forum refer the case to the law of
another state, it is deemed to include the totality of the foreign law (internal law and
conflict of law rules).Thus the court will recognize the referral back and apply the
local law.
3. Follow the Theory of Desisment – also referred to as Mutual Disclaimer of
Jurisdiction Theory. The forum court upon reference to another state’s law sees that
such law is limited in application to its own nationals domiciled in its territory and
has no provision for application to nationals domiciled outside of the territory.
Hence the local court will apply the local law.

NOTE: This has the same result as the acceptance of the renvoi doctrine but the process used by
the forum court is to desist applying the foreign law.
D. Make use of the Foreign Court Theory – Forum acourt assumes the same position that the
foreign court would take if the case is litigated in the foreign state.

26. What is transmission theory?

 It provides that if the foreign law refers it to a third country, the said country’s law shall
govern.

27. What is the principle of abuse of rights?

 The principle of abuse of rights departs from the classical theory that “he who uses a right
injures no one.” The modern tendency is to depart from the classical and traditional
theory, and to grant indemnity for damages in cases where there is an abuse of rights,
even when the act is not illicit.

28. Is abuse of rights actionable? Explain. Yes, abuse of rights is actionable.

 This is clear from the provision of Art. 19 of the NCC, which declares that “every person
must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice,
give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith,” and from the provision of
Art. 20, which declares that “every person who, contrary to law, willfully or negligently
causes damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.”
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29. What elements of an abuse of right must be present in order that it will be actionable?
The following elements must concur:
1. There is a legal right or duty;
2. Which is exercised in bad faith; and
3. For the sole intent of prejudicing or injuring another.

30. What is the doctrine of Volenti Non Fit Injuria?

 It refers to self-inflicted injuries or to the consent to injury which precludes the recovery
of damages by one who has knowingly and voluntarily exposed himself to danger, even if
he is not negligent in doing so.

31. What is the doctrine of Damnum Absque Injuria?

 It means damage without injury. One who merely exercises one’s rights does no
actionable injury and cannot be held liable for damages.

32. What is the difference between injury and damage?

 Injury is the illegal invasion of a legal right; damage is the loss, hurt, or harm which
results from the injury; and damages are the recompense or compensation awarded for
the damage suffered. There can be damage without injury in those instances in which the
loss or harm was not the result of a violation of a legal duty. In such cases, the
consequences must be borne by the injured person alone.

33. What is the principle of Contra Bonus Mores?

 Any person who wilfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to
morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the latter for the damage.

34. What are the elements of an action under the principle of Contra Bonus Mores? The
following are the elements:
1. There is an act which is legal;
2. Such act is contrary to morals, good customs, public order or policy;
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3. It is done with intent to injure.

35. What is Accion In Rem Verso?

 It is the remedy for unjust enrichment. It is an action for recovery of what has been paid
or delivered without just cause or legal ground. If a person acquires or comes into
possession of something at the expense of another without just or legal ground through an
act or of performance by another or any other means has the obligation to return the
same.

36. What are the elements in order to enforce an Accion In Rem Verso? The following are
the requisites:
1. The defendant has been enriched;
2. The plaintiff has suffered a loss;
3. The enrichment of the defendant is without just or legal ground; and
4. The plaintiff has no other action based on contract, quasi-contract, crime or quasi-
delict.

37. What is a prejudicial question?

 A prejudicial question is a question which arises in a case, the resolution of which is a
logical antecedent of the issue involved in said case, and the cognizance of which
pertains to another tribunal.

38. What are the elements of a prejudicial question?

 They are: first, that it must be determinative of the guilt or innocence of the accused in
the criminal case; and second, jurisdiction to try said question must be lodged in another
tribunal.

39. What is its effect upon a criminal action?

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 Its effect upon a criminal case is to suspend it if one has already been commenced. (Art.
36, NCC.) This is, of course, the reverse of the ordinary rule of procedure. The reason for
this is that the resolution of the question is determinative of the guilt or innocence of the
accused in the criminal case.

40. Define person

 In its juridical sense, a “person” may be defined as a being, physical or moral, real or
juridical and legal, which is susceptible to obligations, or of being the subject of legal
relations.

41. How are the person classified. Distinguish one from another.
Persons are classified into natural and juridical persons. The two may be distinguished from each
other as follows:
(1) A natural person or human being has physical existence, whereas a juridical person
exists only in contemplation of law;
(2) A natural person is the product of procreation, whereas a juridical person is the
product of legal fiction.

42. What is meant by “juridical capacity” and “capacity to act”? Distinguish one from the
other.

 “Juridical capacity” is the fitness to be the subject of legal relations, while “capacity to
act” is the power to do acts with legal effect.

