Ace Haulers Corporation v. The Honorable Court of Appeals

Summary

This case arose from a 1984 vehicular accident where Fidel Abiva died after being run over by a truck owned by Ace Haulers Corporation. His widow filed for damages based on quasi-delict and employer's vicarious liability. The Supreme Court affirmed the award of actual damages (P200,000) and attorney's fees (reduced to P20,000) but deleted moral damages for lack of proof of bad faith. The Court clarified the important principle that civil liability coexists with criminal responsibility, allowing plaintiffs to choose between pursuing culpa criminal or culpa aquiliana, but prohibiting double recovery for the same negligent act.