9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

G.R. N . 199282. Ma ch 14, 2016.*

TRAVEL & TOURS ADVISERS, INCORPORATED,

eii e , vs. ALBERTO CRUZ, SR., EDGAR
HERNANDEZ a d VIRGINIA MU OZ, e de .

Remedial Law; Civil Procedure; Appeals; Supreme Court; The

Supreme Court (SC) is not duty-bound to analyze and weigh all
over again the evidence already considered in the proceedings
below. This rule, however, is not without exceptions.
J i de ce eache ha (a) a e, he j i dic i f hi
C i ca e b gh i f he C f A ea i
i i ed he e ie a d e i i f e f a a eged
c i ed b he a e a e c , a i fi di g f fac a e
dee ed c c i e. A ch, hi C i d b d
a a e a d eigh a e agai he e ide ce a ead c ide ed
i he ceedi g be . Thi e, h e e , i ih
e ce i . The fi di g f fac f he C f A ea , hich
a e, a a ge e a e, dee ed c c i e, a ad i f e ie b
hi C : (1) he he fac a fi di g f he C f A ea
a d he ia c a e c adic ; (2) he he fi di g a e
g ded e i e ec a i , i e , c jec e ; (3)
he he i fe -

_______________

* THIRD DIVISION.

298 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 1/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

e ce ade b he C f A ea f i fi di g f fac i
a ife i ake , ab d, i ib e; (4) he he e i
g a e ab e f di c e i i he a ecia i f fac ; (5) he he
a e aec ,i aki g i fi di g , g e be d he i e f
he ca e, a d ch fi di g a e c a he ad i i fb h
a e a a d a e ee; (6) he he j dg e f he C f
A ea i e i ed a i a ehe i f fac ; (7) he he
C f A ea fai ice ce ai e e a fac hich, if
e c ide ed, i j if a diffe e c c i ; (8) he
he fi di g f fac a e he e e c f ic i g; (9) he he
fi di g f fac a e c c i ih ci a i f he ecific
e ide ce hich he a e ba ed; a d (10) he he fi di g f
fac f he C f A ea a e e i ed he ab e ce f
e ide ce b ch fi di g a e c adic ed b he e ide ce
ec d.
Same; Same; Same; Petition for Review on Certiorari; Well-
entrenched is the prevailing jurisprudence that only errors of law
and not of facts are reviewable by the Supreme Court (SC) in a
petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules
of Court, which applies with greater force to the Petition under
consideration because the factual findings by the Court of Appeals
(CA) are in full agreement with what the trial court found. The
i e e e ed a e a fac a i a e a d d fa de
a f he e ce i hich hi C a e ie .
M e e , e -e e ched i he e ai i g j i de ce ha
e f a a d f fac a e e ie ab e b hi C i
a eii f e ie certiorari de R e 45 f he Re i ed
R e f C , hich a ie i h g ea e f ce he Pe i i
de c ide a i beca e he fac a fi di g b he C f
A ea a e i f ag ee e i h ha he ia c f d.
Common Carriers; Transportation Law; A public utility
vehicle can and may veer away from its usual route as long as it
does not go beyond its allowed route in its franchise. Pe i i e
c ai ha he b a f i e he he ehic a
accide ha e ed beca e he PUB ( b ic i i b ) f a chi e
ha he e i i e h d i f i cia e ai f Ma i a-
I c N e/Caga a -Ma i a, h , he b i a ed a e e
a i be ee Ma i a-I c N e/Caga a -Ma i a. S ch
a e i i c ec . Vee i g a a f he a e i
diffe e f bei g f i e. A b ic i i ehic e ca a d
a ee a a f i a ea

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 299

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 2/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

ga i d e g be di a ed e i i f a chi e,
i hi ca e, Ma i aI c N e/Caga a -Ma i a. The ef e, he
b ca be c ide ed ha e i a ed he c e f i
f a chi e. O he he ha d, i i i di ab e ha he jee e
a a e i g a ad f i a ed e. Nece a i , hi
ca e i ha f in pari delicto beca e e a ha
i a ed a affic eg a i . A ch, i d ee ha A ic e
2185 f he Ne Ci i C de i a icab e he e i ide ha :
A . 2185. U e he e i f he c a , i i e ed
ha a e d i i ga ehic e ha bee eg ige if a he
i e f he i ha , he a i a i g a affic eg a i .
Same; Vicarious Liability; Quasi-Delicts; When an injury is
caused by the negligence of an employee there instantly arises a
presumption of the law that there was negligence on the part of the
employer either in the selection of his employee or in the
supervision over him after such selection. A ic e 2180, i
eai A ic e 2176, f he Ci i C de ide ha he
e e f a eg ige e ee i iab e f he da age ca ed
b he a e . Whe a i j i ca ed b he eg ige ce f a
e ee he e i a a i e a e i f he a ha
he e a eg ige ce he a f he e e ei he i he
e ec i f hi e ee i he e i i e hi af e ch
e ec i . The e i , h e e , a be eb ed b a c ea
h i g he a f he e e ha i had e e ci ed he ca e
a d di ige ce f a g d fa he f a fa i i he e ec i a d
e i i f hi e ee. He ce, e ca e ida iabi i f
a i-de ic c i ed b a e ee, he e e
add ce fficie f ha i e e ci ed ch deg ee f ca e. I
hi ca e, he e i i e fai ed d .
Same; Same; Same; In the selection of prospective employees,
employers are required to examine them as to their qualifications,
experience, and service records. On the other hand, due diligence
in the supervision of employees includes the formulation of
suitable rules and regulations for the guidance of employees, the
issuance of proper instructions intended for the protection of the
public and persons with whom the employer has relations through
his or its employees and the imposition of necessary disciplinary
measures upon employees in case of breach or as may be
warranted to ensure the performance of acts indispensable to the
business of and beneficial to their employer. I he e ec i f
ec i e e ee ,

300
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 3/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

300 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

e e a e e i ed e a i e he a hei
a ifica i , e e ie ce, a d e ice ec d . O he he ha d,
d e di ige ce i he e i i f e ee i c de he
f ai f i ab e e a d eg a i f he g ida ce f
e ee , he i a ce f e i ci i e ded f he
ec i f he b ic a d e ih h he e e ha
eai h gh hi i e ee a d he i ii f
ece a di ci i a ea e e ee i ca e f b each
a a be a a ed e e he e f a ce f ac
i di e ab e he b i e f a d be eficia hei e e .
T hi , e add ha ac a i e e ai a d i i g f
c i e c ia ce i h aid e h d be he c a
c ce f he e e , ac i g h gh de e dab e e i
h h d eg a e hei e i f ci . I hi
ca e, a h b he ab e fi di g f he RTC, e i i e a
ab e e ha i e e ci ed he e i ed di ige ce eeded i
he e ec i a d e i i fi e ee.
Same; Same; Same; Contributory Negligence; The proximate
cause of the death of Alberto Cruz, Jr. is the negligence of
petitioner s bus driver, with the contributory negligence of
respondent Edgar Hernandez, the driver and owner of the jeepney,
hence, the heirs of Alberto Cruz, Jr. shall recover damages of only
fifty percent (50%) of the award from petitioner and its driver.
The e i i e a d i d i e , he ef e, a e e iab e f
he da age ca ed he ic i . The e i i e h be
he d iab e f he da age ac a ca ed b hi eg ige ce.
I i , he ef e, e i iga e he iabi i f he e i i e
a d i d i e . The de e i a i f he i iga i f he
defe da iabi i a ie de e di g he ci c a ce f
each ca e. The C had ai ed a i iga i f 50% i Rakes
v. AG & P, 7 Phi . 359 (1907); 20% i Phoenix Construction, Inc. v.
Intermediate Appellate Court, 148 SCRA 353 (1987), a d LBC Air
Cargo, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 241 SCRA 619 (1995); a d 40% i
Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Court of Appeals, 216 SCRA 51
(1992), a d Philippine Bank of Commerce v. Court of Appeals, 269
SCRA 695 (1997). I he e e ca e, i ha bee e ab i hed ha
he i a e ca e f he dea h f A be C , J . i he
eg ige ce f e i i e b d i e , i h he c ib
eg ige ce f e de Edga He a de , he d i e a d e
f he jee e , he ce, he hei f A be C , J . ha ec e
da age f 50% f he a a d f eii e a di d i e .
Nece a i , 50% ha be b e b e de Edga
He a de . Thi i -
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 4/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

