Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court
Manila

SECOND DIVISION

UNSWORTH TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL (PHILS.), G.R. No. 166250

INC.,
Petitioner, Present:

CARPIO, J.,
Chairperson,
- versus - NACHURA,
PERALTA,
ABAD, and
MENDOZA, JJ.
COURT OF APPEALS and PIONEER INSURANCE
AND SURETY CORPORATION, Promulgated:
Respondents.
July 26, 2010

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DECISION

NACHURA, J.:

For review is the Court of Appeals (CA) Decision [1] dated April 29, 2004 and Resolution[2] dated November 26, 2004.
The assailed Decision affirmed the Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision[3] dated February 22, 2001; while the assailed
Resolution denied petitioner Unsworth Transport International (Philippines), Inc., American President Lines, Ltd. (APL),
and Unsworth Transport International, Inc.s (UTIs) motion for reconsideration.

The facts of the case are:

On August 31, 1992, the shipper Sylvex Purchasing Corporation delivered to UTI a shipment of 27 drums of various raw
materials for pharmaceutical manufacturing, consisting of: 1) 3 drums (of) extracts, flavoring liquid, flammable liquid x x
x banana flavoring; 2) 2 drums (of) flammable liquids x x x turpentine oil; 2 pallets. STC: 40 bags dried yeast; and 3) 20
drums (of) Vitabs: Vitamin B Complex Extract.[4] UTI issued Bill of Lading No. C320/C15991-2,[5] covering the aforesaid
shipment. The subject shipment was insured with private respondent Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation in favor
of Unilab against all risks in the amount of P1,779,664.77 under and by virtue of Marine Risk Note Number MC RM UL
0627 92[6] and Open Cargo Policy No. HO-022-RIU.[7]

On the same day that the bill of lading was issued, the shipment was loaded in a sealed 1x40 container van,
with no. APLU-982012, boarded on APLs vessel M/V Pres. Jackson, Voyage 42, and transshipped to APLs M/V Pres.
Taft[8] for delivery to petitioner in favor of the consignee United Laboratories, Inc. (Unilab).

On September 30, 1992, the shipment arrived at the port of Manila. On October 6, 1992, petitioner received the
said shipment in its warehouse after it stamped the Permit to Deliver Imported Goods[9]procured by the Champs
Customs Brokerage.[10] Three days thereafter, or on October 9, 1992, Oceanica Cargo Marine Surveyors Corporation
(OCMSC) conducted a stripping survey of the shipment located in petitioners warehouse. The survey results stated:

2-pallets STC 40 bags Dried Yeast, both in good order condition and properly sealed

19- steel drums STC Vitamin B Complex Extract, all in good order condition and properly sealed

1-steel drum STC Vitamin B Complex Extra[ct] with cut/hole on side, with approx. spilling of
1%[11]

On October 15, 1992, the arrastre Jardine Davies Transport Services, Inc. (Jardine) issued Gate Pass No. 7614 [12] which
stated that 22 drums[13] Raw Materials for Pharmaceutical Mfg. were loaded on a truck with Plate No. PCK-434 facilitated
by Champs for delivery to Unilabs warehouse. The materials were noted to be complete and in good order in the gate
pass.[14] On the same day, the shipment arrived in Unilabs warehouse and was immediately surveyed by an independent
surveyor, J.G. Bernas Adjusters & Surveyors, Inc. (J.G. Bernas). The Report stated:

1-p/bag torn on side contents partly spilled

1-s/drum #7 punctured and retaped on bottom side content lacking
5-drums shortship/short delivery[15]

On October 23 and 28, 1992, the same independent surveyor conducted final inspection surveys which yielded the
same results. Consequently, Unilabs quality control representative rejected one paper bag containing dried yeast and
one steel drum containing Vitamin B Complex as unfit for the intended purpose.[16]
On November 7, 1992, Unilab filed a formal claim[17] for the damage against private respondent and UTI. On November
20, 1992, UTI denied liability on the basis of the gate pass issued by Jardine that the goods were in complete and good
condition; while private respondent paid the claimed amount on March 23, 1993. By virtue of the Loss and Subrogation
Receipt[18] issued by Unilab in favor of private respondent, the latter filed a complaint for Damages against APL, UTI
and petitioner with the RTC of Makati.[19] The case was docketed as Civil Case No. 93-3473 and was raffled to Branch
134.

After the termination of the pre-trial conference, trial on the merits ensued. On February 22, 2001, the RTC decided in
favor of private respondent and against APL, UTI and petitioner, the dispositive portion of which reads:

WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered in favor of plaintif PIONEER INSURANCE & SURETY
CORPORATION and against the defendants AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES and UNSWORTH
TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL (PHILS.), INC. (now known as JUGRO TRANSPORT INTL., PHILS.),
ordering the latter to pay, jointly and severally, the former the following amounts:

1. The sum of SEVENTY SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY ONE and 27/100 (Php76,231.27)
with interest at the legal rate of 6% per annum to be computed starting from September 30, 1993 until
fully paid, for and as actual damages;

2. The amount equivalent to 25% of the total sum as attorneys fees;

3. Cost of this litigation.

SO ORDERED.[20]

On appeal, the CA affirmed the RTC decision on April 29, 2004. The CA rejected UTIs defense that it was merely a
forwarder, declaring instead that it was a common carrier. The appellate court added that by issuing the Bill of Lading,
UTI acknowledged receipt of the goods and agreed to transport and deliver them at a specific place to a person named
or his order. The court further concluded that upon the delivery of the subject shipment to petitioners warehouse, its
liability became similar to that of a depositary. As such, it ought to have exercised ordinary diligence in the care of the
goods. And as found by the RTC, the CA agreed that petitioner failed to exercise the required diligence. The CA also
rejected petitioners claim that its liability should be limited to $500 per package pursuant to the Carriage of Goods by
Sea Act (COGSA) considering that the value of the shipment was declared pursuant to the letter of credit and the pro
forma invoice. As to APL, the court considered it as a common carrier notwithstanding the non-issuance of a bill of
lading inasmuch as a bill of lading is not indispensable for the execution of a contract of carriage. [21]

Unsatisfied, petitioner comes to us in this petition for review on certiorari, raising the following issues:

1. WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED GRAVE ABUSE

OF DISCRETION AMOUNTING TO LACK OR EXCESS OF JURISDICTION IN UPHOLDING THE
DECISION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT DATED 22 FEBRUARY 2001, AWARDING THE SUM
OF SEVENTY SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY ONE AND 27/100 PESOS (PHP76,231.27)
WITH LEGAL INTEREST AT 6% PER ANNUM AS ACTUAL DAMAGES AND 25% AS ATTORNEYS
FEES.

2. WHETHER OR NOT PETITIONER UTI IS A COMMON CARRIER.

3. WHETHER OR NOT PETITIONER UTI EXERCISED THE REQUIRED ORDINARY DILIGENCE.

4. WHETHER OR NOT THE PRIVATE RESPONDENT SUFFICIENTLY ESTABLISHED THE

ALLEGED DAMAGE TO ITS CARGO.[22]

Petitioner admits that it is a forwarder but disagrees with the CAs conclusion that it is a common carrier. It also
questions the appellate courts findings that it failed to establish that it exercised extraordinary or ordinary diligence in
the vigilance over the subject shipment. As to the damages allegedly suffered by private respondent, petitioner counters
that they were not sufficiently proven. Lastly, it insists that its liability, in any event, should be limited to $500 pursuant
to the package limitation rule. Indeed, petitioner wants us to review the factual findings of the RTC and the CA and to
evaluate anew the evidence presented by the parties.

The petition is partly meritorious.

Well established is the rule that factual questions may not be raised in a petition for review on certiorari as
clearly stated in Section 1, Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, viz.:

Section 1. Filing of petition with Supreme Court. A party desiring to appeal by certiorari from a
judgment or final order or resolution of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Regional Trial
Court or other courts whenever authorized by law, may file with the Supreme Court a verified petition
for review on certiorari. The petition shall raise only questions of law which must be distinctly set forth.

