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CIVILLAWREVIEWERbyRubenF.Balane

LectureNotesonCivilLawProfessorRubenF.Balane

CHANGESINTHENEWCIVILCODE

1.Grantingofnewrights

Example: The Family Code erases the distinction between natural and spurious
children. Now they are lumped together as illegitimate. Thus, spurious children are
givenrights.

2.Dierentsolutionstooldproblems

Example:Changeinrivercourse

3.Claricationofoldprovisions

Example:UndertheoldCivilCode,therewereonlyvoidandvoidablecontracts.With
theadditionofunenforceableandrescissiblecontracts,theNCCprovidesclarication

4.Certainsubjectsomied

Examples:Thedowryhasbeenomied;certainleaseshavealsobeenomied.TheNCC
is far from perfect. There are structural defects. Certain things which should be in the
preliminarysectionarefoundelsewhere.Anexampleofthisisthevicesofconsent.Why
are they found in contracts? They are relevant in all juridical transactions. Another
exampleisthetopicofdegreesofrelationship.Thisisfoundonlyinsuccession.Degrees
ofrelationshiparerelevantinotherbookstoo.Finally,whyistraditionfoundinthelaw
onsales?Traditionisnotonlyimportantinsales.Rather,traditionisamodeofacquiring
ownership.

PRELIMINARYTITLE

I.EectandApplicationofLaws

Art.1.ThisActshallbeknownastheCivilCodeofthePhilippines.

Art. 2. Laws shall take eect after fteen days following the completion of their
Art. 2. Laws shall take eect after fteen days following the completion of their
publication in the Ocial Gazee, unless it is otherwise provided. This Code shall take
eectoneyearaftersuchpublication.

Thiscodeshalltakeeect1yearaftersuchpublication.

TheSCinthecaseofLaravs.DelRosariothattheoneyearshouldbecountedfromthe
dateofactualreleaseandnotthedateofissue.

ExecutiveOrderNo.200supersedesArticle2regardingthetimeofeectivityoflaws.

EXECUTIVEORDERNO.200PROVIDINGFORTHEPUBLICATIONOFLAWSEITHER
INTHEOFFICIALGAZETTEORINANEWSPAPEROFGENERALCIRCULATIONIN
THEPHILIPPINESASAREQUIREMENTFORTHEIREFFECTIVITY

WHEREAS, Article 2 of the Civil Code partly provides that laws shall take eect after
fteendaysfollowingthecompletionoftheirpublicationintheOcialGazee,unlessit
isotherwiseprovided...;

WHEREAS,therequirementthatforlawstobeeectiveonlyapublicationthereofinthe
Ocial Gazee will suce has entailed some problems, a point recognized by the
Supreme Court in Taada, et al. vs. Tuvera, et al. (G.R. No. 63915, December 29, 1986)
whenitobservedthat[t]hereismuchtobesaidoftheviewthatthepublicationneednot
bemadeintheOcialGazee,consideringitserraticreleaseandlimitedreadership;

WHEREAS, it was likewise observed that [u]ndoubtedly, newspapers of general

circulationcouldbeerperformthefunctionofcommunicatingthelawstothepeopleas
such periodicals are more easily available, have a wider readership, and come out
regularly;and

WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing premises Article 2 of the Civil Code should
accordinglybeamendedsothelawstobeeectivemustbepublishedeitherintheOcial
Gazeeorinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountry;

NOW,THEREFORE,I,CORAZONC.AQUINO,PresidentofthePhilippines,byvirtueof
thepowersvestedinmebytheConstitution,doherebyorder:

Sec. 1. Laws shall take eect after fteen days following the completion of their
publication either in the Ocial Gazee or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines,unlessitisotherwiseprovided.

Sec. 2. Article 2 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the Civil Code of the
Philippines, and all other laws inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby
repealedormodiedaccordingly.

Sec. 3. This Executive Order shall take eect immediately after its publication in the
OcialGazee.DoneintheCityofManila,this18thdayofJune,intheyearofOurLord,
nineteenhundredandeightyseven.

