- Petitioner
- Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr.
- Respondent
- Court of Appeals
- Citation
- G.R. No. 119398
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Third Division
- Ponente
- Panganiban, J.
- Decided
- July 2, 1999
Summary
Eduardo Cojuangco sued PCSO and its chairman Fernando Carrascoso for withholding his racehorse prize winnings totaling over P1 million based on PCGG advice without specific sequestration writ. The trial court awarded damages finding bad faith, but the Court of Appeals reversed. The Supreme Court held that while Carrascoso did not act in bad faith, malice or gross negligence warranting moral/exemplary damages, he violated Cojuangco's constitutional property rights without due process under Article 32 of the Civil Code. The Court awarded P50,000 nominal damages to vindicate the constitutional right violated, emphasizing that public officers may still be liable for constitutional violations even when acting in good faith during official duties.