PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS and VIRGILIO J.

BORJA, Petitioners, versus

COURT OF APPEALS (Second Division), CORAZON C. AMORES, MA. EMILIE A.
MOJICA, CECILE C. SISON, DINO C. AMORES, LARISA C. AMORES, ARMAND JINO
C. AMORES and JOHN C. AMORES, Respondents.

2007-10-15 | G.R. No. 157658

Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila

THIRD DIVISION

DECISION

NACHURA, J.:

Before the Court is a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as
amended, seeking to annul and set aside the Decision[1] of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV No.
54906 which reversed the Decision[2] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, Branch 28, in Civil Case No.
92-61987.

The factual antecedents are as follows:

In the early afternoon of April 27, 1992, Jose Amores (Amores) was traversing the railroad tracks in Kahilum II
Street, Pandacan, Manila. Before crossing the railroad track, he stopped for a while then proceeded
accordingly.[3] Unfortunately, just as Amores was at the intersection, a Philippine National Railways' (PNR)
train with locomotive number T-517 turned up and collided with the car.[4]

At the time of the mishap, there was neither a signal nor a crossing bar at the intersection to warn motorists of
an approaching train. Aside from the railroad track, the only visible warning sign at that time was the defective
standard signboard "STOP, LOOK and LISTEN" wherein the sign "Listen" was lacking while that of "Look"
was bent.[5] No whistle blow from the train was likewise heard before it finally bumped the car of Amores.[6]
After impact, the car was dragged about ten (10) meters beyond the center of the crossing.[7] Amores died as
a consequence thereof.

On July 22, 1992, the heirs of Amores, consisting of his surviving wife and six children, herein respondents,
filed a Complaint for Damages[8] against petitioners PNR and Virgilio J. Borja (Borja), PNR's locomotive driver
at the time of the incident, before the RTC of Manila. The case was raffled to Branch 28 and was docketed as
Civil Case No. 92-61987. In their complaint, respondents averred that the train's speedometer was defective,
and that the petitioners' negligence was the proximate cause of the mishap for their failure to take precautions
to prevent injury to persons and property despite the dense population in the vicinity. They then prayed for
actual and moral damages, as well as attorney's fees.[9]

In their Answer,[10] the petitioners denied the allegations, stating that the train was railroad-worthy and without
any defect. According to them, the proximate cause of the death of Amores was his own carelessness and
negligence, and Amores wantonly disregarded traffic rules and regulations in crossing the railroad tracks and
trying to beat the approaching train. They admitted that there was no crossing bar at the site of the accident
because it was merely a barangay road.[11] PNR stressed that it exercised the diligence of a good father of a
family in the selection and supervision of the locomotive driver and train engineer, Borja, and that the latter
likewise used extraordinary diligence and caution to avoid the accident. Petitioners further asserted that

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respondents had the last clear chance to avoid the accident but recklessly failed to do so.

After trial on the merits, on August 22, 1996, the RTC rendered judgment in favor of the petitioners, the
dispositive portion of which reads:

WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered dismissing the complaint of the plaintiffs and the
defendants' counterclaim.

The costs shall be halved and paid equally by the parties.

The counsel for the defendants is hereby ordered to inform this court who is the legal representative of
the deceased defendant, Virgilio Borja, within ten (10) days from receipt of a copy of this decision.

SO ORDERED.[12]

The RTC rationalized that the proximate cause of the collision was Amores' fatal misjudgment and the
reckless course of action he took in crossing the railroad track even after seeing or hearing the oncoming train.

On appeal, the CA reversed the RTC decision, as follows:

WHEREFORE, the assailed Decision of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 28 is hereby
REVERSED. The defendants PNR and the estate of Virgilio J. Borja are jointly and severally liable to
pay plaintiffs the following:

1) The amount of P122,300.00 for the cost of damage to the car; and,

2) The amount of P50,000 as moral damages.

For lack of official receipts for funeral expenses and specimen of the last pay slip of the deceased, the
claim for reimbursement of funeral expenses and claim for payment of support is hereby DENIED for
lack of basis. Costs against Defendants.

SO ORDERED.[13]

In reversing the trial court's decision, the appellate court found the petitioners negligent. The court based the
petitioners' negligence on the failure of PNR to install a semaphore or at the very least, to post a flagman,
considering that the crossing is located in a thickly populated area. Moreover, the signboard "Stop, Look and
Listen" was found insufficient because of its defective condition as described above. Lastly, no negligence
could be attributed to Amores as he exercised reasonable diligence in crossing the railroad track.