Admittedly, petitioner is a freight forwarder. The term freight forwarder" refers to a firm holding itself out to the
general public (other than as a pipeline, rail, motor, or water carrier) to provide transportation of property for
compensation and, in the ordinary course of its business, (1) to
assemble and consolidate, or to provide for assembling and consolidating, shipments, and to perform or provide for
break-bulk and distribution operations of the shipments; (2) to assume responsibility for the transportation of goods from
the place of receipt to the place of destination; and (3) to use for any part of the transportation a carrier subject to the
federal law pertaining to common carriers.[23]

A freight forwarders liability is limited to damages arising from its own negligence, including negligence in
choosing the carrier; however, where the forwarder contracts to deliver goods to their destination instead of merely
arranging for their transportation, it becomes liable as a common carrier for loss or damage to goods. A freight forwarder
assumes the responsibility of a carrier, which actually executes the transport, even though the forwarder does not carry
the merchandise itself.[24]

It is undisputed that UTI issued a bill of lading in favor of Unilab. Pursuant thereto, petitioner undertook to
transport, ship, and deliver the 27 drums of raw materials for pharmaceutical manufacturing to the consignee.

A bill of lading is a written acknowledgement of the receipt of goods and an agreement to transport and to deliver
them at a specified place to a person named or on his or her order.[25] It operates both as a receipt and as a contract. It
is a receipt for the goods shipped and a contract to transport and
deliver the same as therein stipulated. As a receipt, it recites the date and place of shipment, describes the goods as to
quantity, weight, dimensions, identification marks, condition, quality, and value. As a contract, it names the contracting
parties, which include the consignee; fixes the route, destination, and freight rate or charges; and stipulates the rights
and obligations assumed by the parties.[26]

Undoubtedly, UTI is liable as a common carrier. Common carriers, as a general rule, are presumed to have
been at fault or negligent if the goods they transported deteriorated or got lost or destroyed. That is, unless they prove
that they exercised extraordinary diligence in transporting the goods. In order to avoid responsibility for any loss or
damage, therefore, they have the burden of proving that they observed such diligence. [27] Mere proof of delivery of the
goods in good order to a common carrier and of their arrival in bad order at their destination constitutes a prima facie
case of fault or negligence against the carrier. If no adequate explanation is given as to how the deterioration, loss, or
destruction of the goods happened, the transporter shall be held responsible. [28]

Though it is not our function to evaluate anew the evidence presented, we refer to the records of the case to
show that, as correctly found by the RTC and the CA, petitioner failed to rebut the prima facie presumption of negligence
in the carriage of the subject shipment.

First, as stated in the bill of lading, the subject shipment was received by UTI in apparent good order and
condition in New York, United States of America. Second, the OCMSC Survey Report stated that one steel drum STC
Vitamin B Complex Extract was discovered to be with a cut/hole on the side, with approximate spilling of 1%. Third,
though Gate Pass No. 7614, issued by Jardine, noted that the subject shipment was in good order and condition, it was
specifically stated that there were 22 (should be 27 drums per Bill of Lading No. C320/C15991-2) drums of raw materials
for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Last, J.G. Bernas Survey Report stated that 1-s/drum was punctured and retaped on
the bottom side and the content was lacking, and there was a short delivery of 5-drums.

All these conclusively prove the fact of shipment in good order and condition, and the consequent damage to
one steel drum of Vitamin B Complex Extract while in the possession of petitioner which failed to explain the reason for
the damage. Further, petitioner failed to prove that it observed the extraordinary diligence and precaution which the law
requires a common carrier to exercise and to follow in order to avoid damage to or destruction of the goods entrusted
to it for safe carriage and delivery.[29]

However, we affirm the applicability of the Package Limitation Rule under the COGSA, contrary to the RTC and
the CAs findings.
It is to be noted that the Civil Code does not limit the liability of the common carrier to a fixed amount per
package. In all matters not regulated by the Civil Code, the rights and obligations of common carriers are governed by
the Code of Commerce and special laws. Thus, the COGSA supplements the Civil Code by establishing a provision
limiting the carriers liability in the absence of a shippers declaration of a higher value in the bill of lading. [30] Section 4(5)
of the COGSA provides:

(5) Neither the carrier nor the ship shall in any event be or become liable for any loss or damage
to or in connection with the transportation of goods in an amount exceeding $500 per package of lawful
money of the United States, or in case of goods not shipped in packages, per customary freight unit, or
the equivalent of that sum in other currency, unless the nature and value of such goods have been
declared by the shipper before shipment and inserted in the bill of lading. This declaration, if embodied
in the bill of lading, shall be prima facie evidence, but shall not be conclusive on the carrier.

In the present case, the shipper did not declare a higher valuation of the goods to be shipped. Contrary to the
CAs conclusion, the insertion of the words L/C No. LC No. 1-187-008394/ NY 69867 covering shipment of raw materials
for pharmaceutical Mfg. x x x cannot be the basis of petitioners liability. [31] Furthermore, the insertion of an invoice
number does not in itself sufficiently and convincingly show that petitioner had knowledge of the value of the cargo. [32]

In light of the foregoing, petitioners liability should be limited to $500 per steel drum. In this case, as there was
only one drum lost, private respondent is entitled to receive only $500 as damages for the loss. In addition to said
amount, as aptly held by the trial court, an interest rate of 6% per annum should also be imposed, plus 25% of the total
sum as attorneys fees.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is PARTIALLY GRANTED. The Court of Appeals Decision
dated April 29, 2004 and Resolution dated November 26, 2004 are AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION by reducing the
principal amount due private respondent Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation from P76,231.27 to $500, with
interest of 6% per annum from date of demand, and 25% of the amount due as attorneys fees.

The other aspects of the assailed Decision and Resolution STAND.

SO ORDERED.
 FIRST DIVISION

CEBU SALVAGE CORPORATION, G.R. No. 150403

Petitioner,

Present:

PUNO, C.J., Chairperson,

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ,

- v e r s u s - CORONA,

AZCUNA and

GARCIA, JJ.

PHILIPPINE HOME ASSURANCE

CORPORATION,
Respondent. Promulgated:

January 25, 2007

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

DECISION

CORONA, J.:

May a carrier be held liable for the loss of cargo resulting from the sinking of a ship it does not own?

This is the issue presented for the Courts resolution in this petition for review on certiorari [1] assailing the March 16, 2001

decision[2] and September 17, 2001 resolution[3] of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV No. 40473 which in turn

affirmed the December 27, 1989 decision[4] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 145, Makati, Metro Manila.[5]

The pertinent facts follow.

On November 12, 1984, petitioner Cebu Salvage Corporation (as carrier) and Maria Cristina Chemicals

Industries, Inc. [MCCII] (as charterer) entered into a voyage charter[6] wherein petitioner was to load 800 to 1,100 metric

tons of silica quartz on board the M/T Espiritu Santo[7] at Ayungon, Negros Occidental for transport to and discharge

at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental to consignee Ferrochrome Phils., Inc.[8]

 Pursuant to the contract, on December 23, 1984, petitioner received and loaded 1,100 metric tons of silica

quartz on board the M/T Espiritu Santo which left Ayungon for Tagoloan the next day.[9] The shipment never reached its

destination, however, because the M/T Espiritu Santo sank in the afternoon of December 24, 1984 off the beach

of Opol, Misamis Oriental, resulting in the total loss of the cargo. [10]

MCCII filed a claim for the loss of the shipment with its insurer, respondent Philippine Home Assurance

Corporation.[11] Respondent paid the claim in the amount of P211,500 and was subrogated to the rights of

MCCII.[12] Thereafter, it filed a case in the RTC[13] against petitioner for reimbursement of the amount it paid MCCII.

After trial, the RTC rendered judgment in favor of respondent. It ordered petitioner to pay

respondent P211,500 plus legal interest, attorneys fees equivalent to 25% of the award and costs of suit.

