C I V I L L A W R E V I E W E R - S A L E S MEMORY AID

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

CONTRACT OF SALE – One of the contracting parties obligates himself to transfer the
ownership of and to deliver a determinate thing, and the other to pay therefor a price
certain in money or its equivalent. A contract of sale may be absolute or conditional.

SALES

1. Contract of sale (absolute)

 real obligation – obligation to give

 remedies available:

a. specific performance

b. rescission

c. damages

2. Contract to sell (conditional)

 personal obligation – obligation to do

 remedies available:

a. resolution

b. damages

ESSENTIAL REQUISITES OF A CONTRACT OF SALE

1. consent

2. subject matter

3. price

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACT OF SALE:

1. Nominate - law gave it a name

2. Principal - can stand on its own; unlike accessory contract

3. Bilateral - imposes obligation on both parties

a. obligation of seller – transfer ownership & deliver

b. obligation of buyer – pay price

Consequence: power to rescind is implied in bilateral contracts

4. Onerous – with valuable consideration

 Consequence: all doubts in construing contract to be resolved in greater

reciprocity of interest

5. Commutative – equal value is exchanged for equal value

 Test: subjective – as long as parties believe in all honesty that he is receiving

equal value then it complies with the test & would not be deemed a donation; but
must not be absurd.

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 Inadequacy of price or aleatory character not sufficient ground to cancel contract

of sale;

 inadequacy can show vitiation of consent & sale may be annulled based on vice
but not on inadequacy

6. Consensual – meeting of minds makes a perfect contract of sale but needs delivery
to consummate.

7. Title & not a mode – title gives rise to an obligation to transfer; it is a mode w/c
actually transfers ownership

STAGES IN LIFE OF CONTRACT OF SALE:

1. negotiation

2. perfection – by mere consent; performance may be demanded (specific

performance)

3. consummation

DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER CONTRACTS:

1. Donation

 donation is gratuitous; sale is onerous

 donation is formal contract; sale is consensual

 donation is governed by law on donation; sale is governed by law on sales

2. Barter

 in barter, the consideration is the giving of a thing; in sale, it is giving of money as

payment

 both are governed by law on sales; both are species of the genus sales

 if consideration consists party in money & partly by thing – look at manifest

intention;

if intention is not clear (1468):

a. value of thing is equal or less than amount of money – sale

b. value of thing is more than amount of money – barter

3. Contract for piece of work

 test in article 1467:

a. contract for delivery of an article which the vendor in the ordinary course of
business manufactures or procures for general market (whether on hand or
not) – sale

b. goods are to be manufactured specially for a customer and upon special

order and not for the general market – contract for piece of work.

 jurisprudence:

a. Timing test – under art 1467; Inchausti; whether the thing transferred would
have never existed but for the order – contract for piece of work (abandoned)

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b. Habituality test – enunciated in Celestino v CIR; contract of sale if

manufacturer engages in activity without need to employ extraordinary skills
and equipment; contract for piece of work is sale of service; contract of sale is
sale of things.

c. Nature of the object test – enunciated in EEI v CIR; each product’s nature of
execution differs from the others; products are not ordinary products of
manufacturer.

 main factor in decision of the SC: essence of why parties enter into it:

a. essence is object – contract of sale

b. essence is service – contract for piece of work

4. Agency to sell

 in sale, buyer pays for price of object; in agency to sell, agent not obliged to pay
for price, merely obliged to deliver price received from buyer.

 in sale, buyer becomes owner of thing; in agency; principal remains owner even
if object delivered to agent

 in sale, seller warrants; in agency, agent assumes no risk/liability as long as

within the authority given

 in sale, not unilaterally revocable; in agency, may be revoked unilaterally

because fiduciary & even if revoked w/o ground

 in sale, seller receives profit; in agency, agent not allowed to profit

 TEST: essential clauses of whole instrument (art 1466 – motherhood statement,

not good law)

 Agency is a personal contract; sale is a real contract (to give) – rescission is not
available in agency

5. Dacion en pago

 dacion: contract where property is alienated to satisfy/extinguish obligation to

pay debt

 in dacion: novates creditor-debtor relationship into seller-buyer

 in dacion: delivery is required (real contract)

6. Lease

 in sale: obligation to absolutely transfer ownership of thing; in lease: use of thing

is for a specified period only with an obligation to return

 in sale: consideration is price; in lease: consideration is rent

 in sale: seller needs to be owner of thing to transfer ownership;

in lease: lessor need not be owner

 lease with option to buy: really a contract of sale but designated as lease in
name only; it is a sale by installments

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CHAPTER 2: PARTIES TO A CONTRACT OF SALE

GENERAL RULE: All parties with capacity to contract can enter into a valid contract of sale

1. Natural Persons

2. Juridical Persons- Corporation/Partnership/Associations/Cooperatives

 Status of contract: valid

 Remedies available therefore are:

a. specific performance

b. rescission

c. damages

EXCEPTION TO GENERAL RULE:

1. Minors

 status of contract: VOIDABLE only, therefore ratifiable

 remedy is action for annulment (with partial restitution in so far as the minor is
benefited)

2. SALE BY & BETWEEN SPOUSES

a. Contract with 3rd parties

 status of contract is VALID

b. Sale between parties

 Status not provided for by law but VOID according to case law

 Reason:

i. prevent defraudation of creditors

ii. avoid situation where dominant spouse takes advantage of the other

iii. avoid circumvention on prohibition of donation between spouses

 Exception

i. separation of property agreed (marriage settlement)

ii. judicial separation of property

c. Common Law Spouses (Paramours)

 Status of contract: VOID (per case law)

 Rationale: evil sought to be avoided is present

3. OTHERS PER SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF LAW

a. Guardian with regard to property of ward during period of guardianship

b. Agent with regard to property of principal

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c. Executor/administrator with regard to the estate of the deceased

d. Public officers with regard to the property of the State

e. Officer of court & employee – with regard to the property in litigation

LEGAL STATUS OF CONTRACT:

1. VOID (PER CASE LAW) – guardian/ executor/public officers / officers of the court

2. VOIDABLE (PER CIVIL CODE) – agent; VALID if with consent

TWO GROUPS OF PARTIES PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN CONTRACT OF SALE:

1. Guardian / Agent / Executors – ratifiable in the sense that only private wrong is
involved

2. Public Officials / Officers of Court – not ratifiable in the sense that public wrong is
concerned

GUARDIAN/AGENT/ADMINISTRATOR

1. Legal status of contract: VOID (case law)

2. Direct or indirect

3. If mediator – no need to prove collusion; inutile

4. Even if court approved sale

5. Reason: fiduciary relationship is based on trust

ATTORNEYS

REQUISITES:

1. Lawyer-client relationship exists

2. Subject matter – property in litigation (all types)

3. Duration – while in litigation (from filing of complaint to final judgment); may be future
litigation

 Reason: due to public policy; ground for malpractice

a. Client is at the mercy of the lawyer

b. Law is a noble profession

c. 2 Masters – 2 interest; one cannot serve 2 masters at the same time

 Exception: CONTINGENT FEE ARRANGEMENT

a. Amount of legal fees is based on a value of property involved in litigation

 Not a sale but service contract

 I give that you may do (innominate contract) so has to be governed by law on

sales but because of public policy, considered VALID

 Reason why contingent fee is followed:

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i. constitutional prohibition v. impairment of contract

ii. subject to control of courts (may be reduced if unconscionable or nullified)

iii. canons of legal ethics

iv. higher public policy litigants

CHAPTER 3: SUBJECT MATTER OF SALE

TO BE A VALID & BINDING SUBJECT MATTER, THE FOLLOWING MUST CONCUR:

1. Existing, Future & Contingent

2. Licit

3. Determinate or determinable

EXISTING, FUTURE, CONTINGENT

 Refers to subject matter that are existing & not existing but capable of existence
(pursuant to present technology)

1. if this is present, status of contract: VALID

2. if absent : NO CONTRACT SITUATION, THEREFORE NO CAUSE OF ACTION

3. if mere pipe dream : VOID

a. SALE OF THINGS HAVING POTENTIAL EXISTENCE (Emptio Rei Speratae)

 Sale of future things; no physical existence yet

 A resolutory condition that thing will come into existence

 Non happening of condition: RESULUTORY: EXTINGUISH THE CONTRACT

 Remedy: can recover what has been paid

b. SALE OF HOPE (Emptio Spei)

 Every sale of future thing is subject to condition that they will come into
existence

 If hope does not come true – NO RECOVERY OF PAYMENT/NO

RESCISSION

 Aleatory character but valid

LICIT & VENDOR MUST HAVE A RIGHT TO TRANSFER SUBJECT MATTER

1. LICIT – must be within the commerce of men

 VOID SUBJECT MATTER:

a. Contrary to law
b. Simulated/fictitious
c. Did not exist at the time of transaction
d. Outside commerce of men
e. Impossible service
f. Intention can not be ascertained
g. By provision of law

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2. SELLER MUST BE OWNER – only at time of consummation since tradition transfers

ownership but to have a perfected contract of sale, vendor need not be owner of
thing; can be validated/ratified by subsequent acquisition of title by seller

DETERMINATE & DETERMINABLE

 Absence: VOID;

 there is subject matter but intention regarding subject matter cannot be ascertained –
VOID

 Kinds of subject matter:

1. Specific - Determinate

 Particularly designated or segregated from all others of the same class

2. Generic - Determinable

 Test: reach a point of description where both minds concur

 At the time the contract is entered into, the thing is capable of being made
determinate without the necessity of a new or further agreement between
parties

 Exact quantity not essential

 Sale of generic things – VALID; still executory

 There can only be contract of sale when subject is finally chosen for delivery
– already segregated or designated; but before designation, valid contract of
sale already exists

3. Undivided interest (BUYER becomes co-owner)

4. Undivided share in mass of fungible goods (BUYER becomes co-owner)

CHARTER 4: PRICE – signifies the sum stipulated as equivalent of the thing sold

CHARACTERISTICS OF VALID PRICE

1. Must be real

2. Must be in money or its equivalent

3. Must be certain or ascertainable at the time of the perfection of the contract

4. Manner of payment provided for

REAL

1. When price stated is one intended by the parties

 If fictitious: no intention with respect to price – VOID

 Subsequent delivery does not transfer ownership, seller can get the property
back

 If False/simulated: what appears in contract is not the true price

 TEST: if there was an assertion of ownership by the buyer, such as payment

of taxes or other acts of ownership. If none - simulated

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a. VALID if there is true consideration

b. VOID if none (because it is fictitious)

2. Valuable

 When not valuable – VOID

 When contract is onerous, presumed to have valuable consideration

 Nominal consideration w/c is common law concept does not apply (P1.00)

 Gross inadequacy of price in ordinary sale does not render contract void unless it
is shocking to conscience of man.

Except:
a. Judicial sale
 Shocking to conscience of man
 Higher price can be obtained at re-sale

b. Rescissible contracts due to lesion

c. Sales with right to repurchase (raises presumption of equitable mortgage) –

Remedy is reformation

CERTAIN OR ASCERTAINABLE

CERTAIN

1. Sufficient that it is fixed with reference to another thing certain

 That thing will have on a definite day, or in a particular exchange or market, or

when an amount is fixed above or below the price on such day, or in such
exchange or market provided said amount be certain

2. Determination be left to judgment of specified person/s

 If contract states that price is to be determined by 3 rd party, contract is already

perfected (there is just a suspensive condition – actual fixing of price)

 3rd party fixes price in bad faith or mistake – court remedy can be made

 3rd party is unable or unwilling to fix price – parties have no cause of action

 Contract is inefficacious

 Unless parties subsequently agrees

 Reason:

a. suspensive condition does not happen yet – courts have no jurisdiction

b. enforceable contract has not yet arisen – court with no jurisdiction to create
contract between parties

 Result: INEFFICACIOUS

 When price can not be determined in accordance with any of the preceding rules,
contract of sale in INEFFICACIOUS (Art. 1474)

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 However, when SM delivered, BUYER must pay reasonable price therefore –

court can fix price

MANNER OF PAYMENT MUST BE AGREED UPON

 Deemed to be an essential requisite because it is part of the presentation of the

contract

 Integral part of concept of price

 If there is failure to meet minds as regards term of payment: CASH BASIS

 Must be certain or at least ascertainable

 Effect is absent: NO CONTRACT SITUATION

CHAPTER 5: FORMATION OF CONTRACT OF SALE

3 STAGES IN LIFE OF A CONTRACT OF SALE

1. Policitacion/Negotiation Stage – offer is floated, acceptance is floated but they do

not meet; the time when parties indicate their interest but no concurrence of offer &
acceptance

2. Perfection – concurrence of all requisites; meeting of the minds

3. Consummation – parties perform their respective undertakings

POLICITACION

1. offer is floated but not absolute

2. acceptance is likewise floated but conditional

RULES:

1. offer is floated – prior to acceptance, may be withdrawn at will by offeror

2. offer floated with a period – without acceptance, extinguished when period has
ended & maybe withdrawn at will by offeror; right to withdraw must not be arbitrary
otherwise, liable to damage under Art 19, 20, 21 of civil code

3. offer floated with a condition – extinguished by happening/non-happening of

condition

4. offer floated without period/without condition – continues to be valid depending upon

circumstances of time, place & person

5. offer is floated & there is counter-offer – original offer is destroyed, there is a new
offer; can not go back to original offer

6. offer is floated – no authority of offeror to modify offer

7. offer is accepted absolutely – proceed to perfected stage

OPTION CONTRACT

 floats in the policitacion stage

 offer with a period but founded upon a separate consideration distinct from the price

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 no presumption of consideration, needs to be proven

 Characteristics:

a. not the contract of sale by itself, distinct

b. nominate

c. principal; but can be attached to other principal contracts

d. onerous

e. commutative

f. unilateral – vs contract of sale which is bilateral

 to be perfected & give rise to action, the following must concur:

a. subject matter of sale must be agreed upon

b. price of sale & manner of payment must be agreed upon

c. consideration separate & distinct from price

d. period – as per contract; if period not provided – prescribes in 10 years (written

contract)

e. how exercised: notice of acceptance should be communicated to offeror without

actual payment as long as there is delivery of payment in consummation stage

2 SITUATIONS IN AN OPTION CONTRACT:

1. with separate consideration

 Legal consequence:

a. option contract is valid

b. offeror can not withdraw offer until after expiry period

c. subject to rescission, damages but not to specific performance because this

is not an obligation to give

2. without separate consideration

 Legal consequence:

 OLD RULE:

a. offer is still valid, but

b. option contract is void

c. not subject to rescission, damages

 NEW RULE: Right of first refusal recognized

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL:

 creates a promise to enter into a contract of sale and it has no separate

consideration, not subject to specific performance because there is no contractual
relationship here & it is not an obligation to give (not a real contract)

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 New doctrine: may be subject to specific performance

 Effect of new doctrine: turned the world of policitacion upside down because while
valid option contract is not subject to specific performance, right of first refusal which
does not even have a separate consideration may be subject to specific performance

OPTION CONTRACT & RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL DISTINGUISHED

OPTION CONTRACT RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

Principal contract; stands on its own Accessory; can not stand on its own
Needs separate consideration Does not need separate consideration
Subject matter & price must be valid There must be subject matter but price not
important
Not conditional Conditional
Not subject to specific performance Subject to specific performance

 Recognizes recovery of damage based on abuse of rights doctrine

PERFECTION: OFFER & ACCEPTANCE

PERFECTION

 Sale is a consensual contract, perfected by meeting of minds regarding subject

matter & price

 Meeting of Minds:

1. Offer – certain

2. Acceptance – absolute

 Qualified acceptance – merely a counter-offer which needs to be absolutely

accepted to give rise to perfected contract of sale

 Business ads are mere invitations to make an offer except when it appears to
be otherwise

 Acceptance by letter/telegram – binds only at time it came to knowledge of

SELLER; prior thereto – offer may still be withdrawn

 Must be exact terms to be considered absolute

 When deviations allowed:

a. anything that refers to price is material

b. small items are insignificant, does not make acceptable unconditional

 when sale is subject to suspensive condition, no perfected contract of sale yet;

becomes perfected only upon happening of condition

 A sale by auction is perfected when the auctioneer announces its perfection by the
fall of the hammer or in other customary manner.

Until such announcement is made, any bidder may retract his bid; and the auctioneer
may withdraw the goods from the sale unless the auction has been announced to be
without reserve.

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 Place of perfection: where the meeting of minds happen; when acceptance sent by
mail, perfection is deemed where the offer is made

 Performance has nothing to do with perfection stage

EARNEST MONEY

1. money given as part of purchase price

2. its acceptance is proof that contract of sale exists

 nothing in law prevents parties from treating earnest money differently

 old concept: subject to forfeiture when BUYER backs out

 new concept: can not be forfeited – part of purchase price; must be restored

 qualification: if old concept is stipulated – VALID

 presumption of perfection of contract of sale and such earnest money as part of

purchase price is disputable

FORM OF SALES

1. Form not important in validity of sale

 Sale being consensual, may be oral or written, perfected by mere consent as to

price & subject matter

 If particular form is required under the statute of frauds:

a. valid & binding between parties

b. not binding to 3rd persons only

 Reason: purposes of convenience only & not for validity & enforceability; cause
of action is granted to sue & compel other party to execute the document

2. When form is important for validity; exception by specific provision of law;

a. power to sell a piece of land granted to an agent – otherwise VOID

b. sale of large cattle; must also be registered with Municipal treasurer – otherwise
VOID

c. sale of land by non-Christian if not approved by NCIP – VOID

3. When form is important for enforceability (STATUTE OF FRAUDS)

a. sale to be performed 1 year after

b. Agreement to sell things with value of 500 and up

c. Leasing for a period of more than 1 yr, or sale of real property or any interest
therein

 Exception:

i. When there is a note or memorandum in writing & subscribed to by party or

his agent (contains essential terms of the contract)

ii. When there has been partial performance/execution (seller delivers with
intent to transfer title/receives price)

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iii. when there has been failure to object to presentation of evidence (oral)
- constitutes waiver

CHAPTER 6: CONCUMMATION STAGE/PERFORMANCE STAGE

 Stage where parties both comply with their obligation

 Nature of diligence required: diligence of a good father of the family unless other
requirement is stipulated
 Consequence: Seller will be guilty of breach if thing is lost through his fault

DELIVERY OF THE THING

 Transfer ownership (tradicion)

– twin obligation:

1. transfer title(ownership) – SELLER must be owner of thing at the time of

consummation to validly transfer title

2. delivery of the thing

 Different kinds of delivery:

1. Actual
 when thing sold is placed in the control & possession of the buyer

2. Constructive

DIFFERENT FORMS OF CONSTRUCTIVE DELIVERY:

1. Traditio Longa Manu

 Delivery of thing by mere agreement; when SELLER points to the property

without need of actually delivering

1. Traditio Brevi Manu

1. Before contract of sale, the would be buyer was already in possession of the
would be subject matter of sale (ex: as lessee)

2. Symbolic delivery

 As to movables – ex: delivery of the keys to a car

3. Constitutum possessarium

 at the time of perfection of contract, seller continues to hold possession merely

as a holder

4. Execution:

 Exception:

a. when there is stipulation to contrary, execution does not produce effect of

delivery

b. when at the time of execution of instrument, subject matter was not subject to
control of the seller

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 subject matter should be within control of seller; he should have capacity

to deliver at the time of execution of public instrument when he wants to
effect actual delivery

 such capacity should subsist for a reasonable time after execution of

instrument (reasonable time depends on circumstances of persons,
places & things)

 Effect when 2 requisites do not concur: no constructive delivery; no compliance

on part of SELLER to deliver
Even when thing is mortgaged, seller can still deliver because naked title still
belongs to him & can still do acts of ownership including conveyance

5. Negotiable documents of title & non negotiable instruments

 transferee acquires title of transferor

 when delivered without negotiation, it is a mere assignment

6. Intangibles/ incorporeal property

 through public instrument

 execution is equivalent to delivery if from the deed, contrary does not appear

DELIVERY OF FRUITS & ACCESSIONS/ ACCESSORIES

 Right to fruits & accessions/accessories accrue from time sale is perfected

 but no real right over it until it is delivered

DELIVERY THROUGH CARRIER

1. FAS – FREE ALONG SIDE

 When goods delivered alongside the ship, there is already delivery to the buyer
(twin effects deemed fulfilled)

2. FOB - FREE ON BOARD

a. Shipment – when goods are delivered at ship at point of shipment; delivery to

carrier by placing goods on vessel is delivery to buyer

b. Destination – when goods reach the port even if not disembarked yet from the
vessel, there is delivery to the buyer

3. CIF – COST, INSURANCE, FREIGHT

a. when buyer pays for services of carrier – delivery to carrier is delivery to buyer;
carrier is agent of the buyer

b. when buyer pays seller the price – from moment the vessel is at port of
destination, there is already delivery to buyer.

