- Petitioner
- Dy Teban Trading
- Respondent
- Jose Ching And/Or Liberty Forest
- Citation
- G.R. No. 161803
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Third Division
- Ponente
- R.T., J.
- Decided
- February 4, 2008
Summary
This Supreme Court case involves a three-way vehicular collision where a Nissan van owned by Dy Teban Trading hit a prime mover owned by Liberty Forest, Inc. that was improperly parked on a national highway. The prime mover, driven by Cresilito Limbaga, suffered tire blowouts and was parked askew occupying substantial road space without proper early warning devices. When a passenger bus tried to avoid the parked vehicle, it forced the van to swerve and collide with the prime mover. The RTC found defendants liable, but the CA reversed, holding the van driver at fault. The Supreme Court reinstated the RTC decision, applying Civil Code Article 2176 on quasi-delict, finding that the improper parking constituted negligence and was the proximate cause of damages. The Court emphasized the need for strict enforcement of traffic safety laws and early warning device requirements.