They may be distinguished from each other as follows:

(1) Juridical capacity is inherent in every natural person, and therefore, is not acquired,
whereas capacity to act is not, and therefore, is acquired.
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(2) Juridical capacity is lost only through death, whereas capacity to act may be lost through
other means or circumstances.
(3) Juridical capacity cannot be limited or restricted, whereas capacity to act can be limited
or restricted by certain circumstances.
(4) Juridical capacity can exist without capacity to act, but the existence of the latter always
implies that of the former.

43. What are the circumstances which modify or limit capacity to act?
The following circumstances, among others, modify or limit the capacity to act:

 Age, insanity, imbecility, the state of being a deaf-mute, penalty, prodigality, family
relations, alienage, absence, insolvency and trusteeship. The consequences of these
circumstances are governed in the Civil Code, other codes, the rules of court, and in
special laws. Capacity to act is not limited on account of religious belief or political
opinion.

44. What is meant by status?

 The status of a person is the legal condition or class to which one belongs in society.

45. What is meant by civil personality?

 Civil personality is merely the external manifestation of either juridical capacity or

capacity to act. Consequently, it may be defined as the aptitude of being the subject of
rights and obligations.

46. When does civil personality begin in natural persons?

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 Article 5 of P.D. No. 603, which declares that the civil personality of the child shall
commence from the time of his conception, for all poses favorable to him, subject to the
requirements of Article 41 of the Civil Code of the Philippines. For civil purposes, the
fetus is considered born if it is alive at the time it is completely delivered from the
mother’s womb. However, if the fetus had an intra-uterine life of less than 7 months, it is
not deemed born if it dies within 24 hours after its complete delivery from the maternal
womb.

47. How is civil personality extinguished?

 Death extinguishes civil personality. However, the rights and obligations of the deceased
are not necessarily extinguished by his death.

48. What is the effect if there is a doubt as to which of two persons, who are called to
succeed each other, died first?

 If there is a doubt, as between two or more persons who are called to succeed each other,
as to which of them died first, whoever alleges the death of one prior to the other, shall
prove the same; in the absence of proof, it is presumed that they died at the same time
and there shall be no transmission of rights from one to the other.

49. What are the presumptions on survivorship under the Revised Rules of Court?

 The presumptions on survivorship under the Revised Rules of Court are those provided
for in Rule 131, Section 3.

They are as follows: That except for purposes of succession, when two persons perish in the
same calamity, such as wreck, battle, or conflagration, and it is not shown who died first, and
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there are no particular circumstances from which it can be inferred, the survivorship is
determined from the probabilities resulting from the strength and the age of the sexes, according
to the following rules:

1. If both were under the age of fifteen years, the older is deemed to have survived;
2. If both were above the age sixty, the younger is deemed to have survived;
3. If one is under fifteen and the other above sixty, the former is deemed to have survived;
4. If both be over fifteen and under sixty, and the sex be different, the male is deemed to
have survived, if the sex be the same, the older;
5. If one be under fifteen or over sixty, and the other between those ages, the latter is
deemed to have survived.

50. When is the presumption given in Article 43 of the Civil Code of the Philippines applicable?
How about the presumptions on survivorship?

The presumption given in Article 43 of the Civil Code of the Philippines is applicable when the
following requisites are present:

(a) First, the parties are heirs to one another;

(b) Second, there is no proof as to who died first; and
(c) Third, there is doubt as to who died first.

The presumptions on survivorship, on the other hand, is applicable if the following requisites are
present:

(a) First, there are two or more persons;

(b) Second, they perish in the same calamity;
(c) Third, it is not shown who died first; and
(d) Fourth, there are no particular circumstances from which it can be inferred that one
died ahead of the other.
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51. How are juridical persons classified?

The following are the different kinds of Juridical Persons:

1. The State and its political subdivisions;

2. Other corporations, institutions and entities for public interest or purpose, created by
law; their personality begins as soon as they have been constituted according to law;
3. Corporations, partnerships and associations for private interest or purpose to which the
law grants a juridical personality, separate and distinct from that of each shareholder,
partner or member;
4. The Roman Catholic Church being considered as one because of tradition; 5. The estate
of a deceased person.

52. What is the capacity of a juridical person?

 A juridical person can acquire and possess property of all kinds as well as incur
obligations and bring civil or criminal actions, provided that they are in conformity with
the laws and regulations of their organization.

53. Question #14

Who are citizens of the Philippines under the new Constitution?
The following are citizens of the Philippines in accordance with the new Constitution:
(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;
54. (2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
55. (3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship
upon reaching the age of majority; and
56. (4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law. Question #15
57. For the exercise of civil rights and the fulfillment of civil obligations, what is the domicile of
natural and juridical persons?
58. For the exercise of civil rights and the fulfillment of civil obligations, the domicile of natural
persons is the place of habitual residence.
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59. While the domicile of juridical persons is the place fixed by the law creating or recognizing
the juridical person; and in the absence thereof, the place where their legal representation is
established or where they exercise their principal functions.