COMPLETENESS OF DELIVERY

1. MOVABLES – delivery of thing plus accessories & accessions in the condition in

which they were upon the perfection of the contract including the fruits

a. LESS – buyer has 2 options:

i. reject
ii. accept

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(1) when accepts with knowledge that seller is not going to perform contract in
full, he must pay at price stipulated

(2) when accepts & consumes before knowledge that buyer will not perform
contract in full, liable only for fair value of goods delivered

b. LARGER – buyer has 3 options;

i. accept per contract & reject the rest

ii. accept the whole – pay price stipulated

iii. reject whole if subject matter is indivisible

c. MIXED WITH GOODS OF DIFFERENT DESCRIPTION – buyer has 2 options:

i. accept good w/c are in accordance with contract & reject the rest

ii. reject goods entirely – if indivisible

2. IMMOVABLES

a. sold per unit or number

 with statement of its area, rate at certain price

 deliver all that may have been stated in the contract

 if impossible, remedies of buyer:

 LESS IN AREA
i. rescission
ii. proportional reduction of price – LACK IN AREA SHLD NOT BE LESS
THAN 1/10 OF AREA AGREED UPON

 GREATER IN AREA
i. accept per stipulation & reject the rest
ii. accept whole area – pay at contract rate

 Not applicable to judicial sales

b. sold for lump sum

 When price per unit not indicated

 If area delivered is either greater or lesser – price will not be adjusted

accordingly

TIME & PLACE OF DELIVERY

1. follow stipulation in contact, or

2. follow usage in trade, or

3. seller’s place of business or his residence

4. specific goods – place where the thing is

5. at reasonable hour

EFFECTS OF DELIVERY: Title to thing is transferred/ownership is transferred

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Except: contrary is stipulated as in the case of:

1. contract to sell

2. sale on acceptance/approval

3. sale or return

4. there is implied reservation of ownership

WHO BEARS EXPENSES OF DELIVERY – Seller

Sale by description/sample

1. Sample – goods must correspond with sample shown

2. Description – goods must correspond with description or sample

 Effect if there is no compliance: RESCISSION may be availed of by the buyer

OBLIGATION OF BUYER

1. Pay the price

 Buyer is obligated to pay price according to terms agreed upon – regarding time,
place & amount

 If payment of interest is stipulated – must pay; if amount of interest not

mentioned – apply legal rate

 When buyer defaults – constitutes breach: subject to specific

performance/rescission & damages; interest to be paid also from default

2. Accept delivery of thing sold

 Where to accept: at time & place stipulated in the contract; if none specified – at
the time & place of delivery

 Goods;

there is acceptance when:

a. He intimates to seller that he has accepted

b. When delivered & does any act inconsistent with ownership of seller

c. Retains without intimating to seller that he has rejected

 Sale of Goods on installment:

a. Goods must be delivered in full, except when stipulated

b. When not examined by buyer – not accepted until examined or at least had
reasonable time to examine

 Acceptance of goods in general, absent contrary express stipulation, does not

discharge seller from liability in case of breach of warranties (unless no notice or
failure to give it within reasonable time)

 When buyer has a right to refuse goods, no need to return; shall be considered
as depositary; unless there is stipulation to the contrary

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DOUBLE SALE:

General Rule: FIRST IN TIME, PRIORITY IN RIGHT

When does it apply: when not all requisites embodied in 1544 concur

SPECIAL RULE: 1544

 Requisites;

1. exactly same subject matter

2. exactly same immediate seller

3. buyers represent conflicting interest

4. both sales are valid

RULES ACCORDING TO 1544:

1. MOVABLE

 owner is first to posses in good faith

2. IMMOVABLE

 First to register in good faith

 No inscription, first to possess in good faith

 No inscription & no possession in good faith – Person who presents oldest title in
good faith

GOOD FAITH

1. one who buys property without notice that another person has a right or interest in
such property

2. one who has paid price before notice that another has claim or interest

 lis pendens – notice that subject matter is in litigation

 adverse claim – notice that somebody is claiming better right

POSSESSION

 Both actual or constructive

REGISTRATION

1. registered under Torrens system

 1544 applies

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2. not registered under the Torrens system

 1544 still applies

 jurisprudence: if 2nd sale is a judicial sale (by way of levy on execution), buyer
merely steps into the shoes of the judgment debtor. Outside of such situation –
must apply to conflicting sales over the same unregistered parcel of land

3. if sale 1 occurs when land is not yet registered & sale 2 is done when land is already
registered – apply FIRST IN TIME, PRIORITY IN RIGHT
CHAPTER 7: DOCUMENTS OF TITLE

DOCUMENTS OF TITLE

 not creation of law but by merchants to allow them to deal with merchandise
without having to physically carry them around

 pertains to specific type of movables only : GOODS

2 FUNCTIONS

1. evidence of existence & possession of goods described therein

2. medium by which seller is able to transfer possession of goods

2 FORMS

1. negotiable

a. deliver to bearer (negotiation by mere delivery)

b. deliver to specific person or his order (negotiation by endorsement + delivery)

 even if face of instrument says NON-NEGOTIABLE, it is still NEGOTIABLE;

limiting words does not destroy negotiability

 if order instrument & no endorsement was made – equivalent to assignment

2. non-negotiable

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

1. Negotiation gives better right than assignment

NEGOTIATION ASSIGNMENT
transferor/holder acquires title to goods acquires title to goods against transferor

bailee has direct obligation to holder as if acquires right to notify bailee so that he
directly dealt with him acquires obligation of bailee to hold goods
for him

2. Assignee takes document with defects of the assignor

]3. Obligation of bailee – bailee is immediately bound to the document

WARRANTIES ON NEGOTIATION/ASSIGNMENT – THE SAME

1. the document is genuine

2. he has legal right to negotiate or transfer it

3. he has knowledge of no fact which would impair the validity or worth of the document

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4. he has right to transfer title to goods and goods are merchantable/fit

RULES OF LEVY/GARNISHMENT OF GOODS COVERED BY DOCUMENTS OF TITLE

1. Non negotiable

 Notification is operative act to transfer title/possession of goods in favor assignee

 Before notification – can still be garnished

2. Negotiable

 Can not be levied or garnished when documents are already with purchaser in
good faith, unless:

a. Document is first surrendered

b. Document is pounded by court

c. Negotiation is enjoined

CHAPTER 8: SALE BY NON-OWNER OR BY ONE HAVING VOIDABLE TITLE

1. SALE BY NON-OWNER

Perfection Stage

a. sale by owner – VALID

b. sale by non-owner – VALID;

 because ownership is necessary only at time when transfer title to goods; at

perfection stage, no obligation on part of seller to transfer ownership

 law on estoppel further bolsters it: title passes by operation of law to grantee
when person who is not owner of the goods sold delivers it and later on acquires
title thereto

 since valid, action to annul is improper; there is already a perfected contract

Consummation Stage

 Contract of sale is valid because it has passed perfected stage, despite:

a. seller not being the owner

b. seller having no authority to sell

 What is void is the transfer of title/ ownership did not pass

 Effect: buyer acquired no better right than transferor

 Legal effect: CAVEAT EMPTOR – BUYER BEWARE

a. co-owner sells whole property prior to partition – sale of property itself is void
but valid as to his spiritual share

b. co-owner sells definite portion to partition – sale is void as to other co-owner

but valid as to his spiritual share if the buyer would have still bought such
spiritual share had he known that the definite portion sold would not be
acquired by him.

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Exception to (b):

i. Subject matter is indivisible

ii. Sale of definite portion is with consent of other co-owners

iii. co-owner sells 1 of 2 commonly-owned lands & does not turn over ½ of the
proceeds, other co-owner, by law & equity, has exclusive claim over remaining land.

 General Rule: Sale by non-owner, buyer acquires no better title than seller had.