301

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 301

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

a Rakes v. AG & P a d af e c ide i g he

ci c a ce f hi ca e.
Attorney s Fees; As to the award of attorney s fees, it is settled
that the award of attorney s fees is the exception rather than the
general rule; counsel s fees are not awarded every time a party
prevails in a suit because of the policy that no premium should be
placed on the right to litigate. A he a a d f a e fee ,
i i e ed ha he a a d f a e fee i he e ce i
a he ha he ge e a e; c e fee a e a a ded e e
i e a a e ai i a i beca e f he ic ha
e i h d be aced he igh i iga e. A e fee ,
a a f da age , a e ece a i e a ed he a
aid b a i iga a a e . I he di a e e, a e
fee e e e he ea ab e c e ai aid a a e b
hi c ie f he ega e ice he ha e de ed he a e ; hi e
i i e a di a c ce , he a be a a ded b he c a
i de i f da age be aid b he i g a he
e ai i g a . A e fee a a f da age a e a a ded
i he i a ce ecified i A ic e 2208 f he Ci i C de. A
ch, i i ece a f he c ake fi di g f fac a d a
ha d b i g he ca e i hi he a bi f he e e e a ed
i a ce j if he g a f ch a a d, a d i a ca e i
be ea ab e. I hi ca e, he RTC, i a a di g a e
fee , ea ed ha [w]hile there is no document submitted to
prove that the plaintiffs spent attorney s fees, it is clear that they
paid their lawyer in the prosecution of this case for which they are
entitled to the same. S ch ea i c jec a a d d e
j if he g a f he a a d, h , he a e fee h d be
de e ed. H e e , e i i e ha i ha e e e ha f f he
c f he i .

PETITION f e ie ce i a i f he deci i a d
e i f he C f A ea .
The fac a e a ed i he i i f he C .
  M.M. Lazaro & Associates f eii e .
  Westremundo Y. De Guzman f e de .

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 5/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

302

302 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

PERALTA, J.:

F e i f hi C i he Pe i i f Review on
Certiorari de R e 45 f he Re i ed R e f C
da ed Dece be 28, 2011, f e i i e T a e & T
Ad i e , I c. a ai i g he Deci i 1 da ed Ma 16, 2011
a d Re i 2 da ed N e be 10, 2011 f he C f
3
A ea (CA), affi i g i h difica i he Deci i
da ed Ja a 30, 2008 f he Regi a T ia C (RTC),
B a ch 61, A ge e Ci fi di g e i i e j i a d
ida i iab e f da age i c ed i a ehic a
accide .
a.

I
The fac f .
Re de Edga He a de a d i i g a I
Pa e ge Ji e (jee e ) ha he ih ae be
DSG 944 a g A ge e Maga a g R ad, Barangay Sa
F a ci c , Maga a g, Pa a ga, Ja a 9, 1998,
a d 7:50 . . Mea hi e, a Dae a e ge b
(RCJ B Li e ) i h a e be NXM 116, ed b
eii e T a e a d T Ad i e , I c. a d d i e b
Edga Ca a ca a e ed i he a e di ec i a ha f
e de Edga He a de ehic e. The eaf e , he b
b ed he ea i f he jee e ca i g i a
i a acacia ee hich e ed i he dea h f A be
C , J . a d he e i h ica i j ie f Vi gi ia
M .
Th , e de Edga He a de , Vi gi ia M
a d A be C , S ., fa he f he decea ed A be C ,
J ., fi ed a c ai f da age , d cke ed a Ci i Ca e
N . 9006 bef e he RTC c ai i g ha he c i i a
d e he eck e , eg ige a d i de a e b
hich Edga Ca a ca a d i i g he b , i c ee
di ega d

_______________

1 Pe ed b A cia e J ice Ra M. Ba , J ., ih A cia e

J ice J a Q. E i e ,J .a dF i S. Maca i ,c c i g; Rollo,
. 39-57.
2 Id., a . 58.
3 Pe ed b J dge Be a di a Gabi a E , id., a . 79-98.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 6/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

303

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 303

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

e i i g affic a , e a d eg a i ,a d a i g
ha j dg e be e de ed de i g Edga Ca a ca a d
eii e T a e & T Ad i e , I c. a he
f i g:

1. F ai iff A be C ,S .
a. The f P140,000.00 f he
ei b e e f he e e e i c ed f
c ffi , f e a e e e , f igi , f d, d i k f
he i e e (sic) f A be C ,J .a a
f ac a da age ;
b. The f P300,000.00, Phi i i e
C e c , a a, c e a a d
c e e ia da age ;
c. The f P6,000.00 a h a f
(sic) i c e f Ja a 9, 1998 he i e
he H ab e C a fi ed (sic);
2. F ai iff Vi gi ia M :
a. The f P40,000.00, Phi i i e
C e c ,f he ei b e e fe e e f
h iai ai , edici e, ea e a d
d c fee a a f ac a da age ;
b. The f P150,000.00 a a,
c e a a dc e e ia da age ;
3. F ai iff Edga He a de :
a. The f P42,400.00 f he da age
ai ed b ai iff I Pa e ge Ji e
a a f ac a da age , P500.00 a da a
ea i ed e i c e f f (4) h ;
b. The f P150,000.00, Phi i i e
C e c , a a c e a a d
c e e ia da age ;
4. The f P50,000.00, Phi i i e C e c , a
a e fee , P1,000.00 e a ea a ce fee i
c ;
5. Li iga i e e e i he f P30,000.00;
a d
6. T a he c f hei i.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 7/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

304

304 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

O he e ief j a de i ab e a e ike i e a ed
f .4

F i defe e, he e i i e c ai ed ha i e e ci ed
he di ige ce f a g d fa he f a fa i i he e ec i
a d e i i f i e ee Edga Ca a ca a d
f he a g ed ha i a Edga He a de h a
d i i g hi a e ge jee e i eck e a d i de
a e b dde e e i g he a e f he e i i e
b ih eei g i ha he ad a c ea f hi
e e aid a e. I addi i , e i i e a eged ha a he
i e f he i cide , Edga He a de i a ed hi
f a chi e b a e i g a g a a h i ed i e/ e
a d ha he jee e a e aded i h a e ge , a d
he decea ed A be C , J . a c i gi g a he back
he e f.
O Ja a 30, 2008, af e ia he e i , he RTC
e de ed j dg e i fa f he e de , he
di ii e i f he deci i ead :