On appeal, the CA affirmed the decision of the RTC. Hence, this petition.

Petitioner and MCCII entered into a voyage charter, also known as a contract of affreightment wherein the ship

was leased for a single voyage for the conveyance of goods, in consideration of the payment of freight. [14] Under a

voyage charter, the shipowner retains the possession, command and navigation of the ship, the charterer or freighter

merely having use of the space in the vessel in return for his payment of freight.[15] An owner who retains possession of

the ship remains liable as carrier and must answer for loss or non-delivery of the goods received for transportation.[16]

Petitioner argues that the CA erred when it affirmed the RTC finding that the voyage charter it entered into with

MCCII was a contract of carriage.[17] It insists that the agreement was merely a contract of hire wherein MCCII hired the

vessel from its owner, ALS Timber Enterprises (ALS). [18] Not being the owner of the M/T Espiritu Santo, petitioner did

not have control and supervision over the vessel, its master and crew. [19] Thus, it could not be held liable for the loss of

the shipment caused by the sinking of a ship it did not own.

We disagree.

Based on the agreement signed by the parties and the testimony of petitioners operations manager, it is clear

that it was a contract of carriage petitioner signed with MCCII. It actively negotiated and solicited MCCIIs account,
offered its services to ship the silica quartz and proposed to utilize the M/T Espiritu Santo in lieu of the M/T Seebees or

the M/T Shirley (as previously agreed upon in the voyage charter) since these vessels had broken down. [20]

There is no dispute that petitioner was a common carrier. At the time of the loss of the cargo, it was engaged in

the business of carrying and transporting goods by water, for compensation, and offered its services to the public. [21]

From the nature of their business and for reasons of public policy, common carriers are bound to observe

extraordinary diligence over the goods they transport according to the circumstances of each case. [22] In the event of

loss of the goods, common carriers are responsible, unless they can prove that this was brought about by the causes

specified in Article 1734 of the Civil Code.[23] In all other cases, common carriers are presumed to be at fault or to have

acted negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence. [24]

Petitioner was the one which contracted with MCCII for the transport of the cargo. It had control over what vessel

it would use. All throughout its dealings with MCCII, it represented itself as a common carrier. The fact that it did not

own the vessel it decided to use to consummate the contract of carriage did not negate its character and duties as a

common carrier. The MCCII (respondents subrogor) could not be reasonably expected to inquire about the ownership

of the vessels which petitioner carrier offered to utilize. As a practical matter, it is very difficult and often impossible for

the general public to enforce its rights of action under a contract of carriage if it should be required to know who the

actual owner of the vessel is.[25] In fact, in this case, the voyage charter itself denominated petitioner as the

owner/operator of the vessel.[26]

Petitioner next contends that if there was a contract of carriage, then it was between MCCII and ALS as

evidenced by the bill of lading ALS issued.[27]

Again, we disagree.

The bill of lading was merely a receipt issued by ALS to evidence the fact that the goods had been received for

transportation. It was not signed by MCCII, as in fact it was simply signed by the supercargo of ALS. [28] This is consistent

with the fact that MCCII did not contract directly with ALS. While it is true that a bill of lading may serve as the contract

of carriage between the parties,[29] it cannot prevail over the express provision of the voyage charter that MCCII and

petitioner executed:
 [I]n cases where a Bill of Lading has been issued by a carrier covering goods shipped aboard a vessel
under a charter party, and the charterer is also the holder of the bill of lading, the bill of lading operates
as the receipt for the goods, and as document of title passing the property of the goods, but not as
varying the contract between the charterer and the shipowner. The Bill of Lading becomes, therefore,
only a receipt and not the contract of carriage in a charter of the entire vessel, for the contract is the
Charter Party, and is the law between the parties who are bound by its terms and condition provided
that these are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order and public policy. [30]

Finally, petitioner asserts that MCCII should be held liable for its own loss since the voyage charter stipulated

that cargo insurance was for the charterers account.[31] This deserves scant consideration.This simply meant that

the charterer would take care of having the goods insured. It could not exculpate the carrier from liability for the breach

of its contract of carriage. The law, in fact, prohibits it and condemns it as unjust and contrary to public policy. [32]

To summarize, a contract of carriage of goods was shown to exist; the cargo was loaded on board the vessel;

loss or non-delivery of the cargo was proven; and petitioner failed to prove that it exercised extraordinary diligence to

prevent such loss or that it was due to some casualty or force majeure. The voyage charter here being a contract

of affreightment, the carrier was answerable for the loss of the goods received for transportation. [33]

The idea proposed by petitioner is not only preposterous, it is also dangerous. It says that a carrier that enters

into a contract of carriage is not liable to the charterer or shipper if it does not own the vessel it chooses to use. MCCII

never dealt with ALS and yet petitioner insists that MCCII should sue ALS for reimbursement for its loss. Certainly, to

permit a common carrier to escape its responsibility for the goods it agreed to transport (by the expedient of alleging

non-ownership of the vessel it employed) would radically derogate from the carrier's duty of extraordinary diligence. It

would also open the door to collusion between the carrier and the supposed owner and to the possible shifting of liability

from the carrier to one without any financial capability to answer for the resulting damages. [34]

WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DENIED.

Costs against petitioner.

SO ORDERED.
 Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-9671 August 23, 1957

CESAR L. ISAAC, plaintiff-appellant,

vs.
A. L. AMMEN TRANSPORTATION CO., INC., defendant-appellee.

Angel S. Gamboa for appellant.

Manuel O. Chan for appellee.

BAUTISTA ANGELO, J.:

A. L. Ammen Transportation Co., Inc., hereinafter referred to as defendant, is a corporation engaged in the business
of transporting passengers by land for compensation in the Bicol provinces and one of the lines it operates is the one
connecting Legaspi City, Albay with Naga City, Camarines Sur. One of the buses which defendant was operating is
Bus No. 31. On May 31, 1951, plaintiff boarded said bus as a passenger paying the required fare from Ligao, Albay
bound for Pili, Camarines Sur, but before reaching his destination, the bus collided with a motor vehicle of the pick-up
type coming from the opposite direction, as a result of which plaintiff's left arm was completely severed and the
severed portion fell inside the bus. Plaintiff was rushed to a hospital in Iriga, Camarines Sur where he was given blood
transfusion to save his life. After four days, he was transferred to another hospital in Tabaco, Albay, where he under
went treatment for three months. He was moved later to the Orthopedic Hospital where he was operated on and
stayed there for another two months. For these services, he incurred expenses amounting to P623.40, excluding
medical fees which were paid by defendant.

As an aftermath, plaintiff brought this action against defendants for damages alleging that the collision which resulted
in the loss of his left arm was mainly due to the gross incompetence and recklessness of the driver of the bus
operated by defendant and that defendant incurred in culpa contractual arising from its non-compliance with its
obligation to transport plaintiff safely to his, destination. Plaintiff prays for judgment against defendant as follows: (1)
P5,000 as expenses for his medical treatment, and P3,000 as the cost of an artificial arm, or a total of P8,000; (2)
P6,000 representing loss of earning; (3) P75,000 for diminution of his earning capacity; (4) P50,000 as moral
damages; and (5) P10,000 as attorneys' fees and costs of suit.

Defendant set up as special defense that the injury suffered by plaintiff was due entirely to the fault or negligence of
the driver of the pick-up car which collided with the bus driven by its driver and to the contributory negligence of
plaintiff himself. Defendant further claims that the accident which resulted in the injury of plaintiff is one which
defendant could not foresee or, though foreseen, was inevitable.

The after trial found that the collision occurred due to the negligence of the driver of the pick-up car and not to that of
the driver of the bus it appearing that the latter did everything he could to avoid the same but that notwithstanding his
efforts, he was not able to avoid it. As a consequence, the court dismissed complaint, with costs against plaintiff. This
is an appeal from said decision.

