RULE 111: When Civil Action May Proceed Independently
RULE 111: When Civil Action May Proceed Independently
RULE 111: When Civil Action May Proceed Independently
Sec. 3
When civil action may proceed independently. — In
the cases provided for in Articles 32, 33, 34 and 2176
of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the independent
civil action may be brought by the offended party.
It shall proceed independently of the criminal action
and shall require only a preponderance of
evidence. In no case, however, may the offended
party recover damages twice for the same act or
omission charged in the criminal action.
GR: Rule 111, Sec.1 of RoC in relation to Art. 100 of RPC
In any of the cases referred to in this article, whether or not the defendant's act or omission constitutes a
criminal offense, the aggrieved party has a right to commence an entirely separate and distinct civil action for
damages, and for other relief. Such civil action shall proceed independently of any criminal prosecution (if the
latter 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 omission constitutes a
violation of the Penal Code or other penal statute.
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. Such civil action shall proceed
independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall
require only a preponderance of evidence.
Preponderance of Evidence
- the standard of proof in most civil cases in which
the party bearing the burden of proof must
present evidence which is more credible and
convincing than that presented by the other
party or which shows that the fact to be proven is
more probable than not.
Proscription
The death of the accused after arraignment and during the pendency of
the criminal action shall extinguish the civil liability arising from the delict.
However, the independent civil action instituted under section 3 of this Rule
or which thereafter is instituted to enforce liability arising from other sources
of obligation may be continued against the estate or legal representative
of the accused after proper substitution or against said estate, as the case
may be. The heirs of the accused may be substituted for the deceased
without requiring the appointment of an executor or administrator and the
court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor heirs.
The court shall forthwith order said legal representative or representatives to
appear and be substituted within a period of thirty (30) days from notice.
If the accused dies before arraignment, the case shall be dismissed without
prejudice to any civil action the offended party may file against the estate
of the deceased. (n)
Effects of the death of the accused after
arraignment during the pendency of the
case
EXPNS:
Article 89 of RPC.
- The death of the accused during the pendency of
his appeal with SC totally extinguished his criminal
liability likewise extinguished the civil liability that
was based exclusively on the crime.
Novation: Affects Only of Civil
Liability not Criminal Liability