WHEREFORE, e i e c ide ed, j dg e i

he eb e de ed de i g he defe da Edga
Ca a ca Ra e e a d T a e & T Ad i e , I c.
j i a d ida i a he f i g:
I. 1. T ai iff A be C , S . a d hi fa i
a) he f P50,000.00 a ac a a d
c e a da age ;
b) he f P250,000.00 f f ea i g
ca aci f he decede A be C , J .; a d
c) he f P50,000.00 a a da age .
2. T ai iff Vi gi ia M
a) he f P16,744.00 a ac a a d
c e a da age ; a d

_______________

4 C ai da ed A i 22, 1998, id., a . 70.

305

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 8/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 305

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

b) he f P150,000.00 a a da age .
3. T Edga He a de
a) he f P50,000.00 a ac a a d
c e a da age .
II. The f P50,000.00 a a e fee , a d
III. The f P4,470.00 a c f i iga i .
SO ORDERED.
A ge e Ci , Phi i i e , Ja a 30, 2008.5

Pe i i e fi ed i a ea i h he CA, a d Ma 16,
2011, he a e a e c e de ed i deci i , he dec e a
i f hich ead a f :

WHEREFORE, he i a a ea i PARTLY
GRANTED. The a ai ed Deci i f he RTC, B a ch
61, A ge e Ci , da ed Ja a 30, 2008, i
AFFIRMED i h MODIFICATIONS. The defe da
a e de ed a , j i a d e e a , he
f i g:
1. T ai iff A be C , S . a d fa i
a) he f P25,000.00 a ac a da age ;
b) he f P250,000.00 f he f
ea i g ca aci f he decede A be C ,
J .;
c) he f P50,000.00 a ci i i de i
f he dea h f A be C , J .;
d) he f P50,000.00 a a da age ;
2. T ai iff Vi gi ia M
a. he f P16,744.00 a ac a da age ;
a d
b) he f P30,000.00 a a da age .
3. T ai iff Edga He a de
a) The f P40,200.00 a ac a da age .

_______________

5 Rollo, . 98.

306

306 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 9/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

4. The a a d f a e fee (P50,000.00)

a dc f i iga i (P4,470.00) e ai .
SO ORDERED.6

He ce, he e e eii he ei he eii e

a ig ed he f i ge :

I.
THE PETITIONER S BUS WAS NOT OUT OF
LINE ;
II.
THE FACT THAT THE JEEPNEY WAS BUMPED
ON ITS LEFT REAR PORTION DOES NOT
PREPONDERANTLY PROVE THAT THE DRIVER
OF THE BUS WAS THE NEGLIGENT PARTY;
III.
THE DECEASED ALBERTO CRUZ, JR. WAS
POSITIONED AT THE RUNNING BOARD OF THE
JEEPNEY;
IV.
THE BUS DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING OR
NEGLIGENT WHEN HE FAILED TO STEER THE
BUS TO A COMPLETE STOP;
V.
THE PETITIONER EXERCISED
EXTRAORDINARY DILIGENCE OF A GOOD
FATHER OF A FAMILY IN ITS SELECTION AND
SUPERVISION OF DRIVER CALAYCAY; AND
VI.
THERE IS NO FACTUAL AND LEGAL BASIS
FOR THE VARIOUS AWARDS OF MONETARY
DAMAGES.7

_______________

6 Id., a . 56.
7 Id., a . 14-15.

307

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 307

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 10/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Acc di g eii e , c a he dec a a i f

he RTC, he e i i e a e ge b a - f-
i e a d ha e i i e i ac a he h de f a PUB
( b ic i i b ) f a chi e f i cia e ai f
Ma i a-I c N e/Caga a -Ma i a, ea i g he
eii e a e ge b i a ed a e ea i
be ee Ma i aI c N e/Caga a -Ma i a. Pe i i e
f he a e e a e ha he fac ha he d i e f he
a e ge b k he Maga a g R ad i ead f he
Ba ba B idge i f e beca e he b idge a
de c ci d e he effec f he aha ; he ce
c ed affic a d he Maga a g R ad i i i be ee
he i f eii e i cia e a i . F he e,
e i i e c ai ha he jee e a a e i g a ad
a f i a ed e, h , he e i ha
e de Edga He a de a he eg ige a .
Pe i i e f he a g e ha e de Edga
He a de fai ed b e e ha deg ee f ca e, eca i
a d igi a ce ha hi e a a b ic i i ca ed f
he he a ed he decea ed A be C , J ., ha g
he ea i f he jee e .
Af e d e c ide a i f he i e a d a g e
e e ed b e i i e , hi C fi d e i g a
he e i i .
J i de ce eache ha (a) a e, he
j i dic i f hi C i ca e b gh i f he
C f A ea i i i ed he e ie a d e i i
fe f a a eged c i ed b he a e a e c ,
a i fi di g f fac a e dee ed c c i e. A ch, hi
C i d b d a a e a d eigh a e
agai he e ide ce a ead c ide ed i he ceedi g
be .8 Thi e, h e e , i ih e ce i . 9 The
fi di g f fac f he

_______________

8 Fuentes v. Court of Appeals, 335 Phi . 1163, 1168; 268 SCRA 703, 708
(1997).
9 Gaw v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. N . 70451, Ma ch 24,
1993, 220 SCRA 405, 413; ci i g Morales v. Court of Appeals, 274

30

308 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 11/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

C f A ea , hich a e, a a ge e a e, dee ed
10
c c i e, a ad i f e ie b hi C :
(1) he he fac a fi di g f he C f
A ea a d he ia c a ec adic ;
(2) he he fi di g a e g ded e i e
ec a i , i e , c jec e ;
(3) he he i fe e ce ade b he C f
A ea f i fi di g f fac i a ife
i ake , ab d, i ib e;
(4) he he e i g a e ab e f di c e i i he
a ecia i f fac ;
(5) he he a e a e c , i aki g i
fi di g , g e be d he i e f he ca e, a d ch
fi di g a e c a he ad i i f b h
a e a a d a e ee;
(6) he he j dg e f he C f A ea i
e i ed a i a ehe i f fac ;
(7) he he C f A ea fai ice ce ai
ee a fac hich, if e c ide ed, i
j if a diffe e c c i ;
(8) he he fi di g f fac a e he e e
c f ic i g;

_______________

Phi . 674; 197 SCRA 391 (1991); a d Navarra v. Court of Appeals, G.R.
N . 86237, Dece be 17, 1991, 204 SCRA 850.
10 Reyes v. Court of Appeals, 328 Phi . 171; 264 SCRA 35 (1996); Vda.
de Alcantara v. Court of Appeals, 322 Phi . 490; 252 SCRA 457 (1996);
Quebral v. Court of Appeals, G.R. N . 101941, Ja a 25, 1996, 252
SCRA 353, 368 (ci i g Calde v. Court of Appeals, G.R. N . 93980, J e 27,
1994, 233 SCRA 376). See a Cayabyab v. Intermediate Appellate Court,
G.R. N . 75120, A i 28, 1994, 232 SCRA 1; Engineering & Machinery
Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 322 Phi . 161; 252 SCRA 156 (1996);
Chua Tiong Tay v. Court of Appeals, 312 Phi . 1128; 243 SCRA 183 (1995);
Dee v. Court of Appeals, G.R. N . 111153, N e be 21, 1994, 238 SCRA
254, 263; a d Asia Brewery, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. N . 103543,
J 5, 1993, 224 SCRA 437, 443; Fuentes v. Court of Appeals, supra e
8.