It appears that plaintiff boarded a bus of defendant as paying passenger from Ligao, Albay, bound for Pili, Camarines
Sur, but before reaching his destination, the bus collided with a pick-up car which was coming from the opposite
direction and, as a, result, his left arm was completely severed and fell inside the back part of the bus. Having this
background in view, and considering that plaintiff chose to hold defendant liable on its contractual obligation to carry
him safely to his place of destination, it becomes important to determine the nature and extent of the liability of a
common carrier to a passenger in the light of the law applicable in this jurisdiction.

In this connection, appellant invokes the rule that, "when an action is based on a contract of carriage, as in this case,
all that is necessary to sustain recovery is proof of the existence of the contract of the breach thereof by act or
omission", and in support thereof, he cites several Philippine cases. 1 With the ruling in mind, appellant seems to imply
that once the contract of carriage is established and there is proof that the same was broken by failure of the carrier to
transport the passenger safely to his destination, the liability of the former attaches. On the other hand, appellee
claims that is a wrong presentation of the rule. It claims that the decisions of this Court in the cases cited do not
warrant the construction sought to be placed upon, them by appellant for a mere perusal thereof would show that the
liability of the carrier was predicated not upon mere breach of its contract of carriage but upon the finding that its
negligence was found to be the direct or proximate cause of the injury complained of. Thus, appellee contends that "if
there is no negligence on the part of the common carrier but that the accident resulting in injuries is due to causes
which are inevitable and which could not have been avoided or anticipated notwithstanding the exercise of that high
degree of care and skill which the carrier is bound to exercise for the safety of his passengers", neither the common
carrier nor the driver is liable therefor.

We believe that the law concerning the liability of a common carrier has now suffered a substantial modification in
view of the innovations introduced by the new Civil Code. These innovations are the ones embodied in Articles 1733,
1755 and 1756 in so far as the relation between a common carrier and its passengers is concerned, which, for ready
reference, we quote hereunder:

ART. 1733. Common carriers, from the nature of their business and for reasons of public policy, are bound to
observe extra ordinary diligence in the vigilance over the goods and for the safety of the passengers
transported by them according to all the circumstances of each case.

Such extraordinary diligence in the vigilance over the goods is further expressed in articles 1734, 1735, and
1745, Nos. 5, 6, and 7, while the extraordinary diligence for the safety of the passengers is further set forth in
articles 1755 and 1756.

ART. 1755. A common carrier is bound to carry the passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can
provide, using the utmost diligence of very cautious persons, with a due regard for all the circumstances.

ART. 1756. In case of death of or injuries to passengers, common carriers are presumed to have been at fault
or to have acted negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence as prescribed in
articles 1733 and 1755.

The Code Commission, in justifying this extraordinary diligence required of a common carrier, says the following:

A common carrier is bound to carry the passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can provide,
using the utmost deligence of very cautions persons, with due regard for all circumstances. This extraordinary
diligence required of common carriers is calculated to protect the passengers from the tragic mishaps that
frequently occur in connection with rapid modern transportation. This high standard of care is imperatively
demanded by the precariousness of human life and by the consideration that every person must in every way
be safeguarded against all injury. (Report of the Code Commission, pp. 35-36)" (Padilla, Civil Code of the
Philippines, Vol. IV, 1956 ed., p. 197).

From the above legal provisions, we can make the following restatement of the principles governing the liability of a
common carrier: (1) the liability of a carrier is contractual and arises upon breach of its obligation. There is breach if it
fails to exert extraordinary diligence according to all circumstances of each case; (2) a carrier is obliged to carry its
passenger with the utmost diligence of a very cautious person, having due regard for all the circumstances; (3) a
carrier is presumed to be at fault or to have acted negligently in case of death of, or injury to, passengers, it being its
duty to prove that it exercised extraordinary diligence; and (4) the carrier is not an insurer against all risks of travel.

The question that now arises is: Has defendant observed extraordinary diligence or the utmost diligence of every
cautious person, having due regard for all circumstances, in avoiding the collision which resulted in the injury caused
to the plaintiff?

After examining the evidence in connection with how the collision occurred, the lower court made the following finding:

Hemos examinado muy detenidamente las pruebas presentadas en la vista, principalmente, las
declaraciones que hemos acotado arriba, y hernos Ilegado a la conclusion de que el demandado ha hecho,
todo cuanto estuviere de su parte para evitar el accidente, pero sin embargo, no ha podido evitarlo.

EI hecho de que el demandado, antes del choque, tuvo que hacer pasar su truck encima de los montones de
grava que estaban depositados en la orilla del camino, sin que haya ido mas alla, por el grave riesgo que
corrian las vidas de sus pasajeros, es prueba concluyente de lo que tenemos dicho, a saber: — que el cuanto
esuba de su parte, para evitar el accidente, sin que haya podidoevitardo, por estar fuera de su control.

The evidence would appear to support the above finding. Thus, it appears that Bus No. 31, immediately prior to the
collision, was running at a moderate speed because it had just stopped at the school zone of Matacong, Polangui,
Albay. The pick-up car was at full speed and was running outside of its proper lane. The driver of the bus, upon seeing
the manner in which the pick-up was then running, swerved the bus to the very extreme right of the road until its front
and rear wheels have gone over the pile of stones or gravel situated on the rampart of the road. Said driver could not
move the bus farther right and run over a greater portion of the pile, the peak of which was about 3 feet high, without
endangering the safety of his passengers. And notwithstanding all these efforts, the rear left side of the bus was hit by
the pick-up car.
Of course, this finding is disputed by appellant who cannot see eye to eye with the evidence for the appellee and
insists that the collision took place because the driver of the bus was going at a fast speed. He contends that, having
seen that a car was coming from the opposite direction at a distance which allows the use of moderate care and
prudence to avoid an accident, and knowing that on the side of the road along which he was going there was a pile of
gravel, the driver of the bus should have stopped and waited for the vehicle from the opposite direction to pass, and
should have proceeded only after the other vehicle had passed. In other words, according to appellant, the act of the
driver of the bus in squeezing his way through of the bus in squeezing his way through between the oncoming pick-up
and the pile of gravel under the circumstances was considered negligent.

But this matter is one of credibility and evaluation of the evidence. This is evidence. This is the function of the trial
court. The trial court has already spoken on this matter as we have pointed out above. This is also a matter of
appreciation of the situation on the part of the driver. While the position taken by appellant appeals more to the sense
of caution that one should observe in a given situation to avoid an accident or mishap, such however can not always
be expected from one who is placed suddenly in a predicament where he is not given enough time to take the course
of action as he should under ordinary circumstances. One who is placed in such a predicament cannot exercise such
coolness or accuracy of judgment as is required of him under ordinary circumstances and he cannot therefore be
expected to observe the same judgment, care and precaution as in the latter. For this reason, authorities abound
where failure to observe the same degree of care that as ordinary prudent man would exercise under ordinary
circumstances when confronted with a sadden emergency was held to be warranted and a justification to exempt the
carrier from liability. Thus, it was held that "where a carrier's employee is confronted with a sudden emergency, the
fact that he is obliged to act quickly and without a chance for deliberation must be taken into account, and he is held to
the some degree of care that he would otherwise be required to exercise in the absence of such emergency but must
exercise only such care as any ordinary prudent person would exercise under like circumstances and conditions, and
the failure on his part to exercise the best judgement the case renders possible does not establish lack of care and
skill on his part which renders the company, liable. . . . (13 C. J. S., 1412; 10 C. J.,970). Considering all the
circumstances, we are persuaded to conclude that the driver of the bus has done what a prudent man could have
done to avoid the collision and in our opinion this relieves appellee from legibility under our law.

A circumstances which miliates against the stand of appellant is the fact borne out by the evidence that when he
boarded the bus in question, he seated himself on the left side thereof resting his left arm on the window sill but with
his left elbow outside the window, this being his position in the bus when the collision took place. It is for this reason
that the collision resulted in the severance of said left arm from the body of appellant thus doing him a great damage.
It is therefore apparent that appellant is guilty of contributory negligence. Had he not placed his left arm on the window
sill with a portion thereof protruding outside, perhaps the injury would have been avoided as is the case with the other
passenger. It is to be noted that appellant was the only victim of the collision.