 Exception:

a. owner by his conduct is precluded from denying seller’s authority

(ESTOPPEL)

b. contrary is provided for in recording laws (PD 1529)

c. sale is made under statutory power of sale or under order of a court of

competent jurisdiction

d. sale is made in a merchant’s store in accordance with code of commerce &

special laws

2. SALE BY SELLER WITH VOIDABLE TITLE

Perfection Stage

Valid sale – buyer acquires title of goods

Consummation Stage

Valid sale – if title has not yet been avoided, buyer buys goods under following
condition:
a. in good faith
b. for value
c. without notice of seller’s defect of title

TITLE AS TO MOVABLE PROPERTIES

Rule: POSSESSION IS EQUIVALENT TO TITLE

 Requisites:

a. Possession of a movable

b. In good faith

 Exception:

a. Owner lost movable – owner can recover w/o reimbursing price

b. Owner is unlawfully deprived – owner can recover w/o reimbursing price

 Exception to Exception:

a. movable is bought at public sale – owner can only recover after reimbursing price

b. acquired in good faith & for value from auction

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CHAPTER 9: LOSS, DETERIORATION, FRUITS & OTHER BENEFITS

CIVIL LAW COMMON LAW

To have a valid contract, subject matter Perfection of unconditional contract of sale

must be determinate or specific (law on covers goods that are determinable
loss, deterioration, fruits, applies only to
determine subject matter) and sale is
unconditional (perfection)

Delivery of subject matter is the mode Perfection with availability of subject matter
which transfers ownership to the buyer for delivery is the mode which transfers
ownership to buyer;

Not a title but a mode; tradition transfers Tradition is merely a means to perform
ownership (needs delivery) obligation

Risk of loss passes at perfection (even if Res perit domino; owner bears risk of loss
ownership has not yet been transferred)

*Legal consequences from point of perfection are the same in both legal systems:
upon perfection of an unconditional contract of sale involving specific or determinate
subject matter, the risk of loss deterioration and the benefits of fruits and improvements,
were fro the account of the buyer.

WHO BEARS RISK OF LOSS/DETERIORATION/FRUITS

1. Before perfection

 Res perit domino

 Owner is seller so seller bears risk of loss

2. At Perfection

 Res perit domino

 Contract is merely inefficacious because loss of the subject matter does not
affect the validity of the sale

 Seller cannot anymore comply with obligation so buyer cannot anymore be

compelled

3. After Perfection but before delivery

a. Loss – confused state

2 views:
Paras: BUYER
Tolentino: SELLER

b. Deterioration & fruits - Buyer bears loss;

4. After delivery

 Res perit domino

 Owner is buyer so buyer bears risk of loss

 Delivery extinguishes ownership vis-a-vis the seller & creates a new one in favor
of the buyer

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CHAPTER 10: REMEDIES OF PARTIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OF

SALE

SUBJECT MATTER: MOVABLES (IN GENERAL)

REMEDIES OF UNPAID SELLER

 Any man may not take law in his own hands, must seek remedy through courts

 Exception:

1. DOCTRINE OF SELF HELP

2. SPECIAL REMEDIES

 Requisites:

1. Subject matter – goods

2. Seller is unpaid – not completely paid or received negotiable instrument under a

condition & condition has been breached by reason of dishonor

3. Physical possession is with seller

1. possessory lien
2. stoppage in transitu
3. special right of re-sale Can only be exercised when the 2 prior rights
4. special right to rescind have been exercised

POSSESSORY LIEN

 Seller not bound to deliver if buyer has not paid him the price

 Right to retain; cannot be availed when seller does not have custody

 Exercisable only in following circumstances:

a. goods sold without stipulation as to credit

b. goods sold on credit but term of credit has expired

c. buyer becomes insolvent

 When part of goods delivered, may still exercise right on goods undelivered

 Instances when possessory lien lost:

a. seller delivers goods to carrier for transmission to buyer without reserving

ownership in goods or right to possess them

b. buyer or his agent lawfully obtains possession of goods

c. waiver

 loses lien when he parts with goods (still has stoppage in transitu)

 notice by seller to buyer not essential

STOPPAGE IN TRANSITU

 Requisites:

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1. Goods are in transit

 When goods are in transit

 From the time goods are delivered to carrier for purpose of transmission
to buyer

 Goods rejected by buyer & carrier continues to possess them

 When goods no longer in transit

 Reached point of destination

 Before reaching destination, buyer obtains delivery of the goods

 Goods are supposed to have been delivered to buyer but carrier refused

2. Shown by seller that buyer is insolvent (failure to pay when debts become
due )

 How is right exercised:

a. Obtain actual possession of goods

b. Give notice of claim to carrier / bailee in possession thereof

 Notice by seller to buyer is not required; notice to carrier is essential

SPECIAL RIGHT TO RESELL THE GOODS

 Requisites:

1. goods are perishable

2. stipulated the right of resale in case buyer defaults in payment

3. buyer in default for unreasonable time

 notice by seller to buyer not essential

 why special – there are things which seller cannot do in ordinary sale:

1. ownership is with buyer but seller can sell goods

2. title accorded to buyer is destroyed even without court intervention

SPECIAL RIGHT TO RESCIND

 why special – ownership of goods already with buyer but seller may still rescind;
ownership is destroyed even without court intervention but in ordinary sale, need to
go to court to destroy transfer of ownership

 Requisites:

1. Expressly stipulated

2. Buyer is in default for unreasonable time

 Notice needed to be given by seller to buyer

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REMEDIES OF BUYER

 When Seller fails to deliver, buyer may seek SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE WITHOUT
GIVING SELLER OPTION TO RETAIN GOODS ON PAYMENT OF DAMAGES

SALE OF MOVABLES ON INSTALLMENT

REMEDIES OF UNPAID SELLER (1484)

1. Exact fulfillment should the buyer fail to pay

2. Cancel the sale if buyer fails to pay 2 or more installments

3. Foreclose on chattel mortgage if buyer fails to pay 2 or more installments

 If buyer chooses foreclosure, no further action against buyer to recover any

unpaid balance of the price

 When is the law applicable: Sale on movables by installment

 Sale on installment: payment by several partial payments in small amount

 Rationale of the law: Buyer is lulled into thinking that he could afford because of
small amounts per installment & at the same time remedy abuse of commercial
houses

 Nature of remedies: alternative & not cumulative

 Coverage: sale & financing transaction & contracts of lease with option to
purchase

 Action : Judicial & Extrajudicial

SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

 If already chose specific performance, can no longer choose other remedies

 Except: after choosing, it has become impossible, rescission may be pursued

RESCISSION

 When chosen, there is correlative obligation to restitute

 But stipulation that installments paid are forfeited are valid if not unconscionable

 Deemed chosen when:

a. Notice of rescission is sent

b. Takes possession of subject matter of sale

c. Files action for rescission

 Barring effect on recovery of balance

FORECLOSURE

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 Barring effect on recovery of balance

 Extent of barring effect: purchase price

 Exception: mortgagor refuses to deliver property to effect foreclosure, recover also

expenses incurred in attorneys fees, etc. (Perverse Buyer-Mortgagor)

IMMOVABLES (IN GENERAL)

REMEDIES OF SELLER

1. Anticipatory breach

 Seller has reasonable grounds to fear loss of immovable sold & its price – sue for
RESCISSION

2. Non – payment of price

 RESCISSION

REMEDIES OF BUYER

1. Disturbed in possession or with reasonable grounds to fear disturbance

 SUSPEND PAYMENT

2. In case of subdivision or condo projects

 If real estate developer fails to comply with obligation according to approved

plan:
a) RESCIND

b) SUSPEND PAYMENT UNTIL SELLER COMPLIES

IMMOVABLES (BY INSTALLMENT)