30

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 309

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 12/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

(9) he he fi di g f fac a e c c i
ih ci a i f he ecific e ide ce hich he
a e ba ed; a d
(10) he he fi di g f fac f he C f
A ea a e e i ed he ab e ce f e ide ce b
ch fi di g a e c adic ed b he e ide ce
ec d.

The i e e e ed a e a fac a i a ea dd
fa de a f he e ce i hich hi C a
e ie . M e e , e -e e ched i he e ai i g
j i de ce ha e f a a d f fac a e
e ie ab e b hi C i a eii f e ie
certiorari de R e 45 f he Re i ed R e f C ,
hich a ie i h g ea e f ce he Pe i i de
c ide a i beca e he fac a fi di g b he C f
A ea a e i f ag ee e i h ha he ia c
11
f d.
Ne e he e , a e ie f he i e e e ed i hi
eii d i ead he fi di g ha e i i e i
i iab e f he da age a a ded he e de b
i h ce ai difica i .
The RTC a d he CA a e e i fi di g ha b h
ehic e e e i hei a h i ed e a he i e f
he i cide . The c d c f e i i e b ad i ed
c -e a i a i ha he d i e f he b ee ed ff f
i a e a id hea affic. The CA h
b e ed:

First. A i ed i he a ai ed Deci i , b h
ehic e e e i hei a h i ed e a he
i e f he i ha . FRANCISCO TEJADA, he
c d c f defe da -a e a b , ad i ed
c e a i ai ha he d i e f he b a ed
h gh Maga a g R ad i ead f S a. I e , hich
a he a e, h :

_______________

11 Boneng v. People, 363 Phi . 594, 605; 304 SCRA 252 (1999).

310

310 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 13/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

Q: Wha e did ake f Ma i a La ag,

I c S ?
A: I ead f S a. I e , e k Maga a g R ad,
i .
Q: S a a e a
a e a ?
A: N , , a e ed a e e a
ea a c a Ba ba , Ta ac, a e
e Ma a a R ad.

The f eg i g e i f defe da -
a e a i e c ea be ie he c e i
ha i d i e k he Maga a g R ad i ead f he
Ba ba B idge beca e aid b idge a c ed a d
de c ci d e he effec f aha .
Rega d e f he ea , h e e , he i ef ab e fac
e ai ha defe da -a e a b ike i e
12
ee ed f i a e.

Pe i i e c ai ha he b a f i e
he he ehic a accide ha e ed beca e he PUB
( b ic i i b ) f a chi e ha he e i i e h d i f
i cia e ai f Ma i a-I c N e/Caga a -
Ma i a, h , he b i a ed a e e a i
be ee Ma i a-I c N e/Caga a -Ma i a. S ch
a e i i c ec . Vee i g a a f he a e i
diffe e f bei g f i e. A b ic i i ehic e
ca a d a ee a a f i a e a g a i
d e g be di a ed e i i f a chi e, i hi
ca e, Ma i aI c N e/Caga a -Ma i a. The ef e, he
b ca be c ide ed ha e i a ed he c e f
i f a chi e. O he he ha d, i i i di ab e ha he
jee e a a e i g a ad f i a ed e.
Nece a i , hi ca e i ha f in pari delicto beca e
e a ha i a ed a affic eg a i . A ch, i
d ee ha A ic e 2185 f he Ne Ci i C de i
a icab e he e i ide ha :

_______________

12 Rollo, . 44. (E ha i )

311

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 14/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 311

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

A . 2185. U e he e i f he c a ,i
i e ed ha a e d i i ga ehic e ha
bee eg ige if a he i e f he i ha , he a
i a i ga affic eg a i .

The ab e i i ,h e e ,i e e a e i .
F he fac a fi di g f b h he RTC a d he CA
ba ed he e ide ce e e ed, he i a e ca e f
he c i i i he eg ige ce f he d i e f e i i e
b . The jee e a b ed a he ef ea i .
13
Th , hi C a i g, ha d i e f ehic e
h b he ea f a he ehic e a e e ed be
he ca e f he accide , e c adic ed b he
e ide ce, ca be a ied. The a i a e behi d he
e i i ha he d i e f he ea ehic e ha f
c f he i a i a he i i a ii b e e he
ehic e i f f hi .14 Th , a f d b he CA:

Second. The e ide ce ec d e de a h

ha i a he eg ige ce f defe da -a e a d i e ,
EDGAR CALAYCAY, ha a he i a e ca e f he
c i i .
E e ih c ide i g he h g a h (E hibi N,
N-1, a d N-2 ) h i g he da age he jee e ,
ca be de ed a e ad e ce a b ed
e ea b de e da a e a b .
The a e a e ab i hed b he eb ed e i ie f
ai iff -a e ee EDGAR HERNANDEZ a d VIRGINIA
MU OZ, a f :

EDGAR HERNANDEZ

Q: N , acc di g , e e ab e
each he e f Maga a g beca e
ehic e a b ed. I ha i f ehic e
a i b ed, M . Wi e ?

_______________

13 Raynera v. Hiceta, 365 Phi . 546; 306 SCRA 102 (1999).

14 Id.

312
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 15/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

312 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

A: A he ef ide edge i f he ehic e,

i .
Q: Whe i a b ed he ea ef ide
i , ha ha e ed ehic e?
A: I a b ed g , i , a d he ,
sinulpit ya, i .
Q: Whe ehic e a sinulpit a d hi
a acacia ee, ha ha e ed he acacia
ee?
A: The jee e ed a d A be C died
a d e f a e ge e e i j ed, i .

VIRGINIA MU OZ

Q: Wha i f he ehic e he ei
e e b a ded ha a hi b he T a e T
B ?
A: The ea i f he jee , i .
Q: I a hi b he T a e T B ?
A: Ye , i .
Q: Wha ha e ed he he ehic e
a b ed?
A: I a h ff he ehic e, i .

