- Petitioner
- Metro Manila Transit Corporation
- Respondent
- Reynaldo Cuevas
- Citation
- G.R. No. 167797
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- Bersamin, J.
- Decided
- June 15, 2015
Summary
The Supreme Court applied the registered-owner rule to hold MMTC liable for damages from a 1994 bus accident despite having transferred actual operation to Mina's Transit. While MMTC retained legal ownership under their agreement to sell, Mina's Transit operated the bus and employed the negligent driver. The Court affirmed P285,436.50 in damages to the Cuevas family but granted MMTC's previously ignored cross-claim, ordering Mina's Transit to reimburse all amounts paid. The decision reinforced that registered owners remain liable to third parties regardless of operational transfers, but emphasized their right to seek reimbursement from actual operators under unjust enrichment principles. The case highlights the importance of courts ruling on all claims presented, including cross-claims that prevent multiplicity of suits.