 1592 – Applies only to contract of sale

 Maceda Law – applies to COS & CTS & Financing

MACEDA LAW

 Coverage:REAL ESTATE – defined space vs. CONDO – not defined space (w/
common areas)

1. contract of sale

2. contract to sell

3. financing transactions

 Excluded:

1. industrial

2. commercial

3. sale to tenants under agrarian laws

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 RIGHTS GRANTED TO BUYERS:

1. Buyer paid at least 2 years installment

a. Pay without interest the balance within grace period of 1 month for every year
of installment payment

 Grace to be exercised once every 5 years

b. When no payment - cancelled; buyer entitled to 50% of what he has paid + if
after 5 years of installments, 5% for every year but not to exceed 90% of total
payments made

 Cancellation to be effected 30 days from notice & upon payment of cash

surrender value

2. Buyer paid less than 2 years installment

a. 1st Grace period is 60 days from date installment became due

b. 2nd grace period of 30 days from notice of cancellation/demand for rescission

 buyer can still pay within the 30 day period

 with interest

c. No payment after 30 day period, can cancel.

 Purpose of law : Protect buyers in installments against oppressive conditions

 Notice needed – waiver thereof if oppressive

 Apply to contracts even before law was enacted

 Stipulation to contrary is void

 Other rights:

a. Sell rights to another

b. Reinstate contract by updating during grace period & before actual cancellation

c. Deed of Sale to be done by notarial act

d. To pay in advance any installment or the full balance of price anytime without
interest

e. Have full payment annotated in certificate of title

CHAPTER 11: REMEDY OF RESCISSION IN CONTRACTS COVERING

IMMOVABLES

RESCISSION (RESOLUTION) 1191 RESCISSION – 1385

legal basis is substantial breach legal basis is lesion (rescissible contract)

principal remedy, retaliatory vs. unjust party subsidiary remedy – cannot be instituted
except when other remedies exhausted

mutual restitution mutual restitution

 Nature: Judicial

 Extra judicial Rescission

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 allowed if stipulated; burden to sue shifts to party who does not like
rescission

 court still has final say as to propriety of rescission

 Forfeiture of amounts valid being in nature of penal clause

CONTRACT OF SALE CONTRACT TO SELL

Governed by genus SALE Governed by genus SALE
Ownership passes because of tradition Ownership passes upon full payment
Non-payment is resolutory condition which Non payment is suspensive; non-payment
may be basis of breach extinguishes contract to sell
Perfection gives rise to reciprocal demandable Perfection gives rise to reciprocal suspensive
obligation conditional obligation

CONTRACT OF SALE – RESCISSION IS APPLICABLE

CONTRACT TO SELL – RESCISSION NOT APPLICABLE

 Non–payment of purchase price would automatically cancel even without further

action for rescission

 Except: If subject matter is residential lots, law on rescission applies when there is
substantial breach. Maceda law applies.

CHAPTER 12: CONDITION & WARRANTIES

A. CONDITION

 When a contract contains a condition, the non-happening of which would not

constitute a breach but extinguishes the obligation

 However, if party to the sales contract has promised that the condition should
happen or be performed, the non-performance of which may be treated by parties as
breach

CONDITION WARRANTY
Purports to existence of obligation Purports to performance of obligation

Condition must be stipulated to form part of Need not be stipulated; may form part of
the obligation obligation by provision of law

May attach itself to obligation of seller to Relates to the subject matter itself or to
deliver possession & transfer ownership obligation of the seller as to the subject
matter of the sale

B. EXPRESS WARRANTIES ( REQUISITES )

1. it must be an affirmation of fact or any promise by seller relating to the subject

matter of sale

2. natural tendency of affirmation or promise is to induce buyer to purchase subject

matter

3. buyer purchases the subject matter relying thereon

 when breached, seller is liable for damages

C. IMPLIED WARRANTIES

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– deemed included in all contracts of sale whether parties are

actually aware or not, whether they were intended or not; by operation of law

1. warranty that seller has a right to sell

 refers to consummation stage since in consummation stage, it is where

ownership is transferred by tradition

 not applicable to sheriff, auctioneer, mortgagee, pledgee

2. warranty against eviction

 implied, unless contrary provision appears in contract

 when ownership is transferred, buyer shall enjoy the legal and peaceful
possession of the thing

REQUISITES OF BREACH OF WARRANTY AGAINST EVICTION:

1. buyer is evicted in whole or in part from the subject matter of sale

2. there is a final judgement

3. basis of eviction is a right prior to sale or an act imputable to vendor

4. seller has been summoned in the suit for eviction at the instance of
buyer; or made 3rd party defendant through 3rd party complaint brought
by buyer

 no appeal needed nor a need for buyer to resist eviction for right to accrue; it
is enough that the aforementioned requisites are complied with

 warranty cannot be enforced until aforementioned requisites concur

 applies to judicial sale; judgment debtor responsible for eviction unless

otherwise decreed in judgment

 vendor not liable for eviction if adverse possession had been commenced
before sale but prescriptive period is completed after transfer

LIABILITY OF SELLER: (eviction w/c caused buyer to lose whole subject matter)

1. value of thing at time of eviction ( be it greater/lesser than price of sale )

2. value of income of fruits

3. costs of suit which caused the eviction

4. expenses of contract if buyer paid for them

5. damages & interests and ornamental expenses if sale was made in bad faith

RIGHTS OF BUYER WHEN DEPRIVED OF ONLY PART OF THE SUBJECT MATTER BUT
WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT SUCH PART IF NOT IN RELATION FOR THE WHOLE:

1. rescission

2. mutual restitution

3. WARRANTY AGAINST ENCUMBRANCES (non- apparent) requisites:

a. immovable sold is encumbered with non–apparent burden or servitude not

mentioned in the agreement

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b. nature of non–apparent servitude or burden is such that it must be presumed

that the buyer would not have acquired it had he been aware thereof

 when breach of warranty exist: buyer may ask for rescission or indemnity

 warranty not applicable when non – apparent burden or servitude is recorded

in the Registry of Property – unless there is express warranty that the thing is
free from all burdens & encumbrances
4. WARRANTY AGAINST HIDDEN DEFECTS

 SELLER does not warrant patent defect; caveat emptor

 Except when hidden

a. subject matter may be movable or immovable

b. nature of hidden defect is such that it should render the subject matter
unfit for the use of which it was intended or should diminish its fitness

c. had the buyer been aware, he would not have acquired it or would have
given a lower price

 when defect is visible or even if not visible but buyer is an expert by reason of
his trade or profession, seller is not liable

 obligation of seller for breach depends on whether he has knowledge of such

defect or not

a. seller is aware – seller should return price & refund expenses of contract
with damages

b. seller is not aware - seller should return price and interest & refund
expenses ( no damages )

 buyer may elect between withdrawing from contract or demanding

proportionate reduction of price with damages in either case

 applicable to judicial sale except that judgment debtor not liable for damages

 action to prescribe 6 months from delivery of subject matter

5. DEFECTS ON ANIMALS

 even in the case of professional inspection but hidden defect is of such nature
that expert knowledge is not sufficient to discover it - defect shall be considered
as REDHIBITORY

 if vet fails to discover through ignorance or bad faith he is liable for damages

a. sale of animals on teams (2 or more)