I ha bee he d ha d i e f ehic e h
b he ea f a he ehic e a e e ed be
he ca e f he accide , e c adic ed b
he e ide ce. The a i a e behi d he
e i i ha he d i e f he ea ehic e ha
f c f he i a i a he i i a ii
b e e he ehic e i f f hi .
I he ca e a ba , defe da -a e a fai ed
e he f eg i g e i . FRANCISCO
TEJADA, he c d c f he b h a
ad i ed ea ed i f , be ide he d i e ea ,
a d h had a i eded ie f he ad, dec a ed
di ec e a i a i ha he jee e a ab 10
15 e e a a f he b he he fi a
aid ehic e he ad. C ea , he b d i e ,
EDGAR CALAYCAY, d

313

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 16/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 313

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

ha e a bee a a e f he e e ce f he jee e
a d, h , a e ec ed a ici a e i e e .
H e e , c -e a i a i , TEJADA c ai ed
ha he jee e dde a ea ed bef e he b ,
a i g i diag a , a d ca i g i be hi i i
ef ea ide. S ch c b a ed e i ca
be acc ded c ede ce b hi C beca e i i
i c i e i h he h ica e ide ce f he ac a
da age he jee e . O hi c e, We e ih
a a he f i g di i ii f he ia c :
(F) he e ide ce e e ed, i a
e ab i hed ha i a he d i e f he RCJ
Li e B hich a eg ige a d eck e
d i i g he b f he defe da c ai .
F a ci c Tejada, h c ai ed be he
c d c f he b , e ified ha i a he
a e ge jee e c i g f he a e e
hich dde e e ed diag a he a e f
he b ca i g he b hi he ea ef
i f he a e ge jee e . B ch
e i i be ied b he h g a h f he
jee e (E h . N a d N-1). A h b E h. N-
1, he jee e a hi a he ea ef i
a d he he jee e a i a diag a
ii he b he i e, i h d ha e
bee he ef ide f he a e ge jee e ea
he ea i ha c d ha e bee b ed b
he b . I i c ea f E h. N-1 a d i a
e e ad i ed ha he ea ef i f he
a e ge jee e a b ed b he b .
F he , if he jee e a i diag a ii
he i a hi b he b , i h d ha e bee
he ef ide f he b d f he jee e ha c d
ha e ai ed a ki g f ch b i g. I
hi ca e, i i c ea ha i i he ef ea i
f he jee e ha h he i ac f he
a ki g f he b i g. The jee e h ed
ha i had g ea da age he ce -

314

314 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 17/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

e f he f i (E h. N-2). I a he
ce e f he f i ha hi he acacia
ee (E h. N). A ad i ed b he a ie , b h
ehic e e e i g a g he a e di ec i
f e ea . A e ified b F a ci c
Tejada, he jee e a ab e (10) fif ee
(15) e e a a f he b he he iced
he jee e e e i g diag a he a e f he
b . If hi a , he idd e ef ide i f
he jee e c d ha e bee hi , he ea
i . The e ide ce i c ea ha he b a
i fa -
i g c di i , he i e, i c d ha e ed
e ade hi i g he jee e . The hi i g f he
acacia ee b he jee e , a d he da age
ca ed he jee e i i f (E h. N-2) a d
i ea ef ide h ha he b a
i g e fa .

A i g ex gratia argumenti ha he jee e

a i a i i , a c ai ed b defe da -
a e a , he a e e f he ad 10 15
e e ahead f he b bef e e i g he ef
e ge i affic, a ca i b ic ii d i e
h d ha e e ed hi b ake a d ed d .
The di a ce f 10 15 e e d ha e a ed
he b i h acked eed gi e a he jee e
i he a e c d f e e he a e. Ob i ,
a c ec f d b he c a quo, he b a
i g e fa beca e e e if he d i e e ed
he b ake , i i ade c ac i h he jee e
ih ch f ce ha e he a e ehic e c a hi g
head- agai a acacia ee. I fac , FRANCISCO
TEJADA effec i e ad i ed ha he b a e
fa he he dec a ed ha he d i e c d
dde a he b eak (sic) i f beca e
b igh e . I cide a , he
a ega i i he a ea b ief ha he d i e c d
a he b ake i h f ce beca e f he ibi i
ha he b igh e a he e e
a achi g he e d f he g adie he dec i e f
he i g e ai g a h f he ad-

315

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 18/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 315

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

a a ai ed f he fi i e i hi
a ea a d, h , a be c ide ed. Be ide ,
he e i hi g ec d b a ia e he a e.
Ra e f eed, i c ec i ih he
ci c a ce , i e f he i ci a c ide a i
i de e i i g he he a i ha bee eck e
i d i i g a ehic e, a d e ide ce f he e e f he
da age ca ed a h he f ce f he i ac f
hich he a e f eed f he ehic e a be
de i fe ed. F he e ide ce e e ed i
hi ca e, i ca be de ied ha he b a
i g e fa . A he d b he S e eC , he
e fac f eedi g i i dica i e f i de
beha i , a a i e e ci e di a ca e
a d d i e a a ea ab e a e f eed c e ae
i h he c di i e c e ed, hich i e ab e
hi kee he ehic e de c a d a id i j
15
he i g he high a .

F he ab e fi di g , i i a a e ha he
i a e ca e f he accide i he e i i e b a d
ha he e i i e a ab e e e e ide ce ha
d h he i e. Pe i i e a ai ed he i e ha
he decea ed a e ge , A be C , J . a i a ed a
he i g b a d f he jee e hich i a i a i fa
affic eg a i a d a i dica i ha he jee e a
e aded i h a e ge . The CA c ec ed ha
e ide ce a e e ed h he a e, h :

Tha he decea ed a e ge , ALBERTO CRUZ,

JR., a c i gi g a he back f he jee e a he
i e f he i ha ca be g ea ed f he
e i f ai ifff-a e ee VIRGINIA MU OZ
ha i a he h a i i g he ef ea f
he jee e .
VIRGINIA MU OZ he e f e ified ha he e
e e ab 16 a e ge b a d he jee e
he he bjec i cide ha e ed. C ide i g he
e i f ai iff-a e ee EDGAR HERNANDEZ
ha he ea -

_______________

15 Rollo, . 44-48. (Ci a i i ed; e ha i )

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 19/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

316

316 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

i g ca aci f hi jee e i 20 e e, VIRGINIA

dec a a i effec i e e ed defe da -
a e a defe e ha ai iff-a e ee e aded
hi jee e a d a ed he decea ed a e ge
ci g he ide ai i g . Ye , c i , he
defe e dec i ed c -e a i e VIRGINIA, he be
i e f h defe da -a e a c d ha e
e ac ed he h ab he e ac ca i f
ALBERTO CRUZ, JR. i f he jee e . S ch
fai e i fa a defe da -a e a ca e. The
he e ide ce ef i c ai i he
e i f he c d c , FRANCISCO
TEJADA, a e e e e 3 a e e
e ec e bac e ee e , a d
a e a e e c e e de a
a b ed b eb .H e e , a e
eca ca e ec a quo,
TEJADA ad ed a e dd ea ee
a a e ed, :
Q: W a a e ed e a e e
c e e de ?
A: He a b ed, H .
Q: W , e a e e e ?
A: I d d ea ee a a e ed,
Ma [sic], a I e a b ed.
Thi , de i e hi ea ie dec a a i ha he a
ea ed i f f he b be ide he d i e ea a d
k e ha ha e ed he a e ge h e e
c i gi g he back f he jee e . I d bi ab ,
he ef e, TEJADA a a c edib e i e , a d
hi e i i h f be ief.16

C e e , he e i i e , bei g he e f he b
a d he e e f he d i e , Edga Ca a ca , ca
e ca e iabi i . A ic e 2176 f he Ci i C de ide :

Wh e e b ac i i ca e da age
a he , he e bei g fa eg ige ce, i b iged
a

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 20/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

_______________

16 Id., a . 48-49. (Ci a i i ed; e ha i )

317

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 317

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

f he da age d e. S ch fa eg ige ce, if he e

i ee i i g c ac a e a i be ee he
a ie , i ca ed a a i-de ic a d i g e ed b he
i i f hi Cha e .