It is true that such contributory negligence cannot relieve appellee of its liability but will only entitle it to a reduction of
the amount of damage caused (Article 1762, new Civil Code), but this is a circumstance which further militates against
the position taken by appellant in this case.

It is the prevailing rule that it is negligence per se for a passenger on a railroad voluntarily or inadvertently to
protrude his arm, hand, elbow, or any other part of his body through the window of a moving car beyond the
outer edge of the window or outer surface of the car, so as to come in contact with objects or obstacles near
the track, and that no recovery can be had for an injury which but for such negligence would not have been
sustained. (10 C. J. 1139)

Plaintiff, (passenger) while riding on an interurban car, to flick the ashes, from his cigar, thrust his hand over
the guard rail a sufficient distance beyond the side line of the car to bring it in contact with the trunk of a tree
standing beside the track; the force of the blow breaking his wrist. Held, that he was guilty of contributory
negligence as a matter of law. (Malakia vs. Rhode Island Co., 89 A., 337.)

Wherefore, the decision appealed from is affirmed, with cost against appellant.
 Republic of the Philippines
Supreme Court
Baguio City
FIRST DIVISION

PHILTRANCO SERVICE ENTERPRISES, G.R. No. 161909

INC.,
Petitioner, Present:

CORONA, C.J. Chairperson,

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
-versus- BERSAMIN,
DEL CASTILLO, and
VILLARAMA, JR., JJ.

FELIX PARAS AND INLAND TRAILWAYS, Promulgated:

INC., AND HON. COURT OF APPEALS, April 25, 2012
Respondents.
x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

DE CI S IO N

BERSAMIN, J.:

In an action for breach of contract of carriage commenced by a passenger against his common carrier, the
plaintiff can recover damages from a third-party defendant brought into the suit by the common carrier upon a claim
based on tort or quasi-delict. The liability of the third-party defendant is independent from the liability of the common
carrier to the passenger.

Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc. (Philtranco) appeals the affirmance with modifications by the Court of
Appeals (CA) of the decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) awarding moral, actual and temperate damages, as well
as attorneys fees and costs of suit, to respondent Felix Paras (Paras), and temperate damages to respondent Inland
Trailways, Inc. (Inland), respectively the plaintiff and the defendant/third-party plaintiff in this action for breach of contract
of carriage, upon a finding that the negligence of the petitioner and its driver had caused the serious physical injuries
Paras sustained and the material damage Inlands bus suffered in a vehicular accident.

Antecedents

The antecedent facts, as summarized by the CA, are as follows:

Plaintiff-appellant [respondent] Felix Paras (Paras for brevity), who hails from Cainta, Rizal is
engaged in the buy and sell of fish products. Sometime on 08 February 1987, on his way home
to Manila from Bicol Region, he boarded a bus with Body No. 101 and Plate No. EVE 508, owned and
operated by Inland Trailways, Inc. (Inland for brevity) and driven by its driver Calvin Coner (Coner for
brevity).

At approximately 3:50 oclock in the morning of 09 February 1987, while the said bus was
travelling along Maharlika Highway, Tiaong, Quezon, it was bumped at the rear by another bus with
Plate No. EVB 259, owned and operated by Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc. (Philtranco for
brevity). As a result of the strong and violent impact, the Inland bus was pushed forward and smashed
into a cargo truck parked along the outer right portion of the highway and the shoulder
thereof. Consequently, the said accident bought considerable damage to the vehicles involved and
caused physical injuries to the passengers and crew of the two buses, including the death of Coner who
was the driver of the Inland Bus at the time of the incident.
 Paras was not spared from the pernicious effects of the accident. After an emergency treatment
at the San Pablo Medical Center, San Pablo City, Laguna, Paras was taken to
the National Orthopedic Hospital. At the latter hospital, he was found and diagnosed by Dr. Antonio
Tanchuling, Jr. to be affected with the following injuries: a) contusion/hematoma; b) dislocation of hip
upon fracture of the fibula on the right leg; c) fractured small bone on the right leg; and d) close fracture
on the tibial plateau of the left leg. (Exh. A, p. 157, record)

On 04 March 1987 and 15 April 1987, Paras underwent two (2) operations affecting the
fractured portions of his body. (Exhs. A-2 and A-3, pp. 159 and 160 respectively, record)

Unable to obtain sufficient financial assistance from Inland for the costs of his operations,
hospitalization, doctors fees and other miscellaneous expenses, on 31 July 1989, Paras filed a
complaint for damages based on breach of contract of carriage against Inland.

In its answer, defendant Inland denied responsibility, by alleging, among others, that its driver
Coner had observed an utmost and extraordinary care and diligence to ensure the safety of its
passengers. In support of its disclaimer of responsibility, Inland invoked the Police Investigation Report
which established the fact that the Philtranco bus driver of [sic] Apolinar Miralles was the one which
violently bumped the rear portion of the Inland bus, and therefore, the direct and proximate cause of
Paras injuries.

On 02 March 1990, upon leave of court, Inland filed a third-party complaint against Philtranco
and Apolinar Miralles (Third Party defendants). In this third-party complaint, Inland, sought for
exoneration of its liabilities to Paras, asserting that the latters cause of action should be directed against
Philtranco considering that the accident was caused by Miralles lack of care, negligence and reckless
imprudence. (pp. 50 to 56, records).

After trial, the RTC (Branch 71) in Antipolo, Rizal rendered its judgment on July 18, 1997,[1] viz:

WHEREFORE, third-party defendant Philtranco and Apolinar Miralles are hereby ordered to
pay plaintiff jointly and severally, the following amounts:

1.P54,000.00 as actual damages;

2.P50,000.00 as moral damages;

3.P20,000.00 as attorneys fees and costs.

SO ORDERED.

All the parties appealed to the CA on different grounds.

On his part, Paras ascribed the following errors to the RTC, to wit:

1. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT ONLY THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

PHILTRANCO IS LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES SUFFERED BY APPELLANT PARAS.

II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT HOLDING APPELLANT INLAND TRAILWAYS INC. TO BE
JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES SUFFERED BY PARAS.

III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT AWARDING UNEARNED INCOME AS ADDITIONAL ACTUAL
DAMAGES SUFFERED BY APPELLANT PARAS AS HIS PHYSICAL DISABILITY IS PERMANENT IN
NATURE.

IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT AWARDING EXEMPLARY DAMAGES IN FAVOR OF
APPELLANT PARAS.

On the other hand, Inland assigned the following errors to the RTC, namely:
 THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT FAILED TO AWARD DAMAGES UNTO THE THIRD PARTY
PLAINTIFF NOTWITHSTANDING CLEAR FINDING THAT:

It is clear from the evidence that the plaintiff sustained injuries because of the reckless,
negligence, and lack of precaution of third party defendant Apolinar Miralles, an employee
of Philtranco.

AND, COMPLETELY DISREGARDED THE UNCONTROVERTED ORAL AND DOCUMENTARY

EVIDENCES ESTABLISHING THE EXTENT AND DEGREE OF DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY THE
THIRD PARTY PLAINTIFF.

Lastly, Philtranco stated that the RTC erred thuswise:

I
THE COURT A QUO MISERABLY ERRED IN AWARDING ACTUAL DAMAGES GREATER THAN
WHAT WAS ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT ITSELF, AND EVEN MUCH MORE GREATER THAN
WHAT WERE PROVED DURING THE TRIAL, HENCE, PERPETUATING UNJUST ENRICHMENT.