15daysfollowingdoesthismeanonthe15thor16thday?Thelawisnotclear.
15daysfollowingdoesthismeanonthe15thor16thday?Thelawisnotclear.

UnderArticle2,publicationintheOcialGazeewasnecessary.Now,underE.O.No.
200, publication may either be in the Ocial Gazee or a newspaper of general
publication.

unless otherwise provided refers to when the law shall take eect. It does not mean
that publication can be dispensed with. Otherwise, that would be a violation of due
process.

GeneralRule:LawsmustbepublishedineithertheOcialGazeeoranewspaperof
generalcirculation.

Exception: The law may provide for another manner of publication. Dierent manner
meaning:

1.NotinOcialGazeeornewspaperofgeneralcirculation;orExample:Readoverthe
televisionortheradio(providedthatthealternativeisreasonable)

2.Changeintheperiodofeectivity

publicationmeansmakingitknown;dissemination.Itdoesnthavetobeinwriting.

Change period of eectivity the gap between publication and eectivity should be
reasonableunderthecircumstances.

Before publication, cannot apply the law whether penal or civil (Pesigan vs. Angeles)
Why?Howcanyoubeboundifyoudontknowthelaw.

Requirementofpublicationappliestoalllawsandismandatory.Art.3.Ignoranceofthe
lawexcusesnoonefromcompliancetherewith.

Ignorantialegisneminemexcusat(Ignoranceofthelawexcusesnoone).

This is a necessary rule for all civilized society. Otherwise it would be impossible to
enforcethelaw.Itisveryhardtodeterminewhetherornotapersonreallydoesnotknow
the law. Without this rule, there would be anarchy. The law sacrices occasional
harshnesstopreventuniversalanarchy.

TherearepotentialmethodstomitigatetheseverityofArticle3Articles526(3),2155,
1334.*

In Kasilag vs. Rodriguez, the SC said that the possession of the antichretic credit as
possessioningoodfaithsinceadicultquestionoflawwasinvolvedantichresis.Inthis
case,thepartieswerenotveryknowledgeableofthelaw.

Article3appliesonlytoignoranceofPhilippinelaw.Itdoesnotapplytoforeignlaw.In
PrivateInternationalLaw,foreignlawmustbeprovenevenifitisapplicable.Otherwise,
thecourtswillpresumetheforeignlawtobethesameasPhilippinelaw.

Art.4.Lawsshallhavenoretroactiveeect,unlessthecontraryisprovided.
Art.4.Lawsshallhavenoretroactiveeect,unlessthecontraryisprovided.

Lexdefuturojudexdepreterito(Thelawprovidesforthefuture,thejudgeforthepast).

Retroactive law one which creates a new obligation and imposes a new duty or
aachesanewdisabilitywithrespecttotransactionsorconsiderationsalreadypast.

GeneralRule:Lawmustbeappliedprospectively.

Exceptions:1.Ifthestatuteprovidesforretroactivity.

Exceptiontotheexception:a.Expostfactolawsb.Lawswhichimpairtheobligationof
contracts

2.Penallawsinsofarasitfavorstheaccusedwhoisnotahabitualcriminal,eventhough
atthetimeoftheenactmentofsuchlawnalsentencehasalreadybeenrendered.

3.Remediallawsaslongasitdoesnotaectorchangevestedrights.

4.Whenthelawcreatesnewsubstantiverightsunlessvestedrightsareimpaired.

5. Curative laws (the purpose is to cure defects or imperfections in judicial or

administrativeproceedings)

6.Interpretativelaws

7. Laws which are of emergency nature or are authorized by police power (Santos vs.
Alvarez;PNBvs.OceofthePresident)

Art. 5. Acts executed against the provisions of mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be
void,exceptwhenthelawitselfauthorizestheirvalidity.