C e e i g A ic e 2176 i A ic e 2180 hich ae

he f i g:

The b iga i i ed b A ic e 2176 i

de a dab e f e ac i i ,
b a f h e f e f h e i
e ib e .
E e ha be iab e f he da age ca ed
b hei e ee a d h eh d he e ac i g
i hi he c e f hei a ig ed a k , e e h gh
he f e a e e gaged i a b i e
i d .
The e ibi i ea ed f i hi a ic e ha
cea e he he e he ei e i ed e ha
he b e ed a he di ige ce f a g d fa he f a
fa i e e da age.

A ic e 2180, i e a i A ic e 2176, f he Ci i C de
ide ha he e e f a eg ige e ee i iab e
f he da age ca ed b he a e . Whe a i j i
ca ed b he eg ige ce f a e ee he e i a
a i e a e i f he a ha he e a eg ige ce
he a f he e e ei he i he e ec i f hi
e ee i he e i i e hi af e ch
e ec i . The e i , h e e , a be eb ed b a
c ea h i g he a f he e e ha i had
e e ci ed he ca e a d di ige ce f a g d fa he f a fa i
i he e ec i a d e i i f hi e ee. He ce,
e ca e ida iabi i f a i-de ic c i ed b a
e ee, he e e add ce fficie f ha i
17
e e ci ed ch deg ee f ca e.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 21/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

_______________

17 Baliwag Transit, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 330 Phi . 785, 789-790;

262 SCRA 230, 234 (1996), ci i g China Air Lines, Ltd. v. Court of
Appeals, 264 Phi . 15, 26; 185 SCRA 449, 459 (1990).

31

318 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

I hi ca e, he e i i e fai ed d . The RTC a d

he CA e ha i e a d c ec ed a he a e ,
h :

Th , he e e a e ee (defe da EDGAR
CALAYCAY) eg ige ce ca e da age i j
a he , he e i a a i e a e i ha he
e e (defe da -a e a ) fai ed e e ci e he
d e di ige ce f a g d fa he f he fa i i he
e ec i e i i f i e ee . T a id
iabi i f a a i-de ic c i ed b i e ee,
a e e e c e he e i b
e e i gc i ci g f ha i e e ci ed he ca e
a d di ige ce f a g d fa he f a fa i i he
e ec i a d e i i fi e ee. The fai e
f he defe da -a e a e hi
e i a e ic e ai ed b he c
a quo a f :
The ii f he defe da c a ha i
ca be he d j i a d e e a iab e f
ch da age beca e i e e ci ed he di ige ce
f a g d fa he f a fa i , ha (sic) d e
e i g ea c ede ce.
A ad i ed, Edga Ca a ca a d
a h i ed b he defe da c a d i e
he b a he i e f he i cide . I c ai ha
i ha i ed icie , e a d eg a i be
f ed, c d c e i a a d ee i ha
hei d i e a d e ee i bibe ch
icie , e a d eg a i , ha e hei
d i e a d c d c edica checked-
a d de g d g- e i g, did h ha a
he e di e e e a ied Edga
Ca a ca . N i a f e ide ce a e e ed

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 22/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

ha Edga Ca a ca had de g e a he e
ac i i ie e e ha he i a afe a d ca ab e
d i e [sic]. I fac , he defe da c a did
a defe e he aid d i e . The
defe da c a did e e ec e a
c e defe d he d i e . I did e e
a e ide ce h i e e c e ed ch
d i e be ca ef i hi

31

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 319

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

d i i g. A a ea i g f he e ide ce f he
defe da c a i , he d i e a he i e f
he i cide a Ca a ca , F a ci c (E h. 9)
a d he c d c a Tejada. Thi h ha
he defe da c ai d e e e ci e he
di ige ce f a g d fa he f a fa i i he
e ec i a d e i i f he e ee . I
d e e e k he c ec a d e a e f
i d i e . The e i f R a d Abadi a,
J . ha he d ha e he ec d f Edga
Ca a ca beca e he cea ed e ai d e
he dea h f hi fa he i c edib e. Wh
he ec d f Edga Ca a ca ? I ha he
i ec i a d di a che e f Ja a 9,
1998 a d e i c d fi d he ec d f
Edga Ca a ca . A i ed b he S e e
C i a i e f ca e , he e ide ce
be c edib e b c e f a c edib e
i e . N f a b i ed ha Edga
Ca a ca a e ded ch a eged e i a a d
e a i ai . Th , de A . 2180 f he Ci i
C de, E e ha be iab e f he da age
ca ed b hei e ee a d h eh d he e
ac i g i hi he c e f hei a ig ed a k ,
e e h gh he f e a e e gaged i a
b i e i d . The iabi i f he
e e f he ac eg ige ce f
i e e [sic] i i a a d ida , di ec
a d i edia e, a d c di i a he
i e c f i ec e agai he
eg ige e ee. The ca h che f he
a eged ec e affic e a d eg a i
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 23/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

(E h. 12) e e ed b he defe da
c ai i f e i a a eged c d c ed
Ma 20 a d 21, 1995 he Edga Ca a ca
a e i he e f he defe da
c a i . A e ified b R a d Abadi a,
J ., Edga Ca a ca a ed hi e e ih
he c a i 1996. R a d Abadi a, J .
e ified ha

320

320 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

c ie f he a a (E h. 8) a e gi e
he d i e a d c d c f he
e i ea dk he a e, b f
a e e ed ha i deed Edga Ca a ca
a a g he eci ie . N b d e ified
ca eg ica ha i deed Edga Ca a ca
de e a f he ai i g bef e bei g
e ed b he defe da c a . A
he e i ie a e ge e a i a i a
he a eged icie , e a d eg a i
b c c e e e ide ce a e e ed
ha i deed Edga Ca a ca de e
ch fa i ia i a i , ai i g a d
e i a bef e he g e ed a d
d i g ha i e ha he a e f i g
hi d ie a a b d i e f he defe da
c a i . M e e , he d i e ice e
f he d i e a e e e e ed. The e
i i did e c e he iabi i f
he defe da c ai de A ic e
2180 f he Ci i C de.
The b e a i f he c a quo ha
defe da -a e a fai ed h f ha
EDGAR CALAYCAY did i fac de g he
e i a c d c ed b i a e g ea e
ig ifica ce he ie ed i he igh f he
f i g ad i i ade b ROLANDO
ABADILLA, JR., Ge e a Ma age f he
defe da -a e a c a i , ha gge
c a e da ce f aid e i a
a gd i e a dc d c i Ma i a, h :

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 24/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Q: H a i e d e (sic) he e i a
bei g c d c ed b c a a ea ?
A: N a , i i a i i f (2)
e i a e ea , i .
Q: I he e e i a ha c d c,a ea
d i e a dc d c b iged a e d?
A: Ye , i , if he a e e e i Ma i a.
Q: I i i Ma i a ha c d c
e i a ?
A: Ye , i .