II
THE COURT A QUO SERIOUSLY ERRED IN AWARDING MORAL DAMAGES TO A CAUSE OF
ACTION OF CULPA-CONTRACTUAL EVEN WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF GROSS BAD FAITH;
HENCE, CONTRARY TO THE ESTABLISHED DOCTRINE IN THE CASES OF PHIL. RABBIT BUS
LINES VS. ESGUERRA; SOBERANO VS. BENGUET AUTO LINE AND FLORES VS. MIRANDA.

III
THE COURT A QUO MISERABLY ERRED IN HOLDING THAT MIRALLES WAS THE ONE AT FAULT
MERELY ON THE STRENGHT OF THE TESTIMONY OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATOR WHICH IS
IN TURN BASED ON THE STATEMENTS OF ALLEGED WITNESSES WHO WERE NEVER
PRESENTED ON THE WITNESS STAND.

IV
THE COURT A QUO COMMITTED A GRIEVOUS ERROR IN DISREGARDING THE TESTIMONY OF
APPELLANTS WITNESSES WHO TESTIFIED AS TO THE DEFENSE OF EXERCISE OF DUE
DILIGENCE IN THE SELECTION AND SUPERVISION OF EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO ART. 2180,
LAST PARAGRAPH, NEW CIVIL CODE.

On September 25, 2002, the CA promulgated its decision,[2] disposing:

WHEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the assailed decision dated 18 July
19(9)7 is perforce affirmed with the following modifications:

1. Third party defendants-appellants Philtranco and Apolinar Miralles are ordered to pay
plaintiff-appellant Felix Paras jointly and severally the following amounts:

a) P1,397.95 as actual damages;

b) P50,000.00 as temperate damages;
c) P50,000.00 as moral damages; and
d) P20,000.00 as attorneys fees and costs of suit.

2. On the third party plaintiff-appellant Inlands claims, the third party defendant-appellants
Philtranco and Apolinar Miralles are hereby ordered to pay the former (Inland) jointly and severally the
amount of P250,000.00 as and by way of temperate damages.

SO ORDERED.

The CA agreed with the RTCs finding that no trace of negligence at the time of the accident was attributable to
Inlands driver, rendering Inland not guilty of breach of contract of carriage; that faulty brakes had caused Philtrancos
bus to forcefully bump Inlands bus from behind, making it hit the rear portion of a parked cargo truck; that the impact
had resulted in considerable material damage to the three vehicles; and that Paras and others had sustained various
physical injuries.
 Accordingly, the CA: (a) sustained the award of moral damages of P50,000.00 in favor of Paras pursuant to
Article 2219 of the Civil Code based on quasi-delict committed by Philtranco and its driver; (b) reduced the actual
damages to be paid by Philtranco to Paras from P54,000.00 to P1,397.95 because only the latter amount had been duly
supported by receipts; (c) granted temperate damages of P50,000.00 (in lieu of actual damages in view of the absence
of competent proof of actual damages for his hospitalization and therapy) to be paid by Philtranco to Paras; and (d)
awarded temperate damages of P250,000.00 under the same premise to be paid by Philtranco to Inland for the material
damage caused to Inlands bus.

Philtranco moved for reconsideration,[3] but the CA denied its motion for reconsideration on January 21, 2004.[4]

Issues

Hence, this appeal, in which the petitioner submits that the CA committed grave abuse of discretion amounting
to lack of jurisdiction in awarding moral damages to Paras despite the fact that the complaint had been anchored on
breach of contract of carriage; and that the CA committed a reversible error in substituting its own judgment by motu
proprio awarding temperate damages of P250,000.00 to Inland and P50,000.00 to Paras despite the clear fact that
temperate damages were not raised on appeal by Paras and Inland.

Ruling

The appeal lacks merit.

The Court does not disturb the unanimous findings by the CA and the RTC on the negligence of Philtranco and its driver
being the direct cause of the physical injuries of Paras and the material damage of Inland.

Nonetheless, we feel bound to pass upon the disparate results the CA and the RTC reached on the liabilities of
Philtranco and its driver.

1.
Paras can recover moral damages
in this suit based on quasi-delict
Philtranco contends that Paras could not recover moral damages because his suit was based on breach of
contract of carriage, pursuant to which moral damages could be recovered only if he had died, or if the common carrier
had been guilty of fraud or bad faith. It argues that Paras had suffered only physical injuries; that he had not adduced
evidence of fraud or bad faith on the part of the common carrier; and that, consequently, Paras could not recover moral
damages directly from it (Philtranco), considering that it was only being subrogated for Inland.

The Court cannot uphold the petitioners contention.

As a general rule, indeed, moral damages are not recoverable in an action predicated on a breach of contract.
This is because such action is not included in Article 2219 of the Civil Code[5] as one of the actions in which moral
damages may be recovered. By way of exception, moral damages are recoverable in an action predicated on a breach
of contract: (a) where the mishap results in the death of a passenger, as provided in Article 1764, [6] in relation to Article
2206, (3),[7] of the Civil Code; and (b) where the common carrier has been guilty of fraud or bad faith, [8] as provided in
Article 2220[9] of the Civil Code.
Although this action does not fall under either of the exceptions, the award of moral damages to Paras was
nonetheless proper and valid. There is no question that Inland filed its third-party complaint against Philtranco and its
driver in order to establish in this action that they, instead of Inland, should be directly liable to Paras for the physical
injuries he had sustained because of their negligence. To be precise, Philtranco and its driver were brought into the
action on the theory of liability that the proximate cause of the collision between Inlands bus and Philtrancos bus had
been the negligent, reckless and imprudent manner defendant Apolinar Miralles drove and operated his driven unit, the
Philtranco Bus with Plate No. 259, owned and operated by third-party defendant Philtranco Service Enterprises,
Inc.[10]The apparent objective of Inland was not to merely subrogate the third-party defendants for itself, as Philtranco
appears to suggest,[11] but, rather, to obtain a different relief whereby the third-party defendants would be held directly,
fully and solely liable to Paras and Inland for whatever damages each had suffered from the negligence committed by
Philtranco and its driver. In other words, Philtranco and its driver were charged here as joint tortfeasors who would be
jointly and severally be liable to Paras and Inland.

Impleading Philtranco and its driver through the third-party complaint filed on March 2, 1990 was correct. The device of
the third-party action, also known as impleader, was in accord with Section 12, Rule 6 of the Revised Rules of Court,
the rule then applicable, viz:

Section 12. Third-party complaint. A third-party complaint is a claim that a defending party may,
with leave of court, file against a person not a party to the action, called the third-party defendant, for
contribution, indemnity, subrogation or any other relief, in respect of his opponents claim. [12]

Explaining the application of Section 12, Rule 6, supra, the Court said in Balbastro v. Court of Appeals,[13] to wit:

Section 12 of Rule 6 of the Revised Rules of Court authorizes a defendant to bring into a lawsuit
any person not a party to the action . . . for contribution, indemnity, subrogation or any other relief in
respect of his opponent's claim. From its explicit language it does not compel the defendant to bring the
third-parties into the litigation, rather it simply permits the inclusion of anyone who meets the standard
set forth in the rule. The secondary or derivative liability of the third-party is central whether the basis is
indemnity, subrogation, contribution, express or implied warranty or some other theory. The impleader
of new parties under this rule is proper only when a right to relief exists under the applicable
substantive law. This rule is merely a procedural mechanism, and cannot be utilized unless there
is some substantive basis under applicable law.

Apart from the requirement that the third-party complainant should assert a derivative
or secondary claim for relief from the third-party defendant there are other limitations on said
partys ability to implead. The rule requires that the third-party defendant is not a party to the
action for otherwise the proper procedure for asserting a claim against one who is already a
party to the suit is by means of counterclaim or cross-claim under sections 6 and 7 of Rule 6. In
addition to the aforecited requirement, the claim against the third-party defendant must be
based upon plaintiff's claim against the original defendant (third-party claimant). The crucial
characteristic of a claim under section 12 of Rule 6, is that the original defendant is attempting
to transfer to the third-party defendant the liability asserted against him by the original plaintiff.