 when only one is defective, only one is redhibited & not the others

 exception: when it appears buyer would not have purchased the team
without the defective one

 apply to sale of other things

b. sale of animals at fair or public auction

 no warranty against hidden defects

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c. sale of animals with contagious disease is void

d. sale of unfit animals

 void if use / service for which they are acquired has been stated in the
contract and they are found to be unfit therefor

 prescription of action: 40 days from date of delivery to buyer

 if sale is rescinded, animals to be returned in same condition when they
were acquired; buyer shall answer for injury / loss due to his fault

 buyer may elect between withdrawing from sale and demanding

proportionate reduction of price with damages in either case

D. SPECIFIC IMPLIED WARRANTIES IN THE SALE OF GOODS

1. Warranty as to fitness & quality;

requisites:

a. buyer makes known to seller the particular purpose for which goods are
acquired and it appears that the buyer relied on the seller’s skill or judgment

b. goods are bought by description from seller who deals in goods of that
description

 in case of sale of specified article under its patent or trade name, no warranty
unless there is a stipulation to the contrary

 measure of damage: difference between value of goods at time of delivery

and value they would have had if they had answered to the warranty

2. Sale of Goods by sample

 If seller is a dealer in goods of that kind, there is an implied warranty that the
goods shall be free from defect rendering them unmerchantable which would
not be apparent on reasonable examination of the sample

E. EFFECTS OF WAIVER

 Parties may increase or diminish implied warranty against eviction;

but effect depends on good faith or bad faith on the part of the seller.

1. seller in bad faith & there is waiver against eviction – null & void

2. buyer without knowledge of a particular risk, made general renunciation of

warranty – not waiver but merely limits liability of seller in case of eviction
(pay value of subject matter at time of eviction)

3. buyer with knowledge of risk of eviction assumed its consequences & made a
waiver – vendor not liable (applicable only to waiver of warranty against
eviction)

 when goods delivered to buyer, he cannot rescind sale if:

1. he knew of the breach of warranty when he accepted goods without

protest

2. he fails to notify seller within reasonable time of election to rescind

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3. he fails to return or offer to return goods to seller in substantially as good

condition as they were in at time ownership was transferred

4. when goods deteriorated, buyer can still return them in that condition if
such is due to breach or warranty

F. BUYER’S OPTION IN CASE OF BREACH OF WARRANTY

1. Accept goods & set up breach of warranty by way of recoupment in

diminution or extinction of the price.

2. Accept goods & maintain action against seller for damages

3. Refuse to accept goods & maintain action against seller for damages

4. Rescind contract of sale & refuse to receive goods/return them when

already received.

CHAPTER 13: EXTINGUISHMENT

GROUNDS:

1. same grounds whereby obligations in general are extinguished:

a. payment or performance
b. loss of the subject matter
c. condonation or remission
d. confusion or merger of rights of creditor and debtor
e. compensation
f. novation
g. annulment
h. rescission
i. fulfillment of a resolutory condition
j. prescription

2. conventional redemption – only extinguishes obligations pertaining to contract of

sale, not extinguish contract itself; only applies to contract of sale

3. legal redemption – only applies to contract of sale

CONVENTIONAL REDEMPTION

 seller reserved the right to repurchase thing sold

 coupled with obligation to return price of the sale, expenses of contract & other
legitimate payments and the necessary & useful expenses made on the thing sold

 right is exercised only be seller in whom right is recognized in the contract or by any
person to whom right was transferred; must be in the same contract

OPTION TO PURCHASE

 right to repurchase the thing sold granted to the vendor in a separate instrument from
the deed of sale

EQUITABLE MORTGAGE

 a contract with right to repurchase is equitable mortgage if the following

requisites concur:

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1. price of sale with right to repurchase is unusually inadequate

2. seller remains in possession as lessee or otherwise

3. upon or after expiration of right to repurchase, another instrument extending the

period of redemption or granting new period is executed

4. buyer retains for himself a part of the purchase price

5. seller binds himself to pay taxes on thing sold

6. real intention of parties is to secure the payment of a debt or performance of

other obligation

IN CASE OF DOUBT – IN DETERMINING WHETHER IT IS EQUITABLE MORTGAGE

OR SALE A RETRO (WITH RIGHT OF REPURCHASE) – IT SHALL BE CONSTRUED
AS EQUITABLE MORTGAGE

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN DETERMINING NATURE OF CONTRACT

1. language of the contract

2. conduct of parties – to reveal real intent

REMEDY AVAILABLE TO VENDOR: ask for reformation of contract

RATIONALE BEHIND PROVISION ON EQUITABLE MORTGAGE:

1. Circumvention of usury law

2. Circumvention of prohibition against pactum commissorium – creditor cannot

appropriate the things given by way of pledge or mortgage; remedy here is
foreclosure

 real intention of parties is that the pretended purchase price is money loaned & to
secure payment of the loan, sale with pacto de retro is drawn up

PERIOD OF REDEMPTION

1. No period agreed upon – 4 years from date of contract

2. When there is agreement – should not exceed 10 years; if it exceeded, valid only for
the first 10 years.

3. When period to redeem has expired & there has been a previous suit on the nature
of the contract – seller still has 30 days from final judgment on the basis that contract
was a sale with pacto de retro: rationale: no redemption due to erroneous belief that
it is equitable mortgage which can be extinguished by paying the loan.

4. When period has expired & seller allowed the period of redemption to expire – seller
is at fault for not having exercised his rights so should not be granted a new period

EFFECT WHEN THERE IS NO REDEMPTION MADE:

1. jurisprudence before the NCC: buyer a retro automatically acquires full ownership

2. under present art 1607: there must be judicial order before ownership of real
property is consolidated in the buyer a retro

HOW IS REDEMPTION EFFECTED:

1. Seller a retro must first pay the following:

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a. the price of the thing sold

b. expenses of the contract and other legitimate payments made by reason

of the sale

c. necessary and useful expenses made on the thing sold

2. Valid tender of payment is sufficient

3. Mere sending of notice without valid tender is insufficient

4. Failure to pay useful & unnecessary expenses entitles vendee to retain land unless
actual reimbursement is made

IN CASE OF MULTI-PARTIES

1. When an undivided thing is sold because co-owners cannot agree that it be allotted
to one of them – vendee a retro may compel the vendor to redeem the whole thing

2. When an undivided thing is sold by co-owners / co-heirs, vendors a retro may only
exercise his right over his respective share; vendee a retro may demand that they
must come to an agreement first and may not be compelled to consent to a partial
redemption

3. When rights of co-owners over an undivided thing is sold as regards to their own
share – vendee retro cannot compel one to redeem the whole property

4. Should one of the co-heirs/co-owners succeed in redeeming the property – such

vendor a retro shall be considered as trustee with respect to the share of the other
co-owners/co-heirs.

FRUITS

1. what controls is the stipulation between parties as regards the fruits;

2. if none:
a) at time of execution of the sale a retro there are visible or growing fruits –
there shall be no pro-rating at time of redemption if no indemnity was paid
by the vendee a retro

b) at time of execution sale a retro there be no fruits but there are fruits at
time of redemption – pro-rated between vendor a retro & vendee a retro
giving the vendee a retro a part corresponding to the time he possessed
the land.

LEGAL REDEMPTION

 right to be subrogated upon the same terms and conditions stipulated in the contract,
in the place of one who acquires the thing by purchase or by dation in payment or by
other transaction whereby ownership is transmitted by onerous title.