321

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 321

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

M e e , i h e ec he e ec i ce ,
ROLANDO ABADILLA, JR. ca eg ica ad i ed i
e c ha EDGAR CALAYCAY a ab e
d ce he c ea a ce e i ed b defe da -
a e a e e , h :

Q: B he a , M . Wi e , d k hi
Edga Ca a ca h a ce e ed b
c a a ad i e ?
A: Ye , i .
Q: Ha e ee he a ica i f Edga
Ca a ca ?
A: Ye , i .
Q: F ha I ha e ee , ha d c e
did he b i i a i g a a d i e i
b i e ?
A . De G a : Ve eadi g,
H .
Q: Bef e a d i e c d be acce ed, ha
d c e i he e i ed b i?
A: The c a a ica i f ; NBI
c ea a ce; ice c ea a ce; barangay c ea a ce;
a c ea a ce a d he c ea a ce , i .
Q: Wa he ab e e d ce he e c ea a ce
b M . Ca a ca ?
A: N , i .
18

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 25/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

I he e ec i f ec i e e ee , e e a e
e i ed e a i e he a hei a ifica i ,
e e ie ce, a d e ice ec d .19 O he he ha d, d e
di ige ce i he e i i f e ee i c de he
f ai f i ab e e a d eg a i f he
g ida ce f e ee , he i a ce f e i ci
i e ded f he ec i f he b ic a d e ih
h he e e ha e a-

_______________

18 Rollo, . 49-52. (Ci a i i ed)

19 Metro Manila Transit Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 359 Phi . 18,
32; 298 SCRA 495, 504 (1998).

322

322 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

i h gh hi i e ee a d he i ii f
ece a di ci i a ea e e ee i ca e f
b each a a be a a ed e e he e f a ce
f ac i di e ab e he b i e f a d be eficia
hei e e . T hi , e add ha ac a i e e ai
a d i i g f c i e c ia ce i h aid e
h d be he c a c ce f he e e , ac i g
h gh de e dab e e i h h d eg a
20
e hei e i f ci . I hi ca e, a
h b he ab e fi di g f he RTC, e i i e a
ab e e ha i e e ci ed he e i ed di ige ce eeded
i he e ec i a d e i i fi e ee.
Be ha a i a , hi d e e a e he fac ha a he
i e f he ehic a accide , he jee e a i i ai
fi a ed ea f d b he RTC a d he CA, he ce,
he e a d d i e f he jee e ike i e, a e g i f
eg ige ce a defi ed de A ic e 2179 f he Ci i C de,
hich ead a f :

Whe he ai iff eg ige ce a he i edia e

a d i a e ca e f hi i j , he ca ec e
da age . B if hi eg ige ce a c ib ,
he i edia e a d i a e ca e f he i j
bei g he defe da ack f d e ca e, he ai iff

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 26/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

a ec e da age , b he c ha i iga e
he da age be a a ded.

The e i i e a d i d i e , he ef e, a e e
iab e f he da age ca ed he ic i . The e i i e
h be he d iab e f he da age ac a
ca ed b hi eg ige ce.21 I i , he ef e, e
i iga e he iabi i f he e i i e a d i d i e . The
de e i a i f he

20 Metro Manila Transit Corporation v. Court of

Appeals, G.R. N . 104408, J e 21, 1993, 223 SCRA 521,
540-541.
21 See Syki v. Begasa, 460 Phi . 381, 391; 414 SCRA
237, 244 (2003).

323

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 323

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

i iga i f he defe da iabi i a ie de e di g

22
he ci c a ce f each ca e. The C had
ai ed a i iga i f 50% i Rakes v. Atlantic, Gulf
and Pacific Co.;23 20% i Phoenix Construction, Inc. v.
Intermediate Appellate Court24 a d LBC Air Cargo, Inc. v.
Court of Appeals;25 a d 40% i Bank of the Philippine
Islands v. Court of Appeals26 a d Philippine Bank of
Commerce v. Court of Appeals.27
I he e e ca e, i ha bee e ab i hed ha he
i a e ca e f he dea h f A be C , J . i he
eg ige ce f e i i e b d i e , i h he c ib
eg ige ce f e de Edga He a de , he d i e a d
e f he jee e , he ce, he hei f A be C ,J .
ha ec e da age f 50% f he a a d f
e i i e a d i d i e . Nece a i , 50% ha be b e
b e de Edga He a de . Thi i a Rakes
v. Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Co. a d af e c ide i g he
ci c a ce f hi ca e.
I a a di g da age f he dea h f A be C , J .,
he CA ed a f :

F he dea h f ALBERTO CRUZ, JR. he c a

quo a a ded hi hei P50,000.00 a ac a a d
c e a da age ; P250,000.00 f f
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 27/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

ea i g ca aci ; a d a he P50,000.00 a a
da age . H e e , a i ed i he a ai ed
Deci i da ed Ja a 30, 2008, he a
aid (P25,000.00) f f e a e ice e de ed b
Maga e a Me ia H e a d ecei ed
(E hibi E-1 ). I i e ed ha ac a da age
be b a ia ed b d c e a e ide ce, ch a
ecei , i de e e e e i c ed a a
e f he dea h f he ic i . A ch, he a a d
f

_______________

22 Lambert v. Heirs of Ray Castillon, 492 Phi . 384, 396; 452 SCRA
285, 293 (2005).
23 7 Phi . 359 (1907).
24 232 Phi . 327; 148 SCRA 353 (1987).
25 311 Phi . 715; 241 SCRA 619 (1995).
26 G.R. N . 102383, N e be 26, 1992, 216 SCRA 51.
27 336 Phi . 667; 269 SCRA 695 (1997).

324

324 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

ac a da age i he a f P50,000.00 be
dified acc di g .
U de A ic e 2206 f he Ci i C de, he da age
f dea h ca ed b a quasi-delict ha , i addi i
he i de i f he dea h i e f hich i fi ed b
c e j i de ce a P50,000.00 a d hich he
c a quo fai ed a a d i hi ca e, i c de f
he ea i g ca aci f he decea ed a d a
da age f e a a g i h b ea f ch dea h.
The f a f he c ai f f ea i g
ca aci i a f :
Ne ea i g ca aci = Life e ec a c [G
A a I c e Li i g E e e (50% f g a a
i c e)], he e ife e ec a c = 2/3 (80 he age f
he decea ed)
E ide ce ec d h ha he decea ed a
ea i g P6,000.00 a h a ke h e e a
a Pa a ga Be , I c., a e Ce ifica i (E hibi
K) i ed b he c a P d c i , Ma age ,
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 28/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

E ic Ma. O. Hi , Ma ch 18, 1998, hi g

i c e he ef e a ed P72,000.00 [P6,000.00
12]. Ded c i g 50% he ef (P36,000.00)
e e e i g he i i g e e e , hi e a a
i c e a ed P36,000.00. M i i g hi b
hi ife e ec a c f 40.67 ea [2/3(80-19)] ha i g
died a he g age f 19, he a a d f f
ea i g ca aci h d ha e bee P1,464,000.00.
C ide i g, h e e , ha hi hei e e e ed b
hi fa he , ALBERTO CRUZ, SR., ge a ea ed
f he a ai ed Deci i da ed Ja a 30, 2008,
a d di c i he e a e e a e ed i
ai iff -a e ee a ea b ief, he a a d f f
ea i g ca aci i he a f P250,000.00
a d .
M a da age i he a f P50,000.00 i
ade a e a d ea ab e, bea i g i i d ha he
e f aki g ch a a d i e ich he
hei f he ic i b c e a e he h e e
i e ac f i j ie hei fee i g .
28