Accordingly, the requisites for a third-party action are, firstly, that the party to be impleaded must not yet be a
party to the action; secondly, that the claim against the third-party defendant must belong to the original
defendant; thirdly, the claim of the original defendant against the third-party defendant must be based upon the plaintiffs
claim against the original defendant; and, fourthly, the defendant is attempting to transfer to the third-party defendant
the liability asserted against him by the original plaintiff.[14]

As the foregoing indicates, the claim that the third-party complaint asserts against the third-party defendant
must be predicated on substantive law. Here, the substantive law on which the right of Inland to seek such other relief
through its third-party complaint rested were Article 2176 and Article 2180 of the Civil Code, which read:

Article 2176. Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or
negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing
contractual relation between the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of
this chapter. (1902a)

Article 2180. The obligation imposed by article 2176 is demandable not only for ones own acts
or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible.
xxx
Employers shall be liable for the damages caused by their employees and household helpers acting
within the scope of their assigned tasks, even though the former are not engaged in any business or
industry.
xxx
The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease when the persons herein mentioned prove that
they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage. (1903a)

Paras cause of action against Inland (breach of contract of carriage) did not need to be the same as the cause of action
of Inland against Philtranco and its driver (tort or quasi-delict) in the impleader. It is settled that a defendant in a contract
action may join as third-party defendants those who may be liable to him in tort for the plaintiffs claim against him, or
even directly to the plaintiff.[15] Indeed, Prof. Wright, et al., commenting on the provision of the Federal Rules of
Procedure of the United States from which Section 12, supra, was derived, observed so, to wit:[16]

The third-party claim need not be based on the same theory as the main claim. For example,
there are cases in which the third-party claim is based on an express indemnity contract and the original
complaint is framed in terms of negligence. Similarly, there need not be any legal relationship between
the third-party defendant and any of the other parties to the action. Impleader also is proper even though
the third partys liability is contingent, and technically does not come into existence until the original
defendants liability has been established. In addition, the words is or may be liable in Rule 14(a) make
it clear that impleader is proper even though the third-party defendants liability is not automatically
established once the third-party plaintiffs liability to the original plaintiff has been determined.

Nor was it a pre-requisite for attachment of the liability to Philtranco and its driver that Inland be first declared
and found liable to Paras for the breach of its contract of carriage with him. [17] As the Court has cogently discoursed
in Samala v. Judge Victor:[18]

Appellants argue that since plaintiffs filed a complaint for damages against the defendants on
a breach of contract of carriage, they cannot recover from the third-party defendants on a cause of
action based on quasi-delict. The third party defendants, they allege, are never parties liable with
respect to plaintiff s claim although they are with respect to the defendants for indemnification,
subrogation, contribution or other reliefs. Consequently, they are not directly liable to the plaintiffs. Their
liability commences only when the defendants are adjudged liable and not when they are absolved from
liability as in the case at bar.

Quite apparent from these arguments is the misconception entertained by appellants with
respect to the nature and office of a third party complaint.

Section 16, Rule 6 of the Revised Rules of Court defines a third party complaint as a claim that
a defending party may, with leave of court, file against a person not a party to the action, called the
third-party defendant, for contribution, indemnification, subrogation, or any other relief, in respect of his
 opponents claim. In the case of Viluan vs. Court of Appeals, et al., 16 SCRA 742 [1966], this Court had
occasion to elucidate on the subjects covered by this Rule, thus:

... As explained in the Atlantic Coast Line R. Co. vs. U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Co.,
52 F. Supp. 177 (1943:)

From the sources of Rule 14 and the decisions herein cited, it is clear that this
rule, like the admiralty rule, covers two distinct subjects, the addition of parties
defendant to the main cause of action, and the bringing in of a third party for a
defendants remedy over. xxx

If the third party complaint alleges facts showing a third partys direct
liability to plaintiff on the claim set out in plaintiffs petition, then third party shall
make his defenses as provided in Rule 12 and his counterclaims against plaintiff
as provided in Rule 13. In the case of alleged direct liability, no amendment (to
the complaint) is necessary or required. The subject-matter of the claim is
contained in plaintiff's complaint, the ground of third partys liability on that claim
is alleged in third party complaint, and third partys defense to set up in his
answer to plaintiff's complaint. At that point and without amendment, the plaintiff
and third party are at issue as to their rights respecting the claim.

The provision in the rule that, The third-party defendant may assert any defense
which the third-party plaintiff may assert to the plaintiffs claim, applies to the other
subject, namely, the alleged liability of third party defendant. The next sentence in the
rule, The third-party defendant is bound by the adjudication of the third party plaintiffs
liability to the plaintiff, as well as of his own to the plaintiff or to the third-party plaintiff
applies to both subjects. If third party is brought in as liable only to defendant and
judgment is rendered adjudicating plaintiff's right to recover against defendant and
defendants rights to recover against third party, he is bound by both adjudications.That
part of the sentence refers to the second subject. If third party is brought in as liable to
plaintiff, then third party is bound by the adjudication as between him and plaintiff. That
refers to the first subject. If third party is brought in as liable to plaintiff and also over to
defendant, then third party is bound by both adjudications. xxx

Under this Rule, a person not a party to an action may be impleaded by the defendant either
(a) on an allegation of liability to the latter; (b) on the ground of direct liability to the plaintiff-; or, (c) both
(a) and (b). The situation in (a) is covered by the phrase for contribution, indemnity or subrogation; while
(b) and (c) are subsumed under the catch all or any other relief, in respect of his opponents claim.

The case at bar is one in which the third party defendants are brought into the action as
directly liable to the plaintiffs upon the allegation that the primary and immediate cause as
shown by the police investigation of said vehicular collision between (sic) the above-mentioned
three vehicles was the recklessness and negligence and lack of imprudence (sic) of the third-
party defendant Virgilio (should be Leonardo) Esguerra y Ledesma then driver of the passenger
bus. The effects are that plaintiff and third party are at issue as to their rights respecting the
claim and the third party is bound by the adjudication as between him and plaintiff. It is not
indispensable in the premises that the defendant be first adjudged liable to plaintiff before the
third-party defendant may be held liable to the plaintiff, as precisely, the theory of defendant is
that it is the third party defendant, and not he, who is directly liable to plaintiff. The situation
contemplated by appellants would properly pertain to situation (a) above wherein the third party
defendant is being sued for contribution, indemnity or subrogation, or simply stated, for a
defendant's remedy over.[19]

It is worth adding that allowing the recovery of damages by Paras based on quasi-delict, despite his complaint
being upon contractual breach, served the judicial policy of avoiding multiplicity of suits and circuity of actions by
disposing of the entire subject matter in a single litigation.[20]

2.
Award of temperate damages was in order
Philtranco assails the award of temperate damages by the CA considering that, firstly, Paras and Inland had not raised
the matter in the trial court and in their respective appeals; secondly, the CA could not substitute the temperate damages
granted to Paras if Paras could not properly establish his actual damages despite evidence of his actual expenses being
easily available to him; and, thirdly, the CA gravely abused its discretion in granting motu proprio the temperate
damages of P250,000.00 to Inland although Inland had not claimed temperate damages in its pleading or during trial
and even on appeal.

The Court cannot side with Philtranco.

Actual damages, to be recoverable, must not only be capable of proof, but must actually be proved with a reasonable
degree of certainty. The reason is that the court cannot simply rely on speculation, conjecture or guesswork in
determining the fact and amount of damages, but there must be competent proof of the actual amount of loss, credence
can be given only to claims which are duly supported by receipts.[21]

The receipts formally submitted and offered by Paras were limited to the costs of medicines purchased on
various times in the period from February 1987 to July 1989 (Exhibits E to E-35, inclusive) totaling only P1,397.95.[22] The
receipts by no means included hospital and medical expenses, or the costs of at least two surgeries as well as
rehabilitative therapy. Consequently, the CA fixed actual damages only at that small sum of P1,397.95. On its part,
Inland offered no definite proof on the repairs done on its vehicle, or the extent of the material damage except the
testimony of its witness, Emerlinda Maravilla, to the effect that the bus had been damaged beyond economic
repair.[23] The CA rejected Inlands showing of unrealized income worth P3,945,858.50 for 30 months (based on
alleged average weekly income of P239,143.02 multiplied by its guaranteed revenue amounting to 55% thereof, then
spread over a period of 30 months, the equivalent to the remaining 40% of the vehicles un-depreciated or net book
value), finding such showing arbitrary, uncertain and speculative.[24] As a result, the CA allowed no compensation to
Inland for unrealized income.