A mandatory law is one which prescribes some element as a requirement (i.e., wills
mustbewrienArticle804 ;formofdonationsArticle749)

Aprohibitorylawisonewhichforbidssomething(i.e.,jointwillsArticle818 )

GeneralRule:Actswhicharecontrarytomandatoryorprohibitedlawsarevoid.

Exceptions:

1.Whenthelawitselfauthorizeditsvalidity(i.e.,loo,sweepstakes)

2.Whenthelawmakestheactonlyvoidableandnotvoid(i.e.,ifconsentisvitiated,the
contractisvoidableandnotvoid)

3. When the law makes the act valid but punishes the violator (i.e., if the marriage is
celebrated by someone without legal authority but the parties are in good faith, the
marriageisvalidbutthepersonwhomarriedthepartiesisliable)

4. When the law makes the act void but recognizes legal eects owing therefrom (i.e.,
4. When the law makes the act void but recognizes legal eects owing therefrom (i.e.,
Articles1412&1413 )Art.6.Rightsmaybewaived,unlessthewaiveriscontrarytolaw,
publicorder,publicpolicy,morals,orgoodcustoms,orprejudicialtoathirdpersonwith
arightrecognizedbylaw.

Whatone can waive are rightsandnotobligations. Example, a creditor can waive the
loanbutthedebtormaynot.

Thereisnoformrequiredforawaiversinceawaiverisoptional.Youcanwaivebymere
inaction,refusingtocollectadebtforexampleisaformofwaiver.

Requisitesofavalidwaiver(Herreravs.Boromeo)

1.Existenceofaright

2.Knowledgeoftheexistenceoftheright

3. An intention to relinquish the right (implied in this is the capacity to dispose of the
right)

GeneralRule:Rightscanbewaived.

Exceptions:1.Ifwaiveriscontrarytolaw,publicorder,publicpolicy,moralsorgood
customs 2. If the waiver would be prejudicial to a 3rd party with a right recognized by
law.(e.g.,IfAowesBP10M,BcantwaivetheloanifBowesCandBhasnootherassets.)

Examplesofwaiverswhichareprohibited:

1.Repudiationoffutureinheritance

2.Waiveroftheprotectionofpactumcommissorium

3.Waiveroffuturesupport

4.Waiverofemploymentbenetsinadvance

5.Waiverofminimumwage

6.Waiveroftherighttorevokeawill

Art.7.Lawsarerepealedonlybysubsequentones,andtheirviolationornonobservance
shall not be excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary. When the courts
declaredalawtobeinconsistentwiththeConstitution,theformershallbevoidandthe
laershallgovern.Administrativeorexecutiveacts,ordersandregulationsshallbevalid
onlywhentheyarenotcontrarytothelawsortheConstitution.

Article7isobviousbecausetimemovesforward.

Onlysubsequentlawscanrepealpriorlawseitherthrough:

1.Arepealingclause
2.Incompatibilityofthesubsequentandpriorlaws
1.Arepealingclause
2.Incompatibilityofthesubsequentandpriorlaws

Theviolationofalawisnotjustiedevenif:

1.Noonefollowsthelaw(i.e.,nonpaymentoftaxes)

2. There is a custom to the contrary The 2nd par. of Article 7 is judicial review in
statutoryform.

Art.8.JudicialdecisionsapplyingorinterpretingthelawsortheConstitutionshallforma
partofthelegalsystemofthePhilippines.

Thisisanewprovisiontakenfromcommonlaw.Underthecivillawtradition,thecourt
merely applies the law. However since the Philippine legal system is a combination of
civil law and common law, courts apply statutes as well as resort to the doctrine of
precedent.

Art. 9. No judge or court shall decline to render judgment by reason of the silence,
obscurityorinsuciencyofthelaws.

Art.10.Incaseofdoubtintheinterpretationorapplicationoflaws,itispresumedthatthe
lawmakingbodyintendedrightandjusticetoprevail.

Whatifthelawissilent?Thecourtshouldrenderadecisionbasedonjusticeasstatedin
Article10.

Art. 11. Customs which are contrary to law, public order or public policy shall not be
countenanced.