1. among co-heirs

 any of the heirs sell his hereditary rights to stranger before partition

 any of the co-heirs may be subrogated to the rights of the purchaser by

redeeming said hereditary right: reimburse buyer of the price of the sale

 co-heirs has 1 month from receipt of notice in writing

2. among co-owners

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 any or all of co-owners sells their shares to 3rd person

 any co-owner may exercise right of redemption by paying reasonable price of

property to the buyer

 if 2 or more co-owners desire to exercise right of redemption, they may only do

so in proportion to the share they respectively have in thing owned in common

DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF CO-HEIRS FROM CO-OWNERS

CO-HEIRS CO-OWNERS
Heir may redeem for himself alone the Co-owner may redeem property but even if
hereditary right sold by a co-heir uses his own funds, redemption inures to
the benefit of other co-owners

Sale of hereditary right (1088) over no Sale of interest in particular property

particular object

3. among adjoining owners

a. rural land

 where piece of rural land has an area not exceeding 1 hectare, adjoining
owner has right to redeem unless grantee does not own a rural land

 if 2 or more adjacent lot owners desire to exercise right to redeem, owner of

adjoining lot with smaller area shall be preferred

 if 2 or more adjacent lot owners desire to exercise right to redeem & both
have same lot area, one who first requested shall be granted

b. urban land

 when piece of land is small & cannot be used for any practical purpose &
bought merely for speculation, owner of adjoining land can redeem

 2 or more owners of adjoining lot desire to exercise right to redeem, owner

whose intended use is best justified shall be preferred.

c. sale of credit in litigation

 when a credit or other incorporeal right in litigation is sold, debtor shall have a
right to extinguish it by reimbursing the assignee for the price the latter paid
therefor plus judicial costs, interest

 debtor may exercise right within 30 days from the date assignee demands
payment from him

WHEN PERIOD OF REDEMPTION BEGINS TO RUN

1. right of legal pre-emption of redemption shall be exercised within 30 days from notice
by the seller

2. deed of sale not to be recorded in Register of Deeds unless accompanied by affidavit

of seller that he has given notice to all possible redemptioners

3. GR: actual knowledge notwithstanding, written notice is still required.

Exception: actual knowledge by co-heirs living in same land with purchaser, or co-
owner was middleman in sale to 3rd party, no need to give written notice; period of
redemption begins to run from actual knowledge

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OTHER INSTANCES WHEN RIGHT OF LEGAL REDEMPTION IS GRANTED

1. Redemption of homesteads

 Public Land Act

 Land acquired under free patent homestead

 Subject to repurchase by wife, legal heirs within 5 years from date of conveyance

 Granted by law, need not be stipulated

2. Redemption in tax sales

 in case of tax delinquency/failure to pay tax assessments, property is foreclosed

 delinquent payer has 1 year from date of sale to redeem by paying to the
revenue District Officer the amount of tax delinquencies, & interest or purchase
price.

3. Redemption by judgment debtor

 1 year from date of registration of certificate of sale to redeem by paying

purchaser at public auction with interest

4. Redemption in extrajudicial foreclosure

 1 year from date of sale and registration

5. Redemption in judicial foreclosure of mortgage

 no right to redeem is granted to debtor mortgagor

 except when mortgagee is bank of a banking institution

 90 days after finality of judgment

CHAPTER 14: ASSIGNMENT

 Sale of credits & other incorporeal things

 Technical term but basically a sale

WHAT MAKES ASSIGNMENT DIFFERENT FROM SPECIES SALE:

ASSIGNMENT SALE
Subject matter Intangibles Tangibles
Form Consensual Consensual
Binding effect to 3rd Recorded in registry of No recording needed to such
persons property or in public instrument effect

EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENT

1. lack of knowledge or consent of debtor not essential for validity but has legal effects

2. assignment of rights made w/o knowledge of debtor – debtor may set up against
assignee the compensation w/c would pertain to him against assignor of all credits
prior to assignment and of later ones until he had knowledge of the assignment

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3. debtor has consented to assignment – cannot set up compensation unless assignor

was notified by debtor that he reserved his right to the compensation

4. debtor has knowledge but no consent - may still set up compensation of debts
previous to assignment but not the subsequent ones.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

 by tradition & not by perfection

 execution of public instrument because intangibles cannot be physically transferred

ACCESSORIES & ACCESSIONS

 includes all accessory rights such as guaranty, mortgage, pledge or preference

WARRANTIES

1. against hidden defect - N/A because intangibles has no physical existence

2. existence & legality of credit - there is warranty except when expressly sold as a
doubtful account

3. solvency of debtor - no warranty, unless

a. there is stipulation

b. insolvency was prior to assignment & of common knowledge

 warranty shall last for 1 year only

4. one who assigns inheritance right w/o enumerating rights shall be answerable
for his character as an heir

5. one who sells whole of certain rights for a lump sum, shall be answerable for
legitimacy of the whole in general but not for each of the various parts

BREACH OF WARRANTY

1. if in good faith - expenses of the contract & other legitimate payments made by
reason of the assessment

2. if in bad faith - expenses of contract & other legitimate payments plus useful &
necessary expenses

ASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT OR INCORPOREAL RIGHT IN LITIGATION

 presumption: buyer’s purpose is speculation

 law would rather benefit the debtor of such credits rather than the one who merely
speculates for profit

 when credit or incorporeal right in litigation is assigned or sold, debtor has a right to
extinguish it by reimbursing the assignee for the price the buyer paid plus interest

 right to redeem to be exercised within 30 days from demand by assignee for

payment

RIGHT TO REDEEM BY DEBTOR NOT AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING INSTANCES

(NOT CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE)

1. assignment of credit / incorporeal right to co-heir or co-worker

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2. assignment to creditor in payment for his credit

3. assignment to possessor of tenement or piece of land which is subject to the right in

litigation assigned

CHAPTER 15: BULK SALES LAW

 Protect creditor of merchant stores

 3 types of transactions:

1. Sale of goods other than in ordinary course of business

2. Sale of all or substantially all of business

3. Sale of all or substantially all of fixtures & equipments

 Should cover only merchants because creditors cannot get adequate security
because goods are sold ordinarily in course of business

 Not covered:

1. with waiver of seller’s creditor

2. receiver, assignee in insolvency proceeding

 Duty of seller to perform the following when transaction is within the coverage
of law

1. make sworn statement of listing of creditors

2. delivery of sworn statement to buyer

3. apply the proceeds pro-rata to claims of creditors shown in verified statement

4. written advance disclosure to creditors

EFFECTS OF NON-COMPLIANCE

FAILURE TO: ON TRANSACTION ON SELLER

Prepare & deliver sworn listing of creditors Fraudulent & void Criminal Liability
Apply proceeds pro-rata to listed creditors Fraudulent & void Criminal Liability
Make advance written disclosure of Not void No Criminal Liability
transactions to creditors
Register sworn statement with DTI Not void No Criminal Liability
Include or omit names of creditors & Void Criminal Liability
correct amount due in the statement
Sale for no consideration Void Criminal Liability

ANTI-DUMMY LAW

 Penalizes Filipinos who permit aliens to use them as nominees or dummies to enjoy
privileges reserved only for Filipinos

 Management, operation as officers, employees or laborers

 Control or non-control position

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