Aggrieved by this reversal, the petitioners filed the present petition for review on certiorari, raising the
following grounds:

THE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION IN RENDERING ITS

DECISION REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MANILA BRANCH 28, IN
NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE PROVISION OF SECTION 42, R.A. 4136 OF THE LAND
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE.

II

THE DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IS CONTRARY TO THE EVIDENCE ON RECORD

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ADDUCED IN THE TRIAL ON THE MERIT IN CIVIL CASE NO. 92-61987.[14]

The petitioners insist that Amores must have heard the train's whistle and heeded the warning but, noting that
the train was still a distance away and moving slowly, he must have calculated that he could beat it to the
other side of the track before the train would arrive at the intersection. The petitioners likewise add that the
train was railroad-worthy and that its defective speedometer did not affect the train's operation. Lastly, they
insist that evidence showed sufficient warning signs strategically installed at the crossing to alert both
motorists and pedestrians.

Respondents, on the other hand, argue that the cause of the accident was petitioners' carelessness,
imprudence and laxity in failing to provide a crossing bar and keeper at the Kahilum II railway intersection.
Considering that Kahilum II Street is in the middle of a thickly populated squatters' area, and many
pedestrians cross the railroad track, notwithstanding the fact that it is a public street and a main thoroughfare
utilized in going to Herran Street, the presence of adequate warning signals would have prevented the
untimely death of Amores. Another crucial point raised by the respondents is the manner in which Borja
applied the brakes of the train only when the locomotive was already very near Amores' car, as admitted by
witness Querimit. Finally, respondents claim that Borja's failure to blow the locomotive's horn, pursuant to the
usual practice of doing the same 100 meters before reaching the Kahilum II crossing point is an earmark of
recklessness on the part of the petitioners.

The petition must fail.

The only issue to be resolved in the present case is whether the appellate court was correct in ascribing
negligence on the part of the petitioners. It was ascertained beyond quandary that the proximate cause of the
collision is the negligence and imprudence of the petitioner PNR and its locomotive driver, Borja, in operating
the passenger train.

As the action is predicated on negligence, the relevant provision is Article 2176 of the New Civil Code, which
states that:

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 was no pre-existing contractual relation
between the parties, is called quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this chapter.

We have thoroughly reviewed the records of the case and we find no cogent reason to reverse the appellate
court's decision. Negligence has been defined as "the failure to observe for the protection of the interests of
another person that degree of care, precaution, and vigilance which the circumstances justly demand,
whereby such other person suffers injury." [15] Using the aforementioned philosophy, it may be reliably
concluded that there is no hard and fast rule whereby such degree of care and vigilance is calibrated; it is
dependent upon the circumstances in which a person finds himself. All that the law requires is that it is
perpetually compelling upon a person to use that care and diligence expected of sensible men under
comparable circumstances.[16]

We hold that the petitioners were negligent when the collision took place. The transcript of stenographic notes
reveals that the train was running at a fast speed because notwithstanding the application of the ordinary and
emergency brakes, the train still dragged the car some distance away from the point of impact. Evidence
likewise unveils the inadequate precautions taken by petitioner PNR to forewarn the public of the impending
danger. Aside from not having any crossing bar, no flagman or guard to man the intersection at all times was
posted on the day of the incident. A reliable signaling device in good condition, not just a dilapidated "Stop,
Look and Listen" signage because of many years of neglect, is needed to give notice to the public. It is the
responsibility of the railroad company to use reasonable care to keep the signal devices in working order.
Failure to do so would be an indication of negligence.

As held in the case of Philippine National Railway v. Brunty, [17] it may broadly be stated that railroad
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companies owe to the public a duty of exercising a reasonable degree of care to avoid injury to persons and
property at railroad crossings, which duties pertain both to the operation of trains and to the maintenance of
the crossings. Moreover, every corporation constructing or operating a railway shall make and construct at all
points where such railway crosses any public road, good, sufficient, and safe crossings, and erect at such
points, at sufficient elevation from such road as to admit a free passage of vehicles of every kind, a sign with
large and distinct letters placed thereon, to give notice of the proximity of the railway, and warn persons of the
necessity of looking out for trains.[18] The failure of the PNR to put a cross bar, or signal light, flagman or
switchman, or semaphore is evidence of negligence and disregard of the safety of the public, even if there is
no law or ordinance requiring it, because public safety demands that said device or equipment be installed.

The petitioners insist that a train has a right-of-way in a railroad crossing under the existing laws. They derive
their theory from Section 42 (d), Article III of R.A. 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and
Traffic Code, which states that:

The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall bring to a full stop such vehicle before traversing any
"through highway" or railroad crossing: Provided, That when it is apparent that no hazard exists, the
vehicle may be slowed down to five miles per hour instead of bringing it to a full stop.