_______________

28 Rollo, . 52-54. (Ci a i i ed)

325

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 325

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

I a , he f i g e e a a ded he hei f
A be C , J .:
1) P25,000.00 a ac a da age ;
2) P250,000.00 f he f ea i g;
3) P50,000.00 a ci i i de i f he dea h f
A be C , J .; a d
4) P50,00.00 a a da age .
Pe i i e c e d ha he CA e ed i a a di g a
a f he f ea i g ca aci f A be C ,J .
I c ai ha he ce ifica i f he e e f he
decea ed a i g ha he he a i a i e, he ea ed
P6,000.00 e h a e e ed a d ide ified i
e c . I ha a ec , e i i e i c ec . The ec d
a e be ef ha ch ce ifica i a e e ed a d
. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 29/33
9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

ide ified d i g he ia . I bea e i g ha

c e ai f i c e i i he a e f da age
a d a ch e i e d e f f he da age ffe ed;
he e be bia ed f f he decea ed a e age
29
i c e.
The ef e, a i g he ab e di i ii , he hei f
A be C , J . ha be a a ded he f i g:
1) P12,500.00 a ac a da age ;
2) P25,000.00 a ci i i de i f he dea h f
A be C , J ., a d
3) P25,000.00 a a da age .
I he a e a e , e i i e i a a e ib e
f he i j ie ai ed b e de Vi gi ia M
he ce, f he P16,744.00 ac a da age a d P30,000.00
a da age a a ded b he CA, e i i e i iab e f
ha f f h e a .A e e de Edga He a de ,
d e hi c ib eg ige ce, he i e i ed e-

_______________

29 People v. Ereño, 383 Phi . 30, 46; 326 SCRA 157, 170 (2000).

326

326 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

cei e ha f he a (P40,200.00) a a ded b he CA a

ac a da age hich i P20,100.00.
A he a a d f a e fee , i i e ed ha he
a a d f a e fee i he e ce i a he ha he
ge e a e; c e fee a e a a ded e e i e a
a e ai i a i beca e f he ic ha
e i h d be aced he igh i iga e.
A e fee , a a f da age , a e ece a i
e a ed he a aid b a i iga a a e . I he
di a e e, a e fee e e e he ea ab e
c e ai aid a a e b hi c ie f he ega
e ice he ha e de ed he a e ; hi e i i
e a di a c ce , he a be a a ded b he c
a i de i f da age be aid b he i g a
he e ai i g a . A e fee a a f da age a e
a a ded i he i a ce ecified i A ic e 220830 f
he Ci i C de. A ch, i i ece a f

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 30/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

_______________

30 A . 2208. I he ab e ce f i ai , a e fee a d
e e e f i iga i , he ha j dicia c , ca be ec e ed,
e ce :
(1) Whe e e a da age a e a a ded;
(2) Whe he defe da ac i i ha c e ed he ai iff
i iga e i h hi d e i c e e e ec hi i e e ;
(3) I c i i a ca e f a ici ec i agai he ai iff;
(4) I ca e f a c ea f ded ci i ac i ceedi g agai
he ai iff;
(5) Whe e he defe da ac ed i g a d e ide bad fai h i
ef i g ai f he ai iff ai a id, j a d de a dab e c ai ;
(6) I ac i f ega ;
(7) I ac i f he ec e f age fh eh d he e , ab e
a d ki ed ke ;
(8) I ac i f i de i de k e c e ai a d
e ee iabi i a ;
(9) I a e a a e ci i ac i ec e ci i iabi i a i i g f a
c i e;
(10) Whe a ea d b e j dicia c a e a a ded;

327

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 327

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

he c ake fi di g f fac a d a ha d
b i g he ca e i hi he a bi f he e e e a ed
i a ce j if he g a f ch a a d, a d i a
31
ca e i be ea ab e. I hi ca e, he RTC, i
a a di g a e fee , ea ed ha [w]hile there is
no document submitted to prove that the plaintiffs spent
attorney s fees, it is clear that they paid their lawyer in the
prosecution of this case for which they are entitled to the
same.32 S ch ea i c jec a a d d e j if he
g a f he a a d, h , he a e fee h d be
de e ed. H e e , e i i e ha i ha e e e ha f f
he c f he i .
WHEREFORE, he Pe i i f Re ie Certiorari
de R e 45, da ed Dece be 28, 2011, f e i i e
T a e & T Ad i e , I c. i DENIED. H e e , he
Deci i da ed Ma 16, 2011 f he C f A ea i
MODIFIED a f :

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 31/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

The e i i e a d Edga Ca a ca a e ORDERED

j i a d e e a PAY he f i g:
1. T e de A be C , S . a d fa i :
a) P12,500.00 a ac a da age ;
b) P25,000.00 a ci i i de i f he dea h f
A be C , J .; a d
c) P25,000.00 a a da age .
2. T e de Vi gi ia M :

_______________

(11) I a e ca e e e e c dee a d
e ab e a a e ee a d e e e a d be
ec e ed.
I a ca e , he a e fee a d e e e f i iga i be
ea ab e. (E ha i ied)
31 Benedicto v. Villaflores, 646 Phi . 733, 742; 632 SCRA 446, 455
(2010).
32 Rollo, . 98

32

328 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

a) P8,372.00 a ac a da age ;
b) P15,000.00 a a da age .
3. T e de Edga He a de :
a) P20,100.00 a ac a da age ; a d
4. The f P2,235.00 a c f i iga i .

Re de Edga He a de i a ORDERED
PAY he f i g:

1. T e de A be C , S . a d fa i :
a) P12,500.00 a ac a da age ;
b) P25,000.00 a ci i i de i f he dea h f
A be C , J .; a d
c) P25,000.00 a a da age .
2. T e de Vi gi ia M :
a) P8,372.00 a ac a da age ;
b) P15,000.00 a a da age ;, a d
3. The f P2,235.00 a c f i iga i .
SO ORDERED.

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 32/33

9/12/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED OLUME 787

Velasco, Jr. (Chairperson), Perez, Reyes a d Jardeleza,

JJ., c c .

Petition denied, judgment modified.

N e . The iabi i f he e e f he eg ige

c d c f i b di a e i di ec a d i a , bjec
he defe e f d e di ige ce i he e ec i a d
e i i f he e ee. (R Transport Corporation vs.
Yu, 750 SCRA 696 [2015])

32

VOL. 787, MARCH 14, 2016 329

Travel & Tours Advisers, Incorporated vs. Cruz, Sr.

A ic e 1756 f he Ci i C de ide ha [i] ca e f

dea h f i j ie a e ge , c ca ie a e
e ed ha e bee a fa ha e ac ed
eg ige , e he e ha he b e ed
e a di a di ige ce a e c ibed i A ic e 1733 a d
1755. (G.V. Florida Transport, Inc. vs. Heirs of Romeo L.
Battung, Jr., 772 SCRA 579 [2015])

C 2020 C B S ,I .A .

. . . / / /0000017481 6 10 96 9 9 3003600 002 009 / /? =F 33/33