Whatifcustomsarenotcontrarytolaw?Thecustomwouldbecountenanced.However,
thisdoesnotmeanthatthecustomwouldhaveobligatoryforce.

Art.12.Acustommustbeprovedasafact,accordingtotherulesofevidence.

The law doesnt specify the cases when custom is relevant in litigation. But in case
customisrelevant,itshouldbeproven.

Commentatorssaythatcustomisimportantincasesinvolvingnegligence.Forexample,
ifakalesainManilaisbycustomsupposedtohaveraanbasketstopreventpeoplefrom
slipping,ifapersonslipsbecausethereisnoraanbasket,thenhecansuefornegligence.

Art.13.Whenthelawsspeakofyears,months,daysornights,itshallbeunderstoodthat
yearsareofthreehundredsixtyvedayseach;months,ofthirtydays;days,oftwenty
four hours; and nights from sunset to sunrise. If months are designated by their name,
they shall be computed by the number of days which they respectively have. In
computingaperiod,therstdayshallbeexcluded,andthelastdayincluded.

Article13hasbeensupersededbyExecutiveOrderNo.292(theRevisedAdministrative
Code of 1987) Book 1, 31. Sec. 31. Legal Periods. Year shall be understood to be
twelve calendar months; month of thirty days, unless it refers to a specic calendar
month in which case it shall be computed according to the number of days the specic
month in which case it shall be computed according to the number of days the specic
monthcontains;day,toadayoftwentyfourhours;andnight,fromsunsettosunrise.

UnderE.O.No.292,ayearisnowequivalentto12calendarmonthsandnot365days.
UnderArticle13leapyearsarenotconsidered.Forexamples,inordertomakeawill,one
hastobe18yearsold.ButifyouuseArticle13,oneloses4to5daysifyoudontcountthe
leapyears.E.O.No.292isbeerthanArticle13sinceitismorerealistic.

Thereshouldhavebeenadenitionofhours.Thatdenitionisrelevantforlaborlaw.
AccordingtoProfessorBalane,anhourshouldbedenedas1/24ofacalendarday.Ifyou
use the denition that an hour is equal to 60 minutes, then we would have to dene
minutes,thenseconds,andsoon.Itwouldbetooscientic.

II.ConictsofLawProvisions

Art. 14. Penal laws and those of public security and safety shall be obligatory upon all
who live or sojourn in the Philippine territory, subject to the principles of public
internationallawandtotreatystipulations.

Twoprinciples:

1.TerritorialityGeneralRule:CriminallawsapplyonlyinPhilippineterritory.

Exception:Article2,RevisedPenalCode.

2.GeneralityGeneralRule:Criminallawsapplytoeveryoneintheterritory(citizensand
aliens)

Exceptions:Intheseinstances,allthePhilippinescandoisexpelthem

a. Treaty stipulations which exempt some persons within the jurisdiction of Philippine
courts(e.g.,BasesAgreement)

b. Heads of State and Ambassadors (Note: Consuls are subject to the jurisdiction of our
criminalcourts.)

Art. 15. Laws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, condition and legal
capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living
abroad.

TheoriesonPersonalLaw:

1.Domiciliarytheorythepersonallawsofapersonaredeterminedbyhisdomicile

2.Nationalitytheorythenationalityorcitizenshipdeterminesthepersonallawsofthe
individual

Under Article 15, the Philippines follows the nationality theory. Family rights and
duties,statusandlegalcapacityofFilipinosaregovernedbyPhilippinelaw.

GeneralRule:UnderArticle26oftheFamilyCode,allmarriagessolemnizedoutsidethe
GeneralRule:UnderArticle26oftheFamilyCode,allmarriagessolemnizedoutsidethe
Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in the country where they were
solemnizedandvalidthereassuch,isalsovalidinthePhilippines.

Exception:IfthemarriageisvoidunderPhilippinelaw,thenthemarriageisvoideven
ifitisvalidinthecountrywherethemarriagewassolemnized.