Nonetheless, the CA was convinced that Paras should not suffer from the lack of definite proof of his actual
expenses for the surgeries and rehabilitative therapy; and that Inland should not be deprived of recourse to recover its
loss of the economic value of its damaged vehicle. As the records indicated, Paras was first rushed for emergency
treatment to the San Pablo Medical Center in San Pablo City, Laguna, and was later brought to the National Orthopedic
Hospital in Quezon City where he was diagnosed to have suffered a dislocated hip, fracture of the fibula on the right
leg, fracture of the small bone of the right leg, and closed fracture on the tibial plateau of the left leg. He underwent
surgeries on March 4, 1987 and April 15, 1987 to repair the fractures.[25] Thus, the CA awarded to him temperate
damages of P50,000.00 in the absence of definite proof of his actual expenses towards that end. As to Inland, Maravillas
testimony of the bus having been damaged beyond economic repair showed a definitely substantial pecuniary loss, for
which the CA fixed temperate damages of P250,000.00. We cannot disturb the CAs determination, for we are in no
position today to judge its reasonableness on account of the lapse of a long time from when the accident occurred. [26]

In awarding temperate damages in lieu of actual damages, the CA did not err, because Paras and Inland were
definitely shown to have sustained substantial pecuniary losses. It would really be a travesty of justice were the CA now
to be held bereft of the discretion to calculate moderate or temperate damages, and thereby leave Paras and Inland
without redress from the wrongful act of Philtranco and its driver. [27] We are satisfied that the CA exerted effort and
practiced great care to ensure that the causal link between the physical injuries of Paras and the material loss of Inland,
on the one hand, and the negligence of Philtranco and its driver, on the other hand, existed in fact. It also rejected
arbitrary or speculative proof of loss. Clearly, the costs of Paras surgeries and consequential rehabilitation, as well as
the fact that repairing Inlands vehicle would no longer be economical justly warranted the CA to calculate temperate
damages of P50,000.00 and P250,000.00 respectively for Paras and Inland.

There is no question that Article 2224 of the Civil Code expressly authorizes the courts to award temperate
damages despite the lack of certain proof of actual damages, to wit:

Article 2224. Temperate or moderate damages, which are more than nominal but less than
compensatory damages, may be recovered when the court finds that some pecuniary loss has been
suffered but its amount cannot, from the nature of the case, be proved with certainty.

The rationale for Article 2224 has been stated in Premiere Development Bank v. Court of Appeals[28] in the following
manner:

Even if not recoverable as compensatory damages, Panacor may still be awarded damages in
the concept of temperate or moderate damages. When the court finds that some pecuniary loss has
been suffered but the amount cannot, from the nature of the case, be proved with certainty, temperate
damages may be recovered. Temperate damages may be allowed in cases where from the nature of
the case, definite proof of pecuniary loss cannot be adduced, although the court is convinced that the
aggrieved party suffered some pecuniary loss.

The Code Commission, in explaining the concept of temperate damages under Article 2224,
makes the following comment:

In some States of the American Union, temperate damages are allowed. There
are cases where from the nature of the case, definite proof of pecuniary loss cannot be
offered, although the court is convinced that there has been such loss. For instance,
injury to ones commercial credit or to the goodwill of a business firm is often hard to
show with certainty in terms of money. Should damages be denied for that reason?
The judge should be empowered to calculate moderate damages in such cases, rather
than that the plaintiff should suffer, without redress from the defendants wrongful act.

3.
Paras loss of earning capacity
must be compensated

In the body of its decision, the CA concluded that considering that Paras had a minimum monthly income
of P8,000.00 as a trader he was entitled to recover compensation for unearned income during the 3-month period of his
hospital confinement and the 6-month period of his recovery and rehabilitation; and aggregated his unearned income
for those periods to P72,000.00.[29] Yet, the CA omitted the unearned income from the dispositive portion.

The omission should be rectified, for there was credible proof of Paras loss of income during his disability.
According to Article 2205, (1), of the Civil Code, damages may be recovered for loss or impairment of earning capacity
in cases of temporary or permanent personal injury. Indeed, indemnification for damages comprehends not only the
loss suffered (actual damages or damnum emergens) but also the claimants lost profits (compensatory damages
or lucrum cessans).[30] Even so, the formula that has gained acceptance over time has limited recovery to net earning
capacity; hence, the entire amount of P72,000.00 is not allowable. The premise is obviously that net earning capacity is
the persons capacity to acquire money, less the necessary expense for his own living. [31] To simplify the determination,
therefore, the net earning capacity of Paras during the 9-month period of his confinement, surgeries and consequential
therapy is pegged at only half of his unearned monthly gross income of P8,000.00 as a trader, or a total of P36,000.00
for the 9-month period, the other half being treated as the necessary expense for his own living in that period.

It is relevant to clarify that awarding the temperate damages (for the substantial pecuniary losses corresponding
to Parass surgeries and rehabilitation and for the irreparability of Inlands damaged bus) and the actual damages to
compensate lost earnings and costs of medicines give rise to no incompatibility. These damages cover distinct pecuniary
losses suffered by Paras and Inland,[32] and do not infringe the statutory prohibition against recovering damages twice
for the same act or omission.[33]

4.
Increase in award of attorneys fees

Although it is a sound policy not to set a premium on the right to litigate, [34] we consider the grant to Paras and Inland of
reasonable attorneys fees warranted. Their entitlement to attorneys fees was by virtue of their having been compelled
to litigate or to incur expenses to protect their interests,[35] as well as by virtue of the Court now further deeming attorneys
fees to be just and equitable.[36]

In view of the lapse of a long time in the prosecution of the claim, [37] the Court considers it reasonable and proper to
grant attorneys fees to each of Paras and Inland equivalent to 10% of the total amounts hereby awarded to them, in lieu
of only P20,000.00 for that purpose granted to Paras.

5.
Legal interest on the amounts awarded

Pursuant to Eastern Shipping Lines, Inc. v. Court of Appeals,[38] legal interest at the rate of 6% per annum accrues on
the amounts adjudged reckoned from July 18, 1997, the date when the RTC rendered its judgment; and legal interest
at the rate of 12% per annum shall be imposed from the finality of the judgment until its full satisfaction, the interim
period being regarded as the equivalent of a forbearance of credit.

WHEREFORE, the Court AFFIRMS WITH MODIFICATION the decision of the Court of Appeals promulgated
on September 25, 2002, by ordering PHILTRANCO SERVICE ENTERPRISES, INC. and APOLINAR MIRALLES to
pay, jointly and severally, as follows:

1. To Felix Paras:

(a) P1,397.95, as reimbursement for the costs of medicines purchased between February 1987 and
July 1989;

(b) P50,000.00 as temperate damages;

(c) P50,000.00 as moral damages;

(d) P36,000.00 for lost earnings;

(e) 10% of the total of items (a) to (d) hereof as attorneys fees; and

(f) Interest of 6% per annum from July 18, 1997 on the total of items (a) to (d) hereof until finality of this
decision, and 12% per annum thereafter until full payment.
2. To Inland Trailways, Inc.:

(a) P250,000.00 as temperate damages;

(b) 10% of item (a) hereof; and

(c) Interest of 6% per annum on item (a) hereof from July 18, 1997 until finality of this decision, and
12% per annum thereafter until full payment.

3. The petitioner shall pay the costs of suit.

SO ORDERED.