Jose B. Tiongco v. Atty… · G.R. 133619

Petitioner: Jose B. Tiongco
Respondent: Atty. Marciana Q. Deguma
Citation: G.R. No. 133619
Court: Supreme Court
Division: First Division
Ponente: Davide, Jr., C.J.
Decided: October 26, 1999

Summary

Jose B. Tiongco filed a civil complaint against several defendants alleging fraudulent conspiracy and public scandal but admitted having no evidence, only speculation. The Supreme Court affirmed lower courts' dismissal of the complaint and award of moral and exemplary damages to defendants for malicious prosecution. The case establishes that filing baseless civil suits to harass defendants, even without actual damages, warrants compensation under Civil Code Article 21 and malicious prosecution doctrine. The Court reduced excessive damage awards while maintaining the principle that unfounded litigation based on mere suspicion violates morals and good customs.

Statutes applied

Civil Code, Art. 21

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By the Intellegal Editorial Board · October 26, 1999

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