Exceptiontotheexception:

1.Article35,2,FamilyCode

Art.35.Thefollowingmarriagesshallbevoidfromthebeginning:

(2) Those solemnized by any person not legally authorized to perform marriages unless
suchmarriageswerecontractedwitheitherorbothpartiesbelievingingoodfaiththatthe
solemnizingocerhadthelegalauthoritytodoso;2.

Article 35, 3, Family Code Art. 35. The following marriages shall be void from the
beginning:

(3)Thosesolemnizedwithoutlicense,exceptthosecoveredtheprecedingChapter;Evenif
theforeignmarriagedidnotcomplywitheithers2and3ofArticle35,Philippinelawwill
recognizethemarriageasvalidaslongasitisvalidunderforeignlaw.

Art.16,1.Realpropertyaswellaspersonalpropertyissubjecttothelawofthecountry
whereitisstipulated.

Lex situs or lex rei sitae governs real or personal property (property is subject to the
lawsofthecountryinwhichitislocated).

InTayagvs.Benguetconsolidated,theSCsaidthatPhilippinelawshallgovernincases
involvingsharesofstockofaPhilippinecorporationeveniftheownerisintheUS.Art.
16,2.However,intestateandtestamentarysuccessions,bothwithrespecttotheorderof
succession and to the amount of successional rights and to the intrinsic validity of
testamentary provisions, shall be regulated by the national law of the person whose
succession is under consideration, whatever may be the nature of the property and
regardlessofthecountrywhereinsaidpropertymaybefound.

ThisismerelyanextensionofthenationalitytheoryinArticle15.

Thenationallawofthedecedentregardlessofthelocationofthepropertyshallgovern.
Thus,thenationallawofthedecedentshalldeterminewhowillsucceed.

InMicianovs.Brimo,theSCsaidthatthewillofaforeignercontainingthecondition
thatthelawofthePhilippinesshouldgovernregardingthedistributionoftheproperties
isinvalid.

In Aznar vs. Garcia, what was involved was the renvoi doctrine. In this case, the
decedentwasacitizenofCaliforniawhoresidedinthePhilippine.Theproblemwasthat
underPhilippinelaw,thenationallawofthedecedentshallgovern.Ontheotherhand,
under California law, the law of the state where the decedent has his domicile shall
under California law, the law of the state where the decedent has his domicile shall
govern.TheSCacceptedthereferralbyCalifornialawandappliedPhilippinelaw(single
renvoi).

Problem:WhatifthedecedentisaFilipinodomiciledinaforeigncountrywhichfollows
thedomiciliarytheory?AccordingtoProfessorBalane,onewaytoresolvethesituationis
thisPhilippinelawshouldgovernwithrespecttopropertiesinPhilippinewhilethelaw
ofthedomicileshouldgovernwithrespecttopropertieslocatedinthestateofdomicile.
Art.17.Theformsandsolemnitiesofcontracts,wills,andotherpublicinstrumentsshall
begovernedbythelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyareexecuted.Whentheactsreferred
to are executed before the diplomatic or consular ocials of the Republic of the
Philippines in a foreign country, the solemnities established by Philippine laws shall be
observed in their execution. Prohibitive laws concerning persons, their acts or property,
andthosewhichhavefortheirobjectpublicorder,publicpolicyandgoodcustomsshall
not be rendered ineective by laws or judgments promulgated, or by determinations or
conventionsagreeduponinaforeigncountry.

Lex loci celebrationis (formal requirements of contracts, wills, and other public
instrumentsaregovernedbythecountryinwhichtheyareexecuted)

Thereisnoconictbetweenthe1stofArticle16andthe1stofArticle17sincetheytalk
of2dierentthings.

Thus,theformalrequirementsofacontractinvolvingrealpropertyinthePhilippines
must follow the formal requirements of the place where the contract was entered into.
However, if what is involved is not the formal requirements, then the law of the place
wheretheproperties(whetherrealorpersonal)arelocatedshallgovern.