They claim that motorists are enjoined by law to stop, look and listen before crossing railroad tracks and that
a heavier responsibility rests upon the motorists in avoiding accidents at level crossings.

It is true that one driving an automobile must use his faculties of seeing and hearing when nearing a railroad
crossing. However, the obligation to bring to a full stop vehicles moving in public highways before traversing
any "through street" only accrues from the time the said "through street" or crossing is so designated and
sign-posted. From the records of the case, it can be inferred that Amores exercised all the necessary
precautions required of him as to avoid injury to himself and to others. The witnesses' testimonies showed
that Amores slackened his speed, made a full stop, and then proceeded to cross the tracks when he saw that
there was no impending danger to his life. Under these circumstances, we are convinced that Amores did
everything, with absolute care and caution, to avoid the collision.

It is settled that every person or motorist crossing a railroad track should use ordinary prudence and alertness
to determine the proximity of a train before attempting to cross. We are persuaded that the circumstances
were beyond the control of Amores for no person would sacrifice his precious life if he had the slightest
opportunity to evade the catastrophe. Besides, the authority in this jurisdiction is that the failure of a railroad
company to install a semaphore or at the very least, to post a flagman or watchman to warn the public of the
passing train amounts to negligence.[19]

In view of the foregoing, We will now discuss the liability of petitioner PNR. Article 2180[20] of the New Civil
Code discusses the liability of the employer once negligence or fault on the part of the employee has been
established. The employer is actually liable on the assumption of juris tantum that the employer failed to
exercise diligentissimi patris families in the selection and supervision of its employees. The liability is primary
and can only be negated by showing due diligence in the selection and supervision of the employee, a factual
matter that has not been demonstrated. [21] Even the existence of hiring procedures and supervisory
employees cannot be incidentally invoked to overturn the presumption of negligence on the part of the
employer.[22]

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision of the Court of Appeals dated March 31, 2003 in
CA-G.R. CV No. 54906 is hereby AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

Associate Justice

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WE CONCUR:

CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Chairperson

MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO

Associate Justice Associate Justice

RUBEN T. REYES
Associate Justice

ATTESTATION

I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned
to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.

CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Chairperson, Third Division

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Chairperson's Attestation, I certify that
the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the
writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.

REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice

_____________

[1] Penned by Associate Justice Teodoro P. Regino, with Associate Justices Buenaventura J. Guerrero and
Mariano C. Del Castillo, concurring; rollo, pp. 37-43.

[2] Penned by Judge Eudoxia T. Gualberto; rollo, pp. 44-58.

[3] TSN, March 4, 1994, pp. 6, 10.

[4] Rollo, p. 37.

[5] Id. at 41.

[6] TSN, March 4, 1994, pp. 17-18..

[7] Rollo, p. 40.

[8] Records, pp. 1-5.

[9] Id. at 4.

[10] Id. at 14-17.

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[11] TSN, July 3, 1995, p. 23.

[12] Rollo, p. 58.

[13] Id. at 42.

[14] Id. at 15.

[15] Corliss v. The Manila Railroad Company, 137 Phil. 101, 107.

[16] Cusi v. Philippine National Railways, No. L-29889, 31 May 1979, 90 SCRA 357, 362.

[17] G.R. No. 169891, November 2, 2006, 506 SCRA 685, 699 citing 37 Am.Jur. PO F.2d 439.

[18] Id.

[19] Phil. National Railways v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 70547, 22 January 1993, 271 SCRA
401, 416, citing Lilius v. Manila Railroad Company, 59 Phil. 758 (1934).

[20] Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for one's own acts or omissions,
but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible.

The father and, in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, are responsible for the damages caused by the
minor children who live in their company.

Guardians are liable for damages caused by the minors or incapacitated persons who are under their
authority and live in their company.

The owners and managers of an establishment or enterprise are likewise responsible for damages caused by
their employees in the service of the branches in which the latter are employed or on the occasion of their
functions.

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.

The State is responsible in like manner when it acts through a special agent, but not when the damage has
been caused by the official to whom the task done properly pertains, in which case what is provided in Article
2176 shall be applicable.

Lastly, teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades shall be liable for damages caused by their
pupils and students or apprentices, so ling as they remain in their custody.

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.

[21] Light Rail Transit Authority v. Navidad, G.R. No. 145804, 6 February 2003, 397 SCRA 75, 82.

[22] Fabre, Jr. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 111127, 26 July 1996, 259 SCRA 426, 434-435, citing Metro
Manila Transit Corp. v. Court of Appeals, 233 SCRA 521 (1993), Campo v. Camarote, 100 Phil 459 (1956).

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