Transpo batch 3 except 1st & last cases

Equitable Leasing Corp vs. Suyom, Enena, Tamayo & Oledan

Facts:
A Fuso Road tractor driven by Tutor rammed into the house cum of Tamayo which resulted in
the death of Tamayos son and Oledans daughter. Failure to claim from a criminal case finding
Tutor guilty of reckless imprudence, respondents filed a civil case based on quasi delict against
Equitable Leasing Corp, the registered owner of the tractor, among others. Equitable contends
that it should not be held liable for such damages which arose from the negligence of the driver
Fuso Road. That such tractor was already sold to the owner of Fuso Road at the time of the
accident. Thus, not having employed driver Tutor, it could not have controlled or supervised him.
Issue: WON Equitable should be held liable for damages in an action based on quasi delict for
the negligent acts of a driver who was not its employee.
Held: Yes, Equitable should be held liable because it was the registered owner at the time of the
accident.
The Court has consistently ruled that, regardless of sales made of a motor vehicle, the registered
owner is the lawful operator insofar as the public and third persons are concerned; consequently,
it is directly and primarily responsible for the consequences of its operation. In contemplation of
law, the owner/operator of record is the employer of the driver, the actual operator and employer
being considered as merely its agent. The same principle applies even if the registered owner of
any vehicle does not use it for public service.
----------------The main aim of motor vehicle registration is to identify the owner so that if any accident
happens, or that any damage or injury is caused by the vehicle on the public highways,
responsibility therefor can be fixed on a definite individual, the registered owner.