Art.18.InmaerswhicharegovernedbytheCodeofCommerceandspeciallaws,their
deciencyshallbesuppliedbytheprovisionsofthisCode.

III.HumanRelations

Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his
duties,actwithjustice,giveeveryonehisdue,andobservehonestyandgoodfaith.

Art. 20. Every person who, contrary to law, willfully or negligently causes damage to
another,shallindemnifythelaerforthesame.

Art. 21. Any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another in manner that is
contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the laer for the
damage.

Art.22.Everypersonwhothroughanactofperformancebyanother,oranyothermeans,
acquiresorcomesintopossessionofsomethingattheexpenseofthelaerwithoutjustor
legalground,shallreturnthesametohim.

Art.23.Evenwhenanactoreventcausingdamagetoanotherspropertywasnotdueto
Art.23.Evenwhenanactoreventcausingdamagetoanotherspropertywasnotdueto
thefaultornegligenceofthedefendant,thelaershallbeliableforindemnityifthrough
theactoreventhewasbeneted.

Art. 24. In all contractual, property or other relations, when one of the parties is at a
disadvantage on account of his moral dependence, ignorance, indigence, mental
weakness,tenderageorotherhandicap,thecourtsmustbevigilantforhisprotection.

Art.25.Thoughtlessextravaganceinexpensesforpleasureordisplayduringaperiodof
acutepublicwantoremergencymaybestoppedbyorderofthecourtsattheinstanceof
anygovernmentorprivatecharitableinstitution.

Art.26.Everypersonshallrespectthedignity,personality,privacyandpeaceofmindof
his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not
constituteacriminaloense,shallproduceacauseofactionfordamages,preventionand
otherrelief:

(1)Pryingintotheprivacyofanothersresidence;

(2)Meddlingwithordisturbingtheprivatelifeorfamilyrelationsofanother;

(3)Intriguingtocauseanothertobealienatedfromhisfriends;

(4)Vexingorhumiliatinganotheronaccountofhisreligiousbeliefs,lowlystationinlife,
placeofbirth,physicaldefect,orotherpersonalcondition.

Art.27.Anypersonsueringmaterialormorallossbecauseapublicservantoremployee
refusesorneglects,withoutjustcause,toperformhisocialdutymayleanactionfor
damages and other relief against he laer, without prejudice to any disciplinary
administrativeactionthatmaybetaken.

Art.28.Unfaircompetitioninagricultural,commercialorindustrialenterprisesorinlabor
throughtheuseofforce,intimidation,deceit,machinationoranyotherunjust,oppressive
or highhanded method shall give rise to a right of action by the person who thereby
suersdamage.

Art. 29. When the accused in a criminal prosecution is acquied on the ground that his
guilt has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, a civil action for damages for the
same act or omission may be instituted. Such action requires only a preponderance of
evidence.Uponmotionofthedefendant,thecourtmayrequiretheplaintitoleabond
to answer for damages in case the complaint should be found to be malicious. If in a
criminalcasethejudgmentofacquialisbaseduponreasonabledoubt,thecourtshallso
declare.Intheabsenceofanydeclarationtothateect,itmaybeinferredfromthetextof
thedecisionwhetherornottheacquialisduetothatground.

Art. 30. When a separate civil action is brought to demand civil liability arising from a
criminal oense, and no criminal proceedings are instituted during the pendency of the
civil case, a preponderance of evidence shall likewise be sucient to prove the act
complainedof.
Art. 31. When the civil action is based on an obligation not arising from the act or
Art. 31. When the civil action is based on an obligation not arising from the act or
omissioncomplainedofasafelony,suchcivilactionmayproceedindependentlyofthe
criminalproceedingsandregardlessoftheresultofthelaer.

Art. 32. Any public ocer or employee, or any private individual, who directly or
indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs any of the
followingrightsandlibertiesofanotherpersonshallbeliabletothelaerfordamages:

(1)Freedomorreligion;

(2)Freedomofspeech;

(3)Freedomtowriteforthepressortomaintainaperiodicalpublication;

(4)Freedomfromarbitraryorillegaldetention;

(5)Freedomofsurage;

(6)Therightagainstdeprivationofpropertywithoutdueprocessoflaw;

(7)Therighttoajustcompensationwhenprivatepropertyistakenforpublicuse;

(8)Therighttotheequalprotectionofthelaws;

(9)Therighttobesecureinonesperson,house,papers,andeectsagainstunreasonable
searchesandseizures;

(10)Thelibertyofabodeandofchangingthesame;

(11)Theprivacyofcommunicationandcorrespondence;

(12)Therighttobecomeamemberofassociationsorsocietiesforpurposesnotcontraryto
law;

(13)TherighttotakepartinapeaceableassemblytopetitiontheGovernmentforredress
ofgrievances;

(14)Therighttobeafreefrominvoluntaryservitudeinanyform;

(15)Therightoftheaccusedagainstexcessivebail;

(16) The right of the accused to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the
natureandcauseoftheaccusationagainsthim,tohaveaspeedyandpublictrial,tomeet
the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the aendance of
witnessinhisbehalf;

(17) Freedom from being compelled to be a witness against ones self, or from being
forced to confess guilt, or from being induced by a promise of immunity or reward to
makesuchconfession,exceptwhenthepersonconfessingbecomesaStatewitness;

(18)Freedomfromexcessivenes,orcruelandunusualpunishment,unlessthesameis
(18)Freedomfromexcessivenes,orcruelandunusualpunishment,unlessthesameis
imposedorinictedinaccordancewithastatutewhichhasnotbeenjudiciallydeclared
unconstitutional;and

(19)Freedomofaccesstothecourts.Inanyofthecasesreferredtointhisarticle,whether
ornotthedefendantsactoromissionconstitutesacriminaloense,theaggrievedparty
hasarighttocommenceanentirelyseparateanddistinctcivilactionfordamages,andfor
otherrelief.Suchcivilactionshallproceedindependentlyofanycriminalprosecution(if
the laer be instituted), and mat be proved by a preponderance of evidence. The
indemnity shall include moral damages. Exemplary damages may also be adjudicated.
The responsibility herein set forth is not demandable from a judge unless his act or
omissionconstitutesaviolationofthePenalCodeorotherpenalstatute.

Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries a civil action for damages,
entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be brought by the injured
party.Suchcivilactionshallproceedindependentlyofthecriminalprosecution,andshall
requireonlyapreponderanceofevidence.

Art.34.Whenamemberofacityormunicipalpoliceforcerefusesorfailstorenderaidor
protectiontoanypersonincaseofdangertolifeorproperty,suchpeaceocershallbe
primarilyliablefordamages,andthecityormunicipalityshallbesubsidiarilyresponsible
therefor. The civil action herein recognized shall be independent of any criminal
proceedings,andapreponderanceofevidenceshallsucetosupportsuchaction.

Art.35.Whenaperson,claimingtobeinjuredbyacriminaloense,chargesanotherwith
thesame,forwhichnoindependentcivilactionisgrantedinthisCodeoranyspeciallaw,
butthejusticeofthepeacendsnoreasonablegroundstobelievethatacrimehasbeen
commied, or the prosecuting aorney refuses or fails to institute criminal proceedings,
thecomplaintmaybringacivilactionfordamagesagainsttheallegedoender.Suchcivil
actionmaybesupportedbyapreponderanceofevidence.Uponthedefendantsmotion,
the court may require the plainti to le a bond to indemnify the defendant in case the
complaintshouldbefoundtobemalicious.Ifduringthependencyofthecivilaction,an
information should be presented by the prosecuting aorney, the civil action shall be
suspendeduntiltheterminationofthecriminalproceedings.

Art. 36. Prejudicial questions, which must be decided before any criminal prosecution
maybeinstitutedormayproceed,shallbegovernedbyrulesofcourtwhichtheSupreme
CourtshallpromulgateandwhichshallnotbeinconictwiththeprovisionsofthisCode.

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